Issue 3, Volume 4: March/April 2016 by Living Out

•

LIVING OUT

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

IN THIS ISSUE MARCH/APRIL 2016 - VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 1 COVER 3 IN THIS ISSUE IN THE NEWS: 6 NATIONAL CALENDAR OUT FRONT: 10 PARADISE IS HERE: AN INTERVIEW WITH NATALIE MERCHANT OUT AND ABOUT: 14 COMEDY CORNER: INTERVIEW WITH COMEDIAN CAMERON ESPOSITO SPECIAL INSERT: 15 SPRING 2016

LGBT BUSINESS DIRECTORY OUT AND ABOUT: 36 SCREEN SAVOR: NO SECRET ANYMORE 37 AUTHOR REVIEW: AN INTERVIEW WITH PAUL LISICKY 39 Q-MUSIC: NOSTALGIC FOR THE '90S? 41 Q-MUSIC: SOUL SISTERS POINTS OF VIEW: 43 A FEMINIST TAKEOVER REMEMBERED 45 QUE(E)RYING HARPER LEE LIVING SMART: 46 HOROSCOPES: MARCH 2016

Living Out is produced by the LGBT Network.

LIVINGOUT 20 Crossways Park Dr. N., Suite 110 Woodbury, NY 11797 516.323.0011

FOLLOW OUR LEAD Become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/livingoutli or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/livingoutli

STAY IN THE KNOW Keep connected at livingoutli.org

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

47 HOROSCOPES: APRIL 2016

DAVID KILMNICK, PUBLISHER info@livingoutli.org LYNN MURPHY, EDITOR editor@livingoutli.org MICHAEL MURPHY, ART DIRECTOR JONATHAN CHENKIN, ADVERTISING advertising@livingoutli.org CONTRIBUTORS Adam C. Lombardi, Rev. Irene Monroe, Rachel Roth, Gregg Shapiro, Psychicdeb

GET PUBLISHED! WANT TO JOIN OUR TEAM AS A MONTHLY CONTRIBUTOR? WE’RE LOOKING FOR TALENTED WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS TO GET INVOLVED IN LONG ISLAND’S NEWEST LGBT PUBLICATION!

long island life LGbt culture

june 2015

vol 3, issue 5

SPECIAL PRIDE GUIDE EDITION!

PRIDE 25

Long Island Pride Parade and PrideFest Celebrates 25th Anniversary on Saturday, June 13th

facebook.com/livingoutli

connect with us

twitter.com/livingoutli livingoutli.org

APPLY TO BE A CONTRIBUTOR EMAIL EDITOR@LIVINGOUTLI.ORG! LIVING OUT

•

New problems with communication is 1 of the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Recognizing the symptoms is the first step toward doing something about it. For more information, and to learn what you can do now, go to alz.org/10signs or call 800.272.3900.

•

LIVING OUT

LGBT-betty 2-24 fp.indd 1

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG 2/23/16 9:31 PM

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

LIVING OUT

•

IN THE NEWS

national News

By Adam Lombardi

Cuomo Announces Ban on Government Travel to North Carolina New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has joined three major cities to ban government-sponsored travel to North Carolina over its recently enacted anti-LGBT law that undoes all proLGBT city non-discrimination ordinances in the state and prohibits transgender people from using public restrooms in schools or government buildings consistent with their gender identity. “In New York, we believe that all people – regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation – deserve the same rights and protections under the law,” Cuomo said. “From Stonewall to marriage equality, our state has been a beacon of hope and equality for the LGBT community, and we will not stand idly by as misguided legislation replicates the discrimination of the past. As long as there is a law in North Carolina that creates the grounds for discrimination against LGBT people, I am barring non-essential state travel to that state.

Virginia Says No Way to Religious Freedom Bill

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed a religious freedom bill that would have allowed discrimination of LGBT people. In a statement McAuliffe said, “This legislation is also bad for business and creates roadblocks as we try to build the new Virginia economy,” he said. “Legislation that immunizes the discriminatory actions of certain people and institutions at the expense of same-sex couples would damage Virginia’s reputation for commonsense, pro-business government,” added McAuliffe. “We need only look at the damage these types of laws are doing in other states to understand the harm this bill could bring to our Commonwealth and its economy.”

North Carolina Attorney General Refuses To Defend Against LGBT Rights Lawsuit North Carolina’s Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper will not defend the state against lawsuits related to HB2.“Not only is this new law a national embarrassment, it will set North Carolina’s economy back if we don’t repeal it,” Cooper said. “We know that businesses here and all over the country have taken a strong stance in opposition to this law.”

Mississippi Passes Sweeping LGBT Discrimination Bill Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law a controversial religious freedom bill that allows religious groups and private businesses to refuse service to LGBT people including taxpayer-funded institutions like medical services and adoption. The bill specifically targets the transgender community requiring all transgender men, women and children to use the bathroom aligned with their assigned sex from their birth certificate. The explicit discrimination is rationalized by sincerely held religious beliefs. The ACLU of Mississippi promptly responded, tweeting that Bryant “just made discrimination a part of state law.

Federal Court Awards $2 Million In Legal Fees To Plaintiffs in Tennessee Gay Marriage Case The ‘Volunteer’ state must pay over $2 million in legal fees to three couples who successfully challenged Tennessee’s same-sex marriage ban, according to the ruling by a federal judge in Nashville. The final fees were set at $1.98 million in attorneys’ fees and $59,916 in expenses to the plaintiffs, allowable under federal law. 6

•

LIVING OUT

Major Businesses Demand Repeal of North Carolina Anti-LGBT Law More than 80 leading CEOs including Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other big business leaders and entertainers penned a letter to Governor Pat McCrory and the North Carolina legislature urging a repeal of the anti-lgbt provisions in the deeply discriminatory House Bill 2 (HB2) that was forced through the House and quickly signed into law overnight. PayPal, Time Warner, Netflix, CBS, NBC, AMC, Discovery, And Steven Spielberg have also joined the Pro-LGBT Coalition. HB-2 undoes all pro-LGBT city non-discrimination ordinances in the state and also forces transgender students in public schools to use restrooms and other facilities inconsistent with their gender identity.

New York College Just Took off Gender Markings From All Bathrooms

Reportedly making history for the first time at a U.S college, Cooper Union in New York made the decision to combat "gender conformity" by not only allowing sex-unassigned access to bathrooms, but by removing the gender designations from all the bathrooms on campus and converting them to “gender neutral restrooms” as well as equipping all bathrooms with protective sex gear.

Compromise Reached On Kentucky Marriage Licenses The Kentucky GOP’s plan for a separate marriage license for LGBT couples has been shot down. Under the new proposal not yet approved, Kentucky would have a single marriage license for straight and LGBT couples under a compromise plan backed by Republican Gov. Matt Bevin and the Democrat-controlled House Judiciary Committee. The proposed form would allow applicants to identify themselves as bride, groom or spouse and would not require the county clerk’s signature, which could be done by a deputy clerk. The compromise bill has the support of Kim Davis and the Liberty Counsel – as long as clerks can still keep their name off the forms for LGBT couples looking to get married.

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

IN THE NEWS

national News

By Adam Lombardi

Under Attack: Democrats Launch #ImWithWally Tweetstorm In Support Of Openly Gay US Ambassador

US Ambassador Wally Brewster, who is openly gay, is under attack in the Dominican Republic where anti-LGBT proponents and the Catholic Church have embarked on a joint campaign demanding his resignation for spreading “homosexual indoctrination.” In response to the attacks, US House Democrats launched a tweetstorm in support of Brewster using the hashtag #ImWithWally. Brewster stands accused in part because he dares to include his spouse at official State Department events.

Sanctity Of Marriage Defender Alabama Governor Busted For Sexual Conversation With Employee Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley apologized to the people of Alabama for explicit comments he made to Rebekah Mason, his top political counselor. During the recording Bentley described how he liked to come up behind the woman and touch her breasts – though he clarified that it was not a “sexual relationship.” The affair ended his marriage. Court records show that the now-former Mrs. Bentley declared that the marriage had been irreversibly broken by the affair with his assistant, the 30-year-younger Rebekah Mason.

Illinois B&B To Pay Fine For Turning Gay Dads Fight With Thai Surrogate for Huge Away And Harassing A Custody of Their Daughter Gay Couple Georgia Governor An American-Spanish same-sex couple have begun an international custody battle for a baby girl born to a surrogate mother, who decided she wanted to keep the child when she found out they were gay. Same-sex marriage is not recognized in Thailand and a new law banning commercial surrogacy, which took effect after baby Carmen’s birth” has further complicated the international dispute. The couple's lawyer, Rachapol Sirikulchit, says he is confident they will be awarded custody. *Picture depicts staged re-enactment.

The Timber Creek, a bed and breakfast hotel will have to pay $80,000 in fines for refusing service to a gay couple that wanted to hold a civil union ceremony at the location. In Illinois, sexual orientation is covered by the state’s nondiscrimination policy.

VetoEs Anti-Gay Bill In less than a week following Disney’s threat to take their business outside of Georgia and with Hollywood stars urging Georgia Governor Nathan Deal to veto, the religious liberty bill is now dead in the water and will not become law.

TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER MOST. At MassMutual Long Island Metro, we understand the unique financial needs of the LGBT community and can help you build financial strategies to ensure your loved ones are protected. For more than 160 years, MassMutual has helped policyowners on their quest for financial freedom.

Natalia M. Zimnoch Financial Services Representative MassMutual Long Island Metro 631-579-9469 nzimnoch@financialguide.com www.financialguide.com/Natalia-Zimnoch Offices in both Nassau & Suffolk.

LIFE INSURANCE + RETIREMENT/401(K) PLAN SERVICES + DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE + ANNUITIES

MassMutual Financial Group refers to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual), its affiliated companies and sales representatives. Local sales agencies are not subsidiaries of MassMutual or its affiliated companies. As of May 18, 2015, MassMutual received a 100% score on the Human Rights Commission’s Corporate Equality Index and was named a Best Places to Work. Insurance products are issued by MassMutual, Springfield, MA 01111, and its subsidiaries, C.M. Life Insurance Company and MML Bay State Life Insurance Company, Enfield, CT 06082. CRN201706-173276

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

LIVING OUT

•

g n i r p S o a int

u r a b Su nt! e Sales Ev

0 0

Payments Until JUNE 2016

Financing Available On Select Models

NEW 2016 SUBARU

Down

IMPREZA 2.0i Symmetrical AWD, AM/FM/CD, AC,

Rear Vision Camera, Full Power.

Per Mo/36 Mo Lease†

Auto Transmmisatic sion

NEW 2016 SUBARU

FORESTER 2.5i

Symmetrical AWD, AC, 17 Inch Wheels, AM/FM/CD, Vehicle Dynamics Control and More!

$ NEW

Per Mo/36 Mo Lease†

Auto Transmmisatic sion

2016 SUBARU

LEGACY 2.5i

Symmetrical AWD, AC, AM/FM/CD, Full Power & More!

129

Per Mo/36 Mo Lease†

Auto Transmmisatic sion

NEW 2016 SUBARU

CROSSTREK Automatic, Symmetrical AWD, AC,

129 AM/FM/CD & More!

Per Mo/36 Mo Lease†

NEW

Auto Transmmisatic sion

2016 SUBARU

OUTBACK 2.5i Automatic Transmission, Symmetrical AWD,

139

AC, AM/FM/CD & More!

Per Mo/36 Mo Lease†

†Subject to primary lender approval. No two offers combined. Due at signing: Impreza, Legacy: $2,995; Forester, Outback & Crosstrek: $3,995, plus tax, DMV fees, 1st month payment, bank fee and registration. No sec depost. Forester: 7,500 mi/yr, $.25 ea add’l mile over; Impreza, Legacy, Outback & Crosstrek: 10,000 mi/yr., $.15 ea add’l mile over. Artwork for illustrative purposes only. Expires May 1, 2016. Seven 2015 IIHS Top Safety Picks.

Competition Subaru of Smithtown 463 Middle Country Road, St. James

CompetitionSubaru.com 1.631.361.4500 8

•

LIVING OUT

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

WE KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A FAMILY. WE HELP BUILD THEM EVERY DAY. At Long Island IVF, our team of fertility specialists are proud to help the LGBT community build the family of their dreams. When you are ready to start, Long Island IVF is here to help. Please contact us to learn more.

Melville Phone 631-752-0606

West Islip Phone 631-661-5437

Brooklyn Phone 718-375-6400

Stony Brook Phone 631-331-7575

Lake Success Phone 516-358-6363

East Patchogue Phone 631-687-2229

www.longislandivf.com

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

LIVING OUT

â&#x20AC;˘

OUT FRONT

Photo Courtesy of Dan Winters

Paradise is here: an interview with Natalie Merchant

By Gregg Shapiro

atalie Merchant is one of those fortunate artists who achieved success and acclaim as the member of a band – in her case 10,000 Maniacs – and then went on to have an equally well-received solo career. That solo stint began with 1995’s Tigerlily, her highly praised solo debut and continued with 1998’s Ophelia and most recently her eponymous 2014 disc and 2015’s Paradise Is There (Nonesuch). On Paradise Is There, Merchant reimagines Tigerlily via wonderful new arrangements that reinforce the staying power of the songs while revealing a host of previously unheard nuances in the material. Accompanying the Paradise Is There CD in the deluxe edition is a DVD containing Merchant’s film memoir of the same name. Merchant took time out of her schedule to answer some questions about the project. Gregg Shapiro: In recent years, artists have taken different approaches to rerecording their songs. Joni Mitchell worked with a symphony orchestra on Travelogue, while Cyndi Lauper stripped things down on The Body Acoustic. The songs on Paradise Is There are somewhere in between those two. What can you tell me about the process of deciding how to re-imagine the songs from the Tigerlily album?

factors; the different arrangements and also making this film about the life that these songs have lived outside of the album.

Natalie Merchant: I never would have done this project just to celebrate the 20th anniversary of a record that I made. I did it more because I’ve spend the last six years performing these songs with a string quartet and I had these arrangements. That was the catalyst for the project. Then I got talked into making a film about how influential these songs have been. It was astounding to me how many people were deeply moved by the songs on the record, especially “Beloved Wife” and “River” and “Wonder” and “Carnival.” It was a combination of those

NM: When it came time to sequence the album, the new arrangements really demanded a different order. They were so different than they were before that the old sequence didn’t work anymore.

•

LIVING OUT

GS: The order of the songs on Paradise Is There differs from the way they appeared on Tigerlily. Is the different ordering another way of separating this recording from the other or was there something else involved?

GS: To my ears, the arrangement of the version of “Carnival” on Paradise Is There has more of a celebratory arrangement, whereas the original always sounded kind of ominous. Can you please say something about the change in the new rendition?

