Empty Closet, August 2017 by Out Alliance

The Empty Closet SINCE 1972 - ONE OF THE FIRST LGBTQ PUBLICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

AUGUST 2017

ROC Pride 2017 Fotos & Fabulocity

Photo: Doug Meszler

NUMBER 514

AUGUST 2017

Good Company We appreciate the continuing partnership of our community – whose support of our mission and vision is so important. 550 East Ave LLC Abundance Cooperative Market Action for A Better Community Allstate Giving Campaign Amiel’s Original Submarines Anthony Jordan Health Center Anthony Mascioli Revocable Trust Arena Art Group Avenue Pub Bachelor Forum Bank of America Employee Giving Campaign Barilla America, Inc Bike Zone Body Knead Massage Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester Bright Funds Foundation Broccolo Garden Center - Penfield Brown & Hutchinson Buitrago for Family Court Camden Group Canal Town Photo Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Cat-Ears Catholic Family Center Century Pittsford Wines & Liquors Cheesy Eddie’s City of Rochester Combined Federal Campaign - Niagara Frontier Community Christian Church COX Subscriptions CSEA Cutting Edge Double Sundog Downstairs Cabaret Theatre East Avenue Inn & Suites EBSCO Publishing Elizabeth Empire Merchants North, LLC Empire State Pride Agenda EvenOdd Excellus Blue Cross & Blue Shield Management Development Association Excellus Health Plan, Inc Fidelity Charitable First Niagara FM Fitness Fred L. Emerson Foundation Friends of Elaine Spaull Friends of Harry Bronson Friends of Matthew Nafus / Monroe Co. Court Judge Friends of Molly Clifford Frisbee Benefit Tournament Galaxe Genesee Valley Medical Foundation, Inc Gilead Sciences Girls Rock! Rochester Inc Greater Rochester Eastern Area Tournament Greater Rochester Now H. Darrell Lance Management Trust Harris Corporation Harter Secrest & Emery LLP HCR Home Care Hedonist Artisan Chocolates Imageout Jescorp, Inc Key Bank National Association Kodak Lake Avenue Baptist Church Lake Beverage Corp Lechase Construction Services, Llc Levy Sporting Goods Inc. Long Acre Farms Louise and Henry Epstein Family Foundation, Inc. Marshall Street Bar and Grill Mellow Madness Memorial Art Gallery Mental Health Association of Rochester Metro Justice Miss Gay Rochester Morgan Stanley Munchies Empanada MVP Health Care N.Y. Civil Liberties Nenos Mexican Rest Nixon Peabody LLP NYS LGBT Health And Human Svc Orb’s Restaurant & Bar Out & Equal NY of The Finger Lakes Owl House Papa Gig’s Park Ave Bike Shop Park Ave Merchants Association Pavilion Gift Company PayPal Planned Parenthood Plymouth Spiritualist Church Pride At Work Print Roc Professional Tutoring Prudential Financial Rochester Area Community Foundation Rochester Broadway Theatre League Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester Kink Society Rochester Labor Council, AFL-CIO Rochester Victory Alliance Rochester Women’s Community Chorus Ronald Pratt Acupuncture Services, Advocacy for GLBT Elders, Inc Spiritus Christi Church St. John Fisher College Diversity Office Sundberg ATM Associates Taco Johns LLC Tangent’s Pole & Aerial The Revelry Third Presbyterian Church Thomson Reuters Thread Trillium Health Tru Yoga Tryon Bikes United Way of Rhode Island Van Bortel Motorcar, Inc. Vanguard Visit Rochester Waldron Rise Foundation Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. Wepay Wilton Enterprises Women Gynecology & Childbirth Associates, PC Wraps on Wheels WXXI Public Broadcasting Council Young Sommer Winery YourCause, LLC

Contents ROC Pride 2017 • NY Courts & LGBTQ • OutLoud Music Review • Good Bad & Funny • Queer Queens of Qomedy • Pop-Up Gallery Q • & a Super Spread of Thank Yous to Our Pride Sponsors

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27 23

Ride to the New York State Fair Pride Day: Friday, August 25

Pick-up and drop-off at the Gay Alliance 100 College Avenue Pick-up: 7:30am Drop-off: 7:30pm $25 per ticket includes admission

AUGUST 2017

ROC PRIDE 2017

SUMMER OF LOVE draws thousands to parade, festival

“Happy Pride” echoed down the length of Park Ave. on July 15, when 12,000 people cheered on the Pride Parade. With 130 units, it was the largest in Rochester Pride history. At least 10,000 people attended the two days of the Pride Festival, also the biggest attendance ever. By Susan Jordan Among those marching were LGBTQ-and-ally-owned businesses, LGBTQ community groups, welcoming and affirming churches, political figures including Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and NYS Assembly member Harry Bronson, and organizations like Moms Demand Action on Gun Control, Pit Rescue, Roc City Roller Derby, East Coast Two Spirit Society (Native American LGBTQ group) and the AFL-CIO. The Parade units which

won awards included Ruby slipper award, for most imaginative depiction of annual parade theme by a walking unit: Brighton GSA; Community award, for best Not-for-profit organization walking unit to exhibit LGBTQ Pride: GVA United Church of Christ Churches; Rainbow award, for best for-profit float to exhibit LGBTQ Pride: Boyz Night Out; Stonewall award, for best not-for-profit organization float of annual parade theme: Rochester SAGE;

Muther’s Favorite award, best float to incorporate annual parade theme: 140 Alex Bar and Grill. The usual three or four anti-gay protestors displayed their prejudice at the corner of Park and Oxford. The other protest came from Queers Against Cops, which held an event across Culver Rd. from the July 14 opening ceremony at Cobbs Hill Park. (See page 7.) All photos on pages 4-6 are by Doug Meszler unless otherwise noted.

ROC PRIDE VOLLEYBALL: Ronnie Morrow spikes the ball at the ROC Pride Beach Party, July 9 at Ontario Beach Park” Photo: Doug Meszler

MISS & MR GAY PRIDE 2017: Valentino Rose and Motion D’Bleu, Mr and Miss Gay Pride 2017, greet revelers

5K RUN: 200 racers ran the 3rd annual ROC Pride 5k at Cobbs’ Hill Park. Matthew Quieroz, 17, of Pittsford was the winner!

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter continues her strong support for the community. Photo: Doug Meszler

AUGUST 2017

More than 12,000 people watched the ROC Pride parade groove down Park Ave. Photo: Susan Jordan

Grand Marshal Wanda Martinez enjoys Pride with family members. Photo: Maria M. Serrano Rojas

Rock star: Rick Sayyeau groovinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the award-wining SAGE float.

The MOCHA Center

Photo: Melora Miller

Peace, Love & Harmony: Gay Alliance staff members Jeannie Gainsburg and Rowan Collins on part of the Alliance float. Photo: Joe Yokajty

Riding for freedom: The Rainbow Riders biked through the city to the Pride Opening Ceremony on July 14. Photo: Joe Yokajty

Sam Brett, Pride co-chair, with PrideFest hostesses Mrs. Kasha Davis and Dee Dee Dubois Photo: Maxwell Harvey-Sampson

Honorary Grand Marshal ImageOut celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

AUGUST 2017

Perspective Peace, love and harmony BY SUSAN JORDAN, EMPTY CLOSET EDITOR Free to be ourselves: ROC Pride brought the LGBTQ community together.

ROC Pride unites the LGBT community in love By Lissandra Dyer With themes of free love to represent the community and flowers to represent the Flower City, Pride-goers experienced life free to be their authentic selves at ROC Pride’s “Summer of Love” on July 15 and 16. Australian DJ/singer Ray Isaac, musical guest at the ROC Pride Festival, wrote “We Stand United” to build strength for the community after the Orlando tragedy. Isaac joined Rochester’s LGBTQ community at Cobbs Park Hill on July 15 to sing pop hits and “We Stand United.” More than a year has passed since the tragedy that befell Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla. on June 12, 2016. But the LGBT community still comes out to events like Rochester’s “Summer of Love” Pride Festival to openly be themselves and to connect with each other. Isaac’s song is about recovery and

moving past awful events together as a community. The song’s chorus said, “Sending Prayers of Hope/ We’re stronger than what they know/ We Stand United.” Before Isaac started the song, he handed out streamers for the audience to wave while he performed. Christa, 41, of Medina, said that Pride to her means “Being together, happy.” She and her partner Melissa traveled from Medina to experience Pride together with their child. The Festival included food trucks offering options from empanadas to poutine. Booths sold pride flags for gay, trans, gener expansive, bisexual and asexual community members, and the main stage held musical guests and drag performances. More performances, including a presentation for the Deaf community, took place on the Garden stage.

Holly, 24, of Rochester, marched with drag king troupe Boyz Night Out in the pride parade before the festival. Holly enjoyed the pride festival with her dog, part mini-pincher, part chihuahua named Cocoa. He was sporting a gay flag as a cape. Holly said Pride to her means being able to have fun and “being able to live how you want.” Another Rochester resident, Kabarr Liz, 27, was clad in drag makeup and enjoyed the music at the main stage. She said that Pride is “celebrating the fact that we’re able to be open.” The festival was her favorite Pride event. Frank, 43, of Rochester, and his husband Michael enjoyed their first Pride event this year at the Festival. Together these Rochester Institute of Technology alums walked the grounds holding hands and wearing “Utilikilts,” which were kilts with pockets.

