Options Magazine-January 2016 by Options Magazine

options January 2016

Should PrideFest

Farewell to

KITTY LITTER

Scale Back? 90 90 90 INITIATIVE:

Ending HIV/AIDS

Rhode Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LGBTQ Community Magazine Since 1982 - FREE

Options | January 2016

options

In This Issue:

Rhode Island’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community news source since 1982. January 2016, Vol. XXXIV, Issue 9

A Farewell to Kitty Litter p. 16

90 90 90 Initiative p. 12

Transosaurus Rex p. 22

4 From the Editor 4 Remembering Marj Stenberg 6 From the Publisher 6 Advertisers 8 Calendar 10 News Briefs 12 ACOS & APRI Endorse 90 90 90 14 TGI Network 15 RI Pride Plans 40th Anniversary

Gloria Steinem’s My Life on the Road p. 38

16 Out on the Town: Farewell Kitty! 19 LGBTQ+ Glossary 22 Transosaurus Rex 24 Blaze Restaurant Reinvented 26 New Services from Youth Pride Inc. 28 Lesbians on the Loose 29 SAGE Seeing Progress 30 Resources 38 Worth a Look

Home delivery is free! Subscribe at www.optionsri.org, email frank@optionsri.org, or write to us at our PO Box. © OPTIONS 2016. Options is published monthly. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the governing board, volunteers, or staff. Listings are provided as a resource and do not imply endorsement. Submissions to Options must include a phone number or email address. Names may be withheld on request. Submissions, ads, calendar, or resource listings for the February 2016 issue must be delivered by January 15.

Options | January 2016

Publisher Kyle McKendall kyle@optionsri.org Editor in Chief Jen Stevens editor@optionsri.org Resources Editor Myra Shays Copy Editors Julia Barber, Hannah Edgerly, Rex LeBeau, Joseph Morra, Maria Phillips, Christine Pavao, Myra Shays Graphic Design Theresa “Reese” Barzyk Photo Editor Michael Scanlon IV Contributors Kurt Bagley, Christion Battey, Adam Brooks, Lit Chick, Annie Cronin-Silva, Chris Dalpe, Jesse DeRita, Jeana DeLaire, Alexis Hall, Sally Ann Hay, Ethan Huckel, Stephen Hug, Rex LeBeau, Beth Milham, Melanie Silva Photographers Jack Hartwein-Sanchez, Jen Bonin, Josh McKenney, Ryan Welch Finance Director Donny McKendall billing@optionsri.org Subscription Manager Francis Ryan frank@optionsri.org Distribution Coordinators Kellie & Belinda Marcil distribution@optionsri.org Advertising advertising@optionsri.org

Contact Us info@optionsri.org PO Box 6406 Providence, RI 02940 (401) 724-LGBT www.optionsri.org Cover: Kitty Litter with Ten 31 Productions, by Josh McKenney

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Options | January 2016

From the Editor As we leap into 2016, it’s safe to say our LGBTQ community is in a better place than we were a year ago. Not only has the nationwide LGBTQ community become equipped with equal marriage rights, but especially marginalized LGBTQ groups made some important gains locally.Trans individuals have greater access to healthcare and other supports (p. 14); better resources have been made available to youth under the age of 13 (p. 26); seniors have attained more visibility and the power that comes with that (p. 29); and an exciting and aggressive new initiative to obliterate HIV has the support of our governor and capital city’s mayor (p.12). Inclusivity sounded like our community mantra at the start of 2015, and we seem to have done well by it. Understanding intersectionality is a wise collective aim for 2016. If the concept of intersectionality bewilders you, fear not; in this issue we’re providing answers to some frequently asked questions (p. 19). The Options editing team began discussing the creation of an LGBTQ-specific glossary nearly two years ago, about the same time we decided to add the Q to LGBT in all standard communications from Options (while allowing individual writers to use the acronym of their choosing). As newer terms, especially related to gender or sexual identity, made their debut in an Options article, we’d define them within the context of the story, and hope that readers would retain that information from one issue to the next. But we recognize how hard it can be to stay current with this rapidly expanding lexicon. Challenges are being posed to members of the older generation to catch on to terms being coined or embraced by the younger generation. Even the most involved community members may struggle to grasp the finer nuances within this terminology, never mind explain them to curious straight people. We know some people entirely avoid discussing certain issues out of fear of saying something that will offend someone. For all these reasons, I was elated when writer Jesse DeRita volunteered to compose the glossary, knowing he would approach the responsibility seriously and sensitively. He provided an excellent foundation for the editors to build upon. We’ve placed the glossary in the centerfold for easy removal, and hope you’ll find this resource helpful. We’re especially eager for your feedback to improve upon this first effort in anticipation of a demand for future editions. Defining ourselves and our community ought to be a continual work in progress.

Remembering

Marjorie Stenberg by Beth Milham

I met Marj in 1991 when she was a member of the charter committee for the newly forming NAMES Project RI chapter. We recognized a friend in each other almost immediately. I remember her taking me on a tour of the then RI Project: AIDS when it was still just two rooms in the basement of a state office building on Hayes Street. She was immensely proud of having co-founded that organization. The name was specifically written that way because they assumed that AIDS was just the first of many projects they’d tackle, and they’d move on to others after they’d “fixed” AIDS. Little did we know…. Marj was also very proud of co-founding the Straight But Not Narrow Coalition with me in 1993, after the LGB civil rights bill went down in flames once again. She gave great credit to us for the passage of the bill in 1995, but I’ve always been more humble about our role, as a straight ally adjunct to an already very sophisticated political team. I still feel that most of the credit for our contributions should go to another of our members, Shirley Smith, who mobilized the clergy so effectively in support of the bill. Still, Marj was one of the people who got the ball rolling on this and so many other worthwhile initiatives so pertinent to Rhode Islanders even today. q AIDS Project RI’s first president, Marjorie Stenberg, MA, MS CIC, recently passed away. She played a critical role in establishing the organization in 1985, opening the first office and hiring the first staff. - Contributed by Stephen Hug

In Solidarity, Jen Stevens We want to hear from you. Send letters to editor@optionsri.org.

Options | January 2016

From the Publisher “Don’t stop the presses.” These four words, written in the memo section on a check sent to Options in December, underscore the thoughts that many of our readers have about this magazine. Be it the resources we publish or the stories we present that would otherwise remain untold, you, our readers, recognize that the need for a locally focused LGBTQ community publication in today’s world remains constant. Since May of 1982, teams of passionate people have made sure that Options makes it off the presses and into the hands of readers. As we enter 2016 and prepare to celebrate our 34th anniversary in print, the current leadership team is working earnestly to ensure that this organization can serve as a platform for current and future generations of LGBTQ people to exchange ideas and connect with one another, despite our differences of identity and expression. Within these pages, we’ll share meaning and purpose; we’ll cope with the progress that needs to be made; we’ll be understood; and we’ll seek to understand. Your readership and feedback on editorial content we publish is invaluable to our organization. However, we urge you to support Options in 2016 in one of the following ways: • Advertise your business, or encourage decision makers you know to advertise. • Offer your professional skills. Are you an accountant, lawyer, or writer? Do you have experience in marketing, fundraising, graphic design, or grant writing? We need you. • Attend our monthly release party and volunteer your time to distribute copies of the magazine. It’s a fantastic way to meet new people in our community. Contact me directly at kyle@optionsri.org or 724-5428 if you are interested in talking about these opportunities in more detail. Your help coupled with our team’s efforts to keep the Options press printing, will ensure that this magazine thrives in 2016. Onward, Kyle McKendall

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Advertisers in This Issue ACOS: Drag Bingo.......................................................................21 ACOS: Know Your Status.........................................................27 AIDS Project RI.............................................................................23 Amicable Congregational Church.......................................27 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island...........................20 City Kitty............................................................................................11 Cruise Planners................................................................................ 4 Gordon School..............................................................................26 Gregory’s Optical.........................................................................26 Insperiors Inspired Interiors....................................................21 Jennifer A. Minuto, Attorney...................................................21 JDHS Photography.......................................................................23 John D. DaPonte, Mental Health Counselor................... 5 Melissa DaSilva, Om Therapy.................................................26 Michael O’Mara, Mental Health Counselor...................23 Mister Sister Erotica....................................................................11 Moses Brown.................................................................................... 7 Mulholland Financial...................................................................... 6 Neighborhood Health Plan of RI.........................................13 Options - Legends Calendar...................................................... 7 Patriot Subaru.................................................................................15 Plumbing by Paul...........................................................................12 PPAC - Cabaret..............................................................................14 Providence Community Accupunture..............................29 Providence Gay Men’s Chorus.............................................27 PSJ Prodcutions................................................................................ 9 Residential Properties.................................................................. 4 Rocky Horror Picture Show...................................................37 SERVPRO............................................................................................ 2 The Stable.........................................................................................37 Stephen J. Dennis, Attorney...................................................... 6 Susan Sklar, Mental Health Counselor..............................27 The Village.........................................................................................39 Urban Bliss........................................................................................23 Winter Rendezvous - Gay Ski Week.................................25 Whole Foods Market.................................................................40

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Options | January 2016

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Calendar of Events

MISS BISEXUAL RHODE ISLAND 2015 presents

Celebrating 40 years of Rhode Island Pride & The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Poppy Champlin January 8

Rocky Horror Picture Show January 9 Join us for a special screening of the rocky horror picture show with a shadow cast pERformed by thE RKO army. ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT RHODE ISLAND PRIDE

January 2016

January 9, 2016 Fri. 15 SAGE LGBT Café, noon-2pm. 1665 Broad Street,

Sun. 3 Options Release Party, 3-6pm.The Stable, 125 Washington Street, Providence. Join Options Magazine for the release of the January issue. Volunteers needed for distribution.

$10 GENERAL ADMISSION $7 students, military, seniors, fixed income $5 dance party

Cranston. A delicious, low-cost lunch in a gay-friendly setting sponsored by Meals on Wheels, the Department of Elderly Affairs, and SAGE-RI. Programming after lunch. $3 suggested donation for those 60 and better; $6 for all others. Reservations required: Call Paulina at 351-6700.

276 westminster street providence, RHODE ISLAND

8PM•PRE-SHOW 9PM•MOVIE 11PM•DANCE PARTY

Sun. 3 2016 GALA Bowling season kickoff, 5:50pm. East Providence Lanes, 80 Newport Ave, Rumford. Bring friends to form a four-person team. For more information, email galabowling1990@gmail.com or find GALA Bowling on Facebook. Wed. 6 Rhode Island Pride Events Committee Meeting, 7pm. 1055 Westminster Street, Providence, Floor 2. A meeting to plan upcoming Pride events. All are welcome. For more info, www.prideri.com or 467-2130. Wed. 6 Lesbian/Queer Women’s Book Club, 7:30pm. First Wednesdays at the Sarah Doyle Women’s Center, 26 Benevolent Street, Providence. For more information, www.facebook.com/ groups/provqueerwomensbooks. Thu. 7 Gordon School LGBTQQI Admission Reception, 5:30pm. For info or to RSVP, admission@gordonschool.org. Fri. 8 Comic Poppy Champlin, 8pm. The Village, 373 Richmond Street, Providence. For more info, www.thevillageri.com. Sat. 9 Rocky Horror Picture Show with a shadow cast, 8pm preshow/9pm film. Aurora, 276 Westminster Street, Providence. $10/$7 students, seniors, fixed income. Hosted by Ms. Bisexual RI Amber Guzman. Hot dogs, pretzels, and prop bags (for antics during the film) will be on sale. DJ Lightning hosts a dance party until 2am. Proceeds benefit RI Pride. For more info, www. prideri.com. Sun. 10 RI PrimeTimers, 4:30-7pm. Social, dinner, and networking group for older gay and bi men on second Sundays. For more info, www.riprimetimers.org or call Steve at 996-3010. Thu. 14 Sweet Little Variety Show, 8pm. Aurora, 276 Westminster Street, Providence. Celebrating the sixth anniversary of this queer-produced potpourri of entertainment. Featuring mentalist Rory Raven, Static the film, musicians Chris Monti and Mark Milloff, Ameena the bellydancer, and The Moist Towelettes. $5. Find Sweet Little Variety Show on Facebook and at www.sweetlittlevarietyshow.com.

