Empty Closet, Sept 2017

The Empty Closet NUMBER 515

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

INSIDE:

RISE Scholarship Brunch • Alliance launches vibrant youth programming

SEPTEMBER 2017

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SEPTEMBER 2017

SEPTEMBER 2017

Good Company We appreciate the continuing partnership of our community – whose support of our mission and vision is so important.

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

3 COVER: Chloe, All Ways Authentic, at Roc Pride 2017. Her mother Kellie Cheatle of Airigami created this fabulous balloon sculpture that Chloe wears PROUDLY. Photo courtesy of Airigami.

Contents Fringe Festival • RPD liaison • Black Pride • Trans Action • Lesbians Who Tech • Trans Rabbi Elana • Wall Therapy • RISE • Youth Roc • ImageArt

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23 6 6

27 23 THE GAY ALLIANCE COMES OUT

7 13 Celebration Block Party

Wednesday, October 11 ~ 5:30-7:30pm 100 College Avenue, Rochester The Gay Alliance comes out as the Out Alliance October 11 is National Coming Out Day... as well as Susan Jordan’s Birthday!

AND YOU’RE INVITED

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The Empty Closet is published by the Gay Alliance, 100 College Avenue, Rochester, New York 14607 © 2017, 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.

Perspective What’s coming up and who’s coming out this fall?

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

BY SUSAN JORDAN, EMPTY CLOSET EDITOR

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. 14607, 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, gender expansive people, 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.

It’s time again for the trees to turn color and the new semester to begin at local colleges and universities.

Many LGBTQ youth have arrived to begin their freshmen year, and they are learning about the opportunities for fun and connection offered in the Rochester area, like Equal=Grounds.

Meanwhile the rest of us are returning from summer vacations and looking for things to do – both meaningful and just for fun. The Fringe Festival this month is one obvious opportunity for fun, entertainment and learning —see our Culture pages.

If you want to support LGBTQ youth, please consider attending the RISE scholarship brunch on Sept.

24 at 12 noon at the Rochester Yacht Club. You can sip mimosas on the Yacht Club’s deck, chat with old and new friends and watch boats sail out to the lake. And then you can have a delicious brunch while hearing from the young people who benefit from

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.

SEPTEMBER 2017

LIBRARY & ARCHIVES

Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm Tues., Wed., Thurs.: 6:30-8:30pm We have a 10,000 volume library, and the Bohnett Cyber Center.

Contact: library@gayalliance.org or at 585 244-8640.

100 College Avenue, Rochester

RISE scholarships.

Supporting our LGBTQ youth is more important than ever in this time of backlash against our civil and human rights. The Traditional Values message to LGBTQ youth has always been “Be ‘normal’ like us – or commit suicide.”

Today’s strong youth are rejecting the old messages of hate and death. But too many still remain vulnerable to bullying – not only from straight/cis youth but from adults as well. This fall we can support youth.

When October rolls around, ImageOut will bring the latest LGBTQ films to Rochester. One of the most highly regarded queer festivals in the world, ImageOut is a Rochester event we can all be proud of. Head to the Festival Fair on Sept. 5 at the Museum and Science Center, and see more in the October EC! Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Day, and this year it will be special because it’s also the day when the Gay Alliance will officially become the Out Alliance. Plan on attending the celebration block party at 100 College Ave., complete with music and food

trucks – and some special surprises.

Coming out is another meaningful political act. It is a personal choice, whatever one’s age, orientation or gender. Not everyone can or should come out – for instance, not if doing so would put their jobs and their means of supporting their families at risk.

But fear and internalized homophobia need no longer prevent most of us from living our authentic lives.

Since the ‘70s, increasing LGBTQ visibility has brought profound results, including the passage of marriage equality. But the takeover of our government by the Right has placed our hard-won rights in question.

Now, in a time when homophobes and white supremacists seek to make America hate again, we must examine the barriers of racism, sexism, classism and other prejudices that keep us from uniting in solidarity with all members of the LGBTQ communities. This fall we can resolve to listen respectfully, stand together and stand up for each other – that’s the only way to protect our personal and political rights.

Promoting responsible pet ownership and providing a variety of pet services in the Rochester area since 1957.

We are a no kill, cage-free shelter providing adoption and other pet services for cats, dogs and small animals.

Call to schedule a tour of our beautiful state-of-the-art facility in Irondequoit.

(585) 342-6099 www.animalserviceleagueny.org www.facebook.com/AnimalServiceLeague

Save a Life... Adopt a Rescued Animal

SEPTEMBER 2017

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Alliance Youth Alliance launches new Youth programming

By Susan Jordan Seven new programs will launch this fall for LGBTQ+ youth as part of the Alliance’s Youth Working Group.

To follow in the successful, historic footsteps of previous Alliance youth programming, the Youth Working Group has conceived three program areas – Q-mmunity, B-Out Club, and U-Matter.

“The new programming for youth is vibrant, run by an enthusiastic young planning team of volunteers,” noted Alliance Managing Director, Jeff Myers. The Youth Working Group is spearheaded by BJ, Dawn, Jenna, Darlene, Ryan, Connie Jo, Mike, Alicia, Eri, and Emma with the help of interns from local colleges.

Q-mmunity will serve as a social program that allows youth to participate in fun activities like the popular U DJ dances, monthly dances at the LGBTQ Center where the youth have control of the music and vibe.

Hang-Out Day, which starts in late September, will see youth spend a

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fun afternoon in a curriculum-based group. Perennial favorites Youth Lock-In and The Big Queer Prom will continue under the Q-mmunity umbrella.

Youth will get the chance to engage in hands-on experiential learning through the B-Out Club’s 6-8 week program format, with each endeavor culminating in a capstone event. The B-Out Movie Club, starting in October, will focus on the history of drag in cinema and give youth an opportunity to learn from local drag talent. Along with attending “Drag Queen Story Time” at Blackfriars Theater, participants will work with queens and kings to workshop

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and produce their own drag show.

The B-Out Spoken Word club nurtures continued collaboration between youth and local poets and writers. Bakari Poet will lead October’s program where youth will be guided, encouraged, and given space to express themselves. Poems and writing the youth produce will be published in The Empty Closet.

B-Out RBTL club will engage youth with Alliance neighbor and Rochester stalwart, Rochester Broadway Theatre League and the incredible touring shows brought into town.

The club’s first connection will be with the upcoming production of “Fun Home” by lesbian cartoonist

Alison Bechdel. Youth will read the book the show is based upon and participate in activities related to the text – self-expression, suicide awareness, theatre, and more. The club will also Skype with the cast of the show as they arrive in Rochester in November.

This will culminate in a private tour of the Auditorium Theatre, attend a performance of “Fun Home”, and visit backstage with the cast following the show.

Focusing on peer support and community, U-Matter programming has already been underway throughout the summer. Tangent, the trans and gender-expansive group, meets the first Tuesday of the month at the Center, with seasonally influence activities and discussion. Pride Coming Out is the queer peer support group that is open to all identities and will have its first meeting at the end of September. U-Matter Leadership will empower youth through skill development and leadership opportunities.

Support LGBTQ students at the RISE Brunch

By Josh Stapf Enjoy an afternoon at the Yacht Club while supporting LGBTQ youth. The RISE scholarship brunch takes place Sept. 24 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rochester Yacht Club, 5555 St Paul Blvd., Rochester 14617.

Now in its third year, the RISE Brunch has become a popular event that many look forward to. Hosted by the Gay Alliance, the RISE Brunch raised $32,000 for scholarships and leadership programing in its first two years.

RISE (Rochester Initiative for Scholarship and Education) is a program of the Alliance designed to invest in the future of the LGBTQ community. Funds support leadership programs and scholarships for LGBTQ youth in the Rochester area. RISE helps to shape the future of the LGBTQ movement by preparing youth to become the leaders of tomorrow.

This year the RISE Brunch will return to the Rochester Yacht Club with its picturesque views of the Rochester Harbor and Lake Ontar-

RISE brunch: the Genesee River view from the Yacht Club deck. Photo: Susan Jordan

io. The Brunch provides opportunity to honor scholarship winners while raising funds to complete

the Rochester LGBTQ Scholarship Fund, an endowment held at the Rochester Area Community Foundation. A silent auction that includes artwork, massages, drink baskets and other generously donated items helps raise money to grow the Fund. Along with the Rochester LGBTQ Scholarship Fund, the Susan A. Cowell Scholarship and the James Moran Scholarship -- both of which focus on LGBTQ community members -- will be awarded.

In 2016, three scholarships were awarded to LGBTQ members of the Rochester area and this year we plan on providing four scholarships to deserving members of the LGBTQ community.

To be a part of this important event go to www.gayalliance.org/rise or call 585244-8640 ext. 29.

The Scene

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SEPTEMBER 2017

BLACK PRIDE 2017: (Above left) Miss DeeLicious performs at Black Pride on Aug. 12 at Edgerton Park, the last of four days of events. (Above center) Poet Christopher Coles performed at Black Pride and also sampled some cotton candy! (Above right) Gatekeeper Adrian, Black Pride organizer, gets pampered at the mobile barbershop. Photos: Doug Meszler

ALL HANDS ON DECK FOR EQUALITY: The Human Rights Campaign hosted “All Hands On Deck,” an update on the state of LGBTQ rights, on Aug. 17 at the Rochester Yacht Club.

Evelyn Bailey and Harry Bronson.

Carol Ebersole Weiss of HRC, Leslie Alvarado and Sady Fischer with friends at All Hands On Deck.

PRIDE AT THE FAIR: Members of the Rochester LGBTQ community marched with the Gay Alliance in the New York State Fair Parade on Pride Day, August 25 2017. Photo: Scott Fearing.

