2 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com
July 4, 2019 - August 7, 2019
Waging war against immigrants: Inhumane treatment, abuse by Trump’s ICE By: Nicole Lashomb* TRT Editor-in-Chief
W
aging war against those most vulnerable and without a way to defend themselves is the most cowardly and despicable act one can do. But, that is exactly what the Trump administration and its minions have done repeatedly with countless marginalized groups. The immigrant community continues to be under relentless, pervasive and eminent attack. Trump loves to tout his faux successes and “strength” when all he has proven to be is a spineless, self-serving abuser that has weaseled his way into the most powerful position in the country in the worst reality show known to humankind where we all are a part of the cast. According to a NY Daily News report (https://is.gd/ycjeoe), “eight gay men and four transgender women are currently detained in the Otero County Processing Center, a private detention center operated by Management and Training Corporation (MTC) in Chaparral, N.M. They arrived in the U.S. to seek asylum, fleeing persecution and death threats in their own country.” Since their legitimate and legally permissible arrival, the migrants have complained of severe mistreatment—including “verbal and sexual harassment, solitary confinement, and inadequate medical care—according to a letter of complaint (https://is.gd/4BdUnM) signed by representatives of three human rights organizations.” Due to discrimination against the LGBTQ community, often leading to death in some parts of the world, the asylum seekers exercised their right to come to this country to preserve their lives and the lives of their families. “These are some of the most vulnerable people in the world; people who have fled the only place that they knew as their home because they couldn’t live there anymore and be safe,” said Kristin Greer Love, attorney, ACLU. That is not the only example of human rights violations taking place within the walls of detention centers, many of which have been called upon to shut down by human rights advocates and activists. Human Rights Violations According to the ACLU, the “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained and deported record numbers of people from the United States” utilizing “removal tactics” that void the right to a fair hearing in court, “as the government rushes to judgment and tries to ram people through a rubber-stamp system that ignores individual circumstances,” its website read. Although the ACLU is one of many organizations working to hold ICE accountable (https://is.gd/n2YxFL) for basic human rights violations, the violations are ongoing at rampant rates. “The Border Patrol and its parent agency, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), operate in a vast zone stretching 100 miles from any land or sea border,” read the
IF YOU ARE PRIVILEGED, THEN THAT IS ALL THE MORE REASON TO
FACE THE INJUSTICES HEAD ON. LEVERAGE THE PRIVILEGE YOU WERE GIVEN. ACLU site. “This includes entire states such as Florida and Maine as well as almost all of the country’s top metropolitan areas. CBP’s militarization of the border region has produced rampant abuses ranging from racial profiling to excessive force.” And, excessive is an understatement. NBC News reported (https://is.gd/ybeghW) “24 immigrants have died in ICE custody (https://is.gd/TfNRh2) during the Trump administration. At least four others, including Medina Leon, died shortly after being released from ICE custody. The tally does not include migrants, including five children, who have died in the custody of other federal agencies. As of early June, ICE was detaining more than 52,500 immigrants a day in a sprawling network of more than 200 detention centers across the country.” Everyday, I think of the next election cycle and look forward to when we will have the opportunity to vote Trump out of office. I have hope in a new administration to restore the human rights that have been stripped from us all, especially those most vulnerable. In the meantime, I urge all of us to be weary of being desensitized to the atrocities occurring in this nation against those who are not in power. In a recent report (https://is.gd/23eSL0) earlier this month by NBC news, members of Congress described the “indefensible” conditions immigrants were left in, in what many have described as concentration camps. One of those Congress members was Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and what she learned directly from the immigrants was repulsive. “After I forced myself into a cell w/women & began speaking to them, one of them described their treatment at the hands of officers as ‘psychological warfare’—waking them at odd hours for no reason, calling them wh*res, etc.,” she wrote (https://is.gd/uEml4i) on her Twitter account. “Tell me what about that is due to a “lack of funding?” In addition, multiple reports have found that migrants have been told to drink from
the toilets when there was no water available. They’ve also not been provided soap, toothpaste or personal hygiene products. Barely older than toddlers Another Congressman, Rep. Marc Veasey from Texas who visited the same detention center wrote on Twitter, “we found children barely older than toddlers in cells; families that had been separated from one another; holding centers that were little more than animal sheds, with chain-link fences and pad-locks used to lock up men, women, and children.” Yet, the reactions of social media users to stories like the one above, that should outrage all of us, received far fewer comments, likes, dislikes and engagement than stories that highlight positivity. I get it. We are all burnt out under this administration—or most of us likely feel that way. However, the heinous acts committed by the hands of our government at home and abroad is gut-wrenching and although it is not normalized by any means, some of us have started to tune it out. Part of that has to do with it all just being too much to process for some, and part of that is driven by ego-centrism. If it isn’t happening to us directly, then the impact is somehow lessened—but it shouldn’t be. Many feel powerless to combat such pervasive levels of oppression so the decision is to tune it out. Nonetheless, if we disengage and tune out the atrocities, we become complacent. Complacency then condones the actions. Also in attendance of the detention center tour was Rep. Joaquín Castro, D-Texas, who chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. “We came today and we saw that the system is still broken,” he said of the environment at the center as reported by NBC News. “These are the conditions that have been created by the Trump administration. These are the inhumane conditions that folks are facing.” Best behavior Imagine this. The tour was set up for members of Congress to get a first-hand glimpse into what has been occurring at these detention centers. The staff knew the nation’s leaders would be touring the facility, so they would have been on their best behavior. Can you imagine what the actual conditions are like when no one is watching? On July 2, I proudly took to the streets of Boston with hundreds of Jewish people and allies in “Never Again Para Nadie: Jews Against ICE Boston” to demand an end to ICE’s violence and inhumane practices right here in Massachusetts. According to the organizers Facebook page (https://is.gd/pSSz0x), this action was created to say “Never Again, Para Nadie” (for no one.) “We mean that no one, no person or group, should experience the trauma of family separation, the violence of detention, the pain and deadliness of degradation and dehumanization, or genocide,” the group’s Facebook page read. “We demand dignity and permanent protection for all immigrants/migrants and safe pathways for those seeking refuge from places plagued
by colonialism and violence.” The truth is if we rise together in collective action and collective voices, it is powerful, even unstoppable if enough of us band together. Yes, fighting and demanding justice for humankind may take a toll but isn’t it all taking a toll anyway? If you are privileged according to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or country of origin, then that is all the more reason to face the injustices head on. Leverage the privilege you were given. Like we chanted through the streets of Boston in peaceful protest of ICE’s inhumane practices, “What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now. If we don’t get it? Shut it down.” The time is long past due … #closethecamps. * Nicole Lashomb is Editor-in-Chief of The Rainbow Times & Co-ED of Project Out, Inc. She holds an MBA from Marylhurst University & a BM from the esteemed Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam. Nicole can be reached via her e-mail at: editor@therainbowtimesmass.com.
