Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1522851
wbjournal.com | June 24, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 19 Scan the QR code to learn more. Discover why ZEscrow is the future of escrow management! Member FDIC | Member DIF 800-939-9103 cornerstonebank.com The Future of Escrow Management and Subaccounting for Landlords Easily handle security deposits and other escrow accounts smoothly and securely with ZEscrow. is modern, convenient, third-party web platform for digital commercial escrow and subaccounting keeps you effortlessly organized. 2024 LGBTQ+ safety grades by state in the Northeast State Total safety score State ranking Safety grade Rhode Island 100 1 A+ New Hampshire 98.3 2 A+ Maine 91.1 6 A- Connecticut 85.9 10 B New York 85.4 11 B Vermont 84.5 13 B Massachusetts 73.4 28 C New Jersey 73.3 29 C Pennsylvania 66.4 36 D Source: Safehome.org grading system based on the opinions of 1,000 American LGBTQ+ individuals, perceived impacts of state laws on LGBTQ+ individuals based on law information provided by the nonprofit Human Rights Campaign, and hate crime data from the FBI. Feeling unwelcome Worcester is an overall safe city for LGBTQ+, Guinette said. Yet, in the first state in the country to legalize gay marriage, Guinette said Central Mass. is not where it should be in accepting of the gay community. He feels the area has regressed from a decade ago. Keith Bellerose, manager at the MB, has witnessed the way people discrim- inate against LGBTQ+, even when it's expressed in subtle ways. "ere's the look from people. ere's the whispering. ere's the 'Oh, my god, can we sit over there? I don't want to sit next to them.' So there's still a lot of that unfortunately in the community itself. It's sad, because people are people," he said. It's not uncommon for Guinette's patrons to tell him of the harassment they've experienced at other local estab- lishments, he said. Jon Pittsley, co-owner with his husband Eddy Rocco of e Woo Bar & Grill, said he still experiences being laughed at and made fun of when he visits certain businesses in the area. Moreover, the aermath of mass gun violence against LGBTQ+ nightlife We don't have specific LGBTQ+ business policies Worcester-based Hanover Insurance, Marlborough-based Boston Scientific, and Milford-based Waters Corp. are typically recognized every year by the nonprofit Human Rights Campaign for their policies, practices, and benefits related to LGBTQ+ employees. In late May, the Worcester gay bar MB Lounge reopened following renovations, with the owner saying the main purpose of the business is to provide a safe haven for people from the LGBTQ+ community. The owners of the Femme in Worcester opened their business specifically as a lesbian bar. When polled online, the majority of WBJ readers said their businesses are accepting to the LGBTQ+ community, although most said they don't have formal policies and practices. Would you consider your business to be inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community? Yes, we have specific policies and formal practices in place for LGBTQ+ employees. 25% Yes, although it's more of an informal culture of acceptance. 48% No, we don't believe such policies are necessary. 27% Continued on next page Milford Regional Medical Center and Milford Regional Physician Group are seeking opportunities to expand and consolidate service offerings to their customers and patients in the greater Milford (MA) area. In an RFP due in August, the groups are seeking a long-term lease for a new, build-to-suit, turnkey facility that can accommodate between 25,000 square feet and 40,000 square feet (gross leasable area). Review RFP: milfordregional.org Request for Proposal