Pride opening ceremony welcomes dissenting voices By Roy Hamlin The slightly overcast skies the evening of July 14 couldn’t withstand the strength of the rainbow, as the Roc Pride 2017 Opening Ceremony started a weekend of celebration. Speakers included Mayor Lovely Warren and City Council member Matt Haag. The Queers Against Cops collective held a protest across Culver Rd. from Cobbs Hill Park, site of the ceremony. With some adjustments ongoing to a slightly faltering sound system, the Ceremony began in a moving way with the arrival of 45 Ride for Pride bicyclists, in a coordinated mini-parade of rainbow colored tees. Craig and Kelly Ronald, who sported a pair of white tee shirts in the center of the human rainbow, explained that their white shirts represented the many who can’t show their “true colors” yet. Alliance Executive Director Scott Fearing added his personal welcome, the first of many speakers to point out the apt presence of the protesters, given this year’s Pride theme of the Summer of Love and the spirit of the ‘60s, which also was marked by protests and counter demonstrations. Fearing noted that the event was in “perfect

shape” to provide an opportunity for believers to not only encourage peaceful protest, but to engage in dialogue, rather than deride and dismiss another segment of a shared community. Sashes were presented to Grand Marshal Wanda Martinez-Johncox and Honorary Grand Marshals ImageOut (represented by founder Larry Champoux) and the NYCLU (represented by Interim Director Iman Abid). Queers Against Cops disrupted the ceremony, saying they are “tired of police presence at LGBTQ events and the capitalization of queer and trans identities.” As the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus began their performance of Queen’s “Break Free” by John Deacon, and then their signature number, Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, the protesters’ boomboxes, megaphones, and protest chanting were respectfully silenced. Thanks to a common commitment to diversity, the dividing fence of intentions, albeit briefly, had indeed become a “bridge over troubled water”.

The theme of ROC Pride 2017 was “Summer of Love – Peace, Love and Harmony”. What do those

words really mean? Peace. Web-sister’s Dictionary says this word originated as Indo-European pak-, “to fasten,” in the sense of confirming an agreement (similar to the word “pact”). It is defined as meaning freedom from, or the ending of war; a treaty or agreement to end or prevent war; freedom from disagreement or quarrels; harmony, concord; serenity and absence of mental conflict. Another, more ambivalent meaning is “freedom from public disturbance or disorder; public security; law and order.” Some on the Far Right would like to ban all peaceful demonstrations, end freedom of speech and silence not only dissent but the media too -- even to the extent of violent repression (as in the brutal response to Native American anti-pipeline protest) and confiscating the property of dissenters as punishment. In this sense, “peace” would mean “peace of mind for the oppressor who successfully silences the oppressed”. Love. The Indo-European base for this word means what we would think it means: leubh-, “to be fond of, desire”; a deep or tender feeling of affection… a strong passionate affection for one person… based in part on sexual attraction (also simply “sexual attraction/intercourse”). The definitions also include non-sexual love, as for friends, children, etc., and the theological definition, implying “man’s love for God or God’s love for man”. Love and attachment are defined as different from infatuation (“a foolish, unreasoning, often impermanent passion”). So the definition of love includes both sexual passion and tender affection. But according to the homophobes, LGBTQ people are incapable of the latter and are all sexual predators endorsing infatuation (unlike heterosexual males, apparently!). This denial of our ability to love is part of the dehumanization of LGBTQ people, pushed by fanatical bigots and far right ideologues. If you declare someone incapable of love, they are therefore not really human, and you can take away their human rights and do anything at all to them…. Harmony. From the Indo European base ar-, Greek harmos, “a fitting”. A combination of parts into a pleasing or orderly whole; agreement in feeling, action, ideas, interests etc.; peaceable or friendly relations. It is also a musical term: “the simultaneous sounding of two or more tones, especially when satisfying to the ear”. So agreement and affection can result in harmony, a peaceful state. If humanity could only reject violence, hate and discord, and fasten a pact to respect each other, whether as lovers, friends or the family of all beings on our living planet, how harmonious our world would be. Is this really unattainable?

News to use account of three sergeants assaulting her after she called for their help — she’s been denied medical attention for her injuries and forced into solitary confinement. It’s another example of how the “justice” system fails to protect Black lives—more specifically, the lives of Black trans women, who are 13 times more likely to be sexually assaulted in male prisons than the general population. -Read more on Cassius.com

Gay City News asks, Where is the rainbow flag at the Stonewall Monument? Women celebrate 100th anniversary of suffrage victory Women marched through downtown Rochester on Saturday, July 22 to observe the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote, and honor the suffrage movement in the hometown of one of its leaders – Susan B. Anthony. The march ended at the Susan B. Anthony House and Museum. LORA, a women’s group of the Gay Alliance, was among the many groups taking part.

NYC attacker shouts anti-gay slur while beating disabled man The New York City Police Department is looking for a man who allegedly beat a disabled man, while yelling an antigay slur. The victim, whose name has not been released, was waiting for his bus in the Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan. The victim is said to have been approached by the man, seen in surveillance footage wearing a black hat, a red t-shirt, jeans, and white shoes, as well as a backpack, while pushing a mountain bike, and then attacked. Police have now released the video in hopes of identifying the suspect in the

case, which is being investigated as a possible hate crime, WCBS-TV reports. -Read more and see video on LGBTQ Nation

Trans woman is mistreated, threatened in NY prison Eyricka King (Thompson), Black transgender woman who was incarcerated at Franklin Correctional Facility in the state of New York, has also been a victim of verbal, physical and sexual abuse by inmates and sergeants, and according to a letter written by King — which took multiple attempts to reach the hands of her chosen mother and details the horrific

According to Michael Petrelis on Gay City News: From the foot of historic Christopher Street to its head at the Stonewall National Monument, the LGBTQ Rainbow Flag should fly every day of the year. In the week leading up to this year’s Gay Pride Day, I submitted a request to the New York City parks department and the National Park Service requesting that it fly on the flagstaff in Christopher Park, site of the new national monument designation, for our annual liberation march and celebration. In the process, I was informed that while the parks department maintains the nautical flagpole — comprised of a center pole with two additional masts and three ropes from which to hoist between three and six flags — the National Park Service is the controlling government agency for the Stonewall National Monument where it sits. Out gay city parks spokesperson Sam Biederman, in a telephone chat, said he personally saw no reason why the rainbow colors should not fly on Pride Sunday and beyond but he needed to check with the Manhattan division of the agency to learn what the regulations are for flagpoles it controls. His promise to email a response to my request, from an appropriate staffer, has not been fulfilled. I had better luck getting a response

AUGUST 2017

Trump wants to ban trans people from serving in military “in all capacity” According to Josh Jackman on pinknews.co.uk: Donald Trump has reversed an Obama policy allowing transgender people to serve in the US military. Rowan Collins, Alliance Education Coordinator, who is transgender, commented, “The incessant scapegoating of the transgender community by elected officials and media platforms perpetuates discrimination and violence against us. Putting openly serving transgender individuals at risk and explicitly stating that transgender people are a ‘disruption’ and a ‘burden’ further opens up our community to this violence. Society’s perception of the transgender community is often shaped by those in positions of authority and this is the latest in a gross mis-treatment of power.” The Pentagon said on July 27 that the current policy won’t change yet and serving trans people will be treated “with respect”. in writing from out lesbian Jamie Adams of the National Park Service, after a fruitful telephone conversation: “It was a pleasure speaking with you earlier today! I want you to know that we are currently working to address the flagpole issue at Stonewall National Monument. As of now, we are researching what can be done, but we have yet to find a written regula(Continues page 10)

AUGUST 2017

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AUGUST 2017

A BIG GROOVY THANK YOU to our ROC Pride 2017 Summer of Love volunteers! We could not have had such a successful week of events without each and every one of you! The Alliance wishes you peace, love, and harmony in the year to come. See you next year

(Continued from page 8) tion for the flag pole. Rest assured, we are working to find a solution. I’ll let you know how things progress.” Now, four weeks after receiving that note, the NPS has not communicated with me any further. -Read more on Gay City News

Schumer: Google funding proves Stonewall National Monument here to stay According to Jeff Taylor on LGBTQ Nation: Google’s philanthropic branch, Google.org, is donating $1 million to preserve an oral history of the Stonewall riots, one of the modern era’s earliest and certainly the most famous actions in the fight for LGBTQ rights. The funding will go to The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center to start the project, Sen. Chuck Schumer announced. “With this money, The Center will collaborate with the National Park Foundation to better education the community about its extraordinary history,” Schumer said. Individuals present at the riots will

have a chance to have their stories preserved so that future generations will know what really happened over several days in the summer of 1969, as members of the community fought back against police harassment specifically and a society that refused to accept them generally. William Floyd, Google’s head of external affairs in New York, is credited with coming up with the idea. The Stonewall Inn was named a national monument last year. There has been some concern that the Trump administration could take away the designation after the president signed an executive order instructing the secretary of the Interior to look at the designations made over the past 21 years. “The National Park Service is committed to telling the stories that reflect all of America’s history,” said Joshua Laird, commissioner of the National Parks of New York Harbor. “I pledge to you, that I will do everything in my power to make sure the designation of Stonewall is set in stone,” said Schumer. “No repeal.” He added that the grant sends “an unmistakable message to President Trump and Washington that we’re going to fight to defend Stonewall, because at its core, what happened here at Stonewall was deeply patriotic.”

