Toni Braxton's - The Rainbow Times

www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • Project 10 East dedicated to ending homophobiaBy: Elizabeth Gormley/TRT Reporter“Coming out of the closet” presentschallenges at any age, but it can beparticularly difficult for GLBT youth.Teens in the community may face harassmentand ridicule at an age whenbeing “different” is tough. Project10 East is a Boston-based grassrootsnon-profit organization dedicated tohelping create safe environments foryouth, working within schools to educate,promote, and sustain acceptance,growth and empowerment.Project 10 East was founded in thelate 1980s by Al Ferreira, a photographyteacher at Cambridge Rindge andLatin High School, according to theorganization’s website. Ferreira washaunted by the 1987 suicide of a popularyoung man who had graduated thatyear, on his way to the college he had wantedto attend. But, this student’s former girlfriendconfided in Ferreira that the young man wascoming to terms with the fact that he was gay,and felt his mother and peers would never accepthim.Ferreira, closeted at the school himself, decidedafter the boy’s suicide that he wouldeither come out or quit teaching. He attendeda speech at Harvard given by Virginia Uribe.Uribe had founded Project 10 in 1984 at a highschool in Los Angeles, CA. It was the nation’sfirst school-based support program for gay andlesbian students. Ferreira was inspired and beganworking with area families, clergy, and fellowteachers to start the East Coast branch ofUribe’s organization.Today, Edward Byrne is Project 10 East’sBoston NewsManaging Director. The organization has burgeoned,sending volunteers to schools acrossthe state to dozens of schools, setting up gay/straight alliances. In 2005, Project 10 East developedits own GSA curriculum with monthby month activities and issues to discuss aimedat helping empower GLBT youth, and endingharassment.“We coach faculty and administrators on howto make the school a safer, more welcoming environmentfor GLBT students and families,”Byrne said. “We often collaborate with area organizations.We work closely with other GLBTservingorganizations in Massachusetts.”Byrne started working with Project 10 East asa part-time program director in 2005 and participatedin an educational role.“I [went] into the school, usually on a weeklybasis, after getting a call from a teacher, studentor administrator,” he said. “I worked with thestudents on starting the after-school club, the alliance,coached them through leadership development,got their name out there, and plannedassemblies to raise awareness about challengesthat are faced by GLBT members in the school.I attended [meetings] weekly and facilitatedthem. As it got up and running on its own, Islowly took a step back and let them fly on theirown. Then, I took a greater step back, and usuallymaintained a relationship with the school ...sometimes they would need extra help.”To create a more diversified GSA is a goal forProject 10’s gay/straight alliances.“A school might have a really popular GSA,but maybe everyone in the GSA is white, andthat isn’t representative of the racial diversity inthe school,” Byrne said. “We might ask, ‘Howdo we diversify our group so that it’s welcomingto everyone?’”The Project 10 East model created by Ferreirain the 1980s still exists today. The volunteerssent to educate at schools maintain the samethree goals, which are to provide a safe spacefree of harassment and fear, provide an opportunityfor GLBT youth to socialize and form acommunity, and prepare students to advocatefor themselves and their community in an effortto rail against homophobia inside and outsideof school.Byrne has seen progress in his five-year tenurewith the Project.“I’ve probably worked in fifty schools inMassachusetts, and that’s just me personally,”he said. “The success for Project 10, and for meprofessionally, is seeing the students be able tocarry on the work, year after year. Once they’vehad the training and development work we dowith them, it’s really a student-led initiative.”To find out more about Project 10 East, or forinformation on starting a gay/straight alliance,visit www.project10east.org.Profiling from page 2Mexicans and other peoples of Latin America.The role of the Mexican/American Waris regularly forgotten when the discussion ofimmigration comes up. The violence of NAF-TA, CAFTA, and other transnational tradeagreements hardly ever make it on the list ofreasons why people immigrate to the UnitedStates. History and complex understandings ofgovernment power are vital pieces of the conversationabout marginalized communities.We know the importance of this as queer andtransgender people; let us allow that knowledgeto inform our acts of solidarity and publicwitness.Lastly (for now), immigrants are being usedas scapegoats by politicians and others as thereason for high unemployment, expensivehealthcare costs, violence in communities, andthe rise in taxes. Not only is this scapegoatinghurtful, it is completely untrue, based inlies, and created for racist fear mongering. Weabsolutely know what this is like. I rememberbeing blamed by Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwellfor the attacks on the World Trade Centertowers in New York. I have heard CatholicChurch leaders blame us for sexual abuse ofchildren. We know what it feels like to bescapegoats and we must not take part in thescapegoating of others.So then, what can we do? As people in NewEngland we can keep pressure on our ownpolitical leaders to prevent bills such as thatto be passed here. We can join farm workersand others in writing to Michelle ObamaMother’s Day messages about the importanceof celebrating all mothers and protecting allmothers from police violence. We can write toour friends in Phoenix who are organizing thePride Gala on June 20th and ask them to makeimmigrant solidarity a central focus of theirpride celebration. We can contact the governorof Arizona and inform her of our sadness andanger. Whatever we do we must do so nowand with the strength of our community. It isour responsibility to use our voices, our feet,our pens, our fists, and all of our resources toprotect one another!

• May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.comFaith, Family, and God – The Trinity:Different manifestations of the same GodIn the Name of GodBy: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT ColumnistFaith, Culture, and Science are aholy trinity. If you’re spiritual,but dislike organized religionthis concept may enhance your journey.If you have long ignored thequestion of a higher good becauseof religious hypocrisy you too maywant to explore this approach. And,for those who embrace one of the differentmanifestations of the same Godthen please read on.This trinity is represented by threered dots arranged like a pyramid. It isbased on an ancient design that artist,mystic, and philosopher NicholasRoerich (1874-1947) saw in theHimalayas. He was a prolific painterwith museums throughout the worldnow exhibiting his work. Some of hisdepictions of eastern religions andnatural landscapes can be seen at theRoerich Museum in New York City(Roerich.org).He believed all faiths had truths. Jesusspoke of unconditional love, theBuddha taught of transcendence fromhuman suffering, etc. Incidentally,Roerich unintentionally interchanged faithwith religion, though there is a distinction.Any time that faith or religion wanders into theextreme it is kept in check by science – logic,reason, and common sense. Faith keeps sciencefrom sliding into a god-like arrogance.In art Roerich showed the oneness of humanitywith itself, nature, and the Creator.Here faith and science exists in harmony. Hisart shows a type of symbiotic relationship withnatural beauty – distinct yet part of it, like amarriage of the heart between two souls. Heportrayed wholeness – a transcendental union– of faith and science through art.Culture, often manifested in art, is “theheart,” “reverence of Light,” “love of humanity,”“unity of life and beauty,” “the synthesisof uplifting and sensitive attainments,” observedRoerich. If all the definitions of Cultureare gathered and synthesized, it is idealistically“the altar of enlightenment and constructivebeauty.”Roerich would have rejoiced had he witnessedLeonard Bernstein conduct Beethoven’s9th to celebrate the Berlin Wall’s demise onChristmas Day 1989. He may have been tearful,as were the musicians and concert goers,had he witnessed the performance in CommunistNorth Korea of the New York Philharmonicnot long ago.Think about foreign films, great literaturelike Shakespeare, or music from other countrieswhether rock or classical. There is nolitmus test to enjoy them. Sitting in a theaterwatching a film or Elton John’s Lion Kingyou may see a commonality that brings peopletogether no matter their race, gender, politics,religion, or sexual identity.In referring to the Tibetan mountains Roerichsaid “one feels the power of creativethought.” Roerich did not limit the definitionof creative. Each person is a Creation of theCreator. Therefore, everyone is empowered tocreate beauty and to be part of it. The ocean,mountains, the majestic maple tree are Createdby the same Creator and with it humankindshould find oneness with itself and the universalorder.Roerich wrote that when “you have the essentialand vital combination of religion andbeauty [then] you see that the highest symbolof religion [or faith] becomes the highestguardian of beauty.”He said that “international ties of friendship”“through creativeness” leads to a “path[where] mutual understanding and friendshipremain steadfast.” It is why art is “sanctified.”It is, however, not just about “internationalties,” but also relationships formed in cities,towns, neighborhoods, and throughout America,especially with those who are intimidatedor frightened that their way of life is at risk.Faith, Culture, and Science when joined are anextraordinarily powerful tool to combat hate,bigotry, ignorance, and to better unite all of us.This honors God.*Paul is an author, attorney, and a seminarytrained, ordained priest in greater Albany, NY.He may be reached at Dilovod@aol.com.Walk for life inAIDS Project ofSouthern VTThe Walk for Life, held on May 22, is a majorfundraising event for the AIDS Project ofSouthern VT, the parent organization of yourMen’s Program. The economic crisis has beenchallenging for the organization and eventslike this are an important source of communitysupport.Their annual Walk for Life is also a communitycommemoration – of those we have lostand those who are still with us. Music, food,and remembrance are all part of this specialday. Each year, we hope to see more of themen’s community participate in the Walk. Wehope to see you this year!For more information, please contact Alexat 802-254-4444 or email men@sover.net.Letters to the Editor from page 2Dear Editor,I am an avid reader but why do you haveto publish so much about marriage equality?There are so many other issues to be focusingour energies on that are pertinent to ourcommunity too. I don’t even believe in marriage.I think it is selling out to the mainstream.I believe in being monogamous,but not married. Isn’t it all about religionanyway?Annoyed with marriage,—A. Backus, Providence, RIForestrum

www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • Why the no-child-left-behind law – doesn’t apply to transgender childrenBy: Half-Lady Lisa*/TRT SpecialIn July 2008, I received a phone callfrom a transgender escort, (whom Ididn’t know), a few days after an article‘Cops Take Aim at Brighton Brothels:seek to shut down online sex rings’ byJessica Van Sack, appeared in the BostonHerald. The article, a page-and-ahalflong, focused, (unfairly), only ontransgender prostitutes; including revealingsome of the names of the transgenderescorts who were arrested andmy caller was one of them. Irritated, shegrumbled to me—“there are nearly athousand female escort ads posted eachday on the Craigslist’s Boston Eroticsection which never seems to reduce, butonly 10-15 transgender ads are watchedclosely by the police.” Further, the articlequoted police: ‘ the trend in transsexualprostitution is an emerging phenomenon.’With sympathy, I inquiredof my caller as to where she was goingto live—all apartment leases require abackground check; also she had no job history toprovide; to fill out a lease application was a commonproblem for escorts; worse still, she had acriminal record. Isn’t it ironic—the transgenderminority had just caused a major public problem?It is very difficult for non-trans-gendered peopleto understand the host of problems transgenderindividuals face everyday in today’s society.While living in Thailand during my high schoolyears, a teenage friend of mine was caught possessingwomen’s makeup by her parents: theyfound a woman’s powder compact hidden inher school bag. Her parents had suspected thatshe was attempting to live as a transgender. HerParenting Newsmother pulled her into the bathroom, and lockedthe door. With anger, she used a toilet brush toslap her face with, until she was bleeding fromher nose; then used a small scissors to cut off herlong, curved eyelashes. My friend told me that,even today, psychologically some nights shestill has nightmares that her mother tried to killher. Another friend said—she hadn’t spoken toher father for over ten years; after she revealedher transgender lifestyle, even though they wereliving in the same house. When my friend reallyneeded to speak to her father, they spoke throughher mother.In America, abandoning a child is illegal. However,in cases concerning transgender children, itis opposite. The family conflicts brought on bythe transgender lifestyle of the child, and the sarcasticcomments uttered everyday by their parents,has lead many teenage transgenders to runawayfrom home and live alone—so the parentsof transgender teens avoid legal abandonmentproblems. Few, if any, parents report their transgenderchild as missing. Most disown any childwho lives as a transgender.A friend of mine, from Laos, came to Americaduring the Vietnam War era, when she was veryyoung. She never graduated from high school asParents ignore their children’s problems —they believe that their child’s transgender lifestyleitself causes all the problems; so the way to solvethe problems is to simply keep their secret life as atrans-gender in the closet.she expected to. “My classmates often laughedand teased me; they liked to pull my hair everyday,I didn’t enjoy going to school,” she said.In the case of trans-genders teens, the no-childleft-behindlaw doesn’t apply. Parents ignoretheir children’s problems—they believe that theirchild’s transgender lifestyle itself causes all theproblems; so the way to solve the problems is tosimply keep their secret life as a trans-gender inthe closet. Moreover, if some problems happen inpublic places such as in school, concerned overtheir child’s gender issues, parents are embarrassedto come forward and fight on behalf oftheir children.Leading a single life, alone at a young age, isvery difficult; especially when trans-gender teenshave received inadequate formal education. Formost Americans, finding jobs during difficulteconomic times is hard; but for trans-genders,jobs are extremely hard to find, even when theeconomy is doing well. Moreover, in Americansociety, sexual genders are strictly divided:nightclubs, movie theaters, place to hang out, andeven many residential areas are divided into gayor heterosexual areas. Once two gay men whowere moving from Connecticut into a new apartmentin Brighton, MA asked me, (when they realizedI was a transgender who had lived in theneighborhood for a long time)—‘are gay peoplewelcome in this area?’ These divisions in oursociety maintain each gender apart; resulting invery few straight people who are familiar with orwork together with other genders. Gay men haveno problem hiding their gay gender when necessary,but trans-genders face the greatest problemswhen their lifestyle activities, (cross-dressing),obviously reveals their true gender through theirappearances. Many employers skirt gender discriminationlaws, refusing to hire trans-genders,especially for management positions, by makingfalse claims as to why the trans-gender is nothired. Today, gender discrimination in employmentis common; it is practiced everyday in our society.Gender transformation is expensive. Mostpeople believe that when a teenage girl asksher parents for breast implants after high schoolgraduation that it is luxurious spending and completelyunnecessary. However, for trans-genderwomen, plastic surgery is a necessary part oftheir transformation. Imagine—a person whoseappearance is half man/half woman, walkingdown the street; s/he would attract public attentionin a way that would cause great embarrassmentto her. Moreover, when using public restrooms,surely s/he can’t just walk into a men’srestroom but is she passable enough to simplywalk into a women’s restroom? That is whatshe is thinking while deciding where to pee. Plasticsurgery is not an extravagance for those decidingto live as a transgender; but rather, a necessityto help them ease their way into society. So,investing $8,000 for breast implants, $200/weekfor female hormones, and even more for hairproducts, makeup, and women’s clothing greatlySee Transgender Children on page 18

