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NUMBER 496

A PUBLICATION OF THE GAY ALLIANCE

DEC-JAN 2016

How Can We Better Serve You?

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fter 45 years, it is time to examine the role of The Empty Closet to ensure that it meets the ever-changing needs of our LGBTQ community and our allies.

That is why The Empty Closet editor and the Gay Alliance staff and board want to know what types of content will entice you to read it, either in print or online.

Please complete a quick survey.

Your input is important to the success of The Empty Closet, and sharing your thoughts and opinions is as easy as choosing one, two or three:

1.) Do you read The Empty Closet? ❏ Yes, regularly ❏ Yes, occasionally ❏ No, (I only picked it today to answer this survey.)

Please share your thoughts about the readability of The Empty Closet:

1. Mail your completed survey form to the LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607, or drop it off in person; 2. Snap a picture of your completed survey form and email it to ec@gayalliance.org; or 3. Visit www.GayAlliance.org/ecsurvey to complete the survey online.

As plans for the new Empty Closet take shape, we will host focus groups to share our progress and to keep the exchange of ideas flowing. To be added to the focus group invitation list, please send your contact information to focus@gayalliance.org or call (585) 244-8640. ■

RPD’s trans protocols are “a starting point”

By Susan Jordan Last April the Rochester Police Department re-wrote the existing protocols in place since 2012, instructing officers about how to deal with the trans, intersex and gender variant community. The protocols include definitions of transgender, gender identity, gender expression and sex, and provide guidelines for police dealing with trans people, whether as citizens or as prisoners, in areas of transportation, search/seizure, etc. Terms offensive to trans people are listed and “should never be used”.

(For some excerpts, see sidebar) Now City Councilmember Matt Haag has drawn public attention to the protocols.

The first transgender protocols were issued in 2012, and then last spring had to be rewritten (with minor changes) when Mayor Warren initiated the plan of re-structuring RPD divisions.

Said Julia Acosta, Trans Alliance of Greater Rochester (TAGR) Coordinator, “I am very excited about the Rochester police department’s new protocols. I feel like this represents progress for the trans community and our rather strained relationship with the police. But my hope is that this is only a starting point and that we have a continuing and open conversation with the police about how to better serve our community.”

Matt Haag told The Empty Closet, “I hope that as these policies and trainings continue to be implemented, that they will be part of an effort to be as

Matt Haag

inclusive and supportive as possible of everyone in the community. And given the transgender community’s importance to our community, and the challenges of prejudice and violence they face, it’s important for Rochester elected officials and police to work on getting it right. It’s a step in the right direction.

“There may be a need for an update in a few years, as the city’s non-discrimination code has had to be revised. It could have been interpreted as NOT including gender variant people. We have a community that deserves our respect and support and it’s our responsibility to respond to that. There continues to be refinement of the advocacy started by then-Mayor Richards and then-Police Chief Sheppard in 2012.”

According to Matt Haag, Rochester, along with NYC, Albany and Ithaca, is one of the few NYS cities or towns which have similar protocols.

Lt. Michael Jones of the Chief’s office told The Empty Closet, “Our Evaluation Section worked with Kelly Clark to formulate these policies. They put a

2.) What is your favorite feature in The Empty Closet?

5.) What kind of content (articles, pictures, essays, cartoons etc.) would you like to see featured in a Rochesterbased LGBTQ publication?

3.) What is your a least favorite feature in The Empty Closet?

4.) How do you learn about LGBTQ news and events?

My favorite online source(s) is

lot of time and effort into this.”

Matt Haag said that on Nov. 13 he, along with Scott Fearing of the Gay Alliance and Julia Acosta, met with the District Attorney’s office to suggest that the office should increase its understanding of Rochester’s growing trans community. He said, “I’m hopeful that we started a dialogue. They seem open to the idea of educational conversations and the idea of speaking with members of the trans community. Possibly a forum can be organized.

“I shared with the DA’s office that trans issues are more visible because of the epidemic of violence against trans women this year, especially trans women of color. The rising rate of violence did sink in with them, I think.

That’s why they want to continue the discussion.”

Julia Acosta commented, “I was very encouraged by the willingness of the DA’s office to learn how to better advocate for the trans community. I definitely support the idea to have the community educate the bureau chiefs and/or the special victims unit while also being educated about the law and the rights of

6.) Please provide your name and contact information to participate in a focus group about The Empty Closet.

My favorite publication(s) is

THE PROTOCOLS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: On searches: A transgender prisoner will be the ONLY prisoner in the PTV compartment, and cannot be placed with any other prisoner.

For a transgender prisoner, enter their sex as indicated in legal identification (e.g. driver’s license) and note in Block 30 “transgender”. When using the police radio, members will refer to a transgender prisoner/person in a manner consistent with the prisoner’s/person’s gender expression. If the prisoner’s/person’s gender expression is unclear, the member will respectfully ask how the prisoner/person would like to be referred to.

When interacting with a transgender person: Always address or refer to a transgender person in the way they present themselves, by using the pronoun that is consistent with the gender presented…

Always address a transgender person with their chosen name, even if they have not had their name changed legally.

If you’re uncertain of how an individual identifies, it is okay to respectfully ask how the person would like to be referred to.

It is not necessary for a transgender person to have surgery in order to transition, and certain legal documentation (such as a NYS driver’s license) can be changed without a person undergoing gender re-assignment surgery. victims. But more to the point I think we have a potential ally in the DA’s office that just needs some training about how to best serve the trans community.” ■

We remember … page 11

Inside

Editorials....................................... 2 Interview: Needs survey............... 7 Making the Scene.......................... 10 Opinion: Trans rights...................15 Health: Dr. Michael Gottleib.........16 LGBTQ Living: Shopping ...........17 Shoulders To Stand On ...........21 Columnists ................................22 Community ................................25 Entertainment: Judy Gold................27 Gay Alliance: Volunteers.............30 Calendar.....................................34 Classifieds..................................34 Comics................................ 34, 35 The Gay Alliance is publisher of The Empty Closet, New York State’s oldest LGBTQ newspaper.

PHOTO: GRETCHEN ARNOLD

The Empty Closet

Holiday Shopping...

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016

Perspectives The Empty Closet Editor SUSAN JORDAN

Changes in the wind Changes are in the wind as the Gay Alliance moves to its new LGBTQ Resource Center at 100 College Ave. We hope lots of you can make it to the grand opening on Dec. 13, and see the new space for our Cyber Center, Library and Archive, Youth Group, Q<40, SAGE and all our programs. We will even have an art gallery with monthly exhibits.

Changes are also coming up for The Empty Closet. We are publishing an online survey to ask people which features they would like to see more (or less) of in the future. See the survey questions on page 1 or go online, www.gayalliance.org.

The Gay Alliance’s 2015 Community Survey showed that four out of five respondents rated the EC “valuable” or “highly valuable”. The EC began before the Gay Alliance as such existed; it was originally a fourpage mimeographed publication of the Gay Liberation Front, which became the Gay Alliance after the organization left the UR campus in 1973.

For the last 43 years the EC has been a community-building project. Hundreds of Rochestarians have volunteered: writing, taking photos, helping with layout, ad sales, mailings, and much more. We have done this TOGETHER.

Now we need your help to take the EC to the next level.

Rochester and the whole world have changed since 1973, and since I became editor in 1989.

What do you need today?

LGBTQ Americans have won many rights, but we all know that the work is far from complete.

The overturning of the LGBT rights ordinance in Houston in November showed that inequality still prevails, encouraged by conservatives spreading hatred.

Some things haven’t changed in the last 43 years.

Some politicians and pastors on the Right are calling, not only for removal of our civil rights, but for our deaths. At least 27 U.S. trans women of color were murdered in 2015. A fundamentalist pastor, Kevin Swanson, recently called for execution of gays, and GOP presidential candidates Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee and Bobby Jindal supported him. A California lawyer recently wanted to add an amendment to that state’s constitution mandating that heterosexuals can legally put a bullet in the head of anyone they think is gay. Then a Buffalo-area corrections officer said that he hoped that would happen everywhere -- and the first gays he would kill would be his neighbors.

We need to continue learning how homophobia is linked to different forms of hatred like sexism and racism, and how women and people of color have experienced violence and discrimination over the centuries.

Whenever anyone experiences injustice or assault, we must all resist. Anything that can bring oppressed peoples together makes us all stronger. Anything that divides us threatens our survival.

The Empty Closet has built community and brought diverse LGBTQ people and allies together for 40-plus years. Help us learn how we can continue to meet your needs for information and connection, and continue to build a strong community… together. ■

Gay Alliance Board of Trustees David Zona, President W. Bruce Gorman, Secretary Jason Barnecut-Kearns, Paul Birkby, Kim Braithwaite, Jeff Lambert, Jennifer Matthews, Shira May, Colleen Raimond, William Schaefer

Gay Alliance Executive Director SCOTT FEARING

A new year It really is a new year.

As 2015 draws to a close, that LGBTQ communities of Rochester and beyond have much to celebrate.

National recognition of marriage equality is the big story for same gender loving people, and Caitlyn Jenner’s very public transition gets the spotlight for those who are not cisgender.

Marriage equality around the country means that all couples that decide to marry, may do so, and then travel knowing that their family will be recognized no matter where they are.

Sadly, Jenner’s transition does not bring with it the legal protections the Trans community so needs and deserves, but it does bring a new level of social discourse and awareness that only a celebrity can bring to an issue.

Jenner’s public disclosure reminded me of the societal change that occurred in 1985 after the actor Rock Hudson announced his HIV+ status. While shocking and sad, his announcement had an impact that went well beyond him.

Suddenly the issue was real, all Americans suddenly knew someone who had “the virus.”

Similarly Jenner made Trans issues real. Suddenly all of America knew and liked someone who is Trans. In both cases

Name

it was the power of celebrity and the power of the media that helped to break the silence on an issue and made it real for people.

Breaking the silence remains critical for our communities.

Even in this day and age when the “love that dare not speak its name” seems to shout from every street corner and TV show script. Challenging sexism, racism and all the various forms of bias that our communities face remains a critical piece of our work.

2016 will be more than just a new year – it will also be the beginning of a new era for The Alliance. We are taking our activism and community building work to new levels. By moving to the new location and opening the Rochester LGBTQ Resource Center we are, like Hudson and Jenner, helping to break silence and invisibility in Rochester.

The LGBTQ Resource Center will provide you and the LGBTQ communities with a new home. A community space for and by the Rochester’s LGBTQ community.

The Resource Center will rely on volunteers to work the welcome desk, to guide guests to the correct meeting rooms, to help check out books and answer questions. Community members will answer the phones and run many of the programs. While the Alliance staff will have their offices in the building, the LGBTQ Resource Center will be so much more than our offices.

Let’s keep the LGBTQ celebrations going. ■

12/15-1/16

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: Subscription to The Empty Closet mailed to home or work, plus privileges at each level. Phone: 585 244-8640 or mail to: Gay Alliance, 100 College Avenue, Rochester, NY 14605.

Home delivery of The Empty Closet is free with your annual membership.

THANK YOU THE GAY ALLIANCE APPRECIATES THE CONTINUING PARTNERSHIP OF BUSINESSES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY WHO SUPPORT OUR MISSION AND VISION.

GOLD Bachelor Forum City of Rochester SWS Charitable Foundation, Inc Trillium Health

SILVER Constellation Brands Empire Merchants Lake Beverage Nixon Peabody, LLP Southern Wine & Spirits Victory Alliance Waddell & Reed

BRONZE 140 Alex Bar & Grill Advantage Federal Credit Union Anderson Windows Avenue Pub Bank of America, Merrill Lynch CSEA Empire North Excellus First Niagara Fred L. Emerson Foundation Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP HCR Home Care Hedonist Chocolates Jim Beam John’s Tex Mex Joseph & Irene Skalny Charitable Trust Logical Operations New York Life NYC Gay & Lesbian Anti Violence Project NYSUT Pride at Work Prudential Rochester Area Community Foundation Rochester Broadway Theatre League Rochester Institute of Technology Three Olives Waldron Rise Foundation Wegman’s School of Pharmacy Woods, Oviatt, & Gilman, LLP

CHAMPION Bohnett Foundation Brighton Dental Canandaigua National Bank Centerlink Jimmy C. Entertainment Group Marshall St. Bar & Grill Out & Equal Park Ave Merchants Association RIT Student Association RIT Women & Gender Studies Department Rochester Kink Society Rochester Labor Council AFL-CIO Rochester Rams MC Third Presbyterian Church

DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

NewsFronts LOCAL AND STATE

The Gay Alliance annual meeting took place on Nov. 18 at the new Resource Center, then in the process of being remodeled and painted. Around 60 people took the grand tour of the space and then listened to Board President David Zona, Executive Director Scott Fearing, Andy Rau of the City of Rochester, Education Coordinator Rowan Collins and SAGE volunteer organizer Todd Plank, and then questioned Board members. Photos: Susan Jordan

Don’t miss the Alliance’s Community Open House, Dec. 13 The Gay Alliance invites the LGBTQ communities and allies to the Community Open House on Dec. 13 at the new LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. The open house runs from noon to 4 p.m.

Check out the fabulous new space, munch holiday treats and talk to staff and board about the exciting new events for youth, elders and “Q Under 40” coming up in the new year.

Some upcoming events you might want to be part of: If you are a youth between 13 and 20, the

LGBT Giving Circle names grant recipients for 2015 In its fourth year of grant making, the LGBT Giving Circle has awarded $23,090 in grants to 14 nonprofit organizations. Among the social service, cultural, historic, and LGBT rights projects the grants support, more than $9,000 in awards has been directed at programs serving youth.

Giving Circle members, guests, and grantees attended a reception Nov. 16 celebrating the announcement of the grants at Rochester Contemporary Art Center.

“The mission of the LGBT Giving Circle at the Rochester Area Community Foundation is to help make a real difference in the quality of life for LGBT individuals and for the community at large. With LGBT youth particularly at risk, we are pleased to make a significant impact this year by focusing on a number of projects that address challenges faced by youth across our eight-county region, while continuing to support a broad mix of social service, cultural, and LGBT rights projects,” said Angela Bonazinga, co-chair of the Giving Circle.

To achieve its mission, the Giving Circle awards grants to

Youth Holiday party takes place at the Resource Center, Dec. 11, 6-9 p.m., hosted by Time Warner employees. There will be a DJ, food and fun.

The SAGE holiday party is the next day, Saturday the 12th, also of course at the new Resource Center. And on Jan. 9, everyone with ideas for Pride 2016 is invited to the Community Forum on Pride, noon-2 p.m., at 100 College Ave. Finally, Q<40, the new group for those (obviously) over 20 and under 40, will host its kick off event at the Center, on Monday, Jan. 18, 7-9 p.m.

organizations that are LGBT focused and others that serve the community at large and have demonstrated that they are LGBT inclusive in both their policies and their work.

The 14 grants approved by the Circle membership are: Center for Teen Empowerment, $2,000, to support the 2016 Youth Peace Initiative that will engage up to 500 young people, including LGBT youth, in community change efforts in southwest Rochester.

Center for Youth, $2,000, to support monthly drop-in nights and networking for LGBT youth in a safe and trusting environment in Rochester’s Monroe neighborhood.

Chances and Changes of Livingston County’s Coalition of Sexual Health, $1,840, to provide continuing support for monthly youth Gay-Straight Alliance support group meetings, increase training for agency and school staff working with LGBT youth, and expand services for LGBT youth in Wyoming County.

Gandhi Institute, $2,000, to support the training of more than 100 middle school girls and boys in the Rochester City School District using a curriculum that promotes nonviolence and develops skills to manage anger and conflict.

R APA/OFC Creations, $1,500, to support a theatrical production of Spring Awakening, which includes themes of coming of age, sexual identity, right and wrong, and spirituality using an age-appropriate cast.

Empire Justice Center, $2,000, to support the continuation of the LGBT Rights Project, which helps LGBT clients in discrimination cases that involve employment, education, housing, health, and immigration, and assists transgender and gender non-conforming individuals with the changing of their names and gender markers.

Geva Theatre Center, $1,000, to support the Out at Geva program which welcomes and celebrates the members of Rochester’s LGBTQ community.

ImageOut, $2,000, to support film rentals for the annual festival in 2016.

Jewish Community Center, $2,000, to support the production of 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother with LGBT comedian Judy Gold.

Landmark Society of Western New York, $1,000, to provide support to help identify and recognize buildings historically significant to the LGBT community.

Macedon Public Library, $750, to support a series of LGBT book discussion pro-

3 grams, moderated by the education arm of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, and to add the selected books to the collection making them available across the Pioneer Library System.

Trillium Health, $2000, to support a social marketing campaign, targeted to young men of color who have sex with men, and focused on Trillium’s health education and HIV prevention resources, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Volunteer Legal Services Project, $2,000, to help continue and expand birth certificate and name change services for the transgender population in Monroe County.

WXXI, $1,000, for general programming to focus on LGBT Pride month in 2016.

The LGBT Giving Circle was established in 2011 at Rochester Area Community Foundation.

Currently there are 72 member households. Annual membership contributions are split evenly between grant making for the coming year and an endowment to meet future needs. In four years, the group has awarded more than $73,000 in grants To be eligible for grants, organizations must be a 501(c) 3 charitable entity in the eightcounty region served by the Community Foundation and must have a nondiscrimination policy that is inclusive of LGBT people or be in the process of developing one. Projects and activities need to align with the mission and scope of the LGBT Giving Circle, which is to support organizations that serve, are inclusive of, or are allied with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to enhance and strengthen our region. For more information about the LGBT Giving Circle, visit www.racf.org/LGBT.

Ebony Miller is interim director of RIT Center for Urban Entrepreneurship

By Vienna McGrain Ebony Miller has been named interim director of Rochester Institute of Technology’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship. CUE, located on the first floor of the RIT Downtown Center in the former historic Rochester Savings Bank building at 40 Franklin St., provides business and consulting services to urban entrepreneurs or any-

Ebony Miller

one who has an existing business or is hoping to launch a new business within the urban area.

In her new role, Miller, formerly CUE program manager, will lead the center’s efforts to raise funds to provide critical assistance to underserved businesses in high growth sectors, and foster outreach and collaboration with the Rochester City School District and entrepreneurship education for dislocated workers. She will also maintain partnerships with entrepreneurship and training efforts currently found within RIT’s Simone Center for Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Venture Creations business incubator, as well as other community, government and economic development organizations.

Miller came to RIT in 2011 as a senior staff specialist for the Kate Gleason College of Engineering. In 2013, she became program manager for CUE where she was responsible for researching, developing and delivering mission related programming; delivering program assessments and evaluation; recruiting, selecting and evaluating training consultants; and mentoring program participants.

“I am both excited and humbled as I embark upon this new role of leading the center in its mission to build wealth within the urban community by serving as a hub for entrepreneurial programs and research,” said Miller.

“I look forward to continuing to cultivate our urban entrepreneurial ecosystem through our service and program offerings and collaborating with our partnering organizations.”

Miller is a member of the Monroe YMCA Board of Managers and was a former vice chair of the Urban Suburban Alumni Association. She is also a men(Ebony Miller continues page 6)

PRIDE AT WORK had a night on the town before the showing of the movie “Pride” at the Dryden Theatre on Oct. 30 as part of the Rochester Labor Film Series. Bess Watts, president, introduced the film and hosted a discussion panel afterwards with Colin Coffey. A great time and a great movie!

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016

NewsFronts NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL

Since June 96,000 same sex couples have married in the USA

By Greg Hernandez on gaystarnews.com There is a gay marriage boom in the U.S. Since the Supreme Court ruled on 26 June that same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states, 96,000 couples have exchanged vows, according to an analysis released Nov. 6 by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. The impact of the Obergefell v.

Hodges decision is clear: In the first half of 2015, same-sex couples comprised just six percent of all marriages. From July to October, same-sex couples comprised 11 percent of all marriages.

“These data make it clear that the majority of same-sex couples in the United States will soon be married,” said Gary J. Gates, Blachford-Cooper Distinguished Scholar and Research Director at Williams Institute.

“That means more American children can benefit from the stability and economic security that marriage can provide,” Gates added. “It also means that it will be easier for more families to adopt some of the country’s most vulnerable children and provide stable and loving homes.”

The analysis states that in 2013, the year the high court gutted the Defense of Marriage Act in Windsor v. United States, an estimated 230,000 same-sex couples were married, or 21 percent of all samesex couples.

By June 2015 just before Obergefell

was decided, 390,000 same-sex couples were married, or 38 percent of all samesex couples.

As of October, 486,000 same-sex couples are married, or 45 percent of all same-sex couples.

Dept. of Ed. rules Chicago school violated trans student’s rights, may lose funding

By Andy Towle on Towleroad.com Earlier this month we reported on Suburban Chicago’s Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211, which decided to defy a U.S. Department of Education mandate and discriminate against a transgender student by barring her from the female locker room. The decision may cost the school district $6 million in federal funding.

On Nov. 3, the Department of Education issued a landmark ruling and sent Palatine-Schaumburg and its Superintendent Dan Cates a stern warning that it needs to comply within the month, the NYT reports: The Education Department gave 30 days to the officials of Township High School District 211 to reach a solution or face enforcement, which could include administrative law proceedings or a Justice Department court action. The district could lose some or all of its Title IX funding. The Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Education told the Palatine district that requiring a transgender student to use private changing and show-

ering facilities was a violation of that student’s rights under Title IX, a federal law that bans sex discrimination. The student, who identifies as female but was born male, should be given unfettered access to girls’ facilities, the letter said.

Said John Knight, Director of the LGBT & HIV Project of the ACLU of Illinois, of this first-of-its-kind ruling: “What our client wants is not hard to understand. She wants to be accepted for who she is and to be treated with dignity and respect – like any other student. The District’s insistence on separating my client from other students is blatant discrimination. Rather than approaching this issue with sensitivity and dignity, the District has attempted to justify its conduct by challenging my client’s identity as a girl.”

The student also released a statement: “This decision makes me extremely happy – because of what it means for me, personally, and for countless others. The district’s policy stigmatized me, often making me feel like I was not a ‘normal’ person. The Department of Education’s decision makes clear that what my school did was wrong. I hope no other student, anywhere, is forced to confront this indignity. It is a good day for all students, but especially those who are transgender all across the nation.”

The ACLU adds: “Sadly, the District has mischaracterized the facts in the case and engaged in disparaging remarks, including statements indicating their belief that the young girl is not ‘really’ a girl. Although the District delayed the release of the findings in an effort to reach an agreement, the Department has apparently recognized that the District does not intend to begin complying with the law this week.”

Mormon church says same sex marriage is “apostasy”; children can’t be baptized From Salt Lake City’s CBS affiliate: The LDS church has clarified to its leaders that being in a same-sex marriage is considered a form of apostasy.

