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IN THIS ISSUE NOVEMBER 2019
VOL 41 / NO. 11
FEATURES
SHE JUST WANTS TO LIVE
page 18
This month, LinQ is focused on violence against transgender individuals. Carol Taylor-Shim informs readers about the astronomical rates at which transgender women of color are being killed, when all they want is to live openly and freely.
TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE & WEEK OF AWARENESS
page 19
This month, on November 20th, is Transgender Day of Remembrance, which occurs during Transgender Week of Awareness from the 18th-22nd. This is a time for us to reflect on the transgender community and learn how to prevent the many acts of physical violence against transgender people by emphasizing their lives. On the cover are the names of those transgender individuals that we know of in the United States who have lost their lives from fatal violence in 2019.
THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKIN’ ABOUT page 6
PRIDE JOURNEYS Grand Rapids/Saugatuck
page 16
The Grand Rapids/Saugatuck area in Michigan is known for their LGBTQ+ friendly atmosphere. Joey recently explored this area and gives us the low-down.
AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL
page 20
The PCSO Pride Center has a new staff member. Helena wants us to remember those who lost their Grasien Connor has joined the team through lives to the HIV/AIDS epidemic by telling us of a the AmeriCorps VISTA program and will be special showing of the movie B5 at the Kentucky working on expanding community capacity and Theatre on November 23rd. coordinating the PCSO’s volunteer base.
PERSONALITIES ADVOCACY CULTURE
FEATURE COMMUNITY CALENDAR NOVEMBER 2019 // LinQ 3
PUSHING
THE ENVELOPE by Paul Brown
RAH-RAH WHO’S OUR MAN?
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ell, that is a rather outdated question, is it not? Who’s our man? I hope in 2019 that we recognize that a woman can do anything a man can do—even serve as President of the United States. Regardless, it turns out we have a man: Mayor Pete Buttigieg. He is established as a leader elected by more than 80% of his constituency. He is a Rhode’s scholar. He is a veteran. He is multilingual. Most importantly for our community, he is an openly gay man living in a marriage with another gay man. It certainly helps that he and his partner are handsome, educated, successful, likeable men. We are extremely fortunate to live in an era when we are seeing the first openly gay candidate for U.S. President demonstrate the ability to mount a serious campaign with gaining momentum. But does that mean he is our man for President? On November 10th, CNN hosted televised town halls on a variety of LGBTQ+ issues—30 minutes dedicated to each candidate. I watched several of them. For the most part, they all sang the same chorus: dedication to homelessness and the eradication of HIV, lowering prices of drugs for HIV and providing affordable healthcare, respecting and promoting the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community, and speaking
toward eliminating the current wave of violence toward transgender women of color. Honestly, I saw very little that I did not expect from candidates trying to earn the support of the LGBTQ+ community. They were all schooled on the correct answers. In a field where everyone harmonizes, what gives a person the ability to take the lead? It would seem obvious that Buttigieg has a clear and distinct advantage. He says the right things, but beyond that fact, he is one of us. He can understand us from the inside because he has experienced life from the inside. On the other hand, he was the only candidate to face protest from the transgender community as he took the stage. Anderson Cooper had to simmer the crowd down so that Buttigieg could accept and respond to the first question. Why would the transgender members of the crowd protest during the only openly gay candidate’s beginning? Twenty-two transgender women of color have been murdered this year. The LGBTQ+ community looks to leaders among us to work hard to stop that pattern. At the end of the day, Buttigieg is another white guy who is a moderate in political views. In other words, he is establishment. For many, he embodies what the LGBTQ+ community views as White
4 LinQ // NOVEMBER 2019 . PERSONALITIES
privilege—a phenomenon they have tried desperately to equalize. If not Buttigieg, then who? None of the candidates were perfect. More than once, I heard the term “LGBTQ rights.” That term indicates the community wants special considerations. What we want is equal rights. Considering the Supreme Court is currently determining whether to grant us equal rights under the 1964 Civil Rights Act or not, it is a reasonable expectation that our leaders should frame those rights as equal civil rights afforded to all humans. One moderator, Chris Cuomo, made a major faux pas when Sen. Kamala Harris took the stage. She started by saying, “My pronouns are she, her, and hers.” Clearly unprepared, he responded, “Me too.” Either he was woefully, painfully ignorant or he failed colossally at humor from a perspective of a straight, White, cisgender male. The moment was awkward and a reminder that we have much work to do. In the end, Elizabeth Warren won the night. A straight, White woman bested the openly gay candidate at the LGBTQ+ town hall. She was funny, composed, and ready at every turn. She launched the best zinger of the night. When asked how she would respond to someone who
equal rights for women, for people of color, for socio-economically depressed people, etc. Systemic oppression hurts all of us regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We cannot be single-issue voters. We must also remember that no candidate will be able to produce everything for which they committed to fight. We still live in a divided world. We have legislators who represent pockets of the country that are deathly anti-LGBTQ+. Those legislators may never come to the aid of LGBTQ+ people. Despite the charm they exuded on stage, all of them will have difficulties making progress with our causes even through backroom deals. In such a world, it is ever more incumbent on us to analyze the candidates for all of their stances and to critically evaluate not only their stances but which of them is in the best position to capitalize on their promises to us and other downtrodden populations.
