Empty Closet, Nov 2016

The Empty Closet

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NUMBER 506

A PUBLICATION OF THE GAY ALLIANCE

NOVEMBER 2016

Final concert marks World AIDS Day, Dec. 1

Say the name… the Transgender Day of Remembrance observance will take place on Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park.

A memorial service and candlelight community gathering will follow at Open Arms Community Center, 707 E. Main St. At least 23 trans people, mostly Black trans women, have been murdered so far in 2016. (See Newsfronts) ■

Elaine Spaull and two Center for Youth staff members, Danny Redick and Valerie Douglas, receive the Community Leadership Award. More photos page 10. Photos: Susan Jordan

Three students receive scholarships at RISE brunch

By Susan Jordan The RISE Brunch took place at the Rochester Yacht Club on Sept. 25. Over 100 people sipped mimosas on the deck overlooking the river before heading upstairs for brunch and a program including presentation of Susan A. Cowell and Rochester LGBTQ scholarships to three LGBTQ students.

(RISE = Rochester Initiative for Scholarship and Education.)

A silent auction of generously donated art, products and services raised over $3,000 and the event in all brought in c. $17,000 for the scholarship fund.

Elected officials and nonprofit leaders present included NYS Assemblymember Harry Bronson, City Council member Matt Haag, Monroe Co. legislator James Shepard, Brighton Town Supervisor Bill Moehle, former Brighton Supervisor Sandra Frankel and Elaine Spaull of The Center for Youth.

M.C. Christopher Hennelly, Gay Alliance Executive Director Scott Fearing and event co-orga-

nizer Scotty Ginett welcomed the audience and spoke about the importance of supporting LGBTQ youth.

LGBTQ Resource Center Director Jeffrey Myers presented Elaine Spaull with the RISE Community Leadership Award in recognition of The Center for Youth’s advocacy for LGBTQ young people.

Elaine Spaull praised the 180 staff members of the Center, two of whom also accepted the award, and recalled the time when “LGBTQ homeless youth were called ‘unclaimed’. I was physically ill,” she said. “Today the Center for Youth and the Gay Alliance are claiming those youth – they are OUR kids!”

Spaull ended, “I can’t tell you what it means to us to receive this award. We have a lot of work to do.”

Jeffrey Myers presented the winning students with their scholarships. Erin Ireland, recipient of a Susan A. Cowell Scholarship, is a student at RIT who excels academically and is active in several organizations aiming to connect the Deaf and Hearing communities, including the Student Interpreting Organization and Student-Professional Interpreting Network. She and

“As far as what’s next for me?

I’ll continue volunteering. I sit on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Young Professional Advisory Board, just finished co-chairing the RISE Scholarship Brunch, and look forward to continuing to do my part in making our world a more positive place.”

This year’s concert is free and is hosted again by Third Presbyterian Church, at 4 Meigs St., at 7 p.m. on Dec. 1.

For more information, please contact Scotty Ginett at ImScottyBTW@gmail.com. ■

Erin Ireland.

Daniel Hernandez and Jeff Myers.

Oliver Kenyon Stabbe.

her wife live in Walworth and are working on a solar-powered house.

The second Susan A. Cowell scholarship recipient was Daniel Hernandez. An outstanding UR student, Daniel is an EMT who gives back to the community as a volunteer for several organizations, currently as part of the Forest Hills Ambulance Corps.

He hopes to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and

seeks especially to help LGBTQ youth, “many of whom,” he said, “do not receive adequate care.”

Oliver Kenyon Stabbe received a Rochester LGBTQ Scholarship. His parents disowned him, forcing him to become homeless at age 15.

Many support systems could not accommodate Oliver’s being Deaf, but today he is a junior at UR where his name has been on the dean’s list every semester. He

volunteers for many groups and plans to pursue a PhD in psychology and use his education to help the LGBTQ community.

Christopher Hennelly ended the program by mentioning his own youth, in the days when LGBTQ people of any age had no support from society – in fact were severely oppressed. He said, “You being here today makes such a difference to all of us – because YOU CARE.” ■

PHOTO: WORLD AIDS DAY

the past eight years. The Victory Alliance continues to lead vaccine trials, and AIDS Care rebranded to Trillium Health, and provides more services to our city. Recognizing that organizations like Trillium Health can now take the lead with community events, their goal and part in ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic with Governor Cuomo’s 2020 initiative, I feel comfortable with the decision to end this community event. Other events have come along, and awareness events will continue to evolve.

Gallery Q... Page 27 NATIONAL AIDS PROGRAMME OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Transgender Day of Remembrance will be observed on Nov. 20

As in the past 16 years, a concert will mark World AIDS Day on Dec. 1.

“Sixteen acts will celebrate our 16-year history and the future end of the HIV/AIDS epidemic,” said Director/Producer Scotty Ginett.

The World AIDS Day concert in its 16th year presents its final concert, titled “Finale”. This event, first organized

by Thomas Warfield has always included performers from the Rochester community, and is believed to be the longest-lasting event of its kind in New York to always have a deaf presence.

Scotty Ginett told The Empty Closet, “The concert has never been about one person, or one organization- local or not.

It has always been about community, and awareness, showing through the medium of performing arts, that HIV/AIDS affects each of us, and that we each have a part to play in ending the epidemic, and erasing the stigma assigned to those living with HIV. I’m incredibly proud of our 16-year history, and am glad to have served as the concert’s director for the past eight years.

“Our Rochester community has come a long way, even in

Inside

Editorials....................................... 2 Interview: Leslie Alvarado........... 7 Making the Scene......................10 Opinion: GAGV Library..............15 Health: Eating disorders .........16 LGBTQ Living: Yoga .................17 Shoulders To Stand On ...........21 Columnists ................................22 Community ................................25 Entertainment: Gallery Q..........27 Gay Alliance: Library ...............30 Calendar.....................................34 Classifieds..................................34 Comics........................................35 The Gay Alliance is publisher of The Empty Closet, New York State’s oldest LGBTQ newspaper.

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016

Perspectives The Empty Closet Editor SUSAN JORDAN

Taking care of ourselves Many upcoming events in our community will address health and justice issues.

Nov. 20 marks the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. With as many as 23 trans murder victims in 2016, most of them black trans women – and with mainstream media ignoring this -- it is vital that LGBTQ people remember the names and faces of the lost as we mourn them.

As many trans activists have said in past years, it would be great if this commemoration were not necessary. But it is. Visibility can help hasten the day when trans and gender expansive people are treated as human beings, not as freaks, and their lives are not used as a political football for Republican politicians seeking the hate vote, even as LGBTQ families were used before marriage equality became law.

On Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, Rochester will see the final World AIDS Day concert, held at Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs St., at 7 p.m. The global epidemic is far from over, and again, this is a commemoration we all wish was not necessary.

Ignorance, bigotry and stigma have contributed to the deaths of millions of people, queer and heterosexual, all over the world, for the past 40-plus years. The

struggle continues.

A great deal of work goes on in the Rochester area on LGBTQ health issues. See page 7 for an interview with Leslie Alvarado of Home Care Rochester, speaking about the health services HCR offers and their new educational program in conjunction with SAGE. On page 16, “intactivist” Tim Sally continues his discussion of the international fight against circumcision, and the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, announces that it is formally designating the LGBTQ population as a health disparity population for purposes of NIH-supported research. This issue also contains information on the prevalence of eating disorders among the LGBTQ communities.

And coming up, the Gay Alliance will be partnering with a researcher on the role of alcohol addiction among gay and lesbian people over 60. In the Olden Days the bars were the only place where queer people could socialize. And even there they weren’t safe from police harassment and gay bashers. Unfortunately, the bars, while providing much-needed community, inevitably led to a problem with alcoholism.

All of these health issues, and many more, such as youth suicide, women’s struggle with breast cancer, trans access to healthcare, and the role of homophobia in re-closeting elders, remain important today.

One result of the ancient hatred of those who are “different” is that LGBTQ people, like all those whose lives are not valued by society, have had to struggle to respect and care about ourselves and each other. Straight society’s message to gays has always been, “be like us or kill yourself”. Generation after generation fell prey to suicidal selfhate. Conservatives want to take us back to that time.

Fortunately, these days most of us care about ourselves… and take care of our lives and the lives of those we love. ■

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

Gay Alliance Executive Director SCOTT FEARING

NY Senate Keeps Us 24 Years Behind the Times The July 1993, edition of Gender Euphoria has this headline: “Minnesota is First State to Enact a Civil Rights Bill Which Includes Transgendered [sic] Persons!”

The front page article explains that the bill was “primarily focused on gay and lesbian civil rights, but tucked away at the bottom of the first page describing who is affected by the act is, ‘…or having or being perceived a having a self-image or identity not traditionally associated with one’s biological maleness or femaleness.’”

Although the verbiage could have been more clearly worded and NOT placed under the section titled “Sexual Orientation,” most importantly the civil rights of transgendered persons are assured under law.

I lived in Minnesota in 1993 and was a volunteer with the campaign to get this bill passed.

A few people wanted to leave out the wording mentioned above.

However the LGBTQ activists working at the State Capitol were clear -- it was the entire community or none of the community. Everyone deserved basic civil rights and there would be no dividing our communities.

Ten years later, in 2003, New York passed the Sexual Orien-

Name

tation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA). I was still in Minnesota so I cannot speak to the process, but I know that this NY law provided basic civil rights protections to people based on sexual orientation (LGB identities), leaving people who identified with the Trans communities without state-wide protections.

And that remains the status today— 14 years later.

While a number of city and county ordinances (including Rochester’s) provide Trans people with a variety of limited protections, in much of NY State if you are Trans-identified or gender variant you can be legally fired, denied housing, refused service in accommodations.

These horrible things do happen, often. The Alliance regularly get calls from Trans people facing such discrimination.

This is not OK. All cisgender people in NY need to acknowledge the privilege they have and demand change in Albany. As dysfunctional as Albany seems from a distance, the lack of basic protections for Trans people can be blamed on a single group of supposed political leaders.

The guilty group? The NY State Senate.

For 14 years the Assembly has passed versions of the Gender Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) and sent it over to the Senate for ratification. Year after year the Senate has refused to vote on the bill. There is no reason for this lack of action. So one must assume that our State Senators want to leave Trans people vulnerable to discrimination, bias and violence.

The Senate has New York sitting nearly a quarter of a century behind the times… this must change. Please take the time to call your NY State Senator and ask them why they support second-class status for our Trans community members. And, if they claim they don’t, tell them that you expect them to get GENDA passed by the NYS Senate -- this year! ■

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NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

NewsFronts LOCAL AND STATE

Edie Windsor and Judith Kasen

Marriage equality heroine Edie Windsor remarries Paul Schindler wrote in Gay City News on Oct. 1: Edie Windsor, the heroic marriage equality plaintiff who successfully challenged the federal Defense of Marriage Act in 2013, got married … at City Hall in New York.

On September 26, Windsor, 87, wed Judith Kasen, who is a vice president at Wells Fargo.

Windsor arrived before the Supreme Court in her challenge to a federal estate tax bill of more than $360,000 after the 2009 death of her spouse, Thea Spyer. Windsor and Spyer, both New Yorkers who began dating in 1965, traveled to Toronto in 2007, where they legally married. The following year, a New York court ruled that the state would recognize legal samesex marriages from other jurisdictions despite the fact that such marriages could not yet be formalized within the Empire State.

The federal government, however, under the 1996 law, continued to deny recognition to such marriages, and Windsor was saddled with the tax bill she otherwise would not have received. With her attorney, Roberta Kaplan, Windsor advanced her case to the nation’s highest court, setting up the dramatic victory on June 26, 2013.

-Read more at Gay City News

NYC Council passes bills gathering data on sexual orientation, gender identity Laura E. Durso, Senior Director of the LGBT Research and Communications Project at the Center for American Progress, issued the following state-

ment after the New York City Council on Oct. 13 passed a series of ground-breaking bills to collect demographic data about sexual orientation, gender identity, multiracial identities and other characteristics on forms administered by city agencies.

Int. 552-A directs the New York City Departments of Homeless Services and Education, the New York City Administration for Children’s Services, and other city agencies to include questions about sexual orientation and gender identity.

New York City is the birthplace of the LGBT rights movement, but LGBT New Yorkers still face unacceptably high rates of homelessness, poverty, and discrimination. Advocates, lawmakers, and city agencies need data about LGBT people to understand the consequences of discrimination and ensure that LGBT New Yorkers and their families are being effectively served by often-lifesaving services such as homeless shelters and public health programs. These bills will also require city agencies to collect important data on multiracial identities, ancestry, and languages spoken, helping make sure city programs are accessible to all. By passing these bills with strong bipartisan support, the City Council recognizes the diversity of the city’s people and is working toward a more equal New York.

NYC’s Anti Violence Project gets $750,000 in federal funding On Oct. 13, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10) and the New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) announced $750,000 in federal funding that will allow AVP to continue providing vital services for LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of intimate partner violence.

Over the next three years, $600,000 will go into provid-

ing free legal representation and supporting advocacy efforts for domestic violence survivors, which will enhance victim safety and autonomy. The remaining $150,000 in federal funding will allow AVP to continue sharing its expertise in LGBTQ cultural competency through training and technical assistance to other organizations.

“This funding will help AVP continue its work representing victims of intimate partner violence within the LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities,” said Congressman Nadler. “AVP’s services are a vital resource for many New Yorkers, and I am encouraged they will be able to support victims and increase the ability of others to appropriately assist these often-underserved communities as well.”

“We are tremendously grateful to Congressman Nadler for his ongoing support of the LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities, and for supporting survivors of intimate partner violence in all communities,” said Beverly Tillery, Executive Director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.

“This grant will allow AVP to expand our reach to underserved LGBTQ survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and stalking, especially those who are too often shut out of mainstream domestic violence programs, particularly transgender and gender non-conforming people of color, and gay men of color.”

SAGE honors leaders at NYC awards gala On Oct. 17, Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) held its 21st Annual Awards & Gala, which celebrated SAGE’s national achievements and honored four leaders committed to improving the lives of diverse LGBT older people.

Outgrowing its former venue, SAGE moved to the grand Cipriani Wall Street, drawing more than 800 influential leaders and allies of the LGBT community, including New York State Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick, New York State Assembly Member Danny O’Donnell, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, New York City Councilmember Ritchie Torres and famed Supreme Court DOMA plaintiff and LGBT advocate, Edie Windsor. Windsor was accompanied by her new wife, longtime community activist Judith Kasen-Windsor. Entertainment included the first-ever public performance of the Broadway revival of the musical Falsettos.

Among the night’s honorees were Don Capoccia and his company, BFC Partners, which received the LGBT Pioneer Award for their leadership in SAGE’s efforts to bring LGBT age-friendly housing to New York City. Former Lambda

3 Legal Executive Director Kevin Cathcart received the Ken Dawson Advocacy Award, honoring his trailblazing leadership within the LGBT community.

Dr. Yanira Cruz, President of the National Hispanic Council on Aging, (NHCOA) received the Paula Ettelbrick Community Service Award in recognition of NHCOA’s deep commitment to LGBT issues. SAGE also acknowledged Jen Hatch/Christopher Street Financial with the Jack Watters Corporate Advocate Award for their unwavering commitment to SAGE and their continuous support of many LGBT community programs.

Special recognition was given to SAGE CEO Michael Adams on his 10th year leading the organization. “I am thrilled to have celebrated my 10-year tenure at SAGE with the largest SAGE Awards & Gala yet,” said Adams. “This year’s recordbreaking event is a testament to the growing momentum for a future in which all LGBT elders are valued and have boundless opportunities. Its success is a true testament to the generous support of our many partners.”

With a record number of attendees, the special event raised over $900,000, which will allow SAGE to continue its work across the country. At the event, SAGE announced two new programs designed to help LGBT elders combat social isolation as well as strengthen ties across generations.

On November 1, in partnership with the GLBT National Help Center, SAGE will launch the first-ever hotline for LGBT elders. This initiative responds to the fact that location-related barriers, coupled with stigma and discrimination, can make it difficult for LGBT older people in many parts of the country to find the LGBT-friendly community supports they need.

Staffed by trained LGBT volunteers, the National LGBT Elder Hotline will provide support, as well as information and referrals, to LGBT older people no matter where they live. Also announced was SAGE Table, produced in partnership with AARP, a new national initiative that will bring together LGBT communities through an inter-generational dining experience. The program will launch in Los Angeles and New York State in 2017.

SAGE participant George Stewart poignantly spoke about the purpose of the organization. The 84-year-old – and former White House “Champion of Change” – served in the armed forces and worked as a hospital aide at the height of the AIDS crisis. “SAGE feels more like a family than an organization,” Stewart said. “This organization should be an example for the rest of the country. It’s no exaggeration to say that SAGE has added at least 10 years to my life.”

ABOUT SAGE Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBT older adults and their caregivers, advocates for public policy changes that address

the needs of LGBT older people, and provides training for aging providers and LGBT organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. With offices in New York City, Washington, DC and Chicago, SAGE coordinates a growing network of 30 SAGE affiliates in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Learn more at sageusa.org and lgbtagingcenter.org.

Gay Alliance receives Labor Archives award The NYS Archives Awards for 2016 included the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, which received the Debra E. Bernhardt Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Documenting New York’s History.

The award is named after the late Debra E. Bernhardt, former director of the Wagner Labor Archives at New York University, who was a staunch advocate of the documentation of the history of groups who traditionally have been omitted from the historical record.

The Debra E. Bernhardt Fund For nearly thirty years, the Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives has preserved the history of working people and made it accessible to union members and the general public. The Debra E. Bernhardt Fund, named for the Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives’ founding director, provides much-needed funding for many important programs of the Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives.

When the Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives project began founding archivist Debra Bernhardt very quickly built strong relationships with unions throughout the city. As a daughter of unionized schoolteachers, she understood the importance of preserving the history and movements of labor in New York and the value these resources could have for working people and scholars. She built a rich collection with the idea that the Wagner could be the repository for the historical memory of the labor movement in New York City. http://www.nyu.edu/library/ bobst/research/tam/wagner/history.html

Rochester Landmark Society Initiative: Update

By Evelyn Bailey On Sept. 19, the “Sharing Our Pride of Place” Committee met to discuss the next steps in the process of identifying landmarks in local LGBTQ history.

Three committees were established: Research, Marketing, Historic Photos. Andreas Rau and I will chair the Research Committee, whose focus will be to identify places where LGBT history was made, and where LGBT leaders/activists lived.

Front Street, identified as Rochester’s “bowery,” was singled out as perhaps the first “home” of the gay community.

You had the Rustic Grill at #17 Front St., which existed in the late 1930s and was replaced

by Belles Donut Shop by 1960 Both Dick’s Tavern and Ma (Landmark continues page 6)

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016

NewsFronts NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL

Beloved Hat Sister John Michael Gray passes

LGBTQ newspapers endorse Hillary Clinton

Trudy Ring posted on The Advocate on Sept. 27: Massachusetts activist John Michael Gray, who appeared with his husband, Tim O’Connor, as the Hat Sisters at many gay and AIDS-related events in Boston and Provincetown, has died of cancer.

The two men had been creating and sporting fabulous hats since the height of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. They “joyously and generously entertained” others “in time of great social turbulence, profound illness, isolation and heartbreak in the gay community,” notes a GoFundMe page set up to help cover Gray’s medical expenses.

A 2011 article in One New England detailed the Hat Sisters’ origin: “The Hat Sisters happened quite by accident.

John Michael Gray was in Provincetown preparing for the second Provincetown Carnival in 1984. While talking with his significant other, Tim O’Connor, who was back home working in Boston, he spoke of all the costumes and parties he’d seen, and asked Tim what they should wear. Tim’s busy schedule prompted him to leave that up to his hubby. ‘I’ll wear whatever you wear,’ he said. With that, John Michael began to create, making two of everything, identical and colorful.”

As the Hat Sisters’ fame spread, they would appear at numerous gay events and charity fundraisers, benefiting the fights against AIDS, muscular dystrophy, homelessness, and more. They would sometimes have three events a day on their schedules, and they often donated their hats to charity auctions. And every June they would flip the switch to light the Pride Tree in Boston’s South End, the Boston edition of Edge reports.

“No trip to P-Town was ever complete until the Hat Sisters appeared, always to loud acclaim from everyone in the room,” adds blogger Joe Jervis at JoeMyGod. In the late 1980s cartoonist Eric Orner made them recurring characters in his syndicated comic strip “The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green,” which ran in LGBT publications around the U.S. until 2004, bringing the Hat Sisters national recognition. The strip was the basis for a 2005 movie of the same name, with Richard Riehle and Joel Brooks portraying the duo.

In an unprecedented move, all 12 of the country’s longest-serving and most award-winning LGBT newspapers are each separately endorsing Democratic Hillary Rodham Clinton for president of the United States.

The 12 are members of the National Gay Media Association, a trade association of the nation’s major-market legacy LGBT newspapers. NGMA members have a combined circulation in print and online of more than one million readers per week.

The members of NGMA who are each endorsing Clinton in their own pages are: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco), Washington Blade, Philadelphia Gay News, Dallas Voice, Windy City Times (Chicago), Between the Lines (Detroit), Bay Windows (Boston), Georgia Voice, SFGN (Ft. Lauderdale), Watermark (Orlando and Tampa Bay), Gay City News (New York), and The Pride LA. -Read more at Windy City Times

Arizona rules same sex parents have legal rights to their children On Oct. 11, the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division Two held that Suzan McLaughlin is a legal parent of the son she and her former same-sex spouse conceived through donor insemination and raised together before the couple separated.

Suzan McLaughlin and her former wife, Kimberly, were married in 2008.

Suzan and Kimberly jointly decided to have a child together using an anonymous sperm donor, and Kimberly became pregnant in 2010. After Kimberly gave birth to their son, Suzan and Kimberly raised him together as a family for nearly two years. Suzan was the child’s primary caretaker, staying home to care for their son full time while Kimberly worked. In 2013, when their son was almost two, Kimberly abruptly ended their relationship, moved from their shared home and cut off contact between Suzan and her son. Suzan immediately filed an action to be recognized as a legal parent of their child.

In April 2016, the Honorable Lori B. Jones of the Pima County Superior Court

ruled that Suzan is a legal parent of their child under Arizona law, holding that Arizona’s presumption that a child born to a married couple is the legal child of both spouses must be applied equally to samesex spouses.

The decision affirms the Superior Court’s ruling. The Arizona Court of Appeals rejected Kimberly’s argument that the marital presumption cannot be applied to a female spouse, holding that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which held that same-sex couples have the freedom to marry, requires states to treat same-sex spouses and their families equally in all respects.

Suzan McLaughlin is represented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and Arizona attorney Claudia Work. Professor Barbara A. Atwood and the Child and Family Law Clinic at the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law filed an amicus brief urging the Court of Appeals to uphold the Superior Court’s decision.

Said NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter: “Today’s decision affirms the longstanding principle that children born to married parents through donor insemination must be treated equally and given the same protections as other marital children. It also ensures that Arizona law is consistent with that of other states, which uniformly recognize that both spouses who agree to have a child through donor insemination are legal parents.”

Added Claudia Work, who also represents McLaughlin: “Our client is thrilled that she will finally be able to see her son.

We are grateful to the Court of Appeals for affirming the trial court’s decision and recognizing that children deserve the love and protection of both parents, regardless of how the child came into the world.”

Trevor Project gets grant to help LGBTQ youth The Trevor Project has received a grant of $20,000 through the AMC Cares Charitable Grant Fund.

During the AMC Cares Charitable Grant Fund Annual Ceremony, AMC announced the 2016 awards for 35 charitable organizations nationwide.

