NewsBriefs - River Campus Libraries - University of Rochester

The Equal=Grounds float won the Community Business Award at the Pride Parade. Photo Ove Overmyer.

Pride Parade, Festival win an Oscar as Rochester goes Hollywood July 14 By Susan Jordan

Over 10,000 people took part in Rochester's Pride Parade and Festival on July 14, according to the police estimate, as the Rochester 19bt community "went Hollywood".

Community Business

Forum organizer Tim Stallman told the Empty Closet, "We were thrillecf with the turnout. It just keeps getting bigger every year."

Stallman said that over 1,000 people marched in the Pride Parade, while thousands

Gay bashing criminal case has now gone to D.A.; Chief cites "concerns" about several officers' conduct By Susan Jordan

On July 25, Rochester Police Chief David Moore held a press conference to announce that both the criminal investigation into the alleged gay bashing on June 1 and the internal investigation into misconduct by RPD officers have been concluded, and that there are "concerns" about the conduct of several officers.

District Attorney Michael C. Green will soon decide whether the criminal case "package" put together by police investigators will go to the grand jury.

The internal investigation process involves reviews of the investigation's conclusions by

officers on various levels within the Chief's command staff, who will provide input and recommendations. The case will then go to the Civilian Review Board, where three citizens will review the case and make a recommendation. The process could take several weeks. The Chief will ultimately decide on disciplinaryaction.

Chief Moore said, "I am very much concerned about inappropriate behavior by at least a few of the officers out of the 21 who responded." He added that the Rochester Police Department maintains high standards

(Bashing continues page 3)

The Gay Alliance appreciates the IIIDIII continuing partnership of businesses (;R%7t:nD~ I within our community who support our mission and vision.

Platinum: Citi Th, Student Loan Cocpocation, Kodak NiXON If'EAHOU'I/ LU Eastman Kodak Company, Nixon Peabody LLP •• -. ....

Silver: Bausch & Lomb, Corning, Incorporated, Excellus _

Blue Cross Blue Shield, ITT, Mark Siwiec and Duffy ---~.!~ Palmer, Odorisi Law Firm, Sage Advisors

of Sage Rutty, St. John Fisher College, Xerox ExceUus ~ ~

Bronze: Ace Mailing, Empire State College , ODoIIJSI LAw FlllM ITT Imaging FinancialS"viw, Inc., db" EKCC , - - - - e JP Morgan Chase, Open Arms MCC , The Woolbright _

Group, Thomson West , Unisys , EKI'W"I Wegmans ~

"SYS h'I,glnQ • . -

XEROX

more watched and came to the Festival afterwards to socialize, shop at vendors' booths and see the show featuring Aggy Dune, Kasha Davis and other local performers. Several groups used a filmstrip motif for floats, banners and t-shirts.

Light rain did not dampen the spirits of the marchers or the cheering spectators who lined Park and Goodman streets. Grand Marshal Sue Cowell, president of the Gay Alliance board, "went Hollywood" as Cher, while Jamie and Sally Whitbeck, recipients of the Community Business Forum's Lifetime Achievement Award, waved from a convertible, as did the GAGV Youth Pride King McDecent and Queen Eve Black. (For photos see pages A lOll, A 18 and section C.)

Representatives of many communities of faith took part in the parade, including the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester (Bishop Jack McKelvey held a prayer service on Brunswick St. before the parade started); Tawa Pano Unity Fellowship Church; Open Arms MCC; DignitylIntegrity; the First

Unitarian Church and More Light Presbyterians. Interfaith Advocates marched and also held a Celebration of Life at the Picnic on July 15. Tawa Pano and Open Arms M CC held an ecumenical service before the Picnic.

Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy marched in the parade, as well as NYS Assembly member Susan John, Monroe County Legislator Harry Bronson and other politicians.

The recent hate crime and alleged police misbehavior were on the minds of many, and at both the Parade and Picnic, members of the Stop Hate Crime group and the Gay Alliance Anti-Violence Project drew attention to the investigations and to the community's ongoing concern.

The following awards were presented at the Festival: Community Pride Award: Open Arms; Community Business Award: Equal Grounds; Stonewall Award: GAGV Youth Group; Rainbow Award: Image Out; Ruby Slipper: BASSically TREBLEmakers; Show Stopper: Muthers . •

NewsBriefs LOCAL & STATE NEWS

MOCHA Week 2007 is Aug. 7·14

The Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) Project will present the annual MOCHA Week of fabulous events Aug. 7-14.

Tuesday Aug. 7: Youth Talent Night: 6 p.m.-10 p.m. at Club Muther's, 40 South Union St. Drag performances.

Wednesday, Aug. 8: Health and Wellness, 3 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at MOCHA Project Office, 107 Liberty Pole Way). Health screenings, rapid HIV testing.

Thursday, Aug. 9: Heart of MOCHA Awards Reception, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at Club Venu, 151 St. Paul St. Honoring Tibotec Pharmaceuticals, Chris Wilson, Bernadine Casseus, Janice Bell and Liz Ramos. Live music.

Friday, Aug. 10: Wine & Cheese Spoken Word, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at DAR House, 130 Troup St. Com hill. Professionals networKing, followed by Official Weekend Kick-Off Party hosted by Indigo Soul Productions. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m.

Saturday, Aug. 11: Community Awareness Picnic, 12-6 p.m. at Genesee Valley Park, Red Creek Pavilion. Free food, OJ, Heat Wave "mini ball" with prizes.

White Attire Party 10 p.m. -2 a.m. at Club Muther's, 40 South Union St.

Sunday, Aug. 12: Faith Service, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at Tawa Pano Unity Fellowship Church, 758 South Ave. Rev. Robert Arrington.

For more information, contact MOCHA at 107 Liberty Pole Way, Rochester NY 14604; 58-420-1400; 585-420-1409 fax; www.mochaproject.org .•

Cruise on the Harbor Town Belle on Aug. 17

The Finger Lakes LGBT Workplace Alliance (FLLWA) and the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley will sponsor a Pride Cruise on the Harbor Town Belle on Aug. 17, leaving the dock at Charlotte Beach at 6 p.m.

The cruise includes a picnic-style dinner, and the cost is $25 per person. Advance registration and payment are required. Space is limited. The deadline for tickets is Aug. 10.

For more information, contact [email protected], and for payment options, see that site or www.gayalliance.org .•

Inside Section A Interview: Jarrett Lucas ........... 6 Pride 2007: a photo album ..... 10 Making the Scene .................... 18 NYC News:

Manhattan Pride •••••••••••••• 19

Section B Entertainment: Roar season ....... 1 Columnists ................................. 5 Travel: Daytona Beach ............ 15

Section C GAGV News: Local effort, global

impact ........................................ 1 Groups ......................................... 4 Youth .............................................. 6 Classifieds .................................. 9 Calendar ................................... 10

2 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 404 • AUGUST 2007

Per FROM THE Empty Closet Editor SUSAN JORDAN

Politically Correct Way back in the '7Os, radi

cal feminists had a term for women who were stuck in a certain ideological place and wouldn't let anything like new information or common sense disturb their self-righteous judgments. They were known as "politically correct."

Then came the rise of neoconservatism and the demonization of liberals. As the country shifted to the right, any person or group to the left of Ronald Reagan was ridiculed. Any critique of injustices in society - any attempt at all to treat disadvantaged or disenfranchised people with respect -- was trivialized as "political correctness." The right took the left's term and mis-used it against them.

Thirty years later, look who's being p.c. The right has a political litmus test a mile long for who is a good American, Christian, or human being and who isn't; who deserves civil rights and who doesn't. The rigidity of the right makes the most p.c. feminist of 1977 look wildly open-minded.

And the worst part of it is that under Bush's rule, matters relating to public health, civil rights and even national security are being decided by our government on the basis of wacko extremist ideology.

Recently, former Surgeon General Richard Carmona described how he was ordered to follow the rightwing party line on stem cell research, second-hand smoke, global warming, AIDS, contraceptives vs.

"abstinence," etc., etc. He was even forbidden to promote the Special Olympics because that was a Kennedy project. Why would you want to help "those people," he was asked. He was, however, required to praise George W. Bush at least three times in every public statement.

Currently, the new Bush candidate for Surgeon General, J ames Holsinger, is having a tough time convincing Democrats that he will put responsible science ahead of conservative ideology. His claims look dubious in the context of his past written views that gay men's biology and physiology are pathological (diseased) and the fact that Holsinger's church in Lexington, Ky., which he co-founded, offers a refuge to those "who seek to walk out of that (gay) lifestyle".

Meanwhile, the Bush/ Cheney p.c. police are still dealing with the fallout from Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez' firing of nine U.S. attorneys who were slow to prosecute cases important to the right's self-serving political agenda, or to their vengeance against liberals.

On the national security front, the military has kicked out dozens of Arabic language specialists for being queer, in spite of the fact that their knowledge was crucial to preventing terrorist attacks. Gays are more dangerous to America than suicide bombers, it would seem.

If ambitious politi-cians, like Mitt Romney for instance, want rightwing votes and money, they know they must put that extremist theology/ideology ahead of any other concerns. That's the new political correctness and it's all about keeping rich white men and fundamentalists in power.

It's certainly not about the health and safety of this country and its people, or even about the survival of life on our planet.

The Right has given "p.c." a whole new meaning - pretty conservative . •

FROM THE GAGV Executive Director KRIS HINESLEY

Thank you all around

Thank you to everyone who participated in the annual Pride Picnic at Genesee Valley Park on July 15. Not only was it a picture perfect day, we raised significant funds for our programs and services.

The Empty Closet, and programs for youth and victims of violence, as well as community education to combat homophobia are funded, in part, by the picnic. Hats off to our amazing volunteers led by Evelyn Bailey and Jeffrey Lamica, aided by Executive Assistant Cindi Eveleigh. There are so many people to thank - over 75 volunteers made the event a success - and YOU, of course for purchasing your ticket.

Feedback from the community has been extremely positive, and the great weather made it a perfect day. Thank you!

As you may know, the NYS Legislature failed to pass equal marriage legislation, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, or the Dignity for All Students (anti-bullying) act. The Assembly continues to pass Dignity and this year passed equal marriage legislation, but the obstacle is the Senate, as usual. GENDA has passed the Assembly before but did not pass this year.

We continue to receive troubling reports of a lack of appropriate treatment of members of our community by law enforcement officers. We continue to work with the City and the County to provide

appropriate trammg for officers. We do not support apathy or excuses on the part of City officials. We did a joint news conference after the recent hate crime, and this led some people to accuse the Gay Alliance of being too close to the City and the RPD.

It is true that we work closely with the City; however, it is not true that we accept the bad behavior of some of their officers. In fact, we have demanded change, and we now have an agreement to expand the training of all officers. This goes far beyond the commitment we had prior to the recent events.

In short, we cannot accept a continuation of current practices - nor can we turn our backs on the Mayor's request for our help to improve police conduct.

Thank you to each of you who made suggestions throughout this past six weeks of the very public hate crime case. As you can imagine, other hate crimes and incidents of police insensitivity or outright misconduct continue to be brought to our attention. There is a great need for continued communication and support within our community.

This month we welcomed new board members to the Gay Alliance: Sue Cowell, president, Tom Ferrarese, president elect, Deb Oppenheimer, Deanna Baker, Jeffrey Lamica, and Barbara Turner. For a complete list of board and staff members, visit our website at www.gayalliance.org <http:// www.gayalliance.org>.

Pride is over but other events are upcoming. The Pride Cruise, brought to you by FLLWA and the Gay Alliance, is Aug. 17. The Equality Leadership Conference, expanded and better than ever, is Oct. 19 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

You can find lots more information about these and other events on our website and throughout this issue of The Empty Closet.

As always, thank you for supporting the Gay Alliance . •

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, II If safe schools & safe workplaces are important to you... " Then the Gay Alliance is important to you! I

I Full Name: Membership levels: GaXf~ J!~~afe~ I I Residential Address: 0 $30: Advocate (Individual, includes EC) I I City/State/Zip: 0 $50: Equality (Family, includes EC) I I 0 $100: Champion 0 $150: Stonewall I I Phone: 0 Above & beyond: ...:..$_____ I I E-mail: 0 Check if you do NOT want to receive the Empty Closet. I I 0 I would like to volunteer on a committee or project. 0 $25/1yr. 0 $40/2yr. subscription to The Empty Closet, only. I I Enclose your check and send to: Gay Alliance, 875 E. Main Street, Suite 500, Rochester, New York 14605 I

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The Empty Closet is published by the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley 875 E, Main Street, Suite 500 Rochester, New York 14605 © 2007, All rights reserved,

Editor-in-Chief: Susan Jordan

Graphic Design: Jim Anderson

Ad Sales: Tom Giancursio: 585-750-6872 Richard Nielsen: 585-764-3713 National Advertising Representative:

Rivendell Media: 212-242-6863

Advertising policy: The Empty Closet does not print advertisements that contain nude drawings or photographs, nor does it print advertising that states that the person pictured in the ad is for sale, or that you will "get" that particular person if you patronize the establishment advertised, Advertisements that are explicitly racist, sexist, ageist, ableist or homophobic will be refused; advertisements from organizations that are sexist, racist, ageist, ableist or anti-gay will also be refused,

Submissions: For publication, submit news items, ads, photos, letters, stories, poetry, ads, photographs or art by mail or in person to The Empty Closet office by the 15th of the month, Design services for non-camera ready ads are available for a fee,

Publication Information: The Empty Closet is published 11 times a year (December and January combined) by The Empty Closet Press for the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, Inc, Approximately 5000 copies of each issue are distributed during the first week of the month, some by mail in a plain sealed envelope, The publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles is not an indication of the sexual or affectional orientation of that person or the members of that organization, For further information, please write to The Empty Closet, 875 E, Main S1., Rochester NY. 14605, call (585) 244-9030 or e-mail [email protected].

The Empty Closet is the official publication of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, Inc" as stated in the bylaws of that organization, Its purpose is to inform the Rochester gay community about local and national gayrelated news and events; to provide a forum for ideas and creative work from the local gay community; to help promote leadership within the community, and to be a part of a national network of lesbian and gay publications that exchange ideas and seek to educate,

Part of our purpose is to maintain a middle position with respect to the entire community, We must be careful to present all viewpoints in a way that takes into consideration the views of all - women, men, people of color, young and old, and those from various walks of life,

The opinions of columnists, editorial writers and other contributing writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the collective attitude of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley or The Empty Closet, The Empty Closet shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from the publication (whether correctly or incorrectly) or omission of an ad, In the event of non-payment, your account may be assigned to a collection agency or an attorney, and will be liable for the charges paid by us to such collection agency or attorney,

Letters to the editor The opinions of columnists, editorial writers and other contributing writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the collective attitude of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley or The Empty Closet, We will print letters at the editor's discretion and on a space available basis, We will not print personal attacks on individuals, nor will we be a forum for ongoing disputes between individuals, We reserve the right to edit for space and clarity, We will print anonymous letters if the name and phone number are provided to the Editor; confidentiality will be respected, Submissions are due by the 15th of the month at: The Empty Closet, 875 E, Main Street, Suite 500, Rochester, NY 14605; e-mail: [email protected]. Online edition of EC available at www, gayalliance,org,

AUGUST 2007 • NUMBER 404 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET A 3

Arnie Peg ish dies; was devoted to community By Susan Jordan

Arnie Pegish, owner of the Bachelor Forum bar, passed away on July 26, two days before his 70th birthday, after a long struggle against esophageal cancer.

Arnie died at his Perinton home while watching his partner John Dash work in their garden. Their schnauzer Waylon was at his feet.

Arnie served on the Gay Alliance Board and established the Vicki and Vinnie Awards in the 1980s, honoring his late friends Vinnie Wheeler and Vicki Russo. The awards are given each year by the Gay Alliance to the man and woman who have done most to help the community. Among many other things, he was an early supporter of AIDS Rochester, according to Gay Alliance President Sue Cowell, a co-founder of ARI. "He was really there for us," she said.

Arnie also supported ARTWalk's efforts to install sculptures honoring LG BT history in front of the Forum at 670 University Ave. He was deeply concerned about gay youth, and in addition was determined to launch a building fund for the GAGV at his 70th birthday party, which went on in his honor on July 28.

The Gay Alliance will honor Arnie's memory and a full obituary and tributes will appear in the September Empty Closet. Sue Cowell said, "It's not what he did, but who he was."

ELC update: jazz reception will feature Paradigm Shift By Darla J Blazey, FLLWA Board Member & ELC Co-Chair

This year's GAGV Equality Leadership Conference (ELC) will be held on Friday, Oct. 19 at the Riverside Convention Center. The keynote speaker will be Kirk Snyder, author of the book, The G Quotient: Why Gay Executives are Excelling as Leaders ... and What Every Manager Needs to Know.

Mr. Snyder is nationally recognized as an authority on the contemporary workplace and business leadership. The G Quotient is acclaimed as one of the best management books of the year and has been named to Harvard Business Review's prestigious annual reading list.

Other activities throughout the day include a variety of workshops, leadership luncheon, and presentation of business, media, and employee resource group awards. New to this year's event, after the workshops are concluded, will be an end-ofthe-day cocktail reception. The local group Paradigm Shift will share their upbeat and dynamic brand of mainstream jazz during this twohour reception. There will also be complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.

The ELC planning committee is developing workshops and contacting potential workshop presenters. Workshops identified so far include ERGs vs GSAs, Allies in the Pulpit, Financial and Legal Workshop, Building an HR Partnership/Training on Transgender Issues, and a discussion on leadership styles by "out" senior leaders from major Fortune 500 companies.

Contact us at [email protected] if you'd like to be part of planning this exciting event. Watch the next FLLWA newsletter or the September issue of The Empty Closet for more

On June 26, protestors marched around the Monroe-Goodman intersection when the lights turned. The march was organized by Stop Hate Crime and Violence, a grassroots community group. All photos this page: Ove Overmyer.

(Bashing from page 1) of police conduct and in order to retain that reputation, the derartment is concerned that the interna investigation be thorough. He said that the case is very complicated and the Review Board will not rush through the process. He did not know if any members of the Review Board are openly gay.

Moore said, "It is clear to me that we do have issues of policy, regulations violations ... The allegations are very serious."

Consequences for officers found violating department rules could range from reprimands to fines, demotion, suspension or termination.

Moore noted that the June 1 incident represents one call out of 350,000 calls per year. He said, "I am proud of our officers and will stand by them, but I will not tolerate inappropriate behavior."

Moore said that the criminal investigation had included 100 contacts and 47 interviews, and was conducted by a Sergeant and three Investigators, led by Lt. Mike Wood. The internal investigation was undertaken by the RPD Professional Standards Section, a team of four Sergeants led by Lt. Mike Smith.

Moore added that he is proud of the good relationship between the RPD and the Gay Alliance, and is also proud of Officer Jim Hall, liaison to the LG BT community. The Gay Alliance is working with the RPD to develop a new training curriculum for both rookie and veteran officers. Previously the Alliance has been involved only in trainings for the Police Academy.

Although NYS civil rights law will not permit employee privacy to be violated, and the names of officers convicted of misconduct must remain confidential, Chief Moore said he will speak directly to any violations determined to have

occurred. All officers involved are currently working as usual, pending the results of the internal investigation.

Police Officers Union Locust Club July 27 statement: gay bashing "not a core problem"

"The recent public comments by Chief Moore relative to the 'Goodman Incident' have brought to light serious problems in the investigation process of the Rochester Police Department. Chief Moore's public condemnation of 'a few officers' flies in the face of due process. He has become the complainant, the supervising investigator, the prosecutor, the judge and the appeals court over an issue that has gathered (sic) the interest of the media but is not a core problem facing this violent city. We need a Chief that stands by us - not only at the Awards dinner but when the feeding frenzy begins and there is a public hunt to punish hard working cops who are trying to do the best job they can.

"Because he has chosen to make interim public statements about this incident, we need to react with some common sense recommendations: refer this entire matter to our neutral arbitrator for a final and binding civilian decision; conduct a hearing within 30 days; to insure (sic) that the rights of the public and police officers are protected, include in the neutral's task a complete review of the policies and procedures of the Professional Standards staff and issue recommendations that are final and binding.

"If we are to move forward to a better and safer city, police officers must be given the same protected rights and due process as every other citizen."

Gay Alliance Board of Trustees response

"The GAGV understands the important role the Rochester Police Locust Club plays in representing its members. Howev-

er, the Gay Alliance feels that the July 27 press release's characterization of public concern as a 'feeding frenzy' is an unfortunate characterization of the internal review process, and we also feel strongly that the community needs to understand how the alleged suspects were allowed to leave the scene without even having their names taken and why police did not file a report on the initial assault.

"The Locust Club press release referred to the gay bashing incident as 'an issue that has gathered the interest of the media but is not a core problem facing this violent city.' Violence against gay citizens is just as much a problem as violence against any other group of citizens.

"While the Union President may view (Bashing continues page 8)

Jim Hall is the RPD liaison with the LGBT community.


NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL

Atlanta Evangelical Lutherans remove openly gay pastor

In a July 2 decision, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Committee on Appeals decided to remove Atlanta Pastor Bradley Schmeling from the church's pastoral roles because Pastor Schmeling is a gay man living his life openly and honestly.

Speaking for the Human Rights Campaign, Harry Knox, Director of the Religion and Faith Program, offered the following reaction to this regrettable decision: "We are outraged at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and are hurting for the St. John's Community. The powers that be in the ELCA have struck the most Faustian of bargains. Presented with a loving and community-based alternative, the Committee on Appeals chose instead to willfully sacrifice the few, in this case the belovea Pastor Bradley Schmeling and his spirit-filled congregational family St. John's Lutherans church, on the altar of expediency.

"The committee has acted to hurt lesbian and gay people and those who love us in the cynical belief that we will simply go away. They obviously don't know us and have forgotten God's constant love and God's call to justice. We will not go away. In fact, we will be present with Goodsoil and Lutherans Concerned at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly and at every Churchwide Assembly from now until the gifts and graces for ministry of all people are both recognized and celebrated."

MCC deplores Canadian Anglicans' denial of blessings to same sex couples' legal marriages

Rev. Nancy L. Wilson, Office of the Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches, issued a public statement on July 16 about the Canadian Anglican vote to deny blessings to same sex marriages.

"On Sunday, June 24, 2007, the Anglican Church of Canada, acting as an independent province of the worldwide Anglican Communion, attempted to straddle an impossible fence: the divide between acceptance and action.

"In consecutive votes that both affirmed the compatibility of same-sex blessings with "core doctrine" and denied

priests and parishes the freedom to offer such blessings, the House of Bishops sent a clear message not about LGBT relationshiPs but about their own unwillingness to fully honor their call as both prophets and pastors.

"Whether we see marriage equality as the 'civil rights battle' of our time or only a piece of a much more encompassing struggle for human equality, the Church Universal has a responsibility to lead the way in dismantling social prejudice, not upholding it. Many believe the Anglican Bishops who countermanded the supportive majority votes in both the lay and clergy houses, did so out of the fear of losing communion with churches in Latin America and Africa.

"I am reminded of St. John's counsel: Perfect love casts out all fear. We cannot save our relationships with one another by acting on our fears of loss. Only by calling one another to accountability for the love we share in Christ, will our ties and affinities be strengthened.

''As the leader of a worldwide communion that serves people of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, I am compelled to address the racism that allows us to pit the Northern Hemisphere against the Southern, people of European descent against those of African or Latin descent, as justification for inequality, hatred, or violence. There are many, many people of African, Latin and European descent, to name a few, whose voices are represented by Metropolitan Community Churches, and who believe passionately in human equality within the Church and beyond its borders. There are many, many people of diverse heritages who have made tremendous sacrifices and taken great personal and professional risks to call for and ensure human solidarity and equality.

''As denominational leaders, our common responsibility is to provide pastoral care for the people we serve as well as to lead our communities with prophetic vision and courage. While no one of us fulfills that call perfectly, love is our common calling. In service to that call, I ask that believers of all Christian traditions join in praying for courage for all people in leadership, that we might bridge the gap between acceptance and action in pursuit of the day when all our lives, and our many families, and our diverse ways of loving are acknowledged as equally holy and equally blessed in the eyes of God."

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Civil unions aren't enough: UPS denies benefits to NJ Igbt employees, spouses

On July 9, Lambda Legal produced a letter from UPS that draws a startling distinction between civil unions and marriage in its denial of spousal benefits for employees joined in civil unions.

"This letter shows that when the New Jersey Legislature said same-sex couples are unworthy of marriage, it sent an invitation to everybody to discriminate, and UPS accepted the invitation," said David Buckel, Marriage Project Director of Lambda Legal. "Choosing to discriminate is wrong, but choices like tliat are inevitable when the state government sets discrimination as the standard."

In a letter outlining why it was denying spousal benefits to Lambda Legal clients and UPS employee Nickie Brazier and her partner Heather Aurand, UPS said, "In summary, you cannot add Ms. Aurand as a spouse because New Jersey law does not treat civil unions the same as marriages, and the Plan requires a dependent spouse to be a spouse as defined under applicable state law."

Gabriael "Nickie" Brazier, is a driver for UPS who requested to have her civil union spouse, Heather Aurand, added to UPS's benefit plan so that the couple would not have to continue paying for a second, inferior health insurance plan for Heather and could stop paying down a second yearly deductible. Aurand is a stay-at-home parent who is raising the couple's three children. The couple has been together for over seven years.

Tom Walton, 42 is also a UPS driver who asked to have his civil union spouse and partner of 15 years, Mearmon Davis, 44, added to his health care plan and was denied.

In its October 2006 decision in Lambda Legal's marriage equality lawsuit, Lewis v. Harris, the New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously found that same-sex couples in New Jersey must have equal protection under the law and be granted the rights and responsibilities of marriage, but gave the legislature the opportunity to correct the violation. If the legislature chose civil unions over marriage equality, the Court left open the question of whether or not that choice would be constitutional, reasoning that the legislature should have the chance to explain its decision. A marriage equality bill was introduced on Nov. 20, and never reached a committee hearing, but a civil union bill was subsequently passed December 2006 and became effective in February 2007.

Lambda Legal estimates that it has responded to calls for help from over 100 New Jersey same-sex couples who have registered for civil unions and have been denied benefits that they would have received had they been able to marry.

With alarm over the mounting problems confronted by same-sex couples joined in civil unions, Assembly Speaker

Roberts recently dispatched letters of concern, including one stating, "I respectfully request that they New Jersey Chamber of Commerce -- as one of the state's leading business advocacy organizations -- strongly urge its members to comply with the spirit and intent of the law so that samesex couples will not be denied the protections guaranteed by the New Jersey State Constitution."

Logo to host Clinton, Obama at forum on Igbt issues on Aug. 9

Logo, a division of Viacom's (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks, and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation on July 10 announced they will co-present an historic televised forum on issues of importance to the LGBT community with the leading 2008 Democratic presidential candidates, including, currently confirmed and in alphabetical order, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

The one-hour event will be held on Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET in Los Angeles before a studio audience and broadcast live, without commercial interruption, exclusively on Logo's 24/7 cable television channel as well as through live streaming video at LOGOonline.com.

Logo is the nation's leading television and broadband channel for the LGBT audience and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the nation's largest LGBT civil rights organization.

This event, which marks the first time in history the major presidential candidates will address a live LGBT elevision audience, is part of MTV Networks' award-winning pro-social efforts and dedication to engaging its audiences on the issues that are most important and relevant to them.

