Empty Closet - August 2013

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a publication of the gay alliance of the genesee valley AUGUST 2013

Photo: ove overmyer

number 470

The Rundel Memorial Library Building of the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County was illuminated with rainbow lights during Pride Weekend. Inset: The Democrats’ rainbow flag at the Monroe County Office Building. Photos: Ove Overmyer

Central Library honored Pride, County Office Building didn’t – or did it?

By Susan Jordan Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks did not respond to a June 3 letter from Monroe County Legislature Minority Leader Carrie Andrews, asking that the County Office Building fly the Rainbow Flag on July 19-21 in honor of Pride and Rochester’s LGBT community.

On July 16, after her office had received dozens of phone calls, she appeared on Channel 8 to say that the County never recognizes “issue-based” community groups.

The County routinely honors many other community groups with such recognition on their special occasions. On July 16, Brooks told Channel 8 News that the Rainbow Flag representing Monroe County’s thousands of LGBT taxpayers could

not be permitted to fly from the County Office Building because “we have never, for any group or organization agreed to fly a flag that represents an issue; an advocacy flag, as we call it.”

Brooks had also ignored a July 10 letter from Gay Alliance Acting Executive Director Scott Fearing, delivered personally after Brooks’ office told a caller who had asked her to fly the flag that the County Executive would need a “written application” from the event sponsor.

Prior to this, Fearing had been told that the request had to come from the Legislature, not the event sponsor.

Fearing commented, “The county policy seems to be very unclear, possibly non-existent.

Maybe this discussion will encourage clarification.”

He went on to say, “It is sad that a community leader like the (Central continues page 12)

Over the Rainbow: Rochester celebrates Pride as thousands take to the streets

By Susan Jordan Rochester celebrated Pride 2013 and the Gay Alliance’s 40th anniversary on the weekend of July 19-21, with a spectacular Rainbow Flag Raising ceremony at Manhattan Square Park, a Pride Parade that turned Park Ave. into the Yellow Brick Road, a Festival featuring Pandora Boxx and other stars, a display of LGBT history, an ice hockey tournament, roller derby bouts and a serene picnic at Genesee Valley Park.

The Rochester Police Department estimated that 7,000 marched in and/or attended the

July 20 Parade and Festival.

Rochester Mayor Thomas S. Richards celebrated Pride Weekend by participating in the Pride Flag raising ceremony on July 19 and marching in the Pride Parade, as did Rochester Chief of Police James Sheppard and NYS Assembly member Harry Bronson. City Council members Matt Haag, Elaine Spaull and Dana Miller attended the flag raising and the Parade, which was also attended by Council member Carolee Conklin.

At the Flag Raising, Mayor Richards and Matt Haag updated the LGBT community on

recent changes in City Hall policies as they relate to the LGBT community and additional steps the City is taking to promote continuous dialogue between the community and City Hall.

Mayor Richards said, “Forty years is something to be proud of.” He announced that City Hall has a new LGBT liaison, Molly Clifford, and also recognized the RPD liaison, Investigator Kim Rasbeck. Rochester will add gender identity and expression to its non-discrimination policy and investigate expanding health benefits for the transgender community. The city is also discussing adding protections for LGBT businesses in relation to city contracts.

Matt Haag praised Mayor Richards’ leadership and contrasted Richards’ commitment to equality with Maggie Brooks’ refusal to fly the Rainbow Flag.

He stated that the city will continue to look at improving its policies. If the city can add health coverage for hormone therapy and other needs of the trans community, Haag said, “We would be among the most progressive communities in the country.”

NYS Assembly member (Rainbow continues page 3)

just some people,” said Reed.

She added, “I don’t know why some people have problems with equality. Everyone should be treated equally under the law, but we still have a way to go for that to happen.”

(Rochester continues page 12)

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

Platinum Level Emily Reed and Mary Giancursio. Photo: Ove Overmyer

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Rochester Pride revelers take time to reflect and celebrate

By Ove Overmyer After the Pride Parade on July 20, Mary Giancursio and Emily Reed sat patiently waiting for friends on the Manhattan Square Park concrete steps overlooking the cavernous Rochester Pride Main Stage as the giant 30x50 foot Pride Flag waved high overhead.

They were laughing and giggling, impressed by the size of the crowd and reflecting on how audaciously some of the festival-

goers were dressed at the Pride Parade.

“The parade was really great this year, and I loved all the costumes and floats,” said Giancursio. “I always look forward to Pride events, especially the parade. It’s a great time for all to celebrate and I’m here to support everyone.”

Reed confessed that she also came to Pride this year to support her LGBT friends. “I think everyone deserves rights, not

Kasha does Broadway, page 27

Photo: tammy swales

Excellus

Editorials....................................... 2 Local/State News........................ 3 National/International News..... 4 Interview: Dr. Chris Barry............... 6 Pride 2013..................................... 7 Opinion .......................................15 Shoulders To Stand On ...........21 Columnists ................................22 Community ................................25 Entertainment: Give to Live.......27 Gay Alliance: RPD meeting........30 Rainbow SAGE News................31 Calendar.....................................34 Classifieds..................................34 Proud Publisher of New York State’s Oldest Lgbt Newspaper

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013

Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley

Perspectives The Empty Closet Editor Susan Jordan

GENDA, DOMA & VRA Not all the news from the Roberts Supreme Court was good in June. As LGBT Americans of all backgrounds celebrated the downfall of DOMA and Prop 8, many were also outraged by the gutting of the Voting Rights Act. Racism is over in America, Republicans said… even though in 2012 they tried every possible ploy to keep people of color from getting to the polls in many states. (See Faith Matters, p. 22.)

And after the Trayvon Martin ruling in July, it has become even harder to ignore the racism still deeply embedded in American society.

In spite of the good news on DOMA, homophobia and transphobia are also still alive.

GENDA, the bill to provide basic civil rights protections for gender variant New Yorkers, passed the Assembly for the sixth time this year. But in June, Republicans and Conservatives once again kept the bill from coming to the Senate floor for a vote.

It is likely the bill would have passed if it had been allowed to come to the floor. Republicans have blocked the American democratic process to the point where it barely exists anymore.

Another reason GENDA did not pass in June was because Governor Cuomo and Democrats refused to help. If Republicans and Conservatives need to

stop trashing American democracy, Albany Democrats need to remember that they were elected to protect the civil rights of all New Yorkers -- and not just when it is convenient and profitable for them.

Trans, intersex and genderqueer people still have a long way to go to educate the cisgendered population about the oppression that they experience, ranging from legally being fired or evicted just because they are trans to being murdered on the street. Why all the hate and the fear? For one thing, the Right dismisses medical research in favor of politically correct conservative stereotypes that limit human gender options to the binary. And many heterosexuals seem determined to project their own neurotic anxiety and guilt about sexuality onto the sexual and gender “outlaws” identified as The Other.

Ignorance is also a problem.

Recently on Facebook an illinformed person claimed that trans people have equal civil rights already and don’t need GENDA. Maybe we’d better notify all the trans people in NYS and around the country who are fighting for their rights, and all the organizations supporting them, that they don’t need to bother. How surprised and happy they will be! And we’d better inform the New York Times, which editorialized in favor of GENDA on June 13.

No doubt they’ll want to run a retraction….

Trans people and allies will continue the struggle to make gender variant lives and issues visible. It will take time, but it can be done. The overturn of DOMA and Prop 8 is proof that even ancient prejudices can change. The Department of Homeland Security announced July 27 that it is reviewing green card applications denied to same sex couples. The Republican attempt in 1996 to deny federal recognition to LGBT families has finally been exposed for the unconstitutional ploy that it was.

Now it’s way past time to pass GENDA. ■

The Gay Alliance: Forty years of advocating for the fair and equal treatment of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Join us for forty more!

Gay Alliance Board of Trustees W. Bruce Gorman, Co-President and Secretary Emily Jones, Co-President, David Zona, Treasurer, John Altieri, Chris Hilderbrant, Jeff Markarian, Peter Mohr, Jessica Muratore, Steve Santacroce, William Schaefer

Gay Alliance Executive Director Scott Fearing

Pride isn’t just a party As I write this, I am battling exhaustion, nursing blisters, and facing a pile of stuff that needs to be sorted, folded and stored.

Yet, I am feeling energized and elated.

Rochester Pride Weekend is the cause of my current condition.

The Gay Alliance and the Pride Committee began our Pride planning with a shared goal to make major changes to how Rochester celebrates Pride. I think we met that goal.

Was everything perfect? Of course not. Will we will make more changes next year? Of course. Change is necessary.

A few personal highlights of 2013 ROC Pride: The introduction of the ROC Pride Games; The Rainbow Riders who, dressed in rainbow-colored tee shirts, rode the streets of Rochester, arriving in Manhattan Square Park to kick off the Rainbow Flag Ceremony; the LGBT History Pavilion; the free Family Fest that started the Pride Festival and the amazing giant Rainbow Flag.

In the coming months you will see additional changes coming from the Gay Alliance, for we are now embarking on an examination of our programs and services.

Much has changed for the LGBT communities in the forty years that Gay Alliance has been around. Simply look at the legal

Name

rights that some of us have won -- while we keep working for the rights of others.

For forty years the Gay Alliance has been a constant in Rochester. We were there to advocate for change in schools, police departments, City Hall, churches and every other institution in the region when all they knew were ugly myths and stereotypes. We have been here to help community members who have faced discrimination, or needed help coming out. We have provided our communities with a newspaper that has reported pertinent information that other sources would not print.

Our presence has been important, and that will not change. However, as the needs of our communities evolve so must we. Coming out as LGBT or ally has required each of us to embrace change in order to become authentic, and the same is true for the Gay Alliance.

When I came out, I had to create a new vision of who I was.

I had to find a new way to be myself. I had to reach deep into my heart and soul to find the courage to be proud of a “me” different than I, and others, had planned for.

So, as the Gay Alliance begins to make changes, the power and energy of Pride will be at the heart of what we do.

As part of our fortieth anniversary we have been using the phrase, “Empowering Pride for 40 years.”

Remember, Pride is not a Festival, Parade, Picnic or weekend. It is a way of being. It is about lives that are honest and authentic every hour of every day.

Yes, changes will come to the Gay Alliance, and we are asking for and welcoming your input as we implement these changes. But, just as we have for the past 40 years, the Gay Alliance will continue to be the loudest, strongest voice in the region for the LGBT community and we will continue to empower the pride that is in each of us every day. ■ 8/13

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Benefits include: Subscription to The Empty Closet mailed to home or work, plus privileges at each level. Phone: 585 244-8640 or mail to: Gay Alliance, 875 E. Main St., Suite 500, Rochester, NY 14605. Home delivery of the Empty Closet is free with your annual membership in the Gay Alliance.

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AUGUST 2013 • number 470 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

page one (Rainbow from page 1) Harry Bronson read an Assembly resolution honoring the GAGV’s 40th anniversary. He said that Pride this year celebrated many advances, including the NYS anti-bullying law, the statewide marriage equality law and the defeat of DOMA. He said, “We have moved in many respects toward full equality from being second class citizens… Merely having laws in place doesn’t mean the fight is over… With Pride we declare that we are equal.”

Mayoral candidate Lovely Warren, making her first appearance at an LGBT event, said that she had changed her former antigay views after making personal contact with some gay individuals. She said, “Talking the talk isn’t enough.”

The Rochester Women’s Community Chorus performed and the Rainbow Riders Color Guard, wearing the colors of the rainbow, brought their message of Pride from all points of the compass into Manhattan Square Park. The Gay Alliance’s 30’x50’ Rainbow Flag, a donation from Outlandish Gifts, flew high overhead and a flag-twirling display took place. Christopher Hennelly led the crowd in singing the national anthem and Gay Alliance Executive Director Scott Fearing pointed out to the crowd that the final Rainbow Rider, dressed all in white, represented LGBT people in countries where it is dangerous or impossible to hold a Pride Parade.

The next day, starting at noon the women’s rock band unBound, Zumba led by Charlie Levy, and the amazing Jimmie Highsmith Experience jazz band and more groups took the stage with Kasha Davis and Samantha Vega beginning their duties as glamorous emcees. There were Family Time activities for children, such as face painting; many kids sported balloon-wings. Around 750 people viewed the impressive local and national LGBT history display in the History Pavilion, located in the former Canopies Restaurant.

The Parade kicked off at 3 p.m. from Park Ave. and Argyle/ Brunswick, heading for Emerald City, a.k.a. Manhattan Square Park. Park Ave. and Alexander St. were lined with massive, cheering crowds.

Awards were announced after the Parade had returned to Manhattan Square Park. The Muther’s Favorite Award, for the best float unit to incorporate the Parade theme, went to Tilt. The Stonewall Award, for the float with the most imaginative interpretation of the theme, went to the Center for Disability Rights.

The Rainbow Award for the float best portraying pride went to 140 Alex Bar & Grill. The Community Award for best marching unit exhibiting community pride went to the Flower City Pride Band. The Ruby Slipper Award for most imaginative depiction of the theme by a marching unit was presented to the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus.

The evening Festival featured performances by many area groups, including the RGMC singing the national anthem, the cast of “Rent” from Blackfriars Theatre, many fabulous queens including Lady D, Dee Dee DuPois and Darienne Lake, (Rainbow continues page 12)

NewsFronts Local and State

Faces in the crowd at the DOMA celebration rally in Washington Square Park on June 26. Top, L-R: Eric Bellmann, Carrie Vernon.

Below L-R: Brian O’Neill and James Hansen, Alan Davidson.

Photos: Susan Jordan

What does the downfall of DOMA mean to you?

By Susan Jordan The Supreme Court decision to overturn the “Defense of Marriage” Act (DOMA) on June 26 was a landmark moment in LGBT history. The law was put in place in 1996 by the Republican Party, in order to permanently prevent federal recognition of LGBT couples and families.

It was found unconstitutional by four federal courts before the Roberts Supreme Court finally put an end to it once and for all.

A panel held at the Gay Alliance on July 30 (after EC press time) discussed many of the questions people have about exactly how the change, and over 1,000 new rights and responsibilities, will affect them (see Empty Closet News, www.gayalliance.org).

The Empty Closet talked to four local couples, who share their reactions here: James Hanson and Brian O’Neill were the first couple to marry at Rochester City Hall in 2011. Kaelyn Rich is head of the Rochester NYCLU, and Zach Waffle is her trans husband. The Reverend Alicia Heath-Tobey and her spouse Saundra TobeyHeath are a bi-state couple, with Saundra maintaining their home in New Jersey (where same sex marriage is not legal) while Rev. Alicia serves as pastor of the Unity Fellowship Church here. James Rosenthal and Jerry Gebo, married in 2011, are raising a child. Each couple has a different yet similar take on the end of DOMA. Brian O’Neill and James Hansen said, “The death of DOMA was a great victory for civil rights and another step on the continued journey towards national marriage equality. Our NY State marriage is now recognized on a federal level which has great emotional and financial implications and the same should be available to loving same sex couples in every state in the country.”

Rev. Heath-Tobey commented, “In 2002, Saundra and I began a journey with Lambda Legal in the case of Harris

vs. Lewis with the hopes that New Jersey would recognize our union as equal to that of our heterosexual counterparts. This would give lesbian and gay couples the right to the language ‘marriage,’ along with over 2000 laws that protect married couples. Marriage Equality was voted down by the New Jersey State Legislature, which ruled that same gender loving couples would be granted civil unions.

“This ruling didn’t take into account the thousands of married lesbian and gay couples that were treated unequally, although they paid 100 percent of their taxes and weren’t getting a break on their home, health or life insurance. For many couples, this posed more of a barrier to equality and the Defense Of Marriage Act was at the center of the injustice. For my wife and me this became a reality when we wanted to take advantage of Saundra’s medical insurance; DOMA was written into the company’s by-laws, which would not acknowledge marriage between same-sex couples.

“On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court ruling against DOMA was a victory for hundreds of couples who would no longer have to ‘work’ around these similar challenges in order to protect the well-being of their spouse and family. Although the ruling may present new challenges, there is an expectation of a level playing field in the pursuit of marriage equality, and for that we are overjoyed.”

KaeLyn Rich said, “We got married because we love each other, but also because as a couple where one partner is cisgender and one is transgender, we wanted to be sure we had access to as many legal protections as possible. The SCOTUS decision means that, regardless of gender identity or gender markers, all couples that wish to get married in NYS can now do so and be recognized and that means a lot to us. It makes the act of getting married simpler for couples where one or both partners identify as transgender or gender non-conforming.

“We still have a long way to go before trans people have full and equal protection in NY, but we see this as not only a victory

for gay and lesbian couples, but for all members of the greater queer community that want access to the validation and legal benefits that marriage can provide.”

James Rosenthal and Jerry Gebo said, “Pragmatically, the repeal of DOMA allows access to Social Security benefits of a deceased spouse as well as other tax benefits provided to other married couples. However, just as important for us are the emotional benefits it gives our family. It reaffirms to our son that our marriage and our family are not ‘less than’ in the eyes of the government. As a discriminated class, we’ve often had to be on the cutting edge of civil rights matters and it’s nice, for a change, to think less and less about being a discriminated class and to see our spouses, families, and lives as just part of the regular fabric of modern family life.”

Longtime Rochester activist Alan Davidson, 78, summed it all up when he told The Empty Closet at the DOMA celebration rally in Manhattan Square Park on June 26, “Today is not just a day of gay rights – it’s a day of human rights, a day when everyone can rejoice. It’s a major victory.”

Chautauqua to hold LGBT conference on Sept. 14 An LGBT conference will be held at Chautauqua Institute, Chautauqua, N.Y., on Sept 14.

The gathering will feature workshops, a screening of the film “Gen Silent,” and a concert by the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus.

Cost is $30 general and $25 seniors and students, and includes dinner and reception.

See Rainbowprideconnection.net, where a registration form is available.

The conference directors are Pat Collins and her wife of 36 years, Judy Lawrence, who live in Penfield.

LGBT Giving Circle accepts grant proposals The LGBT Giving Circle of Rochester Area Community Foundation is now accepting grant proposals from qualified nonprofits.

“Our hope is that this second round of LGBT Giving Circle grants will further enhance the programs of a diverse group of organizations and help make a difference in the quality of life for many in the Rochester region,” says Angela Bonazinga, co-chair of the LGBT Giving Circle. “We expect to make an even greater impact than last year.”

In its inaugural year, the LGBT Giving Circle awarded grants totaling $8,750 to five nonprofit organizations.

In order to qualify for a 2013 grant, organizations must be a 501(c)3 charitable organization, serve residents in Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne or Yates counties and have an LGBT nondiscrimination policy in place or be in the process of developing one. The activities and programs outlined in the grant request need to align with the mission and scope of the

3 LGBT Giving Circle.

Projects supported by the grants also should keep the grant money in the eight-county region and support the local economy; encourage communication and cooperation among organizations, associations, agencies, and institutions in the community; leverage support from other sources and address a need, population, or issue that has been underserved or underfunded.

The Request for Proposal and Grant Application forms are available at www.racf.org/LGBT and are due by August 30, 2013.

WNY Black Gay Pride runs Aug. 1-11 here, Buffalo Western New York Black Gay Pride takes place in August, with many events here and in Buffalo. The opening reception is Aug. 1 at Shea’s Smith Theatre, 658 Main St. in Buffalo, from 5-10 p.m. For the rest of the Buffalo events, see www. mochacenter.org/wnyblackpride.

The Rochester events are as follows: Aug. 8: Patio Party, Abilene, 153 Liberty Pole Way, 6-9 p.m.

Aug. 9: Health Workshop, MOCHA Center, 107 Liberty Pole Way, noon-4 p.m.

Pajama Jam Party, The Diplomat, 1956 Lyell Ave. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Color Outside the Lines Crew.

Aug. 10: Takeover Party, The Clarissa Room, 293 Clarissa St., 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Grind Time Entertainment.

Aug. 11: Worship in the Park, Red Creek Pavilion, Genesee Valley Park, 1000 E. River Drive, noon-1:30 p.m., UFC Church.

Cookout. Same location, 1:30-6 p.m.

First-ever Black Gay Day at Darien Lake is Aug. 3 The MOCHA Center and Evergreen Health Services of Western New York are co-hosting the FIRST Black Gay Day at Darien Lake on Saturday, Aug. 3, in celebration of the 2013 Western New York Black Gay Pride.

Do not miss this opportunity: Darien Lake at a reduced cost, buffet lunch, and hanging out with the LGBTQ communities of Western New York.

Tickets need to be purchased by the close of business on Friday, Aug. 2. Tickets are $30 for (Black continues page 13)

TRILLIUM LOGO: Artist Brian O’Neill created the new logo for Trillium Health, which was officially unveiled on July 11.

Photo: Kurt Brownell.

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013

NewsFronts national and international

Kathy Sowden and Deborah Grier

Lesbians are first to file for Arizona civil union Back in April the small town of Bisbee, Arizona legalized civil unions for samesex couples over the loud protests of the state Attorney General. On July 5 a lesbian couple became the first to file.

Kathy Sowden and Deborah Grier went to Bisbee City Hall to file the papers to recognize their 21-year relationship as a formal civil union. The documents spell out how they want to handle some of the privileges that come with marriage, like the ability to make medical decisions for each other.

Deborah Grier says, “I think it didn’t feel a whole lot different but just the knowledge that somebody will actually recognize our union of 21 years.”

Kathy Sowden says, “It’s not marriage 100 percent but it protects us a little more.

We’ve had friends who have had major problems when one of them has been ill.”

Bisbee’s city attorney says because the city wrote the documents like a contract between two people, Bisbee’s civil union carries legal weight outside Bisbee and throughout the U.S. When Bisbee first made its move, Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne, who was exposed last year as an adulterer (by the FBI, no less), fired off a threatening letter to town leaders. The right wing Center for Arizona Policy also sent Bisbee a letter threatening to bankrupt the town in a lawsuit if any couple is granted a civil union.

RELATED: Last year Horne filed a lawsuit with the U.S. Supreme Court, demanding that Arizona be allowed to repeal domestic partners insurance

for state employees. In his suit, Horne claimed that rescinding benefits for gay employees would be good for Arizona tourism because doing so “furthers the State’s interest in promoting marriage.”