SEPTEMBER 2017

LGBTQ Life

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OUT & About A Ferry Good Ride to Red Hook NYC Ferry has become the most ingenious way to travel around the city. Most popular is the trip from Rockaway to Wall St. and probably the opposite as it has been giving Manhattanites the opportunity and indulgence of the beach. There is a stop in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park to transfer to Red Hook, where Atlantic Basin is the station, a rather bare looking shipyard.

Elana Spezio wants to stand up for the marginalized. Photo: Susan Jordan

Elana Spezio’s journey to becoming a trans rabbi Elana Spezio has overcome many of the challenges that trans people face, including being rejected by part of her family and struggling with suicidal feelings. Now she wants to stand up for all people who experience discrimination and are made to feel “less than”.

By Susan Jordan Born in Albion, Elana and her family moved to Rochester when she was three months old. She said, “I knew I was female the first day of kindergarten, when I realized I wanted to be in the girls’ section.”

Soon she also realized that she would have to hide her true identity.

She majored in American studies at Syracuse University, intending to go to law school, but then she went to grad school at Boston University and ended up being ordained as a United Methodist pastor, serving at several parishes in western New York. She later became a nursing home administrator.

When she decided to transition, her spouse left her and they were divorced.

Elana said, “When I first began transitioning, the hardest thing was being told by my fundamentalist Christian ex-spouse that I would be divorced and rejected by our children and her relatives if I took hormones and transitioned. It was not only losing my immediate family and the home I had created, but my extended family as well. I ended up in a trailer park in Pennsylvania.”

However, she also became involved in politics, helping a trans woman run for a county office (she lost). Three years ago she started reaching out to her children and two responded positively. The third, who is a fundamentalist Christian, “still won’t have anything to do with me. I do see my other grandchildren three or four times a month, which is great.”

Twenty years ago, Elana left the Methodist church, and ultimately decided, “Judaism was where I felt most comfortable. I had an Orthodox Jewish conversion just after Y2K and was ordained as a rabbi in 2015.

“I’m the third trans person in the world to receive Rabbinic Ordination. I had already had graduate divinity training and a graduate degree from Boston University, so much of this Rabbinic training seemed like a refresher. My experience with the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute in Manhattan was both challenging and delightful. While retired, I still love learning.”

Today Elana attends Beth Hadmadresh - Beth Israel (BHBI) as a congregant.

She added, “I don’t work as a rabbi (interfaith) now, but am working to be a volunteer rabbi interfaith chaplain for the LGBT community. That’s what I would like. I’m not looking for money. My motivation is that I’d like to have the doors open, to do speaking engagements and other things to help not only LGBT people but also immigrants and anyone outside the system. That’s the cornerstone for me – I want to stand up for anyone who is marginalized.”

By Merle Exit Red Hook is now getting to be one of the built up neighborhoods with a lot of places to see and restaurants to eat at, all of which are in walking distance from the ferry landing. Of course what one’s walking distance is may be different from another’s. I explored only a few blocks beginning with the Mary A. Whalen tanker.

Originally, the Mary went aground in the Rockaways. She officially became the base of operations for PortSide New York in 2006, opening to the public in 2007.

During Tanker Time you can go on the main deck set up with all sorts of furniture. Here is what they say. “Lounge in a hammock, lunch at a picnic table, meet over a cafe table, read books from our maritime library while you are stretched out in a lounge chair, bring the kids here instead of the same old playground.”

This is all part of Portside New York located at Pier 11. On the website you can hear short segments of their audio tour. http://portsidenewyork.org/ mary-a-whalen/.

You will find Pioneer Works just past the gate at 159 Pioneer St. I entered through their garden, a place of serenity with a picnic area, trees, grass and sculptures. There is a tunnel through a hill giving access to stone paths. Alongside is a three-story building. Here we have a conglomeration of the arts and science. Visual and performing artists, along with design-

ers, musicians, writers, and scientists are here to share their ideas in a public presentation of their work produced over the course of a residency.

I did not see much on the main floor so far as exhibitions, as the walls were vast and most of what one could view was on the two floors above.

The best way to enjoy your visit is to check their website, www.pioneerworks.org for all of the events.

I would highly recommend taking on this adventure with an early start just after the morning rush hour(s). For the extra dollar, you can bring your bike. Great way to get around the area.

Starting August 29, 2017, a route beginning in Astoria connects to Roosevelt Island, Long Island City, East 34th St. in Manhattan, then on down to Wall St. at Pier 11. The entire route takes approximately 45 minutes. At East 34th St. you then have the opportunity to take a free shuttle bus going as far west as 6th Avenue, and as far north as 48th St. One stop brings you to 47th and 6th, right in the heart of the theatre district. Keep in mind that it is a “flag down” service and does not operate all day.

Each ride costs $2.75 and gets you one transfer. However, you can purchase a 30-day pass for $121; best if you are commuting to work. If you are disabled or a senior citizen the 30-day pass is $60. You will have to fill out a form and send proof in order to get it. Check it all out on www. ferry.nyc

The Mary A. Whalen tanker, grounded in the Rockaways, hosts Tanker Time.

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SEPTEMBER 2017

News to use Paladino ousted from Buffalo Board of Education According to Trudy Ring on The Advocate: Carl Paladino, a former New York Republican gubernatorial candidate with a history of racist and anti-LGBT comments, has been removed from the Buffalo Board of Education over a violation of the state’s public meetings law.

Paladino illegally disclosed information about the board’s contract negotiations with teachers, which had been discussed in closed session, according to a ruling issued Aug. 17

by State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia, The Buffalo News reports. “His disclosures constituted a willful violation of law warranting his removal from office,” she wrote.

“He is out effective immediately,” Frank W. Miller, the board’s attorney, told the paper. “The commissioner wrote a 33-page decision in which she went through and analyzed and knocked down all the various arguments he made.” Paladino has vowed to appeal the decision, and he has already sued the school board for seeking to have him removed…. …During the gubernatorial campaign, in a speech he said he didn’t want children to be “brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option” as heterosexuality. Later, he issued a statement apologizing “for any comment that may have offended the Gay and Lesbian Community or their family members” and saying he opposes discrimination.

-Read more on The Advocate and Buffalo News

Cuomo: Health insurers can’t discriminate against Trans people in NYS According to Madina Toure on Observer: Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Aug. 16 ordered that health insurers

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

Gay Men’s Health Crisis marching in 1982; the Aug. 9 walk marked 35 years.

NYC walk celebrates 35th anniversary of Gay Men’s Health Crisis According to Jonathan Wolfe in the New York Times: … In 1981, six men gathered in a living room in Greenwich Village with a mission: stopping an unidentified plague that was killing members of their community.

The plague was the H.I.V. virus, and the organization that the men formed would become the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the world’s first organization to respond to the AIDS epidemic.

Since then, the Gay Men’s Health Crisis has expanded, and today it provides services to over 12,000 people a year in the metropolitan New York region who are living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. In celebration of the organization’s 35th anniversary, on Aug. 9 the group hosted a walk beginning on West 33rd Street and ending at the New York City AIDS Memorial in Greenwich Village.

cannot discriminate against or deny coverage to people based on their gender identity, a move that bolsters protections for transgender individuals.

A Department of Financial Services circular letter issued Aug. 16 directs health insurers to assess whether an insured individual qualifies for the services before denying a claim. Cuomo previously issued guidance stating that insurers cannot deny medically necessary treatment for gender dysphoria.

-Read more on Observer & Trans Equality

NYC judge throws out lawsuit by gay black man beaten by Hasidic attackers According to Joseph Patrick McCormick on pinknews.co.uk: A judge has thrown out a lawsuit by a gay black man against New York City and the men responsible for a beating against him in the city.

Pinchas Braver, 22, and Abraham Winkler, 42, earlier this year pleaded guilty in Brooklyn Supreme Court to unlawful imprisonment for their part in the 2013 assault on Taj Patterson in Williamsburg, NY Post reports.

Patterson, 25, suffered a broken eye socket and torn retina following the attack, in which witnesses said the Hasidic suspects were shouting antigay remarks at the victim.

-Read more on pinknews.co.uk -New York Times

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SEPTEMBER 2017

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

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

Car rams people at vigil for trans woman shot by St. Louis police

Reuters reports: A driver in St. Louis on Aug. 23 was taken into custody and charged with a felony after three protesters who blocked traffic were hit by his car during a vigil for a transgender woman, Kiwi Herring, shot and killed by police a day earlier, said police and local media.

EOC ruling: Walmart discriminated against trans employee

Lesbians Who Tech launches Rochester chapter

Lesbians Who Tech (LWT) has come to Rochester! A global community of 25,000 gender non-conforming, LGBTQ women and allies in tech, LWT expanded into the Rochester area last month with an inaugural happy hour.

Touting themselves as a community of queer women (and the people who love them), LWT exists to provide value to queer women in tech, a demographic that is rarely represented in both the tech and LGBTQ community.

Founded in 2012 by Leanne Pittsford, Lesbians Who Tech’s goals are to help queer women in the tech workforce be more visible to each other, to gain visibility for women, lesbians and members of the LGBTQ community and to get more women and lesbians into technology. LWT also connects to LGBTQ and women’s organizations which are doing community work that champions the advancement of women, queer people and their allies.

Led by City Directors Jessica Heatly and Sara Cousins, Lesbians Who Tech Rochester is a new addition to the city’s LGBTQ and tech communities, and will host monthly happy hour or content-focused events. Whether you work at a tech company, have a technical job or just love technology (even if you’re just obsessed with every new app that comes out), you are invited to join LWT ROC to get geeky, land gigs and make new friends and connections.

Those interested in joining or attending an event can find details on www. facebook.com/groups/lwtroc. More information on Lesbians Who Tech can be found at www.lesbianswhotech.org.

Lesbian and Bisexual Women Cancer Survivors: Be A Rainbow Survivor Buddy Lesbian and bisexual women have greater risks for breast and gynecological cancers than heterosexual women.

