Issue 32 Volume 38
FRIDAY August 6, 2010 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands
Celebrating 37 Years!
BARRY IN AFRICA p. 8
VANCOUVER PRIDE p. 13 ALEKSA MANILA p. 18
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
VICTORY! Prop. 8 trial upholds equal protection
Lady Gaga issues call from stage for peaceful Arizona boycott
Prop 8 lacks “any rational basis” for denying same-sex marriage by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
interscope
On August 4, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California Vaughn Walker ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in the landmark Perry v. Schwarzenegger case, striking down California’s Proposition 8 and finding that it violates the U.S. Constitution be denying Gay men and Lesbians the fundamental right to marry and denying them equal protection under the law. “Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out Gay men and Lesbians for denial of a marriage license,” Judge Walker’s ruling read. “Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no interest in discriminating against Gay see prop 8 page 19
Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle
public criticisms of homophobia in music and other hot-button issues would be putting it lightly. So far, the star’s hugely successful Monster Ball Tour has been applauded – and marred by backlash. Still, Lady Gaga forges on, most recently by using her sizable cultural influence and headline-grabbing powers to spotlight the ongoing immigration debate by standing up against SB 1070, the controversial Arizona immigration law. On July 31, Gaga emerged onstage in Phoenix, Arizona, with the slogan “Stop SB 1070” scrawled on her arm. Gaga told the audience that Lady GaGa as the concert date approached, by Shaun Knittel groups urged the singer to cancel her show as part of the boycott of SGN Associate Editor Arizona over the SB 1070 bill, International pop sensation Lady which critics say hinges on racial Gaga is no stranger to political controversy – to say she was “stirring the pot” when describing her see lady GAGA page 21
Supporters of same-sex marriage march from San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood to celebrate the ruling on Prop. 8.
Arizona’s SB 1070 and Rosencrantz to be new SO&P president the Gay community Arizona has become a battleground. Senate Bill 1070 has taken the state down a path towards racial profiling, discrimination, and antiimmigrant extremism. The LGBT community knows all too well how easily people who look or act “different” can be singled out for harassment and persecution. So it should come as no surprise that a plethora of LGBT organizations and activists immediately called for action under a unified “Boycott Arizona” banner. After all, since its inception, the Gay rights movement has always taken on the burden of others who found themselves standing on the fringe of society. SB 1070 essentially declares an entire class of people to be deemed “criminal” on the basis of their race and appearance. It is easy to see that the consequences of the bill are troubling. There is a strong probability of violence and harassment against individuals and their families, the inevitability of racial see arizona page 20
On August 5, Seattle Out and Proud (SO&P) President Eric Gauthier announced his retirement from the SO&P Board of Directors after 10 years of service. According to Gauthier, although he will be retiring as president, he will become the founding member of the new Emeritus/Advisory Board and serve as president emeritus. In his new role, he will act as an advisor for the SO&P Board. SO&P, the organization responsible for putting on the Seattle Pride Parade – one of the largest Pride events in the country – has no paid staff, and an allvolunteer Board of Directors. “These past 10 years have meant so much to me. I have seen many great advancements made for Seattle’s LGBT community, culminating this year with the rainbow flag flying proudly above the Space Needle for the first time ever,” said Gauthier. “I don’t view this as a resignation, but as a positive evo-
proud to Be Different
We are conveniently located on-site at Lifelong AIDS Alliance below the Thrift Store.
courtesy adam rosencrantz
calvin fleming
Gay rights and immigration supporters march together at the May Day immigration march in Los Angeles on May 1, 2010.
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
Adam Rosencrantz
lution for SO&P.” “This has been a truly historic year for the LGBT community,” Gauthier continued. “We’ve come a long way and have many accomplishments to celebrate, from the see SO&P page 19
Call us at 206.568.2486
Elect
Laurie Jinkins State Representative
Democrat • 27th LD Pos 1 Laurie Jinkins is running in the 27th Legislative District and would be the first open Lesbian elected to the State House if elected. As a public health and education advocate, social justice leader, community volunteer, lawyer, and mom, Laurie Jinkins is a problem-solver with a track record of bringing diverse people and interests together to help working families build community, and to make sure the marginalized have a voice. In Olympia, Laurie will be a strong voice for positive change as your representative in the 27th Legislative District. She has already earned
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August 6, 2010
the endorsement of leaders throughout the community and across the state. Laurie’s priorities are clear and rooted in her record of achievement: create good jobs and opportunities for families, protect the safety net of health and human services, manage money wisely to maximize services, and invest in our schools to provide educational excellence and opportunity for every child. She has consistently pursued social justice, advocating for a women’s right to choose, working to end domestic violence, promoting a sane immigration policy, encouraging living wages, and assuring that Lesbians and Gays are able to participate fully in society. In 2009, Laurie co-chaired Washington’s successful Ref. 71 campaign, assuring that all Washingtonians can protect their families in times of crisis. For more information about Laurie and her campaign, visit lauriejinkins.com
Celebrating 37 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
August 6, 2010
Seattle Gay News
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Seattle Gay News FOUNDED 1973
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2010
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 Shaun Knittel 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 Classifieds Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Photographers Nick Ardizzone, Joseph P. Herron, Shaun Knittel, James Whitely National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Website Designer Barry Thorsness/Digital Team Works Seattle Gay News is published weekly by JT&A, Inc. © 2010, JT&A, Inc., all rights reserved. Reprints by permission.
d. armadillos
Back in the news groove by Leslie Robinson SGN Contributing Writer
2) Interview with the Vampire author Anne Rice announced, “In the name of Christ, I I’ve shirked my duty. I haven’t provid- quit Christianity and being Christian.” Rice, ed you with a GLBT news quiz in an eon. mother of Gay novelist Christopher Rice, declared she refuses to be “anti-Gay,” Shocking behavior. “anti-feminist,” and “anti-DemI’m back on the case now, ocrat.” Where did her writready to help you figure out ten declaration appear? whether you know your a. in Newsweek news. For each multipleb. on Twitter choice question below, c. on Facebook circle the right and. on a church door swer. Or the wrong in Wittenberg one – in my current contrite state, I can’t 3) Intent on stagbe pushy. ing a counterprotest to Jerusalem’s Pride 1) At a rally in Indiparade, Deputy Mayor anapolis, a man held a Yitzhak Pindrus sought sign that said, “The solupermission to greet marchtion to Gay marriage,” and ers with live animals to repunderneath the words dangled resent the “bestial” nature of the a couple of nooses. Which organiparade. Which real animals did he want to zation staged the rally? use? a. the Republican Party a. dogs b. Westboro Baptist Church b. sheep c. the National Organization for Marriage c. donkeys d. the Taliban
At a rally in Indianapolis, a man held a sign that said, “The solution to Gay marriage,” and underneath the words dangled a couple of nooses.
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.
4) Ellen DeGeneres has chosen to leave American Idol. Her reported replacement as a judge will be: a. Rosie O’Donnell b. RuPaul c. Jennifer Lopez d. Madeleine Albright 5) And in further Lesbians-and-TV news, the now officially out actress Sara Gilbert (Roseanne) will co-host a new daytime talk show in which celebrity moms discuss the trials of motherhood. What will the show be called? a. “The Mothers” b. “The Mom Show” c. “The Talk” d. “The Stretch Marks” 6) Eight GetEqual protesters were arrested in the Capitol rotunda, their sit-in an effort to push House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to bring ENDA up for a vote. Pelosi’s spokesperson said: a. “Go away.” b. “I told you that floor is cold.” c. “…passing ENDA before DADT repeal has been finalized jeopardizes both initiatives.” d. “You people have too many acronyms.” The answer to each question is C. Since it’s been so long, I didn’t want to strain you by mixing things up. If you didn’t do well, fear not. I’m feeling sufficiently guilty that I hereby declare everyone has aced the quiz. What’s a little grade inflation between friends? Leslie Robinson knows that in life, “C” is not always the answer. E-mail her at lesarobinson@gmail.com, and visit her blog at www.generalgayety.com.
