Options Magazine-July 2015

options July 2015

LGBTQ News, Resources & Events

FREE Rhode Island’s LGBTQ Community Magazine Since 1982

Die,

, y m Die! Mom

A benefit for

options magazine

This clever, kitsch, psychedelic satire of ’60s celluloid classics will give “summer camp” a whole new meaning.

Thursday, July 16, 2015 2nd Story Theatre 28 Market Street, Warren, RI

Tickets are a $25 donation to Options.

Purchase online at optionsri.org

Starring PAYTON ST. JAMES

options

In This Issue:

Rhode Island’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community news source since 1982.

July 2015, Vol. XXXIV, Issue 3

RI Celebrates Nationwide Marriage Equality! pg. 5

Stonewall Inn: A Registered Landmark pg. 9

PrideFest Photo Recap pg. 18

4 From the Editor 5 RI Celebrates Marriage Equality 6 From the Publisher 6 Advertisers 8 News Briefs 10 Calendar of Events 12 Boston Pride Hockey 15 ACOS Spring Spotlights 17 RI PrideFest: IndiVISIBLE

Worth a Look: Florence and the Machine pg. 38

18 Out on the Town 24 A Farewell to MichFest 25 LGBT Feminism 26 SAGE-RI 27 TGI Network 28 Youth Pride Inc. 30 Resources 38 Worth a Look

Home delivery is free! Subscribe at www.optionsri.org, email frank@optionsri.org, or write to us at our PO Box. © OPTIONS 2015. Options is published monthly. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the governing board, volunteers, or staff. Listings are provided as a resource and do not imply endorsement. Submissions to Options must include a phone number or email address. Names may be withheld on request. Submissions, ads, calendar, or resource listings for the August issue must be delivered by July 17.

Options | July 2015

Publisher Kyle McKendall kyle@optionsri.org Editor in Chief Jen Stevens editor@optionsri.org Resources Editor Myra Shays Calendar Editor Sam Simas calendar@optionsri.org Copy Editors Julia Barber, Kaighen Finley, Bradford Greer, Maria Phillips, Joseph Morra, T.C. Rogers, Myra Shays Graphic Design Theresa “Reese” Barzyk Writers Kurt Bagley, Adam Brooks, Christopher Dalpe, Jesse DeRita, Jodi Glass, Mimi Gonzalez Bradford Greer, Sally Ann Hay, Kerri Kanelos, The Lit Chick, Kelly Scafariello, Jaye Watts Photographers Jennifer Bedford, Jen Bonin, Jack Hartwein-Sanchez Photo Editor Michael Scanlon IV Finance Director Donny McKendall billing@optionsri.org Subscription Manager Francis Ryan frank@optionsri.org Calendar Editor Sam Simas calendar@optionsri.org Advertising advertising@optionsri.org

Contact Us info@optionsri.org PO Box 6406 Providence, RI 02940 (401) 724-LGBT www.optionsri.org

Cover by Jack Hartwein-Sanchez: Norton-Becker family Celebrates SCOTUS Decision

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From the Editor Dear Reader, You’ll be challenged to find an issue of Options containing more joy than this, the July 2015 edition. As we were heading to press, the moment that so many of us had been waiting for came: The Supreme Court ruled to legalize same-sex marriage across the U.S. Hours later, local activists gathered in sweet celebration. A writer new to Options volunteered to cover the story, and we’re thrilled to present it to you here. Look forward to a gorgeous photo spread in our August issue.

We had already filled this magazine with seven pages of jubilant scenes from Rhode Island PrideFest on June 20, which depict the essence of a community rejoicing in the freedom of expression.

Hard-working volunteers, generous sponsors, enthusiastic entertainers, powerful rally speakers, dedicated nonprofits, and charismatic marchers helped make the 2015 PrideFest, what many have claimed to be, “the best Pride ever.”

One week earlier, a dozen mostly LGBTQ protesters stalled the Boston Pride Parade to memorialize the 11 transwomen of color murdered in the U.S this year, and to demand that the Boston Pride organization remove barriers that exclude people who are marginalized at the intersections of race, gender identity, and income. Boston Pride acknowledged their shortcomings and the importance of the protest’s message, and described efforts made to comply; the protesters weren’t satisfied.

This protest signifies a turning point in the gay rights movement.

Over the last 50 years, (similar to all civil rights struggles) we have refused to be excluded—excluded from view, excluded from the pursuit of happiness, excluded from the military, excluded from adopting, excluded from marriage rights, excluded from existing. As we conquer our external opposition, it’s fitting that our community turns this momentum inward, acknowledges what lines divide us from within, and takes steps to heal.

I hope you’ll take the time to truly rejoice in this epic civil rights win.While it’s an ever-reinforced custom to not let our guard down—to never stop fighting, I’m going to relax and revel in this, if only for a brief time; partly because nothing recharges my batteries more than experiencing extreme gratitude, and also because I want to take some time to imagine the possibilities for the next 50 years.

Do you have predictions or demands as to where the LGBTQ movement will head? Letters to the editor are encouraged. Please send your thoughts to editor@optionsri.org.

In Solidarity, Jen Stevens

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Options | July 2015

RI Celebrates Supreme Court Ruling on Marriage Equality

by Jesse DeRita

The positive vibes were palpable at that John’s last official record as a person Roger Williams National Memorial on can never be changed by the state of Ohio. the afternoon of June 26 in downtown Our relationship will be recognized and Providence. Standing where Roger Williams honored. My friends who want to marry had advocated for religious freedom and can marry. It means my friends who are tolerance over 350 years earlier, the park married in one state can move and remain filled with smiling faces and bright rainbows, married.” In total, fourteen couples and celebrating the historic 5-4 Supreme Court two widowers filed suit to challenge the ruling in favor of gay marriage announced ban on gay marriage in their home state. earlier that day. Over 150 members of the Sixty percent of Americans support local LGBT community were out in force to the right to marry for all people, so the greet one another and commemorate the legalization of gay marriage nationwide, the result of decades of advocacy and struggle by trailblazers in the gay community finally come to fruition.

Justice Anthony Kennedy, considered to be a crucial swing vote, delivered the majority opinion.

“No longer may this liberty be denied,” he wrote Friday. “No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family.

In forming a marital union, two people Stephen Hartley, Rodney Davis, and become something greater than Kate Monteiro celebrate Supreme Court ruling. once they were.” Kennedy pointed to the fourteenth amendment, which guarantees “equal protection” and “due process” of law and points to this law now reflects the majority opinion of as the reason all couples have the right Americans. President Obama pointed out to marry. The law now requires all states the swift change in public opinion, up from to issue marriage licenses to same sex just 27 percent approval in 1996, and 42 couples, including in the 13 states where percent in 2010, saying, “shifts in hearts and bans were previously in place. Justices Ruth minds is possible.”

Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, Stephen Supporters outside the Supreme Brayer and Sonia Sotomayor also voted Court were reported as chanting “Love in support of marriage equality, allowing has won,” and the spirit was echoed in for a victory in the case of Obergefell v. Providence. Love and a long-sought victory Hodges, ensuring all Americans the right for our community was the spirit of the day to marriage regardless of gender or sexual and leaders and community came together orientation. In an unusual turn, the four to feel the love. conservative judges who voted against

Among the speakers were marriage equality—Scalia, Thomas, Alito, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, General and Chief Justice Roberts—each filed a Treasurer Seth Magaziner, Representative separate dissent, highlighting the polarizing Edie Ajello, former Lieutenant Governor nature of the issue.The ruling comes nearly Elizabeth Roberts, and former Providence 50 years after the Stonewall Riots, which Journal columnist M. Charles Bakst. The are commonly regarded as the beginning crowd was also addressed by local LGBT of the gay rights movement. pioneers Frank Ferri and his husband Tony Jim Obergefell filed suit because he Caparco, Jenn Steinfeld, Marti Rosenberg, wasn’t allowed to put his name on the death Kate Monteiro (the event’s unofficial certificate of his late husband, John Arthur, host), and Rodney Davis, whom Monteiro when he died of ALS in 2013. They had describes as “Rhode Island’s Harvey Milk been together for two decades. Obergefell if there ever was one.” Davis quoted told ABC News, “I can rest easy knowing Maya Angelou, saying “We marvel at the

Options | July 2015

beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it took to get there.” In a uniting and meaningful moment, Davis sang “We Shall Overcome,” mesmerizing the crowd and drawing together in the spirit of victory for civil rights that felt incredibly appropriate.

“This is a victory not just for the LGBT community,” Mayor Elorza said, in his address to the crowd. “This is a victory for every single person who believes in justice, who believes in what’s right, and believes that everyone has a seat at the table and a place under our umbrella. This is a wonderful day for the United States.”

A message from all of the local speakers was echoed: we have achieved a great victory, but our work is not finished. Monteiro said it well in her opening remarks, “We stand at the top of a very, very high hill. We have carried that pack, and wanted for water, and struggled and slipped, and we stand at the top of that hill, and the view is beautiful. It is absolutely splendid. Just a little bit further, is the next big hill.

Because we are not at the top of the mountain, let alone the other side of the mountain. We are here today to say that marriage equality is the law of the land in these United States.”

Frank Ferri and his husband Tony Caparco were giddy with joy, prompting the crowd to hug a person next to them and say “Thank you,” which most participated in, hugging those around them whether they knew them or not. They encouraged the crowd to dance, to celebrate. Ferri wore a shirt from the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation, which he had been hanging onto for over twenty years to wear on the occasion if gay marriage ever became the law of the land. The symbolism of this was obvious to all present and a concrete reminder of the generation that has been fighting for our rights for decades.

Indeed, there is a great distance to go until all members of our community are safe and protected, and given full and equal rights. In the words of President Obama, “There is so much more work to be done to extend the full promise of America to every American, but today we can say, in no uncertain terms, that our union is a little more perfect.” q

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From the Publisher Dear Reader, I hope you’ll join me in congratulating the Rhode Island Pride team for an amazing PrideFest! I’d like to thank everyone who helped make it happen, including all of the Options volunteers who staffed our booth throughout the festival. If you haven’t already, be sure to visit our Facebook page to see the fabulous photos courtesy of JDHS Photos, Jen Bonin, and Jennifer Bedford, all of whom graciously donated their time and energy to capture some amazing moments with their cameras.

If you love seeing Payton St. James perform as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss her headlining 2nd Story Theater’s performance of Die, Mommy, Die! The full-length dress rehearsal on Thursday, July 16, is an Options Magazine benefit. Tickets are $25 each, and 100% of the proceeds will be donated directly to Options. I’d love to have your support and hope you’ll purchase tickets at www.optionsri.org today. This event is sure to sell out.

We’ve launched the Options Magazine Instagram account.

Be sure to follow us at @OptionsMag as we post photos from Rhode Island’s best LGBTQ events. If you haven’t already, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, as well.

With another Pride behind us, it’s time for our organization to regroup, evaluate the past year, and outline a plan for the months ahead. I hope you’ll consider having a voice in the conversation. We’re in need of volunteers with skills or interests in advertising sales, distribution, accounting/finance, and social media. If any of these speak to you, please give me a call or email. I’d love to meet for coffee and talk about volunteering. As always, if you enjoy writing or editing, there is a seat at our table for you.