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

NM: I’ve always thought of that song as an innerdialogue song. When I sang it, it was my experience of walking around New York City. A quiet, inner-dialogue. When we took the electric instruments off and made it acoustic it made it feel more intimate. GS: Speaking of “Carnival,” that song was heard in an episode of the FX series American Horror Story: Hotel. How did that come about? NM: That was interesting. I didn’t find out about it until [laughs] my brother told me. It’s really unusual because I’ve never sold my publishing. I have 100% control of all of my publishing and that includes everything, every use of my songs. But my daughter was having surgery on her broken leg that week. My manager didn’t want to bother me, so he approved it. I don’t really know anything about that. That’s the first time in my career (that that’s occurred). I hope it was all right. Normally I approve everything. GS: “Jealousy” also has a different attitude, one that is definitely more playful, especially the interplay at the end with Simi Stone. NM: When I originally wrote “Jealousy,” it was more like an exercise to try to write a girl-group kind of pop song. It was really contrary to most of the material I’d ever written. I didn’t pay much attention to the song after I’d recorded it. I didn’t really perform it at all the last 20 years. When it came time to make the new record, I decided to make peace with the song and have fun with it. Simi is a great friend and we had a great time singing it. Along with the different arrangement I had a woman saxophone player and a woman drummer. GS: I’m glad you mentioned your female drummer. Because I write mainly for the LGBT media, and notice such things, I was thrilled to see queer artists Allison Miller and Gail Ann Dorsey among the musicians performing on the Paradise Is There disc. How aware are you of your queer following and what do those fans mean to you? NM: I think I have a really diverse audience. I’ve had people from all sorts of sexual persuasions. I’ve had a large gay following for many years and have been quite aware of that. I think I don’t invest so much time in thinking about people’s sexuality. I just take people as individuals. Allison has worked with me, on and off, for 10 years. She’s an incredible drummer. Both she and my road manager are lesbians and both have recently become mothers. It’s really fun to have lots of moms around. The amazing thing is that my road manager just found out that her donor is transitioning. So it really will be nothing but moms [laughs].

Natalie GS: The documentary portion of Paradise Is There performs in is subtitled “a film memoir.” In a year when female NYC on musicians such as Carly March 11 and Simon, Grace Jones, Patti Smith, Carrie Brownstein, 28 at the Chrissie Hynde, Kim Beacon. Gordon and Freda Love Smith published their memoirs, why did you choose to go with film as opposed to print? NM: I would never do a printed memoir. I’ve been asked to publish a memoir from years by different publishers and literary agents. I think it wouldn’t be great for me because all I’d really want to talk about it music and I’d rather just play it. A multi-disciplinary, multi-media approach was better for me. I don’t have a lot of thrilling anecdotes about my career or personal life. All the stuff that is interesting is private and I wouldn’t want people to know. By calling it a memoir, I meant is as a collection of memories. I thought it was (a more) artful (title) than documentary. GS: In 2014, you released a self-titled album and followed it up with 2015’s Paradise Is There, which certainly pleased your fans who have been known to wait as long as seven years between albums for something from you. Is this an indication of what might be to come from you? NM: I worked on for a really long time on the album that came out in 2014. I tried to tour for it but ended up getting sick and going into the hospital. The record vanished. The one before that, Leave Your Sleep, was a sevenyear project. I work really hard on things and put in lots of time and effort and my own resources. It’s getting harder and harder to feel like it’s worth the effort. I don’t think I’m entering into a more prolific period. I think I might be stopping soon. GS: That would be terrible. NM: It’s because I don’t enjoy the work that I do. It’s just that it’s not self-sustaining anymore. The way that I like to make records – they’re expensive records to make and just can’t afford to do it anymore. Photo Courtesy of Dana Lixenberg

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

LIVING OUT

•

MAKING ELECTRIC BILLS DISAPPEAR FOR OVER 12 YEARS Voted Best of Long Island for the last 7 years running

BEST SOLAR BUSINESS, BEST GREEN BUSINESS AND BEST ALTERNATIVE ENERGY COMPANY • • • • • • •

PSEG/NYSERDA rebate (elimination pending) 30% Federal Tax Credit $5,000 NY State Tax Credit Net Metering for bankable savings No out of pocket investment Minimal exposure to impending PSEG rate hikes Absolutely increase the value of your home

Long Island’s Own!

Call day! To

631-750-9454

171 REMINGTON BOULEVARD, RONKONKOMA, NY 11779 • WWW.SUNATIONSOLARSYSTEMS.COM 12

•

LIVING OUT

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

SHOW YOUR PRIDE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS SAGE-LI Spring Has Sprung Family Potluck Saturday, March 19th, 12-3 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

20 Something 2nd & 4th Fridays, 7:30-9 p.m Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury

It's time to put away those winter jackets and join the LGBT Network and its Center Family Project for a spring celebration! Come down to the Center at Bay Shore on Saturday, March 19th from 12:00pm 3:00pm to play some games and enjoy a meal together. It's potluck style, so bring enough to share. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

Discussion and support group for LGBT people in their 20’s. A safe and affirming space to share their experiences. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 516.323.0011

Alcoholics Anonymous Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore Closed group for all ages. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

LIGALY Advisory Board Mondays, 6-8 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

Safe Schools Team Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

Youth help plan new programs and events at LIGALY. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

Youth leadership program for young people committed to creating safer schools on Long Island. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

LITE Social and Discussion Group 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:30-9 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury Wednesdays, 7:30-9 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

SAGE-LI Evening Mingle 3rd Wednesday, 7-9 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury

If you workand/or have engagements during the day that limit you from attending the fabulous SAGE-LI daytime 1st, 3rd, 5th Wednesdays are closed. programming, this is the program for 2nd & 4th Wednesdays are open. you. All are welcome! 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 6:30-8 p.m. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 516.323.0011

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Wednesday, March 9th, 4-7pm Wednesday, March 23rd, 4-7pm Wednesday, April 6th, 4-7pm David Bohnett CyberCenter Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, Monday-Thursdays, 4-8 p.m. East End: The Hamptons 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, LGBT Center, 44 Union St., The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore Sag Harbor (VITA) program offers free tax help for low- to moderate- income (generally $55,000 and below) individuals and families. Bilingual tax assistants are available. For more information, and additional times and locations for free tax preparation, please contact Youth and Family Services, at 631.665.2300 or www.lgbtnetwork.org, 516.323.0011

SAGE-LI Nassau Mingle Potluck Tuesday, April 5th, 1 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury The potluck is back! Bring your favorite dish and enjoy lunch over light refreshments and great conversation with friends. Please let us know if you plan on joining us and what you are going to bring to share . www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

Pride Spin Saturday, April 9th, 9 am Sag Harbor Gym 1 Bay Street, Sag Harbor, NY 11963

The David Bohnett CyberCenter at A closed discussion group for transgender SAGE-LI Monday Mingle LIGALY offers hands on experience and people and their friends and family. Mondays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. classes in various software environments www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300 Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, from productivity to creative design on 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore the PC and Mac platforms. The classes SAGE-LI’s weekly social for LGBT seniors range from introductory, intermediate, 50+ at The Center at Bay Shore. and advance levels. Living PositHIVly www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300 www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300 1st & 3rd Mondays, 12 - 1 p.m.

Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

Drop-In HIV/STD Testing: Wednesdays, 5-8 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore Thursdays, 5-8 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury By Appointment. East End: The Hamptons LGBT Center, 44 Union St., Sag Harbor Free and confidential testing for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Hepatitis C. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

Hampton Bays Mingle 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 3-5 p.m. Hampton Bays Senior Center, 25 Ponquogue Ave., Hampton Bays

Pride Spin is a special fundraising event SAGE-LI’s bi-monthly social for LGBT for the LGBT Network. Come and take seniors 50+ on the East End. a spin class at the Sag Harbor Gym in www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300 support of a great cause. All fitness levels welcome. Light Refreshments will be provided. There is a $40 fee to participate. Proceeds LIFE in Nassau from Pride Spin benefit the LGBT Network 2nd Thursday, 7-9 p.m. and its Hamptons LGBT Center located in Nassau: Center at Woodbury, Sag Harbor. 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300 Suite 110, Woodbury LIFE in Nassau meets every second Thursday. Open to adults of all genders and orientations with an interest in BDSM topics.

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

A support group for LGBT and allies living with HIV/AIDS. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

OUTlet Fridays, 8 p.m.-Midnight Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore Friday night social program for LGBT youth and their friends ages 13-21. $2 admission, transportation available. Themes for December include: Quick Connections (2/12) SpeakOUT (2/26). www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

Parent Support Group 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 6-7 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore 1st & 3rd Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury If you workand/or have engag Discussion group for parents of LGBT children. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

Senior Focus Discussion Group Last Monday, 1-2 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore Last Tuesday, 1-2 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury

You Gotta Believe Mondays, 6-9 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

Part of a monthly series of coed peer-led, issue-focused discussion groups. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 516.323.0011

The Long Island LGBT Community Center has partnered with You Gotta Believe, a non-profit organization that places teenagers into permanent adoptive homes, to provide Adoptive Parent Preparation Classes! If you are interested in participating, please call 631.665.2300. www.lgbtnetwork.org

TRUE Calling Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury

Youth Group Tuesdays, 5-7 p.m. East End: The Hamptons LGBT Center, 44 Union St., Sag Harbor

LIGALY is offering a great opportunity for LGBT youth and their friends to show off their skills! Sing, act, dance, or perform. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 516.323.0011

All East End youth should come check out this new hot LGBT spot. Every Tuesday is a fun interactive youth group: hang out with others in the lounge. You won’t want to miss it! Themes for December include: Seasonal Sweets Swap (12/22); LGBT Movie Night (12/29). www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.899.4950

Women 2 Women Tuesdays, 7:15-8:45 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore W2W is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive space for lesbians age 40+.

SAGE-LI Nassau County Mingle Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury SAGE-LI’s weekly social for LGBT seniors 50+ at The Center at Woodbury. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 516.323.0011

SAGE-LI Women at Nassau Wednesdays, 7:30-8:45 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury (SWAN) A social and discussion group for lesbian, bisexual, & transgender women as well as women questioning their identity. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 516.323.0011

Senior Advocate First Monday, 11a.m.-1 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

A Senior Advocate from Suffolk County Office for the Aging is on-site each month to offer SAGE-LI members benefits and entitlement counseling. From Social Security to Food Stamps to Medicare Part D and everything in between, the PEP Teams – Suffolk Senior Advocate will be available during Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. the Mingle to answer your questions Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, and point you in the right direction. - See 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore more at: http://lgbtnetwork.org/content/ Interactive leadership program senior-advocate#sthash.uCvFgOxV.dpuf. promoting sexual health for LGBT young www.lgbtnetwork.org, 516.323.0011 people. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

SAVE THE DATE LGBT NETWORK GALA WEDNESDAY, MAY 4TH 6:00 - 10:00 PM CREST HOLLOW COUNTRY CLUB

LIVING OUT

•

OUT AND ABOUT

COMEDY CORNER

by gregg shapiro

MARRIAGE MATERIAL GIRL: AN INTERVIEW WITH COMEDIAN CAMERON ESPOSITO In the world of comedy, specifically lesbian comedy, Cameron Esposito is the new reigning queen. This is

especially true now that Lea DeLaria wants to be a serious actress and singer. Esposito, whose delivery sounds like a cross between Tig Notaro and Paula Poundstone, and her trademark asymmetrical haircut, has them rolling in the aisles on her new stand-up comedy special Marriage Material, debuting March 24 on the new NBC comedy channel Seeso. Filmed in front of a live and enthusiastic hometown audience at Chicago’s Thalia Hall mere days before her wedding to fellow comic Rhea Butcher, Esposito skillfully demonstrated why she’s an in-demand performer. I spoke with Cameron about the special and her career in February 2016. CE: I believe comedy is one of the best ways to process pain and inequality. It puts folks at ease in a way that creates real dialogue and movement on issues that, if approached directly, would trigger knee-jerk emotional responses. But, also, comics really just talk about what they’re Cameron Esposito: I got my start doing improv in Boston during and after college, interested in and I’m most preoccupied with then moved back to my hometown Chicago, working for social change. an improv Mecca and never did improv GS: You make reference to your haircut again. I’m ten years into standup and have and I wanted to ask you to say a few words definitely found my home. about Chicago comedians, such as you and Emo Phillips, and hair. GS: It’s interesting that while you were in college in Boston that you did improv CE: Emo still sports his classic cut, which there, in a city that is well-known for its is beautiful to behold in person, My wife stand-up comedy scene. Did you partake in the stand-up comedy scene when you lived and fellow comic, Rhea Butcher, is known for her David Lynch-esque [hair] as well. there? But other than us, Chicago stand-up is kind of a sea of beards and glasses. Well, CE: I did the opposite. Only improv in a lake, I guess. A lake of beards. Boston. Only stand-up in Chicago. Well, standup and whiskey and thin crust pizza. That’s right, thin crust [laughs] in Chicago. GS: I’m so glad you mentioned Rhea. Your show was taped for Seeso in Chicago a couple of days before your wedding GS: You talk about going to Catholic to Rhea, who is also a stand-up comic. school in your show Marriage Material, which was filmed at Thalia Hall in Chicago. What’s it like living in a two-comedian household? Were you a class clown? Gregg Shapiro: In the realm of comedy, Chicago is known first as the home of improv and then as a place for stand-up. Did you put in your time in the improv scene or did you go directly into stand-up?

CE: Nope. Total jock. Three sport athlete, captain of the swim team, into reading and committed to Student Government. But I was a big wacky. Like very friendly and wore lots of weird belts. GS: You include social commentary in Marriage Material, on subjects such as guns, marriage and body shaming, to mention a few. How do you see the role of comedy when it comes to social issues?

•

LIVING OUT

CE: It’s always fun to connect with the audience in a specific city and give them some points for being unique and having a culture all their own. On my side of things, though, the motivation is even stronger. Connecting to each city I’m in keeps stand-up fresh and keeps the challenge alive. And I love a challenge. GS: Menstruation humor is a big part of the show and you talk about how no one ever makes jokes about it. Are there any subjects that you consider to be off-limits? CE: [Laughs] “Menstruation humor” is an amazing statement. No, no topics are off limits. However, heavy or taboo topics require special care, attention and clarity. That’s when things go south: when a comic takes on a huge topic without realizing it’s huge. GS: It was recently announced that you and You’re the Worst creator Stephen Falk will be collaborating on a series exploring gender and sexuality for FX. What can you tell me about it?

CE:[Said in a serious tone] Serious.

CE: It’s set in Chicago!

GS: Moving on. You work in a very Chicago specific bit about the homophobic Old Navy preacher. How important is it for you to include, as you call it “local stuff” into your show?

GS: That’s it, huh? Okay, Cameron. Finally, if Thalia Hall was a drag queen, what would she look like? CE: Divine in a Bears jersey.

CAMERON’S NEW COMEDY SPECIAL, MARRIAGE MATERIAL, AIRS ON SEESON ON MARCH 24. >>

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve put a lot into your home. Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it time it paid you back? HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT

Fixed for one year. Prime for life, thereafter.

