The Rainbow Times' May 2018 Issue

2 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

May 3, 2018 - May 30, 2018

Polling Politics: Putting civil rights on the Mass. ballot; we deserve better By: Nicole Lashomb*/TRT Editor-in-Chief

A

s a Commonwealth that prides itself on being a pioneer of civil rights and a beacon of hope for the marginalized, I’ve learned that the lawmakers are overwhelmingly progressive and supportive of non-majority struggles.

Its legislature proposes and acts on legislation to protect us all. However, attitudes by a minority, but determined group of Baystaters, don’t reflect the overall ideals of the governing body. That is how we get issues like the Public Accommodations Bill up for a popular vote on the ballot this November.

With an extraordinarily low threshold of certified signatures required for approval as a ballot initiative, thousands of transgender people and their families’ safety literally is in jeopardy, hanging in balance and at the mercy of the voters. This is wrong. It was wrong when it was done in the past with other disenfranchised groups and it is wrong now. Every one of us deserves to feel safe and protected from discrimination in our daily lives, in the stores and restaurants we frequent, in hospitals and offices we visit. Yet, with less than 1 percent of the Massachusetts population signing on to a petition in opposition to a 2016 law that protected transgender people in public spaces, we wait, anxiously and concerned that the very foundation of “freedom” could be stripped away, simply for living authentically—opening the doors for piranhas to be unleashed.

In times where the perils of the country are at an all time high, this is not the moment to be complacent. We must be informed and proactive and encourage others to educate themselves as well and become foot soldiers of the movement. Based on the current trends of legislation in the country, there is reason to be optimistic in the outcome. This year, 120 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced across the country, the Washington Post reported, yet none of them

have actually passed.

Although ideally, politicians across the board should support equality for all because it is the right and American thing to do, it often is not the case and such a limited perspective is naïve. In civil rights struggles throughout our shameful history, motivations for bringing equality measures are sought for a variety of reasons. Yes, there are always people who are fighting for the altruistic battle hammer, tooth and

SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE NON-DISCRIMINATION LAW OF 2016, THERE HAVE BEEN NO ABUSE INCIDENTS REPORTED OF SUCH A LAW AND CERTAINLY NOT BY THE

TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY.

nail—but those that are at the top, the 1 percent who own this country in more way than one, often look at the bottom line instead of human interest. Social conservatives are recognizing the potential disaster in legislating against marginalized groups of people, even if for business reasons.

“In Texas last year, a ‘bathroom bill’ was defeated after powerful Republican lawmakers said it would be a waste of time— and potentially bad for business,” the Post reported. “One of the first LGBT-related bills to get national attention, a bill in Indiana, sunk Gov. Mike Pence’s approval rating and by some estimates cost Indianapolis $60 million in tourism and travel.” If morality doesn’t get them, profits are likely to.

In Massachusetts, we are winning. In 2016, the legislature voted overwhelmingly to protect transgender people from discrimination in public spaces. The law went into effect on October 1, 2016.

Experiencing and overcoming depression By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist

D

FAITH

epression is not something I’d wish on my worst enemy. It’s been a companion of mine for much of my life. If not properly managed, it can negatively impact your career, platonic and romantic relationships, and the ability to experience the many joys life offers. Sometimes you need to recognize it as another form of energy that must be channeled into something positive.

Many of us have ongoing depression at some degree of severity. Others may experience it intermittently after a jarring event such as a divorce, romantic breakup, bad coming out experience, or an unexpected death of someone very dear. Depression directly impacts physical health. You can lose interest in exercise, healthy diet, or the joy of a walk on a crisp, beautiful autumn day.

Suicide, eating disorders, and substance abuse can be caused by anxiety and extreme depression, or a combination of both, if not treated or managed.

Depression can be chemically-based stemming from an imbalance in the brain.

According to Freedom for All Massachusetts (FFAM), a bipartisan coalition launched to include nondiscrimination protections in Mass. for transgender people, found that 83 percent of Massachusetts’ leading Fortune 500 Companies have nondiscrimination policies in place that explicitly cover gender identity, 65 percent of Transgender people in Massachusetts reported experiencing discrimination in an area of public accommodation, and 18

It can be fueled by childhood demons in the subconscious. It may be the ongoing stigma the LGBTQ community faces in society.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (Alliance; https://goo.gl/cuiU3s), “LGBTQ individuals are almost 3 times more likely than others to experience a mental health condition such as major depression or generalized anxiety disorder.” Surprisingly, mental health is not discussed often enough within the LGBTQ community.

“LGBTQ teens,” according to the Alliance, “are six times more likely to experience symptoms of depression than the general population.” Any teen reading this column has a great resource in The Trevor Project (https://goo.gl/R1Mtkw). They have a 24/7 hotline (866-488-7386). Don’t be afraid to call them.

If you’re an adult feeling overwhelmed, consider finding an LGBTQ-friendly mental health specialist through the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association’s Provider ...

See Depression on Page 23

states across the nation, including Massachusetts, have passed non-discrimination laws protecting transgender people in public spaces.

These statistics are critical. Clearly, the business community is overwhelmingly behind the transgender community, yet there is a critical need for the law to remain on the books with such a high percentage of transgender people experiencing discrimination—and it is the right thing to do, of course. Since the enactment of the non-discrimination law of 2016, there have been no abuse incidents reported of such a law and certainly not by the transgender community. The very argument that the opposition uses to justify stripping the transgender community’s rights in public spaces is based in ignorance and not fact.

As a matter of fact, let’s examine this a

Letters to the Editor [Re: Gays Against Guns unites LGBTQ community, anti–gun violence activists] Dear Editor, The Pink Pistols pro 2a pro LGBT rights will take anybody who does not agree with you on gun control!!

—Tiphani McCormick, Online [Re: Gays Against Guns unites LGBTQ community, anti–gun violence activists] Dear Editor, No such thing as “gun violence,” only human violence. Not sure why folks can’t figure this out. Firearms do nothing until a human interacts with it. It’s the evil in human hearts that cause the violence. Where is “Gays against Spoons” to help stop the “fat violence” that kills more people?

—Sho Rembo, Online Thank you for your feedback to The Rainbow Times. We welcome all letters to the editor. All letters must be accompanied by an e-mail & phone # to be considered for publication. Send them to: editor@therainbowtimesmass.com.

bit broader. According to FFAM, “across the nation, 18 states, Washington, D.C. and more than 200 cities and towns have passed laws protecting transgender people in public spaces. That includes Massachusetts in 2016 and 14 Massachusetts municipalities, from Worcester to Swampscott, prior to the statewide law.” And, there have been no negative implications—still. None. Zilch.

Nada. Period.

In Massachusetts, we’ve seen first hand what this law does and doesn’t do since 2016, all based on fact. It has been tried and tested repeatedly. We join in with all of our trans brothers and sisters to stand up for equality and against discrimination of any kind. This planet belongs to all of us. It’s time that we all count and all of our families should matter.

The country is watching Massachusetts and people expect us to lead. Children are watching. People that remain hopeful are watching. It is time for Massachusetts to prove again that it has earned its longstanding reputation of being an equality pioneer and representing freedom for all.

See Polling Politics on Page 23

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

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

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

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

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May 3, 2018 - May 30, 2018

Women’s March organizers respond to allegations of racism, transphobia By: Nicole Collins/TRT Intern

IN THE LIMELIGHT

BOSTON—The January 20th nationwide Women’s March (https://goo.gl/t5Vvys) has seen some attendees leveling accusations of transphobia and racism at organizers of local demonstrations across the country.

Boston’s march this year took place on the Cambridge Common and had an estimated attendance of 175,000 people (https://goo.gl/miAxZw). It accompanied 33 other “sister marches” (https://goo.gl/qGRi7K) in the New England area. Last year’s Women’s March was the largest organized protest in United States history (https://goo.gl/TSskQo) and saw around five million participants protesting sexism and the Trump administration worldwide. This year’s March was the secondlargest, with around 1.5 million participants.

