The Rainbow Times' August 2021 Issue

2 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

August 12, 2021 - September 9, 2021

Wiser enemy than the anti-vaxers & the hipocrysy of some “Christians” By: Chris Gilmore TRT Reporter & Columnist

OPINION

COVID How long will this last? This question is for Trumpists, QAnon cultists or others who somehow disbelieve science or vaccines, for one reason or another. It will, until it kills us all, at this rate. If people are not willing to get vaccinated, we will continue to let the virus top us and annihilate us because it has the ability to continue to evolve and outsmart us. Let’s face it, ts willingness to survive and live is bigger than many human’s willingness to even show up and at least protect their loved ones.

They’re not only disregarding their lives and the lives of those they love, but then also our lives—the rest of us who did what was needed to be the ones still standing. So, not getting the vaccine is detrimental to their loved ones, others who’ve been vaccinated and are at high risk, and then humanity as a whole. There are hundreds of millions of people from other countries who cannot receive the vaccine or don’t have the means to get it, yet here in the U.S. people are turning away from it and from that responsibility to themselves and one another. How can we be the “United” States of America

when all we see is disunion and discord, even over health and the difference between life and death—even as those people promulgating that COVID was a hoax have continued to die while wishing they’d acted differently after it’s been too late.

This enemy isn’t a wealthy one. It’s not originating from a war with another country. It’s not sending missiles here, or bombing us. It is, however, shredding us to pieces and, I ask you, how long are you (those of you who haven’t gotten the vaccine and refuse to do so because Trump told you so or to follow a political statement) going to wait to make things right? Wouldn’t it be better to get vaccinated, to at least be safe for you and your loved ones? Are you willing to die for a momentous victory of sort— a victory of will, or pride or an inflated sense of righteousness? If that is the case, then you’ve already succumbed to this pandemic mentally. I’ll tell you, however (and sadly), it is a matter of time before you mortally succumb from it too. And, once you’ve gotten it, it’s too late to get the vaccine and it is so aggressive that it will most likely win that personal battle with you at the moment.

If you are a religious person and you see children die from this virus, have you thought about selflessness? Have you thought about loving others, thy

neighbor, and seeing that they are ok too? Keep in mind that more variants are coming from Africa and other places. We still don’t know if those of us who’ve been vaccinated will be able to survive more and more variants. As the virus replicates, it becomes smarter and stronger. That's where everyone’s longevity is at peril. I believe that just as the polio vaccine was a mandate, the COVID vaccine should be as well.

There should be ample consequences if you do not get vaccinated. This is not about personal choice, but about the health of the nation and the future of future generations, if there is one or whenever COVID is eradicated. At this pace, however, that may not even happen in our lifetime. I wish that were a joke, but it’s not. It’s more of a reality show ending abruptly and in the worst possible way.

Non-binary and trans people Do you only think about rights or religion — like you do when it comes to the COVID vaccine — when you’re arrogantly questioning other people’s lives, who are living peaceful and genuine lives that don’t affect your lives at all—like the members of the LGBTQIA+ community—and those who they love? Or, is that not part of being a Christian or someone who believes in a higher power who should honor life and who will answer your-

Pray in the gay and other goodness – What is prayer?

By: Paul P. Jesep* TRT Columnist

T

FAITH, FAMILY, GOD

hose struggling with one of life’s challenges often ask clergy and friends for prayers. A relative may be sick; confidence in a job interview is needed, or spiritual support for partners struggling with chemical addiction are among the requests I’ve received.

Prayer can come with a negative connotation because of the “pray away the gay” crusade. Prayer has taken another hit because of the systemic discrimination of LGBTQ+ folks by organized religion. Yet, prayer and religion remain, for most of the LGBTQ+ community, a great comfort.

In October 2020, the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law (https://bit.ly/3zkTSI4) released a survey on the “religiosity” of LGBTQ+ persons. According to the survey (https://bit.ly/2UUcLmm), “Nearly half of LGBT adults in the U.S. are religious.” This turns out to be about 5.3 million people in the country.

Religious LGBTQ+ folks include Jews, Muslims, Mormons, and Christians of different denominations. Although not a religion, there are many LGBTQ+ Buddhists. Even though they weren’t a part of the survey, you can also include Wiccans, Pagans, and

other religious and spiritual groups.

In one way, prayer doesn’t have anything to do with organized religion.

The empowerment of prayer supersedes religion and can be a personal, transcendental experience. Before the establishment of Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Christianity, among others, humankind had always sought to understand themselves and the world around them in context of the cosmos. Prayer, ritual, and ceremony emerged from ancient times and was codified and formalized by religion.

Religion, as it often does, both facilitated and obstructe d one’s relationship with God, Goddess, Creator, Eternal Life, Divine Breath, Giver of Life, or however one attempts to “quantify” and “understand” Infinite Mystery.