Onward,

Kyle McKendall

Advertisers in This Issue ACOS: Know your status........................................................................ 9 AIDSWalk RI: HighHeel Dash............................................................12 APRI: FreeTesting......................................................................................... 4 Bill Hendrickson, Electrician.................................................................11 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island........................................16 Classic Flute Duo......................................................................................... 9 City Kitty.........................................................................................................16 New London Pride..................................................................................14 Die, Mommy, Die!........................................................................................... 2 Family Service of Rhode Island..........................................................14 Gregory’s Optical......................................................................................16 JDHS Photos................................................................................................12 Jennifer Minuto, Attorney......................................................................26 John D. DaPonte, Mental Health Counselor..............................26 LGBT Vacation Planners.........................................................................28 Marjorie L. Roblin, Mental Health Counselor............................24 Melvin’s Tirepros.........................................................................................25 Michael O’Mara, Mental Health Counselor.................................. 9 Mister Sister..................................................................................................24 Neighborhood Health Plan of RI......................................................29 Newport Comedy....................................................................................13 Patriot Subaru..............................................................................................29 Plumbing by Paul.......................................................................................... 9 The Providence Flea................................................................................11 Quidnessett Country Club..................................................................13 Red Fin.............................................................................................................12 Residential Properties.............................................................................37 The Stable......................................................................................................16 Senior Care Concepts Inc...................................................................... 6 Stephen J. Dennis, Attorney................................................................... 9 Town Hall Lanes........................................................................................... 6 The Village......................................................................................................39 URI presents Trans*..................................................................................27 White Horse Vapor..................................................................................40

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Options | July 2015

News Briefs

by Adam Brooks

high-quality medical, dental, and behavioral health care in a compassionate patient-centered medical facility. To schedule an appointment or speak to a Thundermist representative for more information, call 767-4100.

Providence Mayor Announces LGBT Liaison Last month, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza announced that his openly lesbian Deputy Chief of Staff Marisa O’Gara is now also serving as the LGBT Liaison for the City of Providence.

O’Gara, formerly Elorza’s campaign manager, also worked with former Mayor Taveras as a mayoral aide and Deputy Director of Community Relations.

In her new role, O’Gara will be a resource for LGBT residents and will ensure that strides are made to make Providence an equal rights community. As of last month, the City of Providence designated gender-neutral bathrooms in City Hall, the Public Safety Complex, and all the schools within the Providence School Department.

HIV and STDs on the Rise in RI

In a recent Rhode Island Department of Health report, sexually transmitted diseases were found to be more prevalent than ever throughout Rhode Island. From 2013 to 2014, gonorrhea cases rose 30 percent, new cases of HIV rose 33 percent, and perhaps most statistically shocking, syphilis cases have increased by 79 percent.The groups most at risk for contracting and spreading these diseases are gay and bisexual men and young adults. State Health Director Nicole Alexander Scott stated, “These data send a clear signal that despite the progress we have made in reducing STDs and HIV over the years, there is more work to do.This trend reminds us that we cannot become complacent.”The Department of Health linked the rising trends to high-risk sexual behavior, including having sex without condoms and using internet-based platforms such as Craigslist and Grindr to arrange anonymous and no-strings-attached sexual encounters. In an attempt to combat the rise in disease, the Department of Health is working with more state agencies and community partners to promote and perform free and low-cost STD testing services.The Rhode Island Department of Education is working to make sexual education more accessible to students to ensure awareness of STDs and to avoid misinformation that may put sexually active teenagers at a higher risk for contracting disease. “These new data underscore the importance of encouraging young people to begin talking to a doctor, nurse, or health educator about sexual health before becoming sexually active—and especially after becoming sexually active,” said Rosemary Reilly-Chammat, an HIV/AIDS and sexuality specialist with the Department of Education. “It’s never too early to learn about making HIV and STD testing part of routine health care.”

Trans* People’s Opinions Needed

Thundermist Health Center is a federally-qualified community health center that has served much of Rhode Island for the past 45 years. It seeks individuals 18 or older who identify as transgender to participate in a focus group to discuss their experiences accessing primary healthcare. Focus group members will be encouraged to brainstorm services that they wish existed and to suggest ways to improve Rhode Island’s healthcare infrastructure. Participants will be given a $15 Visa gift card for their time. Focus groups last 90 minutes and will be held Thursday, July 9 at 6pm in the Thundermist Administrative office (Building 2, 171 Service Road, Warwick) and Saturday, July 11 at 10:30am at Thundermist’s West Warwick Health Center (186 Providence Street).

Thundermist’s new Trans Health Access Team offers

Options | July 2015

Obama Appoints Transgender Attorney to White House Commission President Obama appointed Shannon Price Minter, a transgender attorney, to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships last month. Minter, the legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, was one of the lead attorneys who argued before the Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8 in 2013. Prior to that, Minter gained national recognition in 2001 when he represented the partner of a lesbian killed in a wrongful death case, which resulted in the landmark decision to extend jurisdiction on tort claims to samesex domestic partners and spouses. In his new role, Minter will be responsible for interviewing, recommending, and selecting candidates as White House Fellows, where they’ll spend a year working as paid assistants to senior White House Staff. “I am deeply honored to serve on the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships, which provides a unique opportunity for new leaders to gain a firsthand experience of our nation’s government,” Minter said in a statement. “As a transgender man, I am especially grateful to President Obama for his commitment to building a government that reflects the full diversity of our country and for supporting equal opportunity for all people.” Minter is not the first transgender individual who has been appointed by the Obama administration. Others include Amanda Simpson and Shawn Skelly at the Defense Department, and Jay Davis at the Environmental Protection Agency.

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News Briefs

Sexual Orientation Added to Military’s Anti-Discrimination Policy

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced last month that the Pentagon has added sexual orientation as a protected class under its Military Equal Opportunity Policy. The updated policy previously protected people from discrimination based on race, religion, sex, age, and national origin. Carter emphasized that the armed forces should be embracing diversity in order to ensure that the military functions as smoothly as possible. “Discrimination of any kind has no place in America’s armed forces,” Carter said.

“Young Americans today are more diverse and tolerant than past generations. It’s the only way to compete in the 21st century.”

Carter stopped short of explicitly discussing the military’s ban on transgender troops, but sources say that the ban is on its way out. Sheri Swokowski, the highest-ranking transgender veteran in the country, attended Carter’s address and hoped to be seen in Carter’s line of vision as he gave his address. “I just want to be a visible symbol for those out there that are forced to, I won’t say lie, but not be authentic in order to serve the country that they love,” she said. It’s estimated that over 15,000 transgender soldiers are serving in the military in secret despite the ban.

Caitlyn Jenner Debuts on Vanity Fair Cover

Caitlyn Jenner made her first appearance, since being known as Bruce Jenner, on the cover of the July issue of Vanity Fair. The 65-year-old former Olympian was photographed by Annie Leibovitz and interviewed by Buzz Bissinger. Jenner created a Twitter and Facebook account for her newly revealed female identity, and in just four hours gained four million Twitter followers.

“I’m so happy after such a long struggle to be living my true self.

Welcome to the world Caitlyn. Can’t wait for you to get to know

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her/me,” she tweeted to her followers and supporters. In the pages of Vanity Fair, Jenner discusses her inner turmoil and the mentally and physically taxing process of transitioning, including a ten-hour facial feminization surgery. Her candid interview with Bissinger reveals her coming out process: “If I was lying on my deathbed and I had kept this secret and never ever did anything about it, I would be lying there saying,‘You just blew your entire life.

You never dealt with yourself,’ and I don’t want that to happen.”

In a local news segment covering Jenner’s coming out, several Rhode Island transgender resources were spotlighted. Gwendolyn Howard of the TGI Network of Rhode Island, discussed the network’s statewide peer support, opportunity for social activity, and participation in political activism and policy change throughout the state. Jaye Watts, a Thundermist transhealth representative, spoke about the access program he works for that provides medical resources and support to transgender individuals. Both Howard and Watts agreed that having a public figure of Jenner’s magnitude making her transition public was an important step in the fight for equal rights.

RI General Assembly Adds Non-discrimination Clause to Children’s Bill of Rights.

by Jaye Watts

Rhode Island law and Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) policy affirms that children have the right to be protected from discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression, but this language had been left out of the Children’s Bill of Rights—a document that must be given to every child involved with DCYF and posted in every DCYF licensed group home. In February, the Rhode Island Senate passed a bill to add this language to the Children’s Bill of Rights, and the House passed the bill on June 24. As of the writing of this brief, Governor Raimondo is expected to sign it into law.

Transgender Exclusion Clauses Banned from Federal Employee Health Insurance Plans

by Jaye Watts On June 23, the United States Office of Personnel Management announced that federal health plans must remove blanket exclusion clauses prohibiting coverage of transition-related care for transgender individuals. Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), stated, “With today’s announcement, transgender federal employees can now access health care that is so fundamental to their well-being and, in the long-term, will make transgender employees happier and more productive workers. We know that plans will still try to exclude some necessary services, and we will keep pushing to eliminate all insurance discrimination against trans people.” NCTE urges transgender workers being denied coverage for transitionrelated care to refer to NCTE’s Know Your Rights resources on their website.

Options | July 2015

Stonewall Inn Becomes LGBT Landmark

by Bradford Greer The Stonewall Inn was originally two stables in the 1800s.

It became a gay bar in 1967 and was most popular among drag queens, transgender people, effeminate men, hustlers, and homeless youth. It was known as “THE” bar to go to because it was the only gay bar that (illegally) featured dancing. The police raided it often.

On June 28, 1969 the police lost control of a raid when patrons refused to produce their identification. The men dressed as women refused to cooperate with female officers to confirm their sex. Policemen became physically inappropriate with some lesbians who began to fight back. Outside, a crowd became more engaged as they watched the patrons being physically beaten and thrown into the police wagon. The situation escalated when a transvestite clobbered a policeman with her purse in response to being shoved. A woman called for help while an officer clubbed her, picked her up, and heaved her into the back of the wagon.The crowd became a mob. Fights erupted. There was no organization to it. It was the last straw in what was to become an historic series of rioting and demonstrations over several hot summer days and nights known as The Stonewall Uprising. It was this event that galvanized the gay rights movement and helped to fuel it into the world wide Pride movement that is today.

Tuesday, June 24th, the Stonewall Inn officially became an historic landmark. It received its designation unanimously from The New York Landmark Preservation Commission.

Stacy Lentz, a co-owner of the Stonewall Inn said: “It’s a symbol of fighting against repression and we are thrilled the building will be preserved for generations to come.” q

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Options | July 2015

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Calendar of Events Die, Mommy, Die! July 16

Drag Brunch July 19 & 26

July Sun. 5 Options Release Party, 3-6pm. The Stable, 125 Washington Street, Providence. Join Options Magazine for the release of the July issue.

Social event. No cover. Volunteers needed for distribution.

Thu. 9 Sweet Little Variety Show, 8pm. Aurora, 276 Westminster Street, Providence. A queer-produced potpourri of entertainment including music, comedy, dance, and oddities. $6. Find Sweet Little Variety Show on Facebook.

Thu. 9 ThundermistTrans* Health Focus Group, 6-7:30pm. 171 Service Road,Warwick.Trans-identified participants sought to help set priorities for improving access to trans-related health care services in Rhode Island.

Contact jayew@thundermisthealth.org or call 615-2800 to learn more.

Sat. 11 Thundermist Trans* Health Focus Group 10:30am-12pm. 186 Providence Street,West Warwick. (See above.)