This year, AMC donated more than $3.4 million in cash and in-kind donations to charities that support children and youth, including LGBTQ youth in crisis.

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Since its inception in 1998, The Trevor Project has worked to save young lives by providing support through its free and confidential crisis programs, including Trevor Lifeline, TrevorChat and TrevorText, as well as TrevorSpace, education, outreach, and advocacy resources. Last year, the Trevor Project impacted the lives of nearly 200,000 young people through the efforts of more than 600 trained volunteers who provide compassion and guidance at times of crisis.

“Every day we hear from young people about feeling alone and unsupported in their communities. Our job is to save young LGBTQ lives, and we do this by supporting and empowering LGBTQ youth,” says Abbe Land, Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project. “When large, visible brands like AMC Theatres show their support for LGBTQ youth, it fosters more inclusive communities across the country.”

The Trevor Project was selected by a group of AMC associates from around the country who nominated the charities they felt best fit AMC’s goals and values.

Ala. trans woman is 22nd victim this year; highest murder rate ever Trudy Ring posts on The Advocate: A transgender woman was found shot to death in late September in Birmingham,

Jazz Alford

Ala., and the number of known murders of transgender people this year is officially the highest ever.

The victim, initially misgendered by police and media, was found dead at the Kings Inn in Birmingham September 23.

Her sister identified her as Jazz Alford, 30, of High Point, N.C. Like many trans murder victims, she was African-American.

“Her death was a huge hit for the LGBT community,” her sister Toya Milan, also a transgender woman, told AL.com, a website for several Alabama newspapers.

“There was another transgender shot multiple times somewhere else recently. People think transgenders are monsters, when really we just want to be accepted.”

Alford is the 22nd transgender person known to have been murdered in 2016, surpassing 2015’s total of 21. This, however, does not include those whose deaths have not been reported or who have been misgendered.

Police are questioning a man in connection with the recent shooting of another trans woman in Birmingham, and they are trying to determine if he was involved in Alford’s death, they told AL.com. The second woman, who was shot in the face but survived, was attacked … during a home invasion.

-Read more on The Advocate The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects commented: The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has learned of the homicide of Jazz Alford, age 30, a Black transgender woman, killed in Birmingham, Alabama on Sept. 23.

According to media reports, Jazz Alton was found shot to death at the Kings Inn. Jazz Alton’s sister, Toya Milan, corrected her misgendering in the local press and spoke out saying “She was such a loving person, and we didn’t know anybody that would want to hurt her. It’s been a hard pill to swallow.

“This is the 21st homicide of a transgender or gender non-conforming person that NCAVP has responded to in 2016, one less than the number that the Coalition responded to in 2015. We must remember that these are actual lives of friends and family and loved ones who are lost,” said Emily Waters, Senior Manager of National Research and Policy at the New York City Anti-Violence Project.

“Reach out to loved ones and people in your community impacted by this violence and offer your support and care. It’s on all of us to end this violence and find ways to support the transgender and gender non-conforming people in our lives and our communities.”

NCAVP’s most recent hate violence report, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Hate Violence in 2015, recorded 24 reported hate violence homicides of LGBTQ people, a 20% increase from the 20 reported antiLGBTQ homicides in 2014. Of the 24 reported homicides, 62% of the victims were people of color. Sixteen (67%) of the 24 reported homicide victims were transgender and gender non-conforming. Of the total number of homicides, thirteen (54%) of the victims were transgender women of color In 2015, NCAVP responded to the homicides of 22 transgender and gender nonconforming people in total, 16 of which were hate violence related, and the additional six of which were intimate partner violence related. This is the 21st*

NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET reported killing of a transgender or gender non-conforming person that NCAVP has responded to in 2016.

Along with Jazz Alford we have lost Crystal Edmonds, a Black transgender woman (Baltimore, MD), T.T. Saffore, a Black transgender woman (Chicago, IL), Rae’Lynn Thomas, a Black transgender woman (Columbus, OH), Erykah Tijerina, a Latinx transgender woman (El Paso, TX), Skye Mockabee, a Black transgender woman (Cleveland, OH), Dee Whigham, a Black transgender woman (St. Martin.

Mississippi), Deeniquia Dodds, a Black transgender woman (Washington, DC), Goddess Diamond, a black transgender woman (New Orleans, LA), Amos Beede, a white transgender man (Burlington, VT), Mercedes Successful, a Black transgender woman (Haines City, FLA), Reese Walker, a Black Transgender Women (Wichita, KS), Keyonna Blakeney, a Black transgender woman (Rockville, MD), Shante Thompson, a Black transgender woman (Houston, TX), Jasmine Sierra, a Latin@ transgender woman (Bakersfield, CA), Monica Loera, a Latina transgender woman (Austin, TX), Kayden Clarke, a white transgender man (Mesa, AZ), Maya Young, a Black transgender woman (Philadelphia, PA), Demarkis Stamsberry, a Black transgender man (Baton Rouge, LA), and Kedarie/Kandicee Johnson, a Black, gender-fluid 16-year-old (Burlington, IA) and Quartney Davia DawsonnYochum, a Black transgender woman (Los Angeles, CA). *NCAVP is looking into the death of Lexxi Sironen, a white transgender woman in Waterville, Maine. As of now there is no known cause of death, however, we are continuing to monitor. NCAVP also looked into the death of Veronica Cano, a Black transgender woman, in San Antonio Texas, and at this time do not believe that her death was a homicide. We continue to send support to the loved ones of Veronica Cano. info@ncavp.org EC UPDATE: A 23rd trans woman was found dead in Cleveland on Oct. 8, and if she was in fact murdered, she would be the 23rd victim of 2016 (see article in this section).

Mass. law prevents public places from discriminating against trans people – for now Meka Beresford posted on pinknews. co.uk: A new law that prevents public places from discriminating on the basis of gender took effect in Massachusetts on Oct. 1.

The new bill allows transgender people to use bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity.

Republican Governor Charlie Baker signed the law in July after several years of disagreement.

Advocates for the bill hope that trans people can no longer be discriminated against in public places.

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and state Attorney General Maura Healey issued guidance on the law, which instructs businesses to presume that a patron is using the appropriate bathroom or locker room unless there is a “compelling reason to seek proof of gender identity.”

Opponents of the bill collected over 30,000 signatures in an attempt to stop the law from passing. They argued it could put women and children at risk by allowing male sexual predators to claim gender identity as a pretence for entering bathrooms or locker rooms.

The repeal effort will not stop the law from going into effect for the time being.

However, the law could be placed on a ballot in 2018.

Freedom Massachusetts fought for years to get the bill passed. They described the effort to prevent the law being passed as “harmful” but predict voters will keep the law if it reaches the ballot in two years time.

“We will not know until the signature

verification process is complete whether this attempt to strip our Commonwealth’s transgender young people, adults and families of basic nondiscrimination protections has qualified for the 2018 ballot,” the group’s co-chairs, Kasey Suffredini and Mason Dunn, said in statement.

“What we do know is that this Saturday these critical protections go into effect statewide, ensuring that all Massachusetts residents will finally be free of discrimination in public places like restaurants and hospitals.”

Massachusetts has become the 18th state to pass a law that protects transgender people’s rights.

ACLU defends trans student who could be banned from high school locker room The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota and the ACLU filed a motion on Oct. 12 to intervene on behalf of a transgender student in a lawsuit that seeks to bar trans students from using locker rooms consistent with the student’s gender identity.

The transgender girl, identified as Jane Doe to protect her privacy, is a sophomore in high school at a public school in Virginia, Minnesota. Last year she played on the girls’ basketball and track team, and she currently plays on the girls’ volleyball team. A small group of parents, acting through an organization they have named “Privacy Matters,” have filed a complaint against Doe’s school district and the U.S. Department of Education for protecting Doe from discrimination when using the locker room.

The lawsuit seeks to segregate Doe from her peers, prevent her from using the girls’ locker room. The complaint singles her out from her teammates using misleading innuendo and salacious phrasing to depict the ordinary behavior of a teenage girl dancing with the rest of her friends as threatening or scandalous, just because she is transgender.

“This lawsuit has been devastating to my daughter and our family. She just wants to live a normal life,” said the mother of Jane Doe, identified as Sarah Doe in the lawsuit.

“Providing inclusive and nondiscriminatory treatment to Jane Doe does not threaten anyone else’s privacy. The entire team talks, listens to music, and dances in the locker room as part of team camaraderie, and it is unfortunate that the plaintiffs have singled Jane Doe out from the rest of her teammates with these sensational allegations just because she is transgender,” said Joshua Block, senior staff attorney at the ACLU. “Schools can provide extra privacy protections or alternative changing areas for any student uncomfortable changing with the rest of the team, but no student has a right to unilaterally demand that transgender teammates be segregated from the team locker room.”

Doe’s brief argues that she has a right to be free from discrimination on the basis of her sex under the Constitution and Title IX, a federal law which prohibits sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funding. The brief also explains that using the girls’ locker room and restroom is a critical part of Doe’s medical treatment and has had a substantial positive effect on Doe’s health and well-being.

“Jane Doe wants what all of us want, to be accepted for who she is and participate as a member of the team, just like any other girl,” said Charles Samuelson, executive director of the ACLU of Minnesota. “It is hard enough being a teenager without being de-humanized and targeted with these false and sensational allegations.”

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in September 2016. This case is similar to lawsuits filed around the country that are trying to prevent transgender students from using the locker rooms and restrooms that match their gender identity.

(Newsfronts continues page 6)

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LOCAL AND STATE (Landmark from page 3) Martin’s at #14 and #12 Front St. respectively are in the City Directories of 1948 and 1951. In 1961 Dick’s moved to 43 Stone St. at the time of urban renewal and then later to State St. This little walk down memory lane will hopefully jog some memories of other early gay friendly establishments from 1940-1960 that were a part of the Rochester gay scene. The Research Committee is asking for any and all recollections you have of locations and any LGBT identified group, club or agency as well as social and political activities during the early years when the “closet” was home to many.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! The Rochester LGBTQ community is a rainbow of diverse groups. Many of the important touchstones no longer exist.

We are counting on you -- primarily the elders of our community -- to help us remember the places and events that were of significance to you, your friends, and the many LGBT subcultures.

If you remember any place or geographic location that was significant please contact Larry Francer at lfrancer@landmarksociety.org; Scott Fearing at scottf@ gayalliance.org or Evelyn Bailey at evelynb@gaylliance.org.

HRC rates Rochester 100 percent inclusive of LGBTQ citizens The Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index (MEI) examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of the LGBTQ people who live and work there. Rochester has scored 100 percent in this year’s Index.

Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and the city leadership’s public position on equality.

The 2016 MEI is the fifth annual edition and rates a total of 506 cities from every state in the nation. The number of cities rated increased by 98 cities from 2015 and increased by 369 cities since 2012.

For more information, see http://www. hrc.org/mei

Taste of Light to raise funds for Trillium Health

Trillium Health will host a wine, spirits, and dessert tasting on Tuesday, Nov. 29, from 6-9 p.m. at The Rooftop at the Strathallan, 550 East Ave. Tickets are $50.

This year’s Taste to Fight will benefit Trillium’s city-wide initiative to End the HIV epidemic by 2020.

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016

Empire State College to hold information session State University of New York Empire State College will hold public information session(s) about its associate and bachelor’s degree programs at its Genesee Valley Center location, 680 Westfall Road, Rochester on: Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 6 p.m Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 7 p.m.

Monday, November 14, 2016 at 6 p.m Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 7 p.m.

For more information, please call 585224-3272.

About SUNY Empire State College SUNY Empire State College was established in 1971 to offer adult learners the opportunity to earn associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the State University of New York.

In addition to awarding credit for prior college-level learning, the college pairs each student with a faculty mentor who supports that student throughout his or her college career. Students engage in guided independent study and course work onsite, online or a combination of both, which provides the flexibility for students to learn at the time, place and pace they choose.

The college serves more than 20,000 students worldwide at more than 35 locations in New York State and online. Its 78,000 alumni are active in their communities as entrepreneurs, politicians, business professionals, artists, nonprofit agency employees, teachers, veterans and active military, union members and more.

For additional information, visit www. esc.edu.

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL (Newsfronts from page 5)

Dolly Parton tells Christians, “stop judging gays, that’s God’s job” Dolly Parton has once again saved the day and proved herself as the ultimate gay icon after she chastised judgmental Christians.

In an interview on Larry King live the singer revealed that she often gets pushback from her Christian fans about her huge LGBT fanbase.

Parton, always the hero, always calls these people out on their un-Christian attitudes and behaviors.

The 70 year old said: “I keep saying ‘If you’re the fine Christian that you think you are, why are you judging people?’

That’s God’s job. We’re not God, we’re not judges, we’re supposed to love one another, we’re supposed to not judge.”

“I’ve got too much work to do in my own to try to do God’s work too,” she said.

Dolly Parton

“I just think that we should be more loving, more caring. We are who we are.

If you’re gay, you’re gay. If you’re straight, you’re straight. And you should be allowed to be how you are and who you are.”

Parton believes that gay people relate to her because she fought for the right to be herself.

She has been a long standing supporter of the LGBT community, and this year she teamed up with Kylie Minogue to back a campaign calling for equal marriage in Australia.

-Read more on pink news.co.uk

Pope Francis has at times announced his support for the gay community – or least implied they should not be treated harshly within Christian communities.

However he has also made many statements critical of LGBTI people.

He previously compared trans people to nuclear weapons, and said they are opposing ‘God’s order of creation’….

Task Force responds The National LGBTQ Task Force on Oct. 3 described Pope Francis’ remarks about transgender people as deeply hurtful to millions.

“When Pope Francis made his now famous ‘who am I to judge’ remarks, LGBTQ people of faith were hopeful of real change in the Roman Catholic church. Now millions of people are deeply hurt by what Pope Francis has said about transgender and gender non-conforming people, which reveals a profound lack of knowledge and empathy. We urge the pontiff to educate himself about the realities of transgender people’s lives and to welcome and affirm transgender and gender non-conforming people rather than reject and dehumanize them,” said Rev. Rodney McKenzie, Jr., Director of the Academy for Leadership and Action, National LGBTQ Task Force.

Cameroon police raid gay bar, take “hostages” Joe Williams posts on pinknews. co.uk: A gay bar in Cameroon was raided by police the weekend of Oct. 9, leading to the arrests of all people inside.

Authorities began the raid by surrounding Mistral – a gay bar in Yaoundé – with vans and blockades in the early hours of Oct. 9, making it impossible for patrons to flee the venue.

Although the bar is not advertised as a gay venue due to the country’s harsh antigay laws, Mistral is seen as a safe haven for the area’s LGBT community.

Following the blockade, police officers entered the bar, before informing customers that they were all under arrest, leading some to compare the raid to a hostage situation.

“People became anxious as they began to think of themselves as hostages,” one activist wrote on 76 Crimes.

“Police then ordered people to leave the bar and checked for identification cards at the exit,” they added.

However, all patrons were loaded into police vans, regardless of the identification they were carrying.

“Police patrols were stationed at every corner of the cabaret — in front, beside, inside, behind,” the activist – who wrote under a pseudonym – continued.

“As if it were a commando operation, armed police searched inside the bar for people hiding there.

“Some bar-goers tried to escape out the back, but another police truck was parked there.”

It remains unclear how many people were eventually arrested – with some activists claiming it was “dozens” – or what police plan to charge them with.

-Read more on pinknews.co.uk

Task Force: Pope’s antitrans comments harm millions worldwide Jack Flanagan posted on Oct. 3 on gaystarnews.com: Pope Francis described “gender theory” as a major “enemy” of traditional marriage at a small meeting of Catholics in Georgia.

In answer to a woman’s question, he said: “You mentioned a great enemy of marriage: gender theory.

“Today, there is a global war out to destroy marriage,” he continued, “…not with weapons but with ideas. We have to defend ourselves from ideological colonization.”…

Brandi Bledsoe

Trans woman found dead in Cleveland Joe Morgan posts on gaystarnews. com: A trans woman was found dead with a plastic bag around her head in Cleveland, her family has said.

Brandi Bledsoe’s body, dressed in only her underwear, was discovered at 10 a.m. on Saturday (8 October) in the driveway behind a home on Drexel Avenue.

She was only 32.

A 5-year-old boy discovered the body while riding bikes with his 12-year-old brother.

Police said it is too early to determine a motive for Bledsoe’s death and no arrests have been made.

Her family, from her cousin to her 73-year-old grandfather, remembered her as the woman she was. Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner initially misgendered her until the family corrected them.

“She wasn’t very outgoing before she told us [two years ago],” John Craggett, her cousin, told Cleveland.com. “She just wasn’t happy with who she was.

“When she told us, she was honestly a lot better as Brandi. She was happy.”

If ruled a homicide, it will be the 23rd reported transgender murder in the United States in 2016. (But see NCAVP, below) -Read more on gaystarnews.com BRAVO, NYCAVP speak out “This is a critical time, we all have to acknowledge and continue to take action to combat this epidemic of hate and bias violence here in Ohio. We call on all systems, government, and community to commit more resources to combat this violence in Ohio and the nation.” says Aaron Eckhardt, Training and Technical Assistance Director of BRAVO. “Our hearts, minds and condolences are with Brandi’s family, friends, and community in this time of tragedy. As all of us are still mourning the deaths of Skye Mockabee and Rae’Lynn Thomas just weeks ago.

All of us at BRAVO are saddened and ( Trans continued on page 11)

NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

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Interview Leslie Alvarado, LMSW, HCR Home Care

By Susan Jordan Leslie Alvarado is Senior Medical Social Worker, Hispanic Community Liaison and LGBTQ Program Leader at HCR Home Care, 85 Metro Park in Rochester.

Many people think of home care as something provided only to the elderly. But young people can also become ill, or become disabled or injured, and need home care.

Leslie Alvarado said, “We’ve seen patients as young as 18. The oldest patient I’ve seen is 96. We want to reduce hospitalization rates and keep people safe at home.”

She continued, “Criteria for home care include medical or functional complications. An example of a medical necessity could be a patient needing diabetic education or assistance with medication management. Functional complications may result in a referral for a physical or occupational therapist. Often a physical therapist may come out to teach falls prevention techniques. Social workers like myself can give references to those who need home health aids if they can’t clean or cook. Our social workers can also assist with insurance complications.”

HCR has had an LGBTQ program since 2013, but has worked with LGBTQ people since the 1980s. Leslie said, “We were the only home health care agency who provided HIV care in the home, in the years when there was so much fear about contracting HIV through merely touching someone.

“To be in the LGBTQ program, clients must self-identify as gay, lesbian, bi, trans or whatever their identity. A lot of people still ‘don’t talk about it’. But we want them to feel safe in their homes to be who they are. We’re the only home care agency in the country with an LGBT

focus. In Canada, they’ve been on board for years with this.

“We are certified under the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and have been on their Health Equality Index for the last three years. I’ve been involved with our LGBTQ program since 2013 and recently became the Program Lead this past July. As the new program lead I’ve been working alongside a team of 11 clinicians to redesign the program. Our LGBTQ program consists of staff members from all disciplines, such as nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, home health aides and intake staff. We also have nurses and therapists who speak the languages needed, including Nepalese.

“Our program was recently called the LGBT program. However, we have recently changed it to LGBTQ. Using ‘LGBTQ’ now opens us up to all identities. We’ve had Gay Alliance training several times on cultural sensitivity, with an emphasis on aging.”

HCR is now working with SAGE at the Gay Alliance. Leslie said, “We just had an in-service at SAGE on Sept. 27, where we spoke to the group informally.

There’s nothing better than getting the facts from the community. HCR doesn’t give a sales pitch – we focus on people’s needs, like when they say they want to know about insurance issues.

“It was awesome. And recently, one patient I worked with identified as intersex. She is from Africa and was surprised and overjoyed at the medical attention she gets here, even that HCR had knowledge of the needs within the LGBTQ

community.

“We are also doing an Inqueery educational series at the Alliance – six programs a year, starting this past July. We’ll have speakers from different disciplines to reinvigorate specialized topics, such as a physical therapist one month and then another session will have a nurse talking about diabetes and keeping stable. An example of what I’ll do may be around insurance complications and access to personal care and home assistance, letting people know what criteria they’ll need to qualify, etc.

“We will also do a Health and Wellness exercise program for SAGE and it will also be open to the entire community, all ages. Dr. Dan Lewis (DPT) will lead exercises on Friday, starting in December.”

Leslie has created a button for HCR staff which is rainbow-colored and states “Serving All Patients with PRIDE”. Leslie said, “Last week I had a patient who came out to me after seeing the button.

She then felt comfortable introducing me her partner and children, and I thought, ‘That’s exactly what I was hoping for.’”

She continued, “I just want to inform people to have them feel safe, and know they can contact us at any time (we have a line open 24 hours). We also have fliers at the LGBTQ Resource Center and Equal=Grounds, to let people know they are safe and we are LGBTQ-friendly.

We’ve partnered with Trillium and the Rochester Academy of Medicine, The Monroe County Medical Society and HCR Cares to do ‘Can We Talk’ – we’ve done several of those in the past year. The Gay Alliance will now be taking this on.”

HCR also offers a Health Homes program. “We’re not the only agency that does this, some doctors’ offices do too,” Leslie said. “The focus is on care management services. You don’t have to be receiving services with our nurses or therapists to be involved within the Health Homes program. Our care managers can help with a wide range of needs, like connecting clients with a transportation service.

Health Homes can continue assistance after medical problems are over.”

For more information, call Leslie at 800270-4904 or go to HCRhealth.com. ■

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016

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NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016

Making the Scene

IMAGEOUT 2016 took place Oct. 6-16. Photo: Gerry Szymanski

Mrs. Kasha Davis and Michael Gamilla at the Festival Eve party at Skylark Lounge.

Photo: William Gandino

Filmmaker April Maxey with friends.

Photo: Garnetta Ely

Photo: William Gandino

April Maxey and more friends. Photo: William Gandino

Filmmaker Brittani Nichols with Michael Gamilla. Photo: William Gandino

ImageOut Board Chair Paul D. Allen receives a special Mayoral recognition from James P. Smith, Director of the Bureau of Communications and Special Events for the City of Rochester. Photo: Gerry Szymanski

Christopher Hennelly and Scott Fearing.

Photo: Susan Jordan

Jeff Myers, Scotty Ginett and Elaine Spaull. Photo: Susan Jordan

THE RISE BRUNCH took place on Sept. 25 at the Rochester Yacht Club. (See page 1.) Photo: Garnetta Ely

Robert Day. Photo: Susan Jordan

NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL (Trans from page 6) outraged as our communities continue to be repeatedly targeted and we remain steadfast in providing services to the LGBTQI communities of Ohio. We must continue to come together as a broad community of support to say hate has no home in Ohio, hate has no home anywhere.”

“We are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Brandi Bledsoe. We continue to send our thoughts to those who have been impacted by the loss of Brandi,” said Emily Waters, Senior Manager of National Research and Policy at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. “This is the 22nd homicide of a transgender person that NCAVP has responded to in 2016, the same number that NCAVP responded to in all of 2015, and the second homicide of a transgender woman of color in the course of a week. We are at a loss, but know that we must continue to say the names of all of the transgender and gender nonconforming people that we have lost, and we must keep working to keep transgender women of color safe. We ask that everyone call out transphobia when they see it and support and listen to transgender people, so that they know that they are a vital part of our communities and that their lives matter.”

Ark. judge charged with fraud, bribery after allegedly giving young male offenders reduced sentences in exchange for sexual favors Joe Williams posts on pinknews. co.uk: A retired judge has been charged with fraud and bribery for allegedly trading lighter sentences with male defendants in exchange for sexual favours.

