CommUNITY Magazine (vol 3 iss 4) Calpernia Addams

Calpernia Addams Capital PRIDE Sneak Peeks Say It Loud Black & Latino Gay Pride Spring is Here Real Women Want Curves Time for a Spiritual Check-up

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FEATURES Celebrate 45 Years as the Community’s Center with a look back at Pride

A Few From the Archives

pg. 7

We Asked...Facilitators

pg. 8

Capital PRIDE is Huge pg. 9 Real Women Want Curves by Faith Hoffman pg.17 Meet Calpernia An introduction to Calpernia Addams, the fascinating Trans* Activist, Hollywood advisor and Capital PRIDE Parade Grand Marshal, Pride Week guest speaker and entertainer, and Capital PRIDE performer pg. 21 Say It Loud: “Why have a Black & Latino Gay Pride?” by Gabby Santos pg. 24 #CapitalPRIDEQuotes

pg.22

Steel is not forged in a comfortable place ~Calpernia Addams

On the Cover: Calpernia Addams photograph ©Rob Lebow This page: Calpernia Addams photograph ©Krista Benson

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May 2015 Volume 3, Issue 4 CONTENTS

COLUMNS Gay Man’s Musings ”Ewww, I Don’t Do Black Guys” by Nyvek Moshier pg. 10 Trans View A Little Bit of Everything... by Moonhawk Riverstone pg. 14 Ask the Lawyer

by

Geri Pomerantz pg. 17

To Be a Blessing Time for a Spiritual Check-up by Paul P. Jesep pg. 26 Ask Mark Your Tax Questions by Mark D. Witecki pg. 29 Money Matters Diversity and Pride Out in the Garden Save the Date

by

Thomas Walling pg. 26

by

Judith Fetterley

pg. 31

The Fashionable and the Frivolous If the Shoe Fits by Alan Bennet Ilagan pg. 32 Michael Cooks and You Can Too Spring is Here by Michael Meade pg. 33 Here’s Guffman

“Make Voyages! Attempt Them! There is Nothing Else!” by

Patrick White pg. 35

NEWS,UPDATES & INFORMATION Director’s Note From the Editor’s Desk Quick Clips

pg. 6 pg. 6 pg. 9

Affiliates Calendar Weekly Events Calendar Special Events Calendar CommUNITY Calendar

pg. 34 pg. 36 pg. 37 pg. 38

Advertisers Index

pg. 30

24 HOURS OF ONLINE GIVING

5.21.2015 engage. support. give

Pride Center of the Capital Region, 332 Hudson Ave, Albany, NY 12209 (518) 462 - 6138

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DIRECTOR’S NOTE Something for everyone!

This time of year in 1970, the Pride Center’s founding year, our community was just galvanizing locally as New York City activists were getting ready for their first ever Pride March to honor and commemorate the one year anniversary of the Stonewall riots. This powerful tradition has set the stage for Pride marches and parades that continue today, and in May, we are up to our elbows in planning Capital PRIDE! As we celebrate our 45th anniversary, we couldn’t be more excited about hosting the biggest Pride in Upstate New York, and this year will be our best yet. Stay tuned for details in this issue of CommUNITY, and keep an eye out for the forthcoming Pride Guide!

by

Dr. Franklin Kameny, whose F R O M T H E objectives were the repeal of E D I T O R ’ S D E S K anti-gay laws, declassification Mi chael Wei d ric h of homosexuality as a mental disorder, and equal treatment for federal gay employees.

The other day, I was skimming the headlines on some LGBTQ news websites and while I was on the Pink News (Europe’s Largest Gay News Service), I came across the headline: It has been 50 years since the first gay rights protest outside the White House. The article went on to talk about the April 17, 1965 protest by the Mattachine Society of Washington led by 6

In addition to the great celebrations of our community that will take place in June, we are excited about many other things we have to offer for our local LGBTQ community to connect, inspire, engage and support people to live their best lives. One example is a new project we have launched with our partners at St. Anne’s to ensure our most at risk young people have the connections they need. This project, designed to avert homelessness is particularly important for LGBTQ young people. Keep an eye out for more information to come on this important initiative, called Community Partnerships for Youth Empowerment. Additionally, our Center Families group has been growing, and is connecting more families and little ones that ever before.

Most recently, we had a wonderful time at the Art Room with our families using creative expression to bond. Our Vintage Pride group is busily planning the second annual cruise, commenting that many people made new friends and saw people they had disconnected with age ago. One participant commented that it was the best time they had in years, and it is not to be missed. The connections made by our

While the Stonewall Riots four years later is given credit as the start of the modern day LGBTQ Rights movement, this first demonstration was peaceful with permits and police protection, smartly dressed protestors in suits & ties and skirts & dresses, and a few gawking tourists but no incidents. The protest garnered almost no press attention while then President Lyndon B. Johnson was allegedly “very upset by the protest”.

No sooner do I finish reading this, that I see the headline: Five Things We Know

community’s center, the Pride Center, would not be possible without you. If you value your center, want our youth to have the vital support they need, our older adults to make and have lasting connections, please consider making a contribution to ensure the work continues.

This month, we have the unique opportunity to participate in Give OUT Day on May 21st, the national day of LGBT giving. When this began 2 years ago, it was to turn around a troubling trend- only 5% of LGBT people give to LGBT causes. You, our local community heard that call to action and have responded- we need each other and we need our center, so we must support our center. Each year we are blessed with an incredible outpouring of support, and we need you again! Please set the date on your calendar, schedule a gift by going on our website at www.capitalpridecenter. org and spread the word!

Our community is thriving because of you, and we are all better because of our center!

Curran Streett, Executive Director

About Robby Mook, Hillary Clinton’s Openly Gay Campaign Manager. Yes, Hillary is running for President again.

But this time she has the first only gay man to manage a serious presidential campaign beside her and if she wins in 2016, he may well become the President of the United States’ Chief of Staff. From protesting in front of the White House to being on the trail to become the highest ranking employee of the White House, all in 50 years. My, how far we’ve come!

Happy PRIDE!

A Few from the Archives...

BE A PART OF IT BE IN THE PARADE BE A VENDOR Registrations are being excepted for Parade Entries & Festival Vendors for Capital PRIDE 2015 Be a part of the largest Pride celebration in upstate New York download the complete registration and information packet at www.captialpridecenter.org/pride

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MAY 15

“Albany is where we started our first Pride Event as a Vendor with Out Apparel and the community loves us.. and [and we love] the ability to feel like we are apart of such an amazing event!”

REGISTER TODAY

www.captialpridecenter.org/pride CAPITAL PRIDE IS PRODUCED BY

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We asked: “WHAT INSPIRES YOU... ?”

The Pride Center is pleased to introduce our new volunteer adult group facilitator teams! Facilitators were Darren Cosgrove, MSW - Men’s asked: What inspires you to facilitate Group I am inspired by group work groups at the Center? What are you most excited about in terms of facili- because it offers the space to undertating group(s)? Here’s what they had take an intentional process of learning, sharing and growing. The collecto say: tive engagement that occurs in groups Stephanie Slominski-Trans Pride is a tool for shared consciousness raisMy inspiration to facilitate groups at ing and community building and I bethe Center is the feeling that this is a lieve that work like that is both pergreat way to give something back to sonally and socially transformative. I the community that was so instru- am excited to have the opportunity to mental to my journey. I also feel like I hold space for group members and to have a background that is not exactly support such a meaningful exchange. like what I hear from many others and I may have some experiences that Caroline Russell Smith, LCSW-R could benefit others. I’m excited to get - Saratoga LGBTQ Adult Support to know everyone, strengthen my own Group I am inspired by how brave ties to the community, learn about the various segments of the trans commu- people are to come into a room and nity, and the struggles each one faces. share from the heart. When there are nods of shared understanding, I feel Alana Sophia O’Hair-Women’s so grateful to be a human and I feel hopeful about our capacity to help Group & Trans Pride Many of my best friends and commu- each other heal and grow. nity are the people I met at the Pride Center. Now I volunteer and donate *Saratoga LGBTQ Adult Support Group is an affiliate of the Pride there so others can have the same re- Center lationships.

Mariel Martin - Saratoga LGBTQ Liz Espinoza, LSCW-Women’s Adult Support Group Caroline and talked about creating a Group What inspires and excites me about space for LGBTQ-identified adults this work is the ability to give and be a in Saratoga for years. During Saratopart of a support network for beauti- ga Pride last June, we decided it was ful and diverse community of women! time. We brought Rion on board and launched the Saratoga LGBTQ Adult Support Group, a substance-free, Mike Chapman-Men’s Group Being part of an organization that inclusive social space for LGBTQtakes pride in and promotes an all- identified adults to find support, coninclusive environment is the greatest versation, and connection. Everyone feeling. I’m very excited and look for- deserves a space to bring their whole ward to encouraging and empowering self, to be present, seen, and heard, others to be comfortable in their own and as a group facilitator, it truly is an skin regardless of gender expression, honor to be able to be a part of holding that space. sexuality, or form of self-expression.

I’m excited to see how our new group Rion Heroux - Men’s Group & unfolds and I appreciate the support Saratoga LGBTQ Adult Support of the Pride Center in making this group a reality.