ACLU challenges North Carolina marriage ban In addition to action in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Illinois, the ACLU and the ACLU of North Carolina Legal Foundation (ACLU-NCLF) announced plans to take on North Carolina’s same-sex marriage ban: The ACLU is asking North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper to agree to allow an additional claim challenging the state’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples to be added to Fisher-Borne v.

Smith, a lawsuit filed last year in Greensboro in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina that challenges the state’s ban on second parent adoption, a process by which one partner in an unmarried gay or straight couple adopts the other partner’s biological or adoptive child.

If the Attorney General’s office does not agree to the addition of the new claim, the ACLU will petition the court to allow the claim to be added.

Marcie and Chantelle Fisher-Borne, one of the couples in the case, have been together for 16 years and live in Durham.

Each woman carried one of their two children -- a 5-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy. They had a wedding in North Carolina 10 years ago and were legally married in Washington, D.C. in 2011, but their marriage is not recognized by North Carolina law. When their daughter was born,

the couple met resistance from a hospital staff member who demanded their legal paperwork. If they were legally married in North Carolina, their family would be respected and such encounters could be avoided.

ENDA passes Senate committee by 15-7 vote The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions July 10 adopted the Employment Non-Discrimination Act by a bipartisan vote of 15-7.

ENDA would prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in most American workplaces.

“Coming on the heels of the landmark Supreme Court marriage rulings, today’s strong, bipartisan vote in favor of expanding workplace non-discrimination protections to include those who are LGBT is yet another sign that the tide has turned,” said Ian Thompson, American Civil Liberties Union legislative representative. “Advocates have been working for nearly 40 years to pass these basic protections to ensure that all American workers, who stand side-by-side in the workplace and contribute with equal measure in their jobs, will stand on the same equal footing under the law. In 2013, it is completely unacceptable to force individuals to hide who they are out of fear of losing their livelihood.”

The vote was bipartisan, with Republicans Orrin Hatch of Utah, Mark Kirk of Illinois, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joining Democrats in support for a 15 to seven margin. With the bill having had 53 cosponsors before Hatch and Murkowski decided to vote for it, it appears to now have 55 votes, within striking distance of filibuster-busting levels. And Hatch’s support, which was contingent on strong exemptions for religious employers, should help some other Republicans, like Ohio’s Rob Portman, to support the bill.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

Statement by Tico Almeida, founder and President of Freedom to Work: “Today’s vote is a monumental step forward for gay civil rights in this country and an important moment in the fight to end workforce discrimination. We applaud the leadership of Senator Harkin, Senator Kirk, Senator Merkley, Senator Murkowski, Senator Hatch and many others who made today’s vote possible.

“Taken with the Supreme Court rulings last month, today’s vote shows that the tide has turned and the movement for full LGBT rights will not go backwards. Those who continue to stand in the way of the march towards the freedom to work, like the Republicans who voted against the legislation today, not only find themselves on the wrong side of history, they find themselves on the wrong side of the founding principles of our country – justice and freedom. We will continue this fight to ensure this vital legislation passes

the full Senate, the House and is signed into law by the President. Because it is far past time that all people in this country have the freedom to work.”

GetEQUAL issued the following statement: “Today’s bipartisan passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act out of committee signals a strong opportunity for our community to finally find freedom in the workplace. We are one step closer to the American Dream of being judged by the work we do, not who we are or who we love.

“Just two weeks ago, the Supreme Court of the United States finally said what we always knew -- that our love and our lives are equal and should be treated equally under the law. But we can’t fully be equal if displaying our wedding picture at work can still get us fired.

We commend Senators Kirk, Hatch and Murkowski for their courage and their leadership within the Republican Party in supporting this bill. We also thank Senators Harkin, Mikulski, Murray, Sanders, Casey, Jr., Hagan, Franken, Bennet, Whitehouse, Baldwin, Murphy and Warren for their ongoing support of this bill.

Today’s vote shows extraordinary progress -- but the work continues. We need Senator Reid to bring this important bill to the Senate floor for a vote as soon as possible so that work can then turn to the House of Representatives.

“Although we firmly oppose the religious exemptions in the current form of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the cries from the millions of LGBT workers seeking workplace protections are thunderous. We are counting on leadership from Senators Nelson, Pryor, and Portman as we move forward, and we will continue to hold accountable those who attempt to set the clock backwards in our country and oppose this important piece of legislation, such as Senator Rubio. We have taken a historic step forward today, but we know the work will continue.”

National Center for Transgender Equality Executive Director Mara Keisling said, “We are extremely heartened that the Senate HELP committee passed ENDA today, moving it to the full Senate for action sometime this fall. With every Committee Democrat and three Republicans voting ‘yes,’ we are increasingly optimistic that we will have the 60 votes in the Senate and move further along towards winning relief for trans people who still face shocking amounts of job discrimination.”

The 2011 National Transgender Discrimination Survey revealed the troubling climate for transgender workers: 90 percent reported facing mistreatment, harassment or discrimination at work and more than one in four lost a job because of their transgender identity.

On a July 10 conference call, transgender Iraq and Afghanistan veteran and former Navy SEAL Kristin Beck expressed her fear of discrimination when arriving at work presenting as female: “[J]ust for that one reason I can be fired on the spot.

There’s no recourse for that.” She said, “I

AUGUST 2013 • number 470 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet find it hard to believe” that people could lose their jobs for being transgender. She added that in “the land of the free I am not free” without the Employment NonDiscrimination Act. More information about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, including a list of co-sponsors, can be found here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ bdquery/D?d113:2:./temp/~bdpc2g::|/ home/LegislativeData.php|

Eric Ohena Lembembe

Cameroon gay activist was tortured and killed Human Rights Watch reports that Eric Ohena Lembembe, a gay rights activist and journalist, was found dead at his home on July 15 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

He had been brutally tortured. Lembembe’s friends discovered his body on the evening of July 15 after being unable to reach him by telephone for two days, and went to his home. They found his front door padlocked on the outside, but could see Lembembe’s body lying on his bed through the window. Lembembe’s friends alerted the police, who broke down the door. According to one friend, Lembembe’s neck and feet appeared to have been broken, and his face, hands, and feet had been burned with an iron.

Lembembe was one of Cameroon’s most prominent LGBTI rights activists.

On behalf of CAMFAIDS, he collaborated closely with Human Rights Watch and two other Cameroonian organizations, Alternatives-Cameroun and the Association for the Defense of Homosexuals (ADEFHO), in researching and launching a March 2013 report on prosecutions for consensual same-sex conduct.

He also participated in drafting a submission for Cameroon’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in May 2013 at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Lembembe was also a contributor to the blog “Erasing 76 Crimes” and authored several chapters in a book on LGBTI rights around the world, From Wrongs to Gay Rights. His organization assiduously documented arrests, violence, and blackmail against LGBTI people in Cameroon.

The group adds that Lembembe’s murder has been preceded by a number of attacks, unchecked by the government, on LGBT and human rights organizations.

Lembembe’s killing follows several attacks on the offices of human rights defenders, including those working for equal rights for LGBTI people. On June 26, unidentified assailants burned down the Douala headquarters of AlternativesCameroun, which provides HIV services to LGBTI people. A few days earlier on June 16, the Yaoundé office of human rights lawyer Michel Togué, who represents clients charged with same-sex conduct, was burgled, and his legal files and laptop stolen. Both Togué and Alice Nkom, another lawyer who represents LGBTI clients, have received repeated death threats by email and SMS, including threats to kill their children. Although activists have reported all of these incidents, the Cameroonian authorities have not apprehended a single suspect.

HRW is urging authorities to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation.

Lembembe contributed to the blog 76 Crimes, which notes that one of its most popular articles was “What traditional African homosexuality learned from the West”. They add: “That article is included in the book From Wrongs to Gay Rights, along with his articles about Roger Mbede, who was imprisoned because of an amorous text message to a man; Franky Djome and Jonas Kumie, who were imprisoned because they are a transgender couple; anti-gay blackmailer/extortioner Albert Edward Ekobo Samba; and the homophobic attack on last year’s IDAHO celebration in Yaoundé.”

He formerly worked as a writer and editor for the monthly Tribune du Citoyen in Cameroon.

-Towleroad.com

viral rebound in blood and other tissues.

One patient has been off treatment with no detectable virus for approximately 15 weeks, and the second patient for seven weeks, with similar results. However, it is too soon to draw any definitive long-term conclusions.

Only one person has ever been “cured” of HIV: Timothy Brown, also known as “the Berlin patient,” who has been HIVfree for five years after receiving similar bone marrow transplants to the two new patients. The marrow used for Brown’s transplants, however, came from an individual with a specific genetic mutation that makes humans almost completely resistant to HIV infection. The two Boston patients did not receive donations from individuals with this mutation.

As amfAR noted, it is unclear at this point whether or not the virus could return in the two patients over time. A previous patient in a different National Institutes of Health study went 50 days without treatment before experiencing what is known as “viral rebound”; both of Dr. Henrich’s patients are at or past this threshold. Further monitoring of the two patients will undoubtedly be needed to determine the long-term effects of stemcell transplants for HIV-positive individuation.

“These findings clearly provide important new information that might well alter the current thinking about HIV and gene therapy,” amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost said in a statement. “While stem-cell transplantation is not a viable option for people with HIV on a broad scale because of its costs and complexity, these new cases could lead us to new approaches to treating, and ultimately even eradicating, HIV.”

Stem cell transplants may have halted HIV in two patients

The hate group Family Research Council was to hold a dinner and reception to announce two new “ex-gay” organizations and make “ex-gays” out as victims, and a line-up of familiar anti-gay wingnuts was invited to speak. However, the Washington D.C. event was canceled due to lack of interest, although organizers blamed it on “anti-ex-gay extremism”.

(See Opinion, page 15).

The event was to take place July 31, just over a month after the Supreme Court’s landmark rulings in favor of gay rights.

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) was to be an “honorable” attendee. “Come celebrate the lives of former homosexuals and hear about their unique stories and achievements!” read the invitation.

In spite of the debacle, the Family Research Council’s legislative affiliate, FRC Action, has officially launched two new ex-gay organizations, “Voice of the Voiceless” and “Equality and Justice For All.” In addition to Bachman, the Heritage Foundation’s Jim DeMint, the Liberty Counsel’s Matthew Staver and Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.) -- who on June 27,

Dr. Timothy Henrich, a medical researcher with Harvard Medical School and Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, announced in early July that two of his HIV-positive patients showed no trace of the virus after receiving stem-cell transplants.

Henrich’s study was supported by amfAR, the international HIV/AIDS nonprofit, which issued a press release with further details: The patients had been on long-term antiretroviral therapy for HIV when they developed lymphoma. To treat the cancer, the patients underwent reduced intensity chemotherapy followed by stem-cell transplants. Since the transplants, Dr. Henrich has been unable to find any evidence of HIV infection.

With support from amfAR, he conducted a clinical study in which his research team withdrew the patients’ antiretroviral therapy and performed several sophisticated assays looking for signs of

FRC cancels dinner for new “ex-gay” groups

5 the day after the overturn of DOMA, introduced a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage -- were invited to speak.

Pa. Attorney General won’t defend state marriage ban Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane won’t defend the state’s ban on gay marriage in court, according to sources speaking with the Philadelphia Daily News: Multiple sources confirmed on July 10 that Kane, who is named along with Gov. Corbett as a defendant in the suit to overturn the ban, plans to make the announcement at the National Constitution Center.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit, known as Whitewood v.

Corbett, on behalf of 21 state residents. The plaintiffs are 10 couples and one widow who want to marry in Pennsylvania, want the state to recognize their out-of-state marriages or want equal protections granted to straight married couples.

Queen signs bill to permit British marriages Marriage equality has come to Great Britain. The UK House of Lords gave its final approval to the marriage equality bill July 15, on its third reading, Bloomberg reports: “The upper, unelected chamber approved the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill without a vote in London….

Some members of the house wore pink carnations to mark the occasion.”

The legislation had already been passed by the Commons amid opposition from more than 100 lawmakers from Prime Minister Cameron’s Conservative Party.

The bill was passed and then returned to the Commons, where amendments introduced by the Lords were accepted. The bill was sent to Queen Elizabeth II for her signature before becoming law. Marriages will begin next summer.

Pink News reports on the bill’s amendments: “The amendments include a provision to hold reviews of equal pension survivor rights, humanist weddings and civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples. At Report Stage in the Lords, the bill was subject to scrutiny, and many government amendments were added, in order to tidy it up.”

Colombian court warns marriage equality law must be observed Colombia’s Constitutional Court has told Inspector General Alejandro Ordóñez to drop his campaign to block samesex marriages. J. Lester Feder reports at Buzzfeed: Ordoñez had been threatening disci(Columbian continued page 13)

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013

Interview Dr. Chris Barry Dr. Chris Barry of URMC specializes in organ transplants. He has written on his blog about HIV positive organ donors and the fact that it is now seen as safe for HIV positive people to donate organs to HIV positive people with excellent results – although it is still illegal in the U.S. to do such procedures. A bill to change that has just passed through the US Senate and is scheduled to be presented to Congress soon.

Dr. Barry writes on his blog, “Ever since 1984, it has been illegal to transplant organs from HIV+ donors. The absolute exclusion of HIV+ donors by the National Organ Transplant Act was initially meant to protect recipients from contracting HIV. But there is increasing evidence that HIV+ to HIV+ transplantation is possible with good outcomes, so there is an effort to modify the law in this regard.

“In South Africa, HIV+ people are not allowed to undergo dialysis as a matter of public health policy and so they are left to die of end stage renal disease. Dr. Elmi Muller, a transplant surgeon, and her colleagues lobbied the Hospital Ethics Boards and the Government Health Agency to allow a pilot experiment of kidney transplantation between HIV+ donors and HIV+ recipients beginning in 2009.

Their first four patients did very well, as reported in a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine, with all patients surviving past one year without rejection or the need for dialysis after transplant.

Since then, Muller’s group has reported six more successes, with 100 percent survival and only one patient suffering a rejection episode that was successfully reversed.

“In 2011, Dr. Dorry Segev of Johns Hopkins published a study in the American Journal of Transplantation estimating that 500-600 HIV+ donors could become available each year for transplantation to HIV+ recipients if the ban on HIV+ donors was lifted. There remain concerns about different HIV strains acting more aggressively in HIV+ recipients and the remote possibility of accidentally transplanting an HIV+ organ into an HIVrecipient, but there is a growing consensus that allowing HIV+ donation to HIV+ recipients would benefit the public good.

Donor organs are precious resources, and any intervention that would allow potential recipients to be removed from long waiting lists should be welcomed.

“On June 17, 2013, The US Senate passed the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act by a unanimous vote. The HOPE Act would permit HIV+ donor organs to be transplanted into HIV+ recipients. It also amends federal criminal law regarding HIV transmission, thereby clarifying that HIV+ donation to HIV+ recipient transplants should no longer be banned. The House bill, H.R. 698, is sponsored by Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) and Congressman Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX).

“Passage of the HOPE Act would benefit thousands of transplant candidates awaiting transplant, both HIV+ people who could receive HIV+ donor organs and HIV- people who would enjoy shorter waiting times for HIV- donor organs. In addition, passage of HOPE would demonstrate that our society is a dynamic and intelligent one, responding to medical advances and appropriately amending legislation to maximally benefit our citizenry.

“Please consider contacting your Congressional Representative (the House of Representatives’ switchboard is (202) 2253121) to encourage support for H.R. 698, The HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act.” Dr. Barry told The Empty Closet, “I hope it passes. It’s difficult to say. I think it’s really important to garner support for this bill. I called Louise Slaughter’s office

and I know she will be very supportive.”

As far as he knows, conservative Republicans in the House have not yet targeted the bill as something they oppose, Dr. Barry said. The bill has bipartisan sponsorship. However, The Empty Closet has learned that although all major religions support organ donation, some individuals are reluctant to register to become organ donors due to a belief that their deity wants humans to die with all the organs they were born with. Unfortunately, if damaged or dysfunctional body parts are not replaced, those humans are definitely going to die!

Dr. Barry said, “Potentially, the fearmongering hook would be the unlikely possibility that an HIV negative person would accidentally be given an organ from an HIV positive person. Our response is that with appropriate checks and balances in place, this would be an exceedingly unlikely event. Importantly, whenever you are able to take someone off the transplant waiting list, someone else is moved up. So thousands of people would get life saving transplants and HIV negative people would move up the list for HIV negative transplants.”

There is also the concern that some strains of HIV are more aggressive than others -- what effect would it have if an HIV positive person with a less aggressive strain received such a transplant?

Dr. Barry said, “The scientific argument is that the current medical therapy we have for HIV is so good that’s unlikely to happen.” Strain can be determined by a molecular test of the virus. Viruses are always mutating, so an unknown aggressive virus could pop up. In the South African operations, however, transplanting one strain to someone with a different strain did not cause any problems.

HIV positive transplant recipients would have to have a robust immune system and very low levels of the virus, so organ transplants are not for everyone. As Dr. Barry noted in an EC article he wrote last year, people with HIV do almost as well in organ transplant procedures as the general population, and better than the population over 60. “With all the antirejection meds, the virus doesn’t become re-activated. It would still be present in the blood, however, so the patient would need to continue their HIV meds as well as the others,” Dr. Barry said.

He said, “My tagline is that transplantation works, and works very well, even in HIV positive recipients. And organ donation saves lives. It’s important for everyone to consider organ donation.”

New York State is the 48th lowest out of 50 states in organ donations. “This is in large part because of the difficulty of registering,” Dr. Barry commented. “There is legislation to change that, but the NYS Department of Health is blocking the bill in the NY Senate which would turn online registration over to a private notfor-profit, because they fear job loss. The Department of Health runs the Donate Life registry, so they blocked the bill in a Senate committee at the last moment, although there is bipartisan support in Albany for non profit registration. The Department of Health may ultimately do online registration, but as of today they have not moved forward with that.”

Currently, to register as an organ donor, anyone can go to the Department of Health website, but they must print out the form, fill it out and mail it in. Apparently that is too much trouble for a lot of people, and a large part of the reason why New York ranks 48th in the country.

The NYS legislation, which would ensure that a not for profit take over online organ donor registration, is NY bill S.5046. Dr. Barry urges people to contact their senators and assemblymen and ask that they support this bill.

Dr. Chris Barry. Photo: Tammy Swales

The other issue and legislation here is the federal HOPE Act, which would make it legal for HIV positive people to donate organs in the first place.

Dr. Barry said, “I think the HOPE Act is very exciting legislation which will help save and improve the lives of thousands, both HIV positive and negative.” The bill is slated to be presented in Congress soon.

It is House bill HR698, and EC readers are again encouraged to contact their representatives and urge their support for the HOPE Act.

UPDATE: House committee approves HOPE Act The House Energy & Commerce Committee on July 17 approved the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act, H.R.698.

The bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) would lift a federal ban on the donation of HIV-positive organs to HIV-positive recipients, making it possible for researchers to study the safety of such procedures.

The bill passed the Senate in June.

“The HOPE Act represents sound public health policy,” said HRC legislative director Allison Herwitt. “The action by the House Energy & Commerce Committee is a major step forward in removing an outdated barrier which impedes access to lifesaving transplants for persons living with HIV and AIDS.” Today, more than 100,000 patients are actively waiting for life-saving organs

and about 50,000 more are added annually. Permitting organs from HIV-positive donors to be used for transplant in HIVinfected patients with liver or kidney failure could save as many as 1,000 people each year. As organs from HIV-infected donors would only be transplanted to HIV-infected transplant candidates, the waiting time for HIV-infected people who accept HIV-infected organs would most certainly decrease, as would the general waiting list for uninfected people awaiting transplants.

The HOPE Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services and the Organ Procurement Transplant Network (OPTN) to develop and institute standards for research on HIV-positive organ transplantation and permits the Secretary to permit positive-to-positive transplantation if it is determined that the results of research warrant such a change.

The Secretary would be required to direct OPTN to develop standards to ensure that positive-to-positive transplantation does not impact the safety of the organ transplantation network.

The Centers for Disease Control issued draft Public Health Service Guidelines in September of 2011 that recommended research in this area, but noted that federal law has blocked this important research from taking place in the United States.

The United Network for Organ Sharing, which manages the nation’s organ transplant system, and over 40 other patient and medical advocacy organizations have endorsed the HOPE Act. ■

AUGUST 2013 • number 470 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

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The Rainbow Flag raising in Manhattan Square Park took place July 19. Outlandish donated the 30x50 flag to the Gay Alliance.

Most photos this page: Ove Overmyer

Emcee Kasha Davis and Pride organizer Michael Lill with Grand Marshals Zahra Langford and Jennifer Posey.

Honorary Grand Marshals Patti Evans and Whitey LeBlanc.

Rainbow Riders arrive. Photo: Jill Frier

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013

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The Pride Parade heads down Alexander St. on July 20.

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GAGV Youth Pride King Alexx and Queen Kikki. Photo: Jill Frier

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Jeannie Gainsburg as the Kansas Twister. Photo: Jill Frier

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Thomas Warfield as the Tin Man. Photo: Bess Watts

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WPXY headliner DEV.

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Pandora Boxx.

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Leading the Flower City Pride Band.

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Zach Waffle and KaeLyn Rich.

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Emcee Kasha Davis. Samantha Vega was co-emcee. Photo: Jill Frier

Arianna Dumont, Miss Gay New York.

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013

The Pride Picnic took place in Genesee Valley Park on July 21. All photos: Ove Overmyer

First place picnic site design winners: “Oz on the River” by Kate Sweeney and Philip Andrew Rawleigh.

L-R: Zebulon Hounslea, Gia Boersma, Philip Andrew Rawleigh, Kate Sweeney, judges Michael Gamilla and Thomas Warfield.

DJ Hector ruled the Roundhouse.

