. view
Q
northwest Spokane Edition
Monthly newsmagazine celebrating diversity and dances of the human spirit
February 2009
feeling the
beat
Law &Wine
herbivore tales from an
name? The Aging GLBT Community what’s in a
surprised by
God
the Bell Tolls
for all of us
Queer Goggles
an interview with
ill &J Molly Wagner
Spencer
www.qviewnorthwest.com | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | February 2009 |
Qview
northwest SPOKANE EDITION February 2009 Vol. 3 Issue 6
Monthly newsmagazine celebrating diversity and dances of the human spirit Distributed free throughout the Pacific Inland Northwest and online at
www.qviewnorthwest.com Publisher MIKE SCHULTZ Advertising STEVEN SANFORD MIKE ELLSWORTH Graphic Consultant MIKE ELLSWORTH Layout MIKE SCHULTZ
Contributors
LORNA DOONE BREWER JORDY BYRD NICOLE HENSLEY JOAN OPYR ERIKA PRINS STEVE RODENBOUGH COKE ROTH BLAIR TELLERS DAVID R. WEISS CATHERINE D. WILLIS
C O N T E N T S 3 The Aging GLBT Community - Part 2 of 3 by Lorna Doone Brewer 4 The Bell Tolls For All Of Us by Catherine D. Willis 5 What’s In A Name? by Erika Prins
Front Cover Photograph
7 Interview With Jill Wagner & Molly Spencer by Lorna Doone Brewer
Distribution
9 Surprised By God By David R. Weiss
Website
10 Law & Wine: Got Wills? Got Red? Get Both! by Coke Roth
STEVE RODENBAUGH STEVEN SANFORD MIKE SCHULTZ
Q View Northwest is published by Q View Media, LLC. 1506 W. Mission Ave Spokane, WA 99201 Phone: 509.570.8768 E-mail: mail@qviewnorthwest.com Website: www.qviewnorthwest.com All contents © 2009. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written consent from the publisher. Neither Q View Media LLC nor Q View Northwest publication assumes responsibility for errors in content, photos, or advertisements. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher or advertisers.
| February 2009 | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | www.qviewnorthwest.com
12 Feeling The Beat By Blair Tellers 14 Tales From an Herbivore by Jordy Byrd 17 Queer Goggles by Joan Opyr 21 Calendar 22 Resource Directory
AgingGLBT Community The
Part 2 of 3
T
oday’s older gay population is in a unique situation when it comes to preparing for retirement and beyond. As a collective, this group has continually paved the way for those who would come after. From civil rights marches to Stonewall, this is the first generation of truly “out” individuals. And, after decades of trailblazing, they’re still leading the way right into the golden years. Because of their position in history, this group really has no previous generation to look to for guidance. They are facing issues that are unprecedented, especially in the eyes of the greater public. Where heterosexuals are generally able to model their retirements after their parents’, that is not necessarily the case for the GLBT community. We have entered an era where rights for same-sex partners are not only possible, but are often expected. Many people are learning the hard way, however, that it takes some preparation to guarantee those rights. Dick Sayre of Sayre & Sayre Attorneys at Law in Spokane is an Elder Law Professional in Spokane, and his experience extends to representing aging gays and lesbians on a variety of issues. “I could tell you some horror stories,” he says before doing just that. He continually sees situations where a surviving partner is driven from his or her home due to Medicare,
disgruntled family members, or any other combination of (usually avoidable) circumstances. He talks of life-long partners who are unable to be present at each others’ deathbeds and of homophobic families who use extremely underhanded tactics to cut a partner out of the will. “When money’s involved,” he warns, “nobody’s pleasant, everybody goes crazy, and no one takes care of anybody.”
Consider a Domestic Partnership Sayre’s number one piece of advice for those in committed relationships is to register for a domestic partnership. Obviously, this isn’t a decision that should be made lightly, as the rights afforded by a domestic partnership extend right on through dealing with “divorce” issues if the partnership ends up being dissolved later. “You don’t want to do this willy-nilly,” Sayre says. “You want to do it with someone you plan to spend the rest of your life with.” For those who make the commitment, however, there are some major benefits. Q View contributor Coke Roth is also an attorney with an expertise in Estate and Relationship Planning. As the Principal for the Roth*Coleman Law Office, he explains in more depth what a domestic partnership is all about. For most intents and purposes, a domestic partnership in Washington designates that
by Lorna Doone Brewer
each of the partners should be legally treated as a “spouse.” This is great news in many regards, but Roth warns against being complacent just because you have registered. He strongly advises that couples, whether in a marriage or a domestic partnership, augment their protection by creating wills and powers of attorney. He feels that gay couples are especially at risk if they haven’t taken the extra measures. “Despite the fact that the legislature has created this quasi-marital situation for samesex couples,” he says, “due to complex family dynamics with same-sex partners—like former children, siblings who don’t agree with their lifestyle, parents who have disowned them, and so on— they need even more protection than heterosexual couples.” Still, the designation of “spouse” is extremely important, as in cases of medical decisions, the spouse is the person doctors consult. Because of HIPAA requirements, there are very strict policies regarding the release of medical information. If the sick or injured party does not have a spouse, power goes next to any children, then to parents, and finally to siblings. Note that “life-partner of 35 years” is nowhere in the chain of command. With a domestic partnership registration, you are able to show a wallet card that indicates you are to be treated as the patient’s spouse in all medical dealings. Aging continued on page 8
www.qviewnorthwest.com | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | February 2009 |
the Bell Tolls by Catherine D. Willis
“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. …” Seventeenth century sexist language notwithstanding, I’ve always found John Donne’s often quoted meditation enormously heartening. The concept of our common connectedness is central to my personal spirituality, so maybe I see things through a particularly shaded lens. I wasn’t exaggerating last month when I wrote about gifts of time and money and declared, “The shared giving binds us.” We don’t need to dance across life’s stage singing “We are family,” but it wouldn’t hurt us to stand together, to speak up for our own self-interests, and to vigorously support those who carry the torch for the issues that affect our lives and the lives of those we love. Membership in a community – be it a family (biological or selfdefined), a neighborhood, the Inland Northwest, Washington or the entire world – involves
for all of us reciprocity. I give, I get, you give, you get, and ultimately we all benefit. The payoffs vary, of course. Inequities abound, sometimes glaringly so. Nevertheless, with membership comes responsibility.
Our institutions have obligations too, though it may be hard to recognize them in light of the greedfest that took place on Wall Street in recent years. Just where do accountability and transparency fit in? I’ve raised these questions broadly relative to the nonprofit groups that serve our community. A more pointed, 20-question survey went out to nonprofit executives and boards of directors in the first part of January, but it yielded few immediate responses. Most reported a need for full board discussion of prospective replies. Hence, an article overviewing the status of Spokane area GLBTQ organizations will reach Q View readers next month. Special thanks go to Farand Gunnels of the Pride Foundation, Jennifer Foster-Fausett of Odyssey
Youth Center, and Wayne Shull of Emmanuel Metropolitan Community Church for providing quick and thoughtful answers to some admittedly tough questions. Let me now offer a mea culpa. I should have disclosed this truth last month: I have been attending board meetings as a Friend of OutSpokane since June of 2008. I was invited to join the nonprofit’s board, in fact, but declined because the organization lacks insurance coverage to protect their directors against liability exposure. I believe board service is demanding enough without the addition of unnecessary risks. That said, I have no official ties with any GLBTQ nonprofits at this time, though I readily share my skills when asked. I consider it the price of community membership. Have you paid your dues lately? © 2008, End o’ the Rainbow Enterprises
Catherine D. Willis is a writer, editor and community activist who has served on nearly two dozen neighborhood, corporate and community boards and committees over a period of 30 years.
