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LGBT Update
November 2014 
 
In This Issue

Important Notice about Inclement Weather:

snow-shovel.jpg   

If the Rainbow Lunch Club is cancelled because of inclement weather (snow, icy conditions, etc.) the cancellation will be announced as "Elder Services of Worcester Meals on Wheels and Dining Centers are closed" on WRCN 830AM, WTAG 580AM, WSRS 96.1 and WXLO 104.5 radio stations. You may also call the Nutrition Office at (508) 852-3205 after 8:30 a.m. for cancellation information.

 

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, with ongoing collaboration with the LGBT Aging Project in Boston.

  

 Rainbow Lunch

Club Bus Service

 

Did you know that you can reach the Rainbow Lunch Club via public transport?

 

The outbound WRTA Route 8 bus from Union Station to the Greendale Mall stops on Shore Drive across from the Unitarian Universalist Church parking lot. The inbound trip from Greendale Mall to Union Station stops at the bottom of the parking lot.

 

A bus leaves the Union Station Hub at 11:30 a.m., from City Hall at 11:33, and arrives across from the church at Shore Drive and Holden Street at 11:43 a.m. Buses from Greendale Mall to Union Station leave the UUWC parking lot at 1:08 p.m. or 2:08 p.m. They arrive at City Hall at 1:26 and 2:26 and at Union Station at 1:30 and 2:30.  

  



  

 

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Elder Services and its programs receive funds administered through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs; and federal financial support under the Older Americans Act provided by the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging. Other funders include the United Way of Central Massachusetts, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Tufts Health Plan Foundation,, local Councils on Aging & governments, participant donations, grants and individual support. We also contract with Senior Care Organizations, One Care Organizations and The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
 
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Marriage equality countdown

 

October has proven to be a memorable month in the march toward marriage equality for same-sex partners. It all began on October 6 when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear appeals to rulings in two federal court districts that declared unconstitutional various bans in five states against gay marriage. The Supreme Court's action meant that the lower courts' rulings took effect in those states and became precedent in the 4th and the 10th circuits, meaning that marriage equality could extend to other states in those circuits as well, pending further appeals.

 

Here is the scorecard of court actions as of October 21, courtesy of Freedom to Marry:

 

Marriage (33 Jurisdictions)

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

 

Soon to have the freedom to marry (3 States)

Kansas, Montana, South Carolina

 

Marriages from Other States Respected (1 State)

Missouri

 

Pro-Marriage Ruling Issued by Judge, On Hold Pending Appeals (8 States)

Arkansas, Florida (4 rulings), Louisiana, Kentucky (2 rulings), Michigan, Ohio (2 Rulings, Limited), Texas, and Tennessee (Limited)

 

Anti-Relationship Recognition Constitutional Amendments (14 states)*

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas

 

Anti-Marriage Constitutional Amendments (4 States)

Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Tennessee

 

Anti-Marriage Laws or State Statutes (17 states)**

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas

 

* States where language goes beyond just marriage and affects other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships  

 

 

** This list includes states with laws or statutes that prohibit marriage. The list includes all states with constitutional amendments that prohibit marriage or relationship recognition for same-sex couples, with the exception of Nebraska.  

 

 

(http://www.freedomtomarry.org/pages/where-state-laws-stand)

 

 

Medical Guidelines

 

Two important reports within the last 12 months, one from the Joint Commission and the other from Lambda Legal, list standards for treatment of LGBT patients.

 

What is the Joint Commission? According to its website, it is "[a]n independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 20,500 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization's commitment to meeting certain performance standards."   

 

The JOA released Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural competence, and patient- and family-centered care for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community: A field guide on April 3, 2014. Read it here.   

 

Lambda Legal is "a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work." It released Creating equal access to quality health care for transgender patients: Transgender-affirming hospital policies on November 5, 2013. Find it here.   

 

 

   

Please join us on November 12th at the Rainbow Lunch Club for presenters Barbara Worthington and Lisandra Diaz from Pathways for Change.  Barbara and Lisandra will be speaking on intimate partner violence, the information presented will be specific to the LGBT community.

Lunch on the fourth Wednesday, November 26th, is followed by social time. We ask people 60 and over for a donation of $2.50. The charge for younger guests is $5.50. 

Lunch is always served at noon. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester  is located at the corner of Holden Street and Shore Drive in Worcester, next to Bancroft School. Access to the parking lot is off of Shore Drive. See the sidebar for information about WRTA bus service.

  

Reservations are required a week in advance, so we can be sure to have enough food for everyone who shows up. You may call Joan Anderson at (508) 756-1545 ext. 404 or email her at [email protected]. You may also join the Rainbow Lunch Club Meet-Up Group at http://www.meetup.com/Rainbow-Lunch-Club/ and reserve from the meet-up page.

  

MENUS:
November 12th: Roast beef sandwich, soup, salad and dessert. November 26th: Beef with Jardinere Sauce, Seasoned Rice, Honey Glazed Carrots and  Fresh Orange. 
 

    

Upcoming Dates:  

November 12th, November 26th

December 10th  (no luncheon December 24th)  

2015: January 14th, January 28th