For more information, or to apply today, contact:

Kyle Caravousanos 516-349-6870 kcaravousanos@bethpagefcu.com

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rates and terms accurate as of 03/15/2016 and are subject to change without notice. Membership conditions apply. $5.00 minimum share account required. All offers of credit are subject to credit approval; applicants may be offered credit at higher rates and other terms. Loan-to-value restrictions may apply. Hazard Insurance is required on all loans secured by real property; flood insurance may also be required. Home Equity products are not offered in TX. Bethpage will pay all closing costs for credit lines up to $500,000.** Closing costs paid by Bethpage must be repaid by the borrower(s) if the line is paid in full and closed within the first 36 months. HELOC is a variable rate product with a maximum APR of 18%. The introductory rate for HELOC is 2.99% APR for one year for borrower(s) who take an initial draw of $25,000 and maintain this balance for 1 year and have automatic transfers from any Bethpage account for monthly payment on the account. The rate after the introductory period is prime, currently 3.25% (if qualified). Borrower(s) who do not take the initial draw of $25,000 at closing will not be eligible for the introductory rate. The introductory rate only applies to loans that have not had an introductory rate within the past five years. Introductory rate can be obtained at any time if the borrower pays a modification fee and meets qualifying criteria. Consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility of mortgage interest. Prime rate as of 12/14/2015 = 3.25%. **Loan amounts over $500,000 may be available on a case-by-case basis to qualified applicants and are not eligible for the discounted introductory rate at any time and the borrower(s) will be responsible for all closing costs related to loan value over $500,000.

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

ABOUT THIS BUSINESS DIRECTORY The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Business Directory is the exclusive listing of LGBT-friendly businesses on Long Island and Queens. The Business Directory is a publication of the LGBT Network.

us: we strongly encourage you to patronize our Partners in Pride members.

Each business listed within the directory is a member of the LGBT Network’s Partners in Pride business program. Each business has provided financial support to the LGBT Network, and we thank each business for their participation. Please support those who support

If you are a business owner or manager, or if you know a business or business leader that should be involved with Partners in Pride, please contact the Development Department at 516.323.0011.

The LGBT Business Directory can also be viewed online by visiting: www.lgbtnetwork.org/directory.

Thank you and enjoy your Spring 2016 LGBT Business Directory!

THE SPRING 2016 LGBT BUSINESS DIRECTORY

BUSINESS CATEGORY ACCOUNTANTS ADOPTION ATTORNEYS AUTOMOTIVE BANKING CATERING CRUISE & TRAVEL EMPLOYMENT AGENCY ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE FINANCIAL SERVICES GIFT SHOP

4 4 4 6 6 6 8 8 8 8 8

HEALTH & WELLNESS HOME SERVICES HOTEL, CATERING & CONFERENCE HOUSING SERVICES INSURANCE MEDIA NON-PROFIT PHYSICIANS & HEALTH SERVICES REAL ESTATE & MORTGAGE

8 10 10 10 10 10 10

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS TECHNOLOGY THERAPISTS & COUNSELORS WEDDING SERVICES

12 12 15 15

12 12

Denotes company has made an annual commitment of $10,000 or more to the LGBT Network.

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

THE SPRING 2016 LGBT BUSINESS DIRECTORY

ACCOUNTANTS

Law Office of Vishnick McGovern Milizio, LLP

ATTORNEYS

Robert A. Corsentino, CPA, PC

105 Maxess Rd. S124 Melville, NY 11747 tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 574-4500 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 574-4501 email. . . . . . . bob@corsentinocpa.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . corsentinocpa.com All tax services for married and unmarried LGBT taxpayers. Look for our ad on the previous page

Steven M. Ostrer, J.D., MBA

20 Crossways Park Drive N., Ste. 110 Woodbury, NY 11797 tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 448-4714 email. . . . . . . . . . . s.ostrer@yahoo.com

Pegalis & Erickson Attorneys at Law

Capell Barnett Matalon & Schoenfeld, LLP

Gregory Matalon, Partner 100 Jericho Quadrangle, Suite 233 Jericho, NY 11753 tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 931-8100 email. . . . . . . gmatalon@cbmslaw.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cbmslaw.com Look for our ad on this page

Annamarie Bondi-Stoddard 1 Hollow Lane Lake Success, NY 11042 tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 684-2900 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 684-2939 email . . . . . . . . . info@pegalisanderickson.com

web. . . . . . . . . pegalisanderickson.com Representing Plaintiffs in Medical Malpractice Actions Look for our ad on the next page

Howard E. Sayetta

Attorney at Law 235 Southwood Circle Syosset, NY 11791 tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 921-0556

Providing tax, financial & estate planning services for the LGBT community

ADOPTION

Adoptions, Family Court, Business and Real Estate Closings, Wills, Estates, and Consumer Disputes 35 Years Experience Serving the LGBT Community

Reproductive Possibilities

Melissa B. Brisman, Esq. 1 Paragon Dr., Suite 160 Montvale, NJ 07645 tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (201) 505-0078 tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (201) 505-0994 email. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@reproductivelawyer.com

web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . reproductivepossibilities.com

Mejias Milgrim and Alvarado, P.C.

Dave Mejias 1 Dosoris Lane Glen Cove, NY 11542 tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 333-7777 web. . . . . . . . . . . . mygotolawyers.com Proudly serving the LGBT community

Full service Surrogacy Agency, put your dreams in our hands!

Law Office of Adam B. Grossman

Adam B. Grossman, Esq., Sole Practitioner P.O. Box 155 120 Court Sreet Riverhead, NY 11901 tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 727-4200 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 369-4080 email. . . . . . . . . . . agrossman2@verizon.net

web. . . . . . . . . adamgrossmanlawyer.com Estate planning for LGBT couples and singles, Real Estate, Probate

Joseph G. Milizio, Esq., 3000 Marcus Avenue, Suite 1E9 Lake Success, NY 10042 tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 437-4385 email. . . . . . . . . . . . jmilizio@vmmlegal.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vmmlegal.com Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP, with offices in Lake Success, NYC, and New Jersey, is a full service law firm with a dedicated LGBT practice area, lead by the firm's Managing Partner, Joe Milizio.

Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP

Larry R. Martinez, Esq. 190 Willis Ave. Mineola, NY 11501 tel.. . . . . . . . . . (516) 747-0300, Ext. 155 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 237-2893 email . . . . . . . . . lmartinez@meltzerlippe.com

web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . meltzerlippe.com Corporate Labor and Employment Law

Quatela, Hargraves & Chimeri, PLLC

Christopher J. Chimeri, Esq., 888 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Ste. 530 Hauppauge, NY 11788 tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 482-9700 email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cjc@qhclaw.com web. . . . . . . . . longislandlawyerny.com Personally servicing Long Island's LGBT community for over 25 years and assisting in meeting its diverse and unique legal needs, including family matters, employment issues, and business matters.

Is proud to support the LGBT Network Long Island GLBT Services Network Counselors and Advisors:       

Last Wills and Testaments and Trusts Estate Administration Business and Contracts Tax Planning Asset Protection Elder Advocacy Not-for-Profit and Religious Corporations Offices on Long Island and in New York City www.cbmslaw.com (516) 931-8100

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

Representing Plaintiffs in Medical Malpractice Actions 1 Hollow Lane, Suite 107 • Lake Success, NY 11042 (516) 684-2900 • (718) 567-7177 • (212) 517-9995 Toll Free (866) MED-MAL7 or (866) 633-6257 www.pegalisanderickson.com

Call for a free consult at (516) 684-2900 or (718) 567-7177 We advocate for those suffering from life changing injuries as a result of medical errors. We have helped thousands obtain justice. From those mistreated or misdiagnosed, to children with birth injuries, to adults whose disease diagnosis should have been made earlier.

We expose medical errors to make medical care safer for everyone. Visit us for health news. www.pegalisanderickson.com Please join us on Social Media

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

THE SPRING 2016 LGBT BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Sandra E. Rovira

Attorney at Law • West Babylon, NY tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (914) 815-1651 email. . . . . . . . srovira1448@gmail.com web �� longislandwillattorney.weebly.com Lesbian owned law firm specializing in wills, trusts and estates, proudly serving the LGBT community Look for our ad on the page 3

Tayne Law Group P.C.

Leslie H. Tayne, Esq. 150 Broadhollow Road, Ste. 213 Melville, NY 11747 tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 470-8204 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 470-8211 email. . . . . . . . . . . . info@taynelaw.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . taynelaw.com Debt Resolution and Bankuptcy Alternatives

AUTOMOTIVE Competition Subaru Smithtown

Vincent Battista 463 Middle Country Road St. James, NY 11780 tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 361-4500 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 361-4550 email . . . vbattista@competitionsubaru.com email . . . ckelleher@competitionsubaru.com web. . . . . . . . . . competitionsubaru.com Your Destination for the Subaru – Best Price Guarantee

Porsche Roslyn

Sam Gadkar 22 Mineola Avenue Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 476-0167 email . . . . . . . . sam@porscheroslyn.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . samgadkar.com I am proud to serve the Porsche needs for the community to which I belong.

Port Jeff Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram

Atlantis Banquets & Events

Vanessa Viva-Somri 5130 Nesconset Hwy Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776 tel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 456-3420 email �� vanessav@portjeffchryslerjeep.com Automotive Sales & Leasing New & Preowned Proudly Serving the LGBT community on Long Island

BANKING

BNB

Claudia Pilato, VP, Director of Marketing 2200 Montauk Highway P.O. Box 3005 Bridgehampton, NY 11932 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 537-1000 email. . . . . . . . . cpilato@bridgenb.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . www.bridgenb.com Community banking from Montauk to Manhattan Look for our ad on page 2

TD Bank

Bethpage Federal Credit Union

Robert Suarez, AVP Community Development 899 S. Oyster Bay Road Bethpage, NY 11714 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 349-6826 email. . . . . rsuarez@bethpagefcu.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . lovebethpage.com

tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (888) 751-9000 web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tdbank.com America’s most convenient bank Look for our ad on the next page

East Wind Long Island

5720 Route 25A Wading River, NY 11792 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 929-3500 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 929-4975 email. . . . weddings@eastwindlongisland.com web. . . . . . . . . eastwindlongisland.com From intimate to extravagant, we cater to your every whim.

The BBQ King

Find a branch near you: • Huntington, Levittown • Lynbrook • Massapequa • Melville • Mineola • North Babylon • Patchogue

Located within the Aquarium, a unique setting for your special events.

CATERING

Built to give you more. Look for our ad on page 2

• Bay Shore • Bethpage • Central Islip • Commack • Elmont • Farmingdale • Freeport • Glen Cove • Hempstead

Tony Cotignola 431 East Main Street Riverhead, NY 11901 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 574-8008 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 208-3012 email. . . . . . . . . . . tony.cotignola@hyatt.com web. . . . . atlantisbanquetsandevents.com

• Port Jefferson • Roosevelt • Seaford • Smithtown • West Babylon • Westbury

Visit bethpagefcu.com for directions.

Mediterranean Manor Caterers

Lois Piro 303 East Main St. Patchogue, NY 11772 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 289-5857 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 289-5867 email. . . . . . . . . . lois@medmanor.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . medmanor.com

Mario Spirou 87 Carlough Road Bohemia, NY 11716 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . (866) 800-FOOD(3006) fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 589-2918 email. . . . . . thebbqking@outlook.com web. . . . . . . . . . . thebarbequeking.com “We do it all, while you have a ball!"

Look for our ad on this page

The Ultimate Experience

U N B E L I E VA B LY

A F F O R DA B L E

weddings • sweet sixteens • communions • christenings • birthday parties • bar mitzvahs • organizational parties

A Complete Five Hour Reception ! Five Hour Premium Bar Professional Limousine Service

Complete Cocktail Hour Four Course Sit Down Dinner Four Tiered Wedding Cake

Photography Package Floral Centerpieces and Bouquets Five Hours DJ & MC Entertainment

Mediterranean Manor

303 E Main Street, Patchogue | 631-289-5857 | www.medmanor.com 6

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

At TD Bank, we’re proud to celebrate the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community.

TD Bank, N.A. | Equal Housing Lender

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

THE SPRING 2016 LGBT BUSINESS DIRECTORY

CRUISE & TRAVEL

NYCB Theatre at Westbury 960 Brush Hollow Road Westbury, NY 11590 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 334-0800 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 333-7991 email. . . . . . . . infotaw@livenation.com web. . . . . . . thetheatreatwestbury.com

Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau & Sports Commission

Janet Clark 330 Motor Parkway, Suite 203 Hauppauge, NY 11788 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 951-3900 email. . . . . jclark@discoverlongisland.com web. . . . . . . . . discoverlongisland.com Ocean beaches, wineries, history, more. Free Long Island Travel Guide.

EMPLOYMENT AGENCY

Long Island’s Best Concert Venue – Comedy, Rock, Pop, Variety

The Paramount

370 New York Avenue Huntington, NY 11743 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 673-7300 email. . . . . . marketing@paramountny.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . paramountny.com Long Island’s Best New Music Venue

118 East Main Street Riverhead, NY 11901 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 727-4343 email. . . . . . boxoffice@suffolktheater.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . suffolktheater.com

Gabrielle Petitto 522 RXR Plaza, 5th Floor Uniondale, NY 11556 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 357-2010 email. . . gabrielle.petitto@officeteam.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . roberthalf.com

Music - Comedy - Dinner Dancing.

DJ SpinDetta Music Enterprises Inc.

wit & whim

David Halstead, Vice President - Northeast Region 1000 Woodbury Road, Suite 300 Woodbury, NY 11797 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 385-5331 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 488-1081 email . . . . david.halstead@axa-advisors.com web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . davehalstead.com Professionalism, Teamwork, Excellence, Innovation.

Spinning from Pride to Radio to Your Party!

LIST YOUR BUSINESS HERE!

Paul Pitsironis, CMT 888 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Ste 230 Hauppauge, NY 11788 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 382-3807 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 979-3154 email . . . . . . paul.pitsironis@wfadvisors.com web . . . . . . thepminvestmentgroup.com

GIFT SHOP

FINANCIAL SERVICES

AXA Advisors, LLC

Dineen Sigona – DJ SpinDetta 2 Cadman Avenue Babylon, NY 11702 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 539-9577 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (888) 725-6449 email. . . . . . . . . . detta@spindetta.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . spindetta.com

Catering to the insurance and planning needs of the LGBT community; offices in both Nassau and Suffolk Look for our ad on the next page

Financial Services - CAR #0415-00029

Worldwide Leader in Specialized Consulting & Staffing Services Look for our ad on this page

ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE

Natalia M. Zimnoch 6800 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 202W Syosset, NY 11791 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 579-9469 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 789-1332 email . . . . . . nzimnoch@financialguide.com web . . . . . . . . financialguide.com/natalia-zimnoch

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

The Suffolk Theater

Robert Half

Mass Mutual Long Island Metro

6 Carlton Avenue Port Washington, NY 11050 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 944-9200 email. . . . . . . . witandwhim@gmail.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . wit-and-whim.com A unique philanthropic gift shop where edgy meets chic & artsy meets affordable Look for our ad on the next page

HEALTH & WELLNESS Drew Patrick Spa

Electrolysis and Full Body Waxing

Mercedes Delgado 35-16 Bell Boulevard Bayside, NY 11361 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (718) 819-2933 email. . . . . . . info@reveriespanyc.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . reveriespanyc.com Massage, electrolysis, full body waxing, facials; Professional hair removal for the LGBTQIA community. Electrolysis and laser consultations - free of charge. Look for our ad on the next page

Electrolysis

Nelida Papadimitriou Westbury, NY 11590 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (917) 656-1785 email. . . . . . . . . nelidatwin@gmail.com Electrolysis services for all, specializing in PCOS, Transgender and the entire LGBT community. All services provided in a private one on one setting. Permanent make-up. Over 25 years of experience. Fluent in Spanish.

