Issue 15 Volume 38
Celebrating 37 Years!
FRIDAY April 9, 2010 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands
gay history p. 4 BOLLYQ p. 8 blake lewis / melissa eTHERIDGE p. 25
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Sen. Murray and small Constance McMillen in Miss. business owners launch sent to fake prom by school Main Street Alliance by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
courtesy USA Today
shaun knittel
Main Street Alliance of Washington on April 7 at Cupcake Royale in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. Murray, flanked by local business owners Leanne Clarke, Jody Hall, Molly Moon, and Joe Fugere, said the Main Street Alliance of Washington would work to bring small business values into the public dialogue to advance policies Senator Patty Murray at the launching of the that are good for Main Street Alliance of Washington on April 7 small businesses, by Shaun Knittel their employees, and the communities that sustain them. SGN Staff Writer The coalition says that too often, On the heels of the historic health small businesses are “spoken for care reform victory, U.S. Senator by corporate lobbyists who claim Patty Murray joined a local co- to represent us, but are really pushalition of small business owners see patty murray page 17 to announce the formation of the
Constance McMillen, the Mississippi teen who made news recently for standing up to a high school administration that decided to cancel the prom rather than allow her to wear a tux and invite her girlfriend, alleges that she was sent to a “fake prom.” “They had two proms, and I was only invited to one of them,” McMillen said. “The one that I went to had seven people there, and everyone went to the other one I wasn’t invited to.” Allegedly, McMillen had asked one of the students organizing the prom for details about the event, and was deliberately directed to the country club where the fake prom was held. “It hurts my feelings,” she said. Itawamba, Mississippi is batting zero, folks – and the ugliness of the story doesn’t end there. In a particularly repugnant move of bigotry and ignorance, McMillen says that while their peers were at see prom page 21
Constance McMillen
First Hill/Broadway Streetcar “ENDA 4” get sixproject picks up speed month probation Courtesy Get Equal
courtesy Sound transit
Preliminary design ideas for Seattle streetcars
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer A streetcar is coming to First Hill and Broadway, that much is certain. The exact route, on the other hand, was less certain – until recently. On April 5, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn sent his recommendation to the City Council for the Broadway/Jackson route as the preferred option for the First Hill Streetcar project. McGinn’s recommendation piggybacks with
that of the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). The Capitol Hill Community Council sponsored an organizing effort which drew the support of the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) and the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, to name but a few supporters of the routing proposal. In addition to endorsements, the Capitol Hill committee met with councilmembers and successfully lobbied and communicated with other transportation groups.
If approved by the City Council, construction would begin in 2011. According to the mayor’s office, the First Hill Streetcar project will create new construction jobs in the short term and support economic development over the long term when operations begin in late 2013. “I will have the streetcar alignment legislation before my Transsee streetcar page 17
The “ENDA 4” (from left to right) Chastity Kirven, Jay Carmona, Michelle Wright, and Samantha Ames
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
tion at their April 6 hearing. Lt. Dan Choi, who was arrested the same day after chaining himself The four women arrested March to the White House fence to protest 18 for a non-violent sit-in at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s D.C. ofsee enda 4 page 9 fice agreed to six months of proba-
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Celebrating 37 Years!
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Deadlines Classifieds - Thursday at noon Calendar - Tuesday 6pm Display Ads: Space Reservation - Monday 5pm Ad copy (non-camera ready) - Tues. 5pm Ad copy (camera ready) - Wed. 5pm Letters to the Editor - Tuesday 5pm Obituaries - Call the SGN office All others - Tuesday 5pm
Editor In Chief George Bakan Associate Editor Tom Flint (retired) Editorial Assistant Nick Ardizzone Production William Creswell Calender Editors Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Travel Editor George Bakan Advertising Manager Marty Weisbrod Advertising Department Maggie Bloodstone Executive Assistant Mike Andrew Staff Writers George Bakan, Albert S. Rodriguez, Nick Ardizzone, Shaun Knittel Miryam Gordon, James Whitely, Tim Peter Contributing Writers Rev. Barbara Allen, Mike Andrew, Eric Andrews-Katz, Madelyn Arnold, Maggie Bloodstone, Beau Burriola, Jessica Davis, Ron Anders, Jessica Price, Milton W. Hamlin, Nevin Jefferson, Keen News Service, Jason A. Miller, Liz Meyer, Rod Parke, Don Paulson, Scott Rice, Leslie Robinson, Richard Kennedy, Romeo San Vicente, Rex Wockner
Keith Rhinehart, Seattle’s psychic wonder
Classifieds Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Photographers Nick Ardizzone, Joseph P. Herron, Shaun Knittel, James Whitely
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Publication of names, photographs or likenesses of any person, organization, event or business in this publication cannot be taken as any indication of the sexual orientation of the person, organization, event or business. Opinions expressed in bylined articles, columns, and letters are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or management of this paper. Seattle Gay News welcomes unsolicited material, including letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit or reject material. All rights revert to authors upon publication. We assume no liability for loss or damage of materials, solicited or not. We invite feedback, please write. And please play safe. It is our policy that no money shall be refunded if you choose to cancel your subscription or ad. However, credit towards any size ad will be given for the balance owed. No exceptions.
In Loving Memory Of Steve Foiles, Scott Roger Alpert, Cookie Andrews-Hunt, James Leland Moore, Randy Peters, Lee Richeson, Shaun Shelton, Jim Tully, James Arnold
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Seattle Gay News
Such occult events fueled a long-standing police issue. Lois, Keith’s secretary, said: “Some of the controversy and hearsay about Keith was that he took money from older people, but they did this on their own. They couldn’t even decide on the color of their toilet paper without going to séances every week. He would try to discourage these people, ‘Make up your own mind, and don’t let others make your decisions. You have to grow on your own, don’t be lazy.’” The vice squad was looking for a reason to bust him for fraud but was unable to, so they zeroed in on his homosexuality. At this time he had a short-lived television program where Keith championed the Gay cause and publically called for tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality. Bill Plant said, “It was rumored that Keith had the goods on civil employees, the chief of police, and the mayor. These came through his psychic channels. The police couldn’t kill him so they found a way through a 17-year-old hustler and booked Keith on bogus sodomy charges.” Keith once said, “Big Brother is smart. He doesn’t pick us all off at once, only one at a time and on different matters. He will eventually find his way into your deepest soul.’’ Keith spent three years in Walla Walla prison, spending the first 37 days in solitary confinement. Prison took a heavy toll on Keith, but that didn’t stop him from championing prisoners’ rights and the abolishment of the sodomy law. Dee Dorneck remembered, “Keith and I got busted in Denver. We did a séance for a woman who wanted to talk to her deceased grandmother. I was in drag and Keith brought back her grandmother through me
Keith Rhinehart
by Don Paulson SGN Contributing Writer The most controversial and discriminatedagainst Gay man in Washington state history was Keith Milton Rhinehart (born April 1, 1936, died April 30, 1999), founder of the largest psychic and occult center in the USA, the Aquarian Foundation, Church of the New Age. When Keith was 10 years old, a psychic predicted he would be a renowned medium someday. He was the only medium in the world to have passed the scientific test conditions imposed by the fraud-proof infrared equipment of the Japanese Scientific Psychic Research Society. Keith was a spiritualist, medium, and political activist who performed séances and apports. An apport is an object that appears after having ostensibly been de-materialized from somewhere else and then materialized in the séance room. Such items as semi-precious stones appear to come out of Keith’s eyes, mouth, and skin.
April 9, 2010
the spirit guide. This woman turned out to be an undercover cop. Her grandmother was sitting in the car, so she busted us. I ran upstairs and jumped out the window, right in the arms of a detective. In the newspaper they described my attempt to escape: ‘He was perfumed and powdered, and flew from the window with white robes flying in his wake.’” Bill Plant said, “Keith would go into a trance … and his voice would change into the people speaking through him – male, female and child. It was true because you can’t change your voice that much. I don’t believe Dee’s story about their Denver bust.” Dee Dornick said, “Keith was not all legit, but he spread his money around to a lot of different charities. He was a hell of a showman. Seventy-five percent of it was phony, but some of it was good. He never justified any of it unless he had to. Some people are convinced he apported semi-precious gems, but I don’t believe it.” Ben Shepherd said, “His apports were really good. They would come in through a trumpet, orchids with dew on them, a vase, a spear, and one lady got a diamond. I don’t know if Keith fabricated, what I saw could not have been. There was no way that a trumpet could fly around the room. There were no wires. How could it go from wall to wall, row to row, all the way to the back over people’s heads?” Bill Plant said, “His disposition at times was very undesirable; he could step on people’s feet. … We all spoiled him rotten. He lived two lives, Gay and straight. He kept his Gay life low-key, though most great mediums are Gay because they are both feminine and masculine. He accepted being Gay. He said in his last incarnation he was a woman and came back too soon … and that’s the reason he’s Gay.” Keith loved his two pug dogs and Tammy, a female lion he had raised from a kitten. Tammy was not dangerous and would sit on the podium during a service at the Aquarian Foundation, but the neighbors near Keith’s large home were extremely against exotic pets and the wild parties of Keith’s. They were not amused to see Keith in his rhinestone jacket and Tammy in the back seat of Keith’s Cadillac convertible parading around the city, causing great excitement. The police stopped it. At a party, Keith brought Tammy up from the basement to show his shocked guests. The Gay boys fled, but the butch Lesbians rushed in to wrestle the beast. My last image as I left was Tammy with her paws resting on a butch’s shoulders. The neighbors finally had their way and Tammy found a nice country home, but she and another female lion got loose during a storm and were shot and killed.
