The Rainbow Times' December 2018 Issue

2 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

December 6, 2018 - January 9, 2019

Salvation Army makes headlines again for alleged LGBTQ mistreatment By: Nicole Lashomb*/TRT Editor-in-Chief

I

n late November, the Salvation Army’s (SA) treatment of the LGBTQ community came under fire, once again, after a viral post (https://is.gd/Zf3zDF) exposed horrific practices against its members. The post alleged that the organization has separated same-sex families in shelters, participates in conversion therapy practices and so on.

Although the SA has denied the recent claims, it has had a long history of similar reports surfacing for decades.

Since ongoing claims of anti-LGBTQ treatment, the non-profit has dedicated an entire section of their website to LGBTQ issues and attempts to take the offense in explaining how they serve this community.

However, they fail to explain how they “serve” it with competence, affirmation, empathy and understanding.

According to a report (https://is.gd/Zf3zDF) published by WISCTV News 3, Madison, Wis., OutReach LGBT Community Center Executive Director Steve Starkey, who has also worked with the Salvation Army for years at that store, claims that he hasn’t had any issues with the local chapter. But, he admits that in more conservative areas, there could be serious issues relating to the LGBTQ community.

"I think that every Salvation Army chapter is different," he said to WISC-TV News 3. "They each have their own leader and their own culture in that particular facility.

There may be places that are more conservative or have different leadership where LGBT clients aren't treated well or they are discriminated against."

When different chapters are involved, especially those in conservative areas, what

is the Salvation Army’s stance regarding how the LGBTQ community is treated?

What is the protocol when a same-sex family comes into a shelter or when a same-sex parent comes in with a child? As an evangelical organization, do they participate in conversion therapy or in therapy that disaffirms LGBTQ identity? The questions are ongoing and the organization has done little to refute the claims of discrimination, other than to say that they do not discriminate against the same community and instead serve everyone. But, what does that actually mean?

THEY CONTINUALLY GO INTO A DEFENSIVE MODE EVERY TIME AN ANTI-LGBTQ ALLEGATION HAS BEEN MADE. ... UNTIL ALL OF THIS CAN BE PUT TO REST FOR GOOD, MY HOLIDAY DONATIONS WILL BE ALLOCATED ELSEWHERE. IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, THEY HAVE TO BE. According to SalvationArmyUSA.org (https://is.gd/5gbSBu), “Almost one-third of transgender people have been rejected from an emergency shelter. The Salvation Army created a dorm in Las Vegas to offer safety and shelter to this group, which is statistically more vulnerable to assault.”

While this statistic may be true, the organization cites one chapter in one city— which is a city far more progressive than much of the rest of the country—where transgender people can go to be safe while staying in an emergency shelter. The trans-

You’re light, even if you experience the blues By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist

M

FAITH

any experience loneliness and isolation (https://is.gd/yLPQ1C), especially this time of year. Sometimes unhealthy self-medication is used like drugs, food, or alcohol.

Members of the LGBTQ community can feel particularly vulnerable this time of year (https://is.gd/pvksJU). In general, loneliness in the LGBTQ community has been described as an epidemic (https://is.gd/xiOxj5).

Just because an individual has friends, acquaintances, and is a social butterfly, doesn’t always mean he or she is in a good place emotionally or spiritually. One can feel despair on a sunny day. Feelings of isolation can be prevalent at a social event with long-time friends.

As the links in this month’s column suggest, there are multiple resources to combat emotional and spiritual pressures. Fortunately some focus on the LGBTQ community (https://is.gd/MVJWTc). There are several feelings, however, too often overlooked in the discussion of loneliness.

They include kindness, empathy, and expe-

gender community can be found in every city in every state. What is the organization’s common practice and employee training to ensure that some of the most vulnerable among us are safe in all of shelters across America, not just in Las Vegas?

The Salvation Army’s site also reads (https://is.gd/5gbSBu), “LGBTQ youth contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth.” They state that with their “presence in every zip code in the nation,” they are “committed to providing spiritual and emotional care to those in need regardless of race, gender, ethnic-

rience or perspective.

The Dalai Lama (https://is.gd/v9Lfwv) teaches, “We can let the circumstances of our lives harden us so that we become increasingly resentful and afraid, or we can let them soften us, and make us kinder.”

The passage of time gives us perspective.

Everyone is dealing with some personal challenge. Rather than focus on your situation, shift attention to someone else. Make another person smile. Say thanks to the maintenance person in your building for the work he or she does. Bake cookies for the breakroom at work. Tell a colleague they did a good job when the boss doesn’t.

Give a small piece of chocolate to a coworker who looks like they’re having a tough day.

Find an opportunity to tell someone he or she is valued or valuable. Try directing some of the energy fueled by fear, anxiety, or frustration into something positive. Positive social engagement is one option. Encourage others. This includes individuals we may not necessarily like.

This is not to suggest we shouldn’t disRead the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com

provided “spiritual and emotional care” widely varies based on belief and affirmation of LGBTQ existence and understanding.

Perhaps the most disconcerting effort from the organization regarding their attempt to prove LGBTQ inclusion was when three statistics (https://is.gd/5gbSBu) were used on the on the LGBTQ page of the national website as a prompt to donate to the organization. One of those stats read …

“Almost one-third of homeless transgender people have been rejected from an emergency shelter. When a transgender person seeks help from us, we serve them in the same manner as any other person seeking assistance. A donation to The Salvation Army can provide three nights of shelter. Donate now.”

On that very page (https://is.gd/5gbSBu) is also where they explained that their Las Vegas shelter was the only one (or at least the only one cited by the organization) equipped to meet the needs of the trans community.

See Salvation Army on Page 11

ity, sexual orientation or gender identity.”

As a Christian Evangelical organization, do they affirm and support LGBTQ identity or seek to change it? Personally, I would be very concerned to send an LGBTQ person to the organization without knowing exactly what their practices are in these situations. Clearly, how an LGBTQ youth is

The Rainbow Times

Letters to the Editor

Phone: 617.444.9618 Fax: 928.437.9618

[Re: Anna Kendrick, Fresh With A Twist, Talks “Bechloe”] Dear Editor, I loved this interview!!!!!!!!!!! I like the she addressed stephanie’s love for emily, regardless of her sexuality. it seemed so apparent to me, it was rewarding to have it validated and not just made out to be another ship or something. I just liked how it was portrayed more than anything!.