AUGUST 2013 • number 470 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

Some scenes from the History Pavilion. Photos: Ove Overmyer

ImageArt in the parade. Photo: Ove Overmyer

Alden Bashaw marches with Equality Rochester. Photo: Bess Watts

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page one (Rainbow from page 3) Bette Midler tribute artist Donna Maxon, Pandora Boxx fresh from her emcee gig at the NYC Pride Rally and her successful one-queen show, “Lick This Boxx,” which recently ran off-Broadway, and 98.PXY’s headliner DEV. Those who had survived the revels of Saturday night turned up on Sunday afternoon at Genesee Valley Park for the Pride Picnic, a community institution since the 1970s. Around 2,000 attended. First prize in the picnic site decorating contest went to “Oz On the River” by Kate Sweeney & Phil Rawleigh, while second place went to “ROC Pride Games” by Chris Woodworth and Becky Abplanale and third prize to “RGMC” by Daryl Killingsworth and Keren.

After weeks of humidity and heavy rains, the weather cleared on Saturday by 1 p.m. and the LGBT community enjoyed sunlight and a cool breeze – it was a gorgeous weekend in Oz! ■

(Central continued from page 1) County Executive refuses to accept that LGBT families are more than a political issue.”

Democrats in the County Legislature have released the letter sent on June 3 to Maggie Brooks (a Republican), asking that the County fly the Rainbow Pride flag to honor Gay Pride Week and the 40th anniversary of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley. Democrats said they had hoped that the June 26 ruling from the Supreme Court, overthrowing the 1996 anti-gay legislation known as the “Defense of Marriage Act” or DOMA, might spur the County Executive to finally recognize this important part of the Rochester community.

“It’s no secret that this administration has fought against marriage equality,” Democratic Leader Carrie Andrews (D-Rochester) said on June 26. “But with today’s ruling and public opinion clearly favoring equality, the time is right for the County Executive to change her position and be on the right side of history.”

In 2008, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that Monroe County had illegally denied a same-sex couple health benefits. Despite a widespread community outcry, the County Executive fought against providing equal benefits, expending thousands of taxpayer dollars (including LGBT taxpayers) on what ended up a futile effort. Fortunately, this decision, Martinez vs. Monroe County, resulted in a landmark ruling that helped pave the way for marriage equality in New York State.

Democrats have requested that the Rainbow Pride Flag be flown during Pride Week in years past, but those requests have all been ignored by County Executive Brooks. After extreme pressure

the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013 the first two weeks in July from angry Monroe County residents, both gay and straight, Brooks declared a “Gay Alliance Day” but still refused to fly the Rainbow Flag.

The Rochester Central Library was illuminated with rainbow lighting for the entire Pride Weekend, July 19-21, while the Gay Alliance’s giant Rainbow Flag flew at Manhattan Square Park, unfurled in a ceremony on July 19. Rochester Mayor Tom Richards, NYS Assembly member Harry Bronson, City Council members Dana Miller, Matt Haag and Elaine Spaull, as well as mayoral candidate Lovely Warren attended the flag raising.

Although County Executive Brooks had denied permission for the Rainbow Flag to fly at the Monroe County Office Building, several members of the Democratic caucus nonetheless put a rainbow flag in their window at the County Office Building on July 19.

County Legislator and Democratic Minority Leader Carrie Andrews issued a statement: ‘Since the County Executive has refused to fly the Rainbow Pride Flag, we felt it was important that we lead by example and show our friends in the LGBT community that we appreciate their contributions. While we certainly hope the flag will one day fly in front of the County Office Building, we’re going to continue doing whatever it takes to treat everyone in our county with dignity and respect.’”

The flag was quickly confiscated by a Monroe County sheriff’s deputy who threatened staffers with arrest.

“The events of this afternoon represent a clear violation of the notion of separation of powers in government and they are an affront to our hardworking LGBT friends and neighbors,” Democratic Leader Carrie Andrews said. “The County Executive may not support the LGBT community, but we do and we have the right to express that by flying the Rainbow Pride Flag outside our offices. Although they were able to remove the flags using the sheriff’s department, the LGBT community can rest assured that we will not be bullied. A new Rainbow Pride Flag is now proudly flying outside our office.

“At approximately 12:45 p.m. this afternoon Democrats put the flags outside their office windows. By 1:20 p.m. the County Executive’s Administration ordered a Sheriff’s Deputy and maintenance worker to enter the Democratic Office without permission.

“After entering, the Sheriff Deputy told the Democratic Chief of Staff that the flags would have to be removed because, he claimed, the County Executive’s Communication Department did not approve of it first. Democrats informed the deputy that the Legislature is not under the purview of the County Executive or her Communications Department. Democrats indicated they would consider the request to remove the flag if the County Executive requested it

in writing and cited the policy prohibiting Legislative Staff from flying the flag.

“The deputy then stated that the flags needed to be removed or the Democratic Staff would be arrested. Democratic Staff indicated the deputy would need to go ahead with the arrest, at which time the deputy went to the windows and forcibly removed the flags. The deputy was informed that a new flag would be put up, to which he said the Democratic Chief of Staff would be arrested if the flag went back up. The new flag has been flying since approximately 2:30 p.m. and neither the County Executive nor the Sheriff has asked for the new flag to be removed.”

The second flag was not removed. The first flag had been confiscated because, Democratic staff was told, there is an ordinance that bans attachments to the building which might cause damage, and the second flag was not removed because the authorities had determined that the flag was not “causing damage” to the building. ■

(Rochester continued from page 1) Dennis O’Brien, an East End resident and a staffer for the Monroe County Legislature Democratic Caucus, was mingling with political types and elected officials near the festival vendor tables late Saturday afternoon. The group paused to reflect on how far the LGBT community has come these past few years and recapped recent history highlighting the fact that DOMA fell June 26 and marriage equality advocates are stacking up legislative wins all across America. They also talked about Maggie Brooks denying the gay community the right to fly the Pride Flag in front of the Monroe County Office Building, the place where O’Brien works.

O’Brien told The EC, “At the parade, I proudly walked with City Councilman Matt Haag’s team. And, I think it’s very important for straight allies to show everyone that we appreciate LGBT contributions — it’s part of our community’s identity. I have always loved Pride events, and wouldn’t miss this for the world.

How can you go wrong? A big parade, great entertainment, plenty of food, good weather and friends. That’s a winning combination in my book.”

Among many topics, O’Brien and his circle of friends were discussing the effects of DOMA’s downfall, and how local LGBT families are seeing themselves in a whole new light. The repeal of DOMA and the right to marry seemed to be on the minds of many people during Pride weekend this year.

“I’m still trying to get a handle on how this affects my marriage and my family — but I do know this,” said Rochester resident T. Judith Johnson, who married her wife MaryAnn Sanford four years ago. “It feels real good to be out and proud.”

The EC caught up with Johnson and Sanford as they unpacked their car at the

Rochester Pride Picnic Sunday morning at Genesee Valley Park. Johnson said, “It’s important to celebrate Pride every year, but 2013 has special significance for us because I feel like we are entering a new era of acceptance. The level of oppression I used to feel has drastically improved. We are better off simply on the basis of a fairer federal tax structure. I feel less burdened, and I can’t tell you how much more optimistic I am about our country moving in the right direction when it comes to equality.”

Rochester resident John Parker told The EC that Pride is very important to him for a variety of reasons. “What Pride means to me is coming out here to enjoy my brothers and sisters without fear and to think how times have changed and how far we have come since the ‘80s. I also love the fact that we are in a city park celebrating Pride and that we have so much support from city officials — especially Mayor Tom Richards.” ■

AUGUST 2013 • number 470 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

local and state (Black from page 3) the park admission, buffet lunch, and parking. Both the MOCHA Center and Evergreen Health Services are providing a bus from each of the sites. The bus will leave each site at 11 a.m. and depart Darien Lake at 7 p.m. The MOCHA Center price for the Park Admission, Buffet Lunch and Bus is $35. Tickets must be purchased and picked up at Evergreen Health Services, MOCHA Center Buffalo or MOCHA Center Rochester, 107 Liberty Pole Way. For more on WNY Black Gay Pride events in Rochester, see the article in this issue and the August calendar, page 34.

For more information on Darien Lake Day and to purchase tickets: Evergreen – Life Changes Program – Dana McKnight, 716-847-0212; dmcknight@ evergreenhs.org; The MOCHA Center Buffalo, DeMarkis Bonner, 716-852-1142 x19; dbonner@mochacenter.org; The MOCHA Center Rochester – Barbara Turner, 585-420-1400 x14; bturner@ mochacenter.org.

national and international ( Colombian from page 5) plinary action against any official who took up this authority.

His case was based on the fact that the court’s ruling did not specifically say that couples can “marry,” nor did it directly change the law. Instead, it gave congress until June 20, 2013 to change the law to give equal rights to same-sex couples. The 2011 ruling only gives the power directly to judges and notaries because congress failed to act, and ambiguity in the ruling left it unclear whether they will call these unions “marriages” or something else entirely.

On Friday, the court rejected Ordoñez’s petition for it to clarify that it did not intend to open marriage to same-sex couples. And Constitutional Court President Jorge Iván Palacio sternly warned Ordoñez to “observe the determinations of this Court and monitor their strict and timely compliance.”

Feder notes that the Court has still not clarified the murky wording of their 2011 ruling. LGBT activists, however, are taking their message to Ordóñez as a very positive sign.

RELATED: Same-sex marriage is legal in the South American nations of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.

Texas regulates women’s bodies, not factory safeguards Texas, whose lax regulatory climate has come in for scrutiny in the aftermath of the deadly West fertilizer factory explo-

sion, went into a special session of its state legislature on July 1 to push through an omnibus abortion bill designed to regulate 37 abortion clinics out of existence.

But the 2013 session will come to a close without any significant action to impose safeguards on the 74 facilities in the state that contain at least 10,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate.

Lawmakers in Austin have a handy excuse for punting on new fertilizer regulations: That would be intrusive. State Sen. Donna Campbell, the Republican who helped to shut down Democratic Sen. Wendy Davis’ filibuster of the abortion bill on procedural grounds, told the New York Times that lawmakers should be wary of monitoring chemical plants more closely because there’s “a point at which you can over-regulate.”

Because why try to prevent giant explosions when you could be all up in women’s parts? As usual with Republicans, freedom is for the powerful. -Posted

by Laura Clawson on Daily Kos

LGBT coalition sends open letter: Trayvon deserved justice A coalition of 35 national LGBT rights groups have issued a joint denouncement of the Zimmerman verdict. Via press release: An Open Letter: Trayvon Deserves Justice We cannot begin to imagine the continued pain and suffering endured by Trayvon Martin’s family and friends. We stand in solidarity with them as they continue to fight for justice, civil rights and closure. And we thank everyone who has pushed and will continue to push for justice.

Trayvon Martin deserves justice and his civil rights. We support the organizations and community leaders who are urging the federal government to explore every option to ensure that justice is served for Trayvon and that his civil rights are honored and respected. But our work does not end there: we will honor Trayvon Martin by strengthening our commitment to end bias, hatred, profiling and violence across our communities.

We represent organizations with diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender constituencies. Our community has been targets of bigotry, bias, profiling and violence. We have experienced the heart-breaking despair of young people targeted for who they are, who they are presumed to be, or who they love: Rashawn Brazell, Lawrence King, Ali Forney, Brandon Teena, Brandon White, Matthew Shepard, Marco McMillian, Angie Zapata, Sakia Gunn, Gwen Araujo and countless others.

Every person, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, must be able to walk the streets without fear for their safety. Justice delayed is justice denied and in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “a right delayed is a right denied.” We honor Trayvon by seek-

ing justice for all people.

The letter is signed by: All Out, American Civil Liberties Union, Believe Out Loud, BiNet USA, Bisexual Resource Center, Center for Black Equity, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers, Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, Equality Federation, Family Equality Council, Freedom to Work, Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network), GetEQUAL, GMHC, GLAD, GLAAD, Harvey Milk Foundation, Human Rights Campaign, Immigration Equality, Lambda Legal, Movement Advancement Project, National Black Coalition, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, National Minority AIDS Council, National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, PFLAG National, The Trevor Project, Trans Advocacy Network, Transgender Law Center, Trans People of Color Coalition.

Indiana school district settles with bullied, expelled gay teen Darnell “Dynasty” Young, the openly gay Indianapolis teen who was expelled after bringing a stun gun to school to defend himself against bullies, subsequently sued Indianapolis Public Schools for discrimination, restriction of free speech, and negligence, alleging that school officials did nothing to protect him.

According to WTHITV News, Young has agreed to settle for $65,000.

The proposed settlement filed July 9 in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis also calls for the school district to remove all references of Darnell “Dynasty” Young being expelled from school from the 18-year-old’s academic record.

The agreement still must be approved by a judge.

Young also told WTHITV in a telephone interview that “he’s pleased with the settlement,” and that “he plans to use the money to launch an anti-bullying magazine.

-Towleroad.com

Iceland cuts ties with Moscow over gay ban While many nations have formally denounced Russia’s ban on “gay propaganda,” Reykjavik is doing something about it.

According to the contract between Reykjavik and Moscow drawn up in 2007, the cities were going to cooperate on family issues. But now, a statement from the city council reads: “In light of the developments concerning the affairs of gay, bisexual and transsexual people that have taken place in Russia over the last few

13 months, the district attorney, Human Rights Office, Office of the Mayor of Reykjavík, and City of Reykjavík chief administrative officer propose amendments or the termination of the collaboration agreement between Reykjavík and Moscow, in cooperation with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.”

Gay Dutch tourists are arrested in Russia Russian officials arrested three Dutch tourists on July 22 under the country’s new anti-gay “propaganda” ban.

GayNZ reports: The Dutch trio are the first tourists to be told they have ‘violated the rules of stay’. They were arrested in Murmansk, and Gay Star News says unconfirmed reports suggest they were helping gay activists in the city protest Russia’s position on human rights. They have been told they have broken the law of ‘nontraditional sexual relations’ propaganda among children, which was signed into law by President Vladimir Putin last month.

A hearing was scheduled for July 22.

The Russian LGBT Network is providing legal assistance.

Patriarch: gay marriage bringing apocalypse That wasn’t the only bit of anti-gay news out of Russia on July 22. Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church and a strong supporter of the “propaganda” bill, told parishioners this morning that same-sex marriage is leading to the end of the world.

According to News.com.au, he said: “This is a very dangerous sign of the apocalypse ... It means people are choosing a path of self-destruction,” Patriarch Kirill told churchgoers at Kazan Cathedral in Moscow’s Red Square.

Fierstein calls out Putin Finally, in a just published New York Times op-ed, Harvey Fierstein took on Vladimir Putin and his homophobic policies, writing that the Russian president “has declared war on homosexuals. So far, the world has mostly been silent.”

He concludes: “Mr. Putin’s campaign against lesbian, gay and bisexual people is one of distraction, a strategy of demonizing a minority for political gain taken straight from the Nazi playbook. Can we allow this war against human rights to go unanswered? Although Mr. Putin may think he can control his creation, history proves he cannot: his condemnations are permission to commit violence against gays and lesbians. Last week a young gay man was murdered in the city of Volgograd. He was beaten, his body violated with beer bottles, his clothing set on fire, his head crushed with a rock. This is most likely just the beginning.

“Nevertheless, the rest of the world remains almost completely ignorant of Mr. Putin’s agenda. His adoption restrictions have received some attention, but it has been largely limited to people involved (Gay Dutch continues page 14)

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national and international (Gay Dutch from page 13) in international adoptions.

“This must change. With Russia about to hold the Winter Games in Sochi, the country is open to pressure. American and world leaders must speak out against Mr. Putin’s attacks and the violence they foster.

The Olympic Committee must demand the retraction of these laws under threat of boycott.”

Read more: http://www.towleroad. com/#ixzz2ZmzPkOYC

Employer harassment violated trans woman’s rights, EEOC says Freedom to Work and Lambda Legal have reached a settlement on behalf of a transgender woman employed by a government contractor in Maryland.

The woman filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and alleged that she was subjected to physical and verbal harassment in the workplace over a two-year period. Co-workers also allegedly made comments such as “tranny,” “drag queen,” and “faggot.” After conducting an investigation, the EEOC issued a September 2012 letter with a determination of reasonable

the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013 cause to believe the company violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act: “The investigation revealed that Charging Party was subjected to derogatory gender-based comments that were frequently made by both co-workers and supervisors.

Both Charging Party and witness interviews revealed that Respondent’s management failed to take corrective action despite being fully aware of the harassment Charging Party was being subjected to. This lack of corrective action enabled the harassment and offensive atmosphere to continue.”

“We applaud the EEOC for conducting such a thorough investigation and interviewing so many witnesses to the anti-transgender harassment,” said Tico Almeida, President of the LGBT organization Freedom to Work. “Coming just a few months after the EEOC issued its historic decision that transgender people are protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the EEOC’s reasonable cause determination in this case is, to our knowledge, the first time in history that the EEOC has investigated allegations of anti-transgender harassment and ruled for the transgender employee. This case shows that the EEOC takes very seriously its role in protecting LGBT Americans’ freedom to work.”

“Slowly but surely, we are gaining recognition of the rights of LGBT employees, but this case shows that employers and employees need laws that spell out gender identity and sexual orientation protections specifically, to help prevent discrimination in the (Employer continues page 16)

PFLAG meets the 3rd Sunday of each month Meetings are at Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church, 740 Marshall Road, Rochester, NY 14624 from 1 to 3pm. Questions? Call: 585-244-8640 and leave a message, or e-mail: pflag@gayalliance.org - Join us!

For Men & Women C u t s • c o lo r • h i g h l i g h t s

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AUGUST 2013 • number 470 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

Opinion Ex-Gay Pride Month gets cancelled…

By Wayne Besen, Truth Wins Out Truth Wins Out laughed at the cancellation of “Ex-Gay Pride Month 2013” by the newly formed group, Voice of the Voiceless (VOV), which announced it was putting the kybosh on a fancy gala it had planned with the Family Research Council on July 31.

The event had sought to portray “exgays” as victims and had invited Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-MN, and other members of Congress to attend the benefit.

There was never going to be an actual “Ex-gay Pride Month” because ex-gays are as rare as the Dodo bird. They simply could not find real “ex-gays” to participate and had to cancel to save face. This was nothing but a desperate publicity stunt intended to revive a failing industry that has repeatedly embarrassed anti-gay organizations….

VOV’s Christopher Doyle offered unsubstantiated charges of “anti-ex-gay extremism” as his reason for terminating the much-ballyhooed event. According to Doyle, “Due to some anti-ex-gay extremism that has occurred since we first announced Ex-Gay Pride 2013, the July 31 Lobbying Day on Capitol Hill and Evening Dinner/Reception at the Family Research Council has had to be moved and postponed to an undisclosed location in September. The harassment has caused several security threats which has forced us to change plans, and that is unfortunate.”

We challenge Doyle to come forward and release the names of LGBT activists and organizations that have allegedly jeopardized his organization’s security.

Until concrete allegations are made, we can only assume Doyle is making an excuse for his organization’s abject failure to produce a viable Ex-Gay Pride Month event.

Doyle is downgrading his effort and rebranding it “Ex-Gay Awareness Month.”

This way, he can pretend there are legions of so-called ex-gays in press releases, without actually proving they truly exist.

According to Doyle: “...We believe it is necessary not only to hold events in July for Ex-Gay Pride, but also to declare September as the First Annual Ex-Gay Awareness Month. Ex-Gay Awareness Month in September will be a time to reflect on the discrimination and marginalization that former homosexuals and ex-gays experience in the public at large. It will also provide some much needed exposure to students in secondary schools and colleges across the country to learn about the plights, challenges, and tribulations facing ex-gays in our culture.”

The VOV event was intended to revive the failing “ex-gay” industry and distract

people from the disastrous year 2013 has been for such programs. This has included the closing of Exodus International and the group’s former poster boy, John Paulk, coming out.

The two new “ex-gay” organizations, Voice of the Voiceless and Equality and Justice for All (the lobbying arm) are front groups for the International Healing Foundation, a for-profit therapy center founded by Richard Cohen, a “sexual reorientation life coach,” who was permanently expelled from the American Counseling Association in 2003 for multiple ethics violations. He is known for his alarming fits of anger and bizarre techniques that are widely mocked on the Internet and in the media. This includes having clients sit on his lap while he caresses them, or having them smash a pillow with a tennis racket while irately screaming the name of a parent.

Truth Wins Out is a nonprofit organization that fights anti-LGBT extremism.

TWO specializes in turning information into action by organizing, advocating and fighting for LGBT equality.

Who is Bradley Manning?

By Maria Scipione During this year’s Pride Parade I carried a sign with the Veterans for Peace and Iraq Veterans Against the War that said “Proud to Blow the Whistle on War Crimes – FREE BRADLEY MANNING.” Many people were supportive: chanted, gave a thumbs-up, thanked me, yelled “YEAH”. But more people looked at me and had no idea who Bradley Manning is and no idea what my sign was about.

Bradley Manning is a 25-year-old gay man, who is a Private First Class Army Intelligence analyst. He stands 5’2”, weighs 105, blonde hair, blue eyes, and is brilliant. He joined the Army in 2007 after his father threw him out of his home for being gay. And he is, in my opinion, a hero like Daniel Ellsberg (who leaked the Pentagon Papers in 1971).

Manning was deployed to Iraq in 2009. He released the video “Collateral Murder” to Wikileaks in 2010. The video shows the killing of unarmed civilians and two Reuters journalists by a US Apache helicopter in Iraq. He was very disturbed by the war crimes he witnessed and he knew that the American people were being kept ignorant of them.

He also leaked Army field reports from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars as well as US diplomatic cables. He did this to inform the people of the United States what their government was really doing.

These leaked documents (smuggled out in a Lady Gaga CD case) have illuminated the true number and cause of civilian casualties in Iraq, along with a number of human rights abuses by US-funded contractors and foreign militaries, and the role that spying and bribes play in international diplomacy. This was a moral and courageous act.

Manning was arrested May 29, 2010 and spent the next year in Quantico, Virginia in solitary confinement. He was deprived of clothing, not allowed to sleep or lean against the wall, and denied reading material or exercise – in other words he was tortured. Manning’s treatment sparked a probe by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture, Juan Mendez, who issued a statement saying that PFC Bradley Manning’s treatment had been “cruel and inhuman.”

Partially in response to public outcry, on April 21, 2011 Bradley was moved from Quantico to Fort Leavenworth, KS where his conditions greatly improved.

His Court Martial is underway right now in Fort Meade, Maryland. The mainstream media has blacked out coverage of the trial. There is no electronic media allowed in the courtroom. But regular citizens and a few journalists have been showing up, most of them international.

