Welcome to DotOUT
Upcoming Events:
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DotOUT is taking a well needed break for the fall/winter Holiday season. Check back in after the New Year. In the meantime, don't forget to exercise your right to vote on November 8th in the City elections.
Announcements
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DotOUT At-Large City Council Candidate Forum
We had a great forum with the at large candidates. There are seven on the ballot and six were in attendance during our program at the Savin Bar and Kitchen. Steven Murphy elected not to attend. After presenting their platforms and addressing how they can represent the needs of the GLBT community in City Hall, they fielded questions ranging from how to improve the safety and acceptability of GLBT youth in high schools, to how to address the lack of quality schools in many neighborhoods in Boston to how to address the inequities and perceived conflicts within the Boston Redevelopment Agency. The membership then voted to endorse the following four candidates.
Felix Arroyo
Ayanna Pressley
John Connolly
Michael Flaherty
Sue O'Connell, publisher at OutAtNight, Bay Windows and South End News did a fantastic job at moderating even posing the question as to whether the candidates would support Bay Windows in next years St. Patrick's Day Parade. We thank all our members for coming. Now don't forget to vote on the 8th. Remember you can still view the candidates prepared answers to a number of timely questions by clicking here.
At Large Candidates:
Felix Arroyo
Ayanna Pressley
John Connolly
Sean Ryan
Michael Flaherty
Will Dorcena
Stephen Murphy
Sue O'Connell, publisher at OutAtNight, Bay Windows and South End News will again moderate.
The endorsement process consists of a vote requiring 2/3 of the voting members present. To be a voting member, you must be registered on our website. To check your status, click here.
DotOUT Harvest Lounge Mixer
We also enjoyed our 2nd Annual Harvest Lounge Mixer at
We took over the "newer" venue and enjoyed tasty morsels, drinks and music all the while collecting money for "It Gets Better" Despite some technical difficulties, we had a great time giving out prizes including gift cards to local restaurants and businesses. Someone even won a coveted JLowe chicken painting.
We gratefully thank the following businesses for their support and ask that you return the favor in kind by visiting them.
Cedar Grove Gardens
Ashmont Grill
Savin Hill Bar and Kitchen
Savin Scoop
McKenna's
224 Boston Street Restaurant
Dbar
Harp and Bard
This year we also sought to memorialize the event by raising funds for a charity in the name of Michael Dwornik, who we lost suddenly this year. It Gets Better is a national program geared to help prevent suicide among teens and young adults struggling through life's challenges with the additional burden of discrimination and oppression because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.
DotOUT City Council District Race Endorsements
Don't forget that we endorsed candidates in districts 2, 3 and 7. We were fortunate to have almost all the candidates in attendance with the exception of District 2. After a short presentation by each candidate and an open question and answer forum, our endorsement voting process ensued. With the requirement for 2/3 of the voting membership present, the votes went into three rounds for two districts with the following results:
DotOUT endorses Suzanne Lee in District 2
DotOUT endorses Tito Jackson in District 7
DotOUT endorsed Craig Galvin in District 3 however only Frank Baker and John O'Toole made it to the final election in November. Our current bylaws prevented us from considering a new endorsement.
As a reminder these were the candidates in attendance:
| Suzanne Lee | Marydith Tuitt |
| Martin Hogan | |
| Stephanie Everett | |
| Tito Jackson | Craig Galvin |
| Sheneal Parker | John O'Toole |
| Frank Baker |
If you are unsure who your current councilor is or what district you live in, you can visit http://www.cityofboston.gov/citycouncil/councillors/.
To read the answers to the questionnaire, including their plans for GLBT senior care, suicide prevention, and domestic violence, click here.
P.S. If you are not yet registered to vote in the City of Boston, it's too late for the November 8th Municipal Election.
DotOUT went all Out in the Park
DotOUT members led by Chris Burr braved a ride in an authentic school bus without shock suspension all the way to Six Flags New England in Western Massachusetts. With all the practice from the bumpy ride out, we were ready for a full day of rides and amusements. Thank goodness for a cooler full of goodies, new friends and "kiddie" rides. I still hear the screams at night. Too bad we missed all the shows on the wrong side of the park. If you missed out this year, don't worry, you can try again next year. For some snapshots, visit here.
Mission
DotOUT is a grassroots, member driven organization committed to the ideals of acceptance, inclusion, fairness, and equality. We believe in the strength of the gay and lesbian community in Dorchester and recognize that together through our activism and neighborliness we can positively influence local opinion on issues that are relevant to us and our community. We recognize that Dorchester's gay and lesbian residents have a long history of contributing to the very essence of our neighborhood. It is upon this foundation that we unite as gay men and lesbians and commit to working with our neighbors and friends in an ongoing effort to improve the quality of life in Dorchester by continuing to build bridges to Dorchester's many communities. In so doing, we will advance the ideals of fairness and equality for all the residents of Dorchester.