http://www.linkpink.com/10sfw

savoirflair Complimentary Copy

2010 Vol. 3

New England’s GLBT Magazine

pink Pages • KP MEDIA Publication

green fashion

off the rack

RI style

bingo

Earth-Savvy Styles

for a cause

Happy Families

Back Bay

Gay Dads Project

Luxury Classic Homes

HeartWarming Photographs

www.SavoirFlairMagazine.com

Should You

be a gay or lesbian parent what does it take?

My First

Gay Wedding where's the bride?

Plus Film

|

Weddings

|

No. 1

Home Improvement

|

Computers

|

Marketplace

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features

10

Off the rack

by Michael Chunyk • Green Fashion: Earth-Savvy Styles

16

BACK BAY LUXURY

by Michael DuBour • Beautiful Homes from Classic to Contemporary

22 Happy Families

by Gretje Ferguson • Gay Dads & Their Kids Photo Project

30

Should you be a gay or lesbian parent?

by Mary Alward • What Does It Take?

32

pLaying our cards rhode island style

by Gina Nero • Great Entertainment for a Cause

37

Rid yourself of eco-guilt

by Amy White • Easy Ways to Save the Planet

40 KEEPING THE FAITH WHILE

PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE

by Rosemary White • Financial Advice

42

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MY FIRST GAY WEDDING

by Elizabeth Gormley • Where’s the Bride?

departments 8 FILM 37 GAY and Green 40 Financial Advice 46 WEDDING Planner 71 SERVICE DIRECTORY

PublisheR Mary Kennedy

Boston

EDITOR Wendy Mimran

Provincetown

Writers Michael DuBour | Gretje Ferguson | Rose Mary White | Joe Gallo | Henry Levine | Mary Alward | Elizabeth Gormley | Gina Nero | Michael Chunyk | Amy White Sales Rena Berman, Sales Director | Denise Doerrer, Senior Account Manager | Wendy Mimran, Sales Development Manager | Charles Manfredi, Senior Advertising Executive | Meshell Graham | Jackie Bowman | Robyn Martin | John Fachy Production Nicholas Malkoun | Michael Gelobter, Graphics/ Copy Editor | Orella DeVille, Intern | Cleo Marie | Kwame Byrd | Photography Michael Chunyk: Cover | Gretje Ferguson | Nicholas Malkoun | Joe Gallo | Campion and Company |

Northampton Providence Maine Vermont New Hampshire Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island

Distribution Boston Phoenix Distribution, Maxx Trucking Advertising Information All inquires may be addressed to KP Media, 66 Charles St., # 283 Boston, MA 02114 (617) 423-1515, Fax: (617) 423-7147 e-mail: kpmedia@aol.com Š2010 All Rights Reserved. M. Kennedy Publishing, Inc. Savoir Flair may not be reproduced in part or whole without the written permission of the publisher. Advertising content is the sole responsibility of individual advertisers.

Advertisers participating in this guide are not necessarily gay / lesbian, but Openly welcome the community.

Printed in Canada

savoirflairmagazine 5

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savoirflairmagazine 7

TOP 10 GLBT THEMED MOVIES

by Mark Adams

Here’s my special list of the best of the GLBT movies now released. According to IndieWire.com, since the year 2000, thirty-eight gay-related films have grossed over $1 million. Actually, the website is referring to these as “LGBT films,” but that’s a lot of letters for these delicate fingers to type, so let’s just stick with the word “gay,” OK? Many of the films on their list include those that might not be specifically “gay,” and one (the wacko “Bruno”) could be called homophobic. Interesting, too, is that 30 of the 32 top-grossing films were released before 2005. I guess everyone is just too busy Twitter-ing to make good films for/about the gays. But I digress. Let’s take a look at some of them, just because.

Number 10 on the list is “The Next Best Thing” (2000), which it would have to be, because it certainly isn’t this bomb. Billed as a “comedy-drama” about best friends, it stars Madonna (is the word “bomb” becoming almost synonymous with a Madonna movie?

Just asking…) as a straight woman who decides to have a child together with her best friend, a gay man, played by Rupert Everett, a very… er, gay man. In spite of a super supporting cast that includes Benjamin Bratt, the great Illieana Douglas, Lynn Redgrave, Michael Vartan and Neil Patrick Harris, it is being referred to by some as Madonna’s worst movie.

Obviously, they missed “Shanghai Surprise,”“Who’s That Girl,” and her masterpiece “Swept Away,” which should have been, before it was released.

8 savoirflairmagazine

Number 9 is “Far From Heaven” (2002), yet another of those comedy -drama things, about a housewife who, horror of horrors, catches her husband kissing another man, and finds consolation with their black gardener. This all takes place in the 50s, so you can imagine how well this goes over. Julianna Moore and Dennis Quaid are the unhappily-married couple, and the wonderful Dennis Haysbert (he was really the first black US President, you know…well, you would, if you watched “24” a few seasons ago) plays the gardener. One review called it “…boring, bland and quite frankly a waste of time, effort and money.” Nuff said.

Number 8 is “Frida” (2002), about the life of Frida Kahlo, a “political, artistic, and sexual revolutionary” who had affairs with women, among others, as played by Salma Hayek. She’s the one who created “Ugly Betty.” Salma…not Frida.

Number 7 on the list is “Capote” (2005), the better of a couple of films about the effete writer. It won Phillip Seymour Hoffman both an Oscar and a Golden Globe as Best Actor, and the film itself won numerous accolades, all well-deserved.

Number 6 is “Rent” (2005), the film of the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning musical about Bohemians in the East Village of NYC during the late 80s. It’s one of the few recent Broadway musicals to make a smooth (and successful) transition to the big screen, and led the way to this season’s popular “Glee.” What? You don’t think “Glee” is gay? Jane Lynch alone should cinch it for you.

Number 5 is “Milk” (2008), the story of California’s first openly gay elected official. It won two Oscars, one of them for Sean Penn as the gay activist. If you don’t know about “Milk” and/or haven’t seen it, look ashamed.

Number 4 is “Monsters” (2003), based on the life of Aileen Wuornos, a Daytona Beach prostitute who becomes a serial killer, and is the 4th most popular “gay” film of the decade. Charlize Theron won an Oscar and several other awards for her portrayal of the not-verynice woman. The movie takes place during the late 80s when Wuornos had a lesbian relationship with a woman, and during that time, began murdering her clientele to get money without using sex. Must be a lesbian thing.

Number 3 is “The Hours” (2002), a cheery little film about how the Virginia Woolf novel “Mrs, Dalloway” affects three generations of women, all of whom had to deal with suicides in their lives. Nicole Kidman won an Oscar, and awards went to several others, including Meryl Streep, Ed Harris, and Peter Boyle.

Number 2 is “Bruno” (2009), another adventure from Sacha Baron Cohen.

I didn’t see this one. Honestly, I had enough of him as “Borat,” and even though he says otherwise, the word “homophobic” can’t help but come into play. Go figure. And, as bad as this movie is reported to be, the iconic John Waters has listed “Borat” as one of his top 10 films of 2010.

I love John Waters in spite of that.

Number 1 is “Brokeback Mountain” (2005), the top-grossing gay film of the decade. Oh, come now. If your first thought wasn’t “Brokeback Mountain,” then you’ve been living in a cave. Sure, say what you will about the hype, but the story about a “forbidden and secretive relationship” between two cowboys and their lives over the years got a lot of attention and was, all in all, a pretty good movie. True to the original story, it was not just a “gay cowboy movie” but a love story and how love transcends sexuality or gender. Isn’t that just nice.

For over a decade, Mark Adams has been a fixture In Boston’s GLBT Media, writing extensively on film and video of interest to the community.

savoirflairmagazine 9

Off the rack Green fashion shouldn’t conjure images of recycled materials posing as couture. Your father’s duds are fair game for today’s active fashionista.

We spent an afternoon in Northampton, Massachusetts trying on hip looks for everyday life with some clothes off the rack from Sid Vintage, a popular vintage clothing shop.

This look: Sid Vintage Tee Shirt, $15; Yellow-striped Scarf, $10; Stonewashed Jeans, $20; Belt, $12.

Fashions and photos: FEND Photography. Model: Randall Harris.

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savoirflairmagazine 11

The Weekend Warrior Bring youthful style to your weekend with a casual look that can easily turn heads on the bike trail.

Vinyl Zip-up, $40; Stonewashed Jeans, $20; Hi-top Sneakers, $30; Truckers Hat, $10

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The Cheap Date Don’t break the bank when love is on the line.

Keep your look dark and simple. No one likes an attention whore.

Leather Jacket, $120; Charcoal Tapered Jeans, $30; Black Snap Shirt, $20; Graphic Tee, $15; Emblem Belt, $25; Black Demi Boots, $50

savoirflairmagazine 13

The Vintage Tycoon Break through the monotony of the daily grind with adding some vintage pieces to your workday wear without spending a fortune.

Pinstripe Blazer, $50; Skinny Tie, $10; wool pants, $20; Belt, $10; Retro Collared Shirt, $15; Boots, $45; Leather Attache, $50 FEND Photography’s Michael Chunyk is native to the fashion and photography industries and is dedicated to creating artful images of people and places as well as promoting sustainable apparel.

For more information, visit www.fendphotography.com

savoirflairmagazine 14 14 savoirflairmagazine

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savoirflairmagazine 15

Luxury in

Boston’s Back Bay

Beautiful Condominiums from Classic to Contemporary

by Michael DuBour photographs by Campion and Company

S

ounds from the Esplanade echo down Arlington Street, as a couple strolls beside Boston Common. This has been the scene in Boston’s Back Bay for nearly two centuries. Although the styles have changed and the couple, today, may be same sex, one thing remains constant; the Back Bay attracts sophistication, status, and wealth.

The owners of four splendid condominiums invited Savior Flair to tour their lavish domiciles. Boston real estate expert, Tracy Campion, served as our guide in visiting four exclusive homes on Beacon Street, Boylston Street, Commonwealth Avenue and Newbury Street that reflect both traditional and contemporary extravagance unparalleled in the conventional urban dwelling experience.

