The Rainbow Times Dec. 2021 Issue

2 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

December 9, 2021 - January 13, 2022

When pro-choice collides with vaccination choice, or does it really?

The knife has been sharpened & has already punctured the heartbeat of the nation; will it be a fatal blow?

By: Nicole Lashomb* TRT Editor-in-Chief

T

OPINION

he most recent threat to women’s reproductive rights is about to face a showdown in the nation’s highest court. With several conservatives hand-picked

by Trump presiding over the consequential arguments and subsequent ruling, which could overturn Roe v. Wade, would be the biggest blow to choice — a woman’s right to choose in modern years. That decision would be catastrophic in countless ways.

In contrast to what some conservatives would like to paint as pro-abortion, a tactic in and of itself, I am unabashedly pro-choice. Choice, however, is a loaded word today, especially as the nation continues to battle for its health in nearly every sense of the word — social, economic, mental & physical.

Here in Massachusetts, we have had over 1 million COVID-19 cases since the pandemic started nearly two years ago. And, there is a simple solution … get vaccinated and wear a mask so that this virus doesn’t continue to tear through this country and the world.

Experts, infectious disease experts, and countless others have told us what to do. They have told us what will curb new mutations of the virus, rendering it ineffective to infect the masses at the rates we’ve seen. Those of us who are taking this pandemic seriously, taking all necessary precautions, and believing in science over pundits are the steps needed that will end this pandemic. Despite overwhelming evidence of the safety of the vaccines, despite the fact that it will protect the individual and others from succumbing to severe illness, despite the fact that until most of us are vaccinated, this virus will continue to mutate rendering us with no end in sight, some folks have dug their heels in and are unwavering in their approach, placing us all at risk.

Many anti-vaxxers have touted that the vaccine does not work because now vaccinated people are having breakthrough infections. They say it doesn’t work, but, they are wrong.

According to Harvard Medical School, a detailed study (https://is.gd/OlJbf6) clarified the efficacy of the vaccine vs. risks of not getting the vaccine.

“The study showed that few adverse events were associated with the vaccine,” the researchers said. “Myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, the most serious of them, was rare, with a rate of 2.7 excess cases per 100,000 vaccinated people. This means that for every 100,000 individuals, 2.7 more cases of myocarditis occurred than would be expected.

“By contrast, the risk of myocarditis was notably higher among infected but unvaccinated individuals, occurring at a rate of 11 excess cases per 100,000 people. Coronavirus infection — but

THE CHOICE TO NOT GET VACCINATED NOT ONLY IMPACTS THE HEALTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR FAMILIES, BUT THE WIDESPREAD GENERAL PUBLIC. WE CANNOT HAVE PEOPLE’S UNINFORMED DECISIONS AND FEARS THREATENING THE HEALTH OF THE NATION. not vaccination — was also associated with greatly increased risk of pericarditis (an inflammation of the area around the heart), heart arrhythmias, heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolism, deep-vein thrombosis, acute kidney damage, among others.”

Although this widespread, detailed study of vaccine safety is one, there are many studies that cite the same information. The bottom line is, it is much more risky to contract COVID-19 when you are unvaccinated. Symptoms and effects from contracting COVID-19 are far longer lasting and have a higher incidence of fatality.

We’ve been told by global experts repeatedly that the risk of contracting COVID-19 and succumbing to it is a substantially higher probability than any risk posed by the vaccine.The likelihood of death from COVID-19 is exorbitantly higher without vaccination.

The whole point of the vaccine is to lessen the severity of the virus, if you contract it, and to keep you alive and out of the hospital. And, that is working. By and large, our hospitals are overrun with unvaccinated patients who are trying to save their lives and seek help by the medical community, often when it is too late.

I despise the us vs. them mentally.

However, COVID-19 has rightfully been tagged as the virus of the unvaccinated. Factually, they are the ones who are overwhelmingly putting a cog into our medical system and are largely responsible for the collapse of it. They are the ones who are taking up the majority of hospital beds in the ICU, the ER and the other floors of the hospital.

COVID-19 is not our only health emergency, but we are in this crisis again because of the unvaccinated.

When personal choice comes into play, when it harms the overall public health of the nation and when individual choices and decisions are based on misinformation and propaganda filled conspiracy theories, should the government step in when people are clearly making the wrong decision and we are all at peril because of it?

I believe in the freedom of choice. It is an important part of being American,

having the opportunity to live under a democracy and not a dictatorship or communist regime. However, when Americans will not listen to truth and science, and instead buy into conspiracy theories, when they not only put themselves and their families at unnecessary risk, but also endanger the health and lives of others around them, when does that choice end, or should it?