The event also continues the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's efforts to educate and bring awareness to issues of equality and fairness that continue to affect the lives of LGBT Americans.

Clinton and Obama will appear sequentially and engage in conversation with co-panelists Melissa Etheridge, performer and advocate, and Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The panelists plan to cover a range of issues including relationship recognition, marriage equality, workplace fairness, the military, hate crimes, HIV/AIDS and other important issues.

"We're honored to give the presidential candidates an historic opportunity to share their views directly with the LGBT audience," said Brian Graden, President, Entertainment, MTV Networks Music Group, and President, Logo. "This forum continues MTV Networks' tradition of engaging vital niche audiences with voting and the electoral process."

"In the 2008 presidential election, issues of concern to the LGBT community have already been at the forefront of the national conversation," said Joe Sol-


monese, President of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. "From the repeal of "Don't ask, Don't Tell" to the recent signing of a civil unions bill in New Hampshire, there is no doubt that voters will demand answers to important questions affecting our community."

The forum will include significant online components at LOGOonline.com and HRC.org, including online question submission. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Logo invited the leading Democratic and Republican candidates to participate in the forum.

The LG BT vote is considered a decisive electoral force and according to exit poll data make up approximately four percent of the voting population. Los Angeles was chosen as the site for the event because of the state's early primary election, on Feb. 5, 2008. The event will take place at Studio City, Calif., at HD Vision Studios and this event represents the first live event airing on Logo.

SF women's motorcycle group wins right to trademark the name "Dykes on Bikes"

The San Francisco Women's Motorcycle Contingent announced on July 12 that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a final ruling yesterday affirming the group's trademark of the name "Dykes On Bikes."

The Court of Appeals rejected the argument that the name was disparaging to men. Barring Supreme Court intervention, the decision removed the last obstacle to registration of the trademark.

''After a three year court battle, we are thrilled 'Dykes On Bikes' will be protected under trademark and recognized as a celebration of our identity," said Vick Germany, the group's president.

Soni Wolf, SFWMC secretary, said, "This is a great victory for dyke pride and visibility -- not just for our group, but for lesbians across the country who value 'Dykes On Bikes' as an affirmation of lesbian strength and resilience."

"We are delighted that 'Dykes On Bikes' has been vindicated and that it is now clear that asserting pride in being 'Dykes On Bikes' does not impact others negatively," said Brooke Oliver, the lead attorney on the case. ''A lone person with a political objection to women's political speech does not have standing to object to a trademark."

"The 'Dykes On Bikes' trademark is an important symbol to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community," said Greg Gilchrist of Townsend and Townsend and Crew. ''Although it took a long time, the Trademark Office eventually agreed that the mark deserved fair and equal protection under the trademark laws. In this latest proceeding, we are grateful that the Federal Circuit agreed that bias against the San Francisco Women's Motorcycle Contingent was no basis for further delay."

The Trademark Office initially rejected the group's application for a trademark in 2004, on the ground that the name "Dykes On Bikes" is allegedly disparaging to lesbians. In response, Brooke Oliver and the National Center for Lesbian Rights submitted more than two dozen expert declarations from scholars, linguists, psychologists, and activists showing how the word "dyke" has evolved to become a positive term and that lesbians view "Dykes On Bikes" as a symbol of pride and empowerment. The Trademark Office then denied the request a second time.

After bringing in additional assistance from the law firm of Townsend and Townsend and Crew, the San Francisco Women's Motorcycle Contingent appealed the denial. In a decision issued Dec. 6, 2004, the Trademark Office reversed itself and granted the application.

In February, 2006, an individual filed an opposition to the trademark, alleging the name "Dykes On Bikes" was disparaging to men, as well as accusing group members of misconduct toward men. On Sept. 13, the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board dismissed the opposition. In its decision on July 12, the Court of Appeal affirmed the dismissal. The Court of Appeal held that the name "Dykes On Bikes" "would have no implications for a man" and that the individual who filed the opposition had failed to show that "his belief is shared by others."

The San Francisco Women's Motorcycle Contingent, which is a non-profit group, was forced to seek registration of the name "Dykes On Bikes" when an individual, unassociated with the organization, attempted to use the phrase for commercial purposes and wanted to charge contingents throughout the country for its use. The San Francisco Women's Motorcycle Contingent organization decided to obtain a trademark to protect the non-commercial use of the name and its meaning to the LGBT community from private commercial use.

The San Francisco Women's Motorcycle Contingent was represented probono by Brooke Oliver and Pablo Manga of Oliver-Sabec, P.c., Gregory Gilchrist, Gia Cincone, and Raquel Pacheco of Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Task Force: Anti-gay, "pro-family" senator should apologize for his own secret relationships with prostitutes

Sen. David Vitter, R-La., who has built his political career around "family values" and railed against same-sex marriage, admitted July 11 to "a very serious sin in my past" after his telephone number appeared among those associated with an escort service operated by the so-called

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tacted a D.C. escort service sometime before 2004, apparently while serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, and yesterday, Jeanette Maier, the Canal Street madam of a high-price brothel in New Orleans, told WDSU-TV that Vitter frequented her establishment in the mid-1990s.

In addition, the Shreveport Times reports that the former chair of President Bush's Louisiana state finance organization, Boysie Bollinger, said Vitter's relationship with prostitutes was known to insiders when he ran for the U.S. Senate in 2004.

Vitter has touted himself as a "moral values" leaaer throughout his political career, and ardently opposed same-sex marriage, saying: ''I'm a conservator who opposes radically redefining marriage, the most important social institution in human history." Vitter has been a sponsor of the Federal Marriage Amendment, which seeks to preclude the recognition of same-sex marriage.

Matt Foreman, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said, "It is the pinnacle of hypocrisy for Senator Vitter to be thundering about family values and the sanctity of marriage and doing everything possible to deny the freedom to marry to same-sex couples, while1pparently paying for sex behind his wife's back. If his wife and family want to forgive him, fine, but this far surpasses a personal transgression - he owes all Americans an apology."

ACLU demands Alabama RV park not exclude people with HIV

The American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter on July 16 to the owner of the Wales West RV park in Silverhill, Alabama demanding that it stop discriminating against people with HIV by barring people with the disease from using the swimming pool, showers and other common areas of the park without a letter from a doctor.

"This kind of ignorance and prejudice is unacceptable at this point in the HIV epidemic," said Olivia Turner, Executive Director of the ACLU of Alabama. ''After more than two decades of studying the disease, we know that you can't catch HIV by swimming next to someone with the disease or using a public shower."

According to media reports, Dick and Silvia Glover's two-year-old foster son Caleb was banned from the pool and other common areas of the RV park by its owner Ken Zadnichek after Silvia mentioned to a desk clerk that the boy had HIY. Although Caleb had been looking forward to taking a ride on the park's two train rides, the couple had no choice but to leave the park.

"Mr. Zadnichek should be ashamed of himself for picking on a defenseless twoyear old," said Christine Sun, a staff attor-

ney with the ACLU's AIDS Project. "Mr. Zadnichek claims that he was merely trying to protect other campers, but he had nothing to protect other campers against. Ignorance about the disease is no excuse for prejudice."

The letter sent by the ACLU explains that discrimination against people with HIV is illegal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and demands that the park owner send written assurances to the ACLU that the park will no longer discriminate against people with HIY. The letter also notes that the ADA prohibits businesses from imposing eligibility requirements, such as requiring a doctor's note, that screen out people with disabilities. The letter quotes information from the Alabama Department of Public Health making it clear that, "(y)ou do not get HIV from an HIV-infected person by working together, playing sports, shaking hands, hugging, closed-mouth kissing, sharing drinking glasses, eating utensils or towels, using the same wash water or toilet, swimming in the same pool, or coming in contact with their sneezes, coughs, tears or sweat." ("Basic Facts About HIV and AIDS," available at www.adph.org/ aids/assets/HIVAIDSfactSheet.pdf.

A copy of the letter sent to Wales West RV park is available at www.aclu.org/hiv/ discrim/305711g120070716.html

Ex-"ex-gay" leaders apologize for harm done

Three former leaders of a ministry that counsels 19bt people to change their sexual orientation to heterosexual apologized at a conference in Los Angeles on June 27.

Exodus co-founder Michael Bussee (who left the organization in 1979), Jeremy Marks, former head of Exodus International Europe, and Darlene Bogle, founder of Paraklete Ministries (an Exodus referral agency), said that although they had acted sincerely, they knew their message had caused isolation, shame and fear.

The three said they had become disillusioned with the Christian movement to promote gay conversion to heterosexuality. They said in a statement at the LA Gay and Lesbian Center, "Some who heard our message were compelled to try to change an integral part of themselves, bringing harm to themselves and their families."

The apologies coincided with the opening of Exodus's annual conference in Irvine, Calif. The current chair, Alan Chambers, said that Exodus had helped him and many others to change into heterosexuals.

-The Washington Blade

London, Madrid celebrate Pride

Thousands turned out in London to celebrate Pride in late June, in spite of terrorist threats, while hundreds of thou-

(NewsFronts continues on page 8)

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Jarrett Lucas of Soulforce By Susan Jordan

Soulforce is a national organization that seeks "freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance". Last month they came through the Rochester area to talk to legislators about marriage equality.

Last year Soulforce spearheaded the Equality Ride across America, where they visited Christian fundamentalist campuses to open dialog between students at religious colleges and 19bt youth. Their story was featured on the cover of the May 9, 2006 issue of The Advocate. Soulforce embarked on a similar quest this year during March and April. Details can be found on their website at <http://www. soulforce.org/equality.

This summer a group of Soulforce volunteers have been traveling across New York (July 14-28) to meet with legislators to build support for marriage equality. For information, see <http://www.soulforce. org/nymarriageride.

The Empty Closet spoke recently with Jarrett Lucas of Soulforce, age 21, who was with the group that visited the Rochester area on July 18-19.

Empty Closet: Why did you personally decide to get involved with Soulforce?

Jarrett Lucas: Soulforce takes a nonviolent approach to actually achieving justice, not just a superficial sense of equality. Nonviolence teaches me that 1, a gay man, am equal and worthy. Furthermore, it impels me to teach others that truth. And lastly, Soulforce boldly confronts religion as the primary source of LGBT oppression, a step which is extremely important to the future of this movement.

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EC: How many people and vans travelled through New York? Were all the participants students?

JL: There are 34 young adults participating in the Right to Marry, and the most of them are students or graduates. Soulforce Q, the young adult division of Soulforce, focuses on galvanizing, training, and activating that age group.

EC: Did you meet with church leaders or congregations in upstate communities as well as with legislators?

JL: Church leaders hold great political and social influence in matters of gender, sexuality, and faith. Interestingly, marriage is the most controversial intersection of those areas. As part of Right to Marry, we are concerned with challenging the individual ideologies of every member of society, including religious leaders.

EC: You hoped to meet with Assembly members David Gantt and Joseph Errigo in the Rochester area. Are you also targeting senators now that the Assembly has passed the governor's marriage bill?

JL: Soulforce seeks social change on a constitutional level. So, while we support the current senatorial focus, we also emphasize the importance of changing hearts and minds without missing anyone. Much energy needs to be and is being directed towards senators, but it would be irresponsible to disregard legislators in the Assembly who voted against marriage equality.

EC: Has it been difficult to meet with legislators unless you are accompanied by their constituents? Often people end up meeting with aides -who do all the work anyway ...

JL: I have been pleasantly surprised with the response from legislators. So far, the western route has seven confirmed meetings, with only two of those being with office staff.

EC: Even when meetings are arranged, they don't often result in action. What does it take to really change the mind of a conservative, homophobic politician? Was it easier to talk with Christian college students?

JL: After having engaged students, faculty, and administrators at 38 Christian and military schools, I feel very confident in my ability to change a mind on issues of LGBT equality! Our success rests, in part, on two factors: faith and relentless-

ness. The said qualities simply do not allow for inaction.

EC: What are some of the experiences you yourself have had when confronting anti-gay people?

JL: From threats of physical violence to attempted exorcisms, I have encountered a colorful mix of reactions in doing LGBT activism. Bigotry, however, is often rooted in ignorance. In confronting hate, I usually find a person or people who themselves are victims of untruth. Once you allow someone the space to exhaust their arsenal, there is usually silence and a readiness to listen. I believe that while most people have good intentions, they simply have not been afforded good direction.

EC: Why does the media give so much more attention to rightwing, homophobic clergy than to progressive faith leaders, on issues like homophobia and discrimination?

JL: The reality is that progressive faith leaders, though growing in numbers, are still the minority. Between fiscal resources, media connections and sensational appeal, prejudiced clergy have little difficulty asserting their hatred in public spheres. But I believe that, as Dr. King said, "unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality."

EC: Do you feel that the gay rights movement is making progress in combating the decades-long rightwing campaign to turn Christianity into an arm of ultra,.conservative political organizing? What are the most important elements in that struggle?

JL: From the ban on gays in the military to marriage inequality, legal discrimination is rooted in the misuse of scripture. By avoiding the bible or labeling it irrelevant, we only widen the schism that exists between mainstream religion and LGBT people. Fearfully avoiding Christianity only strengthens the paradigm that our identities and spirituality are incompatible. Our goal should be reconciliation, which requires that we both confront religion and reclaim our rightful place in communities of faith. The most effective solution to ending injustice is going directly to the source.

EC: Is there anything you'd like to add?

JL: My info: Jarrett Lucas, 21; Director of Outreach Soulforce Q; www.soulforce.org; www.righttomarry.org . •

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(NewsFronts continued from page 5) sands packed Madrid's streets to thank the Spanish government for marriage equality legislation.

Three suspected terrorist plots dampened London's Pride celebrations and security was high after the June 29 discovery of two gas-filled Mercedes cars parked near the Trafalgar Square closing point for the parade. The next day, two men crashed a burning vehicle into the main building at the Glasgow, Scotland airport.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone told the crowd at Pride that the planned destruction had failed and "No one stayed home in fear."

In Madrid, huge crowds celebrated the pro-gay legislation fostered by Spain's socialist government. The Pride parade covered vast boulevards in the Spanish capital and the gay festival went on for four days. Around 200 cultural, social and sporting events drew as many as 2.5 million people to the city, sending the message, "Now, Europe, equality is possible."

-The Washington Blade

Senate suspends hate crimes consideration

After a protracted debate about the Iraq war, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid temporarily suspended consideration of the Department of Defense (DoD) Authorization bill.

Earlier, Senators Kennedy and Smith had filed hate crimes as a potential amendment to the DoD bill. As a result, consideration of both the bill and hate crimes will be delayed for the moment. Reid pulled the bill after the Levin-Reed amendment failed to garner the necessary 60 votes - a procedural hurdle needed to end a Republican filibuster against the amendment.

Levin-Reed would have called for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by next spring. This could mean there won't be a vote before Congress begins its August recess.

The 19bt community's Congressional allies - including Senate leadership -

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remain committed to getting a vote on hate crimes this year. Senators Kennedy and Smith continue to look for ways to advance this crucial legislation.

The Human Rights Campaign said, "We can use this delay to energize and mobilize our grassroots advocacy to strengthen support for hate crimes. HRC along with coalition allies continues to make sure that our voices are heard. We encourage everyone to keep up the momentum to make the upcoming vote as strong as possible. Continue to call and write your senators and urge them to end hate violence." •

(Bashing from page 3) this incident as a 'political puff,' it is well known that a dismissive attitude toward hate crimes can lead to serious consequences including homicide.

"The GAGV also wants to remind the Union President that any time a metal pipe is used to batter another person, the potential for homicide exists. We do not consider this incident to be trivial.

"One would hope that the Rochester Police Union would strive for appropriate behavior on the part of its membership toward all Rochester City residents, including the LGBT community.

"The GAGV has a long history of working with the police and will continue this relationship. But in order to continue to work together, we want the community to feel they can trust the police and the process in place for review of complaints of police misconduct. We do not feel this incident taints the entire police department."

Gay Alliance Anti Violence Project statement

"The Gay Alliance and the Rochester Police Department have to come together and work to end the violence in our community, including hate crimes and police misconduct. We look forward to continuing our working relationship with the Rochester Police Department and those represented by the Locust Club, as well as the District Attorney's office and the Monroe County Sheriff's Department.

"We will continue to do this, just as we will continue to hold any criminal justice agencies accountable.

"Hate language, including anti-LG BT slurs by anyone, but particularly in this case by law enforcement, who are supposed to protect us, contributes to a violent community. If left unchecked, this violence will escalate."

"Stop Hate Crime" group statement

Stop Hate Crime and Violence, the grassroots group of community activists who organized a protest against police brutality on June 26, issued the following statement:

"Stop Hate Crime is a grassroots group of community activists organized in response to the alleged hate crime and incident of police misconduct that occurred on June 1, 2007. We were the organizers of the protest held on Goodman St. on June 26, and we are galvanized around not only this recent incident, but also around maintaining visibility of issues of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex people and allies, and creating accountability for local law enforcement in how these incidents are addressed.

"We firmly believe that all members of the community, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, disability or orientation have the right to be safe and to expect the police to protect them when their safety is threatened.

"We remain concerned about the police response on the night of the alleged incident, including the failure to accurately assess the situation, to make any appropriate arrests or honor the victims' wishes to file a report. Most importantly, however, we remain discouraged by allegations that RPD officers behaved in a manner that demonstrated clear homophobic bias ... and we believe this bias may be symptomatic of larger supervisory issues within

RPD that must be addressed. "We are distressed by the slow and

seemingly stalled criminal investigation into the hate crime itself, and are frustrated by the fact that, despite the announcement that suspects had been identified, still no arrests have been made more than seven weeks after the incident.

"We feel strongly that police behavior in this incident has highlighted the need for further capacity building and training around cultural competence and sensitivity toward the LGBTQIA community. We firmly believe that RPD must create a long term and multi-layered plan to address these issues - and that the first step in this process lies in officer training. To this end we call on RPD to expand its existing training(s) on sensitivity to sexual and gender-identity minorities AND to implement a mandatory training for all current RPD officers on these issues that will be offered on an ongoing basis to further enhance officers' competence in working with these diverse populations."

June 26 protest The protest against police brutality on

June 26, organized by Stop Hate Crimes and Violence, drew around 100 people, who marched with signs and chanting for two hours at rush hour around the intersection of Monroe Ave. and Goodman St., near where the alleged gay-bashing took place on June 1.

The protest was meant to make the issue visible, organizer BilliJo Wolf told The Empty Closet. All local TV news

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shows covered the protest, as well as a reporter from the Democrat & Chronicle.

The June 26 protestors included a wide range of members of the 19bt community, the GAGV Anti Violence Project, and straight allies.

Background On June 6, the six victims told Mike

Molloy of Channel 8 News that they were attacked on Goodman St. at around 2:30 a.m. on June 1 by two men and two women, who used their fists and a metal rod, and shouted anti-gay slurs. There were actually two attacks within minutes of each other. Two victims were U.S. Marines. Several victims sought medical attention.

The responding officers allegedly let the four assailants leave the scene without taking their names, while arresting three of the six victims for arguing with police. Victims told Channel 8 News that police officers responding on June 1 had manhandled and mocked them, using anti-gay slurs, much as the bashers had done. The officers refused to file a report.

Four of the six victims (David Greenlaw, Josh Lieberman, Christine Herrick and Megan Barrett) filed a civil rights suit in U.S. District Court against the Rochester Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff's Department on June 25, alleging that officers showed deliberate indifference and treated their claims of harassment differently from other types of harassment over an extended period of time, thus failing to protect them . •

a message from the Gay Alliance Board President

By Sue Cowell On June 20 the GAGV held our

Annual Meeting in the GAGV Community Youth Center. The annual gathering is a time to share the previous year's accomplishments. We also recognize and honor our volunteers and staff that make the GAGV as vital today as it was in 1973 when GAGV was incorporated as a Not Profit Organization.

This was also the day that I became the newest in a long line of Presidents of the Board of Directors. I am grateful to get the chance return to where I started my community activism. I visited Rochester for the first time in 1977 to interview for a position at the University or Rochester. I knew I had found a home when I turned on the evening news. I saw the Gay Alliance protesting at City Hall for our Fair Share of federal CETA funds for Job Education and Training. Many people in the larger community did not think the GAGV deserving of government support of our "chosen lifestyle". The lead agency for the administration of the grant was concerned that this would jeopardize their fundraising ability. Fortunately Bill Johnson and the Urban League stepped up to do the job and became our very strong ally.

This moment was the beginning of my engagement as a community activist in Rochester. Thankfully I had a wise mother who allowed me to be me. Myearliest words were "me do" and she always encouraged me to forge my own path. The GAGV provides the same wisdom and support through the volunteers and staff who change lives every day!

I walked through the doors of the GAGV in the fall of 1977 as a 25-year-old young adult. I was welcomed, mentored and supported by so many dedicated, intelligent and compassionate volunteers. I became the President of the Board for the first time in 1979 at the age of 27. I found a home; a community and a life I had never imagined existed for me. I learned to expect support from straight allies such as the Urban League and elected officials like Bill Benet, a County Legislator at that time. I learned to expect the best from people. I learned that we can change history and lives.

The focus of my first message is on the

Sue Cowell (Photo: Garnetta Ely)

Youth activities and services that GAGV provides. I am a living testament to the effect acceptance, support, and out role models can have on the health and happiness of young people. GAGV has a record of accomplishments and will continue the commitment to help change lives.

Please remember this when you are asked to contribute time, money or to buy a ticket to the Annual Picnic. All the money we receive from grants, donors and events go to help support the GAGV programs.

Please visit www.gayalliance.org to download or view the 2006 Annual Report.

Please think about this. Here are just some of the accomplishments of 2006 Youth Program: 200 new youth and young adults joined in Center Activities:

There was an average of 60 youth in the Center every week.

Quarterly youth dances were held and the first ever LGBT youth prom for 150 youth.

We sent the largest contingent of LGBT youth to Equality and Justice Day in Albany.

We held the largest gathering of Youth to Break the Silence ever held at the GAGV in 2007.

Thank you to everyone in this community who works every day to make the world a safer place for our youth and future leaders . •


~ Father's Appeal: Choose to Act By Dennis Shepard, Co-Founder, Matthew Shepard Foundation; father of Matthew Shepard

When my son Matthew was murdered nearly nine years ago, my family had a decision to make. We could mourn Matthew's death privately -- withdrawing into some semblance of seclusion, try to resume our "normal" lives, pretending that nothing had changed --Ior we could use this tragedy to talk about hate and help make Matthew's murder a wake-up call throughout our country. We made our decision -- a choice we consciously and proudly continue to support every day.

Our son died because of hate. He was killed simply because he was gay. For us, our choice was a no-brainer. Not a day goes by that I don't think about Matthew, his spirit, his passion for people, or his smile. And since his death, we have witnessed more acts of hate, bigotry, and injustice against other lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) Americans. For Matthew and all of the other victims, our family has chosen to fight and to act -- to speak out against hate, to come out as allies, and to engage ourselves in the process of change.

Some days are harder than others, but I choose to act for the memory of my son. I choose to act for the memories of the thousands of victims of hate crimes. I choose to act for those that don't have the strength or ability to

act. I choose to act because we, as a nation, cannot afford not to.

I choose to act because I was, and still am, very proud of my son, of who he was and the struggles he h d to overcome to become that man. I choose to act because I never want another LGBT American to go through the fear, the pain, the violence, or the loneliness that Matthew went through on that horrible night. I choose to act because I never want another parent to go through what we went through: the grief, the giant hole in the heart, the bedside vigil, or the realization that holidays, family vacations, and the normal, dull routine of work, home, and life will never, ever be the same.

All of us -- gay and straight alike -- need to act. Hate affects eaeh and everyone of us. It knows no limits, follows no clear set of rules, and has infiltrated our society's most basic institutions. For that reason, I am humbled that the United States House of Representatives has chosen to act, and to do so in Matt's memory, and the United States Senate is poised to follow. They are now taking the first giant steps in making the Matthew Shepard Act the law of our land.

The legislation is simple: to protect people from being attacked, beaten, brutalized, and murdered because of who they are. It's a necessary, measured response to the consequences of hate that took my son away from me and has taken far too many other Americans from those who loved them.

I challenge all of you to follow the

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Choose to erase hate. Today! We all have a responsibility to act. If we don't -- who will?

To find out how to contact your senators, please visit www.MatthewShepard.org . •

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10 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY. NUMBER 404 • AUGUST 2007

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The GAGV Picnic raised around $19,500 for Gay Alliance programs on a beautiful day in Genesee Valley Park. More Picnic info on page C 1.

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The Fresh & Healthy Place To Eat In Rochesterl

View our menu & place orders online at

.hyjea.com

2120 Five Mile, Line Road Penfield Four Corners

586·LOV (568,3)

Carry-oul Delivery - Catering Dine in

~ Youth Pride King McDecent and Queen Eve Black. Below left: The Youth ROTC (Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps) visited from Toronto. Group won the Stonewall Award. Below right: Muthers won Show Stopper.

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Ins_inc_ Salon 24 Hinchey Road

Rochester, New York 14624 585.436.0510

Hours Monday-Thursday: 9am - 8pm Friday-Saturday: 9am - 5pm

Color • Highlights • Cuts • Perms Manicures • Pedicures • Facial Waxing

Featuring: PRESCRIPTION NAILS Full coverage nails designed to perfectly replicate the width, curve

and arc of your natural nails. A healthy alternative to acrylic.

Mention This Ad and Receive 10% Off Your First Visit Walk-ins Welcome • Appointment Appreciated

Opportunities Available For: Colorists, Stylists and Ethnic Stylists

RFhMfl(Fi rst David Gaylord Associate Broker

Phone and Fax: 585-746-7413 E-mail: [email protected]

www.DavidGaylord.com

Now back in the Rochester marketplace with 17 years of real-estate experience

Certified Professional Pet Grooming Pick-up & Drop-off Service Available

(585) 271-2530

THE Barker's Barber James Del Favero 45 Pavilion Street

Rochester, NY 14620

r!i!JlJNJrB (gfJ]] J7JJ1l (llJr[Joa 0 fliIlInIpJ fIIriJJ.JiftI Qolden 'fJort Dim Sum Restaurant

~ Featuring authentic Dim Sum. traditional Chl,._

.~ cuisine. a aophiaUcated yet Vffl caauaJ ambiance. attentive ..;!5.. aervlce. generous portions ~~ " B ~[JJ/~®trlQ)@wD~ '.s., and good value .

.... , ..... ~ "--.....,..~ ................... ~ Il!ik

S i a m Fine Thai Cuisine One block from the War Memorial 280 Exchange

www.thesiamrestaurant.com

Mon.- Thurs. llam- 9pm Frl. & Sat.- 1O:30pm • Closed Sundays

Joe Russo, Psy.D., CGP Licensed Psychologist Certified Group Psychotherapist 25 Canterbury Road, Suite 308 Rochester, New York 14607 Phone: (585) 506-6096 E-mail: [email protected]

T Addiction T Anxiety

T Depression T Grief/Loss

TTrauma T Relationships

* Free 30-minute consultation with this ad.

Howe & Bassett Professional Plumbers Since 1885

271-4040

Jennifer L. Gravitz, Esq. Quality legal senrices provided with

old fashioned care in the privacy of your home or office

BuyinglSelling Real Estate

Wills aDd Estate SeaJement

Consumer Bankruptcy

Name Changes

TI'IIII'IC Violations

Parmership and EsC-Ie PlaD.rung

"IV/AIDS Planning

Uncontested Divorce

Misdemeanor Oifenscs

DWI

3349 Monroe Ave. Suite 344 Rochester, NY 14618 (585) 244-8295

585.256.1780 Hours: Sun .. Tues-Thurs. 101 East Ave. . 11 :30a.m. - 9:30p.m.

Nexlto Hou.e ofSu.hi Fn. & Sal. 11 :30a.m. · 11p.m www.thegoldenport.com Closed Mon.