Unfortunately, prayer, a gift to connect with the Divine Order, became a type of self-flagellation. “Lord, have mercy, I’m an unworthy sinner. Forgive me.” If you pray negative thoughts, you get a negative result.

Prayer became a means of control by re-enforcing how awful you are, and salvation could only be earned by putting your trust in a church or religious official. This is not prayer. This is control using faith and religion.

So, what is prayer? It doesn’t belong to any one religion. It predates them all. Prayer is not begging or repentance. You are both part of the Cosmos, Created by the Creator, and yet you go to the Universe as part of its Creation because it is greater than you. Yet, you

have the answers and the power within.

Prayer is like exercise or healthy eating. You get out of it what you put into it. It requires focus, discipline, and constant attention. It’s not only an opportunity to pray for others, yourself, or a better world, but a time of self-discovery.

Prayer is a tool available to any spiritual being whether atheist, humanist, or persons believing in a higher power.

Done in a certain way it helps to rid your mind of negativity. Prayer, however, requires clarity and faith. Be specific of what you want and believe.

Ask for what is in harmony with the universe and the Holy Author’s will.

Use it for good.

In driving away negativity using prayer whether by your own making, the social climate, or those around you saying something can’t be done, prayer is empowerment. For millions of religious LGBTQ+ people, prayer re-enforces in a positive way that they belong.

Prayer, among many things, is a means of gratitude and positive re-enforcement, which should be practiced every day. “Thank you, Divine Creator, you made me who I am. You have made me holy. I am blessed to be who I am. I am grateful to be a blessing to others.” *Paul is a lawyer, personal chaplain, and a seminary trained, ordained priest. He is the author of “Lost Sense of Self & the Ethics Crisis (https://bit.ly/38lB6UY).” He may be reached at Dilovod@aol.com.

self to your God or being that you pray to, if you do? What’s with the convenient pointing of fingers at others, but not yourself? Why is it ok to do breast or penile enlargements, or face lifts, but it’s not OK for a trans or non-binary person to live their lives as they see them fit, whether it is via surgery or not. No one tells you that you’re mutilating your body or changing what God gave you or who he made you? I mean, aren’t you doing the same, but that’s ok when it’s for vanity’s sake but not ok due to dysphoria or a condition that, in some, requires them to have any surgery they need to live authentically? Really. What’s it to you? How are you different? To use your arguments, God made you that way. You should stay that way, by your own arguments. Don’t do the penile augmentation or the facial lifts or the pectoral surgeries, or the tummy tucks, the buttocks augmentations, or the breast reductions, etc. I mean, hypocrisy much?

Read the rest of this story at TheRainbowTimesMass.com

Multiple Award Winning

The Rainbow Times New England’s Largest LGBTQ+ Newspaper — Boston Based TheRainbowTimesMass.com editor@therainbowtimesmass.com sales@therainbowtimesmass.com Phone: 617.444.9618 Publisher Graysen M. Ocasio Editor-In-Chief Nicole Lashomb Assistant Editor Mike Givens National/Local Sales Rivendell Media Liz Johnson Lead Photographers Steve Jewett Christine M. Hur-

ley Photographer Jenna Joyce Reporters Chris Gilmore Audrey Cole Ad & Layout Design Prizm PR Webmaster Jarred Johnson Columnistst Lorelei Erisis Deja N. Greenlaw Paul P. Jesep

The Rainbow Times is published monthly by The Rainbow Times, LLC. TRT is an award-winning publication that started printing in late 2006. The 1st print issue was published in Feb. 2007. 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.

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August 12, 2021 - September 9, 2021

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 3

4 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

August 12, 2021 - September 9, 2021

GLAD: LGBTQ youth crisis in the Mass. child welfare system Statement in response to report released by the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth

LGBTQ+ YOUTH

BOSTON—GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) Senior Staff Attorney Polly Crozier issued the following statement in response to a recently report released by the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth on the crisis conditions facing LGBTQ youth in the MA child welfare system (https://bit.ly/3ypaJIl).

The findings in the report, LGBTQ Youth in the Massachusetts Child Welfare System: A Report on Pervasive Threats to Safety, Wellbeing, and Permanency, are alarming, but not surprising.

The report, drawn from national research, years of reports to the Commission from LGBTQ youth, providers, caregivers and advocates, as well as interviews with young people and foster parents impacted by the system, makes two things startlingly clear: 1) a lack of a clear, comprehensive agency policy, a lack of affirming placements, inadequate training for staff and foster families, and long delays and even denials of access to lifesaving healthcare constitute an emergency situation for LGBTQ youth that far too often leads to violence, bullying, self-harm and other devastating outcomes; these impacts often fall most harshly on Black and Brown LGB youth and transgender youth, who face multiple biases and structural barriers 2) the MA Department of Children and Families and our legislators need to act now to address these issues.