• May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.comLet us work together for the good of allBy: Deja Nicole Greenlaw/ TRT ColumnistTrans Opinions & MoreIn the past week I have receivedmessages from two people whoappreciate my viewpoints. Onewas from a reader from Noho whowrote a Letter to the Editor in the lastTRT issue and the other was fromWillam Bella via a Facebook message.Willam is one of the actorswho plays one of the leading rolesin Ticked Off Trannies with Knives(TOTWK). I appreciated both gentlemen’ssupportive words and I’m gladthat I can connect with others outsideof the Trans community!Sadly though, both messagesmade me think of the divisivenessand infighting that there is in ourlarger LGBT community. The “T”element sometimes seems to be theantagonist in the community. Don’tget me wrong, being Tran is very difficultand we have many obstacles toovercome. I can see firsthand wherethe anger is present. Most of us Tshave been fighting our whole liveswith who we are and who societywants us to be. We have to endure allof the same situations that everyonein the LGBT community has plus weactually change our physical gendersand deal with our family, friends andcoworkers about this change. This is acontinually very difficult issue to dealwith and believe me; it is not for the weak!A few years ago, one of my electrologists(something that we Transwoman have to endure,painful and seemingly never ending hairremoval) was talking to me as she was stickingher needle into my pores and shooting currentsAsk a Transwoman: The reality of being trans, and how I killed Mac, part IIBy: Lorelei Erisis*/TRT ColumnistDear Lorelei,(Continued from April 15th issue)What is the best way for the friend of atransperson to express anger and resentmentat a transperson for “killing” the personthe transperson was before they started theirtransition?—Nora C.Wow. Taking a deep breath.Welcome friends (and Nora) to Part 2 of“Live Nude Lorelei.” This is the part franklythat I’ve been putting off, the part of thisquestion that delves most deeply into who theheck I think I am. I honestly can’t speak for alltranspeople or all of the friends of transpeopleon this one. But, I suspect based on my experienceof the commonalities of human nature,that this is an issue that almost all of us haveto deal with at some point, whether or not wehave someone in our lives that can put it thisclearly and succinctly.Honestly, this question blew me away theof electricity into my face. I was complainingabout a very vocal group of trans who wantedus to boycott one of the local LGBT bars. I remembersaying to her, “Why are they alwaysfighting? Why?” She said to me, “Deja, theyhave been fighting their whole lives livingwith being trans. Maybe they don’t know howto stop fighting.”I thought about her comment for a while andit did make sense and rang true with a lot of themembers of the T community. We are naturalfighters. We are born with a gender mismatchand we fight it. We don’t know what it is, itfrightens us and we fight it. Then we realizethat it is not going away and we fight it. Weknow from society that we are “supposed tobe” one way, yet we feel the other way. So, wefight it. When we finally come to terms withit then we fight society into accepting us andrespecting us. We expect society to acknowledgeus as our true gender and the fightingspirit is always there. Many times people don’tunderstand us, we confuse them or maybe theyjust plain forget how to address us and theymay refer to us as our birth gender. That makesus upset. Let’s face it, people make mistakesand use the wrong pronouns and “wham!” thefight in us surfaces! We must not lash out atour friends and allies. They will help us if welet them. If people make a mistake with pronounswe should politely and quietly tell themthat we would appreciate it if they refer to usas our true gender.I hate it when the Ts fight with the Ls andthe Gs—whether it’s boycotting an LGBT bar,protesting about TOTWK, being surly withlocal Ls and Gs about the Employment NonDiscrimination Act, ENDA, or just from themsimply from using the wrong pronouns withus. Yes, we can have issues and disagreementsfirst time I read it. The idea of “killing” the personI was before I fully came into my own as“Lorelei” is especially distressing, but not entirelyinaccurate. The person that I was in theworld, while not an honest expression of whoI really felt myself to be, was about as close asI could come to it. And, it was a fully fleshedoutperson for what it was. What I was.Here’s some full-disclosure that you will almostnever see from a transgender person. InformationI might add that is NOT okay to askunless it is offered. Before I was Lorelei, thefabulous entertainer/columnist/activist/pageantqueen that you know today, I presentedmyself to the world as a boy named Mac. ReverendMac, if I was feeling formal about it, andyes I am an ordained minister.“Mac” was not my legal name mind you; itwas a traditional Irish nickname that my parentsgave me when I was born. You still don’tget to know my soon-to-be-former legal name.I wasn’t especially crazy about it even thenand I’m looking to be rid of it now. That’s awhole other column though.The reason I’ve shared thiswith you is that “Mac” is theperson that I killed. “Mac” iswho I was and how I identifiedand as wonderful as hewas, he is gone now. There isno Mac, only Zool. (For thepop-culture-impaired that wasa “Ghostbusters” joke. –LE)I was not happy being a man,but I figured if I was going tohave to be one, I would be thebest man I could be. It nevercame naturally, but I’m a goodDeja Nicole Greenlawstudy of characterand an excellent actor.All told, I like tothink I was a prettygood guy. I waswell-dressed, polite,funny, intelligent,understanding and Ialways wore reallyfantastic shoes! Really,not so differentfrom whom I amnow. Except that itwas a character. Itwas boy-drag.about these thingsbut I think we needto be more civil indealing with thesematters. After all,this is a much largercommunity, theLGBT community,and we are all membersof it. We reallyshould be workingtogether to go afterour real foes who tryto deny us our rights.That’s where are anger and our fighting shouldgo! We shouldn’t be infighting and trying to bedivisive within our own community!Like most Ts, we have many gay and lesbianfriends. We support the gays and lesbians intheir struggles and we expect them to supportus in our struggles. This is what friends do. Weshould be helping each other, not fighting witheach other. We should not direct our anger tothose who have nothing to do with issues likethe T being dropped from ENDA. We shoulddirect it to the people who did that are inWashington, DC. The people from Northampton,Springfield, Boston or Hartford shouldn’tbe blamed! If you feel a need to address thisissue then I suggest a civil protest much likethe one I did, not once but twice, in 2004when I civilly protested HRC (Human RightsCampaign) right outside of their home officein DuPont Circle in Washington, DC. Weprotested for Transgender inclusion in ENDAand the Hate Crimes bill both times. Yes, I ama TransActivist! But, I am also a realist. Wemust not overreact especially when it comesto airing differences within the greater LGBTcommunity.Lorelei ErisisI’ve always prized honesty and for the mostpart, I was very open and honest about whom Iwas and what I thought even as Mac. I was almostcompulsively honest in fact. It got me intoa lot of trouble, especially in relationships.“Do you think I look fat in this?”“Yep.”“Are you attracted to other women?”“Sometimes.”“Are you now or have you ever been a memberof the Communist Party???”“Well, not actually a dues paying member,but …”You can see how this may have played out.Still, I was as honest as I could be. I think it’simportant. But I was lying to everyone aboutthe single most basic fact of my existence.That I was a woman.I’ve come to think that my “honesty” came inlarge part as a way of distracting people fromasking the one question I prayed they wouldnot. If I was so notoriously and publicly honest,why would anyone think that I was hidingIf we are offended by movies such as TOT-WK please let’s be civil with our disagreements.Please don’t rant and rave as some Tsdid on the internet. Please keep the disagreementon a civil level.If we have an issue with an LGBT establishment,then approach the management of thatestablishment and ask for a meeting to talkabout it, don’t just boycott it without addressingthe issues first.If someone calls you “trannie,” I personallydon’t mind it, but if you don’t like it, pleasepolitely tell them that it makes you feel uncomfortableand then let it go.We need to all work together as an LGBTfamily. When disagreements arise (and theywill!) then we need to address these issues. Wereally are a team and we need to be together!There is still a lot of work for us to do and weneed to be together to do it. I have heard onseveral occasions that some transpeople goas far as to say that we don’t need the gaysor the lesbians—that we can do it ourselves. Isay that we do need the gays and the lesbians!These are our friends and allies and we need towork with them!To the non-T members of our greater LGBTcommunity, when we, as Ts, disagree with youplease keep in mind the fighting spirit, whichresides within us and has been there sincebirth. Sometimes it just comes out and we mayoverreact. We must get past that. We need towork together for the better for us all! I wantall of us to move on and to fight for all of ourrights together. I am hoping that our T communitywill tone down the way that we presentour internal differences, work them out peacefullyand work together for the good of all!something?And here is where I comeback to the originalquestion.How can I possibly expect you, Nora, to notbe angry at me? To not be harboring all kindsof resentment towards me, when I have beenlying to you and everyone else for all theseyears?When we shared such intimate moments andclosely held secrets with each other in the understandingthat we were both being as honestand as open as was possible for two people tobe—and here I am saying that the person youknew, that you shared so much with was at theheart of it a lie.I fear sometimes that I did too good a jobof being the best man I could be. The mostcommon objection from my female friendswhen I announced my transition was that I wasthe one of the best men they knew and theyneeded me around to be an example for theirboyfriends/husbands/brothers.But, I went through with it anyway. I killedMac. And the only thing I can do is apologize.I’m sorry. I truly am. You have every right tobe angry and resentful. It is a perfectly naturalreaction.And so, on that dramatic note, I leave you‘til next time dear readers, when I will returnwith the third and final part of my answer tomy long-time friend Nora.R.I.P. Reverend MacSlainte!*Lorelei Erisis is Miss Trans New England2009 and she can be contacted at:loreleierisis@therainbowtimesmass.com.

www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Film Festivalcelebrates 23 years of Independent filmHARTFORD, CT—Out Film CT is pleasedto announce that the Connecticut Gay & LesbianFilm Festival is celebrating its 23rd yearthis May, bringing to the region a wide rangeof lesbian, gay, bisexual andtransgender (LGBT) documentaries,shorts, and fulllengthfeature films. The festivalruns from Thursday, May27th through Saturday, June5th, 2010.“The screening committeehas been working diligently since August topull together a great line-up of films for thisyear’s festival. And, as always, we expectto bring several directors, actors and specialguests to make the festival a unique culturalevent for the state.” saidfestival director ShaneEngstrom. Last year,festival attendees weretreated to live questionand answer sessionswith filmmakers andactors from as far awayas San Francisco andNewfoundland.Here are a few ofthe films expectedto screen (subject toavailability):· Violet Tendencies– In this romanticcomedy, Mindy Cohnof ‘The Facts of Life’fame plays a womanwho, feeling her biologicalclock ticking,tries to distance herselffrom her gay friends inan effort to land a straight boyfriend.· La Mission – Peter Bratt’s moving filmabout the powerful ties of family and communityis a love letter to the vibrancy and dailystruggles of San Francisco’s Mission District.Benjamin Bratt plays Che, a reformed and respectedex-con and alcoholic, who must struggleto unlearn a lifetime of destructive habitswhen he discovers that his beloved son is gay.· Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement– Connecticut native Susan Muska and GretaOlafsdottir tell the love story of two remarkablewomen whose commitment to each otheris an inspiration to us all. After 42 years, feistyand delightful lesbian couple Edie and Theaare finally getting married.· Prodigal Sons – Filmmaker KimberlyReed returns home for herhigh school reunion, ready toreintroduce herself to the smalltown as a transgender womanand hoping for reconciliationwith her long estranged adoptedbrother Marc.· Baby Love – Manu, a gaypediatrician in his forties, has the perfect relationshipwith his partner Philippe, a successfullawyer. But things become very complicatedwhen Manu insists on pursuing his life-longdream of adopting and raising a child.· Undertow – An unusualghost story set onthe Peruvian seaside;a married fishermanstruggles to reconcilehis devotion to his malelover within his town’srigid traditions.· The Topp Twins:Untouchable Girls- Fun, disarming andmusically provocative,the Topp Twins areNew Zealand’s finestlesbian musical comedyduo and the country’sgreatest exportsince rack of lamb andthe Lord of the Ringsmovie trilogy.Presented by OutFilm CT, the festivaltakes place at Cinestudioon the campus of Trinity College, 300Summit Street, in Hartford, CT. Films areshown nightly at 7:30 p.m., with matinees onMay 27th and May 28th at 3:00 p.m. Admissionprices are $9 for general admission and$7 for students and seniors, except $15 and$12 for Opening/Closing gala screenings (Friday,5/28 & Saturday, 6/5) which includes thefilms, food, beverages and musical entertainment.Tickets will be available online twoweeks prior to the festival or at the door.A Cinema Café is offered on Friday and Saturdayevenings starting at 6:30 p.m., featuringPhoto: Anthony BennochChristian Mercado and Manolo Cardona inthe unusual and haunting UndertowPhoto: Anthony BennochBenjamin Bratt stars in La Mission, a love letter to San Francisco’s Mission Districtlight meals and beverages from The Spot Eatery.Adding to the festivities, a silent auctionis offered throughout the duration of the filmfestival. Movie buffs can bid on a wide rangeof items that include exotic travel, fine dining,artwork, spa packages, and fine wines.Out Film CT is a nonprofit cultural organizationdedicated to presenting outstandingLGBT cinema and other theatrical eventsthroughout the year, culminating in the 10-dayConnecticut Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. AsConnecticut’s longest-running film festival, ithas become a distinctive fixture in our state’scultural landscape, bringing the communitytogether to introduce, celebrate and rediscoverthe ideas and values that make the LGBTcommunity unique.For more information, call 860-586-1136,or visit www.OutFilmCT.org.