—Char Rebel, Online Dear Editor, I keep getting confused with the Rainbow Times and the Golden Edition.

When do you come out with them?

—Sam Tracey, Online Dear Sam, The Rainbow Times is a montlhy publication. We come out the 1st Thursday of each month. We cover senior issues and the trademark and copyright of the name is ours too. We’re working on the confusion.

—The Editor.

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Publisher Graysen M. Ocasio Editor-In-Chief Nicole Lashomb Assistant Editor Mike Givens National/Local Sales Rivendell Media Liz Johnson Lead Photographers Steve Jewett Christine M. Hurley Reporters Jenna Spinelle Chris Gilmore Nicole Collins (In-

tern) Ad & Layout Design Prizm PR Webmaster Jarred Johnson Columnists/Guest Lorelei Erisis Deja N. Greenlaw Paul P. Jesep Mike Givens Affiliations National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association NGLCC QSyndicate

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Send letters to the editor with your name, address and phone number to: The Rainbow Times (address shown above), or e-mail any comment/s to the editor-in-chief at: editor@therainbowtimesmass.com. All submissions will be edited according to space constraints. The Rainbow Times, LLC reserves the right not to print any or all content or advertisements for any reason at all. TRT is not responsible for advertising content. To receive The Rainbow Times at your home via regular mail, or through electronic delivery, please visit its website. The whole content and graphics (photos, etc.) are the sole property of The Rainbow Times, LLC and they cannot be reproduced at all without TRT’s written consent.

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 3

December 6, 2018 - January 9, 2019

Trans immigrant & asylum seeker beaten by ICE, dies from neglect & abuse LGBTQ Immigrants and Asylum Seekers, Held Hostage at Detention Centers, Assistance & support needed ASAP By: TRT News Team & News Release

IN THE LIMELIGHT

An independent autopsy concluded that a transgender asylum seeker, taken into custody by ICE, died from a lack of medical treatment and complications from it, according to recent news reports.

Roxsana Hernández Rodriguez’s autopsy, conducted on behalf of the Hernandez's family by the Transgender Law Center (TLC), showed that Hernandez Rodriguez was beaten during her detention at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in New Mexico, and died after “several days of severe, untreated dehydration,” that could have been prevented.

“An independent autopsy report reveals that Roxsana was shackled for a long time and very tightly, enough to cause deep bruising on her wrists,” said Lynly Egyes, TLC’s director of litigation, via a press release (https://is.gd/vRcUKm). “ … In the final days of her life, she was transferred from California to Washington to New Mexico, shackled for days on end. If she was lucky, she was given a bottle of water to drink. Her cause of death was dehydration and complications related to HIV. Her death was entirely preventable.”

Hernandez Rodriguez, 33, was from

Sat. Dec. 1, following torrential rains & flooding, thousands of Central American refugees are transferred from old non-roofed shelter Benito Juárez to new roofed shelter, known as “el Barretal,” but it has no electricity.

Honduras, and died in late May, but the autopsy results weren’t released until late November.

According to the TLC press release, she was seeking asylum and had arrived with “a caravan organized by ‘Diversidad Sin Fronteras.’ She arrived in Tijuana and sought asylum by presenting herself at the San Ysidro Port of Entry (SYPOE) in May. What followed was a hellish ordeal of being held in U.S. Customs & Border Pro-

tection custody in the notoriously cold holding areas, known as ‘hieleras,’ [and] growing increasingly ill as a result of the inhumane conditions. She was repeatedly denied access to medical care she begged for, only able to see a doctor after days of vomiting and diarrhea.”

In a statement, Roxsana’s sisters talk about the hopeful new beginning turned ironic tragedy behind their sister fleeing from discrimination in Honduras, only to

PHOTO: MOVIMIENTO COSECHA VOLUNTEER

die from alleged inhumane treatment in American custody.

“Roxsana Hernandez was our sister and it was an injustice to have her die the way she did,” the statement read. “They cut her life short and she was not able to fulfill her dreams. For us, her closest family, it’s been extremely painful to deal with. She left with dreams of opening a beauty salon and

See Immigrants on Page 11

4 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

December 6, 2018 - January 9, 2019

Easthampton, Mass. working to offer inclusive environment for LGBTQ folx COMMUNITY PERISCOPE

By: Nicole Collins/TRT Intern

Easthampton, a small Massachusetts town of just over 16,000 residents located south of Northampton in the Pioneer Valley, is apparently working toward being LGBTQ-inclusive.

According to Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, who uses they/them/their pronouns, the LGBTQ population has a noticeable presence in the town.

“I think that they’re a part of city government as well as the community,” they said. “There’s [also] a strong business … and school presence of LGBTQ [people] who readily participate, and feel welcomed to do that.”

However, LaChapelle claimed that there are parts of the LGBTQ community that Easthampton could become better at including.

“You know what you know; you don’t know what you don’t know,” they said. “We have some work there [to do]. Sure, there’s some acceptance, but I … think we need to continue to help identify the [LGBTQ] population and its … specific needs.”

LaChapelle went on to praise the Easthampton City Council and its efforts to recognize the LGBTQ— especially gender nonconforming— community.

“It’s a work in progress,” they said.

The Easthampton Public Schools (EPS), have been one of the main groups leading the way toward LGBTQ inclusiveness.

According to a Daily Hampshire Gazette article from December 2017 (http://bit.ly/2Q3BVLO), reforms to the town’s high school and middle school health education curricula have been initiated. Specifically, students from Easthampton High School’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) argued, at a School Easthampton High School* “Resources within City Hall are certainly Committee meeting, the need for more LGBTQ topics in both the health education the same as you’d see in the general public,” LaChapelle said. and core curriculum.

They continued to add, as an example, The curriculum director for the EPS, Julie Anne Levin, along with other staff that they recently created a community re(such as superintendent Nancy Follansbee), lations committee to improve, through outhave helped the students with their initia- reach, the well being of LGBTQ tive, notably changing—to backlash—the residents—along with that of veterans, high school’s term “freshman” to “first women, and elders, among others.

“There is no particular LGBTQ organiyear.”