Burrage Mansion Residences 314 Commonwealth Avenue Approaching this historic mansion on Commonwealth Avenue, one can’t help but conjure images of a bustling Back Bay in the early 1900’s. Prestige and awe welcome you home upon entering this magnificent display of architecture.

The Burrage Mansion, located on the corner of Hereford Street and Commonwealth Avenue, is an 16 savoirflairmagazine

opulent reminder of the money that built the Back Bay. Designed by Charles Brigham, this Gothic French Chateau style home was constructed in 1899 as a singlefamily residence for philanthropist, attorney, and entrepreneurial tycoon, Albert Burrage. This home is constructed from limestone, instead of the typical brownstone that was used throughout the Back Bay. The exterior contains approximately 50 gargoyles and 300 bibliophiles in the exquisitely carved stonework.

The home was occupied by the family until Alice Burrage, wife of Albert, died in 1947. The family sold the mansion and it was converted into doctors’ offices in 1948. The house underwent a massive renovation in 1959 to house the Boston Evening Clinic. It was converted into a nursing home in 1990 and remodeled into five upscale condominiums in 2003.

In 1973 the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Through all the renovations each owner has lovingly maintained the grand entrance and staircase in its original magnificence. This component alone is considered a historic Boston landmark.

The door to this remarkably refined 4300 square foot condominium is a seamless addition, which

essentially blends the division between the grand hall and exclusive entrance to the parlor level residence. I was struck by the detail upon entering, as European marble, rare mahogany, stained glass windows, and intricately designed mosaic tiles adorn the residence.

Palatial splendor is the only way to describe this home. The generous private foyer led directly into a large room with mahogany carved

Photos of Burrage Mansion Residences, 314 Commonwealth Avenue

paneled walls, an original gilded ceiling, stained glass windows, imposing fireplace, and crystal chandelier. Although the original blueprints for the home denote this as the dining room, it is used as a living room today.

Through enormous pocket doors, we walk into a museum-quality room complete with elaborate moldings and impressive fireplace.

Clouds painted in the center of the

ceiling add a certain tranquility to the room. The current owners use this as a dining room; however, original blueprints show that Albert Burrage may have used it as a receiving parlor. Open and adjacent to this remarkable room lay the kitchen and breakfast rooms.

Albert Burrage used this space as a greenhouse and installed a wall of coral to use as a foundation for his orchids.

Three bedrooms grace the residence. Two are located to the right of the main foyer. One is a modest guest bedroom complete with bathroom. The other, situated at the front of the house, faces Commonwealth Avenue and was, at one time, the library. Once again, exquisite detail still remains from the room’s use as the library. One can sense Albert Burrage in a smoking jacket holding brandy as he read ď › savoirflairmagazine 17

Luxury in Boston’s Back Bay

continued from previous page

a novel.

The master bedroom is its own wing. Situated along Hereford Street, the room faces Commonwealth Ave as well. The current owners combined a basement space to this room and created an officelibrary. There is direct access to a heated garage from the lower level library.

One may get lost in time waking up in this Back Bay home. Every attention has been paid to detail and the home is lovingly maintained by the owners, who wish to remain private. The subtle sounds of traffic are the only indications that it is 2009 and not 1909.

Photos of 150 Beacon Street

18 savoirflairmagazine

150 Beacon Street The curb appeal of this Beaux Arts home makes one statement; style.

Designed by Alexander Wadsworth Longfellow Jr., this building is one of just a few of its kind in Boston.

Limestone was rarely used in Back Bay home construction, as brownstone was the popular building material of the era. Isabella Stewart Gardner purchased the land at 150 Beacon Street in 1880 to expand upon her home at number 152.

The structure that sits at 150 Beacon Street, today, was constructed in 1904. In 1961 Emerson College purchased the building to be used as a dormitory, dining hall, and administrative offices. It was converted into apartment rentals and ultimately condominiums.

The massive wrought iron gate that sits directly at the sidewalk entrance adds a stately atmosphere to the already impressive front yard space. After passing through two granite pillars and walking a short paved brick path, we entered an elegant mahogany paneled foyer.

Luxury in Boston’s Back Bay

The elevator opens directly into the spacious 3500 square foot condominium, which consists of the entire third floor. A small, but gracious vestibule, complimented by a barrel-vaulted ceiling and crystal sconces flows into a formal dining room with herring bone wood flooring. An exquisite red Murano glass chandelier adorns the room, adding an unexpected contemporary accent.

Oversized six over six divided light windows overlook Beacon Street from the parlor, and allow plenty of sunlight to pour in. A gas fireplace, set in green marble, warms the room, and is surrounded by custom cherry cabinetry and shelving. The walls are upholstered, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the setting. Just off this room, an alcove facing Beacon Street serves as an office and library. A small wet bar, ideal for entertaining, is subtly tucked away. On the opposite side of the home is a family room practically

equal in size to the parlor. Adorned in oak paneling, this is the more casual of the two entertaining spaces and detailed crown molding outlines the ceiling. Large windows offer picturesque views of the Charles River, Esplanade and Cambridge.

A private terrace snakes along the entire length of the building accessed through French Doors.

There are three bedrooms in this lovely home; however, the master bedroom is well worth mentioning.

Situated at the end of a virtually private hallway leading from the family room, this large master suite has two dressing-bathrooms that lead off the main sleeping room.

This includes closet space and is an amenity that allows each partner to enjoy optimum privacy if needed.

The master bedroom, with a view of the Charles River, includes a fireplace.

The two other bedrooms are very comfortable in size. One in particular boasts two Murphy beds installed by the current owners.

The beds sit behind tastefully paneled doors and allow the room the versatility to be used as a den, office or guest suite.

The current owners, who are very discreet, made slight revisions to this amazing city home. They absorbed part of a guest bedroom in order to create the library alcove off the front parlor. However, they have been extremely careful to maintain the elegant details that a Back Bay home of this level demands.

Mandarin Oriental 776 Boylston Street Main Penthouse If you like to be pampered and demand quality service at home, then traditional Bostonian living may not interest you. However, the main penthouse of the Mandarin Oriental Residences on Boylston Street, just may do the trick.

Designed by CBT Architects and built in 2008 by CWB Boylston, this spectacular building is brand ď ›

savoirflairmagazine 19

Luxury in Boston’s Back Bay

new in real estate terms, and home to a plethora of Boston’s elite and wealthy. Robin Brown, one of the developers, says the Mandarin Oriental is “built for service.”

Consisting of 75 residences and private valet parking, there is direct interior access to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Lord and Taylor, and The Prudential Center Mall. The building is “green” as many prolific and renewable materials are used in its finishes. Energy efficient and ecologically sound details are included in the construction.

Intentional placing of large floor to ceiling windows provides accent solar heating to the condominiums.

The developers hired RDK Engineering to specifically design the energy conscious aspects of the building’s systems.

Upon entering, we are welcomed home by an extremely friendly doorman who makes it a point to ask if we need anything to make our evening special. Nice touch.

The concierge, dressed in a long tailed jacket, continues the treat-

continued from previous page

ment as we wait for the elevator to take us to the top floor. The doors open directly into over 8,000 square feet of bright loftlike, contemporary space. The entire perimeter of this penthouse is flanked by continuous floor to ceiling windows, which flood light into every corner. Although the sun was already setting, there was no need for illumination.

Numerous large terraces with granite flooring grace the living room and master bedroom. Each terrace is large enough to be con-

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sidered additional living space, weather pending.

This is on top of the world privacy in the city, even with the Prudential Tower next door, allowing you to appreciate the Mandarin Oriental’s dominance in the Boston skyline. There are stunning sights out of every single window.

Panoramic views of The Back Bay, Cambridge and the Charles River are seen directly out the living room. Each of the guest bedrooms has direct line of site views of the R2D2 building 63 

Photos of Mandarin Oriental, View of Entrance (left), View from Penthouse Roof Deck (right)

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Gretje Ferguson’s

Happy Families

Gay Dads & Their Kids began this project, Gay Dads and their Kids, in 1999, when I saw an announcement in a newspaper about a meeting for Gay Fathers of Greater Boston. At that time I realized I had never seen a photograph of an openly gay father and his child(ren). I also imagined that there must be a high level of commitment from the father to actively seek out ways to create the best possible relationship with his child, even in the face of possible prejudice and negativity 22 savoirflairmagazine

from the community at large. Most of the Dads I photographed at that time had children from previous marriages. Just one couple had used a surrogate mother for their children.

Ten years have passed, and the landscape has changed dramatically. Now that gay couples are free to marry, many are making the choice to become parents, often through adoption or surrogacy. The makeup of these families is excit-

ing. Parents may be single, married, or committed. Kids have been adopted from Third World Countries, or have been lovingly planned with a surrogate parent. These Dads have entered into a lifelong commitment that a short time ago would have been impossible.

While photographing gay dads and their kids, I found virtually no difference from any of my family photo shoots. When kids are young, I just follow them around until they get used to me. If I’m lucky, everyone comes together in one place for at least a few frames. It gives me great joy to witness the love and warm connection in these families.

My style has changed as well in the last 10 years. I originally photographed my projects in black and white, but now I have introduced color into my work. My approach has become more candid, partially due to the young age of many of the kids. The sessions are wild and fun, with some contemplative moments. Just like life!

For years I have loved using my camera as a translator for my world view, which seems to be a combination of optimism, drama and humor.

As a portrait photographer, I collaborate with my clients to create a special moment that reflects the reality of who they are. Whether I am photographing a family or child’s portrait, a business headshot or a headshot for an artist or author, my goal is to capture the inner life and spark that emanates from the people in front of my lens.

I have always been drawn to people who live their lives with a profound appreciation for each moment. My special projects reflect this. In photographing people confronting cancer, my goal was to show how those affected by this devastating disease may actually see their lives emotionally enriched as they find new resources

they never knew they had. My photographs of gay dads and their kids show the wonderful dynamic existing in alternative families.

One of my favorite types of photography is the Relationship Portrait, which explores the interaction between people who care about each other.

