CommUNITY Magazine July 2013

THE MANSION SARATOGA presents renowned Singer & Actor Michael Walters as

DAME EDNA

eds e c o r p et r!

All tick Pride Cente he t o t o g

a benefit for

The Pride Center of the Capital Region

DANCE•EAT• DRINK• COMEDY Saturday, August 10, 2013 At The Mansion Inn — Just six miles West of Saratoga!

Tea Dance • Bistro Menu • Full Bar Open 5pm Edna's Show 7pm • Tickets $25 TICKETS & INFORMATION

www.CapitalPrideCenter.org

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518.462.6138

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For inquires, rates and availability contact: 518-894-3658 or john.mcenerney@gmail.com

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Bark, Bark, Bark -Ken Denberg

Whose dog are you? Don’t come near me, my dogness wells up, I’m out of control this time I bite you good right on the butt and hold you down on the street.

What did I know about you, nothing from out of the blue, endless road woods. Woof. You won’t come back here again - not a chance. I want to chew your neck, you sexy dog.

Spots, like a calf, heavy on the hoof but four pawed. If you prance that way for long I’ll bite you once more, for good I am dog bite because I have to, you taste so good I have to, I can’t resist. Dog bone chew you up. Rub my belly.

Then the moon. Run away, quickly. Run. Bow wow - bow wow.

Then the moon and wind.

Live From The Living Room a featured reading series with an open mic afterwords always held on the second Wednesday of the month in the Pride Center’s Rainbow Cafe.

Sign up is @ 7:00 pm, reading starts at 7:30. Hosted by Don Levy.

Suggested donation $2.00.

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Message

from the

President

By Ken Mortensen, President Board

was appreciated by everyone. The location of the beer/wine tent and VIP area was well recieved. The entertainment was top shelf , and the crowd stayed until the very end of the Festival. It was a great day, and the After Parties capped it off well.

Capital Pride Season has come and gone. Its amazing how fast the time goes by. We had many Events in a short period of time. I hope that everyone was able to participate with us.

The Pride Committee works very hard to put together the calendar of Events.

I had a wonderful time, connecting with friends and making new friends. The weather was perfect, and we saw a record attendence. The new set up with the Vendor Tents

As I write this, the Supreme Court has handed down their decision. What great changes are in store for us. I was in Provincetown having breakfast at the time of the decision.

Hearing that the Court decided in favor of what is right, made me feel very happy. I was eating at Cafe Heaven, which is next door to the HRC Store on Commercial Street.

A small group had gathered outside HRC to celebrate. I was fortunate to see Andrea Lurie in the crowd. I’ve known Andrea for over 20 years, we gave each other a big hug.

of

Directors

There was to be a Rally in front of the HRC Store in the afternoon, but I headed back to Albany, as my vacation was over.

On that same night we had a celebration at the Pride Center. It was good to see so many familiar faces there, and all of the news organizations. However, we still have a long way to go. The GENDA bill was not acted upon by the NYS Senate, so our Transgendered Community is still being left behind.

Its a shame that a hand full of politicians can stall a bill that would give basic protections to many.

Please have a Happy and Safe Summer Season.

Director’s Note - Double Your Impact on Our Community 30 Years of supporting LGBT youth by Curran Streett, Executive Director

Welcome to the special online edition of CommUNITY! We traditionally combine the July and August issues, but had so much we are excited about, we couldn’t help but do another issue!

Not only did we experience a record breaking fundraising day in May with Give Out Day, we just had the biggest Capital Pride in history! After hosting more than 40 events in 12 days, we gathered in Washington Park

with 25,000 people to celebrate our community! This year is important to us for another reason. We are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Pride Center’s Youth Program. In 1983, Pride Center volunteers identified the need to extend support explicitly for LGBT young people. Today, we offer trainings, leadership opportunities, support, social opportunities and skill building to set our youth on a positive path. There are two elements of this program I am really excited to highlight.

The Pride Center Youth Scholarship is a very special program that honors the remarkable achievements of select youth by awarding them a scholarship to help with college expenses. This community driven, community supported program is an incredible opportunity for us to highlight and support the

LGBT leaders of the future. If you are interested in supporting this initiative, we are holding a riverside reception and fundraiser on July 11th. Call the Pride Center to RSVP and get more information.

Additionally, the Pride Center is launching a camp for LGBT youth! In this inaugural year, we will bring up to 40 youth to camp at Albany County’s Lawson Lake. This will be a transformational, fun and very special opportunity for local LGBT youth and their allies. Stay tuned for more information, and pictures of the camp!

We are so proud of the achievements of this important life changing and life saving program. Happy 30th anniversary to a great program!

From The Guest Editor’s Desk

By Steven Minchin, Administrative Coordinator

What a month June 2013 was - the biggest Capital Pride ever was followed by historic Supreme Court decisions which helped moved forward equality for our

community. It’s a pleasure to bring some reflections on Pride from guest contributors as well as give a glimpse of what our regular columnists have in store for our August issue, as we feature excerpts from their upcoming columns. I’m also excited about JrMac’s pride photo spread as well as features from the Pride Center’s Center Arts program and our initial coverage of the DOMA decision, thanks to Lambda Legal. I’m extremely

proud and grateful to be the guest editor for this special edition of CommUNITY. I hope you find this supplement enjoyable and informative, and as always – we welcome your feedback.

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Where We Are Going, Where We’ve Been: The Pride Center Youth Program Celebrates 30 Years!

By James Shultis, Youth Program Assistant

This is a big year for the Pride Center as our Center Youth program turns thirty years young! A lot has changed over the years, but the goal of our youth program has stayed true. We strive, as we always have, to empower young people who may identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer, gender non-conforming, questioning, or just a fabulous ally. We create safe, supportive and welcoming spaces to make this happen, whether that’s at the Pride Center or elsewhere in our community.

Of course, over the years, the terminology has changed. We are actually talking about trans* issues now, we are taking steps forward to make our programs as inclusive as possible. Our program has broadened to ad-

dress issues youth face in school through our Safe Schools Coalition and our Center Youth Action Team; we currently work with ten counties throughout the Capital Region (check out our School Map in this issue of CommUNITY), including over 200 school districts, working closely with administrators, faculty, students and community members to talk about the needs of LGBTQ youth, as well as provide support to those that need it most.

Our social activities for youth have also increased over the years. While the Capital Region has a lot to offer, it can be challenging for young people to access services. There are a variety of reasons for this: lack of adequate transportation, not being out to their parent(s)/guardian(s), being isolated in more rural communities, the list can go on and on.

Now we’re able to bring events and speakers right to them. Through school visits and/ or teaming up with local organizations, we have been able to sponsor or host events that these youth may actually be able to attend.

There have been so many remarkable additions to the Center Youth program. In re-

sponse to many of our youth aging out of our LGBTQA Youth Peer Support Group, that was at one time, our only Pride Center offering for youth ages 13-18 (we also have a sister support group in Schenectady called Rainbow Nights), we created THRIVE Group, a mental health and wellness discussion group for young adults ages 16-24.

We were finally able to say, yes, we’ve got something for those early-twenties -somethings and older teens that could really use some support! Maybe they’re dealing with getting ready to graduate from high school and looking at college, or living on their own for the first time, or aren’t ready to go into one of our “adult” groups. THRIVE Group was made for them.!

Whatever it is, at the end of the day, the work our Center Youth program is doing, and the work of the larger LGBTQ movement is really pushing the envelope to make a positive impact and CHANGE in our community.

That’s empowerment right there. Here’s to another 30 years!

Excerpt reprinted from CommUNITY Issue 3, April 2013

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE THE 16TH ALTERNATIVE PROM A HUGE SUCCESS! A super huge thank you to everyone who volunteered to chaperone at the Alternative Prom’s Sweet 16 during pride week 2013. Thank you to those who helped make the Prom on June 7 one of the best, and to everyone who gave of their time and self to volunteer during Capital Pride 2013.

We want to thank our Pride volunteers, and especially our monthly volunteers for all they do to support our community year round. From Café staffer to Parade Marshal to Mail Party Participant To Youth Group facilitator – Thank you. We hope to see you at theBBQ, at the center, July 28th from 1-4pm.

Harry Garrott Adam Sanzone Heather Marlette Alex Hauptman Jessa Rowan Amy Marlette Jessica Mansmith Amy Halvorsen Jill Augustine Amy Whitman Judith Roehr Arielle Bernstein Karen Engel Ashley Oliver Kenneth Walsh Bailey Vandeest Kira McGinty Carmen Duncan Larry Bradley Cheryl Backman Lauren Jacobs Cindy Moorcroft Lauren Sirkin Cole Armstrong Loree Brown Cynthia Clo David Reynolds Loretta Blitstein Deborah McKee Maria Westbrook Dena Sanders Matthew Arnold-Lloyd Derick Carey 11 Douglas Klein

Join the Team!

The Center Youth Action Team (CYAT) is one of our newest components of our Center Youth program. It benefits both the youth leaders involved, youth in Capital Region schools, and improves school climate throughout the region.

This year’s team is made up of eight exceptional high school and college students who have committed their time and energy to creating more welcoming schools throughout the Capital Region.

Through CYAT led school visits that range from speaking engagements directly with students to presentations to faculty and administration. Topics include LGBT 101s, how to be an active ally, anti-bullying, DASA (Dignity for All Students Act), healthy relationships, as well as skill-share sessions for Gay Straight Alliances and other student groups to bolster their visibility and membership.

This year’s team was amazing, and we want to thank Taylor Keith, Josie Savarese, Allie Doherty, Annina Van Riper, Nicholas Bernard, Alicia Barber, Nicholas Delehanty, Tiona Windley-Parker for all of their wonderful work.

We are currently accepting applications for the Center Youth Action team, if your interested in sharing your story and helping other kids, send us an application today!

“Dr. Pastus” A collective story by the Pride Center Youth Group Once in a small town, there was a mad chemist named Alfredo. Alfredo was obsessed with daffodils and was trying to create an artificial serum to bring daffodils to back to life. The only problem was Alfredo was deathly afraid of flowers. Alfredo’s friend, Pasta the Unicorn helped him by knitting the most useful of hazmat suits to address his flowery fears. But the small town locals started to question Alfredo’s appearance around town in a HAZMAT suit.

To this Alfredo replied, “Screw all the haters, I am blossoming more and more everyday!”

You see, Alfredo’s HAZMAT suit wasn’t at all like normal knitted HAZMAT suits like you and I have—Alfredo’s was special. His was the color of a rainbow because he met Pasta the day before.

The rainbow HAZMAT suit was pro-

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vided to Alfredo on a lease basis—with an added provision that Alfredo labor for 10 years in serfdom in the Unicorn Realm.

It was in this Realm, that Alfredo fell in love with a male unicorn named Broccoli. Broccoli lived on a small farm named Hidden Valley Ranch. Broccoli hated the Unicorn Realm—the only things Broccoli wanted were daffodils, but they kept dying.

