Empty Closet July, 2014

The Empty Closet

JULY 18~20 2014 ROC PRIDE UNMASKS

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

NUMBER 480

A PUBLICATION OF THE GAY ALLIANCE

JULY 2014

The Canandaigua VA contingent at Pride 2013.

By Susan Jordan This will be the second year that the Canandaigua Veterans Administration Medical Center Color Guard has marched in the Rochester Pride, although LGBTISA Medical Center employees and Veterans have marched since 2010.

Wanda Martinez, who works at the Canandaigua VA, told The Empty Closet, “The VA Color Guard are part of the Police Department of the VA; they do presentations for many occasions. I suggested last year that they march in the Rochester Pride Parade and they were very happy to do that and thought it was a good idea. The police chief, Mr. Joseph Day, gave the OK to march, with the approval of Mr. Craig Howard, director of the VA Medical Center. They are always very supportive.”

Wanda said that gay Veterans who are served by the Canandaigua VA have marched for five years behind the VA banner.

“We had a new banner made for Pride last year which represents the five branches of US military service. We want to make sure we honor and thank those who have served and are serving our country, defending our right to freedom and equality.”

On Sunday, June 1, the VACHS (VA Caribbean Health Care System) LGBT staff and Veterans group participated in the 24th LGBT Pride Parade of Puerto Rico, in San Juan.

The VACHS group represented the VA Caribbean Healthcare System for the first time, promoting and educating on all services available to LGBT Veterans in Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands.

This is the first time that this U.S. VA Medical System has

taken part in the Puerto Rico Pride Parade. Wanda commented, “We have several VAs in Puerto Rico, the San Juan VA marched in Pride this year. While I was on vacation in Puerto Rico in March, I visited the VA Caribbean Health Care System (HCS) and I met with Nilda Lopez, the HCS Equal Employment Office Manager (EEO) and LGBT Special Emphasis Program managers, Cyndia Ramirez and Yesenia Serrano... I spoke to them about marching in the Pride Parade, to be more visible and more supportive. I sent a photo of our Pride Parade last year as an example of what can be done. They made t-shirts, and also staffed an information table, etc. I was very proud of them. The crowd was very supportive they said. When I saw pictures the following Monday, I got tears in my eyes. The response was so positive!

“Efforts such as this across the United States and its Territories help our LGBT Veterans and Military Service Members know that the VA is there for them and underscores the VA’s message: We Serve All Who Served – Servimos a quienes nos han servido – and they want all Vets to know that.

“Within the Canandaigua VA Medical Center and Rochester VA Outpatient Clinic we have many Special Emphasis Programs (SEP), -- LGBT, Women, Hispanic, African American, Asian-Pacific Islanders, Disabilities, Women Veterans and the Veterans Emphasis Program -- we have them all.

The LGBT SEP has now been in existence for five years. In addition to organizing participation in the Rochester Pride Parade, the LGBT SEP has presented ( VA continues page 3)

THE GAY ALLIANCE APPRECIATES THE CONTINUING PARTNERSHIP OF BUSINESSES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY WHO SUPPORT OUR MISSION AND VISION. OUR PLATINUM LEVEL PARTNERS ARE:

PHOTO: JODIE DAWSON

Canandaigua VA Color Guard marches in Rochester Pride

Unmask your true colors at Pride 2014, July 18-20

By Susan Jordan Pride 2014, Rochester’s 25th celebration of our LGBTQ community, will be bigger and better this year, according to Pride Committee head Michael Lill, who adds, “We’re looking forward to everyone’s participation.”

The theme for 2014 is “Unmask Your True Colors.”

Evelyn Bailey of Shoulders To Stand On will be honored as Grand Marshal.

The Flag Ceremony on July 18 will again be in Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square, and the Gay Alliance’s giant rainbow flag will fly over the city from the towering superstructure. The Central Library will again display rainbow lighting. The Parade the next day, July 19, will march down Park Ave. to Alexander St. and East Ave., and thence to the Park for the Festival.

So what’s new? For one thing, there will be many more Roc Pride sports events this year, including roller derby at Bill Grey’s Iceplex, bowling at Clo-

ver Lanes, and rugby, volleyball, softball and an obstacle course at Genesee Valley Park. The sports will go on all weekend.

Pride weekend will start with the Flag Ceremony at 6 p.m. on July 18 at MLK Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square, and will feature Ride for Pride’s Rainbow Riders and the Pride Performance Ensemble, or PPE, a group of individuals led by Jeff Allen. New this year -- the Gay Alliance will provide live updates on July 18 as the Festival site is set up, on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Go to twitter.com/ GAGVInfo, facebook.com/Roc Pride and follow “gay alliance” on Instagram.

Michael Lill said, “We started PPE last year. It’s a color guard which also does flag spinning.

We’re increasing our technical skill this year and doing more dancing. We’ve also performed at the Breast Cancer Walk and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. At this point there are about eight people in the group – we’re always looking to increase our numbers!”

Betty Who headlines Festival… page 27

Michael Lill

The July 18 event will also feature official proclamations, the sashing of the Grand Marshal and Latino/Latina LGBT Voices. After the Flag Ceremony ends at 7 p.m., the History Pavilion will be open until 9 p.m.

Michael said that the exhibit will include a display on transgender history from the Stonewall Museum in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., sponsored by City Council member Matt Haag.

On July 19, the Pride Parade (Unmask continues page 3)

Inside

Editorials....................................... 2 Local/State News........................ 3 National/International News..... 4 Interview: Foster care..................... 6 LGBTQ Living: Interior design....17 Shoulders To Stand On ...........21 Columnists ................................22 Community ................................25 Entertainment: Betty Who.........27 Gay Alliance: Thanks, Audet!.....30 Calendar.....................................34 Classifieds..................................34 Comics................................ 34, 35 The Gay Alliance is publisher of The Empty Closet, New York State’s oldest LGBTQ newspaper.

(PARTNERSHIPS CONTINUE ON PAGE 2)

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014

Perspectives The Empty Closet Editor SUSAN JORDAN

Does freedom of speech = freedom to abuse?

The uproar over Kimberly and Beck’s abusive language about trans people is old news.

Hopefully some cisgendered people learned some REAL facts about transgender, from Pam Barres, Maur and Laine DeLaney, Jason Ballard and Scott Fearing, who were interviewed by local media, and from viewing “Just Gender” at The Little.

But an underlying issue remains to be addressed: does freedom of speech give Americans the right to bully and abuse others?

Conservative politician Bill Nojay says it does. In an op/ ed piece for The Democrat & Chronicle, he claimed that challenging Kimberly and Beck’s verbal abuse violated freedom of speech, and therefore democracy is going down the tubes.

However, it’s likely most Americans would agree that freedom of speech does not include the right to dehumanize people we don’t like or understand, and target them for slurs that go far beyond the line of legitimate satire and may endanger them.

Kimberly and Beck’s comments about a local trans high school student did precisely that.

If they had trashed wealthy white Republicans in the same crass terms (“nut jobs,” etc.)

Nojay’s calls for their firing would probably have been audible on Mars.

But this isn’t just about radio

shock jocks’ trash talk. Too much of society’s discourse has become uncivil, disrespectful and even abusive, and liberals and progressives who engage in that are guilty too.

The main offenders, though, are conservative extremists, who have exploited hate for decades in order to win votes, starting with their Southern Strategy of pitting southern whites against blacks.

The Right has never hesitated to trash African American youth, inner city single moms, seniors on Social Security/Medicare, Hispanic immigrants, women, gays, union members, the unemployed, scientists, environmental activists, President Obama and his family and anyone else they see as a threat to their control of the universe. Classic example: Rush Limbaugh slurring Sandra Fluke as a “slut”.

The latest abusive catchword from the Tea Party is “libtard” – which manages not only to trash the hated liberals, but also to insult innocent people who have traditionally been called “retarded” and seen as subhuman, and therefore legitimate targets for bullying and ridicule.

If you dehumanize an individual, or a group of people, then you can do whatever you want to them, because they are not really human. You can demonize them and deprive them of civil and human rights, which is happening to gays now in Uganda. The journey from trash talk to calls for repression and hate violence is not a long journey, as evangelicals have shown in their global campaign against LGBTQ humans.

Conservatives complain about “p.c.” or “political correctness”, meaning they want a return to the good old days when white, upper-class, heterosexual, cisgendered males were free to insult everyone else, with impunity. Their anger at liberal p.c. is ironic, considering the long list of conservative p.c. rules and taboos enforced by the ultra-Right.

According to conservative political correctness, apparently, calling people sluts, libtards and nut jobs doesn’t harm democracy at all. ■

Gay Alliance Board of Trustees 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

Pride 2014 Pride 2014 comes with a great deal to celebrate: the roster of states with marriage equality continues to grow, Medicare now covers trans* health care services, trans* New Yorkers no longer need costly and invasive surgery to have an accurate birth certificate, the city of Rochester will provide inclusive health care benefits to trans* families and from Washington, President Obama started June by officially proclaiming June as LGBT Pride month and then went one better when on June 16 he directed his staff to draft an executive order that would ban workplace discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees of federal contractors. Whew!

We have made great progress, and yet we have a way to go in our struggle for full LGBTQ equality.

Pride is that time of year when we honor our history, our achievements, and our community. Its when we come together wearing our brightest colors, blast our most fabulous music, and paint the town not only red, but orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. It’s when we celebrate our community in all its depth and complexity.

I recently had someone tell me that they felt there was no longer a need for Pride celebrations. Yup, someone here in the City of Festivals said that to me!

I asked if they felt that the local Greek Festival, Puerto Rican Festival, Labor Day or St Patricks Day celebrations had all run their course and should be stopped?

Name

“Of course not,” was their horrified response.

What’s the difference? Pride is our festive holiday. It is the celebration of our survival, our families, our history and culture.

No matter how many times in ways subtle and not that “they” have told us that we are less than, unequal or sick, we remain dedicated to being our authentic selves. Pride is a time that we can be completely out of the closet and gather together in community as LGBTQ and allied.

For over 20 years I have been working for the LGBTQ communities; I have personally outed myself to tens (more like hundreds) of thousands of people.

And still Pride remains a very special time of year to me.

When the day arrives that all of the members of our communities have achieved full legal equality, and the last biased name has been called, and young LGBTQ persons are no longer kicked out of families and no one is assaulted for how they present their gender, even then, there will still be a need for a Pride celebration.

During Pride this year, as you celebrate at the Festival or Picnic, play in or watch the ROC Pride Games, march or watch the Parade, every time you wish others “Happy Pride!”, take time to reflect on what you are celebrating. Then ask yourself, when will you no longer need to celebrate?

I hope your answer is as simple as the word never. ■

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JULY 2014 • NUMBER 480 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

PAGE ONE (Unmask from page 1) will wend its way down Park Ave. to Alexander St. and on to East Ave. and MLK Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square, site of the Festival. Meanwhile, Family Fun Time will be underway there from noon until around 3:30, followed by DJs and performers until the Parade comes in around 5 p.m. Last year an estimated 7,000 people were on the streets.

Family Time (free) will include face painting and a mask creation competition. Jerry Mahoney, author of “Mommy Man” and parent of four-and-a-half-year-old twins, will be helping out. Jerry will read from his book at Barnes & Noble in Pittsford Plaza on July 18 at 7 p.m.

The Festival, which runs from 5 to 9, will feature headliner Betty Who, many local bands, the Rochester Gay Men’s and Women’s Community Choruses, JCC’s “Hairspray” cast and Dragtopia, a bevy of fierce drag queens. Kasha Davis and Samantha Vega will serve as M.C.s and Darienne Lake will be a featured performer. DJs Hector, Paul and Neill McCloud will provide music. Admission is $15 at the gate.

There will also be some changes at the Picnic on Sunday, July 20 at Genesee Valley Park. The Gay Alliance fundraising event, which began in 1973 with around 40 people, most of them nervous about being out in a public space, has grown into a gathering of around 2,000. Admission and food: $20 at gate; $15 advance. Admission only: $15 at gate.

“This year,” Michael said, “We’re going to bring in the city’s small stage. The DJs and dancing will still be in the Roundhouse, and the stage will be closer to the river.

DJ Blake will be doing karaoke, and there will be drag performances and a band. The picnic site design contest will still be on, and this year we are bringing in just one food vendor, who will provide hots, hamburgers, and vegan options. The alcohol area will be separate from the picnic area, but you can take drinks anywhere in the park, or bring your own cooler.”

The Pride Committee consists of Michael, Christopher Hennelly, Peter Mohr of the Bachelor Forum and Gay Alliance Board, Jeanne Gainsburg of the Gay Alliance staff, Kellie Ronald, Lora Thody, Jillian Wilton from Boulder Coffee, Jodie Dawson and Evelyn Bailey.

Organizing three days of events involving thousands of people is no simple task. Michael said, “It’s amazing the amount of work that goes into these events. It’s literally a part time job, with volunteers working 30 hours a week since February. We have a great group of people to help us, just like we did last year.”

What inspires Michael to take on this project? He said, “I love the ability to bring diverse people together, so everyone knows they’re not alone, and can take pride in their community.” ■ ( VA from page 1) and staffed information tables at Medical Center Health Fairs and Diversity Days and provided training to Medical Center management and clinicians.

Most recently the Canandaigua Medical Center has instituted a support group for LGBT Veterans and it will soon expand

to the Rochester VA Outpatient Clinic.”

Wanda concluded, “We are very excited that this year we have flyers to make LGBT and all Veterans aware of VA services and encourage them to get involved. LGBT activities started at the Medical Center in 2009 through the efforts of Kathy Cosgrove, EEO Manager, Suzanne Dougherty and John Altieri, then of the Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention. A small group of VA staff ‘Marched out with Pride for our Veterans’ during the first time participating in the parade in 2010 and we had 32 last year.”

The LGBT Special Emphasis Program lead by Wanda was created in September 2009 and has 35 members. Since 2013 Dawn Smith has co-managed the program with Wanda. In addition to her activities at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center, Wanda also serves on the VA’s National Special Emphasis Program Advisory Council (SEPAC) LGBT Workgroup.

She said, “We extend the invitation to all LGBT and Ally Veterans, Military Service Members and families to join us in Marching Out with Pride in this year’s Rochester Pride Parade.” ■

NewsFronts LOCAL AND STATE

Casey and Mary Ellen Lopata receive an award from Assemblymember Harry Bronson.

Fortunate Families marks a decade of helping gay Catholics

By Casey Sullivan On May 3, Casey and Mary Ellen Lopata celebrated 10 years of Fortunate Families. Founded April 2004, Fortunate Families is a nationwide resource, networking, and story-sharing ministry to, for and with parents dedicated to seeking moral equality and justice for LGBT persons and their families.

When their son Jim came out as gay to them in 1983, it took some time to adjust. “It took us some nine years. But, assimilating what we learned during that time from the best available social science info and from the Catholic social justice tradition, we finally came to understand that we could confidently and publicly affirm Jim as the gay man he is,” said Casey.

Mary Ellen added, “We also came to understand that the world would not get better for Jim, and other LGBT persons, if we, and others like us, didn’t do our part to make it better.

Silence meant complicity.”

The Lopatas have spent the last couple of decades participating with local activist groups such as PFLAG, Dignity-Integrity and the Gay Alliance, as well as national groups including New Ways Ministry and DignityUSA. The Lopatas helped establish Catholic Gay & Lesbian Family Ministry in the Rochester Diocese and the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Minis-

tries headquartered in Oakland, Calif.

When asked for advice for LGBTQ children coming out to their conservative Catholic parents, Mary Ellen said she reminds parents that children are considered God’s gift.

“Catholics are taught that every child is a gift from God; a gift to their family, a gift to their community (especially their faith community) and a gift to the world. Love each child as s/he is; encourage them to be who God created them to be.”

As our community becomes increasingly supportive, Mary Ellen is hopeful that coming out will grow easier. She warns against using ultimatums and urges people to remain respectful.

“Assure them you haven’t changed; you are the same person they knew and loved before you told them you are LGB or T.” She recommends the pamphlet Always Our Children (1997-8 USCCB), which is directed towards parents of lesbian daughters and gay sons.

“While still tentative in some areas, it is very pastoral in tone and a big step away from the negative rhetoric most often quoted from Church teaching.”

Casey adds that conservative and liberal attitudes are just semantics. “‘Conservative’ does not necessarily mean they will reject you, nor does ‘liberal’ mean they will automati-

3 cally accept you.” He suggests offering them this teaching of the U.S. Bishops: “[Homosexual persons], like everyone else, should not suffer from prejudice against their basic human rights. They have a right to respect, friendship, and justice.

They should have an active role in the Christian community.”

[U.S. Catholic Bishops, To Live in Christ Jesus, 1976] He notes, “Unfortunately, not all bishops have always lived up to this idea.”

In May, Catholic bishops were ordered to support NOM’s anti-gay hate march in Washington D.C. last month.

Harry Bronson announces Assembly passage of GENDA; Senate GOP refuses to allow vote Taking a step forward in ensuring equality for all New Yorkers, Assemblyman Harry B. Bronson (D-Rochester/Chili/ Henrietta) announced Assembly passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) (A.4226B). GENDA, which Assemblyman Bronson co-sponsored, would expand the Human Rights Law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression.

“Despite our state’s longstanding commitment to equal rights, we are still coming up short when it comes to discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression,” Assemblyman Bronson said. “We can no longer ignore the unique struggles transgender individuals face in commonplace activities, such as seeking employment, applying for an apartment or even waiting to be seated at a restaurant. The Assembly’s passage of GENDA brings us one step closer to ensuring equality for all New Yorkers.”

Currently, New York State’s Human Rights Law protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of sex, age, race, creed, national origin and sexual orientation, but no protections exist for gender identity and expression. While many supporters of the state’s 2002 Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) believe that the law protects the rights of transgender individuals, that is not the case, noted Assemblyman Bronson.

“Tolerating discrimination of any kind is simply unacceptable,” Assemblyman Bronson said. “As leaders in our state and community, we must remain committed to ensuring every New Yorker is treated respectfully and equally, regardless of his or her gender identity or expression.”

Note: Senate Republicans once again refused to allow GENDA to come to the floor for a vote.

Assembly passes bill banning conversion therapy; Senate refuses vote The Empire State Pride Agenda commends the New York State Assembly for the swift passage of the legislation to protect LGBT youth from conversion efforts (A.6983A/Glick) (S.4917A/Hoylman).

“We’re thrilled by the rapid progress and bipartisan support this bill has earned during this session. We are hopeful that we can see this legislation signed into law this year. We call on the New York State Senate to follow the example of their Assembly colleagues, as well as leaders in New Jersey and California, the medical community, and public opinion, by passing this bill now so we can put it on Governor Cuomo’s desk for a signature.” said Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Nathan M. Schaefer. “This issue is non-partisan; we’re all in agreement that harming LGBT youth is unacceptable and we must put an end to this damaging and discredited practice. We cannot let another day go by where our youngest New Yorkers are vulnerable to this avoidable harm.”

