SGN Aug 9, 2019 - Part 1

Seattle Gay News

Incoming Chief Naval Officer says transgender troops have not harmed Navy

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

In the most stunning result of election night, political newcomer Girmay Zahilay seems set to upset veteran King County Councilmember Larry Gossett. Early

returns show Zahilay picking up more than 52% of the votes in County Council District 2 to Gossett’s 39.37%.

Gossett, who was born, grew up, and still has his home in the district, is a fixture see PRIMARY RESULTS page 11

Strong statement undermines rationale for Trump ban

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In prepared replies to questions by members of the Senate Armed Services Committee [on Monday, August 5], Vice Adm. Mike Gilday, whom the Senate just confirmed to become chief of naval operations, made some of the strongest remarks of any senior

military officials indicating that open service by transgender troops has not harmed military readiness. “I am unaware of negative impacts on unit or overall Navy readiness as a result of transgender individuals see NAVY page 12

No taxpayer fatigue in Seattle

WASHINGTON, DC (August 2, 2019)

by Tim Peter SGN Contributing Writer

NO. CAROLINA page 13

– Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, praised an executive order issued in North Carolina adding some protections for youth from the dangerous, debunked practice known as “conversion therapy.” The order prohibits the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services from using taxpayer funds on socalled “conversion therapy” for minors.

Voters in Seattle and across King County overwhelmingly approved new levies for Seattle Public Library and King County Parks, despite a report by the more

conservative KOMO TV earlier this year that “Seattle is dying.” The library levy, which would provide an additional $219 million over the next seven years, was in the lead with more 75 see LEVIES page 11

Seattle Gay News

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Mass shootings

EDITOR:

I am a news addict reading not only the news but the comments often following it online. At 78 years of age I am once again disappointed in just how divided this country is and like many feel that if nothing was done after all the students along with teachers were gunned down at Sandy Hook all hope is loss that anything will change in regards to gun violence.

The country and the World has a History of not dealing with corruption and inequality and those in power have always used wars, culture, gender, race, etc. to divide the masses as they continue to loot

JESSE’S JOURNAL

enriching themselves in the process.

What I find as I go out each day is just how little interest most people seem to have in anything or situation that does not affect them directly. It is very sad that we as a nation seem to care so little about the suffering of others.

That we have our eyes closed to all the things we can do as a community to make life a joy for everyone.

Change should start with people realizing that they are first of all citizens of Earth and that whether we believe in an afterlife or not it should not prevent us from doing what is right in this one.

For the past five thousands years we

Dolphin Democrats –

by Jesse Monteagudo SGN Contributing Writer

The Stonewall National Museum and Archives in Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors are our community’s treasure. Researchers ranging from renowned scholars to high school students have taken advantage of this valuable resource. In my role as Historian for the Dolphin Democrats, I recently had the privilege of studying Dolphin documents preserved in the Archives. As the oldest LGBT political organization in South Florida, the Dolphins made their mark in our history. Unfortunately, the history of the Dolphins has not been well-preserved, and many of its founders and early leaders are no longer with us. This is where the Stonewall Archives come in. Though their documents are far from complete, they give us an idea of the Dolphin Club’s progress during its first 25 years. I want to thank Stonewall’s Chief Archivist Paul Fasana and Director of Programming and Education Emery Grant for allowing me to research this material.

The “Dolphin Democratic Club of Broward County” was formed in 1982. In December 1982 the officers were Burnett “Karl” Clark, President; Delia Alonso, Vice President; Tom Green, Secretary; and Seril Grossfeld, Treasurer. Meetings were held at the Broward County Courthouse and later at Tri-City Realty at 1741 E. Sunrise Blvd. By 1983 the Dolphins were active in Broward politics, supporting candidates like State Senator Peter Weinstein and issues like the South Christian Leadership Conference’s lawsuit against Fort Lauderdale over single districts. That year Dolphin Steve David was honored as “Man of the Year” by the Broward County Young Democrats. On October 5 the Club re-elected Clark President and Grossfeld Treasurer, along with VP Tom Green and Secretary Richard Sedlak. Also elected were Directors Sandy Bernstein, Steve David, Ernestine Edwards, Richard Esposito, Dennis Foley and D. Lynn Mattingly.

