2 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com
September 3, 2015 - October 7, 2015
Warning: Genital inspection, 50 feet ahead Donald Trump: All talk, no substance By: Nicole Lashomb*/TRT Editor-in-Chief
M
OPINIONS
aybe you’ve heard of him. The Congressman from South Dakota who thinks its perfectly find to “inspect” the genitals of transgender high school athletes to be sure they are playing on the “right” team. Legislator Roger Hunt (R-S.D.) proposed legislation that could require examination of transgender athlete’s genitals. According to Hunt, gender begins at conception and only birth certificates and visual inspections can definitively confirm gender identity. “This is South Dakota. We haven’t adopted the East Coast culture. We haven’t adopted the West Coast culture. We maintain our own culture,” he said to the Rapid City Journal. However, the state of South Dakota doesn’t seem to be on Hunt’s side. The High School Activities Association decided to be inclusive of transgender athletes, hence the legislation proposed by Hunt. This shouldn’t really come as a surprise to anyone. As trans rights or LGBT rights gain momentum, there is always bigoted and heated resistance. That is the face of progress. Although, what continues to astonish me is the degradation that the transgender community is expected to face concerning their genitals. Some, like the Congressman, expect them to “prove” how much of a man or woman they are at any given moment. Inspection? Are you kidding me? How about we take a peek at the Congressman’s penis? I bet he would shy away from it for a thousand different reasons. I’m sure you can probably think of a few. I can too. The point is—genitals are not what make
How about we take a peek at the Congressman’s penis? I bet he would shy away from it for a thousand different reasons. I’m sure you can probably think of a few. I can too. someone a man or woman. It is much more complicated than that. No one has a right to expect someone to bare all to prove anything. Unless you are in an intimate relationship with a transgender person, you don’t have a right to ask what their genitals look like or to know what is between their legs. Until we break ourselves of the gender binary, and consider the entire package of the person in front of us, we cannot move forward with a modicum of understanding of what it is to be trans. Instead, we should immerse ourselves in the trans community to learn about their experiences and identities without worrying about genitals. I continue to learn every day. If you didn’t know a person was trans, would you ask a complete stranger what their genitals look like? Would you ask your grandfather to show you his? How about your boss or co-worker? Of course you wouldn’t do it! It isn’t appropriate in those
See Genitals on Page 15
Faith, God & Family: Give thanks for something everyday By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist
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ne thing I underscore in my spiritual wellness classes is to be thankful for something each day. No matter how bad your life might be, give thanks. Develop a routine to do it. Be grateful to the Creator or the Universe (if you don’t believe in a higher power). Do so even when feeling overwhelmed by events or circumstances. Prayer grounds you, strengthens you, keeps you humble, and empowers you to stay focused on something positive. Prayer can be calming and uplifting. Don’t, however, pray to win the lottery. Don’t offer an evening prayer and expect to wake up thin. Pray for peace in the moment when faced with life’s inevitable difficulties. And, give thanks in prayer when things go well. Prayers during happy events like a wedding, new child, or the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality tells the Cosmos or Eternal Mystery (another name for God) that you don’t take the positive events occurring in your life or in the world for granted. In light of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling,
Prayer must be consistent and made part of daily life. Whether you’re an atheist, humanist, or believer prayer will make a difference. below is a prayer crafted for everyday use, should you need one to start the day. Better yet, write your own or Google the thousands out there and find one that’s right for your daily use. “Holy Author, empower me with wisdom, courage, and strength to meet the challenges of the new day while seizing opportunities to bring a smile to someone or to better a person’s life even in a small way; Giver of Life, thank you for making me exactly who you intended while showing me ways to be true to my creation, and to celebrate it;
See Prayer on page 15
By: Mike Givens*/TRT Columnist
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orge Ramos, a well-known anchor for Fusion TV and Univision, was abruptly escorted out of an August 25 press conference held by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump after attempting to ask a question about the controversial billionaire’s harsh immigration stance. Ramos was shut down before he had a chance to finish asking a pivotal question concerning Trump’s recent contention that if elected he’d deport 11 million undocumented immigrants. The scene was cringe worthy, to say the least, but also incredibly illuminating. Over the course of a few seconds, Trump emblematized an unspoken tenet of his campaign platform: a fundamental aversion to meaningfully addressing any important issue facing this country. Since announcing his run for the nation’s highest office, Trump has been no stranger to courting media attention through brash jabs, controversial Twitter posts, and downright offensive comments about women, immigrants, and Asian business leaders (just to name a few). The August 6 Republican presidential debate clearly saw Trump outshine his nine opponents. When it came to making controversial quips and undignified remarks, he lived up to his reputation for being incredibly callous, dismissive and evasive. What about those infamous bankruptcies? They’re nothing compared to his hundreds of other successful deals. And those nasty comments about women? The country is too politically correct, something The Donald has no time for. I took the liberty of perusing Trump’s campaign website and the few minutes I spent on it affirmed my initial impressions of the man: all veneer, no substance. What’s his campaign platform? Immigration reform. He summed up his immigration policy in two vague sentences that added nothing substantial to his candidacy. For the record, people like Donald Trump don’t keep me up at night. The world will always be filled with sexist, racist, and vain rich white men who find pleasure in subju-
Letters to the Editor [Re: Study: Public Accommodations Protections Critical to Transgender or Gender Nonconforming People’s Health Dear Editor, A related issue I’ve been concerned about is how throughout their childhood gendernonconforming kids can feel alienated by the media because rarely are they able to find any pre-adolescent gender atypical fictional characters they can identify with. For those of you who are interested in the topic, I just had an in-depth article published on it. “Still Trapped in the U.S. Media’s Closet: Representations of Gender-Variant, PreAdolescent Children” found here: http://goo.gl/ik4E7u. —Tony Kelso, Online
See More Letters on Page 15
What gnaws at me is one unsettling fact: there are people in this country who not only believe in what he’s saying, but prefer that the leader of this nation be a misguided simpleton with no policy ... gating others. What gnaws at me is one unsettling fact: there are people in this country who not only believe in what he’s saying, but prefer that the leader of this nation be a misguided simpleton with no policy-making experience.
See The Donald on Page 15
The Rainbow Times The Freshest LGBT Newspaper in New England—Boston Based TheRainbowTimesMass.com editor@therainbowtimesmass.com sales@therainbowtimesmass.com Phone: 617.444.9618 / 413.282.8881 Fax: 928.437.9618 Publisher Gricel M. Ocasio Editor-In-Chief Nicole Lashomb Assistant Editor Sara Brown National/Local Sales Rivendell Media Liz Johnson Lead Photographers Alex Mancini Steve Jewett** Reporters Chuck Colbert Christine Nicco Sara Brown Chris Gilmore Jessica Castellanos Keen News Service
Ad & Layout Design Prizm PR Webmaster Jarred Johnson Columnists/Guest* Lorelei Erisis Deja N. Greenlaw Paul P. Jesep Natalia Muñoz* Francisco “Jimagua” Cartagena Mendez Keegan O’Brien* Mike Givens Affiliations National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association QSyndicate *Guest Writers
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, The Connecticut Alliance for Business Opportunity,CABO, 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 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.
TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 3
September 3, 2015 - October 7, 2015
Lawmakers back the Equality Act to offer more legal protections bill will bring. “The Equality Act BOSTON, Mass.—Several Democrats in the House and Senate recently simply embodies the created a bill that would give more principle that people legal protection to LGBTQ Ameri- should be judged cans. The bill, known as the Equality solely on their merAct, would outlaw discrimination in its,” said Executive a series of public settings, including Director of Massathe job market and institutes of chusetts Trans Political Coalition Mason higher education. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Dunn. “Federal proCory Booker (D-NJ), Sen. Tammy tections for discrimiBaldwin (D-Wis.) and Sen. Jeff nation on the basis of Merkley (D-Ore.).The Equality Act gender identity and prohibits discrimination based on an sexual orientation are individual’s sexual orientation or an important step in gender identity at work and in the the fight for LGBTQ context of housing, credit, education, equality.” Booker is certain and jury service. Merkley said the act will help the the act will offer more proteccountry become more intion to clusive. LGBT citizens. “The time has come for “With each fight for justice, us as a nation to be bolder ordinary people have challenged and better in ensuring full rights our nation to become a more for the LGBT community,” he perfect union,” said Booker in a said when he first introduced the released statement. “The Equalbill in late July. “Every person ity Act builds on the work of deserves to live free from fear of those who have struggled and discrimination, regardless of who fought for LGBT rights by exthey are or whom they love. Entending basic civil rights protecacting the Equality Act will bring tions that must be guaranteed to us another significant step forevery American. Together, I ward in our nation’s long march Mason Dunn towards inclusion and equality. It MTPC Exec. Director know we can achieve justice for those who endure discrimination will extend the full promise of due to their gender identity or America to every American.” Many activists are applauding what the sexual orientation.”
IN THE LIMELIGHT
By: Sara Brown/TRT Assistant Editor
“The Equality Act will remove any doubt that antiLGBT discrimination is not only wrong, but illegal.” —Janson Wu
Janson Wu, Executive Director at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), said the bill is a step in the right direction. “Not only will the Equality Act provide clear and comprehensive anti-discrimination protections for our community, but it will send a clear message from our federal government that LGBT discrimination has no place in the year 2015,” he said. Wu believes this act is especially important to protect LGBTQ citizens in the work
force. “Businesses and employers across the country still believe they can fire someone for being LGBT, with impunity,” Wu said. “The Equality Act will remove any doubt that anti-LGBT discrimination is not only wrong, but illegal.” Currently, in 31 states (http://tinyurl.com/oahozwk), couples trying to purchase a home can legally be denied on the basis of sexual orientation. Two-thirds of Americans (http://tinyurl.com/naephz6), support the passage of a sweeping federal non-discrimination law on the basis of sexual orientation, and 98 percent of the top 50 Fortune 500 companies have already put
Janson Wu GLAD Exec. Director
protections in place for LGBT employees. Some believe the bill does not offer enough legal protection. “It’s a good start, but it does not go far enough,” Natalia Muñoz, former owner of Spanish publication, La Prensa, said. “For instance, equal pay is not covered. That
is just wrong.” However, Muñoz thinks this will help LGBTQ people of color. “Being of color already means you face discrimination, either institutionally by wellmeaning people or by bigots,” she said. “Every step we take to ensure equal protection under the laws is fundamental to our— everyone’s—right for equal opportunities in education, health, work and sports.” The bill, Wu agrees, will offer LGBTQ people of color even more legal protections. “LGBT people of color are even more vulnerable to discrimination than white LGBT people,” he said. “Given the economic disparities that exist across racial lines, losing a job can mean the difference between earning a living and poverty. It is even more critical for LGBT communities of color that we pass this legislation.” To learn more about the Equality Act, visit www.merkley.senate.gov.
4 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com
September 3, 2015 - October 7, 2015
The struggles that Trans people face and the support that is still needed By: Deja Nicole Greenlaw*/TRT Columnist
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TRANS NEWS
ince Caitlyn Jenner came out, it is not unusual to find in the daily news a story of a trans person or an article about the life of trans people. I think that this is terrific because it gives exposure to trans lives and to the struggles we face every day as trans people. Anyone can now be in tune to what’s happening in our world by checking their news feed. At the same time, people are discovering that there are trans people actually living in their lives, in their cities and towns, in their families, in their circle of friends—and many people are coming to terms with this reality. The news stories are there, the information is there, and the people are there to report, inform and live to show the trans experience. This is wonderful! It's a far cry from just a few years ago when there were no news stories about us and any image of us that we had was not positive. We are entering the age where it is beginning to be a good time to be a trans person. However, it's still not perfect, not by a long shot. There are many issues that we
still face and these are very tough issues. We still need to receive respect for being who we are. We were assigned a gender at birth, but that is not our true gender and we take the steps to align ourselves with our true gender. We need to be respected, thought of, and referred to as our true gender. Misgendering us is not respectful. Calling us by our birth name is not respectful.
beings. As you can see, trans people still face a tough road ahead. It's not easy living your life no matter who you are. Living life as a trans person is tougher. It is more difficult if you are a trans person of color and worse than that if you are a trans person of color living in poverty. Prejudices will work against you. Violence will be directed to-
We need to be respected, thought of, and referred to as our true gender. Misgendering us is not respectful. Calling us by our birth name is not respectful. We also need to be respected in the work force, in the community, and in our circle of friends and family. We need to be able to earn our living, to thrive, and to live in a town or city. We need access to health care for both our male and female parts. We need to be safe and to not feel fearful that we may be targeted for violence wherever we go. We need to be respected as dating and love interests. We need to be respected as human
wards you, and sometimes you may even lose your life in the process. When it comes to support, yes, a trans person may have non-trans friends who are wonderful and respectful, but I don't think that these friends can fully understand what the trans person has gone/is going through. They can sympathize, but can they truly understand the situations? I don't believe so. The only folks who will truly understand will be other trans folk because they live the
life. It is my opinion that it is very therapeutic for trans people to interact with other trans people at least every once in a while. It can get very lonely out there when the world is not treating you right and you may begin to lose confidence and become anxious and fearful. You might need someone to talk to and no one will be able to understand you quite like another trans person. For the sake of true understanding I believe that it is important to spend quality time with other trans people. Trans support groups can be great for this. Everyone can talk to one another about issues that they might have in common, and maybe someone might even have a good solution to a situation that seemed overwhelming before. Even if there is no viable solution immediately available, you can still vent. It is so nice to be able to vent to people who understand you and it may be just enough for you to recharge and then go back into that big, cold, tough world and continue on with your life. No, it still isn't easy to be a trans person these days, but solid support from non-trans folk and empathy from within the community can help immensely. We still have a long way to go. *Deja Nicole Greenlaw is a trans woman who has 3 grown children and is retired from 3M. She can be contacted at dejavudeja@sbcglobal.net.