Levin has also planned LGBTQ material zation in Easthampton other than student for a wellness class and agreed to reach out organizations at the Easthampton High to teachers about including such topics in School and the [town’s] private school, their curricula, according to theDaily Williston-Northampton,” said J.M. Sorrell, Hampshire Gazette article the media spokesperson for Noho Pride (http://bit.ly/2E10nqu), an LGBTQ activist (http://bit.ly/2Q3BVLO).

In addition to Levin’s work, the school organization based in nearby Northampton, planned to add more LGBTQ-related Massachusetts.

Northampton earned a perfect score books to the school’s library and to discuss with the maintenance director converting (http://bit.ly/2E0qyxC) on the Human private gender-neutral bathrooms to public Rights Campaign Foundation’s seventh annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI). The ones.

Index measures LGBTQ equality in cities across the nation through measures such as non-discrimination laws, elected LGBTQ officials, and LGBTQ representation in law enforcement (http://bit.ly/2Qv7tcV).

“Medical resources are similar to those throughout Hampshire County—Cooley Dickinson [Hospital] in Northampton is the local hospital,” Sorrell continued.

The hospital earned a perfect score (http://bit.ly/2DLOZxU) on the HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index, excelling in fields such as “Non-Discrimination & Staff Training,” “Patient Services & Support” and “Patient & Community Engagement.”

Valley Medical Group (VMG; http://bit.ly/2PWosFk), a medical organization with multiple specialties located in Easthampton (along with Amherst, Northampton, and Greenfield), not only welcomes members of the LGBTQ community, but has a competently trained staff ready to assist members of this marginalized community.

“We welcome members of the LGBTQ community. This past year, as well as in 2017, we had [LGBTQ competency] training through a trainer from the Cooley Dickinson practices,” said Mary Mitchel, RN, BSN, VMG’s Health Center Manager for Read the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com

December 6, 2018 - January 9, 2019

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 5

6 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

December 6, 2018 - January 9, 2019

Police Depts. building relationships with the LGBTQ community By: Mike Givens & Nicole Collins /TRT Assistant Editor and TRT Intern, respectively

BRIDGING GAPS

In October, the Salem Police Department (SPD) began issuing rainbow-colored City of Salem patches to its personnel.

According to SPD Captain Conrad Prosniewski, the department issued the patches in recognition of LGBTQ pride and the Massachusetts midterm ballot question on transgender public accommodations access that was overwhelmingly upheld in November (https://bit.ly/2DTp9YX).

The patches “took off like wildfire,” he said.

The patch program started when, in May, a retired officer from the Pittsburgh Police Department sent Prosniewski an LGBTQ awareness patch his department was making.

Prosniewski then spoke to his supervisors and patches were put into production shortly after.

Prosniewski emphasized the importance of the patches for the SPD and Salem community.

“Salem is a very unique community,” he said. “It’s diverse in many, many ways.

[And] there’s a history that goes with Salem—the witches. What happened here in 1692 is taught to all the [grade] school kids who go through any of the Salem schools. [It’s] our lesson in acceptance.

Gay Officers Action League New England Providence Weekend networking event

“I think that set the tone—we’re just a little bit more open, a little bit more open-minded, not quick to jump to conclusions.”

Prosniewski also added that he grew up in Salem and such acceptance has

PHOTO: DARIUS VARMAHMOODI

been representative of the community his whole life.

In addition to the patch program, the SPD also participates directly in Salem’s No Place for Hate

Committee (http://bit.ly/2DZiX2t)—a city organization dedicated to fighting discrimination—of which Prosniewski is the police liaison.

See Police on Page 15

Happy New Year

2019

December 6, 2018 - January 9, 2019

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 7

8 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

December 6, 2018 - January 9, 2019

No doubting the power of Viola Davis: Her LGBTQ evolution ‘Widows’ star on why her favorite role was as a man and being inspired by sexual fluidity By: Chris Azzopardi*/Special to TRT

V

iola Davis taps my hand when she really means what she says. Each time the actress reaches over to make contact, the big bar in the big skyscraper in big Chicago where we are sitting diminishes. She has a way of making any space feel intimate.

The first black actor to win an Oscar, Emmy and a Tony for acting, Davis is seated diagonally from me at a larger-thanwe-need table more suited for a family’s Thanksgiving gathering than a conversation between two people. She is striking in a baby-blue pantsuit and a gorgeous, billowing afro, owning the space she occupies much like the way she owns the screen, having granted vulnerability and humanity to some of TV, theater and film’s most unforgettable women for three decades.

Her knack for investigating the deepest human depths of her characters is best illustrated in a single scene, as a loving, anguished mother in 2008’s Doubt, her indelible breakthrough. Later, she starred as Aibileen Clark in The Help (she previously played another maid in gay director Todd Haynes’ 2002 film Far From Heaven), and in Suicide Squad and Fences, which won her an Oscar. And as criminal defense attorney Annalise Keating on ABC’s hit drama How to Get Away with Murder, she is a mighty force.

Davis’s signature resilience once again pervades tenacious crime-boss Veronica Rawlins in 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen’s socially charged action-thriller Widows, notably featuring a lead cast mostly comprised of actresses of color.

After spending the early years of her career not recognizing her power even though we did, Davis, 53, does now, she tells me.

The obvious question: “Do gay men feel compelled to bow down to you?” I ask, moments into the candid conversation that awaits us, which has Davis reflecting on how she learned to love the LGBTQ community and why she feels her best role was as a man. Smiling, she lights up and leans back. “You know what, yeah, they do.”

Q: These badass women doing badass things in a world where sometimes these women are told that they can’t do them...

A: Absolutely.

Q: How do you explain the connection between these strong women you play and the LGBTQ community?

A: Because I think the LGBTQ community feels like they’re on the periphery. They feel like they’re not seen, they feel like they’re not worthy, they feel like they’re not valued. And there’s no answer to that, other than the fact that you’re not heterosexual. Really, that’s it. That’s what I think, and I certainly feel the same way, as someone who has been marginalized my entire life. Listen, when I think about myself, I am everything within me. I’ve had boyfriends, people think I’m cute (laughs).