However, some claim, for example, that the “pussy hats,” pink hats with cat ears, and similar signage are transphobic as they insinuate that the vagina is the only indicator of womanhood and excludes the identities of transgender women and non-binary people.

“The main problem I did see was generalization; it can be done in inconsequential ways people wouldn’t think of—like the pussy hats,” said Maris McGuinness, a student at Northeastern University. “It acts

Participants gather at this year's Women's March at the Cambridge Common

like a symbol for the movement when, in reality, that symbol isn’t inclusive.”

Emily Jack, a gender non-conforming high school student, agreed.

“The Women’s March seemed to be a party that only cisgender white women were invited to,” said Jack, who uses the pronouns they, them, and their.

Jack attended the Boston Women’s March in January 2017, but chose not to attend this year. “This [is] upsetting considering how much work trans women,

PHOTO: MARIS MCGUINNESS

women of color, and poor women have put into the feminist movement” they continued.

“When I attended … I was struck by the abundance of signs and messages that seemed to only [cater] to cis women,” they said. Jack later described the event as being “vulva-centric.”

“Womanhood and femininity [don’t] apply to one type of person because womanhood is not rigid,” said Jack. “Being a woman means so many things, and one

symbol can’t encompass that.”

Although the hats emerged as, “a symbol of support and solidarity” (https://goo.gl/Ux8mdE) in protest of a highly-publicized recording of President Donald Trump making lewd, sexist, and predatory comments about women (https://goo.gl/cGD7r6), many insist the clothing articles miss their intended “girl power” statement.

“I refused to attend the first March for the same reasons I did not attend this year’s March,” said Nicholas Lewitt, a gender non-conforming student at Oberlin College. “If your feminism isn’t inclusive, it’s not feminism, and it isn’t revolutionary.

From all the pink pussy hats and the uterus posters I saw, I think I was right. Not all pussies are pink, not all women have uteruses, and many women would not put reproductive rights as the key issue defining their feminism.”

Naysayers also claim that the demonstrations failed to address black women and “remained silent on causes like maternal and infant mortality, police brutality, mass incarceration, unemployment and drugs” (https://goo.gl/SLiXx4).

“I kept asking myself, ‘Where … were all of these people during the numerous other marches for equality, for black and trans lives, [and] for addressing the drastic realities of police brutality and corruption?’” said Steven Schlauch, a graduate student at Boston University. “I chalked it up to yet another form of unintentional ignorance,

See Women’s March on Page 15

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PHOTO: SABRINA SANTIAGO

May 3, 2018 - May 30, 2018

Staff of The Network/La Red, an LGBTQ partner abuse support and social justice organization. From left to right: Cristina Dones, JP Delgado Galdamez, Kat Conard, and Tre'Andre Valentine

Local organizations reluctant to bring #MeToo movement to this year’s Boston Pride Parade By: Nicole Collins/TRT Intern

BOSTON—Following sexual assault and harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein (https://goo.gl/LLekdx) surfacing in October, the #MeToo movement has received significant media coverage and garnered attention at several high-profile events such as the Oscars, Grammys and even this year’s local Women’s marches (https://goo.gl/SHg7NM).

However, New England-based groups focused on sexual and domestic violence are steering clear of bringing the #MeToo message to this year’s Boston Pride Parade and festivities.

“While we feel it is important to talk about sexual harassment in our communities, we feel that the … campaign is too limiting in its scope,” said Sabrina Santiago, co-executive director at The Network/La Red (TNLR; http://tnlr.org/en/), an LGBTQ partner abuse support and social justice organization. Santiago claims that the #MeToo movement hasn’t been inclusive of the experiences of transgender women and the LGBTQ community. The movement has also, according to Santiago, apparently refrained from portraying women as perpetrators in some instances of sexual and domestic violence.

The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC; https://barcc.org) plans to bring the general #MeToo message to the Parade in their own way.

“I’m sure we’ll message around #MeToo—probably generally and in inclusive ways,” said Gina Scaramella, BARCC’s executive director.

And BARCC has, in the time since the inception of #MeToo, tried to shed light on the movement in their own capacity.

“We felt like one of our jobs was to make people think about #MeToo in a broader way…than is shown in the media and … typically talked about,” she said.

BARCC also aims to, “try to create platforms to bring in the conversation about how [#MeToo] affects people that don’t fit”

the traditional narrative of victimization, according to Scaramella. They plan to continue these efforts at the parade.

What the Data Says The #MeToo movement, has brought awareness to issues incredibly pertinent to the LGBTQ community.

“Intimate partner violence affects LGBTQ people just as it affects [others]— we are not immune,” said Janson Wu, executive director of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD; https://glad.org) in Boston. “What is more challenging is that it can be more hidden within the LGBTQ community, because of stigma around our relationships and our families, as well as gender stereotypes that particularly impact same-sex relationships.”

And domestic violence and sexual assault pervade the LGBTQ community at much higher rates than other groups.

For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (CDC; https://goo.gl/Ln9h2n), approximately 22 percent of bisexual women and nine percent of heterosexual women have experienced sexual assault in their lifetimes.

Or, as found in the 2015 United States Transgender Survey (https://goo.gl/d5ttKm), almost 47 percent of transgender individuals are sexually assaulted at some point in their lives.

It’s “less about statistics and rates, and more about the barriers and stigma this community faces when looking for support services,” said Lauren Kourabas, assistant manager for Fenway Health’s Violence Recovery Program (VRP; https://goo.gl/xpFK83), a grant-funded initiative working with LGBTQ survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other forms of abuse.

“LGBTQ survivors are less likely to seek

See #MeToo on Page 23

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Chicopee, Mass. lacks LGBTQ resources, visibility, according to locals By: Nicole Collins/TRT Intern

COMMUNITY PERISCOPE

LGBTQ resources seem almost ubiquitous in the Pioneer Valley, an area in Western Massachusetts widely known for its thriving LGBTQ community.

However, according to some, there isn’t much in the way of support or representation in Chicopee, a city of almost 56,000 in the heart of the Valley, located between Springfield and Holyoke.

Leaders of local organizations and residents of the city have expressed dismay at the culture and lack of resources.

“I don’t really see them as gayfriendly,” said Paulo Salvador, the founder of Project Life, an HIV service and support organization (https://goo.gl/TnXK4o) based in nearby Holyoke.

“I don’t see them as anti-LGBTQ, but they don’t have [any resources],” Salvador continued.

“There are no…gay bars [or] children’s youth groups,” for example.

Salvador lived in Chicopee for a stretch of time and has friends with children in the Chicopee Public Schools system.

Chicopee’s town hall did not respond to The Rainbow Times’ request for an interview.

Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts PHOTO: ALAINA DI GIORGIO

LGBTQ students Despite a perceived lack of support in the town, the Chicopee Public Schools (CPS) system tries to support students as much as possible.

“I’d say we’re LGBTQ-friendly,” said Alvin W. Morton I, assistant superintendent for Student Support Services at CPS. “We have GSAs in the middle and high schools,” he continued. According to Morton, both faculty and administration receive training on LGBTQ issues.

But some students seem to experience the same lack of support felt in the Chicopee community at large. “[My friend’s] kid is non-binary and they have a really tough time in school,” said Salvador.

“They don’t have any support from the

school or anything.”

Seeking resources elsewhere Resources are plentiful in other Pioneer Valley towns, however.

House of Colors (https://goo.gl/Z4om6e), an LGBTQ youth support and education group, has its headquarters in nearby Holyoke.

And Out Now (https://goo.gl/vn3zez), a similar youth organization based in Springfield, provides similar services.

And the nearby towns of Amherst, Holyoke, and Northampton host the Five College Consortium (https://goo.gl/6WJTcT) consisting of local colleges such as Amherst College and Smith College, which helps add LGBTQ opportunities to the area.

Chicopee isn’t connected to the consortium, nor does it contain any independent LGBTQ support and outreach programs, and, unlike surrounding towns, it only contains one four-year college.

The abundance of resources in other areas of the Pioneer Valley only underscores the lack of resources in Chicopee, according to some.

