Celebrating 37 Years!
Issue 34 Volume 38
FRIDAY August 20, 2010 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands
RUGBY V. SISTERS p. 10 URBAN REST STOP p. 17
MARGARET CHO p. 25
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Washington election update
9th Circuit Court of Appeals stays California same-sex marriages
file photos
Incumbent Democratic Senator Patty Murray (l) and Republican challenger Dino Rossi
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
results will not be certified by the Secretary of State till September 1, the outcome of the election is While all the ballots in Washing- pretty clear. ton state’s primary election have not been counted yet, and the final see election page 19
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on August 16 blocked any same-sex marriages from taking place in California while proponents of the state’s marriage ban appeal the August 4 district-court ruling that found Proposition 8 in violation of the U.S. Constitution. The appeals court said it will hear the case the week of December 6, and it set up an expedited briefing schedule for the case’s attorneys. The court also ordered the proponents of the ban to prove that they have “standing” to appeal the decision made by District Judge Vaughn Walker. The actual defendants in the case, including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown, have refused to defend Prop 8, and the Court of Appeals’ order seemed sympathetic to the idea that proponents of the ban, as “defendant-intervenors,” are not properly situated to appeal Walker’s ruling. If they are not, that could end the case, and same-sex marriage would
SGN Exclusive Interview Candidate Laurie Jinkins
Activist, attorney, and out Lesbian Laurie Jinkins ran first in a field of five candidates in Tacoma’s 27th Legislative District House race, and will go on to the general election in November. She spoke with SGN about the election and her plans if she goes to Olympia. “I’m happy – overjoyed – excited,” she said about her first-place finish. “I was a little tired yesterday, but I talked to my campaign manager today and we’re both like, ‘Go, go, go!’” Under Washington’s top-two primary rules, the first- and second-place candidates go on to the general election regardless of party affiliation. Jinkins is likely to face off against fellow Democrat Jake Fey, who holds a slim lead over third-place candidate Ken Nichols. Fey sits on Tacoma’s City Council. “Jake is a good City Council member,” Jinkins said, responding to a question about how the two Democrats differ. “The main difference is the disee jinkins page 18
Tom Rastrelli (r) and Bruce Mayhalo await news along with other Gay couples on whether a federal judge would stay his ruling on Proposition 8, California’s same-sex marriage ban.
again be legal in California under The defendant-intervenors are the Walker’s original ruling, though a same people who put Prop 8 on the decision on standing could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. see marriages page 21
Pro-Gay marriage protesters escorted from San Diego county building
sandy huffaker
courtesy laurie jinkins
Laurie Jinkins
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Adam Lau/AP
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer
Five races you should care about
On August 19, the day hundreds of California same-sex couples planned to obtain their long-awaited marriage licenses, a crowd of about 50 people gathered at the San Diego county clerk’s office to protest a federal judge’s stay of a federal ruling that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. Shouting “We shall not be moved! No equality, no business as usual!” three people were taken into custody by sheriff’s deputies, and an additional six people were removed later. A deputy said they were detained for blocking access to a county office.
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Celebrating 37 Years!
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Why I support the Muslim center in New York City by Wayne Besen SGN Contributing Writer In the case of Islam, there is undeniably much to be scared of and it is not necessarily Islamophobic to point this out. For instance, the 9/11 hijackers were jihadists and crashed airplanes into the World Trade Center because of their religious beliefs. In Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, and other countries, women are treated worse than pets at an animal shelter. It seems that countries ruled by Islamic law are repressive, backward, cruel, and living in another century. For example, in Afghanistan on Sunday, the Taliban ordered a couple stoned to death after they eloped. Clearly, these are not nice people and anyone promoting such barbarism should be vehemently opposed. If anyone from this aforementioned crowd of terrorists and tyrants tried to open a Mosque next to Ground Zero in New York City, I would understand the heated opposition. If Islamist sympathizers pledged to
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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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erect a monument celebrating 9/11, I’d say they should be turned down. I also would not support in this space an intolerant Saudi Arabian-backed Wahhabi Madrassa that trashed America. However, the group behind the controversial Islamic Community Center has no connection to terrorism and nothing in common with radical Islamists. They have gone out of their way to explain the project and mollify fears. The center represents an olive branch to other faiths and hopes to promote a peaceful brand of Islam. Indeed, the project’s Imam hails from the moderate Islamic sect of Sufism, which is widely despised by America’s jihadist enemies. They hate this form of Islam so much that fundamentalists have intimidated many of its followers and attacked its shrines in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In regard to this mosque, Islamophobia is real and being spewed by frightened people who probably think Ramadan is a dinosaur in the movie Jurassic Park. Opponents of the building are asking questions, but purposely not listening to the answers, which would have assuaged their concerns. They are intentionally painting all forms of Islam with a broad brush and failing to differentiate what each sect actually teaches its followers. Memo to protesters: Osama bin Ladin does not represent all of Islam any more than Rev. Pat Robertson is a spokesman for all of Christendom. Don’t you get it? Predictably, much of the overheated political rhetoric is coming from politicians, such as Newt Gingrich, who is exploiting this issue in his early audition for the 2012
presidential race. “Nazis don’t have the right to put up a sign next to the Holocaust Museum in Washington,” said the former House Speaker. “… There’s no reason for us to accept a mosque next to the World Trade Center.” Well, there is one good reason: The United States Constitution promises freedom of religion. Furthermore, Gingrich’s loaded example is an emotionally charged non sequitur. The Nazis killed six million Jews. Obviously the goal of a sign denying this tragedy would be to explicitly antagonize Jewish people. It is insulting and unconscionable to compare such butchers to a group of liberal-minded, peaceful Muslims who want to build a center with a swimming pool, performing arts center, and include board members of other faiths. Quite frankly, Gingrich sounds more like a radical Mullah than the promoters of the Islamic Center. For instance, the former House Speaker has proclaimed that America’s woes are the result of “a secular assault on God.” Would Gingrich prefer a non-secular, Christian version of Iran in the United States? The genuine threat we face is not radical Islam, but religious extremism of all stripes, including that preached by Gingrich. Those who are mindlessly attacking this mosque are doing exactly the opposite of what should be done to stop terrorism. When we bash moderate Muslims, we alienate youth and make them more susceptible to online jihadist recruiters. These extremists can say, “see, no matter how mainstream your religion is, it will be rejected. Fight back against such humiliation by joining our group.” Building this mosque will also play well internationally where we are already spending millions of dollars to win over skeptical Muslims. Most people will likely see this as a monument to America’s religious pluralism and our would-be detractors might think, “Wow, this is a great nation and this is what true freedom looks like.” Finally, one cannot help but notice how anti-Gay activists are trying desperately to link Gay people to this controversy. One way is to claim that marriage equality will break down all morality and lead to Muslim harems in the U.S. Another tactic is to corner liberals and force them to choose between Gay rights and religious freedom by saying, “Let’s test the Muslims by building an Islamic Gay bar next door to this community center.” Let’s not forget that in order to conquer, our homegrown extremists must first divide. It is obvious that they are capitalizing on this issue to gain power. It is up to us not to let them get away with this cynical political, election-year ploy.
Celebrating 37 Years!
Emerald City MCC celebrates 38 years by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
trict neighborhood. According to Pastor Neal, during the October “Coming Out Month” celebrations, ECMCCS will sponsor two free community workshops: “Coming Out to Family and Friends,” for youth and young adults; and “Parenting Your Queer Child,” for parents of LGBT youth, featuring Put This On the Map, a film about Queer youth from the Seattle area. In addition, ECMCCS, under the leadership of Reverend Renee McCoy, will launch an emphasis on HIV/AIDS during the Lifelong AIDS Alliance AIDSWALK weekend in October. McCoy will introduce “One Prayer at a Time,” which will ask members of the community to pray for one person with HIV/AIDS daily. “We need to renew our concern for, and become passionately involved in, the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS to bring them hope and help,” Reverend Neal told SGN. “We want to raise the level of awareness that this disease still exists and that it is still taking a horrible toll on many lives here in Seattle, across America, and around the world. We want the victims of this terrible disease to know that we care and will continue to care for them.” As a denomination, Metropolitan Community Churches have been on the forefront of the HIV/AIDS epidemic since the beginning, and many current HIV/AIDS programs actually began in MCC churches. In fact, at one point in its history, MCC was known as “the AIDS church” because so many other denominations and churches refused to hold funerals for victims of the disease and refused to offer pastoral care to those hospitalized with the disease. MCC lost many of its first pastors and lay leaders to the epidemic, which left a lasting mark on the denomination and its individual churches. ECMCCS belongs to MCC, which, since its founding in 1968, has been at the vanguard of the civil and human rights movements by addressing important issues such as racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism, and other forms of oppression. MCC has been on the forefront in the struggle towards marriage equality in the U.S. and other countries worldwide and continues to be a powerful voice in the LGBT equality movement. MCC’s ministry has more than 43,000 members in 22 countries around the world. For more information about ECMCCS, including map directions and a mailing address, visit the congregation online at www. mccseattle.org.