Additionally, gay women have higher risk factors for lung cancer than heterosexual females; as well as high risk factors for colectoral cancer.

This is based on biologic, lifestyle and sociocultural factors. It also been shown through research that lesbian and bisexual females are less likely to participate within cancer support groups. This relates to the issue of “safety” in terms of concerns related to how she would be treated by “coming out” within a group of primarily heterosexual persons.

Research on survivorship indicates that the experience of mutual aid and peer support, from another cancer survivor, can enhance the survivorship experience of newly diagnosed women as well as those who are still on their survivorship path. Even for women who are more than one year away from ending their treatment, the outcomes of cancer treatment endure over time. Hence, it is valuable to be able to share concerns with a fellow survivor.

If you are a lesbian or bisexual woman surviving any type of can-

cer, with at least one year since the end of your treatment, you are invited to become a RAINBOW SURVIVOR BUDDY! This will entail being trained in the “do’s and don’ts” of offering mutual aid and peer support.

After having been trained, you will be matched with a cancer patient who is interested in having a “RAINBOW SURVIVOR BUDDY.” You and your mentee will meet at times and locations of your choice for as long as you determine that there is a need.

You will receive supervision for your work and there will be periodic gatherings for Rainbow Buddies to discuss their experiences. Participation within this program as a Rainbow Survivor Buddy will be contingent upon complying with the principles of the program and reporting protocols.

The primary principle that absolutely must be adhered to is confidentiality.

An inability to maintain confidentiality or to engage in behaviors that are prohibited as a Rainbow Buddy will result in termination from the program.

If you are willing to share your “experience, strength and hope” on cancer survivorship and are at least one year past the end of your treatment, you are eligible to apply for this important and rewarding role. For more information on this program, please place a phone call or send an email to: Nan Van Den Bergh, PhD. LCSW 305-766-1220 585-544-1181 vandenan@fiu.edu

According to Nick Duffy on pinknews.co.uk: The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has found that Walmart unlawfully discriminated against a transgender employee.

More LGBTQ People Have Been Killed in Eight Months This Year Than In All of 2016

In the first eight months of the year, more LGBTQ people have been killed in the United States than in all of 2016. The shocking finding comes from the National Coalition of Anti-Violence, an advocacy group that keeps track of hate-violence-related homicides. – Out.com

Okla. gay man files suit after house is burned down following months of hate attacks

On Aug. 6 Randy Gamel-Medler, an Oklahoma gay man with an African American son, filed a federal equal protection lawsuit in the U.S. District Court against nine defendants from Blaine County. The complaint details months of police and government inaction in response to racist and homophobic threats and harassment... Gamel-Medler saw a fire in his garage and called the fire department. Despite the fire department being located one block away, the fire department failed to arrive until the house had burned to the ground…. a number of the named defendants watched, including Mayor of Hitchcock Rick Edsall, who sat and watched with his family in lawn chairs. – gaystarnews.com, ABC News

Tee Tee Dangerfield, black trans woman, killed in Atlanta

TeeTee Dangerfield, a Black transgender woman, was shot and killed in Atlanta July 31. According to the Georgia Voice, Dangerfield, 32, “was found with multiple gunshot wounds outside of her vehicle.”

Pakistan to make discrimination against trans people illegal

It will soon be a criminal act to stop trans people from inheriting property, deny them education and subject them to unlawful eviction. –Shannon Power on gaystarnews.com

Trump administration may remove LGBT protections in ACA

According to Neal Broverman on The Advocate: The Department of Health and Human Services has crafted guidance that will rescind protections for LGBT patients and women who’ve had abortions, according to The Hill. -Read more on The Advocate

U.S. Supreme Court Affirms “Obergefell” Requires Placing Married Same-Sex Parents on Birth Certificates

The U.S. Supreme Court has issued its decision in Pavan v. Smith, upholding the requirement outlined in Obergefell (the case that banned marriage discrimination based on sexual orientation/gender) that birth and death certificates reflect the same-sex spouse. - Jill Mullins-Cannon on The Seattle Lesbian

Texas anti-trans bill is officially dead

According to Andy Towle on Towleroad.com: The hideous antitransgender bathroom bill in Texas is officially dead after the legislature adjourned its special session without the support to bring the bill up.

Texan is 17th trans murder victim of 2017

A transgender person in Waxahachie, Texas, was shot to death Aug. 12, becoming the 17th known transgender homicide victim of 2017. Gwynevere River Song, 26, who used “they” pronouns, died at home after an argument escalated into violence, reports the Daily Light, a local paper. -Trudy Ring on The Advocate

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

SEPTEMBER 2017

Conversations Investigator Kim Rasbeck of the Rochester Police Department grew up in Wayne County and always had aspirations to be involved in law enforcement.

By Rowan Collins She joined the Navy in the late ‘80s before leaving in 1992 and working her way up the ranks at Home Depot. After 9/11, like so many others, Inv. Rasbeck wanted to do something to serve her country. However, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell prevented her from re-enlisting in the military.

Instead, she followed her goal and paid her way through the police academy in Massachusetts, where she had landed after her naval service. She worked part-time as a reserve office in Hampden and Provincetown, Mass. before eyeing a move back to the Rochester area after the birth of her nephew. RPD hired her on in 2004 as an officer, with a promotion to investigator in 2013.

Inv. Rasbeck also works as the LGBT liaison for the RPD. In this capacity, she works as an “intermediary between the (police) department and the (LGBTQ+) community.”

She takes feedback from community around training needed for the department and work needed for the community itself. She is also available to answer questions from community

members about how the law applies and works in a myriad of situations.

She works closely with the Alliance, hearing reports of incidences of violence and discrimination that occur against community members.

Inv. Rasbeck is assigned as an investigator in the Genesee section of the city and counts the liaison position as crucial, but only part of her work.

“I tell people I’m thankful it’s not a full-time job,” she said, mentioning that if it required full-time it would mean that “we would have a lot more work to do.”

Inv. Rasbeck reports directly to the Chief of Police as the LGBT liaison, making the line of communication as direct as can be. She credits her predecessor, Officer Jim Hall, with taking her under his wing in the development of the role. “Prior to him retiring (in May, 2009) he had kind of been training me and showing me the things that he did… and I took it over from that point.

“I think people can often feel more comfortable talking to someone that is a member of their community about these things. I see this as an

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RPD LGBT Liaison Investigator Kim Rasbeck

extremely important role.”

When not on the job, Inv. Rasbeck spends time with her family, her girlfriend Sarah, and their two dogs. She is also a cyclist and craft beer enthusiast who has ridden in the Police Unity Tour three times.

The PUT sees thousands of officers bike to the police memorial in Washington, D.C. from their chapter locations.

As a member of the LGBTQ community and the police department, Inv. Rasbeck values her role as liaiInvestigator Kim Rasbeck is the LGBTQ liaison for the RPD. son and an out member of RPD. “I think when it comes to protecting the sometimes there’s a big disconnect… rights of (members of) our commuthat (people think) when you put on nity. I think that when you can hear the uniform you aren’t the person that from somebody who’s a memyou were before you put it on,” she ber of the community, it holds more said. “I think it’s important that the weight,” she added.

(LGBTQ+) community knows there “The fewer phone calls I get (as are people from the community servliaison), the happier I am, because it ing the community.” means other officers are working on “We (RPD) have policies in place handling things correctly. I want to that lots of other departments don’t try and work myself out of a job.”

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Community 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 September, 2017.

September Services: 1st Sunday: Labor Day Picnic in Lima…NO Service at Two Saints 2nd Sunday: Catholic Liturgy, with music 3rd Sunday: Quiet Episcopal Liturgy 4th Sunday: Prayers to start the Week followed by Potluck.

The theme for the September potluck is “Cafeteria Cuisine”. What was your favorite or most memorable cafeteria fare? Was it an entrée, side dish or dessert? Recreate your favorite dish and bring it along to share! There is always plenty, so don’t worry if you’ve no time to shop or cook. All are welcome!

REMINDER: Annual Labor Day Picnic on Sunday, Sept. 3. We’ll have an Episcopal Mass at 2 p.m. followed by a potluck picnic at about 3pm at the home of friends in Lima. Call the Hotline for directions to the event.

Hope you can join us!

SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, Oct. 15 is our 42nd Anniversary. We’ll have an Episcopal Mass to celebrate, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Stay tuned for details!

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.

Open Arms MCC At Open Arms MCC we are committed to Building Bridges and Changing Lives.

Our Sunday morning service and Sunday School are at 10:30 a.m. Our Teen & Tween program will start up again on Sept.10 (it will then be meeting on the first Sunday of each month) along with the Rainbow Rangers and Sprouts Sunday School (which will meet weekly). Also Bible study returns on Wednesdays, starting on Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

We also host several community groups in our Community Center; AFTY (Adult Families with Trans Youth, a program of the Gay Alliance), TAGR (Trans Alliance of Greater Rochester) and New Beginnings Christian Fellowship services.

For the meeting days and times, see the calendar in our website.

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. Call the church if you would like to receive our monthly electronic newsletters.

We also have our Community Center and Sanctuary available for rental -- check our Craigslist ads for prices

and pictures of our spaces.

Our pastor, Brae Adams, has office hours on Wednesdays, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.and by appointment. (Please call first to make sure she’s available.) Open Arms regular office hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and our phone number is (585) 271-8478.

Gay Games Team Rochester The entire PARIS 2018 team is preparing to welcome 15,000 participants from all over the world for the 10th edition of the Gay Games.

The only requirement is to be 18 years or older on the day of the Opening Ceremony. Other than that, participation is open to everyone, without any selection criteria or eliminations.

The Gay Games is the only international event open to all that offers so much diversity. Don’t wait to register – first come, first registerered.

Registrations for the Gay Games are by person. Each participant can sign up using the Paris 2018 website – just follow the instructions. Paris2018.com -- 36 sports, 14+ cultural events.

