The Rainbow Times' March 2021 Issue

2 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

March 11, 2021 - April 7, 2021

Rainbow Times’ statement: Salem Jodi Bee Bakes’ vandals strike again

I

OPINION

n Salem, Mass., vandalism, attacks, and hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community have taken place, as most who are aware of the struggles that are encountered by the community at large know. However, when incidents based on vitriol with direct or indirect assaults against marginalized communities occur, they must be countered expediently, vigorously, and with proactive action immediately. This time, that assault against the LGBTQ+ community took place through a local business—now, twice. The business stricken by it this time is Jodi Bee’s Bakery in downtown Salem.

On January 27, the storefront—which dons a rainbow pride flag sticker, amongst others—found white nationalist symbols on top of the pride sticker to obscure it enough sending a chilling effect through the community. Although local police are looking into the matter, according to Jodi Bee’s social media accounts, another white nationalist posterlike sticker hit the storefront again on February 14. Just as before, another white supremacist sticker concealed another LGBTQ+ pride sticker. The sticker, placed without permission, displayed the words “Better Dead than Red.” Such hateful propaganda was placed from members belonging to the white nationalist group “Patriot Front,” a determined white supremacist hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

“Patriot Front is an image-obsessed organization that rehabilitated the explicitly fascist agenda of Vanguard America with garish patriotism,” SPLC’s website reads. “Patriot Front focuses on theatrical rhetoric and activism that can be easily distributed as propaganda for its chapters across the country.”

In a post-Capitol insurrection political climate, across the country, hate crimes have continued to soar and thugs that were once hidden in the dark shadows of the most repugnant corners of the country have resurfaced with a vengeance.

The recent acquittal of Trump by the U.S. Senate for the incitement of the Capitol riot— despite damning evidence and Republican leadership acknowledging the attack was indeed incited by Trump—doesn’t help. On the contrary, the lack of accountability of Trump’s actions—against the country and his involvement in the coup—only continue to embolden the acts of loud and separatist groups locally and nationwide. By not convicting Trump, the Senate has sent a direct message to white nationalist groups in the nation to show that there is hope for a Trump

come back, as if they had uttered the words themselves “to stand back and stand by” until the right moment comes.

In ongoing incidents such as those experienced by Jodi Bee Bakes is not the first time a business or the LGBTQ+ in Salem have been targeted, likely due to the city’s reputation of being inclusionary of the LGBTQ+ community.

When The Rainbow Times first moved one of its offices to Salem, Mass., its newspaper boxes on the streets of the city were vandalized nearly 10 times.

Each incident was reported to the police—one incident was in direct relation to Trump’s run for office. At the time, no other newspaper box (even other boxes located in the same locations that also housed other free publications), were being targeted in the way that the LGBTQ+ publication’s was. After the police reports and the continuance of such actions happening, the vandalism culminated in an incendiary device being placed in and detonated inside the newspaper box’s downtown location on August 23 that year. Luckily, there were no injuries to potential passersby.

In the case of Jodi Bee Bakes, the fact that another business is being targeted, apparently for being LGBTQ+ inclusive, should be taken as a warning sign

propaganda.

The Salem Common has had racist graffiti spray painted on the gazebo. The wall at Collins Cove was covered in Anti-Semitic imagery and rhetoric. A mini-mart was targeted and vandalized based on anti-Arab sentiment. The list continues locally and elsewhere. Being vigilant isn’t enough.

Collectively witnessing assaults around the nation relating to the LGBTQ+ community, the Black community, the Asian-American community, the Muslim community, the Jewish community, and so on, this is not the time to sit back or to take such vandalism—that some may have already deemed as “harmless”—lightly. Inaction equals to bolstering, just like we witnessed what white nationalists are capable of because they feel they may not be held accountable for wrongdoing. If it happened at the Capitol at the urging from the wrong “leaders,” it can happen anywhere, anytime. In Salem, the LGBTQ+ community has already experienced turmoil—most notably since 2016.

The Rainbow Times stands strongly with Jodi Bee Bakes and not only condemns the actions of hate directed toward the business and LGBTQ+ community, but also calls on the City of Salem to take immediate action to address this ongoing issue and other issues spouting from hate.

