The Rainbow Times' April, 2018 Issue

2 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

April 5, 2018 - May 2, 2018

“March for Our Lives” forges ahead By: Nicole Lashomb*/TRT Editor-in-Chief

U

ndoubtedly, at some point, something’s got to give. I just hope that the onslaught of lives doesn’t continue in the meantime, but the longer we wait, that is inevitable. That’s just the problem though. Most people don’t want it to continue, but most people haven’t done enough to combat the tragic epidemic that has claimed so many lives across the board.

Because of it, the March for Our Lives was born.

The shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Parkland, Fla. High School was

ders perpetrated by gun violence, a broader community must be involved. Nonetheless, in the same sense, why did it take the leaders of tomorrow to take the lead today?

During the rally in DC, there were countless cries and warnings to politicians to not do something to derail the massive gun violence experienced in the U.S. The message was strong and clear: They would be voted out of office because the youth— most of whom will be of voting age in the next upcoming years—would make sure of it. And, the results look promising.

Just as the students took the reins in leading the March for Our Lives movement,

... THERE ARE PLANS FOR A NATIONWIDE SCHOOL WALKOUT ON APRIL 20, THE 19TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL MASSACRE. the catalyst for what became the largest anti-gun violence rally in our history. The determined and fed up student survivors organized the massive rally in Washington DC and sister rallies around the nation just six weeks later. However, to the surprise of many, though the student’s grassroots initiative unleashed incredible momentum toward the end of gun violence, participation was much more diverse than today’s youth.

According to research and data collected during the March for Our Lives rally by Dana R. Fisher, “Only about 10 percent of the participants were under 18. The average age of the adults in the crowd was just under 49 years old, which is older than participants at the other marches surveyed but similar to the age of the average participant at the Million Mom’s March in 2000—also about gun control,” reported the Washington Post (https://goo.gl/3eWRsV).

This information is critical because to get anything resolved with the senseless mur-

they are relentless in their objectives. A concern for many, myself included, was that the momentum would die down and people would become disengaged, as it has happened time and time again. But, the momentum hasn’t died down, albeit it is not front and center on cable news at the moment.

According to the Huffington Post (https://goo.gl/B5qEZS), “Stoneman Douglas students from Parkland, Fla., and the people they’ve inspired, seem intent on keeping the issue of gun violence at the forefront in the coming weeks: Marches and rallies have continued, and there are plans for a nationwide school walkout on April 20, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre.”

March on friends, march on.

To get involved with March for Our Lives, visit their website at marchforourlives.com. *Reach the Editor-in-Chief online via: editor@therainbowtimesmass.com.

Loving ourselves as we are meant to be By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist

S

FAITH

ometimes it takes courage to love ourselves as we are or were meant to be. Society conditions us to think a certain way that is often spiritually and emotionally unhealthy, if not abusive.

Not long ago, I was at a Men’s Wearhouse buying a few uniforms expected of attorneys. My neck and waist size has expanded. Sensing my irritation with the impact of eating too many carbs, the sales associate was gracious and quickly commented, “You look fine.”

He was right. I did look fine. I had to remind myself that my efforts at weight management had to do with health, not appearance. I’m not interested in a stroke, heart attack, or bypass surgery. The need to lose weight and keep it off must be for the right reasons. Society’s dubious expectations of beauty are not one of them.

Olympic skater Adam Rippon (https://goo.gl/MoaSXT) spoke about his ordeal with food in a recent_New York Times_ article (https://goo.gl/a4wy7N). At one point he was only eating three slices of

bread a day with a butter substitute. Today, Rippon has gained weight and his diet has improved significantly. His courage to speak out about it not only brought attention to male athletes with eating disorders, but it highlighted challenges within the LGBTQ community.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA; https://goo.gl/ag12PN), “ … eating disorders disproportionately impact some segments of the LGBTQ+ community …

Research shows that, beginning as early as 12, gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens may be at higher risk of binge-eating and purging than heterosexual peers.” More research is needed to include the transgender community.

NEDA further noted, among all males with an eating disorder, 42 percent identify as gay. Women who identified as lesbian or bisexual were, “twice as likely to report binge-eating at least once per month in the last year.” Gay men were, “seven times more likely to report binging and 12 times

See Ourselves on Page 23

Coming out: The journey to self-acceptance can be mired with others’ doubt and ignorance By: Nicole Collins/TRT Intern

I

nstead of the traditional one big coming out narrative, I’ve had to come out several times in my life.

The first was in Illinois, and it has stuck

come out or talk about my identity in Brookline.

“It brings attention to you,” he said. “Are you sure you really are? I think you need to rethink things I think it’s just you being,

“ARE YOU SURE YOU REALLY ARE? I THINK YOU NEED TO RETHINK THINGS

I THINK IT’S JUST YOU BEING, Y’KNOW, A REBELLIOUS TEENAGER.”

... AND I BELIEVED HIM.

with me ever since. Sexuality wasn’t discussed much—if at all—there. When I came out as bisexual my sophomore year in High School, I received a considerable amount of backlash from close friends of mine—even my then-girlfriend who, unfamiliar and uncomfortable with the topic, became both physically and psychologically abusive—dangling my sexuality over my head during arguments.

That, among other incidences, contributed to a growing reticence with regards to accepting my identity. Coming out then was, originally, intended to “soften the blow” for my future coming out as a trans woman—but what I experienced back in that small town north of Chicago walked me right back into the closet and made me lose any confidence I already had in myself and my identity.

A couple months before I moved across the country to Brookline, Massachusetts the summer after my sophomore year, my parents sent me to a psychologist. He sat me in a puffy brown leather chair—the type in which you sit and feel your whole body enveloped, casting over you a feeling of lethargy—and told me why I shouldn’t

Letters to the Editor [Re: Transgender Talk: Eliminating CisCentric Behavior] Dear Editor, Excellent article, very instructive about this topic. A lot to learn and understand.

—Ivellisse Quinones, Online [Community Periscope: What’s Life Like for LGBTQ People in Attleboro, Mass.]

Dear Editor,I am glad to live in a diverse, accepting city like Attleboro. I belong to an open affirming Attleboro church that welcomes people of all ethnic groups and sexual preferences. Attleboro welcomes everyone. This is a good city.

—Ty Waterman, Online Thank you for sending your feedback to The Rainbow Times. We welcome all letters to the editor. All letters must be accompanied by an e-mail and a phone number to be considered for publication. Send your letters to the editor to: editor@therainbowtimesmass.com.

y’know, a rebellious teenager.”

And I believed him.

———— And, so it was with the move: A “don’task-don’t-tell” sort of thing that I hoped would carry me through my junior year and the rest of High School. My sexuality and gender identity were then, to me, “phases”—unnecessary appendages upon

See Coming Out on Page 23

The Rainbow Times The Freshest LGBT Newspaper in New England—Boston Based TheRainbowTimesMass.com editor@therainbowtimesmass.com sales@therainbowtimesmass.com Phone: 617.444.9618 Fax: 928.437.9618 Publisher Graysen M. Ocasio Editor-In-Chief Nicole Lashomb Assistant Editor Mike Givens National/Local Sales Rivendell Media Liz Johnson Lead Photographer Steve Jewett Reporters Jenna Spinelle Chuck Colbert Al Gentile Chris Gilmore Nicole Collins (Intern)

Ad & Layout Design Prizm PR Webmaster Jarred Johnson Columnists/Guest* Lorelei Erisis Deja N. Greenlaw Paul P. Jesep Mike Givens Natalia Muñoz* Keegan O’Brien* Affiliations National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association NGLCC QSyndicate *Guest Freelancer

The Rainbow Times is published monthly by The Rainbow Times, LLC. TRT is affiliated with the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, NLGJA, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, NGLCC, and QSyndicate. The articles written by the writers, columnists, and correspondents solely express their opinion, and do not represent the endorsement or opinion of The Rainbow Times, LLC or its owners.

Send letters to the editor with your name, address and phone number to: The Rainbow Times (address shown above), or e-mail any comment/s to the editor-in-chief at: editor@therainbowtimesmass.com. All submissions will be edited according to space constraints. The Rainbow Times, LLC reserves the right not to print any or all content or advertisements for any reason at all. TRT is not responsible for advertising content. To receive The Rainbow Times at your home via regular mail, or through electronic delivery, please visit its website. The whole content and graphics (photos, etc.) are the sole property of The Rainbow Times, LLC and they cannot be reproduced at all without TRT’s written consent.

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April 5, 2018 - May 2, 2018

Gays Against Guns unites LGBTQ community, anti–gun violence activists Members of the LGBTQ community join with anti-gun activists to decry gun violence in a post-Parkland political climate By: Nicole Collins/TRT Intern

PHOTO: TRT/NICOLE COLLINS

IN THE LIMELIGHT

BOSTON—In the wake of the February 14 Parkland, Florida shooting at Marjory Stoneman High School (https://goo.gl/Wbtjhq) in which 17 students and faculty were killed and 14 were injured, countless groups across the nation held anti–gun violence demonstrations, including the “March for Our Lives” protest on the Boston Common late last month.

Among those on the Common was Gays Against Guns (GAG; https://goo.gl/3oW4fn), a New York City-based LGBTQ organization that aims to nonviolently end gun violence and disempower elected officials behind pro-gun policies.

“We see ourselves as a united front fighting for the safety of our community, but also for the larger, non-LGBTQ community,” said John Grauwiler, one of the head organizers of the New York City Chapter. The group organized “March for Our Lives” protests in, among other places, Washington, D.C. and New York.

