Boston Gay Men's Chorus Coming to Brattleboro, 11/1

To help bring attention to the critical need in the country and New England for specialized mental health care services for the LGBT community, the Brattleboro Retreat is presenting the Boston Gay Men's Chorus Live at the Latchis on Saturday, November 1 at 7:30 pm.

Rob Simpson, President and CEO, Brattleboro Retreat, says "Through the magic of music, entertainment and humor, the Boston Gay Men's Chorus promises to deliver a remarkable evening. The BGMC is not only known for creating musical experiences that inspire change, build community and celebrate difference, but also they are one of New England's largest and most successful community based choruses. We're thrilled that they've agreed to perform here."

According to Bette Abrams, Chair of the Board of Trustees, the Retreat has been working for several years to bring the Boston Gay Men's Chorus to Brattleboro. In this first-ever performance in Brattleboro and rare perfomance in Vermont, the event will raise funds for the Retreat's program serving Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender (LGBT) individuals.

"The Retreat's LGBT program is meeting a real need," says Simpson. "Identifying as LGBT does not make an individual more predisposed to mental illness or addiction, but stigma, social prejudice, and discrimination can accompany LGBT identification and create heightened risk to mental health and well-being."

In addition to raising funds for the LGBT program through the Boston Gay Men's Chorus performance, the Retreat will honor this year's Anna Marsh Award recipient at the event. The Anna Marsh Award was established in 2009 to recognize advocacy on behalf of people with mental illness and addiction. Previous recipients include Governor Peter Shumlin, Larry Cassidy, the late Senator Robert Gannett, Julie Peterson, and actor Ken Howard. The Anna Marsh Award honoree will be announced early this fall.

The Retreat's LGBT program has created a safe and affirming atmosphere free from prejudice where LGBT people and allies can come to address any mental health or addiction challenges. The program staff have specialized education and experience related to gender and identity to help create a culturally sensitive and informed environment of care.

"We strive to create a space free from stress or anxiety around gender and sexual-orientation," said Eileen Glover, LGBT program representative. "From making sure we are using the pronoun a person prefers to having advanced medical understanding of people transitioning genders, we work very hard to be as sensitive and knowledgeable to their circumstances as possible. This allows people struggling to address their mental health or addiction challenges without these barriers they faced in the past," continued Glover.

Established in 2009, the Retreat LGBT program offers care to those identifying as LGBT for acute depression and other mood disorders, drug and alcohol addiction, co-occurring disorders, anxiety, grief and loss issues, sexual and gender identity issues, trauma, self-harming and suicidal behaviors, and other mental health issues. To date, the LGBT program at the Brattleboro Retreat has had over 2,300 admissions.

Ticket prices for the Boston Gay Men's Chorus performance range from $20 for balcony seating to $125 for a limited number of premium tickets. Premium tickets enhance the fundraising success of the event, bringing greater support to the Retreat's LGBT program. Premium tickets include front orchestra seating, recognition in the event program, and a private pre-show reception at the Brooks House catered by the new Duo Restaurant.

Other ticket prices include $50 regular front orchestra and $30 rear orchestra seats. The event begins at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are available online at www.brattlebororetreat.org/chorus or by phone at 1-800-838-3006 through Brown Paper Tickets. Event organizers anticipate a sell-out show, so people are encouraged to purchase tickets promptly. For event questions, or to purchase handicap-accessible seating, contact Robert Szpila at the Brattleboro Retreat Office of Development at 258-4318.

The Brattleboro Retreat, founded in 1834, is a not-for-profit, regional specialty psychiatric hospital and addictions treatment center, providing a full range of diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation services for individuals of all ages and their families. Recognized as a national leader in the treatment mental illness and addiction, the Brattleboro Retreat offers a high quality, individualized, comprehensive continuum of care including inpatient, partial hospitalization, residential and outpatient treatment.

###

Lynn Barrett
Publisher, SO Vermont Arts & Living
President, Primetime Concepts, Inc.
East Coast Rep, The Bohle Company
1484 Middle Road
Dummerston Center, VT 05301
802-258-3992, fax 802-258-4453
cell 323-627-4625

www.vermontartsliving.com http:SO-Vermont-Arts-Living

"If I only had two dollars left I would spend one dollar on PR." Bill Gates -- Founder of Microsoft

Lynn Barrett
Publisher, SO Vermont Arts & Living
President, Primetime Concepts, Inc.
East Coast Rep, The Bohle Company
1484 Middle Road
Dummerston Center, VT 05301
802-258-3992, fax 802-258-4453
cell 323-627-4625

www.vermontartsliving.com http:SO-Vermont-Arts-Living

"If I only had two dollars left I would spend one dollar on PR." Bill Gates -- Founder of Microsoft