“Do you approve of a law summarized below, which was approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate on July 7, 2016?” That law added public accommodation to transgender people’s rights to non-discrimination in employment and housing.

The Massachusetts Secretary of State’s explanation of Ballot Question 3 in the November 6 state election says that a place of public accommodation is defined in existing law as “any place that is open to and accepts or solicits the patronage of the general public, such as hotels, stores, restaurants, theaters, sports facilities, and hospitals.” Gender identity is defined as “a person’s sincerely held gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior, whether or not it is different from that traditionally associated with the person’s physiology or assigned sex at birth.”

Read the official summary that will appear on the November ballot here.

Click on the following links for more information regarding the different viewpoints relating to Question 3 and to see the activism that is going on around this issue.

Yes: Freedom for All Massachusetts is a coalition working to retain public accommodations as part of the transgender non-discrimination law. They are urging people to vote ‘yes’ to preserve those rights.

No: Keep MA Safe is an organization that urges people to vote ‘no’ on Question 3. Opponents of the current law have dubbed the law ‘The Bathroom Bill.’ Their focus is on what they perceive are safety issues surrounding bathrooms and locker rooms.

The last day to register to vote for the Nov. 6 election is Wednesday, Oct. 17. You can register to vote online here .

Supporting LGBT people with dementia

Almost a year ago (September 2017) saw the launch of the Dementia Action Alliance’s (DAA) ‘From Seldom Heard to Seen and Heard’ Campaign. The campaign focuses on people living with dementia and their families from six communities who are often marginalized from services and support: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender + (LGBT), Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), Young onset dementia, The prison population, People living in rural communities and People with learning disabilities. … For this post, I want to think about the challenges for people with dementia who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT+). Of the six groups the DAA campaign focuses on, LGBT people with dementia are the most hidden of all in my opinion and arguably the most stigmatized, coping with societal attitudes towards their age, sexuality and dementia at the same time. (Beth Britton, D4Delmentia blog, 8/20/18)

Read the post here

Research on LGBT Population Lacking

Most of us don’t like to think about getting older, although we admit it beats the alternative. But there are a lot of older LGBT people — and will be even more in the next decades — and as we age, we have to think about age-related conditions and whether they affect LGBT people differently than straight and cisgender folks. Unfortunately, there's a dearth of information on this subject. A new study from the University of California, San Francisco, and Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland is a start toward rectifying that. At the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference last month in Chicago, they presented the first dementia prevalence data from a large population of lesbian, gay, and bisexual older adults. (Trudy Ring, 8/8/18)

Read the article here

Christine Hallquist, who is running as a progressive Democrat in Vermont, made history on [Aug. 14] as she became the first transgender gubernatorial candidate nominated by a major political party. Advancing a progressive platform focused on economic and social justice, including a $15 minimum wage, environmentally sustainable rural development and expanding access to internet services, Hallquist edged out challengers in a crowded primary. … She will face incumbent Gov. Phil Scott in November, whose approval ratings with his GOP base have tumbled following recent efforts to tighten gun control in Vermont. If Hallquist pulls off an upset in the general election, she will become the nation’s first transgender governor. (Lee Harris, ABC News, 8/15/18)

Watch the video here

A record number of LGBTQ candidates for political office are seeking election in 2018. Many, like Christine Hallquist, have had support from the Victory Fund, ( https://victoryfund.org/ ) a major backer of LGBTQ candidates

Guram Kashia is getting a prestigious award next week. He is proud for himself, his family, his Earthquakes club, and his country. He also knows the award will make some of his countrymen quite angry. “I feel like I have to talk about it,” he says, quietly.

Read the article here

The Rainbow Lunch Club meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at noon . This month lunch is served on September 12th and 26th.

The Rainbow Supper Club does not meet in September, but please join us on October 2nd at 6:00pm when Stanley Wilson joins us (see flyer below).

 

Both the Rainbow Lunch and Supper Clubs are held at the  Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, 90 Holden Street, Worcester, MA.

 

Entertainment returns!

See flyer posted below

The suggested meal donation for people 60+ is $2.50. Guests under 60 pay $5.50.

Reservations: If you wish to attend the Rainbow Lunch or Supper Club or cancel your reservation, please call or email WLEN one week before at (508) 756-1545 ext. 404 — wlen@eswa.org. If no one is available please leave a message including your name and phone number and date you plan to attend. You may also make your reservation through our on-line Meet Up group here.

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

Join at us for a very special Rainbow Lunch Club on Wednesday October 10th! On this day we welcome special guest, Secretary of Massachusetts' Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Alice Bonner, PhD.

To make reservations please call or email WLEN by October 5th.

508-756-1545 ext. 404

wlen@eswa.org

 Worcester Pride, Saturday September 8th

http://worcesterpride.org/

Stop by the WLEN/ESWA table and say hello to us

Rainbow Readers

A monthly book club dedicated to reading all things Queer and LGBTQA at Annie's Book Stop 65 James Street, Worcester MA 508-796-5613 

Please RSVP on the Rainbow Readers Facebook Event page here

For more information please email: RainbowReadersMass@gmail.com

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! 

LGBTQI+ Meetup for Central MA