The Rainbow Times' August 2022 Issue

Open hunting season on the LGBTQI+ community takes center stage in GOP

GOP Extremists Turn GOP Into A Circus Act That Aims To Take Down The Queer Community & Others

By: Nicole Lashomb* TRT Editor-in-Chief

We’ve seen it time and time again, members of the LGBTQI+ community politicized and stigmatized for political gain. However, this time is different than any other pastime I can recall. It is attack after relentless attack, primarily by some incumbent GOP candidates seeking a new term or first-time candidates coming out of the woodwork. Hunting season has begun and this time the queer community is the direct target.

There are two realities in this country at this moment in time — those who live within the confines of actual reality and others who choose to stay in the dark, lurking and preying on the most vulnerable to suit their interests while frantically pumping out fantastical fiction. Yet more concerning is the millions of Americans who buy into it, who hang onto every word of the con — further digging a deeper abyss of the great divide we are currently experiencing. When politicians promote lies, deceit and target groups often under the guise of religion, should be held accountable at the very least. But, what do we do when the accountability that they should face at the ballot box is blinded by cult-like following?

losing the privilege of holding office. If that had been the case, it would have halted a great number of the primary cult leaders and would have separated qualified people who earned the right to an elected office from those who did not. Without fail safes in place, it is as simple as manipulative practices, cons that kill, and a check mark at the ballot box that upholds a candidate’s “right” to be there. It was the people’s choice after all, they say. But, as a nation, there must be better systems of accountability set into motion by our grounded elected officials. It is bombastic to think that no matter what someone has said, no matter who they destroy in the process or how poisonous the oats sowed are, as long as they get the votes, then that is all that matters. They campaign on hate and fear and rely upon the uninformed and ignorant to buy the con. And, they succeed.

and gender identity without the student’s express permission,” the report read.

In addition to suicidal thoughts and acts, physical and mental well-being amongst a myriad of other factors, outing a student to a parent or other adminsistrators can have additional catastrophic effects.

According to The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, “LGBTQI+ youth comprise up to 45 percent of homeless youth. Family rejection is a significant factor — 43 percent of LGBTQI+ youth were kicked out of the home by unsupportive parents.”

— giving rise to the civil rights now afforded to members of the LGBTQI+ community.

“Just as the patrons of Stonewall were not intimidated by police, we will not be intimidated by the weaponization of the FBI and DoJ against President Trump or his home, Mar-A-Lago …where (as we announced hours ago) we will be holding our annual gala later this year!” the groups’ Twitter account read.

And it gets worse. The internalized homophobia is real.

According to LGBTQ Nation (https://bit.ly/3Tk9Ahd), “the Log Cabin Republicans previously held their 2021 Spirit of Lincoln Gala at Mar-A-Lago, where they honored former First Lady Melania Trump with a special award. But despite kowtowing to the GOP, including embracing Trump and endorsing overtly antiLGBTQ candidates in 2020, the group

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If there’s anything that the Trump presidency and the rise of hate mongers has taught me is that our branches of government have failed to have the foresight to prevent these atrocities from happening. Years ago, Congress should have updated the law and codified expectations and regulations that candidates and elected officials must abide by. If they don’t, then there should be direct consequences. One of those consequences should be

With no shame, adults are not the only targets. The protection of LGBTQI+ students continues to be in grave danger while politicians cherry pick appointees to boards across states that reflect their desires, not based on those who are qualified to hold such positions.

In July, Virginia Gov. Youngkin appointed five new members to the State Board of Education, giving him a conservative majority, reported LGBTQ Nation (https://bit.ly/3CxR3I1). With the Board’s support guaranteed, Youngkin came out recently with his most “explicit endorsement of a policy transgender rights supporters in Virginia have long feared: informing parents of their kids’ sexual orientation

As a result of a massive onslaught of attacks against the rights of LGBTQI+ students, the Biden Administration recently released updated guidance strongly outlining Title IX protections for LGBTQI+ students against gender discrimination, which includes "outing," within federally-funded schools, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (https://bit.ly/3QPXZ7R). “Students have a constitutionally protected right to privacy — including the right to not be outed by their school.”

The Queer Community Members that Join the Cult Anyone can be conned, including members of the queer community as we’ve seen with the Log Cabin Republicans repeatedly throughout the years. Just earlier this month, the queer Republicans released a statement on Twitter (https://bit.ly/3R9aU4v) comparing the FBI search of Trump’s home at Mar-A-Lago for classified documents stolen from the White House to the police raids of Stonewall

Steve Jewett

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Deja N. Greenlaw

Paul P. Jesep

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THEY CAMPAIGN ON HATE AND FEAR AND RELY UPON THE UNINFORMED AND IGNORANT TO BUY THE CON. AND, THEY SUCCEED.