That concept could mean that Joe Biden is our man. We must consider many angles in selecting who our person is, and we must not be lazy in this pursuit. Who is our person? Fortunately, we have a few months to do our homework. Perhaps Buttigieg will be our man. Perhaps Warren will be our woman. But we cannot say we are voting for Buttigieg simply because he is gay. We cannot say we are voting for Warren because she is a woman who can deliver a good slam. We must be intentional about selecting the best person for the job. That means that although all of us would love to see an LGBTQ+ president, Buttigieg may not be the person, and now may not be the time. Our time will come, but we must be strategic. Now, let’s get out there and do our homework. As always, feel free to reach me at paul@pcsoky.org
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said marriage was between one man and one woman, she said, “Then, marry one woman… assuming you can find one.” However, her humor is not what sold me. Cuomo questioned her having said a few years ago that transition services for transgender people was not a good use of tax dollars. He asked if she regretted her statement. Without a pause, she said, “Yes.” She did not deny saying it. She did not claim ignorance. She simply embraced her having committed an error and admitted to being wrong. What I look for in a leader is not perfection but the ability to own mistakes and work to correct them. So, Warren is our woman, right? That is a tough question. The answer is that we do not know. We have months until the primary. All of the candidates will say many more things. What is more important is that as conscientious voters, we have to remember that our issues are not the only ones. We have to remember
TALKIN’ ABOUT by Helena Handbasket
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appy November, everyone. I hope that as you are reading this article that you are in a beautiful space physically as well as mentally. It is important to put ourselves into spaces that bring us joy and it is equally beneficial to find our own headspace that allows us to be and celebrate who we are. As I think about who I am, I am reminded who I used to be and who I have become and I often wonder who I will be. We have all heard the phrase that “the only thing in life that does not change is the fact that everything changes.” This is true for me as well. The person I was when I was younger and the life experiences that I had then have helped me to find the person I am today. We learn. We grow. We win. We lose. And all of it is essential to becoming who we are and a big part of taking us where we are supposed to be. When I become overwhelmed by so much going on, I try to say to myself that everything is on schedule. I am right where I am supposed to be. If you had told me even five years ago that I would be working at AVOL Kentucky, I would have probably laughed at you. I didn’t have the vision to see how I might be able to help or benefit an agency that I have had so much respect for. Now, there I am and loving it. Often at events you will hear me say that when AVOL began it was created to be a safe place made up of individuals, mostly volunteers, who helped people die with dignity. Caring people right here in Lexington were hearing stories of people dying alone or hungry and no one even knew they were sick. Now we have evolved into an agency that helps people thrive and live full lives, who just happen to be affected by HIV. We still fight stigma associated with HIV every day, but this year we boldly changed our mission statement to be “to END HIV in the Commonwealth of Kentucky”. Recently, my friend Mark Johnson told me of a documentary called 5B that he felt needed to be shown here in Lexington. It is about the staff and patients of the AIDS ward of San Francisco General Hospital
6 LinQ // NOVEMBER 2019 . PERSONALITIES
during the early years of the epidemic. It focuses on the uplifting story of a small collection of caring people who band together in spite of the warnings of others or their own fears to provide courage and compassion to those devastated by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the early 80s. 5B is told through first-person testimony of the nurses and caregivers who built Ward 5B in 1983, their patients, loved ones, and staff who volunteered to create care practices based in humanity and holistic well-being during a time of uncertainty. These quiet heroes helped humanize HIV/AIDS. It is directed by Oscar nominated filmmaker Dan Krauss. Until Mark told me of this documentary, I was unaware that it even existed, but after he told me I knew I wanted to help get the word out and get people to see it. So, I am very proud to be a sponsor of this upcoming event along with Bluegrass Black Pride, Inc., Kentucky Department for Public Health, and the Kentucky Theatre—as we announce that the premiere will be on Saturday, November 23, 2019 from 10:3012 noon at the Kentucky Theatre on Main Street. The event is FREE and open to the public. I can’t think of anyone that has not known someone, worked with someone, or loved someone that has either had HIV or lived with and loved someone with HIV, so I encourage everyone to come out and see this movie. Often, people tell me that no one is talking about it anymore. I have had people say to my face that they don’t like to use condoms and anyway, if I do get HIV, I can just take a pill and be fine. It is true that there has been huge progress made in the treatment of HIV and with treatment it is no longer the death sentence that it once was. However, there are still expenses and other limitations associated with HIV that should discourage anyone from having a flippant attitude toward it. We still have to spread the message of prevention. We still have to have the uncomfortable and sometimes awkward discussions with people who are new to the scene—whether because they are young
Send comments or suggestions to HelenaHandbasketKY@gmail.com
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Lexington - November 12th 6:30 P.M. St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
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or because they have recently come out to themselves and are finding a new world of self-discovery of their own sexuality. It is nothing less than an act of love when you share the truth with someone who might not know what is necessary to remain HIV negative. Equally, it is an act of love to help someone who may have been infected but who is unsure about releasing the fear or stigma associated with getting tested. In a perfect world, the real stigma should be toward those who do NOT get tested—rather than being afraid to go for an HIV test and have someone see their car in the parking lot. Love each other, people. Have the uncomfortable conversation. Let’s work together to truly END HIV in the Commonwealth. Never before have the tools been available to us. Learn about U=U. Learn about PrEP. Learn how YOU can volunteer and make a difference in your community. (Mamaw is climbing down off of her soapbox now). Until next month… love ya’ll.
For our program this month, we will hear from the creator of Cleaning Closets, an oral history project that collects and shares true coming out stories from both sides of the closet door— those of LGBTQ+ individuals, and those of the friends and family to whom they come out. Frankfort - November 18th 5:30 P.M. Unitarian Universalist Community
TransKY ADVOCATE
by Tuesday G Meadows
WHEN DO WE GET TO REST? “Follow the yellow brick road... Follow the rainbow over the stream/Follow the fellow who follows a dream/Follow, follow, follow, follow/Follow the yellow brick road... We’re off to see the Wizard/The wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
I ADVOCACY
Follow The Yellow Brick Road; We’re Off To See The Wizard sung by Judy Garland, written by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg
run almost every day, in fact, I run all kinds of races, from 5K’s (3.1 miles) to full marathons (26.2 miles). As any runner can tell you, the best part of a race is where you cross the finish line. I love that moment where I can stop running, catch my breath, think of what I accomplished, and just rest for a while. However, as an activist, I have realized that the finish line is a moving target, and there is no moment where we can just stop, catch our breath, and rest for a while. I remember thinking that after the marriage equality ruling by The Supreme Court of The United States (SCOTUS) in June of 2015 that things would be different. Indeed, many of us saw real change in how we were treated. Except, of course, there were a few stubborn bigots like Kim Davis who thought they could continue to discriminate against us even if it wasn’t legal anymore. As a transgender woman, you may think that the legalization of same sex marriage did not affect me, but even though my wife and I were married as a man and woman, Social Security told me that I could only receive death benefits since June 25, 2015, but not the previous 39 years because we were now considered by the government as a samesex couple. It took a lot of paperwork to get things clear to Social Security. Even though we thought things were moving toward equality, this administration has opened up
new avenues for discrimination. On November 8, 2019 SCOTUS heard arguments for and against protections in the workplace for LGBTQ+ people. The decision will probably not be in until June of 2020. Not only did the Trump Administration stack the court with ultra-conservative judges, but they also provided government-paid lawyers to argue for discrimination. Moreover, government lawyers have argued that healthcare workers should be allowed to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. Should we just hang on until rulings come in and hope that they will keep the protections we need? I think not. There are too many other issues for our community to just sit and wait. Even though we thought we crossed the finish
The finish line for Lexington’s inaugural Pride 5K Run on November 12th at The Club at Spindletop.