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
August 6, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
courtesy chef dan
Chef Dan
CHEF DAN BIDS FAREWELL I think one of the hardest things in life is saying goodbye, and my time has come to say goodbye to Seattle. Like everyone else in this world, I’m fighting in a battle to stay strong and live a life full of happiness. I grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which I do miss ever so much. Growing up, both of my parents owned restaurants. I can still remember playing in the kitchen! I almost feel like I was born in the kitchen. Growing up, times were not always easy. Both my parents always stressed out and were fighting over business issues – probably drugs and alcohol, as well. I spent endless nights crying myself to sleep hearing all that fighting, but now I feel that that only helped me build stronger character in myself. For all the best, my parents separated. I did not see my dad for more than six years after that. My mom took on the task of raising my brother and I, working and struggling. For that, momma, I love you! When I was around 7 years old, I didn’t have any sexual feelings or thoughts, for men or women, but I was molested by a man. Take note, I grew up very strict Catholic, so from that point, I started developing sexual feelings for men. I felt ever so alone and lost, like I had no one to talk to and I became a loner and battled with depression. Then came the weight. All throughout my childhood, I was very suicidal. I just didn’t know how to deal with being Gay. So many lonely nights. The older I got, the more comfortable I became with myself. I met a great group of friends, who I look upon as heroes in my life. But with that came a lot of drugs and alcohol and good and bad times. I was headed down a very bad path. I dropped out of high school in my sophomore year, but through all of this, I was working in and out of different kitchens. It’s truly amazing how many people have had an influence on my life. I thank every person I have ever met, good or bad, because I can walk away from it with something from that person. One fine day, my momma called and asked if I wanted to go to Maui, Hawaii! I replied “When are we leaving?” and so there we went. I must say, moving to Maui was a great thing for me. Not just because it’s paradise, but because I could finally do my own thing. I truly learned not to take life for granted there. The air never felt sweeter! I worked at a place called Cheeseburger Mai Tais in Paradise – nothing gourmet, but it was a great learning experience. I worked a block from the beach where I went snorkeling every morning before work! Life was finally starting to make sense. It’s a wonderful thing to find self-confidence. I was beginning to feel content, but I was not satisfied. I have always longed to meet someone and do everything within me to make them happy. Take note, boys: I’m a badass chef, love gardening, landscaping, love to bring my man flowers, and the list is endless, and I don’t ask for much in return. I’m just sayin’…. So, Hawaii was amazing, but we moved back home to Santa Fe. I soon began going to Santa Fe Community College for culinary. And I began working at a place called
Santa Fe Ski Basin, where I became head chef running a staff of eight people. It was definitely overwhelming, but such a wonderful experience and so much fun. I was only 17 at the time and working full-time while in school. It was very grueling, but I was having a blast doing it. I first came to Seattle 13 years ago to visit my brother who lives here, and I always told myself that I’d be back. So as soon as I turned 18, I got it together to make the big move. Before I got a chance to come, I got arrested shirtless and in a bowtie for a DUI. Perfect! But that didn’t stop me from coming. I was moving to Seattle to become a chef! I love Santa Fe, but I figured Seattle was a place with more opportunity for me. Moving here was one of the hardest, but most rewarding things I’ve done in my life. I was on my own, doing my own thing. Slowly but surely, I started establishing myself here. I found new friends everywhere I looked. I’ve had the chance to work at some of Seattle’s best and most well-known restaurants: Daniel’s Broiler, Café Campagne, The Iris Grill, Rosebud, and Spice Restaurant. There are no words to describe my feelings for the many genuine people I have met here in Seattle. I just want to cry thinking about it – with a smile! I love you! Recently, I was given the opportunity to open a restaurant with my father down in Mexico (in San Miguel De Allende)! I’m sooo scared, but ever so excited! This town is so beautiful – cobblestone streets, gas-lit streetlamps, rich culture, and beautiful people. Here I come, San Miguel De Allende!!! Did I forget to mention I was finally comfortable being a Gay man when I moved here to Seattle? And I have never been happier! Again, I love you! I think now my biggest issue is figuring out the name of my restaurant! So, from here on out, I’m living for myself! I’m making my own beautiful path. I’m trembling, crying writing this right now, ‘cause I still don’t know how to say “goodbye.” I always take the long way home. A lonesome soldier. To everyone: You have my heart and strength. I love you! Be good, and especially to one another. Dreams do come true! Always be true to yourself and everyone around. Stand proud, and be strong! Everything is what you make of it. Keep daydreaming! And, remember: Money is just something you throw off the back of a train. Live for yourself, and not possessions. Am I rambling? Yes! Remember not to take yourself too seriously. Enjoy life! So, I’m not going to say “Goodbye,” I’m going to leave with a “See you all soon!” LOVE, Daniel Ryan Varnado Chef Dan danimal12653@yahoo.com
ACLU files suit in Alaska tax equality case
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The ACLU has filed suit in an Alaska court on behalf of three same-sex couples who allege they are treated unfairly by the state’s property tax assessment rules. Alaska allows up to $150,000 in property tax exemptions for seniors and disabled veterans. Under state rules, a married couple qualifies for an exemption on their entire house if either the husband or the wife is a senior citizen or a disabled veteran. That is not the case for same-sex partners living in the same house, however. They are treated as “roommates” rather than as a “family.” Therefore, they are taxed as two individuals, each owning half of the house. If only one of the partners is a senior or a disabled veteran, same-sex partners will not qualify for the full exemption that married couples of similar age and service record would get, but only half. According to the ACLU, this violates a 2005 Alaska Supreme Court decision that prohibits discrimination against same-sex couples. The couples involved in the suit are: • Julie Schmidt, 67, and Gayle Schuh, 62. They have been in a committed relationship for 33 years. After retiring from teaching careers in Illinois, they moved to Alaska and now own a home in Eagle River. • Julie Vollick and Susan Bernard have been together for seven years. They are parents of four children, and also live in
Eagle River. Vollick retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years of service, including tours in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. She has service-related disabilities. • Larry Snider, 69, and Fred Traber, 62. They have been together for 28 years, and have had long careers in Alaska including government employment. They live in Anchorage. ACLU Alaska’s Executive Director Jeffrey Mittman explained his legal argument in an interview with KTUU TV. “What the assessor does is say, ‘OK, Gayle’s half of the home is worth X dollars and we’ll give her the exemption on her half.’ That’s not the way it is, it should apply to them the way it’s applied to other Alaska families, the entire home applied to them jointly as a family,” he said. “We basically are being reduced to legal strangers. We’re no more than co-owners of a house to the assessor,” Schmidt told KTUU reporters. “That’s disturbing and it goes to our sense of fairness. As teachers, we are always trying to be fair and, yeah, that just hurts a little bit,” Schuh added. “They’re not roommates. They’re not legal strangers. They’re family and what we’re asking is that the State of Alaska treats them as the constitution requires, as the families that they are,” Mittman said. A spokesman for the state Department of Law said state attorneys are reviewing the complaint and will respond in due time.
LOCAL TARGETS DOING THE RIGHT THING Dear friends of our Gay community: With the opening of the “floodgates” for big money and endorsements by big companies, one, of many, comes to mind: Target and their $150,000 to the Minnesota right wing bigoted PAC. While I haven’t been in a Target store in years, I have to say, local Target stores have been providing many tubs of merchandise items, every week or so, mostly from customer returns, with all kinds of items, including small appliances, to our LLAA Thrift Store on 10th. This is very popular with customers, and no doubt brings in good revenue. Obviously I don’t condone the CEO for contributing to this PAC, and hope you don’t either. But our local Targets are doing a good thing. Kindest regards,
Visit us online www.sgn.org
Leonard (Lenny) Larson, founder of The Chicken Soup Brigade
August 6, 2010
Seattle Gay News
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GayRussia.ru
Irina Fedotova (r) and Irina Shipitko sued in the European Court of Human Rights on July 21 over Russia’s refusal to register their Canadian marriage.
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS
First pride parade planned in Nepal Kathmandu, Nepal, will see its first LGBT pride parade August 25, says Sunil Pant, an openly Gay member of Parliament. The procession will include elephants, a band and street performers, he said. There also will be a festival in Basantapur Durbar Square. August 25 also is a Hindu and Buddhist festival day, “Gai Jatra,” on which some men dress in drag and wear masks. Although the day is “for remembering those who have died in the past year,” Pant said, “there is a great deal of merrymaking connected with it.” “Many of the participants wear outlandish costumes,” he said. “Traditionally, a good number of the young Newar men in the procession dress in women’s clothing. Given this history, Gai Jatra seemed to be a
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer ready-made occasion for the Blue Diamond Society, the Nepalese sexual- and genderminority association, to stage Nepal’s inaugural pride march.” The parade will start at 2 p.m. on Durbar Marg in front of the former Royal Palace. Russian marriage case headed to Euro Court A Russian Lesbian couple sued in the European Court of Human Rights on July 21 over Russia’s refusal to register their Canadian marriage. Irina Fedotova and Irina Shipitko claim the denial violates the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. “When the European Court gives its decision, it will have a revolutionary impact on Russia’s marriage laws,” said leading Moscow activist Nikolai Alekseev. “I have no
Zimbabwe arrests girls soccer team Charges players with Lesbianism by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Twenty high school soccer players have been arrested in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and charged with being Lesbians, according to Zimbabwe news media. The story broke in the state-run Zimbabwe Times and ZimDiaspora, a publication catering to Zimbabwean exiles, on August 3.
The 20 students at the all-girl Eveline High School were reportedly arrested on July 29. They play soccer for a local women’s club called Carlton. The school’s headmistress, Mrs. Rosemary Moyo, confirmed that the pupils had been picked up by police. “Police came to the school and picked up the girls. I phoned their parents and told them about the issue,” she told reporters on
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doubt that the Russian authorities will have to pass a law that would recognize same-sex unions, even if they are named differently than marriage. It is inevitable.” Euro Court dings Austria over insurance discrimination The European Court of Human Rights ruled against Austria on July 22 for failure to recognize a same-sex partnership as “family,” as required by the European Convention on Human Rights. In the case P.B. and J.S. v. Austria, the court ruled 5-2 that Austria violated the convention by excluding Gays’ partners from health and accident insurance coverage. The exclusion violated the convention’s Article 14, which prohibits discrimination, and Article 8, which extends a right to respect for private and family life, the court said. Austria ended such discrimination in 2007 but the case dated from before that time. “The relationship of the applicants, a cohabiting same-sex couple living in a stable de facto partnership, falls within the notion of ‘family life,’ just as the relationship of a
the scene. Mrs. Moyo declined to give further details and referred questioners to the police. Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu yesterday also declined to discuss the issue. “The matter is very delicate and cannot be discussed at the moment because that might jeopardize our investigations,” said Ndlovu. According to ZimDiaspora, the Carlton players went to a soccer tournament at Nswazi in Umzingwane District on July 17. While there, one of the girls on the team accused other team members of being Lesbians. School authorities questioned the girl and asked her for a written statement which she supplied. She reportedly identified several pairs of girlfriends. Carlton club president Theresa Ndlovu expressed disappointment at the charges, saying her vision was to empower girls through soccer.
different-sex couple in the same situation would,” the court said. Montenegro passes Gay protections Montenegro passed a law banning antiLGBT discrimination July 28, fulfilling a requirement for European Union membership. The vote was 67-6, with four abstentions. Passage came despite opposition from the nation’s minister for human and minority rights, Ferhat Dinosha, who said the protections run afoul of the “moral code of society.” “We congratulate Montenegro with this important legislation and are happy to see that all countries in the Western Balkans but ... Macedonia [have] introduced comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation providing protection from discrimination on all six grounds, including sexual orientation, required by the EU,” said Lilit Poghosyan, policy and programs officer for ILGA-Europe, the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. Gays march in Jerusalem Jerusalem’s eighth LGBT pride parade attracted thousands of marchers July 29 along with anti-Gay protesters. The counterdemonstrators carried banners calling Gay people sick. The parade traveled from Independence Park downtown to the Wohl Rose Park in front of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. Thousands of police officers protected the procession and arrested a few people who tried to disrupt the festivities. Organizers said the march marked “the end of a year of mourning and the beginning of a year of activism in pursuit of LGBT rights and the eradication of discrimination and hate.” Last year, on August 1, a masked man entered a youth-group meeting in the basement of Bar Noar, an LGBT youth organization in Tel Aviv, and shot to death the group’s leader, Nir Katz, and 16-year-old Liz Trobishi. Eleven others were injured, including two teens who were left permanently disabled. The gunman remains at large. This year’s march had a long list of demands, including coverage for gendermodification surgery under basic health insurance, approval for men who have sex with men to donate blood, modification of surrogacy laws, recognition of the parental status of non-biological parents, recognition of foreign same-sex marriages, extension to same-sex couples of the rights given couples in common-law unions, and reform of local policies that prevent official funding of LGBT organizations. With assistance from Bill Kelley Bulawayo Provincial Education Director Mr. Dan Moyo condemned Lesbian acts in schools, saying he was shocked to learn about the arrests. “I only read about it in the papers and I was shocked. I do not expect such behavior. It is unacceptable,” he said. He would not say what his office would do about the issue as he was yet to receive a report from the school’s headmistress. “We’re not sure if the accusations are true or a result of feuds among the pupils,” Moyo added. Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has made frequent inflammatory attacks on samesex relations which he has described as foreign to African culture. On one occasion, he described Gay people as “worse than dogs and pigs.” He subsequently apologized to dogs and pigs, saying that even they know that marriage is for procreation. Mugabe reportedly told a recent gathering of the Apostolic Sect that it was better to engage in polygamy than in Gay relations.