Arkansas judge Joseph Boeckmann resigned in May, after a number of men claimed he paid them to allow him to spank them with a paddle.

He also forced some of the men to pose naked for photographs following their encounters, with hundreds of nude images discovered on his computer.

Boeckmann pleaded not guilty during a court appearance, but was later remanded in custody.

He faces 21 counts on federal charges that include wire fraud, witness tampering, and bribery.

He faced a disciplinary hearing earlier this year after the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission alleged that he gave preferential treatment – including greatly reduced sentences – to men who performed sexual favours and helped him with ‘personal work’.

The Commission also alleged that he often told young male offenders to contact him at his home to complete “community sentences” such as picking up litter – but would instead solicit them for sex in exchange for reductions of or dismissals of their court fines and costs.

It has also been alleged the former Cross County District Court judge had more than 4,600 photos of nude or seminude men in his possession – including one defendant aged 16.

The Commission adds: “They all depict young men, many naked who are in various poses inside the judge’s home and outside in his yard.

“There are numerous photos of naked young men bending over after an apparent paddling.”

It also alleged that the judge used his authority to seek “out young Caucasian male litigants”, for the purpose of sexual relationships.

Boeckmann previously denied doing anything wrong, claiming the photos were taken to “to corroborate participation in community service.”

Russia to block LGBT teen support website Nick Duffy posts on pinknews.co.uk: Russia is set to blacklist a support website for LGBT teens that officials say violates the country’s “gay propaganda” law.

Deti-404, which translates to Children-404, acts as an online support system for LGBT teens in Russia, where homophobia and transphobia continues to thrive.

The website‘s users often share their stories about the anti-LGBT prejudices endured in their everyday lives.

The group’s founder Yelena Klimova has previously been fined under the country’s ‘gay propaganda’ law over the site, and authorities forced Russian social network VK to clamp down on the group.

However, Klimova says that authorities have now gone even further, with state media watchdog Roskomnadzor set to blacklist the Deti-404 site for “spreading banned information.”

According to the Moscow Times, she said: “Most likely, the site will be suspended in Russia in the near future [but] we shall keep working.”

A letter from the watchdog claims that “information that explicitly promotes nontraditional sexual relations among children, namely homosexuality among boys, lesbianism among girls, and bisexual relationships among children” breaches laws “on the protection of children from information harmful to their health and development”.

Ms Klimova said previously: “The law against gay propaganda legitimised violence against LGBT people, and they now are banning street actions under it.

“People are afraid because they understand that gay propaganda is banned, and even mentioning LGBT relations is essentially forbidden.”

-Read more on pinknews.co.uk:

Anti-LGBTQ Alabama judge suspended from bench for extralegal, unethical acts On Sept. 30, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) hailed a decision by the Alabama Court of the Judiciary to suspend anti-LGBTQ Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore from the bench for the remainder of his term, due to his unethical and extralegal actions surrounding marriage equality.

Moore will remain on the bench, but will not receive a salary and he will be unable to make any legal decisions.

Moore’s term is up in 2018, and he will be unable to run for the office of Supreme Court justice again in Alabama as he will be past the office’s age restriction.

The nine-member Court of the Judiciary found Moore unanimously guilty of all six charges brought against him.

“Roy Moore has flagrantly and willfully attempted to block marriage equality at every turn in Alabama, using his position of power to push a personal, radically anti-LGBTQ agenda. We are thrilled that justice has been done today and he will no longer be able to use the bench to discriminate against people he had taken an oath to protect,” said Eva Kendrick, state manager for the Human Rights Campaign, Alabama. “Roy Moore’s bigoted rhetoric

and unethical actions harmed LGBTQ Alabamians and emboldened those who would seek to hurt us further. We hope this is a turning point for our state. We must focus on electing politicians and judges who will move us forward, not backward.”

Earlier this year, HRC Alabama initiated the #NoMoore campaign to remove Moore from the Alabama Supreme Court for his blatant legal and ethical failings.

HRC Alabama called out Moore’s discriminatory behavior with a billboard in downtown Montgomery, and held rallies and press conferences outside each of Moore’s ethics hearings -- including the final hearing. This marks the second time Moore has faced negative consequences for pushing his personal agenda from the state’s highest court.

Last year, HRC and other civil rights organizations joined the Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) ethics complaint with the Judicial Inquiry Commission of

11 Alabama, seeking Moore’s removal for violating the obligations of his office. The complaint details Moore’s blatant disregard for the law, including communications in which he urges Governor Robert Bentley and members of the Alabama Probate Judges Association to ignore federal court rulings striking down the state’s ban on marriage equality.

In 2014, HRC launched Project One America, an initiative geared towards advancing social, institutional and legal equality in Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas. HRC Alabama continues to work to advance equality for LGBTQ Alabamians who have no state level protections in housing, workplace, or public accommodations. “Through HRC Alabama,” HRC says, “We are working toward a future of fairness every day -changing hearts, minds and laws toward achieving full equality.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center (Alabama judge continues page 12)

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NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL (Alabama judge from page 11) weighed in: “The Court of the Judiciary has done the citizens of Alabama a great service by suspending Roy Moore from the bench,” said SPLC President Richard Cohen.

“He disgraced his office and undermined the integrity of the judiciary by putting his personal religious beliefs above his sworn duty to uphold the U.S. Constitution.

“Moore was elected to be a judge, not a preacher. It’s something that he never seemed to understand. The people of Alabama who cherish the rule of law are not going to miss the Ayatollah of Alabama.”

LGBT groups file to protect trans people in North Carolina In a lawsuit challenging the North Carolina law banning transgender people from using restrooms that correspond to their gender identity, LGBT rights groups on Oct. 18 asked a federal appeals court to broaden a preliminary injunction in order to protect all transgender people in the state from discrimination.

In August, a district court issued a preliminary injunction preventing the North Carolina university system from enforcing H.B. 2 against the three individual transgender plaintiffs in the lawsuit, Carcaño v. McCrory, which is scheduled for trial in May 2017. The advocates also asked the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to expedite the appeal and schedule oral argument for January.

“Every day that H.B. 2 singles out transgender North Carolinians — whether at school, at work, or just moving through their daily lives — is another day that the transgender community is told that they are second class,” said Chris Brook, ACLU of North Carolina legal director. “Though the district court recognized the serious harm to three of our clients at UNC as a result of H.B. 2, that recognition unfortunately didn’t extend to the harms that law inflicts on other transgender individuals in public buildings across North Carolina. We hope and expect that the Fourth Circuit will expand this ruling to protect all transgender people.”

The appeal brief argues that H.B. 2

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016 violates the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause because it specifically targets transgender people, and that discrimination against transgender people is a form of sex discrimination. While North Carolina has argued that H.B. 2 advances interests in public safety and privacy, ACLU and Lambda Legal argue that these interests, which can be protected in other ways, do not justify the harms H.B. 2 imposes on transgender people and that to restore the status quo, the court must grant a broader preliminary injunction while the case proceeds to trial.

“H.B. 2 makes transgender North Carolinians pariahs in their own state.

Courthouses, airports, libraries, public schools, highway rest stops, police departments, state hospitals, and the very halls of government itself are now unsafe for, and unwelcome to, transgender North Carolinians,” said Jon W. Davidson, national legal director at Lambda Legal.

“Such unequal treatment simply cannot be squared with the Fourteenth Amendment’s promise of equality under the law.

The Fourth Circuit should order this broader relief, pending trial.”

The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of North Carolina, Lambda Legal, and the law firm of Jenner & Block are challenging the law in federal court on behalf of four LGBT North Carolinians in addition to members of the ACLU of North Carolina. The lawsuit was filed days after H.B. 2 was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly and signed by Gov. Pat McCrory. In it, the groups argue that H.B. 2 sends a purposeful message that LGBT people are second-class citizens who are undeserving of the privacy, respect, and protections afforded to others, and that transgender individuals are expelled from public life since they are not allowed to use the restrooms and changing facilities that match who they are.

Read the appeals brief: https://www. aclu.org/brief-plaintiffs-appellants

Park Service surveys LGBTQ historic sites Kate Shepard writes on The Huffington Post: The National Park Service released a new study on Oct. 11 that surveys historic sites in the movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer rights for potential preservation and protections.

The study identifies the locations and events most important to LGBTQ history, a first step to potentially recognizing

A member of the National Park Service walks by a memorial to the victims of the Orlando Pulse shooting outside The Stonewall Inn following a ceremony officially designating The Stonewall Inn and Christopher Park as a national monument in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., June 27, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

them for listing in the National Historic Register or designation as a monument.

The study was released on National Coming Out Day, which itself marks the anniversary of the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

The National Park Foundation put together a theme study on LGBTQ history in America for the park service, with funding from the Gill Foundation, a philanthropic nonprofit focused on LGBT equity. It includes a detailed history of locations that have been important to the LGBTQ movement, such as private residences, hotels, bars, government agencies, hospitals, parks and community centers.

“For far too long, the struggles of the LGBT community have been ignored,” said Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell in a call with reporters. She said the study is part of the effort to reverse the “underrepresentation of stories and places associated with LGBT communities in the complicated and diverse history of Amer-

ica.”

The Obama administration has sought to diversify the sites in the national park system. In June, President Obama named a national monument at New York City’s Stonewall Inn, the site of a June 1969 rebellion against the criminalization of LGBT Americans. The administration has also added eight sites marking LGBT history to the National Register of Historic Places.

-Read the full story on The Huffington Post

Nearly one in three people around world approve marriage equality rights Joe Morgan posts on gaystarnews.com: Nearly one in three adults in a global survey believe same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.

In research conducted with almost

NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET 100,000 people in 65 countries, it found 32 percent of people said same-sex marriage should be legal; 45 percent said it should not be legal, and the remaining 23 percent replied they did not know.

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association said the breakdown shows how deeply continents and regions are divided.

Only 19 percent of Africans and 26 percent of Asians said they approved of same-sex marriage, compared to 35 percent in the Americas, 41 percent in Europe and 56 percent in Oceania.

Other findings were: 67 percent of the world agrees human rights should be applied to everyone regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression; 46 percent of respondents know someone LGB, while only 28 percent know someone transgender; 38 percent of respondents globally feel that adults should be allowed to have private, consensual same-sex relationships; Only 26 percent believe being LGBTI should be a crime and 65 percent would have “no concerns” if their neighbor was gay or lesbian (ranging from 43 percent in Africa to 83 percent in Oceania).

“Public attitudes in both hostile and friendly nations are not as extremely negative as might have been feared,” said Renato Sabbadini, Executive Director at ILGA. “However, this does not erase the fact that violence and discrimination inflicted on sexually and gender diverse people all around the world continues unabated, and indeed is increasing in places. Too often we still see sexual and gender minorities being convenient scapegoats for leaders who are looking for support from more conservative sectors of their society.”

An ILGA survey published earlier this year found that 2016 was the first time the majority of the world believed it should be legal to be LGBTI. However, two thirds of adults said they would be upset if their child told them they were gay or bisexual.

Same-sex marriage is legal in 23 countries around the world.

National Museum of American History needs help saving Dorothy’s ruby slippers Jenna Amatulli writes on The Huffington Post: As one of the most popular attractions at the National Museum of American History, the iconic ruby-red slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” have entranced visitors for nearly 80 years.

Unfortunately, the glittery shoes have lost a bit of their shine since the film’s debut in 1939, and they’re now slowly deteriorating.

To prevent them from totally falling apart, the National Museum of American History has launched a Kickstarter campaign and a hashtag, #KeepThemRuby to keep the movie’s magic alive. The museum is looking to raise $300,000 to conserve the shoes and build a state-of-the-art display case to protect them from the elements.

Richard Barden, the museum’s preservation services manager, told a local ABC News affiliate that the slippers incorporate “at least 12 different materials” from cotton to steel. With his team, Barden plans to use a “specialized vacuum on each and every sequin” to bring the shoes back to their original glory.

-Read the story on The Huffington Post

Matthew Shepard’s mom speaks out against Trump’s anti-gay hate Nick Duffy writes on pinknews.co.uk: Judy Shepard, the mother of gay murder victim Matthew Shepard, has condemned the “hatred” of Donald Trump’s campaign in an ad.

In 1998, 21-year-old gay student Matthew Shepard was tortured and left for dead by two men in Laramie, Wyoming.

Shepard’s death and the subsequent court case shocked America, leading to a push for hate crimes legislation spearheaded by his parents, Judy and Dennis.

Mrs. Shepard, the co-founder of the pro-LGBT Matthew Shepard Foundation, spoke out on Oct. 18 against the “hatred” of Republican Presidential hopeful Donald Trump.

(In the ad), she says, “I’ve seen what can happen as the result of hate. My son Matt was murdered in 1998. He was befriended by two men in a bar, who pretended to be gay.

“They offered him a ride home, and when he was in their car, they robbed him and beat him. They drove Matt out to the

13

prairie and tied him to a split-rail fence, beat him some more, then left him for dead.

“In the aftermath of Matt’s death, my family saw the best of America in the love and support we were shown.

“So when I see the hate that Donald Trump brings to his campaign for president, it terrifies me.

“Words have an influence. Violence causes pain. Hate can rip us apart. I know what can happen as the result of hate, and Donald Trump should never be our president.”

Trump has faced scrutiny over racist and sexist comments as well as his antiLGBT policy agenda.

In a bid to attract support from evangelicals, Trump has confirmed he would “consider” appointing ultra-conservative Supreme Court justices to repeal equal marriage, come out in favour of North Carolina’s anti-trans law, and confirmed he would sign a Republican-backed bill to directly permit religious homophobic discrimination – while his running mate Mike Pence has confirmed he would dismantle Barack Obama’s protections for LGBT people.

-Read the full story on pinknews.co.uk (Newsfronts continues page 14)

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL (Newsfronts continued from page 13)

HRC blasts Trump for wanting to appoint Supreme Court judges like homophobic Scalia On Oct. 19 the Human Rights Campaign unveiled a new ad attacking Donald Trump for saying in the last presidential debate that he would appoint Supreme Court justices “in the mold of Justice Scalia.” …Justice Scalia was a stalwart and vocal opponent of LGBT rights who frequently denigrated LGBT people in his public remarks and in his opinions.Towleroad.com Via the Human Rights Campaign: “Donald Trump’s dangerous and hateful vision for our Supreme Court is to appoint justices in the model of Antonin Scalia — a man who spent his entire judicial career disparaging LGBTQ Americans, calling us murderers and polygamists,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “The future of the Supreme Court is at stake in this election, and we cannot allow Donald Trump to nominate a new generation of anti-LGBTQ judges who would perpetuate Justice Scalia’s legacy of discrimination. Hillary Clinton has long been a champion for the LGBTQ community and is the only candidate in this race who would ensure that the Supreme Court continues its historic progress securing equality for all Americans.”

Earlier in October, Griffin penned an op-ed detailing the terrible risk of giving Donald Trump the power to appoint judges. He noted that Trump’s list of potential Supreme Court nominees includes judges who have consistently ruled in favor of allowing discrimination against LGBTQ Americans. …Justice Scalia, during his three decades on the Supreme Court, used his position to further a narrow view of the Constitution, advocating for blatantly discriminatory laws targeting the LGBTQ community, limiting its right to privacy, and attempting to block marriage equality.

Kourt Frame

you go through the parade and then it hits you like, oh my God this is real,” Frame told abc12.

Kourt’s mom, Sherri Frame, says she was happy that Kourt had not had any negative reactions to his decision to transition: “Everyone has been incredibly supportive within the Grand Blanc community.”

“This is your child,” added Kourt’s dad, Pat Frame to abc: “It doesn’t matter what gender, anything, it’s your child. You love them and that’s all you can do.”

Mom Sherri agreed, telling mlive, “Kourt always liked things that were more boy-related, and at first we thought just more of a tomboy, and over time, we came to the realization, through research, what that really meant. It ended up that Kourt was transgender. It was gradual, coming to that understanding, and we love Kourt for who Kourt is and always have. So there never was really a moment of shock or anything.”

Frame had the overwhelming support of his classmates in the vote for Homecoming Prince and says that he’d received plenty of congratulatory messages from those he’d encountered both inside and outside of school since news of his homecoming honor was announced.

La. court says Attorney General can reject state legal contracts if they ban anti-gay discrimination The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports: Attorney General Jeff Landry can reject dozens of state legal contracts because they include language preventing discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people — among other reasons, according to a Baton Rouge state court ruling Oct. 17.

Judge Donald Johnson, of the 19th Judicial District Court, determined Gov. John Bel Edwards does not have the right to sue Landry and force the attorney general to approve legal contracts with a LGBT nondiscrimination provision Landry finds objectionable.

The judge said state law is hazy about whether Landry or Edwards has the final word over legal contracts, which made granting the governor’s wishes for forcing the Landry’s hand on the contracts difficult.

“I believe that the law is uncertain — and it does not provide the court with a clear path,” Johnson said from the bench, adding: “The court denies the request of our governor.”

Landry has blocked between 40 and 50 state contracts with private law firms

Michigan trans student, age 15, is named Homecoming Prince David Hudson posts on gaystarnews. com: A 15-year-old trans student has been crowned sophomore Homecoming Prince at his high school in Michigan.

Kourt Frame, a student at Grand Blanc High School, told mlive that he campaigned to be prince as he wanted to encourage other students to not be ashamed of being who they are.

“I just see a lot of people getting put down, because they’re not born like how they’re supposed to be, and so many kids in this school are quiet and shy and scared to speak up. And this was just kind of like saying, ‘Hey you can do whatever you want to do.”’

Frame, who decided to transition whilst in seventh grade, said that although he was delighted to win the nomination, it didn’t really hit home until it came to taking part in the Homecoming Parade – when he rode in the back of a convertible alongside the Homecoming Princess.

“I didn’t feel quite real at first and then

Joe Russo, Psy.D., CGP

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

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Arizona newspaper gets death threats after endorsing Hillary From the publisher of the Arizona Republic: As someone who has spent a career in the business of words, it’s unusual to find myself speechless. Yet, there I was, a little more than two weeks ago. What is the correct response, really, to this?

YOU’RE DEAD. WATCH YOUR BACK. WE WILL BURN YOU DOWN. YOU SHOULD BE PUT IN FRONT OF A FIRING SQUAD AS A TRAITOR. How did I come to be hearing these threats? More than a year ago, The Republic’s editorial board began taking a stand against the actions and positioning of Donald Trump. In piece after piece, we made it clear that his principles weren’t conservative. They were bad for the party, bad for Arizona, dangerous for America.

But in its more than 125 years, The

from moving forward mostly because they include language that prevents the attorneys from discriminating against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in their offices — though his office says he has other concerns with the contracts as well.

The anti-discrimination language was only included in the legal contracts because Edwards has required all state agencies and contractors to prohibit harassment and firing based on “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”.

The governor issued an executive order last April mandating LGBT people be extended the same workplace protections that racial, ethnic and religious minorities are given under state law. Existing provisions also protect women and people with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace already.

The governor’s office plans to either appeal the ruling or rework the language in the original lawsuit. In the meantime his executive order stands except for the contracts blocked so far.

RELATED: When Landry was a member of the US House he joined the Tea Party caucus and backed every wingnut policy imaginable. – JoeMyGod.com

Republic had never endorsed a Democrat for president. So, over the many months of the campaign, we found ourselves with this question: Endorse no one, or endorse a Democrat for the first time in our history?

We made our choice soberly. We knew it would be unpopular with many people.

We knew that, although we had clearly stated our objections to Trump, it would be a big deal for a conservative editorial board in a conservative state to break ranks from the party.

We chose patriotism over party. We endorsed the Democrat. And then the reaction started pouring in. Threats against our business. Threats against our people. So, what is the response?

What is the correct response to any of the vile threats against me? What is the correct response to the more disturbing actions and words directed against so many others? I’ve thought about those responses a lot. Today, I offer you a few.

-For responses see link at JoeMyGod. com

Ukrainian rightwing thugs violently disrupt LGBT film screening Stefanie Gerdes writes on gaystarnews. com: A group of nationalists violently interrupted an LGBTI film screening in western Ukraine on 18 October.

About 50 men, some dressed in military fatigues, disturbed the event in the city of Chernivtsi.

They were members of both Azov, a former paramilitary group in the 2014 revolution and now a regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine-turned-political party, as well as the far-right nationalist party Parvyi Sektor (Right Sector).

In a video posted on Youtube, some of the men can also be seen wearing masks and rubber gloves, as if implying the assembled people were contagious.

“Today you show the film,” one of the protesters can be heard saying.

“And tomorrow you’ll throw an orgy!”

One of the leaders also said that, should the organizers decide to spend more on LGBTI events, “you will lie here.”

-Read more on gaystarnews.com ■

ON GARD

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

NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

15

Opinion Rochester boasts one of the largest LGBTQ libraries in the nation

By David Kramer, from Talk of the Town In “One of the largest LGBTQ libraries in the nation receives historic donation from Eugene Kramer,” I wrote about my father enjoying a visit to the Rochester Gay Alliance Library where Eugene was pleased to add Sittengeschichte Des Weltkrieges (1930) by Magnus Hirschfeld to the library’s voluminous collection.

Recently, when visiting Gay Alliance Executive Director Scott Fearing for We Are Orlando. ... I took a few minutes to look at the shelves of the library located in the LGBTQ Resource Center on 100 College Avenue.

In just the first bulging shelves, I and Bill DeStevens — working the library desk — could see the wide historical and cultural arch of the gay experience.

In the Religious section, Bill noticed Homosexuality and Christianity. John Boswell’s 1980 landmark treatise helped Bill overcome his “Catholic Guilt” when first coming out. Bill recalls his surprise that The New York Times actually reviewed the book.

As Bill noted — evidence of the evolving acceptance of the gay experience — today patrons can check out Lesbian Rabbis: The First Generation (2001), a kind of self-help primer that 40 years ago would have been unthinkable.

Bill also pointed to C. A. Tripp’s Homosexual Matrix which he bought at Macy’s in 1975 — as chuckling young clerks made him feel embarrassed. One of the first of its kind, Matrix was a clinically based study of treatment in which gay men — though not stigmatized — were seen as potential patients.

Today — how times have changed — the library also offers splashy, commercially oriented how-to’s, like On our Backs: Guide to Lesbian Sex (2004) with a chapter, “Beyond the Cucumber: Fun with Food.” And the something-foreveryone, Lesbian Sex Secrets for Men (2000).

I told Scott this was some library. To which he replied, I hadn’t seen nothin’ yet. Bill and I were browsing just one small section of the largest gay-themed library in New York State and one of the largest in the country.

To learn more, Gerry Szymanski, Library Director, showed me around the main shelves and the archives. His erudition and bibliophiliac passion shining, Gerry explained how he and many committed volunteers are building a unique and invaluable Rochester literary resource. As Gerry says: “There’s always been a ‘library’ as part of the Gay Alliance. Even back in the 1970s, when it was the Gay Liberation Front at the U of R, there was a book collection. Since then, we’ve moved along with the agency and have found our true niche here in the new space at the LGBTQ Center on College Ave. Our collection has grown to almost 10,000 items, including books (fiction, non-fiction, kids, young adult), DVDs and videos, sound recordings, periodicals, out–oftown newspapers and an almost complete run of the New York State’s oldest gay newspaper, our own Empty Closet. We also have a large collection of rare books (mostly before 1970), pulp fiction and rare, pre-Stonewall homophile magazines.