Sponsored by Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick and Senators Brad Hoylman and Michael Gianaris, the bill would prohibit therapists licensed by the State of New York from engaging in efforts to “convert” the sexual orientations or gender identities of minors. The legislation clearly defines the practices that are prohibited and also defines the consequences that a mental health professional who attempts to change a child’s gender identity or sexual orientation will face, including discipline by and sanctions from the provider’s licensors.

The bill, which was introduced only one year ago, has seen rapid movement through the legislative process and has earned bipartisan support.

“I applaud Assembly Member Deborah Glick for spearheading passage in the Assembly of A.6983-B to ban so-called conversion “therapy” on LGBT youth by licensed mental health professionals,” said New York State Senator and lead Senate Sponsor on the bill Brad Hoylman. “Thanks to the leadership of Assembly Member Glick and Speaker Silver, we’re one step closer to joining New Jersey and California in protecting our kids from being subject to this dangerous practice and their parents from being victims of a proven scam. Banning conservation therapy is a nonpartisan issue that should receive full consideration by my colleagues in the Senate.”

The vast majority of associations of mental health practitioners and researchers acknowledge the detrimental effects that these practices can have on minors. The American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association oppose this practice and are joined by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American Counseling Association Governing Council, the American Psychoanalytic Organization, the American School Counselor Association, the National Association of Social Workers and the Pan American Health Organization in condemning this dangerous practice. All acknowledge that the practices cannot achieve their goals and are, in fact, harmful to those who undergo such treatment.

California passed a similar law in 2012, and New Jersey (Assembly continues page 6)

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014

NewsFronts NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL

For more details on Utah and Indiana, see www.gayalliance.org; click on Empty Closet News (under marriage equality).

Federal judges strike down Wisconsin, Utah, Indiana marriage bans U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Crabb on June 6 struck down the discriminatory amendment to the Wisconsin state constitution preventing same-sex couples from marrying. On June 9 she declined to issue a stay on the ruling.

Breaking news: on June 25 US District Judge Richard Young struck down the Indiana marriage ban in ruling #21 and an appeals court declared the Utah ban unconstitutional – ruling #22.

The American Civil Liberties Union had challenged the Wisconsin law on behalf of eight couples seeking the freedom to marry in Wisconsin or to have their out-of-state marriages recognized.

Two of the plaintiffs, Kami Young and Karina Willes of West Milwaukee, were legally married last year in Minnesota and have a newborn daughter. But because Young is the birth mother, she is the only one who is recognized as the legal parent on the birth certificate.

“Our daughter has two parents who love her dearly,” said Willes. “I am no less a mother to her than Kami is, and she deserves the security of having both of her parents legally recognized. Our daughter shouldn’t have second-class protections.”

“We are tremendously happy that these loving and committed couples will now be able to access the security and recognition that only marriage provides,” said Larry Dupuis, legal director of the ACLU of Wisconsin. “These discriminatory laws are falling around the country and it is only right that Wisconsin move forward as well.”

“Wisconsin’s constitutional ban on marriage for same-sex couples is a striking example of intentional discrimination towards lesbians and gay men in Wisconsin,” said John Knight, staff attorney with the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project. “The marriage ban has sent a powerful message that same-

sex couples are undeserving of the dignity and important legal protections associated with marriage. Judge Crabb’s decision that same-sex couples are equal under the law sends an entirely different message -- one inviting and encouraging fair treatment and respect for these couples.”

Human Rights Campaign “Where you live should never limit your ability to marry the person you love,” said Human Rights Campaign (HRC) president Chad Griffin. “All across the country, from coast to coast and everywhere in between, judges are striking marriage discrimination from the books using the U.S. Constitution as their guide.

Because of the couples who brought this case, their attorneys with the ACLU and Mayer Brown LLP, and the hundreds of plaintiffs challenging marriage bans across the country, we as a nation are closer than ever before to full equality under the law.”

A May 2014 Marquette University Law School poll showed 55 percent of registered Wisconsin voters favor allowing same-sex couples to legally marry. The ruling in Wisconsin coincides with the release of new poll results by the Washington Post and ABC News which show that 50 percent of Americans believe that gay and lesbian couples have a constitutional right to marry guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection clause.

Additionally, 56 percent of Americans and 77 percent of those under the age of thirty support marriage rights for samesex couples.

There are at least 70 court cases challenging discriminatory marriage bans across the country in 30 states and Puerto Rico. So far five federal appeals courts are presiding over 10 marriage equality cases over the coming weeks and months. The Sixth Circuit holds the distinction of being the only federal appeals court to date that will consider marriage cases from all states within its jurisdiction.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic marriage rulings last year, no state mar-

riage ban has survived a court challenge.

Same-sex couples can legally marry in 22 states and the District of Columbia, while 28 states have a law or constitutional amendment restricting marriage to the union of one man and one woman.

Learn more about this and other marriage equality cases at www.americansformarriageequality.org Rep. Mark Pocan U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a cochair of the LGBT Equality Caucus, on June 6 issued the following statement on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin’s ruling that Wisconsin’s ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional: “The federal district court in Madison took another step toward ensuring full equality for every American. It is clear the growing momentum of support for marriage equality will put an end to discriminatory laws that treat LGBT couples as second-class citizens. In ruling after ruling, it has become unmistakable that the promise of America is everyone should be treated equally and with dignity. Today’s ruling brings us one step closer to fulfilling that promise.”

A tireless advocate for the rights of the LGBT community, Pocan has been married to his husband Phil since 2006.

Freedom to Marry Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry, released the following statement: “Today’s decision out of Wisconsin marks the twentieth consecutive ruling by a federal or state judge since last year that a discriminatory state marriage ban is unconstitutional. Across the country, the courts agree: same-sex couples and their families need the dignity of marriage, and anti-marriage laws are indefensible.

With over 70 marriage cases now making their way through the courts, today’s decision in Wisconsin underscores that all of America is ready for the freedom to marry.

It’s time now for the Supreme Court to bring resolution nationwide.”

“Gay Tea Party” group GOProud is gone Tim Mak writes at the Daily Beast: Reports began trickling out in the press this week (June 6) that GOProud had decided to close up shop.

In truth, the original (gay-conservative) organization functionally folded a year ago, The Daily Beast has learned.

And the attempts to reboot GOProud are being actively mocked by the men who founded the group.

The decline of GOProud is a prime example of what happens to an organization that rises to prominence through confrontation — and never bothers to do the grunt work needed to sustain the outfit, once the outrage dies down. It was feisty and controversial — a Tea Party, of sorts, to the more establishment-minded Log Cabin Republicans. It was an organization running on a shoestring budget that elbowed its way into the conservative conversation. [snip] …

For many supporters of GOProud, being called a “troll” was a badge of honor. Their goal from the start was to plant a flag in the ground: There are gay conservatives, and here we are. Others, even those sympathetic to the group, accused it of being a vanity project for its cofounders, Christopher Barron and Jimmy LaSalvia; a platform for the two to pick fights.

Anti-Defamation League blasts Perkins for offensive Holocaust “boxcar” statement The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization dedicated to combating anti-Semitism, condemned Family Research Council (FRC) president and regular Fox News and CNN guest Tony Perkins for his “deeply offensive” comments comparing LGBT non-discrimination protections with the Holocaust.

On June 6, Perkins blasted a Colorado Civil Rights Commission ruling finding that a baker had violated the state’s antidiscrimination law by refusing to bake a cake for a gay couple, asking on his radio program Washington Watch, “I’m beginning to think, are re-education camps next? When are they going to start rolling out the boxcars to start hauling off Christians?”

Perkins’ remarks echoed his statement in April that the LGBT movement “reminds me of Nazi Germany.” (Ed. Note: Apparently he is ignorant of the fact that the Nazis, an ultra-conservative political party close to the Family Research Council and Tea Party in its social views, murdered thousands of gays.)

In a June 10 statement, ADL President Abraham Foxman denounced Perkins’ comments, calling them “offensive and inappropriate”: “Tony Perkins’ invocation of the Holocaust in his statement referring to a judge’s finding that a baker unlawfully discriminated against gay customers is offensive and inappropriate.

“There is no comparison between contemporary American political issues and the actions of Hitler’s regime during the Holocaust. Such inappropriate analogies only serve to trivialize the Holocaust and are deeply offensive to Jews and other survivors, as well as those Americans who fought valiantly against the Nazis in World War II. “We urge Perkins to apologize and to refrain from using Holocaust imagery to make his point.”

Extreme anti-LGBT rhetoric has defined Perkins’ career, and the FRC’s defamatory attacks on the LGBT community led the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) to designate it an anti-gay hate group in 2010.

Despite that record, Perkins and FRC are frequent fixtures on CNN and Fox News. Fox’s Megyn Kelly in particular has given Perkins the star treatment, inviting him onto The Kelly File to attack basic non-discrimination policies and to champion anti-LGBT business discrimination.

Given his reputation, the ADL said, Perkins isn’t likely to take the ADL’s advice to heart. But media outlets might want to reconsider whether it’s wise to provide him a forum to continue peddling his apoplectic attacks on LGBT equality.

AMA board adds first openly gay trustee GLMA (Gay and Lesbian Medical Association) has announced that one of its members, Jesse Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH, has become the first openly gay Trustee of the American Medical Association (AMA).

On June 10, the AMA House of Delegates elected Jesse to serve on the Board of Trustees, joining a handful of other health professional associations to include out LGBT individuals in positions of leadership.

Last June, GLMA became the first and only LGBT organization to have a voting seat in the AMA House of Delegates, signaling a major shift to advance understanding of LGBT healthcare needs and promote equality.

“As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month, I am moved by the fact that Jesse’s inclusion in the leadership of the largest physician group in the US will continue to advance LGBT health equality. AMA policies have significant influence on public policy efforts in the US and the inclusion of an openly gay health professional voice among AMA leadership will have far reaching implications for LGBT patients and health professionals across the country,” said GLMA Executive Director Hector Vargas.

“Additionally, Jesse’s service on the AMA Board of Trustees provides a muchneeded role model to LGBT health professionals, students and trainees. As GLMA members — from all professions — are well aware, being an out LGBT health professional is not always easy. Like those who have served before him in positions

JULY 2014 • NUMBER 480 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET of leadership with other health professional associations, Jesse will not only provide an LGBT voice on the AMA Board of Trustees, but also serve as a role model to LGBT health professionals and students across the nation.”

VA to give Burial Benefits to domestic, civil union partners The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force applauds a new rule released June 6 by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that will provide Burial Benefits to domestic partners and civil union partners. The Task Force recommended the change to VA in January, and LGBTQ veterans and their families will start to receive payments this year.

“This is an important victory for LGBTQ veterans and their families who are in civil unions and domestic partnerships. Now many more LGBTQ military families will be able to grieve the loss of loved ones who have served, without having the additional stress of worrying about funeral expenses.”

Early this year, the Task Force asked VA to recognize all relationships for the purposes of burial benefits: all same-sex marriages (regardless of where the partners live), as well as all civil unions and domestic partnerships. While VA remains constrained by law to recognize only those legal unions that are valid in the state where the couple lives, the decision to recognize domestic partnerships and civil unions indicates a willingness on the part of the nation’s second largest government agency to recognize the relationships of same-sex couples wherever they are legally able.

This may be the first time a federal agency has expanded so-called “spousal” benefits to include domestic partners and those in civil unions. VA’s decision comes less than a year after the Office of Personnel Management’s disappointing announcement that most federal benefits won’t extend to domestic partners under the Supreme Court’s Windsor ruling.

“We’re excited that VA is taking steps to provide benefits to our LGBTQ veterans and their families. But Congress must do more to untie VA’s hands. That’s why we’re calling on US Senators and US Representatives to change the discriminatory law that keeps so many of our military heroes from getting the benefits they deserve.”

COLAGE hosts P-Town Family Week July 26-Aug. 2 COLAGE, the only national organization for and by people with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer parents, and Family Equality Council, the national organization which represents the three million parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer in the United States, are gearing up for Family Week 2014.

The event is set for July 26 through August 2 in Provincetown, Mass.

Family Week attracts hundreds of families who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer, and their children, extended families, prospective families, and friends. It was started 19 years ago and has continued to be a tradition for LGBTQ families. Family Week programs include a myriad of gatherings, workshops, and celebrations for parents and families, as well as programs for youth ages 8-18.

“For youth in LGBTQ families attending Family Week, the gathering fosters lifelong friendships and provides a safe and accepting space to support empowerment, dialog, and connections,” said COLAGE Executive Director Annie Van Avery. “We have found over these many years providing evolving programming around issues that are relevant for youth at Family Week, that connecting with peers who share a deep understanding of their experience as well as adult mentors who

are also people with LGBTQ parents is a powerful and life changing opportunity.

Many take this opportunity to become social justice leaders in their home communities.”

“I think it’s important to educate kids about their families and show them that they aren’t alone as kids with queer parents,” said a COLAGE-affiliated 12-yearold. “I learned that it’s important to take pride in your family and to stand up for what you believe in.”

For more information about Family Week, visit the websites of COLAGE and Family Equality Council: http://www.colage.org/family-week/ http://www.familyequality.org/get_ involved/events/annual_events/family_ week/

School pays family $750,000 for letting son be bullied to point of suicide in 2010

By Andrew Potts on gaystarnews.com The mother of a California gay teen who committed suicide in 2010 after enduring years of bullying at Jacobsen Middle School has settled a lawsuit with the Tehachapi Unified School District – agreeing to receive $750,000 in compensation for its failure to protect him.

Thirteen-year-old Seth Walsh had already been subjected to bullying before he came out at school, but things only got worse and he was subjected to physical and verbal bullying inside and outside of school, as well as being bullied online and over the phone by other students.

Mother Wendy Walsh had initially sought $US 6 million over her son’s death but agreed to settle at $750,000 on the advice of her lawyers to avoid the school board seeking to use legal technicalities to win the case.

“In order to avoid that risk and to bring closure to the most painful thing a parent could ever endure, the death of a child, Wendy Walsh decided to settle and forego reliving the trauma in the courtroom,” Walsh’s lawyer Daniel Rodriguez told the Bakersfield Californian.

Californian lawmakers reacted to Seth’s death by passing AB 9, also known as Seth’s Law, which requires Californian school districts to adopt policies prohibiting bullying based on actual or perceived characteristics including sexual orientation.

As a result of Seth’s death the Tehachapi Unified School District now provides an anti-harassment curriculum for all students from kindergarten to Year 12 and requires staff members to report any incident of bullying to an administer within 24 hours.

Seth’s death was one of a number of suicides by young people who were gay or perceived to be gay that inspired writer Dan Savage to found the It Gets Better project.

Walsh said through Rodriguez that Seth’s death “had not been in vain,” because of the changes it had lead to.

- See more at: http://www. gaystarnews.com/article/california-school-district-pays-out-750000-overbullied-gay-teen%E2%80%99ssuicide050614#sthash.ah0y7pqj.dpuf

Report: Most same sex couples now live in states that recognize marriage equality The majority of U.S. same-sex couples now live in states that recognize same-sex marriage, according to a report by visual journalist David Mendoza.

On The Mendoza Line, he reports that with Illinois (home to 3.9 percent of same-sex couples in the U.S.) becoming the latest state to offer equal marriage rights, it pushes the figure into the majority, with 51 percent of U.S. same-sex couples being able to marry in a state that recognizes their unions. California has the (Report continues page 12)

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014

Interview

based on the staff’s personal interactions with the foster parents certified with the agency.

Although being a foster parent is challenging while navigating among the agency, the court system, and ongoing training, Wilkie and Smith agree that gay people already possess the built-in inclination to choose their own families within the community, which can be an asset in foster parenting. “Our community tends to be very accepting of different kinds of families in a way that other communities might not be,” Smith said. ■

Get Info about foster parenting at Pride

The DHS table at Pride 2013.

There is a growing need for foster parents in Monroe County

By Adam Young The ultimate goal of the Homefinding Unit of the Monroe County Department of Human and Health Services is to keep children with their biological parents or other family members as often as possible.

Foster care is reserved as a last resort. Yet the need for foster care homes in Monroe County continues to grow.

Todd Ranous, Senior Matcher for the Homefinding Unit, has been with the organization since 1999. According to Ranous, there are about 240 foster homes in Monroe County. However, there is always a need for more, particularly for foster parents accepting of LGBTQ youth.

“Having the double whammy of not only are you LGBT, but now you’re a foster kid, there’s a lot of stigma attached to it,” Ranous said. Often, abuse and neglect are the main reasons children are placed into foster care. Sometimes a child’s sexuality is cause for a parent to dismiss their child from their home.

Jessica Wilkie and Pauline Smith have been foster parents for three and a half years. Over this time they have fostered about 12 children, ranging from a weekend stay to much longer placements.

When the couple first signed up, they did not anticipate the strong need for foster parents to care for teens who identify as LGBT. Yet Wilkie and Smith said that each child they have fostered over the age of 12 has identified as LGBT. “You can form an attachment in a very short time where that kid views you as their parent, especially if they’ve never had a parental influence,” Smith said.

The couple admits that not every foster child is a match for every home. Often foster teens can be angry with their circumstances and may focus that negativity at their foster parents. While Smith noted

that most of the children they have fostered have been “fantastic,” there is going to be some emotional turbulence.

“Every kid is going to throw that curveball at you,” Smith said. While not every match ideally works out, some foster parents have been pleasantly surprised by the experience of fostering a child of a certain age group or stage of development they were initially against, Ranous said.

As foster parents, Wilkie and Smith agree there is no standard scenario, with adaptability and a willingness to deal with the unexpected being crucial traits. But many of the foster teens in the Homefinding program are not the jaded, dangerous stereotypes that they may be portrayed as in the media, Ranous said. Many foster children have gone on to college, to do internships at places like the U.S. Senate, and to train foster parents themselves. Ranous noted that once you break through their harsh exterior and see the growth that you helped nurture, the experience is well worth it. Many foster children still reach out to Ranous to check-in after they leave the program. Wilkie and Smith report similar closeness with some of their past foster children.

It takes about one year to become certified as a foster parent, Wilkie said.

During this process, 30 hours of Model Approach to Partnership Parenting (“MAPP”) training is required to become certified. Although the certification process can be daunting at times, foster parents have a dedicated caseworker to consult with as questions and issues arise.

