AMHERST SENIOR CENTER MURAL UNVEILING RECEPTION,  December 10, 2024 Tuesday 9-11 am 

@ Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst

• Students Of Lucia Monge’s Public Art And Collaborative Practices have been hard at work painting a mural inside the Senior Center. It is time to unveil their masterpiece! Please join us for the reception! Thank you to the Center for Community Engagement at Amherst College! Refreshments generously provided by Amherst College. 

 December 2024 - Rainbow (LGBTQIA+) and Allies Coffee / Social Groups

 December 3rd, AMHERST COFFEE HOUR (this Tuesday) 10-11 am at the Bangs Community Center in Amherst - Coffee/Tea, bagels and conversation! https://www.rainbowcoffeehouramherst.com/ 

 December 4th, RAINBOW SUPPER CLUB HOLYOKE (this Wednesday) 5-7 pm  Go to https://wmeldercare.org/home/services-programs/lgbtq-support/  for further info and to RSVP! 

 December 10, 2024 Tuesday, AMHERST SENIOR CENTER MURAL UNVEILING RECEPTION 9-11 am @ Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst

• Students Of Lucia Monge’s Public Art And Collaborative Practices have been hard at work painting a mural inside the Senior Center. It is time to unveil their masterpiece! Please join us for the reception! Thank you to the Center for Community Engagement at Amherst College! Refreshments generously provided by Amherst College. 

 December 11th, Wednesday, BELCHERTOWN’S RAINBOW SOCIAL HOUR 10-11 am @ Belchertown Senior Center, 60 State Street, Belchertown https://rainbowsocialhour.my.canva.site/ 

 December 11th, Wednesday, 1:30 – 3:00pm @ SOUTH HADLEY SR CENTER, 

45 Dayton St, South Hadley  https://www.southhadley.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1972 

• Photographic Tour of Calabria, Italy with Neil Broome, host of the monthly LGBTQ+ coffee hour, will be showcasing his stunning photography from his recent trip to Calabria.

 December 19th, South Hadley Social / Coffee Hour 10:30 to 12 pm @ South Hadley Sr Center. 45 Dayton St, South Hadley https://www.southhadley.org/324/Council-on-Aging

 🏳‍🌈 We now have NINE groups, meeting in person, throughout each month in Western Massachusetts!  

Our numbers are growing ...We are everywhere! 🏳‍🌈

Mark your calendars, pass the info along to your friends, and plan to attend!  Help support all the groups!

1.       Amherst Sr Center - 1st Tuesday of month @ 10-11 am https://www.rainbowcoffeehouramherst.com/

2.       Holyoke Sr Center - 1st Wednesday of month @ 5-7 pm (Unless a holiday, then moved to following week)  https://wmeldercare.org/home/services-programs/lgbtq-support/

3.       Belchertown Sr Center - 2nd Wednesday of month @ 10-11 am https://rainbowsocialhour.my.canva.site/ 

4.       South County Sr Center, Sunderland - 2nd Thursday of month @ 12-2 pm  https://lifepathma.org/what-we-offer/health-and-wellness/rainbow-elders/

5.       South Hadley Sr Center - 3rd Thursday of month @ 10:30-12 pm https://www.southhadley.org/324/Council-on-Aging 

6.       Northampton Sr Center - Silver Lesbians - 1st, 3rd & 5th Tuesday at 2:30 pm https://northamptonma.gov/2055/Senior-Services 

7.       Northampton Sr Center - Gay Men's Group, every Friday@ 1 pm https://northamptonma.gov/2055/Senior-Services 

8.       North County (Bernardston) Sr Center - 3rd Friday@ 11 am  https://www.townofbernardston.org/council-aging 

9.       Hadley Senior Center - TBD  - Lavender Lunch at 12:30 pm https://www.hadleyma.org/council-aging 

The Town of Amherst is proud to announce that it has achieved an outstanding score of 99 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2024 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), illustrating the Town’s unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ residents and visitors.  

“We are honored to receive this high score, as it represents our Town's dedication to creating a community where everyone feels welcomed and valued,” said Town Manager Paul Bockelman. “This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our Town departments, community leaders, and advocates who strive to ensure that Amherst is an inclusive space for all.” 

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Municipality Equality Index is a nationwide evaluation of cities and towns on how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of LGBTQ+ people who live and work there. Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. 

“It’s essential that the LGBTQ+ community feels safe and valued, as this fosters a more inclusive, supportive environment for all residents,” said Philip Avila, assistant director of the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “Ensuring safety and representation helps break down stereotypes, strengthens community bonds, and promotes equality. Amherst’s commitment to inclusivity is key to building a town where everyone, regardless of their identity, belongs and flourishes.” 

Some of the key initiatives contributing to the Town’s score include: 

• Implementation of comprehensive non-discrimination policies in all areas of municipal operations.

• Providing town services to LGBTQ+ youth, people experiencing homelessness, and older adults.

• Elected and appointed leaders who openly identify as LGBTQ+.

• Partnerships with local LGBTQ+ organizations to provide support and outreach services.

• Community programs that celebrate and promote LGBTQ+ culture and visibility.

The Amherst Police Department also announced that Detective Marcus Humber has been designated as the LGBTQ+ Police Liaison, serving as an accessible and friendly ear to the town’s LGBTQ+ community and elevating related concerns to the police chief and other Town officials. With this announcement, the Town is confident of achieving an MEI score of 100 in future years.  

“The Town of Amherst remains committed to continuous improvement and enhancement of its policies and practices” said Pamela Nolan Young, director of the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “While this score is an important milestone, the journey toward full equality and inclusion is ongoing.” 

“Over more than a decade, the Municipal Equality Index has worked with cities and towns in all parts of the country, in all fifty states to advance the fight for lived and legal equality,” said Human Rights Campaign Foundation President Kelley Robinson in an announcement of this year’s scores. “For LGBTQ+ people, building community isn’t just a phrase, it’s a way of life. In many important ways, local politics shapes our lives just as much as state or national politics does. Mayors and city councilors who take LGBTQ+ inclusion seriously build stronger communities, and in turn their cities thrive.”   

The full MEI report, Amherst’s scorecard, and a searchable database for other municipalities’ scores are available online at hrc.org/mei. To learn more about what Amherst is doing to support LGBTQ+ equality, please contact the Human Rights Commission at humanrights@amherstma.gov. 

Amherst 2024 Municipal Equality Index Scorecard

Posted on: November 25, 2024  https://www.amherstma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3698

Join us for a heartwarming and inclusive experience at our LGBTQIA+ and Allies Coffee Hour Group! We gather once a month on the first Tuesday from 10 - 11 am at the Amherst Senior Center.  We've created a safe and welcoming space where you can connect with like-minded individuals, share stories, and combat loneliness. 

Our Coffee Hour is a delightful blend of friendship, support, and laughter, where you can be your authentic self without judgment. Whether you're looking to forge new connections or simply enjoy a cup of coffee / tea with friends who understand your journey, we invite you to be part of our vibrant community. Together, we celebrate diversity, foster understanding, and ensure that no one in the LGBTQIA+ and Allies community ever feels alone. Come sip, chat, and thrive with us!

An LGBTQIA+ & Allies Coffee Hour

Come and meet others for friendly conversations! 

Contact this group by email @  Rainbowandallies@gmail.com