THE TOPP TWINS Are Coming!Performing Live In Concert in NorthamptonThe latest LGBT buzz around New Englandis about The Topp Twins performing live inconcert in Northampton on Saturday, June 12,8 p.m., at the Academy of Music Theatre. Presentedby Out! For Reel, this concert will beThe Topp Twins’ first in the U.S. as they touraround the country promoting their awardwinningdocumentary at major film festivals.On Friday, May 21, their film, “The ToppTwins: Untouchable Girls”, will be screenedby Out! For Reel at 8:15 p.m., at the Academyof Music Theatre, Northampton, Mass. “TheTopp Twins are truly amazing. People absolutelyloved this film when we premiered itin February. We want to give folks one morechance to see it before The Topp Twins comein June,” states Jaime Michaels,executive producerof Out! For Reel. “Whenyou see the film, you instantlywant to see themperform in person.”The Topp Twins arelesbian twin sisters whosepopularity in their nativeNew Zealand has wonthem the best CountryWestern Music Albumaward, their own televisionvariety show, and inductedinto NZ’s Music Hall ofFame.Famous for their laughout loud character sketches,beautiful harmonies,and amazing yodeling, TheTopp Twins’ distinctivebrand of entertainment includesinteractive comedytheatre and a wide range ofmusical styles throughouttheir show.“We’re not comedians,”Lynda Topp says. “We’resingers who are funny.” But their comedysketches, filled with a cast of lovable, quirkycharacters, have been making audiences fromcoal miners to anti-nuke activists double overwith laughter for years.The Topp Twins re-invent themselves onstage, changing character and gender withease, and deliver visually funny humor oftenthrough song. Spontaneity is a vital ingredientof the Topp Twins magic on stage and audienceparticipation a trademark. As the Toppsmaxim is “we send up rather than put down”,their “guests” always feel safe on stage whilePhoto: sally taggJools and Lynda Topp perform inCamp Mother and Camp Leaderunpredictable fun breaks loose.“The Topp Twins are truly a phenomenon.They have an extraordinary effect on people,from all walks of life,” states producer AraniCuthbert.The Topp Twins are loved by their entire nationboth LGBT and straight, young and older.They have the uncanny ability to build bridgesbetween the LGBT and straight communitiesthrough their music and humor.Their documentary, The Topp Twins: UntouchableGirls, takes audiences on a delightfuljourney of the twins’ lives and highlightsLynda and Jools top-rated television show,their work on behalf of gay rights in New Zealand,Jool’s triumph over cancer and the ToppTwins induction into NewZealand’s Music Hall ofFame. Variety magazinesays that The Topp Twins:Untouchable Girls is a film“has you falling in lovewith two of the crazierpeople you never met …pure fun, very musical, anda can of mixed nuts. Whatwe see are transformationsworthy of world-classactresses.”“We are thrilled andhonored that Out! For Reelwill be the first to presentThe Topp Twins in theU.S. The Topp Twins arereally excited to perform inNorthampton. It’s going tobe a fantastic night,” saysMichaels.Concert tickets for June2b in the know 24/7 ...twitter.com/therainbowtimes12 are $25 Advance / $30Door. Film tickets for May21 are $8.50. Advance ticketscan be purchased onlineat www.OutForReel.org orat the Academy of Music Box Office.For more information, to watch the trailer,and to buy tickets, visit www.OutForReel.org.Out! For Reel is the largest LGBT film seriesin the USA. Based in Northampton, Massachusetts,Out! For Reel screens the best inaward-winning lesbian, gay, bisexual andtransgender films from around the world on amonthly basis during a ten month season, beginningeach year in September. The dates for2010-2011 Season Three can be found on theOFR website.facebook.com/therainbowtimesnewswww.therainbowtimesnews.comwww.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 •

10 • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.comToni Braxton finds her Pulse: Soulstress un-breaks heartswith first album in five years – and opens her own to gaysBy: Chris AzzopardiToni Braxton’s loving the ladies. Regardlessof lesbian rumors that swirled around yearsago, the R&B singer who rode a massive waveto superstardom with the ubiquitous mid-’90sballad “Un-Break My Heart” isn’t ashamed tomack on fly females. Or dish on her dramaticfamily, which we’ll see more of during herupcoming Bravo reality show. Or tell you thather sultry voice – one of robust power that’snabbed her numerous Grammys – tinkers withAuto-Tune on her firstalbum in five years,Pulse.Whatever it is, Braxton’snot one to hide it– and in our interview,the singer was very vocalabout the gays makingher a better woman,the fresh batch of femaleartists and EllenDeGeneres being manenough for her.Chris Azzopardi:Would you call this acomeback?Toni Braxton: I’d callit anything you want tocall it! I’m just reallyglad to be back at work again, because I didn’tthink I’d ever be. For me, it’s a really greatmoment.CA: Do you feel like you have to find yourplace again because of all the female artistsdominating the charts in recent years, likeLady Gaga and Rihanna?TB: No, I don’t really feel that. Though,they’re two of my favorite artists. Huge fanof theirs. But my counterparts are people likeMariah and Mary J. Blige, and artists like thathave kept it to where artists from the ’90s canstill maintain and be a part of the group aswell. I’m very grateful for them for keeping itgoing for me.CA: It was all about the voice in the ’90s.Less so now, when everything is so digitallyenhanced.TB: I use a little bit of it. It has helped me hereand there. Thank goodness for technology!CA: How do you feelthe female artist poolhas changed since thatdecade?TB: The industry’spretty much still thesame. It’s always aboutthe bottom line, whichis unfortunate andcan sometimes takeaway from the creativity.What’s great is thenewer artists get to be alittle bit more creative.Like Gaga, she doesn’tcare. She does what shewants and I love that,especially being a girl.A lot of times peoplewant to put you in a boxif you’re a girl, and she’s like, “I’m a girl, butI can look sexy, I can wear what I want, I canthink for myself. I don’t need you to think forme.” I love that about the newer artists.CA: The video for the second single, “MakeMy Heart,” is so gay. How conscious were youof your gay fans when you made Pulse?TB: I love my boys because my boys help mebe a better girl. My choreographer and my videodirector are gay, and they’vebeen my best friends since Istarted in the industry. Theytell me, “No, no, no, girl. Youdon’t walk like that anymore.Girls walk like this.” I’m like,“We do?! What else do we do?”They’re my favorite part of thewhole industry.CA: When did you first knowyou had a gay following?TB: “Un-Break My Heart.” Iguess that’s when we recognizedall the support. And it wasreally wonderful. So when wedid “Make My Heart” we hadno idea that was the audiencethat was going tolove it most.CA: Have you seen dragqueens do “Un-BreakMy Heart?”TB: Oh yes! I definitelyhave (laughs). And “HeWasn’t Man Enough,”which is wonderful.CA: What should dragqueens keep in mindwhen they’re doing “Un-Break My Heart?”TB: Keep the hips reallytight and to the side.Gyrate a little more. ButI love the lip service thatthey give, so I have incorporatedsome of thatin my live performances.CA: You’ve been dealtsome hardships recentlywith your heart condition,your son’s autismand your separation latelast year.TB: Everything!CA: Will that be reflectedon Pulse?TB: A little bit of myhealth with the song“Pulse.” I made it, ofcourse, about love.Sometimes you thinklove’s dead and that one Toni Braxtonlittle heartbeat gives youthat spark to go for itagain. There’s also a song called “Woman”where I’m talking to guys, telling them whatwomen want, and that’s personal with me goingthrough a separation. There’s “Why Won’tYou Love Me” and I think everyone knows thefeeling of when they’re in a relationship andyou’re the one who gives a little more than theother person: “Why won’t you love? I makelove to you, I cook for you, what else can I doto make you love me?” It’s more of a purgingmoment.CA: You grew up in a strict, religious household,where your father was a clergyman. Howdid that shape your feelings on gay people?TB: Oh gosh, when I was younger everythingwas about the Bible. They believed that womenshouldn’t wear pants, so I never wore pantsuntil I was 14. I didn’t listen to secular music.It was very old school. But when I got older, Ilearned things for myself.CA: How are you raising your kids then?TB: There’s one little kid in one of my son’sclasses and my son said, “Mommy, he acts likea girl. Will I act like a girl?” I’m like, “It’s notthat he acts like a girl; he acts like himself. It’snot something you can become. You’re borna way, and it’s OK because people are borndifferent ways.”I teach them that there’s nothing wrong withthat. Kids are different nowadays. They aren’tclose-minded like my parents’ generation wasor how I was initially taught to be.CA: Will your Bravo reality show that’s set toair in the fall be more Being Bobby Brown orKathy Griffin’s My Life on the D-List?TB: I don’t know. I’ve never done a show likethis before. It’s called Braxton Family Values,like Addams Family Values, and it’s about myselfand my entire family. It’s so much dramabecause there are so many different opinions.Photo: Markus Klinko & IndraniI’m the person in my family who’s most successfuland I don’t like to say head butting, butsome of my sisters are like, “I wish I had that!”And some of my sisters are like, “I’m fine withmy life being this way.”Everyone wants them to be Toni Braxton’ssister, and when I’m hot, they’re hot and whenI’m not, they’re not. It’s about how I feel beingan artist, being the most successful person inmy family and how it affects the other familymembers. It’s going to be a very animatedshow to say the least.CA: Early in your career there were lesbianrumors that you denied. Remember that?TB: I do remember that!CA: Now that you’ve gone through a coupleof men, have you changed your mind?TB: (Laughs) I have a few girl crushes, like,“Mmm, she’s kind of cute” or “Gosh, I loveher body.” I have a terrible crush on Ellen(DeGeneres) and everyone around me knowsit. She makes me laugh, and she’s girl enoughand dude enough at the same time. And I loveSalma Hayek.CA: You’re such a tease in the “Hands Tied”video. Are you one in real life?TB: When I was younger I was probably atease because sex before marriage was a badthing. I had to let that go, too! (Laughs) Not asmuch being older, but I can be a tease when Ineed to be. But I haven’t been practicing becauseI’m separated.CA: Your Twitter page lists you as a cake-maker.Would you consider opening up a bakery?TB: I love cooking and baking cakes, but ohgod, Ace of Cakes? Not for me! I’m not thatgood. However, I do like to bake a lot, so Ican make a guy – whomever I’m with – very,very happy.CA: Hear that guys?TB: Or girls even!