Nearly three years into this pandemic, our healthcare system has been pushed to its brink, doctors and nurses are committing suicide due to it and the trauma suffered from seeing countless people die under their care to a virus that could have been prevented, or at least lessened due to the efficacy of the vaccine. They have dealt with constant exhaustion because there is not enough medical personnel to withstand the onslaught of COVID-19 patients needing life-saving treatment.

Patients have begged to get the vaccine when their physicians know that it is too late and the person is likely to die from the virus. When there is no end in sight and when we know that the key to making this virus dissipate is to vaccinate and people still refuse, it is unfathomable that those same people beg for it when they are on their last leg — especially when it could have all been prevented.

When the COVID-19 vaccine was first released and available to the public, I can certainly understand skepticism around it. It is realistic that a deadly virus and a vaccine that was untested in real-world scenarios could cause hesitancy and increased anxiety.

At that time, I had a lot of patience and empathy. I could see that perspective.

However, now, there is simply no excuse for that mentality.

In Massachusetts, the National Guard has been assigned to assist 55 hospitals in COVID-19 care in large part because people refuse to listen to science and experts to get vaccinated.

I can understand the hesitation to get the vaccine at the very beginning of its release. However, two years, going on three, my patience has fizzled out.

Yes, we all have the right to make

choices that we think are correct, but what about the rights of those who have been vaccinated and are doing everything in our power to stay healthy and alive? Those rights are being infringed upon by those choices of those who refuse vaccination. Do those rights not matter? It certainly appears that way.

What about the rights of those who are suffering from other medical conditions, other than COVID-19 and are being refused treatment at hospitals across the nation because there are no beds available for them? People that have had heart attacks, strokes or other life-threatening conditions have been turned away because of it.

I truly believe in the freedom to choose. However, at this point, I would welcome and support a federal vaccination mandate for all Americans that qualify to get vaccinated. The choice to not get vaccinated not only impacts Read the rest of this story at TheRainbowTimesMass.com

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The Rainbow Times New England’s Largest LGBTQ+ Newspaper — Boston Based TheRainbowTimesMass.com editor@therainbowtimesmass.com sales@therainbowtimesmass.com Phone: 617.444.9618 Publisher Graysen M. Ocasio

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The Rainbow Times is published monthly by The Rainbow Times, LLC. TRT is an award-winning publication that started printing in late 2006. The 1st print issue was published in Feb. 2007. The articles written by the writers, columnists, and correspondents solely express their opinion, and do not represent the endorsement or opinion of The Rainbow Times, LLC or its owners.

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December 9, 2021 - January 13, 2022

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December 9, 2021 - January 13, 2022

Coming of age docuseries, “Always Jane” follows Trans teen’s journey

PHOTO: PROJECT OUT

Trans teen’s story & her family’s support out in Nov.

IN THE LIMELIGHT

CULVER CITY, Calif.—Recently, Amazon Prime Video announced the upcoming fourpart docuseries Always Jane, which follows transgender teenager Jane Noury and her family as she nears graduation and prepares to leave the nest in a true coming-of-age story. This intimate and unguarded look at the Noury’s reveals a family with unconditional love that shines through as they tackle obstacles head-on so that Jane can live authentically. Navigating deeply personal and challenging issues, the Noury family’s uplifting humor and kindness is always present, revealing the transformative power of acceptance, support, and love. All four episodes of the Amazon Original series Always Jane will premiere on Prime Video on Friday, November 12, in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

“Always Jane is a revealing look at one family’s uplifting and heartfelt journey, anchored by Jane’s incredible candor and wit about her life thus far,” said Vernon Sanders, co-head of television, Amazon Studios. “We know Jane’s triumphant story and her extraordinary family will resonate with our Prime Video viewers.”

“We have been afforded the opportunity with Always Jane to offer a rare look at one family’s journey to acceptance. The Nourys are hilarious, honest, and raw in their commitment to love, and support one another no matter what. It is a joy to watch [and] it’s been our privilege to share their story,” said director Jonathan C. Hyde.

“I see Always Jane as a love story.

Love stories always have hopes, dreams, and heartache, but best of all — a happily ever after. My family has always abundantly showered my sisters and I with love and acceptance, and that made all the difference in the world for my transition. My genuine hope is that a family who may be struggling with acceptance is inspired to open their hearts and embrace their very own story of love upon viewing Always Jane,” said Jane Noury.

Jane, who is actively pursuing a career in modeling and acting and recently appeared in Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Vol. 3 fashion show, is currently enrolled in college as a film major. The docuseries, which includes footage intimately captured by Jane herself, reveals Jane’s passion and gift for visual storytelling.

