Comments (1) This week’s Hartford Business Journal lists the top twenty largest in-state banks. Of the twenty, only two are headed by females — New Alliance Bank and Guilford Savings Bank. To put it another way, there are four people with the first name of John who are the heads of banks on this very same list. Continue reading 'Is it the Future Yet?'»
…but Hartford ranked higher than New York City on a positive list: best cities for working mothers.
Greater Hartford Real Estate Blog has more details about this.
Between the Komen Connecticut Race for the Cure, PRIDE, and who knows what else going on, Bushnell Park was buzzing this morning and afternoon.
On Saturday, Hartford will be hosting the annual Connecticut PRIDE Rally and Festival in Bushnell Park. It starts at noon, ends around 7pm, and will feature singer Inaya Day. I’m still waiting for the day when there is an actual parade and political edge to the Hartford event, but at least they chose a musician with an impressive resume this year.
Someone recently asked “PR parade is also next weekend (Sun) wonder what the gay boricuas will do.” Well, a weekend has two days, my friend.
Sunday is the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival del Coqui. If you look carefully, you’ll notice that the name of the parade has slightly changed, as it is hosted only by CICD (Connecticut Institute for Community Development) this year, and there is a new board of directors.
CICD says, “We are a new board that is trying to keep this beautiful cultural tradition alive by implementing different element such as the red carpet VIP area, celebrity hosts and cultural costumes and floats.” Celebrities?! If we start the rumor that Ricky Martin is among them, do you think we could get him to come to Hartford?
The parade begins at corner of Wawarme and Wethersfield Avenues (edge of Colt Park) at 11 a.m. and heads up Main Street, ending at Central Row and Prospect Street. From there, people can head to the Riverfront where Festival del Coqui will follow from 2-8 p.m.
The press release promises that, “There will be many surprises throughout the parade route with some celebrity appearances on floats. At the Festival del Coqui audiences will enjoy Spanish food, local cultural entertainment, and a battle of salsa bands that will allow the audience to select the winner.”
I’m already seeing people getting their cars ready for the parade. If you have never been to Hartford before during the Puerto Rican parade, I’d suggest giving yourself plenty of time to find parking or arrange detours. Better yet, just walk.
Thanks to punkpink is a bandits tip and Queers Without Borders for sharing this video clip. “How to Tell People They Sound Racist” is the basic formula one can follow for telling someone s/he sounds sexist or heterosexist or whatever. For more about how and why the rainbow flag at City Hall was removed before its time, check out the previous blog links.
May 22-30, 2009 at Cinestudio, the CT Gay & Lesbian Film Festival returns to Hartford. And really, how can anyone resist seeing a nine minute film called Shafted with this as the description:
When femme lesbian Lyndsay finds that her butch ex took all of their sex toys she will do whatever it takes to seek justice.
For the full schedule of films, see the official website.
The “We’re Super Catholic and should not have to provide flower arrangements for The Homosexuals” thing amuses me. Yes, friends, there are times when hate and discrimination are hysterical.
The economy is so strong that people can choose to not take money from those they do not approve of? Really?
Mark this occasion as the one time I ask for capitalism to be allowed to run its course without government intervention.
The Capitol Cinema Collective will hold a free screening for their monthly program—Kino Kafé—on Tuesday, February 10, 7:30PM at La Paloma Sabanera Coffeehouse, 405 Capitol Ave., Hartford. This month is The Beautiful Washing Machine (Mei li de xi yi ji). This is a quote from David Ng’s article in The Village Voice which sums up what the film is about:
Set in present-day Malaysia, [James] Lee’s deadpan exploration of consumer anomie demands at least two viewings—the first to absorb its steady stream of hypnotic, fluorescent-lit images, and the second to parse its intersecting story lines. Teoh (Loh Bak Lai) is a bespectacled cubicle slave who decides on impulse to buy a used washing machine. The unit promptly breaks down, initiating a series of customer service calls that culminates in the appearance of a nameless young woman, who becomes his live-in maid. The movie gets weirder as the woman changes hands halfway through the story, becoming the concubine of a lonely widower. An absurdist allegory on the perils of secondhand ownership, The Beautiful Washing Machine contains Buñuelian flourishes aplenty, but its primary influence lies closer to home: The [Ming-liang] Tsai-chological pall that hangs over the quasi-mute characters is as chillingly humorous as some of the Taiwanese master’s best work.
Included in the program is one of James Lee’s experimental short films titled WALL.
According to the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce, 40% of all runaway and homeless youth are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender (LGBT). LGBT youth also have a shockingly high rate of dropping out, substance abuse, and suicide. A link has clearly been made between these self-destructive behaviors and the too frequent experience of rejection/negative response from their families regarding their sexuality and/or gender expression.
On Wednesday January 21st, True Colors is holding an open house at St. Joseph’s College from 6-8pm for those who are interested in the Safe Harbor Project Mentoring Program. Potential mentors must be at least 24 years old, pass a background check, and be willing to meet with a mentee at least three times per month, for about 1-3 hours each week. Interested parties are asked to RSVP with Lea at 860.649.7386, ext 204.
ANSWER: When she’s a stripper.
Christine Dempsey’s article, “Remains Linked to Dead Stripper,” seems odd paired with David Owens’ report (also at courant.com) on the victim of a house fire: “Woman Identified in Fatal Berlin Fire.” The headlines imply that both identities were previously unknown, but now one victim can be identified by name. Dempsey’s report makes it sound as if the remains have yet to be identified, or that the person is not worth bothering to identify.
The “stripper”? Her name was Shamaia Smith. She was 22. She had family. She was a person. Given that her body was absolutely desecrated and the man who owned the land where her remains were found had been nabbed at the airport while attempting to leave the country, it’s fair to assume that she had been murdered.
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