AIDS Action Committee President and CEO Honoredby the National Association of People With AIDSBOSTON, MA—The National Association ofPeople With AIDS (NAPWA) honored AIDSAction Committee President and CEO RebeccaHaag with a Positive Leadership Award April26. It is the group’s highest recognition of servicefor those advocating on behalf of peoplewith HIV and AIDS.Haag is being recognized for her role inspearheading the Coalition for a National AIDSStrategy. David Munar of the AIDS Foundationof Chicago, Naina Khanna of Women Organizedto Respond to Life-threatening Disease,and Chris Collins of amfAR are also being recognizedfor their Coalition work.In an email to Haag, Michelle Lopez, Chairof the Board of Trustees of NAPWA and FrankOldham, Jr., President and CEO of NAPWApraised Haag for her “unparalleled leadershipin support of development of a nationalAIDS strategy and contributions to endingthe pandemic and human suffering caused byHIV/AIDS.”The United States has long required countriesreceiving funds through the President’s EmergencyPlan for AIDS Relief, which has channeledmillions of dollars in HIV/AIDS fundingto African nations, to have national guidelinesoutlining how they will use U.S. funds to combatHIV/AIDS. For the first 27 years of theAIDS epidemic — until 2008 — the UnitedStates did not have a national AIDS strategy inplace to coordinate the deployment of resourcesto reduce HIV infections; increase access tocare for people with HIV and AIDS; or closethe racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomesand infection rates.“It just makes sense to coordinate our effortsin combatingHIV and AIDSand have establishedgoals,”said Haag.“We’re alreadyseeing the resultswith PresidentObama’s ‘ActAgainst AIDS’campaign, whichis raising awarenessof the diseaseamonga complacentpublic.”Other PositivePhoto: aacLeadershipAward honoreesRebecca Haagthis year include President Barack Obama,House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate MajorityLeader Harry Reid.About the aids Action Committee:AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts,Inc., (AAC), New England’s first and largestAIDS organization, is dedicated to stopping thespread of HIV/AIDS by preventing new infectionsand optimizing the health of those alreadyinfected. For more about the Aids Action Committeeplease visit www.aac.org and at AAC’sblog atblog.aac.org.About NAPWA:Founded in 1983, NAPWA is the world’s oldestcoalition of people living with AIDS, as wellas the oldest national AIDS organization. Formore information, please visit www.napwa.org.www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • 1125th Anniversary of AIDS Walk Boston on June 6thBy: Elizabeth Gormley/TRT ReporterOn Sunday, June 6th, the 25th Annual AIDSWalk Boston will take place to benefit the Aids ActionCommittee of Mass. (AAC), New England’sfirst and largest AIDS service organization.The Walk starts at the DRC Hatch MemorialShell, through the city’s Back Bay to Brookline, beforeturning along the Charles River, following theesplanade back to the startline with a distance of 6.2miles.In 1986, the Walk, namedFrom All Walks of Life,began with 4,000 peoplewho raised $325,000 for therelatively new, fatal diseaseaccording to the AAC website.Today, their messageis the same—to rememberthose we have lost to AIDS,to spread awareness, give support, and continueto expand the services provided by AIDS ActionCommittee. In twenty-five years, the Walk hasraised over $35 million.According to the AAC’s website, since the diseasebegan, 30,537 Massachusetts residents havebeen identified as having HIV. There are roughly600 new infections annually. Every year, the AIDSAction Committee serves over 2,500 men, womanand children with the virus. However, it is still gayand bi men who are most likely to contract HIV/AIDS. The Center for Disease Control releasednew information in March 2010, indicating thatmen who have sex with men are 44 times morelikely to contract the virus than other men, and 40times more likely to contract it than all women.The 25th Anniversary of AIDS Walk Bostonwill honor twenty-five individuals who have“made invaluable contributions to the fight againstAIDS over the last twenty-five years,” said PaulTwitchell, the AIDS Action Committee’s Directorof Marketing and Communications. Those individualswere not confirmed by press time. However,Twitchell said that The Rainbow Times readerscan go to www.aac.org to learn more about theseearly pioneers, advocates, and caregivers.One of these caregivers is Larry Kessler, AIDSAction Committee’s foundingDirector and whom the 5K runis named after. The Larry Kessler5K Run also takes place onJune 6th, for those who prefer toshow their support moving fasterthrough streets of Boston. The feeto participate in the Run is $25before May 14th, and $30 after.Registration for both the Walkand the 5K starts at 7:30 a.m., atthe DRC Hatch Memorial Shelllocated at 10 Storrow Dr., Boston, Mass. The 5KRun begins at 9 a.m. and the Walk’s opening ceremonytakes place at 9:30 a.m. The Walk itselfstarts at 10 a.m. The Run’s top finishers will receiveawards at the Hatch Memorial Shell accordingto gender and age group, commencing at noon.The closing ceremony will launch at 1:30 p.m.While water and snacks will be provided at threerest stops along the route, the AIDS Action Committeerecommends walkers bring along additionalfuel, as well as sunscreen, rain gear, and of course,comfortable walking shoes, according to theirwebsite. Additionally, the AIDS Action Committeeurges participants to bring any donation, cashor check, to help support their cause in fightingHIV/AIDS.Photo: Marilyn HumphriesTo learn more about AIDS Walk Boston, pleasevisit the official site at www.aidswalkboston.org.

12 • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.comKathys’ Group provides support for lesbians with cancer and other life-threatening diseasesBy Lisa A. Eramo/TRT ReporterBeing diagnosed with a serious illnesscan be overwhelming to say theleast. For lesbians and their partners,a diagnosis of this magnitude bringswith it a whole host of other challengesas well, particularly when trying tofind a support group.“When someone is reeling from acancer diagnosis, the last thing theyneed to deal with in a support groupis homophobia or lack of equal status/respect,”says Maureen A. EganWalsh, MA, MSW, LMHC.Walsh serves as the facilitator forKathys’ Group—a program of theRhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition(RIBCC) that provides support forlesbians with cancer or a life-threateningdisease and their partners.“Being a part of providing an opportunityfor lesbians to be themselvesand share their pain, love, strength,vulnerability, and experience is a giftfor all involved,” says Walsh, whoseprivate practice (Undividual, Inc.) islocated in Providence.Kathys’ Group was originallyfounded in 1995 when Narragansettresidents Dorrie McCaffrey and her latepartner Lorry Garvin realized there were nolesbian-specific support groups in Rhode Island.They founded the group in honor of theirclose friend Kathy who had been diagnosedwith breast cancer as well as her partner (alsonamed Kathy).“At that time, a lot of older lesbians were socloseted, they wouldn’t even give their nameRhode Island Newsto me on the phone. Now it’s so different, it’samazing,” says McCaffrey.To date, Kathys’ Group is the only supportgroup in Rhode Island that focuses solely onlesbians.The group meets twice a month in Providence,and meetings typically draw betweenthree and eight women, says Egan Walsh.“Members each take time sharing their experience.Oftentimes, it’s cancer/illness-related,and other times, it’s just life-related. The groupis very informal,” she adds.Egan Walsh, who has facilitated the groupfor the last 10 years, says participants value beingable to share insights and experiences.“For folks involved with cancer or lifethreatening illnesses or their partners, this canbe a time in life much like a roller coaster withmany ups and downs. To have other womenwho are going through it or who have beenthrough it is a tremendous source of support,”she adds.In addition to holding bimonthly meetings,Kathys’ Group also occasionally hosts events.In November 2009, Kathys’ Group and theRIBCC sponsored an event titled “Lesbians andthe Law,” which featured a panel of lawyers andphysicians to address lesbian-specific topics.Marlene McCarthy, cofounder and volunteerchair of the RIBCC, says the number and typeof events the group can sponsor depends on thedonations it receives.“We do not separate donations that cometo the RIBCC. They fit the needs of women.However, there are many women who targettheir donations specifically for Kathys’ Group,and when we receive those, they are held separately,and that’s how we’re able to supportthe program,” she says. “Our goal is to havePhoto:From left to right, Marlene McCarthy, Chair, RIBCC, Lorry Garvin and Dorrie McCaffrey,co-founders of Kathys’ Group, Dr. Susan Love. The photo was taken at the National BreastCancer Coalition (NBCC) Annual Advocacy Meeting in Washington, DC, in May, 1997, shortlyafter the group was organized.sufficient funding to be able to put on specificprograms for lesbians on an annual basis.We welcome small business and corporationsponsorships specifically for Kathys’ Group aswell.”To donate specifically to Kathys’ Group,make your donation payable to the RIBCC andwrite ‘Kathys’ Group’ in the memo line. Youmay also include a note specifying that you’dlike to target your funds directly to the group.Mail all donations to the RIBCC, Two ShoppersPark, Coventry, RI 02816.For more information about Kathys’ Group,including when and where meetings are held,call 888-5-KATHYS.the month’s best selling videoscourtesy: wolfevideo.comLesbian Best Sellers1. And Then Came Lola2. Hannah Free3. Bitch Slap9. The L Word Final Season5. I Can’t Think Straight6. Training Rules7. The Lovers & Friends ShowSeasons 1 & 28. The Baby Formula9. The World Unseen10. The Incredibly True Adventureof Two Girls in LoveGay Best Sellers1. Mr. Right2. BOYCRAZY3. Pornography: A Thriller4. The Big Gay Musical5. The Butch Factor6. A Single Man7. Half-Life8. Eating Out 3: All You Can Eat9. Homewrecker10. 8: The Mormon Proposition

www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • 13Deep Inside Hollywood: The first Gay kiss in BollywoodEntertainment NewsBy: Romeo San Vicente*Robert Downey Jr. circles OzIn a way, Robert Downey Jr. iscurrently best known for playingthe most indestructible Tin Man ofall time. So if the Iron Man star decidesto make a journey to Oz as theWizard in an upcoming adaptation,who’d be surprised? Sam Mendesis already on board to direct Oz TheGreat and Powerful, based on theL. Frank Baum books that spawnedone of the most gay-loved films ofall time, The Wizard of Oz. And nowDowney is in talks to play the manbehind the curtain. Nothing’s set inyellow brick just yet, but this couldturn out to be really cool. Romeo’sjust glad that the go-to guy for thissort of thing, Johnny Depp, wasn’tfirst on the list and risking over-saturatinghis career popularity sponge.Meanwhile, wouldn’t Kick-Ass starChloe Moretz be a great alreadyagainst-typechoice to play Dorothy?You know, as long as she didn’t haveto say that C-word again.Romeo San VicenteMulligan inks up for Dragon TattooAlready a cult hit in art housecinemas stateside, the Swedish thriller TheGirl With The Dragon Tattoo is set to invadeAmerica’s movie consciousness with an Englishversion of its sinister brand of suspense.And it’s appropriate that nervy director DavidFincher (Fight Club, Zodiac) is taking on theremake; it’s that kind of convoluted, unsettlingmystery. Sofar, so good. Butnow comes the newsthat Carey Mulligan,the Oscar-nominatedstar of An Education,may take on the centralrole of troubled,surly, bisexual, violent,dragon-tattoosportingcomputerhacker Lisabeth.Some are alreadydeclaring Mulligantoo cute for the part. But that’s why they call itacting, folks. A little jet-black hair dye, a nosering and some kick-boxing lessons and Mulliganwill probably do the role plenty proud.Look for this one to get all dark and moodysometime in 2011.The first gay kiss in BollywoodFor a country where, until just recently,even a heterosexual smooch was consideredtaboo, the news that a new Bollywood filmwill feature Indian cinema’s first gay kiss isalmost downright shocking. The film in question,titled Dunno Y… Na Jaane Kyun, is adrama about a gay relationship and is alreadybeing talked about as India’s own BrokebackMountain. Now, this news would be a blip onAmerica’s culture screen if it weren’t for thefact that Bollywood films have developed anincreasingly strong presence in the Americanmarket, with more titles than ever comingto the U.S., several of them outgrossingthe English language competition. So whenDunno Y opens in India in a few weeks, don’tbe surprised if it winds up ina multiplex near you soonerrather than later. The bestpart: there’s usually always atleast one big song and dancenumber in Bollywood films.Dunno Y that is but Romeolikes it.Hopelessly devoted toGreaseOver 30 years ago, the filmversion of a pretty cheesystage musical hit screens. Andit was pretty cheesy itself. Andimmensely popular. Greasespawned millions of albumsales, posters and T-shirts, abad sequel, an even worse reteamingof its stars John Travoltaand Olivia Newton-Johnin the weird flop Two of aKind and countless drag queenimpersonations of StockardChanning singing There AreWorse Things I Could Do.Now, buoyed by the popularityof both karaoke andthe success of special eventscreenings where audiencessing along with the film aslyrics are subtitled on screen,here comes your chance to seeand participate in Grease Sing-Along whenit opens in theaters later this summer. Will itplay near you? That depends on how heavy aconcentration of homosexuals your city has.In other words, sorry small towns but you kindPhoto: Paramount picturesRobert Downey Jr.of brought this situation on yourselves.*Romeo San Vicente always liked MartyMaraschino best. He can be reached care ofthis publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.