H E A D L I N E S National and International News

Read the breaking national and international LGBTQ news five days a week on EmptyClosetNews/Facebook and gayalliance.org, click on Empty Closet.

Church of England condemns conversion therapy

The Church of England has called on the government to ban conversion therapy and has condemned the practice, which aims to change sexual orientation, as unethical and potentially harmful. –JoeMyGod.com

Ebony Morgan is 15th trans murder victim of 2017

A 22-year-old transgender woman has been shot to death in Virginia becoming the 15th transgender person to be killed in the United States this year. –pinknews.co.uk

House votes down conservative attempt to erase trans military healthcare

On July 13 the U.S. House of Representatives voted down a vicious amendment that would have ripped away medically necessary health care for transgender service members and military dependents. –OutServe/AMPA

Chechnya’s president: I will defend families who kill their gay relatives

Speaking to HBO, the Chechnyan president said he would defend the rights of families to murder their gay relatives. – pinknews.co.uk

Proposed tax bill could bring refunds to some LGBT couples

Two Democrats in Congress have introduced a bill that would allow same-sex couples married before the Defense of Marriage Act was struck down to file amended federal tax returns for additional years, possibly bringing many of them refunds. - Trudy Ring on The Advocate

ACLU, Lambda Legal sue N.C; amended bathroom bill still discriminates

According to Trudy Ring on The Advocate: The American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal have amended their lawsuit against North Carolina, saying the legislation that replaced the anti-LGBT House Bill 2 still puts the state’s LGBT residents at risk

Texas passes bathroom bill discriminating against trans people

Transgender people living in Texas have had their rights rolled back as the Senate State Affair Committee has voted to approve Senate Bill 3. The Bill forces people to use the bathroom that corresponds with the gender they were assigned at birth. (pinknews.co.uk)

Three Congress members sued by fanatic for displaying rainbow flags

According to Michael Fitzgerald on Towleroad.com: Three House Representatives are being sued for displaying a rainbow flag outside of their Capitol Hill offices. The plaintiff in the case is Chris Sevier who in 2014 made headlines by trying to marry

Here are some of our favorite blogs and websites for national and international LGBTQ news: • pinknews.co.uk • Towleroad.com • queerty.com • JoeMyGod.com • GayCityNews.com • TheAdvocate.com • gaystarnews.com • LGBTQnation.com

LIBRARY & ARCHIVES

Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm Tues., Wed., Thurs.: 6:30-8:30pm We have a 10,000 volume library, and the Bohnett Cyber Center. Contact: library@gayalliance.org or at 585 244-8640. 100 College Avenue, Rochester

PFLAG meets the 2nd Sunday of each month 1-2pm LGBTQ Resource Center 100 College Avenue Rochester 14605 585-993-3297 rochesterpflag@gmail.com

AUGUST 2017

Interview

Marc Levine BY SUSAN JORDAN

The late 1990s – a dramatically different environment from much of the

“I came out at that point and began complaining about this pattern,” he says. The complaints were ultimately successful and Marc found himself at the center of much attention. Another victory came shortly-thereafter: Marc was able to successfully lobby his union to extend dental and vision insurance to domestic partners. Years after these initial – and groundbreaking – victories, Marc noticed something missing. “The court system had fraternal groups for different cultural and ethnic groups, but nothing for LGBT people. It was quite clear that we needed a group. Even outside my court, I knew a couple of people with stories about having had issues due to their sexual orientation. I began reaching out to some people for suggestions and support.” He found that support in Luz Bryan, the President of the Cervantes Society, a fraternal group for Latinx individuals. “She was incredibly supportive and gave me lots of guidance to help me get started.” What came of that initial encouragement and guidance is the Gay/Straight Alliance of the NYS Justice System, which Marc founded officially in 2003. The response to the new group seemed immediate, with support coming from many directions. “When I did my first event outside Brooklyn or Manhattan, it was in Queens County NYC Civil Court. The Supervising Judge was Bernice Siegal, and she plastered our flyers every ten feet. You could not miss what was happening […] Overnight, [a colleague said], it was suddenly OK to be out in the court.” Marc says that the positive changes just kept coming. “Within a few years, the difference in the courts was noticeable. The LGBT community began to be respected and the size of our meetings grew. We spread out to cover all five boroughs of New York City and finally held events outside the city in Albany, Syracuse and Rochester. The Court Administration held us in very high esteem and showed up at our events to

lend support. The Director of Human Resources once told me that the Gay/Straight Alliance changed the culture of the court system.” With the culture of the system shifting, Marc decided to take on a new, bigger challenge: getting openly LGBT judges appointed to higher positions. It took years of relentless advocacy, campaigning, and strategy, but it has paid off. Since 2009 Governor Cuomo has appointed 6 out judges to the Appellate Division. The Supreme Courts in Buffalo, Staten Island, and Manhattan count out Chief Clerks in their ranks. The District Executive of the 7th Judicial District – which includes Rochester – is an openly gay man. Currently, two out individuals have been appointed to Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of all courts in NYC and to the Court of Appeals – the highest court in the state. Even with all of these victories for access and equality in the court system, Marc still felt there was more to be done. He worked to create the Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission of the New York Courts. The Failla Commission is “dedicated to promoting equal participation and access throughout the court system by all persons regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. To fulfill this mission, the Commission will protect and enhance diversity, and promote the presence of the LGBTQ judicial and nonjudicial personnel within the Unified Court System.” In order to get this commission off the ground, Marc and his Gay/Straight Alliance colleagues worked to clarify its intentions and garner support in the court system. Discussions around joining the newly-expanded Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission – which focuses on minority identities – were had before the decision to establish a free-standing LGBTQ commission was reached. Marc recounts: “As President of the Gay/Straight Alliance…I approached [Chief Administrative Judge] Law-

Marc Levine founded the Judicial Alliance and the Failla LGBTQ Commission, bringing visibility and equality to LGBTQ New Yorkers working in the court system.

rence Marks…and he was immediately receptive.” Judge Marks then took the idea to Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, who supported the proposal with such fervor it took only months for the official announcement of the Failla Commission’s creation, which came in December of 2016. Barely able to contain his excitement, Marc says: “With the creation of the Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission of the New York Courts, I have accomplished all the goals I had as President of the Gay/ Straight Alliance….It feels like a whole new world for us.” With victories stacking up in the NYS Unified Court System for LGBTQ identified employees, it seems like the trend of exclusion that Marc worked so hard to combat in the 90s is finally changing. Having Justice Paul Feinman appointed to the NYS Court of Appeals by Gov. Cuomo is the latest is a strong pattern of inclusion and equity. “Having an out judge on the highest court of the state

sends a message that is unmistakable. We are no longer second-class citizens…[Feinman] is one who did not shy away from being out, and gave support whenever he could. I could not be happier.” A new tradition of support from the courts has continued with Judges Marks and DiFiore’s commitment to the LGBTQ community with their support of the Failla Commission. The Commission is, to Levine’s knowledge, the first official part of a state-wide court system devoted to LGBTQ issues. “While the Gay/Straight Alliance has made a real difference, the Commission is poised to bring us to the next level…The Gay/Straight Alliance was a volunteer group of court employees – the Failla Commission has the full weight of the courts behind it. When we speak, it is OCA speaking, and that makes a huge difference. We are tackling large issues and I believe we will make a gigantic difference over the years to come.”

“

“While the Alliance has made a real difference, the Commission is poised to bring us to the next level. Whereas the Alliance was a volunteer group of court employees, the Failla Commission has the full weight of the courts behind it. When we speak, it is OCA speaking, and that makes a huge difference.”

“

pro-LGBT workplace visibility seen today – found Marc Levine in fear for his job. Marc, now the president of the Gay/Straight Alliance of the NYS Justice System, was working in the city courts of Brooklyn and in the midst of piecing together a pattern of discrimination against himself and 3 other closeted employees. Threats to their livelihood and an atmosphere of unease towards gay (or presumed gay) employees of the court system led Marc to make a bold change.

Community AMBUSH ROCHESTER

OPEN ARMS MCC

Ambush Rochester creates a safe place for queer women to congregate once a month at a local venue that is traditionally straight. Queer identified women and allies are welcome! Keep an eye out in the Empty Closet for monthly gathering information or check out Ambush Rochester on Facebook for updates.