PHOTO: UNSPLASH

MassEquality PAC endorses Maura Healey

WORCESTER, Mass.—MassEquality PAC, the political arm of the leading grassroots advocacy organization for the LGBTQ+ community in Massachusetts, announced today its endorsement for Maura Healey in her bid to become the state’s next Governor.

“Maura Healey’s executive experience, coupled with her commitment to civil rights make her the best choice to be our next Governor,” said Tanya Neslusan, Executive Director of MassEquality. “We are as proud to stand behind her today, as we were in 2014, during her first bid for attorney general”

She is a nationally known leader, best known for her commitment to civil rights and community engagement. She understands the issues and she understands what it means to govern.

Gov. Baker signs bill protecting access to abortion care and lifesaving healthcare for Transgender people, others too Organizations Applaud legislators’ passage too

BOSTON — Late last month, Gov. Charlie Baker, signed legislation to further protect access to reproductive health care services in Massachusetts following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The bill provides critical protections for access

to abortion care and essential healthcare for women and transgender people in the Commonwealth.

The legislation codifies several measures that were first included in an

“We cannot underestimate the importance of LGBTQ voices in government, especially at this moment in history when we are seeing so many attacks on our community,” continued Neslusan. “We feel that having someone in the executive branch who truly understands the importance of the issues that face our community at both the state and federal levels is critical in order for Massachusetts to remain a national leader.”

LGBTQ+ Defender

Healey’s extensive record as a leader for the entire LGBTQ community includes leading the Commonwealth’s landmark challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act and leading the winning argument of the nation’s first lawsuit striking it down. She was also instrumental in securing statewide non-discrimination protections for transgender people in public accomodations, employment, housing, education, credit

Executive Order (https://bit.ly/3PJXMBN) issued by Governor Baker in the hours following the Supreme Court’s decision last month. H.5090, an Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and GenderAffirming Care, provides key protections for access to reproductive health care, including abortion care, and essential healthcare for transgender people, including for individuals who may travel from out-of-state to seek care in the Commonwealth. The law also adopts several new or expanded measures to protect access to reproductive health services in the Commonwealth. All the protections in the bill apply equally to reproductive and gender-affirming health care services provided or accessed in the Commonwealth.

“Massachusetts remains steadfast in its commitment to protect access to reproductive health care services, especially in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Court’s decision has major consequences for women across the country who live in states with limited

and hate crimes. Beyond that she’s led a series of multistate briefs defending the constitutionality of state anti-discrimation laws in cases involving businesses that discriminate against LGBTQ+ couples,and led a coalition of states in blocking the Trump administration’s discriminatory ban on transgender military service.

"I'm proud to receive the endorsement of MassEquality. They have been a strong partner over the years in our work to make sure that everyone can be their authentic self and live free from discrimination in Massachusetts.” said Healey. “I look forward to continuing to build on this progress to support our LGBTQ+ community and ensure that Massachusetts remains a leader on equality”

If elected, Maura Healey will serve as not just the first woman governor, but also the first lesbian governor of the Commonwealth.

access to these services, and our administration took quick action in the hours following that decision by issuing an Executive Order to protect access here in the Commonwealth. This new legislation signed today builds on that action by protecting patients and providers from legal interference from more restrictive laws in other states. We are grateful for the compromise and dedication to the issue that our legislative colleagues demonstrated to make this important, bipartisan law a reality.”

“In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, it’s critical that we in Massachusetts affirm that our state will continue to ensure access to reproductive health care services,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “The new protections in this law build on the steps our administration took last month and our shared bipartisan work to protect access to these services. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Legislature to provide these important safeguards.”

“Like so many others, I was devastated by this extremist Supreme

See Gov. Baker On Page 7

See Gov. Baker Below (Right)

Gov. Baker From Above (Left)

After Pride ’22: LGBTQ+ memoirs by various authors, choose yours!

By: Terri Schlichenmeyer* Special to TRT

Another Pride Month is in the can.

All that planning, preparation and execution of events is done, and now you find yourself with lots of time on your hands. So why not reach for one of these great memoirs to read ...?