8836 Gage Boulevard, Suite 204-A Kennewick, WA 99336 Phone: 509.783.0220 # Fax: 509.783.0411 ROTHCOLEMAN.COM PLEASE CALL FOR A CONFIDENTIAL PHONE CONSULTATION
SOLID CONFIDENTIAL ADVICE TO THE GLBTQA COMMUNITY ON ESTATE PLANNING MATTERS
Wills - Trusts - Powers of Attorney Relationship/Domestic Partnership/Cohabitation Agreements Domestic Partnership Registration - Medicaid Qualification Advice Albert Coke Roth, III, Esquire/email: coke@rothcoleman.com
Timothy M. Coleman, Esquire/email: tim@rothcoleman.com
| February 2009 | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | www.qviewnorthwest.com
what’s in a
name? College clubs strive to express identity by Erika Prins
H
igher education institutes in the region, both public and private, have long skirted around the word “gay” when naming their LGBT clubs. What’s the big deal—a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, right? Perhaps, but the issue of naming exposes deeper rifts on campuses between LGBT students, their peers, and college administrators. Ben Bonnema was not “out” when he arrived at Whitworth University his freshman year. As a matter of fact, he was not even sure himself if he was gay. Two and a half years later, the Junior theatre and music major is quite “out”—he is even the president of Open Conversation: Orientation, the newly-chartered LGBT group on campus. Bonnema remembers appreciating the resource of a club called Unity in Action when he came out— though the group was, at the time, not officially chartered through the university as an LGBT club. “It felt good to talk through [my coming-out experience] with a group of people who, I didn’t know necessarily but I knew they all understood,” he says. Now he offers the same support to fellow students who are just coming out. He says the club benefits from the increased exposure that comes from being chartered as an LGBT club.
Open Conversation is Whitworth’s first explicitly sexual orientation-related club to receive student government funding at Whitworth, a step forward for the university’s LGBT community by Bonnema’s standards. But some club members feel the group should have held out on being chartered until Whitworth’s administration agreed to approve a club named “Gay-Straight Alliance,” a move that has, so far, been barred. Lissie Mendes, senior English major and club vice president, refused to participate in Open Conversation when it was first chartered last year because she was outraged that the club had been pushed to compromise on its name. “Even being the vice president of the club, I still think it’s ridiculous and I still don’t think we should have given in to it,” she says. “The name of the club is a trivial aspect…. It’s a small issue that’s actually representing the bigger issue that’s going on, which is, the school will not support the gay community.” Mendes says if the university will not allow support resources for its LGBT students, she would rather it be candid about not being a gayfriendly community. Gonzaga University formed a club called HERO (Helping Educate Regarding Orientation) in 1994
following two years of persistence in opposing the university’s student government. It was the only club required to go before the university’s board for approval. HERO was chartered only after making massive concessions on how the club would operate, a reality reflected in its title, which was prohibited from including the word “gay.” The club was not allowed to discuss gay and lesbian issues except in an educational context, says former club president Ryan Olson. They had to include teaching the catholic perspective on the issue at the time, be affiliated with the Religious Studies department and have a Jesuit advisor. Anna Gonzales, director of Gonzaga’s Multicultural Center where its GLBT resource center is housed, initially thought HERO was an anti-homosexuality club, confused by its ambiguous name. “That name just doesn’t, to me, sound gay-friendly,” she says. Gonzales says she believes the name caveat was put in place by the school’s board to prevent losing donors. “We had to make a compromise and not call it a Gay-Straight Alliance to have the club,” she says, “It’s hard not to go ahead and name it what we wanted to because it’s not recognizing who we are, but it’s Name continued on page 15
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Dennis Ryan, GRI, ABR, E-PRO Realtor
509.994.0538 Cell
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& ill olly M J an interview with
Wagner
Spencer
They laughed and recounted the ways Molly would try to get Jill’s attention, and how Jill remained completely oblivious to the true nature of her future partner’s requests for “help” with her writing. by Lorna Doone Brewer photos by Steve Rodenbough
W
hen I look back on my interview with Jill Wagner and her partner Molly Spencer, what stands out to me is “color.” There were touches of it everywhere. From the open invitation that always accompanies a red front door, to the almost-but-not-quite out of place woven orange table mat, these splashes of color reached out, as if to say, “Hi, welcome to our unique corner of the world.” The effect was complete when I stepped into their newly-painted living room with its walls in what they told me they had dubbed “pasta sauce,” “curry,” and “molasses cookie.” You may know Jill from her “Out on the Town” column in the Spokesman-Review’s now-defunct publication called 7. In this weekly paper, Jill was able to explore some of her own feelings about what it means to be gay in Spokane, as well as to offer information about fun and interesting events around town. When the S-R had to lay off folks last year, both the column and the publication got the axe. Not one to be easily deterred, Jill packed up her words and moved them to a new place on the Internet where she still reaches her readers through Out Write Girl (outwritegirl. blogspot.com), a blog that covers many of the same topics. Jill & Molly continued on page 18 www.qviewnorthwest.com | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | February 2009 |
Aging continued from page 3 Domestic partnerships also play an important role when it comes to inheritance. Without the appropriate documents, it can be very difficult for a surviving partner to inherit property. If a shared home was in the other partner’s name, for instance, then it will generally be passed to blood relations rather than to the person who has lived there for decades. In other cases, Medicare may require the house to be sold in order to cover medical expenses, and the surviving partner does not have any rights in these situations, either. According to Sayre, “The first order of business for protecting your partner is to register.”
Powers of Attorney Whether in a relationship or not, gays and lesbians should consider drawing up a power of attorney. In fact, there are several types of powers of attorney. Sayre recommends that individuals have both a health power of attorney and a financial power of attorney. This means that you are able to designate who will make healthcare and financial decisions for you if you should become unable to make them for yourself. In the case of couples, this responsibility will generally fall to the other partner. For single folks, though, a trusted friend of family member should be chosen. Because many gays and lesbians don’t have children, they often choose siblings or even their siblings’ children to take on this role. The best choice is to create a “durable” power of attorney. General powers of attorney terminate in the case of an illness, where durable ones do not. “You want your partner to be able to write checks for you if you can’t write checks,” Sayre points out. This means that whoever has your power of attorney can pay your bills (including medical bills and assisted living costs) as well as being the decision maker for medical situations. When you are incapacitated, it is not the doctor’s responsibility to make medical decisions for you, rather they look
to the person with the power of attorney.
are suffering the repercussions of simply not doing the paperwork.
Will Power
Speaking of paperwork, there are a few other protections that can be put into place. For example, when you have the option to designate a beneficiary (such as on a bank account or insurance policy), be sure to indicate your partner. Medicare can also create some major problems, as each person, whether gay or not, is covered individually. Surviving spouses protected by marriage are able to continue living in the home, while unmarried partners may be forced to move in order to sell it to pay back Medicare expenses. While Federal law doesn’t recognize domestic partnerships, Sayre says that those in Washington State who have registered are protected just as married people are. Again, naming your partner as a beneficiary on insurance, etc. is another form of protection.
The subject of inheritance wouldn’t be complete without at least mentioning the power of a good will. In cases where partners choose not to register, a will is especially important. (Sayre adds that “If they’re registered partners, it’s better because they get treated as a spouse and inherit as a spouse.”) Without a will, property passes to relatives. With a domestic partnership, community property is divided just as it would be for a married heterosexual couple. This document should name the partner as the executor of the estate. Roth adds that inheriting as a spouse may still not be appropriate, and a will is the best way to ensure that your estate really is dispersed the way you want it to be. For more information on wills, check out his article on the subject in this month’s edition.
Other Considerations The unfortunate truth is that many of those who are facing the worst situations are the older folks who just had no role models to follow into old age. Attorneys like Dick Sayre and Coke Roth are seeing the results of clients’ lack of preparation and are striving to make sure that this is the last generation to face certain struggles. Some of the most common situations include older gays who were previously married and/or had children. Oftentimes, the married couple didn’t see the need to officially divorce. When one person eventually passes away, his or her estate reverts to the spouse, even if there is a new partner or it has been decades since the couple went their separate ways. In cases where the previous spouse or—as is very often the case—children from an earlier relationship are bitter or angry, the new partner is not only cut out of the will, but may also be immediately ejected from his or her home with no legal recourse. It turns out that many older folks
| February 2009 | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | www.qviewnorthwest.com
Putting It All Together While we are definitely progressing, there are still inequities that arise as this generation of gays and lesbians continues to age. By learning from each new case, we are better able to work within the system to reduce these inequities and work toward a more just society. Because there is no previous generation to emulate, the process can be one of trial and error, with “trial” having more than one meaning. In order to be as prepared as possible and to avoid unnecessary pain and distress at an already difficult time, consider how you can best prepare. By putting each of the above suggestions into effect, you are protecting both your own interests and those of your loved ones, whether they be your partner or another person you trust to carry out your decisions if you are unable to do so. “If you learn nothing else from this,” Dick Sayre stresses, “if you’re in a committed relationship, register.” This will afford you the most rights, while following the rest of his advice will add layers of protection that ensure you can enjoy your golden years with confidence.