Port Jefferson Chiropractic Office, PC

Michael S. Horney, DC, DABCO 416 Route 25A East Setauket, NY 11733 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 751-7700 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 751-7096 email. . . . . . michaelshorney@aol.com web. . . . . . . . . portfeffersonchiropractic.com Chiropractic, hypnosis, weight loss and nutrition. The right path to good health naturally.

Rejuvenna Spa

at O'Bella Salon 555-2 Hallock Avenue Port Jefferson, NY 11776 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 834-5626 email. . . . . . . kenneth@rejuvenna.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . rejuvenna.com Full service spa serving the LGBT community; skincare, body grooming, male and female waxing, body treatments - all in a private, intimate setting with separate entrance.

Drew Patrick Allt 128 West Main Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 206-3739 email. . . . . . info@drewpatrickspa.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . drewpatrickspa.com

CALL 516.323.0011 OR VISIT LGBTNETWORK.ORG

Brilliant employees want salaries to match. For hiring and retaining the best accounting and finance professionals, salary is critical. Stay competitive with our 2016 Salary Guide, which provides the industry’s most respected data on compensation. Job seekers know what they’re worth. Make sure you do too, with the 2016 Salary Guide. Download yours today at roberthalf.com/salary-center.

Robert Half is proud to support the Long Island LGBT Services Network.

Uniondale • 516.357.2000

Hauppauge • 631.231.6711

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

THE SPRING 2016 LGBT BUSINESS DIRECTORY

LGBT NETWORK

Reverie Spa Massage - Waxing - Electrolysis - Facials

Remove Unwanted Hair

with Electrolysis 100% Permanent Hair Removal IDEAL FOR:

• Lip • Chin • Sideburns

15 min./$25 • Eyebrow • Full Face • Ears

Full Body Waxing

FAMILY PRIDE: Acknowledging love and family — ALL FAMILIES — through the unity of marriage and equality.

Hard Wax only - no Double Dipping • Brazilian $40 • Bikini Line $20 • Full Leg $55

• Underarm $12 • Full Arms $25 • Full Back $25

(718) 819-2933 • www.ReverieSpaNYC.com

a unique philanthropic gift shop where edgy meets chic & artsy meets affordable discover a treasure house filled with vintage, contemporary, americana & global products for people of all ages! one added twist: profits from our creative collections go to organizations that benefit individuals, communities & our world. six carlton avenue, port washington, ny 11050 516-944-9200, wit-and-whim.com, facebook.com/witandwhimPW VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

THE SPRING 2016 LGBT BUSINESS DIRECTORY

HOME SERVICES

Sunation Solar Systems Tammy Lea, Marketing Director 1217 Montauk Highway Oakdale, NY 11769 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 750-9454 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 750-9455 email. . . . tammy@sunationsolarsystems.com web. . . . . . . sunationsolarsystems.com Solar Panel Installation Look for our ad on page 16

Custom Closets Direct

145 East Merrick Road Freeport, NY 11520 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 223-2232 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 223-2143 email. . . . . curt@customclosetsdirect.com web. . . . . . . . customclosetsdirect.com Custom closets, home offices, entertainment centers, built-ins & more!

Realm Furnishing Design Studio

John Rocco 116 West Main Street Babylon, NY 11702 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 620-3838 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 620-3840 email. . . . . . . . john@realmfurnishing.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . realmfurnishing.com Realm - the jewel of Babylon Village - a boutique furniture store, design studio, carpet, and window treatment center - we do it all!

Symmetry Closets

Bill Kahn, Vice President 104G Allen Blvd. Farmingdale, NY 11735 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 608-8999 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 824-9282 email. . . . . . . . . bill@symmetryclosets.com web. . . . . . . . . . . symmetryclosets.com By appointment please. LGBT owned & operated. Custom designed & installed just for you.

HOUSING SERVICES Lake Shore Assisted Living

William Klein 211 Lake Shore Road Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 585-8800 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 585-0716 email. . . . . . thelakeshore211@aol.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lakeshoreli.com Long Island's LGBT friendly assisted living community.

Teresa's Family Cleaning

341 Route 25A Rocky Point, NY 11778 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 744-4201 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 744-4208 email. . . . . . . . . . . . mopheadtfc@aol.com web. . . . . . . teresasfamilycleaning.com How dirty are you?

HOTEL, CATERING, & CONFERENCE Danfords Hotel & Marina

Therese Coppola, Director of Sales 25 East Broadway Port Jefferson, NY 11777 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 928-5200 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 928-9082 email. . . . . . . tcoppola@danfords.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . danfords.com The perfect setting for weddings, social events and conferences

MEDIA

INSURANCE

Long Island Pulse Magazine

Nada Marjanovich 1 Terry St., Suite 1 Patchogue, NY 11772 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 289-4315 email. . . . . . . . . . . . . nada@lipulse.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lipulse.com dining - the arts - lifestyle - business Look for our ad on the next page

Prudential

Allyson Swidler 530 RXR Plaza, 5th Floor, West Tower Uniondale, NY 11556 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 507-5093 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 357-8891 email. . . . . allyson.swidler@prudential.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . prudential.com

NON-PROFIT

Leslie J. Larson M.S., Ed., PD, CAS, LUTCF

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises Inc.

576 Broad Hollow Road Melville, NY 11747 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 972-4463 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 221-3729 email. . . . . ljlarson@ft.newyorklife.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . leslielarson.com Serving the LGBT community for all Life & Health Insurance Needs.

Christopher Long, Ed.D. 191 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Road Old Bethpage, NY 11804 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 870-1648 email. . . . . . . . . clong01@familyres.org web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . familyres.org

Where can our passion take your business?

Our expanded network of more than 40 branches means we can bring our passion for community banking to businesses from Montauk to Manhattan. Member FDIC

Community banking from Montauk to Manhattan | 631.537.1000 | www.bridgenb.com 10

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

long island pulse magazine

THE IRONY of

AUGUST 2009: Art and Design Issue

JOHN

McENROE OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

DESIGN MASTERS

Staying Ahead of The Curve

ZIMBABWE Adventure and Exotic Travel

lipulse.com

FASHION: MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

ANNUAL LIST OF LI

ARTIST

VIPs

Fall Fashion Preview Fishing off Montauk Neil Young, Part One

HampTon

ClassIC reFLectIonS oF tHe IconIc HorSe SHow

World Class

saIlIng tack, JIb & booM In oySter bay

Ivanka

Trump taLkIng buSIneSS

5th AnnuAl Artist ViPs Find out Who Made the Cut

IntroducIng JayMay adaM LevIne cHatS about Maroon 5 tHe LateSt In LI FIctIon and Poetry

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF ARTS & CULTURE

For the last 10 years we’ve featured the best in the arts, culture, entertainment, lifestyles and people that make this island special, from the Gold Coast to the Hamptons. Join the influential readership: lipulse.com/subscribe

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

THE SPRING 2016 LGBT BUSINESS DIRECTORY

LGBT Network

PHYSICIANS & HEALTH SERVICES

Alzheimer's Association

425 Broadhollow Road, Suite 307 Melville, NY 11747 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800)272-3900 email. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . klaport@alz.org web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alz.org/longisland

20 Crossways Park Drive N., Ste. 110 Woodbury, NY 11797 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 323-0011 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 750-4715 34 Park Avenue Bay Shore, NY 11706 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 655-2300 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 665-7874 7 Crossway Boulevard Patchogue, NY 11772 Opening Fall/Winter 2016 44 Union Street Sag Harbor, NY 11963 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 899-4950 58-20 Little Neck Parkway Little Neck, NY 11362 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 323-0011 email. . . . . . . . . . info@lgbtnetwork.org web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lgbtnetwork.org

Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's

IslandCare Pharmacy Long Island IVF

8 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 101 Melville, NY 11747 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 752-0606 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 752-0623 email. . . . . . . . . . . . lmontello@liivf.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . longislandivf.com “Building families every day” Look for our ad on page 14

John F. Civitello, RN - Principal 1860 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 700 Melville, NY 11747 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 822-6300 email. . . . . . . . johnc@islandcarerx.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . islandcarerx.com HIV/HCV/Oncology, Specialty Pharmacy

REAL ESTATE & MORTGAGE Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

Edie Esposito, Associate Real Estate Broker

364 Plandome Road Our 76-bed Stately Mansion offers: The LGBT Network is an association of nonShort-‐Term Our 76-bed Stately Mansion offers: Rehabilitation Services Subacute Rehabilitation | Long-Term Care Manhasset, NYMansion 11030 Our 76-bed Stately offers: Subacute Rehabilitation | Long-‐Term Care • Physical, O ccupational and Speech Therapy profit organizations, Long Island Gay and • Intensive Physical Occupational and Speech Therapy Short-Term Rehabilitation Short-‐Term Rehabilitation Services • Cardiac M onitoring and Rehabilitation Services • Intensive Physical O ccupational and Speech Therapy • Orthopedic Rehabilitation Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy 35-16B Francis Subacute Rehabilitation | Long-‐ Term C• are • Physical, O ccupational Lewis and Speech TBlvd. herapy • Respiratory Services • N eurorehabilitiation • Orthopedic Rehabilitation Lesbian Youth (LIGALY), Long Island LGBT • Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant • Cardiac Monitoring and Rehabilitation TSherapy iabetic Education and M anagement • Cardiac M onitoring and Rehabilitation • Nurse Practitioner and Physician A ssistant • Intensive Physical O ccupational • IV and peech herapy • Discharge Planning / Family Support • •T D Respiratory Services • Neurorehabilitiation Flushing, NY 11358 • Discharge Planning / Family Support / VACs • Respiratory Services • N eurorehabilitiation • Orthopedic Rehabilitation • Wound Care Community Center (The Center), Services and • IV Therapy • Diabetic Education and Management • Psychological Services / Counseling • Psychological Services / Counseling • Nurse Practitioner and Physician Long-‐ Term • Skilled Nursing Care • IV Therapy • D iabetic Education and M anagement 946-8082 A ssistant Wound Care / VACs • Complex Medical Management tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) • Complex M edical Hampton M anagement Skilled Care • 24-‐Hour SLong-Term killed Nursing Care • Nursing Medically Complex Care / VACs Advocacy for LGBT Elders - Long Island (SAGE• Discharge Planning / Family Support • Wound • Mike Stroke / Neurorehabilitation • Stroke / Neurorehabilitation • / D 24-Hour Skilled Nursing Care • Medically Complex • Alzheimer’s ementia Care • H ospice &Long-‐ Palliative Care • Psychological Services / Counseling Term Skilled Nursing Care • Cognitive Therapy • Balance Disorders • IV Therapy fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 627-7045 • Alzheimer’s / Dementia Care • Hospice & Palliative Care • Cognitive Therapy • B alance D isorders • IV Therapy Southern Blvd. LI), & Q Center: Queens LGBT Community • Complex M edical M anagement • Pain M anagement • 100 Secured Alzheimer’s / Dementia Unit • 24-‐Hour Skilled Nursing Care • Medically Complex • Pain Management • Secured A lzheimer’s / D ementia U nit • Wound Care / Wound VACs • Stroke / Neurorehabilitation Senior Living Services • Alzheimer’s / D ementia Care • H ospice & Palliative Care email. . . . . edieesposito@danielgale.com Senior Living Services • Wound Care / Wound VACs NY 11767 Nesconset, Supported assisted living-‐like environment with 24-‐hour Center – serving the LGBT community • Customized Treatment Plans • Cognitive Therapy • B alance D isorders • IV Supported assisted living-like environment with 24Therapy • Pain M anagement hour skilled • Customized Treatment Plans skilled nursing services. A llowing individuals to live active • Cardiopulmonary Management • Pain Management web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . edieesposito.com • Secured A lzheimer’s / D ementia Uext. nit Senior Living Services nursing services. Allowing individuals to live active and • Cardiopulmonary M anagement • Pain M anagement tel . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 361-8800 248 and independent lives. throughout the lifespan and across Long • Prosthetic Training, Education and Management Care / Wound VACs We accept most Supported assisted living-‐like environment with 24-‐hour independent lives. • Prosthetic Training, Education and M• Wound anagement insurance plans. Helping Sellers & Buyers - Queens, Island • Customized Treatment Plans We accept most insurance plans. skilled nursing services. A llowing individuals to live aLong ctive email. . . . . mike.hampton@ncnrehab.com Island and Queens. • Cardiopulmonary ain anagement and independent lives. 100 Southern Blvd. • Nesconset, NY 11767 M anagement • P9 HM ilaire Dr. • Huntington, NY 11743 “North & South Shores” 100 Southern Blvd. • Nesconset, NY 11767 9 Hilaire Dr. • Huntington, NY 11743 • Prosthetic Training, ncnrehab.com Education and M anagement We accept most insurance plans. web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For more information, visit page 19 631.361.8800 • info@ncnrehab.com • n cnrehab.com 631.427.0254 • i nfo@hilaireRN.com • hilaireRN.com 631.361.8800 • info@ncnrehab.com • ncnrehab.com 631.427.0254 • info@hilaireRN.com • hilaireRN.com NCN is a skilled nursing facility in11767 100 Southern Blvd. specializing • Nesconset, NY 9 Hilaire Dr. • Huntington, NY 11743 staff info@ncnrehab.com ncnrehab.com All NCN and Hilaire are trained by•the LGBT Network.631.427.0254 • info@hilaireRN.com • hilaireRN.com sub acute care631.361.8800 and long•term rehabilitation.

Nesconset Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation

FCU Holdings

Frank C. Ullman 44 South Bayles Avenue, Suite 210 Port Washington, NY 11050 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 250-6804 email. . . . . . fullman@fcuholdings.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . fcuholdings.com Look for our ad on page 15

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS Temple Tikvah

Rabbi Randy Sheinberg 3315 Hillside Avenue New Hyde Park, NY 11040 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 746-1120 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 746-7408 email. . . . . . . . office@templetikvah.org web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . templetikvah.org A liberal reform temple that welcomes the LGBT community

TECHNOLOGY Network Solutions & Technology

Diana Santariello 81 Larkfield Road East Northport, NY 11731 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (877) 678-8080 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 368-1164 email. . . . . . . . dsantariello@nst-li.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . nst-li.com Technology Services

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

Melville Phone 631-752-0606

West Islip Phone 631-661-5437

Brooklyn Phone 718-375-6400

Stony Brook Phone 631-331-7575

Lake Success Phone 516-358-6363

East Patchogue Phone 631-687-2229

www.longislandivf.com

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

THE SPRING 2016 LGBT BUSINESS DIRECTORY

THERAPISTS & COUNSELORS

Karen A. Petrik, MSW, CASAC

1050 Hallock Avenue Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 235-9140 email. . . . . . . . . . . K.Petrik@yahoo.com

Dennis Damato Psychotherapy

Dennis Damato, M.ED, LCSW 221 Woodycrest Drive Holtsville, NY 11742-1714 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 758-0418 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 654-4726 email. . . . . . . dentomato@hotmail.com Treating adults, children, teens, families, and couples

Doris Starr, LCSW

500 Old Country Road, Suite 300 Garden City, NY 11530 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 484-3326 Specialist in Therapy for LGBT People, Couples and Families

Joan Rubinstein, M.D.