Alfredo knew he must hurry with his serum. But before the couple could escape back into the Realm of Reality, Pasta stopped them screaming that Alfredo, you are in violation of his contract, Section 2.4, leaving 9 years and 362 days too early.

Alfredo responded, “Stop hating and start loving! Can’t you see the bond that we share? Let us go! Let us go!”

After spoken, those magical words sent a tremor through the Unicorn Realm.

A tremor so powerful that a nearby licorice, candy cane and gumdrop tower collapsed, crushing Pasta the Unicorn.

Alfredo and Broccoli were able to escape and Alfredo finished his serum.

He then realized that not only did the serum bring daffodils back to life, but also unicorns. Once resurrected, Pasta was so grateful that he ate the contract—even Section 2.4.

That is why, to this day, whenever you see a daffodil, if you look closely enough, you will find an entire Italian meal being enjoyed by two gay rainbow colored unicorns—one in a hazmat suit and the other neigh-ked.

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Pride

in Perspective

By Rick Marchant, Volunteer Co-Chair, Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network – New York Capital Region Chapter had the amazing pleasure of perspective. in each of our lives , we welcome one This year, I was not only a Capital Pride another from all walks of life each June Festival attendee, I volunteered to help to celebrate our differences. Whether we with planning & setup, I was a chaper- identify as gay, lesbian, straight, bisexone at The Alternative Prom, a “tabler” ual, transgender, androgynous, asexual, under the big white tent representing a queer or entirely original – black, white, local organization, the company I work latino , Indian – old, young, middle-aged for (Albany.com) was a Capital Pride – overworked, studying, retired – Re“Week” media sponsor & I had the hon- ligious, agnostic, atheist – political & or of also helping to plan a big evening not – disabled & advantaged -- richer & event “The Great Gatsby Formal Af- poorer – 99% & 1%. We all drop everyPride is so much more than another free faire” – and I was even roped into help- thing that we are doing to come together concert & family day in the park. Pride ing to coordinate the Hudson Pride Pa- and share our pride – pride for the work that we have each accomplished, pride is more than a parade with pretty rain- rade at the last minute. for the work done before our time & bows and sometimes-too-much fun in the wine tent. Pride is a right and pride is I am newly the local Co-Chair of The most importantly, we join to show pride New York Capital Region Chapter of for what the next generation has the abilour responsibility.

GLSEN (Gay Lesbian & Straight Edu- ity to now do.

I came out (as a gay male) to friends and cation Network). Our focus is primarily family in my early twenties – which is bullying prevention & advocacy work Rick is an energetic, well-connected young according to some yet quite old in k-12 settings. This local chapter of marketing specialist and has been putaccording to most openly lgbtq identify- GLSEN was started by teachers 15 years ting his varied background in digital ing persons in my generation. I actually ago that wanted to make a difference in media to work for clients since 2003. He started coming to pride celebrations a the lives of their students. GLSEN is is a self-described “Jack-of-all-Trades” few years later, only because I realized important to me because I was bullied as and enjoys helping to grow small busithen that pride was not just about ex- a youth – long before I knew what the nesses and bring traffic through their pressing myself. I had newly realized word gay really even meant. Fast for- doors. One particular area of his exthen that pride was about learning and ward all these years later, I want to make pertise stems from his familiarity with celebrating a history of struggles & vic- sure that every student, teacher, parent, non-profits. Extremely active within the tories within the LGBTQ community. I coach, bus driver, principal, adminis- community, Rick is involved in various furthermore then realized that pride is a trator, clergy & community member is local festivals and events, charities and celebration of a much bigger civil and equipped with the resources they need to causes. He uses this understanding to human rights movement, connecting help make and keep our schools the safe help non-profits and other organizations what we do each June in Albany to such learning environments that we designed tie their advertising and outreach analysis to needed grant outcomes. Outside of historic events as the Stonewall Riots, them to be. work, Rick has a heart for volunteering Apartheid, The Million Man March & so What I love most about Pride is that it is and putting his hands to work for a wide many others. such a happy time for our Community – range of good causes.

This most recent Capital Pride season, I no matter what else might be going on

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The Gatsby Gala

With local GLSEN volunteer numbers at an all-time low we needed some outreach, so I threw our hat in the ring to plan the first-ever formal event of the Capital Pride Celebration – our first event of its caliber since 2006. Luckily, our organization (GLSEN) had some amazing “founding fathers” and a history of running phenomenal events, so we had a framework to follow when venturing out to host the “Great Gatsby Formal Affaire.” I am of course lucky to have incredibly tolerant friends & family. My Chapter Co-Chair, the very organized Dr. Janet Kline, My Dear Friends Addy Waldie from MPI & Kat Brown from The AIDS Council and I planned & executed The Great Gatsby Formal Affaire to help kick-off Pride Season, here in The Capital Region.

What most people don’t realize is that we actually planned this year’s Gatsby Gala in about two months. All of the community sponsors, attendees, alumni, the silent auction items, beautifully etched awards & even the photographers were confirmed in less time than the average birthday party.

This was a scramble to the finish, from friends driving as far as Greenwich to pick up many of the donated floral arrangements, to Ed (from RedCarpetEntrances.com) helping to put out the Red Carpet & him graciously struggling to secure our backdrop from sailing down Pearl Street (we own our own less-than-regulation step & repeat / backdrop, that we should totally order directly from Ed next time) . Our ticket sales did not actually “break even” on our fundraiser until about 48 hours before the event was to happen and I was literally sweating to the finish as guests were arriving and the cameras started flashing.

Showing up at the pride festival that following week, I had a newfound respect for the staff and other volunteers at the Pride Center who put on 42 such events in those (roughly) two weeks.

I then went on throughout those days, meeting so many different people that all shared a common thread of pride – pride in being. I met one in particular that had just moved here from the

midwest, I met high school students & college students that were prepping for final exams, I met someone that had recently been homeless & I learned that he had to couch surf with friends to finish high school this past year, all because his parents were not willing to accept his gender identity expression (YES – this still happens).

Although we are not necessarily risking our lives like Dr. Martin Luther King, JFK or Harvey Milk, celebrating Pride is what we can do to show our support for one another – My Pride is my belief in our peoples’ greater good. It is a huge bonus that I got to play such a big part in this year’s Pride Celebrations – and to furthermore have helped to raise much needed funds for GLSEN & The Pride Center Youth Scholarship, which serve our future generations so well. I can’t wait to set the bar yet higher next year.

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Center Youth Program 2013-2014 School Map This map shows a number of the school districts the Pride Center staff and Center Youth Action Team (CYAT) work with throughout the school year. The Pride Center engages with over 200 school districts in the 10 counties we serve to provide trainings, technical assistance and support.

\

Making schools safer for all students! **=CYAT Member’s School

Warren Glens Falls Johnsburg Lake George Warrensburg

Washington Argyle Cambridge Hudson Falls Whitehall Greenwich Hartford Putnam Salem

Fulton

Broadalbin Perth Edinburg Gloversville Johnstown Mayfield

Montgomery Amsterdam ** Canajoharie St. Johnsville

Greene

Cairo-Durham Catskill Coxsackie-Athens Greenville Hunter-Tannersville

Columbia

Chatham Germantown HS ** Hudson Kinderhook New Lebanon Taconic Hills

Saratoga Ballston Spa

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake

Saratoga Springs Schuylerville Shenendehowa South Glens Falls Stillwater HS Waterford HS

Schenectady Duanesburg Mohonasen Niskayuna Schalmont Schenectady Scotia-Glenville

ALBANY

Albany Academy ** Albany Leadership ** Albany ** Berne Knox Westerlo Bethlehem ** Cohoes Colonie ** Guilderland Myers MS Harriet Tubman Dem. HS

Shaker HS Ravena Coeymans Selkirk Voorheesville

Rensselaer Averill Park Berlin Doane Stewart East Greenbush Emma Willard Hoosic Valley Hoosick Falls Rensselaer Schodak Tamarac Troy

Stay connected with us! We’re On The Road!

Contact our Youth Program Coordinator, James Shultis at (518) 462-6138 Check out our website: www.capitalpridecenter.org Visit our Facebook & Like Us! Facebook.com/capitalpridecenter1 Follow us on Twitter #capitalpridectr

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Pride Center of the Capital Region’s Center Youth Action Team Call for Student Mem bers!

Are you passionate about social justice issues?

Do you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/ questioning or as an ally (LGBTQA)?

Do you want to help make your school safer for all students?

Do you want to become a leader for the LGBTQA community?

Yes? Yes? Yes? Join the Center Youth Action Team !

The Center Youth Action Team is designed to encourage youth leadership, contradict myths and stereotypes of LGBTQ youth, and create positive representations of the LGBTQ and allied community. The Center Youth Action Team will conduct trainings for schools and community groups throughout the year and provide ongoing opportunities for leadership and advocacy.

How Do I Benefit from Being a Youth Action Team Mem ber ?

Build confidence and pride in being a leader of the LGBTQA community!

Meet awesome youth activists from all over the Capital Region!

Gain public speaking, leadership, and presentation experience!

Great for college applications!

GET PAID!!!

W hat are My Duties and Responsibilities?

Commit to participate for one school year; Attend monthly Center Youth Action Team trainings and meetings; Commit to speaking at a minimum of three trainings per semester (these could be school visits, LGBTQ trainings/workshops for businesses or youth-serving organizations, panels, etc) Be at the Empire State Pride Agenda’s Equality & Justice Day in April (date TBA) Arrive on time and prepared to speaking engagements; Work with Pride Center staff to maintain familiarity with Pride Center programs and issues facing LGBTQ youth.

Help us m ake a change for LGBTQ Students in the Capital Region! Join Today!

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Thank you to everyone who made Capital Pride the most successful yet!

Thank you to all of the great volunteers who helped make The Capital Pride 2013 Parade and Festival truly the best yet.

Our biggest festival ever couldn’t have been such a success without you!

Thank you to everyone who volunteered at all of this year’s pride events and throughout the year at the Pride Center.

These are only a few of the wonderful people who selfishly help serve the LGBTQ community in the Capital Region.

More gratitude on Facebook, and at our Volunteer Appreciation BBQ and Party on July 28!

We apologize if we missed anyone, we appreciate each and every volunteer!

THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS LISTED BELOW!!