Sun. 12 RI PrimeTimers, 4:30-7pm. Network for gay and bisexual men 50+. Social, dinner, and meeting. For more info, www.riprimetimers.org or call Steve at 996-3010.

Wed. 15 Queer Book Club, 7-9:30pm. Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence. Reading: Gay Berlin: Birthplace of a Modern Identity by Robert Beachy. Discount if book is purchased at Books on the Square. For more info, email queerbookclub@gmail.com.

Thu. 16 2nd Story Theatre presents Die, Mommy, Die! by Charles Busch. Payton St. James stars as faded drag performer Angela Arden, who attempts to set herself free from her ill-tempered family by murdering her ailing husband in this clever, kitsch, psychedelic satire of 60s celluloid classics. $25 tickets to benefit Options Magazine available at www. optionsri.org.

Fri. 17 LGBTQ Cafe and Movie, 12pm. Church of the Transfiguration,1665 Broad Street, Cranston. Showing The Celluloid Closet after lunch. Reservations are required by calling Pauline at 351-6700. If you are 60 or older, there is a suggested donation of $3; if you are under 60, you’ll be asked to pay $6.

Sat. 18 Pride Volunteer Appreciation Party, 2-10pm. Historic Walker

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House, 432 Massasoit Avenue, East Providence.Volunteers of PrideFest 2015 and their families are invited to enjoy food, drink, and inflatable waterslides. Free.

Sun. 19 Drag Brunch,11am-4pm.Pier 37,37 Union Street,New Bedford, MA. Hosted by Kitty Litter and Jacqueline DiMera. For reservations, call (508) 990-0117.

Sun. 26 Drag Brunch, 11am. Red Fin Crudo, 71 Washington Street, Providence. Featuring Haley Star, LaDiva Jonz, and Jacqueline DiMera. For reservations, call 465-1335.

Wed. 22 Rhode Island Pride Open House, 7pm. 1005 Main Street #1105 in Pawtucket’s Hope Artiste Village. Social gathering and discussion of community events and opportunities for involvement. All are welcome. For more info, www.prideri.com or 467-2130.

Thu. 23 & Sat. 25 Trans*, 8pm. Paff Auditorium, URI Feinstein Providence Campus, 80 Washington Street. Part of the 2nd Annual Providence Fringe Festival, this work-in-progress play is written and directed by FrankV.Toti, Jr. from research and interviews by Steven Pennell, and performed by Cynthia Glinick and Steven Pennell, with spoken word

by Cody Suzuki. For information, contact Steven Pennell at 277-5206, uri. artsandculture@gmail.com, or visit uri.edu/prov/arts.

Sun. 26 Options Release Party, 3-6pm.The Stable, 125 Washington Street, Providence. Join Options Magazine for the release of the August issue. Social event. No cover. Volunteers needed for distribution.

August Tue. 4-Sun. 9 19th Annual Rhode Island International Film Festival, with screenings in Providence, Newport, Bristol, East Greenwich, Woonsocket, and Jamestown. $15 admission for opening night gala/$10 for all other screenings. Advanced tickets and discounts for seniors, groups, and students are available at 861-4445 and www.RIFilmFest.org.

Sun. 9 RI Prime Timers, 4:30-7pm. Network for gay and bisexual men 50+. Social, dinner, and meeting. For more info, www.riprimetimers.org or call Steve at 996-3010.

Options | July 2015

RI International Film Festival August 4-9

Kathy Griffin

August 21

Thu. 13 Sweet LittleVariety Show, 8pm.Aurora, 276 Westminster Street, Providence.A queer-produced potpourri of entertainment including music, comedy,dance,and oddities.$6.Find Sweet LittleVariety Show on Facebook.

Wed. 19 Queer Book Club, 7-9:30pm. Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence. Reading: Female Man by Joanna Russ.

Discount if book is purchased at Books on the Square. For more info, email queerbookclub@gmail.com.

Fri. 21 Kathy Griffin, 9:30pm. Hyatt Regency, 1 Goat Island, Newport.

Newport Comedy Series presents this hilarious, debaucherous, and saucy comedy show by the shore. For tickets, visit newportcomedy.com.

Sun. 23 High Heel Dash, 12-2pm registration/12-6pm block party.The Stable, 125 Washington Street, Providence.A one-block race in heels to benefit AIDS Project Rhode Island and AIDS Care Ocean State. $25 registration fee.

Wed. 26 Rhode Island Pride Open House, 7pm. 1005 Main Street #1105 in Pawtucket’s Hope Artiste Village. Social gathering and discussion of community events and opportunities for involvement. All are welcome. For more info, www.prideri.com or 467-2130.

Sun. 30 Drag Brunch, 11am. Red Fin Crudo, 71 Washington Street, Providence. Featuring Haley Star, LaDiva Jonz, and Jacqueline DiMera.

For reservations, call 465-1335.

Sun. 30 Options Release Party, 3-6pm. The Stable, 125 Washington Street,Providence. Join Options Magazine for the release of the September issue. Social event. No cover. Volunteers needed for distribution.

Regularly Scheduled Support Groups: ACOS Tue. 4pm, (gay males): Wed. 1:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous (LGBT Group): Tue. 7pm COLAGE (children of LGBTs): 3rd Sat. 10:30am PFLAG (parents, friends, allies): 1st & 3rd Wed. 6:45pm TGI Network (trans*): 1st & 3rd Tue. & Sat. 7pm TransFamily New England: 2nd Mon. 6:30pm YPI (youth): Way Out Thu. 4pm/Gender Spectrum Tue. 4pm

L e t s F l ea!

JUNE 7 - SEPTEMBER 13

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Options | July 2015

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Boston

by Kelly Scafariello

Pride Hockey

June was a magical month. Immeasurable support came from so many people helping to make PrideFest 2015 the best one yet.

A highlight of Rhode Island Pride each year is the Illuminated Night Parade, and one of the groups marching this year was the Boston Pride Hockey League (BPH), proudly holding their banner while engaging the crowd. BPH has been around since the early 1990s when it formed as a local club team, first finding support with a sponsorship by a local bar. BPH consisted of a few players with a wide range of skills and commitment levels.

Fast forward to 2015. In a region where hockey is wildly popular, BPH now boasts over 100 committed players, and its popularity continues to gain momentum. According to the organization’s web page, the growth “spiked during the first Gay Games attendance in Amsterdam, where Team Boston arrived back on US soil with the first gold medal.” The gold medal helped fuel excitement and interest in BPH. This past June, the league attended the Chicago Pride Classic to compete against teams from Chicago, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Toronto. In May 2016, BPH will be hosting an international tournament. BPH President and player Mark Murphy said, “There will be approximately 150 players from other gay teams in the United States and Canada.”

BPH welcomes anyone willing to get on the ice. Murphy explains how participating is a great way to socialize, since they “provide a place where men and women—whether gay, straight or bisexual—can participate in a sport they love and enjoy the company of like-minded individuals.” Social events are held throughout the year including “overnight trips, after-skate socials, and local community events.” At its core, BPH is about playing a sport you love or learning about a sport that interests you in an inclusive environment where every member is valued.The only requirement is best expressed in the BPH motto: “We don’t care who you are as long as you have a passion for hockey.”

The BPH scrimmage season starts in August and runs through April on Thursday nights at Simoni Rink in Cambridge, MA. To play year-round, look into the New England Senior Hockey League, and the Stinky Socks League, or consider participating in the annual Sin City Shootout in Las Vegas.

Because BPH recently received their 501(c)(3) non-profit designation, Murphy is looking to “expand the organization and give back to the community.” He continued, “This is why we went to Providence to participate in the Pride celebration; we wanted to spread the word about Boston Pride Hockey.”

To learn more about BPH, email mark@bostonpridehockey. org, visit www.bostonpridehockey.org, or find them on Facebook and Twitter @bostonpridehockey. q

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Options | July 2015

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Your Wedding Day - Overlooking Narragansett Bay

So many options at Quidnessett!

950 North Quidnessett Road North Kingstown, RI 401.884.1100 www.quidnessett.com

Options | July 2015

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It’s never too late to do it right.

Testing, treatment and PrEP/PeP programs

doitright.org Miriam Hospital HIV/STD Clinic 1125 North Main Street Providence, RI

It’s never too late to do it right.

Testing, treatment and PrEP/PeP programs

doitright.org Miriam Hospital HIV/STD Clinic 1125 North Main Street Providence, RI

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Options | July 2015

ACOS

Spring Spotlights

by Christopher Dalpe

King of Queens

Drag Bingo

On May 17, about a dozen contestants performed before a crowd of 500 at The Colosseum for a truly record-breaking night.

King of Queens raised $27,000 for AIDS Care Ocean State’s (ACOS)

We finished up another fabulous season of Drag Bingo with our annual special fundraiser for RI Pride on June 18. The 2014-15 season attracted crowds averaging over 900 Bingo players and was the most well-attended in our 18-year history, raising thousands upon thousands of dollars to support the work of AIDS Care Ocean State and AIDS Project Rhode Island. We are humbled and thrilled about this great turnout this year. We thank every bingo player, sponsor, and volunteer for their continued support and enthusiasm. We’d like to give a special shout-out to our season sponsors: Amazing, Big Gay Al’s Bowling League, EGO, Feeney Law Group, GALA Bowling, Mister Sister, Moo, Pelletier & Clark, Sarah Daly Events, The Stable, The Village, Town Hall Lanes, Whole Foods, Ocean Point Insurance, and to all the monthly sponsors. We could not have done it without you.

And of course, thank you to our hosts with the most: Kitty Litter and Haley Star. Drag Bingo will return for the 2015-16 season on September 17, with “Back to School Bingo” at the Riviera Bingo Palace, 1612 Elmwood Avenue in Cranston. Doors will open at 6pm and games start at 7pm.Visit aidscareos.org for the full season schedule and themes. Please consider becoming either a monthly or season sponsor.

programs and services. Congratulations to the 2015 King of Queens winners who finished in a dead tie: The Dark Lady & Alleycat’s Rande Diantuono (aka Pat Choolie) and George Marley (aka Puppy Chow). Special thanks to Fan Favorite winner Donny McKendall (aka Livi Ryan) who individually raised more money than any past contestant.

Amazing Raise On June 7, over 20 teams participated in the first ever Amazing Raise which brought in $1,040 to benefit AIDS Care Ocean State.

Teams “raised” throughout downtown Providence wielding their

Honored with Pride

smart phones to find clues, solve riddles and puzzles, and complete challenges. Congratulations to first-place winners Xander Tabloff, Adam Flynn, and Gavin Flynn; and second-place winners David Roberts and Tom Bauman. ACOS and our clients especially thank Kevin O’Connell for his creativity and passion, EGO Providence and JD Crooks for hosting the after-hunt BBQ, and Miss Gay RI 2015 Complete Destruction.

Options | July 2015

We would like to thank Rhode Island Pride for naming AIDS Care Ocean State a 2015 Honorary Marshal of PrideFest and the Illuminated Night Parade. Staff, volunteers, friends, and supporters marched proudly and enthusiastically through the streets of Providence wearing t-shirts celebrating our 25th Anniversary and carried signs reading, “No Shame in Being HIV+” and “Know Your Status, Get Tested!” Earlier that day, during PrideFest, ACOS distributed nearly 5,000 safer-sex kits and provided over 100 free and anonymous rapid-HIV and -HCV tests. On behalf of our staff members and clients, we are so thankful to have been a part of such an amazing day of spirit, activism, and community.