line, it has now moved, and we have to run another marathon. Of course, the transgender military ban was established last year. Condescendingly, I was told by a friend, “You weren’t going to join the military anyway so this doesn’t affect you.” Sure,
8 LinQ // NOVEMBER 2019 . ADVOCACY
the Army probably isn’t rushing to enlist post-cardiac bypass retirees, but the fact of the matter is that the ban dehumanizes all transgender people. At the time of the ban there were over 13,000 transgender individuals serving honorably in the military. As we all know, the military is often the only means for a young person to gain their independence. We know the ban had no monetary, scientific, or military basis, but was done solely to discriminate. The finish line moved yet again. Many see the solution to our woes as impeachment and removal of Trump as president. Be real: Pence could be just as damaging to our community. Our state government isn’t much better than the federal government when it comes to our rights. We’ve seen a patchwork of local governments passing fairness ordinances, but we should realize that state and federal laws can overrule and make these ordinances obsolete very quickly. It’s hard to keep running when you don’t know how far you have yet to go. Here’s the key, however, we are not running an individual race. We are all in this together, and we have to make it a relay. No matter how long we have to run, we need to work together and pass the baton when it gets to be too much. Just like running, the key is to take a single step and put one foot in front of the other. Ask questions where you live: do you have a fairness ordinance? If
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not, why not? If they tell you there are no problems where you live, what they are really saying is “I don’t care about you.” Ask your employer if they have a non-discrimination policy. Ask businesses where you shop if they have a non-discrimination policy. Talk to your elected representatives and ask if they believe in a statewide fairness law. Get involved and raise money or volunteer for organizations who try to prevent teen suicides, provide better healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals, and those organizations who try to prevent HIV and other diseases that affect our community disproportionately. One foot in front of the other until the race is done. We should remember that many of the fundamental rights we enjoy today have been fought for over the past 50 years or so. To counter the backlash, we need more voices. We need more action. We need more people to get involved. We need more people to step in and carry the race forward. Most of us realize the Trump presidency is just part of the major backlash to the progress the LGBTQ+ community has made over the last few decades. The easiest advocacy any of us can do is to vote on November 5th. This is our race and we have to keep running for the finish line even if it keeps moving. You may write me at tmeadows828@gmail.com or follow me on my blog at Tuesdaysgonewiththewind.wordpress.com Now Tuesday’s gone with the wind.
Mondays & Wednesdays 3 pm to 8 pm ThursdayS 3 pm to 6 pm 365 Waller Avenue, Suite 120 • lexington 859.225.3000 x30 • www.avolky.org
LGBTQ+ INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS by Becky Katz, Counselor, The Nest
TRAUMA & INTIMACY: ASKING FOR HELP
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iving in a heterosexist, binary, homophobic, transphobic, and cisgender society often negatively affects our own identity both before and after coming out or transitioning. It is easier and simpler to just deny that it negatively impacts us or get angry when more traditional institutions and people behave in hurtful ways. Anger is a secondary emotion and underneath that we often feel violated or betrayed. Anger can be transformative if we choose to take legal or civil action against the offender, especially if the behavior took place at work or school. Gender, racial, and disability discrimination as well as sexual harassment or the creation of a hostile work environment is against the law and we all have the legal right to complain to our supervisor, or supervisor’s supervisor or directly to human resources or to the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights (kchr.ky.gov) This is the equivalent to the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission at the federal level. Repeated experiences with this sort of institutional treatment may be traumatic, leading to feelings of sadness, rage, sleeplessness, flashbacks, intrusive memories of the event or intrusive thoughts of the event. However, these same symptoms may occur based on our early family of origin experiences with our primary guardians or as the result of bullying or harassment in public schools. Early experiences of physical abuse (whether injuries occur or not), emotional abuse (yelling and screaming or name calling or parental abandonment or emotionally distant parents), or being seduced, manipulated, or coerced as a minor to engage in sexual acts with an adult are also traumatic. Often these cumulative abusive and traumatizing experiences within institutions as well as in our family of origin (the family we were raised in as children) takes a toll on our ability to trust others in intimate romantic relationships and is an insult to
10 LinQ // NOVEMBER 2019 . ADVOCACY
our self-concept. As a result, we may become internally homophobic, transphobic, or bi-phobic and this makes us doubly emotionally unavailable to our partners. We may become so full of self-loathing that we set ourselves up to fail by becoming the emotionally or physically abusive person in the relationship. This may mean we stop talking when we are angry or hurt, or we yell or scream, or call our partner names, or make accusations or unreasonable demands. This may also mean that we try to sabotage our relationship by sleeping with another person when we are in a committed monogamous relationship. Sometimes, we hit walls, throw things, or hit our partner. Sometimes, we drink and use drugs to numb ourselves to the pain. If substance abuse is our survival strategy; it usually fails in the longrun and our partners leave us because we become emotionally unavailable. Drugs and/or alcohol become our primary partner, not our loved one. So, what is the solution? The solution is to ask for help from a licensed professional counselor, a social worker, or a psychologist. At the Nest, we specialize in helping people who are having difficulty forming or maintaining long-term loving and trusting intimate relationships. Our goal in working with people is to help each person determine the problem, then work on each person’s family of origin trauma or cultural trauma or both. This entails exploring feelings, examining distorted thoughts or cognitions, teaching mindfulness or how to change our challenged distorted thoughts, and then beginning to work on building trust and open and honest communication skills. First, we will help you learn to understand what you are feeling and then help you to understand what these feelings are telling you about what you want and need. Next, we will help you learn to develop healthy communication skills or how to talk about those feelings, such as sadness, hurt, anger, frustration, happiness, betrayal, or mistrust with
choice is to call the police. I understand this is a difficult choice when you love someone and do not want them to experience criminal injustices because of their LGBTQ+ identity; but you still deserve to be safe and to care about keeping yourself safe. If you have children, your children deserve to not be afraid of one of their parents. If you are the physically abusive partner, you can get help from a variety of other agencies, we recommend Crossroads Counseling (crossroadscounselingky.gov). Sometimes the abusive partner has all the same traumatic early experiences as the partner who is the victim, but if you are the abusive one; I know you too want your children to not be afraid of you. If you are telling yourself, “Well, we are both abusive to one another�, and while that may be true, there usually is a primary aggressor and the secondary aggressor who is often trying to fight back or just survive the abuse by fighting fire with fire so to speak. Either way, please get help for yourself, for the sake of your children, so they too do not have trauma in their family background. If you are the primary aggressor, you deserve the opportunity to improve your life as well. So, get help so that your wife/husband or partner also can seek help and your children no longer have to be afraid or sad.