Multiple Award Winning
The Rainbow Times The Largest LGBTQ 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 Photographers Steve Jewett Christine M. Hurley Photographer Jenna Joyce
Reporters Mike Givens Jenna Spinelle Chris Gilmore Audrey Cole Ad & Layout Design Prizm PR Webmaster Jarred Johnson Columnists/Guest Lorelei Erisis Deja N. Greenlaw Paul P. Jesep Mike Givens Keegan O’Brien Affiliations QSyndicate
The Rainbow Times is published monthly by The Rainbow Times, LLC. TRT is affiliated with the, 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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July 4, 2019 - August 7, 2019
“Caring for Our Own”: LGBTQ adults sought to foster LGBTQ youth Panel and Q&A centering on what it takes to care for LGBTQ homeless youth, Fostering 101, and affirmation By: Audrey Cole TRT Reporter
IN THE LIMELIGHT
BOSTON—Alarming statistics and highly disproportionate numbers of LGBTQ youth in the foster care system has prompted one local businesswoman and foster parent to tackle the issue head on through an event and panel titled, Caring for Our Own: LGBTQ Adults Supporting LGBTQ Foster Youth. “There is a scarcity of foster homes who accept youth in general,” said event creator Kristen Porter of Kristen Porter Presents and Haus of Porter. “LGBTQ youth are overrepresented in the child welfare system due to family rejection and are at a higher risk for discrimination once in the system. Efforts are made to educate foster parents of all identities about LGBTQ issues, but that doesn't address the fact that there are not enough homes willing to take youth.” Porter, also an HIV/AIDS activist and philanthropist, explained the importance of LGBTQ adults becoming a part of the solution. “I titled the event ‘Caring for Our Own’ because we know how to do this well; we cared for our own during the AIDS epi-
demic when no one else would,” she said. “One aspect of our resilience was creating families of choice as a response to familial rejection experienced by people with HIV/AIDS. Who better to care for our own and create families of choice for LGBTQ youth than LGBTQ adults?” Critical need to help LGBTQ youth According to Corey Prachniak-Rincón, Director of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, there are two critical reasons to address the specific needs of LGBTQ youth in foster care. “First, it’s likely that LGBTQ youth are more likely to be involved in the foster care system due to facing rejection from their family of origin,” they said. “And second, once they’re in the foster care system, they’re more likely to have projects and face rejection again at their foster care placement. So these youth, who have already faced trauma, stigma and instability, are just re-victimized as they get pushed from one home to another. It’s really devastating and it’s completely preventable with training and resources.” The event panel, which is comprised of a number of Foster Care experts such as individuals from the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) the Massachusetts Department of Children and Fam-
ilies (DCF), LGBTQ youth experts and LGBTQ youth currently in the system, will offer invaluable insight to attendees considering fostering an LGBTQ youth. “My role on the panel is to share my experience as a foster parent and hopefully inspire more LGBTQ adults to consider fostering or adopting LGBTQ youth,” Porter added. “When people find out that
we foster LGBTQ youth, the response is often some form of ‘I wish I could do something like that.’ There are misconceptions that in order to be a foster or an adoptive parent you need to be partnered, or own a home, or be able to stay at home, or that it is expensive, or that it has to be long
See LGBTQ Youth On Page 23
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July 4, 2019 - August 7, 2019
Bringing queer anime to English-speaking audiences and the big screen Japanese animation is filled with LGBTQ+ themes, characters; embraces non-binary identity, asexuality By: Audrey Cole TRT Reporter
HOUSTON—Japanese animation, commonly referred to as anime, has a long history of being inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community, though the broader Englishspeaking world has largely been unaware of it, according to a professional of the industry. “I’ve been in this field for many years, and I have always been surprised at the amount of LGBTQ+ characters and storylines scattered throughout the medium,” said David Wald, ADR Director, scriptwriter, and voice actor. “I believe there is an enormous audience in desperate need of the chance to hear a song of themselves in their entertainment, just like I did as a gay kid growing up …” Normalizing queer Anime featuring LGBTQ+ characters focuses on the storyline, and not exclusively on the LGBTQ+ status of the individuals, unlike many entertainment media in the West. Wald notes that it helps to dispel myths surrounding the LGBTQ+ community and “normalizes” various identities. “For many years, anime has included an array of queer stories and representation,” Wald explained to The Rainbow Times. “Often, there’s an LGBTQ+ character fea-
tured in a main or supporting role of a title not otherwise centrally concerned with the queer experience. What’s miraculous about this manifestation of LGBTQ+ representation in anime is that, more often than not, and quite unlike most western media, such a character’s LGBTQ+ status is not their primary or singular contribution to the narrative.” Although there has been a niche market for dubbed anime in the U.S. for decades, according to Wald, some popular titles are now tracking with major streaming net-
works such as The Cartoon Network, Netflix, and Amazon. “In the vast ocean of anime coming from Japan, there are many queer stories and characters to be found,” Wald said. “I’ve long felt that it behooves my industry to find and feature these stories, to adapt them into English, and to market them directly to the wildly underserved and often poorlyrepresented LGBTQ+ community of the English-speaking world. Dragon Ball, Naruto, Attack On Titan, and My Hero Academia and films such as Your Name, Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke, [show that] English-dubbed anime has become a rapidly growing presence in American entertainment …” Anime, characterized by common stylistic features such as the use of bright colors, characters with unusually large, emotive eyes, and often themes associated with speculative fiction, is similar to many genres depicted in the entertainment industry and appeals to all ages. “… Anime narratives cover vastly greater territory than just titles intended for young audiences,” Wald said. “It’s a medium unto itself, which includes every conceivable genre: horror, sci-fi, fantasy, drama, romance, comedy, adult material, etc. There’s something in anime to appeal to virtually any discerning viewer, regardless of their age or interests.” Highlights sexual orientation, gender identity Referring specifically to the LGBTQ+ community, Wald explained that subgenres of the medium pull sexual orientation and gender identify clearly into focus. “There are countless anime titles which center on queer stories,” he said. “The sub genres Yaoi and Shounen Ai feature stories about relationships between males. This includes titles like Love Stage!!, Hitorijime My Hero, Junjou Romantica, Yuri On Ice, and many others. The sub-genres Yuri and Shoujo Ai are hinged on romances between females. Titles like Bloom Into You, Sakura Trick, Citrus, and Kase San and Morning Glories are examples of these sub genres.” Although transgender identity is under-