“It’s difficult to say whether Chicopee itself is LGBTQ friendly or not based on the influence of Springfield,” said Alaina Di Giorgio, Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Elms College (https://goo.gl/9gKq4G), a Catholic liberal arts college in Chicopee.

The Office of Diversity & Inclusion is new and has recently started focusing on visibility. According to Di Giorgio, the office recognizes its capability to increase awareness for the surrounding town, and those at the office hope to work to that end.

The week of April 16, for example, was Pride Week at Elms College. Such events are intended to increase LGBTQ visibility at the school and in the area.

Xio A. Delobato, associate director of admissions at Elms College, sees the town as an LGBTQ-friendly environment.

She was raised in Springfield, and got a taste for the community's presence in the area growing up.

"Elms is a very LGBTQ-friendly campus," she said, "and because who we are as an institution, and because we have good relations with the surrounding town of Chicopee," she believes the acceptance extends to the rest of the area. "This, to me, as somebody who identifies as a lesbian, is important."

When asked, she could not recall specific LGBTQ resources in the town, but she claimed there are medical resources for the community there.

"It's a more suburban area than other towns like Springfield," she said. "So most of the resources are in the surrounding area."

“In terms of resources, the LGBTQ com-

CORRECTION Due to a reporting error in the April issue of The Rainbow Times, The Incorruptibles were identified as a group of progressive democrats. The group is, in fact, non-partisan. The publication regrets the error.

munity of Chicopee relies heavily on the organizations and offerings of the surrounding towns and communities,” said Di Giorgio.

Due to the more active and present LGBTQ communities in Springfield and Holyoke, Di Giorgio said, the Chicopee queer community gravitates toward those events.

“Based on political affiliation alone,” she continued, “the city historically votes Republican.”

Indeed, in the 2016 presidential election, for example, Donald Trump and Mike Pence earned roughly 40.1 percent of the vote in Chicopee (https://goo.gl/LQJQNi), whereas in neighboring towns like Springfield, they earned 20.4 percent, or 23.6 percent in Holyoke.

Di Giorgio then pointed to a statement (https://goo.gl/wysmEe) issued by Mayor Richard Kos in 2016 following the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting.

In it, Kos voiced support for the LGBTQ community.

“Chicopee,” he said, “is a place of acceptance and understanding and we are proud to fly this flag.”

THE ABUNDANCE OF RESOURCES IN OTHER AREAS OF THE

PIONEER

VALLEY ONLY UNDERSCORES THE LACK OF RESOURCES IN

CHICOPEE, ACCORDING TO SOME. Looking ahead A lack of awareness seems to be a major part of the issue in Chicopee.

“We need guidance [and] education,” said Salvador of Project Life. “That’s where we’re lacking.”

Di Giorgio sees the biggest issue as a lack of visibility.

“It takes visibility and awareness to begin a discussion,” she said. “Without the visibility, there is no representation, and without representation, there aren’t issues being discussed. If there was a more vocal presence [in Chicopee], I think the rest would follow.”

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Pride Preview 2018: Celebrations and marches planned across New England By: Jenna Spinelle/TRT Reporter

Although it has not felt like spring lately, Pride season is upon us and organizers across New England are working hard to prepare for this year’s celebrations.

The Rainbow Times caught up with festival organizers about what’s in store for their events.

Northampton Pride: May 5, 2018 (https://bit.ly/21ctXLB) Q: Please state your name and title within your Pride organization.

A: I am J.M. Sorrell, spokesperson.

Q: What’s this year’s theme?

A: Our theme is "Unbreakable." We have beautiful t-shirts for sale that will read Unbreakable: spirit. voice. passion. commitment. strength. pride. This theme notes that LGBTQ people are unbreakable in our personal and political lives.

Q: Who will be your grand and honorary marshals?

A: We do not have marshals in our parade.

2018 Pride season?

A: We will have a joint Skype event with Northampton, England this year. Also, I interviewed Senator Elizabeth Warren for our pride guide. She last attended in 2012 during her first run for U.S. Senate. We hope she is able to come this year, too.

Q: Do you consider your Pride to be inclusive? How so?

A: Our event is totally inclusive. First, [the event] is free with free parking and accessible space at the Three County Fairgrounds, so it is open to everyone. We count on people from all backgrounds to attend. Allies are incredibly important. At Noho Pride, people will march for various social justice causes and we can appreciate each other and join together in mutual support.

This year's march/parade begins at 11 a.m.—an hour earlier than in past years.

We have a full lineup onstage, so we are getting an earlier start to accommodate all that is happening. We will march from downtown along Main Street to the Three County Fairgrounds. There is something for everyone on Pride Day!

RI Pride’s Illuminated Parade

A: “Rainbow Resistance.”

Q: Do you have a current list of events?

Can you explain why they are relevant in terms of your theme? What are you hoping to achieve at these events?

A: See our website for the complete list of events: www.nohopride.org. This year, we will have both pre- and post-Pride events as well.

Boston Pride: June 1-10, 2018 http://bostonpride.org Q: Please state your name and title within your Pride organization.

A: Sylvain Bruni, President, Boston Pride.

Q: Who will be your grand and honorary marshals?

A: Grand Marshal: Freedom for All Massachusetts; Parade Marshal: Jo Trigilio: Honorary Parade Marshals: awarded posthumously to the late Gordon Burns and Edie Windsor.

Q: What are you excited about for the

Q: What’s this year’s theme?

Q: Do you have a current list of events?

PHOTO: RI PRIDEFEST

Can you explain why they are relevant in terms of your theme? What are you hoping to achieve at these events?

A: The calendar of Pride Events will be posted on the bostonpride.org website.

Q: What are you excited about for the 2018 Pride Season?

A: We anticipate this year's celebration to

See Pride 2018 on Page 16

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Kenya censors controversial LGBTQ movie before Cannes Film Festival A month before the Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard premiere of “Rafiki,” a Kenyan film that deals with LGBTQ themes, film board officials in Kenya have censored it.

The movie—adopted originally from a short story—portrays a romance between two teenage girls.

In defending their decision, the film board officials claim the subject of the movie goes against the “laws and culture of the Kenyan people.”

The ban followed a series of recent antiLGBTQ acts on behalf of the government of Kenya, where homosexuality is illegal.

Last year, a Disney Channel show was banned after the addition of a gay character (https://goo.gl/Wa2SaN). And, more recently, Uhuru Kenyatta, the country’s president, voiced anti-LGBTQ sentiments to CNN in an interview (https://goo.gl/4Bh6Hf).

But director Wanuri Kahiu, of Kenya, believes the movie ban discourages conversations surrounding such issues in Kenyan society at large.

First school for transgender students opened in Pakistan The Gender Guardian, a school created for the purpose of serving the transgender community, opened its doors April 15 in Lahore.

The institution offers a range of vocational and academic classes for twelve years of students.

The creation of the Gender Guardian follows a recent trend of transgender support and positivity in the country. Just last month, Marvia Malik became Pakistan’s first transgender news anchor (https://goo.gl/2NppfF).

Founders of the school wanted to shed light on the transgender community after a similar school in Indonesia closed in 2016 (https://goo.gl/KmcKns).

San Diego opens its first LGBTQfriendly senior housing complex North Park Seniors, an “LGBT-affirming” senior housing complex, opened Friday, April 27, in North Park, a neighborhood of San Diego.

The complex contains over 70 apartments for people 55 years old and older and cost $28 million to build. It was funded and built by the San Diego Housing Commission and Community HousingWorks, respectively, and received support from the San Diego LGBT Center.

North Park Seniors emerged in response to a need for LGBTQ-friendly housing in light of widespread rental discrimination in the United States. Its opening follows a trend of similar institutions opening across the country (https://goo.gl/JKVYhX).

Members of Missouri Supreme Court debate what state’s Human Rights Act covers The Missouri Supreme Court is examining the state’s Human Rights Act in light of a new discrimination case.

In the case, a transgender male student in the state’s Blue Springs School District had his name changed in the school, athletics and physical education records, but was denied access to male restrooms and locker rooms.