One transgender young person quoted in the report describes being repeatedly misgendered, moved from foster home to foster home, placed in an unsafe situation in a group home that did not match their gender identity and where they were bullied and threatened, being denied access to gender affirming healthcare and eventually attempting suicide.

A foster parent describes having to educate DCF staff herself on how to affirm transgender youth, from using accurate names and pronouns to information about healthcare. She describes having to navigate bias, misinformation and delaying tactics from multiple professionals in the system in order to advocate for a transgender child in her care to get her basic medical needs met.

GLAD and other youth advocacy organizations including Citizens for Juvenile Justice have been calling for change and action by DCF repeatedly for several years (https://bit.ly/3gBvtXs). We have met with Secretary Sudders and Commissioner Spears to alert them to systemic issues and harms for LGBTQ youth (https://bit.ly/2Wn9zAu) and submitted

testimony (https://bit.ly/3kpmU3e) to the legislature urging accountability, accurate and consistent data collection and reporting, and development of a comprehensive LGBTQ youth policy among other key issues. Concerned staff members at DCF have advocated for change from within. GLAD and Citizens for Juvenile Justice have created an LGBTQ Child Welfare Alliance to bring together impacted youth and families as well as service providers and community organizations who know this work and the needs of LGBTQ youth in the system best.

GLAD joins in the call for immediate action from DCF on critical recommendations in the report, including: • Comprehensive, intersectional data collection and reporting that allows DCF and other responsible entities to track outcomes for LGBTQ youth and to better understand and meet their needs • Development and implementation of a comprehensive LGBTQ policy, and training for all adults that come into contact with LGBTQ youth, including staff, foster families, and providers.

• Increase and tracking of affirming placements • Improved access to gender affirming healthcare We further call on the Massachusetts legislature to take action by: • Passing H.211 / S.88 to create an independent Foster Care Review Office to improve accountability, transparency, and oversight for the foster care review process, to strengthen protections for youth in DCF care and custody • Passing “An Act Relative to Accountability for Vulnerable Children and Families” H.239 and S.32, with a requirement that DCF collect and report intersectional sexual orientation and gender identity data without qualification or reservation • Enshrining in statute a foster child bill of rights with explicit protections for LGBTQ youth, including genderaffirming medical care.

As the Commission’s report demonstrates, youth cannot wait any longer for change.

Through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy, and education, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation.

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 5

August 12, 2021 - September 9, 2021

MassEquality counterprotests SHFA insurrectionists’ event Organizers of “Super Happy Fun America,” SHFA, aka the producers of Straight Pride, Hosted a Fundraiser Celebrating and for the “Patriots’ of the Riots of January 6 at the U.S. Capitol By: Chris Gilmore TRT Reporter

IN THE LIMELIGHT

WORCESTER, Mass.—Late last month, MassEquality counter protested a fundraiser for the Capitol insurrectionists from anti-LGBTQ+ group, Super Happy Fun America, SHFA — the same group behind the Straight Pride March (https://bit.ly/2WokYQ0) held in Boston, Mass. in August 2019.

SHFA hosted the event to celebrate the Capitol Hill insurrection and the seditious actors behind it at the Century Sportsman’s Club (https://bit.ly/3jpRTgl) in Auburn, Mass.

“Freedom of speech works both ways,” said MassEquality’s Executive Director Tanya Neslusan, to The Rainbow Times. “The platform of Super Happy Fun America is not only homophobic and transphobic, but also racist and xenophobic.

As an organization that is dedicated to lived equality, it is our obligation to call out inflammatory hate speech wherever we find it and counter it with a message of love and support.”

The events of January 6, 2021, were

a dark stain on the nation’s history and “remind us all of the devastating consequences of extremism,” according to the organization’s release. Their prompt action was organized to fight disinformation and to bring awareness to the community of an event that was seemingly being run under the radar.

“We also needed to ensure that local residents were aware of the event and that the organizations involved (SHFA and Proud Boys, among others) saw that they cannot infiltrate small towns and think that no one will notice,” reiterated Neslusan. “We needed to nip that in the bud.”

Super Happy Fun America, an organization whose tagline is, “it’s great to be straight” and whose ten-point plan includes language that harms the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, and other marginalized communities sought to “fundraise” monies for “the ‘Heroes of January 6th,’” according to a flyer that they put online (https://bit.ly/3AI1MLS).

“Beyond that, it is offensive to raise money for the legal defense of treasonous insurrectionists, who put Auburn's own Congressman in danger on January 6th,” Neslusan added. “I remember vividly, seeing Congressman McGovern’s face on CNN as insurrectionists broke down the door to the chamber

PHOTO: MASSEQUALITY

and feeling terrified for him. Caring about our country and our constitution is not the exclusive domain of those who promote hate speech and divisiveness.”

Swift response Many, including this publication, immediately disseminated MassEquality’s quick response via social media.