At Open Arms MCC we are committed to Building Bridges and Changing Lives. You are welcome here, regardless of your sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, or your religious beliefs. Sunday morning service and Sunday School are at 10:30 am. Summer Sunday School: Our Teen & Tween program will be on hiatus until Sept. 11. For the Rangers and Sprouts, a lesson will be given by Miss Linda and her assistant on the second and fourth Sundays. On the alternate weeks, arts/crafts/games will be available in the children’s area where parents can accompany their child during services. We also host a number of community groups in our Community Center: AFTY (Adult Families with Trans Youth, a program of the Gay Alliance) meets the first Tuesday of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m.; TAGR Trans Alliance of Greater Rochester meets on the third Saturday of each month from 3-5:30 p.m.; New Beginnings Christian Fellowship has their services in the sanctuary on the first and third Sundays of each month from 3-4 p.m. We are located at 707 East Main St., across from the Delta Sonic Car Wash. There is plenty of free parking in front and to the side of our build-

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP FOR GRIEVING PARTNERS This bereavement support group is led by professional facilitators from the perspective of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. These are ongoing, open, drop-in meetings for men and women whose spouse or life-partner has died -- people who “were made for each other.” The group meets first and third Wednesdays of each month from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Center for Compassion and Healing at Lifetime Cares Offices, located at 3111 Winton Rd. South (just south of Brighton-Henrietta TL Rd., across from Cadillac Dealer and Pizza Hut; look for the memorial eagle out front.) No preregistration required. Freewill donation to hospice requested at each session.

You can adopt!

Adoption Information Seminar Presented by Adoption Place of Jewish Family Service of Rochester Tuesday, August 8, 6-8pm The Gay Alliance 100 College Avenue Rochester, New York 14607 RSVP: lglasner@jfsrochester.org, 585-461-0110

NYS authorized adoption agency Made possible by

ing. For updated information on coming events and to view our facilities, check our website: openarmsmcc.org. Call the church if you would like to receive our monthly electronic newsletters. Our provisional pastoral leader, Brae Adams, has office hours on Wednesdays, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and by appointment. (Please call first to make sure she’s available.) Open Arms regular office hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and our phone number is (585) 2718478.

ROMANS Rochester Male Naturists (ROMANS) held its annual traditional July meeting in Prattsburgh, New York. \Our host had a fenced in backyard that allowed us to hang out naked and there was an outdoor swimming for skinny dipping. It was

AUGUST 2017

a dish-to-pass meeting to let members bring in their favorite dishes and drinks to share with other members. As always, there was plenty of laughter and sharing of life experiences among the members. Everyone also got some much-needed sunlight on their pale winter skin to stock up on the nutrient Vitamin D (with careful short period of exposure to the sun). It was wonderful to swim/soak naked in the nice cool water of the outdoor pool. Skinny dipping can be a whole new experience for first timer nudists. ROMANS is a social club for gay and gay-friendly male nudists over 21. We host nude social events in and around Rochester neighborhood. For more information, contact us at message line 585-354-8979, by e-mail wnyromans@yahoo.com or via regular mail at PO Box 92293, Rochester, NY 14692. You can also learn more about us by checking out our website at http://www.wnyromans.com/.

DIGNITY-INTEGRITY Since March, 1975, Dignity-Integrity Rochester has been welcoming all who come through our doors, worshiping every week at 5pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh Street, at the corner of Broad St. We have the following services and activities for the month of August, 2017. August Services: 1st Sunday: Episcopal Mass/Healing Service, with music 2nd Sunday: Catholic Liturgy, with music 3rd Sunday: Quiet Episcopal Liturgy 4th Sunday: Prayers to start the Week followed by Potluck. The theme for the August potluck is “Sundae Sunday”. “Life is short—eat dessert first”...and that’s just what we’ll do on August 27th. We’ll have the ice cream and some toppings, but perhaps you’ve got a favorite sundae ingredient to share? There is always plenty, so don’t worry if you’ve no time to shop or cook. All are welcome!! After each service during the remainder of the month we’ll be gathering for fellowship around a tasty coffee hour and going out to a local restaurant for dinner. Join us anytime! SAVE THE DATE: Annual Labor Day Picnic on Sunday, Sept. 3. We’ll have an Episcopal Mass at 2 p.m. followed by a potluck picnic at about 3 p.m. at the home of friends in Lima. Call the Hotline for directions to the event. Hope you can join us! Remember that you can always call the Hotline at 585-234-5092 or check our website at www.di-rochester.org/ for updates on services and activities.

Martha M. Howden, LCSW, CASAC Anxiety • Depression Alcohol • Stress • Grief Relationship • Family Plan Rectification Work Holotropic Breathwork • Specializing in work with individuals and families in the Coming Out process Martha M. Howden, lcsw, casac 945 E. Henrietta Road, Suite A6 Rochester, New York 14623 Phone: 585 272-1760 Fax: 585 272-8986 Most Insurances Accepted

AUGUST 2017

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AUGUST 2017

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS • PEACE • THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS • LOVE

he Gay Alliance would like to thank our many sponsors who made ROC Pride 2017 happen. Without their generous support Pride would not have been what it was. The Parade on July 15th had an estimated 40,000 people watching and the two-day festival had an estimated attendance of 10,000 people. This was a record-breaking year for ROC Pride. Again thank you for the generous support from all of the sponsors of ROC Pride 2017.

AUGUST 2017

E • THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS ª HARMONY • THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

AUGUST 2017

Health

Implant may mean safer sex without pills or condoms According to David Artavia on The Advocate: Earlier this year the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation teamed up with Intarcia Therapeutics to invest $140 million in a yearly preexposure prophylaxis to prevent the transmission of HIV. Intarcia is at a critical phase in developing the new technology, which could reach far beyond HIV prevention. The company hopes to expand the treatment to other diseases, like autoimmune disorders and type 2 diabetes — the latter usage is awaiting approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Speaking at Fortune’s Brainstorm Health conference, Intarcia CEO Kurt Graves argued that administering medicine via pills and injections works for short-term illnesses, but those with chronic conditions often forget or tire of taking their medication, so an implant could be the perfect solution. The Intarcia device is essentially a pump, slowly dispensing a person’s medicine inside their body each day for a full year. By making a 4-millimeter incision (that’s less than a quarter of an inch) in a person’s torso, a medical professional would slip the implant beneath the skin. After demonstrating the mini-surgery at Brainstorm Health, Graves said it would be a painless procedure. Graves also revealed that Intarcia’s chemists have created the technology to maintain a medication’s effectiveness in an implanted device for over three years. In the future, users might only need to get a medication refill every few years and still have fulltime HIV prevention. -Read more on The Advocate

HCR Home Care By Carla M. Wahls RN, BSN, Clinical Nurse Educator, HCR Home Care At HCR Home Care we pride ourselves on the high-quality health services we provide to the LGBTQ community. HCR has a team of professionals that focus on culturally

competent care while keeping patients in the comfort of their home. As a leader for social justice and advocacy, HCR Home Care ensures that our staff is educated on the health care needs of LGBTQ individuals and other marginalized communities. HCR has partnered with the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley to train staff, and for years HCR has been included in the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). Several steps are taken to let patients know that they are welcomed and safe with HCR Home Care. One of the first steps is to have visible signs of a friendly environment. All employees are provided with a rainbow pin that reflects commitment to care for ALL people, regardless of gender identity. Educational resources, procedures, and policies have been developed to help support our commitment to culturally competent care. The HCR organizational culture is one of embracing unique differences, including sexual orientation and gender identity. Staff development includes self-evaluation of bias, education on providing care, communication skills, and understanding and appreciation of differences. Our standards include the use of gender-neutral language and questions without pronouns when unsure of a client’s gender. Resources are available to help ensure our clients receive the care necessary to obtain an optimal level of health. As health care providers, HCR staff members are very knowledgeable with HIPAA and privacy laws and are bound to support their clients’ right to confidentiality. HCR always encourages staff to become more knowledgeable about how to provide excellent healthcare to ALL our clients. The delivery of health care in the privacy of one’s home is an intimate experience that requires sensitivity on the part of the professional that is privileged to provide that care. HCR supports organizations and initiatives that promote culturally competent care culminating in participation for the past few years in the Gay Alliance, ROC Pride Parade, volunteering with SAGE, and ensuring our patients are being provided the best possible care.

AUGUST 2017

Trans Action Open mic reveals The Good, the Bad, and the Funny lives of Rochester’s Trans community By Lissandra Dyer Equal Grounds Coffee House took its usual night for the Genesee Valley Gender Variants meeting and held an open mic night called “The Good, the Bad, and the Funny.” The event was organized by Shauna O’Toole, 59, of the We Exist Coalition of the Finger Lakes. The event started at 7:30 p.m. and ran until 9:21 p.m. on July 13, during “Sassy in the South Wedge”. Equal Grounds’ was filled with about 30 people. The microphone, speaker, and ASL interpreter took the stage at the back of the coffee house. Since its beginning in 2011, speakers have rapped hip-hop, recited poetry, and performed comedy sketches. Some people come out of the closet or tell stories about their troubled pasts. The stories range from happy to sad, which inspired the name “The Good, the Bad, and the Funny.”

