Celebrating 36 Years!
Issue 21 Volume 37
gsba scholarships p. 8 Andrew Christian p. 13 siff gay films p. 21
Seattle Gay News
FRIDAY May 22, 2009 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands
SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
GOV. GREGOIRE Air Force poster boy fired under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” SIGNS “EVERYTHING
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Air Force Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach can tell you a thing or two about flying combat sorties. The first-class aviator served in Afghanistan and Iraq. He flew the
longest combat sorties in his F-15E squadron’s history, destroying Taliban and Al Qaeda targets in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. After the September 11 attacks, he was handpicked to protect the airspace over Washington, D.C. The virtual Air Force
BUT MARRIAGE” BILL Shaun Knittel
courtesy Air Force Times
Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach
poster boy has been awarded nine medals during his 18-year career as a military man. Fehrenbach is Gay and because of his sexual orientation the Department of the Air Force will add one more entry in the servicemembers record – a dishonorable discharge from military service under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Retirement pension? Gone. Benefits? Gone. Eighteen-year career? Over. Fehrenbach is not alone; he joined over 200 servicemembers forced out of the military since President Obama and 111th Congress were sworn in earlier this year. Fehrenbach originally put off appealing his discharge in the hopes President Obama and Congress would overturn “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Because Congress and the administration have not acted with any urgency, he is now challenging his discharge, fighting to serve his country and keep his retirement. On May 19, Fehrenbach took his story to the nation on the MSNBC Rachel Maddow Show – the second military officer to do so.
Governor Gregoire signing the "everything but marriage" bill
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
Gov. Chris Gregoire (D-WA) signed legislation on May 18 which gives registered same-sex domestic partners all the rights and benefits that Washington state now offers married couples. Nearly 300 people were in attendance at see air force page 6 Seattle’s Montlake Community
Center, including a large number of Gay and Lesbian couples and their children, as well as a veritable who’s who of those responsible for advocating the “everything but marriage” bill 5688 and the LGBT community’s march towards marriage equality in Washington and see bill page 13
Brit Greens call for an end PAC formed, YES on Referendum 71 campaign to marriage ban in EU Washington Families Standing Together File Photo
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A new PAC, Washington Families Standing Together, has been formed to defend the expanded domestic partnership rights passed by the state legislature last month. Papers were filed with the Washington Secretary of State’s office
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
Britain’s two current Green Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), Caroline Lucas (South-East England) and Jean Lambert (London), are backing calls for an end to the ban on samesex marriage in the UK and in other European Union (EU) member states. Both want EU-wide same-sex marriage laws. “The Green Party is the only British political party that opposes the ban on same-sex civil marriage. We want marriage equality for LGBT couples,” said Green Party leader and European election candidate for South-East England, Caroline Lucas. “Lesbian and Gay married couples should be able to move freely around Europe and have their marriage recognized on exactly the same basis as heterosexual married couples.” Lucas and Lambert were the only Greens elected as Members of the European Parliament in the 1999 European elections. They resee referendum page 14 tained their seats in the 2004 elec-
rex woxkner
Anne Levinson
on May 15. Former Deputy Mayor Anne Levinson has been named chair of the new organization, and Equal Rights Washington’s Josh Friedes will serve as campaign manager. According to Friedes, Levinson was asked to chair the new PAC “after a meeting of LGBT legislators.” In 2006, she chaired Washington Won’t Discriminate, the PAC formed to defend the Anderson-Murray Civil Rights Bill from an initiative challenge led by Tim Eyman. That effort failed to get enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. She was also one of the original conveners of Hands Off Washington in 1994, and served on its board. “She’s a seasoned veteran,” Friedes told the SGN, “and we’re deeply grateful to have her on board. Because she knows all the technical aspects of running a campaign, other people can focus on the hard work of actually building an organization.”
Peter Tatchell
tions despite a reduction in number cas and Lambert are running for of seats available. The European reelection. Parliamentary elections are being The Green Party was founded held in the 27-member countries between June 4 and 7. In the UK, see EU Marriage page 3 the election is on June 4. Both Lu-
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Seattle Gay News
May 22, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
Put ‘er there, partner by Madeyn Arnold SGN Contributing Writer Wednesday, May 19, Governor Gregoire signed improved “domestic partnership” into law. Now the LGBT community has the opportunity to experience a kind of marriage; that is, we have the opportunity to become ordinary. And it’s about time. Rubber Baby Bumpers and Us Now that we have marriage in all but name here in Washington State, I’m glad. Lover and I will now do the Domestic Partner thing now that it actually means the rights and, most of all, privileges we need: next-of-kin, survivorship, legal claims and such. But there’s an image I picked up from a book on VW upkeep – I wish I could find the author, he deserves the credit. He didn’t think much of the modern (1970!) emphasis on safer and safer “rubber baby bumpers,” believing they don’t decrease traffic accidents, so instead we should all “drive like we were strapped to the hoods of our cars like an Aztec sacrifice.” Sounds good to me – right up to that point where I start applying it to my life. “Registering” feels as if we’re volunteering to place our names and addresses before unfriendly eyes. Strapping ourselves to our cars. I mean, surely marriage (including domestic partnership) produces a public record, and I confess this worries me. Naturally this comes from bad times, years ago. Life As a Target It’s been natural for me to keep my Queer head low. Look at the years I’ve lived through. But now the laws insulate – protect – me, right? There is as much cotton batting around me as the law can provide, so it must be safe to keep my head up and proclivities
plain. Otherwise I’m just a damn coward [as I’ve often suspected]. Why would I stop short of registering our 10-year marriage just as it’s possible? Why not drive my life absolutely exposed – presenting myself to the world? That way the world learns that at least this Queer has pride. Well I’ve done something like that. In 1969, I was in one of the very first Gay Liberation chapters, sometimes as co-chair; and at a time when a number of us were often pounded into the sidewalk, I volunteered to speak to Sociology, Criminology, Psychology and Nursing classes, where students gawked like we were chatting turds. I talked to campus police – now there was a party.
MEMORIAL DAY Each year we take time to celebrate this special time with religious services, military activities, and personally. The loss of our family members, friends, and school associates is terribly difficult for many people. War of any kind is a living hell with very few rewards, mental crises, body dysfunction, and the perennial port traumatic stress syndrome. Not one function is able to replace the
eu marriage continued from cover
Sans Culottes It may have been true that some of us really enjoyed “speaking” – I didn’t. But I knew it was important to present ourselves as rather ordinary. I don’t mean that some of us weren’t flamboyant or hostile – we always tried for as wide a representation of our community as available – but even as I represented us, in my heart I felt as if I were at a table with a knife in the center. The people watching were on the other side, and it was my job to be intelligent, funny, original, weepy, scattered (so that observers felt superior) innocent, valiant, etc. – entertaining, period. And the moment I stopped being entertaining, they’d pick up the knife.... So you see, I’ve already been an Aztec sacrifice, and I’ve got the scars and lost teeth to prove it. Maybe old age has got me by the throat, but I’ll be registering. With faint heart, perhaps, but I’ll register us. Proud as I am of Lover and our little marriage, it’s hard to get away from the feeling that I’m handing somebody a stick to beat me with. And hurrah, anyway!
to counter what it sees as threats to the environment, which remains its main focus. Across Europe and beyond, the Greens are seen as the Gay-friendly political party. Gay Human Rights campaigner, Green Party human rights spokesperson and Green parliamentary candidate Peter Tatchell said, “Most EU countries do not recognize the different same-sex partnership laws in other member states. For a majority of Lesbian and Gay couples their legal rights stop at their own borders. This creates lots of problems for same-sex partners who travel or move to other EU countries.” He said at the moment there is a confusing patchwork of different partnership laws in different European countries, ranging from the PACS system in France to civil partnerships in Britain and to full civil marriage countries like Spain and the Netherlands. The Netherlands was the first modern nation to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001. Following the Netherlands, Belgium legalized same-sex marriage in 2003. In 2005 Spain and Canada followed. South Africa legalized it in 2006. This year both Norway and Sweden made same-sex marriage legal for their Gay and Lesbian citizens. The confusing patchwork Tatchell is talking about began in 1989 when Denmark recognized the first same-sex union in modern history. Since then, civil unions, civil partnership, domestic partnership, unregistered students in the class. The day before Nata- partnership/unregistered co-habilitation lie was to give her 12-page presentation, or registered partnerships offer varying she was called into the principal’s office and amounts of benefits of marriage and are told she couldn’t do so. available throughout Europe in: Croatia, When Bonnie Jones spoke with the superintendent about the presentation, he said Natalie couldn’t give her presentation because of a district board policy on “Family Life/Sex Education.” A few days later, the school sent letters to parents of students in the class, explaining that her presentation would be held during a lunch recess on May 8, and that students could only attend if they had parental permission. “The principal and superintendent grossly misinterpreted school policy. They illegally censored student speech protected by the First Amendment and the California Education Code,” said David Blair-Loy, legal director of the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties. “Writing or talking about a Gay historical figure who advocated for equal rights for LGBT Californians is in no way the same thing as talking about sex, and school officials should not pretend otherwise.” For additional information, including copies of Natalie Jones’s presentation on Harvey Milk, the school’s letter to parents, and the Ramona U.S.D. “Family Life/Sex Education” policy, visit http://www.aclu. org/Milk.
lives of the countless men and women who have given their lives for our country laving parents, wives and children, and special people knowing they won’t return, but only in their dreams. Veteran’s poppies, small flags, flowers, and areas with the names of the departed remind us to become important for the lucky people who return alive, a real blessing. Buzz Flowers Callaway Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Luxemburg, Portugal, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, civil partnerships were introduced in 2006 giving civil partners identical legal status to marriage, and partners gain all the same benefits and associated legal rights, ranging from tax exemptions and joint property rights, to next-of-kin status and shared parenting responsibilities. A marriage registrar performs partnership ceremonies in the same manner as a secular civil marriage. In the first year, over 16,000 ceremonies took place. Gay activist and advocate groups in support of same-sex marriage argue that in some countries with legal recognition, the actual benefits are minimal. Many people consider civil unions, even those which grant equal rights, inadequate because they create a separate status, and think they should be replaced by gender-neutral marriage. “The Green believes it is time these laws were harmonized throughout EU to the best and most universally recognized system of partnership – civil marriage. Anything less is second class and discrimination,” Tatchell added.