60 North Country Road, Suite 205 Port Jefferson, NY 11777 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 331-0974 email. . . . . . . . . . . drjoanr@verizon.net General psychiatry for adults and adolecents: Evaluations, medications and psychotherapy

John Bottone, LMHC

535 Broad Hollow Road, Suite A-14 Melville, NY 11747 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 680-3609 email. . . . . . . . . . jbottone2@gmail.com Psychotherapy and Counseling for LGBT Individuals and Couples. Trained in Gestalt Therapy and Internal Family Systems Therapy

Specializing in, but not exclusive to, substance abuse.

Long Island Institute of Sex Therapy (LIIST)

Rosara Torrisi, LCSW, MEd, CST 100 Manetto Hill Road, Suite 205 Plainview, NY 11803 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 690-6779 email. . . . rosaratorrisilcsw@gmail.com web. . . . . . . sextherapylongisland.com Individual, relationship, and AASECT Certified sex therapist. Reignite passion, avoid divorce, rebuild intimacy.

Michele A. Cipriano, LCSW-R

538 Route 25A, Suite 5 Rocky Point, NY 11778 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 297-0704 email. . . . . . firstbtru2u@optonline.net Hours by appointment, individuals, couples - LGBT

The Freedman Center For Clinical Social Work

Diane E. Freedman, PhD, LCSW Donna Riley, LCSW-R 2233 Nesconset Highway, Suite 104 Lake Grove, NY 11755 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 737-5559 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 737-0001 Jennifer Kelsch, LCSW-R 991 Main Street, Suite 201 Holbrook, NY 11741 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 588-8900 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 588-8901 Clinical Social Work, Therapy, Mental Health

Veronica Harkins, LCSW

360 Ira Place Bayport, NY 11705 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 617-4443 email. . . . . . . vharkins1@optonline.net Psychotherapist helping LGBT individuals & couples with trauma, anxiety, and depression. Look for our ad on this page

WEDDING SERVICES

Cruise Control Limousines

Margaret or Steve 1700 N. Strong Avenue Copiague, NY 11756 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 797-7454 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 450-4150 email. . . . info@cruisecontrollimo.com web. . . . . . . . . . . cruisecontrollimo.com Luxury transportation - airports, weddings, wine tours, night on the town. Look for our ad on page 16

DJS Unlimited

Pierre or Carl 400 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 496-9616 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 496-9620 email. . . . . . . . . carl@djsunlimited.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . djsunlimited.com The Ultimate Party Experience

DTAC Productions

DJ Domenica 319 Kansas St. Lindenhurst, NY 11757 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 828-3374 email. . . . domenica@djdomenica.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . djdomenica.com Spinning a global mix of music

Robin Barrack - Gestalt Psychotherapist, M.S.,DAPA

27 Kelsey Avenue Huntington Station, NY 11746 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 513-2772 email. . . . . . . . moresanity@verizon.net Psychotherapist successfully serving the LGBT community and allies for decades "sane" rates and free consultation

Allegria Hotel

Peter Pizarro 80 West Broadway Long Beach, NY 11561 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 992-3765 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 992-3783 email. . . . . ppizarro@allegriahotel.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . allegriahotel.com Long Island's Only Luxury Oceanfront Hotel Look for our ad on page 13

Artisan Photography & Media Group

Chuck Gosline, Photographer 141 S. Wellwood Avenue Lindenhurst, NY 11757 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (516) 938-4430 email. . . . . . info@artisanphotogroup.com web. . . . . . . . . artisanphotogroup.com Photography and video services, all occasions, personal and corporate Look for our ad on page 12

Hotel Indigo

Tiffany Tuzzolo 1830 West Main Street, Route 25 Riverhead, NY 11901 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 369-2200 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 369-1202 email. . . . . . . stay@indigoeastend.com email. . . . . . wedding@indigoeastend.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . indigoeastend.com Our boutique hotel offers a chic, contemporary and cosmopolitan setting for your private event or escape to Long Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous East End.

Venue on Seven at Courtyard by Marriott - Long Island MacArthur Airport Hotel

5000 Express Drive South Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 tel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 612-5000 fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (631) 612-5007 email. . . . . . deborah.miller@marriott.com web. . . . . . . . . . . . . venueonseven.com Venue on Seven proudly serving the LGBT Community on Long Island - The perfect venue for any celebration - weddings, anniversaries, corporate events, reunions, celebrations and more... Look for our ad on this page

HOLDINGS FRANK C. ULLMAN FCU HOLDINGS, LLC 44 S. BAYLES AVENUE, SUITE 210 PORT WASHINGTON, NY 11050 T 516.250.6804 E FULLMAN@FCUHOLDINGS.COM W FCUHOLDINGS.COM

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

THE FALL 2015 LGBT BUSINESS DIRECTORY

THE LGBT NETWORK THANKS ALL OF ITS PARTNERS IN PRIDE MEMBERS. Since 1993, the LGBT Network has been a lifeline to Nassau and Suffolk Counties’ LGBT population, providing education, advocacy, and social support services to our members and their families. Network Circle members provide support for the organizations of the LGBT Network to serve more than 10,000 LGBT annually and operate Long Island’s 3 LGBT community centers and the Q Center: Queens LGBT Community Center, the LGBT Network’s first center in Queens.

Your Membership changes lives. Throughout the year we provide a place for people of all ages to call home when they might not have a supportive family to turn to. Our much-needed educational programming, support services, inclusive social events, and welcoming community centers are some of the main ingredients to providing that safe, comfortable place many people do not find at home.

Your support is vital to our success. Luxury transportation - airports, weddings, wine tours, night on the town. Call Margaret or Steve (516) 797-7454 1700 N. Strong Avenue | Copiague, NY 11756

MAKING ELECTRIC BILLS DISAPPEAR FOR OVER 12 YEARS

Long Island’s Own!

Voted Best of Long Island for the last 7 years running BEST SOLAR BUSINESS BEST GREEN BUSINESS AND BEST ALTERNATIVE ENERGY COMPANY

Call day! To

631-750-9454

171 REMINGTON BOULEVARD, RONKONKOMA, NY 11779 • WWW.SUNATIONSOLARSYSTEMS.COM 16

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

LGBT BUSINESS DIRECTORY (a Partners in Pride program)

The LGBT Business Directory, the only directory of its kind on Long Island and Queens, connects LGBT-welcoming businesses with LGBT consumers.

The directory is printed twice a year and online listings are updated regularly with marketing directly to 15,000 households and 75,000 unique web site visitors.

Basic Membership $199 LGBT Business Directory PRINT • Business listing with company name, tagline, contact name, address, phone, e-mail address, and web site address (no logo placement) • Two full color printings per year LGBT Business Directory ONLINE • Business listing with company name, tagline, contact name, address, phone, and e-mail address (no logo placement) Other Marketing • New and returning members receive a welcome mention in one Partners in Pride e-blast • 20% discount on ads in Living Out, The Network’s monthly publication

Premium Membership $1,000 LGBT Business Directory PRINT • Business listing with company name, tagline, contact name, address, phone, e-mail address, and web site address • Highlighted featured business listing with logo placement added to your listing • Business card ad • Two full color printings per year LGBT Business Directory ONLINE • Business listing with company name, tagline, contact name, address, phone, e-mail address, and web site address with web link to your web site • Logo with web link to your web site Other Marketing • New and returning members receive a welcome mention in one Partners in Pride e-blast • 20% discount on ads in Living Out, The Network’s monthly publication

ADD-ONS Prices listed reflect both printings

ADD-ONS Prices listed reflect both printings AD SPACE (PRINT DIRECTORY ONLY)

AD SPACE (PRINT DIRECTORY ONLY)

• Half-page ad – $1,000

• Upgrade to Quarter-page ad – $300

• Business card ad – $200

• Full-page ad – $2,000

• Upgrade to Half-page ad – $800 • Upgrade to Full-page ad – $1,200

• Quarter-page ad – $500

To learn more:

Contact the Development Department 516.323.0011 | development@lgbtnetwork.org

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

CORPORATE PARTNERS The Network’s Corporate Partners are businesses that make a year-long commitment to support The Network with an annual contribution of $10,000 or more. Corporate Partners have the opportunity to develop strategic partnerships with the LGBT Network, which include hosting and sponsoring special events, developing affinity programs, establishing collaborations, and overall aligning their brands with ours. Interested in having your business or organization become a Corporate Partner? Contact the Development Department at 516.323.0011 or e-mail development@lgbtnetwork.org.

Allegria Hotel

Our 76-bed Stately Mansion offers:

Short-‐Term Our 76-bed Stately Mansion offers: Rehabilitation Services Subacute Rehabilitation | Long-Term Care Our 76-bed Stately Mansion offers: Subacute Rehabilitation | Long-‐Term Care • Physical, O ccupational and Speech Therapy • Intensive Physical Occupational and Speech Therapy

Short-Term Short-‐Term Rehabilitation Services • Cardiac M onitoring and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services • Intensive Physical O ccupational and Speech Therapy • Orthopedic Rehabilitation • Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Subacute R ehabilitation | Long-‐ T erm C are • Physical, O ccupational and Speech Therapy • Respiratory S ervices • N eurorehabilitiation • Orthopedic Rehabilitation • Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant • Cardiac Monitoring and Rehabilitation TSherapy iabetic Education and M anagement • Cardiac M onitoring and Rehabilitation • Nurse Practitioner and Physician A ssistant • Intensive Physical O ccupational • IV and peech herapy • Discharge Planning / Family Support • •T D Respiratory Services • Neurorehabilitiation • Discharge Planning / Family Support / VACs • Respiratory Services • N eurorehabilitiation • Orthopedic Rehabilitation • Wound Care • IV Therapy • Diabetic Education and Management • Psychological Services / Counseling • Psychological Services / Counseling • Nurse Practitioner and Physician Long-‐ Term • Skilled Nursing Care • IV Therapy • D iabetic Education and M anagement A ssistant Wound Care / VACs • Complex Medical Management • Complex M edical M anagement Skilled Care • 24-‐Hour SLong-Term killed Nursing Care • Nursing Medically Complex Care / VACs • Discharge Planning / Family Support • Wound • Stroke / Neurorehabilitation • Stroke / Neurorehabilitation • / D 24-Hour Skilled Nursing Care • Medically Complex • Alzheimer’s ementia Care • H ospice &Long-‐ Palliative Care • Psychological Services / Counseling Term Skilled Nursing Care • Cognitive Therapy • Balance Disorders • IV Therapy • Alzheimer’s / Dementia Care • Hospice & Palliative Care • Cognitive Therapy • B alance D isorders • IV Therapy • Complex M edical M anagement • Pain M anagement • Secured Alzheimer’s / Dementia Unit • 24-‐Hour Skilled Nursing Care • Medically Complex • Pain Management • Secured A lzheimer’s / D ementia U nit Senior L iving Services • Wound Care / Wound VACs • Stroke / Neurorehabilitation • Alzheimer’s / D ementia Care • H ospice & Palliative Care Senior Living Services • Wound Care / Wound VACs Supported assisted living-‐like environment with 24-‐hour • Customized Treatment Plans • Cognitive Therapy • B alance D isorders • IV Supported assisted living-like environment with 24Therapy • Pain M anagement hour skilled • Customized Treatment Plans skilled nursing services. A llowing individuals to live active • Cardiopulmonary Management • Pain Management • Secured A lzheimer’s / D ementia U nit Senior Living Services nursing services. Allowing individuals to live active and • Cardiopulmonary M anagement • Pain M anagement and independent lives. • Prosthetic Training, Education and Management Care / Wound VACs We accept most Supported assisted living-‐like environment with 24-‐hour independent lives. • Prosthetic Training, Education and M• Wound anagement insurance plans. • Customized Treatment Plans We accept most insuranceskilled plans.n ursing services. A llowing individuals to live active

MEDIA PARTNERS

• Cardiopulmonary ain anagement and independent lives. 100 Southern Blvd. • Nesconset, NY 11767 M anagement • P9 HM ilaire Dr. • Huntington, NY 11743 100 Southern Blvd. • Nesconset, NY 11767 9 Hilaire Dr. • Huntington, NY 11743 • Prosthetic Training, Education and M anagement We accept most insurance plans. 631.361.8800 • i nfo@ncnrehab.com • n cnrehab.com 631.427.0254 • i nfo@hilaireRN.com • hilaireRN.com 631.361.8800 • info@ncnrehab.com • ncnrehab.com 631.427.0254 • info@hilaireRN.com • hilaireRN.com

9 Hilaire Dr. • Huntington, NY 11743 makes100 youSouthern feel goodBlvd. • Nesconset, NY 11767 631.361.8800 • i nfo@ncnrehab.com • n cnrehab.com 631.427.0254 • info@hilaireRN.com • hilaireRN.com All NCN and Hilaire staff are trained by the LGBT Network.

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

THE LGBT NETWORK The LGBT Network is an association of non-profit organizations serving the LGBT community of Long Island and Queens throughout the lifespan. Together, each organization works to end homophobia and transphobia, to provide a home and safe space for the LGBT community, and to advocate for equality. The LGBT Network and its organizations operate Long Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only three LGBT community centers in Woodbury, Bay Shore, and Sag Harbor and recently opened its first community center in the borough of Queens, Q Center: Queens LGBT Community Center.

Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY) provides a safe space for LGBT youth, and empowers LGBT and straight-ally youth to create change in their schools and communities.

The Long Island LGBT Community Center (The Center) builds community for LGBT adults and families through social, cultural, and health programming.

Services and Advocacy for LGBT Elders - Long Island (SAGE-LI) provides LGBT seniors ages 50+ with social support and health programming.

Queens LGBT Community Center (Q Center) offers programs and services to LGBT and straightallies of all ages in a safe and empowering environment.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR WORK: VISIT LGBTNETWORK.ORG

SUPPORT THE LGBT NETWORK TODAY! YES! I WANT TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE LGBT NETWORK! Donation

DONATATIONS CAN ALSO BE

name(s) please write your name(s) exactly how you wish to be acknowledged

$35

$50

$150

$250

MADE ONLINE BY VISITING

$100

other amount: __________

Sustaining Donation $20/mo.

$50/mo.

$100/mo.