School authorities questioned the girl and asked her for a written statement which she supplied. She reportedly identified several pairs of girlfriends.
Celebrating 37 Years!
NORTHWEST
NEWS
compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer
THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER TO VOTE King County residents still have time to register to vote. If you are not currently registered to vote in Washington state you can still register for the Tuesday, August 17, primary election by visiting the King County Elections Office, 9010 East Marginal Way S., in Tukwila, in person on Monday, August 9. The office will be open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is located at 9010 East Marginal Way S. in Tukwila. Registered voters who have not received a ballot, or need a replacement, should call the voter hotline at 206-296-VOTE (8683). Primary Election ballots must be postmarked, or returned to a ballot drop box or accessible voting center, by Election Day, Tuesday, August 17. KEXP OFFERS BBQ & CONCERTS AT THE MURAL On Fridays, August 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the Mural Amphitheatre at Seattle Center (305 Harrison St.), discover great music with KEXP and Seattle Center. Concerts at the Mural is a free summer concert series curated by KEXP. Included in this series is the annual KEXP BBQ, a freeentry event offering a great lineup of bands, Saturday, August 14, from 2-9 p.m. at Seattle Center. Artists performing at Concerts at the Mural and KEXP BBQ include Grand Hallway, The Lonely Forest, Sa Hi, Mt. St. Helen’s Vietnam Band, The Head and the Heart and many more. For more information, visit http://www. seattlecenter.com. RAIN COUNTRY DANCE ASSOCIATION OFFERS FREE CLASSES On Fridays, August 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 7:15 p.m. at The Cuff Complex (1533 13th Ave. at E. Pine St.), Rain Country Dance Association will offer weekly west coast swing dance lessons for the GLBTQ community. This one-month series will teach new dancers the fundamentals of this fun and flirty dance style, followed by chances to practice during “Cuff Country” Fridays. The series is free (though tips are welcome) and open to all, regardless of gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, body type, and skill level, and no partner is required. Lessons from each week will build on moves taught during the previous session. Some weeks will also feature the opportunity to learn a line dance or basic two-step. More details are available at www.raincountrydance.org. SEATTLE STEALTH BOWLING FUNDRAISER AT ROXBURY LANES On Saturday, August 7, from 3-6 p.m., Seattle Stealth, the Emerald City Softball Association’s Second Berth D Division Team, will be sponsoring an afternoon of bowling at Roxbury Lanes (2823 SW Roxbury) to help finance their participation in the Gay World Series in Columbus, OH. Enjoy three hours of bowling for $15. Registration starts at 2:30 p.m. COMMUNITY ALLIANCE FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE FOURTH ANNUAL DINNER On Saturday, August 7, from 4:30-11 p.m. at St. Demetrios Church (2100 Boyer Ave. E.), join Community Alliance for Global Justice and over 400 local advocates, farmers, food workers, and allied organizations at our 4th annual “Strengthening Local Economies, Everywhere! Dinner” to raise awareness about pressing social, economic, and environmental justice issues, as well as to celebrate our own vast pool of resources locally to create lasting change. This year, we are thrilled that Ben Burkett will join us as keynote speaker, on the topic “Globalize Hope! Globalize Struggle! Connecting U.S. and African Farmers for Food Sovereignty.” Burkett is a fourth-generation Mississippi farmer, president of National Family Farm
Coalition and active in La Via Campesina, the international movement of peasants struggling for food sovereignty. Tickets are $35, $60 for “Support a Farmer/Food Worker” tickets, which gives you entry and also ensures a local farmer or food worker can be one of our honored guests at the event! Kids’ tickets are $10. Buy tickets online at Brown Paper Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/107571. For more information, or to get involved with organizing, please contact CAGJ: 206-405-4600, contact_us@seattleglobaljustice.org. EMPRESS EXPRESS SHOW AT NEIGHBOURS On Saturday, August 7, door at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m., join Madison Lane, Regent Empress to the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle and the Olympic & Rainier Empire, at Neighbours (1501 Broadway - entrance in alley between Broadway & Harvard Ave. E., off E. Pike St.) for the Empress Express Show, an evening of fine drag entertainment and the culmination of the Regent Empress’ weeklong appearances at Seattle area bars. STRAWBERRY THEATRE WORKSHOP PRESENTS THE LARAMIE PROJECT The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman explores the reaction to the murder of Matthew Shepard – a Gay student who was tortured and murdered near Laramie, Wyoming in 1998. The play draws on hundreds of interviews conducted by the theatre company (Tectonic Theater Project) with inhabitants of the town, company members’ own journal entries, and published news reports. Performances will run through Saturday, August 7 at 8:30 p.m. at the Erickson Theatre Off-Broadway (1524 Harvard Ave., between E. Pine and E. Pike Sts.) Tickets: $30-general; $100-group of 4; $15 halfprice Thursdays – in advance through www. brownpapertickets.com; 1-800-838-3006; www.strawshop.org. SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN BOOK CLUB AT DUNSHEE HOUSE The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Dunshee House (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas St.). All GLBTQ folks in the community are welcome to participate in this FREE book club. The book for August is Mark Doty’s Dog Years. If your reaction is anything like discussion facilitator Nick DiMartino’s, you’ll be roaring with laughter and red-eyed from crying throughout this little torpedo to the heart. For more information, e-mail nickdimartin@earthlink.net or contact Dunshee House at 206-322-2437. POZSEATTLE MONTHLY SOCIAL On Wednesday, August 11 from 6-8 p.m. at the Cuff (13th Ave. & E. Pine St.), POZSeattle will hold their monthly social. Meet up on the outside patio for grilled burgers and dogs (we will have veggie fare, too) and all the fixings, socializing, catching up with old friends, making new ones, and a whole lot of fun! This event is free, except for the cost of beverages from the bar (donations are always welcomed) and is for all HIVpositive men and their friends, regardless of age, shape, size, or color. Please spread the word about us! If you or your group or organization would like to sponsor one of our monthly socials by either donation, or a meal, or both, please contact us at www. pozseattle.org or at info@pozseattle.org. POZSeattle is a social organization run for and by Seattle-area HIV-positive guys that is committed to planning and promoting fun, social activities. Our primary social event is always held on the second Wednesday of each month. For questions or more information about this event, to plan your own social event, or to be added to our event promotions e-mail list, e-mail info@pozseattle.org or visit us on the web at www.pozseattle.org.
Visit us online www.sgn.org
FREEDOM SOCIALIST DISCUSSION SERIES: THE LOGIC OF MARXISM On Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m., through September 15, at the Old Firehouse (402 15th Ave. E.), The Logic of Marxism, by socialist scholar George Novack, will be discussed. This book provides an accessible introduction to Marx’s dialectical materialism and contrasts it with other political philosophies. Free. Drop-ins welcome. Sponsored by Freedom Socialist Discussion Series. For information, call 206-722-2453 or visit www.socialism.com/seattle.