Viola Davis, whose new film, Widows, opened nationwide last month

I’m funny! I’m telling you, I’m all of those things. And I cannot stand labels. I cannot stand them.

Q: Did you have something to do with Annalise’s sexual fluidity, then?

A: I had everything to do with that. And so did (creator) Pete Nowak; I can’t leave him out. I really have to give him credit for that too. But yeah, absolutely. And also, I Am Jazz: I was watching that one night. I love that show. But I was watching that one night and (trans TV star and model Jazz Jennings) was playing in the closet with one of her friends who was a trans teenager, and it was just great. They were

talking about who they see themselves with in the future, and they were like, “Whoever, you know. I’m open. I’m open to a boy, I’m open to a girl.” And they started talking about just the attributes of the people they wanted to be with.

That transformed me more than anything.

I thought, “That is the greatest thing in the world,” and I thought that that was a great idea for Annalise because Annalise is so damaged, so traumatized that what if she just said, “I’m just open to love”? God, think about what we can explore there.

Q: Are you inspired by this generation of young people who identify as sexually

PHOTO: 20TH CENTURY FOX

fluid?

A: Totally, with everything. My generation – I always say, “The black and Hispanic people liked disco and the white people liked rock ’n’ roll.” That was my generation. And there was no language for homosexuality – only fear.

Q: Growing up in Rhode Island, what was your introduction to the LGBTQ community?

A: Hmm... probably through… that’s a difficult question. I’m gonna say this: My Read the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 9 ALL PHOTOS: CHRISTINE M. HURLEY

December 6, 2018 - January 9, 2019

Michelle Obama at Boston’s TD Garden On her tell-all book tour for “Becoming” By: Christine M. Hurley/TRT Columnist & Photographer

As part of her book tour, Former First Lady Michelle Obama addressed a large audience at TD Garden in Boston this past weekend. “Becoming”, her best-selling book, has sold more than 1.4 million copies since its release on November 13, 2018.

Total book sales (https://is.gd/Kixq5b), including hardcover, audio, and e-books edition, sold around 725,000 copies in the first day, making it the second best-selling debut for any book in 2018.

Ms. Obama spoke with journalist and former NPR host, Michelle Norris, in front of a sold-out crowd of over 20,000 men, women and children of all ages.

She took the stage to the song “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys, which set the tone for the evening. During her two-hour discussion with Norris, Ms. Obama boldly shared some of her most private ups and downs in life both before and after her husband became President in 2009.

She encouraged everyone in the audience to take chances and move out of one’s comfort zone. She stressed and how we are “ever-evolving” and how we should approach life as a “zig and zag” path because that’s the journey. She said, “I say this mostly to young women; you’re not supposed to know what you are gonna to be.”

With the wit she is known for, she spoke about what it is like being recognized for former President Barack Obama’s achievements rather than her own. Ms. Obama attended Princeton University, graduating cum laude. She went on to earn a degree from Harvard Law School. After obtaining her Juris Doctor degree, she worked at a Chicago law firm, where she met her future husband. Along the way, she became executive director for the Chicago office of Public Allies, served as associate dean of student services at the University of Chicago, and as executive director of community relations and external affairs, and then as the vice president for community and external affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Ms. Obama has

also served as a board member for the prestigious Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

In addition, Ms. Obama spoke about raising her two daughters, Malia and Sasha, in the White House, the importance of making motherhood a priority, and the disappointment she felt over how she was publicly criticized for calling herself “Mom in Chief” while in office.

The former First Lady of the United States kept the audience engaged throughout the discussion. Despite the full house, she was able to engage attendees as if she were having a personal one-on-one conversation within the confines of their own home.

At the end of her motivational discussion, she received a standing ovation and a huge round of applause from the audience.

One could not walk away feeling bad about themselves after the experience. If the Former First Lady is still evolving and looking into her next opportunity, then it is “OK” if I, a regular Joe or Jane, is evolving as well.

Ms. Obama’s book, “Becoming,” is written in a prose that is both frank and witty.

Published by Crown Publishing Group, “Becoming,” is available at fine booksellers everywhere for the list price of $32.50. Wikipedia’s page on the book (https://is.gd/33OvAn) states that it will eventually be released in 24 languages. According to the NYT (https://is.gd/Kixq5b), One million copies will be donated to First Book, an American nonprofit organization, which provides books to children.

Ms. Obama will continue her book tour across the United States until the end of December 2018.

10 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

December 6, 2018 - January 9, 2019

Phoenix, Ariz. hosts first Latino Pride Festival in history

NEWS BRIEFS

Early this month, organizers in Phoenix, Arizona held the state’s first LGBTQ Latinx Pride festival (http://bit.ly/2PeMxlI).

Organizers claimed that the event was the largest gathering of the Latinx LGBTQ community in the history of Arizona. They also mentioned that the state has a large Latinx community and that the event aimed to bring families together.

The festival included food vendors, a bounce house, a DJ and other various attractions. The main event consisted of a series of a series of drag shows.

A host of guests attended the event, including local representatives and leaders—and even a mayoral candidate, Kate Gallego.

Twitter bans “Deadnaming” and misgendering transgender users The popular social media site Twitter has recently banned misgendering and “deadnaming” transgender people (http://bit.ly/2UcNvCG).

The decision occurred in October, but news of it apparently begun to circulate recently.

“Deadnaming” describes using the previous (often times unofficial) name of a transgender person, while “misgendering” refers to using a pronoun or form of address that does not correctly reflect that person’s gender identity.

The decision came amid a rewording of the website’s “hateful conduct policy,” bringing attention to certain groups receiving more hate than others. The transgender community was included in that classification.

DC Judge blocks request to limit govt. in banning U.S. military Transgender troops Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of http://bit.do/hrcspan

http://bit.do/hrcspan

http://bit.do/hrcspan

Columbia, has refrained from blocking a move to limit the Trump administration’s ban on transgender troops from the United States Military.

Kollar-Kotelly claimed the court decided the U.S. government would not be harmed in absence of the legislation.

The controversial ban was originally announced via a string of tweets from President Trump on July 26, 2017 (http://bit.ly/2Ru7c7c). A month later, Trump released a formal statement, which included details of the ban.