Wed. 20 Queer Book Club, 7-9:30pm. Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence. Reading: Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon. Discount if book is purchased at Books on the Square. For more info, email queerbookclub@gmail.com. Thu. 21 Drag Bingo: Chinese New Year Bingo, 6-9pm. Riviera Bingo Palace, 1612 Elmwood Avenue, Cranston. $20 gets you in all games with over $2000 in cash and prizes awarded monthly. Hosted by Haley Star and LaDiva Jonz. All funds raised benefit AIDS Care Ocean State and AIDS Project RI. Thu. 21 Gordon School Open House, 9am. East Providence. For info or to RSVP, www.gordonschool.org/visit. Sat. 23 Winter, Women, Wine and Song featuring Becky Chace Band, Dirty Blonde, Kim Trusty, 8pm. Blaze Village Kitchen, 999 Main Street, unit 1113, Pawtucket. Wed. 27 Rhode Island Pride Open House, 7pm. 1055 Westminster Street, Providence, Floor 2. Social gathering and discussion of community events and opportunities for involvement. All are welcome. For more info, www.prideri.com or 467-2130. Sat. 30 2nd Annual Trans* Health Medical Conference, 7:30am5:15pm. Rhode Island College, 600 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Provicence. Medical, Mental Health, and Community tracks available.Free to community members. Continuing education credits available. Register in advance, www.apps.biomed.brown. edu/cme_registration. Sun. 31 Options Release Party, 3-6pm. The Stable, 125 Washington Street, Providence. Join Options Magazine for the release of the February issue.Volunteers needed for distribution. Sun. 31 Balletboyz, 7:30pm. The Vets, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence. All-male line-up of ten dynamic dancers from London. $38-$75 with discounts for four or more tickets available at www.first-works.org.

Options | January 2016

Trans* Health Conference January 30

February 2016 Wed. 3 Rhode Island Pride Events Committee Meeting, 7pm. 1055 Westminster Street, Providence, Floor 2. Meeting to plan upcoming Pride events. All are welcome. For more info, www. prideri.com or 467-2130. Fri. 5 Comedy Night, 8pm. The Village, 373 Richmond Street, Providence.For more info, www.thevillageri.com. Thu. 11 Sweet Little Variety Show, 8pm. Aurora, 276 Westminster Street, Providence. A queer-produced potpourri of entertainment. This month’s show is in collaboration with FirstWorks and the Urban Bush Women. $5. Find Sweet Little Variety Show on Facebook and at www.sweetlittlevarietyshow. com. Sun. 14 RI Prime Timers, 4:30-7pm. Social, dinner, and networking group for older gay and bi men on second Sundays. For more info, www.riprimetimers.org or call Steve at 9963010. Wed. 17 Queer Book Club, 7-9:30pm. Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence. Reading: Hild by Nicola Griffith. Discount if book is purchased at Books on the Square. For more info, email queerbookclub@gmail.com. Thu. 18 Drag Bingo: Pajama Party Bingo, 6-9pm. Riviera Bingo Palace, 1612 Elmwood Avenue, Cranston. $20 gets you in all games with over $2000 in cash and prizes awarded monthly. Hosted by Haley Star and LaDiva Jonz. All funds raised benefit AIDS Care Ocean State and AIDS Project RI. Fri. 19 SAGE LGBT Café, noon-2pm. 1665 Broad Street, Cranston. A delicious, low-cost lunch in a gay-friendly setting sponsored by Meals on Wheels, the Department of Elderly Affairs, and SAGE-RI. Programming after lunch. $3 suggested donation for those 60 and better; $6 for all others. Reservations required: Call Paulina at 351-6700.

In My Own Little Corner February 21 Wed. 24 Rhode Island Pride Open House, 7pm. 1055 Westminster Street, Providence, Floor 2. Social gathering and discussion of community events and opportunities for involvement. All are welcome. For more info, www.prideri.com or 467-2130. Sun. 28 Options Release Party, 3-6pm. The Stable, 125 Washington Street, Providence. Join Options Magazine for the release of the March issue. Volunteers needed for distribution. Regularly Scheduled Support Groups: ACOS Tue. 4pm, (gay males): Wed. 1:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous (LGBT Group): Tue. 7pm PFLAG (parents, friends, allies): 1st & 3rd Wed. 6:45pm TGI Network (trans*): 1st & 3rd Tue. (7pm) & Sat. (1pm) TransFamily New England: 2nd Mon. 6:30pm YPI (youth): Way Out Thu. 4pm/Gender Spectrum Tue. 4pm See Resources on page 30 for more info.

Drag Entertainment and Promotion Shows featuring Rhode Island’s finest female impersonators, customized for your special event. For booking information, call 774-240-2760.

Sun. 21 In My Own Little Corner, 2pm. Courthouse Center for the Arts, West Kingston. A one-man show by singer and actor Brennan Srisirikul, chronicling his journey as an openly gay disabled man and featuring songs from the musical theatre and pop music canon. Special guest Fredric S. Scheff. Musical direction by Lila Kane.

Options | January 2016

News Briefs

by Adam Brooks

Training Grant Awarded to Gay Officers Action League of New England Last month, Out to Protect Incorporated, an organization founded to create awareness and support of LGBT professionals working in law enforcement, awarded the New England Gay Officers Action League (GOAL) a grant for their positive impact. GOAL of New England was formed in 1991 to support past and present LGBT members of the criminal justice, corrections, firefighting, EMS, and military professions. GOAL has been a beacon of support and a positive networking community for LGBT law enforcement professionals, especially those who have faced harassment and discrimination in the workplace. The organization provides peer support, serves as a forum for members to share knowledge and experience, and provides training to organizations across New England. GOAL recently completed diversity trainings in Massachusetts for the Cambridge Fire Department, the Cambridge Police Department, the Springfield Police Department, the Lowell Police Academy, and the Middlesex County Sheriff ’s Department. Out to Protect Incorporated was formed in 2009 by Greg Miraglia, author of Coming Out From Behind the Badge, and has since awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships and grants to members of the LGBT law enforcement community.The grant awarded to GOAL will fund six two-hour training sessions in the coming year. Local Officials Pledge to Aggressively Combat HIV/AIDS On November 30, at a State House ceremony observing World AIDS Day, Rhode Island officials announced that they would work harder in coming years to combat HIV/AIDS. Rhode Island Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, and Governor Gina Raimondo signed the Paris Declaration, a UNAIDS world-wide proclamation that commits its participants to fast-track their AIDS response in their respective cities. The Paris Declaration introduces the 90 90 90 Campaign, which calls for three goals to be met by the year 2020: 90% of Rhode Islanders projected to have HIV should be tested so they know their status; medical care should be provided to at least 90% of people with HIV; and blood viral levels of 90% of those infected with HIV should be lowered to undetectable levels. One of the speakers at the ceremony was Dr. Phillip Chan, who works with AIDS patients at The Miriam Hospital. Dr. Chan said that the best way to stop the spread of HIV is to concentrate on access to care, specifically in the gay and bisexual community. Mr. Gay Rhode Island 2015 Richie DeFillippo stressed the importance of getting people who are at high risk of contracting HIV on PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), which can be expensive without health insurance.The most pressing issues the speakers addressed included misinformation, the lack of availability of prevention methods, and financial barriers. In the words of Congressman David Cicilline,“We really do have it in our ability to have an AIDSfree generation in our time.”

GLAD Wins Discrimination Case Against MA Catholic School On December 16, after a two-year battle, a Superior Court judge ruled against Fontbonne Academy in Milton, Massachusetts, and in favor of would-be employee Matt Barrett. Barrett had accepted a job in the food service department at the Catholic girl’s prep school, but when he listed his husband, Ed Suplee, as an emergency contact, the school rescinded the job offer. Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) represented Matt in court, with the position that this was a case of discrimination against Matt’s sexual orientation and marriage status. GLAD Senior Attorney Bennett Klein stated, “Matt’s situation is part of a pattern we’re seeing play out across the country. Certain religiouslyaffiliated employers are responding to marriage equality by attempting to improperly extend the reach of exemptions so they need not obey non-discrimination laws that are a backbone of our society.” Since Matt’s job in food service would not undermine the school’s religious teachings, Judge Douglas Wilkens ruled against the school’s religious exemption claim. Fontbonne representatives stated that they took issue with Matt’s marriage to a man, rather than his sexual orientation. The school may choose to appeal the court’s ruling. – by Rex LeBeau The Missing Eighth Vote: Pawtucket City Council Endorses the Equality Act U.S. Congressional Representative David Cicilline’s Equality Act bill expands on the Civil Rights Act to bar discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in public places. While the bill is still awaiting national acceptance in Congress, the Pawtucket City Council put the endorsement of the Equality Act to a vote on September 23. The seven councilmembers present voted for the endorsement, but Councilor Terrence Mercer was caught on video leaving the council chambers the moment before the vote, and returning to the chambers just after the vote. Mercer later stated that he left to speak to developers affected by a tax resolution voted on moments earlier, and is “in full support of Congressman Cicilline’s legislation.” His endorsement, however, is missing from the record. – by Rex LeBeau

The Village Fundraiser Earns Thousands in Dollars and Gifts for Adoption RI On December 13, in the spirit of Adoption RI’s holiday message that “every child deserves a childhood,”The Village restaurant in Providence hosted their Second Annual Holiday Toy Drive, helping to make the holiday season brighter for hundreds of children in foster care and group homes across the state. Hosted again by the illustrious Jennie Talia, the night was filled with karaoke, raffles, games, and never-ending laughter.Thanks to the hard work by The Village management and staff and the overwhelming generosity of its patrons, the event raised more than $2,500 and collected nearly

Options | January 2016

3,000 gifts. Gratitude goes out to the many donors—especially Rob Forlingieri from Dollar Tree Cumberland who donated more than 1,000 toys! Many of the children in Adoption RI’s care identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender and wish to be mentored, fostered, or adopted by a family that will provide them a safe, understanding, and accepting home. Adoption RI is a welcoming organization that values our partnership with the LGBTQ community. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting, please contact Adoption RI at 865-6000. - Contributed by Emily E. Lyon, LICSW, Assistant Director, Adoption Rhode Island. Charlie Sheen Reveals HIV-Positive Status Recently, actor and media “bad boy” Charlie Sheen stated in an exclusive NBC interview that he is HIV-positive. Sheen, 50, admitted that he tried his best to keep his status a secret, but was extorted by several unnamed sources who leaked the news despite being paid approximately ten million dollars. Sheen feared the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and any potential backlash. Eventually, he decided to announce his status openly before too many lies were spread. “I have to put a stop to this onslaught, this barrage of attacks and of sub-truths and very harmful and mercurial stories that are about me threatening the health of so many others, that couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said in his interview. He reassured viewers that he has never knowingly put anyone at risk, and that after being diagnosed he took care of his health despite rumors to the contrary. Due to his formerly unstable lifestyle, many fans and critics alike are happy to see that Sheen is getting the treatment he needs. In 2000, Sheen told the New York Post that he had sexual relations with “5,000” women and paid $60,000 for sex workers. It wasn’t until the late 2000s that Sheen’s drug use and alcoholism led to his assault of his wife, Brooke Mueller. He was admitted to a drug rehabilitation center in 2010. Sheen was visibly relieved to be able to share his diagnosis publicly. “I think I release myself from this prison today,” he said. Marianne Monte Gains High-Level Position with Local Builder Marianne Monte, frequent volunteer with Gay and Lesbian Advocates & Defenders and an avid supporter of Youth Pride Inc., recently joined the firm Shawmut Design and Construction as Chief People Officer. In this role Monte will partner with and support senior executives in Shawmut’s eight offices across the nation. Monte is a strategic human resources executive who excels in talent management and business partner leadership. Before joining Shawmut, a 100% employee-owned company, Monte was the vice president of human resources at the Hanover Insurance Group and a senior vice president at BankRI. She also served on Governor Raimondo’s transition team. “Marianne has an impressive track record of identifying, attracting, and obtaining top talent,” Shawmut chief executive officer Les Hiscoe said. Aside from working with Shawmut, Monte serves on the boards of trustees at Crossroads RI, the Gordon School, and the Rhode Island