Rochestef'S Choice Award Winner Nt

for 2002, 2003, 2005 and 20061 ......

Located off the 72 bus route!

101 East Ave. Next to Golden Pori Restsurant

www.thehouseofsushl.com Neo-JspBneae Fusion

Man~~=~!iI:::'~'::t~nce Hours: Sun ., Tues-Thurs.

Rochester's Choice Award

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11 :30a.m. - 9:30p.m. Fri. & Sat. 11 :30a.m. - 11 p.m

Closed Mon.

8e Safe .. .Inspect 8efore you 8uy!

m·· ........ · MILLENNIUM . . • HOME INSPECTIONS

"QUALITY HOME INSPECTIONS BY A REGISTERED ARCHITECT"

585-820-8403 www.millenniumhomeinspections.com


FENWICK CONTRACTING

Design· Drywa ll · Decks· Ca rpentry· Add itions · Pai nt ing.

Repai rs to fu ll replacement. Call 288-0032 for estimates.

Property M anagement· Renta ls· All Areas

of Rochester · 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments.

Ca ll 279-0936 for availability.

Elaine Elkins, M.S. Psychotherapist

244 ... 4837

Individual & Relationship Counseling

Anxiety & Depression Loneliness & Separation

Conflict Resolution Communication Skills Sexual Abuse Recovery Drug & Alcohol Abuse

Grief & Loss

MUSIC FOR ALL OCCASIONS Weddings • Unions • Parties • Picnics • Graduations • Bar Mitzvahs Birthdays • Bat Mitzvahs • Anniversaries • You name it

Chuck Argento 585 529-5544

ANSEL ADAMS FINAL WEEKS!

ENDS SEPT. 3 CELEBRATION OF GENIUS

Ansel Ad:l.Im (American, 1902-1984). CANYON DE CHELLY, A RIZONA, 1942. Gelatin silver prim. G~orgc Eastmall House collection, gift of the photographer. © 2007 The AnseJ Adams Pllbushing Rights Trust.

George Eastman House presents Celebration of Genius, a 15o-work retrospective that spans Ansel Adams's 4o-year career and presents many of his most famous photographs.

This extraordinary exhibition honors the man and celebrates his genius.

...-... GE ORGE EASTMAN ........... HOUSE

900 East Avenue I Rochester, New York 585-271-3361 I www.eastmanhouse.org


HUTHER-DOYLE HELPING YOU PUT THE PIECES BACK

TOGETHER

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THE GAY - LESBIAN - BISEXUAL COMMUNITY

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GLB EXPERIENCED CLINICIAN

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360 East Avenue Rochester, New York 14604

Lake Avenue Baptist Church A WELCOMING & AFFIRMING CONGREGATION

Invites You! 10:00 AM: Sunday morning worship service

11:30 AM: Class on Igbt liberation theology

Childcare & Sunday School for children are available.

Lake Avenue Baptist Church is located just off Lake Avenue near the stop light at 145 Lake Avenue.

For more information phone 585- 458-5765

PERSONAL

Likes to snuggle ...

... right up against you, quiet and close. Very good

listener. Will try not to create a scene in publi0 but when people see the two of

us togetherj heads will turn. Not good at talking on the phone. Please just

come on in!

RICHARD'S fine jewelers

1B55 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14618 Brighton Commons at the Twdve Corners

585.242.8777

More reasons to shop at Wine Sense

• Boutique atmosphere • Limited Production wines at

reasonable prices • Spirits, ports, dessert wines • Free wine and cheese tastings

Friday evenings • Learn while you shop • 200/0 off all mixed cases • Open Sundays 12-5

749 Park Avenue 585.271.0590

www.wedefinewine.com

~ut~ AI ~ellaviaf l(~W·~ NYS Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Over 15 Years Experience

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Specializing In: Depression • Anxiety • Relationships

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Christina Smith CONFIDENTIAL Licensed Massage Therapist DAY, EVE I GAD WEEKEND

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tim

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SPECIALS ALL WEEK LONG CALL FOR INFORMATION

670 University Hvenue • Rochester. ny 14607 • !SUS] ~71 -6930


Auditoliium Centeli 875 E. Main Street, Rochester

Commitment Ceremonies and Parties Accommodating small groups to over 300 guests

• Cathedral Hall available for receptions • • Large ornate conference and meeting areas •

• Ample on site parking •

BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW For more information, call 585-423-0295

VICTOR

1434 Sq. Ft. 3 Bedrooms

1.5 Baths Skylites

Vaulted Ceiling Gas Fireplace

Deck & Garage $104,900

Ron Matter 899-5521 [email protected]

Coldwell Banker Prime Properties

.... ...the truth is that there is nothing noble in being superior to somebody else. The only real nobility is in being superior to your former self..

~ Whitney Young Civil Rights Leader (1921-1971)

.... We welcome you to experience Upperlevel Personal Training & Fitness Center (www.upperlevelpersonaltraining.com)

.... Personal Training, Memberships, Pilates, Yoga, Boxing, Towel Service, Fresh Fruit

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UPPERLEYEL PERSONAL IRAINING &. FIINESS

350 W. COMMERCIAL STREET EAST ROCHESTER, NEW YORK

[email protected] upperlevelpersonaltraining.com

585-385-3847

THURSDAY Sept. 6th Festival Prolram

Release bem DRYDEN THEATRE, GEORGE EASTMAN HOUSE

Be one of the first to get your hands on the 2007 mageOut Festival program.

Start planning your Festival experience and be ready to purchase tickets when they go on sale Saturday, September 15th (be sure to get your tickets early - 8 shows sold out last year).

We'll be making a brief introduction to the Festival with a very special performance by Thomas Warfield, information on special screenings and invited guests, along with a few film sneak previews.

Following the Festival introduction will be the screening of the disco, camp classic, Can't Stop the Music! at 8:00 pm.

Tickets are $6.00 and will be available at the Dryden box office.

~~ To request interpreting services please call the ImageOut of ice at 585-271 -2640. ':II Requests must be made one week prior to event.

vvvvvv.inlageout.org


Wbere it'S IN to be OUT • Greeting Cards • Incense • Stickers

• T-Shirts • Books • Magazines

~~t!~ Check out our large selection of Pride items

including 1's, Banners & Flags, Mugs, Candles & Holders and pet suppl ies

Shop Rochester's largest selection of GLBT themed Mainstream and Adult DVDs and Videos for rent or sale.

PLUS Hundreds of new & previewed DVDs for sale, priced from $5.95 - $19.95

Outlandish Video & Gifts & Leather. 274 North Goodman Street, in the Village Gate Hours: Monday - Saturday, 11 AM - 11 PM and Sundays, Noon - 5 PM • After-hours VideolDVD Drop is Available

Phone: 585.760.8383 • [email protected]

We are Proud to Underwrite In the Life broadcast on WXXI TV at 11:00 PM, Sunday, August 19th

---- ---- -

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Personal Trainer

Ask The Trainer Send your fitn,," and

n~lritlon questions to o~rc:ettified

pelllOnallrUler

AskKeYiOOllgayrpchesleccom

WID drinldng Wine m ilke me rat? WIn .. has "1.,,,y5 been a staple In many p@op ru live!> and i5 Increasingly popular at the di nner table and e.'Vtitn balr5 . I t Is it 'Social drink of choi e.. for many Ind ividuals. especially at holiday evena a n d get togethers "nth friends, Som .. _ ... . ... 1- .... ""' ... ~ .. \.. ....... .. I _ .... _ .... .... w ........ ~

Rochester Weather

17 I 34 11 I l2 15 I l6 17 I 27 Ught Snow Chanc .. Chanc .. Snow of Snow of Snow

Shoyle.rS- Sh o y.ters.

CUrrently , t..ght Sno .. Temp. 32 of Humidi ty , 80"" Wind : SWat 16 mph

Announcements &. Events

~~... Boy Party . Nasty p ts ~:.. Wet underwaiilr c.on'Dtst

host"d b y Ambrosia Salild! $100 Grand prize .

Glrls Night @ Nut" 0', It·s a Girl p"rty. Beer Pong Tournament 9 ' 11

ilnd Drag King Show at 11-We 'r .. serving S6 pitchers till 11!

" We@ye n Ind Hell" Dng Show

I ... ..=:_.::oth .. r spectacul"r - ev@nt: produC'ad bv S.O.u.L. at SUNY Brockport. F"lIturing S-eVll!n ( 7 ) qUl!l!'ns; from the upstate N .. w York ,eglon. In Its 8th year. th .. S .O .U.L.. driOg 5how has conslstentiV sold out .....

1r1·_·~'M'"" . /' ~:. Chorus Winter Concert . , '·C.I.bnlt. ,· the. annual

~-.. Buffillo Gay Men's _. ..l·~ Chorus Winter Concert,

~ .~ 1-_~4 named in honor of It 's ~"::. -.:::; 5th Anniversary, •• 11 b ..

pre5@n ted on Friday, January 19, 2007 at 8 pm at the Unlbirliln Unlvttrs;;ollst Church •••

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... ~~ GayQuestions com GayQuestions .Com


Not all Catholics decry same-sex marriage bill To the Editor:

In the midst of Rochester's annual celebration of Pride, it is particularly frustrating that the Roman Catholic Bishops of New York State have tried to negate the source of our pride yet again.

A few weeks ago they published an article in every Sunday bulletin in the diocese, "Catholics decry same-sex bill" (Catholic Courier, July 14/15, 2007), encouraging the faithful to write their State Assembly Representatives, thanking those who voted against A.8590 which would establish Equal Marriage Rights in New York State and chastising those who voted to support the rights of samesex couples, our relationships and our families.

We, the Community Council of Dignity-Integrity/Rochester, agree that "as citizens, Catholics should always make their voices heard to their elected representatives," and we call upon all those who are faithful to the social gospel to counter this organized effort to negate the source of our pride: our dignity as human persons and the integrity of our loving commitments and our families.

Dignity-Integrity/ Rochester is a small faith community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersexed persons, our families and friends, worshiping in the

a Roman Catholic and Episcopal traditions since 1975, who boldly proclaim our truth: that without our participation the Good News rings hollow. Contact us at 585-234-5092 info-line; www.di-rochester.org.

Community Council of DignityIntegrity/Rochester

Catholic leaders aren't listening to lived faith experiences To the Editor:

On the heels of the publication of Father Richard McBrien's essay "The church should be welcoming to all" (Catholic Courier, July 2007), it is frustrating that the New York State Catholic Conference is once more denying this welcome.

On the weekend ofJuly 14/15 an article was published in every Sunday bulletin in the diocese, "Catholics decry same-sex bill," communicating our bishops' attempt to rally members of the community in opposition to a bill that would provide Equal Marriage Rights in New York State. The headline itself puts out a subliminal message that re-enforces the marginalization of the lesbian and gay members of the church and seeks to undermine the civil rights of same-sex couples.

They can't say "welcome" and expect us to believe it, when we are demonized

ily F •

in the next breath. This is yet another example of our religious leaders failing to listen to the lived faith experiences of the people. Purporting to preserve some objective moral order, they close their ears to the stories that would challenge their comfortable certitude and would deepen their understanding of the human person fully considered. Desiring to advance the common good, they close their eyes to the moral obligation to uphold the rights of every marginalized minority - the very ones whom Jesus always included, even when it created scandal and brought condemnation from the establishment.

Yes, "as citizens, Catholics should always make their voices heard to their elected representatives," but would it not be more faithful to the social gospel to affirm the dignity of every human person and the integrity of all loving commitments, and to establish protections for all families?

Michael J. Nicosia Rochester

Picnic organizer says thank you to everyone To the Editor:

I would like to thank each and every individual who made this event a success. Volunteers came in many forms this year, some gave every Monday evening of

their time and countless hours after their regular jobs to make it happen, others volunteered a few hours out of their day on Sunday to sell tickets, hand out wristbands, or direct traffic, and then there were the people who stayed at the end of the day and helped clean up and take down everything. One cannot forget the individuals who attended and enjoyed the beautiful day that we had.

Our community also deserves a thank you for being wonderful and generous in their donations to the Gay Alliance and its programs. Your ticket purchase not only paid for the production of the picnic, but also helps pay for Gay Alliance programs and services like the Empty Closet newspaper, the youth and antiviolence programs, the speakers bureau and community education to overcome homophobia. If you couldn't make it this year, be sure to join us in 2008.

Each and every year, the Gay Alliance strives to put on an event with a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for each and every individual who attends the picnic. At the conclusion of last year's picnic there were a lot of issues regarding our food pavilion and the amount of time people waited in line. We responded to this by ensuring there were numerous food vendors serving a diverse menu. This year, Abbott's Ice Cream, Cassidy's Hound Dog Barbeque, and Rochester Caterers did an amazing job of making this happen.

I have volunteered to co-chair the picnic committee next year and if anyone would like to join the committee and/ or make any comments or suggestions, please do so via e-mail [email protected] or call the picnic line 244-8640 ext.24. I am eager to improve the picnic. If you did not make it this year, be sure to join us in 2008.

Thank you again, Jeffrey M. Lamica, Co-Chair Pride

Picnic, Gay Alliance Board Member

Restaurant Hours:

Monday -lhursday [Lunch] 11am · 3pm

Friday [Lunch -Dinner] 11am · Bpm

Saturday [Lunch] 11am -3pm

Sunday [Breakfast] Bam -2p

111 Culver Road 442-6514


PRIDE 2007: Sally and Jamie Whitbeck, winners of the Community Business Forum's Lifetime Achievement Award. (Photo by Gerry Szymanski)

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NYS Assembly member Susan John and Monroe County Legislator Harry Bronson. (Photo: Ove Overmyer)

15 o 6 It may have rained on our Parade, but at the Festival Robby Morris ~ discovered "It's raining men."

Misty Walling of Call2Action confronts counter-protestors. (Photo Ove Overmyer)

At the Pride Festival at Village Gate after the parade. Over 10,000 people took part in the Community Business Forum's July 14 events. (Photo: Ove Overmyer)

SOULFORCE: Vanessa and Lisa Fox from the NYCLU, Pam Barres, Anne Tischer and Bess Watts of Rochester with the entire Soulforce contingent. The event was a special panel discussion for NYCLU members on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights and pending legislation which Soulforce participated in July 18 at Downtown United Presbyterian Church.

Angel Collie & Alex Lundey from Soulforce. (Photos: Bess Watts) Kasha Davis in the Parade. (Photo: Susan

Jordan)


NYC Photos by Doug Meszler

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL: Frankie Fuentes and John Battle at the Mothers March Against AIDS Candlelight Vigil on Christopher Street, June 22.

STILL MORE PRIDE: All NYC Pride photos by the fabulous Doug Meszler, Rochester native gone international!

DYKES MARCH FOR JUSTICE: At the 15th Annual Dyke March in Bryant Park on June 23.

POLITICIANS FOR PRIDE: NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Mayor Michael Bloomberg at the 38th Annual LGBT Pride March "United for Equality" on June 24. Quinn is openly lesbian.

NYC PRIDE: Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum (Grand Marshall) at the 38th Annual LGBT Pride March "United for Equality" in Greenwich Village on June 24.


Equalitv leadership Conference

2001

2006 SPONSORS The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley and the Finger Lakes LGBT Workplace Alliance appreciate the continuing partnership of businesses within our community who support our mission and vision. We invite all others from our diverse business community to join us.

Platinum Citi The Student Loan Corporation Eastman Kodak Company Nixon Peabody LLP

Gold ITT The Pride Agenda

Silver Bausch & Lom b Corning, Incorporated Excellus, Blue Cross Blue Shield

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- Ba'Usch&Lomb ---'"'" Johnson & Johnson Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Mark Siwiec and Duffy Palmer

flU ST1UDEHf I.IOAN CORPORATIION

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Kodak EMPIRE STATE PH DE AGENDA FOU ND'ATION

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RCXBESTER

Bronze I I Ace Mailing ace Empire State College ... AILING SERVICES

Imaging Financial Services, Inc., dba: EKCC

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JP Morgan Chase Open Arms MCC The Woolbright Group Thomson West

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Equality Leadership Conference Rochester Riverside Convention Center

Keynote: Kirk Snyder, Author, The G Quotient: Why

Gay Executives Are Excelling as Leaders ... and What Every Manager Needs to Know.

Kirk is nationally recognized as an authority on the contemporary work-place and business leadership. His new book, The G Quotient (Jossey-Bass/Wiley & Sons, 2006), acclaimed as one of the best management books of the year by strategy+business and named to Harvard Business Review's prestigious annual reading list, is changing the way people think about business leadership.

At the USC, Kirk teaches strategies for business communication in both the undergraduate and graduate programs at USC's Marshall School of Business. In addition, he heads his own consulting firm, Equality Career Group, Inc., and speaks nationally on the subject of business leadership, career development and gay workplace issues.

Other activities throughout the day: • A Variety of Workshops and Activities • Leadership Luncheon • Presentation of Business, Media and

Employee Resource Group Awards • Cocktail Reception at the End of the

Day - local jazz band Paradigm Shift will share their upbeat and dynamic brand of mainstream jazz during this 2-hour reception. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will round out the reception.

• A Chance to Win a 2-Night Stay at a B&B

Early Registration begins Aug. 1 Early Registration Fee - $100

(includes conference & choice of lunch) Late Registration begins Sept. 17

Late Registration Fee - $125 (includes conference & choice of lunch)

Luncheon-only Fee - $50 Student Registration Fee - $60

(includes conference & choice of lunch) Final Registration Ends October 12

Go to www.gayalliance.org for payment and registration information.

Don't wait! Sign up today!

For information on conference or sponsorship opportunities, please e-mail, [email protected] or phone (585) 244-8640, ext. 20.

I

@' Ga}lof~!~!!!f~ 875 E. Main Street, S·500 Rochester, NY 14605 www.GayAlliance.org

Request before fill October 5, 2007 IIiIIW

A Finger Lakes LGBT Workplace Alliance

2114 Highland Avenue Rochester, New York 14610

www.FLLWA.org

Roar team members at the Pride Parade. (Photo by Susan Jordan)

Empire State Roar season starts at home Aug. 18 By Jennie A. Bowker

The Empire State Roar has cranked up not only its practices, but several other charitable and fundraising activities during its impressive pre-season rally to make itself known and viable as the area's only women's professional football team in the Women's Professional Football League. The 2007 season begins Aug. 18 at home vs. the Connecticut Cyclones.

Several Roar coaches and players developed and sponsored the first NFL Rochester Junior Player Development clinic in June, at St. John Fisher College in Rochester. Numerous college and high school coaches, youth league directors and volunteers gave five evenings' time to provide at-risk youth with skills and confidence for successful living.

Besides day jobs and volunteer appearances, Roar players are making final preparations for their first 2007 game. In between weekend practices, they've been attending midweek sessions at several statewide locations, to soak up chalk talk, keep conditioned, and drill with specialized position coaching.

The Roar had to break up the hard training with some fun, as it held its second drag show, "Take One For the Team" at Nasty D's, July 7. The fund raising show for the team was emceed by Samantha, and featured performances by players, both newbies and old standbyes.

The hard workouts were abbreviated again for Pride weekend, as the team lobbed footballs back and forth in front of the parade's hundreds of spectators. The gridders wore jerseys and Roar t-shirts adorned with strands of shiny beads as they "floated" down Rochester's Park Ave. and Goodman St. to the crowd's cheers.

The Roar's 2007 season starts at home, facing longtime rivals, the Connecticut Cyclones, plus special guest, the NFL's Cardinal Tony Jor-

dan, on Saturday, Aug. 18. Game time is at 7 p.m., at East Rochester High School.

The following weekend, the Roar's next home game will actually be played at Union College in Schenectady, to highlight the talents of several Albany area and downstate players who have joined the Roar. The Union College game starts at 7 p.m., Aug. 25, at which the Roar will host the new WPFL powerhouse the New Jersey Titans.

Because, over time, the Roar has faced numerous New York City area players, it may find pockets of familiarity within the Titans' players' and staff ranks. But facing the Kentucky Valkyries will be a complete unknown, other than that the WPFLS new southern team may be too green to have gelled in its performance. The Roar greets September as it welcomes the Kentucky Valkyries to its home field on Sept. 1, at East Rochester High School, with a 7 p.m. start.

On Sept. 8, the Roar rests, taking its first bye in its lO-week season, before the team flies to San Diego to fight off the Southern California Scorpions, Sept. 15; then revisits the Valkryies in Kentucky, Sept. 22.

The Roar welcomes new corporate sponsorship, and is still selling space in its 2007 yearbook. It has acquired recent backing of Price Chopper, G. Frederick Schutz, Canandaigua Brew Company, The Launder Mutt pet food supplier of Canandaigua, Luanne Palme, Licensed Sales Agent at HUNT Real Estate, and Lady Luck Tattoo, also of Canandaigua, ImageCare Medical Imaging is sponsoring player Heather Allard. Leaguewide sponsors include CocaCola, Wilson sports products, 0-Pro, and the Arena Football League. To find out about team and player sponsorships, advertising and other promotional opportunities, call team owner Sandra Rogers at (585) 217-7571 or e-mail empirero[email protected].

The latest team and league news are listed at www.theempirestateroar.com and www. womensprofootball.com, the WPFL' s official website . •

Beth Bloom won an award in 2004 from ImageArt for this piece, titled "Three Ladies With Hats."

RoCo to showcase ImageArt this fall By Jonathan Everitt

As ImageOut turns 15 this year, its art show, ImageArt, marks its eighth year as the region's premier GLBT art exhibition. In less than a decade, this annual event has helped introduce dozens of promising artists and poets to a larger audience and encouraged them to express themselves with daring and pride.

Sometimes controversial and always thought-provoking, this juried show returns with a new slate of artists to be showcased this fall, in what ImageArt chair David Hoffend says is one of the most thrilling spaces the exhibit has seen to date: the Rochester Contemporary, or RoCo, 137 East Ave., in downtown's East End.

The exhibit will run Sept. 28-0ct. 14.

New space, perfect location

Having the exhibit at RoCo means more attention for the artwork. "They'll handle our sales and talk to visitors about

Georgia Beers

Local author Georgia Beers wins Lambda Award By Rick Porlier

Georgia Beers was recently awarded the 2007 Lambda Award for Best Romance Novel for her latest novel, Fresh Tracks. The award-winning novel is about old and new relationships colliding in a small space: seven women and seven days in a cabin in the woods.

The awards ceremony took place in New York City at the Fashion Institute with a dynamic crowd, including several famed authors.

the show throughout its run," Hoffend says. "So the work won't just be on display as in years past; it will be supported by professional staff."

The likelihood for foot traffic from festival goers is substantial this year, too, Hoffend says.

"To me, one of the most exciting things about having ImageArt at the RoCo is that it's right in the East End, just a block from the Little Theatre. So it will be great for film festival attendees who want to see the exhibit," Hoffend says.

The RoCo also means a higher profile for featured artists.

"While the ImageArt exhibit is running, there'll be others going on at RoCo, which is great exposure for our artists. It's a wider audience than ever."

ImageArt alum: Wonderful response

ImageArt 2004 award winner Beth Bloom ("Three Ladies with Hats") says anything that supports local artists - and in this case local GLBT artists - is a good thing.

(ImageArt continues page 2)

Beers first found out she was a nominee "because my publisher at Bold Strokes Books (BSB) takes the time and spends the money to nominate everyone of her authors who qualifies for an award. However, I knew I was a Lammy finalist (the original list of nominees is whittled down to five finalists by a panel of 81 judges) because BSB has an author's mailing list. As soon as the finalists were revealed, they were also announced on our list."

(Beers continues page 2)

Section

Meet Lee Wright By Jim Costich

As the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus approaches its 25th year, they welcome the addition of their new music director, Lee Wright.

An active teacher, conductor, church musician, and collaborator, Lee keeps music at the center of each day.

Maintaining a diverse range of musical activities puts Lee into many different artistic arenas in the greater Rochester area. In 2003 he completed a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance with high distinction, as well as the Sacred Music Diploma at the Eastman School of Music, studying with David Higgs.

Lee has served several area churches, including Christ Church Episcopal (downtown) Salem United Church of Chirst, and Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church. Lee currently serves as Director of Music Ministry

Lee Wright, RGMC's new music director

at Downtown United Presbyterian Church where he oversees a dynamic ministry, integrating programs for children and adults, as well as extensive community arts offerings through Downtown Arts Link.

He also maintains a private piano and organ studio, coordinates collaborative community events, and directs the Vivificus! Chamber Players. He is a charter member of the Christ Church Schola Cantorum, which recently released a recording of ancient chant and early motets available from Gothic records. Lee has previously guest conducted the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus, has worked extensively with the choirs at Webster Schroeder High School, and teaches annually at Camp Arts Alive (Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church) . •

2 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 404 • AUGUST 2007

(ImageArt continued from page 1)

"I first entered ImageArt in 2003 and I had such a wonderful local response to my work that I decided to continue to enter and support the project any way I can," Bloom says.

Putting your work out there can be intimidating. But having a venue like ImageArt can help to coax people out of their shells.

"I applaud all of the GLBT artists and poets who have entered their work for public scrutiny," Bloom says.

Lifting up local artists The show also gives local patrons a

chance to reacquaint themselves with the latest work from local artists.

"I think local artists tend to be overlooked locally because familiarity breeds a lack of interest," Bloom says. "But I find my work is warmly accepted outside of our locality."

ImageArt is setting out to change that by raising the visibility of the Rochester GLBT community's top artistic talent.

"We always try to include as many artists as possible," says Hoffend. ''And still maintain a high standard for work we show."

About ImageOut 2007 marks the 15th Anniversary of

ImageOut. The festival informs, entertains, educates, and enriches filmgoers through the exhibition of film and videos by and about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. ImageOut encourages lesbian and gay filmmakers, who, as a group, are rarely seen in mainstream media. It's an opportunity to record and preserve the stories and histories of LGBT lives and to foster collaborations and conversations to break down social and cultural barriers concerning lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. For more information, visit www.imageout. org, e-mail Bruce Colburn at imageout@ rochester.rr.com or call (585) 271-2640.

ImageArt 2007 details ImageArt/Gallery: The exhibit will be

featured at Rochester Contemporary, 137 East Ave., Sept. 28 through Oct. 14.

ImageArt/Poetry: The poetry reading will return to Equal=Grounds coffeehouse, 750 South Ave., Sept. 29. The reading will again take an "open mic" format, and is not juried, but poets are asked to pre-register.

Artists sought To be eligible for ImageArt, artists

must be LGBT and out, and may submit their best work in any mediumpainting, sculpture, multimedia, etc. However, the work itself does not have to have an LGBT theme.

Artwork will be for sale unless artists request otherwise. Artists whose work sells during the exhibit will receive 65 percent of the proceeds. The remaining 35 percent will go to the gallery and ImageOut.

Three $200 Juror's Awards for fine art and one $200 Audience Choice Award for poetry will be presented at the exhibit's opening night and the poetry reading, respectively. To submit your work, visit www.imageout. org/imageart, download the entry form, and follow the instructions. If you are unable to print the form, contact the ImageOut office at imageout@rochester.rr.com or (585) 271-2640 and a form will be mailed to you. Deadline for entries is Sept. 14, 2007 . •

(Beers continued from page 1) Her reaction to being a final

ist? "Stunned. Flattered. Giddy." Being nominated for an award can make one feel all three of those emotions. The fact is that people outside Beers' close circle of her wife, friends, and family noticed the quality of her work.