Both the lighting and backdrop are extremely simple, which helps to focus on the emotion.

I learned this approach from a workshop with photo guru Tim Walden, who is an inspiration to photographers all over the world. 24 ď ›

Photographer Gretje Ferguson gretje@gfergphoto.com savoirflairmagazine 23

Happy Families

Elliott Kronenfeld decided on Wollaston Beach for the photography session with his kids, Michael (8) and Olivia (3). I’ve photographed Elliott on at least four other occasions, so this was a fun and natural process for all of us. I just followed them around while they explored the beach and romped in the water. It is always a joy to see how their loving relationship is evolving.

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Gay Dads & Their Kids

I was happy to hear that Michael McGuill and Jonathan Schwartz were renting a beach house in Provincetown when I approached them about a photo shoot. Michael and son Luis had just come back from a long bike ride, so the family was content to relax in the house for some portraits. I found the connection among the three of them to be moving and inspirational. ď ›

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Happy Families

When I photographed the wedding of Alex Macalalad and Gilbert Glick a few years ago, their son Zak was only two years old.

Now, at the age of 5, Zak is a proud big brother to two-year-old twins Cole and Maya. I continue to be amazed at the incredible commitment Alex and Gil have made to create this wonderful family.

26 savoirflairmagazine

Gay Dads & Their Kids

Russell Clifton and Stephen Constantino spend their summers on Cape Cod with sons George and Charlie.

I loved their home (designed by Russell), loved the Cape light, and especially loved their family interaction.

Lots of rough and tumble, intertwined with gentleness and understanding. ď ›

savoirflairmagazine 27

Happy Families

I photographed Bill Shaw and his children outside their beautiful, rustic home west of Boston. I was delighted to see they have an expansive yard that allowed Madeline, Owen, and their dog, Otto, plenty of space to run and play to their hearts’ content.

The photo ops were endless! The kids were happiest when climbing all over their dad. t

28 savoirflairmagazine

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Should you be a Gay or Lesbian Parent?

by Mary Alward

When gay or lesbian couples chose to begin a family, it is a choice. Whether they have children through adoption, birth, fostering, step-parenting or surrogacy, they are judged because of stereotyping and lack recognition as a traditional family unit.

Making a decision to have a family is not easy for anyone in today’s world. Having children has its pros and cons. Gay couples who decide to have children face an even greater challenge because of the way that society looks at the family unit.

30 savoirflairmagazine

Many gay couples desire to become parents; others assume that being gay means they have to forfeit this opportunity and have been surprised to realize that having children is now an option that’s open to them.

All parents make a life long commitment to their children whether they are gay or straight. They look back on their childhood and the relationship they had with their families. They assess how their family functioned, the stability and security that was involved and they look at how past intimate relationships have affected them. Gay couples have to also look at their support network. Will family and friends agree with their decision, or will they be met with criticism at every turn. Do they care? How will having children affect their lives?

Evaluating Your Decision Gay couples, as well as other

prospective parents, need to evaluate their lives to decide if there’s a place where children will fit in. If there’s room for children, they need to evaluate how to bring them into the family. Will your finances support children; will your career goals affect a family that includes little ones?

Do you and your partner have a good relationship with an excellent communication level?

After evaluating their lives, some gay couples choose not to have children. Others will find that there’s plenty of room, and love, for youngsters in their lives. In spite of challenges, obstacles and fears, they will pursue the option of becoming parents.

However, this is something that both partners must want, agree upon, and commit to.

Babies?

Will you choose to have a baby, or adopt or foster an older child?

Having a baby in your household will change your life forever. You have probably heard it a million times, but the decision to bring children into your life will be an experience that literally alters your life as you know it. Parenting completely consumes your life unlike any other experience you’ll ever have, especially if you bring a baby or toddler into the home. For each child you have, the responsibility increases emotionally, physically and financially. However, children can make you see the world in a unique way through their eyes. They see innocence, purity, beauty and wonder in everything and give unconditional love.

If you choose to continue with a career, you, just like straight parents, will juggle responsibilities of work, loyalty to your 60 

savoirflairmagazine 31

“Playing Our Cards”

Rhode Island style

text and photos by Gina Nero

Above: Hostess, Kitty Litter, amps up the crowd

32 savoirflairmagazine

Above: Bingo player Dawn Brew

This isn’t your grandmother’s Bingo. It may share the same fluorescent lighting and

folding tables, but on the third Thursday of every month, the Riviera Bingo Palace in Cranston, RI is transformed. Gay Bingo is an elaborate gathering of people both young and old, straight and gay, bisexual and transgender. One can’t help but be consumed by the contagious energy. Though the website promises ample parking, I had trouble finding a spot. Either the definition of ample isn’t what I thought it was, or the buzz about Gay Bingo was true. Parking availability is always a tell tale sign of what’s in store—and this is no exception. I don’t know anywhere else people are so free, eclectic, and open-minded that they’d let you interview them right through the stall doors in the bathroom.  savoirflairmagazine 33

GayBingo

continued from previous page

Above: Bingo enthusiast Mahogany Lite plays several cards simultaneously

Under normal conditions, it’d probably be creepy if I was taking notes and shouting to people through a stall door, but here it seemed like common practice.

People going in and out don’t even bat an eye as I holler questions over a stall. Gay Bingo is not restricted to only members of the GLBT community. Absolutely everyone is welcomed. Lisa, from Bristol, comes because “It’s a blast. I’m not gay. I don’t like bingo. I don’t 34 savoirflairmagazine

bet. I don’t gamble. It’s just great laughs and everyone’s so committed; it’s a great time.” I hadn’t even made it out of the bathroom yet when I met Cristen, a bisexual in high spirits. It was her first time attending, and she just wanted to get to know people. Gay Bingo: a great way to meet new people from all walks of life. She was excited and credited her attendance to her foster mother, Dawn Brew, a bingo regular. The big allure to-

night is the return of Kitty Litter, the most stylish of drag queens with a personality to match. She is the hostess for tonight’s theme, “The Bitch is BACK.” She has taken some time off from hosting Bingo, but the crowd welcomes her back with open arms. It isn’t hard to see why. To kick-off the game we all stand up solemnly to remind ourselves of the real reason we are here. We follow Kitty in a repeat-after-me chant proudly agreeing to play “a stupid game every month until this rare disease is cured.” Once the game gets going, the room goes silent as everyone turns their focus toward their cards. For such an enthusiastic crowd, they take their bingo very seriously. The rules according to Kitty: “Get a bingo—get up and scream. Or screw you!”

The players mark off their cards as different sponsors take turns calling out the numbers. Even this is done in style. “I28, I as in Incontinence, G52, G as in Gay, O69, O as in Oooh, Oooh, I30 as in “I love Kitty Litter.” And so the night goes. Kitty Litter keeps the fun rolling—slinging bold, suggestive, and sarcastic comments at the receptive crowd. When I ask why she has such a committed following, she responds “I’m funny as hell.” She says, “I’ve worked very hard to keep my following by continuously reinventing myself and making the guests feel like they’re part of the show.”

The flair and energy are huge elements of the fun, but it’s the cause that really draws the crowd. All the money raised goes toward AIDS Charities, and the generosity of the sponsors is inspiring. Dawn Drew comes for the cause. “I’m an absolute fan of the

GayBingo

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charity,” she says as she lines her cards out on the table and comments on the custom made bingo stamps that were designed to look

like men in bikinis. “They cost a little extra, but it’s for charity, so it’s great.” For Kitty, the cause strikes an emotional cord. 66 

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Rid Yourself of Eco-Guilt

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By Amy White

Most people want to live in an environmentally friendly way, but few people want to live off rice and lentils or sleep in a mud house far from civilization and Starbucks.

With green living, it seems like it’s all or nothing - you either live off the land or destroy it with your greedy consumerism.

As a result, eco-guilt runs rampant. Commuters feel guilty for driving to work. Restaurant diners feel guilty for ordering the prime rib, and shoppers feel guilty for taxing the earth’s resources. Fortunately, you can help save the planet by making small, easy-to-live-with changes. Follow these tips for simple ways to rid yourself of eco-guilt.

Continued on next page

savoirflairmagazine 37

continued from page 37

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Rid Yourself of Eco-Guilt Instead of walking 20 miles to work . . .

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Keeping the Faith While Planning for Your Future Rosemary D. White

O

ur modern day fight for civil rights may have started at Stonewall in 1969, but I think it’s the road for marriage equality that’s brought our quest for financial security into sharp focus. Now that five states are in the marriage equality column, the 1,138 rights afforded heterosexual married couples at the federal level are no longer just a hope. We expect and demand these protections and we’re not going to stop until all LGBT couples have access to them.

With tough losses late last year in Maine and New York, it’s easy to become discouraged, given how politics is so inextricably linked to our long-term financial security. However, we must keep the faith, because the momentum is moving in our direction: • New York’s highest court recently upheld policies which grant spousal benefits to gay public employees who got hitched in another state.

• Two different federal judges in California have ruled in favor of granting benefits for gay and lesbian couples. These benefits had previously been denied.

• Voters in Washington state last November gave a thumbs up to the so-called “everything but marriage” proposal that expands partnership rights to unmarried elderly couples in addition to lesbian and gay couples.

• The Washington, D.C. City Council approved a marriage equality bill in December.

• The U.S. Congress has also approved legislation providing health insurance, disability and retirement benefits to the partners of federal employees.

Our brothers and sisters in New York will have to wait a little while longer before the state legislature ratifies gay marriage.

(New York won’t be getting any of my tourist dollars until they do.) A recent interview of the president of Marriage Equality New York is encouraging. Recorded before New York’s rejection of marriage equality, Cathy Marino-Thomas

puts it all in perspective when she spoke with Charlotte Robinson of OUTTAKE MEDIA on December 1st . You may want to listen at http://voices.outtakeonline. com/2009/11/gay-activist-cathy-marinothomas-speaks.html

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While we’re waiting for the laws to catch up with our lives, now’s the time to get your financial house in order by doing what you can to plan for your future.