ADVOCACY
a safe trustworthy partner. We also will help you learn how to resolve conflict constructively and negotiate fair solutions for both partners through what you need and want from your partner. We also aim to teach you what healthy intimate relationships look like as well as how to recognize red flags in order to avoid potentially abusive partners in the future. We also focus on teaching how to take care of yourself, like treating yourself to long peaceful walks, developing and maintaining a supportive social network, and enjoying relaxing or fun hobbies. We also have a crisis care office at the Nest where you can receive free fruits and vegetables once a month as well as personal hygiene products or cleaning supplies and children’s clothing, diapers, and formula. While I am no longer at the PCSO Pride Center on Wednesdays, you can call me at the Nest on Tuesdays and Thursdays or call and ask to schedule an appointment with me on either of those days (thenestlexington.org). I will work with you and your partner to help you resolve relationship problems as well as long as your partner is not physically abusive to you. If your partner is physically abusive and you are not physically safe, I want you to find a place to go where you can be safe with a family member or friend. Greenhouse 17 is a shelter where you can be safe as well, if you have no place to go. Your other
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THE JOURNEY HOME GRATEFUL FOR CANCER & THANKSGIVING DINNER IN NYC by Stan “JR” Zerkowski, Founder of Lexington Interfaith Encounters Executive Director, Fortunate Families, Inc.
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wo years ago, on Thanksgiving dinner, after all. Day we had plans to meet some Being in proximity, I took a friends in New York City at a lovely leap of faith and I introduced myself. restaurant in the West Village for Brad followed suit. She introduced dinner. Unfortunately, they had herself and we decided we’d all be a family crisis and they could not Thanksgiving dinner companions! make the dinner. Brad and I decided We had a non-stop conversation for that we’d keep the reservation, the duration of our dinner. Beth told although we’d change it to a table for us that she came to New York City two, if the restaurant would let us. alone for Thanksgiving. It was the They did. hardest thing she ever had to do. We were escorted to a But, she had to. Her fiancé had died beautiful table in the window; I sat of cancer and they were to have come with my back to the window facing to the city to see the parade, go to the the restaurant interior and Brad sat facing the window. In the city, as you may know, tables are incredibly close. There was the exact same table for two next to us. A few minutes after we sat down and enjoyed a glass of wine and an appetizer a young woman The sacred spot is the first window to the left of the door. sat down next to us. We assumed her dinner companion was running galleries, and enjoy Thanksgiving late. Then, the waiter came over and dinner at this lovely restaurant. She asked if he could get her something was determined to make the trip to eat while she waited for her guest with him in spirit. and she said she would be dining In 1985 I had thyroid cancer alone. My heart sank when I heard and, thankfully, they got it out of her say that, it was Thanksgiving me by removing 97% of my thyroid.
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In November 1991 I was diagnosed with cancer for the second time. If only it were a simple diagnosis! I had some medical issues for three years prior and had undergone test after test. Finally, in September 1991 my body was screaming at me that something was dreadfully wrong; it was evident. My friend Kimberly Bergalis—you might remember her, she was the first person to have been infected with HIV at the hands of a healthcare professional, her dentist, and subsequently died of AIDS— had the best of medical care and knew some heavy hitters at the Center for Disease Control. I called her and asked for help knowing something was terribly wrong with me. The next day I saw a top-notch doctor who requested all my previous tests and medical history. The records indicated that, while they clearly showed cancer in my body, no one ever placed that important call to inform me. He said I must get into surgery immediately. On the day of my surgery, my mother came to Florida where I was
my friend Billy had to leave us at 21 because of testicular cancer. I’m not sure why Brad’s mom, Beverly, had to pass at 56 from breast cancer. I’m not sure why I survived three cancers. But I do know that for Beth, Billy’s family, Brad and his family, and for me, there are gifts that come with even the ugliest of diagnoses and seeming endings. We shared such a gift in a chance encounter over a eucharistic meal of turkey and all the delicious accompaniments in the West Village on Thanksgiving Day 2017. Despite what could be seen, I believe Beth’s fiancé, John, was there with us, too. There was an empty chair, ostensibly. We are all on an incredible journey home together, whether we realize it or not. A chance meeting in a New York City restaurant when my planned dinner guests couldn’t make it to Thanksgiving dinner made that evident.
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living, from New York. My classmate and friend, Father Charles, drove a couple of hours at 4 a.m. to get to the hospital in time to anoint me because of the seriousness of the surgery. My mother and Charles were there when the Brad & JR taken by Beth. doctor mentioned the cancer had been in me, unattended, for three years. My mother fainted. It did not look good; it looked like I was in dreadful straits. When they performed the surgery they were incredulous to see that the cancer was no worse three years later than it had been on the tests three years earlier. The surgery was, obviously, a success. I was one of the lucky ones. Twenty-six years later, there I was sitting next to a young woman in her late 20s who lost her fiancé to cancer, also in his late 20s. For some reason we were an impromptu family celebrating Thanksgiving dinner Q Others, providence. together. Some say coincidence. A cancer survivor and his partner were sharing a meal with what some would call a complete stranger who was incredulous and so thankful that this chance encounter provided an opportunity for grace, for understanding, for companionship, for hope. Since those two cancers, I had one more. Thankfully, that one, too, was eradicated. As Thanksgiving comes around, I find myself grateful for the gift of cancer. Don’t get me wrong, it was a nightmare, a hell as I lived through it. But in retrospect, it was a gift. I wouldn’t wish this gift on anyone, but I am—because I am still alive—grateful for it. I hope I never have to face a cancer diagnosis again, but I think I have become a more compassionate, intentional person because of the dread disease. Because I am acutely aware of what the disease does to a person physically, emotionally, and spiritually I can accompany a sister or a brother and understand and communicate more than words can say. I hear from Beth every so often. The Wallflower restaurant is now closed. But, that window where two too close tables provided an incredible opportunity for gratitude and grace is a sacred spot in the city to me. It is to her, too, she says. I’m not sure why Beth’s fiancé had to go on at such a young age and leave her heartbroken. I’m not sure why
Q
OUT
IN THE BLUEGRASS LGBT Talk Radio with JON PARKER WEDNESDAYS @ 7 PM FB: @outinthebluegrass
WLXU 93.9 FM LEXINGTON COMMUNITY RADIO
PRIDE JOURNEYS by Joey Amato
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F
GRAND RAPIDS/SAUGATUCK
or the past few years, I’ve heard about a small town in Michigan known for its LGBTQ+ friendliness and charm, but it wasn’t until recently that I had the opportunity to visit Saugatuck and its neighboring town, Douglas. If you don’t live within driving distance, you’ll probably have to fly into Grand Rapids, another Midwestern city worth exploring. The journey will be well worth it. By far the coolest hotel in Grand Rapids is the JW Marriott. I sometimes prefer staying at boutique hotels, but once you get a peek at this property, you’ll quickly discover why it has become a favorite among LGBTQ+ visitors. The curvature of the iconic glass structure not only reflects the blue sky above but also the river below, which makes for a stunning visual and Instagram-friendly photos. History lovers will enjoy the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum located within walking distance from the hotel. Although Ford’s time in office wasn’t as exciting as some other Presidents, the museum is beautifully designed and worth a quick visit. If Presidential history doesn’t spark your interest, head over to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, a 200-acre indoor/outdoor garden which incorporates dozens of unique sculptural masterpieces into its landscape. Some standout sculptures include The American Horse by Nina Akamu and I,you, she or he by Jaume
16 LinQ // NOVEMBER 2019 . CULTURE
The American Horse at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Plensa, a composition of three figures whose shells are made of stainless steel letters and left unfinished to encourage the universality of the forms. Another sculptural highlight is by gay artist Keith Haring titled Julia named after Julia Gruen, a friend of the artist. After touring the gardens, grab dinner at Reserve Wine & Food, an elegant, yet modern two-story restaurant with an expansive wine menu and delicious cuisine. I opted for the Vietnamese Caramelized Red Drum, a melt-in-your-mouth fish prepared with radish, peas, spring onion and herbs over a bed of jasmine rice. Each entrée offers a suggested wine pairing, however since I don’t enjoy white wine, I chose a very nice red wine, as recommended by their in-house sommelier.