CA school bans child’s Harvey Milk presentation Wrongly citing a school policy on sex education, a California school illegally censored a sixth-grader’s classroom presentation about Harvey Milk earlier this month. According to a demand letter sent by the American Civil Liberties Union to the Ramona Unified School District today, the school violated Natalie Jones’ free speech rights when it refused to allow her to give the presentation in class. Instead, the school improperly required classmates to get parental permission to see the presentation during a lunch recess. “This whole thing is unbelievable – first my daughter got called into the principal’s office as if she were in some kind of trouble, and then they treated her presentation like it was something icky,” said Bonnie Jones, mother of the Mt. Woodson Elementary School student. “Harvey Milk was an elected official in this state and an important person in history. To say my daughter’s presentation is ‘sex education’ because Harvey Milk happened to be Gay is completely wrong.” The assignment, part of an independent research project class, was originally to prepare a written report on any topic. Natalie Jones, who was inspired to write about Harvey Milk after watching Sean Penn win an Academy Award for portraying him, got a score of 49 out of a possible 50 points on the written report. Students were then told to make PowerPoint presentations about their reports, which they would show to other
Courtesy of the ACLU
Robert L. Knapp
Memorial Open House for Robert L. Knapp Saturday, May 23, 2009, 1:30 - 4:40 p.m. at Bob’s place of residence in Lower Queen Anne. For details, contact Antonia Cordova at 206-420-8908. Visit us online www.sgn.org
May 22, 2009
Seattle Gay News
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Remembering Rodger McFarlane by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Rodger McFarlane, a pioneer in the LGBT civil rights and HIV/AIDS movements, took his own life in Truth and Consequences, New Mexico, on May 15, according to a statement released by his friends and family. McFarlane was on the forefront of responding to the AIDS epidemic that ravaged the country, especially the Gay community, in the 1980s. Before HIV even had a name, McFarlane set up the very first HIV/AIDS hotline anywhere in 1981. Additionally, he took three organizations in their infancy and grew each into a powerhouse in their own way, empowered to tackle the national trag-
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edy. As one of the original volunteers and first paid executive director of Gay Men’s Health Crisis, he increased the organization’s fundraising from a few thousand dollars to the $25 million agency it is today. From 1989 to 1994, he was executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) merging two small industry-based fundraising groups into one of America’s most successful and influential AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. McFarlane was also a founding member of ACT UP-NY, the now legendary protest group responsible for sweeping changes to public policy as well as drug treatment and delivery processes. Most recently, he served as executive director of the Gill Foundation, one of the nation’s largest funders of programs advocating for LGBT equality. The Gill Foundation is where Josh Friedes, advocacy director for Equal Rights Washington, first met McFarlane. “The night before I learned of Rodger’s death, I saw the film Outrage, which includes several clips of him,” said Friedes. “I couldn’t help but reflect on how the present
Gay rights movement is built on the shoulders of truly courageous people like Rodger. It’s easy now to imagine full equality because people like Rodger demanded equal rights so long ago. He was a visionary and an activist.” Until his death, he was the president emeritus of Bailey House, the nation’s first and largest provider of supportive housing for homeless people with HIV. Despite the fact that he never completed college, he became an accomplished and best-selling author. He co-authored several books including The Complete Bedside Companion: No-Nonsense Advice on Caring for the Seriously Ill and The Tragedy of Today’s Gays. In 1993 he co-produced the Pulitzer Prize-nominated production of Larry Kramer’s The Destiny of Me, the sequel to The Normal Heart. A letter was found next to McFarlane explaining that he was unwilling to allow compounding heart and back problems to become even worse and result in total debilitation. McFarlane’s family said he was in a great deal of physical pain and no longer able to travel or work. In the statement, family and friends asked, “How do you sum up someone’s life in just a few words?” They went on to say, “We thought it was important that we communicate to the world that it has lost an amazingly wonderful individual who contributed so mightily to our humanity. No one will ever doubt Rodger lived a rich and complete life.”
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Seattle Gay News
May 22, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
NORTHWEST
NEWS
compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer
PROP 8 DAY-OF-DECISION ACTION AT WESTLAKE CENTER The day the California Supreme Court rules on Proposition 8, cities throughout the country will gather in celebration or protest of their decision. If the court overturns Prop 8 we will celebrate our growing equality. If the court upholds Prop 8, it will deny LGBTQ people their right to marry in California and we will protest. Either way, we will take the national movement forward by working together for equality right here in Washington State. The action will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the day the decision is announced. Similar actions are being planned around the country. www.dayofdecision. org; www.dayofdecision.wetpaint.com. FREEDOM SOCIALIST PARTY HOSTS 4TH FRIDAY FORUM: “STRIKE! WHEN UNIONS HELD THE REINS IN SEATTLE” Time for a labor resurgence! Organizers from a cross-section of unions facing layoffs and take-backs during this economic crisis will share their perspectives and strategies for re-igniting the labor movement at a public forum on Friday, May 22, 7:30 p.m. at New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S. Panelists include Salvador Castillo, a shop steward at the University of Washington, Mike Jung of Organized Workers for Labor Solidarity (OWLS) and OPEIU Local 8, Emily Lynch, a member of the United Auto Workers representing graduate students at the UW, and Doreen McGrath, a Martin Luther King County Labor Council delegate from IFPTE Local 17 and City Light employee. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Door donation is $3.00. Snack plates served for a $6.00 donation (sliding scale and work exchanges available for the unemployed). Sponsored by Freedom Socialist Party. Wheelchair accessible. For information or childcare call 206-722-2453 or FSPseattle@mindspring. com. SEATTLE QUAKE RUGBY HOSTS 4TH BI-ANNUAL MAGNITUDE 15.09 NATIONAL GAY RUGBY TOURNAMENT MAY 22-24 Magnitude 15s is a biennial rugby union tournament for the Gay teams of North America. The Seattle Quake Rugby Football Club has hosted this event since 2003 and this year is opening up the invitation to all IGRAB teams from the United States and Canada. The Magnitude 15.9 tournament will take place in Seattle, May 22-24. The event includes two days of rugby play and opening and closing parties. The games will be held at Marymoor Park, 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway NE, Redmond, on Saturday, May 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, May 24, starting at 10 a.m., with the championship match kickoff at 3 p.m. The opening party will be held on Friday, May 22, 6-9 p.m., at The Cuff Complex, 13th Ave. & E. Pine St., and the closing party and awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 24, 6-10 p.m., at Purr, 1518 11th Ave. between E. Pine St . & E. Pike St. Participating teams are Dallas Diablos, Gotham City Knights (New York), Los Angeles Rebellion, Minneapolis Mayhem, Phoenix Storm, San Diego Armada, San Francisco Fog (A & B), Seattle Quake (A & B). Spectators are welcome! For more details, visit www. quakerugby.org. PUDDLETOWN SQUARES HOSTS MODERN WESTERN SQUARE DANCE EVENT AT NW FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL The last Seattle-based Modern Western Square Dance Club, and a member of Seattle’s LGBTQ community for the last 27 years, Puddletown Squares will break new programming ground at this weekend’s NW Folklife Festival at the Seattle Center. For the first time in its 38-year history, Folklife
will be offering a Modern Western Square Dance event, sponsored by Puddletown Squares. This public-participation event will take place on Saturday, May 23, 5-5:50 p.m., at the Roadhouse (Fisher Pavilion), as part of the amazing offerings at NW Folklife this year. Being lead by local favorite caller, Mike DeSisto, this energetic, non-traditional and fun event will give beginners a chance to “get a taste” of what Modern Western Square Dancing is all about with help from experienced “angels” from Puddletown and other clubs from the surrounding area. “I know, you’re thinking ‘SQUARE dancing,’ but as we say at Puddletown, ‘This ain’t your Grandma’s square dancing!’ (that you might remember from grade school). Modern Western Square Dancing gives anyone the chance to dance either ‘boy’ or ‘girl,’ in casual dress, with a community of supportive Gay and straight friends in their 20s through 70s. You’re just as likely to be square dancing to the beat of pop music, Sinatra or Madonna, as interspersed country western or bluegrass music. Singles or couples are welcome, but bringing a whole group of friends makes it even more fun!” An active member of the International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs, Puddletown Squares will also be participating in “Mixed Fruit: an LGBTQ Showcase,” at the Vera Project Stage on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, from 4-7 p.m., as part of the final afternoon of this year’s NW Folklife! Information about Puddletown events and lessons can always be found at www.iagsdc. org/puddletown. Entry to NW Folklife is FREE, but we support their encouragement of a $10 donation each day to help stage this amazing event each Memorial Day weekend. Alternative transportation to Seattle Center – bussing and carpooling – are encouraged. www.nwfolklife.org. CAMP TEN TREES 2009 DINNER & AUCTION COMING UP IN MAY “All Around The Campfire,” Camp Ten Trees 2009 dinner and auction benefit will be held on Saturday, May 23, starting at 6 p.m., at the South Lake Union Armory, Naval Reserve Building, Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Ave. N. Tickets are $65. For more information and tickets, visit www. camptentrees,org or call 206-288-9568. ENTRE HERMANOS’ LATINO PAGEANT On Saturday, May 23, join Entre Hermanos for their annual Latino Pageant. The event will be held at Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave., starting at 6 p.m. with dinner and a nohost bar. This annual pageant is the signature event for Entre Hermanos, which brings the Latino LGBT community (and friends) together in a wonderful celebration. The pageant culminates with the selection of the King, Queen, and Lesbian Queen, who then go on to represent the organization during the year, for which their main priority is to create visibility and a positive image for Entre Hermanos. The pageant brings youth and adults together to socialize, meet new people, and find a space where sexual diversity is our greatest value. We also recognize those people and institutions that have worked on behalf of our community. The spirit of the Latino pageant is to provide a framework for celebration, recognition of our true diversity and acceptance; upon which our work as an organization revolves. We attempt to recognize the talent and exuberance of Latino culture, our desire to succeed, and take our place in the spectrum of cultures living in this community. For ticket information, call 322-7700 or stop by the Entre Hermanos office at 1505 Broadway (next to Tully’s). www.entrehermanos.org.