On August 22, Emerald City Metropolitan Community Church Seattle (ECMCCS) will celebrate 38 years of open and affirming LGBT worship. ECMCCS officials have invited members of the Seattle community to the worship celebration, scheduled for 11 a.m. in the Chapel at University Temple United Methodist Church (1415 NE 43rd St.) in the University District. ECMCCS Pastor Ray Neal will preach, and Michelle Carmody, associate pastor, will consecrate communion. Gil Gordon, a founding member of EMCCS and a wellknown member of POZ Seattle, is scheduled to sing. A free salad luncheon will follow the worship. “We want everyone to know that he or she is welcomed and embraced as a whole person whom God created and loved exactly as they are,” Pastor Ray Neal told SGN. “There is no need for you to change the way God created you in order to be accepted by God. God loves you just as you are. In fact, God knew you were Gay even before you knew it, because God made you that way. Your sexuality or gender orientation is something to celebrate, not something to be condemned or ashamed about. Come and worship with us, and let us celebrate the real you.” ECMCCS is the oldest LGBT congregation in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, founded by Gay and Lesbian persons for the Queer community. ECMCCS continues to focus its ministry on the spiritual needs of LGBT people and their straight supporters. With many open, affirming, and welcoming churches in the area, ECMCCS believes that many LGBT people want a safe place to worship where they will not be confronted by the exclusionary beliefs of the fundamentalist religious right, which traditionally rejects sexual minorities. As a member organization of the University District Ecumenical Campus Coalition (UDECC) project, which hopes to construct a joint worship facility for several University District congregations to worship in, EMCCS has spent the year seeking ways to join the ministry efforts with other faith traditions. The church is also working with the University District Ecumenical parish, a collection of churches who share joint ministry opportunities to the Seattle metropolitan region, specifically the University Dis-
Right wing names “worst Americans”
Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama, FDR top the list by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The ultra-right-wing blog Right Wing News has published a list of “The Worst Americans of All Time.” Their ranking is based on an online poll of 45 right-wing bloggers. Topping the list was former president Jimmy Carter, with 25 “worst” votes, followed by current president Barack Obama with 23 votes, and another former president, Franklin Roosevelt, with 21. In contrast, Revolutionary War traitor Benedict Arnold came in fifth with only 17 votes. He tied yet another former president, League of Nations champion Woodrow Wilson. In the right-wingers’ imagination, the late senator Ted Kennedy is worse than mass murderer and domestic terrorist Tim McVeigh. Kennedy got 14 votes – tying Lyndon Johnson – while McVeigh scored only 11. Lincoln’s assassin John Wilkes Booth tied
birth-control pioneer Margaret Sanger with 10 votes. Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Al Gore, Jane Fonda, and Noam Chomsky all tied Richard Nixon with 9 votes apiece. Financial maven George Soros and Rev. Al Sharpton tied accused Soviet spy Alger Hiss with 8. Curiously enough, Bill and Hillary Clinton – once the special objects of right-wing hatred – came in far down the list. They tied Michael Moore and community organizer Saul Alinsky with only 7 votes apiece. The day after releasing their poll, Right Wing News announced they were endorsing GOProud’s “Homocon” event, featuring right-wing talk show personality Ann Coulter. GOProud bills itself as an organization for Gay conservatives and their allies. They split off from mainstream LGBT Republican group Log Cabin Republicans last year. To date, Right Wing News is the only Homocon sponsor.
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August 20, 2010
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INTERNATIONAL gayrussia.ru
NEWS
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer
media to call for hatred towards the LGBT pics in Vancouver this year. community.” “We believe that we have to continue this tradition in Sochi after Vancouver and LonGroups plan “Pride House” don,” said leading Moscow activist Nikolai at 2014 Olympics in Sochi Alekseev. “The Olympics are regularly atMoscow Pride and GayRussia.ru have tended by hundreds of Gay and Lesbian sent a letter of intent to the International athletes who are forced to hide their sexual Olympic Committee and the Russian Olym- orientation by fear of the damages it could pic Committee informing them there will be make on their career.” a “Pride House” at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. With assistance from Bill Kelley and Être The first such house appeared at the Olym- magazine
NATIONAL
rex wockner
NEWS
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer
Moscow Gay activist Nikolai Alekseev
Quebec Press Council denounces Olympics broadcasters The Quebec Press Council has denounced two TV broadcasters who made fun of skater Johnny Weir during the Vancouver Olympics. Sportscasters Alain Goldberg and Claude Mailhot said on air that Weir hurts figure skating’s image and should take a gender test or maybe compete in women’s events. “They’ll think all the boys who skate will end up like him,” Goldberg said. “It sets a very bad example. ... We should make him pass a gender test at this point.” The council’s ruling stated: “The council is aware that Mr. Mailhot and Mr. Goldberg diligently made on-air apologies following the incident. However, it cannot ignore the gravity of the error they have committed and therefore addresses the grievance. [The council] directs severe blame at Mr. Claude Mailhot and Mr. Alain Goldberg for having shown contempt, having harmed the dignity of the figure skater, Mr. Johnny Weir, and having made discriminatory remarks against him.” The decision has no effect other than tarnishing the broadcasters’ images. “We are happy ... to see that the QPC recognized the severity of the error,” said Steve Foster, president of the Quebec Council of Gays and Lesbians, which had filed a complaint with the QPC. “These radio announcers showed disrespect not only to the integrity of the athlete but also to the integrity of Gays and heterosexuals that do not correspond to the social stereotypes of masculinity and femininity.”
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Poll: Russians very homophobic A new poll by Russia’s Center for Public Opinion Research has found almost universal opposition to Gay people, GayRussia.ru reported August 8. The poll, conducted in late July, questioned 1,600 people in 130 cities and has a margin of error of 3.4 percent. It found that 74 percent of Russians believe Gays and Lesbians are morally dissolute or mentally defective, while only 15 percent think they are normal. Thirty-nine percent of those questioned believe that homosexuals should be forcibly treated for their condition or isolated from society, 24 percent think Gays should be sent to psychologists, 25 percent think Gays should be left in peace, and 4 percent think homosexuals should be eliminated. On the matter of equal rights, the findings were better, with 45 percent of Russians saying Gays and Lesbians should have equal rights – unless the issue is marriage. Only 14 percent of those questioned support letting Gay couples marry. On the issue of freedom of assembly, 82% percent of Russians object to Gay pride parades. A whopping 8 percent support them. The poll found that men, older people, poorer people, and people with less education are more homophobic. “The conclusion we can make from these results is that we only have more work ahead,” said Moscow Pride head Nikolai Alekseev. “The attitude of Russians towards Gay prides [and] same-sex marriages cannot improve when officials are using the
August 20, 2010
Board chair of GOProud, Christopher Barron
Media decides Prop 8 judge is Gay In a break with past practice on outing, the U.S. mainstream media decided in early August that U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, who struck down Proposition 8 as unconstitutional, is Gay, openly Gay, or reportedly Gay. Walker has never publicly said if he’s Gay or straight. In the past, U.S. mainstream media have avoided outing people who’ve chosen not to out themselves. Most of the reports either attributed Walker’s alleged Gayness to other mainstream reports or said it is common knowledge in certain San Francisco circles. Some reports flat-out called him “openly Gay,” without attributing the assertion to any event or individual. The Associated Press took the plunge on August 6, writing: “Rumors have circulated for months that Walker is Gay, fueled by the blogosphere and a San Francisco Chronicle column that stated his sexual orientation was an ‘open secret’ in legal and Gay activism circles. Walker himself hasn’t addressed the speculation, and he did not respond to a request for comment by The Associated Press on Thursday.” The New York Times wrote, “Several published reports have stated that the judge is himself Gay.” New York’s Daily News said, “The federal judge who upended California’s same-sex marriage ban this week is now being scrutinized by some for being Gay himself.” Fox News called Walker “one of three openly Gay federal judges in the country,” and a CNN opinion piece called him “an openly Gay federal judge.” The Washington Post let a political analyst call Walker “openly Gay.” Anti-Gay activists have suggested that Walker’s purported Gayness means he shouldn’t have accepted the Prop 8 case, since it deals with whether marriage is only for straight people, or also for Gay people.
