Bay Windows
Local testifies at first federal hearing on transgender rights
The House Committee on Education and Labor held the first congressional hearing on transgender rights June 26 as part of an effort by LGBT advocates and congressional allies to build support within Congress for a trans-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) bill. Boston’s Diego Sanchez, director of public relations and external affairs for the AIDS Action Committee, testified at the hearing before the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions along with other supporters and opponents of transgender rights.
The bliss-off
Peabody Essex panel addresses gay marriage and art
Celebrating a young life :: Yakovleff benefit raises $4000
About 150 people gathered for a night of fabulous haircuts for a good cause at a June 30 fundraiser to honor the life of Daniel Yakovleff.
City officials, bar owners meet on LGBT safety
Mayor Menino’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing invited the owners and employees of many of the city’s LGBT bars and clubs to a June 25 meeting at the Benjamin Franklin Institute to discuss an alleged rise in hate crimes and violent incidents targeting their patrons.
Friends honor Yakovleff with scholarship
Friends of Daniel Yakovleff, the 20-year-old Roxbury hairstylist who was murdered in Dorchester in January, will hold a fundraiser June 30 to raise money for a scholarship program at Blaine, the cosmetology school where Yakovleff received his training.
Collection of trans HIV data slow
Despite the mountains of surveillance data about HIV/AIDS, when it comes to the transgender community there is precious little information about the scope of the epidemic. Lee Thornhill, prevention and education manager for TransCEND (Transgender Care and Education Needs Diversity), a trans-focused program at Cambridge Cares About AIDS, said based on the program’s work and the experiences of their clients it is clear that transgender women are at increased risk for HIV infection.
Caravaggio
Derek Jarman’s queer classic finally gets a DVD release; is a reexamination of this pioneering director’s work due next?
Cyndi Lauper on "True Colors"
With a new disc and a new tour, Cyndi Lauper’s true colors shine brighter than ever. She talks gay fans, being inspired by Alan Cumming, and the tour that’s put her literally all over the map.
Task Force appoints Carey as new ED
After a four month national search process to replace former executive director Matt Foreman, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s board of directors hired from within, appointing Rea Carey to serve as Foreman’s successor.
Mass. marriage equality advocates, opponents, lend a hand in Cali
With California voters poised to decide the future of marriage equality in their state, advocates on both sides of the issue in Massachusetts are providing limited assistance to their allies in that state. This month the California Supreme Court decision legalizing marriage for same-sex couples went into effect, but in November voters will weigh in on a ballot question to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
Army: Ciara Durkin’s death a suicide
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) concluded that Army National Guard Corporal Ciara Durkin’s death last September was the result of a suicide. Durkin, a Quincy resident who was an active member of Boston’s LGBT community before joining the National Guard, was found dead at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan from a gunshot wound to the head.
Trembling before Allah
Parvez Sharma’s Jihad comes to Boston
Blessed Be: Bishop Tom Shaw celebrates, blesses parade goers
After the high-energy spectacle of the Pride parade about 30 revelers headed to St. Paul’s Cathedral for a more subdued but no less heartfelt celebration of Pride. Massachusetts Episcopal Bishop Thomas Shaw, fresh from marching in the parade, led worshippers in song and prayers.
Ballot commission dismisses Trane signature challenge
The State Ballot Law Commission dismissed a challenge to the validity of Somerville Alderman Bob Trane’s nomination signatures this week in his run for the 34th Middlesex House seat, clearing the way for Trane to appear on the ballot in the Sept. 16 Democratic primary.
Sistahs (and brothers) celebrate Pride
"There’s always going to be struggles but today is about us getting together and celebrating Pride, pride in our unity, pride in our race and pride in our community," Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons said as she kicked off the annual Sistah Summit on June 13.
Seen and heard at Boston Pride
Oh, the things you see and hear as the gay parade passes by or when you wade through a mob of thousands of festive queers. When no one was looking, we wrote it all down. Here’s a compilation of our favorite sights, gripes, pithy observations and bad puns at this year’s parade and festival.
Rainbow Bright: Gays get lots of love at Pride, ’green’ theme not so much
It’s hard to imagine an event that could bring together Gov. Deval Patrick and his family, the New England Leather Alliance, the Cambridge Friends School, the corporate representatives of Frito Lay, and the Theater Offensive. But that’s just a smattering of the more than 130 groups that waved to the crowds from the Boston Pride Parade route on June 14.
Congress to hold first-ever hearing on transgender discrimination
The House Committee on Education and Labor is tentatively scheduled to hold a hearing on employment discrimination against transgender people on June 26 -- the first congressional hearing to focus primarily on transgender issues. The committee’s subcommittee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) will hear testimony on the issue.
Behind the scenes at the Parade
Tremont Street was abuzz on the morning of the Boston Pride Parade, as marching contingents spent the hours prior to the big kickoff putting the finishing touches on their costumes and floats, preening for photographers and practicing their marching routines.
How Ferron got her groove back:
It’s not the most obvious partnership: Ferron, gravel-voiced old-school folkie and living legend of women’s music, teaming up with the category-defying rocker Bitch, who produced Ferron’s new album Boulder. And yet, why shouldn’t musicians of different generations be friends, collaborate, and learn from each other?