Each foster child also has a caseworker. To determine placement, foster children are placed into a database to match them to a prospective foster parent. Characteristics such as age, medical/development issues, and the newly created LGBTQ status are considered when determining the placement of a foster child. Often, the case workers at the agency will have an idea of who to match up foster children with

Stop by the Monroe County Homefinding Unit table and talk with agency staff and foster parents about their experiences during Family Fun Time at Roc Pride 2014, Saturday, July 19, 11 a.m. -3 p.m.

Family Fun Time event is at Manhattan Square Park, it’s free.

Come with questions, get some firstperson info, and play some games!

For more information about becoming a foster parent in Monroe County, call (585) 753-6522, or visit http://www2.monroecounty. gov/hs-fostercare.php.

LOCAL AND STATE (Assembly continued from page 3) passed its own in the summer of 2013. In June 2013, after 36 years of leading the “ex-gay” movement, Exodus International disbanded amid growing skepticism of its top officials and board members that sexual attractions can be changed. But other organizations and practitioners continue to promote and engage in this discredited practice.

The passage of this bill comes on the heels of the seventh Assembly passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), which would provide protections for transgender New Yorkers of places of housing, employment, credit, education and public accommodations.

The NYS Senate, dominated by Republicans, did not allow either of these bills on the floor for a vote – presumably because they would have passed.

More information about this issue can be found at prideagenda.org/protectingyouth.

Bronson bill to safeguard name change passes Assembly Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson (D-Rochester/Chili/Henrietta) announced the passage of legislation he authored that would protect the personal safety and privacy of victims of domestic violence as

well as transgender individuals (A.9409).

“Acts of domestic violence and discrimination have no place in our society,” said Assemblymember Bronson. “We must protect victims of domestic violence and transgender individuals who may be at risk of such deplorable acts. The protections afforded in this bill are vital to ensuring the personal safety of many of our fellow New Yorkers.”

The bill authored by Assemblymember Bronson would waive the information that is required to be published when individuals choose to legally change their names in order to avoid acts of violence or discrimination, or to conform with their gender identity or gender expression. Specifically, the bill would make this waiver available to individuals attempting to avoid potential or actual domestic violence, stalking, hate crimes or sexual assault.

In 2009, the Supreme Court of Westchester County ruled that the civil rights law authorizes the waiver of publication of a name change order if such publication would jeopardize the safety of the individual seeking the name change. Unfortunately, some courts require an actual showing of past violence to meet the “personal safety waiver” standard. Bringing state statute into accordance with the need for full personal safety is an important step toward ensuring these waiver protections are available to individuals who need them, noted Assemblymember Bronson.

Roughly 450,000 incidents of domestic violence are reported in New York state each year and in 2012, state courts issued over 300,000 orders of protection. At the same time, nearly 30 percent of transgender New Yorkers have experienced serious physical or sexual assault.

NYS modernizes policy on gender markers for birth certificates The Empire State Pride Agenda, along with a network of partner organizations, on June 5 welcomed a policy change from New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and his administration that removes the surgical requirement for New Yorkers to obtain a gender marker change on their birth certificates.

The policy, which hasn’t changed since the 1970s, reflects current medical best practices and federal precedent, and brings the process up to speed with existing New York State agencies protocols.

This change comes as welcome news to the many New Yorkers who remain vulnerable without matching identification documents. The amended policy will allow a change of gender markers on birth certificates for applicants who provide a certification from a licensed medical provider stating the applicant is undergoing treatment and removes the need for invasive requirements like operating room reports of surgery – which not all transgender people opt to undergo whether for financial, health, or personal reasons – in order to match their documents with their (NYS continues page 12)

JULY 2014 • NUMBER 480 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

PFLAG MEETS

3RD SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH

(585) 880-1184

Located in Village Gate Square right next to Outlandish!

HOURS

Wednesday–Thursday 1-6pm Friday–Saturday 1-8pm Sunday 1-6pm

Meetings are at Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church 707 E. Main St., Rochester, NY 14605 from 1 to 3pm.

Questions?

Call: 585-813-5081 RochesterPFLAG@gmail.com Join us!

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014

SHIFT HAPPENS!

RIDE FOR PRIDE 5 • GAY ALLIANCE BIKE RIDE FUNDRAISER • $20,000 RAISED Thank you to our Ride For Pride Bikers: Paul Allen, Stefan Baer, Alice Steed Carver-Kubik, Adrianne Chesser, Joseph Doty, Chuck Dye, Les Eisenberg, Scott Fearing, Alicia Fioco, Brad Flower, Edward Freedman, Hayden Freedman, Jeanne Gainsburg, Aaron Gorelick, Shimona Gorelick, Bonnie Hallman-Dye, Kerry Hanratty, Dustin Hilton, Pete Horrocks, Dawn Johncox, Matthew Krueger, Brian Managan, Karen Managan, Wanda Martinez, Maya Polashenski, Pamela Polashenski, Ronald Pratt, Steve Santacroce, Ryan Stickney, Natalie Turner, Jonathan Wetherbee, Owen Zacharias, Sara Zacharias and David Zona for taking the time to fundraise, train and ride! You rock!!!

Thank you also to our friends who fundraised for us, but did not ride: John Braun, Bruce Ingersoll, Jodie Judd, Bekka Lebowitz, Lucky Summer Light, John Lukach, Leann Michael, Peter Mohr, Terrance Nichols, Manuel Pena, Craig Ronald, Kellie Ronald and Noah Wagoner.

You’re awesome!

Thank you to our amazing Ride For Pride support staff and crew: Home base/Party Central: Kellie and Craig Ronald • Sag Hags: Joe Yokajty, Tallis Polashenksi and Brad-the-Boyfriend • Breakfast Rest Stop: Walter Polashenski and Sue Delp • Lunch: Bruce Ingersoll, Michelangelo Gonzatti, Manuel Pena and Sue Delp • Party Food: Todd Gordon, Scott Fearing and Kellie and Craig Ronald • Party Central Assistants: Alan Metelsky and Deb Hartman • Beverages: Walter and Pam Polashenski and Sara Zacharias • Cheerleaders/ End Line Pics: Kat Wiggall, Jeff, Nakita, Jason, Steve & Martha • Interpreting: Tristan Wright • Mapper: Emily Johnson • Road Painters: Ed Freedman, Owen Zacharias and Maya Polashenski • Ride Photographers: Owen Zacharias, Manuel Pena and Joe Yokajty

Thank you to our official Ride For Pride sponsors Amiel’s Original Submarines • The Bachelor Forum • Bostwick House B&B • Crazy Dog T-Shirts • Freewheelers Bicycle Shop • ImageOUT • Long Acre Farms • Mark Groaning Studio • Marshall Street Bar and Grill • Mike Kelly Massage • Rochester Kink Society

Thank you the over 400 people and businesses who supported our riders through donations, including: Kellie and Craig Ronald • Scott Fearing and Todd Gordon • Pam and Walter Polashenski • Jeanne Gainsburg and Ed Freedman • Bruce Ingersoll • Century Liquor and Wine • Park Ave Bikes • Trader Joes • Wegmans • TheSelfMadeMen

Special thanks to our top fundraisers: Jeanne Gainsburg, Scott Fearing, Pam Polashenski, Aaron Gorelick, David Zona, Ed Freedman, Maya Polashenski, Adrianne Chesser, Kerry Hanratty Matt Krueger, Jonathan Wetherbee, Hayden Freedman, Brad Flower, Bruce Ingersoll and Sara and Owen Zacharias

* Thank you to Pete Horrocks, our rider in white, who represented all of the people who cannot show their true colors and live authentically.

JULY 2014 • NUMBER 480 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014

Making the Scene Auctioneeers Taylor Mayde and Lady Dee.

HALL OF JUSTICE: The LGBT Pride display. L-R: Amy Fields, Peg Drexler, Judy DiPaola and Janice Ivery, part of the EEO WorkForce Diversity Committee in the Seventh Judicial District who worked on the display table for the lobby.

Taylor Mayde does Michael Jackson.

DRAG AUCTION: South Wedge Spirits and Wine and the Gay Alliance hosted an art auction on May 29, benefiting the Alliance with an evening celebrating drag, wine and art. Above: Lady Dee auctions off a painting by Thomas Somerville. Photos: Jill Frier

BUFFALO PRIDE: Above: Buffalo Pride moments. At right: Bess Watts and Anne Tischer tabled at Buffalo Pride on June 1. Photo: Robin Angevine-Funderburk

My Own Private Rochester: Lucky Ovalle

By Susan Jordan Lucky Ovalle was born in NYC, moved to the Syracuse area at age 12, and arrived in Rochester in 2013 to get a degree at the College at Brockport, where she majors in social work and gerontology. She should get her degree in fall 2015.

Lucky says, “I would like to work with LGBT youth, mentoring and counseling.”

Lucky has some Cherokee ancestry and identifies as “Queer Two Spirit.” Her interests include biking, hiking, jogging, mountaineering and rock climbing. She says, “I enjoy computer games and writing short stories and poems.” Her favorite authors include Emily Dickinson, Thoreau and Robert Frost.

Lucky lives in Brockport. She has no pets right now, but when she can get one it will be a shiba enu dog. “They’re my favorite breed of dog,” she said. “They are very cute, have a striking elegance, and I love their curly tails. And did I mention they are CUTE?” Her most admired Rochester people are Gay Alliance Education Director Jeannie Gainsburg, who she worked with last spring, and Julia Saenz, a lawyer with the Empire Justice Center, who works with trans people on name changes and other issues.

This past spring Lucky was an education intern at the Gay Alliance. “It was nice during the semester not to worry about my appearance! One project I did was to create an educational flier for an aging service,” she said. “I also worked as an office volunteer at the end of the semester.” Lucky continues to be a member of the Speakers Bureau.

One of Lucky’s favorite hangouts is

Burrito Fresco in Brockport. “They have a variety of burritos,” she said, “including vegetarian and vegan. I prefer chicken or seafood.” She also likes Aladdin’s, and would take out of town visitors there.

When Lucky first came to this city, she was impressed by the sculptures in front of the Bachelor Forum, which indicated to her that Rochester is a gay-friendly place. Her favorite is the bi sculpture, which could also be seen as representing genderqueer people. Now all she has to do

is get over her nervousness and actually go into the bar!

Lucky jokes that on an ideal Saturday night, she would be “home in my robe with a cup of tea, watching Netflix or reading a book or playing computer games.”

One of the things that Lucky appreciates about Rochester is the ordinance providing anti-discrimination protections for trans people. “I think that is really helpful,” she said, adding, “Brockport campus

is a safe place; the college doesn’t tolerate discrimination.”

Lucky says, “I’m a hopeless romantic; everything I do tends to have an essence of romanticism: love of beauty, assuming goodwill from people, having a preconceived idea of how things are – or should be!” ■ Below: Lucky outside the Bachelor Forum. Photos: Susan Jordan

JULY 2014 • NUMBER 480 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

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PRIDE INFO: DAILY EVENTS: We start celebrating Thursday, 7/17 with the folks from Mich Ultra helping us to kick off an exciting weekend! Soak up the sun and enjoy your food and drinks outside all weekend long. We are opening at noon Friday, Saturday and Sunday so that the party never ends.

Chef Greg will be grilling your favorites all three days.

Be sure to get your free 140 Pride bracelet while they last!

Two floors of entertainment: Food and drink specials all weekend Karoake 140 Float in Parade Fabulous Drag Shows Dancing Djs Give-a-ways

Monday Happy Hour 4-9pm *Dirty Trivia @ 7pm Tuesday Happy Hour 4-9pm *Paint Night 7-9pm (see paintnite.com for more info) *Karaoke Night with $2 wells all night Wednesday Happy Hour 4-8pm *Drag Me To My Destiny @10pm Thursday Happy Hour 4-8pm Cocktails & Competition Gayme Night starting at 9pm

Friday Happy Hour 4-9pm *Dj and dancing on both floors with 2 fabulous Drag Shows starting around 9:30pm Saturday Happy Hour 4-8pm *Karaoke downstairs and Dj and dancing upstairs along with 2 awesome Drag Shows starting around 9:30pm Sunday Happy Hour 2-8pm *Sunday Funday Mimosas & Bloody Mary’s only $3 ***Happy Hour 7 days a week, specials are: $2 well and select drafts; $3 all bottles $4 call drinks *** Kitchen hours Mon. thru Fri. $4-9pm, Saturdays 5-8pm Upstairs area available for party’s - please contact us at 585-256-1000. Bachelorette and bachelor party’s always welcome with free reserve seating.

2014 Pride shirts available for $15

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LOCAL AND STATE (NYS continued from page 3) gender identity.

“This is tremendous news for New York and especially for the transgender community, and a great step forward to ensuring many transgender New Yorkers no longer need to undergo a process they not wish to in order to receive an identity document that truly reflects who they are,” said Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Nathan M. Schaefer.

“This is an issue we’ve been advocating for the past several years and we are grateful for Governor Cuomo’s leadership and the Department of Health for moving us closer to equality and justice for all New Yorkers.”

“Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York is reclaiming its rightful place as the progressive capital of the nation and has made significant progress to advance the rights of all New Yorkers, including members of the transgender community.

Much work remains and this administration is committed to promoting laws and policies that are fair and just for all,” said Alphonso David, Deputy Secretary for Civil Rights for New York State.

New York joins a number of Federal agencies and states that already offer similar guidelines. In 2010, the U.S. Department of State updated its policy regarding Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (a federal birth certificate for U.S. citizens born abroad) and U.S. passports to require that a person’s treating or evaluating physician write a letter certifying that the person has undergone appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition. No proof of surgery is required. The Social Security Administration has also eliminated its surgical requirement for amending gender markers. Other federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014 Veterans Health Administration and the Office of Personnel Management have adopted similar policies.

According to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, 40 percent of transgender people have faced harassment when presenting identity documents that did not match their gender identity/ expression. In addition, 15 percent report being denied entry or asked to leave because of gender mismatches, and three percent report facing physical assault due to mismatched ID. “New York has joined several other states that have already modernized their birth certificate policies in the past several years (District of Columbia, Oregon, Washington and Vermont) as well as the federal government, which started updating its gender marker policies in 2010 to reflect modern understandings of transgender people. Not having an updated birth certificate, or having different genders listed on different pieces of ID, can cause problems in getting a job, enrolling in school, obtaining housing or public benefits, and can cause suspicion from public authorities,” said Deputy Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality Lisa Mottet. “This modernized policy makes it more likely transgender people are able to live their lives on an everyday basis without facing or fearing harassment in everyday transactions. “ “Transgender New Yorkers face discrimination everyday just trying to be who they are,” said New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman. “We applaud the Department of Health for taking an important step toward a society where the everyday business of being yourself is easier.”

“This is welcome news for transgender people across the country who were born in New York,” said Michael Silverman, Executive Director of the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund. “A birth certificate is a fundamental form of identification. This will ensure that trans-

gender people can obtain accurate birth certificates that reflect who they are. It also means they will stop being subjected to harassment and discrimination in areas like employment where identification is essential to proving eligibility to work.”

In New York State, the Department of Motor Vehicles has been providing gender-appropriate identification cards since 1987, when it eliminated its surgery requirement in favor of a medical certification from a physician, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist attesting to the individual’s affirmed gender. Other states that have amended their policies include: California, District of Columbia, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. More information, including further instructions about the process can be found at the Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Records at: health.ny.gov/vital_records/birth.htm.

This news comes on the heels of Rochester’s recent announcement that it will extend transition-related healthcare to transgender municipal employees, making it the third city in the U.S. to offer inclusive coverage. The Empire State Pride Agenda continues to fight for the passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) to bring New York up to speed with the more than one third of the country that already provides protections on the basis of gender identity and expression.

See page 15 for a personal view of the issue, and local information. ■

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

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL (Report from page 5) largest portion of same-sex couples in the U.S., with 14 percent of the national total.

The conclusion comes from the Census Bureau’s 2012 American Community Survey, which found 639,000 married and unmarried cohabiting same-sex couples living in the United States and broke out the number for each state.

Support for same-sex marriage is on the rise as noted in a poll taken by Gallup in May, with 55 percent of its respondents agreeing that same-sex marriage “should be valid.” (See following article.)

-The Advocate

North Dakota is final non-marriage state to see marriage lawsuit On June 6 seven same-sex couples in North Dakota filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the state’s constitutional amendment banning marriage equality.

Before that day, North Dakota was the last remaining state with a marriage ban and no court case challenging it.

The case was filed by Minneapolis attorney Josh Newville, who recently filed a similar case on behalf of six South Dakota couples. There are over 70 marriage equality cases working their way through the judicial system across the country. So far five federal appeals courts are presiding over 10 marriage equality cases over the coming weeks and months.

The Sixth Circuit holds the distinction of being the only federal appeals court to date that will consider marriage cases from all states within its jurisdiction. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic marriage rulings last year, no state marriage ban has survived a court challenge.

JULY 2014 • NUMBER 480 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET The filing of this case in North Dakota coincides with the release of new poll results by the Washington Post and ABC News which show that 50 percent of Americans believe that gay and lesbian couples have a constitutional right to marry guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection clause. Additionally, 56 percent of Americans and 77 percent of those under the age of thirty support marriage rights for same-sex couples.

In addition to 77 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds, marriage equality enjoys broad support from 30- to 39-year-olds: 68 percent. Even 50 percent of those between the ages of 40 and 64 support marriage equality. During the 2012 presidential election, 84 percent of voters fell into one of these age brackets where there is majority support for marriage equality.

Among those who say they strongly oppose marriage equality, nearly half say it’s not even “somewhat” important to them. Conversely, only 19 percent of strong marriage equality supporters put such low priority on the issue. In fact, 81 percent of strong supporters say it’s at least “somewhat” important.

Other recent polls show rising support for marriage equality among various demographic groups. A March 2014 poll shows 61 percent of Republicans and Republican leaners under the age of 30 support marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples. One month earlier, the New York Times and CBS News released polling that puts marriage equality support among Catholics at 62 percent.

Today 44 percent of Americans live in a jurisdiction with marriage equality. Same-sex couples can legally marry in 22 states and the District of Columbia, while 28 states have a law or constitutional amendment restricting marriage to the union of one man and one woman.

Marriage rights are on hold in some states due to stays pending appeal.

For more information visit www.americansformarriageequality.org Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry, released the following statement: “With today’s addition of North Dakota, courts in every state are considering a freedom to marry case, 70-plus cases in total. With 50 percent of Americans believing the freedom to marry is a constitutional right, and a strong majority supporting marriage for gay couples, it’s time the Supreme Court bring resolution nationwide. The time is now to get on the right side of history.”

Medicare to end exclusion of transitionrelated surgery On May 30, the Department Appeals Board at the Department of Health and Human Services issued a ruling invaliding the decades-old discriminatory Medicare policy excluding transition-related surgeries from Medicare coverage.

Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said, “The dominos of discrimination against transgender people are falling rapidly. Today’s ruling that transgender Medicare patients should have access to the medically necessary care their doctors prescribe, including transition-related surgeries, is a truly historic victory in the long struggle for full and equal access to medically necessary health care for transgender people. We know all too well the financial and social barriers transgender people experience in accessing the care they need, including a majority of transgender people being excluded from fully-inclusive medical coverage because of their gender identity.

“While this is just the latest and one of the most significant wins we’ve seen out of the Obama administration, we know there is more to come. Having an independent medical review board determine that transgender people deserve access to the medical care their doctor recommends affirms what we already know – that transition-related care bans are designed to discriminate against an already mar-

ginalized group of people. We commend the Obama administration for its efforts and look forward to continuing the work of removing transition-related care exclusions from all health policies across the country.”

The Task Force has been a leader in working with federal agencies to end the exclusion of transition-related care in all health policies, and this ruling is the latest win in a long battle to secure full equality for transgender people in the health context.

“As HHS appropriately points out, excluding coverage for sex reassignment surgery is unreasonable as viewed by the standards of the medical profession today – incomplete, unfair, and obsolete,” said SPART*A Policy Director and former Army Captain Allyson Robinson. “The application of scientifically proven, internationally recognized standards of care to recipients of Medicare is a step in the right direction.”

She continued, “As transgender service members continue to put themselves in harm’s way for our country, we look forward to the day when those same standards are applied to them. They’ve certainly earned it.”

SPART*A, an LGBT military organization, includes several hundred transgender members currently serving in uniform.

Feds will provide coverage for employee transition care Chris Geidner on Buzzfeed had the story: The federal government is telling insurers that they can now provide transgender people with coverage for transitionrelated care — including sex-reassignment surgery — in federal employee health care plans.

Two sources informed of the decision told BuzzFeed the longtime exclusion of transition-related care under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program came to an end on June 13 in the form of a letter sent to the insurance providers. …

The move came two weeks after Medicare made a similar move. In the Medicare case, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Departmental Appeals Board issued a ruling that ended a ban on Medicare even considering the coverage of sex-reassignment surgery and related care because a fear of “serious complications” resulting from the “experimental” surgery.

The OPM change does not mean that federal employee health insurers must cover transition-related care, the sources said, but the change does permit the insurers to do so.

The move by OPM has been long sought by LGBT advocates and appears to be part of action taken by OPM to “update various nondiscrimination provisions … to provide greater consistency and reflect current law.”

Under a proposed OPM rule from September 2013 slated to be finalized this month, “An employment practice must not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, age (as defined by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended), disability, genetic information, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, labor organization affiliation or nonaffiliation, status as a parent, or any other non-merit-based factor.”

-Buzzfeed.com

Attackers spray London gay men’s eyes with ammonia bleach Three London men were sprayed with a concentrated ammonia solution in two separate attacks outside the Lightbox club in South Lambeth Place, Vauxhall, the first week in June.

One of the attacks was on a 23-yearold gay man from south-west London and his 21-year-old friend after they had begun talking to three people outside the club because it was after closing time, the Evening Standard reports: When the women, said to be East European, discovered the pair were gay (Attackers continue page 14)

13

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NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL (Attackers from page 13) they began screaming homophobic abuse.

The victim said, “As we walked away I heard a man shout ‘Oi! Come here.’ At first I thought it was the doorman saying he’d changed his mind and we could go in. Then I saw this white guy with a beard, and his hand coming up with a water bottle that he squirted really hard into my face. It went right in my eyes and it sprayed into my friend’s mouth. My face was burning so much, I thought it was acid. I thought I would never see again and my face was melting. He poured every last drop onto us and then turned around and walked away, like it was mission accomplished. The chemical burnt the cornea in my left eye and the vision hasn’t cleared since. The doctors said it should hopefully return but there is no guarantee. My friend’s tongue was swollen and it looked like someone had scratched part of it away. It was horrible. ” A similar attack targeted a third man in a nearby location.

Said Scotland Yard to the paper: “Following comments made during the exchange, this incident is being treated as a homophobic hate crime.”

All three men have been treated at hospitals and released.

-Towleroad.com Police arrest suspect

By Joe Morgan on gaystarnews.com Police have arrested a man in connection with a London homophobic attack that left a gay clubber “blinded”.

A 31-year-old was arrested in Kent on suspicion of an assault near the Lightbox club in Vauxhall – an area south of the River Thames popular with the gay community – on the morning of June 8. He was being questioned at a south London police station…..

Two women, thought to be the ones shown on CCTV, have come forward to speak to police but have not been arrested.

- See more at: http://www. gaystarnews.com/article/manarrested-london-anti-gay-bleach-blindingattack120614#sthash.oXr9kftM.dpuf

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014 “Le Pen has unmasked the true face of the far-right of Europe days after their electoral successes in the European Parliament,” Mr. Kantor said in a statement.

“While some have tried to whitewash and mainstream these parties, Le Pen’s comments demonstrate that they still stand on foundations of hatred, anti-Semitism and xenophobia.”

Le Pen later responded to the outrage.

In a statement posted on the National Front website, he said the French word “fournée,” which he used, had no antiSemitic connotation. But several highranking National Front party members distanced themselves from the remarks of Le Pen, who is still honorary president of the party. Ms. Le Pen called her father’s comments “a political error,” according to French daily Le Figaro.

In late May the National Front won numerous seats in the European Parliament.

-JoeMyGod.com PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Last month Jean-Marie Le Pen suggested using ebola on immigrants. The National Front is a backer of the anti-gay Manif Pour Tous and has supported its numerous, vicious and often violent rallies, as have American professional bigots Brian Brown and Tony Perkins. Jean-Marie Le Pen has been convicted six times for inciting racial hatred, including for denying that the Holocaust took place.

Last year Le Pen’s daughter, Marine Le Pen, herself a failed candidate for France’s presidency, praised the man who committed suicide at Notre Dame Cathedral in protest of same-sex marriage. In February of this year Le Pen’s granddaughter, 24-year-old Marion Maréchal-Le Pen, led a massive anti-gay march through the streets of Paris. In January of this year the youth leader for the National Front called for France to institute anti-gay laws similar to those in Russia.

Founder of ultra-right French party: send critics like Madonna to gas chambers, ovens National Front founder Jean-Marie Le Pen has again stirred national outrage across France after “joking” that his critics, who include Madonna, should be sent to the gas chambers.

The remark was contained in a video clip posted on the FN website and since removed. In the video, Le Pen railed against a number of critics including pop star Madonna and Yannick Noah, the French singer and former tennis champion. When asked about another one -French singer Patrick Bruel, who is Jewish -- Le Pen said he would be part of “a batch we will get next time,” using the word “fournée” for “batch”, evoking the word “four”, which means “oven”.

SOS Racisme said it would file a complaint “in the coming days” against Le Pen, whose daughter Marine took over as FN leader in 2011. She has sought to rid the party of its reputation for racism and anti-Semitism in recent years, and members were quick to distance themselves from the founder’s comment. FN vice president Louis Aliot, who is also Marine’s boyfriend, criticized it as “a bad phrase.

It is politically stupid and dismaying.”

Another FN lawmaker, Gilbert Collard, said it was time for the party founder to “take his retirement”.

More from the Wall Street Journal: The president of the European Jewish Congress, Moshe Kantor, called on the European Union to strip Mr. Le Pen, who is a member of the European Parliament, of his parliamentary immunity.

Nisha Ayub

Malaysian trans women may have heads shaved, be placed in male prison

By Joe Morgan on gaystarnews.com Sixteen trans women have been arrested and may be jailed in a Malaysia male prison.

They could face six months in prison where their heads will be forcibly shaved and they will have no access to gender treatment.

It comes after religious authorities raided a Malay wedding in Bahau, Jempol on June 8, accusing 17 women of violating Sharia law.

The women were charged with crossdressing, and were sentenced yesterday morning.

One of them escaped jail, as she was under the age of 18; she will be “counseled to cure the condition.”

The remaining 16 will be fined and jailed for at least seven days.

If they fail to pay the fine of 950 Malaysian ringgits ($300, €220), then they will be jailed for six months.

A transgender rights group Justice For Sisters spokesman said: “As none of them have ever been arrested under this law before, they panicked and pleaded guilty.

“Most of them are mak andam (wed-

North Vietnam prepares for third Pride Ride

By Andrew Potts on gaystarnews.com Photo by Viet Pride The organizers of Vietnam’s largest public celebration of LGBTI Pride are hoping for an even bigger turnout this year, with 200 people taking part in its first Pride bike ride in 2012 and 250 in 2013.

Hanoi’s annual Viet Pride ride is a convoy of people on bicycles and motorbikes, carrying rainbow flags and messages of equality, which is also supported by a program of events.

In 2014 Viet Pride will be celebrated on the first weekend of August and will aim to raise awareness of sexual diversity and the right to love that every person regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity is entitled to.

Viet Pride 2014 will also put a strong emphasis on forging connections and solidarity among LGBTI groups from all over Vietnam through a series of discussions and networking activities.

The event is being held with the support and involvement of civil society organizations from both northern and southern Vietnam, as well as foreign embassies, social enterprises, and the strategic partner of Viet Pride – the Goethe Institute.

The organizing committee also hopes to involve LGBTI organizations from overseas to exchange ideas and build bridges internationally.

Speaking of the progress of Viet Pride, director of the event since 2012 Nguyen Thanh Tam said, “Viet Pride is making small, yet firm and consistent, steps in fostering social acceptance and respect that has been sorely lacking in the Vietnamese society.

“I am glad that in only three years, Viet Pride has grown to become an annual tradition and symbol of respect for diversity, with Vietnamese LGBTQ youth and allies quickly becoming the leading force.

“I also appreciate the fact that Viet Pride has proven to be not an isolated event or confined within Vietnam but part of the global LGBTQ movement that is changing the world in a way unimaginable just a few decades ago.”

Organizers are yet to release the details of the full schedule of events but these are expected to be posted on the Viet Pride website shortly.

- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/hanoi-host-third-lgbti-viet-prideride-and-festival-august060614#sthash.o3ys9Ui5.dpuf ■

ding planners) and they were worried that this will affect their reputation and income.”

They said if the women wanted to escape even seven days prison, they would have to pay 1,500 ringgits ($470, €350) each.

“As much as possible, we do not want the girls to be imprisoned,” Justice For Sisters said.

“As their identification card says male, they will be sentenced to a male prison, and treated as a male person – their heads will be shaved, no hormone treatment and high risk of violence.”

Nisha Ayub, who works with Justice For Sisters, has criticized the religious police for arresting trans women who were attending a private party.

The Jempol Islamic Religious Office has confirmed the raid was conducted on June 8, but said it would not divulge more details.

Sharia law in the Malaysian state “bans any male person who, in any public place, wears a woman’s attire or poses as a woman.”

- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews. com/article/16-trans-women-risk-jailmalaysia-male-prison-having-headsshaved100614#sthash.6oqRyuDu.dpuf

Houston pastor who called trans women predators is charged with sex harassment A Houston pastor and city employee who testified before City Council during debate over the recently passed LGBT

non-discrimination bill, warning that it would expose children to transgender predators in public restrooms, was suspended by the city over sexual harassment charges, 92 FM reports: Just a few weeks ago, Pastor Baker addressed Mayor Annise Parker (a lesbian) as he spoke against Houston’s equal rights ordinance during public comment.

“I say to you, what if I came into the bathroom while you were sitting on the toilet? Wouldn’t you feel uncomfortable?”

Baker asked.

But city records show Baker was placed on indefinite suspension from the city, after the Office of the Inspector General reportedly found Baker had sexually harassed subordinate female employees.

The document says a woman complained on June 27, 2013, and the investigation found Baker solicited sexual acts, made crude comments about female anatomy and hugged subordinate female employees.

92 fm has audio of the exchange with Parker, which caused audible gasps from the public after Parker snapped back at him because she had read the report, the contents of which had not yet been disclosed.

Baker, a member of the Houston Area Pastors Council, also made comments to news station KHOU after an earlier April 30 hearing. Said Baker at that time: “The imagery that I have in my mind is a grown man going into a restroom with a six year old girl standing beside of (sic) her using the restroom.”

Read more: http://www.towleroad. com/#ixzz33reV93gt ( NewsFronts continues on page 16)

JULY 2014 • NUMBER 480 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

Opinion

certificate with the right gender marker without requiring genital or reproductive surgery. When the announcement was made, I quickly sent an email to the Department of Health, to get the paperwork I need. This time, their reply was far more helpful, a letter describing how to The Power of Paper: get the marker changed, and two forms.

Here’s the process I’m going through to Birth Certificates and get the certificate amended: Gender Identity First, I have to collect two personal documents, the certified copy of my curBy Tristan Wright, Gay Alliance Office rent birth certificate, and the letter from Administrator my doctor proving that I “should be conI hate providing documentation for sidered male for legal and documentation my legal identity: my license says “male”, purposes.” My doctor wisely signed a few but my birth certificate says “female”. copies of that letter for me – it’s the same When I had my license changed in 2012, I one I used to get my license changed. had my birth certificate amended to have Next is the Application for Correction the correct name. of Certificate of Birth, and the Notarized It arrived with a letter that said: “In Affidavit of cases of gender Gender Error. reassignment, (A)t the start of June, New York The Affidaa correction of the sex item on became the sixth state… to permit trans* vit of Gender Error has the birth cerfolks to have a birth certificate with the to be notatificate is based rized before I right gender marker without requiring upon a legal and can send it in. medical review. genital or reproductive surgery.

Lucky for me [...] Please note the Gay Alliin cases of ance happens to have a notary who volfemale to male gender reassignment a unteers with us. Without that, I’d have to complete hysterectomy (removal of ovaries face coming out to a stranger and hopeand uterus) is required.” fully get their “approval”.

Living at the time without health Once I have those four items together, insurance, on a meager income of $12,000 I’ll be sending them to the Department a year, a hysterectomy was clearly out of of Health. And then I’ll wait – they estithe question. Not to mention the fact that mate it’ll take about three months. With in order to be legitimate and fully male in any luck, by 2015 my birth certificate will the eyes of the state would require forsakfinally say male, 28 years after it was first ing any possibility of having my own bioissued. logical children. It would further require If you’d like to do the same, send the me to provide invasive personal medical documents mentioned above to: NYS documentation about my genitals. So, like Department of Health, Corrections Unit, plenty of trans* folks, I just figured I’d Vital Records Section, PO Box 2602, have that little F on my birth certificate Albany NY 12220. until I died or -- at least for the foreseeFeel free to contact the Gay Alliable future. ance with any questions or to arrange However, at the start of June, New an opportunity to meet with our volunYork became the sixth state in the nation teer notary. ■ to permit trans* folks to have a birth

The American Equality Bill: Seeking Full Equality in One Bill

15

major organizations like National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), Lambda Legal, the Transgender Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) warn against its passage. The

By Anne Tischer ACLU says: “ENDA’s religious exemption The Gay Alliance has recently joined essentially says that LGBT discrimination over 250 LGBT organizations nationwide is different – more legitimate – than disin signing the “Equality Pledge ” for full crimination against individuals based on LGBT equality at LGBTequalityNOW. their race or sex.” org.

Despite the controversy, the Human For good reason there is a growRights Campaign (HRC) continues to ing nationwide movement to pass one promote the bill… failing to publicize the omnibus LGBTQ civil rights bill rather exemption language that has rendered the than aim for incremental legislative steps. bill a concern to LGBT workers.

Today for instance in Pennsylvania you An alternative is the American Equalcan legally marry your same-sex partner ity Bill (AEB), a proposed federal law on Saturday and then be fired on Monthat will amend all existing federal civil day when your boss finds out you are gay. rights laws to include “sexual orientation” Even progressive New York State and “gender identity”. Drafted by Karen offers no protections for trans people. The Doering and refined by Todd Tif FernanHuman Rights Campaign (HRC) condez, attorneys involved in significant legal ducted a random poll this year that showed LGBT victories and controversies, the bill 53 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and takes the approach that piecemeal bills for transgender employees remain closeted various areas at work despite discriminaadvances in For good reason there is a growing nation- of tion will take public opintoo long and ion supportwide movement to pass one omnibus require too ing LGBT civil LGBTQ civil rights bill rather than aim many resources rights. for incremental legislative steps. Today for to be successThe sense of inevitainstance in Pennsylvania you can legally ful.Some have bility about marry your same-sex partner on Saturday argued that marriage equalthe opposition ity nationwide and then be fired on Monday when your of Africanmay have peoboss finds out you are gay.

Americans and ple believing women to the that other matidea of opening up the 1964 Civil Rights ters of LGBT equality like employment, Act will doom this “one bill” approach housing, accommodations, public facility but the bill’s backers assert that it is a access, education, adoption, healthcare, win-win situation. Working to file and credit and loans will resolve naturally pass the AEB will stimulate real converalso… when the evidence is to the consation about LGBT suffering under distrary. crimination and combat the homophobia Piecemeal legislation like the Employand transphobia that wind through our ment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) culture. For more information and to has languished for nearly 20 years and sign the pledge go to: LGBTequalinow has been so perverted by overlytyNOW.org . ■ broad religious exemption language that

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NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ( NewsFronts continued from page 14)

Gay man recovering after violent attack at Detroit Pride

By Sunnivie Brydum on The Advocate A 20-year-old gay man in Detroit is recovering after a brutal attack captured on cell phone video outside Motor City Pride June 8. Police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.

Christin Howard told local TV station WXYZ that he and his friends were taking photos alongside the Detroit Riverwalk… while Motor City Pride took place nearby at Hart Plaza. That’s when a group of young men walked by and began shouting antigay slurs at Howard, critiquing his long hair and attire, and threatening him.

As the altercation escalated, Howard attempted to fight back, but one of the five to eight men attacking Howard said he had a gun. At various points, all of the suspects joined in kicking, punching, and shouting at Howard, video captured on a bystander’s cell phone shows.

Howard suffered a broken finger, lacerations to his face, and a bruised and bloody eye. As a professional stylist, Howard is unable to return to work until his hand heals, and he said he is emotionally damaged by the assault, unsure if he will ever return to the annual Pride celebration. According to WXYZ, this is the first reported instance of violence in the celebration’s 43-year history.

No arrests have yet been made.

NCAVP: Trans women of color are still at highest risk for violence The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) is deeply concerned about the unsolved homicide of Kandy Hall, a transgender woman of color in Baltimore, Maryland.

According to local media reports, Hall’s body was discovered in a field in Northeast Baltimore early on June 3. Local police believe Hall is the victim of a homicide, but there is no additional information at this time.

“Each year, NCAVP tracks the homicides of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. in which a motive is known. But for many LGBTQ homicide victims, especially transgender women and people of color who are disproportionally affected by violence, a motive is never determined,” said Osman Ahmed, NCAVP’s Research and Education Coordinator at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. “It is imperative that we call attention to these incidents, work with our communities to organize and respond to this violence.”