Salem’s other residents who belong to underrepresented groups have been attacked before. And, it is still happening today.

We call on the City Council and Mayor’s Office to expediently approve of and install high-quality video surveillance cameras in key locations that capture Jodi Bee’s window front and the window fronts of all downtown businesses supporting inclusion. The businesses and people of Salem deserve better.

Being in business for almost 15 years, we are well aware of the kinds of hatred that exists and have had our fair share of threats, vandalism and a never-end-

THE RAINBOW TIMES STANDS WITH JODI BEE BAKES AND NOT ONLY CONDEMNS THE ACTIONS OF HATE DIRECTED TOWARD THE BUSINESS & LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO CALLS ON THE CITY OF SALEM TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO ADDRESS THIS ONGOING ISSUE AND OTHER ISSUES SPOUTING FROM HATE. to the broader community of what could transpire or brew in the days, weeks, months and years lying ahead. To do nothing is not an option—if nothing is done, then we are complicit and the end result could be worse than the 2016 incident experienced by The Rainbow Times and the LGBTQ+ community.

Let’s not forget Trump’s four year in power were filled with anti-LGBTQ

ing list of it all. However, in no other region throughout New England—and there are many major cities where the publication is delivered to—was its property detonated like it was in 2016 in downtown Salem; 5 years this August. In The Rainbow Times’ case, the assailants were not Salem residents but came to the city from New Hampshire to engage themselves in unlawful acts.

That could be the case in Jodi Bee Bakes, since it has now been stricken more than once. We hope not.

Sharing such close borders with other neighboring states, although an incredible asset, also invites in thugs and vandals wishing to do harm to our perceived progressive city. The crimes we’ve experienced, as described above, already serve as an indisputable reminder that we must do more to protect our community, our businesses, artists, marginalized members, and allies. Unlike others, they have a target on their backs. Actually, all who represent inclusion or believe that we are all truly equal Read the rest of this story at 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 Chris Gilmore Audrey Cole Crossword Puzzle Artist/Designer Luciano Spanto Ad & Layout Design Prizm PR Webmaster Jarred Johnson Columnistst Lorelei Erisis Deja N. Greenlaw Paul P. Jesep Mike Givens Keegan O’Brien* *Guest Columnist

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.

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.

The appearance of names or photographic representations in TRT does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation or gender identity of the named or depicted individuals.

March 11, 2021 - April 7, 2021

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 3

4 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

March 11, 2021 - April 7, 2021 PHOTO: BOSTON SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE / FB PAGE

IN THE LIMELIGHT

Boston organizations start boycott of Boston Pride 2021 BOSTON—For 31 years, The Network/La Red (TNLR) has been committed to supporting survivors of partner abuse (domestic violence). This commitment makes us vigilant to what is happening in our communities, and we cannot sit idle while the Boston Pride board continues with their racist, classist, transantagonistic actions.

For TNLR, it was very important to show up to Boston Pride celebrations because many LGBTQ survivors attend these events, and many of them seek support around their experiences and their safety. However, throughout the years, Boston Pride has shown patterns of disregarding what the community has asked of them and prioritizing keeping their board of directors overwhelmingly white and cisgender Boston Pride’s Board of Directors choose time and time again to keep and retain power rather than use

just like most abusers, they use any way out to avoid being held accountable.

This most recent effort by the board, hiring a firm to educate them on the ways they uphold oppression, is the last of many attempts to show how much they have changed; however, the board itself has not changed and neither have their actions.

The biggest structural change that has happened within Boston Pride is when 80% of their volunteers quit after the board refused to give the organization to Black Trans leadership.

Boston Pride is not an organization that follows the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and the many LGBTQ+ trailblazers that fought for our rights, but rather, a group exercising power over communities and taking money from corporations to recycle the same parade and parties every year.

We also amplify the message of the Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, posted as a video (https://bit.ly/3eIaC4w) to their Facebook page and you can read it, too, below.

FOR EXAMPLE, BOSTON PRIDE HAS ASKED FOR FEEDBACK MANY TIMES, YET HAS FAILED TO MAKE CHANGES SUGGESTED BY THE COMMUNITY. ASKING FOR FEEDBACK TO LATER DISMISS IT, IS GASLIGHTING, AS ASKING FOR FEEDBACK IMPLIES THAT CHANGES WILL BE MADE. that power to serve the communities they claim to represent.