While he has pled guilty to releasing information, he is fighting the charge of “Aiding and Abetting the Enemy.” The prosecution states that because Al-Qaeda could read Wikileaks, Manning helped them. But this is a ridiculous argument given that in the internet age Al-Qaeda can read anything – the New York Times, the London Times, even The Empty Closet. Does that mean whistleblowers can never expose the wrong doing of governments in the press?

The following are two quotes from an online chat with Manning about why he leaked the information: “If you had free reign over classified networks… and you saw incredible things, awful things… things that belonged in the public domain, and not on some server stored in a dark room in Washington DC… what would you do?”

“God knows what happens now. Hopefully worldwide discussion, debates, and reforms… I want people to see the truth… because without information, you cannot make informed decisions as a public.”

15 In my book, Bradley Manning has done better service to his country than those who would follow orders they know to be immoral and illegal. Manning has followed the international mandates given by the Nuremberg trials after WWII – when soldiers or citizens witness war crimes they have a legal and moral obligation to try to stop them. That is what Bradley Manning has done and that is why he is fighting for his life. He needs our help.

Now that you know, what can you do?

It is important to act because the Military Judge Col. Denise Lind will rule soon and she thinks no one is watching. This is a dangerous situation.

1. Don’t take my word for it - search “Bradley Manning,” find “Collateral Murder” on YouTube and watch it, go to www.bradleymanning.org and find out more specifics.

2. Sign the Stand with Bradley petition online: http://www.standwithbrad. org/ 3. Donate to the defense fund: https:// co.clickandpledge.com/sp/d1/default. aspx?wid=38591 4. Submit your photo to the “I Am Bradley Manning” campaign: iam.bradleymanning.org 5. Talk to your friends, write a letter to the editor, have a house party, be creative – but get the word out.

6. Attend the court proceedings at Fort Meade. Manning’s lawyer, David Coombs, recently issued a statement thanking all of Bradley’s supporters for their efforts, and especially those who have attended the court proceedings. In a military trial with little public transparency, the more public supporters who participate as observers and activists, the better.

Bradley Manning has risked his life and freedom because he believed in our right to know. We need to support him and get the charge of “Aiding and Abetting the Enemy” dropped. If we don’t, this young man may spend his entire life in jail for telling the truth. ■

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013

national and international (Employer from page 14) first place,” said Greg Nevins, Supervising Senior Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal’s Southern Regional Office in Atlanta. “We need action by the 113th Congress to pass the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA), and even more immediately, President Obama should sign the executive order banning LGBT discrimination by companies that profit from federal contracts. That executive order should have broad support across the political spectrum, since federal dollars should neither fund discrimination nor go to employers whose personnel and productivity suffer because discrimination and harassment are tolerated.”

Although denying admission of any wrongdoing, the government contractor agreed to re-publicize its non-discrimination policies and conduct anti-discrimination and anti-harassment training at its facility, including a focus on transgender and other LGBT issues. In light of the constructive steps taken to move past this episode by this contractor, and because our emphasis is on a systemic resolution to the problem of LGBT discrimination in federal contractor workplaces, Freedom to Work and Lambda Legal are not publicizing the name of their client or this particular government contractor.

Mob brutally slays 17-year-old trans Jamaican at party

By Dwayne Browne, Minority Insight On July 22, Dwayne Jones, a Transgender otherwise known as “Gully Queen” and “Dwayne Gagastar Trensetta,” was shot and stabbed to death in the Irwin community, St James.

According to Iriefm news report, “the 17-year-old was dressed as a female and

was dancing with a male, when a woman at the party recognized him and told other patrons that he was not a woman, but a male. One of the men at the party accosted the teen and conducted a search where he discovered that the teen was not a female.

A mob then descended on the teen and chopped and stabbed him to death, before dumping his body in bushes along the Orange main road.”

Furthermore, the Jamaica-Gleaner reported that “a number of explosions were heard and the police were summoned. They discovered Jones’ body on the roadway, with multiple stab wounds and a gunshot wound.” No arrest has been made.

The brutal killings and public execution of gay, lesbian and transgender Jamaicans is a disheartening reality for many who live in the open and shadows. In December 2010, the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) called for a thorough investigation of a case in which the body of a reported cross dresser was found with stab wounds in St Andrew. However, the murder remains unsolved due to a lack of interest demonstrated by the investigation team and police authorities due to the victim’s sexuality and lifestyle (gay).

The lack of respect and protection for the life of gays living in Jamaica demonstrates a systematic and cultural prejudice and hatred for homosexuals and the air they breathe. The government and its leader Prime Minister Portia Simpson continue to disregard the interest, safety and the right to life of gay, lesbian, and transgender Jamaicans.

The punitive laws of Jamaica, such as the Offences Against the Person Act (Buggery law) which criminalizes the act of consensual anal sex between gay men, and public demonstration of homosexuality, mandates up to 10 years in prison with hard labor, along with the moral concept of normality, empower and motivate anti-gay civilians and mobs to attack, beat and kill gays, as well as rape lesbians.

Clearly, over the past years, we have seen the abuse of the rights and dignity of

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gays living in Jamaica. In January 2011, (J-FLAG) recorded fifty-one incidents of attacks against LGBTs including, home invasions, physical assaults and mob attacks.

In June 2012, members of the Jamaican LGBT community reported that eight gay men had been murdered in the prior three months.

The organization has also emphasizes the lack of report being made by victims of homophobic attacks due to fear of future attacks or abuses, especially from the police officers, who often refuse to take or document self-identified gay victims incidents.

When will our gay brothers and sisters be free from bondage and persecution?

How much more innocent blood will be shed before the government step in and protect the lives of GAY Jamaicans?

Besides the killing and beating of homosexuals, Jamaica is a violent and dangerous country. We cannot stand by and watch the culprits and anti-gay lynching mobs to get away with murder. Something needs to be done. Dwayne Jones deserves justice.

Indiana couples applying for license may face three years in prison According to an Indiana politics blog, any gay couple in that state who applies for a marriage license faces up to three years in prison.

A 1997 state law declares it a Class D felony to submit false information on a marriage license application or lie about the physical condition, including gender, of a marriage license applicant. Two men or two women seeking to marry inevitably would trigger the law, as the state’s electronic marriage license application specifically designates “male applicant” and “female applicant” sections for gathering required background data.

It’s not known how often Hoosiers, gay or straight, are prosecuted for submitting false information on a marriage

license application. In any case, the recently approved reform of the state’s criminal code will, starting July 1, 2014, drop the crime to a Level 6 felony, punishable by a maximum of 18 months in prison and a potential fine of up to $10,000.

The law also penalizes clergyman, judge, mayor, city clerk or town clerk-treasurer who solemnizes a marriage between two people of the same gender. Those who conduct a gay marriage ceremony can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

U.N. launches global LGBT rights campaign The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on July 26 unveiled a global LGBT rights campaign at a meeting in South Africa.

The campaign is called Free & Equal.

The multi-pronged campaign — announced at a news conference in Cape Town — will include videos and public-service announcements distributed through social media, a new website, a series of fact sheets, and engagement by celebrities well-known in different regions of the world. ‘‘Changing attitudes is never easy... It begins with often difficult conversations,’’ said Navi Pillay, the high commissioner for human rights. ‘‘And that is what we want to do with this campaign. Free & Equal will inspire millions of conversations among people around the world and across the ideological spectrum.’’

There were multiple reasons for choosing South Africa as the news conference venue. It is Pillay’s home country, and is a leading nation on a continent where discrimination and violence against LGBT people is widespread.

The UN office notes that the campaign is being funded by “outside contributors” and should therefore “skirt objections” from UN member states opposed to LGBT rights. ■

AUGUST 2013 • number 470 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

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There’s NOTHING like your support!

Thank you for helping to make Roc Pride 2013 the best ever!

Pride Committee Michael Lill, Pride Chairperson Evelyn Bailey, Kelly Clark, Scott Fearing, Jeanne Gainsburg, Christopher Hennelly, Peter Mohr, Kellie Ronald, Steve Santacroce, Bill Schaefer, Lora Thody, Jillian Wilton, Lyjha Wilton History Pavilion Chairs

Jamie Allen, Michael Dauteuil, Jeff Fowler, Gerry Szymanski, Tara Winner, Bruce Woolley

Sub Committee Members

Jeff Allen, Zayne Austin, Jason Ballard, Sam Brett, David Chappius, Pat Cloonan, Jen Dawson, Jodie Dawson, Liz Doyle, Cody Gardner, Joe Murphy, Leonides Ortiz, Ed Popil, Jean Thibodeau, Brigid Waterhouse

There’s

No Place

Like

Sponsors

Pride There’s

No Place Like

Rochester

(In order of sponsorship level) Trillium Health, Logical Operations, Reed Eye Associates, Entercom Marketing 98PXY, Pernard Ricard USA, Hedonist Artisan Chocolates, City of Rochester:Communications Bureau, Bachelor Forum, Lake Beverage, Three Olives/Proximo Spirits, Empire Merchants North Proximo Spirits, John’s Tex-Mex Eatery, Southern Wine & Spirits, Upstate NY, Yelp, Shoulder to Stand On/Video History, Nocon & Associates - Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc, Roc and GV Area Labor, Rochester Victory Alliance, Avenue Pub, Friends of Matt Haag, Pride at Work, Canandaigua National Bank, Friends of Lovely Warren, ImageOut, Park Avenue Merchants Assoc, Richards For Mayor, Woods Oviatt Gilman, LLP, Xerox, Water Street Music Hall, Highland Contractors

Supporters

Arlene’s Costumes, Chris Beato, Bill Gray’s Iceplex, Boulder Coffee and all the bartenders, New York State Assemblymember Harry Bronson, Luis Burgos, Commissioner of Recreation and Youth Services and his staff, Greg Cooper, Crazy Dog Tees - Eric Marshal, Tom DeBlase, Dignity/Integrity, Dorschel Auto Group, Edibles, Equal Grounds, Flex, Frog Pond, Genesee Co Op Federal Credit Union, City Councilmember Matt Haag, Marc Hamilton of Hamilton A-V, Inc., DJ Hector, Hollywood Bob, Home Depot (Penfield and Henrietta), Jines Resturant Inc, Kittleberger Florist, L&M Lanes, Lake Beverage - Tom Santini, Bob Lang, Zarha Langford, Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project of Binghamton, Athena Lill, Marshall Street Bar and Grill, Jennifer Mathews, Gloria Matos, Lambda Kodak, Mayfields Bar, Terry McEntee, Mighty Mike, Kyla Minx, Monroe County Foster Care Homefinding Unit, Monroe County Law Enforcement Association, Montessori School of Rochester, Moondog Sound - Greg Bennett, Jim Moran, Murphy’s Law, Jamie Mykins, NAPA Auto Parts, Nolan’s Rental Inc. - AJ, Debbie and the crew, One Restaurant and Lounge, Outlandish, Parkleigh, Pearl Nightclub - John Slater, John Picone from the City of Rochester, Jennifer Posey, Matt Povlock, Andrew Pramuk, PrintRoc, Justine Pruss, Red Diamond Dry Ice and CO2 Corp, Carl Refici, Special Events Operations Manager City of Rochester Margaret Reichert, City of Rochester Mayor Thomas Richards, Roc City Rickshaw - Jack Eisenschmid, Roc City Roller Derby, Rochester Police Department, Rochester Women’s Chorus, Rundel Memorial Library - Gene Siembor and staff, Rural Metro, Chief James Sheppard, Sonny B’s Deli, Spot Coffee, Sugar Mountain Bake Shoppe, Tilt Nightclub and Bill Levy, Tretter Collection in GLBT Studies, University of Rochester Pride Alliance, Kitty VanBortel and Van Bortel Ford, Lisa Vecoli, Verdad Investigations & Protection, Inc., City Councilmember Lovely Warren, Wegmans School of Pharmacy, Wegmans, Libby Woodruff, Chris Woodworth, Zak’s Avenue

Entertainment

Blackfriars Theatre presenters from Rent, Pandora Boxx, Megan Carter, DJ Mr Davis, Kasha Davis, Bill DeBlase, Chastity Dee, Lady Dee, Deelicious, Miss Gay New York Arianna Demont, Dev and crew, Christina Dipolato, Deedee Dubois, Vanity Faire, Grancrew, DJ Hector, Jimmie Highsmith Experience, Kenny “the thrill” James, Miss Gay Pride Rochester Veronica Lace, Darienne Lake, Charlie Levin, Notorious LEZ, DJ Neill MacLeod, Donna Maxon, Taylor Mayde, DJ NickL, Pride Performance Ensemble - Color Guard, Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus, Destiny Spice, DJ Todd Spicer, Spiritus Christi Choir, Gemini Stone, Ryder Strong, unBound-Band, Samantha Vega

Key Volunteers and Leaders

John Altieri, CD Baginski, Karen Barber, Jeff Christensen, Greg Cooper, Bill DeStevens, Patti Evans, Brad Flower, Ed Freedman, JessieLee Gibson, Michael Goings-Benjamin, Bruce Gorman, Emily Jones, Susan Jordan, Amanda Kelley, Robin Khakpour, Zahra Langford, Whitey LeBlanc, John Lukach, Cynthia Marshal, Lance McPhee, Jessica Muratore, Joe Muratore, Ove Overmyer, Jennifer Posey, Renee Proia, Robert Rogers, Craig Ronald, Kevin Santiago, Gregg Soucie, Jenna Vanas, Anne Wakeman, Matt Wakeman, Kat Wiggall, Courtney Williams, David Williford, David Zona, Eric Zukauskas

Volunteers

Paul Allen, Helen Alongi, Kaelen Austin, James Avery, Jim Avery, Melissa Backus, Stefan Baer, Sarah Baginski, Jess Barnhart, Teresa Beard, Ashley Behnke, Philip Benier, David Bergmann, Catherine Billitier, Tara Bird, Keturah Bixby, Joey Blaze, Greg Blessing, Chris Bopp, John Braun, Jill Bryson, Laura Buttiglieri, Nick Callara, Angela Caprarotta, Alice Carver-Kubik, Stacie Catteau, Adrianne Chesser, Stan Clark, Courtney Clement, Matthew Coles, Jena Colon, Marilyn Colon, Marianne Conheady, Richard Connett, Jayda Cooke, Greg Cooper, Pam Cornish, Diego Correa, Sue Cowell, Peter Cuccaro, Terri Cvetan, Chris Dailey, Caryn Davis, Stephanie Dawson, Howie Decker, Jessica Decker, Joey DeGraff, Fran DeNardo, Nick Dennie, Joe DiFiore, Jamie DiMarco, Julia Dippel, James Doell, Natasha Drake, Faye Dundas, Josh Dunham, Kylie Dunning, Kevin Eich, Jillian Evans, Aidan Evans, Elizabeth Fey, Heather Fields, Alicia Fioco, Hayden Freedman, David Frier, Jill Frier, Nan Fry, Aaron Gallant, Joanne Gallichio, Melissa Gallison, Michael Gamilla, Amy Garnish, Allison Garth, Deb Gerlach, Emme Gibson, Judy Glaubinger, Todd Gordon, Jen Goodman, Aaron Gorelick, Kala Gorelick, Shimona Gorelick, Emma Gorman, Maryjane Green, David Gruttadauria, Nicole Hair, Valerie Hall, Gary Hallinen, Kerry Hanratty, Cat Hardesty, Blanche Harling, Emma Hartzell, Richard Hasley, Katie Head, Denise Herrera, Dustin Hilton, Andrew Hinkley, Andre Hiscock, Kristen Hocker, Rachel Hollar, Gina Holloway, Pete Horrocks, Walter Huebscher, Deborah Hughes, Claire Hunsinger, Bruce Ingersoll, Ruth Ives, Sarah Ives, Debra Jimenez, Regina Johnson, Marya Kaszubinski, Chris Kelley, Samantha Kelley, Joe Kelly, Mike Kelly, Darrell Killingsworth, Sam Knarr, Cee Kohler, Tara Laine Ramirez, Christopher Laley, Christine Lamagra, Alicia Lane-Outlaw, Susan Lane-Outlaw, Danielle Laurange, Robyn Lavergne, Bekka Lebowitz, Steve Levin, Katherine Lewis, Ana Liss, Crys Lucero, Mindy Lull, Danny Maffia, Jeff Markarian, Aidan Markham, Wanda Martinez, Andra Martusciello, Jennifer Mathews, Dennis Mazur, Lisa McIntire, David McLuckie, JoAnne Metzler, Nathaniel Mich, Leann Michael, Aiden Mikhail, Ivellise Millan, Wendy Miller, Deb Mohr, Cristin Monahan, Deborah Monette, David Mooney, Robert Morales, Karen Morris, Matt Morris, Marium Mull, Raine Mull, Evelina Muller, Joe Nardone, Joseph Nolan, Stephanie Nugroho, Konnor O’Bara, Jojo Oberholtzer, Deb Oppenheimer, Meredith Orioli, Kristen Pallen, Reid Papke, Angelica Paucar, Jacquie Payne, Rachel Peller, Manny Pena, Todd Perkins, Desiree Pernaselci, Tony Perri, Shira Peterson, Ana Polashenski, Maya Polashenski, Pam Polashenski, Michael Posato, Ron Pratt, Audet Price, Salvatore Priore, Thomas Privitere, Oliver Puente, Carly Pulver, Myrna Ramirez Laine, Migdalia Ramos, Todd Ranous, Ashley Rath, Michelle Reaves, Dustin Redinger, De-Von Richardson, Michael Riley, Kim Rizzo, Kiree Robinson, Tom Rodwell, Timothy Rollins, Kyle Ronald, Diane Root, Pocho Roque, Andre Ross, Kieran Sahasrabudhe, Jacob Sajinyan, Dezii Santa, Ramil Sapinoro, BJ Scanlon, Gloria Schaaft, Freyda Schneider, Terry Schwartz, Ellen Schwertfeger, Jenna Scott, Mo Seraji, Kim Smith, Abby Snelling, Anne Snelling, Hannah Snelling, Sean Soper, Jeremy Southern, Tim Southern, Dakota Spencer-Berry, Shelly Stam, Keith Stanley, John Tellgren, Leah Terrigino, Sean Thody, Serena Thody, Christopher Thompson, Rollins Tim, Raul Torres, MJ Tower, Jennifer Travet, Dominica Tubiolo, Afzal Ullah, David Valentine, Gabe Vazquez, Geeana Vazquez, Mike Viavattine, Tommy Vincent, Jessica Wallace, Thomas Warfield, Kymm Watts-Jensen, Brooklynn Welden, Nicole Wenzel, Jonathan Wetherbee, Jamie Whitbeck, Sally Whitbeck, David Williford, Lorraine Woerner, Jonathan Wolfinger, Carrie Wolford, Dani Wright, Tristan Wright, Greg Young, Owen Zacharias, Sara Zacharias, Amy Zhan, Neka Zimmerman, and all of the volunteers who helped with Festival decorations!

With almost 450 sponsors, supporters and volunteers we know that we have probably forgotten to thank some people. Please know that we appreciate all of your support and we apologize in advance for any errors or omissions on this list.

Thank you!

AUGUST 2013 • number 470 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

Shoulders to Stand On

Shoulders To Stand On: Giants

By Evelyn Bailey “If I saw further than other men, it was because I stood on the Shoulders of giants.” -Sir Isaac Newton In 1973 there were many GAY giants.

No one thought of themselves in those terms, but in fact their vision and concept of a future of equality and justice gave birth to the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley.

Our 2013 Honorary Pride Grand Marshalls, Whitey LeBlanc and Patty Evans, along with Michael Robertson, William Glave, Vince DiSchino, Howard Cullen, John Cook, Jay Baker and others, had a vision to create a 501c3 corporation whose purposes as stated in the Gay Alliance papers of incorporation were the following: “To research the potential for gay liberation and to secure and to maintain for persons of homosexual orientation, the same rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed by the Constitution. The corporation shall endeavor to improve constantly the quality of life for persons of homosexual orientation and all other peoples through education. The corporation shall endeavor to provide a place for community and conference for all those who recognize the imperative of gay liberation and human liberation.

- To secure by lawful means any and all rights and services due and owing to persons of homosexual orientation or others for whom these rights and services have been denied, restricted or conditioned because of sexual orientation.

- To provide financial assistance to any person, party or organization who seeks to secure for itself or for others by lawful means, whether through the courts, administrative agencies, or otherwise, civil rights for those discriminated against

on the basis of sexual orientation.

- To assist, financially or otherwise, on a temporary basis, those whose civil rights have been or may have been violated.

- To educate and advise members of the public of their civil rights by means of conference, publications, lectures, newspapers, radio, television and other form of communication.

- In no event shall this corporation take any action which would constitute the practice of law by a corporation.

These six mandates provided the Gay Alliance with guidance and direction for the next 40 years. The Gay Alliance in 1973 laid the foundation for the success of the 2013 Gay Alliance Programs: Educational/Outreach Program, Speakers Bureau Program, Intergenerational (Youth and Seniors) Program, Library/ Archives Program, Shoulders To Stand On Program, Rochester Pride and The Empty Closet newspaper, which is the oldest continuously published newspaper in print in the country.

The Gay Alliance has been the incubator for many community organizations, agencies and groups by providing non-profit status under the Gay Alliance “umbrella”, financial support, meeting space, and leadership. A partial list includes Rochester Rape Crisis Center, Dignity/Integrity, Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus, MOCHA, Team Rochester (Gay Olympics), Image Out Film Festival, Dignity/Integrity, RATFA (Rochester Area Task Force on AIDS), Rochester Women’s Chorus, Rochester Transgender Group, Just Us Geezers, ACT Up, Gay Political Caucus, Log Cabin Republicans, Empire State Pride Agenda, AIDS Rochester, GLSEN, PFLAG, Out & Equal Finger Lakes Affiliate, Greater Rochester Gay and Lesbian Business Forum, Marriage Equality New York.

The Gay Alliance has also been a training ground for many political icons, such as Tim Mains, Bill Pritchard, Harry Bronson and Sue Cowell.