Leslie Phelan Dee Delestre Jim Vitello Lou Sansivero Mike Mitchell DJ Roche Joe Kerwin Louis Marinconz Abigail “Gaby” Allen Donna Leonard Joey Hunziker Mac Alan Woolf Elle Morgan John Andrews Mark Beatty Amanda Belawski Emily Pain Jon Cortella Mark Daigneault Amy Marlette Ernest Williams Jonathan Hammer Michael Dzikowski Andy Locke Gisslle Pressley Joseph Gentile Mickey Bradley April Dozois Heather Marlette Joseph Schmid Nicole Lasalle Candace Kirkland Helene Carrol-Freitag Justin McCarthy Nyvek Moshier Carolyn Matthei Jaimie Clow Katie Sudakow Parks Dunlap Chris Beeker Jason Ganns Ken Mortenson Pat Whalen Chris Wood Jason Hoatoling Ken Walsh Patti Beeker Claude Pitts Jeff Dyber Khaleef Lewis Paul Patel Cynthia Clo Jen Hammer Kim Willsey PK Miller Daniel Morrissey Jennifer Lyons Larry Bradley Rob Hill David Bonitatibus Jessica Dowsett Laura Gouveia David Thompson Jessika Ramirez Loree Brown

We want to hear from you!

The major contributions from our sponsors, volunteers, local bars, our Board of Directors and our community made it all happen! 42 events over 12 days, with 25,000 people ending the week at the Pride Festival!

Please take this quick survey so we can keep improving Capital Pride!

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Capital Pride supports the programs and services of the Pride Center.

Stop in to see what we are up to, and see you at Pride next year!

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The Supreme Court victory in United States v. Windsor striking down the discriminatory federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) affirms that all loving and committed couples who are married deserve equal legal respect and treatment from the federal government. The demise of DOMA marks a turning point in how the United States government treats the relationships of married same-sex couples for federal programs that are linked to being married. At the same time, a turning point is part of a longer journey, not the end of the road. There is much work ahead before same-sex couples living across the nation can enjoy all the same protections as their different-sex counterparts.

Keep in Mind: • The Supreme Court’s ruling in Windsor applies only to the federal government. It does not change discriminatory state laws excluding same-sex couples from state-conferred marriage rights.

• The ruling striking down DOMA will not be effective until 25 days from the decision. Even when effective, federal agencies—large bureaucracies—may need and take some time to change forms, implement procedures, train personnel, and efficiently incorporate same-sex couples into the spousal-based system.

• Until same-sex couples can marry in every state in the nation, there will be uncertainty about the extent to which same-sex spouses will receive federal marital-based protections nationwide. For federal programs that assess marital status based on the law of a state that does not respect marriages of same-sex couples, those state laws will likely pose obstacles for legally married couples and surviving spouses in accessing federal protections and responsibilities.

• Securing fair access to federal protections that come with marriage for all same-sex couples in the nation will take some time and work.

In some situations, it may require Congressional action or formal rule-making by agencies.

• Before making a decision, it is essential that you consult an attorney for individualized legal advice. This is particularly important for people who are on certain public benefits, as getting married may jeopardize your eligibility without providing you the full measure of protections other married couples enjoy. In addition, couples who travel to another place to marry and then return to live in a state that does not respect their marriage may be unfairly unable to obtain a divorce, which can lead to serious negative legal and financial consequences. People must make careful decisions when and where to marry, even as we work together to end this injustice.

• We are committed to winning universal access to federal marital protections for married same-sex couples through ongoing public policy advocacy, and, where necessary, strategic litigation. Contact our organizations if you have questions, for updates and to learn more about what you can do to achieve full equality for those who are LGBT. This Guidance is intended to provide general information regarding major areas of federal marriage-based rights and protections based on how the various federal agencies have administered federal benefits. It should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past practice is no guarantee of future developments.

While laws and legal procedure are subject to frequent change and differing interpretations in the ordinary course, this is even more true now as the federal government dismantles DOMA and extends federal protections to same-sex couples. None of the organizations publishing this information can ensure the information is current or be responsible for any use to which it is put.

No tax advice is intended, and nothing therein should be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code.

Contact a qualified attorney in your state for legal advice about your particular situation.

THE SUPREME COURT RULING ON THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT: WHAT IT MEANS The Supreme Court’s historic ruling striking down Section 3 of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is an enormous victory for loving, married couples and their families, and affirms that they deserve equal treatment under the law. This victory demonstrates the importance of access to marriage, and gives married same-sex couples access to the tangible benefits of the federal safety net, allowing them to better protect one another and their children.

Edie Windsor demonstrated tremendous courage in standing up and speaking out for her 44-year relationship and marriage when she was treated unjustly, and her actions have directly improved the lives of all same-sex couples.

Ending DOMA lifts up all LGBT people, even if it does not end our work. DOMA was an official federal policy disapproving of gay people and same-sex relationships, often imitated by states and private actors, and imposed a second-class status on our lawful marriages by negating them for all federal purposes. The Court has now affirmed that equal protection guarantees apply to the relationships of LGBT people and has replaced federal disrespect with federal respect for our lawful marriages. This victory will energize our work moving forward so that we can achieve a reality in which every single same-sex couple enjoys full and equal protections under the law, regardless of where they live.

This historic decision takes effect in 25 days. For legally married couples living outside of a marriage state or the District of Columbia, there are still many questions about when they will be equally able to share in federal protections, responsibilities, and programs. This is because the federal government typically defers to the states in determining whether a couple’s marriage is valid. There is no one rule across all federal agencies. Some agencies look to the law of the state where a couple married regardless of the law of the state where the couple now lives, while others look to the law of the state where the couple is living now.

We think the federal government can and should take action, where necessary, to ensure that married couples in all states have access to the largest number of federal programs.

The federal government is already looking at how federal agencies can ensure fair and equal treatment of all married couples where possible. However, at this time, there are a number of important federal benefits that depend on whether your marriage is recognized where you live, so couples who live in states with bans on marriage by same-sex couples should proceed with caution before making the decision to marry.

CAUTION: If you live in a state that discriminates against married same-sex couples, you should be aware that the Supreme Court decision striking down part of the federal so-called Defense of Marriage Act does NOT mean that your state must respect your marriage or that you will be eligible for all marriage-based federal benefits. Further work is still required to end marriage discrimination nationwide and to secure both state and federal equal treatment for all marriages.

This series of fact sheets produced together by: American Civil Liberties Union | Center for American Progress | Family Equality Council | Freedom to Marry | Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders Human Rights Campaign | Immigration Equality | Lambda Legal | National Center for Lesbian Rights | National Gay and Lesbian Task Force | OutServe-SLDN.

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AFTER DOMA: WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU THE SUPREME COURT RULING ON THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT: WHAT IT MEANS Depending on your individual circumstances, the current patchwork of discriminatory laws may be financially detrimental to you or your partner and may create financial and legal complications for you and your family.

Before making a decision, it is essential that you consult an attorney for individualized legal advice. This is particularly important for people who have or are applying for government benefits. Getting married may jeopardize your eligibility for certain public benefits without providing you the full measure of protections other married couples enjoy. In addition, if you travel to another place to marry and then return to live in a state that does not respect your marriage, you may be unfairly unable to obtain a divorce, which can lead to serious negative legal and financial consequences.

Same-sex couples will continue to endure a mix of respect, discrimination, and uncertainty until we have secured the freedom to marry and full respect nationwide. People must make careful decisions when and where to marry, even as we work together to end this injustice.

The following questions lay out what we know so far.

What does this mean for legally married same-sex couples living in a state that respects their marriage?

Same-sex couples who are legally married and live in a state that respects their marriage should be eligible virtually right away for the same protections, responsibilities, and access to federal programs afforded to all other married couples. The federal government may take some additional time to change forms, train staff, and otherwise prepare for this change. We expect further guidance from the federal government and will update this Q&A and the “After DOMA: What it Means For You” LGBT Organization Fact Sheet Series accordingly.

There are more than 1,100 places in federal law where a protection or responsibility is based on marital status. A few key examples include access to Social Security survivors’ benefits; the option to use family medical leave to care for a spouse; the opportunity to sponsor a foreign-born spouse for citizenship; and access to veterans’ spousal benefits.

What about legally married same-sex couples living in a state that does not respect their marriages?

Legally married same-sex couples living in a state that does not respect their marriages may right away have access to some federal rights and benefits, but not to many others, at least not immediately. Federal agencies have different approaches regarding which state’s laws they look to in order to determine if a marriage is valid for federal purposes. Some, including the IRS and Social Security, have looked to the laws of the state where a couple lives (place of domicile/residence). Others, including immigration agencies, look to where a couple got married (place of celebration). Other federal agencies and programs look to the state “with the most significant interest” in the marriage, and many have no explicit rule at all.

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process of proposing new rules and soliciting public comments, or laws.

Because the Supreme Court’s decision does not require states to recognize the marriage of same-sex couples and does not guarantee that married couples who live in states with marriage bans will receive all of the federal benefits based on marriage, couples who live in these states should proceed with caution before deciding to marry. Depending on your individual circumstances, getting married may be financially or legally detrimental, especially if you are receiving certain government benefits. Couples should seek out individualized legal advice from a knowledgeable attorney before traveling to another place to marry.

Will legally married same-sex couples receive retroactive access to benefits they were previously denied?

It depends on a number of circumstances. As a general matter, if a person is not prohibited by a deadline in the law from seeking benefits, he or she may file an application and seek certain back benefits. However, many benefits start to accrue only with an application, so the date of application will be the starting point. For claims reaching into the past, as with claims for overpaid taxes, there are specific time limits on when refund claims may be brought forward. The “After DOMA: What it Means For You” LGBT Organization Fact Sheet Series addresses many of these questions.

There are many financial benefits that married same-sex couples have missed out on because the federal government did not respect their marriage. But it is likely that the federal government will, in most instances, adopt a forward-looking approach, ensuring that married same-sex couples are respected as married from the day the Court’s ruling takes effect.

Is all of DOMA now completely repealed?

No. The Windsor case challenged the constitutionality of Section 3 of DOMA, the part that discriminatorily excluded married same-sex couples from federal protections, responsibilities, and programs. Section 2 of DOMA, which says that states may discriminate against gay couples legally married in other states, still stands. Legislative action will be needed to remove it, although getting rid of Section 2 will not eliminate discriminatory state marriage laws.

The Respect for Marriage Act, a bill pending in Congress that enjoys bipartisan support and the backing of President Obama, would fully repeal all of DOMA. It would also ensure that all married couples — including same-sex couples — enjoy equal rights under federal law. It would not tell states what to do, but would ensure that the federal government treats all marriages with respect.

What are the movement’s next steps on DOMA?

Some federal programs, including immigration, already use a “place of celebration” standard. This standard best provides certainty, clarity, and stability for couples, their loved ones, employers, government agencies, and others, especially in a society where people regularly move for jobs, family, and many other purposes. Such a standard would simply acknowledge that a couple is married for federal purposes regardless of where the couple lives; it wouldn’t tell a state how it must treat married same-sex couples.

The undersigned LGBT organizations are working with others in the Respect for Marriage Coalition to ensure that the greatest number of federal protections, responsibilities, and programs are available to married couples as soon as possible. In some cases, this may require policy and regulatory changes within the agencies, some of which could take time.