Florida lawmaker takes steps to ban conversion therapy Florida state Democratic Senator from Miami, José Javier Rodríguez, has introduced a bill (http://bit.ly/2E5RZpG) that would ban licensed mental health professionals from administering conversion therapy to minors in the state.

Rodríguez mentioned in a statement that conversion therapy is still legal in a number of states.

In fact, the practice is only entirely banned in a small number of states (http://bit.ly/2BKk9nJ), including Illinois, New Mexico, and California, among others.

Several counties and municipalities in Florida—including Miami (http://bit.ly/2rfm1yT), Key West (http://bit.ly/2RumQzg) and Tampa (http://bit.ly/2rhn8ht), have already banned the practice.

Human Rights Campaign brings attention to death of Transgender woman Late last month, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) brought attention to the shooting and murder of a black transgender woman (http://bit.ly/2Q7C2WE) who went by the name Tydi. The incident occurred November 26 in Baltimore.

Police found Tydi initially unconscious and brought her to a hospital where she eventually died of her wounds.

The Baltimore Police Department is currently withholding her full identity until further notice.

Tydi’s death makes her the 24th transgender murder of 2018, based off earlier numbers mentioned in a November HRC report (http://bit.ly/2E7lyYb).

We Remember You. Leelah Alcorn Dec. 28, 2014 #LeelahAlcorn

http://bit.do/hrcspan

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 11

December 6, 2018 - January 9, 2019

Immigrants from page 3 hopes of helping us out. She fled Honduras because here transgender people are discriminated against. She left with hopes of living a better life. It has not been easy for us to accept that she is gone—we were very close. It’s difficult to accept that she was taken from us because of negligence; because of not giving her support and medication that she needed, because they treated her like an animal. It’s not fair. It’s not fair that she fled Honduras looking for a better life and instead she was murdered.

Now all we have left is the hope that we can see justice for her. Justice for Roxsana.”

Hernandez Rodriguez entered ICE custody on May 13 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry near San Diego, California, according to ICE. She was transferred to a privately run ICE detention facility, Cibola County Correctional Center in New Mexico on May 16 and housed in a unit for transgender detainees. Nine days later, she died at Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque. The preliminary cause of death was identified as cardiac arrest, ICE said in a statement at the time.

Currently, as many asylum seekers approach the border, they do not know the fate they’ll encounter, but some argue it may not end well. “ … the Trump Administration is considering basically signing execution orders for the LGBTQ migrants in Tijuana awaiting their opportunity to seek asylum,” said Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project (BLMP) representatives Dora King and Jerome Jones. “Among those waiting for their opportunity to ask for asylum are Black LGBTQ migrants who are particularly vulnerable to violence, including detention and deportation, while in immigration proceedings. The Trump administration’s immigration policy is purely racist.”

While some are spending the Holidays with family and friends, other local Salem activists have opted to travel south to directly assist in any way possible. One of them is immigrant rights ally and activist Scot Sternberg, Salem, Mass., who will be traveling to the San Diego/Tijuana Border, joining members of Cosecha, MA. “We are working with the national movement, Movimento Cosecha, and in collaboration with multiple organizations who are a part of the Caravan Support Network,” said Sternberg. “We are organizing and training volunteers, gathering and providing direct support, supplies and assistance to asylum seekers in the shelters in Tijuana and supporting asylum seekers as they cross the border.”

In addition to direct support, the volunteers are also assisting legally and medically. They will also carry out “actions” to bring to light the crisis and to help expedite the process for the asylum seekers.

“We have volunteer medics and healthcare professionals and lawyers and legal folk to assist,” he said. “We are also serving as legal observers and witnesses to what is happening—it is a humanitarian crisis that the world needs to be aware [of], informed [of] and take action. We are also participating in actions to highlight what is happen-

GET INVOLVED!* Bridges of Love & Support Across the Border A group of human rights activists that provide assistance to migrant/refugee families and LGBTQ+ people fleeing poverty, violence and displacement. FMI: http://bit.ly/lovesupport Pueblo sin Fronteras A small group of all-volunteer popular educators, organizers, migrants, refugees, and people in solidarity with migrants worldwide that for years has been providing accompaniment to the migrant caravans from Central America to the United States.

FMI: http://bit.ly/PSFCAMC Caravan Support Network Caravan Support Network is an autonomous group that brings together Water Protectors, Central Americans, Undocumented and Indigenous folks from across the Nation in hope to unify efforts to support the Exodus Caravan.

FMI: http://bit.ly/CSNDONATE Direct Support at the Border Those offering direct support at the border are helping to greet migrants and asylum seekers coming to this country. Join them by signing up at: http://bit.ly/bordervolunteersignup *Compiled By Scot Sternberg

ing and calling for the U.S. government to expedite the process for asylum seekers and for assistance from the new Mexican Government to provide support to the shelters and develop a process that allows those who would like to seek asylum and stay in Mexico.”

The work everyone is doing, according to Sternberg, is to fight to attain “permanent protections, respect and dignity for immigrants.”

“We are asking everyone to stand in solidarity, speak out and be a part of the support team to the exodus of migrants, fleeing violence and extreme poverty, and seeking refuge and asylum,” he added. “Sign pledge of support at: lahuelga.com/caravansupport.”

A media package sent to TRT, stated that “the first folks to arrive at the border were a large group of LGBTQ+ folx. They literally have nothing but each other and have been discriminated against by organized right-wingers.”

“We will continue to uplift Roxsana’s story and to … hold immigration enforcement accountable for her death,” said Jennicet Gutierrez, community organizer and advocate with Familia. ‘We will continue to organize to protect the lives of all trans and queer migrants because what our community needs is asylum not detention. Familia will continue to organize and demand for the abolishment of ICE, CBP, police, and all prisons.”

Public support is sought to assist in the efforts to prevent abuse and senseless deaths like those of Hernandez Rodriguez and others and to help the migrant and refugee families as they approach the border. See the side bar on this page for more information.

Happy Holidays!

Salvation Army from page 2 And, when the trans community is far more at risk of violence and discrimination in a shelter, vulnerable groups cannot simply be treated the same as everyone else.

There is a learning curve about how to competently “serve” others when intersectional identities are present.