As the Gay Alliance celebrates its 40th Anniversary, the Shoulders of Giants that it stands on are many. The vision remains -- equality and justice for all, a world where we all can enjoy same rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Today the Gay Alliance Board – Co-Presidents Bruce Gorman and Emily Jones, Treasurer Peter Mohr, and Board Members David Zona, Jessica Muratore, John Altieri, Jeff Markarian, Chris Hildebrandt and Bill Schaefer – are charged with maintaining the vision and creating a future of equality and justice for all members of the Rochester community.

Be a part of this extraordinary journey – volunteer, become a sustaining donor, join the Gay Alliance, get involved, raise your voice for justice and equality, speak out against homophobia, come out – be

visible, and most of all BE PROUD of who you are and BE PROUD of your Rochester LGBT community!

Shoulders To Stand On recognizes and celebrates these Shoulders of Giants on which we stand, and thanks the Shoulders of Giants in the future – YOU – for continuing to make the vision of equality and justice for all a reality.

History Corner A monthly newsletter of the University of Rochester Gay Liberation Front, August 1973: SUN 3 AUG: “GAY TOWN MEETING” Deciding issues, priorities, directions and policy for Gay Alliance. GAY ALLIANCE CENTER, 812 Brown St., 7:30 p.m.

SUN 12 AUG: “GAYS AS PARENTS” Natural, adoptive and foster children in the gay home. GA CENTER 812 Brown St., 7:30 pm.

SUN 19 AUG: “YA AIN’T GOTTA READ TO USE THE LIBERRY” A sampling of music, art and readings In our GA Library. GA CENTER, 812 Brown St., 7:30pm.

SUN 26 AUG: “DRAG, MALE AND FEMALE IMPERSONATION” A videotape production and other things concerned with a popular gay subculture, GA Center, 812 Brown St., 7:30 pm.

August 15, 1973: Vietnam War: The United States bombing of Cambodia ends.

August 28, 1973: “Monster Mash” goes gold.

1973: year of “Jesus Christ Super Star” and Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock”. Cost of a gallon of gas: 40 cents. Cost of a dozen eggs: 45 cents.

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Shoulders To Stand On apologizes Four members of our community were inadvertently excluded from the Vinnie–Vickie Cup History Panel that was hung in the History Pavilion at Manhattan Square Park during Pride: Vinnie Cup 2007: Todd Plank 2008: Ove Overmyer Vickie Cup 2007: Kay Conheady 2008: Emily Jones I would greatly appreciate it if anyone who knows who the Vinnie-Vickie winners were for the years 1993, 1995 and 2001 through 2006, would please contact Shoulders To Stand On at 2448644.

Once the names for those years have been thoroughly researched, a new panel will take its place in the collection.

My sincere apologies to those whose names were excluded. ■

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013

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 My Home Town: A Zen Lesson

By Eric Bellmann Driving along Clinton Avenue North to my barbershop I passed Hoeltzer Street. As a kid I took piano lessons in a building on that street, a building that also housed the Arena Theater.

I wasn’t good at piano. I never practiced and dreaded the weekly Saturday lessons. But I liked the building because from the second level I could peek into the performing space below. It was my first awareness of theater. The building is long gone, of course. The local arts organization The Arena Group took its name from that theater.

I have spent a lot of time mourning what’s disappeared from the city I grew up in and returned to in my later career years. On the way to the barbershop I pass the boarded up building that once was the RKO Palace Theater. It was a magical, cavernous building with wide marble steps leading down to an elegant men’s room. A kid could pretend to be Scarlett O’Hara walking down those stairs!

That shell is but a block further along from where the stylish, “moderne” Paramount Theater used to be, a space that’s now a parking garage. There were other movie palaces downtown, too: Lowe’s, which stood where Xerox has erected its bland corporate head quarters.

It’s tedious to list what’s gone: Edward’s, The National, B. Forman, Scrantom’s, Sibley’s, Mc Curdy’s, Woolworth’s and Neisner’s, facing one another across Main Street. These were the places you haunted, hung out at if you were a kid who took the bus to music lessons (which you frequently skipped) or to the dentist who had his office in the Sibley Tower Building, or just felt like being “downtown”. Many of those establishments, along with the Rundell Library and The Baptist Temple, had well trafficked men’s rooms. All gone.

Passing decades in the same city makes it inevitable to know and mourn what has changed, what has been lost. A classy ‘50s style pharmacy on Main Street at Plymouth Avenue, which should have been landmarked, ended up as a Chinese restaurant, now its parking lot. A cluster of rickety buildings that housed a news stand and public bathroom is now the Kennedy memorial, a ghastly swirl of metal, serving no aesthetic end.

Things that were eventually were no longer. Times change. Progress. The inner loop took out great hunks of the old Third Ward. Mansions along East Avenue disappeared. RIT left downtown.

The ultimate heartbreak came when I went on one of my biannual shopping expeditions to Sym’s near The Dome in Henrietta, only to discover a hole in the ground. By the time I told a friend we should go to Sym’s in Buffalo it had declared bankruptcy and was no more. I had reached the end of the road: there’s nothing left. Then Midtown was demolished.

It’s not an unusual reaction to sigh and wring one’s hands over loss. Maybe at a subconscious level it reflects diminishing options, loss of choices, sadness over a landscape that changes, offers less beauty, future, adventure.

And then you realize you can cut the crap and change your perspective. I’m astonished and a bit ashamed to realize how long it’s taken me to get a handle on things, to stop making myself unhappy over what’s lost. The answer was there all the time.

Change, which one frequently resists, is above all else, inevitable. Nothing remains the same. Everything changes. It’s the one thing you can bank on. Embrace it. Move towards change with curiosity. I’ve decided it’s the only choice that allows me to live, perhaps even to thrive.

I like the renovation of the Culver Road Armory. I’m working on coming to terms with the new East Avenue Wegmans. The damn rooster is going to take extra energy. The renovated Dryden Theater at The Eastman House is delightful.

And, glory of glories, the Tom Otterness sculpture at MAG is thrilling. There’s more life in the expanded shops surrounding the Public Market.

Man, all it takes to be happy is to shift one’s thinking from what’s wrong to what’s right. Being in the now, being alive in the moment is what every Zen teacher encourages us to embrace.

All things considered I’m fortunate to have this insight. I have that sense, that awareness, in matters concerning the progress and evolution of gay equality. All the changes have delighted me. Why not extend that hopefulness to every aspect of life?

I write this one or two days before the Supreme Court ruling on DOMA will be announced. What changes lie ahead?

Email: elbcad@rit.edu

Faith Matters Black, gay and living in a Voting Rights, NO! Gay Marriage, YES! World

By Rev. Irene Monroe I now have had ample time to recover—from both shock and in awe—from the Supreme Court’s historic decisions announced in the

final week of June.

My awe moment is Wednesday, June 26. It was a great day for me as a lesbian American. Historic decisions in both Windsor v. United States and Hollingsworth v. Perry were announced. Not only was DOMA finally struck down, but, so too, were the anti-gay proponents of Proposition 8.

In a 5–4 decision the progressive and moderate justices of the Supreme Court ruled Section 3 of DOMA to be unconstitutional, declaring it “a deprivation of the liberty of the person protected by the Fifth Amendment.” Finally all same-gender married couples will be afforded the same 1,000 plus federal protections and benefits as opposite- gender couples.

The proponents of Prop. 8 were finally told to cease and desist, meaning they no longer have legally a homophobic leg to stand on in terms of their anti-gay and obstructionist antics to appeal lower court rulings. California same-gender couples no longer have to do an anxious and cautious walk to the altar worrying about state rulings yo-yoing them around.

My shock moments are Monday, June 24 and Tuesday, June 25.

On Monday, the Court, in a surprising 7-1 ruling, sidestepped the hot-button

issue of race in America by throwing the Fisher v. University of Texas back to the lower courts for reconsideration.

The present-day argument against employing race-conscious admission policies as a pedagogical benefit for diversity is being usurped, at least in Texas, with debates that class-conscious admission policies would best achieve racial diversity. The Texas Top Ten Percent Plan purports to accept 10 percent of all high school graduating class to their universities. This policy works well, so alleges the state. But Texas omits telling you why: their neighborhoods and high schools are as unabashedly segregated in 2013 as they were in 1954 when the historic Supreme Court Brown vs. Board of Ed. ruling, deemed segregated schools unconstitutional.

On June 25, the Court hit with another hard blow. In a 5-4 vote from a glaringly ideologically divided court, the lifeline and heart and soul of the historic 1965 Voting Rights Act was gutted.

The Court ruled that Section 4 of the VRA is outdated. Section 4 historically protected African Americans and other disenfranchised people of color. The ruling contests a fictive post-racial premise that racial minorities, especially in the South, no longer confront discriminatory barriers to voting. At the time, the 1965 VRA applied to nine states in South — Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.

But voter suppression is alive and well today.

Just last year, Florida deliberately reduced days available for early voting, making it difficult for voters to cast their ballots who relocated to different counties within the state.

And in Maryland, the 2010 gubernatorial Republican candidate Bob Ehrlich “hired a consultant who advised that ‘the first and most desired outcome is voter suppression,’ in the form of having ‘African-American voters stay home.’”

As a member of one of the early generations to benefit from the gains of the African American civil rights movement of the last century, these rulings hit hard.

Many of us in the LGBTQ community are outraged. But a GLAD board member and beloved ally to Greater Boston knows the reality of voter suppression first hand.

“This ruling was an enormous setback for the hard fought for civil rights gains of the past. My home state of Alabama is one of those states that continues to try and block voting access, but those efforts has been substantially hampered by the provisions contained in the VRA,” Jo Davis wrote in an email blast.

While many of us would like to think voter suppression only happens in the South, let me disabuse you of the notion, with the scores of counties and municipalities in the North, like NYC, the Bronx and my borough of Brooklyn, that was also covered in the 1965 VRA, and will now be greatly impacted.

If the Court thinks the VRA is outdated it only needs to read Huffington Post blogger Judith Brown Dianis’ “Top 10 Voter Suppression Moments of 2012” that overwhelming affected people of color.

The Supreme Court rulings force LGBTQ people of color, like myself, to reside a bifurcated reality in terms of full civil rights protections.

With advances such as hate crime laws, the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the legalization of samesex marriage in many states, DOMA struck down, Prop. 8 overturned, and with homophobia viewed as a national concern, the LGBTQ movement has come a long way since the first Pride marches four plus decades ago. Many note the perceived distance the LGBTQ community has traveled in such a short historic time — from a disenfranchised group on the fringe of America’s mainstream to a community now on the verge of full equality. But not all members of our community have crossed the finish line.

Will the LGBTQ community help those of us, like me, left behind?

Conundrums The Race for Rochester Mayor: Dirty Laundry Exposed

By Ove Overmyer I know most of you are probably familiar with the old expression about the 800 lb. elephant in the room. And, when it comes to the Mayor’s race this year, some clarity needs to be brought to the discussion to figure out how we got to where we are today.

I’m going to share with you what most insiders will not publicly talk about. Call it Democratic dirty laundry. I will offer my unfiltered perspective on this race, and I do it knowing full well it does not come without risk.

It’s no secret the local Democratic Party is cracked in two this election cycle (at least until Primary Election Day).

With that being said, I will give you some insight on why that is the case and what you may want to consider before Democrats cast their votes this September.

First of all, Lovely Warren is no doubt a well-meaning, passionate public servant, but this election was never about her to begin with. You cannot discuss Lovely Warren’s political life without referencing her mentor, NYS Assemblyman David Gantt. They are politically constructed from the same cloth. This election is all about her boss’s super-ego and his inability to get what he thinks is rightfully his.

Gantt is only thinking about his legacy and trying to keep what political capital he has left in a sometimes too long controversial public service career.

The 71-year-old NYS Assemblyman knows his days are numbered, and he is really anxious about getting his surrogates into positions of power. He has been working on getting one of his staff people to run the mayor’s office for a very long time — almost exclusively to the legislative detriment of city residents. On a spring day when the NYS legislature was trying to pass the budget in Albany, Gantt was politicking in Rochester on Warren’s behalf.

Back in March of 2013, there was a nasty little war of words between two of the most powerful Democrats in the state -- Gantt and Assembly Majority Leader and Monroe County Party Chair Joe Morelle of Irondequoit.

It wasn’t too long ago that Monroe County’s Democratic Party stood side by side in support of Tom Richards. In February of 2011, most key politicians stood by him when Richards announced he was running in a special election for mayor.

Things seemed uncharacteristically united, or at least for a while.

Gantt reveals his true feelings In a live March 22 interview with WROC-TV News 8, Gantt said Morelle cut a deal that “now” would be Warren’s time in exchange for their earlier support of Richards. “Now again we’re being told ‘you gotta wait’ after a commitment was made,” said Gantt. “The commitment was made by Joe Morelle and the Democratic Party and now we get to the door and they tell us we gotta wait. We’re tired of waiting.”

News 8’s Tina Shively asked for clarification of his use of the word “we”.

Gantt explained, “The black community -- so let me make that clear. There’s no doubt about that, that’s always been the case.” (He says that as if we never elected a black mayor before. We did -twenty years ago we elected a guy named Bill Johnson.)

In a phone interview with News 8, Morelle responded, saying, “The whole notion is preposterous. Everyone who knows David Gantt knows that’s just David Gantt being David Gantt. It’s what we’ve come to expect. And David knows he has to create some distractions in the campaign because Tom Richards has been

AUGUST 2013 • number 470 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet a remarkable mayor.”

Gantt’s admission is quite revealing — but anyone who knows David Gantt knows he is still fighting a 20th Century fight in a 21st Century world. David Gantt can only see the world through his racial lens. Maybe that style worked for him early in his career, but I feel a new day has already dawned and the community we live in has moved beyond that.

I’m not implying that Mr. Gantt was an incompetent legislator or that we don’t have race issues in Rochester -- in fact he was very effective earlier in his career and we do live in a world of white racism and privilege. However, it also goes without saying that David Gantt evolved into one of the most divisive public officials in recent memory, often delineating respect for people by using conversational overtones riddled with racial and ethnic references. Not only can he be personally offensive to his constituents, he can be downright hostile to anyone who approaches him.

I will spare you the details of my ugly visits to Gantt’s Albany office with Warren by his side when I was his constituent years ago. Suffice it to say, one particular time he personally insulted me, and everyone in his outer office, by saying, “I don’t listen to people who look like you or act like you.”

And let’s not forget one other important fact — David Gantt has never supported any Democratic pro-equality legislation in the history of his state legislative career and everyone in his camp must be held accountable. I would expect this oppression from Conservatives — not Democrats. To name just a few bills, the Gantt camp voted against SONDA in 2002, the Dignity For All Students Act, Marriage Equality several times and GENDA. What more do you need to know?

A dismal anti-equality record Now you might ask, why am I bringing this up now and how does it affect the Mayor’s race? Well, let me explain.

You would think elected officials should have the common decency to use courtesy and respect when talking to constituents, even if you fall into different ideological categories, but that never really crosses the mind of this hostile, crusty curmudgeon. Voting anti-equality is one thing, but poking your finger in someone’s eye is another matter altogether.

I think of Gantt and Warren role playing as “good cop” and “bad cop.” And this observation is more about policy than behavior — because in the final analysis Gantt and Warren relish political theatre and think they are “righting wrongs” while most thoughtful observers may see them as legislative profilers. Moreover, Warren must take some responsibility when it comes to Gantt’s anti-equality voting record while working for his office all these years. She can’t hide from that record. As for her relationship with working families and local labor unions, let’s just say everyone’s with the Richards camp for a very good reason.

Warren has a big gay problem To be clear, the primary difference between pro-LGBT political activists and the Gantt camp is that equality folks don’t throw our Democratic coalition partners under the bus or exclude anyone at the expense of a few. In Gantt’s never ending search for tax dollars to benefit his narrow agenda, many Rochester area folks get marginalized in the process and he could care less. Gantt and Warren have written off gay people, including LGBT folks of color, for a very long time, and have not yet come to the realization that we matter in electoral politics or that we even exist.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Frankly speaking, when it’s all said and done, history will not be kind to them.

At the Eastside Democratic Caucus meeting in March, candidate Warren was asked whether or not she supported overturning DOMA and supported the notion of marriage equality in general.

She replied bluntly, “If it’s the law in New York State, then as a lawyer, I guess I would have to support it.” Not exactly a ringing endorsement the Democrats in the room wanted to hear. As a matter of fact, there were some who openly gasped at her remarks. As a result, she only garnered six out of the possible 78 votes from the 23rd Legislative District, the majority vote going to Tom Richards.

Asked the same question the week after at another designation meeting, Warren changed her direction as she told the 24th LD committee members, “I don’t believe government should tell people who to love.” All I can say is, how politically convenient to change your opinion after you realized you made a huge political miscalculation underestimating the overwhelming Democratic support for equality.

Warren made an appearance at the Rochester Pride Flag Raising Ceremony on July 19, stating that she has changed her negative opinion of LGBT people, and one has to wonder, if it wasn’t an election year, would she have made the effort?

Gantt and Warren have possessed the notion of controlling the mayor’s office for a very long time. With that idea in mind comes the political realization that every Democratic mayor since Bill Johnson has been a supporter for full equal rights and a champion of LGBT issues.

This is illustrated by the fact that the City of Rochester has passed more inclusive policy language changes as any other progressive municipality in the nation, as well as implementing domestic partner benefits dating back to 1994. She also knows that no Democratic candidate can win the office of Mayor without the pro-equality Democratic Committee voter base, the LGBT community and our allies, or the labor vote. Her numbers to victory must include new voters not identified, otherwise she cannot win.

Mayor Tom Richards: A partner in good government Even if you dismiss everything I have said previously, one thing you have to admit is that in such a short period of time, Tom Richards has proven to be one

of the best mayors we could have possibly hoped for. In my opinion, judged on the basis of his job performance, his ability to build relationships, bring diverse people together and assessing his overall governmental acumen, this race should be no contest.

If anything, this election should primarily be about vision and the ability to govern; we should put secondary talk of race, status, regionalism or identity politics off to the side. Despite the ironic Gantt and Warren shortcomings on equality issues, it is my hope voters will also look at several other issues that tell a more complex narrative.

The fact is Mayor Tom Richards has been the total package. I know this from personal experience. As a LGBT city employee and democratically elected union official who negotiates collective bargaining agreements, I have worked with four different mayors and dozens of city council persons spanning 16 years. I represent thousands union workers who live and work in the City, and I can honestly say that in my opinion, we have never had a better leader than Tom Richards.

Unlike his opponent, he has a great working relationship with the business community and the private sector and public sector trade unions. Richards has already demonstrated a vision and ability to improve public safety, balance budgets, create private sector jobs and improve our educational efforts through literacy, supporting our libraries and facilitating open communication with the RCSD. He is already doing this job. Just look at his record. It speaks for itself. Rochester is going places.

And, right now, he is partnering with City Councilman Matt Haag to champion a policy improving workplace equality for LGBT people, while every indication would tell us his opponent would not be as supportive. Every time I’m around him, he is without a doubt always the smartest guy in the room and respects everyone at the table.

The irony here cannot be overstated.

For the Warren campaign to promote an inclusive “we the people” platform is just political hogwash and laugh-out-loud funny. LGBT people and our allies are smarter than that. And to be perfectly honest, it is offensive to suggest otherwise. For two local Democrats who have such a great desire to make Rochester a better community, you would think they would have learned by now how to use more diplomacy when offending constitu-

23 ents and trying to parse the vote by using identity politics. Their actions and voting record tell voters all they really need to know about their personal and political leanings.

In conclusion, please don’t lose your focus while the campaigns fight it out.

When you sort through all the rhetoric, what remains is the notion that this is really not about the candidates at all.

This election is about you and me and whether or not everyone will thrive and grow as a community. Think about that for a moment. Please do yourself and your loved ones a favor — make sure all your voices are heard on Primary Election Day, and vote on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

A Few Bricks Short The Buzz

By David Hull Living in the country for many years now has certainly made me more aware of natural and seasonal changes around me.

It used to be all I had to know about seasonal changes was “don’t wear white after Labor Day” and “no matter how cold a summer night gets; socks with sandals is always a faux pas”.

But now, living in a rural, farming community, I’m much more attuned to the natural world around me – early frosts, too much precipitation, too little precipitation, infestation of corn borers (gross little insects that destroy sweet corn) and low ground water levels. I feel like I could be a reporter for the Farmer’s Almanac!

“This is David Hull reporting for the Farmer’s Almanac. The woolly bear caterpillars are especially large this year indicating a cold winter and I’m noticing a build-up of cumulonimbus clouds in the Western sky, which could bring drastic changes to the weather for tonight. Also, Kohl’s is having a shoe sale this weekend that should be fabulous!”

No, that won’t ever happen. Actually, I don’t know anything about caterpillars or clouds and my husband rarely lets me go to shoe sales anymore. Besides, the Farmer’s Almanac is an annual periodical, not a hip radio station, so the whole idea won’t work.

However, I do know about one especially interesting and disturbing event in

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013

(Columnists continued from page 23) the natural world. It’s called Colony Collapse Disorder and it’s affecting honeybees all over North America. Bees that help farmers to pollinate crops have been disappearing, apparently, leaving the hive in the morning and never returning. No one knows where or why they go. And because of this, bee communities are falling apart, beekeepers are losing money and farmers aren’t getting enough of their crops pollinated resulting in smaller harvests.

The worst part is that no one seems to really understand why this disorder is occurring. Some theories are air pollution, climate change or agricultural insecticide poisoning. Any one of them makes sense.

The world certainly is becoming more polluted. The summer and winter weather has been very strange the last couple of years. And I always wonder what the heck those farmers are spraying on their crops when they have to wear the full white body suit with headgear just to drive the tractor that pulls the liquid insecticide sprayer. The reason for Colony Collapse Disorder could be any one of these theories or perhaps a combination of all three.

I, however, have a theory of my own – and as usual, I think I’m correct. I theorize that the bees are returning to their mother ship. That’s right; honeybees are actually alien drone creatures sent from another planet to observe life on Earth. It makes perfect sense!

I remember learning back in elementary school that, according the laws of aerodynamics, bees should not be able to fly. It has something to do with their wing size to body size ratio and how fast they are able to beat their wings. Bees should not be able to take off at all. Since the laws of aerodynamics work for flamingos and hummingbirds and bats and mosquitoes, then why not for bees?

