SGN Apr 10, 2009 - Section 1

Issue 15 Volume 37

Celebrating 36 Years!

FRIDAY April 10, 2009 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands

spring in Iowa p. 4

ask michael p. 15

Beyoncé p. 21

Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Seattle Center pushed lawsuit Right-wing trio against Seattle Out and Proud planning anti-Gay

ballot measure

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A Seattle Center official gave the go-ahead for City Attorney Tom Carr to file suit against Seattle Out and Proud, according to new information made available to SGN. Seattle Center Productions Director John Merner worked with SOAP to organize the financially disastrous 2006 Pride Festival at the Center, and subsequently OK’d the City’s suit to collect the debt remaining from the event. “After the debt was turned over to the law department, as decision points came up along the way, they

referred to me,” Merner told SGN. “The law department informed me they didn’t feel they could collect. At that point the options would be to negotiate a new payment plan, or to file suit. I told them to go ahead and file suit.” SGN had previously reported that Seattle Center did not instruct the City Attorney to sue, based on incorrect information provided by Seattle Center’s communications director, Deborah Daoust. Daoust e-mailed SGN on Tuesday, April 4, to modify her previous statements. “The situation was just a case of poor internal communications on Seattle Center’s part,”

she wrote. “I’ve learned since talking with you last week that Seattle Center did, in fact, give the go ahead to the City Attorney’s Office to file the lawsuit against Seattle Out and Proud,” Daoust’s e-mail explained. “I was unaware, as were folks with whom I spoke, that the e-mail exchange had taken place. I learned about it after I received the exchange from the City’s Attorney’s office following the publication of your story.” Asked if he was surprised by the see soap page 5

As the 2009 domestic partnership legislation moves toward final passage in the state legislature, a trio of right-wing political operatives has announced they are already planning a referendum to repeal it. Characterized by supporters as an “everything but marriage” bill, the domestic partnership expansion passed the state Senate on March 10, by a margin of 30 to 18. On the House side, the bill was reported out of the Ways and Means Committee on Saturday, April 4. It is now in the Rules Committee, and is due to be reported out for a vote by the full House early next week. With 57 House members signed on as sponsors, it is expected to pass easily and to be signed into law by Gov. Christine Gregoire.

Meanwhile the Washington Values Alliance (WAVA) has begun what WAVA President Larry Stickney calls “conversations” on a ballot measure to repeal it. The WAVA brings together three stalwarts of the state’s right wing – Stickney, Bruce Craswell, and Stephen Pidgeon. The trio wants to repeal domestic partnership benefits before they can be used as a basis for marsee ballot page 14

Mayor Nickels applauds VICTORY WEEK as Vermont, Vermont marriage decision seattle.gov

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels issued this statement April 7 regarding the Vermont legislature’s action to allow Gay marriage: “I am encouraged that the elected leadership in Vermont has taken this step forward toward marriage equality for same-sex couples. The City of Seattle has long supported the right of all people to marry, including my 2004 executive order that the city grant legal recognition to same-sex couples that have been married elsewhere. Today’s vote is a great achievement for equality and I hope the Vermont legislature’s action will inspire other states to follow suit.”

Iowa OK marriage equality by Lisa Keen Keen News Service The Vermont House voted 100 to 49 Tuesday, April 7 to override a veto of the equal marriage rights bill, following the Senate’s 23-5 override vote Tuesday morning. The overrides make Vermont the fourth state where same-sex couples will be able to obtain marriage licenses the same as straight couples –following Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa. All the drama around the votes – and there was plenty – took place in the House. The Senate, which had passed the bill last week with a 26-4 vote, was expected to easily override Republican Governor Jim Douglas’ veto, and it did. Meanwhile, the Burlington Free Press was reporting its headcount showed the tally appeared to be one vote shy of 100 needed – if all 150 legislators are present – to override the veto. Various members spoke during discussion of the veto vote, most of the opposing the equal marriage rights bill. The roll call began, with each legislator calling out his or her “Yes” or “No” vote

as their names were called. For the reach the magic mark of 100. first few minutes, the tallies were At 11:03, the Speaker of the tit for tat. Then, about mid-way House, his voice cracking, anthrough the vote, the pro-override nounced the vote: 100 for, 49 votes began to pile up. The only see vermont/iowa page 5 question was whether they would

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Seattle Gay News

April 10, 2009

Celebrating 35 Years!

MARRIAGE EQUALITY A NO-BRAINER

Domestic partnership bill about to pass House

do we have to wait until the un-American Defense of Marriage Act to be abolished by our elected representatives in Washington, by Nick Ardizzone It is my hope that the four Washington D.C. ? SGN Staff Writer State Supreme Court Justices who voted against Marriage Equality in 2006 (verOn April 4, Sen. Ed Murray’s domestic Leo N. Egashira sus three who supported it) will feel chaspartnership rights expansion bill, Senate tened and embarrassed that a heartland state Bill 5688, which grants domestic partners Thank you for the help (where I lived for 2-1/2 years) has proven all of the same rights and obligations as more enlightened than us – who pride ourmarried couples in the state of Washington, Dear SGN Staff, selves on being progressive. This ruling is Thank you so much for your sponsorship passed through the House Ways and Means very much like the overturning of misce- support of our 2nd annual exposed: a cele- Committee. Additional benefits granted genation laws 40-50 years ago. Fair and bration of Queer artistry last Friday evening by the passage of the bill which had previforward-looking jurists like those of Mass., at Century Ballroom. Truly, we could not ously been denied same-sex couples include Conn., Calif., and Iowa interpreted their pull off such a fantastic event without your pension benefits for state workers, workconstitutions to their most expansive and support and participation. ers’ compensation coverage, and the elimiproper applications and should be proud of Thanks to you, exposed II was a great nation of much of the paperwork and fees their legal judgments. Others, like the four success. With approximately 150 guests surrounding the adoption of the biological in Washington State, should be taken to task in attendance, our participating artists sold child of one of the members of a domestic for a ruling that denies equal protection un- over $1500 worth of art and Gay City real- partnership. der the law and relegates real families with ized nearly $3500 in proceeds. That's fan“This bill completes the work that we’ve children to something less than full mem- tastic! been doing over the last few years on dobers of society. Thank you for supporting Seattle's out- mestic partnerships,” Rep. Jamie Pedersen In a few years, Marriage Equality will be standing Queer artists and Gay City Health a “no-brainer” issue in this country, as it has Project! We hope you'll join us again next in The Netherlands, Canada and other en- year for exposed III. lightened nations. How much longer do we Peace. have to wait for equality to apply to everyone in Washington State? How much longer Peter

Correction

told the SGN. After its anticipated passage through the House Rules Committee later this week, the bill will go directly to the House floor’s second reading list. While the actual date of the floor vote is not set in stone, Pedersen’s office said it would be soon, “sometime in mid-April.” If the date for the governor’s signing were announced, groups who oppose civil rights might be able gather signatures for a hasty referendum. “Religious conservatives have announced their intent to gather signatures for a referendum challenge to the bill,” wrote Pedersen in a cautionary e-mail. “I hope that you will help to defend our work against our opponents if necessary. If we are successful, it will help us to get caught up with Iowa sooner rather than later.” Iowa’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of Gay marriage last week.

HRC exposes lies in NOM’s fake viral ad

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and In Eric Andrews-Katz’s review, “Debbie opened, Debbie Reynolds did NOT win. Transgender civil rights organization, reReynolds and the SMC bring back Golden Only the piece “Rage & Remembrance,” leased a statement and a factual rebuttal Age” (Friday April 3, 2009), there are two which the Seattle Men’s Chorus jointly today on a television spot produced by the corrections that need to be made. commissioned with John Carigliano, won National Organization for Marriage (NOM) While setting a record by being nominated the Grammy Award, not the SMC itself. and set to run on CNN, the Fox News Chanfor the Tony Award before the musical Irene The Seattle Gay News regrets the errors. nel, and MSNBC in the coming days. In the ad, actors make disproven claims about marriage for Lesbian and Gay couples. “What’s next for the National Organization for Marriage? Will they hire legendary infomercial pitchman Ron Popeil to hawk their phony agenda?” said Human Rights Campaign Spokesman Brad Luna. “This ad is full of outrageous falsehoods – and they don’t even come out of the mouths of real people.” Alan Henry Johnson, 54, According to sources, the phony ad was born April 10, 1954 in is set to run eight times per day in New Bellingham, WA and passed Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode away peacefully in his TacoIsland and California. The ad can be ma home on Christmas mornviewed on YouTube (www.youtube.com/ ing (2008) with his partner of watch?v=4AzLrn5JVIo). 27 years, Michael Barrett, at The National Organization for Marriage his side. Alan graduated from hired actors to peddle their lies about marhigh school in Ferndale, WA riage for Lesbian and Gay couples. (The auand later graduated from a dition reels can be viewed at www.youtube. business school in Seattle. com/watch?v=lRjVDZxho54 and www. Throughout the years, Alan youtube.com/watch?v=cwqNFBt33o4.) made his home in Seattle, Port NOM and Maggie Gallagher is featured Orchard and Tacoma. Alan is on the interactive wall of EndtheLies.org, a survived by his parents, Max new HRC action-based website launched to and Luella Johnson of Dowlconfront the lies and distortions repeatedly ing Park, FL, his partner used to defeat LGBT equality measures. Michael Barrett of Tacoma, NOM was added to the wall after the group WA, his sister Helen Green created an anti-marriage equality radio ad of Batavia, IL, sister-in-law that played in Vermont, New Hampshire Debbie Johnson of Batavia, and Maine. IL, Carol Spurrier, a dear friend, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, friends “Again and again, opponents of equality and especially by everyone at Rise N’ Shine, where Alan volunteered for 20 years. have claimed one shallow victory after anAlan was preceded in death by his brother, Lewis M. Johnson. We all love you and other by telling lies about who we are as inmiss you deeply. A celebration of Alan’s life will be held at Rise N’ Shine on April dividuals, as loving couples and as families. 18, 2009 from 1-4 p.m. Rise N’ Shine is located at 417 23rd Ave. S., Seattle, WA These lies must be called out for what they 98144. This is a potluck gathering. are every time the right-wing seeks to derail our progress by spreading distortions and inciting fear mongering,” continued Luna. EndtheLies.org’s interactive wall features videos, audio, pictures, and quotes, callIn the fullness of time, it may come to pass that elder women would like to exchange ideas, ing out those who maliciously use lies and experience, and hear what other elders have to say about life, living, love, misinformation to interfere with the LGBT their world, wisdom, and more.