“The Library is working very closely with Evelyn Bailey, director of Shoulders to Stand On, and her project of collect-

(l-r) Jeff Fowler, Bruce Woolley, Gerry Szymanski, Amanda Kiesl; not pictured: Evelyn Bailey, Nicole Pease, Bob Pease and Tara Winner-Swete. (See page 30.)

ing primary source archival material from the Rochester area. Many of these items are now going into archival repositories at the University of Rochester, Cornell University and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. “Each week we have as many as seven volunteers who come in to process, catalog and arrange library materials. Our donations come from community members, and we accept books, video recordings and periodicals on an ongoing basis.

Our users are everyday folks looking for a good novel to read, or college professors researching LGBT topics.

“What’s even better about moving to the new center is not just our greatly expanded space for collections, but the fact we’re open to the public for browsing and borrowing every weekday during business hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), as well as Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.”

In many ways, the library is the showcase or centerpiece for the thriving LGBTQ Center. On the Wednesday evening I was there, the LGBTQ Center was a hub of activity, including meetings and workshops.

As for my father’s “historic donation” (Empty Closet), after Gerry’s tour I mentioned the library to my parents. Eugene reminded us that about 25 years ago, while he and wife Carol were in Prague, he had purchased the two volume Sittengeschichte Des Weltkrieges for — as Eugene recalls — 100 dollars. Hirshfeld is considered one of the fathers of the gay rights movement who may have been the first to use the term transgender, and the The Sexual History of the World War is perhaps his most important work.

Ever desirous to advance Eugene’s (ambitious) plans to “thin down” his collection, Carol suggested the donation. As Eugene did not read a word of Deutsche, she had been a tad skeptical of the purchase itself. Eugene claimed he would look at Hirshfeld’s fascinating illustrations alongside a translated version. He never did.

At the donation “ceremony,” several library staff members greeted us with warm hospitality. Eugene was thrilled to recount how he found the volumes in a Czech bookstore.

As Gerry showed us around, he and Eugene reminisced about the old Houghton Bookstore in Village Gate where

Eugene volunteered. Gerry had himself graduated from Houghton and had briefly considered managing its bookstore.

We also talked some gay Rochester history as we had read the D & C article “Searching for LGBTQ Landmarks.” In the article, Scott Fearing discussed the progress in social tolerance he has seen in his own lifetime.

Elaborating on Scott’s comments, Gerry explained that “gayborhoods” (gay neighborhoods) — like the flourishing gay scene on Upper Monroe in past decades — no longer really exist in Rochester. With increasing tolerance, many gay people have migrated to the suburbs.

Gerry noted only three gay bars and a dance club are left in Rochester. But, at the same time, during the summer, there have been record crowds at the Pride festival and picnic and even private local campgrounds have seen a large increase in visitors. The community may have shifted, but it is still strong and vibrant.

Visit the library and be impressed yourself. And check out Sittengeschichte Des Weltkrieges on the Rare Book shelves.

Especially if you can read German.

How implicit bias affects the health of Black gay men

By Terrance Moore When I was diagnosed with HIV, it took me years to find a good doctor. Every morning was a struggle to maintain some sense of normalcy, since my medications made me sick. Within weeks of starting my new job, I threw up on the floor of my cubicle. When I explained my medication side effects to my doctor, I received an unconcerned brush-off, a reminder that this is what it meant to be living with HIV. It wasn’t until I was working at the National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Directors that I realized having HIV didn’t mean I actually had to be sick — that the virus was controllable and that there is a whole world of better medications and care for me out there.

It’s hard to say what the problem is, and as a gay black man, I realize there are a lot of factors that could have made finding a good doctor so hard. Research shows that doctors and medical providers often treat black patients differently. For

instance, the Perception Institute found that doctors don’t treat pain in black patients as aggressively; they allow higher levels of pain before they begin treatment.

I also know many medical professionals aren’t completely comfortable with my sexuality. That discomfort breeds distrust — and many LGBTQ friends of mine now seek out explicitly inclusive care so they can discuss their sexual health needs more frankly and without judgment.

And finally, I know a lot of doctors just don’t know how to prevent or treat HIV. In fact, a recent study shockingly showed that just one in three doctors even know about pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, the daily administration of a drug to prevent HIV-negative people from acquiring the virus from their sexual partners. We are talking about a lifesaving measure, and two-thirds of doctors don’t know it exists.

Even with all these factors, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates on HIV rates in my community should shock you. The CDC estimates that one in two gay black men will acquire HIV in our lifetime. These rates continue to increase even as the general public believes HIV is over.

To be clear, the problem here isn’t high-risk behavior. Black gay men aren’t engaging in any riskier behavior than our white counterparts. Our rates of drug use and number of sex partners are both on par with those of our peers. But one place where there is a huge disparity is access to quality health care. The fact is that among black gay men with HIV, viral loads are higher because so many people aren’t getting the care they need.

We hear a lot about bias in policing these days, and the truth is implicit bias isn’t specific to the police. It’s something we all have because we all grew up around the similar stereotypes in culture, in movies, and from our communities.

On the whole, medical professionals don’t want to treat patients poorly — but until now, there haven’t been tools to help them be better. That’s where NASTAD and our new project, His Health, come in.

This month, we are rolling out a firstof-its-kind educational platform to help medical professionals unlearn implicit bias and provide better and more culturally competent care to LGBTQ patients — with the goal of elevating the standard of care for black gay men.

We have accredited online courses available in PrEP, trans health care, linking patients to care, and comprehensive health care. All courses include video trainings and walk-through scenarios with real-life black gay men as patients and doctors helping lead the way to better care.

To inspire better care, we also spotlight some of the best programs in the nation at HisHealth.org with short video documentaries.

We are in the midst of a crisis in health care right now — but there is a path forward. As we continue our sustained fight against HIV, let’s start to make better access to high-quality, culturally competent health care for black gay men one of our highest priorities.

TERRANCE MOORE is deputy executive director for the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors. He manages member technical assistance activities and policy development, and oversees the organization’s domestic programs portfolio, including health care access, HIV prevention, hepatitis. and health equity. Reprinted with permission. ■

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016

Health On circumcision: The second of two interviews with intactivist Tim Sally

By Susan Jordan The Empty Closet asks, “Female circumcision seems meant to prevent women from feeling sexual pleasure. It was recently declared illegal in Nigeria, I believe. Is this custom linked to male circumcision or is it done for completely different reasons?”

Tim Sally responds: Some readers will understand that what makes it into the media is filtered and meant to support rather than challenge the dominant paradigm. Generally, Western journalists don’t debate the accuracy of standardized portrayals of African parents as heartless mutilators, misogynists or child abusers who single out girls to deprive them of sexual pleasure. Truthfully, all cultures that cut girls also cut boys. Perverse as it seems, gender equality exists in African nations with gender-inclusive circumcising traditions. Women of the community demand and perform female cutting, while men demand and perform cutting of boys.

Parents believe they’re acting in their child’s best interests, promoting circumcision for health, hygiene, social acceptance, sexual attractiveness, decreased lust or to satisfy a divine entity. They deny any harm. Some revealing video interviews demonstrate how both genders perpetuate circumcision onto the next generation, believing that one’s own loving parents did the same for them and not to them.

[28] Regarding sexual pleasure, responses to male and female genital cutting (MGC/FGC) are highly individualistic. When primary erogenous zones are destroyed, like the visible clitoral head or nerve-laden male foreskin, remaining genital structures or other body parts become the focus of erogenous stimulation leaving most individuals unaware of harm.[29] Many circumcised women, Fuambai Ahmadu for example, strongly object to the term “mutilation” and that it’s intended to prevent sexual pleasure or that it even has that effect.[30] They view FGC as a harmless removal of unnecessary skin that’s aesthetically pleasing and culturally important.[31-33] Sound familiar? Conversely, my Somali friend and filmmaker, Soraya Mire,[34] absolutely considers herself to have been mutilated by infibulation, the most severe type of FGC. Most forms of FGC are “milder” (Type IV prepucial nicking and Type1a prepuce removal[35]) and are actually less destructive than most MGC. Statistically, boys are at greater risk of genital cutting than girls.[36] Of course, this doesn’t make either “OK”, and this isn’t about competitive suffering. Recognizing the intrinsic damage of all customary childhood circumcisions and the common violation of the human right to bodily integrity is why even circumcised women have spoken out against male circumcision.[37-38] MGC and FGC differ politically, however, in that FGC is largely non-medicalized in Africa, currently the world’s least dominant culture. Non-medicalized MGC is also common in Africa, but it’s also a medicalized custom in the United States, currently the world’s most dominant culture through its far-reaching media. Often we easily vilify and condemn what is common in Africa and sanctify what is popular in America.

There’s also considerable gender discrimination in circumcision research and institutional policies. In neither case is the research open-ended: in females the search is for damage, in males it’s for benefit.

Policies of Western governments, the

Tim Sally

United Nations and World Health Organization - permitting male cutting and forbidding female cutting - create an unequal and discriminatory situation.

Some African immigrants to the U.S. note this when they’re allowed (even encouraged) to circumcise their sons but not their daughters. Some argue that, by forbidding female cutting, women are denied access to a tradition their ancestors have valued for millennia.[30] If, however, tradition is not a valid excuse to violate children’s bodily integrity, it must be uniformly prohibited regardless of gender.

Current political double standards promoted by rich and influential elites in the U.S. exemplify Western cultural imperialism and hypocrisy.[39-41] EC: “How are organizations trying to end the practice?”

Current U.S. federal law protects only girls from genital cutting, leaving boys and intersex children defenseless. Attorneys for the Rights of the Child promotes legal protection of the bodily integrity of all children.

Doctors Opposing Circumcision educates medical professionals about issues absent from most medical training. It educates parents about foreskin benefits and care, and warns them against medical professionals who attempt forcible foreskin retraction in boys. Genital Autonomy America uses social media to raise awareness about the rights of all children to bodily integrity and choice.

These groups deserve support from those who care about children’s rights, gender equality and choice by the individual who must live with the consequences. More Muslims[42] and American and Israeli Jews[43-48] are questioning or abandoning circumcision.

The LGBT community, especially, understands and supports this message of choice. We know that religion, medicine, and society have historically attempted to shame, stigmatize and control people’s sexuality. We believe that if FGC violates a girl’s rights, so too does removal of healthy genital tissue from boys without their consent.[49] It’s increasingly common in Pride parades nationwide to see intactivist contingents bearing messages of “Foreskin Pride” and “His Body. His Choice. His Rights”.’[50-53] Resources ands footnotes can be found at http://www.CircumcisionHarnm.org/ EC2016

NIH recognizes LGBT people as health disparity population Washington, D.C. — Kellan Baker, Senior Fellow with the LGBT Research and Communications Project at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement after the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, announced that it is formally designating the LGBT population as a health disparity population for purposes of NIH-supported research: “As LGBT people become more visible in America, assaults on their dignity,

health, and well-being are on the rise.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, LGBT people face serious disparities in health indicators such as HIV infection, experience of abuse and violence, and mental health concerns. These disparities are then exacerbated by discrimination at the hands of health care providers. Discrimination and disparities are especially harmful to LGBT communities of color and others who live at the intersections of multiple marginalized communities.

“Today’s (Oct. 6) announcement from the NIH gives LGBT health disparities research a permanent home at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, or NIMHD, which supports groundbreaking research to crack the code of health disparities and improve the health of America’s most vulnerable communities. Research on topics such as transgender health, mental and behavioral health, cancer, HIV, and how to collect more and better data on sexual orientation and gender identity is critical to understanding and ending LGBT health disparities.”

Related resources: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data Collection in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System by Kellan Baker and Margaret Hughes The Medicaid Program and LGBT Communities: Overview and Policy Recommendations by Kellan Baker, Ashe McGovern, Sharita Gruberg, and Andrew Cray The Case for Designating LGBT People as a Medically Underserved Population and as a Health Professional Shortage Area Population Group by the Center for American Progress, The Fenway Institute, GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality, and the Human Rights Campaign

Therapist Myra Hendley on LGBTQ eating disorders and recovery

By Susan Jordan The Empty Closet asks, “How prevalent are eating disorders among lesbian, gay, bi and trans people?”

Eating disorders are highly prevalent in the LGBT population. If one is able to think of an eating disorder symbolically they will gain insight to the reason why.

Simply put, an anorexic patient may hide their self or who they are and then resort to restricting their food and shrinking away to nothing, oppressed in society.

Likewise, a bulimic patient or a binge eating patient may seek to fill the void of social acceptance and begin their novelty seeking track that leads to a cycle of binging and purging. In fact, gay and bisexual men are 7 times more likely to binge and 12 times more likely to purge than heterosexual men according to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA).

In my short practice I have even seen Avoidant Restricting Food Intake disorders or ARFID produce an anxiety about being gay that is so strong a person is not able to intake calories. The lack of cultural sensitivity to LGBT persons permeates America, despite the recent political and social progress.

EC: “What do you feel are the main causes of these disorders? Do they affect women more than men and if so, why?”

When considering the cause of eating disorders in the LGBT population three things come to mind. First, many patients who have an eating disorder have experienced trauma and are likely to hide events in their past that lead to the genetically predisposed onset of an eating disorder.

The second is family of origin influence. If a person is a part of a non-sup-

Myra Hendley

portive system they are likely to develop mal-adaptive coping skills to deal with anxiety and depression that can manifest as an eating disorder.

Lastly, weight stigma in society coupled with temperament predisposition often results in an eating disorder.

EC: “How can people be helped? What is most crucial in recovery?”

A good support system and friends are a preventative factor of an LGBT person developing an eating disorder, in the same way that a support network prevents teen suicide due to being socially unaccepted.

In my office I have a sign that reads “Safe Zone,” a cue to any LGBT person that my office is a place they can be themselves. I saw a college professor place that in their office and always vowed I would do the same. The result: a rough estimate of at least 50 percent of my patients at any given time reporting they are struggling with their sexuality.

Given the recent media attention the LGBT population has received, whether it be due to a mass shooting or the passage of gay marriage, culture has also affected the therapy room.

For additional information about ERC, call 877-789-5758, email info@ eatingrecoverycenter.com, or visit www. eatingrecoverycenter.com to speak with a Masters-level clinician.

Myra Hendley is Primary Therapist at Eating Recovery Center, The Carolina

NFL teams up with Cancer Society to fight breast cancer For the eighth year, the National Football League, the American Cancer Society and the NFL Players Association are teaming up to support October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the “A Crucial Catch: Screening Saves Lives” campaign, reminding women about the importance of having a regular mammogram.

People may donate directly to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org/ donate.

Since 2009, nearly $15 million has been raised for the American Cancer Society through the partnership, with the majority of contributions coming from the sale of pink merchandise at retail and the NFL Auction website. One-hundred percent of proceeds from pink product sales at retail and one-hundred percent of the sales price of pink products auctioned on NFL Auction go directly to the American Cancer Society. The NFL does not profit from the sale or auction of pink merchandise. Fans may learn more information about A Crucial Catch at nfl. com/pink. ■

NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

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LGBTQ Living Yoga teacher Tom Somerville

By Susan Jordan Tom Somerville, who is also an artist, teaches yoga to people of all ages, including chair yoga for elders at SAGE, offered Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. at the LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. He is a regular nominee for best yoga teacher in City newspaper’s annual “Best of Rochester” competition.

Tom first became fascinated by yoga around 1999, after he sought relief from TB of the spine. He said, “When my back broke I was in physical therapy at Strong.

I had TB of the spine and it went undiagnosed and gradually my spine was disintegrating. I lost three vertebrae.

“I was living in the physical rehabilitation ward at Strong for six months and doing exercises, and I saw some of the moves and thought, ‘That’s yoga!’ The physical therapist said ‘Yes, there’s a reason it’s been around for 5,000 years.’ So I started taking classes from Jeff Young.

Without him I don’t think I would be able to walk normally today.

“My prognosis was so poor that insurance would pay for only so much – I had to do the rest myself. Little by little I got better and better. I spent a lot of time daydreaming about teaching yoga – I wanted to be Jeff! He really influenced me as a teacher.

“So teaching yoga became a long term goal. By 2000 I was taking classes, and around 2004 I got my teaching certification from a national organization called Yogafit. They’re based in California but

they do trainings around the country and they came to Rochester. Teaching certifications are overseen by the Yoga Alliance.

To be professionally accredited, you need certification by a Yoga Alliance-approved school. To maintain certification you must get re-certified every two years.”

Yoga has many benefits. Tom said, “One of the nice things is you can be in a wheelchair or you can be a Cirque de Soleil performer – there’s a level of yoga for everybody! I did yoga for a woman who was eventually completely paralyzed and was on a respirator. I moved her body into yoga positions and she found amazing pain relief. In fact that was the only time during the day when she had relief from the pain.”

Tom has a following of clients who are housebound or even bedridden, whom he treats at their homes. He said, “I also work with people who are professional athletes or dancers! I have one client who is a professional Irish dancer and goes all over the world to competitions.”

Tom notes, “The biggest benefit is stretching and elongating the muscles.

Most people sit at a desk all day, then drive home in their cars and sit in front of the TV and at the dinner table. That contracts the muscles. So stretching and elongating the muscles is important. Some kinds of exercise – like stair master or weight-lifting – are actually contracting the muscles.

“Another benefit is the deep breathing, which oxygenates the deep muscle tissues and also the brain. It also helps the circulatory system, and there is clinical evidence that it reduces the risk of heart

disease. Plus yoga helps lower blood pressure, and also helps digestion by opening the digestive tract.

“And it has a calming effect. To the best of my knowledge, it releases endorphins, brain chemicals which interact with receptors in the brain, and trigger positive feelings and reduce pain. It’s our bodies’ own morphine! All exercise releases endorphins, but low-impact exercise like yoga releases melatonin (which helps you sleep), serotonin and dopamine.

If you don’t have dopamine your muscles lock up – and it also gives you a happy mood.

“Then there’s gaba – gamma aminobutyric acid – which imparts a calm feeling. It’s specific to yoga. Gaba works in the nervous system and reduces anxiety, which prepares you for meditation.

“If you go back 5,000 years or so, you will find the first written mention of yoga, in the Vedic scriptures – that’s when it was codified. But it goes back thousands of years before that – no one knows how

long. It pre-dates Hinduism, which predates Buddhism. Buddha practiced yoga to meditate and ultimately attain enlightenment.

“The ancient Dakinis (goddesses and their female priestesses) were said to have brought the knowledge to the people. The female energy was considered the route to enlightenment. Then patriarchal stuff kicked in, with the subjection of women.”

Tom has several projects on hand. He said, “Recently I was hired by Nazareth College Department of Physical Therapy to teach yoga for pain management, as part of a study funded by Excellus, trying to get people away from opioids. They have us doing a strict and well-researched and thought-out program of yoga as pain management.

“Also we’re planning to offer a general population yoga class at the Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center – not just for the seniors in SAGE but for all ages.

Hopefully it will be starting soon.”

For more information, call 244-8640. ■

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016

Harry G’s recently expanded area can accommodate parties, luncheons and other gatherings for all occasions. Our bar is now open and we are in a New York state of mind... featuring New York craft beers and wines! Be sure to check out our website or Facebook page!

678 South Avenue Rochester, NY 14620

NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

19

Feedback from our April 2016 SpeakOUT Training

• “Enlightening, incredibly affirming. The trainers were inspiring, personable, kind, open to all, knowledgeable, willing to share themselves.

Thanks for a great 2 days!”

Program Description: A perfect workshop for counselors, teachers, student leaders, Dignity Act Coordinators, and social workers! Become more confident and articulate while talking with others about LGBTQ issues. We will focus on your personal story as a tool for education, responding to questions mindfully and tips for respectful communication. A great experience for someone new to LGBTQ issues, or someone who has lived or worked with the issues for years. No matter your identity (transgender, lesbian, gay, straight, bi, cisgender, etc.) this class will be of value to you. Think of it as professional development for your life!

Following this workshop, participants will have the option of completing additional training to become an LGBTQ Academy Speakers Bureau Educator.

Date and Time: Saturday, November 5, 2016 – 9am to 5pm. Doors open at 8:30am.

Location: The LGBTQ Academy’s Education Center: 100 College Avenue, Rochester. There is free parking in the lot next to our building.

Registration: Registration fee is $100 (which includes a SpeakOUT manual, a SafeZone sticker, SafeZone lapel pin, breakfast and lunch) To register, go to www.gayalliance.org and click on the SpeakOUT Training slide.

Take a trip to May 31–June 10, 2017

A joint program of the Louis S. Wolk JCC of Greater Rochester and the Gay Alliance

COME TO AN INFO MEETING Sunday, November 13, 12:30pm at the Gay Alliance, 100 College Avenue, Rochester Tuesday, November 29, 1pm at the Gay Alliance, 100 College Avenue, Rochester Wednesday, November 30, 7:30pm at the Louis S. Wolk JCC, 1200 Edgewood Avenue, Rochester To register or to learn more please contact: Joy Getnick, jgetnick@jccrochester.org or 585-461-2000 x239 Scott Fearing, TelAvivPride@gayalliance.org or 585-244-8640 Trip open to those of all faiths and identities.

• “The information was beautifully presented.

The training is on-point with our current society’s misconceptions.”

• “Engaging, connecting, valuable… awesome. Thank you for an amazing experience. I wish more people would take trainings like this.”

• “Highly valuable information, excellent instructors and great take away.”

• “Enlightening, positive and fun. The trainers were so patient with us. Everyone was able to share and engage. This was an amazing experience. I feel energized and ready to talk to the world!!”

• “Amazing summer camp! I felt involved and took away more than just education. You have left me very interested in the next step.”

• “Knowledge, articulation, compassion, professionalism. I would absolutely recommend this class to friends and family members!

Thank you so much!”

• “Absolutely nothing could improve this training! You two created such a comfortable space for all of us. I felt I could say anything and wouldn’t be shut down.”

100% of the participants from this class rated both the workshop and our trainers “very good” to “excellent.”

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016

SafeZone Training Description of Program: The LGBTQ Academy SafeZone Training is a 4-hour, dynamic, interactive workshop that includes activities and discussion around LGBTQ inclusive and respectful language, the process of coming out, understanding sexual and gender identity, taking action, respectful communication in the face of resistance, where to go for help and much more. This session will give participants the skills they need to provide support and to create environments that are safe and inclusive so that all people are empowered to reach their full potential.

Date and Time: Wednesday, November 30, 2016, from 9am-1pm (check in at 8:45 am) Location: The LGBTQ Academy’s Education Center (100 College Avenue. Rochester, NY 14607).

There is free parking in the lot next to our building.

Registration: Registration fee is $75 (which includes a SafeZone Manual, SafeZone sticker, SafeZone lapel pin and breakfast) To register, go to www.gayalliance.org and click on the SafeZone Training slide.

Feedback from our SafeZone Training Program (August 2016) “How lucky we are in Western NY to have this organization! I really appreciated all of it. I facilitate for a living – you two are excellent. Kudos!”

“I took home an enormous amount of useful info. I could have stayed longer.”

“The presenters – both amazing. Loved this!”

“It was great!! Tons of information – thank you for sharing personal stories.”

“Depth of knowledge, resources available. I wanted more time! Thank you so much! I learned a lot and hope to spread the awareness.”

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NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

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Shoulders to Stand On

The Long Road To Wellness

By Evelyn Bailey Once Michael Gottlieb in 1981 identified the virus which would be called gay cancer, grid, gay compromise syndrome, HIV and finally AIDS, it took the government, the medical establishment and society a few years to move beyond shock, fear and denial and finally begin to deal with this deadly disease.

The first phase of research focused on identifying what the cause of AIDS was.

To this end research into the groups of people who contracted AIDS was focused as well on how the disease was transmitted. In September, 1982 the CDC defined a case of AIDS as a disease, at least moderately predictive of a defect in cell-mediated immunity, occurring in a person with no known cause for diminished resistance to that disease. Such diseases included KS, PCP, and serious OI. Diagnoses were considered to fit the case definition only if based on sufficiently reliable methods (generally histology or culture). Some patients who were considered AIDS cases on the basis of diseases only moderately predictive of cellular immunodeficiency may not actually be immunodeficient and may not be part of the current epidemic.