A little bit of memoir, a little bit of sympathy, advice, and several biographies are at the heart of “Here and Queer: A Queer Girl's Guide to Life” by Rowan Ellis, illustrated by Jacky Sheridan (Quarto, $14.99). This book leans mostly on the serious-but-lighter side, with plenty of colorful artwork and suggestions for teen girls on figuring out who they are and what it means. There are fun activities, quizzes, essays, and tips inside; readers will find plenty of one-liners to take away, a comprehensive timeline of LGBTQ history, and biographies that reflect women of many ages and races. That all makes this a book that even adult women and, perhaps, some questioning boys will appreciate.

Speaking of lighthearted, try “Start Without Me (I'll Be There in a Minute)” by Gary Janetti (Holt, $27.99). TV producer, writer, social media star, and sometimes curmudgeon Janetti is annoyed. Mighty annoyed in several essays here, but his aggravation is not meant to bring readers down. It's meant to make you laugh and — with very funny, wry takes on finding the

perfect tan and the perfect man, friendship with a nun, hotel rooms, mothersin-law, The Wizard of Oz, vacations, weddings, and more — you will.

For something a little more somber, reach for “Side Affects: On Being Trans and Feeling Bad” by Hil Malatino (University of Minnesota Press, $21.95). Honesty is at the root of this semi-biographical look at being trans: if you are trans, says Malatino, you may struggle with several righteously negative feelings you have, disconnect, anger, fear, numbness, burnout, exhaustion — feelings that exist, in part, because of the times in which we live now and the transphobia that seems to be everywhere. Counteracting these feelings — or, at least being able to survive and thrive despite them — may be as simple as some type of activism, and Malatino explains the details as he shares his own story as well as many case studies.

And finally, if you love watching or participating in drag, then you'll absolutely love “How You Get Famous” by Nicole Pasulka (Simon & Schuster, $27.99). This book tells the story of a coat-check boy who loved performing in drag and who talked her bar-owning boss into letting her host a drag show in Brooklyn. But this was no one-night stand and soon, the event had a lot of fans — among them, dozens of "kids" who sneaked into the club to practice their acts next to experienced performers. But when you're on the edge of what's about to be a popular kind of entertainment, amateur status doesn't last long enough — and neither does

Near & far: Pride celebrations ’22

August 13-20*

Provincetown Carnival; FMI: https://bit.ly/3HtOirV

Aug. 20*

Austin Pride Celebration; FMI: https://bit.ly/3mTrpEz

October 7-16*

Atlanta Pride; 1p.m.; FMI: https://bit.ly/3AIpQ47

October 7-8*

Las Vegas Pride; FMI: https://bit.ly/3PLjq8A

Octobe 10-16*

Orlando Pride; FMI: https://bit.ly/3T5WCn7

*Info. shared here could change. Check the local Pride organizations for more info. TRT, LLC is not responsible for date/time changes.

Burned by his ex, JR Price turns his relationship ashes to record smashes

Out Singer Pays Price of Love; New Album’s Dark Themes Reflect

By: James Booth Special for TRT

J.R. Price is best known for “Body Positive”, a track from his Daydream album that encouraged people to love their bodies. His latest album, Nightmare, is darker in theme but digs even deeper in its messaging. It’s rallying people to love themselves: their inner junk, past trauma and unresolved emotional turmoil. And yes, be a beacon for others, but not to the extent where you become a doormat.

“I had my album release party last week, and people I didn’t know were crying and telling me how my stories in Nightmare inspired them to be better to themselves,” Price says. “That was so important to me because it made me feel like my heartache was genuinely helping people.”

J.R. Price isn’t concerned with pop star fame or living the baller life. “I am just a coat check guy who sings personal songs about my reality,” J.R. Price continues. “I love how music offers a platform for my story to be heard.” The video for “Tiny,” his first release from Nightmare, is on YouTube now.

Q: “Nightmare” digs deep into the five stages of grief. Where are you in journey right now?

JRP: I have more good days than bad

days. Releasing the album and letting people hear my story has helped, but I still have bouts of depression when I think about my family abandonment, my poverty, and obviously, the heartache that developed this amazing work. I have emotional burdens, and sometimes I can’t control them. I’m human. I’m allowed to not be perfect and get down about my actual feelings. I will say, however, that I am doing the work and I’m seeing the light of hope at the end of a very dark tunnel.

on

Self-care, Messaging to Others

“you matter,” “next year, when we are boyfriends” and “this is the best date I’ve ever been on”… they were all lies to get me to do things for him. I’m a helper. I pride myself in my ability to help others. I think the worst thing you can do to a helper is to make them feel like their help isn’t enough. It devalued my self-worth. If I couldn’t help the man I loved more than anyone, the man I put above my own needs, then who could I help? Could I even help myself?