We’re expecting you! Join Team Rochester! Rendezvous in Paris in 2018.

During the Gay Games, all the sporting, cultural and festive events are open to the public. Come to support, admire, applaud sports competitors and artists giving the best of themselves. Depending on the case, you can assist for free or with a paying ticket. Paying shows are for instance the Pink Flamingo, dance sport (for the day, the evening or the gala) and figure skating.

Flower City Pride Band

Sing out! RWCC seeks singers, volunteers.

Rochester Women’s Community Chorus The RWCC is excited for our new season to begin! With our winter concert now set for Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, we are looking for singers and nonsinging volunteers.

All women age 18 and older are welcome and encouraged to sing with us regardless of any prior musical training or experience. We also have numerous opportunities for people of all genders to participate in non-singing roles such as concert production, publicity, etc.

Our first rehearsal is Tuesday, Sept. 5. Rehearsals are held at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. every Tuesday night from 6:30pm to 8:45pm with a short break for announcements and socializing. New singers are encouraged to arrive at their first rehearsal between 6:00pm and 6:15pm for voice placement with the music director. Current members are also encouraged to arrive early for registration and music distribution.

So please do come early, grab your music and visit with your friends before the rehearsal begins. New singers are accepted through the third week of rehearsals. Membership dues range from $50 to $90 per semester. However, no singer will be turned away due to financial considerations. We can work something out!

For more chorus information, visit our website at www.therwcc.org

We are Flower City Pride Band, the LGBT community band of Rochester, NY. Formed in 1994, and formerly known as BASSically TREBLEmakers, Flower City Pride Band is comprised of musicians, twirlers, flag corps and colorguard members from greater Rochester, and the upstate New York area. While the band is predominantly lesbian and gay, we welcome musicians and performers, regardless of sexual orientation.

Join Flower City Pride Band as a musician, twirler, flag corps member or member of the colorguard, regardless of experience.

Flower City Pride Band requires no auditions, just an interest in performing and representing the LGBT community with pride.

To join, just send us an e-mail and we’ll get right back to you with information about our upcoming schedule and performances.

Flower City Pride Band is proud to be a member of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA) http:// flowercitypride.com/

SEPTEMBER 2017

Adult Families of Trans Youth Group (AFTY) AFTY is a facilitated discussion and social group, run by the Gay Alliance, to provide the families of trans adolescents with a safe forum for self-expression, a shared network of support, and to be a central hub of knowledge and resources.

Please join us on the first Tuesday of the month at the LGBTQ Resource Center at the Gay Alliance, 100 College Ave., Rochester, NY 14607. (244-8640)

Come Out &and Play (COAP) Come Out And Play is a GLBT social group based in the greater Rochester, New York area. Our members range in age from twenties to sixties. The group is geared towards everyone, and all are welcome. Our goals are to get out and be active.

We plan activities that allow us to socialize and have fun. New members are always welcome, and there are no membership dues. There are weekly game nights at Equal Grounds from 8pm-12am on Wednesdays, all year long, and there is weekly volleyball on Tuesdays, during the warm months, from 5pm-dark at 702 N. Landing Rd. Rochester, NY 14625 behind Indian Landing school. There are also other parties and events that happen such as movie nights throughout the year and activities to join.

E-mail woody14619@yahoo. com for more information.

ROMANS Members of Rochester Male Naturists (ROMANS) joined an international group of male nudists at a beautifully manicured campground in the Pocono mountains for a week in August.

There were lots of activities to keep everyone busy and tired but there were also tranquil locations by the pond or along scenic trails where we could read and enjoy nature. We ate, exercised, danced and slept naked for up to 10 days in this friendly and safe environment. Friends were made and connections established; it was a special experience for everyone who was there. No wonder so many of the participants had returned year after year to this annual nude camp.

In October ROMANS members will once again join Naturist Rochester at their indoor nude swims. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.wnyromans. com.

ROMANS is a social club for gay and gay-friendly male nudists over 21. We host nude social events in and around Rochester neighborhood. For more information, contact us at message line 585-354-8979, by E-mail wnyromans@yahoo.com or via regular mail at PO Box 92293, Rochester, NY 14692.

SEPTEMBER 2017

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The Alliance

Meet Kayden Miller, the Alliance’s newest Education Coordinator As the LGBTQ Academy at the Alliance continues to grow, demand is at an all-time high for trainings and presentations. Education Director Jeannie Gainsburg and Education Coordinator Rowan Collins spent this summer interviewing potential candidates as they looked to expand the LGBTQ Academy staff -- with great success.

Kayden Miller joins the team as the newest Education Coordinator. Kayden is a Rochester native who just received a degree in Anthropology and Museum Studies from SUNY Potsdam.

“I’m excited to work at the Alliance because I remember growing up not having the language to describe who I was and not having anybody to turn to,” he says. “By being someone who helps others, I can be that person I needed when I was little.

“I so value opportunities for education. I think that people get angry at things they don’t understand, and they don’t understand things because they fear them. If you can bring people to listen and see other people’s experiences, suddenly it’s not so scary – suddenly they aren’t going to fear it – suddenly they’re not going to hate it.”

Outside of his new work at the Alliance, Kayden is a big fan of antiquing and estate sales and is a certified scuba diver.

When asked what superpower he will bring to the Alliance, Kayden had this to say: “I hope to bring in a cultural perspective, the ability to see things in broader terms and make connections with people in our communities… and I can wiggle my ears.”

PICNIC IN THE PARK: Over 50 people happily munched on BBQ chicken, vegan burgers, banana pudding and more at the SAGE picnic on Aug. 19 at Brighton Town Park Lodge. Photo: Bess Watts

Gay Pioneers: Sen. Tammy Baldwin

Image by Lee Moyer. “Otherdoms” opening is a First Friday event.

Fantasy art Otherdoms opens on First Friday at Gallery Q Otherdoms takes a unique look at comic-based artists creating work in their own fantastical universes.

Organized by guest curator, Lauren Alberque, the opening reception is Friday, Sept. 1 from 6-9 p.m. Gallery Q is part of the Alliance Resource Center, located at 100 College Ave. Science fiction, fantasy, and animation have always been vessels to expand our terrestrial and metaphysical horizons.

While they tap into the fringes of human imagination, there are still limits to the reach and diversity of mainstream comics and sci-fi. “Otherdoms” presents the work of artists who fill the gaps in the assumed inclusiveness of alternative fiction. Taking the form of fan art and original characters, the works of Lee Moyer and Liz Pritchard take the realm to its brinks and back, offering an authentic reflection of fans and enthusiasts. Where the boundaries of the fantasy kingdoms end, “Otherdoms” begin.

Gallery Q is open Monday and Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., as well as Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. The exhibition closes Sept. 29.

Tammy Baldwin is the first openly gay U.S. Senator in history and the first woman elected to represent Wisconsin in the Senate.

Tammy Baldwin, Jr. US Senator from Wisconsin, is identified by Out magazine as one of 55 gay people who are shaping the spheres of politics in the world today.

One of the most influential voices in LGBT America, Tammy Baldwin has already used her influence to enact positive change in the United States.

Working to ease the college debt crisis and help millions of Americans pay off their student loans, the liberal U.S. senator from Wisconsin has continued to push for reform.

However, Baldwin faced intense scrutiny for her office’s slow response to the over-prescription of drugs — uncovered by a whistleblower — at the Tomah VA Medical Center. The

senator went on to propose legislation to fight opioid addiction, which the senate passed in March.

For more info: https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Tammy_Baldwin

History Corner: What was happening in September 1975 Issue Number 53 of The Empty Closet was published

by The Gay Brotherhood of Rochester in September, 1975.

The big news story of this issue was “Government Relents on Civil Service Ban”.

On July 3, 1975, yielding to pressure from the courts and gay activists, the federal government dropped its ban on homosexuals in the U.S. Civil Service.

Want to read more? Go to http://www.library.rochester. edu/rbscp/EmptyCloset Click on Browse the Empty Closet issues and then go to 1975 – September – Front Page.

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SEPTEMBER 2017

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SEPTEMBER 2017

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SEPTEMBER 2017

SEPTEMBER 2017

Trans Action

Matthew, age 20, who is non-binary, joined the July 27 rally against Trump’s call for a trans ban at the Federal Building. New “guidance” issued by the White House Aug. 22 will allow Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to consider a service member’s ability to deploy in deciding whether to kick them out of the military. The White House memo also directs the Pentagon to deny admittance to transgender individuals and to stop spending on medical treatment regimens for those currently serving. Photo: Susan Jordan

Trans community rallies against Trump call for ban on military service members Local trans community members have responded to tweets by Donald Trump, who on July 26 stated that he wants to ban all trans military members from serving “in any capacity”. The White House claims that this is not discrimination but rather a military necessity, since trans medical needs are “a burden” on the Pentagon budget.

Condemnation was swift from many quarters, including vets both trans and cisgender. Pentagon spokesperson and head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Joseph Duford announced that no trans service members will be dismissed at this time and that trans military personnel will be treated “with respect”.

Here in Rochester, trans, nonbinary and gender expansive community members and cisgender allies rallied on July 27 at the Federal Building in response.

Matthew, 20, of Rochester, told The Empty Closet, “I am non-binary and I have trans brothers and sisters, and this will affect all of us.”

Trans activist Christine Noble

pointed out that claims of expense and other “military needs” justifications are merely a cover-up for prejudice and discrimination. She commented, “It’s the President’s language that’s the problem. He referred to us as a ‘burden’ – that’s something we hear over and over again, from our families, co-workers, etc.

“Look at the other big news today – the Department of Justice saying that LGBT people aren’t included in civil rights protections. It’s just getting people to accept all forms of discrimination.”