Alan Henry Johnson 1954-2008

Elder Lesbian meeting

community’s path to equality. By clicking on the panels of the wall, users can access more information about those highlighted, watch videos, add comments on multimedia discussion boards, and learn how to take action to counteract their misdeeds. Along with the National Organization for Marriage, the wall currently features the American Family Association (AFA), the elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern, and Utah State Senator Chris Buttars, Proposition 8 lawyer Ken Starr, right-wing media personality Rush Limbaugh, and GOP Chairman Michael Steele. Users can also nominate their own candidates for inclusion on the wall. THE REAL TRUTH BEHIND THE FAKE AD The general argument of the ad is that the push for marriage equality isn’t just about rights for same-sex couples, it’s about imposing contrary values on people of faith. The examples they cite in the ad are: (A) A California doctor who must choose between her faith and her job (B) A member of New Jersey church group which is punished by the state because they can’t support same-sex marriage (C) A Massachusetts parent who stands by helpless while the state teaches her son that Gay marriage is okay The facts indicate that (A) refers to the Benitez decision in California, determining that a doctor cannot violate California anti-discrimination law by refusing to treat a Lesbian based on religious belief, (B) refers to the Ocean Grove, New Jersey Methodist pavilion that was open to the general public for events but refused access for civil union ceremonies (and was fined by the state for doing so) and (C) refers to the Parker decision in Massachusetts, where parents unsuccessfully sought to end public school discussions of family diversity, including of same-sex couples. All three examples involve religious people who enter the public sphere, but don’t see HRC page 18

The group will meet residentially on a weekend afternoon in a lovely setting. Subjects will be carefully chosen from those suggested to the hostess and facilitator. There may be music, poetry, readings, movies or video clips, shared art, and wonderful food provided by those attending. No one under 60, elders only! Handicapped friendly and accessible. This group is intended to be positive, spiritual, enlightening, pleasant, philosophical, soulful, and for some, healing. There is no fee or charge. Meeting will be held at a location north of Everett, south of Mt. Vernon. Space is limited, and by advance reservation only. Contact: spiritual.soul@verizon.net by direct and private email for further information. This must be a safe place for elders to meet as friends, share and be with their peers in a peaceful, beautiful, drug, alcohol and smoke free environment! Please advise groups or individuals who might be interested.

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April 10, 2009

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Spring comes to Iowa by Jennifer Vanasco SGN Contributing Writer After the bitter disaster of Proposition 8 in California last fall, the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision for Gay marriage has been a welcome change. It seems spring has finally come. “Our responsibility,” the Court said, “is to protect constitutional rights of individuals from legislative enactments that have denied those rights, even when the rights have not yet been broadly accepted, were at one time unimagined, or challenge a deeply ingrained practice or law viewed to be impervious to the passage of time.” “The County has been unable to identify a constitutionally adequate justification for excluding plaintiffs [that is, Gays and Lesbians] from the institution of civil marriage,” the Court said. “Affirmed,” the Court said. “All justices concur.” Unanimous. Immediately, there was celebration around the country. For some non-Iowans, though, that was tempered by worry. California’s highest court issued a similar decision, and we know what happened there. But Iowans reassured us. No, they said. Iowa ’s constitution is one of the most difficult in the country to change, requiring the vote of both houses of the state legislature to approve it twice before any proposition goes

land? Iowa gives us something else to point to in making our case. There are, of course, tremendous battles still to be fought. North Dakota, on Canada’s border, voted down a Gay rights bill, just days after Iowa’s decision. Vermont’s governor vetoed the Gay marriage bill there. Arkansas bans us from adopting. And California is likely to rule against overturning the Prop 8 ban on equal marriage in the months ahead. And on a national level, President Barack Obama greeted the wondrous news with a surprisingly subdued – almost chastising – response. “Although President Obama supports civil unions rather than same-sex marriage, he believes that committed Gay and Lesbian couples should receive equal rights under the law,” a White House statement said. It would have been better that he say nothing at all. But that is something to think about n the weeks to come. For now, let us savor this sweet victory, knowing that yes, there will be setbacks – but as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, the arc of history bends toward justice. We were reminded of that last week as Iowa gave us more than marriage. It gave us hope.

to the people. And the state legislature, celebrating the verdict, will bring no such vote, at least not now. The earliest Gay marriage could be put to a referendum is 2012. And by then, three years from now, the middle of the country will see that the sky has not fallen, that Gay marriages don’t harm straight marriages, that the sunshine of equal rights warms everyone. Gays and Lesbians don’t want something special or different or perverse or strange. We just want the responsibilities of family that we have already taken up to be supported equally by the law. After a winter of agony and recrimination and protest, Iowa’s decision brought us spring at last, and spring means change. Not that change will come quickly. Iowa’s neighbor, Illinois, my former home, is not likely to bring a Gay marriage bill any time soon, though a civil union bill has once again been introduced. But Iowa, in her wisdom, has reminded the country that equal rights are for everyone, not just those on the coasts. And once we are reminded, our coastal states, who consider themselves trendsetters, need to take a hard look at themselves. Does New Jennifer Vanasco is an award-winning, York really want to lag too far behind Iowa? syndicated columnist. E-mail her at jennifer. Is California ready to surrender its reputa- vanasco@gmail.com. Follow her at twitter. tion as progressive to a state in the heart- com/JenniferVanasco

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Seattle Gay News

April 10, 2009

Celebrating 35 Years!

Gay families to take part in White House Egg Roll In 2006 over 100 families with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) parents attended the White House Easter Egg Roll, organized by Family Equality Council (formerly Family Pride). At the time, it was unclear whether LGBT families were truly welcome at the White House, but our families enthusiastically participated and the country had an opportunity to see and hear from LGBT families in an unprecedented way. This year, another 100 LGBT families or more will attend the Egg Roll, but this time the White House has specifically encouraged them to participate in this time-honored event. President Obama was the first presidential candidate to openly affirm the equal value of LGBT families, in an August 2008 letter to Family Equality Council’s executive director, Jennifer Chrisler. Then Senator Obama stated that we must “do more to support and strengthen LGBT families. Because equality in relationship, family, and adoption rights is not some abstract principle; it’s about whether millions of LGBT Americans can finally live lives marked by dignity and freedom.” “I was thrilled when the White House called on the Family Equality Council to encourage our supporters, tens of thousands of LGBT families nationwide, to apply for tickets to this year’s Easter Egg Roll,” said Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of Family Equality Council. “It’s clear to me that when the Obama Administration thinks about American families, they think about LGBT families, as well. For too long our families suffered under administrations that simply ignored us or attacked us outright, often for the sake of short-term political

vermont/iowa continued from cover

against. The veto had been defeated; the bill would become law. There was a brief eruption of applause in the chamber, and the House heard from a few members who wanted to explain their votes. But history was done. The first state to ever enact civil union legislation had now enacted an equal marriage law. Hawkeyes on the governor now Iowa is more like Massachusetts than it is California, and that’s probably a good thing for same-sex marriage. The state constitution cannot be changed at the drop of a hat. However, it can undo last week’s Iowa Supreme Court ruling in favor of Gay marriage and the political winds are blowing every which way in the Hawkeye State right now. In all three states, and Connecticut, the state supreme courts ruled the state constitution’s guarantee of equal protection means Gay couples must be able to obtain marriage licenses the same as straight couples. So opponents of same-sex marriage in those states have had only one recourse: change the constitution. That’s a relatively easy thing to do in California – collect enough signatures and you can put an amendment on the ballot that same year. That’s what anti-Gay activists did there last year. But in Connecticut, there is no initiative process. And in Iowa, as in Massachusetts, a constitutional amendment must pass two consecutive sessions of the state legislature and then be approved by voters. “Opposition set in in about one nanosecond,” said Mary Bonauto, the lead attorney on the Massachusetts case, which was decided in November 2003. In that case, Goodridge v. Department, the state’s high court gave the legislature six months before ordering enactment of the ruling. Anti-Gay activists mounted a fast and furious campaign to get approval in the legislature but, after numerous votes, ultimately failed to clear the hurdles in Massachusetts.

gain. Americans are tired of divisive politics. In a time of national crisis, all Americans-all families-should come together to renew this country. LGBT families will take this opportunity to show up and be counted as part of this great effort.” LGBT families’ organized participation in the 2006 White House Easter Egg Roll showcased their love and strength on an unprecedented scale. In addition to print and radio coverage, more than 16.5 million television viewers saw LGBT families as they are-just as happy to attend the Egg Roll as any other family, just as tired from waiting in line for tickets, just as thrilled to share an American tradition with others. “This is a dream come true for our family,” said Colleen Gillespie. Gillespie, who with her partner Alisa Sirkus and their daughter Ella were the family that came up with the idea of a group of LGBT families attending the event together after attending alone in 2005 and not seeing other families like theirs. They approached the Family Equality Council for support and in 2006 helped organize the highly visible gathering which is now an LGBT family tradition. “We would have never imagined the opportunity this would offer our families to show the country who we are and how much we love and care for our children,” continued Gillespie. “To now be welcomed with open arms by an Administration and a First Family that has such an inclusive vision of diverse families is overwhelming. We cannot wait to come back to the White House next week,” concluded Gillespie.