"That was the most incredible aspect of the whole thing. You're right, it's almost expected for my partner or my family or my editor to tell me they like my stuff, but to have complete strangers, respected and dignified strangers besides, decide that my work is worthy of an award as big as a

Lammy. That was beyond amazing. It leaves me speechless. I really don't have any good words to describe the feeling. Some writer I am, huh?"

Beers did find words to describe how the evening progressed for her. "Once I won, then I was floating. I don't remember a lot after that. Before my award, I paid close attention and was trying hard to take everything in. I wrote up every single thing I could recall as soon as I got home because I was afraid it would start to fade away."

The awards followed the Oscarstyle where nominees were announced first and then the winners. "Christopher Rice gave a little speech about lesbian romance. Then he announced each finalist and recited a little blurb about each one. There was a huge screen behind him where the book covers were projected."

Receiving a big award that garners attention for the author leads to the inevitable question: what does winning this award mean for your career? It is one thing to be a finalist for the award. Winning creates a different perspective.

Beers replied eloquently, "The Lammy especially is a pretty big deal, bigger than I thought and at the risk of sounding self-centered, I think it will bring my writing a little more respect and me a little more clout. A lot of people in the LGBT writing world refer to the Lammy as the Gay Oscar for Writing. I will now and forever be 'Lambda Literary Award-Winning Author Georgia Beers' and that's an incredible thing to be able to say. I know of some unbelievable authors who've never won this award, so to say I'm flattered and humbled doesn't begin to describe it. I'm so proud of Fresh Tracks and to know others found it award-worthy is the highest of compliments to me."

It is one thing to be a finalist for the award. Winning elevates the attention an author receives and the self-examination intensifies. Beers admitted to having several feelings regarding her future as a writer. ''I'm excited and proud and energized. I'm also worried and self-conscious because I feel a bit more pressure. I don't want to let anybody down; I don't want anyone to think the awards this year were flukes."

While at the sold out awards at the Fashion Institute on Seventh Avenue, Beers took in the crowd. ''I'm not sure of the exact number of people, but the place was packed. Men and women, dressed to the nines. The whole place just hummed with excitement."

Included in the crowd were other famous writers. "Katherine Forrest, who is a lesbian icon in the writing world and who wrote so many classics like Curious wtne. Alison Smith, our own Rochester-born author who got a Lammy for Name All the Animals. (N ovelist) Christopher Rice presented my award. He was charming and funny. Comedienne Kate Clinton was there and opened the ceremony. Alison Bechdel, who draws the Dykes to Watch Out For comic strip and who wrote the Time Magazine Book of the Year, Fun Home, got a Lammy and was also a presenter."

Another inevitable question is, What is the next novel about? Beers answered, "It's, surprise, a romance! It's about two women dealing with their own demons as they unwittingly fall for each other. One has lost her partner in a car accident and is trying to learn that it's possible (and OK) for her to love again. The other is dealing with the way her childhood affected her adult personality and makes her behave the way she does as she tries everything in her power not to fall for this new woman in her life. It's a little different in that I don't think there have been a lot of lesbian novels that deal with the death of a spouse when the surviving one is under 40, so I'm hoping it's a little unique to people." •

Entertainment Hotline By Sherrill Fulghum

George Michael While Americans were pmmg over

Paris Hilton and her latest life crisis, British pop star George Michael appeared in court to answer charges. Michael pleaded guilty to driving while unfit. Michael received 100 hours of community service, was charged a fine of $4,622, and is banned from driving for a period of two years.

Michael issued a statement berating the media for their coverage of events. He also accepted responsibility for the charges. Michael said that he was ready to put the event behind him and continue with his 25 Live tour which opened the new Wembley Stadium in London on June 10.

Tupperware Drag Queen Drag Queen Dixie Longate has been

selling Tupperware since 2001. She has

since discovered a new method for selling the plastic storage containers ... with a 90 minute stage show.

Longate who admits to owning at least one of all 450 items sold by Tupperware, involves the audience in her show and after the show audience members may buy the product. At first the Tupperware company was not sure what to make of Longate and her method of selling but they love her sales. The show by the Mobile, Alabama native has been running since April 18 and extended its run due to demand.

Centaur Music Three new releases from Centaur

Music are available in time for the summer season.

Global Groove Live is the official CD for the Global Groove Tour and is the latest offering in the Global Groove series from DJ David Knapp. The CD is a collection of dance tunes from artists around the globe.

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AUGUST 2007 • NUMBER 404 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET B 3

One Mighty Weekend makes a return with volume 2 from DJ Roland Belmares. And DJ Randy Bettis returns with volume 4 of the Gay Days series.

Rufus Wainwright Rufus Wainwright's new CD is

"Release the Stars", Dream Works/2007; www.rufuswainwright.com; www. myspace.com/rufuswainwright

Born on July 22, 1973 in Rhinebeck, N.Y. to Canadian singer Kate McGarrigle and American folk singer Loudon Wainwright III, Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright was destined to play music. Rufus began taking piano lessons at age six and by the time he was 13 he was traveling and performing with mom, Aunt Ann, and sister Martha. Raised by his mother in Montreal, young Rufus began receiving award nominations at age 14.

Since then, besides recording a number of his own albums Rufus has written songs for and/or appeared on Shrek, Brokeback Mountain, Bloom, Meet the Robinsons, History Boys, The Myth of Fingerprints, and Big Daddy. Rufus also recorded the only French song, "Complainte de la Butte," in the movie Moulin Rouge. A big opera fan, Rufus has been commissioned by the New York Metropolitan Opera to create an original work.

Wainwright's latest album "Release the Stars" is a work that goes far beyond the folk singing talents of his father Loudon. Dedicated to his mother, Rufus originally intended for the album to be a stripped-down, bare bones affair.

Recorded in Berlin, "Release the Stars" is a study in polyphonic composition similar to the works made popular by classical music composers of the twentieth century. Among the artists that appear on "Release the Stars" are sister Martha and Neil Tennent of The Pet Shop boys. Sian Phillips of "1, Claudius" fame also contributes a spoken word piece to the album on "Between My Legs," which also contains a sampling from Andre Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera."

Wainwright said that he composed the album's first single, "Going to a Town," in about five minutes while waiting for a dinner guest to arrive. Rufus says that he thinks everything he writes is genius - even if it isn't. While the lyrics are sometimes nonsensical and confusing, the music on "Release the Stars" is indeed an incredible piece of work.

Corbin Bleu "Another Side" from Hollywood

Records/2006 www.corbinbleu.com www.myspace.com/corbinbleu Still in his teens, this young perform

er has already done more than many people have in a lifetime. Following in his father's footsteps, Corbin Bleu began appearing in commercials at age two.

Born in 1989, Corbin filled the spot vacated by performer Ari Gold as a child commercial actor. Corbin began modeling at age four. In 1998 the family moved across the country from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, where Corbin also followed in his mother's footsteps by attending the school for performing arts. Corbin Bleu become one of the first students to enroll in dancer, actor and choreographer Debbie Allen's Dance Academy.

Corbin has continued acting, appearing in television and movies. But now he has added a singing career to his credits with a new album ''Another Side". A collection of pop, dance, and hip-hop type songs Corbin's sound is very much like that of the early boy bands New Kids on the Block or Take That. The boy band sound has not died away, only passed down to a new generation.

While Corbin Bleu does not have a distinctive or unmistakable voice that will stand out in the crowd, he does have a voice that is pleasant and easy to listen to. His videos and shows are full of dance routines and singing like a mini Broadway musical that appeals to a wide base of fans, especially the young girls.

Geva holds acting, singing auditions

Geva Theatre Center will be holding general auditions for both acting and singing.

The acting and singing auditions will take place on Monday, Aug. 13 from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. and the acting auditions will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Non-Equity actors are welcome.

Requirements for the acting auditions include a headshot, resume, and two contrasting monologues -- not to exceed four minutes total combined length. For the singing audition a headshot, resume, 16 bars of music and sheet music in the correct key are all required. There will be an accompanist on site.

All auditions will take place at Geva Theatre Center, 75 Woodbury Boulevard. To make an appointment, call 232-1366, ext. 3052. Those who were at the 2006 acting auditions cannot repeat an acting audition at this time; however, they are still eligible for a singing audition. You must be 18 or older to audition.

ImageOut 2007 program will come out at Sept. 6 film party at the Dryden

Get a first peek at this year's ImageOut film lineup at the ImageOut Program Release Party, 7 p.m., Sept. 6 at the Dryden Theatre, George Eastman House, 900 East Ave.

It's a chance to brush up on what's ahead for ImageOut this fall, so you can snap up your tickets right when they go on sale Sept. 15. (Eight shows sold out in 2006. Don't miss out.)

The release party will be the first place 2007 programs are available, and will also feature free posters and giveaways. Following the party, the Dryden Theatre presents "Can't Stop the Music" at 8 p.m. In a tribute to the time period featured in the film (the 1980s), a short, lively revue of memorable pop culture will run right before the screening.

For film ticket information, visit dryden. eastmanhouse.org. For more information about ImageOut, visit www.imageout.org, e-mail Bruce Colburn at imageout@rochester.rr.com or call (585) 271-2640.

Let Me Entertain YOU: what's queer on screen and on TV this month By Robby Morris

ON THE BIG SCREEN: If you enjoy the adventure and whim

sical fantasy of the Harry Potter films and the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, you will want to check out the new movie Stardust, which opens August 10.

This film, adapted from the novel by Neil Gaiman, is the story of a young man's quest to find a fallen star that will win him the affection of the girl he loves. Unfortunately, there are several others looking for this fallen star as well, most of whose pursuits are for less than noble reasons.

Featuring Claire Danes (My So Called Life), Ricky Gervais (The UK smash The Office) and Michelle Pfeiffer (also in this summer's Hairspray), there is already Oscar buzz for the standout performance of Robert DeNiro, who takes on the role of the eccentric and flamboyant (is he gay?) Captain Shakespeare.

Brazen-Faced Varlets, a theatre group dedicated to promoting women and providing positive and plentiful opportunities for female performers, will present the world premiere of Shawn Northrip's A Midsummer Dyke's Dream at the 2007 Buffalo Infringement Festival, featuring Kelly Beuth, Heather Fangsrud, Lara Haberberger and Katie White. Performance dates and times: Wednesday, Aug. 1, 7-8:30pm (Rust Belt Books, 202 Allen St., Buffalo); Thursday, Aug. 2, 8:45-10pm (Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave., Buffalo); Saturday, Aug. 4, 4pm-5:30 (Rust Belt Books) Sunday, Aug. 5, 4:30-6pm( Hallwalls). All tickets are $5.

Buffalo's "Infringement Festival" celebrates art under the radar

Over 250 events. More than 25 venues. More than 130 separate projects, including plays, concerts, exhibitions, and much more, from the early afternoon until the wee hours of the night.

The festival runs through Aug. 5. Full information is at the Festival website: www.infringebuffalo.org and the Festival hotline: (716) 408-0488.

In three short years, "Infringement" has become one of the most talked-about highlights of summer in Buffalo. Traveling from one venue to another, audiences encounter all sorts of activities, including (but hardly limited to) experimental and conventional theater, bands of every stripe, stand-up comedy, political street theater, dance, film and video screenings, hip-hop poetry, gender-bending cabaret, puppetry, pyrotechnics, virtual reality, visual art exhibitions, and a late-night "self-serve" Shakespeare reading.

No less than 10 separate music show-

ON THE SMALL SCREEN: I have to admit, when I first heard

that LOGO was debuting a series based on the animated shorts of Rick & Steve (those Lego looking, homo loving characters you may have heard of or seen in an earlier incarnation), my initial thought was not one of happiness.

Though I was a fan of them, didn't we already have Drawn Together, The Simpsons, and South Park to cover our bases? Boy (and Girl), was I wrong! Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple In All the World, which made its television debut July 10 (and will soon be released on DVD Aug. 28), is a deliciously disturbing romp and a must see for anyone who rebels against political correctness!

Though it looks like a kids' show, it is VERY adult, featuring some of the campiest and cattiest dialogue and situations on gay television, poking fun with a wink and nod at how, though we protest, stereotypical the gay community can really be. Lending their voice talents to this series are gay icons Alan Cumming

cases in venues all over Buffalo will mix hometown favorites with intriguing visitors. No single style or aesthetic predominates throughout the festival; some events are intended for mature audiences, while many are suitable for viewers of all ages.

All of this will take place in such diverse spaces as Rust Belt Books, Staples, Nietzsche's, Squeaky Wheel, Merlin's, the Crane Library, Hallwalls, and Soundlab, among others; at times, Allen Street itself will serve as a stage. Each event has a separate admission fee of $10 or less, with many productions being presented either free of charge or on a pay-what-you-can basis. All income from each project will go directly to the artists involved.

The Buffalo festival is the result of many months of planning by an ad hoc, non-hierarchical collection of volunteers from the local theater and arts community and is part of an international circuit of summertime "infringement" festivals. (For more information on events in other cities, see www. infringementfestival.com.) •

(this month's DVD release Bam Bam & Celeste), Peter Paige (Queer As Folk), and Wilson Cruz (Noah's Arc). For airdates or more information check out www.happiestgaycouple.com!

NEW TO DVD: Mark your calendars for Aug. 14,

which finds two highly anticipated films making their way to DVD.

First up, there's Bam Bam & Celeste, written by and starring Margaret Cho. This delightful movie spins celebrating diversity, getting your freak on, and rising above society's expectations and perceptions of what true beauty is with over the top humor and just the right amount of poignancy. Co-starring fellow stand-up Bruce Daniels, watch for special appearances by Alan Cumming (Reefer Madness), Jane Lynch (The L Word) and Kathy Najimy (Say Uncle).

A film festival favorite, Boy Culture, also comes to DVD on this date. Based on the novel by Matthew Rettenmund and directed by Q Allan Brocka (the man who brought us Eating Out and the previous mentioned Rick & Steve), this laughter filled drama explores the lives of three friends/roommates and how their individual pursuits of love (and sex) end up colliding under their own little roof. Darryl Stephens (Noah from the popular Noah's Arc) stars as Andrew and Brocka film staple Emily Brooke Hands (Gwen in the Eating Out films) is featured.

Remember, all dates are subject to change!

Questions or Suggestion? E-mail: [email protected]! •


Book Review: GENOERQUEER By Kitty Moran

For many years I have believed that transgender struggles are an integral part of all queer struggles, however I have never seen such a cogent argument to back that up as I did in GENDERqUEER, edited by Joan Nestle, Clare Howell, and Riki Wilchins.

Riki Wilchins makes the argument that in our male dominated society, all gender is drag, and any non-male, nonheterosexual is gender queer. An extreme position, true, but her arguments are cogent and usher in a new paradigm.

She describes how we each choose our clothing and our hairstyles as an expression of our gender, but that those "trappings" are often simply a way to express a gender that mayor may not be comfortable for any given individual. She also says that those trappings are the primary way that we announce to the world what gender we identify ourselves to be and who we are attracted to.

Wilchins continues by describing what she believes is universal self-hatred and feelings of inferiority in women. At first I disagreed wholeheartedly. That simply has not been my personal experience. I grew up in a family in which women held the power and my mother instilled in me feelings of pride and joy in my female-ness. But, keeping an open mind, I read on and began to see how Wilchins' assumptions may indeed be

true for the vast majority of females in this society.

Certainly the societal norms are clear. Men, mostly white men, still dominate both politically and economically in most of the Western world. And when women do compete in those arenas, they compete on men's terms; rarely does their "feminine side" get a lot of opportunity to shine in those positions of power.

Each day throughout the year I witness youth who are harassed for "transgressing" the gender norms. The author uses this elongation of "trans" as a way of saying that the umbrella term for anyone who operates outside of the tiny window of acceptable gender behavior is "transgressing" the norms.

Wouldn't it be more useful to define it more similar to "trans atlantic" or "as translating," as in creating and building a bridge between?

We in the gay community need to address our own internalized gender rules, which lead to internalized homophobia and transphobia. It is only in addressing the beliefs that have been foisted upon us and by exorcising them, that we can begin to accept all expressions of gender and sexuality.

We come in all shapes and types. We are sissy boys and deisel dykes, we are drag queens and lipstick lesbians we fall within the "norms" and way outside of them. We are visible and invisible, obvious and subtle. And ALL those expressions of who we are equally valid, and yes, even precious.

Legislating change is important and I urge as many as possible to join us in Albany next year to lobby for GENDA. But the most important change begins with one heart. Yours, mine and all the people we touch each day. It is only by looking into our own hearts and embracing whatever little gender outlaw might be living there that we can usher in a new world.

Riki Wilchins closes her section with the following paragraph:

"With gender stretched across the whole surface of individuals' relations with society, maybe it's time to quit attacking the problem piece-meal, waiting for the next issue to appear on the front page of The New York Times. Maybe it's time to acknowledge gender stereotypes as a problem we all share, a central concern, a way to come together: a human rights issue for alL"

Book Review: MICHAEL TOLLIVER LIVES By Alan D. Van Camp

Michael Tolliver Lives, by Armistead Maupin. HarperCollins 2007.

Are you a fan of the Tales Of The City series? There were six books in all, published between 1978 and 1989. The first three were turned into miniseries, which are in constant repeat on Logo, and available on DVD.

Have you wondered what happened to the characters you loved? Have you

missed them? Were you hoping for an update? Now, nearly 20 years later, Armistead Maupin has written a new book to delight fans of the series, and yet it is an easy read for someone new to the group of gay, lesbian, straight, and transgendered friends in San Francisco.

Michael is now 55, still alive, living and loving life to the fullest and on his own terms. The other books featured a large ensemble cast, but this is Michael's story. He narrates it, but all the characters you love are a part of it. Backgrounds are explained, in case you forgot or are new to the group, and the intervening years are filled in, but we are definitely in 2007 and this is Mike talking. Paris Hilton, internet hook-ups, American Idol, and Mr. Bush all get their mentions, and Maupin's political viewpoint shines through.

Many people have said that "Michael" is really autobiographical. If Michael is a piece of Armistead, then he's a man we'd all like to meet. This is the story of a boy who has loved, lost, and finally learned to love himself as a middle-aged man. It is a wonderful, joyous read about an average gay man with an ordinary life and the little miracles that make each day worth living. It gives hope to each of us as we age.

This is a great summer read. Enjoy it in the shade or by the pool. Laugh out loud, and share your joy . •

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'sts The opinions of columnists, editorial writers and other contributing

writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the collective attitude of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley or The Empty Closet.

Growing Up WILL YOU MAKE ME HAPPY?

By Eric Bellman There's a look

gay men have that I find disconcerting. No, not a fashion style, not the muscle tee or shaved head, not the skinny black pants of the too-cool-for

you hipster type, nope, none of that drag. It's a facial expression, a look in the eyes. It's the look of longing, of unmet needs, of desperation.

You don't come up against the look all the time. Certainly not with couples on line at the movies, or engaged in rapt conversation over dinner. Those guys, proudly linked, seem content. Actually, sometimes they push it beyond contentment towards smugness. "We are partnered, aren't we grand," their smiles declare. The baby haulers have a different look; their self-satisfaction has a slightly weary tinge. Maneuvering baby strollers up and down subway stairs or in and out of elevator is hard work.

It's single men who have that troubling, troubled look. It's all about being alone, not having been picked, and by extension, one presumes, not being loved, or loved enough. It's the depressing side of cruising. There was a time when that hunted, hunting look was more conspicuous. Not all the time, maybe not at work, but later in the day, on the way home, or out at night, on the prowl.

Maybe I notice the look more now because it's become a bit rarer. Now it kind of just pops out, almost a surprise, but with a bitter memory; that's how it once was. Well, more men are in relationships now; perhaps the median level of happiness has risen.

What pisses me off about the look are a couple of hunches I have. One is that the man with that look is stuck in prowl mode, is insincere. The hunt has become the whole story. He wouldn't know what to do if he found a relationship. That's too complex. It's like the dog who barks and chases a passing car. He doesn't plan to catch the car. What would he do if he actually caught the car? Zip. This man is not actually seeking love.

Another notion that I have is that the man is weighing options. He is thinking about trading up. He doesn't simply want a boyfriend. God knows there are plenty of unclaimed candidates lying around. He wants a better boyfriend. He even might want your boyfriend. Especially if your look is a very happy one. His look implies envy and a kind of greed. The bearer of that look would, if he could, snatch your happiness away from you in a heartbeat. Gay life is not famous for being peopled by highly generous types. I have this nagging suspicion, what do you think?

The reason the look freaks me out is that for eons it was my look. I churned through life hungry, desperate for an other to fill the gaps, heal me, all unwittingly for sure. I recognize the look. As luck would have it, luck and therapy and time, I am a different person. Why aren't I more compassionate? Maybe it's my German heritage. Or possibly it's just that I'm an observer, a writer, the critic's

nature. I remain a bit harsh in my judgments. Or maybe the look just scares me, reminds me of the terror I knew as a younger person, so afraid, so lonely.

Having grown older, I have come to terms with the circumstances of the past. I've been seasoned by loss: family deaths, lovers lost, friends' sickness, the realities of life. I recognize my personal hard-won growth as well as the changes in how being gay meshes with the larger culture and how, indeed, gay life has evolved. For all that remains to be changed, a lot of good stuff has come along.

Several years ago, a good chum asked me if! was happy. "Sure," I replied. "You mean you think everything is going to turn out all right?" he growled.

"I have no idea how things are going to turn out," I answered. For me, how things turn out, who gets elected -- that sort of stuff - is largely beside the point. I have little or no control over those matters. My happiness hinges on externals only to the degree that I can foster some level of realness within the situations I experience.

The most significant realization is to stay in the moment. Engage strangers, appreciate the unexpected, reduce expectations. What happened over time is that I figured out I had to be independent. No one was going to take care of me. Just as well to wipe that look off my face. Go to the movies alone if that's how the day unfolds, but horse around with the ticket taker. Somehow make each moment count.

Of course I'm happy. Happy enough. E-mail: ELBCAD@RITEDU

Without a Safety Net SOS PART 2

By Troy Robinson When we last

left our semi-young hero Troy, he was stricken with a gay panic since having been invited to his first gay wedding but was suddenly single again after

dating someone for six months. Thinking this was an opportunity to

meet other available gay men, he asked his female roommate, Mary, to accompany him to the ceremony. This way he had someone to talk to at the reception while still being able to send out the "I'm available" vibe. (How does one send out the ''I'm available" vibe without coming across as ''I'm desperate" or ''I'm a stalker"? And does one use puffs of cologne in a similar manner as the Native Americans did with smoke signals? One puff =

You're hot! Two puffs = Let's get coffee. Three puffs = You stink!)

But now Troy had to contemplate the inevitable dilemma of what to wear. Having the fashion sense of a blind circus monkey, Troy knew he faced what could potentially result in social suicide. We now return to the conclusion of our regularly scheduled column as Troy considers going in to the vast wasteland known as the mall.

I hate the mall. The mall is filled with maraud

ing packs of Abercrombie zombies and cliques of Gap girls.

And I never feel pretty in a mall. There is too much unnatural lighting

and too many mirrors that exaggerate all my bad features. (Is my ass really the size of a Mini Cooper?)

But I felt the need to at least attempt to search for something nice to wear to the gay wedding, so before I knew it I was dragging myself down to the local mall. (Which I truly believe is the second level in Dante's inferno. The first level being the DMV office.)

As I wandered aimlessly throughout hell. .. I mean the mall; out of nowhere I entered a wonderful land where there were rows upon rows of dress shirts in shades of colors that actually matched my skin tone. I actually enjoyed the selection of dress slacks that were neatly hung in a manner that would make a Marine sergeant proud. And there was a vast array of ties in every fabric, pattern, and color under the sun.

I had found my fashion Mecca. I was in Macy's. Before I could even consider looking

at the dress socks, I was having my neck and arms measured to determine my shirt size. (I'm proud to report that my neck is nowhere near the same circumference as my waist. Whew!)

I proceeded to pick out a nice black dress shirt and gray slacks. And then all by myself I chose a tie with a silver sheen to it that had light pink circular designs. The tie complemented both the shirt and the pants. It was gay, but not too gay.

I felt like such a big boy. And as if to reward me on my good

fashion taste, a Macy's sales clerk assisted me in opening a store account with a Macy's credit card that has an APR of only 21 percent! I was so lucky.

My good fortune continued when a Macy's perfume counter girl helped me select a brand of cologne to wear to the gay wedding. And once it again it was purchased with the use of my brand new Macy's card (with only 21 percent interest rate!!!).

I went through my pre-gay wedding checklist:

1) Date - Mary 2) Clothes 3) Gift cards 4) Work out like a fiend for the next

two weeks 5) Stop eating carbs Before I knew it the big gay wedding

day was here. I was so nervous one would have thought I was the bride.

As Mary and I entered the East Avenue mansion where the commitment ceremony and the reception were to be held, heads turned to see who the new arrivals were. For many of my friends this would be the first time they would see me dressed up (Look Ma! He's wearing his fancy church-going clothes!) and without a baseball cap on my head.

And although there wasn't the sea of available men that I was hoping for (I should have known, in a small city, that I was going to know practically everyone on the guest list), the ceremony was beautiful.

The two grooms looked handsome and in love.

The ceremony had moments of laughter and tenderness.

The reception was casual and comfortable with great food, conversation, and camaraderie.

The whole evening had only strengthened my belief that I am meant to find someone to love as well. I only wish there would have been the traditional throwing of the bouquet. I had brought my catcher's mitt (OK, easy with the whole catcher versus pitcher jokes) and was feeling lucky that night.

I'm also happy to state that my outfit was a success.

I had received nine compliments. Four were from women and five were from men.

And I'm also happy to report that I was asked for my phone number. I'm sure he just wants to ask where I shop for my clothes. BUT I'M STILL COUNTING IT AS A SUCCESS!

Email: [email protected]

Cleaning My Closet HOME

By Meredith Elizabeth Reiniger

"THEY ONLY HAVE ONE BED!" It happened the first time that Uncle Sammy and Aunt Catherine visited our home. Although they, by

generation and religion, were probably homo-wary, they loved their niece, my then-partner K. Their teenaged son AJ was with them. Cousin AJ was hearing impaired and subtlety impaired. And caring.

Amazed by what he saw upstairs, AJ turned to his silent parents with his offer. His usual high volume was amplified by his shock. "I HAVE TWO! I'LL GIVE THEM ONE OF MY BEDS." And again he volunteered the painfully obvious fact: "THEY'VE ONLY GOT ONE BED."

The proverbial closet door hung wide open. Of course we knew, when we opted for two studies in our "three bedroom" house, that we were making a statement or two. One statement was about our preferences for space usage. A room of one's own, Virginia Woolf style. The other statement was, "We are partners, lovers, lesbians, and we share our lives and our bed." Thus, we had decided that when we invited people to our house, when we agreed to show them around our home, we would willingly escort them into our truths. We trusted that their love for us would soothe any culturally imparted discomfort.

Three years ago, when wife-womyn and I bought our Webster house, we made a similar decision about the three upstairs rooms. Our "room of one's own" gives us each a place to display our favorite things without using a committee meeting for approval. Each room is a sacred place where a pile of papers can remain unmoved. A sacred place where the words "messy" and "cluttered" are never spoken. We knew that separate havens were integral parts of our wellbeing.