God
surprised by
Sure it’s possible to make the awkward argument that the Bible was just misread or misused when it “seemed” to call for racism, genocide, slavery, or sexism … but that it’s dead on when it condemns homosexuality. There’s a word for that type of argument. It’s called “bullshit.” by David R. Weiss
(Readers, recall from last month that I’m across the table from Mark, my college roommate of 28 years ago, sharing pizza and beer, while I answer his question, “When did you become such an advocate?” The conversation is imaginary because I missed the chance to have it last fall when I saw him at our college homecoming. But some of our best reality begins with imagination, so I’m hopeful that this is the first step toward a real conversation …)
S
o, Mark, these are the three “seeds” to my advocacy. First, I’ve had this strong sense of empathy ever since adolescence, and rather than restraining it, I’ve chosen to “hang glide” with it as far as it will carry me. Second, my faith shifted from being intellectual to political—it became a conviction about how to act in the world. And third, I became friends with some gay and lesbian persons of faith, allowing me to empathize with their struggles, their deep faith, and their basic humanity. Bottom line: I saw and heard God’s presence in their lives. Listen, Mark, so much of the church is so busy trying to solve the “gay” question by rummaging around in the
Bible. Claiming to find verses that clearly condemn homosexuality. Or offering interpretations that can “defuse” those same texts. Or proposing other verses that show a different angle on the whole matter. But this is what happened inside me: I became friends—friends—with Dick and Don and Ruth and Kathi, and I didn’t measure their humanity or their morality by some set of bible verses. I measured it—and found it abundantly full—the same way I encounter the rest of the world: by my experience. This doesn’t mean that the Bible doesn’t shape my worldview at all. But it does mean that my lived experience counts for something. And, actually, it counts for a lot. Look, neither of us measures people of other races, nationalities, or genders according to “sound-byte” biblical texts. There are biblical passages that some people use to do this. You and I don’t, not because we tossed the Bible on the trash heap, but because we accepted our lived encounters with persons of other races, nationalities, and genders as sufficient proof that they, too, are persons fully created in and living out the image of God.
Sure it’s possible to make the awkward argument that the Bible was just misread or misused when it “seemed” to call for racism, genocide, slavery, or sexism … but that it’s dead on when it condemns homosexuality. There’s a word for that type of argument. It’s called “bullshit.” And it’s used to preserve the prejudices folks aren’t yet ready to let go of. It’s not that hard to buy bullshit when it’s about people at a safe distance. But through your work in global missions you’ve gotten to know people of different cultures so well you wouldn’t buy racism no matter how well it was argued. And you were blessed with a wife who was so gifted at church leadership that you wouldn’t accept sexism no matter which biblical texts got pulled out. Julie made that impossible. And I’m willing to bet that if one of your sons came out, you’d discover that the truth you know so well about the goodness of your own kid is—and ought to be—more trustworthy than a handful of texts penned several thousand years ago, even if those texts have been propped up by God continued on page 20
www.qviewnorthwest.com | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | February 2009 |
Law&Wine
Got Wills? Got Red? Get Both! by Albert Coke Roth, III, Esq.
Attorney and international wine judge Coke Roth blends personality with GLBT legal insight & wine recommendations
Albert Coke Roth, III is the Principal of the Roth*Coleman Law Office in Kennewick, WA and is licensed to practice law in Washington and Oregon, practicing law in the areas of Estate and Relationship Planning, Business and Business Succession Planning and matters of Real Estate. You can contact Coke at (509) 783-0220 or coke@rothcoleman.com , or visit www.rothcoleman.com . Coke is also an international wine judge, winery consultant, and a panelist for WinePress Northwest Magazine.
Law
There are numerous ways to divest of property after death, however, the tried and true method for Washingtonians is the good ol’ Will. Even if you got scared by some probate-phobic lawyer into buying one of those fancy, expensive Revocable Living Trusts, you still need a Will. The methods of distributing property upon death are old, real old; biblical tales from Genesis and other historically documented ancient procedures bequeathing this and devising that have been noted all over the globe. In fact, we, I mean you and me, have the world only because Noah gave it to us under a written Will, which I suspect we would miss had we been disinherited. Thus, the Will is the main course, the big dog,... the Steak of the Estate Plan. Before I take on the subject of what a Will is and why you should have one, please allow me to digress on Intestacy; dying without a valid written Will. All states have intestate distribution laws, and they are pretty much the same and pretty logical, actually. One of my law school professors said that in several areas of law, you can use the “Grandmother Rule” and you will find the basis of the law: Ask your Grandmother how she thinks things should happen and she will give you a good guesstimate of what the
10 | February 2009 | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | www.qviewnorthwest.com
law should be...and such is the case with the laws of intestacy. If you die without a written Will, your property and money will go to your spouse, children, parents and siblings, the who, how much and when depending on several factors. And, if you don’t have any immediate family left, your wealth goes to more remote descendants, like cousins, etc... all spelled out on this cool British-based graph called a “Consanguinity Chart”, a chart depicting the up and down of your family tree. In the highly unlikely situation that you are totally alone on this planet and without anyone left on the Consanguinity Chart, your stuff “escheats” to the state, and the state will spend it wisely for you...ahem.... So, the good news is: you who have not committed your post-mortem desires to a valid writing, you have a Will by way of the state’s laws of descent and distribution. The bad news is: intestate distribution rules will give your stuff to people, at times and in proportions that you may not want or otherwise do not make good sense. Suffice to say, you should go to a lawyer to see where your stuff will go, not if, but when, you croak, and if you are in the vast majority, you will want to make some pretty significant modifications to intestate distribution....you will want a Will. By the way, oral Wills, called Nuncupative Wills and Holographic Wills, handwritten wills, have some goofy rules, so most often the estate is tossed back to intestacy. To make a Will, you need to have legal competency....eighteen years or older...not be under any undue influence, duress, menace, fraud, etc., and you must have mental capacity. In a previous article of LAW AND WINE, I laid out the Bottger Test for capacity, another one of those plagiarized British things, where the Testator/ Testatrix, the one who makes a Will, must comprehend the nature and extent of their property,
understand the results/legal effect of a Will, and have a pretty firm recollection of their immediate family (know the natural objects of their bounty). To prove that you know the natural objects of your bounty, you recite marital status and children. Fundamentally, you really don’t need much else than to select someone to administer your estate, the Personal Representative (fka Executor), direct your Personal Representative who to give your property away to, and have it properly witnessed...simple, huh?! NOT! There are more holes to fill in making a Will than the gopher made in Caddyshack and more traps for the unwary than Nathan Lane set in Mousehunt... dozens of alternatives need focused consideration when you make a Will. For example, most people, when looking over their shoulder at themselves, shudder at the thought of giving unrestricted access to money to an Eighteen year old suffering from acute hormone poisoning... very likely to be wasted on temporal pleasures. Also, giving money to a late-life spouse instead of children so her/him can live lavishly with the pool girl/boy on your money while your kids eat dog food is contrary to the desires of most. Leave your younger sister your bong when your older sister wants it, and, well, ...actually, do that now so you will be here to witness the fist fight otherwise missed if given as a testamentary gift. Give the family home to the kids with the optimistic thought that they will “....figure it out”...they won’t, however, a judge will after the equity in the home is used up by a couple of my esteemed colleagues. Although I have never seen it, you may be able to operate your business from the grave... just like you may be able to eat a bowling ball if you marinate it long enough...who is gonna run your business?...probably your competitor. Got Money? Well, there are tax considerations when
you die...go figure...and if you have a taxable estate, the taxes can be enormous. The alternatives necessary to prudently dispose of your worldly possessions need counsel, legal counsel, to assist you in identifying the areas where the do-it-yourselfers have miserably failed or where the laws of intestacy just don’t pack it.
Rather than give you a bunch of winespeak on matching a cut of beef with Merlot, or a cooking method with a Syrah, I thought I would recommend some wineries that are making good, Steak-friendly reds that you can match up with your Steak in hair-splitting style, and one of my favorites from their inventories.
Can you make a Will by yourself.... you know, be resourceful and look it up on the web, or buy a slick version from any number of Internet/Dial 1-800 Operators-are-standing-by estate planning document providers? Sure. And you can take out your own gall bladder if you like....dial 1-800 STUPID. You need a Will, and far transcending the necessity for the instrument itself, you need someone that is trained to counsel you on the gazillion concerns and options that you have in distributing your stuff. When you go to an estate planning lawyer, you get focused, experienced advise from a professional that allows your decisions to be well informed with all options under consideration. My advise: Do not try this at home, largely because you cannot even fathom the breadth, depth and number of thoughtful considerations necessary to do it right. Moreover, we annually see several of these stationary store/internet attempts that are not enforceable for various reasons. Do your family a favor....have a lawyer do your Will.