By the end of 1982, a number of AIDS-specific organizations had been set up including Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York City founded in 1981, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF) in the USA and The Terry Higgins Trust (later known as the Terrence Higgins Trust) in the UK, to provide safer sex advice to gay men.

In 1982 in Rochester Drs. Roy Steigbigel and Tom Rush held clinics on

AIDS in conjunction with Sue Cowell at the University Health Services at the U of R to provide information and allay fears of the growing epidemic. In November 1982 an ad hoc group of volunteers met to address the needs of local persons with AIDS. This group would later form AIDS Rochester. In 1983 the AIDS Institute was created within the NYSDOH to coordinate the state’s policies and response to the growing AIDS epidemic. In November 1983 the Rochester Area Task Force on AIDS was formed.

These organizations and efforts took place within a relatively short period of time from when the AIDS virus was identified, and provided researchers with valuable information on who, how, and the symptomology of the disease.

In May 1983 doctors at the Pasteur Institute in France reported the discovery of a new retrovirus called Lymphadenopathy-Associated Virus (or LAV) that could be the cause of AIDS. By September, the CDC identified all major routes of transmission and ruled out transmission by casual contact, food, water, air or surfaces.

Then a giant leap forward. In April 1984, the National Cancer Institute announced they had found the cause of AIDS, the retrovirus HTLV-III. In a joint conference with the Pasteur Institute they announced that LAV and HTLV-III are identical and the likely cause of AIDS. In March 1985 the HIV antibody test is licensed and use begins in blood banks.

N.Y.S. established an “alternate testing program” later known as the anonymous HIV Counseling and Testing program.

Official statements discouraged testing of persons at high risk because it offered “no definitive” medical information. Now, with the cause of AIDS being known, the focus would shift to prevention and treatment with the hope that a vaccine would be developed in two years.

On Sept. 17 1985 President Reagan publicly mentioned AIDS for the first time, when he was asked about AIDS funding at a press conference. “I have been supporting it for more than four years now. It’s been one of the top priorities with us, and over the last four years, and including what we have in the budget for ‘86, it will amount to over a half a billion dollars that we have provided for research on AIDS in addition to what I’m sure other medical groups are doing”.

On Oct. 2 1985, the actor Rock Hudson died of AIDS. He was the first major public figure known to have died from an AIDS-related illness.

In January 1986 a Japanese researcher said that a new drug treatment for AIDS tested on 15 patients in the US proved effective in keeping the virus from multiplying but cannot be considered a cure.

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

Research scientists at the CDC discovered the way the AIDS virus zeroes in on its target in the body’s immune system. Dr. Steven J. McDougal said the finding suggestd new ways of stopping or preventing AIDS infection.

In February 1986, AZT Phase II testing begins with 300 patients. Placebo control group was used initially, but dropped quickly when 16 on placebo die as opposed to one on AZT. The FDA challenged Newport Pharmaceuticals Inc’s report that it had some success treating AIDS with Isoprinosine. In March 1986 scientists at NCI identified and produced in pure form the enzyme that is key to ability of AIDS virus to infect human cells. Scientists led by Dr. Flossie Wong-Staal, and a team at Harvard’s Dana Farber Cancer Institute, led

by Dr. William A. Haseltine, found a way to make the AIDS virus harmless by inactivating one of its genes in laboratory in laboratory experiments.

In May 1986 researchers for the first time grew the AIDS virus in animal tissues. Researchers also discovered a seventh gene that makes the AIDS virus the most complex of any of the retroviruses.

In 1986 the Surgeon General’s Report on AIDS was published.

In March 1987 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved AZT as the first antiretroviral drug to be used as a treatment for AIDS. By 1988 frustration was growing over the length of time it had taken to approve AZT and the FDA’s slow progress in improving access to other experimental AIDS drugs.

On Oct. 11, 1988 more than a thousand ACT UP demonstrators descended on the FDA headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, demanding quicker and more efficient drug approval. Eight days later the FDA announced regulations to cut the time it took for drugs to be approved.

In 1989 results from a major drug trial known as ACTG019 were announced.

The trial showed that AZT could slow progression to AIDS in HIV-positive individuals with no symptoms. These findings were thought to be extremely positive; on August 17 a press conference was held, at which the Health Secretary, Louis Sullivan said: “Today we are witnessing a turning point in the battle to change AIDS from a fatal disease to a treatable one.”

The initial optimism was short-lived when the price of the drug was revealed.

A year’s supply for one person would cost around $7,000, and many Americans did not have adequate health insurance to cover the cost. Burroughs Wellcome, the makers of AZT, were accused of price gouging and profiteering. In September, the cost of the drug was cut by 20 percent.

Shoulders To Stand On recognizes

the challenges faced in AIDS research – financially, technologically, governmentally, and socially. We also recognize the accomplishments and achievements of those in research, treatment and direct care. As we move through the intervening years between 1986 and the present, Shoulders To Stand On recognizes the cyclical movement that brings success, and applauds the perseverance, commitment and dedication of those who have experienced the small steps forward and the steps backward.

Next month. The Long Road To Wellness will look at the “cocktail.” ■

History Corner: November 1974 The Empty Closet, a monthly newspaper of The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, 713 Monroe Avenue, Room 4, Rochester, NY 14607, (716) 244-8640 November 1974 Number 44 Gay Brotherhood of Rochester Meeting Schedule SUN 3 NOV: business meeting/open forum SUN. 10 NOV: Coffee house/film: “The Dutchman” by Leroy Jones.

SUN. 17 NOV: One-to-one, part 1.

Relating to each other’s needs.

SUN. 24 NOV: One-to-one”, part 2.

Continuation of last Sunday’s program.

TUE. 26 NOV: Coordinating Council Meeting. All welcome.

SUN. 1 DEC: Business Meeting/ Open Forum Other Events of Interest Every Week…

Wednesdays: Gay Radio Programs “Green Thursday” and “Lesbian Nation” WCMF-FM, 96.5, Weds. midnite.

THURSDAYS: Gay Task Force meets. Info: 235-4961.

SUNDAYS: Gay Youth. 2 pm, GAGV Office. Phone first.

THURSDAYS: Gay Waves. WRUR 88.5 at 5:30 to 6pm THIS MONTH...

MEN’S HEALTH Clinic, AM-PM Club, 92 North St, 8-10pm on 1st Thursday in November for more info: 325-9754 LESBIAN WEEKEND, Dec. 6-8.

Info: 244-9030 LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP, Albany, N.Y. Nov. 23. Info: 244-9030 or 2448640 Do you want to read this issue of the Empty Closet? Here is Link: http://www. library.rochester.edu/rbscp/EmptyCloset On that page click on: Browse the Empty Closet issues, Go to 1974 – November ■

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

22

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 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 MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

By Eric Bellmann The first time I went to Europe I flew Icelandic Airlines, landed in Reykjavik, exited the terminal and saw a bus heading to Cologne, Germany and thought

why not? I was 30.

I’ve traveled a lot. I went to Cuba when it wasn’t quite legal. I have an Iranian visa in my passport which totally freaked out the border agents coming back from Toronto.

Each summer I promise myself I’ll explore the Finger Lakes region, so lovely, and by September I haven’t gone anywhere. I joke I fall asleep driving to Pittsford Plaza.

It didn’t take a lot of introspection to figure out the appeal of travel. Jan Morris, the travel writer, wrote, “Strange people go to strange places so they won’t feel so strange.” Nailed it. I not only felt strange being gay, but also am weirded out by much of my own culture. And in the Muslim world where I ended up spending a lot of time, hospitality to the guest, the stranger, is a given. I was happy.

Then about ten years ago something shifted. I was spending a lot of time in New York City and that was exciting both culturally and socially. Gay life was better there. Times were changing. Despite its unpredictability I could handle Amtrak. I had a good friend with a frequently empty guest room. I did the things in New York that New Yorkers never get around to: City Island, Greenpoint Cemetery, the train across Staten Island. I was happy.

Long time friends in Istanbul begged me to visit. RIT students, I had been to their wedding, now they had two kids, five and seven. I couldn’t do it. I had become phobic about travel. Pisser.

I could not ignore the invitation to go to Turkey. Facing obstacles involves strategy. Not unlike contemplating the first HIV test. Make the appointment. You don’t have to keep it. Get the test. You don’t have to get the results. Take things a step at a time. Build in exit ramps to the process.

I found a travel agent who was understanding. Hate the cramped airplane? Go business class. Fly mid week when airports

are not crowded. Afraid of losing your luggage? Travel only with carry-on. Find a hotel that has smoking rooms. Not easy but doable. Go for a short time, maybe only a week. Click your heels three times and you’ll be back home, safe in your bed, happy to be bored with your TV. So I went and it was OK. Mostly OK because half the charm of Istanbul had been eradicated by the present crappy regime. But the friends were great, so was the food and I took some pleasure in knowing I had faced down my fear.

That was short lived.

Twice a year a friend who moved to France with her husband when they retired would come to Rochester to visit her kids and grandchildren. She is a best friend and we have lunch and she always asks me to come. They live in Provence in a small village. It’s lovely. I did go there twice 25 years ago. That meant seeing Paris. Paris is wonderful. But I would say to her, “Well, I smoke.” And she would reply, “You can smoke outdoors.” I stalled and stalled and then this spring I said yes.

I followed my own strategy of making separate steps. The phobia remained.

I was anxious. Well, everybody acknowledges feelings of anxiety, what’s the big deal? Tara Brach the Buddhist teacher and psychotherapist writes about going to a meditation retreat and coming down with a wicked cold. Not only is she sick, but she felt bad about being sick, that’s called shame. Not one problem but two layered together. She should just concentrate on getting over the cold. Ah, a lesson for me!

I am anxious about travel but also ashamed of being anxious. So, break it down. What is the anxiety about? Fear of a crash. Nope. Fear of being ignorant, not trusting the culture that lies ahead? Nope.

Here’s the news flash; everything is about childhood. I feel incompetent!

And that comes as a surprise to people since I am aggressive and a big mouth and have done a lot of interesting things.

I grew up (relax, I’m not going deep into this) in a single parent household. No one taught me how to shave, how to drive, about sex (go to the library my mother said), how to handle tools (a guy thing), the list is endless.

My childhood, well into my late teens, was spent either hiding out at the movies where I learned a lot about being like Joan Crawford -- and trust me, that hasn’t helped a lot in the long run -- or reading Vogue magazines I got from that library along with the sex book which in fact did

not cover the issues that concerned me. It was a long, long time ago.

But now, thanks to Tara Brach I have a clue how to manage my visit to France.

I have remnants of high school French, only present tense, but that’s all I really need. And so I went business class, middle of the week and only for a week and then two days before departure I stared at my itinerary and wondered how the fuck was I going to confirm my return flight from isolated Provence? I totally lost it. It was the weekend, the travel agent wasn’t available.

I called American Airlines and listened to the god awful automatic prompts and just kept repeating, “real person, real person” and eventually my call was transferred to, you guessed it, a real person. By the way I learned this trick from dealing with Time Warner.

Is it terrible if I tell you that my printed itinerary indicated that the return flights were confirmed? Hey, we’re talking anxiety here: it’s irrational.

And this is where I get really, really cute. Adorable. Talking with the airline agent I play the age card. “I am 87 years old and I blah blah blah. Just tell me I am confirmed.” She did. Then I said, “Tell me twice and I’ll believe you.” She giggled and did.

I understood I had a problem. I took action. I, gasp, was competent. Still can’t handle a chain saw but I got to France and asked a whole lot of people, is this the right train track, is this the right place to wait, is this the way to the hotel and you know, people like to help and they did.

And France was wonderful. And now I want to go to Morocco.

I am back in the saddle again!

Email: EricLBellmann@gmail.com

Cleaning My Closet COLORFUL LIFE

By Meredith Elizabeth Reiniger At times I forget that I am old. Like when I am seated or asleep.

Certainly and regularly there are numerous clues that I am old. Like when my shoulders scream; when my challenged kneecaps make walking problematic; when my digits jerk, zigzagging my paintbrush away from attempted-straight lines. Oldness really bugs me.

A wasp flew into my grocery bag.

Visions of six-hundred dollar EpiPens danced through my head.

I was pushing my silver cart across black asphalt. Out of the blue, a yellowand-black killer circled my purple, reusable bag. Quickly, Stinger-menace made a deep-dive to my red produce.

Statistically, what are the chances that one yellow jacket, in the town of Webster, outside award-winning-Wegmans, would BE there, invading MY bag? Statistically 100% I put up my hands, stepped away from the cart. Way back. Moaning ‘Oh no. OH no. OH NO.’ Enter Random Acts of Kindness: “Do you need help?” asked the kind man. He and his adult children willingly rescued a Frightened Allergic-To-Wasps Elder.

Young-Man #1, fruit by fruit, unloaded my now dangerous grocery bag. Grabbed the predator. (GRABBED!!) Squeezed.

Dropped the corpse.

Ever wary, I worried, from afar: Is it dead? Are you sure? They transmit messages to their friends who will gang-up on me. Instantly, Also-Young #2 raised his foot. Smooshed . . . “I’m sure.”

Then those Good Citizens loaded my car, still smiling as they thoughtfully deposited the empty-crime-scene into its Designated Leave-It-Here-Please Collection Corral.

That rescue reminded me how very glad I am that I moved to this ‘old-fashioned-friendly’ town. It is a gift for Old Me to live where people reach out to others. And so far, Webster, where life is

worth living, has no Menacing Clowns sidling through darkened woods, lurking in shadows.

However, recently, I have been accosted in my own living room by a disagreeable Menacing Clown slithering across a debate stage, tweeting in the dark. Not on my street. I invoke my freedom to unplug my television.

But reality proved to be equally troubling. Not-in-my-town there is evidence that living-happily-ever-after is not a truth. When CC and I took a Sunday Ride through blazing Crayola colors of Upstate New York, we saw the blackness of Fall’s decaying leaves and Reality’s decaying, grayed buildings. Zombie Houses. (So many foreclosures that this plague earned a name.) We passed heartwrenching emptiness. Vacant porches.

Boarded windows. Zombies are haunted by ghosts of the American Dream.

My Stars! Nightmares. Our country is fluxed-up. Despair clouds the autumn sky. An outbreak of despair, designed by money-hungry executives and their power-hungry stock holders, darkens our view.

What, WHAT is happening to Love Thy Neighbor? Love thy multihued neighbors.

My mind swirls memories to the surface. Back to the times when I believed in the simplicity of Good and Bad. Age nine/1953, I watched devoted, good-Indian Tonto support his kemosabe, The Lone Ranger. In thirty minutes (minus time for soap commercials) that handsome white man, with a strict moral code, used the power-within-himself to make a better world. [Heavy sigh.] “Who was that masked man?”

I loved watching TV shows with their color-coded, good-deed lessons. I remember . . . Wells Fargo owned six-horse [power] stagecoaches, bumping down dusty trails, loaded with gold and bonneted ladies jouncing about. Out in the open, traveling across endless miles of undeveloped lands, security was a cowboy in his white hat, riding shotgun, ready to kill dead any masked-with-a-scarf-pulledover-their-noses Bank Robbers in black hats.

Oh yes, Millennials. Those were the days, a long time ago, before we had Robber Banks, owned and operated by golddiggers.

Speaking of that, Trump Tower’s gold toilets come to mind. Okay, picture this.

An immigrant wife, Yugoslavian-born Melanija Knavs, married a maybe-notbillionaire, thus plunging herself into the 1% layer of USA citizenry. Accordingly, she was able to purchase a hot-pink, silk crepe de chine blouse, with legendary bow, which sells for $1,100. (Question: If white symbolizes good and black symbolizes bad, what does hot-pink symbolize?)

If such a fancy-dandy blouse flaunts a Puffy Bow, it might bring to mind the ‘rather softening’ effect preferred by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (1980).

Such p_ _ _ _y Bows might even indicate a subtle reference to the voluptuous Gibson Girls, those worshipped, large-breasted, wide-hipped, tetheredwasp-waist sex-objects (1947).

Another possibility: worn in the 21st century, such a hot-pink ‘bow’ might rouse memories of that bow’s origin. That fashionable neckwear was named for its similarity to the pr_tty, p_ffy, p_ _ _ y bows tied around the necks of actual, adorable kittens (1934).

Which means that Mrs-the-third Trump actually wore, to the second presidential debate, an ironic, comical symbol (2016). Melania Trump proudly sported a hot-pink Pussy Bow. Okay, I admit that I, in fact, did, in my youth, wear all manner of bows.

I hasten to add that I never wrapped a pussy, bowed or otherwise, around my neck. Furthermore, I, in fact, did, in my youth, love pink; it was a gender-stereotype thing. Now I favor black. It’s an agecelebration thing. Black supplies a striking background for my natural hair color . . . not gray, not white. Oh yes, silver.

Recently, I with my locks of silver, went forth. It was a brisk, fifty-two degree morning, dew-point 53. I was tucked

NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET inside sensible, cozy, black things: velour slacks, heavy socks, long-sleeved shirt, bulky sweater, wind-breaker zipped and hooded. Of course, being an Out and about lesbian, I needed my wool scarf and leather gloves to provide a pop of purple.

Vegas was a pop of red.

We, my seventy-two-year-old Sauntering Self and loveable, also-old canine, were in Mosey and Meander mode. When out near the pond there arose such loud patter, I sprang from the trail to see what was the matter. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a jogging young girl, and her pink running gear.

The hot-pink blur of her shockinglytiny shorts and a shockingly un-sleeved top zoomed right by. Jaw dropped, I counted her and her blur as another Clue that I am an antique.

Anyway, as I continued my walk, I watched a daydream unfold. I spotted, in the distance, a white cowboy hat. Then, into view, The Lone Ranger, on his elegant stallion, was galloping into my life. In his holster, he packed his second-amendment authorized gun. His signature silver bullets glistened in the sunlight.

I, not-quite-a-maiden, in distress, cried, aloud: help! Dear, dear Lone, please rid my world of clowns, unsightly orange hair, colorful language, pesky yellow-jacketed wasps, and other vermin trumpeting their stinging sarcasm.

Sadly, quickly, my thoughts tumbled back into 2016 as Mr. Ranger disappeared into gray shadows. From the dark: “Hi-Yo Silver! Away!”

MeredithReiniger@gmail.com

Faith Matters LOVE AND VIOLENCE IN BLACK LGBTQ COMMUNITIES

By Rev. Irene Monroe *The names are fictional and the couple described is a composite of numerous couples I counseled on interpersonal violence (IPV) The Jills were the envy among us lesbian couples of African descent. Their public display of love for each other and their exchanges of their special terms of endearment was the stuff you read in romance novels. They were inseparable and we distinguished them by calling them Jill and Jillie.

When I received the call that one was being seen in the ER and other one was being detained by the police for battering I knew it had to be a mistake. But looking back there were visible signs of inter-personal violence (IPV) that we sistah-friends came to understand and wished we could have intervened on their behalf. But we were so enamored, envious and awestruck by their oversized demonstrative displays of love and seemingly respect for each other we didn’t see their troubled marriage.

October is Domestic Awareness Month, and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities of color, not enough attention, education, intervention and advocacy is given to this issue.

The 2014 Advocate article “2 Studies That Prove Domestic Violence is an LGBT issue” reports that ”21.5 percent of men and 35.4 percent of women living with a same-sex partner experienced intimate-partner physical violence in their lifetimes…. Transgender respondents had an incidence of 34.6 percent over a lifetime according to a Massachusetts survey.” The Inter-Personal Violence (IPV) study conducted in 2011 LGBTQ stated that LGBTQ communities of color are one of the demographic groups experiencing high incidents of domestic violence.

However, to obtain accurate statistics of how high IPV is in these communities are obfuscated by social stigmas and cultural taboos, not excluding also racism and other forms of oppressions and dis-

criminations.

What also interferes in obtaining accurate statistics on how high IPV is in these communities of color is that samegender interpersonal violence is clouded with myths. And within these communities there are several cultural barriers preventing reporting domestic violence and receiving interventive services.

The Black Church is one of them.

Jill grew up in the church and whenever troubled and heavy burdened she took her woes and concerns there. The network of support through prayer and counseling weren’t available to Jill and her spouse once she came out.

In 2016 many black churches are woefully far behind the country’s acceptance of LGBTQ Americans. These places of worship are still spewing homophobic rhetoric from their bully pulpits.

And unfortunately, some LGBTQ victims of IPV have internalized the church’s message they are an abomination to God and therefore deserved to be abused, flogged and beaten.

“I thought I showed strength by staying in the relationship. I thought if we acted happy we would become happy,” Jill stated.

With too many churches espousing a theology emphasizing the place and value of suffering in one’s life as a test from God like that of the biblical Job, coupled with the marriage vow “for richer or poorer until death do us part,” the act of forgiveness is seductively elevated as both redemptive and virtuous so that too many LGBTQ victims remain in abusive relationships.

The politic of silence is another cultural barrier preventing reporting domestic violence and receiving interventive services.

While the politic of silence is rightfully aimed to diminish a deleterious white gaze on the black community -- past and present -- it isn’t aimed for us to not voice and address problems plaguing our communities like HIV/AIDS, mental illness, suicide and IPV, to name a few.

Rather than addressing these problems they are spun into a damaging discourse of blame, shame, stigma and misinformation. And with many of us having to confront the daily micro aggressions of racism and homophobia in the workplace and out in the world, the last thing many LGBTQ victims want to tackle is IPV at home, a “safe space.”

Jill’s spouse suffered with bipolar disorder and always attributed her spouse’s violence to her mood changes. Looking back we sister-friends only saw the couple during what they depicted as being “jubilantly high on love.”

The dominant view by both health care professions and law enforcement officers that communities of color, especially of African descent, have a predisposition toward violence, gravely interfere with victims taking action and a community raising awareness.

With a cultural distrust of law enforcements officers due to the rash of shootings and killings of unarmed black men and women in streets across America, most in my community -- straight or LGBTQ -- call for them only in extreme dire situations with prayers and hopes of no fatalities. Consequently, victims of IPV, especially LGBTQs, are not taken seriously.

For example, since both the victim and the abuser are of the same gender and are also in a consensual sexual relationship, many law enforcement officers confuse same-gender sexual violence as part and parcel of being homosexual.

Health care disparities in communities of color and LGBTQs are only exacerbated for LGBTQ people of color. Sadly, this creates distrust as well as a lack and under-utilization of resources toward healing, prevention, and moving on.

The Jills have finally separated but not because of police intervention or heath care prevention. We sister-friends stepped in. Not everyone has a support system.

Resources and services have to be made available to LGBTQ communities

of color. And this is the time to reach out to us. Everyone deserves a safe, loving, healthy and violence-free relationship. LGBTQ communities of color have to be educated to embrace the fact that they, too, deserve that.

A Few Bricks Short OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS

By David Hull I have a good friend who has always told me that Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday. I always thought that was weird, I mean, turkey day? Really?

Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t like Thanksgiving. I welcome any holiday that has food in it; turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, pumpkin pie. Or apple pie or pecan pie or chocolate cream pie or blueberry pie or lemon meringue pie – I like pie.

But, what about Christmas? Presents, cookies, cornering handsome straight guys under the mistletoe. “Look, I know you don’t want to do it, but it’s a tradition – you have to kiss me.”