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TRASH WITH CATHY SORBO AT SEATTLE EAGLE TO BENEFIT GAY CITY On Sunday, May 24, from 4-8 p.m., at Seattle Eagle, 314 E. Pike St., Gay City and Seattle Eagle present TRASH with Cathy Sorbo and her “Songs of Filth Revue,” plus prize drawings, cage dancers, and amazing DJs! This first of three summer Sundays of TRASH is titled “Emission Accomplished” – a military-themed party on Memorial Day Weekend. $5 cover. All proceeds benefit the Gay City Health Project. Next TRASH parties will be held at Seattle Eagle on Sundays, June 28 and July 26. KCTS BROADCASTS IN THE LIFE TV On Sunday, May 24, at midnight, In The Life TV will be broadcast on KCTS-TV, Channel 9. “In the May episode we investigate the AIDS epidemic in communities of color, learn how two organizations are addressing the particular needs of their communities, and meet a filmmaker inspired by an artist and activist.” This episode can also be viewed online at your convenience at www.inthelifetv.org. HIV VACCINE AWARENESS DAY www.bethegeneration.org DUNSHEE HOUSE GAY & LESBIAN BOOK CLUB Come discuss the best of Gay and Lesbian novels at the new Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club. Join other book-lovers on a drop-in basis every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Dunshee House, 303 17th Ave. E. Come only once or come every meeting. Each month a different title will be discussed. The titles for May and June are: May – The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith; June – Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. For more information, call 206-322-2437; nickdimartin@ earthlink.net. NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOLDS SIXTH ANNUAL BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, “OUT FOR BUSINESS,” IN SEATTLE MAY 28-30 The NGLCC will hold their sixth annual Business & Leadership Conference, “Out for Business,” May 28-30, at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel. The three-day event includes a series of business symposia, keynote speakers, panel discussions and special events designed to educate and connect attendees. Various tracks of programming are designed to meet the interests and needs of LGBT business owners and entrepreneurs, allied companies and NGLCC affiliate chambers from around the country. The Out for Business Conference also connects local and national LGBT businesses with NGLCC’s corporate partners for contracting opportunities. For a complete list visit www. nglcc.org/corporate/partners. For complete information and to register for the conference, visit www.nglcc.org/Seattle2009. MISS ECSA PAGEANT On Friday, May 29, the Emerald City Softball Association hosts the Miss ECSA Pageant, doors at 6 p.m., contest from 7-9 p.m., at R Place, 619 E. Pine St. Contestants from this year's roster of ECSA softball teams will vie for the title of Miss ECSA 2009. Contestants will also compete in the categories of "Creative Costume," "Best Talent" and "Miss Guided 2009." Miss Selma Sue, a member of the Seattle Woodpeckers, will be hosting this year's pageant. $5 donation at the door. www.emeraldcitysoftball.org VIXXXEN’S LOUNGE – LOUNGING WITH THE SISTERS – VOLUME II AT MARTINS OFF MADISON On Sunday, May 31, from 5-8 p.m., join The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Abbey of St. Joan, and friends, at Martins Off Madison, 1413 14th Ave., for an evening of live piano, performances, schmoozing and a chance to win a fantastic gift basket. Proceeds from this event will go towards The Sister’ International Conclave Fund – a conference this July bringing Sisters from around the world to Seattle to learn and
May 22, 2009
share ideas that will make for stronger communities wherever The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence call home. www.theabbey.org. PROM RESOURCES FOR LGBT STUDENTS http://www.aclu.org/lgbt/youth/39462res 20090424.html GLSEN/WA PRESENTS 5TH ANNUAL GSA AWARDS On Friday, June 5, join GLSEN/WA (the Washington state chapter of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network) for their 5th Annual GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance) Awards. The evening will be held at the Bush School, 3400 E. Harrison St., starting with a reception at 6 p.m. The awards ceremony follows at 7 p.m. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, good conversation, live entertainment, silent auction and an inspiring and heart-warming awards ceremony. Celebrate the courageous youth and allies who seek to end anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in Washington’s K-12 schools. These kids are doing incredible work in our state to support each other, raise consciousness and fight bigotry in their schools! Tickets are $25-general; $10-students and can be purchased in advance at 1-800-838-3006 or online at www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/58138. For more information and to support the work of GLSEN/WA, visit www.glsenwa.org, email mail@glsenwa. org or call 206-330-2099. CASCADE FLYERS HOST LUNCH MEETING IN GEORGETOWN On Saturday, June 6, the Cascade Flyers, an LGBT Pilots and Aviation Enthusiasts Group of the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, will be hosting a lunch meeting at noon at the Hangar Café, 6261 13th Ave. S., near Boeing Field. For more information, visit www.cascadeflyers.org or email cascadeflyers@cascadeflyers.org. VOICES RISING PRESENTS HIP HOP, SPOKEN WORD, BREAKIN’ AND DRAG PERFORMANCE AT RICHARD HUGO HOUSE On Saturday, June 6, join Voices Rising, Seattle’s only showcase dedicated solely to LGBTQ artists of color, for a celebration of pride: from hiphop to the Harlem Renaissance and beyond. Performers include Mami Watu, Emiko Sugiyama, THEESatisfaction, Dakota Camacho, Mikeya Jackson-Harper, Landon Longhill, Crystal Ybarra and Storme Webber. The event will be held at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., doors at 7 p.m. Tickets” $10-$25 sliding scale. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/ voicesrising. PACIFIC NW LESBIAN ARCHIVES SPONSORING WOMEN’S WEEKEND IN THE WOODS JUNE 12-14 The gathering you’ve only dreamed about is happening! Join us for a relaxing weekend on Kitsap Peninsula this summer. Choose to sleep under the stars or in the cabins at Camp Indianola. Visit http://www.pnwlesbianarchives.org for all the details. When you are on the website, you may need to follow a few links in order to find pricing, registration, etc. If you know of any women who do not have internet access, but may be interested in attending, please spread the word and let them know how to get in touch with us. Pacific NW Lesbian Archives, PO Box 27671, Seattle, WA 98165; 206-654-4477. Please register by Saturday, May 30. AFSC SPEAKER’S BUREAU LOOKING FOR QUEER YOUTH The American Friends Service Committee’s speaker’s bureau, Out Spoken, is looking for Queer youth to interview about their life experiences and hopes for the future to expand and enrich their panel presentations. Participants will receive a gift card and much appreciation for helping out. Contact LT at ltan@AFSC.org for more information and to set up an interview.
Seattle Gay News
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NEWS
New York Assembly passes same-sex marriage bill The New York State Assembly passed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage May 12 by a vote of 89-52. The measure now goes to the Senate, where it may not have enough votes to pass. “It’s time for the Senate, which now has pro-equality leadership, to ensure that loving, committed same-sex couples in New York can have the same rights and responsibilities under the law as loving, committed different-sex couples,” urged Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. The Assembly previously passed a samesex marriage bill in 2007, but it stalled in the Senate. New York law already recognizes same-sex marriages entered into in states and countries that allow them. Gay couples can marry in Connecticut, Iowa and Massachusetts. Same-sex marriage laws will take effect later this year in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. In California, the state Supreme Court has until June 3 to decide the fate of a constitutional amendment passed by voters that halted same-sex marriages last November, five months after the state Supreme Court legalized them. Same-sex marriage also is legal in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain and Sweden. New Hampshire governor to sign marriage bill Despite unrelenting pressure from antiGay activists, including via TV ads, New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch said May 14 he will sign a bill passed by the legislature legalizing same-sex marriage. Lynch, however, asked the legislature, known as the General Court, to make some changes to the measure first – alterations that legislative leaders and the state’s Gay activist establishment said are fine with them. The process is expected to be completed quickly. The revised bill will include this painstaking language: “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a religious organization, association, or society, or any individual who is managed, directed, or supervised by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society, or any nonprofit institution or organization operated, supervised or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society, shall not be required to provide services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges to an individual if such request for such services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges is related to the solemnization of a marriage, the celebration of a marriage, or the promotion of marriage through religious counseling, programs, courses, retreats, or housing designated for married individuals, and such solemnization, celebration, or promotion of marriage is in violation of their religious beliefs and faith. Any refusal to provide services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges in accordance with this section shall not create any civil claim or cause of action or result in any state action to penalize or withhold benefits from such religious organization, association or society, or any individual who is managed, directed, or supervised by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society, or any nonprofit institution or organization operated, supervised or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society. “The marriage laws of this state shall not be construed to affect the ability of a fraternal benefit society to determine the admission of members ... and shall not require a fraternal benefit society that has been established and is operating for charitable and educational purposes and which is operated, supervised or controlled by or in connection with a religious organization to provide insurance benefits to any person if to do so would violate the fraternal benefit society’s 6
Seattle Gay News
rex wockner
NATIONAL by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer free exercise of religion as guaranteed by the first amendment of the Constitution of the United States and part 1, article 5 of the Constitution of New Hampshire.” Other new language says the new marriage laws cannot be used to limit existing protections and exemptions provided to religious organizations. The alterations also repeal the state’s civil-union law effective January 1, 2011, and prohibit any new civil unions from taking place after January 1, 2010. In announcing his decision, Lynch wrote: “At its core, [this bill] simply changes the term ‘civil union’ to ‘civil marriage.’ Given the cultural, historical and religious significance of the word marriage, this is a meaningful change. I have heard, and I understand, the very real feelings of samesex couples that a separate system is not an equal system. That a civil law that differentiates between their committed relationships and those of heterosexual couples undermines both their dignity and the legitimacy of their families. ... “We can and must treat both same-sex couples and people of certain religious traditions with respect and dignity. I believe this proposed language will accomplish both of these goals.” Gay couples can marry in Connecticut, Iowa and Massachusetts. Same-sex marriage laws take effect in September in Maine and Vermont. In California, the state Supreme Court has until June 3 to decide the fate of a constitutional amendment passed by voters that halted same-sex marriages last November, five months after the state Supreme Court legalized them. Same-sex marriage also is legal in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain and Sweden. Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch supports same-sex marriage Blogging for the Yonkers Tribune, former New York City Mayor Ed Koch came out in support of same-sex marriage May 11. “I believe that same-sex marriage will be approved by a majority of the 50 states in the Union within the next five years,” Koch wrote. “When that occurs, the federal resistance will end and the Congress will vote in favor of federal recognition of same-sex marriages with equal benefits to both homosexual and heterosexual couples.” “As a matter of fundamental fairness, civil marriage must be made available for all consenting adults, irrespective of sexual orientation,” he said. “And it will happen, more quickly than the public thinks.” Koch long has been rumored to be Gay but has refused to discuss his sexual orientation when asked about it by journalists. In February, he told The New York Times: “I do not want to add to the acceptability of asking every candidate, ‘Are you straight or Gay or Lesbian?’ and make it a legitimate question, so I don’t submit to that question. I don’t care if people think I’m Gay because I don’t answer it. I’m flattered that at 84 people are interested in my sex life – and, it’s quite limited.” Wanda Sykes criticized for comments to Obama Openly Lesbian comedian Wanda Sykes has come under fire for comments she made to President Barack Obama on May 9 at the White House Correspondents’ Association Annual Dinner. “Rush Limbaugh, one of your big critics,” Sykes said from the podium. “Boy, Rush Limbaugh said he hopes this administration fails. So you’re saying, ‘I hope America fails.’ ... He just wants the country to fail. To me, that’s treason. He’s not saying anything differently than what Osama bin Laden is saying. “I think maybe Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker but he was just so strung out on OxyContin he missed his flight. ... Rush Limbaugh. ‘I hope the country fails.’ I hope his kidneys fail. How ‘bout that? He needs a
May 22, 2009
President Barack Obama
good waterboarding, that’s what he needs.” Folks from the right and the left, including White House spokesman Robert Gibbs and liberal TV commentator Keith Olbermann, said Sykes had gone too far. “I think there are a lot of topics that are better left for serious reflection rather than comedy,” Gibbs said May 12. “I think there’s no doubt that 9/11 is part of that.” In his turn at the dinner’s microphone, Obama joked: “[Senior Adviser] David [Axelrod] and I have been together for a long time. ... I think back to that day that I called Ax so many years ago and said, ‘You and I can do wonderful things together,’ and he said to me the same thing that partners all across America are saying to one another
right now: ‘Let’s go to Iowa and make it official.’”