represented in the current English adaptations of anime, Wald is working to change that. “There’s an anime title, released some years ago, called Wandering Son, which features two trans school-age children who develop a deep friendship,” he said. “This title deals with trans issues in a way more authentic than most other anime. And, it’s rather breathtaking. So far, Wandering Son has not been adapted into English. That’s something I’d personally like to see rectified.” Yet, affirming non-binary identity is a concept that Japan appears to be eons ahead of when compared to the U.S, according to Wald. “Japan seems to have fewer hang ups regarding gender fluidity in its storytelling than we do in the West,” Wald explained. “It’s quite common to see characters in anime dressing as the opposite sex … culturally, a man in Japan demonstrating feminine elements or a woman demonstrating masculine qualities is not ostracized like it is in the West. In fact, it’s often celebrated.” LGBTQ+ Youth struggles Not only does English-adapted anime offer promising entertainment and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ identity in an unsuspecting medium, Wald said, it can also be used to help LGBTQ+ youth who are on the edge to find solace in their identity. “Queer Youth in the U. S. are deep in crisis,” he added. “Young people in the midst of coming to terms with themselves as queer people are still today kicked out of their homes or subjected to so-called conversion therapy [in many areas]. They attempt suicide at a rate 30 percent higher than non-LGBTQ+ kids. They are ostracized and demonized in society at large.” Through anime, Wald claims, it can ease a sense of “otherness” experienced by LGBTQ+ youth. “I think that what today’s queer youth is really suffering from is a crippling sense of alienation, just as I was in those years,” he said. “The cure for alienation is commune, and I believe that by finding and featuring
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July 4, 2019 - August 7, 2019
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PHOTO: MAZZONI CENTER
July 4, 2019 - August 7, 2019
Mazzoni Center announces 2019 Phila. Trans Wellness Conference sponsors *
PHILADELPHIA—Mazzoni Center wishes to thank the sponsors of its 2019 Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference (PTWC), taking place July 25-27, 2019 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia. This year’s sponsors include: • Presenting Sponsor, Jefferson Health • ProTrack Mixer Sponsor, Comcast • Regional Media sponsor, The Rainbow Times (TRT); • National Media sponsor, POZ Magazine POZ.com; • Returning Local Media sponsor, Philadelphia Gay News (PGN); • Silver sponsors, Gilead, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, who has been a sponsor of the conference for more than ten years, and Crane Center for Transgender Surgery; • Bronze sponsors, Boston Children’s Hospital, Philly AIDS Thrift, and Philadelphia Foundation; • Copper Sponsors, Human Rights Campaign and LabCorp; • Nickel sponsors, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Somerset’s PROUD Family Health, Philadelphia FIGHT, Whitman-Walker Health, Amida Care, Devereaux Advanced Behavioral Health, gettacar, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, and Philadelphia Federal Credit Union. Fenway Health, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Einstein PRIDE Team (Einstein Healthcare
Network), Mainline Health, FACIALTEAM, Penn Medicine ,Take Shape Plastic Surgery, P.A., Gender Confirmation Center of San Francisco, Little Hikes Co., GenderCat.com, LLC and the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services, Drexel University Online; and, • Legacy sponsors, Planned Parenthood Southeastern PA, Smith College School for Social Work, and Independent Business Alliance. “Mazzoni Center deeply appreciates the support of these organizations,” said Alecia Manley, Mazzoni Center Interim COO and member of the Interim Leadership Team, “Their support has helped to ensure the conference can continue to provide information and valuable resources, free of charge, to the community.” About the Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference The Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference, a program of Mazzoni Center, was created to educate and empower trans, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals on issues of health and wellbeing, and educate and inform allies and health service providers, and to facilitate networking and community building. [*From a news release].
8 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com
July 4, 2019 - August 7, 2019
LBT/Gay-Tripping through Southeastern Pennsylvania & the PTWC By: Andrew Collins*/TRT Travel Writer
A
nchored by urbane and culturally rich Philadelphia, and home to the charming river hamlet of New Hope, southeastern Pennsylvania has long been popular with LGBTQ travelers. In more recent years, however, this region characterized by lush river valleys, pastoral farmland, and several smaller diverse cities and college towns has developed increasing queer resonance in less expected places. With former industrial sites that have been transformed into museums and cultural spaces and one of the state's largest LGBTQ populations, the Lehigh Valley is currently undergoing an impressive renaissance, while the capital city of Harrisburg has a steadily evolving art and food scene along with several noteworthy points of interest. And in the traditional heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, the increasingly hip and energetic city of Lancaster hums with cafes, cocktail bars, art galleries, and indie-spirited shops. Whether you have just a weekend or several days to explore this part of the Keystone State, consider these noteworthy neighborhoods, attractions, events, and places to stay. Philadelphia One of the most progressive and LGBTQ-welcoming cities in America,
Philadelphia (visitphilly.com) is also a vibrant hub of art and history. You can explore seminal Revolutionary Era sites in Old City, especially in and around Independence National Historical Park. Philadelphia's compact and central Gayborhood contains a slew of buzzy LGBTQ nightspots and excellent restaurants. Several of the latter are owned by chef and restaurant partners (in business and in life) Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney, including retro-American Bud & Marilyn's and the Spanish wine bar and tapas spot, Jamonera. Art lovers shouldn't miss the Barnes Foundation, an internationally acclaimed, and rather idiosyncratic, art collection set in a stunning contemporary space. Especially well-represented are Impressionist and Modernist artists, including Renoir, Cezanne, and Matisse, and Lancaster's Charles Demuth. Nearby, check out the renowned Rodin Museum, which contains the largest collection of the eponymous artist’s sculptures outside Paris, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, set in a dramatic Greek Revival building. Head a bit east and north of the City Center to find Northern Liberties and Fishtown, two hot neighborhoods for craft beer and cocktails, third wave coffeehouses, and distinctive dining. Notable upcoming events town include the Philadelphia Trans Wellness Confer-
Philadelphia downtown skyline
ence (July 25–27, mazzonicenter.org/transwellness, which this publication is a sponsor of, see page 7), which is the largest free trans-focused conference in the world; and Philadelphia OutFest (Oct. 13, phillygaypride.org), a hugely attended annual gathering in honor of National Coming Out Day. Stay: The 230 rooms at the dapper, art deco Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadel-
PHOTO: ANDREW COLLINS
phia (hotelpalomar-philadelphia.com) contain bold color schemes, luxurious bedding, and—in many cases—sweeping city views. Steps from gay bars and occupying an attractive 1901 redbrick building, the Alexander Inn (alexanderinn.com) offers 48 economical rooms with free Wi-Fi, plus a 24-hour fitness room and complimentary
See Pennsylvania on Page 10
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Queer Puzzle: How many presidents were queer?