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) most recent report just released on May 29, Hate Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Communities in the United States in 2013, documented 18 anti-LGBTQ murders last year. Of those homicide victims, almost 90 percent were people of color, yet LGBTQ and HIV-affected people of color only represented 55 percent of total survivors and victims. Almost threequarters (72 percent) of homicide victims were transgender women, and more than two-thirds (67 percent) of homicide victims were transgender women of color, yet transgender survivors and victims only represent 13 percent of total reports to NCAVP. NCAVP has reached out to local organizations Casa Ruby in Washington DC, and Power Inside in Baltimore, Maryland to raise awareness of these unsolved homicides and to support the local communities affected by this vio-

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014 lence.

“Transgender lives are precious and we must stop those who think that we are disposable people,” said Ruby Corado, Executive Director of Casa Ruby in Washington DC. “We are angry and heartbroken over the loss of another woman in our community to violence,” said Jacqueline Robarge, Director of Power Inside. “Women who find themselves outside of gender norms and expectations chronically face a deadly mix of discrimination, social neglect, and violence. There will be no ‘public safety’ when women like Kandy can be repeatedly targeted just by virtue of their visibility and vulnerability.”

NCAVP is a resource for anyone who experiences violence. For more information, or to locate an antiviolence program in your area, please contact them at info@ncavp.org. To learn more about NCAVP national advocacy and receive technical assistance or support, contact them at info@ncavp.org.

AMA says surgery not needed for updated trans birth certificates

By Parker Marie Molloy on The Advocate The American Medical Association on (June 9) adopted a policy declaring that transgender individuals should not be required to undergo genital surgery in order to update legal identification documents, including birth certificates.

Just days after New York became the sixth state to allow trans individuals to update birth certificates without proof of surgery, the AMA has amended its official policies to advocate for similar action nationwide.

“Birth certificates are primarily used for legal matters, not medical,” the new AMA policy states. “Requiring sex-reassignment surgery places a burden on an already marginalized population.”

The nation’s preeminent medical authority supports the abolition of surgical requirements in an effort “to ensure accurate gender markers on birth certificates.”

Historically, the AMA’s policies regarding transgender health policy have often been more progressive than actual public policy as implemented by lawmakers and courts. The AMA currently supports the inclusion of transition-related healthcare in public and private insurance plans, which remains an ongoing struggle within the U.S. insurance system itself.

-The Advocate States come down on different sides The move by the AMA at the group’s policy-making House of Delegates meeting adds an important medical voice to the recently contentious debate on the issue in state capitals across the country.

Transgender people say they need IDs to accurately reflect their gender when they apply for jobs, travel and seek certain government services among other things.

Most states require a court order as well as proof the transgender person has had surgery before the local government will issue a birth certificate.

“State laws must acknowledge that the correct course of treatment for any given individual is a decision that rests with the patient and the treating physicians,” said AMA President Dr. Ardis Dee Hoven.

But lawmakers and governors are coming down on different sides of the issue.

Just last month, New York State said it will no longer require transgender people to require proof of surgery when they attempt to change the gender on their birth certificates. But earlier this year, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed legislation that would have allowed those who had a clinical sex change to amend their gender on their birth certificate.

Doctors who testified earlier this week before an AMA panel said “a birth certificate is rarely, if ever, used for the determination of medical treatment for

patients,” according to text of the new policy the doctors approved.

“Birth certificates are primarily used for legal matters, not medical,” the new policy language approved by the AMA says. “Requiring sex-reassignment surgery places a burden on an already marginalized population.”

The vote of the more than 500-members of the AMA House of Delegates was closely divided with supporters beating back an effort to refer the issue for more study. Those wanting referral, however, got just 48 percent of delegates support, setting the stage for AMA approval.

AMA members said the organization should support modernizing state vital statistics statutes “to ensure accurate gender markers on birth certificates,” the group said in a six-page report on the issue.

-JoeMyGod.com

Anti-gay Ugandan becomes UN General Assembly President

By Thom Senzee on The Advocate The United Nations General Assembly elected Uganda’s minister of foreign affairs, Sam Kutesa, as its next president on June 11 — even as a petition calling for the U.S. to revoke his visa because of his support of Uganda’s antigay policies grew to more than 13,000 signatures.

Black Star News reported that the United Kingdom once considered revoking Kutesa’s visa due to alleged corruption, citing information it pulled from WikiLeaks.

Yet a statement from a top American diplomat appeared to both congratulate Kutesa and put him on notice that the United States will be monitoring how his one-year term as president affects the General Assembly’s work to improve the situation of LGBT people as well as women and girls — especially in Africa.

“It is fitting that it is Africa’s turn to nominate a President for the upcoming 69th General Assembly session in a year in which the Assembly will make important decisions on such critical issues to the region — and the world — as crafting a transformative new development agenda to succeed the Millennium Development Goals,” said Ambassador Samantha Powers, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said in a written statement June 12.

The U.N. General Assembly’s Africa Group nominated the Ugandan foreign minister to serve as president in May of last year. It was the Africa Group’s turn to have the presidency, and no other nominees were considered.

LGBT Ugandans have been subjected to a harsh antigay law that Kutesa vociferously supported and that his boss, President Yoweri Museveni, signed last February. It imposes lifetime jail sentences for many types of same-sex contact, criminalizes the intent to commit homosexual acts or promotion of homosexuality, and prescribes seven-year jail terms for any person who harbors, supports, or affirms a known LGBT person.

Despite promises the U.S. would get tough on Uganda by enacting sanctions and official admonitions for enacting its antigay law, neither the White House nor the State Department expressed opposition to Kutesa’s nomination as General Assembly president.

Instead, the State Department’s Samantha Powers offered reminders about the missions of the U.N. and the General Assembly as part of her response to Kutesa’s election.

“The U.N. Charter places respect for human rights and dignity at its core, and it is the job of the General Assembly — and its President — to uphold these principles,” Powers said in her written statement.

Powers did mention the plight of LGBT citizens as well as women and girls in countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, and myriad other parts of the developing world, without naming any country

specifically.

“At a time when girls are attacked by radical extremists for asserting their right to an education; representatives of civil society are harassed and even imprisoned for their work; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are endangered for who they are, including by discriminatory laws, the work of the United Nations to advance equality, justice, and dignity for all could not be more urgent,” Powers stated.

As The Advocate reported on June 10, Kutesa’s election as General Assembly president comes with lingering corruption charges, some dating back decades and some very recent. Kutesa has also made virulently antigay remarks and called gays “disgusting.” _The Advocate Accusations of corruption, bigotry follow Kutesa Allegations of severe corruption, including his implication in a 2007 scandal where $150 million in public money went missing, his aggressive defense of Uganda’s harsh “Anti-Homosexuality Law,” and his role in military violence toward millions of Congolese citizens have people around the globe asking the UN to not allow Kutesa to take the leadership post.

Milton Allimadi, a Ugandan American living in New York, started the petition on Change.org asking UN member countries to vote against Kutesa, and asking the U.S. government to deny Kutesa a visa to block him from serving in the role.

Says Milton: “Sam Kutesa could become President of the United Nations General Assembly in June unless the world comes to its senses. Kutesa is reputedly one of Uganda’s most corrupt and wealthiest politicians. The United Nations does not need this kind of embarrassment. His election would be the most embarrassing thing that the United Nations Organization has endured in recent memory.”

Lauren Scott

Trans woman wins GOP primary in Nevada Lauren Scott, a transgender woman and veteran of the Persian Gulf War, has won the Republican primary election for Nevada Assembly District 30 and will represent her party on the ballot this November.

The Washington Blade reports: The district, which includes parts of Reno, is heavily Democratic, but Scott pledged to fight to win the general election.

“I have always been a moderate and I am willing to work with Democrats and Republicans to find solutions to the problems facing Nevada today,” Scott said in a statement.

Although her opponent was endorsed by the Nevada Republican Assembly, Scott was endorsed by Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval. She hasn’t been endorsed by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. In the general election, Scott will face off against Democratic incumbent State Assembly member Michael Sprinkle.

If elected, Scott could become the first openly transgender person to serve in a state legislature. Who knew such a distinction would ever go to a Republican?

Read more: http://www.towleroad. com/#ixzz34S3ihTcX ■

JULY 2014 • NUMBER 480 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

17

LGBTQ Living

Todd Perkins

Homes in Connecticut, the Rochester area and Sodus.

Interior design trends

By Susan Jordan Thinking about re-decorating? Interior designer Todd Perkins talked with the Empty Closet about the latest trends in home furnishing and design. He often travels around the country for various clients, and said, “I just got back from Connecticut, where they were remodeling everything from flooring to draperies, paint colors, kitchen, lighting, blinds.”

He added, “There are so many things to talk about. For instance, draperies.

Panels are majorly in because you can open and close them more easily – and with decorative rods of course. Panels can be made of any fabric, any color.”

Todd said that the most trendy colors right now are primary colors, like orange, yellows, cobalt blue, purples. “I use them for accenting,” he said. “But classic colors like burgundy, caramel colors, sage, are still out there.”

The bright primary colors, Todd says, “are almost a retro look. And I like pattern on pattern; that’s always a good thing. The draperies could be one pattern, the sofa another, the throw rug another –as long as the colors work together.

“Then you want to make sure that this room coincides with that room over there – color usually ties them together.

You want to make sure it’s a flowing environment as you walk through the house.”

Carolee Conklin commented, “My living room is a testament to Todd Perkins ‘pattern to pattern philosophy’. We have blended fabrics, patterns, periods and woods into a charming room overlooking the river.”

What about bedrooms? “Bedrooms are different. And if children are involved, they like to have their own

style and environment.” Maybe being involved in creating their own bedrooms will inspire your kids to actually clean them and put their clothes and belongings away. One can always hope.

And kitchens? “There’s so much leeway,” Todd says. “In Connecticut I raised the corner cabinet to be on a different level from the other cabinets.

The popular color for cabinets right now is espresso, warm white, or natural

woods like cherry, maple or hickory. For counters, granite or quart are preferred.

New counters update the look of the kitchen very quickly. Knobs for drawers or cabinets can be brushed nickel, brushed bronze, glass. Little things like that make a big difference and transform your kitchen.”

When you want to coordinate rooms with colors, Todd says that lighting is important. “Changing lighting is always a good update,” he says. “Over a kitchen island, hang a pendant light – use a red globe to spice up the color and make it pop.”

The old blinds of the past with their long tangly cords are gone. Todd said, “Right now blinds are a big part of my business, such as HunterDouglas designer screen and roller shades. The hot thing now is roller shades and decorative screen shades. What’s nice about them is you can still see out but you block the light from coming in. There are textured shades, paneled shades. We do a lot of cellular, or double cellular, shades, which is insulating. And they can be dropped down from the top when you want to give privacy to a dinner party or bathroom. Metallic blinds are still in, but with easier operating mechanisms such as cordless or even power shades.

“The cool thing is Power Rise – press a button and the shade goes up or down.

You can run them from an iPad. Click on your phone and the blinds go up. It’s

really innovative what they’re doing.”

Todd sees a lot of changes in interior design, and often the old becomes new again. He said, “I’ve been doing this for 20 years and it’s changed. It’s so innovative, so much easier to operate things.

But people want what’s collectible. Wool carpeting is coming back, replacing synthetic. It is a little more expensive, but in the long run it will last longer, saving you money. Brass is back, as in candlestick holders, frames, etc. The old look is becoming in again. Antiques like the old glass-fronted doctor’s medicine cabinets, which people are storing towels in.

“Upholstered antiques are great because they can be reupholstered to fit a certain style and decor, in other words, old made new. A great way to carry family heirloom pieces through the next generation.”

Most people love hardwood floors, as opposed to wall to wall carpeting. “I do a lot of hardwood floors,” Todd said, “and the new thing is engineered hard-

wood. You can get different panels and it won’t warp or dent as much as regular hardwood. You can get a six-inch-wide plank – just beautiful.”

What’s new in bathroom design?

“They are quite amazing,” Todd says, “because when you do a bathroom, hardly ever do you do the tub. Today it’s walk-in showers. Some people are doing resin step-in claw foot tubs. But aside from that, tubs are out. And tiles for floors and showers are popular. The bigger the tile, the better. You can coordinate the bathroom to go with the bedroom, so you won’t have the same bedroom as your neighbor.”

Todd sums up, “In the end, every customer is different, but I can always work with what a customer has; sometimes we might have to eliminate some things, but it makes room for the fresh look to be updated.

“This business changes so fast! You’ve got to keep up, by going out to stores, looking at magazines.” ■

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014

JULY 2014 • NUMBER 480 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

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Shoulders to Stand On Trans* 101

By Evelyn Bailey Over the next several months Shoulders to Stand On will look at the history of Transgender people.

Transgender is a blanket term used to describe all people who are not cisgender. And what you may ask is cisgender?

Cisgender is the description for a person whose gender identity, gender expression, and biological sex all align (e.g., man, masculine, and male; also woman, feminine, and female).

“Sex” refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women (people often use it to refer to sexual intercourse itself). “Gender” refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women. “Male” and “female” are sex categories, while “masculine” and “feminine” are gender categories.

Aspects of sex will not vary substantially between different human societies, while aspects of gender may vary greatly.

There is much confusion around these two terms, and cisgendered people often become confused and leery of anyone who does not conform to the binary image of masculine or feminine regardless of the actual sex of the individual. To most cisgender Americans, humans are defined by their genitalia and nothing more!

We need to understand the vocabularies of transgender and homosexuality before we can look at the history.

LGBPTTQQIIAA+: any combination of letters attempting to represent all the labels that identify people as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Pansexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Intergender, Asexual, Ally, etc.

Androgyny is a gender expression that has elements of both masculinity and femininity.

Homosexual is a medical definition for a person who is attracted to someone of the same sex.

A lesbian is a woman who is sexually and emotionally attracted to other women; a female homosexual. The words dyke, butch, femme, lipstick lesbian, Sapphic sister, woman-loving woman are among the many labels that have been used to describe the gender expression of lesbians.

Gay describes a man who is attracted to men, but is often used and embraced by women to describe their same-sex relationships as well. Faggot is a derogatory slang term for gay men, which should never be used.

Bisexual is a person who experiences sexual, romantic, physical, and/or spiritual attraction to people of their own gender as well as another gender.

A transsexual is a person whose

gender identity is the opposite of their biological sex, who may undergo medical treatments to change their biological sex, often times to align it with their gender identity, or they may live their lives as the opposite sex. FTM/MTF is a person who has undergone medical treatments to change their biological sex (Female To Male, or Male To Female), often times to align it with their gender identity.

Transvestite is a person who dresses as the opposite traditional gender expression of their sex and gender identity (“cross-dresses”) for any one of many reasons, including relaxation, fun, and sexual gratification; may be heterosexual.

A Drag Queen is a person who consciously performs “femininity,” usually in a show business or theatre setting, presenting an exaggerated form of feminine expression, usually done by a man who identifies as cisgender male, or by a transwoman.

A Drag King is a person who consciously performs “masculinity,” usually in a show or theatre setting, presenting an exaggerated form of masculine expression, usually done by a cisgender woman or transman.

Gender identity is the internal perception of an individual’s gender, and how they name themselves.

Gender expression is the external display of gender, through a combination of dress, demeanor, social behavior, and other factors, generally measured on a scale of masculinity and femininity.

Gender variant is another term for trans, as is genderqueer. These terms do not imply surgery or any kind of transition from one binary gender to the other, but rather an identity encompassing both genders – a third gender.

Intersex is a person born with both kinds of genitalia. Often doctors and/ or parents make the decision for these infants as to what their gender will be, instead of permitting the individual to decide when they are old enough.

Two-Spirit is a term traditionally used by some Native American people to recognize individuals who possess qualities or fulfill roles of both genders.

(This writer apologizes for using the offensive term berdache in a previous article about the Native American traditions of homosexuality.)

Queer was a derogatory slang term used to identify LGBTQ+ people. Today “queer” is a term that has been embraced and reclaimed by the LGBTQ+ community as a symbol of pride, representing all individuals who fall out of the gender and sexuality “norms”.

Transgender men and women make explicit what the rest of us take for granted concerning our gender identities and gender presentations. Most cisgendered

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people feel comparatively comfortable with our bodies; we might complain about particular physical attributes and we may be uncomfortable with various social and economic restraints encountered because of our sex, but the majority does not question the fundamental issue of whether we are female or male. Transgendered people do not have this luxury because they feel at odds with their birth assignments. Some might want to alter the body and gender they grew up with to the opposite body and gender presentation. In order to do that, they have to define more explicitly for themselves what their gender identity is and what their gender expression will be.

Shoulders To Stand On will continue this historical presentation in the August and September issues of the Empty Closet. ■

History Corner A Monthly Newspaper of The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, 713 Monroe Avenue, Room 4, Rochester, N Y l4607, (716) 244-8640 JULY 1974 NO 41 IN THIS ISSUE: Gay Pride Week Parade To Central Park pg.1 Gay Elected to ACLU Board pg. 1 Bachelor Forum’s Auction Nets $539 for Gay Alliance pg.

1 Youth Charged in City Murder pg. 1 Gay Task Force Conducts Survey of Local Churches pg.1 Buffalo TV Supports Gays pg. 3 Rochester Gays Attend Opening of New Buffalo Church pg.5 100 Attend Gittings Event, pg. 5 Letters to the Editor pg.6 Gay Discrimination Real pg.8 Do you want to read this issue of the Empty Closet?

Here is the link: http://www.lib.rochester.edu/index.cfm?page=4800.

On that page click on: Browse the Empty Closet issues. Go to 1974 – July ROCHESTER PRIDE 2014 Friday, July 18 Flag Ceremony: 6 – 7 pm.

Pride Color Guard, Reading of Official Proclamations, Sashing Parade Grand Marshal.

Saturday, July 19 Pride Parade: 3pm.

Route: Park Avenue, Alexander St., East Ave., to Manhattan Square Park; Award Line-Up: MUTHER’S FAVORITE, STONEWALL AWARD, RAINBOW AWARD, COMMUNITY AWARD, RUBY SLIPPER AWARD. Saturday, July 19 Festival: Family Fest – Noon – 3:30 pm – FREE! Pride Festival 4-9:30 pm – $15 at the gate.

Sunday, July 20 Picnic: 1-7pm. Dancing in the Roundhouse; Children’s area at Riverbend; Community Stage; Annual Picnic Site Decoration Contest. Admission and food: $20 at gate; Admission only $15. ■

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 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 PUPPY DOG TALES

By Eric Bellmann Children are given puppies to encourage them to develop habits of responsibility. Geriatrics often prize small animals for their affection.