$150/mo.

LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DONATE address, city, state, zip

phone

donation processing

e-mail

mastercard

visa

amex

discover

check payable to LGBT Network

name on the card

signature

credit card number

cvv code

$250/mo. exp. date

other monthly amount: _______

Please send this completed form with payment to: LGBT Network, 20 Crossways Park Dr. N., Suite 110, Woodbury, NY 11797 VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

19 VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE AT LGBTNETWORK.ORG/DIRECTORY

EAST END

WEDDINGS

W IN E & SPIRITS

Brunch TO U R S

COCKTAILS HAMPTONS

Pt and

FRIEND LY

GETAWAY

1830 WEST MAIN STREET ROUTE 25 RIVERHEAD, NY 11901 P. 631.369.2200

indigoeastend.com

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

LIVING OUT

•

OUT AND ABOUT

Screen Savor

by gregg shapiro

NO SECRET ANYMORE Depending on how you felt about David Ebershoff’s Lambda Literary Award-winning novel, you will either love or hate Tom Hooper’s film adaptation of the Oscar-nominated The Danish Girl (Focus/Universal). Screenwriter Lucinda Coxon trims quite a bit from Ebershoff’s dense book and even diverts from the original ending. That said, Hooper’s treatment of the tale, “loosely” based on a true story, is both sensitive and visually captivating. Married artists Einar (Eddie Redmayne) and Gerda (Alicia Vikander) are each attempting to make a name for themselves within the artistic community of 1920s Copenhagen. Einar, a landscape painter, has achieved more recognition than portrait painter Gerda. But all of that changes when the lithe and delicately-featured Einar stands in for a female model in a painting that Gerda has yet to complete. The experience has an unexpected impact on Einar who suddenly finds himself drawn to cross-dressing, and even stirs up the memory of a youthful homosexual dalliance. The free-thinking Gerda is, at first, supportive of Einar (they attend a party with him dressed as his alter-ego Lili). The reception that Gerda’s series of paintings of Lili receives elevates her status and even allows her to surpass Einar. However, it doesn’t take long for things to start unraveling as Lili takes over Einar’s identity, leading Lili to seek out medical options to fully transition into her true self. As a film about artists, director Tom Hooper’s The Danish Girl is an artistic achievement. It’s simply stunning to behold. Equally dazzling are Oscar-winner Redmayne’s exceptional and insightful portrayal of transgender forerunner Einar/Lili and 2015 breakout star Vikander’s (see also Ex Machina and Testament of Youth) embodiment of Gerda. Both actors received Oscar nominations for performances that are nothing less than brilliant. The lone bonus feature is a “making of” featurette.

Based on the 2009 Oscar-winning foreign film, Secret In Their Eyes(STX/Universal) is one of those American remakes that simply pales in comparison to the original. Part of the problem is the complete lack of chemistry between lead actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Nicole Kidman. Most of the film is set in Los Angeles, but it might as well be Antarctica, it’s so chilly. Plus, while not nearly as traumatizing as Kiss without makeup, Julia Roberts playing frumpy just doesn’t have any traction. Secret In Their Eyes moves back and forth in time from the post9/11 world of 2002 Los Angeles to the present day. While closely observing the activity in an L.A. mosque, counter-terrorism experts Ray (Ejiofor) and Jess (Roberts) and their boss Claire (a stiff Nicole Kidman) are inadvertently caught up in a devastating tragedy. Jess’ daughter Carolyn (Zoe Graham) is murdered and one of the suspects is somehow connected to the mosque. The primary force in the movie is confusion. Ray is convinced that after spending more than a dozen years searching for Carolyn’s killer Marzin (Joe Cole) that he has located him. But Jess, intent on keeping Ray at a distance, knows more about Marzin’s whereabouts than she cares to share. In addition to the gaping plot holes, the worst thing about Secret In Their Eyes is how surprisingly predictable it is, right down the big reveal. Blu-ray+DVD+Digital HD bonus features include an interview with Roberts, commentary by director/screenwriter Billy Ray and more.

Our 76-bed Stately Mansion offers:

Short-‐Term Our 76-bed Stately Mansion offers: Rehabilitation Services Subacute Rehabilitation | Long-Term Care Our 76-bed Stately Mansion offers: Subacute R ehabilitation | Long-‐ T erm C are • Physical, O ccupational and Speech Therapy • Intensive Physical Occupational and Speech Therapy

Short-Term Short-‐Term Rehabilitation Services • Cardiac M onitoring and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services • Intensive Physical O ccupational and Speech Therapy • Orthopedic Rehabilitation • Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Subacute R ehabilitation | Long-‐ T erm C are • Physical, O ccupational and Speech Therapy • Respiratory S ervices • N eurorehabilitiation • Orthopedic Rehabilitation • Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant • Cardiac Monitoring and Rehabilitation • IV T herapy • D iabetic E ducation a nd M anagement • Cardiac M onitoring and Rehabilitation • Nurse P ractitioner a nd P hysician A ssistant • Intensive P hysical O ccupational a nd S peech T herapy • Discharge Planning / Family Support • Respiratory Services • Neurorehabilitiation • Discharge P lanning / F amily Support • Wound Care / V ACs • Respiratory Services • N eurorehabilitiation • Orthopedic Rehabilitation • IV Therapy • Diabetic Education and Management • Psychological Services / Counseling • Psychological Services / C ounseling Long-‐ T erm S killed N ursing C are • IV Therapy • D iabetic Education and M anagement • Nurse Practitioner and Physician A ssistant • Wound Care / VACs • Complex Medical Management • Complex M edical M anagement Long-Term Skilled Nursing Care • 24-‐Hour S killed N ursing C are • M edically Complex Care / VACs • Discharge Planning / Family Support • Wound • Stroke / Neurorehabilitation • Stroke / N eurorehabilitation • 24-Hour Skilled Nursing Care • Medically Complex • Alzheimer’s / D ementia C are • H ospice & P alliative Care • Psychological Services / Counseling Long-‐ Term Skilled Nursing Care • Cognitive Therapy • Balance Disorders • IV Therapy • Alzheimer’s / Dementia Care • Hospice & Palliative Care • Cognitive Therapy • B alance D isorders • I V T herapy • Pain M anagement • Complex M edical M anagement • Secured Alzheimer’s / Dementia Unit • 24-‐Hour S killed Nursing Care • Medically Complex • Pain Management • Secured A lzheimer’s / D ementia U nit • Wound Care / Wound VACs • Stroke / Neurorehabilitation Senior Living Services • Alzheimer’s / D ementia Care • H ospice & Palliative Ca Senior Living Services • Wound Care / Wound VACs Supported assisted living-‐like environment with 24-‐hour • Customized Treatment Plans • Cognitive Therapy • B alance D isorders • IV Supported assisted living-like environment with 24Therapy • Pain M anagement hour skilled • Customized Treatment Plans skilled nursing services. A llowing individuals to live active • Cardiopulmonary Management • Pain Management • Secured A lzheimer’s / D ementia U nit Senior Living Services nursing services. Allowing individuals to live active and • Cardiopulmonary M anagement • Pain M anagement and independent lives. • Prosthetic Training, Education and Management • Wound C are / W ound V ACs Supported assisted living-‐like environment with 24-‐hou independent lives. • Prosthetic Training, Education and M anagement We accept most insurance plans. • Customized Treatment Plans We accept most insuranceskilled plans.n ursing services. A llowing individuals to live activ

• Cardiopulmonary ain anagement and independent lives. 100 Southern Blvd. • Nesconset, NY 11767 M anagement • P9 HM ilaire Dr. • Huntington, NY 11743 100 Southern Blvd. • Nesconset, NY 11767 9 Hilaire Dr. • Huntington, NY 11743 • Prosthetic Training, Education and M anagement We accept most insurance plans. 631.361.8800 • info@ncnrehab.com • ncnrehab.com 631.427.0254 • info@hilaireRN.com • hilaireRN.com 631.361.8800 • info@ncnrehab.com • ncnrehab.com 631.427.0254 • info@hilaireRN.com • hilaireRN.com

100 Southern Blvd. • Nesconset, NY 11767 9 Hilaire Dr. • Huntington, NY 11743 631.361.8800 info@ncnrehab.com ncnrehab.com All NCN and Hilaire• staff are trained by•the LGBT Network.631.427.0254 • info@hilaireRN.com • hilaireRN.c

•

LIVING OUT

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

OUT AND ABOUT

author review

by gregg shapiro

Through narrow and shining doors: an interview with Paul Lisicky The Narrow Door (Graywolf, 2016), Paul Lisicky’s new memoir, is an intimate and emotionally charged portrait of loss. Writing about the death of friend and writer Denise Gess and the end of his relationship with his partner the writer Mark Doty, Lisicky opens a personal door for readers to pass through and share in his life-altering experiences. Moving back and forth in time, while incorporating his commentary on singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell, Lisicky also makes it clear that he is a survivor; one who will live to love and write about life again. I spoke with Lisicky shortly before the publication of The Narrow Door. Gregg Shapiro: Paul, as writer of both fiction and memoir, please say something about how you go about deciding whether to tell a story such this in the memoir format versus fiction. Paul Lisicky: I used to say I leap genres from book to book so I won’t repeat myself, repeat the same atmosphere, voice, imagery. But this book was different. It insisted on being nonfiction. In part I wanted to make a grave marker for my friend. In part I needed to understand our friendship—why did the loss of her cut so deep? That was its urgency. I think the culture at large undervalues long friendships—often those relationships are more intimate than our romantic and familial ties. So at its root the book was driven by inquiry—a need to find out—rather than pure dramatization, which requires a kind of disappearance into invented characters. I think of the former as the work of nonfiction. GS: You are very specific about dates/years throughout the book. Were you keeping a journal or diary? Or do you just have a fantastic memory? PL: No, never kept a journal. The closest I came to diary writing was a blog, but that’s sort of different, as it’s public: mediated, curated, not really the raw and unfiltered, though it might compose itself as such. Fantastic memory [laughs]? I’m okay with remembering dates, but there’s so much I don’t remember. For instance, my twenties. This was the first time I’d looked into that part of my life—and doesn’t the book refer to those years as a “frozen hole?” I was trying to make up my life, which just about used up every nerve and synapse. It used up my ability to remember. So I thought it would be interesting to focus on a time I didn’t have full access to—and possibly think about why and why not. GS: Natural disasters – such as volcano eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes – and manmade disasters – such as the Deepwater Horizon event are interwoven with personal disasters – including the death of your friend Denise, the decline of the health of your parents, the verbal attack and threat of violence in San Francisco, and the end of your relationship with your partner Mark figure prominently in the book. Please say something about disaster as device. PL: Disaster isn’t exactly willed into the book. On a certain level we all know that disasters are happening all the time, not just overseas, but in our neighborhoods, on our blocks. I guess I was in a state of mind when I became more attuned to them. Grief can have that kind of power. And I hope those passages don’t simply function as conduits of feeling. I want them to suggest a connection between the world outside and the world of our own relationships. How do we have solid relationships at a time when the planet is increasingly precarious, when ongoingness isn’t exactly a given?

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

GS: You employ a system for the use of names in the book, either utilizing letters (such as M for Mark), code names (“Famous Writer” = John Irving), “Braunwyn” or “the Roberts.” Can you please say something about that? PL: Well, in part those are there to protect the privacy of those people—and I was using my intuition around those matters. That device also signals to let the reader know that the book is orchestrated, a made thing. There is a director behind the camera and it isn’t simply “reality.” GS: In the “Artist Colony” section you write about “the whole drama of disclosure and hiddenness” in regards to coming out to Denise and others, and it is something echoed in the “Windstorm” section during the affair confession. Do you feel like “disclosure and hiddenness” are still elements in your life or have you moved beyond that? PL: I don’t think I ever sit around the table at a dinner party without wondering afterward if I’d said too much. TMI is probably a more accurate way to describe me—in certain circumstances. It’s weird. I’m certainly open about my identity and sexuality and values—but moving beyond hiddenness? That’s hard to answer. I try not to keep secrets. But have I always been the best communicator in my own relationships? Conflict will always be hard for me. Openness is life-long work, as I guess it is for most people. It’s not like you step through the shining door and you’re open and free. GS: During the break-up process, you are given permission to write about what has occurred, to which you respond, “but I don’t want this in my book!” Nevertheless, it is in the book. PL: Mostly “the book” in that context refers to life story. I couldn’t accommodate one more change, losing one more person I cared so deeply about. I’d already had my hands full, but life had another plan for me. GS: The loss of Denise in 2009 came at a time when losses from AIDS were subsiding somewhat in the lives of gay men, who had become so accustomed to losing friends. In fact, in the “The Freedom of Failure” chapter, you write that M says “he is used to illness… he does well…in the company of those who are sick.” Do you think that the losses you had suffered before Denise’s passing made any difference in the way you dealt with her death? PL: I’m sure I could only experience Denise’s death the way I felt the deaths of all those men who had died too soon. Did I unintentionally write an AIDS narrative, but with different variables guiding the story? I’ve wondered about that in retrospect. Denise was a great reader of those narratives. One of her favorite books was (Mark Doty’s) Heaven’s Coast—she taught it to her students all the time. Did she die hoping she’d be at the center of such a book? That’s a question I’ve been obsessed with lately, and I wish I had more to say on it. GS: Anyone who knows you or is familiar with your work knows about how important Joni Mitchell is to you. How has the news of her stroke and her recovery affected you? PL: She’s always had pretty serious health problems and until recent years managed to keep them out of the public eye. She’s incredibly strong, so brave. Maybe I’ve let go of my desire for her to come out with a later-in-life Hejira. She’d already done enough, and I’d just rather her be in a

place where she’s herself again. GS: In the opening paragraph of the “High Maintenance” section, you write about the way people “talk about her career as if her best songs… were written and performed in the 1970s,” which made me think of the way that artists who cover Joni mainly stick to her early work and rarely venture past Court and Spark. Why do you think that is? PL: I think the great music from the mid ‘70s—The Hissing of Summer Lawns through Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter—is so personal, from the lyrics through the harmonic patterns, that it’s hard to imagine anyone else writing it, performing it. It’s all incredibly subtle, nuanced, shaded. There are no broad strokes, nothing instantly hummable. Melodies vary from verse to verse. I have heard brilliant covers from that work but it’s much harder to play, much more demanding for the audience than, say, anything from Ladies of the Canyon. GS: Do you know if Joni has ever read any of your books or anything you’ve ever written about her? PL: She might have read a part of my piece “The Wolf That Lives in Lindsay,” which takes its title from her beautiful, disturbing song from Mingus. I don’t know that for a fact, but it’s in an anthology that she apparently approved of. I have a signed copy from her. GS: The late Jaco Pastorius was a significant member of Joni’s band in the late 1970s. Have you been to Jaco Pastorius Park when you’ve been to South Florida? PL: I haven’t actually been inside the park, but I’ve pulled off the street to take a picture of the sign. It’s on Instagram somewhere. GS: You write about writers’ workshops, which have been creeping into pop culture lately and can be seen in movies such as The End of The Tour -the movie about David Foster Wallace, whom you also mention in your book – as well as in Wonder Boys and Storytelling, in addition to on TV in Girls. Do you think they have been done justice in these portrayals? PL: I’ve seen a few of those scenes from Girls and, well— I instantly knew why I summarized instead of dramatized those Iowa classes. The tension of a writing workshop is pretty much beneath the surface. So much is at stake for the writer, on multiple levels. So many possibilities of exposure, screwing up. I’m not just talking about content but expression, word choice, all of it. So I think writers around the table often take great pains to be poised and sane and articulate. It’s always a hair’s breath away from chaos. And people most often come to that situation with great professionalism and seriousness—not that we don’t pretend that it’s effortless and make jokes. So the drama of the situation is really submerged and pretty impossible to externalize, which is why Hannah’s overt reactions on Girls end up looking a little fake. No one who’s being workshopped ever wants to look like she’s been wounded. GS: Do you have a favorite movie about writers? PL: The only one that comes to mind is Carrington, which is practically old now—it came out in 1995. It’s about the friendship between the painter Dora Carrington and Lytton Strachey, who was a founding member of Bloomsbury, in Virginia Woolf’s circle. I haven’t seen it since it came out but it seemed smart and mysteriously engrossing to me at that the time. GS: Lastly, Paul, have you started thinking about or working on your next book project? PL: I’ve been working on two books simultaneously. One is a memoir set in my first years in Provincetown, in the early 90s, and the other is a collection of parables and fables, a bit of a sequel to my Unbuilt Projects. LIVING OUT

•

You’ve put a lot into your home. Isn’t it time it paid you back? HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT

Fixed for one year. Prime for life, thereafter.