Kiona Winery: The Williams Family grows grapes all over, including in the Red Mountain AVA....great Reds from stem to stern, particularly the ‘03 Merlot for $25....spicy, rich, killer...
Wine
Gotta tell you....I love all wine styles and colors. I love sparkling wines from everywhere made from every variety, and would bathe in Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc if I ever hit the Lottery. I like east coast and midwest varieties that are best made sweet, and dry white wines from varieties that have names with letters in them that are not in the English alphabet. But, Baby, gimme a red wine when it comes to Steak!
Maryhill Winery: Try ‘em all, but don’t forget the ‘05 Reserve Malbec...worth the $40. Tagaris: Yes the winemaker is my too-good-to-believe son...Frank’s red wines are so good, you will swear there is vast genetic distance from me...the $28 Mourvedre’ got a Double Gold and others in his repoitre’ are equally as great... Hedges: Just had a bottle of the Red Mountain Three Vineyards last night with my buddy Tom Hedges and rare Bison Hangar Steak...great value for $25...all Hedges reds are delicious... Gordon Bros: Among others they make, the Gordon Family has a $20 Syrah that will knock your sox off....berries and licorice... Others of Great Repute: Columbia Crest Grand Estates and Elisio Silva are lower priced wines that deliver mind-boggling value; Cougar Crest and Whitman Cellars from Walla Walla....great stuff; Vin du Lac and Tsillan from Chelan are downright spectacular; Chateau Ste. Michelle reds will convince you that the biggest can be the best; log onto www. winepress.com to peruse the lists of Northwest winery award winners and develop your own list of trusted wineries. © Albert Coke Roth, III 2009
www.qviewnorthwest.com | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | February 2009 | 11
feeling the
beat by Blair Tellers
“In a world of peace and love, music would be the universal language.“ Henry David Thoreau
I
n modern day colloquial, it can be fairly legitimate to agree the words “big” and “ass” go together like peanut butter and jelly—almost so much that the phrase “bigass” could be an actual word by the time the new Webster for 2012 hits bookstands. It’s the popularity of this frequently used term that causes Cakes Stafford, 51, to find herself correcting friends and strangers when the name of the drum corps she belongs to is misconstrued. “It’s Giant Ass Drum Corps,” she says. “Not Big Ass Drum Corps.” “Giant” and “Ass,” additionally, denote the size of group—“not the booty,” reminds founder and leader Stormy Oshun. Created in Spokane as part of an effort to re-vamp the local pride parade, their sassy name isn’t the only thing turning heads. The Giant Ass Drum Corps’ resourcefulness, playful sense of
humor and energetic vibes impart an impressionable breath of fresh air for all audiences at attention. “Participation in the Pride Parade was falling apart, and were looking for ways to pump it up,” says Oshun, a Washington native. “So I said I would bring some kind of contingent. I called up everybody I knew and said ‘Let’s start up this bucket drumming thing.’” Oshun wanted to make it accessible financially, and to this day the GADC has thumped away successfully as any other marching band—on five-gallon plastic buckets. “It does actually take a lot more energy to get the sound out the bucket than it does out of some other things,” says member Gail Hammer, 55. “I love that the buckets are inexpensive and accessible to anybody. It’s just kind of quirky, you know? Its not a serious instrument, and
12 | February 2009 | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | www.qviewnorthwest.com
sometimes we play very serious tunes on them. I just find it delightful.” When Oshun created the GADC she had no idea it would evolve into such a dynamic entity within the GLBTQ community— and beyond. The GADC is approaching its tenth anniversary
Members of the Giant Ass Drum Corps rehearse on Jan 21, 2009 Photo by Nicole Hensley
and has no plans to retire any time soon. “I thought it would just be for the pride parade, and that would be it! Every time I come to rehearsal I’m still surprised that there are people here,” jokes Oshun. “Everybody brings something that is so rich and unique. There is
no way to predict or anticipate it would be so sweet or that I would get so much out of it.” The GADC was originally intended to be open to both men and women, but that idea flew out the window when all the fellows Oshun invited didn’t show up. The girls were then given the vote
to keep GADC a fun niche for women only, and the vote was pretty much unanimous. Ever since, the bucket drumming corps has blossomed into a solid community bound by the common affinity for rocking out on plastic and having good times GADC continued on page 16
www.qviewnorthwest.com | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | February 2009 | 13
herbivore tales from an
by Jordy Byrd photo by Steve Rodenbough
Coming Out as a Vegetarian
T
hree hundred and sixty five days. It seems surreal that time has passed so quickly. Just this time last year I was an omnivore, gobbling up any suspecting chickens in my path. Now, those chickens are forever in my closet (you may have skeletons in your closet, I have chickens). February officially marks my one year anniversary for becoming a vegetarian, and let me tell you. It feels great. I no longer belong to the “weekend community of vegetarians,” who, when faced with alcohol are in the Jack in the Box drive through faster than you can say Jumbo Jack Cheeseburger. I actually knew a girl like this. I’m full fledge baby. The real deal. I realize this may sound strange if you yourself are not a vegetarian. But believe me. Just like any other subculture there are stigmas and stereotypes that penetrate far beyond, and deep
into the walls of the vegetarian community. To put it another way, I’m off the fence. So I’m not a purist, and at one point in my life I ate meat. So, what better way to celebrate my anniversary than with a coming out party? I’m coming out as proud, experienced, and unapologetic vegetarian. Isn’t it wonderful how these homosexual innuendos illustrate my point? I thought it was clever at least. Nevertheless, my coming out party will be the perfect place to share a special moment with both my friends and family. Two groups, who both maintain balance and struggle within my life. I figure all will be fine if the red wine keeps flowing. Even for the poor omnivores, as this will be a completely meatless affair (It’s my party). Now it may sound as though I
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take this affair lightly, but that my friends, is a misconception. I take this very seriously, and see the event as a poignant shift in my life. It’s amazing how the passage of time solidifies things not only amongst others, but most importantly to ourselves. The passing of time lets us know we are capable, persistent beings. It lets me know that I am here. I am here regardless of how insignificant I feel when compared to the problems my environment, my country and my community faces. I know that I am here because the time I have is mine. It is what I make of it, and as of three hundred and sixty five days ago, I feel like I’ve done a damn good job with what I’ve got. _____________________________ Jordy Byrd received her B.A. in Journalism from Washington State University, and is now in Spokane enjoying long seasons, good friends and family.
Name continued from page 5 a foot in the door. You have to make baby steps to make change, especially systemic change.” Two years ago the club changed its name to HERO: A Gay-Straight Alliance. Although the group feared backlash for the change, Gonzales says the contrary has occurred. “It’s definitely increased the visibility of the group,” she says. Clubs at public universities may have better institutional support— or at least freedom—but some face animosity from students. Including blunt terms in their club name is a privilege private school clubs fight for as a token for freedom of expression and support from their administrators. But some public school clubs, free to be named Gay-Straight Alliance, choose less “cliché,” less conspicuous titles. Eastern Washington University’s LGBT club changed its name from SAFE to Eagle Pride last year to communicate that non-LGBT students were also welcome to join. But club president Pete
Knowlton, who participated in implementing the change, says students are no more enthusiastic about the club. He says even gay students hesitate to be associated with Eagle Pride due to a gayhostile campus climate. Posters advertising club events are torn down, presumably by other students, within a day of being posted, says Knowlton. Mandi Storm, sophomore nursing major and president of Spokane Community College’s GLOBAL (an acronym for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Allies) – also called “The Alliance,” echoes Knowlton’s concerns about campus climate. She says perceptions of LGBT clubs by the campus community are quite different from what the club intends to be. “They don’t understand it, they’re scared of it.” She says last year the club disbanded after an incident involving harassment of a club member. Having an original name like GLOBAL rather than the more commonly recognized GayStraight Alliance is a way to avoid
the stigma placed on orientationrelated clubs, she says. Eagle Pride chose to steer away from the GSA title as well. “We thought about it but we thought it was way too overused and cliché,” says Knowlton. He feels the challenges his clubs face cannot be helped by a name change. “We could include [GSA] in the title if we wanted to, I just don’t think it would make any bit of difference.”