a special legislative session. U.S. Rep. Steve King, a Republican representing the western third of the state, told the Ames Tribune he would challenge Culver for re-election in 2010 if the governor fails to support an amendment effort. And by Tuesday, the Register was publishing an article letting readers know that voters could vote in 2010 to call for a constitutional convention where a ban on samesex marriage could be proffered. “If voters decide by a simple majority to hold the convention and delegates agree on a marriage amendment, it could in theory be ready for Iowans to consider as early as a special election in 2011,” reported the Register April 7. The Register is the newspaper that published an article on how to impeach judges the day after a district court judge ruled the state’s same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional. © 2009 Keen News Service

soap

continued from cover

new information, SOAP Board spokesperson Jon Mejia chuckled “Nothing surprises me.” SGN has also obtained a document detailing SOAP’s payments to Seattle Center. According to the document, SOAP was billed for the festival on August 28, 2006. On December 11, the Center applied SOAP’s $3,000 contingency deposit to the account, and on April 24, 2007 the Center sent the account to the City Attorney for collection. SOAP made several payments to the City Attorney’s office between November 14, 2007 and November 11, 2008. To date, SOAP’s payments total $6,800. With the deposit which Seattle Center applied to their debt, SOAP has paid the City $9,800. However, SOAP’s financial reports posted on their website indicate they also paid Courtesy of Family Equality Council out $24,785.72 in 2007 and an additional $8,972.20 in 2008 to reimburse individual So far, the early reaction in Iowa – com- vendors and contractors. According to Mejia, SOAP prioritized pared to Massachusetts – has been a happy yawn and back to business. The Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal told reporters even before the decision was issued that it was “exceedingly unlikely” the legislature would take up Gay marriage this year. Deadlines for the introduction of such legislation have already passed. Once the decision was released, Gronstal and the House Speaker, both Democrats, issued a joint statement, saying that, “treating everyone fairly is really a matter of Iowa common sense and Iowa common decency.” But, of course, anti-Gay activists have never really stopped fighting same-sex marriage, no matter how many times, or how badly, they have lost any battle. The QuadCity Times of Davenport reported Friday that some are hoping the push the issue onto the legislative agenda in the coming week. Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, a national right-wing political group, issued a statement April 3, urging Iowa voters to contact their state legislators “and urge them to move quickly to pass a constitutional amendment protecting marriage.” And, even before the decision was released, a website went up by a group called “Let Us Vote Iowa,” prodding voters to call their state legislators “repeatedly” and tell them to “vote for the Iowa Marriage Amendment, October 18, 2008 to even if it takes a special session.” The Des Moines Register reported TuesMemorial Day 2009, day that “House Democrats decided in a private meeting that they don’t want to vote over 2000 hand blown this year on whether to start the constituglass floats will be hidden tional amendment process.” Governor Chet Culver, a Democrat, issued on the beach for you to a statement saying he would “thoroughly review” the decision “before reacting to what find and keep! it means for Iowa.” Culver signed a bill prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in 2007, but he has also stated his opposition to same-sex marriage and, according to the Ames Tribune, said in January that he would seek quick action in the legislature to reverse in pro-Gay marriage decision. “We’ll do whatever it takes to protect marriage between a man and a woman,” said Culver, according to the Tribune, including

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April 10, 2009

debt to individuals. “Our Board has been very conscious of the fact that people who do this for a living need to be paid first,” he said. “In light of the ongoing negotiations with the City, we decided to pay off our vendors when we could.” SOAP’s account statement indicates they were billed $95,707.91 for the 2006 festival. With accumulated interest of $10,153.00, and less SOAP’s payments to date, the debt now totals $96,060.91. Asked if he had any role in designing the festival, Merner replied “To some degree, yes. We worked with them to execute their vision of the event. We asked them what they wanted to achieve, and then we presented estimates of what it would cost.” “Our estimates turned out to be surprisingly accurate,” he added. According to Merner, Seattle Center was not open to negotiation about costs associated with the event. “The cost is the cost,” he said. “Negotiation comes before that. If they had a new idea about something to add, we’d inform them how much that would add to the cost. Then it’s up to them whether to go ahead or not.” Merner told SGN that he has had no contact with SOAP since April 2007. “The law department handled the account after that,” he told SGN. “I haven’t talked to [SOAP] since we sent the file to the law department.” Merner does expect to be in on any settlement the City Attorney’s office negotiates with SOAP, however. “My expectation is that if the law department reaches some negotiated position with SOAP, they would bring that to me and I would discuss that with our executive director,” he says. According to Mejia, negotiations between the City Attorney’s office and SOAP’s attorney are ongoing, but no agreement has yet been reached. Since 2007 the Pride event at Seattle Center has been organized by a private promoter, with SOAP focusing only on the Pride Parade. The Parade itself has always run in the black, and SOAP has raised enough money to pay off all its 2006 debts except for the debt to Seattle Center.

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NEWS

West Virginia marriage amendment dies A proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage died in West Virginia’s House of Delegates March 30. Delegates voted 67-30 to reject a move to force the measure out of committee, where it had stalled. All 29 Republicans and one Democrat voted for the move. Thirty U.S. states have passed constitutional amendments defining marriage as only between a man and a woman. San Francisco Gays launch boycott of Jamaica Citing a new U.S. State Department report on human rights in Jamaica, a group of San Francisco Gay activists, including city Supervisor Bevan Dufty, launched a boycott of the nation March 28. International Gay human-rights activists have routinely named Jamaica as one of the most homophobic nations in the world, and several of the nation’s popular dancehall music stars have been blocked from performing in other countries because of lyrics that promote the killing of homosexuals. The Department of State’s “2008 Human Rights Report: Jamaica” says: “The law prohibits ‘acts of gross indecency’ (generally interpreted as any kind of physical intimacy) between men, in public or in private, which are punishable by 10 years in prison. The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All Sexuals, and Gays (J-FLAG) continued to report

by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention, mob attacks, stabbings, harassment of homosexual patients by hospital and prison staff, and targeted shootings of homosexuals. Police often did not investigate such incidents.” The report continues: “J-FLAG members also suffered attacks on their property, home intrusions as people demanded to know the number of persons and beds in a home, and in one instance, a fire bombing at the home of two men that left one of them with burns on more than 60 percent of his body. In addition homosexuals faced death and arson threats, with some of these directed at the JFLAG offices. J-FLAG did not publicize its location due to such threats, and its officials reported feeling unsafe having meetings with clients at the organization’s office. “In February a mob broke into the home of four presumed homosexual men, killing three of them. The fourth was missing and presumed dead. The men had reported being harassed for their perceived sexual orientation prior to the fatal attack. Police made some inquiries in the case but did not conduct a full investigation or make any arrests by year’s end.... “Homosexual men were hesitant to report incidents against them because of fear for their physical well-being. Lesbian women were subject to sexual assault as well as other physical attacks. Human rights NGOs and government entities agreed that brutality against homosexuals, primarily by pri-

INTERNATIONAL

NEWS

boycottjamaica.org

NATIONAL

by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer

Zurich gets a Lesbian mayor Voters in Zurich, Switzerland, elected an openly Lesbian mayor March 29. Corine Mauch, 48, won the seat after her predecessor took an early retirement. She has agreed to deliver a speech in May at the opening ceremony for EuroPride, which is being held in Zurich this year. EuroPride spokesman Michael Rüegg called Mauch’s election “a real stroke of luck [that] none of us really expected.” Other European cities with openly Gay mayors include Berlin (Klaus Wowereit), Paris (Bertrand Delanoë) and Hamburg (Ole von Beust). Iceland has an openly Lesbian prime minister, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir.

San Francisco Gay activists, including city Supervisor Bevan Dufty (left), launch boycott of Jamaica

vate citizens, was widespread in the community.” To read the full Gay section of the report, go to tinyurl.com/dhdmyc and search for the word “Gay.” The San Francisco activists launched the boycott at Harvey Milk Plaza at the intersection of Market and Castro streets. They dumped Red Stripe beer and Myers’s Rum into the street.

Dufty promised to get the two Jamaican products out of all San Francisco Gay bars within a month. Several local bars, restaurants and community leaders already have announced support for the boycott. For detailed information, visit boycottjamaica.org.

available to unmarried couples,” confirms the hotel’s website. “As Christians we have a deep regard for marriage (being the union of one man to one woman for life to the exclusion of all others).”

“If no action is taken, the Moscow Pride bans will take five to six years to be overturned by the European Court,” said chief pride organizer Nikolai Alekseev. “Whether through the court or via the Committee of Ministers, a solution has to be found in Strasbourg [at the Council of Europe]. We are in contact with several diplomacies.” In a similar case from Warsaw, the court issued a ruling within 18 months mandating that city officials let gays march. “Council of Europe officials write wonderful letters to Russian authorities about the necessity to respect the rights of LGBT people,” said Moscow Pride co-organizer Nikolai Baev. “But year after year we see the same violence, the same aggressions and the same breach of human rights.” This year’s pride march is scheduled for May 16, the same day the popular, campy Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Moscow. The contest – a high holiday for many European Gays – is staged in the country that won it the previous year. Mayor Luzhkov has called Gay parades “satanic” and “weapons of mass destruction,” and said he will never allow one to take place in Moscow.

Morocco targets promotion of homosexuality According to various news reports, Morocco’s government has launched a crackdown on promotion of homosexuality, saying it threatens religious and moral values. The Interior Ministry said activities that go against such values will be “repressed.” The move apparently is a response to increased media coverage of Gay issues, couples and weddings. The ministry denounced media outlets “that defend ignoble behaviors that constitute a provocation of national public opinion and fail to take account of the moral values and doctrines of our society.”