Group Facilitating groups at the Pride Center is inspirational because it provides me *Saratoga LGBTQ Adult Support Group is an affiliate of the Pride with the opportunity to be an agent of Center change. I love working with the entire Pride Center team and I look forward to growing through shared experiences. In the words of Albert Einstein, Pictured in sidebar, top to bottom: Slominski, Alana Sophia “Only a life lived for others is a life Stephanie O’Hair, Liz Espinoza, Mike Chapman, worthwhile.”

Rion Heroux, Darren Cosgrove, MSW, *Saratoga LGBTQ Adult Support Group is an affiliate of the Pride Center

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Caroline Russell Smith. Not Pictured: Mariel Martin

Capital PRIDE is Huge

QUICK CLIPS

A Sneal Peek! Events, Amazing Quotes from the CommunityThe 1st Official look at Capital PRIDE 2015 (begins on pg 18)

Grand Marshall Calpernia Addams (Meet her on pg. 21)

The Celebration is on it’s Way!

(Black & Latino Gay Pride 2015 info pg. 24)

Independant Explosion

(Start up toupes take the production into thier own hands on pg. 35)

The Pride Center’s Capital PRIDE festival in Washington Park has always been popular, but never as popular as it is today. In the past 2 years alone attendance has more than doubled, with 2014 being the biggest festival ever- with 25,000 more attendees than in 2008. Every year Capital PRIDE grows and welcomes not only more and more folk from across the state and new england but also from all walks of life. We can’t wait for 2015 to shatter all records! Get yoru friends, your family, your allies and yourself ready, it’s going to be the biggest and best PRIDE ever!

Be there for the biggest celebration yet!

Mark your calendar & Schedule your donation (More important dates -calendars begin on pg. 35)

Saturday June 13th, 2015 12-5pm Washington Park, Albany

LETTERS TO THE EDITORmweidrich@capitalpridecenter.org 9

GAY MAN’S MUSINGS by NYVEK MOSHIER

“EWWW, I DON’T DO BLACK GUYS”

When I first moved to Albany, I found myself hitting the clubs often. I had never been surrounded by so many LGBT people in my life. I had been to the clubs with my ex in the past, but we would inevitably head home to a small town that didn’t exactly possess a diverse community. My first day living just off from Lark Street involved witnessing a gay couple walking, without concern, down the street holding hands; something never seen in my small hometown. I felt at home and finally part of a world that accepted people for who they were. I finally thought I had found a community without prejudice. Within a matter of months I found myself experiencing numerous situations that would challenge my faith in the community. This journey began with what was meant to be a fun night out on the town with my new roommate.

My first roommate when I moved to the Albany area was a friend who I had known for a while, but one whom I had never really taken the time to get to know in depth. Ironically, this friend had been a focus of my ex’s; who had pursued him as a romantic interest following our break up. My new roommate possessed a shy nature and would usually hide in his room, so I was stunned when he asked me to join him out on the town one Friday night. I always knew my friend was generally shallow, but still I found him to be good hearted over all. To this day, I cannot hear his name without thinking about what occurred shortly after we arrived at the club that night.

We were a few beers in when my roommate finally began to loosen up and actually enjoy himself. In no time we found ourselves checking out guys and discussing who we felt was hot and who was not.

I pointed across the bar and said “Wow, that man is sexy as all hell.” My former roommate’s response is one I will never forget. He looked at the guy I had pointed to and proceeded to say “Ewww, I don’t do Black guys.” I was taken aback and deeply saddened.

Now some of you may be asking, “Why would a White boy from Redneck America be so sensitive to such a statement?”

Well, my raising is exactly why it hurt to 10

hear those words cross his lips. Where I had come from, Gay wasn’t the way, only White was right and anything that wasn’t Christian required crucifying. I grew up in a world where diversity was most assuredly not celebrated. And since being gay does not come with a birthmark, I stood silently by as even those I loved spewed the most homophobic of language. My heart was broken slowly over many years. So when I found my strength as a gay man, I vowed that I would never make anyone else feel so unwanted, and even hated, for simply having been born different than me. I left my hometown and set out on a mission to find a place where prejudice was discouraged and acceptance was encouraged.

“When an individual is protesting society’s refusal to acknowledge his existence as a human being, his very act of protest confers dignity on him.” Ever since I first read it, this quote has served to inspire me when confronted by bigotry. These words have nurtured an activist nature in me that has afforded me unforgettable experiences such as marching on Washington D.C. for Marriage Equality in 2009. These words are those of one Bayard Rustin, a man who was proud to be both Black and Gay in a time when either one of these identities could have gotten him killed in even the most liberal parts of this country.

Following my roommate’s proclamation that the mixing of races was something not to be looked upon favorably, even in a community as diverse as that of the LGBT community, I found myself inspired to take on a new challenge. With the words of Bayard Rustin instilled in both my heart and soul, I soon set out on a mission to address not just the bigotry against our community, but also the bigotry within it.

In the years following my former roommate’s racist statement, I have found myself involved in many discussions with friends, family, pride clubs and diversity panels that have focused on the divisions within the LGBT community itself. During this time I have found that racism, sexism and transphobia exist within many of those who I once considered to be the most liberal and open minded of individuals. I have also met many who reject identifying with the community completely; they do not see themselves reflected in it. I know many lesbians who say that the community is driven by the will of men who could care less about the sexism that exists in the world. Many Transgender people have told me that they have felt abandoned by the LG segments of the community as issues such as Marriage Equality have taken center stage in recent years. Numerous Bisexual members of the

community have told me that they feel caught between two worlds. I have known many “feminine” gay men who have stated that they feel that the community worships only the most masculine of men, while many “masculine” gay men have told me that they feel the community only serves to perpetuate the stereotype of the “Flaming Queen”. I’ve witnessed issues with masculine versus feminine in the lesbian community as well. And then of course I have heard many of my Black, Latino and Asian brothers and sisters say that they only see a sea of white when glancing upon our community and how it is represented in the news, entertainment and politics. Now all of these negative views from within the community are valid to a degree. But still, I see nothing that cannot be overcome by opening the lines of communication and expressing a willingness to acknowledge each other’s struggles and embrace each other’s truths.

I have heard many of my Black, Latino and Asian brothers

and sisters say that they only see a sea of white when glancing upon our community

To this day many of my brothers and sisters question my unwavering faith in, and loyalty to, the community. Many ask me, “How can you have faith in a community that is so divided?” My answer is simple.

I have faith in our community because I have seen it achieve amazing things when it has been able to fully unite. And it is this faith in the community that makes me believe that it is only through us that this world will ever be able to truly defeat bigotry. We are the uniting factor. We are born of both genders, all races, all nations and all faiths. We have existed in every society since the beginning of civilization and we will be there for the end of it as well. If we cannot bring true acceptance and love into this world, then who can?

This question ways heavily on my mind as Black and Latino LGBT Pride approaches. Because if a White boy from Redneck America can grow up to respect, honor and quote an inspirational Black Civil Rights leader; then anything is possible.

Our community’s greatest strength is its diversity. So let us unite and use our greatest strength to truly change the world.

Nyvek is a local college student who has been volunteering with the Pride Center since 2008.

It was Nyvek’s passion for weddings that first got him involved in the fight for marriage equality and the community as a whole.

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The Albany Gay Men’s Chorus Presents:

“That’s Amore” Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 7:30 pm The College of Saint Rose Massry Center for the Arts Picotte Recital Hall 1002 Madison Avenue Albany N.Y. Sunday, June 21, 2015 at 5:00 pm First Presbyterian Church 369 Warren Street (corner of Fourth and Warren) Hudson N.Y.

Adults $12

Students $9 Under 12 Free Tickets discounted at: www.capitalpridecenter.org Romeo’s Gifts on 299 Lark Street Albany The Spotty Dog Books and Ale on 440 Warren Street Hudson.

"(.$

A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Capital Area Council of Churches’ Emergency Overflow Homeless Shelter.

Special thanks to the Friends of the First Presbyterian Church of Hudson.

AGMC is an affiliate of the Pride Center of the Capital Region.

13

TR A NS* V IEW

A Little Bit Of Everything.... by

Moonhawk RiverStone

Writing this column on 4/9, today’s news noted that President Obama issued a statement saying reparative therapy should be outlawed, and (!) he said “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender” in the statement. Are you listening Gov. Cuomo?? It’s so nice, the President always includes Trans* people.

Dept. of Health may find themselves in court, and does it have to get to that?

Moving on in my perennial May column to talk about the prospects for GENDA, the Gender Non Discrimination Bill to pass this year seem about slim and none and it seems no one has a magic wand here. Likely by the time you read this column the Assembly will have passed the bill for the 8th time.

Those of us in various coalitions working on its passage are hard at work to move it in the Senate. Now with a clear Republican majority, the majority of whom are adamantly against granting Trans* people their rights, we’re a bit stuck. It doesn’t seem like Gov. Cuomo is at all as enthusiastic about us Trans* folk as he was about same-sex marriage, so the likelihood he will spend a lot of his legislative capital pressing for us is miniscule. Since most New Yorkers support GENDA, its all about getting New Yorkers in Republican districts to vote their constituency rather than their bias. We’ll see how that turns out. Honestly, until transphobia somehow profoundly touches the lives of the Senators, not much will happen. Stay tuned.