The update came to what is known as Handbook #1, which is used as a guide for administering in the church, and is only available to LDS bishops and stake presidents. A screen shot of the updated definition posted on image-sharing website Imgur was confirmed to be accurate by a spokesperson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Church handbooks are policy and procedural guides for lay leaders who must administer the Church in many varied circumstances throughout the world.

The Church has long been on record as opposing same-sex marriages,” wrote LDS Church spokesman Eric Hawkins in a statement to 2News... “While it respects the law of the land, and acknowledges the right of others to think and act differently, it does not perform or accept same-sex

marriage within its membership.”

And then there’s this: In a major policy announcement, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says children living in a same-sex household may not be blessed as babies or baptized. The decision, which was released Nov. 5, took effect immediately, LDS church spokesman Eric Hawkins told 2News. “A natural or adopted child of a parent living in a same-gender relationship, whether the couple is married or cohabiting, may not receive a name and a blessing,” the policy reads.

Natural or adopted children living in a same-sex household will only be allowed to be baptized once they are 18, disavow the practice of same-sex cohabitation or marriage, and stop living within the household, according to the policy. Such baptism would still require the approval of the church’s governing First Presidency.

-JoeMyGod.com Over 1000 leave church in protest Sunnivie Brydum wrote on The Advocate on Nov. 12, “A Utah attorney is planning to help thousands of Mormons formally leave the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after LDS leaders announced a new policy barring children of LGBT people from baptism until they are 18.

“Attorney Mark Naugle told Salt Lake City TV station KIVI that he has already heard from an estimated 1,400 people who would like his help filing formal letters of resignation, which are required to officially cut ties with the Mormon Church and remove one’s name from the church rolls that list all members worldwide.

“Naugle will also attend a demonstration Saturday afternoon that organizers are billing as a ‘Mass Resignation from Mormonism Event.’

“At press time, 995 people indicated that they planned to attend the event held at City Creek Park in Salt Lake City, according to the event’s Facebook page.

Noting that the event is ‘for anyone ready to resign from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and those who wish to support them,’ demonstrators plan to gather at the park to finalize and sign paperwork, then march en masse to Salt Lake’s Temple Square to deposit the letters in a mailbox near the Church’s international headquarters.”

Conservative extremists at hate group conference vow to overturn marriage equality ruling

By Trudy Ring on The Advocate Lest anyone think marriage equality is a settled issue, (last month’s) World Congress of Families meeting in Salt Lake City provided a reminder that antigay activists don’t agree — and they’re determined to somehow undo the Supreme Court’s landmark pro-equality ruling.

“All the court did, as significant as

DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET it was, is put a lie into the law,” National Organization for Marriage president Brian Brown told the “family values” gathering, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. He called on attendees to do all they can to fight the ruling, even if it takes decades and a new set of justices appointed by conservative presidents.

As many on the right have done, Brown likened the marriage equality ruling to the 1857 Dred Scott decision upholding slavery, and urged his audience to make a stand for so-called traditional marriage as “martyrs” did for other causes.

“We should savor the fact that we live at a point in history, like those times before, in which we can stand for the truth … and God has put us here,” he said, according to the Tribune. “This fight is not over.”

He also sought to rally support for the First Amendment Defense Act, a piece of federal legislation that would protect individuals, businesses, and organizations from repercussions over actions they take out of a religious or moral objection to same-sex marriage.

Still, he warned, “there is no way that religious liberty will be completely protected in this country as long as this decision stands.”

Others sounding the alarm over marriage equality included Rev. Rafael Cruz, the father of Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz. The elder Cruz made the false claim that because of the Supreme Court ruling, “it will be possible for some homosexual to come to your church demanding to be hired, whether as pastor or janitor is immaterial,” Right Wing Watch reports.

Cruz also told BuzzFeed the LGBT movement’s next move will be seeking to legalize pedophilia, and that nondiscrimination laws will lead to teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools, which he says are already “brainwashing” children.

Another antigay speaker on what was designated “Marriage and Natural Family Day” at the conference, was Family Research Council attorney Cathy Ruse, who ignored history by claiming, “Who you love has never been the government’s business until now,” as quoted by the Tribune.

The World Congress of Families is a project of the Howard Center for Family, Religion, and Society, based in Rockford, Ill. The center bills itself as “a center for research on the natural family” and calls the congress “the world’s premier pro-family gathering.” The center and the congress, which are strongly opposed to abortion as well as LGBT equality, together are designated as an anti-LGBT hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and have been accused of complicity in anti-LGBT legislation around the world.

This year’s World Congress, the ninth, marked the first time it was held in the U.S. LGBT activists had called on Utah Gov. Gary Herbert to cancel his appearance at the conference, which he

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refused to do. He and his wife, Jeanette, gave a brief welcoming address to the gathering,…“avoiding mention of any specific hot-button political issues,” Salt Lake City’s Deseret News reports.

A few days earlier, Herbert defended his decision to be at the conference, the Tribune reports. He told reporters he might not agree with everything said there, but “they’re welcome in our state, just like other people who have different points of view in other areas. We’re not all the same. And we invite diversity and difference of opinions in Utah.”

Ahead of the meeting, the Human Rights Campaign took out an ad in the Tribune denouncing the World Congress, and it held its own Inclusive Families Conference, also in Salt Lake City. It also published a report exposing the hateful ideas espoused by the World Congress.

Hate wins in Houston: national reactions Activists were stunned when the HERO, or Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, failed with voters by a wide margin, reported the Houston Chronicle.

The ordinance had banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and 11 other characteristics in employment, housing, and public accommodation. But anti-LGBT forces rallied, including a veteran antigay activist doctor from Houston, to repeal the measure, which the City Council passed in 2014.

-Neal Broverman on The Advocate Gay pundit Michelangelo Signorile commented on what went wrong: “Political strategists warned LGBT activists in the days ahead of the vote: There was little Spanish-language outreach, no big ad buy in Spanish-language media — in a city that is 44 percent Hispanic — countering the lies of the opposition, who’d certainly been doing their own outreach.

“Monica Roberts, a long-time AfricanAmerican transgender activist, warned of little outreach in the black community, which makes up 24 percent of the city.

There was little emphasis by the LGBT rights coalition on the terrible economic impact that a ‘no’ vote to equality would have on the city — something else that political strategists warned was lacking in their campaign as well.

“And no ads by LGBT rights proponents held the equal punch that the nasty hate ads embodied. Instead, they overwhelmingly ran nicey-nice ads about good neighbors and equality and human dignity. And so, it wasn’t a shock, really, that the vote wasn’t even close last night.

LGBT rights were clobbered, hammered, devastated in the city of Houston by voters, as the Houston Equal Right Ordinance (HERO) was repealed….

“So Houston was very much Prop 8 redux. LGBT rights activists spent 3 million to 4 million dollars — while opponents spent about a million dollars — bringing in people like Sally Field to

Houston Mayor Annelise Parker

make appeals, and using other Hollywood celebrities in ads. They got President Obama and Hillary Clinton to speak out, and thought that was going to clinch it. It had the feel to many of a top-down, elite campaign — outsiders swooping in to tell Houston what is good for it — instead of being deeply embedded on the ground, in the communities that were voting, including in their media, where the opposition surely was doing their dirty work.

“There’s only so much Sally Field can do, though we all love her and thank her for the help. Right now we need new leadership, and a better plan, or we’re doomed to see this again.”

– Michelangelo Signorile, writing for the Huffington Post.

Dan Savage also had some comments: “The haters insist trans women aren’t women. They’re men. Men who fake being women because they wanna enter women’s restrooms to ogle women and girls. So they’re saying trans women are actually straight men.

“Straight men who pretend to be women specifically to enter women’s restrooms to ogle (or worse) women and girls because opportunities to ogle women and girls are so scarce in our porn-saturated culture—porn is so hard to come by, and it’s not like there are millions of women and girls posting pics of themselves to Instagram, so of course straight men will fake being trans women (and risk the violence, discrimination directed at trans women) to get an eyeful of women washing their hands after peeing.

“Okay… So the haters in Houston argued — successfully — that straight men are terrible. Right? They argued that trans women are actually straight dudes who are attracted to women. So the haters won yesterday by convincing a majority of voters in Houston that straight people suck.”

Dan Savage, writing for the Stranger.

-JoeMyGod.com Sunnivie Brydum noted on The Advocate:

The editorial board of The New York Times is pointing its finger squarely at the Texas State Capitol in Austin.

“Sometime in the near future, a transgender teenager in Texas will attempt suicide — and maybe succeed — because vilifying people for their gender identity remains politically acceptable in America,” opens the editorial, published one day after Houston voters soundly rejected the broad nondiscrimination protections HERO sought to provide.

An increase in recent media attention to the trans people who have taken their own lives has spotlighted the deadly impact of such false, misleading messages, especially when sent by those in positions of power. While experts contend that suicidal ideation is a complex issue fed by multiple factors, transgender people are acutely at risk. A reported 41 percent of trans people have considered or attempted suicide; that’s 10 times the average rate for the cisgender (nontrans) population.

Suicide prevention experts often point to the harsh, misleading public campaigns against basic rights for trans people as a key ingredient of the toxic environment that leaves many trans people hopeless.

The Times editorial continued: “The hateful rhetoric of leaders like Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is the latest, ugliest example.

Mr. Patrick was ebullient on Tuesday night after it became clear that Houston voters had decidedly rejected a broad equal rights ordinance that opponents maliciously and misleadingly characterized as a boon for cross-dressing sex offenders.”

Going on to note that HERO sought to protect from discrimination 15 classes of people — including disabled individuals, like Gov. Abbott, who is a paraplegic — the Times turned its focus to using HERO’s loss as a teachable moment for the LGBT equality movement in a postmarriage equality nation, concluding: “When that movement achieves irre(Houston continues page 6)

6

LOCAL AND STATE (Ebony Miller from page 3) tor for RIT’s “I Am First” program, a member of the Class of 2015 of Leadership Rochester, and a member of the 2013 class of the African American Leadership Development Program.

Miller earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and a master’s degree in informatics from University at Buffalo.

“I truly believe that we are on the cusp of an economic renaissance in Rochester,” said Ryne Raffaelle, RIT’s vice president for research and associate provost. “I, along with our many partners in economic development in the city, see the CUE as playing a pivotal role in the advancement of the Downtown Innovation Zone. I am confident that with the leadership offered

by Ebony we can fulfill our role in supporting new era of urban entrepreneurship in Rochester.”

About RIT’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship: CUE has been serving the Rochester community since 2012. Today, the center, located at 40 Franklin St., occupies 5,000-square-feet complete with offices, four rooms for client meetings, a large shared workspace, a 70-person room for classes or functions, and wireless technology throughout the space. The 47,000-square-foot building was donated to RIT by Rochester Historic Ventures, and has been undergoing renovations since 2013. RIT secured funding from the federal and state governments and other sources to leverage the university’s investment in repurposing the building.

NYS Senators Hoylman and Addabbo introduce LGBT Vets bill On Nov. 11, SAGE’s Chief Executive Officer Michael Adams issued a statement saying, “On this Veterans Day, SAGE

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016 salutes Senators Hoylman and Addabbo for introducing landmark legislation to address the unfair treatment of LGBT veterans and to once and for all undo vestigial discrimination under the military’s ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy.

“SAGE, the first and largest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT older adults, has long recognized the importance of LGBT veterans issues. That’s why we launched the SAGEVets program here in New York State. What we have seen across the Empire State is that LGBT veterans face significant barriers to accessing benefits, including the ability to challenge their discharge status. But even more so, our LGBT vets suffer with an array of challenges stemming from the discrimination and isolation that they faced while serving our great country.

“We commend Senators Hoylman and Addabbo on recognizing the unique needs of LGBT vets and introducing this crucial legislation. We at SAGE look forward to continuing our work to help more LGBT veterans receive the competent and affirming care they deserve.”

- See more at: http://sageusa.org/ newsevents/release.cfm?ID=132#sthash.

PXwVKRH5.dpuf

Trial date for Dysheika McFadden is Jan. 26 A trial date has been set for Dysheika McFadden, charged with assault third degree in the attack on trans woman Nicole Clark last July on Monroe Ave. The jury trial will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 26, in Judge Johnson’s courtroom.

Community Forum will discuss Pride 2016 New Year, New Pride. Everyone is encouraged to come and share thoughts about Rochester Pride 2016 on Saturday,

Out magazine names Obama Ally of the Year; first president to be photographed for gay magazine Out Magazine has named President Obama its “Ally Of The Year” in their annual Out 100 issue. They write: The 44th President of the United States is our Ally of the Year—a president who came to office on a wave of euphoria, appeared to lose momentum halfway through, and has since rallied, helping us secure marriage equality, among other landmark initiatives that are transforming our place in America.

This is the first time a sitting president has been photographed for the cover of an LGBT title, a historic moment in itself, and a statement on how much his administration has done to advance a singularly volatile issue that tarnished the reputations of both President Clinton and President Bush. It might have tarnished this president, too, but for his late-hour conversion in 2012, which set the stage for the extraordinary succession of events that led to this year’s Supreme Court ruling, on June 26, making it unconstitutional to deny same-sex couples the right to wed.

Many things led up to that decision — “decades of our brothers and sisters fighting for recognition and equality” as the president notes — but once his administration decided to join that fight it created what people like to call a “transformative” moment.

It helped tip the balance, and it put our elected leader on the right side of justice.

-JoeMyGod.com

Jan. 9, from noon-2 p.m.

The Community Forum will take place at the Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave., Rochester 14607, near the corner of College and N. Goodman St., down the block from the former office in the Auditorium Center.

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL (Houston from page 5) versible momentum — and it is a matter of when, not whether — people like [antiHERO campaign organizer Jared] Woodfill, Mr. Abbott and Mr. Patrick will be remembered as latter-day Jim Crow elders.

Their demagogy is egregious because it preys on some of the most vulnerable people in our society “As opponents of the ordinance celebrate their victory this week, transgender people across the country are understandably reeling. They should take comfort in knowing that history will not be kind to the haters who won on Tuesday. In time, the bigots are destined to lose.”

National Portrait Gallery adds transgender activist Sylvia Rivera

By Trudy Ring on The Advocate The National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution got a little more diverse in October, adding its first portrait of a transgender American — Stonewall participant and pioneering activist Sylvia Rivera.

“At the National Portrait Gallery, we look to include portraits of people who have made a significant impact on American culture,” gallery director Kim Sajet told MSNBC. “In the aftermath of the Stonewall riots, Sylvia Rivera expanded the gay liberation movement and fought for equal rights for people who embraced different gender identities.”

The portrait, a photo by Luis Carle, went up at the beginning of October as part of the Washington, D.C., gallery’s “Struggle for Justice” exhibition, but gallery officials made a public announcement about it in November. It depicts Rivera and her partner, Julia Murray, and activist Christina Hayworth at the New York City Pride March in 2000. They are seated by

Sylvia Rivera (on left) See end of article, on p. 12. Photo: Luis Carle.

a homemade sign reading, “Respect trans people/men!”

“The photograph captures a somewhat atypical scene for Pride Weekend,” wrote Ana Perry on the gallery’s FaceToFace blog. “Rather than the bustling energy of the parade with crowds and celebration, this captures a moment of tranquil friendship and unity. The three women are shown joined together in the movement to ensure equal protection for the transgender community. As a Latina who spent much of her life homeless, Rivera was particularly sensitive to the struggles of trans people of color and those living in poverty.”

Rivera was a key participant in the Stonewall riots. “That’s when I saw the world change for me and my people,” she told Leslie Feinberg in a 1998 interview for Workers World. She went on to work with the Gay Activists Alliance, but the group eventually outraged her by eliminating transgender issues from its agenda.

She and another Stonewall vet, Marsha P. Johnson, founded Street Action Transvestite Revolutionaries, which engaged in a variety of activities, holding protest marches as well as providing shelter for homeless transgender people. At the Millennium March in Italy in 2000, activists proclaimed her the “mother of all gay people.”

“In many ways, Sylvia was the Rosa Parks of the modern transgender movement, a term that was not even coined until two decades after Stonewall,” Riki Wilchins wrote in The Village Voice upon Rivera’s death in 2002.

An organization named for her, the (Rivera continues page 12)

DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

Interview Somjen Fraser and Erin Howe on Needs survey

By Susan Jordan Somjen Fraser and Erin Howe work for Strength in Numbers Consulting Group, which does Health and Human Needs surveys of the New York LGBT community for the NYS AIDS Institute. They were in Rochester on Nov. 9 for a town hall meeting at the Academy of Medicine on the results of their 2015 survey; one of many meetings they held around the state this fall. Erin Howe noted, “There are two processes – the survey and focus groups.”

While some results were not unexpected, others proved surprising. In the area of survival – the survey included housing, food, jobs, job training programs and economic access in general as well as access to healthcare – lesbians, gay men, bisexuals/pansexuals and trans people have real problems, especially the diverse gender variant community.

Erin said, “Jobs, and all social services benefit programs such as food stamps, were a real problem. We heard that across the board, especially from the transgender respondants.”

Somjen said, “For example, in the Central New York region, including Monroe County, two in five respondants had incomes placing them 200 percent under the poverty line. The poverty line is set at 100 percent, set by tripling the price of food across the nation. But housing is even more expensive than food, and adjustments haven’t kept up.

“Therefore a lot of benefit programs make the poverty line 200 percent to include food, housing, etc. It’s still a crude measure. It’s a different figure depending on the size of the household, so it’s not recognizing how people live. For me,

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678 South Avenue Rochester 14620

it was shocking that two out of five fell under 200 percent.

“One third of respondants were housing insecure—they can’t pay for food or utilities.”

What about health needs? Somjen said, “Only eight percent don’t have any access to healthcare. That figure is lower now, with the Affordable Care Act. But still, one out of four in the last 12 months didn’t see a healthcare provider because they couldn’t afford it. Universal healthcare and insurance are issues.”

One result that surprised no one was in the area of mental health problems for LGBT people -- again, especially for trans people. Somjen said, “We found very high rates of depression and mental health symptoms. We used a depression screener and one in four respondants from this area had probable depression.

That’s a similar result to other LGBT communities in the state. Almost half of trans people screened positive for probable depression. According to the national transgender discrimination survey in 2008, which I participated in, 41 percent of trans people had tried suicide.”

So what’s the next step in addressing the issues raised by the survey? Somjen said, “We would look at making specific asks of government agencies to increase the pool of funding dedicated especially to trans heath and human needs services.

The rates are so high. New York is the ONLY state with dedicated money ($5 million) for LGBT health and human services which are not HIV-related.

“We need money directed to specific transgender needs and primary care, all in the same place, like Trillium Health’s one-stop healthcare. That is very rare – Syracuse for example has just lost its last psychiatrist doing care for trans youth – the person has retired.”

Erin said, “Resources are needed for community healthcare; 40 percent is not enough for the LGBT community. Fifty percent of trans people reported that there are not enough support groups, or primary care and mental health programs.

7

Somjen Fraser

Erin Howe

Many support groups run without funding, but even if there is no professional facilitator, there’s still a need for safe spaces for the groups to operate. There are different ways to appropriate money, and the governor can mandate it; the legislature also has some power.”

Somjen added, “The AIDS Institute has prioritized trans care and has done a great job in general without much support.”

Erin said, “The money for trans work is coming from various sources, like the NYS anti-HIV campaign. But rather than having to go through them, it would be best to have money specifically available for LGBT health, especially the trans community, which has greater need.”

Somjen said, “If I were to call for just one thing, one of the most responsible things would be to find more funding for trans health and human services.

“And this is just the top of the iceberg of the data. For instance, we haven’t processed all the data we’ve collected yet. We have still to process data on, for instance, LGBT people of color, comparing regional differences like urban and rural, etc. We need to use the data in a more nuanced

way. We haven’t even cut up the data on trans men and trans women, much less the other parts of the trans community.

We don’t have precise numbers.

“Working on LGBT health issues isn’t just a once a year thing. One way we’re responding to communities is to present the headline findings, and then continue to report on the details. The timeline for this will be determined by many factors, but we plan to report on trans people and survival needs online by Nov. 20, the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

We also plan a major project, a large in depth report on all LGBT issues. And in between the major reports, we have fact sheets (youth, trans, etc.) online right now at prideagenda.org\lgbt data.”

Both Erin and Somjen noted that the LGBTQ community keeps changing in many ways, as with the increasingly common use of “pansexual”. Somjen said, “That’s what I love about our community – we’re creative and constantly growing. As a statistician, it’s hard to keep up.

That’s why we do focus groups!”

Erin said, “We want to put the right options on the survey.”

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016

DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016

Making the Scene

Samantha Vega

MISS GAY ROCHESTER: Jahnell Bowman was crowned Miss Gay Rochester 2016 on Nov. 15 at Harro East.

Photos: Jill Frier

Aggy Dune (right) receives a special award from her Big Wigs partner in crime, Mrs. Kasha Davis.

HALLOWEEN DANCE: The Gay Alliance, TAGR, LORA and SAGE hosted a Halloween Dance on Oct. 31 at Lake Reilly Lodge in Cobbs Hill Park. Above: Mickey Behan and Shira May. Photos: Jill Frier

Linda Wisniewski, Blanche Harling, Liz Doyle - winners of the Halloween Costume Contest.

Scenemaker of the Month: Miss Gay Rochester Tasha Brooks What’s your favorite color?

Royal Blue is my favorite color. I have more dresses and jewelry in this color than underwear.

What have you enjoyed most about being Miss Gay Rochester 2015?

I would probably have to say that it has been most enjoyable to be able to say, “I am Miss Gay Rochester”.

What’s the fun part of doing drag and what’s the hardest part?

The fun part of doing drag is all the people you meet and the opportunities you get to speak to the community about your beliefs and opinions. The hardest part would be the constant competition between performers that seems to never end.

Do you have a drag queen icon? Who do you admire most as a performer?

That would be Erica Andrews, “God rest her soul”.

What city neighborhood, or suburb, do you live in?

I live off Monroe Ave. and am a Jewish native of Savannah, Ga. Pets?

I have three Shih Tsus: Gizmo, Foxy, and Amber.

Death Row meal?

A large Pizza Hut pizza with Extra Extra Cheese Halloween costume?

7 of 9 from Star Trek Voyager Best pick up line you’ve heard?

So, since my number is already in your phone how about you give me a call sometime? (When I look in my phone I realize he at some point inputted it without me knowing. Lol) Music you’re listening to right now?

Country Music Station What super power would you choose?

Reading people’s minds

Ultimate nightmare?

Having to read books for all of eternity Your worst habit?

Shaking my legs TV show you’re addicted to?

I am in love with “Charmed”, “I Love Lucy” and “The Golden Girls” equally.

You’re a huge fan of ___?

Traveling Phrase you over-use?