About a 10 minute walk from the restaurant is The Apartment Lounge, Grand Rapids’ oldest LGBTQ+ bar. The bar offers a wide variety of local beer on tap and wine by the glass, something not too common for LGBTQ+ spaces. On the evening I visited, the bar was hosting a movie night and although many patrons were watching the film, it was still possible to carry on a nice conservation. If you want to continue the party, head to Rumors, a popular spot with the city’s younger clientele. Try to befriend some of the locals, as I learned there are also some underground LGBTQ+ parties that take place throughout the year in different parts of the city, which tourists will have a hard time finding without insider info. The next morning, I took the 40 minute journey to Saugatuck. People
A sailboat on Kalamazoo Lake in Saugatuck, Michigan.
sometimes refer to the small Michigan town as the P-Town of the Midwest. At first the town threw me off. I saw dozens of rainbow flags, but not many LGBTQ+ people. I saw mostly straight families strolling down the picturesque streets. For a town with such an abundance of rainbow flags, I was expecting to be overwhelmed with gay folk, but that wasn’t the case. It was both wonderful and depressing at the same time. On one hand, I was excited to see the amount of allied support for our community, but on the other hand, I was disappointed
events during the week including drag performances and bingo. During peak months, the property sells out quickly so I’d recommend staying at Blue Star Motel, a 5-minute walk from the Dunes. Blue Star is also a great option if you are looking for a quieter lodging experience. Exploring Douglas was one of the highlights of my trip. Dozens of art galleries, boutiques, and cafés dotted the landscape. I stopped at a gay-friendly bar called Borrowed Time where a local husband and wife duo named Dave and Connie D performed classic rock songs
to not have seen as many LGBTQ+ people… yet. That all changed when I visited Saugatuck’s neighbor, Douglas. Douglas is the lesser known of the two towns, but in my opinion, exudes more of the LGBTQ+ flair and small-town charm that I was looking for. They have rainbow flags everywhere too, but there was something different about the vibe in Douglas. Instead of a somewhat touristy coastal town, I saw a town full of artists, musicians, small business owners, and creatives. The Dunes Resort is actually located in Douglas, not Saugatuck, contrary to popular belief. The lodging and entertainment complex is a site to be seen with indoor and outdoor dance floors, a cabaret room and multiple bars throughout the space. Weekends are definitely a busier time for the property when people of all ages from surrounding towns and cities come to party. The Dunes hosts numerous
from the 60s and 70s on the outdoor patio. A boutique/art gallery named Coastal Society also boasted a fullservice craft cocktail bar and outdoor Enjoy the Journey! sculpture garden. Another incredible Joey Amato is the publisher of Pride boutique called Endora Bohemian Journeys, a website dedicated to sells handwoven Moroccan rugs and LGBTQ+ travel. Joey has spent over artisanal soaps. A large photo of rock a decade in LGBTQ+ media and icon Stevie Nicks greets customers as public relations and currently resides they walk in the shop, which is launching in Indianapolis, Indiana. He can be a new weekly event called Fleetwood reached at joey@pridejourneys.com Mac Fridays, where the owner will play Fleetwood Mac music and perform tarot Q card readings. If that doesn’t make you want to visit, then I don’t know what will. Both Saugatuck and Douglas have their own personalities and one should not overlook the chance to explore both destinations. The Dunes Resort in Douglas, Michigan is touted as the I really felt as if the largest LGBTQ+ resort in the Midwest. towns had similar but
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Joey on the Star of Saugatuck boat cruise on Kalamazoo Lake in Saugatuck, Michigan.
different vibes. This area of Michigan is also known for its vast number of wineries and distilleries. Fenn Valley and Crane’s and Virtue Cider are just three places worth visiting. Fenn Valley Winery was my favorite of the three, offering some delicious wines. Of the wines I sampled, I would highly suggest the Capriccio, a soft red wine exhibiting the right balance of fruitiness and dryness. All this drinking will make you hungry, so head over to Coast 236, an LGBTQ+-owned restaurant helmed by Chef Mindy Trafman. I feel like I sampled half the menu during my visit, and everything was wonderful but most memorable was the Beet Tower, which was served with chevre, butternut squash, avocado and sprinkled with pistachio nuts. I love beets and it isn’t something commonly seen on restaurant menus, so when it is offered, I usually try to order that dish. To be honest, I’m really not sure if I preferred Grand Rapids or Saugatuck/Douglas more. I try to find the best in a city when I visit, and I think you should too by exploring them both. I’d love to hear which you prefer.
CULTURE . NOVEMBER 2019 // LinQ 17
FEATURE
I
SHE JUST WANTS TO LIVE by Carol Taylor-Shim, MSW
write this amid the Atatiana Jefferson case where once again, an innocent Black person is killed in their own home by police. What should have been a routine wellness check is now a murder case. And although the officer responsible for her death has been arrested, she is still dead. Her nephew is still a witness. And she will not be the last one to die by the decision of a nervous cop with an itchy trigger finger. I, as a cisgender Black queer woman, sit with the anxiety of knowing that at any time for any reason, I could be the next hashtag. The next person snuffed out because of Blackness. But there are so many other women who navigate this burden of fear and uncertainty every single day with little respite in sight. Laverne Cox said it best recently, “Your attraction to me as a trans woman in not a reason to kill me.” Black trans women are still dying at rates unmatched by any other group. Their very existence in this world is enough to cause people to end that existence. And people justify this violence and destruction because they assume someone was trying to “trick” a cishet man. Trans women aren’t in the business of “tricking” cis men. They don’t need to. There are more than enough cis men in the world who are attracted to trans women. There are more than enough cis men in the world who date trans women. What Black trans women need is life. To live.