Since our planning issues tend to have more twists and turns, make sure you have all the proper estate planning documents in place. Whether you are single, coupled, or married, don’t leave your estate plan up to your state, which will distribute your assets if you die without a will. For your non-retirement assets, you might want to think about having a Transfer on Death registration for your stocks, bonds or mutual funds. If you die, the person you name will automatically become owner of those assets. Here’s a few other tips on how you can protect yourself and your family if you became disabled or seriously ill:

This kind of coverage is becoming more important as the number of nursing homes declines, but the cost of care continues to rise. It’s not for everyone, but does make sense for those with sufficient assets.

Health Care Proxy This will enable you to designate someone else to make medical decisions for you if you’re incapacitated. If your designee has the health care proxy, the doctors and other medical staff must follow their instructions.

Once you’ve gotten those important legal documents drafted, signed, and put in a safe place, I’d recommend you switch gears and focus on improving your financial bottom line. This kind of planning doesn’t have to be drudgery. Spend some time now and you’ll be in control of your future. It’s a great place to be:

Set Financial Goals Want to save for a specific project or item?

Write it down and put it where you’ll see it every day like the refrigerator or bathroom mirror. 58 

savoirflairmagazine 41

My First Gay Wedding

by Elizabeth Gormley

am a bartender at a private events facility on the 33rd floor of a downtown Boston skyscraper.

The space is beautiful and vast, polished mahogany floors, a grand staircase to a mezzanine, and windows the size of an IMAX screen that give a jaw-dropping peripheral view in every direction.

Boston melds old and new, natural and man-made, seamlessly, expertly, and there is no better place to perceive it than the windows of my workplace. The cobblestones of Faneuil Hall are palpable below.

42 savoirflairmagazine

A little further off is the gold dome of the State House.

In a different window there are the steeples and low brick tenements of the North End. Rising from Boston’s crooked, narrow streets are towers made of granite and glass, steely, bright. Sometimes at work I forget I’m standing at the top of one of them. The foliage in the parks turns colors, falls off, and grows back with each season. The harbor glistens blue yearround, carrying vessels from industrial tankers to skittering sailboats across its surface. Even the planes

approaching Logan seem lower than where we’re standing.

Corporate dinners, cocktail receptions, charity events, auctions, bar mitzvahs, political assemblies, big birthday bashes—and weddings. A lot of weddings. In the two years I’ve worked here, I must have seen over a hundred weddings. Sometimes the ceremony is on-site; sometimes we host only the reception. There have been dogs-as-ring-bearers, private fireworks displays over the harbor, and the nuptials of Arabian royalty.

I’ve worked all night behind bars sculpted entirely of ice, shivering for hours. I have seen a bride and groom yelling at each other five minutes after exchanging vows, fighting over who will be in their pictures. There has been fainting, vomiting, a two-thousand dollar cake caught in the nick of time before it fell to the floor, and brides that literally had to be pushed out of the bridal suite toward the aisle.

I don’t want to do it, one said, but she did it. She got married.

Of course, most of the time it’s

your standard, garden-variety wedding. For us, it’s a three-hour setup, arranging all the booze, chilling the wine, champagne and beer, lining up the glasses, cutting limes, pouring ice. When the ceremony is onsite, the tables and rolling bars are set behind curtains. There is a mad dash to flip the room during cocktail hour, the hour we bartenders get ravaged upstairs. By the time the guests descend for dinner the space has gone from ceremonial to celebratory, the immaculate china, silver, ornate centerpieces, blazing candles, and the band playing, looking not unlike the main dining room of the Titanic.

I wanted so badly from day one to work a gay wedding, and this past summer I finally got my wish.

My brother is a bartender at the same place—he got me the job— and he worked a lesbian wedding back in the spring.

“What happened?” I’d asked him the next day. “What was it like?”

“It was a wedding,” he said. “You know, just a wedding.”

“But how was it different?”

“I dunno,” he shrugged.

“They both danced with their fathers.”

But he is straight and I thought he just wasn’t paying attention.

Barbara, our seasoned bridal attendant, had a different story: “I was in tears before the ceremony even started. Two brides, two dresses, two sets of nails to make sure were perfect, two bouquets to hold while they were busy, two everything. It was double the work and they didn’t want to see each other before the ceremony. I couldn’t be in two places at once! I’m telling you, I was crying.”

“So your job is easier with two guys?” I asked.

“Well, not always,” she said.

Greeks throw dollar bills on the floor and dance on them. A Jewish ceremony ends with the stomp of a glass, and at the reception the bride and groom are hoisted on chairs while the guests dance around them. The Irish get wasted. Italians pay more attention to the food than the alcohol; 

Author and Event Bartender Elizabeth Gormley

savoirflairmagazine 43

My First Gay Wedding continued from page 43

the line at the gelato and cookie display is longer than the line at the bar. What would the gays do?

The day of the Suarez/Churchill commitment ceremony came and I had no idea. I only knew there were two grooms. Would our elegant space go all pink and mod?

Would the flowers at the center of the tables be especially finicky and elaborate? Would the lights be dimmer than usual? Could the five-piece brass band that was booked pull off Madonna?

For Greeks, we add ouzo to the bar. Jewish people drink vodka, WASPs drink gin, the Irish drink (pound) beer, and the Italians drink red wine and cordials like Sambuca and amaretto. What would we need to load up on for the gays?

“A lot of young gay men drink beer now,” said my fellow gay bartender, Bill, who himself does not drink at all.

“Well, how old are they?” I asked, as we pulled the liquor.

“I don’t know. Here’s some extra champagne, anyway,” he said, passing the bottles.

“Why are they calling it a ‘commitment ceremony’? We can call it a wedding.”

“Personal preference,” Bill said.

The guest count was over two hundred people. We anticipated a great gay party. Bill rubbed his thumb and fingers together when we finished setting up, the universal sign for cash. Gays were famously lavish tippers.

I watched from the mezzanine.

The older guests were the first to arrive, as usual, the grandparents, the aunts and uncles. A photographer moved around the chairs arranged in a semicircle, the rows facing the huge windows. At the center of the windows was the 44 savoirflairmagazine

table where three candles sat unlit, two small ones and one large one. Two men wearing identical grey suits mingled with the families. The grooms, I realized.

Clearly they didn’t mind seeing one another before the ceremony.

Fred and Carlos were probably in their mid-forties. Fred was tall, slight, and bald on top with closely cropped grey hair. He raised his eyebrows as more guests walked through the door. He wrung his hands and glanced out the window. Carlos was six inches shorter than his mate, with a full head of curly black hair and an enormous smile that did not fade between the snapping of pictures.

Fred and Carlos posed in front of the windows with clusters of guests as they arrived. There were hugs and kisses before the snapshots. There was no bride-side/ groom-side of the congregation, but it was easy to tell the families apart. One was Spanish, darkhaired, gregarious, turning around in their seats and talking to each other. Fred’s family was pale and reserved, studying the program facing forward, leaning and whispering to each other. More guests arrived and sat themselves. Some

same-sex couples, some hetero couples. All of the guests were dressed elegantly, tastefully, a sea of refinement collecting themselves. They quieted as Fred and Carlos took their seats in the front row. There were nervous coughs, then silence before the music began.

Up on the mezzanine, just a few feet away from me, there was a keyboard player and a large woman, a singer, who began the ceremony with ‘Ave Maria.’ It was rich and operatic. It’s a standard wedding song, but this time no one walked down the aisle; no one was given away. The ceremony was secular, presided by a woman who spoke of love and commitment on general terms. Then she moved on to marriage. Marriage happens because of friendship and devotion. Fred and Carlos’s dedication to each other so far was a foundation, and marriage was the house they were building, a place where they would live forever.

I’ve heard a variation on these themes at every single wedding I have worked. Going back to when I started the job, I watched the first couple of weddings and I thought, wow, they’re getting married.

After that, I hung out and ate and chatted in the kitchen with everyone else.

I popped bottles of wine on the mezzanine bar as quietly as possible as vows were exchanged below, anticipating the wild cocktail hour. Another wedding—so what? But when Fred and Carlos stood up to tie the knot, I leaned a little further over the mezzanine glass. No one else seemed to care very much, not even my fellow gays. Everyone else had seen it before. Waiters were traying the first round of hors d’oeuvres, and quietly arranging the bread 50 

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Yarmouth House The Yarmouth House Restaurant is the perfect location for that special rehearsal dinner or wedding reception!

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My First Gay Wedding

and cheeses. It happened so fast.

A woman stood beside Carlos, and a man stood beside Fred.

The short vows had the words “respect,” “friendship,” and “equality.” Each man took the other to be his life partner. Together, they lit the large candle at the center of the table. They shared a short kiss and a hug. Everyone applauded. I did too. I didn’t know them, but I was proud of them. Fred and Carlos smiled, held hands, and walked up the aisle.

I remember the night Massachusetts started issuing the first samesex marriage licenses in the United States. At midnight on May 17th, 2004, the first couples could apply for the licenses at City Hall in Cambridge. It was a short walk from my house, and my then-girlfriend and I wove through the huge, reveling crowd. Massachusetts Avenue was closed for several blocks. There were news trucks, spotlights, police cruisers parked with their lights flashing. There was a helicopter above. People were hugging, crying, smiling. I even saw a cop smile at a gay juggler. My girlfriend held my hand. She took pictures. “This is history,” she said. There were signs: Massachusetts Rocks, and, Next Stop, Arkansas. But that moment, it was Cambridge. We had it by its liberal, intelligent horns.

I said to my girlfriend, “This

My First Gay Wedding

whole thing makes me feel really happy but a little embarrassed.”

“Why?” she asked.

“Because I haven’t done anything.

Me, personally. What have I done?

I haven’t campaigned, rallied.

Nothing.”

“So what? You’re still on the team.

Sometimes you just get taken care of for being on the team. You do more than you realize, just being.”