“That’s cute”.

If you could have dinner with anyone living or dead who would it be?

That would have to be Princess Diana.

I believe there would be so much to learn from her. Not to mention, to hear her stories about her travels would be an amazing opportunity.

Motto?

The way to love anything is to realize it may be lost (something which I wish I had learned at a younger age).

DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

Photos: Maggie Rosen

Rochester marks Transgender Day of Remembrance 2015

By Stephanie Nawrocki and Maggie Rosen November 20 was the annual Transgnder Day of Remembrance — founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith to memorialize the murder of her friend Rita Hester who was murdered in Allentown, Massachusetts. In 2010, the Transgender Day of Remembrance was only recognized in 185 cities nationally. Last week, Rochester stood amongst the most progressive of cities in the United States and held a candle lighting vigil at the Third Presbyterian Church. Community vigil and remembrance events also took place at Open Arms MCC. Karen Anne Bills is a local transgender woman that is an advocate and mentor for transgender youth within Rochester. Karen Anne led the prayer that was dedicated to all transgender individuals — praying for their acceptance and safety within a society that blindly follows the gender binary.

After the prayer, a long and harrowing moment of silence followed. She rang a bell every twenty-nine seconds throughout the period of silence to signify that every twenty-nine seconds a transgender individual around the world is slain.

The statistics about the transgender community are devastating --the life expectancy of a transgender individual is twentyfive years. Fortunately, Rochester follows a progressive standard in regards to the transgender community. Within the city limits, it is illegal to discriminate against a transgender individual when it comes to employment and housing. However, these anti-discrimination laws only exist within city limits. Once an individual enters the suburbs of Rochester, the same standard of equality does not protect them.

Andreas Rau is the executive staff assistant to Mayor Lovely Warren’s office. Rau

is a longtime friend of Karen Anne. His attendance was representative of Mayor Warren herself. Rau explained that his hopes for the Rochester are that “one day, [people] are going to walk down Main Street and see something exciting and wonderful — something that makes them throw up their arms around each other and admire how lovely it is to be within our city. Let’s start with the city — whether they want to admit it or not, the city is the leader — not the country. The city leads and always will. Let’s start at home.”

After the candle lighting ceremony, Karen Anne explained that the “reason we have the Transgender Day of Remembrance is because they are forgotten — hence the reason for remembrance. But what we really need to remember is how all of these senseless murders came about — they were sprouted from intolerance and ignorance. If people were more patient with themselves and the world around them, they would come to understand that we’re very much like they are — we have the same wants and needs. We feel the same fear. Nobody else will love transgender individuals for being themselves, and as a result — forty percent will take their own lives.”

It is the responsibility of every Rochestarian to extend their arms wide enough to ensure that our progressive city stands against transphobia and discrimination. A single seemingly small attempt at human compassion will save lives.

Remember their names Keyshia Blige (33 years old), fatally shot in Aurora, Ill., on March 7, 2015.

Tamara Dominguez (36 years old), repeatedly run over by a vehicle in Kansas City, Mo., on August 15, 2015.

Kandis Capri (35 years old), fatally shot in Phoenix, on August 11, 2015.

Amber Monroe (20 years old), fatally shot in Detroit, on August 8, 2015.

Ashton O’Hara (25 years old), stabbed to death and run over by a vehicle in Detroit, on July 14, 2015.

Shade Schuler (22 years old), cause of death unknown, found dead in a field in Dallas, on July 29, 2015.

K.C. Haggard (66 years old), stabbed multiple times in Fresno, Calif., on July 24, 2015.

India Clarke (22 years old), shot multiple times in Tampa, Fla., on July 21, 2015.

Mercedes Williamson (17 years old), beaten to death in Rocky Creek, Ala., on May 30, 2015.

Penny Proud (21 years old), fatally shot in Tremé, New Orleans, on February 10, 2015.

Taja Gabrielle DeJesus (36 years old), stabbed multiple times in San Francisco, on Feburary 8, 2015.

Bri Golec (22 years old), stabbed to death in Akron, Ohio, on February 13, 2015.

Lamia Beard (30 years old), fatally shot in Norfolk, Va., on January 17, 2015.

Papi Edwards (20 years old), fatally shot in Louisville, Ky., on January 9, 2015.

Elisha Walker (20 years old), beaten to death in Smithfield, N.C., on August

14, 2015.

Jasmine Collins (32 years old), stabbed to death in Kansas City, Mo., on June 23, 2015.

London Chanel (21 years old), stabbed to death in North Philadelphia, on May 18, 2015.

Ty Underwood (24 years old), fatally shot in North Tyler, Texas, on January 26, 2015.

Yazmin Vash Payne (33 years old), stabbed multiple times in Los Angeles, on January 31, 2015.

Kristina Gomez Reinwald (46 years old) stabbed to death in Miami, Fla., on February 16, 2015.

Zella Ziona (21 years old), fatally shot in Montgomery Village, Md., on October 15, 2015.

Maya Hall (27 years old), killed by police in Fort Meade, Md., on March 30, 2015.

Kiesha Jenkins (22 years old), fatally shot in Philadelphia, on October 6, 2015.

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Karen Anne Bills

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NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL (Rivera continued from page 6) New York City–based Sylvia Rivera Law Project, provides legal assistance and engages in political advocacy aimed at assuring that all people are free to selfdetermine gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence.

“It is extremely fitting that Sylvia Rivera be the first trans activist to appear in the National Portrait Gallery since Sylvia was one of the first out trans activists to stand up for — and raise her voice for — trans people in New York City and the U.S,” Eric Sawyer, a cofounding member of ACT UP, told MSNBC. “Sylvia emerged from the streets of New York where she was thrown away by her family, and fought back from poverty, homelessness, and drug addiction to be become a powerful voice for the rights, protection, human dignity, and respect for trans people that are the inalienable rights of all people.”

Photo: Sylvia Rivera (with Christina Hayworth and Julia Murray) by Luis Carle, gelatin silver print, 2000. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; acquisition made possible through the support of the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center.

Obama endorses federal LGBTQ Equality Act On November 10, the White House announced its official endorsement of the Equality Act. If passed, this bill would extend clear federal nondiscrimination protections in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, public funding, credit access and jury service to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016 queer (LGBTQ) people.

“We are thrilled to hear that the President has formally endorsed the Equality Act. Americans firmly believe that discrimination is wrong. The passage of this legislation would propel the work for full freedom, justice and equality forward.

And while as a nation, we’ve made significant gains to close the gap on discrimination against LGBTQ people, we still have our work cut out for us. It is mind boggling that in many states like Mississippi, a lesbian couple in a loving relationship can get married but run the risk of being fired or denied the right to adopt because of senseless discrimination,” said National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund Executive Director Rea Carey. “It is now up to Congress to act on this comprehensive LGBTQ civil rights legislation and ensure that LGBTQ people are treated fairly under the law across the country.”

For decades, the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund has been advocating for nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people. In 1975, the organization was instrumental in the introduction of the first comprehensive nondiscrimination bill in Congress by the legendary Bella Abzug; continued to push hard for more protections in the states, through the courts, and through important agency rulings; advocated for executive actions to provide more protections for both federal employees and the employees of federal contractors, and will continue to push for state and federal employment nondiscrimination legislation.

The comprehensive federal bill would expand the existing Civil Rights Act passed more than 50 years ago to include sexual orientation and gender identity as explicitly protected classes and adds prohibitions against discrimination in public accommodations and using federal funding — much-needed protections that will guarantee women and communities of color in addition to LGBT people are treated equally in a number of important areas.

Karin Johanson, National Political Director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said, “President Obama’s continued leadership on equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, women, and communities of color is manifest today in his endorsement of the federal Equality Act. Even today, LGBT Americans in more than half the states can be turned away from jobs, housing and services with no clear, explicit protections under the law. Women and communities of color still do not have protection against discrimination in all instances of federal funding or public accommodations. We hope that Congress will follow the President’s lead by giving the Equality Act a fair hearing and consideration in this Congress.”

Steve Grand keeps promise, goes to ball with gay Marine

By Jamie Tabberer on gaystarnews.com The out gay Marine and the out gay singer/songwriter – two All-American Boys, and one thoroughly modern couple.

You may remember that back in September, Steve Grand said he’d be “honored” to accept US Marine Tanner White’s YouTube invitation to a military ball.

Well, last night, the date actually happened – and the guys have kindly revealed all on social media.

The ball took place in Wilmington, North Carolina, with Tanner – who has a YouTube page dedicated to raising awareness of HIV – attending in full uniform.

Meanwhile, Steve was looking pretty sharp himself in his Banana Republic suit and tie.

Lesbian, gay man win Salt Lake City elections Jackie Biskupski is Utah’s first out mayor The Salt Lake Tribune reports: Salt Lake City voters elected Jackie Biskupski as Utah’s first openly gay mayor and only the second female top executive in the capital city, according to the unofficial election-night count.

Those vote tallies had Biskupski with 52.19 percent to two-term Mayor Ralph Becker’s 47.81 percent — less than a five percentage-point spread.

“It’s about all these people in this room. Look at the people in this room,” Biskupski said of the crowd of about 200 people gathered at Kimi’s Chop House restaurant in Sugar House. “This is a diverse group of people from all over the city. This is about having a voice again.”

Utah Sen. Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City, also an openly gay politician, said the election was history in the making.

“Generations of LGBT people could’ve only dreamed of this,” he said. “Jackie is now an iconic gay leader. This is a great moment for Salt Lake City — we’re not the stereotype people across the country think we are.”

Marriage equality plaintiff Derek Kitchen elected to City Council And yet another big win in Salt Lake City. From the campaign’s Facebook page: “Thank you! Thank you to my family for standing next to me through this campaign, for my volunteers for putting in countless hours knocking on doors, making calls, and talking to their friends.

Thank you to all my supporters, your enthusiasm, donations, and moral cheers

DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

Jackie Biskupski

really kept me going. This has been such a positive experience for me as a first time candidate for public office. I’m happy to say that we ran a clean campaign focused on the issues and the residents of this great city. I feel honored that the residents of District 4 have put their faith in me to represent them and make important decisions on their behalf. I’m energized and excited to get to work on the Salt Lake City council as your next representative!”

Kitchen and his now-husband Moudi Sbeity were one of three couples that won their case in December 2013. In June 2014 the Tenth Circuit Court upheld that decision, but stayed their ruling pending the appeal to the Supreme Court, which was denied in October 2014.

-JoeMyGod.com

Hate groups that repealed Houston law take aim at Dallas’s new trans protections

By John Wright on Towleroad.com Anti-LGBT groups that repealed Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance are now taking aim at Dallas’ nondiscrimination law, which the City Council unanimously amended Nov. 10 to strengthen transgender protections.

However, the haters will face a much higher bar for getting a referendum on the ballot in Dallas thanks to the city’s charter, which would give them 60 days to gather signatures on a petition from 10 percent of the city’s voters, or roughly 50,000 people.

Under the Houston charter, the groups needed signatures from only 10 percent of those who voted in the last election, or about 17,000 people, which city officials said they failed to get. And Houston has a much larger pool of registered voters to draw from, about twice as many as Dallas.

A judge and jury upheld Houston officials’ decision to reject the anti-HERO petition, saying it didn’t have enough valid signatures due to things like widespread forgery. However, HERO opponents later obtained an order from the Texas Supreme Court, which told the City Council to repeal the ordinance or place it on the ballot.

It’s doubtful Dallas officials would repeat mistakes from Houston, where the city secretary initially certified the petition — a decision that later served as the basis for the state Supreme Court’s ruling — before the mayor and city attorney intervened and rejected it.

Furthermore, the Dallas ordinance has been in place for 13 years, with zero cases of men entering women’s restrooms to prey on victims, so opponents will have a more difficult time succeeding with the transgender bathroom argument.

Finally, Houston is more conservative than Dallas, in part because it is so large both geographically and population-wise, taking in heavily Republican suburban areas. Houston is situated in Harris County, which is purple if not red (Republican). Dallas County, on the other hand, is solidly blue (Democratic) and has been for 10 years.

Of course, none of this is likely to stop the anti-LGBT groups that overturned HERO from thumping their chests and launching a petition drive to repeal the Dallas ordinance. From The Houston Chronicle: In Houston, conservative activist Jared Woodfill said the same core group that helped defeat the ordinance here 61 percent to 39 percent will deploy similar tactics in Dallas and seek to force a repeal referendum. Woodfill’s group will help

collect signatures, send letters to Dallas City Council and organize with local conservatives. …

Woodfill and fellow conservatives hammered a message in Houston that the gender identity provision of the equal rights law would allegedly allow men to use women’s restrooms. Though supporters of the law said that was false and tried to broaden the conversation to include the 14 other classes protected in housing, employment and public accommodations, opponents’ tactics won out.

“We said from day one wherever these ordinances appear we’re going to be on the ground and ready for the battle,” Woodfill said. “The Dallas City Council clearly didn’t learn of or hear the message voters sent in Houston, Texas.”

Assuming opponents do launch a petition drive, one question that will be asked is whether it was prudent for the Dallas council to update the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance just one week after HERO was repealed in Houston.

The Dallas ordinance already prohibited discrimination against transgender people in employment, housing and public accommodations. The amendment approved merely clarified the existing protections, but by taking up the issue now, the city has invited an effort to repeal the entire law.

13 Nov. 17 to remove the child. In his ruling, Johansen said research showed that children do better in homes with heterosexual parents.

On Nov. 13, Johansen scheduled a hearing for Dec. 4 to determine what is in the best interest of the child. The Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) on Nov. 12 filed a petition for a stay of the order, while an attorney for the foster parents — April Hoagland and Beckie Peirce — filed a separate petition asking the judge to reverse his ruling.

Hoagland and Peirce, who have been married for a year and are licensed foster parents, have cared for the girl since August, as the state has moved through the legal process of terminating the parental rights of the child’s biological mother.

UPDATE: Johansen has now been removed from the case.

Chris and George Zander

Utah sets hearing on anti-gay judge’s ruling removing child from lesbian parents

Politicians call for investigation into Palm Springs gay bashing

From the Salt Lake Tribune: A Utah juvenile court judge has amended an order that a 9-month-old girl be removed from the home of her married same-sex foster parents because the two are lesbians, and has instead scheduled a hearing on the matter.

Under the order issued the week of Nov. 9, 7th District Juvenile Judge Scott Johansen had given state officials until

By Dawn Ennis on The Advocate On the eve of the city’s Pride Weekend, messages of support are pouring in, as are calls of condemnation of the attack on two prominent gay residents of Palm Springs, Calif., reports The Desert Sun. George and Chris Zander were assaulted in downtown Palm Springs around 8 p.m. (on Nov. 1), police said. Chris Zan(Politicians continues page 14)

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL (Politicians continued from page 13) der suffered a concussion and lacerations to his head. His husband, George, broke a hip. George has been active in the Palm Springs LGBT community for decades and currently works as a field manager with Equality California.

Congressman Raul Ruiz and out Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet are calling on police to swiftly investigate the incident and arrest the two men responsible.

“Hate crimes against an LGBT individual — or anyone in our community — are hate crime against our entire community and it will not be tolerated,” Ruiz wrote in a statement issued Nov. 2.

“This kind of discrimination will not be tolerated,” said Mayor Pougnet. “We have worked very hard to make sure our residents and visitors feel safe as they work and play in our city.” Organizers of Greater Palm Springs Pride expected as many as 175,000 people in their typically gayfriendly city starting Nov. 6.

“We feel so safe here, and it’s a wakeup call that we are not as safe as we think,” said Ruth Debra, chair of the Desert Stonewall Democrats, a local LGBT advocacy group in which George Zander has been active. “This was very specifically a hate crime.”

Palm Springs police are indeed investigating the incident as a felony hate crime, since detectives believe the men were targeted because they are gay, according to a statement from spokesman Lt. Mike Kovaleff.

Michael Sam is proud of Missouri football team for taking a stand

By Greg Hernandez on gaystarnews.com Michael Sam is proud of the University of Missouri’s football team for taking a stand.

Sam’s alma mater, where he was a star player just two years ago, has been dealing with racial tensions on campus for some time now but it wasn’t until the team threatened to strike that the situation got national attention.

The team’s stand is what is believed to have led to the resignation on Nov. 9 of university president Timothy M. Wolfe.

The players had announced over the weekend that they would not play as long

ON GARD

Michael Sam

as Wolfe remained in office and had the full support of their head coach Gary Pinkel.

Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team, said he was not surprised to see the football team and their coach take this stand together.

“Coach Pinkel got behind his team and believed they had a just cause and we protect our own here,” Sam said during an interview with MSNBC. “I came to this university because of the family atmosphere. If you had good values then you are my brother or my sister and we’re going to protect you.”

Sam has returned to the school to get an advanced degree after quitting pro football earlier this year while playing in the Canadian Football League.

During his days as an undergrad, Sam said, “I did not experience any racial issues here. But I did … see some.”

He was asked by MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts if he thought some of the Mizzou players might have hurt their chances of being drafted by the an NFL team since the team has been known to frown upon political activism by its players.

“Football is not everything,” Sam said.

“When I came out, I didn’t do it for the fame or the glory. I did it because I was tired of hiding. People are standing up for what they believe in, I think that’s what’s important. Life is important.

“I just hope it doesn’t do anything to harm their chances of making the NFL roster.”

LGBT Business Builder set for Boston 2016 Recognizing the business imperative to embrace diversity, earlier this year, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce launched the first initiative of its kind focused on LGBT business owners.

It is called LGBT Business Builder,

The Gay Alliance on-line Resource Directory The online community tool – providing local, state and national resources... twenty-four, seven! www.gayalliance.org

which is designed to bring together expertise and resources from the staff at SBA district and regional offices, NGLCC’s 38 U.S.-based affiliate chambers, and other resource partners. Businesses will learn how to leverage NGLCC’s LGBT-owned business certification and explore opportunities through SBA’s suite of services around government contracting, exporting, and other SBA initiatives.

The SBA has announced that Boston, Massachusetts will host the LGBT Business Builder February 2016. “When we started Business Builder earlier this year the message was clear, it was about ensuring that entrepreneurs who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender have the support they need to excel. We champion Massachusetts Governor Baker’s announcement in recognizing LGBT-owned businesses.

The SBA stands ready to assist all entrepreneurs wherever they are on their journey to success. We cannot separate the fight for civil rights from the fight for market rights

and economic empowerment,” said Eugene Cornelius, Jr. U.S. Small Business Administration, Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Field Operations.

“Nothing says ‘The Spirit of America’ like an equal seat at the table for every business owner who wants one. Massachusetts continues its tradition as a leader in LGBT rights by living up to its slogan and creating greater access to the American Dream. We thank Governor Baker’s administration for their commitment to the LGBT community in Massachusetts,” said NGLCC Co-Founder & President Justin Nelson. “LGBT-inclusive supplier diversity means that there will be greater LGBT business visibility across Massachusetts. Economic visibility, just like social visibility, is essential in building a diverse and inclusive society.”

“Teaming with the SBA to present the LGBT Business Builder-Boston event in early 2016 will bring together our shared commitment to assist LGBT-owned busi-

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

DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET nesses and ensure they understand the value of becoming a certified LGBT business enterprise and all the SBA resources that are available to them.” says Justin Nelson, president and co-founder, NGLCC.

Same sex couples started marrying in Ireland on Nov. 16

By Andy Towle on Towleroad.com Frances Fitzgerald, Ireland’s Minister for Justice and Equality, has signed the Marriage Act 2015 and announced that gay couples could start marrying in Ireland on Nov. 16.

RTE News reports: “Those who have already given notice for a civil partnership will be able to get married instead. It will give effect to last May’s referendum in which 62 percent voted in favour of same-sex marriage. Since then, 187 same-sex couples have registered to have a civil partnership. Those who have been married abroad will automatically have their marriage recognized.”

Starbucks partners with Seattle police on Safe Place program The Seattle Times reports: Not one single business has turned away Seattle police Officer Jim Ritter when he’s asked them to join a program aimed at offering help and a safe haven to lesbian, gay and transgender victims of hate crimes. Starbucks announced Nov. 11 that it, too, is partnering with the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) Safe Place program, even though the coffee giant has been working since June to implement the program and train 2,000 employees across 97 locations within the city limits.

“Starbucks decided to announce its involvement since the final employeetraining sessions will be wrapping up early next week,” said Heather Jennings, Starbucks’ regional director for the Seattle metro area. She said decals with the program’s emblem — a police badge colored to look like a rainbow flag — were affixed to the windows at the Third Avenue and Pike Street store when she made a visit earlier in the day Wednesday.

Via press release from Starbucks: Designed to identify plentiful safe and secure places for victims of anti-LGBTQrelated crimes and harassment, SPD Safe Place’s mission is intentionally uncomplicated. Window clings with the program’s rainbow logo are circulated to Seattle area businesses and public facilities identifying them as places where staff who’ve received SPD Safe Place training will call 911 and allow victims to remain on the premises until police arrive.

“We’re not wanting employees to tackle the suspect who is doing this,” he emphasized. “We want to make sure the employees stay safe and people in the businesses stay safe. I think the way this was designed, that’s certainly happening.

Remember, these suspects don’t want to be seen. They don’t want to be following victims into a room full of people who can identify them.”

-JoeMyGod.com

Company that raised HIV drug price 5000 percent loses $14.6 million

By Darren Wee on gaystarnews.com Turing Pharmaceuticals has reported a $14.6 million net loss last quarter after hiking the price of a decades-old AIDS drug 5,000 percent.

CEO Martin Shkreli drew the scorn of the internet after he bought the rights to Daraprim and raised the price from $13.50 to $750 overnight.

Daraprim is used to treat the toxoplasma gondii parasite, which can cause seizures, blindness, and neurological damage in people with compromised immune systems.

After a fierce backlash, Shkreli said he would lower the price of the drug, but

another company started selling the drug for $1 a pill.

The company spent $7 million on drug research last quarter, which contributed to losses.

“We are very excited about the potential for Turing’s pipeline of new drug candidates to help patients in need of better medications,” Shkreli said in a statement.

The company also addressed the Daraprim controversy: “After consulting with patient advocacy groups and infectious disease doctors, Turing understands that toxoplasmosis patients are primarily concerned with timely access and minimal out-of-pocket costs.

“We are committed to continuing the expansion of our distribution partnerships in order to facilitate optimal patient access.

In addition to participation in federal and state programs with costs as low as 1 penny per pill, and patient savings programs under which patients’ out-of-pocket expenses do not exceed $10 per prescription, Turing contributes to Patient Services, Inc. (PSI), a longstanding independent charity that provides support for financially needy patients’ cost-sharing obligations for any toxoplasmosis therapies, consistent with PSI’s advisory opinion from the HHS Office of Inspector General.”