On Saturday, August 14, at 6 p.m. at Cal Anderson Park (11th Ave. & E. Olive St), the Quake Rugby team will take on the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Abbey of St. Joan and Order of Benevolent Bliss (Portland) in the all-American, rough-and-tumble sport of kickball. A $5 suggested donation gets you in and the game will benefit the Capitol Hill Alano Club. In addition, there will be a raffle (with a special cruise package prize) and a variety of other ways to put some of your spare cash to good use and raise some money for a worthy charity at the same time. Sisters will be walking through the audience and taking donations to actually change the course and nature of the game. A pre-game THREE DOLLAR BILL cocktail hour will begin at 4:30 p.m. at Purr OUTDOOR CINEMA PRESENTS “BLONDE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN” Cocktail Lounge, and kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. A 9:00 p.m. “Black and Blue SUMMER OUTDOOR MOVIES On Friday, August 13, Three Dollar Bill Victory Party” will take place at C.C. Attle’s Cinema presents Desperately Seeking Su- after the game, followed by a dance party at san – a fun and FREE movie shown at Cal the Cuff Complex at 10:30 p.m. Anderson Park, 11th Ave. & E. Olive St., ACADEMY OF BURLESQUE this summer, under the stars! Candleshoe SUMMER GRADUATION RECITAL will be shown on Friday, August 27. On Saturday, August 14, at 7 p.m. and 9:30 All screenings start at dusk – around 9:159:30 p.m. To make your movie going expe- p.m. at West Hall, OddFellows Hall Building rience complete, concessions will be sold at (915 E. Pine St.), Miss Indigo Blue will host two shows of her Academy of Burlesque the screenings. For more information and to see trailers 101 Summer Graduation Recital. Come for the “Blonde But Not Forgotten” movie cheer a brand new crop of saucy students at series, visit www.threedollarbillcinema.org. Miss Indigo Blue’s Academy of Burlesque. Three Dollar Bill Cinema sponsors the an- The shows include brand-new performers, nual Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival in some for whom this is their very first time on stage! As seen in the independent film October. A Wink And A Smile, the Academy of BurTRIANGLE CAMPSITE PRESENTS lesque six-week sessions transform students from curious cuties to full-fledged foxes! UNDERWEAR FOAM PARTY From Friday, August 13, through Sunday, Bring confetti and flowers for your favorite August 15 at Triangle Recreation Campsite, students. As is our custom, we give FREE join Triangle Recreation Camp’s Underwear door prizes including tickets to the upcomFoam Party fundraiser. Regular camping ing shows and classes, previously worn undergarments, and other authentic burlesque fees and rules apply. Full details, including maps and direc- memorabilia. Tickets $12 at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/120644, $15 at the tions, at www.camptrc.org. door. www.academyofburlesque.com. GREENSTAGE EMERALD CITY MUDHENS PRESENTS FREE LUBE WRESTLING FUNDRAISER SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK On Saturday, August 14, at 8 p.m. at the Through August 14, GreenStage will perform Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Kangaroo and Kiwi (7305 Aurora Ave. N.), As You Like It in Seattle at Seattle and King the Emerald City Mudhens will hold a lube wrestling fundraiser. The Emerald City County parks. All performances are free. Romeo and Juliet will be performed at Mudhens are part of the Team Seattle LGBT Volunteer Park on Thursday, August 12 at 7 Sports and Cultural Festival, an organizap.m., and Saturday, August 14 at 7 p.m. As tion that promotes opportunities in all sports You Like It will be performed at Volunteer at all levels of ability for the Lesbian, Gay, Park on Friday, August 13 at 7 p.m., Sat- Bisexual, and Transgender community and urday, August 14 at 2 p.m. For a complete their friends. The Mudhens normally hold schedule of performances, visit www.green- this fundraiser once a year – this second event was added after the immense popularstage.org. ity of their July lube wrestling event. The Kangaroo and Kiwi is a small venue – evSEATTLE PARKS ery seat is up close and personal. And, apAND GREEN SEATTLE propriately for lube wrestling, it’s directly OFFER NEW CITIZEN on Aurora. Tickets are $20 through www. SCIENCE OPPORTUNITY On Saturday, August 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 brownpapertickets.com. For more information, visit http://www. p.m. at a location based on the number of registrations received, volunteers over 18 teamseattle.org/events/mudhens.htm. will receive four hours of in-depth training 12TH AVENUE on becoming citizen scientists. Seattle Parks NEIGHBORHOOD FESTIVAL and Recreation is teaming up with EarthOn Sunday, August 15, from noon-6 p.m. Corps to show volunteers how to use scientific methodologies to collect vegetation at 12th & E. Pike on Capitol Hill, join the data at Green Seattle Partnership restoration 12th Avenue Neighborhood Festival. Pike/ sites. The training will include plant identi- Pine’s 12th Avenue serves up the flavors of fication, survey plot establishment, use of a the neighborhood in its first annual street compass, how to measure tree density, and festival. Taste bites from Seattle’s most eclectic mix of local premier dining venues more. To sign up, contact Malia Caracoglia at - affordably priced at $5 and under. Savor (206) 322-9296 or at malia@earthcorps.org. live music performances as a variety of busFor more information, visit http://greense- kers perform throughout the day. Appreciate the character of independent neighborhood attle.org. merchants and entrepreneurs as they showcase their wares and services. CRUISEYT For a full list of performers and sponsors, GET TOGETHER CRUISE On Saturday, August 14 at 12:30 p.m. at visit http://12thaveseattle.com/festival.php. Argosy Cruises (Pier 55/56, 1201 AlasSEATTLE CENTER FESTÁL: kan Way), boarding begins for the Cruisey BRASILFEST T Get Together Cruise. Cruise aboard the On Sunday, August 15, from noon to 8 MV Good Times 2. Drag performances by Joan-E and special guests. DJs Zach Shore p.m. at Seattle Center’s Center House and and Brett Law provide music. Light meal by Mural Amphitheatre. Seattle Center FesBucca De Beppo. Partial proceeds benefit tál: BrasilFest presents the lively world of Brazilian arts and culture. The festival fills Seattle Out & Proud. Tickets $55. For more information or to buy tickets, Seattle Center with a sultry display of South American soul, Brazilian style, and celvisit www.cruiseyt.com. ebrates Brazilian cultural diversity through traditional and contemporary expressions. SISTERS OF it contributed significantly to standard jazz PERPETUAL INDULGENCE/ repertoire. QUAKE RUGBY www.seattlecenter.com. KICKBALL FUNDRAISER
August 6, 2010
Seattle Gay News
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by Barry Thorsness SGN African Correspondent On Tuesday morning, we were up at 6 a.m. so we could make it to the bus at 7. We had checked out the buses going to Maun the night before. Our friend Stella, who only lives about a mile from the buses and travels on them frequently, was very uncomfortable in the area. It was just getting light and she was concerned that we could be easily ripped off. Perhaps I was a bit naïve, but it didn’t seem to be a great concern for me. Once on a bus, the very narrow seats make for a very crowded feeling, especially when the bus is full and there are 10 or more people standing. Everybody takes it all in stride and is generally easy-going, friendly, and usually have big smiles on their faces. The closeness may even help meet people and have conversations. The young guy sitting across the aisle from me was a 24-year-old software engineer who had just graduated and was going home to Maun to “do nothing” for a week, and the young woman sitting next to Louis was a teacher who was working another four hours by bus north of Maun. We did have some wonderful conversations, and arrived in Maun about 5 p.m. after eight hours of what I thought to be some of the most crowded traveling I have ever done. We were happy that the roads in Botswana were quite good and not full of holes. Maun, the Okavanga Delta, and the Moremi Game Reserve We got off the bus and called the Okavanga River Lodge, which we had booked from Gaborone. In Botswana, we are using a Lonely Planet guide for information, and the river lodge was listed as an inexpensive, down-to-earth, lovely setting on the river. It was perfect. We found ourselves in our own thatched cabin a short walk from the riverfront bar and restaurant area. During our stay, we spent hours sitting in the sunshine, just watching the flooded delta and the flow of the river and the boats. We spent Wednesday morning working out a plan which included an overnight camping trip into the Moremi Game Reserve and a day trip out into the Okavanga Delta, which is currently at an almost record flood level. The top priority was to find web access so I could build the SGN online edition on Friday. Proving that it’s good to love to sit around the bar, drink beer, and be chatty, the lodge owner gave me the name of the owner of the internet provider for the town and I found myself at his office on Saturday morning, using perhaps the best internet connection in town.
All photos by Barry Thorsness
Our fifth week in South Africa After that, it was off to camp in the middle of the impalas, giraffes, zebras, elephants, warthogs, wildebeests, hyenas, leopards, monkeys, baboons, even badgers – and the list goes on. Thursday morning, “Number” arrived with his friend and an old Toyota 4x4 in a Safari configuration (the top fabric would fold back and we could stand and stick our heads out the top of the roof to watch the animals). We were off down the dusty, washboardy road to animal bliss. It wasn’t long before we found a large herd of impalas, then five giraffes, and finally the elephants, and we weren’t even to the game reserve yet. We spent the day four-wheeling through
the animal sounds – the elephants, the hyenas…. Louis was so totally sure he wasn’t going to sleep that night with only the fabric of the tent between him and all those animals. “Don’t leave your shoes outside of the tent,” Number told us. “The hyenas will take them away.” The hyenas did come, dumping over the garbage and making our hearts race a little before we found ourselves falling back to sleep. Moremi was great – just the four of us and the animals and birds. It’s winter here in Africa, and that, too, has its advantages. First, no malaria concerns like in the summer. It’s the perfect temperature, around 23C or about 75F, and it is nice and dry, but a tad chilly at night. On Sunday morning, it was off in the boat up the flooded delta for a 30-minute ride. From there, we got into a mokoros, which is a shallow
Seattle Gay News
Traveling “poor” has its advantages I am sure I will mention more about this in the future. I hope to encourage all of you who are reading our story of traveling in Africa. Even if money is not something you have a lot of, don’t let that stop you from the experience. For some reason, we have a fear of Africa. Perhaps it is all the stories you hear in the news. Because of this fear, more wealthy travelers are seen traveling together on their preplanned safaris, traveling from location to location in their large trucks and checking into their truly wondrous and amazing luxury accommodations. They check into their truly wondrous and amazing luxury accommodation, accommodation like I have never seen other places in the world, with rates sometimes easily exceeding $1,200 per night. Guess what? When you are poor, you have to become like the locals and eat, sleep, and travel just like them. Food is more expensive than Seattle, yet our guide poling our mokoros was paid 160 Pulus, or around $20 (plus tips) for his hard day’s work floating us through the delta. It may be a challenge to
the Moremi Game Reserve, traveling over bridges of poles that the river was flooding over with water nearly up to the floorboards of the 4x4. I was sure we were going to be stuck and never make it through. We spent about an hour just watching a spotted leopard and her two cubs. I never thought there could be so much wildlife in one area. Then it was time to return to our campsite, make dinner, and sit by the fire for an hour, listening to all
dugout canoe which is propelled through the reeds and up the river with a pole. Again, we felt so fortunate. There were only a father and daughter from Belgium, Louis and I, and the two polers, a young guy and a slightly older woman. After about an hour of a relaxing, almost dreamlike ride through the reeds and lily pads, we beached the canoes and went hiking for a couple of hours, looking for elephants, hippos, lions, and crocodiles. It wasn’t long until, almost hidden behind the trees, we saw four elephants. We slowly walked in a big circle around them, quite amazed that here we were, just on foot, walking around wild elephants. Our guide was only too happy to tell us how defensive the female elephant could be with her young, and how they could charge us. 8
The fact that it would be possible to run into and watch a lion seemed both truly exciting and at the same time quite scary. Well, seeing lions would have to wait until another day, but we did see many more elephants, two boa constrictors, and lots of hippo tracks. Our week felt more like two. It was like all those childhood fantasies you have of Africa suddenly becoming real, and then more so. We had wonderful interactions with people no matter what we were doing, from gliding along in a mokoros to riding in the combi-van.
August 6, 2010
figure out the buses, but meeting the locals is an experience that is even greater than the safari. Finding and then going to the store to buy groceries, is part of learning what it is like to live here. Then flagging down a combi-van already filled with people, climbing in and squeezing your way to find a seat among other locals with all your groceries, to me, is really the travel experience. The people are so willing to chat and laugh, so ready to help you figure it out. And in all the countries we plan to travel in (except for Mozambique), they all speak English! Next week, it is off to Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls, and then back to Gaborone to meet some friends and find the local Gay dance bar for some fun.
Celebrating 37 Years!