Further legislative action may also be needed, particularly to get rid of the rest of DOMA. To that end, we will continue to advocate for the Respect for Marriage Act in Congress.

For many programs, the administration can take steps to adopt the standard fairest to all married couples: the “place of celebration” standard. Some agencies can use this time-honored legal standard just by changing their practices. Others may have to change regulations, requiring a more lengthy

We are committed to working until every single legally married same-sex couple receives the same protections, responsibilities, and programs as all other married couples – regardless of where they live – and to securing the freedom to marry nationwide.

This series of fact sheets produced together by: American Civil Liberties Union | Center for American Progress | Family Equality Council | Freedom to Marry | Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders Human Rights Campaign | Immigration Equality | Lambda Legal | National Center for Lesbian Rights | National Gay and Lesbian Task Force | OutServe-SLDN.

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AFTER DOMA: WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU THE SUPREME COURT RULING ON THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT: WHAT IT MEANS

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Implementation of federal rights, benefits, and protections will vary from state to state and on an individual basis. We encourage you to consult a legal or tax professional to determine the best next steps you can take. This document is intended to provide an educational overview, not to serve as legal advice or a guide for making personal financial decisions

.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION aclu.org/lgbt CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS americanprogress.org

In The August Issue of CommUNITY: Detailed coverage of What the Supreme Court’s Historic July 26 rulings mean for life in the Capital Region and married couples across New York State. www.capitalpridecenter. - August 2013

FAMILY EQUALITY COUNCIL familyequality.org FREEDOM TO MARRY freedomtomarry.org GAY & LESBIAN ADVOCATES & DEFENDERS glad.org HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN hrc.org IMMIGRATION EQUALITY immigrationequality.org LAMBDA LEGAL lambdalegal.org NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS nclrights.org NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASKFORCE thetaskforce.org OUTSERVE-SLDN outserve-sldn.org

This series of fact sheets produced together by: American Civil Liberties Union | Center for American Progress | Family Equality Council | Freedom to Marry | Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders Human Rights Campaign | Immigration Equality | Lambda Legal | National Center for Lesbian Rights | National Gay and Lesbian Task Force | OutServe-SLDN.

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Volunteer Appreciation BBQ & Party!

Sunday, July 28th 1-4PM Pride Center of the Capital Region 332 Hudson Ave, Albany, NY We invite ALL Pride Center volunteers, past and present, to join us for free food, great times, and good company — all to say THANK YOU for everything you do for the Pride Center! *All volunteers will receive a free gift * Friends and Family Welcome Please RSVP to Lyndon Cudlitz at (518) 462-6138 x16 or lcudlitz@capitalpridecenter.org by Monday, July 22nd!

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OBAMACARE: The Quiz Two years ago President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the most significant reform of the U.S. health system since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in the 1960s. Many of the law’s reforms are already making a difference in the lives of the LGBTQ community, and many more benefits are to come as key provisions of the law take into effect 2014.

The Center for American Progress created the following quiz to test your knowledge of the Affordable Care Act. Think you know the law? Find out below!

1.Relative to the heterosexual population, how likely are LGBTQ adults to be uninsured? o twice as likely o equally likely o half as likely 2.According to a recent survey, what percent of the African American transgender community do not have health insurance coverage? o 15 percent o 19 percent o 22 percent o 31 percent 3.How will the Affordable Care Act help close the gap in health insurance coverage for our community? o It expands Medicaid o It expands private insurance coverage o Both 4.The law states that insurance exchanges may not discriminate on the basis of which categories? o Sexual Orientation o Gender Identity o Both o Neither

7.Which of the following is NOT true concerning the health disparities facing people of color in our community? o Asian American gay adults are the gay minority group least likely to report experiencing psychological distress. o Lesbian and bisexual African American women are least likely to have had a mammogram in the past two years o One in every five gay African American adults has diabetes o One in every four Latino transgender people has been refused medical care due to bias 8.Which of the following provisions was NOT included in the final health reform law? o Funding and support for community-based prevention programs o Equal health insurance benefits for same-sex partners for federal employees o Promotion of cultural competency and workforce diversity o Funding and support for community health centers 9.How does the Affordable Care Act benefit those living with HIV or AIDS? o More affordable prescription drugs o You can’t get denied insurance because of your HIV status o You don’t need an AIDS diagnosis to qualify for Medicare o All of the above 10.What provision is NOT currently included in the Affordable Care Act’s new Patient’s Bill of Rights? o Prohibits insurers from denying adults with pre-existing conditions starting in 2010 o Provides coverage for people with pre-existing conditions through Pre-Existing Conditions Insurance Plans o Prohibits lifetime limits on insurance coverage o Requires insurance companies to spend at least 80 cents of each premium dollar on health care services than administrative costs

5.83% of heterosexuals feel like they have great health. How much of our community do you think feels good too? o 84 percent o 80 percent o 77 percent o 67 percent 6.What percentage of transgender adults report having excellent or very good overall health? o 84 percent o 80 percent o 77 percent o 67 percent

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From Theory

to

Action!

By Gabby Santos, Director of LGBT In Our Own Voices and The Pride Center recently collaborated on Racism Under the Rainbow, a Community Discussion to Build Alliance. This event was part of our Say It Loud! Black & Latino Gay Pride activities. We were able to bring together LGBT POC and white allies to address the “power over” paradigm that exists in mainstream society. The discussion led to naming the power imbalance between white people (the dominant culture) and communities of color (the historically marginalized). Traditionally, the lack of shared power and privilege contribute to the lack of culturally specific services, relevant policies and the overall health and well-being of LGBT POC. The community discussion was spearheaded by Dr. Robert Miller, IOOV Board President, and a panel of experts who delivered sound examples of racism on a personal, community and institutional level. Each also shared models of resistance, collaboration and activism for a safer, more equitable society. Attendees were then asked to share solutions for eradicating racism, homophobia and transphobia, as well as ideas for building alliance between both groups and across identities.

The event was transformational in that it held white allies accountable for change, all while uplifting the voices of LGBT POC and validating the need for social change. Some of the feedback (verbal and written) mentioned how this need not be a one-time event.

The following are some quotes from the written evaluations.

“I appreciate reflecting on what I can do to address the intersection of racism and homophobia.”

“The interaction between panelists and the audience was thought-provoking and can lead to positive change.”

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Health Services “In my job I will be more sensitive and not judge. In my personal life I will be sure to call out racist and homophobic actions.”

In addition to written feedback, we gathered action steps during the community discussion. We are excited to share them with you: -Take a stand for what is just.

-Talk about history and your feelings.

-Acknowledge. Recognize.

-Shift the Paradigm.

-“Give up the microphone.”

-Address homophobia and racism when you hear it.

-Take personal responsibility to educate yourself.

-Take the opportunity to connect with people.

-Have on-going forums.

-Model for our youth.

-Provide leadership for LGBT POCspecific policy work.

In Our Own Voices and The Pride Center have committed to providing leadership to an on-going response to this call to action. Together, and in the company of community members made up of LGBT POC and allies, we will work to keep anti-racism at the center of our social change efforts, one interaction at a time.

The Pride Center

is pleased to announce the

2013 Award Recipients,

Pride Center’s Gala.

For their remarkable support of the LGBT Community, please join us in congratulating the following: to be honored at the

Robb Ganns, Community Service Award Albany Police Chief Steven Krokoff, Nancy Burton Straight But Not Narrow Award Gwen Wright, Libby Post Council Leadership Award Jamison Carlen, Paul Postiglione Youth Services Award Mike Chapman, Volunteer of the Year Award Nora Yates, recipient of our highest honor, The Harvey Milk Award Tri City Rentals, Business of the Year Award

On October 18th, 2013, the Pride Center of the Capital Region will honor the great achievements of this distinguished group at our Annual Awards Gala at the Century House in Latham. Join our Honorary co-chairs Mona Golub and Marie Debrocky for an evening of celebration, the Gala is the premier Pride Center event, bringing together community leaders, friends and allies. Please congratulate our awardees, and save the date!

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Welcoming Congregations

Join Us In Exploring Your Spiritual Side At One Of The Welcoming Congregations Below: Community Congregational Church (UCC) 221 Columbia Tpke, Rensselaer, NY www.clintonheightsucc.org Community Reformed Church of Colonie 701 Sand Creek Road, Colonie, NY www.coloniereformed.org (518)869-5589 Congregation Agudat Achim (Conservative) 2117 Union Street, Schenectady, NY www.agudatachim.org (518) 393-9211 Congregation B’nai Shalom (Reform) 420 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY www.bnaishalom.albany.ny.us (518) 482-5283 Congregation Berith Shalom (Reform) 167 Third Street, Troy, NY www.berithshalom.com (518)272-8872 Congregation Beth Emeth (Reform) 100 Academy Road, Albany, NY www.bethemethalbany.org (518)436-9761 Congregation Gates of Heaven (Reform) 842 Ashmore Avenue, Schenectady, NY www.cgoh.org (518)374-8173 Congregation Ohav Shalom (Conservative) 113 New Krumkill Road, Albany, NY www.ohavshalom.org Congregation Temple Sinai (Reform) 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY www.templesinai-saratogasprings.org (518) 584-8730 Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church 943 Palmer Avenue, Schenectady, NY www.easternparkway.weebly.com (518)374-4306 St George’s Episcopal Church 30 North Ferry St., Schenectady www.stgeorgesschenectady.org

Emmanuel Baptist Church 275 State Street, Albany, NY www.emmanuelalbany.net (518)465-5161 First Church in Albany 110 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY www.firstchurchinalbany.org (518)463-4449 First Congregational Church of Albany UCC & NACCC 405 Quail Street, Albany, NY www.firstcongregationalalbany.org / (518)482-4580 First Lutheran Church 181 Western Avenue, Albany, NY www.FirstLutheranAlbany.org (518)463-1326 First Presbyterian Church 362 State Street, Albany, NY www.firstpresalbany.org (518)449-7332 First Reformed Church 8 North Church Street, Schenectady, NY www.1streformed.com First Unitarian Society of Schenectady 1221 Wendell Avenue, Schenectady, NY www.fussonline.org (518)374-4446

Friends Meeting (Quaker) 727 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY (518) 436-8812 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 501 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville, NY www.goodshepherdchurchloudonville.org (518)458-1562 Holy Trinity National Catholic Church 405 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY www.NCCofA.org/holytrin.html (518)434-8861 Journey United Church of Christ 500 Kenwood Blvd, Delmar , NY www.journeyucc.com Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church 175 Fifth Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY www.saratogaspringsumc.org / (518)5843720 St. Andrews Episcopal Church Main at Madison Avenue, Albany, NY www.standrewsalbany.org / (518)489-4747 St. John’s Lutheran Church 160 Central Avenue, Albany, NY www.stjohnsalbany.org (518)465-7545

First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany 405 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY www.albanyuu.org (518)463-7135

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga 624 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY www.saratoga-uu.org (518)584-1555

First United Methodist Church 603 State Street, Schenectady, NY www.gbgm-umc.org/schenectady (518)374-4403

Unity Church in Albany 21 King Avenue, Albany, NY www.unitychurchinalbany.org (518)4533603

First United Presbyterian Church 1915 Fifth Avenue, Troy, NY www.unitedprestroy.org (518)272-2771

Woodstock Jewish Congregation (Reconstructionist) 1682 Glasco Turnpike, Woodstock, NY www.wjcshul.org (845)246-1671

Proud To Be Open! Affirming!