The biggest problem has been that so many Trans* people unbeknownst to them have self-insured plans, not private health insurance and therefore have NO recourse to coverage. This will eventually be a huge problem unless some work around can be found.

Remember from last month self insured plans have no governance, no oversight, no leverage from which to make positive changes. It’s all a matter of back room politics to get those changes made.

I’ve received a lot of push back from challenging the Governor to step it up about Trans* issues. It’s been pointed out to me that the Governor has very generously approved birth certificate changes and now health care coverage changes, and “we should be busy acknowledging what he is doing...” Well, what is he doing? I keep hearing that youth under 18 will be included in the new (5/14) birth certificate change policy “any time now”. By the time you read this, that “new” policy will be a year old, and the Youth Inclusive New York City policy will be 6 months old.

What time is “any time now??” This year? This decade? How about today.

There’s nothing to doing this except a few sentences on a piece of paper. If the youth inclusion in the birth certificate policy doesn’t happen shortly, the NYS 14

Then, as I’ve been expounding upon the numerous flaws in both the Medicaid and health insurance coverage for transgender health and surgeries, we should be grateful for this mess? Really? I don’t think so.

the Trans* community is increasing sophisticated and irate at being so short changed

Then there is the problem of private health insurance plans having very narrow coverage, in other words almost no coverage at all or having coverage “guidelines”--demands--actually that are far and away stricter than the current WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) standards, endless hoops to jump through. It would be nice if a) NYS DOH and the Departments of Finance and Insurance issued a further regulation that stated the WPATH is the standard of care and that insurance companies cannot have guidelines that exceed WPATH’s as that is blatantly discriminatory for several reasons--lack of qualified providers being one. The other problem is many private health insurance companies do not yet have their guidelines in place and in their haste to do so are choosing the stricter out step with WPATH ones because they are not educated in transgender

health care. Clients are contacting their companies for coverage and running into all sorts of obstacles. Furthermore, we need more resources and education widely available in the Trans* community about how to get the coverage and services you need because it’s all about how well you know to play the health insurance game.

Following on the heels of the private insurance problems comes the fact that the proposed Medicaid regulation received an abundance of similar comments addressing the most grievous flaws in the proposed regulation and essentially let into regulation the proposed regulation with no changes. So our comments fell upon deaf ears--not unexpected, but still frustrating in the extreme. The two most troublesome parts of the lack of coverage for Trans* youth allegedly being blamed on federal law. My suggestion to DOH here is you can’t have a two tier system of health care, it’s hugely discriminatory and NYS DOH should be a leader in getting federal law (and/or regulation) changed so that coverage is given to poor Trans* youth. Or perhaps (?) the State should spend a little of that 5 billion bank fine money on subsidizing health care for poor Trans* youth?

That would be doing the right thing. (A huge fantasy I know, but nothing like putting it out there.) But, really, you can’t not treat poor kids, that’s wrong.

The second problem with the regulation is that all surgeries must be performed by surgeons within New York State! Guess what? In reality, there are NONE! Yup! None--or none with any real qualifications. Now there is a glut of potential patients all ready to go, and nowhere to go. perhaps (?) the State should spend a little of that 5 billion bank fine money on subsidizing health care for poor Trans* youth?

Professionals are in a uproar about this, and truth be told, Medicaid’s transgender health ignorance really gets exposed here. They never thought this problem through. Never. Except now they are. First we heard that reimbursement rates were going to be so low no one would touch it even if they were qualified. Now, we’re hearing Medicaid might be thinking of figuring this out with out of state surgeons. Better late than never. Stay tuned on this one.

Finally, I think the Trans* community is increasing sophisticated and irate at being so short changed with the coverage charade that they are going back into court with class action suits to address these problems right away, keeping DOH on their toes. Good thing.

And finally, just to keep things interesting, the Williams Institute out at UCLA in California has been given a grant to figure out how to count how many of us Trans* folks there really are. The *TransPop: US Transgender Population Health Survey will be a year long study. Stay tuned. Scuttlebutt is that if you’re not figuring out how to count Trans* minors, the survey will be useless....Until next time...T

TRANS VIEW© #133

Rev. Moonhawk River Stone of Riverstone Consulting is an Interfaith Minister, transgender activist, writer, educator, consultant, keynote speaker and psychotherapist in private practice for over 25 years with experience and extensive expertise in all aspects of transgender policy and health.

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ASK THE LAWYER by Geri Pomerantz

The end notes for every one of my monthly columns in Community starts with “The legal rights of LGBTQ families are an ever-changing landscape, to be addressed monthly in this column. “ This comment could not be more true this month.

By the time you are reading this article, the Supreme Court of the United States will have heard oral argument in Obergefell v. Hodges and three other same sex marriage cases from around the country. There are two questions for the Supreme Court to answer as presented in these historical cases: (1) Does the US Constitution require the states to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples and (2) Does the US Constitution require the states to recognize same sex marriages validly performed outside the state.

As of March 2, 2015, there were 65 favorable rulings from around the country since the Supreme Court decided the Windsor case in June 2013. In the US, we have marriage equality in 37 states and the District of Columbia. A favorable decision in Obergefell and the related cases, will be in keeping with the unprecedented levels of support for marriage equality throughout the county, even in the south. See CNN/ORC poll at http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2015/ images/02/19/rel2f.ob ama.and. domestic.issues.pdf A decision in the marriage cases is expected in June.

The legal rights of LGBTQ families are an ever-changing landscape Meanwhile, as prom season is upon us, this month’s column reminds students and their families that students have the right to attend school proms with the date of their choice (if any), and dressed in the gender specific clothing of their choice (if any).

School districts may not discriminate against LGBTQ youth by denying students the right to attend the prom because school officials believe the student’s dress is not gender appropriate or because the student brings a same sex date.

For years now, courts have ruled that students have a constitutional right to bring same sex dates to proms. See e.g.

Fricke v. Lynch, 491 F. Supp 381 (D. RI 1980). Fricke was a first amendment case, in which other students objected to the same sex couple attending the prom. The court ruled that the student had a right to bring a samesex date to the high school prom over objections of other students, stating that the First Amendment “does not tolerate mob rule by unruly school children.” The court held that the school has an obligation to protect the same sex couple.

School districts may not discriminate against LGBTQ youth by denying students the right to attend the prom because school officials believe the student’s dress is not gender appropriate or because the student brings a same sex date

As to what to wear, Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex by school districts. This prohibition also applies to sex stereotyping behavior, such as requiring stereotypical gender conforming attire. The school district can no more prohibit a male student (or student they perceive as male) from wearing a dress, then they can require a female student (or student they perceive as female) to wear eye makeup.

School officials cannot discriminate against a student for failing to conform to stereotypical gender norms. The bottom line is that a student should not have to face adverse consequences based on a school official’s animus toward the exhibition of behavior considered to be stereotypically inappropriate for the student’s gender or perceived gender. In addition to the prohibition against discrimination on the basis of sex, any negative action with respect to the student’s attire may in many instances implicate the student’s freedom of expression protected by the first amendment.

While not on topic, with the editor’s approval, I waited to write my monthly column to report on the April 13th decision of Supreme Court, NY County in Mtr of Hicks v. Department of Education of the NYC (DOE).

In this case, a teacher received an unsatisfactory rating in pupil guidance and instruction upon the allegation that she referred to a transgender student as “it”, amongst other things.

The teacher sought judicial review of the evaluation. The judge upheld the administrative determination, finding that such comment was a sufficient basis for the unsatisfactory rating.

Moreover, although the teacher Ask the Lawyer continued on pg. 18

LAW OFFICE OF GERI POMERANTZ, ESQ. Proudly serving the LGBT community and our friends

Practice focused on family and matrimonial law

694 Columbia Turnpike East Greenbush, NY 12061 Tel: 518-479-3713 http://pomerantzlaw.org/ 17

Ask the Lawyer continued from pg. 17

School officials cannot

discriminate against a student for failing to conform to stereotypical gender norms.

denied having made the offensive comment, she did concede that she confronted the student by questioning the student’s use of the women’s bathroom and demanded to see a pass that allowed the student to use the women’s bathroom. Judge Moulton found that such conduct by itself would additionally provide a sufficient basis for the unsatisfactory rating.

The court noted that the teacher clearly thought the student’s use of the women’s bathroom was inappropriate, and commented that “if student gender differences are truly honored, then the student had every right to use the women’s bathroom.”

The material in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to give legal advice, and should not substitute for the independent advice of counsel. The views expressed in this column are solely those of Ms. Pomerantz and do not reflect the opinion of the Pride Center.

Geri Pomerantz is an attorney in the capital district with a practice focused on family and matrimonial law, specifically including LGBTQ families.

Geri conducts continuing legal education training for other lawyers, and conducts community education, on issues of importance to the LGBTQ community.

She recently presented on parentage issues at the LGBT law day at Albany Law School. Geri is a member of the Collaborative Divorce Association of the Capital District.

She can be reached at GPEsq@pomerantzlaw.org.

