Real Hartford

Queers in Print

Queers Without Borders is a local “multi-issue group arguing for a radically different conception of politics—one that does not separate struggles for sexual dignity from struggles against racism, sexism, class exploitation, and the policing of gender conformity.” QWB members have participated in rallies around the issues of immigration, Jena Six, and the war, just to name a few. Recently, they have announced plans to produce a print zine/journal, in addition to their blog (which I sometimes write for). Continue reading Queers in Print…

Happy Birthday to Me!

I always lie about my age, so don’t bother asking. But if you’ve ever met me, take your best guess and tack on about five years. That’ll put you in the vicinity, probably.

Anyway, at noon today, the City of Hartford raised a rainbow flag in honor of me Pride Month. It will remain flying proudly over City Hall for the next week. If you’ve missed out on the marches and film fests, then may I suggest baking a cake and delivering it to the queer folk in your life? If you don’t believe in laboring in a kitchen, a gift from Tiffany’s would probably be accepted.

Tomorrow is the Connecticut Open House Day, during which you can sample art galleries & museums, and other attractions around the state for free or reduced admission in many cases. Here’s what’s happening at places participating in Hartford:

Bushnell Park Carousel
free ride for first 100 visitors

Butler-McCook House & Garden
free admission

CT Commission on Culture & Tourism Gallery
free admission from 9am-noon and refreshments

CT Historical Society
free admission all day (9-5)

CT Poetry Society
free poetry reading from 1-4 at Butterworth Hall on Asylum Ave campus of Univ. of Hartford

Governor’s Residence
free admission from 10-2

Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
free admission from noon-5pm. There will be a “garden party” involving croquet!!!

Hartford Children’s Theatre
free sample theatre classes for kids ages 4-12

Mark Twain House & Museum
free admission all day (to the museum center) and screening of a Ken Burns’ film.

Museum of CT History –CT State Library
first 50 visitors from 9-3 get a free frisbee

Old State House
free admission all day (check out the oddities museum and the basement level– those are the best parts of it. say “hi” to the two-headed cow for me.)

Real Art Ways
free admission to the art gallery all day; free “Real Art Ways Monets”

Titanic Artifacts Exhibit
free admission to first 50 visitors with a valid CT ID; after that, visitors get a $4 off discount

CT PRIDE

This year’s CT PRIDE Rally and Festival will be on Saturday June 7th from 11-5 on the Prospect Avenue side of Elizabeth Park. From the website, it sounds like this will actually be happening on the Hartford side of the park. There should be music, food, booths, and all that good stuff.

Also on Saturday, there will be a Transgender PRIDE up in Northampton.

Panel Discussion of Transgender Issues in Urban Communities / Gender Between the Ears

Thursday June 5th from 6-8pm: a panel discussion on trans issues will be taking place at the main branch of the Hartford Public Library. This event is joint sponsored by the CT TransAdvocacy Coalition and the City of Hartford LGBT Issues Commission. It will begin with a showing of clips from the documentary Screaming Queens: The Riots at Compton’s Cafeteria. This discussion is free and open to the public.

Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

This year marks the 21st CT Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, held at Cinestudio on the Trinity College campus in Hartford. Though there is a “sneak preview” on May 29th, the festival runs from May 30-June 7, 2008.
There will be a silent auction throughout the festival, and special guests will be in attendance on several nights. Check out their website for the full listing of films to be shown.

Making History, Changing Lives: GLAD’s 30th Anniversary

Tomorrow evening GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders) will celebrate its 30th anniversary at Real Art Ways (Arbor Street). There will be refreshments available, as well as the chance to hear remarks from Ben Klein, Co-Counsel in Kerrigan and Mock vs. Department of Public Health, and Jennifer Levi, Senior Staff Attorney and Transgender Rights expert.

Connecticut Judiciary Votes in Favor of Anti-Discrimination Bill

HB 5723 was voted on this past Monday. The next step is for it to go to the House.

This bill would:

•This bill gives the CT Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) the
authority to investigate complaints of discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in employment, education, housing, public accommodations, and the extension of credit and order appropriate remedies if such discrimination is found. It applies the same rules, procedures, and remedies that apply to other types of discrimination.
• The CHRO has already clarified that state law currently protects individuals from discrimination based on gender identity and expression. This bill makes those protections explicit and uniform. This bill will serve to make people protected by the law and those covered by the law aware of their rights and obligations.
• This bill uses the definition of “gender identity or expression” established in Connecticut’s hate crimes law, which passed in 2004 with a vote of 139-4 in the House and 33-0 in the Senate.

For more details, check out blog accounts here and here.

Gender Identity and Expression Forum

The CT TransAdvocacy Coalition announces:

On Wednesday, February 20, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Anti-Discrimination Coalition will be holding an educational forum on the Gender Identity and Expression Anti-Discrimination Bill in room 2A at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, to be followed by a lobby day event. […]

This is your chance to learn about the Trans Anti-discrimination bill to be raised in the upcoming CT Legislative session and its impact on our state’s residents. Following the forum you will have the opportunity to talk to your representatives about the bill and why it is important, with materials provided by the Anti-Discrimination Coalition. See TransEqualityCT.org website for background information and bill updates to be released during the 2008 CT Legislative session.

The panel will feature Rachel Goldberg, Jennifer Levi, Virginia Levasseur and Jerimarie Liesegang. Panelists will discuss proposed legislation that would add the phrase “gender identity or expression” to Connecticut’s non-discrimination law, thereby prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in education, employment, housing, public accommodations and lending. Should this bill pass, Connecticut will be joining 13 other states and Washington, DC in protecting its residents from this kind of discrimination.

Since this event is in the middle of what is a work day for many people, here are some links you might find useful. If you would like to get more involved, there are email addresses provided for the contact people:

Bill Q & A
Bill Info
People of Faith
TransEquality Connecticut

Dear Random Men Near Barnard Park,

I have come to terms with the street harassment. Sort of. Here are the rules, now, just so you know.

If I’m walking by you, like I was today, and look exhausted, sweaty, and out of breath, then a “hello sexy” like I got would be okay. But, you must be at least 6 feet away from me if you say this, not make eye contact, and not follow me.

However, if you make disgusting grunting noises at me as I pass, as happened last summer, I will not be so tolerant. Don’t tell me to smile. Don’t ask me for money. Don’t stare.

Thanks for your cooperation. I don’t want to have to take the bus for a short 1.7 mile jaunt, and driving is less and less practical.

Tuesday Night

I went out to Tisane’s last night and was in awe of how deserted the city was. CF and I were trying to decide if people were just partied out, all having to go back to work after a solid week of holiday indulgence, or deterred by the somewhat icy roads. Well, lucky for us because we were able to get a prime parking spot, a choice of tables, and fairly quick (or quick for Tisane’s, anyway) service. Continue reading Tuesday Night…