The anti-Gay activists did not address the fact that a heterosexual judge would have found himself in an identical situation of ruling on an issue that is related to his or her sexual orientation. Michelangelo Signorile, who has been credited with inventing outing when he was a columnist at New York’s defunct OutWeek magazine in 1989, said the Walker outing was “a testament to how easily the media is manipulated by the right into doing things about which editors and reporters claim to be staunchly opposed.” He said the Walker reports amounted to “outrageous hypocrisy ... on the part of the corporate media” because “even with proof and evidence, news organizations refuse to report on the secretly Gay sexual orientation of conservative, anti-Gay politicians and public figures when the argument for their exposure is made from the left.” Ann Coulter to headline Gay homocon event Conservative author and media diva Ann Coulter will headline Homocon, a September 25 party in New York City organized by the conservative Gay group GOProud. “The Gay left has done their best to take all the fun out of politics, with their endless list of boycotts and protests,” said GOProud board chair Christopher Barron. “I can’t think of any conservative more fun to headline our inaugural party than the selfprofessed ‘right-wing Judy Garland’ – Ann Coulter.” “I can promise you Homocon 2010 will be a hell of a lot more fun than chaining yourself to the White House fence,” Barron added. Coulter said, “I’m thrilled to be giving a speech to a room full of Gay conservatives, because according to every single liberal I’ve ever met, such people don’t even exist!” With assistance from Bill Kelley
Celebrating 37 Years!
NORTHWEST
NEWS
compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer
KEXP CONCERTS AT THE MURAL Seattle celebrates their 38th Anniversary at On Fridays, August 20 and 27, from 6-8 11 a.m. at University Temple United Methp.m., discover great music at the Seattle odist Church (1415 NE 43rd St.) Center’s Mural Amphitheatre at KEXP and Seattle Center’s FREE Concerts at the MuFREEDOM SOCIALIST PARTY ral summer concert series. SOLIDARITY DIVIDED For more information, visit http://www. DISCUSSION seattlecenter.com. On Monday, August 23, from 6-9 p.m. upstairs at Café Allegro (4214 University Way RAIN COUNTRY NE), the Freedom Socialist Party and RadiDANCE ASSOCIATION cal Women will hold their first weekly disOFFERS FREE CLASSES cussion of Solidarity Divided, co-authored On Fridays, August 20 and 27, at 7:15 by black labor leader Bill Fletcher Jr. and p.m., Rain Country Dance Association will Chicano unionist Fernando Gapasin. The offer weekly west coast swing dance lessons book provides a candid examination of the for the GLBTQ community, at The Cuff crisis in organized labor and a bold plan to Complex (1533 13th Ave. at E. Pine St.). integrate unions into the broader social jusThis one-month series will teach new danc- tice movement. Drop-ins welcome. ers the fundamentals of this fun and flirty For information or rides, call 206-722dance style, followed by chances to practice 2453 or visit www.socialism.com/seattle. during “Cuff Country” Fridays. The series is free (though tips are welcome) and open THE ELITE HOSTS to all, regardless of gender or gender idenFREE ASL LESSONS tity, sexual orientation, body type, and skill FOR BEGINNERS level, and no partner is required. Lessons Have you ever wanted to learn basic from each week will build on moves taught American Sign Language? If so, you can get during the previous session. Some weeks some beginning ASL instruction at the Elite will also feature the opportunity to learn a (1520 E. Olive Way). The FREE lessons will line dance or basic two-step. be held every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the loft. More details are available at www.raincountrydance.org. EUROPEAN OPERA COMES TO SEATTLE CINEMA THANK GLAAD IT’S FRIDAY Running Wednesdays through September On Friday, August 20, from 7-9 p.m., 29, Columbia City Cinema will be screening Thank GLAAD It’s Friday will hold its sec- current productions from famous European ond Seattle event at Purr Cocktail Lounge opera houses (and London’s Globe Theatre). (1518 11th Ave.). TGIF passes are $35 The productions will be shown at 4 p.m. and $50 and grant you access to the event. ($15) and 7 p.m. ($20) each Wednesday at TGIF is a national networking event series the Rainier Valley Cultural Center (3515 S. for young LGBT professionals and straight Alaska St.). allies, featuring ABSOLUT Vodka. TGIF For more information, visit www.seedseevents include hosted ABSOLUT Vodka attle.org/seedarts/rvcc/rvcc_index.html. cocktails, one-year GLAAD memberships, special guest hosts and nightly prize drawSEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN ings as well as the opportunity to network BOOK CLUB AT DUNSHEE HOUSE and meet with like-minded professionThe Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club als. Purchase a TGIF Series Pass to help meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at DunGLAAD amplify the voices within our shee House (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas community and see for yourself why so St.). All GLBTQ folks in the community are many people love to “Thank GLAAD It’s welcome to participate in this FREE book Friday!” club. The book for August is Mark Doty’s For more information, visit www.glaad. Dog Years. For more information, e-mail org/events. nickdimartin@earthlink.net or contact Dunshee House at 206-322-2437. NUBIAN PRIDE WEEKEND From August 20 through 22, celebrations FREEDOM SOCIALIST will be held for the first annual Nubian Pride DISCUSSION SERIES: Weekend. THE LOGIC OF MARXISM On Friday, August 20, from noon-6 p.m., On Wednesdays through September 15 at there will be an all-ages beach party at Mad- the Old Firehouse (402 15th Ave. E.) from rona Park (853 Lake Washington Blvd.). It 7-9 p.m., The Logic of Marxism, by socialist will be followed by the Kickoff Party at 9 scholar George Novack, will be discussed. p.m. at Vibe Bar and Grill (226 1st Ave S, This book provides an accessible introducKent). $5 cover, 21+. tion to Marx’s dialectical materialism and On Saturday, August 21, at 1 p.m. at Vol- contrasts it with other political philosounteer park (1247 15th Ave. E.), there will phies. Free. Drop-ins welcome. Sponsored be an all-ages BBQ and Water Fight. This by Freedom Socialist Discussion Series. will be followed by the Nubian Pride CeleFor information, call 206-722-2453 or bration at 8 p.m. at Cafe Metropolitan (1701 visit www.socialism.com/seattle. E Olive Way). $5 cover, 21+. On Sunday August 22, at 6 p.m., there will QUEER PERFORMANCE be a Gospel Showdown at Cafe MetropoliWORKSHOP tan (1701 E. Olive Way). On Wednesday, August 25, at 7 p.m., a Queer Performance Workshop will be held Q-SQUARED BOOK GROUP at Pidgeon von Tramp’s place in south SeOn Saturday, August 21, at 1 p.m. at the attle. Capitol Hill Branch Library (425 Harvard The workshop will cover the beginner’s Ave. E.), the Q-Squared Book Group will guide to the politics of performing feminindiscuss the book Allan Stein by Matthew ity and masculinity, the politics of humor, Stadler. In his review of the book, Edmund the politics of appropriating other cultures White states, “Stadler demonstrates that (how not to), facial hair, make-up, costumhe is among the handful of first-rate young ing, character development, solo numbers, American novelists, one with a wide reach group numbers, how to conceptualize a and a quirky, elegant pen.” Q-Squared Book number, music and how to put it all together. Group is open to men who are interested in This first workshop will give an overview of Gay literature and always welcomes new all these topics. The workshop will continue members. to meet and go further into these topics for For more information, visit www. those who would like to perform. Pidgeon qsquared.org. and Ladypop have designed a group piece to be performed in a September 30 show at ReEMERALD CITY MCC SEATTLE bar called Superheroes Are So Gay. 38TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE Space is limited. Please RSVP for details On Sunday, August 22, at 11 a.m., Emer- and directions at ladyking6k@yahoo.com. ald City Metropolitan Community Church
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LGBT SENIOR CARE PROVIDERS COMMUNITY HAPPY HOUR On Thursday, August 26 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Aljoya Thornton Place (450 NE 100th St.), join the NW LGBT Senior Care Providers Network Community Happy Hour. The aging process is difficult for everyone, but for our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) seniors the perception of availability for resource and understanding amongst senior care providers can be very frustrating, in many cases resulting in forcing LGBT seniors to conceal who they are, often leading to a decrease in quality of life. It has become clear that there is a need for healthcare providers who wish to outreach and care for LGBT seniors to tighten their communication bridge, and work together to provide a better quality of care for the LGBT seniors of Washington state. For questions about the NWLGBT senior care providers, please contact David Haack at (206)-849-3511 or davidh@mercuryrx. com. EDEN GARDEN PARTY BENEFITS GAY CITY On Thursday, August 26 from 6-8 p.m. at a private home of James Smiley and Tony Lanphear in Seattle’s Blueridge neighborhood, the Gay City Health Project fundraiser “Eden” will be held. Indulge in original sin with Adam and Steve in the garden, take in views of Puget Sound, and enjoy hors d’ouevres and cocktails. Bid on forbidden fruits in the silent auction and take your chances with the infamous flower boys and their Eden raffle. RSVP required. E-mail Jordan@gaycity. org or call (206) 388-1703. PUDDLETOWN SQUARES’ A TASTE OF SQUARE DANCING On Thursday, August 26, from 7-9 p.m. at St Andrews Episcopal Church (111 NE 80th St.), Puddletown Squares will host A Taste of Square Dancing, with caller Gaylen Suave on the 18th and caller Ross Lopton on the 26th. This is an opportunity for anyone remotely interested in square dancing to come and give the Puddletown Squares a try for free, and learn a number of calls. High-energy callers and fun music. Dress is casual, and you don’t need a partner. For more