They called their action “Patriots for Equity: A Counterprotest.” The counter protest gathered at Southbridge and West Streets, in Auburn, Mass. and a few dozen people joined it.

“We had approximately 30 people attend the event, in total,” said Neslusan.

“The executive director of Black and Pink (Michael Cox) came out to support us as well as several members of SURJ Worcester, a couple of members of the Libertarian Party and a couple of members of local Democratic Town Committees. Most of the attendees were local residents, who were appalled that the event was happening in their backyard.”

People from other parts of the commonwealth also went to protest this form of bigotry. One person joined this action and also happened to protest the Straight Pride Parade in Boston.

“I went to the counter protest,” said

See MassEquality On Page 11

6 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

August 12, 2021 - September 9, 2021

The first challenge to the trans military ban comes to a close Doe v. Trump finally comes to an end, case closed

Rainbow PrideDoku To our readers, we hope you enjoy a little Rainbow Sudoku while Pride Season 2021 takes place (and beyond) & to de-stress a bit too! The solution is

With the end of the transgender military ban earlier this year and the U.S. armed forces now embracing open service, today GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders and the National Center for Lesbian Rights have officially closed Doe v. Trump, the first lawsuit challenging the ban.

GLAD and NCLR are immensely grateful to transgender servicemembers—past, present, and future—and all who fought to end the ban.

Background: Doe v. Trump was filed in August 2017 following President Trump’s announcement that the U.S. military would no longer accept or allow transgender individuals to serve. The lawsuit asserted that the ban was unconstitutional and the policy was enacted to discriminate, not to serve any legitimate purpose, requesting the court keep the ban from taking effect while the case was being heard in court.

Enjoy! —TRT

Transgender adolescent social transition not harmful Study: Transgender Adolescent or Childhood Social Transition Is Not Harmful; Bullying In K-12 Is BOSTON—A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health (https://bit.ly/3ibEGHf) finds that a social transition during childhood or adolescence is not harmful to transgender or gender diverse youth, but experiences of harassment based on gender identity in K-12 school environments are. The study was authored by researchers at The Fenway Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Medical School), and the Stanford University School of Medicine and is believed to be the first to examine mental health outcomes in adulthood of transgender people who experienced social transition during childhood or adolescence. It contributes important new knowledge to the growing body of research documenting the harm that transgender and gender diverse people experience when they are exposed to societal stigma and discrimination based on gender identity.

Social transition describes the process by which transgender children or adolescents adopt the name, pronouns, and gender expression, such as clothing and haircuts that match their gender identity. Of the 9,711 study participants, 165 (1.7%) reported having undergone social transition in child-

hood (defined as ages 3-9, with age 10 used as an approximate prepubertal cutoff since the ages at which study participants reached puberty were not available) and 1,196 (12.3%) underwent social transition during adolescence (between 10 and 17 years old).

The remainder did not transition until adulthood. Those who socially transitioned during childhood and adolescence were much more likely to have experienced harassment based on gender identity from classmates, teachers, or school staff than those who did not transition until they were adults.

There were no associations between social transition during childhood and adverse mental health outcomes when compared with social transition during adulthood. Instead, childhood social transition was associated with lower odds of lifetime marijuana use when compared to waiting until adulthood to socially transition. For many patients, marijuana is a method of trying to reduce anxiety, and this finding suggests that an earlier social transition may lead to better mental health.

Social transition during adolescence initially seemed to be associated with

See Transgender On Page 11

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 7

August 12, 2021 - September 9, 2021 PHOTO: HICKSVILLE TRAILER PARK

The U.S. of Gay: 51 Ab-fab roadtrip destinations for all to enjoy Pit Stops that are must-sees and dos for out-andproud LGBTQ+ travelers nationwide By: Mikey Rox* Special to TRT

There are a million things to love about traveling the United States — from our sprawling national parks and historic coastal cities to tucked-away small towns and southern hospitality — but every once in a while we need to experience our people in our places.

As it turns out, there’s queer fun to be found everywhere — in areas that you would never suspect, in fact — throughout the entire country. When planning your next “family”-friendly getaway, consider these welcoming attractions, establishments, events, and gatherings in all 50 states and the nation’s capital that exist by and for the LGBTQ+ community.

Alabama Praise Him on high (before hitting a boozy brunch; wine is Jesus-approved, remember) at Cornerstone Metropolitan Community Church in Mobile, a predominately LGBTQ+ congregation led by lesbian pastor, Reverend Sara Sills. Sunday service begins at 10:45 a.m. Arrive early for easy parking, visit the institution’s welcome center, and take a guided tour of the campus. [Editor’s Note: Other Alabama destinations can be found here: https://bit.ly/3yKZ8oj.]

Alaska Newly renovated Mad Myrna’s, located in downtown Anchorage, hosts a wide range of LGBTQ+ events, including movie nights, drag and strip shows, karaoke, and Pride pageants.