What we didn't know was the level of acceptance, or not, that we would experience when we moved to our not-the-city town. Our house is embedded in woods and brambles on three sides. It faces, across the street, a nearly empty lumberyard that has only two occupied buildings. No neighbors in sight. But the long time residents of this hitherto rural area knew we were there.

One day, while we were out shopping for more plants, two good neighbors from down the road left us a surprise. A luscious apple pie was on our porch with a note: "Welcome to the neighborhood. Sorry we missed you, Flo and Nancy."

The wommin had left their phone numbers, so of course I called to thank them and to invite them to visit. Yes, they would love to see the transformed 1824 farmhouse, remodeled, re-Iandscaped, and re-occupied. Flo, when she was a teenager, had been the babysitter for the longtime former family. This house was a piece of her history.

Would our family, I wondered, easily fit into her current history. What about the closet door. Nonetheless, boldly I walked them through our life. They commented about the artwork on our walls, our unusual decorative touches, and our friendly dogs and cats. No bed count mentioned. In fact, there was not a flinch as we toured the one-bed abode.

Soon there were more good neighbor events. When the John Deere broke down right near the road one afternoon, wife-womyn left it there and waited for the repair person to return her call. But early next morning, Flo came trotting down our driveway. She was there to help push the tractor up to the house because she was worried that "someone might think that it was on the curb, to be gleaned." So the lesbian and her neighbor


pushed the tractor up the long hillock to safety. That evening, neighbor Flo brought her husband ... he knows these machines ... over to fix it for us.

The next Deere event presented a physics problem: How steep is the hill at the side of the driveway and at what angle must the driver approach the incline. Answer unknown. Physics problem #2: when a heavy riding tractor tips over on its side, how many lesbians does it take to pick it up. Answer unknown.

Lo and behold, when wife-womyn returned from work the next day, she discovered her dearly beloved tractor sitting upright in the middle of the yard. At first she asked in amazement, "Did you move the Deere?" "No, I thought you did," I answered. And then we laughed at the absurdity of either possibility. So what neighbor saw another neighbor in need and quietly helped solve the dilemma? Answer unknown, three years and many inquiries later.

Even without right-next-door neighbors, we have felt welcomed. The people who work across the street wave at us every day as they come and go. A man from the parks department came by to compliment our garden additions. Good neighboring is a feeling willingly offered.

At the beginning of the first autumn in our new residence, the area experienced an unusually heavy and long rain. Alone at home, I watched as the flood waters moved up the hill, watched as the driveway was covered with swirling rapids, and watched the clock to estimate whether wife-womyn would return home before our new-to-us house was submerged. (Perhaps I exaggerated.) The only thing I could think to do was turn on every light in the house. It just felt safer that way. It was worth a try; the lights had always saved me from the boogeyman in my mother's fruit cellar.

When the water had risen within seven feet of our front porch, a truck sloshed up the driveway. Out stepped a county engineer. Handing me his business card, he explained, "Some of your neighbors were worried about you, so they asked me to see if you're OK." How kind of him to take the time from his work of closing down the road. How extraordinary that our out-of-sight neighbors understood that I was home alone, that they cared enough to send help.

By the time wife-womyn returned from work, both the road and our driveway were swamped. The flooding waters were so close to our porch that it felt like we were at a cottage. Her first question ... oh how I had envisioned her arms encircling my waist, her tears of relief sprinkling my furrowed brow, her sweet breath caressing my flushed cheeks, her wailing "my dear, my dear, thank god you are alive!" ... but no, her first words were "What, are you crazy? Why did you turn on all the lights?" Alas, lesbian romance meets the electric bill.

Rather quickly, we gave up our annoyance with each other's perspec-

tive and stood amazed as mother nature altered our front acre. Soon, we both had to laugh at some young neighbor boys standing at the edge of our flooded yard, all three dressed in bathing trunks. One of the boys jumped into the water, swam toward us, and gave us a neighborly wave. And a big, little-boy grin.

Wife-womyn and I waved back. Good neighboring is a feeling willingly offered, gladly shared.

MeredithElizabethReiniger@Jrontiernet. net

Conundrums PRIDE, PREJUDICE AND DAVID GANTT

By Ove Overmyer Another Pride

season has come and gone but there is still good reason to celebrate 365 days a year. Legislatures across the country are enacting groundbreak

ing state anti-discrimination statutes and laws are being rewritten to provide legal protections to 19bt people in loving relationships.

The NYS Assembly passed the Marriage Equality Bill this year, with no thanks going to Assemblyman David Gantt. He is in the minority on this issue. The bill is now waiting for the State Senate to make it a wedge issue and divide voters along party lines.

We can applaud local Assemblymember and co-sponsor Susan John and Assemblymembers Joe Morelle and David Koon for giving support to this bill. However, David Gantt has proven once again that his personal whim trumps all else. He is no friend to the 19bt community, and in my opinion his tactics of fear and intimidation are shameful. In all my years of activism, I have never met a man more cavalier and one-dimensional when it comes to public policy.

I am also very saddened by the actions of fellow Democrats, who acquiesce to his seniority. We still have a very long road to travel in supporting candidates who are allies to the 19bt community and the Human Rights Campaign. We have to stop supporting public officials who choose to marginalize us with secondclass citizenship. I realize this effort may make you a one-issue voter, but I believe you have probably been called worse things than that in your lifetime.

So far, 20 states have laws that expressly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and 12 states expressly prohibit gender identity discrimination. Presently, Massachusetts is the only state where same-sex couples can legally marry. There are an additional nine states where many legal protections are available through civil unions or domestic partnerships. At last count, I think there are still 50 states in our union that

make up the United States. Government officials in two of those states have also said they will honor valid marriages of same-sex couples from other states or countries. Despite the horrible direction in which that maniac in the White House has taken us, who would have thought we would have this kind of progress in 200?? Despite all the odds, we are persevering.

Lambda Legal's groundbreaking litigation has helped to secure and set the stage for some of these remarkable advances. Additionally, every person who newly claims his or her true authenticity is one more cause for celebration. Together with our allied social coalitions in the labor and faith-based communities, we will continue to make history by moving our cause forward one step at a time.

We are a proud people, and there are still plenty of challenges ahead to keep us fighting for social justice. Lgbt people and especially people with HIV/AIDS face multi-levels of discrimination and legal barriers in every aspect of their lives. Whether they are raising children, attending school, seeking health care, serving in the military or buying a home, the stigma and sheer indignities that face this population is so undeserving. To this end, orchestrating for good government is vital to everyone's well-being. It is the weapon we have at our disposal to protect all people and fight for our real goal of achieving full equality. Moreover, let us not forget that we have an unsolved bias crime and claims of police misconduct right here in on our backyard. Let your voices be heard.

I have been part of the 19bt civil rights movement long enough to remember early Pride marches when people feared for their safety. Right-wing religious zealots often outnumbered us. When we first marched, there were no state laws prohibiting discrimination against lesbians and gay men. There were no laws that protected transgender people. It is hard to consider just a short time ago that our relationships and our 19bt families were not recognizable to most of America. The world has certainly evolved -- and we made that change happen by showing our pride, telling our stories, making our case in the courts and making our lives visible.

While some of us have been to many Pride events, each year is the first time for many others. Young and old people who are just coming out; family members who join their 19bt children; trans gender people who are transitioning; people who travel to a new place to feel safe; friends, advocates and allies who come to show their support - there are thousands of stories and reasons why people come to our Pride celebration here in Rochester, New York.

When I see thousands of people congregating at the Cultural Festival and at the Pride Picnic, it gives me a terrific fix on how we can make change happen in the constitutions that we hold so dear. It is when we understand that our lives have purpose and meaning that we begin to imagine the possibilities. Our passion, courage and Pride will carry us on to a brighter future. I hope that it will be a world free of homophobia. Peace and Pride to you all, every single day of the year.

A Few Bricks Short SPACED-OUT!

By David Hull I read an inter

esting article a while ago in Time magazine. Yes, I do read things other than Entertainment Weekly, Us Magazine and Martha Stewart Living. Of

course, I was waiting in the dentist's office and the only three magazines titles available were Golf Digest, Ranger Rick and Time. Since I had already looked at all the photos of the handsome golfers

and found the 10 pinecones hidden in the raccoon's friendly forest, I picked up an issue of Time.

The interesting article that I found was about the International Space Station. OK, so it doesn't look as cool as Darth Vader's Death Star or even that giant rotating wheel-shaped space station in 2001: A Space Odyssey, but for now it's all we've got.

Anyway, there's a problem with our Space Station. Apparently, over the past few years the station has become too cluttered; so cluttered that it is actually affecting the work efficiency of the station personnel.

Now, the article didn't give a specific list of the items that are causing the clutter, but some of the examples they cited sounded like junk; worn out equipment, empty storage containers, old space suits, that sort of thing.

Adding to the problem is that there is no longer enough storage area for space station necessities like spare parts, personal items and extra food and water.

There's no garbage pick-up in space (yet) and the station does not have a two-shuttle garage to pile that stuff in like most American families would do, so I'm sure we can all understand how this problem could occur.

There's been a lot of discussion at NASA about how to alleviate the situation. They're considering sending up an empty space shuttle to haul all the clutter away.

There has also been a suggestion to build on an additional section to the station just for extra storage.

Unfortunately, the most accepted idea to date is to just dump the junk out the airlock and let it float away into space, where I'm guessing it would orbit the Earth until eventually it will hit the atmosphere and burn up. Like we don't have enough garbage on the ground and in our water, now we need it raining down into our atmosphere?

I think the simplest way of solving the problem has been entirely overlooked. Just send a couple of homos to the space station to tidy things up.

I don't mean to brag, but our people do have a way with these things. What the space station needs is an elite fleet of astro-homos. Space sissies, galaxy gays, meteor marys, final frontier fairies, call them what you will; I'm telling you it's the solution to the problem.

After all, it's what the space program has been alluding to all along. Those old Saturn 5 rockets were nothing more than super-powered phallic symbols. And whose attention did you think they were trying to get anyway?

The gay astronauts will just need to make a couple of quick stops at Pier One, Home Depot and any local discount craft store, and then they'll by ready to launch.

Once they've docked with the station, I can guarantee these guys will be able to find room for everything. Storage shelves tucked into closets, plastic bins that slide under cots and cute hanging shoe racks on the back of every door to hold all those moon boots.

Take a burnt-out generator, turn it on its side, throw a floral pattern sheet over it and you've created a delightful coffee table.

An old airlock door could be covered with fabric which can be secured in place with the glue gun. Set the fabric-covered door on top of four empty air tanks and you now have a lovely book shelf. Leftover fabric could be used to make some accent curtains to help soften the overall atmosphere of the room.

Finally, gather up those boring old white space helmets that no one is using, tip them upside down, spray paint them a variety of colors, fill with soil and you've got a set of whimsical planters.

The possibilities are endless, as long as you're working with a highly qualified homo-professional! Not that I'd want the job. Every time I see photos from the International Space Station it looks cold and cramped and I'm just not made


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(Columnists continued from page 7)

of stern enough stuff for that. No coffee shops, no cable TV, no USAToday! That's just not for me.

N ow, if instead of an International Space Station, they had built an International Space Shopping Mall, you know I'd sign on for every mission. Imagine shopping without gravity. Floating from the shoe store to the candle shop and then gliding over to the cookie kiosk for a snack. Have an extra chocolate macadamia nut cookie if you want - remember, you're weightless in space! And the whole time, thanks to the lack of gravity, my hair would appear light and silky. Yes, with that idea, I hear Obi Wan Kenobi's voice whispering to me: if you build it, young Jedi, they will come.

So, unless NASA listens to me sometime soon, they'll probably be going with the idea of dumping clutter out the airlock into space. Great, now on warm summer evenings when I'm sitting out back on the patio looking up at the stars, I'll be worrying about a stray space glove that will come flaming through the atmosphere and crash into our house.

Well, I've learned my lesson. No matter what, next time I'm at the dentist's office, I think I'll just re-read that dogeared old issue of Ranger Rick and not look any further. That way I'll sleep better at night.

Acting On Faith WELCOMING TRANSGENDERED PEOPLE

By Ally W. Howell This regular col

umn is organized by Interfaith Advocates for LGBT People. For more information, call 585-271-7649 or visit the IA website at www.inter

faithadvocatesLGBTorg to find resources, events, welcoming congregations, and to sign the Interfaith Statement in Support of Equal Marriage for All.

Guest columnist for this month is Ally W Howell, who is an Elder of the Downtown United Presbyterian Church and a local trans gender rights activist and facilitator of the Rochester Transgender Group.

I read a heart-rending article a while back about violence against transgendered women in which young (in their 20s) Male-to-Female (MtF) transgendered women said, "We are regarded by most as disposable people." Unfortunately, that view is all too prevalent not only as to transgendered women, but transgendered men and gays and lesbians as well.

The congregations represented by Interfaith Advocates for LGBT People include the following Rochester area congregations and organizations (listed alphabetically): Dignity-Integrity; First Universalist Church; Downtown United Presbyterian Church; First Unitarian Church; Lake Avenue Baptist Church; Plymouth Spiritualist Church; Quaker Meeting; Spiritus Christi Church; Tawa Pano; Temple Sinai; Third Presbyterian Church; Twelve Corners Presbyterian; United Church of Christ.

This is quite a cross-section of the religious community in the Rochester area. In these congregations, transgendered, lesbian and gay people are not viewed as "disposable" but rather as children of God who are as entitled to dignity and full human rights as any other member of society.

As a transgendered woman, I can say with authority that far too many times I have been tolerated, but made to feel as welcome as someone's illegitimate child at a family reunion. But with equal authority, I can say that the members of the Downtown United Presbyterian Church, of which I am a member, have not just tolerated my presence, but have

welcomed me as a full-fledged child of God. The members of the other congregations which are a represented in the Interfaith Advocate have also uniformly accepted me as a child of God, even though we may have different traditions and ways of worshiping God as we understand God to be.

So, during this Pride Month of celebration, do not limit yourself to telling the straight world that you are proud of who you are. You too are a full-fledged child of God. You likely have had a bad experience with organized religion, as have 1. But you too may have the same deep-seated need to commune with God, whatever you perceive God to be.

So, while expressing your pride in who you are and in your LGBT community, be good to yourself and go to one of these welcoming congregations. There must be one which is similar to the church you grew up in, except for being welcoming and accepting. Go tell God that you are proud of who you are. Join forces with people of good will who want to welcome you into their congregation.

God bless you and yours and the U.S.A.

Confessions of a Serial Blonde ROBBY MORRIS AND THE DIS-ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

By Robby Morris It was late.

was tired, hot, and cranky as all hell.

But, lo and behold, there I was standing in line in my pajamas, purchasing a ticket to the midnight open

ing of the latest Harry Potter film alongside hundreds of what I call the Stepford families and various other types that I generally avoid close contact with.

I must tell you, in case you're one of the three people left on Earth unaffected by this particular madness, these Potterheads are crazy as hell. People plan their entire lives around Harry related activities. Book release parties are penciled in and chunks of time are blocked off like major surgery. The books themselves are preordered and reserved months in advance (God help us all, the initial print run is only 12 million copies!). Opening night of the films spawns itineraries. If only this amount of precision were used in dealing with cultural affairs.

But I digress. When I approached the ticket coun

ter, a weary young man with glazed over eyes, wearing a Gryffindor scarf, routinely asked, "May I help you?" Why do they ask that? Am I really in a position to say no? Seizing the moment, 1, of course, replied dryly, "Yes, one for Sicko, please."

He didn't laugh. While waiting in line for a cold bever

age, I zeroed in on a handful of conversations going on around me.

"This is like going to be so cool!" a heavily made up teenage girl, who, by the way, was wearing an outfit consisting of approximately one square foot of material, shrieked to her coterie of baby Paris clones. Eeek.

"Yo dawg! Just get me some popcorn. If! get a drink I'll need to piss before this movie gets out, yo," a frat boy hollered to his, urn, homies. And speaking of frat boys, fellas, if you're going to insist on wearing your pants down around your ass, just do us all a favor. Save us the trouble and just take them off and paint a target on your cheeks. At least then I would be amused.

"Yes Mason, we will sit up front if there are seats available," a mother kept repeating to one of the six children she had glued to her hip. "Molly, get off of Michael's cape. You're going to rip it." The man in this family was staring off into space. Perhaps he was wishing he

had invested more in birth control than in].K. Rowling's fortune. Again, eeek!

I found myself growing more and more resentful of these horrendous people who were here daring to watch the same move as 1. Surely, I was above all this. By the time I took my seat in the crowded auditorium, I could feel a Robby moment coming on (which, for those you unfamiliar, is an emotional state I can only characterize as being what happens when my mind starts to race with bewilderment and rage, thus manifesting itself into a full blown Joan Crawford-scrubbing-the-bathroom-floor outburst.)

"Why the hell am I here?" I thought to myself. "Surely there have to be more enlightening and productive things I could do with my time. But no! I'm sitting here with 180 crazies all for the sake of a 15-year-old wizard who's got a screwed up life. Well, get in line pal! Whose life isn't! Curse you Jo Rowling. And you too Warner Brothers for sucking me in."

Just as the froth from the foaming of my mouth was starting to make its way down my chins, I glanced over to next section of seats and noticed two women holding hands. Sitting on one side of them was an elderly couple with two children. On the opposite side was another woman sitting between two men, one of whom happened to be wearing a PRIDE necklace.

Praise the Lord! My people have come to save me from suburban overkill! Impulsively, I grabbed my things and barreled my big ass over to the vacant seat next to them.

"Is this seat taken?" I asked, trying to regain composure.

"N ot at all. Have a seat," the man in the PRIDE necklace answered.

"Thanks," I replied. ''Are you here by yourself?" he asked. "Urn ... yes." Am I being picked up at a kid's

movie? "That's smart. I had to bring everyone

I know," he continued warmly. "Been there, done that," I answered

back. "Last week you would have thought I was organizing a global summit trying to get my friends to commit to Transformers."

"My name's Bryan, by the way," he offered. ''And this is my best friend Jennifer, her boyfriend Adam, my cousin Liz, her girlfriend Sam, their kids, and our grandparents," he shared.

''I'm Robby," I smiled, and waved to the row of people.

The Queen of England has nothing on me.

They all waved back, except for Grandma, who looked confused. I don't think the poor dear knew whether she was at a movie or, with the inclusion of yours flaming truly, a gay pep rally.

Bryan and I continued chatting for the next several minutes. In between testing our individual Potter knowledge, the fierceness that is Dame Maggie Smith, and gay life in Rochester (I embrace it, he thinks it's non existent), my sour mood began to lift and I started to think maybe this night wouldn't be the catastrophe I anticipated.

As the night progressed, Bryan and I ended up whispering comments to each other all throughout the movie. We booed and hissed Dolores Umbridge. We laughed out loud at the Weasley Twins. We even debated whether or not Hermione Granger would make a good fag hag (me thinks so).

Crazy people be damned, it ended up being a pretty fantastic outing after all.

Now if only I had paid more attention to the movie.

You don't need an owl! E-mail Robby at [email protected]!

Soul & Inspiration TRANSFORMING SILENCE INTO LANGUAGE AND ACTION

By Rev. Dr. Sharon Jacobson

Have you ever read something or heard someone say something that was so powerful for you that years later, it still stays with you? In my life, I have

been blessed to have several of those moments.

One of them was an essay written by black lesbian poet, author, and activist Audre Lorde. In the midst of her battle with cancer, she wrote a powerful essay called Transforming Silence into Language and Action. Her call for us to break the silences in our life has been one that continuously shapes my life and my teachings.

I have been thinking a lot about silence lately. I don't think that silence, in and of itself, is inherently good or bad, but what we choose to be silent about and the reasons we choose to be silent. I am not so sure that silence is just the absence of speaking either. I think that sometimes silence can be physical. Sometimes our silence is non-verbal as well as verbal.

There have been a number of things that have gotten me thinking about silence. One of them was an editorial written by Kris Hinesley about the silence around the rights and concerns of our transgendered brothers and sisters. As I thought about what Kris had written, I was struck by the truthfulness of her comments. I cannot think about a women's rights event or a gay pride event that I have been to in this city, where my trans brothers and sisters were not present. And then I had to check myself, because while I have done my part to fight for the passage of GENDA and to support my trans brothers and sisters, I am not sure that as a non-trans person I have done everything I could to be an ally for them as they have been for me.

Another reason was the need to break the silence around hate crimes against all members of our community. The afternoon of the pride picnic, a group of about 30 individuals of various spiritual traditions gathered for a service of awareness, healing, and empowerment. It was a moving service, in which we broke the silence through the banging of a gong, released the pains of our abuse and watched them go up in smoke, and broke the silence with our words of empowerment and calls to action for all to see as they entered the park that afternoon.

A third reason was a concern I have heard from so many people about how they feel they are just one of a small group of people working to make a difference in the world. It seems as if in every organization there are those whose hands are silent in working to bring about change or helping to make a difference.

There are times when we all need to be silent. Sometimes we speak too much and do not take the time to listen. Sometimes we do not take the time to listen to each other or to the voice of the Spirit, which guides and inspires us. Sometimes we need to sit and be still and meditate about what and how we respond. Sometimes we need to think before we speak.

On the other hand, there are times that we need to speak out and not be silent. I am not sure that we give much thought to the power of our silence, or maybe we are just afraid to use our power because people might not like it. How often do we hear someone tell a joke that is racist or sexist or heterosexist and not speak up? It might feel like we are just one person and our breaking the silence is not going to make a difference, but it does. It might not seem like it, but every time we choose to break the silence, we choose to create a tear in the fabric that


AIDS DIRECTORY Free testing for HIV exposure is available from New York State Department of Health: call Rochester Area Regional Hotline at (585) 423-8081, or 1-800-962-5063 for pay phones or calls outside Rochester, Deaf or hearing impaired people should call (585)423-8120 (TOO,) New Rapid HIV Testing now available -test results in 30-40 minutes! Statewide information can be obtained by calling 1-800-541-AIDS, Other organizations which provide AIDS-related services are as follows:

AIDS Rochester, Inc. 1350 University Ave" Rochester NY 14607, Provide, support servicces for people with HIV/ AIDS and their families; presents educational programs related to HIV/STDs to community groups; offers free, confidential testing every Monday and Thursday, 5-8 pm (no apointment necessary), Also testing on Outreach Van throughout city, Contact information: business line (585) 442-2220 V/TTY; www,aidsrochester,org,Rural counties served by ARI offices in Geneva (1-800-422-0282) and Bath (1-800-954-2437),

Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley provides referrals to physicians and service agencies, (585) 244-8640; www,gayalliance,org

Center for Health and Behavioral Training of Monroe County 853 Main St., Rochester 14611. Collaboration of Monroe County Health Department and U,R, Provides year-round training in prevention and management of STDs, HIV, TB and related issues, such as domestic violence and case management. (585)753-5382 v/tty,

Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region 114 University Ave" Rochester, NY 14605; Toll-free Helpline: 1-866-600-6886, Offers confidential HIV testing and information, When you make your appointment, be sure to ask about our sliding scale fees, No one is turned away for lack of ability to pay,

AIDS Community Health Center (achc) 87 N, Clinton Ave, (4th floor), Comprehensive HIV care and primary medical care for HIV positive individuals, their negative partners, and adult family members, ACHC provides nutritional evaluation, vision screenings, gynecological care, medical case management/ counseling, and substance abuse counseling, The Center also offers out-patient treatments and infusions onsite, liaison nurses to coordinate home-care needs, educational resources and support groups, an active Patient Advisory Committee (PAC), access to clinical trials, lab onsite, and referrals to psychotherapy and other specialized health services, (585) 244-9000, TTY (585) 461-9202,

Rochester Area Task Force on AIDS (RATFA) is a collection of agencies providing a multiplicity of resources and services to the upstate New York community, Their offices are located through the Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency, which also provides medical literature and newspaper clippings, as well as demographic and statistical data for use in developing health care services, (585) 461-3520,

Men of Color Health Awareness Project (MOCHA) HIV prevention focus for men who have sex with men (MSM) in the minority community, Support groups, one on one peer education, safer sex workshops, referral services, buddy testing, 107 Liberty Pole Way, 420-1400,

Monroe County Health Department at 855 W. Main St., offers testing and counseling for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, (585)753-5481,

Strong Memorial Hospital provides a complete range of HIV medical care, including access to experimental treatment protocols, and HIV testing, Also provides individual and group psychotherapy, Training of health care professionals also available, Infectious Disease Clinic, (585) 275-0526, Depart-

s ment of Psychiatry, (585) 275-3379, AIDS Training Project, (585) 275-5693,

Planned Parenthood of Rochester and Genesee Valley offers testing and information (585) 546 2595,

Threshold Youth Center provides confidential testing for young people ages 12-25, Fees on sliding scale, no one denied service, Threshold Center for Alternative Youth Services, 80 St. Paul St. 454-7530, Free oral HIV testing Thursdays 2-4 pm" ages 12-25,

Rural HIV testing anonymous and confidential, in Alleghany, Livingston, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne or Yates Counties, call 1-800-962-5063,

Action Front Center (Action for a Better Community,) Provides HIV prevention education and case management services, Training and technical assistance to service providers, Resource library open to public, All services free and confidential. Multicultural and bilingual staff, Jearald Noble, program manager, 33 Chestnut St., second floor, Hours 8:30-5 pm, Monday-Friday, 262-4330; fax 262-4572. Free anonymous HIV testing on walk-in basis, Tuesdays, Wednesdays 1-4 pm, provided through NYSDOH, Thursdays 1-4 pm at Aenon Baptist Church, 175 Genesee St.

Anthony L. Jordan Health Center Prevention & Primary Care Program Provides Medical Case Management, Mental Health, Primary Care, HIV Counceling and Testing using the Orasure Rapid Test, Education presentations, and access to other Jordan services, Prevention & Primary Care is a walk-in program; no appointments necessary, Office hours: Mon,- Fri., 8:30am- 5 pm: extended hours on Monday until 8 pm, (585) 423-2879; fax (585) 423-2876, Website: www,jordanhealth,org, For more information, call Program Director Patrick M, Trevor, (585) 423-2879,

CDC National STD and AIDS Hotline 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) 24 hours a day, TTY service: 1-888-232-6348, E-mail address: cdcinfo@cdc,gov,

Fair Housing Enforcement Project of Monroe County 585-325-2500; 1-800-669-9777. Deals with housing discrimination on basis of race, orientation, HIV status, etc,

Public Interest Law Office of Rochester (PILOR) 80 St. Paul St., Suite 701. Free legal services

to HIV positive persons, families, Spanish bilingual advocates available, All civil cases except divorce; no criminal cases, Ask to speak to someone in PILOR, 454-4060,

Evergreen Health Services, Buffalo Primary care, HIV and family care, HIV testing and counseling, (716) 847-0328

Westside Health Services Brown Square Health Center, 175 Lyell Ave, (254-6480); Woodward health Center, 480 Genesee St. (436-3040), HIV/AIDS services, support, more,

McCree McCuller Wellness Center at Unity Health's Connection Clinic (585)368-3200, 89 Genesee St., Bishop Kearney Bldg" 3rd floor, Full range of servcies, regardless of ability to pay, Caring, confidential and convenient.