Options | January 2016

Retirement Board, where she was appointed by State Treasurer Seth Magaziner. Monte attended Providence College and has a Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University. She currently resides in Pawtucket with her wife and son. U.S. Marine Found Guilty of Murdering Transgender Woman A Philippine court convicted a U.S. Marine of killing a transgender Filipina last year. Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, 19, was convicted of the homicide of Jennifer Laude, 26. Pemberton met Laude in a disco in the city of Olongapo in October 2014 during a night off after a joint military exercise. Upon checking into a hotel together, Pemberton discovered that Laude was transgender and strangled her before forcing her head into a toilet. Pemberton told the court that he only fought with Laude after learning her gender identity, but didn’t actually kill her.Two U.S. Marine witnesses quoted Pemberton as saying, “I think I killed a he/she.” The Philippine court sentenced Pemberton to 6-12 years in jail with an additional 4.9 million pesos (roughly $98,000) to be paid in damages to Laude’s family. Transgender and left-wing activists Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, also known as the New Patriot Alliance, are outraged at the special treatment they believe Pemberton and other U.S. citizens are receiving in court. Laude family lawyer Harry Roque agreed. Despite graphic witness testimony, Pemberton was convicted of a homicide instead of a murder, the latter of which would have amounted to a lengthier prison sentence. Also, the time Pemberton spent in a Philippine detention center will be removed from his sentence.“This is a bittersweet victory because it is not murder,” said Roque. “If what he did isn’t cruelty, I don’t know what is.” q

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2015 at a Glance

and What’s next for HIV/AIDS services in Rhode Island? by Christopher Dalpe, for AIDS Care Ocean State

2015 marked AIDS Care Ocean State’s (ACOS) 25th anniversary, and with that came many changes, challenges, and accomplishments. It seems like only yesterday the agency opened the doors to the East Long Pond Apartments, and that was last January. Over the course of the year we honored the lives and works of both Sister Ann Keefe and Guy Abelson, two extraordinary and influential community leaders who, sadly, passed away. Our prevention staff began training and distributing Naloxone to prevent drug overdoses. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, took center stage in many discussions regarding HIV prevention. And after ten years of outstanding service, Stephen Hartley, best known as Miss Kitty Litter, bade farewell as our Development Director, after one of the largest and most record-breaking fundraising years the agency has ever seen.

up, everyone, letting no one fall through the cracks? And how do we stop the spread of the disease? The answer is advocacy. Not with rhetoric, but with action. On November 30, Paul Fitzgerald, President/CEO of AIDS Care Ocean State, stated, “Prevention without advocacy is a pill in a bottle. Prevention without advocacy is a voice in an empty room. Prevention without advocacy is a waiting list. Prevention without advocacy is no justice. We are not silent.”

When we talk about HIV/AIDS in Rhode Island, we are talking about providing larger access to health care services and access to medications and insurance. We’re talking about combating poverty, homelessness, and substance abuse. We’re talking about clear communication through language and cultural barriers. We’re talking about As we march steadily along into 2016, we ask: What’s extinguishing the stigma of those living with HIV. ACOS next? On November 30, during the RI HIV Prevention is committed to the 90 90 90 Initiative and will continue Coalition’s World AIDS Day Kick-Off Event, the 90 90 providing free and anonymous HIV/HCV testing, free 90 Initiative, an international campaign, was brought forth needle exchange, free condoms, and safer-sex supplies. and signed by Governor Gina Raimondo, Providence We will expand resources for adolescents, people of Mayor Jorge Elorza, and Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, color, and men who have sex with men. In 2016: Educate. MD, MPH, Director of Rhode Island’s Department of Advocate. Agitate. #wearenotsilent.q Health. By the year 2020, Rhode Island has committed AIDS Care Ocean State provides comprehensive AIDS to having 90 percent of all HIV-positive Rhode Islanders service, supportive housing, emergency funds, and a know they are HIV-positive; to having 90 percent of all Speakers Bureau. Located at 18 Parkis Avenue, Providence. HIV-positive Rhode Islanders linked to medical care and (401) 521-3603. Appointments: (401) 781-0665. www. receiving treatment; and to having 90 percent of all HIV- aidscareoceanstate.org. positive Rhode Islanders with suppressed viral loads. The City of Providence has also joined the 90 90 90 Initiative, making Providence and Rhode Island the first city-state partnership committed to reaching these goals. In order to achieve these goals in four years we must address key issues facing the entire community. We must ask ourselves and one another: How can community members, organizations, and health care providers be more effective in supporting those both struggling with and managing HIV/AIDS in their daily lives? How can we collaborate as a united front combating the disease, not the people infected and affected by it? How do we as a community acknowledge the disproportionate rate of new HIV infections among people of color, especially in the LGBTQ community? How do we raise each other

Options | January 2016

AIDS Project RI

Commemorates World AIDS Day by Christion Battey, Program Coordinator

communities and expanding opportunity for all HIV-positive Rhode Islanders to live long, full lives.

APRI Executive Director Stephen Hourahan

Speaks at World AIDS Day Event

t a press conference held November 30 at the State House to commemorate World AIDS Day, the Rhode Island Department of Health announced ambitious new HIV treatment targets aimed at building healthier

The treatment targets are part of the international 90 90 90 Initiative. By joining the Initiative, Rhode Island is committing to having 90 percent of all HIV-positive Rhode Islanders know they are HIV-positive; to having 90 percent of all HIV-positive Rhode Islanders linked to medical care and receiving treatment; and to having 90 percent of all HIV-positive Rhode Islanders with suppressed viral loads (indicating they are controlling their HIV infection).The campaign calls for these targets to be met by 2020. “A thriving Rhode Island depends on people living healthy, productive lives,” said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. “The 90 90 90 campaign is one of many innovative, data-driven approaches that we are taking to build healthier communities and give

everyone a chance to make it in Rhode Island.” On December 2, AIDS Project Rhode Island (APRI) worked together with the Providence College campus organization SHEPARD (Stopping Homophobia, Eliminating Prejudice, and Restoring Dignity) to create safe space to bring rapid, anonymous HIV testing to the college. Twenty-three students took part in these free services provided by APRI.This is a great accomplishment, and APRI is very proud of the SHEPARD group for bringing this issue to light. q AIDS Project RI is a division of Family Service of RI, providing case management, various health-related services, advocacy, prevention education, and HIV and Hep-C testing. APRI’s location is 9 Pleasant Street, Providence. Call (401) 831-5522 or visit www.aidsprojectri.org for more info.

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1-855-321-9244 www.nhpri.org Options | January 2016

Last month, we announced that Medicaid exclusions for transgender Rhode Islanders had been removed. On November 23, the Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner released a bulletin that extended that victor y even fur ther. The guidance made by Ethan Huckel it clear that “denial, exclusion, or other limitations of coverage by a health insurer for medically necessar y treatment otherwise covered by a health insurance policy or contract based solely on an individual’s gender identity, expression or gender dysphoria, is sex discrimination prohibited under Rhode Island law.” This announcement will have an immediate and monumental effect on the lives of transgender Rhode Islander s who have long been denied vital medical ser vices because of their gender identity. Since the Medicaid policy announcement was made, we have seen a number of people reaching out for healthcare. While we are excited that these advances will make available life-saving transition-related care, we also want to encourage trans* individuals to see primar y care physicians regular ly for well visits and health screenings. Unfor tunately, many trans* people do not take advantage of the health ser vices available to them because they fear that their experiences will be marred by transphobia. It is sadly tr ue that many healthcare provider s have not had experience treating trans* patients and that some environments may not be welcoming. However, there are resources available to help choose provider s who are comfor table and experienced working with trans* individuals. Go to TGINetwork.org for more information. TGI Networ k of RI is committed to ensuring that the number of knowledgeable healthcare professionals available to trans* Rhode Islander s grows to meet their needs. With that in mind, we have par tnered with Brown University and Rhode Island College to plan the second annual Trans* Health Conference. The conference, will be held this year on Januar y 30 at Rhode Island College. Medical and community tracks are available. There is a fee for the medical track, in which medical and behavioral healthcare provider s will learn how to better ser ve their trans* patients while earning continuing education credits. There is no fee for the community track, in which trans* people and their friends and families will come together for wor kshops focused on their health and wellbeing. Community members will have the chance to ask questions of medical professionals in a safe environment. Those who were present at last year’s conference can expect a larger, more diver se program this year. Registration is free to community member s and is available through Brown University’s Office of Continuing Medical Education at www.apps.biomed.brown.edu/cme_ registration. We look forward to seeing you there!q

NATIONAL TOUR LAUNCHES AT PPAC!

JANUARY 26-31 www.ppacri.org (401) 421-ARTS

For use against a white or light background

TGI Network of Rhode Island is the only statewide organization providing support, advocacy, and education for the transgender, gendervariant, and intersex community (aka trans* community). Incorporated in 2011, our mission is to be a resource for TGI people navigating their lives and the medical and legal systems; to serve as a resource for professionals working with TGI people; and to serve as a liaison between the TGI and LGB communities and the community at large.Visit us at www.tginetwork. org.

PART OF THE BROADWAY SERIES SPONSORED BY

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Options | January 2016

RI PR I D E

by Kurt Bagley & Jen Stevens

Should PrideFest 2016 Be Scaled Back?

Inspiration for 2016

As each new year begins, RI Pride volunteers are off and running to create the annual PrideFest. 2016 brings our 40th anniversary, and what we’d hope and expect to be our biggest festival yet. But to create an event as successful as last year’s poses a great challenge. We made significant improvements to the festival site last year, like adding the Youth Center, expanding the vendor row, and enhancing the entertainment stage as well as the Beer, Wine, and Spirits Garden. We also redirected the Parade route and prioritized safety above all else. While verbal feedback from the community was overwhelmingly supportive of our efforts, our fundraising efforts at the PrideFest gates and at the Parade fell far short of our goals, and these improvements were more costly than anticipated. Truthfully, our organization is struggling to pay off PrideFest 2015. Without greater support from community members, through volunteer shifts and donations, we fear we’ll have to scale back, which is something no one wants to do in consideration of this milestone year. If everyone who loves and enjoys PrideFest donated either $20 or four volunteer hours, we would surely have a celebration for the ages—and one this community deserves. Please visit www. prideri.com to pledge your support today.

One of the first things we need to fire us up for PrideFest planning is a theme. Last year’s theme was IndiVisible, which not only demonstrated a unified yet diverse community, but also signified solidarity with the other 49 states as marriage equality swept the nation. We welcome all to share and discuss any theme ideas at either our Events Committee meeting on January 6 or our Open House on January 27.

Options | January 2016

Register for PrideFest Entertainment and volunteer applications are available through our website starting in early January.Vendor and parade applications will follow shortly thereafter, so head right to www. prideri.com to ensure your slot and to take advantage of earlybird rates.q Rhode Island Pride is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting the visibility, equality, and diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and provides safe space to come out, express, and celebrate all sexual identities and genders. For more information, email info@prideri.com; call (401) 467-2130; or join us for a gathering in our office at 1055 Westminster Street, Floor 2, in Providence.

As Mayor Elorza presented Kitty with the Key to the City of Providence, she fought back tears to say, “That’s all I ever wanted—to know that I could come back. I love you all. I’ll miss you all. I’ll be back to visit.”

OUT

A Farewell to Kitty Litter Dec. 20, 2015 by Jack Hartwein-Sanchez, Jen Bonin, and Joshua McKenney High Heels for Hope, Dec. 4, 2015 by Jen Bonin and Ryan Welch, p. 18

On the Town 16 16

Options || January January 2016 2016 Options

Options | January 2016

Glossary of LGBTQIA* Terms by Jesse DeRita

We at Options have created this glossary of LGBTQ+ terminology in order to help readers best describe their experiences both as individuals and as a community, and to better understand one another. We hope you find it helpful and encourage you to send us feedback for future versions; tear it out and hang it on your fridge as a year-round reference; and offer this resource to people who are challenging themselves to better understand the sexual and gender identities of all people. While this is not meant to be an exhaustive list, it’s a well-rounded introduction to the most-used terms within our diverse community.