Erika Prins is a writer, local small business manager and novice marathon runner. She is a recent graduate of Whitworth University, where she tirelessly advocated for chartering a Gay-Straight Alliance club, sometimes instead of doing her homework.
www.qviewnorthwest.com | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | February 2009 | 15
GADC continued from page 13 with mutual friends. “It feels safe when we are together,” says Oshun. “We are safe emotionally, we can be ourselves and we share this common goal of working on something together.” Oshun herself began handdrumming lessons about fifteen years ago when her partner purchased a small conga as a “gift.” “I was always tapping on things, and she thought it was annoying,” Oshun laughs. While a percussionist background is not required, musical aptitude, effort, attendance and the ability to poke fun at oneself and have a good time is. And even though some folks still struggle with the routines, Oshun says it’s not so much about being a great drummer. It’s about having fun. “We are always playing it by ear, you know? Sticks break, buckets break, girls in the band are having to much fun looking at all the lovely women in the audience and forget what they’re doing. But that’s live performance mishaps. You just go with it! We just consider it a solo performance when someone has a misstep or miss-beat. We aren’t after perfection, but I get so high when it’s on. It’s just great, making this energy and doing something together and having women put it all out there and having audiences that are so receptive.” While it started out as a kernel inside the GLBTQ community, GADC has popped its way into outreach for anyone in need of them raise energy—from things like human rights issues to charitable fund raisers. “It’s not just queer events but definitely other community-action minded kinds of things,” says Stafford, member since 1999. “We try to go to smaller towns for
pride because they are the people who need us.”
to see sister branches form in the future.
Stafford says reception to GADC is occasionally curious but for the most part very enthusiastic.
“I think it would be a total hoot to see groups form all over,” she says.”
“I’ll tell people that I’m in the Giant ASS Drum Corps and they’ll go, ‘Really? Do you play snare drums?’” She says. “And I’ll go, ‘No, I play five gallon buckets.’ And they’ll go, ‘Ohhh… and where do you play?’ And I’ll say, ‘Pride events.’ And they’ll go, ‘Ohhh…’ laughs Stafford. “But in general, people have a really good reaction to our group.”
The GADC has found a place of unity through rhythm. Hammer explains the heartbeat as providing a basic rhythm off the bat, and GADC then building upon this universal beat as a way to get out the word and be a force for positive change and attention in the areas of equality.
Hammer, a member since 2001, believes drumming is a part of every human being. “We live in rhythm,” she says. “For us it’s really focused on having a wonderful time, and there’s a sense of irreverence with that… because we are buying plastic buckets, for heavens sake!” A laughable occurrence at one of their performances prompted the GADC to create a family-friendly title, “Rhythm Envy.” The substitution was born out of an attempt to be mindful of any little ears in the audience, allowing the GADC to evade that loveable but highly dangerous tendency of small children to repeat new, fun-sounding words they haven’t heard before. Like “ass.”
“This is a thing that invites all of us to be the best we can be,” she says. “Instead of trying to scold or change people we are inviting them. We are calling everyone to feel the beat.” For more information visit www. myspace.com/giantassdrumcorp
Don’t Miss It! GADC’s annual
Night Under The Stars Valentine’s Ball
Sat Feb 14th. Please see www.myspace.com/giantassdrumcorp or www.qviewnorthwest.com for more info.
“One time we were playing at the Unitarian Church, and a little boy in the front row raised his hand and said, ‘Why do you call yourselves the Giant ASSSSSSSS Drum Corps?” Recalls Hammer. “The whole church laughed at the boys’ enjoyment of getting away with saying a word he wouldn’t normally be allowed to say, so we decided to create a different name for that kind of setting.” Over the years, Stormy Oshun and her bucket drummers have traveled to places like Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Western Washington to perform. Oshun maintains a “sky’s the limit attitude” and would be delighted
16 | February 2009 | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | www.qviewnorthwest.com
Blair Tellers is a recent graduate of Whitworth University with a BA in English Writing and Journalism. She embarks on a mission to prove that not all writers are starving. She hails from Cambria, CA, and enjoys surfing, hanging out with her guinea pig, reading poetry and learning as much as she can from everyone she meets.
Queer Goggles by Joan Opyr
Christ on a Cracker!
A
s I’ve put the finishing touches on my second novel, From Hell to Breakfast, I’ve been obliged once again to think about what exactly makes a story gay. Is it gay characters? Maybe. My first novel, Idaho Code, was rejected by at least eight mainstream publishing houses because they deemed it too gay. While I thought the book was a murder mystery about a crazy family living in Idaho, to mainstream editors it read like a wild hootnanny of Radical Faeries and Lesbian separatists. Sure, there were men in dresses and dykes on bikes, but that wasn’t the point of the story. The point was coming of age, finding true love, and learning to deal with your domineering mother, all while trying to figure out whose body is buried in your new girlfriend’s garden. Nothing particularly gay about that. But what I’ve discovered about being a gay writer is that it turns even the most sensible straight people into a queer version of that kid in The Sixth Sense. Whatever you do, however you do it, they see gay people. You write about a woman who breeds dogs. Someone will ask you if all lesbians like dogs. You write about the Marine Corps. Someone will ask if that’s because lesbians are uniform queens. And it gets stranger and more esoteric. A few months ago, I gave a copy of Idaho Code to a straight friend.
She’s a great woman, brilliant, and she has a terrific sense of humor. She’s the same age I am, and though she was born and raised in Idaho, she spent many years in Los Angeles. She knows plenty about the wider world and nothing much surprises her. This, however, was the conversation we had about my book. Straight Friend (SF): So it was really funny. The main character’s voice – was that you? Me: No. And yes. Every character is always in some small way the writer. It’s kind of like having a child. It’s you but it’s not you. You give birth to it, and then it takes on a life of its own. SF: But you don’t swear like that. Me: What?
mother, the crazy old woman, the comic relief! SF: Really? I didn’t notice that. Do lesbians all have a thing for motorcycles? This lesbian does. This lesbian loves motorcycles, swears quite a lot, actually, and writes whatever pops into her idiosyncratic head. If I were married to a man, would all of that stuff be straight? Or would no one even notice? Would my books be funny or strange or compelling or odd if they were about people other than the people I know best and care about most? Are my books gay because I’m gay? Or do people pick up my books and, without knowing it, don my Queer Goggles?
SF: Or maybe you do swear a lot but just not around me. Do you swear more around your gay friends? Is it a gay thing? Me: I really don’t know . . . what are you talking about? SF: Do gay people swear more than other people? They swear a lot in your book. Some of it’s really creative – you know, “Christ on a cracker,” stuff like that. Me: The woman who does the bulk of the swearing in the book is straight! She’s the foul-mouthed
Joan Opyr is a gigantic crank. Her life is frequently weird, and she enjoys writing and talking about that. She’s a transplanted Southerner who dreams of golden beaches, sweet iced tea, and sunny skies. She believes that Eva Cassidy should be beatified. Oh, and she’s also an award-winning novelist.
www.qviewnorthwest.com | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | February 2009 | 17
Jill & Molly continued from page 7 Words aren’t the only thing that Jill and Molly have packed and unpacked lately. Last month they became homeowners for the first time, moving themselves and their two sons into a comfortable north Spokane neighborhood. Jill writes in her blog about the trepidation she felt over making the move and worrying about what the neighbors might think: “Perhaps if it were just Molly and I, I wouldn’t care much at all. Having kids, though, raises the stakes. If our neighbors ignore the freaky lesbians, so be it, but if our kids are teased or ignored by nearby young ones, that, well, that just bites.” She goes on to share her gratitude for the big snowstorms this winter, as it really got the neighbors out and mingling; and they found that their new home is nestled in amongst some pretty nice people.
Snow White Snow has a fair amount to do with why Jill lives in Spokane in the first place. A San Diego native, she first visited Spokane one cold January nearly a decade ago to check out the Creative Writing program at Eastern Washington University. Up to that point in her life, snow had always been part of a destination. “The times
I had seen snow were when I went on purpose to play in it.” She began to realize that the culture of the Northwest was one that seemed well-suited to her somewhat naturalist tendencies. “I knew about six months after I’d been here that I would for sure stay after I graduated.” She did, in fact, stay, becoming a member of the staff at the university. Despite having a preference for Washington, Jill does still confess to being very tied to her California roots. Her decision to stay was one that certainly changed the life of her eventual partner. Molly had previously been married, and despite a sense that she was lesbian, she strove to ignore that part of herself for years. She explains her struggle, “I always knew on many levels that I was attracted to women, but I was raised Catholic and a people pleaser, and I couldn’t imagine disappointing my parents.” Instead, she had gone the heterosexual marriage route and became mother to two boys. When the marriage didn’t work out, she and her sons moved to Spokane to stay with her parents while she attended nursing school. The program required her to take some prerequisite courses at Eastern, and she and Jill met on the bus to Cheney.