information, visit www.puddletownsquares.com. PALM SPRINGS COCKTAIL CHALLENGE On Friday, August 27, from 6-9 p.m. at The Lobby Bar in Seattle (916 E. Pike St.), the Palm Spring Cocktail Challenge will be held. Palm Springs, America’s Gay oasis, is seeking the best bartenders in eight Gay clubs nationwide, including Seattle. Palm Springs is challenging bartenders to stir, mix, and shake up some poolside cocktails for its inaugural “Palm Springs Cocktail Challenge.” In addition, the Desert Gay Tourism Guild will be distributing summer travel deals and promotions. A winner will be selected from each city and brought to Palm Springs to compete in a cocktail challenge finale on September 12, 2010 at 5 p.m. at AZUL/Georgie’s Alibi. Seattle’s newest LGBT lounge, The Lobby Seattle, will be the venue for bartenders to compete and create three signature drinks (cocktail; signature and martinis); and will be evaluated on taste, presentation and name. The bartenders will also be judging on looks and attire, as well as presentation and audience participation. Contestants will receive bonus points if “Palm” or “Springs” is in the name or recipe of the signature drinks. Club attendees can also win a six-day, five-night vacation for two people to Palm Springs. For event information, visit www.PalmSpringsCocktails.com. THREE DOLLAR BILL OUTDOOR CINEMA PRESENTS “BLONDE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN” SUMMER OUTDOOR MOVIES On Friday, August 27, Three Dollar Bill Cinema presents Candleshoe – a fun and FREE movie shown at Cal Anderson Park, 11th Ave. & E. Olive St., this summer, under the stars! The screening will start at dusk – around 9:15-9:30 p.m. To make your moviegoing experience complete, concessions
August 20, 2010
will be sold at the screenings. For more information and to see trailers for the “Blonde But Not Forgotten” movie series, visit www.threedollarbillcinema.org. Three Dollar Bill Cinema sponsors the annual Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival in October. HAIR & HEELS CAR WASH On Saturday, August 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., join the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle at C.C. Attle’s parking lot (1501 E. Madison St.) for the Hair & Heels Car Wash. Proceeds will benefit the Court of Seattle Scholarship Fund. Suggested donation $10. SEATTLE CENTER FESTÁL: TIBET FEST On Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Center House and Fisher Pavilion (Seattle Center), Seattle Center Festál presents Tibet Fest. Symbolic masks, arts and crafts, sand mandala demonstrations by Tibetan monks, children’s activities and traditional foods, along with prayer flags and expert speakers, illuminate the culture’s foundation in Buddhism. H.H Sakya Dakchen Rinpoche, head of Sakya Sect, will bless the opening ceremony. Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams will welcome guests and Tibetan artists from Minnesota will present Tashi Shoepla - a good luck dance performed with colorful masks and dresses. The dance has been presented since the time of the fifth Dalai Lama, in 1642. Tibet Fest features Tibet’s best-known R&B singer, Phurbu T. Namgral, along with several traditional dance troupes and singers. The two-day festival also offers “Narrative Glimpses of Tibet” exploring the Tibetan government in exile and the rights and responsibilities of women in Tibet, and workshops on community circle dances. For more information on this cultural series and other Seattle Center programming, visit www.seattlecenter.com/festal or call 206 684-7200. CRAPTACULAR BIG-ASS RUMMAGE SALE On Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Pilgrim Congregational Church (500 Broadway E.), the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will hold their annual rummage sale. Sift through an eclectic collection of clothing, shoes, electronics, odds and ends. Sharpen your haggling skills, but don’t expect to get something for nothing – the Sisters are pros when it comes to separating you from your money, especially when it all goes to fantastic charitable organizations through the Sisters Charity Grant Fund. OUT IN FRONT SEEKS APPLICATIONS OUT in Front Seattle is now accepting online applications for the Class of 2011. The program starts in October. If you or someone you know is interested in attending this nationally recognized leadership program, please view our website and application at http://www.outinfrontseattle.org. Applications are due before August 31. OUT in Front is committed to fostering the development of “effective, engaged, and passionate leaders in order to build a thriving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community.” In addition to becoming more active members of the regional community, skills and expertise gained through the program help participants be more self-confident, as well as effective employees and advocates for a variety of local, regional, and national causes. In order to assure a diverse cohort, we are particularly interested in seeking applications from women, employees employed by government agencies and local businesses, members of communities of color and local religious organizations. The average age of participants is roughly 31, with an age range between 22 and 45. Previous classes have included ethnic diversity and balanced representation from private, business, and nonprofit sectors. If you have questions about the program, please call at 206-325-4595. Thank you.
Seattle Gay News
7
by Barry Thorsness SGN African Correspondent Thabo was waiting for us when we walked out of the hotel at 6:45 am. We left for the short 15 minute ride to the border with Zambia. When we arrived we saw a bus waiting, although it was facing the wrong direction. I walked over and found a driver, Lao, and introduced myself. He said we were waiting for the bus to come across the Zambezi river from Zambia. We then learned that all river crossing is on pontoons, so timing for the arrival of the bus was difficult. The bus from Zambia arrived about 30 minutes late. Louis got in the line of passengers, but when he got up to Lao, Lao refused him entry. He told him he was going to have to wait ‘till last. My heart sank. Then Lao indicated it was our turn, and lo and behold: seat assignments! We were in the front seats of the bus. We both laughed, but felt somewhat guilty. To me it was shades of the past; the two white guys sitting up front…. Arriving in Gaborone It was time to meet Monica, an attorney in Gaborone. We had a wonderful lunch and chatted about being Gay in Botswana, her experiences living in New York, and then her experiences living in Seattle just after 9/11. We talked about dating, going out, sex, the government in Botswana, and what is legal (it’s okay to be “Gay,” just illegal to have sex). I immediately really liked Monica. We later met up with some friends – Monica, Lorraine and Shamane – who had been partying since the afternoon, and weren’t so sure they could drive. After some confusion and discussion, my friend Lebo said she would drive us to the bar. The bar’s parking lot was packed with people. The cars trying to park were hardly moving. Vendors were selling food and illegal liquor. It was noisy. It was dark. I could tell that Lebo was somewhat nervous and was looking forward to letting us out and going back to visit her friends. She had decided the whole place was too dodgy, and was not going to come with us. There Louis and I were, in the darkness of night, with all these people, and we stood out – we were the only white people we saw all evening. I was thankful that we found Monica, Lorraine, and Shamane quite easily. The line into the bar was long, but we followed Monica right up, past the doorman, paid
All photos by Barry Thorsness
Our sixth week in Africa (part two) admission, and we were inside. I guess it is true: Gay people get to crash the lineup. The whole place was packed and dancing. I walked up to the bar to buy some beer. The energy and excitement I felt was quite unreal, and I have been going out for 40 years and have owned a couple of nightclubs, so I am usually pretty jaded. I started talking and joking with a guy at the bar, and before I knew it he had bought eight beers for us. I walked back to my friends with the beers and proceeded to dance for the next 2 and a half hours. It was better than any fantasy or dream I have ever had! First you must be aware that the bar is one big communal dance floor. Everyone
sex is illegal. Some of it felt like Castro Street in the ‘70’s mixed with the energy and fun of New York’s Fire Island of the ‘80s. Time for camping with friends in Joburg The next day, we caught the bus back to South Africa and went to a small rural town in Northwest Province called Groot Marico. It was a huge change. Groot Marico is Afrikaans, very white, “the old apartheid.” It’s full of farming, ranching, blond-haired kids, and the Dutch Reformed Church. We were an eclectic
bunch: an English/South African woman, a black South African woman, an Afrikaans man, a Croatian – now South African – man, a Hispanic American (Louis) and yes, me, a white (but more tanned) Canadian/American. Our friends from Joburg met us at the bus, and it was off to the old pub. We met the owner of the pub, whose name was Mayor. He was actually the mayor of the town, too. We had a few drinks. The pub is much the same as it was in the apartheid days. We were in a smaller room in the pub which was all-white. Louis and I could hear the music coming from the black part of the pub. As we left, we walked out into the street and in another door to see what was happening. I
is dancing, playing, drinking, and flirting with everyone else. The music is incredible. The feeling of camaraderie is unbelievable. All these very hot and hunky young men (and some beautiful women) spontaneously dance over to you, then dance with you, hug you, and welcome you to the bar. It’s all incredible fun. The flirting and sexual energy was amazing. I have never experienced anything like it in all my life. I have been to Gay bars all over Europe, in Asia, the U.S., and Canada, and to some of the best in South America. And all of this was happening in Botswana where Gay is in the closet, and Gay