Well, obviously, there’s something different about bees. There’s something almost alien about bees if you know what I’m saying. I can prove it. Just apply my simple, infallible C.B.A. test. That’s the abbreviation for “Comic Book Alien” test.

It will prove my theory immediately.

Here’s how it works – in the comic books Batman is just a regular, human, earthling from Gotham City and he can’t fly. Superman is an alien from another planet and… he can fly! Now humans, according to the laws of aerodynamics and the fact that we lack wings, feathers and hollow bones, are not able to fly. But Superman can fly. And why? Because he is an alien.

So, if bees are not suppose to be able to fly there must only be one obvious reason and it is as clear as that big red S on Superman’s chest – bees are aliens. And they’ve been on Earth observing us for thousands of years – as far back as ancient Egypt!

But now bees are disappearing. Why? Well, I’m not sure, but (what a surprise!)

I have a theory about it. It is one of either two things.

One, the bees have finished their observations and they are leaving the planet in an orderly fashion because the war ships from their home planet are approaching to destroy the Earth.

Or, Earth is in such bad shape with pollution, war, famine, disease and the abysmal fall line-up of TV shows, that the bees know it’s a hopeless cause and they’re just giving up and returning home.

So, whether you accept my theory or the theory of those experienced, educated scientists, it seems the solution is really the same. It’s up to us. We either clean up our act or the bees are gone. We have to work to control pollution and insecticide use,

focus on trying to end to war, famine and disease and hope that Sean Hayes’ new TV series will be a success. Then, perhaps, the bees will return.

Otherwise, my husband tells me the only hope for a good cherry crop from our trees next spring will be for me to dress in a giant bee costume and skip through the garden pollinating the cherry blossoms with my… well, oh, let’s say; my finger.

And nobody wants to see that!

For more information on this problem Google Colony Collapse Disorder and you’ll get the entire “buzz” about the situation.

Contact David at davidhull59@aol.com

Cleaning My Closet Witnessing

By Meredith Elizabeth Reiniger I came out in Cuba. That was not the primary reason for the trip.

Just another swing of that closet door opening again and again.

Out-from-the-closeting occurred before the trip, when the east coast director of Witness for Peace assumed that I was the intimate partner of my male travel companion. I had to disabuse her of that heterosexual assumption. I eased into the revelation. No, I explained, we live in different houses. (Which, I certainly realize does not discount the possibility of dropin bed frolics.)

I zeroed in: “We are frugal friends of forty-three years with fixed incomes and flexible plans. Willing to share a room.”

(Rumble in my head: Ready, set, OUT!) “Actually,” (for a breath or two, I perform guesswork… her words, her tone… do LGBTIQQ always experience wariness?) … “actually, I am a lesbian.” She missed not a beat: “Oh, then I will have to cancel the wedding suite in the dormitory.”

Once we two upstate delegates arrived at Havana’s Martin Luther King Jr. Center, speculation surfaced. Probably because we were housed in the building with married couples. Oh, and spent eleven days in one dorm room together. In the same BEDroom. Oh that.

Soon enough, the word popped out of one delegate’s lips. Husband. “Is your husband ready to board the bus?” Many ears were waiting. Raising my voice to assure everyone’s lesson-learning, I addressed a busload of straight people: “Oh no. I stopped collecting husbands long ago. I am a lesbian.”

A lesbian ready to explore another social justice issue. A visitor ready to learn about Cuba’s realities. An able elder willing to commit ten 13-hour days listening to Cuban persons. In the heat.

Have to admit that it was a challenge.

Glad to report that my wide-brimmed hat and full-body linen drapings successfully produced Portable Shade. Neither exhaustion nor bugs took me away from educational experiences planned by the Witness for Peace coordinators.

The power of those experiences was our face to face meetings. Some persons… a journalist, an historian, and King Center’s coordinator of solidarity with the U.S. …presented an overview of Cuba’s past, its transitions, its future. Other helpful Cuban citizens invited us to their workplace… a center for senior adults and a doctor’s neighborhood clinic, both part of Cuba’s national health care system, and a visit to Maria’s urban, organic, co-oper-

ative farm.

Loved the farm and its story. I was very impressed by choices for sustainability. Horses pull wagons. Oxen pull plows. (“Quaint” popped into my ethnocentric mind.) But animals do not need gasoline (an expensive pollutant of land, air, water). And those animals, as well as rapidly-reproducing rabbits, produce loads of non-chemical fertilizer.

Being an ever-attentive traveler, I had questioned Maria. “I see no cats, but I notice your dogs. Do they have jobs?”

Smiling, she explained “Yes, the dogs, who know all 162 of us, work at night.

As our alarms. We do have cats. They are hanging around the kitchen, waiting for our organic mice.”

The farmers achieve sustainability with natural solutions. They plant a row of corn between primary crops because hungry insect pests prefer corn. They spread piles of plant materials between avocado trees to make sun dried compost. They utilize large box containers for their worm-workers to make humus fertilizer. As an urban farm, they have no transportation costs… they sell to neighborhood residents at a reasonable price.

Lesson to remember: the sustainable farm project was not going back to old days. It is going conscientiously forward.

Especially amazing to me was being welcomed into the lecturers’ homes.

Who invites twenty-two foreigners into their living room? Cuban persons eager to tell their stories. Cubans who appreciate the power of person to person conversations. People who know that the personal is political.

I knew my government had created a complex blockade to prevent free trade with Cuba. Had learned how the USA, for many years, has been treating Cuba as though it were a wayward child, punished until it agrees to obey Uncle Sam. Until I visited their Caribbean island, I could not have understood what dire consequences, surely exacerbated by their own government, Cuban persons suffer. Yes, there is great deprivation during this “Special Period.”

But they still have their close-knit families, their paradise island, and “now, in this moment” they can still laugh.

Does Cuba have socialism? Communism? Powerful labels. (And have we LGBTIQQ persons not felt the force of Limitation by Label?) Like all labels, wicked words that obscure possibilities. What I witnessed in Cuba was people doing their best to create the right thing... for the land, others, the self.

Farmer Maria cannot get netting to cover fields of seedlings. Artist Saul cannot buy drawing pencils. Potter Ophelia has limited glazes. Doctor Rojas cannot procure medicines needed for her patients. For all Cubans, supplies are expensive or non-existent.

Food is rationed. Wages are low. Spirits are high.

In Cuba, spirits are willing to fly.

Ophelia Sotolongo had been an architect. Until she asked herself “what am I doing with my life?’ She quit. Changed her career to “potter.” Then she spent five years building her kiln on her small front patio. Her potter’s bench is a two foot by three foot table at the foot of her bed. Lesson to internalize: we make our own heaven or hell.

Artist Saul Serrano Serrano shared his life, his home, his artwork with us. He is a peasant farmer, born in the fields. Encouraged by his parents to pursue his schooling, he became an art professor. Recently, at 60, he retired to dedicate time to his own art projects.

I felt a connection. We came from parents willing to help us take a step up from their humble beginnings. Both teachers, we are now ready to give endless days to our creativity.

Surrounded by artist’s tools, materials, finished and just-started pieces, my thoughts drifted across the ocean to my

own evolving space. Recently vacated by my ex, that room is now painted BRIGHT BOLD yellow, a shouting color that muffles leftover memories. A room waiting.

“It is my honor to be with you. You are all delicate; I can feel it.” Saul’s voice recalled my attention, back to Cuba, back to his creative energy, to his worktable, all his brushes poking out of their pots and mugs and canisters, waiting for him. And I then realized. Art is his companion.

Lesson to embrace. My yellow room will be my studio. Art will be my companion.

MeredithElizabethReiniger@gmail.com

Inspiritual You are more than a number

By Rev. Dr. Sharon Jacobson We had just finished healing harbor last night. I was feeling spiritually fulfilled that we had been able to provide healing to so many people. At the same time, I was physically exhausted, my body ached from the rain, my eyes itched from my allergies, and every cell in my being just wanted to crawl into bed.

It had been a marvelous and enriching day and then one of my healing staff said something, which just made the whole day a little brighter. “I really like your hair like that.”

All I could do was take a deep breath and say “thank you.” The funny thing was that I have wanted to shave it all off again, but Zoe has been encouraging me to let it grow.

I had to stop for a moment and think about why I had to breathe first. Then it hit me, that it was her compliment and the look in Zoe’s eyes that had reminded me that what makes us beautiful is not a number on the scale which says you are the ideal weight or you are underweight, overweight, or as my medical records say, morbidly obese. What makes us beautiful is who we are in this world.

I was having a conversation with one of my spiritual partnership clients one day. At the end of our conversation, she said, “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met.” At 350 lbs., this is not something I hear everyday. I remember asking her what made her see me that way. The look on her face was priceless.

“Seriously? You are the most amazing soul. You are the most beautiful human being I have ever met.”

It is moments like that, which remind me how easy it is for those of us who are not the “ideal weight” to buy into the notion that we are not beautiful because of what a scale says. The reality, however, is that we are more than a number on a scale. When I step on a scale at the doctor’s office, all it tells me is a number.

It does not tell me anything more than that. It does not tell me about my capacity for life. It does not measure my happiness. It does not measure the feeling my friends and clients have when they walk into the spiritual space my wife and I have created.

I have never gotten on a scale and had it say, “I really like your hair like that.”

I have never gotten on a scale and had it say, “Thanks for taking the time to listen to me and showing me compassion.” I have never gotten on a scale and had it pray with me in a time of need or encourage me to persevere when I was going through a challenging time in life.

I have never gotten on a scale and had it say thank you.

We live in a time when others may say or do things in an attempt to make one feel as if they are more or less worthy in the world based on a number a machine gives you. So remember this.

You are more than just a number. You are more than you evaluate yourself to be.

You are the beauty which flows from your

AUGUST 2013 • number 470 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet soul. You are the gifts the Infinite Presence blessed you with. You are who you were created to be and are in the process of becoming. You are the life force, which flows out of and through you. You are the strength, grace, mercy, wisdom, and compassion you demonstrate and share with others. You are the one who was created by love, in the image of love, to be and share love with all other reflections of love in the world.

If you need to weigh something in your life, weigh the love that you produce in the world each day. Weigh the love you have for yourself. You are not a number on a scale; you are more than any scale can ever measure.

What’s Bothering Brandon?

What if God was Gay Like Us?

By Brandon W. Brooks Driving to work this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to see a very large rainbow flag hanging from the Third Presbyterian Church on East Avenue. This flag, a symbol of LGBT Pride and unity, hung prominently amongst the dark grayish-brown bricks of the church, positioned facing the street for all to see. Presumably for Rochester Pride Week, I was quite pleased to see a church actively affirming and welcoming LGBT persons into the religious world, and ultimately, into the world of God. I often cringe when thinking about the interface between religious groups and the LGBT population. I cringe for two reasons; one being that many religious groups (who almost always assert a “God is Love” message) are vehemently anti-gay, and two being that the common reaction of LGBT persons to this hate is, well, more hate. Whether or not one is religious is really none of my concern.

What is of my concern, and should be one of the concerns of the LGBT population at large, is what kind of message this gives our children, as well as the LGBT youth demographic.

Having been raised in the Roman Catholic tradition myself (and by turning on my television, radio and computer), I have become acquainted with the many hateful and discouraging messages concerning and directed toward the LGBT population. Some religious groups indirectly (and infuriatingly) state their position on homosexuality with phrases like, “We don’t hate the person; we hate the Sin.” Leviticus 18 is often quoted as “proof” of God’s stance on gays, whether or not this is indeed a mistranslation.

Others seem to be more direct and concise in their sentiments: “God Hates Fags.”

The majority of religious messages with which I am presented are overwhelmingly anti-gay, anti-LGBT and anti-woman. But these messages go beyond just my adult ears; they are heard by children as well. Straight and LGBT children. These messages come from a place of fear and uncertainty, which so easily can manifest into intolerance, hatred and demonization, really for any demographic or group.

These messages perpetuate the idea that LGBT persons are “Godless”, that we do not believe in God, or that we hate God as much as God supposedly hates us. It tells our adult and youth LGBT brothers and sisters that there is something so terribly wrong with us, that we must forego any attempt to forge a meaningful relationship with God, as our attempts will not be reciprocated. It tells LGBT persons that we are incapable of believing in or seriously considering a religious following or faith, as it is not made for us. We do not fit, and therefore we should stop trying to fit. Forget the choice to be happily atheist; if you’re

LGBT, you are apparently predisposed to this destiny.

Abrahamic-based intolerance towards the LGBT population is, sadly, nothing new. But what is relatively new (and what can be controlled), is the LGBT population’s reaction and response to this hatred. One would think (or hope) that a demographic that is demonized for being true to themselves would respond to this intolerance with wisdom, patience and love. What I am seeing is anything but.

I have only recently become acquainted with a growing group of individuals who call themselves Gays Against God. Taking a look at this group’s mission statement, the assertions made are strong and clearly state a stark hostility towards not only Christianity, but all religions around the world. Gays Against God states that “…we are GLBT people at war with religion…”, and that they “… counter-act the control and fear-based brainwashing techniques…” of religious groups in order to eventually “…eliminate religion within our lifetime….”

My, my, such high hopes they have.

Looking past the obvious generalizations and unrealistic goals of this group, I would like to address how these statements and sentiments are essentially identical to those made by anti-gay religious groups. These statements are also fear-based, commanding, and perpetuate hatred not only towards religious groups, but also back at the LGBT population.

These messages reaffirm the idea that “God Hates Fags” by stating that LGBT persons cannot, and should not, be religious in any way.

This emphasizes the destructive force that religion can fuel, while completely neglecting to mention the many possible positives that religion can cultivate.

And they have the nerve to talk about brainwashing. By focusing only on the negatives of religion, and how religion in any form can only bring negativity to LGBT persons, Gays Against God’s (a supposed gay-friendly and gay-oriented group) message for LGBT persons echoes that of the Westboro Baptist Church; God doesn’t love you, and it’s because you’re gay.

In the words of Cher Horowitz, “As if!”

As a gay American, I have the freedom to choose and practice (or not to practice) whatever religion, faith, beliefsystem or sect I like. These anti-gay religious factions as well as Gays Against God seem to have forgotten this idea; that in America all people have the freedom to practice whatever religion they choose to practice (or not to practice).

I am disheartened to hear that some LGBT persons have arranged themselves into a group that chooses to address antigay religious hatred with anti-religious gay hatred (try saying that five times fast), especially when there so many more positive ways of showing disapproval for anti-gay religious fervor.

Whether or not we as LGBT persons should choose to be atheist is not the question; my question is why must we completely deny the validity of religion in any form in order to combat religious intolerance towards LGBT persons? Must we truly establish our religious beliefs in reaction to the hate-based doctrines of anti-gay religious groups?

Questions regarding biblical interpretations, translations or mistranslations, belief or disbelief I’m sure could go on forever. But in the meantime let us all take a page from our religious scriptures on kindness towards others, and actively (and genuinely) practice them. Not on our friends and loved ones, but on those who really need it: our adversaries.

Questions, comments or critique?

Please feel free to e-mail the author at brandonbrooks@mail.adelphi.edu. ■

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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 August 2013.

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

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

3rd Sunday: Quiet Episcopal Mass in the Chapel.

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

Our Potluck theme for August is “Wrapping up the Summer”. Okay, we’re still playing with words and food. This time we’ll make our own wrap sandwiches. There should be plenty of tasty fillings or wraps available. Bring your favorite and share it with everyone else. No time to cook or shop? Just ask a friend or two and join us for food and fun!

Our garage sale at the end of June was a moderate success, in spite of the torrential rains. We plan to have another one “some day” this summer… when the weather forecast is fine, we’ll put out a sign… watch for it and plan to shop and save!

Fr. Michael Nicosia’s visit on July 7 was fantastic. It was great to see him actually do all he’s been called to do… preach, celebrate, serve and bless. We all enjoyed catching up with his life in Denver, especially learning that he married his partner in June (civil unions in Colorado were just made legal).

Calendar Keepers: Save a spot on your calendar for our Labor Day Picnic, Sunday, Sept. 1 following the 5 p.m. service.

Later in September there will be a special fifth Sunday presentation on transgender issues. In October we’ll be celebrating our 38th anniversary.

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

EMPIRE BEARS Summer’s half over! Quick, enjoy yourself! The BEARS have been trying.

We went to Hillside Campground for a Bear weekend with old friends. Then Jones Pond Campground had a Bear weekend attended by many area bears.

Have you been camping this summer?

There’s still time. Check out their websites.

Rochester Pride weekend was fun. Picnics and parties make the summer. We’re still going to movies in the cool dark of The Cinema. Every Wednesday we eat supper at 6 at The Wintonaire. How’s your summer going? Join the BEARS for some fun.

Flower City Pride Band With our musical season in full swing, it’s still a great time to join us!

The band is open to all adult LGBT

musicians and allies, of all skill levels.

We welcome musicians on any traditional band instrument, flags, baton twirlers and volunteers.

The summer season will include performances at Rochester Pride, the annual Breast Cancer Walk in October and other community events. During the summer we have primarily marching and pep band performances, so it is an easy time to join the band… and join the fun!

Flower City Pride is a member of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association. As such, our members are eligible to perform at LGBA events, as some did for the 2009 Obama Inauguration.

For more information, email us at info@flowercitypride.com or you can leave a message for us by calling (614)8063820. Please leave your phone number or e-mail address.

LORA The L.O.R.A. Coffee Social is held on Monday nights at 7 p.m. at Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. Family, friends and allies are welcome!

Contact Person: Cathie Timian. More info: www.l-o-r-a.com; Email: info@l-or-a.com.

Out & Equal Join us at our Second Thursday Networking Event on Aug. 8 at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, 165 Court St. from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

There will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine/beer selections with a $5 donation to benefit Rainbow SAGE and a 50/50 raffle and prizes, also to benefit Rainbow SAGE. Free parking is available in the BCBS underground garage, with the entrance located at 20 Woodbury Blvd., across from Merkel Donahue. Please note: Parking at the city owned Court Street garage is not free. ■

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013

The Avenue Pub 38 Year Landmark in the Gay Community

The Avenue Pub 522 Monroe Avenue 585-244-4960

AUGUST 2013 • number 470 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

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Photo: Tammy Swales

Arts & Entertainment

Kasha Davis, Diane Chevron to host benefit concert

By Susan Jorday Broadway is coming to Rochester! “Give to Live Rochester,” featuring an all-star cast, takes the JCC Hart Theatre stage Saturday, Aug. 17, with proceeds benefiting Trillium Health (formerly AIDS Care) in Rochester and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, based in New York City.

General admission is $15, which includes the reception before the performance, featuring an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, coffee, etc.

Rochester actress Diane Chevron and “International Celebrity Housewife” Mrs. Kasha Davis will emcee, as local stars perform pop and Broadway tunes.

Kasha told The Empty Closet, “I’m looking forward to hosting this with Diane Chevron.

We’re friends but have never actually performed together.”

Co-producer and performer Michael Ciaccia said, “We have show tunes and are putting together songs. Our arranger Marc Cataldi is writing an arrangement inspired by ‘Glee’.”

Kasha said, “I am doing an adaptation of ‘Hello Dolly’ -now it’s ‘Hello Kasha,’ with several male dancers. I’m going to improvise the lyrics!”

There are 15 people in the cast and they have been planning the event for three months and rehearsing since July 8. A three-piece band will accompany

the performers.

“Give to Live Rochester” was first produced by Rochester-based performers Michael Ciaccia and Laura Marron in summer 2010. The new show is again a showcase for local performers who share a love for theater and a passion for raising awareness about the continuing AIDS crisis.

Jeff Clair, Danielle Colombo, Dresden Engle, Robyn FazioLasser, Erin Koch, Brian Maxwell, Matthew Mayne, Lauren McDonough, Janine Mercandetti and Bethany Rahn, as well as Ciaccia and Marron, will perform. All performers are donating their work.

The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center’s Hart Theatre, which has been generously donated for the event by Ralph Meranto, artistic director at the JCC CenterStage. The activities begin at 6 p.m. with the reception and a silent auction, which will include gift packages from area businesses and Broadway memorabilia from Tony®nominated shows.

Michael said, “We have a slew of auction items, like tickets to ‘Me and Jezebel’ with Kasha at Blackfriars. There will be lots of Broadway memorabilia and local gift certificates, like for Trata (The New Restaurant At The Armory), Good Luck and more.”

Kasha pointed out, “One of the biggest donations was Ralph

Meranto and JCC donating the use of the theatre for free.”

As far as the message of the evening, Michael said, “I think it’s important to educate. People feel AIDS is over and something in the past. It’s important to understand there’s still a need for preventive action. Beyond that, there are individuals who still need care, and it’s also important to remember those who were lost, as well as celebrate them.

That’s why I was quick to say yes when I was asked to do this.

“Trillium Health will be working with Kasha and Diane to let them know what key points to emphasize. We will have lighthearted songs but also serious ballads, for instance ‘Louder Than Words’ from Tick Tock Boom: ‘Actions speak louder than words.’”

“None of us could have imagined that HIV and AIDS would be with us 30 years after the initial cases were discovered,” said Steven Price, senior director of Community Health Initiatives at Trillium Health. “We are now able to offer messages of hope, however, because medical advances enable people engaged in HIV care to live long, productive lives. Events like ‘Give to Live Rochester’ keeps HIV/ AIDS visible in our community, reminding us of our history and compelling us to continue the battle against HIV.” Michael said, “It’s going to be a fun and entertaining evening for a good purpose.” Kasha added, “I look forward to any opportunity for a free glass of wine – and singing and dancing with friends – any excuse to get out of the house and away from housework!”

Venue: JCC Hart Theatre, 1200 Edgewood Ave., Rochester, NY 14618; 585-461-2000.

Tickets: $15, available at the JCC box office (585-461-2000) or at www.jccrochester.org starting July 19.

On Social Media: facebook.com/givetolive.rochestergivetoliverochester.blogspot. com ■

Pandora Boxx to star in episode of gay dramedy “People You Know” Orchard Winfield Productions has announced that Pandora Boxx and Steve Hayes have signed on to play Adora Jarr and Patrick Carter, respectively, in the new gay dramedy “People You Know.”