Assembly. “We congratulate the French Senate for finally moving forward to solve this unfair situation which is discriminatory on the grounds of nationality as well as a hindrance to freedom of movement within the [European Union],” said Michael Cashman, president of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights. “We have been approached by many European citizens, especially British, who suffer discrimination because their same-sex partnership is not recognized in France,” Cashman said. “One man was forced to sell his house after his partner’s death because he could not afford to pay 60 percent inheriJapan OKs tance tax. Otherwise this tax is not applicaFrench Senate recognizes same-sex marriages abroad ble to same-sex married spouses or couples foreign same-sex unions Japan’s Justice Ministry said March 26 France’s Senate voted March 25 to recog- in a French partnership.” that it has begun issuing marriage-eligibility nize foreign same-sex unions. certificates to Japanese citizens who plan to British hotel sued for The measure now moves to the National marry someone of the same sex in a foreign not letting Gay couple country where same-sex marriage is legal. sleep together Japanese citizens are required to obtain Gay couple Martyn Hall and Steve Preddy the certificate before marrying a foreigner have sued the Chymorvah Private Hotel in abroad – submitting information about both Marazion, Cornwall, England, for not let- parties such as name, birthday, sex and nating them stay in the same room. tionality. They seek £5,000 (US $7,374) in comThe latest version of the certificate will pensation from owners Peter and Hazel- confirm that an individual is single and of mary Bull for “direct discrimination on the legal age. grounds of sexual orientation.” Gay activists said the change also means The hotel openly flouts the Equality Act Japanese Gays will be able to bring a for(Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007, eign spouse to live with them in Japan. which prohibit such discrimination. Same-sex marriage is legal in Belgium, “Double bedded accommodation is not Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden (starting May 1) and the U.S. states of Connecticut, Iowa (starting April 24), Vermont and Massachusetts.

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April 10, 2009

Euro court: No expedited hearing for Russian pride cases The European Court of Human Rights has rejected a request for expedited hearing of several cases stemming from Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov’s repeated bans of Gay pride marches. Some of the cases are more than two years old. The court has a huge backlog of cases of all kinds from Russia.

With assistance from Bill Kelley

Moscow Pride organizers arrested Two Moscow Pride organizers were arrested in Ryazan, Russia, March 30 for presenting “propaganda of homosexuality to minors.” Nikolai Baev and Irina Fet, along with two activists who were not arrested, were carrying pro-Gay banners near a school and library in the city center when they were taken into custody. The action was a deliberate challenge to the local region’s 2006 law against Gay propaganda, which prohibits any discussion of homosexuality with children. Violators can be fined. It is the only law of its kind in Russia. “We came here to denounce a law which is not only homophobic but which is also against the constitution of this country,” said activist Nikolai Alekseev. “This action was a necessary step to appeal the cancellation of this law to the Constitutional Court.” The arrested activists appeared in court and the case was delayed so officials can study it. Ryazan is 200 km (120 miles) southeast of Moscow. With assistance from Bill Kelley

Celebrating 35 Years!

GAY CITY CHATROOM – “WHAT IS ‘GAY ETIQUETTE’ IN SEATTLE?” On Monday, April 13, at 7pm, meet at the Gay City offices, 511 E. Pike St., for a discompiled by Rick McKinnon cussion on “Gay Etiquette” in Seattle. From SGN Staff Writer coffee to cruising, boyfriends to buddies, what are our social expectations from each other on the street, at the club, or in the bedtime by texting “STOP” to 90999. For full room? FREE. www.gaycity.org. BENT FUNDRAISER SHOW On Friday, April 10, the Sunset House terms, visit mgive.com/a.) “FROM STONEWALL TO PROP 8: Collective, 915 16th Ave. (one block south THE FIGHT FOR SEATTLE PRIDE PARADE of E. Union St.), will host a fundraiser show LGBT LIBERATION” REGISTRATION OPEN to benefit Bent: A Writing Institute. Doors On Wednesday, April 15, from 7-9 p.m., GRAND MARSHALLS, at 6:30 p.m., show from 7-9 p.m. $10-$20 Sherry Wolf, author of the forthcoming OFFICIAL ARTISTS & sliding scale. book, Sexuality and Socialism: History, VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT Bent provides sliding scale poetry classes On Sunday, June 28, starting at 11 a.m. at Politics and Theory of Gay Liberation, will to Seattle Queers. Their mission is to promote and encourage written and spoken 4th Ave. & Union St., Seattle Out & Proud give a talk at Seattle Central Community word among LGBTIQ people and in our presents Seattle’s annual Pride Parade, this College, Room BE 1110, 1701 Broadway. year celebrating its 35th anniversary. As in FREE. Sponsored by the International Socommunities. www.bentwriting.com. recent years, the parade will travel north on cialist Organization. 4th Ave. to Denny Way. Immediately folLAMBERT HOUSE Q-SQUARED BOOK GROUP lowing the parade, the Seattle Pride FestiSEEKING VOLUNTEER The Q-Squared Book Group will meet on val will be held again this year at the Seattle GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lambert House, Seattle’s LGBTQ youth Center’s Fisher Pavilion and International Saturday, April 18, at 1 p.m., at the Capitol center, is currently seeking a volunteer Fountain. This year’s theme is “Peace, Love Hill Branch Library, 425 Harvard Ave. E., graphic designer. This position requires ex- and Equality” and celebrates the 40th Anni- to discuss Josh Kilmer-Purcell’s book I Am perience working in graphic design at a pro- versary of the Stonewall Riots with an em- Not Myself These Days: A Memoir. The fessional level. For more information about phasis on marriage equality in Washington memoir relates the unconventional love stothis opportunity, please contact Katie@ state. Online registration for participation ry between an alcohol abusing drag queen lamberthouse.org or call 206-322-2515 ext in the parade is now open. Nominations for and a crack smoking S&M male escort. Qgrand marshals are being solicited. Artists Squared Book Group is open to men who *814. are being sought to reflect this year’s theme are interested in Gay literature and always in their work (painting, sculpture, music, welcomes new members. For more informa“GAY CITY – VOLUME TWO: dance, film, video, short stories, poetry) tion, visit www.qsquared.org. PROMISES & COMMITMENTS” and become official artists for Seattle Pride SEEKING SUBMISSIONS MUSIC OF REMEMBRANCE Gay City Health Project is seeking high- 2009. Volunteers are also being sought. For PRESENTS FREE CONCERT – concept, Gay-themed literary fiction and complete information, visit www.seattle“SPARKS OF GLORY: photography as well as graphic and comic pride.org. DIFFERENT TRAINS” art for its second, annual anthology. You On Saturday, April 18, at 2 p.m., at the MR., MISS & MS. do NOT have to be Gay or male to submit Good Shepherd Center, Chapel Performance GAY WASHINGTON PAGEANT work. The annual Mr., Miss & Ms. Gay Wash- Space, 4th Floor, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., All work must be informed by the Gay City mission of promoting Gay and Bisex- ington Pageant will be held this year on Sat- MOR’s popular outreach series concludes ual men’s health and preventing HIV trans- urday, April 11, doors at 5 p.m., pageant at this season with a double-bill from Seattle mission by building community, fostering 6 p.m., at the Poodle Dog Restaurant, 1522 native Daniel Asia and New Yorker Steve communication and nurturing self-esteem. 54th Ave. E., in Fife, WA. Tickets for the Reich. Asia’s song cycle “Breath in a Ram’s The theme of this volume is “Promises & pageant, which includes a buffet, are $35. Horn” draws on the poetry of Paul Pines, Commitments.” They are not looking for On Friday, April 10, the 2008-2009 Gay fueled by his troubled relationship with his erotica unless it addresses this mission in a Washingtons will present their Last Show & parents. Reich’s landmark “Different Trains” fresh, new way. For complete details includ- Awards Celebration, doors at 7 p.m., show at juxtaposes sounds of the American trains he ing submission requirements, visit www. 8 p.m., at the Poodle Dog Restaurant. Tick- rode as a child with images of German trains ets are $15. On Sunday, April 12, the Gay transporting people to death camps. MOR’s gaycity.org. Entries must be postmarked by Washington Pageant Victory Brunch will artistic director Mina Miller discusses how be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Poodle these two contemporary American composWednesday, April 15, 2009. Dog Restaurant. Order brunch off the res- ers approach Jewish identity and memory in taurant’s menu. For more information, visit their work. www.musicofremembrance.org. LIFELONG AIDS ALLIANCE www.myspace.com/mccaskillrainbow and CARE TO SHOP FOOD DRIVE NORTHWEST ORCHID SOCIETY Chicken Soup Brigade, Lifelong AIDS scroll down to Mr., Miss & Ms. Gay WashPRESENTS ANNUAL SHOW Alliance’s food program, sponsors an on- ington section. On Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. (sale opens going food drive program to provide bags of to public) &10 a.m. (show opens to pubEMERALD CITY groceries to people living with HIV/AIDS lic)-6 p.m. and Sunday, April 19, from 10 SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION in Seattle/King County. “Care to Shop” is a.m.-4 p.m., enjoy the incredible beauty of SPRING LEAGUE BEGINS held between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the folThe Open Division Spring League begins orchids. The show will feature big displays lowing stores: The first Saturday of the month at QFC, on Sunday, April 12, at the North SeaTac of orchids, awards and orchid sales at the 416 15th Ave. E., Seattle; the second Satur- Park, S. 128th St. & 20th Ave. S., SeaTac, Center for Urban Horticulture/UW Botanical day of the month at QFC, 417 Broadway WA (C Division Teams) and Celebration Gardens, 3501 NE 41st St. www.nwos.org. E. (Broadway Market), Seattle; and the Park, 11th Pl. S. & S. 324th St. (1111 S. FLYING HOUSE PRESENTS third Saturday of the month at Thriftway, 324th St.), Federal Way (A, B & D Divi“HAIRSPRAY – THE 13TH ANNUAL sion Teams). Every Sunday (except Memo9740 SW Bank Rd., Vashon Island. DINNER, DANCE & AUCTION” You can also help by organizing your own rial Day weekend) through June 21 – check On Saturday, April 18, “with all the Aqua food drive at an office gathering or holiday website for possible rainout announcements party. For more information, call 206-328- and Saturday rainout day schedules. Both Net you could ever want, “Hairspray – The fields are accessible by public transit. For 13th Annual Dinner, Dance, and Auction,” 8979. further information, including teams, league is sure to be the movie-turned-play-turnedsponsors and schedule of play, visit www. movie-turned-auction event of the year. TEXT DONATE TO emeraldcitysoftball.org. (NOTE: Women’s Critics are raving about the evening’s starLIFELONG AIDS ALLIANCE Division play will begin soon. Visit www. studded performances, the upscale auction CHICKEN SOUP BRIGADE items, the gourmet food, and the alcoholic Chicken Soup Brigade, Lifelong’s nutri- emeraldcitysoftball.org for updates.) beverages … not necessarily in that order. tion-based food program, packs 1,000 groAnd with a goal of raising $500,000, the GAY SOCIAL DINNER CLUB cery bags and distributes 3,000 meals a week auction is the biggest fundraiser of the year OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY to hungry people in the greater Seattle area. The Gay Social Dinner Club of Snohom- for Flying House Productions, home of SeBut they can’t do it alone. You can help. Your $5 donation will give two meals to a ish County is an informal group of Gay men attle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s hungry person today. Use your cell phone to living in Snohomish County who meet for Chorus. So come for the cause, and stay for donate $5 to Chicken Soup Brigade: 1) Text dinner every Monday at a different Sno- the party.” Festivities start at 5 p.m., at the WashingLIFELONG to 90999; 2) Reply to the auto- homish County restaurant. “The intent of the club is not to hook up, ton State Convention & Trade Center, 8th mated text message with YES; 3) That’s it! You just provide two meals with two texts! but rather try different food, share a joke Ave. & Pine St., Fourth Floor Skybridge. Visit the Lifelong AIDS Alliance website or life experience, create friendships and Tickets are: $145, $195 & $295. For more – www.lifelongaidsalliance.org – for more a social circle of people to hang out with. information and to RSVP, visit www.flyingIt’s a lot of fun and it gives you a chance to house.org or call 206-388-1400. information or to donate online. (NOTE: A one-time charge of $5 will be try different restaurants, meet new people. “OUR JEWISH FAMILIES: added to your mobile phone bill. Standard The club has 175 people on their mailing list A PARENTING WORKSHOP FOR messaging rates and additional fees may with about 18-20 guys getting together for LGBTQ PARENTS” apply. All charges are billed and payable dinner each week.” Raising Jewish children as an LGBTQ For more information and to RSVP, conto your mobile service provider. Proceeds benefit Lifelong AIDS Alliance and are col- tact Ricardo at knead2feelgood@yahoo. parent is a unique experience. Sometimes the Jewish community may feel inclusive lected by the MGF. Service is available on com. and at other times it may feel exclusive. most carriers. You can unsubscribe at any