will never forget the big smile on Louis’s face as he watched the people in the bar, all dancing together to the incredible music. It was then time for the very bumpy, very dusty drive over the red African dirt to an old farmhouse. We were going to spend the next couple of days and nights watching the most incredible stars and eating and drinking ourselves into oblivion. I had mentioned to Louis a couple of days before that I had missed my red wine, and the next couple of days more that made up for it, along with mampoer (local moonshine, so smooth and good, made out of peaches). The first night, we had steak and boerewors (sausages) cooked on the braai (BBQ) fire outside of the house. The next night, we had potjie, which was lamb knuckles, potatoes, squash, and carrots, all cooked over the fire in a big cast-iron pot. It was all very lekker – “great,” as we might say. 8
Seattle Gay News
August 20, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
Target says “no” to equality The controversy surrounding Target Corporation’s $150,000 donation to an organization backing anti-Gay Republican Tom Emmer for governor has reached a fevered pitch, despite an apology last week from the CEO. The Minneapolis-based retailer spent last week in private talks with the nation’s largest Gay-rights advocacy group, Human Rights Campaign (HRC). HRC, based in Washington D.C., was demanding that both Target and Best Buy make an equal or greater contribution to groups supporting Gay rights candidates in Minnesota. But talks have stalled, and now Target and HRC are back to square one – and at odds with one another. Fred Sainz, an HRC spokesman, said Target and his group had reached two tentative agreements over the last couple of weeks for the company to give money to various LGBT causes in Minnesota. “Then, when we were ready to pull the trigger – literally at the 11th hour on two occasions – they pulled back and said they were not ready to proceed,” Sainz said. “They said, ‘No deal.’ They said it was over.” Target didn’t explain why, he said. In response, HRC said it will contribute the same amount of its own money to political candidates in Minnesota who support Gay marriage. “At the top of our agenda is [making sure that] the next governor of Minnesota will
facesofdadt.org
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
Lt. Col. Fehrenbach puts DADT on trial
hopefully be in a position to sign a qualityof-marriage bill,” Sainz said. “Obviously, that is a priority for our community, and having a Legislature that will pass that bill is equally important.” The new problem for Target? They’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t. On one hand, Gay advocacy groups have demanded, and in some cases achieved, massive boycotts of the stores across the country. On the other hand, conservative groups are threatening to do the same if Target gives in to the demands of Gay activists. That is a tough spot to be in during a tough economic climate, with consumer spending heading toward an all-time low. Target and Best Buy have both defended their decisions to donate to MN Forward, the group that donated the money to Emmer’s campaign, as being driven by “business interests.” Two weeks ago, Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel told employees he was sorry the decision “affected you in a way I did not anticipate.” Gay rights groups were outraged by the action, citing Emmer’s stance on social issues which should not be separated from his views on taxes. Emmer opposes Gay marriage and abortion, supports Arizona’s immigration law, and previously has proposed chemically castrating sex offenders and steering state money away from AIDS prevention programs. Oddly, in the past, Target and Best Buy Lieutenant Colonel Victor Fehrenbach have been “model employers” for LGBT workers, earning the HRC’s highest ratby Shaun Knittel tus quo until we can have a full hearing,” ings. said M. Andrew Woodmansee, an attorney SGN Associate Editor with Morrison & Foerster. “Of course, we Lieutenant Colonel Fehrenbach, the continue to hope that the Air Force will do highly decorated combat Air Force Aviator the right thing and let this war hero continue who filed an injunction in Federal Court to to serve his country.” “The agreement recognizes the immeblock his pending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) discharge got some good news this diate harm to Lt. Col. Fehrenbach and insures that he will eventually get to week. Servicemembers Legal Demake his case at a full-blown fense Network (SLDN) and the hearings on Elena Kagan’s nomina- Morrison & Foerster LLP, hearing without losing tion to the U.S. Supreme Court pre-empted who represent Fehrenhis job,” said Aubrey hearings on other nominees. Sarvis, SLDN execubach, told their client White House spokesperson Shin Inouye that they reached an tive director. “This said President Obama was disappointed agreement with the agreement is a victhat the Senate has been unable to confirm U.S. District Court tory for Lt. Col. the Gay nominees as well as the 71 others for the District of Fehrenbach and that are still pending. our nation. The Idaho, U.S. De“It’s unfortunate that at a time when our partment of JusAir Force can nation is facing enormous challenges, some tice, and the U.S. still do the right senators have decided to delay critical nom- Air Force, on the thing and retain inations – often for political purposes,” he pending request Lt. Col. Fehrensaid. “With 74 nominees still pending be- for a temporary rebach under the fore the Senate, the president hopes that the straining order. Pentagon’s own Senate will move forward and consider all revised regulations The agreement of these well-qualified candidates.” on DADT. The Senate prevents the Air Force As a part of the Presidential Appointments from discharging Lt. Col. needs to act next month Project, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund Fehrenbach under DADT, to get rid of this antiquated has pushed for the appointment of LGBT the discriminatory law barring law that dishonors some our people through the federal government. finest and most talented serviceGay and Lesbian servicemembers Denis Dison, a Victory Fund spokesper- from serving openly and honestly, until the members.” son, said he was unaware of anti-Gay bias Court can schedule a hearing on the motion DADT, passed in 1993 as part of the Naholding up the confirmation process. tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal for a preliminary injunction. “My understanding is there are tons of Last week, Fehrenbach’s attorney’s filed a Year 1994, has resulted in the abrupt firing nominees that are still being held,” Dison motion in U.S. District Court for the District of more than 14,000 men and women besaid. “I think that if the president is nomi- of Idaho seeking a court order preventing cause of their sexual orientation, and has led nating a number of LGBT people, they’re the Air Force from discharging Fehrenbach, tens of thousands more to voluntarily terjust as likely to get caught up in the politics arguing that the government cannot estab- minate their careers because of the burden as straight nominees.” lish that his continued service on active duty of serving under this outdated law. There On March 27, President Obama used a hinders “morale, good order and discipline, are an estimated 66,000 Gays, Lesbians, “recess appointment” to place Lesbian ac- and unit cohesion.” and Bisexuals currently serving in the U.S. tivist Chai Feldblum, and three other nomi“This is exactly what we asked the Court military, and an estimated 1 million Gay, nees on the Equal Employment Opportuni- to do in our motion, and we are pleased that Lesbian, and Bisexual veterans of the U.S. ties Commission (EEOC). the Air Force has agreed to preserve the sta- armed forces. When the Senate is in recess, and therefore unable to confirm nominees, the president may put them in office without Senate action. Because Feldblum never received confir$ mation from the Senate, however, her tenure will be shorter than it would have been any size pizza if she had gotten the Senate’s consent. As it 700 East Pine St. Seattle is, she will only retain her EEOC position until the end of this year, but if she had reHOMEMADE ceived confirmation she would have been HAND able to stay on until 2013. One unknown senator held up her apFree DeliVery • 206-322-6444 pointment for six months.
Senate holds up three Gay nominees by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The U.S. Senate is holding up confirmation of no less than 74 of President Obama’s nominees for various federal positions. Among them are three openly Gay nominees. Two have been waiting for confirmation for almost a year, and the third has been waiting for more than five months. Beatrice Hanson, nominated to head the Justice Department’s Victims of Crime office, and Richard Sorian, named Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at Health and Human Services, were appointed by President Obama late last year. Michael Camunez was appointed Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance in March. By law, secretaries who head federal departments, their under secretaries, deputies, assistants, and the general counsels who give them legal advice are appointed by the president but must be confirmed by the Senate. One lone senator can hold up confirmation of a presidential nominee without even revealing his or her name or the reason for the “hold.” Even without a hold on a nomination, Senate rules require 60 members to agree to bring the nomination to an up or down vote. Of the three pending LGBT nominees, the Senate acted most recently on Camunez’s nomination. Just before lawmakers broke for their August recess, the Senate Finance Committee sent his nomination to the floor with a favorable recommendation. According to Majority Leader Harry Reid’s office, no vote on the nomination has been scheduled. On June 30, the Senate Finance Committee unanimously reported out the nomination of Sorian, but his nomination has not yet come before the full Senate. Hanson’s nomination is still pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee. No hearing on her nomination has been scheduled. According to Judiciary Committee staff,
Visit us online www.sgn.org
The agreement recognizes the immediate harm to Lt. Col. Fehrenbach and insures that he will eventually get to make his case at a full-blown hearing without losing his job.”