A few months later, when the Red Sox won their first World Series in eighty-six years, the owners made it a point to say that every single member who played that season would be given a championship ring. Everyone. From the minor league pitcher called up to pitch a single inning back in April, to the everyday first baseman with bruises covering his body. They all contributed. They all helped win.

They were all part of something none of us thought would ever happen.

During the cocktail hour, I shook out an average number of cosmos.

I poured the standard amount of champagne. No one asked for a Kir Royale, or even so much as a bay breeze. Some of Fred’s family had British accents; they had flown from England for the wedding, and they drank gin and vermouth. The Latino contingent drank Corona and rum and Coke. Mostly, it 52 

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My First Gay Wedding

was Scotch, wine, vodka tonics, whiskey and sodas. We stayed busy through the hour as the guests mingled, and the two cultures of the grooms’ families mixed. The guests were dressed well and they were gracious. But this was the case in virtually all of the weddings I had ever worked. Bill and I wrapped our fists around a decent amount of cash that had been tossed on the bar during the hour, before descending for the dinner reception.

Barbara the bridal attendant met me at my bar downstairs. The guests were seating themselves for dinner.

The servers walked around the tables offering red or white wine. “I need two glasses of champagne for the grooms toast,” she said. “How’s it going?” I asked, as I poured.

“It’s going well, but the tall groom is nervous. He was nervous before the ceremony. I told him to take deep breaths. He just told me he’s still nervous. He’s making me nervous. I told him, relax. This day only happens once. Well, ideally.”

“How about the other groom?”

“Calm,” Barbara said, walking away with a bubbling flute in each hand. “Happy as a clam.”

The toast was given by Mark, the man who had stood beside Fred during the ceremony. Each line he spoke was translated to Spanish by a woman holding a second microphone. Mark had met Fred back in 1991. They were cowork-

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My First Gay Wedding

The E String ers, and then good friends. Mark had married his partner two years ago. Mark is Jewish, and he explained what the word bashert means in Yiddish: destiny in finding your soul mate. Bashert refers to the person who fits you like no one else. It’s the one to whom you are most attracted, the one whose life goals you share, the one who brings out the best in you. A bashert often compliments you so well because he or she is your opposite. Mark told the guests that Fred and Carlos are clearly one another’s bashert.

To explain Fred and Carlos visually, Mark moved east from Israel to China. They are sort of like the yin-yang, opposing but not quite able to exist without the other.

And literally, one is dark and one is light. Fred and Carlos beamed at their table as the glasses were raised.

“To opposing forces, soul mates, and happiness,” Mark said, and everyone drank.

Salad, entree, then the cake, which was vanilla with strawberries and butter cream frosting, and it did not have two little wax grooms on top of it—but the petals of exquisite tiger lilies. A moderate amount of drinks were poured. With tableside wine service, the bars are usually pretty quiet during dinner. The brass band played soul and R & B, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, the Isley Brothers, and Michael Jackson, whose recent death would 54 

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continued from page 53

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My First Gay Wedding

make “Billie Jean” a wedding staple, all summer long. I heard the song in my sleep.

Fred the groom came to my bar toward the end of the night. He was sweating from the dance floor. His suit jacket was off. He ordered water, drank it fast, and then a gin and tonic. Barbara, the bridal attendant came up behind him.

“Hey, that’s my job,” she said.

“I’m supposed to get you whatever you want.”

“I’m sorry,” he smiled.

“I’m teasing,” she said. “How are you feeling?”

“Better. Whew, what a day.” He made a mock gesture, wiping his forehead, swooning. His new ring shined.

“Did you get to eat?” she asked.

“No, actually I didn’t eat much at all.”

“It’s funny how that always happens,” she shook her head.

Carlos and Fred took their limousine to Logan after the reception.

Then they took a 747 to Paris.

After the wedding I went home with a pretty good amount of money and the realization that my first gay wedding was very much like any other wedding I had ever worked.

Two families, two cultures, came together to celebrate the union of two people. There were nerves.

There were drinks. There was a nice toast that referenced religion,

My First Gay Wedding

Elizabeth’s brother Ed also tends bar

tradition, and finding your soul mate. There were two hundred people dressed immaculately, who ate lobster-stuffed filet mignon and cake. They danced and gazed out at a pretty spectacular pink sunset over the city. And then it was over.

“So? What was it like?” my friend asked the next day.

“It was a wedding and there wasn’t a bride,” I said.

The second gay wedding I worked happened a couple of months later.

It would prove to be a nightmare— but no different than any nightmare heterosexual weddings of which I had been a part. But that is another story.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I worked a cocktail reception for a huge corporation, a company that exists all over the globe, in every country, every city, it seems. A monopoly. I was stationed at a bar beside the big windows. I noticed a woman drinking merlot who was standing alone, staring at the view for quite a while. It was dark out and the lights glittered. Boats were illuminated on the harbor and jets floated near the airport. She was thoughtfully chewing on a toothpick from a hors d’oeuvre. Then she turned to me.

“This is an amazing city you’ve got here,” she said, shaking her head.

“Just amazing.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty nice.”

“I can’t get over it.” 56 

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M MyyFFirst irstG Gay ayW Wedding edding continued from page 55

“Where are you from?”

“Omaha,” she laughed.

“Oh, I’ve been there,” I said. I had lunch in Omaha once on a cross-country trip, a place I found strangely generic. But Western Nebraska had taken my breath away, the sand hills and prairies, the huge landscapes and formations like nothing I had ever seen back east. I kept stopping on the road. I could hardly wrap my brain around the vastness and the quiet, driving north until I got to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

Up on the 33rd floor in Boston, I told the woman with the merlot that Nebraska’s beauty had stunned me.“Really?” she asked.

“Really.”

“Well, I hope you appreciate living in this city. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Oh, I do. Absolutely.”

Here in Massachusetts, we are for-

56 savoirflairmagazine

when the act ceases to turn heads.

We will move on to something else.

For example, same-sex divorce is a hot topic in Texas right now. Some people don’t want us to be married, but if we’ve managed to make that happen somewhere, we better not ever think we can legally split up the same way Texas heterosexuals can. Someday, my Lone Star friends, it will happen. t

Elizabeth relaxes after a busy event

tunate that same-sex marriage is not only legal, but it has become old-hat. Other states have followed suit, and there is no doubt in my mind that someday same-sex marriage will be not only legal in every state, but commonplace. It might be a long time, but it will happen.

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Planning for Your Future continued from page 41 you may live to be

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You’ll probably end up saving money not to mention the reduced amount of paper coming your way.

Organize Your Documents

If you can’t find a particular financial document or have things in different places in your house, it’s vital that you get everything in one place. Being organized will also help you when you start pulling your tax information together.

Cut Down on Credit Cards

Make a list of your credit cards and what interest rate you are paying. Changes in federal credit cards laws are on the horizon, although card issuers are hiking interest rates and increasing fees in the meantime. I’d focus on the high interest rate cards first and try to pay them off (and then cut the card up). Then let the three credit bureaus know you’ve closed those accounts. It’s a great feeling!

Get Automated It’s so much easier and less expensive to do bill payments and automatic savings from your checking account. I know it’s taken even me some time to get used to the idea (especially the bill paying thing), but there is something nice about not having to write out a check and drop it in the mail.

Review Your Monthly Expenses

If you haven’t already done so, make a list of your monthly expenses. Don’t forget to list eating out and entertainment.

The economy is expected to be rocky for a while longer, so tightening your belt continues to be very important. If you don’t have your auto/homeowners/liability insurance with the same company, you’re wasting money. Do you also need to have

58 savoirflairmagazine

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Pay Attention to Tax Matters

I know April 15th seems like a long time away, but I’d recommend you start pulling your income tax information together.

Did you buy a new car after February 16, 2009? The sales tax may be deductible.

Did you pay for childcare? Don’t forget about the child-care credit. Buy a new house? Depending on your closing date, you should be eligible for the home-buyer credit, whether you’re a first-time buyer or not. There are important dates that apply.

I’ll be writing a lot more about taxes on my Money Tips Online Blog.

There are many other issues worth considering as you work to accumulate and protect your assets. The important thing is to get started and do some smart planning. Keep an eye on the politics, too. It’s your future. t Rosemary D. White is the president of Strong Financial Group in Cambridge, MA. Her firm focuses on retirement planning, wealth management and socially responsible investing. Visit her website to receive her weekly blog posts, www.MoneyTipsOnline.com.

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Should you be a G/L Parent? continued from page 31

partner, socializing, as well as household and parenting responsibilities. It won’t be easy, but the things in life that count seldom are.

Joys of Parenting Despite all the work, parenting is a joyous and rewarding experience for those who have a deep desire to have children. The thrill of a baby’s first tooth, first step, and the hugs, kisses, and smiles that are bestowed upon you for no other reason than a pure, innocent and devoted love that can only be given by children can give your life purpose. Feeling the trust of a child who gazes at you with adoration and experiencing the sense of fulfillment that only comes from being a parent.

Negative Aspects of Parenting There are some negative aspects of parenting, such as midnight feedings, walking the floor with a colicky baby, or dropping into bed three hours before the shrill buzz of the alarm clock interrupts your sleep, letting you know that a new day has begun. Then, there will be people who criticize you for bringing a child into a non-traditional lifestyle. Yes, being a gay parent, just as being a straight parent, has its ups and downs, but if you desire children, you will meet the challenges and the joys will far out-weigh the negative aspects.

Single Gays and Children Many gays who wish to have children are single. Some are in relationships with a partner that has no desire to become a parent. Others may choose to parent singly, even though they have a

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A Woman’s Role Traditionally, women have raised their children alone for centuries.

In no way is this statement meant to minimize a father’s role, financially or psychologically, in the life of his children. However, until recent years, a woman’s role has always been to handle the daily tasks of parenting, with little or no help from their husbands, who worked to bring in the money.

Therefore, women have been singly responsible for their children for hundreds of years.

There is a wide spectrum of benefits to being a single parent, gay or otherwise. If planned, single parent homes can function as well, or better, than traditional family units.

Gay Parents Many gays are beginning to establish families. Often, they are people over 40 who are well established in their careers and have their feet planted firmly on the ground.