For more information, or to apply today, contact:

Kyle Caravousanos 516-349-6870 kcaravousanos@bethpagefcu.com

•

LIVING OUT

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

OUT AND ABOUT

Q-music

by gregg shapiro

c i c i g l g l a t a t s s o o N N Patty Griffin’s brilliant 1996 debut album Living With Ghosts introduced listeners to one of the most impressive singer/ songwriters of her generation. The combination of Griffin’s stunning voice and her skills as a composer of accessible and unforgettable tunes has earned her a steadily growing following over the course of almost 20 years. What’s more, other artists, including Bette Midler, Emmylou Harris, the Dixie Chicks and even Susan Boyle, also love her songs and have made a point of recording them with reverence. Additionally, Griffin set herself apart from others by being daring on the edgy songs of her second album Flaming Red, the ambitiously spiritual Downtown Church and the consistently stunning pair, Impossible Dream and Children Running Through. Her new album Servant of Love (PGM/Thirty Tigers), leans more toward her experimental side, with Griffin taking new musical risks, especially with her vocals. This comes through most prominently on the title cut, the stomping “Gunpowder,” “There Isn’t One Way,” “Snake Charmer” and “You Never Asked Me.” It’s been more than 20 years since Jewel released her major-label debut Pieces of You. The album took a while to catch on, but once it did, she and songs such as “You Were Meant For Me,” “Who Will Save Your Soul” and “Foolish Games,” were virtually inescapable. Additionally, Jewel became one of those artists whose back-story (living in a van, working the Jewel performs on April 30 at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, NJ.

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

`90s?

for the

coffeehouse residency circuit) became almost as important as the music itself. The savvy belter not only released a string of albums since that time, but she also parlayed her success into a career as an author and actress. Picking Up The Pieces (Sugar Hill), Jewel’s first non-genre specific release in five years, offers a nod to her debut, but falls short of that album’s energy and spirit. Call it a loss of innocence, the now-divorced Jewel is not the same person she was (but who among us is?). Album opener “Love Used To Be” and second track “A Boy Needs A Bike” get things off to a strong, if sad, start. If Jewel has a weakness, it would be her lyrics, in spite of the fact that she considers herself a poet. Nevertheless, Jewel pulls through on duets with Rodney Crowell (“It Doesn’t Hurt Right Now”) and Dolly Parton (“My Father’s Daughter”), as well as on the “Pretty Faced Fool” cover, which distract from some of the monotony.

There’s something bittersweet about listening to Holdin’ The Bag (Acetate) by cow-punk band Supersuckers. Recorded shortly before Supersucker’s lead vocalist Eddie Spaghetti was diagnosed with Stage 3 throat cancer, Holdin’ The Bag is as rowdy and raucous as insurgent country gets. The Hayes Carll duet “This Life…With You,” “Man On A Mission,” “Let’s Bounce,” “Jibber Jabber” and “Shimmy & Shake” are all super examples. Of course, there’s much more to Supersuckers, as you can hear on the marvelous Lydia Loveless duet “I Can’t Cry” as well as “All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down).”

Calexico also emerged in the alt-country scene just like Supersuckers did. Also like Supersuckers, Joey Burns and John Convertino of Calexico appreciate the value of collaboration. Edge of the Sun (Anti-), Calexico’s latest album features a stellar line-up of guest musicians joining the band which bring the songs vibrantly to life. That’s Neko Case on “Tapping on the Line,” Pieta Brown on “When the Angels Played,” Amparo Sanchez on “Cumbia de Donde,” and Gaby Moreno “Miles From The Sea,” all of whom contribute to making Edge of the Sun one of Calexico’s most luminous discs. Whether they like it or not, subliminally religious upper Midwestern trio Low unleashed the “slowcore” genre on the world and continues to mine the field on its new disc Ones and Sixes (Sub Pop). First and foremost, what Low fans want (and what they get) are the ethereal harmonies of Mimi Parker and Alan Sparhawk. Scratchy and thumpy electronics give songs such as; the anything but gentle “Gentle,” the near epic “Landslide,” “The Innocents” and “Kid In The Corner,” a distinctly modern feel. They also balance the crawl of “No Comprende,” “Spanish Translation,” “Congregation,” and “Into You” with the retro pop of “No End” and “What Part of Me.”

LIVING OUT

•

Quality Healthcare Services for Individuals with Special Needs and the Community at Large

Audiology *Dental *Dermatology *Endocrinology *Gynecology *Neurology Occupational Therapy *Optometry *Rehabilitative Medicine *Physical Therapy Podiatry *Primary Care *Psychiatry *Psychotherapy *Speech Therapy

Comprehensive and Caring Medical Services Lunchtime, Evening & Weekend Hours Medicare, Medicaid, and Some Major Health Insurance Plans Accepted Sliding Scale Available for those Eligible Most Credit Cards Accepted

Family Wellness Center

120 Plant Avenue  Hauppauge, NY 11788 Appointments: (631) 851-3810 www.familyres.org  fwcinfo@familyres.org

You are not alone, you are…FREE To Be FREE To Be is a community of men and women dedicated to socialization, advocacy, and education. We support a network that provides a safe environment to grow together. Socialization/Group Meetings FREE To Be provides an engaging space for GLBTQ individuals and friends, and we encourage all who are interested to come and join us. Meetings Include Inspirational guest speakers, workshops, open discussions, social events, and community involvement. Next Meeting Date: March 29, 2016 Time: 4:30pm to 6:00pm Location: FREE, 191 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Road Old Bethpage, New York 11804

To learn more about FREE TO BE or to become a member, please contact us at freetobe@familyres.org Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. 191 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Road l Old Bethpage, New York 11804 www.familyres.org l 516-870-1637 40

•

LIVING OUT

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

OUT AND ABOUT

Q-music

by gregg shapiro

Soul Sisters When Janet Jackson says, “Hello, it’s been awhile…I’m glad you’re still here,” on the title track to Unbreakable (Rhythm Nation/BMG), her first studio album in seven (!) years, she sounds like she means it. Separated into two “sides,” Unbreakable, on which Miss Jackson once again teams up with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, is one of the great comebacks of the year. The hot and suitably titled “Burnitup,” featuring Janet’s close personal friend Missy Elliott, is a scorcher. “Great Forever” is a sweet pop tune and “Shoulda Known Better” updates Janet’s sound with ease. The back to back dance joy of “Broken Hearts Heal” and “Night” will keep us moving through the winter months and beyond. The `80s echo of “Take Me Away” is a pleasing reminder of when we Janet first crossed our paths, while “After You Fall” is among the best ballads Janet has ever recorded. Jackson, who has demonstrated her admiration for Joni Mitchell in the past, includes a pair of tunes, “Lessons Learned” and “Well Traveled” that hint at Mitchell’s influence coming through her music. The Sly & The Family Stone-esque album closer “Gon’ B Alright” is so effective that you have no choice but take her word for it.

Cheers To The Fall (WB/Buskin), the stellar debut by Andra Day, couldn’t have arrived at a better time. With the gap left by Amy Winehouse remaining unfilled and Adele taking her sweet time releasing her third studio album, Day has arrived to, well, save the day. Aside from a fabulous look and style (drag queens take note), here’s what Day has going for her: a voice that not only conjures the best qualities of Adele and Winehouse, but also influential predecessors such as Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. Day, who co-wrote all 13 songs on the disc, has a firm grasp on the concept of drama as she demonstrates on “Not Today,” “Red Flag” and “City Burns.” Day is also good fit for the retro revival via such knockout numbers as “Gin & Juice (Let Go My Hand),” “Gold,” “Only Love,” “Forever Mine,” and “Honey Or Fire.” Let the cheering for Andra Day commence.

Almost 20 years ago Tamar Braxton (and sisters Trina and Tawanda) debuted as the R&B trio The Braxtons, attempting to follow in older sister Toni’s footsteps. Since that time Tamar has appeared in the WE network “reality” series Braxton Family Values, is a co-host on the syndicated daytime talk show The Real and launched a solo career. On the deluxe version of her new disc Calling All Lovers (Streamline/Epic), which includes two bonus tracks, Braxton (who co-wrote all of the songs) sounds strong on the single “Catfish,” which might be the most exciting and interesting song on the disc. Other tunes calling out to be heard include the updated vintage soul of “Simple Things” and “Circles” the retro disco of “Must Be Good To You” and the power ballad “King.”

One of the first things that queer listeners might notice about Freedom & Surrender (Concord), the new album by Lizz Wright, is that it opens with “Freedom,” written by legendary lesbian singer/songwriter Toshi Reagon, and closes with “Surrender,” a song co-written by Wright and Reagon. In addition to making for a good album title, the songs beautifully bracket the 11 songs between them. Wright originals such as the uplifting “The New Game” (co-written with producer Larry Klein and David Batteau), the lovely Gregory Porter duet “Right Where You Are” (co-written with Klein and J.D. Souther), and the gorgeous “Real Life Painting” (co-written with lesbian singer/songwriter Maia Sharp), as well as the covers of Nick Drake’s “River

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

Andra Day performs on March 25 in NYC at Webster Hall. Man” and the Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody” make this a disc to which listeners will willingly surrender.

As in the case of Janet Jackson, Teedra Moses took a number of years, 11 to be exact, between albums. Cognac & Conversation (Shanachie) is a welcome return, featuring duets with Anthony Hamilton and Rick Ross. Kenya brings Chicago soul with her on the musical journey of her disc My Own Skin (Kenyamj Music). On Blues People (kimnalley.com), Kim Nalley performs originals and then adds her own hue to traditionals and songs by Gershwin, Dylan, Bessie Smith and others. Photo Courtesy of Myriam Santos

Peer Navigator The Long Island Association for AIDS Care, Inc. (LIAAC) is looking for a Peer Navigator to assist with engaging HIV+ consumers, accompany consumers on appointments, provide encouragement as well as coaching and assist with monitoring of progress. This is a part-time position (10 hours/week) that pays $15.00 per hour. Responsibilities • Conduct outreach and engagement efforts to engage and retain consumers in care. • Coach consumers in self-advocacy and self-management. • Accompany consumers on clinical and supportive service appointments. • Link consumers to support services to improve health outcomes, such as infectious disease providers, ADAP and other public/private health care coverage programs, etc. • Assist Case Managers during some interventions. • Assist the Health Educator during educational sessions. Requirements Must be familiar with navigating the systems of HIV care and be a consumer of services. Also must be knowledgeable about the region’s services, the communities and populations being served and have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must be familiar with print publications and social media sites that cater to the HIV+ population. Send Resume to: Fran Cusick at fcusick@liaac.org or fax to 631-656-7232

LIVING OUT

•

Robin Barrack MS, DAPA Gestalt Psychotherapist

631-513-2772 Huntington moresanity@verizon.net Individuals, Couples, Groups Successfully serving the LGBT community + allies for decades

‘SANE RATES’ FREE CONSULT ALL ISSUES ADDRESSED + LIFE MANAGEMENT NEW GROUP FORMING

•

LIVING OUT

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

POINTS OF VIEW

op-ed

by rev. irene monroe

A Feminist Takeover Remembered

ost days when the weather permits my morning constitutional is a two mile walking loop around the Charles River. From my house I walk south toward Memorial Drive via Western Avenue. At the intersection of Western Avenue and Memorial Drive I turn right in the direction toward Harvard Square. Exactly one block from the intersection is Hingham Street and approximately fifteen feet from its curb stands one of the many blue and white Cambridge Historical Commission plagues you see throughout the city. This one reads the following: “888 Memorial Drive. Site of a Harvard building occupied by feminists who demanded affordable housing, child care and education, and founded the Cambridge Women’s Center, March 6-15, 1971.” For years I’ve seen the sign, read it and wondered how the protest took place. This past International Women’s Day at a special sneak preview screening celebrating the completion of the documentary “Left on Pearl,” and the 45th anniversary commemorating the takeover of 888 Memorial Drive I learned the story behind the plague. “Left on Pearl: Women Take Over 888 Memorial Drive” helps us celebrate, remember and cheer one of our most vilified heroes of the last century — the women’s movement. The film vibrantly brings to life -through a multiplicity of women voices and across a spectrum of race, class, sexual orientation and gender expressions - archival images of the social and political context of the 60’s and 70’s, revealing the confluence of political struggles of the time - Vietnam War, Black Civil Rights, Black Power, and LGBT rights movements -which both informed and ignited the women’s movement known as Second Wave Feminism. Zooming in on the ten-day occupation of 888 Memorial Drive “Left on Pearl,” a fifty-five minute documentary, narrates three interrelates stories: the need for a women’s space, the denunciation of the gentrification of the predominantly African American Riverside community, and Harvard University’s land grab into working class Cambridge communities. 888 Memorial Drive, a former knitting factory, was the Architectural Technology Workshop, a Harvard-owned building used by the design school. The building was slated for demolition to construct new graduate school housing and it was chosen for its proximity to Riverside. Today graduate housing stands there and the address is 10 Akron Street, a side street of formerly 888 Memorial Drive - and a good distance from the commemorative plague. “Left on Pearl” captures the high spirit, youthful exuberance, revolutionary furor of the time. It documents the hilarity, excitement and outright boldness (along with the scandalous moments) of the movement. If you thought for one moment these women lacked chutzpah, “Left on Pearl” quickly disabuses you of the notion. For example, when Harvard turned the heat and electricity off in the building, the women broke into the basement and turned the electricity back on. And when a lone male representative of the Harvard Republican Club for Equality and Economic, Political, and Social Opportunities for Women came to criticized the women for their method of protest, the women drowned him out. And who said feminists aren’t any fun?