Molly and Jill on their wedding day, July 8, 2006. Photo by Steve Rodenbough
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The Colors of Love The romantic story that followed was an adorable one in which Molly tentatively pursued her first same-sex relationship, while being thwarted the whole time by the fact that Jill was blissfully unaware of her advances. As they sat close on the couch, Molly’s arm around Jill’s shoulder, they laughed and recounted the ways Molly would try to get Jill’s attention, and how Jill remained completely oblivious to the true nature of her future partner’s requests for “help” with her writing. She even went so far as to start training for a triathlon so that she would have more excuses to ask Jill for advice. Once a romance did start to bloom, they had to decide how best to approach it with Molly’s sons, who were then six and ten. For several months they just viewed Jill as their mom’s friend, but it became evident to Molly that she needed to share the full extent of their relationship. The boys had already become quite fond of Jill, and she describes them as being very “gracious” in their acceptance of her newly defined role. They did continue to hide their romance from Molly’s parents until after they had already signed a lease and were planning to live together. After all of her worries about disappointing her parents and potentially being excommunicated from the family, Molly instead found them to be quite accepting of her announcement. It didn’t hurt that they had already spent a great deal of time with Jill and had grown to like and respect her. It’s easy to see how they would feel that way, as she seems to be both extremely well-spoken, yet entirely unpretentious. In fact, she came across as a tad bit on the shy side, which one might not guess just from reading her blog. Jill shares that she had always dreamed of eventually having two sons but had come to think that
it just wasn’t in the cards for her. Another dream she had nearly given up was to have a wedding ceremony at all. “No one around me was having ceremonies, and no one had kids,” she recalls. Both of those dreams were made into reality when she found Molly. “It all felt really, really natural for Molly and I to start talking about getting rings, but we wanted to get engaged, not just to have rings just to have rings.”
Something Borrowed, Something Blue The subject of color came up again when we talked about their 2006 wedding. Neither bride wore white, rather Molly opted for a beautiful aqua sundress and Jill wore tangerine. Without preplanning, both of their mothers matched her daughter. Molly and Jill shared their wedding album with me, and from the brilliant flowers to the backdrop of greens from the landscaping at the Spokane Unitarian Universalist Church, the pictures were vivid enough to capture the sense of fun and excitement of the day.
to create their own wedding traditions by incorporating some from heterosexual U.S. weddings, some from their adopted Mexican culture, and yet others that they made up on their own. Readers followed these details with great interest. When 7 came to an end with last November’s layoffs, Jill discovered that there was still a lot of support for her and the concept behind the column. The result was the new blog. She uses it as a forum to talk about local issues, her own experiences, and whatever else seems appropriate. “I write about things that make me think about what it means to be gay.” After experiencing the bold strokes of color that accentuate Jill and Molly’s life together, I was surprised by the starkness of the blog’s design. Once I began to read it, though,
I saw how Jill has adorned that space with colorful stories and insights into a community that often stands united in the deliberate symbolism of the rainbow.
Lorna Doone Brewer is a freelance writer living in Spokane, Washington. After earning a B.A. in Theatre Arts at Gonzaga University, she took her love for the arts and social justice one step further by pursuing an M.A. in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Nonprofit Organizations. She is a co-owner of the Berry-Brewer Freelance Agency, producing a variety of materials for businesses, with a special focus on nonprofits.
And then there were the brightly colored piñatas. Jill becomes the most animated I have seen her during the interview as she explains the sense of satisfaction that comes from “breaking the piñata.” Having been raised in a border town, she says, “I’ve always felt like Mexico was a part of my growing up.” As unlikely as it might seem, the connection to Mexican culture was one of the things that Jill and Molly had in common when they started dating, as the boys’ father is Mexican. This revelation explains for me, at long last, just what that orange woven mat was doing on the end table.
Colorful Language “Out on the Town” provided Jill with a chance to share the wedding planning with her readers, and she found that many of them became emotionally invested. The couple worked www.qviewnorthwest.com | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | February 2009 | 19
God continued from page 9 tradition ever since. I know the Bible means a lot to you, Mark, but the classic example of acknowledging the proper weight of our own experience is in the Bible itself. In Acts (chapters 11 and 15) Peter and Paul can’t quote any biblical verses to support their readiness to welcome Gentiles into the church “just the way they are.” Every biblical text leaves little doubt that they “must” become Jewish in their diet and appearance in order to join the people of God. And it’s not just that they can’t quote the Bible. It’s that they don’t even seem interested in trying to. For both of them the question is decided by their experience: they see and hear God’s presence in the lives of the Gentiles—and that matters more to them than any Bible verse that suggested otherwise. They allowed experience to push back against biblical texts. I think that’s because, unlike much of the church today, they believed
that God’s best work is done not in the black and white pages of a written text but in the flesh and blood lives of human beings. They trusted God’s ability to do a new thing, even when that new thing surprised them. That’s what happened to me through my friendships. I found myself surprised by God. I didn’t sort through all the biblical arguments before accepting and affirming them. But neither did Peter and Paul. I simply found myself overwhelmingly persuaded by experience that God was present in places and lives that I’d been told God wouldn’t be found. And then, like I said, it percolated inside me for about ten years before I opened up my mouth. Looks like we got enough beer in the pitcher for one more glass each. That’ll be just enough for me to tell you how I went from opening my mouth to writing a book …
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David R. Weiss is a theologian, writer, poet and hymnist committed to doing “public theology” around issues of sexuality, justice, diversity, and peace. His first book is To the
Tune of a Welcoming God: Lyrical reflections on sexuality, spirituality and the wideness of God’s welcome (2008 / www.davidrweiss.com).
A lifelong Lutheran, David is a graduate of Wartburg College, Wartburg Seminary, and the University of Notre Dame. He has taught religion and theology at the University of Notre Dame, Luther College, Augsburg College, and Hamline University. Beyond his professional work, David has been active in local peace work and both locally and nationally as an ally for GLBT persons in faith communities. He lives with his wife and children in St. Paul, MN.
Pacific Inland Northwest
Calendar Feb 1 - Mar 15 2009
We’re pleased to share non-profit events on this calendar of interest to the GLBTQA community. Additional calendar events and updated listings can be found on the online Q View Northwest calendar at www.qviewnorthwest.com. Think an event should be added? Drop us a line: mail@qviewnorthwest.com
RECURRING EVENTS WEEKLY Tue WSU GLBTA - Pullman 7pm – 8pm The Center, Smith Gym, WSU Campus, Pullman, WA. Coordinates much of the social programming for the campus community such as BBQ’s, camping trips, National Coming Out Day, and Homecoming parade
Wed Alcoholics Anonymous-LGBT 6:30pm – 8:30pm At Bethany Presbyterian Church, 310 S Freya St, Spokane, WA
Thur Eagle Pride 3:30pm (Added Dec 2008)
A group for LGBT men and women and their allies at Eastern Washington University. Women’s and Gender Studies Lounge, 207 Monroe Hall Call: (509)359-6429 QueerSounds 6pm – 8pm KYRS FM 92.3 or 89.9 Online at www.live365. com, search for KYRS Inland NW’s only radio show dedicated to playing music by and for LGBTQ people. Music, interviews, community events. Hosted by DJ Irey and “bob”.
Sat SNO-Saturday Night Out - 5pm – 1am MCC Diversity Pride Center (Gettman Hall), 2626 W Bruneau Pl, Kennewick, WA Alcohol-free environment, GLBTQI & S friendly, Kid friendly, couple & single friendly.
