Articles from the Constitution State
‘Bright Shiny Balls’ holiday show
This holiday season, the Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus is back for their 35th year to perform an all-new holiday concert.
The title of their festive, new show is “Bright Shiny Balls,” and they’ll perform it at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook on Dec. 12, with two shows at 3 and again at 7 p.m.
The group has gone a full year and a half with no in-person shows or rehearsals due to COVID-19. They were scheduled to perform “The British Are Coming!” back in May, featuring British hit songs from over the years, including songs by Adele, George Michael, and David Bowie.
While they may bring the Brit one back at a future date, they’re now eagerly focused on their big return with “Bright Shiny Balls,” live and in-person for the holidays.
‘Fish Out of Water’
As part of their process to be officially recognized as open and affirming, the Enfield Congregational Church is hosting a screening of the film “Fish Out of Water” on Nov. 15.
The film, describes the folks behind the screening, “seizes the issue of homosexuality and the Bible, dissecting the impact it has had on American culture, politics, the LGBTQ community and the Christian Church as a whole. With animated historical clips and quirky interviews taken from barbershops to truck stops, the film will inspire, inform and with hope, transform America.”
“This is an excellent film containing Biblical scholars from multiple denominations to help us understand better those verses often used against people in the LGBTQ community.”
According to openandaffirming.org, “The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ advocates for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and equips UCC congregations to become effective witnesses to Christ’s extravagant welcome.”
The coalition was founded in 1972, with the first official Open and Affirming church recognition in 1986. The one-thousandth Open and Affirming church was recognized in 2012. Currently, over 1,400 churches have earned the title.
Connecticut Sun leads in LGBTQ inclusivity
During this WNBA playoff season, the Connecticut Sun team made headlines for inclusivity.
According to a report in Outsports.com, at least half of the Sun’s team this season was made up of players who are openly LGBTQ.
These players include Natisha Hiedeman, Jasmine Thomas, Jonquel Jones, DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas and Briann January. What’s more, their coach Curt Miller is “the only publicly out male head coach of a major pro sports team in North America that Outsports knows of.”
Twenty-five percent of the athletes competing in the WNBA playoffs this year were players who are openly LGBTQ, according to Outsports, which notes other teams with strong LGBTQ representation include the Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx, Chicago Sky, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm.
Return of New London Pride
Like so many Prides last year, New London’s lineup went virtual due to the pandemic. But in late August, New London came back with a full week of festivities, which included a final blowout festival at Ocean Beach Park, right on the waterfront.
Kicking off with a “Pink Eggs and Glam” drag brunch, the fun included an art show, a “Who’s in the Neighborhood” talk with OutCT Host Chevelle interviewing community members, a karaoke night and more, all coordinated by OutCT.
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