In 1984 some members of the Dolphins ran for Democratic Convention delegates in support of candidate Alan Cranston. Soon

have been ruled by people who have not had the best interest of those they rule as their top priority regardless of the system: socialism, democracy, capitalism or what ever else you want to call it. It does not matter whether rulers have called themselves kings, chieftains, presidents, etc., their subjects have always been used like slaves for their benefit.

George Whitaker Bellevue

after the November elections (Nov. 14) the members re-elected Clark and Grossfeld along with Secretary Green, VP Jeff Jackson and Board members Mattingly, Mike Lockwood, Don Millington and Ron Spann. By 1985 the Dolphins met at the Broward County Government Center at 201 S. Andrews and held its 2nd annual Human Rights Advocate Awards Dinner (honoring State Rep. Anne Mackenzie). In November the Club re-elected Clark, Green, VPs Alonso and Jackson, and Treasurer Mattingly. It also elected Directors Grossfeld, Lockwood, Millington, Elsa Dillof and Buddy Markwell. In 1986 the Dolphins backed Miami gay businessman Jack Campbell in his unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate. In 1988 the members re-elected Clark along with VP Don Millington, Secretary Jesse Portis Helm and Treasurer Paul Merel. They also elected Directors Tom Bradshaw, Brad Buchman, Keith Carlson, Fred Fejes, Peter Rogers and Ann

JESSE’S JOURNAL

and gave their annual Human Rights Award to attorney Dan Bradley. In 1989 Bradshaw succeeded Clark as Club President. He joined Board members Jamie Bloodworth, Brad Buchman, Lenny Kaplan and Evan Leatherman.

On January 10, 1990 Bradshaw was reelected President, along with VP Buchman, Treasurer Richard Katz, Recording Secretary Jamie Bloodworth and Corresponding Secretary Beverly Cothern (Bloodworth’s partner). Grossfeld was re-elected to the Board, along with Richard Altman, Len Simons and Carl Trough. During the March primary, the Club endorsed Anne McKenzie (State House), George Stuart (Governor), Howard Forman (State Senate) and Evan Leatherman (State House). It supported United Citizens for Human

Rights in its eventually successful effort to amend the Broward County Human Rights Act. It also supported a new activist group, GUARD (Gays United to Attack Repression and Discrimination) and gave its annual Awards to State Senator Eleanor Weinstock, the Broward Human Rights Board, Father Bill Collins of Poverello and attorney Allan Terl.

On January 9, 1991 the Club re-elected the five officers and sent to the Board Grossfeld, Simons, Trough, Tom Bates, Dick Geisler, Bob Sawyer and Gary Steinsmith (Buchman’s partner). Later it held a lively fundraising party at Steinsmith’s home. On January 8, 1992 Bradshaw, Buchman, Bloodworth and Cothern were re-elected along with Steinsmith as Treasurer and Geisler, Grossfeld and Sawyer as Directors. Buchman’s election was controversial and he resigned February 12, to be replaced by Cothern. Even so, by the end of 1992 Buchman was back, as Secretary.

Q-Camp 2019 is almost here!!

Cabins are now available!

Just two and a half short weeks until we close registration for Q-Camp 2019! We are happy to announce that besides having rooms at the retreat center, cabins are now available. Here is a quick rundown on all options currently open.

Retreat Center three to a room –$225.00 each priced per person.

Retreat Center two to a room – $245 each priced per person.

Cabin Dormitories six to eight to a room – $198.00 each priced per person.

Day Tripper – Saturday only 9:00am to 10:00pm – Just $69.00 per person.

More detailed information is available by going to the following link – www. qcamp.org

A few words about Q-Camp 2019

Just like last year, Q-Camp is the weekend after Labor Day on Vashon Island, September 6-8. Like last year it is now less of a time and travel commitment, beginning Friday night and concluding Sunday afternoon. Last year was great fun with all the great