For more information and event details, please visit us on the web at aidscareos.org or contact chrisd@aidscareos.org. q AIDS Care Ocean State provides comprehensive AIDS service, supportive housing, emergency funds, and a Speakers Bureau. Located at 18 Parkis Avenue, Providence. (401) 521-3603. Appointments: (401) 781-0665. www.aidscareoceanstate.org.

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Options | July 2015

RI PR I D E

by Kurt Bagley

Last month’s annual RI Pride celebration was a huge hit! A new stage location allowed us to expand the number of vendors at the Festival, increase the size of the KidsZone, and add a new area for teens—the Pride Youth Center, sponsored by Youth Pride Inc. After years of complaints from Parade marchers, barricades were installed along the entire route to keep spectators at a respectable distance and ensure everyone’s safety. Some hiccups with the placement of the barricades and the lack of enforcement to keep people behind them are obvious issues to be addressed.

However, noticeable improvements were certainly achieved and will be built upon for next year. Have some feedback? Send it to us at info@prideri.com.

One of the most important moments of the weekend took place on the main stage at 5pm. Following the National Anthem, Pride President Kurt Bagley, Grand Marshal and 76er Billy Mencer Ackerly, and Congressman David Cicilline addressed the crowd.

The traditional Rally took on a different tone as Mr. Gay RI 2014 Anthony Maselli took the stage, joined by Josh Kilby and poet R. Lewis. Together the three delivered a program that reminded all of us of the roots of Pride and pushed us to re-radicalize our movement. As Maselli said, “We need to build a queer, radical, social-justice movement that focuses on the differences in how we live our sexual orientations and gender identities when we are poor and queer, working class and queer, in communities of color and queer. A movement that assumes this is who the majority of us are, and that this should determine our political agenda. We need an LGBTQ movement that queers the reality of Walmart line jobs, sex work, and homeless shelters.”

As a planned protest joined him on the stage, he ended, “We need to create a movement that says not only, ‘We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it,’ but one that also says, ‘Join us. Dream with us. Dare with us. Go for broke. Change the world. What if the term IndiVISIBLE became more than just a word? What if this was our queer vision for what we do next?”

Options | July 2015

So what do we do next? Progressive thinking has evolved with regard to race, sex, and gender, and it is apparent that the issues of people of color, the transgender community, and women are integral to the larger project of achieving social justice. Although identity-based politics has accomplished a great deal in the progress of this movement, a movement historically focused on gay and lesbian identity must expand to encompass a full range of progressive causes. RI Pride commits to continuing efforts to give a platform to all underrepresented voices, because sexual, economic, and social liberation must go hand in hand. Join us.

Together we are IndiVISIBLE.q Rhode Island Pride is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting the visibility, equality, and diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and provides safe space to come out, express, and celebrate all sexual identities and genders. For more information, email info@prideri.com or call (401) 467-2130.

17

OUT

Countdown to Pride & Rhode Island PrideFest - June 20, 2015 Photos by Jennifer Bedford, Jen Bonin, and Jack Hartwein-Sanchez

On the Town 18

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23

MICHFEST MOTHERLAND

by Mimi Gonzalez

After forty years of providing a safe, sacred space for women, the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival (MichFest) is closing its gates.

At a time when a woman is running a successful campaign for president, when marriage between two women is finally legal in every state, and young women are increasingly proclaiming their disdain for feminism, many question whether MichFest—increasingly challenged by accusations of transphobia—remains relevant.

For me, there is no question. In spite of the many advances made towards gender equality, women’s self-determination remains a radical idea. Women are socialized to help, empathize, elevate, nurture, ease the way for children, husbands, other people’s dreams.

Will there ever come a time when women find our faces respected and unchallenged as we approach a board room, a bathroom, a rest stop, or a beach alone? Will women ever be able to walk in whatever clothing we choose without being attacked in whispers, derision, violence? Will there ever be a place where we can feel the sun on our skin, no matter the hue or the heft; feel air—the actual breath of the planet—on our bodies?

I’ve been there: a place where a woman can walk all day with her breasts tanning and the cheeks of her derrière finally seeing the sun. A place where packs of female children—covered in dirt, paint, sweat, and smiles—play all day under the sky. They freely explore without the threat of abduction or subjugation. Can you imagine such a place? That radical notion of what it feels like to be free and safe as a woman is something MichFest instilled in me, and for that I shall remain forever a convert and defender of its sovereignty.

MichFest has welcomed women to celebrate, elevate, and resuscitate the female spirit for forty years. Thousands of women return year after year to this sacred space, but this coming festival— August 4-9—will be the last time. For the past ten years, virulent and sometimes violent controversy has dominated the discussion about and within MichFest: should a space designed to nurture and protect women welcome all those who identify as women, or only those who were “assigned female at birth,” raised as girls, and who then endured life as women?

I am not writing to suggest a resolution, but rather, to keep the lines of communication open. MichFest was founded by lesbian feminist separatists seeking to liberate themselves and other women from the grip of patriarchal culture. They did battle with their own fears and conquered demon parasites attached to their ideas, toxic notions of a female’s inherent incompetence and capacity to build and engineer and manifest and guide each other to a promised land.

This battle meant that the priorities and esprit de corps of organizers, volunteers, and attendees were constantly being reassessed and revised.The festival devotes workshops to processing and understanding ourselves as women, the privileges we may

24

have by virtue of race and class, and the need for tolerance and acceptance in our society. Every misunderstood argument, lifestyle, identity exploration, and personal choice has had to weather its storm of definition.

The law of motion in physics says there is no movement without friction. We need conflict to further define our arguments and identities, but it does not come without a cost. MichFest and trans* identities have been ground zero in the gender wars, and many have been hurt in the process. I mourn the pain that this has caused.

Does this not sound like the most radical place on the planet?

For forty years, she has held sway in so many of our lives. Long live MichFest, ever in our hearts, our cells changed forever.q Mimi Gonzalez is a Boston-based, Ohio-born, Michigan-raised, Cuban-Italian American, and nationally televised comedian, worldtraveling entertainer, freelance journalist, radio host, panel moderator, and RI PrideFest emcee. To learn more about Mimi, visitwww.mimigonzalez. com. To learn more about the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, visit www.michfest.com.

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Options | July 2015

LGBT Feminism

Jodi Glass asks:

Sarah Bernstein

Jodi: Who are you?

Sarah: My name is Sarah Bernstein, and I’m an educator and facilitator committed to making the world a better place. I am the Board Chair of Girls Rock! Rhode Island and the Director of Operations at The Learning Community, a public charter school in Central Falls.

Jodi: When did you first identify as a feminist? How do you define feminism?

Sarah: My definition of feminism is centered in equity. I have been driven by a fight for equity for as long as I remember, having been raised in a progressive family and community that valued social justice and equal rights for all. Whatever identities we carry—no matter our race, class, gender, sexuality, and/or any other identity— we should be treated with respect and able to feel our own power and autonomy. As I have experienced and witnessed the many ways that systems of power and oppression play out in our world, my analysis has deepened, and my anger has grown. That anger has turned into fuel for working towards a more just and equitable world. I see [feminism] as a tool and lens that I can use to fight against systematic oppressions.

Jodi: Where do you find feminism in Rhode Island today?

Sarah: At Girls Rock! Rhode Island, I feel lucky to work in

Options | July 2015

an explicitly feminist environment that uses music creation, collaboration, and critical thinking to foster empowerment.Through the process of learning a new instrument, collaborating with peers, raising their voices, and deepening their critical thinking skills, our participants get loud and powerful in a visceral way. They carry this experience with them beyond our programs, often [becoming] better able to advocate for themselves, collaborate with others, and call out injustice when they see it.

Jodi: How can we, as a community, keep feminism alive and thriving?

Sarah: We need to name inequity when we experience it, fight against discrimination when we see it, and rebuild our systems so that one’s identity doesn’t negatively affect their opportunities. As an educator, I am biased towards the importance of working with youth, and setting up young people to view gender—or really any aspect of their identity—as an asset, not a limitation, and where they have the tools to challenge anyone who questions that. I believe in the importance of listening carefully so that we can better understand where others are coming from. We need to ask each other questions so that we can better articulate our experiences and struggles, while also challenging each other to look at things differently. Let’s engage in dialogue and hone our tools so that we can take collective action towards making our world a better place. q

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News from SAGE-RI

by Sally Ann Hay

Get Involved Get ahead of the crowd and renew your membership to SAGE-RI now! We will be launching our annual membership drive in the next couple of months, but there is no time like the present to show your love, interest, and support for this vibrant organization. Annual dues are tax deductible and cost $25 for individuals, $30 for a couple or family, $15 for students or people with limited incomes, or you can become a lifetime member for $500. Checks payable to SAGE-RI can be sent to us at our new address below. Questions? Drop us a line or give us a call.

Hope to See You July’s LGBT Café will be held on Friday, July 17, at noon. Call Pauline at 351-6700 to make a reservation and confirm the location.q What They Know We had such a great time at the premiere of Jeff Hartley’s amazing and inspiring documentary What They Know: Reflections & Collective Wisdom. The film featured ten LGBT older Rhode Islanders who graciously shared stories from their experiences growing up and growing older. They spoke of resilience, how LGBT aging is (or isn’t) different, what their concerns are about the future, and what they would say to their younger selves. The film and the discussion afterward gave new meaning to the old adage, “Aging is not for sissies!” Never underestimate the power of the personal story. A great turnout, a beautiful location from which we could enjoy a view of downtown Providence, and a yummy brunch completed the event. Many thanks to Jeff and to the generous people who shared their journeys with us: Monique Paul, Bill Pellicio, Freeman Freeman, Len Morehead, Karen Paley, Bruce Thompson, Slate, Jodi Glass, Dan Harvey, and Keira Caitlin Palm. Captured so beautifully on film, these stories will be an asset to SAGE in future trainings, as well as for sharing with the community.

SAGE-RI (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) addresses issues of concern to LGBT elders and is an organization of diverse people of all ages. For information on programs or to join SAGE-RI, drop us a line at sageriinfo@gmail.com; leave us a message at (401) 443-4451; write to us at one Virginia Ave., Providence, RI 02905; or visit sage-ri.org.

Jennifer A. Minuto LGBT Legal Advocacy.

No Place Like Home As this issue of Options goes to press, we are moving into our home with our new partners at CareLink, the search for our Executive Director is in its final phase, and we have a new phone number and address (included at the bottom of this article).The future is looking bright for SAGE-RI. On the Web We have wanted to develop a website for several years now but have never had the resources or expertise needed to make it happen. Cue up the generosity of Mev Miller, and SAGE-RI can now announce with delight that we have a webpage. Check it out at www.sage-ri.org! We will be expanding it over the next many months and look forward to using it as yet another way to keep in touch with the LGBT community and our allies. It will be a great place to learn about upcoming events and find links to important resources.

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Options | July 2015

TGI NETWORK CALLS FOR

Statewide Trans-Inclusive Health Insurance

by Jaye Watts

In June, TGI Network launched their Advocacy Toolkit to bring transinclusive health insurance coverage to all health insurance plans in Rhode Island. The reality is that very few transgender Rhode Islanders have access to health insurance that is fully inclusive of transgender medical needs—specifically medically necessary transition-related care. This has to stop.