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April 10, 2009

We may struggle to find visible Jewish role models from families like ours. How do Jewish and LGBTQ identities impact our role as parents? How does Jewish tradition and thought inform our unique experiences? Connect with other LGBTQ parents at this interactive workshop facilitated by Rabbi Beth Singer and Dr. Suzanne Engelberg. The workshop will be held on Sunday, April 19, from 12:30-2:30 p.m., at Temple Beth Am, 2632 NE 80th St. Jewish and Interfaith parents are welcome to attend. Cost is $10/person; scholarships available. Space is limited; advance registration requested. A limited amount of babysitting may be available with advance request. Contact Adam at 206-861-8784 or email familylife@jfsseattle.org. MAYOR GREG NICKELS SEEKING YOUNG ADULTS FOR CITY BOARDS & COMMISSIONS Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels is seeking people 18 to 29 years old who are interested in making a difference through public service. As part of the YMCA’s Get Engaged program, Nickels will appoint people in this age group to 13 of the city’s boards and commissions this fall. The Get Engaged program aims to give young adults a voice in city government and foster long-term citizen participation in government. Participants serve on boards and commissions that advise city government on a variety of issues, including human rights, historical preservation, city planning and the arts. In addition to being appointed to a yearlong term as voting commissioners, participants join a group of inspired young adults who are dedicated to making Seattle a better place to live through community building and leadership development. To apply, you must be an adult between the ages of 18 and 29 and reside in the city of Seattle. If you are interested in applying to the Get Engaged program, or want more information, visit http://www.seattle.gov/ mayor/boards.htm or contact Alexandra David, metrocenter YMCA, at 206-382-5005 or via email at getengaged@seattleymca. org. The application deadline is April 19. SEATTLE TWO-SPIRIT POTLUCK MEETING TO BE HELD All Native Two-Spirit people and their allies are invited to attend a meeting on Monday, April 20, from 6-8 p.m., at the Lifelong AIDS Alliance, 1002 E. Seneca St., in the Lower Conference Room (entrance off lower parking lot) to kick-off a Seattle Native Two-Spirit organization. It has been a few years since a Two-Spirit group has been active in Seattle so it would be great to connect with everyone and address the concerns of the Two-Spirit community so we can move forward. We are hoping to establish a group that will not only meet the needs of the attendees, but also provide outreach to our community. To make this happen, please bring your ideas, thoughts, hopes, and efforts to make this group a success. This will be a potluck meeting, so if you are able to bring food/drink, great. If not, please come anyway. We want you! For more information, contact Phoenix at SeattleTwoSpirit@ hotmail.com. EMERALD CITY HOEDOWN TO BENEFIT GAY CITY HEALTH PROJECT Rain Country Dance Association will host the 2nd Annual Emerald City Hoedown The weekend of April 24-26, . For complete details are available at www.raincountrydance. org/hoedown. FREE MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY SCREENING FOR LBT WOMEN On Monday, April 27, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the YWCA and the Center for Sex Positive Culture are conducting a mobile mammography screening focused on Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender women at the CSPC building, 1602 15th Ave. W. The mammograms are FREE for income-eligible women age 40 and older, who are uninsured or under insured. Women with insurance are also welcome. For an appointment or more information, call the YWCA at 206-4368623 or email LBTHealth@ywcaworks.org.

Seattle Gay News

7

2010 Toyota Prius by J.T. Hills SGN Contributing Writer Top • More aggressive design • Increased rear legroom • New fun gadgets Bottom • Green can be relatively expensive I recently took a trip down to Laguna Beach, California to preview the third generation 2010 Toyota Prius at the Montage Resort. The Prius entered the market in 1997 as the world’s first mass-produced hybrid. Before you knew, it Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins are showing up to the Oscars in one and the vice president’s kids are being arrested for going 100 miles per hour on the San Diego freeway jacked up on pot, Xanax, Valium, and Vicodin while driving one. The Prius, Latin for “to go before,” be-

8

Seattle Gay News

came the symbol of environmental awareness and a generous doctor. The Prius also became the “it” car for the Baby Boom generation. Just like the Beatles, Hula Hoops, and compassionate conservatives, being green became “in” and driving a hybrid was the best way to commute to that drum circle. Which, I’m sure, posed a great problem for Toyota; how do you hold on to your base consumer while expanding your product reach into a younger demographic? For me – and I’m a mid-thirties Gen X-er, but look younger – I always liked the environmental concept behind the Prius, but looked at it as something my parents might pull behind a Monarch Motor Coach on their way to Arizona for the winter. The third-generation Prius is not only built to reduce pollution in every stage of vehicle life, from production and driving through disposal, but it’s kind of sexy looking, too. The designers preserved the dy-

April 10, 2009

namic triangle form of the current model, but made alterations to the overall profile, pillar position and angle, giving the Prius a more aggressive stance. Dimensionally, the third-generation Prius has the same wheelbase as the current model, but overall length is slightly increased 0.6 inches by moving the front cowl forward. The third-generation Prius has a larger, more powerful 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine that produces 98 HP at 5,200 RPMs. Combined with its electric motor, the hybrid system has a net horsepower of 134, an increase of 24 HP from the current model. Even with an increase in horsepower, the fuel efficiency was increased to an EPA-estimated 50 MPG city and 49 MPG highway with a combined estimate of 50 MPG. The EPA estimate is up from 46 MPG on the current generation Prius. Performance wasn’t lost on Toyota engineers. The next-generation Prius is built on

a new platform that enables improved handling stability, quieter operation, and collision safety. Zero-to-60 acceleration has been improved to 9.8 seconds. Technology toys weren’t forgotten, either, there’s a new available sliding glass moonroof with solar panels located over the rear seating area, which power a new ventilation system. There’s also an available remote air-conditioning system, functioning on battery power alone, that can adjust the interior temperature for comfort before getting in the car. Additionally you can equip your Prius with things like Navigation, pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control, lane keep assist, leather-trimmed and heated seats. The Prius will come in one grade with four different standard equipment packages named II, III, IV and V, each with varying levels of exterior and interior features. Pricing was not yet available, but I’m told it will be kept in line with the current model.

Celebrating 35 Years!

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April 10, 2009

Seattle Gay News 11

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Celebrating 35 Years!

their hands. But the pro-8 ads went straight for the gut, linking marriages like ours with the rape of children and compulsory sex ed for kindergarteners.” –Wired magazine writer Steve Silberman in an article published in the May issue of the Buddhist magazine Shambhala Sun.

“Ironic that Same Sex Couples Can Marry in Cedar Rapids but Not in San Francisco – The heartland is now ahead of ‘the People’s Republic’ of California” –Headlines on an alternet.org story, April 4. “We are firmly convinced the exclusion of Gay and Lesbian people from the institution of civil marriage does not substantially further any important governmental objective. The legislature has excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification. There is no material fact, genuinely in dispute, that can affect this determination.” –The Iowa Supreme Court in an April 3 ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. The weddings begin April 24. Rex wockner

Evan Wolfson

“We have a constitutional duty to ensure equal protection of the law. .... If Gay and Lesbian people must submit to different treatment without an exceedingly persuasive justification, they are deprived of the benefits of the principle of equal protection upon which the rule of law is founded. [T]he language in Iowa Code section 595.2 limiting civil marriage to a man and a woman must be stricken from the statute.” –The Iowa Supreme Court in an April 3 ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. The weddings begin April 24.