And though GAG’s Boston Chapter is still in its early stages, founder Izzy Berdan hopes to organize events and demonstrations following the Parkland shooting.

“The Boston Branch is … forming as we speak,” he said in early March. “In the last week, I started talking with the [national]

A group of protesters with the Gays Against Guns contingent at the March 24 rally against gun violence

offices and … put together a Facebook page.”

Berdan has an incredibly busy schedule—from working, making art, and per-

forming with the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus—but he recognized a need for the group.

He also wanted GAG to have representa-

tion at the “March for Our Lives” demonstration. Including Berdan, eight people showed up for GAG at the protest.

“It’s a cause that a lot of people are passionate about right now, for good reason,” said Matt Broderick, a friend of Berdan’s who took photos for the group at the event.

“It’s good to get people together out there and marching for this.”

“Orlando was a year and a half ago, and there was a similar effort [then], but it just didn’t go anywhere,” added Bruce Cramer, march participant with GAG and teacher at the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics & Science (https://obryant.us). “Now … some teenagers have empowered themselves … [and] they’ve empowered many more than just students. I think it’s great there’s this momentum going now.”

The group was brought to Berdan’s attention when his friend Carl Anhalt, a teacher from New York City, asked him to participate with GAG in the city’s Pride Parade.

“It was an amazing experience for me, and a healthy way for me to channel my energy [into] positive change,” he said.

“We’re disproportionately affected by gun violence,” Bertan continued. “We’re the most likely group to be victims of a hate crime, and if that hate crime includes a gun, it’s more likely to be a homicide.”

The LGBTQ community is also, “more likely to attempt suicide—especially trans

See Guns on Page 16

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April 5, 2018 - May 2, 2018 PHOTO: THE INCORRUPTIBLES

incorruptibles: a Participatory Democracy workshop in Waltham hosted and facilitated by the Incorruptibles

The Incorruptibles: Bernie Sanders’ supporters train activists in New England to run for office By: Mike Givens/TRT Assistant Editor

In the wake of the November 8, 2016, presidential election that saw Donald Trump elected as the 45th president of the nation, a small group of progressive democrats decided to take action into their own hands and start training the party’s next generation of leaders.

“The Incorruptibles are focusing on the long game: Filling local governments with great politicians trained to keep their connection with the vulnerable, who will then move on to state and national government,” said Anna Callahan, the director of the Berkley, California-based nonprofit, The Incorruptibles (https://goo.gl/XE8W1p).

Launched in May 2017, the initiative was birthed from a collective frustration with the current state of politics and instances of racism, classism, anti-LGBTQ sentiment, and xenophobia.

“The idea for the Incorruptibles came about when a few Bernie [Sanders] volunteers were asking ourselves what, exactly, is wrong with our government,” she said.

“Our one-sentence answer was that it is not filled with true representatives of the people who fight for economic, racial, social, and environmental justice. Our mission is to fill all levels of government with these people.”

Battling the One Percent U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont ran a campaign against Hillary Clinton in 2016 to become the democratic nominee for president. Between February 1 and June 14 of that year, Clinton and Sanders faced off in primaries across the nation, with Clinton walking away victoriously with nearly 60 percent of the collective vote (https://goo.gl/E1t53V). Clinton would go on to face—and lose against—Donald Trump in the general election for president.

Sanders often campaigned as a candidate much more rooted in progressive values and policies than Clinton, who was often

labeled as a political insider. After the general election, Democrats found themselves scrambling to find new, inspired leadership to combat contentions that Trump epitomized elitism, capitalism, bigotry, homophobia, transphobia, and greed and, if left unchecked, would lead the nation down a disastrous path.

“We live in a time of skyrocketing inequality and unheard-of levels of money in politics,” said Callahan. “The one percent control our national government (https://goo.gl/S92zm4).

“This has been achieved by a carefully implemented long-term plan by right-wing billionaires. While there is a lot of energy behind resisting Trump, there is very little effort put into long-term planning and implementation on the left. We can't create the world we want if we spend all our energy resisting their vision.”

In October, The Incorruptibles started a series of trainings to help progressive voters interested in running for office gain a better understanding of political organizing and campaigning.

“We have facilitated 15 workshops in the last eight weeks in Oklahoma, northern, central, and southern California, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island,” Callahan said in mid-March of the organization, which is completely volunteer-run.

Between March 4 and March 10, The Incorruptibles held seven workshops in several Massachusetts cities and towns including Cambridge, Lowell, Waltham, and Somerville, and one workshop in Providence, Rhode Island.

Liz Miller of San Francisco, a board member of the Incorruptibles, said the trainings are heavily grassroots oriented in that they respond to basic concerns around political organizing and what it takes to win elections.

“Do [workshop participants] want to research issues and help [city] council ...

See The Incorruptibles on Page 19

April 5, 2018 - May 2, 2018

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Programs and services for the LGBTQ community in Brockton, Mass.

By: Al Gentile/TRT Reporter

COMMUNITY PERISCOPE

Communities around Massachusetts and the New England area have various services, entities, and groups with missions of supporting LGBTQ people. In some cases, the variety of services might be enough, while in others, more work needs to be done. The Rainbow Times looked into services for the LGBTQ community of Brockton to inform our readers of what is available, and what is still needed.

With a population of roughly 95,000 people, Brockton, Massachusetts has a higher-than-average poverty rate and the status of being a minority-majority city, both of which make for a unique set of social circumstances for the LGBTQ community living in the south shore municipality.

In some respects, Brockton has many resources for LGBTQ people.

Health Imperatives (http://healthimperatives.org), a nonprofit focusing on public health issues, has an office in Brockton that helps at-risk youth and families find services and develop support systems.

For LGBTQ people, Health Imperatives develops catered approaches to the particular problems facing this population.

“There are many social determinants of health that the LGBTQ+ community faces

that can lead to poor health outcomes, have negative socioeconomic impacts, and limit access to care,” said Jessica Cisternelli, director of clinic operations for sexual and reproductive health services. “We know that the LGBTQ+ community faces higher rates of suicide, unintended pregnancies, homelessness, and substance use.”

Deirdre O’Donnell, who identifies as queer, is the program manager for Health Imperative’s Adolescent Sexuality Education Program. Much of her work centers around educating youth about safe-sex practices and empowering them to make safe choices in sexual relationships.

“The program starts with the difference between biological and gender identity, reproductive anatomy, all the different parts and what they do, and shared responsibility [for] things like pregnancy,” O’Donnell said. “Then we move into sexual identity and orientation, contraceptive devices … we cover all the different sexually-transmitted infections and how they’re treated, and the last few lessons center around helping youth empower themselves with good communication skills, so they can do things like negotiate boundaries and consent.”

Cisternelli said Health Imperatives goes as far as to offer PrEP—Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, a medication which works to make HIV undetectable and, ultimately, almost eliminate the chance of spreading the virus—among other services for LGBTQ

Trans activist Ryan Sallans

people.

“We see many clients that identify as

PHOTO: RYAN SALLANS

LGBTQ+,” Cisternelli said. “We also connect both youth and adults to social supports, health care, and other community resources.”

O’Donnell also makes herself personally available to answer questions and direct clients to services. She said out of the people she deals with, approximately 70 percent are from the LGBTQ community.

Health Imperatives also strives to bring in experts from various stakeholding communities, such as those who specialize in working with people from the LGBTQ population.

“We have people who are domestic violence advocates specializing in LGBTQ issues, and things like that, so we have a network of people we can refer folks to, not necessarily as mentors, but people who specialize in different areas that can improve people’s social self-determination and health,” O’Donnell said.

Having a staff that reflects the community they serve, O’Donnell explained, is imperative to making their services an investment in their clients’ futures. O’Donnell also emphasized the services provided to LGBTQ youth.

“We have found scientifically that if you have even one trusted adult who they can speak to about issues pertaining to human sexuality, they’re actually more likely to delay sexual activity and focus on their goals and schooling,” she said.

Health Imperative’s Sexual Violence and Sexual Assault Program is another resource that works with youth, LGBTQ and otherwise, to educate them on knowing what is available if they find themselves in a ...

See Periscope on Page 23

April 5, 2018 - May 2, 2018

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I Pronounce You Husband and Wife: Jake and Hannah Graf, the Trans ‘Royal’ Wedding Transgender fairytale wedding, took place during last week of the Trans Month of Visibility

ONE OF US

The names Jake Graf and Hannah Winterbourne may not ring a bell to some, but inside the transgender community, LGB and allied circles it more than makes up for it. Graf, actor, writer, and director, and Winterbourne, the British Army Captain, are also, to many trans people, not only solid social influencers, but a newlywed couple that has made headlines all over England because of their “royal” transgender wedding. Their transgender visibility has placed them in the limelight of mainstream media, which still struggles with posing appropriate interview questions in an inoffensive and informed manner. But Jake and Hannah rise above it.

They are in this to teach others that being transgender isn’t different, but normal indeed.

Jake and Hannah decided to live under the public scrutiny to depict what trans love and lives really look like, from the outside in. Both have enchanted non-trans and trans spheres in London, America and the world because of their decision to live authentically in their attempt to shatter social mores of stigmatization and prejudice against the community they both belong to.

“It is, of course, vital that everyone who has a voice and a platform use it to make a safer world for those that don't,” said Jake to The Rainbow Times. “Hannah and I are truly lucky that we are able to be out and proud in our everyday life as many trans folks sadly aren't and it's important to us to always acknowledge that.”