Ask a Trans Woman: Trans comics take over New York's only Tammy’s Twist By: Lorelei Erisis*/TRT Columnist
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PHOTO: DAVID MEEHAN
kay, so, it’s well past two in the morning and my deadline is noon tomorrow, or rather, later today. I’ve been staring at a blank page for hours, or rather; I’ve been doing everything in my power not to stare at the glowing white expanse. I’ve indulged all my major vices—coffee, whiskey, tea, more whiskey, and cheese (in artery clogging amounts)—in an effort to kickstart these words. My partners have been to Boston and back for a fancy vegan dinner and long since gone to bed. And, the cats have abandoned me. In a few hours those damned birds will start chirping again. The birds you only ever hear if you’ve been up all night and you know the breaking dawn is at the wrong end of your day. I know nights like this because I made the choice a long time ago to live the life of an artist. They are familiar to me in the way I suppose a 10 p.m. bedtime and morning commutes are familiar to people who have made other, perhaps more sensible, choices. I’m almost completely in the nude as I write these words. Not like, sexy camgirl naked. More like, frustrated writer in the middle of the night, “Oh my gods I need to get these clothes off me! This bra is squeezing me to death and the waistband on these
THE RAINBOW TIMES DIVERSE............just like our team is OBJECTIVE..........someone has to be INCLUSIVE........no one is left behind .....That is HOW media should be.....
tights is going to cut me completely in half. I need these clothes off me now!” My tiara, two crowns, and three pageant queen sashes are off in a corner laughing at me. Okay. Now that I’ve completely demolished your image of me, let me get started on my point.
prov for a while, in which I would put up 40 or 50 comics for 3 minutes apiece. It was the single most masochistic thing I’ve ever done. But, I learned an awful lot about what makes comedy work, or not. For the last two years I have been co-hosting and stage-managing a show on Broadway with my good friend and mortal enemy
It’s a mix of truly great, incredibly funny comedians who happen to put trans comics front and center ... Tammy’s Twist shows are Sept. 11th, Oct. 2nd, & Nov. 13th; at 8:30 p.m.; at the Broadway Comedy Club, 318 W 53rd Street in New York City. [FMI, online.] You see there’s this other thing I do besides all the pageant queening, activism and opinion columnist stuff that you may know me for. I also do comedy, sort of. Probably it’s more accurate to say that I work with really dedicated and funny people who do comedy while I do sort of my best impression of Kermit The Frog—if he was a sexy trans woman channeling Spalding Gray after drinking about thirty cups of coffee, on a stage that I share with them. But yeah, before all the marching and speechifying and screed writing, I actually studied improvisational acting and comedy at the world famous Second City. I also worked as the showroom manager at The Hollywood Improv for several years. I also produced my own show there called, “The Freaks Of Comedy.” I even ran and hosted the weekly open mike at The Hollywood Im-
Tammy Twotone! Well, technically, it’s about half a block from Broadway. But, almost none of the actual Broadway Theaters are actually on Broadway. And yeah, it’s actually a comedy club, not a proper theatre. It is, however, in the Theater District, right on 53rd Street in Manhattan. So I’m sticking with this “On-Broadway” description. Let me tell you, there are few better ways to justify the dicey choices you have made in your life than to tell your parents and their friends that you have a show on Broadway. It almost even makes them forget that time you and your dominatrix ex-girlfriend decided, while visiting, that it would be a good idea to go naked canoeing on their densely surrounded suburban lake. In broad daylight. And, the cops got called. And they, the cops that is, were standing onshore as you slowly paddled in.
Speaking of which, fun fact, you can’t actually outrun the cops in a canoe on a landlocked lake, even if they are on land, in a car. That’s just a little informational tidbit from me to you, in case you should happen to need it, just because I love you. Anyway, this show it’s called “Tammy’s Twist.” And even though you might not have heard of it, it’s kind of a big deal. It’s kind of historic. That’s not even just a line I give my parents. You see, this show is the only trans produced, trans hosted, trans run show, spotlighting established and up-and-coming trans comics, at a mainstream comedy club, anywhere in the country, possibly anywhere at all. Among some of our more notable comics of trans persuasion have been; Red Durkin, who is a popular vlogger, acclaimed standup comic and managing editor of PrettyQueer.com (http://prettyqueer.com/); Charlie Stern, a rising, young, non-binary, trans comic from Western Mass; Dana Friedman, who is perhaps the only Orthodox Jewish trans woman working in comedy today; and the multi-talented So Brown, who not only does comedy, but has already made quite a name for himself in the music world with his heartbreakingly beautiful debut album, Point Legere! And, of course there’s our producer and my co-host, Tammy Twotone. She is one of the hardest working comics I have ever known. Her dedication to comedy and to trans visibility, plus her superhuman networking skills; have driven her to create a show unlike any other. But all that trans-tacular awesomeness isn’t the only thing that’s cool about this show. We also have some of the best cisgender, LGBTQ&S (“S” for straight!) comics Read the rest of this story at: http://wp.me/p22M41-3MN
TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 5
September 3, 2015 - October 7, 2015
Kristen Stewart, "Just Kids," Dianna Agron, more By: Romeo San Vicente*/Special to TRT
DEEP INSIDE HOLLYWOOD
Kristen Stewart’s Personal approach Kristen Stewart is having an interesting post-Twilight moment. Sadly, her latest film, the weird stoner action-comedy American Ultra, was ignored at the box office, but it’s not slowing her down at all. Her recent interview that amounted to, “Whatever, dude, I’m dating a woman now,” was Millennial for, “I’m coming out.” And her acting career is moving in a very interesting direction, as she avoids mega-franchises in favor of the arthouse. She’s already gotten the best reviews of her career for this spring’s Clouds of Sils Maria, and now she’ll reteam with that film’s director, Olivier Assayas, for the upcoming Personal Shopper. She’s also currently making the next, as-yet-untitled Woody Allen movie with co-stars Blake Lively, Jesse Eisenberg, Bruce Willis, Corey Stoll, Parker Posey and Judy Davis. You may have to work a little harder to see these upcoming projects—they’re more or less destined for less-than-wide release, but it’s going to be worth the effort. Tom Ford gathers up his cast As we mentioned before, all Tom Ford had to do was waltz into the Cannes Film Festival, announce that he had decided to make another movie, and producers would make it rain to the tune of $20 million, which they did. That means Nocturnal Animals is a go, and the cast has expanded from the original announcement of Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal to include Armie Hammer, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor Johnson, and now Kim Basinger. Adams will play a woman who receives a book manuscript in the mail, one that instigates her own journey, and Basinger will play Adams’ mother, a wealthy Texas socialite. The rest remains shrouded in rightful secrecy, a rare thing in these times of leaked footage, trailers and superhero plot details. Just Kids comes to Showtime When rock legend Patti Smith wrote her memoir, Just Kids, about the early ’70s in New York when she was joined at the hip with gay artist Robert Mapplethorpe, she might not have known it was going to win the National Book Award. She had to know it was going to be special, though. Now, it’s going to be a television special, one she’ll co-create with writer John Logan (Penny Dreadful). The pair is developing the project as a limited series for Showtime with no specified air date as of yet. There’s also no cast, but this ought to be a project that sees all of Young Hollywood scrambling to text
Hi
PHOTO: KATHCLICK
Dianna Agron
their agents. And frankly, we’re almost as excited about this as we are about Showtime reviving Twin Peaks. HBO better watch its back. Dianna Agron’s Hollow choices After co-starring on Glee, which may have been the single gayest television series in broadcast history, what’s an actor to do? If you’re Dianna Agron, who played heterosexual cheerleader princess Quinn, you dig into indie lesbian roles. She’s already appeared in the sexy, queer film-fest-favorite Bare, and now she’s taken a role in the debut feature from filmmaker Scooter Corkle, Hollow in The Land. The low-budget drama sees Agron playing a butch young lesbian who works at a pulp mill. Her father has been imprisoned for murder, which is bad enough, but life takes a turn for the worse when her brother goes missing. That’s when she turns detective to find him. Shooting gets underway soon, so look for this one sometime in 2016, most likely, wherever you find independent cinema. *Romeo San Vicente’s Time Square experiences resemble those captured in Madonna’s “Open Your Heart” video. He can be reached care of this publication or via his business e-mail at QSyndicate: DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.