air force
cost of training and educating servicemen and women is astronomical. Fehrenbach estimates his training value at $25 million. Why would the Air Force want to discharge an officer with such critical and valuable skills? The truth of the matter is, they have no choice until Congress or the president changes the policy. Perhaps Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said it best. “This building [Pentagon] views ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ as the law of the land until Congress acts otherwise.” Defense Secretary Robert Gates, someone who would oversee the implementation of any new policy on Gays in the Military (should one be drafted), told the press, “No change soon on ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’” The White House issued a statement in April saying Obama has begun consulting with Gates and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on how to lift the ban. Gates says that dialogue has not really progressed very far at this point in the administration, saying that he and President Obama have “a lot on our plates now.” As Gates puts it, “Let’s push that one down the road a little bit.” One thing is certain: The impending discharge of Lt. Col. Fehrenbach and 1st. Lt. Dan Choi are high profile. The two officers are putting a face on the struggle by taking their challenge and call for equality to the national media. “I think we need a permanent solution from Congress,” said Fehrenbach. “I would hope that they would act, and I hope the president moves fast and fulfills his promise to us and proposes a policy of non-discrimination.” Both Fehrenbach and Choi are not asking for a free pass out or a payoff. Like true military men with integrity and honor, they are asking to stay in, to continue to serve their country, to continue to lead. Time, it would seem, is not on their side. Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff said May 19, “Secretary Gates and Mullen are aware of where the president wants to go on this issue, but I don’t think that there is any sense of any immediate developments in efforts to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’” The two men are likely to be discharged before a solution is reached.
continued from cover Recently, West Point graduate Army 1st Lt. Dan Choi used Maddow’s show to announce he was Gay and challenge the president and Congress to do away with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Choi and Fehrenbach are asking Obama to keep his campaign promise to repeal the controversial policy. The Air Force informed Fehrenbach in May of last year that he was being investigated for violating “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” He was told in September 2008 he would be discharged. He was absolutely devastated, he told Maddow during his TV appearance. “The Air Force has been my life. Basically I was faced with the end of my life as I knew it,” he said. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is the current U.S. Military policy concerning homosexuals serving in the armed forces. The policy states you can serve as long as you are not open about your sexuality, or act on it, for that matter. Since the policy was put into place in 1993, nearly 13,000 men and women have been separated from the military. Basically, the government fires servicemembers for being Gay or Lesbian – at least one, often two, every day. It is estimated that 65,000 Gay and Lesbian people currently serve in the military. At first, Fehrenbach did not want to fight the decision. “I initially thought I wanted this all to just go away. I wanted a quick, quiet, fair, honorable discharge.” Then something changed. He said the more he thought about it, the more he realized how wrong the policy is. “I thought that I had to fight,” said Fehrenbach. Proponents of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” say allowing Gay or Lesbian persons to serve openly would undermine the good order and discipline of a military unit. Fehrenbach disagrees. “It’s absolutely false. For the past 369 days [since the investigation began], I have been going to work every day and doing my duty with absolutely no impact on morale and discipline and good order,” he said. The latest round of both officer and enlisted firings under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has many asking the question: Why? The sheer
Gay erotic magazines shut down Venerable erotic Gay magazines Honcho, Inches, Mandate, Playguy and Torso were shut down May 11 by Mavety Media Group. The closure also extended to the company’s lesser-known Gay titles. Mandate had been published continuously since April 1975. Reports said the internet had made the magazines obsolete. With assistance from Bill Kelley
Celebrating 36 Years!
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer rfsl photo
“This rally was called to mark the International Day Against Homophobia – it has nothing to do with the Euro election campaign,” Lennard told UK Gay News. The report suggested the Conservativerun City Council had mistaken the antihomophobia rally for a political event or had deliberately chosen to interfere with the gathering, at which Cashman was the featured speaker, because of anti-Gay animus. Fired Gay Chilean police officer sues A policeman fired in Santiago, Chile, in 2006 for being Gay has filed suit at the Santiago Court of Appeals seeking reinstatement, back pay and $88,770 in damages. César Ricardo Contreras Segura’s action targets the district attorney’s office and is backed by the leading Gay organization, Movement for Homosexual Integration and Liberation. The suit says Contreras’ dismissal violated the constitution’s guarantee of equal treatment under the law and other constitutional rights. “From 2006 to date, I have lived in family, emotional and economic hell because of my unjust and inhumane expulsion from the Civil Police, where I served for 15 years on a faultless path that police civil servants wanted to sully only because of my homosexuality,” Contreras said. Gays will have “house” at 2010 Winter Games Gay athletes at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games will have a “Pride House” in which to chill out together in the mountain resort town of Whistler, British Columbia. The “safe space” facility also will be open to Gay Olympians’ friends, families, coaches and fans. According to the Vancouver Sun, the club-
The president of the Swedish national Gay group RFSL, Sören Juvas
Lesbian couple denied marriage license in Moscow A Lesbian couple were turned away when they applied for a marriage license at Moscow’s Marriage Registration Office on May 12. Irina Fet and Irina Shipitko were handed a document stating that Russia allows only opposite-sex marriage. The couple said they will now travel to Toronto and marry, then return to Russia and demand recognition of their union. Russia’s laws on nonrecognition of certain foreign marriages do not include same-sex marriage in the list of obstacles. “There is a clear loophole in the Russian law that we are going to use,” said Gay leader Nikolai Alekseev. Fet told reporters: “We love each other for a while now and we want it to be officially recognized. We believe that we have the same rights [as] any other citizen for happiness. Our love is not different.” Activists expect the matter will end up at the European Court of Human Rights. Swedish Gay leader beaten at Moldova Pride The president of the Swedish national Gay group RFSL (RFSL’s former initials are now its full name), Sören Juvas, was beaten up in Chisinau, Moldova, May 11. He was stopped by police as he left a pub and asked if he was in town for the Gay pride events and if he was Gay. When he answered both questions in the affirmative, Juvas was taken to a police station, then later released. As he left the station, Juvas was attacked by a group of men and suffered facial lacerations and bruises on his body. “The men who attacked him were most likely police in civilian clothing or men who had been informed by the police that Sören Juvas was going to be outside the police station at that time,” said RFSL spokesperson Malinda Flodman. “Many politicians and public figures in Sweden are upset about what has happened and this has raised the issue of LGBT rights in Central and Eastern Europe in the public debate in Sweden, and has increased pres-
sure on the Swedish government to address the issue when we assume the presidency of the EU [European Union] this summer.” The Chisinau pride events included roundtable discussions, workshops, awards, concerts, parties and a “Miss Flawless Queen” pageant. Activists also laid flowers at a public monument dedicated to oppressed people. GLBT people attended from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Ukraine, among other nations. Gay Euro MP banned from speaking in England The president of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights was prevented by local officials from addressing an International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) rally May 9 in Birmingham, England. UK Gay News said the Birmingham City Council determined that Michael Cashman could not speak at the event because he is seeking re-election as a member of the European Parliament in June’s elections. Cashman’s West Midlands district includes Birmingham. The speech Cashman planned to give was instead read by a local activist as Cashman stood at her side. Derek Lennard, the UK coordinator of IDAHO, denounced the ban, saying politicians were involved in IDAHO events arranged by local councils in several cities across the country.