PHOTO: ANDREW COLLINS
Pennsylvania from page 8 Continental breakfast. Lancaster Walkable and attractive—with dozens of appealing retailers and restaurants—the city center of Lancaster (discoverlancaster.com) is the perfect setting for an afternoon of browsing art, shopping for local goods, and sipping and snacking. Be sure to stop by the hulking Lancaster Central Market, where vendors have sold delicious local jams, produce, meats, and other treats since 1730. Along downtown's main drag, Prince Street, you'll find several notable art spaces along Gallery Row, and you can also tour the Demuth Museum, formerly the home of the early-20th-century gay painter, Charles Demuth. In the evening, most restaurants and bars here cultivate something of a queer following, starting with the venerable gay neighborhood lounge, Tally-Ho Tavern, but also including a number of trendy eating and drinking spots, such as Cabalar Meat Co. butcher and restaurant, the Pressroom bistro, Passenger Coffee Roasting, and Pour Craft Food & Drinks. Downtown also abounds with theaters and performance venues, craft brewers and cocktail lounges, and quirky boutiques. Stay: Get a feel for the city's creative spirit with a stay at the decidedly hip Lancaster Arts Hotel (lancasterartshotel.com), whose 63 rooms are filled with eclectic artwork. In a 1910s Dutch Colonial house on the east side of town, the gay-owned Lancaster B&B (thelancasterbnb.com) has eight charming rooms and features a superb gourmet breakfast each morning. Harrisburg The state's political center, Harrisburg (visithersheyharrisburg.org) is—in addition to having a scenic Susquehanna River setting—famous for its Pennsylvania State
Capitol, an astonishingly ornate building that you can explore on a free guided tour. The annual Pride Festival of Central PA (July 27, centralpapridefestival.com) takes place on the Capitol Grounds, and there are also three gay bars downtown: Brownstone Lounge, 704 Lounge, and Stallions Club. Just north of downtown, you'll see quite a few rainbow flags flying in lively Midtown, which supports a growing number of cool bars and restaurants—try the Millworks, Midtown Scholar Bookstore & Cafe, and Sturges Speakeasy—plus the nation's oldest continuously operated farmers market. The neighborhood is also home to the excellent Susquehanna Art Museum, which occupies a handsomely adapted former bank building and presents thoughtful rotating exhibits, including the juried LGBTQ show Inspired, through August 18. Home additionally to the exceptional National Civil War Museum and the State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg is also the gateway for visiting Hershey, with its chocolate-related attractions, family fun, and popular resort and spa. Stay: The centrally located Hilton Harrisburg (bit.ly/2QheiLg) rises 15 stories above the city center, is a short walk from the river and the Capitol, and has plenty of welcoming amenities, including an indoor pool, fitness center, and two excellent restaurants. A stately mansion overlooking the Susquehanna River, the Manor on Front B&B (themanoronfront.com) is the most romantic lodging in the city—the six suites have a mix of fine antiques and modern conveniences. New Hope For decades, quaint New Hope (visitnewhope.com) and bucolic surrounding Bucks County (visitbuckscounty.com) have appealed to artists, writers, actors, and LGBTQ vacationers from New York City and Philadelphia. *Read the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com
Across 1 Anne Hathaway's "enchanted" role 5 Like a muscle Mary's waist 9 Look around at a gay bar 13 Disneyland street 14 Chaplin widow 15 Langston Hughes or James Merrill 16 Start of Pete Buttigieg's answer to "Which presidents were gay?" 19 Fireplace remains 20 Brody of The Pianist 21 T, to Socrates 22 It tops many roads 24 Neighbor of Leb. 26 More of the answer 32 Stick it in milk 33 Comic strip dog 34 Wilde country 36 Country dance spot 37 More of the answer 38 The African Queen author 39 "___ De-Lovely" 40 Shapely backside, e.g.? 42 Shakespearean prince 43 It's human 45 Designing Women actress Annie 47 Pearl Harbor attack, e.g. 52 End of the answer 56 Part of Hawaii 57 Take off your clothes 58 The way you come 60 BB's, e.g. 61 Steamed up 62 ___ Upon a Mattress 63 Peters out 64 Cameron and Mitchell, to
Lily 65 Sally Ride's org.
Down 1 Thompson of Angels in America 2 Potato chip brand 3 Dorothy Parker specialty 4 Alicia of Falcon Crest 5 Sondheim's Sweeney 6 The Lion King sound 7 Icon letters 8 Margaret Mead ___ Me Gay 9 Unlock, in verse 10 Angry words before "to hell" 11 She played Glinda in The Wiz 12 Caesar's last question 17 It's a long story 18 Like a top 23 Long, long time 25 Old Queens location 26 Muse for Millay 27 Blows away 28 Lines from Lesbos 29 Rub the wrong way 30 Salmon that has spawned 31 Trick alternative 32 End note 35 Some have electric organs 40 Rainbow shape 41 Sauna bath sites 44 10-to-1, and others 46 Setting for TV's Portlandia 48 Not for some who like it hot 49 Barber's Antony and
Cleopatra, e.g. 50 Out 51 Joins with a torch 52 Shakespeare's foot 53 Unfeeling 54 Peter Pan pooch 55 Personal quirks 56 Rita's second name 59 Prefix with room
Have a
Happy & Safe Summer 2019! SOLUTION
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July 4, 2019 - August 7, 2019
Katya Zamolodchikova: RuPaul’s Drag Race star returns to Beantown PHOTO: AMILE TURNER
By: Audrey Cole/TRT Reporter
BOSTON—For the first time, RuPaul’s Drag Race star and Boston native Katya Zamolodchikova is heading back to Beantown this month to perform her hilarious drag show as part of her U.S. and Canadian tour. Well-known for her incredibly amusing drag personas and characters, starring in UNHhhh with Trixie Mattel (https://is.gd/rYrHOH), and making appearances in productions like Hurricane Bianca, Katya’s show Help Me I’m Dying, lends itself to be a “dragtastic” performance in the city. Help Me I’m Dying is a multi-media, multi-character, multi-faceted live stage show, according to Five Senses Reeling (https://is.gd/463SR8), the event production and marketing company representing Katya and specializing in LGBTQ and allied artists. This show brings “a fusion of stand-up comedy, story-telling, video, and live dancerly-ish action and music that talks about what it means to be a woman, from the perspective of a person that dresses up like one,” its website read to describe Katya’s show. The Rainbow Times recently caught up with Katya to chat about her return to Boston, her upcoming show, the world of drag, and what she has learned about womanhood from her drag personas. TRT: How did you get into drag & comedy? Were you always a performer? KZ: I started “performing” in my parent’s living room at age 3, putting on little variety shows. I would use a T-shirt as a wig or cut bangs into a cheerleader’s Pom Pom. Very chic. Q: Where are you based now and what do you look forward to about coming back to Boston as such a drag icon? A: I live in LA now, and I’m so excited to come back to Boston and rub my success in the ugly faces of all the jerks who said I’d never make it. Just kidding—nearly every single person I knew back home was super supportive and happy for me. Q: You won Miss Congeniality on RuPaul’s Drag Race and were an All-Star finalist. Some in the industry have described the drag world as “cut throat.” Is it? If so, what is at your core that allows you to earn you a title like Miss Congeniality? A: Cut-throat is a strong image. It certainly can be competitive, especially now that everyone and their roommate is doing drag. Before and after Drag Race, I was friendly with everyone, and I’m not competitive, which comes in handy for a high-stakes competition. I don’t actually know how to fight, at least verbally. Physically, I could fight because I took karate for a while, but I’m no good with shady back and forth or dramatic one-liners or even just angrily yelling at someone. I find people who yell and scream to be fascinating. And they are certainly very entertaining—at least on television. Q: Do you mix politics, drag and com-
is expensive to be a woman, especially a glamorous one. And men, most men, are just rotten. And then, you’ve got menstruation—how awful. I wouldn’t last a month. Pregnancy? Forget it! Also, just on a general note: high-heeled shoes are the fruits of the Devil. They are never comfortable, ever. If a woman says that a pair of heels is comfortable all she means is that she can walk in them for 15 minutes without feeling like she stepped into a food processor or [worse]. Q: Describe your upcoming show in 3 words. A: Turgid, tumescent and titillating. Q: What is something that readers would be surprised to learn about you? A: That despite me never having gambled and my total lack of interest in all team sports, I still managed to make $10,000 with my fantasy football team last year.