These patterns closely resemble the patterns that abusers exhibit when trying to keep power over survivors. For example, Boston Pride has asked for feedback many times, yet has failed to make changes suggested by the community. Asking for feedback to later dismiss it, is gaslighting, as asking for feedback implies that changes will be made. Another example is tokenizing Black and Transgender folks by recruiting them to their board for appearances only, not to listen to their expertise.

The Boston Pride Board’s actions are abusive towards our community and

Letter —— “To Our Boston Family: A lot of discussions have been had over the last few years about the diversity and intersectionality of the Boston Pride Committee. We understand how complicated it can be to fully represent the LGBTQIA+ community, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. After the events of 2020, the Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence feel we need to speak out on this topic. We were greatly Read the rest of this story at The Rainbow Times’ website

March 11, 2021 - April 7, 2021

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 5

Fenway Health supports passage of bill that will ensure young adults have access to HIV prevention and treatment BOSTON—Fenway Health announces today that it supports “An Act Relative To HIV Prevention Access for Young Adults,” which would make it possible for minors to receive prescriptions for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) from health care providers as well as treatment for HIV without parental consent.

The bill was filed in the House by State Reps. Jack Patrick Lewis and Chynah Tyler and in the Senate by State Sen. Julian Cyr. PrEP is an antiretroviral medication that blocks HIV from replicating in the body and when taken daily reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90 percent. Despite its efficacy at preventing the transmission of HIV, only 20 percent of those who are good candidates for PrEP use the medication.

People who are disproportionately affected by HIV including Black Indigenous and other People of Color, cisgender women, and transgender people are among those least likely to be using PrEP as a preventative measure. Young people who are vulnerable to HIV infection are also among those who under-utilize PrEP. “Even though the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended PrEP as a treatment for people at high risk of HIV infection since 2014, not everyone who needs this medication can get it,” said Carl Sciortino, Executive Vice President of External Relations at Fenway Health. “There are lots of reasons for this and they

PHOTO: DARWIN LAGANZON / PIXABAY

range from lack of access to health care of high school students are sexually acto social stigma. This commonsense bill tive in the MetroWest region of the state will remove age as a potential barrier to while nearly half of all students at PrEP.” Monomoy Regional High School on In Massachusetts, nearly 16 percent of Cape Cod are sexually active, with young adults age 18-24 identify as nearly 40 percent of those having reLGBTQ, which tracks with new polling ceived testing for sexually-transmitted datafenway showing that members of infections, including HIV. An analysis Gen Z—those born between 1997 and of survey responses from students in 2015, with high school students making Middlesex County found that when it up a sizeable portion—also identify as comes to sexual health and HIV, “SexLGBTQ. Regional analysis of the Mas- ual minority youth including lesbian, sachusetts YouthPHOTO: Risk Behavior Surveil- gay, and bisexual high school students, BOSTON SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE / FB PAGE lance Survey shows that over 40 percent in particular, are at substantial risk for

serious health outcomes relative to their peers.”

“Our Commonwealth must do everything possible to empower young adults to make informed choices relating to HIV prevention,” said Rep. Lewis. “Ensuring equitable accessibility to life-saving, life-enhancing HIV-prevention medication is instrumental to efforts to achieve zero new cases and zero stigma around HIV. It is a great honor to partRead the rest of this story at The Rainbow Times’ website

6 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

March 11, 2021 - April 7, 2021

Rally attendees hold signs and artwork near Moderna headquarters, Cambridge, MA | March, 2021 | PHOTO: Maddy Wiener

Doctors, community members rally for global vaccines access Rainbow Pride-doku A little Rainbow Sudoku in preparation for Pride Season 2021 ...

The solution is to the right. Enjoy!

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Doctors, community members, and activists rallied outside Moderna’s headquarters in Cambridge as part of a global day of action for fair access to vaccines. Simultaneous rallies took place in Washington DC, New York, and Philadelphia to demand the Biden administration support a World Trade Organization (WTO) waiver for vaccine-related intellectual

“We cannot be satisfied with crumbs,” said Brook Baker, a senior policy analyst for Health GAP and Professor of Law at Northeastern University. “The WTO waiver will sharpen the minds of governments and companies. It will help us build a distributed global supply system that can meet the demands of COVID-19.”