Always Jane is a production of Amazon Studios, Mutt Film, and Union Editorial. Jonathan C. Hyde directed the series and also served as executive producer with James Haygood and Michael Raimondi. Mutt Film’s Beth George and Shannon Lords-Houghton and Jane Noury also served as executive producers, while Katherine LeBlond served as producer. Watch a sneak peak of Always Jane here (https://bit.ly/3EMwdSJ).

About Always Jane Jane Noury lives with her family in rural New Jersey, and like any teenager, must balance friends, family, and school. While today’s political and social climate may not seem like the easiest time for a transgender teenager to grow up, you haven’t met her family, the Nourys. They wear their hearts on their sleeves and find irreverent humor in daily life, while Jane sets her sights on life beyond her family.

Attendees of the Holiday Classics concert at one of the concerts prior to the pandemic.

Holiday Classics Virtual Concert & Telethon for Project Out comes to Salem, MA SALEM, Mass.—Project Out, Inc. a Salem-based 501(c)3 organization dedicated to serving the needs of the transgender and gender diverse community, TGD, will bring its Annual Holiday Classics Concert & Telethon to your living room or smart device on December 17 at 7 p.m. This virtual holiday concert and telethon will be broadcast on Salem Access Television, SATV, and Facebook Live.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, and in an attempt to help keep the community healthy, the non-profit organization opted for a virtual event this year, instead of holding the popular show & fundraiser at its usual location, Salem's Old Town Hall.

“We are excited to bring this firstever telethon format to viewers,” said Graysen M. Ocasio, Co-Executive Director, Project Out. “We have outlined a fantastic night that has the potential to reach thousands of viewers this Holiday season.”

Nicole EnRose, an award-winning mezzo-soprano, will be the featured performer of the night, as she has been for the past three years. EnRose has donated 100% of her time and voice to Project Out, Inc. since the organiza-

tion’s work began.

In attendance each year are Rep. Paul Tucker and his wife Ann. From the first performance, Rep. Tucker called the benefit performance “spellbinding” on his social media.

“What a night for a terrific organization,” he said via FB. Viewers can expect a night of some of the season’s best holiday music, messages from special guests like State Rep. Paul Tucker, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, and maybe even Santa himself, among others. The broadcast is scheduled for a two-hour slate, ending at 9 p.m.

“We are so grateful to Nicole’s ongoing contributions to use her voice, literally, to amplify the needs of some of the most marginalized amongst us in Salem and outside its borders,” Ocasio said.

Project Out, first found in 2018, was established to improve the lives of those who are transgender or gender diverse, by providing life-saving access to services and gender-affirming training programs for mainstream audiences, according to the organiza-

See Project Out On Page 6

3rd Trans Mayor in U.S. History: Lisa Middleton is elected as Palm Springs mayor PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – Recently, the LGBTQ Victory Fund and Equality California jointly praised news that Palm Springs, California City Councilwoman Lisa Middleton was sworn-in as Palm Springs mayor. Middleton will become the first out transgender mayor in California and just the third out transgender mayor in U.S. history. The mayorship in Palm Springs rotates among councilmembers who serve one-year terms.

Middleton – who became the the first out transgender person elected to a non-judicial position in California in 2017 with the support of Equality California and Victory Fund – is also running for the state senate in 2022 and is endorsed (https://bit.ly/3pNH5ul) by both organizations. She will be the first out transgender state legislator in California history if she wins.

“Lisa’s elevation to mayor is a mile-

PHOTO: LISA MIDDLETON’S FB PAGE

LGBTQ Victory Fund and Equality California Praise swearing of Councilwoman Lisa Middleton stone moment for California, but also for trans people across the nation who want to make positive change through public service,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund. “While hateful politicians attempt to vilify trans people for their own perceived political gain, Lisa is the model of a true public servant – one who lifts people up and focuses on issues that actually improve people’s lives. Lisa is a trailblazer who will be a fantastic mayor and we are excited for her to shatter another lavender ceiling with a state senate win in 2022.”

"Lisa Middleton has been a transformational trailblazer, and we're proud to be by her side as she makes history again — this time as California's first out transgender mayor,” said Equality

See 3rd Trans Mayor On Page 11

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December 9, 2021 - January 13, 2022

National survey reveals LGBTQ+ people continue to be disproportionately impacted by the COVID Delta variant and ongoing pandemic The Delta variant and the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on LGBTQ+ households in the U.S. pandemic. LGBTQ people were more likely to struggle with economic stability and have challenges with access to health care prior to COVID, and that’s even more true now. The existing patchwork of legal protections is insufficient, which is why we need a nationwide law like the Equality Act so that LGBTQ people in every community are protected from discrimination,” said Logan Casey, Senior Policy Researcher at MAP and an author of the report.