Energetic puppies keep the elderly alert, amused and active.

A twenty-year-old male is not a puppy, frisky as he may be.

As a teacher I enjoyed my young college age students. They were amusing, alert, responsive. But it turned out to be a sham. Above all else they were obedient; they never contradicted me. It was the grade they were after.

Only after I stopped teaching did I wise up. I had bought an electronic device, a digital clock that I could not manage. Early one morning I went back to the store for advice. The clerk, a young guy, greeted me. He looked rumpled, perhaps a bit groggy. “Did you sleep in that sweater?” I asked. “Are you that rude with everybody?” was his reply.

My eyes narrowed, my spine stiffened. I was not used to such an attitude.

I stormed out.

I’m not bad at reflection. The kid was on target. I went back half an hour later and apologized. I came to understand, way too late, that my college students had enabled me to get away with wholesale misbehavior. Never too late to admit mistakes and change one’s ways.

In “Mame” Angela Lansbury sings a wonderful song, “If He Walked Into My Life Again”, about her relationship with her nephew Patrick. It’s about what she might do differently given another chance. Hindsight has its value.

As it happens these days I have a young friend, just twenty. He works, now and then, for me as a figure-drawing model. He is very cool, self possessed, attractive. He is also a demon from another planet. We both speak English, kind of, but the communication has a lot of static. I have only begun to explore our dissimilarities. For one thing, I don’t believe he can write. Odd that. But consider: as a child I learned penmanship.

That is no longer taught in school. He pokes a keyboard.

I hate reading news articles about our country’s rapid movement toward marriage equality only when it comes to a revue of underlying demographics. The articles insist that my cohort, old white males, are the very ones who resist or oppose this movement. The kids are all for it. For them it’s a no brainer. I am for marriage equality but my vote doesn’t seem to count. The puppy is on board.

Everyone, it seems, from Junior High School upward has no problem with LGBTQ issues. Fogies are the problem.

My young friend does not snatch his pay and run away. He hangs around and likes to talk. He showed up one session with a contraption that I assumed cost a fortune to play me some music he likes.

First off, he’s marginal, how can he afford such things? Pawn shop. Gets everything there. Who knew?

The music was OK so I decided to trot to my table computer (no smart phone, another indicator of senility) to find YouTube videos of music and performers I like. Building bridges between the generations. The puppy never even heard of Tina Turner. Can you believe that?

(Heartbreaking to me because I go way back and my secret dream was to be an Ikette, one of the three mad dancers that backed up Tina in the Ike and Tina days.)

I felt like I was explaining life on Mars.

The kid shrugged.

I used to ask my students who their culture heroes were, people they admired. I hoped someone would say Gloria Steinem, Ralph Nader, I’d even accept Sting and his passion for saving the forests. Nada. Best I ever got was “my grandfather”. Disappointing as that seemed then, it does now suggest an acknowledgment or even a respect for the elderly.

So what we end up talking about, and what ultimately I happily realize links the kid to me, is values. Values expressed by actions, behaviors. Kiddo has done more than his share of mischief and is knee deep in consequences. With that I can identify. We talk across the years about parent relationships, being manipulative or not in how we approach sex, how we have cleaned up our respective acts. He is a good listener and I am a better than fair teacher. I like being a mentor.

But if I have to have a more constant companion as the years march along, no puppies for me. I think I’ll go for a cat.

They sleep 18 hours a day.

Email: ericlbellmann @gmail.com

Cleaning My Closet HEY, JUST A MINUTE

By Meredith Elizabeth Reiniger A tiny eruption of dirt. Someone has been digging among my tangerine violas, I inform Vegas dog.

A closer look reveals two golden eyes peering from the coolness. Now you tell me: how did Little Brown Toad manage to hop up fifteen inches into that flowerpot? Where are her toad friends? What does she think about as she nestles into luxurious loam? Vegas has no answers. I will have to ask Google.

The first time I forgot my name, I was in grammar school. We had been out of school for a vacation. Apparently a toolong break for me.

“Take out a sheet of paper and write your name at the top,” my pretty third grade teacher had requested, not unreasonably. I panicked. I surely did not want to have to raise my hand and ask that question.

I reached into the cubbyhole attached under my desktop. Pawed around for my stash of stand-by sheets. Stored assignments, completed and inadvertently crumpled, had buried my neat supply of lined paper. Then, oh yes. My fingers danced. Used papers. With my name agonizingly scrawled large and true. Whew.

A close call. Or early onset dementia?

I recently, some day or other, read in some newspaper or magazine, maybe AARP, I think... aren’t they the primary dispensers of issues relevant to elders?

Well, anyway, some Journal of Intelligent Somethings reported that scientists have discovered that blood taken from a young mouse and.. transferred .. injected... transfused [ah-ha, there’s the word I wanted]... into an old mouse reverses the effects of aging, restoring muscle and brain function. So I am reconsidering those mice invaders of last winter. Just wondering. How many Bloody Mousey cocktails would I have to drink?

Anyway, my point is that my memory is not written in stone. Or stored in The Cloud. My memory is crammed into deep wrinkles of my gray matter. Those precious wrinkles have, maybe, stored some or all or a few details collected from a billion seconds... give or take nine... of my existence. Alas, those crinkles are cranium confined. [Engineering error? If my elastic belly can expand, why, I wonder, can’t my memory storage area.]

I have loads of stuff, countless things, bunches of stories, in Cranium Central. For example, I have anecdotes that remain witty in my own mind which, when verbalized, annoy the daylights out of long time companions.

Speaking of cubbyholes, my favorite rodent, in second grade, was our classroom’s squishy, chubby hamster. Herman.

He was available for play whenever we finished our work. Of course I would hurry through my worksheet, valuing Herman’s fuzzy self way above excellence. Until one day of 1951, wandering through wonders of my cubbyhole, he vocalized. SQUEAK! Thus he heralded pee time. No hands were quick enough to scoop him up and out before he yellowed all my papers.

Yucky icky in my cubbyhole.

Yet I still adore him, still treasure that thirty-nine-year old memory. In fact, we all have them, those Rehearsed Memories. All our remarkable stories of Life Altering Events and The Old Days’ Reports that we have felt compelled to share with just about every human being with ears: grocery line strangers, persons drawing blood, cashiers, sales associates [sales clerks in my old days], the nice young boy who will perform surgery on an unruly body part. Indeed, I have an extensive collection of Once-Upon-aTime accounts at the ready. Anyway, who really cares what I ate yesterday?

In any case, my yesteryears of “been there, done that” are not my top priority.

My Todays need more attention. So far I still know the day of the week because my

pill thing tells me so, my computer screen verifies it, and my cell phone agrees. I can close-enough balance my checkbook.

I have never arrived at the grocery store naked. Good to go.

But more than needing attention, my todays invite wonder. So now, in my eighth decade, I joyfully Fractionize my days.

Not like My Old Days when I was only aware of big time-chunks: my evening, three-hour college seminars; time-consuming, endless heterosexual-wifely-chores; my non-stop English Teacher Time from seven in the morning homeroom through non-stop, bell-demarcated, student-filled class periods followed by infinite paperwork piles. Hurry and Scurry were constant companions.

Not now. No, as an Elder, closer to my end than my beginning [not a maudlin mindset, but a statistical state-of-being], I have disavowed Time Chunking and its minions. I am readjusting my focus. I am Fractionizing. Fractionizing requires perfecting the art of slowing down. … requires maximizing awareness in every minute. There are 525,600 in a year. I want to optimize every sixty-second moment. I no longer merely “walk the dog.” Gladly I take my Self and my Vegas on a saunter, into the park, under swaying willows, around undulating ponds with a vigilant Great Blue Heron, a paddling of ducks, a swoop of swallows. I purposely stop to note the sun shining through the fuzz of a gangly gosling. When a wedge of geese flies directly over my head, I pause so I can hear the whoosh-whoop of their wings. My heart celebrates everyday miracles.

My brain wrinkles have successfully stored Fractionizing skills. Have honed my ability to comprehend the precious quality of time. I set my cell phone alarm to ring at sunset time. I stop whatever I am doing. I turn to the west. I watch. In awe. Daily.

P.S. raw tuna sushi.

MeredithElizabethReiniger@gmail.com

JULY 2014 • NUMBER 480 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

Faith Matters DYKES MARCH TO A DIFFERENT BEAT

By Rev. Irene Monroe Pride parades took place all over the country in June, and Boston’s was this weekend.

Race, unfortunately, continues to be one of the fault lines in many of our Pride festivals across the country. As is gender identity.

Long before Black and Latino Prides marched to their soulful and salsa beats in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, respectively, Lesbian Pride marches came on the scene in the ‘70s. And they were protest marches publicly denouncing, at the time, the political stronghold and exclusionary practices of Gay Pride events — as Wikipedia correctly notes — “by white gay men at the expense of lesbians in general and women of color in particular.”

By the 1990s, Dyke Marches emerged.

Unlike Lesbian Pride marches (which were not an ongoing tradition in the ‘70s and ‘80s), Dyke Marches are now in their second decade of existence. This year marks exactly Boston’s 20th anniversary.

These marches bring to the fore not only the visibility, activism, gifts and talents of lesbians, but they also highlight the visibility, activism, gifts and talents of all self-identified women within the LBT community.

Heather Kough, co-facilitator of this year’s Boston Dyke March Committee, wrote in an email, “We are a grassroots, all-volunteer group with a deep commitment to inclusion, meaning that participation is open to folks across the gender and orientation spectrums, people of all races, ethnicities, ages, economic backgrounds, sizes, and physical abilities. To sum up, ‘The Dyke March Is For Everyone!’”

And the Boston Dyke March poster makes it a point to elaborate on what the committee means by “Everyone!”: “Lesbians—dykes – queers—bi-women— boychicks—tomboys—grrrls—lesbian moms—lesbianas—femmes—butches— transwomen—androgs—transmen—gay girls—bois—womanists —fat dykes— sorority girls with pearls who are sleeping together—dykes on bikes—lesbian crones—african american lesbians—rural dykes —goddesses—genderqueers—poly girls—amazons—hippy chicks—lipstick lesbians—asian dykes—lesbian avengers—dykes in wheelchairs—wise old lesbians—leather dykes – babydykes ... and You!” As Boston Dyke March celebrated its 20th anniversary, I helped them, as one of their keynoters this year, to remember the 40th anniversary of the Combahee River Collective — a forgotten shoulder that has both shaped and informed theirs and all present-day feminist activism.

In 1974 the Combahee River Collective was founded in Boston by the boldacious act of several lesbians and feminists women of African descent. And as a sisterhood that understood that their acts of protest are shouldered by and because of their ancestors—known and unknownwho came before them, the Collective’s name honors the resistance action by abolitionist Harriet Tubman in 1863 in South Carolina, known as the Combahee River Raid. Tubman, in a military raid that she both conceived and directed, freed over 750 slaves. No one- male or female- in U. S. military history during slavery had been able to do the same.

The Combahee River Collective was not only a response to the Black Nationalist and misogynistic politics of the Black Power Movement, but the Collective was also excoriating the exclusionary practice of feminism.

With the rise of the Second Wave Feminist Movement that had primarily been an intentionally exclusive women’s

country club that spoke to Betty Friedan’s feminine mystique of upper-crust “pumps and pearls-wearing” white women, black women — straight or gay — had neither voice nor visibility.

In explaining black women’s lives as interlocking oppressions, the “Combahee River Collective Statement” is one of the earliest and most lauded manifestos to unapologetically denounce single-issue agendas and politics coming out of both black male and white feminists—straight and queer—circles.

Demita Frazier, Beverly Smith, and Barbara Smith were the primary authors of the Statement. In querying Frazier did they know at the time what a seminal document they wrote, Demita who still resides in Boston humbly stated, “We wrote it as a collective. We crafted the Statement at a time it was ready to be heard. The content and the fullness of it came from our conscious-raising groups and testifying with one another. Although we were young and evolving we wanted to ensure an intergenerational connection to black and women of color feminism.”

Reflecting on the 40th anniversary of Combahee, lesbian activist Barbara Smith told Ebony Magazine she’s “... happy that now being called a Black feminist is often considered a compliment.”

As in the day of the Combahee River Collective, Boston continues to be one of the intellectual and activist circles of feminism. The Boston Dyke March is following that tradition. It is the nation’s third largest and most progressive march with over 3,000 in attendance.

Sadly, little has changed, even in 2014, in terms of the racial and gender composition of the organizational and planning committees of Pride parades across the nation. People of color Pride festivals and Dyke Marches, to name just a few marginalized groups in our LGBTQ communities, have simply moved on from Gay Pride festivals, highlighting and celebrating their unique expressions of Pride as

23 well as our continued and common struggle for equality inside and outside of the dominant LGBTQ community.

Happy Pride!

Trans*missions COMING OF AGE

By Laine DeLaney There comes a time in the development of any identity, whether personal or social, when standing up for oneself becomes necessary. A level of independence is crucial to setting the boundaries that indicate the borders of an identity.

When a person reaches this stage, often in their teen years, they tend to exhibit a level of anti-social behavior and defiance of authority. When a social group or community (especially an oppressed one or a minority) reaches this level, cultural pride becomes vital.

That’s why wherever you look in the larger LGBT spectrum right now there are tensions between trans* groups and the rest of the community on a level that hasn’t existed previously. Right now in the Western World transgender individuals are working to create a cultural identity and context to live in. For much of history trans* people have been relegated to the lowest rungs of society unless they “passed” and “went stealth”. It was acceptable to erase, mock, and assault those with trans* identities because they had no recourse: authority figures would ignore threats or even imply that their identities were sufficient cause for whatever censure or violence was levied against them.

The trans* community is coming of age right now. There is a side to it that appears divisive: arguments over terminology, the boundaries of the trans* umbrella and who belongs under it, our place in the

24 larger LGBT spectrum. These conflicts are vital, as unpleasant as they may be, because they are helping trans* communities establish a distinct identity within the larger community and not be taken as a subset of anyone else. Trans women are making it clear that they are not gay men in dresses, trans men that they aren’t butch lesbians. Genderqueer and other non-conforming people are making it clear that they are not “indecisive” but are establishing their identities as separate from a binary that they view as artificial and restrictive. These and other misunderstandings about trans* identities are being explored and corrected on a national, if not global stage.

The positive side of it will be a reduction in ignorance, discrimination, and the syndrome of mistaken identity that many trans* people go through when trying to understand themselves. Having more clearly established identities will allow people to distinguish what care they need and the best options when working towards improving their lives and expressing their identities. There will be a greater acknowledgement and understanding of trans* issues in mainstream and LGBT culture, and acceptance and understanding will grow incrementally as education improves.

Coming of age and establishing identity are never easy or simple. It’s often messy, confusing and ridden with conflict. The trans* community must focus on fostering understanding and education and deal with this awkward period with grace and compassion, while we encourage our LGB and straight and cisgender allies to do the same. If we work towards education rather than condemnation we will be able to emerge from this troubled period with the respect of the community at large, and an environment that is safer and more welcoming to us all.

What’s Bothering Brandon?

I LOVE (HATE) A PARADE

By Brandon W. Brooks Each year, we as LGBT persons celebrate and broadcast our pride in the form of a parade.

This parade, known across the world now as The Gay Pride Parade, is the physical embodiment of our continuing triumphs, strength as a community, and fight towards true equality.

It is our time to show our surrounding neighborhoods, cities and towns just what constitutes our colorful population, that we are not backing down in our demands for equal rights and representation, and that we as LGBT persons are simply “the same as.”

Some parades are larger than others.

Some are louder and more colorful, but they are parades nonetheless. They are parades that showcase not only the fact that LGBT individuals exist everywhere, but that local companies, businesses, religious institutions, schools and universities support the LGBT cause, and are willing to come out into the light to demonstrate that.

Pride Parades contain many facets of the LGBT population, in that sub-groups will often participate in celebrating Pride by walking, driving or financially supporting the parade itself. Whether it be the family-oriented LGBT couple, the young (often underdressed) twink spouting chants of solidarity, the seasoned Leather-Daddy fraternity, the Trans community, or the pro-female fourth-wave feminists (usually citing laws and hegemonic maxims we all tend to sadly forget or undervalue), the Pride Parade acts to showcase these components (among many others) of our growing community.

So where’s the rub with that?

I often find the Pride Parade and the Pride month of June (July in Rochester) to

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014 be a mixture of feelings. I usually experience an invigorated sense of community, belonging and even a renewed sense of trust and hope in humanity at large. It is quite a sight to see when, over the course of my short lifetime, our nation has truly made leaps and bounds – it’s great to see such powerful and literal life-changing progress.

On the other hand, it wouldn’t be completely honest for me to say that these are the only feelings that I experience.

As with everything (with me), there are pangs to be felt, witnessed, articulated and endured.

It is curious to experience the feeling of both pride in the self and community, while also experiencing the fear of future obscurity, the worry of a heritage forgotten or cast aside, and the woe of why the LGBT community may suffer these heavy misfortunes.

Over the passing years, despite our seemingly mounting triumphs, the actual amount of variety of the LGBT community showcased in our nationwide Pride Parades seems to have dwindled, or at the very least, become homogenized. Small towns tend to have a limited variety of LGBT sub-groups and participating supporters in Pride Parades, ostensibly due to their small population in general and that LGBT persons are outnumbered by heterosexual individuals. This is to be expected on a certain level.

Large, metropolitan areas (in which, I hope, Rochester can be included), with their numerous populations, abundance of cultural lineages, and overall greater level of personal expression, might be thought of as grounds for a more varied, lively, and colorful Pride Parade. And in most cases, this is quite true.

However, what I have been witnessing over the past five years is the opposite; Pride Parades of large cities with once thriving displays of LGBT sub-groups are now becoming more and more similar, both similar to one another as well as internally. As stated in a recent column, I rarely see any displays of fetish pride any longer (in parades or otherwise), nor do I see many vigilant fourth-wave feminists correcting the (sometimes willfully) ignorant, heteronormative masses.

Indeed many shall we say, “mature” members of the surrounding LGBT community of Rochester itself have expressed a sense of disappointment and even reproach from the younger LGBT generations, due to their expressed desire to celebrate all facets of the LGBT population in the parade. Many view the “modern” parades (of numerous cities) as regulated, normalized and homogenized in order to seem more “family-friendly.”

This idea of “family-friendly” truly disturbs me. To say that Pride Parades, in their most colorful and varied form, are not “family-friendly” is akin to saying that the LGBT population is itself not “family-friendly.” Some cite the nudity, or the displays of sex positive education, as not appropriate for children and families who may be watching the parade. Now, I am certainly not condoning the rampant display of sexuality as a necessary or essential part of gay pride or the parade, however I also do not believe that the ostracizing of those positively celebrating the fluidity of sexuality is necessary or advisable in order to become “family-friendly.”