The Archives are silent about the years 1993-1996 but by 1997 Gary Steinsmith was President of the Club, along with VP Shane Gunderson, Treasurer Joe Donnelly and Secretary Tony Espaillat. Steinsmith was followed by Gunderson, who presided over the Dolphins for a brief period of time. By 1999 the Dolphins’ founding fathers and mothers were gone and the club was run by the likes of President Bill Salicco, VP Keith Watts and Treasurer Joe Scaglione. Only Secretary Espaillat and an upand-coming Board member named Dean Trantalis are worth remembering. Later Salicco was involved in some controversy and resigned, to be succeeded by Trantalis (2000). Dean served alongside VP Paul Jaworski, Secretary Marc Dickerman and Treasurer Kevin Swagger. In 2001 Percy Johnson was elected as the Dolphins’ first African-American President. But Johnson lost his bid for re-election in 2002. He was succeeded by Trantalis, who was re-elected

alongside VP Robin Bodiford and Treasurer Bill Rettinger. By 2004 Michael Albetta was President of the Dolphin Democrats and the Club was meeting at the Pride Center, then located on Andrews Avenue and N.W. 16 Court. Albetta was succeeded in 2005 by Ken Keechl, with Melissa Fojtik as VP. The next year Keechl resigned to run for the Broward County Commission (he won) and Fojtik became President. In 2007 the Club President was Amy Beth Shoosmith, with Albetta as her VP. By 2009 Albetta was President once again, this time with Julie Carson as VP. Sadly, except for a few photographs, programs and newsletters the Stonewall Archives does not have many documents from the Dolphin Democrats post-2009. Perhaps some of our readers will help us fill in the gaps.

POZSeattle to host BBQ

Potluck August 14

parts that made classic CAMP wonderful:

• Mingling with guys away from the city.

• Participating in small group discussions.

• Presentation by a great speaker.

• Dance.

• Campfire.

• Hike.

• And yes, even the Talent Show is still there to leave you in awe of the wonderful guys you got to know over the weekend.

• New options are there too. Last year we introduced Spa Space: Open 24 hours, it is the sensual, safe, intimate environment we need in our busy lives.

Whether you are thinking of attending for the first time or are ready to reconnect again after an absence, we want you to know there is a place for you.

From the board of Q-Squared Men, have a safe and happy summer! We hope to see you in September at Q-Camp 2019.

Sincerely,

The Q-Squared Board www.qcamp.org

POZSeattle is pleased to present the monthly potluck on Wednesday, August 14, from 6-8pm at The Cuff Complex (13th Ave & E Pine St) on Capitol Hill. Meet us on the back patio for our Summer Grillin’ Potluck to socialize, catch-up with old friends, make new ones, and a whole lot of fun.

Please bring your appetite for Burgers, Chicken Breasts, Beef Hot Dogs, Boca Burgers, w/all the fixins’ provided by POZSeattle.

Since this is a potluck, we ask you to bring Salads, Sides & Desserts.

We ask a $3 donation per plate. You can always give more. We are fully selfsupported by your donations. No one is ever turned away due to lack of funds.

Beverages will be provided as always, by The Cuff at regular prices.

Again, this event is for all HIV-Positive Men & Women and our friends, family, and support networks, (HIV-Positive or not), regardless of age, shape, size, origin, citizenship, color, sexual orientation, gender

expression or identity or axany other protected characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Stick around for “Karaoke with Jonathan” after the potluck.

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 2nd Wednesday of each month at The Cuff.

For questions or more information about this event, to plan your own social event, or to be added to our event promotions email list, or to be added to our Facebook private group, email contactpozseattle@gmail. com or visit website http://pozseattle.com for Info.

Thanks & see you there!

POZSeattle 2019 Events Committee

Stephani’s Celebration of Life

IN MEMORIAM:

Stephani Quinn Fluke

March 3, 1986 - July 28, 2019

On July 28, 2019 at 9:45am, Stephani Quinn Fluke passed away in Port Orchard, Washington. She is remembered and loved by our son, Gabe Fluke, our daughter, Katie Fluke, and her partner, J.P. Porter. She is also loved and remembered by her separated spouse, Michelle Fluke.

Stephani was born in Groton, Connecticut on March 3, 1986. When she passed away on Sunday she was 33 years old. Stephani was a veteran who served in the U.S. Army. Her tour of duty was in Iraq. She always said she would serve all over again if asked.

Stephani was the type of person who fought for the underdog while baking an apple pie in the oven. Her favorite shirt she loved to wear said: “I am a trans veteran / I fought for your right to hate me.”

Her favorite saying was “Oh, honey, if you give me the right pair of boots I can take on the world.” She loved anything Harley Quinn. Her favorite music groups were Redcon1, Soldier Hard, Five Finger Death Punch. Her favorite song was “Prom Queen” by Molly Kate Kestner.