O’Toole spoke first at the event to thank Equal Grounds for hosting an event that lets the transgender and genderexpansive community tell their stories. The event was ASL interpreted by Christopher Coles. “Before, there was not a single event for the trans community,” O’Toole said. “This will not happen again.” She said that “The Good, the Bad, and the Funny’s” purpose is for trans people’s voices to be heard. Thirteen people spoke that night, one of which was Luna Arline Walter, 22-year-old transwoman from Henrietta. Walter started thinking about her identity in 9th grade when she came out to her friends as bisexual, but at this time, she kept her thoughts on gender to herself. In 11th grade, Walter came out to her friends again, this time as gay. After that, she said, “Coming out was like a

Shauna O’Toole (r) , MC of The Good, The Bad, and The Funny with ASL Interpreter Christopher Coles.

rampant river.” The hardest person to come out to, she said, was her dad. Walter came out to her father as gay during a thunderstorm. She texted him and went to bed, fearful. The next morning, dad

turned out to be supportive. Then, in September 2014, Walter came to terms with her transgender identity. She would express her gender in private, wearing women’s clothing at friends’ homes.

Walter came out to the public in January 2017 using Facebook. “It felt right,” she said. “It takes a while to find yourself.” The event went over its scheduled 9 p.m. end time, but the extra time to let more people speak was worth it because people got to hear the words of Cora Treoir Duncan, 66-yearold Rochester resident and EC columnist. Duncan is a musician, writer, and activist. She told the trans community, “We’re vulnerable, but not weak.” Duncan said trans people are not weak because they don’t give up. Duncan said she spent a long life trying to please others and put herself last, but late in life she came out and began her transition. People would ask her, “Why do this now?” “I didn’t make the decision, the decision made me,” Duncan said.

AUGUST 2017

Columnist orientation or gender identity. “No one should ever have to walk into a store and wonder if they will be turned away just because of who they are,” Mullins told ACLU Colorado. With Justice Neil Gorsuch newly appointed to the Supreme Court and recent rumors of Justice Anthony Kennedy retiring and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg failing to

retire during the Obama administration, the ideological balance of the Court is at stake in this uber-conservative Trump administration. Let’s hope in the fall the Supreme Court does the right thing and does not codify LGBTQ discrimination, because democracy can only begin when those at the margin can experience what others take for granted.

From GRID to Glee: 35 Years of the LGBTQ Experience in American Politics and Pop Culture Part 4, The 2010s: “Modern Families”

Harvard Divinity School Professor Rev. Irene Monroe is a nationally syndicated columnist.

Will the Supreme Court allow businesses to refuse to serve the LGBTQ community? Faith Matters By Rev. Irene Monroe In June the U. S. Supreme Court announced that in the fall it will hear the case “Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission.” The case -- which will have many of us LGBTQ Americans on pins and needles -- will argue the parameters of Americans’ right to practice their religions, their right to enforce their religious views on others, and their right to express themselves freely that’s enshrined in the First Amendment. In 2012, gay couple David Mullins and Charlie Craig wanted to order a cake for their upcoming wedding reception. With plans to marry in Massachusetts, because same-sex marriage wasn’t legalized in Colorado until 2014, the couple decided to celebrate their nuptials back home. Jack Phillips, owner to Masterpiece Cakeshop, informed the couple that because of religious views he doesn’t provide cakes for same-sex weddings. “We do a variety of cakes. We do birthday cakes and shower cakes…. We don’t do Halloween cakes and adult-themed cakes,” Phillips stated in

New York Times YouTube. Many conservatives in Phillips’s camp argue that his position is not a repudiation of same-sex marriage but rather a principled stance to fight for free expression unfettered by the “tyranny of political correctness”. A movement for some time now has been afoot in state legislatures across the country to disenfranchise LGBTQ Americans. These bills are called “Religious Freedom Restoration Acts” (RFRA), and are a backlash to the growing acceptance of same-sex marriage and the growing fear of when the Supreme Court will legalize it nationwide. Lawmakers use these bills to codify LGBTQ discrimination to justify denying us services. For example, in 2013 a familyowned bakery in Gresham, Oregon called “Sweet Cakes by Melissa” wanted to “practice their Constitutional right to religious freedom.” However, instead of servicing an LGBTQ clientele, Sweet Cakes closed the family shop and moved the business to their home, making it clear LGBTQ dollars are not wanted. Colorado state law prohibits public accommodations, like Masterpiece Cakeshop, from refusing service based on race, gender, marital status, sexual

By Stephanie R. G. Harageones At the start of the 2010s, things were going well for the LGBTQ community in both politics and pop culture. The largest impact politically was the 2008 election and popularity of president Barack Obama. Over the course of his presidency, many good changes took shape. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was overturned. DOMA was struck down and by 2015, same-sex marriage was federal law. In a quieter, but as-important victory, child adoption for gay couples was also federally protected. And more than just hard-won legal battles, attitudes have changed. Antibullying and pro-gay campaigns are everywhere. To name a few: NoH8, It Gets Better, GLAAD, GLSEN, the Human Rights Campaign; the list goes on. Two television shows had a huge impact on public opinion, and they both started in 2009. Sitcom Modern Family and musical comedy Glee were both milestones for the community. Both series had a huge impact on LGBTQ culture and earned a large following in the 2010s. While there were other TV shows that featured diverse characters and same-sex relationships, Modern Family and Glee have arguably been two of the most critically and commercially successful, unabashedly bringing LGBT characters front and center many times. Over Glee’s impressive six-season run, the show had nearly 10 characters who were LGBT. These teen characters tackled everything from coming out to virginity, from heartbreak to acceptance, even marriage for two of the most beloved same-sex

couples on the show. With Modern Family, the characters are older and the plot is more nuanced. But the idea is normalcy -- a modern family like Mitch and Cam’s being, well, modern. The subtly of their same-sex relationship (and later marriage) is the whole point. The emotional adaptation and constant support of ageing patriarch Jay Pritchett to his son’s husband and their adopted daughter is one of the strongest ways the show related to an LGBT audience beyond their teen years. The largest impact on music was from Lady Gaga. Constantly promoting love and acceptance, her hit “Born This Way” is an anthem devoted to celebrating diversity and encourages everyone to be themselves. She even made the Born This Way Foundation, to continue acceptance, tolerance and love. There have been other supportive songs, like “Same Love” and the lesser-known “Boys In The Street”. And so this brings us to now, 2017. Like many people in the community, I am alarmed and disheartened by the Trump administration. Between the ultra-conservative Pence and terrifyingly anti-establishment Steve Bannon, their agenda feels full of hate and tosses us in a sea of doubt. Just as we were settling in so nicely with Obama-era acceptance, many now worry it will be rolled back or ripped away. But as citizens of New York, we can take some comfort in the message of Governor Cuomo. Days after the election, he wrote: “Whether you are gay or straight, we respect all people.” We may be worried, we may be in a state of dismay. But at least we’re together, in the state of New York.

Ongoing Calendar

DAILY

WEDNESDAYS

Free confidential walk-in HIV testing M/W 9am-5pm, T/Th 9am-7pm, F 9am-12:30pm Trillium Health 259 Monroe Ave. 585-545-7200

Finger Lakes Alzheimer’s Caregiver Institute LGBTQ and Allies Care Partner Support Group A new program of the Gay Alliance, 100 College Ave. Second Wednesdays, 4-5:30pm. No registration required but for information call Mara Kouides at 244-8400 x239 or the Alzheimer’s Association 585-760-5400.

Gay Alliance Library & Archives 9am-5pm. Tues./Wed./Thurs. 6:30-8:30pm 100 College Ave. Walk-in HIV testing At all Anthony Jordan health center sites including 82 Holland St. (See Resources)

MONDAYS LORA Coffee Social Equal Grounds Coffee House 750 South Ave. Monday evenings. 6pm. Contact: Regina Altizer: reginaaltizer@gmail.com Rochester Historical Bowling Society 7pm. Empire Lanes SAGE Monday Movie Meet-up 1:30pm Dryden Theater 900 East Ave 14607. Free to seniors. Please arrive early to sit together in right balcony. Contact Roger & Dave: rcfdjm@ gmail.com Movie Schedule: https://eastman.org/ film-series/senior-matinees Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Mondays, 6pm, George Eastman House parking lot. www.rochesterfrontrunners.org. Steps Beyond Stems Crack Support Group, Mondays, 7-8pm, 289 Monroe Ave.