Dana Martin Jazzaline Ware Ashanti Carmon Claire Legato Muhlaysia Booker Michelle Washington Paris Cameron Chynal Lindsey Johana Medina Leon Chanel Scurlock Zoe Spears 18 LinQ // NOVEMBER 2019 . FEATURE
To live freely and openly. To live without the fear that a romantic relationship will end in their death. To live without being someone’s novelty or dirty secret. To have access to all the “things” that cisgender women, myself included, take for granted. Trans women of color continue to die at astronomical rates without much fanfare or concern from anyone outside of their own community. We write about it. We talk about it. But we don’t do sh*t about it. We continue to fail these women. We continue to be complicit. And we do so by choice. Organizations and leaders within the LGBTQ+ community need to ask themselves some hard questions. Why don’t we care as much about the lives of Black trans women and trans women of color as we do about getting married? Why do we continue to turn to cis people to carry the narrative of the trans community? Why is the humanity of the trans community, Black trans women and trans women of color specifically, not important to us? Why isn’t it important to YOU? By the time this goes to print there will be many, many more. At least 24 trans people have been killed in 2019, 22 of which are trans women of color. All these women wanted the same thing that I want. To live. Their names are:
Brooklyn Lindsey Denali Berries Stuckey Tracy Single Kiki Fantroy Pebbles LaDime Doe Bailey Reeves Bee Love Slater Elisha Chanel Stanley Itali Marlowe Ja’leyah-Jamar Brianna ”BB” Hill Q
TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE & WEEK OF AWARENESS by Tuesday G Meadows
O
We must remember that this stress placed on our youth often results in self-harm or suicide. Transgender people continue to have much higher rates of unemployment and homelessness than the general population due to discrimination. Some find themselves out of work when they transition on the job because of pressure from co-workers or bosses who say that they have “become a distraction” in the work place. Some find themselves homeless at a very young age when their families disown them for coming out as their true-selves. In schools, transgender people often find themselves struggling against bigoted students as well as being bullied by parents of their classmates, teachers, and administrators which often cause them to drop out of school. Trans-misogyny and objectifying of transgender people seem to be at the root of much of the violence. The media’s preoccupation with transition-related surgery objectifies trans people. Many news media outlets still insist on using the term “born a man” when they refer to transgender women. Conservative news outlets repeat fake stories of incidents in public restrooms or fabricated stories about transgender athletes to drum up hate against transgender people. We can take a stand against this violence through education. Education can help share the stories and experiences of trans people. Supporting fairness for everyone in housing, the work place, the legal system, schools, and healthcare would be a big first step to help with the underlying causes of the high rate of unemployment and homelessness of trans people. Getting people “off the street” will help reduce the situation that puts many in harm’s way. We must all take note of the increased violence and recognize that there is a problem. Here in Lexington it is the goal of the Transgender Week of Awareness, sponsored by The UK Office of LGBTQ* Resources, to raise awareness and empathy for the struggle for transgender safety and equality. Most of us live simple lives and just want to be able to go about our business every day without worrying about violence against us for who we are and how we live.
FEATURE
n Wednesday November 20, 2019 around the world many people will once again recognize The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) as a time to pause and reflect. Here in Lexington we will also observe Transgender Week of Awareness from November 18th to 22nd. Both of these observances are not only a time to reflect on the transgender community, but hopefully learn how to prevent the many acts of physical violence against transgender people by emphasizing the lives of transgender people. Transgender Day of Remembrance is an event that was started in 1998 to memorialize the murder of Rita Heister in Allston, Massachusetts and has since been observed in nearly 200 cities and over 20 countries around the world. Despite TDOR being a worldwide day of remembrance, many here in Lexington still have not heard of the high occurrence of violence toward transgender people, especially transgender women of color around the world. Brazil is the most dangerous country in the world to be transgender, with at least 167 murders in 2018 alone. (We know that all violence and murders are not reported so that is why it is “at least”.) Here in the United States, reports of violence against transgender individuals come from almost every section of the country. There are no safe bubbles to live in no matter what you may think about a particular part of the country being more open and accepting. According to a new report from CNN, hate crimes against transgender individuals are increasing in the United States and the BBC reports that hate crimes against transgender individuals in England and Wales increased 37 percent in the past year. Here in the United States, there are reports from the Human Rights Commission of 26 murders of transgender people in 2018. In 2019 so far, there have be 24 violent murders reported. The New York Times (NYT) reports that the American Medical Association called the recent spike in violence against the transgender community an “epidemic”. These acts of violence disproportionately affect transgender women of color as 22 victims so far this year identified as trans women of color. The intersectionality of racism and transphobia is deadly. In their report from November 2019, the NYT told about how many transgender people are on edge because of these murders. Kayla Gore, who lives in Memphis, said, “Guys were flirting with me at the gas station, and my first thought was, this could go horribly wrong.” Transgender youth feel especially vulnerable as many times attacks against them are encouraged by adults. Often, they feel as if they are not allowed to fall in love or have a normal adolescence because of threats.
Scheduled Events 11/19, 6 p.m.–Panel on Transgender Women of Color 11/20, 6 p.m.–Vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance Events will be held at the UK Gatton Student Center and are open and free to the public. For more information uky.edu/lgbtq
Q FEATURE . NOVEMBER 2019 // LinQ 19
AT THE
CENTER OF IT ALL
by Carmen Wampler-Collins
COMMUNITY
W
hen you stop by the Pride Center these days you’ll be seeing a new face. I am delighted to announce that Grasien (pronounced: Grayson) Connor has joined our team as an AmeriCorps VISTA service member for the next year. Grasien will be working with us to help expand the capacity of our organization, focusing on strengthening and growing our programs and services and managing our volunteer program. Grasien comes to us through The Plantory’s AmeriCorps VISTA network, the purpose of which is to fight poverty in Lexington. The Plantory helps to recruit, place, train, and support AmeriCorps VISTA members as they embark on a full-time year of service with a variety of nonprofit organizations in Lexington. The roles the VISTA members fill, as well as the organizations they serve, are varied, and include everything from increasing academic achievement, to mentoring youth, to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people. The Plantory believes it will take a lot of people focused on different
approaches and working together to eliminate poverty in our community. Grasien just started his tenure with us in late October, fresh from a big project in his hometown, and we couldn’t be
Grasien Connor
happier to have him here. He says, “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work with the PCSO, and hope to continue on the great progress made by the LGBTQ+ community in the Lexington area. I’m from
20 LinQ // NOVEMBER 2019 . COMMUNITY
Brandenburg, Ky and had the privilege to be the main organizer for Brandenburg’s First PRIDE this past year. I plan to bring that same kind of passion for equal rights to my role at the Pride Center. I’m looking forward to a great year!” We hope you’ll drop by the Center to get to know Grasien better and to welcome him to the PCSO and to Lexington. We have so much to be grateful for this year and lots of good things to look forward to just over the horizon. Help us celebrate by joining us at our annual Friendsgiving dinner hosted by our Senior Independent People (SIP) group on Friday, November 15th at 7:00 p.m. We’ll have a full turkey dinner with all the fixings— including options for vegans and vegetarians. Feel free to bring your favorite holiday dish to share or just come and share your good company. Call us at 859-253-3233 or email us at officemanager@pcsoky.org to let us know if you can make it. We hope to see you there.