She loved anything that was spicy food. Stephani was close to her three-year mark of transitioning when she passed. Stephani was a mother, a partner, a veteran and a totally awesome chick.

Everyone who knew Stephani knew she always said “When I go, I don’t want a funeral, but a party,” and that everyone would wear bright colors and have a good time remembering and celebrating Stephani, her life and who she truly was.

Her Celebration of Life party will be on Friday, August 30, 2019. Location and time can be found out by contacting me, J.P. Porter, at jp.seattlegaynews@gmail.com.

Stephani was a veteran who believed in rights for everyone. She was also standing up for her own rights. What happened to Stephani could have been prevented.

SOMOS Seattle honors Joel Aguirre (“La Gorda”) with the LGBTQ Latinx Legacy Award 2019

by Juan Fernando Luna Entre Hermanos

Joel Aguirre is an HIV/AIDS and human rights activist, drag queen performer, radio host, PrEP navigator, research assistant, and much more!

ENGLISH:

Thank you, SOMOS Seattle, for honoring Joel Aguirre (“La Gorda”) with the LGBTQ Latinx Legacy Award 2019!

A brief bio about Joel:

Born in Colima, México and raised in the city of Guadalajara, México, Joel Aguirre is also known lovingly by the LGBTQ community as “La Gorda”. Before moving to Seattle, Joel attended ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara. Also in Guadalajara, he invented a theatrical persona known as Gorda Agusto and was active in the rich theatrical scene there. Among many other contributions to the arts community there, he was Coordinador de Espectaculos for Patronato de las Fiestas de Octubre, managing all the artistic stages including the Main Stage with a capacity of over 20,000 people.

Joel was awakened to activism and passion for social justice at the age of 16, inspired by his own father to serve the com-

munity. His commitment to social activism was intensified when the AIDS epidemic broke out. He knew that this epidemic was not just affecting the physical body but the whole of society and its attitude toward LGBT and people of color. He had no choice but to get involved in the fight for equality, human rights, and the seemingly endless battle against HIV/AIDS. Joel immediately found, as a member of the LGBTQ community, he was more than ever a target of attacks and that his community was blamed and shamed for this disease.

In 1998, Joel emigrated to Seattle and immediately started to get involved in how to organize and respond to the special challenges of the Latinx community. At the University of Washington, he worked as a Research Assistant in the School of Medicine. With his theatrical and entertainer background and experience earned in Guadalajara’s show business and cultural circuits, he quickly became the hottest LGBTQ host and entertainer of “La Noche Latina” with Entre Hermanos. He has continued using his talents with other groups, such as Somos Seattle, to be able to convey messages and strategies to prevent the spread of HIV, promote testing as prevention, improve the treatment of people living with HIV, and create a true sense of solidarity and community throughout the region.

ESPAÑOL:

Gracias SOMOS Seattle por hacer honor a Joel Aguirre (“La Gorda”) con el LGBTQ Latinx Legacy Award 2019 en el Seattle Latinx Pride

Una breve biografía sobre Joel: Nacido en Colima, México y criado en la ciudad de Guadalajara, Joel Aguirre también es conocido cariñosamente por la comunidad LGBTQ como “La Gorda”. Antes de mudarse a Seattle, Joel asistió al ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara. Allí, inventó un personaje teatral conocida como “Gorda Agusto” y participó allí activamente en la rica escena teatral. Entre muchas otras contribuciones a la comunidad artística, fue Coordinador de Espectaculos para el Patronato de las Fiestas de Octubre, gestionando todos los trabajos artísticos incluyendo el escenario principal con una capacidad de más de 20,000 personas.

Joel fue despertado al activismo y la pasión por la justicia social a la edad de 16 años, inspirado por su propio padre para servir a la comunidad. Su compromiso con el activismo social se intensificó cuando estalló la epidemia del SIDA. Sabía que esta epidemia no solo afectaba al cuerpo físico sino a toda la sociedad y actitud hacia las personas LGBTQ de color. No tuvo más remedio que involucrarse en la lucha por la

igualdad, los derechos humanos y la batalla interminable contra el VIH/SIDA. Joel descubrió de inmediato, como miembro de la comunidad LGBTQ, que era más que nunca un blanco de ataques y que su comunidad era culpada y avergonzada por esta enfermedad.