Yet, perhaps this is where the Salvation Army has failed the most. They have repeatedly failed at explaining the process of how their servitude meets the specific needs of the LGBTQ community while in their care. There has been a constant defensive tactic of proclaiming to be inclusive and supportive of the LGBTQ community, but they don’t describe what happens to LGBTQ community members while in therapy, or what they are told as a part of the Salvation Army program. They don’t describe the type of training their employees receive to competently care for the community. They continually go into a defensive mode every time an anti-LGBTQ allegation has been made. Transparency of their process would go a long way in this case and, if they are indeed serving the community well and as they claim, it

would lend itself to more support, monetary and otherwise. For now, there are too many questions pending about the controversies surrounding Salvation Army and their treatment of the LGBTQ community inside and outside of their care. Until all of this can be put to rest for good, my Holiday donations will be allocated elsewhere. In good conscience, they have to be.

Regardless of where you choose to donate this Holiday Season, please contribute to one of the many non-profit organizations that are doing amazing inclusive work on behalf of the LGBTQ community and the intersectionalities within it. If you are able, we are all counting on it.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Holiday Season and prosperous New Year from all of us here at The Rainbow Times! *Nicole Lashomb is editor-in-chief of The Rainbow Times & Co-Founder of Project Out, a non-profit organization dedicated to the transgender community through providing life-saving services and financial assistance. She holds an MBA from Marylhurst University and a BM from the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam).

Nicole can be reached via e-mail at: editor@therainbowtimesmass.com.

12 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

December 6, 2018 - January 9, 2019

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 13

December 6, 2018 - January 9, 2019

Hark! The Holidays are here! ’Tis the season to maybe be civil?

By: Deja Nicole Greenlaw*/TRT Columnist

Y

TRANS OPINION

es, it’s December and the holiday season is upon us. This is the time of year when we are reminded to give goodwill toward others. However, with the current political climate and the way the administration is going after trans people, it’s hard to muster up any goodwill towards some folks. Vicious name calling from many points on the political spectrum and the erasing of transgender people from government policies can make you feel like your back is up against the wall.

In the early 1970s, I was disgusted with the United States. The Vietnam War was raging on and I was a draft resister and a vocal opponent against the war. Whenever I voiced my opposition to the war, I was called a fa&@ot, a communist, and a pinko and I was told, “America, love it or leave it.” These responses made me dig my heels in even further and my anger grew. The president back then was Richard Nixon, and I was angry that anybody would vote for him. I remember my

anger of the early 1970s and I can see similar anger today in many people. But today, I look back and see that I didn’t have to be so angry back then. I could have still held my point of view, yet I didn’t have to be so angry and so emotional about it. I know that humans are emotional and many times when in an emotional state, things may be said or done that we might regret. Because

may be no agreement at all on the viewpoint, but listening to the reasoning of the opposing view is a civil start. Perhaps something new may be learned about their viewpoint?

Keeping it civil may prevent those with opposing views to dig in with their emotions. By practicing civility and avoiding emotions, maybe we can get a point or two

THE PRESIDENT BACK THEN WAS RICHARD NIXON, AND I WAS ANGRY THAT ANYBODY WOULD VOTE FOR HIM. I REMEMBER MY ANGER OF THE EARLY 1970S AND I CAN SEE SIMILAR ANGER TODAY IN MANY PEOPLE. this is the holiday season, I’d like to offer some thoughts in the hopes that some folks might find more civility towards others.

I am not saying to let things be as they are and not to voice opinions but rather to temper the emotions a bit on those opinions. For example, listen to an opposing viewpoint and try to keep the emotions in check while you respond. There seemingly

across, give others something to reconsider and perhaps even ultimately change their viewpoints? It always breaks my heart a little when I hear about people unfriending or blocking other people on Facebook just because there is an opposing viewpoint.

These actions seem to solidify polarization.

I would rather keep the communication lines open.

It also saddens me when some trans folks go after some of their allies because the allies made the mistake of misgendering the trans person. I am a trans person, a trans woman to be more specific, and because of my height, my voice, and my hands, I do sometimes get misgendered. Yes, it does hurt me to be misgendered, but I feel if it was done in an innocent error, I try to hold my emotions in check towards the person who misgendered me. I may offer a calm response to remind them that I identify as female and that to misgender me hurts me deeply and to please not do it again. I try not to lash out at my ally.

I think that if we could find it in our hearts to try to be a little less emotional, a little more civil, and a little more willing to listen to others with opposing viewpoints, perhaps we might help further our causes as trans people. Maybe we could show some love instead of hate and perhaps reach others more easily? Maybe we can even help change their minds? I’m reminded what the great Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” I think that it may be worth a try. *Deja Nicole Greenlaw is retired from 3M and has 3 children and two grandchildren. She can be contacted at dejavudeja@sbcglobal.net.

Ask A Trans Woman: I’m trans and I’m actually really happy about it By: Lorelei Erisis*/TRT Columnist

F

PHOTO: DAVID MEEHAN

or the last few months, with everything going on in the world and in politics, it feels like I’ve been talking a lot about how hard it is to be trans and how often dangerous it is.

And, of course, those things hold true.

Trans folks still face a ton of discrimination and we are being beaten and killed in distressingly large numbers.

But in light of a piece just published this week in a certain paper of note; which by the time you read this will have been a week ago, or more, (ancient history in today’s fast-paced media cycles), I think it’s time for me to talk about some positive things. What I want to tell you, oh, dear readers, is that I love being trans! Seriously, transitioning is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.

Of course, there are difficulties. Refer to almost any of my past columns or just Google “transgender” and you’ll read all about the myriad trials and troubles we face just to be ourselves. But, even taking all of those into account, I am so incredibly happy I transitioned!

And, I’m not the only one. I talk to more people in a year than most people do in their lifetime. I once began a speech at a conference by joking that there are three things certain in life: Death, Taxes, and

sooner or later, you will meet me.

Given this, and given the work I do, a rather large number of those people that I meet are trans of some variety, which means I’ve met and talked to a heck of a lot of trans people--a very large percentage of whom have also been quite happy that they transitioned.

For me, I have found I’m better balanced emotionally. I feel healthier and happier in my own body. I’m more confident and successful in the things I do. My relationships are stronger. I’m honestly a much-improved person.

