Bay Windows
AIDS Walkers rally in tough times
The economy may be in the doldrums, but that didn’t stop the thousands of walkers who participated in the June 7 AIDS Walk Boston from raising money to help in the fight against HIV and AIDS. The walk, which is AIDS Action Committee’s (AAC) largest fundraiser, has already brought in about $900,000 in cash donations, and AAC president and CEO Rebecca Haag said the event is on track to bring in the $1,050,000 that the organization set as its fundraising goal.
Film exposes ’canyon’ between Washington and reality on ’Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
The military’s "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy has been making headlines lately, with LGBT activists calling on President Obama and Congress to end the anti-gay law, but a new documentary by filmmaker Johnny Symons, Ask Not suggests that the military’s culture may need to change before LGBT soldiers will truly feel at home in the armed services.
Vanessa Williams -- The Real Thing
Embrace your fears -- in this case it’s interviewing Vanessa Williams. What if she’s like her Ugly Betty character uber-bitch Wilhelmina Slater? Read on to find out.
Eye opening role for Randy Price
In a change to Channel 5’s morning news, Randy Price is taking over from David Brown.
Pride events :: Amber Dirks and DJ JST
DJ JST (pronounced "gist") and vocalist Amber Dirks do have something in common, having worked together on two recent stomping dance tracks: "Rejoice" and "Standing Up." The dynamic duo will bring team spirit to a Boston Pride Week show at Club Caf?, and we checked in for some he said/she said Q&As.
Kate Clinton hits New England
Kate Clinton comes to Boston for Pride, makes a side trip to the Connecticut River Valley, then heads to Ptown for the summer. Recently we caught up with the Great Kate about her New England tour.
South End gay-bashing suspect pleads guilty
Fabio Brandao, the 29-year-old Framingham pizza delivery man charged with taking part in a brutal gay-bashing in the South End last August, pleaded guilty to nine criminal charges, including four civil rights violations, on May 27 in Boston Municipal Court.
200 march against California Supreme Court ruling
In response to the California Supreme Court’s ruling upholding Proposition 8, the state’s voter-approved anti-gay constitutional amendment, more than 200 people turned out to voice their disapproval of the decision at a rally in Boston on the evening of May 26.
That’s what (Facebook) friends are for
Encouraged by the increasing ubiquity of online social networks like Facebook and Twitter, as well as the skyrocketing popularity of the blogosphere and YouTube, AIDS Action Committee (AAC) is experimenting this year with bringing more of its fundraising and marketing efforts for the walk into the digital world.
Visit the world of "Will and Grace"
Max Mutchnick, co-creator of "Will and Grace," donated the set of the show to Emerson College, where he graduated in 1987. Read about how this unique donation came about and how you can see the set first-hand.
Senate passes amendment to restore AIDS funding
The state Senate on May 19 passed a budget amendment to restore some funding to the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) AIDS budget that had been cut in the Senate Ways and Means Committee’s original proposal for Fiscal Year 2010 (FY10). State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Boston) filed the amendment, which brings the state’s AIDS budget up to $35.3 million. Ways and Means had originally funded DPH’s AIDS budget at $34.4 million.
Police warn of increase in assaults and robberies in the Fens
Police reports show that perpetrators seem to be targeting men who frequent cruising areas like the Fens.
Author Scott Campbell examines loss in novel and film
Gay author Scott Campbell examines the grief process in his novel Aftermath, recently adapted to an award-winning film.
Gay marriage :: Where it all began
Cambridge welcomes couples for five-year marriage anniversary.
Marriage equality past present and future: How the ’phobes have fallen
Looking back on the fight to preserve marriage equality in Massachusetts, it is astounding to remember that when lawmakers were first debating a marriage amendment in 2004 nearly all of the state’s political heavyweights were aligned against the LGBT community. The governor, the Senate president, the House speaker, the state’s Catholic bishops and Boston’s Black Ministerial Alliance teamed up with multimillion dollar Christian right organizations from out of state to try to prevent Massachusetts from allowing same-sex couples to marry, but the LGBT community and its allies overcame all opposition. The icing on the cake is that, five years later, most of the generals leading the charge against equality no longer have the clout they once did in the Bay State.
HIV patients sue MGH
Two HIV-positive patients filed suit against Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) May 12 alleging a violation of their right to privacy after an MGH billing manager lost a bundle of documents on the MBTA Red Line train in March containing the patients’ names and HIV statuses.
Keith ready to share his HIV status with voters
On May 1, John Keith, independent candidate in the 3rd Suffolk District special election for state representative on June 16, hung a rainbow flag, a symbol of gay pride, in the front window of his Tremont Street storefront campaign headquarters, the former home of South End Photo.
Increase in assaults and robberies in the Fens
Boston Police have put out a safety advisory to bars, apartments and hotels in the Fenway area to alert residents and visitors about a series of robberies and assaults that have taken place in the area in the last couple of months.
Marriage equality past, present and future: Five years in Mass. has paved the way elsewhere
Addressing the crowd of marriage equality activists and public officials in the basement of Boston’s St. Paul Cathedral May 12 to mark the fifth anniversary of marriage equality in the Bay State, Attorney General Martha Coakley said that the legacy of that victory extends far beyond Massachusetts.
From near and far, LGBT youth build community at Youth Pride
As Raquel Blake, the fabulous drag queen who emceed the 15th annual Massachusetts Youth Pride festival, took to the stage May 9 to kick off the day’s festivities at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common, the clouds that hung ominously in the air for much of the morning let loose a light rain shower. All around the bandstand umbrellas began popping up throughout the crowd, but the estimated 4000 to 5000 attendees mostly stayed put, willing to brave the rain to celebrate Youth Pride. Said Blake, "It’s a little cloudy, but I think we can manage to put a little rainbow up in the sky, can’t we?" Judging from the cheers that rang out from the crowd it was clear that most everyone agreed.