And how about Halloween? The one night of the year that I get to justifiably don a costume and eat a bagful of fun-size Snickers candy bars guilt-free. “I’m telling you it’s a scientific fact – calories don’t count on Halloween. On October 31st the calories are hollow; that’s why they originally called it All-Hallows Eve.” Or what about St. Patrick’s Day? Corned beef and cabbage and copious amounts of green beer. “Hey, mister, you look pretty drunk. C’mon over here and I’ll show you my leprechaun.”

But, no matter how I debate the issue, my friend still insists her favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. She claims she prefers turkey day because there’s not a lot of trimmings and trappings – no gifts to buy, no costumes to wear, definitely no leprechauns to capture – just folks getting together to enjoy a good feast.

I pointed out to her that Thanksgiving has the Macy’s parade and football games and Black Friday (which now starts on Thursday afternoon), but she still contends that the gathering of friends and family is still the main focus for her day.

Now I don’t buy into the idea that that we are emulating the pilgrims and the Native Americans who gathered together on the first Thanksgiving in 1691. That’s nonsense. I mean, if you’ve got a problem with immigrants – talk to a Native American. But I think the modern idea of a national day of thankfulness is good.

I realize I’m not appreciative for all I have every day – I don’t always recognize how lucky I am. I complain that my cell phone has lousy coverage and that the microwave didn’t heat my Hot Pocket enough and that I hate being stuck in traf-

23 fic. There are a lot of people in this world who don’t even have all the basic things that I take for granted – clean water, plenty of food, a warm house, medical care, even internet access. It’s good to have a holiday to remind me to stop and be thankful.

I recently read that researchers have now discovered that being thankful is actually healthy for you. Supposedly science has found that thankfulness can improve a person’s emotional health. People who express thankfulness are reported to experience greater levels of happiness, optimism and enthusiasm and have improved connectedness in relationships with family and friends.

So, it’s all good. The parade, the mashed potatoes with gravy, connecting with annoying Aunt Irene once a year.

Let’s all make sure we take some time to be thankful – and while you’re at it, pass me the pie!

You can contact David at Davidhull59@aol.com

Safer Computing INTERNET OF JUNK

By David Frier Welcome to the wonderful world of the Internet of Things.

You’ve probably seen this term in the news a bit lately. Perhaps you read about it in connection with a massive attack on the website of information security researcher Brian Krebs?

More about Krebs later.

The term Internet of Things (IoT), refers to items -- other than computers, tablets or mobile phones -- that are connected to the Internet and communicate back to their manufacturers or distributors. A prime example of this is, printers and copiers that provide supplies consumption and problem diagnostic data back to the manufacturer. This allows service calls and supply replenishments to arrive with minimal delays in production.

A great benefit, to be sure.

The problem arises when large numbers of consumer devices start using this same capability, but without much in the way of careful design or attention to the possible security compromises. A buyer of a $1,500,000 production printer may safely assume that some attention has been given to this issue by the manufacturer. They also know that $1.5M worth of business gives them quite a bit of leverage to press the manufacturer to fix it if something is wrong. But a buyer of a $20 “smart” light bulb has neither of these safety factors. For $20, you get what you get.

As more low-cost consumer devices all start turning up with internet capability, we start to see some very odd ideas expressed in this technology. Late last year, we learned about a vulnerability in Samsung refrigerators that exposed cus-

24 (Columnists continued from page 23) tomer’s GMail logins (including passwords) to cybercriminals. Many people had questions about this. “How could that happen?” “Have they fixed the problem?” My question was, “WHAT in the HELL were REFRIGERATORS doing with their owners’ GMail logins?” So now we have the first principle of IoT security 1st Principle of IoT security: Don’t give your devices information they don’t need. Think about what could be the impact, when information you give to something like a refrigerator is leaked to cybercriminals. If a device works and does what you want without some information it’s still asking for, drop the matter. Its feelings won’t be hurt; it has no feelings.

As I have said a number of times in this space, the essence of security is not absolute, but relative safety. Make tradeoffs intelligently between risks and benefits. When I get a new device, one of first things I do is assess what I will gain by connecting it to my network and to the internet, vs. what might be at risk if the device’s security is not up to snuff. Most of the time, my answer is, “don’t connect it at all” or “connect it but keep it off the internet.” If your router has a parental controls feature, where you can restrict your kid from getting online, you can also use that to restrict your fridge from getting online. That device’s main reason for being connected is to feed data back to its manufacturer that can potentially be used for marketing purposes. Consider that when assessing the risk side of this question.

2nd Principle of IoT security: Don’t allow devices to connect directly to the Internet or the rest of your home network unless necessary. Figure out what you’re really giving up if you don’t connect the device. And if the answer is, “not much”?

Don’t plug in the wired connection, don’t give it the WiFi password, just say no Brian Krebs, whom I mentioned at the start, is an information security researcher, with a blog that is very popular in our field. He does a lot of independent investigation of cybercriminals, and as a result he often draws their ire. He has had heroin shipped to his door, and they have spoofed phone calls to police that result in the SWAT team being dispatched for the non-existent “hostage situation.”

On Sept. 20, Krebs’ blog website was attacked by the largest denial-of-service that had ever been seen to that point: a botnet directed over 660 gigabits/second of bogus traffic at his server. For comparison, the fastest connection available from Time-Warner in Rochester is 50 megabits/second, so this was larger by a factor of 13,200. All of that focused on a single web site will disable just because of the volume.

Upon investigation, the source traffic was found to have been infuriatingly simple. The attackers had just scoured the internet for connected IoT devices and checked them to see if they still used the manufacturer’s default username and password to allow remote access. They were able to find millions that did, mostly CCTV cameras and cheap routers.

Those were harnessed by the criminals to start sending Krebs a synchronized tidal wave of garbage network traffic. It’s tempting to say they were “hacked” but they weren’t, really. Their owners had offered them to the public with the documented default logins, effectively free to use for all comers.

3rd Principle of IoT security: Change the default username and password. If the install process forced users of all new devices to choose any non-default username and password, that alone might have been sufficient to stop the attack on Krebs.

So to recap: our three principle of IoT Security are: Don’t give your devices information they don’t need.

Don’t allow devices to connect directly to the Internet or the rest of your home network unless necessary.

Change the default username and password.

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016 Yes, there are problems in IoT security, and we’re going to need the manufacturers to address poor designs and worse implementations. But by applying these three principles, we can reduce the impact on our own lives, so that we have a net benefit from these modern things.

What’s Bothering Brandon?

MY NECK, MY BACK, MY ANXIETY ATTACK

By Brandon W. Brooks The change of weather from warm to cold always distresses me. The sucker-punch to my psyche always comes with the changing of the clocks – losing yet another hour of sunlight. For some, they happily see this as an hour gained, they have “fallen back” on their sleep cycle and are happy for it. For me, it’s a curse – I’d really much rather lose an hour from my night in exchange for an added hour of daylight.

If the seasonal change wasn’t enough for my nerves, here comes an historically significant presidential election that seems to have everything riding on it.

On the one hand we have a candidate that represents everything wrong with our culture – racism, sexism and misogyny, homophobia, xenophobia, reactionary fear mongering. While on the other hand we have a candidate that promises to uphold all the social progress we’ve made, but also seems to display everything that’s wrong with our government – corruption, increased taxation, dodgy business and government dealings, a whimsical “freefor-everyone” mindset. Mae West once stated that “between two evils, I generally pick the one I haven’t tried.” Well I’ll try none of it this time.

All this potential for disaster has me thinking – thinking deep into the night when I should be sleeping, causing sweat to break across my brow, and my heart to race. What is happening to me? I can usually sleep like the dead as soon as I close my eyes. Give me a pillow and a cold dark room and I’m out. But not lately, and I’m most seriously bothered.

I’ve never had to deal with anxiety before this past year or so, and I long for the days when everything seemed to bounce off of my emotional armor without a single thought. I used to be untouchable, unspookable. This year has been quite different, and I have bad toupées and pant-suits to blame for it.

I wondered for a while why my neck ached each morning despite practicing good sleep hygiene and having more than adequate support in my bed-clothes. My back would ache throughout the day, and I noticed I was more irritable than usual. I “couldn’t even” for most of my workdays, and I knew something was wrong.

Then it happened – I had a series if harrowingly sleepless nights, nights where the longer it took to fall asleep the more anxiety-ridden I became. What if I can’t fall asleep tonight? What if I have to call into work because I’m so tired, and then I’m fired? What if I have to sleepin, which causes me to not be able to fall asleep the next night due to the disruption of my sleep cycle? What if staying awake causes me to go sliding into some psychotic state of mind and I end up in a facility where I’m forced to wear mint green every day? If voting really made a difference, would it not be made illegal?

This is how frantic my mind has been spinning this summer and fall season.

The night sweats, the racing mind, the quick heartbeat and inability to fall asleep despite physical exhaustion – these were all the physiological symptoms of anxiety. But how could this be? I am not an anxious person, indeed, I am a MAN and men don’t have anxiety. How feeble.

What I quickly realized though, thank God, is that the only feeble thing about

this situation was my refusal to validate and acknowledge that what was happening was in fact, anxiety, and that I had to do something about it. With something so disagreeable and unnerving, how dare I deny myself some semblance of relief simply due to my outdated belief that by virtue of being male, I had no right to experience any form of anxiety.

I still feel the Sunday Evening Blues, I have my whole life, but now I can recognize it instead of ignoring this feeling. I can control my feeling of nocturnal dread, sometimes quelling it altogether. After all, come Monday morning this anxiety fades away – it’s really only Sundays I now loathe.

As far as this election is concerned, it will turn out as it will – I will vote of course, and exercise my right to pretend that I can sway the tide. Hopefully by this time next month (I write this mid-October), we will have an elected president that is not Trump, and he will have to face that fact of what he ultimately is – a loser.

But me? I’m a winner.

Questions, comment, or critique?

Feel free to e-mail the author at: brandonbrooks@mail.adelphi.edu ■

INTRODUCING A NEW COLUMNIST

Health and Wellness IMPACT OF CARE MANAGEMENT

By Rui Ventura, Manager with HCR Care Management LLC “Juanita” had a troubled past and was living in a hard reality. To feel something and cover her emotional pain, she regu-

larly cut herself. As a young adult, living with an abusive parent, she eventually cut herself so deep she was near death. Mom didn’t want her home anymore.

HCR Care Management was able to reach “Juanita” through the New York State Department of Health, Health Home Program. Her assigned Care Manager coordinated crisis intervention with local mental health groups and set up ongoing support services. Juanita is now stable and hasn’t cut herself in a while.

With the help of her Care Manager, she now has housing where she can live in safe space and get the support she needs.

Just released from prison, “John” went straight to a medical facility because he knew he needed help with both his mental and physical health. He was discharged several days later with no place to go. He finally found a place for the night at one of Rochester’s homeless shelters. The next day “John” was found walking in the middle of a street, picked up, and put back into a facility with a high likelihood of being discharged again with no support.

HCR Care Management quickly connected with “John”. His Care Manager linked multiple providers and helped “John” stay in place until he was ready to take the next step of his journey as a free man.

Health Home Care Management is a whole person approach to help support people who may not have the access or knowledge to navigate a complex medical and government system. HCR Care Managers can help others like “John” or “Juanita” who are on Medicaid and need support. This free service is available to Medicaid recipients with chronic medical and/or mental health issues. Anyone can call HCR Care Management at 1-800270-4904 for more information and get connected with a Care Manager.

These Care Managers come from a diverse background with an array of expertise, from Mental Health to HIV. They work one-on-one with Health Home clients setting up personal goals and connecting them with providers and/or resources in the community to help them achieve their goals. Support services can range from helping to fill out housing forms, to finding the right rehabilitation facility. HCR Care Management respects the uniqueness of every client, and the client’s right to choose what works best for them. *The above are based on true stories - names have been changed and certain details have been omitted to protect client privacy. ■

PFLAG MEETS

3RD SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH 1-3pm, Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church 707 E. Main Street, Rochester, New York 14605 Phone: 585-993-3297 ~ Email: rochesterpflag@gmail.com

Come worship among Friends…

Rochester Friends Meeting (Quakers) 84 Scio Street (downtown)

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

NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • 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 November, 2016: 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: Prayers to start the Week, followed by a potluck.

The theme for the November potluck is “Farewell to Fall”. Here’s your chance to bring a dish that celebrates the harvest!

There is always plenty to share, so don’t worry if you’ve no time to shop or cook.

After each service during the remainder of the month we’ll be gathering for fellowship around a tasty coffee hour and going out to a local restaurant for dinner. Join us anytime!

SAVE THE DATE: We’ve got a special event coming up, so be sure you’ve got it on your calendar!

Sunday, December 18: The Annual Christmas Hymn Sing is happening for the 10th year! This is one of the best ways to enjoy the holiday season. Sit back, sing along and join us afterwards for a scrumptious reception of punch and cookies.

Don’t miss it!!

Special Note: The Hymn Sing replaces our regular service on the 18th. Since we’re also not having a service on Christmas Day (Sunday, Dec. 25), this is a great way to celebrate the holidays with us!

Remember that you can always call the Hotline at 585-234-5092 or check our website at www.di-rochester.org/ for updates on services and activities.

EMPIRE BEARS Did you have as great a time at ImageOut as we did? Great films, shorts, documentaries. Kudos to all the volunteers who have made it happen for 24 years.

Now it’s time to look forward to the holidays. In November, Empire Bears will be going out for supper every Wednesday at 6:00. 11/2 Texas Road House, 11/9 Flavors of Asia, 11/16 Carrabba’s, 11/23 Winfield Grill, 11/30 Olive Garden in Henrietta. We’ll also be hosting a potluck supper Saturday evening the 12th at the GAGV. Arrive at 6:30. We supply paper, plastic, and pop. We ask everyone to bring a dish to pass. We usually play cards or games after eating.

The Empire Bears is a place for men of all ages and sizes to meet other men in a casual setting. We get together to see movies, shows, sports, play games and cards, go camping, and eat. To find out about what we’re doing, search Facebook for Empire Bears Inc. Join the group.

We’d like to meet you. WOOF!

LORA L.O.R.A. Knitting Group: The L.O.R.A. Knitting Group will meet Nov. 2 and Nov. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Equal Grounds Coffeehouse, 750 South Ave. (corner of South and Caroline). Please bring a current project and all needed supplies; tutoring provided. Any questions please contact Kerry at DressyFemme@aol.com.

L.O.R.A. Monthly Brunch: The L.O.R.A. Monthly Brunch will be held Sunday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon at Pixley’s Restaurant, 2235 Buffalo Rd. in Gates. Any questions please contact Kerry at DressyFemme@aol.com.

OPEN ARMS MCC Please join us on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. for an exciting and vibrant worship experience! We blend contemporary and traditional hymns, inclusive language, for a timely and useful message that engages the living word of God as it speaks to us as citizens of the modern world.

We celebrate an open communion table - that means you don’t have to be a part of our church, or any church at all to participate. When the service ends, you can join us for coffee, fellowship and a snack in the Community Center.

We are Open Arms - We are beyond open, beyond affirming, beyond welcoming - here is where you will find acceptance and the love of Christ in everything we do!

Our Sunday sermons are now available to listen to on our website – just click on the link below to listen to Sunday’s Sermon at: http://www.openarmsmcc. org/newsletter-sermons Here’s what’s happening at Open Arms for the month of November: Saturday, November 5 we will be having the first ever TRANSformative Clothing Exchange from 10 am to 4 p.m.

Sunday School for Teens & Tweens is on November 6 during the service and refreshments are served.

On Wednesday, November 9 our monthly Life and Faith Study group continues, based on the documentary “The Story of God” hosted by Morgan Freeman. The subject for our discussion this month will be “Creation”. We will meet in the Open Arms Community Center from 7 to 9 p.m. This study program will continue throughout the fall and is open to the public. Feel free to come for any one or all sessions.

Thursday Bible Study is from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Our TRANSformative Ministry is in its second year and our next meeting will be Sunday, November 13 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Through this ministry, we support and respect people of all gender identities and gender expressions. We create ties by linking people of diverse gender identities and expressions, and their allies, through stewardship, education, and social justice. Contact us to learn more and check our Facebook page.

We host a number of 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.; 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 the third Saturday of each month from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.; the Cobbs Hill Drum Circle meets the first Monday of each month (until it gets warm again!) from

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. And a new group, the New Beginnings Christian Fellowship is having their church service in the sanctuary on the first and third Sunday of each month, the service is from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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.

We have a supply of non-perishable items in stock for when our neighbors stop in looking for emergency supplies. 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, also dry food items such as cereal, pasta and mixes. Pop-top cans are also appreciated as many homeless persons do not have access to can openers. Pet food is also needed. We also have some clothing available - socks, shoes, sneakers and shirts.

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

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

Our provisional pastoral leader, Brae Adams, has office hours on Thursdays, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and by appointment. (Please call first to make sure she’s available.) Open Arms regular office hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 12 to 4 p.m. and our phone number is (585) 271-8478.

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ROMANS Rochester Male Naturists (ROMANS) is a gay and gay-friendly nude social club formed by a group of gentlemen to promote nudism as a healthy lifestyle in Rochester and its surrounding neighborhood.

During the winter months, ROMANS members meet at least twice a month, at Naturist Rochester’s nude swim and our regular meeting at a member’s home.

Our October meeting took place in Seneca Falls and many members socialized and relaxed in the large hot tub after the meeting.

As friends, ROMANS members also support various clothed cultural activities in Rochester. We are regular attendants of RGMC concerts, Gallery Q exhibits, Live from Lincoln Center cinema broadcasts, etc.

If you are interested in becoming a member, contact us via email at wnyromans@yahoo.com, or by regular mail at PO Box 92293, Rochester, NY 14692 or call us at our message line 585281-4964. Please check out our website at www.wnyromans.com for more information about the club and our activities.

ROCHESTER BUTCH FEMME CONNECTION The Rochester Butch Femme Connection supper club will have one dinner event in November 2016.

On Saturday, Nov. 12 we will meet at Thai Mii Up Restaurant, 1780 East Ridge Road (formerly Pizza Hut) in Irondequoit at 7 p.m.

Any questions please contact Kerry at DressyFemme@aol.com.

ROCHESTER WOMEN’S COMMUNITY CHORUS The Rochester Women’s Community Chorus (RWCC) will present its winter concert on Saturday, December 3, 7:30 p.m. at The Clover Center for Arts & Spirituality, 1101 Clover St., Rochester, NY 14610.

This concert, entitled “Winter Cheer!,” will feature holiday classics, from “The Christmas Song” (chestnuts roasting…), to a gorgeous arrangement of Auld Lang Syne, to a rousing wassailing tune, to a couple of Chanukah songs (including one by humorist Tom Lehrer) and much more.

Concert tickets may be purchased in advance (including online at rwcc.ticketleap.com): $12 adults, $10 seniors and students, $6 children under age 12. Or at the door: $15 adults, $12 seniors and students, $6 children. As always, the performance will be sign language interpreted and wheelchair accessible.

For more chorus information, call (585) 376-SING (585-376-7464), find us on the web at: www.therwcc.org or follow us on facebook at: www.facebook.com/ RochesterWomensCommunityChorus

Inquiring minds want to know...

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016

Join us at the Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center for new learning opportunities. There’s something for everyone and we invite participants experienced and new to come and enjoy these classes and community workshops.

Nov. 2: Homosexuality and the Bible 7-8:30pm Combatting religious discrimination against LGBT+ people through the lens of sacred writing. Exploring the sections of sacred texts that have historically allowed people of faith to discriminate against LGBT+ persons. What do these texts really say, and how can LGBT+ persons respond in a gentle and non-violent way?

Nov. 7: Veterans Day Movie and Discussion 6:30pm In honor of our Veterans and Military Service Members we will be screening the film Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story (1995) Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer (Glenn Close) is a dedicated mother and medical officer who spent most of her life serving in the military. After she falls in love with another woman, Diane (Judy Davis), and reveals during a routine interview that she’s a lesbian, she’s discharged for violating the military’s “immoral conduct” policy. Feeling betrayed, Margarethe fights back, becoming a reluctant but powerful voice against discrimination.

Nov. 7: Carnal Knowledge: Human Sexuality 7pm The 6 week series continues.

Program Description: Sexuality is an integral part of the human experience. This program will explore the breadth of human sexuality giving participants a space to gain new knowledge, dispel myths, and examine their attitudes about select sexuality topics. Together, the instructor and participants will create a safer space to hold these intimate discussions and participate in interactive activities. Week 1: Perspectives on Sexuality; Week 2: Anatomy, Physiology and Reproduction; Week 3: Sexual Attraction; Week 4: Safer Sex, Toys and PrEP; Week 5: Relationships and Communication; Week 6: Sexual Behaviors Nov. 9, 16, Dec 14: Alzheimer’s Association/Life Span Alzheimer’s Dementia Caregiver Group Sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association and Life Span.

This is a group that offers support to care givers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia or Memory Impairment. Topics: The Basics of the disease, communication with the patient, responding to challenging behavior at the holidays. InQueery Community Education Program.

Nov. 11: Veterans Day Movie and Discussion 6:30pm In honor of our Veterans and Military Service Members we will be screening the film “OUT of ANNAPOLIS”.

The largest study ever conducted about LGBT Officers in the United States Navy and an accompanying documentary film.

The “OUT of ANNAPOLIS” project began in summer 2008, an undertaking with every aspect of the project being performed

by USNA Out members. The film aims to educate by providing a factual and representative account of the Naval Academy and military experiences of LGBT alumni, both before and during the era of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Currently being exhibited in selected film festivals in markets throughout the United States. Reception and discussion follow the movie.

Nov. 13: Classic Campy Cinema 2pm, Rebel Without A Cause Starring James Dean

Free movies, free popcorn, building community... what more could you want? This month’s film will be Rebel Without a Cause Starring James Dean.

Nov. 14: Improv in Accounting 6pm The Gay Alliance, South Wedge Planning Committee and South East Area Coalition are proud to present for FREE a two hour seminar by our very own accountant Christopher Hennelly of The Christopher Group on December 14. Seminar will walk you through some of the basics you need to understand for basic accounting 101, mixes humor and accounting and will help you understand Chart of Accounts, Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss, which in turn will help you understand basics for QuickBooks and or other accounting software. Space is limited.

Nov. 15: Creating Greeting Cards for the Holidays 6pm Holiday Greeting Card Class at the LGBTQ Resource Center Who doesn’t appreciate receiving a beautiful greeting card? The LGBTQ Resource Center will host a workshop that will take the gift of a greeting card to another level.

Nov. 17: Safe Space Gathering 7pm A group designed to explore individual perspectives on various topics beginning with Spirituality. This group is specifically about respecting and encouraging our voices on various topics. The structure of this group is similar to Native American Gatherings. This is an 8 week event.

Dec. 1: The Repair Shop AA Meeting 5:30pm An open AA meeting in a safe space for all. This meeting will having an evolving weekly format.

Dec. 7: Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness 6:30pm New York States Citizen Preparedness Team will be at the LGBTQ Center to teach about the type of emergency that may affect our community. They will discuss current emergency plans that are in place and how you will be notified of an event.

Rochester LGBTQ Resource Center

NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

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Arts & Entertainment Gallery Q features UR’s AIDS posters in December

“Jersey Boys” is back; Barry Anderson talks about those Four Seasons feel-good harmonies from the ’60s

By Susan Jordan Barry Anderson plays Bob Crewe in Jersey Boys, coming to the Auditorium Theatre this month. He talked to The Empty Closet about the show and his role.

Empty Closet: What should Rochester audiences know about “Jersey Boys”? The show came through here four years ago; what is new about this production?

I’m really looking forward to bringing the show back to Rochester! We played the Auditorium Center for several weeks in 2012, and I remember the audiences there being wonderful. We are returning with same production but with an almost entirely new cast. Tom Fiscella, who plays Gyp DeCarlo, and I have been with this particular tour since we opened it in 2011, but the remainder of the company will be new to the Rochester audiences.