A lot of it is because I know who I am now. I feel more, “myself.” Also, I’m not distracted by all the dysphoria and shame and questioning that I was dealing with before I transitioned. Additionally, I’m no longer trying to kill myself, whether through dangerous lifestyle choices, or more directly.

I’m a better member of my various communities because I feel more personally invested in being alive and a contributing part of them. And, I am a way better partner, for some of the same reasons, actually; also, because I’m not trying to hide things about myself, from them or from me, I’m more easily honest and open.

Don’t get me wrong, there are things that seriously suck about being trans. For instance, I’m not super happy about the fact that I may need to take prescribed hormones for the rest of my life, or that I have to deal with, and constantly be at the mercy

IF AT THE END OF A LONG DAY OUT AND ABOUT, I FIND MYSELF PERHAPS WORN DOWN AND DEPRESSED, IT IS NOT BECAUSE

I’M TRANS. IT’S BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GIVING ME GRIEF ABOUT BEING TRANS ALL DAY. of, an inconsistently-supportive medicalpharmaceutical system, as a result of that.

But hey, HRT helps make me, me!

And of course the discrimination, harassment, fear of bodily or psychological harm, and constant marginalization, isn’t what I’d call fun or happiness inducing. But, those are external things. Internally, I’m really, quite content with myself, with being trans, and having done the work to transition.

I truly believe that a large percentage of the difficulties that most trans people face are far more externally caused than internally based. More simply, if at the end of a long day out and about, I find myself perhaps worn down and depressed, it is not because I’m trans. It’s because people have been giving me grief about being trans all day. These could happen either by misgendering me or saying nasty things to or about me or, in the case of my own government, trying to erase my actual existence.

In other words, it’s not me that has a

problem with me being trans. It’s society.

It’s you.

But okay, you say, “I read that article about that trans woman who is having a hard time being trans. She even called her new vagina a ‘wound.’ And, I once watched this video on YouTube about trans people who regret transitioning!”

And you know what? Yeah, those experiences are valid and real too. Though, I tend to think they are outliers that represent a quite small percentage of the experiences I’ve read and heard about. Trust me, I’d know, I’m immersed in this trans stuff pretty deeply.

But, people are not monolithic. Experiences will always vary. There will always be people in any group who do not share the same experiences of that group.

I rather wish these experiences wouldn’t be presented as representative of all of us, Read the rest of this story at: TheRainbowTimesMass.com

14 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

December 6, 2018 - January 9, 2019

PHOTO: RAWPIXEL/UNSPLASH

HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON! 5 ways to help a friend financially without giving them actual cash

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THE FRIVOLIST

By: Mikey Rox*/Special to TRT

W

hen a friend or family member comes knocking for cash, pause before opening your wallet–because rarely does this situation go off without a hitch. That’s not to say you can’t lend a helping hand–you can– but your goodwill doesn’t have to put a dent in your own financial sitch. Steer the conversation away from handouts with these alternatives to providing support without it costing you a dime.

1. Offer personal advice Your friend or family member isn’t the first person to fall upon hard times financially; we’ve all been there. Discuss your personal hurdles, as well as how you overcame those issues. When somebody knows they’re not alone in their struggles, it often gives them the necessary confidence to get back on the right track. Offer your assistance, but not easy money. If you do, you might be opening a Pandora’s Box of coming back for more.

2. Help them set up a budget Do you have a budget that works for you?

If you’ve been successful in this area of your finances, there’s nothing wrong with offering this “service.” As easy as budgeting may be for you, others find it extremely challenging. Sit down with your friend, show them what a solid budget entails, and illustrate how they can use this to their advantage moving forward. Talk to them about how they can cut the fat from their expenses, show them how to use apps to get cash back, and teach them a few of your tricks on saving on everyday items, like gas and groceries. Laziness is no excuse to spend more than necessary, but it’s the root problem of many people’s financial crises.

3. Let them know that you’re available in other ways Everybody faces rough financial patches from time to time. When you have some-

body to lean on it’s much easier to make your way through these periods and come out a better person in the long run. Don’t turn your back if your friend needs an ear.

Instead, let them know you’re available–to talk, listen, and offer advice. You may be surprised at how much assistance you can lend by being their sounding board.

4. Review their income and expenses There’s a fine line between helping a friend and going beyond your duty. If the person is open to you reviewing their financial situation, including income and expenses, sit down at a convenient time to see what is going on. Many people need another set of eyes for them to truly realize where they’re running into trouble.

Note: If you are not comfortable with this, there’s nothing wrong with telling your friend that you’d rather not see their personal information. It may be easiest to simply give your friend money and hope it helps them financially. While it may get the person out of a jam for the time being, they are likely to face the same problems again in the future 5. Show them how to make new money There’s no shortage of fast ways to make cash if you work the gig economy to your advantage. Resources like Instacart, Airbnb, Lyft, Uber, Roadie, DoorDash and Rover.com provide opportunities to anyone with a home or car to make extra income with little effort. Any one of these resources can help bring in hundreds of dollars per week when you’re dedicated, and that may be the ticket to getting your friend or family back on track without digging into your own pockets. They’ll be better for it, too. Teach a man to fish and all … *Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He spends his time writing from the beach with his dog Jaxon.

Connect with Mikey on Instagram @mikeyrox (https://is.gd/nuY3P6).

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 15

December 6, 2018 - January 9, 2019

Police from page 6 “They’re always coming up with different kinds of initiatives,” he said. *** The SPD isn’t the only station that supports protections for LGBTQ people.

“The liaison works closely with the LGBTQIA community on a variety of events and issues,” said Sharon McQueen, the LGBTQ liaison for the Worcester Police Department (WPD). “[I have] gained momentum with connecting and building relationships with various groups.”

As part of her duties, McQueen often facilitates training sessions with police officers within her department and also other local agencies.

The City of Worcester has a range of policies related to LGBTQ people, including a policy on interactions with members of the transgender community (https://bit.ly/2TWEFZA), an affirmative action employment policy (https://bit.ly/2TWlIGl), and a link to LGBTQ-affirming resources in the city (https://bit.ly/2QqIpUh).

McQueen also takes on a number of speaking engagements with the public, including lectures at Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester State University, and the LGBTQ+ Medicine Program at the University of Massachusetts Hospital in Worcester.