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Seattle Gay News
9
Sister Glory Glory Hole-lalujah
End of game pig pile – the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence versus the Seattle Quake Rugby Team
Sisters thrash Quake Rugby in fundraiser beatdown by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer On Saturday, August 14, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan (Seattle) and The Order of Benevolent Bliss (Portland) took on the Seattle-based Quake Rugby team in a kickball game to raise
funds for the Capitol Hill Alano Club (1900 E. Madison St.). This was the last fundraiser to be held for CHAC’s 2010 “Staying Alive” fundraising campaign. The game raised $1,700 for CHAC. In addition, the Abbey of St. Joan gave CHAC a special $500 award from their charity fund, and Quake Rugby donated another $200.
“This ain’T your grandma’s square dancing!”
The game was hosted and announced by local queen Lily Armani (of La Femme Magnifique). “Every stereotype was broken, and Lily rocked it,” said Sister Karma. “Lily was a phenomenal emcee; she had no issue ripping the clothes off the rugby guys.” The 2010 Seattle Leather Daddy and Leather Boy served as referee and scorekeeper, respectively. Most notable among the many generous donations was a special donation from bartender Danny of C.C. Attle’s, who forced Sister Karma to lose her face by rubbing it roughly against the toned body of a very sexy Quake Rugby player. As of press time, the Capitol Hill Alano Club has raised $29,223, exceeding their $15,000 goal. james whitely
“A Taste of Square Dancing”
The Sisters won the game easily – almost too easily – with a score of 79-13. “There wasn’t a score … well, there was a score. It was made up, though,” said Sister Karma Za Betch, a sister from the Abbey who spearheaded the organization of the event. “We cheated, I can tell you right now. I walked up and changed the numbers.” The Sisters’ team was made up of approximately 15 Abbey Sisters and 10 Order Sisters. Quake’s 30 players were broken down into two teams. According to Sister Karma, Sister Dixie Rupt of the Order of Benevolent Bliss and Sister Rolanda Kahndom of the Abbey of St. Joan were the stars of the game for the Sisters’ team. Quake player Jeff Wilson scored the most points for the Quake team.
with caller Gaylen Sauve Wednesday, August 18, 7pm – 9pm with caller Ross Lopton Thursday, August 26, 7pm – 9pm St. Andrews Episcopal Church 111 NE 80th St. Seattle, WA 98115 “Tastes” are opportunities for anyone remotely interested in what we do to come try it out for free, and learn a number of the calls. High energy callers, fun music. Dress is casual, and you don’t need a partner. Dancers can choose if they want to dance the “girl” part or the “boy” part (they really aren’t lead and follow as in much other gay dance circumstances). We spend 2 hours and just have a lot of fun.
Mainstream Class begins Monday, September 13th with caller/teacher Ron Legters
7pm – 9:30pm, every Monday for 20-22 weeks. THE FIRST THREE CLASSES ARE FREE. Cost for the entire session is $150, and if cash flow is a problem we can easily work out a payment plan. Location is TBD, but will be on our website
WWW.puDDlEToWNSquArES.CoM.
10 Seattle Gay News
August 20, 2010
Lily Armani hosted the day’s events.
Celebrating 37 Years!
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Seattle Gay News 11
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August 20, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
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August 20, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
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XY magazine will destroy old files by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The former partners publishing XY magazine have reached agreement with the Federal Trade Commission to destroy their old customer files rather than sell them to settle their debts. XY magazine, along with its companion website XY.com, billed itself as a young Gay men’s publication. It ceased publishing in 2007. XY owner and editor Peter Cummings filed a personal bankruptcy petition in February 2010. Cummings’ creditors and his former business partners each hired lawyers to obtain the magazine’s remaining assets – the customer files which contained the names, addresses, and e-mails of more than 1 million Gay teens. While Cummings did not want to release the information, both his creditors and former partners wanted the files sold to settle Cummings’ debts. The FTC intervened in the case in July,
arguing that sale of the files would expose the magazine’s former customers – many of whom might still be minors living with parents – to the risk of being outed against their will. XY’s privacy policy promised subscribers that their information would never be shared or sold under any circumstances. The agreement of all parties to destroy the information resolves the issue without litigation. Some online privacy advocates wanted the case to go to trial, however, in hopes the courts could establish rules governing the use of personal information owned by companies that subsequently go bankrupt. Simon Davies, head of the human rights group Privacy International, believes that bankruptcy allows a loophole to undermine privacy agreements. “In the real world,” Davies said, “when a firm goes into receivership, all bets are off when it comes to protection, because everyone’s scrabbling for something of value. [Bankruptcy] is yet another hurdle for data protection advocates to jump through.”
You’re outta here! by Leslie Robinson SGN Contributing Writer Even if you don’t like baseball, you’ve probably seen video of a manager vociferously arguing a call with an umpire. The manager might throw his cap. He might throw a base. He might throw out his back throwing a base. Brent Bowers, skipper of a minor league
team, performed an unusual physical maneuver and delivered a scalding tirade during a confrontation with openly Gay umpire Billy Van Raaphorst. Bowers now has a place in baseball history, but it will only get him into the Hall of Shame. On July 31, Bowers’ Edmonton Capitals played the Orange County Flyers in Fullerton, Calif. Van Raaphorst, of Irvine, Calif., was the crew chief. In the first inning, another umpire called a close play at first base. Bowers and some of his players pointedly objected to the call. Van Raaphorst warned them. When Bowers and two players continued beefing, Van Raaphorst ejected them, the second day in a row he’d tossed Bowers in the first in-
ning. Bowers promptly benched his brain. Outsports.com obtained the official report Van Raaphorst gave to the Golden Baseball League in which the umpire provided his account of what happened next. Bowers ran over to him and screamed, “You know what I heard? I heard you are a fucking faggot. … So what do you do, you fucking faggot? Do you take it up the fucking ass, you faggot?” Bowers bent over and grabbed his ankles, apparently fearful the umpire hadn’t understood his words and a visual aid was in order. This leader of men screamed into Van Raaphorst’s face, “What’s the matter, did your fucking boyfriend fucking cum on your face today, is that how you like it, you fucking faggot?” It was a fine, family-friendly day at the ballpark. Bowers threatened, “I ought to kick your ass you faggot.” The plate umpire came over and Van Raaphorst walked away. Bowers screamed at the plate umpire, “I know he is a faggot, I was told by [two prominent people in the league] that he is a fucking faggot. I know he is a faggot!” Whew. Van Raaphorst, who stands 6’4”, did well not to knock him into the hotdog stand.
“I know he is a faggot, I was told by [two prominent people in the league] that he is a fucking faggot. I know he is a faggot!”
Several possibilities here. The first is clear: This manager can’t manage his anger. As to the second and third possibilities, his rant was so extreme and so primal, Bowers either is a poster child for the testosteronesoaked ethos of pro sports, or he’s Gay. My bet is the former. The very idea of the latter probably makes him want to throw bats out of the dugout. Preferably with me in the way. The Golden Baseball League responded to the homophobic tirade by suspending Bowers for two games. Yup, a whole two games. That decision was the foulest of foul balls. Fortunately, Van Raaphorst’s fellow umps were incensed over this slap on the wrist, and threatened to walk off the job. The league then suspended Bowers for the rest of the season. Bowers, who admitted to the tongue-lashing, resigned. The guy without a job said he regrets what he did. “I’ve grown up more in three days than ever before,” said Bowers. That still makes him only about 14. The league president said, due to this incident, all 10 teams will be required to go through diversity training. Now that is a grand slam. Kudos to Billy Van Raaphorst, who managed to endure an appalling situation. I don’t know if there’s a blessing for baseball umpires, so I’ll make one up: May your calls be accurate, may your temper be slow, and may a line drive never land in your teeth. Leslie Robinson lives in Seattle. E-mail her at lesarobinson@gmail.com, and read other columns at www.generalgayety.com.
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Celebrating 37 Years!