Katya
edy? If so, what is your take on the current state of the country? A: If I don’t have a sophisticated point of view about a certain political issue, then I tend not to share it, and I generally don’t try and pander or preach to the choir because that’s not very interesting. RuPaul has said that every time she bats her false eyelashes, it’s a political act. Same goes for me, when I open my legs. Q: Your upcoming performance at the Wilbur in Help Me, I’m Dying is a multicharacter show. Can you give us a glimpse into your favorite character? A: I do the Russian character, Trish the Beantown junkie, and then just me in drag. I always love doing Trish because she’s so foolishly optimistic in the face of real hardship. Q: What do you hope for the future of drag? And, where do you see yourself over the next 5 years? A: For the future of drag? Hmmmm. I would like to see Courtney Act in a position of political prominence, maybe a senator. Five years from now, I would like to own a home [and] learn how to cook. I’m not really interested in eating or cooking food so I’m looking to change that. Q: What lessons about “womanhood” has drag taught you? Has it broadened your views on “being a woman” that you may not have otherwise realized because of it? A: Being a woman is too much work. You have to deal with the pressure of looking good or the guilt of not trying, and the pain, aggravation and most of all—the money. It
Katya will be performing at the Wilbur Theatre located at 246 Tremont St, Boston, Mass. on July 18 and 19. She will also be taking center stage in Hartford, Conn. on July 23 at the Belding Theater, located at 166 Capitol Ave. Shows are for all ages but carry a content warning/parental advisory. For complete show information and details on her U.S. and Canada tour, visit Katyalive.com.
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DEEP INSIDE HOLLYWOOD
By: Romeo San Vicente*/Special to TRT
Jill Soloway teams up with Red Sonja You can probably thank Wonder Woman for the renewed interest in rebooting Red Sonja, the 1985 Brigitte Nielsen/Arnold Schwarzenegger action flop-turnedcult-film. And now that Bryan Singer’s involvement in the project has been terminated (or is that cancelled?) it was the perfect opportunity for Millennium Films to cast a vote of confidence in a female writer-director. This is, of course, what happened when they chose Transparent creator Jill Soloway as the person to run the show. There’s no doubt there will be an aura of queer energy coming off of this production, so suddenly we’re interested in yet another superhero movie. Casting will ramp up to find a woman to play Red Sonja—the comic book heroine of the 1970s whose stories have continued to this day—and though we have no idea who it should be, we will be on Twitter loudly complaining about any choice that isn’t Beyonce or Gaga. That’s how it works now.
The Prom dances over to Netflix The Prom, the adorable queer teen Broadway show that makes audiences cheer and cry, is coming to Netflix. It’s about time, really: streaming theater makes a lot of sense for audiences who’ll never get a chance to visit New York or be able to afford the steep ticket price of most shows, and for those who can it’s a great lure to see it in person. The real reason this is happening, though, is because the Tonynominated musical didn’t win any, and without those to boost post-award-show box office, musicals tend to close unless they’re, you know, Beetlejuice. Therefore, on the show’s final night, August 11, anyone with a Netflix account will get to see it before it begins its inevitable tour or medium-sized cities. Now, in case you’re unaware, The Prom is about two high school girls in a small town who want to go to prom together as a couple, and their battle against bigotry involves a lot of singing and dancing. And now every small town Broadway diva will get a chance to enjoy it, too. Spinning Gold from the Casablanca story Freddie Mercury, Elton John, and… Neil Bogart? Sure, he might not be a household name, but he was a hitmaker on an epic scale in the 1970s, that’s because Bogart ran Casablanca Records, where the roster of talent included Donna Summer, KISS,
PHOTO: KATHCLICK
Jill Soloway teams up with ‘Red Sonja’
Jill Solloway
Parliament, Village People, The Isley Brothers and Gladys Knight, among many, many others. And like Elton and Freddie, the late mogul is getting a movie. Production begins July 16 in Canada on Spinning Gold, a film written and directed by Timothy Scott Bogart, son of the disco-boss who died in 1982 of cancer at the too-young age of 39. Bogart says the film won’t pull any punches on 70s excess, and there’s already an impressive cast assembled: Samuel L. Jackson as George Clinton, Kenan Thompson as Motown’s Berry Gordy, Jason Isaacs, Jason Derulo, Jay Pharoah, D.L. Hughley, singer Jazmine Sullivan, Neil Patrick Harris, Michelle Monaghan and Jeremy Jordan as Neil Bogart. At the moment, though, Donna Summer has yet to be cast. Now, some advice for the production, from very queer authorities on the matter: do not let anyone else sing for Summer, because no one can touch that greatness. Let them lip sync for their life. Dee Rees: From Mudbound to a musical Dee Rees’ next project will be The Kyd’s Exquisite Follies, a musical based on her own original script. It’s kind of the perfect move, since her last feature, 2017’s Mudbound, earned four Academy Award nominations, and her earlier HBO biopic Bessie got her a couple of Emmy nominations. Why not be bold and go for it with a musical after all that? With music by Santigold, Kyd’s concerns a young musician from a little town called Same Ol’ Same Ol’ who leaves in search of stardom in a sparkling Read the rest of this story at: The Rainbow TimesMass.com
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Sometimes a little civility may go a long way, or not By: Deja Nicole Greenlaw*/TRT Columnist
T
TRANS OPINION
his past June, I was chatting with someone at one of the local prides and something she said struck me. This person told me of a story where she said something in reference to trans people and a trans person took issue with her, became mad and began yelling at her. She said that she was looking for information and a discussion, but this trans person was treating her like a punching bag. She did not appreciate that response. She is a heterosexual cisgender person who has a trans daughter. She is supportive of her daughter and she was looking for information and a dialogue. What she received, instead, was an uncivil response. My heart went out to her and I told her that I was sorry that this happened to her. I also said that sometimes trans people can get frustrated and angry, when they correct somebody. I was especially sorry that this person was the very supportive mother of a trans daughter. Now, I realize that it's tough being a trans
person at times and that sometimes our patience may grow thin, but if someone is asking a question about being a trans person or wants a discussion about transgender issues, it probably is better to try to control your emotions and try to converse in a civil manner. In that way, the emotions won’t escalate and, hopefully, the needed information will be shared and received. The way I look at it, imagine that you are back in school and you asked your teacher a question. If your teacher answers your question in a civil manner you may learn something new from your teacher’s response. Now, if your teacher raises their voice at you and treats you like a punching bag for even asking that question then you will probably feel awful and perhaps even angry that you are being mistreated. You probably won’t learn much either due to the interaction. As I said earlier, I know that it can be very frustrating at times being a trans person but I believe that if we, as trans people, can try to keep our emotions in check, it could be better all around for everyone involved. When I am in one of those teachable moments, I try to check my emotions, be kind, and answer any question that cisgender people have about trans people. To me, there are no dumb questions. I’ll start with the basics and go back to Trans 101,
Solo exhibit of “Beyond the Binary – A Queer Look Into Gender” at Lincoln Arts Projects WALTHAM, Mass.—Local queer photographer’s solo show, Beyond the Binary, will debut on July 19. Beyond the Binary, is Alex Mancini’s long-term and ongoing photo and interview series that centers on non-binary, genderqueer, and trans-identified individuals across the U.S. This is the photographer’s 2nd solo show of the project, which she has been working on since 2016. “Gender diversity is painfully absent from not only the mainstream media but from our societal conscience,” Mancini said (https://is.gd/oiaUyZ) to this publication in June, 2019. The project captures authentic portraits of people in their own chosen spaces that are both representative of them and that tell a story. These images are paired with indepth interviews, conducted also by Mancini, that focus on who each person is and their unique experiences, in stark contrast to the traditional trans narratives that have been offered by mainstream media. The project has included over 60 people so far. Nineteen portraits will be on display at the Lincoln Arts Project, along with text from those interviews. In 2018, Mancini received a Project Grant from Mass Humanities to fund the first solo exhibition of Beyond the Binary at Fitchburg State University. She is working to secure more funding to continue expanding the project to encompass the entire country. Her aim is to continue showing the project as a traveling exhibition to serve as both a resource and an educational tool.