Welcoming! Joyous!

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Show

your

Pride – Join

the

Pride Center Business Alliance

Home to the oldest gay community center in the country, the Capital Region has over 35,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people living and working in our region. With higher than average education rates and steadier income levels in Tech Valley, the Capital Region often is looked to as a test market by national companies. By joining the Pride Center Business Alliance, your business can gain exclusive visibility and access to a dedicated consumer base as well as expand your internal diversity efforts.

Over the past year, our Business Alliance reached over 50,000 LGBT community members through the many benefits of membership. The Business Alliance also brought together LGBT professionals for networking events, and provided on-going educational opportunities by member organizations to consumers and other businesses.

We know every business is rethinking every single dollar they spend to ensure they are making the wisest choices possible with their resources. Our Business Alliance has been expanding and gaining momentum throughout the Capital Region. With an ambitious new plan for the program, 2013 promises to take the Alliance to a whole new level!

•A revamped and reformatted CommUNITY Magazine that will reach over 30,000 readers • An expanded and dynamic new Business Alliance webpage to drive more web traffic to your site • Expanded Business Alliance presence on all Pride Center social media outlets (Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, etc.)

• A special Business Alliance presence at this year’s annual Capital PRIDE Festival Celebration with over 15,000 attendees Join Today!

If you have any questions regarding the Business Alliance or our upcoming networking events, please don’t hesitate to give our Business Alliance Coordinator Michael Weidrich a call at (518) 4626138, or by email at mweidrich@capitalpridecenter.org.

We hope that you will take this opportunity to join the Pride Center Business Alliance in 2013.

Some 2013 highlights include: •Exciting new monthly Business Alliance networking events with hundreds of LGBT professionals

Join us at the next Networking Event: Thursday, August 8th Location: TriCity Valley Cats @ Joe Bruno Stadium, 80 Vandenburgh Avenue Troy, NY 12180 Time: 5:30 pm doors open 7:00 pm game time Cost: $20.00 CLICK HERE for Tickets.

Our very popular LGBT Networking Happy Hour comes to the Tri-City Valley Cat’s Joe Bruno Stadium for August!

Come and meet up with friends, distribute those business cards, and make important business contacts while enjoying the game. For $20, enjoy a fun evening in the “Field of Dreams” area with: Hot Dogs & Hamburgers Watermelon Kettlecorn Soda & Water Cash bar. Sponsored by the Pride Center Business Alliance.

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We Intend

to

Survive Oral History Collection

By Sean Heather McGraw

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered community in the Capital District of Albany, NY has had a vibrant and visible presence since the late 1960s and early 1970s. In November 1972, when Robert B. Cutty wrote the words: “we intend to survive” in the first issue of the newspaper Community, he was referring to the survival of the newspaper itself.

Cutty stated that there had already been one gay publication in the Capital District which had ceased publication after the first issue. The newspaper was the news service of the barely two year old

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and

Film Documentary Project

Capital District Gay Community Council, which after being established in 1970, felt that a newspaper was necessary for the community to know about the programs of the Council, as well as to be a forum for all sorts of other activities and groups of gay and lesbian people in the Capital District. The foundation of the Council and its Center mark the transition in the Capital District from a group with few outlets for personal fulfillment and social interaction, towards a vibrant, open, expansive and more inclusive and self-confident community.

The early founders of the Capital District Gay Community Council (or Center, as that term was sometimes used interchangeably), did indeed intend that not only would they as an organization survive, with their newsletter, but that the gay and lesbian community should survive and should, through protest and action, claim the respect and acceptance of the wider, community. It is now forty-three years after the Council was formed, and gays and lesbians are now in a very different political and social milieu where LGBT people have more visibility and acceptance than ever before, a national gay marriage debate being evidence both of how much has been achieved and how much more there is to do to achieve full acceptance in society. Our community has also expanded in its self-definition to include Bisexu-

als, Transgender (the B and T), but also all races, and ethnicities. As the LGBT community has achieved more acceptance in the wider society, and as new generations come out as LGBT, the older generations, who fought so hard for a better world, become lost, to death, to disease, to silence and marginalization.

Many in the younger generation do not understand the elder generation or feel the need to know about the history of the community.

One of the first things that a study of history gives is gratitude for the courage of others. But more than gratitude, those who understand the history of a community can see more clearly that there is a community. The “we” is revealed; history is in essence a continual story of birth, of origin, of how we, in the present came to exist as we are. Actions done in the present, on behalf of the GENDA bill can be done, because the SONDA bill was earlier accomplished. In fact, the past is just as important as the present, as it shapes and controls the direction of the present. The past gives precedent for success, because we have succeeded on a number of concrete political and social issues in the past. The city of Albany has a legal ordinance barring discrimination against and criminalization of LGBT people because the older generation of LGBT people actively petitioned the city government.

We Intend

to

Survive Oral History Collection

By Sean Heather McGraw

Many people, would, in fact like to know about the history of the Capital District LGBT community, only they aren’t sure what they would like to know or don’t know where to go to find the history of the Capital District LGBT community. And problematically much of the history of the Capital District LGBT community is being lost with the marginalization or death of many of the early members of the community. Accordingly, to preserve the unique heritage of our community, one of the oldest organized LGBT communities in the United States, I have embarked on a couple of projects meant to preserve the history of our community. The first project was to interview several early members of the community and deposit their interviews with the Special Collections Department of the University at Albany for preservation. The second, was to create a half hour documentary film based on these interviews as well as archival research, called “We Intend to Survive: a History of the Capital District LGBT Community.”

This film was actually funded by a grant, the Patricia Stocking-Brown Award, from the Special Collections Dept. The film was

and

Film Documentary Project

shown during Pride Week at the Pride Center and was given a positive reception. Some comments included, “I didn’t know that,” “Now I understand this community better,” and “Do you know about ___?” This first project proved two things to me, that first, people want to know our history, and second, that there is a lot more of that history to know and to preserve.

So in order to continue to document and teach the history of this community, I’m going to continue to interview earlier members of our community. I would love to continue to have volunteers to be interviewed. Those who think they might like to be interviewed or know someone who might like to, please contact me. In addition, I am intending to expand the short, half hour documentary film to feature film length, given more interviewees and research. The expanded film will go into more depth and highlight both internal and external struggles of our community, such as political developments and the AIDS crisis, as well as feature other organizations, besides the Pride Center, who have become central to our community, such as In Our

Own Voices and the Women’s Center. A documentary film requires a lot of effort as well as funding; as such if anyone would like to help in the creation of this film, please contact me also. I’m intending to show both the half-hour film again and the feature-length versions of the film at the Pride Center, and other venues starting in this October. In addition, I’m planning on writing an academic book, as nothing academic has yet been written or published about this community.

Finally, though the history of this community must be continually preserved and continually taught to succeeding generations who come after ours. It cannot be saved and taught by just one person. If we don’t then no one else will. I would welcome those who wish to join me in setting up some type of a program or foundation for the continued preservation and teaching of the history of our community. If we must intentionally survive as a group, then we must also intend to understand and preserve the history of that survival.

Be informed! Be entertained! Be inspired!

Check out these LGBT affirming radio shows . . .

“HomoRadio”

Since 1992, HomoRadio has been the on-air voice of the Capital District’s diverse LGBT community. This award-winning program features news, interviews, event listings, music by gay-friendly artists, humor, giveaways, and much more! LIVE every Sunday from 10am2pm on WRPI 91.5 fm (Troy, NY); streaming worldwide at www.wrpi. org. Info: HomoRadio@yahoo.com or 518.928.0677

“The Quest of Life”

Join co-hosts Harry Faddis and Steve Sims as they explore the lives of inspirational LGBT people who are committed to making the world a better place. There’s a special emphasis on nurturing your body, mind, and soul, and they feature beautiful music by out artists. LIVE every Friday from noon-2pm on WRPI 91.5 fm (Troy, NY); streaming worldwide at www.wrpi.org. Info: www.TheQuestOfLife.com or 518.276.6248

“This Way OUT”

Packed with news and features, this weekly half-hour “magazine style” show is heard on more than 200 community radio stations around the world, including WRPI 91.5 fm (see above). “T.W.O.” kicks off HomoRadio’s weekly broadcasts. Info: www.ThisWayOUT. org or TWORadio@aol.com

“51%” Whether it’s the environment, health, our children, politics or the arts, there’s a women’s perspective, and “51%” is a show dedicated to that viewpoint. Host Susan Barnett talks to experts in their field for a wide-ranging, entertaining discussion of issues that not only fall into the traditional “women’s issues” category, but topics that concern us all as human beings and citizens of the global community. Wednesdays 3-3:30pm; Thursdays 8-8:30pm on WAMC 90.3 fm and www. wamc.org. Info: sbarnett@wamc.org or 800.695.9170

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Money Matters - Woo Hoo! By, Thomas J. Walling CFP® company to offer DP benefits. There were rules requiring different things i.e., living together and sharing some bills. This was a step, but it was also directed at hetero couples who chose not to marry and is utilized by them still. Protecting the sanctity of marriage by conservative groups actually hurt it by creating a new class.

This Pride, I was asked to do a column on where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going in the fight for equality. Les and I have been together for the last 19 years and have participated in most of the aspects of the progression. We have been Partners, Domestic Partners, married (in spirit) in New Paltz when it was illegal, married in MA, married in NY and awaiting (as of the writing of this column) Federal recognition. Looking back on my last seven years of columns, all I can say is, “Woo Hoo!” Progressive companies were the first group to show us a little respect. They started offering Domestic Partner benefits way before our state mandated. Not surprisingly, San Francisco mandated the option and companies followed suit. It was the option of a

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The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA 2006) allowed us some new inheritance rights. Before 2007, a non-spouse beneficiary of a qualified plan was stuck taking distributions under the terms of the plan, which typically required full distribution within five years or less of the participant’s death.

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA 2006) authorized non-spouse beneficiaries (before it was only surviving legal spouses) to roll over to an Inherited IRA. PPA 2006 provides that, effective January 1, 2007, a non-spouse qualified plan beneficiary “may” be permitted to roll over to an Inherited IRA after the plan participant’s death.

