GLBT Faces of Springfield | Springfield, Massachusetts

Newell Murri

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:46:55 -0500

Newell grew up in Utah and graduated from the University of Utah. He then moved to Oregon where he taught high school art and continued his university studies for two years before deciding to move east.He was offered a job in Enfield CT, where he taught for more than 30 years. Soon after relocating, he met his partner Frank. Together, they built a contemporary house in on a hill in Sixteen Acres, Springfield’s most suburban neighborhood.

Now retired, Newell enjoys pursuing creative projects that are unique and to his interest. "For me there are a lot of energies within the city, both physical and intellectual, that challenge my life long interests in personal growth and development. Libraries, colleges and a good many social organizations always present me with new sources of materials that I often use in my work".

He feels that there are many creative people doing divers and varied projects in the arts in Springfield. Equally as important, there is a population of supporters of the arts. “After all,” he adds, “we all would like an audience for our work.”

Karan Parkin & Marianne Winter

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:59:48 -0500

Marianne, originally from the Syracuse NY area, met Karan when she moved to Worcester for a job. After 13 years in a rural town, they decided to move to a larger town or city. Karan, who grew up in Central Massachusetts, stumbled across Springfield on the Internet and was “floored” by the great houses and reasonable prices. They married and moved into their Victorian home in June, 2004.

Karan is a consultant for web site and graphic design. Marianne is a consultant for nonprofit and governmental agencies which work with sexual abuse and domestic violence. Their home is spacious enough so that they both work from home and even collaborate to provide services to some clients.

Although first concerned about how they would be accepted a lesbian couple, they soon found the new neighbors to be welcoming and friendly. Marianne now serves on the neighborhood council and says she no qualms introducing Karan as her spouse. They enjoy neighborhood card games with gay neighbors and are looking forward to participating in a new neighborhood GLBT yoga night.

After only a few years here, they know more people than they ever knew in 13 years in their previous location! Karan adds that Springfield has more quality houses, more things to done, and is much friendlier than Worcester.

Brian Connors & Ben Murphy

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:54:47 -0500

Ben is a Springfield native who went to college in Rhode Island, where he met his partner Brian. They moved to eastern Massachusetts for several years and then to Springfield when Brian accepted a position with the City of Springfield. Ben works for a nonprofit a few towns away, an easy commute on Interstate 91, and is active in the Springfield Preservation Trust, the city's historic preservation organization. Together, they are refurbishing their 1923 Colonial Revival home.

Ben thinks Springfield has a great sense of place and community and loves that there are many close amenities such as a variety of restaurants, parks, and convenient neighborhood stores. He also likes being near so many great places: quick trips to the Berkshires, New York, Boston and beaches of Rhode Island, without the expensive price tag.

“I love the wonderful collection of historic buildings throughout the city and the stories they tell of the past. Since moving back to Springfield in 2007, I have met so many people in the GLBT community who live in Springfield. Martini Night is a great event that brings together many in the gay community, and my involvement with the Springfield Preservation Trust has acquainted me with many community activists who are great people,” he adds.

Michael Rheault and Matthew Jaquith

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:11:47 -0500

Michael grew up in a Springfield suburb but was living in Amherst when he met Matthew, who also lived and worked in that area. In 2003 they bought a neglected Colonial Revival house in the Forest Park Height Historic District and its subsequent renovations won honors with the Springfield Preservation Trust. Michael works in software and application development but is also busy as a pianist, composer and music director. Like Michael, Matthew is also a trained musician and sings with Schola Nova, the Springfield Symphony Chorus, and elsewhere. He works as a librarian at the Springfield Central Library and is active in the Not Exactly the Oprah Book Club.

Matthew feels “Springfield’s housing stock is wonderful, and many of the neighborhoods are terrific with friendly, caring neighbors. The cost of living is low with convenient access to many other communities which interest us too. I also love my short commute which is about 10 minutes door to desk! Also the Springfield Symphony is a great pleasure and source of pride.”

Michael adds “I wanted to live in an historic district within walking distance to Forest Park, and I wanted friendly neighbors too. The Forest Park Heights location is ideal, plus it’s close to the highway – very convenient to both Hartford and Northampton. We were able to purchase a home here for what would’ve easily cost us more than double in adjacent Longmeadow. And I love old houses, so living in the City of Homes sets me right within my element.”

Both feel that their social life has expanded considerably since moving to Springfield and that the gay community is friendly, easy to find, and offers many social opportunities.