Jake, whose love for Hannah, the highest-ranking officer in the British Army, is unmistakable via almost every social media post he shares. He has stated that before knowing Hannah, he truly couldn’t “imagine” spending the rest of his life and “starting a family with anyone else.” The Londonian first heard of Hannah, Cardiff, from a story she was interviewed for that talked about her transition while still on military duty. And thus, the scene was set that led to the fairytale ending of this trans love story.

The Rainbow Times caught up with the

couple, right after their nuptials on March 23 to see what the charismatic duo was up to.

Q: When did you meet? What attracted you to one another?

Jake: I mentioned to a mutual friend that I thought Hannah was cute and a few days later heard that she also thought I was attractive and so I reached out to her on Facebook and we just started talking. She was funny, beautiful, sweet, really bright, had an impressive military career and was also open to having kids. Basically, my ideal woman! We had our first date after chatting for 10 days, lasting 11 hours, and we’ve never looked back.

Hannah: We met on 30 December 2015. I’d seen a fair bit about Jake online, where he was doing quite a bit of activism and I thought he came across as intelligent, articulate and fun! I also found him very attractive, especially as he was doing a lot of topless shoots!

Q: How long have you been together?

Jake: An amazing two and a half years.

Q: Why such a public wedding announcement through social media?

Jake: For Hannah and I, it was really important to us to get a happy, hopeful and positive story of trans lives out there after all of the recent negativity in the right wing Press in the UK. We are very lucky in that we have huge support from the LGBT community and specifically the trans community, where some perceive us a beacon of hope. We both get hundreds of messages every week from trans people old and young telling us that following our story helps them believe that they too will find love. That’s really important to us, particularly as ending up alone was mine, and Hannah’s biggest fear pre-transition, so to help with that means a lot. I also think it’s great that cis folk, LGB or otherwise, see that we are just like everyone else: we fall in love, we get married and if we’re really lucky, we have kids and a family.

PHOTO: PAUL GRACE

By: Chris Gilmore/TRT Reporter

Q: What did you want others to know ...

See Trans Wedding on Page 21

The Grafs will now live in the Army married quarters near Hannah’s barracks

April 5, 2018 - May 2, 2018

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Transwoman & former CEO takes on Republican Governor for Vermont’s highest office “Can’t Never Did:” Christine Hallquist for Vermont bids for historic win By: Cole Autry/TRT Reporter

MORRISVILLE, Vt.—In the current political climate where the transgender community is often targeted and repeatedly legislated against by the presidential administration and mostly right-wing attitudes and politicians, it is a contentious time in our country’s history. Such a tumultuous period prompts some to run away from the firestorm and others to run into it.

A transgender Vermonter and gubernatorial hopeful, Christine Hallquist, runs toward it at full force.

In this exclusive Q&A with the once Republican turned Democratic hopeful, The Rainbow Times caught up with Hallquist to see just where her politics, achievements and life lessons have taken her as she aims for Vermont’s highest office. Fueled by the dismal trajectory of the country, Hallquist has stepped up to the plate. “I can’t be a Republican today,” Hallquist said to NBC5 (https://goo.gl/KjXkqd). “It’s like kissing the ring of your oppressor. The (national) GOP platform is anti-LGBT, and anti-other minorities.”

Though Hallquist, 61, has made clear she is not running for office based on her gender identity, this trailblazer represents a beacon of hope for the LGBTQ community through her politics, accomplishments, and visibility. If Hallquist clenches the governorship, she would be the first transgender governor in the country.

And, here’s what she said.

The Rainbow Times: What has motivated you to run for office at this time?

Christine Hallquist: November 9, 2016, changed everything for me. America elected Trump and Vermont elected a Republican governor because he was a “nice guy.” I knew right away Donald Trump would attack the LGBT community as he simply does not like anyone who is different than him. I was depressed for a few months and then joined 650,000 for the Women’s March in DC the day after Trump’s inauguration. I then went to DC for the climate march. I did a lot of marching over the next year. However, things have only gone from bad to worse. In January of this year, I made a decision. It was similar to decisions made by generations before me. I would give up everything for our future.

Our Vermont governor is still a nice guy.

However, Vermont currently has an identity crisis under our current governor. We used to be leaders. We will return to that leadership position. We can pull together with other like-minded states and reverse the negative headwinds out of Washington. We

CORRECTION The March, 2018 issue of The Rainbow Times erroneously identified the GSA at Attleboro High School as the “Gender and Sexuality Alliance.” It is actually the “Gay-Straight Alliance.” The Rainbow Times regrets the error.

can make Vermont a place of prosperity.

We need a bold, courageous and visionary leader. Simply being a nice guy just doesn’t cut it with what is happening today.

Q: Are you concerned about the impact that being transgender will have on your race? How do you anticipate it helping or hindering your campaign?

A: I am not concerned as I know that I have no control over how others think. I have consistently stated in my media interviews that I hope people do not look simply at identity politics. I don’t really want people to just vote for me because I am transgender, or simply reject me for being transgender. I want them to look at my resume, how I view the issues and my policy. That said, I know there will be some strong opinions on both sides.

Q: What do you say to other LGBTQ, or specifically trans youth, who have similar dreams and aspirations that you have to run for public office?

A: I tell trans and LGBTQ youth that the most important thing they can do is work on their own self. They need to learn how to be highly confident and proud of whom they are before they take any job, including running for office. People vote (and hire) people who they like and trust. You really do have to love yourself first. If you can’t love yourself, you will not be able to love others. If you love others, even when they are going after you, you will prevail.

Q: What is the best piece of advice, professionally and personally, that someone has given you?

A: On a personal level, my dad always said to me, “Can’t never did.” On a professional level, I have always stuck to the advice to make sure to get up every day excited to be alive. I have been asked, “What problems keep you up at night?” My answer is, problems never keep me up at night. However, I do lose sleep because I am so excited [about] a new idea. I will point out something else that is quite magical. When you live in the future, you are anxious. When you live in the past, you are depressed.

When you live in the moment, you find joy.

The reality is we only have this moment.

Q: You are passionate about climate change. Vermont Electric Cooperative grew to be the state’s second-largest electric utility company with you at the helm as CEO. What are your most proud professional achievements and how will they help you to run the governor’s office effectively?

A: I have demonstrated that the electric grid can solve climate change now and it does not cost more money. It requires a change in technology. I worked closely with our legislature and the regulators to design the most progressive legislation in the country in terms of solving climate change. Vermonters are very aware of the success of our company and my leadership.

See Vermont on Page 12

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April 5, 2018 - May 2, 2018

Several mainstream television programs portray asexuality Though asexuality is still little-understood by the public, more and more television shows—like BoJack Horseman and Shadowhunters—are shedding light on the underrepresented group. The article outlines the history of asexual representation in media, starting with Craig Kilborn’s character Sebastian on CBS’s Late Late Show in 2003—one of the first accurate depictions of asexuality on television. And while representation in such mainstream programs as BoJack Horseman and Shadowhunters is a step in the right direction, many producers and showrunners are still hesitant to introduce the topics into their shows; some argue, for example, that there would be “no fun” in portraying characters that do not experience attraction.

Office of Women’s Health drops lesbian and bisexual resources from website According to a new report by the Sunlight Foundation (https://goo.gl/2AUmpU), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) removed from their website a page with resources and information “about lesbian and bisexual health, and links that correspond to that web page” in the fall of 2017. The page was operated by the HHS-run Office of Women’s Health (OWH) (https://goo.gl/NLMX1m) and its removal followed a string of similar actions since May 2017.

HHS claimed, in an official statement, that the content was removed in order to provide more accurate information as OWH updates the website. The content was

“integrated into the relevant health topics pages across the website,” they said.

The removal is strikingly similar to the removal of whitehouse.gov/lgbt (https://goo.gl/UtXgqN) under the Trump administration.

Pakistan broadcasts country’s first transgender female newsreader A 21-year-old transgender woman became Pakistan’s first transgender newsreader last week. After being kicked out of her home after tenth grade, Marvia Malik joined a beauty salon, paid for her own college education and became the first transgender model at a fashion show held by the Pakistan Fashion Design Council.

The discrimination Malik faced from her family is not uncommon in Pakistan.

“Many ... transgender people, intersex people and eunuchs—have been attacked, murdered, and raped in the country,” the article stated. “Many are forced to work as sex workers, dancers, or beggars. However, campaigners say there are signs of progress in the conservative South Asian nation, where homosexuality is a crime.”

Bisexual erasure: Misrepresentation of NY gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon’s sexuality Cynthia Nixon, Sex and the City actor and candidate for governor of New York, has been described by several prominent news organizations—such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and Vox—as “openly gay,” when, in fact, she has been blunt in

See News Briefs on page 22

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The Network/La Red’s annual fundraiser “Paint The Town (La) Red” happening this month The event is a celebration of survival that raises awareness of LGBQ/T partner abuse and its impact on our communities BOSTON—On April 19th, The Network/La Red (TNLR) will host its annual gala, Paint the Town (La) Red at China Pearl Restaurant in Boston. The event, which will raise money for vital domestic violence services, will feature local drag performer JP as emcee, performances by Violencia Exclamation Point, the all transgender youth acapella group, Transpositions; as well as a silent auction. TNLR will also release its powerful new video, Surviving with Wild Tongues.

Surviving with Wild Tongues is part of an ongoing campaign, Survival and Resistance, Power With Survivors, Power For Communities, and centers the lives and experiences of survivors of partner abuse who are queer, transgender, Black, Indigenous, working class and people of color. The fulllength short film will be released through The Network/La Red’s social media on April 5th, and clips will be shown during the event.