th sp n o M anic Heritage
15 - Oct. 15, 20 15 pt. e S
6 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com
September 3, 2015 - October 7, 2015
Amnesty International votes to decriminalize sex work in an effort to protect sex workers crimes perpetuates more violence.” Former sex worker, Ivy Bowers, knows all too well the dangers of that line of work. “In one instance, I was ‘roofied’ while working and a working partner Sex educator and sex workcame knocking ers' rights advocate Alex S. just as I lost my Morgan coherence and got me out of there,” she said. “I never went to the police after the fact, out of fear of having to reveal the client and have nothing done, or worse, to be outed and shunned by family to see justice done. Luckily, I was unharmed but that could very easily have gone wrong, as it has for a great many sex workers who have found themselves harmed in ways both small and large.” Bowers believes that this measure, over time, will help the hostility between sex workers and police. “I think if sex workers were not kept in a position to cower from law enforcement, it removes a good portion of the unequal power dynamic that leads to poor interaction and to escalation of hostiliPHOTO: ALEX S. MORGAN
BOSTON, Mass.—At the International Council meeting in Dublin, Ireland, Amnesty International voted (http://tinyurl.com/oq8edj9) in support of decriminalizing sex work, in order to protect sex workers who are often victims of violent crimes. “Sex workers are one of the most marginalized groups in the world, who in most instances face constant risk of discrimination, violence and abuse,” Salil Shetty, Amnesty International’s secretary-general, said in a statement. According to sex worker and educator, Widow Centauri, sex workers are often the victims of violent crimes because of the stigma against them. “Sex workers are significantly more vulnerable to violent crime because they often cannot report violence against themselves without incriminating themselves,” they said. “If they attempt to report crimes they are often humiliated, not taken seriously, abused and arrested. Not being able to report
ties between both parties,” she said. Centauri agreed. “Decriminalizing sex work will undoubtedly grant sex workers and allies some breathing room, making it at least possible to report crimes against sex workers,” they said. However, others believe that decriminalization isn’t going to solve all the problems sex workers have with police. “Sex workers are not going to accept decriminalization of their employment as a
“Criminalizing the sex trade has given police an opportunity to sexually assault, humiliate, and disregard sex workers for decades.” —Alex S. Morgan magic pill that makes us all friends,” Centauri said. “As long as legal policy and police behavior continue to reflect discriminatory abusive treatment towards
any marginalized group of people, we will all approach police interactions cautiously.” Sex educator and sex workers' rights advocate, Alex S. Morgan, said there is a lot of work to be done for sex workers to trust police again. “Criminalizing the sex trade has given police an opportunity to sexually assault, humiliate, and disregard sex workers for decades,” he said. “There’s a lot of work to do to repair those relationships. There may also be pushback from law enforcement in the short term, while many forms of sex work are still criminalized in the U.S., and that’s a real concern.” Activists believe that decriminalization of sex work will also help those sex workers that are LGBT. “Police have been known to scare, intimidate, harass, threaten, exploit, extort, rape and murder queer folks, especially queer sex workers,” Centauri said. “Trans-women, who often have greater struggles with employment opportunities, frequently turn to sex work. Decriminalizing sex work will certainly assist in creating the ability to organize and share information about potentially dangerous customers.” Trans-women sex workers are often the most vulnerable when it comes to violent crimes or dealing with police. “Trans-women in the sex trade face persecution as a gender identity that puts them in greater danger,” Centauri said. “When transwomen are arrested they are often put in men’s holding facilities. Frequently, they are
See Sex Workers on Page 15
TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 7
September 3, 2015 - October 7, 2015 PHOTO: FACEBOOK/FLASHBACKSUNDAYEOC
LGBT Elders of Color at Flashback Sunday
LGBT Elders of Color come to the forefront By: Nicole Lashomb/TRTEditor-in-Chief
LGBT ELDERS
BOSTON, Mass.— Alarming statistics in the LGBT elders of color population nationwide has prompted local organizations to tackle disparities as this population is projected to double in the coming years. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Aging , the LGBT elders of color population is projected to increase by 217 percent by 2030, compared with 81 percent for the older white population. “In the coming years we will see tremendous growth in the population for two reasons—first the baby boom generation will increase the number of all older adults, including LGBTs,” said Lisa Krinsky, Director of Fenway Institute's LGBT Aging Project. “Second, this is a more visible; post-Stonewall generation, many of whom have lived their lives as out and visible. Services and providers will see and feel this growth and need to be inclusive when working with this population.” These spikes in the LGBT aging population will contribute to roughly 3 million LGBT older adults living in the U.S. by 2050, according to Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)*. Nearly 40 percent of LGBT elders by this time will be Black, Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, and American Indian and Alaska Native people. The LGBT Aging Project and Boston's LGBT Elders of Color Group strive to meet the needs of older LGBT people of color now. Through a collaboration that brings together people with shared identities, a social support program, known as Flashback Sunday, has emerged. “For years we weren’t reaching many LGBT older adults of color,” said Krinsky. “When we partnered with key stakeholders in this community, we found tremendous need for spaces that recognize the intersection of being old, being LGBT and being people of color.” Involving the LGBT elders of colors was a decision well thought out, according to Bob Linscott, Assistant Director of Fenway Institute's LGBT Aging Project. “Since 2013, we have been actively focused on an initiative to engage LGBT elders of color and that program, Flashback
Sunday, has taken off like wildfire,” said Linscott. “Folks who attend Flashback Sunday report that, for the first time, they feel like there is a place for them to be black, LGBT and older.” Shirley Royster, Co-chair for LGBT Elders of Color/Flashback Sunday explained how the services and access for aging impacts LGBT people of color when compared to their white counterparts. “Statistics show that health outcomes are more positive for non-people of color,” she said. “Services and resources are more readily available to others and they live longer. Income levels tend to be higher for non-people of color which afford them access [options] to better services.” According to SAGE's Health Equity 2013 report, research depicts that LGBT elders of color often face increased health disparities and are an invisible population, forcing the group to enter into retirement without the necessary support for healthy aging. Additionally, discrimination and intersectionality of race, ethnicity, gender, and LGBT identity, among others, add to the challenges of the aging experience. “Social services at aging programs are not responsive to the needs of people of color [and] prior to our LGBT Elders of Color Group, there were no social outlets that targeted our specific population,” said Paul Glass, Co-chair, LGBT Elders of Color/Flashback Sunday. Flashback Sundays provides an outlet for LGBT elders of color and allies to gather and share experiences in a safe and inclusive environment. Current programs are failing the LGBT seniors of color, Glass said. “The aging concerns of LGBT elders of color are virtually absent in national policy discussions on aging, health and economic security,” the SAGE report continued. “Many LGBT elders of color face heightened financial insecurity. Recent studies have found that more than 90 percent of Black and Latino elders do not have enough income to sustain them throughout retirement.” Royster and Glass explained the needs of the Commonwealth’s LGBT Elders of Color community. “[They include] affordable housing and assisted living facilities, information on how
See LGBT Elders on Page 12