The survey was conducted in August and September of 2021 by NPR, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (NPR/RWJF/Harvard). The survey was part of a polling series (https://bit.ly/3IFk7OJ) to examine the impact of COVID-19 on households in the United States.

IN THE LIMELIGHT

LGBTQ people were more likely to have serious financial problems, income loss, and challenges accessing healthcare as the Delta variant progressed, according to a report (https://bit.ly/3s0tYZi) released today by the Movement Advancement Project.

The report, The Delta Variant & the Disproportionate Impacts of COVID-19 on LGBTQ Households in the U.S. (https://bit.ly/3m1PrgH), presents new findings and analysis of a nationally representative survey conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, NPR, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

(See MAP’s December 2020 analysis (https://bit.ly/30iQlxE) of previous survey data from the broader Harvard/NPR/RWJF polling series (https://bit.ly/3IM5JnC.) “For nearly two years, COVID-19 has disrupted life for all of us. Millions have had the disease and three-quarters of a million people have died in the U.S. alone. The pandemic’s impact extends far beyond the direct impact of the virus. LGBTQ people are more vulnerable to pandemic-related instability and insecurity as a result of decades of discrimination on the job, in health care, and beyond, combined with uneven legal protections around the country,” said Ineke Mushovic, Executive Director at MAP. Key findings from this nationally representative survey include: More than half of LGBTQ households experienced at least one serious financial problem in recent months alone.

• 30% of LGBTQ households reported challenges affording medical care in the past few months, compared to 15% of non-LGBTQ households.

• LGBTQ households were twice as likely to be struggling to afford food in the past few months.

• Nearly a quarter of LGBTQ people (23%) faced serious problems paying for housing in the past few months, compared to 13% of non-LGBTQ people.

As in the 2020 survey, these new data show that LGBTQ people experienced higher rates of job loss and work disruption due to the pandemic than non-LGBTQ people.

• Overall, 61% of LGBTQ households reported that, since the start of the pandemic, they had lost or had to quit their job or had their income reduced, compared to 40% of non-LGBTQ households.

• Additionally, 91% of employed LGBTQ people said their employer did not require employees at their

PHOTO: JEREMY BEZANGER | UNSPLASH

workplace to be vaccinated versus 74% of non-LGBTQ employed people.

The pandemic has made it even more challenging for LGBTQ people to access competent health care, all while exacerbating already existing disparities in mental health.

• Twenty-eight percent of LGBTQ people indicated they or someone in their households have been unable to get medical care for a serious problem in the past few months when they needed it, compared to 17% of nonLGBTQ households.

• More than three quarters (77%) of LGBTQ people said they or someone in their household had experienced serious problems with depression, anxiety, stress, or serious problems sleeping in the past few months, compared to just under half (48%) of nonLGBTQ households.

Overall, LGBTQ households were more likely than non-LGBTQ households to report that they or someone in their household experienced racial or ethnic discrimination in the past few months, highlighting the unique vulnerability of LGBTQ people of color.

• A quarter of LGBTQ people reported experiencing discrimination based on their race or ethnicity, compared to 13% of non-LGBTQ people.

• Twice as many LGBTQ households feared threats or physical attacks because of their race or ethnicity (20% for LGBTQ households compared to 10% for non-LGBTQ households).

“As the pandemic continues, LGBTQ people and their families continue to face stark and disproportionate

impacts on their economic security and their physical and mental health.

COVID-19 has amplified and exacerbated disparities that existed before the

About MAP (https://bit.ly/31KUR99): MAP's mission is to provide independent and rigorous research, insight and communications that help speed equality and opportunity for all. MAP works to ensure that all people have a fair chance to pursue health and happiness, earn a living, take care of the ones they love, be safe in their communities, and participate in civic life.

6 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

December 9, 2021 - January 13, 2022

MA AG, YW Boston aim to achieve gender parity and racial diversity Virtual Convening with Massachusetts appointing authorities and elected officials featured keynote presentations by Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and Eos Foundation’s Andrea Silbert PHOTO: MASS.GOV

IN THE LIMELIGHT

BOSTON—Recently, Attorney General Maura Healey and YW Boston President and CEO Beth Chandler co-hosted a convening of appointing authorities and elected officials to discuss how to collaboratively address efforts to achieve gender parity and racial and ethnic diversity on public statewide boards and commissions.