Catholic Charities AIDS Services A multicultural and bi-lingual staff provid-ing services to a diversity of people infected and affected with HIV,lntensive home-based case management for all ages; a clinical crisis manager; a child/adolescent case worker; transitional case management for children and family members going through bereavement; recreational and support groups for children and teens, and camping experiences including Camp SOAR, We coordinate HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS) short term emergency assistance with rent/mortgage/utility payments and limited subsidized housing, 1945 E. Ridge Rd" Suite 24, Rochester NY 14622, (585) 339-9800,

Huther Doyle 360 East Ave" Rochester 14604, Offers drug, alcohol prevention, education, treatment. Risk Reduction Plus Team offers servcies to HIV positive and those at risk through substance use, Programs include outreach, transitional case management, free cconfidential testing (OraQuick Rapid Testing), NYS Dep't. of Health offers free on-site confidential and anonymous testing, (585)325-5100, M-F 8 am-9 pm, www.hutherdoyle.com ,

Geneva Community Health 601 W. Washington St., Geneva, Provides HIV testing, HIV specialty and primary care for residents of Ontario and surrounding counties, Mon,-Thurs, 9 am-5 pm; Fridays 9 am-noon, 315-781-8448,

FAMILY RESOURCES Rochester Gay Moms' Group Support group for lesbian mommies and wannabe mommies in Rochester and surrounding areas, Subscribe: RochesterGayMoms-subscribe@yahoogroups,com,

Gay Fathers Group Meets first and third Tuesday, 6:30-8:30pm, GAGV Community Center, 875 E. Main St.

Lesbian & Gay Family Building Project Claudia E. Stallman, Project Director, Ferre Institute, Inc, 124 Front St., Binghampton, NY 13905, Phone: (607) 724-4308; Fax: (607) 724-8290; E-mail: LesGayFamBldg@aol. com: Web: www.PrideAndJoyFamilies.org

GAY HEALTH Monroe County Department of Health STD Clinic Phone: (585) 464-5928

Monroe Community College Student Health Services Phone: (585) 292-2018 (MCC Students only)

Hobart & William Smith College Health Services Phone: (315) 781-3600

Rochester Institute of Technology Student Health Services Phone: (585) 475-2255 (RIT Students only)

Threshold Center for Alternative Youth Services Phone: (585) 454-7530 (serving ages 12-25)

Women Gynecology & Childbirth Associates, P.C. Phone: (585) 244-3430 (Main Office)

Gay Health list compiled by AIDS Rochester, Inc, Further information on this list and related gay health topics available at http://www,aidsrochester,org/gayhealth

This list is under construction, If you are a provider, or know of one who would like to be included in this directory, please call Erik Libey at 442-2220 for more information,

WOMEN'S RESOURCES HEALTH: Highland Hospital Breast Imaging Center 500 Red Creek Drive, Rochester 14623; 585-487-3300, Specializing in breast health, diagnostic breast imaging and treatment and mammography outreach and education,

Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, 840 University Ave.; 585-473-8177; www.bccr. org; email: [email protected]. Breast Cancer Coalition provides support services that include Brown Bag Fridays: an informal discussion group that meets weekly from 12:00-1 :30; Breast Cancer 101 and 201: programs designed to help those coping with a recent breast cancer diagnosis and those coping with an advanced breast cancer diagnosis; Sister Sak: a program that addresses the issues facing young women with breast cancer; and the Advanced Breast Cancer Support Group to support women living with metastatic breast cancer, The Breast Cancer Coalition also provides information about breast cancer, a lending library, and a monthly educational program, All BCCR programs and support services are free,

Monroe County Women's Health Partnership 111 Westfall Rd" Rochester NY 14692; (585)274-6978, Comprehensive breast cancer screening services for uninsured and underinsured women,

Elizabeth Wende Breast Clinic 170 Sawgrass Drive, 442-8432, Dr. Wende Logan-Young and an all-woman staff provide mammograms,

AIDS Rochester Women's Health Outreach 1350 University Ave, ARI has services for HIV positive women and others in the lesbian community, 442-2220,

Community Health Network 87 N, Clinton Ave, 244-9000; TTY (585)461-9202, HIV and Primary care medical services for HIV positive women, their negative partners and family members, OB/GYN, HIV pre-test and posttest counseling, Confidential or free HIV testing,

Alternatives for Battered Women 232-7353; TTY 232-1741. Shelter (women only), counseling, Lesbians, gay men welcome,

GAGV Anti Violence Project 585-244-8640 ext 17. For women and men,

Victim Resource Center of Wayne County Newark NY. Hotline 800-456-1172; office (315)331-1171; fax (315)331-1189,

Mary Magdalene House Women's outreach center for HIV positive women and women at risk, 291 Lyell Ave, Open Mon-Fri. 6:30-9:30 pm 458-5728,

Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region 114 University Ave" Rochester, NY 14605; Tollfree Helpline: 1-866-600-6886, Planned Parenthood has led the way in providing high quality, affordable reproductive health care since 1916, Our experienced and compassionate medical staff will listen to your concerns and answer your questions in a warm, welcoming atmosphere, All our services are confidential. We accept most insurances; including Medicaid, You may even qualify for low- to no-cost family planning services, When you make your appointment, be sure to ask about our sliding scale fees, No one is turned away for lack of ability to pay,

POLITICAL: National Organization for Women (Greater Rochester NOW) PO Box 93196; (585)234-7019, E-mail: info@rochesternow,org Web page: http:// www.rochesternow,org,

CULTURAL: Rochester Women's Community Chorus 234-4441. (See Ongoing calendar),

SPORTS: Empire State Roar Women's Football www.theempirestateroar.com

Rochester Renegades Women's Rugby. New players always welcome, any skill level. We will teach you the game, Hotline 234-3066; online at www.renegadesrugby.com Rochester Raptors, NWFA women's football. www.rochesterraptors.com.

ONLINE: RochesterDykes: www.rdykes.com; e-mail [email protected]

WOWcny: e-mail: [email protected] Rochester NY Lesbians; groups,aol,com/rochstrlesbians

GENERAL: Women's Resource Center YWCA, 175 N, Clinton Ave, 546-7740,

Color Outside the Line Crew Contact Jackie Williams, 482-4945,

Check our monthly and ongoing Calendars and the Gay Groups section for more womancentered groups and events, and call the GaySource Infoline for referrals, at 244-8640 or see www,gayalliance,org, And send us your information!

10 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY. NUMBER 404 • AUGUST 2007

keeps institutionalized systems of oppression in place. The more people we have working together to poke holes in this fabric, the greater our power to create a new fabric.

We might not know what this new fabric is going to look like, but we have to believe in the possibility. If we cannot envision it or dream it, then how can we even begin to work to make it happen? Creating this new fabric will not always be easy. It will mean that we have to begin by looking at our own lives and the ways we contribute to our own oppression and the oppression of others. We can do many things. We can begin by paying attention. We can begin by doing something. We just need to begin. We cannot wait for an invitation to get involved; we have to invite ourselves to the table and work to make a difference.

We have to be like Jesus. Make noise and be seen. Stand up and speak out. Don't buy into the silence. Abusers pray for your silence. Individual abusers pray for your silence. Systematic abusers pray for your silence. Break the silence and

(See back cover)

S/17/07

transform it into language and action. For me, this is what Jesus did best. He constantly broke the silences that kept people imprisoned in a system of oppression and used his words and actions to bring about change.

This year, may we each break the silences in our own lives and get involved. For those of you waiting for an invitation, this is it - you are invited to get involved with any organization in our community and work to make a difference.

The Vagina Dialogues HEPATITIS AND HIV AND HERPES, OH MY!

By KaeLyn Rich Female orgasm

and foodie sex sure are fun! But now it's time to get down to the really important stuff -the stuff you tried to sleep through in health class - most

likely because it didn't have anything to do with you. Or maybe you did pay attention, but now that you are having sex with a woman, it just doesn't apply anymore. Because, realistically, even the best sex ed teachers focus on penile-vaginal intercourse.

There's a crazy myth percolating our there in women-lovin'-women land that lesbian, bisexual, and queer women don't need to have safe sex. It's all low-risk activity, right? Especially if you're only using your fingers. And most likely if you're using your tongue. And sex toys can't get you pregnant or cheat on you with another person, so you're covered! You're in a monogamous relationship. You only have sex with women. Your partner is a "gold star." Blah, blah blah. Excuses, excuses, excuses. Time for the truth, lezzies, dykes, and woman-lovers across Rochester. You are at risk, too!

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Here are some diseases that women can contract from other women through close skin-to-skin contact: genital herpes, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), scabies, and pubic lice (crabs). Sexual stimulation with fingers or sex toys, which pose a risk for contact with body fluids, can increase risk for the previously mentioned sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and result in contracting: HIV, Chlamydia, hepatitis A, B, & C, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syhillis, candida, and other bacterial infections. Some of these STls are treatable. Some, like HIV, genital herpes, hepatitis A, B, & C and HPV are with ya' for life! Some STls, like common strains of HPV, cause more serious problems like cervical cancer. A yearly pap smear and STI testing will alert you to problems and keep things healthy down there.

Safer sex prevents STls. But what does "safer sex" mean for woman-towoman lovin'? If you use sex toys with a partner, you should always use condoms over them and change the condom if you change partners or orifaces (anus to vagina, for example). If using fingers to pleasure a partner, use latex or polyurethane gloves or finger cots. Finger cots can be bought at some adult shops like Adult World or online at www.condomania. com. Gloves can be bought pretty much anywhere, including the local drug store. Many people prefer the feel of gloves for fingering and fisting. The smooth texture of the glove coupled with some slick lube is slippery and sensual.

And, of course, dental dams. These thin sheets of latex are used for oralvaginal and oral-anal sex. You can get dental dams for free at AIDS Rochester, at Adult World, or online at www.condomania.com. Or you can make your own by cutting a condom down one side (makes a square). If you don't have a dental dam handy and you aren't crafty with condoms, you could use unmicrowavable plastic wrap as a barrier. DO NOT use microwavable plastic wrap; it's porous enough to allow STls through.

Now we all know the drill about dental dams, but does anyone really use them? Take a poll of your friends right now. Raise your hand if you use a dental dam every time. Well, that was discouraging. Raise your hand if you have ever used a dental dam ... ever in your life ... even once. Now let's hear some stories about how horrible dams are. They don't feel good. They get in the way. They just aren't sexy. They ruin the mood. You just never have them on hand. Hmm ... does this sound familiar? I remember some teenage boys lodging these same complaints in health class about using condoms. And of course, condoms are a GOOD thing So are dental dams and lesbian safer sex materials.

So the next time you're taking a journey down south, make sure you use protection! If your partner tries to give you some bogus excuse, remind them that you are protecting their health, too. If they still resist, find yourself a respectful partner who wants to get intimate safely.

Look for more sexy safer sex tips next month in The Vagina Dialogues!

KaeLyn Rich is the Community Affairs Coordinator at Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region (PPRSR). When she isn't visiting campus Vox chapters (PPRSR student advocacy groups), working on public affairs material, or advocatingfor reproductive rights in Rochester; she enjoys making tasty vegan meals, spending time with her pet rat and rabbit, and writingpoetry.

We want to hear from you! If you have suggestions for a future Vagina Dialogues topic, contact KaeLyn at [email protected]. Friend us on MySpace at www.myspace. comlpprsr and search for "PPRSR"on wwwfacebook.com to join our Facebook group! For more information on any of the issues discussed in this article, visit the PPRSR website at www.pprsr.org, call our toll free helpline at 1-866-600-6886, or email [email protected]. •

Gay Family-Friendly Daytona Beach By Merle Exit

Gay parenting is certainly not a new way of life and there's no greater experience than taking the kids on vacation. One destination that is both gay-friendly and provides much to do is Florida's Daytona Beach.

Boogie on the River Queen II that cruises out of Halifax Harbor, sailing the Intracoastal Waterway and highly recommended for lunch. It's the best way to acclimate yourself to the area and relax on this paddlewheel boat. The food is served buffet style and appealing to both adults and children. It's not uncommon to spot some dolphins and perhaps a manatee. Cruise director provides both an interesting narrative and banjo music.

Daytona International Speedway offers visitors a 30-minute backstage look at the world of NASCAR. You will most likely see and hear cars racing around the track. Take a photo of your family at the Winner's Circle. There is much to see indoors. If you're old enough and/or tall enough, you can compete in a virtual race or experience being in a racer's car ala movie style with moving seats.

It's off to Daytona Lagoon, a "Waterpark plus" attraction. If you feel like staying dry you can race in a go-kart and play miniature golf. There's real fun indoors as well. Take a ride on the Merry-goround, play video games for ticket prizes and experience a game of Laser Tag. You're given a fiber optic battle vest and laser gun with many places to hide.

Ponce Inlet has a few great spots, beginning with the Marine Science Center. Did you know that the whale shark is the largest fish in the world, at times growing to a length of 60 feet? You'll find this and more at the Exhibit Gallery, along with why the area had a former name of Mosquito Inlet.

Rehabilitation of turtles and birds is one of the functions of the Science Center. As I was checking out the injured turtles, luck would have it that they were releasing two of the rehabilitated ones into the ocean. It was like participating in a documentary, watching this one huge turtle make its way into the ocean and swim away.

The National Landmark Historic Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station and Museum is nearby. The lighthouse itself is Florida's tallest at 175 feet and 203 steps, all of which you can climb. Don't miss stepping inside the original keeper's outbuildings.

Daytona is not just for stock car racing, as Harley Davidson riders have their own territory. Have breakfast at the Daytona Diner abutting the Harley Davidson dealer. Great downtown local place to eat. Hop aboard a motorcycle for a photo and say, "Dilligaf".

While you're in the area, make it a point to get a free tour of Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory and get a free sample of chocolate. The abutting Cafe has great food as well.

Visit the Museum of Arts and Sciences. Inside are some beautiful collections from various countries. I used to snort coke... but the bubbles tickled my nose. You'll find the original Cocacola bottle maker amongst the rest of this collection and hologram lovers have their own room. There is also an outside nature trail with a fabulous looking pond that will have you so tempted to want to swim in.

DeLeon Springs State Park is where

local folklore claims that Juan Ponce de Leon discovered the Fountain of Youth. Just a legend, but people love to swim in the spring. Enjoy the park, Ecotour and breakfast at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill and Griddle House. The griddles are at the table where, for $4.50 per person, you get to grill and eat all the pancakes you can stuff down your throat. There are two batters: Early American pancakes made with unbleached white flour and their own mixture of five fresh stoneground flours. Served with raw honey, syrup and unsulphured molasses. Each side is $1.50 per dish. Apple or banana slices, blueberries, peanut butter, chocolate chips, two eggs... they cook the meats.

AirTran is one of the airlines that fly into Daytona's airport. I highly recommend it and also staying at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. The hotel is located a few blocks from Daytona Lagoon and you'll have a view of the legendary Clocktower and famous beach where wealthy pre-NASCAR drivers raced along the wet sands. Amongst other amenities, they have a complimentary business center and a wonderful spa that uses Pevonia Botanica skin care line. Try a Green Coffee Body Wrap. It's supposed to "Slim and Tone". Green coffee and natural enzymes are used to break down fat and increase metabolism so I decided to eat afterwards.

A walk along the beach will take you to Ocean Walk Shoppes and two great

restaurants. Santora's is a small restaurant that specializes in pizza and Buffalo wings. The prices are pretty good for a family. Then there's Bubba Gump Seafood Company where the waitstaff will throw Forest Gump trivia questions at you. Have fun in the sun and make sure to use sunblocker.

Need to Know AirTran Airways - www.airtran.com. Daytona Beach Tourism - www.day

tonabeach.com. Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront

Resort - www.daytonahilton.com. Daytona Beach Guild - http://www.

gaydaytona.com. Club Zeba Restaurant & Showbar -

www.myspace.com/_zeba_ Rumors Nightclub - www.myspace.

com/rumorsdaytonabeach or WWW. RUMORSDAYTONA.COM

Rain SupperClub - http://rainsupperclub. com/

Hope Metropolitan Community Church - http://www.hopemcc.com/

Gaytona.com (site for Gay NASCAR fans) - http://gaytona.com/

All Things Pride, South Daytona (GLBT shoppe) - http://allthingspride. com/

Seaside Music Theater - http://seasidemusictheater.org/

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12 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY. NUMBER 404 • AUGUST 2007

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The Finger Lakes LGBT Workplace Allianoe is an organization comprised of Irepresentatives from the private and public sectam of regiional businesses, Human R.esources and LGBT employee

resource groups to, col1lectively share information and knowledge regard'ng LGBT workpl,ace issues . . ,. ' '''I'~.'''C I

The Gay AUmnce of tile Genesee Va'lley ~s dedicated~o cultivatmg a healthy, indus'ive environment where iind'ividuais of all sexual orientations and gender expressions are G A II

safe, th:Rvingi, and enjoy 'full civil rights. (www.gayalliance.org) aV · la ce . ~ of the genesee va ley

Section

NUMBER 404 A PUBLICATION OF THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY AUGUST 2007

Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley

Administrative Offices, Community Center, The Empty Closet, and Youth Center

875 E. Main Street, Suite 500 Rochester, New York 14605

Office Hours Monday thru Friday, 9am-6pm

GAGV Phone (585) 244-8640

GAGV Fax (585) 244-8246

GAGV E-mail [email protected]

GAGV Website www.gayalliance.org

Empty Closet Phone (585) 244-9030

Empty Closet Fax (585) 244-8246

Empty Closet Advertising (585) 244-9030

Empty Closet E-mail [email protected]

EC Online www.gayalliance.org (click on Empty Closet)

Board President Kathryn Rivers

Executive Director Kris Hinesley

Empty Closet Editor Susan Jordan

Youth Services Director Toby Greenfield

Executive Assistant Cindi Eveleigh

Anti-Violence Project Coordinator Alexandra Cobus

Graphic Design Jim Anderson Design

Outreach Coordinator Jeanne Gainsburg

Youth Groups: The GAGV Youth Group (13-23) meets Sundays 2-4pm at the Youth Center Drop In Hours: Mon. & Weds., 3-7 pm 875 E. Main Street, 1st floor Phone: (585) 244-8640, ext. 13

The MOCHA Youth Group (14-20) meets Tuesdays from 3-5pm at the MOCHA Project Office 107 Liberty Pole Way Phone: 585-420-1400

The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley is a non-profit agency, dedicated to cultivating a healthy, inclusive environment where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people are safe, thriving and enjoying equal rights. We are a coalition of individuals and groups working to empower GLBT people, to affirm their identities, and to create an atmosphere where the diversity of our community can thrive both collectively and separately. We educate and advocate for civil rights for all and for the eradication of homophobia.

A local effort with a global impact By Scott Fearing, Local Partner Program Coordinator (585-244-8640x20; HIVV@ GAGV.US)

As dawn turned to morning on May 21, 1993, I stood in an ICU and watched my partner's face and his monitors, as his heart stopped beating. His age? 34.

Surrounded by our friends (his family wasn't emotionally able to attend to him during his final days) he was being held, talked to and caressed. While the days leading up to his passing had been a series of wildly chaotic moments interrupted by stretches of quiet, this last morning remained calm. The ICU nurse had opened the window shades and as the early spring morning sun reached the foot of his bed, I saw a new calm come over him.

We had met while holiday shopping six years earlier. It was like a bad B-movie meeting. I was rushing through the store, as I rounded a corner, and we actually ran into each other. A very Meg Ryan moment, packages on the floor, and stumbling to separate each other's purchases. Before we finished apologizing, we had set a dinner date.

We decided to consider our clumsy meeting as our personal anniversary, and each year we would do something special during the pre-holiday rush to celebrate "us." The night that we went out to celebrate our second anniversary, I sensed that something was distracting him. He had recently started a new job, so I assumed he was a little more stressed than usual. When dessert, complete with glass of champagne arrived -compliments of our gay waiter -- he looked at me with an intensity that I had never before seen in his eyes, and he said that he needed to tell me something.

As champagne bubbles rose in our glasses, he disclosed his recent diagnosis as HIVpositive. It seemed that all I could do was sit and stare. I realize now that while my body sat motionless, my mind was racing. I can only imagine the look that he saw on my face.

At moments like this, when one finds oneself jerked into a new world perspective that was not planned for, and cannot be ignored or debated, one faces the embarrassing reality that one thinks little of others. All I could think of was the personal impact. I sat wondering what did his status mean to me?

A reminder: in the late 1980s, a positive diagnosis of HIV meant something different than it does today. Even in the early 1990s, it still meant AIDS, Kaposi's Sarcoma, Dementia, Cytomegalovirus, wasting and a premature, uncomfortable death.

I understood his diagnosis. He was not the first person I knew who had AIDS. I came out in 1980; my coming out was (Impact continues page 2)

The Gay Alliance has held picnics in the park since the 1970s. (Photo: Kris Hinesley). Raffle winners were Chris Stroud, Angelica Davila, Harry Fisher, Don Phillips, Bradley James. Please call 244-8640.

Anti Violence Project: GABRIELLE PUNCH

By Alexandra Cobus

As many of you know, the Gay Alliance's Anti-Violence Project (AVP) has screened

the film documentary, Sticks and Stones: An Introduction to LGBT Domestic Violence, a few times over the past year and a half. We are so lucky to have been recently visited by the film's creator, Gabrielle Punch. Gabrielle is originally from the Trinidad-Tobago Islands, but has been living in Miami for the last several years. The following is a recent chat I had with Gabrielle while she was with us in Rochester, (too briefly!):

AVP: What was the inspiration for this documentary?

Gabrielle Punch: My inspiration, as you know, was my own personal survival experience being in an abusive lesbian relationship. While I was involved with this person it never occurred to me that that was what was happening, as

r"- .,. .....

~." ' .'" ,~.

k~~~ . ~ . ..,.

Gabrielle Punch and Alex Cobus

I'd never made the connection nor heard of same-sex domes-tic violence (DV). When I

finally did get out of the relationship, which ended when I had to call the cops to come to my house after she had forced her way in, I joined a support group for battered women at the police station.

Of course I was the only lesbian. I think it was at that point where, even though they never made me feel that I was any different because my experience was with a woman, I (AVP continues page 2)

Outreach Program: FALL COMING OUT WORKSHOP

ByJeanne Gainsburg

An Interview with Joe Russo, Psy. D., CGP and Elizabeth Driscoll, LCSW R,CGP

This fall, the Gay Alliance welcomes Joe Russo and Elizabeth Driscoll back again to co-facilitate the Coming Out Workshop.

The workshop begins on Thursday, Sept. 13, and runs for six weeks, with the last session meeting on Oct. 18. Meetings will take place in the Gay

Elizabeth Driscoll & Joe Russo

Alliance Nopper Room (875 E. Main St., fifth floor) from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

I had the pleasure of talking with Joe and Elizabeth about their hopes, plans and goals for the upcoming workshop.

Jeanne: Joe and Elizabeth, the Gay Alliance is pleased to have you back to run the Coming Out Workshop again this fall, can you talk a little bit about the program?

Joe: Basically it's an educational support group which helps people wherever they are in the coming out process. There's no one answer for everybody. Everyone has their own journey to follow.

Elizabeth: We try to make people aware of the community. This workshop will run during the time that ImageOut runs, so we hope to take in a film as a group.

Joe: This year we're also (Outreach continues on page 2)

Youth Update: THE BEST PRIDE YET

By Toby Greenfield

The Youth Program is just coming off a truly wonderful Pride. In my fifth sum

mer as Youth Director, this has been our most-attended and most successful Pride yet.

Our youth turned out in great numbers to all the events, and were especially loud and proud at the Pride Parade, where we won the Stonewall Award for the most spirited unit expressing pride! We rock!

Congratulations to McDecent and Eve Black - the newly crowned Youth King and Queen! For photos of them, see pages A 10-11 and the Youth Page in this section.

Over 75 youth attended the Pride Pageant this year, and it was one of our strongest and closest pageants yet. A big thank you to Erik Libey for being the brilliant emcee that he always is, to Carlos and Brian of Muther's for always so graciously hosting our dances, and also to Michael Booth, Samantha Vega, and Notorious LEZ for taking on the difficult task of being judges in a very close competition. The performers this year were all amazing, as was the audience of youth - who showed so much pride and class by cheering and supporting every single performer.

Finally, to cap off our Pride events, we enjoyed our annual trip to Gay Day at Darien Lake on July 23. The summer just wouldn't be complete without 50 queer teenagers and me spending an entire day at Darien Lake. : )

This month will give us a little breather, and then we'll start gearing up for school in the fall. I'm always looking for volunteers, so please call or e-mail me ([email protected]) if you're interested in helping out with the Youth Program . •

2 C THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 404 • AUGUST 2007

(Impact continued from page 1)

wrapped in latex. I was still pushing on the closet door

when I began to see the effects that AIDS was having on my new community. I watched people isolate themselves rather than go out looking sick; others "became straight" rather then risk getting infected. I saw people shunned because they "looked like they have it," or for associating with those who did.

One spring day in 1986, as I was heading off to a funeral, my father told me that he was saddened by the fact that, except for his time in the Korean War, in my life I had buried more friends then he had. His genuine sadness for my loss has stayed with me all of these years, as did his awkward plea with me to "please be careful."

Why am I sharing this personal story? Because now there is something that

you and I can do that will eventually help to end AIDS.

An HIV vaccine remains the world's best hope for stopping AIDS, and Rochester N.Y. is one of only a handful of places in the world where people can roll up their sleeve to help in the search for a preventive HIV vaccine.

Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center are credited with the discovery of an HPV vaccine that now helps to prevent several forms of cervical cancer among women, and HIV vaccine researchers around the world are convinced a vaccine that prevents AIDS is possible.

HIV vaccine studies are sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the HIV Vaccine Trials Unit (HVTU) at the University of Rochester Medical Center is one of the longest running HIV vaccine research sites in the world. But this kind of research cannot continue without community engagement. Researchers need community members like us and from all walks of life to help advance this effort.

If you are between 18-50 years old

Love shouldn't hurt.

and HIV-negative, please learn all you can about this area of medical research and consider how you can help. One way to help is to consider joining more than 25,000 people of the world who have already participated in HIV vaccine studies. (Over 1,000 here in Rochester!)

So much has already been learned about HIV since the 1980s and great strides of progress have been made in the search for a preventive HIV vaccine. New studies are now underway and the local research site needs our help.

What's involved, you ask? First and foremost, you must know

HIV vaccines are synthetic so it is IMPOSSIBLE to get HIV from the vaccine or by taking part in a study.

Approximately 14-18 visits to the HVTU clinic located at the University of Rochester Medical Center are required over a period of approximately 12-18 months.

Study participants who qualify are paid for their time and effort. Payments vary per study, but average $750 over the study's duration.

The Gay Alliance is very proud to partner with the HIV Vaccine Trials Unit. As the local partner program coordinator, I encourage everyone to learn all you can and consider playing a part in this important effort. I understand the heartbreak, the suffering, the loss, created by this virus. However, based on my new knowledge about this research, I am convinced that together we can be the generation that ends AIDS.

People who may not meet the basic study requirements can help to advance this research just by talking about it with partners, friends, and family and by embracing those who identify as existing study volunteers. Without them, there would be no progress in this important work.

Let's show our PRIDE by showing we care. Do it for yourself, for our many friends, or for all of the people of the world.

The HVTU staff regularly host one-

TheGAGV Anti-Violence Project

The GAGV's Anti-Violence Project

is dedicated to reducing violence within and against

the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community

in the greater Rochester

area.

If you are in an abusive or controlling relationship or are unsure, call us.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: • Crisis counseling • Support groups • Advocacy with law

enforcement and prosecutors

• Referrals to appropriate resources

• Assistance with orders of protection

• Advocacy with emergency shelter services

All services are free and confidential.

585-697-3373

hour information sessions for people who want more details or who may be interested in volunteering for a study.