TGI Network is prioritizing advocacy for the provision of fully-inclusive health insurance benefits for the trans* community.

Health insurance commissions and leaders in ten states (CA, CO, CT, IL, MA, MN, NY, OR, VT, and WA) and Washington D.C. have removed discriminatory transgender exclusion clauses from health insurance policies. Several of those states also require explicit coverage of medically-necessary, transition-related treatments. But in Rhode Island, most insurance plans exclude coverage for transition-related medical care such as hormone treatments, surgery, and counseling. The care that is excluded for transgender individuals is regularly covered for cisgender (nontransgender) people for other medically-necessary reasons. The care is specifically not covered for trans* people based solely on their gender identity.

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island proactively removed the exclusion clauses from all of their insurance plans last year.This is great news, but they stopped short of adding transinclusive coverage. Several large entities have been leaders on this issue by adding trans-inclusive coverage for their employees: Brown University, CVS Caremark, and most recently the City of Providence. URI recently added coverage for students, but not for employees. These entities have “self-insured plans” that give these groups flexibility in their coverage options. Two major insurers in Rhode Island, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and United Healthcare, offer trans-inclusive health insurance coverage for their own self-insured employee plans. Both of those companies received awards for having a perfect score on the 2015 Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index—a score that can be reached only by having fully transgender-inclusive insurance benefit options for employees.

While we applaud their efforts and congratulate Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and United Healthcare on their awards, these insurance companies do not allow other employers to offer those same trans-inclusive benefit plans to their employees because they think the market is too small. As a result, you won’t find trans-inclusive plans through Health Source RI, nor are they included in public insurance options.

TGI Network is calling for a multi-faceted response to this issue. First, we call on transgender individuals, allies, and loved ones to tell your stories where safe and possible. Check out the Advocacy Toolkit on our website and bring it to your employers.

We ask employers to follow the steps in the Toolkit, investigate their

Options | July 2015

plans, and write letters to their insurance companies requesting that trans-inclusive coverage be made available. Additionally, we call for Governor Raimondo and municipal leaders to follow Mayor Elorza’s lead and add trans-inclusive coverage to health insurance plans for state and municipal employees. We want the governor to go further and work with community and industry leaders to remove exclusion clauses from all public and private insurance plans and to require inclusive coverage.

Rhode Island has long been a leader on transgender rights, but this is one instance where we are falling behind. It is unacceptable.

People have suffered long enough and it is time to make this right. q TGI Network of Rhode Island is the only statewide organization providing support, advocacy, and education for the transgender, gendervariant, and intersex community (aka trans* community). Incorporated in 2011, our mission is to be a resource for TGI people navigating their lives and the medical and legal systems; to serve as a resource for professionals working with TGI people; and to serve as a liaison between the TGI and LGB communities and the community at large. Visit us at www.tginetwork. org.

URI Feinstein Providence Campus presents

* s n a Tr m Jr. fro . Toti, rank V en Pennell F y b v d irec te iews by Ste en & d v Writ t ch & inter r resea

m• p 7 @ ly 25 u J , m @ 8p 3 2 a performance work-in-progress y l Ju

What if your insides did not match others’ perceptions of you? What if the world demanded you to be a person you were not? What if you lived in fear all the time? Trans* is created from Oral History interviews of members of the local Trans* community in their own words. Trans* shares personal stories, raises issues, bears witness to the challenges of individuals struggling with their Gender Identity, and celebrates courage and tenacity. Trans* is part of the 2nd Annual Providence Fringe Festival July 21-25, 2015. Discussion will follow performances.

•

Note: Trans* is the term currently used to denote those who identify as Transgender, transexual, gender queer and gender non-conforming.

URI PROVIDENCE CAMPUS PAFF AUDITORIUM 80 WASHINGTON ST, PROVIDENCE, RI 02903 Performances are FREE and open to the public. For information contact 401-277-5206 - uri.artsandculture@gmail.com or visit uri.edu/prov/arts

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don’t grow up invisible

Youth Pride Inc.

by Kerri Kanelos

our 2015 award recipients. Elizabeth Rober ts will receive the Founders Award; the Rhode Island Foundation will be presented with the Lipsky/Whittaker Award; and the Luis Pagan Award will go to Alyssa St. Franc.

Suppor t is needed from businesses and individuals to sponsor the event. Sponsorship levels range from $150 to $5,000+. Donations of restaurant gift cards, travel packages, and tickets to local performances are especially appreciated, as they make great silent auction items. This is Youth Pride Inc.’s biggest fundraiser of the year and a great way to suppor t the organization while spreading the word about your business or organization. Email kerri@youthprideri.org or call 421-5626 to learn how to par ticipate. More event information is available at youthprideri.org/event.

Red Fez BLgT Sandwich Supports YPI

YPI’s Annual Event is October 16 Mark Friday, October 16, in your calendar for Youth Pride Inc.’s annual fundraising gala. The historic Arcade in downtown Providence is a great location for this Roaring Teens and Twenties-themed soiree. Honorar y Chair Jacqueline DiMera is once again our fabulous host. We are proud to recognize

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Many thanks to GET OUT’s BLgT project and Thee Red Fez for par tnering with us to raise funds for YPI this summer.

Par ticipation is simple and yummy! Visit Red Fez and enjoy their delicious BLgT sandwich (bacon, lettuce, guacamole, and tomato). Proceeds benefit YPI. A vegetarian option is available. Red Fez is located at 49 Peck Street in Providence.

Learn about BLgT USA at www.blgt.getout.io.q Youth Pride Inc. provides support, education and advocacy for LGBTQQ young people ages 13-23. Our Drop-in Center is at 473 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903. Visit www. youthprideri.org, email info@youthprideri.org, or call (401) 4215626 for more info.

Options | July 2015

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Options | July 2015

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RESOURCES Options originated in 1982 as the offical newsletter of the Rhode Island Gay Task Force. Editor Jos Fayette explained, “The RIGTF wants to make the homosexual community aware of their options as gay men and women in Rhode Island. And it’s only because we live, work, love, and play in this state that there are such a large number of options available to all of us.” Options has always, and will continue to print LGBTQ resources so that you can, as Fayette went on to say, “Exercise your OPTIONS today to make positive changes in your life tomorrow.”

Help us help you! Email info@optionsri.org if you come across a resource listing that needs updating. Phone numbers are in the 401 area code and addresses are in Rhode Island, unless otherwise indicated.

Addiction Support Groups AA Brothers in Sobriety: Saturday 7:30pm. 372 Wayland Avenue, Providence. 751-9328.

Alcohol/Drug Helpline: RI Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence. 24hr. (866) 252-3784.

RI LGBT AA Group: Tuesdays 7-8pm. The Wellness Company,132A George M Cohan Blvd.,Providence.All are welcome.

Set Them Free: Narcotics Anonymous open discussion group.

Wednesdays 7:30-9pm. Anchor Recovery Community Center, 249 Main Street, Pawtucket. 721-5100. info@anchorrecovery.org. www.anchorrecovery.org.

Seven Hills Behavioral Health: Addiction support services and Narcan. 1173 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA, 508-9994159. 310 S. Main Street, Fall River, MA, 508-235-1012. Leonard Amaral, Program Manager, lamaral@sevenhills.org.

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous: 12-step program. Fridays at 7pm. Providence Presbyterian Church, 500 Hope Street, Providence, side entrance, downstairs to the left. Gay, but all are welcome.

AIDS/Health Resources AFIA Center for Health & Wholeness: Meals, food pantry, HIV support groups, recovery groups, recreational and social activities.

Sponsored by AIDS Project RI. Free to clients. Wednesday and Thursday 12-3pm. Mathewson Street Church, 134 Mathewson Street, Providence. Contact Gordon Cooper, 331-1350 ext.

3268. info@uwri.org. www.familyserviceri.org.

AIDS Action Hotline: MA only. (800) 235-2331. www.aac.org.

AIDS Care Ocean State: Confidential HIV & HEP C testing, safer-sex supplies, case management, emergency funds, clinical services, assisted and supportive housing for people living with HIV/AIDS, street outreach, ENCORE, HIV+ support groups.

Speaker’s Bureau, 18 Parkis Ave., Providence. 521-3603 (call 781-0665 to schedule an appointment). www.aidscareos.org.

AIDS Project RI: Division of Family Service of RI. Case management, buddies, COBRA and dental services, emergency fund, mental health counseling, nutrition support, assessment and referral, wellness programs, advocacy, strength training, prevention education, HIV testing. 9 Pleasant Street, Providence.

831-5522 www.aidsprojectri.org.

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AIDS Quilt RI: Displays local AIDS memorial quilt panels, panel-making programs including Anna’s Workshop, HIV/AIDS education for young people. PO Box 2591, Newport. 434-4880. admin@aidsquiltri.org. www.aidsquiltri.org.

Brown University AIDS Program: Clinical trials, public policy, research, lectures, conferences, patient and community education.

121 South Main Street, Second Floor, Providence. 863-6790. brunap@brown.edu. brown.edu/Departments/BRUNAP. Community Care Alliance: Case management, support, personal care items for people living with HIV/AIDS in northern Rhode Island.

245 Main Street, Woonsocket. 235-6092. lcohen@famresri.org.

Comprehensive Community Action Programs: Medical, mental health, dental, social services, LGBT outreach. 311 Doric Avenue, Cranston. Also Coventry, Pawtucket, and Warwick. 467-9610.

Gabriel Care, LLC: Nursing/social worker case management and financial compensation for assistance and supervision for those living with HIV. MassHealth funded for MA residents. 376 South Main Street, Fall River, MA. Contact Jenn, (508) 678-1002.

Options | July 2015

HIV Antibody Testing: Anonymous.Free or sliding scale.RI Department of Health. Providence, Newport and other locations. 222-2320.

Home and Hospice Care of RI: Medical care management for HIV/AIDS. 24hr nursing staff for treatment. 1085 North Main Street, Providence. Referrals: 782-0725. Bereavement groups: Contact John Charette, 727-7079. Main Office: 415-4200 or toll-free 800-338-6555. www.hhcri.org.

House of Compassion: HIV/AIDS housing. 2510 Mendon Road, Cumberland. 658-3992.

LGBT Caregiver Online Support Group: For LGBTs caring for someone with chronic health problems. www.caregiver.org Luis E. Martinez House CHS, Inc.: Supportive, permanent housing for 10 adults living with HIV/AIDS and/or substance abuse. New Bedford, MA. Contact Joe Taylor. (508) 984-7514.

Partners in Learning About AIDS: Outreach to minorities, women of color, and LGBT community at clubs and other locations. North Providence office provides free condoms and information about STIs and post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. 1006 Charles Street, Suite 5, North Providence. 484-7523. info@plaidsproject.org. www.plaidsproject.org.

Planned Parenthood of So. New England: Confidential, lowcost, same-day & walk-in STD and HIV testing. Commonsense approach to health. 111 Point St., Providence. 800-230-7526. www.ppsne.org.

Project Weber: Services for male sex workers. Drop-in center, support groups, HIV and Hep C testing, clean needles.

383-4888. www.projectweber.org.

Seven Hills HIV Prevention & Screening: TWIST program, HIV and STI prevention and testing,partner care.1173AcushnetAvenue, New Bedford, MA, 508-999-4159. 310 S. Main Street, Fall River, MA, 508-235-1012. Contact Leonard Amaral, lamaral@sevenhills.org.