The event, titled “Virtual Convening on Intentionality: Building Diversity on Public Statewide Boards and Commissions,” was held this afternoon and provided an opportunity for participants to discuss challenges and successes, share best practices, explore available tools and resources, and brainstorm future collaboration. The event was not open to the public but facilitated a conversation among appointing authorities, including the state’s constitutional officers and legislative leaders, about improving board parity.

“State officials in Massachusetts have a shared commitment to diverse representation in government — who is at the table matters,” said AG Healey. “Our goal is to create public boards and commissions that better reflect our communities and offer a variety of perspectives on the decisions

that impact our future. I am proud to work with organizations like YW Boston and the Parity on Board Coalition in discussing these opportunities and am grateful to our partners for their leadership and support in diversifying statewide appointments.”

“Today we gathered to begin a conversation on how to advance equity within our boards and commissions

Rainbow PrideDoku — Enjoy!

here in the Commonwealth,” said Chandler. “I want to thank all the appointing authorities who joined to strategize about the most effective ways to ensure gender and racial diversity on public boards and commissions. More diverse public boards and commissions will not only lead to better decision-making by these public bodies, it will also cultivate a pipeline of public servants to help lead Massachusetts in the future. Investing in diversity has exponential dividends for all residents.”

The convening featured keynote presentations by State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg and Eos Foundation President Andrea Silbert.

“I look forward to continuing to work with my fellow appointing authorities to increase diversity at all levels,” said Treasurer Goldberg.

“Equal representation on boards and in the workplace is not just socially admirable, but a necessity for these boards to achieve their mandates. Data has proven that more diverse organizations are more creative, innovative, and successful.”

“We have learned that good intentions around diversity just don’t get you to equity of outcomes,” said Silbert.

“Employers/search committees/appointing authorities

must set specific demographic goals and measure annually against those goals. Those in power also need training in how to recognize and combat unconscious gender, racial, and ethnic bias in selection processes.”

In a 2021 report (https://bit.ly/30o1nSu), the Eos Foundation’s Women’s Power Gap Initiative studied changes in the demographic makeup of 50 of the most prominent statewide boards and commissions since 2019. Although the Initiative reported an increase in white women serving as public board chairs from 2019 to 2021, no similar progress had been made for people of color in the intervening years.

Women and people of color, and particularly women of color, have been historically excluded and are currently underrepresented on statewide public boards and commissions. In the Attorney General’s Office, a concerted effort has been made to appoint individuals from diverse backgrounds to statewide boards and commissions (https://bit.ly/3ykSiq2), including recent appointments to the Cannabis Control Commission, the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund Advisory Council, and the Health Connector Authority Board.

Project Out From Page 4

in our community,” he emphasized.

“They have been a critical partner of Project Out from the beginning, and they represent exactly how business leaders can also lead with the truest sense of bringing compassion, advocacy, and hope to all marginalized communities here at home and throughout New England.”

Local partners this year include SATV, which will be broadcasting the event at 7 p.m., and media partners: The Rainbow Times and Trans Headlines Zine.

The Holiday Classics Virtual Concert and Telethon can be viewed on Facebook Live and SATV on December 17 at 7 p.m. To sponsor this event, contact: info@projectout.org for unique sponsorship opportunities. To attend the show on Facebook Live, visit https://is.gd/Trrri0.

To learn more about Project Out’s programs and services or to donate to the organization, visit Project Out online at www.projectout.org.

tion’s website.

“We’ve proudly worked with organizations of all levels in the healthcare industry, in education, in municipal settings, and on a one-to-one basis,” Ocasio added. “With an incredibly diverse board of directors, Project Out has a unique and inclusive perspective on how to best move forward with the services that are offered to ensure we are not leaving anyone behind.

Through this end-of-the-year fundraiser and the generous donors who firmly believe in our work are some of the reasons why Project Out has flourished.”

The Gold sponsor for this year’s Holiday Classics Virtual Concert and Telethon is Eastern Bank, a community partner that has supported the organization since its inception, Ocasio added.

“Our entire team is incredibly grateful to Eastern Bank for their relentless support to social and economic justice

To our readers, we hope you enjoy a little Rainbow Sudoku while Pride Season 2021 takes place (and beyond) and to de-stress a bit too! The solution is

Happy New Year!

December 9, 2021 - January 13, 2022

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PHOTO: MORGAN BASHAM | UNSPLASH

December 9, 2021 - January 13, 2022

GLAD applauds ruling applying ‘Emotional Harm’ protections in MA anti-bullying law affirming the inclusion of “emotional harm” in the definition of bullying in Massachusetts’ anti-bullying law BOSTON—Earlier this month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit issued a ruling affirming the inclusion of “emotional harm” in the definition of bullying in Massachusetts’ anti-bullying law. The ruling in Doe v. Hopkinton Public Schools preserves important statutory protections for addressing one of the principal effects of bullying: the long-term psychological damage that occurs in youth who have been on the receiving end of bullying behavior—particularly LGBTQ+ youth and other stigmatized groups — from their classmates.