18

A-Prom is just the beginning of an amazing 2 weeks of events. Watch for the full calendar in the PRIDE Guide (Mid-May) and online: www.capitalpridecenter.org / pride

19

20

C

alpernia Addams is an actress, musician, author and activist living in Hollywood, CA. The story of her relationship with murdered Army soldier Barry Winchell, “Soldier’s Girl”, was nominated for a Golden Globe, Emmy and countless other awards, and has gone on to become an LGBT classic around the globe.

Calpernia starred in the first television show to examine dating for t ranss exu a l women,“Transamerican Love Story” and has an extensive listing of other IMDB credits. Calpernia has spoken across the USA and internationally on many topics, most recently at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

Calpernia has been presented with a Peabody Award, a GLAAD Media Award, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network’s Randy Shilts Visibility Award, The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force’s Leadership Award, and she is also a decorated military war veteran recognized by the US Congress for assistance in rescuing a downed Chinese airliner in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.

Calpernia has been a Grand Marshall of the San Francisco Pride Parade as well as Hollywood, Las Vegas and many others.

She has hosted and presented at events

from the GLAAD Media Awards to the annual Lavender Law conference. She was the national face for PFLAG’s outreach to the transsexual community.

Calpernia has spoken extensively on trans representation in Hollywood, and has worked with top celebrities and directors to consult on projects that went on to be nominated for or win Academy Awards (Oscars), Golden Globes, Emmys and even a Peabody Award, among many other awards. Calpernia has spoken on LGBT issues concerning the US military as a former combat medic herself, veteran of the 1st Gulf War and partner to murdered Army PFC Barry Winchell. Her relationship with Barry and his subsequent murder by homophobic fellow soldiers was depicted in the film “Soldier’s Girl”, which has gone on to open many hearts and minds to trans and gay stories and influenced former President Bill Clinton to express regret at the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Calpernia has also spoken at the Veteran’s Administration on healthcare and elder-care for trans veterans who seek care at the Veteran’s Hospitals. She has delivered seminars on workplace policies concerning trans and lesbian/gay/bisexual employees to major multinational corporations such as Procter & Gamble and Warner Brothers.

As an entertainer, her business partner Andrea James and she put on the first all trans-women cast production of Eve Ensler’s international hit play fighting violence against women and girls: The Vagina Monologues. They were mentored

by Eve and legendary actress Jane Fonda, with whom Calpernia went on to perform the monologues at the 72,000 seat New Orleans Superdome to raise money for the women and girls affected by Hurricane Katrina. As a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter she has toured the US and Europe playing acoustic music opening for out gay indie superstar Patrick Wolf and trans musician Our Lady J. Calpenria’s music was featured in Facebook’s first national television commercial, in which she also starred.

Calpernia also produces and sings in her own live cabaret show every week in Hollywood (5 years running), featuring original arrangements of classic Old Hollywood music by Marilyn Monroe, Mae West and others alongside original

dance and pop music.

Calpernia will serve as the Grand Marshal of this year’s Capital PRIDE parade as well as a part of PRIDE Week when she will be the special guest for a Q&A after the showing of Transamerica, Performing at Waterworks Pub and making a special appearance on the Capital PRIDE Stage

Meet

This info and more can be found at www.calpernia.com/aboutme!

Calpernia

21

Welcoming Congregations

Join Us In Exploring Your Spiritual Side At One Of The Welcoming Congregations Below: Community Congregational Church (UCC) 221 Columbia Tpke, Rensselaer www.clintonheightsucc.org

#CapitalPRIDEQuote: I’d like to think, at least for this moment, that the best of humanity – the ideas of acceptance and love – will triumph over all else. That starts with a sense of self love. For now, and for ... Pride, let’s be a little kinder to each other, a little more forgiving of ourselves, and a little more careful of our place in the world.

- Alan Bennett Ilagan PRIDE is about celebrating community, in the broadest sense possible.

- Rob Hill As an Ally, the Capital PRIDE Festival to me also means inclusion and diversity. Loving and accepting the differences AND similarities between us, encouraging others to be more open minded, challenging stifled and archaic attitudes and embracing how far we’ve come.

- Alison Horgan Jump right in, be yourself, have fun and pay it forward!

- Corey Polesel I am a quite person by nature, PRIDE allows me to get out and meet and work with some great people.

- Ed Davis I would have never thought as a teenager in the 70’s that it would be possible for something like this. Also, to show kids it’s ok to be different is amazing.

- Frieda Munchon

Community Reformed Church of Colonie 701 Sand Creek Road, Colonie www.coloniereformed.org (518)869-5589 Congregation Agudat Achim (Conservative) 2117 Union Street, Schenectady www.agudatachim.org (518) 393-9211 Congregation B’nai Shalom (Reform) 420 Whitehall Road, Albany www.bnaishalom.albany.ny.us (518) 482-5283 Congregation Berith Sholom (Reform) 167 Third Street, Troy www.berithsholom.org (518)272-8872

(518)465-5161 First Church in Albany 110 North Pearl Street, Albany www.firstchurchinalbany.org (518)463-4449 First Congregational Church of Albany UCC & NACCC 405 Quail Street, Albany www.firstcongregationalalbany. org (518)482-4580 First Lutheran Church 181 Western Avenue, Albany www.FirstLutheranAlbany.org (518)463-1326 First Presbyterian Church 362 State Street, Albany www.firstpresalbany.org (518)449-7332 First Reformed Church 8 North Church Street, Schenectady www.1streformed.com

Congregation Beth Emeth (Reform) 100 Academy Road, Albany www.bethemethalbany.org (518)436-9761

First Unitarian Society of Schenectady 1221 Wendell Avenue, Schenectady www.fussonline.org (518)374-4446

Congregation Gates of Heaven (Reform) 842 Ashmore Avenue, Schenectady www.cgoh.org (518)374-8173

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

Congregation Ohav Shalom (Conservative) 113 New Krumkill Road, Albany www.ohavshalom.org

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

Congregation Temple Sinai (Reform) 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs www.templesinai-saratogasprings.org (518) 584-8730 Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church 943 Palmer Avenue, Schenectady 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

First United Methodist Church, East Greenbush www.fumceg.org First United Presbyterian Church 1915 Fifth Avenue, Troy www.unitedprestroy.org (518)272-2771 Friends Meeting (Quaker) 727 Madison Avenue, Albany (518) 436-8812 Presbyterian New England Congregational Church, Saratoga http://pnecchurch.org/ Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 501 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville

With each step forward we add to a powerful LGBTQ legacy. Every effort made in shifting the paradigm of our existence contributes to our strides for pride!

- Acey Mercer

Annual Interfaith PRIDE Service Building Bridges of Compassion and Community Monday, June 8 7:00- 8:30 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Albany 362 State Street, Albany PRIDE is important because it is a All welcome; refreshments to follow celebration about being our true selves.

It’s an opportunity to show our peers, our family and our friends that we are the same as everyone else while being wonderfully diverse communityof equals.

- Scott Levine

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Join Advocates for Welcoming Congregations to launch Pride Week as we celebrate ourselves, our differences and our connections. Come for eclectic worship, reflect with us on what you know to be true, and sense the opening to reach out to those who believe differently.

www.goodshepherdchurchloudonville.org (518)458-1562 Holy Trinity National Catholic Church 405 Washington Avenue, Albany www.NCCofA.org/holytrin.html (518)434-8861 Journey United Church of Christ 500 Kenwood Blvd, Delmar www.journeyucc.com Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church 175 Fifth Avenue, Saratoga Springs www.saratogaspringsumc.org (518)584-3720 Saint Aelred’s Priory and Retreat House (National Catholic) 670 Bunker Hill Road, Northville staelredpriory@aol.com (518) 863-8086 / (518) 434-8861 St. Andrews Episcopal Church Main at Madison Avenue, Albany www.standrewsalbany.org (518)489-4747 St. John’s Lutheran Church 160 Central Avenue, Albany www.stjohnsalbany.org (518)465-7545 Temple Israel 600 New Scotland Avenue, Albany www.tialbany.org (518) 438-7858 Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga 624 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs www.saratoga-uu.org (518)584-1555 Unity Church in Albany 21 King Avenue, Albany www.unitychurchinalbany.org (518)453-3603 Woodstock Jewish Congregation (Reconstructionist) 1682 Glasco Turnpike, Woodstock www.wjcshul.org (845)246-1671

Proud To Be Open!

Affirming!

Welcoming!

Joyous!

In Our Own Voices and the Pride Center presents:

KEEP CALM AND

PARTY SOBER An alcohol and drug free event with music, dancing, food, games, and fun!

FREE

June 4

9 pm-Midnight First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany 405 Washington Ave., Albany

Featuring DJ JEMinii For more information call 518-432-4188

Co-sponsored by:

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WHY

Our most frequently asked question during Pride season is, “Why have Black & Latino Gay Pride? That’s so racist, divisive, etc.” In response, there is no question that everyone within the LGBT movement deserves to celebrate and gather for Pride festivities. However, as LGBT People of Color we face some particularly difficult issues that require tailored Pride activities. We face myths of negative stereotypes, such as the myth that Black and Latin@ people are more violent than others. We face realities such as racism within programs and the criminal system that leave people of color with fewer options, greater obstacles to participate, and less protection. These myths and realities are painful. LGBT POC who experience them need support from other LGBT POC who understand their impact.

by

Gabby Santos

event is also open to allies), restoring our energy and confidence that oftentimes drained by racism, homophobia, transphobia and other forms of oppression.