To learn more, or to register for an informational session, visit www.vaccineunit.org; e-mail: hvtu_cer@urmc. rochester.edu or CALL 585-756-2329 (and please tell them you read this article in The Empty Closet!) . •

(AVP continued from page 1) still felt that I stood out and did not get the response or reaction I needed and wanted. So it was then that I began my research.

AVP: What have you learned about domestic violence in the LGBT community by creating this film?

GP: The things that I have learned that stand out most creating this film is that DV, just like HIV/AIDS and everything else that affects us as "normal" human beings, does not discriminate because we are involved with a same-sex partner. This proves our absolute "normality" among all humanity, that when we fight for LGBT marriage rights and privileges, part of those rights include that if we are involved with a domestic partner who is abusive, we should not be treated with any less sensitivity than if it were a heterosexual relationship.

AVP: What surprised you the most in making it?

GP: If! may, two things surprised me most: 1. Is the serious lack of attention being paid to this subject by many members of the LGBT community, not because they don't know that it exists or are afraid to admit it, but rather, they don't want to or are ashamed to admit that it exists for us, as we the LGBT community are supposed to be "better" than that. That is the illusion we choose to believe and portray. Which is why I feel there is a real need for a film like this one to assist organizations like the GAGV who are doing such phenomenal work to educate and fight for justice, but also to send a "wake-up call" to our LGBT members.

2. Surprising to me was the number of organizations nationwide that deal with this topic and are so very eager to provide printed information, yet there is nothing on video! Which is where I come in of course!

AVP: What are your future plans in this work?

GP: As far as the film goes, I want it to be as far reaching as the big screen via film festivals and also television. I would really like to get involved with an organization that deals with this subject, maybe as an advocate or media consultant. I am hoping that this film will inspire and encourage more people who are physically involved or might know someone who is, to bravely come forward, contact me and share their stories through this medium of video. I do believe that one of the most effective ways that a person finds courage to take such steps, is when they can see others like themselves, who have survived and turned their lives around.

AVP: What are you working on now?

GP: Right now, I am working on finding a way to legally stay in the U.S. to continue this project. Also, I have a couple other LGBT films that I have written and will hopefully begin production on as soon as the funding shows up!

For anyone interested in watching Gabrielle's film, look for our next screening this fall, or contact The Gay Alliance's Anti-Violence Project at 585-697-3373 . •

(Outreach continued from page 1) thinking of going one night to a social event in the community. Perhaps we'll go to Equal Grounds as one of our sessions. People may be feeling a little anxious about being in a social setting, and this is a nice way to do it, with the support of the group.

Jeanne: So are the participants at all different stages of the coming out process?

GAGV Outreach Coordinator Jeanne Gainsburg and her husband Ed held a picnic for Speakers Bureau volunteers at their home in June.

Joe: Yes. Actually last fall when we ran the last workshop there was really quite a range, from people who were just beginning to accept themselves as GLBT people to people who had actually been through the group several times and were at later stages in the coming out process.

Elizabeth: There were males and females, and a range in ages.

Joe: Quite a range in ages. We were very happy about that.

Jeanne: In your daily clinical work, do you have many gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender clients?

Elizabeth: Actually, I'm getting more and more. I'm listed in the Gay Alliance on-line resource directory. It's great. The last few people who have called have been lesbian couples, so I've been doing work with them.

Joe: Same with me. The Gay Alliance resource directory has been great. I also run an ad in The Empty Closet. I'd say about 60 percent of my clients are GLBT.

Jeanne: Can you tell me a little about your personal goals for the workshop?

Joe: Number one is making people feel comfortable.

Elizabeth: Yes. Joe: We want everyone to feel safe,

feel like it's a secure place to share. This is very important for people who are coming out. People are often anxious about entering the building. They might be thinking, "What if a neighbor or someone sees me?" So we really focus on safety and security.

Elizabeth: We also focus on making people aware of what is out there in the community, because there is a lot in Rochester. There are so many social and support opportunities, for example, there are ImageOut, Equal Grounds and the Community Business Forum.

Joe: And a third thing is, we use the CASS Model of coming out. There are many models out there, but we use this one. It helps make people aware that there are many stages and that they are not all linear. People don't necessarily go from one step to the next step and that's OK.

Elizabeth: And I think it's also important to let participants know that whatever stage they are at in the coming out process, it's fine. There's no right or wrong here. And regarding who they want to come out to, it's really up to the individual. It's not like it's the politically correct thing to do. It depends on their comfort level and how safe they feel in the different situations.

Jeanne: Do you find the group format works well with people coming in at all different stages?

Joe: Yes, it does, because they're all struggling with some aspect of coming out. So it's a cohesive group. We've had no problem with people being able to relate to each other or give each other support. It worked beautifully.

Jeanne: What are some of the goals of the participants who have done the workshop in the past?

Joe: Usually a primary goal for everyone is getting help with anxiety and feeling comfortable. And then it's often, "Who should I disclose to?" and "When should I disclose?" Some people want to tell everybody and some people just want to tell their good friends.

Jeanne: Can you talk about some of the successes you've had?

Elizabeth: What I saw in the group was a lot of support for each other. That

AUGUST 2007 • NUMBER 404 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET C 3

was really the main success. Towards the end of the sessions the group members really felt connected to each other. I think it really decreased the feeling of isolation, which is a main goal.

Joe: Several members talked about joining a LGBT community interest group towards the end of the workshop. And several people were thinking about coming out to some family members, friends andlor co-workers. And we also did an outcomes measure, receiving very high scores about group satisfaction and whether or not individual goals were met. Scores were high as well for what members learned from the workshop. 0

it was quite successful. Jeanne: Is there anything you're

planning on changing this time around due to the feedback you got?

Joe: Yes. We got some feedback that participants would like to get out into the community more as a group, so we're going to do that.

Elizabeth: And we're thinking about having someone from the Gay Alliance Speakers Bureau come to one of the sessions to talk with the group about their own coming out process.

Jeanne: Often participants will repeat the Workshop, signing up again and again. Can you talk about how participants can continue to benefit from the same workshop?

Elizabeth: If somebody took this workshop last September, 12 months have gone by, and where they are in their lives is going to be that much different. Because coming out is a process. Maybe now somebody feels safer and less isolated and they are able to take advantage of community resources or perhaps it just reinforces some of the things they learned last time. If they were in an early stage of coming out, they might have heard some things that they couldn't really assimilate at the time, but as they go along they may be able to take in more.

It's like sometimes I'll go to a workshop on the same thing I took three years ago and I'll get something different out of it, or what I got before is reinforced because I'm at a different place in my life.

Joe: The other thing to add about the process is that every group is unique. So this year we'll have different folks in the group with different interests, backgrounds, life experiences, where they've been in the process. It's like making a soup. You have new ingredients, so it never tastes the same.

Jeanne: National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11) falls on a Thursday this year. It will be your next to last session. Do you have anything special planned for that evening?

Joe: I was aware of that and I think we will. We'll have to! It will be a surprise.

Jeanne: Do you have anything else that you'd like to add?

Elizabeth: We hope that people will feel comfortable calling us or e-mailing us even if they just have questions to ask.

Joe: Looking forward to seeing everyone in the fall.

If you are interested in signing up for the fall Coming Out Workshop, please contact Joe Russo at 585-506-6096 or [email protected]. Registration fee is $60 with scholarships based on need . •

ASL interpreters needed! The Gay Alliance is seeking ASL

interpreters who are practiced at interpreting for the LGBT community.

As the leading LGBT organization in the region the Gay Alliance is often asked for assistance in finding appropriate interpreters, as well as needing interpreters for their own events.

If you are an ASL interpreter who is also fluent in LGBT, and would like to added to the Gay Alliance's referral list for ASL interpreters, please contact, Jeanne Gainsburg at [email protected] or (585)244-8640 ext. 14.

a State of the Union: SEX ON THE BEACH!

By Todd Plank As you can tell from

the provocative title of this month's column, I am taking a bit of a departure from my typically more serious columns about mar

riage equality to have a bit of fun. Hey, it's Summer and we all deserve to kick back and enjoy a few pleasant diversions ... right? So how about a little sex on the beach? Now, before you jump to conclusions and get all offended, or excited, about my invitation, please take my short quiz.

Sex on the Beach is: A) A Cocktail, B) Activity engaged in by horny homosexuals, C) What fanatical fundamentalist Christians fear encountering while vacationing in Provincetown, D) A Summer recreational activity enjoyed by gays & straights alike or E) All of the above.

Well, how did you do? Of course the politically correct answer is A. If you Google "Sex on the Beach" you will find a number of websites with recipes for a mixed drink consisting of vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice and orange juice. Wikipedia even offers a recipe for Safe Sex on the Beach (w/o alcohol), consisting of cranberry juice, grapefruit juice and peach nectar in a 313/2 ratio.

Not being a fan of political correctness (I dare anyone to find a gay man who doesn't love comedian Kathy Griffin's irreverent humor) I had to offer a couple of possible alternatives to the "safe" answer. Although I haven't done any polling on the subject, I am sure that there will be both homos and heteros making out in the sand this summer; although I hope that anyone who engages in such risky behavior has the good sense to bring along a big beach blanket. Anyone who has been to the beach knows that sand has a tendency to get into every "nook and cranny" (remember Thomas' English Muffins?).

As for answer c. .. the logical question to ask is what would any good godfearing far-right wing fundamentalist Christian be doing in Provincetown in the first place, unless he or she was looking for a little same-sex action? It's about as unlikely that a die hard homophobe would choose Provincetown as their vacation resort of choice as it would be for a member of an ex-gay ministry to accidentally wander into a gay bar. (Remember the scandal in September 2000 involving the "outing" of ex-gay poster boy and Exodus chairman John Paulk who was photographed in a Washington, D.C. Gay bar?)

While I'm on the subject of ex-gay ministries, I'd like to encourage my readers to plu the July-August issue of The Gay & Lesbian Review. There are several important articles chronicling how the religious right has used and continues to use pseudo-science to perpetuate the myth that homosexuality is a disease that can be corrected (not cured ... they're new spin) by reparative therapy.

What is highly disturbing is that now the ex-gay movement is aiming even lower. By this I am referring to their new approach of targeting youths viewed as exhibiting signs of "pre-homosexuality". Well meaning parents, wanting the best for their kids and believing that their

a

children's bodies and souls are at stake, are willing to entrust their vulnerable offspring to what the American Psychiatric and Psychological Associations view as harmful and unethical treatments delivered by "wolves in sheep's clothing."

As a community we cannot afford to be complacent about the subversive actions of a movement that will use any tactic at its disposal to promulgate its oppressive homophobic agenda. I recently picked up a copy of the book Americas War on SEX: The Attack on Law, Lust And Liberty by Marty Klein, PhD., a certified sex therapist and public policy analyst. He publishes the award-winning blog Sexual Intelligence, which critiques culture, media, and politics from a sexological viewpoint. He has trained 75,000 physicians and psychologists in human sexuality, and has been a consultant or expert witness in numerous anti-censorship cases.

As 19bt Americans, we have good reason to be concerned about how our government, under the influence of the religious right, is trying to regulate our sexual behavior, on the beach or in the bedroom. So important is this issue that Nadine Strossen, the President of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), wrote the forward to Klein's book. In it she states, "Marty Klein's book shines

a welcome spotlight on the many public policies today that continue to stifle full and equal freedom of choice for all mature individuals in the essential arena of sexuality".

It's vital that we keep abreast of developments as they relate to our civilliberties and respond accordingly to preserve our precious freedoms. So this summer while you're relaxing at the beach, instead of reading some sultry romance novel (about as close as I ever get to having sex on the beach), bring along a piece of reading that will increase your knowledge and awareness of what is currently being done to limit our freedom of expression in the most intimate context of our lives.

Don't forget to bring along some protection ... I'm referring to the sunscreen!

Todd Plank serves as the field organizer and legislative advocate for the New York Civil Liberties Union (affiliated with the national ACLU). He focuses on queer equality in the Western New York region and operates out of both Rochesters Genesee Valley Chapter and the Western Regional Office in Buffalo. If you would like more information about the NYCLUIACLU and/or would like to get more involved in the fight for equality and justice for 19bt people, contact him at [email protected] or dial 585-454-4334. •

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BUTCH-FEMME CONNECTION

Join us for a great night out! The Rochester Butch-Femme Connection supper club will have two events in August 2007.

On Saturday, Aug. 4, we are having an Outdoor Potluck at a member's home (call Max and Kerry for timellocation). On Saturday, Aug. 18, meet us at Mykonos Cafe and Diner in Winton Place Plaza off South Winton Rd. in Henrietta (near the intersection of Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Rd. and South Winton) at 7 p.m.

For further information on the Connection, email Kerry at DressyFemme@ aol.com or call Kerry/Max at 585-288-7208. See you all there!

DIGNITY-INTEGRITY "Our queer truth: without our par

ticipation the Good News rings hollow." As our ad says, we're a small faith community of 19bti persons who boldly proclaim that truth - on many levels. The Church's identity as the body of Christ is incomplete without all of its members. The Church's understanding of the will of God is limited when marginalized voices are not heard and honored. The Church's singing ''All Are Welcome" rings hollow when its teachings and structure proclaim even more loudly that all are not... but even more profoundly, we know that the message of salvation is frustrated without OUR full, active and conscious participation in that work.

Dignity-Integrity/Rochester meets

every Sunday at 5 p.m. at St. Luke and St. Simon Cyrene Episcopal Church ("2-Saints"), 17 South Fitzhugh St. in downtown Rochester. While we worship in the Roman Catholic and Episcopal traditions, our fellowship is totally inclusive of all those looking for a safe and affirming Christian fellowship.

This month we'll be worshipping twice in the Episcopal tradition: Sunday Evening Prayer on Sunday Aug. 5, and a Eucharistic Celebration on Sunday Aug. 19. A coffee social follows each of these liturgies.

Our Roman Catholic Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest will be held on Sunday, Aug. 12. Reception to follow.

Sunday Aug. 26, we're having a PICNIC IN THE PARK. At 5 p.m. we'll gather at the church for "Prayers to Start the Week," a short gospel meditation service we've put together for the fourth Sunday of each month. This 15-minute service will ensure that our intercessions for the community are voiced every week. Afterwards it's off to a local park - bring something for the grill and a side-dish to pass; we'll supply the rest!

For further information on any of these activities, visit our website at www. di-rochester.org or call our recorded infoline at 234-5092.

EMPIRE BEARS By Alan D. Van Camp

It's summer, and the BEARS are prowling in the woods. In August, members will be camping at Jones Pond, Roseland Resort in West Virginia, The Point in Ont., and Hillside and Oneida in Pennsylvania.

Check our website www.empirebears. org <http://www.empirebears.org> for weekends and contacts to sign up and join us.

At home, Wednesday 8/1 is our monthly meeting at the GAGY. Enter

Worshiping In The Roman Catholic & Episcopal Traditions Since 1975

Dignity-Integrity/Rochester A small faith community with regional and national connections in the struggle for justice in church and society.

Sundays at 5:00 p.m. St. Luke & St. Simon Cyrene Episcopal Church 17 South Fitzhugh St. at Broad St. in downtown Rochester -the church with the pink steeple!

234-5092 info-line [email protected] www.di-rochester.org

our queer truth: without our participation the Good N

• nngs hollow

at the rear/side/handicapped entrance of the Auditorium Center, 875 E. Main St., and go up to the fifth floor. The meeting starts at 7:45.

Saturday night the 4th we'll be hosting our monthly BEARNIGHT at the FORUM. The theme for August is Bare as You Dare on a steamy August night. Show off that summer tan. In September, Bearnight will be Sept. l, and the theme is Boxers. Buy some wild boxers and show them off at the Forum, but don't tease the BEARS!

Also in August, we'll see some theater, watch movies, play games, picnic, attend a ball game, and eat the weekly Monday night supper at 6 at the Coal Tower in Pittsford. To become a member and join our yahoogroup, so you are notified of all events, download a membership form at www.empirebears.org.

FRONTRUNNERSI FRONTWALKERS

Frontrunners/Frontwalkers is a group of men and women who meet rain or shine to run or walk. Everyone is welcome regardless of fitness level.

We meet Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 p.m., and Saturdays at 9 a.m. at the George Eastman House parking lot at 900 East Ave. On Saturdays, we socialize over coffee following our walk or run.

To add variety, we occasionally do our walks and runs at other locations. On Saturday, Aug. 11 we'll be at the Corbett's Glen Nature Park on Penfield Rd. at Forest Hills Road, a tenth of a mile east of Landing Rd. You can meet us at the George Eastman House at 9 a.m. or at the park at 9:15 a.m.

Further information is available at www.rochesterfrontrunners.org.

INTERFAITH ADVOCATES This month Interfaith Advocates for

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender

People (IA) continues our Summer of Pride and flows right into MOCHA Week, on Monday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m., with an Interfaith Panel Discussion: Coming Out As Spiritual Awakening.

This event will be held in the Williams Gallery of First Unitarian Church at 220 Winton Rd. South and is co-sponsored by their GLBT Task Force. The panelists cover a wide spectrum of faith and cultural traditions.

Panelist Stanley Byrd serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Tawa Pano Unity Fellowship. Active in HIV/AIDS activism and healthcare reform, Stan will share from an African-American Christian perspective.

Panelist Robin Higgins serves as Pastor of Plymouth Spiritualist Church, the mother church of modern spiritualism. A partnered mother of three, Pastor Robin celebrates the richness of her long spiritual journey toward the light of truth.

Panelist Michael Nicosia, in addition to serving as Chaplain to Dignity-Integrity/Rochester and Co-Chair of Interfaith Advocates, is a Staff Chaplain at St. John's Home. For this progressive Roman Catholic, all life and all love is Sacramental- queer lives and loves not excluded.

Panelist Bryan James Whitley serves as Executive Director of the Pride Center of Western New York, Inc. A descendant of a Cherokee shaman, the son of a Baptist minister, and a Jewish convert with a background in inter-religious studies and sociology, Bryan brings diversity to the panel all by himself! ... but stay tuned for added panelists.

Networking is an important part of our bi-monthly meetings, with our members taking turns as hosts. Our next meeting will be at Lake Avenue Baptist Church on Monday, Sept. 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. By sharing the struggles and joys of our respective faith communities, we not only grow in our appreciation of our common faith in the God of Liberation, but learn valuable

Tawa Pano Unity Fellowship Church

God Is Love and Love Is For Everyone!

Sunday Morning Worship . 1 0 am Praise Team Rehearsal . Wednesday 6 pm

Bible Study . Wednesday 7:1 5 pm

Rev. Dr. Sharon Jacobson, Pastor 758 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620

Email: [email protected] Telephone: 585-594-5613

Our Church welcomes you. Regardless of race, creed, color, sexuality or the number of times you've been born .

Whether you've been born once or born again, we invite you to come and join us in the fellowship and worship of Jesus Christ.

5t. Mark's Episcopal Church, 179 Main Street, Penn Yan, New York 14527 (315) 536-3955 • www.saint-marks-episcopal-church.com

A Progressive Christian Community in the Anglican Tradition A Welcoming and Inclusive Church • Commitment Ceremonies performed here Holy Eucharist at 8 & 10 am every Sunday • Coffee Hour and Fellowship follows

•


strategies for making our congregations more welcoming and affirming. If you can't make the meetings or want to stay connected during our off-months, consider joining our email list.

Since 2004, IA has sponsored the Empty Closet monthly column ''Acting on Faith". Guest columnist for this month is Ally W. Howell, an Elder of the Downtown United Presbyterian Church and a local transgender rights activist and facilitator of the Rochester Transgender Group. You can also visit our website to catch up on previous columns, press releases and letters to the editor.

The Pride In The Pulpit initiative of Empire State Pride Agenda in the Rochester area is now a Standing Committee of IA. Visit our website to sign the Interfaith Statement in Support of Equal Marriage for All, as well as the Rochester Declaration to End All Religious and Civil Discrimination. You can also find the names of 42 Welcoming Congregations, a listing of LGBTI affirming religious organizations and associations, a catalog of Recommended Print Resources, and access to our Video Lending Library.

Contact information: Interfaith Advocates, 2114 Highland Ave., Rochester, NY 14610-3018; 585-381-4846; NHFEF@ aol.com; www.InterfaithAdvocatesLGBT.org

MEN'S COOKING GROUP The Men's Cooking Group (MCG)

has been operating for more than 18 years. It began as part of the men's group of the GAGV to help gay men who might never have learned to cook develop enough skills and recipes to feed themselves.

It met on the third or fourth Sunday of the month at a member's house. Food and recipes were supplied. Members were divided into groups, and each group prepared a dish. When the food was cooked

the members then shared the meal. Over the years the social aspect of the group expanded, but the essential component of sharing a freshly cooked meal has not changed.

We still meet at members' homes on a rotating basis and share a meal. The host may set up for group cooking, have a potluck or cook it himself or with a co-host. If the host is furnishing food, the participating members chip in to share the cost. There is also a small fee for members to cover mailings of a monthly newsletter.

The group is always open to new members. Anyone is welcome. For more information please call 355-7664 (Voice mail) or e-mail us at MCGof Rochester@ aol.com. Thank you!

ROCHESTER RAMS M.C. It is with great regret that we must

cancel our run that was scheduled for 24-26 August 2007. This decision was heartbreaking for us and we are certain that you share our disappointment.

Several weeks ago, we received a letter from the campsite owners canceling our contract without cause. The camp has hired a new director who has found our "activities" to be unacceptable and has used the "cancellation without cause" option in the contract. Based on the contract language, our attorney has advised that we have no legal recourse.

We have done a search of comparable sites within driving distance and found them fully booked and unavailable. With only seven weeks remaining before the event, we did not feel that we could adapt in time to either an in-town or full camping run and still offer you, our guests, the quality run experience we have delivered in the past. Therefore, we have decided the best option for all is to cancel this year's run and begin our search for an acceptable site for next year's run. We will immediately refund any run fees sent to us. It is our sincere hope that you will

~=i~It=::j Need Help Planning Your Next Move?

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Anxiety • Depression Alcohol • Stress • Grief Relationship • Family Plan Rectification Work Holotropic Breathwork • Specializing in work with individuals and families in the Coming Out process

plan to join us for our run in 2008. On a happier note, our bar nights are

still going strong. Run your Hawg over to the Forum for Bike Bar Night on Saturday, August 18 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Bachelor Forum. Remember that you get a beer on the Rams when you use the free helmet check.

The Rochester Rams M.e. is Rochester New York's foremost gay motorcycle and leather club as well as being one of the oldest clubs of its type in the country. All who are interested in the leather club scene are invited to check us out. Our general meeting is open to the public and we meet the Wednesday before bar night at 7:30 p.m. Meetings are held at our home bar, the Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave. Our next general meetings will be held on Aug. 15, Sept. 12 and Oct. 17. For more info, visit our website: www.rochesterrams.com.

RGMC By jim Costich

The Rochester Gay Men's Chorus held its annual meeting Aug. 28. Our new director, Lee Wright, opened the meeting.

The budget for 2008 was passed and four new board members were elected. We will welcome Michael Davy, Stan Hanby, Tom Hasman and Lee Sheldon to the Board of Directors in September.

The chorus honored 24-year veteran director, Nick Williams on his retirement from the chorus. Founding members David Skinner, David Knoll, Pat Moran and John Owen reflected with Nick on the founding and growth of the chorus through the years. Principal accompanist Tim Schramm spoke eloquently about the many gifts and labor of love the chorus has received from Nick. The chorus sang our Thank You with the help of Tim and Todd Perkins and then closed the evening's festivities by singing the chorus signature piece, "Kumbaya," lead by Lee Wright.

CALLING ALL PAST CHORINES! 2008 is the silver anniversary of the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus, Inc. Even if you can't come back to stay, we would love to welcome you back to celebrate our 25th birthday by singing in any concert you can.

This is also a great year to join the chorus for the first time and get in on the birthday party. Please come for voice placements Thursday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. on the second floor at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St.

TRANSGENDER GROUP The Rochester Transgender group

(RTG) will continue to meet on the third Wednesday evening (6:30-9 p.m.) and the last Saturday afternoon (2-5 p.m.) of each month.

PLEASE NOTE: since the GAGV Community Center has been sold, we will now meet at the Downtown United

Ken's Neat Moving & Storage Phone: (585) 325·NEAT www.kensneatmoving.com

Presbyterian Church. It is located on Fitzhugh St. just past the City Hall building. You can park in a lot directly across from the church. Go across the street and in through the glass doors.

On Wednesday nights we meet in the basement - just follow the signs. On Saturdays we will meet on the second floor and again just follow the signs. In case the entrance door is locked, press the buzzer and say you are here for the Trans Group meeting, or if you are not comfortable with saying that, you can just say you're here for the meeting. You can contact the RTG on our website: rnytg.org or you can call the GAGV at (585) 244-8640 and someone from the group will get back to you.

We know how hard it can be for you to feel anything good about yourself We know how tough it can be to ask for help, or even how or where to find help with the many difficult issues and situations facing you every day. We know at times it all seems hopeless, that nothing will ever change or get better. Well, everyone of our members has experienced these feelings and thoughts. The Rochester Transgender Group (RTG) provides a safe, comfortable, and, most importantly, very supportive place in which to talk about what is going on in our lives, sharing ideas and advice on many different topics. We want each and everyone of our members, not just to survive as a transgendered person, but to live a rich, full life that celebrates being transgendered! So come and join us.

We hope to see you at one or both of these upcoming meetings: Wednesday, Aug. 15 from 6:30 - 9 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 25 from 2-5 p.m. And as always family and friends are also welcomed and encouraged to come.

WOMYN'S FISHING GROUP

Bass season is upon us! Come join Fishing in the Finger Lakes, Rochester's only all-lesbian fishing club!

On Sunday, August 8, we will meet at Webster Pier on Lake Road in Webster, at 2 p.m.

On Sunday, August 22, we will meet on Charlotte Pier (take Lake Avenue north to the lake; the pier is at the east end of the park). Tackle provided upon request -- we will teach you to fish if you'd like -- but bring your fishing license!

For further information, contact Kerry/Max at 288-7208 or email Fish[email protected].

WOMEN'S HIKING Hey ladies... are you queer? Then

grab your hiking gear! We have lots of fun hiking at local

parks. Great way to meet new friends or maybe find romance. New ladies always joining. Kids welcome!

All ages and levels of hiking skill because we hike an easy comfortable pace. Come check us out!

For more details, call Donna at 585-594-2699 . •

A CATHOLIC COMMUNITY WHERE ALL ARE WELCOME 121 N. Fitzhugh Street • Rochester, New York 14614 • Phone: 325-1180

Liturgies: Thursday: 7:00 pm, Saturday: 5:00 pm Sunday: 7:30am

9: 30 am (at Hochstein, 50 Plymouth Avenue)


By Gabriel Bonefont Hey everyone! I have to say that Pride this year was a blast,

and I have to give you guys a review of what went on those two days of great LG BT fun!

Well for starters, we kicked off Pride with the parade, tons of people, floats, drag kings and queens, dykes on bikes, and other stuff (which I can go on about forever) ... 101. But not to mention that the GAGV youth group won a Stonewall award for our little get-up, isn't that cool, great job guys I am so proud ... /\ _ /\,..,!

After the parade stopped at its destination, we had a huge fiesta at Village Gate which was amazing. Many pavilions were there, not to mention drag kings and queens performing their butts off in the rain and still doing a great job, I love it ... (did I mention that it rained on our parade). As well we had singer Abigail perform before the parade came to an end, she was fierce!!!!! After that I got her autograph and I also got a picture with her. .. h h . h ""'" I h d f b . a a Sllltc es....... a a a time.