People magazine honors gay dads from soup commercial In addition to naming David Beckham this year’s sexiest man alive, last month People Magazine bestowed a similar honor on the real-life gay dads currently starring in a Campbell’s Soup commercial. They write: It’s a simple 15-second spot, but it’s made a big impact among families. David Monahan and Larry Sullivan starred in a Campbell’s Soup commercial earlier this year with their son Cooper, 3. It instantly lit up YouTube, racking up nearly 1 million views to date.

“I didn’t realize it would blow up and become the big deal it has become,” Sullivan, 45, tells PEOPLE. “Neither of us have been on the ‘I’m an activist’ train, and I still don’t think we really are, because all we’re doing is just living our lives. But it just so happens that our spot is entering people’s living rooms that normally probably wouldn’t let us into their homes, and they don’t really have a choice.”

“When at the end of the day,” Monahan, 44, adds, “all we’re trying to do is pay for preschool and our mortgage! But we’re happy to be that couple who put ourselves out there to just show that families come in all shapes and sizes.” They also happen to have one very cute kid. “People are like, ‘He’s so beautiful,’ but we had nothing to do with it,” Monahan jokes, citing Cooper’s open adoption years ago. “He tends to light up a room.” At 18 months, Cooper joined his dads in a Target commercial, but they both say they’re not trying to push him into acting (their trade of choice). “He’s getting a little opinionated to be malleable, but we’ll see what happens,” Monahan says. ■ -JoeMyGod.com

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Opinion Houston, we have a problem! Lessons to be learned here in New York

By Harry Bronson, NYS Assembly On Election night I was both stunned and saddened to see that the rights of the transgender community had taken a step backwards. In Houston, Texas, voters repealed an anti-discrimination ordinance by a percentage of 61 to 39.

The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) would have banned discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Unfortunately, opposition to this city ordinance, led by fear mongering, painted a picture of the ordinance as a gateway for women and children to be attacked in bathrooms by heterosexual, cisgender men pretending to be transgender. This disgusting portrait of our transgender community is not only false and offensive, but proves that the fight for anti-discrimination laws at both the state and federal level is needed more than ever. We must be vigilant in our fight not only to obtain, but also to retain LGBTQ rights.

Trans individuals within our community deserve the same human rights as everyone else. I applaud the recent efforts of Governor Cuomo who signed an executive order providing state-wide regulations to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity, gender status or gender dysphoria. Too many transgender New Yorkers have lost their jobs, their homes, their family and friends as well as their dreams, due to discrimination. This executive order sends the strong message that discrimination in New York State will not be tolerated.

Unfortunately, a future governor is not required to continue a previous governor’s executive orders and could overturn Governor Cuomo’s action. If that were to happen, the rights of our Trans community would no longer be protected. This is unacceptable. That is why we must continue our push to get the Senate to finally pass the Gender Expression NonDiscrimination Act (GENDA). GENDA would statutorily add the category of “gender identity and expression” to the New York State Human Rights Law, which makes it illegal to discriminate in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, education and credit.

Without passing GENDA, the protections offered through Cuomo’s executive order, albeit a good first step, are simply too vulnerable to be repealed. And unlike Houston, a repeal could happen with the mere strike of a governor’s pen.

Now is the time for a coalition to

come together to fight for the end of antiLGBTQ discrimination, including discrimination based on gender identity or expression. We must insist on the passage of GENDA’s statutory protections. Harvey Milk once said, “Rights are won only by those who make their voices heard.”

Instead of being overcome by frustration from the results in Houston, we need to take this setback and transform it into inspiration to fight harder while also educating the public, so that the ugly fear tactics used this election season will not be accepted as a reality.

Lift the trans military ban, reverse LGBT dishonorable discharges

By Neal Broverman on The Advocate The nation honored the sacrifices of its servicemembers on Nov. 11, in its annual observance of Veterans Day. But for many LGBT servicemembers, it’s a bittersweet day.

LGB troops, finally freed from the shackles of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” still must fight to have their Barbara Satin dishonorable discharges reversed, while some GOP presidential candidates are endorsing a return of DADT. And a ban remains on open transgender service, though a military working group is exploring an end to the prohibition.

Barbara Satin, National LGBTQ Task Force Assistant Faith Work Director and former U.S. Air Force officer (pictured above), released the following statement on the trans military ban: “On Veterans Day, as we honor those who’ve served in the military, let us also lift up the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) service members. For decades, courageous and dedicated LGBTQ people served in the U.S. military while hiding their true identity out of fear of being discharged. Today, while we have made significant strides with the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’, transgender people are still denied the opportunity to serve openly in the military. That is why we’re again calling on the Defense Department to expedite their repeal of the ban of transgender people in the military.” ■

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016

Health FDA approves new HIV drug Genvoya On Nov. 5, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new singletable HIV regimen created by Gilead Sciences, maker of Truvada, called Genvoya.

Reuters reports: Genvoya, a combination tablet approved as a complete regimen, is designed to treat previously untreated patients weighing at least 35 kilograms (77 pounds), the FDA said…. (http://1. usa.gov/1RYxl7t) The drug also aims to treat adults whose HIV-1 infection is currently suppressed due to antiretroviral therapy.

HIV-1 is the most common and pathogenic strain of the virus.

Genvoya is not recommended for patients with severe kidney problems, the FDA said.

The treatment carries a boxed warning, which flags potentially fatal risks such as buildup of lactic acid in the blood and severe liver problems.

The new regimen from Gilead was designed to have a new form of tenofovir, an antitretroviral medication used in both preventing HIV (in pre-exposure prophylaxis, aka PrEP) and treating HIV. From the FDA: Genvoya contains a new form of tenofovir that has not been previously approved. This new form of tenofovir provides lower levels of drug in the bloodstream, but higher levels within the cells where HIV-1 replicates. It was developed to help reduce some drug side effects.

Genvoya appears to be associated with less kidney toxicity and decreases in bone density than previously approved tenofovir containing regimens based on laboratory measures.

Business Wire reports on the positive long-term impact Genvoya may have for those who are HIV positive: “As the HIV patient population ages there is an increased risk for development of age- and treatment-related comorbidities, including low bone mineral density and renal impairment. This is due to the combination of HIV infection, antiretroviral treatments and the natural aging process,” said David Wohl, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and lead author of the Genvoya efficacy analysis. “Given its demonstrated efficacy and safety profile, Genvoya represents an important new treatment option for a range of patients who are either new to therapy or who choose to switch treatments.”

Health insurance is affordable and accessible to the LGBT community via ACA

LGBT individuals face numerous barriers to health, including access to insurance and to compassionate and affirming medical care from providers who understand their needs.

Thankfully, one of those hurdles is being cleared with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which provides health insurance benefits to millions of Americans, including LGBT individuals and their families. Now is the time to get enrolled in affordable health insurance coverage, without discrimination. Open enrollment has already begun, and continues through January 31.

Many have found choosing right coverage to be the most challenging, so ACA also provides unbiased consumer-assistance agents called “navigators” who will help people through assessing which plan works best for them.

Trillium Health is designated as one of the agencies to provide insurance navigation in our region. Recognized by the Human Rights Campaign as a leader in LGBT Healthcare five years running, Trillium Health has a long history of navigating healthy outcomes in our community. Rose Addison, Practice Support Manager, leads a team of six Insurance Navigators covering nine counties, from Rochester to Geneva to Bath. “Most importantly, we just want everyone to know that they should be shopping their plan options in the Marketplace, and that we can help them understand the options and navigate the process,” explains Rose.

It can be a complicated decision, so Trillium Health’s team of Navigators has tools that guide people based on individual circumstances, preferences, and how each plan would handle them. “We like to meet with each person, understand their unique situation and try to help them anticipate their needs. Many factors need to be considered, like frequency of doctor visits, copays, prescription coverage, doctor networks accepting that plan, etc.”

“What’s really great about the ACA is how it addresses the disparities in health care that our LGBT communities have long faced,” says Rose. As a provider that specializes in LGBT medical care and support services, and with a staff that is as diverse as their patients, it has special significance to the Trillium Health team.

Rose says the best part of helping someone get the insurance coverage they need, is then linking them to the proper medical care they should be receiving.

“They can go anywhere that accepts their insurance plan, of course. But once they’re here and see what we have to offer, many choose to seek their care here. Patients at Trillium Health receive compassionate care that recognizes gender fluidity and all sexual orientations, and we offer specialty care such as hormone therapy and HIV prevention.”

Trillium Health’s navigators are available to help at 259 Monroe Ave. Call 585-545-7200 to set up an appointment.

All languages, including ASL, can be accommodated. Additional information on insurance assistance can be found at www.trilliumhealth.org and by following Trillium Health on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TrilliumHealth, or emailing us at: Insurance@trilliumhealth.org.

NYC trans people share health concerns

On Nov. 3, The New York Academy of Medicine released the report “Transgender: Speaking Out for Better Health” to launch the one-of-a-kind series of reports City Voices: New Yorkers on Health, based on information gathered through an unusual and revealing Community Needs Assessment (CNA) focused on the health needs of New Yorkers across the city.

City Voices is a rare collection of personal narratives from residents drawn from a CNA that covers an unprecedented range of health issues from transgender health access, aging and battling diabetes; to depression, disparities in care, and the challenges faced by immigrant communities.

“We think it is so important to share the information in “Transgender: Speaking Out for Better Health,” at a time when the report’s findings underscore the importance of Gov. Cuomo’s recent decision to extend civil rights protections to transgender people to address discrimination against them in housing, employment, and other aspects of life,” said Jo Ivey Boufford,

MD, President of the Academy.

“Transgender: Speaking Out for Better Health,” draws on information from several City Voices’ focus groups and interviews with transgender (trans) women and men, as well as health and social services providers that serve the LGBT community. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, the City Voices research team found that trans persons have extensive health needs, but still face pervasive discrimination and poorly educated providers who do not know how to treat them when seeking care.

“When you say ‘I’m trans’ at the doctor they give you this look of death, like ‘trans?’ and then I have to explain... female to male and they go, “‘what’s that?’” - Transman “We’ve [LGBT care provider] gotten calls from people who have gotten thrown out of gynecologists’ offices because they’ll say we don’t see men … then they have to explain that they have female anatomy and the doctors are so uninformed.”- Transwoman “Transgender: Speaking Out for Better Health,” gives trans New Yorkers an opportunity to help set the agenda for important policy changes that may impact their health care. The report also gives policy makers, health care providers, community groups, and others a one-of-kind opportunity to learn what transgender New Yorkers really want and need when it comes to their health and well-being.

The City Voices: New Yorkers on Health series is one of the first studies released by the research and evaluation team of the Academy’s newly-formed Institute for Urban Health, home of interdisciplinary research, evaluation, policy and program initiatives.

“Thought I would never see another patient like this!” said Dr. Michael Gottlieb

By Evelyn Bailey Dr. Michael Gottlieb, the doctor who identified the AIDS virus in 1981, spoke at “An Evening with Dr. Michael Gottlieb” on Nov. 19 sponsored by the U of R’s Center For AIDS Research and co sponsored by the Gay Alliance, at the UR Bloch Alumni and Advancement Center celebrating World AIDS Day 2015.

He followed the above statement by saying within the first three months of 1981 he saw three more patients with similar symptoms.

Dr. Gottlieb captured the attention of the 125 people in attendance, members of both the greater Rochester and the University of Rochester communities,

with his story. Trained at the University of Rochester, Dr. Gottlieb became an assistant professor at the UCLA School of Medicine in Los Angeles in 1981.

One of his fellows noted that the first patient Dr Gottlieb saw had unexplained pneumocystis, thrush, weight loss, and a low t-cell count. Dr. Gottlieb contacted the New England Journal of Medicine to submit an article about these cases. The editor told Dr. Gottlieb that once he submitted his article, the Ingle Finger Rule prohibited him from sharing his findings with anyone until the article appeared in the journal, and asked if he had contacted the CDC (Center for Disease Control). So in June, 1981 his “discovery” was reported in the CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report In the beginning Dr. Gottlieb thought the disease might be reversible. Two years to the day after the CDC report, Dr. Gottlieb received a call from Rock Hudson at the Beverly Hills Hospital asking him to be his doctor. After Rock Hudson went public, the research took off as Federal money began to be allocated for AIDS Research.

In 1985, Dr. Gottlieb and Mathilde Krim became the Founding Chairmen of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AMFAR), with Elizabeth Taylor as its Founding National Chairman.

In 1986 the UCLA Medical Center with funding from NIH began clinical trials.

UCLA claimed there was a conflict of interest for Dr. Gottlieb between his position at AMFAR and the Medical Center.

Dr. Gottlieb left the UCLA Medical Center and went into private practice.

Dr. Gottlieb ended his presentation by saying that World AIDS Day celebrates the collaboration of the community with research. He introduced Dr. Michael Keefer who gave a brief history of the U of R’s involvement in AIDS Research from the first AIDS Clinic in 1982 to 1991 when he took over as Director of the Strong Memorial Hospital HIV Clinic.

A panel discussion followed with Drs. Stephen Dewhurst, Harris Gelbard, Michael Keefer and Amneris Luque and moderated by Dr. Gottlieb. The panel discussion focused on the the new clinical trial, “AMP”, which stands for “Antibody Mediated Prevention,” in which the U of R will be involved to prevent HIV. Scientists hope this will boost the development of an effective vaccine for the virus, and the groundbreaking research being done by Dr. Harris “Handy” Gelbard in the area of neurodegenerative disease. Handy’s research has led to the testing of a new first-in-class drug therapy to treat severe HIV-associated neurodegenerative diseases, and could also be effective in fighting inflammation-linked disease such as heart failure and rheumatoid arthritis.

DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

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LGBTQ Living

PFLAG MEETS 3RD SUNDAY

Holiday Shopping on Rochester’s Diagon Alley

By Susan Jordan Rochester has lots of great shopping areas, which are often neighborhoods favored by the LGBTQ community to live and socialize in. Park Avenue, the Neighborhood of the Arts, the Public Market… The Empty Closet has featured them all and will do so again in 2016. But right now, with holiday shopping in mind… let’s visit Rochester’s version of Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books, where magic happens every day – South Avenue!

OF EACH MONTH It’s time for lunch and he has several exciting options, such as John’s Tex Mex or Harry G’s NY Deli. Decisions, decisions. (Above: Harry G’s kitchen)

Meetings are from 1–3 pm at Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church 707 E. Main Street Rochester, New York 14605 Questions?

Call: 585-993-3297 or Email: RochesterPFLAG@gmail.com Join us!

Accio credit card!

All Wizard photos: Gretchen Arnold

Feeling full, and with energy restored, the Wizard of the Wedge magically clears South Avenue of traffic long enough for him to cross the street...

Our guide to the magical realm of locally-owned small shops is the Wonderful Wizard of the Wedge. Want to join him? Just toss some faery dust into the fireplace and say “DIAGON ALLEY”. But remember, if you slip and say “Diagonally,” you may end up at a MALL…

After a peppermint latte at Equal=Grounds, our shopping hero starts out at Zaks Avenue, where he buys a holiday birdhouse for his Hogwarts colleague Minerva McGonagall.

...and get to Hedonist Artisan Chocolates, where he buys Holiday Collections for his many chocoholic friends. After that he marches onwards to Historic House Parts, Period Bath, Print Roc, Little Button Craft & Press, Nathaniel’s Craft Beer Store, Coffee Connection, Cheesy Eddie’s and The Christopher Group (although he doesn’t need taxes done, he likes to say hi to a magical bulldog who hangs out there).

Naturally the Wizard can’t resist purchasing a fabulous holiday buche cake at Premier Pastry...

Then he heads to Fitted Fashion for custom–made wizarding robes. Unfortunately, Olivander’s wand shop is still closed ever since that unfortunate incident with the late Voldemort…

HopeAgain Cats, Inc. Not-for-profit No-Kill Cat Shelter PO Box 126 Victor, New York 14564 Phone 585-704-8197 Wonderful cats hoping for kind, forever homes

Then the Wizard goes on to Full Moon Vista to order bikes for his nephews and nieces. After that it’s off to Thread, to shop for the fashionistas on his list.

Finally, tired but triumphant, the Wizard relaxes with a beer outside Lux, being careful not to sit on the cake.

Happy Holidays to all Rochester witches, wizards and Muggles!

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016

“Imagine Car Repair with People Who Truly Care!”

Please call today to schedule an appointment: 585.381.1970

An honest, caring approach to auto repair 319 East Chestnut Street • East Rochester 14445 585.381.1970 • www.schoenplaceauto.com Our customers come from all walks of life. They include women, men, LGBTQ, students, young adults, couples, singles, families, single parents, and seniors.

Additionally, Domestic, European or Asian, old or new, your car can be as individual as you are and if you choose to place it in our care, we will never let you down.

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DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016

DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

Shoulders to Stand On

A Community’s Response To AIDS – A Pivotal Year 1984

By Evelyn Bailey The year 1984 was an extraordinary year for AIDS research, testing, drug treatment, and the politics of AIDS. Each of these threads is interwoven with a community’s fear and ever increasing numbers. The overwhelming effect of AIDS on Rochester is about to reach new heights. The year 1984 creates hope and at the same time the number of AIDS cases in Monroe County begins to grow exponentially. In Monroe County in 1984 there were 12 identified cases of AIDS, in 1985 there were 24, in 1986 there were 60, in 1987 there were 101, and the number was growing quickly.

From the earliest reports of a new disease, scientists around the world focused their efforts on finding the cause of AIDS. They circulated information informally; they held meetings to exchange ideas; and they published promising findings.

A pioneer in this effort was Dr. Robert Gallo of the National Cancer Institute, who only recently had discovered the first two human retroviruses, HTLV-I and HTLV-II. In 1984, research groups led by Dr. Gallo, Dr. Luc Montagnier at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, and Dr. Jay Levy at the University of California, San Francisco, all identified a retrovirus as the cause of AIDS. Each group called the virus by a different name: HTLV-III, LAV, and ARV, respectively. As has happened many times in scientific history, contention emerged about who had been first.

In 1987, the president of the United States and the prime minister of France announced a joint agreement on the issue–the first time a medical research question had reached this level of political negotiation. More importantly, the identification of that virus, renamed human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, that mainly attacks T-4 cells (which help the production of antibodies) and renders the body’s immune system incapable of resisting infection, provided a specific target for blood-screening tests and for scientists around the world conducting research to defeat AIDS. The “who” question becomes in some ways insignificant in comparison to the results. Now scientists were able to develop processes to mass produce the virus with the purpose of developing tools to conquer AIDS. By the fall of 1984, not only had a retrovirus been identified as the cause of AIDS, it also had been shown to have properties that would make it very difficult, if not impossible, to make a conventional vaccine against AIDS. By April 1984, four thousand plus Americans were infected with the disease.

By the end of 1984 that number would skyrocket to 10,000.

AIDS is the last stage in a progression of diseases resulting from a viral infection known as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV or AIDS virus). The diseases include a number of unusual and severe infections, cancers and debilitating illnesses, resulting in severe weight loss or wasting away, and diseases affecting the brain and central nervous system.

By January of 1984, new evidence was reported that AIDS can be spread heterosexually and transmitted even before a person shows outward manifestations of the disease. In fact, in May of 1985, an AIDS symptoms report in the New England Journal of Medicine indicated that the AIDS virus may persist without symptoms in infected people for more than four years. Prior to 2003, when effective therapies became available, and therefore from 1984 – 2002, about 10% of HIV infected people progressed to AIDS within 2 or 3 years of infection (rapid progressors). About 60% of adults/ adolescents progressed to AIDS within 12–13 years (slow progressors).

Today, the percentages are somewhat different. Without treatment, 80-87 percent progress within 12 – 13 years (typical progressors); 3 – 5 percent are symptom free with good T4 cell counts after 8 – 15 years (non-progressors) and less than 1 percent control the infection to viral loads less than 50 copies in absence of treatment (elite controllers) and 10 percent progress rapidly (~2years).

Without treatment, HIV advances in stages, overwhelming your immune system and getting worse over time. The three stages of HIV infection are: (1) acute HIV infection, (2) clinical latency, and (3) AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

There is still no cure for HIV infection or AIDS nor is there a vaccine to prevent HIV infection. However, there’s good news: by using HIV medicines (called antiretroviral therapy or ART) consistently, you can prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS. ART helps control the virus so that you can live a longer, healthier life and reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others. Currently antiretroviral therapy is recommended for ALL patients with the goal of having no one progress to AIDS. All treatment is based on the hypothesis that people will be tested to determine their status. In October 1984 Abbott Laboratories received FDA approval for a diagnostic to screen blood for antibodies to the virus believed to be the cause of AIDS. The test, named ELISA or EIA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay), did not diagnose AIDS, but instead detected antibodies produced by the body’s immune system to fight HTLV-III (Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type3),which had been identified as the probable cause of AIDS. This Elisa Test would become known as the “AIDS Test”. In December 1984, University of California researchers used the test to detect AIDS virus in as many as 10,000 samples taken from blood donor centers.

Shoulders To Stand On will continue to look at AIDS Testing and issues that arose because of testing then and now, in the February issue of The Empty Closet.

Shoulders To Stand On is in awe of the tremendous growth in knowledge and understanding of AIDS that took place in a very short period of time – three years from 1981 – 1984. Shoulders also recognizes the risks and risk takers: Dr. Robert Gallo of the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Luc Montagnier at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, and Dr. Jay Levy at the University of California, San Francisco involved in learning about the disease and identifying the virus that causes AIDS. ■

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History Corner

Dear Santa, Please bring us 1 IBM Selectric (with carbon ribbon), 10 typists, 2 people to sell ads, someone to help with the layout, a few more writers, photographers and artists. And Santa … can you spare your helper. (Today in 2015 the EC needs some of the same things, especially reporters and photographers!)

Do you want to read this issue of the Empty Closet?

Here is the link: http://www. library.rochester.edu/rbscp/EmptyCloset On that page click on: Browse the Empty Closet issues. Go to 1975 – December GAY BROTHERHOOD MEETINGS December 7: ZAPS - Brainstorming humorous ways to tweak the public’s consciousness with affection.

December 14: REACHING OUT TO A WIDER BROTHERHOOD -The new Men’s movement.

December 21: BUSINESS MEETING and MIXER – Everyone welcome.

December 2S: PLAY DAY - Ice skating party/Chilipot/Song fest (see below) January 4: ALONE BUT NOT LONELY - Creative aloneness.

(PLAY DAY: Ice-skating at Xerox Square 5-6;30 p.m. $1 admission plus 50 cents for skate rental. Meet at Gay Brotherhood office at 4:30pm for transportation. To be followed by Chili-pot supper – 50 cents at 7 p.m. in VSC Lounge, second floor, 713 Monroe Ave. and fireside song fest with banjo/guitar accompaniment.