Black & Latino Gay Pride strengthens the community by providing a voice for LGBT people of color; our concerns, our needs, our fears, and vision for our lives. Black & Latino Gay Pride strengthens our collective power by providing a voice for those doubly and triply oppressed and thus helps meet the needs of our community. Black & Latino Gay Pride also helps build capacity by providing resources and leadership around ways in which we as a whole can support

LGBT POC are also faced with additional health disparities and are less likely to report when they are the victims of violence due to stigma, marginalization and oppression. Black & Latino Gay Pride offers a Health & Wellness Expo that provides free, confidential medical screenings.

“I only get tested once a year...and that’s at Black and Latino Gay Pride. If you guys didn’t provide it, I wouldn’t do it” - Community Member at Black & Latino Gay Pride In some ways, Say It Loud! Black & Latino Gay Pride functions the same way as other specialized events, such as Bear or BDSM gatherings (only our 24

each other.

Why the term, “People of Color?”

The term, “People of Color,” is a political statement that represents people as an oppressed class who have claimed the power to name and define themselves and their experiences. People of Color include but are not limited to: Native American, Africans, Latin@, African-American, Chinese, Filipinos, Japanese, Koreans, Thai, Indo-Chinese, Vietnamese, Pakistanis, Haitian, Panamanian, Latinas and Asian-American.

Does the LGBT POC movement need White Allies?

The LGBT POC movement needs white allies to promote true diversity and to support a visual statement about that diversity. The presence of white allies holds everyone accountable to working on those issues that oppress people of color. The LGBT movement also needs LGBT POC experts to lead the way in creating culturally-specific resources. The ultimate success of any movement lies in the practice of its theory, and without the presence of all LGBT people, including LGBT POC, the movement would lose its credibility. We invite all LGBT people and allies to Say It Loud! Black & Latino Gay Pride. We need you, we need each other.

Say it loud!

BLACK & latino

gay pride 2015

June 6th, Jennings Landing From noon to 5 p.m. www.blackandlatinogaypride.com

Featuring:

7th Squeeze Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra

DeeJay Jeminii Comedian Sampson

Official Afterparty

76 Central Ave.,Albany

A very special appearance by

Anita Antoinette

One of the most popular FINALISTS for NBC’S theVoice

25

T O

B E

A

B L E S S I N G

Time for a Spiritual Check-up by Paul P. Jesep

Too often mind and body health is emphasized, but the soul is overlooked, taken for granted or simply unappreciated as a vital part of one’s wellbeing. Whether an individual is a believer, questioning, or without faith in a divine power, everyone is spiritual.

Inner wellbeing needs care and nurturing. It requires ongoing focus, discipline, and commitment not unlike good diet, keeping pounds off, and working at a quality relationship, platonic or otherwise.

A doctor once told me he wasn’t spiritual. He was philosophical. Yet every morning his kids would jump into bed with him to talk. He loved it. Time stood still. Their joy and innocence put life’s daily challenges in perspective. As I shared with him, those are not philosophical moments, they are spiritual.

Falling in love, adopting or having a baby conceived, and being awed by spring’s beauty or autumn’s rich tapestry of fire are other examples of spiritual, transcendental experiences.

If you see something extraordinary in the stars, planets, universe, and all creation whether trees, animals, or humans, your perspective changes about inner life. It can be nurtured with or without belief in God (experienced gender neutral).

Anyone – believer or non-believer – can pray. To whom? Creator or the cosmos. The next time you’re alone in the car have a conversation. Don’t worry what someone in the next lane thinks. The person will assume you’re singing or on the speaker phone.

Verbalize fears, hopes, and needs.

Don’t ask to win the lottery or for the irritating neighbor to be vaporized.

Prayer can be grounding and cathartic. It is soulfully proactive to connect cosmologically with something bigger than self.

There is sacredness in every human being. Understandably, many in the LGBTQ community remain leery of getting involved with anything even remotely religious sounding.

Vocal, reactionary anti-gay activists misquoting sacred texts cause many LGBTQ families and individuals angst about God, faith, and religion.

If you and Rush Limbaugh were Yankees fans, would your loyalty shift to the Mets? Of course not!

Embrace spirituality on your terms, not on someone else’s. Each person answers to conscience, the family they’ve made, and ultimately to a higher power (whether Creator or the universe’s karma). Hence, don’t let someone deny you what can be an extraordinary personal spiritual journey.

Increasingly, same gender couples are asking whether to have marriage ceremonies officiated by clergy, raise kids in a faith tradition, or join religious communities using regular, structured services.

Last October, I solemnized the union of two men. It was holy. It was sacred.

It was transcendental for everyone present. It was important to them to sanctify their union publicly using a religiously-based ceremony they had written.

Last December, I had the privilege of spending quality time with two guys and their adopted children in the South. Before each meal the little girl offered grace. These partnered men were raising their kids in the Christian tradition including Bible school at a progressive church. It was beautiful.

LGBTQ families and individuals are now searching for ways to connect with the spiritual. Should you join a church, mosque, temple, or synagogue? How does an LGBTQ person

or family select one? Why should children be raised in faith? What faith?

Isn’t faith and spirituality contrary to logic, science, and common sense? If you’re an atheist, agnostic, or humanist, how do you nurture spiritual wellness on a daily basis without faith and religion? Meditation? Secular ritual?

How does one reconcile religious homophobia with spiritual hunger?

These and other questions speak to deeper longings that help ground individuals, their partners, and children in the holiness of their creation in the evolving cosmos. It can give life a fuller, deeper meaning.

Ritual, ceremony, ongoing formal worship, and celebrating holidays whether secular or religious offer approaches to explore inner wellbeing.

It’s important to remember spiritual wellness is like exercise, nurturing quality friendships, or committing to healthy eating. Inner wellbeing requires constant care, discipline, and attention.

Spring is the long awaited rebirth of life. It’s an opportunity to do an annual spiritual check-in regarding the inner wellness of you and your family.

You are spiritual. Nurture the soul.

There is sacredness in every human being Paul P. Jesep, JD, MPS, MA is an attorney, corporate chaplain, seminary trained priest, and founder of Corporate Chaplaincy (www.

CorporateChaplaincy.biz). On June 16, Paul will offer a morning workshop on LGBTQ spirituality in Albany, NY at Capital Counseling (www.capitalcounseling.org). Call Jennifer at 518.465.3813, ext. 117, for more information. Paul speaks, writes, and conducts workshops on ethics, spirituality, and inner wellbeing from a secular perspective and works with individuals and Employee Assistance Pro-

grams regarding spiritual health. Paul also writes a monthly faith column for The Rainbow Times.

This article is one of a series provided by Advocates for Welcoming Congregations, a Capital Region group that encourages the welcoming of LGBT persons into the full life and leadership of communities of faith. The group also works to make visible for members of the LGBT community opportunities for practicing their faith traditions.

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Upcoming Event

Members

Alliance for Positive Health Mexican Radio Schenectady LGBTQ & STRAIGHT-ALLIED Albany.com Montgomery County Office for Aging PROFESSIONALS Albany Renaissance BBL Hospitality Northeast Acura NETWORKING EVENT! Aras Performance Group, Inc Rain Modern Chinese Bank of America/ Merrill Lynch Ronnie Mangione / Wealth Advisory Group Buenau's Opticians RBC Wealth Management Capital District YMCA Scofield Access Solutions LLC Canterbury Animal Hospital Security Plumbing & Heating Supply Central Avenue BID Skylands Services, INC Charles F. Lucas Confectionery / The Grocery Spectrum 8 Theatre Classy Body Art Sunrise Management and Consulting WEDS. MAY 13, 2015 Corey Jamison Consulting, LLC. Tri City Rentals Connections Psychotherapy Wells Fargo Consumer Optical Mark D. Witecki, CPA Deb Best Practices Wolff’s Biergarten, Schenectady Deja Vu Experience and Creative Design, Ltd. Geri Pomerantz, Esq Homo Radio / WRPI Interim Healthcare Janet Stein / Arbonne International Jay Zhang Photography Joseph Roche, Accounting Journey United Church of Christ Join us for great food, good company and one of the best Key Bank opportunities to make and build business connections in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Allied community. L&P Media Mazzone Hospitality / Aperitivo Bistro

6 - 8pm Nico’s Rooftop Tavern 441 State St., Schenectady | $10 suggested donation

The Pride Center Business Alliance is a program of the Pride Center of the Capital Region

- JOIN THE BUSINESS ALLIANCE TODAY! -http://www.capitalpridecenter.org/business-alliance/

Support the Pride Center Business Alliance or become a member: www.capitalpridecenter.org/resources/business-alliance

27

ASK MARK YO U R TA X Q U ESTI O N S

Welcome to the DEAR MARK column where you can ask a tax question. Of course some questions might warrant answers that cannot be answered to due to the limited space in this column or warrant more facts due to specific circumstances of the taxpayer.