8 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com
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September 3, 2015 - October 7, 2015
TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 9
By: Chris Azzopardi*/Special to TRT
“Oh, Jesus.” Zachary Quinto is aptly responding to the fact that, yes, despite establishing himself as an Emmy-nominated actor with versatility, out-of-this-world talent and some of the best eyebrows in the biz, he once starred on an episode of Touched by an Angel. He isn’t reacting to being on the show, per se—he just can’t believe it’s been nearly 15 years. Since then, Quinto has made major shifts beyond his transformation to leading man. After matter-of-factly coming out to the masses in 2011, he became an outspoken advocate for the LGBT community and has notably taken on subjects such as PrEP and gay teen suicide. The 38-year-old’s sexuality is a non-issue when it comes to his meandering career on TV, in film and on Broadway, as his varied typecast-defying roles demonstrate: Sylar on NBC’s Heroes, Quinto’s breakout role; the infamous American Horror Story killer Bloody Face; James Franco’s lover in I Am Michael; and, of course, Spock, the Star Trek icon he brought back to the big screen, ears and all. (He’s currently shooting Star Trek Beyond, the reboot franchise’s third installment.) Quinto’s latest big-screen endeavor is the video game-inspired Hitman: Agent 47, wherein he dials up the badassery as a CIA agent you definitely do not want to cross. A major studio-produced action movie featuring… an out gay actor? You better believe it. As he swings open the door on a tradition-
ally gay-less genre by breaking down Hollywood stereotypes, Quinto spoke to us about recognizing his unique place as the go-to gay when it comes to action flicks and how he “definitely” thinks the world is ready for a gay James Bond. Plus, why he believes, despite the recent Supreme Court ruling on marriage, our fight for equality is far from over. Q. You were bullied as a kid, so I find it interesting that you take on all these villain roles. Do you draw upon those experiences when acting as the bad guy? A. I’ve never drawn on those experiences creatively in that way. It’s a lot about imagination. When you’re in a world like this, which is stylized and heightened and has a sleekness to it, then it becomes about filling that world with the character that you’re playing and, for me, that’s all about rooting it in the imaginary circumstances – one definition of acting is truthful behavior in imaginary circumstances. So, for me, it’s a lot about connecting to that and connecting to the people that I’m playing and that’s a different process depending on what the style and the tone of the piece is. This one was so driven by physicality and by actual conflict and combat, and that kind of drove the character a little bit. I didn’t really have to dive back into my uncomfortable moments of childhood to connect with that necessarily. Q. How strategic have you been with the projects you’ve chosen in order to avoid the typecasting some LGBT actors have said they’ve experienced? A. I played gay characters, but I was never
PHOTO: REINER BAJO
Zachary Quinto calls upon LGBT actors to ‘be who they are,’ talks marriage, more
Zachary Quinto stars in I Am Michael with James Franco. His latest movie, Hitman: Agent 47, out late last month.
part of a gay-themed story until I did I Am Michael last year with James Franco. That was a specific decision; I felt really drawn to the story (of an ex-gay) and the nature of
the story. My whole take on the potential perceived limitations is just to not engage them and not allow them to exist—to me that is a choice. I know what I am capable of and I know what my range is, and I know that’s not limited by or even affected by my sexual orientation. So, for me, it was just a matter of doing what I do and opening myself up to the roles that present themselves, whether they’re gay or straight, with a kind of creative integrity. That’s all I really feel is in my control and that’s the place I work from in terms of both pursuing work and engaging work. Q. Do you think today—in 2015, post marriage equality—typecasting on the basis of an actor’s sexuality even exists? A. I don’t know. I mean, I don’t think it has anything to do with marriage equality—that victory has been won and has been a really profound advancement to the LGBT community. I think our real fights for equality aren’t legal; it’s about humanity and compassion and inclusion. Even in the wake of marriage equality you’re seeing all these county clerks who are refusing to issue marriage licenses, which is despicable and illegal. Just a few blocks from my house, these two guys—the first gay couple to be married out of West Point —were harassed in the bodega (in SoHo). It’s not behind us. The movement toward equality is bigger than just one legal issue, and that’s amazing that the highest law of ... To read the rest of this interview visit: http://wp.me/p22M41-3MP
10 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com
September 3, 2015 - October 7, 2015
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The OutField: Tracking Anna Aagenes’ activism letes were not out to their teammates or nna Aagenes took a girl to her jun- coaches. Gradually, her work focused on the intersection between sports and society. ior prom. Still, she She is particularly proud of did not feel comforthelping to create Pride Games. able being fully out as a biNow nearly a decade old, the sexual then, especially to her annual event brings together high school track teammates. Penn varsity and club sports It was not until she got to the teams, fraternities and sororiUniversity of Pennsylvania— ties, a wide range of campus orwhere she found a girlfriend, ganizations, and other groups in became a two-time NCAA rethe Philadelphia organization, gional qualifier and school for competition, fun and conrecord holder in three relay sciousness raising. In 2010, Aaevents, and was named capgenes joined the Gay, Lesbian tain of the cross country and and Straight Education Nettrack and field teams—that work’s Sports Project advisory she was fully out. group. At Penn, Aagenes moved Aagenes’ activism continued quickly, on and off the track. with GO! Athletes. She coShe majored in gender, sociAnna Aagenes founded the group—the first naety and culture, was elected co-chair of Penn Athletes and Allies Tack- tional network dedicated to supporting and ling Homophobia, and chosen as co-chair of empowering LGBT student-athletes —and served as its executive director for several the school’s large Queer Student Alliance. Her work on the Ivy League campus years. She worked tirelessly to give young showed Aagenes the power of collaboration men and women the tools to feel as open on between the LGBT community and allies. their campuses as she had at Penn. But she also realized that while many people Read the rest of this story at: understood the importance of LGBT issues, http://wp.me/p22M41-3MS the athletic sector lagged behind. Many athBy: Dan Woog/TRT Columnist
A
GAY TOP 10
1. Of Girls and Horses 2. Happy End 3. Liz in September 4. Orange is the New Black Season 2 5. Big Lesbian Love Collector's Set 6. Life Partners 7. Tru Love 8. Reaching for the Moon 9. Heterosexual Jill 10. Itty Bitty Titty Committee
Courtesy: WolfeVideo.com
LESBIAN TOP 10
TOP 10 BEST SELLER VIDEOS 1. Seashore 2. In the Grayscale 3. Big Eden 4. Eat With Me 5. Blackbird 6. Tiger Orange 7. Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine 8. Boy Meets Girl 9. Boys 10. The Rocky Horror Picture Show 40th Anniversary
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September 3, 2015 - October 7, 2015
LGBT Elders from page 7 to access necessary resources, more home care resources, assistance to maintain independence to continue living in their homes, training providers who are culturally competent to address needs with respect, including those of the transgender population,” they pointed out. “Additionally, more services are needed to better outcomes that address mental health and marketing efforts that are inclusive by reflecting images of LGBT aging people of color.” Local leaders agree that inclusivity is critical to serving this diverse population, a population often deemed invisible. “This only shows how much more work we have to do to be a truly inclusive state … " Linscott said. Social isolation is a serious concern that affects LGBT older adults in unique and disproportionate ways, Linscott furthered. “They are twice as likely to live alone, twice as likely to be single and 3-4 times less likely to have children—and many are estranged from their biological families,” the SAGE report confirmed.
