Bay Windows
Gender police at the gym
During the Beacon Hill Judiciary Committee hearing July 14 on the transgender rights bill, a group of representatives of the gym and health club industry testified that such a bill would hurt their businesses by allowing people to use locker room and bathroom facilities based on their gender identity or expression, rather than on their biological sex.
Where is Bryce?
Travis Swanson hasn’t heard from his boyfriend Bryce Faulkner for more than a month. In a July 23 interview with Fox News, Swanson said the 23-year-old Arkansas native sent him a text message in late June saying that his parents wanted to take him to "a place in Pensacola" to cure him of his homosexuality. Swanson, who lives in Wisconsin, alleges the news came after Faulkner’s mother discovered e-mails between the men. Since then, Swanson hasn’t heard from Faulkner. None of his friends have. They suspect that his parents enrolled the pre-med student in an offshoot of the Exodus International program, the world’s largest ex-gay ministry.
Boston’s 2nd annual Queer Women of Color Week kicks off Sunday August 2
The second annual Queer Women of Color (QWOC) Week begins Sunday August 2 with QWOC+ Boston’s Uni-T Dance and Boat Cruise.
Newly appointed president of Kennedy Institute for the Senate pledges support for LGBT community
Peter Meade, the newly appointed president of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, has pledged to continue the senator’s legacy of support for the LGBT community in his new role. The Institute, which is slated to be built across from the John F. Kennedy Library on the UMass Boston campus, will commemorate Kennedy’s more than four decades of service in the Senate, and it will also work to foster civic education among the general public. Meade said among the many areas of Kennedy’s legacy that will be honored by the Institute is his long commitment to LGBT rights.
Local org makes the case for the Gay Games to come to Boston
Grassroots organization Boston 2014 will be hosting a kick-off rally celebrating the city’s bid to host the 2014 Gay Games. The rally will take place on August 6 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at The Estate nightclub, and it will give Bostonians a chance to meet with representatives from the Federation of Gay Games and make the case for Beantown as the Games’ 2014 host cityGrassroots organization Boston 2014 will be hosting a kick-off rally celebrating the city’s bid to host the 2014 Gay Games. The rally will take place on August 6 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at The Estate nightclub, and it will give Bostonians a chance to meet with representatives from the Federation of Gay Games and make the case for Beantown as the Games’ 2014 host city
Maine campaign heats up
With the prospect of a November referendum on same-sex marriage in Maine all but certain, pro-equality advocates are gearing up for a bruising battle to preserve the state’s marriage equality bill, signed by Gov. John Baldacci in May.
Fenway and the MAC launch study on black gay men and HIV
Fenway Health study focuses on sexual health of black gay and bi men.
Massachusetts takes on DOMA
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley files lawsuit challenging the federal Defense of Marriage Act
Back to Beacon Hill
Hearing on trans-inclusive bill to begin next week on Beacon Hill
Mass. advocates impressed by visit to Obama White House
Among the hundreds of LGBT movers and shakers gathered in the East Wing for President Obama’s Stonewall reception were a handful of Bay Staters. Can you guess who?
Budget for fiscal year leaves funding for LGBT programs in doubt
On June 29 Gov. Deval Patrick signed the budget for the state’s Fiscal year 2010, which began this month, but how much funding will go towards the state’s LGBT-related programs remains in question.
Local activists among 40 ’transgender heroes’ honored at Stonewall bar
On June 25, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the riots that marked the birth of the modern LGBT rights movement, two organizations will hold a dedication ceremony at the fabled New York City bar to unveil a plaque featuring the names of 40 transgender heroes past and present.
Alleged gay bashers arraigned in Boston Municipal Court
While LGBT community outrage continues over the lenient sentence a Boston Municipal Court judge gave to a convicted gay basher last month, the suspects in an alleged anti-gay assault on two men in Boston’s South End last week were arraigned at the same court.
Amanda Palmer goes home again
Bi chanteuse Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls comes to LA on June 25. Recently we followed her back to the high school she graduated form 16 years ago. Here’s our report.
Boston Gay Pride turns out newbies, old-timers and superheroes
Tremont Street was teeming with drag queens, politicians, scantily clad go-go boys and an endless array of colorful parade floats on June 14 as the South End served as ground zero for the 39th annual Boston Pride Parade, a celebration of the city’s LGBT community.
Kristine W comes full circle with "The Power of Music"
From beginnings to endings, creative conception to a completed work, Kristine W brings things full circle on her new album, The Power of Music.
Jonny & Kate plus 8
Or at least, a few more. Big Gay Sketch Show stars headline ImprovBoston’s queer comedy festival
Woody Woodward, an icon of Boston Pride, dies
Woody Woodward, an icon of Boston Pride and a founder of the motorcycle club Moving Violations succumbed to cancer early Saturday morning.
The Newbie’s Guide to Boston Pride
Fresh out of the closet? New in town? Closeted Republican congressman looking to get your gay on far from the prying peepers of the buttoned-down Beltway? However you get to Boston Pride, it’s all good. But in the interest of helping you not make a complete ass of yourself while you join the city’s Pride festivities, check out our handy-dandy guide to some of the weekend’s most popular events.
Transforming Pride
In the midst of the many changes Boston’s LGBT community has seen over the past few decades Boston Pride has remained an enduring community tradition. This year, however, the focus of Pride is on change itself.