========================== Dear Mark,

I received a notice from the IRS showing a large balance due, an amount over 17 thousand dollars. I asked my preparer what to do and she told me I should pay it. I really don’t think I owe it. The notice says something about stock sales not reported and appears to show that the stock did not cost anything to buy no cost information. I am wondering if this is because I told my broker to put my stocks into a safer investment. What should I do?

Wondering Dear Wondering, It appears you may have received a 1099 from your brokerage showing sales of stock, dividends etc for the year in question and you didn’t report it. Most taxpayers have a basis in their securities they sell.

Contact me to set up an appointment and I can review the notice. Time is of the essence for these notices. Hopefully the cost basis information is available for these securities ============================ Dear Mark, I feel guilty I have been buying things out of state and did not pay sales tax on a number of items such as furniture etc.

I want a clear conscience What do I do?

Guilty

Dear Guilty,

Dear Auto Guy,

There is a line on the NYS tax return to add a “use tax” to the income tax due on the return. ============================

You can write off any unreimbursed tools, uniforms, cleaning of uniforms, education, publications, etc. related to your employment subject to a two percent floor of adjusted gross income. To be advantageous to you, the amount must be big enough for you to itemize, given your other deductions for contributions, mortgage interest property taxes, medical expenses and other items.

Dear Mr. Witecki, I see that you are a certified fraud examiner as well as a CPA. I am about to undergo a divorce from my spouse. What does that entail.?

Signed, Broken Hearted Dear Broken Hearted, One of the services offered by Certified Fraud Examiners involves forensic accounting designed to locate hidden assets, assist in evaluating income hidden and otherwise, and many other services. ============================ Mark Witecki I am an free lance artist but also have a job at a local university. I am starting to sell some of my work and want to know what kinds of expenses I can deduct.

No Picasso but good.

Dear No Picasso, Self employed artists can deduct any ordinary and necessary expenses that are related to their business, such as supplies, studio rent if any, insurance, equipment, conferences, travel and many more expenses. Please contact me for an appointment to review your particular situation. ============================ Mark,

Answers that apply to specific taxpayers may not necessary apply to others.

Changes in tax law and rules may affect answers given at any point. You can write Mark at Mark Witecki CPA CFP(R) CFE, 3701 State St, Schenectady, NY 12304. Mark D. Witecki specializes in small businesses and professional individuals. Mr. Witecki has a B. S. in Accounting from S. U. N. Y. Albany and an M. S. in Accounting from Syracuse University. Mark D. Witecki is a Certified Public Accountant, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ practitioner, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified College Planning Specialist and is admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® , CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Mark’s office is located at 3701 State Street, Schenectady, New York

I am an auto mechanic I work for a small shop and have to buy my own tools. My current preparer says I can’t write them off. I hear otherwise. What do you think?

Signed me, Auto Guy

============================= ============================= =============================

Mark D. Witecki Certified Public Accountant Certified Financial Planner™ Certified Fraud Examiner Tax Preparation 3701 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12304 (518) 346-4000 f: (518) 346-5196

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the Certified Marks CFP (c).

Certified Financial Planner ™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S. which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP’s initial and ongoing certification requirements

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MONEY MATTERS by

Thomas

J.

Walling

DIVERSITY AND PRIDE

In keeping with this month’s theme of celebrating Pride and diversity in our community, this month I will discuss how diversity translates into your investment strategies.

One of the ways to encourage new ideas is to look at things from different angles. Most research and development departments are looking to “think outside the box”. These vantage points are products of life experiences and reactions to those experiences. Imagine one artist who was brought up with no real adversity or adventure. Now imagine an artist who has been through many adversities and adventures. Maybe they are a little crazy. Whose art is more likely to be unique and new? It would probably be the interesting one. Translated into the LGBT experience, we have all been through adversity or discrimination. That is what makes us unique and a few of us a little crazy. It almost seems that we as a people would be highly sought after for our viewpoints, not fighting for equality in the workforce.

In retirement and individual investment accounts, diversity of asset classes (what kind of investments you own) affects the risk of loss. Asset classes include stocks of different size companies, bonds of different time

periods and quality, real estate and cash to name a few. Every year there is a winner asset class returnwise, however this changes year to year due to financial conditions.

Most retirement plans sponsored by employers use a blend of mutual funds. These are simply a share of an account that invests in a certain area.

Some are for growth, some are for income, and some are for both. They all contain many positions in different investments. There is a reason for this. That reason is diversity.

To use an old adage, do not put all your eggs in one basket. It is like having two old hand rolled glass windows in your home. One is a huge pane of glass and the other is made of many small panes. If I were in your yard trying to throw a ball, which I am relatively incapable of, which window would you want me by? It would probably be the one with many panes.

When (not if) I break the window, I only break a small section and a small piece of old glass can probably be found to replace it. If I break the big window, there is a good chance the window will be a total loss. The same applies to your investments.

There is risk imbedded into every investment. Riskier investments usually have a bigger chance of losing money short term as well as a bigger chance of making money long term. Knowing your risk tolerance helps decide the appropriate investment mix in your account. Do you need the money in a very short period of time? This means you need something with very little risk, like cash or a Certificate of Deposit from a bank. If the time frame for your investment is far off, riskier investments should be considered in order to take advantage of potentially

higher long term returns. Talk to your financial advisor regarding an appropriate risk tolerance. Risk tolerance is used to describe how much risk can be taken without losing sleep at night and can usually be discovered using some sort of questionnaire.

Diversity has been a cornerstone of the LGBT equality movement for some time so let’s celebrate all our differences as well as our united strength! New ideas and different viewpoints are the drivers of innovation in products, services, and governance. This has served us well in the fight for equality.

Diversity has been

a cornerstone of the LGBT equality movement for some time so let’s celebrate all our differences as well as our united strength!

Thomas J. Walling CFP® is an Investment Advisor Representative of and offers securities and investment advice through Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC. (Member FINRA/SIPC) and a Registered Investment Advisor. Branch office:235 Lark St. #43 Albany, NY 12210. He is also past presenter at the PrideCenter on financial affairs affecting the LGBT community as well as for SAGE of NYC. Tom Is past president of the board of directors of Our Brothers’ Keepers Foundation.

Reach Thomas at 518.878.1294 or ceteranetworks.com

Thomas J. Walling, CFP®

INVESTMENT ADVISER REPRESENTATIVE

NY Insurance License #LA910069 235 Lark St., Suite 43 Albany, NY 12210

Direct: 518.878.1294 thomas.walling@ceteranetworks.com Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC

Customized solutions to allow you to maintain your independence.

www.scofieldsolutions.com 518-956-0345

29

Lifestyle Photography is... Your Everyday, Your Important Moments, Your Once In A Lifetimes, Your Loved Ones.

Lifestyle Photography for a Lifetime of Moments

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Changes to Women’s Group!

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For more info, please contact rgalvan@capitalpridecenter.org

Place your ad in CommUNITY and expand your brand awareness while directly reaching the important LGBTQ market.

For more information contact Steven @ 518-462-6138 or sminchin@capitalpridecenter.org

30

out

by

My daughter Emma says, “Thank heavens for the weather. It’s the only thing that keeps us humble.” Well, here it is April 1, and I am inside, not outside, humbled indeed but mostly pissed. Everything did not change on this April 1. The ground is frozen, air temperature hovers in low 40’s, snow still covers much of the garden, and there’s not a Snowdrop nor a Chionadoxa to be seen. So I am going to shut my eyes and imagine it is summer, specifically a day in July, specifically Friday, July 17, in the late afternoon.

The garden pulses with plants in full foliage and bloom, over 100 people have gathered, a caterer discreetly fills wine glasses and offers up miniquiches. I can smell the fragrance of the lingering Stewartia blooms; I can hear fragments of conversation, animated and easy; I can see the orange flash of day lilies. It’s a “Cocktails in Great Gardens” fund-raiser for the Berkshire Botanical Garden, and I am a happy host.

We in the Capital District are fortunate to have this remarkable botanical garden so close to hand and I feel privileged to support it. But why support a botanical garden in the first place, whether local or distant?

What is the use of such an institution? There are hundreds of botanical gardens in the world, over 500 in the United States alone. They range in size from a few acres to many hundreds of acres, and represent a massive investment of human resources.

But no matter how big or little, they all share one common goal: to expose visitors to living plant material. For plant lovers this is reason enough for their existence; they offer us a chance to be around plants. But others may need to be further convinced before they will part with those membership dollars.

in

the

garden

Save the Date

Judith Fetterley

Botanical gardens provide information for both the beginning and experienced gardener that is often difficult to access through the web or even through books. From an educational perspective, nothing beats seeing the living shrub if you want to know what you are getting into if you buy and plant Hammamelis ‘Palibin,’ the lovely lime-green witchhazel. Moreover, botanical gardens usually show plants at their mature size; since we often fail to take size at maturity into account when we plant, this can be an even more useful educational input.

Botanical gardens like the BBG also demonstrate the range of plants that can be grown locally. For gardeners looking to expand their options, you can see here what will grow in your own backyard. Botanical gardens often showcase their plants in interesting combinations and offer models for designing large and small gardens.