SSTAR (Stanley Street Treatment & Resources): Counseling, drug treatment, detox, domestic violence programs, free and confidential HIV, HEP C, and STD testing, education, case management and support. MA and RI locations. 386 Stanley Street, Fall River, MA. (508) 679-5222. Project Aware (HIV/HCV); (508) 324-3561. Family Healthcare Center; (508) 675-1054. www.sstar.org.

Steppingstone, Inc.: Welcome Home Medical case management program. One-on-one peer support in Somerset to Wareham area. HIV support groups available. Free and open to any HIV+ person 18+. 5 Dover Street, New Bedford, MA. (508) 984-7514. www.steppingstoneinc.org.

Tranquil Mind & Wellness: Counseling, alternative healing, yoga, Pilates, meditation.109 Rhode Island Road, Lakeville, MA. (508) 947-1683. www.tranquilmind.net.

Thundermist Health Center: Provides HIV/AIDS services including medical care and treatment by an HIV specialist, dental care, behavioral health counseling, nutritional assessment and counseling, pharmacy consultation, free and confidential HIV testing. 450 Clinton Street, Woonsocket. Contact Philip Kane.

767-4100 ext. 3516.

Information/Education

The Center for Sexual Pleasure & Health: Education, pleasure, health, advocacy. Tues. -- Sat. 12 -- 6 and by appointment. 250 Main Street, Unit 1, Pawtucket. 489-5513. www.thecsph.org.

Fenway Community Center LGBT Helpline: Support, information and referrals. Fenway Community Health Center, Boston. Open daily 6-11pm. (617) 267-9001 or 888-340-452 GLBT National Help Center Hotline: Local resources

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nationwide provided by social services agency. 888-843-4564. www.glbtnationalhelpcenter.org.

Newport Out: LGBT website for Newport. www.newportout.com.

RILGBT-News: Low-volume email distribution list for LGBT & AIDS news from RI. Not a discussion list. To subscribe: tinawood@cox.net.

United Way of RI Referral Line: 2-1-1

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Nightlife The Alley Cat Providence: Downtown neighborhood bar.

Monday-Thursday 3pm-1am, Friday 3pm-2am, Saturday 2pm2am, Sunday 2pm-1am. 19 Snow Street, Providence. 272-6369.

Bobby’s Place: Dancing, pool, video lounge, karaoke. SundayWednesday 5pm-1am, Thursday-Saturday 5pm-2am. 62 Weir Street,Taunton, MA. (508) 824-9997. www.bobbysplacema.com.

Brooklyn Coffee Tea House: 209 Douglas Ave., Providence: public/private venue for music, art, film screenings, weddings, showers, etc. RHODYWOOD@yahoo.com; 359-0192.

Club Body Center: Gay men’s sauna. Membership required.

One-day pass available. Open 24hr. 257 Weybosset Street, Providence. 274-0298. www.cbcresorts.com.

The Dark Lady: Downtown bar and nightclub. TuesdayThursday 9pm-1am, Friday & Saturday 9pm-3am, Sunday 9pm1am. 17 Snow Street, Providence. 272-6369.

EGO: Providence’s newest gay nightlife performance/event space.

Sunday and Thursday 9pm-1am, Friday and Saturday 10pm-3am, 73 Richmond St, Providence. 383-1208. www.egopvd.com.

Indigo Lounge: 599 Tiogue Ave, Coventry RI 02816. Breakfast buffet, specialty pizzas, T Dances, live entertainment, karaoke Thurs. Hours vary, closed Mon. www.indigopizza.com.

Mirabar: Downtown bar and nightclub. Monday-Thursday 3pm-1am, Friday and Saturday 3pm-2am, Sunday 3pm-1am.

15 Elbow Street, Providence. 331-6761. www.mirabar.com.

Providence Eagle: Leather, Levi, bear cruise bar. MondayThursday 2pm-1am, Friday 2pm-2am, Saturday-Sunday 12pm2am. 124 Snow Street, Providence. 421-1447.

The Stable: Downtown video bar. No cover. Monday-Thursday 2pm-1am, Friday 2pm-2am, Saturday 12pm-2am, Sunday 12pm1am. 125 Washington Street, Providence. 272-6950.

The Village: Downtown Providence’s newest LGBT owned and operated restaurant and live entertainment venue.

Lunch & dinner Wednesday through Sunday for varying hours.

373 Richmond St. 228-7222, www.thevillageri.com

Political & Legal Groups American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): 128 Dorrance Street, Suite 220, Providence. 831-7171. riaclu.org.

Amnesty International OUTfront: Program to campaign globally for LGBTQ human rights. (212) 807-8400. Cvohs18904@yahoo.com. www.amnestyusa.org.

Brown University Queer Alliance: Student advocacy and support organization. queer@brown.edu.

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD): LGBT/ HIV legal info hotline. Weekdays 1:30-4:30pm. 30 Winter Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA. (617) 436-1350 or (800) 455-GLAD. gladlaw@glad.org www.GLAD.org.

Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund: 120 Wall Street, Suite 1500, NY. (212) 809-8585. www.lambdalegal.org.

Lawyers for Equality and Diversity (LEAD): Advocates for LGBT causes. lawyersforequality@gmail.com.

National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Assoc./New England: Works for fair and accurate media coverage of LGBT issues. info@nlgja.org, www.nlgja.org.

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The Next Thing (TNT): Political and support group for queer people of color located at Brown University. 863-3062. tnt@brown.edu.

RI Commission on Prejudice and Bias: Hate crime awareness training program. www.hatecrimeri.org.

RI Socialist Action: 952-5385, adgagneri@gmail.com. Spanish: 351-3514, walsil@cox.net.

RI Human Rights Commission: Anti-discrimination law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit. 180 Westminster Street, 3rd floor, Providence. 222-2662 TTY: 222-2664, richr.ri.gov.

Scouts for Equality: An organization composed largely of Boy Scouts of America alumni dedicated to ending the BSA’s ban on gay members and leaders. Contact Carol Crowther. ccrowther1@gmail.com. Facebook.com/riscoutsforequality.

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network: Serving LGBT military personnel and veterans. PO Box 65301, Washington DC. (202) 328-3244. or (800) 538-7418. sldn@sldn.org. www.sldn.org.

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Religious & Spiritual All Saints Memorial Church: 674Westminster Street,Providence.

751-1747. asmcri@verizon.net. www.allsaintsmemorial.org.

Amicable Congregational Church: UCC. Open & Affirming.

Pastor William Sterrett. Sunday 10am. 3736 Main Road, Tiverton.

624-4611. amicablechurch@aol.com, www.amicablechurch.org.

Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists: robin@awab.org, www.awab.org.

Barrington Congregational Church: UCC. “The white church.” Sundays 10am. 461 County Road, Barrington. 246-0111. office@bccucc.org, www.bccucc.org.

Bell Street Chapel: Unitarian Universalist. A Welcoming Congregation. Rev. Margaret Weis. Sundays 10am. 5 Bell Street, Providence. 273-5678. www.bellstreetchapel.org.

Beneficent Congregational Church: UCC. An Open & Affirming congregation in the heart of Providence. Co-Pastors Todd & Nicole Yonkman. Sundays 10am. 300 Weybosset Street, Providence. 331-9844. BeneficentChurchUCC@gmail.com, www.beneficentchurch.org.

Berean Baptist Church: A safe and welcoming place for all God’s children. Sunday 10am. 474 Chapel Street, Harrisville. 568-5411. bereanbaptist@verizon.net. www.bereanri.org.

Calvary United Methodist Church of Middletown: LGBTQ early dementia support group. Contact Amy. Sundays 10:30am. 200 Turner Road, Middletown. 847-6181, www.middletownmethodist.com.

Central Congregational Church: UCC. An Opening & Affirming Congregation. Sundays 10:30am. 296 Angell Street, Providence. 331-1960. www.centralchurch.us.

Channing Memorial Church: Unitarian Universalist. A Welcoming Congregation. Sundays 10am. 135 Pelham Street, Newport.

846-0643. administrator@channingchurch.org. www.channingchurch.org.

Charter Oak Grove ADF: An Open and Welcoming Congregation of Neo-pagan Druids in CT. charteroakadf@gmail. com, www.charteroakadf.org.

Christ Church in Lonsdale: Episcopal.

1643 Lonsdale Avenue, Lincoln.

Services 8am and 10:30am.

725-1920. office@christchurchlincoln.org. www.christchurchlincoln.org.

Church of the Epiphany: A diverse Open & Affirming Episcopal

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congregation. 1336 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence. 434-5012. info@epiphanyep.org, www.epiphanyep.org.

Church of the Holy Paraclete: Independent Old Catholic.

Fr. Jakob Lazarus. Sunday 9am and 6pm. 155 Douglas Avenue, Providence. 218-0706. www.holyparaclete.org.

Edgewood Congregational Church: UCC. Open & Affirming.

Service 10am. 1788 Broad Street, Cranston. 461-1344. office@edgewoodchurchri.org. www.edgewoodchurchri.org.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Sundays 8 and 9:30am. 120 Nate Whipple Highway, Cumberland. 658-1506. office@emmanuelri.org. www.emmanuelri.org.

First Congregational Church in Bristol: An Open and Affirming Congregation. Skip Macaulay, Interim Pastor. 281 High Street, Bristol. 253-7288. www.fccbristol.org.

First Unitarian Church: A welcoming congregation.

Sunday 10:30am. 1 Benevolent Street, Providence. 421-7970. admin@firstunitarianprov.org, www.firstunitarianprov.org.

First Unitarian Church: Service 11am. 71 8th Street, New Bedford, MA. (508) 994-9686. admin@uunewbedford.org, www.uunewbedford.org.

First Universalist Society: UU. Welcoming congregation.

Same-gender weddings. 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin, MA. (508) 528-5348. fusf@verizon.net, www.fusf.org.

Foxboro Universalist Church: UUA. Service 10am. 6 Bird Street, Foxboro, MA. 508-543-4002. chair@uufoxborough.org. www.uufoxborough.org.

Grace Episcopal Church in Providence: 175 Mathewson Street, Providence. 331-3225. hello@gracechurchprovidence.org. www.gracechurchprovidence.org.

Immanuel Lutheran Church: A Reconciling in Christ congregation. Pastor Sandra Demmler D’Amico. 647 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA. (508) 222-2898. www.immanuellc.org.

Interweave at Channing Memorial UU Church: A membership organization for the spiritual, political and social wellbeing of LGBTQ persons, and their allies, confronting oppression.

135 Pelham Street, Newport. 846-0643.

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd: A “Reconciling in Christ” congregation (Welcoming). 3383 Old North Rd., Kingston, RI. Sundays 9 am. Pastor Mary Hansen-Joyce. 7897776; office@goodshepherdri.org

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Mathewson St. Church: United Methodist. 134 Mathewson Street, Providence. 331-8900. MathewsonStUMC@gmail.com.

Mercy of God Community: Christian, inclusive religious order. mercycomm@yahoo.com, www.mgc.org.

Murray Unitarian Universalist Church: Marriage and commitment ceremonies for all. Rev. Bob McKetchnie.

505 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA. (508) 222-0505 www.murrayuuchurch.org.