This nightlife mainstay, along with queer dive bar The Raven just down the street, has provided last-frontier fabulousness for over two decades.

Arizona A pair of well-worn cowboy boots and a bottle of sunscreen are all you’ll need for a rugged, clothing-optional weekend at the all-male Copper Cactus Ranch, quietly nestled deep in the foothills of the Superstition Mountains in

Queen Valley. Weekends feature bonfires, musical jam sessions, drum circles, and body painting, among other activities that encourage boys to be boys.

Arkansas Pet-friendly Pond Mountain Lodge is the longest continuously operating gay-owned resort in Eureka Springs where you can enjoy the great outdoors while hiking, fishing, swimming, picnicking, and more. It’s also become a queer wedding destination in the south since the landmark SCOTUS marriage-equality decision was handed down.

California You may recognize lesbian-owned Hicksville Trailer Palace as the setting for Lana Del Rey’s “White Dress” music vid, but this dog-friendly, 21and-older desert oasis in Joshua Tree hosts travelers in 11 individually designed vintage mini-mobile homes situated on seven acres flush with fun and games, including a ball pit, arcade, cornhole, putt-putt, a BB gun and archery range, shuffleboard, ping-pong and darts.

Colorado Memorialize your road trip with fresh ink — maybe your route map or a memorable symbol — at LGBTQ+owned Pens & Needles Custom Tattoo Company, voted Best Tattoo Shop in Colorado Springs.

Connecticut Once you’ve quelled your hunger pangs with the Traveler Restaurant’s classic dining options, like linguini and meatballs, pizza, fried seafood platters, and BLTs, browse the stacks — of books, that is — to find your favorite LGBTQ+ authors or stories. This quaint country eatery in Union allows each person to take home up to three titles — for free— from the selection

See U.S. of Gay On Page 10

8 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

August 12, 2021 - September 9, 2021

August 12, 2021 - September 9, 2021

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Out singer Joey Salinas clocks himself in “My Time / Too Much Goin On” New Music Video by Salinas Aims to Reclaim His Worth in “Identity: Chapter 1” EP

J

oey Salinas’ “My Time / Too Much Goin On” is a traditional pop song about reclaiming one’s worth, not allowing anyone to define you, and accepting that some people are around for a reason or a season and it is up to you to know when their time is up.

Joey wrote the song after a tumultuous relationship that left him feeling empty and depleted.

“I had lost all motivation,” he recalls.

“I needed to reignite my spark so I left Los Angeles for a summer to get back to me.”

While out on his personal adventure, Joey enjoyed a romantic fling that taught him what he truly wanted from future relationships. He returned home reinvigorated and determined to jump back into his craft. He channeled his past frustration into not only “My Time”, but also the entire Identity: Chapter 1 album.

“My Time was the first song I cut and it helped shape the sound for the rest of the project, one that echoed my first album, ‘In the Beginning …’”

Joey Salinas’ “My Time / Too Much Goin On” is available now on Apple Music, along with all tracks from Identity: Chapter 1. The music video for “My Time / Too Much Goin On” will premiere on YouTube.

“Sometimes you just have to take matters into your own hands and push

forward,” expresses Joey from his Los its infancy.

The overall message is one of selfAngeles home. “That may mean letting go of those who no longer benefit your discovery; figuring out what defines life. Too many of us continue in rela- him as an individual.

“I’ve always marched to the beat of tionships that aren’t workmy own drum,” Joey reflects. “And ing in the misguided hope I have always felt multi-layered, that things will get better. like there is more than one version Most often, they will not. of me.”

I learned that it is liberatIn the music video for ing to finally realize that “My Time”, Joey you can move on to a bigger, plays multiple more powerful life.” characters to “My Time / Too Much depict his difGoin On” is the fourth ferent sides. video release from Drawing inspiraIdentity: Chapter 1, tion from Tim BurJoey Salinas’ pop ton’s Alice in album that is sprinWonderland, he and dikled with dance, rector Wes Culwell R&B, rock, Latin created a concept of fusion, and electro being trapped in a loop; beats. Each song in an illusion and not on the album repknowing it, like Alice in resents a differthe film. Joey likens ent facet of his Alice’s experience to life. The title being trapped in a toxic track reflects on relationship. his many The video was shot shades, colors and textures. over two days in “Stomp” attests Washington DC. It to his drive to was choreographed achieve goals,

by Viktor Wallace; PHOTO: MIKE QUAIN and “Wonderassisted by Joey. land” examines Andrea Masse-Toga romantic love in netti of Merimask

best known for creating the Egyptian masks for Katy Perry's Prismatic Tour, created the White Rabbit steampunk mask that Joey wears in the video.

Other Alice in Wonderland characters viewers will recognize are The Madd Hatter as the master manipulator, The Caterpillar as the accomplice, and The Cheshire Cat as the pied piper DJ who helps lure victims into the illusion. The Red Queen appears as the bad influence and the bartender and bar patrons represent the tweedles.