Urban Rest Stop celebrates 10 years
a 10% increase each month. … It’s a problem,” said Gilboa. URS sees about 500-800 people each day using their services, and according to Gilboa, for every person URS can accommodate, five or six have to be turned away. Still, URS is forced to enforce time limits for their services. “I could put in more Urban Rest Stops in different neighborhoods … and downtown, and still they’d be [functioning] at capacity within a month,” Gilboa told SGN. In addition to their services, URS also offers organic soaps, razors, and shaving cream for men and women, foot powder, toothbrushes, and towels, along with peace of mind. “It kind of acts almost like a portal for people, because it’s a way to get connected with other services,” said Gilboa. URS also offers weekly visits from nurses from Public Health Seattle & King County, daily housing, and employment assistance and counseling, monthly vaccinations for hepatitis, a monthly visit from a podiatrist, and other services. In the future, Gilboa says that she hopes to be able to provide HIV/AIDS testing and services designed
specifically for veterans. “When folks are done using us, you can’t tell them apart from anyone else,” said Gilboa. “Also,” added Gilboa, “it’s exceedingly hard to be homeless. … Often you don’t want to be identified.” For Gilboa, it comes down to equity. She recognizes that the U.N. Charter demands access to clean water and recognizes that homelessness is a public health issue. It’s why she does the work she does. According to her, URS also helps to support the local economy by sustaining workers. The URS Thank You Community Street Fair will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 28 at 1924 9th Ave., outside the Urban Rest Stop. The street fair will feature carnival games, food vendors, and lots of family-friendly activities. URS has requested Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and various Seattle City Council Members to participate in a dunk tank – though whether or not they’ll actually show is still left to speculation. For more information on the Urban Rest Stop, visit them online at www.urbanreststop.org.
by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer
Ronni Gilboa, program manager of URS. Gilboa was hired in 1999 when the URS opened its doors, and is the first and only Urban Rest Stop Thank You person to fill the position of program manCommunity Street Fair ager. August 28 “Usually shelters don’t have showers or Urban Rest Stop (1924 9th Ave.) washing machines. So when people are getThe Urban Rest Stop (URS) ting ready to work … they need will be celebrating its 10th to be clean, they need to be anniversary with the URS presentable,” Gilboa told Thank You Community SGN. Street Fair on SaturAccording to Gilday, August 28. The boa, approximately Urban Rest Stop is 60% of people who a program of the use the rest stop are Low-Income Housworking. ing Institute, which “It’s not just day provides a clean, laborers, but people safe, and welcomin retail, people who ing facility where are pulling your cofhomeless individufee, people who are als and families can standing behind the use restrooms, showcounter, people who are ers, laundry machines, doing security.” and various other services Because of the recession, for free. or “depression” as Gilboa refers “Basically it’s a toolbox where they to it, URS usage has skyrocketed. come, use the services, and move on,” said “[In] 2007 we started noticing basically
“Usually shelters don’t have showers or washing machines. So when people are getting ready to work … they need to be clean, they need to be presentable.”
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Seattle Gay News 17
Lambda Legal Seattle Garden Party raises $200,000
by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer
gala. VIPs included State Senator Ed Murray, Representative Jamie Pedersen, Representative Joe McDermott, and Marsha On August 5, Lambda Legal Defense and Botzer, secretary on the Board of Directors Education Fund (commonly referred to of Equal Rights Washington and co-chair of simply as Lambda Legal), a national LGBT the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. civil rights organization that works through The annual event is Lambda’s only Seattle litigation, education, and public policy fundraising event. Other unique fundraisers work, held its annual Seattle fundraiser: The are held around the country in other major Lambda Legal Seattle Garden Party. The cites throughout the year. event raised $200,000 for Lambda Legal. “Seattle has just been one of our big“It was a wonderful and clear show of our gest areas of support for over 20 years,” local support here in Seattle for the incred- O’Kelley told SGN. ible and groundbreaking work that LambMost of the Garden Party is sponsored da has been doing in Seattle and around completely by donations. The location, cathe country for the past year,” said Judi tering, bartending, and drinks are donated O’Kelley, the national director of life plan- by community members and local businessning for Lambda. es, and the event is staffed by volunteers, About 300 people attended the garden giving the Garden Party a 95% profit margin for Lambda. Sponsorship for the event comes from various local progressive law firms and companies like the Microsoft Corporation and the law firm K&L Gates, of which Representative Pedersen is a partner. “There were an incredible number of local sponsors who gave at all levels of support,” said O’Kelley. The Garden Party is just one of roughly 20 fundraising events coordinated by Lambda Legal each year. Other fundraisers are held in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Chicago, Indianapolis, and Dallas.
jinkins
continued from cover
versity of what we’ve worked on,” she continued. “Social justice. Education. I have a very diverse background. I can be the one to go down to Olympia and create coalitions to accomplish things.” Jinkins tells SGN that issues did not define the primary campaign. “We haven’t debated very much,” she says. “There have been no debates and very few candidate forums.” Instead, she says, her management experience pushed her to the front of the pack. Jinkins is deputy director of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. She has also worked in management in the state Department of Health. “I have broader and deeper budgetary experience – managing budgets and getting them under control,” Jinkins tells SGN. Asked if she believes her experience will be enough to help her deal with the state’s fiscal crisis, Jinkins replies, “It’s going to be a huge challenge. When the governor called to endorse me, we didn’t talk politics, we talked about the budget.” “You can’t look at the budget in the same old way we did for decades. You have to remake the government,” Jinkins says. The challenge, she says, will be “doing that while protecting the safety net and vital services.” Jinkins tells a story to illustrate her willingness to tackle tough budget decisions. “The day I got there [the county Health Department], they told me, ‘OK, you’ve got three weeks to present a budget. And you have to cut $2 million from it.’ That’s a 20% cut. “So we looked at every single program, and we had a scoring tool, so we could prioritize the most effective and broad-reaching programs. “We kept funding in the budget for the most effective programs and for the others we looked for grants or we downsized them,” she says. The second part of the task, Jinkins says, is to explain the process to constituents.
“We have to articulate to the voters what we’re spending their money on. That’s important when you talk about revenue generation. You have to say, ‘These are the things new revenue would buy you.’” “I think we have a constitutional and a moral imperative to make education primary,” she adds. While Jinkins is running against another Democrat for what is usually considered a safe Democratic seat, other Democratic candidates seem to be in trouble. Asked if she worried that she may end up a member of the minority party in the next legislature, Jinkins is philosophical. “I worried about it this morning when I was reading the paper,” she chuckles. “You know, I’ve tended to work on issues a lot more than politics,” she adds. “I know a lot of legislators on both side of the aisle. I think I can be effective no matter who is in the majority.” Jinkins has been endorsed by many labor unions, including the powerful SEIU 775 and UFCW 21. “Nearly every issue I’ve ever worked on is important to working families,” she explains. “Many of the unions that have endorsed me have education or healthcare as their primary focus.” “I came from a working-class family and I’m part of a working-class family,” Jinkins continues. “I was born in a small town in southwest Wisconsin. My dad was a veterinarian. He and my mom taught us to work hard at everything we did. That’s a lesson that has stayed with me and my siblings.” She describes her own “working-class family” as “my partner Laura and our 9-year-old son. He’ll be 10 on September 1 – a fact he reminds me of every day. Laura works for the attorney general. She’s an attorney by trade, he’s a Lego aficionado by trade.” “He may have a career as a political consultant, though,” Jinkins adds. “When I was first deciding to run, I asked him what my main issue should be, and he said, ‘Healthcare.’ “I asked why, and he said, ‘I see a lot of people looking worried and I think they’re worried about losing their healthcare.’ “That and a slide at Sherman Elementary,” Jinkins laughs. “He says my first bill should be one to make school more fun.”
“You know, I’ve tended to work on issues a lot more than politics. I know a lot of legislators on both side of the aisle. I think I can be effective no matter who is in the majority.”
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www.sgn.org 18 Seattle Gay News
August 20, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
Koster for congress
file photo
continued from cover
Five races look to be of special concern to the LGBT community. U.S. Senate: Murray v. Rossi At the top of the ballot, the U.S. Senate race between incumbent Democrat Patty Murray and Republican challenger Dino Rossi went as expected. Both candidates performed as pre-poll pundits said they should to demonstrate credible candidacies for the November general election, Murray scoring in the mid-40s and Rossi in the mid-30s. Sarah Palin-endorsed Tea Party Republican Clint Didier did a little better than poll-
ing suggested he would, with over 12% of the vote. Murray was first elected to the Senate in 1992, in the wake of a sex scandal that discredited incumbent Brock Adams. She won reelection in 1998 against far-right Republican Linda Smith, and 2004 against Congressman George Nethercutt. As senator, Murray voted for DOMA in 1996 – a vote she later said was a mistake. She co-sponsored the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act in 2009, and has consistently voted for federal HIV/ AIDS programs. Murray is a co-sponsor of a number of pending bills of interest to the LGBT community: • ENDA (the Employment Non-Discrimination Act), to prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity; • the Military Readiness Enhancement courtesy elizabeth4state.com
file photo
Competing for the 21st Legislative District will be incumbent Democrat Marko Liias (l) and Republican challenger Elizabeth Scott
courtesy jake fey
election
es Committee, his co-sponsorship of DADT repeal is particularly important. Koster, on the other hand, is a consistent enemy of LGBT rights. He also opposes abortion under any circumstances – even in cases of rape, incest, or danger to the mother’s life. Koster’s campaign manager is none other than Larry Stickney, one-time president of the Washington Values Alliance and one of the leaders of the Referendum 71 campaign to repeal domestic partnership rights. Koster is currently a Snohomish County Council member. On the Council he has endorsed religious displays on public property, and he once tried to cancel county funding for a holiday concert featuring the Seattle Men’s Chorus. Koster has been endorsed by Sarah Palin’s SarahPAC, Team America PAC – an antiimmigrant group headed by Tom Tancredo and Bay Buchanan – Human Life of Washington, the Christian Homeschool Network, and the Washington State Eagle Forum.