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house is a joint project of the organization GayWhistler and the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre Hotel. Lebanese Gay group to target Gay-sex ban In what may be a first for the Arab world, the Lebanese Gay group Helem says it will launch an effort to overturn the nation’s ban on Gay sex. The law, Article 534, criminalizes sex that violates “the laws of nature.” Some 20 members of the group recently staged a rally in the city center to protest police violence against Gay men. EU criticizes Burundi’s criminalization of Gay sex The European Union, in a declaration issued by its presidency, has criticized the African nation of Burundi for its recent criminalization of Gay sex. “The criminalization of consensual samesex relations presents a violation of the rights to privacy, equality and non-discrimination as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” the EU said May 11. “Adoption of such a norm is contradictory to Burundi’s obligations under the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights.” The declaration also says bans on Gay sex impede the fight against HIV by driving marginalized communities underground. In addition to the 27 member nations of the EU, the declaration was supported by Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia and Ukraine. With assistance from Bill Kelley
California Senate passes Harvey Milk Day legislation by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Even in death, Harvey Milk continues to make headlines. The California Senate approved legislation last Wednesday designating a day each year to honor Harvey Milk. Six Democrats and one Republican voted in favor of the bill, and two Republicans voted against it. The measure now heads to the Assembly. The legislation, backed by Democrats, calls for Milk’s May 22 birthday to be used as a time to recognize the late San Francisco supervisor’s contributions. It would not be a formal holiday. The text of the SB 572 legislation reads: “On Harvey Milk Day, exercises remembering the life of Harvey Milk and recognizing his accomplishments as well as the contributions he made to this state should be conducted, specifically, all public schools and educational institutions are encouraged to observe … and … conduct suitable commemorative exercises.” Nearly three decades after Milk and Mayor George Moscone were slain by a fellow city lawmaker in 1978, the Gay rights leader’s renown continues to flourish; a bronze statue of Milk stands at the San Francisco City Hall (where Milk and Moscone were killed), the feature film about his life won Oscar nominations and trophies, and countless books and news articles have been churned out depicting the life and times of Milk.
Equality California, a Gay advocacy group supporting SB 572, said on their website, “Harvey Milk was – and still is – an inspiration not only as one of the first openly Gay men elected to office, but as a trailblazer who understood the value of working with allies, the importance of living our lives openly with authenticity and the power that our stories have to change hearts and minds.” Critics say the Gay community is showcasing Milk as part of a larger campaign to win societal acceptance, legalize Gay marriage and force schools to discuss alternative lifestyles. Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a nearly identical bill last year indicating Milk’s contributions were not statewide. Defending his decision in a statement Gov. Schwarzenegger said, “Harvey Milk’s contributions should continue to be recognized at the local [San Francisco] level.” The California Legislature is expected to once again pass the bill and send it on to Gov. Schwarzenegger.
VACATION IN THE HEART OF THE CASCADES Prices and interest rates are at their lowest, so now is the time to buy that special getaway property. Come see the beautiful Cle Elum area just 1 hr. 20 min. east of Seattle off I-90. Give me a call and let’s talk
Jack Clark, Windermere/Cle Elum. 509-304-4332. May 22, 2009
Seattle Gay News
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GSBA celebrates a milestone at awards dinner by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
The Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) awarded $137,000 in scholarships to 27 Washington State undergraduates May 15, bringing their total to nearly $1 million in financial assistance to LGBT students since the program’s inception 19 years ago. This year the GSBA Scholarship Awards Dinner was held at the Westin Seattle, with Rep. Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) acting as emcee along with his partner, Eric Cochran Pedersen. Each of the 27 awardees was recognized on stage by various figures important to the Seattle LGBT community, including Sen. Joe McDermott. “I am so proud that our LGBT Business Chamber, the GSBA, is passionate about investing in the next generation of leaders through our Scholarship Program,” GSBA Executive Director Louise Chernin told SGN. “GSBA believes all businesses should incorporate philanthropy into their business model, and for GSBA this means a commitment to providing hope and financial support for the education of our students.” The GSBA Scholarship Fund was founded in 1990 to promote leadership and diversity in the LGBT and allied community. The fund includes gifts from hundreds of donors and, to date, has graduated scholarships to over 266 students. “I feel honored to receive this scholarship – it is much more than money,” Sergey Smirnov told the SGN. “It provides confi-
dence and assurance that someone believes in you and the work you are doing to improve the community.” The 21-year-old University of Washington communications and art history major said the much-needed funds will allow him to place more focus on school work and community service. While attending Bellevue College, Smirnov created the LGBTQ and Allies Resource Center – the first fully funded program of its kind at a two-year college in Washington State. He plans to pursue a career in nonprofit management and philanthropy. The GSBA Scholarship Program supports future leaders of the LGBT community by providing financial resources, role modeling, and hope to outstanding LGBT and allied students. An Evergreen high school student, 18-year-old Karsen Farmer, also received a scholarship on May 15. The Evergreen student body president and Gay-Straight Alliance leader said that without the scholarship, he wouldn’t have been able to afford the first year of college. Karsen has his sights set on leadership within the community. “For so many years of my life, I hid who I was from the world; I could never just be Gay,” he told the SGN. “Now comes the time where I can be free – I am learning more and more about myself and the other LGBT people of the world. I know that in the next four years of college I will be on my way to becoming the person I’ve always had locked away.” Receiving the scholarship is something Farmer never thought would happen
“For so many years of my life, I hid who I was from the world; I could never just be Gay.”
SEATTLE GAY AND LESBIAN BOOK CLUB Come discuss the best gay novels with us! DUNSHEE HOUSE On the corner of 17th East & East Thomas Wednesdays 6 p.m.
OUR BOOKS REFLECT OUR LIVES
January 7, 14, 21, 28
April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
BREAKFAST WITH SCOT
THE CITY AND THE PILLAR
by Michael Downing
by Gore Vidal
February 4, 11, 18, 25
May 6, 13, 20, 27
Join other book-lovers in a safe, comfortable conversation!
ORANGES ARE NOT THE ONLY FRUIT
THE PRICE OF SALT
Come only once – or come every meeting
Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
by Jeanette Winterson
so quickly or be as beneficial as it is. GSBA chooses students who they believe excel academically, have overcome the challenge of being from a marginalized community, and exhibit strong leadership qualities. GSBA officials say by choosing these students, they know the investment will lead to a more just future for generations to come. “This is a true honor,” said 30-year-old Lorenzo Cervantes. The Pierce Community College digital design and graphic art student grew up in a poor Mexican family in a rural part of New Mexico. He is the first person in his family to graduate from high school and attend college. His first year of college was difficult as it was the year he came out. Struggling with the rejection of his family, Cervantes took a year off from school, hoping to go back the following year. Time passed before he was able to return to school – the scholarship is setting Cervantes back on track. “It feels great that people who only know me from an application believe
in me and want to help me obtain my goal of getting a college education,” he said. The GSBA Scholarship Program works cooperatively with the Pride Foundation to promote the scholarships granted by both organizations. Applications are available each October in schools and community organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest and on the GSBA website, www.thegsba.org. “Our scholars, regardless of their challenges and often without family support, have already accomplished so much,” said Chernin. “To be granted a GSBA Scholarship, students must have outstanding academic credentials, a commitment to LGBT civil rights, and have excellent leadership potential. As was clearly shown at the GSBA Scholarship Dinner, these students are already community leaders who are committed to making the world a better place for us all.”
King County Labor backs Decline to Sign Courtesy of Pride At Work
On May 20, the Martin Luther King County Labor Council voted unanimously to recommend the Decline to Sign Referendum 71 campaign. Since Referendum 71 would be a statewide measure if it qualifies for the ballot in November, the MLKCLC’s recommendation must now go to the Washington State Labor Council for final action. Wednesday’s vote came at the request of Pride At Work, the AFL-CIO’s LGBT constituency organization. In its request to the MLKCLC, Pride At Work said, “Referendum 71 unfairly challenges the right of LGBT workers to provide for our families in the same ways that straight workers do, and puts equal treatment for over 5,300 already registered domestic partners at risk.” Referendum 71 challenges SB 5688, the expansion of domestic partnership rights passed by the Washington State Legislature last month. Signed into law by Gov. Christine Gregoire on May 18, SB 5688 provides registered domestic partners all the rights, benefits, and responsibilities enjoyed by married spouses under state law. Supporters of Referendum 71 have until July 25 to collect 120,577 signatures in order to qualify the measure for the November ballot. If they fail, SB 5688 will become law
on July 26. The MLKCLC represents over 150 affiliated unions and other labor organizations, and more than 75,000 workers. It is affiliated with the WSLC and the AFL-CIO, but also includes some Change To Win unions working under “solidarity charters.” The MLKCLC has a history of supporting equality for LGBT partners. In April 2000 the MLKCLC passed a resolution supporting domestic partnership benefits for Washington state employees, and reaffirmed its commitment in February 2001 when those benefits were challenged by state Republicans. In 2004, the MLKCLC passed a resolution supporting civil marriage equality and another opposing the Federal Marriage Amendment. In 2006, it signed on to an amicus brief supporting marriage equality in the Andersen v Sims case before the Washington State Supreme Court, as did about 30 of its affiliated unions. The MLKCLC amended its bylaws in 2008 to add representation on its Executive Board for Pride At Work and other AFLCIO constituency groups. Pride At Work is also represented on the WSLC. For more information, contact Mike Andrew, Secretary-Treasurer of MLK County Pride At Work, 206-261-8110 or OutFront. PrideAtWork@gmail.com.
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Seattle Gay News
May 22, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
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May 22, 2009
Seattle Gay News
9
10 Seattle Gay News
May 22, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
PROTECT ALL WASHINGTON FAMILIES
PLEDGE We are pleased to announce the formation of Washington Families Standing Together the campaign working to retain Washington’s Domestic Partnership Law.
The organizations above are proud to support Washington Families Standing Together. More are signing on everyday. Join us in protecting the rights of your family and loved ones.
THANK YOU TO THE OVER 18,000 PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAKEN THE PLEDGE (so far) Learn More. Contribute. Take the Pledge.