Joey was born and raised in northern Virginia, the oldest of four children.

He was of the latchkey generation, so spent a lot of time alone in his bedroom with his music. Mariah Carey, George Michael, Aerosmith, and Janet Jackson were his favorite pop artists and they remain a strong influence today.

Much of Joey’s music today explores the many facets of his identity. He is a strong believer that representation matters and while his songs’ sounds and subject matter are mainstream and universal, he expresses them from his own unique perspective as a gay man of Latin descent.

Joey Salinas’ “My Time / Too Much Goin On” is available now on Apple Music (https://apple.co/3gzTEWa), along with all tracks from Identity: Read the rest of this story at TheRainbowTimesMass.com

10 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

August 12, 2021 - September 9, 2021

By: Terri Schlichenmeyer* Special to TRT

I

THE BOOKWORM

t’s really very common.

Giving birth is so common, actually, that someone does it in the U.S. nearly eleven thousand times a day – which means that it’s really not much of a big deal, unless it’s your baby. In that case, it’s a one-of-a-kind miracle and, in the new book “The Natural Mother of the Child” by Krys Malcolm Belc, it’s an answer, and a whole lot more questions.

They had wanted their children to be close in age.

That was the plan — Irish Twins, they called them — but when Krys Belc went to the birth clinic, visibly pregnant with Samson and toting fivemonth-old Sean, the child of his partner, Anna, women in the clinic’s waiting room stared. Or were they, like Belc’s neighbors, staring because Belc looked like a pregnant man?

Yes, Belc inherited his father’s looks.

He feared that he might’ve inherited his father’s temper, too; sometimes, Sean was too much and being neither mother nor father, Belc was often unable to comfort the boy.

B e l c didn’t particularly e n j o y b e i n g pregnant; in fact, it brought old memories and new notions to surface.

A b s o lutely, he grew up loved and maybe a little protected, but he wanted what his brothers had; he was sure his mother once harbored hopes of sharing a pregnancy with him, but not anymore. And then it happened: seeing the newborn son he made, made Belc realize that he needed to become the person he always knew he was.

A few months after Samson was weaned, Belc began taking testosterone.

How does one say goodbye to breasts that fed a beloved son? Belc didn’t want his, but finding the right decision was unsettling. How does a grown son reconcile himself to the idea

See Bookworm On Page 11

of thousands that line its walls.

Delaware Frolic in the sand and surf on decidedly gay Poodle Beach — you’ll find it at the far southern end of the Rehoboth Boardwalk near Queen Street (a bit on the nose, but what can ya do?)

— before cleaning up and heading out for a night of queer revelry in this lively shore town with a rich LGBTQ+ history.

District of Columbia Queer or not, every American should pay a visit to the Supreme Court, judiciously located at 1 First Street in Washington, D.C., the battleground for many milestone equal-rights cases, including the game-changing Obergefell v. Hodges, which, in 2015, granted marriage rights to same-sex couples across the United States.

Florida Dedicated solely to LGBTQ+ history, civil rights, art and culture, the Stonewall National Museum and Archives in Fort Lauderdale (with a branch in neighboring Wilton Manors) features three gallery spaces with changing monthly and bimonthly exhibits, and includes a permanent timeline of American queer history.

Georgia Strip down and relax in the steam room, sauna, and pools of this clothing-optional, membership-only men’s bathhouse in midtown Atlanta that hosts weekly events like Bear & Daddy Night on Tuesdays, $5 lockers on Wednesdays, and a complimentary BBQ on Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m.

Hawaii Join the LGBTQ+ Honolulu FrontRunners/Walkers every Saturday at 8:30 a.m. in Kapi’olani Park for a tourists-are-welcome sweat sesh around stunning Waikiki ($10 for singles/$15 for couples) before brunching with the group at a downtown restaurant, pit stains and all.

Idaho You’ll need to lace up your hiking boots to reach the two-miles-in-andback Goldbug Hotsprings, the trailhead of which starts on BLM land just south of the Elk Bend community, but it’ll be well worth your while when you slip out of your shorts and soak nude in natural pools of varying degrees, surrounded by picturesque scenery.

Illinois Pay homage to the queer pioneers who blazed their own trails toward LGBTQ+ equality on a self-guided tour of the Legacy Walk in Chicago’s Northalsted neighborhood, the placards of which on the area’s 40 rainbow-colored pylons honor our community’s heroes, including Oscar Wilde, Harvey Milk, Antonia Pantoja, Frida Kahlo, and Alvin Ailey.

Indiana Put your name on the list at popular

PHOTO: ASHBURY PARK, NJ

“The Natural Mother of the Parent: A Memoir of Nonbinary Parenthood”

U.S. of Gay From Page 7

Bloomington distillery/bar/kitchen Cardinal Spirits, where you’ll nosh on inspired (but affordable) dishes like lamb barbacoa tacos and gochujang tomato and cantaloupe gazpacho, sip on canned bourbon cream sodas, and take home a bottle of its Indiana corn Pride vodka, 10 percent proceeds of which support local LGBTQ+ orgs.