“Speech or conduct that actively and pervasively encourages bullying by others or fosters an environment in which bullying is acceptable and actually occurs—as in this case—is not protected under the First Amendment,” the court stated.

“We applaud the First Circuit Court of Appeals for affirming a critical protection in our state’s anti-bullying law: students who engage in bullying — and schools that overlook it — can be held accountable for the damaging mental health effects their behavior causes,” said Polly Crozier, Senior Staff Attorney at GLAD. “This law is an effective tool to create safe, inclusive school environments for all students but only if fully implemented and enforced. This ruling is a call to action for school districts across Massachusetts to ensure that parents, students, and staff understand the harms associated with bullying—including the infliction of emotional harm—and their obligations under the anti-bullying law.”

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) submitted an amicus brief in the case supporting the inclusion of emotional harm in the anti-bullying law. The ADL has been a leading advocate for anti-bullying legislation in Massachusetts.

“When left unchecked, bullying can have a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of young people, increasing the likelihood of anxiety, depression, and self-harm,” said Robert Trestan, ADL New England Regional Director.

“The “emotional harm” prong of Massachusetts’ anti-bullying legislation is a critical component of the law that, when applied in a constitutional manner, protects students who are most vulnerable in our K-12 schools.”

GLAD and the ADL’s brief asserted that the inclusion of emotional harm in Massachusetts’ anti-bullying law provides clarity for students, school staff and parents and guardians about one of the principal consequences of bullying, and that it is vitally important to the law’s objectives to protect youth from the impacts of bullying and establish schools’ responsibility for prevention, identification, and remediation of such behavior.

The brief demonstrated that the definition of emotional harm is well established and recognized in both law and medicine and presented established medical and social science findings on the severe negative consequences of emotional harm from bullying. The brief also highlighted the dispropor-

Anti-Bullying On Page 11

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December 9, 2021 - January 13, 2022

Netflix Star, Troy Iwata, sings about sexual and gender identity in ‘Place and Time’ album PHOTO: JINGYU LIN

By: Tom Tietjen Special to TRT

T

roy Iwata is best known for his role in the Netflix series Dash & Lily, where he stars as the slightly immature, hopeless romantic, big brother Langston.

What fans of the show may not know is Troy is a singing and dance man! He received his big break in Broadway’s Be More Chill and this month, he joins Tituss Burgess and a cast of Broadway artists from under-represented segments of the theatre community in the new musical album, Place and Time.

Written by EllaRose Chary and Brandon James Gwinn, the team behind the 2021 Richard Rodgers Award winning musical, TL;DR Thelma Louise; Dyke Remix, Place and Time shines a spotlight on women, queer POC, theys, enbys and trans folk.

Troy plays a character awakening to a part of themself and he hopes his song,” Why I Chose,” is a reminder to queer youth that identity expands further than sexual orientation.

We spoke with Troy from his Manhattan apartment.

Q: What was it like growing up in a little town in the mountains of California?

Troy Iwata: If I had to sum up my early childhood in a nutshell, it mostly consisted of the never-ending question, ‘Should I believe the things my conservative, born-again Christian Dad

T

THE BOOKWORM

here’s still a lot of winter left.

That’s the fact staring you in the face. Once the holiday decorations are down, the toys are all put away, and you’ve rediscovered your gift certificates ... what do you do with them?

You buy books, of course.

And to get you started, here are a few sure-fire picks for the Best of 2021:

FICTION What would you do if life throws you a curve-ball? In “The Guncle” by Steven Rowley (Putnam, $27.00), gay man, former TV star, Palm Springs fixture, no-responsibilities Patrick is asked to take care of his niece and nephew for the longterm. He never wanted kids at all. He never wanted to fall in love with them, either. Cute, sweet, funny, heartfelt – what more could you want?

You don’t have to have read any of the other Cork O’Conner novels to want “Lightning Strike” by William Kent Krueger (Atria, $27.00), which takes readers back to 1963, and a murder in small-town Minnesota. Cork O’Conner is a young teen then, the son

Q: Did you find solace on stage?

A: I didn’t start drama ‘til my junior year of high school and it’s all thanks to my older brother who forced me to audition for The Wizard of Oz. I got cast as the Scarecrow and for the first time in my life, I felt I had an outlet for my emotions that wasn’t crying alone in my room or trying to hit the gayness out of my head. I remained in the closet but the drama club was the closest thing to comfort I’d ever felt.