"For many survivors, our identities and experiences shape how we exist and live in our communities," said The Network/La Red's outreach and education associate, JP

Delgado Galdamez. "Survival and Resistance gives a platform for us to share our truth, and to make the connection between partner abuse (domestic violence) and oppression. What more effective way is there to teach others about survivor experience?"

"The video beautifully weaves survivors’ stories with music, art, and dance to create a multidimensional depiction of their lives," said Sabrina Santiago, Co-Executive Director at The Network/La Red. LGBQ/T people experience partner abuse in their lifetime at the same alarming rate as heterosexual, cis-gender women, 25-33%. Unfortunately, the potential support for LGBQ/T survivors can be reduced by the lack of seriousness attributed to the issue. Paint the Town will raise awareness about partner abuse and raise money to fund supportive services for survivors and their families.

"Paint the Town (La) Red is a celebration of survival. This is our annual opportunity to celebrate accomplishments, uplift the voices of survivors, ensure another year of

See TNLR on page 23

Vermont from page 10 I was able to achieve this because our company attracts great employees who are committed to a great mission. The reason for this is that I do not believe in command and control leadership. Command and control leadership is fine during power outages and fires, but the rest of the time you have to engage people in a compelling vision using distributed leadership so people can have the power to carry out their ideas.

People will give their emotional energy when they are engaged. I think this will work very well for my leadership for the state.

Q: If you had to pick the top 3 issues of most importance to you, as they relate to running the state, what would those issues be?

A: Those top issues would be 1. Rural economic development—which would include connecting every home and business with fiber optic communications to enable connectivity at the speeds urban dwellers enjoy. This goal also includes continued improvement of Vermont’s excellent education system; 2. Continue to work towards single-payer health care. The U.S. spends 18 cents of every Gross Domestic Product dollar on health care while European countries spend 8 to 9 cents and get better results; and 3. Continue [to] accelerate Vermont’s great work on solving climate change.

Q: You’ve mentioned that you would take Vermont in a different direction than the current administration. What does Vermont under the direction of Christine Hallquist look like?

A: As CEO of Vermont Electric Coopera-

Christine Hallquist PHOTO: CHRISTINE FOR VERMONT

tive, I personally met with every one of our 107 employees once a year so they could review me on my performance. I told them I was responsible for three things—the reputation of our company with Vermonters; making sure we are secure financially and have the money we need to do our jobs, and [enrich] the company culture. How does it feel to work here? I carved out 30 percent of my time to spend with our employees.

While I cannot meet every person in the state, I would continue with a similar practice. We will be the most transparent and accessible administration that Vermonters ever dreamed of.

Hallquist aims to oust sitting Republican Governor Phil Scott in the state’s gubernatorial election on November 6, 2018. To learn more about Christine Hallquist’s candidacy, visit christineforvermont.com.

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physically or sexually abusive relationship.

Through a partnership with the Brockton Alliance of GLBT Youth (BrAGLY; https://goo.gl/GdmHVK), Health Imperatives offers crisis counseling and advocacy services specifically for LGBTQ people.

“We get a significant amount of transgender youth who enroll, and our main goal through BrAGLY and the whole AGLY network is to reduce HIV transmission,” O’Donnell said. “What we try to encourage is positive youth development for folks who may or may not identify as part of the LGBTQ community.”

As part of their offerings for LGBTQ youth, peer leaders facilitate support-building for other people in their community.

“Sometimes we have conversations that the youth lead, with a little bit of guidance and advisement from me,” O’Donnell said.

“We have an upcoming conversation on intersectionality and oppression, we have an upcoming conversation on the stigma of mental health and mental illness, and more.

We make it a little support system and support group for youth to come, have a snack as an incentive, and find some community.”

O’Donnell’s drive to serve the vulnerable populations of Brockton stem from her own experiences dealing with homelessness. Thrown out on the streets by her parents, whom she described as “born-again Christians,” O’Donnell found her calling helping youth to avoid the struggles she had to face.

“When I was 17 years old, I got a condom in a package or something from a health class I was in, had that in my backpack, and my parents went through my stuff, found it, and threw me out of the house, and I couch-surfed during my senior year,” O’Donnell said. “I was very scared, and at that point I said, ‘You know what, I’m going to do this work for a living. I’m going to make the best of the situation, and I’m going to make sure this never happens to another youth ever again, for as long as I can.’”

Health Imperatives also has staff that speaks Spanish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean, and Creole.

http://bit.do/hrcspan

http://bit.do/hrcspan

Family and Community Resources In some cases, the struggles LGBTQ people face in terms of domestic and intimate partner violence, or abuse in other forms, create an immediate need for help.

Brockton-based Family and Community Resources (FCR; www.fcr-ma.org) is a trauma-focused organization that provides referral services, crisis reaction services, and a myriad of other resources for people who have an immediate need for help.

Ruth Zakarin, director of trauma services at FCR, said she and her staff are often at the forefront of a client’s immediate needs, whether through a walk-in or via their 24hour hotline.

The mission, Zakarin said, is to push as hard as possible for a complete solution to a client’s needs.

“We take a really holistic approach with the work we do for survivors of trauma,” Zakarin said. “We don’t just address the violence and the trauma itself, but we want to make sure that folks can be well and

happy in all aspects of their lives, so that’s why we have clinicians and advocates working together on behalf of someone.

We do everything from safety planning and accompanying people to court, to helping them with housing resources, linking them to health resources.”

Homelessness among LGBTQ youth is one major issue Zakarin and her team tackles on a daily basis. For someone who is living on the streets, the staff of FCR will work to place them in a shelter, help them build a support system of potential residential options with family and friends, and more—all to reach the ultimate goal of personal safety.

“Recently we had a young person come to us. He is homeless because his family of origin has rejected him because of his trans status,” Zakarin said. “Though there wasn’t any violence in an intimate relationship, we certainly understand that as being trauma, and want to respond and be present for this person.”

The organization’s work also includes outreach to area schools, namely the GayStraight Alliance at Brockton High School (https://goo.gl/Zypio3).

“We’re finding the more prevention work we do with people, the more likely they are to be comfortable coming in for other services with us,” she continued. “I do a lot of that education and when you can sit with someone and have a conversation with them and talk through issues, there’s a little bit more trust. Coming to the organization for services is not as scary once you’ve actually visualized the human beings that are a part of that organization.”

Slated to begin work in May, Zakarin is putting together a high-risk assessment team, comprised of professionals from all areas of the public health sector, from housing, homelessness, mental, and physical health services to counseling.

“Our new initiative is a high-risk assessment team, and that team is going to meet on behalf of survivors and their families with complex needs or are high-risk due to domestic violence,” Zakarin said. “We would follow up with them to help link them up with whatever those recommendations are.”

Zakarin also wanted to make clear that all the work her organization does is completely confidential. For immigrant com-

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“IF YOU LOOK AT THE TRANS AND LGBTQ COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, OUR LANGUAGE IS CHANGING AND EVOLVING IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.” —RYAN SALLANS munities who worry about the Immigrant and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), her clients have her team behind them.

“We would not let ICE in the building, at all. We’re very aware they need to have a warrant, and that the warrant needs to be incredibly accurate, and I don’t care— they’re not coming in the building,” Zakarin said.

FCR also has staff that speaks Spanish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean, and Creole.

Brockton High School Brockton High School in many ways is paving the way for creating a progressive, LGBTQ-inclusive educational environment.

The school’s principal, Dr. Clifford Murray, has been working in the Brockton School District for nearly 20 years.

Through all levels of the district, Murray

said he can confidently say Brockton wholeheartedly supports their LGBTQ students.

“Brockton, and in particular the high school, has a bunch of services and support systems,” Murray said. “I can’t imagine everybody not being interested in creating that kind of environment for their students.

I look at it as it’s the right way to treat all of our students—the district as a whole is very sensitive to all our students with needs whether it’s a gender situation, or language difficulties, or otherwise.”

From gender-neutral unisex bathrooms, locker rooms, and safe spaces, to designated teachers who have undergone training specifically to support LGBTQ students, the environment being fostered in Brockton High School is one extremely supportive to the LGBTQ community, according to Murray.

In recent years, he said, the district has implemented training programs created by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE; https://goo.gl/jgBaEY) to specifically meet the needs of LGBTQ students.

“The district implemented some training last year with DESE, with the LGBTQ trainings taking place system wide,” Murray said. “We have a full complement of adjustment counselors and guidance counselors through our Health and Wellness Department now.”

The roughly 4,200 students at Brockton High School have also created their own support systems for LGBTQ youth. Various

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groups such as the Gay-Straight Alliance, the Feminist Club, and more help support advocacy, wellness, and safe expression of all students, LGBTQ and otherwise.

“We have a lot of different groups of students taking charge of their personal lives,” Murray said. “The kids are great—they want to take charge of their lives and are proud of who they are, and that’s what we want to encourage.”

The intersection between administration and students also fosters inclusiveness, according to Murray, in a number of ways.

“At the beginning of each year, we talk to each class. We talk about how we won’t support hate speech or homophobia or any kind of dispersions from any students. I think the students really buy into that,” Murray said. “People in education are recognizing this as something that can be taken care of, and be addressed in a manner that is supportive of everybody.”

The Brockton School District’s focus on LGBTQ issues is, as Murray said, not a reaction to any particular incident, but part of a forward-looking philosophy.