Darius Varmahmoodi, president of the Gay Officers Action League of New England (GOAL NE), a network of more than 200 public safety professional across New England, said that there are several departments across New England that have strong relationships with the LGBTQ community.

“Some police departments that certainly deserve recognition for their support of GOAL NE and the LGBT community over the past few years are Attleboro Police, Mansfield Police, Provincetown Police, East Providence RI Police, and Warwick RI Police,” he said. “These agencies have offered a police cruiser to participate in pride parades that we have marched in.

“Our organization has also been receiving more requests for training over the years. The training requests have not only been from police academies, but also from different agencies at the local, state, and federal level, which want their officers educated on the LGBT community.”

When it comes to fostering positive relations between the LGBTQ community and police officers, Varmahmoodi said that a lot of friction is caused due to a, “ … lack of education, understanding, and sometimes ignorance.

“Some officers nowadays are uninformed on the LGBT community. The training that our organization offers educates and informs officers on LGBT issues throughout the LGBT community. It informs officers on how to recognize an encounter that may be with an LGBT person or couple and provides guidance on how to appropriately interact throughout the encounter.”

When it comes to one piece of advice that he wants to offer law enforcement agencies, he said the following.

“The main practice that I would advise agencies would be to implement more diversity and LGBT training to their officers or employees. Anyone who has any en-

counter with the police just wants to be understood. It is our job to do our best as officers to attempt to understand each individual’s perspective. If more officers were educated and informed on the LGBT community, I believe the percentage of positive interactions would increase and the percentage of negative interactions would decrease.”

A National Model?

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has taken similar steps toward LGBTQ recognition and inclusion, specifically with their LAPD Safe Place program (http://bit.ly/2DNGItb), an initiative to better the relationship between the LAPD, LGBTQ community and local businesses by clearly posting, in establishments, rainbow decals that read “Los Angeles Police Department Safe Place.”

The program was recommended to the LAPD after the department’s LGBTQ Working Group observed another Safe Place initiative starting and succeeding in the Seattle Police Department under SPD/LGBTQ Liaison Officer James Ritter (http://bit.ly/2KBeN0U). The initiative includes placing a recognizable decal with the Safe Place symbol (rainbow), which is displayed at certain premises. LGBTQ people, according to the city’s website, would “recognize the SPD SAFE PLACE symbol of safety” which indicates to the members of the community “ that your business, organization, school or premise is willing to assist and protect these victims.” The participating establishments are then instructed—via a series of steps—to follow a protocol in the event that a situation arises where someone may need protection.

Several police stations around the country—including the Baltimore Police Department (BPD; http://bit.ly/2SoQbvj) and the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD; http://bit.ly/2rdfvZm)—have adopted Safe Place programs similar to the one adopted by the LAPD. LAPD Safe Place was started in 2017 to bring attention to anti-LGBTQ violence. “[It] was launched to raise awareness about anti-LGBTQ crimes and to also help encourage other people to report hate crimes,” said Sergeant Jules Sohn, the LAPD’s LGBTQ Training Coordinator.

“Hate crimes, such as domestic violence crimes, are extremely under-reported, especially in the LGBTQ community,” she said. “This program brings community organizations and businesses together to show support for the LGBTQ community and also to help encourage crime reporting.

“When people report crimes it helps us better allocate public safety resources to address those specific crimes—but, most importantly, it helps us link people to support services and victim assistance.”

The LAPD’s LGBTQ Working Group has helped the department foster positive relations with the local LGBTQ community for more than five years and has worked in tandem with other, similar groups within the department, such as the LGBTQ Outreach Program, led by Assistant Chief Beatrice M. Girmala. s“Our department fundamentally believes that we cannot do the work that we do without working in close collaboration with the community,” Sohn said.

QPuzzle this December: And Here We Go Again

Across 1 Bit of Byron's work 6 REM gear 10 It is butt a sex toy 14 Song from Sondheim's Passion 15 O.K. Corral gunfighter 16 Skye on screens 17 He plays Fernando Cienfuegos in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again 19 Wilde country 20 Heath of Brokeback Mountain 21 Frida, before she married Diego 23 Rivera's rivers 25 Frisbee, for one 26 Christine who plays Tanya in MMHWGA 30 Act parts at the Globe Theatre 34 McCormack of a recent reboot 35 "C'est si bon" singer 37 Klee contemporary 38 Broadway backer 40 Mountain top 41 River of Cocteau's country 43 Understand, to Ginsberg 44 Began to share, with "up" 47 Infamous Idi 48 Obedient slave's words 50 Amanda who plays Sophie in MMHWGA 52 Foursome after a desertion 54 Skidded on ice 55 Carol portrayer on The Brady Bunch

59 Etta James classic 63 Rob of Brothers & Sisters 64 He plays Harry in MMHWGA 66 Fanning of 3 Generations 67 Do a nocturnal activity 68 Release from bondage 69 Ethnic acronym 70 Salty bodies 71 On one's guard

Down 1 Apothecary item 2 Sea eagle 3 Comedian Foxx 4 Invoke Adler at mealtime?

5 Barely enter the Adonis Lounge, e.g.

6 Atmospheric prefix 7 PC alternatives 8 Got up in someone's business 9 Lorca's tongue 10 Brosnan who plays Sam in MMHWGA 11 Petty of Orange Is the New Black 12 Hospital division 13 Rowlands of An Early Frost 18 End of a Stein quote 22 Landau's Ed Wood award 24 Imitate Brian Orser 26 Like suspicious eyes 27 Bill T. Jones' partner Zane 28 King's foe in Battle of the Sexes 29 The Borgias actor Jeremy 31 Watts in King Kong's hand

32 Bert's roomie 33 Shoot your wad 36 Where fruits hang 39 French department 42 Queue by a glory hole?

45 Diana's sons 46 McDermott of Steel Magnolias 49 Meryl, who plays Donna in MMHWGA 51 Like a restless sleep 53 Carol's opening 55 Followed Earhart's example 56 Cross-dresser in a Kinks song 57 Mail carriers at Hogwarts 58 East of Eden director Kazan 60 Painting and such, to da Vinci 61 Direction from The Naked Chef 62 She and she or he and he 65 "___ De-Lovely"

SOLUTION

16 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

December 6, 2018 - January 9, 2019