Celebrating 37 Years!
THANK YOU, MICHAEL RAITT Good afternoon Michael, I just finished reading your article in the Seattle Gay News, “Choose to live: GLBTQ youth and suicide.” I am truly impressed with what you had to say and hope that you continue to reach out to young Gay people. I am 62 years old and I distinctly remember my many struggles with being homosexual during my teen and young adult years. I can testify that I am very happy and have been very blessed to have lived my life by being who I am versus who I am not. Had I gone in the direction of living my life (get married, have babies) that was being mandated by my family and society, I’m sure the contemplations of suicide I had back then would have been successful. Had those contemplations come to fruition, I would not have known the joy of fulfillment and contentment I am experiencing today. The price of being who I am came with a lot of difficult choices and high consequences, but I am glad I made and paid them. Throughout my life, I’ve wanted to work with teens and young people who are curious about their sexuality or know they are Gay, but life did not seem to direct me along that path. I envy your station in life and hope you continue to work with young people and help them overcome the hurdles that life will throw in their way. I’m sure
Seattle City Attorney intervenes in R71 lawsuit
you will reap many a reward for your efforts by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer and hard work. Please continue. Zane T. Van Kirk THINGS HAVE CHANGED Congratulations to Ricky Martin, plus numerous entertainers and sports personalities for addressing their sexuality openly. What a change! For years many Gay people lived in total fear of being recognized publically except with their close friends. Living in the closet was not an exception for many of us who feared being discovered by parents, extended family members, business associates, and infrequent dates with women. Today is totally different, with Gay people no longer hiding their sexuality, but demanding equal political representation politically and statewide. So I am Gay! I do not have to hide anymore. Hopefully the young Gays will stand up for their rights with their elder compatriots, making the world a better place for all of us whether we are Gay, straight, or otherwise. We have a long way to go, but together our pride in ourselves will help us move forward without retreating to our closets. Buzz Flowers Callaway
Bryan James Flaherty 1958-2010 Bryan, a longtime resident of Seattle and outgoing member of Seattle’s Gay community, passed away peacefully and surrounded by love on March 31, 2010, at his home in Palm Springs following a two-year battle with cancer. Bryan was born November 25, 1958, in Olympia Washington to Leon and Pat. He moved to Seattle at a young age where he began his 31-year career with Qwest. Bryan and his partner of 15 years, Ron Hager, had recently retired to begin a new adventure with a new home in Palm Springs, just months before learning his diagnosis of stagefour colorectal cancer. A caring and giving man, known for his zeal for life and a gregarious wit, Bryan looked forward to his fabled holiday parties and lavishing guests with culinary delights at his and Ron’s homes on Capitol and Beacon Hills. Bryan leaves his partner Ron, brothers Brad and Scott, and their families. Countless friends whose love for Bryan was reciprocal are also left to fondly remember and miss him. A memorial service and inurnment will be held 1 p.m. April 22 at Forest Lawn cemetery in Cathedral City, and a reception follows at Wiefels, 660 S. Vella Road, Palm Springs. Remembrances in Bryan’s name are suggested to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance to support colorectal cancer research or services, P.O. Box 19023, Seattle, Washington, 98109-1023.
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Kennedy stayed their decision, and the full Supreme Court announced on January 15 that it would hear the case. Amicus briefs allow parties who are interSeattle City Attorney Pete Holmes has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme ested in a case but are not directly involved to state an opinion about the legal Court arguing that the names and “The questions at issue. addresses of voters who “I support full marriage signed Referendum 71 Public Records Act but, from Seshould be public inforapplies to ballot measure equality, attle’s perspective, mation. Holmes filed his petitions regardless of the politi- this Supreme Court is primarily brief on April 5. cal leanings or convictions of a case about governmental He joins the Washington Secretary of particular measure’s supporters transparency,” Holmes wrote in a stateState and Washington or of the individuals who ment issued April 5. Families Standing Tosigns its petitions.” “The Public Records Act gether – the campaign that applies to ballot measure petiworked to approve R71 – in tions regardless of the political leanings asking the court to release the names. About 138,000 names and home address- or convictions of a particular measure’s supes are at issue. Arguments on the case will porters or of the individuals who signs its petitions.” begin April 28. In his brief, Holmes argues that since the Referendum 71 asked Washington state voters if they wished to approve the expand- City of Seattle makes use of the initiative ed domestic partnership rights passed by the and referendum process, “a decision by this legislature last year, which they ultimately Court in favor of [Protect Marriage Washington] would also significantly impact the did. A group called WhoSigned.org filed a ability of the City of Seattle and Washingrequest for copies of the petitions, so they ton’s other local governments to keep both could post signers’ personal information on their representative and direct democracy legislative processes transparent.” their website. Holmes goes on to say that the state Public Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna and Secretary of State Sam Reed ar- Records Act sets reasonable standards regugued that the state’s Public Records Act re- lating the initiative and referendum process, and exempting petition signatures from the quired them to turn over the information. The coalition of right-wingers and Chris- Act’s disclosure requirements would limit tian fundamentalists who sponsored the the public’s right to monitor the process. Holmes also claims that allowing petition challenge to domestic partnership rights signers to remain anonymous might invite went to court to prevent them. In October last year, the 9th Circuit Court future litigation in which people claim rights of Appeals ruled in favor of publishing the to anonymity for other kinds of signed comnames, but Supreme Court Justice Anthony munication.
April 9, 2010
Seattle Gay News
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Houston mayor issues nondiscrimination policies
file photo
Houston Mayor Annise Parker
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
anti-discrimination policies. For the first time, Transgender city employees are explicitly protected, and various forms of hate speech – including electronic media – are banned in city workplaces. Parker’s executive order replaces one signed by her predecessor, Bill White, the Democratic nominee for Texas governor. White’s order covered sexual orientation and was similar to protections for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual employees in Dallas. Parker has added protections for gender identity and ex-
pression. Her order was signed March 25 and was effective immediately. Executive orders by city mayors are imOpenly Lesbian Houston Mayor Annise Parker has announced sweeping new city portant because Texas has no statewide
anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBT residents. “I felt it important that our written policy reflect what has long been the practice of the city, which is we do not discriminate,” Parker told the Dallas Voice newspaper. “The purpose of this Executive Order is to prohibit discrimination and/or retaliation on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity at every level of municipal government, including hiring, contracting and/or access to City facilities and programs/activities,” the order states. The order says that it is a violation “to fail or refuse to hire, recruit, appoint, promote, or train any individual” based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It is also a violation “to discipline, demote, transfer, lay off, fail to recall, or terminate” or to “limit, segregate, or classify employees or applicants.” Both gender identity and gender expression are addressed in the new policy. “Gender identity,” the order explains, “may not correspond to the individual’s body or gender assigned at birth.” Protected gender expression now includes “appearance, dress, mannerisms, speech patterns, and other social interactions.” The affirmative action division of the mayor’s office has been directed to develop and implement diversity training for all city departments. A second executive order issued the same day provides further protection to the LGBT community.
That order prohibits racial, ethnic, gender, sexual, and other slurs. The second order prohibits not only degrading verbal comments but includes posters, cartoons, drawings, and specifically mentions electronic media, like screen savers. Menacing behavior, critical or mocking comments, and perpetuating stereotypes are all listed inappropriate workplace behavior. Employees violating the policy are subject to disciplinary action up to indefinite suspension. Supervisors or managers who do not act on allegations or evidence are also subject to disciplinary action. A third executive order signed in February also goes into effect this month. That one relates to sexual harassment in the workplace. The coverage for Houston city employees is now more comprehensive than protections for Dallas city employees. Houston still lacks domestic partner benefits, which Dallas has offered since 2004. At her election party, Parker said that domestic partner benefits need to be addressed “at some point.” By law, those benefits cannot be offered without sending the issue to Houston voters. Several years ago, the Houston City Council passed domestic partner benefits, but conservatives succeeded in putting a referendum on the ballot. Not only were the benefits repealed, but the referendum also mandated that any future change would need to be approved in another election.