“It’s kind of a natural evolution. The times have changed and people have become more open about their [sexual] or gender identities,” Murray said. “As educators and people who work with children, our goal is to always do the right thing. I think if you are really interested in helping children in terms of their growth and education, that’s kind of a natural segue.”

The work to make Brockton an LGBTQinclusive community doesn’t stop at public-welfare organizations and the school district.

In October 2015, author, public speaker, and transgender activist Ryan Sallans was invited to give a speech on trans-inclusiveness at Massasoit Community College.

Having worked for years building knowledge and understanding of LGBTQ issues in the corporate and educational spheres, Sallans said speaking in Brockton was an opportunity to understand both how progressive the community was, as well as the fact that in nearly any community there is always more to learn.

“I was brought in by their Diversity and Inclusion Office to raise awareness, which I’m seeing happening more and more in university and corporate settings, to gain understanding and build supportive environments, so they don’t have to bring in someone because of an incident,” Sallans said. “Inclusive environments are better environments for students and employees.”

Sallans said he found people eager to learn about the evolving language being used by the LGBTQ community in terms of gender and sexual preference identification.

He also said part of his mission is to dispel fear in terms of learning more about the LGBTQ community, and the trans community in particular.

“If you look at the trans and LGBTQ community as a whole, our language is changing and evolving in a number

Open Conversations and Further Issues

See Periscope on page 23

Because the right to make our own end-of-life decisions matters.

Guns from Page 3 youth. A gun makes suicide attempts almost guaranteed to be lethal.”

According to a report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (https://goo.gl/WZbBAe), in 2014, transgender women of color were at a much higher risk of discrimination, violence, and harassment compared to other nonLGBTQ survivors. And a 2017 Trevor Project report (https://goo.gl/1JCXH6) claims that by age 25, 92 percent of transgender adults have attempted suicide.

“The intersection between being LGBTQ and a person of color is tied to a greater likelihood of being targeted and hurt,” said Hayley Gorenberg, General Counsel for LGBTQ rights firm Lambda Legal (https://lambdalegal.org) and author of a 2016 blog post describing the importance of uniting the anti-gun and LGBTQ communities (https://goo.gl/RSPhMa).

“We need to put [the] truth out about gun violence and the queer community,” she said.

The Pink Pistols The Pink Pistols (http://pinkpistols.org), a pro-gun LGBTQ organization, decided not to hold any counter-demonstrations.

“I don’t personally think that counterprotests are inherently useful; I’d rather talk about what I’m for than what I’m against,” said Aaron Grossman, Boston resident, and organizer of the city’s Pink Pistols chapter.

“I support people speaking out for what they believe in … [but] I don’t share their views.”

The group, in many regards, defies popular stereotypes of gun-owning communities.

“If anything, we’re a liberal organization,” said Grossman. The Pink Pistols aim to enable marginalized communities to protect themselves by providing them with firearms. “We don’t tend, as an organization, to be in favor of increased gun control because … it serves mostly to disenfranchise poor people … and queer people [and] people of color.”

And like many others, after receiving word of the Parkland shooting, members of the Pink Pistols were shocked. “The general reaction,” Grossman said, “was the same as any other: ‘This is a terrible event,’ ‘This shouldn’t have happened.’”

The Pink Pistols were founded in Boston in 2000 by Douglas Krick—former Massachusetts state representative candidate for the Libertarian Party—and soon grew to include around 45 chapters and roughly 9,000 members across the United States.

Eventually, Krick moved away, and the Boston group dissolved.

Following the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, Grossman began to search for a Boston branch of the Pink Pistols. Finding none, he took the initiative and founded the group.

The revived chapter has been meeting for about 18 months and has 15 to 20 frequent members.

According to Grossman, joining the LGBTQ and gun-owner communities is vital.

A lot of people, “[say] they’re more comfortable being openly gay in a gun community than they are being openly a gun-owner in a gay community,” he said,

THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IS ALSO, LIKELY TO

“MORE

ATTEMPT

SUICIDE—ESPECIALLY

TRANS YOUTH. A GUN MAKES

SUICIDE AT-

TEMPTS ALMOST GUARANTEED TO BE LETHAL.” “which has been my experience, too.”

For Grossman, it’s important to help bridge that gap.

Ethical Introspection Massachusetts is known to have some of the strictest gun control measures in the United States.

It has consistently maintained bans on certain assault weapons and was one of the first states to enforce instant electronic background checks when purchasing firearms. The Commonwealth has often remained one step ahead of federal gun control measures.

“Mass. has an extremely complicated, complex … set of gun laws,” said Karen MacNutt, an attorney who authored an outline of the history of gun control in the Commonwealth (https://goo.gl/GgSLcG).

Based in Randolph, Mass, MacNutt is the legal editor for Women & Guns, a women’s firearm publication based in Buffalo, New York. “It’s like every time something bad happens in some other state, the legislature in Massachusetts feels the need to pass a law.”

However, Berdan feels that gun control advocacy is part of an intrinsic need to protect others and a desire to expose manipulative practices on behalf of elected leaders.

“Part of being queer is living an authentic life, being true to who you are and having conviction in your choices,” Berdan said.

“With this authenticity is a desire to see more of it in the world. [Gays Against Guns] is all about exposing lies and corruptness in our politicians and elected officials.”

“This is all about transparency. Praise people who are trying to protect our community, our children, our country, and putting faces and names to those … whose mission it is to fill every set of free hands with a gun.”

“After the Parkland tragedy, I think we need to do some serious ethical introspection as a country,” said Dylan Goodman, GAG member, and Somerville-based union organizer. “As individuals, we need to become more [aware] as to how our money is connected to America’s gun industry, and as a community, we need to center the frontline voices of those hurt by gun violence.”

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5 reasons why staying friends with your Ex(es) is beneficial

THE FRIVOLIST

By: Mikey Rox*/Special to TRT

I

have had some relationships, y’all. None of them went super great. Hence why we’re not still together. But I’ve managed to make friends out of all but one of those boys—four out of five ain’t bad—and I have a certain amount of pride about that. Staying pals with your ex(es) isn’t necessary—sometimes you have to cut it off clean if it’s toxic—but there are benefits to ending things amicably. Here are five reasons why.

1. It’s easier to rekindle the flame Sometimes we break up because we’re not interested in being with our partners anymore, but other times we “break up” because we need some time and space to figure out what’s best for us individually and for the relationship. I recently separated from my boyfriend of two years because our cohabitation situation wasn’t moving in a positive direction, so I asked him to leave. I only wanted him to leave my house, however, not my life. After a few weeks of arguing and brutal honesty and a whole lot of heartache, we were able to come back to why we fell in love with each other in the first place. We’re not moving in together again anytime soon, but the relationship is on the mend because we put in the work to salvage it. We’re both hopeful that we’ll be a stronger couple because of our issues— and our dedication to being decent human beings to one another through the turbulence—in the future.

2. The kids—if you have them—will appreciate it I don’t have kids myself—though I do share custody of my dog with my ex-husband (never an issue because we’ve remained friendly)—but many gay couples these days are parents to children, and it’s easy to use the kids as chips in their breakup games if they’re trying to hurt one another.

“I’ve watched children be pawns between parents who hated each other, and they

weren't willing to try and reach a compromise and realize that at one time this was a person they cared about, loved, planned a future with,” says Patricia Bubash, a licensed professional counselor and author of the book Successful Second Marriages.

“Revisiting the reasons, qualities that initially attracted you to your ex, is a good way of seeing them as a person versus just an ex. Keeping animosity and negative feelings toward an ex only hurts the person hanging onto those feelings. It creates inner turmoil, emotional distress—and for what?

The other person either ignores it, goes on their way, or confronts it in the same angry way, leading to embattled, embittered adults.”

She continues, “Children, especially young children, often feel they are in some way to blame for their parents' breakup.

The few parents I’ve worked with who choose to remain friends, even attend weddings, showers, social events with the ex's new love, have a better relationship with their children. It’s win-win for everyone.”

3. It’s a sign that you’re a great catch One could argue that if you’re not friendly with any of your exes, it might be you who’s an a$$hole—at least according to Amica Graber, resident relationship expert for TruthFinder, a website that specializes in providing background checking resources for online daters.

“Typically we don't stay on friendly terms with exes who were horrible people or treated us like garbage, and it's a huge red flag in the dating world when all your exes hate you,” she explains. “Being on friendly terms with an ex usually means that you didn't act like a complete jerk Read the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com

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Keeping the lines open with those who disagree with you can be trying By: Deja Nicole Greenlaw*/TRT Columnist

I

TRANS OPINION

have been observing various trans friends on Facebook and how they deal with those who have differing viewpoints from their own. Some answer politely with their response, often backed up by facts, some fire back with anger, fear, and frankly, hate, while others just let it go with no response. All three responses, or non-response, do have their merits.

I realize that some subjects, such as religion and politics, can evoke strong emotions, so I can’t say that I am surprised that would drive someone to anger, fear, and hate. These situations may lead to someone blocking another person.

Now, I can’t possibly know every situation and why the blocking was done, but it does break my heart a little when a friend blocks someone and then posts that they just booted someone off their Facebook wall and are proud of doing so. Others may comment that the blocking was merited,

but I look at the whole situation and it still makes me feel a little sad.

Now, I am not saying to stop paying attention to differing viewpoints. As a matter of fact, I think we should always note differing viewpoints. To let the differing viewpoints upset us and lead us to anger, fear,

some kind of understanding in the future.