A trip to BBG will not only increase your pool of possible plants; it can demonstrate key design principles that you can use to enhance the impact of your own garden.

We in the Capital District are fortunate to have this remarkable botanical garden so close to hand Like most botanical gardens, the BBG also has an extensive program of classes and workshops on a wide range of horticultural topics. This spring, for example, you could take a class on “Growing Great Ornamental Grasses,” on the home orchard, on “Sketching Nature,” or on how to plant small trees. You can take a field trip to Bartholomew’s Cobble to study wildflowers and ferns; you can

visit a private garden in Connecticut that features a small arboretum; you can join the BBG staff on a trip to the New York Botanical Garden. If you are really ambitious, you can enroll in one of several levels of the Horticulture Certificate Program. And remember, no matter where you are on the horticultural spectrum, there is nothing quite like the pleasure of visiting a garden which teaches you so much but which you do not have to maintain!

“Thank heavens for the weather. It’s the only thing that keeps us humble.”

So SAVE THE DATE, July 17, 5 to 7, and join me in my garden to support our own botanical garden. Reservations are required and can be made closer to the time of the event by contacting the BBG at 413-298-3926 or on the web at http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/. Let’s show the Berkshires that we in the Capital Region know how to value what’s in our own backyard.

Judith Fetterley lives and gardens in Glenmont, New York. She also runs Perennial Wisdom, a garden design business for new and existing gardens.

Reach Judith at f etterleyj@gmail.com

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THE FASHIONABLE AND THE FRIVOLOUS by ALAN BENNET ILAGAN

sometimes they’re cologne or perfume or similar sundries. We want to believe that the right coat will get us into the right club, that the perfect suit will grant us the perfect job, that the best bow-tie will get us the best table at the restaurant.

IF THE SHOE FITS

It sparkled.

It glittered.

It glowed.

EVENTS THINGS TO DO CONTESTS

Guide to the Capital Region DINING NIGHTLIFE DIRECTORY & MORE!

Proudly continuing to serve as the voice of the LGBT community after 22 years…

Live every Sunday 10AM – 2 PM Check us “OUT”: WRPI 91.5 FM or wrpi.org 518.276.6248

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•

homoradio.blogspot.com

Even beneath the dim undercarriage of all those miles of tulle, it somehow managed to capture every sliver of light.

It made sense, being that it was chiseled of the purest glass, and this was, after all, a fairy tale.

Cinderella’s glass slipper, probably one of the most famous of all accessories, is legendary in certain fashion circles.

It’s the ultimate in unattainable glamour, the impossibly-high apex of style (and very delicate substance).

You know that thing is NOT comfortable, and certainly not practical.

(One false step on a cobblestone street is a bloodbath waiting to happen.) Yet we continue to believe in it, in its beauty and its power. It held the key to the kingdom, the key to her true love’s heart.

We want to instill such magic in other objects as well.

Sometimes they’re shoes, sometimes they’re bags,

Sometimes that happens.

Sometimes looking the part results in the desired gains.

But it’s easy to trick and tease, and when you lose sight of the goal, distracted by the beauty and the glitter of the object that represents it, it may not result in what you really want.

Fashion has always been an idea.

It’s more than the supple leather of a handbag. It’s deeper than the softest pile of silky chiffon ruffles in the grandest gown. It’s abstract, but it’s not flimsy. It carries its own currency, conveys its own power.

It is rarely, however, an end unto itself. Fashion is possibility. Fashion is what might be. Fashion is the beginning of the story.

The tale of Cinderella hinges on a single object of fashion. It accentuates who she is, but does not define it. The girl is more than her shoe. Yet it gives her something. Not merely a show-stopping entrance and unforgettable impression, but the vision she may have always had of herself made manifest. Cinderella may have used the magic of a glass slipper and the beauty of a ball gown to entrance the Prince, but something more meaningful had to keep the spell alive. Without the right foot to fill it, a glass slipper is nothing more than an empty bit of once-molten memory.

Alan Bennett Ilagan is a freelance writer and amateur photographer who resides in upstate New York with his husband Andy. He created the website www.ALANILAGAN. com, which contains a repository of his work, as well as a daily blog; the website recently celebrated its tenth anniversary online. He was the manager of the Romaine Brooks Gallery from 2008 to 2012. His writing has appeared in Instinct, xy magazine, Capitalmen, Q Northeast, the Windy City Times, and the Boston Phoenix. Notable artistic collaborations have been created with the likes of Steven Underhill, Paul Richmond, Dennis Dean, and Michael Breyette.

MICHAEL COOKS AND YOU CAN TOO by MICHAEL MEADE

It’s the beginning of April as I type this and there’s still snow on the ground, but today was the first day you could go outside without bundling up. Spring came late this year, but it’s finally here and we can look forward to increasingly sunny, balmy days. It’s time to turn our thoughts away from the hearty soups and stews that kept us warm through the winter and enjoy some lighter, brighter fare.

Here are two main-course dishes that feature my favorite Spring vegetable, fresh asparagus. Enjoy!

Penne with Spring Vegetables 2 Tbs. salt, plus more to taste 3/4 lb. asparagus, ends trimmed, spears cut into 1-inch pieces 3 Tbs. unsalted butter 3 Tbs. olive oil 3 bunches green onions, white and light green portions, thinly sliced 6 oz. baby spinach, coarsely chopped 1/2 lb. frozen petite peas 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup minced fresh basil Freshly ground pepper, to taste 1 lb. penne or other medium-size pasta 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the 2 Tbs. salt and the asparagus and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Using a skimmer or slotted spoon, transfer to a colander to drain; set aside. Return the water to a boil.

In a large fry pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter with the olive oil.

Add the green onions and sauté until wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in the spinach and peas and sauté until the spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes.

Add the asparagus, stir in the wine and cook until most of the alcohol has evaporated, about 1 minute. Stir in the cream and cook until heated through. Add the basil and season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water. Cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until al dente (tender but firm to the bite), according to the package instructions.

Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking water.

Add the pasta to the sauce and toss to combine. Add as much of the cooking water as needed to loosen the sauce. Warm briefly over low heat to blend the flavors. Serve immediately and pass the cheese at the table.

Serves 4.

Spring Vegetable Tart 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed 1 cup shredded cheese 15 to 20 thin asparagus spears, trimmed 1 small leek, white part only, halved, rinsed and thinly sliced 2 eggs 1/4 cup milk 1/2 tsp. salt Freshly ground pepper, to taste Preheat an oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay the puff pastry on the baking sheet. Fold over the sides to make a 1-inch rim, overlapping the pastry at the corners and pressing it lightly. Inside the rim, prick the pastry all over with a fork.

Sprinkle half of the cheese over the bottom of the pastry inside the rim. Top with the asparagus, laying the spears vertically in a row from one side of the pastry to the other.

Sprinkle the leek slices over the asparagus. Bake for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a bowl, beat the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until well combined. Pour the egg mixture over the asparagus and leeks and sprinkle on the remaining cheese. Bake until the pastry is puffed and golden brown, about 10 minutes longer. Let the tart stand for 10 minutes.

Cut into pieces and serve. Serves 4.

Michael Meade graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, worked at Jack’s Oyster House in Albany and is currently sous-chef at Thunder Mountain Curry in Troy.

Questions and comments are welcome at 33

Affiliate Events

Chorus Rehearsal The Albany Gay Men’s Chorus rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 6:45 to 9:00pm at the First Lutheran Church.

For more information: www.albanygmc.org, E-mail: albanygmc@yahoo.com, Voice-mail: (518) 459-7563 or join us on Facebook at: Albany Gay Men’s Chorus - AGMC.

Movie Night-Second Tuesday of each month We will begin at 5PM at Harvey’s Pub, 14 Phila Street Saratoga Springs,. From there, we can decide who wants to see what movies and leave accordingly for Bowtie Cinemas.

Lesbian Networking Breakfast We meet on the third Thursday of each month, at the Country Corner Café on Church Street in the upstairs dining room at 7:30 am. Latecomers are welcome.

Monthly GLBTQ Support Group Second Sunday of the Month Fallstaff Building, Skidmore College 3-4:30pm.

Contact Caroline with questions: 518.857.9361

QueerEngineer Get to know us & how you can support LGBTQ* students in science, technology, engineering, & mathematics. /QueerEngineer

@QueerEngineer

A Pride Center of the Capital Region affiliate

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HERE’S GUFFMAN by PATRICK WHITE

“Make Voyages! Attempt Them! There Is Nothing Else.”

When something like Capital Region theatre is attracting more and more participants and audiences you might think that continued growth would be nothing but a good thing and something that all who enjoy theatre would wish for. You would be wrong. The number of productions continue to rise and with every new theatrical season comes the announcement that a new group or theatre company has formed to produce themselves and determine their artistic path by choosing and casting their own shows. To these announcements inevitably there will not be a cry of “Welcome and break legs!” but “Not another!”

If you are not hanging out in the green rooms or facebook pages of those connected you might be forgiven if you scratched your head at the idea that there’s too much theatre in the tri-city area. Yes, there are dozens of amateur companies with thousands of participants and any weekend from October to May you could reliably choose between 5 or more productions of community theatre but much of it you would have to seek out as it gets less than comprehensive coverage in the Times Union and it’s not even worth mentioning Metro-

land and theatre in the same breath.