They may or may not be involved in an intimate relationship. Statistics show that gay single families blend into communities in a way that families with same-sex partners cannot. Single gay parents have the benefit of making decisions for their families without 62  savoirflairmagazine 61

Should you be a G/L Parent? continued from page 61

having to consult with a partner.

This eliminates some very difficult aspects of parenting, such as how children will be disciplined, what school they will attend, or whether they will play the piano or the guitar. Though these things many sound trivial, many family disputes arise when couples disagree on how their children will be raised.

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On the other hand, being a single gay parent can also have a negative side. The single gay parent of ten has no one to turn to in illness or hard times. Family and friends may help, but single gay parents must often cope on their own when children become ill or have a day off or a holiday from school.

There are both pros and cons to parenting, single or otherwise. Gay parenting can be especially challenging at times, but it is also very rewarding. Take all things into consideration and stick to your guns.

Whether or not you decide to become a gay parent is strictly up to you. Don’t let others influence your decision. t

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Luxury in Boston’s Back Bay

at 111 Huntington Avenue. The kitchen, which is open to the living room, offers views of the impressive Hancock Tower. Two private elevators, one from the master suite, permit access to an expansive private roof deck, exclusive to the penthouse.

Location in a full service building allows the owner to order practically anything at the touch of a button. A service elevator grants direct access for massage therapists, private chefs and caterers to arrive without disturbing the residents of the home.

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360 Newbury Street This notable structure, known as The Tower Records building, is located on the corner of Newbury Street and Mass Ave. Constructed in 1918, it remained a relatively invisible yellow brick office building until architect Frank Gehry designed the 1989 renovation and created what you see today. A purely deconstructionist-themed project, Frank Gehry won the Parker Award for the design as the most beautiful new building in Boston.

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Luxury in Boston’s Back Bay continued from page 63

curb appeal that makes this a Boston landmark. It seems almost out of place amongst the former carriage houses that line Newbury Street. This location is quintessential urban and retains the large retail space which currently houses Best Buy. There are 54 residential units in the building with a parking garage below where owners can rent spaces.

Newbury Street is home to chic shops, trendy restaurants, and artsy cafes. All of which, are steps away as the main entrance to this condominium is located directly on Newbury Street. Blue neon foot lighting provides modern flair to the building and emphasizes a young vibe. Savoir Flair was able to visit a condominium owned by a player on The New England Revolution.

The lobby is un-assuming with clean, smart edges finished in light colored granite and marble. The elevator leads us into a brightly lit common area accented by neon blue floor lights creating the feeling that I was on a spaceship. This was not over the top, but pretty cool.

This loft style condominium completely embraces urban design. We enter through a large floor to ceiling door that opens with ease. Reminiscent of a typical city “flat,” this dwelling is a two-bedroom, twobathroom, super-modern condo.

Floor to ceiling windows in the living room expose excellent views of The Prudential and Hancock Towers. I can practically look down Newbury Street in its entirety. Traffic on The Mass Pike Extension zooms by silently below.

The hardwood floor contributes to an open feeling. Quality finishes compliment the kitchen and bathrooms. A large master en-suite bathroom with soaking tub creates 64 savoirflairmagazine

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an oasis in the midst of the city’s hustle and bustle. This is a true city condominium with a hip feel and atmosphere. I feel the heartbeat of Boston from this property and peer out at the Back Bay and South End and realize that everything is literally at your doorstep. t

Michael DuBour Mike is a Real Estate Broker in Provincetown and in Boston.

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continued from page 35

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“I’ve been HIV positive for years and I’ve lost a lot of friends to AIDS through the years.” Eric Pedro also has strong ties to the cause. He is here as a sponsor from PharmaHealth Pharmacy where he works specifically with AIDS/ HIV positive patients. Pedro is the husband of Mahogany Lite, who gracefully poses for a picture looking fabulous in drag. As cute as this couple looks, they are no match for Shitty Litter, Hot Shit, and Dicky—all on stage competing in a Kitty look-alike contest.

The trio vie for the title while the audience claps for their favorite.

Not one of them resembles Kitty in the least. Despite this, they are all declared winners—the competition proving to be an electric addition to the rest of the fanfare.

Amidst a hodgepodge of argyle, scarves, turtlenecks and sequins, I find Leonard Moorehead orbiting the PRIDE table. It’s “a little overwhelming,” he says—referring of course to the fluorescent lighting. “It’d be better in candlelight.” Though a more intimate setting sounds nice, I’m not sure the sequins would have the same effect in low-lighting. When I

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ask Moorehead why he came to Bingo tonight, he says, “Why the hell not?” I couldn’t agree more.

Interestingly, a love of Gay Bingo isn’t the only thing that everyone seems to share. Nearly everyone I talk to praises the french fries.

Some love them and others claim to come just for the fries. Kitty herself agrees, “They are the best I’ve had.” In fact, at December bingo, they’ll even be making Christmas ornaments with the fries. How good is that? As I pass Dawn Brew on my way out, she jumps in front of me to show off her winnings. She’s never won at bingo before, but is waving two Macy’s gift cards in my face. Being a dedicated regular has paid

off, but I have a feeling that’s not the only reason she’ll be back for Pilgrim Gay Bingo next month.

At the end of the games, it proves to be a good day for everyone.

Thousands were raised, prizes were won, and hopefully lives will be saved. There’s the game and the charity, but ultimately it’s the people that make Gay Bingo so much fun. Good luck finding a parking spot. t

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(401) 724-9440 151 Cross St, Central Falls, RI savoirflairmagazine 67

continued from page 39

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(978)597-5246 Fax:(978)597-1975

Cindykingcounseling.googlepages.com/home

76 Summer St, Suite 145, Fitchburg, MA Evening and Saturday Appointments available

and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. Farms and meat packing factories also burn a lot of fuel processing animal meat, creating even more carbon emissions. By making a meatless meal twice or three times a week, you’ll help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

And as you’re filling your shopping cart with fruits and vegetables, look for the organic label. Non-organic fruits and vegetables are sprayed with pesticides. These chemicals seep through soil and contaminate groundwater; they also end up on the peaches and potatoes you put on your plate. Organic vegetables and fruits are better for your health and the earth’s health.

Joanie Schwartz, Realtor

“She knows houses: She knows people”

• 22 years of selling real estate • Former VP of Coldwell Banker • Contractor/construction worker • Relocation specialist servicing Hampshire & Franklin Counties

www.delaprealestate.com 158 North King St., Northampton, MA 01060

(413) 348-2348 • joanie@delaprealestate.com

the chimney Pro quality work at a reasonable price

we have been in the masonry business for 30 years, we are available to work anywhere in new england, and will give you a great quality finish for a reasonable price. below is a list of work we do. please view my website to view the high level of work we do chimney sweep • re-flashing • re-pointing • waterproofing • retaining walls stainless steel chimney tops • damper replacements • chimney liners • brick steps blue stone steps • block work

Instead of chaining yourself to a tree . . .

Plant a tree in your own yard. A tree can absorb around one ton of carbon dioxide over its 100year lifespan. Trees also provide a habitat for wildlife. Birds, 70 

(508)367-9551

www.thechimneypro.com savoirflairmagazine 69

continued from page 69

Holly Cleaners

Rid Yourself of Eco-Guilt

Needham • Wellesley • Newton (617) 527-0770 • www.hollycleaners.com

is an award-winning, nationally recognized, full-service garment and fabric care cleaning company serving the greater Boston area since 1956 from our three convenient locations in Needham, Wellesley, and Newton. We offer state-of-the art, environmentally friendly dry cleaning and garment care services, including pick-up and delivery, shirt laundry, alteration services, wedding gown preservation, shoe care, and garment box and fur storage. Holly Cleaners also offers on-site drapery treatment services, upholstery and rug cleaning, and smoke and fire restoration services.

squirrels, and raccoons all rely on greenery in urban and suburban areas for shelter and food. Not only will a tree help offset your carbon emissions, it will become a home for your neighborhood’s friendly critters.

no appointment needed free road test & consultation ASE certified mechanics Mention we honor most this ad extended warranties for a 10% automatic & discount standard transmissions on your Clutches and axles next repair Antique & classic car transmission expires 7/10 computer diagnosis available Trucks, Vans, R.V’s & 4x4’s Brakes shocks suspensions differentials Remember what you may think is a serious transmission problem may only require a simple adjustment or minor repair. stop in today for our free road test & consultation

boston area 617-536-3284 dorchester 617-282-0488 1110 dorchester ave. dorchester / S.Boston line Contacts us via e-mail - leemylesboston@hotmail.com

70 savoirflairmagazine

Living green doesn’t have to be hard. Sometimes the smallest change can have the biggest impact. Try bringing a reusable mug to Starbucks, and start recycling and composting your waste. You don’t have to give up your comfortable lifestyle to save the planet; you just have to make a few tweaks to your daily routine. So stop looking for mud huts in the forest, and start living your new, green life - without the eco-guilt. t

30% off custom framing EVERYDAY! Cambridge 2044 Mass. Ave. (617) 491-0011

Belmont 493-B Trapelo Rd. (617) 484-5900

Savoir Flair Marketplace

Accommodations – Catering

accommodationsCape Cod

Auto BodyBoston

Auto RentalWestern MA

Falmouth Inn

824 Main St., Route 28, Falmouth, MA 02540 (800) 2554157, (508) 540-2500, e-mail: falinn@cape.com, www. falmouthinn.com. 123 air conditioned rooms with four HBO channels, indoor corridors to a heated pool and sauna, dining room and lounge. Open year round. Large screen Karaoke Fri. and Sat. evenings. Major credit cards accepted.

accommodationswestern ma

Whately Inn

Small-town seasonal charm offered all year-round. www.whatelyinn.com (413) 665-3044 or (800) WHATELY

3430 Washington St. Jamaica Plain, MA 617-522-6040 • Member BBB, Mass. Auto Body Assoc.

• Dependable Claims Assistance Since 1948 • Mass Repair Shop #279 • Referred by Insurance Companies And • Written Warranty yes...

