The Rainbow Times' Nov. 2022 Issue

Congressional protection from activist SCOTUS justices codifying our lives

By: Nicole C. Lashomb The Rainbow Times’ Editor-in-Chief

EDITOR’S DESK

After the Supreme Court stunt of overturning decades worth of precedent in Roe v. Wade (https://is.gd/pRX9zW), stripping away the birthing autonomy of those with a uterus, there has been no time greater than the present in recent history to safeguard human rights.

If such significant protections for Roe v. Wade can be overturned, those same justices are not applying the law of the land to Supreme Court cases, but instead are in fact relying on personal opinion. And, if opinion is allowed to be the ultimate voice of the nation’s highest court, we are in serious trouble.

Recently, four Republicanappointed Supreme Court justices reportedly attended a 40th-anniversary celebration for the Federalist Society, a conservative legal group that has helped pack U.S. courts with anti-LGBTQ judges who will serve for decades to come.

Justices Samuel Alito, Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh, according to Associated Press reporter Mark Sherman, attended the society’s event (https://is.gd/86hzMm). Three of the Justices were appointed by Trump, considered by many to be the most anti-LGBTQ+ president of all-time.

In fact, 85 percent of Trump judges are members of the Federalist society. But this goes much deeper than simply belonging to a society of lawyers.

According to similar reports, the Federalist Society is “an ideological

clearing house of conservative lawyers,” published LGBTQ Nation (https://is.gd/86hzMm). “Approval by the group practically guarantees that a judicial nominee it approves of will rule against LGBTQ rights on the bench. The Society has also had a stated goal of undoing what it calls the ‘Judicial Legacy of Barack Obama.’”

Read redlining, white supremacy and anti just about anything that serves the well being of the most marginalized members of society. The group has been well known to prioritize “religious liberty” exceptions to human rights issues as if they are somehow “protecting” the rights of others to practice their religion.

The problem is that religious exemptions should not qualify under pretenses that infringe on the rights of Americans held under the law. We’ve seen religious exemptions and persecution go hand-in-hand in about every facet of daily life from cake decorating, refusing to provide marriage licenses to same-sex couples, to the adoption of children who are already falling by the wayside in the foster system. Only, no one’s right to practice

their religion is actually being infringed upon.

It’s common knowledge that when driving, we must stop at a stop sign. Even if a stop sign was newly placed in an area where someone personally disagrees with its placement, the law still must be adhered to. You must stop. The members of the Federalist Society apparently disagree. Citing religious exemption is their MO, modus operandi, and that concept is clearly “code” for a license to discriminate against others disguised by “strictly held personal beliefs.”

Religious exemptions should not exist when it strips away rights from others. How many times has the Bible been used to justify enslavement, genocide, child abuse, the abuse of women, and so on? Mary Magdalene wrote a book of the Bible too, but that was intentionally left out by the church as well—conveniently.

As a global community, religious books are often the go-to when striving to deny rights to others. This time, however, it’s become gravely dangerous as a majority of sitting Supreme Court Justices ascribe to similar personal and

Equality Florida: Boards of medicine and osteopathy restrict life-saving care for transgender youth soon

Youth18-25 will qualify for temporary host homes, hosts will receive daily stipend for their licensure; Advocates to request additional hearing, workshop

ORLANDO, Fla.—Recently, the Boards of Medicine and Osteopathy finalized their proposed rules to restrict gender affirming care for transgender youth in Florida which, when in effect, will be the only ban on gender-affirming in effect in America. Similar measures in Alabama and Arkansas are currently blocked in court.

“With young lives on the line, another state agency has placed the political ambitions of Ron DeSantis over its duty to protect Floridians,” said Nikole Parker, Equality Florida Director of Transgender Equality. “These rules, as written, put transgender youth at higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidality. Those are the facts purposely ignored by a Board of Medicine stacked with DeSantis political appointees who have put their toxic politics over people’s health and

wellbeing. Transgender Floridians exist. We are part of this community. Gender-affirming care is lifesaving care—and it is care that is supported by every major medical organization, an overwhelming majority of medical providers, and should be left to young

people, their families, and their doctors. Not politicians. Shame on the Florida Boards of Medicine and Osteopathy for trading the suffering of trans-

now professional ideologies and it is dismantling what remains of judicial precedent.

Anti-Trans legislation

We cannot rely nor trust in the Supreme Court any longer; They are after minority human rights, our rights The

Looking to the months ahead, we must pay particular attention to the “Protect Children’s Innocence Act,” a bill introduced by one of the most dangerous members of Congress, Marjorie Taylor-Greene (R-GA). This bill would deny trans youth from being able to access puberty blockers and gender-affirming healthcare. To no surprise, Taylor-Greene has ignored repeated medical evidence of how these medical interventions elevate trans youths’ overall sense of physical and mental health, substantially reducing suicide risk. Literally, they are life-saving treatments.