TUESDAYS SAGE Senior Chair Yoga w/ Thomas Somerville 10:30-11:30am, LGBTQ Resource Center 100 College Ave 14607. $5. SAGE Lunch and Learn 11:30am Catered Lunch $3. donation, LGBTQ Resource Center 100 College Ave 14607 Alliance Yoga with Tom 5:30pm Multi level yoga for all ages. $15. LGBTQ Resource Center 100 College Ave 14607 Craft Night Third Tuesday, 6:30-8pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 244-8640. COAP Open volleyball, Tuesdays 5pm-dusk, Cobbs Hill Park near Lake Riley Lodge. Teen Clinic at Planned Parenthood 114 University Avenue Rochester. Birth control, condoms, HIV testing, counseling. Weekly, Tuesdays 3-7pm. Adult Families of Trans Youth (AFTY) A program of the Gay Alliance. First Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30pm, Open Arms MCC Community Center, 707 E. Main St. TransParent Support group for parents of trans youth. Third Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. LGBT Veterans Healthy Living Veterans support. 2nd, 4th Tuesdays, 10-11am Canandaigua VA, bldg. 9, room 8, Library conference room. 585 463-2731, 585 205-3360. Testing Tuesdays at Trillium Health FREE HIV Testing for everyone, STI/STD testing FREE for women and MSM. Trillium Health, 259 Monroe Ave, 5-8pm. 585-545-7200 Women’s Community Chorus Rehearsals each Tuesday, 6:30-9pm, Downtown United Pres. Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh Street. 2344441, www.therwcc.org Gay Alliance Youth Gender Identity Support Group First Tuesday. 5:30-6:30pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Ages 13-20. 244-8640. SAGE Men’s Group 50+ 7pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 1st, 3rd Tuesdays. Topic discussion. rtony13@aol.com

Identity Group LGBT identified individuals who have a developmental disability diagnosis. The group meets Wednesdays 3-4pm at ARC Health Services (2060 Brighton-Henrietta Townline Rd. 14623). The goal is to provide a safe space to discuss identity issues, share personal experiences and increase self-esteem. Facilitated by Delaina Fico. LMSW. Contact Delaina Fico at dfico@arcmonroe. org or 585-271-0661 ext. 1552. Line Dancing at 140 Alex Weekly on Wednesday, 7– 9pm. 140 Alex Bar & Grill, 140 Alexander St. Line dancing lessons upstairs. All types of music, relaxed group, beginners welcome! $2 a person suggested donation. Lifetime Care LGBT Bereavement Group For loss associated with any type of relationship. Meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month from 5:30-7pm at Center for Compassion and Healing (3111 Winton Rd S). No fee. Please call 475-8800 for more details. COAP Come Out and Play Wednesday game nights. 7-10pm. Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. coap.rochester@gmail.com Rochester Rams General Meeting 2nd Wednesdays, 7:30pm, Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave. www.rochesterrams.com Positive Warriors Wednesdays, 11:30am-12:30pm. Trillium Health, 259 Monroe Ave. Positive Divas Wednesdays, 11:30am-12:30pm. Trillium Health, 259 Monroe Ave. Frontrunners/Frontwalkers 6pm, Eastman House parking lot. www.rochesterfrontrunners.org. Gay Alliance Library & Archives 6:30-8:30pm (Also Tues. and Thurs.) 100 College Ave. Empire Bears Every Wednesday. 6pm dinner at various venues. See Empire Bears Inc. on Facebook.

THURSDAYS SAGE Senior Chair Yoga w/ Thomas Somerville 10:30am, LGBTQ Resource Center 100 College Ave 14607. $5. Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns 6:30pm, first Thursday. Ralph, 271-7649 Pride at Work & AFL CIO Meets third Thursdays, 6pm. LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Bess Watts 426-0862. Depression Bipolar Support Alliance Youth and young adults. LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. dbsa.monroecounty@gmail.com GLOB&L (Gays & Lesbians of Bausch & Lomb) Meets every third Thursday in Area 67 conference room at the Optic Center. Voice mail: 338-8977 Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. 7-9:30pm, 423-0650 NLIST Transgender Support Group 5-6:15pm, Trillium Health. Must pre-register. HRC Second Thursdays Social/business networking, 5:30-7:30pm. Changing venues. Genesee Valley Gender Variants 7-9pm, Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. GV GenderVariants@yahoogroups.com Euchre Throwdown Thursday. Monthly event, this month July 20. 6:30pm, Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave.

FRIDAYS LGBT AA meeting Fridays, 7:30-8:30pm, Closed meeting. Emmanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave. Gay Alliance Youth Monthly Special Event, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave., 244-8640; Ages 13-20. youth@gayalliance.org. Check Facebook.com/ GayAllianceYouth Boyz Night Out Drag king revue. First Fridays, The Firehouse Saloon, 814 S. Clinton Ave.

SATURDAYS The Repair Shop AA meeting at the LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 5:30-6:30pm, Saturdays. 244-8640. Rochester Rams Bar Night Third Saturdays, 8pm-2am, Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave. 271-6930 Trans Alliance of Greater Rochester Support/educational group for gender-variant people, allies. Last Saturdays, 3-5:30pm, Open Arms MCC, 707 E. Main St. Frontrunners/Frontwalkers 9am, George Eastman House parking lot. www.rochesterfrontrunners.org. 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. Sophia’s Supper Club First, third Saturdays, 25 Bernie Lane, 6:30pm. Men’s Cooking Group Third, fourth Saturdays. 585-355-7664, mcgofrochester@aol.com.

SUNDAYS PFLAG (Parents Families & Friends of Lesbians And Gays) 585 993-3297, rochesterpflag@gmail.com. LORA Women’s Brunch Third Sundays except holidays. 10am. Pixley’s Restaurant, 2235 Buffalo Rd., Gates. Contact Kerry at DressyFemme@aol.com Dignity-Integrity 1st Sunday: 5pm Episcopal Eucharist with music; 2nd Sunday: 5pm Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Word with music; 3rd Sunday: 5pm Episcopal Eucharist (quiet); 4th Sunday: 5pm Prayers to start the week, followed by potluck supper. Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church 707 E. Main St., Services at: 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.

Resources page online at www.gayalliance.org

“Having an out judge on the highest court of the state sends a message that is unmistakable. We are no longer second-class citizens. Our community has reached the pinnacle of power in the New York courts.… Justice Feinman… is someone who did not shy away from being out, and who gave support whenever he could.” ~ Marc Levine

AUGUST 2017

ROCHESTER AA/NA MEETINGS

Every week there are three regularly scheduled GLBTI AA and two inclusive NA meetings in Rochester.

TUESDAYS

Narcotics Anonymous AIDS and Recovery, 1124 Culver Road (Covenant United Methodist Church). 6-7:30pm. 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.

FRIDAYS

LGBT Immanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Avenue, 7:30pm. 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. Open meeting. Handicapped accessible.

SATURDAYS

The Repair Shop AA meeting at the LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 5:30-6:30pm. 585-244-8640. Saturday Night Special First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Rd. 7pm. 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 and “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 1275 Spencerport Road (Trinity Alliance Church) 7:30-9pm. 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 St. Luke/St. Simon’s Episcopal Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh Street. 8pm. 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. ■

AUGUST 2017

August Calendar TUESDAY 1

TANGENT (Trans and Gender Expansive Youth Group) 5:30–6:30 pm @ LGBTQ Resource Center. A monthly social and discussion group for trans and genderqueer youth ages 13-20. August: Build your own marble path with tunnels and turns. Team Building and problem solving. SAGE Tuesday Lunch & Learn 11:30am-2pm @ LGBTQ Resource Center. Catered lunch. “Cake Day” for August birthdays, Hidden LGBTQ history discussion. $3. SAGE Men’s Discussion Group 7-8pm @ LGBTQ Resource Center. Topic discussion for men 50+, hosted by Tony & Chuck. Info: Rtony13@aol.com

THURSDAY 3

LORA Women’s Walk 6-7pm, Brickyard Nature Trail (Westfall Trailhead) Brighton 14618. Easy 1-mile hike. Park in Westfall Rd. lot adjacent to the Landing of Brighton complex, 1350 Westfall Rd, 14618. Info: annet@gayalliance.org

FRIDAY 4

LORA Women’s Social Meetup: Gallery Q @ LGBTQ Resource Center. Art, wine & cheese. 6-9pm. The Triangle, ImageOut, and Gallery Q partner to present ILLUMINATE – a pop-up Gallery Event celebrating the LGBTQ community in the Triangle. 6-9pm, 1392 Culver Rd. at “The Point” of Culver and Merchants. First Friday gathering with after-party at Johnny’s. Live music by Staz.

SATURDAY 5

Out in the Sticks - Batavia Dinner Meetup 5-7pm, Bohn’s Restaurant, 5256 Clinton Street Rd, Batavia, NY 14020, $10. dinner specials, all are welcome. RSVP: Anne annet@ gayalliance.org or (585) 244-8640x23.

SUNDAY 6

Dignity Integrity. Episcopal Mass/Healing Service, with music. 5pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St.

TUESDAY 8

SAGE Tuesday Lunch & Learn 11:30am-2pm @ LGBTQ Resource Center. Catered lunch. Bess Watts, Pride at Work AFL-CIO presents: NYS Constitutional Convention Pros & Cons. $3 Jewish Family Services You Can Adopt! 6-8pm @ LGBTQ Resource Center. Learn about domestic infant adoption as well as adopting awaiting children. To register call 585-461-0110

WEDNESDAY 9

Rochester Black Pride. Through Aug. 13. For specific events see www. rocblackpride.com; Instagram: @ Rocblackpride; Facebook.com/ rocblackpride Finger Lakes Alzheimer’s Caregiver Institute LGBTQ and Allies Care Partner Support Group. A new program of the Alliance, 100 College Ave. Second Wednesdays, 3-4:30pm. For information call Mara Kouides at 244-8400 x239.

THURSDAY 10

SAGE Breakfast Club 10am12pm Denny’s Restaurant, 911 Jefferson Road, Henrietta. All are welcome! RSVP: Gerry by 7/11 at gkraus@rochester.rr.com or (585) 730-8772. ImageOut & The Little present “Whitney Can I Be Me”. 6:30pm. Tickets $9, $6 for students and seniors.

SUNDAY 13

Dignity Integrity. Catholic Liturgy, with music. 5pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St.