Newman Congregational Church: Open & Affirming. 100 Newman Avenue, Rumford. 434-4742. www.newmanucc.org.

Newport Congregational Church: UCC. Open & Affirming.

Rev. Hayes and Rev. Baker. 73 Pelham Street, Newport. 849-2238.

Park Place Congregational Church: 71 Park Place, Pawtucket.

726-2800. office@ppucc.necoxmail.com, www.parkplaceucc.com.

The Pub Church: An Open & Affirming church that meets in a pub. Location may change. Saturday 5pm. The Dugout, 722 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA. thepubchurch@gmail.com.

Pilgrim Lutheran Church: An inclusive congregation. Sundays 8 and 9:30am. 1817 Warwick Avenue, Warwick. 739-2937. parishasst@pilgrimlutheranri.org, pilgrimlutheranri.jimdo.com.

Pilgrim United Church of Christ: Open and Affirming. 635 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA. (508)-997-9086.

Riverside Church: UCC.15 Oak Avenue, Riverside. Service 10am. 433-2039. www.rcc-ucc.com.

St. Augustine’s Church and Episcopal Center at URI: 15 Lower College Road, Kingston. 783-2153. Sundays 8am and 10am.

StAugustinesChurch@necoxmail.com, www.staugustineuri.org.

St. James Church: Episcopal. 474 Fruit Hill Avenue, North Providence. 353-2079.

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church: Sundays 8 and 10am. 50 Orchard Avenue, Providence. 751-2141. StMartinsNB.Secretary@gmail. com, www.stmartinsprov.org.

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church: Welcoming Church. Monthly LGBT Eucharist. 136 Rivet Street, New Bedford, MA. (508)9948972. stmartins1887@comcast.com, www.stmartinsma.org.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church: Sundays 9am. 50 Park Place, Pawtucket. 728-4300. office@stpaulspawtucket.org, www. stpaulspawtucket.org.

St. Paul’s Church: A welcoming Episcopal church. Sundays 9am. 2679 East Main Street, Portsmouth. 683-1164. stpaulsportsmouthri.org.

St. Peter & St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church: 25 Pomona

Avenue, Providence. 272-9649.stpanda25@verizon.net. www.stpeters-standrews.org.

Saint Therese Old Catholic Church: Open & Affirming. Fr.David Martins. Sunday 10:30am. 134 Mathewson Street, Providence.

680-9076. stocc134@gmail.com, www.saintthereseocc.org.

Second Congregational Church of Attleboro: UCC. Open & Affirming. 50 Park Street, Attleboro, MA. Sunday 10am. (508) 2224677. office2nd@verizon.net, www.attleborosecondchurch.org.

Seekonk Congregational Church: Rev. Joy Utter. Sundays 9am. 600 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, MA. (508) 336-9355. sccucc@verizon.net, www.scc-ucc.com Soka Gakkai: Buddhist association for peace, culture, and education. Contact for weekly meetings in Providence. 930 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. (617) 264-2000. www.sgi-usa. org.

Temple Agudas Achim: Reconstructionist congregation.

901 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA. (508) 222-2243. office@agudasma.org, www.agudasma.org.

Temple Beth-El: Rabbi Sarah E. Mack. 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence. 331-6070. info@temple-beth-el.org, www.templebeth-el.org.

Temple Emanu-El: A welcoming Conservative congregation.

Rabbi Wayne Franklin. 99 Taft Avenue, Providence. 331-1616. info@teprov.org, www.teprov.org.

Temple Habonim: A warm, Welcoming Reform congregation.

Rabbi Andrew Klein. 165 New Meadow Road, Barrington. 2456536. office@templehabonim.org, www.templehabonim.org.

Temple Sinai: A Welcoming Reform temple. Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser, 30 Hagen Avenue, Cranston. 942-8350. webmaster@templesinairi.org, www.templesinairi.org.

Unitarian Church in Fall River: Sunday 10:30am. 309 North Main Street, Fall River, MA. 508-678-9700. office@ unitarianchurchfr.org, www.unitarianchurchfr.org.

Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven: Service 10:30am. 102 Green Street, Fairhaven, MA. (508) 992-7081. www.uufairhaven.org.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County: 27 North Road, Peace Dale. 783-4170 or Val 789-7282. uucscri@ yahoo.com. www.uusouthcountyri.org.

Westminster Unitarian Universalist Church: A UUA Welcoming Congregation. 119 Kenyon Avenue, East Greenwich.

884-5933. www.westminsteruu.org.

Social Organizations Bear Providence: Monthly social events for the bear community. www.bearprovidence.com Bisexual Resource Center: PO Box 170796, Boston, MA. (617) 424-9595. brc@bicresource.net www.biresource.net.

Biversity Boston: Mixed-gender social events for Boston and the surrounding area. (617) 424-9595. biversity-subscribe@biversity.org, www.biversity.org.

Boston Bisexual Women’s Network: Social activities including monthly brunches, coming out groups and quarterly newsletter “Bi Woman Quarterly.” www.biwomenboston.org.

BearsOceanState(BOS):Informale-groupforgay&bisexualbearidentified and affiliated men for friendly companionship.All welcome. groups.yahoo.com/group/bearsoceanstate.

Cape and Islands Gay & Straight Youth Alliance (CIGSYA): 56 Barnstable Road, Hyannis, MA. (508) 778-7744. info@cisgsya.org, www.cigsya.org.

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Communisong: For unity through song. Non-performance monthly singing session. www.communisong.net.

CORISMA: Potluck get-togethers for couples from RI and southeast MA. corismainfo@comcast.net, www.corismagroup.org.

Imperial Court of RI at Providence: Drag and non-drag performers raise funds for local charities. All welcome to general membership meetings on first Monday at Dark Lady, 17 Snow Street, Providence. icri.prov@gmail.com. www.icriprov.org.

Mixed Borders Gardening Group: Gardening and more. Monthly meetings, all welcome. Mixedborders@cox.net. www.mixedborders.com.

Opera Club: Enjoy hearing and attending. Last Sunday of each month at 1pm. BrettCornellpi4@aol.com.

Providence Gay Men’s Chorus: New season rehearsals begin in January and August. Singers and non-singing volunteers welcome. Monday 7-9:30pm. Beneficent Church, 300 Weybosset

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Street, Providence. www.provgmc.org.

RI Association of Gay Professionals: Networking and philanthropy. www.riagp.com.

RI Parents Pride: Gay parents socializing together with their children. Contact Melanie. 464-2288. saphicangel120@yahoo.com.

RI Pride: Open house 4th Wednesdays. Festival & Parade 3rd Saturday in June. Office: 1005 Main Street #1105 Pawtucket. Mail: PO Box 1082, Providence, 02903. 467-2130. info@prideri.com, www.prideri.com.

RI Prime Timers: Social and networking group for gay and bisexual men 40 and older. Second Sunday. Contact Steve, 9963010. www.riprimetimers.org.

RI Skeptics Society: Yearning to talk with someone rational?

Refreshing discussion. Fourth Saturday. East Providence restaurant location. www.meetup.com/skeptics-133/.

RI Women’s Association: Lesbian social group. 21+. Dances & events. www.riwa.net.

SAGE/RI (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders): Advocacy, education and social events for LGBT seniors. SAGE-RI at CareLink, 1 Virginia Ave., Providence, RI 02905. 443-4451. sageriinfo@gmail.com. www.sage-ri.org.

SEMASSMEN: Social group for GBQ men of southeastern MA & RI to foster strong friendships. Semassmen-subscribe@ yahoogroups.com. rlevass@yahoo.com.

Yankee Lambda Car Club: Regional club for GLBT vintage and specialty car enthusiasts. www.yankeelcc.com.

Sports & Recreation PrideSports Boston: Network of twenty-plus gay sports leagues/teams in Boston area. www.pridesportsboston.com.

Boston Gay BASKETBALL League: ksg.bgbl@gmail.com, www.bgbl.com.

Big Gay Al’s Duckpin BOWLING League: Proceeds benefit AIDS causes. Tuesday 6:30pm. 1463 Atwood Avenue, Town Hall Lanes, Johnston. Contact Frank Ferri. 831-6940.www.bgalbowling. com. www.townhalllanes.com.

GALA Bowling League: Sundays 5:50 p.m., E. Providence Lanes, 80 Newport Ave., E. Providence. Season begins Aug. 30. View us on Facebook or email galabowling1990@gmail.com.

FLAG (For Lesbians And Gays) FOOTBALL: Boston-based recreational football club. All skill levels are encouraged to participate.

Saturday mornings in the fall and spring. www.flagflagfootball.com.

Boston Pride HOCKEY: www.bostonpridehockey.org.

Rondeaus KICKBOXING: 272-5425. www.rondeauskickboxing.com.

Main Street MARTIAL ARTS: Non-profit. Welcoming dojo and community center. 1282 North Main Street, Providence.

274-7672.www.mainstma.org.

Chiltern Mountain Club: OUTDOOR recreation club in New England. events@chiltern.org. www.chiltern.org.

Boston Gay ROWERS: Worldwide online community for gay and lesbian rowers, coxies, coaches, and race officials. www.glrf.org.

Boston Ironsides RUGBY Football: www.bostonironsides.org.

Frontrunners Rhode Island RUNNING Group: Running and walking group. Newcomers welcome. Meet at the end of Blackstone Boulevard at Hope Street, Providence.Thursday 6pm. Contact Brian.

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751-7643. bripm@cox.net, frontrunnersri@gmail.com Frontrunners Boston RUNNING Group: Morning walk/ run along the Charles River. Saturdays,10am. Club Cafe, 209 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA. www.frontrunnersboston.org.

OutRyders SKIING: New England’s largest gay and lesbian ski and snowboard club. www.outryders.org.

Boston Strikers SOCCER Club: Non-profit social organization to learn and improve soccer skills in a relaxed, congenial environment. www.bostonstrikers.com.

Renaissance City SOFTBALL League: New players and boosters always welcome. www.providencesoftball.org.

Beantown SOFTBALL League: Friendly competition. 27 teams in four divisions of play: competitive, intermediate, and recreational. (617) 297-7490. www.beantownsoftball.com.

LANES (Liquid Assets New England SWIMMING): Fitness and/or competition. (617) 937-5858. www.swim-lanes.org.

TENNIS-4-All: Boston area tennis organization. www.tennis4all.org.

Cambridge Boston VOLLEYBALL Association: Players of all skill levels welcome. secretary@cbvolleyball.net www.gayvolleyball.net.

Ocean State Pride VOLLEYBALL League: Adult coed indoor league following USVBA rules. No try-outs. Fee applies. Kent County YMCA, 900 Centerville Road, Warwick. ospvolleyball@gmail.com.

East Coast WRESTLING Club: (617)937.5858 x6. ecwc@juno.com. www.eastcoastwrestlingclub.org.

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Students & Youth Bristol Community College Gay/Straight Alliance: Steven Camara, Advisor. BCC-H202, 777 Elsbree Street, Fall River, MA. (774) 357-2391.

Brown University Queer Alliance: Umbrella organization at Brown University for LGBTQ groups. 863-3062. queer@brown. edu or lgbtq@brown.edu.

CCRI Triangle Alliance: an LGBTQQ student-run group at CCRI, on the Flanagan, Liston, and Knight campuses. www.ccri.edu/triangle/.