“The Protect Children’s Innocence Act would make it a class C felony for doctors to provide gender-affirming

Phone: 617.444.9618

Publisher

Graysen M. Ocasio

Editor-In-Chief

Nicole Lashomb

Assistant Editor Mike Givens

National/Local Sales

Rivendell Media

Liz Johnson

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Christine M. Hurley

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Columnistst

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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.

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THESE RULES, AS WRITTEN, PUT TRANSGENDER YOUTH AT HIGHER RISK OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND SUICIDALITY.

— NIKOLE PARKER

EQUALITY FLORIDA DIRECTOR OF TRANSGENDER EQUALITY

CITING RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION IS THEIR MO AND THAT CONCEPT IS CLEARLY “CODE” FOR A LICENSE TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST OTHERS DISGUISED BY “STRICTLY HELD PERSONAL BELIEFS.”

Historic number of LGBTQ+ candidates run in all 50 states

Amid the largest number of anti-LGBTQ bills in the country, LGBTQ+ candidates register to run for office, report says

WASHINGTON D.C.—It is no surprise that with the rise of antiLGBTQ+ bills in various states in the country has brought in the largest number of LGBTQIA+ candidates in 2022. The only annual report by the LGBTQ Victory Fund, the 2022 Out on the Trail Report, shows the number and diversity of LGBTQ candidates running for office in 2022.

From the 2022 Out on the Trail report (https://is.gd/dv75AB), at least 1,065 out LGBTQ people ran for offices with elections in 2022, more than any other time in history. Of the 1,065 candidates, 678 appeared on the ballot in November, an 18.1 percent increase from 2020 when 574 candidates were on the November ballot, according to the Victory Fund. To reach equitable representation, the U.S. must elect over 35,000 more out LGBTQ people to office, according to LGBTQ Victory Institute (https://is.gd/B26t8P).

“Voters are sick and tired of the relentless attacks lobbed against the LGBTQ community this year,” read president & CEO Mayor Annise Parker’s statement. “Bigots want us to stay home and stay quiet, but their attacks are backfiring and instead have motivated a new wave of LGBTQ leaders to run for office. When they

tried to ban books and censor LGBTQ kids and teachers, a record number of LGBTQ people ran for school board.

“When they introduced a historic number of anti-LGBTQ laws in state legislatures, LGBTQ people ran for state legislatures like never before. When they tried to stall federal proequality legislation, we ran for Congress like never before. This November, we have an opportunity to elect more LGBTQ people to office than ever before. But it’s going to take each and every one of us. Sitting on the sidelines isn’t an option when our rights are on the chopping block. This is a time for action. This is a time for unity.”

Key trends:

• Of the 714 out LGBTQ candidates who appeared on Tuesday’s ballot, 436 won – a 61% win rate.

• Of the 250 out LGBTQ women who appeared on Tuesday’s ballot, 160 won – a 64% win rate.

• Of the 353 out LGBTQ men who appeared on Tuesday’s ballot, 221 won races – a 63% win rate.

• Of the 37 out trans candidates who

By: Terri Schlichenmeyer* Special to TRT

It shall not pass your lips. No, That Thing You Do Not Talk About is offlimits in all conversation, a nontopic when the subject surfaces.

Truly, there are just certain things that are nobody's business and in the new novel, "All the Broken Places" by John Boyne, some secrets must last a lifetime.

She hated the idea that she would have to adjust to new neighbors.

Ninety-oneyear-old Gretel Fernsby wasn't so much bothered by new people, as she was by new noise. She hated the thought of inuring herself to new sounds, and what if the new tenants had children? That was the worst of all. Gretel never was much one for children, not her own and certainly not any living below her.

Once, there was a time when Gretel could imagine herself with many children. That was nearly eighty years ago, when she was in love with her father's

driver, Kurt. She thought about Kurt through the years – he had fallen out of favor with her father, and was sent elsewhere – and she wondered if he survived the war.

Her father didn't, nor did her younger brother but Gretel didn't think about those things. What happened at the "other place" was not her fault.

She hadn't known. She was innocent.

the Broken Places” by John Boyne THE BOOKWORM

That was what she told herself as she and her mother fled to Paris. Gretel was fifteen then, and she worked hard to get rid of her German accent but not everyone was fooled by her bad French or her story. She was accosted, hated. As soon as her mother died, she sailed to Australia, where she lived with a woman who loved other women, until it became dangerous there, too. She practiced her English and moved to London where she was married, widowed, and now she had to get used to new neighbors and new sounds and new ways for old secrets to sneak into a conversation...