And on to the picnic, OMG!!!! So much going on I didn't know what to do or where to go, but I ended up at my group's pavilion ... taha! We sold bracelets, temporary tattoos, bottled water, and freeze pops ... we had a great turn out. After I worked my two fierce hours at the pavilion, I walked around, talked to some people I haven't seen in a hot minute, I danced, took pictures, and took my gay ass home.

Overall, Pride was a big success. It felt really good to have everyone come together and be one big family. Let's hope next year will go off with an even bigger bang, I'm counting on you

guys·k·· '11 * * • Youth Group Pride King McDecent and Queen Eve Black. Below: The Youth Group

Ta e care ya ! ... _ r' won the Stonewall Award.

z (§ a: o ..., z (jj ~ en

~ o --.... ~


Life By Bernard Miller

The Life that I have lived is not a pretty one From being untouchable To being free to being loved From the lies, deceit, and the deception I weep From loneliness to togetherness and back with a leap From the crying, the lying (bed that is), on endless nights wishing to end my horrible,

miserable, unjustified life From the cries of love to the cries towards hate For the cries of my judgement date to awake From a life without passion to a life full of lust A life of pure evil and hatred amongst A life where the best things are snatched from out of my grasp and left for seize A life of life and death both wanted for thee A life where happiness is found very seldom and things that are cherished become

tarnished with time Where life is as thin as a fishing line My life has its ups and downs, but more downs that ups From home to group homes to foster care just the same To placements and hardships in life's sick twisted game From the beatings, abuse, starvation, and near deaths My soul is the darkest thing that my body posses Crying is all I know how to do Cover ups and masks, I try to fool you It works too While deep down I cry I cry for the joy I have only had once in my lifetime I cry for the death I wish to take upon me in the night I cry from the suffering that I have endured for far to long Nobody sees it, not you, you, or you I cry from inside of a black hole that no one can see but me Locked inside a room with a door of locks, passwords, and guards trapping me No way out but through my words that I speak My thoughts that I think I can't see the world that screws me over for what it is The world of man, woman, and child The world of business and money and corporate ladders Of gays, bis, and straights Of homophobes and hate crimes at the devils gate Of lies and hurt Of girls in short skirts brought up too fast Of the joy I will never receive and never can grasp That I will always, yet never need to have inside of me The joy that I will once get but will trade for misery and sorrow because that is

all my life has given and offered me Life

Life is destructible You become victorious, get demolished, and then get demolished some more It's a dog eat dog world A game that someone is keeping score A score with me zero and life infinite People say that life is what you make of it I make it as I see it GONE Gone like Hitler and the genocide Jews Gone like the hair from a first haircut of a 5 month old boy Gone like wind and fire elements once used Gone like a sweet baby dragon that doesn't even exist Just like my life is gone in the mist of the night The mist of treachery, immortality, and even infertility The mist that goes on for months, days, and years Life The mist that holds the creature within The creature of life and death alike An angel and demon twined into one life Who wishes to set death to himself yet life at the same Who wants to end life's little demented game Who will rip up the world for all of his pain Who has a heart of such ice, his blood is frozen inside The ice that can't be chipped, broke, or carved The ice that's trying to heal what's forever scared A scare and a wound that will never mend A bandage or wrap you can't even lend Strangely, fire surrounds the ice, yet doesn't melt it The ice fuels the fire for unwanted intruders Burn like my soul does every waking and sleeping moment of the day Burn like the hatred I have for almost all beings Including myself Burn like I've burned for the past eighteen years Burn like the love that I will only receive from my tears Burn like my heart, my heart, my heart Like my heart that is dead, that has been dead since birth That is dead and being preserved by the ice that fuels the fire for later use Hopefully Death is all I want because of my heart Hang me, drown me, or even smother me in the dark Death is better than the life that has become of me Death is when my misery and turmoil will end it's eternity Where I will finally be at peace with myself and the world Where the maggots will feed on my corpse but not my darkened soul My darkened soul will vanish, never to be seen, but be feared For someone as dark as me will never leave this earth Life is what you make of it I make it as I see it UNREVIV ABLE

SAN FRANCISCO By Brian Bartlett

A mile-high metropolis, of red wine and sea Veiled by the morning fog, hidden from reality Dreams and hopes endure, while worried thoughts die From glassy-eyed peaks that stretch halfway to the sky

Worlds within a planet, from street to the heights Lacing the scabs of an evident and earthly fight Sail masts, and sunset paths, and mission bells afar Dreamily collects amid the lazy stir of cable cars

Steinbeck's hidden sentence, Garcia's missing note History unwound beyond redwood floor and steel support Varied are the faces, nations far and wide Connected and communicating under one twilight sky

On the eve of summer, swept by a salty breeze With coffee and a gossip over liberal philosophies Uptown to Downtown, Eastside to West Tourist stops and photo ops in postcard-perfect

Palm fronds shade wood estates, brightly built and bold Mural walls and ferry stalls, and bridges brightly washed of gold Rugged coast and lofty roads, echoing daybreak views Darkness grows, the world soon glows, a disco tech of neon fuse

Hatred turns to love, war befalls to peace Hearts always lose themselves, gone astray to reveries Leave its gate of gold and then life returns to gray The canvas of the world is a lonely City by the Bay


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Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church

has moved.

Come grow with us in a warm and welcoming church community. God loves you just the way you are!

Sunday morning worship at 11am

Rev. Jim Mulcahy, Pastor 740 Marshall Road

Rochester, NY 14624 Email : [email protected]

Website: www.frontiernet.neU-oamcc 585-271 -8478

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a

Classified ads are $5 for the first 30 words; each additional 10 words is another $1.

We do not bill for classifieds, so please send or bring ad and payment to: The Empty Closet, 875 E. Main Street, Rochester, NY 14605. The deadline is the 15th of the month, for the following month's issue. We cannot accept ads over the phone. We publish free ads for prisoners on a space-available basis. Pay when you place your ad.

We will accept only ads accompanied by name and phone number. Neither will be published, but we must be able to confirm placement. The Empty Closet is not responsible for financial loss or physical injury that may result from any contact with an advertiser. Advertisers must use their own box number, voice mail or personal address/phone number.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Volunteer for the Empty Closet.

Seeking reviewers, reporters, photographers, distribution volunteers. If you can write, take photos, or distribute bundles of the paper around town, and are dependable and capable of meeting deadlines, please call Susan at 244-9030; [email protected].

SERVICES Melt away with a very soothing,

relaxing and therapeutic massage by a Licensed Massage Therapist. If you have aches, stresses or pains, then I am the person you want to see. Convenient, centrallocations and out calls too. Call John at 585-314-0197.

Affordable home improvements. Roofing, siding, painting, gutters, additions, drywall, chimney repair, concrete, j ackinglleveling, finished carpentry, rental property maintenance. Free estimates, insured. Quality Craftsmanship at Handyman prices. Call Scotty, 350-4265.

Rochester's best body rub. To all you men who have not yet let my skilled, strong hands work their magic on you, call me! I'm a fit, friendly, healthy Italian GM. My 10 years plus experience ensures your relaxation and satisfaction. Hotel out calls or central location in calls. Reasonable rates, discretion assured. Don't delay, call me today at 585-235-6688 or e-mail me at muscleloverman@rochester . rr.com.

Martin Ippolito, master electrician. Electrical work, phone jacks, cable TV, burglar alarm systems, paddle fans. Call 585-266-6337.

" ¥ •

ll~ Pet Adoption ~~ Network

Center for Rescued Pets

Come visit our many rescued pets in

need of loving homes!

4261 Culver Rd

Sat& Sun

12 - 4 pm Bring a copy of this ad & receive a FREE kitty

playhouse - while supplies last!

PetAdoptionNetwork.org

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Hirsute husky men in need of stressrelieving body rub by talented masculine hands. Call 442-9677 or bodyrubs@hotmail. com.

Car cleaning by hand. If you would like your car washed, waxed, interior cleaned for $50, please call 585-267-6740. Also include tires, rims, door jams. $15 extra for minivans, SUVs. Service brought to you.

ROOMMATESI HOUSEMATES

Wanted, mature roommate to share four bedroom ranch, two full baths, central air, finished basement with wet bar, cable, offstreet parking, fenced yard with patio, convenient location in Greece, $375/month. 865-2224.

Looking for a male to share my home near Cobbs Hill off Monroe Ave. The rent is $375/month. Includes all. Call 585-271-3243.

Seeking mature individual to share lovely two-bedroom home in quiet East Irondequoit neighborhood. One bath, off street parking, patiollarge backyard, finished basement. Must be neat/ clean/employed. Reference and deposit required. $340 per month plus half utilities. 585-339-9737.

FOR SALE Much desired Broadway town

house for sale. End unit, new A/C, new furnace, new carpeting and paint. Three levels, two bedrooms, 1 112 baths . GREAT place to live with many gay and gay-friendly neighbors. Covered front porch for entertaining. Neutral colors. $98,900. Call Rob, 739-2224.

Intrinsic wisdom Healing Mind, 50d'y and Soul

J o a nne Pa na nsi , LCSW Reiki Master Teacher • Energy HealingiReiki C lasses • PS'ychotherap'y

585-777-7561

100 Maple Ave · Victor, NY 14564-www.intrinsicwisdom.org

Weekly GLBTI AA Meetings in Rochester There are four regularly scheduled GLBTI AA meetings in Rochester every week.

What makes GLBTI recovery a bit different is that we recognize: issues surrounding our sexuality can contribute to our alcoholism and addiction; coming out and coming to terms with ourselves as alcoholics or addicts can be as traumatizing as coming out and coming to terms with our sexuality; other drugs of abuse run rampant in our community and we do not exclude those so addicted (you will not be shouted down for speaking words like pot, cocaine, crack, heroin, ecstasy, K, speed, meth, pills, etc.); the bars playa large role in socialization within our community which can present challenges even when we are fully committed to our sobriety.

After our meetings, we frequently go out for coffee, dinner, movies, whatever; while it's tempting to stay in the fold of GLBTI recovery, we live and work in a predominantly straight society, so we encourage our members to include "straight" meetings in their program.

Open meetings are open to alcoholics and addicts as well as to our partners, friends, family and anyone else interested in the AA program of recovery. Closed meetings are limited to alcoholics and addicts. We ask that partners, friends, family and curiosity seekers respect our privacy.

Wednesdays New Freedom/New Happiness

Group: 7 p.m. at the First Unitarian

Church, 220 S. Winton Rd. Bus riders: Take the last #18 University bus to 12 Corners. Use the stop just past the top of the hill at Hillside Ave and before Highland Ave. Or take the #1 Park Ave to the corner of East and Winton, then walk five minutes south (uphill) on Winton.

This is an open discussion meeting. All issues - as they relate to our alcoholism/addiction and recovery - are fair game.

Fridays Gay Men's: 7:30 p.m. Area Artists' Club

at Village Gate, 274 N. Goodman, Suite D 242A. Bus riders; Take the #18 University Ave. bus north to Goodman. Walk one and a half blocks north OR take #8 E. Main bus to Circle St., walk one block south.

• Closed meeting, restricted to alcoholics and addicts

• Men's meeting • Handicapped accessible This is a round-robin discussion

meeting. If you are shy about meeting people or speaking up in a group, you will find this meeting particularly warm and inviting because everyone gets their turn to speak (or pass). As a result, this meeting often runs long, so plan on more than the usual hour.

Saturdays Saturday Night Special: 7 p.m. at the First Unitarian

Church, 220 S Winton Rd. Bus riders: The #18 University Ave bus does not go by the church on weekend evenings. Take the #1 Park Ave bus to the corner of East and Winton, then walk five minutes south (uphill) on Winton

• Open meeting, all are welcome, "straight-friendly"

• Mixed men and women • Handicapped accessible, take

the elevator to the basement This meeting begins with a

speaker who is followed by an open discussion.

Sundays Rochester Gay Men: 8 p.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal

Church, 17 S Fitzhugh St. Bus riders use the Fitzhugh St stop on Main St at the County Office Building and walk south one block.

• Closed meeting, restricted to alcoholics and addicts

• Men's meeting • NOT handicapped accessible This meeting begins with a

speaker who is followed by an open discussion.

[email protected]

10 C THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY. NUMBER 404 • AUGUST 2007

WEDNESDAY 1 Lammas, Lughnasad. Ancient Celtic

quarterly Fire Feast celebrating the harvest. Buffalo Infringement Festival.

Through Aug. 5 at many venues. 716-408-0488; www.infringebuffalo.org.

Divers/Cite, Montreal. 15th anniversary celebration.

SATURDAY 4 Butch Femme Connection Sup

per Club. Outdoor potluck at member's home. For info call Kerry/Max at 585-288-7208.

Empire Bears Bar Night. "Bare As You Dare." Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave. www.empirebears.org.

SUNDAY 5 Dignity Integrity Episcopal tradi

tion Sunday Evening Prayer. 5 pm, St. Luke and St. Simon Cyrene Episcopal Church ("2-Saints"), 17 South Fitzhugh St.; www.di-rochester.org; info-line at 234-5092.

MONDAY 6 Coming Out as Spiritual Awaken

ing. Panel sponsored by Interfaith Advocates for LGBT People; First Unitarian LGBT Task Force. Williams Gallery, First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Rd. 7 pm. www.interfaithadvocatesLGBT.org.

TUESDAY 7 MOCHA Week Youth Event. 6-10

pm, Muthers, 40 S. Union St. For info call MOCHA at 420-1400.

WEDNESDAYS MOCHA Week Health and Well

ness Event. 3-8:30 pm, MOCHA Project office, 107 Liberty Pole Way. 420-1400.

THURSDAY 9 Heart of MOCHA Awards Recep

tion. 6-9 pm, Club Venu, 151 St. Paul St. Live music.

FRIDAY 10 MOCHA Week Wine and Cheese

Spoken Word. Professionals networking. 6-9 pm. Indigo Soul Productions kick-off party for MOCHA Week, 9:30 pm-2 am. DAR House, 130 Troup St., Comhill. 420-1400.

SATURDAY 11 Frontrunners/Frontwalkers, 9:15

am at Corbett's Glen Nature Park, Penfield Rd. at Forest Hills Rd. rochesterfrontrunners.org.

MOCHA Community Awareness Picnic. 12-6 pm, Red Creek Pavilion at Genesee Valley Park. Mini ball with prizes, DJ, free food.

Free concert honoring Rev. Janie Spahr upon her retirement as lesbian evangelist of That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS). 7 pm, Downtown Presbyterian Church, 17 N. Fitzhugh St.

MOCHA White Attire Party. 10 pm- 2 am, Muthers, 40 S. Union St. 420-1400.

SUNDAY 12 Provincetown Carnival Week.

Through Aug. 18, Provincetown, Mass. MOCHA Week faith service, 10 am,

Tawa Pano Unity Fellowship Church, 758 South Ave. Rev. Robert Arrington.

Empire State AIDS Ride, through Aug. 18. Seven days, 560 miles, Niagara Falls to NYC. 585-442-2220; www. empirestateaidsride.com.

Rev. Janie Spahr preaches for final time as TAMFS lesbian evange-

* Temple Sinai * A Welcoming and Affirming Reform Jewish Congregation

August Erev Shabbat Service Schedule

Friday, August 3 ...... 6:00 pm ........ Erev Shabbat Service Friday, August 10 .... 8:00pm ........ Erev Shabbat Service Friday, August 17 ..... 6:00 pm ........ Erev Shabbat Service Friday, August 24 .... 6:00 pm ........ Erev Shabbat Service Friday, August 31 .... 6:00 pm ........ Erev Shabbat Service

There are no Saturday services during August or September

363 Penfield Road, Rochester, New York 14625 Rabbi Alan Katz and Rabbi Amy Sapowith

(585) 381-6890 • www.tsinai.org

Mark Roos, LMT BODY KNEAD Massage Therapy

Massage The rapy

Why do adult Americans receive mas age?

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Call (585) 729-9908. Melltion this ad to receive $20 off your ill itia I 1 hour sessioll!

list. 10 am, Downtown Presbyterian Church, 17 N. Fitzhugh St.

Dignity Integrity Roman Catholic celebration. 5 pm, St. Luke and St. Simon Cyrene Episcopal Church ("2-Saints"), 17 South Fitzhugh St.; www.dirochester.org; info-line at 234-5092

MONDAY 13 Geva acting and singing auditions.

2-6 pm, Geva Theatre, 75 Woodbury Blvd. 232-1366.

TUESDAY 14 Geva acting auditions. 2-6 pm, Geva

Theatre, 75 Woodbury Blvd. 232-1366.

WEDNESDAY 15 Empty Closet deadline for Septem

ber. 5 pm, 244-9030; emptycloset@gagv. us.

Rochester Transgender Group. Downtown Presbyterian Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. 6:30-9 pm. mytr.org.

FRIDAY 17 Pride Cruise sponsored by Fin

ger Lakes LGBT Workplace Alliance (FLLWA). Includes picnic dinner, cash bar. $25/person. Ticket deadline Aug. 10. Cruise leaves at 6 pm, on Harbor Town Belle, Charlotte Beach. [email protected].

SATURDAY is Rochester Rams Bike Bar night. 9

pm-2 am, Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave.

Empire State Roar season opener, vs. Connecticut Cyclones. 7 pm, East Rochester High School, 222 Woodbine Ave., East Rochester. 585-217-7571; www.theempirestateroar.com.

Butch Femme Connection Supper Club. 7 pm, Mykonos Cafe in Winton

Place Plaza off S. Winton Rd., Henrietta. 585-288-7208.

SUNDAY 19 Rainbow Seniors Family Picnic, 2

pm, Ellison Park. 585-234-1290. Dignity Integrity Episcopal Eucha

ristic Celebration. 5 pm. St. Luke and St. Simon Cyrene Episcopal Church ("2-Saints"), 17 South Fitzhugh St.; www.dirochester.org; info-line at 234-5092.

SATURDAY 25 Rochester Transgender Group.

Downtown Presbyterian Church, 17 N. Fitzhugh ST. 2-5 pm.

Empire State Pride Agenda Rites of Summer, 4-8 pm, Fire Island Pines, Long Island.

SUNDAY 26 Dignity Integrity Picnic in the

Park. 5 pm, brief gospel meditation service followed by trip to local park. St. Luke and St. Simon Cyrene Episcopal Church ("2-Saints"), 17 South Fitzhugh St.; www.di-rochester.org; info-line at 234-5092.

Buffalo Pride Center "Summer in the City" benefit. 2-7 pm, LaSalle Park, Buffalo. Featuring Lady Bunny. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. www.pridecenterwny.org.

THURSDAY 30 Empty Closet distribution of Sep

tember issue. 1-4 pm, GAGV Youth Center, first floor, 875 E. Main St. Also Friday, Aug. 31, noon-4 pm. 244-9030.

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MONDAY LGBT Support Group Third Presbyterian Church, corner of Meigs, East Ave. First, third Mondays, 7:30-9pm, 338-3466 Rochester Historical Bowling Society 7:15pm, Mondays. Clover Lanes, 2750 Monroe Ave. (Group is fulL)

HIV Positive Gay Men Support group Every Monday, 5pm, AIDS Rochester, 1350 University Ave. 442-2220, x3051 Green Party (political) Second Mondays, 7-9pm, GAGV Community Center, 875 E. Main St., 5th floor. 234-6470 MOCHA Chemical Dependency Group Support group for men of color. MOCHA Project, 107 Liberty Pole Way. 420-1400 GAG V Youth Drop In Hours Mondays, Wednesdays, 3-7 pm, GAGV Youth Center, 875 E. Main St. Prince St. entrance, first floor. 244-8640 ext 13. FrontrunnerslFrontwalkers Mondays, 6 pm, George Eastman House parking lot. wwwJochesterfrontrunners.org.

TUESDAY Atlantic Five 0 Gay men 50 and over. Second Tuesdays, 7pm, GAGV Youth Center, 875 E. Main St., first floor, Prince St. entrance. 249-4922. Gay Fathers' Support Group First and third Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm, GAGV Youth Center, 875 E. Main St., first floor. 426-9695. No meetings till Sept. 18. The MOCHA Youth Group 3-5 pm, MOCHA Project, 107 Liberty Pole Way, 420-1400; 244-8640 MOCHA Hepatitis Clinic Free Hepatitis A & B vaccinations, third Tuesdays, 5:30-7pm, 107 Liberty Pole Way, 420-1400 Rainbow Seniors Yoga 6-7 pm Open Arms MCC, 125 Norris Drive, 442-6369.

WEDNESDAY Women's Community Chorus Rehearsals each Wednesday, 6:30-9pm, Call for location, 234-4441 Tawa Pano Church Bible Study Bible study 7:15 pm. 758 South Ave. Country line DancinglTwo Stepping Every Wednesday, Muthers,40 S. Union, 7pm, Lessons followed by dancing until 10 pm, Beginners to advanced. Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley Board of Directors' Meeting, third Wednesdays, 7pm, 875 E. Main St., fifth floor. 244-8640 New Freedom New Happiness AA Gay meeting 7pm, Unitarian Church, 220 Winton Rd. Men and women. Open meeting

Seeking the Light

Support Group for Parents Who Have Lost Children First, third Wednesdays, 11 am-12:30pm, Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs St. Sponsored by Genesee Region Home Care. Free. 325-1880 COAP Come Out and Play. Business meeting last Wednesday. Equal Grounds Coffee Shop, 750 South Ave. 7pm, Tom M. 454-3609. Empire Bears First Wednesdays, 7:45pm, GAGV Community Center, 875 E. Main St., fifth floor. [email protected] Transgender Group Third Wednesdays, 6:30-9pm, Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. Multicom-4 Coffee Talk 7pm, Spin Cafe, 739 Park Ave. Social for former Multicom-4 BBS members; other glbt cyber geeks welcome, every fourth Wednesday, 8pm GAGV Library & Archives 8 pm Wednesdays, 5th floor, Auditorium Center, 875 E. Main St. 244-8640. Brothers Keeper Support group for men over 30. Second Wednesdays, 6-8pm, MOCHA Project, 107 Liberty Pole Way. 420-1400 AQA Support group for transgenders of color. Third Wednesdays,6-8pm, MOCHA Project, 107 Liberty Pole Way. 420-1400 GAG V Youth Drop In Hours Mondays, Wednesdays, 3-7 pm, GAGV Youth Center, 875 E. Main St. Prince St. entrance, first floor. 244-8640 ext 13. Stonewall Democrats of the Genesee Valley Meets fourth Wednesdays, 7:30 pm, GAGV Community Center, 875 E. Main St., fifth floor. FrontrunnerslFrontwalkers 6 pm, Eastman House parking lot. www. rochesterfrontrunners.org.

THURSDAY Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns 6:30pm, first Thursday. For location call Ralph, 271-7649 Community Business Forum Gay and Lesbian Professionals' social group. Second Thursdays, 5:30-7pm, 234-8706 GLOB&L (Gays and Lesbians of Bausch & Lomb). Meets every third Thursday in Area 67 conference room at the Optic Center. Voice mail: 338-8977 Rochester Gay Men's Chorus Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. 6:30-9pm, 423-0650 Free confidential walk-in HIV testing Every Thursday night, 5-8pm, AIDS

Sunday Worship 8:30 and 10:45 am Summer 10:00 am

• Child care available • Accessible • Looped for the hearing impaired • Sunday and weekday

education for all ages

Where LGBT persons are welcomed as full partners in ministry

• LGBT Support Group, 1 st and 3rd Mondays at 7:30 pm

4 Meigs Street at East Ave nue, Rochester, NY 14607 (585) 271-65 13 www.thirdpresbyterian.org/morelight

Rochester, 1350 University Ave. 442-2220 Partner Bereavement Group First and third Thursdays, 5:30-7pm. Lifetime Care, 311 Winton Road, 214-1414 MOCHA Chat Second Thursdays, 6-8pm, MOCHA Project, 107 Liberty Pole Way, 420-1400

GAGV Anti-Violence Project Support group for LGBT victims of domestic violence. First Thursdays, safe location. Call 585-244-8640 ext 17. U. of Rochester Pride Network Every Thursday, 9 pm, Morey 502 on River Campus of U.R. Web address: www. saJochester.edu/pn. No meetings till Sept. Green Party (political) Movie Night Second Thursdays, 7-9 pm, GAGV Community Center, 875 E. Main St., fifth floor. 234-6470. Catholic Gay & Lesbian Family Ministry Third Thursday, 7-9 pm, School of Good Shepherd Church, 3288 E. Henrietta Rd. 392-2862. No meetings August.

FRIDAY Gay Men's AA meeting Each Friday, 7:30-8:30pm, Closed meeting. Area Artists' Club, Village Gate, 274 N. Goodman St. Suite 0, 242A. Bear and Leather Dance Night Second Fridays, 10 pm-2 am. Nasty D's, 140 Alexander Street

SATURDAY Rochester Rams Bar Night Third Saturday, 8pm-2am, Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave. 271-6930 Empire Bears Bar Night First Saturdays. Bachelor Forum, 470 University Ave. www.empirebears.org. FrontrunnerslFrontwalkers 9 am, George Eastman House parking lot. www.rochesterfrontrunners.org. Empire Bears Potluck Second Saturdays, GAGV Youth Center, 875 E. Main, first floor, Prince St. entrance. 6:30 pm greet; 7 pm dinner. Bring dish to pass. www.empirebears.org. No potluck until September. Cross Dresser Support Group First Saturdays, 6:30-9:30pm, Tara Cocktail Lounge, 153 Liberty Pole Way.

Info: 251-2132; RCDNET@hotmaiLcom Transgender Group Last Saturdays, 2-5pm, Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh. Saturday Night Special Gay AA 7pm, Unitarian Church, 220 Winton Rd. S. Men and women. Open meeting. Lilac Rainbow Alliance for the Deaf (LRAD) Second Saturdays, 6-9 pm, For location email [email protected] Something for da Sistaz Women's group, every second Saturday, MOCHA Project, 107 Liberty Pole Way, 420-1400

SUNDAY More Light Presbyterians for gay and lesbian people and friends, 12:15pm, last Sundays. Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. 325-4000 Tawa Pano Unity Fellowship Church Sundays, 10am, 758 South Ave. 617-4279. Dignity-Integrity 5pm, St. Luke's/St. Simon Cyrene Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. Every Sunday, 234-5092 Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church 740 Marshall Rd., Chili, 11 am. 271-8478 Gay Men's Alcoholics Anonymous St. Luke's/St. Simon Cyrene Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. 8:30pm, 232-6720, Weekly. Closed meeting GAGV Youth Group Ages 13-23. Every Sunday, 2-4pm, GAGV Youth Center, 875 E. Main St. 244-8640 GAGV Young Adult Group Ages 18-25. Meets second Sundays, 1-2 pm, GAGV Youth Center, 875 E. Main St., Prince St. entrance. 244-8640 ext 13. Sacred Spaces Meditation Second Sundays, 7pm, MOCHA Project, 107 Liberty Pole Way, 420-1400 Rainbow Seniors First Sundays: Euchre Club, 3-6 pm. Third Sundays, Potluck at First Universalist Church, 150 S. Clinton Ave., 4pm. Accessible parking behind church; others please park in lot accessed from Court St.

Men's Cooking Group Third or fourth Sundays, 355-7664. Bassically Treblemakers Band Rehearsals 7-8:30pm, every Sunday. Call Tim, 242-0237

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12 C THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY. NUMBER 404 • AUGUST 2007

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