SGN Exclusive Interview
District Court candidate Donna Tucker donnatuckerforjudge.com
most common offenses, and with a range of civil issues. “The criminal cases we see most are DUIs, reckless driving, domestic violence, and small-value theft,” Tucker explains. “We get civil cases with values under $75,000, so small-claims cases. We do protection orders and anti-harassment orders – unless there are children involved, in which case it would go to a Superior Court. And we review requests for search warrants – I’ve done search and seizure cases for 25 years.” While many judges are former prosecutors, Tucker is a criminal defense attorney. “I’ve been in general practice in Bellevue for 17 years,” she tells SGN. “We do a lot of contract public defense work, and my priDonna Tucker mary job has been managing attorneys defending by Mike Andrew clients under the contracts.” SGN Staff Writer Oddly enough for a candidate with a defense background, Tucker has been endorsed Donna Tucker is running for King County by the King County Police Guild. District Court, Northeast Division Position “Both my opponents are prosecutors,” she 7. says proudly, “but the King County Police District courts typically deal with the Guild endorsed me.”
Asked why King County police would endorse her over prosecuting attorneys – who presumably would be more open to police testimony and more skeptical of defendants – Tucker cites her years of court experience. She has been trial lawyer for 21 years, and a judge pro tem for 10. “They know I’ve seen it all and I’m not afraid to make decisions,” she says. “They trust me to make the decision the law requires.” Tucker adds that being corrected at the district court level is actually helpful to police. “The police would rather have a correct ruling at the district court level – to have their people learn on smaller cases than to lose in a major felony case,” she says. Tucker lives in Newcastle with her wife. “We did get married in British Columbia,” she says. “And we’re registered as domestic partners with the state of Washington. We wanted to take care of all the eventualities.” Tucker and her wife first married 22 years ago, she says, before it had any legal effect. “We were married in a church wedding in 1988. It was a very progressive church – Grace Gospel Chapel. We were young back then!” While not a Northwest native, Tucker has lived here most of her life. “We’ve lived in Newcastle for 15 years,” she tells SGN. “My grandparents lived a stone’s throw away from where I live now. My parents moved here in 1968. I was 10 years old at the time. Remember, 1969 was the big crash here. You know, ‘the last one leaving Seattle should turn out the lights.’ “I was the first person in my family to go to college,” she continues. “My grandparents were migrant farmers. My father joined a union – he was an electrician – and that changed our standard of living for the good.” Tucker says that coming from a workingclass background has helped prepare her for being a judge. “My life experiences prepared me to relate to all kinds of people – people facing
good times, people facing bad times. District Court is really a people’s court. You have offenders dealing with one thing and another.” Tucker also points to her years of experience as an attorney and a judge pro tem – presiding over trials on an as-needed basis. “I have a background dealing with a large and diverse clientele. I’ve been forced to deal one-on-one with all sorts of people – people with mental illnesses, people with drug addictions – and to be able to manage them and deal with them in a professional fashion.” Asked what qualities she thinks make for a good judge, Tucker replies that the ability to handle a full schedule is crucial. “The district court is pretty busy. You might have 10,000 or more cases per judge, so you have to be able to deal with people, control the courtroom, deal with the cases in an expeditious manner, and still have people believe you’re listening to them, taking their issues seriously, and making a fair decision. “You have a morning calendar and you have an afternoon calendar. It’s a fast-paced courtroom, not like the Superior Court where a judge might have one case. You have between five and 50 cases every morning and the same thing in the afternoon.” “District Court is busy,” she adds, “but it’s manageable for people willing to work hard. And I can read people pretty well. That’s important for judges.” While she has worked as judge pro tem for 10 years, this is her first run for the position. Asked why she chose to run now, Tucker answers, “Timing. This is a new position created by the King County Council. I’ve been working pro tem almost full-time anyway – and I’ve enjoyed it. I enjoy giving to the community.” She adds that she would not want to remain on the court for more than eight years, however. “I’ve watched judges come through, and do a really job for the first seven years,” she says. “And then – well – I think you have to reassess after eight years.”
DADT surveys troops in war zones
Chilean senator to introduce marriage equality bill
A survey of troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan concluded that having Gay or Lesbian servicemembers in fighting units has no significant impact on unit cohesion or readiness. The favorable survey results come at a time when the Obama administration is trying to win over public and political support in order to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), the military’s discriminatory policy prohibiting Gays and Lesbians from serving openly in the U.S. armed forces. The data raises new doubts about the basic postulation of the congressional ban, particularly that military discipline will fall apart if Gays and Lesbians are permitted to serve openly. “Servicemembers said the most important factors for unit cohesion and readiness were the quality of their officers, training, and equipment,” said Laura Miller, a military sociologist at the RAND Corporation, a private research group that has long advised the Pentagon, which conducted the study along with the University of Florida. “Serving with another servicemember who was Gay or Lesbian was not a significant factor that affected unit cohesion or readiness to fight.” The study, commissioned by the Palm Center at the University of California at Santa Barbra – whose researchers have advocated lifting the ban – is the latest highprofile assessment to question the validity of DADT. According to RAND, the study found that “40% of the military members surveyed expressed support for the current policy, while 28% opposed it and 33% were neutral – less support than seen in previous surveys.” The report goes on to say, “About 20% of those polled said they were aware of a Gay
Chilean Senator Fulvio Rossi, the president of Chile’s Socialist Party, announced August 3 that he will introduce a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. Rossi said his proposal would amend Article 112 of the Chilean Civil Code, which currently defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman for the purpose of procreating. Rossi’s proposal includes adoption rights for same-sex couples. He said that even if the proposal was voted down by Chile’s parliament, it would still be a big step forward for the country, bringing the discussion of same-sex marriage into the political sphere. Neighboring Argentina validated samesex marriages July 21, when President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner signed the marriage equality bill passed by the Argentine parliament. The first same-sex wedding ceremony took place July 31. The Roman Catholic Church led the opposition to Argentina’s marriage law. The Catholic Archbishop of Santiago, Chile, Francisco Javier Errázuriz denounced same-
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
or Lesbian member in their unit, and about half of those said their presence was well known. “In addition, three-quarters of those surveyed said they felt comfortable or very comfortable in the presence of Gays or Lesbians,” read the report. The survey, which appears in the journal Armed Forces and Society, found no significant differences in the attitudes towards Gays and Lesbians among the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. President Obama has vowed to press Congress to repeal the ban on Gays (a key campaign pledge), but has yet to begin lobbying lawmakers to take action. The law, known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was passed in 1993 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994, and has resulted in the abrupt firing of more than 14,000 men and women because of their sexual orientation, and has led tens of thousands more to voluntarily terminate their careers because of the burden of serving under this outdated law. There are an estimated 66,000 Gays, Lesbians, and Bisexuals currently serving in the U.S. military and an estimated 1 million Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual veterans of the U.S. armed forces.
Visit us online www.sgn.org
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
August 6, 2010
sex on August 2, the day before Rossi’s announcement. “It may be that two people, two men or two women, want to live together and share life, but to call that marriage is an outrage which some countries are allowing. I regret that Argentina has allowed it,” Archbishop Errázuriz said. Rossi said the Archbishop’s statement showed “intolerance, a lack of love and caring. I am not a member of a Church that wishes to condemn. I am a member of a Church that knows how to take in all Chileans with care.” Like Argentina, Chile is historically a Catholic country, but the Church in both countries has been discredited by its association with military dictatorships. Rossi’s Socialist Party of Chile is part of the leftist Concertation coalition. It was the party of the late president Salvador Allende, who was overthrown and murdered by a military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet. Socialists won the presidential elections of 1999 and 2005, but lost to a conservative candidate in 2010. Socialist Michelle Bachelet was elected the first woman president of Chile 2005.
Seattle Gay News
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Celebrating 37 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
August 6, 2010
Seattle Gay News 11
A unique weekend for Gay, Bi and Trans men to play in the wilderness and meet new people. 12 Seattle Gay News
August 6, 2010
Labor Day Weekend, Sept 3 - 6
www.QCamp.org Celebrating 37 Years!
photos by James Whitely and shaun knittel
A unique weekend for Gay, Bi and Trans men to play in the wilderness and meet new people. Visit us online www.sgn.org
Labor Day Weekend, Sept 3 - 6
www.QCamp.org
August 6, 2010
Seattle Gay News 13
A unique weekend for Gay, Bi and Trans men to play in the wilderness and meet new people. 14 Seattle Gay News
August 6, 2010
Labor Day Weekend, Sept 3 - 6
www.QCamp.org Celebrating 37 Years!