This had the potential of saving income taxes as the money from these accounts were usually taxable at the beneficiary’s highest attained income tax rate. The Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act (WRERA) took

away the “may.” WRERA fixes the problem, but only for plan years beginning January 1, 2010, or later.

Vermont was the first to come up with DP laws statewide. This is after Hawaii and Colorado struck down this step in their states in the 90’s. Then came Massachusetts with the first Marriage Equality laws. Let us not forget the Governor who aided us exponentially in our fight. Governor Patterson mandated that NY would respect marriages performed out of state, allowing same sex NYers Marriage Equality by driving to Massachusetts or Canada. It was a strange step, but an important one. We could be legally married as long as the ceremony was in places other than NY. So, today as we look back on the progression to Marriage Equality, huge leaps have been made in a relatively short period of time. People have told Les and I that we are the most married people they know. On a personal note, the recent Maryland decision allowing Marriage Equality has made me specially grateful. Before the decision, in the eyes of Maryland, I was Grandpa’s partner.

Now I am just Pop Pop to my grandkids as well as their home state. Woo Hoo!

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38

FACT SHEET: Coming Out

as

Coming out is a very important process, and it may be a life-long process. For a transgender person, coming out may be more complicated.

fat into a more female shape, among other changes. Testosterone causes facial hair to grow and lowers voice, among other changes. Not every transgender person may decide to take hormones.

Coming out for a transgender person can involve several different steps: •Coming out to Self-Transgender people may identify in a variety of ways: as transsexual, a cross-dresser, androgynous, or genderqueer, among others. No matter what a trans person may identify as it may take time for that person’s gender identity to make sense to them.

•Coming out to Friends and FamilyOnce a transgender person feels comfortable with their gender identity, they may choose to disclose this information to friends and family. This process may be stressful or challenging depending on the reactions that this person experiences. It is important to consider their own safety before they decide to come out.

•Getting Support – there are therapists and counselors who have experience working with transgender clients. They can help people gather information and resources, find community support, and help transgender people to explore and accept their own feelings.

•Expressing Oneself- Transgender people may choose to dress and express themselves more in line with their gender identity. They may do this in private, in “safe” places, or full time.

•Taking Hormones – Hormones cause physical changes. Estrogen softens skin, makes breast develop, and redistributes

Transgender

•Having Surgery-Transgender people may feel the need to have surgery on their bodies to feel positive about their gender identity. It is important to note that surgery is not the end of the coming out process for many transgender people and that not all transgender people want surgery.

When you come out to your parents as a transgender person, they need to know that: -You still love them. You are not doing this to hurt them. You will give them all the time they need to get used to the new you.

-If/when you change your gender presentation; you will still be the same person inside in many ways.

-You will still work, go to college, keep your friends, and love your children..... (things that are important to them)...

-You know the new name is hard for them. New pronouns are even harder.

Try to be patience with them.

-You realize they may go through an emotional process, too - shock, denial, bargaining, anger, guilt, sadness, acceptance. Believe it or not, some parents even get to a stage of celebration!

A good idea is to write a letter to parents or family; read it over, sleep on it, does it

say everything you want to say, and in a loving way? Then THEY get to read and reread and respond thoughtfully. There will be plenty of time to talk in person later. You might also give them something to read or suggest books for them.

If Families are Rejecting: Some families are rejecting for years, but then come around. Give them things to read, send greeting cards, reassure them of your love, and tell them of your successes. If you once had a good relationship, chances are you will again.

The Trans Pride Program The Trans Pride Program of the Pride Center of the Capital Region is dedicated to empowering transgender and gender non conforming people and their allies.

-Transgender Meet and Greet: An informal social evening for the transgender and gender non-conforming people and their allies. Meets the first Tuesday of the month, 7:00-9PM. - Trans Discussion Group: An open discussion group on issues important to the transgender and gender non-conforming community. Meets the third Tuesday of the month, 7:00-9:00 PM. - Professional Development: Education and Training opportunities to learn about transgender issues.

- Transgender Specific Resources: Contact the Pride Center for transgender resources and referrals in the Capital Region.

332 Hudson Avenue / Albany, NY 12210 518-462-6138 info@capitalpridecenter.org www.capitalpridecenter

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What to do if a Youth “Comes Out” Transgender, or Questioning 1. Feel good about the work you have done! If a youth is coming out to you they must recognize you as a safe support. Thank them for trusting you and acknowledge their courage.

2. Help them make a safety plan if they want to come out to parents or at school.

3. Discuss relationships, including dating and break-ups. You can ask “Is there anyone special in your life?” or “Are you seeing anyone these days?

(Keep in mind that the teen may be terribly afraid since many have received consistent messages that homosexuality is wrong.)

4. Suggest additional resources and sources of support, such as the Pride Center’s Youth group or the school’s Gay Straight Alliance or guidance counselor.

5. Assure confidentiality and let them know you support them.

Do’s and Don’ts for when an LGBTQ Youth “Comes Out” to You Don’t rush the process of trying to understand the youth’s sexuality or gender identity.

Don’t assume that the youth should see a professional counselor unless he or she asks for a referral.

Don’t criticize the youth for being different.

Don’t try to break up healthy relationships that the youth may be involved in.

Don’t demand that the youth live up to what your idea of gender roles should be.

Do listen to what youth’s life is like, and what kind of experiences he or she has had in the world.

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to you as

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,

DO familiarize yourself with the experiences of the LGBTQ community.

connect with other LGBTQ youth or with adult role models.

DO try to develop trust and openness by allowing the youth to be who she or he is without pressure.

4. A young person who identifies as LGBTQ may be sexually active with a person of any gender, or may not be sexually active at all. Offer information and resources relevant to their needs, not their identity.

DO accept that you are responsible for your negative reactions.

Do support the youth’s individual goals, even though they may differ drastically from your own.

Do look for the injured feelings underneath the anger and respond to them.

Do defend him or her against discrimination.

DO Be aware of your comfort and limitations DO Avoid words like preference or choice. Sexual orientation and gender identity are neither.

DO Conduct conversations with LGBT youth regarding relationships and sexuality in the same way you would conduct these conversations with heterosexual youth DO Use vocabulary that the youth uses.

Follow their lead to show your respect.

Things to Remember When Working with LGBTQ Youth 1. It’s not “just a phase” – they may still be learning who they are, but that doesn’t mean this is an experiment or a plea for attention.

2. They may recognize their same-sex attractions or true gender identity, but may not have a resolution or label for their identity.

3. They may have never heard anything positive about being LGBTQ; you may be the first person to tell them they are normal and healthy. You can help them

5. Don’t make assumptions based on dress or behavior. It’s okay to ask respectful questions. Be clear that you are trying to understand so you can support the youth in all the ways he or she may need it.

Be sure to discuss healthy relationships with LGBT youth, just as you would with heterosexual youth. LGBT youth can be at risk of sexual exploitation because of the lack of information regarding how to meet other LGBT youth, dating practices and LGBT domestic violence.

Developed by the GLYS Project – www. hcsm.org/glys.htm , SPHERE – the Statewide Partnership for HIV Education in Recovery Environments – www. hcsm.org/sphere.htm and PFLAGParents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays- http://community.pflag.org/Page. aspx?pid=268.

LAW OFFICE OF ANNE REYNOLDS COPPS Casey Copps DiPaola, Associate Kate Siobhan Howard, Associate

126 State Street, 6th Flr. Albany, New York 12207 518.436.4170

arcopps@nycap.rr.com kdipaola@nycap.rr.com katesiobhanhoward@nycap.rr.com

Adoption Business Formation Education Law Employment Law Estate Planning Family Law Matrimonial Law Medicaid Planning Name Changes Real Estate

www.arcopps.net

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Here’s Guffman - Finishing

the

Hat

by

Patrick White

produced under wildly different circumstances. As Annie Oakley she belted to the stars and as Kate Monster she had to project under the drop ceiling of the Dee Sarno space. She has followed the work where it has led her and has become an artist of stature in our midst. To see her in “Sunday” in the dual roles of Dot and “How you have to finish the hat/How you watch the rest of the world/From a window/While you finish the hat” Molly Rose McGrath has been finishing the hat for a while. Just in the last four years I’ve seen her in “Annie Get Your Gun” in the Park, “Avenue Q” and “Always, Patsy Cline” with the Local Actor’s Guild in Saratoga, “9 to “ and “The 39 Steps” with Home Made Theatre,””The Last 5 Years” with Harmony Productions at Caffe Lena’s stage and “Musical of Musicals” at SCP. It’s a number of different roles presenting all kinds of different challenges and

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it look all so easy. Her Dot was charming, petulant, aggrieved and above all beautifully sung and it sprang seemingly effortlessly forth. She was in total command of all her emotions and able to present them and hide them at will. Her Marie was charming in her simplicity.

Playing a nonagenarian she didn’t fuss but seemed to actually slow her heart rate, her presence was so commanding.

Go see performing arts wherever you can in the Capital Region from the Little Theatre in Saratoga to Elda’s on Lark and you’re likely to see the next Molly Rose McGrath finishing her hat or head outside to Park Playhouse where Molly will be playing The Lady in The Lake in “Monty Python’s Spamalot” July 5-28.

Marie was to appreciate all the productions and all the work that informs the performing artist’s presence. She made

Patrick is a Capital Region actor who will be appearing in “Big Maggie” at Albany Civic Theatre 8/30-9/15

Shots-By El Majesty Belly up to the bar For a gunshot of liquor A bullet of beer A syringe of lager A needle of clear Two for one special Scream loud in his ear Make it official You want him to hear Display tension in your tendons Go on make a fist Get ready for your injection To lose all consciousness Try the mind eraser With a cloud nine chaser Bling bling shooter The blood of Satan A buttery nipple And the boner maker The cock sucking cowboy And the undertaker Mix your poison Imbibe your death Watch your invincibility Take its last breath Go home with the stranger

Caught in your glass The eyes that you’re staring at Will soon be the past Let the ether and grain Salt and sugar strains Work into your veins Like a shot to your brain Pour your resistance in a cup Lose inhibitions Get fucked up Drink degradation Tomorrow won’t come Living the life That is already done This shots on me First shot is always free Here give it a shot It will cost u eventually Hit by cupids arrow Somewhere deep in the marrow As he releases his elixir And it mixes with my system As we tussle in the bed So far gone out of head As we cum alcohol On the sheets

In my walls Getting sleep Dreaming deep About a somewhere that is nowhere here at all.

Morning reach As we feel for our dignity In the darkness of our shame We were not quite ourselves And the alcohols to blame We don’t quit We are resilient And the night it fears last call Sip it quick Make it a habit Because the night wants you to fall.

So use your tips For another hit Of a shot you want to taste Let it kiss Your quivering lips As you design your sudden fate.

Who is L-Majesty?