Trans activist Pamela Barres was among the rally speakers. She said, in part, “I am an out and proud transgender woman. As such I was just

blown away when Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the new Press Secretary designate, said that banning trans people from openly serving in the military was in fact supporting the LGBT community. …

“There’s no other way to say it: Trump’s explanation for preventing trans people from exercising the same rights as other citizen that of serving openly in the United States military is just plain BS. I know it, you know it, and I’m sure President Trump knows it as well. This is just a way of changing the subject away from the Russian investigation. And you know it’s not working when Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, not a flaming liberal, says that trans people should not be discriminated against. In fact, I am amazed by the number of people that have come to the defense of the trans community. Perhaps some good will come out of this in the long run as far as

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BY SUSAN JORDAN

being included in nondiscrimination policies across the country.

“Do you know that I’ve read the military spends $84 million a year on Viagra? That’s 10 times more than the RAND Corporation’s study on the impact of trans people serving in the military said it would cost for trans healthcare. …

“We need to stand together, we are all Americans; whether you like the military or don’t like the military is not the question. The question is, shouldn’t people be able to serve in the military and serve their country if that’s what they want to do. …

“So, I suggest we all say no to the Tweeter, and we say yes to all of our trans brothers and sisters who wish to serve and say thank you to all who have served already. … We demand equal treatment under the law, nothing less.”

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SEPTEMBER 2017

Columnist

This month Brandon is bothered by turning 30.

What’s Bothering Brandon?

Life Begins at 30 – Idiocy Begins at “G0y”

By Brandon W. Brooks This month I will be saying goodbye to my youth, and greeting life in my 30s. Yes – I am now an old crone who must watch his diet and exercise to avoid gaining weight, curb my bad habits (six months a non-smoker!), and try to get better sleep. This blows.

I’ve looked through some old pictures of myself from ten years ago

when I was freshly 20. I remember lamenting that I was no longer a teenager, that I was already “old”, and that my extreme youth was over. At nearly 30, I now see I was wrong, that most of my independent youth was ahead of me at that point. Hopefully, I will feel the same at 40, looking back at 30.

During this past month’s self-pity and sorrow, I have broken down and made a few online dating profiles.

No, this does not include Grindr – I said dating profiles. What I found there was both alarming and annoying. Grown men in their 30s, those whom I had mistakenly assumed were more mature, are identifying themselves as “g0y” instead of gay.

At first glance, I thought “g0y” was a simple spelling error, even though “a” is much farther away than “0” on the keyboard. I gave them the benefit of the doubt. Then I saw it again, and again. Maybe these people were anti-Semitic freaks, akin to those who say “no fats, no femmes, no Asian?” No, this couldn’t be so – there was more to it. There was something I was not understanding.

Then I looked it up – please go to YouTube and play the “triggered” sound effect at once.

“G0y” is a term being used by men who have sex with men, men who have romantic relationships with men, but who do not want to be identified as “gay” due to the perceived and actual social stigma associated with the term “gay.” The social stigma in question, specifically, is that of gay men being associated with femininity.

Men who identify as so-called “g0y” experience shame in being perceived as feminine, and find that in order to avoid this stereotype or assumption often placed on gay men, they will instead say they are “g0y.”

My mind was racing. How is this even a legitimate claim or identity this isn’t the identify of a man who is simply masculine or prefers masculinity – this is the identity of a man who is so ashamed of being gay, who has internalized not only homophobia but also gender-based sexism, and is so worried of being perceived as possibly feminine by virtue of having sex with men, that he must create an entirely new category for himself to retreat into.

Those who identify as “g0y” are offended that gay men are associated with gender-variance, that the “G” in LGBT has these connections, and that gay men should be separated from this group in order to avoid further connection with any form of gender expression or gender identity that doesn’t follow the proscribed male-masculine, female-feminine dynamic.

How droll.

Anal sex is shunned by men who are “g0y”, as they feel it is the ultimate form of self-disrespect for men.

It is seen as merely an act of submission, and therefore feminine, and must be avoided at all costs.

We get it – you just want a handy and a blowy, without any strings attached, without any investment or actual effort thrown in, and without any of the stigma or social responsibility that comes along with being an actual gay man. You want a gay cake, to eat it, and then still be the alpha male straight man. Just another variety of Narnian – a creature who lives their entire life in the wardrobe,

where the snow covers all secrets.

This baffles my mind personally because I know that we can be anything we choose to be – masculine, feminine, a mixture of both, something in between or something altogether neither. But to the “g0y” man, these things are more concrete, more fixed, and cannot be interchanged or cooperatively utilized.

Even the name “g0y” was developed with self-hatred and self-fear in mind. Websites and sounding boards for men who are “g0y” often state that the term arises from the need to distance themselves from “traditional, gender-bending, sexually deviant” stereotypes of gay men. They claim that an attempt to remove the stereotypes associated with being gay was their motivation – despite the creation of the name itself being based upon generalizations they themselves have made against the gay community. Like most self-hating, willfully ignorant people, the logic is spotty and circular.

At the end of the day, being “g0y” is simply another means of denying one’s LGBT identity, another expression of discomfort and misunderstanding of gender-variance, and fear of the breadth of sex and sexuality.

One does not have to be gender-bending and variant to be gay, nor does one have to be hyper-masculine. One does not have to enjoy all aspects of sex to be gay or straight, nor must one identify one sex act as “gayer” or “more feminine or submissive” than the rest. All of this is simply based on arbitrary gender and sexuality-based assumptions we’ve carried with us from generations past.

So to all the 20-somethings out there – be honest and truthful about one’s limits and desires, and don’t rely on labels to do so. Just be yourself, and people will respect you for it.

When you identify as something ask yourself “why?” before settling. And never ever create or gravitate towards an identity based on fear of the other – you’ll just look stupid.

Questions, comments, or critique?

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

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Opinion

Trans activist Shauna O’Toole

The Transgender Community needs to unite

By Shauna Marie O’Toole The Transgender “Community” tends to be its own worst enemy.

It is sadly true. We are upwards of three million individuals -- many of whom are trying to “blend in” and disappear into society. That is the wish, one I understand. The reality is that, for many, this is never going to happen.

Some of us are drop-dead gorgeous/handsome and turn heads as a result. Others are gifted with looks that allow them to blend in with the rest of society.

Then there is everyone else.

I tend to be read as Transgender in about 1.74 seconds, +/- 0.02.

I am good with this because that is my reality. Regardless of how much weight I lose or what procedures I have done, I am not going to blend.

Truth be told, this has liberated me.

Maybe this is what we need -- A Transgender Liberation Movement.

We need to free ourselves from the constraints that we and society place upon ourselves. We need a combination societal and political movement that is not unlike the Women’s Liberation Movement.

All of us simply want to live our lives. Be who we are and be respected for simply being Human.

To do this, we need to set aside the false standards that we place upon ourselves. We need to stop arguing about who “passes” and who doesn’t!

Watching transpeople go at each other over “who is trans enough” is like watching a feeding frenzy of piranha!

Look at what is happening politically in this nation. We don’t have time for this bickering. Assume we get real -- because we are -- and move on.

We need to burn our bras and jockstraps, if you will. Set aside the constraints that society wants to place upon us. Then, and only then, can we truly become the SocioPolitical Force we need to be!

If we don’t unify now, we better get used to being third class hominids. That is how society will continue to see us until we, as a unified community speaking with one voice, demand better.

“Intactivist” Tim Hammond

No place for personal sexual tastes in struggle for genital autonomy

By Tim Hammond, Genital Autonomy America Having moved to California in 1983, I traveled back to Rochester in July and thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with long-time friends and witnessing the exciting growth of Rochester’s LGBTI community. I also had the opportunity at the Pride festival to staff a booth for Genital Autonomy America (GAA), of which I’m Vice President.

We advocate respect for children’s rights to bodily integrity and protection from non-therapeutic genital surgeries (“circumcision” and other forms of cultural genital cutting). Bodily integrity is every child’s right, whether they’re male, female or intersex. Children should be free to grow up and decide for themselves how much of their genitals they get to keep.

Staffing the booth was very rewarding. Numerous Jewish parents, including a couple (both sex therapists), shared with me their decisions to keep their sons intact. A human sexuality professor at SUNY/Alfred told me how she always discusses the American custom of male genital cutting. A mother of several intact sons, volunteering at the Libertarian party booth, explained why protecting everyone from violations of their bodies and rights was a core Libertarian value.

In contrast, some visitors defended newborn circumcision on alleged medical grounds. Those arguments, however, are obsolete upon closer examination.

Penile cancer (and cervical cancer) result from sexually transmitted infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV). There’s no need, however, to cut off half the skin system of your son’s penis when there’s now a vaccine for both sexes, Gardisil, that prevents HPV infection.

The alleged 60 percent relative reduction in HIV risk with circumcision is actually only 1.8 percent when considering the absolute risk reduction. By contrast, the daily PrEP pill offers up to 98 percent protection

from HIV. And of course, condoms are still one of the best forms of protection. Essentially, you can use a condom every time, or you can cut off part of your penis and use a condom every time.

Promoting circumcision, in fact, leads to a false sense of protection.

The mass campaigns of voluntary male medical circumcision (VMMC) targeting men and boys in Africa are causing unprecedented individual, familial and cultural harm that’s being documented by the VMMC Experience Project (www.vmmcproject.org).

And with national circumcision rates trending below 50 percent (<20 percent out West), arguing the alleged importance of “looking like daddy or the other boys” is without scientific evidence, fallacious and shallow.

However, the most horrific defense of circumcision I encountered was from several who claimed to support circumcision based on their own sexual tastes. We’re all entitled to our preferences, but fancying circumcised partners is NOT a reason to perpetuate the social custom of newborn circumcision.

One’s sexual tastes are wholly inappropriate to the discussion of children’s rights to bodily integrity and genital autonomy.