TUESDAY 15

Empty Closet deadline for Sept. issue. 244-9030; susanj@gayalliance.org SAGE Tuesday Lunch & Learn 11:30am-2pm @LGBTQ Resource Center. Catered lunch. Leslie Alvarado of HCR presents: Maintaining Mental Alertness as We Age. $3 SAGE Social Worker Support 11:00am-3:00pm @LGBTQ Resource Center. Mara Kouides LCSW is available on-site to consult on issues around dementia, Alzheimers & caretaking. Free. SAGE Men’s Discussion Group 7pm-8pm @LGBTQ Resource Center. Topic discussion for men 50+. Info: Rtony13@aol.com

WEDNESDAY 16

LGBTQ Aging: unique challenges and strategies. RSVP: (585) 2448640x23. SAGE Fabulous Fish Fry 5:307pm, Golden Fox Restaurant, 1115 Culver Rd 14609. All are welcome! RSVP: Audet by 8/14 at (585)2872958 or aprice002@aol.com

SATURDAY 19

SAGE 2017 Annual Picnic 1-5pm, Brighton Town Park Lodge 777 Westfall Rd, Brighton 14620. Catered picnic, games, door prizes. Accessible. $10. tickets at Equal Grounds or LGBTQ Resource Center. Info: annet@gayalliance.org

SUNDAY 20

Dignity Integrity. Quiet Episcopal Liturgy. 5pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. LORA Women’s Brunch, 10am12pm, Pixleys Restaurant, 2235 Buffalo Road, Gates. All are welcome. RSVP: Kerry at DressyFemme@aol.com

MONDAY 21

SAGE Leadership & Services meeting 6:30- 7:30pm @LGBTQ Resource Center. Planning meeting. Info: Anne annet@gayalliance.org or (585) 244-8640x23.

TUESDAY 22

LORA Women’s Happy Hour 5-7pm, Richmonds Tavern, 21 Richmond St off Main 14607. All are welcome… great wings!

SAGE Tuesday Lunch & Learn 11:30am-2pm @LGBTQ Resource Center. Catered lunch. Gary Pudup of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence presents on “Guns & You”. $3

All Hands On Deck for Equality. Human Rights Campaign event at Rochester Yacht Club, 6-9pm. $100. 90-minute open bar, picnic style buffet, brief program, HRC membership renewal. HRCWesternNY@gmail.com.

National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS Pride Event. Genesee Valley Park Dogwood Shelter. 2– 6pm. Free HIV & HEP C testing; For more information contact: Roscoe Skinner, rskinner@nblca.org

THURSDAY 17

FRIDAY 18

SAGE Volunteer Services & Call to Connect Information Session 1-3pm @LGBTQ Resource Center. Launch of “Call to Connect” volunteer program to address isolation of homebound or ill LGBTQ people. RSVP (585) 244-8640x23. SAGE presents “Pride in Aging: The Road Ahead” 2:30-4pm, LGBTQ Resource Center. Monthly professional presentations for people looking to “Age in Place” Successful

WEDNESDAY 23

THURSDAY 24

Queer Queens Of Qomedy at 140 Alex Bar & Grill 7:30pm. Tickets $22 for general admission and $35 for VIP admission, including meet and greet before show with the comedians, wine and cheese, preferred seating. Portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Gay Alliance. www.queerqueensofqomedy.com. Tickets http:// Q3Rochester140.bpt.me

Name

FRIDAY 25

NYS Fair Pride Day. The Alliance will be sponsoring a bus to Syracuse. Pick up at 100 College Ave., 7:30am; drop off there 7:30pm. $25. per ticket, this includes entrance to NYS Fair. To purchase tickets please call 244-8640.

SATURDAY 26

Out in the Sticks: Dansville “Friends & Family Potluck Picnic” at Stony Brook Park 11am-4pm, Stony Brook Park, 10820 NY-36, Lower park entrance, Dansville 14437. Open to all – bring the grandkids. Bring chair & dish to pass. Look for rainbow decorated tent @ main parking lot (toward Clara Barton Shelter). $7 per car entry. To carpool: annet@gayalliance.org

SUNDAY 27

Dignity Integrity. Prayers to start the week followed by potluck, “Sundae Sunday”. 5pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St.

TUESDAY 29

SAGE Tuesday Lunch & Learn 11:30am-2pm@ LGBTQ Resource Center. Catered lunch. SAGE Photo Scrapbooking & games. $3

WEDNESDAY 30

SAGE Happy Hour 5-7pm, Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave, 14607. Gather at the 4M. Drink specials & pizza. All are welcome. Info: annet@gayalliance.org 8/17

Address City/State/Zip Phone E-mail Gay Alliance Membership Levels: ❏ $30-99 Advocate ❏ $100 Champion ❏ $1,000-4,999 Triangle Club ❏ $5,000+ Stonewall ❏ Check enclosed in the amount of _________ (check #______) Please charge my credit card in the amount of __________ To: ❏ American Express, ❏ Discover, ❏ MasterCard, ❏ Visa Credit card # ____________________________Exp. Date: _______ ❏ I would be proud to have my donation publicly acknowledged. Benefits: Your annual Gay Alliance membership, aside from the good feelings, entitles you to a free subscription to New York state’s first gay publication: The Empty Closet – mailed to your home or work. There are also exciting privileges at each level. Phone: 585-244-8640 or mail to: The Gay Alliance, 100 College Avenue, Rochester, New York 14607.

Queer Verse

AUGUST 2017

Static Electricity By Christopher Coles What draws Me to You? What draws You to Me? Spontaneous Combustion of Our Static Electricity “What draw Me to You? What draws You to Me? Spontaneous Combustion of our Static Electricity” And We Dance... Earth moving under the crowded beats of the dance floor.. Silhouettes casting shadows under the warm cinnamon glow of moonlight. Sweat salted bodies being drenched with Song.. & I am inspired to dance... Approaching witin, the maze of Perfumed Peacocks Feathers plumbed to the high heavens. Slipping and squeezing Row by row thru Skinny jeans & Torso marked Billboards that would make Fashion Designers happy; Senses taken from the smell of sweat warmed skin & those who obviously needed to taste their own cologne. And I dance... Intoxicated with my Elixir, Rhythmic beat finds its way thru me as I am overwhelmed in Song pumping on the dance floor. I close my eyes while Disco Melodies taking over my hips causing them to sway ... Eyes stray!... Beholding me in Song sensual glory Tho i haven’t seem to notice anyone watching. Causing Static! Electricity! pulsing thru me.. Bassline moving my feet and rolling my hips as if possessed by the spirit of Lust. Smiles from across the room and approaching partners join me in dance. hands grope.. feeling curves thru my body Tracing the broad of my hips down to the firm of my backside. We smile at each other.. and study.. anthropology! as if the hieroglyphs were written within my chocolate skin.

Christopher Coles....Love Myself.....

I feel as free as my dreadlock crown.. I am ready to come undone.. Magnetic attraction bring you toward me as dancers intercourse. ...Seeing me See you.. & Somehow i feel.. i know your name. Yes Ive been to this club a thousand times but this dance is anew shining brightly thru my solar plexus darkened spaces with histories of rainfall now being evermade into sunlight. It goes beyond gender, it glows beyond face, it goes beyond thickness, much deeper than race, to something deeper down & down deeper still. trees planted by water My faith, and My will. Now Look thru thru theses sensual eyes tell me What did you see?. “Well dressed sensual Flesh?”..

Or hidden conversatons with God to make me.. and mold me... into something greater than ive ever been. And in turn, He made me beautiful. “That which is like itself unto itself will be drawn.” Static electricity caused by friction of the rubbing together Of Body consciousness. & Soul consciousness.. causing all of them to cling!. Cuz ya see... “You can be born ; Cute perform yourself well.. and be Sexy but your conversations with God.. Make you Attractive!.” “What draws me to You? What draws you to Me? Spontaneous combustion of Our Static Electricity!. “ @ BakariPoet 4’13

AUGUST 2017

Culture

Pop-up Gallery event is Aug. 4 The Triangle, ImageOut, and Gallery Q will partner to present ILLUMINATE – a pop-up Gallery Event celebrating the LGBTQ community in the Triangle, 1392 Culver Rd. for a First Friday gathering, from 6-9 p.m. with after-party at Johnny’s. Live music by Staz, and Johnny’s Irish Pub will host a tasting by Naked Dove and more live music.

Queer Queens of Qomedy are at 140 Alex, Aug. 24

Poppy Champlin and her Queer Queens will sizzle at 140 Alex this month.