Call 244-8640 to sign up.)

A Monthly Newspaper of The Gay Brotherhood of Rochester, NY 713 Monroe Avenue, Room 4, Rochester, N Y l4607 (716) 244-8640 December, 1975 NO 56 FOCUS: The Xmas countdown has everyone in a flurry. Knowing that you are probably snowed by the rush, we offer a host of gift suggestions for gays on page 5. To balance your hectic shopping pace, be sure to give yourself some time to relax, like Santa and his helper do (cover). This picture was made possible through the courtesy of Costumes Unlimited and photographer Walt Dulaney. For a closer look at the costume shop, turn to page 3. If it’s Walt you’re interested in, see his feature article on the notion of ‘brotherhood’ on page 2. One thing you won’t find this month is Social Scene. Social columnist David Klaus has resigned. Until we can find a responsible replacement, we’re asking those of you who have social events to report, to mail them to the Closet c/o GBR. An even greater loss comes with the resignation of chief editor/writer Lamont Downs, I have agreed to add the editor’s work load to the job I’ve been doing on layout. I was unable, however, to take on the job of E.C. typist. A shortage of typists and other volunteer workers has made this issue smaller than need be. I apologize to the writers whose stories didn’t make it through the staff crisis. We hope to carry some of the material in future issues. All of this leads to our own Empty Closet Christmas wants.

Legal name change?

Birth certificate amendment?

You’ll need those forms notarized!

Our Notary can help!

Schedule a free appointment today!

Call 585 244-8640 or email: info@gayalliance.org

Joe Russo, Psy.D., CGP

nge a h to C t e k Roc

Licensed Psychologist Certified Group Psychotherapist 25 Canterbury Road, Suite 313 Rochester, New York 14607 Phone: (585) 506-6096 E-mail: joerussopsyd@gmail.com

Addiction ▼ Anxiety ▼

Depression ▼ Grief/Loss ▼

Trauma ▼ Relationships ▼

▼ Weekly

Bi/Gay Men’s Therapy Group

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016

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 NO JUDGEMENT

By Eric Bellmann One small aspect of my life has traces of a Disney movie. I feed birds.

I greet them when I leave the house. I do not sing to them.

This hobby started because one of my tasks when I’m in New York is to fill the bird feeder in Sally’s back yard. I got into watching the birds. I also have to change the water in the birdbath. The birds are lots of fun to watch darting up to the water and rather often slamming themselves into it and raising a ruckus.

I spend more time at home now that I’m retired, so a bird feeder seemed logical. And a birdbath. Too much of my life is task oriented, so standing at the window and just watching seemed like a respite from keeping busy.

The first bird bath was a spectacular Mexican ceramic number and of course one year, eager to get the yard looking cool, I put it out too early and the water froze and cracked the basin in half. The base is now a plant holder. Someone clued me in to Country Max and I found a metal looking plastic replacement there.

It lasted a year. I have another one now, again ceramic but this time I won’t be so dumb.

It was dumb to put the bird feeder beside the house just outside the back door. Do you have any idea what slobs birds are? Seed husks and poop everywhere. Yuk. Worse if I opened the door to the porch to watch the birds, and that was the whole idea, they got scared and flew away.

This spring I relocated the feeder to the middle of the garden and I can watch them from a window. I put the new birdbath near the window, too. Let the good times roll. Well, they still make a bloody mess.

I don’t know the names or kinds of the birds that show up. Some are big, some small and they come in different colors.

Then there are the squirrels. I’ve spent a lot of time banging on windows and flinging open the back door and hollering, trying to scare them off, a hopeless cause. The better quality feeders do not repel squirrels regardless of the advertisements. The sure fire anti-squirrel feeders cost more than I want to spend. Squirrels are persistent. I give them credit despite loathing them.

Chipmunks are another matter. In a word: adorable. I seem to host a vast quantity. But how can one tell? They all look the same. In the heat of the summer they slow down a bit, almost amble across the patio. I don’t like thinking about where they live. I wonder if there is a vast underground network of tunnels and caves, rather like Switzerland. (Did you know the Swiss have enough space underground to accommodate the entire country should an atomic war break out? True.)

The first time I found a single feather I imagined a bird had dropped it -- maybe molting. Subsequent feathers disabused me of that notion. Way too many feathers, sometimes in clumps. Turns out my lovely garden has a night time population.

Neighborhood cats. Had I forgotten they are nocturnal monsters? My garden is a virtual Serengeti. A jungle to hunt in.

In theory I love cats. But that’s if they are affectionate and petable. Not so the

predatory prowlers in my yard. They skulk away when I open the door although once to my amazement I saw one lounging in the sun on my chaise. It raised its head and glanced my way as if to inquire who the fuck I was and what was I doing messing in his/her domain.

My sister loved animals. She had dachshunds for a while and later an edgy cat that mostly hid and she always had bird feeders. She traveled with bird books and knew the names of different kinds.

I’m lazy. I’m the same way with plants. No idea what they are called.

Despite my incuriousness regarding names and habits, I think of the occupants of my garden as mine, my wards, my guests. Is this what getting older turns out to be about?

The turn around for me was when I gave up the idea of feeding only the birds.

Like the Pope, who am I to judge? Let the squirrels gorge, let the chipmunks nibble away and let the occasional mouse join in scrounging for leftovers. In the mental cage that is my life I have been considering the detrimental effects of passing judgment. I like this, I don’t like that, passing verdicts on movies, people, Wegmans, you name it. Tiring. Pointless.

I may never get over that habit but for now that back yard is a Disney free zone.

Although, to be honest, I have to admit, if the squirrels go after any recently planted bulbs, all bets are off.

Email: EricLBellmann@gmail.com

Cleaning My Closet COLOR ME PURPLE

By Meredith Elizabeth Reiniger Another year will depart; long live 2016. Do we, at the end of a used year, review our past 525,600 minutes?

Upgrade our cerebral circuits. Erase extraneous files. Expunge corrupted folders.

The moment our midnight sky is emblazoned with sparkle-boom fireworks, do we design a brand new spreadsheet, save to a thumb drive, implementing, at dawn, plans for Another Chance?

Today, at this moment, time feels more precious to me than it did a half century ago. In my mind, time is not a big chunk called twenty-sixteen. It isn’t even 8,760 clock hours. I calculate that, actually, I have a mere 5,110 waking hours. But even that number is not an accurate measure because, shaped by the relativity of time, my 2016 is merely little, flying pieces named ‘minutes’.

For quite a while, Tick Tocks had been whispering in my ear, intoning “gone, gone, gone”. My perspective has since greatly changed. I have decided to stop giving away my treasured minutes. Looking back over my shoulder, I see that volunteering and saying “yes” to most requests have filled my retirement years with feelings of self-worth, measurable goals, and people who know my name.

Looking forward, I see a stream of hours, each an invitation to deeply immerse myself in experiences of unmitigated joy.

For the sake of discussion and denial, I like to pretend that I have 29 more years.

In my retirement, every year is an opportunity to live by my natural rhythms, not alarms and appointments. I cherish Surprise! Another Day! feelings when my eyelids pop open. Take pleasure in morning’s

slow rituals . . . singing Good Morning to Vegas dog, caressing his under-the-sheetswarmed belly, massaging talk-muscles at the root of his happy tail; performing ablutions of my sacred vessel and its teeth; opening doors and windows, welcoming birdsongs and breeze tunes. And I smile.

Our mornings are delightfully late mornings. Biscuits for we and tea for me.

Peaceful me watching, really looking... yes, studying; yes, actually paying attention… to furry and feathered neighbors.

My daily amen: This is a good day.

Back to nature I go. How many little brown sparrows, wrens, and assorted others can fit into an avian-specific bathtub?

By my last count: 9 in, with 7 lined-up on the railing, 5 bobbing on my Oregon Grape, 3 on the gutter lip, and 1 in flight.

How many Tub Techniques? 1. Simple: From the rim, a head dip and shake.

2. Thorough: A full body plop-in with self-propelled swirl and full-fluffed serialshudders. 3. Bully Bathing: body, feathers and ego bloated, bumping and bustling from edge to edge, bonking all blocking the way. 4. Enthusiastic Entry: swift entry, wings water-flinging with frenetic flapping, thus traveling across the surface in a WWJD mode.

Then the rest of my day is playtime.

Are you kidding? No, seriously; it’s exercise; it’s meditation, blood pressure control, brain-cell building. It’s re-creation.

Play? Is that a legitimate way for a human being to use her life? In all probability, yes.

Play is any activity that produces no marketable goods, provides no service for others, harms none, has no rules, no limits, and suffers no judgments from outsiders.

Plainly, play feels good. And that’s okay. My favorite categories: walking (halleluiah, I have legs that still work); gardening (especially finding, digging up, and rolling rocks to an attractive location; coloring (opening one of my many Adult Coloring Books, using my 234 colored pencils and 7 glittery pens, to create a pretty, refrigerator-deserving picture); painting (embellishing furniture with crazy colors and a multitude of miniscule dots); writing (private poems and printable stories); reading (dear me, I confess, I have mostly abandoned hard-cover, vellum-paged books, prostituted myself before the wireless god of Kindle while worshipping our bountiful Goddess of Public Library Systems).

Plus, oh my goddess, I have awesome playmates. There are eight wimmin who bring crayons, markers, pencils, and books, gather around my table, creating our Crayon Day, a ritual of cozy connections.

Then I have my one-at-a-time Conversation Friends, special persons who do not fear intimacy. We explore questions and conjectures. We marvel at everyday-miracles and our fast-forward world.

Our three-hour lunches (cleverly, we have found restaurants that do not charge by seat-time) are measured by our hearts, not by my cell phone melodically nagging Evening Cool, Evening Cool, Evening Cool.

Et cetera. Etc. Etc. There are more.

More things I do with friends and by me self that fill my days. Things that make my life. Things: wild, wonderful, weird; crazy, comforting; mine.

I must admit that sometimes a virus creeps into my hard drive. WHAT are you thinking!?! Mostly sitting around retiring over and over again? Cease and desist, it demands. Do something. DO something.

DO SOMETHING important.

Oh my. What to do, what to do? A Guilt Menu scrolls before my eyes: get a job; make food to share; crochet cozy hats; repair things; save the world; knit mittenson-a-string for the too-few kids who take healthy walks to get to school; sew soft baby blankets for new humans; quilt gay lap-robes for previously-enjoyed, well-used humans. Be useful.

Ah ha. Useful. Is that where my anguish originates? Am I, old lady hasbeen, no longer of value? Have several new and improved generations marginalized me? Across my forehead, do scarlet letters label me… old = extraneous.

But wait, I wail. This is my time. My

Golden Years. Oh dear, oh dear, maybe I should drown out my doubts, play a record . . . record? On your hi-fi, you old hoot.

Hell-looow. Welcome to the 21st century.

You must I-pod it. Anyway, perhaps I can find solace if I listen to some old and dead guy sing “I’ll do it my way….”

Or better yet, I should listen to Walt Whitman: “The question, O me! so sad, so recurring – What good amid these, O me, O life? Answer: that you are here – that life exists and identity, that powerful play, goes on, and you may contribute a verse.”

Yes, oh yes, I sing. Let the new day ring. I am busy. Wonderfully busy. I am opening my very wide, hard-cover book, running my fingers across its playful drawings. Peacefully, I am giving myself time to read The Day the Crayons Quit.

Take a pill? No, take a crayon. Carry on.

MeredithReiniger@gmail.com

Faith Matters WHERE’S LOG CABIN REPUBLICAN ACTIVISM THIS CAMPAIGN SEASON?

By Rev. Irene Monroe With four GOP debates now aired where all the presidential hopefuls are clearly either conservative or ultraconservative on social issues, one has to wonder — where are the Log Cabin Republicans in pushing forth LGBTQ concerns this campaign season?

While I am not a Republican, and I don’t expect from Log Cabin Republicans (LCR) the sort of public protesting as that of the “Black Lives Matter” movement, I am hoping, however, to see LGBTQ Republicans publicly bring to the fore how being anti-LGBTQ in 2015 is a huge political liability for any Republican candidate, especially one seeking the highest office in the land.

The Log Cabin website states,“We believe equality for LGBT Americans is in the finest tradition of the Republican Party. We educate our Party about why inclusion wins. Opposing gay and lesbian equality is inconsistent with the GOP’s core principles of smaller government and personal freedom.”

With that said, where is the groundwork being done to help the GOP move forward on LGBTQ inclusion?

While I’m not a prognosticator I do know a Republican will not win the 2016 presidential bid.

However, my hope is when one does, she or he won’t repeal LGBTQ gains won.

For example, although the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of marriage equality, Republican presidential hopefuls still think marriage should be between one woman and one man. And their opposition to the June SCOTUS decision isn’t as hatefully demonstrative and obstructively cynical as that of Kim Davis—the now infamous Kentucky County clerk who not only refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples but forbade her co-workers to do so.

As a born again Christian, Davis claimed that her First Amendment rights protected her actions. And with a movement afoot with bills called “Religious Freedom Restoration Acts” (RFRA) looking to codify LGBTQ discrimination, I was hoping Log Cabin Republicans would step up their game against their Republican brethren.

The two Republican presidential frontrunners — Donald Trump and Ben Carson—tout heterosexual marriage, but their response toward Obergefell v. Hodges are diametrically different.

While Trump (twice-divorced) touts traditional marriage he spoke against Davis’ obstructionist actions. But Ben Carson, on the other hand, did not. And if he were to become president, as a Christian conservative, it would be his Godgiven calling and moral imperative to

DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET overturn Obergefell v. Hodges.

And one of the reasons is because Carson doesn’t see LGBTQ love on a spectrum of human expression. Carson has compared same-sex marriage to bestiality: “Well, my thoughts are that marriage is between a man and a woman. It’s a wellestablished, fundamental pillar of society and no group, be they gays, be they NAMBLA, be they people who believe in bestiality, it doesn’t matter what they are, they don’t get to change the definition.”

Although LCR have always been proponents of marriage equality their actions, on the other hand, have neither been consistent, strategic nor logical.

In 1996 LCR did not endorse President George H. W. Bush’s bid for the White House because of his public anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. And they followed suit in their actions with George W. Bush because of his robust support of the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2004. However, in 2012 LCR endorsed Mitt Romney in spite of his support to a constitutional amendment to ban marriage equality, his objection to repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and his opposition to Employment NonDiscrimination. But in a public statement LRC announced their reason for rallying around Romney: “due to the gravity of the economic and national security issues currently at stake.”

LCR’s endorsement of Romney forced former Democratic congressmen Barney Frank to call them out. In his September 11, 2012 public statement Frank penned a no-holds-barred jeremiad.

“I am not surprised that members of the Log Cabin Republicans are offended by my comparing them to Uncle Tom… “But my use of ‘Uncle Tom’ was based not simply on this awful fact that they have chosen to be actively on the wrong side of an election that will have an enormous impact on our right to equality, both in fact and in the public perception of the popularity of that cause.

“The damaging aspect of the Log

Cabin argument, to repeat the most important point, is that they may mislead people who do not share their view that tax cuts for the wealthy are more important than LGBT rights into thinking that they are somehow helping the latter by supporting Mitt Romney and his Rick Santorum platform.”

Like Barney Frank, I’m calling you out. But not to shame you. Rather it is to encourage you to see that not only is the work for LGBTQ inclusion not done, it’s most needed in the GOP. And the ball is in your court.

A Few Bricks Short BUCK THE DUCK

By David Hull Back in 1970 I remember I had three loves of my young, 6th grade life. First, was Miss Libby, our school music teacher who was young, enthusiastic and really knew how to accessorize any outfit – she had shoes, scarves, barrettes and bracelets for any occasion – she was fabulous!

My second love was Dark Shadows, a soap opera about a vampire, a creepy house and a bunch of overly-dramatic women – that doesn’t have anything to do with this story. I just mentioned it anyway.

And last, but not least, I loved Buck the duck. Well, he wasn’t Buck the duck in the beginning – he was just my classmate, Buck; his real name was Broderick, but everyone called him Buck. He had long, thick, dark hair and beautiful brown eyes and whenever I managed the courage to say hello to him in the hallway or the lunchroom, he always replied with some hip remark, like “Keep it groovy” or “far out”.

I liked him even better than Miss Libby’s sepia-tone Earth shoes!

That year, in mid-October, Miss Libby

told us that she was going to begin rehearsals for a school-wide holiday play and that there would be a role for anyone who wanted one. Now, even back in those days of bellbottoms and disco dancing, public schools didn’t want to be too religious and there were Jewish kids who attended our school, so a holiday play based on the Nativity or Santa and his reindeer wouldn’t be appropriate.

Instead, Miss Libby decided our holiday play would be The Ark of Friendship.

What – you never heard of The Ark of Friendship? That’s probably because the play was written and directed by Miss Libby, who also supplied the musical piano accompaniment. The play was performed only once – to a packed house of parents, siblings and grandparents.

The Ark of Friendship was a musical comedy about Noah’s Ark, which being an Old Testament story was somewhat religious without being too religious and therefore an apparently perfect fit for our play. The plot of the play was how all the animals onboard the ark, through facing adversity together, became friends.

It was strange, but to create a role for every student in the school, Miss Libby wrote the parts for the animals as singles, not pairs; apparently she didn’t want a suggestion of any animal hanky-panky.

So, there was a tiger, elephant, moose, monkey, polar bear, wolf, pelican, zebra, frog, penguin and many others. Buck was cast a duck. I got the role of aardvark.

My parents said they were proud.

My brother asked: “What the heck is an ark-vart?”

“It’s pronounced ‘aardvark’,” explained my mom. “It’s kind of a … it’s like a … well, it’s a very special animal.”

The show opened with Noah and his wife singing Rain, Rain Go Away, then during the voyage the animals performed Cole Porter’s Friendship and the play closed with the whole cast disembarking the ark and singing the 5th Dimension’s hit song, Let the Sunshine In. As the aardvark, I had one line in the show, near the end; “Oh, look! There’s a rainbow!”

My rehearsal performances varied.

Sometimes I forgot my line.

Other times I missed my cue.

Often I would declare: “Oh, rainbow!

There’s a look!”

“Cut!” Miss Libby would call out.

“Not again,” complained Noah’s wife.

“C’mon,” groaned the squirrel.

“Can I say his line?” asked the walrus.

One afternoon, after practice, I met Buck the duck (as I came to think of him) while waiting for the late bus.

“So,” Buck said. “What’s with you and reciting that line?”

I shrugged. “I don’t think I can do it.”

“Don’t sweat it,” Buck the duck told me. “Have you ever heard of the Empire State Building?”

“Yeah,” I replied. “It’s in New York City. King Kong fell off of it.”

Buck nodded. “Did you know that in 1930, a dude named Alfred Smith had the groovy idea that up on top of the Empire State Building, he should build an airship docking mast for dirigibles?”

“You mean like for blimps?” I asked.

“Right on,” said Buck. “Pretty crazy – a mooring mast on top of a skyscraper. No dirigibles ever docked there, but do you know why I think Alfred Smith put that mooring mast up there?”

“No,” I said.

“Because he believed he could.” Buck the duck smiled. “I think that most anyone can do anything as long as they believe they can do it.”

At that point, the buses pulled up to the curb, Buck turned with a wave and said: “Keep on truckin’.” And our conversation was over.

When I got home, I went to the Encyclopedia Britannica on the bookshelf in the den (remember this was years before anyone had even thought of Google!) and looked up the Empire State Building. Sure enough, the article corroborated the dirigible mooring mast story that Buck the duck had told me.

A week later, at the premiere of Ark of

23 Friendship, just before the show started, Buck walked up to me, in full duck costume, patted me on the shoulder and said: “Hey, just remember that mooring mast on top of the Empire State Building. Believe you can, dig it?”

“Okay,” I said.

At the appropriate moment in the show, I stepped up between the kangaroo and the alligator, pointed skyward and pronounced: “Oh, look! There’s a rainbow!” The show was a success, as was my performance as aardvark.

That’s really the end of the story, except to tell that the next year I moved on to junior high, but sadly I had no classes with Buck the duck. But one day after school I happened to meet Buck in the boy’s restroom.

“Hey, Buck,” I said as I washed my hands. “I’ve never forgotten what you told me about that mooring mast on the Empire State Building.”

Buck the duck leaned against the tiled wall, folded his arms and smiled. “Yeah, whatever,” he said. “If you let me touch your winky, I’ll let you touch mine.”

I always like to think that Buck the duck taught me about two types of mooring masts – one was the kind on top of the Empire State Building and the other … well, you know what they always said about Buck the duck – once you go quack, you never go back!

Contact David at davidhull59@aol.com

What’s Bothering Brandon?

FAITHFUL GAYS IN FAITHLESS TIMES

By Brandon W. Brooks This year has been disagreeable.

With the onslaught of shootings and killings, foreign attacks, trivial coffee cup debates, mentally-deficient marriage clerks, chaos-loving race war mongers, bad toupees and intelligenceresistant anti-vaccers, I will be glad to say good-bye to the year 2015.

These are uncertain times in which to live. My parents, being late-stage baby boomers, lament to my siblings and me on this point continually. The world in which they lived seemed so much clearer than the world our generation is inheriting.

Now clarity, I think, is relative. Our parents did not have access to the internet, or mass social media, which spreads misinformation just as much as (if not more than) accurate information. This in turn may have given our parents’ generation the semblance of clarity for the future, as much less of this unpleasant (mis)information was being circulated (regurgitated). So I am wary to think that our parents’ generation was simply less chaotic, and more apt to believe that our parents, dare I say, were less aware than we.

Either way, uncertainty has its impact across generations, across race and class, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Uncertainty breeds misinformation and fear, which as we know can so easily morph into hatred and violence. With this past weekend’s attack in Paris, France, the costs of mass uncertainty, hatred, and fear are ever clearer.

I am told that in times of uncertainty, faith and hope play an important role.

Faith and hope in the future can be both a saving grace, and a pitfall. They can assure someone that their efforts will not be wasted, that their hard-work and dedication will “pay-off” or give them some form of security. On the other hand, misplaced faith and false hope can mislead us into thinking we have a shot when we don’t, that we should continue to “hangon” when “hanging-on” is the deficit.

Again, it seems uncertainly prevails.

Being gay and being faithful can sometimes be difficult to maneuver, and once attained, difficult to maintain. In this sense, I am talking specifically about reli-

24 gious faith, whatever that religion may be.

At its best, being both homosexual and religious can be seen as a triumph of selflove and love of God. At its worst, it can be regarded as unadulterated hypocrisy, an act of self-hatred, or as picking and choosing what to believe religiously. Most religions of the world, after all, do contain some mention of homosexuality (usually male), and it’s almost always negative. This is why, for me at least, it can be difficult to maintain faithfulness; it’s hard being Godly when God supposedly hates you.