Tyler Brown, an infectious disease

“THIS IS A MUTATING VIRUS …

AND BY FAILING TO ACT TO ENSURE GLOBAL, EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE VACCINE, WE LEAVE PEOPLE UNVACCINATED AT OUR OWN PERIL. AT THE

WORLD’S PERIL.”

property, proposed by the governments of South Africa and India.

The so-called TRIPS waiver would allow low and middle-income countries to manufacture vaccines themselves, greatly expanding supply and preventing vaccine apartheid, wherein countries in Africa and South Asia could be forced to wait years for widespread vaccination. Activists also called on Moderna to commit its intellectual property to the World Health Organization’s Covid-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP).

doctor at Mass General Hospital, said: “This is a mutating virus… and by failing to act to ensure global, equitable access to the vaccine, we leave people unvaccinated at our own peril. At the world’s peril.”

“Their health is our health,” said Amir Mohareb, infectious disease and global health doctor at MGH. “The technologies and the science that were developed with public money and public trust ought to be used for the global public.”

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 7

March 11, 2021 - April 7, 2021

Equality Act passes the House and advances to the U.S. Senate The Equality Act is also vital to many people belonging to underrepresented groups WASHINGTON—In late February, lawmakers in the U.S. Senate introduced the Equality Act to update federal law to include explicit and comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ Americans. The Equality Act would establish explicit clear and tangible anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people across fundamental aspects of everyday life — employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service, according to the Human Rights Campaign‘s website.

“Passing the Equality Act is a critical step toward ensuring that LGBTQ people — and all people — can protect their families and contribute to their communities and workplaces,” said Janson Wu, GLAD Executive Director. “It also ensures the fairness and dignity all Americans need and deserve. We call on Congress to follow the lead of the American people and send the Equality Act to President Biden for his signature this session.”

The HRC explains, the Equality Act would amend current “civil rights law— including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Jury Selection and Services Act, and several laws regarding employment with the federal government—to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics. The legislation also amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination in public spaces and services and federally

PHOTO: GAYATRI MALHOTRA / UNSPLASH

funded programs on the basis of sex.”

House of Representatives A week prior, lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced H.R. 5, the Act. “The introduction of the Equality Act

is our nation’s opportunity to ensure long-sought nondiscrimination protections for all LGBTQ+ Americans in all areas of life,” said Kasey Suffredini, CEO and national campaign director of Freedom for All Americans. “LGBTQ advocates have long sought to secure

freedom and fairness under the law since the first federal nondiscrimination measure was introduced in Congress in 1974, and there is now support from leadership in both chambers of Congress and in the White House to achieve that goal. The Equality Act will make clear that LGBTQ people must be treated with dignity and respect, and it will bring our country closer to an America that truly ensures liberty and justice for all.”

More than just LGBTQ+ People The newest report from MAP outlines the ways in which the Equality Act is vital legislation for LGBTQ+ people, as well as for women, people of color, immigrants, and people of minority faiths.

This report was released in partnership with the Center for American Progress, Lawyers for Civil Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Partnership for Women and Families, and the National Women’s Law Center.

MAP’s interactive Equality Maps provide a comprehensive state by state look at the legal protection landscape for LGBTQ+ people.

Reacting to the House announcement last week, David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black LGBTQ+/SGL people, Read the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com

8 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

March 11, 2021 - April 7, 2021

Two of the GOP Senators who voted to acquit Trump for the 2nd time; Left-to-Right: Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Missouri Senator Josh Hawley PHOTO: SENATORS’ OFFICIAL PHOTOS

Trump acquitted by his cult-like Senate members Vote by the Senate helps Trump get back into office; Can the broken system be fixed?

By: Graysen Martinez Ocasio TRT Publisher

OPINION

In yet the biggest act of insurrection and sedition in American history, most of the GOP Senators acquitted Trump a second time, despite acknowledging that Trump was to blame for the act of sedition and domestic terror that took place on January 6.