The Human Rights Act states that it protects against segregation “because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, or disability.” The controversy lies in whether “sex,” as mentioned in the Act, covers discrimination based on gender identity, as in the Blue Springs School District case.

Philadelphia hosts first march recognizing LGBTQ people of color On Wednesday, April 25, marchers in support of LGBTQ people of color surrounded Philadelphia’s City Hall as a start to the five-day Philadelphia Black Pride festival.

Although the festival has occurred annually for nineteen years, Wednesday’s demonstration was its first featured march—and the city’s first march in honor of LGBTQ people of color.

Philadelphia’s march followed the footsteps of several similar marches for LGBTQ people of color in other cities, across the country, including New York and Miami.

The march also occurred at a time when many in Philadelphia hope to fight racism in the city’s “Gayborhood,” an area downtown that has an acknowledged history of discrimination (https://goo.gl/NbZhA8).

National Pride Celebrations Page 19

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Ryan Murphy’s 'Pose' places trans actors front & center By: Romeo San Vicente*/Special to TRT

HOLLYWOOD

Ryan Murphy’s Pose places trans actors front and center If we can all survive as a nation until summer, Pose will be here to see us through.

The latest TV series from mega-creator Ryan Murphy is set in mid-’80s New York City and will dive deeply into the world of underground ball culture, so memorably depicted in the documentaries Paris is Burning and Kiki. There are the usual famous faces attached to the show, people like Kate Mara, Billy Porter and James Van Der Beek. But if we’re being honest, the real thrill is going to be the sheer number of transgender actors who’ll be taking their shot on the show. Mj Rodriguez, Indya Moore, Dominique Jackson, Hailie Sahar and Angelica Ross, most of whom are firsttimers or at least in the early stages of their acting careers, will collectively make Pose the show with the most trans actors playing trans characters in TV history. Verdict: we’re watching. We don’t even care if it’s good like early Glee or terrible like later Glee. We’re watching.

Lee Pace goes back to the future Recently, Lee Pace came out as bisexual —to the best of our ability to interpret his statement, that is—and he did so in that

Lee Pace

way that celebrities who’d rather not be asked too many questions about much of anything come out, by calling the interviewer “intrusive.” (We like to think we had him sorted all the way back to Soldier’s Girl and Wonderfalls, well before Ian McKellen accidentally outed him, but that’s just us thinking we have special powers of observation.) Oh well, we’re still glad to have him on board and we assume he’ll get used to being publicly queer soon enough. Meanwhile, he’s got a new project,

See Hollywood on page 15

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Campaign to elevate voices of trans people living with HIV in national health care conversation OAKLAND, Calif.—Transgender Law Center’s Positively Trans project recently launched #ACApositive, a campaign to shift the conversation about health care and the Affordable Care Act towards a focus on the life-or-death stakes for transgender people living with HIV. Launching just a week after news broke that the Trump administration plans to attack the Affordable Care Act’s protections for transgender people, the campaign seeks to amplify the experiences and voices of transgender people of color living with HIV in federal health care policy.

“By undermining the Affordable Care Act, the Trump administration is undermining the survival of transgender people of color living with HIV,” said Cecilia Chung, senior director of strategic projects at Transgender Law Center and founder of Positively Trans. “Yet so few advocates, policymakers, or media outlets covering these attacks on health care are talking about the stakes for my community. By saying we are #ACApositive, transgender people living with HIV are demanding that our voices and experiences be heard and respected.”

The digital campaign will feature the stories and perspectives of dozens of transgender people living with HIV, including through a Twitter town hall on Monday, May 7th, at 11am PT/2pm ET. “We are now living in a medically advanced world where, with proper treat-

ment, HIV has become manageable, chronic condition and not a death sentence —unless you are poor, unless you are a person of color, and especially unless you’re a poor transgender person of color,” says Arianna Lint, a member of the Positively Trans National Advisory Board. “For us, it is 1980. The Affordable Care Act has been a critical step towards finally addressing this crisis and giving us a chance to thrive.

To turn back on it now would be cruel and, for many, fatal.”

In a national research study, Positively Trans found that 44 percent of trans people living with HIV surveyed had faced discrimination in health care because of their gender identity, and 41percent had gone six months or more without medical care since their HIV diagnosis. Positively Trans, the

See Trans People on page 23

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 15

May 3, 2018 - May 30, 2018

Women’s March from Page 3

“IF YOU AREN’T FIGHTING FOR OR

BLACK WOMEN

TRANS WOMEN …

[AND] AGAINST CISNORMATIVITY AND HETERONORMATIVITY, YOU CAN’T CLAIM TO FIGHT FOR WOMEN.” “The real inclusion of [LGBTQ] people in leadership positions, in agenda-setting, in speaker time, all matter,” she said.

“Nothing about us without us—and what could be more about our population than a quest for equality and human rights?”

The best way to combat this issue is, to many, simply spreading the word.

“It’s just ignorance,” said McGuinness of the lack of awareness about transphobia and racism. “Educating people on what it means to generalize and what being intersectional means.”

“Explaining the problematic nature” of the racist, transphobic imagery, Wright added.

To “reach out to trans women, women of color, and other underrepresented groups from the beginning and actively involve them in the planning of the March,” said Thorburn of NEIC. Lewitt took a more radical approach in his contention about addressing racism and transphobia.

“Stop inviting the police,” they said.

“Stop having predominantly white organizing. Make critiques of capitalism and racism integral and indivisible from your events. And stop honoring racist people like Barbara Bush. If you aren’t fighting for black women or trans women … [and] against cisnormativity and heteronormativity, you can’t claim to fight for women.” http://bit.do/hrcspan

http://bit.do/hrcspan

http://bit.do/hrcspan

which can still … be categorized as racism and transphobia.”

“I didn’t observe any instances of overt transphobia or racism this year,” said Annie Thorburn of the New England Independence Campaign (NEIC; https://goo.gl/XkV5eQ), a New England– centered separatist organization that participated in this year’s March.

Thorburn said she was on the logistics committee for this year’s Boston March and also served as a stagehand for the speakers. But this “doesn’t necessarily mean they didn’t occur, of course, but if they did then I wasn’t aware of them.”

Thorburn does say, however, that she wishes to see more representation at the march.

“As far as I’m aware, there were only three trans women and two women of color involved in the organizing of the march.” In the future, she said, she’d like the march organizers to make more of an effort to reach out to marginalized communities.

“We did not hear any complaints directly,” said NEIC in a statement to The Rainbow Times.

Since Trump’s inauguration, NEIC has participated in most demonstrations in the New England area, including the 2017 Tax Day Protest and the 2018 Women’s March, among others.

But NEIC still refrained from wearing the “pussy hats” at the march. “We want to share the message that we are inclusive of non-binary people,” they said. “Three members of the team identify as non-binary.”

“We respect the right of individuals to wear whatever they want in public,” said NEIC, “even if we ourselves disagree with their clothing.”

Patricia Wright, one of the founding members of Indivisible Mystic Valley, a group of Mystic Valley–based activists and one of the participating organizations in this year’s march, thought the event was accepting.

“This … was probably one of the most transgender-positive Women’s Marches in the country,” she said. “We had multiple transgender speakers, and we closed on a speech from Freedom for All Massachusetts (https://goo.gl/nvSGzr)” a group working to prevent the repeal of the Mass. transgender non-discrimination laws this November (https://goo.gl/JeHPUh).

“In the audience, I am sure there was some transphobia and racism,” she continued. “I have seen a number of virulently transphobic images from other marches. It would be … unsurprising for there to have been such pockets here in Boston.”

These issues didn’t seem to persist at the Connecticut Women’s March in Hartford.

“One of the reasons it didn’t happen here in Connecticut may have been the conscious decision to include people like me and Evelyn Mantilla, the first openly bisexual congressperson in [the state],” said Cassandra Martineau, a transgender woman and one of the leaders of the Connecticut Women’s March.