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Seattle Gay News 15
WA makes top 10 liberal states, Gallup says
ranks among the most Republican. This fact might be attributed to the South’s historical affiliation with the Democratic Party, where Democrats were the party of white supremacy until the passage of federal civil rights legislation in the 1960s. Since the 1960s, Southern states have become reliably Republican in voting for president and have elected increasing numbers of Republicans to Congress, governor, and trated in the Northeast and the Pacific Coast, state legislatures. while the group of most conservative states includes five Southern states, three Western Party and ideology states, and three states from the Midwest. There have been no significant changes so far in 2010 in how Republicans, Democrats, Party and independents characterize their respecidentification tive political views. Gallup released figures on party identifiConsistent with the patterns seen last year, cation in its July 26 update to the State of the 39% of Democrats call themselves liberal States surveys. and 37% say they are moderate. Nationwide, Democrats have a 4-point adIn contrast, 72% of Republicans continue vantage in party identification over Repub- to call themselves conservative, similar to licans, 44% to 40%, down from an 8-point 2009. Most of the remaining Republicans, advantage in 2009 and a 12-point advantage 24%, identify as moderate. Since 2002, in 2008. however, the conservative percentage has While Democratic party affiliation fell in increased by 10 points. each of the last two years, Republicans have Independents today are slightly more not gained proportionately. Instead, the per- likely to say they are moderate (41%) than centage of Americans who do not identify conservative (36%), with fewer than 20% with either political party has increased. identifying as liberal. While this is similar The top 10 Democratic states are D.C. to 2009, it represents an increase in conser– where Democrats enjoy a 64 percentage vative identification among this group over point advantage – Vermont, Maryland, Mas- 2008. sachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, California, Illinois, Delaware, and The bottom line Hawaii. The ideological orientation of AmeriIllinois, Delaware, and Hawaii tied with cans in the first half of 2010 will represent a 13-point Democratic advantage, which is why there are 11 “top 10” Democratic states. The top 10 Republican states are Utah – with a 32 point Republican edge – Wyoming, Idaho, Alaska, Nebraska, Montana, Kansas, Alabama, South Dakota, and New Hampshire. As might be expected, there is some corre- by James Whitely lation between political ideology and party SGN Staff Writer affiliation, with liberal states tending to vote Democratic and conservative states tending In a letter directed to Target leaders dated to vote Republican. August 5, 2010, Target President and CEO The top five liberal states, plus New York, Gregg Steinhafel apologized for the comall appear among the 10 most Democratic pany’s recent $150,000 contribution to MN states. Likewise, six of the most conserva- Forward, a political group that has endorsed tive states – Wyoming, Utah, South Dakota, and is paying for ads for conservative ReAlabama, Idaho, and Nebraska – also rank publican Minnesota gubernatorial candidate among the most Republican. Tom Emmer. Emmer opposes same-sex While Southern states make up half of the marriage. 10 most conservative states, only Alabama The contribution, when made public, sparked a huge public and employee backlash against the contribution. In his letter, Steinhafel wanted to make it very clear that the intent of the contribution was “to support economic growth and job creation,” echoing statements released by Target last week. A Target spokesman said last week that the donations were tied to Emmer’s position when it comes to creating a positive environment for businesses, not his stance on social issues. “While I firmly believe that a business climate conducive to growth is critical to our
Conservatives still ahead across the country by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A new survey released by Gallup shows Washington as number nine among the top 10 liberal states. The District of Columbia was the most liberal, and Wyoming was the most conservative. The new update in Gallup’s “State of the States” surveys was released August 2. The top 10 liberal states are D.C. – with a whopping 42% or respondents identifying as liberal – Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, Colorado, New York, Oregon, Washington, and New Jersey. Washington tied with New Jersey, with 25% of the respondents saying they were politically liberal. The top 10 conservative states are Wyoming – tying Mississippi with 53% identifying as conservative – Utah, South Dakota, Alabama, North Dakota, Idaho, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Louisiana. A survey released by Gallup in July showed that Americans are much more likely to identify as conservative than as liberal. This has been the case for many years, at least as far back as the Reagan administration. According to Gallup’s July poll, 42% of their respondents described themselves as either very conservative or conservative. This is up slightly from 40% average for 2009. In contrast, 20% call themselves liberal or very liberal. As a result of this trend, the 10 most conservative states average over 46% of respondents identifying as conservative. In contrast, the 10 most liberal states have a much lower threshold of 25% self-identified liberals. On average, conservatives outnumber liberals by about 20 percentage points across all states. Only in D.C. and Rhode Island did liberals outnumber conservatives during the first half of 2010. The 10 most liberal states are concen-
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future, I realize our decision affected many of you in a way I did not anticipate, and for that I am genuinely sorry,” wrote Steinhafel in his August 5 letter. In the letter, he specifically thanked Target leadership and all general employees for their response to the contribution. “I appreciate your engagement and candor, both of which clearly demonstrate your loyalty and passion for our company,” wrote Steinhafel. “We remain fully committed to fostering an environment that supports and respects the rights and beliefs of all individuals,” he continued. “The diversity of our team is an important aspect of our unique culture and our success as a company, and we did not mean to disappoint you, our team, or our valued guests.” In an e-mail made available to SGN last week by the Target Corporation, Steinhafel stated that “Target’s support for the LGBT community is unwavering, and inclusiveness remains a core value of our company.” “Going forward, we will soon begin a strategic review and analysis of our decision-making process for financial contributions in the public policy arena. And later this fall, Target will take a leadership role in bringing together a group of companies and partner organizations for a dialogue focused on diversity and inclusion in the workplace, including GLBT issues,” wrote Steinhafel.
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a record-high level of conservatism since at least 1992, if it is maintained for the full year. This follows an increase in the percentage of conservatives in 2009 that was based on increasing conservative identification among independents, a pattern that continues today. Democrats’ advantage in party identification continues to dwindle this year. Fewer Americans identify as Democrats, and more say they don’t identify with or lean toward either party. On a state-by-state level, this means more states are now classified as competitive or leaning/solidly Republican than was the case over the past two years, and fewer states are leaning/solidly Democratic. According to Gallup, the most politically competitive states in the U.S. – all of which have Democratic-Republican gaps of less than one point – are Colorado, Mississippi, Missouri, and Virginia. On the other hand, Democrats enjoy solid advantages in the more populous states. This will give them an advantage in electoral votes looking towards the 2012 presidential election. The top 10 Democratic states identified by Gallup have combined electoral votes of 153, more than half of the 268 needed to reelect President Obama. In contrast, the top 10 Republican states have only 45 combined electoral votes. The four most competitive states identified by Gallup have combined electoral votes of 39.
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Celebrating 37 Years!
GOProud sleeps with the wrong people
group for many years. I don’t share their beliefs, but they are part of the community and they have the right to say what they believe. It’s important not to tar all Republicans with the same brush.” Log Cabin Republicans, like all other LGBT groups except for GOProud, have honored the Manchester Grand Hyatt boycott. On August 3, GOProud issued a media release claiming proudly “GOProud breaks boycott of Manchester Grand Hyatt,” but Jones said they were not motivated by politics, but by the Manchester’s offer of a donation to their organization. GOProud reportedly received $6,000 in a cash contribution from the Manchester Financial Group and $10,000 in hotel credit. They then sold tickets to their event for $50 apiece. “They may say they wanted to break the boycott,” Jones told SGN, “but of far greater importance was their search for a sugar daddy.” According to GOProud, they accepted Manchester’s money because he has apologized to the LGBT community for his support of Prop 8, and donated money to community organizations. Besides GOProud, it is unclear if anyone has accepted donations from Manchester, however. “Equality California turned him down,” Jones pointed out. “You know I’ve had my differences with HRC over the years, but HRC turned him down too.” According to Jones, the hotel employs many LGBT workers, and was a favorite venue for LGBT events before Manchester’s Cleve Jones at the National Equity March in Washington, D.C. on October 11, 2009 contribution to the Prop 8 campaign. by Mike Andrew “I was traveling in New Orleans when I The Right People” – a coalition of UNITE heard about the contribution [to Prop 8],” SGN Staff Writer HERE and LGBT community activists, in- Jones recalled. “I was upset. Many people GOProud, a group of ultra-conservative cluding the San Diego Alliance for Marriage were. It was a favorite place for community LGBT Republicans, outraged the San Diego Equality (SAME). Veteran activist Robin Tyler, who was one community by holding an event at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel – a venue being of the original plaintiffs in the 2009 case boycotted by Gay-rights and labor activists. against Proposition 8, and one of the first GOProud, which bills itself as “the only same-sex couples to get married in Californational organization representing Gay con- nia, came to San Diego to speak at the proservatives and their allies,” split off from test. “No matter how well-dressed, wealthy, the Log Cabin Republican organization last and right wing they are, they are secondyear. The Manchester Grand Hyatt has been class citizens in the United States,” Tyler under boycott since 2008, when hotel owner said. “They would not have the right to work Doug Manchester donated $125,000 to the in 29 states, so I am ashamed of them – but Yes on Prop 8 campaign to abolish court- very sad that this group of people is so delusional that they would identify with their ordered marriage equality in California. The boycott was called by Equality Cali- oppressor and think they were their allies.” Another veteran activist, Cleve Jones – fornia and supported by UNITE HERE, the union which represents hospitality and food who originated the Names Project AIDS service workers. Workers at the Manchester quilt, and now works for UNITE HERE – Grand Hyatt are not unionized, but UNITE spoke exclusively with SGN about the pickHERE’s Executive Board endorsed mar- et and GOProud. Jones told SGN that GOProud is a splinter riage equality in 2008 and it supported the group that does not represent LGBT RepubNo on Prop 8 campaign. The boycott has been officially sanctioned licans. “It’s a splinter group of far-right Tea Party by the San Diego Labor Council and Calitypes. They are not representative of anyone fornia State AFL-CIO. A group of 20 LGBT activists picketed but themselves,” he said. “Apparently 30% of our community identhe hotel on July 31, as the GOProud event tifies as Republicans,” Jones added. “Log was being held inside. The picket was organized by “Sleep With Cabin Republicans have represented this
Cleve Jones speaks out, community protests
Gil Goldstein
events.” According to Jones, the boycott has been successful in spite of GOProud breaking ranks with the LGBT community. “Our understanding is that $10 million in convention business has been pulled,” he told SGN. “The boycott is an effective and powerful tool.” Jones noted that while Manchester was giving money to Prop 8, he was also cracking down on his hotel employees. The daily work quota for housekeepers at the Manchester Grand Hyatt has increased from 17 rooms to 30, he said. “UNITE HERE hopes to pressure the Hyatt chain nationally. Hyatt has a pattern of brutal exploitation, especially of immigrant women,” Jones said. “On July 22, there were [union-led] actions in 15 cities. But this [July 30] action was organized by the community.” Jones’ own history of activism – beginning as a protégé of Harvey Milk – ultimately led him to work as a community organizer and spokesperson for UNITE HERE. In his conversation with SGN, he emphasized the value of union allies to the LGBT movement. “You know, our Prop 8 campaign didn’t do a good job reaching immigrant families, working families,” he said. “But there’s the most wonderful mechanism to reach these people: The labor movement. Because they represent these people.” Jones noted that groups wishing to book events at LGBT- and labor-friendly hotels can refer to the INMEX (Informed Meetings Exchange) website www.inmex.org. INMEX will provide a list of “socially responsible” hotels and meeting venues, as well as model contract language that will allow organizations to pull out of agreements with hotels that are hit by boycotts or labor disputes.