Q
IMPERIAL COURT OF KENTUCKY NEWS by Her Most Imperial Majesty, Empress XXXVIII of the Imperial Court of Kentucky, Uma Jewels
A MOST DANGEROUS LIASION
COMMUNITY
M
y Dearest Cousin,
Next weekend is your big show: The Emperor’s Turnabout I am writing to warn of at Crossings Lexington. I hope a most scandalous man! A man the event goes off without a so lascivious, so licentious, so hitch and that this horrible man lickerish as to cause immediate dares not show his face. This loss of breath upon the slightest “Uma Jewels” as he is known, hint of his visage. I pray I am not is someone to be wary of—tales The Imperial Court of Kentucky at the Cincinnati Coronation 28. too late and you have not fallen From Left:Tim Logsdon, Joshua McKinley, Sasha LaRoux, Uma Jewels, Diva Lilo, Savion of his lewd nipples precede victim to his predations, as of yet. LaRoux, Daniel Perkins, Kenneth J Squires, Devon Ess Lee, Kali Dupree & Nick Porter. him—that he might destroy the Please heed my warnings, for this sanctity of such a holy man as man has been seen in your presence the Vicomte de Valmont, that this yourself. That is why I write to you, oh countless times and I fear he means lecherous, libidinous, lustful man Cousin, Emperor Daniel, I will pray to seduce you. Your good deeds and was also present during your largest steadfastly for your vows of friendship works of charity may not be enough to fundraising effort thus far this and love—that this dangerous liaison save your reputation from ruin! year: Queens for Recovery. That this be not present, but absent. Just last month, this man was scoundrel was allowed entry into the With Love, Your Dearest seen near you at The Bar Complex Bluegrass United Church of Christ Cousin, Marquise de Merteuil for your QSO Tour Show featuring for the event to raise monies for local For information on upcoming the Gilded Cage Divas. While you recovery programs is beyond the pale. events navigate to our Facebook toiled to raise funds for the American I am happy that you raised so much for page at ImperialCourtOfKentucky Legion Local 132 with inspired song such a good cause, but be careful your and dance of yesteryear, your virtue purity is not besmirched. I have heard Q was under attack. This debauched rumor of this man shaking about in character was seen mocking you from such a manner as to cause violent fits the stage, and on the microphone no of hysterics, I trust nothing untoward less! I have never known you to be occurred in the church. I also heard indecent or perverse or risqué so, tale of this wretch bellying about please be careful because this rake was at the Cincinnati Coronation, how seen at the Little Miss AVOL pageant positively scandalous! Your grandest inside Soundbar. This disreputable weekend yet; the opportunity to make man was noted as being attached to new acquaintances, to represent the one Helena Handbasket—a beacon of Commonwealth well, and to bear nobility in the community who was witness to the ascension of new simply trying to educate the masses monarchs, all spoiled by this lewd and raise funds for those living with man. I hear he parades in the clothes HIV/AIDS in the Commonwealth. of a proper Lady! I hear he fancies silk Georgia Peach at the Queens for Recovery Show at Bluegrass United Church of Christ. I was told by a trusted friend, underwear! How truly terrible!
22 LinQ // NOVEMBER 2019 . COMMUNITY
Members of the LGBTQ+ community met with VisitLex on August 29th to discuss tourism in Lexington. From Left: Gathan Borden, Shawn “Ka’Ron” Bumpase,Tim Burcham,Tuesday Meadows, Kelly King, Erin Hilton, Mary Quinn Ramer, Nora Brunner, Jason Ervin, & Kenny Bishop.
Members of The Kentucky Bourbon Bears held an Ice Cream Social at Ranada’s on September 8th.
Craig Cammack from Lexington’s Mayor’s office presents a proclomation to Carmen Wampler-Collins at the PCSO Pride Center in recognition of LGBTQ+ Center Awareness Day on October 19th.
Members of Lexington Fairness participated in Lexington’s inaugural Pride 5K Run on November 12th at The Club at Spindletop. From Left:Tuesday Meadows, Megan Walden, Joey Miniard, Stephanie Oghia, Dominique Olbert, & Vicki Stanley.
Kristin Mingle and Sandy Vee represented at the inaugural Pride 5K Run on October 12th at The Club at Spindletop.
Free showing of the documentary film about San Francisco General Hospital’s HIV/AIDS ward in the early 80’s. The first HIV/AIDS ward in the country.