On my Facebook page, I like to post a “Throwback Thursday” and write about the feelings, fears, issues, and triumphs that I have experienced from being a trans person. Occasionally I even post about the anger and hate that I have encountered

KEEPING THE LINES OPEN CAN MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION RATHER THAN SHUT IT OUT. and hate, though, I’m not so sure is such a good idea. This behavior can solidify a partisanship and cement a hard divide between people with different viewpoints and a wall may come up. Maybe that’s what some folks want and, in some cases, that’s the way it probably should be, but in any case, it does close the communication line.

I like to keep my lines open even with people who hold different viewpoints from myself. No, I may not agree with what they say, sometimes not at all, but I like to keep the doors open in hopes that there might be

along the way. I like to show that I am who I am and that it is not at all easy to be a trans person. As trans people, we face many, many difficulties, and I like to let folks know what situations I have personally experienced.

Occasionally, I may reach someone on a post, and they suddenly begin to understand what I must go through in my life as a trans person. Sometimes I can reach some of these folks and they just might begin to understand me better and realize that my gender is truly female and that I have ob-

stacles that I must face every day. If I block someone, then they won’t see my stories and I might miss an opportunity to bring them to better understand me and trans people in general.

Another reason I like to keep the lines open is to monitor what these folks with different viewpoints say. Sometimes, I may somewhat understand their point as I read their explanations. If I blocked or deleted them, I would not have this, possibly valuable, opportunity.

Keeping the lines open can maintain communication rather than shut it out. You have an opportunity to reach and teach people, people have an opportunity to reach and teach you, and you both have an opportunity to meet on middle ground. That’s the way I see it anyway. I do realize that everyone is different and that they do have their own reasons for blocking or not blocking someone, but maybe they should question if they really want to shut out some people?

Something to further consider is sage advice from the movie, “The Godfather,” “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” *Deja Nicole Greenlaw is retired from 3M and has three children and two grandchildren.

Questions I want and do not want to be asked as a trans woman and why PHOTO: DAVID MEEHAN

By: Lorelei Erisis*/TRT Columnist

“What’s one question you wish people would ask you more often [and] one you wish people wouldn’t ask about your experience as a trans woman?”

—Maris M.

I really like this question. It’s so open-ended, it actually made me have to sit and think for a bit.

So many of the questions I get are either really specific to a single person’s circumstances, or are so broad as to be essentially asking me to speak for all trans folks.

Often, they are questions asked to elicit a specific answer that the questioner already has in mind. None of which, to be clear, I mind. Answering peoples’ questions is what I do. And, I enjoy what I do.

But, it’s rare that I get one that’s so personal and yet so open-ended.

The first part was really easy. I get asked a lot of questions, by a lot of people. But the one question I’ve almost never been asked, but which I love to answer is this: “What’s great about being trans?”

Honestly, if the bulk of my writing has a central thesis, it would probably be this question. Yes, I talk a lot about the struggles of being trans, the hardships I, and we, face. The reality of speaking fully about trans lives requires me to do so.

But, when I started writing this monthly column, some 10 or so years ago, I looked around and most of what I heard and had read, by and about trans people, was focused almost exclusively on the hardships and difficulties we face. Only some of the more positive aspects of our shared experience we discussed, at least whenever possible.

I could probably go on for the rest of this

FOR ONE THING, THEY ARE ALMOST ALWAYS ASKED BY CISGENDER MEN. AND, WHAT THEY ACTUALLY WANT TO KNOW IS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THINGS: AM I REALLY A WOMAN, OR JUST “PRETENDING?” column answering this question and talking about all of the really great things about being trans! But since it was a two-part question, and I will most certainly revisit this later, I’ll just mention one thing I love about my own experience.

I get to be myself. I was given, or perhaps more accurately, I took the chance to completely reinvent the person I am in the world. As an adult, already pretty well established as a person—but a person that I felt was inauthentic to who I really am— I came out to the world as trans and decided I was going to do something about it.

And, though I never chose to be a woman—after all, I already was—I was simply hiding it. I did choose to be the woman I am today. I made specific and intentional choices about how I was going to dress and act and about generally the sort of person I was going to be in the world. I even chose a new name—and an old one— for myself.

I am, as much as is possible and circumstances permit, the person I want myself to be--he person I have chosen to be. How many other people can say that? Never mind the trans aspect for a moment. How many people feel stuck in an identity and persona based on choices they made, or that were made for them, early on in their

lives? Dragging themselves through the world as a person that feels inauthentic to their interior sense of self, but who have no real path that they feel will allow them to so completely reinvent themselves?

So yeah, in this way, I feel I am actually lucky to be trans. It gave me the opportunity to remake myself, to truly become the person I am.

Okay, so that was the first part of the question. The second part, I actually assumed, as you might have, would be easier to answer.

“What do I wish people wouldn’t ask?”

There are things I know people think I get asked a lot. You can probably think of a few yourself. But honestly, those sort of rude, very explicit questions are things I am asked far less often nowadays. And at that, usually only online.

Also, again—and strictly speaking personally—I enjoy answering peoples’ questions; ven sometimes, the dodgy, weird ones. I know people have genuine curiosity and I feel if I can help clear up those questions people have, then they will be less likely to ask another trans person who might not be so comfortable. And frankly, I lack a filter anyway. So answering ...

See Ask a Trans Woman on page 23

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The Incorruptibles from page 4 members understand them? Great. Do they want to knock on doors and listen to the underrepresented, then write up the information to help change the power structure?

Awesome. Do they want to figure out who has the power and makes the decisions affecting their lives, so they can organize and agitate to change them? Hooray! The more we inspire and organize like this, the more work can get done.”

Miller was adamant that a lack of engagement with democratic politics will be detrimental to the nation.

“Corruption and disengagement in society will spell our collective doom if we don't work for the world we want,” she said of the reason why she joined The Incorruptibles’ board.

With titles such as “Convincing Coalition Partners & Cultivating Candidates,” “The Incorruptibles Strategy Workshop,” and “Participatory Democracy,” the workshops brought together progressive-minded leaders seeking to make change.

Lauren Niedel of Chepachet, Rhode Island, is a member of Our Revolution (https://ourrevolution.com), a national organization dedicated to supporting progressive political candidates and creating a power base to advance a “political revolution.” Whereas The Incorruptibles is a training and skills building organization, Our Revolution harnesses the power of those trained leaders to advocate for progressive candidates for office and legislative policies, both locally and nationally.

Both organizations are inspired by Sanders’ campaign for president.

“We will be forming a coalition of groups to put together a strategy to replace five democratic senators in the Rhode Island General Assembly who work against progressive ... bills,” Niedel said of her current work and how the workshop she participated in, “Organizing Your State,” helped inspire her to work locally towards change.

Max Parish of Watertown, Massachusetts, said that the three workshops he participated in helped raise a greater awareness of the importance of building relationships.

“After taking these workshops, I'll be mindful about prioritizing coalition-building in my organizing, especially among marginalized groups in the community,” he said. “I'll be mindful about the ways in which I approach conversations and interactions with prospective coalition partners to maximize trust and relationships with one another.”

Chris Gamble of Waltham, Massachusetts also attended three of the Massachusetts workshops and said that the sessions helped improve his skills as a political organizer.

“I will immediately start using the lessons I learned from The Incorruptibles workshops to further my advocacy work,” said Gamble, who is a member of Progressive Waltham, a local chapter of Progressive Massachusetts, a left-leaning grassroots organizing group. “We have already begun reshaping our goals and how to get them in this new light, emphasizing a need for a coalition of groups to apply pressure to city councilors, not just going at it alone.”

“... I'LL BE MINDFUL

QPuzzle: Words from “Dear Simon” this time around

ABOUT PRIORITIZING COALITION-BUILDING

...

ESPECIALLY AMONG MARGINALIZED GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY.” “When they do something you don’t like, get mad” Callahan said the standard model of organizing voters around key political issues is ineffective.

“Here is the standard model,” she said.

“First, Get a bunch of progressives together. Second, wait until the candidates declare they are running. Third, choose the least bad of the candidates [to endorse].

Fourth, work hard to get them elected.

Fifth, when they do something you don’t like, get mad.”

She said that The Incorruptibles’ model of organizing is much more proactive.

“Instead of reaching out to the people most likely to vote, you’ll reach out year round, every year to the people least served by government,” she said of the first step in the model. “This will not only increase voter turnout, but it will build your coalition by converting bystanders into activists. “[Second], instead of waiting for candidates to self-select—where you get mostly male, mostly white, mostly rich people— you’ll cultivate candidates who might never have thought of running for office. [And finally], instead of waiting for your elected officials to do something you don't like, you will be involved in policy-making at every level, helping to decide city priorities, write policy, and pass it.”

Rachel Distler, a member of the Somerville chapter of Our Revolution, said that she is a believer in The Incorruptibles’ model of organizing.

“I think the model that The Incorruptibles puts forth is something that all activist organizations need to learn, especially in the current era,” she said of her personal opinion of the workshops. “Activist and progressive groups often fall prey to a fear of taking leadership roles and the burnout that is inevitable when our stance is constantly one of fighting against rather than fighting for, which keeps the goals looking unattainable and attention focused on failures instead of successes.”

Distler said that The Incorruptibles help inspire everyday voters to run for office and be more proactive in taking back local communities from well-resourced, conservative leaders who want to maintain the status quo.

“One of the reasons that we are in the position we are in is that we weren't doing the work at the roots for the past 20 to 30 years … and so we were always weak going up against an organized system with a lot of resources that had been grooming and promoting their own people to positions of power for many decades,” she said. “I've told everyone I know that they need to bring this workshop to their group.”