It’s an amazing chemistry of performers, and I really feel that collectively, we create quite a unique, palpable energy that has a way of transcending past the footlights and into our audiences. The response to the show continues to be huge, and that’s what helps keep it all feeling fresh and exciting. Jersey Boys is the perfect marriage of popular music and well-crafted storytelling. This tour is as sleek, sexy, hilarious, and emotional as ever.

I’m still thrilled to be a part of it.

EC: What is the biggest challenge for you in playing Bob Crewe, and what do you enjoy most and find most rewarding?

Well, I continue to learn about the actual Bob Crewe even after five years of playing the character onstage. Just last month, I had a friend send me an old radio interview Crewe had given. It was over an hour long and very detailed, especially regarding his early days starting out in the music business. Listening to it, I felt like a kid in candy store.

Through the years, it’s been both interesting and helpful doing all the research. Balancing the larger-than-life aspects of the character as it appears in

our script with the elements that made Crewe a brilliant producer in real-life is what I’m always striving for. I think the biggest challenge for any actor in a long-running show is keeping it all fresh, treating each performance as though it’s opening night. The most rewarding part of doing this particular show is the audience response to it, so that alone makes the job much easier.

EC: What makes the music of that era so compelling?

For me, it’s the harmonies.

If you think about the early and mid-60s, pop music was going through this phase of really cool, lush harmonies and overdubs.

The vocal groups of the 1950s, like The Four Freshman and the McGuire Sisters and all the doo-wop groups, were famous for harmony singing. And they seemed to pave the way for groups like the Beach Boys, the Association, and the Four Seasons.

There is a feel-good and catchy quality to the melodies, and lyrically, the songs were relatable. I think that’s what makes so many of these “oldies” golden. There’s a certain comfort to their sound. One of the cool things about doing our show is looking out into the audience and seeing folks literally re-living their youth. I don’t know how many times I’ve had people come up to me after the show and say that they can remember where they were when they first heard “Sherry” on the radio.

Barry’s credits include Broadway: Jersey Boys (Bob Crewe), Legally Blonde (Aaron Schultz). National Tours: Legally Blonde, My Fair Lady. Regional: Where’s Charley?(Charley); Bye Bye Birdie (Albert); Honk! (The Cat). TV/Film: “30 Rock,” “As The World Turns,” FORWARD & GONE. Music graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. For more info and fun details from life on the road, readers can follow him on Twitter @4BarryAnderson or visit his website http://www.barryandersonactor.com/ ■

By Ron Cook AIDS: Don’t Be Afraid. Be Aware.

In recognition of World AIDS Month, on First Friday, Dec. 2, Gallery Q will present “AIDS: Don’t be Afraid. Be Aware,” an exhibit of selected AIDS awareness posters from the University of Rochester’s River Campus Rare Books and Special Collections.

Poster art has been one of the tools in the arsenal to promote AIDS awareness and education. The University’s archive of 8,000 AIDS education posters, in over 100 languages and 60 dialects, is considered one of the largest in the world.

The original collection was donated to the University by Dr. Edward C. Atwater, emeritus professor of medicine at the University of Rochester, in 2007. Dr. Atwater is quoted as saying “My hope is to show the responses from various societies to a deadly disease…” “… the AIDS posters show how social, religious, civic, and public health agencies tailored their message to different groups.”

Through the use of color, creativity, wit, and sass many AIDS awareness posters have become iconic works of art, including those of artist Keith Haring.

The posters on display were selected from the large archive

Photo courtesy National AIDS Programme of Trinidad and Tobago

and faithfully reproduced on canvas for the purposes of traveling exhibition. They have been shown at the Brooklyn Museum of Art as well as other places including being a part of exhibitions in local libraries in conjunction with the documentary Shoulders to Stand On from Executive Producer Evelyn Bailey. Currently the entire poster collection is being digitized by archivists at the University of Rochester and can be accessed online by the public at http://aep.library.rochester.edu

AIDS: Don’t Be Afraid. Be Aware opens First Friday, Dec. 2, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and runs through December. Also on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. the GAGV will screen the documentary We Were Here, a moving film using archival photos and video following five people from the beginning of the AIDS crisis in San Francisco.

The GAGV and Gallery Q are located at 100 College Ave. Hours are M-F 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open until 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday. ■

“Hunter/Gatherer” is November exhibition at Gallery Q On view in the Gay Alliance’s Gallery Q, 100 College Ave., from Nov. 4 - 25, is Hunter/Gatherer: Regional LGBTQ Artists, from the Gerald Mead Collection.

This survey exhibition consists of over 35 artworks in all media by LGBTQ Western New York artists selected from the extensive art collection of Gerald Mead from Buffalo.

Members of the LGBTQ community have a long and distinguished history of contributions to all disciplines of the creative arts. Their collective talents have been an integral part of the cultural life of society. This exhibition, which focuses on the visual arts, highlights and celebrates that legacy as evidenced by the achievements of artists of this region and reinforces the mission of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley – “a champion for LGBTQ life and culture.”

This exhibition coincides with another exhibition featuring a different selection of works from Gerald Mead’s collection titled Hunter/Gather: Rochester Connections - Works from the Gerald Mead Collection which also opens on Nov. 4 in Gallery R. Gerald Mead is an award winning artist, educator, arts

Andrew Hershey, The Good Life, 2006, reductive digital paper print (23 of 30)

writer and independent curator who is a leading authority on Western New York art and serves on the boards of several arts organizations in Buffalo.

Since 1987, he has assembled a collection of over 1,000 artworks by artists associated with this region by birth or residency.

Other artists in the exhibition include Edward Bisone, Lawrence Brose, Craig Centrie, Amy Greenan, Carlos GutierrezSolana, Mickey Harmon, Scott McCarney, Dana McKnight, Frank Moore, Tommy Nguyen, Clara Sipprell, Joe Radoccia, Paul Rybarczyk, Donald Siuta, Dana Tyrrell, Marcus Wise and

Joe Ziolkowski, among others.

Thematic exhibitions from the Gerald Mead Collection have been presented at numerous college galleries and other public venues, most recently at SUNY Fredonia and the Springville Center for the Arts. He has also lent works from his collection for major exhibitions at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Burchfield Penney Art Center, Castellani Art Museum, University at Buffalo Art Galleries, Buffalo Arts Studio, CEPA and Hallwalls and frequently lectures on art and collecting.

Opening Reception: Nov. 4, (First Friday) from 6 to 9 p.m. ■

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016

PHOTO: JILL FRIER

that kind of loss. The book is not only for Jewish readers, but for all who long to be accepted or who have felt lost.

Tickets are available at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester, online at www.rjbf.org and by phone (461-2000). Deen’s book will be available in advance at the JCC Main Desk as well as before and after the event.

Miss Gay Rochester pageant set for Nov. 13 The 43rd Miss Gay Rochester pageant will take place Nov. 13 at the Harro East Ballroom.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7. Aggy Dune will be m.c.

The pageant will honor Miss Gay Rochester, Jahnell Meezan. Liza will celebrate her 30-year anniversary, and Samantha Vega will mark her 10th, while Maya Douglas will celebrate her 35th anniversary.

Performers include Mrs. Kasha Davis, Mercedes Sulay, V’ta St. James and Keke Velasquez Lord, with a special performance by Dee Dee Dubois from Tilt Nightclub.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door; students with ID charged $10 admission. Tickets are available at The Bachelor Forum, Thomas Laurence Salon, Sharp Salon, Tilt, Avenue Pub, and Mercedes Sulay. For table reservations and information, call Liza at 585-285-0119. ■

Goddard College literary journal calls for Issue 5 submissions

Gallery Q to screen AIDS documentary “We Were Here” on Dec. 2 The documentary We Were Here will screen First Friday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m. at the GAGV as a part of World AIDS Awareness Month.

The award winning film follows five people through the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco from its beginning in the early 1980s to the development of effective treatments. Using film, photo, and newspaper archives, survivors tell the stories of struggle, love, death, and politics in a city of “crazy dreamers”.

The New York Times says We Were Here “… above all is a film about love: not romantic love but the kind of love that really matters, in which people selflessly show up and keep on showing up for one another in the worst of times.” Gay men and lesbian women joined together to start food banks and support systems for AIDS victims. At the beginning no one knew what the “gay cancer” was, where it came from, who had it, or how you got it.

The film explains how the gay community united to help, to protest, and demand treatments and a cure. According to the New York Times: “The humility, wisdom and cumulative sorrow expressed lend the film a glow of spirituality and infuse it with grace.”

The free screening of this compelling documentary begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 in concert with the opening of Gallery Q’s exhibit “AIDS: Don’t Be Afraid.

Be Aware.” The Gay Alliance’s LGBTQ Resource Center is located at 100 College Ave. in the Neighborhood Of The Arts, off Goodman St.

Duende, the national literary journal produced by the students in the BFA program at Goddard College, have begun reading submissions for the next issue (Issue 5).

Editors say, “For our next issue, we continue to seek exciting and challenging poetry, prose, hybrid work, and visual art, with a commitment to having a majority of the writers and artists in our journal come from groups that are underrepresented in today’s U.S. literary ecosystem.

“We will remain open for submissions until Nov. 30.

“Please follow the links to the submissions portion of our website to submit your work online. While there, we encourage you to browse our latest issue, Issue 4, featuring the work of many diverse and talented writers.” http://www.duendeliterary.org/

Shulem Deen to speak at JCC Book Festival Shulem Deen, author of the moving memoir, All Who Go Do Not Return, will discuss his crisis of faith and expulsion from Hasidism at the 24th annual JCC Lane Dworkin Jewish Book Festival.

The program will be held at 7 p.m., Nov. 15 at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester, 1200 Edgewood Ave., Rochester 14618. Tickets are $8 for JCC members and $10 for non-members.

A winner of the 2015 National Jewish Book Award, Deen’s book explains his harrowing battle against faith. The creator of Unpious, an online journal for “voices on the Hasidic fringe,” Deen tells how he was expelled by the Skvaerer Hasidic community and describes vividly and viscerally the pain that comes with

Kaitlyn Emily Memorial fundraiser is Nov. 6 at 140 Alex Bar & Grill The Kaitlyn Emily Memorial Fundraiser will be held Nov. 6 at 140 Alex Bar & Grill. The fundraiser will begin at 2 p.m., with proceeds to benefit the Trans Youth Services of Rochester.

Special guests for the event will include Chastity Dee, Destiny Spice and Deelicious.

Minimum suggested donation is $5, and there will be raffle prizes, a 50/50 raffle, along with egg rolls and empanadas for sale.

This fundraiser is presented by Todd Ranous, The Gay Alliance, Trillium Health and 140 Alex Bar and Grill.

Novel reveals life of gay teacher in Bulgaria

By Roy Hamill Former Eastman student Garth Greenwell’s debut novel, What Belongs to You, is creating quite a reaction not only in gay literary circles, but also within the more general fiction arena.

The novel, which depicts the changing affairs of the heart for a gay poet teaching abroad in Bulgaria, has evoked the kind of approval for which most authors of any experience dare not hope. Humbly, Louisville native Greenwell deflects the praise and attention: “It’s every writer’s dream to have a book be seen in the way this book has been, and I feel very grateful. At the same time, anyone who cares about the world of books knows how much luck is involved. The real life of a book is what happens over years and decades.” Chances are this novel will have an impact extending into the future, if the reaction of bibliophiles both seasoned and freshly inspired is any indication.

It has taken more than luck for Greenwell to reach this breakthrough. Expanding the previously released 2011 novella Mitko (the title character of which is the poet/narrator’s erotic fixation) that prelude made its own mark already. The preexisting third of the overall narrative won the Miami University Press Novella Prize and was a finalist for the Edmund White Debut Fiction, as well as Lambda Literary, Awards.

Being a lover of poetry, teacher, editor, and reviewer as well as an author, Greenwell takes as focus the process of bridging worlds: “I’ve always loved learning languages, and one of the things I wanted to explore in the book is that space of consciousness in which you’re always translating between two languages. The fact that the narrator of the book is learning a language enables much of what happens in the book.”

Besides the book’s setting in Bulgaria, the parallel “languages” of poetry and

prose are also interwoven, as both Greenwell and his unnamed narrator study poetry as well as the Bulgarian and English languages. The author has moved back and forth between Sofia’s American College and various stateside academic postings, most recently at the University of Iowa, where the famed Writer’s Workshop provided him valuable feedback in his honing of the pre-existing portions of the finished book.

He notes that there in Iowa City, he was “among an extraordinary community of gifted writers. Its centrality to the history and the present of American literature makes Iowa a place unlike any other. The gift of the program lay in being exposed to such high-level, diverse writing in process, and also in finding peers whom I will carry forward, as readers of my work, of writers of work that inspires me, for the rest of my life… I was extraordinarily lucky to get to work with Lan Samantha Chang and Kevin Brockmeier at Iowa, and I certainly aspire for my teaching to be as open and generous and helpful as theirs.”

Relocation -- Kentucky, Michigan’s Interlochen, Rochester, SUNY Purchase, Harvard, Bulgaria, University of Iowa -- and the resulting translation and transference also mark other aspects of Greenwell’s journey. “The wonderful thing about being a writer is that everything informs your work; nothing is wasted. I wrote the book without any training in fiction, and I think instead the book is informed by training in two other arts: poetry and also opera, which I studied at the Eastman School. Whatever your background is will shape who you are as an artist…I loved the years I spent in Rochester, and I made friendships there that remain among my closest. My life in the city was very much centered on Gibbs Street---classes, rehearsals, performances.

It was one of the most artistically rich periods of my life.”

Similarly, his work teaching abroad in Bulgaria has influenced the arc of the book, in that “as a high school teacher in Sofia, Bulgaria, from 2009-13, and (spending) time there every year since… the spark of the novel was the strange, uncanny experience I had of being reminded, in a place that was so foreign to me, of the place where I grew up. I was the only openly gay person in my school community, and I was the only openly gay person almost any of my students had ever met. That meant that kids who were queer, or thought they might be queer, came to talk to me. For all the differences between Sofia in 2010 and Kentucky in the early 1990s, as I listened to their stories I felt like they were telling me my own story. That point of contact was the initial impetus for the novel.”

That impetus fully realized, and the subsequent empathy it has evoked in critics and readers, have resulted in yet more notice and possible highlighting: What Belongs to You has followed its precedent Mitko, becoming shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and longlisted for the National Book Award. As prestigious and lucrative as the acclaim

NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET from his peers and the literary elite has been, as he tours with readings that promote his publication, Garth has found more personal gratification in the work’s impact on the young, particularly those that may at times feel as if their voices also need an audience his own has found.

“I think the most moving event was last week, in Sofia, at the launch of the Bulgarian translation. The event was packed with queer people, especially queer young people, all gathered for a conversation about queer lives and stories and how to make those lives and stories more visible in Bulgaria. The hall became a kind of queer cultural space I don’t think I’ve

ever experienced in Sofia before. That was overwhelmingly powerful.”

Powerful. Transcendent. Evocative.

Thanks to Garth Greenwell, those languages, worlds, and people can be What Belongs To You, as well.

There is a reading and panel discussion at Writers & Books, 740 University Ave., on Nov. 4 from 7-9:30 p.m. Here is the link: https://wab.org/events/2016dns-public-reading-panel-discussionbook-signing/ For more on writer Garth Greenwell, including the numerous positive critical reactions to his work, see www.garthgreenwell.com. ■

Travel

In Search of Alpacas

By Merle Exit Needing to enjoy the experience of petting an alpaca, I did a road trip in rural New York, first stopping in Rhinebeck, the location of Fiddlehead Farm where we met owner Mary Ellen (Mel) Dean. The farm, located at 314 Cedar Heights Road (914-466-3994) is most likely larger than it appears as I only covered one area.

After her little pug dogs Emma and Louis greeted me, Mel told us about her background as a physician giving it up so she and her husband can own this farm open to the public only by appointment. I did not blame her. One section was devoted to her special animals… sheep, llamas, alpacas and a cross breed of an alpaca and llama, producing a smaller alpaca with a different fiber. They were all absolutely adorable, especially a one-year-old hopping about. We were able to pet and feed them.

Mel created a blanket using sheep, alpaca and llama fibers that was soooooo soft that I asked if she would make a simple square to have something to pet at home, particularly when I was feeling stressed.

Then there were the chickens, rooster and a turkey, all of which were not as friendly. They live in a chicken coup that looks like a Victorian Cottage. Hens are laying certified organic eggs that are also for sale… the eggs, not the hens. Able to speak in Donald Duck, I did get to converse with one of theirs.

Checking out from Red Hook Inn, I head back to Rhinebeck for an early appointment at Hudson Valley Pottery, located at 18 Garden Street (845-8763190). Having a choice of using a pottery wheel or hand building the later is chosen.

I want something that resembles an alpaca.

It was quite difficult creating the body that

will hold something in it, the four legs, neck and head. It meant creating each part as I looked at digital photos of alpacas. I would have tried the pottery wheel if it weren’t for that there was no chair with a back and needed to spread my legs, which would thoroughly annoy my hip. I used some sort of clay glue and the alpaca kept on collapsing. I got much help from Judy, the owner. After the creation was completed, the alpaca was glazed and fired up.

North Salem was our main destination this day…to visit an alpaca farm. Little Creek Farm is a different type of alpaca farm. It is not open to the public as the main function is to raise and sell alpacas.

We were so lucky to get an appointment.

Although the alpacas are generally friendly, this farm is not a place to go up to them to pet and feed. We are able to approach many of them as being curious they would come up the fencing. I did have one encounter that was awesome.

We had gone into the barn that basically housed the pregnant alpacas along with their new-born. Lynn, one of the owners, brought out one that was born that day. She told me that they blow-dry their body, which is why this one looked pretty “furry”. I did get to pet it and kiss its little face. Lynn said that an alpaca could be bought for as little as $1 as the price is about the fiber that it produces and what it will be used for. Hey, if I could keep an alpaca as a pet, I would. I’m certainly not going to learn how to knit at this stage. That would be shear madness.

I also learned that an alpaca can be used in place of a service dog for anxiety. However, I don’t think that you would be able to bring one into a restaurant or hotel.

I am now looking to adopt alpacas from different farms. ■

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GAY ALLIANCE NEWS – NOVEMBER 2016

THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016

For more information on the Gay Alliance Library and Archives, contact us at library@gayalliance.org and like us on Facebook.

Coming up this month for Inqueery…

Volunteers of the Month: Library and Archive volunteer team

By Jeffrey Myers The Gay Alliance Library and Archives are made possible by a dynamic team of volunteers that we are recognizing as our Volunteers of the Month for November. The team invites you to stop by the LGBTQ resource center and check out the library Our library team works weekly cataloging and processing new donations that make up the Library. The Gay Alliance library, founded in the 1980s, is something that the Rochester community can certainly be proud of (see Opinion piece on page 15). The library volunteers are excited about the amount of books that are checked out on a daily basis. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., extended hours are available on Wednesdays, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Did you know that the Gay Alliance Library is the second largest LGBTQ specific library in the country and the largest on the east coast? It is a circulating and reference collection of over 10,000 fiction and nonfiction books and 800 magazine and journals titles, as well as audio recordings and DVDs related to gay and lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer issues.

The team is currently working on incorporating the collection of DVDs donated

by Outlandish with over 500 LGBTQ titles. Most of our collection is available to be checked out for your reading pleasure.

We also have a collection of rare books, which includes first editions and out of print publications. These books are available for viewing during library hours.

The Gay Alliance Archives house a historic collection of copies of The Empty Closet newspaper, as well as vital paper records and ephemera of events, organizations and people of importance to the Rochester LGBTQ history. Evelyn Bailey, our lead archivist, has been working tirelessly to bring LGBTQ history to a new generation by her library initiative, where libraries in the Monroe County

and Pioneer Library Systems host screenings of Shoulders to Stand On. On behalf of the Gay Alliance, Evelyn just received the Debra E. Bernhardt Annual Archives Award from the New York State Archivists society. This award is given for excellence in documenting New York’s history.

We are always looking for new volunteers who have a passion for books and library science. If you would like to join this amazing team, please stop by during library hours and we will get you in touch with the team. The team invites you to stop by the LGBTQ Resource Center and check out the Library and Archives.

The Library will be hosting an open house on Nov. 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

All are welcome to peruse the collection and meet our amazing team of volunteers.

Our Volunteer Library and Archive Staff Gerry Szymanski - Volunteer for 14 years, GAGV Librarian, Library Leadership Team, MLS, Reserves and Digital Reserves Librarian, Sibley Library, University of Rochester.

Jeff Fowler - Volunteer for 10 years, Library Leadership Team, Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, and Engineer at Xerox Tara Winner-Swete - Volunteer for 7 years, Library Leadership Team, MLS (Library Science), MA (History of Art & Architecture) and Catalog Librarian, The Strong Bruce Woolley - Volunteer for 10 years, member of the gay community 45 years, Ph.D., Doctor in American History Evelyn Bailey - GAGV Lead Archivist, Chair of GAGV Shoulders to Stand On Program, member of the gay community for 35 years, small business owner and educator for 30 years Nicole Pease - Volunteer since January 2016, MLS and Archive Consultant for the GAGV 2010 – present Bob Pease - Volunteer since January 2016, Director of Development, Cloudcheckr.

A very special thank you to our library volunteers for the countless hours and their amazing work; all of you are an asset to the Gay Alliance.

Nov. 2 Homosexuality and the Bible 7:00-8:30 p.m.: Combatting religious discrimination against LGBT+ people through the lens of sacred writing.

Exploring the sections of sacred texts that have historically allowed people of faith to discriminate against LGBT+ persons.

What do these texts really say, and how can LGBT+ persons respond in a gentle and non-violent way?

Nov. 7 Veteran Day Movie and Discussion 6:30 p.m.: In honor of our Veterans and Military Service Members we will be screening the film Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story (1995).

Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer (Glenn Close) is a dedicated mother and medical officer who spent most of her life serving in the military. After she falls in love with another woman, Diane (Judy Davis), and reveals during a routine interview that she’s a lesbian, she’s discharged for violating the military’s “immoral conduct” policy. Feeling betrayed, Margarethe fights back, becoming a reluctant but powerful voice against discrimination.

Nov. 7 Carnal Knowledge: Human Sexuality 7 p.m.: The six-week series continues. Program Description: Sexuality is an integral part of the human experience. This program will explore the breadth of human sexuality giving participants a space to gain new knowledge, dispel myths, and examine their attitudes about select sexuality topics. Together, the instructor and participants will create a safer space to hold these intimate discussions and participate in interactive activities.

Week 1: Perspectives on Sexuality; Week 2: Anatomy, Physiology and Reproduction; Week 3: Sexual Attraction; Week 4: Safer Sex, Toys and PrEP; Week 5: Relationships and Communication; Week 6: Sexual Behaviors

Nov. 9, 16, Dec 14 Alzheimer’s Association/Life Span Alzheimer’s Dementia Caregiver Group: Sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association and Life Span.

This is a group that offers support to care givers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia or Memory Impairment.

Topics: The Basics of the disease, communication with the patient, responding to challenging behavior at the holidays.

InQueery Community Education Program.

Nov. 11, Veterans Movie and Discussion 6:30 p.m.: In honor of our Veterans and Military Service Members we will be screening the film “OUT of ANNAPOLIS”. The largest study ever conducted about LGBT Officers in the United States Navy and an accompanying documentary film, the “OUT of ANNAPOLIS” project began in summer 2008, an undertaking with every aspect of the project being performed by USNA Out members. The film aims to educate by providing a factual and representative account of the Naval Academy and military experiences of LGBT alumni, both before and during the era of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Currently being exhibited in selected film festivals in markets throughout the United States. Reception and discussion follow the movie.