GENERAL TERMS Advocate (n.) A person who publicly supports or defends a cause or policy; (v.) to publicly defend a cause or policy Ally A person who advocates for a group without being part of that group Closeted One who conceals their LGBTQ status from others (i.e., being “in the closet”) Coming Out, Coming out of the Closet Acknowledging one’s sexuality or gender identity to oneself or others Fluidity Describes an identity that fluctuates over time; fluidity is often attached to another term, such as genderfluid or fluid-sexuality

monitoring organization founded by LGBT people in the media, formerly the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Heterosexism A system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships (i.e.the presumption that other people are heterosexual or that opposite-sex attractions and relationships are “normal” and therefore superior) Homophobia Fear, anger, and discomfort with LGBTQ people, often directed outward at others, in cases like hate crimes, and sometimes focused inwardly as one’s own sexuality is being called into question (internalized homophobia) Human Rights Campaign (HRC) The largest national LGBTQ civil rights advocacy group and political lobbying organization

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) A non-profit legal rights organization, working to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity and expression

Inclusivity The act or policy of including all kinds of people and being open to everyone-regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ability, and race--or any group who might otherwise be marginalized

A non-governmental, media-

Intersectionality A term coined by legal

GLAAD

Options | January 2016

scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw to describe the study of overlapping or intersecting social identities and related systems of oppression, domination, or discrimination, and how those systems interact Invisible Minority A group whose minority status isn’t always visible, such as some disabled people and LGBTQ people. Examples include mentally ill people, transgender people who appear cisgender, and bisexuals in heterosexual relationships. Kinsey Scale Also called the HeterosexualHomosexual Rating Scale, the scale was created by Alfred Kinsey, Wardell Pomeroy, and others, to describe a person’s sexual orientation ranging from 0 to 6, from exclusively heterosexual to exclusively homosexual. There is also a marker of X to indicate asexuality. LGBTQ/LGBTQQIA+ Intentionally inclusive acronyms to describe those who are sexual and/or gender minorities (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual or Ally, and other associated sexual and gender identities other than heterosexual and ciscender)

Lambda The Gay Activist Alliance originally chose lambda, the Greek letter “L,” in 1970 to symbolize Liberation.The word became a way of expressing the concept “lesbians and gay males” in a minimum of syllables and has been adopted by such organizations as Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. Outing The act of disclosing an LGBTQ-identified person’s sexual orientation or gender identity without that person’s consent Queer An umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities who are not both heterosexual and cisgender. Originally meaning strange or peculiar, “queer” came to be used pejoratively against those with same-sex desires or relationships in the late 19th century. Beginning in the late 1980s, queer scholars and activists reclaimed the word to establish community and assert a politicized identity separate from the gay political identity. Queer identity may be adopted by people who reject traditional gender identities and seek a broader, less conformist, or intentionally vague alternative to the label LGBT.

Heterosexual A person who is attracted to only members of the opposite sex. See also Straight Heteronormative Denoting or relating to a worldview that promotes heterosexuality as the normal or preferred sexual orientation Homosexual A person who is attracted to only members of the same sex. See also Gay, Lesbian Heteroflexible A sexual orientation classified as being mostly attracted to the opposite sex, but on occasion attracted to the same sex, sometimes referred to as “mostly straight” Gay Usually refers to homosexual males but can also be used as a blanket term Gynesexual One who is sexually attracted to women

Androsexual One who is sexually attracted to males

Homoflexible A sexual orientation classified as being mostly attracted to the same sex, but on occasion attracted to the opposite sex, sometimes referred to as “mostly gay”

Asexual Someone who feels no sexual attraction toward any group or person

QuestioningThe process of analyzing one’s own sexual orientation or gender identity

Autosexual One who is sexually attracted to oneself

Lesbian A woman who is attracted to women

Bisexual A person who is sexually attracted to both men and women

Metrosexual Describes a fashionable and well-groomed man living an upscale lifestyle. Can also describe a heterosexual man whose appearance or behavior does not conform to traditional masculinity

SEXUALITY TERMS

Demisexual An identity characterized by a lack of sexual attraction toward any person without a deeply emotional or romantic connection

Because questions don’t take the weekend off. Introducing weekend customer service. At Blue Cross, we understand that questions about your healthcare can’t always wait until Monday. So if you need to get answers before you get on with your weekend, our team is here to help on Saturday and Sunday. It’s not what you’d expect from a health plan, but maybe you should.

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Monogamy/Monogamous The state of having or being open to having only one romantic or sexual partner or relationship at a time Pansexual A person who is able to feel attracted to any and all gender orientations and sexes. Polyamory/Polyamorous The state of being open to loving or loving more than one person romantically and/or sexually at a given time Polygamy A marriage that contains more than two spouses Polysexual A person who is attracted to multiple orientations, but not all. Same-Gender-Loving (SGL) A term coined by activist Cleo Manago to describe homosexuals and bisexuals, particularly in the African-American community Skoliosexual A person who is exclusively attracted to those who identify outside of the gender binary (i.e. non-binary or genderqueer)

Androgynous/Androgyny Exhibiting masculine and feminine characteristics in near equal proportion AFAB Acronym for “Assigned Female at Birth,” often determined by a clinician following a visual assessment of an infant’s genitalia AMAB A term meaning “Assigned Male at Birth,” often determined by a clinician following a visual assessment of an infant’s genitalia Bigender A gender identity classified by identifying as both male and female Binary Gender A gender identity classified as strictly male or strictly female Biological Sex A person’s sex as determined by anatomy, chromosomes, or hormones. Altering one’s hormonal makeup via transitioning can change a person’s biological sex. Butch An identity in which an LGBTQ person is notably and deliberately masculine in manner or appearance, especially in lesbian culture

Straight See Heterosexual

Cisgender/Cis A term to describe those whose sex assigned at birth and gender identity are traditionally aligned

Sexual Orientation A person’s sexual identity in relation to the gender or sexes to which they are attracted

Cis man A person who was assigned male at birth and identifies as male; a cisgender man

GENDER TERMS

Cis woman A person who was assigned female at birth and identifies as female; a cisgender woman

Agender A gender identity classified by an attachment to no particular gender, also called non-binary

Crossdressing The behavior of dressing as the opposite sex

Nathan J. Reynolds 508-837-3972 nathan@insperiors.com www.insperiors.com

Jennifer A. Minuto LGBT Legal Advocacy.

Options | January 2016

Drag Queen A male person who dresses as female, usually in an exaggerated sense, for entertainment purposes

Trans An abbreviation for transgender, often used by the transgender community

Drag King A female person who dresses as male, usually in an exaggerated sense, for entertainment purposes

Trans man A transgender man; one who has transitioned from female to male

Femme An identity in which an LGBTQ person is notably and deliberately feminine in manner or appearance, especially in lesbian culture

Trans woman A transgender woman; one who has transitioned from male to female

FTM A term referring to a person transitioning, or who has transitioned, from female to male Gender The social and cultural constructs that signify masculinity, femininity, androgyny, and other identities outside of these categories Genderqueer A term meaning that one’s gender is queer, and falls outside of a normative structure. Can include non-binary gender identity, bigender, and some trans identities Gender Binary System The classification of gender and sex into two distinct, opposite and disconnected constructs of masculine and feminine and male and female

Trans* An umbrella term, like trans and transgender, to describe all people who experience any level of gender variance or are not cisgender.The use of the asterisk is meant to be specifically inclusive to all gender nonconforming people, including but not limited to agender, bigender, non-binary, and genderqueer people. Transgender A term used to describe a person who has a gender identity different from their sex assigned at birth; includes binary transgender, non-binary, and genderqueer people Transitioning The process of moving from one gender binary to another, via means of any, but not necessarily all, of the following: gender expression, name change, hormone therapy, and gender confirming surgeries

Gender Confirming Surgery Also called Sexual Reassignment Surgery (SRS) or Gender Reassignment Surgery (GRS), the term refers to the surgical interventions a person may take to transition from one sex to another. The term is often used to reference surgery on the genitals but can also include other surgeries related to transition (e.g., breast and chest surgeries, facial surgeries, hair transplants and removal, and other procedures).

Transphobia A range of antagonistic and/or negative feelings towards transgender, transsexual, or trans* identified persons; can be directed towards oneself (internalized transphobia) or outward towards others

Gender Conformity Behavior and appearance that conforms to the expectation of one’s assigned gender (e.g. masculine men and feminine women)

Two-spirit A modern, umbrella term sometimes used by Native American indigenous groups to describe gender-variant people q

Transsexual A person who moves from one gender to another via medical interventions such as hormones and surgeries

Gender Expression The outward manner in which one expresses their gender identity, relative to masculinity and femininity, via choices like hair style, clothing, mannerisms, and name/gender pronouns Gender Identity The gender or absence of gender that a person identifies with Gender Variance A departure from one’s assigned sex, the state of being gender nonconforming, transgender, or genderqueer Intersex Describes someone whose biological sex is not strictly male or female; as related to genitalia, chromosomes, and hormones Non-binary See Agender Non-op A transgender person with no plans to undergo gender confirming surgery MTF A term referring to a person transitioning, or who has transitioned, from male to female Passing, Pass A term describing a transgender person’s ability to be perceived as the gender in which they identify Pre-op A term to describe a trans-identified person who desires gender confirming surgery but has not had it yet Post-op A term to describe a person who has undergone sexual reassignment or gender confirming surgery or surgeries Sexual Reassignment Surgery See Gender Confirming Surgery

Options | January 2016

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Options | January 2016

BLAZE RESTURANT by Jeana DeLaire

REINVENTED I instantly fell in love with Blaze Restaurant upon my first visit at their former location on Providence’s East Side. From the eclectic menu items to the comfortable atmosphere, the reasons to support such an exceptional local queer-owned business were endless. Many of us Providence-based LGBTQ folks were a little torn up when we heard our beloved restaurant was moving. Owner and head chef Phyllis Arffa consistently provided us with delicious food and drinks at Blaze East Side since its opening in 2005 and it was here that we met a number of exceptional women and enjoyed community-focused events over the years. Would all of this continue at the new place? I recently had the pleasure of discussing the relocation and upcoming happenings with Chef Phyllis and am pleased to describe the major growth of the new Blaze, which opened in early October. The restaurant’s new home is within the Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket and has cleverly been renamed Blaze Village Kitchen. The original cozy atmosphere is now matched with the contemporary industrial style of the building. The menu still includes their classic favorites and excellent vegetarian options,

and now adds tapas and authentic brick oven pizza. When I asked Phyllis why she chose this new location she responded, “I love this building with so many artists, musicians, empowerment places for women, and socially conscious businesses.” The additional space allows for private parties and events. Trivia, comedy, karaoke, and live music are all on the horizon. In fact Blaze is currently gearing up for “Winter, Women, Wine, and Song,” a multi-artist musical showcase happening on Saturday, January 23 at the restaurant. When asked about the motivation behind this event, Phyllis said, “I wanted to have an event that combined great food, great music, and great friends coming together.” This night features a local lineup of skilled female acts Kim Trusty, Cheryl Aruda, and Becky Chace, who are stalwarts within Rhode Island’s vibrant lesbian music scene. The music—a blend of blues, jazz, and rock—can be enjoyed over a three course dinner with a vegan option and, at an additional charge, a wine pairing. Dinner seating will be from 6-10pm and is reservation only with tickets starting at $40. The entertainment runs from 8-11pm.

interested in the intentionality of spaces and asked Chef Phyllis how she and her partner have successfully created an affirming place for our community here in Rhode Island. Her answer, “Being a lesbian couple together for the past 26 years, we realized there are not many places for people like us to gather and dine. When you are Becky Chace

As an LGBTQ organizer, I am often Options | January 2016

young, there is the club, but when you are settled down there are not many choices. It was our intention to create a space where everyone felt comfortable.” She went on to discuss the value of connecting with customers over the years, holding community events, and establishing a group called “Ladies in the Community.” Blaze has truly earned its place as a beloved destination for our community in Rhode Island.q Cheryl Aruda

Kim Trusty

Options | January 2016

Offering New Services Youth Pride Inc. for LGBTQQ Youth don’t grow up invisible

by Alexis Hall

Youth Pride Inc. has recently expanded our services to offer our youth one-on-one mentoring with LGBTQ adults, as well as opening our services to those under the age of 13. These two new programs were started to better serve LGBTQQ youth in Rhode Island. The LGBTQQ mentoring program is in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State, and is the first LGBTQspecific program for the national organization. This on-site program pairs LGBTQ adult mentors with youth ages 11-23, who then meet biweekly at Youth Pride Inc. to share experiences and support over the course of 15 weeks.This pilot program has had an enthusiastic response to the call for adult mentors, and will continue

recruiting youth mentees on a rolling basis through the end of January. The program aims to provide youth with a positive LGBTQ role model in hopes of improving self-confidence, LGBTQ knowledge, and outlook. We have also begun offering services to youth under the age of 13, in response to a demonstrated need. Though the bulk of our programming is aimed at youth ages 13-23, our new 13-and-under group and dropin time on Thursday nights now offer opportunities for youth 9-13 to participate in a support group, connect with other youth, and make use of our wide range of services. We are also available to serve youth under the age of 9 by appointment.