WASHINGTON FAMILIES STANDING TOGETHER For more information on what you can do, call 206-324-2570 Paid for by Washington Families Standing Together, PO Box 12216, Seattle, WA 98102
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May 22, 2009
Seattle Gay News 11
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12 Seattle Gay News
May 22, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
shaun Knittel
Capitol Hill May 15. “This city has a lot of character.” Christian, also known as “Gaylebrity” and “PantyChrist,” was at Under U 4 Men, a designer underwear store that carries his line, to meet with press and customers before his 10 p.m. fashion show at Neighbours, which featured models wearing his latest line in designer underwear and free product giveaways. Neighbors was packed with fans of the reality TV star and designer. In order to be admitted to the VIP party, fans were required to stop by Under U 4 Men and sign up for the event. During the fashion show, hosted by Neighbours’ Entertainment Director Sasha Scarlett, Christian’s models showcased products from his spring 2009 collection such as the Show-It underwear with a full frontal enhancement, and Flash Back underwear that accentuate a guy’s assets – so to speak. “Designing underwear has been a whirlwind – it put my name on the map,” Christian said. “It’s the right time to accept men’s fashion underwear. American men are being more comfortable with their bodies.” Christian said he believes that attitude is important. “What makes a man sexy is how he carries himself,” he told SGN. Anyone, regardless of body type, should feel comfortable with buying designer underwear. As for fashion tips, Christian said, “Don’t over-accessorize. I look in the mirror and if something stands out or catches my eye, I take it off.”
shaun Knittel
Fashion designer Andrew Christian visits Seattle
Andrew Christian
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Fashion Designer Andrew Christian, from Bravo TV’s hit series The Fashion Show and designer underwear superstar held a meet and greet and fashion show at Neighbours last Friday. Christian is one of today’s hottest designers, with an online catalog of young men and women’s urban underwear, swimwear, tank tops, T-shirts, pants, and other merchandise. “I like Seattle, and even though I’ve been here briefly, I got a mini-tour,” Andrew Christian told SGN at Under U 4 Men at
bill
continued from cover the nation. The law will take effect July 26. When Gregoire stepped up to the podium, the jubilation in the air was unmistakable. For LGBT Washingtonians, Monday was a day to celebrate. “Today we are strengthening Washington by strengthening families. From the first bill I signed in 2007 to today’s bills, we have proudly made immeasurable strides on behalf of LGBT individuals and families,” Gregoire said. The legislation expands on previous domestic-partnership laws by adding such partnerships to all remaining areas of state law that, until Monday, only addressed married couples. As of Monday, there were 5,395 registered domestic partners, representing every county in the state. “Many brave families have come forward to share their lives, their struggles and their moments of joy – hard-working men and women who are in committed relationships, raising children, attending their places of worship, and volunteering in their communities,” Gregoire said. “After meeting these families, people have come to know that Lesbian and Gay families are no different than their own.” Many of Gov. Gregoire’s comments drew cheers and applause from the crowd inside Montlake Community Center. The battle over domestic partnership in Washington began three years ago when the state Supreme Court ruled against 11 Gay and Lesbian couples seeking the right to marry in Washington. The court upheld the state’s Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which limits marriage to one man and one woman. In response, the legislature passed a bill that created the domestic partnership registry, which Gov. Gregoire then signed into law. In 2008, the Legislature added to the registry rights and responsibilities, giv-
ing registered same-sex domestic partners a few more rights, but never equality. By signing Bill 5688 into law on Monday, Gov. Gregoire filled those gaps for Gay and Lesbian families across Washington. “There can be no question that the landscape of equality for Gay and Lesbian families is changing, here and across the nation,” said Sen. Ed Murray (D-Seattle), who sponsored the bill in the Senate. “Today, 11 years after our state established the intolerance of DOMA into law, Washington law will finally treat Gay and Lesbian families the same as married couples. Recently, Iowa and Vermont have legalized full marriage equality. Of course, marriage equality is the final goal for Gay and Lesbian families here in Washington, too. We will pursue full equality, but with our full but cautious commitment.” Rep. Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) agreed. “This bill is about protecting families – mine and over 5,300 others in 278 cities and towns across Washington State,” said Pedersen, who sponsored the bill in the House. “Making sure that all Washington families enjoy the full and equal protection of the law strengthens our whole community.” Equal Rights Washington (ERW) Advocacy Director Josh Freides told SGN, “I think I can speak for the board, staff, interns and volunteers when I say that as exhausting as the legislative session and election season was, when you see the faces of the families who will be protected, you can’t help but be proud of the work we as a community are doing.” He said he believes that if we dig down deep and work really hard the next few years, then children born today will never remember a time when Gay and Lesbian couples did not have the right to legally marry. Equal Rights Washington spearheaded the grassroots and professional lobbying in support of the Domestic Partnership Expansion Bill – something Sen. Ed Murray acknowledged during his speech Monday. The efforts included Equality Day which saw
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Underwear and great abs were on display
over 800 people going down to Olympia to lobby their legislators and participate during a noon rally. He said ERW helped identify families who could testify at committee hearings in Olympia. Additionally, ERW action alerts generated tens of thousands of e-mails to legislators where constituents shared their thoughts and stories and countless phone calls. ERW was by no means alone in working to put a human face on the need to protect LGBT families. Many organizations participated in the efforts, said Friedes. Those groups included FUSE, the Religious Coalition for Equality, Legal Voice, the ACLU of Washington, Planned Parenthood Votes, the Human Rights Campaign, Join the Impact, the Task Force, Lambda Legal, the Pride Foundation, The Washington Chapter of American Psychological Association, the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, the GSBA, and dozens of churches and synagogues. “The key to our collective success has been helping people find their voice so that they may tell their stories and ask friends to participate in our work of protecting Washington families,” Freides said. “Many stories come from straight allies and we must continue to ask for their support. People don’t take action unless they are asked.” There has already been an initiative filed in opposition of the bill by a public action committee called Protect Marriage Washington. The group, a network of conservative and religious organizations, plans to begin collecting signatures to repeal the measure under Referendum 71. The group has to wait a full week to see if someone challenges the referendum’s ballot title in court. Then they will have until July 25 to collect 120,577 signatures. If Protect Marriage Washington is successful, the law will be suspended until voters decide the referendum. Several Gay-rights advocacy groups are seeking to raise money to turn back the chal-
lenge through a campaign called Decline to Sign. “We have to protect the domestic partnership law,” Freides told SGN. “We have to continue to tell our stories and how are lives would be hurt if the law were repealed. An easy way to do this is to ask people to take the pledge to decline to sign Referendum 71 online at our website.” Just remember, said Friedes, “When you ask somebody to take the pledge, let them know in personal terms why this issue means so much.” Still, regardless of the pending referendum, Monday was an important day for Washington’s LGBT population and their families. In addition to the main domestic partnership bill, Gregoire signed House Bill 1445, which permits domestic partners to receive the survivor and death benefits available to spouses from the Washington State Patrol Retirement System. She also signed House Bill 1616 to provide qualified domestic partners the same pension and Public Employees’ Benefits Board reimbursement benefits available to spouses of members of Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System Plan Two. These include retirement and disability survivor benefits, military service credit benefits, and withdrawal and annuity benefits paid upon a member’s death.
May 22, 2009
Seattle Gay News 13
referendum continued from cover
Friedes is ERW’s advocacy director. “ERW is growing and stable,” he said, “and now we’re in a position to lend assets and staff [to Washington Families Standing Together] for the duration of the campaign.” A Coordinating Committee for the new organization will be named soon, Friedes said. “It will reflect the geographical diversity of the state and the many communities we work with. We also want to acknowledge
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the creativity coming from young activists. There will be new blood on the coordinating committee.” Washington Families Standing Together will launch its new website as the SGN goes to press. It can be found at washingtonfamiliesstandingtogether.com and wafst.org. The new PAC was created on the heels of Protect Marriage Washington, the PAC formed by a coalition of right-wing activists, pastors, and Republican legislators to push Referendum 71. Protect Marriage Washington registered with the state Secretary of State on May 13. Protect Marriage has until July 25 to collect 120,577 signatures to qualify Referendum 71 for the November ballot. If the measure fails to qualify, the state’s new domestic partnership law takes effect on July 26. It gives domestic partners the same rights as those afforded to married couples under state law. If Referendum 71 does qualify for the ballot, Friedes promises an aggressive campaign. “This challenge gives us the opportunity to create the diverse statewide movement everyone has wanted to see for so long,” he told the SGN. According to Friedes, 18,000 voters have already signed on to the “Decline to Sign”
pledge ERW and its allies have been circulating via e-mail. Join The Impact’s Joe Mirabella created a Facebook page that has also signed up thousands of new volunteers. He is now managing the new organization’s social network outreach. “Our phones are ringing off the hook and we’re getting e-mails from all across the state,” Friedes said. The Spokane County Democrats and the 3rd and 4th District Democrats have passed resolutions asking people to decline to sign Referendum 71 petitions. Labor organizations SEIU 775 Healthcare NW, UFCW 21, and Pride At Work AFL-CIO have become founding members of Washington Families Standing Together. “We’re also getting outstanding support from our traditional organizations,” Friedes said, “from GSBA to the Pride Foundation. ACLU Washington, Lambda Legal and Legal Voice [formerly NW Women’s Law Center] have been doing some legal work around the ballot title.” Friedes also promises that the campaign in this state will learn from the mistakes of the anti-Prop 8 campaign in California. “We have to recognize the lesson of Prop 8,” he told SGN. “Our base didn’t turn out. We’ll have to work very hard to activate our base
and do a good job on the get-out-the-vote work.” “We’re fortunate that we have new technologies that allow us to ID and communicate with our base,” Friedes added. “We can ID our voters through the Decline to Sign pledges, through Facebook … we can communicate with people in all areas of the state.” Asked about the traditional dilemma of statewide campaigns – to concentrate on winning a huge majority in the more progressive counties of Western Washington, or to do new outreach east of the mountains – Friedes said, “Different phases of the campaign require different types of work. Right now we have an opportunity to educate people all across the state.” “We’re not willing to write off any part of the state,” he continued. “If people in Eastern Washington knew about our families, we’d be seeing greater support. We have time to have the conversation with people east of the mountains.” According to Friedes, the biggest challenge facing the new organization is fundraising. People who wish to contribute to the campaign are asked to make checks payable to Washington Families Standing Together, and send them to WAFST c/o ERW, PO Box 12216, Seattle WA 98102.