It’s a classic Will & Grace scenario of heterosexuals being more comfortable with the gay man who appears straight, than those who openly and unapologetically broadcast their pride. What’s more, I don’t think it is just heterosexuals who feel that pride parades are not “familyfriendly” or that we should tone down our displays of homosexual pride; it’s the LGBT community saying and thinking this as well.

In cases like these I wonder: are we celebrating LGBT pride, or are we celebrating what we as LGBT persons suppose heteronormative society will be comfortable with? Are we (somewhat) unintentionally proposing an image of LGBT society that we think straight people will accept, and if so, why? Is this taking place

in hopes of achieving some sort of pasteurized equality sooner?

These are my considerations as yet another Wizard of Oz float passes by, and I do hope you’re bothered.

With President Obama’s recognition of June as National LGBT Pride Month, my agitation and worry has reached new heights. Do we really need or want a month commemorating our struggle for equality, when in actuality our struggle is taking place throughout the twelve months? I fear this may alter the psyche of LGBT and heterosexual persons nationwide, implying to us all that the fight for equality is now completed, finished and over with.

These worries may be premature, or the result of my ever-defensively-pessimistic world view, but they are real concerns nonetheless. I urge all of us, LGBT and straight, to consider these possibilities as we watch this year’s parade pass by. Let us at least consider and observe that there

are still protests occurring within Rochester, citing the morally corrupt nature of LGBT persons.

Until these yokels are no longer, I continue to be faithfully bothered.

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

PRIDE 2014/July 18-20

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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 July, 2014 1st Sunday: Episcopal Mass/Healing Service 2nd Sunday: Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Word, with music 3rd Sunday: Episcopal Mass 4th Sunday: Evening Prayer, followed by a Potluck Dinner Our fourth Sunday Potluck theme for June is “Sunday Sundaes”. Since summer has finally begun, we thought it would be wonderful to have ice cream and the fixings for “dinner.” Remember that “life is short; eat dessert first”, so ask a friend or two and join us for cool time!

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

OPEN ARMS METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH & COMMUNITY CENTER Starting in July, we will be having guest preachers from Colgate Divinity School for our Sunday services. They will bring diverse themes and excitement through our new Pride Worship Series.

Each week our guest preacher will do a sermon based on the rainbow colors and what each one represents on the rainbow flag. Sunday Services begin at 10:30 a.m. and are followed by our coffee time and some good conversation!

Be sure to be here for the ongoing celebration of Pride with our Potluck Pride and Game Night Saturday, July 12, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Put some Pride in your

potluck and some potluck in your Pride and play some games... with Pride of course!

Open Arms MCC & Community Center is located at 707 East Main St., almost right across from Delta Sonic.

There is plenty of parking in front and to the side of our building. For updated information on these and other exciting upcoming events check out our website at openarmsmcc.org. Our phone number is 271-8478.

ROMANS Our July meeting will take place at Empire Haven Nudist Park. Members can enjoy the facilities at the park between 12 noon and 5 p.m. at a discounted entrance fee.

We will hold our meeting at one of the campsites and enjoy a BBQ sponsored by the club’s president. It will be a day of outdoor fun that also provide us with the opportunity to mingle with other nudists in the area. Empire Haven is a mixed nude camp located in Moravia, New York.

It hosts the annual Northeast Naturist Festival from July 29 to Aug. 3 this year, that offers over 150 scheduled activities throughout the week. More information can be found at http://www.empirehaven. net/events.html.

July is the month for ROMANS members to register for the Gay Naturists International’s NakedFest in Maryland.

Join us if you want to experience living clothes free for up to 10 days in a friendly and accepting environment.

ROMANS is a social club for gay and gay-friendly male nudists over 21.

Please check out our website at www. wnyromans.com. You can also contact the ROMANS at message line 585-2814964, by E-mail wnyromans@yahoo. com or via regular mail at PO Box 92293, Rochester, NY 14692. ■

Learn the history of the LGBT community in Rochester... ...from the people who made that history.

The Gay Alliance invites you to celebrate 40 years of LGBT history in Rochester with your very own DVD/BluRay of this powerful film.

Shoulders To Stand On Evelyn Bailey, Executive Producer Kevin Indovino, Producer/Director/Writer Standard DVD $25 / BluRay DVD $30 Order at: www.GayAlliance.org

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014

The Avenue Pub 39 Year Landmark in the Gay Community

The Avenue Pub 522 Monroe Avenue 585-244-4960

JULY 2014 • NUMBER 480 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

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Arts & Entertainment JCC stages “Hairspray” July 19-27 JCC SummerStage presents “Hairspray, the Musical”, with music

by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, book

by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan.

Based on the popular John Waters cult film of the same name, “Hairspray” explores the impact on 1962 Baltimore when a plus sized dancer decides it’s time to end race segregation on television.

Performances will be Saturday, July 19 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, July 20 at 2 p.m.; Wednesday, July 23 at 7 p.m.; Thursday, July 24 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, July 26 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 27 at 2 p.m.

Since 1977, JCC CenterStage is the resident professional theatre at the Jewish Community Center, 1200 Edgewood Ave. Performing in the JCC Hart Theater, CenterStage presents a five-show subscription series of plays and musicals, the SummerStage, musicals performed by area high school and college students and other special events. ■

Singer/songwriter Betty Who headlines Roc Pride Festival 2014

By Adam Young Singer/songwriter Betty Who will take the stage as headliner at the Pride Festival, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square on Saturday, July 19 at 7 p.m.

The show will be emceed by the lovely and talented drag queen duo Samantha Vega and Kasha Davis. Tickets are $10 online, or $15 at the gate.

The Australian artist’s career has gained steady momentum since the release of her debut EP,“The Movement” last spring, spawning the dance hit “Somebody Loves You.” Spencer Stout of Salt Lake City, Utah used the song as a catalyst for a flashmob marriage proposal to his partner Dustin at a local Home Depot.

The video soon went viral on YouTube with over 12 million views to date.

The artist’s sophomore effort, the EP “Slow Dancing,” was released by RCA Records in April and includes songs “Alone Again” and “Heartbreak Dream.” According to MTV. com, “Betty Who blends indie and pop music into an irresistible mix of bold soundscapes, Top 40 hooks, and knowing lyrics.” Both of her EPs have received rave reviews on iTunes.

Betty Who will be performing in Rochester on the heels of appearances at other Pride events in Columbus, Chicago, New York City, Minneapolis, and St. Louis throughout June.

Disney’s Tom Vazzana returns home to direct “Nunsense” at Blackfriars It’s been 20 years since Rochester audiences have seen a full production of the smash hit offBroadway sensation, “Nunsense”.

This summer the wait is over as local star Phyl Contestable returns as the Reverend Mother Regina in Blackfriars’ production.

“Nunsense”, which is written by Dan Goggin, begins when the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters, and they are in dire need of funds for the burials. The sisters decide that the best way to raise the money is to put on a variety show, so they take over the school auditorium, which is currently set up for the eighth grade production of “Grease.”

The prestigious Tom Vazza-

Phyl Contestable

na, who has directed and choreographed several productions of “Nunsense” all over the country, returns as the director and choreographer of Blackfriars’ production this summer. In addition to a long career performing in OffBroadway shows, Broadway tours and Broadway European tours, Mr. Vazzana is the Show Director at Walt Disney World Resort

This fall, she will be joining Katy Perry on her Prismatic Tour throughout her native Australia.

Roc Pride will be held July 18, 19, and 20. July 18 will kickoff Pride with the flag ceremony at MLK Jr. Memorial Park at 6 p.m. and Rainbow Ride. July 19 will include the Pride Parade, Family Fun Time, and Festival (including Betty Who in concert), and July 20 will see the annual Pride Picnic fundraiser at Genesee Valley Park For more information about Betty Who, visit www.bettywhomusic.com. For more information about Roc Pride 2014, see the story on page one, the calendar on page 34, and www. gayalliance.org/pride. ■

in Florida where he has directed “Beauty and The Beast” for Disney Hollywood Studios and the Hoop Dee DOO Revue. He is the creator and the director of the first Disney Glow in the Dark “Nightmare Before Christmas Parade”, Senior Show Director for Disney Asia Pacific, and the development director of Hong Kong Disneyland and all Asian parades, shows and nighttime spectaculars. He is also the Senior Show Director for Disney markets in India, Vietnam, Korea, and China and is collaborating with Disney on the entertainment development for Shanghai Disneyland in the coming years.

“Nunsense” is a unique theatrical experience. The show has a simplicity and truth about it that resonates with everyone,” says Mr. Vazzana. “It’s heartwarming and it’s funny!”

This Blackfriars’ company will have an authenticity, largely due to Phyl Contestable as Reverend Mother. “I will be re-creating many moments from the original production that I believe

(“Nunsense” continues page 28)

“In Gloves” by Claire Porter

Bill Evans says farewell to Rochester with July 5 dance concert As he retires from the College at Brockport and prepares to relocate to Providence, Rhode Island, Bill Evans presents An Evening of Dance and Performance Art with featured guest artist Claire Porter. The performance will take place July 5 at 7:30 p.m., at Hartwell Dance Theater, Brockport.

Claire Porter is a highlyacclaimed choreographer, dancer, writer and performance artist. She will be in residence this summer at the annual Bill Evans Dance Teachers’ Intensive at the College at Brockport.

On Aug. 1, Dr. Don Halquist, Mr. Evans’ husband and a leading member of the Bill Evans Dance Company for 29 years, will assume the position of Dean of the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development at Rhode Island College in Providence. On Aug. 31, William (Bill) Evans will become Emeritus Visiting Professor of Dance/Guest Artist at The College at Brockport. On Sept. 2, he will assume the position of Artist in Residence/Professor of Dance in the Joan Palladino School of Dance at Dean Col-

lege in Franklin, Massachusetts.

After 10 years as full-time faculty members at The College at Brockport, where Evans served as Guest Artist/Visiting Professor of Dance and Halquist served as Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Education and Human Development, the “academic couple” are moving on. This is a happy/ sad occurrence. Happy because of the extraordinary opportunity available to Dr. Halquist and the chance for Evans to continue his work in a thriving school of dance. Sad because both men are reluctant to say good-bye to cherished friends they have made in western New York, and to their beloved Brockport students and colleagues and the many members of the Rochester area dance community.

The July 5 concert will be an evening of mostly humorous text and movement. Claire Porter has created one work and re-staged another for William Evans and Don Halquist — In Gloves and See You Around. Both will be reprised for this concert. Porter will create a new work for par(Bill Evans continues page 28)

28 (“Nunsense” continued from page 27) are perfect and there will be some updated surprises too!”

The production features a collection of Rochester’s finest female talent, including Phyl Contestable as Reverend Mother Regina, Esther Winter as Sister Mary Hubert, Janine Mercandetti as Sister Robert Anne, Mandy Hassett as Sister Mary Amnesia and Elizabeth West as Sister Mary Leo. Andy Pratt is the show’s musical director and local seamstress extraordinaire Lana Momano returns to make the costumes. Blackfriars Artistic Director John Haldoupis, who is in his final season with Blackfriars, will bring his famous artistic talent to the stage for one of his last times as the production”s set designer.

“This is ‘Nunsense’ refreshed!” says the show’s star Phyl Contestable. “This outrageously talented cast is larger than life. These women are artists and I am so excited to work with them!” Furthermore, “Disney has never been the same since they brought Tom Vazzana on board. He’s a treasured friend who I’ve always admired and, in many ways, tried to emulate. Tom is brilliant and has an exhilarating energy onstage. Don’t expect the predictable, same ol’ familiar show!”

Blackfriars Theatre is located at 795 East Main St. “Nunsense” opens July 11 and runs through July 20. Performances are Fridays, July 11 and 18 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, July 12 and 19 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, July 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Tuesday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29.50 and available in person at Blackfriars Theatre, online at www.blackfriars.org, or by calling 585-454-1260. If available, tickets can be purchased at the door beginning one-hour prior to performance. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. MasterCard, Visa, and Discover are accepted at no additional charge.

Parking is available on site. Handicapped seating is available. For more information regarding Blackfriars Theatre, visit their website at www.blackfriars.org. ■

(Bill Evans continued from page 27) ticipants in the annual Evans Teachers’ Intensives, which will have its premiere performance. She will also perform her hilarious solo Happen Chance. In addition to the four Porter works, Evans will present two solos he has choreographed to spoken excerpts from poems by T.S. Eliot: Portrait of a Lady and Where You Are Not. Featured performers will also include Bill Evans, Don Halquist, Falon Baltzell and Hilary Denison. Lighting will be by Benoit Beauchamp.

Ticket prices are $20 patron, $10 general, $5 student, available at the door beginning at 7 p.m. If you wish to reserve a ticket in advance, please email billevansdance@hotmail.com, subject line: Tickets.

The Hartwell Dance Theater is airconditioned. It is located in Hartwell Hall, The College at Brockport, near the intersection of Monroe and Kenyon.

There is a parking lot on the building’s southwest corner. ■

Pandora Boxx hosts new online series “People You Know” Orchard Winfield Productions (OW Productions) launched the new series “People You Know,” hosted by ex-Rochesterian Pandora Boxx, on June 23.

“People You Know” is a provocative series where the seven deadly sins corrupt a group of thirty-something urbanites, threatening their chance for happiness and love, as they strive to achieve their dreams while surviving the drama. At every turn, these friends get pushed to the limit and run the risk of losing all they hold dear.

Joining the cast are Pandora Boxx and Steve Hayes of “Tired Old Queen at the Movies”. Pandora, an alum of RuPaul’s

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014 Drag Race who was named by Entertainment Weekly as their America’s Next Drag Superstar, plays Adora Jarr, a twisted bartending version of herself.

“It’s kind of fun. I’m flattered that I’m even considered known enough that I can play a crazy version of myself.” Pandora says. “I know a lot of bitter queens so it was easy to take some things from them and add it to this poor shell of a Pandora.”

Travel

“The Good, the Bad, and the Funny” returns July 16 at Equal=Grounds Announcing the return of “The Good, the Bad, and the Funny: an Open Mic Event for the Transgender and Intersex Communities,” on Wednesday, July 16, 7:30 p.m. at Equal Grounds Coffee House, 750 South Ave. “The Good, the Bad, and the Funny” is an opportunity for members of the Transgender and Intersex communities to stand up and share their stories.

Organizer Shauna O’Toole says, “We share many of the same joys and sorrows in our journeys to being our true selves.

Along the way, we run into the strange and bizarre, things that just make us shake our heads. If we pay attention, we even find events that are simply funny and make us laugh.”

During Pride 2012, “The Good, the Bad, and the Funny” was a standing room only event at Equal Grounds Coffee House. “We hope to again fill Equal Grounds with stories and support for each other,” Shauna said.

A tale of two Alpacas

New film tells story of gay WWII codebreaker Entertainment Weekly has posted the first stills from The Imitation Game, which stars Benedict Cumberbatch as gay World War II codebreaker Alan Turing.

During World War II, Alan Turing, who is known as the father of modern computing, devised the Turing Bombe, a code-breaking device that was used to decipher the Nazi Enigma codes, up to 3,000 messages per day. (NOTE: Turing’s achievement has been called the main reason why the Allies won the war.)

He was also gay, and two years after being convicted of “gross indecency” for being homosexual and sentenced to undergo hormone castration, he killed himself with a cyanide-laced apple.

Also starring in the movie, which arrives in November, are Keira Knightly, Charles Dance, Matthew Goode, and Downton Abbey’s Matthew Leech.

Read more: http://www.towleroad. com/#ixzz33rd59t4a

By Merle Exit Once upon a time there lived the Pine family that dwelled in a big house. As the years went by the offspring flew the coop as Mary, and her husband Fran, were left alone with their bichon dogs, Max and Mandy.

Across the way was this 1870s stone farm house that Mary admired. It sat on some acres of land and had a pond.

Mary heard that the house was up for sale and thought, “Why not buy it and turn it into a bed and breakfast?” Mary, having grown up on a farm had some other ideas as well. “The pond shall have a duck, swan, and turtle. The outside of our part of the home shall have a waterfall that leads into a koi pond. Fresh eggs are best soon after the hen lays them, so we shall have hens.”

Fran was okay with this but Mary wanted more. She wanted to have some pet alpacas.

Fran needed to come up with an anniversary gift, so he agreed on buying three alpacas. Due to their being “pets” the fiber that they produced would be of less quality than ones used to make clothing.

That made Fran happy regarding the cost.

Mary told her mommy about this. The problem was that her mommy was very sick and staying in a nursing home. Her mommy was saddened because she felt that she would not live long enough to see the alpacas.

In the meantime, Kevin and Sue Zurin owned Eastland Alpacas at a not so far away place in Mt. Joy. Kevin and Sue, hearing the sad story, said, “Let’s loan you two alpacas so you can take them to this nursing home.” Mary and Fran placed the alpacas in the back of an SUV. They sat down comfortably and enjoyed the ride.

When they took it to the nursing home (even had them riding the elevator), everyone was filled with glee, especially Mary’s mommy.

Mary and Fran returned the alpacas and after they purchased and restored the new house, Fran bought Wilson, Bryce and Freddy (who will let you feed them).

The property was named Airy View Bed and Breakfast, located at 4596 Airy

View Dr. The house had two pretty and comfortable rooms upstairs and one downstairs, called the Lancaster Room, which overlooks the waterfalls.

In case you want to fish, forget the koi pond. The bigger pond is stocked with bass and blue gill to “catch and release”.

Merle and Laurie stayed overnight, listened to the tale and had a delicious breakfast in the morning. www. airyviewbnb.com “Wow, an alpaca farm”, said Merle. “I wonder if I can pet them” (she has already held a three-month-old lion cub in her arms and cuddled up to a giraffe). They then drove to the 30-acre Eastland Alpacas where they met Kevin and Sue at the “store”, located at 2089 Risser Mill Rd. The store had lots of clothing such as sweaters, socks, gloves, ear warmers and blankets. You could even buy yarn.

Sheep’s wool might be warm but the fiber from an alpaca is warmer and weighs much less. “Oh, goody,” said Merle, “I can wear these sox with my sandals even when it’s 10 degrees out.”

Kevin and Sue took Merle and Laurie on a tour where they first stopped into the barn. There were bails of straw, just some of the alpacas, and a few young cats who like to play with the furry Huacaya alpacas. It seemed that the alpacas had all recently gotten a haircut around their cute tall bodies (except from the neck up).

After putting these blue plastic “slippers” over their shoes, Merle and Laurie were taken out to see the rest of the group.

They were all different colors, pretty and docile. Feeding them was fun for Merle especially when Katarina came up to her.