ON GARD

SEPTEMBER 2017

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

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SEPTEMBER 2017

Ongoing Calendar

DAILY

WEDNESDAYS

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

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

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

MONDAYS LORA Coffee Social Equal Grounds Coffee House 750 South Ave. Monday evenings. 6pm. Contact: Regina Altizer: reginaaltizer@gmail.com

Identity Group LGBT identified individuals who have a developmental disability diagnosis. The group meets Wednesdays 3-4pm at ARC Health Services (2060 Brighton-Henrietta Townline Rd. 14623).

The goal is to provide a safe space to discuss identity issues, share personal experiences and increase self-esteem. Facilitated by Delaina Fico.

LMSW. Contact Delaina Fico at dfico@arcmonroe. org or 585-271-0661 ext. 1552.

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

SATURDAYS The Repair Shop AA meeting at the LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 5:30-6:30pm, Saturdays. 244-8640.

ROCHESTER AA/NA MEETINGS

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

TUESDAYS

COAP Come Out and Play Wednesday game nights. 7-10pm. Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. coap.rochester@gmail.com

Trans Alliance of Greater Rochester Support/educational group for gender-variant people, allies. Third Saturday, 3-5:30pm, Open Arms MCC, 707 E. Main St.

Narcotics Anonymous AIDS and Recovery, 1124 Culver Road (Covenant United Methodist Church).

6-7:30pm.

This is an NA meeting that is open to all addicts who have a desire to stop using.

Although it is not specifically a gay-oriented meeting, it is welcoming to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as to anyone who is affected by HIV and AIDS.

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

Rochester Rams General Meeting 2nd Wednesdays, 7:30pm, Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave. www.rochesterrams.com

Frontrunners/Frontwalkers 9am, George Eastman House parking lot. www.rochesterfrontrunners.org.

FRIDAYS

Steps Beyond Stems Crack Support Group, Mondays, 7-8pm, 289 Monroe Ave.

Positive Warriors Wednesdays, 11:30am-12:30pm. Trillium Health, 259 Monroe Ave.

TUESDAYS

Positive Divas Wednesdays, 11:30am-12:30pm. Trillium Health, 259 Monroe Ave.

Guys Night Out GNO, social group for transmen, now meets on the second Saturday of the month, 1pm, Equal Grounds, 750 South Ave.

Rochester Historical Bowling Society 7pm. Empire Lanes SAGE Monday Movie Meet-up 1:30pm Dryden Theater 900 East Ave 14607.

Free to seniors. Please arrive early to sit together in right balcony. Contact Roger & Dave: rcfdjm@ gmail.com Movie Schedule: https://eastman.org/ film-series/senior-matinees

Line Dancing at 140 Alex Weekly on Wednesday, 7– 9pm. 140 Alex Bar & Grill, 140 Alexander St. Line dancing lessons upstairs. All types of music, relaxed group, beginners welcome! $2 a person suggested donation.

SAGE Senior Chair Yoga w/ Thomas Somerville 10:30-11:30am, LGBTQ Resource Center 100 College Ave 14607. $5.

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

SAGE Lunch and Learn 11:30am Catered Lunch $3. donation, LGBTQ Resource Center 100 College Ave 14607

Gay Alliance Library & Archives 6:30-8:30pm (Also Tues. and Thurs.) 100 College Ave.

Alliance Yoga with Tom 5:30pm Multi level yoga for all ages. $15. LGBTQ Resource Center 100 College Ave 14607

Empire Bears Every Wednesday. 6pm dinner at various venues.

See Empire Bears Inc. on Facebook.

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

Sophia’s Supper Club First, third Saturdays, 25 Bernie Lane, 6:30pm.

LGBT Immanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Avenue, 7:30pm.

This is a round-robin discussion meeting. If you are shy about meeting people or speaking up in a group, you will find this meeting particularly warm and inviting because everyone gets their turn to speak (or pass).

As a result, this meeting often runs long, so plan on more than the usual hour. Open meeting. Handicapped accessible.

Men’s Cooking Group Third, fourth Saturdays. 585-355-7664, mcgofrochester@aol.com.

SATURDAYS

Saturday Night Special Gay AA 7pm, Unitarian Church, 220 Winton Rd., S. Men and women. Open meeting.

SUNDAYS

Craft Night Third Tuesday, 6:30-8pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 244-8640.

THURSDAYS

PFLAG (Parents Families & Friends of Lesbians And Gays) 585 993-3297, rochesterpflag@gmail.com.

COAP Open volleyball, Tuesdays 5pm-dusk, Cobbs Hill Park near Lake Riley Lodge.

SAGE Senior Chair Yoga w/ Thomas Somerville 10:30am, LGBTQ Resource Center 100 College Ave 14607. $5.

Teen Clinic at Planned Parenthood 114 University Avenue Rochester. Birth control, condoms, HIV testing, counseling. Weekly, Tuesdays 3-7pm.

SAGE Seniors in Service First and third Thursdays 11:30am - 1:30pm.

Call to Connect and other outreaches. Contact Anne for information annet@gayalliance.org.

(585) 244-8640 x23.

LORA Women’s Brunch Third Sundays except holidays. 10am. Pixley’s Restaurant, 2235 Buffalo Rd., Gates. Contact Kerry at DressyFemme@aol.com

Adult Families of Trans Youth (AFTY) A program of the Gay Alliance. First Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30pm, Open Arms MCC Community Center, 707 E. Main St. TransParent Support group for parents of trans youth. Third Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. LGBT Veterans Healthy Living Veterans support. 2nd, 4th Tuesdays, 10-11am Canandaigua VA, bldg. 9, room 8, Library conference room. 585 463-2731, 585 205-3360.

Testing Tuesdays at Trillium Health FREE HIV Testing for everyone, STI/STD testing FREE for women and MSM. Trillium Health, 259 Monroe Ave, 5-8pm. 585-545-7200 Women’s Community Chorus Rehearsals each Tuesday, 6:30-9pm, Downtown United Pres. Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh Street. 2344441, www.therwcc.org Gay Alliance Youth Gender Identity Support Group First Tuesday. 5:30-6:30pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Ages 13-20. 244-8640.

SAGE Men’s Group 50+ 7pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 1st, 3rd Tuesdays. Topic discussion. rtony13@aol.com

Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns 6:30pm. First Thursday. Ralph, 271-7649 Pride at Work & AFL CIO Meets third Thursdays, 6pm. LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Bess Watts 426-0862.

Depression Bipolar Support Alliance Youth and young adults. LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. dbsa.monroecounty@gmail.com GLOB&L (Gays & Lesbians of Bausch & Lomb) Meets every third Thursday in Area 67 conference room at the Optic Center. Voice mail: 338-8977 Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. 7-9:30pm, 423-0650 NLIST Transgender Support Group 5-6:15pm, Trillium Health. Must pre-register.

HRC Second Thursdays Social/business networking, 5:30-7:30pm.

Changing venues.

Genesee Valley Gender Variants 7-9pm, Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. GV GenderVariants@yahoogroups.com Euchre Throwdown Thursday.

Monthly event, this month July 20. 6:30pm, Gay Alliance LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave.

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

Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church 707 E. Main St., Services at: 10:30am. 271-8478.

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

Resources page online at www.gayalliance.org

“We (RPD) have policies in place that lots of other departments don’t when it comes to protecting the rights of (members of) our community. I think that when you can hear that from somebody who’s a member of the community, it holds more weight.”

-Investigator Kim Rasbeck, RPD liaison

The Repair Shop AA meeting at the LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 5:30-6:30pm.

585-244-8640.

Saturday Night Special AA Central Office, 1000 Elmwood Ave. 6:30-7:30pm.

• Open meeting; all are welcome; “straightfriendly” • Mixed men and women • Handicapped accessible. Meetings begin with a speaker, followed by open discussion.

SUNDAYS

Step in the Right Direction 1275 Spencerport Road (Trinity Alliance Church) 7:30-9pm.

This is an NA meeting that is open to all addicts who have a desire to stop using.

Although it is not specifically a gay-oriented meeting, it is welcoming to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Each week features a reading from NA literature, followed by discussion.

Rochester Gay Men St. Luke/St. Simon’s Episcopal Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh Street. 8pm.

Bus riders use the Fitzhugh Street stop on Main Street at the County Office Building and walk south one block.

• Closed meeting, restricted to alcoholics and addicts • Men’s meeting • NOT handicapped-accessible Meeting begins with a speaker, followed by open discussion. ■

SEPTEMBER 2017

21

September SAGE Happy Hour, 5-7pm East End Tavern, 37 Charlotte St 14607.

Food & drink specials. Accessible.

Information: (585) 244-8640 x23 annet@gayalliance.org.

Topic 2: Enhancing your home for function, safety & accessibility... or sale. Getting grants, finding good vendors & more. RSVP: Anne annet@ gayalliance.org or (585) 244-8640x23.

LORA Women’s Walk 6-7pm, Brickyard Nature Trail (Westfall Trailhead) Brighton. Easy 2 mile hike. Parking: Pull into the Landing of Brighton, 1350 Westfall Rd., bear right to the trailhead parking lot.

Info: annet@gayalliance.org

Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Event 10am–3pm, presented by Dept. of Veterans Administration, American Legion, CompeerCORPS & SAGEVets, at American Legion Meyers-Ingraham Post 428, 6180 Knickerbocker Road, Ontario. Speakers, information, music, food & more. All are welcome. Free.

Contact Kelly.Mohrman@va.gov or Wanda.Martinez-Johncox@va.gov “Rosalba’s dream me pumps,” play by Candide Carrasco, at Blackfriars on Sept. 16 at 1pm, Sept. 17 at 7:30pm and Sept. 19 at 7pm as part of Fringe Festival.

THURSDAY 7

FRIDAY 8

Image by Lee Moyer. “Otherdoms” opening is a First Friday event.

FRIDAY 1

Gallery Q First Friday opening. “Otherdoms”. 6-9pm, LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. 2017 Rochester Labor Film Series 28th annual film program.