14 • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.comHarris hits the road for RI marriage equality, promotes changeBy: Joe Siegel/TRT ReporterFor the fourth consecutive year, Rick Harrishas been traveling the roads of Rhode Islandfor a worthy cause—promoting marriageequality.Harris, the 59 year-old Executive Directorof the Rhode Island chapter of the NationalAssociation of Social Workers, has rode hisbicycle over 4500 miles and visited 12 statesand Washington, D.C. in an effort to win supportfor equal rights for same-sex couples.Harris has also been toState Houses in NewYork, New Jersey,and throughout NewEngland.In addition, Harrishas collected 2600 signatureson a TravelingProclamation for CivilMarriage. On April13, he went to RhodeIsland College and theCommunity College ofRhode Island (CCRI)to win support. Otherstops include the Universityof Rhode Island,Brown University, andBryant University inSmithfield.And in May, Harrisplans to deliver“Marriage Equality O-Grams” to every singlestate legislator.Harris’ bike ride hasthe backing of NASWas well as MarriageEquality Rhode Island(MERI).Rhode Island is theRick Harrisonly New England state which has failed torecognize same-sex marriages.The Iowa native has always been a strongbeliever in equal rights for all people.“I can’t remember a time when it wasn’timportant to me,” said Harris, who has been alongtime ally of the GLBT community.Securing marriage equality for same-sexcouples has been one of NASW’s top priorities,noted Harris, who has testified in favorof legislation granting same-sex couples equalrights at the Rhode Island State House.Harris reports getting a mixed response fromthe people he encounters during his travels.Some are very supportive of the concept of civilmarriage for gay and lesbian couples. A purplebanner which reads “Support Civil Marriage”with the words “Same Gender Marriage” underneathis somethingHarris displays outsidehis tent when he stays atcampgrounds for somemuch-needed rest.“The main reason I doit is the conversations Ihave with people,” Harrisexplained.Harris reports gettinga friendly receptionfrom CCRI students,who told him the topicof marriage equalitywas “personally relevant”to them.Others are hostiletoward the concept ofsame-sex marriage anddon’t hold back fromshowing their feelings.Harris has beenscreamed and yelled atby a few of the peoplehe has come into contactwith. These are theones who tend to usetheir religious beliefsas motivation to opposePhoto: Newport Daily Newssame-sex marriage,Harris noted.Harris targets hismessage toward a third group of people, the“fence-sitters”, who don’t have a lot of knowledgeabout the issue. The use of the words“civil marriage” is meant to inform the uneducatedthat marriage is a civil procedure, Harrisexplained.Photo: Rick HarrisHarris’ sign, bicycle and conversation has swayed people in favor of RI marriage equality.Harris hopes people will come around onthe issue of marriage equality for same-sexcouples by thinking about what he has to sayon the subject. Some people are what Harriscalls “turnarounds” – they read the sign andthen turn around, come back and tell Harris thesign, bicycle and conversation enabled them toC’mon Out from page 2Up until very recently we viewed gender asmale or female. These were the only lensesavailable. It has been a binary perspectivewhereby up until recently there were onlytwo choices. As the transgender movementcontinues there are many people for whom thisview is very limiting. More and more people areidentifying not as strictly male or female, butas something else. You may ask, “well, whatis this something else,” and BCT, I can notsay. The reason for this is because more peopleare defining gender in a way that is unique tothem. The concept of gender from this perspectiveis beyond definition.For these reasons we are seeing morepeople who might go by their birth pronounbut express themselves more similar to theopposite gender. There may be people whogo the pronoun of the opposite sex but choseto keep some or all features of their biologicalsex. You see, for some, gender is fluid andnot necessarily fixed in one camp or the other,but a combination of the two. Actually, if youthink about it, most of us who do not considerourselves transgender have physical features,tastes and interests that fall outside the strictdefinition of our gender.If there are limitless ways a person can be;in how they look, how they express themselves,what their values and preferences are,then perhaps there are limitless ways that aperson might experience gender. If we are freeto experience ourselves devoid of limitations ofappearances, sex roles, and gender expression,then a person may take on any one ofa limitless number of “male” or “female”qualities.This is precisely what I think you encounteredat the party you recently attended. Youmet someone who is taking the risk and livingin a way that feels true to that person. Eachperson, each family and each society constructsnorms, values, rules and expectations.These are arbitrary. The way we do things asa society in the U.S. , for example, is definitelychange their mind toward supporting marriageequality.Harris remains humble about the role heplays in the fight for equal rights: “This is mylittle individual effort. This is a little tiny thingI can do on my vacation.”not the way things are done in other parts ofthe world. If we construct our realities, thenwho is to say what gender should look like?Some of you probably think that I’m gettinga bit too far “out there” with all this. But thinkabout it. We base our most important relationships,for example, in part on surroundingourselves with people who think like wedo. And usually we think we are right. Thepower in surrounding ourselves with others isthat it carries weight and it seems to supportour view. There are people all over the worlddoing the same thing. Sometimes these viewsare opposing. They certainly are diverse. Butwho is right? Is there a right?If we’re making it up as we go, why don’twe just let everyone do their own thing aslong is it doesn’t cause harm? Is this notwhat the gay and lesbian movement hasasked? Shouldn’t all beings have the right tolove and live in peace?The gender movement is showing us again,that we have another opportunity to open ourhearts and make the world big enough for all.Best BCT, TettyC’mon Out! - Submit your questions toTetty Gorfine, Director of LifeCourse CounselingCenter. Simply go to www.lifecourse.net and click on “Ask Us A Question.” Allquestions will be answered on the bulletinboard. One or two will be printed next monthhere in The Rainbow Times.Tetty has also been a psychotherapistsince 1980. She has worked extensively withLGBTQ individuals, couples and groups andhas supervised both clinicians and therapistsin training. Her vision and leadership spiritednearly all of LifeCourse Counseling Center’sprograms. Tetty has also been on numerousradio talk shows and television programs.She has presented at professional conferenceson topics pertinent to gay, lesbian, bisexualand transgender individuals.

Imperial Court of RI 2010crowns newest MonarchsBy: Joe Siegel/TRT ReporterThe Imperial Court of Rhode Island dressedto the nines and crowned their new Monarchson April 17 for their 18th Annual Coronationat the Providence Biltmore.Jacqueline DiMera and “Big Daddy” AustenDaniels will serve as the new Empressand Emperor, succeeding outgoing MonarchsRegent Empress 17 Lee Daniels and RegentEmperor 17 Scott Connery.The theme for the event was Gangsters,Girdles, and Glitter – which paid tribute to thefashions and motifs of the 1920s. Participantsdressed as flappers andgangsters, toting plasticmachine guns andother props.The President’sAward was presentedto photographer JackHartwein-Sanchez,who was honored forhis continued supportof the organization.The splashy openingproduction was aperformance of “HeHad It Coming” fromthe smash musical“Chicago.”“It’s all about havingfun,” Connery said.Connery and Danielswere joined onstage by their predecessors,including RafaelleMartino and BBHayes, who served asthe Court’s first Emperorand Empress,along with StephenHartley, Kenneth Cote,LaDiva Jonz, JazzmineTaylor, Todd Warren,Michael Souza, TayaHouston, RaymondQuinn, MahoganyLite, Jade Love, EarlTaylor, Vi’let, RayFay, Gabriel, Gingah Rale, Belle Pellegrino,and Diana Prince.Special tribute was paid to Empress 8 CandyWills duBarry by Jazzmine Taylor. DuBarrypassed away in 2009.DiMera read a proclamation from ProvidenceMayor David Cicilline, who praisedthe Imperial Court for its “outstanding legacyand dedicated service” to the state’s LGBTcommunity.Monarchs from several out of town courts,including Toronto, Massachusetts, Connecticut,New York, and Kentucky were in attendanceto share in the festivities and pay tributeto the court members.Diva Jackie Collins, wearing a glittering redgown, gave a show stopping performance, doinga medley of Supremes songs, including“You Keep Me Hanging On”, “Baby Love,”and “Stop In the Name of Love.”There were also exciting performances fromWhitney Spears; Justinius Phoenix, MichaelLaValley, Austen Daniels, who wore blackleather and strutted down the runway to AdamLambert’s “What Do You Want From Me?”,and DiMera, who danced to the Sister Sledgeclassic, “We Are Family.”The beneficiaries forthe Ball were FactsNursery/Aids CareOcean State and RIPride.The evening concludedwith the finalwalks/performancesby Connery and Daniels,the CoronationCeremony, and a receivingline in the ballroomatrium.A Victory Brunchwas held the followingmorning as a wayto cap off a weekendof tears, laughs, andglamour.The Imperial CourtSystem was founded inSan Francisco in 1965by José Sarria, alsoknown as AbsoluteEmpress I, The WidowNorton. Around1971, this structurewas replicated inPhoto: Bill BerggrenJacqueline DiMera and “Big Daddy” AustenDaniels are crowned the new Empress andEmperorVancouver, Canada.In the United States,the first court outsideof San Francisco wasPortland, Oregon, followedclosely by LosAngeles.Members purchasetheir own clothes and jewelry and attend severalsocial and charitable functions throughoutthe year.Rhode Island formed its chapter in 1992.Some of the organizations which benefit fromthe work of the Imperial Court are the RhodeIsland Breast Cancer Coalition, SojournerHouse, A.I.D.S., Inc., Community Foundationof Southeastern Massachusetts, HelpingHands Healing Hearts, and the MatthewShepard Foundation.For more information about the ImperialCourt of Rhode Island, visit www.icriprov.org.www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • 15follow us ...twitter.com/therainbowtimes

16 • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com

Creep of the Week:Steve King, the Hate Crimes Prevention ActBy: D’Anne Witkowski*CSome fools fromMichigan have fileda federal law suitover last year’s MatthewShepard and James Byrd,Jr. Hate Crimes PreventionAct, which becamefederal law last year.The group is made up ofthree Michigan ministersand Gary Glenn, presidentof the American FamilyD’Anne WitkowskiAssociation’s Michigandivision and the Mitten State’s No. 1 anti-gaycreep.Their complaint? The Hate Crimes PreventionAct violates their first amendment right tospeak out against homosexuality.They allege that the act hasThe right topunch a homoin the nameof God?the “effect of deterring, inhibiting,and chilling the exerciseof fundamental rights by persons... who publicly opposehomosexual activism, thehomosexual lifestyle and thehomosexual agenda.”Wow, air tight argument,right? I mean, as long as youignore the part of the act that reads, “Nothingin this division shall be construed to prohibitany constitutionally protected speech, expressiveconduct or activities (regardless of whethercompelled by, or central to, a system ofreligious belief), including the exercise of religionprotected by the first amendment to theConstitution of the United States and peacefulpicketing or demonstration.”Minor detail. Maybe this is why U.S. AttorneyGeneral Eric Holder has called for thelawsuit to be dismissed.Still, I can’t help but wonder, if the HateCrimes Act already safeguards the constitutionalrights of homophobes and only prohibitsviolent acts, what are the “fundamental rights”Glenn and his band of ministers claim are beingviolated? The right to punch a homo in thename of God?Northampton, MA—Greene RoomProductions’ (GRP) Little Shop of Horrorsis set to perform at the Academy of Music inNorthampton, Mass. on May 13-15th.Little Shop of Horrors is a comedic, horror,sci-fi, musical that centers on a skid row floristshop that is taken over by a giant, man-eating,blood-thirsty fly-trap from outer space. Humorouscharacters such as the sadistic dentist,played by Steve Pierce of Monson, Mass. andthe “greek chorus” of the show, written to beplayed by women who sing, move, and havethe spunk of The Supremes, who are betterknown as Meghan Allen and Laura Lites ofSpringfield, Mass. and Renee Gibson of Monson,make the show a truly original and funmusical masterpiece for all to enjoy.Luis Manzi, a powerful tenor from Springfieldwho is playing the lead role of juniorfloristSeymore who allows the fly-trap tofirst thrive on blood from a pin-prick to hisfinger, laughed last night as he remarked thatthis would be his fourth time playing this role.He arrived at the first read-thru with all of hisBut hey, the suit’s convoluted argument isgood enough for U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), who sent the group a letter giving themprops.“As a member of the House Committee onthe Judiciary, I worked hard to stop this legislation,”King writes. “Like you, I believethis ‘Hate Crimes’ Act is unconstitutional andmarks an unprecedented move to regulate andcriminalize our thoughts.”That’s right. King thinks the Hate CrimesAct constitutes thought control. It doesn’t, ofcourse, but even if it did, everybody knowsthat thought control can be easily thwartedwith a helmet made of aluminum foil.King continues, “Not only will this act createa class of people that are ‘more equal thanothers,’ it will hinder your ability to preach thegospel and openly teach biblical principles.”Unless folks are preaching thegospel using a tire iron and steel-toeboots and “teaching biblical principles”means beating some fags upoutside of a gay club, it’s hard tosee what King’s problem is.But logic has never stoppedanti-gay folks in the past. WhenKing says the Hate Crimes Actcreates “a class of people thatare ‘more equal than others,” what he meansis that strengthening laws regarding brutalityagainst LGBT folks acknowledges that LGBTfolks not only exist but that they are at an increasedrisk of violence. Not only that, but thatthey deserve protection from said violence.The Hate Crimes Act doesn’t make hatinggays illegal. What it does is tell folks that theUnited States, at the highest level of government,doesn’t tolerate violence against LGBTpeople. Apparently that’s not the kind of countryKing and the plaintiffs he praises want tolive in.*D’Anne Witkowski has been gay for paysince 2003. She’s a freelance writer and poet(believe it!). When she’s not taking on thecreeps of the world she reviews rock and rollshows in Detroit with her twin sister.Local Theatre Company plantsLittle Shop of Horrors in Nohosongs already beautifully rendered and most ofhis lines memorized. Director, David Wallacefrom Monson, Mass. said if all rehearsals goas well as the first, GRP’s rendition of “LittleShop of Horrors” is really going to be a magnificentvisual and musical work of art.From the spine chilling finale with a 25-footlong man-eating plant, developed by GreeneRoom Productions Creature Team, chompingover the heads of the audience, playful costumes,and humorous melodies, the actors andproduction of “Little Shop of Horrors” will besomething to indulge in this May.“Little Shop of Horrors” will be performedat the Academy of Music located at 274 MainStreet , Northampton, Mass. Groups and advancepurchase buyers get a great deal ontickets. For more information about “LittleShop of Horrors”, tickets, or Greene RoomProductions please visit www.greeneroomproductions.com,www.academyofmusictheatre.comor call GRP at 413-668-7284, or theAcademy of Music at 413-584-9032.www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • 17MassEquality lauds passage ofcomprehensive Anti-Bullying Billboston, ma—Last week, the legislaturesent the long-awaited Anti-Bullying Bill toGovernor Deval Patrick. MassEquality stronglysupports this comprehensive legislation andurges the governor to quickly sign the bill intolaw.“After more than ten years of starts and stopseducators will now have the tools to preventbullying so that studentscan learn andgrow in a safe environment,”said ExecutiveDirector ScottGortikov. “We’regrateful to the legislaturefor overwhelmingly supporting the Anti-Bullying Bill and we urge Governor Patrick toquickly sign it.”The House passed the Anti-Bullying Bill bya vote of 159-0 and the Senate by a vote of 38-0. Governor Patrick has previously stated hewould sign the bill into law.The bill focuses on both stopping and preventingbullying. Under the bill, schools mustinclude bullying prevention in their curriculaand develop and implement anti-bullyingplans. School staff will also be required to reportbullying incidents to their principal, whomust then investigate and take appropriate disciplinaryaction. Additionally, principals mustnotify the parents of both victim and perpetratorof reported bullying incidents.“This legislation will save lives if it is implementedand enforced correctly,” said PoliticalDirector DeeDee Edmondson. “Researchshows that LGBT students, or those perceivedto be, are disproportionatelytargeted forschool bullying. Welook forward to workingwith the Departmentof Elementaryand Secondary Educationto ensure that this research is taken intoconsideration during the development of antibullyingcurricula and training programs.”MassEquality was part of a coalition ofLGBT and other civil rights organizations thathelped shape and shepherd the Anti-BullyingBill through the legislative process over thepast year.MassEquality works to achieve full equalityfor the LGBT Community. We’re protectingmarriage equality and promoting a full EqualityAgenda in Massachusetts and supportingother states in winning marriage equality.reach out to a dedicated readership & informed communityto advertise with the rainbow times contact us today at:sales@therainbowtimesnews.com • papersales47@mac.comWestern MA: 413.282.8881 • Boston & RI: 617.444.9618