Earskin Sloan & Michael Roche

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:39:02 -0500

Earskin moved from his hometown of Rochester NY for a job opportunity in Springfield in 1993. Michael moved to Springfield from the nearby town of Palmer. They met and moved into a 1950s Cape Cod house, of which they are only the second owners. They have made many significant changes to the property and have continued to update and renovate it over the years.

Earskin now works for a major manufacturer in the region. He is an amateur photographer and has recently started a small business as a portrait and event photographer. Michael has spent 20 years in various human services positions. He volunteers as a court appointed special advocate, is a member of a local human rights committee, and is now training to be a hospice volunteer. In June 2004, they were married and are the proud foster parents to a now-adult young man named Juan as well as the proud human parents to a very personable Chihuahua named Pepe'.

Michael and Earskin enjoy Springfield’s small town feel and big city amenities, with a movie theater, restaurants, parks and services convenient to their home. They feel that Springfield's downtown night life is second to none with cultural events at Symphony Hall and City Stage as well as dining and dancing, all within walking distance of hotels for when friends and relatives visit.

As a gay couple, they love the eclectic network of friends and acquaintances they have made over the years, which makes Springfield a wonderful place to live. Whether a dinner party at a friend’s home, gay bowling, or Symphony gala, they value and enjoy the growing GLBT community. “There is a vibrant gay community and those who support us here in Springfield, and we see it getting stronger and more diverse each year,” says Earskin.

Michael Ferrier

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:02:22 -0500

Michael grew up in Mystic CT. In 2006, he was hired as a consultant to MassMutual Life Insurance Company, one of the region’s largest employers. Tiring of commuting to Springfield, he started looking for houses within 30 minute drive of work. After looking at 35-40 houses in the surrounding areas, his realtor said that she has heard may good things about the McKnight neighborhood. So, after looking at 5 or 6 Victorian homes of McKnight, only a mile from MassMutual, Michael found one with the required large garage since he is a car enthusiast. He participates in rotating card/social nights hosted by his gay and lesbian neighbors as well as the Lambda Car Club International. Michael likes living in Springfield because of the many cultural venues as well as the proximity to the Berkshires, Boston, New York, Vermont--all within an easy day trip--and the relaxed quaintness of Western Mass. As a gay man, he loves McKnight because many neighbors are gay and there is a tight cohesiveness and everybody else is very gay friendly. “One can really be yourself here and we are here to stay. And one must mention all of the fantastic historic architecture and grand homes that also make Springfield a beautiful place to live” says Michael.

Larry Picard

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:07:52 -0500

Larry is a Springfield native who left for college and then pursued a church music career in Connecticut, NYC, Michigan, and Ohio. While away, New England continued to beckon. He returned in 2007 to become the Director of Music at South Congregational Church, the most GLBT-friendly Christian church in the county. Larry found a nifty apartment in the Mattoon Street historic area and recently purchased a Victorian house in McKnight. He enjoys the many cultural events in the city as well as the easy access to nearby mountains where he hikes. Proximity to Boston and New York are also a plus. And, Larry was pleasantly surprised to make more friends in his first year back here than he had at any other place he ever lived!!

Kevin Wallace & Rick Morest

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:07:50 -0500

Kevin grew up twenty miles away in Northampton but moved here to be closer to a job opportunity. Rick lived in Maine, where the two of them met at a party. After four months of long distance dating, Rick moved to Springfield. They were among the first couples in the city to get their marriage license on the historic day of May 17, 2004. Both work at a major manufacturer a few miles from their home.

Kevin feels that Springfield is less expensive compared to the suburbs, with more municipal services than can be found elsewhere. Besides nearby cultural events such as the Mattoon Street Arts Festival, in which they exhibit, and art openings at the Indian Orchard Mills, they also like Springfield’s easy drive to getaways such as Provincetown and Montreal, which they regularly visit.

They love the neighborhood in which they live, “where we know our neighbors and watch out for and care about each other” as well as “the wonderful welcoming gay community that resides here in the city.”

Jim & Will Llewellyn

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:07:47 -0500

Jim and Will moved to Springfield in 2006 from a small Vermont town after having lived in large cities in the West.

In researching communities in which to put down new roots, they looked for a gay-friendly, midsize city with large,

older homes at affordable prices. They considered Providence RI but ultimately purchased a 12-room Victorian in

Springfield's McKnight historic district. There, they found friendly neighbors and a sense of community. They also enjoy the city's restaurants and night spots as well as easy access to the region, Boston, and New York City.