Westminster Congregational UCC 8:30am – 9:30am Early Worship 10:30am – 11:30am Traditional Worship No matter who you are or where you are in your faith journey, all are welcome. EMCC Worship 5:00pm Worship 301 S Freya (509) 838-0085 www.emccspokane.org
MONTHLY First Sat Potluck - LGBTQ Family and Friends 6pm – 8pm Westminster Congregational UCC, 411 S Washington, Spokane, WA. Family-friendly non-alcoholic potluck to celebrate being with LGBTQA community. All are welcome. For more info: Westminster Congregational UCC 624-1366 or Inland Northwest LGBT Center 489-1914 www.thelgbtcenter.org
First Sun Bowling! LGBT & Friends 10:30am – 12:30pm North Bowl, 125 W. Sinto Ave. LGBT & Friends $10.00 covers 3 games, shoes and ball. No RSVP required but lanes are limited! Contact: www. inwgbl.org or Mark at 509 879-8747 ISCS Board Meeting (Added Dec 2008)
At Dempseys Brass Rail. 5:30pm Board Meeting, 6:30pm General Membership Meeting, 7:30pm By-Law Meeting
Second Tue Inland NW LGBT Center Board Meeting (Updated Jan 2009)
6pm – 8pm Please see website for location. Meetings of the board of the Inland Northwest LGBT Center are open to the public. www.thelgbtcenter.org
Third Tue OutSpokane Meeting (Updated Dec 2008)
7:15pm – 9:00pm Robert H Cooke Building, 503 East 2nd Avenue. Open meeting for planning and coordinating Pride and Fall into Pride events.
Third Mon Pride Foundation Inland NW Steering Committee Meeting 7:30pm – 8:30pm (monthly) Courtyard Office Center - Conference Room, 827 W 1st Ave, Spokane WA.
Sun
First Tue
Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane
Gay & Lesbian Book Group 7:30pm Auntie’s Bookstore - 402 W Main St, Spokane, WA
(Added Dec 2008)
4340 W Fort Wright Drive, Spokane, WA Call: (509)325-6383 9:15am Early Worship, 11:00am Traditional Worship. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane is a designated GLBT Welcoming Congregation by the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. We welcome faith diversity.
Second Wed INBA Luncheon 11:30am – 1:00pm at Dempseys Brass Rail. Great opportunity to network with other business people in the area. www.inbaspokane.org
Vista Youth Center Board Meeting - Kennewick 5:30pm – 7:30pm Vista Youth Center, 2625 W Bruneau Pl, Ste E, Kennewick, WA`
Last Thur Tri-Cities PFLAG Meeting 7pm – 9pm (monthly, last Thur of the month) Gettman Hall, 2625 W Bruneau Pl, Kennewick, WA www. tcpflag.org
NON-RECURRING EVENTS FEBRUARY Sat 7 ISCS Fun Show 8:00-10:00pm Show and fundraiser for ISCS at Dempseys Brass Rail.
Wed 11 INBA Luncheon (Unique monthly speakers) 11:30am – 1:00pm at Dempseys Brass Rail. This month’s guest speaker: Gina Marie Young will discuss transitioning as a professional in Spokane. www.inbaspokane.org
Sat 14 For The Love Of Pride Lasagna Dinner 5:00-8:00pm Fundraiser for OutSpokane at Dempseys Brass Rail. www.outspokane.com Annual Giant Ass Drum Corps Valentine’s Ball 8:00pm at Unitarian Universalist Church. 21 and over. Dancing, drumming, drawings and more! www.myspace.com/giantassdrumcorp or 509 328-2065.
Sat 21 ISCS FUNdraiser Show 8:00-10:00pm Show and fundraiser for ISCS at Dempseys Brass Rail.
Sun 22 Annual SAN Oscar Night Gala At Northern Quest Casino. Celebrate Hollywood’s night with SAN in their biggest and most elegant annual fundraiser of the year! www. san-nw.org or 509 455-8995.
Fri 27 The Concert For A Hate Free World 7:00pm at the Wenatchee Performing Arts Center. Music and live performance paint a breathtaking picture of the way the world should be. www.hatefreeworld.org or 509 860-7354.
Sat 7__
MARCH
ISCS Fundraiser: Mathew Shepard “Erase The Hate” 8:00pm at Dempseys Brass Rail.
Wed 11 INBA Luncheon (Unique monthly speakers) 11:30am – 1:00pm at Dempseys Brass Rail. This month’s guest speaker: Gina Lanza with Northwestern Mutual will discuss phases of small business financial development . www. inbaspokane.org
www.qviewnorthwest.com | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | February 2009 | 21
Pacific Inland Northwest
Resources
SPOKANE AREA BiNet Spokane A social support group for bisexual men and women. Call: (509) 217-1271 Eastern Washington University (Updated Dec 2008) EAGLE Pride A group for LGBT men and women and their allies at Eastern Washington University. Weekly meetings: Thursday at 3:30pm at the Women’s and Gender Studies Lounge, 207 Monroe Hall Call: (509) 359-6429 EMCC – (Updated Oct 2008) Emmanuel Metropolitan Community Church Christian church with outreach to the GLBT community. Call: (509) 838-0085 Web site: www.emccspokane.org
Support services for LGBT community and individuals exploring their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Web site: www.thelgbtcenter.org Inland Northwest Men’s Experience (IN MX) (Updated Jan 2009) The Inland Northwest Men’s Experience (INMX for short) is a social group for young gay & bi men 18-29 in the Spokane and surrounding area. INMX provides weekly activities ranging from parties to camping trips to personal wellness discussions and service projects. 928 W Spofford, Spokane, WA 99201 Call: (509) 455-8993 ext 231 E-mail: SpokaneINMX@yahoo.com Web site: www.myspace.com/theinmx Integrity Gay and lesbian Episcopalians meet monthly for communion and simple meal. Call: Chuck: (509) 326-7707 or Ann: (509) 624-6671
Friends of SAN Fundraising organization for people living with HIV/ AIDS to improve the quality of their lives. Write: 1212 E. Front Ave. Spokane, WA 99202
Lutheran Communtiy ServicesSafeT Response Center Call: (509) 747-8224 Crisis line (509) 624-7273
Gay/Lesbian Info Line Call: (509) 489-2266 Immediate Crisis: (509) 838-4428
Odyssey Youth Center Our mission is to work with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and their allies to provide a safe place, education and advocacy to promote positive growth and self empowerment. 1121 S Perry, Spokane WA 99202 Call: (509) 325-3637 Web site: www.odysseyyouth.org
GLBT Book Group (Updated Oct 2008) Discusses selected works at Auntie’s Bookstore at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday each month. Call: (509) 838-0206 Web site: www.auntiesbooks.com/ Gonzaga University GLBT Resource Center For information and to contact resource organizations on the GU campus, September-May. HERO (Helping Educate Regarding Orientation) gay-straight alliance. SODA (Sexual Orientation Diversity Alliance) law school support group. Call: (509) 323-5847 Hospice of Spokane Physical, emotional and spiritual care for the terminally ill and loved ones; bereavement support and HIV/AIDS counseling services. Call: (509) 456-0438 ISCS – (Updated Nov 2008) Imperial Sovereign Court of Spokane The Imperial Sovereign Court of Spokane (ISCS) and Eastern Washington is a licensed non-profit and the oldest organization of its kind in the Spokane area to provide support for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning communities of Eastern Washington. PO Box 65, Spokane, WA 99210-0065 Web site: www.easternwashingtoncourt.com INBA – Inland Northwest Business Alliance A Professional GLBTQ/Allied Business Alliance. Monthly luncheon meetings and annual community resource directory. PO Box 20163, Spokane, WA 99204 Voice mail: (509) 455-3699 E-mail: info@inbaspokane.org Web site: www.inbaspokane.org Inland Northwest LGBT Center
OutSpokane Committee organizes annual Pride march and celebration and other community events. Web site: www.OutSpokane.com
E-mail: outreach@pridefoundation.org Website: www.pridefoundation.org Ryan White CARE Consortium HIV care education and planning group. Call: (509) 444-8200 SAN – (Updated Oct 2008) Spokane AIDS Network 905 S Monroe St, Spokane, WA Call: (509) 455-8993 Web site: www.san-nw.org Spokane County Domestic Violence Consortium A private, nonprofit organization with members from a variety of professions who have come together to end intimate partner violence. Call: (509) 487-6783 Spokane Falls Community College - The Alliance GLBT and allies group to provide a safe space; to educate our community. Call: (509) 533-4507 Spokane Human Rights Commission Call: Equity Office: (509) 625-6263 Spokane Regional Health District (Updated Oct 2008)
Providing health services and referrals for the public. HIV testing. Call: (509) 324-1542 or 1-800-456-3236 Web site: www.srhd.org/ Stonewall News Northwest Web site: www.stonewallnews.net Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane (Updated Dec 2008)