The Trump mob’s actions dealt a lethal blow to democracy and the Republic that day—took the lives of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick and 4 other people, and injured more than 140. Today, the Trump cultists Senators followed up the January attack with yet another blow to our country, one that didn’t require guns, bombs, or violent acts, but one that could change America forever—especially since Trump has been vocal about attempting a run for the White House again in 2024. Many experts have stated that such a situation, having the same seditious person back in power, could potentially end American democracy, as we know it. Fortythree other Senators just enabled him to do just that while sending a clear message to the rest of the country that someone with power and “money” can be the mastermind of a criminal act and yet only the little people pay for it—heroes and traitors accounted for.

“This was about choosing country over Donald Trump,” said Majority Leader Chuck Schumer immediately after the voting took place. “The 43 Senators chose Donald Trump.”

The GOP Senators who voted to acquit not only disregarded actual video footage and heinous evidence but also sent a direct message to the American lives taken in the Trump Capitol insurrection, telling them “You aren’t important to us. It’s too bad that you died, but the person who directly sent you to do this isn’t culpable.”

Using excuses to minimize his responsibility and explain his stab in America’s back and his vote against democracy, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) cowardly voted today to acquit the man that he later said was “responsible” for what took

place during the Capitol riot.

“There is no question — none — that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day,” McConnell said after his vote. “The people that stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their president. And having that belief was a foreseeable consequence of the growing crescendo of false statements, conspiracy theories, and reckless hyperbole.”

Stating that impeachment should be used for a sitting president, not one that wasn’t in power, McConnell tried to explain his treasonous role in the actions prior to it—not acknowledging Pres.

Biden’s legal win, siding with Trump all through it until the Capitol riot—that also incited the Trump cult, yet he is the GOPer who did not call the Senate back into session (when he was still the Majority Leader) to start the trial as swiftly as the bipartisan House did when they worked overtime to impeach Trump, while Trump was still in office.

A week after the insurrection, the Democratic-led House impeached Trump in a swift bipartisan effort. They tried to send the bill to the Senate just as swiftly, but Mitch McConnell refused to hear it then and waited on purpose, said Nancy Pelosi in a live televised interview.

The other insurrectionists that were not directly chanting, hurting police, ransacking offices, or making threats against the former Vice-President and the Speaker of the House, were complicit and incited—in one way or another—the seditious acts in the Capitol that day. They did not defend the nation as they swore to do, but rather took a direct role in protecting, aiding, and abetting Trump, his cult, and lawyers.

They are Tom Cotton, Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell, and others.

Cruz (R-Texas) was not paying attention to the trial or what the mob did, but rather sending a UK transphobic tweet at one point. Paul (R-Ky.) played on his Read the rest of this story at TheRainbowTimesMass.com

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 9

March 11, 2021 - April 7, 2021

Out Bear singer J.R. Price lives the dream, releases his “Daydream” EP Price’s review also includes its title track and music video, addresses self-acceptance

J

.R. Price is out now with his new Daydream EP, featuring its title track: a sparkly, joyful Top40 pop song about finding one’s home in the world.

“I want everyone to feel they have a place where they can thrive,” says Price.

“Whether it be a sports team, a church, a bar, with family or a group of friends … everyone needs that place of comfort that makes life feel like a daydream.”

JRP says he found his place within the LGBTQ community, specifically its bear community.

“I found a brotherhood where I could be myself and where being me was encouraged,” the singer explained. “I had never experienced that before. I was always told to hide parts of me from the world, but when I found my people, I could live full rainbow!”

He calls his “Daydream” single a fun song with a message of true equality.

“It’s perfect for clubbing, kissing, touching and rubbing!”

The song’s video reflects its inclusivity message. Directed by Rebecca Frazier, it features people of all colors, shapes, beliefs, genders, and sexualities.

“I wanted to show how a diverse group of people can all come together without hate or judgement, because we are here on earth together, and we are all beauty queens!”

JRP admits he had a difficult childhood.

“Growing up poor, with no friends and a family who didn’t love me

enough, left me feeling unworthy of love,” he reflects. “I was gay, overweight, and never felt like I was the prettiest …”

In the Daydream album, he explores many of his biggest challenges. “Body Positive” spotlights his road to self-

love. “Dance with Me” ruminates on his desire for true romance. “Get Back Up” reflects on his focus towards optimal health and in “N.A.U.G.H.T.Y.”, JRP recounts his first time going to gay clubs, when he went through his promiscuous phase.