She was all white with buck teeth on the bottom (they later learned that alpacas only have bottom teeth). Merle and Katarina seemed to glance into each other’s eyes as Merle faked a kiss and they obviously fell in love. But it was only a short term romance.

With many more alpacas to visit, Merle could not help but take a photo of “Joe Cool”, with his furry face and sunglasses. It was an experience that Merle will always treasure. www.eastlandalpacas.com ■

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Youth Update: Pride dance

By Dawn Balsis This July is all about Pride.

The Youth Group will be marching in the parade (see below).

On July 18 from 7-9 p.m. we will be having a youth dance for ages 13-20 at 140 Alex Bar & Grill.

Please use the non-bar entrance. Soda and pizza will be served and DJ Mikey will be playing music.

Any youth interested in participating in the Pride Parade, please contact me at 585-2448640, ext. 18.

This summer the Gay Alliance Youth Program will be holding a fun and fabulous learning experience, starting the first Wednesday after Pride and continuing for the next two Wednesdays. All youth who participate will be treated to a special field trip on the fourth week. For more information please email dawnb@gayalliance.org.

New fantasy action novel dedicated to Gay Alliance Education Director

By Jeanne Gainsburg As an uppity, boxer-wearing feminist, I was thrilled when my daughter Rebecca Gainsburg, age 17, published her first novel, Dragon Chick (book one of the trilogy) featuring a strong, funny, bad-ass heroine.

Book two, X Greene, just published, has made me even prouder. She has dedicated the book to me, which brought this tough mudder to tears. Below is an interview with the author and some insights into her out and proud attitude about the gay characters in her book.

Tell me a little bit about X Greene, the second book of your trilogy.

“It has fantasy, action, adventure and romance. I originally wrote it as a young adult book, but most of the reviews so far have been by adults, and it is clearly resonating with them as well.”

Your seven reviews on Amazon were outstanding. All of them five stars! How did that make you feel when you saw those?

“Amazed! I actually wrote the book for myself. I wasn’t even thinking about publishing it, so to have complete strangers read it and love it really helped to validate me as a young author.”

What made you want to feature a gay character?

“I’m not sure I really decided.

As I write I discover my charac-

ters and how they fit into the plot. Once I got the idea in my head I knew he had to be gay.”

Do you think your past volunteer work and involvement with the Gay Alliance influenced your decision?

“Definitely, yeah. My experiences, how I’ve been brought up… it seemed just as natural for him to be gay as for him to be straight.”

Did you worry at all that having gay characters would upset people or influence sales?

“Maybe a little, but at the same time I wanted to represent my beliefs and be true to myself.

I needed to do that. I was also influenced by Rick Riordan’s new book The House of Hades, in which he has a gay character. That may have been what put the idea in my head. In that book, they didn’t make a big deal out the fact that the character was gay. It was just normal. I liked that.”

What can you tell us about the gay characters in your book?

“I don’t want to give away too much, but I really like that they are physically and mentally strong. I wanted to break the stereotypes that you often see in the media.”

Dragon Chick and X Greene can both be purchased on Amazon in kindle version, paperback or hardcover. They will also soon be available through the Monroe County Library System and the Gay Alliance Library and Archives. Darke (book three) is coming soon. More information at: http://www.rfgbooks.com.

Youth

Gay Alliance Youth Program Our 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 (Ages 13-20) Fabulous Fridays, 7-9pm, Gay Alliance, 5th floor, 875 E. Main St. Rochester, NY 14605 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 St. 5th Floor (Auditorium Theater) Rochester, NY 14605 Phone: 585 244-8640

Volunteer for Roc Pride 2014 and Unmask Your True Colors What better way to enjoy Roc Pride 2014 than to be a part of it? We are seeking volunteers to help us with the Parade, the Festival and the Picnic on Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20.

Come join the fun and get a free ticket into the event that you work and an official Roc Pride tee shirt! If you are already a Gay Alliance volunteer you do not need to register. You will get information on Roc Pride volunteer opportunities automatically.

If you have never registered as a Gay Alliance or Pride volunteer, you can do so at this link: http://www.gayalliance. org/support/volunteer. Pride: We’re Full Of It!

Grab a cold one and cheer on the Rainbow Riders!

On Friday, July 18 between 5-6 p.m., the Rainbow Riders will be kicking off Pride Weekend by biking through the streets of Rochester to the Flag Ceremony at Martin Luther King Jr. Park at Manhattan Square.

The Rainbow Riders are made up of the bikers and support crew who helped to raise $20,000 for the Gay Alliance in June. We will pass the Bachelor Forum, Jine’s, The Frog Pond, Boulder Coffee, 140 Alex, Equal Grounds, the restaurants on Corn Hill Landing and then end at the Flag Ceremony at 6 p.m.

THANK YOU AUDET PRICE: Scott Fearing presents Audet Price with an award honoring his work with Rainbow SAGE (and it was Audet’s birthday too!) Photo: Susan Jordan

Library & Archives Hours: Every Monday & Wednesday: 6-8pm 875 E. Main St. ,1st Floor (off Prince St. lobby) Phone: 585 244-8640

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 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 Executive Director: Scott Fearing Education Director: Jeanne Gainsburg Database: Kat Wiggall Youth Intern: Dawn Balsis Bookkeeper: Christopher Hennelly Office Administrator: Tristan Wright The Empty Closet: Editor: Susan Jordan E-mail: susanj@gayalliance.org Phone: (585) 244-9030 Designer: Jim Anderson Fax: (585) 244-8246 Advertising: (585) 244-9030 Ad Sales: Brandon W. Brooks E-mail: brandonb@gayalliance.org

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The Gay Alliance Speaking Engagements, June 2014

SAGE members celebrate Audet Price’s volunteer work at a lunch in his honor.

• SafeZone Train-the-Trainer Certification Program at Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina • Just Gender: Film and Panel Discussion at The Little Theater • Shoulders-To-Stand-On Film and Discussion at WXXI • SafeZone Training at Center for Dispute Settlement • Shoulders-To-Stand-On Film and Discussion at Out & Equal NY Finger Lakes Chapter • Shoulders-To-Stand-On Film and Discussion at the Arnett Library • Working With LGBTQ Clients at East House • The New Black: Film and Panel Discussion at The Little Theater • Effective LGBTQ Education at Canandaigua VA Medical Center Quotes from evaluations following June Presentations: “Eye opening, informative, empowering. Excellent! The best part of the workshop was the ability to learn without judgment, pretense or shame. I’m so glad I took the step to sign up for this presentation. You made a difference for me and positive impact on me.”

“Unifying in regards to creating an environment; they encouraged everyone in learning more about the LGBTQIA population. This workshop was excellent and very informative. Not much to improve. Awesome opportunity.”

“Very impactful and enlightened information for me. Presenter was very knowledgeable.

I’m very impressed with the information and look forward to sharing with my co-workers.”

PHOTO: OWEN ZACHARIAS PHOTO: OWEN ZACHARIAS

Rainbow Sage Lunch/Day program: July 1.......... Meet at MCC church at 11:30am for a trip to Fingerlakes Gaming and Racetrack. Address is 5857 State route 96 Farmington, NY14425. (Please call 585-924-3232 for directions to facility.) We will be having lunch at the Vineyard buffet and enjoying the excitement of the facilities. Players card needed for senior discounts or valid New York state ID to players card day of trip. Jessie and Roza will be your hostesses for this event.

July 4.......... Happy 4th of July.

July 8.......... Brown bag Lunch at MCC church at 11:30am-2:00pm.

July 10........ 10:30am (NO YOGA), Audet will be hosting Friendly’s breakfast club (2425 West Henrietta rd., Henrietta, 14623) July 15........11:45am-1pm, Meet at Equal=Grounds for lunch (750 South Ave., 14620). Rockin Roza will be your hostess.

July 18-20... Happy Pride (check out July EC, Pride Guide, GAGV website or Facebook page for Pride events and cost of tickets.)

July 20........ Rainbow SAGE Pride potluck picnic hosted by Audet.

Chicken BBQ grilled by Audet with members asked to bring their own chair, beverage and dish to pass, please. (Pride admission ticket must be purchased) Picnic will be held by Roundhouse and handicap parking, look for SAGE signs.

July 22........ Meet at Jay’s Diner for lunch (noon-1:30pm) and then off to St. John’s Meadows for housing talk & tour (2-3pm). 1 Johns Arbor Drive West, Rochester. Off Elmwood Ave., please call 585-760-1300 for driving instructions. Housing tour is given in the Briarwood building; please arrive 10 minutes prior to 2pm as the talk & tour will start promptly at 2pm. Your hosts will be Jessie and Roza.

July 29........Brown bag Lunch 11:30am -12:30pm with activity to follow; close down around 2pm.

Please note days, times and some events will have fees. GAGV calendar and Facebook page will be updated with change of events or cancellations. Volunteers are always welcome for clean-up, set up, teaching a talent, hosting an event and just coming to play games with Sage members. All are welcome.

Rainbow Sage programs: Rainbow Sage yoga is every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30–11:30am with a $5 fee. Yoga is held at the MCC church and instructed by Tom.

Left: Jeanne Gainsburg’s husband, Ed Freedman, son, Hayden Freedman and friend, Sara Zacharias, try and warm up the lunch break. Right: Education Director, Jeanne Gainsburg, made good on her promise to ride the entire 50 miles dressed as Tinker Bell if she raised $2,000.

PHOTO: OWEN ZACHARIAS

JULY SAGE CALENDAR

Left: Rider Aaron Gorelick, made good on his promise to shave his head if he raised $1,000. Right: Bonnie Hallman-Dye and Chuck Dye on tandem.

PHOTO: OWEN ZACHARIAS

Roza and Audet at the Lilac Festival. Photos: Jessie Lee Gibson.

PHOTO: MANUEL PENA

Ride For Pride

Setting off from the home of Kellie and Craig Ronald in Fairport. Ride for Pride on June 14 brought in $20,000 for the Gay Alliance’s programs. Another great organizing job by Jeannie Gainsburg and her merry crew!

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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

Open Arms Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church Community Center available for parties, events and meetings; 707 East Main St. Plenty of parking. Inclusive and actively affirming, welcoming all people.

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. rochesterepflag@ gmail.com; 585-813-5081.

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 avail-

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014 able 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

Trillium Health See www.trilliumhealthny.org, www.everybodysgood.com

LGBT Healthy Living

Veterans support. Second, fourth Tuesdays, 10-11am Canandaigua VA, bldg. 9 room 8. 585 463-2731, 585 205-3360.

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 Support/educational group for gender variant people and allies. Last Saturday, 3-5:30pm, Open Arms MCC, 707 E. Main St.

Empire Justice Center Julia A. Sáenz, Esq. Hanna S. Cohn Equal Justice Fellow, Empire Justice Center, LGBT Rights Project, Telesca Center for Justice, 1 West Main Street, Suite 200, Rochester, NY 14614.

(585) 295-5721 Fax (585) 454-2518, jsaenz@empirejustice.org, www.empirejustice.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.

JULY 2014 • NUMBER 480 • 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

The Social Grind 10am-12noon and again 7:30-9pm at Equal Grounds, 750 South Ave. Email: DHutch457@ aol.com for information Coffee Chat and Game Night Catch up with the week’s happenings and enjoy some games and good conversations! 6:30pm -8:00pm Equal Grounds 750 South Ave. Sponsored by Open Arms MCC & Community Center.

271-8478

LGBT Healthy Living

Veterans support. Second, fourth Tuesdays, 10-11am Canandaigua VA, bldg. 9, room 8, Library conference room. 585 463-2731, 585 205-3360.

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 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.

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, Gay Alliance, 5th floor, 875 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/

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/

Rochesternygrrlz.

Cross dressers social/support group. 4-6 pm, third Saturdays, at Gay Alliance, 875 E. Main St., fifth floor. https://groups.yahoo. com/group/rochesternygrrls/

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ROCHESTER AA/NA MEETINGS Trans*Alliance of Greater Rochester Support/educational group for gender-variant people, allies. Last Saturdays, 3-5:30pm, Open Arms MCC, 707 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: 585 813-5081; rochesterpflag@ gmail.com.

Rochester General Assembly Sundays, Flying Squirrel Community Center, 285 Clarissa St. Unity Fellowship Church Sundays, 1:30 pm, Lutheran Church of Peace, 125 Caroline St., 14620. 520-6188.

Dignity-Integrity 1st Sunday: 5pm Episcopal Eucharist with music; 2nd Sunday: 5pm Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Word with music; 3rd Sunday: 5pm Episcopal Eucharist (quiet); 4th Sunday: 5pm Prayers to start the week, followed by potluck supper.

Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church 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

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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July WEDNESDAY 2

Next Fall. Gay-themed play at Bristol Valley Theatre, Naples, through July 6.

585-374-6318; www.bvtnaples.org

SUNDAY 6

Dignity Integrity. Episcopal Mass/ Healing Service. 5 pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. Hotline at 585-234-5092 or website at www.di-rochester.org/

MONDAY 7

Future Queers of America Institute. Leadership series for LGBTQ students and allies. Through July 11, 6-9 pm at Trillium Health. Free. Dinner provided. Receive prizes for attendance and certificate and sweatshirt upon completion. Call (585) 210-4178 to register.

THURSDAY 10

Out & Equal Second Thursdays.

Lux, 666 South Ave. 5:30-8:30pm

FRIDAY 11

ImageArt submissions deadline.

2014 call for art. www.imageout.org/ imageart.php Ambush Rochester. Women’s social group. Tilt Nightclub, 5:30-10 pm. Pride events, drag king performance.

SATURDAY 12

Open Arms MCC Potluck Pride and Game Night. 5:30-8:30 pm. 707 East Main St. openarmsmcc.org. 2718478.

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014

SUNDAY 13

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. Hotline at 585-234-5092 or website at www.di-rochester.org/

WEDNESDAY 16

The Good, the Bad and the Funny.

Open mic for trans community, allies.

7:30 pm at Equal Grounds Coffee House, 750 South Ave. Out In The Dark, directed by Michael Mayer. ImageOut and JCC’s Jewish Film Festival host two films for Pride. 9 pm, Little Theatre. Advance tickets: www.rjff.org

THURSDAY 17

Cupcakes directed by Eytan Fox. ImageOut and JCC’s Jewish Film Festival host two films for Pride. 8 pm, Little Theatre. On July 19, 4 pm. Advance tickets: www.rjff.org

FRIDAY 18

Pride Rainbow Flag Ceremony. 6-7 pm, Martin Luther King Jr. Park at Manhattan Square. Rainbow Riders, Pride Performance Ensemble, official proclamations, sashing of Grand Marshal, Latino/ Latina LGBT Voices. History Exhibit open until 9 pm, with displays including Trans* History from Stonewall Museum, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Youth Pride dance. Gay Alliance Fabulous Friday Youth Group presents the LGBTQ Youth Pride Dance: Unmask Your True Colors, 7-9pm upstairs at 140 Alex (140 Alexander St Rochester, NY 14607). Music by DJ Mikey Viavattne.

Includes pizza and sodas.

Coming Out at Caffe Cino. Opening night for three one-act plays from

Classifieds Classified ads are $5 for the first 30 words; each additional 10 words is another $1. We do not bill for classifieds, so please send or bring ad and payment to: The Empty Closet, 875 E. Main Street, Suite 500, Rochester, 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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Children’s Ministry thriving at Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church for toddlers to ‘tweens. Join us for vibrant, inclusive, progressive worship on Sundays at 10:30 am, 707 E. Main St. info@openarmsmcc.org; (585) 271-8478.

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.

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 304517-6832.

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.

Wedding Space and clergy services available. Celebrate your special day at Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church, 707 E. Main St. info@ openarmsmcc.org (585) 271-8478.

PERSONALS

Looking for relationship. GWM, 48, 6’, 230, seeks outgoing guy. Enjoy going to gym and camping, not into Bears or smokers. Send picture and info to peanutsgreece@yahoo.com.

FOR RENT

Small three room apartment on Park Avenue. Porch entrance and balcony off bedroom. $595 w/ heat & water.

Single occupancy. No pets. Available July 1. (585) 266-1281.

Caffe Cino in the ‘60s: Lanford Wilson’s “The Madness of Lady Bright” and “Sex Is Between Two People;” George Birimisca’s “Daddy Violet”. 8 pm, Black Sheep Theatre, Village Gate. Runs through July 26.

SATURDAY 19

Pride Family Fun Time, MLK Jr. Park at Manhattan Square, noon to 3:30. Face-painting, mask design contest. Free. After 3:30, local performers & DJs, until Parade comes in and Festival starts at 5pm.

Pride Parade. Kicks off c. 3 pm at Park Ave. and Brunswick/Argyle Sts. Theme: Unmask Your True Colors.

Parade goes down Park Ave. to Alexander and East Ave, arrival at MLK Jr. Park 5 pm for award line up and Festival.

Pride Festival. 5-9 pm, MLK Jr. Park at Manhattan Square. $15 at gate. Parade awards. Emcees Kasha Davis, Samantha Vega. Headliner Betty Who, featured performers Darienne Lake, Dragtopia, cast members from Hairspray at JCC, Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus, Rochester Women’s Community Chorus, more. Advance tickets $10, available at Equal=Grounds, Outlandish, Parkleigh, Bachelor Forum. https//gayalliance.ticketbud.com/rochester-pride-2014

SUNDAY 20

Dignity Integrity. Episcopal Mass. 5 pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church,

17 S. Fitzhugh St. Hotline at 585-2345092 or website at www.di-rochester.org/ Gay Alliance Pride Picnic fundraiser. Genesee Valley Park, 1-7 pm. Volleyball and other sports, DJ dancing in the Roundhouse; bands, karaoke and drag performers on the Community Stage by the river; food vendor (hots, hamburgers, vegetarian and vegan options), children’s area at Riverbend, picnic site decoration contest, much more. Admission and food: $20 at gate; admission only: $15 at gate.

Advance tickets: $15 for admission and food; $10 admission only; available at Outlandish, Equal=Grounds, Parkleigh, Bachelor Forum. https//gayalliance.ticketbud.com/rochester-pride-2014 Pride Picnic After Party. 7pm-2am, Pearl Nightclub, 349 East Ave. $10 in advance, $15 at door. Tickets available at Bachelor Forum or from DJ Hector. www.pride.bachelorfor4m.com

WEDNESDAY 23

Gay Alliance Youth Leadership Program. Three Wednesdays after Pride; through Aug. 6. Aug. 13 field trip. Info: dawnb@gayalliance.org.

SUNDAY 27

Dignity Integrity. Evening Prayer, followed by a Potluck Dinner: “Sunday Sundaes”. 5pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. Hotline at 585-234-5092 or website at www. di-rochester.org/ ■

JULY 2014 • NUMBER 480 • 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.

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.

Bed & Breakfast

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 480 • JULY 2014