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August 6, 2010
Seattle Gay News 17
Aleksa Manila’s inspirational work at Seattle Counseling Services james whitely
Aleksa Manila
by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer The creation of Seattle Counseling Service (for Sexual Minorities) in 1969 coincided with the Stonewall Riots in New York City, which sparked the modern Gay rights
movement in this country. This makes SCS the first and oldest community mental health agency for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people in the United States. Back in ‘69, life was very different for Gays and Lesbians in the U.S. Seeking out mental health treatment where people could talk about their sexuality and any issues related to it openly wasn’t a luxury most people had – but in Seattle, there was a rumor. The rumor was that there was a little house on Capitol Hill, staffed by all volunteers, that served as a phone and drop-in center. When the red flag on the mailbox wasn’t up, it was safe for anyone to go in and receive mental health services, regardless of who they were. This was what the beginning of SCS looked like. The agency would leave all their patient records filed in boxes next to gas cans. In the event of a raid, they could be
burned quickly, saving the careers and public images of all their patients. When SCS started picking up so many patients that this strategy would no longer work – which they did quite quickly – they installed secret compartments behind kitchen cabinets in order to store patient records. Being outed had very serious consequences in 1969. Prior to 2003, SCS only offered mental health services. And as the Gay rights movement evolved and progressed, so did SCS, moving to bigger and better places of businesses and having to worry less and less about anti-Gay retaliation. In 2003, Stonewall Recovery Services (SRS), another Gay and Lesbian chemical dependency service provider, folded. At the time, SRS offered the only crystal methamphetamine program specifically target towards MSM (men who have sex with men) in Seattle. So SCS stepped in, approaching and accepting the program and the program staff. A.T. Martin – though many know him as his alter ego, Aleksa Manila – is a counselor who has been working at Seattle Counseling Service for about seven years. According to him, he was the first new staff member assigned to Project NEON (Needle Exchange and Sex Education Outreach Network), a harm-reduction program for MSM users of crystal meth. Martin spent six years as a health educator and counselor. Now, in addition to his counseling duties, he’s the program coordinator for Project NEON. “I’ve grown up here professionally and personally, and there’s so much more room to grow,” said Martin. For Martin, all his work experiences prior to SCS were just “jobs.” SCS has given him a career – something that he wasn’t necessarily expecting going into the field. Project NEON is SCS’s dedicated drug program. SCS also offers other drug programs, as well as alcohol and tobacco cessation programs, some of which are free. They offer individual, group, men’s group and women’s group counseling. They also have counselors who specialize in dealing with chemical dependency/mental health issues for youth and Transgender people, as well as people who are still in the closet. SCS also offers couples’ counseling. The staff and interns of SCS are primarily, but not all, LGBT. According to Martin, the youth program is small in part because most parents of LGBT kids send their children to youth-oriented programs, whether they know about their child’s sexuality/gender identification or not. Most parents don’t see the connection between the depression and strife of being
an adolescent and the trials of gender or sexuality. The way Martin sees it, if more kids were able to address their problems from a standpoint where they could not only be open about their gender or sexuality, but be encouraged to celebrate it rather than hide it, it could potentially lower the risk of chemical dependency and mental health problems further down the road. Project NEON is a harm-reduction program. Martin defines harm-reduction as any step towards success, no matter the size. Project NEON offers the tools and education one needs to cease use, but not all are ready to quit immediately. “You’re going to run into people who just aren’t ready yet. That’s when you use harm-reduction,” Martin told SGN. In addition to being a sexual minority, MSM crystal meth users are often disenfranchised because they are jobless, which makes treatment a long process. It generally takes a year for a client to go thorough Project NEON, and monthly relapse prevention “maintenance” programs can go on for as long as the client wishes. “For a long time, I separated my drag from my work,” said Martin. “But now it compliments it.” Martin typically only goes out in drag as Aleksa Manila. Even as a local entertainer, he must still be guided by his professional principles outside of work. “As a professional, you really have to be ethically bound, morally bound, and legally bound,” Martin told SGN. When Martin is with a client, he is a trustworthy, capable, warm-hearted human being. When Manila runs into a client, the same person is still under that layer of foundation, but the queen must deviate from her classy, sexy style and friendly and flirtatious mannerisms and be very, very formal. “But sometimes, the drag helps break the barrier,” Martin told SGN. There have been a number of times where someone has met Aleksa Manila at night and Manila mentioned his day job, and the person calls in the very next day asking for Aleksa because they want to cease their use of crystal meth. “You’ve got to love what you do if you’re going to get into it,” Martin told SGN. “Whatever you do, enter it with your heart and mind in it.” In Martin’s seven years at SCS, he says he’s never been stressed. He’s been overwhelmed at times, but never stressed, and never once in the last eight years has he been given cause to say anything other than “I love my job.”
“You’ve got to love what you do if you’re going to get into it. Whatever you do, enter it with your heart and mind in it.”
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www.sgn.org 18 Seattle Gay News
August 6, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
prop 8
continued from cover men and Lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.” THE CASE The plaintiffs in the case are two couples who want to marry but could not because of Prop 8: Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, and Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo. “We came to court to seek for Kris, Sandy, Paul, and Jeff the same right to marry that all other Americans enjoy, and to ensure that they receive equal protection under the law as guaranteed to every American by the Constitution. Through its decision today, the court has acted in the best traditions of a legal system established to uphold the Constitution and the principles of equality upon which this nation was founded,” said attorney Theodore B. Olson. “On no less than 14 occasions, the Supreme Court has held marriage as a fundamental right. This decision recognizes that Proposition 8 denied the plaintiffs, and tens of thousands of other Californians, that fundamental constitutional right and [this decision] treated them equally.” “The Supreme Court has long held that marriage is a fundamental right. Equal protection under the law is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, and this ruling affirms that universal right of every American,” the plaintiff’s attorney David Boies said. “Depriving the fundamental right to marry causes grievous harm to millions of Americans and their children.” The powerful testimony of the plaintiffs, along with the presentation of 17 witnesses and revealing cross-examination of the defendant-intervenors’ witness, clearly exposed the unconstitutionality of Prop 8. “More than 30 years ago, the United States Supreme Court recognized that marriage is one of the basic rights of man,” the suit against Prop 8 states, referring to the Court’s decision in Loving v. Virginia, which struck down bans on interracial marriage. “Plaintiffs have demonstrated by overwhelming evidence that Proposition 8 violates their due process and equal protection rights and that they will continue to suffer these constitutional violations until state officials cease enforcement of Proposition 8,” Walker wrote in his ruling. “California is able to issue marriage licenses to samesex couples, as it has already issued 18,000 marriage licenses to same-sex couples and has not suffered any demonstrated harm as a result, moreover, California officials have chosen not to defend Proposition 8 in these proceedings.”
Liberties Union (ACLU) weighed in on the matter. “This is historic. Last summer, Judge Walker asked for a detailed factual record so he could assess the public interests supposedly served by Prop 8. The meticulous assessment of the Prop 8 defenders’ case today makes clear – there’s nothing there,” said Jennifer C. Pizer, National Marriage project director for Lambda Legal. “In holding that Prop 8 cannot stand because it violates the equal protection and due process rights of California’s Lesbian and Gay couples, this decision adds to the growing consensus in courts and legislatures across the country that there are no good reasons for excluding same-sex couples in marriage. Instead, the evidence and legal arguments proved once again that withholding marriage harms devoted same-sex couples and their families, and helps no one.” “Today’s decision is a huge victory for the LGBT people of America. For the first time, a federal court has conducted a trial and found that there is absolutely no reason to deny same-sex couples the fairness and dignity of marriage,” said James Esseks, director of the ACLU LGBT project. “At the same time, we know that this is not the end. In order to show that America is ready for same-sex couples to marry by continuing to seek marriage and other relationship protections in states across the country. It’s simply not fair, and not legal, to continue to exclude committed same-sex couples from marriage.”
FREEDOM TO MARRY “This case was a landmark,” said Joe Solmonese, president of Human Rights Campaign. “Over the course of the months-long trial, the plaintiffs introduced substantial testimony and evidence to finally show that Prop 8 had discriminatory motivations – and that same-sex couples are entitled to equal rights. Because this is a district court decision and will most likely be appealed, it may not have an immediate effect on marriage bans in California or any other states. Nonetheless, it’s a significant moment. It’s a vindication of the grassroots work we’ve done across the country to give every loving couple the same rights – and a shot of momentum to continue that work.” Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (DWis.), an out Lesbian said, “We live in a democracy wherein majority rule is checked and balanced by the guarantee of inalienable minority rights. This case, as it wends its way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, presents jurists with fundamental questions about minority rights and majority rule. I believe Judge Walker got it right, declaring that denial of marriage rights and protections to Gay and Lesbian citizens violates the Constitution even if it reflects the will of the majority of Californians.” Rea Carey, executive director for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said the ruling marks a victory for loving, commitLEGAL PRAISE Immediately following Wednesday’s rul- ted couples who want nothing more than the ing, Lambda Legal and the American Civil same rights and security as other families.