Q: You sing about the devaluing of your self-worth in “Tiny”.

A: Yes, “Tiny” is about how I was made to feel by the end of a very deceiving relationship. It’s a song for anyone who has a man in their life that makes them feel so diminished, they can’t see their own worth anymore. It is about me reclaiming my price tag. Thank you. I’m bigger now.

Q: What was it about this last relationship that affected you so much?

A: I think it was the false hope I was given. The master manipulation. He made me believe he was more important than me. I started doing everything I could to please him, and when I couldn’t help him anymore, because his needs were greater than my means, he cut me off with no explanation.

Q: That’s cold.

A: Every “you’re important to me,”

Q: It's a dark track. What happened to the bright and sunny J.R. Price that sang about “Body Positivity”?

A: I was living in a daydream. Now I’m coming out from a nightmare. It is the result of a man casting a shadow over my light. I am not the type who can paint a smile over my pain. I actually think that it is more debilitating to bottle things up, lie to people, say I’m fine when I’m not fine. If I can’t be honest in my music, where can I be

PHOTO: KDL PHOTOGRAPHY

Court’s decision to overturn the rights enshrined in Roe v. Wade. I am very proud that, with the signing of this legislation, Massachusetts will continue to be a national leader in protecting and defending the rights of our residents and of those people who come here seeking access to health care,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. "Pregnant people, trans people, and all people must be allowed to make their own health care decisions in consultation with their physician without fear. Our fight to protect the rights and dignity of our residents cannot end today, however, and so the Senate will continue to explore ways to uphold our fundamental rights. I am grateful to my colleagues in the Senate who stood together to act quickly and decisively on this issue, to Speaker Mariano and the House of Representatives, and to Governor Baker for his quick action as well.”

“In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision to ignore nearly 50 years of judicial precedent and overturn Roe v. Wade, and as states across the country move to restrict access to abortion, I’m incredibly proud of the fact that elected officials in Massachusetts have acted to ensure that the Commonwealth can serve as a safe haven for women seeking reproductive health care services, and for providers whose licenses could be at risk because of laws passed in other states,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (DQuincy). “The protections that are cod-

ified into law with this legislation, which will help to ensure that no woman will ever be forced to leave Massachusetts to access reproductive health care services because of devastating medical news during the later stages of their pregnancy, have never been more important. I want to thank all my colleagues in the House, as well as our partners in the Senate and in the Administration, for their commitment to protecting a woman’s right to choose, and for the hard work and cooperation that ultimately facilitated the passage of this legislation.”

Protections

With abortion bans being reactivated in multiple states, and with at least four states to date passing bills criminalizing parents and doctors for providing established, best-practice medical care for transgender youth, this bill clarifies and ensures that such care is a protected right in Massachusetts and provides safeguards for providers as well as patients who seek care in the state.

The new law protects patients and providers from legal interference when they are engaged in accessing or providing reproductive and gender affirming health care services that are legally protected in Massachusetts. The law also codifies several protections that Governor Baker put in place by Executive Order (https://bit.ly/3dTR5Qs) last month to prohibit the Commonwealth from assisting with other states’

A Cristal clear 1st impression

Queer Actor Qya Cristal makes film debut, playing alongside RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Kelly Mantle

By: Ben Nelson Special to TRT

Queer actor Qya Cristal makes their lead acting debut in A Lasting First Impression, a film starring RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Kelly Mantle.

While Mantle plays a cabaret performer, mourning over the loss of her deceased brother, Cristal takes on the role of Mantle’s friend, Naomi. “The story dives deep into who the characters are, their relationships with each other, and how each strives to cope with loss,” Cristal explains.

The depth of the film, and the fact that it depicts drag queens as three-dimensional characters, is important.

“So many films portray drag queens as funny clowns to laugh along with but in A Lasting First Impression, we’re human,” Cristal reflects. “We’re depicted as characters that have lives, complications, triumphs, and slumps.

“The more we can integrate drag culture into film and TV, the better it will be for our society as a whole. Drag performers are not some strange ‘other’, we work in your communities, live in your neighborhoods, and can coexist peacefully.”

The production was filmed in Albany and upstate New York, something Qya

Cristal admits having concerns over, at least initially.

Read the rest of this Q&A at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com

Qya Cristal as Naomi hugs Jennifer Lefsik as Jess.

PHOTO: PROJECT PUBLICITY