She attended the national march last year and, after learning about issues of transphobia and racism at marches across the U.S., worked to prevent such instances in Connecticut.

Hollywood from Page 12

http://bit.do/hrcspan

one that takes the idea of scandal back to a more innocent, less jaded, pre-Trump era, when most celebrities didn’t come out at all, and when a famous man getting busted for cocaine and other crimes was a big deal and we were all bummed about it because it meant that the Back to the Future car wasn’t going to be as big a deal as we’d hoped. The film is called Driven and Mr. Pace will play none other than John DeLorean, inventor of that iconic, now vintage-cool vehicle, a man who also got involved with crime and cocaine and sent it all crashing down. It also stars Judy Greer, Jason Sudeikis and Corey Stole, so we’re pretty much here for it right now, even though it’s due later in 2018.

Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin are ready to reboot 9 to 5 The plan is for Patricia Resnick—the original screenwriter—and Rashida Jones (Parks and Recreation) to write it. The plan is for three new young women to star in it.

But the plan we care most about for the intalks reboot of 9 to 5 is that Dolly, Jane and Lily are all on board. This is probably the best news of 2018 so far, and if you don’t agree then we don’t know you and you don’t know us. 9 to 5, for you young people, is the classic 1980 comedy about women fighting workplace harassment and discrimination. It also gave the world the great Dolly Parton hit song of the same name. And given the current movement of women in the workplace demanding better treatment, what better time to reboot? The young women haven’t been cast yet, but

they will find more than capable mentors in the O.G. nine-to-fivers. Can’t wait, obviously, but Dolly’s the one with the best public statement on the matter. She advised production to pick up the pace: “I told them we better get after it or it’s going to be 95.”

Indeed.

Denis O’Hare, Anna Kendrick get untitled for now OK, maybe this one is a bit obscure if you don’t follow British comedy, but if you do then you know the name Christopher Morris is one to trust. The wicked comic genius behind shows like Brass Eye, The Day Today and Nathan Barley, and director of the blistering terrorism comedy Four Lions—yes, we said terrorism comedy— has a new film in the works. It is currently without a title and we know nothing about its content. We do know that it stars Anna Kendrick, gay actor Denis O’Hare (True Blood), Orange is the New Black actor Danielle Brooks, and one of our fave queer stand-up comedians James Adomian (BoJack Horseman). But that’s plenty to go on for now. It could star sock puppets, frankly, and we’d still give it our full attention. So while we’re waiting around for a title, go investigate Mr. Morris’ earlier work. You’ll be glad—and possibly unsettled and disturbed—that you did. *Romeo San Vicente believes in Huey Lewis-style Power of Love.

North Shore Pride 2018 June 23, Salem, Mass.

16 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

Pride 2018 from Page 9 be even bigger than last year, which was a record-breaking year.

Q: Do you consider your Pride to be inclusive? How so?

A: Boston Pride continues to produce events that provide visibility and support to all components of our very diverse community. During the month of February, Black History Month, Black Pride hosted a variety of activities ranging from educational events to social events including Drag Bingo Brunch, Taste of Tuesday, Flow Yoga, and Drag Paint Night. Boston Pride also hosted the Youth Valentine’s Day Dance in February where youth in attendance designed duffle bags for LGBT youth at the Waltham House.

Pride Portland: June 8-17, 2018 https://bit.ly/2rUJo0a Q: Please state your name and title within your Pride organization.

A: I'm Joey Brunelle, marketing & outreach chair for Pride Portland 2018. My pronouns are he, him, his.

Q: What’s this year’s theme?

A: This year's theme is “RISE UP: Loud and Proud,” with RISE standing for "racial equity, intersectionality, solidarity and mutual empowerment."

Q: Who will be your grand and honorary marshals?

A: We don't usually announce our marshals until later in the season, probably May.

Q: Do you have a current list of events?

Can you explain why they are relevant in terms of your theme? What are you hoping to achieve at these events?

A: We don't have a finalized list of events yet, but that should be coming in the next few weeks. We do know that Pride week will be from June 8-17, with a Parade down Congress Street on June 16 ending at Deering Oaks Park, where there will be an afternoon festival. There will be a variety of activities throughout the week, ranging from film screenings of LGBTQ films to rallies to support LGBTQ issues to dance parties to other events for seniors, families, and even LGBTQ folks with pets.

Q: What are you excited about for the 2018 Pride season?

A: I'm personally very excited that we have an all-new steering committee this year, the most diverse steering committee ever to run Pride Portland, so we're trying to highlight those in our LGBTQ community who are still suffering injustices, who are still marginalized—namely trans folks, people of color, indigenous people, and those who are differently abled.

Q: Do you consider your Pride to be inclusive? How so?

A: We are trying to make it as inclusive as possible, by simultaneously acknowledging and honoring the successes that we've achieved already and highlighting the challenges that we still face. We may have won our right to get married, but we still have a lot of work left to do. We're only as free as the least free among us.

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

May 3, 2018 - May 30, 2018

“I'M PERSONALLY VERY EXCITED THAT WE HAVE AN ALL-NEW STEERING COMMITTEE THIS YEAR, THE MOST

DIVERSE STEERING COMMITTEE EVER TO RUN

PRIDE PORTLAND, SO WE'RE TRYING TO HIGHLIGHT THOSE IN OUR

LGBTQ COMMUNITY WHO ARE

STILL SUFFERING

INJUSTICES, WHO ARE STILL

MARGINALIZED—NAMELY TRANS FOLKS, PEOPLE OF COLOR, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, AND THOSE WHO ARE DIFFERENTLY ABLED.”

—PRIDE PORTLAND Rhode Island Pride: June 16, 2018 https://www.prideri.org Q: Please state your name and title within your Pride organization.

A: Joe Lazzerini, President, Rhode Island Pride.

Q: What’s this year’s theme?

A: For 2018, our theme is “Louder & Prouder.” To us and the LGBTQ+ community across Rhode Island, this theme is personal and means speaking out when we see injustices in our communities. It also means being proud of who we are, who we love and where we come from. We have accomplished a lot over the years as a community, but we still need to speak up and be loud. Speak up for those who can’t and be proud and celebrate who we are and our diversity as a community.

Q: Who will be your grand and honorary marshals?

A: Our grand and honorary marshals haven't yet been announced. But this year we know they will reflect the leadership and diversity that has made our local LGBTQ+ community what it is today.

Q: Do you have a current list of events?

Can you explain why they are relevant in terms of your theme? What are you hoping to achieve at these events?

A: From our annual Goddess Show, RI Pride Pageant, Providence City Hall Flag Raising, theater events, live entertainment and art shows to name a few, we have a wide range of events during the months leading up to the RI Pride celebration on June 16.

Q: What are you excited about for the 2018 Pride season?

A: Every year we see record numbers of attendees come to the City of Providence from all over the country. We feel we have a pretty special community and pride cele-

bration here and we are excited about welcoming thousands of people to our creative capital to celebrate love, diversity, and inclusion. Rhode Island Pride has a lot to offer from a great lineup of local and regional entertainment acts to great parties at our local bars and nightclubs, as well as our amazing Illuminated Night Time Parade.

Q: Do you consider your Pride to be inclusive? How so?

A: Rhode Island Pride is an inclusive event for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community along with our straight supporters and allies. Regardless of your gender, background, ethnicity, culture, race, religion or sexual orientation. We offer a diverse mix of events and activities for members of the LGBTQ+ communities and their families.

North Shore Pride: June 23, 2018 http://www.northshorepride.org Q: Please state your name and title within your Pride organization.

A: Hope Watt-Bucci, President, North Shore Pride, Inc. Q: What’s this year’s theme?

A: “#TrueSelf.”

Q: Who will be your grand and honorary marshals?

A: TV actor and comedian Caroline Rhea Q: Do you have a current list of events?

A: An event listing is available at https://goo.gl/aX8CWt. Q: Can you explain why they are relevant in terms of your theme?

A: Our theme of #TrueSelf is reflected in all of our events this year. For example, our kickoff event titled, Pride and History at the Beauport Museum, provides tours and readings from a historic gay architect from Gloucester who epitomized North Shore ...