Pandora is a break-out star of RuPaul’s Drag Race and was “Miss Congeniality” of the second season. Entertainment Weekly named her “America’s Next Drag Superstar.” Pandora created the stand-up comedy show “Lick this Boxx!,” which recently ran off-Broadway. She emceed the NYC Pride rally, sharing the stage with Layd Gaga. She also performs other shows around the world. In People you Know Episode 3, she plays a washed-up has-been drag queen schlepping drinks at a gay bar.

“Pandora is THE comedy queen, and in ‘People You Know’ she plays a twisted parody of herself – to hilarious degree! She’ll steal every scene she’s in!” says series co-creator Baltimore Russell, who plays Monty in the show.

Steve will play Patrick Carter in a recurring role for Episodes 3 and 6 of “People You Know.” Steve is a three-time MAC award winner and a long-time veteran of the NY stage. He is best known for his performances in the films Trick and Big Gay Musical. He hosts his own web show Steve Hayes: Tired Old Queen at the Movies.

“People You Know” is a new media series that exposes the ambitions and relationships of a tight-knit group of friends in the city that never sleeps. Episode 1 is complete, and filming began on July 8 for five new episodes. All six episodes are slated for release fall 2013. ■

Geva hosts “Fight with Love” revue benefit Aug. 2-4 Geva Theatre Center will host “Fight With Love,” the annual musical theatre revue to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, in the Geva Nextstage Aug. 2–4.

Now in its seventh year, “Fight With Love” stands as a symbol of the commitment of local youth in the theatre community to use their art to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

“Fight with Love 2013” is an endeavor that has been taken on with love, courage, and a compassionate eye on rhythm and musicality. The vision for “Fight With Love” is to take the emotional journey of people with AIDS and tell their story through an exhilarating combination of song and dance. This year’s production showcases some of Rochester’s brightest and most talented young artists, each telling the story with vitality and eagerness. The show allows a wide audience to connect and relate to those affected by AIDS in both thematic and pragmatic ways. Now in its seventh year, “Fight With Love” is continuing to fight for people who suffer from AIDS by telling their stories and raising awareness.

Young performers are drawn from area high schools with many local performers home on summer vacation from attending colleges through-

out the Northeast such as Point Park University, Pace University, The College at Brockport, SUNY Fredonia State, Fordham University, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and University of Buffalo.

Featuring songs from such popular musicals as West Side Story, Rent, Side Show, Sweet Charity, Brooklyn, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Merrily We Roll Along, Into the Woods, Godspell, Follies and Newsies, “Fight with Love” acts as an avenue (Geva continues page 28)

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013

NYC’s High Line gets a little bit gayer

By Out.com Editors The gay art duo Gilbert and George will bring a version of their 1984 manfilled mural to Manhattan’s High Line.

The High Line will get a little bit gayer this fall when the billboard adjacent to the elevated park — that has hosted other queer artists such as photographer Ryan McGinley — exhibits a version of Gilbert & George’s 1984 photographic, stained glass-simulating

mural “Waking” (which is in the permanent collection of the Guggenheim Bilbao) that shows various sizes of the gay art duo surrounded by men and boys in flamboyant makeup and clothing.

Gilbert & George’s signature style coalesced in large, brightly colored photo montages, often backlit to resemble stained glass and incorporating buttonpushing symbols (swastikas, crucifixes, roses, flags) and provocative text (“cock,”

“scum,” “fucked up”). As self-described “living sculptures,” they insist they live their whole lives as art; they’re prone to rude jokes, are rarely seen dressed in anything but matching suits or apart from one another, and keep slavishly to a peculiar daily schedule.

Although the original artwork seemed massive, at approximately 36-feet wide, the billboard is 75-feet in length, so does that mean we’ll get more boys to marvel

at while strolling by?

“With all the talk today about urban life and gay marriage,” High Line Art curator Cecilia Alemani told the New York Times, “it seems even more appropriate now.”

The High Line Billboard will exhibit the bold work from September 3 through October 1, but we already wish it would be a permanent feature. ■

(Geva continued from page 27) for audience members to both be entertained and challenged by the material.

All proceeds from “Fight With Love” will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a national organization providing assistance to those struggling with HIV/AIDS all over the country. Over the past six years, “Fight With Love” has raised over $18,000 for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. This benefit offers the unique chance to experience a production that emerged completely from the talent and leadership of Rochester youth. Geva has donated their space for the performance. Donated desserts will be sold at intermission for the charity, showcasing some of Rochester’s best sweets, and great prizes will be raffled off including gift certificates to area eateries, tickets to area theatres and items from Broadway Cares.

Performance schedule: Friday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. and 7p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 4 at 5 p.m. Ticket Prices: $10. Group rates for groups of 15 or more are available. Reservations: 232-Geva or www.gevatheatre.org. Location: Fielding Nextstage, Geva Theatre Center, 75 Woodbury Blvd., Rochester, NY 14607. ■

with streams running through,” remarked Schaefer.

The campsites are as diverse as the campers. From the most primitive tent sites to a ranch house with all the accommodations of home, Jones Pond caters to anyone with a taste for the outdoors.

The campground boasts many amenities including an in-ground swimming pool with deck, pond, shower house, café, lounge, barn, campfire pit, and memorial garden.

Campers travel from as far as Texas and Florida to visit Jones Pond. “This year we’re tapping into the Canadian market,” Schaefer remarked, “People don’t know what Jones Pond is in Toronto.”

The new owners have easily distributed their workload, as they each possess their own expertise. McCormick finds himself in a financial role while Schaefer is more adept in operational functions.

“We have picked up Doug and Steve’s model,” said Schaefer. “They had very separate, distinct responsibilities.”

According to McCormick, the biggest challenge as owners of the campground is prioritizing the needs of the campground and campers while staying within a strict budget. The couple has developed a strong line of communication with the seasonal campers, aiding them in making these difficult decisions.

Both Schaefer and McCormick agree that the tradition requires commitment.

“We need to keep the tradition of Jones Pond, at the same time putting our spin on things,” Schaefer commented.

A current template for success is the themed weekends. “Themes attract certain groups such as bears, leather men and cowboys,” said McCormick. “These are some established things that will never change.”

“The infrastructure is here,” Schaefer added, “now we just want to build on that.”

With fresh ideas and a respect for tradition, McCormick and Schaefer have ventured down the path to a successful future at Jones Pond Campground. If you haven’t checked it out yet this summer, there is still time!

East Ave. on Sept. 7.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. and will feature a variety of musical entertainment, food, drinks, and auction items. The event-planning committee is comprised of several volunteers from the Greater Rochester area. Chris and Lisa Cove, longtime supporters of Trillium Health, will serve as honorary chairs alongside James Wolk and William M. Valenti, M.D., co-founder and staff physician.

“HIV has not gone away and neither has the White Party,” says Valenti. “Last

year’s event was a huge success for both Trillium Health and the Rochester community. We plan on making it even bigger and better this September.”

This year’s entertainment will include Krypton 88, Trinidad and Tobago Steel Drum Band, drag performances, and music by DJ Naps (Mike Napoli). Funds raised at this event will benefit comprehensive medical care, including HIV specialty care and research, as well as new programs such as LGBT and women’s health.

Jones Pond’s future looks bright

By Darren W. Plunkett Nestled in the hills of Genesee Valley in Western New York, Jones Pond Campground provides its all-male campers with an escape from city life.

Opened in May 1990, Jones Pond has given gay men an outdoor getaway. In the beginning, the campground had many trials, but with the recent tenure of owners Doug Bachman and Steve Allen, Jones Pond became a highlight of many WNY summers. Now the campground’s future looks even brighter with its recent sale to a Canadian couple.

Matt McCormick and Bryan Schaefer have renounced the 9 to 5 drudgery for something simpler, yet challenging. The former VP of Customer Service and VP of Human Resources have been Jones Pond campers for nearly 20 years. Now they are in charge.

The campground lies on over 120 acres of diverse landscape and showcases over 170 campsites. “You have everything from open fields to wooded areas

White Party returns to Century Club Sept. 7 Rochester’s White Party, a fundraising event to benefit Trillium Health (formerly AIDS Care), will return to the historic Century Club of Rochester located at 566

Allison Snyder-Nichols shows work at Equal=Grounds this month The Gallery @ Equal=Grounds is pleased to present “Pins and Paper,” new work by Allison Snyder-Nichols, during the month of August. The opening reception is Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.

Allison is back at Equal=Grounds for her second show. Her mixed media work includes collage, paper cuts and painting, among others. Gallery director Beth Bloom says, “Allison’s work is cheerful and a delight for the eyes.”

AUGUST 2013 • number 470 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet Guests should wear their best white attire. Tickets and event sponsorships are currently available for purchase. For more information or to purchase tickets for Rochester’s White Party, visit Trillium Health’s website at: www.TrilliumHealthNY.org.

For current updates on event details, visit the official website: www.RochestersWhiteParty.com.

Directorship,” says ImageOut Board Chair, Paul Allen, about the appointment. “John has been a volunteer, member and supporter of ImageOut for a very long time, so he really understands our culture. In addition to his proven skills as a fundraiser in a similarsized organization, he has tremendous knowledge and appreciation of Rochester’s LGBT and arts and cultural communities. His experience will bolster our fundraising activities and bring professionalism to our volunteer-run organization.”

For Allen, the hire represents a crowning achievement of ImageOut’s three-year strategic plan, which was developed using a Capacity Building Grant from the Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester.

Williams is a longtime Rochester resident and was Principal Attorney Editor with Thomson Reuters prior to his second career in fundraising. He will commence his role at ImageOut on Aug. 12.

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Travel

Party at Black Gay Pride!

John Williams. Photo: Annette Dragon

John Williams is named as ImageOut’s first Development Director John C. Williams has been hired by ImageOut LGBT Film & Video Festival for the newly created position of Development Director.

John brings six year of fundraising experience and a proven track record of success as a fundraiser for Literacy Volunteers of Rochester and Garth Fagan Dance. He also serves as Vice President of Professional Advancement for the Genesee Valley Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

“John is the ideal person for this newly created Development

Western New York Black Gay Pride will feature many events here and in Buffalo. The opening reception is Aug. 1 at Shea’s Smith Theatre, 658 Main St. in Buffalo, from 5-10 p.m. Buffalo events: www.mochacenter.org/wnyblackpride.

The Rochester events include Aug. 8: Patio Party, Abilene, 153 Liberty Pole Way, 6-9 p.m.; Aug. 9: Pajama Jam Party, The Diplomat, 1956 Lyell Ave. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Color Outside the Lines Crew; Aug. 10: Takeover Party, The Clarissa Room, 293 Clarissa St., 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Grind Time Entertainment; Aug. 11: Cookout Red Creek Pavilion, Genesee Valley Park, 1000 E. River Drive, 1:30-6 p.m.

Also, the MOCHA Center and Evergreen Health Services of WNY are cohosting the FIRST Black Gay Day at Darien Lake on Saturday, Aug. 3. See page 3 article for full information on events, tickets, etc. ■

Adirondack Road Trip Part One

By Merle Exit Adirondack Park covers a huge amount of land in the northeastern part of New York State and includes a number of lakes.

My road trip began in Queens and on day 1, we arrived in the town of Glens Falls for lunch at Celia’s Table. I had a chicken potpie soup with sweet potatoes and added turkey stuffing and cranberry compote. www.celiastable.com We then went to the Hyde Collection, an art museum and historic house located at 16 Warren Street. The collection is of over 3,300 objects that span the history of Western art with photos, paintings and sculptures. www.hydecollection.org.

We stayed at the Copperfield Inn and Resort in the town of North Creek. Large comfortable rooms, with great amenities including a microwave, wet bar and refrigerator. Free continental breakfast, exercise room and outdoor pool. There are two restaurants, Lorenzo’s and Trappers Tavern, home to a large moose head over the fireplace, said to have been shot by Teddy Roosevelt. www.copperfieldinn.net.

Lake George Village was the destination for the next day. Adirondack Pedal Cab took us around for a tour. There is no charge as you simply tip the driver what you think the ride is worth. www.adirondackpedalcab.com We were first taken to the docks along Lake George for a lunch cruise aboard the Lac du Saint Sacrament, It was quite a relaxing tour of the lake. www.lakegeorgesteamboat.com The pedal cab then took us to Adirondack Winery located on Main Street. This company makes their own wines with

grapes from vineyards all over the United States. For a small fee you can taste seven different wines and keep the wine glass as well. I love white wines. www.adirondackwinery.com On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at Barkereater Chocolates located on Route 28, where they create their own chocolate bars, truffles and items such as a dark chocolate covered “Reese’s” with a chocolate and peanut butter filling. www. barkereaterchocolates.com That evening we dined at Basil and Wicks, also located on Route 28. The restaurant looks more like a lodge with “American” cuisine. www.basilandwicks.com We headed for Gore Mountain Farm to see some overly cute alpacas. Farm is owned by Barry Finer and Virginia French. Sheared like sheep, the wool produces a much warmer and “non-itchy” piece of clothing that feels more like cashmere. Tour is free, products sold at gift shop. www.goremountainfarm.com Nearby Gore Mountain is next on the list. Located at 793 Peaceful Valley Road, in North Creek, we arrive and board a gondola to near top where several ski slopes are located. Off season you can hike, mountain bike, mini-golf, and more. www.goremountain.com Continuing north to the town of Speculator and Lake Pleasant, where Lake Pleasant Lodge is located on the main road with a view of the lake. Michael Welch is the manager who lives on the property. More than a motel looking venue with clean and comfy rooms each having a fridge and microwave. Take out a canoe or rent a kayak nearby. It’s all about relaxation, so take the time to sit in the gazebo or spend a cool evening around the fire pit. www.lakepleasantlodge.com ■

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Gay alliance news for august 2013

the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013

RPD Chief Sheppard holds public safety forum at the Gay Alliance Center

By Ove Overmyer, Staff Reporter, Empty Closet News More than 50 concerned citizens gathered at the Gay Alliance Community Center for a town hall style meeting on June 26 with Rochester Police Chief James Sheppard to discuss the events surrounding a recent homicide and to explore ways the media, police and community can better communicate.

This meeting was instigated by Chief Sheppard, who personally asked local leaders if he could speak directly to the LGBT community. Sheppard was accompanied by Investigator Kimberly Rasbeck, who introduced herself as the Rochester Police Department’s LGBT liaison. Most of the discussion focused on the sudden death of Fatima Woods, who was murdered May 30.

Other topics that were raised included questions about the media and its relationship with the police department. A Rochester teen is accused of fatally stabbing Woods, who pleaded not guilty June 20 in City Court.

Vincent Walters, 16, of Driving Park Ave., is facing one count of second-degree murder in connection with the slaying that occurred outside a Tenth Ward gas station about 4 a.m. on May 30. Walters was remanded to the Monroe County Jail without bail.

Woods, 53, who identified as transgender, was stabbed twice in the torso, and was found by police near the entrance to the gas station’s convenience store, located at 780 Dewey Avenue. Woods was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital and was pronounced dead within the hour, according to City Court documents and local press reports.

Throughout the grieving process, the family felt like it wasn’t getting answers.

Among their questions, they wanted to know more details of the crime and whether it rose to the level or met the expectations of a hate crime. Attendees were also visibly upset by the media’s portrayal of Woods. Reports often fumbled with exact pronouns and descriptions of her personhood. Chief Sheppard openly admitted that only one local news station “got it partially right.”

Chief Sheppard also stated that it appeared that just before the slaying, Woods was involved in a dispute with a woman on Finch Street. Several other people “got involved” and Woods was

The youth themselves will write the script, which must be educational in some way.

As director, I challenge them – ‘What do you expect the audience to learn from that?’ Then our expectation is that at the end of camp they will put on a public performance, for family, friends and the general community. That is scheduled for Saturday. Aug. 24, the day after camp officially ends. For time, directions and updates, see our website.

“There will also be a daily swim, a nature hike, and a rope course, but for the most part we’ll be working on getting the production together.” ■

TOWN MEETING: RPD Chief James Sheppard met with the LGBT community on June 26 at the Gay Alliance to discuss the Fatima Woods murder and other issues. L-R: Rev. Tom Decker (Open Arms MCC), Scott Fearing (GAGV), Chief Sheppard, Investigator Kim Rasbeck, Bruce Smail (MOCHA Center).

fatally stabbed. He also added there was no conclusive evidence or any reason to suspect this was a hate crime.

“I think there’s definitely a degree of understanding of the difference of the challenges that he faced in this case but ultimately he’s also protecting information so when they do go to court they can support the case,” said Bruce Smail, executive director of the MOCHA Center.

The Gay Alliance, The MOCHA Center and the faith community are presently looking to work with the Rochester Police Department to reestablish an LGBT antiviolence consortium. Most attendees at the town hall meeting thought this was an effort worth exploring.

Chief Sheppard added, “Sometimes the police and media can be stupid. But meeting directly with you should be seen as an effort to move in the right direction.

This is a great opportunity for all of us to educate ourselves on how we can better serve each other.”

One concerned citizen asked the Police Chief, “How do you get people to come forward?” Sheppard replied, “We can’t do this alone. We need your help and I don’t need snitches. When a certain line has been crossed, it has to be unacceptable to you. You have to call us and tell us what you know. You have to act and then we will respond.”

“One thing is for certain, Fatima did not die in vain,” said Tom Privitere after the meeting. “Her senseless death and this

DOMA OVERTURN: Happy people gathered at Equal=Grounds on June 26, the day DOMA was declared unconstitutional. L-R: Courtney Michie, Rep. Harry Bronson, Denise Finnerty, Zach Waffle, KaeLyn Rich, Jo Meleca Voigt, Chris Meleca Voigt, Carrie Vernon, Scott Fearing.

4 of the Genesee Valley

Empowering pride for 40 years

tragedy have sparked a new and necessary dialogue about LGBT public safety issues. The police department, the media and our community all have to be more responsible to each other and learn from each other. What a senseless crime.”

Youth summer camp runs Aug. 12-24 in Mendon; register now

By Susan Jordan Gay Alliance Youth Group members, LGBT youth and allies can register now for a two-week summer day camp at the Jewish Community Center’s Camp Sisol in Mendon.

This marks the second year for the Gay Alliance’s Out Loud Out Proud Summer Camp. Last year the camp ran for five weekdays, one of which was spent at Camp Sisol. This year the GAGV has partnered with the JCC to run a camp featuring social action theatre on 10 weekdays, entirely at Camp Sisol.

Camp begins Aug. 12 and runs on weekdays until Aug. 24. It is $100 for the full two weeks, which includes transportation, lunch, snack, etc. Scholarships are available. Participants must commit to the full 10 days. The camp is for LGBT and allied youth entering 9th through 12th grade. To register, go online to www.gayalliance.org and scroll down under Youth to find the application form. To apply for a scholarship, indicate that on the application form or call Kelly Clark at 244-8640.

Campers will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the GAGV Center to depart by bus for the camp, returning around 4:15/4:30 p.m.

Kelly Clark said, “What we’ll be doing is social action theatre. It’s a peer education model that uses the experiences of the participants to create performances that educate the audience – and the youth.

Groups come together and start talking about their lives, in this case focusing on LGBT issues. In telling their stories, a theme emerges and that’s typically what we go with. The theme could be parents, working with their GSAs in school, bullying, etc. Then we’ll take that theme and begin to create skits or scenarios and will act some things out – ‘What happened when the bully did that? Show me what it looks like.’

“From there we start writing the script.

Youth Gay Alliance Youth Program

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

Gay Alliance Youth Program is on summer hiatus.

Youth Summer Camp is Aug. 12-24 For information: 244-8640 or www. gayalliance.org/ events/youth Gay Alliance Community Center Auditorium Theater Bldg, 875 E. Main Street, 1st Floor Rochester, New York 14605 Phone: 585 244-8640 Check out our weekly programs descriptions and special events: www. gayalliance.org/events/youth

on

D GAR

The Gay Alliance On-Line Resource Directory (GARD)

The online community tool providing local, statewide and national resources, 24/7 at: www.GayAlliance.org

The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley: is a non-profit agency, dedicated to cultivating a healthy, inclusive environment where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are safe, thriving and enjoying equal rights. We are a coalition of individuals and groups working to empower LGBT people, to affirm their identities, and to create an atmosphere where the diversity of our community can thrive both collectively and separately.

We educate and advocate for civil rights for all and for the eradication of homophobia. 875 East Main Street, Rochester, New York 14605 Phone: (585) 244-8640 Fax: (585) 244-8246 Web: www.gayalliance.org E-mail: Info@gayalliance.org Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm Board Co-Presidents: Emily Jones, Bruce Gorman Acting Executive Director: Scott Fearing Director of Intergenerational Programs: Kelly Clark Outreach: Jeanne Gainsburg Database: Kat Wiggall Book keeper: Christopher Hennelly The Empty Closet: Editor: Susan Jordan Graphic Designer: Jim Anderson E-mail: susanj@gayalliance.org Phone: (585) 244-9030 Fax: (585) 244-8246 Advertising: (585) 244-9030

AUGUST 2013 • number 470 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

Gay alliance news for august 2013

SAGE PAGE First Sunday Euchre

Yep, you read that right! Euchre is still going strong at Rainbow SAGE. The first Sunday of every month we get together to play, have fun and just be together.

Our next first Sunday euchre will be on Sunday, Aug. 4. The time is 3 p.m. and the location is South Wedge Planning Committee Building, 224 Mt. Hope Ave. Put it on your calendar and we hope to see you there.

Rainbow Sage Yoga Come join our new yoga instructor Thomas Sommerville every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 to 11:30 a.m. for great chair yoga.

Right now we have up to 10 people and there is always room for more.

Please note, there is a $3 fee for yoga. Location is at our Senior Center in the Gay Alliance Community Room, first floor of the Auditorium Theatre, 875 East Main St. As always, use the back entrance at the corner of College and Prince Streets.

Senior Center Welcome to our Senior Center.

We are no longer open on Mondays but are now open every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Come and join us. The location is Gay Alliance Community Center, first floor, Auditorium Theatre Building, 875 East Main Street.

Please use the parking lot back entrance off of College and Prince Streets and just follow the signs.