Across 1 "___ because you think I look like a guy?" (with 7Across) 7 See 1-Across 13 Establishes sexual preference?

15 Classical guitar great 16 Put it to your mouth at a gay rodeo 17 Like the most in-vogue porn stars 18 Heal, like a bone 19 Earhart's domain 21 They may be liberal 22 "___ because you donít look like a guy" (with 49- and 66-Across) 27 H.S. math course 29 How fag hags find gays 30 Suffix with hero 33 Was an angel on Broadway 35 Frank once of the House 37 Hairstylist, maybe 39 Pain in an orifice 40 Male enhancement exaggeration?

41 Home o' the brave 43 XXX, to Greeks 44 Suddenly and completely 49 See 22-Across 51 Goldberg of The Color Purple 53 Opera tenor Caruso 56 Sauce brand 57 Above the horizon 61 Opposite of loads 62 Wilde country

63 Bodybuilder Charles 64 ___ fan tutte 65 Pine for 66 See 22-Across 67 You may go down on one

Down 1 Get into a slip 2 Pakistan neighbor 3 Eatery on the Orient Express 4 "The best is ___ come!"

5 A Chorus Line song 6 Versatile vehicle 7 To God, to Caesar 8 Guy under J. Edgar?

9 The whole shebang 10 "Ay, ___ a king" (Shakespeare) 11 Type of personal lubricant 12 Goes down on 14 Quick bite 15 Small bush 20 It changes a seÒor's gender 23 Glen or Glenda: ___ Two Lives 24 Baldwin staffer 25 Dark Angel star 26 Maude producer 27 Name on a column 28 Byron poem 31 Old fruit drink 32 Bette Davis feature of song 34 Tease 36 Where Dover moved his "bloomin' arse" 38 Trojan Horse, e.g.

39 Lawman Wyatt 42 "Fifth Beatle" Sutcliffe 45 Lover with a penetrating glance?

46 The Seven Samurai director Kurosawa 47 Buck of C&W 48 Family 49 The African Queen co-star, informally 50 Make a pass at 51 Small songbird 52 Bugs Bunny's Broadway musical?

54 Lambda Legal Defense suit, e.g.

55 Garfield's pal 58 Sexual ending 59 Pitch preceder 60 Colette made a splash in it

SOLUTION

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TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 21

April 5, 2018 - May 2, 2018

Trans Wedding from Page 8 about you, about your love for Hannah?

Jake: We wanted other people to know that we were just like them or anyone else, with all of the same hopes, fears, and aspirations. My love for Hannah feels like the most natural thing in the world and it’s something that I want to nurture and protect as love should never be taken for granted, regardless of the ring on her finger!

Q: Some people may view or think of your wedding as the top/main wedding for trans visibility, how do you feel about that?

Jake: From the reaction that we’ve been getting since announcing our engagement, we’ve realised that our relationship really does give hope to a lot of people and that is a responsibility and an honour that is not lost on us. I know that there are many trans couples who marry and that they’re all equally special and amazing, Hannah and I are just incredibly lucky to have a plat-

head when Jake popped the question?

Where in NY were you?

Hannah: We were on the rowing pond in Central Park, where we had spent a really romantic day the year before. When he asked I pretty much just broke down in tears! The only thing that ran through my head at that moment was just how much I loved him.

Q: When did you meet Jake's family?

Were you afraid to meet them?

Hannah: I met Jake's family quite early on in our relationship and I was very nervous as, of course, as I wanted them to like me!

But they were so welcoming and kind and I got on with them straight away.

Q: If you could describe your wedding theme, what would it be?

Hannah: Simple, elegant and full of love!

Q: What color scheme did you choose and how about party favors for your guests?

Jake and Hannah as happy as ever on March 23. Jake is also known for starring with Eddie Redmayne in the film The Danish Girl. Hannah is Britain's highest-ranking transgender soldier.

PHOTO: PAUL GRACE

form and visibility that allows our voices to be heard.

Q: How many people did you invite to the wedding?

Hannah: 38 – For us, it was the perfect number as it allowed all our close family and friends to be there but still kept it intimate (as well as keeping the costs down!)

Hannah: We kept the wedding fairly simple and so we didn’t do any favours (although we gave gifts to specific people like best man and maid of honour). The colour scheme was pink, blue and white to represent the transgender flag! We didn’t want to make the day all about us being transgender but it seemed like a nice, subtle nod.

Q: In a previous interview (with Lorraine) you'd said that Hannah wanted a “July” wedding, yet you're getting married in March, what was behind pushing up the date?

Jake: Because Hannah is a Captain in the Army, she has always lived in barracks, while I live over an hour away in London.

The only way that we could finally live together was for us to get married quarters through the military and, as we were marrying anyway, we just brought the date forward a little bit. Besides, March weddings are a lot less expensive than those in July!

Q: Many people consider you a role model for the trans community. Do you think of yourself as one?

Jake: As someone who grew up feeling very much like an outsider, being bullied at school and turning to some pretty destructive behaviour because I had no one to look up to, I'm really aware of just how important it is to have visible role models for younger LGBTQIA kids today. When I hear and read daily about the continued and relentless bullying of gay, bi, trans and queer kids in schools it just makes me more determined to do anything I can to help make it stop. Whether that’s being visible,

Q: What was running through your

See Trans Wedding on Page 22

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Trans Wedding from Page 21

lar, realises just how lucky she is to be able to proudly serve her country, which really brings home the withdrawal of rights for trans folk in the USA under the new administration. That surely must be one of the most pressing issues to address and correct.

making films that help people better understand us or just being someone that younger folk can reach out to and talk to, then I’m happy to do it. Calling myself a role model feels a little arrogant as I’m also just trying to feel and find my way, but if I can help even one kid then my job is done.

Q: Use just three words to describe yourself. Use three words you'd use to describe Hannah/Jake.

Jake: Intense. Driven. Caring. Hannah is kind, loving, and generous.

Hannah: Me – happy, motivated and lucky.

Jake is loyal, affectionate and inspirational.

Hannah: I never set out to be a role model, but I kind of became one by accident. I think my personal story is one of real support in all walks of life; from family, friends, and employer and so my transition has been very positive. I think people warm to that, as there are so many negative experiences in the trans community and people look to my story for comfort, to know that it is possible to be transgender and happy.

Q: What do you say to other trans folk about life, transition and the world out there?

Jake: I receive hundreds of messages a month from trans folk across the world, some asking for advice, others for financial help and others still just saying hi. I try not to tell people how to live their lives, whether they should come out and so on, as I don’t know always know what their circumstances are, but I would always say that to deny who you are is a life half lived.

Life can be tough for us and we do often need to develop a slightly thicker skin than other folk just to get by. That shouldn’t for a second stop you from being you and from going out in the world with your head held high. You will find your tribe, your people and a family that accepts you regardless of how you choose to identify and live your life.

Q: Do you plan to have children (own/adopted/foster) or not?

Hannah: We both know we really want kids and are considering surrogacy, but it’s still quite early to work out exactly how we will make it work. I think a child coming to us in any way would be a true blessing.

Q: What do you say to other trans parents out there who may think that their children coming out as trans may mean

News Briefs from Page 11 the past about identifying as bisexual. This article by Vox argues that this is just one of

The couple celebrate their engagement in Central Park, New York.

that no one would ever love them?

Jake: That was certainly my biggest worry when I transitioned, that I would end up alone and unloved. I think that trans people are often made to feel ugly and unattractive and undeserving of love, which is most definitely not the case. I tell those parents not to worry, that it’s a brave new world out there and that as long as they are giving their child love and support, then they will grow up to become healthy, happy humans who can’t help but be loved by others.

Q: You've mentioned before that Hannah helps you with producing your films.

What does she bring to the screen?

Jake: Aside from the fact that Hannah had a starring role in last year’s ‘Headspace’ and whose scene in which she is repeatedly misgendered over the phone resonated most within the community, she also appears in my last short, ‘Dusk’. Not only is she great onscreen, but she runs a set with military precision, for obvious reasons! She is organised, precise and loves planning things down to the last detail, so her contribution on set is absolutely huge and truly invaluable.

Q: What do you think is the top priority

many instances of bisexual erasure in society.

PHOTO: PAUL GRACE

relating to transgender rights today?

Hannah: I think its fighting misinformation, there is a lot of hatred and bigotry masquerading as “debate” and “discussion” and we really need to hold individuals to account for their actions.

Jake: In the UK there has been a huge amount of negativity from the Press of late because of an upcoming review in the Gender Recognition Act, which would give folk the right to self-determine as transgender. That has a lot of the right wing and conservative Press really rattled and as such the backlash has been truly vile and vitriolic, with everyone, including trans children finding themselves in the firing line. I think that one of the biggest problems is that trans people still remain a largely unknown entity and people have always feared the unknown. It very much feels like the trans community is playing catch up with the rest of the LGB spectrum.

To the right-wing Press, we are still the murky figures hiding in the shadows and as many have never met anyone trans they don’t understand that we really aren’t so different. Across the world, trans rights vary wildly and I know that in the UK we are luckier than most. Hannah, in particu-

“I understand that for many people it’s not, but for me it’s a choice,” Nixon told the NYT in 2012, “and you don’t get to define my gayness for me.” She was, she added, “very annoyed about this issue.”