“It [the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Gay ban] continues to be the law and any change in the policy would require a change in the law. We will follow the law whatever it is. That dialogue, though, has really not progressed very far at this point in the administration. I think the president and I feel like we’ve got a lot on our plates right now, and let’s push that one down the road a little bit.” –U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates to Fox News, March 29. “We’re going to lose. I think it was very clear from the oral arguments that the court intends to uphold Prop 8. I’ve never seen a court so unequivocally telegraph their thinking.” –Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, at the North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce’s 4th Anniversary Dinner & Business Excellence Awards on March 25, as reported by the Dallas Voice. “If the [California Supreme] Court, and if this Chief Justice, vote to uphold Prop 8’s damaging blow to American constitutional principles, it will be a terrible mistake, failing their obligation under and to the California Constitution. If in so doing, they compound that mistake by selling short, or sidling away from, the truths set forth so powerfully in Chief Justice George’s 2008 ruling – the fundamental nature of the freedom to marry, the way in which exclusion from marriage itself denies equality and imposes the stigma of second-class citizenship – they will do a powerful disservice to the people, to the Constitution, and to history, which for the moment still ranks them alongside the judges who struck down race discrimination and the subordination of women in marriage in the face of the passions of the moment, and were vindicated. Failure of judgment and duty now will tarnish their own legacy, wreak real harm on Gay people and their loved ones, and shatter the faith of millions in the courts and their legitimate and crucial role in our constitutional system.” –Freedom to Marry Executive Director Evan Wolfson writing at The Huffington Post, March 30.

Rex wockner

by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer

Kate Kendall

“Old queens grew up with very little Gay visibility in the media and a heightened sense of Gayness being something taboo and even (in society’s eyes) sinful and downright sick. They came of age feeling that Gay was something to hide or to ‘get over,’ and often felt more attracted to anonymous, shame-based sex than to open, longterm connections. Those hoary attitudes still pop up, but mainly the younger gays have grown up with Queer iconography everywhere they turn and with Gay marriage seeming to become an eventual reality as society progresses. They have healthier views about sex and seem unencumbered by the urgency to hide and slink around in dark alleys. In fact, they generally want longterm relationships more than their predecessors did (though they’ll gladly spice up those relationships with shameless online hookups, albeit often with their partner’s permission – or even inclusion. Compulsive anonymous sex is far from gone, it’s just a little more upfront.) In sum – if you’re still listening – the younger Queers may have far less sense of history about them, but probably a far greater chance for happiness, due to mere luck of the draw. Of course these are all gross generalizations, but as an older queen, let me tell you, they are totally true!” –Village Voice columnist Michael Musto on his blog, March 30.

“The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All Sexuals, and Gays (J-FLAG) continued to report human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention, mob attacks, stabbings, harassment of homosexual patients by hospital and prison staff, and targeted shootings of homosexuals. Police often did not investigate such incidents. ... Human rights “Two of the biggest issues in politics to- NGOs and government entities agreed that day are that the Gays want to get married brutality against homosexuals, primarily by and also crave to openly be prancing around private citizens, was widespread in the comthe military. It’s cuckoo times two! While I munity.” –From the U.S. State Department’s recent fully understand the importance of these advances – and I’ll fight for them to my Gay “2008 Human Rights Report: Jamaica.” death – I couldn’t imagine two more hor- In response, a group of San Francisco gay rible things for me, personally. I HATE the activists, including city Supervisor Bevan idea of getting married (It’s an admission of Dufty, launched a boycott of the nation utter defeat) and besides, I always thought March 28. one of the good things about being Gay is “I do watch a lot of Fox News. I like that your parents can never ask, ‘Why aren’t you married already?’ I also detest the idea Charles Krauthammer and Bill O’Reilly. of going abroad and killing people! It’s ex- ... If McCain had asked me to campaign for tremely unsavory and lately it’s not even him, I would have.” –Mary Tyler Moore to Parade magazine, done for any kind of good cause!” –Village Voice columnist Michael Musto March 22. on his blog, March 26. With assistance from Bill Kelley “I wouldn’t want it [Gay marriage] to go to the United States Supreme Court now because that homophobe Antonin Scalia has got too many votes on this current court.” –U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., to 365Gay.com, March 24.

“I’ve got a few [questions] for those who supported Proposition 8. ... My question is a very profound one. What the fuck is it to you? ... Why are people in this state, when we have so many things on our plate – we have a fiscal disaster going on – why is anyone even wasting their time with this issue? Why does anyone even care if Gay people get married? .... You would never in a million years go up to a person of color and say: ‘Well, you know, I hear black people want to get married now. I mean, it’s fine if they live together.’ You would cringe, would you not? ‘I hear the Mexicans want to vote! There goes the neighborhood!’ Right? It would sound absolutely silly. And yet, across the state, people are having dinner conversations saying, ‘Well, do Gay people really have the right to get married?’ Yes! A domestic union, domestic partnership is not the same.” –Comedian Kathy Griffin speaking at an anti-Prop 8 rally in Sacramento, March 30.

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“When all is said and done, we believe the only lasting question about today’s events will be why it took us so long. It is a tough question to answer because treating everyone fairly is really a matter of Iowa common sense and Iowa common decency. Today, the Iowa Supreme Court has reaffirmed those Iowa values by ruling that Gay and Lesbian Iowans have all the same rights and responsibilities of citizenship as any other Iowan.” –Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and Iowa House Speaker Pat Murphy affirming April 3 that they will fight any efforts by legislators to amend the state constitution to override the state Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage. Any proposed amendment would have to “One day, we received a glossy brochure pass two different sessions of the Legisla- in the mail featuring smiling portraits of Bature, then go to the voters in 2012, at the ear- rack and his wife Michelle, urging us to vote liest. The weddings begin April 24. for Proposition 8. ... I knew that Obama was on record as being against the amendment. “Places [in Iowa] along the Illinois bor- But his statement, ‘I believe that marriage der, they better start pulling out the floral ar- is between a man and a woman,’ was emrangements and get those cake toppers with blazoned at the top of the brochure. At the the guy and guy and the girl and girl ready. same time, the ads opposing Proposition 8 Cause it’s coming.” seemed to convey an extreme wariness of –Chicago Male Salon desk manager Rich- offending anyone. ‘No matter how you feel ard Biasi to the Chicago Tribune April 3 af- about marriage...’ they began. And there ter the Iowa Supreme Court legalized same- were no glowing couples in the ads, which sex marriage. The weddings begin April 24. struck me like running a campaign against Iowa has no residency requirement for mar- school segregation while being afraid to riage. show any minority kids with textbooks in

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April 10, 2009

Seattle Gay News 13

ballot

continued from cover riage equality litigation. “We’re taking it very seriously,” says Connie Watts, executive director of Equal Rights Washington, about WAVA’s projected referendum. “That’s the prudent thing to do. We’re preparing just as if something will happen.” According to Watts, ERW’s plans include “working to let our activists, supporters, and coalition partners know this is going on. The most important thing that people can do at this point is let us know they want to help.” Rep. Jamie Pedersen (D-43), the domestic

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abortions. In 2000, he managed Republican John Koster’s losing Congressional race. Three years later, he worked with Koster – by then a Snohomish County Council member – to pass a Council resolution supporting the City of Everett’s public monument to the Ten Commandments. Joining Stickney is WAVA Treasurer Bruce Craswell, who was married to the late Ellen Craswell, a state legislator and unsuccessful Republican candidate for governor in 1996. Ellen endeared herself to Christian rightists by asserting that the windstorm which struck Seattle on January 20, 1993, was God’s punishment for the inauguration of President Bill Clinton. After the ‘96 election, both Craswells switched to the explicitly Christian-right RIGHT-WING TRIO Stickney, Craswell, and Pidgeon all have American Heritage Party, which Bruce repcampaign experience and fundraising skills, resented in 1998 as a candidate for Congress and they may well replicate the coalition that from the 1st District. passed California’s Prop 8 last November. WAVA’S INTERESTING ATTORNEY WAVA President Larry Stickney was exPerhaps the most interesting of the three ecutive director of the Family Policy Institute, the Washington state affiliate of James is WAVA’s attorney, Stephen Pidgeon. His Dobson’s Focus on the Family, in 2007 and professional website lists his affiliation 2008. He joined the WAVA as its president with a number of right-wing organizations when it was incorporated in October 2008. including the Alliance Defense Fund, the Stickney is a veteran campaign manager Individual Rights Foundation, the Christian with long-standing connections to the most Legal Society, and the World Evangelical conservative members of the state’s Repub- Alliance. lican Party. In 1994, he managed RepubliPidgeon is the author of a number of artican Steve Hargrove’s winning campaign for cles critical of the theory of global warming. a seat in the state House of Representatives. He is also the recipient of several commisIn 1999, Stickney managed the I-694 sions and medals usually awarded for fundcampaign, which aimed to outlaw late-term raising prowess by the National Republican Congressional Committee. Pidgeon was attorney for the plaintiff in Broe v Reed, which asked Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed to invalidate Barack Obama’s election as president on the grounds that Obama did not meet the constitutional qualifications for the office. The suit was dismissed by the Washington Supreme Court on January 8, 2009. Pidgeon has achieved notoriety on rightwing conspiracy theory blogs with his email alerts claiming imminent arrest by agents of Pres. Obama’s Homeland Security Department. An example from March 25, 2009 follows: “I am writing this now as three black suburbans with HS personnel in camo are moving in to my neighborhood. I suspect arrest here shortly. In the event that you do not hear from me by tomorrow morning, please continue to contact me by e-mail, as we will try to monitor. If not, contact Cesar Velasquez in Bellevue, WA [a Washington lawyer] for status.” As of this date, Pidgeon is still at large, however. None of the three WAVA principals responded to SGN’s voicemail requests for comment.

Stickney first declared his intention to begin a referendum campaign to the Everett Herald daily newspaper on April 5. Stickney is required to file with the state Public Disclosure Commission within two weeks of either raising or spending money on a campaign. However, he may not begin to collect signatures to place a repeal referendum on the ballot until the legislation is signed into law by the governor. A 2006 referendum campaign attempting to repeal the Anderson-Murray Civil Rights NO REFERENDUM FILED YET Bill, headed by initiative maven Tim EyTo date, the WAVA has not filed referen- man, failed to gather the required number of dum specific language or disclosure reports signatures and the effort collapsed in mutual with the state Secretary of State’s office. recriminations among the organizers.

partnership bill’s prime sponsor in the state House, is taking the referendum threat seriously, too. He is sending out e-mails to constituents warning that “religious conservatives have announced their intent to gather signatures for a referendum challenge to the bill. I hope that you will help to defend our work against our opponents if necessary. If we are successful, it will help us to get caught up with Iowa sooner rather than later.”