Program Partner

The Gay Alliance Library & Archives Hours: Every Wednesday: 6-8pm Tuesdays & Thursdays: 1-3pm 875 E. Main Street, First Floor 585-244-8640

Rainbow Sage Annual Picnic

Rainbow Sage is bringing back our infamous annual picnic. The date is Saturday, Aug. 24 from 12-5 p.m. and the location this year is Powder Mills Park at the Wadhams Lodge. Powder Mills Park is located at 154 Park Road, Pittsford, southeast of Rochester.

Enter the park from Route 96 South of Bushnell’s Basin near Interstate 490.

Please bring a dish to pass.

We will supply the hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks, paper products and condiments. Please RSVP to our newest volunteer Jessie at jessielee739402@yahoo.com so we know how much food to bring. If you can, let her know the dish you plan to bring as well.

But wait, there’s more! We are also bringing back our brown bag auction, so bring a bag with an item inside (in good shape please) to auction off to raise money for the Gay Alliance. It’s going to be a summer time blast so see you there and RSVP soon.

Wit and Wisdom (or Witless and Wizen)

By Jonathan Wolfinger jwolf1952@frontier.com Did you know that the month of July was named after Julius Caesar? It is a little known fact that Julius Caesar developed the world’s first Miracle Ear and hearing aid franchise. He got started and got his inventory after his famous speech -- “Friends, Romans, countrymen -- lend me your ears.”

The Declaration of Independence did not go into effect until August 2, when most of the delegates signed it. Happy 2nd of August!

Two antennae meet on the roof of a bar, fall in love, and get married. The ceremony wasn’t so hot but the reception was great.

What is a flibbertigibbet, a ninnyhammer, and a dingus?

Which of the following words do you find most euphonious?

Aardvark, elysian, or crapola?

Can you translate this German tongue twister: Wir Wiener Washfrauen wuerden weisse Waeshe washen, wenn wir wuesten, wo waermes Wasser waere. (Email me your answers and win a prize and acknowledgment in this column!)

If we have no peace, it is

because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. -Mother Teresa The more connections you and your lover make, not just between your bodies, but between your minds, your hearts, and your souls, the more you will strengthen the fabric of your relationship and the more real moments you will experience together. -Barbara de Angelis Never forget the three powerful resources you always have available to you: love, prayer, and forgiveness. Feelings are not facts.

-Abraham Low

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SAGE Art Tour On Sunday, Sept. 8, Gay Alliance Executive Director Scott Fearing will join members of Rainbow SAGE on a visit to Rochester’s most unique venue to view and experience art, ARTISANworks.

“I’m looking forward to spending the afternoon with SAGE members,” said Fearing. “I am thrilled that our SAGE program is now adding evening and weekend programs for the LGBT population who are over 50, but still working.”

The tour will be free, but reservations are required because the number of tickets is limited. Rochester based coaching and consulting firm McArdele Ramerman has graciously donated the tickets for this special SAGE tour.

Anyone interested in attending should leave a message for SAGE at 585-244-8640 ext 31. ■

August Calendar – Rainbow SAGE at The Center The Center is open for adults 50+ Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11-3.

Yoga every Tuesday and Thursday 11-11:30. Hot Lunch $3 (suggested).

Tuesday, August 6 Yoga 11-11:30; Lunch 12 noon. POTLUCK. Speaker from Alzheimer’s Association. Come hear about Alzheimer’s and what we can do to keep it at bay.

Thursday, August 8 No Yoga Today. Lunch 12 noon. POTLUCK PICNIC. Come join us for a picnic potluck at noon at Ontario Beach Park. We will supply the hamburgers and hot dogs. Please bring a dish to pass.

Sign-up is required at Senior Center!

Tuesday, August 13 Yoga 11-11:30. Lunch 12 noon. BROWN BAG. Join us as we go on a field trip to George Eastman House and have a brown bag lunch in the gardens.

Sign-up is required at Senior Center!

Thursday, August 15 NO YOGA TODAY. 11 a.m. field trip and lunch provided by Maplewood YMCA. Come see what their community center has to offer. Sign-up is required at Senior Center!

Tuesday, August 20 Yoga 11-11:30. Lunch 12 noon. POTLUCK. Game Day. Bring your favorite board game, card game, any game you’d like to play.

Thursday, August 22 Yoga 11-11:30. Lunch 12 noon. BROWN BAG Meet at Red Cross Building for yoga and cooking class. Audet is going to show us how to make Fried Green Tomatoes -- then we will watch the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes”.

Saturday, August 24 SAGE Picnic, Powder Mills Park, 12-5 pm.

Tuesday, August 27 Yoga 11-11:30. Lunch 12 noon. POTLUCK. It is our July/August Birthday Party! We’re celebrating with cake decorating, balloons, and much more.

Thursday, August 26 Yoga 11-11:30. Lunch 12 noon. BROWN BAG. Scrapbooking/Crafts – have any pictures that tell a story? Come learn how to share their story through the cutting craft of scrapbooking.

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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. And send us your information.

BISEXUALITY resources

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

CULTURAL

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

Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus www.thergmc.org

deaf services

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

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

Elders

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

family

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Action Front Center (Action for a Better Community.) Provides HIV prevention education and case management services. Training and technical assistance to service providers. Resource library open to

public. All services free and confidential. Multicultural and bilingual staff. 33 Chestnut St., second floor. Hours 8:30-5pm, Monday-Friday.

262-4330; fax 262-4572. Free anonymous HIV testing on walk-in basis, Tuesdays, Wednesdays 1-4pm, provided through NYSDOH. Thursdays 1-4pm at Aenon Baptist Church, 175 Genesee St. Anthony L. Jordan Health Center, Prevention and Primary Care.

Provides Medical Case Management, Mental Health, Primary Care, HIV Counseling and Testing (using rapid testing) Hepatitis C rapid testing and services, Educational Presentations, and access to other Jordan Services. Prevention and Primary Care is a walk-in program; no appointment necessary. Office Hours are Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (585) 423-2872; fax (585) 423-2876. Website www.jordanhealth.org. For more information, call the Program Manager Charlie Lytle,(585) 423-2872.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

315-781-8448.

lgbt health

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

Trillium Health See www.trilliumhealthny.org

HCR Health

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

Rochester Trans Group Social/educational group for gender variant people and friends. Last Saturday, 3-5pm, GAGV Youth Center, first floor, 875 E. Main St. 244-8640. www.rnytg.org 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 Thursdays, 6:30-7:30pm, Gay Alliance Community Center, 875 E. Main St. 1st floor.

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

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

All BCCR programs, support services free.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/ Syracuse Region 114 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14605; Tollfree Helpline: 1-866-600-6886. Planned Parenthood has led the way in providing high quality, affordable reproductive health care since 1916. All services are confidential.

Accept most insurances; including Medicaid.

You may qualify for low- to no-cost family planning services. When you make your appointment, ask about our sliding scale fees. No one turned away for lack of ability to pay.

Women’s Resource Center YWCA, 175 N. Clinton Ave. 546-7740.

AUGUST 2013 • number 470 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

Ongoing Calendar Monday

L.O.R.A. – Coffee Special Monday Nights – 7 pm, Equal Grounds. Family, Friends & Allies Welcome! Contact Person: Cathie Timian. More info: www.l-o-r-a.com; Email: info@l-o-r-a.com

Born That Way Formerly 3rd Presbyterian LGBT Support Group.

First, 3rd Mondays, 7:30-9:30pm, 34 Meigs St. Carol, 482-3832 or Kaara, 654-7516.

Lilac Squares Gay Square Dance Group, Mondays, 7pm, 140 Alex Bar. To reserve space: 467-6456; bdaniels@frontiernet.net.

Free syphilis testing 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. Equality Rochester 2nd Mondays, 7-8:30 pm, Equal=Grounds.

426-0862; annetischer1@gmail.com

Tuesday

L.O.R.A. – Knitters Group Everyone Welcome! 3rd Tuesday of the Month.

7pm – 10pm. FREE. Cross Roads Coffeehouse, 752 South Goodman St. Contact Person: Cathie: 585.313.3037; Email:ctimian @l-o-r-a.com; Website: www.l-o-r-a.com

Gay Alliance Library & Archives David Bohnett Cyber Center. Every Tuesday & Thursday. 1-3pm, First floor, 875 E. Main St. 244-8640.

Charlie’s Group 2nd Tuesdays. Monthly peer-facilitated support group for married men who have sex with men.

Confidential, free. For time, place: email: charlie@gayalliance.org.

Rainbow SAGE Senior Center, 11am-3pm, Gay Alliance Center, 875 E. Main St., 1st floor.

MOCHA Youth Drop-In Tues.-Fri., 1-9pm, MOCHA Center, 107 Liberty Pole Way, 420-1400; 244-8640 MOCHA Hepatitis Clinic Free Hepatitis A & B vaccinations, third Tuesdays, 5:30-7pm, 107 Liberty Pole Way, 4201400 Women’s Community Chorus Rehearsals each Tuesday, 6:30-9pm, Downtown United Pres. Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh Street. 234-4441, www.therwcc.org Free HIV Testing 9am-7pm. Trillium Health, 259 Monroe Ave.

Wednesday Rainbow SAGE Ruby Slippers Wednesdays, 5:45 pm, Callan-Harris Physical Therapy, 1328 Universty Ave. 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, paulkaseman@gmail.com.

Rochester Rams General Meeting 2nd Wednesdays, 7:30pm, Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave. www.rochesterrams.com Brothers Keeper Support group for men over 30. Third Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30pm, MOCHA Center, 107 Liberty Pole Way. 420-1400 HIV+ Mixed Men’s Group Wednesdays, 11:30 am-12:30 pm.

Trillium Health, 259 Monroe Ave. Gay Alliance Youth Wednesdays, 3:30-7pm, Gay Alliance Youth Center, 875 E. Main St. Prince St. entrance, first floor. 244-8640 x 13.

Frontrunners/Frontwalkers 6pm, Eastman House parking lot. www.rochesterfrontrunners.org.

Gay Alliance Library & Archives, David Bohnett Cyber Center. Every Wed. 6-8pm. First floor, 875 E. Main St. 244-8640 Empire Bears Every Wednesday. 6pm dinner at The Wintonaire. www.empirebears.com

Thursday

Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns 6:30pm, first Thursday. Ralph, 271-7649 Gay Alliance Library & Archives David Bohnett Cyber Center. Every Tuesday & Thursday. 1-3pm, First floor, 875 E. Main St. 244-8640 Queer Radical Reading Group First and third Thursdays, 7pm, Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. Pride at Work First Thursdays, 5:30pm. 167 Flanders St. off Thurston Rd. 426-0862.

GLOB&L (Gays & Lesbians of Bausch & Lomb).

Meets every third Thursday in Area 67 conference room at the Optic Center. Voice mail: 338-8977 Gay Alliance Youth Thursdays, 3:30-7pm, Gay Alliance Youth Center, 875 E. Main St. Prince St. entrance, first floor. 244-8640 x 13.

Coming Out Being Out Youth Support Group 6:30-7:30pm; ages 13-18 Gay Alliance Youth Center, 875 E. Main St. Prince St. entrance, first floor. 244-8640 x 13.

Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. 6:30-9pm, 423-0650 Free confidential walk-in HIV testing Every Thursday night, 5-8pm, Trillium Health, 259 Monroe Ave. 442-2220 Gay Alliance Youth Gender Identity Thursdays, 6:30-7pm, Ages 13-18, Gay Alliance Youth Center, 875 E. Main St., 1st floor (Prince St. entrance). 244-8640 ext 13.

Out & Equal Second Thursdays Social/business networking, 5:30-7:30pm.

Changing venues. E-mail: fingerlakes@outandequal.org Genesee Valley Gender Variants 7-9pm, Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. GV GenderVariants@yahoogroups.com

Rainbow SAGE Senior Center, 11am-3pm, Gay Alliance Center, 875 E. Main St., 1st floor.

FRIDAY

Gay Men's AA meeting Fridays, 7:30-8:30pm, Closed meeting.

Emmanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave. GLBTQI Motorcycle Group Second Fridays, 5:30pm, Various locations.

RochesterGLBTIQbikers@yahoo.com; 4676456; bmdaniels@frontiernet.net.

SATURDAY

Rochester Rams Bar Night Third Saturdays, 8pm-2am, Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave. 271-6930

Rochester Trans Group Social/educational group for gender-variant people, friends. Last Saturdays, 3-5 pm, GAGV Youth Center, first floor, 875 E. Main St. Frontrunners/Frontwalkers 9am, George Eastman House parking lot.www. rochesterfrontrunners.org.

Empire Bears Potluck 2nd Saturdays, Youth Center, 875 E. Main, 1st floor, Prince St. entrance. 6:30pm greet; 7pm dinner. Bring dish to pass. www.empirebears.org.

Cross Dresser Support Group First Saturdays, 6-9pm, call for location: 251-2132; RCDNET@hotmail.com Guys Night Out 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/

Sunday

Parents Families & Friends of Lesbians And Gays (PFLAG) Third Sundays, 1-3 pm, Community Center at the Gay Alliance, first floor, 857 E. Main St. 244-8460; pflag@gayalliance.org.

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

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

Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church 740 Marshall Rd., Chili, 10:30am, 271-8478

Gay Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous St. Luke’s/St. Simon Cyrene Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. 8pm, 232-6720, Weekly.

Closed meeting Men’s Cooking Group Third or fourth Sundays, 355-7664.

Civil Rights Front Every Tuesday, 5pm, Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. http://www.civilrightsfront.wordpress.com

33

Rochester AA/NA Meetings Every week there are four regularly scheduled GLBTI AA and two inclusive NA meetings in Rochester.

Tuesdays

Narcotics Anonymous 6-7:30pm. AIDS and Recovery 1124 Culver Road (Covenant United Methodist Church) This is an NA meeting that is open to all addicts who have a desire to stop using. Although it is not specifically a gay-oriented meeting, it is welcoming to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as to anyone who is affected by HIV and AIDS.

Wednesdays

New Freedom/New Happiness Group 7pm. First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Rd. Bus riders: Take the last #18 University bus to 12 Corners. Use the stop just past the top of the hill at Hillside Ave. and before Highland Ave. Or take the #1 Park Ave. to the corner of East and Winton, then walk five minutes south (uphill) on Winton. This is an open discussion meeting. All issues – as they relate to our alcoholism/addiction and recovery – are fair game.

Fridays Gay Men’s 7:30pm. Immanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave. • Closed meeting, restricted to alcoholics and addicts • Men’s meeting • Handicapped accessible This is a round-robin discussion meeting. If you are shy about meeting people or speaking up in a group, you will find this meeting particularly warm and inviting because everyone gets their turn to speak (or pass). As a result, this meeting often runs long, so plan on more than the usual hour.

Saturdays Saturday Night Special 7pm. First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Rd. Bus riders: The #18 University Ave. bus does not go by the church on weekend evenings.

Take the #1 Park Ave. bus to the corner of East and Winton, then walk five minutes south (uphill) on Winton.

• Open meeting, all are welcome, “straight friendly” • Mixed men and women • Handicapped accessible, take elevator to basement Meeting begins with a speaker, followed by open discussion.

Sundays Step in the Right Direction 7:30-9pm. 1275 Spencerport Road (Trinity Alliance Church) This is an NA meeting that is open to all addicts who have a desire to stop using. Although it is not specifically a gay-oriented meeting, it is welcoming to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Each week features a reading from NA literature, followed by discussion.

Rochester Gay Men 8pm. St. Luke/St. Simon’s Episcopal Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh Street. Bus riders use the Fitzhugh Street stop on Main Street at the County Office Building and walk south one block.

• Closed meeting, restricted to alcoholics and addicts • Men’s meeting • NOT handicapped accessible Meeting begins with a speaker, followed by open discussion.

34

August THURSDAY 1

Lughnasad, Lammas. Ancient Celtic harvest fire-festival. Sacred tree: hazel.

WNY Black Gay Pride. Opening reception, 5-10 pm, Shea’s Smith Theatre, 658 Main St., Buffalo. For more Buffalo events, see www.mochacenter.org/wnyblackpride.

FRIDAY 2

“Fight With Love.” Benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Geva Nextstage, 75 Woodbury Blvd. 7 pm. Aug. 3, 2 and 7 pm; Aug. 4 5 pm.

Tickets $10. Group rates for groups of 15 or more available. Reservations: 232-Geva or www.gevatheatre.org.

Opening reception for Allison Snyder-Nichols show at The Gallery @ Equal=Grounds, 7 pm.

SaturDAY 3

WNY Black Pride at Darien Lake.

See page 3

SUNDAY 4

Dignity Integrity Episcopal Mass/ Healing Service, with music. 5 pm, St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St.

THURSDAY 8

WNY Black Pride Patio Party, Abilene, 153 Liberty Pole Way, 6-9 pm.

Out & Equal Second Thursdays Networking. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, 165 Court St. from 5:30- 7:30 pm.

FRIDAY 9

WNY Black Pride Health Workshop, MOCHA Center, 107 Liberty Pole Way, noon-4 pm.

WNY Black Pride Pajama Jam Party, The Diplomat, 1956 Lyell Ave. 8 pm-1 am. Color Outside the Lines Crew,

SATURDAY 10

WNY Black Pride Takeover Party, The Clarissa Room, 293 Clarissa St., 10 pm-2 am.

the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013

SUNDAY 11

WNY Black Pride Worship in the Park. Red Creek Pavilion, Genesee Valley Park, 1000 E. River Rd., noon-1:30 pm.

Unity Fellowship Church.

WNY Black Pride Cookout. Red Creek Pavilion, Genesee Valley Park, 1:30-6 pm.

Dignity Integrity Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Word, with music. 5 pm, St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St.

MONDAY 12

Out Loud Out Proud GAGV Youth Summer Camp. Runs 10 weekdays at Camp Sisol, Mendon, through Aug. 24.

Social action theatre; youth-written production performed for public Aug. 24. .

Bus leaves 8:30 am from Auditorium Center parking lot; returns c. 4:15 pm. $100 for 10 days, scholarships available. Call Kelly Clark at 244-8640 or go to www. gayalliance.org.

THURSDAY 15

Empty Closet deadline for September. 244-9030; susanj@gayalliance.org.

SATURDAY 17

“Give to Live Rochester.” Benefit for Trillium Health, Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. General admission is $15, including reception before the performance. Emcees Kasha Davis, Diane Chevron; cast of local stars perform Broadway hits and more. Auction of Broadway memorabilia. JCC box office (585-461-2000) or at www.jccrochester. org starting July 19

SUNDAY 18

Dignity Integrity Quiet Episcopal Mass in the Chapel. . 5 pm, St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St.

SaturDAY 24

SAGE Picnic 12-5 pm, Wadham Lodge, Powder Mills Park. jessielee739402@yahoo.com.

SUNDAY 25

Dignity Integrity Evening Prayer, followed by a Potluck Dinner (wrap sandwiches). 5 pm, St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St.

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 10:30am. 740 Marshall Road off Chili Avenue. info@openarmsmcc.org (585) 271-8478.

Cash paid for CDs, DVDs & BluRays. Highest prices in Rochester. Free pick up. Call 465-8643.

SERVICES

Man to Man Rubdown. Relax with this experienced, fit, healthy. middle-aged, non-smoking GWM. Central location.

Private home. Incalls/outcalls. Reasonable rates. cell#585-773-2410 or home#585235-6688 or email:magichands@rochester. rr.com Ask questions. Established life coach opens your direction about goals, questions, issues using classic tarot symbology and fascinating, confidential discussion. $65 hr. in your home/office. kivawyandotte@gmail.com Wedding Space and clergy services available. Celebrate your special day at Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church 740 Marshall Rd. off Chili Ave. info@openarmsmcc.org (585) 271-8478 Handyman: Simple repairs or full renovations, no job is too large or small. Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical, Interior & Exterior. 35 years experience. Call Alan &

Bill 585-204-0632 or cell 304-517-6832.

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 the spring or fall. 585-576-5042.

Email dale.furlong@yahoo.com.

Martin Ippolito master electrician.

Electrical work, telephone jacks, cable TV, burglar alarm systems, paddle fans.

585-266-6337.

ROOMMATE WANTED

Seeking employed housemate to share large suburban home. All conveniences, near expressways. Call 266-4582.

FOR SALE OR RENT

Park Ave. area: 284 Westminster Rd. This beautiful turn of the century colonial is 3557 square feet with four bedrooms, four 1/2 baths with an updated kitchen w/ hardwood floors. Spacious living room, dining room, family room and a third floor bonus room. The master bedroom has its own bath and sunroom.

It boasts a three-car garage and city size in-ground pool, three porches and a deck for your enjoyment. The backyard has a patio and is very private. Stirling/Ruggeri 473-7763.

Apartment for Rent: $525 per month, one bedroom, heat included. Off street parking for one car. No pets. 520 Monroe Avenue -- above the Avenue Pub. See bartender to schedule an appointment. ■

AUGUST 2013 • number 470 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • 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 © 2013, All rights reserved.

Editor-in-Chief: Susan Jordan Staff Reporter: Ove Overmyer Graphic Design: Jim Anderson Advertising policy: The Empty Closet does not print advertisements that contain nude drawings or photographs, nor does it print advertising that states that the person pictured in the ad is for sale, or that you will “get” that particular person if you patronize the establishment advertised. Advertisements that are explicitly racist, sexist, ageist, ableist or homophobic will be refused; advertisements from organizations that are sexist, racist, ageist, ableist or anti-gay will also be refused. All political advertisements must contain information about who placed them and a method of contact.

Additionally, The Empty Closet does not print negative or “attack” advertisements, whether they relate to a product or politics and no matter in whose interest the ad is being produced. A negative advertisement is defined as one that focuses upon a rival product, or in the political area, a rival election candidate or party, in order to point out supposed flaws and to persuade the public not to buy it (or vote for him or her). The Empty Closet maintains, within legal boundaries, neutrality regarding products, political candidates and parties. However, “attack” ads that fail to provide undisputable evidence that the information in the ad is true do not further in any way the objectives and policies of the Gay Alliance or The Empty Closet, including the primary tenet that The Empty Closet’s purpose is to inform the Rochester gay community and to provide an impartial forum for ideas.

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

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

The Empty Closet is the official publication of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, Inc., as stated in the bylaws of that organization. Its purpose is to inform the Rochester gay community about local and national 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.

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 470 • AUGUST 2013