All Entries in the "Our Voices" Category
Creep of the Week: Noson Leiter of Torah Jews for Decency
By: D’Anne Witkowski*/Special to TRT— The Christian-dominated religious right in America is not exactly known for being BFFs with Jews. I mean, there’s that whole “Your people killed Jesus” thing that some people take issue with. And, of course, every religion thinks they have the right answer and everybody else is just kidding themselves, and [...]
Letter to the Editor: Getting Paid Should not Disqualify Anyone from Being Grand Marshal
To the Editor, Recently I read a comment posted on the Boston Pride Facebook page when it was suggested that Javier Pagán should be the Grand Marshal of this year’s parade. The comment suggested that because he’s paid to do his job why should he be Grand Marshal. I would like to address that comment. [...]
Looking at Privilege and Whiteness Within the Boston Bombings, Unfolding Queer Stories
By: Jason Lydon*/TRT Columnist– When writing for a LGBTQ newspaper the constant question in any situation is, “What’s the queer angle to this story?” As I reflect on the tragic bombing of the Boston Marathon and the subsequent search for the suspects involved, the same question comes to my mind. There is the story of [...]
Ask Lambda Legal: Marriage and the Supreme Court
By: Jon Davidson, Legal Director, Lambda Legal– Dear Lambda Legal, Q: I was talking with friends about the Supreme Court hearings about Prop 8 in California and DOMA, and some of us were really encouraged by the news reports. Are we being overly optimistic? A: With arguments in Hollingsworth v. Perry concerning Proposition 8 in California and United States [...]
Ask a Boston Transwoman: Moving Forward from the Bombing, Becoming Stronger
By: Lorelei Erisis*/TRT Columnist– As I’m writing this column, I am sitting in the midst of a news storm. I have some things to say, and this is not going to be anywhere near my usual, informative-with-a-jokey-tone kind of column. Although I promise I’ll try to make it clear how my thoughts tie into my [...]
Thinking Out Loud: Straightening Up At The Boy Scouts Of America
It’s Time For The BSA To Take A Tip From Its Own Handbook By: Abby Dees*/Special to TRT– Sometime in the ‘20s my grandfather became the then-youngest Boy Scout to obtain the top rank of Eagle Scout. When he died he was as proud of that as he was of piloting ships into Tokyo Bay [...]
Creep of the Week: Tony Perkins
By ’Anne Witkowski*/Special to TRT– The only thing that can stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy who is not having gay sex. At least this seems to be the line of reasoning the Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins is using to both cheer the failure of gun control legislation in [...]
Creep of the Week: Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema
By: D’Anne Witkowski*/Special to TRT– Facebook’s ever-changing privacy settings can be confusing, but you might want to click the “Only Me” setting if you’re about to post something completely bat-shit crazy on your wall and are a figure of any public significance. Or, if you’re Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema, you can post a foaming-at-the-mouth [...]
Thinking Out Loud: Waiting for History, What Court Decision will Mean for Equality
By: Abby Dees*/Special to TRT– This week, as the Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of Prop 8 and DOMA, I’ve heard the following question a lot: “Do you think they’re going to legalize same-sex marriage or strike it down?” My answer is, “Neither.” There is so much nuance in these cases having to do with [...]
Comprehensive Immigration Reform & Ensuring That we Are Fighting for Everyone
By: Jason Lydon*/TRT Columnist– The national newspapers, Internet blogs and every television news program are all covering the political dialogue on “comprehensive immigration reform.” Questions range from issues of incarceration (incorrectly called detention), drones at the Mexico border, pathways to citizenship, DREAM Act eligible youth, family unification, “good” vs. “bad” immigrants, Secure Communities initiative and [...]
Ask Lambda Legal Immigration Reform is an LGBT Issue
By: Iván Espinoza-Madrigal/Special to TRT– Q: Why are LGBT groups working on immigration issues and what does the recent debate about Comprehensive Immigration Reform have to do with the rights of LGBT individuals and families? A. We often hear that our immigration system is broken. But too few people understand how this terribly broken system [...]
Being Who You Are and Finding that Elusive Peace with Your True Self
By: Deja Nicole Greenlaw*/TRT Columnist– Ever since I can remember I’ve wanted to express female. However, I don’t know how I felt before my memories began. When we are very young it doesn’t really matter because we don’t know anything about gender. Oh sure, your parents may dress you in a frilly dress or pants [...]
Ask a Transwoman: Etiquette & Power of Names – Handling the Uncomfortable
By: Lorelei Erisis*/TRT Columnist– Hi Lorelei, I had this happen to me in Boston last week. I had a woman who I hadn’t seen in over 20 years come up to me and say, in a very loud tone and in a very public place, my former legal name. In response I politely and calmly [...]
Pregúntale a Lambda Legal: La Reforma Migratoria es un Asunto LGBT
Por: Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, Abogado/Especial para TRT– P. ¿Por qué trabajan los grupos LGBT en asuntos de inmigración y qué tiene que ver el reciente debate de la reforma migratoria con los derechos de personas y familias LGBT? R. Nosotros a menudo escuchamos que nuestro sistema de inmigración está roto. Pero pocas personas comprenden cómo este sistema [...]
Creep of the Week: American Family Association’s Sandy Rios
By: D’Anne Witkowski/Special to TRT– If there’s one thing kids in America hear too often it’s how totally cool and fantastic homosexuality is. Once upon a time there was a lot of anti-gay hate in schools: kids would call other kids “fag” and teachers would just look the other way, same-sex couples weren’t allowed to [...]