So where does this complaint come from when news of a new production happens? Are there folks out there with 4 tickets for the weekend who are now kicking themselves because there’s a fifth show that they just physically can’t work onto their entertainment calendar? Would that that were so but no, they claim that there are too many theatre groups in the Capital Region and to add any more would dilute the talent pool available to the rest of the shows casting, specifically of the older more established theatres that have buildings and more resources but frequently less than adventurous scheduling.

To the performers who may be constantly auditioning and passed over watching the same actors being used again and again or having to choose from the same overworked slate of plays where every show in the area has to be done by every company, the impulse to try it on their own is natural and courageous. Their dissatisfaction and hunger to create will push them in directions that the older companies never consider anymore. They will have to deal with

spaces that were not meant for performances and have to build new muscles to design, collaborate promote, and sell a show.

From my perspective, it can’t be anything but a good thing. It will challenge artists to invest more of themselves in their work and broaden the selection of projects for both participants and audience alike. There is an ever growing list of playwrights yet to be produced in the Capital Region, their work will inevitably benefit from more production companies. Perhaps one of the new spaces will catch on and we’ll have a new performance space with an adequate stage, lighting, seating, backstage and rehearsal space. One can dream and new ventures inspire that. It will stretch and grow everyone involved. It will definitely be a learning experience for all and I for one look forward to new plays in new spaces.

Patrick White is a Capital Region actor, director and teacher who is playing Shannon at Albany Civic Theatre through 5/17 and recently completed a semester teaching a private acting class for adults and as adjunct instructor of Acting One at UAlbany. white.patrick1963@gmail.com

GET INSPIRED AT THE 2015 PARADE OF HOMES

Tour 12 stunning, new custom homes showcasing the latest design trends and technology in residential homes around the Capital Region.

These lovely homes are professionally decorated and vary in size, lifestyle and value.

GeT inspired aT The 2015 Parade of Homes.

May 30 & 31 ~ June 6 & 7th TickeTs can be purchased aT

capitalregionparadeofhomes.com or aT The firsT house you visiT

Donation from ticket sales supports the Center for Disability Services.

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Thursday 4/7

Special Events

Capital PRIDE Volunteer Meeting and Social PRIDE is a celebration of our communty and we can’t do it without the awesome volunteers who step up to volunteer each year. Grab some friends and join us to find out all of the opportunities and how you can help make an important difference in this year’s Capital PRIDE. Sample positions inc. Parade Marshals, FEstival

Set-up, Raffle Sales at Events, Stage Set up, Beer Garden positions, Greeters and Goodwill Ambasadors at Events, plus so much more.

Thursday, May 7 The Pride Center 332 Hudson Ave, Albany 6-7:30 pm

Wednesday 5/16 LGBTQA Professionals’ Networking Event Presented by

Don’t miss the biggest monthly LGBTQA event in the Capital Region. This month the Business Alliance brings its Professionals Networking Event to new heights at Nico’s Rooftop Tavern. Plan to be there for a great atmosphere, food, drink and to make the most of an opportunity to connect with other lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and allied professionals.

Wednesday, May 13 Nico’s Rooftop Tavern 441 State St., Schenectady 6-8 pm $10 Suggested Donation for your convenience, you can donate online in advance: www.capitalpridecenter.org/events/maynetworking

Thursday 5/21 GIVE OUT DAY

Give Out Day is 24 hours of LGBTQ and allied giving – and it’s your chance to make a real difference, right here in YOUR community. Show your love of an amazing organization, the Pride Center of the Capital Region, which gives so much to our LGBTQ community!

Your gift will qualify the Pride Center for thousands of bonus prize dollars. Prizes are based on the number of individual donors that donate on May 21st – so each person who donates increases our chances of winning.

Any donations made at the link before May 21st will not count towards the prizes and leadership boards.

Online Donations can be entered at the following link: http://goo.gl/bS10dr

Saturday 5/30 Building Our Families: LGBTQ FAmily Story Time Join us for a fun-filled story time! Come enjoy stories, songs, and activities with other families! Check out great books from the library and make crafts! Please bring a snack to share.

This program is best suited for little ones age 5 and under, but all are welcome!

This event is brought to our community as part of the Pride Center’s Center Families Event Saturday, May 30th Voorheesville Public Library 51 School Road Voorheesville, NY 10:15 am FREE!

LOOKING AHEAD : Pride Center Award Nominations Due June 1st

The Pride Center is seeking nominations for the 2015 Annual Awards to be given out at the Awards Gala on October 16, 2015.

Do you know someone in the Capital Region who does outstanding work for the LGBTQ community? If so, please review the award categories and submit your nomination today! The nomination deadline is June 1, 2015.

To nominate an individual, business or organization, download the Nomination Form from www.capitalpridecenter.org and return it to the Pride Center Awards Selection Committee, 332 Hudson, Albany, New York 12210 by fax to (518) 462-2101 or e-mail; cstreett@capitalpridecenter.org Awards will be selected at the discretion of the Pride Center Board of Directors. The Pride Center reserves the right to limit the number of awards and may not give awards in every category. Final selections will be made by the Pride Center Awards Selection Committee.

***SAVE THE DATE*** ***ANNUAL AWARDS GALA 2015*** FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 Hilton Albany GET EVENT UPDATES, STAY CONNECTED, & SHARE THE SPECIAL EVENTS YOU’RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT

Thursday, May 21 Online 37

SPORTS/ FUN & GAMES Gay Skate Tuesdays: An open skate for the LGBTQ Community! $9.50 w. Skate Rental / $6.50 w. your own skates. For more info contact David at DB40@AOL.com or (518) 573-3962 - 7-9:30pm Rollarama Skating Center 2710 Hamburg St., Schenectady Roller Derby Hellions of Troy- May 16- 7pm- Home Bout vs. Fingerlakes LunaChicks - 2710 Hamburg St., Schenectady Albany All-Stars - June 6th - 195 Washington Ave., Albany KARAOKE Mondays: Waterworks Pub - 10pm 2am, No Cover. (18+) 76 Central Ave, Albany, (518) 465-9079 Thursdays: Oh Bar - 10pm - 1am, No Cover. (21+) 304 Lark St., Albany, (518) 463-9004 Fridays: Waterworks Pub - 10pm 18+ (w. cover). 76 Central Ave, Albany, (518) 465-9079 ROCKS- 9pm-12am 77 Central Ave, Albany, (518) 472-3588 Saturdays: Circus Cafe - 10pm - 2am, (21+) 392 Broadway, Saratoga, (518) 583-1106 Center Square Pub -10pm - 2am, No Cover. 32 Dove St., Albany, (518) 729-

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Calendar

OPEN MIC / LITERARY Wednesday, 4/18: Live from the Livingroom open mic w. featured poet Paul Pines- 7pm The Pride Center, Garden Level 332 Hudson Ave, Albany, (518) 462-6138 Thursday 4/02 & 4/16: Open Minded Mic & Talent Showcase (for all performers)- sign up 8:30pm start 9:00pm Rocks 77 Central Ave., Albany (518) 472-3588 SOCIAL / SUPPORT GROUPS Out of the Closet I Am (for women who have sex with women): 1st & 3rd Wednesdays- 6:30pm-8pm Men’s Empowerment Group: 1st & 3rd Thursdays -6-7:30pm Voices of Unity (for Transgender people of color): 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month from 6pm-7:30pm Groups listed above meet at In Our Own Voices 245 Lark St., Albany (518) 432-4188 YouthPride! A student led meeting that centers around helping LGBTQ students and allied students discuss matters in our community, schools, and in their Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs) that they have in their schools. YouthPride provides leadership development and an op-

portunity to help plan activities around GLSEN’s Days of Action and Days of Support. 1st Friday of the month 6-9pm Professor Java’s Coffee Sanctuary 217 Wolf Rd., Colonie Trans Partners Group: provides support for people to discuss and explore their relationships with trans-identified or gender non-conforming individuals.

Open to people currently in partnerships with trans-people or people exploring their gender identities. Monthly on Tuesdays at 5pm. Contact Faith Hoffman at faith@choicesconsulting.com for more information.

Choices Counseling and Consulting 523 Western Ave. Suite 2A Albany, NY 12203-1617 (518)438-2222

SPECIAL EVENTS

A Thank You Tribue to Frieda Munchon A BIG Thank You to Frieda!

For All She Does for the Community!

T-Dance,Food, Music, Drink Specials, Happy Hour Drinks, $4 Long Islands, Give-a-ways- Sunday, May 17, 5-8pm, ROCKS, 77 Central Ave., Albany

TRIVIA

Tuesdays: Live Trivia with Frieda ROCKS - 8-10pm 77 Central Ave, Albany, (518) 472-3588 Wednesdays: Oh Bar - 9pm-12am 304 Lark St., Albany, (518) 463-9004

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332 Hudson Avenue Albany, NY 12210

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Visit one of our 24 Fine Capital District Apartment Communities

www.TriCityRentals.com

518.862.6600