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS
German foreign minister signs on as Gay Games sponsor Germany’s openly Gay foreign minister and vice chancellor, Guido Westerwelle, has signed on as a sponsor of Gay Games VIII, which will be held in Cologne from July 31 to August 7. He will preside over the opening ceremonies in RheinEnergie Stadium. “Dr. Guido Westerwelle sends an important signal for more tolerance and acceptance of Gays and Lesbians in our society,” said Games Cologne Executive Officer Annete Wachter. Some 12,000 participants and tens of thousands of spectators are expected at the games. Meanwhile, the Outgames, a competing LGBT Olympics-type event, announced March 31 that the Antwerp City Council has unanimously “agreed to an extensive support package.” The 3rd World Outgames are scheduled 6
Seattle Gay News
for 2013 in the Belgian city. The Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association, which oversees the Outgames, said the council “approved extensive support in the areas of logistics, infrastructure, but also marketing and communication, culture, sport, diversity and tourism.” Regional versions of the Outgames will be held in 2011 in Vancouver, Canada, and Wellington, New Zealand. Guernsey to lower Gay age of consent Legislators in Guernsey, a British crown dependency in the English Channel, voted unanimously in March to lower the legal age for Gay sex to 16, the same as for straight sex. On March 25, the government announced it would implement the change. Home Minister Geoffrey Mahy said an unequal age of consent amounted to discrimination based on sexuality. Moscow activist Nikolai Baev was arrested and fined in Ryazan, Russia, last year after he “These are not choices that people make, violated local laws that ban exposing minors to homosexual propaganda. but are part of who they are,” Mahy said. The sign says, “I am proud of my homosexuality, ask me about it.” Deputies in the legislature, which is called the States of Deliberation, also voted to de- gregation excoriated Gay sex as “intrinsi- It also said Russia’s constitution specially criminalize sex acts that take place between cally disordered,” “objectively disordered,” protects “the family, motherhood and childmore than two males. “a serious depravity,” “against the natural hood.” Further, the court wrote, “The ban of such moral law” and “sins gravely contrary to British Gays say propaganda – as a purposeful and unconchastity.” pope must resign In 2003, Ratzinger wrote: “Legal recogni- trolled activity connected to dissemination About 50 protesters, including members tion of homosexual unions or placing them of information which can harm health, morof the Gay group OutRage!, demonstrated on the same level as marriage would mean als and spiritual development, including outside London’s Westminster Cathedral not only the approval of deviant behavior, formation of distorted perceptions about the on March 28 demanding that Pope Benedict with the consequence of making it a model social equivalence of traditional and nontraXVI resign for “covering up child sex abuse in present-day society, but would also ob- ditional marriage relations among persons by Catholic clergy.” scure basic values which belong to the com- who are deprived due to their age of the Mainstream media have reported in recent mon inheritance of humanity.” ability to critically evaluate such informaweeks that before he was pope, Benedict tion – cannot be considered as breaching the may have dealt with pedophile-priest cases constitutional rights of citizens.” Russian court OKs ban inappropriately. Alekseev said activists also appealed on Gay “propaganda” “In 2001, the pope wrote to all Catholic Russia’s Constitutional Court dismissed against the ban to the European Court of bishops worldwide, ordering them to main- a complaint from Gay activists March 31 Human Rights last year. tain ‘papal secrecy’ about sex abuse by which argued against the Ryazan region’s “The Ryazan ban contradicts Article 10 clergy,” said OutRage!’s Peter Tatchell. “He ban on “exposing minors to homosexual of the European Convention, which guaranthreatened to excommunicate anyone who propaganda.” tees the right to freedom of expression,” he spoke about it. This makes the pope personGay activists Nikolai Alekseev, Niko- said. “We are sure to win this case in Strasally responsible for the cover-up.” lai Baev and Irina Fet had claimed the ban bourg.” In 2001, Benedict, then known as Cardi- violates a constitutional guarantee that only In March 2009, Baev and Fet deliberately nal Joseph Ratzinger, was prefect of the Vat- federal laws can limit constitutional rights, violated the law by carrying pro-Gay signs ican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the as well as guarantees of freedom of thought near a school and library in downtown RyaFaith, the successor body to the Inquisition, and speech, and freedom from discrimina- zan, which is 200 km (120 miles) southeast which is charged with rooting out doctrinal tion. of Moscow. errors and heresy and meting out discipline, They were fined 1,500 rubles ($51) each. The court, however, ruled that regional among other things. legislators are permitted to create adminUnder Ratzinger’s leadership, the con- istrative offenses that limit citizens’ rights. With assistance from Bill Kelley GayRussia.ru
Zimbabwean leaders denounce Gays Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai lashed out at Gay people on March 25 during a belated International Women’s Day event. Mugabe said: “Three days ago, I heard that some people want us to discuss the issue of Gays in the new constitution. How do we even begin to talk about it? Those who engage in homosexual behavior are just crazy. It’s just madness. Insanity. We can’t do it or the dead will turn in their graves. ... If you are doing that [Gay sex], you are destroying nationhood. [It’s] an alien practice that is being exported into our country.” “In Britain and the United States, I saw an archbishop blessing a Gay wedding,” the president added. “I want to see how they will procreate. If they manage, then I will admit that I don’t know.” Tsvangirai said: “The president has spoken on the issue of Gay rights, men who breathe to other men’s ears. Never. I don’t accept that culture. Why do you look for other men when women make up 52 percent of the population? Men are few.” A spokesman for the group Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe called the developments “very worrying.” Zimbabwe will begin drafting a new constitution on April 10.
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer
April 9, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
On Tuesday, April 13, from 5:30-7pm, at FareStart Restaurant, 700 Virginia St., join former SGN staff writer Robert Raketty, along with other HomeStep staff members and concerned community members for a compiled by Rick McKinnon wine and appetizer reception in support of SGN Staff Writer HomeStep’s Children & Youth Program. Free admission; donations welcome. RSVP SEATTLE CELEBRATES REGISTRATION UNDERWAY preferred by not required. To RSVP, visit BERNSTEIN FESTIVAL FOR SEATTLE PRIDE PARADE www.home-step.org. HomeStep provides WITH SEATTLE OPERA Registration is underway for the 2010 up to two years of transitional housing and On Saturday, April 10, at 2 p.m., Seattle intensive supportive services to over 400 Seattle Pride Parade and March. The theme this year is “Over the Rainbow – Be Seen, Opera presents a FREE panel discussion, homeless families and individuals each year. Be Heard, Be There.” The event will be held “Collaborating with Bernstein” featuring on Sunday, June 27, starting at 11 a.m. on Daron Aric Hagen, Peter Kazaras and SteGAY CITY HOSTS 4th Ave. between Union St. and Denny Way. phen Wadsworth. The event, moderated OUT TO QUIT For complete details, visit www.seattle- by Seattle Opera General Director Speight SMOKING CESSATION Jenkins with performances by soprano Jenpride.org. WORKSHOP nifer Zetland and mezzo-soprano Cecelia On Tuesday, April 13, at 7 p.m., Gay City Hall, will be held at Seattle Town Hall, 1119 Health Project launches their next Out to 40TH ANNIVERSARY 8th Ave. at Seneca St. Although the event is Quit smoking cessation workshop series. If MR., MISS & MS. GAY free, ticket reservations are required and you would like to quit smoking, join them WASHINGTON PAGEANT Mr. Gay Washington ’09-’10, Matt Sur- can be made by calling the Seattle Opera for an orientation meeting at 511 E. Pike St. real Cache, and Miss Gay Washington ’09- ticket office at 206-389-7676 or 800-426- to learn more about the FREE program. The ’10, The Surreal Roxanne Von Cummings, 1619. For more information on this event, OTQ series will begin the following week! invite you to the 40th Anniversary of the visit www.seattleopera.org/calendar. Seattle For more information, contact Lark@gayMs., Miss, and Ms. Gay Washington Pag- Celebrates Bernstein is a city-wide arts fes- city.org or call 206-388-1710. eant at the LaQuinta Inn, 1425 E. 27th St., tival honoring the great composer and conductor. The festival, which runs from March Tacoma. www.laquinta.com. SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN The Last Show and Awards will be held to June, is a combined effort by local arts BOOK CLUB AT DUNSHEE HOUSE on Friday, April 9, door at 7 p.m., show at 8 organizations – orchestras, choruses, and The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club theater companies – to present Bernstein’s meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Dunp.m. Cost: $20. The Gay Washington Pageant will be held works. www.seattlecelebratesbernstein.org. shee House, 303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas on Saturday, April 10, door at 5 p.m., show St. The club is pleased to announce the fol“WE’VE GOT FRIENDS at 6 p.m. Cost: $40, includes elaborate buflowing title to be discussed in their ongo‘ROUND HERE” – fet. ing reading and discussion series: April – CAMP TEN TREES’ The Victory Brunch will be held on SunThe Last of the Wine by Mary Renault. All DINNER & AUCTION day, April 11, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost: $26. GLBTQ folks in the community are welFUNDRAISER come to participate in this free book club. Come celebrate the first ten years of Camp The reading list is chosen and the discussion AN EVENING WITH Ten Trees on Saturday, April 10, at the 10th facilitated by Nick DiMartino, published DINA MARTINA The incomparable Dina Martina presents Annual Camp Ten Trees Dinner and Auc- novelist and playwright, currently a book a new evening (or matinee, if you prefer) tion. The event will be held at the Westin reviewer for ShelfAwareness.com, and a of hilarious songs, stories, videos and au- Cascade Ballroom, 1900 Fifth Ave., start- 30-year employee of University Book Store. dience gifts that will knock your socks off. ing at 6 p.m. Enjoy dinner, fabulous auction For more information, email nickdimartin@ Because Dina Martina’s performances have and entertainment. Tickets: $90-individual; earthlink.net or contact Dunshee House at been described as “totally fresh” and “un- $125-VIP. Check website at www.campt- 206-322-2437. like anything you’ve ever seen,” it’s next entrees.org for availability of last minute to impossible to effectively describe what tickets. Camp Ten Trees is a summer camp CAPITOL HILL PRIDE a Dina Martina show is like. It is, however, for LGBT kids and children of LGBT parCOMMITTEE