“As I get older, my dreams have changed,” he acknowledges. “It’s not about the size of my audience, it is the impact that I make that counts.”

Read the rest of this story at TheRainbowTimesMass.com

10 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

March 11, 2021 - April 7, 2021

“Gay Bar: Why We Went Out” by Jeremy Atherton Lin By: Terri Schlichenmeyer* Special to TRT

Boston Pride 2021 parade and festival postponed, org. says BP to host virtual events in June for Pride month BOSTON—Boston Pride and the City of Boston today announced that the 2021 Pride Parade and Festival will not be held in June due to the ongoing state of emergency declared due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has prohibited large gatherings until the state moves into Phase 4. Boston Pride and the City of Boston are considering moving the Pride Parade and Festival to a date in Fall 2021 if all conditions are in place for such events.

Boston Pride also announced that it is creating a series of virtual events in June to commemorate Pride Month and the 50th anniversary of Boston Pride.

Virtual events being planned for June include the Pride Flag Raising at City Hall Plaza and the Pride Lights ceremony to honor all those lost to and affected by HIV/AIDS. More information on these events will be available in the coming weeks.

“While I know this was a difficult decision to make, postponing Boston’s 2021 Pride Parade and Festival is the right choice as we continue to prioritize the health and safety of all during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “In Boston, we are committing to living by the values of inclusion, diversity, and acceptance, and that will never change. Our city will continue to support Boston Pride, and when safe to do so, the Pride Parade and Festival will be back and stronger than ever.”

Linda DeMarco, President of Boston Pride, said that the pandemic and other events have impacted the LGBTQ+ community tremendously over the past year and that Boston Pride is working diligently to keep the community connected while recognizing that there is more work to be done to be inclusive to all in the community.

“We had hoped to commemorate Boston Pride’s 50th anniversary in June 2021 after having to cancel last year’s Parade and Festival due to the pandemic. We know that the pandemic has severely impacted the LGBTQ+ community and we are working on virtual events to bring together the community

in June,” said DeMarco. “Over the last several months, we have pursued the difficult but necessary work of transformation and we want those efforts to be a central part of our Pride celebrations this year. Our community is concerned about racial equity, the resurgence of white supremacy, the needs of BIPOC members of the LGBTQ+ community, and the dangers that transgender individuals, particularly transgender women of color, face. We are inviting the community to participate in Pride with those concerns in mind.”

Boston Pride has been working on transforming the organization to ensure its vision, mission, and values are in alignment and in the best interest of the LGBTQ+ community. Boston Pride undertook the transformation process as a result of the board’s response to concerns raised by Black, Brown, transgender people, and other members of the community which compelled us to examine our board and our entire organizational structure including programming of events for Pride 2021.

Boston Pride is providing multiple opportunities for people to become involved in the organization including positions on the Transformation Advisory Committee, Board positions, and Community Advisory Council positions. Information and applications can all be found on the Boston Pride website.

Boston Pride produces events and activities to achieve inclusivity, equality, respect, and awareness in Greater Boston and beyond. Fostering diversity, unity, visibility, and dignity, we educate, communicate and advocate by building and strengthening community connections.

Stay Safe, Stay Well!

WEAR A MASK. SAVE LIVES. SAVE TRANSHEADLINES. COM

THE BOOKWORM

PHOTO: THE RAINBOW TIMES’ ARCHIVES

The stool over by the window is all yours.

Might be because you've spent a lot of time there. It’s the right height, you can easily watch the door from there, and the bartender knows your favorites, so why not? As in the new book “Gay Bar” by Jeremy Atherton Lin, it’s one of the best places to be.

Long before it was legal for him to go there, Jeremy Atherton Lin, like most teenage boys, imagined going to the bar — though in his case, Lin imagined what it was like in a gay bar. Ironically, he says, “I can't remember my first.”

As someone with a foot in each of two continents, he does have favorites, places that are now closed, re-named, or been moved.

He’s danced in them, had sex in them, drank and moved through gay bars with his “companion, the Famous Blue Raincoat,” and anonymously, and with friends-not-friends.