No one there was in a rush to grow up.

We were silly, stupid and less afraid to love the things about life that made us happy.

Q: Did things get better for you in college?

A: Believe it or not, I ended up going to a small Christian school, mainly because I knew how to navigate that world. It wasn’t new to me; I’d been doing it for eighteen years. I majored in theatre because it’s just what I gravitated towards. It gave me access to a healthier emotional outlet. I genuinely was not thinking about a career in any way. I was purely still in mental and emotional survival mode.

and my secular Mom says?’ I spent all of high school in the closet despite

The Best Books in 2021: Take a peek By: Terri Schlichenmeyer* Special to TRT

pression, repressing gay thoughts, shutting my eyes as tightly as I could thinking that would make my pray-thegay-away prayers stronger.

of the local sheriff, and he knows that Big John Manydeeds couldn’t have possibly hung himself. But how does a boy go about proving something like that? For fans, that’s a can’t-miss question. For new fans, it’ll send you racing toward the rest of the Cork O’Conner series.

Watchers of “The Handmaiden’s Tale” will absolutely devour “Outlawed” by Anna North (Bloomsbury, $26.00). In a small corner of Texas, at an unstated time, seventeen-year-old Ada is struggling to give her husband children, which embarrasses him, and that’s something only witches do. And so Ada is cast out of the community and heads north, to safety, where barren women are outlaws. This dystopian, feminist Western is dangerous and delicious.

“Raft of Stars” by Andrew J. Graff (Ecco, $26.99) is a coming-ofage story of two boys who are best friends, and one of them is abused by his father. Tired of seeing his friend hurt, the other boy shoots the man and both boys run away to escape what surely will be legal trouble and maybe even jail time. They’re running toward a lie, though, and they’re heading for a waterfall they don’t know is there.

This is one of those books with heartbreakingly beautiful prose in a story that’ll leave you with sweaty palms.

See Bookworm On Page 11

looking back and realizing I wasn’t fooling anyone. 24/7 anxiety and de-

Q: What led you to Broadway?

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December 9, 2021 - January 13, 2022

Anti-Bullying From Page 8 tionate impact emotional harm from bullying has on stigmatized groups including LGBTQ+ youth and youth of color.

It detailed, for example, research showing that LGBTQ+ youth—particularly those who are Black or Latinx—experience some of the highest rates of bullying, along with studies that reveal the range of social, psychological and behavioral problems that can result from the emotional harm of bullying, from frequent nervousness and fearfulness to self-harming behaviors in later adolescence—including eating disorders, suicidal ideation, substance misuse, cutting and burning.

“We hear regularly at GLAD from LGBTQ+ students experiencing the negative effects of bullying, and a large body of research confirms what they tell us about the long-lasting toll it takes on their mental health and well-being,” said Ben Klein, Senior Attorney and AIDS Law Project Director at GLAD. “The court acknowledged that reality and preserved a key statutory provision to help prevent bullying in our schools. That’s a victory for all students, each of whom needs and deserves a safe, supportive environment in which to learn.”

The ruling stems from a legal challenge in which plaintiffs had argued that the inclusion of “emotional harm” in the law’s definition of bullying was unconstitutionally “overbroad and vague.” The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Bookworm From Page 9 And finally, have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you’d taken a different path? In “The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano” by Donna Freitas (Pamela Dorman Books, $26.00), one woman has many options in her life, each one ending in a way she never thought possible. It’s like “Groundhog Day” with a twist that’ll roll around in your mind for days...

Non-FICTION For every kid who grew up with a pile of comic books next to the bed, in a drawer, or in the closet, “American Comics: A History” by Jeremy Dauber (W.W. Norton, $35.00) is a must-have. Here, Dauber follows comics from their political roots to today’s activist cartoons, and how we went from Katzenjammer Kids to MAD Magazine to comix as we know them. The bonus is that Dauber puts comics into fascinating historical perspective.

Did you buy your lottery ticket this week? If you did, it’ll make a fine bookmark for “Jackpot: How the Super-Rich Really Live – and How Their Wealth Harms Us All” by Michael Mechanic (Simon & Schuster, $28.00). You might think twice about the burdens of wealth after reading this book – and you might re-examine your

ruled against them, and the plaintiffs appealed.

As part of GLAD’s work to reduce bullying and make schools more inclusive for LGBTQ+ students, the organization helped develop Safe Schools for All (https://safeschoolsforall.org/) in collaboration with other LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations. This unique resource guides students in taking appropriate action if they have experienced anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, harassment, and bullying at school.