“I hear from many of our seniors that the reason they no longer go to gay bars or programs in the gay community, like Pride, is that they feel shunned by younger LGBT folks,” Linscott said. Superficial changes are not the answer, explained Linscott. Acceptance and understanding of the community is critical. “We often say that the next major focus is consumer education—meaning a whole new approach to LGBT Aging education aimed at mainstream seniors,” Linscott said. “It won’t do any good if every senior center flies a rainbow flag and their staff has been trained. If they [LGBT elders] are not accepted by their peers, they will be forced to stay isolated at home, hence, back in the closet. Our LGBT older adults need to know they will be welcomed and accepted by their own peers.” Equally responsible is the younger LGBT community too. “I hear from many of our seniors that the reason they no longer go to gay bars or programs in the gay community, like Pride, is that they feel shunned by younger LGBT folks,” Linscott said. “There is an invisibility that needs to be reversed in our own community so that people start to see the incredible people and their stories who have paved the way for all of us.” To get involved with Flashback Sundays, LGBT Elders of Color, or their health, education and social events, visit their Facebook page at https://goo.gl/AZoRve, email flashbacksundayeoc@gmail.com or call 617396-4926. To learn more about the LGBT Aging Project, please visit their website at http://tinyurl.com/nflqpcn. *A SAGE official from western Massachusetts was contacted, but a response was not received by time of publication.
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La sexualidad ocurre en la vejez también Pregúntale a Lambda Legal: La Ley de Igualdad Por: Francisco “El Jimagua” Cartagena Méndez*/Especial para TRT
LATIN VISION
Nuestros ancianos (as) se enamoran y sienten deseos sexuales. La sexualidad ha estado presente a lo largo de la historia del ser humano. Es sabido que somos seres sexuales, sin embargo existen mitos y creencias que se han arraigado en nuestras sociedades. Esto ha creado diversos estigmas sobre al acto sexual y sus protagonistas, ya sean parejas heterosexuales o pertenecientes a la comunidad LGBTT. La sexualidad en la población mayor de 60 años de edad, es un tema poco discutido e investigado, por lo cual existen prejuicios y mitos de que las personas de la tercera edad no poseen deseo o capacidad sexual. Esto es totalmente erróneo, ya que la sexualidad en la vejez existe y su práctica dependerá de diversos factores y de la capacidad de cada persona de manera individual. Orihuela, Gómez & Fumero (2009) indican que el cese de la actividad sexual no es un suceso cronológico, sino que depende de factores como el estado de salud y el grado de incapacidad física y mental y la frecuencia y la calidad de las relaciones sexuales previas. La situación afectiva y calidad de la relación con la pareja y con otras personas y la crisis de salud también son factores determinantes. Al respecto, explica Pérez (2008) que las personas no pueden ser fragmentadas en determinados períodos de existencia, nacen y llegan al final de sus vidas como seres sexuales. La sexualidad humana es un fenómeno sociocultural que está influido por la calidad de las relaciones interpersonales, el contexto en que nos desenvolvemos y por la integración que hemos hecho de las experiencias vividas. Por lo tanto, el placer sexual es una experiencia deseable y válida para los adultos mayores porque genera gran bienestar y
Por: Greg Nevins*/Abogado, Lambda Legal
forma parte de un proceso natural del ser humano. En la tercera edad existe todo tipo de afecto y expresión sexual, a pesar de la creencia de que las personas ancianas no son capaces de disfrutar del sexo. El discrimen contra ancianos (as) gays es otro factor que puede interferir en una sexualidad natural en la tercera edad. Muchos gays de la tercera edad son empujados a la soledad, o separados de sus parejas por motivos de índole legal o por viudez. Habría que agregar que muchos ancianos gays son empujados de regreso al armario y discriminados por otros gays más jóvenes, por lo cual la sexualidad se torna un poco más conflictiva, debido a dicho discrimen presente en nuestras sociedades. Envejecer no debe ser sinónimo de debilidad, discrimen o prejuicios. Nuestros adultos mayores son personas que regularmente han dedicado toda una vida a la fuerza laboral y familiar, por lo que es importante respetarles, hacerles compañía y no discriminarles. El tema de la sexualidad en el ser humano es complejo y se vuelve un problema cuando no se aborda desde la apertura mental, alejados de prejuicios y teniendo un interés genuino por adquirir los conocimientos necesarios, que nos permitan tener una sexualidad plena, placentera y alejada de vergüenzas. Las personas mayores, lejos de constituir un colectivo homogéneo en lo que a la sexualidad refieren, siguen siendo seres sexuales, con deseos y necesidades relacionadas con su propia sexualidad, la cual deberían disfrutar sin dificultad alguna. *Escritor y activista de derechos humanos de Puerto Rico. Para comentarios eljimagua@live.com | Twitter: @eljimagua (https://twitter.com/eljimagua).