RECEIVES easy to list some things the show IS: hysteri- ents. CITY GRANT, ISSUES cally funny, surprisingly smart, hilariously OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS stupid, occasionally obscure, surreal, sweet, The Capitol Hill Pride Committee is PRESENTS full of pathos. The show runs March 5-April proud to announce it has received a Small OLÉ!, OLÉ!, OLÉ! 18 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and and Simple Matching Fund Project Grant On Saturday, April 10 at 8 p.m., and Sun- from the City of Seattle Mayor’s office. We Sundays at 2 p.m. Doors open one hour prior to show time. Tickets are $20 in advance day, April 11 at 2 p.m., The Seattle Men’s are delighted as this will afford better deand $25 at the door. 1-800-838-3006 or Chorus presents their spring concert, Olé!, velopment and outreach for the community www.brownpapertickets.com/event/93619. Olé!, Olé!, at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St. festival this year. Don’t miss this HOT retrospective of the NOTE: No one under 21 years old will be The committee is also announcing an sounds and flavors of Latin America and Open Call to all artists and entertainers. admitted. Spain. The Seattle Men’s Chorus will ser- Please submit your information to capitolenade you with zarzuela of Spanish opera, hillfestival@gmail.com with “ARTIST” THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES tangos of Argentina and salsas of Brazil and in the subject line for committee review. AT STONE SOUP THEATRE Stone Soup Theatre presents an accom- Cuba. Dance the night away with the great- Deadline: April 15, 2010. plished production of the 10th anniversary est hits of famous contemporary Latino voedition of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Mono- cal artists: Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida GSBA WOMEN AT THE TOP logues featuring 5 new monologues. Perfor- Loca,” Jennifer Lopez’s “Let’s Get Loud,” On Thursday, April 15, from 5:30-7:30 mances run Thursday-Saturday at 8pm and Selena’s “Como la Flor,” Julio Ingelsias’ p.m., please join the women of GSBA for a Sunday at 2pm through April 25. General “Un Hombre Solo,” and Gloria Estefan’s women’s early evening social and networkadmission is $16-$20 and $13 for those un- “Conga.” Tickets are $30-$35, $15 youth ing event at the Columbia Tower Club, 701 der 30. Advance tickets can be purchased at (17 and under). 206-388-1400; www.flying- 5th Ave. Cost: $10-members and students; www.brownpapertickets.com/event/99179 house.org. $15-non-members. NOTE: Business attire The SMC also presents Olé!, Olé!, Olé! required. 206-363-9188; www.thegsba.org. or by calling 800-838-3006 or 206-6331883. No one under 10 will be admitted. Saturday, April 17 at 7 p.m., at the Admiral Stone Soup Theatre is located at 4035 Stone Theatre in Bremerton and Saturday, May 1, UW OUTLAWS AND QLAW at 2 p.m. at the Washington Center for the Way N. www.stonesouptheatre.org. PRESENT MATT NOSANCHUCK Performing Arts in Olympia. OF DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IMMIGRATION REFORM RALLY On Thursday, April 15, from 5:30-7:30 PRIDE IDOL CONTEST On Saturday, April 10, at noon, the Washp.m., the University of Washington School KICKS OFF AT R-PLACE ington Immigration Reform Coalition, an alof Law’s LGBT OUTLaws and QLaw, Seattle Out and Proud (SOaP), producers Washington state’s LGBT bar association, liance of over 50 organizations, faith groups, community groups and labor unions, is of the annual Seattle Pride Parade, in asso- invite you to meet Matt Nosanchuk, recenthosting “Immigration Reform Rally: We ciation with Esurance, presents Pride Idol ly appointed as Senior Counselor to the AsCan’t Afford to Wait!” at Occidental Park, 2010, Seattle’s talent search contest to find sistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights just east of 1st Ave. S. between S. Washing- the best vocalists in the area. The contest Division of the Department of Justice and ton St. and S. Main St., in Seattle’s Pioneer will be held at R-Place, 619 E. Pine St., door designated liaison to the LGBT community. Square. Communities across the country at 7 p.m., contest at 8 p.m. The Pride Idol He will be discussing the efforts underway will be participating in this national day of preliminary auditions will be held Sundays, in the Obama administration to advance action to ensure our representatives know April 11 and April 25. The Pride Idol contest LGBT equality. The event will be held at we want comprehensive immigration re- will run from Sundays, May 2 through June Dorsey & Whitney, 701 5th Ave., Ste. 6100. 20. Winners of the talent search contest will Light appetizers, wine, and beverages will form. be awarded cash and additional prizes and be served. For more information, email Colget to ride on the official Seattle Pride Idol ton Carothers at ccolton@u.washington.edu SEATTLE QUAKE RUGBY float in the Seattle Pride Parade on Sunday, to RSVP – RSVP not necessary, but encourHOME GAME The Seattle Quake Rugby hosts their final June 27. For more information, visit www. aged. home game this season on Saturday, April seattlepride.org, call the Pride office at 206Q-Law will host their 5th annual QLaw 10 (vs. Corvallis). All games are played at 322-9561 or email info@seattlepride.org. Banquet on Thursday, April 29 at the Hyatt Magnuson Park, Field #5, 7400 Sand Point @ Olive 8 in downtown Seattle. RegistraANNUAL SPRING RECEPTION Way NE. Kickoff at 1 p.m. www.quakerugtion deadline is Friday, April 23. www.qFOR HOMESTEP’S by.org. law.org. CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAM
NORTHWEST
NEWS
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April 9, 2010
“BLACK WOMEN CONQUER THE WEST” PANEL DISCUSSION On Thursday, April 15, at 7 p.m., the Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas presents a panel discussion on the history of Black women pioneers in the Old West. The event will be held at the Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S. Massachusetts. Cost: $7 general admission, $5 students and seniors. www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/72065 or 1-800-838-3006. NORTHWEST BEARS HOST SPRING THAW APRIL 15-18 www.springthaw.org. LANGSTON HUGHES AFRICAN-AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL APRIL 17-25 2 LGBT interest films on April 18. Call or check website for film schedule and new venues. 206-326-1088, www.langstonblackfilmfest.org. MUSIC OF REMEMBRANCE SPARKS OF GLORY: RODAS RECORDADA On Saturday, April 17, at 2 p.m., at the Seattle Art Museum, Plestcheeff Auditorium, 1300 First Ave., MOR’s popular outreach series concludes this season with Canadian composer Sid Robinovitch’s Rodas Recordada. This work relates a story that the Spanish poet Guillermo Diaz-Plaja told about his encounters with the Sephardic community of Rhodes before and after its destruction by the Nazis. The moving ballad has revealed an unexpected arc of history reaching from Greece to Seattle. Lior Navok’s Found in a Train Station is based on a note that a mother pinned to her child before she boarded a train to a concentration camp. You’ll also hear the haunting sounds of Simon Sargon’s Before the Ark for violin and piano, and the ethereal, poignant beauty of Osvaldo Golijob’s Tenebrae. This concert if FREE to the public. www.musicofremembrance.org. Q-SQUARED BOOK GROUP On Saturday, April 17, at 2 p.m., at the Capitol Hill Branch Library, 425 Harvard Ave. E., the Q-Squared Book Group will discuss the novel The Death of Friends by Michael Nava. Possibly the best of the Henry Rios mystery novels by Lambda awardwinning author Michael Nave, People magazine called it “a brave, ambitious and highly impressive work.” Q-Squared Book Group is open to men who are interested in Gay literature and always welcomes new members. For more information, visit www. qsquared.org. THREE DOLLAR BILL CINEMA PRESENTS “INNOCENCE LOST” SPRING FILM SERIES Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s film series continues at the Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., at 7 p.m., with the following two films: Mädchen in Uniform (1958) will be presented on Saturday, April 17. An orphaned teenager (the legendary Romy Schneider) is sent to an oppressive boarding school and soon falls madly in love with her sympathetic teacher (Lilli Palmer) whose tender loving care is misunderstood with tragic results. The story of their passionate and scandalous affair unfolds in artful, glorious color and remains one of the most unusual and bold films to emerge from post-war Germany. This is the first U.S. screening of the newly restored Mädchen in Uniform in 20 years. The film is not available on DVD. Lastly, movie-goers will learn how to Score (1974) on Thursday, April 22. A swinging married couple with an appetite for same-sex fresh meat set their sights on a pair of naïve newlyweds, showing them the kinky ropes in an erotic contest of seduction. Prepare for plenty of flesh and hilarious dialogue. Directed with wild abandon from sexploitation auteur Radley Metzger. This is the unrated version of Score. Tickets are $9 for Three Dollar Bill Cinema members and $9.99 for general audience. www.threedollarbillcinema.org.
Seattle Gay News
7
james whitely
Purr’s ‘70s party benefits Lambert House
by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer
Right on!
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
BollyQ April 3 Café Metropolitain Trikone Northwest (TrikoneNW), a supportive LGBTQ organization for South Asians in the Pacific Northwest, held BollyQ, a community outreach event, at Café Metropolitain on April 3. SGN was on hand for the fun and festive event, which, according to TrikoneNW officials, was “aimed to promote general awareness about Queer South Asians.” “The purpose of putting on BollyQ was twofold: visibility and fundraising,” Paul
8
Seattle Gay News
courtesy Cafe Metropolitain
Trikone Northwest’s BollyQ event a South Asian celebration
On Friday April 2, the normally classy Purr came alive with grit, muscle, masculinity, and – of all things – disco wigs. As a fundraiser for Lambert House, Purr and the local rugby team Quake put on a night of ‘70s-style dancing, hair, and attitude, featuring special cocktails like the “Psychedelic Punch,” the “Groovy Baby,” and the “Love, American Style.” “[Purr owner] Barbie and I met to discuss a way to give back to youth,” said True Halliwell, a rugby player with Quake, bartender at Purr, and former Mr. Gay Seattle XXXIII. “We came up with the idea to host a ‘70s disco party. I knew how much fun this would be and I suggested the Quake sell Jell-O shots to contribute to the donation. She was very excited and we made it happen.” All of the greatest hits from the ‘70s were present, from the Village People’s “Macho Man” (1978) to Rose Royce’s “Car Wash” (1976) to “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (1976) by Elton John and Kiki Dee to “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees (1978). “The night was amazing; some of the outfits were incredible. The music was seriously a blast from the past,” Halliwell told SGN. Twenty percent of all the special cocktail sales were donated to Lambert House. The members of Quake sold Jell-O shots in fashionable ‘70s attire. All the profits from JellO shots went to Lambert House. “Barbie plays a huge role in the Gay sports community by sponsoring numerous teams,” Halliwell told SGN. “She has a huge heart and is always looking for ways to give back.”