Luis Pabon a.k.a L-Majesty is a local spoken word artist, vocalist and songwriter who originally hails from Bronx, NY. He currently lives in Albany, NY where he performs at various venues throughout the Capital Region. He has recently completed an Ambient Soul album entitled “The B-Sides” which explores the ups and downs of breakups, breakdowns and breakthroughs. His work primarily deals with such themes as love, sexuality, death, technology and the delicate nuances of human relations. Samples of his work can be seen at http://albanypoets.com/poets/l-majesty/ and https:// soundcloud.com/#l-majesty.

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My Big Gay Ears - Diva Summer

on

Local Stages

By Joseph Dalton

urrection plays.

Two of the gals are on drugs and/or alcohol. One’s just on an ego trip. Here’s the run-down:

Whatever you do this summer, just don’t complain about being bored. Besides parks and recreation, barbecue and fireworks, our region is filled with performing arts festivals all summer long.

Whether it’s classic Broadway musicals or grand opera, a “straight” play or an orchestra concert, there’s plenty to go to and in every direction.

Judy Garland in “Heartbreaker.” This new play is written by John Meyer a songwriter who spent a couple of months with Garland in the year before she died. In 2006 Meyer published a memoir in which he recalled a poignant struggle to help save Garland from her demons. Now it’s onstage with original songs also by Meyer. Tony-nominated actress Christine Andreas portrays Garland. Opens June 27 and runs through July 6 at the Adirondack Theater Festival in Glens Falls. More info at: www. atfestival.org.

I recently started a weekly theater column – “Playtime” – for the Times Union and in scanning what’s in store through the season, it was interesting to find a string of what might be called diva res-

Tallulah Bankhead in “Looped.” We’re in a recording studio and Bankhead can’t get one take right, having stopped at the local before the session. This laugh-out-loud comedy by Matthew

master class

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Lombardo had a successful tour with Valerie Harper in the lead. StageWorks Hudson presents the local debut, running July 10-28. More info at: www. stageworkshudson.org.

Maria Callas in “Master Class.” Terrance McNally’s acclaimed play is a combination of comedy, operatic lore and grand self-enthrallment. Based on Callas’ public lessons at Juilliard in the 1960s, the soprano talks to the audience, recalls her love affair with Aristotle Onassis, and scares the wits out of a poor young singing student. Annette Miller plays Callas in the Bernstein Theater of Shakespeare and Co. in Lenox, Mass. through August 18. More information at: www.shakespeare.org.

Joseph Dalton writes about the arts in the Times Union and sells houses across the Capital Region. Find out more about all his endeavors at: www.

JosephDalton.net.

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Living Soulfully Capital Region Living Soulfully is a group of men who love men seeking to build community and cultivate individual and collective spiritual growth. Please join us to nourish the mind, body and soul with opportunities to meet people, heart-felt sharing and fun in a safe, supportive environment.

Gatherings will be on the first Wednesday evening of every month, 7PM - 9PM at the Pride Center, 332 Hudson Ave., Albany, NY 12210 on the first floor. For more information about Living Soulfully Capital Region please visit our website at http:// livingsoulfullycrny.org/ or send us an email to info@livingsoulfullycrny.org Sign up to receive a monthly notice of Living Soulfully news and events at http://eepurl.com/xbso1 Living Soulfully began in Boston as a satellite community of Easton Mountain, a gay men’s retreat center in upstate New York, and is a non-profit grassroots organization of men loving men in community.

There are currently groups in Boston, Central Jersey, Cincinnati, Delaware, Ft. Lauderdale & Miami, Hartford, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, and Toronto. We are now forming a group here in Albany, the Capital Region of New York State.

These Presbyterian Churches Welcome You Where you can find a place ~ come as you are!

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Albany First Presbyterian 362 State Street (at Willett) www.firstpresalbany.org Sunday Worship 8:30 am & 10:45 am

Hudson Falls First Presbyterian Church 5 River Street www.hudsonfallspresbychurch.org Sunday Worship 10:00 am

Scotia Trinity Presbyterian Church 185 Swaggertown Rd. www.scotiatrinity.org Sunday Worship 10:00 am

Albany West End Presbyterian 585 Central Avenue westendpc@nycap.rr.com Sunday Worship 11:00 am

Lansingburgh (Troy) Cornerstone Community Church 570 3rd Avenue www.cornerstoneccl.org Sunday Worship 10:30 am

Spencertown St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church 5219 County Route 7 spencertown.wix.com /stpeterspresbyterianchurch Sunday Worship 10:00 am

Albany Westminster Presbyterian 262 State Street / 85 Chestnut Street www.WPCalbany.org Sunday Worship 10:00 am

Putnam Station Putnam United Presbyterian Church 365 County Route 2, PO Box 8 518-547-8378 Sunday Worship 10:00 am

Stillwater Stillwater United Church 747 Hudson Avenue www.stillwaterunitedchurch.org Sunday Worship 9:15 & 10:30 am

Colonie Roessleville Presbyterian Church Elmhurst and Central Avenue 518-459-2816 Sunday Worship 9:30 am

Rensselaerville The Presbyterian Church of Rensselaerville Main Street at Methodist Hill Road 518-797-9303 (June 24 - Sept 2) Sunday Worship 11:00 am (Summer only)

Troy First United 1915 Fifth Avenue (downtown) www.unitedprestroy.org Sunday Worship 10:00 am

Glens Falls First Presbyterian Church 400 Glen Street www.fpcgf.org Sunday Worship 10:00 am

Saratoga Springs Presbyterian-New England Congregational 24 Circular Street www.pnecc.org Sunday Worship 10:45 am

West Charlton West Charlton United Presbyterian 1331 Sacandaga Road www.westcharltonUPC.org Sunday Worship 10:30 am

Guilderland Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church 2291 Western Avenue www.HamiltonUnionPresbyterianChurch.org Sunday Worship 8:30 am & 10:00 am

Schenectady Union Presbyterian Church 1068 Park Avenue www.unionpres.org Sunday Worship 10:30 am

More information at www.presrainbow.org

C APITA L PR I DE 2 0 13 Captured by Lyle Houston for jrMac Photogarphy

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HUDSON PRIDE 2013

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53

The Fashionable

and the

Frivolous - Listen

to

Coco

By Alan Bennett Ilagan

“When accessorizing, always take off the last thing you put on.” ~ Coco Chanel I used to be of the mindset that if I could get three different cheap belts for the price of one expensive belt, that would be the way to go. Unfortunately, too often you get what you pay for, and two of those belts would be busted up after wearing them once, leaving me with only one cheap belt anyway.

It pays to invest in a good, quality item that you will have for years, in a classic form that never goes out of style. This proves especially true for accessories, which don’t have the same wear and tear as something like underwear or socks. It also works in limiting the number of pieces you have, cutting down on the temptation to over-accessorize.

When in doubt, leave it out. If it’s good enough for Coco, it’s good enough for me.

When in doubt, leave it out. If it’s good enough for Coco, it’s good enough for me.

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United Hearts Ceremonies

_______________________________________________________________

Joyfully Co-Creating and Officiating LGBT Weddings in NY since 2011

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Out

in the

Garden - Generous Landings

I went to Long’s Lumber last week and bought a small table and four benches to place under the Heptacodium tree. Sara approved; she said the benches were just the right height for the table. Yesterday I went back and bought two new rocking chairs and a coffee table for the patio as well as a bench for underneath the crabapple tree.

Over the weekend I chatted with my neighbor who was in her backyard spray painting her outdoor furniture. We were both hopeful that this season we might actually spend more time sitting down. The furniture I bought looks solid and glows. It is made from cedar and after I applied a light stain it looks alive. It invites one to sit down and rest. I think of my purchases as an investment in rest. This season I am determined to spend more time in the garden resting and observing.

My purchases were also inspired by Design Principle # 5 of Walter Cudnohofsky, one of my favorite landscape architects: sepa-

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By Judith Fetterley

rate movement and landing. My deck and patio and the new furniture provide a clear landing space for anyone who arrives in my garden, whether they follow the path around the garage or come through the house and out the sliding door. More important still, they provide landing spaces that are generous, proportioned to the size of house and garden. A common problem I observe when called in for a garden consultation involves landing spaces that are too small. For example, a deck or patio off the back of a house needs to be large enough so that those sitting on it do not feel they are about to fall off the edge of the deck or be crushed by the house. People often skimp on the size of a deck or patio because of the expense of construction but no better investment can be made than in creating landing spaces that are sufficiently sized. The same can be said for movement spaces. If a path is too narrow those walking along it may be made to feel tipsy or anxious. Therefore be generous in the spaces you create for people to move through and rest in your garden.

While decks and patios with chairs and tables constitute one obvious source of landing, there are many ways to create the rhythm of movement and rest throughout a garden. When I built the path to my front door (and luckily I have a sufficiently generous front porch, rare for new construction these days) I created a series of small landings where the path turns and widens to allow one to stop and observe the view from that angle. Any path can be constructed to provide places to rest while you move towards. Remember that landing spaces can be where the eyes alight as well as where

the feet pause. So, for example, if you have a specimen tree at any point in your garden you can make it into a landing simply by figuring out how to direct the eyes toward it.

My path turns and widens to allow my visitors a view of the large doublefile viburnum in my front yard, a pleasure to observe in spring, summer or fall.

Still, benches are best, and this year I have placed benches and chairs throughout the garden to allow views from many angles.

When visitors come to the garden, I now invite them to sit as well as to walk, to rest as well as to move. The rhythm is fundamental, it is the pattern of our heartbeat.

Driven by angels as well as demons, I have never sufficiently rested. This season I am determined to do it differently. As a start, I am going to try to set aside some part of every week free from work and for observing what may be going on in the garden at that moment. Today is a good day for me to make this vow as I have finished spring cleanup in my own and clients’ gardens and am poised to begin the season of planting.

It is good to create generous landings in the work of the garden as well as in the viewing of the garden. We shall see how far I get before I jump up from my bench, pick up my tools and fall to work trying to fix that wee problem I just noticed over there by the pear tree!

Judith Fetterley lives and gardens in Glenmont, New York. She also runs Perennial Wisdom, a garden design business for new and existing gardens. She can be reached at fetterleyj@gmail.com.

Michael Cooks and You Can Too - Time to Grill By Michael Meade pastime. If you’re looking for a basic barbeque sauce that’s quick and easy to make, and goes really well with pork, beef and chicken, start with this recipe.

Add your own touch by adjusting the ingredients to make it your own special “secret sauce”:

Summer’s here and it’s time to fire up the grill and get ready for long, warm evenings of outdoor cooking and eating. It’s time for ribs, steaks, chicken, kabobs and vegetables hot off the grill and accompanied by corn-on-the-cob, potato salad, watermelon and strawberry shortcake. As Gershwin said, the livin’ is easy.

Barbecue varies by region, with the four main styles named after their place of origin: Memphis, Tennessee, North Carolina, Kansas City, Missouri and Texas.