Después que se presentó el proyecto de la Ley de Igualdad durante el mes de julio (conocida en inglés como the Equality Act), han surgido preguntas sobre cómo protegería a las personas LGBTT. También hay preguntas sobre su posible impacto en los empleadores, negocios y entidades religiosas. Para contestar estas preguntas, los equipos legales de las siguientes organizaciones se han unido para desarrollar una guía colectiva y explicar lo que quiere decir e implica esta ley. Las organizaciones son: la Unión Americana de Libertades Civiles (ACLU), el National Center for Transgender Equality, el National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, SAGE y el Transgender Law Center. Esta guía (al momento sólo en inglés) discute asuntos como: empleo, vivienda, educación, crédito, servir en un jurado y espacios públicos. A continuación, te presentamos información sobre esta ley. P: ¿Qué es la Ley de Igualdad (Equality Act)? R: La Ley de Igualdad prohíbe la discriminación basada en la orientación sexual o identidad de género de un individuo en su lugar de trabajo. La ley también prohíbe este tipo de discriminación en el contexto de la vivienda, el crédito, la educación y el ser seleccionado como parte de un jurado. También prohíbe la discriminación a partir de la orientación sexual, la identidad de género y el sexo en programas que reciben fondos federales. Esto también aplicaría en el caso de espacios públicos (lo que se conoce en inglés como public accommodations) y la lista de espacios públicos que estarían protegidos por la ley sería ampliada para incluir tiendas, lugares de transporte como aeropuertos, taxis y estaciones de autobús, y proveedores de servicios como un contador. P: ¿Cubre la Ley de Igualdad a las entidades religiosas? R: La Ley de Igualdad actualiza la ley y le añade protecciones legales explícitas a leyes de derechos civiles que ya existen. Estas protecciones legales adicionales son en cuanto al sexo, la orientación sexual y la identidad de género a leyes federales sobre acomodaciones públicos y financiamiento federal y no altera las exenciones religiosas ya existentes bajo ley federal. Aquellas entidades religiosa que actualmente están ex-
entas, lo seguirán estando en lo que se refiere a su preferencia por personas de su misma creencia religiosa en el lugar de trabajo, pero están prohibidos a discriminar basado en la raza, color, sexo e origen nacional. Las entidades religiosas que están exentas en cuanto a la venta, alquiler o uso de una vivienda para propósitos que no sean comerciales, también seguirán exentas pero no pueden discriminar basado en razones prohibidas. P: ¿Cómo va a impactar la Ley de Igualdad las obligaciones de los empleadores en cuanto a la igualdad en el empleo bajo el Título VII? R: La Ley de Igualdad actualiza la ley prohibiendo la discriminación en empleo federal (el Título VII) al indicar explícitamente que la orientación sexual y la identidad de género son características protegidas legalmente. Esta ley deja claro que la discriminación contra las personas LGBTT es ilegal en lo que se refiere a la contratación, promoción y despido. Además confirma que las personas LGBTT tendrán acceso a toda compensación federal que actualmente exista najo el Título VII. Esto no sólo va a proteger a las personas LGBTT de la discriminación, sino que además eliminará toda duda y confusión de cualquier negocio sobre la discriminación basada en la orientación sexual e identidad de género pues es la discriminación basada en el sexo y está prohibida. También le provee las reglas que todos conocen y deben seguir tanto a los empleadores como empleados por igual. Para ver la guía complete en inglés, consulta: http://goo.gl/Zc9wWD. La intención de esta guía es sólo de proveer información general. No se debe considerar como ayuda legal o una opinión legal sobre cualquier hecho o circunstancia específica, y no establece una relación entre abogado y cliente. Ninguna de las organizaciones involucradas en la publicación de esta información puede asegurarse de que la información esté actualizada ni será responsable de cómo esta información sea utilizada. Si tienes alguna pregunta o sientes que has sido discriminado por tu identidad de género, orientación sexual o estatus de VIH, comunícate con nuestra Línea de Ayuda al 1-866-542-8336, o visita nuestra página web: http://goo.gl/L9TGrB. http://bit.do/hrcspan
http://bit.do/hrcspan
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Mes de Herencia Hispana Sept. 15 - Octubre 15 The Rainbow Times - Mass. DIVERSO.........como nuestro equipo OBJECTIVO...alguien tiene que serlo INCLUSIVO....sin dejar a nadie fuera Así es como la prensa DEBE ser
http://bit.do/hrcspan
14 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com
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QPuzzle: 9.7 - Everyone Diggs Him
Across 1 Loads 5 Nancy McKeon's ___ of Life 10 Cold feet 14 When quadrupled, a song by Bikini Kill 15 Finish off 16 Foam at the mouth 17 Grace ___ 18 First name in cosmetics 19 East of Eden son 20 Start of a quote by 68Across 23 Abe Lincoln's boy 24 Disencumber 25 Not potent 28 More of the quote 31 Pluck 'em 35 Arnaz, whose inlaws had Balls 36 Muscular strength 38 Young stud? 39 Sobriquet for 68-Across 42 Inventor Otis 43 Examine the testes again, e.g.? 44 Take a crack at 48 Enjoy a hot tub 51 Tooth care org. 52 Sex, crudely 56 End of the quote 59 Emphatic affirmative, to Frida 60 Opportunity for Glenn
Burke 61 "So ___, Farewell" 63 Went down 64 2014 film about a voterregistration drive 65 A girl named Frank 66 High place with a flat top 67 Kilmer poem 68 Diggs Down 1 Atlas Shrugged author Rand 2 Fifth-century pope 3 Scout's recitation 4 Hissy fits and such 5 Did a slow burn 6 On an Atlantis cruise 7 Publisher and friend of Moss Hart 8 Jethro of rock 9 Weapon of Caesar's day 10 A real pussy? 11 Bring home the bacon 12 With mouth wide open 13 Kevin Bacon in Footloose 21 Winery container 22 Thousandth of an angry inch? 25 "Why, ___ delighted!" 26 Title role for Jodie Foster 27 Morales of La Bamba 28 Bellows of Ally McBeal 29 Collection suffix 30 "___ out!" (Pallone cry)
32 Frat toga, e.g. 33 Julia Morgan wings 34 Keep in 36 "Beat it!" 37 Sitcom radio station 40 Uniform material 41 Piss off 45 Wine expert, maybe 46 Safe to swallow 47 Title for Colette 48 Word from Bruce Weber, perhaps 49 Wet spot on a blanket of sand 50 West Side Story girl 53 Black key for Elton John 54 "___ roll!" 55 Dustin Hoffman biopic 57 Cartoonist Thomas 58 Sappho's H's 59 American Beauty director Mendes 62 Head-scratcher's comment
SOLUTION
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Genitals from Page 2 cases and it isn’t appropriate here either. Another person’s anatomy is not your business. Why should that change if you know a person is transgender? It doesn’t change their gender identity and it shouldn’t change your perception of them. The next time you think about asking a
The Donald from Page 2 He’s been consistently leading the polls and overshadowing the other Republican candidates. According to a Quinnipiac University Poll released on August 27 (http://goo.gl/f6FzYC), Trump was leading the pack by 28 percent, up from 20 percent in a poll conducted by QU in late July. Let’s not kids ourselves. We’re talking about a man who’s accused immigrants of being rapists and murderers, has no qualms flaunting his misogyny, and is no friend to the LGBTQ community, saying publicly that he favors “traditional” marriage over equal marriage rights for same-sex couples (let us not forget that he’s on his third). What about global warming and climate change, more stringent gun control laws, a responsible way to address the country’s immigration system, the minimum wage, ISIS, equal pay standards, social safety net services, and economic equality? I’d be remiss not to mention the toxic racial dynamics we’re seeing, from deadly policing practices to frightening systemic racism in our schools, prisons and other institutions. What has he given us? Short, memorable and moronic sound bites about building a wall in the southern part of the United States, deranged comments about his desire for docile women, brainless jokes insulting Asian business leaders, and attacks on anyone who opposes him. What about the LGBTQ community? Nearly 20 transgender women have been murdered this year (the majority being women of color) and several states have inadequate non-discrimination laws governing fair employment, housing, and business practices. These problems are rooted in individual states, but the President can set the tone for showing compassion and fairness when dealing with the rampant abuse of LGBTQ people. The fact that there are American voters
Prayer from page 2 Infinite Love, thank you for the beauty that surrounds me I too often take for granted, like trees, stars, flowers, mountains, the majesty of autumn, a thunder storm on a humid day, or snow storm on a bitter cold afternoon; Justice Giver, thank you for the scaly, or feathered, or furry four legged family members you have allowed to share my life; Purest Truth, thank you for my family and the sincere, genuine friends who share my joys, fears, and burdens; Supreme Artist, thank you for teaching me to be a co-creator to build a better world where everyone, including those who dislike and misunderstand me, can live with dignity; Mystical Eye, thank you for changing hearts and minds, turning those who would fear me to persons who love and accept me, or at least respect my personhood. For those who still misunderstand or would deny me my dignity send them the gift of awakening and awareness. Let them see through your