According to the mission, Quake RFC is especially focused on providing opportunities for learning and playing competitive rugby for communities traditionally underrepresented in the sport, including Gay men and men of color. Quake RFC members have held and participated in fundraisers and functions as a team for the Imperial Court of Seattle, the Knights of Mantra (formerly the Knights of Malta) and Three Dollar Bill Cinema. “The Quake is in my heart. Rugby is in my blood,” Halliwell told SGN. “These guys are my family and I would not want to have it any other way. We are much more than a sports team; we are brothers. I have never been a part of an organization that is so accepting of all people. It feels great to be a part of something this big. When we are off-season, we still hang out with each other off the pitch. We celebrate birthdays and holidays together. We have a large number of dedicated fans who travel with us to all our matches. Aside from the intense passion to play rugby, I feel the Quake gives people the opportunity to feel accepted.” For more information on Quake RFC or to join the club, visit their website at www. quakerugby.org. Lambert House is a center for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning youth that encourages empowerment through the development of leadership, social and life skills. In 2009, the Lambert house served 547 youth who received about 17,000 hours of direct service through more than 20 different programs. For more information on the Lambert House, or to make a donation visit www.lamberthouse.org.
“Bish” Biswajit told SGN. “We feel that it is very important to have the voices of Queer South Asians heard in the Seattle LGBTQ community – and events like BollyQ are a step in that direction.” According to Bish, TrikoneNW is a unique, safe space. “The organization is an intersection of race, ethnicities, gender, and sexuality,” he said. “Mainstream LGBTQ spaces are often predominantly white, and mainstream South Asian spaces are predominantly heterosexual. BollyQ provides BollyQ at Café Metropolitain a space for visibility and celebration of intersecting identities which are historically formed into Bollywood. Guests had the op- join in the dancing during the ‘Bollywood marginalized.” portunity to meet with TrikoneNW mem- 101’ dance instruction by DJ Anjali,” added On April 3, Café Metropolitain was trans- bers, don traditional South Asian attire, and Bish. learn customary dances while listening to TrikoneNW officials say that BollyQ the tunes of DJ Anjali. “Café Metropolitain is also essential to underscore the South were gracious hosts. We were given free Asian Queer presence in Seattle. “It helps reign to decorate and convert the space into people in the mainstream community cona realm straight out of Bollywood,” Bish nect with the South Asian community in a told SGN. “Over 200 people showed up to fun interaction,” said Bish. “In addition, it dance their behinds off.” helps to educate South Asians, both Gay and Bish says that events like BollyQ are cen- straight, that there are several South Asian tral in the effort to encourage the acknowl- Queers in Seattle and there is an organizaedgments and acceptance of diversity in the tion that caters to their needs. In the words Seattle LGBT community. “BollyQ was a of our community members at the national success because of the diversity of the peo- level, ‘We’re here, we’re Queer, and we eat ple who attended. The spectrum included paneer!’” race, orientation, sex, gender, and age,” he TrikoneNW organizes social events such said. “The Seattle Gay community seems as monthly potluck dinners and movie to have several subdivisions with limited nights, provides visibility for South Asian crossover. We have the Gay bars and the Queers at Pride via the TriknoneNW float, Lesbian bars, the bear bars and the twink facilitates dialogue on South Asian Queer bars, and then, of course, the various cul- issues, and partners with South Asian soturally specific straight bars. BollyQ was a cial justice organizations. According to chance for everyone to come together and TrikoneNW officials, the term “South get a taste of another culture while having Asian” refers to people who trace their roots a blast!” to Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Bur“It was exhilarating to watch people of ma, Fiji, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, various ages and genders, Queers and allies, Sri Lanka, and Tibet. www.trikonenw.org.
April 9, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
Oklahoma officially OK again
Hate crimes nullification killed in committee by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A bill intended to nullify federal protections for the LGBT community has been killed in the Oklahoma House Judiciary Committee. The nullification bill – SB 1965 – passed the Oklahoma Senate on March 10 by a vote of 39-6. It was intended to thwart enforcement of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act, which added protections for sexual orientation and gender identity to federal hate crimes laws. The Oklahoma measure would have required state officials to destroy evidence in completed hate crimes investigations or to deliver it to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The bill’s author, Republican Sen. Steve Russell, said the measure was intended to prevent federal officials from taking over hate crimes cases and prosecuting them under federal rules. Unlike federal law, Oklahoma state law does not have specific hate crimes protections for LGBT residents. Once the bill passed the state Senate, it was sent to the House, where Democratic Rep. Mike Shelton of Oklahoma City offered to be its prime sponsor. Shelton then asked the House Judiciary Committee not to hold hearings on “his” bill. Since the committee failed to schedule a hearing by the April 5 deadline, it will not be brought up for a vote. In the version originally passed by the Oklahoma Senate on March 10, the legislation contained a serious flaw. Russell had
cited the wrong section of federal law, and inadvertently nullified federal protections for race and religion rather than sexual orientation and gender identity. He subsequently rewrote the bill. In addition to citing the correct section of the federal law code, the new draft also allowed federal officials to acquire evidence by petitioning an Oklahoma state court. Nevertheless, Shelton said the bill would prohibit Oklahoma law enforcement agencies from cooperating with any federal agency in the investigation of a federal hate crime, and might expose Oklahoma officials to federal obstruction of justice charges. Russell claimed he had been misunderstood, and promised to reintroduce the bill. “In my view, this is not the end of it,” Russell said. “We need protections in state law. Speech needs to be protected unless it is directly related to a crime.” Laura Belmonte, vice president and cofounder of the LGBT group Equality Network, said the group will be monitoring the legislative session to ensure that Russell does not insert the bill’s language into another measure. “This is a bill that really denies Oklahomans equal protection under federal law,” she said. “It puts law enforcement in the position of breaking federal law, directing them to obstruct access to evidence. “It leaves the Lesbian, Gay, and Transgender community particularly vulnerable. If they are a victim of hate crimes in Oklahoma, the state hate-crimes law doesn’t include sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Utah Senate blocks federal money for people with HIV/AIDS
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer In a surprise move, Republican leaders of the Utah Senate blocked approval of a federal grant for people living with HIV/AIDS, potentially depriving them of treatment for at least a month. The Republican action came on April 7, during a routine post-session review of federal grants that require approval of the Legislature’s Executive Appropriations Committee. Utah currently receives federal money to provide anti-viral medications for people with HIV/AIDS through the Ryan White Act. Money for the program runs out this month, and committee action is required to extend funding for another year. Nearly $4 million in federal funds are at issue. The state of Utah also contributes about $2 million each year for HIV medications in order to qualify for federal funds. The Senate committee delayed approval of the state’s share of the expense, effectively blocking federal grant money. “Doesn’t Obamacare pay for this?” asked Republican Senate President Michael Waddoups at the committee hearing. Waddoups announced he would not vote to accept the grant until all his questions were answered, although the Ryan White grants have never been questioned in previous years. State Department of Health officials said they had received no prior notice that legislators would be questioning the Ryan White grant or any others on the list. After the Appropriations Committee’s action, the grants could be approved no sooner than the committee’s next scheduled meeting in May. The Utah Health Department has already
endured budget cutbacks for the previous two years, and now must replace $420,000 in federal funds from other agency programs to cover the cost of providing HIV medications through April. Waddoups and other Republican leaders said that voicing concerns about federal grants should not be interpreted as intending harm to HIV/AIDS patients. “If this is a life-and-death decision, no one on this committee wants to vote against this,” said Republican House Budget Chairman Ron Bigelow, adding that no one would die because federal funds were held up. “In the five years I’ve been here, we’ve never missed this [grant approval] deadline,” said Utah Department of Health executive director Dr. David Sundwall. “[The] few people who need these drugs, really need them,” Sundwall said, adding that HIV/AIDS patients might not die if they miss their medications for a month, but they would certainly suffer. Democrats on the committee objected to the delay, but to no avail. Democratic Rep. Jennifer Seelig, reportedly sighed audibly as Republicans kept asking what harm would come by waiting until May to consider the grant. Democratic Rep. Carol Sparkman said she was “really troubled” by Republican questions, because it was unclear to her if they objected on policy grounds, or if they had issues with homosexuality, or if they just wanted to score political points against healthcare reform. A large majority of the Utah legislature is Republican. In March they passed a bill and a joint resolution announcing they would delay any healthcare reform regulations for at least a year, and nullify any new regulations deemed to violate state sovereignty.