Iowa Stop for a photo op at the “American Gothic” cottage in Eldon, famously depicted in gay artist Grant Wood’s oftparodied same-name 1930 painting, which has since become an iconic example of 20th-century American art.

Kansas With its rainbow-flag-painted façade, Equality House, a project of Planting Peace in Topeka, gained international notoriety (surely you saw the news stories; they were everywhere) when it revealed itself as a beacon of hope and equality against evil forces, specifically the anti-everything Westboro Baptist Church, which is right across the street.

Kentucky Bourbon – but make it gay. That’s your task as you bounce from one celebrated distillery to the next (most of which are within walking distance of each other along the Ohio River) in downtown Louisville. Stumble back and sleep it off at tobacco warehouseturned-boutique hotel Vu Guesthouse.

Louisiana Beat the oppressive New Orleans heat with a summertime treat at queerwomen-owned Chance in Hell SnoBalls, a traveling winter-in-a-cup pop-up shop in the Bywater that serves frosty flavors like grape Nehi, pineapple-cilantro-chili, refreshing cucumber-cardamom-basil, and ginger matcha.

Maine When in Maine you order the lobster roll — given — but when dining at Ogunquit’s gay-owned The Front Porch you have your pick of elevated seafood. Start with blue cheese mussels or the oyster trio before settling into entrees like lobster risotto or haddock tacos. When you’re stuffed to the Read the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com

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MassEquality From Page 5 Jeff Cohen, Co-Chair, Salem’s No Place for Hate Committee, Board member of Project Out and an ally. “I went to the one in Boston in 2019 and really wanted to do as [I] did then … to let them know there are more who believe they are racist bigots and there are more of us than them.”

Cohen, who drove 2.25 hours each way from Salem to Auburn, wanted to get a clear message SHFA’s xenophobic actions are not welcome in most of the state. He also wanted to show support because their actions are hazardous to most Americans.

“It’s important that we stand together and support all those that white supremacist, anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic, and anti-TBQIG+ attempt to marginalize,” he said to The Rainbow Times via e-mail. “They are dangerous, creating fear wherever they go and only when we unite, will they understand they will not prevail.”

Although a couple of people drove by and shouted at them, most of the time went by uneventful, according to Neslusan.

“We did have a couple people drive by and yell at us, but for the most part we were receiving supportive honks and waves,” added Neslusan. “We spoke with the Auburn Police, in advance of the event, and we agreed that police presence wasn't necessary, but they did drive by a couple of times and one of the officers did stop by at one point just to check on us and make sure that no one was giving us any trouble.”

Although it was a last-minute protest, there were seemingly more counter protesters than those attending SHFA’s fundraising event, according to Cohen.

“The police didn’t let us get within a mile and when I left, I tried to find them, but couldn’t,” said Cohen. “[I] was told [it] was a very small group.

The reception by those driving by us was excellent, at least [there were] 301 supporting us.”

SHFA background In a report by The Rainbow Times in August 2019 about the Straight Pride Parade, SHFA aka John Hugo, organizer of the Parade, wrote via their website then that they organized the event to “achieve inclusivity and spread awareness of issues impacting straights.” Hugo, who has made his anti-LGBQ and Trans statements in the past via social media, wanted his “straight flag” to be flown at City Hall, according to a Fox News interview (https://bit.ly/3sOZ44w) in June 2019.

Mostly white straight males at the time of the Straight Pride Parade, with obscuring attire — MAGA Hats, sunglasses, US Flag bandanas, to conceal their identity —attended the parade while holding signs in support of Trump’s re-election campaign then while holding prejudiced signs against oppressed groups. Some of the signs read: “Make Normal Seem Normal Again; Unite America 1st; Flag, Nation, God; Drain The Swamp; Secure

“BEYOND THAT, IT IS OFFENSIVE TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE LEGAL DEFENSE OF TREASONOUS

INSURRECTIONISTS, WHO PUT AUBURN'S OWN CONGRESSMAN IN DANGER ON

JANUARY 6TH,” —MASSEQUALITY’S ED TANYA NESLUSAN America’s Borders; 2020 Trump; In God We Trust; It’s Great To Be Straight;” and another banner displaying a caricature of Trump flipping off the crowd.

“This was clearly a parade rooted in white supremacy (https://bit.ly/3yk3WzK) and was a blatant Trump 2020 re-election event,” said Noelle Nickerson*, a counterprotester, in 2019. “It was obvious that the marchers and their message had nothing to do with straight pride and everything to do with ensuring that the majority stays in power.

MassEquality’s involvement MassEquality, in this latest instance, took direct action to oppose the spread of hate and the promotion of insurrection and disinformation in the community.