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

The women had lots of fun, holding dance parties, and self-defense classes. And in defiance of the cult of domesticity and all of its requisite accoutrements of their time nearly 100 women cut off their hair. Boston was once an intellectual haven with activist circles of feminism in its heyday. Today it is mostly a forgotten history, which is one of the reasons for “Left on Pearl” documentary. In 1969 the first feminist conference was held at Emmanuel College spawning Bread and Roses, the first socialist women’s organization in the country, and one of the groups responsible for 888 Memorial Drive building takeover. In 1971 in Cambridge, Female Liberation began publishing “The Second Wave Magazine: A Magazine for the New Feminism. And, the most important book published during the Second Wave Women’s Movement, in my opinion, and also in the last century was “Our Bodies, Ourselves” (originally called the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective). In 1974 the Combahee River Collective was founded in Boston by the bodacious act of several lesbians and feminists women of African descent. The Combahee River Collective was not only a response to the Black Nationalist and misogynistic politics of the Black Power Movement, but the Collective was also excoriating the exclusionary practice of feminism. Protest marches abound with women of color and poor women publicly denouncing the political stronghold and exclusionary practices of the movement - especially in it’ s early years, which had primarily been an intentionally exclusive women’s country clubs that spoke to Betty Friedan’s feminine mystique of upper-crust “pumps and pearls”-wearing white women. Black women — straight or LBT — had neither voice nor visibility in much of the movement, but not so in the 888 Memorial Drive building takeover. Saundra Graham, an African American, former city councilwoman and then president of the Riverside Planning team had a pivotal role in protesting Harvard’s expansion into her community with rising rents. Good news is that Graham still resides in Riverside today thanks to the efforts of the protest. “Left on Pearl” correctly highlights sexual orientation and gender identity issues as another fault line in the movement. One reason was that in 1969, Betty Friedan, then president of the National Organization for Women, called us “the Lavender Menace” stating that LBT women were a huge liability to the women’s movement. “Left on Pearl” tells the story of a little-known but very important event in the social history of the Second Wave of the women’s movement. On Sunday I took my spouse on my morning walk to see the plague commemorating the takeover. Having both seen the film we joyously recalled and shared our favorite moments. Before leaving the site I turned to Thea and said “Those were some badass sisters, wouldn’t you say?” She nodded in agreement as we continued on toward Harvard Square. “Left on Pearl” is produced by the 888 Women’s History Project, whose members are Libby Bouvier, Susan Jacoby and Rochelle Ruthchild, executive producer. Susie Rivo is the director/filmmaker, and she and Iftach Shavit did the editing. The videographer is Lynn Weissman. I thank them all for their labor of love in helping us to remember.

LIVING OUT

•

LIVING OUT

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

POINTS OF VIEW

op-ed

by rev. irene monroe

Que(e)rying Harper Lee The literary world is not the only ones mourning the passing of the reclusive author Nelle Harper Lee on February 19 at the age of 89. So, too, are many gender nonconforming Americans. Lee leaves us with two novels: Go Set A Watchman, published last July after 55 years since the 1960 publication of To Kill A Mockingbird which catapulted her onto a world stage. Several good biographies have been written about Lee- Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee by Charles J. Sheild, The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee by Marja, and Up Close: Harper Lee by Kerry Madden, to name a few. However, one of the most frequently asked questions about Harper Lee was about her sexual orientation. Lee obviously wanted this answer hidden and on the down low from the public, but her reclusiveness and annoyance with the question only contributed to it. In Mill’s biography on Lee she gingerly not broached the topic. “In Nelle’s annoyance at speculation about whether she is gay, Mill screws up her nerve to ask each sister, neither of whom married or had children, whether the other ever dated. “A little,” they said. Mills concludes, “And that was that.” But as doggedly silent as Lee was on this question the American public has not been. For example, the question “Is Harper Lee gay or straight?’ still appears on the website “vipfaq” stating “Many people enjoy sharing rumors about the sexuality and sexual orientation of celebrities. We don’t know for a fact whether Harper Lee is gay, bisexual or straight. However, feel free to tell us what you think.” And the public did: Eighty-eight percent of the respondents think Harper Lee is a lesbian whereas thirteen percent thinks she’s bisexual and zero percent voted her was heterosexual. One of the reasons many people speculate about Lee’s sexual orientation are the adoringly beloved gender nonconforming fictional charactersScout and Dill in To Kill A Mockingbird. Scout’s tomboyiness and Dill quasieffeminate mannerism inextricably connected LGBTQ readers to the novel, themselves and Haprer Lee.

“Is Harper Lee gay or straight?”

“No lesbian or gay reader of To Kill a Mockingbird came away from the book without feeling that there was someone else like him or her, be it Scout or her friend Dill. These were not the stereotypical characters that we knew: the fey timid girly boy and the courageous rugged tomboy. Unless, of course, we looked in the mirror, “ Victoria Brownworth wrote in the July issue of Lambda Literary. And so beloved and lauded are the fictional characters of Scout and Dill in the American LGBTQ literary cannon that To Kill A Mockingbird ranked 67th on the Publishing Triangle’s list of The 100 Best Lesbian and Gay novels.

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

However, Lee’s gender nonconforming ways, obvious rebuke of the cult of domesticity and marriage, and her eschewing the trappings of 1950s femininity raised never ending queries about her sexual orientation, especially for a woman before the second wave of the feminist movement. Lee’s close friend Tom Butts, a Methodist minister, shared his thoughts on the topic in Mill’s biography: “Scout was a tomboy, and so was she, and she kind of kept that almost masculine way about her as an adult. … I don’t think I’ve seen her wear a piece of jewelry as long as I’ve known her except something simple for an appearance. She doesn’t wear makeup, hardly. You know how she dresses. Always pants and kind of baggy clothes sometimes.” And if Lee is to be judged by the company she kept, her childhood friend, Truman Capote, author of Breakfast At Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood, was famously gay, and who the fictional character Dill is based on. “She was my best friend. Did you ever read her book, To Kill a Mockingbird? I’m a character in that book, which takes place in the same small town in Alabama where we lived,” Capote stated in an interview with Lawrence Grovel in 1984, just six months before his death. Lee was socially awkward and cripplingly shy. With no diaries or love letters revealing her romantic interests we have no record. However, the story of Lee’s unrequited crush on married literary agent Maurice Crain, who encouraged her to try writing a novel after reading several of her short stories, is all we have. Like some many Harper Lee fan’s I, too, have wondered if she were a lesbian, and only because of how difficult it must have been for her and other LGBTQ American’s in the 1950’s when McCarthyism was a tool for policing not only “communists” but also gender and sexual relations with constant police harassment and countless arrest in gay bar raids. Lee came to New York City in 1949 to be a writer and perhaps like for some many she also came to the Big Apple to be openly herself. Suffering a stoke in 2007 is what sent Lee home to Monroeville. In “Growing Up Gay in Harper Lee’s Macomb” Michael Lambert shares his thoughts on how LGBTQs in small towns in the South were identified. “A decade later, my mother has begun to tell me of other men and women from Monroe County who “never married” -- the polite reference to gays and lesbians among the small-town South. Musicians and artists, teachers and judges, uncles and cousins -mentors all who had guided me my whole life and to whom I had felt such a mysterious connection. Only after I left for good did I see the shadows hanging over their lives.” The public will never know the answer of whether Lee was gay or straight. She has taken the answer about her sexual orientation to her grave, and may we all rest in peace with it. LIVING OUT

•

LIVING SMART

HOROSCOPES

March 2016

HOROSCOPES

Aries – the influence of Uranus accents your

Scorpio – keep a low profile and diplomatic

shrewd money sense. Be aware of details of prices, sizes and quantities in making purchases this month. You can save by studying the fine points. Don’t break away from rules and regulations. An Aquarian is a great influence now.

manner. You’ll gain through listening, helping, and encouraging others. Partnership matters will be on the agenda. Marriage could be the topic of discussion and interest. A stubborn person is ready to cooperate.

Taurus – you’ll hear about an opportunity that could increase your earning potential. Be prepared and reply quickly. A flexible attitude towards money and possessions will be required. Gemini and Virgo will be involved in this scenario. Save time for a romantic evening.

Gemini – 12th house issues accents shopping,

Capricorn – don’t expect something for

Cancer – your base of operations will be the

Aquarius – the influence of Mars gives you

expression are highlighted. Begin new projects and make daring moves. An aura of charisma surrounds you, making you most invincible – someone of the opposite sex will be utterly captivated. Your lucky number is 1.

Virgo – Ruling planet in 7th house – enjoy quiet pleasures. Involvement with children or those who need care is likely. Emotionally you will be in a lowkeyed mood. An affair of the heart will thrive if you show patience and trust. An older woman’s advice should help you.

Libra – 6th house issues will require you to solve a problems related to health or work. Be aware of the necessity for discipline, steady routine and the attention to details. Curtailment of social plans is only temporary and will enable you to handle practical projects. An Aquarian is on the scene. LIVING OUT

lines of communication; let another know how much you care, then let nature take its course. A partner is better equipped right now to make major decisions. You’ll win through a flexible manner, verbal ability and intellect.

nothing. Learn the real story before putting your money in a financial scheme. An affair of the heart involves you with someone who projects a great image, but is not likely to be all that you expect. Pisces plays a key role.

Leo – romance, entertainment and creative self-

•

Sagittarius – a romantic trip is in order. Open

touring and enjoying the cultural assets of your community. A luxury purchase for home or a family member should ease tensions. A sense of obligation to a close kin will be especially strong. Don’t take on more than you can handle.

scene of an important meeting. Others will turn to you for leadership, organization and motivation. The inclination is to take life more seriously. A love relationship grows deeper as a partner sees you really mean business.

BY PSYCHICDEB

charisma and it is at its high point! You can win the admiration of a wider audience, including a fascinating person from afar. Be bold, wear bright colors and be willing to stand out in a crowd. Original ideas put you in the spot light. A romantic Leo helps promote your plans.

Pisces – a relationship intensifies and seems almost karmic. You’ll feel drawn to expand horizons with the person you love. A search for answers could take you far from home. Ambition for selfimprovement also plays a vital role, leading to enhanced reputations and success.. IF YOU KNOW YOUR RISING SIGN, CONSULT THE HOROSCOPE FOR THAT SIGN AS WELL Psychicdeb has been a professional astrologer for over 25 yrs. Self-taught, shebegan her studies in astrology when she was 8 yrs. old learning what she could from her mother’s astrology magazines. As she got older and learned geometry, she searched for books onAstrology and taught herself how to construct a chart. She teaches Astrology for a nominal fee.Psychicdeb also uses the tarot to do psychic readings channeling her spirit guide Helen. Reiki is one of her obsessions. She is a Reiki Master and loves to teach others the benefits of Reiki. Namaste. You can find her at the Original Psychic Fairs on Sundays. A listing of the Fair dates can be found on her website at: www.astro-mate.org

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

LIVING SMART

HOROSCOPES

April 2016

HOROSCOPES

Aries – Venus & Uranus conjunct your natal Sun – a

Scorpio – your ruling planet in your 3rd house –

lucky social contact provides the influences that will open doors for you. You’ll appeal to someone at the top of the ladder because of your bright wit and optimistic manner. Ask questions, obtain answers; you’ll learn much. Sagittarius and Gemini are involved.

communication requires steady effort. Follow the rules instead of adding to your own interpretation. Catch up on routine correspondences and phone messages. You’ll feel less pressure if you lighten the backlog of work. Avoid spending time in gossip.

Taurus – Mercury conjunct your natal Sun – a

Sagittarius – Mars & Saturn conjunct your natal

change of pace brings an intelligent, witty person into range. This person can introduce you to a more exciting social life, including much travel around your local area. Be prepared for romance, amusement, much talk and gossip. A flexible attitude is a must.

Sun – personal power continues at a high point. You can complete a major project and move onto bigger things. Your magnetism draws many to you, but the focus will be more on an appeal to the masses than personal relationships. Aries and Libra figure prominently.

Gemini – 12th house issues emphasize illusions,

Capricorn – Pluto conjunct your natal Sun –

fantasy and make-believe. This can be productive if applied to an area of creativity or artistic expression. You’ll be extra sensitive where personal relationships are concerned. Retreat to a special hide away if pressures mount.

Cancer – Pluto opposite your natal Sun – the cycle surges upward and you’ll feel like you’re in the driver’s seat. Personal enterprises pay off in a big way. Power, prestige and more money will seem worth fighting for. Don’t deal with underlings. Go right to the top with requests and ideas. Your lucky number is 8.

Leo – Lunar vibrations are affecting your mood this month. If you get bothersome chores out of the way, you’ll have time for a group meeting and an unusual answer to a quandary. Cut out unnecessary frills; be practical, shrewd, and observant. Goals can be reached through inventive methods. Your lucky number is 4

Virgo – Jupiter conjunct your natal Sun – speculation, risk taking and games of chance are accented. You’ll feel lucky and ready for adventure. An optimistic mood is bound to draw friends and would-be lovers in your direction. Enjoy popularity but don’t promise more than you can deliver.

Libra – your ruling planet in your 7th house – share secrets with a loved one or family member. Be compassionate; understand problems that are presented to you. A loving, caring attitude will overcome all differences. A special gourmet treat can break through barriers. Your lucky number is 6.

BY PSYCHICDEB

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG

you will be cautious, money conscious and protective of yourself and family members. Build up resources, save rather than spend. Your intuitive understanding of values and bargains give you an extra edge. Use imagination in earning a living. A Cancer plays a key role.

Aquarius – your ruling planet in your 3rd house – a completion of a major cycle is about to take place. Put the past behind you; make big plans for the future. Travel, higher education and spiritual philosophy are involved in this month’s high-minded scenario. An alert aggressive person goes out of the way to gain your friendship.

Pisces – Neptune conjunct your natal Sun – the accent is on new starts, great personal appeal and a possible change in appearance or body image. You’ll approach life with a dramatic, forceful attitude. Your warmth will draw love to you; don’t be afraid to make the first move. Your lucky number is 1. IF YOU KNOW YOUR RISING SIGN, CONSULT THE HOROSCOPE FOR THAT SIGN AS WELL. Psychicdeb has been a professional astrologer for over 25 yrs. Self-taught, shebegan her studies in astrology when she was 8 yrs. old learning what she could from her mother’s astrology magazines. As she got older and learned geometry, she searched for books onAstrology and taught herself how to construct a chart. She teaches Astrology for a nominal fee.Psychicdeb also uses the tarot to do psychic readings channeling her spirit guide Helen. Reiki is one of her obsessions. She is a Reiki Master and loves to teach others the benefits of Reiki. Namaste. You can find her at the Original Psychic Fairs on Sundays. A listing of the Fair dates can be found on her website at: www.astro-mate.org LIVING OUT

•

LIVING OUT

READ MORE AT LIVINGOUTLI.ORG