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14 Seattle Gay News
May 22, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
Marriage, Referendum 71 and hate
by Michael Raitt SGN Contributing Writer
Right now there are 3 significant stories in the news that impact us and they all have a common theme: the effect speech has in the LGBTQ community. We’ve all heard about the controversy that Miss California, Carrie Prejean, created when she stated her opinion that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Then we have, in this state, people who are trying to get signatures for Referendum 71, which would repeal domestic partnership rights. Finally, the Senator from North Carolina, Virginia Foxx (R-NC), who stated that the Matthew Shepard murder was a “hoax” and that he wasn’t brutally killed because he was Gay, rather, he was terrorized and murdered when a robbery went bad. What all of these have in common is freedom of speech and how it affects our lives. Unequivocally, everyone is entitled to their opinion and to speak that opinion. With freedom of speech comes a responsibility to reflect upon how one’s words can change the lives of others and to be aware and intentional about what one says so that innocent, law-abiding citizens are respected. Without doubt, speech that promotes the
isolation, marginalization, degradation, or vilification of any group makes that group a target for hate and violence. When public figures and/or groups say that GLBTQ men and women should not be given the same rights as other law-abiding citizens, they are making the GLBTQ community isolated and using false ideas to marginalize, degrade, or vilify us to justify their positions. The only way to argue that our community should not get the same rights is to say that we are not equal. There is no possible way for any individual or group to state that GLBTQ men and women are equal, yet they should not be afforded the same rights as everyone else. Speech and laws that keep GLBTQ adults and adolescents in a group unto themselves gives permission to unstable individuals to perpetrate violent and murderous crimes against us. These individuals justify in their distorted minds their hurtful actions because they believe their actions are sanctioned by the social norm that keeps GLBTQ separate and unequal. Just as horrendous is the fact that public policy and positions that segregate us also keep closeted GLBTQ individuals living in a state of fear where they experience profound depression, anxiety, and, sometimes,
end up killing themselves. The likelihood that Carrie Prejean, Virginia Foxx, or any of the supporters or authors of Referendum 71 have GLBTQ family members or friends is extremely high. I wonder how these individuals would feel coming home and finding a loved one hanging from the rafters in the garage, then finding out they did it because of the shameful messages they got about being Gay? How would they support a friend who found her 17-year-old son dead in his bedroom from a gunshot wound to the head because he was teased for being Gay? This is negative and this is real! How would they react if they knew someone who was beaten or murdered because they were Transgender? It is far too easy for these individuals who “speak their truth” that GLBTQ men and women are not equal to disconnect from the reality of how their words impact us in the GLBTQ community. I bet none of these people have held a hysterical, crying, grieving mother after her Lesbian daughter has committed suicide. What do we do with this? We continue to speak about it and keep it in the forefront of people’s minds. For those of us who can be public, we publicly speak about it and continue to demand our rights. We continue to point out the inequities of proposed legislation that would keep us as separate and unequal. We continue to talk about the harsh reality that others’ negativity has on us. We cannot turn away from the reality of what this speech and these policies do to individuals in our community. This year, in every Pride celebration in the country, people should be marching and getting the word out. All of the various groups that exist in our community can promote their own cause while also supporting the common message of “Equality through Marriage.”
For those of us who cannot be public because their situation dictates that they have to remain in the closet, they can get involved by signing petitions or providing anonymous monetary donations to organizations such as Equal Rights Washington (ERW 206-3242570 or www.equalrightswashington.org), Join the Impact, (http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/Seattle), or the Decline to Sign campaign, that do speak for all of us. For our straight parents, friends, and co-workers, we know you love us! Please also support us through donations, joining PFLAG (www.seattle-pflag.org), signing petitions, and voting down referendums and initiatives that would hurt us. Please stand up and take a position when you hear hurtful language and let others know that you have a loved GLBTQ family member or friend that you are supporting. Finally, for those of you who exercise your right to free speech, I encourage you to think hard about how your words affect others. How can you hold onto, and speak, your beliefs while balancing the idea that your words will intentionally or unintentionally bring harm to us in the GLBTQ community? If you do not wish to invoke harm in our community, how can you speak your position and include the message that harm against us is intolerable? If you do wish us harm, how can you look at that sick side of yourself? In my next column, I will write about what Gay marriage is also about.
May 22, 2009
Seattle Gay News 15
Michael Raitt, MA LMHC, is a therapist and a contributing writer to the SGN. He writes a bimonthly column in the SGN. If you would like to comment on this column, ask a question you’d like him to write about, or suggest another topic of interest, please contact him at askingmichael@comcast. net.
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Activist confrontations Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid
anti-torture activist and some guy. Apparently, the guy had a problem with having his words taken out of context (he said) by the rather strident activist. And being me, with last Sunday’s moon being in my home sign of Aquarius, I had to take one of these folks aside and chat with them about my personal views on torture, in that it should be consensual and that without consent is wrong, and could I Lovely Ballard chanteuses bring my slave to the by Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid anti-war protest on the 22nd at Westlake SGN A&E Writer Park? Which was met with at least a smile, and a “Why don’t you free your slave?” To Ah, my dears, what an interesting time it’s which I replied, “Oh, hell no, we’re both too been of late! Between dumping Qwest for happy with things as they are.” A confused Comcast – nothing like being “done” side- look from my willing co-conversationalist, ways without lube by your e-provider to get but a smile, too. you to the “I wanna break up” stage – havSo, at least some folks on the left have a ing great times with my darling slave at The sense of humor and know that it takes all Digs (if you haven’t had someone serve as kinds to bring change to a world suffering a table for your dinner, you haven’t lived, from so many forms of badness and lack dahling), and struggling to keep my head of joy – like the two SPD officers I chatted above the rushing rapids of the economic up and tried to get photos of for this very downturn, this one has been one busy little column, only to have them decline (but we kitty. did have an interesting chat about tops and Also, thanks to the Fabulously Generous bottoms – I decided the one I chatted with Brother, this one got to go to the Ballard the most was probably a switch and possifarmer’s market this past weekend and get bly a good playmate, should we ever meet the flowers I’d wanted on Mother’s Day, at The Wet Spot on a Saturday, hint, hint). only that cash had to pay for my meds (no Ah, some day my fantasy of doing wicked one wants this one off her meds, honey, trust things with/to a cop will happen, and let’s me!), then travel to the University District hope it’s that one, my dears. Hey, I’ll even Street Fair for some tasty food and visual guest that one into The Spot and introduce delights. Unfortunately, this one was trying him to my fave folks. to multi-task a bit too much and dropped my So what else has this one been up to bebaklava (visit that booth at the Ballard farm- sides trying to corrupt (in a nice way, dahler’s market on Sundays, that of the Turkish ing – really, what did you think I meant, eh?) Lavash Company, who were nice enough Seattle’s finest, talking up the good points of to replace my lost dessert treat for free) and consensual torture with our city’s activists, my olives (five different olives from Garlic and beating the bushes trying to find ways Gourmay’s booth, for only a buck) when I of making more cash? Well, learning to lift tried to catch a dustup between an anti-war/ weights properly, for one thing, at my gym,
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and continuing to zumba the pounds away (which did not turn out well for my slave when he overdid it and had to be carried out of the workout room by two ad-hoc tops, a nurse who happened to be “in the house” and my wonderful zumba instructor after he “browned out” from heat exhaustion), traveling to Tacoma to say a fond farewell via a joyful barbecue with that one’s friends, as that play partner is now calling Portland home. She will be missed, but, hey, she promises to stay in touch, so this one isn’t weeping yet. Also saw the Red Sox get their booties whupped by my Mariners a week ago today, and was cheering so hard, this one made one of the Red Sox fans spill his beer (big sorry, dude, really, my bad and all). What a flippin’ party that was, but, hey, heads up to Ichiro, dude, you need to be more of team player. This comes from a certain Korean clerk at the store near The Digs, where this one stopped on the way home from the Fabulous Daughter’s (who had a special delayed Mother’s Day celebration last Sunday, since this one was doing her tarot gig at The Cuff on actual Mom’s Day), who filled this one’s little ears with less than praise for my guy Ichi (who did deliver the two homers that won the game I saw with my buds). So there, message delivered, and hope you take it well and try to reach out to your teamies a bit more so that the team can be the powerhouse this one knows they can be. Can we say playoffs and World Series this year? Baby, I sure hope so, and, Ichi, I still heart you. Also, this one is getting tired of watching empty-headed folks who can’t take a hint cram near the front of crowded Metro buses even after you’ve been told by the less than toppish driver (and me a proven top) to move to the rear so others can ride, and thus save what we have left of a planet. Get a freakin’ clue and realize that if that bus stops suddenly or some bimbo on a cell runs a red light, you’re going flying through the windshield or out the door onto the pavement, and you have to wonder, is it really worth staying a stoopid Seattleite (i.e. unfriendly and snooty and too good to stand near other humans) to potentially end like that? And, hey, Metro, give us some really kickass drivers who aren’t afraid of saying things like “this bus ain’t movin,’ jackass, until you move your asses across that yellow line and get back like you have a brain in your head!” (That’s something I’d gladly pay more fare to see!) Unless, of course, you want passengers flying like dominoes, and lots of lawsuits. Maybe electing a new mayor could help a bit here? I sure think so, my little apples. So, what has this one tried and loved that she wants to share with you now? Well, I
got a taste of that new Lindt Dark Chocolate Chili when I went to the Neptune (the only theater to see Star Trek, if you ask me) to get my mind blown by the new Star Trek (which is gaggooglyfabulicious, and, yes, feel free to use this word anytime in the place of “awesome,” which is so overused it’s ridiculous now). Yummy, with a bit of a bite, you must try this candy and become addicted just like me. Also tried the new L’Homme eau de toilette by Yves St. Laurent and love it to death. Just for the male in you, or the male you are, believe me. Pick this and my other new fave, L’eau by Dior, at Nordstrom, and say hi to those lovely clerks there who are always so helpful to this one when she needs new samples. Finally, as it gets warmer outside and this one’s skin tends to get a bit oilier and frecklier (thanks to my red-headed grandmother), I am so loving Cover Girl’s Tru Blend Microminerals Finishing Veil in translucent. Perfect for that mattifying look I crave when I’m not wanting to look glimmery/shimmery (which I get with Bonne Bell’s bronzer combo Blend’nGlow, both of which are available at Bartels and Walgreens). And, hey, for you untanned “ghosts” out there, bronzer is a good thing until there’s enough sun for the real thing, true dat. So, that’s it for now, and since I’ve had no time to actually call that number my pharmacy gave me, here’s my little “word to the governor.” Dear Governor Gregoire, please don’t cut healthcare for me and other po’ folk, so that we have to choose whether to eat or have our meds and let the pharmacies keep the right to offer meds free for Medicaid clients so we stay healthy and sane in an increasingly insane world, ‘kay? As for my pharmacy, Bartels, and those folk who are helping me through the bureaucratic nightmare I’m currently winding my way through, and my dear counselor, you guys rock! And mad love to the Comcast guy who finally got me out of Qwest hell and got me online with Comcast, you rock, too, and if you hadn’t mentioned a girlfriend, I’d have thanked you properly with some “special service,” ahem. And I am so glad to see that disturbing Burger King commercial with the aside to Sir Mixalot gone, I hope, forever. Meanwhile, be nice to each other, keep up the good fight for healthcare funding, education funding and tolerance for all, and you car driving whackos, get on the bus, and don’t all stand in one spot near the driver. Oh, and one last bit of dish. Was Taylor Hicks, who made such a big deal of himself at Grease that some folks had rude thoughts at the afterparty, high after the show? That’s the word from some in the know that this one talked to. Oh my, I guess a Bush cousin, however distant, is still a Bush cousin, eh? Hmm hmmm. Buhbye, kiss kiss!