GORDON SCHOOL empowering young minds

We at Youth Pride are excited about these new opportunities to meet the ongoing needs of LGBTQQ youth. If you are a youth or know a youth who may be interested in our LGBTQQ mentoring or 13-andunder programming, please reach out through our website or stop by our space for more information.q Youth Pride Inc. provides support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQQ young people ages 9-23. Our Drop-in Center is at 473 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903. Visit www. youthprideri.org, email info@youthprideri. org, or call (401) 421-5626 for more info.

GREGORY’S OPTICAL

263 Wickenden Street • Providence • 401-421-4770

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Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6 Sat. 10-4 Closed Sunday

LGBTQQI Admission Reception

Om Therapy

Thursday, January 7, 5:30 pm

Clinical Therapy Services for the LGBTQQI Community

Families interested in our commitment to being an inclusive community. Talk with Head of School and current parents, and gain admission and financial aid information. RSVP to admission@gordonschool.org

Now offering support groups, therapeutic yoga, and online services.

open house

Thursday, January 21, 9 am

401-497-8873 omtherapy.org Melissa@omtherapy.org

For prospective parents. Tour, observe classes, attend curriculum presentations, and hear from students. RSVP to www.gordonschool.org/visit 401-434-3833

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Nursery to eighth grade, East Providence, RI

Melissa DaSilva, LICSW

Office appointments available at 1 Richmond Square, Providence.

Options | January 2016

The Providence Gay Men's Chorus is seeking a

There is a solution to every problem.

Fundraising Coordinator!

We can change in every moment. Susan Sklar

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

154 Waterman Street Suite 16 Providence, RI 02908 (727)851-6923 psychologytoday.com

Do you have what it takes to be responsible for planning, coordinating, organizing, promoting, implementing, and evaluating activities for all fundraising aspects of the PGMC? Apply today! For additional information or to apply, please contact Christopher Lauth, PGMC’s business manager, at chris.lauth@provgmc.org. voted Best Choral Group in RI four years in a row! www.provgmc.org

MISS THE COMMUNITY OF CHURCH BUT WEARY OF INTOLERANCE? Try a church: where all are warmly welcomed*. where faith is an open dialogue, not a monologue. where reason, science, and art are celebrated. where all traditions are embraced.

Try Amicable Church, where our people are as friendly as our name. Sunday Services 10:00 AM

Options is seeking a Calendar Editor and an Ad Manager.

*All are welcome, no matter who you are, where you are on life's journey, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religious background.

Write to info@optionsri.org to learn more. We’d love for YOU to join the team!

AMICABLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 3736 Main Rd, Tiverton, RI www.amicablechurch.org

Options | January 2016

s n a i b s Le

Loose

on the

by Annie Cronin-Silva & Melanie Silva We certainly made the yuletide gay throughout this holiday season. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we lived up to our name. These lesbians were on the loose, out of the closet, and out on the town, that’s for sure. Our social calendar seemed like the 12 days of Christmas, with events almost every night through the end of the year. A night of laughter at The Village kicked off our celebrations. Titled the Homegrown Comedy Show, it featured some of Rhode Island’s hardest-working local comics. Karen O’Donnell, Mark Shea, and Christina Thomas performed alongside host-with-the-most John Kelley. The Village was packed with patrons who enjoyed delicious pre-show dinners before rolling with laughter. These comics definitely know how to work a crowd. We love that The Village hosts comedy and live music nights. It is a perfect alternative to just going out to a bar. That same weekend we attended the Big Picture fundraiser at Mirabar for Jen Bonin and her husband, Ron Frustaglia, who had a stroke at the end of the summer. Many know Jen from her work behind the lens, taking beautiful pictures of our community events, fundraisers, drag shows, and WaterFire nights. Jen always shares her photos and never asks for anything in return. This was our community’s chance to give back to Jen and help out someone who means so much to so many people. Carol DeNoncour Mann came up with the idea to hold this fundraiser, which surpassed all expectations, raising over $10,000 to help with medical bills and peace of mind for Ron and Jen. Drag performers Jacqueline DiMera, Kira Stone, Payton St. James, Jennie Talia, Complete Destruction, Vilet Laboss, Gia Devaroux, Sangria Sundaze, Jealousy Jonz, Genesis, Nadia Starr, Felicity Layne, LaDiva Jonz, and Miss Kitty Litter all came out to donate their time and

performances to help raise money. In addition to the performances there were numerous prizes auctioned off from local companies including Mister Sister, the Coast Guard House, the Coffee Grinder, Doherty’s Ale House, Meadowbrook Lanes, Governor Francis Inn, Harriet’s Kitchen, and Makeup & Image by Olga, to name just a few. We proved how powerful and loving our community really is. All who attended or donated made a real difference in Ron and Jen’s lives.

Kitty Litter’s final Sangria Sunday was held during the Options December issue release party at The Stable. Patrons from years past came out to bid farewell to the self-proclaimed First Lady of Providence. The bar was filled with excitement as she worked her final shift with owner Michael Slade. It went off without a hitch.

We know Sangria Sunday will never be the same, especially without Kitty’s bacon-infused Bloody Marys.

System to benefit Interweave Channing’s Born This Way Prom. People were surprised to see us at a men’s swimwear and underwear auction, especially one named “Half Naked, All Heart.” But host Jacqueline DiMera made sure this event was tasteful, creative, and fun. It was impressive to see so many people bidding on the worn trunks. As the saying goes, “When in Rome…” We bid on the first pair of underwear and won the auction! We ended up donating the underwear to the model, and he was thrilled to keep it. We’re happy to know this fun night will benefit the kids of the Born This Way Prom, which we have had the privilege to attend for the past three years. The annual holiday drive at The Stable brought people together once again and showed the generosity of our community by supporting the House of Hope CDC. We all gathered to help the homeless by bringing donations of blankets, pillows, socks, scarves, gloves, and non-perishable food and snacks. Hosts Kitty Litter, BB Hayes, and Scott Connery greeted everyone as they arrived. It was overwhelming to see the abundance of donations cascading around the Stable’s Christmas tree. Christmas really is the season of giving, and we are so proud of our community for once again stepping up and helping those less fortunate. Thanks go out to the entire staff of The Stable, as well as the staff of The Village who held a toy drive to benefit Adoption Rhode Island, and the Alley Cat staff who held a toy and tree drive to support AIDS Care Ocean State. Don’t let the winter weather keep you house-bound. Check out our Calendar and come out, be seen, and be part of the community! q

From The Stable, we walked over to the Dark Lady to attend a charity fashion show held by the International Court

Options | January 2016

NEWS FROM Amazing Progress! It has been over six months since SAGE-RI officially partnered with CareLink. Transitions are seldom easy but the light is appearing at the end of the tunnel. The organizational expertise and support our allies at CareLink offer us, along with their ongoing commitment to our mission and our success, have been challenging and strengthening. The Board of Directors knows they have a lot of work to do in 2016; they are rolling up their sleeves and getting excited about the future of SAGE-RI. As the transition from an exclusively volunteer-driven organization to a more established, financially sustainable nonprofit continues, we know there will be points of change, new challenges, and multiple opportunities. We want to thank Kim Stowell for serving as SAGE-RI’s first Executive Director during these past six months and for her ongoing commitment to the LGBT community. We wish her well as she moves on. Does SAGE-RI Matter to you? You bet! Regardless of your age, SAGE-RI is already making a positive difference in the lives of LGBT people in Rhode Island. We are challenging mainstream organizations to recognize they have LGBT people in their programs and on their staff, and to commit themselves to make their programs welcoming, safe, and appropriate for all. SAGE-RI is increasingly recognized as the local source for professional training and consultation. Yes, LGBT senior citizens exist and we’re tired of being invisible! SAGE-RI is working within the LGBT community as well as the larger community to increase our visibility, which will allow us to age with dignity. In addition to our education and advocacy efforts, we’ve worked with the RI State Council of Churches to create the Gen Silent Road Trip. (Haven’t seen the film? Stay tuned for spring screenings.) Reaching out to our allies within the faith communities helps to get the word out and to mobilize more support. For many of us, getting older has also meant that we don’t have as many opportunities to hang out with “our people.” The bar scene and softball begin to lose their welcoming aura. SAGE-RI has been a key player in creating the LGBT Café,

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by Sally Ann Hay together with the Division of Elderly Affairs and Meals on Wheels. This monthly luncheon allows for meeting with old and new friends, and features a program or a movie. It’s always a good time. SAGE-RI also hosts several social events such as brunches, conferences, and art auctions throughout the year to bring our members and the LGBT community together. Support SAGE-RI We hope you will join us in this adventure. Consider making a donation and/or becoming a member at our dedicated page: www.memberplanet.com/campaign/sagerhodeisland/ membership. Of course, we are also happy to accept your gift the old fashioned way by sending your check to SAGE-RI, 1 Virginia Avenue, Suite 102, Providence, RI 02905. Membership fees are $25/individual, $30/couple or family, $15/student or limited income, or $500/lifetime membership. Thank you! q SAGE-RI (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) addresses issues of concern to LGBT elders and is an organization of diverse people of all ages. For information on programs or to join SAGE-RI, drop us a line at sageriinfo@ gmail.com; call us at (401) 443-4451; write to us at SAGE-RI at CareLink, 1 Virginia Avenue, Suite 102, Providence, RI 02905; find us on the web at www.sage-ri.org; or find us on Facebook as SAGE/Rhode Island.

PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE

PCA is PROUD to share its new home with RI Pride and Options Magazine. Now located at 1055 Westminster Street, Providence. For appointments, call 401-272-2288. www.providencecommunityacupuncture.com

RESOURCES

Options originated in 1982 as the offical newsletter of the Rhode Island Gay Task Force. Editor Jos Fayette explained, “The RIGTF wants to make the homosexual community aware of their options as gay men and women in Rhode Island. And it’s only because we live, work, love, and play in this state that there are such a large number of options available to all of us.” Options has always, and will continue to print LGBTQ resources so that you can, as Fayette went on to say, “Exercise your OPTIONS today to make positive changes in your life tomorrow.” Help us help you! Email info@optionsri.org if you come across a resource listing that needs updating. New, updated, and featured resources are highlighted. Phone numbers are in the 401 area code and addresses are in Rhode Island, unless otherwise indicated.

Addiction Support Groups AA Brothers in Sobriety: Saturday 7:30pm. 372 Wayland Avenue, Providence. 751-9328. Alcohol/Drug Helpline: RI Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence. 24hr. (866) 252-3784. RI LGBT AA Group: Tuesdays 7 -- 8 pm Bell Street Chapel, 5 Bell St., Providence, 273-5678. All are welcome. Seven Hills Behavioral Health: Addiction support services and Narcan. 1173 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA, 508-

999-4159. 310 S. Main Street, Fall River, MA, 508-235-1012. Leonard Amaral, Program Manager, lamaral@sevenhills.org. Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous: 12-step program. Fridays at 7pm. Providence Presbyterian Church, 500 Hope Street, Providence, side entrance, downstairs to the left. Gay, but all are welcome.

AIDS/Health Resources AFIA Center for Health & Wholeness: Meals, food pantry, HIV support groups, recovery groups, recreational and social activities. Sponsored by AIDS Project RI. Free to clients. Wednesday and Thursday 12-3pm. Mathewson Street Church, 134 Mathewson Street, Providence. Contact Gordon Cooper, 331-1350 ext. 3268. info@uwri.org. www.familyserviceri.org. AIDS Action Hotline: MA only. (800) 235-2331. www.aac.org. AIDS Care Ocean State: Confidential HIV & Hep C testing, safer-sex supplies, case management, emergency funds, clinical services, assisted and supportive housing for people living with HIV/AIDS, street outreach, ENCORE, HIV+ support groups. Speaker’s Bureau, 18 Parkis Ave., Providence. 521-3603 (call 781-0665 to schedule an appointment). www.aidscareos.org. AIDS Project RI: Division of Family Service of RI. Case management, buddies, COBRA and dental services, emergency fund, mental health counseling, nutrition support, assessment and referral, wellness programs, advocacy, strength training, prevention education, HIV testing. 9 Pleasant Street, Providence. 831-5522 www.aidsprojectri.org.