Okay, clear your calendar. Get "All the Broken Places" and just don't make any plans, other than to read and read

“All

Don’t make any plans, you won’t be able to put it down

RI program for homeless & runaway youth expands with 2 new grants

Youth18-25 will qualify for temporary host homes, hosts will receive daily stipend for their licensure

IN THE LIMELIGHT

Providence, RI—Two years after the federal program was established in Rhode Island, the Basic Center Program at Family Service of Rhode Island (FSRI) will now be able to help even more homeless and runaway youth find emergency shortterm housing through host homes, case management, and basic needs assistance, with the recent announcements of two expansion grants.

The Consolidated Homeless Fund grant of $109,183 over one-year funds a higher daily stipend for licensed Host Homes, and supplies funding for basic necessities during the stabilization processes, such as clothing and toiletries for the youth they serve.

Similarly, the HUD Rhode Island Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Grant of $223,713 over two years expands the age range of qualifying youth from 12-17 to also include 18-25-year-olds.

"The age expansion grant for the Basic Center Program is a huge step forward for us, as over the last few years we've received at least 7 referrals for youth who couldn’t be served due to their age," said Candace Johndrow, Vice President of FSRI's Hope Division. "But now, those youth could be served through this expansion."

Licensed and vetted individuals and families who volunteer to be a Host

days or less. Until the receipt of the Consolidated Homeless Fund grant, they received a very small stipend to cover the expense of hosting a youth. With the new grant in place, FSRI was able to increase the Host Home stipend, and allow funds for basic necessities, like clothing and toiletries, that youth might need during the stabilization process.

The Basic Center Program is the only one of its kind in Rhode Island, offered by FSRI through funds awarded in a $600,000 HHS federal grant in 2020. The Emergency Youth Center can serve 8-15 youth at a time, with an estimated 130 youth served annually.

FSRI is pleased to offer an alternative to youth who find themselves in

If you haven’t gotten your flu shot by now, you’re late!

Medical experts: Don’t wait another day for your shot SPRINGFIELD, Mass.—If you haven’t gotten your then you missed line set by the for Disease Control Prevention (CDC; https://is.gd/CnSTiP), but it is still recommended to get your flu shot as you will still benefit from it.

Ideally, the CDC recommends that everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October since the flu can begin in earnest at any time beginning in Oc tober and lasting through May, usually peaking from December through Feb ruary.

According to Dr. Armando Paez, chief, Infectious Disease Division (https://is.gd/O7xp1w Health (https://is.gd/lTquMX health care experts are predicting a se vere flu season because of reduced flu immunity of the general population from the low number of flu cases in the

Billy Porter calls for change

NEW YORK, NY—Recently, GRAMMY®, EMMY®, and twice Tony® Award-winning singer, composer, director, author, actor, and playwright Billy Porter shares a timely and empowering new song entitled “Stranger Things” (https://is.gd/Muk9pG) via Island UK and Republic Records.

Billy debuted the song during anincendiary set at the Global Citizen Festival (https://is.gd/jneYcx) in New York City. Fittingly, he introduced the song by declaring, “I came with a message of hope.” The track makes good on this promise. Over a strong and soulful beat punctuated by funk guitar, the vocals resound with unrestrained spirit proclaiming, “We can’t lose when we stick together.”

Billy Porter commented, “I’m proud to say that STRANGER THINGS (https://is.gd/Muk9pG) is a call to action. A reminder that none of the extreme trauma that we’ve been experiencing in this moment is new, and that the human spirit is resilient. No one is going to save us from ourselves but ourselves. Stranger things have already happened to all of us. So — it’s time to get to work.”

The new song follows “Children” (https://is.gd/plRMiU), which has received over 6 million global streams to date. Check out the official music video for “Children (https://is.gd/gC2VqG).” PopSugar

hailed the song as “a celebration of life and it comes at a time in the world when people could use a little extra energy to motivate them.”

A true cultural force of nature, Porter’s directorial debut, Anything’s Possible, arrived to unanimous critical applause this summer. It notably holds a coveted “Certified Fresh” critics score of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes with praise from CNN, Boston Herald, The Guardian, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, and RogerEbert.com who summed it up as “groundbreaking.” Porter recently released the paperback version of his best-selling memoir, Unprotected. The New York Times touts: "This is not just a memoir, saints; this is a testimony."

ABOUT

Billy Porter is a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award winner. Porter began his music career in 1997 with the release of his self-titled (aka Untitled) debut album which spawned the Top 10 "Bubbling Under" single, "Show Me," and the monster ballad, "Love Is On The Way," which also appeared at the pivotal moment in the film, "First Wives Club." He went on to release "At the Corner of Broadway + Soul" (2005), "Billy's Back on Broadway" (2014), and "The Soul of Richard

PHOTO : MEREDITH TRUAX