COLAGE: Support and social activities for children of LGBT parents. Coordinator Veronica Jutras. Third Saturday 10:30am12pm. Gordon School, E. Providence. rhodeisland@colage.org www.colage.org/colage-chapter/colage-rhode-island-chapter/.

LGBT National Youth Talkline: 800-246-7743. Private oneto-one chat and info on local resources.

Peer Listening Line: Youth-staffed hotline for GLBT youth.

Support, info and referrals. 5-10pm. Fenway Community Health Center, Boston, MA. (617) 267-9001 or (800) 399-PEER. www. fenwayhealth.org.

Salve Regina University – The Alliance: 100 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport. Contact: Mandy Hart. mandy.hart@salve.edu.

SeaQuel (Southeast Asian Queers United for Empowerment and Leadership): a program of PRYSM. Monthly Sunday meetings. 383-7450. SeaQuel@prysm.us. www.prysm.us.

S.H.E.P.A.R.D. (Stopping Homophobia, Eliminating Prejudices and Restoring Dignity): Providence College, 1 Cunningham Square, Providence. 865-1631. shepard@providence.edu.

The Trevor Project: The only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBT youth. Also offers social networks. (866)4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386). thetrevorproject.org.

University of RI LGBTIQ2: Alumni association. 874-5808. gsimonelli@uri.edu.

URI LGBTQ Center: A cultural department for students, faculty and staff. Florence Badejo. 874-2894.

Youth Pride Inc.: Support, education & advocacy for LGBTQQ young people ages 13--23. Tues. -- Fri. 2 -- 8pm. The Way Out peer support group Thurs. 4pm. Gender Spectrum support group Tues. 4pm. Visit our website for full calendar of events. 743 Westminster St., Providence. 421-5626. info@youthprideri.org. www.youthprideri.org.

Support Groups & Social Services

Abuse Victims and Survivors: Support on phone for LGBTQ victims & survivors of partner abuse. Confidential peer-led groups.

Hotline: (617) 742-4911.TTY: (617) 227-4911. advocate@tnlr.org.

Adoption Options: Non-sectarian help. Jewish Family Service, 959 North Main Street, Providence. Contact Betsy Alper. 3315437. www.adoptionoptions.org.

Child & Family Services: Counseling, young parent support, adoption, more. LGBT groups beginning July. Open six days. 66 Troy St., Fall River, MA. (508) 676-5708. www.child-familyservices.org Community Care Alliance: Stipend, assistance, training provided by Family Resources Community Action. 235-6095. www.famresri.org.

Foster parents needed: For newborn to age six. 276-4300. www.childrensfriendri.org.

Family Service RI: Training, stipend, support provided for nurturing families. Family Service of RI. Contact Gregary Wright.

331-1350 ext. 3305. www.familyserviceri.org.

Seven Hills Behavioral Health: HIV Prevention and Screening.

310 South Main Street, Fall River, MA. (508) 235-1012. T.W.I.S.T. (508) 672-0378.

Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center: Offering resources for victims of domestic violence. 723-3057. www.bvadvocacycenter.org.

Compass: FTM trans info, support and social group.

Boston first Thursday 7-9pm. compassftm@gmail.com. www.compassftm.org.

Crossroads RI Hotline: (800) 367-2700.

Day One: Counseling & legal aid for victims of sexual assault/ abuse & incest. 24hr hotline. (800) 494-8100. 421-4100. www.dayoneri.org.

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Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County: Support, court advocacy, counseling, safe home, info for women and men in abusive or controlling relationships. 24hr free and confidential helpline. 782-3990 or toll free 800-494-8100, www.dvrcsc.org.

Gay Fathers of Greater Boston: Support. 738 Main St. #323, Waltham, MA. (781) 333-8429. info@gayfathersboston.org, www.gayfathersboston.org.

Gay Officers Action League (GOAL)/New England: Law enforcement officers (sworn & civilian), fire, rescue and publicly employed EMS. Confidential. PO Box 587, Boston, MA 02117.

(617) 376-3612. info@goalne.org, www.goalne.org.

Gay Share: Coming Out? Gay men’s support group. No fee.

Wednesday 7:30pm. Contact Tom or Mike. 369-9448. info@ gayshare.org, www.gayshare.org.

GLBTQ Domestic Violence Project: Support, info, shelter.

955 Massachusetts Avenue, Private Message Box 131, Cambridge, MA. (800) 832-1901. www.glbtqdvp.org.

Helpline for LGBT Youth: Trevor Helpline and social networks for crisis and suicide prevention. 24/7. (866) 4-U-Trevor.

HIV+ Gay Men’s Support Group: Refreshments served. AIDS Care Ocean State, 18 Parkis Avenue, Providence. 521-3603. New members contact Scott. 640-3108.

Kathys’ Group: Free support group for lesbians with cancer or any life-threatening illness. Partners and caregivers welcome.

Meets monthly in Providence. 888-5KATHYS. Mantalk of S.E. Mass: Socializing and discussions for gay, bi and curious men. Confidential. Drug and alcohol-free. 18+.Thursdays in Taunton and first Tuesdays in New Bedford. 7-8:30pm. mantalksouthcoast@yahoo.com.

Options | July 2015

Partner Support Group at Fenway Health: A ten-week support group with the purpose of building community and connections for anyone who identifies as non-trans, ages 18+, and is in a relationship with a trans* person(s). 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. Contact Sarah Eley, LICSW. 857-313-6551. seley@fenwayhealth.org.

PFLAG (Parents, & Friends of Lesbians & Gays): Attleboro Chapter serves Southeast Mass. Third Wednesday 6:45 p.m., Second Congregational Church, 50 Park St. (side door). email pflagattleboro@gmail.com. Greater Providence Chapter serves all R.I. First Wednesday at 6:45 p.m., Met School, 325 Public St., Providence.

751-7571. PFLAGprovidence@gmail.com. www. pflagprovidence.org.

RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 24hr helpline: (800) 494-8100. 467-9940.

RI Rainbow Support Group: For people with disabilities who identify as LGBTQ. Last Tuesday. 98 Rolfe Street, Cranston.

6-7:30pm. Contact Ken Renaud. 785-2100.

Samaritans: 24hr hotline for suicidal, lonely, despairing, depressed.

(800) 365-4044. 272-4044 (RI only). www.samaritansri.org.

Sexual Health Education & Advocacy Program: HIV, sexual wellness, domestic violence risk reduction. Free, confidential, bilingual (Spanish). No caller ID used. Calls blocked for safety. 8616191 ext. 121.

Sojourner House: Call for confidential support group.

Support, shelter, advocacy and information for people in abusive

relationships. Including specific LGBT services. No caller ID used.

Outgoing calls blocked for safety. 24hr helpline. 765-3232. 8616191. www.sojournerri.org Straight Spouses: Groups and online support. www.straightspouse. org.

TGI Network of RI: Support, advocacy for transgender, transsexual, gender-variant and/or intersex people. Borderlands peer group 1st & 3d Tues. and 1st & 3d Sat. of the month.

Location & information: 441-5058. info@tginetwork.org. www. tginetwork.org.

Trans* Partners New England: Gives romantic partners of transgender people a confidential, safe space to explore the impact of a loved one’s gender identity on their relationships, and to connect with other loved ones of transgender people. First Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm. Providence. Location unpublished for privacy. partners@tginetwork.org.

Trans* Youth Family Allies: Support for gender-variant and transgender children ages 3-18. info@imatyfa.org, www.imatyfa.org.

Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA): Growing organization to address the concerns of fair treatment of transgender veterans and active duty service members. www. tavausa.org.

Women’s Resource Center of Newport and Bristol Counties: Offering services to victims of domestic violence.

846-5263. www.wrcnbc.org. q

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37

Worth a Look

by The Lit Chick

How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, is a perfect title for Florence and the Machine’s newest album, released last month. With music that’s at times been called “Baroque pop” and “neo soul,” Florence and the Machine brings a sound that defies description.

How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful is the third album for the British group, founded in 2007 by lead vocalist Florence Welch and keyboardist Isabella “Machine” Summers. “The Machine” now also includes Robert Ackroyd, Chris Hayden, Mark Saunders, and Tom Monger.

How Big is a gut-wrenching, heart-throbbing breakup symphony. Welch’s voice, with its incredible range, is an instrument in itself as she belts out one trippy power anthem after another, and refuses to reign in an even more powerful attitude.

“I love my mom--dad--dad/ mom, but it doesn’t mean that I understand what she’s doing,” confides Ben Lehwald during the first episode of Becoming Us. The new ABC Family reality show follows Ben, a teen from Evanston, Illinois, as he struggles to accept his father’s transition from Charlie to Carly.

Becoming Us was Ben’s idea; he wanted to document his family’s journey for other families. Carly’s coming out as a transgender female in 2012 resulted in divorce, and Ben continues to struggle with that as well. “Just because I’m transitioning my gender doesn’t mean that I’m transitioning as far as being a parent,” Carly tells Ben. “I’ve said before, you’ll get more of me as I am.”

Ben’s loving acceptance of his father never wavers, but he struggles to understand things he never imagined he would face.

Ben gets support from his girlfriend, Danielle, who, incredibly enough, also has a father who is transitioning to openly living as a female. Complicating the mix is Sutton, Ben’s stepsister, who is far less accepting.

The show feels like a real-life Transparent, intensely real and down to Earth. I really felt for Ben, Carly, and their entire family. How they navigate their new world will be worth watching this summer.

New episodes of Becoming Us air Mondays at 9pm on ABC Family.

Catch up on older episodes on demand or at ABCFamily.go.com.

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Songwriters Welch and Summers twist their imagery as they twist their lyrics, and Welch’s wispy little wind funnels quickly morph into maelstroms of emotion, with her all the while on a little boat in its midst, cursing the heavens. My favorite is the driving, rolling “Ship To Wreck.” Never has drowning in personal defeat sounded so catchy.

How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful is definitely worth a listen, especially if you enjoy singing and dancing around the living room late at night. Splurging on the deluxe edition at iTunes will get you five additional songs. The music videos are standouts as well; catch them all on Florence and the Machine’s Vevo channel on YouTube.

Noelle Stevenson (Marvel Comics), Grace Ellis (Autostraddle), Shannon Watters (Boom! Studios), and awardwinning illustrator Brooke Allen take us back to camp with the Lumberjanes, five teen pals who share a cabin at Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types. A new book collects the first four Lumberjanes comics into a “Field Manual,” where the girls’ many adventures just happen to earn them the Up All Night, Naval Gauging, and Everything Under the Sum badges, among other things.

As usual, all is not what it seems at camp. For the Lumberjanes that means rabid three-eyed foxes, canoe-hungry river monsters, dark Indiana-Jones-type caves that can only be conquered with the Fibonacci sequence, and the creepily over-organized cookiebaking boys at the camp next door. Luckily, the Lumberjanes happen to be the hardest of the hardcore lady types.

What I love most about this comic are the characters.

Fauxhawked and Chuck-soled Mal and her big-hearted ladyfriend Holly; little red-headed arm wrestler April; tall, army-jacketed mathgeek Jo; and the ever optimistic and overly enthusiastic Ripley, show girls that it’s okay to break the mold--to look different and be strong and confident in the process.

Lumberjanes: Volume 1 is perfect for elementary school-age girls (and boys) everywhere, and for us grownup Lumberjanes as well. Find Lumberjanes comics at www.Boom-Studios.com.

Options | July 2015

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