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ENDA 4
continued from cover
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and GetEqual cochair Robin McGehee attended the hearing to show their support. Dubbed the “ENDA 4,” Chastity Kirven, Jay Carmona, Michelle Wright, and Samantha Ames demanded that Pelosi move a Transgender-inclusive version of ENDA to the House floor for a vote by the end of March. ENDA – the Employment Non-Discrimination Act – would forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace. The four were arraigned on charges of “unlawful entry/remaining” on the morning of April 6, and then held over for a status hearing before D.C. Superior Court Judge Harold Cushenberry. Claire Morris Clark, the attorney for the four women, had previously negotiated an agreement with D.C. prosecutors, which Cushenberry approved. The judge then set a new hearing date for October 6. Cushenberry promised to dismiss all charges on that date if the four defendants comply with the terms of their agreement with prosecutors. The four agreed to • Stay away from Speaker Pelosi’s office in the Cannon House Office Building unless they receive a written invitation. • They must not be arrested again under probable cause before their October 6 hearing. • Carmona and Ames must complete 60 hours of community service. Cushenberry noted that Kirven and Wright are not D.C. residents and concluded that his court does not have jurisdiction to compel them to perform community service in the District. Cushenberry also dropped another item in the agreement as unenforceable. The defendants had agreed not to engage in “disruptive” activity in the U.S. Capitol. Cushenberry said that provision made him “uncomfortable” because it was too vague, and he declined to enforce it. Clark told reporters after the status hearing that the agreement was a “very good outcome.” “The U.S. attorney’s office has a couple different mediums where they’ll try and work things out, and this is the best one,” she said. “It doesn’t require a guilty plea. It’s a very good deal.” Choi said he attended the hearing because the shared experience of being arrested for civil disobedience is “in a lot of ways, like being in combat.” “We have waged war against inequality,” he said. “Sometimes, as soldiers, you don’t have a lot of money, you don’t have a lot of trappings of what we have in terms of political power – but we have each other, and until we have full equality, this is a battle that none of us are going to step away from.” Asked if additional acts of civil disobedience would occur in the future, Choi replied, “Of course,” and said that he personally plans to take part in such protests. “Until we have that American promise
of equality and access to truth and truthful living manifest to everyone, it has to continue,” he said. McGehee said GetEqual is actively planning further acts of civil disobedience. “We will be back and we will continue to organize non-violent civil disobedience throughout D.C. and other areas across the United States until we’re equal,” she said. “Our goal with GetEqual is to create the lunch-counter moments that so clearly defined the civil rights movement around racial justice,” McGehee added. “In an equality movement, we believe that we need to create those images that highlight the injustices that are clearly out there.” The four defendants consented to the agreement, and they said they were happy with the outcome of the proceedings. Ames said she’s “actually quite excited” to do the community service assigned to her as part of the agreement. She planned to work with Transgender Health Empowerment. Noting none of the ENDA 4 was Transgender, Ames said that being arrested as a Transgender person is “so much more dangerous.” “Working for an organization that does community service that is working toward making that right and working toward making the prisons safer for Transgender folks in the area is, I think, something that I should feel fortunate to have the opportunity to do,” she said. Carmona said the agreement was “just another step toward getting ENDA passed for equality.” “So, I think I don’t really feel a sense of joy or accomplishment so much as I feel like we just took another step,” she said. “It’s definitely not party time.” Ames reported a conversation with a Pelosi staffer as she was being handcuffed by police at the end of the March 18 sit-in. According to Ames, a member of Pelosi’s staff asked her if she thought there were enough votes to pass ENDA. “And I said, ‘Yes,” Ames said. “And she said, ‘We don’t.’ And I said I really wish we could have had this conversation earlier because I would have liked to have this conservation with her.” Ames noted that the day after their arrests, media quoted Rep. Tammy Baldwin (DWis.) as saying that ENDA supporters had the votes to pass it in the House. “So the fact that that was starting the next day – I don’t want to make this about egos, I want to make this about ENDA – but it would seem that it got something accomplished,” she said.
“We will be back and we will continue to organize non-violent civil disobedience throughout D.C. and other areas across the United States until we’re equal.”
April 9, 2010
Seattle Gay News
9
10 Seattle Gay News
April 9, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
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12 Seattle Gay News
April 9, 2010
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Celebrating 37 Years!
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April 9, 2010
Seattle Gay News 13
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April 9, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
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April 9, 2010
Seattle Gay News 15
Catholic crisis of faith
by Michael Raitt SGN Contributing Writer
The Catholic Church is facing a crisis regarding how it is handling child sexual abuse cases perpetrated by those in positions of power within the church. It is a crisis on many fronts for the church. In my opinion, from the perspective of the GLBTQ community, there are three areas that are important for our community related to this crisis. The first two issues I address are of great importance, yet they are of lesser importance than the last. Too many leaders representing the church continue to state as fact that the sexual abuse cases are “Gay issues” rather than pedophile issues. Gay DOES NOT equate to pedophile.
It never has! A pedophile is an adult who uses power, control, threat, and intimidation to act out sexually with children. Straight pedophiles do act out sexually with children of the same gender when they have an opportunity to do so. Pedophiles have impulse control issues, and if you are a straight pedophile in the church and your only opportunity is to prey upon young boys, you will do that. It is horribly misinformed to suggest that because it was a male adult abusing a male child, it is automatically a “Gay issue.” It is an issue of opportunity and predation, not sexuality. Sexuality is about identity – not an act of sex. Statistically, there will be more straight priests than Gay. Therefore, statistically, there will be more straight pedophiles than Gay pedophiles. Regardless, Gay or straight, pedophilia causes great harm and is unequivocally wrong. It is also wrong for leaders of the church to represent the pathology of pedophilia as a representation of the pathology of our GLBTQ community. Related to this is the impact this crisis is having on the GLBTQ members of the Catholic Church. It is well known how the church (and many other religious organizations) has shamed and rejected members of the LGBTQ community. Yet, spirituality and religion are still crucial components of many GLBTQ people’s lives. Their re-
ligious practice provides them guidance, extended community, and peace, which all lead to good mental health. It is something these men and women want in their lives, but they are now questioning deeply where and how to get their spiritual/religious needs met because of how the church is handling this scandal and slandering our community. Even more abhorrent than this is how people feel about what has happened to the victims. Gay or straight, everyone I talk to feels for the victims and strongly detests the predatory priests and others who protect them. I understand the very difficult place this puts men and women in. I don’t have a clear answer as to what to do. I do recommend that people not give up their belief systems regarding religion/spirituality. It is important to work with peers, professionals, and religious leaders in dealing with this. It is hard work to do. As hard as it is, though, figuring out how to work through it might be more beneficial than leaving something that is as important as your religious/spiritual belief system altogether. It would probably behoove the church to combine pastoral knowledge with professional skill to help people deal with their issues and concerns over this problem so they can re-engage in a positive way with their religious/spiritual practice. By far, of most importance are the victims – men and women – of sexual abuse by priests. For victims, this is a complex issue that involves fear, shame, deceit, confusion, anger, resentment, loyalty, love, devotion, and issues of betrayal. These issues are confounded by the need of individuals to have the church in their lives when the church leadership has caused such harm and has abandoned them. If you are the victim of sexual abuse by clergy, with skilled professional – and, if/ when appropriate, skilled pastoral – help you can gain an accurate perception about what happened to you. An outlook that takes the blame, shame, and responsibility off of you and puts it where it squarely belongs: on the shoulders of pedophile priests and the religious culture that protected them. A perspective that invites and embraces you for
who you are and that does not condemn you because of what happened to you. Any professional or religious leader who shames you, blames you, or suggests in any way that what happened to you is somehow reflective of something wrong with you is not someone who will help you! These are people who are grossly misinformed about sexual abuse and have an agenda that will perpetuate harm on you and pain in your life. Skilled pastoral and professional help can give you a healthy outlook about yourself in light of what happened and will allow you to integrate religious belief and practice into your life in a way that brings you guidance, peace, and healthy, affirmative community. Professionals and clergy can work together in service of healing what has been done to victims. Complete healing will never come until the church takes responsibility and makes significant changes. It has never been, and never will be, acceptable for the church to put the responsibility of change for healing to occur on the victims and community. The church has to change! Many GLBTQ men and women want and need their religious/spiritual practices and community. It contributes to our health and wellbeing. Our sexual identity does not make us a threat to children, nor should it be a reason to exclude us from a community and practice that contributes to our wellbeing and the wellbeing of the world. There is much hard, painful work to be done as individuals, and, for the church, as an organization. Leaders have to avoid focusing on fear and perspectives of the past. Change can occur when the real issues are addressed honestly and the priority is about the church fixing what was wrong and religion/spirituality contributing to making the world a better place for all of us!
It is also wrong for leaders of the church to represent the pathology of pedophilia as a representation of the pathology of our GLBTQ community.
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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Celebrating 37 Years!