The Queer Queens of Qomedy are coming to 140 Alex Bar and Grill on Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Producer and comedian Poppy Champlin is at it again, ending summer with a sizzling new lineup of fresh funny lesbian comedians. Erin Foley is headlining this bill and is one of the country’s premiere stand-up comics. She recently was seen on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, was on the Conan O’Brian Show, Arsenio Hall, Chelsey Lately and has made numerous appearances at The Montreal Comedy Festival. Poppy Champlin is the constant in the Queer Queens rotation and has appeared on such shows as Comics Unleashed, Oprah, Comedy Central, LOGO, HBO, Showtime and more. The third Queen to rule this stage is Mercedez Sulay, she is a Rochester entertainer and was voted Miss Gay Rochester 2014, and Miss Queen of Hearts 2012. The Queer Queens say they are thrilled to announce their new sponsor, Sapphire Books Publishing, the premier lesbian literature publisher, as well as thrilled to announce that The Gay Alliance of Rochester is on board to receive some of the proceeds from the show as well as helping to let people know. “This show is guaranteed to have you laughing til it hurts. Come enjoy a delightfully painful night of laughter.” Tickets are $22 for general admission and $35 for VIP admission, which includes a meet and greet before the show with the comedians with wine and cheese and preferred seating. www.queerqueensofqomedy.com The show will be at 140 Alex Bar and Grill, 140 Alexander Street, 585-256-1000. www.140Alex.com. Tickets at Brown Paper Tickets http://Q3Rochester140.bpt.me

Introducing a new music column: OutLoud Genderfluid music label “Femmekraft” drops the bass with premiere track By Jeff Howard A new generation of booty-dropping bass has arrived! Charlie Sheena brings the party to speakers worldwide with the track “Thot Joose”, a hot and heavy club banger that’s realer than an episode of “Dance Moms”. The track is the first of many to come from the brand new, Brooklyn-based queer music label, “FemmeKraft”. “Thot Joose” is a collaboration Read about the latest music from our new between the aforementioned MC reviewer, Jeff Howard. Charlie Sheena and DJ/Producer Tyler Stone, who also runs the “FemmeKraft” label. On the track, Stone’s production smacks you in the face, drills you with butt-bumping bass and bangs all night long. MC Charlie Sheena totally shreds on “Thot Joose” too, with vocals that are sexy, scary, and edgy. It’s like they’re summoning a banshee except they’re on the set of MTV Cribs and it’s 2004. Honestly, every time I play “Thot Joose”, I get scared the cops are going to come. It’s just that dirty. As a whole, “Thot Joose” is super tight. If you love tribal percussion, the song will be up your alley (the bongos are pure ear candy). If you’re more of a bootyshaking bass whore, “Thot Joose” will also be your jam. The synth bass is nasty, metallic and totally grinding. Personally though, what I love most about the track is its raw sexiness and futuristic sound. Also it has pan flutes. Enough said. I have only one problem with “Thot Joose” and it’s that ever since “FemmeKraft” dropped it I haven’t been able to sleep at night. I’m just too excited to see what the label is going to grind out next. If this track is any sign, we’re going to hear a lot more wet, oozing bass, tight percussion and nasty sampling from them. If you’re interested in hearing “Thot Joose” and staying in touch with “FemmeKraft”, visit https://soundcloud.com/femmekraft.

AUGUST 2017

Come worship among Friends… Rochester Friends Meeting (Quakers) 84 Scio Street (downtown)

Sunday worship, 11:00 am (10:00 am from Memorial Day to Labor Day) Child care, Free parking, Wheelchair access www.rochesterquakers.org • 325-7260

AUGUST 2017

Alliance Page

As an agent of change since 1973, the Alliance

is introducing a new logo to accompany the next part of our journey. Chosen by YOU at ROC Pride 2017, the new logo incorporates the rainbow as we know it and adds depth and movement to symbolize our ever-evolving and ever-growing community. The Alliance is proud of this community-led decision and looks forward to the many ways we will change and grow in the years to come. column in The Empty Closet, Shoulders to Stand On, and also a monthly History Corner of local gay historical events. She was the executive producer and grant writer for Reflections of a Rainbow, a 16-minute documentary on the history of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley used for fundraising and marketing. While on the Board of the Gay Alliance, she served as Chair of the Development Committee and Chair of the Programming Committee. Ms. Bailey is a leader in the Rochester LGBT community volunteering as Chair of the Pride Picnic 2008 - 2015, Chair of Dining Out With Friends 2006 – 2008, and Chair of GAGV Bid From the Heart Auction from 1987 – 1989. Evelyn has been a teacher of mathematics for the past 30 years, and is a small business owner.

Volunteer of the Month: Evelyn Bailey Evelyn is an educator, political activist and historian. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, which she identifies as the “Hub of the Universe”, she came to Rochester in 1976. A founding member of Catholics Against Nuclear Arms, Evelyn served as the treasurer of the 1983 Seneca Women’s Encampment for a Future of Peace and Justice in Romulus, NY. Evelyn is the executive producer of the Shoulders To Stand On documentary on the history of the Rochester LGBT community which premiered in September 2013 at the Dryden Theater. Evelyn received the Community Service Award in 2014 from the Empire State Pride Agenda and the 2014 Community Leadership Award in Education from the Greater Rochester Branch of the American Association of University

Women. In 2014 she was the Grand Marshal of the Gay Pride Parade. Primarily due to Evelyn’s efforts, in 2016 the Gay Alliance received the Debra E. Bernhardt Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Documenting New York’s History for the exemplary work of the Shoulders To Stand On Program and the Gay Alliance commitment to document and preserve and make accessible the LGBTQ history of the Rochester region. Currently she chairs the Rainbow Dialogues: A Bridge from the Past to the Present committee which is planning a one day community interactive dialogue in March, 2018 and a two day event in 2019 in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall. Evelyn is currently the Gay Alliance Archivist and the Rochester LGBTQ historian. She writes a monthly

New Alliance program supports Alzheimer’s caregivers Through a partnership between the Gay Alliance, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Lifespan, we are excited to announce a new LGBTQ and Allies Care Partner support group. Caregiving for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s Disease or a related dementia is an unique experience and this new support group offers an opportunity for LGBTQ and ally caregivers to connect on a monthly basis. If you are a caregiver of a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease or a related dementia, please join us at the Gay Alliance, 100 College Ave, on the second Wednesday of each month from 3-4:30 p.m. No registration is required. For more information regarding the group and respite options, please call 1-800-272-3900.

Meet the Board: Chloe Corcoran Chloe Corcoran says: I currently work in Alumni Relations for the University of Rochester, which I love. I am also pursuing a doctorate degree in higher education through the University’s Warner School of Education. The Rochester community is very important to me, so I also volunteer with RocCity Coalition, and UR Young Leaders. I do somehow try to find time for my hobby of nature photography, which I am (hopefully!) getting better at. I was struggling with the idea of coming out, and I was introduced to the Alliance in 2015. After a few meetings with people there, I got involved in a committee, which I have stuck with ever since. I was very fortunate to have support from

the Alliance, which eventually helped me to come out and transition. I would say to anyone who is questioning or looking for information and/or resources, to please contact us. It certainly helped me. I am the current Chair of the Development Committee. We have a great team that works hard to help ensure the future growth of the Alliance, while also letting people know that they are making an impact on the community. We have a great Board, and I count myself fortunate to be involved. I would love to see the Alliance continue to grow! Having a physical space where people can visit has made a huge impact on the community. I would like to see us be able to offer even more services to all members of the LGBTQ community, and make more connections with groups that we have not historically worked with as much. If you are thinking of volunteering, please join us! I think everyone has a skill set they can employ to make the community better, and we would love to have more people on board. I should mention that, even though I am a volunteer, the support I have received from the Alliance has made a huge difference in my life too.

Where We’ve Been in June

• The Irondequoit Library Alzheimer’s Association • Rochester Integrated Health Network • Rochester Area Employment Network • Wayne ARC • Willow Domestic Violence Center • Wegmans School of Nursing at SJFC • Barilla America • Corning Inc. • The LGBTQ Academy • Warner Graduate School at UR

AUGUST 2017

The Gay Alliance works to be champions for LGBTQ life and culture. We strive to ensure that all members of the LGBTQ communities, at all stages of their lives, are free to be fully participating citizens, living lives in which they are safe, stable and fully respected.

Bed & Breakfast

Board of Trustees

Colleen Raimond, President Jennifer Matthews, Secretary Martin Murphy, Treasurer Jason Barnecut-Kearns, Paul Birkby, Chloe Corcoran, Sady Fischer, Jeff Lambert, Milo Primeaux, Luis RosarioMcCabe, David ZonaÂ Executive Director Scott Fearing Managing Director Jeffrey Myers Development Director Josh Stapf Education Director Jeannie Gainsburg Education Coordinator Rowan Collins SAGE Program Coordinator Anne Tischer Database Kat Wiggall Bookkeeper Christopher Hennelly Administrative Assistant Jeana Bonacci-Roth

The Empty Closet Editor Susan Jordan susanj@gayalliance.org â&#x20AC;&#x2030; Phone: (585) 244-9030 Fax: (585) 244-8246 Graphic Design Jim Anderson jimandersondesign@me.com Photography Doug Meszler (585) 244-9030 Jennie Bowker jennieb@gayalliance.org. (585) 244-9030

The Gay Alliance

CREATE THE LIFE YOU WANT Reiki Healing * Meditation | Laws of Attraction | Mind, Body, Spirit Balance | Setting Intentions

Rochester Light & Learning Wellness Center Paula Morisey, Spiritual Coaching 1790 NY RTE 441, Penfield | Roclightandlearning.com | Schedule a session: 585-857-7163

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

100 College Avenue Rochester, New York 14607 Mon. & Fri., 9am-5pm Tues., Wed., Thurs. 9am-8pm Phone: (585) 244-8640 Fax: (585) 244-8246 Email: info@gayalliance.org Internet: www.gayalliance.org

AUGUST 2017