Joint effort of Dryden Theatre and Pettengill Labor Education Fund of Central Labor Council. Fridays, Sept. 1 through Nov. 3, 7:30pm, Dryden Theatre, George Eastman Museum, 900 East Ave. All the President’s Men (Sept. 22): with local prize-winning journalist David Cay Johnston; The Dying of the Light (Sept. 29): with local film projectionists. General $8, Member $6, Student (with ID) $4; kids (under 17) free. Discount with Dryden Take-10 pass; free with sponsor ticket (limited number of tickets are available at Equal=Grounds). SAGE Labor Film Fest Meet Up 7:30pm at the Dryden 900 East Ave. Free tickets available from Anne, annet@gayalliance.org or (585) 426-0862. “A Better Life” Movie schedule & info at: https:// rochesterlabor.org/filmschedule.html Visit www.rochesterlabor.org or contact jgarlock@igc.org ImageOut “We Are Family” art exhibition opening. Through Oct. 21 at Visual Studies Workshop, Prince St.

SUNDAY 3

Dignity Integrity. Labor Day Picnic in Lima. Episcopal mass 2pm followed by picnic. NO Service at Two Saints. Hotline at 585-234-5092 or check website at www.di-rochester. org/ for updates.

TUESDAY 5

Tangent meeting. Trans and nonbinary youth ages 13-20. First Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30pm. Facilitated by Eri, Luna and Mitch. This month, Starting School with a Sparkle. Youth create to-go glitter jars.

SAGE catered lunch 11:30am2pm $3. “Cake Day” for September birthdays, LGBTQ film short “Pretty Boy” & discussion.

Rochester Women’s Community Chorus first rehearsal of season. Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. 6:308:45pm. www.therwcc.org

WEDNESDAY 6

Youth Game Night at Equal Grounds. 5:30-7pm.

ImageOut Festival Fair. Rochester Museum & Science Center’s Eisenhart Auditorium Complex.

Doors open at 6pm - first opportunity to purchase Festival tickets & passes. 8pm: Programmer’s Preview with insider information on this year’s “must-see” films, followed by FREE screening of HANDSOME DEVIL. For more information check out event page: https://www.facebook.com/ events/109484893078824

SUNDAY 10

Dignity Integrity. Catholic Liturgy, with music. 5pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. Health Quest Plant-based Potluck. 4-6pm LGBTQ Resource Center, 100 College Ave. $3. Bring a dish to pass with the recipe. Learn more about vegan cooking. annet@gayalliance.org

TUESDAY 12

SAGE Lunch & Learn. 11:30am2pm, Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Catered lunch, $3. Neeci Packard of Lifespan presents Getting Around Transportation Options for Seniors.

Foresters Financial Services catered dinner, talk on Financial Wellness for LGBTQ community.

6pm, Resource Center, 100 College Ave.

WEDNESDAY 13

LGBTQ Caregivers Support Group 3-4:30pm Alliance Center, 100 College Ave. Support Group for LGBTQ caregivers offered by Lifespan & Alzheimers Assn. Free, RSVP: Mara mkouides@lifespan-roch.org (585) 244-8400 x239.

SAGE Men’s Discussion Group, 6:30-8:30pm, facilitated by Tony.

Rtony13@aol.com There are openings for 3 new participants.

OUT in the Sticks Batavia Meetup at Go Art! 6-8pm, Pizza & LGBTQ short films with discussion. $5. all are welcome. 201 E. Main St, Batavia, NY 14020 annet@gayalliance.org

THURSDAY 14

2nd Thursday Networking. Skylark Lounge, 5:30-7:30pm, hosted by HRC. ImageOut to benefit from 50/50.

SAGE Breakfast Club 10am12pm Denny’s Restaurant, 911 Jefferson Road, Henrietta. All are welcome!

RSVP: Gerry by 9/12 at gkraus@ rochester.rr.com or (585) 730-8772.

SATURDAY 16

SUNDAY 17

LORA Women’s Brunch, 10am12pm, Pixleys Restaurant, 2235 Buffalo Rd., Gates. All are welcome. RSVP: Kerry at DressyFemme@aol.com OUT in the Sticks Batavia Theater Meetup - 2pm matinee, “The Laramie Project” the Matthew Shepard story. Harvester Theater, 56 Harvester Ave. Batavia 14020. Call Anne 2448640x23 by 9/5 to sit with the SAGE group or purchase your own tickets at https://www.dailynewstickets.com $13. adult, $10. student or senior.

Dignity Integrity. Quiet Episcopal Liturgy. 5pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. “Foreigners” by Candide Carrasco. Gay-themed play at SOTA, part of Fringe Festival. 8pm. Also Sept. 22, 9pm and Sept. 23, 8pm.

MONDAY 18

Other People ImageOut free screening 7:30pm at Fringe Festival Speigelgarden.

TUESDAY 19

SAGE Taco Lunch at Salenas Restaurant 11:30am-1pm, $3. Village Gate 302 N. Goodman St. Followed by a walk through the Neighborhood of the Arts & coffee.

THURSDAY 21

LORA Women’s Walk, 6-7pm, Corbetts Glen Nature Park, Penfield, Park at top of Glen Road (off Linden near Rte 441 & I 490) and walk

through tunnel to trail. Look for rainbow flag on car. 2-mile hike. Info: annet@gayalliance.org

FRIDAY 22

SAGE Fabulous Fish Fry 5:307pm, Merchants Grill, 881 Merchants Rd. 14609. All are welcome! RSVP: Audet by 9/19 at (585)287-2958 or aprice002@aol.com

SATURDAY 23

OUT in the Sticks Dansville Happy Hour & Dinner Meetup, 5-7pm. Caffee Tazza, 177 Main St. Dansville 14437 RSVP to Anne: (585) 244-8640 x23 annet@gayalliance.org.

SUNDAY 24

RISE scholarship brunch. Rochester Yacht Club. Noon-3pm. See page 5.

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

MONDAY 25

SAGE Leadership meeting 6:307:30pm. Get involved with SAGE planning. Info: annet@gayalliance.org or (585) 244-8640x23.

TUESDAY 26

SAGE Tuesday Lunch & Learn 11:30am-2pm. Catered lunch. $3.

Trueman from Rochester Zen Center presents: The Many Facets of Zen. SAGE Social Worker Support 11am-3pm, Mara Kouides LCSW is available on-site to consult on issues around dementia, Alzheimers & caretaking. Free.

WEDNESDAY 27

LORA & SAGE Food Truck Rodeo Meetup, 5-8pm, Rochester Public Market 280 N. Union St. Featuring music by Mud Creek. Bring a folding chair & look for the rainbow umbrella.

FREE shuttle from the East End Parking Garage at corner of East Main and Scio: charge to park. http://www.cityofrochester.gov/foodtruckrodeo/ SAGE Men’s Discussion Group, 6-8pm, facilitated by Tony Rtony13@ aol.com

THURSDAY 28

Euchre Thursday. 6:30pm. Prizes, food, fun. Resource Center.

FRIDAY 29

U DJ Dance. Monthly youth dance at Resource Center, 100 College Ave. Youth provide music via their iPods.

The Community Events Calendar This calendar of community events is open to any organization or individual who has an event they’d like to make known to the entire LGBTQ and ally communities.

FRIDAY 15

Empty Closet deadline for October issue. 244-9030; susanj@gayalliance.org.

SAGE “Pride in Aging: The Road Ahead” 2:30-4pm. Monthly professional presentations for people looking to “Age in Place” as they get older.

Use this QR code - or type in: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/ e/1FAIpQLSdapVq_EtoYEDJkwsxfFopFoApoVskW8fcDoHtK-kjp3tAVsQ/viewform

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SEPTEMBER 2017

OUT in Print Juliet Takes a Breath: a youth title from the Alliance Library Juliet Takes a Breath By Gabby Rivera Riverdale Avenue Books, 5676 Riverdale Ave., Riverdale NY 10471; 2016; $19.99 paper Juliet Milagros Palante is leaving the Bronx and headed to Portland, Oregon. She just came out to her family and isn’t sure if her mom will ever speak to her again. But Juliet has a plan, sort of, one that’s going to help her figure out this whole “Puerto Rican lesbian” thing. She’s interning with the author of her favorite book: Harlowe Brisbane, the ultimate authority on feminism, women’s bodies, and other gay-sounding stuff.

Will Juliet be able to figure out her life over the course of one magical summer? Is that even possible? Or is she running away from all the problems that seem too big to handle? With more questions than answers, Juliet takes on Portland, Harlowe, and most importantly, herself.

October 21 training educates on supporting trans youth Join Dr. Emma Forbes Jones, PhD and the LGBTQ Academy for a unique day-long training opportunity:

Building Nests: Assessment, Treatment, and Support of Transgender and Gender Expansive Children, Teens, Young Adults and their Families The training takes place Saturday, October 21, 9am-4pm at the LGBTQ Resource Center 100 College Avenue, Rochester.

The training will cost PhDs/MDs $150, social workers $100, and students $75.

This training will provide an overview of the assessment and treatment of gender expansive young people and their families, and will educate mental health providers who work with children and adolescents in how to approach clinical work with members of this quickly expanding population.

Work with other professionals to foster understanding, expand knowledge bases, and gather community resources and support for working with trans and gender expansive young people and their families.

Registration: http://bit.ly/2uYqwNJ

SEPTEMBER 2017

23

Culture

Jess X Snow created this incredible mural for Wall Therapy.

Defying Gravity: Jess X Snow, Chrysanthemum Tran, and Wall Therapy

By Rowan Collins “I wanted to have our stories take up and reclaim the space that we have been denied for centuries.”

I sat down with Jess X Snow on a drizzly Thursday during a rare, weather-induced lull in the frenzy of Wall Therapy’s week-long mural festival across the city of Rochester.