The entire series with the full interviews can be found on her website. Mancini is a multidisciplinary artist who worked for several years as the lead photographer for Boston-based and New England’s largest LGBTQ newspaper The Rainbow Times (TRT). She had her work exhibited at the Photographic Resource Center in Boston and at various smaller galleries in both Boston and New York. Her work examines gender, expression, and meaning in the context of how we experience our own identities and how others perceive us. Her photographs tend to focus on representation of the many aspects that make up an individual. “My main goals for this project have always been to provide a platform for others to share their stories, and to hopefully help move that needle in my own small way toward more public acknowledgment, understanding, and acceptance,” said Mancini to TRT in June, 2019. The show will be on display from July 19 - Aug. 22 and the gallery hours are M-F 117, and Sat-Sun 10-3. There will also be a participant talk on August 9th that will include a panel discussion with folks who were interviewed for the project, as well as Mancini herself. The show will be featured at Lincoln Arts Project in Waltham. The opening reception will be that night from 6-9 p.m. More information about Mancini’s work and this project can be found at https://is.gd/oiaUyZ.
if I need to, in order to answer the question. I will also answer any follow up questions they might have and hopefully the knowledge will pass down to the inquiring soul. On the other hand, if the other person begins to get emotional and ready to challenge me, I just state my main thoughts that I think they should hear and then I will walk away from them. I try not to lash out at them because they lashed out at me. I think of Gandhi or Jesus Christ. How would they act? What would they say? What would they do? It can be very hard for cis folks to wrap their heads around gender, especially if someone appears to be presenting as one gender but identifies as another gender. Mistakes may easily be made. Some trans people will tell you their gender and want you to use the correct pronouns and some trans people don’t identify with any gender and don’t want you to use any pronouns at all. Some may tell you not to use any gender identifiers such as boy, girl, man, woman, etc. even if it comes to gender adjectives in footwear such as cowboy boots, just use boots with no gender adjectives. No, one size does not fit all when it comes to pronouns and identifiers. It can get tricky. Sometimes someone may keep using the wrong name, pronoun, or gender identifier even after you already correct them. Yes, it can be very frustrating, but most often the person just made a mistake and meant no harm. I will correct them again and I will
try to give these folks another chance as long as it was an honest mistake. On the other hand, if they get testy with me I will again, just walk away. It's awful to be misgendered, I know. I've been misgendered hundreds of times and yes, it hurts me. But, if I realize someone is trying hard, then I will give them another opportunity and I will try to be as civil as I can about it. It’s my opinion that being civil towards others can help turn things around as we try to educated cis people. It can be confusing for them and hard for them but if we are patient and try to teach them with love, not anger, I think that is the better way. *Deja Nicole Greenlaw is retired from 3M and has 3 children and two grandchildren. She can be contacted at dejavudeja@sbcglobal.net. NOTE: The views expressed in this column do not necessarily align with how other transgender individuals may deal with the act of being misgendered or with what professionals say to do to combat misgendering. According to the APA (American Psychological Association), misgendering may lead to feelings of stigmatization and it’s also associated with psychological distress leading to depression and increased anxiety, in the best case scenario. Not affirming trans identity leads to increased risk of suicide and isolation. For more information, visit apa.org.
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PHOTO: SHARON CHEN / UNSPLASH
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5 reasons why sitting at the Bar is the best way to dine & meet others By: Mikey Rox* Special to TRT
THE FRIVOLIST
Booths may be the most popular seating option at restaurants, but dining at the bar has more benefits than you may realize. Here are five.
1. You’ll receive faster service Wait staff that serve the main dining floor have several to many tables each, and it’s sometimes difficult to receive the attention you need when their hands are literally full throughout your experience at that restaurant. That’s not to say that the bar doesn’t get busy too—it does—but at least there you have a dedicated bartender or more who is constantly scanning the length to see who needs what. Lock eyes or raise a finger and you’re good to go. The bar also is a better option if you’re in a hurry. You usually receive your food and drinks much faster compared to sitting at a full-service table or booth, which can be helpful if you need to dine and dash—after you’ve paid for everything (plus tip!), of course.
limited-time food and drinks specials. Even outside of happy hour, bar-only menus typically features lesser-priced items than the regular menu. Making a meal out of a couple of those dishes will save you cash over buying a full-fledged entrée. 4. You can be more affectionate and romantic My boyfriend and I almost exclusively sit at the bar when we dine out, save for a couple special occasions a year where we like to switch it up and be a bit more traditional at a cozy table. What we both love about bar seating is that we can be closer than if we were seated opposite another. We like to canoodle, put our arms around each other’s shoulders, and rest our hands on each other’s thighs. The seemingly inconsequential decision on where to sit when we dine out helps us maintain a certain closeness—figuratively and literally— which is very important to our relationship. Spending an hour or two at the bar is a simple way to accomplish that.