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April 10, 2009

Celebrating 35 Years!

The psychology of money by Michael Raitt SGN Contributing Writer In my opinion, money is 98% psychological. Practically, since the time we fell out of the trees and began putting value on objects, simultaneously we started to put value on ourselves and our friends and family based on how much “currency” each had. Money starts wars, causes fights and depression, provides hope, fulfills dreams, and leaves us with a sense of our own worth. Let me give you an example to illustrate how much psychology and money are related. Consider this scenario: you have a $1 bill in your pocket. You know it is worth very little and will get you very little here in Seattle (and most any First-World country). You travel to the poorest nation you have ever been to. You drive to a tiny village and all the kids come running out and surround you with smiling, eager faces. You take the $1 bill out of your pocket and place it in the hand of a bright-faced 10-year-old in that village. How much is that $1 bill to him/ her? It is the very same dollar bill you left Seattle with. To that youngster, it is worth a lot and it will make him/her very happy, the envy of most others in the village, and that child will feel important. He/she will remember getting that $1 bill for many years. The value of that $1 bill comes completely

from the person who is holding it – to you and I, when we hold it, not worth very much. To that young child, when he/she holds it, it is worth a lot! It affects what they can do, how they are seen by others, and how they see themselves. This is the psychology of money. What implications might that have for us? Many! Culturally we are bombarded with messages that tell us that the more we have in terms of money and assets, the more value, power, and sexual appeal we have in our society. Conversely, for those of us with smaller bank accounts and fewer assets, our sense of worth is sometimes challenged. You know this is true if, for example, you are 40 years old and driving an early-‘90s beat up vehicle and living paycheck to paycheck and you feel bad when you are talking to another 40 year old who is going to retire in 5 years because he/she has had a very successful career. Years ago, I used to feel bad about myself when I’d drive around in my little Geo Metro and would see other guys my age driving in BMWs and traveling the world. I’d have to fight the tendency to think of myself as less than they were. This concept is much more common than you think. How we feel about ourselves as measured against our assets is being accentuated now because of catastrophic job losses and the crash of our global economy. People are

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waking up after having lost a lot of money and property and realizing that they also have no sense of what makes them happy or of who they are without their assets. They are depressed, anxious, chronically feeling “hollow,” and some are suicidal. It is bad enough when you lose your job or lots of money. It is much worse when you lose that and, with it, the sense of who you are. As with most things, there are two sides. First, on the positive side, money and assets aren’t bad in and of themselves. They are necessary. The quest for money and assets motivates us to set and work towards goals. Gradually achieving these goals provides a sense of accomplishment and happiness. Having things of value and reserves of cash can provide a sense of security to many of us. There’s nothing wrong with these things. If money and assets are important to you for these reasons, by all means, work for what you want. The negative side is when people do not see that focusing their worth primarily on their money and assets leaves some with a very under-developed sense of their own value and worth. Think of it this way: a soccer ball has to be round in order to work properly. If only one side is inflated and the other is as flat as a board, then it won’t work right. Humans are like that as well. If we have only developed one part of ourselves, and left another “empty,” we won’t work as well either. When self-worth is developed in one area of your life, another area is lacking and depression and other psychological problems evolve. How do you know when your self-worth is tied too much to your money? Either you have a lot and are chronically feeling “empty,” “hollow,” or “unsatisfied,” or when you lose money (or don’t have much in the first place), you feel as though you are not as good as those who have more. If your life feels unbalanced because you are working so much and so hard to accumulate more and more, your self-esteem is likely tied too tightly to gaining assets. There are some lessons to learn from this current economic situation. First, ups and downs in our economy are inevitable. Therefore, honestly reflect upon yourself

and assess how much of your self-worth is tied to how much you have. If your answer is that you are a lesser person because you have less, that is a problem. Likewise, if you think you are sexier, more powerful, or better than others because you have more, that, too, is problematic. These are indications that too much of your self-esteem is linked to your assets. Take time to get in touch with the meaning money has in your life. As well, understand what you would like to do or how you would like to be that would contribute to strengthening your sense of who you are. For example, many volunteer, bring out their artistic side, or get involved in community events and/or activism to boost their sense of self. Some people realign their thinking and realize that they can have as much as they want and, yet, not tie it as much to their self-esteem. Regardless, become aware of your psychology as it relates to money and the effect it has on you. Remember, this isn’t about criticizing people who have a lot or shaming people who have little. It is about encouraging you to develop awareness about how you value yourself and others based on economic status.

April 10, 2009

Seattle Gay News 15

Michael Raitt, MA LMHC, is a therapist and a contributing writer to the SGN. He writes a bi-monthly 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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Grumpy bus drivers, Scorpio gets the boot by Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid SGN A&E Writer First, let me say (as I’m drinking another cup of chamomile tea writing this), people, calm the freak down! I mean, half of you are losing your minds and doing really bad things (and no, honey, I am not making light of the weekend’s rash of violent acts, in fact, my heart goes out to all of those left to pick up the pieces) and the rest are either driving like maniacs, trying to race me to checkout counters, or just plain asleep at the wheel. Put the cells down while driving – I swear, if one more person nearly runs me or some innocent pedestrian down because they’re texting or chatting, or what the freak ever, I’m gonna take out a big can of whoopass and go to town on their lame asses, ya hear

– know where you’re going when you get on the bus, and stop wasting other people’s time with your lameness and stop inviting me, or some other top, to whip your snoozing, bottom asses. ‘Kay? ‘Kay. Oh, and please, please will someone tell Metro to put the grumpy, old drivers who hate everyone and everything on the routes where other grumpy, unhappy folks live, like maybe Auburn, or, I don’t know, parts of Burien? That way folks like me who have lives and places to get to in a hurry aren’t driven almost to acts of ultraviolence by their passive-aggressive behavior (this did happen to this one last weekend when I was trying to race from Capitol Hill to the farmer’s market and then to the Comicon downtown). All righty then, let’s move on to other stuff, like how this one, after not hav-

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ing her “happy time” with a certain Scorpio, booted that one to the curb like every one of that tribe before him. Thou shall not work this one up, to then wimp out and go for “big, selfish ass of the year,” or thou shall be crisped in the heat of this one’s Uranus in Leo ruling planet side after said metamorphosis has transpired. Short story, that one didn’t make me happy, so we went medieval, then decided Scorpios (even slightly nice ones) still aren’t my cuppa. That one and this one are still chatting, but no more slicky time for that one, no ma’am. Ah, but a certain hot-as-fire Sag did do the job and then some two weekends ago, and, yes, this one is looking forward to more of that kind of fun at Norwescon (‘cause, honey, we do need some R and R after a weekend from hell) this weekend. In fact, I’ve already picked out a lovely new flogger that will soon be in my hands, which this one tested on a “willing subject” at last weekend’s Emerald City Comicon (and you thought you could only buy comics at a comicon, my dearies!). Hope to be trying that new toy on this one’s slave very, very soon, my dahlings, and I can barely wait. So, what besides riding slow buses with grumpy drivers, clueless riders (yes, Virginia and Virgil Too Stupid, you can move back when other riders get on the bus without fear of wolves attacking you), having my money get funny for a long, awful weekend (which was saved by a wonderful client, thank you very much), and dumping Scorpios has this one been up to? Well, first let me just say I’ve been lusting again – like, when am I not – for that hot mom on the Suave commercial and jumping for joy that there are folks running against our “I’m so green I’ve forgotten the real reason I’m here” mayor. And this column firmly and heartily endorses former Sonic James Donaldson, who I think can’t possibly be worse than our current mayor. You go, dude, and if you need an interview to boost your publicity, I’m your boygirl. And, Mr. Savage, we’re glad you backed out of the race, though I feel your frustra-

tion and had honestly thought of throwing my own bra into the ring. Someone’s got to get “rat city” on track, and it ain’t hizzoner sitting there now, trust me. So, this one also tried my new fave “green” brand, Lavera’s Organic Milk Volume shampoo on these gorgeous dreads of mine and was happily pleased with the result. Get some from Madison Market. Also pick up some Aubrey Organics GPB Balancing Conditioner, which made my dreads purr, I swear. And for La Face, do get some Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream to keep from drying out in this crazy weather we’ve been having (though today was as damned near perfect as it gets in the grey Northwest). And, speaking of perfect, isn’t the new anchor on KIRO, Angela Russell just biteable? It would seem Mr. Raible, her co-anchor, must think so, because that one’s smile is much broader than it used to be with his previous co-anchors, though this one did like Margo Myers and does like Monique Ming Laven, too. Not so perfect, and in desperate need of an update to that bad ‘60s makeup job she was sporting on the news last week, the director (or whatever she is) of Seattle City Light. Honey, hurry to Sephora or somewhere and beg them to update and upgrade you right now! And, lastly, has anyone seen that weird Quiznos commercial with the oven asking the sandwich guy to “put it in me, Dave”? Creepy and ewww! Can we say “jumped the shark,” Quiznos? Yes, and this one does. Oh, a big shamey face for Arcadia in Federal Way for up and trying to kick their low-income tenants out of their homes to build fancy, new townhouses. That isn’t change, guys; it’s criminal. So, that’s it for now, my babies, and hope you’re getting those toes ready for peeping out, so we have no “monkey toes” to blister our winter-scraped eyes, eh? Be nice to each other, spread love, not fear, and calm, not panic, and support your local merchants, as we are all connected to making our economy run again. Buhbye and happy Oestara!

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Celebrating 35 Years!