• Rentals Available We Replace Auto Glass • 24 Hour Towing Available • Convenient to MBTA Orange Line Hours Monday- Friday 8AM-5PM Saturday 8AM-12PM Follow Your Vehicles Repairs Online www.acmebody.com

FRED D’S AUTO BODY Collision • Frame work Glass service • Towing

(617) 361-3230 1620 Hyde Park Ave. Hyde Park, MA

Auc Lic# 2182

Hondaa King Inc.

Furniture • Costume Jewelry Glassware • Vintage Clothing Paper Goods • Sterling & Vintage Plate • Collectables

• Guaranteed, first quality service • ASE certified master mechanics • 27 years Honda experience • Insurance work accepted

508-336-0800

(617) 787-1233• www.hondaaking.com

380 fall river ave. rt.114a seekonk ma

New Bedford Antiques at Wamsutta Place Mon - Sat 10-5 Sun 12-5

61

Wamsutta St New Bedford MA

Auto Repair Tires Boston

ell. bern service & tire inc. we excel where others fail alignment discount tire prices state inspection complete under car service most vehicles brakes and exhaust

Interstate 195 Exit 16 East or 17 West

508-991-8700

newbedfordantiquescenter.com

AARMCO

Security & Telecommunications

Burglar & Fire Alarm Protection Commercial/Residential Access Control Surveillance Cell: 781.760.0102, 24 Hr Monitoring 877.933.1700, Burglar & Fire

Antiquesboston south

www.vinnysantiquescenter.com

alarms/securityBoston

765 tremont st. boston ma (617)262-9163

MA Lic# C-1072

CaB/TaxiBoston

t a x (617)338-8294 i

independen

operators association

CateringWestern MA Elisha’s Restaurant & Catering

437 Nashua St., Milford, NH, (603) 249-9353, www.elishasrestaurant.net. At Elisha’s Restaurant & Catering, we cater funtions up to 90 people in-house & unlimited people off-site. We do weddings, house parties, holiday parties, office parties, graduations, birthdays, and funerals making your function easy so you don’t have to worry. We cater a menu to your needs. Fully licensed and insured.

THINKPINK

www.linkpink.com savoirflairmagazine 71

Cleaning – Contractors

Savoir Flair Marketplace

CleaningMA

ContractorsMA

Prado cleaning

commercial • residential • office free estimates licensed & insured no job to small

(781)308-0187 (781)878-3449

NV Construction

Serving Greater Boston We specialize in commercial and residential construction, from renovations of bathrooms and kitchens to design/remodeling. Call today for the best price in town.

(508) 747-1660

decks porches roofing

serving greater boston • Residential • Decks & Porches Specialist • Affordable Rates • All Calls Returned Promptly • All Types & Sizes • Custom Design • Roofing & Carpentry

est

all work guaranteed

pion

y

Masonr

• Block stone • Concrete steps • Landscaping • Fully insured • Free estimates

(978) 569-5335 CONTRACTOR HOUSE BUILDING G. J. McAlister, Inc From Start to Finish

”Outstanding References” Residential and Commercial Additions • Renovations Kitchens • Baths • Roofs Siding • Plumbing Electrical• Painting Finish Carpentry

&

O Donovan Construction licensed

Cham

insured

617-770-2942 • 617-594-3344

David richards (774)238-8072

MA license #101414

wallpaper stripping/hanging home improvement & remodeling carpentry, porches & decks sash-cord repair interior/exterior painting power washing roofing, gutters & vinyl siding replacement windows & storm windows/doors

Gerard Mulligan (781) 219-8627

72 savoirflairmagazine

Commercial Waterproofing & Masonry Specialists

Masonry Restoration • Concrete Repair & Protection Caulking & Sealant Replacement • Membrane Waterproofing Window Repairs & Replacement • Elastomeric Wall Coating & Painting

617-389-6200 • PJSPILLANE.COM

Unique

Builders Excavating • Grading • Paving Septic Systems • Lawn Irrigation Landscaping • Building/Remodeling Water/Sewer/Drainage Masonry Patios/Porches/Decks Walkways (781) 953-7811 • www.uniquebuilders.net

fully licensed & insured www.davidrichardsconstruction.com

Custom Home Building Renovations Additions Interior Work Kitchens & Baths Decks Framing Dormers Roofing Siding Windows & Doors

(781) 316-5610 www.robertsdesignconstruction.com

studs and more

general contractor

John Swanson

781-844-8653

Free estimates

S P ILLANE

&

general contracting

FRimEaEtes

ContractorsMA

ContractorsMA

Lic CS 085930

As a full service contractor we offer: Interior & Exterior Painting, Carpentry, Decks, Windows, Doors, Masonry, Plastering, Marble, Tiling, Roofing, Siding, Kitchen, Bathroom.

Renovations, remodels painting, tiling design and color consultation

(617)816-9146 Studsandmore@aol.com

857-719-2123 www.mazzoniconstruction.com lau.des@hotmail.com

Gay owned and operated serving: metro boston • cape cod • western ma

Savoir Flair Marketplace

Counseling – Excavation

ContractorsMA

Demolition/dumpsterMA

38 Blue Hill Ave. Milton, MA, (617)306-4772, www. cjrenovations.com cjrenovations@comcast.net. For over twenty years we have been creating new living space for our clients including kitchens, bathrooms, play rooms, and complete additions. We do all facets of renovations, rough and finish carpentry, tiling and painting, designing new spaces to meet our client's desires, and implementing the plans of architects or engineers. Given this experience we are capable and eager to take on all projects no matter how small or large.

residential • commercial • industrial

service upgrades & repair completely insured and bonded in business since 1982 lic #10509

CounselingBoston

Veronica Akins, LICSW Individual, couple, and family psychotherapy

Elder servicesBoston Together we will build on your strengths, finding effective ways to achieve your goals, and discover how to sustain your progress even during stressful times.

(617) 331-5939 • www.veronicaakins.com

Jewish family & Children’s Service of Greater Boston

1430 Main St., Waltham, MA 02451, (781) 647-5327, (Fax) 781-693-6721, www.jfcsboston.org. JF&CS offers comprehensive, compassionate care to the elderly, their families and their caregivers. We are a non-sectarian human service agency, serving individuals and families of all faiths.

We offer Geriatric Care Management, Guardianship, Home Health care, volunteer friendly visitors as well as many other community services.

a safe place to grow

wendy c. jolles licensed psychotherapist, licsw

ElectriciansWestern MA

Blanchard & Daly electrical contractors

cj renovations

ElectriciansBoston

413-527-1234 entertainmentma

Deborah Costine Puppeteer!

“A total delight”

Award Winning

individual / adult

oncology / medical spirituality

24 hr. emergency service

residential • commercial • industrial toll free 1-877-729-3400

traditional / alternative brief / long term

(508) 481-6837 • gerwickpuppets.com

sexuality brookline / brighton near the t and parking on site a sliding scale • some insurance wjolles@aol.com

617-254-3933 Daycarewestern ma

excavation/septicNew England

•

Unique

Builders (781) 953-7811 www.uniquebuilders.net

THINKPINK

www.linkpink.com

www.linkpink.com The #1 Source of Information for the GLBT Community savoirflairmagazine 73

Funeral – Health & Wellness FuneralBoston south Serving the entire Greater Boston community since 1848

Cemetery • Crematory • Columbarium BEAUTIFUL GARDEN SITES PRE-NEED ARRANGEMENTS FLEXIBLE PAYMENT PLANS Cemetery Office: 95 Forest Hills Ave Jamaica Plain

617-524-0128

Crematory Office: 171 Walk Hill Street

617-524-0239

For information, brochures or tours please call or visit www.foresthillscemetery.com

Savoir Flair Marketplace Furniturewestern ma

The Claw Foot Tub

an aesthetic, a choice in home decorating

cartmell funeral services inc. funeral services

FOODIE’S URBAN MARKET

1421 Washington St., Boston, MA 02118 (617) 266-9911.

For gourmet and every day. Foodie's has been renovated and is proud to offer the South End a beautiful shopping experience, an expanded produce dept., full service meat case, gourmet & specialty items, cheeses, hot & cold deli.

HARDWAREBOSTON

413.253.3500

30 Main Street, Amherst, MA http://theclawfoottub-online.com

floorsma

Marks Master Service Specializing in wood floor installations • sanding • refinishing (800) 479-0367 • (978) 314-7507 www.marksmasterservice.com

THINKPINK

www.linkpink.com FuneralBoston south

GroceryBOSTON

Your Neighborhood Hardware Stores Cleveland Circle Hardware 1920 Beacon St. Brighton, MA (617)734-6440

Pill Hardware 743 Mass. Ave. Cambridge, MA (617)876-8310

Warren Hardware 420 Tremont St. Boston, MA (617)426-7525

FREE Commercial Delivery Benjamin

Moore

Paints

Hardware

HEALTH/GymBoston Huntington Ave YMCA

316 Huntington Ave. , Boston, MA, (617) 927-8060, www. ymcaboston.org. There is a place in our community, a place to feel safe, where families feel connected, where self-esteem and the whole person is enhanced. A place where you can find a indoor track, over a 100 pieces of state of the art fitness equipment, co-ed volleyball, and basketball leagues, and over 80 hours of lap time in the pool. That place is the HUNTINGTON AVENUE YMCA. “It’s all inside the Y”.

floristri Floral Designs by Li Rog

163 Broadway, Providence, RI 02903. (401) 273-4010.

Catering to all of your floral needs. Beautiful arrangements custom-made for weddings, bridal showers, birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations, and funerals. Whatever the occasion, we can provide a beautiful, affordable, and customized floral ambience.

GlassBoston

HEALTH&WELLNESSCENTRAL MA

Be healthier, happier, and have more energy!

More products for less.