Jess is a queer migrant Asian-American artist, filmmaker, and educator based in NYC by the way of Canada and China. As part of Wall Therapy, Rochester’s art and community intervention project which uses public murals to transform the urban landscape, Jess (and dedicated volunteers) worked tirelessly throughout the last week of July to create and bring forth a massive multistory mural on the back of the old FoodLink building on Flint St. The subject of the stunning piece: Chrysanthemum Tran. Her face the focal point, drawn and painted in swirling depth with a deft hand and more love and respect than imaginable. The wall marks Rochester’s first queer mural and its rich roots and deep reverence are obvious to any eye. Chrysanthemum and Jess came up together in the Providence, RI poetry community and have grown as artists alongside each other. “We have both given and learned so much from each other,” Jess remarked, a gleam of appreciation evident.

Both poets were here one summer ago as fellows in the Pink Door Writing Retreat – a poetry and writing workshop for women of color organized and led by renowned poet Rachel McKibbens. Chrysanthemum is a self-described Vietnamese queer trans woman poet and the words of one of the poems she performed from Pink Door adorns the mural to the lower right of her face: “I transcend biology.

I’m supernova – an extraterrestrial gender.

I drink all the water on Mars and rename that my blood.”

When deciding her newest piece, Jess knew she wanted to honor her friend in a public and revolutionary

way. “I knew I needed to do anything in my ability to support her. She is probably one of my favorite poets working right now.” As a cis-identified

woman, she wanted to be active in her ally-ship: “I feel like it’s my responsibility as a cis woman in the queer community to uplift the voices of people

who might not get these opportunities to paint a wall.”

Chrysanthemum, when reached for comment, addressed a multitude of urgent issues facing the trans community: “From the slew of anti-trans legislation to the voices justifying murder against trans women – especially those who are Black, Indigenous, and of color – it is evident that many struggle with how trans and gender non-conforming bodies exist in public. I am honored to be memorialized though a mural by my dear friend Jess […]

Admittedly, I feel strange knowing my likeness and my words exist on such a large, public scale. But the mural demands we reconsider what kinds of bodies we permit to take up space.”

To read the full article, visit bit.ly/2wrEdtz

Big Bang, gay-themed plays, free ImageOut film and Mirror Tent: Check out the Fringe Festival Looking for fun? The Fringe Festival is back.

Friday and Saturday On The Fringe will be Sept. 15 and 16 at Parcel 5 (next to 1 East Ave.) See Plasticiens Volants in “Big Bang” at 8 p.m.

Rochester playwright Candide Carrasco will direct two shows in the Fringe Festival, “Foreigners” at SOTA on Sept. 17 at 8 p.m., Sept. 22 at 9 p.m. and Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. The second show, “Rosalba’s dream me pumps,” is at Blackfriars on Sept. 16 at 1 p.m., Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. “Foreigners” deals with a gay woman from Rochester who is trying to find a home for herself and her cat in Chapel Hill, NC. “Rosalba’s dream me pumps” deals with a reconstructed family, with an exploration of the many faces of love. One of the characters, Rodolfo, is gay and works nights in a drag

Platiciens Volants – The Big Bang!

show cabaret.

The Cristal Palace Speigeltent features Cirque du Fringe Eclectic Attraction nightly. Originally created as traveling dance halls in the early 1900s, only a handful of these magical “mirror tents” exist in the world today. Hailing from Malle, Belgium, the jewel box is home to a scintillating part of the Fringe.

Location: One Fringe Place, across from the Eastman Theatre at Main and Gibbs Streets. Entry is by ticket only: RochesterFringe.com.

Advance purchase is strongly recommended as Spiegeltent shows sell out.

ImageOut will screen a free film, Other People, on Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Speigelgarden.

24

SEPTEMBER 2017

OutLoud

BY JEFF HOWARD

to modern times, on first listen to it I was practically speechless. The song is titled “Bastards” and has a simple message – “Don’t let the bastards get you down / Don’t let the assholes wear you out / Don’t let the mean girls take the crown”. It’s an achingly beautiful song, and its stripped down acoustic guitar instrumentation is unlike anything Kesha has used before. It’s this sense of intimacy and warmth that sets the tone for the rest of the album.

Another great song on “Rainbow” is the third track, “Woman”. There’s nothing discreet about this song – it’s a bold and proud woman’s empowerment anthem.

The list of memorable songs on “Rainbow” goes on and on. “Hymn” is a straightforward pop song for millennials who are simply looking for a sense of belonging. I love the song’s backbeat feel, the

Kesha returns in flying colors with “Rainbow”

Kesha’s “Rainbow” delivers the goods.

We all know that Kesha’s “Tik Tok” is basically the best song ever. Aside from its cute synthesizers and that brilliant line about ditching boys who don’t look like Mick Jagger, the party anthem harkens back to a sweet spot in American history when LGBTQ people were just starting to become more accepted in mainstream society.

That was 2010. Now it’s 2017 and it’s safe to say that no one could have imagined how much America could change in seven years. The voices of hatred and violence are implicitly supported by our current president.

But, wait now – the

same party goddess who bequeathed us “Tik Tok”, “Die Young” and “We R Who We R” in the early 2010s has now released an album titled “Rainbow”. It sounds almost too good to be true – could “Rainbow” be the return of our fearless,

Maia Sutton is company manager for “School of Rock.”

Maia Sutton, company manager, talks about School of Rock tour Class is now in session… Tickets to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s highoctane Broadway and West End hit School of Rock – The Musical are on sale to the public.

Rochester will be the official launch city of the North American Tour of School of Rock – The Musical with a limited one-week run at RBTL’s Auditorium Theatre Sept. 30 – Oct. 7 as part of the 2017-2018 M&T Bank Broadway Season presented by RBTL and Albert Nocciolino.

Tickets will be available via tick-

fabulous leader, to fight for queer people across America?

In short, yes. Yes, she can.

That’s in part because “Rainbow” is a total overhaul of Kesha’s sound. On it, the pop goddess is more mature and musically sophisticated than she was seven years ago. On “Rainbow” Kesha sings about self-love, spirituality and feminism. While doing so, she retains the same fun-loving attitude that made her previous work so intoxicating, but fuses it with country, Americana, rock and pop influences.

The opening song on “Rainbow” is so relevant

etmaster.com, 800.745.3000 and the Box Office. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 585-277-3325.

Based on the hit film, School of Rock – The Musical is a hilarious new musical that follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a mind-blowing rock band. Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful but uptight headmistress, helping her rediscover the wild child within.

Maia says, “I’m incredibly excited to be starting this tour of School of Rock. I was a huge fan of the movie when it came out and I was ecstatic when I was offered the opportunity to get tour the country with a show that people love. I’m a huge fan of both rock and roll and musical theater, so what better way to blend the two?”

Maia added, “There are many challenges and rewards to the company management way of life. For instance, we are basically on the clock 24/7, especially when you are a tour manager. On Broadway it different, at the end of the day everyone goes home to their own apartments and their own lives, but on the road the show IS your life. You are living and breathing the road. You are living in hotels away from your loved ones, and the people that you see the most are the ones you work with.

“On the flip side of that, it’s fun to stand in the back of the house and see the audiences’ reactions to the show that you had a hand in making happen. I get to see amazing cities across the country and I get paid for doing it! So just like all the good things in life, it comes down to balancing it all.”

snap percussion and its reference to Hyundai automobiles.

“Rainbow” is another standout track about loving yourself to the fullest while also accepting that our demons will always come back to haunt us. This track is exceptional in its orchestration, and features some absolutely heartwrenching chord changes.

Finally, “Godzilla” is a absurdly cute track where Kesha laments seeing a guy who is as graceless as Godzilla, but he’s OK “as long as there’s pizza and video games”. This track has a similar stripped down vibe as the opening track of the album.

Kesha shines over these types of songs with just acoustic guitar and vocals.

“Rainbow” ends in a funny, pseudo-profound manner with the track “Spaceship”, a ballad about waiting for escape from this earth. “Rainbow” won’t bring 2010 back – but it’s far from worthless. On the album, Kesha makes a sincere and relatable case for self-love in 2017, without sounding tacky or syrupy. If Kesha’s astounding vocal delivery, lyrical tact and musicality are any indication, she is going to be fighting for love for years to come.

Artist Jenna Vanas creates “Marriage Monopoly” for ImageOut “We Are Family” show at Visual Studies ed. She told The Empty Closet, “I was looking at board games and thought it would be neat to do a Marriage Monopoly board. I substituted my own images for the traditional Monopoly images.

For instance, for the railroad image I substituted a heart; for the top hat symbol I put an image of two women.”

Jenna’s statement for the We Are Family show reads: “…My clear point upon the painting is that I never thought...

ImageOut’s “We Are Family” exhibition opens 10 years ago I would be at Visual Studies Workshop on Sept. 1. Above: displaying my art any“Marriage Monopoly” by Jenna Vanas. where. Marriage used to be via straight marriagBy Susan Jordan es.

Marriage is about peaceful people ImageOut/ImageArt’s “We becoming a team (family). MarAre Family” art exhibition riage keeps the relationship bonded, explores how LGBTQ people secure, and committed...

My feelings today access and navigate maron the painting are in regards to how riage, child raising and fampeople change, grow apart or become ily building and the cultural closer. Some people win, some people and legal barriers that have lose. It’s a fact of life.” endangered LGBTQ families Jenna makes customized game -- and continue to do so in the boards for clients. Her work will also Trump era. be part of a monthly show at the The exhibition will run Sept.

Purple Painted Lady store in Village 1 through Oct. 21 at Visual StudGate, opening Oct. 14. To commisies Workshop. sion a painting from Jenna, go to her Local artist Jenna Vanas is one website: JENNArationArtwork.com of those whose work is includ-

SEPTEMBER 2017

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

Board of Trustees

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

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

(585) 244-9030

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

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