The Crossing by Jesse Begenyi (2010, 11 min.). A documentary about community coming together, the tragedy of anti-transgender violence, hate crimes, and the need for more education about transgender issues. These themes are framed within a welcoming religious community that lifts up ancient spiritual practices and holy words and sets them alongside the bump and groove of the city.

The Crossing from The Crossing on Vimeo.

ABOUT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION

Thirteen states and Washington DC include gender identity and gender expression in their non-discrimination statutes.

Connecticut is not one of them.

The Human Rights Campaign found in 2010 that of almost 600 of Fortune magazine’s 1,000 largest publicly traded businesses, 427 had non-discrimination policy including gender identity or expression, including eight located in CT: Xerox, UBS AG, United Technologies, Pitney Bowes, The Hartford, Diageo North America, Boehringer Ingelheim USA, and Aetna.

Additionally, Foxwoods Casino, Comcast, Connecticut College, Yale University, Wesleyan University, and University of New Haven have similar non-discrimination policies.

Because Connecticut still lacks explicit inclusion of gender identity and gender expression in its non-discrimination statutes, we are proud to support ctEQUALITY, a coalition of organizations leading the effort to pass a bill in 2011 that will add the phrase “gender identity or expression to CT’s non-discrimination law, thereby filling this gap.

To learn more about gender identity and gender expression, and for information on discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression, please visit ctEQUALITY.com’s trans/gender resources page.

ABOUT CTEQUALITY

ctEQUALITY is a statewide coalition of diverse organizations seeking to address this gap in our state’s non-discrimination statutes by passage of a bill that would add the phrase “gender identity or expression.”  The coalition, lead by CT TransAdvocacy Coalition and CT Women’s Education and Legal Fund includes some of the state’s most respected agencies and organizations: the AFL CIO, the CHRO, American Civil Liberties Union, Anti-Defamation League, among many others. ctEQUALITY member organizations represent a variety of interests—civil rights, the business community, people of faith, labor and many more—and are all united in acknowledging that our state’s non-discrimination law lacks explicit protections for our state’s transgender and gender non-conforming residents, vulnerable groups of people.

Interested in having your organization support or join ctEQUALITY? Click here.

Or are you an individual interested in getting involved? Click here.

On July 17th and July 18th, when you make a purchase at BORDERS in Waterford, the Borders Express in the Crystal Mall, or online at Borders.com, you help raise much needed funds for Alliance for Living. Just print and bring the coupon to the store and have the cashier scan it during your purchase, or type in the promotional code when ordering online at Borders.com!

Get your coupon here.

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In June, Alliance for Living received notice from the CT Department of Social Services (DSS) denying it $83,190 through the HUD “Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS” (HOPWA) program;funds AFL has received since 1991.  Since then, a solid plan to provide housing for members who would have become homeless due to this loss of funding is in place. An appeal of the decision is being prepared for DSS with support from local organizations, Representative Joe Courtney and all New London County legislators.  By partnering with BORDERS, we hope to begin a campaign to off set the loss of $83,190.  Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Cheryl Sharp-D’Esopo
Director of Advancement and Member Services
860-447-0884 ext 229
csharp@allianceforliving.org

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/06/142922.htm

B-Hive, a B-52 cover band, will be playing at Frank’s Place in New
London on October 17 at 10 PM.  Price is $10.

Frank’s Place
9 Tilley Street
New London, CT
860.442.2782

Celebration XXI was a huge sucess.  The Alliance for Living sold out the Cornerstone Playhouse.  Follow the link below for pictures of the event and the Ms. Linzie 2009 competition.

http://picasaweb.google.com/thetallgroup/CelebrationXXI#

Where We Live - WNPR - Connecticut Public Radio
Host: John Dankosky
06/02/2009
Bullying is a big problem in schools – but it’s especially acute for gay and lesbian teens.

A national survey from 2007 shows that nine out of ten lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered middle and high school students experienced harassment at school in the past year - and more than 80% felt unsafe.

Connecticut already has anti-bullying laws, but they make no mention of this population.

Coming up, we’ll talk to students, activists and administrators about improving the school climate for all students, and we’d like you to join the conversation.

http://www.cpbn.org/program/where-we-live/episode/wwl-lgbt-bullying

June 6 - Connecticut PRIDE Hartford Rally
http://www.connecticutpride.org/
In Bushnell Park at the Pavillion behind the State Capital. Scheduled to perform are Tiffany, Sister Funk and Betty.

June 13-14 – Boston Pride
Trans-forming the Community
http://www.bostonpride.org/
The annual parade is Saturday, June 13th at 12 noon, rain or shine with entertainer Taylor Dayne.
Sunday June 14, Block Parties - Stuart Street and Jamacia Plain

June 20 – Our Proud Journey: Pride 2009
http://www.ctgay.org/events.htm
1-4 PM, at St. Paul’s on the Green (60 East Ave., Norwalk, CT)
9PM-1AM, PRIDE After Dark party at Triangle Community Center

June 19-21 – RI Pridefest & Illuminated Pride Parade
Paint the Town Proud - Create and Inspire
http://www.prideri.com/
Festival runs from 12:00-8:30 June 20th. Headline entertainer for Pridefest 2009 is Deborah Gibson.
The Illuminated Parade starts at 8:30, June 20th

June 20-28 – New York Pride
Paint the Town Ruby: Stonewall 40
http://www.nycpride.org/
The Rally: 42nd St. & 6th Ave. @ Bryant Park - Saturday, June 20th, 2009, 2:00 – 6:00 PM
The March: 5th Avenue & 52nd St. to Christopher & Greenwich St. - Sunday, June 28th, 2009, Noon – End
Dance on the Pier : Pier 54, 13th St. @ Hudson River Park - Sunday, June 28th, 2009, 4:00 – 10:30 PM,
Fireworks: Pier 54, Sunday June 28th, night.