While MassEquality supports the right of all Americans to lawfully assemble, the organization also backs the right of counter demonstrators to gather and peacefully express concern about the motives or message of those assembled and as “an organization that promotes lived equality for all members” of their community, Neslusan said “we cannot sit by idly and allow hate to go unchecked.”

MassEquality (https://bit.ly/3jgF0Vw) is the leading statewide grassroots advocacy organization working to ensure that everyone across Massachusetts can thrive from cradle to grave without discrimination and oppression based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We partner across identities, issues, and communities to build a broad, inclusive, and politically powerful movement that changes hearts and minds and achieves policy and electoral victories.

Trans News? ... TransHeadlines.Com

Bookworm From Page 10 that his father won’t hug him anymore? Sadly, Belc’s father was generally awkward around him since his transition. How can nonbinary parents not get frustrated at the loops of paperwork to protect their parenthood?

“Natural mother,” indeed.

And how can anyone ever fully thank those who helped make them parents?

If ever there was a book that turned itself in circles to get to the right ending, “The Natural Mother of the Child” is it – and that’s not unpleasant.

Nothing and everything in this book is black and white; it’s calm and turbulent, surefooted and not. Author Krys Malcolm Belc takes readers on a jour-

Transgender From Page 6 greater odds of some measures of suicidality compared with social transition during adulthood. When these results were adjusted for K-12 harassment based on gender identity, however, associations between social transition during adolescence and adverse mental health outcomes were no longer statistically significant.

“These results strongly suggest that social transition itself will not harm transgender and gender diverse youth.

But harassment based on gender identity from classmates, teachers, and school staff is very harmful,” said study senior author Alex S. Keuroghlian, MD, who directs the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center at The Fenway Institute and the Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Gender Identity Program. “An unaccepting environment is not an appropriate reason to withhold a social transition, but it is critical that clinicians who are providing care for transgender and gender diverse youth undergoing a social transition understand the potential harm that can occur in an unsupportive school environment. Care plans must include guidance around the importance of seeking a school context that is accepting and validating of transgender and gender diverse youth.”

Social transition during adolescence (i.e., after the onset of puberty) is an appropriate, affirming, and ethical treatment option, as the majority of transgender adolescents maintain their gender identity into adulthood. Recommending social transition for prepubertal youth has been an area of controversy in pediatrics. Some clinicians claim that a child may no longer identify with a gender different from their sex assigned at birth after puberty, and the process of detransitioning could lead to social stress. Others note that preventing prepubertal children from socially transitioning may lead to shame about their gender identity as well as damaged relationships between the child and their parents and clinicians.

“We can no longer afford to ignore the growing evidence that higher rates of adverse mental health outcomes experienced by many transgender people are due to discrimination, stigma, and

ney to fatherhood that started when he was a girl, envying his brothers without knowing exactly why, giving readers a distant, poignant sense of something wanting. That feeling trails throughout Belc’s story, as we wait for what we know is coming and it’s worth it: after his account of pregnancy and the self-consciousness of being mother-not-mother, his decision to transition solidifies like a ship through fog.

Look at “The Natural Mother of the Child” first as a parenting book, because that’s exactly what it is: the story of learning enough about one’s self to be a good parent. As for the trans part Read the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com

unsupportive social environments,” said Jack Turban, MD, fellow in child and adolescent psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and lead author of the study. “Protecting transgender and gender diverse youth from unaccepting school environments is critical for good mental health.”

“Timing of Social Transition for Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth, K-12 Harassment, and Adult Mental Health Outcomes (https://bit.ly/3idoaGC),” is based on data from the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey (https://bit.ly/3fdaDwK) conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality (https://bit.ly/3yjEmvO), which surveyed over 27,000 transgender people in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. territories abroad, and U.S. military bases on a multitude of questions about their lives. The paper is the latest in a series of secondary analyses of the groundbreaking survey evaluating factors that affect the mental health outcomes of transgender and gender diverse people.

Prior papers include “Factors Leading to ‘Detransition’ Among Transgender and Gender Diverse People in the United States: A Mixed-Methods Analysis,” published in 2021 in LGBT Health, “Association Between GenderAffirming Surgeries and Mental Health Outcomes,” published in 2021 in JAMA Surgery, “Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of Suicidal Ideation,” published in 2020 in Pediatrics, and “Association Between Recalled Exposure to Gender Identity Conversion Efforts and Suicide Attempts,” published in 2019 in JAMA Psychiatry.

“Timing of Social Transition for Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth, K-12 Harassment, and Adult Mental Health Outcomes” is available online here (https://bit.ly/3BUPgu8).

Since 1971, Fenway Health has been working to make life healthier for the people in our neighborhoods, the LGBTQIA+ community, people living with HIV/AIDS and the broader population. The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health is an interdisciplinary center for research, training, education and policy development focusing on national and international health issues.

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