See Pride 2018 on page 23

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 17

May 3, 2018 - May 30, 2018

5 things to do before giving your rocky relationship the kiss-off THE FRIVOLIST

By: Mikey Rox*/Special to TRT

Y

ou can take the easy way out when the going gets tough in your relationship (and you should if you don’t love your partner anymore), but there’s plenty of value and payoff in sticking the hard times out and trying to make it work. How you do that is up to you—there’s no right or wrong way—but these tips on putting the pieces of shattered partnership back together again are a great place to start.

1. Check yourself first When we’re not connecting with our partners in a positive way, it’s easy to concentrate on their negative behavior—where they’re falling short and letting you down (and annoying the hell out of you while they’re at it) – instead of focusing on how we’re contributing and perhaps affecting the situation with our own behavior.

“The trap within this mindset is that it focuses on what the other partner is doing or failing to do, but doesn't make the individual accountable to their own choices and behaviors,” explains Anna Osborn, a licensed marriage and family therapist in California. “Doing a gut check on how you as an individual are showing up in the relationship and being willing to admit it can have a profound positive impact on the relationship. Doing this can also help couples make communication safer by demonstrating that each person can admit their mistakes and work together to create change without it being held against them.”

2. Revisit what each of you value Most couples consider calling it quits because their feelings for one another change, but what they don’t realize is that feelings are supposed to change; none of us are the same at the beginning of a relationship as we are just a few years later. But common values, like affection, quality time, fiscal responsibility, and loyalty, are what hold a healthy relationship together, and when couples work together in pursuit of these values, they’re more likely to re-experience positive feelings toward one another.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Jill Gross says,

“When couples feel out-of-sorts, it’s because either their values are changing and they aren’t talking about it with each other —sometimes because they aren’t aware of these changes themselves—and/or because they are not spending time consciously living their values.”

If this sounds like what’s going on in your rocky relationship, Dr. Gross recommends a few strategies: -Find a list of values (this can easily be found online with a Google search, she says), sit down together to review and talk about the list while each of you circle his/her top five values.

-Of the top five values, identify one or two that you two have in common. Once these values are identified, brainstorm together something you can do together in service of these values. “For example,” says Dr. Gross, “if [you] both notice that affection is on the top of your values list, I encourage [you] to get creative about setting aside a regular, prescribed amount of time dedicated solely to the practice of giving and receiving affection.”

-If you find you have no common values in your respective top five lists, Dr. Gross encourages you to seek outside assistance (relationship coaching or couples counseling) to help you dig a little deeper for creative ways to pursue your common values together.

3. Make an appointment with a couple’s therapist Not all couples can fix their issues on their own—and there’s absolutely no shame in that. An unbiased, highly trained third party mediator may be just what you need to make progress toward healing old wounds, especially if your attempts at home end up in arguments where nobody walked away appreciating what the other was trying to express. For this to work, however, you both have to be willing to take your sessions seriously while recognizing how helpful therapy can be and how crucial it may be to your relationship’s survival.

To make the most of your time and money (couple’s therapy isn’t a drop in the bucket financially), go in with open minds Read the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com

18 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

May 3, 2018 - May 30, 2018

The struggle for trans rights and support from allies throughout the years By: Deja Nicole Greenlaw*/TRT Columnist

I

TRANS OPINION

recently attended a presentation on terminology related to the trans community and what allies can do to support trans people. This presentation was at a local church and the majority of attendees were cisgender people. In the early days there would never be a presentation such as this offered outside of the LGBTQ community and most certainly not ever in a church. Times sure have changed!

The presentation discussed terms such as “non-binary,” “genderqueer,” “agender,” and other aspects of gender identity. The cis audience was struggling a little to understand the differences between the terms, but they were earnestly trying to understand. It was a bit of a culture shock for me as I am not a churchgoer and I was pleasantly surprised.

These cis church folks were on our side!

There were also a few young trans people there and one of them politely corrected the presenter that one should never ask for “your preferred pronouns.” The young trans person pointed out that the word “pre-

ferred” implies that there is a choice. Instead, one should ask, “What are your pronouns?” leaving the word “preferred” completely out of the question. It was great to hear the voice of a young trans person providing input to the presentation. Yes,

pected everyone I met to try to erase my identity. Back then, trans people had very little, if any, support from family and friends and forget about looking to churches for support. We, trans people, were often thought of as sick, weird, and

THE YOUNG TRANS PERSON POINTED OUT THAT THE WORD “PREFERRED” IMPLIES THAT THERE IS A CHOICE. INSTEAD, ONE SHOULD ASK, “WHAT ARE YOUR PRONOUNS?” times change, terms change, and what you ask one day might not be okay to ask the next day. It was great that the young trans person brought us up to date with the current thinking.

Another thought I’ve been hearing lately from the younger trans crowd is that they will not let anyone erase their identity.

They are who they are and they demand that people acknowledge that fact. Back in my day, it seemed like everyone was trying to erase my identity. It was so bad that I ex-

disgusting individuals who needed help to straighten out. Nowadays, many families and friends support and even champion our struggle to be who we are. Times have greatly changed!

What brought about this change? I would say that it began with the American Psychiatric Association (APA; https://psychiatry.org), publisher of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), stating in a 2012 report that trans people are not mentally ill and

that transition can greatly help the individual. In 2013, the DSM was changed because of that report. From that point on, many therapists changed their views of trans people and helped them if they were ready to transition. Soon afterwards, parents became involved and the support grew.

After family, friends got on board, and now even church groups are among our strongest allies! It’s incredible the amount of support that has grown since 2012.

Where there once was very little to no support and now, in many cases, there is tremendous support for trans people. I am very happy that we have this support these days, but it is such a huge change from how it used to be that I’m still in a bit of culture shock!

We still have a long way to go to get everyone on board with us, but we do now have such a wonderful base of allies. I am so grateful for these allies and I am so happy that they are supporting us. Looking back to the days when we had little support and with all the support we now have, I want to give a shout out to all those family members, friends, and church groups that are now in our corner and have our backs.

They are making our lives much easier than they ever were and I thank them for it! *Deja Nicole Greenlaw is retired from 3M and has three children and two grandchildren.

What you need to know about FOSTA-SESTA and how it affects all of us By: Lorelei Erisis*/TRT Columnist

T

PHOTO: DAVID MEEHAN

here are times when I feel compelled to write about a topic, but just don’t really know where, or how, to begin.

This is one of those times. In this case, it’s because the topic I want to write about is just so big and yet hits so close to home that I’m having trouble finding an eloquent expression of what I need to say. But sometimes when something is too big and scary, I find the best thing to do is to just start talking (or, in this case, writing) and see where I go.

The thing that has me so scared right now is a pair of recently passed laws known as,

“FOSTA-SESTA” (https://goo.gl/5S4wN8).

Let me be clear, I believe that the stated aim of these two bills, now signed into law

by President Donald Trump, is pretty inarguably good. These two laws, the “Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act” and the “Stop Enabling Sex Trafficking Act,” had the support of a lot of good and decent folks. Sex trafficking is one of those very rare things that pretty much everyone I know, anywhere on the political or social spectrum thinks is really bad.

Whereas before FOSTA-SESTA, internet providers were not held directly, legally responsible for content they host, essentially allowing for all the user-generated content and free exchange of ideas and services that make up the backbone of the internet we know and use daily. Now, providers can be held legally responsible and criminally

THE THING ABOUT RIGHTS THAT I HAVE LEARNED FROM MY MANY YEARS OF ACTIVISM IS THAT ONCE THEY

,

HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY IT’S VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THEM BACK. charged for any laws their users might break.

Fighting sex trafficking is an easy issue for everyone to support. And if that was really what these laws were going to do, then I might be writing a column about how awesome they are and how, for once, Trump has done the right thing.

Sadly, it’s not. That’s why I’m scared.

Because the practical effect of these laws seems to have been to directly harm sex workers and at the same time strip away some of our most important internet freedom protections.