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Celebrating 36 Years!
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer “[Senior Adviser] David [Axelrod] and I have been together for a long time. ... I think back to that day that I called Ax so many years ago and said, ‘You and I can do wonderful things together,’ and he said to me the same thing that partners all across America are saying to one another right now: ‘Let’s go to Iowa and make it official.’” –President Barack Obama at the White House Correspondents’ Association Annual Dinner, May 9. “At a state level, it’s [same-sex marriage] up to them. I don’t want it to be a federal thing. I personally still think it’s wrong. People don’t understand the dictionary – it’s called Queer. Queer means strange and unusual. It’s not like a slur, like you would call a white person a honky or something like that. You know, God is pretty explicit in what we’re supposed to do – what man and woman are for. Now, at the same time, we’re supposed to love everybody and accept people, and preach against the sins. I’ve had some friends that are actually homosexual. And, I mean, they know where I stand, and they know that I wouldn’t have them anywhere near my children. But at the same time, they’re people, and they’re going to do their thing.” –Samuel “Joe the Plumber” Wurzelbacher to Christianity Today, May 4.
“I believe that same-sex marriage will be approved by a majority of the 50 states in the Union within the next five years. When that occurs, the federal resistance will end and the Congress will vote in favor of federal recognition of same-sex marriages with equal benefits to both homosexual and heterosexual couples. ... As a matter of fundamental fairness, civil marriage must be made available for all consenting adults, irrespective of sexual orientation. And it will happen, more quickly than the public thinks.” –Former New York Mayor Ed Koch blogging at the Yonkers Tribune, May 11. Koch has declined to answer reporters’ questions about his own sexual orientation.
beauty queen tossing her processed hair and parading brand new pageant-bought plastic breasts across a Las Vegas stage in front of millions of television viewers with all the modesty of a blue ribbon heifer at a county livestock fair (the same fundamentalist Christian beauty queen who would later tell a television reporter that she heard God whispering in her ear as she answered a celebrity-worshipping internet gossip columnist’s question about Gay marriage) be treated as anything other than an occasion for high comedy and mirth.” –Journalist Michael Rowe writing about Miss California USA/Miss USA first runner-up Carrie Prejean at Salon.com, May 4.
“I wish to spend my life’s twilight being just who I am. I could claim noble reasons as coming out in order to move Gay rights forward, but I must admit it is for far more selfish reasons. Now is the time I wish to find someone and I do not desire to force any potential partner to live a life of extreme discretion with me.” –Actor David Ogden Stiers, who played “Tom Brokaw appears with his wife. Why can’t Anderson Cooper appear with his boy- Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III on the ‘70s TV series M*A*S*H, in a March interfriend?” –Gay activist and author Larry Kramer to view with Gossip-Boy.com that just recently caught the attention of other media. New York’s Daily News, May 3. “In the past, I opposed Gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions. I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage. Article I in the Maine Constitution states that ‘no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor be denied the equal “Only in America would the notion of protection of the laws, nor be denied the ena nearly naked fundamentalist Christian joyment of that person’s civil rights or be “Listen, I like a good ass-fuck as much as the next guy. ... That makes me Gay? C’mon. It’s the 21st century. ... Despite what Family Guy would lead you to believe, I’m not Gay.” –Seth MacFarlane, creator of the TV show Family Guy, on Real Time with Bill Maher, May 10.
“[Nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage is] a sure thing. Clearly, the momentum is on our side. It’s just a matter of time.” –Openly Gay American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Anthony Romero to The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 11.
discriminated against.’” –Maine Gov. John Baldacci as he signed a law legalizing same-sex marriage, May 6. “At its core, [this bill] simply changes the term ‘civil union’ to ‘civil marriage.’ Given the cultural, historical and religious significance of the word marriage, this is a meaningful change. I have heard, and I understand, the very real feelings of samesex couples that a separate system is not an equal system. That a civil law that differentiates between their committed relationships and those of heterosexual couples undermines both their dignity and the legitimacy of their families.” –New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch announcing May 14 that he will sign a bill passed by the Legislature to legalize samesex marriage. Lynch requested the addition of some specific language protecting certain rights of religious entities that oppose Gay marriage – and legislative and Gay leaders said the changes were fine with them. “All hell is going to break loose. We may have a civil war. The black community is just adamant against this. What you’ve got to understand is 98 percent of my constituents are black and we don’t have but a handful of openly Gay residents. Secondly, at least 70 percent of those who express themselves to me about this are opposed to anything dealing with this issue. The ministers think it is a sin, and I have to be sensitive to that.” –Washington, D.C., Council member Marion Barry, the city’s former mayor, after the Council passed a bill May 5 to recognize same-sex marriages from other states and countries. With assistance from Bill Kelley
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by Dan Woog SGN Contributing Writer Imagine this: A college coach tells a high school prospect, “Don’t go to (name of a rival school). There are lots of black people there.” Ridiculous, right? Now replace “blacks” with “Lesbians.” Not so far-fetched, is it? The practice of stating outright – or through insinuation – that another institution is filled with Lesbian coaches or athletes is called “negative recruiting.” No statistics are available on its prevalence – high school students and their parents don’t report it, college coaches who are affected by it seldom draw attention to it, and no central clearinghouse collects information on it – but it is a major issue in NCAA Division I women’s sports. Now, for the first time, something is being done about it. Dr. Pat Griffin, director of the It Takes a Team! LGBT education campaign for the
Women’s Sports Foundation, and Helen Carroll, sports project director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, collaborated recently on a groundbreaking report. “The Positive Approach: Recognizing, Challenging and Eliminating Negative Recruiting Based on Actual or Perceived Sexual Orientation” aims to educate – and offer “best practices” to – four distinct but crucial constituencies in sports: coaches, administrators, student-athletes and parents. It is not an easy sell. Talking about sexuality and sports is difficult to begin with; discussing a subject filled with inferences and innuendoes is tougher still. But Carroll is adamant that it be addressed, starting with administrators. “Athletic directors and presidents have to understand that negative recruiting does not just affect coaches and teams; it harms everyone,” she says. “It undermines everything they say about diversity, and calls into question the entire university.” Negative recruiting can be subtle. One
courtesy q syndicate
Negative recruiting: positively wrong
coach might point out that a rival is unmar- actions they can take,” Carroll says. “We do ried; another may use code phrases like “no it with issues like gambling and alcohol, so family values” to discredit a rival program. why not with this?” Of course, she notes, “We’re not saying Carroll explains some broad effects of negative recruiting. “Of course it hurts that Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and TransGLBT athletes. But it puts pressure on het- gender people are problems. The problem erosexual student-athletes too by forcing we’re addressing is the unethical behavior them to ‘prove’ they’re straight or causing of negative recruiting.” The report has been sent to the NCAA. resentment against their Lesbian teammates. It creates a hostile climate for Lesbian and Carroll and Griffin hope that umbrella organization includes it Gay coaches. in their “best pracAnd heterosexual tices” brochures coaches, too – esand in diversity pecially unmarried and inclusion women.” training sessions The report prowith coaches and vides strategies for administrators. coaches, no matCarroll and Grifter their gender or fin also plan to sexuality. The 16 speak about the recommendations report at athletic include focusing conference meeton positive aspects ings. “We’re not of the coaches’ going to hit them own programs and over the head with answering quesit,” Carroll promtions about sexual ises. “We’ll be orientation by friendly. We want emphasizing the them to ask how accomplishments Helen Carroll they can put these and qualifications of their own staffs and teams. Also included: recommendations in place.” How will the report’s authors measure Discussing diversity as a strength and leaving personal information for all coaches out success? “Part of it will be when coaches can be of media guides and websites. Administrators are urged to develop writ- out, and still keep their jobs,” Carroll says. ten policies that describe negative recruiting “And part will be when we see our work as unethical, to educate all coaches about trickle down into written policies of confernegative recruiting, to advocate for athletic ences and schools.” She is optimistic that will happen – and conference policies that specifically ban negative recruiting based on actual or per- that the next generation of sports leaders ceived sexual orientation, and report any will understand intuitively that negative reincidents to conference and coaching asso- cruiting is not acceptable. After all, today’s student-athletes are tomorrow’s coaches ciation authorities. Recommendations for student-athletes in- and administrators. Carroll senses this is already happening. clude discussing the importance of diversity – and the irrelevance of sexual orientation – “More and more student-athletes are thinkwhen hosting recruits, and while working at ing, ‘Who cares if there are Lesbian players or coaches?’ Some of them – Gay and summer camps. Parents of recruits, and recruits them- straight – may even choose a school because selves, are advised to spend their time and of it, or because they like diversity.” Negative recruiting may have a positive energy exploring positive attributes of schools and programs, rather than listening effect after all. to negative statements. They should also tell Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccoaches up front that their family values dicer coach, Gay activist, and author of the versity as part of the college experience. “We wanted to give the right language, “Jocks” series of books on Gay male athin print, to coaches, administrators, parents letes. Visit his website at www.danwoog. and athletes, so they can see there are real com. He can be reached care of this publication or at OutField@qsyndicate.com.
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Seattle Gay News 19