AIDS Quilt RI: Displays local AIDS memorial quilt panels, panel-making programs including Anna’s Workshop, HIV/AIDS education for young people. PO Box 2591, Newport. 434-4880. admin@aidsquiltri.org. www.aidsquiltri.org. Brown University AIDS Program: Clinical trials, public policy, research, lectures, conferences, patient and community education. 121 South Main Street, Second Floor, Providence. 863-6790. brunap@brown.edu. brown.edu/Departments/BRUNAP. Community Care Alliance: Case management, support, personal care items for people living with HIV/AIDS in northern Rhode Island. 245 Main Street, Woonsocket. 235-6092. lcohen@famresri.org. Comprehensive Community Action Programs: Medical, mental health, dental, social services, LGBT outreach. 311 Doric Avenue, Cranston. Also Coventry, Pawtucket, and Warwick. 467-9610. Gabriel Care, LLC: Nursing/social worker case management and financial compensation for assistance and supervision for those living with HIV. MassHealth funded for MA residents. 376 South Main Street, Fall River, MA. Contact Jenn, (508) 678-1002.

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HIV Antibody Testing: Anonymous.Free or sliding scale.RI Department of Health. Providence, Newport and other locations. 222-2320. Home and Hospice Care of RI: Medical care management for HIV/AIDS. 24hr nursing staff for treatment. 1085 North Main Street, Providence. Referrals: 782-0725. Bereavement groups: Contact John Charette, 727-7079. Main Office: 415-4200 or toll-free 800-338-6555. www.hhcri.org. House of Compassion: HIV/AIDS housing. 2510 Mendon Road, Cumberland. 658-3992. LGBT Caregiver Online Support Group: For LGBTs caring for someone with chronic health problems. www.caregiver.org Luis E. Martinez House CHS, Inc.: Supportive, permanent housing for 10 adults living with HIV/AIDS and/or substance abuse. New Bedford, MA. Contact Joe Taylor. (508) 984-7514. Partners in Learning About AIDS: Outreach to minorities, women of color, and LGBT community at clubs and other locations. North Providence office provides free condoms and information about STIs and post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. 1006 Charles Street, Suite 5, North Providence. 484-7523. info@plaidsproject.org. www.plaidsproject.org. Planned Parenthood of So. New England: Confidential, lowcost, same-day & walk-in STD and HIV testing. Commonsense approach to health. 111 Point St., Providence. 800-230-7526. www.ppsne.org. Project Weber: Services for male sex workers. Drop-in center, support groups, HIV and Hep C testing, clean needles. 383-4888. www.projectweber.org.

Seven Hills HIV Prevention & Screening: TWIST program, HIV and STI prevention and testing,partner care.1173AcushnetAvenue, New Bedford, MA, 508-999-4159. 310 S. Main Street, Fall River, MA, 508-235-1012. Contact Leonard Amaral, lamaral@sevenhills.org. SSTAR (Stanley Street Treatment & Resources): Counseling, drug treatment, detox, domestic violence programs, free and confidential HIV, HEP C, and STD testing, education, case management and support. MA and RI locations. 386 Stanley Street, Fall River, MA. (508) 679-5222. Project Aware (HIV/HCV); (508) 324-3561. Family Healthcare Center; (508) 675-1054. www.sstar.org. Steppingstone, Inc.: Welcome Home Medical case management program. One-on-one peer support in Somerset to Wareham area. HIV support groups available. Free and open to any HIV+ person 18+. 5 Dover Street, New Bedford, MA. (508) 984-7514. www.steppingstoneinc.org. Tranquil Mind & Wellness: Counseling, alternative healing, yoga, Pilates, meditation.109 Rhode Island Road, Lakeville, MA. (508) 947-1683. www.tranquilmind.net. Thundermist Health Center: Provides HIV/AIDS services including medical care and treatment by an HIV specialist, dental care, behavioral health counseling, nutritional assessment and counseling, pharmacy consultation, free and confidential HIV testing. 450 Clinton Street, Woonsocket. Contact Philip Kane. 767-4100 ext. 3516.

Information/Education

The Center for Sexual Pleasure & Health: Education, pleasure, health, advocacy. Tues. -- Sat. 12 -- 6 and by appointment. 250 Main Street, Unit 1, Pawtucket. 489-5513. www.thecsph.org. Fenway Community Center LGBT Helpline: Support, information and referrals. Fenway Community Health Center, Boston. Open daily 6-11pm. (617) 267-9001 or 888-340-452 GLBT National Help Center Hotline: Local resources

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nationwide provided by social services agency. 888-843-4564. www.glbtnationalhelpcenter.org. Newport Out: LGBT website for Newport. www.newportout.com. RILGBT-News: Low-volume email distribution list for LGBT & AIDS news from RI. Not a discussion list. To subscribe: tinawood@cox.net. United Way of RI Referral Line: 2-1-1 on your telephone.

Nightlife The Alley Cat Providence: Downtown neighborhood bar. Monday-Thursday 3pm-1am, Friday 3pm-2am, Saturday 2pm2am, Sunday 2pm-1am. 19 Snow Street, Providence. 272-6369. Bobby’s Place: Dancing, pool, video lounge, karaoke. SundayWednesday 5pm-1am, Thursday-Saturday 5pm-2am. 62 Weir Street,Taunton, MA. (508) 824-9997. www.bobbysplacema.com. Brooklyn Coffee Tea House: 209 Douglas Ave., Providence: public/private venue for music, art, film screenings, weddings, showers, etc. RHODYWOOD@yahoo.com; 359-0192. Club Body Center: Gay men’s sauna. Membership required. One-day pass available. Open 24hr. 257 Weybosset Street, Providence. 274-0298. www.cbcresorts.com. The Dark Lady: Downtown bar and nightclub. TuesdayThursday 9pm-1am, Friday & Saturday 9pm-3am, Sunday 9pm1am. 17 Snow Street, Providence. 272-6369. EGO: Providence’s newest gay nightlife performance/event space. Sunday and Thursday 9pm-1am, Friday and Saturday 10pm-3am, 73 Richmond St, Providence. 383-1208. www.egopvd.com.

Indigo Lounge: 599 Tiogue Ave, Coventry RI 02816. Breakfast buffet, specialty pizzas, T Dances, live entertainment, karaoke Thurs. Hours vary, closed Mon. www.indigopizza.com. Mirabar: Downtown bar and nightclub. Monday-Thursday 3pm-1am, Friday and Saturday 3pm-2am, Sunday 3pm-1am. 15 Elbow Street, Providence. 331-6761. www.mirabar.com. Providence Eagle: Leather, Levi, bear cruise bar. MondayThursday 2pm-1am, Friday 2pm-2am, Saturday-Sunday 12pm2am. 124 Snow Street, Providence. 421-1447. The Stable: Downtown video bar. No cover. Monday-Thursday 2pm-1am, Friday 2pm-2am, Saturday 12pm-2am, Sunday 12pm1am. 125 Washington Street, Providence. 272-6950. The Village: Downtown Providence’s newest LGBT owned and operated restaurant and live entertainment venue. Lunch & dinner Wednesday through Sunday for varying hours. 373 Richmond St. 228-7222, www.thevillageri.com

Political & Legal Groups American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): 128 Dorrance Street, Suite 220, Providence. 831-7171. riaclu.org. Amnesty International OUTfront: Program to campaign globally for LGBTQ human rights. (212) 807-8400. Cvohs18904@yahoo.com. www.amnestyusa.org. Brown University Queer Alliance: Student advocacy and support organization. queer@brown.edu. Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD): LGBT/ HIV legal info hotline. Weekdays 1:30-4:30pm. 30 Winter Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA. (617) 436-1350 or (800) 455-GLAD. gladlaw@glad.org www.GLAD.org. Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund: 120 Wall Street, Suite 1500, NY. (212) 809-8585. www.lambdalegal.org. Lawyers for Equality and Diversity (LEAD): Advocates for LGBT causes. lawyersforequality@gmail.com. National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Assoc./New England: Works for fair and accurate media coverage of LGBT issues. info@nlgja.org, www.nlgja.org.

The Next Thing (TNT): Political and support group for queer people of color located at Brown University. 863-3062. tnt@brown.edu. RI Commission on Prejudice and Bias: Hate crime awareness training program. www.hatecrimeri.org. RI Socialist Action: 952-5385, adgagneri@gmail.com. Spanish: 351-3514, walsil@cox.net. RI Human Rights Commission: Anti-discrimination law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit. 180 Westminster Street, 3rd floor, Providence. 222-2662 TTY: 222-2664, richr.ri.gov. Scouts for Equality: An organization composed largely of Boy Scouts of America alumni dedicated to ending the BSA’s ban on gay members and leaders. Contact Carol Crowther. ccrowther1@gmail.com. Facebook.com/riscoutsforequality. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network: Serving LGBT military personnel and veterans. PO Box 65301, Washington DC. (202) 328-3244. or (800) 538-7418. sldn@sldn.org. www.sldn.org.

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Religious & Spiritual All Saints Memorial Church: 674Westminster Street, Providence. 751-1747. asmcri@verizon.net. www.allsaintsmemorial.org. Amicable Congregational Church: UCC. Open & Affirming. Pastor William Sterrett. Sunday 10am. 3736 Main Road, Tiverton. 624-4611. amicablechurch@aol.com, www.amicablechurch.org. Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists: robin@awab.org, www.awab.org. Barrington Congregational Church: UCC. “The white church.” Sundays 10am. 461 County Road, Barrington. 246-0111. office@bccucc.org, www.bccucc.org. Bell Street Chapel: Unitarian Universalist. A Welcoming Congregation. Rev. Margaret Weis. Sundays 10am. 5 Bell Street, Providence. 273-5678. www.bellstreetchapel.org. Beneficent Congregational Church: UCC. An Open & Affirming congregation in the heart of Providence. Co-Pastors Todd & Nicole Yonkman. Sundays 10am. 300 Weybosset Street, Providence. 331-9844. BeneficentChurchUCC@gmail.com, www.beneficentchurch.org. Berean Baptist Church: A safe and welcoming place for all God’s children. Sunday 10am. 474 Chapel Street, Harrisville. 568-5411. bereanbaptist@verizon.net. www.bereanri.org. Calvary United Methodist Church of Middletown: LGBTQ early dementia support group. Contact Amy. Sundays 10:30am. 200 Turner Road, Middletown. 847-6181, www.middletownmethodist.com. Central Congregational Church: UCC.An Opening & Affirming Congregation. Sundays 10:30am. 296 Angell Street, Providence. 331-1960. www.centralchurch.us. Channing Memorial Church: Unitarian Universalist. A Welcoming Congregation. Sundays 10am. 135 Pelham Street, Newport. 846-0643. administrator@channingchurch.org. www.channingchurch.org. Charter Oak Grove ADF: An Open and Welcoming Congregation of Neo-pagan Druids in CT. charteroakadf@gmail. com, www.charteroakadf.org. Christ Church in Lonsdale: Episcopal. 1643 Lonsdale Avenue, Lincoln. Services 8am and 10:30am. 725-1920. office@christchurchlincoln.org. www.christchurchlincoln.org. Church of the Ascension, 390 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, RI 02910.