Most gay people who wish to maintain their faithfulness in God are forced to undergo this process of accepting that most religions regard them as sinful abominations, unnatural creatures that pervert their bodies against the order of God and nature. This is just to repeat the very basic dogma I hear on this subject. It’s a painful process that often leads to denial, self-hatred, self-harm, and sometimes the harm of others both young and old, or en masse.

The hateful message given to most gay people often encourages us to abandon religious faith altogether, to preemptively abandon God before God abandons us. Faithlessness and hopelessness are the foodstuffs of despair and apathy, and that doesn’t help anyone, especially in times as uncertain as these.

Being raised Roman Catholic I was cautious to question the validity of religious argument on homosexuality. I was cautious because it seemed like the world had already made a consensus thousands of years ago, and who was I to argue. I was also cautious to question homosexuality’s demonization because, in short, I felt like I was questioning God, and who the hell dares that?! I like to call this dilemma The Righteous Question. It is a question that all LGBT persons must ask themselves at some point in their lives, religious or not.

But in the end I say, “Pshaw” to all this “God hates gays” nonsense. The religions of the world are exactly that: religions of the world. A divine creator did not come out of the ether to publish a book in contemporary English, Hebrew or Arabic. It was humankind who undertook the writing, the interpretation, the reinterpretation, and translation of the supposed Word of God. It was humankind who instilled religious texts with hatred, fear, oppression and political motivations – not God. I have faith in a world that holds love, kindness and understanding as virtuous rather than xenophobia, racism, sexism and homophobia. I have faith in a God who loves all humanity, even the mean people. I have reconciled with God, whomever or whatever that may be, and that has brought me faith. A small faith, but faith nonetheless.

As France launches its airstrike against ISIS, let us all try to have faith in a positive outcome to this very uncertain future we all share. I bid you all a happy and safe holiday season, and great New Year.

Questions, comment or critique? Feel free to e-mail the author at: brandonbrooks@mail.adelphi.edu

Being Well HOLIDAY COPING SKILLS

By John M.Aceto, LMHC In the field of mental health, the area of coping skills, also called strategies, is very much the buzz phrase.

Coping is “expending conscious effort to solve personal and interpersonal problems, and seeking to master, minimize or tolerate stress or conflict.”

Thanks Wikipedia. But I think that sums it up pretty nicely. And what better time to look at stress and conflict than the holiday season? The time of joy and happiness, of endless parties, visits from family and friends, and for some, a turkey sized amount of becoming overwhelmed pretty quickly.

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016 There’s getting the tree, sending out cards, hosting some kind of event, shopping for food and gifts. Standing in long lines because you waited until the last minute. Cleaning the house, cooking huge meals, being nice to others when you’re not feeling it, the list is endless.

My partner’s family and mine have made the holiday season relatively stress free. We do Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas day with his. Smallish gatherings, good food and no presents.

The kids get presents, but we’ve done away with adult siblings giving presents to each other, which is fine with me. I really get stressed when trying to buy someone a present anyway, and quite frankly I stink at it. And I’m cheap.

So how do you cope with stress and avoid feeling overwhelmed? The best defense is a good offense; at least that’s what sports people say. I interpret this as being prepared.

Shop and cook ahead of time. Keep a list of things you need to accomplish and check them off when done. Ask for help when you need it, which many of us do not do. Don’t try to cram several things into one time period, space things out.

And most importantly, take time to relax with your beverage of choice. This time of year is to be enjoyed with family and friends, so make every effort to do so.

This whole column-writing thing is quite new to me. I hope that I’m doing it properly. I’ve had a few people comment positively, which was nice because I don’t know who actually reads it! In any case, have a stress-free holiday season, and try to do a random act of kindness.

Please contact me with any questions you may have: Acetocounseling@gmail.com

Both Sides Now THANKS AND GIVING

By Cora Treoir Duncan It’s the time of year we all pause to reflect on all that has transpired during the past calendar year. It seems silly at best, to link our lives to each Solar Cycle, but we continue to pay allegiance to the passing of our Birthdays and the overly commercialized Holidays that now pursue us through each year, most especially at year’s end, when we celebrate the two BIG ones, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Though I’ve left organized religion behind me, I still revel in the drawing closer of good friends during The Season and practice Giving Thanks and Giving Gifts. Honestly I tend to give all year round, as my friends well know, considering it always appropriate to share my pitiable wealth as I can. In fact, I relish the opportunity to give when and where I can and dislike the notion that it is only a seasonable habit defined by our culture and reinforced by media saturation from Halloween to after the New Year.

This year, I have much to be thankful for and still much to share.

I am grateful for the opportunity that Rochester extends to all of the LGBT community and especially to the Transgender Community. The fact that the City of Rochester and its largest employer, the University of Rochester, both extend HRT and Surgical coverage to those in their employ or under their insurance is remarkable and no doubt rare anywhere. It should be a magnet to many and I wouldn’t mind seeing a campaign to market Rochester to TransFolk on a national level as a strong destination point. With many of us well equipped in tech skills, the coming Photonics boom may start attracting new members to our growing numbers.

We each have experienced the huge media blitz that Caitlyn Jenner bestowed on us all from April to September in a way that is public and personal. I’ve actually been addressed as “Canandaigua’s Caitlyn Jenner,” much to my amusement when I offered my ID at the post office one day.

I wouldn’t go so far as to legitimize that statement, but I was grateful for the wide acceptance I have received at my New York State job and enjoy in my hometown of Naples, where even the employee I don’t know behind the deli counter calls me Cora.

How could it be that I’ve received virtually 100 percent support and no push back? It is significant that several other friends experienced the same as they came out at their jobs this year as Transgender.

I do know the local music scene has been MORE sympathetic and supportive of my journey than I could have imagined.

Most of my Trans Friends report similar experiences in their localities, whether rural, suburban or urban. It really does matter where you come out and the Rochester-Buffalo-Syracuse Upstate and Finger Lakes region has shown us virtual open arms wherever we go. I have only to read the postings online of TransFolk in the Deep South struggling to even find a clinic that will assist them in transitioning, or the sad and tragic death tolls across the country, to well appreciate what this region offers.

The Gay Alliance and its Speaker’s Bureau have been instrumental in this process of education and creating Safe Zones not only in Western New York but now by invitation in other localities nationwide that have heard of our success of integration and acceptance. We all should be grateful for the farsighted folks who grew this organization to the anchor it is today. I can’t wait to see what they will accomplish in their new location!

There are far too many major urban centers nationally that have nothing resembling The Gay Alliance. There are surely blips that have crossed our radar that speak otherwise, but I would be hard pressed to say that discrimination is rampant locally. Thank you for that feeling of safety that my friends and I experience. We are blessed with that gift.

I’m also grateful for the opportunities I have been given to be of assistance this year. I know it may seem to some that I have been a relentless media presence (call me a whore if you must, I’ll take it in good humor) but I decided when I came out so publicly in March that I would do what I could to promote Trans Visibility, employing my prior notoriety as a public figure in the music scene and as a well known music store fixture for decades to make sure a lot of people know they know someone who is Transgender. In this poster child capacity, I was able to affect the lives of many other Transgender individuals in the region, which was humbling in its scope and reinforced my conscious stewardship and large responsibility of this designation.

I’ve been able to address a class of final year student Social Workers, telling my story, promoting understanding and fielding questions for three hours due to my connections. I’ve been able to perform music onstage as Cora and present the lyrical side of my story.

I have been onstage at two “The Good, The Bad & The Funny” Transgender Open Mics (thanks to Shauna Marie O’Toole, another local Trans Woman who manages to move people to understanding and is boldly pursuing a career in local politics,) sharing the cultural connections that were the soundtrack of my life prior to Transition.

I was featured here in The Empty Closet as part of a Fashion Spotlight. Brother Wease invited me to speak for half an hour during prime drive time (simulcast on several other stations in different parts of the country). The Canandaigua Messenger Post put me on the front page two days in a row. Channel 10 did an interview.

City Newspaper called for an upcoming feature. An RIT senior began her senior thesis project in Photojournalism with me and through my associations, has now widened her focus to several other area Transgender Women over 40 and their incredible stories.

Believe me; I have no illusions of my importance. In fact, I would cite Gabrielle Hermosa as even more effective being the face of Transgender Issues in the region,

due to her tireless work as a messenger for the Gay Alliance Speaker’s Bureau. Gabby visits and shares her story and the larger picture at every level of schools, churches, medical facilities and company diversity events. She is but one of many outstanding people I have met through the Gay Alliance here in Rochester, who make a large difference for me and many others. I would have to spend a half a day just listing them all!

Maur Delaney has made an immense impact locally by establishing and maintaining The Genesee Valley Gender Variants (GV2) weekly Transgender support group, which provides an essential entry point for newbies and continuing connection for all of us at every age. Maur’s vision of a safe place at Equal Grounds was well placed, also. The Coffeehouse remains a central meeting place for all of us.

I am grateful that the Universe operates the way it does, that I was led to Pam Walter, the pioneer Gender Therapist in the Rochester area, whose thirty-plusyear practice has counseled thousands of Transgender Males and Females. She was the first to do so back in the ‘80s and we are blessed with the results of her efforts at the University of Rochester Medical School and Hospital, which now houses the Center For Gender Studies along with her guidance. She represents at least a dozen other therapists locally who operate professionally to guide us and mirror our travails as we wend our way through the labyrinthine puzzle that many of us confront as we transition.

I am grateful for the Trillium Health Clinic, which has provided services to me and many of us far beyond testing and acquiring hormones; their active stance in the community has given us a Trans Self Care Day this year, free legal services for name changes and gender marker adjustments, plus they have been generous in allowing community meetings and events on site. Their work with homeless and lowincome clientele cannot be overlooked, either.

I’d like to cite Brae Adams and the other pastors and congregation at the Open Arms Church on E. Main Street who must be thanked, acknowledged and praised for their active ministry to all those in the LGBT community. Their willingness to live up to their name reflects a sizable group of other churches in the area, which defy what might be expected in response to our needs. They have welcomed us not just to worship but to share their space for many events (such as Trans Day of Remembrance), which is not always the case of religious groups in other parts of the USA. This openness and acceptance does much to raise the profile of services that a Transgender person might have. It’s pretty impressive for a metropolis our size and I haven’t even got to the folks who provided Laser Hair Removal, Electrolysis, your friendly favorite neighborhood hair and/or nail salon, voice therapists, thrift shop and mall employees who were patient with all of our crazed shopping sprees, the makeup experts who showed us our new faces, the trainers who helped us find a new body and the average guy or gal at many, many retail establishments that didn’t blink an eye when we walked in like nothing was wrong or out of place. Because nothing WAS wrong or out of place.

Finally, my deepest gratitude goes to my newest, deepest and best friends. I couldn’t have done it without you. You know who you are. This year, I have a lot to be thankful for; I hope you can find the same peace and comfort around you in the people you know. It’s all here, behind that door, right around the corner, down the street, sitting at the next table and featured on the next page. Let’s all find our gifts together and give thanks for each opportunity we are afforded to share what we have received this New Year.

Bless you all. ■

DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

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

DIGNITY-INTEGRITY Since March, 1975, Dignity-Integrity Rochester has been welcoming all who come through our doors, worshiping every week at 5 p.m. at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St., at the corner of Broad St. We have the following services and activities for the month of December, 2015.

1st Sunday: Episcopal Mass/Healing Service, with music 2nd Sunday: Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Word, with music 3rd Sunday: 9th Annual Christmas Hymn Sing** 4th Sunday: Roman Catholic Prayers to start the week ** CHRISTMAS HYMN SING on Sunday, December 20 at 5 p.m. in place of the regular service. Tim Schramm leads us in singing lots of your favorite Christmas hymns. A delicious punch and cookie reception follows the hymn sing.

Give yourself the gift of music this year and join us!

In January the schedule is as follows: 1st Sunday: Episcopal Mass/Healing Service, with music 2nd Sunday: Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Word, with music 3rd Sunday: Episcopal Mass, quiet 4th Sunday: Roman Catholic Prayers to start the week, followed by pot luck 5th Sunday: Catholic service, with music The theme for the potluck in January is “Rise and Shine”—Breakfast foods for dinner! There will surely be some yummy offerings that night, so consider joining us! In fact, tradition has it that when we aren’t cooking up a Potluck supper on the fourth Sunday, we’re gathering for fellowship around a tasty coffee hour and going out to a local restaurant for dinner each Sunday. Join us anytime!

SAVE THE DATE: In February, we’ll have our annual cabin party on Saturday, February 20 at 4:30 p.m. Watch the Empty Closet in February for more information.

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.

EMPIRE BEARS The Bears are keeping busy as winter sets in. Wednesday suppers at 6 continue.

Dec. 2: Young’s Korean on Mushroom, 12/9 Bad Apple’s Café in Spencerport, 12/16 Carrabba’s on W Hen, 12/23 at the Winfield Grill, and 12/30: South Wedge Diner.

The BEARS will be at the RGMC concert Friday and Saturday the 11th and 12th. We hoped for a potluck in December, but it looks like the GAGV isn’t ready yet (although the Opening Party is Dec. 13). So, we’ll be having a private party in a member’s home.

In January we will supper at Shanghai on Jan. 6, Jan. 13 at Sticky Lips on Jefferson, 1/20 at Carrabba’s, and 1/27 at the Winfield. In January we hope to restart our potlucks on second Saturdays at the GAGV. They start at 6:30. The club will provide the pop and paper. We hope you will come with your favorite dish.

The BEARS enjoy movies, games, cards, bowling, and meeting new friends.

Join us.

LORA BREAKFAST CLUB The LORA Breakfast Club will have two upcoming events.

We will be meeting on Sunday, December 20 and again on Sunday, Jan-

uary 10 at 10 a.m. at Pixley’s Restaurant, 2235 Buffalo Rd. in Gates.

For further information contact Kerry, Hostess, at DressyFemme@aol.com.

LORA KNITTING GROUP The LORA Knitting Group will meet Dec. 2 and 16, and Jan. 6 and 20, all from 6-8 p.m. at Equal Grounds Coffeehouse, 750 South Ave. in Rochester.

For further information contact Kerry, Hostess at DressyFemme@aol.com.

OPEN ARMS MCC Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church is Beyond Open and Affirming... Beyond Welcoming. We ARE place for ALL! We are unabashedly Christian and accepting of everyone, whatever your beliefs may be. Our worship service style is blended, with contemporary Christian music and traditional hymns throughout.

We celebrate an open communion table weekly, as well and all are invited to partake. During our services we collect the change from our pockets for the DUO fund (Do Unto Others). We use this fund to assist people in our neighborhood with urgent housing, medical, food or transportation needs. Following the service, we gather in the Community Center for fellowship.

Here’s what’s happening at Open Arms for the months December and January: The Adult Sunday School meets weekly at 9:00 am exploring what a meaningful faith can look like in today’s world by studying “Living the Questions”. Each week offers an individual lesson and new members and visitors are always welcome.

Our monthly Agape Supper Services are on the second Sunday of each month at 5:30 pm. The next two will be December 13 and January 10.

You’ll experience worship while sharing a meal in companionship with others.

Please bring a dish to share in this intimate worship experience.

Our “Socks For Souls” collection continues. Socks are the least donated item and yet they are one of most needed item of clothing for someone who is homeless, especially in the winter. All donations of new or gently used socks (pairs and singles) are appreciated.

On Tuesday, November 24 we started a weekly Advent Book Discussion Group that meets at Spot Coffee on East Ave. at 7 p.m.

The book we’ll discuss is “Watch For the Light” which is a collection of short readings by various authors and theologians. This group will continue until Tuesday, December 22.

We will celebrate Advent on Saturday, December 6 at 5:30 p.m. with Cocoa, Cookies and Carols. We will be singing Christmas carols around the piano while exchanging cookies and enjoying some hot cocoa.

We are now collecting donations for our Angel Tree ministry which provides gifts for children in the Rochester community who may not be receiving gifts for Christmas. Please stop by our Community Center and select an angel off of our Angel Tree.

Our Christmas Eve service will be on Thursday, December 24; please check our Facebook page for more details and time of the service.

The TRANSformative Ministry Team has been learning what it means to be transgender and we’ve developed our vision statement, which is: “We are a faith community that supports and respects people of all gender identities and

gender expressions.” We will accomplish this through worship, prayer, education, outreach, in-reach and activism. All are welcome to join us on our journey toward a fuller understanding, support and inclusion of our trans friends and family members in the life of our church. Please check our Facebook for dates and times of the upcoming meetings.

We also host numerous community groups in our Community Center: AFTY (Adult Families with Trans Youth) meets the first Tuesday of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sage Rochester (ages 50+) gets together with Tom Somerville for Yoga, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (except for the 2nd Thursday of each month, when Sage Rochester members go to Denny’s for breakfast). Also on Tuesdays, Sage Rochester holds their weekly meetings starting at 11:30 a.m. and each week has a different theme or event.

PFLAG (Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians, Gays, Trans, and Questioning) meets on the third Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. TAGR, Trans Alliance of Greater Rochester meets on last Saturday of each month from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.

The Cobbs Hills Drumming Circle meets at 6:30 p.m in the sanctuary on the first Mondays each month.

We have a bin in the Community Center for recycling items like empty ink cartridges, empty toner cartridges, cell phones, chargers, batteries, cords. You can also drop off your scrap metal to be recycled at Metalico Rochester and you will earn money for Open Arms. Days will be arranged for drop off at church as well. Let your neighbors and friends know they can drop off recyclable metal, too. Just mention that it is for the Open Arms MCC account and the proceeds of the recyclables will come to us.

The cold weather will be here sooner than we expect (or want?!) so we have a supply of non-perishable items in stock for when our neighbors stop in looking for emergency supplies. For example, a meal or some personal care items. If you are out shopping and can pick up one or two items it would be greatly appreciated.

Some ideas for contributions are toiletries, including toothpaste, soap, paper towels, toilet paper, tampons, sanitary pads, and baby wipes. Non-perishable food items that require little preparation including pasta meals, canned meat/tuna, vegetables, and beans. Pop-top cans are also appreciated as many homeless persons do not have access to can openers. Dry food items such as cereal, pasta and mixes. Pet food is also appreciated. We also some clothing available - socks, shoes, sneakers and shirts.

Our facilities are available for rental by any community groups needing a safe and flexible meeting space. You can see our ad with pictures and rental fees on Craigslist.

25 Open Arms MCC is committed to Building Bridges and Changing Lives.

You are welcome, regardless of your sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, or religious beliefs. We are located at 707 East Main St., across from the Delta Sonic. There is plenty of free parking in front and to the side of our building. For updated information on coming events and to view our facilities, check our website: openarmsmcc.org.

Our lay pastoral leader, Brae Adams, has office hours on Wednesdays, from 1 a.m.2 p.m. and by appointment. (Please call first to make sure she’s available) Our phone number is (585) 271-8478.

ROCHESTER BUTCHFEMME CONNECTION The Rochester Butch-Femme Connection supper club will have two upcoming dinners.

We will be meeting Dec. 12 at Keenan’s Restaurant, 1010 East Ridge Rd in Irondequoit at 7 p.m. We will also meet January 16 at Monte Alban Mexican Restaurant, 845 East Ridge Rd. in Irondequoit at 7 p.m.

For further information, contact Kerry/Max at DressyFemme@aol.com.

ROMANS Members of the Rochester Male Naturists (ROMANS) had a busy November with a social event on every weekend.

There was the nude swim at a wonderful facility in Rochester on the first weekend. Members enjoyed a clothed meet and greet dinner before the swim and went on to have a good time with the members of Naturist Rochester at the swim. ROMANS had its regular meeting on the second weekend at a member’s home that had a hot tub.

On the third weekend, ROMANS members joined Naturist Rochester again at their Men Only swim that took place in the basement of a big house. There was a small swimming pool, a hot tub and a sauna; it was a cozy and relaxing environment to network with like minded nudists in the area. ROMANS members were invited to a post-Thanksgiving party organized by the Syracuse Naked Men on the last weekend in November. It presented another great networking opportunity in upstate New York for gay and gayfriendly male nudists.

You can find out more about the ROMANS on our website at www. wnyromans.com. If you are interested in becoming a member, you can contact us via email at wnyromans@yahoo. com or call us at our message line 585281-4964. ROMANS is a social club for gay and gay-friendly male nudists over 21. ■

Gay Alliance Library is back!

The Library & Archives of the Gay Alliance is now open at its new location at 100 College Avenue.

Come to the Community Open House on Dec. 13, noon to 4 p.m. and check out our ten thousandvolume Library, along with our Cyber Center.

Please contact the Library with questions at library@gayalliance.org or at 585-244-8640.

GAY ALLIANCE LIBRARY & ARCHIVES

585 244-8640 • GayAlliance.org

26

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016

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

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

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

DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

27

Arts & Entertainment RGMC celebrates the holidays with “Underneath the Tree” Dec. 11-12

Judy Gold

“25 Questions for a Jewish Mother”: Judy Gold’s onewoman show comes to JCC Judy Gold, Emmy-winning actress, writer and comic, will bring her solo play “25 Questions for a Jewish Mother” to JCC CenterStage, 1200 Edgewood Ave., on Jan. 10, with performances at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The play, co-authored by Kate Moira Ryan, won the

Shani Hadjian

A lot of cackling: Shani Hadjian is the Wicked Witch of the West

By Susan Jordan Watch the skies for flying monkeys. “The Wizard of Oz” is coming to Rochester Jan. 19-24. Tickets are on sale now at RBTL’s Auditorium Theatre box office, Ticketmaster.com and 800-745-3000.

Shani Hadjian plays Miss Gulch/The Wicked Witch of the West, and she recently answered some questions from The Empty Closet about the play and her career.

An Ohio native, Shani has performed in national tours: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Fancy Nancy, and Off- Broadway: Fancy Nancy. Regional highlights: Spamalot, As You Like It, Les Miserables, Caroline, or Change. www.shanih-

GLAAD Award for Outstanding New York Theatre and also was a nominee for the Drama Desk Outstanding Solo Performance. It is the story of Gold’s personal journey to become a parent, while learning to be a daughter to a nagging mother of her own. Gold weaves anecdotes from her own life with excerpts from interviews with 50 Jewish mothers across the U.S. Reserved seating is $45 for adults, $40 JCC members and subscribers, and $25 students.

At the 2 p.m. performance, reserved VIP seating is avail-

able for $100 for adults, $70 for JCC members and subscribers, including a Meet & Greet. VIP seating tickets are available only at trilliumhealth.org.

The play will benefit Trillium Health’s Breast Cancer Screening Initiative for lesbian and bisexual women.