“From the start, this has been about basic than 1,300,000 LGBT individuals living in fairness,” she said. “The tide is turning na- California and that California’s LGBT poptionwide in favor of marriage equality, but ulation is racially and ethnically diverse and our work is far from over. Today’s ruling by far the largest nationally. is just a beginning step in what is likely to be a long process, yet we are confident that fairness will prevail. Our conversations are breaking down barriers and helping to transcontinued from cover form our country.” Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, the leading campaign working to win marriage nationwide, also says addition of Gender Identity and Expression the fight has only just begun. “As today’s to Washington state’s Hate Crimes Law to trial court ruling is appealed and defended, the approval of Referendum 71. These have there is much left to accomplish across the been very proud moments in my life and as country,” he said. “Forty-four states contin- a leader in the Seattle LGBT community. ue to deny same-sex couples the freedom to Let’s celebrate everything we’ve accommarry, and federal marriage discrimination plished and our ongoing work in support of persists. Today’s win provides increased LGBT civil rights! Let’s envision an Amermomentum to the national movement to ica where LGBT people are ensured of their end exclusion from marriage. But the courts basic equal rights, and can be open, honest, don’t operate in a vacuum, and we must and safe at home, at work, and in the comwork to maximize our chances of winning munity.” down the road. The crucial work of chang“Eric has been incredibly devoted to the ing hearts and minds, securing the freedom cause and vision of SO&P. His dedication to marry in more states, and ending federal to the organization has kept him actively inmarriage discrimination is more urgent than volved for the last 10 years, and has inspired ever in order to build on today’s momentum others to join SO&P to make a difference in and encourage other decision-makers to do our community,” said Mark Chavez, vice the right thing and end exclusion from mar- president of development. “As Eric retires riage.” from the active board and joins our newly formed emeritus board, he’ll be dedicating THE FIGHT AHEAD a great deal of his time in helping with the Late Wednesday night, supporters of Cali- recruiting of new board members to ensure fornia’s Gay marriage ban filed an appeal that we recruit the right persons to help take – which was expected – as lawyers on both SO&P to its future state.” sides of the legal battle repeatedly vowed to Adam Rosencrantz will now serve as carry the fight to a higher court if they lost. board president. Rosencrantz was previousThe outcome in the appeals court could ly vice president of operations and joined force the U.S. Supreme Court to confront SO&P as the web administrator in 2006. the question of whether Gays have a consti“I am proud to say that I am leaving SO&P tutional right to marry. in good hands,” Gauthier said. “I am conAs of press time, 10 countries allow same- fident that Adam’s dedication to Seattle’s sex couples to marry: Argentina, Belgium, LGBT community and his leadership will Canada, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, help bring SO&P to the next level.” Portugal, South Africa, Spain, and Sweden. “Being selected as the next board presiSame-sex couples can also marry in Mex- dent for SO&P is certainly a big job that I ico City – the most populous city in North look forward to, helping grow the organizaAmerica. tion even further than Eric has done in the In the U.S., the following six jurisdictions past 10 years. Through the six years I have allow same-sex marriage: Connecticut, the been with the organization as a volunteer District of Columbia, Iowa, Massachusetts, and board member, I have seen the many New Hampshire, and Vermont. challenges that the board and Eric, as leader, The California Supreme Court held in have faced. No decision, big or small, was May 2009 that the estimated 18,000 couples taken lightly, and his dedication has always who married in California between that been for the community and making sure court’s marriage equality decision in May that Seattle Pride is inclusive and represent2008 and Prop 8’s passage in November 4, ing the entire LGBT community in a posi2008 remain validly married under Califor- tive way,” said Rosencrantz. “I look forward nia law. Maryland and New York honor mar- to taking what he has put so much time and ried same-sex couples’ marital status from effort into and helping make it even bigger other states. Other states, like Washington and better. The work Eric has put into SO&P and New Jersey, treat married same-sex has certainly not gone unnoticed, and it’s couples as entitled to all rights and responsi- greatly appreciated. Eric’s decision to retire bilities issued under state law through state from the active board is respected, and we domestic partnership or civil union rules. will certainly draw on his past dedication According to U.S. Census figures, Califor- and build upon it moving forward.” nia is home to more than 100,000 same-sex SO&P still has open seats on the board. couples, living in every county in the state If you are interested in joining the SO&P and raising nearly 40,000 children – but Board of Directors, contact the Board Dewith fewer financial resources as their mar- velopment Committee at boarddev@seatried counterparts. The data also shows more tlepride.org.
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Seattle Gay News 19
arizona
continued from cover profiling and infringement of civil liberties, and the obvious reversal of progress toward a more inclusive society. All Arizona families have reason to be distressed. The state’s new law threatens to tear families apart, separate children from their parents, and rip apart loving couples – Gay and straight – who are building their lives together. With a license to discriminate, LGBT immigrants will be doubly vulnerable under this law. THE IMPORTANCE OF OPPOSITION Recently, more than 25 LGBT rights groups joined other national and local organizations such as La Raza, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and the Human Rights Campaign, in boycotting Arizona and opposing this draconic bill. Arizona Progress, an online communication hub for Arizona’s progressive voice, says it is important for the LGBT community to oppose SB 1070 because “the Gay community cannot make advances in LGBT civil rights alone – we have to start being better allies for other concerns.” “We have much more in common with issues like immigration, race relations and education than people realize,” Barbara McCullough-Jones, executive director of Arizona Progress, told SGN. “Once we realize
the natural intersections that exist, we will be better advocates for other social justice movements and we will discover we have many more allies than first thought.” McCullough-Jones says there are five key Arizona races this November and that all 90 legislative seats are up for grabs. “It is unlikely that Democrats will take either the House or Senate majority. That leaves the five key races: Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, School Superintendent, and Attorney General,” she said. “It is highly likely all those seats will fall to Republicans.” She says that means that the regressives will have total control of Arizona’s government. “God help us all if that happens. They won’t stop with Arizona. They are a huge machine backed by the likes of Karl Rove and the Mormon Church,” she added. “If people really want to make a difference in Arizona – register voters. There are some 400,000 eligible yet unregistered Latino voters in Arizona. We have a strong coalition working to register and get out the vote.” The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), a longtime advocate for fair and humane comprehensive immigration reform, joined others in standing with members of Congress urging for the passage of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), which would end discrimination against binational same-sex couples and their families. “U.S. immigration policy is supposed to be based on the principle of bringing and keeping families together, but the system is broken,” Rea Carey, NGLTF executive director, told SGN. “Instead of unification, the
policy often results in painful separation of loved ones. This must change.” According to Carey, the U.S. has 12 million undocumented immigrants, including at least half a million LGBT immigrants. “Thousands of binational same-sex couples and their families have been kept separated or forced to live abroad,” she said. “This discriminatory practice is unfair and inhumane. No one should ever have to choose between their partner and their country or be denied the freedom to be with their families. UAFA is consistent with U.S. immigration law’s existing policy of keeping families intact.” “Currently, we are joining forces with efforts on the ground being led by Promise Arizona, a new group that has emerged out of the Arizona Reform Immigration for America Campaign,” Darlene Nipper, deputy executive director of NGLTF, told SGN. “We are now recruiting volunteers to work alongside their staff on an ambitious voter registration program this summer and fall. The goal of this effort is to get the nearly 500,000 eligible unregistered African American, Latino and youth voters in Arizona registered so that they can turn the tide in Arizona this fall.” Nipper says that the Task Force will continue its efforts at the national level to call for comprehensive immigration reform “because we need humane detention standards, a path to citizenship for undocumented people, asylum for those persecuted because of sexual orientation or gender identity, and family unification of the estimated 36,000 binational couples who cannot live together in this country because federal law bans recognition of their relationships.” “Immigration reform is a national issue; it is an LGBT issues,” she said. Out & Equal Workplace Advocates joined the coalition of LGBT organizations voicing their disappointment in the shortcomings of Arizona’s SB 1070. “An estimated 17,000 children are being raised by LGBT parents in binational families, and those children face the very real possibility of losing a parent, or leaving the only country they have ever called home,” Stanley Ellicott, communication project manager for Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, told SGN. “This is a significant issue for our community’s families – and it is also a significant issue for those employers operating internation-
ally who recognize the value of developing their talented LGBT employees. Barriers to immigration on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity interfere with a business’s ability to deploy and develop employees. They have nothing to do with business strategy or an individual’s capabilities, and represent a cost both to the employer and to employees.” “Immigration reform that does not address discrimination against LGBT couples is a clear concern for Out & Equal and its constituents,” he said. “Immigration reform is not simply an issue for LGBT equality,” said Out & Equal Founding Executive Director Selisse Berry. “It involves equal rights for everyone. The Arizona law should raise concern for all communities whose rights are at risk. Out & Equal is proud to be able to offer its support as a part of that community and is grateful, in turn, for the support we pledge.” JUDGE RULES AGAINST PARTS OF SB 1070 In what’s sure to be good news for Arizona immigrants, U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton has ruled key parts of SB 1070 would not go into effect on July 29. The bill was signed into law by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, the same governor who last year stripped away earned health insurance benefits for the same-sex domestic partners of state employees. Brewer’s actions as governor demonstrate, at best, callous indifference toward immigrants and LGBT people alike. Judge Bolton issues a preliminary injunction on key issues of the bill. Several sections of the bill that will not go into effect are: • The portion of the law that requires an officer make a reasonable attempt to determine the immigration status of a person stopped, detained, or arrested if there’s reasonable suspicion they’re in the country illegally. • The portion that creates a crime of failure to apply for or carry “alien-registration papers.” • The portion that makes it a crime for illegal immigrants to solicit, apply for, or perform work. (This does not include the section on day laborers.) • The portion that allows for a warrantless arrest of a person where there is probable
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Celebrating 37 Years!
cause to believe they have committed a public offense that makes them removable from the U.S. Still, the national outcry for an Arizona boycott continues. Last month in Arizona, Phoenix’s Gay chamber of commerce urged national Gay rights groups not to boycott the state over its impending immigration law that allows a crackdown by local police on illegals, saying the decision would hurt Gay-friendly businesses. Proposed comprehensive immigration reform legislation in Congress is, in part, a reaction to criticism that the federal government has not done enough to resolve illegal immigration in the country. “We understand that Arizonans stand on many sides of this issues,” said the NGLTF in a statement regarding a boycott of the state. “We have taken a principled stand that we believe is just as important to LGBT people as it is to Latinos and immigrants. The nature of our boycott is also quite lim-
ited. We encourage Arizona residents and visitors to patronize businesses that have supported the LGBT community and that are engaged in opposing SB 1070.”
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profiling and discrimination to curtail the flow of illegal immigrants into the state. Gaga said that several heavyweights in the music business have already boycotted the state – including Cypress Hill, Shakira, and Rage Against the Machine – but she won’t do the same. “I got a phone call from a couple of really big rock ‘n’ rollers, big pop stars, big rappers and they said, ‘We’d like you to boycott Arizona. We’d like you to boycott
playing Arizona because of SB 1070.’ And I said, ‘You really think that us dumb fucking pop stars are going to collapse the economy of Arizona?’” Instead, Gaga decided to educate her sold-out Arizona audience by speaking out against the law and asking them to protest. “The nature of the Monster Ball is to actively protest prejudice and injustice and that bullshit that is put on our society,” she told the crowd. “We have to be active. We have to actively protest.” “Reject any person or any thing or any law that has ever made you feel like you don’t belong,” she continued. “If it wasn’t for all of you immigrants, this country wouldn’t be shit.” Gaga also described a recent encounter with an Arizona boy who was personally affected by the law. “I met a boy today who is suffering. … He told me his house was raided because of a parking ticket or something,” Gaga recounted. “They took his
brother, and now he’s in Mexico. … It’s really unfair, and it’s really disgusting. I think it’s important that people understand that it’s a state of emergency for this place and this state,” said Gaga, before dedicating her song “You and I” to the boy. Gaga is breaking new ground and defining what it means to a pro-hyphen artist: She is a pro-LGBT, pro-immigrant, and pro-people of color entertainer who refuses to give in to hate. In a sense, what Gaga did was very reminiscent of the rock ‘n’ roll activism that surrounded the anti-war movement of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. The speech – in particular when she said, “I will hold you, and we will hold each other, and we will protest this state” – was pure Gandhi in the modern vernacular. Lady Gaga also addressed the issue on her Twitter page: “Tonight we will continue to actively protest social and political injustices in Arizona,” Gaga tweeted. “We will sing, we will stand up, + we will be heard.”
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