Some bars were carved out of a back room or basement, or a place that used to be something else, maybe another bar. They’re cavernous; or they’re small and packed with men dancing or doing more; or they’re thick with bachelorette parties and tourists, to the annoyance of the gay men who’ve claimed that bar.

Those usurpers don’t know the legacy of feeling gay, but “[I]t goes pretty deep.” Some bars have opened just for the night. Others were raided once upon a time, or will close before a month has passed. Overall, they’re an important part of being a gay man, pre-Stonewall, pre-AIDS, post-epidemic, and now.

And yet, says Lin, “... there does remain something embarrassing about a gay bar.” Still, try to stop him from fondly remembering nights in the Castro or Los Angeles or London ...

Absolutely, you could be forgiven for

See The Bookworm on Page 11

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March 11, 2021 - April 7, 2021 PHOTO: THE RAINBOW TIMES/2019

The Bookworm From Page 10 wondering what you got yourself into while reading the first couple dozen pages of “Gay Bar.” Unabashedly, without preamble, Lin leaps right into a hazy description of a night out or two, in a chapter that seems fragmented, like a broken strobe light. Clarity comes, but later, and it’s fragile.

Part of the haze might be due to the autobiographical nature of Lin’s story: there are bars in his tales, but the focus here is more going to bars, with the implied assumption that readers are familiar with those he mentions or others exactly like them. This, of course, may not be true; still, Lin’s sex-and-boozefilled tales of drag, dance, and la dolce vita are compelling, woven with gay history, interesting then-and-now comparisons, and blisteringly-explicit tales of being a young gay man.

And then again, while these stories

Phila. Trans Wellness Conference ’21 Mazzoni Center opens call for sponsors PHILADELPHIA—Mazzoni Center is calling for sponsors for its upcoming Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference (PTWC), scheduled as a virtual conference for July 22-24, 2021. The conference, held annually since 2002, will be delivered in a virtual format due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. “We know this may be disappointing. However, we feel delivering the 2021 conference in an all-virtual format is the best way to provide the conference experience and information while also keeping our attendees, presenters, staff, volunteers and sponsors and exhibitors healthy and safe,” said Dani MuranoKinney, Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference Logistics Coordinator.

“We expect attendance to be close to if not exceeding attendance at the 2019 conference (PTWC 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic),” said Larry Benjamin Mazzoni Center Director of Communications/Interim Director Development. “We are working closely with the industry leader in event management, Cvent, to deliver a superior virtual event experience for participants as well as sponsors and exhibitors.”

The conference’s virtual attendee hub will provide a unique opportunity for a seamless fully branded experience while allowing sponsors and exhibitors to display company details and meet face-to-face with interested attendees through video conferencing.

Available sponsorship opportunities

include financial sponsorship at a variety of levels, in-kind sponsorships, media sponsorships, and exhibitor opportunities.

For more information on sponsoring PTWC 2021, contact Larry Benjamin at lbenjamin@mazzonicenter.org For information on exhibiting at PTWC 2021, contact Tim Green at tegreen@mazzonicenter.org. Or visit: transphl.org.

About the Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference Mazzoni Center’s Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference (PTWC) is the largest transgender health conference in the world. PTWC was founded by Charlene Arcila who was aided by countless community members, to bring the conference to life, year after year. The mission of the PTWC is to educate and empower trans individuals on issues of health and wellness, recognizing the need for expertise surrounding trans health & wellness to rise from within the community.

About Mazzoni Center Mazzoni Center is Philadelphia’s leading health center focused on the needs of the region’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ) community. Mazzoni Center’s mission is to provide quality comprehensive health and wellness services in an LGBTQ-focused environment, while preserving the dignity and improving the quality of life of the individuals it serves.

take readers through the doors of a gay bar, once we’ve literarily entered, there are times when we’re abandoned, the music’s too loud, and we want to just go.

Like a song you don’t particularly like, though, that won’t last long. Really, the surreality of “Gay Bar” is not insurmountable; in fact, if you wait it out, you’ll be mostly glad you did. So look for it — and take a seat.

“Gay Bar: Why We Went Out”, c.

2021, Little, Brown and Company, $28.00 /$36.00 Canada, 320 pages *The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a prairie in Wisconsin with two dogs, one patient man, and 17,000 books.

10 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

March 11, 2021 - April 7, 2021