patty murray continued from cover
ing a big business agenda.” The driving force behind the coalition, according to officials, is to change that agenda by creating opportunities for small business owners to speak for themselves, face-to-face with decision-makers at public events and through the media. Murray got involved because small business owners didn’t feel they were getting represented the way they felt they deserved in Washington, D.C. or in Olympia. During the national health care reform debate, a group of small business owners – who would later become the Main Street Alliance of Washington – had the ear of Senator Murray, who began to advocate on their behalf. Wednesday’s announcement solidified her support for Main Street business owners in Washington state, she said. Membership in the organization includes both small employers and self-employed business owners, with a diverse representation of business types, race, gender, and geography. Main Street Alliance of Washington officials say their current priorities revolve around health care reform, the financial sector, jobs and restoring a customer base, immigration, and responsible budgets. “The Main Street Alliance of Washington is a powerful new voice on small business issues at the state and federal level,” the organization stated in a pamphlet that was handed out at the April 7 event. “We have worked to successfully pass policies that support small businesses including: national health care reform, state legislation allowing single-person business owners access to group health insurance rates, state legislation giving the insurance commissioner stronger authority to combat excessive rate-hikes, and a state pilot program to make quality health care affordable for small businesses with low-wage workers.” Now that the health reform package has passed, the Main Street Alliance of Washington says there are five need-to-know points: Small Business Tax Credits: The bill includes tax credits that take effect immediately to help 3.6 million businesses afford health coverage. The credits will provide an estimated $40 billion in assistance to small businesses over 10 years to make coverage affordable. The credits are offered on a sliding scale to businesses with 25 or fewer employees and average wages under $50,000. Employer Contributions: Businesses with fewer than 50 full-time employees will be exempt from any requirements to contribute toward employees’ health coverage. An estimated 96% of all firms in America have fewer than 50 employees and would be exempt. Of those businesses with more than 50 employees, another 96% already offer health coverage. Ending Insurance Discrimination: The final package prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage
for pre-existing conditions, ends premium way/Jackson alignment is consistent with discrimination based on gender and health the origins and history of the First Hill status, and eliminates lifetime and annual Streetcar project. Ten years ago, the City limits on coverage that threaten to bankrupt Council approved a route for Sound Transmall business owners and employees. It sit’s Central Link Light Rail project that was also strengthens oversight of insurance pre- to include a First Hill Station on Madison mium increases, protecting small businesses Street, near Broadway. As the project adfrom arbitrary and unreasonable rate hikes. vanced, the costs and risks of a deep bored Health Insurance Exchanges: The bill will tunnel and light rail station under First Hill give small businesses better choices by set- led to the eventual deletion of the station by ting up new, simplified marketplaces called the South Transit Board. However, a study insurance exchanges. Small businesses with of alternative means of connecting First Hill up to 100 employees will be able to partici- to the regional transit system was conductpate in the exchanges and pool together for ed. A streetcar connector operating primaricoverage. Once operational in 2014, the ex- ly on Broadway and Jackson emerged as the changes will maximize small business bar- preferred alternative means of connecting gaining power to negotiate better coverage, First Hill to the regional transit system. promote transparency and informed choice, “There are many advantages to the recomand increase competition to lower rates. mended route,” McGinn’s office said. “The Benefits for Self-Employed Business Broadway/Jackson route is estimated to cost Owners: An estimated 21 million Americans approximately $125 million – comfortably are self-employed. The self-employed will within the maximum Sound Transit funding be able to shop for health coverage in the in- limit of $132.8 million – and will provide an surance exchanges and benefit from the in- efficient and accessible new transit option.” creased transparency and competition there. In addition, McGinn says the route also Experts have projected a savings of close presents opportunities to “rethink the to 20% for self-employed people in the ex- Broadway streetscape in ways that support change. Sliding scale premium affordability walking, biking and riding transit.” credits and caps on out-of-pocket costs will In the Chinatown/International District, provide additional assistance and security the Jackson Street route and the Pioneer for self-employed people and their families. Square loop integrate well with other transit For more information about the Main and connect First Hill and Capitol Hill the Street Alliance of Washington, visit the historic district and the adjacent stadium organization online at www.mainstreetal- district, said the mayor. liance.org/washington, e-mail the coalition “Having a streetcar on Broadway will add at washington@mainstreetalliance.org, or vibrancy and charm as shoppers, students, call them at 206-805-6674. business owners, artists, and families hop on and off as they go about their business in the once-bustling heart of Capitol Hill: Broadway,” said Louise Chernin, executive director for GSBA. “Streetcars are fun, convenient, and move people efficiently while at the same time keeping the passengers continued from cover more closely connected to the shops along the way.” Chernin told SGN, “As we all know, the LGBT community truly is everywhere, but portation Committee on both April 13 and we remain connected to the historical cenApril 27 at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall in the ter of our community, Capitol Hill. The Council Chamber,” City Councilmember GSBA, your LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Tom Rasmussen told SGN. “I encourage is thrilled that by supporting the streetcar, anyone and everyone to let the City Coun- the city is demonstrating its commitment to cil know their thoughts on the new streetcar investing in the cultural district that has alline by attending one of the meetings or by ways been a destination for LGBT tourists calling 206-684-8808 or e-mailing me at and residents alike.” tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov.” Kay Rood, president of Cal Anderson Streetcars are transit vehicles which run Park Alliance told the SGN, “The initial on rails, yet easily share the road with other plans had the streetcar essentially waffling ground transportation instead of requiring the park. It didn’t seem appropriate to the an isolated corridor of their own. This increases public transit capacity without impacting other options. The First Hill Streetcar project – a twomile connector serving Seattle’s Capitol Hill, First Hill and International District areas, with connections to Link light rail and Sounder commuter rail – was included in the mass transit expansion ballot that voters approved in November 2008. First Hill is considered a regional destination due to its concentration of major medical facilities and Seattle University. According to McGinn’s office, the Broad-
streetcar
park or space – and did not seem efficient for a streetcar line. Beyond our self-interest, we thought the city planners were not seeing the plan in a realistic way. The Broadway/ Jackson route is simple and efficient, less costly, and serves the neighborhood beautifully. The new route has the park as an adjacent attraction, rather than a turnaround area. We are hoping that the line will be extended to Aloha and Prospect.” “We are really pleased that the mayor is onboard with this [Broadway/Jackson] route,” she said. “This will serve everyone well. The route is really serviceable and equitable and the Cal Anderson Park Alliance is pleased to be supporters and we really hope that it goes all the way up to Volunteer Park. It is a great thing to connect two parks.” Extending the streetcar further north to Aloha and Prospect would provide further access to fine dining and shopping opportunities, in addition to closer access to Seattle Asian Art Museum and Volunteer Park, said Executive Director of Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce Jack Hilovsky. “A streetcar provides an alternative transportation that is quiet, clean, and links the neighborhood with major population and employment centers,” Hilovsky told SGN. “I think the streetcar will further activate Broadway, and, with enhanced bicycle lanes and streetscapes, bring a pedestrian flair to the neighborhood.” “Broadway, with major light rail station connections, is a natural thoroughfare for the streetcar,” he said. “The streetcar will serve the First Hill medical institutions, in addition to students and employees of Seattle University. Tourists and shoppers will have the opportunity to ride the streetcar and experience one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Seattle – one that is continuing to grow and change with interesting retail, restaurants, and services.” Hilovsky says the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce is delighted that the City Council and mayor “have endorsed a plan that benefits both business and the community.” “Capitol Hill, the historical home of the Gay community, artists, and students, will benefit greatly from this alternative system of transport,” he said. Future stories will include interviews with Capitol Hill Community Council spokespeople as requests for comment had not been responded to at press time.
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Seattle Gay News 17
“Congratulations [to] Ricky Martin for telling everyone the obvious – now here’s an important question – do you regret performing at George W. Bush’s inauguration in 2004 after he used Gay people as a political punching bag in the election and demeaned us with the Federal Marriage Amendment?” –Singer Ricky Martin in a post on his –New York City activist Corey Johnson website, March 29. on his Facebook page, March 30.
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer
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“I’ll tell you, this last election was a big learning experience for me and I’ve come to the very clear realization that the battle is not between Republican and Democrat – and yes, we disagree on many social issues and the government shouldn’t legislate morality anyway. ... If we took a moment and just stopped fighting each other and looked around – it doesn’t matter if it’s Republican or Democrat, there’s entities, there are corporations that are making the rules in our society and in our country now. That’s what needs to change. Obama still answers to those people, the same as George Bush did. We’re silly if we think it’s otherwise.” –Out rocker Melissa Etheridge to the Palm Springs Gay magazine The BottomLine, March 26.
file photo
“I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.”
“GLAAD is a funny little organization, on the one hand these self-appointed sentries for positive representation of Gays in media, on the other a kind of nutless institution reluctant to get their Pradas dirty on the way to the awards show by, say, recognizing important but confrontational work like Kirby Dick’s Outrage. It’s baffling, really, when you then consider where they do choose to pick their battles. Consider today’s ‘call to action’ against the Tribeca Film Festival, what essentially boils down to a campaign to have a particular selection – a self-described ‘Transploitation’ film from writer/director Israel Luna called Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives – removed from the program.” –Movieline.com, March 25.
Ricky Martin
“Whats going on gang? I’m doing great! Stronger than ever! I’m here relaxing @ home enjoying ur messages! I feel the love! Thanx for all! peace.” –Singer Ricky Martin in a March 30 tweet, the day after he came out on his website. “When someone like Ricky Martin comes out, hundreds of millions of people now have a cultural connection with an artist, a celebrity and, perhaps most importantly, a father who happens to be Gay. His decision to model this kind of openness and honesty can lead to greater acceptance for countless Gay people in the U.S., in Latin America and worldwide.” –Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation President Jarrett Barrios, March 29.
Lt. Dan Choi
“People who express indifference or hostility to Ricky Martin coming out need to step out of their jaded, cynical Gay world for a second and realize what a huge impact this has for Latin America.” –Gay news blogger Andy Towle (Towleroad.com) on his Facebook page, March 30.
“Within the Gay community so many leaders want acceptance from polite society. I think there’s been a betrayal of what is down inside of us in order to achieve what looks popular, what looks enviable. The movement seems to be centered around how to become an elite. There is a deep schism
[in the Gay movement], everyone knows this. But this shouldn’t be about which group has better branding. There is a tremor right now in every Gay and Transgender youth that these [leading Gay rights] groups are not grasping. I would say to them – you do not represent us if all you are looking for is a ladder into elite society.” –Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell activist Lt. Dan Choi to Newsweek, March 22. “Obama told us at the HRC dinner last year, you need to put pressure on me. I was there at that dinner, in uniform. So this is my mission; the president said to pressure him and I heard that as a warning order.” –Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell activist Lt. Dan Choi to Newsweek, March 22. He was arrested March 18 after handcuffing himself to the White House fence. “We were proud when the president stood before the American people and declared in his State of the Union that it is time to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ If he’s going to uphold that commitment, however, he must ensure that his administration doesn’t work against it. [T]oday we took a step backward when the Department of Justice filed a brief in defense of the law. The brief relies on arguments that were debunked and discredited in 1993, and even more so now. When military leaders – including Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen, Gen. Colin Powell and Vice President Cheney – have the courage to stand up and say it is time to throw out the discriminatory policies of the past, it is also time for this administration to show leadership, move the debate forward, and work with Congress to get repeal done.” –Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, March 31.