New England Public Radio: “Senate Rejects Andrew McDonald as Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice” The confirmation of potential Supreme Court Chief Justice Andrew McDonald was voted down last week, mainly due to a unified Republican opposition. Of the nineteen votes in opposition, Republicans made up eighteen. McDonald’s support of and role in eventually passing Conn.’s 2015 State v.

Santiago decision—which outlawed the death penalty in the state—pitted the Republicans against him. McDonald would have been the first openly gay Supreme Court Chief Justice in the state.

Q: Will you be making wedding photos available to the public post-ceremony? If so, where can people find them?

Hannah: I think we will pick a select few and publish on our social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter. We want people to be able to share in our day but I also think it’s important to keep some just for us!

Q: Where can people find out more about your films?

Jake: Headspace and Brace are online for anyone to watch, just Google ‘Headspace 2017’ and ‘Brace short film 2015’ to find them. “Dusk”, “Dawn” and “Chance” all have distribution through Peccadillo pictures in the UK, and they are now launching in the US too, so the films should be accessible. More information can be found on my website, www.jakegraf.com or find me on Instagram at @jake_graf5 (https://goo.gl/8fBWzm) and Twitter @JakeGraf1 (https://goo.gl/QD3UL7).

TNLR from Page 13 addressing partner abuse, and of course, have fun! said Beth Leventhal, Co-Executive Director of The Network/La Red. There will be a silent auction with items for every budget including weekend getaways, gift cards to popular local restaurants and movie and theatre passes. The silent auction will run online April 2nd through April 16th, and then reopen in person at Paint the Town (La) Red on April 19th. Tickets are $50 each or $90 for two.

Tickets must be purchased in advance by April 12th. For information about the auction and to purchase event tickets, visit www.tnlr.org.

About The Network/La Red The Network/La Red (TNLR) is a survivor-led, social justice organization that serves survivors of partner abuse from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender, polyamorous and SM communities.

Formed in 1989, the organization offers a hotline, individual and group support, court accompaniment, housing assistance, and advocacy. TNLR also provides community trainings, educational materials, technical assistance to create more LGBQ/T-inclusive partner abuse services, and does survivor-led organizing to end partner abuse.

For more information about the organization, its services, the campaign “Survival and Resistance: Power With Survivors, Power For Communities,” and Surviving with Wild Tongues, call 800-832-1901 or visit www.tnlr.org.

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Periscope from Page 16 of ways,” Sallans said. “People are curious and also confused, and want to understand how to use language, and understand that you’re going to make mistakes. It’s part of being human. Being human is a little messy at times.”

Students took the initiative, according to Sallans, to talk about their experiences, out-

Ourselves from Page 2 more likely to report purging” than straight men.

Connectedness to the LGBTQ community, according to NEDA, can make a very positive difference to those inclined to binge eat, induce vomiting or abuse laxatives. Although I may be a little bias, I can’t underscore enough the important role The Rainbow Times plays to nurture a sense of community. Albany, New York no longer has a local LGBTQ newspaper and it leaves an unfortunate void for many living in the capital region.

No doubt there is someone reading this column who is struggling with their weight. Some of it may be a “simple” fix like keeping less pasta and bread in the home. A good dietician can be very helpful and grocery stores are increasingly making them available to customers.

In other cases, there may be more serious issues going on. Talking with your doctor or spiritual advisor can be invaluable. It’s often beneficial to talk with both a medical provider and head of your religious community if you have one. Increasingly, good health is considered the integration of mind, body, and spirit. Your health is interconnected.

Engaging in a little self-analysis can go a

Trans Woman from Page 18 people’s often intensely personal questions is something I sometimes do with little to no prompting anyway.

When I really thought about this, thought about the things people actually ask me when I’m going about my daily life, there were a few things that I thought of.

Here’s a short list I made: “How tall are you?”

“You wanna hang out?”

“How does your family feel about … this?”

“So, how long ago did you start?”

“What was your name when you were born?”

“Have you, y’know, changed fully?”

“Do you play basketball?”

Now, on the surface, some of these seem pretty innocuous. There’s some that are even things I don’t mind answering, if they are asked honestly and without particular subtext.

But in reality, almost all of these are questions that usually have a very specific subtext accompanying them; a tone that simply reading them in print does not convey.

For one thing, they are almost always asked by cisgender men. And, what they actually want to know is one of the following things: Am I really a woman, or just “pretending?” Have I had the surgery (gender affirmation surgery)? Do I have a penis

looks, and understanding of the LGBTQ community.

“There were some trans identified students there who were brave enough to speak up and talk about the experiences they’ve had on campus,” Sallans said.

“From the campus standpoint, I felt very positive energy, and felt the desire for positive change.” long way as well. Growing up there was no such thing as portion control in my home.

Mom lived through the Great Depression.

Dad survived Nazi forced-labor. Hence, being “stocky” or a plump child was considered a good thing. You never knew when the next war or depression was going to occur. Overeating was good.

Today, I still need to reinforce the importance of portion control. Just because it’s there doesn’t mean I need to eat it. There’s also work and life stress that could draw me to a pile of pasta with oil and garlic.

There are other ways to manage stress than eating. Disciplining yourself to find quiet time encourages self-reflection. No television, radio, e-mail, or smartphone for small blocks of time each week is key to getting you there.

I look at my need to be aggressive in weight management as an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. One can learn perspective that can be applied to other life challenges. No matter what, you’re not alone in your struggles whether you call on a higher power or a combination of the holy and professional help. *Paul is a corporate chaplain, seminary trained priest, and lawyer in greater Albany, New York. He’s also the author of “Lost Sense of Self & the Ethics Crisis.” or a vagina? Isn’t it a terrible life being trans? Do they have to pay me to have sex with them, or will I do it simply because— they think—my identity is a fetish? Also, do I play basketball?

Okay, that last one is usually genuine.

I’m just, as a tall person, sick of being asked and hoped it might stop when I transitioned. But nope. People still ask. And to be clear, I suck at basketball.

But the rest are all things that assume my identity is a “trick” or that I exist simply for their sexual gratification. And, because I am a trans woman, I am likely also a sex worker.

The thing that really ties these questions together though, the thing I intensely dislike, is that they all assume that being trans must be a shameful, terrible thing and something they cannot ask me about directly. Something they have to dance around.

Usually this is really because of shame and discomfort that they feel around my identity as trans. Not me.

I am proud. Proud to be trans. Proud to be me.

And I will not justify anyone’s discomfort or personal issues by pretending otherwise. Slàinte! *Lorelei Erisis is an actor, activist, adventurer and pageant queen. Send your questions about trans issues, gender and sexuality to her at: askatranswoman@gmail.com.

But characteristics in the Brockton community fly in the face of that positive change.

O’Donnell of Health Imperatives said that, as a minority-majority community, many people in Brockton come from traditionally religious backgrounds. LGBTQ youth will often find themselves at odds with families who do not accept their gender or sexual identity, and those people sometimes find themselves at her door.

“With religiosity comes a whole lot of families and people who are not so accepting and not so progressive,” O’Donnell said. “It’s definitely a little bit of a difficult balance because we’ve seen through research that people, who are marginalized, tend to turn to things like religion for comfort.”

Housing for homeless youth is another major issue state- and nation-wide, Zakarin said.

“For unaccompanied youth that we see in the Brockton area, some are [homeless] be-

cause they are LGBTQ and their families have rejected them, and some for other reasons and those resources are really limited,” she said. “If you’re 19, it’s also not really ideal to be stuck in the middle of a homeless shelter. It’s not really equipped for younger people. One of the biggest barriers to making people safe is having adequate housing resources.”

Cisternelli believes that a lack of funding, and resources, in general, are a major impediment to delivering on the mission of her organization.

“As with all nonprofits, funding is tight.

But we make it work and have a wonderful, dedicated staff who is always willing to look at services in different ways to meet our clients’ needs,” Cisternelli said.

But O’Donnell said that though the issues facing LGBTQ youth in Brockton can seem insurmountable, they must still hold on to hope.

Coming Out from Page 2

comfortable. They didn’t support it.

So, after a particularly heated conversation with somebody from there the summer after my junior year, I decided I’d had enough. I contacted several members of my old school’s LGBTQ+ community and helped pen an open letter to the high school’s administration.

In short, it helped set in motion longneeded reforms that I, frankly, wish had existed during my time there.

All of this, too, emboldened me. I’d then finally gained the courage to come out as a trans woman.

While the response was, and has been, generally positive, it has come with backlash—mainly from those in my old town but, surprisingly, a handful of people in Brookline.

Despite the negativity and turmoil that has accompanied my coming out, I’m grateful for the experiences. They, at the end of the day, strengthened my resolve and my sense of self.

But, on the other hand, they’ve cemented

which I looked with regret and disdain.

That is until I, on a whim, decided to attend a meeting of my high school’s gender sexuality alliance (GSA). If there was, in my being, even an ounce of that “teenage rebellion,” this was it.

I was emboldened; though just my first time attending the club, I experienced and felt complete support of my identity, the likes of which would have been unheard of back in Illinois. Through more meetings and conversations, I began to thaw. My elation and relief became so much, in fact, that I put my name in to speak at the school’s Day of Dialogue (a day dedicated to, among other things, queer students discussing their identities).

That is exactly what I did—which also helped me turn my pride and euphoria into anger. As I stood at the podium, coming out in front of almost the entire school, my mind began to defog. I began to realize what exactly had happened in my old town.

While in Illinois, I had felt like a nuisance. However, as I began to realize, they had shut me up because it made them un-

Read the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com

Read the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com

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