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Sundays at 10am. 461-5811. www.ascensioncranston.org. Church of the Epiphany: A diverse Open & Affirming Episcopal congregation. 1336 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence. 434-5012. info@epiphanyep.org, www.epiphanyep.org. Church of the Holy Paraclete: Independent Old Catholic. Fr. Jakob Lazarus. Sunday 9am and 6pm. 155 Douglas Avenue, Providence. 218-0706. www.holyparaclete.org. Edgewood Congregational Church: UCC. Open & Affirming. Service 10am. 1788 Broad Street, Cranston. 461-1344. office@edgewoodchurchri.org. www.edgewoodchurchri.org. Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Sundays 8 and 9:30am. 120 Nate Whipple Highway, Cumberland. 658-1506. office@emmanuelri.org. www.emmanuelri.org. First Congregational Church in Bristol: An Open and Affirming Congregation. Skip Macaulay, Interim Pastor. 281 High Street, Bristol. 253-7288. www.fccbristol.org. First Unitarian Church: A welcoming congregation. Sunday 10:30am. 1 Benevolent Street, Providence. 421-7970. admin@firstunitarianprov.org, www.firstunitarianprov.org. First Unitarian Church: Service 11am. 71 8th Street, New Bedford, MA. (508) 994-9686. admin@uunewbedford.org, www.uunewbedford.org. First Universalist Society: UU. Welcoming congregation. Samegender weddings. 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin, MA. (508) 5285348. fusf@verizon.net, www.fusf.org. Foxboro Universalist Church: UUA. Service 10am. 6 Bird Street, Foxboro, MA. 508-543-4002. chair@uufoxborough.org. www.uufoxborough.org. Grace Episcopal Church in Providence: 175 Mathewson Street, Providence. 331-3225. hello@gracechurchprovidence.org. www.gracechurchprovidence.org. Hopedale Unitarian Parish: Sundays 10:30 am. 65 Hopedale St., Hopedale, MA. www.hopedaleunitarian.org, 508-473-0745. Rev. Tony Lorenzen. Immanuel Lutheran Church: A Reconciling in Christ congregation. Pastor Sandra Demmler D’Amico. 647 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA. (508) 222-2898. www.immanuellc.org. Interweave at Channing Memorial UU Church: Organization for the spiritual, political and social well-being of LGBTQ persons, and their allies, confronting oppression. 135 Pelham Street, Newport. 846-0643.

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd: A “Reconciling in Christ” congregation (Welcoming). 3383 Old North Rd., Kingston, RI. Sundays 9 am. Pastor Mary Hansen-Joyce. 789-7776; office@ goodshepherdri.org Mathewson St. Church: United Methodist. 134 Mathewson Street, Providence. 331-8900. MathewsonStUMC@gmail.com. Mercy of God Community: Christian, inclusive religious order. mercycomm@yahoo.com, www.mgc.org. Murray Unitarian Universalist Church: Marriage and commitment ceremonies for all. Rev. Bob McKetchnie. 505 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA. (508) 222-0505 www.murrayuuchurch.org. Newman Congregational Church: Open & Affirming. 100 Newman Avenue, Rumford. 434-4742. www.newmanucc.org. Newport Congregational Church: UCC. Open & Affirming. Rev. Hayes and Rev. Baker. 73 Pelham Street, Newport. 849-2238. Park Place Congregational Church: 71 Park Place, Pawtucket. 726-2800. office@ppucc.necoxmail.com, www.parkplaceucc.com. The Pub Church: An Open & Affirming church that meets in a pub. Location may change. Saturday 5pm. The Dugout, 722 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA. thepubchurch@gmail.com. Pilgrim Lutheran Church: An inclusive congregation. Sundays 8 and 9:30am. 1817 Warwick Avenue, Warwick. 739-2937. parishasst@pilgrimlutheranri.org, pilgrimlutheranri.jimdo.com. Pilgrim United Church of Christ: Open and Affirming. 635 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA. (508)-997-9086. Riverside Church: UCC.15 Oak Avenue, Riverside. Service 10am. 433-2039. www.rcc-ucc.com. St. Augustine’s Church and Episcopal Center at URI: 15 Lower College Road, Kingston. 783-2153. Sundays 8am and 10am. StAugustinesChurch@necoxmail.com, www.staugustineuri.org. St. James Church: Episcopal. 474 Fruit Hill Avenue, North Providence. 353-2079. St. Martin’s Episcopal Church: Sundays 8 and 10am. 50 Orchard Avenue, Providence. 751-2141. StMartinsNB.Secretary@gmail. com, www.stmartinsprov.org. St. Martin’s Episcopal Church: Welcoming Church. Monthly LGBT Eucharist. 136 Rivet Street, New Bedford, MA. (508)994-8972. stmartins1887@comcast.com, www.stmartinsma.org. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church: Sundays 9am.50 Park Place,Pawtucket. 728-4300. office@stpaulspawtucket.org, www.stpaulspawtucket.org. St. Paul’s Church: A welcoming Episcopal church. Sundays 9am.

2679 East Main Street, Portsmouth. 683-1164. stpaulsportsmouthri.org. St. Peter & St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church: 25 Pomona Avenue, Providence. 272-9649.stpanda25@verizon.net. www.stpeters-standrews.org. Saint Therese Old Catholic Church: Open & Affirming. Fr. David Martins. Sunday 10:30am. 1500 Main St., W. Warwick, RI 02893. 680-9076. stocc134@gmail.com, www.saintthereseocc.org. Second Congregational Church of Attleboro: UCC. Open & Affirming. 50 Park Street, Attleboro, MA. Sunday 10am. (508) 2224677. office2nd@verizon.net. www.attleborosecondchurch.org. Seekonk Congregational Church: Open & Affirming. Sundays 9 and 10:30am. Rev. Joy Utter, 600 Fall River Ave., Seekonk, MA. (508) 336-9355. sccucc@verizon.net. www.scc-ucc.com. Soka Gakkai: Buddhist association for peace, culture, and education. Contact for weekly meetings in Providence. 930 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. (617) 264-2000. www.sgi-usa.org. Temple Agudas Achim: Reconstructionist congregation. 901 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA. (508) 222-2243. office@agudasma.org, www.agudasma.org. Temple Beth-El: Rabbi Sarah E. Mack. 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence. 331-6070. info@temple-beth-el.org, www.temple-beth-el.org. Temple Emanu-El: A welcoming Conservative congregation. Rabbi Wayne Franklin. 99 Taft Avenue, Providence. 331-1616. info@teprov.org, www.teprov.org. Temple Habonim: A warm, Welcoming Reform congregation. Rabbi Andrew Klein. 165 New Meadow Road, Barrington. 2456536. office@templehabonim.org, www.templehabonim.org. Temple Sinai: A Welcoming Reform temple. Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser, 30 Hagen Avenue, Cranston. 942-8350. webmaster@templesinairi.org, www.templesinairi.org. Unitarian Church in Fall River: Sunday 10:30am. 309 North Main Street, Fall River, MA. 508-678-9700. office@unitarianchurchfr.org, www.unitarianchurchfr.org. Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven: Service 10:30am. 102 Green Street, Fairhaven, MA. (508) 992-7081. www. uufairhaven.org. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County: 27 North Road, Peace Dale. 783-4170 or Val 789-7282. uucscri@ yahoo.com. www.uusouthcountyri.org. Westminster Unitarian Universalist Church: A UUA Welcoming Congregation. 119 Kenyon Avenue, East Greenwich. 884-5933. www.westminsteruu.org.

Social Organizations Bear Providence: Monthly social events for the bear community. www.bearprovidence.com Bisexual Resource Center: PO Box 170796, Boston, MA. (617) 4249595. brc@bicresource.net www.biresource.net. Biversity Boston: Mixed-gender social events for Boston and the surrounding area. (617) 424-9595. biversity-subscribe@biversity.org, www.biversity.org. Boston Bisexual Women’s Network: Social activities including monthly brunches, coming out groups and quarterly newsletter “Bi Woman Quarterly.” www.biwomenboston.org. Bears Ocean State (BOS): Informal e-group for gay & bisexual bearidentified and affiliated men for friendly companionship. All welcome. groups.yahoo.com/group/bearsoceanstate. Cape and Islands Gay & Straight Youth Alliance (CIGSYA): 56 Barnstable Road, Hyannis, MA. (508) 778-7744. info@cisgsya.org, www.cigsya.org. Communisong: For unity through song. Non-performance monthly singing session. www.communisong.net. CORISMA: Potluck get-togethers for couples from RI and southeast MA.

corismainfo@comcast.net, www.corismagroup.org. Imperial Court of RI at Providence: Drag and non-drag performers raise funds for local charities. All welcome to general membership meetings on first Monday at Dark Lady, 17 Snow Street, Providence. icri.prov@gmail.com. www.icriprov.org. Mixed Borders Gardening Group: Gardening and more. Monthly meetings, all welcome. Mixedborders@cox.net. www.mixedborders.com. Opera Club: Enjoy hearing and attending. Last Sunday of each month at 1pm. BrettCornellpi4@aol.com. Providence Gay Men’s Chorus: New season rehearsals begin in January and August. Singers and non-singing volunteers welcome. Monday 7-9:30pm. Beneficent Church, 300 Weybosset Street, Providence. www.provgmc.org. Queer Book Club: 3rd Wednesday, 7pm. Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence, queerbookclub@gmail.com.

RI Association of Gay Professionals: Networking and philanthropy. www.riagp.com.

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RI Parents Pride: Gay parents socializing together with their children. Contact Melanie. 464-2288. saphicangel120@yahoo.com. RI Pride: Open house 4th Wednesdays. Festival & Parade 3rd Saturday in June. Office: 1055 Westminster St., Providence 02903. Mail: PO Box 1082, Providence, 02903. 467-2130. info@prideri.com, www.prideri.com. RI Prime Timers: Social and networking group for older gay and bi men. Second Sunday. Call Steve, 996-3010. www.riprimetimers.org. RI Skeptics Society: Yearning to talk with someone rational? Refreshing discussion. Fourth Saturday. East Providence restaurant location. www.meetup.com/skeptics-133/. RI Women’s Association: Lesbian social group. 21+. Dances & events. www.riwa.net.

SAGE/RI (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders): Advocacy, education and social events for LGBT seniors. SAGE-RI at CareLink, 1 Virginia Ave., Providence, RI 02905. 443-4451. sageriinfo@gmail. com. www.sage-ri.org. SEMASSMEN: Social group for GBQ men of southeastern MA & RI to foster strong friendships. Semassmen-subscribe@ yahoogroups.com. rlevass@yahoo.com. Smart Monkey Gay Men’s Support Group. Meets twice monthly in Cranston to learn about integrity, intimacy and male roles. Write Paul (ctripaul@yahoo.com) or Steve (43dadzone@ gmail.com). Yankee Lambda Car Club: Regional club for GLBT vintage and specialty car enthusiasts. www.yankeelcc.com.

Sports & Recreation PrideSports Boston: Network of twenty-plus gay sports leagues/teams in Boston area. www.pridesportsboston.com. Boston Gay BASKETBALL League: ksg.bgbl@gmail.com, www.bgbl.com. Big Gay Al’s Duckpin BOWLING League: Proceeds benefit AIDS causes. Tuesday 6:30pm. 1463 Atwood Avenue, Town Hall Lanes, Johnston. Contact Frank Ferri. 831-6940.www.bgalbowling. com. www.townhalllanes.com. GALA Bowling League: Sundays 5:50 p.m., E. Providence Lanes, 80 Newport Ave., E. Providence. Season begins Aug. 30. View us on Facebook or email galabowling1990@gmail.com. FLAG (For Lesbians And Gays) FOOTBALL: Boston-based recreational football club. All skill levels are encouraged to participate. Saturday mornings in the fall and spring. www.flagflagfootball.com. Boston Pride HOCKEY: www.bostonpridehockey.org. Rondeaus KICKBOXING: 272-5425. www.rondeauskickboxing.com. Main Street MARTIAL ARTS: Non-profit. Welcoming dojo and community center. 1282 North Main Street, Providence. 274-7672.www.mainstma.org. Chiltern Mountain Club: OUTDOOR recreation club in New England. events@chiltern.org. www.chiltern.org. Boston Gay ROWERS: Worldwide online community for gay and lesbian rowers, coxies, coaches, and race officials. www.glrf.org. Boston Ironsides RUGBY Football: www.bostonironsides.org. Providence Women’s RUGBY Club: Competitive and recreational. www.providencerugby.com Frontrunners Rhode Island RUNNING Group: Running and walking group. Newcomers welcome. Meet at the end of Blackstone

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Boulevard at Hope Street, Providence.Thursday 6pm. Contact Brian. 751-7643. bripm@cox.net, frontrunnersri@gmail.com Frontrunners Boston RUNNING Group: Morning walk/ run along the Charles River. Saturdays,10am. Club Cafe, 209 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA. www.frontrunnersboston.org. OutRyders SKIING: New England’s largest gay and lesbian ski and snowboard club. www.outryders.org. Boston Strikers SOCCER Club: Non-profit social organization to learn and improve soccer skills in a relaxed, congenial environment. www.bostonstrikers.com. Renaissance City SOFTBALL League: New players and boosters always welcome. www.providencesoftball.org. Beantown SOFTBALL League: Friendly competition. 27 teams in four divisions of play: competitive, intermediate, and recreational. (617) 297-7490. www.beantownsoftball.com. LANES (Liquid Assets New England SWIMMING): Fitness and/or competition. (617) 937-5858. www.swim-lanes.org. TENNIS-4-All: Boston area tennis organization. www.tennis4all.org. Cambridge Boston VOLLEYBALL Association: Players of all skill levels welcome. secretary@cbvolleyball.net www.gayvolleyball.net. Ocean State Pride VOLLEYBALL League: Adult coed indoor league following USVBA rules. No try-outs. Fee applies. Kent County YMCA, 900 Centerville Road, Warwick. ospvolleyball@gmail.com. East Coast WRESTLING Club: (617)937.5858 x6. ecwc@juno.com. www.eastcoastwrestlingclub.org.