Memphis is renowned for pulled porkshoulder mopped with a sweet tomatobased sauce (eaten on its own or as a sandwich). North Carolina smokes the whole hog and then bastes it in a vinegar-based sauce. Kansas City natives prefer ribs cooked in a dry rub (although they’re also partial to dipping their ribs in a spicy tomato-based sauce), and Texans ... well, Texans dig beef, usually a mesquite-smoked “cowboy-style” brisket. Locals defend their region’s cooking style with the sort of fierce loyalty (and occasional fistfights) usually reserved for die-hard sports fans. Just as you’re better off not mentioning the Yankees to a Red Sox fan, it’s probably best not to proclaim your love for Texas beef to anyone from Kansas City.

Barbeque remained a regional specialty until the 1950s, when the ubiquitous portable charcoal grill began appearing in backyards and patios across suburban America and turned it into a national

1 quart ketchup (32oz.)

1 Beer (12oz.)

1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar 1/4 cup Brown Sugar 4 tbls. Worcestershire Sauce 4 tbls. Kosher Salt 1 tbl. Garlic Powder 1 tbl. Cayenne Powder 1 tbl. Chili Powder 1 to 2 sticks Butter 3-4 Jalapeno Peppers, fresh or pickled Combine all ingredients and then simmer in a pan alongside your beef, pork, or chicken on the grill. Use for both a mopping and dipping barbeque sauce.

Now for grilling. First of all, grilling is a lot like broiling. Both use direct heat, but when grilling the heat source comes from below and when broiling the heat source is from above. Both methods are great when cooking tender cuts of beef, chicken, fish and vegetables. Make sure whatever you are cooking isn’t too thick or it will burn on the exterior by the time the inside is done. Although grilling is considered a healthy way of cooking because much of the fat drips into the fire, be careful to avoid flare-ups from the fat. Not only will you potentially burn what you are cooking and give it an acrid flavor, you can create a nasty fire hazard.

If you’re grilling a steak all you really need to do is cut off any excess fat and season the meat before you start. However with chicken, you may want to pre-cook it in the microwave or oven to cut down on cooking time and give you more control of browning. With fish

filets, you can place them in a zip lock bag with a little olive oil and herbs or prepare a glaze to coat them just before grilling. Remember to bring items to room temperature before grilling.

I guess the most frequently-asked question is “how long do you cook it for?” and “how can you tell when it’s done?”

Although every cookbook you pick up has guidelines for each ingredient, it once again comes back to experience and touch. I would suggest you follow your favorite cookbook guides to grilling but start touching the foods at different intervals to get a feel for firmness and texture. …As a general rule, I like to cook a 1 1/2-inch New York Strip steak for a total of ten minutes. I start by grilling for 2 1/2 minutes, then turning it 90 degrees and cooking for another 2 1/2 minutes, flip the steak over to its other side and repeat the process thus giving the steak the classic grill marks. At the same time I test the steak with my finger to feel for various degrees of firmness. Medium cooked feels like touching your cheek.

If you really want to get specific, you can use an instant thermometer.

For steak, 115 – 120 degrees is rare, 125-130 degrees is medium rare and 135 – 140 degrees is medium. Don’t forget, the meat will continue to cook once you remove it from the grill to rest, so you may want to remove it before hitting your target temperature so you don’t overcook it.

Michael Meade studied at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, worked at Jack’s Oyster House in Albany and is currently souschef for Thunder Mountain Curry in Troy. Send questions or comments to Mmeade1215@aol.com

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Our faith is over 2000 years old...

Our thinking is not.

Worship Every Sunday 10:00 a.m.

“Comma Club for Kids” 9:00 a.m.

Children’s Program during Worship

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Journey United Church of Christ NEW LOCATION: 27 Hannay Lane (off 9W) (Cyprus Shrine) Glenmont, NY 12077 (Behind Milestone; near Johnny B’s)

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.

God is Still Speaking

518-729-7127 www.journeyucc.com find us on Facebook

Seeking to be a Multicutural, Multiracial, Accessible to All, Open and Affirming, Peace and Justice Congregation that welcomes all regardless or frace, gender o rsexual orientation.

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Parts Unknown Ken Denberg I lie around like old paint in winter, sniff then wag, my fleas are my kingdom, red, digging my gods, my skin, my memory, the end for I am scruffy, not wanting much tho’ you will be in my way. I walk around you, licking my lips, tail high in heat, this gentleness of dog is not my style come quick like calling me, like holding a leash, dogness.

I am. What was a cherry in my mouth.

If you would take a bite, just draw some blood pull me down, straddle me with your teeth then I’d know what was on your mind, then I’d know.

Ken Denberg will be the featured poet at Live from the Living Room on Wednesday July 10th Ken Denberg lives in Cambridge, New York, on his small winery and blueberry farm along with his Dog, Wilson, a half chocolate lab, half Mastiff. His work has been published in Offcourse, The Southern Poetry review, The Little Magazine, The Greenfield review, The Denver Quarterly, AGNI, Mid_ American Review, The North American Review, Sundog, The Mid-American, Review, The Berkshire Review, and many others. He also published a number of environmental essays for Main St. News, and well as articles On Grilling.

He is owner/winemaker for Natural Selection Farm Winery, LLC. 60

Public Works

an interview with

Who/ what inspires you artistically?

On original thought I would say nothing, but then I got all deep and introspective and decided it is the absurdity of life, the beauty wrapped in the decaying and the excessive force of man wrought on the landscape to conform to his will.

How does your personal life influence your work, if at all?

I work in a mauve colored cubicle in an office building. I can not remember ever framing a work inside of a building. Perhaps I am just running from my own existance?

What, if any, are the themes that run through your work? Do you find yourself returning to certain motifs or ideas, and why?

As my niece said while pointing at one of my personal favorite pieces “That’s a creepy tree”. Referencing the above comment about beauty in the decaying I think that may be the common theme.

Artist Tim Bergstrom

I tiled and painted my bathroom.

I have kept a dog alive for two years.

What is the medium of your artwork, and why do you use that medium?

Mostly photographs. I like the blend of mechanical from the camera, organic from the image captured and that I do not ever have to touch paint, crayons, markers or ink.

What is the title and theme of your show, and how did you origionate, develop and execute it?

As is usual I leaned toward “untitled” as a title, but then as I was walking the dog thought about the pieces contained in the portflio I am assembling and decided maybe “public works” would be a better

title. As for why that works the pieces that I am proposing in my head all relate to some human force on the landscape, open for all to consume, use or notice.

What are you currently promoting or working on?

I currently have no projects in development.

I cyclically get the notion to charge the camera batteries and waste some film. Then the film sits for months or years before I review it and decide on what to print.

Tim Bergstrom, after years of wandering somewhat aimlessly across the country settled in Albany, NY where he lives a quiet neighborhood with his partner and dog. Although he wishes he could write something interesting about himself he finds he is far too private to share anything distinguishing.

Tim Bergstrom’s show Public Works is on display at the Romaine Brooks Gallery through July, call 462-6138 for a viewing

Describe your background- childhood, family, growing up- and how it influenced you?

I was raised by a pack of wolves, removed from the forest as feral child at the age of fifteen and sent to an all boys military school to “straighten me out”, I was taught to follow the crowd and tie a necktie properly.

No really I grew up in a typical suburban neighborhood with all the baggage and oddities of a John Waters film. Nothing in my past that I can think of really affects what I decide to produce.

Have you had any formal training or classes? Did that help or hinder you as an artist?

I read some books. Does that count? They did help in thinking about framing, exposure timing and assessing light levels.

What do you think the purpose of art is in the world? What is the purpose of your art?

My art is meant only to decorate walls. I have no grander vision. Some art in the world is made to force some sort of questioning. The discomfort or inquisitiveness of the viewer influences the meaning more then the artist’s intention.

What are your proudest accomplishments, artistic and otherwise?

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Answer Key for Health the basis of sexual orientation or gen- and culturally competent service der identity in any of their activities. providers—combined with persisReform Act Quiz 1. A Due to discriminatory laws and unequal workplace policies, gay individuals are roughly twice as likely to be uninsured as their straight counterparts. As a result, they are more likely to delay or not seek medical care and more likely to have to rely on emergency rooms for health care services.

2. D Transgender individuals, particularly transgender people of color, are especially likely to lack health insurance due in large part to the pervasive discrimination they experience in the job market as well as insurance policy exclusions that explicitly exclude care for transgender people. The majority of plans sold in the United States exclude coverage of any services for a transitionrelated medical purpose, even when the same or comparable services are routinely covered for other medical conditions.

3. C Gay and transgender people are significantly less likely to have health insurance compared to their straight and nontransgender counterparts.

Thanks to the health reform law, many gay and transgender Americans who have not been able to afford health insurance will be able to apply for Medicaid or purchase affordable private coverage through health insurance exchanges in every state starting in 2014.

4. C Under the Affordable Care Act the exchanges may not discriminate on

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Each state is charged with enforcing these protections. Under the Affordable Care Act each state must set up a health insurance exchange where customers can easily compare and enroll in different insurance plans.

5. C Gay adults are significantly less likely to report having excellent or very good overall health than their heterosexual counterparts. Because gay people are more likely to be uninsured and to experience discriminatory treatment both inside and outside the doctor’s office, they experience a range of significant health disparities, including increased rates of cancer, substance use, and mental health concerns such as depression.

Many of these disparities are even greater for bisexual people.

tent racism in society—are some of the largest causes of health disparities.

8. B Federal employees with same-sex partners cannot access the same health care benefits currently afforded to straight employees and their partners or spouses. Unfortunately a provision that would end discrimination in benefits for the families of gay federal employees was not included in the final health reform law.

9. D The Affordable Care Act offers many benefits for those living with HIV or AIDS. It phases out the Medicare Part D “donut hole” for prescription drugs by 2020, provides individuals living with HIV or AIDS greater access to health coverage through the 6. D expansion of state Medicaid proTransgender individuals experi- grams, and will prohibit insurance ence staggering health disparities as carriers from dropping or refusing a result of discrimination in health to accept applicants based on their care, insurance coverage, employ- HIV status. ment, and other areas of daily life.

For example, 50 percent of transgen- 10. A der individuals report thoughts of This requirement will extend to suicide at some point in their lives, adults in 2014. The Patient’s Bill of compared to just 2 percent of non- Rights can be found on HealthCare. transgender individuals. gov, the health reform website maintained by the Department of Health 7. A and Human Services. The site also In fact, Asian American gay adults includes a Health Plan Finder tool are the gay minority group most that allows same-sex couples to likely to report experiencing psycho- search for plans offering coverage for logical distress. For individuals who domestic partners belong to multiple populations that experience health disparities, these Source: Kellan Baker and Crosby disparities do not simply add up: Burns They multiply. For gay and transgen- Center for American Progress der communities of color, a lack of affordable health care and insurance

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