Gold will also host the annual JCC Gala on Jan. 9. Her Quill-Award-winning book, “25 Questions for a Jewish Mother,” was featured during the JCC Lane Dworkin Rochester Jewish Book Festival. www.JudyGold. com ■

adjian.com What’s new about this production? Shani told The Empty Closet, “Audiences can expect the classic story they know plus more! In addition to the same beloved scenes and songs of the movie, audiences will hear new songs written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The songs help to round out a few characters, including my character, The Wicked Witch of the West.

“I think because it is a stage adaptation and also has additional material, it makes it easier to overcome preconceptions because it is already different; we have live audience reactions every night and can add from our own experiences to make it our own. I’m super grateful for this because there are some big shoes to fill for all of us! But we avoid trying to be someone we’re not while still paying homage, and the audiences love the fresh take on things. Audiences love the original story AND love this production. No matter what, it is the same amazing story and characters. Audiences can expect to see amazing sets and costumes, stellar performances from the cast of 28, the cutest dog ever, and to experience all emotions in two hours.”

Shani’s biggest challenge is not the necessity of learning how to fly a broomstick. She said, “The biggest challenge is probably maintaining physical and vocal health. We do eight shows a week and I do the witch laugh multiple times a show. That’s a lot of cackling! It can be tough

on the voice. And my body; I actually threw my back out in rehearsal cackling so hard, so now I do a more involved physical warm up before I go on.

“The fear of comparison also weighs heavily on me, but I try to tell myself that I am (surprise!) not Margaret Hamilton and have my own take on it, and as long as I listen to myself, that isn’t too bothersome. I don’t fly in this version, but I would have loved to do that! I’ve never flown in a show before!”

She commented on her career, “I started in theatre when I was very young. I was all over the place as a child, I had way too much energy and my parents didn’t know what to do with me.

As an attempt to expend some of this energy, my parents put me in drama club in elementary school. I may have asked, actually, I can’t remember, but my parents were 100 percent OK with me joining an after school activity that got me moving. My love for theatre grew from there.

“At age 10, I didn’t win the school talent show and I found out the girl who did win had taken voice lessons. So, naturally, I HAD to take voice lessons.

I did as many plays and musicals as I could in middle school and high school and then was very lucky to go on to major in music theatre at The Hartt School in Connecticut before I moved to NYC to start auditioning.

“As for an ideal role, I have so many! I’ve been fortunate to play a few of them: Fantine in Les Miserables and Lady of the Lake in Spamalot (both of

The Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Underneath the Tree” on Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 12, at 8 p.m. in Hochstein Performance Hall, 50 North Plymouth Ave. The chorus will be joined by the Genesee Valley Children’s Choir and the Flower City Pride Band.

There is something wonderful about childhood—the willingness to ask questions instead of making assumptions, the ability to accept everybody without bias or prejudice, the capacity for hope. This holiday season, the chorus will celebrate their childhood memories and their joy in sharing the holidays with their own children and grandchildren. They also celebrate their ability to celebrate as they want, honoring traditions and creating their own.

“Underneath the Tree” will have you tapping your feet, singing along, and sharing smiles and laughter as the chorus sings “The Chipmunk Song,” “Suzy Snowflake,” “Little Saint Nick,” and many other favorites. The Genesee Valley Children’s Choir will share some of their own showstoppers and will collaborate with the RGMC on “Ding Dong! Merrily on High” and “The Weaver” (a piece commissioned by the Heartland Men’s Chorus for their concert Modern Families, which featured the Lawrence Children’s Choir). The Flower City Pride Band returns to take part in the chorus’s traditional sing-along, and to serenade you before and after the concert, helping to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Artistic Director Robert Strauss says the concert is “everything you’d expect from the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus: great singing, dancing, fun,

which I’d LOVE to play again wink wink any directors reading this). As for roles I haven’t played yet: Mary Poppins, Lilli Vanessi in Kiss Me, Kate, and Claire in On the Town.”

Shani’s version of the original Wicked Witch character is not the same as Elphaba in “Wicked”. “Just like in the movie, none of the background story about the Witch is included,” she said.

“So my Wicked Witch differs greatly. In The Wizard of Oz, I am the villain. In Wicked, she is the heroine. I, of course, don’t think I am the villain when I am playing her, but I am menacing and it is set up for me to be evil. People clap when I die.

Everyone loves a villain! But hopefully they still enjoy my performance!”

Shani continued, “My two

and a commitment to our mission statement. The fact that we’ll be joined by the Genesee Valley Children’s Choir (for the first time in our history) and the Flower City Pride Band only serves to make the experience even more exciting.”

Tickets are available at www. thergmc.org or by calling (585) 423-0650. Tickets can also be purchased in person at Parkleigh, Outlandish, Equal=Grounds, Vittorio Menswear and Tuxedo, or from RGMC members.

Ticket prices are $6 for children under 12; $14 for students and seniors in advance ($17 at the door); and $17 for adults in advance ($20 at the door).

Equal=Grounds sponsors local AIDS Quilt panels Dec. 1-7 Equal=Grounds Coffee House, 750 South Ave., is sponsoring its 10th annual display of local panels of the AIDS Quilt.

The display will open officially on World AIDS Day, Dec.1 and will be on display through Dec.7 during regular business hours (M-F 7am-midnight/SSun 10am-midnight).

The numbers for each panel that will be on display are as follows: 4277, 4367, 3328 and 2328.

The panels can also be viewed directly at www.aidsquilt.org by going to the search menu and imputing the numbers. ■

favorite actors are Danny Kaye and Lucille Ball. Growing up I would watch Danny Kaye movies on repeat and watch The Lucy Show every chance I got.

They both put so much into every role, episode, etc. Not only physically, but emotionally. I could feel their love for the art. I think I started being a ham and wanting to be in front of people because of them. I am thankful I have parents that grew up in the arts and enjoyed that I had a love for it too.”

She summed up, “Come see the show! You’ll leave feeling uplifted and rejuvenated. Follow me on Instagram @shadjian and let me know what you think of the show! My girlfriend and I also have a queer Instagram @photos_of_our_love if that’s your thing.” ■

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016

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GAY ALLIANCE NEWS FOR DEC-JAN 2016

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016

Meet the Board: Jeff Lambert

A Special Thank You to The Gay Alliance Volunteers

By Jeff Myers, Volunteer Volunteer Coordinator of the Gay Alliance When I think of volunteers I think of time and values. In our lives, one thing we cannot create, accumulate, acquire, buy or even borrow is time. We have a limited amount of time for sleep, work, family and our own interests. Therefore, an individual’s time is a very precious commodity.

When an individual commits to volunteering on a consistent basis, they have chosen to give up their own time to support an activity to benefit others. This brings me to values. Some of the strongest values, service and sacrifice are shown when one places the needs of another above their own. The true volunteer chooses to give up their personal time and energy and expend it to help others and our community.

The year is drawing to a close, and what an exciting year it has been for the Gay Alliance.

Words cannot express our gratitude for all of the volunteer hours each and every one of you have given. Because of your hard work and dedication, we are moving into our new home at 100 College Ave. This move will bring endless possibilities for our community with the opening of our new Resource Center. Our programing continues to expand and our education department is making an impact here in Rochester and throughout the country. Pride week was a huge success bringing our community together to celebrate our authentic selves. All of this would not be possible without you, our volunteers.

The New Year will bring new and exciting volunteer opportunities. It takes all of us giving our time and working together to build a better community in Rochester. It is my pleasure, on behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and volunteer staff of The Gay Alliance, to formally express our gratitude to all Gay Alliance volunteers for a job well done.

Jeffrey was raised in Caledonia and attended McQuaid Jesuit High School. He later moved to the city while attending Rochester Institute of Technology, where he majored in Information Technology with a concentration in Systems and Network Administration.

He currently lives in the Neighborhood of the Arts with his partner and two dogs, Hunni, a 5-year-old ChowChow and Kyoki, an 8-year-old Chihuahua.

Jeffrey has always had an interest in technology and business and started working with a local entrepreneur at the age of 15 to develop one of the first online sales-lead generation companies. Since then, Jeffrey went on to become the CTO, and later CEO of BlueTie, Inc – a local SaaS-based collaboration company and is currently the CEO of Adventive, Inc – a SasS-based digital advertising company.

Prior to working with the Gay Alliance, Jeffrey participated with the Community Business Forum, which produced Rochester’s Pride activities for several years. He became an active member of the Gay Alliance in late 2013 as a board member, after being asked to consider the responsibility by the then-current treasurer, Peter Mohr.

When asked why he had decided to join the Board, Jeff said, “The Gay Alliance has a rich history and powerful presence in the Rochester area and has been at the forefront of many of the movements in the State of New York. I believe that there is a tremendous amount of potential for the organization to continue growing programing, education, leadership and advocacy for the LGBTQ community. The Gay Alliance has, without a doubt some of the brightest and talented staff and an amazing Executive Director – I joined the board to bring my experience together with theirs and the other board members to promote the growth of the organization and continued service that we provide to our community.

“I currently hold the treasurer role, and also sit on the Governance Committee. As with all board members, it’s our responsibility to ensure the stability of the organization, but primarily to promote its success and support our staff in any way possible to provide the much-needed services, programming and support we provide to our community.”

Jeff’s vision for the Alliance in the future involves education.

He stated, “The LGBTQ community has fought long and hard for many of the changes we are seeing occur at the local, state and federal level today. While

Speaking Engagements October 2015

Jeff Lambert

we’ve seen much success – there is still a significant amount of work to be done. I think there is a place for the Alliance in these activities – but more over I believe that the role of the Alliance is slowly transforming to that of proactive educators. The Alliance’s education program has been incredibly successful around the country. Growth of this programing and the continued implementation of our Executive Director’s vision of a true LGBTQ Community Center are at the top of my list for the future of the Alliance.”

To anyone thinking of volunteering in any capacity for the GAGV, Jeff says, “The Alliance would not be where it is today without the generosity of our donors, our hard working staff and our volunteers. Volunteering for the Alliance can be extremely rewarding and each and every person, no matter how young or old, has a skill, knowledge or experience that is needed by our community. I would encourage anyone that has ever wanted to volunteer, or has some spare time to provide, to reach out to the office – and I can guarantee your time will be extremely appreciated.”

YOUTH Our 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!

Monthly Special Events:

For ages 13-20, at the new Youth space at 100 College Ave., see Gay Alliance Youth on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GayAllianceYouth Gender Identity Support Group:

First Tuesday of the month: 5:30-6:30pm, 100 College Ave. (Ages 13-18); More info: youth@gayalliance.org

• SpeakOUT Training at the LGBTQ Academy at the Gay Alliance • Communicating Respectfully with LGBTQ Individuals at Corning Community College • Shoulder To Stand On Film and Discussion at Wadsworth Library • Understanding LGBTQ Identities at the City of Rochester Pregnancy Prevention Program • Cultural Intelligence Panel Presentation, College at Brockport Fall Diversity Conference • Interscholastic Sports Inclusion for Transgender Students at the Section 5 Athletic Directors Conference • Educating With Our Stories at the LGBTQ Academy at the Gay Alliance • Creating LGBTQ Inclusive Schools at Rochester School for the Deaf • Creating LGBTQ Inclusive Schools at Webster Central School District • Creating LGBTQ Inclusive Schools at Hilton Central Schools • Creating LGBTQ Inclusive Schools at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES • Tabling at the SPECTRA Night of Comedy with Ian Harvie at Corning, Inc. • Educating with our Stories at the LGBTQ Academy at the Gay Alliance • Creating LGBTQ Inclusive Schools Pre-Training at BOCES Fall Administrative Council Meeting • Creating LGBTQ Inclusive Schools Pre-Training at Brighton Central School District PTSA • Shoulders To Stand On Film and Discussion at Geneva Library • Transgender Healthcare Panel Presentation at the University of Rochester School of Nursing • Creating LGBTQ Inclusive Schools at Victor Central School District • Shoulders To Stand On Film and Discussion at the Wood Library • SafeZone Train-the-Trainer Certification Program at the LGBTQ Academy at the Gay Alliance • Tabling at the Trans Wellness Conference, Buffalo • LGBTQ Panel Presentation at Brighton Central School District • SafeZone Training at Nazareth College • LGBTQ 101 at Westside Academy • SafeZone Train-the-Trainer Certification Program at San Diego Community College District in California • SafeZone Training at SUNY Pride • Transgender Community Awareness at SUNY Pride • LGBTQ and Judaism at Alfred University • Creating LGBTQ Inclusive Schools at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Extended Cabinet • The Gender Spectrum at Nazareth College • Transgender Youth Identities and Inclusion at INSPIRE: Adolescent Health and Wellness Conference Presentations/trainings feedback in October • “The BEST time EVER! Thank you so much! Really wonderful job! The day flew by!”

• “Value beyond the cost. Worth the drive (4.5 hrs.). Fantastic facilitators.”

• “Grounding, informative and incredibly practical – all of the info directly translates to what we’d be doing in a SafeZone presentation. I’ve never gotten this much practical information/ tools/tips at any other professional development opportunity.

Thank you!”

• “This was an incredible experience and absolutely the best training I have attended! Excellent work. You are a fantastic team!”

The Gay Alliance is a non-profit agency, dedicated to cultivating a healthy, inclusive environment where Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) people are safe, thriving, and enjoying equal rights. We are a coalition of individuals and groups working to empower LGBTQ people to affirm their identities and create an atmosphere where the diversity can thrive both collectively and separately. We educate and advocate for civil rights for all and for the eradication of homophobia.

The Gay Alliance, 100 College Avenue, Rochester, New York 14605 • Phone: (585) 244-8640 Fax: (585) 244-8246 Website: www.gayalliance.org E-mail: Info@gayalliance.org Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm • Board President: David Zona Executive Director: Scott Fearing Education Director: Jeanne Gainsburg Education Coordinator: Rowan Collins Database: Kat Wiggall Bookkeeper: Christopher Hennelly The Empty Closet: Editor: Susan Jordan E-mail: susanj@gayalliance.org Phone: (585) 244-9030 Designer: Jim Anderson Fax: (585) 244-8246 Advertising: (585) 244-9030; jennieb@gayalliance.org.

DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

GAY ALLIANCE NEWS FOR DEC-JAN 2016

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SAGE DEC-JAN 2016 Tuesday December 1 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom; 11:30am-2:00pm “Cake Day” & “Make Gingerbread Houses”: December birthdays celebration with catered soup and sandwich, $3 donation, assemble real gingerbread houses, games & conversation. Hosted by: Terry, Jessie & Anne, Open Arms Community Center, 707 East Main Street, 14605.

Thursday December 3 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom, Open Arms Community Center, 707 East Main Street, 14605. SAGE Leadership Council meets at 5pm.

Friday December 4 7-9pm, SAGE Coffee Hour: Pick up a Cup! Gilda’s Club Comedy Show starts at 8pm. Equal Grounds Coffee House, 750 South Ave, 14620 Hosted by: Roza Tuesday December 8 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom; 11:30am-2pm, Brown bag lunch & games. Songs, stories & the history of Christmas, Hanukkah & Kwanzaa. Hosted by: Anne, Jessie, Roza Open Arms Community Center, 707 East Main Street Thursday December 10 No Yoga. 10am-noon, Breakfast Club at Denny’s (911 Jefferson Rd, Henrietta). RSVP to Audet at (585) 287-2958 no later than Dec. 7.

Saturday December 12 SAGE Jingle Mingle Holiday Party in the new Gay Alliance Resource Center, 100 College Avenue 14605, 4-8pm, $5 donation – appetizers, desserts, champagne punch & Ugly Sweater contest!

Help fill “Stockings for Veterans” at the Veterans Outreach Center: bring NEW, UNWRAPPED personal care items, tooth care products, deodorant, lotion, aftershave, hats, scarves or gloves, stationary sets, puzzle books, playing cards or pocket games, non-perishable snacks, new music CDs, DVDs, puzzles etc. (No razors or glass.) Include a note or card! SAGE members are known for their generosity of spirit – let’s prove it again!

Tuesday December 15 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom; 11:30am-2pm, Brown bag lunch, Sign holiday cards & pack up treats for Richard House veterans, Games and conversation. Open Arms Community Center, 707 East Main St. Thursday December 17 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom, Open Arms Community Center, 707 East Main Street Friday December 18 5-6:30pm SAGE Fabulous Fish Fry, 5pm at the Wintonaire, 268 N Winton Rd. Please RSVP to Jim at 585-354-8009 or by email at Jimz7875@aol.com by December 15.

Tuesday December 22 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom; 11:30-2pm “Cultural Heritage” Holiday Pot Luck – bring a dish from your ethnic background & a story about your ancestors or heritage. Games & discussion. Open Arms Community Center, 707 East Main Street Thursday December 24 Christmas Eve No programming.

Tuesday December 29 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom, Open Arms Community Center, 707 East Main Street Thursday December 31 New Year’s Eve No programming.

Tuesday January 5 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom; 11:30am-2pm “Cake Day”. January birthdays celebration with catered soup, sandwich and cake, $3 donation, Games & Conversation. Hosted by: Jessie & Anne, in Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center.

Thursday January 7 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom, in Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center. 5pm - SAGE Leadership Council meets.

Saturday January 9 3-5pm, Free showing of film documentary “The Camouflage Closet”. This is a short documentary about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Veterans’ experiences with trauma and recovery. A speakers panel and reception for LGBTQ veterans, family & allies will follow. In the Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center.

Tuesday January 12 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom; 11:30am-2pm, Brown bag lunch & games. Topic discussion: Hidden LGBTQ history: Baron von Steuben & more. Hosted by: Anne & Jessie, Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center.

Todd Plank (left) participates in an “Aging Simulation” training at the SAGE Annual Affiliate Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pa. Photo by Anne Tischer

Thursday January 14 No Yoga. 10am-noon, Breakfast Club at Denny’s (911 Jefferson Rd, Henrietta). RSVP to Audet at (585) 287-2958 no later than January 11.

Friday January 15 7-9pm, SAGE Coffee Hour: Pick up a Cup! Gilda’s Club Comedy Show starts at 8pm. Equal Grounds Coffee House, 750 South Ave, 14620 Hosted by: Roza Tuesday January 19 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom; 11:30am-2-pm, Brown bag lunch, free showing of “Brother Outsider”, the story of civil rights icon Bayard Rustin, the man behind the 1963 March on Washington. Discussion to follow. Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center.

Wednesday January 20 5-8pm SAGE Happy Hour, Skylark Lounge, 40 S. Union St. 14607, Local beers & easy to remember menu: 5 types of meatballs, 5 sauces & 5 sides to choose from…all great!

Thursday January 21 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom, Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center.

Friday January 22 5-6:30pm SAGE Fabulous Fish Fry, 5pm at the Golden Fox Restaurant 1115 Culver Rd,14609. Please RSVP to Jim at 585-3548009 or by email at Jimz7875@aol.com by January 18.

Tuesday January 26 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom, 11:30am-2pm Brown bag lunch, 12:30pm Living HealthyTopic: water, tea, coffee, juice, alcohol & your health; games & conversation. Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center.

Wednesday January 27 5:30-7pm SAGE Community Roundtable. Let’s talk about where we are and where we are going. Help set goals for future growth and programming to benefit the 50+ LGBTQ community. Anyone interested in expanding services for LGBTQ adults is welcome! Complementary pizza will be available. Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center Thursday January 28 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom, Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center.

Saturday January 30 5-8pm Saturday Night Bingo Bash - a community potluck and BINGO, Bring your friends, neighbors and family to this fun, friendly event. $3.with token prizes. All potluck dishes welcome - salads, dessert, main dishes and appetizers! Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center.

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday January 9, 3-5pm, in the Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center. Free showing of film documentary “The Camouflage Closet”. This is a short documentary about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Veterans’ experiences with trauma and recovery. A speakers panel and reception for LGBTQ veterans, family and allies will follow.

SAGE Rochester is a program of the Gay Alliance designed for LGBTQI people over 50. Starting January 1, 2016 SAGE will operate out of the Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 14605. All programs are open to the public and all are welcome.

Yoga is $5 per person and is offered every Tuesday and Thursday unless specified in calendar. All programs are subject to change and all members are responsible for their own transportation and meals.

Become a SAGE member or get information at sage@gayalliance.org or 585-244-8640. We are also on Facebook as “SAGE Rochester a program of the Gay Alliance”.

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016

Resources BISEXUALITY RESOURCES AMBI Los Angeles; American Institute of Bisexuality (Journal of Bisexuality); Bay Area Bisexual Network; ; BiNet USA; Bisexual Organizing Project (BOP); Biversity Boston; Boston Bisexual Women’s Network; ComBIne - Columbus, Ohio; Fenway Health’s Bi Health Program; Los Angeles Bi Task Force; New York Area Bisexual Network; Robyn Ochs’s site; 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 Open Arms Community Center Available for parties, events, meetings. 707 E. Main St. Parking. Accepting and welcoming of all.

271-8478.

DEAF SERVICES Deaf Rainbow Network of Rochester See Facebook.

Spectrum LGBTIQ & Straight Alliance RIT/NTID student group. <SpectrumComment@ groups.facebook.com

ELDERS Gay Alliance SAGE Rochester Many monthly get togethers, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 244-8640; SAGE@gayalliance.org

FAMILY Open Arms Community Center Open Arms Community Center available for parties, events and meetings; 707 East Main St. Plenty of parking. We are inclusive, actively accepting, welcoming of all people. 271-8478 openarmsmcc.org 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.

Catholic Charities Community Services 1099 Jay Street, Building J (585) 339-9800, www.ccsrochester.org . Offers: Families in Transition services for HIV positive parents with small children, short term/long term housing assistance, employment services, supportive case management, health education and behavioral health education and peer navigation for substance abuse linkages.

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; 607-724-4308; e-mail: LesGayFamBldg@aol.com. Web: www.PrideAndJoyFamilies.org.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) PFLAG’s threefold mission: supporting parents and family members in coming out process; educating the community; advocating on behalf of LGBT family members. rochesterepflag@gmail. com; 585-993-3297.

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. Deaf or hearing impaired people should call (585) 4238021 (TDD.) Available from NY Dept. of Health: HIV and STD resource testing site. Rapid testing in only 10 minutes. STD testing provided by Bullshead Clinic, 855 W. Main St., Rochester. Contact: Narissa @ Rochester hotline.

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: 585-545-7200, Health Services After Hours: 585-258-3363; Case Management After Hours (Lifeline): 585-275-5151; Fax: 585244-6456. 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 W. Main St., Rochester 14611. Collaboration of Monroe County Health Department and U.R. Provides year-round training in prevention and management of STDs, HIV, TB and related issues, such as domestic violence and case management. (585)753-5382 v/tty.

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

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

The MOCHA Center of Rochester Our mission is to improve health and wellness in communities of color. Youth drop-in center, HIV testing, peer education, support groups, computer lab, referral services and more. 189 N. Water St., lower level. (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. Hours: M-W 8:30-5:30; R: 8:30-11 am; F 7:30-2:30.