transgender person about their genitals, or even have the audacity to do it, maybe you should remember that what’s fair for one is fair for all. Get ready to bare yours too. Ready. Set. Go! *Nicole Lashomb TRT’s editor-in-chief. Email: editor@therainbowtimesmass.com. who look at this man’s antics and see a viable candidate worries me, and should worry all of us. To confuse Trump’s blunt, superficial and politically incorrect nature with the desired temperament of the nation’s next president is not only disconcerting, but illustrates that there are people who share his backwards, lopsided views that prioritize ignorance over accountability and progress. If running for President is an extensive job interview, ousting Ramos from that press conference in Iowa sent a clear message to the nation about how Trump views the position he’s applying for. My sense is that his campaign will lose steam and the more serious candidates for the Republican nomination will come to the front of the pack. None of the candidates seeking the Republican nomination are allies or champions for progress and equality. Neither are the people who will staunchly support them. However, Trump’s popularity and steady uptick in the polls only shows that there are still people in this country who lack the values we need to pull ourselves out of the international embarrassment this country has experienced when it comes to social progress. This out-of-touch real estate titan has made plenty of memorable and jaw-dropping claims. But what’s behind those comments? A narcissistic and sadly regressive man running for an office that he will not use to serve the American people, but instead boost his already out-of-control ego. *A graduate of the Boston University College of Communication, Mike Givens has been a social justice advocate for more than seven years. During that time he's worked on a range of initiatives aimed at lifting up marginalized populations. An experienced media strategist and public relations professional, Michael currently devotes his spare time to a number of vital issues including racial justice and socioeconomic equity. Holy Vision; Divine Wonder, thank you for reminding me of your presence during times of loneliness. Let me see your face in the clouds, the morning mist, and hear your voice in chirping birds and rustling tree leaves while telling me I am part of you eternally; and Dearest One, for those who have touched my life directly or indirectly, positively or negatively, for the short-term or long-term, bring them joy, peace, and happiness empowering them to be better people with each passing day so that when called from this earth they will be welcomed to a better, higher spiritual place. Amen.” A daily prayer is like a good diet and regular exercise. You get out of it what you put in. Prayer must be consistent and made part of daily life. Whether you’re an atheist, humanist, or believer prayer will make a difference. * Paul is a corporate chaplain, seminary trained priest, and attorney in greater Albany, NY. Reach him through his website: www.CorporateChaplaincy.biz.
Sex Workers from Page 6 attacked and raped in situations like this. Decriminalizing sex work has the potential to reduce the deplorable amount of violence against trans-women.” Morgan believes Amnesty’s decision will help LGBT organizations support sex workers and their rights. “LGBT sex workers were at Stonewall. LGBT young adults disowned by their families have relied on the sex trade to survive, and transgender individuals, from white or white-passing trans men and non-binary trans people like myself to trans women of color, who face rampant employment discrimination have found both financial and community support in sex work,” said Morgan. “Amnesty's vote gave more organizations the courage to embrace the contributions sex workers have made to LGBT history and to support sex workers’ struggle for human rights.” When news of Amnesty International’s decision was made public, some criticized it saying it will make it easier for sex trafficking. Amnesty International disagrees (http://tinyurl.com/nhtz96b). “It is important to be very clear that Amnesty International strongly condemns all forms of human trafficking, including trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation,” Amnesty International said in a statement. “We believe that decriminalization would help tackle trafficking. When sex work is decriminalized, sex workers are better able work together and demand their rights, leading to better working conditions and standards and greater oversight of commercial sex and potential trafficking within it.” Centauri believes that many people confuse sex work with sex trafficking. “Many of the opponents of this recommendation to decriminalize sex work are under the false belief that decriminalization essentially makes every aspect of the sex trade legal, including the transport of humans against their will for sexual labor, the
exploitation of children, and a vague crime that is currently labeled sex trafficking,” they said. Economists Scott Cunningham and Manisha Shah recently studied a loophole in Rhode Island that accidentally decriminalized sex work in 1980. The state's legislature amended a law in 1980, believing that they made different forms of consensual sex between adults illegal. However, that amendment created a loophole. No one noticed it until 2003 when a District Court judge said it was legal to pay for consensual sex if it took place indoors. That loophole remained legal until 2009. However, that loophole proved to be a learning experience. In the study, (http://tinyurl.com/mngkb4a), Cunningham and Shah looked at the six years when residents knew indoor prostitution in Rhode Island was legal. They found that cases of rape went down. Forcible rape offenses fell by 31 percent in the state from 2004 to 2009. Cunningham and Shah furthered explained they don’t know for sure why this happened. "While we would like to say something conclusive about the mechanisms post-decriminalization which led to the observed decreases in rape offenses and gonorrhea incidence, we are careful to note that this discussion on pathways is merely suggestive," the authors wrote. "We are not claiming to have identified the causal channels which link the change in decriminalization to the behavioral outcomes of interest." In their hypothesis they argued that decriminalizing indoor prostitution made it easier for female sex workers to negotiate rates with customers. Cunningham and Shah said research in the 1990’s found that indoor sex workers were victimized less than outdoor sex workers. They assumed that since the sex workers were inside, they were safer. Amnesty International will meet again in October to develop a policy surrounding the measure. To find out more information about the measure, visit www.amnesty.org.
Letters from page 2 Dear Editor, [Re: Same-Sex Marriage Not Enough: Refocusing the Fight for LGBT Equality] Amen! Thank you for covering this. There is SO much work left to be done. I hope the Massachusetts LGBT & ally community will step up and support MassEquality, the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, BAGLY and the many other organizations working so hard to make sure that we are all treated with respect and dignity from cradle to grave. —Robyn Ochs, MassEquality board Co-Chair, Boston, Mass. Dear Editor, [Re: Op-Ed: Positive Thoughts – Passing the HIV Test] Maybe if “HIV leadership” like Oriol here didn’t allude to a positive HIV test as a “failure”, people would feel less stigmatized by the results. Maybe if they prioritized mutually beneficial ways to end the virus rather than encourage privileged seronegatives to wall themselves in with Truvada and wait for everyone else to die, the test wouldn’t seem like a scam to peo-
ple who suspect they’ll wind up positive. —Andy Frazier, Online Dear Editor, I am in love with The Rainbow Times, I truly believe you guys are making such a difference inspiring people apart of the LGBT community to walk in their truths, providing a safe space for people to go, while also highlighting the positive strides we are making and creating awareness towards what still needs to be worked on. I am gay and I'm a medium based out of new Jersey, I sent a YouTube video I just made (called I'm gay, I'm a medium- hear what spirit has to say about that) to your social media page, and one of the employees messaged me suggesting I forward it to you, since it provided a great message (which is humbling enough! ) Below is the link to the short video I created (7 minutes long) I just want to do whatever I can to shift people's perceptions from hate and judgement to compassion and open mindedness. Link: http://youtu.be/3I2GehqbzfI. —Cassandra Reilly, via e-mail
16 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com
September 3, 2015 - October 7, 2015