Saturday, November 23rd, 10:30am, Kentucky Theatre Sponsored by: Bluegrass Black Pride, Inc., Kentucky Department for Public Health, Kentucky Theatre, and Helena Handbasket
NOVEMBER CALENDAR & DIRECTORY Friday, November 1 2:00 a.m.-NaNoWriMo Midnight Write (PCSO Pride Center) Saturday, November 2 10:00 a.m.-Grief Support Group (Ahava Center) 1:00 p.m.-PCSO Tabletop Gaming Group (PCSO Pride Center) 2:30 p.m.-Bluegrass Black Pride Meeting (Northside Library) 7:30 p.m.-TransKentucky Meeting Tuesday, November 5 ELECTION DAY - GET OUT & VOTE! 7:30 p.m.-Crystal Meth Anonymous (LGBTQ+ Inclusive) (First Presbyterian Church) Wednesday, November 6 5:30 p.m.-LoveABLE Meeting (PCSO Pride Center) 7:00 p.m.-“Heart To Heart” LGBTQ+ Discussion Group (PCSO Pride Center) Thursday, November 7 6:30 p.m.-PCSO Board Meeting (PCSO Pride Center) Saturday, November 9 9:00 p.m.-Kentucky Bourbon Bears Board Meeting (Crossings) Sunday, November 10 6:00 p.m.-ICK’s Board of Directors/ Membership Meeting (PCSO Pride Center) Tuesday, November 12 6:30 p.m.-PFLAG Meeting (Lexington) (St. Michael’s Church) 7:30 p.m.-Crystal Meth Anonymous (LGBTQ+ Inclusive) (First Presbyterian Church) Wednesday, November 13 5:00 p.m.-Richmond’s Alphabet Soup Support Group (UU Fellowship Hall) 5:30 p.m.-LoveABLE Meeting (PCSO Pride Center) 7:00 p.m.-“Heart To Heart” LGBTQ+ Discussion Group (PCSO Pride Center) Friday, November 15 LinQ EDITORIAL & AD DEADLINE 7:00 p.m.-Senior’s Bistro (Potluck) “FRIENDSGIVING” (PCSO Pride Center) Saturday, November 16 1:00 p.m.-PCSO Tabletop Gaming Group (PCSO Pride Center)
Sunday, November 17 3:00 p.m.-Kentucky Fried Sisters (PCSO Pride Center) 7:00 p.m.-Bingo with the Kentucky Fried Sisters (Pivot Brewing) Monday, November 18 5:30 p.m.-PFLAG Meeting (Frankfort) (Unitarian Universalist Community) 7:00 p.m.-United in Thanksgiving (Cathedral of Christ the King) Tuesday, November 19 6:00 p.m.-PANEL ON TRANSGENDER WOMEN OF COLOR (UK GATTON STUDENT CENTER) 7:30 p.m.-Crystal Meth Anonymous (LGBTQ+ Inclusive) (First Presbyterian Church) Wednesday, November 20 5:30 p.m.-LoveABLE Meeting (PCSO Pride Center) 6:00 p.m.-TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE VIGIL (UK GATTON STUDENT CENTER) 7:00 p.m.-“Heart To Heart” LGBTQ+ Discussion Group (PCSO Pride Center) Thursday, November 21 6:30 p.m.-Lexington Pride Festival Planning Committee Meeting (PCSO Pride Center) Saturday, November 23 10:30 a.m.-Showing of 5B (Kentucky Theatre) 1:00 p.m.-Board Games at the Pride Center (PCSO Pride Center) Sunday, November 24 6:00 p.m.-ICK’s Board of Directors/ Membership Meeting (PCSO Pride Center) Monday, November 25 8:00 p.m.-PCSO Book Club (PCSO Pride Center) Tuesday, November 26 7:30 p.m.-Crystal Meth Anonymous (LGBTQ+ Inclusive) (First Presbyterian Church) Wednesday, November 27 4:30 p.m.-Last WednesGays (Lexington Diner) 5:30 p.m.-LoveABLE Meeting (PCSO Pride Center) 7:00 p.m.-“Heart To Heart” LGBTQ+ Discussion Group (PCSO Pride Center) Thursday, November 28 THANKSGIVING
For more details on events, view the full calendar at pcsoky.org at the bottom of the webpage
COMMUNITY & SOCIAL GROUPS 24-Hour National Crisis Line
1-800-221-0446
24-Hour Teen Crisis Line
1-800-432-4510
24/7 Veteran’s Administration Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255, Press 1
AA/Alcoholic Teens
859-277-1877
Alcoholics Anonymous
859-967-9960
Arbor Youth Services
859-254-2501
Council for Peace and Justice
859-488-1448
Fairness of Louisville
502-893-0788
Gay-Straight Alliance, Teens
859-221-4396
Gays & Lesbians Achieveing Sobriety Together
513-334-6945
“Heart to Heart” Discussion Group
859-253-3233
Imperial Court of Kentucky
859-619-7521
KY Survivors Area of Narcotics Anonymous
859-253-4673
Legal Aid of the Bluegrass
859-431-8200
Lexington Fair Housing Council
1-866-438-8617
Lexington Fairness
859-951-8565
Lexington Human Rights
859-252-4931
Lexington Pride Festival
859-253-3233
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
PCSO Pride Center
859-253-3233
PFLAG Central Kentucky, Inc.
859-338-4393
PFLAG Louisville
502-223-1323
Rainbow League
859-806-4299
SAGE Elder Hotline
1-888-234-7243
SisterSound
859-806-0243
Social Services, Lexington
211
TransParentLex
859-230-0409
TransKentucky
859-448-LGBT (5428)
Transgender Youth Family Allies
1-888-462-8932
Trevor Lifeline 24/7
1-866-488-7386
United Way
859-313-5465
VA, Lexington LGBT Veteran Care Office
859-233-4511, Ext. 3482
COLLEGE STUDENT GROUPS Berea College ACE
859-958-3633
BCTC Gay-Straight Alliance
859-246-6365
Centre College BGLA
859-238-5332
EKU Alphabet Center
859-622-5041
EKU Pride Alliance
859-622-1027
Morehead State University
606-783-2071
TUnity (Transy)
859-445-3822
UK LGBTQ* Resource Center
859-323-3312
AFFIRMING RELIGIOUS GROUPS Ahava Center for Spiritual Living
859-373-8910
Bluegrass United Church of Christ
859-233-0208
Central Baptist Church
859-278-2331
Central Christian Church
859-233-1551
Faith Lutheran Church
859-266-7621
First Presbyterian Church
859-252-1919
Hunter Presbyterian Church
859-277-5126
Lex Friends, Quakers
859-254-3319
Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church
859-255-1074
Shambala Center of Lexington
859-225-4183
St. Martha’s Episcopal Church
859-271-7641
St. Michael's Episcopal Church
859-277-7511
Unitarian Universalist Church
859-223-1448
Woodland Christian Church
859-266-3416
HIV/STD TESTING, SERVICES & INFO AIDS Volunteers of Lexington (AVOL)
859-225-3000
Health Department, Fayette County
859-288-2437
Health Department, Woodford County
859-873-4541
HIV/AIDS Legal Project
502-584-1254
Moveable Feast
859-252-2867
Northern KY Region
859-341-4264
UK Adolescent Medicine
859-323-5643
CALENDAR & DIRECTORY . NOVEMBER 2019 // LinQ 27
PRESENTED BY
Bluegrass Black Pride inc
N O I T A R B E L E C IFE OF L
WORLD AIDS DAY 2019 DECEMBER 1 6-8 PM LYRIC THEATRE 300 EAST THIRD STREET
FREE FREE HIV TESTING! FEATURING
HOSTED BY
MERLENE DAVIS & HELENA HANDBASKET
Charles Little, Whit Whitaker, Cissy Williams, Keith Dean, Angelina Huguely, Deidre Darnell, Sasha LaRoux, Sister Sound, UK Black Voices, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity* Louisville, Noah Jackson, Ashton Phillips, Dynamic Spirits ADDITIONAL SPONSORS: PCSO, AVOL KENTUCKY, FRANKFORT/LEXINGTON LINKS INC.