The father of Florida’s Gay community by Jesse Monteagudo SGN Contributing Writer The State of Florida has had its share of outstanding GLBT leaders; people who worked against enormous odds to make life better for the Sunshine State’s LesBiGay and Trans community during the last half century. To a great degree, they were following in the footsteps of Richard A. Inman. The Sunshine State’s first Queer activist, Inman dared to be openly and actively Gay at a time when that was a dangerous thing to be. By challenging both a firmly anti-Gay political establishment and a closeted Gay community, Inman is rightly considered to be the Father of Florida’s Gay Community. Who was Richard Inman? Since he dropped out of sight after 1969, Inman became largely unknown to a generation of activists who took up where he left off. Though I grew up in Miami, I was not aware of Inman or his achievements until I became an activist myself. Only recently did Inman begin to receive the recognition that he so richly deserved. James T. Sears, whose book Lonely Hunters: An Oral History of Lesbian and Gay Southern Life, 1948-1968 contributes so much to our knowledge of Inman, called him “a soldier of fortune turned taxi driver challenging the homophobia and ignorance of heterosexuals as well as apathy and timidity among homosexuals.” Others agree: Inman was “a voice in the wilderness in Miami” (John Loughery) and “a virtual one-man band for Gay rights” (Eugene Patron). Foster Gunnison, Jr., who worked with Inman, called him “an unsung hero of the movement,” while Jack Nichols, who knew Inman as well as anyone still alive,

dubbed him “The South’s Pioneer.” “Inman was the first Southerner to challenge anti-Gay laws in the courts, to write in mass circulation publications about Gay men and Lesbians and to appear on local television and radio programs,” said Nichols. Florida in the 1960’s was “the Mississippi of the homosexual,” and it took a lot of chutzpah to challenge the Sunshine State’s ingrained homophobia. Born in Tampa in 1926, Inman arrived in Miami in the 1940s. Like many others in his time and place, Inman was arrested at least twice, for “simply being in a Gay bar” during a raid. Undaunted, Inman founded (1963) the Atheneum Society, which according to Sears, was “the first state-chartered, explicitly homosexual organization in the South.” Created “to combat ... gross injustices affecting homosexual citizens which are perpetuated by certain heterosexuals who masquerade

behind the guise of ‘justice’ and ‘decency,’” the Society was basically a one-man group. Even so, Inman benefitted from the secret but substantial financial assistance of an elderly, closeted millionaire who gave him much-needed pocket cash. With his Atheneum Society in tow, Inman soon became, in Sears’ words, “the lightning rod for Florida’s nonexistent homophile movement.” Claiming to represent 200,000 Florida homosexuals, Johns “privately engaged in correspondence and conversations with political leaders and kingmakers. He also engaged in a long-term battle with two powerful politicians: [State Senator] Charley Johns and [Dade County State Attorney] Richard Gerstein.” Inman soon caught the attention of activist Jack Nichols who, with Franklin Kameny, founded the Mattachine Society of Washington in 1961. Nichols and his partner Lige Clarke visited Inman in Miami and persuaded him to change the Atheneum’s name to the Mattachine Society of Florida. Inman became president, Nichols vice president, and Clarke editor of the group’s newsletter. As head of the Mattachine Society of Florida, Inman adopted, in John D’Emilio’s words, “a Kameny-like tone in his dealings with public officials.” On April 19, 1966 Inman appeared on the television documentary The Homosexual. Hosted by WTVJ’s Ralph Renick, The Homosexual was dominated by anti-Gay zealots like Detective John Sorenson of the Dade County Sheriff’s Department of Morals and Juvenile Squad. Inman’s appearance was a disaster. Loughery wrote that Inman’s “performance ... suggested Gay men and Lesbians would be better served by silence. Uncomfortable on camera and looking as if he had suddenly realized that acknowledging his sexuality was tantamount to admitting a crime for which he might be arrested, Inman

squirmed before his interviewer’s questions, ending with the claim that he had given up homosexuality four years earlier – ‘it’s not my cup of tea’ – though he believed that homosexuals deserved fair treatment. He giggled at the suggestion of Gay marriage or Gay adoption. ‘You weren’t exactly inspired to run out and join his organization,’ a Fort Lauderdale Gay man, then in his 20s, noted. ‘Actually, he scared me more than the cop they had telling the eighth-graders that any one of them could become a deviant if they weren’t careful.’” Inman was burned out. In March 1967 he abolished Florida Mattachine. In October the Miami Vice Squad raided Inman’s new business, the Atheneum Book Shop, charging Inman with possession of pornography (he was acquitted on a technicality). By August 1969, the Miami Herald could claim that “The Miami [Gay] subculture shows few signs of the minority group syndrome. Since the demise of the Mattachine Society of Florida ... Miami has had neither homosexual organizations nor militants. A politically docile, socially invisible subculture, it attracts little attention, and less support.” It remained for a new generation of activists to take up where Inman left off. What happened to Richard Inman? According to Jack Nichols, “In 1970, Inman visited me in my New York offices at GAY. After that he disappeared.” In Rebels, Rubyfruit, and Rhinestones (2001), Sears finally revealed what happened to the father of Florida’s Gay community: “Richard Inman never returned to the activist role that he once had in Florida. He settled in a workingclass area in the outskirts of Long Beach – not far from the interstate highway – where he lived in a Spanish-style duplex on the corner of Golden Avenue and Hill Street until his death on 3 February, 1985.”

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April 10, 2009

Seattle Gay News 17

Guarding women’s rugby by Dan Woog SGN Contributing Writer When the women’s rugby college championship playoffs take place this month in Sanford, Fla., many top teams will wear jerseys prominently displaying the Army National Guard logo. When winners are determined at next month’s finals at Stanford University, they’ll pose under an enormous banner thanking the Guard for its support. The Army National Guard is the primary sponsor of the collegiate tournaments. Without the Guard’s donation of uniforms, practice and game balls, field flags, practice cones, goal post pads and more, many club teams – notoriously poorly funded by their schools – would not exist. As part of the United States Armed Forces, the Guard adheres to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” – the only federal law that mandates firing a person because of sexual orientation. Yet many of the colleges competing in what is officially called the National Guard Division I and II Women’s Collegiate Playoffs and Championship – including host Stanford – include sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policies.

“My program wrestles with this,” admits the coach of one of the nation’s best teams, who requested anonymity because of the controversial nature of the subject. “The National Guard presence at the tournaments is huge. We have to stand in front of a big sign with their logo on it. The Guard is out there recruiting at these tournaments” – though, she laughs, “not particularly well.” The coach says, “We’re not supposed to associate with organizations that discriminate. But we have to. It’s a devil’s choice. Without the National Guard we wouldn’t have a national championship. They fund the lion’s share of it. They’ve stepped up big time, and no one else has.” The coach’s team does not wear jerseys provided by the National Guard, with the requisite logo. “We’re poor – we have to raise all our own funds – but we’re not so poor that I’ll sell out my kids or our university policy,” she explains. Other major colleges, including Yale, are outfitted by the Guard. “I don’t understand it,” the coach says. “They play in National Guard gear, they wrap their goalposts in the Guard logo – and their school has a nondiscrimination policy!”

Before the tournament, the coach considered adding the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network logo to her team’s uniforms as a silent protest. Yet the SLDN itself downplayed the controversy. “The National Guard didn’t write ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” says Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the organization working to end the statute. “It’s not their law. Congress owns it; the National Guard and other services have been ordered to implement it.” Sarvis believes it is “entirely appropriate” for the Guard to sponsor the women’s rugby college championships. “We don’t secondguess the National Guard, Army or Navy,” he says. “The athletic activities they sponsor are up to them.” Various branches of the armed forces underwrite a variety of events at many levels. In addition to rugby, the National Guard sponsors NASCAR racers, as well as college bass-fishing competitions. Kerri Heffernan, who as coach of the Brown University team leads one of the most successful programs in the country, agrees in large part with Sarvis. “The National Guard is not the problem. Brown has a non-discrimination policy. It’s important for our team to respect that policy, which is a statement about inclusion and fairness – and at times that position costs the university some support. “We’re not forbidden from associating with the National Guard, and we don’t sneer at the Guardsmen. I just don’t believe as a coach – and an agent of my university – that I have the liberty to accept National Guard sponsorship.”

Heffernan continues: “I suppose you could make an argument that Brown should fall on our sword, and not participate in any Guard-sponsored events. But I try to walk the best line I can. I appreciate that the National Guard funds the tournament, but Brown women will not accept any Guard sponsorship for our team.” On the eve of this year’s national tournament, the anonymous coach remains conflicted. Noting a lack of discussion in the women’s rugby world about National Guard sponsorship, she says, “I think our financial positions, and our positions in our universities and on the larger sports stage, are so precarious that we’re falling in line, because we want our athletes to get the recognition they deserve, and our sport to get the respect it deserves. “Rugby now is at the high school and youth level. There’s less drinking and partying. My athletes have serious aspirations about winning a national championship. With that comes tough choices about who to get in bed with, both literally and figuratively.” She pauses. “At the same time, I wish universities would be more thoughtful about the ways in which we align ourselves with our own non-discrimination policies.”

hrc

The real facts of each case are: The California doctor entered a profession that promises to “first, do no harm” and the law requires her to treat a patient in need – Gay or Straight, Christian or Muslim – regardless of her religious beliefs. The law does not, and cannot, dictate her faith – it can only insist that she follow her oath as a medical professional. The New Jersey church group runs, and profits from, a beachside pavilion that it rents out to the general public for all manner of occasions – concerts, debates and even Civil War reenactments – but balks at permitting couples to hold civil union ceremonies there. The law does not challenge the church organization’s beliefs about homosexuality – it merely requires that a pavilion that had been open to all for years comply with laws protecting everyone from discrimination, including Gays and Lesbians. The Massachusetts parent disagrees with an aspect of her son’s public education, a discussion of the many different kinds of families he will likely encounter in life, including Gay and Lesbian couples. The law does not stop her from disagreeing, from teaching him consistently with her differing beliefs at home, or even educating her child in a setting that is more in line with her faith traditions. But it does not allow any one parent to dictate the curriculum for all students based on her family’s religious traditions.

continued from page 3 want to abide by the general non-discriminatory rules everyone else does. Both (A) and (B) are really about state laws against sexual orientation discrimination, rather than specifically about marriage. And (C) is about two pairs of religious parents trying to impose their beliefs on all children in public schools.

Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach, Gay activist, and author of the “Jocks” series of books on Gay male athletes. Visit his website at www.danwoog. com. He can be reached care of this publication or at OutField@qsyndicate.com.

Courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign

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Seattle Gay News 19