25% discount on my overstock items

complete funeral service pre-planning graveside service

Mary J. Drader Herbalife Independant Distributor (508) 481-1296 www.shopherbalife.com/mdrader

complete cremation service immediate cremation service personalized services pet loss Shower & Tub Enclosures • Store Fronts & Entrances • Plate Glass Mirrors • Plexiglass Auto Glass • Insulated Glass • Tabletops Repairs • Screen Repairs

150 Court St, Plymouth, MA 02360 508-746-2162 fax : 508-747-3929 www.cartmellfuneralhome.com

(617) 782.3494 56 Leo M. Birmingham Parkway Brighton, MA

74 savoirflairmagazine

More Listings Available Online also GLBT News Wedding Resources and Much More! www.linkpink.com

Savoir Flair Marketplace INSURANCEBoston

Insurance – Movers lANDSCAPE ARCHITECT NE

liquorboston Liquor Land

1033 Mass Ave., Boston, MA 02118, (617) 445-0560.

We have the LARGEST SELECTION for any party or any event.

Case discounts free parking all major credit cards.

Offering insurance for: • Auto • Home • Business BestRateInsurance.com

(617) 625-8400

208 Washington St., Somerville, MA tufts health plan

www.tuftshealthplan.com. Whether you’re making decisions for your company, your family, or both, we offer businesses a range of options that fit every budget. To learn more about how we help take care of what’s important to you, talk to your broker or visit us at tuftshealthplan.com.

INSURANCEBoston north

moversma

Landscape Architectural Services:

• Development Feasibility Studies • Master Planning • Site Planning & Design • Construction Management Project Types:

• Custom Residential Design • Retail Environments • Civic Spaces

Cecil N. Marchionne

Boston 617.482.1081

marchionneins.com

506 Main St., Medford, MA 781-391-7100 38 Main St.,Saugus, MA 781-233-6500 444 Main St., Woburn, MA 781-933-1300

Nantucket 508.228.7979

brdesigninc.com

(781) 826-1616

www.thecustomdecorator.com

THINKPINK

www.linkpink.com

www.moversonthego.net (800)939-4199

R.B. Cooke & Son Inc.

Family owned & Operated since 1946 residential • commercial local & long distance moves

(617) 265-1900

legalboston

“Experience the difference of working with a design professional”

345 Washington St., Pembroke, MA

Residential Commercial Internal Pianos Safes Vending Machines • Packing • Student discounts

Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau!

interior designma

• In-Home Consultations • Custom Shutters, Shades & Blinds • Carpet and Area Rugs • Custom Drape, Valances, and Soft Treatments • Furniture and upholstery • Custom Bedding • Painting and Wallpaper

• • • • • •

licensed and insured lic #30697

Insurance Agency, Inc.

Personal Auto•Home•Renters•Umbrella Watercraft•Scheduled Property...

Commercial Contractors•Retail•Offices...

Movers On The Go

legalWestern MA

mark i. berson, p.c attorney at law

Divorce • support • Custody Alimony Property Division Health/Medical Insurance Modification Contempt Pre-Nuptial Agreement Mediation

www.markiberson.com

413-774-3741

commercial moves internal moves residential moves hoisting pianos in-home wrapping materials packing moving safes vending machines

800.939.4199 617.381.0503

www.moversonthego.net

licensed and insured lic #30697

LINKPINK

www.linkpink.com savoirflairmagazine 75

Music – Plastic Surgery MUSICWESTERN Ma

Savoir Flair Marketplace PAINTINGMa

pet sittingboston

Arch Painting inc.

Interior & Exterior Painting Power Washing Serving Boston & all of the North Shore & Western Suburbs Member of the Better Business Bureau & PDCA. MA Reg. #129981 Fully Insured

(781)933-9335 www.archpainting.com

(617)934-4955 • www.wickedgooddog.com 5 Copeland Street, Quincy, MA 02169

• Training for All Size Puppies/Dogs • In-Home Pet Sitting for Dogs, Cats, Birds & Other Exotic Pets • Agility, Adventure, and Good Citizen Training • Dog Walking • Play Groups

pet WheelchairNew England OPTICALBoston

Eddie’s Wheels

pet HOSPITALWestern MA 617-424-9292

Dr. Barry Shomali

Optometrist

101 Tremont St., Ste. 406 Boston, MA 02108 (617) 426-3236 Eyecare10@drshomali.com

OPTICALCENTRAL Ma

Easthampton Animal Hospitial was opened in 1984 and offers wellness, urgent, and surgical care to dogs and cats.

We are located in Easthampton, MA.

Kittens & Cats, Puppies & Dogs Sick visits • Laboratory • X-RAY Surgery • Financial • Dental Care 410 Main Street. Easthampton, MA

413-527-0127

Eye Exams • Contact Lens • Fittings Eyeglasses • Sunglasses • Sales Repairs • Adjustments Yale Shriber, Optometrist

47 Waltham St., Lexington, MA (781) 674-1400 • Fax: (781) 674-1308

THINKPINK

www.linkpink.com 76 savoirflairmagazine

www.easthamptonanimalhospital.com

For the past 20 years, ever since his own Doberman Pinscher, Buddha, became paralyzed due to disc disease, Ed Grinnell has been designing and manufacturing mobility carts for dogs with disabilities. A mechanical engineer by trade, he brings a lifetime of professional experience to this work, incorporating the highest engineering standards with special consideration to each pet's unique disabilities and anatomy. Ed and his wife Leslie live with two disabled dogs and are constantly learning from them new ways to perfect the design.

140 State St. Shelburne, MA

Toll-free: 888-211-2700 413-625-0033 www.eddieswheels.com

plastic surgeryboston

Building a better body can be TOUGH! You work hard to look and feel your best.

But sometimes you need a little help...

PET pHOTOGRAPHYMA

LA MUSE

people and pet photography www.lamusephoto.com 617.308.3471

Richard Silverman, MD, FACS Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery 29 Crafts Street, Suite 370 Newton, MA 02458 617-965-9500 www.ricksilverman.com

Savoir Flair Marketplace real estateBoston Matt LaFever, REALTOR/Partner Keller Williams Realty Boston South West

(877) 699-0767, E-mail: matt@mattlafever.com, www. mattlafever.com. Skillfully representing both buyers or sellers, Matt’s resources include a team of seasoned professionals, cutting-edge technologies and innovative marketing and negotiating strategies that are unparalleled in the business.

Matt partners with top GLBT-friendly advertising, staging/ remodeling, lending, financial, legal and moving and storage professionals to meet your unique needs.

real estateWestern MA

Real Estate – Vacation Rental RestaurantBoston Himalayan Bistro

1735 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA 02132, (617) 325-3500, fax: (617) 325-5054, e-mail: info@himalayanbistro.net, www.himalayanbistro.net. Indian and Nepali Cuisine We are proud to be the first Nepali restaurant in the Greater Boston area. Nepal food is healthy, nourishing, practical and tasty.

All of our dishes are prepared similar to the way the Nepali royal family is served. As our guests, we want to serve you like royalty. Our menu also includes Indian cuisine. Our dining hall is elegant with high ceilings, authentic music and antique statues. Delivery and catering service available.

roofingBoston

ANL

Slate Roofing Co. (617) 913-1130

barbarademerskirealestate.com

Stop by our office at 10 Bright St., Northampton, MA

Free Estimates MA Lic # 98979

• Slate & copper restoration • Rubber & shingle roofs • Copper domes, bay windows, and gutters

(413) 586-2345 For solid advice on buying or selling a home, call the Pioneer Valley Professionals with over 50 years combined experience.

THEAterBOSTON

vacation rentalwestern mA

22 Phillips Place Charming

Rainbow Roofing and Siding, Inc. All types of roofing Residential & Commercial Call for a free estimate!

(617) 471-2999 • 67 Island Ave, Quincy, MA

Vacation rental apartment in historic neighborhood two blocks from downtown Northampton

nightly, weekly, monthly rates For more information, call (413) 695-0883 e-mail: crepedechine24@yahoo.com web: www.vrbo.com/139623

SEX THERAPISTMA RestaurantBoston

Sex is perfectly natural, but not naturally perfect.

Deepen love and make sex more satisfying

authentic Cuban food fresh tropical fruit drinks

416 Centre St. Jamaica Plain, MA. (617)524-6464 info@elorientaldecuba.com www.elorientaldecuba.com Coriander Bistro

5 Post Office Sq. Sharon, MA, (781)-784-2300, www. corianderbistro.net. Coriander Bistro, one of the very famous restaurants in Sharon will reopen on June 1st onwards, The name of the restaurant will not change, but the menu certainly will as it will be Indian and South Asian cuisine along with other ethnic recipes ! The chef is very good and has worked on various cruise lines & he is familiar with all kinds of cooking. Coriander has earned rave reviews from the Boston Globe, Zagat, the Phantom Gourmet, and Boston Magazine, just to name a few.

Want To Reach the GLBT Community?

Advertise In

Andrew Aaron, LICSW, AASECT (508) 997-6091 www.helpforpassion.com

SHOESBOSTON

teddy shoes inc.

High Heel/Dance Shoe Specialists Sizes up to 16

617-354-2987 548 mass ave., Cambridge, MA hiheelheaven.com • teddyshoes.com

savoirflair and

Pink

Pages

Contact KP Media 617-423-1515 www.linkpink.com savoirflairmagazine 77

east coast ticket co n ce r t s • t h e a t re • n a s ca r n h l • m l b • n b a • n ca a

617-292-9944

www.eastcoastticket.com

Crafts Transport Inc. Over 25 years of dependability

One of Maine’s oldest, most trusted transporters of personal autos from Maine to Florida for our valued snowbird customers.

With our fleet of modern car carriers, we set the industry standard for car shipping efficiency and unparalleled service. Our auto transport trucks are equipped with satellite tracking, and are fully insured to protect the value of your investment.

Pick-up and drop-off locations in Florida, Maine, and Massachusetts.

(800) 872-3219 www.craftstransport.com 78 savoirflairmagazine

John H. Kelleher

CPA, Attorney at Law

Know Your Rights!

Tax Problems Divorce Matters Child Custody 617-451-9720 137 South St., Suite 3 Boston, MA Kelleher@wwct.com

www.wwct.com

savoirflairmagazine 79