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

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

Rural HIV testing Anonymous and confidential, in Allegany, Livingston, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne or Yates Counties, call 1 800 962-5063.

Action Front Center (Action for a Better Community.) Provides HIV, STD, viral hepatitis prevention counseling, risk reduction counseling. Tailored programs available to incarcerated, ex-offender individuals. Services for people living with HIV; case management, peer support groups, United Colors support group for MSM of color, educational groups, peer educator training and leadership development, multicultural, bilingual staff. 33 Chestnut St., 2nd floor, Rochester 14604. Office hours M-F 8:30 am-5 pm. 585-262-4330.

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. More SAGE and Gay Alliance Youth Group info: pages 30-31.

Anthony L. Jordan Health Center, Prevention and Primary Care.

HIV walk-in testing Tues. & Fri.; Hep C walk-inn treating Weds. & Fri; Meet clinician by appointment. 82 Holland St., Rochester 14605. 585-4232879; fax 585-423-2876. www,jordanhealth.org 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 1 W. Main St., Suites 200 & 300. 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.

Westside Health Services Brown Square Health Center, 175 Lyell Ave. (2546480); Woodward health Center, 480 Genesee St. (436-3040). HIV/AIDS services, support, more.

McCree McCuller Wellness Center at Unity Health’s Connection Clinic (585) 368-3506, 89 Genesee St., Bishop Kearney Bldg., 3rd floor. Full range of services, regardless of ability to pay. Caring, confidential and convenient.

Geneva Community Health 601 W. Washington St., Geneva. Provides HIV testing, HIV specialty and primary care for residents of Ontario and surrounding counties. M, W, R, F 8am-8pm. 315-781-8448.

LGBT HEALTH Huther Doyle Healthcare, chemical dependency treatment.

585-325-5100; www.hutherdoyle.com Trillium Health See www.trilliumhealthny.org, www.everybodysgood.com LGBT Healthy Living: Veterans Canandaigua VA, second and fourth Tuesdays, 10-11am, Building One, 2nd floor, room 245. Matt Cokely 585-393-7115; Wanda Martinez 585-3938265 or 585-205-3360.

HCR Home Care We provide a full multidisciplinary team consisting of nursing, social work, physical, occupational, and speech therapies as well as home health aides who have completed the eight-hour cultural competency program provided by the Gay Alliance. For more information, contact us at 585272-1930 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 Youth Group Bi-Polar Support.

Second Monday of every month. 315-428-9366.

Q UNDER 40 Q<40 Special Events for LGBTQ people and friends over 20 and under 40. jonathanh@gayalliance.org

TRANSGENDER Trans Alliance of Greater Rochester (TAGR) Support/educational group for gender variant people and allies. Last Saturday, 3-5:30pm, Open Arms MCC, 707 E. Main St. Adult Families of Trans Youth (AFTY) First Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30pm, Open Arms MCC, 707 E. Main St. Trans Lifeline Hotline for transgender people experiencing crisis. Staffed by transgender people for transgender people. Trans Lifeline volunteers are ready to respond to whatever support needs callers might have. The Trans Lifeline number is (877) 5658860. Additional info is available at www.translifeline.org.

Empire Justice Center Milo Primeaux, Esq., Hanna S. Cohn Equal Justice Fellow, Empire Justice Center, LGBT Rights Project, Telesca Center for Justice, 1 West Main Street, Suite 200, Rochester, NY 14614. (585) 295-5721 Fax (585) 454-2518, mprimeaux@ empirejustice.org, www.empirejustice.org.

Volunteer Legal Services Project (585) 232-3051; www.vlsprochester.org.1 West Main St. Suite 500, Rochester, NY 14614. Free legal services for low-income clients seeking a name change. Other legal services for lowincome clients include family law issues, bankruptcy, unemployment insurance hearings, wills and advance directive documents for clients with serious illnesses.

Gay Alliance Youth Gender Identity Support Group First Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 100 College Ave. Ages 13-18. 244-8640 Genesee Valley Gender Variants Thurs. 7-9pm, Equal Grounds, 750 South Ave. GVGenderVariants@yahoogroups.com Guys’ Night Out Trans* group, 1pm second Saturdays at Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. Transmen and those identifying with trans-masculine experience (including questioning individuals) welcome. Conversations range from topics regarding family life, personal experiences with regard to medically/ socially transitioning and how life is going in general. Contact Adrian at abartholomeo@gmail.com.

WOMEN L.O.R.A Late Bloomers Group E-mail info@loragroup.org Website: www.loragroup.org; L.O.R.A (Lesbians of Rochester & Highland Hospital Breast Imaging Center 500 Red Creek Drive, Rochester 14623; 585487-3341. 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.

Center for Community Health (585) 224-3050. Comprehensive breast cancer screening services for uninsured and underinsured women.

Elizabeth Wende Breast Clinic 170 Sawgrass Drive. 442-8432. Mammograms.

Self Help for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer (SHARE) Breast: 866-891-2392; Ovarian: 866-537-4273.

Willow Domestic Violence Center 232-7353; TTY 232-1741. Shelter (women only), counseling. Lesbians, gay men welcome.

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

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

Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/ Syracuse Region 114 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14605; Toll-free 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 Shelter YWCA, 175 N. Clinton Ave. 546-5820.

YOUTH Gay Alliance Youth Group Monthly Special Events 100 College Ave. 2448640; Ages 13-20. www.gayalliance.org. Check Facebook.com/GayAllianceYouth Gay Alliance Youth Gender Identity Support Group First Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 Center for Youth, 100 College Ave., Ages 13-18. 244-8640 Trevor Project The Trevor Project offers 24/7 Lifeline with trained counselors, 1-866-488-7386; Trevor Chat, instant messaging; TrevorSpace online where youth can talk to each other, and Trevor Text, now in development, with text trained counselors for support and crisis intervention.

CNY Youth Group Bi-Polar Support.

Second Monday of every month.

315-428-9366. ■

DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

Ongoing Calendar DAILY 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

MONDAYS LORA Coffee Social Equal Grounds Coffee House 750 South Ave. Monday evenings. 7 pm. Free parking around the back, free street parking, and also in the lot adjacent to the coffee shop. The LORA Women’s Group is open to everyone, all races, sexualities, and genders. For more info visit www.loragroup. org or contact: Regina Altizer: reginaaltizer@ gmail.com Crystal Meth Anonymous Meeting Every Monday 12-1pm. Huther Doyle, 360 East Ave., Rochester. Starting Monday Oct. 5.

Rochester Historical Bowling Society 7pm. Clover Lanes Gay Alliance Library & Archives Mondays/Wednesdays, 6-8pm, 100 College Ave. 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.

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

Steps Beyond Stems Crack Support Group, Mondays, 7-8pm, 289 Monroe Ave.

TUESDAYS The Social Grind 10am-12noon and again 7:30-9pm at Equal Grounds, 750 South Ave. Email: DHutch457@aol. com for information Adult Families of Trans Youth (AFTY) First Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30, Open Arms MCC Community Center, 707 E. Main St. LGBT Healthy Living Veterans support. Second, fourth Tuesdays, 10-11am Canandaigua VA, bldg. 9, room 8, Library conference room. 585 463-2731, 585 205-3360.

Testing Tuesdays at Trillium Health FREE HIV Testing for everyone, STI/STD testing FREE for women and MSM. Trillium Health, 259 Monroe Ave, 5-8 pm. 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 5:30-6:30pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Ages 13-20. 244-8640.

SAGE Rochester 50+ Tuesdays and Thursdays, usually 10:30am at venues including LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 244-8640. (See page 31)

WEDNESDAYS Identity Group The Identity Group is for LGBT identified individuals who have a developmental disability diagnosis. The group meets Wednesdays 3-4 pm at ARC Health Services (2060 Brighton-Henrietta Townline Rd. 14623). The goal of the group is to provide a safe space to discuss identity issues, share personal experiences and increase selfesteem. The group is facilitated by Delaina Fico.

LMSW. For more information, please contact Delaina Fico at dfico@arcmonroe.org or 585271-0661 ext. 1552.

LORA Knitting Group 6:00pm, Equal Grounds Coffee House, 750 South Ave. L.O.R.A. Knitting group meets the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month from Equal Grounds Coffee House. Join Us! Bring your supplies and a sense of adventure! For more info visit www.loragroup.org or Contact Kerry Cater: dressyfemme@ aol.com or email us at info@loragroup.org Lifetime Care LGBT Bereavement Support 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.

Gay Alliance Board of Directors Meets Third Wednesdays, 6pm, 100 College Ave., 244-8640 New Freedom New Happiness AA Gay meeting, 7pm, Unitarian Church, 220 Winton Rd. Men and women. Open.

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 Reopens after move.

Empire Bears Every Wednesday. 6pm dinner at various venues. www.empirebears.com

THURSDAYS Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns 6:30pm, first Thursday. Ralph, 271-7649 Pride at Work & AFL CIO First Thursdays, 5:30pm. 1354 Buffalo Road, Rochester 14624, 426-0862.

GLOB&L (Gays & Lesbians of Bausch & Lomb) Meets every third Thursday in Area 67 conference room at the Optic Center. Voice mail: 338-8977 Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. 6:30-9pm, 423-0650 LORA Late Bloomers Group 4th/Last Thursday of the month. Coming out group for lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women of all ages and backgrounds! Last Thursday of each month in a safe private location. For more info visit: www.loragroup.org or contact Jessica Cohen at LGBTHealth@trilliumhealth.org or email us at info@loragroup.org 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 SAGE Rochester 50+ Tuesdays and Thursdays, usually 10:30am at venues including LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave, 244-8640. (See page 31)

FRIDAYS Gay Men’s 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 GLBTQI Motorcycle Group Second Fridays, 5:30pm, Various locations.

RochesterGLBTIQbikers@yahoo.com; 467-6456; bmdaniels@frontiernet.net.

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ROCHESTER AA/NA MEETINGS Every week there are four regularly scheduled GLBTI AA and two inclusive NA meetings in Rochester.

Boyz Night Out Drag king revue. First Fridays, The Firehouse Saloon, 814 S. Clinton Ave. LORA GaYmes Night Meets 4th Friday of the Month, 7-10pm, Equal Grounds Coffee House, 750 South Ave. Rochester. Contact Person: Christine O’Reilly. Email: irishfemmerochester@yahoo.com. Phone: 585.943.1320. More Info: www.loragroup.org.

Events: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ L.O.R.A.14464/ Monthly LBTQ Womyns Bingo Night Third Fridays, 7 pm, at Empire Bingo. Contact: Christine, IrishFemmeRochester@yahoo.com; 585-943-1320 text/talk.

SATURDAYS Rochester Rams Bar Night Third Saturdays, 8pm-2am, Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave. 271-6930 Sapphic Singles – Professional Women’s Group http://www.meetup.com/Sapphic-Singles-Rochester/. Contact: Patty: Email: pattyrdn11@gmail. com. Phone: 585.223.6743. 3rd Saturday of each month. Monthly Dinner Socials for single professional women at various locations in and around Rochester NY area! Join us!

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, 6:30 pm.

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.

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

Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church 707 E. Main St. Rochester, Services at: 10:30 am and 5:30 pm. 271-8478.

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

Closed meeting ■

TUESDAYS Narcotics Anonymous 6-7:30pm. AIDS and Recovery 1124 Culver Road (Covenant United Methodist Church) This is an NA meeting that is open to all addicts who have a desire to stop using. Although it is not specifically a gay-oriented meeting, it is welcoming to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as to anyone who is affected by HIV and AIDS.

WEDNESDAYS New Freedom/New Happiness Group 7pm. First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Rd. Bus riders: Take the last #18 University bus to 12 Corners. Use the stop just past the top of the hill at Hillside Ave. and before Highland Ave. Or take the #1 Park Ave. to the corner of East and Winton, then walk five minutes south (uphill) on Winton. This is an open discussion meeting. All issues – as they relate to our alcoholism/addiction and recovery – are fair game.

FRIDAYS Gay Men’s 7:30pm. Immanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave. • Closed meeting, restricted to alcoholics and addicts • Men’s meeting • Handicapped accessible This is a round-robin discussion meeting. If you are shy about meeting people or speaking up in a group, you will find this meeting particularly warm and inviting because everyone gets their turn to speak (or pass). As a result, this meeting often runs long, so plan on more than the usual hour.

SATURDAYS Saturday Night Special 7pm. First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Rd. Bus riders: The #18 University Ave. bus does not go by the church on weekend evenings. Take the #1 Park Ave. bus to the corner of East and Winton, then walk five minutes south (uphill) on Winton.

• Open meeting, all are welcome, “straight friendly” • Mixed men and women • Handicapped accessible, take elevator to basement Meeting begins with a speaker, followed by open discussion.

SUNDAYS Step in the Right Direction 7:30-9pm. 1275 Spencerport Road (Trinity Alliance Church) This is an NA meeting that is open to all addicts who have a desire to stop using.

Although it is not specifically a gay-oriented meeting, it is welcoming to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Each week features a reading from NA literature, followed by discussion.

Rochester Gay Men 8pm. St. Luke/St. Simon’s Episcopal Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh Street. Bus riders use the Fitzhugh Street stop on Main Street at the County Office Building and walk south one block.

• Closed meeting, restricted to alcoholics and addicts • Men’s meeting • NOT handicapped accessible Meeting begins with a speaker, followed by open discussion. ■

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016

Dec-Jan 2016 MONDAY 1

World AIDS Day concert. 7 pm, Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs St. AIDS Quilt panels on display at Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave., through Dec. 7.

TUESDAY 2

LORA Knitting Group. 6-8 pm, Equal Grounds Coffeehouse, 750 South Ave. DressyFemme@aol.com.

THURSDAY 4

Gay Alliance Creating LGBTQ Inclusive Schools training. 12-4 pm, Rochester Red Cross, 50 Prince St. $50/ person. Bring lunch. Registration: www. gayalliance.org, click on the slide.

SUNDAY 6

Dignity Integrity. Episcopal Mass/ Healing Service, with music. 5 pm, St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. Open Arms MCC Advent celebration. Cookies, cocoa and carols. 5:30 pm, 707 E. Main St.

THURSDAY 10

Out and Equal NY Finger Lakes Second Thursday Networking. 5:30 pm, Artisan Works, 565 Blossom Rd. OutAndEqualFingerLakes.org

FRIDAY 11

Gay Alliance Youth Holiday Party.

6-9 pm, Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus concert, “Underneath the Tree,” 8 pm, Hochstein Performance Hall, 50 N. Plymouth Ave. Also Dec. 12. Tickets at www.

thergmc.org or (585) 423-0650; Parkleigh, Outlandish, Equal=Grounds, Vittorio Menswear & Tuxedo, or RGMC members.

SATURDAY 12

SAGE Jingle Mingle Holiday Open House. 4-8 pm, Gay Alliance LGBTGQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. $5 donation.

Rochester Butch Femme Connection. 7 pm, Keenan’s Restaurant, 1010 East Ridge Rd in Irondequoit. DressyFemme@aol.com.

SUNDAY 13

Gay Alliance Community Open House at the new LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Noon-4 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. Open Arms MCC Agape Supper Service. 5:30 pm, 707 E. Main St.

WEDNESDAY 16

LORA Knitting Group. 6-8 pm, Equal Grounds Coffeehouse, 750 South Ave.

SUNDAY 20

LORA Breakfast Club. 10 am, Pixley’s Restaurant, 2235 Buffalo Rd. Gates.

DressyFemme@aol.com.

Dignity Integrity. 9th Annual Christmas Hymn Sing. Punch and cookie reception. 5 pm, St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. Open Arms MCC Christmas Eve Service. See Facebook page.

Classified Ads

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 phone number. No personal home addresses or names allowed. Classified ads are not published on The Empty Closet page of our website. However, each issue of the paper is reproduced online in its entirety.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

PERSONALS

Tall (6’3”), rugged, masculine Bear, HWP, DDF, looking for same ages 35-60.

Call 585-698-5645.

SERVICES

Rochester’s Best Man to Man Rubdown. Unwind with this degreed, employed, fit, friendly, healthy, Italian GWM. Middle aged, 5’8”, 165 lbs., 32” waist, nonsmoker, d & d free, HIV negative. My 10-plus years experience guarantees your relaxation and satisfaction.

Hotel visit, in call in my home or out call in your residence. Reasonable rates. Discretion appreciated and practiced. Don’t delay, call me today at 585-773-2410 (cell) or 585-235-6688 (home).

Handyman: Simple repairs or full renovations, no job is too large or small. Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical, Interior & Exterior. 35 years experience. Call Alan &

Bill 585-204-0632 or cell 304-517-6832.

Martin Ippolito master electrician.

Electrical work, telephone jacks, cable TV, burglar alarm systems, paddle fans.

585-266-6337.

TL’s Home Repair Service. Electric, plumbing, home remodeling. Cell: 585224-6279; office: 585-473-7205.

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

Marriage in mind? Private lake view home on Lake Ontario, 40 miles west of Rochester, available for weddings, including ceremony and reception.

Non-denomination officiant also available. Reasonable rates. Please contact Tony.

Email: rtony13@aol.com or call 585 703 3894.

FOR RENT

Fort Lauderdale weekly vacation rental by the beach. Upscale 1 bedroom recently renovated on Ocean Blvd.

Located near beaches, restaurants and minutes away from Wilton Manor. Call 585-414-7118.

SUNDAY 27

Dignity Integrity. Roman Catholic Prayers to start the week. 5 pm, St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St.

JANUARY SUNDAY 3

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

WEDNESDAY 6

LORA Knitting Group. 6-8 pm, Equal Grounds Coffeehouse, 750 South Ave.

SATURDAY 9

Empire Bears resume potlucks at LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 6:30 pm.

Community Forum on Pride 2016.

Noon-2 pm. Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. The Camouflage Closet. Film on LGBTQ veterans’ experiences. 3-5 pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Panel and reception follow film.

SUNDAY 10

LORA Breakfast Club, 10 a.m. at Pixley’s Restaurant, 2235 Buffalo Rd. in Gates.

Dignity Integrity. Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Word, with music. 5 pm, St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. Open Arms MCC Agape Supper Service. 5:30 pm, 707 E. Main St. Judy Gold’s “25 Questions for a Jewish Mother,” 2 and 6:30 pm shows, JCC CenterStage, 1200 Edgewood Ave. Reserved seating is $45 for adults, $40 JCC members and subscribers, and $25 students. At 2 p.m. performance, VIP seating tickets available only at trilliumhealth.org.

THURSDAY 14

Out & Equal Second Thursday Networking. 5:30 pm, Double Tree, Jefferson Rd.

FRIDAY 15

Empty Closet deadline for February issue. 244-9030; susanj@gayalliance.org.

SATURDAY 16

Butch Femme Connection. 7 pm, Monte Alban Mexican Restaurant, 845 East Ridge Rd., Irondequoit.

Rochester Women’s Community Chorus concert, “We Are…” 7:30 pm, The Harley School, 1981 Clover St. $12 adults, $10 seniors/students, $6 children under 12. ASL interpreted, wheelchair accessible. 234-4441; www.therwcc.org

SUNDAY 17

Dignity Integrity. Episcopal Mass, quiet. 5 pm, St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St.

MONDAY 18

Q<40 open house kick-off party. 7-9 pm, Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave.

WEDNESDAY 20

LORA Knitting Group. 6-8 pm, Equal Grounds Coffeehouse, 750 South Ave.

THURSDAY 21

Out at Geva. 75 Woodbury Blvd. 6 pm, reception for LGBTQ community hosted by Gay Alliance. Followed by performance of “Miracle on South Division Street”.

SUNDAY 24

Dignity Integrity. Roman Catholic Prayers to start the week, potluck. 5 pm, St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St.

SUNDAY 31

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

DEC-JAN 2016– • NUMBER 496 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

The Empty Closet is published by the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley 100 College Avenue Rochester, New York 14605 © 2015, All rights reserved.

Editor-in-Chief: Susan Jordan Graphic Design: Jim Anderson Ad Sales: Jennie Bowker (jennieb@gayalliance.org) Advertising policy: The Empty Closet does not print advertisements that contain nude drawings or photographs, nor does it print advertising that states that the person pictured in the ad is for sale, or that you will “get” that particular person if you patronize the establishment advertised. Advertisements that are explicitly racist, sexist, ageist, ableist or homophobic will be refused; advertisements from organizations that are sexist, racist, ageist, ableist or anti-gay will also be refused.

All political advertisements must contain information about who placed them and a method of contact. Additionally, The Empty Closet does not print negative or “attack” advertisements, whether they relate to a product or politics and no matter in whose interest the ad is being produced. A negative advertisement is defined as one that focuses upon a rival product, or in the political area, a rival election candidate or party, in order to point out supposed flaws and to persuade the public not to buy it (or vote for him or her). The Empty Closet maintains, within legal boundaries, neutrality regarding products, political candidates and parties. However, “attack” ads that fail to provide undisputable evidence that the information in the ad is true do not further in any way the objectives and policies of the Gay Alliance or The Empty Closet, including the primary tenet that The Empty Closet’s purpose is to inform the Rochester gay community and to provide an impartial forum for ideas.

Submissions: For publication, submit news items, ads, photos, letters, stories, poetry, ads, photographs or art by mail or in person to The Empty Closet office by the 15th of the month. Design services for non-camera ready ads are available for a fee.

244-9030, susanj@gayalliance.org Publication Information: The Empty Closet is published 11 times a year (December and January combined) by The Empty Closet Press for the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, Inc. Approximately 5000 copies of each issue are distributed during the first week of the month, some by mail in a plain sealed envelope. The publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles is not an indication of the sexual or affectional orientation of that person or the members of that organization. For further information, please write to The Empty Closet, 100 College Avenue, Rochester NY. 14605, call (585) 244-9030 or e-mail emptycloset@gagv.us.

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

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

The opinions of columnists, editorial writers and other contributing writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the collective attitude of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley or The Empty Closet. The Empty Closet shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from the publication (whether correctly or incorrectly) or omission of an ad.

In the event of non-payment, your account may be assigned to a collection agency or an attorney, and will be liable for the charges paid by us to such collection agency or attorney.

Letters to the editor: The opinions of columnists, editorial writers and other contributing writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the collective attitude of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley or The Empty Closet. We will print letters at the editor’s discretion and on a space available basis. Only one letter by the same writer in a six-month period is allowed. We will not print personal attacks on individuals, nor will we be a forum for ongoing disputes between individuals. We reserve the right to edit for space and clarity. We will print anonymous letters if the name and phone number are provided to the Editor; confidentiality will be respected. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month at: The Empty Closet, 100 College Avenue, Rochester, NY 14605; e-mail: emptycloset@gagv.us. The online edition of EC is available at www. gayalliance.org.

Bed & Breakfast

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 496 • DEC-JAN 2016