18 • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com¡El municipio más abierto a lacomunidad gay en Puerto Rico!Por: Wilfred Labiosa*Estoy de regresoen miPuerto Rico,mi patria. Decidimostomar unaavioneta para visitaruno de los municipiosde la islade PR. En el terminalnoto tantasparejas gays y lesbianas.Veo cuatroWilfred Labiosaparejas de hombresVisión Latinaabrazados y dándose cariños; veo auna familia de dos mujeres con suhijo/as; y noto a una pareja de lesbianas.¿A dónde vamos? “Me pareceque no estaremos solos”, le dije a mipareja. Me parece que vamos a un sitiofrecuentado por nuestra comunidad LGBT.Cuando aterrizamos, vamos a alquilar un auto.Cuando llegamos al establecimiento, veo labandera gay (con el arco iris) colgando de lareja y en el rótulo del negocio. Comenzamos amanejar a nuestro aposento y veo dos balconescon banderas gay. Llegamos a la casa dondenos vamos a quedar, que de hecho es de unapareja gay, y decidimos ir al mercado y veo aotra pareja gay; estos dos son de alta edad y estánvestidos con colores llamativos que incluyeel emblema de igualdad. Nos vamos, despuésde guardar la compra, a caminar. Durante lacaminata, al centro del pueblo, veo a las parejasque vimos en el aeropuerto tomándose untrago en la plaza del pueblo y nos acercamosa ellos. Nos presentamos y le pregunto cómoencontraron este sitio, al ellos no ser de PuertoRico, y simplemente nos contestaron, “este esel P-Town del Caribe”. ¿De Verdad? ¡Wow,estoy asombrado! Estoy de viaje en Vieques,le llaman la isla municipio de Puerto Rico yalgunos en la comunidad GLBT la considerancomo el nuevo destino gay en el Caribe.Vieques es un municipio, a unas 7 millas dela isla de Puerto Rico y unas 52 millas cuadradasde grande. Este municipio tiene una historiamixta de tainos, esclavos, españoles yamericanos. Este pueblo es más conocido porlos argumentos y alto número de arrestos depersonas demostrando en contra del gobiernode E.U. y la marina. Por muchos años, cientosde personas fueron arrestado/as por hacer demostracionesen contra de la marina. La marinaphoto: Eric Hessde los E.U. usó por muchos años esta isla paraprácticas de combate, para aprender a usar armasy entre este tiempo mataron a ciudadanosinocentes mas se adueñaron de más del 80%del municipio, incluyendo de las playas máshermosas de Puerto Rico.La armada salió de esta isla en el 2003 perotodavía quedan reminiscencias por toda la isla.Algunos de estos ejemplos incluyen: el altoporcentaje de cáncer entre los habitantes, deenfermedades de la piel y de un turismo sin desarrollar.La agencia Federal para SustanciasToxicas y Registro de Enfermedades (ATSDR,por sus siglas en ingles) confirmó que los problemasde salud en este municipio han ocurridodebido a las actividades que la armada/marinade E.U. tuvo en esta isla. A pesar de estos recuerdosque no podemos palpar al visitar estemunicipio, sólo quedan pocos que se puedenver como las cruces de los fallecidos y rótulosque prohíben el paso en áreas que la armada noha limpiado todavía (se estima que es un 30%de la isla la cuál todavía sigue contaminada ysin limpiar). A pesar de esto queda una islacon playas solitarias y cristalinas, y una comunidadabierta a la diversidad.A Vieques la comunidad LGBT le ha llamadodiferentes nombres como el San Franciscodel Caribe, la isla exótica de Puerto Ricoy la Islita Bella de la Isla Bella, entre otros.Lo llaman así por que hay mucho/as dueño/asde casas que son de la comunidad gay; acabade abrir un hotel W; hay muchas casas de alojamientosque son manejadas o son de gentegay y lesbianas; hay una compañía de alquilerde autos de una lesbiana y su esposa; haycocineros gays y lesbianas que han hecho deeste pueblo su aposento y demuestran su arteculinario; y hay dos agencias de bienes raícescuyos propietarios son gente LGBT.Las riquezas de Vieques son muchas. Labahía fosforescente en Vieques es una de lasmejores en el Caribe (más grande y brillanteque la de Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, ya que nose pueden usar motores de gasolina dentro dela misma); esta bahía es una de cinco en elmundo entero. La vida marítima incluye especiesen peligro de extinción y también especiesautóctonas y únicas del Mar Caribe y delOcéano Atlántico. Hay unas playas con arenasblancas, caballos silvestres, aguas azules cristalinas,cavernas naturales submarinas, genteamigable, comida excelente, el Fuerte Girasol,recuerdos históricos y una isla llena de culturaPhoto: Wilfred LabiosaLatina. No hay restaurantes de comida rápida,ni hay semáforos, y no hay estrés para nadieque la visita. No estoy diciendo que hay unavida nocturna llena de clubes gays, pero por lomenos hay un club donde bailar y disfrutar. Esuna isla que permite unas vacaciones sin estrés.Cabe decir que hay otros municipios dePuerto Rico que son islas, mucho más pequeñosque Vieques como Culebra, pero no lespuedo decir que abiertos son a la comunidadGLBT ya que hace tiempo que no las visito.Lo que le puedo decir es que lo que yo viví esuna comunidad abierta a la diversidad.Sugiero que vayan y visiten a Vieques ensu próximo viaje a Puerto Rico. La gentede Vieques necesita de nosotros y nosotrosnecesitamos de unas vacaciones con comidas/restaurantes excelentes, historia increíble, playasmaravillosas y gente del ambiente LGBT.Ayuda mientras te ayudas a ti mismo en unaisla llena de encanto. Visita Vieques para quepuedas decir, “¡Wow estoy asombrado/a!”*Escrito en ambos idiomas por Wilfred W.Labiosa; editado por Gricel Martínez Ocasio.To read the English version of this story,please visit: www.therainbowtimesmass.com/latinvision_may6.Transgender Children from page 5increase teen trans-gender’s living expenses. Thiscompels them to find ways to earn transformationsustaining incomes; even though their educationand job opportunities are not sufficient.Trans-gender love life: normally peoplefind love within their same gender in society:straight men with straight women, gaymen with gay men, lesbians with lesbians, butthis is not true of trans-genders. Transgenderwomen are considered a part of LGBT, butmany date straight men—discreetly. However,love and sex across gender lines is taboo;straight men always hide their relationshipwith trans-genders from the public, citing thattheir friends and family won’t accept this typeof relationship.Once, a straight man who regularly hiredtransgender escorts for discreet sex revealedsadly to me one day—“my parents want me tomarry (a woman) but I like trans-genders better.”Another married man said—“I never knewanything about trans-genders before my marriage,until I traveled to Europe and encounteredsome. I knew ever since that I was attracted totrans-genders, they are why I think everydayabout getting a divorce—but because I havekids, divorce is a problem. However, that’sokay—if my life can’t make a U-turn, I prefer tocontinue hiring trans-genders for discreet sex.”In the past, there were only a few straightmen who had sexual experience with transgenders;today their numbers have grown exponentially.Straight men (single, married &divorced), now understand and appreciate thetransgender lifestyle, but they still prefer not todiscuss this touchy subject publicly. Why domen have to hire women for sex, when theycan publicly date and marry them? However,in the case of straight men who hire transgenderescorts, their paying and keeping their liaisonssecret is the norm.Does the no-child-left-behind law includeor exclude transgender children? The conflictcreated by the trans-gender teen lifestyle withintheir family and at school still exists today.All the problems that occur within a transgender’slifestyle create a domino-like effect;pushing them further down the ladder of life,until they reach the bottom rung, ending up inprostitution; this might be their last choice inlife to help themselves survive economically,especially during these bad economic times.Life must go on—no matter what fate awaitsthem—especially when society doesn’t seriouslyfight for the trans-gender minority.*Half-Lady Lisa is the author of ‘The Psychological& Social Barriers Behind the SexualSecrets of Straight Men’ and ‘Midnight Lifein Chinatown’.blog • chatpersonalscalendarresourcesbreaking newsadvertise& more ...therainbowtimesnews.comblog • chatpersonalscalendarresourcesbreaking newsadvertise& more ...