2. Eye candy is up close and personal I can’t confirm that bartenders are hired based on their appearance related to the type of clients the establishment serves, but when have you ever been to a gay or gayfriendly bar or restaurant where the hired guns didn’t have a pair of their own to gawk at? Thus, if you enjoy a little eye candy—proverbially speaking—while satisfying your nutritional cravings, belly up.
5. You’ll meet new people and make new friends My boyfriend was a server at a restaurant when I met him while dining at the bar with a couple of buddies, so, yeah, I’m a bit biased on its benefits, but you can’t deny that in a restaurant setting the bar is where social people make connections. I’ve met friends, business contacts, one-night stands and long-term lovers while noshing on half-price apps and dollar-off drafts at the bar, connections I would have denied myself dining in another location.
3. Food and drinks are often cheaper I practice what I preach in my other life as a personal finance expert, and I’m always looking for deals and discounts when I dine out. The best way to score those savings is usually at happy hour, which requires bar seating to qualify for
*Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He spends his time writing from the beach with his dog Jaxon. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @mikeyrox.
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Laura Linney talks ‘Tales of the City’ and her return to Barbary Lane ‘Tales of the City’ vet talks returning to Barbary Lane, being a ‘mini’ gay icon & moving beyond the straight, white girl By: Chris Azzopardi* Special to TRT
D
riving into San Francisco, Laura Linney’s Mary Ann Singleton is flush with nostalgia, her lips gently bending into a soft, soothed smile. Home is here and she is home. It is present-day when Mary Ann arrives at 28 Barbary Lane like she did the first time, in 1976; she is still fresh-faced and naive. And lost again, in need of a reset. In tow: flashes of warm memories as brilliant and vivid as the strung-up lights aglow in the courtyard within Anna Mad-rigal’s fantasyland domain. When openly gay author Armistead Maupin’s beloved Tales of the City novels were originally adapted into a series that aired on PBS in 1994, these mystic grounds opened their doors to a community of LGBTQ pariahs who hadn’t found their people yet—or themselves. For them, 28 Barbary Lane was home too. When Mary Ann returns, Mrs. Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis) is still holding court at the same ad-dress, where she, a free-spirited trans woman, continues to guide all walks of LGBTQ life with the same warmth and wisdom of a mama bear protecting her cubs. Linney, who reprises her role and also executive produced the show alongside Maupin, hopes the Netflix revival—the fourth TV adaptation of the book series—will act as it did when she first starred in the miniseries over two decades ago: as a safe haven for self-expression and free-love, no matter the queeraverse outside world. The 55-year-old Emmy winner, traverser of TV (Ozark, The Big C), film (The Truman Show, Love Actually, The Laramie Project) and theater (The Little Foxes), says, “We really hope this series will reach people who are lonely and disoriented.” Q: When did you first become aware that, with Tales, you were part of something that was so deeply affecting to members of the LGBTQ community? A: Well, I’m glad I didn’t know when the project first came to me. I’m really glad I didn’t under-stand how broad the reach and how deep the reach was of Armistead’s work. I’m sure it would’ve completely intimidated me—and I’m sure I wouldn’t have handled it terribly well—so I’m glad that I was somewhat ignorant when I first started to make the series. But it became very clear to me shortly after we finished just how loved these stories are, and the more I got to under-stand and know Armistead, the more I understood that phenomenon. He’s truly a great man. Q: How did you know that the show had this weight? A: I just noticed that everyone was very happy to see me all of a sudden! (Laughs) Honestly, I would walk down the street and people would just be very happy and it was really wonderful. It’s been a real joy. Q:Tales of the City has made you a bit of
Laura Linney in Netflix’s Barbary Lane
a gay icon, hasn’t it? A: I wouldn’t say full-blown icon. Like, mini. I’m sort of like a mini icon. Q: A half Cher? A: A quarter Cher, maybe. Not even. A fifth Cher. Cher is a big deal! But it’s something I’m so proud of, and it’s really just a tremendous gift. Q: Knowing that your Tales role has contributed to helping a community feel loved and accepted, I wonder about the difference in doing a project like this versus, say, The Truman Show.
PHOTO: NETFLIX
A: You certainly hope that that’s the impact of anything you do, that if you get to the truth of some-thing it will impact someone on a deep level. But with this, it was also for and about a communi-ty which already meant so much to me. And the fact that I could, at the time, help advocate for my friends and for the people who I loved and love was a wonderful thing to be able to do. Fortunately now, it’s not necessary to have the straight, white girl anymore.
are played by LGBTQ actors. When Tales originally aired, casting openly LGBTQ actors was not a reality. A: No, it was not.
Q: Your daughter in the series, Shawna, is played by openly lesbian actress Ellen Page. And many of the other characters
Q: Because, otherwise, we may be limiting LGBTQ actors if there’s not a back-
Q: I searched high and low and I couldn’t find any evidence but perhaps in theater: Have you ever had a proper LGBTQ role yourself? A: You know, I haven’t. I’m always the blonde, straight girl. (Laughs)
See Barbary Lane on Page 23
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Anime from Page 4 these [queer] titles, adapting them into English, and making them accessible to queer youth in the West, we can immediately help ease that pervasive sense of ‘otherness’ experienced by today’s queer youth.” And, Wald speaks from experience. “I needed these types of stories desperately in my youth, but most of the queer representation I found in the media of the 80s was lurid, stereotypical, and at best, incredibly reductive,” he explained. “I needed better stories.” U.S. lags behind Although queer stories have existed in anime for decades, the Western world has been slow to adapt them into English. “Now, years later, I find myself working in a medium full of queer songs to sing, but my medium largely avoids adapting these stories into English for fear that their appeal would be too narrow,” said Wald. “My contention is that the LGBTQ+ population in the West outnumbers the existing American audience for anime by a multiple of 15 to 20. And I think that by featuring this material, we can help the LGBTQ+ community feel less alone, less ostracized, and less alienated. Perhaps we could even save lives.” Onward Wald goes. Working with Sentai Filmworks to write and direct their recent English adaptation of Hitorijime My Hero, a show centered on the budding relationship between two male couples is now available on HIDIVE, Blu-
“ ... STORIES ABOUT HOW LGBTQ+ PEOPLE ... NAVIGATE THESE STRUGGLES CAN HELP ACHIEVE UNDERSTANDING W/OUR HETEROSEXUAL & CISGENDER COUNTERPARTS THAT SIMPLE CONVERSATION WOULD TAKE
YEARS TO ACHIEVE.” Ray and VRV streaming platforms. Asexuality But, the director didn’t stop there, pushing the “traditional” boundaries even furRead the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com
