Women displaced by blaze feel LGBT community's love

After an April 11 fire at the Jefferson Village apartments in Framingham left them temporarily homeless, two longtime lesbian activists, Laverne Saunders and Judah Dorrington, have received an outpouring of support from the LGBT community.

The couple has received donations from AIDS Action Committee, the Multi-cultural AIDS Coalition and will be the beneficiaries of a Gender Crash fundraiser organized by fellow activist and Gender Crash founder Gunner Scott.

Dorrington, a consultant, organizer of events like Black Pride New England and the Sistah Summit and a musician who frequently performs at LGBT events, said it was awkward to reach out and ask for help, but the couple has been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community.

"I'm used to, and Laverne is used to, helping other people and giving support and organizing people to rally and help folks. ... This is all very awkward and unfamiliar for us, but at the same time, we figured, we've got to reach beyond our own comfort zone to make sure that our family is taken care of so we can continue to do the work that we do," said Dorrington. Saunders is a consultant who does personal coaching, counseling and staff development for non-profits and government agencies.

According to press reports, the blaze tore through more than 70 apartments and caused about $3 million in damage. The couple's apartment, along with the computer and files they used to run their consulting business, was a casualty of the blaze. Dorrington said that it is unclear when she and Saunders will be allowed to return to the apartment to survey the damage and salvage what's left of their belongings.

As word has spread through the community about the fire via an e-mail sent by the couple's friends, Jacquie Bishop and Shantanette Patrice, people and organizations with which Dorrington and Saunders have worked over the years have stepped up to provide them financial support and basic essentials like to help them get back on their feet.

In addition to the Gender Crash open mic night benefit for Saunders and Dorrington, which happens on May 8, the Multicultural AIDS Coalition's (MAC) board president Paul Glass, executive director Gary Daffin, and other staffers made financial contributions to the couple and rounded up basic supplies including a bed and a desk, as well as "a nice bag of MOCAA [Men of Color Against AIDS, a program of the MAC] T shirts," said Dorrington. Dorrington said Wellesley College, where she works as director of LGBT services, provided her with a laptop, which has enabled her and Saunders to keep their consulting business afloat. AIDS Action executive director Rebecca Haag made a financial contribution to the couple and offered to provide them with essential supplies like clothes and furniture through AIDS Action's resale store, Boomerangs.

"Laverne and Judah have done training for our staff here and for our clients. They have been strong contributors to our community, and Rebecca just wanted to make sure we honor that back," said Diego Sanchez, AIDS Action's director of public relations and external affairs.

Since the fire the couple have moved into a nearby one-bedroom apartment owned by their landlords, and initially they slept on cots donated by the Red Cross. Dorrington said they may be given the option to move into a two-bedroom apartment owned by the management company in the next few days.

Dorrington and Saunders were in New Jersey during the fire. They first learned of it from Dorrington's aunt, who called from Boston after seeing the fire on the news. Had they been home during the blaze, Dorrington said, she is unsure they would have made it out alive. While authorities have told them that their apartment was largely untouched by the fire, the surrounding apartments and some of the apartments on the floor below were engulfed in flames. She said that the smoke pouring from the apartments below and beside their own apartment may have made an escape via the balcony impossible.

"Had we been at home, we couldn't have gotten on our balcony because the smoke was coming up. So we're lucky to be alive," said Dorrington.
She said the couple has continued to do consulting work and trainings - their primary source of income - in the wake of the fire. But without their files or even a printer to print invoices, it has been a struggle to keep up with all the engagements and ensure that they get paid. Dorrington said they still do not know when they will be able to get back into their apartment to see what survived the fire, but she said they were told their apartment sustained smoke and water damage.

She urged anyone able to donate money or supplies to e-mail her at [email protected], but for those who cannot donate she said even words of support or prayers would be a comfort to the couple.

"Cards and stuff is good, too. Feeling the love keeps you going. ... Prayer is important. Pray for us. God is getting us through this," said Dorrington.

Gender Crash's benefit for Dorrington and Saunders takes place May 8 at Spontaneous Celebrations in Jamaica Plain, 45 Danforth Street. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m., $5-10 sliding scale at the door. For more information visit Gendercrash.com.