Why am I so scared personally? Because I have done sex work myself. Because I have been supported, fed, clothed, and housed by sex work done by a partner. Because there are a lot of folks close to me who are sex workers, who are now in very real danger.

And, because as a student of politics and history, I can easily see how this law can be used against all of us, even those who have never, and will never, participate in or support sex work in any way. It’s just the sort of draconian, wide-ranging set of laws that allows totalitarian governments to strip

away basic freedoms, all while claiming to protect us.

If you search for FOSTA-SESTA right now you’ll find a ton of articles that go into much more detail about the history and details of these two laws. In fact, I would recommend that you do. But I don’t have the space for that here, or the personal distance. My intention right now is just to bring your attention to the practical ramifications of these new laws and perhaps what you might do to help.

What this does is drive sex workers— those who do it by choice, as well as those who might have no, or less choice—off the internet back onto the streets. It removes the ability of sex workers to screen clients and to communicate and trade important information that helps make the work safer for everyone. It also removes the ability of sex workers to organize, to effectively advocate for their rights and their own safety and to fight for better conditions and less harassment in the ways that marginalized workers around the world have done for decades.

See Ask a Trans Woman on page 21

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 19

May 3, 2018 - May 30, 2018

QPuzzle this Time: You Can’t Beat Margaret’s Tale

New England & Nearby Pride Events** NoHo Pride May 5 https://bit.ly/21ctXLB

San Francisco Pride June 23-24 https://bit.ly/1nAg9Gb

Long Beach Pride May 19-20 https://bit.ly/2jkDEcG

NYC Pride June 24 https://bit.ly/1deuY1S

DC Black Pride May 25-28, Memorial Day Weekend https://bit.ly/2jgWtgI

LA Black Pride July 1 https://bit.ly/2KsJ3dQ

Pride Niagara June 2-9 https://bit.ly/1THojvk

Rochester Black Pride Aug. 8-12 https://bit.ly/2KsJNzE

Hull Pride June 2 https://bit.ly/2KsrlYe

**Montreal LGBTQ Pride**

Boston Dyke March June 8 https://bit.ly/2FtcvwM

P-Town Carnival Aug. 11-17 https://bit.ly/2FtNGRu

Pride Portland June 8-17 https://bit.ly/2rUJo0a

Worcester Pride Sept. 5-9 https://bit.ly/2KqzwV0

Boston Pride June 9 https://bit.ly/1gwKt0t

Hartford Capital City Pride Sept. 8 https://bit.ly/2qUH1NA

Philly Pride June 10 https://bit.ly/1VIP5ov

Pride Vermont Sept. 8 https://bit.ly/2r94rfm

Ri PrideFest June 16 https://bit.ly/2JIg30S

Holyoke MA Pride October/TBD https://bit.ly/2HHvfPi

Chicago Pride June 17-25 https://bit.ly/1Jryc09

Springfield MA Pride TBD https://tinyurl.com/yab78d4e

**North Shore Pride**

** Prides where The Rainbow Times is the proud main media partner**

June 21-24 https://bit.ly/2rb8053 Pride Toronto, Canada June 22-24 http://www.pridetoronto.com/

Aug. 9-19 https://bit.ly/2acA7s7

NOTE: The Rainbow Times is not responsible for event date changes.

Please contact the organization or their website for updates prior to traveling to any of the events listed above.

Across 1 Comes and goes wherever 5 Like the Alps through which the von Trapps escaped 10 Visit Barneys, e.g.

14 Nuts 15 Punch bowl item 16 Drink from the land of the samurai 17 Hanna-Barbera bear 18 Like Tales of the City 19 Singer Woody's son 20 Start of a quote from The Handmaid's Tale 23 Advice columnist Savage 24 Take ___ on balls (walk) 25 Part of a rusty nail 27 The Advocate, to detractors 28 Takes into custody 32 The Handmaid's Tale author Margaret 34 Lover with a long appendage 36 Goes too far with rough play 37 Baltic Sea tributary 40 More of the quote 42 Scott of Beautiful Thing 43 Works the shaft 45 Stirring up 47 More of the quote 49 U-shaped instrument 50 "Till There ___ You" 53 Symbol of discipline 55 Out partner 57 JFK info 58 End of the quote 62 Pride member

64 "Rose is a rose is a rose," e.g.

65 advocate.com, e.g.

66 Trouble spots for teens 67 "All ___ is a room somewhere..."

68 Sooner city 69 Where to stick your tool 70 St. ___ fire 71 Personal-ad stats Down 1 Tavern with "eagle" in the name, often 2 One that reproduces without sex or adoption 3 Collar attachment 4 Some gay humor on SNL, e.g.

5 Arc on Bernstein's music score 6 Shoot off a flare, e.g.

7 "___ much obliged" 8 People from Navratilova's country 9 Nero's tutor 10 Fed. retirement agency 11 Like some gay porn 12 "I Cain't Say No" musical 13 Worker at the bottom 21 Start of a rhyme about a tiger 22 Kind of IRA 26 Sound from guitarist Townshend 29 Prepare to shoot off 30 Jethrene Bodine portrayer Max 31 One who comes slowly

33 Data transmission letters 34 El Greco's homeland 35 "If I ___ Had a Brain" 37 Fed. fiscal agency 38 Marlene of Witness for the Prosecution 39 Crown as queen 41 Mister 44 One in bondage 46 Kind of beer 48 Bert, to Ernie 50 Romeo's initial activity with Juliet 51 "___ Em! Uncle Henry!"

52 They're well-hung beneath jockeys 54 Talk like a Tennessee Williams character 56 Choice for Paul Revere 57 "Uh-oh!" to Shelley 59 A doctor makes you strip for it 60 Chianti, e.g.

61 Vital team 63 Composer Rorem

SOLUTION

20 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

May 3, 2018 - May 30, 2018

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 21

May 3, 2018 - May 30, 2018

Ask a Trans Woman from Page 18 It makes sex workers radically more vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and abuse. For that matter, it actually makes it more difficult to locate and protect those victims of sex trafficking that these laws are meant to help.

To be absolutely clear, FOSTA-SESTA is terrible for sex workers. It makes an already difficult and often dangerous job exponentially more difficult and dangerous, even deadly. It unilaterally attacks the lives and livelihoods of those who choose to do sex work while failing to protect—and frankly further endangering—those who do not choose sex work, but who do it because they are either forced into it, trafficked, or who simply have no other realistic options.

In case it wasn’t clear to you, dear reader, there are rather a lot of trans people, including myself who have either chosen to do sex work or who have found ourselves in situations where we had no other way to support ourselves. For many of us, that line can become quite blurry.

But fine, maybe you really don’t care about the lives of sex workers. I can’t imagine we’d get along very well, if that’s the case. But I know there are people like that out there.

This is bad for you too. It may not be deadly perhaps, but it’s still very bad because these laws effectively poke holes in some of the protections that have kept the internet such a free and open place.

Now, it’s admittedly easy to see how, in the case of an activity so heinous as sex trafficking, this might make for a pretty good argument. However, when you start to consider the full ramifications of giving over to the government and law enforcement authorities such wide-ranging power this becomes, very bad. Think about the impossibility of policing popular sites like Reddit so there is never, ever any illegal or illicit activity being promoted or discussed in those forums.

Sites like Craigslist have already seen the writing on the wall. Before these laws have even gone into effect, they entirely removed their popular personals sections and it wasn’t because there was necessarily anything illegal going on. Many folks I know have used those personals to meet current partners and even future spouses. Or have just

been able to use them to quietly hook up without the social aspect of a Tinder or Grindr. They removed these personals because the expectation that any website could effectively monitor and police themselves in such a way as to keep any illegal activity from ever going on is completely ridiculous and practically quite difficult to actually implement. Even such behemoths of the internet as Google have begun deleting any porn-oriented files from people’s personal e-mail and Google Drive accounts.

Oh, what’s that? You never realized that porn counts as sex work? That by surfing a little porn occasionally you, yourself, are actively participating in the economy of sex work? It does. You are.