Students & Youth Bristol Community College The Lambda Connection: (TLC@ BCC) Robert Delaleu, Advisor; BCC-G118, 777 Elsbree St., Fall River, MA (774)357-4056. Brown University Queer Alliance: Umbrella organization at Brown University for LGBTQ groups. 863-3062. queer@brown. edu or lgbtq@brown.edu. CCRI Triangle Alliance: an LGBTQQ student-run group at CCRI, on the Flanagan, Liston, and Knight campuses. www.ccri.edu/triangle/. LGBT National Youth Talkline: 800-246-7743. Private oneto-one chat and info on local resources. Peer Listening Line: Youth-staffed hotline for GLBT youth. Support, info and referrals. 5-10pm. Fenway Community Health Center, Boston, MA. (617) 267-9001 or (800) 399-PEER. www. fenwayhealth.org. Salve Regina University â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Alliance: 100 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport. Contact: Benjamin Mead, benjamin.mead@ salve.edu

S.H.E.P.A.R.D. (Stopping Homophobia, Eliminating Prejudices and Restoring Dignity): Providence College, 1 Cunningham Square, Providence. 865-1631. shepard@providence.edu. The Trevor Project: The only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBT youth. Also offers social networks. (866)4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386). thetrevorproject.org. University of RI LGBTIQ2: Alumni association. 874-5808. gsimonelli@uri.edu. URI LGBTQ Center: A cultural department for students, faculty and staff. Florence Badejo. 874-2894. Youth Pride Inc.: Support, education & advocacy for LGBTQQ young people ages 13--23. Tues. -- Fri. 2 -- 8pm. The Way Out peer support group Thurs. 4pm. Gender Spectrum support group Tues. 4pm. Visit our website for full calendar of events. 743 Westminster St., Providence. 421-5626. info@youthprideri.org. www.youthprideri.org.

Support Groups & Social Services Abuse Victims and Survivors: Support on phone for LGBTQ victims & survivors of partner abuse. Confidential peer-led groups. Hotline: (617) 742-4911. TTY: (617) 227-4911. advocate@tnlr.org. Adoption Options: Non-sectarian help. Jewish Family Service, 959 North Main Street, Providence. Contact Betsy Alper. 331-5437. www.adoptionoptions.org. Child & Family Services: Counseling, young parent support, adoption, more. LGBT groups beginning July. Open six days. 66 Troy St., Fall River, MA. (508) 6765708. www.child-familyservices.org Community Care Alliance: Stipend, assistance, training provided by Family Resources Community Action. 2356095. www.famresri.org. Foster parents needed: For newborn to age six. 2764300. www.childrensfriendri.org. Family Service RI: Training,stipend,support provided for nurturing families. Family Service of RI. Contact Gregary Wright. 331-1350 ext. 3305. www.familyserviceri.org. Seven Hills Behavioral Health: HIV Prevention and Screening. 310 South Main Street, Fall River, MA. (508) 235-1012.T.W.I.S.T. (508) 672-0378. Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center: Offering resources for victims of domestic violence. 723-3057. www.bvadvocacycenter.org. Compass: FTM trans info, support and social group. Boston first Thursday 7-9pm. compassftm@gmail.com. www.compassftm.org. 36

Crossroads RI Hotline: (800) 367-2700. DayOne:Counseling&legalaidforvictimsofsexualassault/ abuse & incest. 24hr hotline. (800) 494-8100. 421-4100. www.dayoneri.org. Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County: Support, court advocacy, counseling, safe home, info for women and men in abusive or controlling relationships. 24hr free and confidential helpline. 7823990 or toll free 800-494-8100, www.dvrcsc.org. Gay Fathers of Greater Boston: Support. 738 Main St. #323, Waltham, MA. (781) 333-8429. info@ gayfathersboston.org, www.gayfathersboston.org. Gay Officers Action League (GOAL)/New England: Law enforcement officers (sworn & civilian), fire, rescue & publicly employed EMS. Confidential. P.O. Box 171587, Boston, MA 02117. www.newenglandgoal. org. On Facebook at NewEnglandGOAL. Gay Share: Coming Out? Gay menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support group. No fee. Wednesday 7:30pm. Contact Tom or Mike. 3699448. info@gayshare.org, www.gayshare.org. GLBTQ Domestic Violence Project: Support, info, shelter. 955 Massachusetts Avenue, Private Message Box 131, Cambridge, MA. (800) 832-1901. www.glbtqdvp. org. Helpline for LGBT Youth: Trevor Helpline and social networks for crisis and suicide prevention. 24/7. (866) 4-U-Trevor. Options | January 2016

HIV+ Gay Men’s Support Group: Refreshments served. AIDS Care Ocean State, 18 Parkis Avenue, Providence. 5213603. New members contact Scott. 640-3108. Kathys’ Group: Free support group for lesbians with cancer or any life-threatening illness. Partners and caregivers welcome. Meets monthly in Providence. 888-5KATHYS. Mantalk of S.E. Mass: Socializing and discussions for gay, bi and curious men. Confidential. Drug and alcohol-free. 18+.Thursdays in Taunton and first Tuesdays in New Bedford. 7-8:30pm. mantalksouthcoast@yahoo.com. MentalHelp.net: National directory of inpatient treatment options for those with substance abuse problems. www. mentalhelp.net/care/substance-abuse/ri/ Partner Support Group at Fenway Health: A ten-week support group with the purpose of building community and connections for anyone who identifies as non-trans, ages 18+, and is in a relationship with a trans* person(s). 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. Contact Sarah Eley, LICSW. 857-313-6551. seley@fenwayhealth.org. PFLAG (Parents, & Friends of Lesbians & Gays): Attleboro Chapter serves Southeast Mass. Third Wednesday 6:45 p.m., Second Congregational Church, 50 Park St. (side door). email pflagattleboro@gmail.com. Greater Providence Chapter serves all R.I. First Wednesday at 6:45 p.m., Met School, 325 Public St., Providence. 751-7571. PFLAGprovidence@gmail.com. www. pflagprovidence.org. RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 24hr helpline: (800) 494-8100. 467-9940. RI Rainbow Support Group: For people with disabilities who identify as LGBTQ. Last Tuesday. 98 Rolfe Street, Cranston. 6-7:30pm. Contact Ken Renaud. 785-2100. Samaritans: 24hr hotline for suicidal, lonely, despairing, depressed. (800) 365-4044. 272-4044 (RI only). www.samaritansri.org. Sexual Health Education & Advocacy Program: HIV, sexual wellness, domestic violence risk reduction. Free, confidential, bilingual (Spanish). No caller ID used. Calls blocked for safety. 861-6191 ext. 121. Sojourner House: Call for confidential support group. Support, shelter, advocacy and information for people in abusive relationships. Including specific LGBT services. No caller ID used. Outgoing calls blocked for safety. 24hr helpline. 765-3232. 8616191. www.sojournerri.org Straight Spouses: Groups and online support. www. straightspouse.org. TGI Network of RI: Support, advocacy for transgender, transsexual, gender-variant and/or intersex people. Borderlands peer group 1st & 3d Tues. and 1st & 3d Sat. of the month. Location & information: 441-5058. info@tginetwork.org. www. tginetwork.org. Trans* Partners New England: Gives romantic partners of transgender people a confidential, safe space to explore the impact of a loved one’s gender identity on their relationships, and to connect with other loved ones of transgender people.

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First Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm. Providence. Location unpublished for privacy. partners@tginetwork.org. Trans* Youth Family Allies: Support for gender-variant and transgender children ages 3-18. info@imatyfa.org, www.imatyfa. org. Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA): Growing organization to address the concerns of fair treatment of transgender veterans and active duty service members. www. tavausa.org. Women’s Resource Center of Newport and Bristol Counties: Offering services to victims of domestic violence. 846-5263. www.wrcnbc.org. q

Thank you to the patrons of The Stable for choosing us as the BEST GAY BAR for the 4th year in a row! Come down and experience what everyone is raving about.

TheStableProvidence

125 Washington Street • Providence

MISS BISEXUAL RHODE ISLAND 2015 presents

Celebrating 40 years of Rhode Island Pride & The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Join us for a special screening of the rocky horror picture show with a shadow cast pERformed by thE RKO army. ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT RHODE ISLAND PRIDE

January 9, 2016 276 westminster street providence, RHODE ISLAND

$10 GENERAL ADMISSION $7 students, military, seniors, fixed income $5 dance party

8PM•PRE-SHOW 9PM•MOVIE 11PM•DANCE PARTY

Worth a Look by The Lit Chick

Noted feminist Gloria Steinem begins her memoir, My Life on the Road, with a man: her father. Leo Steinem, who operated a summer dance hall in Michigan, would pack up the family each fall and travel south for months, buying antiques and reselling them at roadside stands along the way to support his wife and two daughters. Steinem credits her father with giving her the traveling bug, and credits the traveling bug with giving her perspectives on humanity that have guided her life and work. At 81, Steinem has traveled widely, and My Life on the Road reads like a reflection on the most important things she’s learned, the things that she absolutely must impart to the generations of people who follow. Steinem relates not only personal memories of her family, but also reminisces of the people and events that shaped both the feminist movement, and

world history. The most striking theme in Steinem’s book is that any group who seeks equality is equal to all other groups who seek equality. “The movements are all connected,” she says.The fights for civil rights, women’s rights, and LGBT rights—including transgender equality—are ultimately the same fight. For Steinem, the greatest value is getting to know each person individually, and opening oneself to new experiences and perspectives. In this way, she says, we can travel even if we never leave our houses. “Perhaps the most revolutionary act for a woman will be a self-willed journey,” writes Steinem, “and to be welcomed when she comes home.”

Fuse’s new reality TV series, Transcendent, follows five transgender women who work at, dance at, and manage a cabaret club in San Francisco. The show presents familiar social struggles, cattiness, and unnecessary drama, but underscores it with the added pressures transwomen face, even while living and working in one of the most progressive cities in the country. This series is Vanderpump Rules meets Call Me Cait. Here are the smarmy boyfriends, the gossiping, the clandestine romances, the unnecessary betrayals, the uninvited party guests who show up anyway, and the lunch dates that magically make everything all better again. What sets these women apart from the Bravo bunch is their optimism. For them, the sky is now the limit. From paving the way as a first generation immigrant to becoming a successful dancer and actress, to launching a career in the San Francisco police force, nothing seems unattainable. “I played a boy role at one point,” says Xtina, as she prepares for a performance at the club. “This boy was extremely insecure, extremely uncomfortable with his outer shell, with his way of being, whereas the girl is everything she hoped to be.” Catch new episodes of Transcendent on Fuse, and watch full episodes online at www.fuse.tv/shows/transcendent.

Blue Neighborhood, Troye Sivan’s first full-length studio album, compiles his best-known work and adds new tracks that are as rich as the older ones. The 20-yearold, openly gay Australian definitely sounds older than his years—especially when he’s singing about “quiet nights poured over ice”—but I can’t help hearing youthful optimism in love and in the future. His sound is haunting, delicious, and delicate, with just enough dissonance to pique a listener’s curiosity. I loved his duets and, more than once, I caught myself humming “Fools,” maybe the catchiest of his tracks. His lead single, “Wild,” is undoubtedly the strongest on the album, but all the other songs hold up as well and make the entire album worth a listen. Blue Neighborhood was first released late last fall as a music video series on YouTube, and Sivan is obviously no stranger to the camera. His personal YouTube channel is addictive. He came out to more than six million fans in 2013, and he has appeared on film as the young Wolverine in X-Men Origins. Blue Neighborhood is the perfect soundtrack for winter nights on the town. The music videos for the album are a must-watch if you like what you hear. Check them out at www.youtube.com/troyesivanvevo. q

Options | January 2016