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April 9, 2010
“Most of these Tea-Baggers would have been wearing white robes and hoods in the 1950s. But at least back then, no selfrespecting politician would be in bed with them.” –National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell on her Facebook page, March 22. With assistance from Bill Kelley
Celebrating 37 Years!
APIWFSC Fights Domestic Violence in the Queer Community
by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer
Domestic violence. When most people hear these words, they tend to think of a husband and a wife. This is why relationship violence can often be overlooked in same-sex couples. Domestic violence can cause immense isolation, especially in Queer communities and the minority subdivisions that exist within it. The Asian and Pacific Islander Women and Family Safety Center’s (APIWFSC) Queer Network Program is one of many organizations talking a stand against domestic violence on a multitude of levels. According to its mission, the Queer Network Program at the API Safety Center “works to engage the API LGBTIQ community to address and prevent intimate partner violence. In order to do this, we work to build skills among allies and community members, raise the visibility of our community and concerns, and support survivors of violence.” Feelings of isolation after domestic violence can be intense in any situation and community, but in a community where human trafficking is still surprisingly prevalent – even here in America – APIWFSC saw it necessary to reach out to the Queer Asian and Pacific Islander community. “We try to create more allies within the Asian and Pacific Islander Community,” said April Nishimura, program coordinator of the Queer Network Program. “Violence, homophobia, and sexual assaults are still pervasive in API communities.” Emma Catague co-founded APIWFSC in 1993.That organization was created for ob-
vious reasons. As former executive director, Lan Pham said, “Victims of domestic violence are our family, our friends, our neighbors … and so are their abusers. They are the people we live next door to, work with, entrust to teach our children, and who attend our church. They are people that we socialize with, like, and trust. Because this is an issue that affects all of us, the solution also remains with us.” Created because an entire population in Seattle was being underrepresented, APIWFSC quickly recognized that the Queer community within was still not getting the resources it needed. With a history of highs and lows due to fundraising, the Queer Network Program has been revitalized under Nishimura, offering services like social spaces that are connected to both Queer and ethnic identity, reading groups, and anti-homophobia training for youth, community groups, and service providers. In recent years, the Queer Network Program supported plays that were written, directed, and performed by people of color who are Gay. The Queer Network Program currently holds its signature event, a dim sum lunch, on the first Sunday of each month. To attend or volunteer, e-mail queerdimsum@gmail. com. The mission of APIWFSC is to organize communities, educate, train, and provide technical assistance and comprehensive culturally relevant services on domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking to Asian and Pacific Islander community members, survivors, and their families. For more information on APIWFSC, visit them online at www.apiwfsc.org or call (206) 467-9976.
The Queer Network Program at the API Safety Center “works to engage the API LGBTIQ community to address and prevent intimate partner violence.”
Transgender inmates have a right to hormone therapy, federal judge says by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A federal judge ruled on April 1 that a Wisconsin law prohibiting hormone therapy for Transgender prison inmates was unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Charles Clevert said the law violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment because it “results in the denial of hormone therapy without regard for the individual medical needs of inmates and the medical judgment of their health-care providers.” He added that “there is no rational basis” for the law, which therefore also violates the equal protection rights of Transgender prisoners. Clevert had previously issued a temporary order preventing prison officials from ending treatments for inmates already receiving hormones, pending his decision in the case. The law at issue was passed in 2006 with bipartisan support after an inmate who had been receiving hormone therapy filed a suit seeking to force the state prison system to pay for his sex reassignment. The law prohibits tax dollars from being used for inmates’ hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery. A group of female-identified prisoners challenged the constitutionality of the law with the help of ACLU Wisconsin and Lambda Legal. They said they required hormones to treat their gender identity disorder, and not having them would lead to severe health problems. “It’s a victory for these inmates who have a condition that is misunderstood and vilified for political purposes that can be very serious,” ACLU attorney Larry Dupuis, who represented the plaintiffs, said after the decision. “To take away a whole class of treatment just because it’s politically disfavored
is not constitutional.” Before the law went into effect, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections sometimes approved hormone therapy for inmates diagnosed with gender identity disorder. Dupuis estimated that only a small number of inmates receive the therapy at any given time. Lawmakers who wrote the measure were outraged by the decision. “This ruling puts a higher priority on helping inmate ‘Tommy’ become ‘Tammy’ than protecting the pocketbooks of law-abiding citizens,” said Republican Rep. Scott Suder. “This is a travesty of justice that must be overturned.” Republican Sen. Ted Kanavas, one of the measure’s sponsors, called the ruling absurd. “This is another prime example of a liberal judge, far removed from the mainstream, overturning the will of the people,” he said in a statement. Wisconsin legislators urged State Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to appeal. Van Hollen spokesman Bill Cosh said lawyers were reviewing the decision and considering their options.
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Seattle Gay News 19
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer The Emerald City Softball Association (ECSA), an athletic club open to both Gay and non-Gay men and women, is celebrating their 30th season this year. To commemorate the milestone, ECSA officials got all of their 35 teams together at Purr cocktail lounge for an April 4 season kickoff party. Each year, according to ECSA officials, the organization seems to set a new record for the size of the league. In fact, 2010 represents the seventh consecutive year of growth for ECSA – which now stands at 35 teams and more than 500 players – making the ECSA the third-largest league in the country. The teams run the spectrum from highly competitive to beginner and recreational teams. “This year, the ECSA Open Division is celebrating our 30th anniversary,” said ECSA League Commissioner Jeff Card. “The league existed somewhat informally for a couple of years before that, but it was in 1980 when Seattle first sent teams to the Gay Softball World Series.” Since then, Seattle has won four championship trophies and over 10 other trophies or top-four finishes. At last year’s Gay Soft-
ball World Series in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Seattle won two trophies; the Maulers won second-place in the C Division, and the Avengers won second-place in the D Division. The league plays in four divisions (A, B, C, and D), with division placement depending primarily on player ability and overall team ability. For hardcore, high-caliber athletes, players enjoy a competition of similarly skilled players. For mid-level players, the ECSA provides athletes with the opportunity to hone their skills and work together in a team environment to create success. According to ECSA officials, recreational players are provided with a player rating process to see where they best fit and to ensure they are matched with players of similar skill. In other words, games are evenly matched. “Gay softball is unique among softball leagues in that the camaraderie shared by players goes across all the teams,” Card told SGN. “It’s not limited just to the friendship you might share with players on your own team. Gay softball provides a healthy alternative for the participants for building a social network.” According to Card, the league kickoff party is popular with players because of “the level of anticipation going into a new
shaun knittel
Emerald City Softball Association turns 30
The Seattle Rockets
season.” Some teams began preparing for the 2010 season last July, as soon as the last pitch was thrown in the 2009 season. “There is a lot of effort that goes into organizing for a regular-season schedule that lasts 11 weeks,” said Card. “Because the weather has been so nice this year, many teams have been practicing weekly since January. With all that anticipation going into the new season, it’s simply a lot of fun to see all the new teams and new players in the league each year.” In fact, according to ECSA officials, since the regular season ended last year, Open Di-
vision teams have played in a record number of tournaments hosted by other Gay softball leagues around the country. “We’ve sent teams to tournaments in Vancouver, B.C.; San Diego and Palm Springs, California; and Las Vegas, Nevada,” Card told SGN. On July 3-4, ECSA will be hosting the Emerald City Classic, the league’s tournament targeting Gay teams from around the country. “While many tournaments charge a $400 entry fee, the ECSA has slashed the tournament entry fee this year to only $50,” said Card. “We’ve won kudos from Outsports.com, the national Gay sports website,
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April 9, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
for our efforts to make softball affordable this year.” Card says that their efforts are paying off. ECSA has received a record number of early registrations and is looking to provide a very successful event for the LGBT community. Beyond the excitement of regular game play, ECSA is involved in the community and special programs. This year, ECSA officials are looking to purchase equipment to improve the safety of their ball fields. “We’re working with the City of Seatac to purchase breakaway bases, which can help reduce the risk of injury from sliding, as well as fence caps, which are placed along the foul line to protect outfielders who try to field foul balls,” Card said. There is no question that 2010 promises to be an exciting year for ECSA athletes and fans alike. For more information about ECSA, including game schedules and league FAQs, visit the organization online at www.emeraldcitysoftball.org.
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the “real” prom, two of the other kids that were duped into going to the “fake prom” with her were students with learning disabilities. The school’s decision to cast off the Lesbian troublemaker is one thing, but the decision by some of the Itawamba parents to treat handicapped children as pawns in their game of bigotry shows the depths to which these people will stoop to prove a point that, quite frankly, has most of the country disgusted. McMillen told The Advocate that the parents organized the “real” prom behind her back. She and her date were sent to a Fridaynight event at a country club in Fulton, Mississippi. Upon arrival, McMillen says there
were only five other students in attendance – it was clear that something was afoot. According to McMillen, her high school principal and some teachers served as chaperones even though there was, clearly, no one to keep and eye on. McMillen, who has won praise from LGBT advocacy organizations and the likes of Ellen DeGeneres for her bravery, says that the two students with learning difficulties “had the time of their lives.” “That’s the one good thing that came out of this,” she told The Advocate. “These kids didn’t have to worry about people making fun of them at their prom.” In March, after the Itawamba County School District refused to allow McMillen to attend the prom and then cancelled the event altogether, the teen and her lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union challenged that decision in court, where a judge ruled the district could not bar McMillen and her date. However, the judge
declined to force the school district to hold the prom because a parent-sponsored, private prom was being organized – and the understanding was that McMillen and her date were invited.
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Celebrating 37 Years!
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