This affects you too.

I told you, I am scared. And it’s because we can fully expect that these laws will negatively affect all of our lives in ways that we can barely even predict right now.

FOSTA-SESTA is a wedge to separate us from some of our most basic rights. The thing about rights that I have learned from my many years of activism is that once they have been taken away, it’s very, very difficult to get them back.

So, what can you do? Well, that’s one of the reasons I had so much trouble getting started on this column. I’m an advice columnist after all. When I write about a problem I see or that someone asks me about, I like to be able to offer a solution, a concrete plan of action or even a best path to follow.

But FOSTA-SESTA is already signed into law.

This is so fresh, I honestly have nothing beyond ideas. Perhaps we can fight back.

Maybe somehow, if enough of us speak up and contact our representatives, we can get this law repealed, or at least amended.

Read the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com

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#MeToo from Page 4 support from hospitals, police, counselors and health centers … and [are] less likely to disclose abuse,” she continued. “Depending on the other identities an individual may hold … the barriers [to] seeking support tend to increase.”

Boston Pride marshal Jo Trigilio doesn’t plan to focus on just the #MeToo movement

Pride 2018 from Page 16 Pride’s #TrueSelf theme through his lifestyle.

Our interfaith service is a celebration of diverse faiths across the North Shore. By inviting all faiths, we celebrate all faiths equally. Participants are invited to participate and provide reflection, no matter who you are, how you identify or which faith you engage with. North Shore Pride’s parade this year encourages all marchers to encompass our #TrueSelf theme in their marching groups and floats. We offer parade prizes for those who show what #TrueSelf means to their group.

Our festival this year honors Shannon Daniels, the amazing Swampscott Elementary Principal who bravely announced their #TrueSelf earlier in the school year. Our rainbow flag raising on the common this year will be accompanied by a solo of the song, “This is Me” in keeping with our #TrueSelf theme.

Q: What are you hoping to achieve at these events?

A: Our goal for all of our events has always been to bring unity in our community. North Shore Pride week is a week of events that provide opportunities to meet and engage with your North Shore community, to have access to community services and to feel comfortable and celebrate your #TrueSelf in an environment of acceptance.

Q: What are you excited about for the 2018 Pride Season?

A: This year North Shore Pride is excited to offer more programming and to expand our organization’s focus on the educational component of our mission. We look forward to announcing our new programming in the very near future.

Q: Do you consider your Pride to be inclusive? How so?

A: Absolutely, North Shore Pride has a focus on inclusion. From the diversity in our Board, to our deliberate choice of entertainment, honorees, and programming, we take great pride in meeting the needs of our North Shore community. So we hope you will join us this year as we celebrate #TrueSelf.

Worcester Pride: September 5-9, 2018 http://worcesterpride.org Q: Please state your name and title within your Pride organization.

A: Michele Brown, Worcester Pride Secretary.

Q: What’s this year’s theme?

A: This year’s theme is, "Pride has no limits."

Q: Who will be your grand and hon-

at this year’s Parade.

“I will be focusing on intersectionality, which includes #MeToo,” she said.

Trigilio teaches Women’s and Gender Studies at Simmons College. Along with this, she has a, “long history of helping students and colleagues deal with sexual harassment and assault—so I understand the topic quite well,” she said. orary marshals?

A: We are still gathering nominations for the 2018 grand and honorary marshals, and plan to vote at the April or May committee meeting.

Q: Do you have a current list of events?

Can you explain why they are relevant in terms of your theme? What are you hoping to achieve at these events?

A: The calendar of Worcester Pride events is located on our website: https://goo.gl/fhTzu3. At every Worcester Pride event, we look to create advocacy and awareness for all parts of the community and our supporters, celebrate and recognize annual strides and achievements and create a safe place in the community for folks to come together and not be limited or restricted to being open, happy, and comfortable in their own skin. We always want to create advocacy, awareness, diversity, and inclusion in everything that we do.

Q: What are you excited about for the 2018 Pride season?

A: One new thing that we are doing this year that we are really excited about is participating in a new campaign called, “Love Your Labels.” Love Your Labels is a movement to embrace labels, eliminate stereotypes, and empower individuals.

This campaign is uniting underrepresented communities while also engaging humanity in a conversation about equality. With the tagline “Unique & United,” we are elevating the dialogue about how labels like gay, black, trans, veteran, feminist, individuals with disabilities, etc. describe, but don’t define, people. Many [people as a result] of these labels have been historically and continue to be disadvantaged because of bias, racism, and a lack of knowledge. This campaign is encouraging uncomfortable conversation that leads to change.

Q: Do you consider your Pride to be inclusive? How so?

A: Yes, we consider all of our events to be diverse and inclusive. The participation of all, regardless of age, creed, gender, gender identity, HIV status, national origin, disability, race, religion, or sexual orientation is welcome. Worcester Pride strives to recognize, promote, and unite the Central Massachusetts LGBTQI+ community, allies, and supporters. We always have several LGBTQI+ flags all around the festival and included in the parade, among many other things that we do to make sure that everyone feels included and supported. We are an all-volunteerbased non-profit organization that relies solely on donations and sponsors to host our annual parade, festival, prom, and many other Pride week activities.

“[I]t is important to communicate a message that ‘you are seen, you can heal, and there is support.’”

According to advocates, a message of support, awareness, and attention is crucial for issues like sexual and domestic violence.

“Campaigns and events that center [on] the experiences of survivors are the best way to bring awareness to the issue,” said Santiago.

“There is a place for awareness and visibility in a larger celebration that catches peoples’ attention,” Kourabas said. “[I]t is

important to communicate a message that ‘you are seen, you can heal, and there is support.’ The message can be hopeful and focused on the community that exists as a healing tool.”

“What makes trauma that much more impactful is the isolation,” she continued. “I think Pride and other celebratory venues are a perfect place to communicate support, healing, and community.”

This year’s Boston Pride Parade (https://goo.gl/wdBvVF) will take place Saturday, June 9 at 12:00 p.m. beginning in Copley Square.

Trans People from Page 14

living with HIV. It’s a matter of life or death for us.”

Learn more about #ACApositive and find campaign materials at https://transgenderlawcenter.org/acapositive.

the first network led by and for transgender people living with HIV (TPLHIV), launched in 2015 to address inequities, stigma, and discrimination faced by TPLHIV through community-driven research, leadership development, storytelling, and organizing.

Evonne Kaho, another member of Positively Trans, added, “We are launching the #ACApositive campaign because everyone should be able to get medical care when they need it. Everyone deserves for their life to be saved, and that’s what the Affordable Care Act means for transgender people

Depression from Page 2 Directory (https://goo.gl/JKnUf6). There’s also the Association of LGBTQ Psychiatrists (http://aglp.org) and the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Issues in Counseling (http://algbtic.org).

Also, the National LGBT Health Education Center – A Program of the Fenway Institute (https://goo.gl/JzR8jC) is based in New England.

Polling Politics from Page 2 This November, vote yes to uphold the basic protections and non-discrimination laws already established to protect the transgender community in Massachusetts.

We all deserve the dignity and respect that this brings to our valued residents of this Commonwealth. Not only do I stand with the trans community as editor of this pub-

Transgender Law Center (transgenderlawcenter.org; TLC) is the largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people. Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, TLC employs a variety of communitydriven strategies to keep transgender and gender nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation.

Regular readers of this column may recall I’ve sometimes written about integrating, “mind, body, and spirit.” Mind deals with mental wellness. Body addresses physical needs like good diet, exercise, and managing high blood pressure. Spirit is about the soul or inner wellbeing.

All three are equally important. Don’t be limited in how you approach your inner Read the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com

lication, but it is a personal battle for me as well. My family deserves protection and so do each one of you. *Nicole Lashomb is the Editor-in-Chief of The Rainbow Times. She holds an MBA from Marylhurst University and a BM from SUNY (Potsdam), Crane School of Music.

She can be reached via e-mail at: editor@therainbowtimesmass.com.

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