By: Andrew Collins*Visitation at America’s best-known nationalparks has skyrocketed in recent years, so it’sno surprise that these monuments to naturalscenery and wide-open spaces have becomeincreasingly popular with gays and lesbians.Whether you’re into camping, serious hikingand off-road trekking, or you’re more likely tostay in a romantic lodge, check out the parkmuseums and spend most of your time in yourcar, you’ll be happy to know that most nationalparks offer a balance of both mellow and rigorousdiversions.The southwestern United States, from thesweeping deserts of interior Southern Californiato the spectacular rock formations, deepcanyons and craggy cliffs of Arizona andUtah, contains several of the nation’s most celebratednational parks. Here’s a look at someof the most impressive.Death Valley National Park, California(www.nps.gov/deva)Covering an astounding 5,200 square miles(making it just slightly smaller than the stateof Connecticut), Death Valley National Parkis immense in scope - it contains the lowestpoint in the United States, Badwater Basin,a salty, mud-caked spot that you can walk toeasily from the road. And it claims the hottestsummer temperatures in the country (late fallthrough early spring are mild and comfortable,however). But the park’s extreme aspectssometimes take away from the tremendousdiversity of its terrain, from the cooler highmountains peaks (some with elevations above10,000 feet) that overlook the valley to the undulatingsand dunes near Stovepipe Wells.You could explore Death Valley for a fullweek and nevercome close to seeingall of the park’snotable sites - theremains of historicborax works, hikesthrough the dramaticallycoloredrock formations ofMosaic Canyon,costumed toursof the remote andeccentric 1920smansion knownas Scotty’s Castle.This is one park,because of itsenormity, where itcan be very helpful to book a guided excursion- Pink Jeep Tours offers informative tripsaround the park in modern, comfortable, fullyenclosed vehicles.Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona(www.nps.gov/grca)It’s fair to say that enough has been writtenand said about the Grand Canyon that evenwww.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • 19Research Reveals both the Strengths and Challenges of Gay and Lesbian FamiliesBy: Tynan Power/TRT ReporterWhen she was working on her Ph.D. in ClinicalPsychology at UMass Amherst, Dr. Abbie Goldbergwas surprised to discover there was verylittle research about gay and lesbian experiencesof the transition to parenthood.“There are hundreds and hundreds of articlesabout heterosexual parents,” Goldberg says. Atthe time, though, there were virtually none aboutsame-sex parents. Since then, Goldberg’s researchhas helped fill that void.Now a professor ofpsychology at ClarkUniversity and authorof Lesbian andgay parents and theirchildren: Research onthe family life cycle,Goldberg returnedto the area to presentabout her work atSpringfield TechnicalCommunity College,STCC, on April 27.To mark the event,Dominic Sarno, Photo: Abbie GoldbergMayor of Springfield, Dr. Abbie Goldbergissued a proclamationnaming Thursday, April 27, 2010, “Dr. AbbieGoldberg Day” in honor of her work.“I was drawn to something that was understudiedand had potential benefit for people’s lives,”Goldberg says of her research on gay and lesbianfamilies.She knew that studies showed that the transitionto parenthood is both exciting and stressful.Research had documented that new parents sufferfrom lack of sleep, have less time for their relationshipas a couple and have virtually no personaltime for themselves. Women, in particular,have less time for themselves as they tend to takeon more childcare and household responsibilities.Yet all these studies applied exclusively to heterosexualcouples.Goldberg has found there is plenty of interestin her work, as her numerous publications andcollaborations attest. Her research has even beenused in a California court case challenging Proposition8, which prohibits gay marriage. The timingof her research couldn’t be better, as focus on gayand lesbian families has increased dramatically inrecent years.“Gay parents are increasingly choosing to beout,” Goldberg says.There are also simply more gay and lesbianparents.“In 1990, 1 in 20 gay couples and 1 in 5 lesbiancouples were raising children. By 2000, 1 in 5 gaycouples and 1 in 3 lesbian couples had children,”Goldberg explains.According to Goldberg, there are three primaryways that gay and lesbian couples becomeparents: through previous heterosexual relationships,through insemination and through adoptiveor foster parenting. Once they become parents,Goldberg’s research suggests that gay andlesbian parents experience a similar transition toparenthood.“Everybody is stressed out,” Goldberg says ofthe early stage of parenting. “New gay, lesbianand straight parents all show a mild decline inmental health.”Mental health figures improvewhen parents have the support offamily and friends, when couplesare satisfied with their relationshipand when they start parenting witha younger child.Similarly, studies show that gayand lesbian parents share important traits withheterosexual parents.“As parents, they are just as skilled, just as warmand involved. They are just as committed. Theylove their children just as much,” Goldberg says.She adds that they have similar mental health andsimilar levels of happiness in their relationships,with lesbian couples reporting the highest relationshipsatisfaction rate of all couples studied.The children of gay and lesbian couples are alsosimilar to children raised by heterosexual parents,according to Goldberg. She says children fromgay, lesbian and heterosexual families have similaroverall well-being, social skills, cognitiveabilities, and family function.There are also some important differencesin the experiences of gay and lesbianfamilies.For example, factors that contribute towell-being for gay and lesbian couplesmay not matter to heterosexual couples.Living in a gay-friendly neighborhoodand in a state with laws that support adoptionby same-sex couples are factors thathave a positive impact on the transition toparenthood for gay and lesbian couples,Goldberg says. Another is having a gayfriendlyemployer.There are other differences in gay andlesbian families, as well.“Lesbian and gay couples share childcareand housework more equally,”Goldberg says. She says same-sex couplesdon’t fall into traditional divisions of labor.“Traditional gender roles go out the window.”However, that’s not the only reason Goldberghas found for more equitable divisions of labor.“Gay and lesbian couples value equality in their“Being gay itself is not the problem forparents or their children,” Goldbergsays. “Institutionalized heterosexism is.”relationships more than heterosexual couples do,”Goldberg says.Gay and lesbian couples do face unique challenges,according to Goldberg. For example, theymay have less support from family, initially, butsome report that support increases after childrenenter the picture.“A cute little baby is really different from theidea of a possible child,” Goldberg says.The children of gays and lesbians do have someexperiences that differ from those of their peerswith straight parents. While they are not morelikely to be teased, according to Goldberg, teasingthose who’ve never been often feel they havea good sense of it. Still, it’s nearly impossibleto comprehend the full splendor of this massivechasm that’s 18 miles across, 300 mileslong, and over a mile deep - it must be seen tobe believed.A surprisingnumber of visitorscome by fora day, stop by afew viewpoints,and continue on. Ifat all possible, tryto spend at leasta couple of dayshere. The SouthRim is the mostaccessible thanits higher-altitudecounterpart, theNorth Rim (whichis also closed inwinter). On anideal visit to theSouth Rim, you’ll stay at one of the severallodging options inside the park (book manymonths in advance if you’re planning a summervisit), hike at least part of the way into thecanyon, and ride the park shuttle bus along therim, stopping at the many noteworthy viewingareas. If you have extra time, consider ridingthe scenic Grand Canyon Railway from thetown of Williams, about 60 miles south.Photo: tynan powerMyra Smith, STCC Vice President of Human Resourcesand Multicultural Affairs at STCC, Dr. Abbie Goldberg,and Ira H. Rubenzahl, STCC Presidentthat does occur is more likely to be about theirfamilies or sexuality.Children of gays and lesbians are more sensitiveto homophobia, according to Goldberg. Thisawareness may lead them to activism. Others mayhide their families to avoid having to come outrepeatedly to people who simplyassume that all kids have straightparents.“They tend to be more tolerantof differences and have more empathyfor other stigmatized minoritygroups,” she says. They alsomay be more flexible about genderroles, such as in career aspirations and hobbies.Ultimately, Goldberg says, gay and lesbian parentsand their children are developing well.“Being gay itself is not the problem for parentsor their children,” Goldberg says. “Institutionalizedheterosexism is.”More information about Dr. Abbie Goldberg’swork can be found at: http://www.clarku.edu/faculty/goldberg. One current projects seeksparticipants who are adopting for the first time;another is open to youth aged 14-26 who havegay, lesbian or bisexual parents.Out of Town: A glimpse at some of the beautiful National Parks of the SouthwestPhoto: Andrew CollinsMosaic Canyon, in Death Valley National ParkJoshua Tree National Park, California(www.nps.gov/jotr)A short drive from the world-famous gayresort Palm Springs, this 800,000-acre park atthe convergence of the deathly hot Coloradoand slightly cooler Mojave deserts feels milesaway from civilization. It looks almost lunarlike in places. Of course, it’s famous for thethousands of curious-looking Joshua trees forwhich the park is named. These distinctivemembers of the lily family grow about an incha year and bloom winsome white flowers everso rarely.This aside, seeing a Joshua tree is but aminor reason to visit. There are several scenicdrives - the 6-mile spur out to 5,100-footKeys View affords breathtaking vistas overthe entire Coachella Valley. Several shortbut fascinating trails penetrate the park’smyriad ecosystems: a brief scramble throughthe Cholla Cactus Garden will introduce youto the regional flora, while the 1.3-mile HighView Nature Trail entails a 300-foot ascent tomagnificent Summit Peak. Longer trails pastpiles of massive boulders and by oasis like hotsprings offer the possibility of spying bighornsheep and golden eagles.*Andrew Collins covers gay travel for theNew York Times-owned website About.comand is the author of Fodor’s Gay Guide to theUSA. He can be reached care of this publicationor at OutofTown@qsyndicate.com.

20 • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com2010NoHo Pride 2010: On fire this year!Approximately, 15,000 people attendedNoHo Pride 2010 last Saturdayto celebrate Pride in Northampton,MA. This year, the number ofpatrons, floats and booths were atan all time high. Some vendors,according to NoHo Pride officials,were not able to secure a booth dueto the fact that they were sold out,despite having re-arranged the siteto accommodate for more spaces.NoHo Pride 2010 secured hundredsof vendors, fantastic entertainment,and perhaps the largest paradeever. It was also memorable becauseof the diversity of its entertainmentline-up, Emcees and the crowd ingeneral. Attendance was abundantand the summer-like weather producedwhat appears to be a recordturnout for the day’s festivities.Main St. in downtown Northamptonwas packed with onlookers for the29th Annual NoHo Pride Parade. Incontrast to past years, the NorthamptonPride march was transformedinto NoHo Pride’s Parade and thecelebratory ambiance reflected sucha change. Congratulations to Bear,Cid White, NoHo Pride Directorand Treasurer respectively, and theNoHo Pride Board of Directors,Committee members and volunteersfor their outstanding work in thisyear’s festivities.NoHo Pride will be producingvarious events throughout the yearto prepare and raise funds for NoHoPride’s 30th Anniversary, whichwill be a weekend-long celebration.Stay tuned to The Rainbow Times tolearn more about NoHo Pride’s 30thAnniversary, upcoming events andupdated information. To becomeinvolved in NoHo Pride visit: http://www.site.nohopride.org/All photos by Bill Berggren except vehicle photo below, by Melinda Shaw.

www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • 21The Postwoman at the Boston LGBT Film FestivalBoston—Written, edited, filmed, and directedby J.D. Walker, “The Postwoman” isa short, LGBT romantic comedy, which willscreen at The Boston LGBT Film Festival duringthe “Women’s Shorts” Program on Friday,May 14, 2010 at 6:30pm. The film will screenat The Boston Museum of Fine Arts. “ThePostwoman” centers around the life of Nia(Mahasin Munir), a 30s graphic designer, whois unhappy in her current relationship. Seekingaffirmation and purpose, Nia develops asteamy crush on her neighborhood Postwoman(Tish MacCullough) who shows her the truemeaning of unconditional love. With the helpof The Postwoman, Nia is able to confront herpainful past and learn how to finally love theGod within her.Filmed on location in Oakland, California,“The Postwoman” was shot in 10 days. Theproject began during Fall 2009 in a QueerWomen of Color Film class, offered by theQueer Women of Color Media Arts Project,which is located in San Francisco, California,gap. I wanted to humanize queer women ofcolor on screen and enable them to see imagesof themselves on screen.” The production of“The Postwoman” was fully funded by Walkerwith a total budget of $2500.00. Those fundswere used to purchase the GL-1camera, which was used to filmthe shoot, as well as lighteningequipment and software tothe edit the film. Walker’s firstfilm is an ambitious one, as sheserved as writer, director, cinematographer,and editor of hershort piece. Currently, Walkeris trying to raise funds/capital,as well as sponsors, in order toturn her short film into a Featurefilm. She has sent up a page onIndiegogo.com to draw sponsorsand support for her film, aswell as a Twitter page (@PostwomanMovie)and FacebookGroup for fans of the short film.Hollywood and Education Resource Center’sSistas are Doin’ it For Themselves Film Festivalon Friday, April 17, 2010. It will alsoscreen at Black Pride festivals throughout thecountry. Walker’s film is just starting out onthe film festival circuit. So far,it will also be featured at TheQueer Women of Color FilmFestival in SF, CA on FridayJune 11, 2010, and will alsobe featured at the 1st AnnualSF Pride Comedy Festival, andthe Queer Women of ColorWeekend Conference in Provincetown,MA. The film willsscreen at The Boston LGBTFilm Festival on Friday, May,14, 2010. Walker will find outwhich other film festivals herfilm has been accepted to inJune.Originally, from Oakland,California, Walker graduatedCan Learn to Love Themselves and Signifyin’Me: New and Selected Poems. Although shefreelances for a number of different magazinesand newspapers, she considers filmmaking hertrue passion. Walker’s desire is to direct andwrite more feature-length films. She aims toturn “THE POSTWOMAN” into a TV seriesor feature length film. Walker is currentlyseeking distribution and funding. “It wouldbe nice to see our film make it into the WolfeVideo catalogue,” says Walker. “It wouldalso be nice to finally give this audience afilm that they can identify with and relate to. Ithink that’s important because it helps to buildcommunity.”Walker decided to direct the short film becauseshe feels as though the complex andmyriad stories of women of color, who are inthe life, have yet to be told. While the shortcenters around an affair the main character,Nia, has with her neighborhood Postwoman,the feature version of the short, which wascomplete by Walker in March, chroniclesthat Walker was registered for. Walker decidedto direct the film because she saw a lack offilms in the industry for Queer Women of Color,Indeed, many feature lengthfilms originally started out asshorts, and Walker aims to bringJ.D. Walkermagna cum laude from SanFrancisco State University,where she studied Theater ArtsNia’s journey to find self-love. In the longerversion of the film, Nia does not end up withThe Postwoman. She delves deeper into herselfparticularly Wolfe Video. “I love the Wolfevideo catalogue,” says, J.D. Walker, “but Ican’t recall many films featuring an all queerwomen of color cast or all African Americanwoman cast. I wrote this film to help close that“The Postwoman” to the big screen.For more details about the origins of thispiece, please visit us on the web at: www.imdb.com/title/tt1578770/.“The Postwoman” premiered at The Blackand Black Studies. She received both herMasters and Ph.D. with distinction in AfricanAmerican and Caribbean Literature fromHoward University. Walker has published twobooks of her own, 101 Ways Black Womenand realizes that the true love she is seek-ing must come from within.Walker may be contacted directly throughher email: jdpublishinginfo@gmail.combecome a friend today at ...facebook.com/therainbowtimesnews

