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Stay in the Loop
LGBT News for November 2017
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Links and videos of interest to the mature LGBT adult are just a click away.
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Transgender Awareness Month
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“November is recognized as Transgender Awareness Month, and each year on Nov. 20, the Transgender Day of Remembrance serves as a memorial for the transgender and gender nonconforming people around the world who were slain for simply living their authentic lives. The list of names of people to remember published each year grows and is still understated from the reality of the often-unsolved violence targeting our community. As we approach Nov. 20, I find myself reflecting on my own journey navigating not only my identity as a transgender man, but its intersection with my identity as a Korean-American adoptee.”
(Min Mattson, NBC News, 11/17/16)
See “Upcoming Events for Central Massachusetts events in November
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Intimate Partner Violence
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Sexual violence affects every demographic and every community – including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lesbian, gay and bisexual people experience sexual violence at similar or higher rates than heterosexuals. The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects (NCAVP) estimates that nearly one in ten LGBTQ survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) has experienced sexual assault from those partners. Studies suggest that around half of transgender people and bisexual women will experience sexual violence at some point in their lifetimes. (Human Rights Campaign)
The Williams Institute published “Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Abuse among LGBT People” in November 2015.
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Rainbow Supper & Lunch Clubs
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There is no Supper on November 7th
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The Rainbow Lunch Club meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at noon
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This month lunch is served on
November 8th and 22nd.
There is no Supper in November.
Both the Rainbow Lunch and Supper Clubs are held at the
Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, 90 Holden Street, Worcester, MA.
The suggested meal donation for people 60+ is $2.50. Guests under 60 pay $5.50.
Reservations are due a week before the meal.
Exciting Entertainment October:
November 8th Lunch - Clyde Wheatley
December 5th Supper - Dale Le Page
All performances are free of charge - reservations required in advance.
Entertainment/program supported in part by a grant from the Worcester Arts Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
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Marsha’s Story: Hostility
“Lambda Legal filed a federal lawsuit against a senior housing facility in Illinois for failing to protect our client, Marsha Wetzel (a resident of the facility), from the harassment, discrimination and violence that she has endured at the hands of other residents because of her sex and sexual orientation. This is Marsha's story.”
(LamdaLegal, youtube, 7/27/16)
Don’s Story: Acceptance
Don recently moved into LGBT-friendly senior housing in Chicago, where he's developed a strong sense of community with his fellow residents, regardless of their sexual orientation.”
(ImFromDriftwood, youtube, 5/15/17)
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“As researchers look for ways to improve LGBT health, one issue hasn't received much attention with respect to this population, although it is an equal-opportunity process: aging. Now, groundbreaking research is taking a closer look at the unique ways middle-age and older LGBT adults experience getting older, revealing some key obstacles and disparities.”
(Lisa Esposito, USNews.com, 3/8/17)
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Difficult Truths About Gay Men And Sexual Assault
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“[S]o many other men ― gay, bisexual, straight and otherwise ― have been assaulted and many of us, due to pride or embarrassment or just being unable to untangle the tricky, slippery strands of how and why ― say nothing or find ways to explain away or, worse, blame ourselves for what happened. What’s more, because it’s so taboo for men ― gay or otherwise ― to talk about being sexually assaulted, few of the conversations that need to be happening are happening.”
(Noah Michelson, Huff Post, 10/16/17)
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Elder Care Q&A, November 2017, Protection Against Utility,
Phone Shut-Offs
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Q:
Do the elderly or ill have protections against utility shut-offs?
A:
Yes.
Households in Massachusetts in which all adult members are age 65 or older---whether there is a financial hardship or not---are protected against utility and phone shut-offs. “Utility” means your gas or electric service to your home, or your landline telephone. Cell phones are not protected from shut off, and heating oil is not covered by utility law. Most oil companies require you pay at delivery. Be sure to ask all these fuel companies if they offer a “senior citizen discount
”
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From the (Worcester) Sunday Telegram’s Beacon Hill Roll Call
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LGBT SENIORS (S 346)
A bill being considered by the Elder Affairs Committee would require the Department of Elder Affairs to develop a curriculum and training program on the prevention and elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. The proposal is designed to improve access to services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elders and caregivers. The training program must be completed by all services
providers who contract with or receive funding from the Elder Affairs Department.
(10/22/17:
The Roll Call is a weekly listing of votes taken and legislation filed in the Massachusetts Legislature)
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Transgender Day of Remembrance observances:
Transgender Dinner
of Remembrance
Saturday, November 18
6:00 pm
Trinity Church of Northborough
23 Main Street, Northborough, MA 01532 508-393-8156
For more information contact Emily, administrative assistant. (via MeetUp)
Worcester Transgender
Day of Remembrance
Monday, November 20
7:00-9:00 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of Worceste
r
90 Holden Street, Worcester MA 01606
“Join us for a service memorializing those transgender and gender non-conforming people we have lost to violence and suicide. This event will feature speakers, readings, reading of names, and will be followed by food and fellowship.” (Jesse Pack via Facebook)
Rainbow Readers
A monthly book club dedicated to reading all things Queer and LGBTQA. November's book is
Soldier's Scoundrel by Cat Sebastian
November 19th; 6:00 - 8:00pm
at Annie's Book Stop
65 James Street, Worcester MA
508-796-5613
LGBTQI Meetup for Central Mass
The purpose of this Meetup group is to help create a vibrant LGBTQI+ community throughout Central Massachusetts. Check this page out for LBGTQI+ friendly events in our area!
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WLEN– Worcester LGBT Elder Network, is a joint effort of Elder Services of Worcester Area Inc.,
Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging and the Worcester Senior Center.
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