Rooted in guidance from the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and the Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education, the site was created in part because of statistics showing that despite the high rates of harassment and assault LGBTQ+ students experience at school, the majority of them don’t report the incidents to staff because they doubt meaningful intervention would occur or doing so would only exacerbate the situation.

Read the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit’s decision (https://bit.ly/3pSEDCQ).

Read GLAD and the ADL’s amicus brief (https://bit.ly/3EUSZsz).

About GLAD Through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy, and education, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (www.glad.org/) works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation. thoughts on what one person’s wealth does to everyone else...

Readers who love memoirs will enjoy “Punch Me Up to the Gods”

by Brian Broome (HMH< $26.00), who writes about growing up, being in love with the boy who abused him, and the father who did, too. It’s a comingout tale that’s sometimes funny and always graceful, one that will sometimes make you gasp, and that you’ll be glad you read.

You know that feeling you get when you come across a stack of old magazines in the attic? That gentle, hometown, old-time feeling is extra-rich inside “The Ride of Her Life” by Elizabeth Letts (Ballantine, $28.00).

This is the story of Annie Wilkins, aging, ailing, and alone, and the audacious cross-country ride she decides to take on a horse she’d just purchased.

This feel-good story is set in the 1950s, and its neighborliness might make it be the perfect antidote for today’s world.

Lastly, “The Redemption of Bobby Love” by Bobby and Cheryl Love with Lori L. Tharps (Mariner Books / HMH Books, $28.00) might be the most unusual memoir you read this winter. As a young man, Walter Miller ran away from a prison bus and to New York, where he renamed himself Bobby Love and went into hiding in Read the rest at TheRainbowTimesMass.com

Trans News? ... TransHeadlines.Com

PTWC 2022: Call for proposals now open The 2022 Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference is now accepting submissions for General Track and Continuing Education Track workshops. The deadline for all submissions is 11:59 p.m. EST on March 6, 2022.

Workshops submissions will not be accepted after this deadline.

The conference will be held in-person, on July 21st, July 22nd, and July 23rd (Thursday through Saturday) at the Philadelphia Convention Center.

For more information about the 2022 Conference and our goals for 2022's workshops follow the links below!

Click here (https://bit.ly/3JJ1mKI ) to submit a General Track Workshop Proposal!

Click here (https://bit.ly/31r4b1J)to submit a Continuing Education Track Workshop Proposal!

To learn more about what you'll need to submit, click here (https://bit.ly/3t5yztE)!

Iwata From Page 9

they took me with them. I’ll cherish everything about that experience for the rest of my life.

A: I moved to NYC after college because I honestly didn’t know what else to do. I thought the worst that could happen would be I’d fail, have no money and have to move back home and be sad, and that was what most of my life had been anyway so it didn’t seem so terrible. I had no goals to be on Broadway. I never allowed myself to have it as a goal, it was always a “that would be really special” dream.

Q: Did you find your community among the Broadway actors?

A: Um, sure? (Laughing) Yeah, I made some great friends in the process.

Others remained lovely co-workers, which is also great. Theatre is so temporary, I don’t think it’s fair to pressure yourself to become like family with every cast that you work with.

Q: How did you find yourself in Be More Chill?

A: My journey there wasn’t traditional.

I had auditioned for the regional show and didn’t get it. Then, years later, when they made the Off-Broadway announcements, I emailed my agents and told them I’d love to be seen for it. I auditioned, got cast as an understudy and then when it moved to Broadway,

Q: How did you come to connect with Brandon and Ella on their Place & Time album?

A: I’ve known Brandon for a few years. He reached out to me and asked if I was available and I was. Sometimes the stars align on certain proj-

3rd Trans Mayor From Page 4

U.S. – Sarah McBride of Delaware.

California Executive Director Tony Hoang. “Just as important as the powerful representation she's provided, Lisa has been a champion for bold solutions to the big challenges Palm Springs faces — housing affordability, access to affordable healthcare, support for our elders, the climate crisis and more. We know that Lisa will continue to be champion for the Coachella Valley and all Californians when she is elected to the California Senate next year.”

Currently there are just 42 out trans people (https://bit.ly/3EPD9zj) serving in the entire country and only six are in California. There are no currently serving out trans mayors, however Stu Rasmussen previously served as mayor of Silverton, Oregon, and Jess Herbst as mayor of New Hope, Texas.

Only one out trans person has ever been elected to a state senate in the

Equality California Equality California (eqca.org/) is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve.

Read the rest of this story at TheRainbowTimesMass.com

LGBTQ Victory Fund The LGBTQ Victory Fund (victoryfund.org/) works to achieve and sustain equality by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government while ensuring they reflect the diversity of those they serve.

12 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

December 9, 2021 - January 13, 2022