22 • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.comPink Adult Entertainment: Juicy Pink Box glams up Lesbian adult filmsBy: Lara ConnellyThe adult entertainment industry hasn’tchanged much in its long history. For years,films were made by-men-for-men, with littleconsideration for the needs of women. Finally,that is about to change. Jincey Lumpkin, Esq.and her brand, Juicy Pink Box, are introducinga new form of adult entertainment: highquality, stylish and immensely sensual productby-ladies-for-ladies who love ladies. JuicyPink Box is glamorizing lesbian sex by presentingerotic encounters in an uptown chicway. It may justchange the waythe world viewslesbians.“Our films areseductive andbeautifully craftedcinema,” saysJincey, a twotime Georgiadebutante wholanded a job inNew York Cityas a fashion attorneybut gainedfame writing ananonymous sex blog. The blog lead to Jinceyditching law and launching Digiromp.com, thepopular social networking site where womenshare their erotic lesbian experiences. It wasthrough Digiromp.com that Jincey learned shewasn’t the only lesbian who found the girl-ongirlporn being sold in stores unappealing.“The only films available at the time were therough dyke porn coming out of San FranciscoBy: Max JiminezWhen “Real World DC’s” Mike Manningcame under attack for his bisexuality lastmonth, he responded to AfterElton.com that“For whatever reason, God made me attractedto both sexes. That’s just how it is. I’m moreattracted to guys, and I’ll admit that. I’ll admitthat to you in an interview, and I’ll admitthat on national television. I don’t know wherepeople get the impression that I’m too insecureto admit that I’m gay.”The “people” Manning is referring to is theLGBT community. Why do so many in thecommunity – especially gay men – have a hardtime buying bi? Is it because too many mo’shave used bisexuality as a way to dip their toebefore diving head first into gaydom? Or, domost gay men fervently believe that once guysgo gay, they stay? We polled an assortment ofprominent members of the community, representingall the letters of the LGBT community(and even a fag hag for good measure), fortheir position on bisexuality.Jonathan CrutchleyManhunt Founder“Whenever I’msingle, I’m lookingto date straight marriedmen or guys withgirlfriends. In fact,my current boyfriendof ten years had agirlfriend when wemet. He left her andmoved in with me andis now fully gay – orso I hope. I believebisexuality is real.”and the vulgar gay-for-pay porn made to fulfillthe fantasies of straight men,” explains Jincey.“The women of Digiromp.com hungered forambience and atmosphere. We craved to seeladies in gorgeous wardrobes and styling thathighlighted their shapes and curves. We wantedto experience the power of a true connection,and enjoy multi-sensory stimulation thatslowly guided us to climax.”She also realized the internet offered a newconvenience for women. “There is nothingless sexy to a woman than walking into aseedy sex shopwith creepy guysogling at youwhile you buyporn,” she says.“It’s easier to logon and watch inthe privacy andcomfort of yourhome.”As the BossLady and ChiefPhoto: Anja KostlerJett Bleu stars in Juicy Pink Box’s next release, THERAPYSexy Officer ofJuicy Pink Box,Jincey Lumpkin,Esq. overseesall facets of her films’ production and makessure that the women stars in them are alwaysin control and empowered.Juicy Pink Box released its first feature film,Taxi, earlier this year. It was the first to takestars from the dyke porn genre and style theminto something more classically beautiful.Jincey describes the film as “like Bertolucci …except with fisting.”The next feature, releasing this summer, willRaven OAndrogynousSuperstar“A hole is a holewhen the lights areoff. I’m sure “his holiness”the Pope hasthe answer to whetheror not bisexuality isreal. I don’t. I believeafter a few drinks,anything’s possible.”Jincey LumpkinJuicy Pink Box“I once called myselfbisexual, but thatwas before I had everhad a serious girlfriend.Once I fell inlove, I realized that Inever had that deepkind of connectionwith a man, and Iknew I was gay. Butit took me 25 yearsto find out. A lotof people think they are bisexual when theymight truly be gay because they have beenconditioned to believe that being gay is wrong.I grew up in a very small town in Georgia,and there was not a single gay or lesbian livingopenly out of the closet. Not one. It waspre-Ellen, so I had absolutely no idea that therewere other women in the world who had feelingsfor women. I didn’t know what a lesbianwas! I learned about lesbians from the HowardStern Show.be “Therapy,” a series often self-pleasure scenesthat take place in a therapist’soffice. It’s a fascinatingjourney inside thewomen’s minds as eachvisit to talk about her individualconnection to sex.Viewers learn what excitesthe women, scares them,and what makes them wet.According to Jincey,today’s women are moreliberated about discussingtheir sexual practices. Asevidenced in the popularizationof hit TV serieslike Sex and the City andThe L Word, “Womenlove being sexy and theyare embracing all thingsrelated to sex.”That is why Juicy PinkBox is more than its adultfilm offerings. “Juicy PinkBox is a lifestyle,” Jinceycontinues. “It’s about livingthe fantasy of an exclusiveworld that features Jinceyglamorous ladies who loveladies.”It’s being compared to Hugh Hefner’s Playboy.As Hef in his smoking jacket once representedthe quintessential bachelor, Jincey inher cocktail dress and Gucci heels representsthe modern day femme on top of the world.“The glamorous world of Juicy Pink Boxis not for everyone,” Jincey cautions. “WeKillian WellsBi Pop Star“I find it hypocriticalwhen one of mygay friends will saybisexuality doesn’texist and in the nextbreath say how theywant to “convert”someone because nobodyis completelystraight. Aren’t theybasically saying everyoneis bisexual? Imay be considered bisexual by society’s standardsbut I prefer no label. I’m simply attractedto people, not their gender. I don’t think bisexualis a transitional sexual orientation.”DJ Seth GoldGay Spinner“I think if you talkto a man who hasbeen partnered withanother man for 20years, he’s going totell you “there’s onlygay.” On the otherhand, if you talk to a20-year-old in collegewho has a girlfriendand a male hookup onthe side, he’ll swear up and down that bisexualityis absolutely possible. Beliefs are basedon one’s own experience. I think most gaysdon’t believe in bisexuality because they feelso strongly and proud about being gay. I, however,believe bisexuality is real.”Photo: JuicyPinkBox.comare for women who crave intense sensuality,soft caresses, and gentle seduction. If you area woman who finds women super sexy andyou fantasize about their curves or their lipson your lips, then we’re here and we welcomeyou to explore a new frontier.”For more information, visit juicypinkbox.com.Bi now Gay later? Is there a defining line? A dividing moment?Photo: peter urbanPhoto: project publicityPhoto: juicypinkbox.comPhoto: inferno recordsPhoto: blake scottPhoto: luis CarleRon PerkovOut Singer“There are so manydifferent types oflove. Instead of labeling,just be. Asthe title of my newdance single says, ‘ItDoesn’t Matter’.”Leah DriscollPop Star/Hetero Fag Hag“It seems mostpeople who call themselvesbisexual tend tolean towards gay overtime. People don’twant to believe in bisexuality.We wantclear cut, black andwhite answers to everything.Bisexualityleaves a lot of peopleseeing gray. We also have a need to label people- you against me, us against them. I thinkthe idea of bisexuality makes people uncomfortable.In the end, I don’t think it’s reallyanyone’s job to judge the feelings of others.”Photo: sean robert entertainment,llcTRT’s DJ Top 10therainbowtimesnews.com

By: Dan Woog*Justin Fashanu isknown for severalthings. In 1981 hebecame Britain’s firstmillion-pound blacksoccer player. In 1990he became the first professionalsoccer playerto come out as gay.And in 1998 hekilled himself.In 2010, Englishsoccer is filled withDan Woog black stars. But JustinFashanu stands aloneas “the gay professional.”Little has changed in 20 years – and prospectslook dim for the next 20. International socceris a tough place, both physically and mentally.In hopes of speeding things along – or at leastmaking the soccer world less homophobic– a group called The Justin Campaign went towork.Their goal is to “challenge the stereotypesand misconceptions that exist around gay menin (soccer) and work toward a future where thevisibility of gay and bisexual men in professional(soccer) are both accepted and celebrated.”During the past two years they sponsoredtwo tournaments, for players of all sexualorientations. The Justin Campaign hosted anevening talk in Brighton, around the topic ofhomophobia in soccer. They played a prominentrole in the first-ever Pride Festival in Norwich– Fashanu’s hometown. They met withofficials of the Football Association, Britain’sgoverning body.Then, with a website (www.thejustincampaign.com)and some committed volunteers,they targeted a day in the middle of the soccerseason (and Britain’s LGBT History Month).They hoped clubs, players and fans around theworld would unite on Feb. 19, bringing communitiestogether “in opposing hate and intolerancein the world’s favorite sport.”The day kicked off in Norwich. The JustinCampaign’s own soccer team was there, alongwith Fashanu’s niece and the president of theNorwich club. Two members of Parliamentblew whistles to start the matches.In Liverpool, the Merseyside Marauders – agay club – celebrated. So did Edinburgh’s gayHotScots.There was a flashmob-style photo op in Manchester,organized by PrideSports and QueerYouth Network. Other events took place inSussex and Exeter.Internationally, the Justin Campaign spurreda match in Barcelona (with speeches from localpoliticians), while in Mexico City the TriGay Mexico team played the semifinal of theircity’s gay soccer tournament under the “Footballvs. Homophobia” banner.The Justin Campaign suggested that professionalclubs display the Justin Campaign logowith a message of support on their websites,put the logo on scoreboards during games, includethe logo and information in match-dayprograms, and post signs condemning the usewww.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • 23The OutField: Fighting homophobia in the sports worldof homophobic language. But despite their efforts,the response from top teams was a pronouncedsilence. Not one player volunteeredto appear in a planned video campaign againsthomophobia.Gordon Taylor, president of the 4,000-memberProfessional Footballers’ Association (theBritish players’ union), responded to newspaperreports that players feared being ridiculedby opponents – as well as fans – if they participatedin the video.Taylor said: “Everybody assumes (soccerplayers) are full of confidence, but it is not easyon issues like this. Remember, there was a timewhen even black players did not feel they couldtalk about race.”English soccer is “a beacon of diversity withplayers from many backgrounds, countries andcontinents,” Taylor added: “It is unacceptablefor them to be subjected to abusive chanting,be it racist or homophobic whilst they play. Iapplaud the ongoing work in this area.”Peter Clayton, chair of the FA’s Homophobiain Football advisory group – and openlygay – placed the blame on agents and clubs. “Aplayer coming forward to appear in it wouldfeel he might ignite more vitriol,” he said.Closer to home, a similar campaign is gatheringsteam. Canadian-based “Speaking AboutSilence: Homophobia in the Sports World”is part of a broader-based International DayAgainst Homophobia, set for May 17.Its bilingual website (www.homophobie.org)lists a number of activities across the country– but only a few involve athletics.In New Westminster, British Columbia, theDouglas Students’ Union will speak to collegesports science classes. Members will also handout brochures, water bottle stickers and pins toraise awareness of sexuality and athletics.Across the nation in Burlington, Ontario, theHalton Organization for PRIDE and Educationhas involved local sports figures to attend theirInternational Day festivities. Manitoba’s CivilService Commission will host a lunch-and-learnsession on homophobia – and transphobia.Many of the International Day efforts arenon-sport-specific. Gay-Straight Alliances willhand out information, hang posters and conductseminars. The Alberta Teachers’ Associationplans to distribute posters and pamphletsto educators. Edmonton’s’ Institute for SexualMinority Studies and Services is screening“Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride.” Informationwill be displayed on the main floor lobbyof the Winnipeg Tax Centre.Individually, all this may not sound likemuch. But that’s not the point. Knowledge ispower.And who knows what Justin Fashanu’s lifemight have been like if – back in the day – he’dcome across just one of those posters, informationtables or presentations?*Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccercoach, gay activist, and author of the “Jocks”series of books on gay male athletes. Visit hisWeb site at www.danwoog.com. He can bereached care of this publication or at Out-Field@qsyndicate.com.therainbowtimesnews.com • therainbowtimesnews.com • therainbowtimesnews.com • therainbowtimesnews.com

24 • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com