Papillon Social support group for the transgender community. Call: (509) 292-8852 PFLAG - Spokane – Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays Support group for parents, family, friends and members of the GLBT community. Call: (509): 624-6671 Web site: www.pflagspokane.org PJALS – (Updated Oct 2008) Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane Independent, membership organization building foundations for a just and nonviolent world. Call: (509) 838-7870 Web site: www.pjals.net Planned Parenthood of The Inland Northwest HIV antibody testing and counseling. Call: Clinic for Appt.: (800) 788-9128 Administration: (509) 326-6292 Pride Foundation/Inland Northwest The Pride Foundation connects, inspires and strengthens the Pacific Northwest GLBTQ community in pursuit of equality by awarding grants and scholarships and cultivating leaders. Call: Spokane office (509) 327-8377 or (888) 575-7717
22 | February 2009 | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | www.qviewnorthwest.com
A GLBT Welcoming Congregation Sunday Worship Services at 9:15 and 11:00 a.m. 4340 W Ft Wright Dr, Spokane WA 99224 Call: (509) 325-6383 Web site: www.uuspokane.org Westminster Congregational UCC (Updated Oct 2008)
An Open and Affirming Congregation of faith in downtown Spokane. Informal worship at 8:30am, traditional worship at 10:30am. 411 S Washington St, Spokane, WA Call: (509) 624-1366 Web site: http://wcunited.qwestoffice.net/ Women and Friends Women-only activities and events in the Spokane area. Call: (509) 458-4709 Write: P.O. Box 4795,IDAHO Spokane, WA 99202 Idaho for Basic Rights Citizen action group to work for civil and legal equality on basis of sexual orientation. Call: (208) 343-7402 NIAC – (Updated Oct 2008) North Idaho AIDS Coalition HIV/AIDS prevention, education and assistance for people infected with, affected by HIV. 410 Sherman Avenue Suite 215, Coeur d’Alene, ID
Call: (208) 665-1448 or (866) 609-1774 Web site: www.northidahoaidscoalition.org NIGMA North Idaho Gay Men’s Association Creating community by providing real time social activities for gay men in the Moscow/Pullman area, visitors, and allies. E-mail: NIGMA@yahoogroups.com Panhandle Health District STD/HIV testing, condoms, and other methods of birth control, physical exams, shots, cancer screening, resource nurse voucher program, referrals to area resources and education. All services are confidential. • Kootenai County Call: (208) 667-3481 • Boundary County Call: (208) 267-5558 • Shoshone County Call: (208) 786-7474 • Bonner County Call: (208) 263-5159 • Benewah County Call: (208) 245-4556 PFLAG - Sandpoint Support, education and advocacy group for Sandpoint gay people, parents, family and friends. Call: (208) 263-6699 Planned Parenthood of The Inland Northwest HIV antibody testing and counseling. Call: Clinic for Appt.: (800) 788-9128 Administration: (509) 326-6292
LEWISTON/CLARKSTON PFLAG - Lewis-Clark Support, education and advocacy group for Lewis-Clark gay people, parents, family and friends. Meets in Lewiston. Call: (509) 758-6437
MOSES LAKE AACW – Alternative Alliance of Central Washington A social and support group to help bring together people in the GLBT community. Write: P.O. Box 1282, Moses Lake, WA 98837
PULLMAN/MOSCOW Associated Students of (Updated Oct 2008) Washington State University GLBTA Socializing and educational outreach for WSU students. Call: (509) 335-4311 E-mail: glbta.aswsu@wsu.edu Web site: http://glbta.wsu.edu Inland Oasis (Updated Dec 2008) Inland Oasis organizes many social events on the Palouse including such as Palouse Pride and Community Thanksgiving. Inland Oasis provides free HIV testing on a regular basis, and is working to form a community center in Moscow’s 1912 Center. 1912 Center: Friendship Hall, 412 East 3rd Street Moscow, ID 83843 E-mail: Info@InlandOasis.org Web site: www.inlandoasis.org Out There (Updated Oct 2008) Sponsored by Whitman County Health and WSU, Out There is a social and educational program for college-aged men who have sex with men. Call: (509) 335-6428 Planned Parenthood of The Inland Northwest HIV antibody testing and counseling. Call: Clinic for Appt.: (800) 788-9128 Administration: (509) 326-6292
University of Idaho Gay-Straight Alliance Promoting a fabulous, positive and inclusive environment for all people on campus and encouraging individual growth and understanding by developing outreach programs, improving visibility and recognition of queer issues and history. Call: (208) 885-2691 Washington State University (Updated Oct 2008) Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation Resource Center Provides education, advocacy, and support for the WSU community. Call: (509)335-6388 E-mail: giesorc@wsu.edu Web site: www.thecenter.wsu.edu
TRI-CITIES Benton-Franklin District Health Department Confidential and anonymous HIV testing, case management, educational and referral services. Call: (Pasco) (509) 547-9737, ext. 234 Confidential voice mail also. River of Life (Updated Oct 2008) Metropolitan Community Church Christian church celebrating diversity and affirming GLBTQ people. Sunday services at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. 2625 W Bruneau Pl, Kennewick, WA Call: (509) 628-4047 E-mail: info@riveroflifemcc.org Web site: www.riveroflifemcc.org Tri-Cities Chaplaincy/ Tri-Cities CARES Columbia AIDS relief, education and support. Survivor support group and HIV/PWA support group. Call: (509) 783-7416
WALLA WALLA Blue Mountain Heart to Heart AIDS prevention education, support and services. Call: (509) 529-4744 Toll Free: (888) 875-2233 (pin #4744) Spanish: (509) 529-2174 PFLAG – Walla Walla Support, education and advocacy group for parents, family, friends and members of the GLBTQ community. Call: (509) 529-5320 Write: 527 E. Oak Walla Walla, WA 99362-1248 E-mail: pflag_walla2wash@hotmail.com
WENATCHEE SHYNE (Added Jan 2009) An organization that strives to eliminate all forms of prejudice and discrimination by promoting awareness, education and self-empowerment through the use of the arts. Call: (509) 860-7354 1250 N Wenatchee Ave, Ste H-131, Wenatchee, WA 98801 Web site: www.hatefreeworld.org
YAKIMA PFLAG - Yakima/Yakima Valley Promotes the health and well-being of GLBT individuals, their families and friends. Call: (509) 576-9625
MONTANA Flathead Valley Alliance (Updated Oct 2008) Northwest Montana information and referral services. PO Box 2815, Kalispell MT Call: (406) 758-6707 Web site: www.flatheadvalleyalliance.org Lesbian Avengers A direct action group focused on issues vital to lesbian survival and visibility. Call: (406) 523-6608 Pacific NW Gay Rodeo Association (Updated Oct 2008)
For people who enjoy the country & western lifestyle. 1012 Four Mile Road • St. Regis, MT Call: (206) 428-7104 E-mail: info@PNWGRA.org Web site: www.pacificnwgra.org PFLAG Billings Meets monthly Sept. - May. Call: (406) 255-7609 PRIDE Celebration Group in charge of annual Montana June PRIDE celebrations. Call: (406) 442-9322 Western Montana Gay & Lesbian Community Center (Updated Oct 2008) 127 North Higgins, Suite 202 Missoula, MT 59802 (406) 543-2224 E-mail: wmglcc@gaymontana.org Web: www.gaymontana.org
WASHINGTON Bi MEN Group Bi and bi-curious men and gay men who enjoy and support bisexual men. Web site: www.egroups.com/group/bi-men-west Equal Rights Washington Fighting for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. Call: (206) 324-2570 Web site: www.equalrightswashington.org GLSEN Washington State The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network E-mail: mail@glsenwa.org Web site: www.glsenwa.org Legal Marriage Alliance Working to achieve the right of same-sex couples to marry legally in Washington. Web site: www.lmaw.org PositiveVoice Washington Advocates for programs and services needed by people with HIV. Offers self-advocacy training. Call: (888) 704-0099 Washington State GSA Network The Washington State Gay-Straight Alliance Network is a youth-led organization created to help connect public and private GSA-based clubs and other community groups throughout Washington State. Call: (206) 330-2099 Web site: www.wagsa.org
Rainbow Cathedral Metropolitan Community Church An MCC Seattle parish extension. Call: (509) 457-6454 www.qviewnorthwest.com | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | February 2009 | 23
You are invited to the Spokane AIDS Network 11th Annual
Sunday, February 22, 2009 Northern Quest Resort & Casino, N.100 Hayford Rd. , Airway Heights For more information call SAN at 509-455-8993 or visit www.SpokaneAIDS.org Honoring: Kalispel Tribe of Indians; Northern Quest Resort & Casino; Paul Tiesse, SAN Volunteer
24 | February 2009 | Q View Northwest - Spokane Edition | www.qviewnorthwest.com