Nov. 13, Classic Campy Cinema 2 p.m. Rebel Without A Cause Starring James Dean: Free movies, free popcorn, building community... what more could you want?

Nov. 14, Improv in Accounting InQueery 6 p.m.: The Gay Alliance, South Wedge Planning Committee and South East Area Coalition are proud to

THE HAUNTED HALLOWEEN COMMUNITY DANCE took place Oct. 22. Above: Working on decorations. Photo Bess Watts.

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.

Board President: David Zona • Executive Director: Scott Fearing • Center Director: Jeffrey Myers • Education Director: Jeanne Gainsburg Education Coordinator: Rowan Collins • Office Administrator Julia Acosta • 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.

The Gay Alliance, 100 College Avenue, Rochester, New York 14607 • Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm Phone: (585) 244-8640 • Fax: (585) 244-8246 • Website: www.gayalliance.org • E-mail: Info@gayalliance.org

NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • THE GAY ALLIANCE • THE EMPTY CLOSET

GAY ALLIANCE NEWS – NOVEMBER 2016

present for FREE a two hour seminar by our very own accountant Christopher Hennelly of The Christopher Group on Nov. 14. Seminar will walk you through some of the basics you need to understand for basic accounting 101, mixes humor and accounting and will help you understand Chart of Accounts, Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss, which in turn will help you understand basics for QuickBooks and or other accounting software.

Space is limited.

Nov: 15 Creating Greeting Cards for the Holidays 6 p.m.: Holiday Greeting Card Class at the LGBTQ Resource Center. Who doesn’t appreciate receiving a beautiful greeting card? The LGBTQ Resource Center will host a workshop that will take the gift of a greeting card to another level.

Nov. 17, Safe Space Gathering 7 p.m.: A group designed to explore individual perspectives on various topics beginning with Spirituality. This group is specifically about respecting and encouraging our voices on various topics. The structure of this group is similar to Native American Gatherings. This is an eight-week event.

Dec. 1, The Repair Shop AA Meeting 5:30 p.m.: An open AA meeting in a safe space for all. This meeting will have an evolving weekly format.

Dec. 7, Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness 6:30 p.m.: New York States Citizen Preparedness Team will be at the LGBTQ Center to teach about the type of emergency that may affect our community.

They will discuss current emergency plans that are in place and how you will be notified of an event. ■

September 2016 Speaking Engagements • Creating LGBTQ Inclusive Schools at Victor High School • Creating Transgender Inclusive Schools at Holley Central School District • Transgender Healthcare Panel at the URMC Women’s Center at Lattimore • Creating LGBTQ Inclusive Schools at Monroe #1 BOCES • Creating Transgender Inclusive Workplaces at Corning, Inc. (4 workshops) • Meeting the Health Needs of Transgender Clients at UR School of Nursing • Creating LGBTQ Inclusive Agencies at Rochester AmeriCorps • Meeting the Needs of LGBTQ Older Adults for the West Council Committee for LeadingAge New York • SafeZone Train-the-Trainer Certification Program at Prince George’s Community College (Maryland) • Transgender Healthcare Updates at the Public Health Consortium • SafeZone Training at HCR Home Care • SafeZone Train-the-Trainer Certification Program at the LGBTQ Academy • Creating LGBTQ Inclusive Schools Preliminary Conversation at Wayne Senior High School • Straight/Cis Ally Empowerment Workshop at Barilla America Inc. • SafeZone Train-the-Trainer Certification Program at Los Angeles Pierce College (California)

Feedback

• “Nothing could have made this better.

I feel this program and the presenters are amazing and doing an excellent job staying up to date. I have never felt so safe in my entire life and I have never felt as passionate about something as I do now.”

• “I learned ways to improve the comfort level for trans patients in our office.

Excellent presenters! Nothing could have made this better. It was an excellent presentation/conversation.”

• “Organized, knowledgeable, professional – excellent. This training was absolutely the best training I have ever done.”

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SAGE NOVEMBER Army officer Brian Bennett and an Air Force officer from Citizens for Disaster Preparedness spoke at SAGE on Oct. 11. Photo: Anne Tischer

Tuesday November 1 10:30-11:30 Yoga with Tom; 11:30am-2pm, “Cake Day” celebration of November birthdays, catered lunch, “Tell your story” discussion. $3. donation. Hosted by Jessie & Anne. 7pm Over 50 Men’s Discussion Group, contact Tony Rtony13@aol.com or Chuck ccjr1257@aol.com Wednesday November 2 5:30-7pm SAGE Leadership Council, LGBTQ Resource Center Thursday November 3 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom; 11:30am-2pm, Brown bag lunch & a movie: “Infamous” – Truman Capote (Toby Jones) develops an intense and complex relationship with convicted killer Perry Smith (Peter Bogdanovich), while researching what would become one of his greatest works, “In Cold Blood.”LGBTQ Resource Center, hosted by Gerry.

Monday November 7 6:30–8:30pm ROC Vets & SAGEVets present the true story of a decorated officer’s legal challenge to her involuntary discharge owing to her sexual orientation: “Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story” A discussion will follow. All are welcome.

Tuesday November 8 - Remember to Vote! 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom; Catered lunch $3.donation, 12:30pm games & crafts – SAGE photo album.

Wednesday November 9 5:30-6:30pm InQueery: Lifespan & Alzheimer Association presentation, “Living with Alzheimers” All are welcome. LGBTQ Resource Center Thursday November 10 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom in LGBTQ Resource Center; 10am-noon Breakfast Club at Denny’s (911 Jefferson Rd, Henrietta) Please RSVP to Audet by Nov. 8 at 585-287-2958 or email aprice002@aol.com .

Friday November 11 Veterans Day 6:30-8:30pm ROC Vets & SAGEVets documentary & reception for veterans, active duty service members, friends, family & supporters. “Out of Annapolis”, explores the lives of LGBTQ Alumni of the U.S. Naval Academy.

Saturday November 12 4-7pm Pot Luck Social at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 6188 Main Road, Stafford NY 14143. Appetizers & short documentary “Gay Pioneers” at 4pm, Dinner at 5pm. Bring a dish to pass & $3.donation. Carpool with Anne: annet@gayalliance.org or 585 244-8640x23 Sunday November 13 2-5pm Euchre Social & Campy Classic Cinema at the LGBTQ Resource Center. All level card players welcome. Film: “Rebel Without a Cause” $3. donation.

Tuesday November 15 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom, Catered lunch $3. donation, 12:30pm Guest speaker: Dr. Kamen speaks about LGBTQ Cancer Survival study. 7pm Over 50 Men’s Discussion Group, contact Tony Rtony13@aol.com or Chuck ccjr1257@aol.com Wednesday November 16 5:30-6:30pm InQueery: Lifespan & Alzheimer Association presentation, “Living with Alzheimers: Part 2” All are welcome. LGBTQ Center Thursday November 17 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom in LGBTQ Resource Center.

Friday November 18 5:30pm Fabulous Fish Fry at Keenans, 1010 East Ridge Road 14621.

Please RSVP to Audet by November 15th 585-287-2958 or email aprice002@aol.com.

Saturday November 19 6-8-pm Community Thanksgiving Pot Luck at Open Arms MCC, 707 East Main Street (across from Delta Sonic). Co-hosted by GAGV, SAGE, TAGR, LORA. Turkey & Ham provided, bring a dish to pass. RSVP to (585) 271-8478 Tuesday November 22 10:30am-11:30am Yoga with Tom; 11:30pm – 2:00pm: Catered lunch $3.00 donation. Games & conversation. HCR Care Manager available onsite 12:30pm to 2:30pm. LGBTQ Resource Center Thursday November 24 Thanksgiving - No program.

Tuesday November 29 10:30-11:30am Yoga with Tom; 11:30pm-2pm: Catered lunch & games $3. donation.

Wednesday November 30 5-7pm SAGE Happy Hour at Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave, 14607. Drink specials & pizza.

SAGE Rochester is a program of the Gay Alliance designed for LGBTQI people over 50. SAGE operates at the Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Avenue. 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 more information at: sage@gayalliance.org or 585-244-8640 x23.

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 506 • NOVEMBER 2016

Resources

Check our monthly and ongoing calendar and community section for more groups and events.

For further information, call the Gay Alliance, 2448640 or visit: www.gayalliance.org. More SAGE and Gay Alliance Youth Group info: pages 30-31.

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 ASADV Our mission is to provide support to the Deaf community and to Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing individuals, families, and children who are or have been victims/survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual abuse. A safe and supportive environment of advocacy, empowerment, community education, and training services. All staff are Deaf. All staff, advocates, and volunteers are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). It is our vision that the various components of ASADV be Deaf-run and be advocates within institutionalized systems. We work cooperatively with various Deaf and hearing-based agencies. PO Box 20023, Rochester, NY 14602, www.asadv.org. 585/2862713

ELDERS Gay Alliance SAGE Rochester Many monthly get togethers, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 244-8640; SAGE@gayalliance.org. See page 31.

FAMILY Adoption Place at JFS Jewish Family Service of Rochester 441 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14607. You can adopt! Adoption Place at Jewish Family Service of Rochester provides adoption consultation, home studies and post-placement supervision to the entire community regardless of race, religion, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity. Laura Glasner, LCSW-R, Adoption Director, 585-461-0110; lglasner@jfsrochester. org; www.jfsrochester.org Rochester Gay Dads The meetup.com website is: https://www.meetup.com/RochesterGayDads/ Resource or starting point for gay dads in the area to reach out for support, questions about starting a family, etc.

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. 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.

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: scheduled at medical provider locations or at 295-5708.

Trillium Health Trillium Health is the leading provider of HIV/AIDS services in Rochester and the Finger Lakes. Onsite services include HIV testing and limited STD screenings, Primary and HIV Specialty Medical Care, Pharmacy, and many more. Satellite offices in Geneva and Bath. 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: 585-244-6456.

Finger Lakes Office: 605 W. Washington St., Geneva, NY 14456, 315-781-6303. Southern Tier Office: Buell St. Box 624, Bath, NY 14810 607776-9166. 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. 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.

Anthony Jordan Health Center Jordan Health’s Prevention & Primary Care Department provides personalized care designed to address and treat the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C; and services focusing on the prevention of those diseases.

Bilingual staff serves both English and Spanishspeaking patients. HIV and hepatitis C virus (HVC) rapid testing as well as HIV and HCV education and counseling. Walk-in testing at all Jordan Health Sites. Prevention & Primary Care Department hours are Mon – Fri 830a – 5p.

HIV Clinic hours are Tuesday and Friday 830a – 400p. HCV Clinic hours are Wednesday and Friday 100p – 500p. The Prevention & Primary Care Department has two sites: Anthony L. Jordan Health Center 82 Holland Street, Rochester 14605 585.423.2879, fax 585.423.2876 and Woodward Health Center, 480 Genesee Street, Rochester 14611, fax 585.295.6009 Jordan Health’s Prevention and Primary Care Department is now providing PrEP services. For more information please call 585.436.PREP (7737). We are accepting new PrEP patients at the following sites: Anthony L. Jordan Health Center, Woodward Health Center and Jordan Health at Community Place, 145 Parsells Ave. 585.436.3040 x1764 - 585.454.7530 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. (254-6480); Woodward Health Center, 480 Genesee St. (436-3040). HIV/AIDS services, support, more.

McCree McCuller Wellness Center at Unity Health’s Connection Clinic (585) 368-3506, 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 LGBT Healthy Living: Veterans Canandaigua VA, second and fourth Tuesdays, 10-11am, Building One, 2nd floor, room 245.

Matt Cokely 585-393-7115.

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. More information: 585-272-1930 or visit us online at HCRhealth.com.

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. (877) 565-8860. Additional info is available at www.translifeline.org.

TransParent Support group for parents of trans children. Third Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 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 services for low-income clients include family law issues, bankruptcy, unemployment insurance hearings, wills and advance directive documents for clients with serious illnesses.

Gay Alliance Youth Gender Identity Support Group 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. 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 1048 University Ave., Rochester NY 14607 585-473-8177; www.bccr.org; info@bccr.org Programs and services for those diagnosed with breast or GYN cancer. Programs include support and networking groups, Healing Arts classes, book club, writing workshop, monthly evening seminars and a group for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Comprehensive lending library. All programs and 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 Social/Support Group First Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 LGBTQ Resource Center, 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 with text trained counselors for support and crisis intervention.

CNY Youth Group Bi-Polar Support.

Second Monday of every month. 315-428-9366 Teen Clinic at Planned Parenthood 114 University Avenue Rochester. Birth control, condoms, HIV testing, counseling. Weekly, Tuesdays 3-7pm..

NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • 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 Gay Alliance Library & Archives 9am -5pm. Wed. 6-8pm 100 College Ave. Walk-in HIV testing At all Anthony Jordan health center sites including 82 Holland St. (See Resources)

MONDAYS Women’s Coffee Social Equal Grounds Coffee House 750 South Ave. Monday evenings. 7 pm. 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. Empire Lanes 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 Teen Clinic at Planned Parenthood 114 University Avenue Rochester. Birth control, condoms, HIV testing, counseling. Weekly, Tuesdays 3-7pm.

Adult Families of Trans Youth (AFTY) First Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30, Open Arms MCC Community Center, 707 E. Main St. TransParent Support group for parents of trans youth. Third Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. LGBT Healthy Living Veterans support. 2nd, 4th Tuesdays, 10-11am Canandaigua VA, bldg. 9, room 8, Library conference room. 585 463-2731, 585 205-3360.

Testing Tuesdays at Trillium Health FREE HIV Testing for everyone, STI/STD testing FREE for women and MSM. Trillium Health, 259 Monroe Ave, 5-8 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) SAGE Men’s Group 50+ 7pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 1st, 3rd Tuesdays. rtony13@aol.com

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 100 College Ave. 6-8pm.

Empire Bears Every Wednesday. 6pm dinner at various venues.

See Empire Bears Inc. on Facebook.

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.

Depression Bipolar Support Alliance Youth and young adults. LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. dbsa.monroecounty@gmail.com GLOB&L (Gays & Lesbians of Bausch & Lomb) Meets every third Thursday in Area 67 conference room at the Optic Center. Voice mail: 338-8977 Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. 7-9:30pm, 423-0650 NLIST Transgenger Support Group 5-6:15pm, Trillium Health. Must pre-register.

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.

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/

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: 10:30am.

271-8478.

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

Closed meeting ■

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ROCHESTER AA/NA MEETINGS

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

TUESDAYS Narcotics Anonymous 6-7:30pm. AIDS and Recovery 1124 Culver Road (Covenant United Methodist Church) This is an NA meeting that is open to all addicts who have a desire to stop using. Although it is not specifically a gay-oriented meeting, it is welcoming to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as to anyone who is affected by HIV and AIDS.

FRIDAYS LGBT 7:30pm. Immanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave. • Open 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. ■

WEDNESDAYS Identity Group 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 is to provide a safe space to discuss identity issues, share personal experiences and increase self-esteem. Facilitated by Delaina Fico.

LMSW. Contact Delaina Fico at dfico@arcmonroe.org or 585-271-0661 ext. 1552.

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 LIBRARY &

ARCHIVES

Now open at its new location at 100 College Avenue, 9am-5pm and on Wednesday evenings, 6-8pm.

Check out our ten thousand-volume library, along with the Bohnett Cyber Center.

Contact us: library@gayalliance.org or at 585-244-8640.

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016

November 2016 WEDNESDAY 2

LORA Knitting Group. 6 to 8 pm, Equal Grounds Coffeehouse, 750 South Ave. Gay Alliance Library & Archive open house, 6-8 pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Empire Bears dinner at Texas Road House. 6 pm.

Inqueery: Homosexuality and the Bible, 7-8:30 pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 244-8640.

FRIDAY 4

First Friday opening, Gallery Q, 100 College Ave. “Hunter/Gatherer: Regional LGBTQ Artists,” from the Gerald Mead Collection. 6-9 pm.

Garth Greenwell reads from his book “What Belongs to You,” 1-2:30 pm Nazareth College, free. 7-9:30 pm: Reading, panel discussion at Writers & Books, 740 University Ave. $10. W&B members, $12. non members.

SATURDAY 5

Open Arms MCC TRANSformative Clothing Exchange from 10 am to 4 pm, 707 E. Main St. SpeakOut Training. 9 am-5 pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Registration $100. Go to www.gayalliance.org and click on SpeakOut training slide. (See ad page 19)

SUNDAY 6

Dignity Integrity. Episcopal Mass/ Healing Service, with music. 5 pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. Kaitlyn Emily Memorial Fundraiser. 2 pm at 140 Alex Bar & Grill. Proceeds to benefit Trans Youth Services of Rochester. Minimum suggested donation $5. Drag performances, 50/50 raffle, raffle prizes, egg rolls and empanadas for sale. Presented by Todd Ranous, The Gay Alliance, Trillium Health and 140 Alex Bar and Grill.

MONDAY 7

Inqueery: Veterans Day Movie and Discussion. Screening the film Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story (1995). 6:30 pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Another film on Nov. 11.

Inqueery: Carnal Knowledge: Human Sexuality. 7 pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 2448640. Six week class.

TUESDAY 8

Election Day. Get OUT and vote!

!!!!!!!!! VOTE !!!!!!!!!

WEDNESDAY 9

Empire Bears dinner. Flavors of Asia, 6 pm.

“Exodus” -- Shauna O’Toole book signing, Equal=Grounds Coffee House, 750 South Ave., 7:30 pm.

Inqueery: Alzheimer’s Association/ Life Span Alzheimer’s Dementia Caregiver Group. Also on Nov. 16, Dec. 14.

LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 244-8640.

FRIDAY 11

Inqueery: Veterans Day Movie and Discussion. Screening the film “OUT of ANNAPOLIS”. 6:30 pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 2448640.

SATURDAY 12

Butch Femme Connection dinner, Thai Mii Up Restaurant, 1780 East Ridge Road (formerly Pizza Hut) in Irondequoit at 7 pm.

Empire Bears potluck at LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 6:30.

Bears supply paper, plastic, and pop, ask everyone to bring a dish to pass and usually play cards or games after eating.

SAGE potluck social. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 6188 Main Road, Stafford NY, 14143. Appetizers & short documentary “Gay Pioneers” at 4pm, Dinner at 5 pm. Bring a dish to pass & $3. donation.

Carpool with Anne: annet@gayalliance. org or 585 244-8640x23

SUNDAY 13

Dignity Integrity. Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Word, with music. 5 pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. JCC presentation on Tel Aviv Pride Tour. 12:30 pm. LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Inqueery: Classic Campy Cinema.

Screening Rebel Without A Cause starring James Dean. Free popcorn. 2 pm.

LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Miss Gay Rochester pageant. Harro East Ballroom. Doors open 6 pm and show starts at 7. Aggy Dune will be m.c.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door; students with ID charged $10 admission. Tickets are available at The Bachelor Forum, Thomas Laurence Salon, Sharp Salon, Tilt, Avenue Pub, and Mercedes Sulay. For table reservations and information, call Liza at 585-285-0119.

MONDAY 14

Inqueery: Improv in Accounting with Christopher Hennelly. 6 pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 244-8640.

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

TUESDAY 15

Inqueery: Creating Greeting Cards for the Holidays. 6 pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave.

WEDNESDAY 16

LORA Knitting Group. 6 to 8 pm, Equal Grounds Coffeehouse, 750 South Ave. Empire Bears dinner. Carrabba’s, 6 pm.

THURSDAY 17

Inqueery: Safe Space Gathering.

Perspectives on various topics beginning with Spirituality, 7 pm. Eight-week event.

FRIDAY 18

SAGE Fabulous Fish Fry at Keenans, 1010 East Ridge Road 14621. RSVP to Audet by Nov. 15, 585-287-2958 or email aprice002@aol.com

SATURDAY 19

Community Thanksgiving Pot Luck at Open Arms MCC, 707 East Main St. Co-hosted by GAGV, SAGE, TAGR, LORA. Turkey & ham provided, bring a dish to pass. RSVP to (585) 2718478

SUNDAY 20

LORA monthly brunch. 10 am to noon at Pixley’s Restaurant, 2235 Buffalo Rd. in Gates.

Dignity Integrity. Episcopal Mass, quiet. 5 pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. Transgender Day of Remembrance, 2 pm, Martin Luther King Jr. Park downtown. Memorial service and candlelight community gathering will follow at Open Arms Community Center, 707 E. Main St..

WEDNESDAY 23

Empire Bears dinner. Winfield Grill, 6 pm.

SUNDAY 27

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

TUESDAY 29

A Taste of Light wine, spirits, and dessert tasting from 6-9 pm at The Rooftop at the Strathallan, 550 East Ave. Tickets are $50. Taste to Fight will benefit Trillium Health’s city-wide initiative to end the HIV epidemic by 2020.

WEDNESDAY 30

Safe Zone training. 9am-1pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Registration $75. Go to www.gayalliance.org, click on Safe Zone training slide. (See ad page 20.)

JCC presentation on Tel Aviv Pride Tour. 7:30 pm, JCC, 1200 Edgewood Ave. Empire Bears dinner. Olive Garden in Henrietta, 6 pm.

DECEMBER THURSDAY 1

World AIDS Day World AIDS Day concert. Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs St., at 7 pm.

Inqueery: The Repair Shop AA Meeting. Open AA meeting. 5:30 pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 244-8640.

FRIDAY 2

Gallery Q First Friday opening.

“AIDS: Don’t Be Afraid; Be Aware”. 6-8 pm, 100 College Ave. Also on Dec. 2 at 7 pm the Gay Alliance will screen the documentary We Were Here, a moving film using archival photos and video following 5 people from the beginning of the AIDS crisis in San Francisco.

SATURDAY 3

Rochester Women’s Community Chorus Holiday Concert, 7:30 pm at The Clover Center for Arts & Spirituality, 1101 Clover St. Concert tickets may be purchased in advance (including online at rwcc.ticketleap.com): $12 adults, $10 seniors and students, $6 children under age 12. Or at the door: $15 adults, $12 seniors and students, $6 children.

Sign language interpreted and wheelchair accessible.

JCC presentation on Tel Aviv Pride Tour. 1 pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave.

Classifieds Classified ads are $5 for the first 30 words; each additional 10 words is another $1. We do not bill for classifieds, so please send or bring ad and payment to: The Empty Closet, 100 College Ave., Rochester, NY 14607.

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 at ww.gayalliance.org

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

SERVICES

Rochester’s Best Man to Man Rubdown. Unwind with this degreed, employed, fit, friendly, healthy, Italian GWM. Middle aged, 5’8”, 165 lbs., 32” waist, nonsmoker, d & d free, HIV negative. My 10-plus years experience guarantees your relaxation and satisfaction.

Hotel visit, in call in my home or out call in your residence. Reasonable rates. Dis-

cretion appreciated and practiced. Don’t delay, call me today at 585-773-2410 (cell) or 585-235-6688 (home).

Sacred, loving interfaith presence to mark your life’s special days and help you to navigate your way. Weddings, memorials, baby blessings, house blessings, spiritual counseling. Reverend Gaioma Bair (585)494-1795.

Martin Ippolito master electrician.

Electrical work, telephone jacks, cable TV, burglar alarm systems, paddle fans.

585-266-6337.

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.

NOVEMBER 2016 • NUMBER 506 • 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 14607 © 2016, 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 14607; e-mail: susanj@gayalliance.org. The online edition of EC is available at www. gayalliance.org.

Bed & Breakfast

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THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE • NUMBER 506 • NOVEMBER 2016