courtesy laurie jinkins
Incumbent Democratic candidate for the 2nd Congressional District Rick Larsen (l) and Republican challenger John Koster
Act, to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell; • the Uniting American Families Act, to enable foreign-born partners of US citizens to live legally in the U.S.; • the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, to offer benefits to samesex partners of federal employees equal to those given to married spouses; • REAL (the Responsible Education About Life bill) to provide scientificallybased sex education; • ETHA (the Early Treatment of HIV Act), providing additional federal funding for HIV treatment. Rossi supports none of these measures. A veteran of seven years in the state senate and two unsuccessful runs for governor (2004 and 2008), Rossi is solidly on the right. As a state senator, he co-sponsored this state’s DOMA in 1998. He opposed both the Anderson-Murray Civil Rights bill and the state’s domestic partnership laws, although he was already out of the legislature when these finally
Competing for the 27th Legislative District will be Democrat Laurie Jinkins (l) and Democrat Jake Fey
passed. Rossi is also against reproductive choice. Congress: Larsen v. Koster This year’s race in the 2nd Congressional District – which takes in Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, and Island Counties, and a piece of northeast King County – will be a reprise of the 2000 election. Incumbent Democrat Rick Larsen once again takes on right-wing Republican John Koster. In 2000, Larsen beat Koster by only four points. As primary votes continue to be counted, Larsen is currently running two points ahead of Koster. Larsen has staked out a position as a centrist Democrat, but he is a co-sponsor of ENDA and the Uniting American Families Act. He has been a consistent supporter of federal HIV/AIDS programs and of reproductive choice. As a member of the House Armed Servic-
State Legislature: Jinkins v. Fey and Liias v. Scott Because of the state’s top-two primary system, openly Lesbian Laurie Jinkins will probably face a fellow Democrat in Tacoma’s 27th Legislative District. A longtime activist, Jinkins is now deputy director of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. She has also worked for the state Health Department and been an assistant attorney general. In 2009, Jinkins co-chaired the successful Approve Referendum 71 campaign to defend the state’s domestic partnership laws. She also chaired Tacoma United for Fairness, and served on the board of Hands Off Washington. Her likely opponent, Jake Fey, also a Democrat, is a Tacoma City Council memsee election page 20
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Seattle Gay News 19
ber and deputy mayor. Fey is currently leading the third-place candidate, Independent Ken Nichols, by only 136 votes. Nichols supports the Tim Eyman-inspired legislative supermajority for tax bills and opposes reproductive choice. In the 21st Legislative District, incumbent Democrat Marko Liias will face Republican challenger Elizabeth Scott in the general election. Liias, who is openly Gay, was the prime sponsor of HB 2801, the state’s improved anti-bullying bill which unanimously passed both houses of the legislature in March. Liias earned praise for both political leadership and diplomatic skill in working with colleagues of both parties and achieving a unanimous vote on the measure. Liias has also sponsored consumer protection legislation and a bill to extend the same tax credits and incentives granted to Boeing to smaller aerospace companies. His Republican opponent, political novice Elizabeth Scott, describes herself as “a midwest farm girl,” and “a member of the Washington State Farm Bureau, the Snohomish County Chapter of the Citizens’ Alliance for Property Rights, the National Rifle Association, and Evergreen Freedom Foundation’s Citizen Action Network.”
In other races…. Apart from Larsen, all the state’s congressional incumbents appear to be heading for easy victories in November. Seattle’s own Jim McDermott (D-7) polled nearly 80% of the vote against five challengers.
courtesy charliewigginsforjustice.com
continued from page 19
Supreme Court: Wiggins v. Sanders Attorney and former judge Charlie Wiggins has mounted an unexpectedly tough challenge to incumbent Supreme Court Justice Richard Sanders. Wiggins won almost 40% of the vote against Sanders’ 48%. Third-place finisher Brian Chushcoff, who will not advance to the November general election, got almost 13%. While Wiggins believes the Supreme Court decision in Andersen v. King County, upholding the state’s DOMA, was “reasonable,” he is sharply critical of many of Sanders’ anti-Gay legal opinions. Sanders joined his colleague Jim Johnson in several opinions hostile to LGBT rights, including a concurring opinion in Andersen that went far beyond the majority view, claiming that same-sex couples cannot be married because the main purpose of marriage is procreation. Sanders has also written minority opinions that cities may not offer domestic partner benefits to their employees, and that non-biological parents in same-sex relationships are not entitled to visitation rights to their children in the event the couples separate.
file photo
election
Incumbent Supreme Court Justice Richard Sanders (l) and challenger Charlie Wiggins
In the state legislature, several Democratic incumbents running in swing districts seem to be in trouble – including Sens. Eric Oemig (D-45) and Claudia Kaufman (D47), and Reps. Roger Goodman (D-45) and Geoff Simpson (D-47). Currently Democrats hold a 31-18 majority in the state Senate and a 61-37 advantage in the House. Openly Gay Sen. Ed Murray (D-43) and Reps. Dave Upthegrove (D-33), and Jamie Pedersen (D-43) ran unopposed. Gay incumbent Jim Moeller (D-49) held a comfortable 54-46% lead over his Republican opponent, Craig Riley. Riley has pledged to “uphold the values of faith and family.”
Gay state Sen. Joe McDermott (D-34) is leaving the legislature to run for the County Council seat vacated by new County Executive Dow Constantine. McDermott won 59% of the votes in his 8th Council District. Diana Toledo, the second-place candidate who will face McDermott in November’s general election, won less than 20%. Right-wing Supreme Court Justice James Johnson trounced his opponent, Stan Rumbaugh, with 62.55% of the vote. Rumbaugh was backed by Equal Rights Washington. Barbara Madsen, the author of the main opinion in Andersen v. King County upholding this state’s DOMA, ran unopposed.
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www.sgn.org 20 Seattle Gay News
August 20, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
marriages continued from cover
ballot in 2008 to overturn the state’s legalization of same-sex marriage. “The 9th Circuit put the appeal on a fast track and specifically directed the Prop 8 proponents to address ‘why the appeal should not be dismissed for lack of Article III standing’ in their opening brief,” said the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “That means the court will consider whether the proponents of Prop 8 have the right to file an appeal at the same time that it is considering whether Judge Walker’s decision that Prop 8 violates the federal Constitution is legally correct.” The proponents’ opening brief is due September 17, the plaintiffs’ opposing brief is
due October 18 and the proponents’ reply brief is due November 1. A decision that the proponents have no standing could come in December. If the 9th Circuit decides the proponents have standing and goes on to consider the constitutionality of Prop 8, it would not be expected to issue a decision until sometime in early 2011. Either decision could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the plaintiffs challenging Prop 8 could appeal the 9th Circuit’s current stay to the U.S. Supreme Court right now, but have given no indication they will do so. Robin Tyler, whose marriage to Diane Olson was the first same-sex marriage in Southern California two years ago, said the stay is deeply disappointing. “We are tired of our emotions being batted around like ping-pong balls,” Tyler said. “Gays and Lesbians are human beings, and
there is not one legal reason to delay samesex marriages in California. ... Martin Luther King said, ‘Justice delayed is justice denied.’ He also said, ‘Wait means never.’ Once again, our hopes have been dashed.” NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell said, “Every additional day that couples must wait to marry again in California is painful, but despite the terrible disappointment for the many couples whose right to marry has been delayed yet again, today’s ruling includes another significant victory for our side. The court did the right thing by putting the case on a fast track and specifically ordering that Prop 8 proponents show why they have a legal right to appeal. This ruling brings us one step closer to ending the nightmare of Prop 8 and restoring full equality for all Californians.” Lambda Legal called the stay “painful.” “We are saddened by the 9th Circuit’s decision to maintain the stay of Judge Walk-
er’s ruling that Prop 8 is unconstitutional,” said Jennifer Pizer, director of the group’s Marriage Project. “We very much hoped to see same-sex couples again free to celebrate their love and mutual devotion through marriage starting later this week. We know this delay is painful for couples in love, who have been denied their basic rights for too long already.” She also said the 9th Circuit failed to apply “the standard test for when a stay should be ordered.” The test requires, among other things, that an appellant prove a strong likelihood of winning on appeal and that the appellant would suffer an irreparable injury without a stay. Judge Walker said the Prop 8 proponents failed to pass any part of the test. The 9th Circuit’s order did not explain its determination. With assistance from Bill Kelley
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22 Seattle Gay News
August 20, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
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