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LGBTQ Youth From Page 3 term. The panelists from DCF and MARE will dispel myths and demystify the process.” Fostering 101 Effie Molina, Family Resource Supervisor and State Chair of the DCF LGBTQ Liaisons explained the various stipends provided to foster parents. “DCF provides a daily stipend and a clothing allowance every 3 months for each foster child in your home,” she said. “The amount is determined by their ages.” According to a DCF chart provided to The Rainbow Times, the daily stipend ranges from $23.21 for the youngest age group and up to $27.47 for the older age group. Likewise, the clothing allowance rages from $238.75 - $296.25. “You’ll also receive $50 to help pay for a birthday gift and $100 for holiday gifts for each foster child each year,” said Molina, who is also a panelist. “You may also be reimbursed for other expenses in special circumstances depending on your foster child’s needs.” MassHealth provides all foster children with health, dental, mental health insurance and some medication coverage, Molina listed. 120 percent higher risk A national research study (https://is.gd/WRYTnI), Missed Opportunities: Youth Homelessness in America, conducted by the University of Chicago found that “young people experiencing homelessness are most likely to be African-American, Latinx and/or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer (LGBTQ). LGBTQ youth had a 120 percent higher risk of experiencing homelessness than youth who identified as heterosexual and cisgender.” Also a panelist, Prachniak-Rincón explained the dire consequences when the system fails LGBTQ youth. “As the only state agency dedicated to LGBTQ youth, the Commission is working with a wide array of allies to try to improve this situation and ensure the safety of these youth,” they said. “Because when the foster care system fails them, they’re even more likely to wind up homeless, in the justice system, facing health disparities, or otherwise at risk.” Trans & Non-binary youth Transgender and non-binary youth face particular challenges to find foster placement. “When area offices have difficulty finding placement for an LGBTQ youth, they often send an e-mail to the LGBTQ Liaisons for ideas and assistance,” said Molina. “In the last few years, the vast majority of these have been regarding locating a home for transgender and non-binary youth.” “Transgender youth are especially prone to facing issues in the foster care system,” added Prachniak-Rincón. “Of course, there are the challenges that come from youth who are identified by others as being of one gender when they are placed and actually identify, or come to identify, as a different gender. The safety and privacy of these
“ … LGBTQ YOUTH HAD A 120 % HIGHER RISK OF EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THAN YOUTH WHO IDENTIFIED AS HETEROSEXUAL & CISGENDER.” youth is really in jeopardy when they are not in a competent and accepting place when this occurs.” Ensuring competent medical care for transgender youth is also a hurdle to overcome, Prachniak-Rincón explained. “Medical access is another big problem for trans youth in the system,” they said. “To date, these youth have not been guaranteed access to medically-necessary care that affirms their identity and protects their wellbeing, and that should be a top concern for the state. These youth are the state’s responsibility, and it’s not always meeting that responsibility.” Gender affirmation Porter also expressed concern for trans youth when gender affirmation is not always required. “… The system often designates room sharing and group homes by sex assigned at birth. For example, a transgender boy would likely be housed in a group home for girls,” she explained. Prachniak-Rincón said that the Commission has issued “very detailed and researched policy recommendations to the state on how to improve the foster care system.” Part of those recommendations include recording significant data to help place LGBTQ youth in affirming households and to implement policies created specifically to meet the needs and help to alleviate some of the dangers for LGBTQ youth in the system. “We believe that LGBTQ youth need a stand-alone policy solidifying the best practices for providing them with care,” Prachniak-Rincón said. “And we believe that when parents come forward and say, ‘We’re LGBTQ-affirming—we’d love to provide a home for an LGBTQ youth’— that that information is actually being recorded and used. The state needs to collect this data and use it to give youth a safe place to live. This is really low-hanging fruit to improve the dangerous situation that LGBTQ youth find themselves in, and it’s a real shame that nothing is being done in a centralized way. Way too much responsibility falls on individuals in the system to figure out which placements are LGBTQcompetent and to make that happen.” Molina offers some pro tips for potential foster parents. “I would say that some qualities of a successful foster parent include kind, nurturing, patient, willing to learn and a good communicator,” explained Molina, whose unit recruits, trains, licenses and supports foster parents. “I find that foster parents who involve themselves in the foster parent
community, through support groups, trainings, attending appreciation events and participating in online groups tend to feel better equipped to foster, in large part as they have built a community of support around them.” LGBTQ Homes for LGBTQ Youth When LGBTQ adults foster LGBTQ youth, relatable experiences make for a deeper connection. “On a personal level, I have noticed that individuals who have lived through some type of personal struggle often are able to empathize more easily with both birth parents and the children,” Molina said. “These individuals often have lived experience on how to get through difficult times, which can be so helpful for the youth they are caring for. You don’t have to be a perfect person, or a perfect parent, to foster. What is needed is someone willing to hang in there with a youth, and work collaboratively with that youth’s team to best support the child.” Panelists will include representatives from the Massachusetts Adoption Exchange (MARE), DCF (MA Dept. of Children and Families LGBTQ Liaisons) Mass. Commission on LGBTQ Youth, Foster parent of LGBTQ youth, adoptive parents of a transgender child and LGBTQ youth who are currently in the foster care system. “I put this event together as a foster parent who is frustrated that LGBTQ youth in foster care often do not have the option of being fostered in a private home with a family but rather end up in youth shelters and group homes because of the lack of available foster parents willing to take LGBTQ teens,” Porter said. This initiative is co-sponsored by MA Commission on LGBTQ Youth, Boston Pride, DCF, Kristen Porter Presents/Haus of Porter, MARE, Project Out, Mass. Transgender Political Coalition, and the Trans Club of New England. To learn more about this event or sign up to attend, visit its Facebook Event Page at https://is.gd/QfNhjv. Caring for Our Own: LGBTQ Adults Supporting LGBTQ Foster Youth takes place on Aug. 6, 2019 at More Than Words located at 242 East Berkeley Street, Boston, Mass.
Barbary Lane from Page 18 and-forth? A: Absolutely. And there’s just a lot to learn. So I go back and forth about it, but I think right now, the more what I consider appropriate casting for this community that happens, the better. Q: This is a limited series, but is there a possibility that Tales could take us back to 28 Barbary Lane in the future? And would you return? A: Yeah, sure. We’ll see. One hopes, but we’ll see what happens. It certainly seems to have a life of its own, so that bodes well. Q: Where does your mind go to find all the emotions that are unspoken but written so vividly on your face? A: Well, it’s not hard. When there’s good writing and a good circumstance to throw yourself into, it comes pretty easily. And my connection to Tales is deep and intimate and important, particu-larly to 28 Barbary Lane. All that it represents is important to me. Q: How about your connection to Melissa Etheridge’s “Come to My Window”? A: Oh god! You know, it’s just horrifying. I am not a singer! I am so not a singer! Q: “Home is a feeling” is the series’ tagline. To end, what does home mean to you, and in which of the most unexpected places have you found it? A: What a wonderful question. For me, home is always the people in the home (laughs), so it’s about the people, the likeminded people, that you’re surrounded by, the people who just intrinsically understand and love you and challenge you and frustrate you—all of that. The people who you’re able to feel a sense of intimacy with and bond with. And then the most unexpected place I’ve felt home: I think on a film set, quite frankly. It was never what I expected to do, and actually the first Tales Read the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com
24 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com
July 4, 2019 - August 7, 2019