En 1998, Joel emigró a Seattle e inmediatamente comenzó a involucrarse, organizarse y responder a los desafíos especiales de la comunidad latina. En la Universidad de Washington, trabajó como asistente de investigación en la Facultad de medicina. Con su experiencia teatral artística y la experiencia obtenida en los circuitos culturales y de espectáculos de Guadalajara, se convirtió rápidamente en el mejor presentador y animador LGBTQ de La Noche Latina Seattle con Entre Hermanos. Ha continuado usando sus talentos con otros grupos, como Somos Seattle, para poder transmitir mensajes y estrategias para prevenir la propagación del VIH, promover las pruebas, mejorar el tratamiento de las personas que viven con el VIH y crear un verdadero sentido de solidaridad y comunidad en toda la región.

Courtesy of Entre Hermanos

Volunteer to tutor K-12 students at the Seattle Public Library

The Seattle Public Library is seeking Homework Help volunteers for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year. Volunteers help children and teens develop literacy and mathematics skills, understand homework assignments and prepare for college. Volunteers tutor students in all academic subjects and may also specialize in English, math and science. We request a volunteer commitment for the entire school year. Contact volunteer@spl.org to request a volunteer application by Tuesday, Aug. 16 if you can begin as a Homework Helper in early September. Volunteer applications are accepted July through March each year. Homework Help will be offered at the following Library locations from Sept. 9, 2019 through June 11, 2020:

• Beacon Hill Branch, 2821 Beacon Ave. S.

• Broadview Branch, 12755 Greenwood Ave. N.

• Columbia Branch, 4721 Rainier Ave. S.

• Douglass-Truth Branch, 2300 E. Yesler Way

• Greenwood Branch, 8016 Greenwood Ave. N.

• High Point Branch, 3411 S.W. Raymond St.

• Lake City Branch, 12501 28th Ave. N.E.

• NewHolly Branch, 7058 32nd Ave. S.

• Northgate Branch, 10548 Fifth Ave. N.E.

• Rainier Beach Branch, 9125 Rainier Ave. S.

• South Park Branch, 8604 Eighth Ave. S.

LEVIES

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percent of voters saying yes. The new levy would collect about 12 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in 2020, or about $85 for a $700,000 home.

“With this vote, Seattle said yes to more equitable access to our libraries, expanding hours, digital equity and maintaining the critical services core to our libraries,” Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said in a victory

PRIMARY RESULTS

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of local politics, having served on the King County Council since 1994. He was also a founding member of the Franklin High School Black Student Union, a member of Seattle’s Black Panther chapter, and a local civil rights icon.

Gossett has noted with some amusement that his council office is in exactly the same location in the King County Courthouse as the holding cell he occupied in 1968, when he was arrested for participating in a sit-in at Franklin High School.

Zahilay, an immigrant from the Sudan, who also attended Franklin High School and spent much of his childhood living in public housing, is a Stanford- and University of Pennsylvania–educated attorney.

“Voters want change, that’s what our results are showing us,” Zahilay told the Seattle Times

Gossett attributed his disappointing showing to Zahilay’s youth and his fundraising.

“Those things are a little bit more difficult to deal with: ageism,” Gossett told the Seattle Times. “It means a very difficult time mobilizing people to turn out for the finals, but I’m a fighter, so that is what I will work hard on doing.”

More information

The Library supports children and youth by giving them opportunities to excel and learn through our educational resources, classes and staff assistance. We

statement. “It shows (that) people really believe we have to center equity and bring community together. It’s pretty remarkable. It’s hard to find many topics (which) over 70 percent of Seattle agrees on.”

The library levy is multi-purpose: $167 million would go toward maintaining existing services; it also would enable Delridge, Green Lake, New Holly and Wallingford branches to open on Fridays, extend hours at the High Point, International District/Chinatown and South Park branches and keep all 27 neighborhood branches open longer at

Zahilay and Gossett will go on to the general election in November.

In other King County Council elections, Gay councilmember Joe McDermott enjoyed an easy race, bringing in more than 82% of the vote against token opposition.

Seattle City Council

In the most-watched Seattle City Council race, incumbent councilmember Kshama Sawant proved once again that her boots-onthe-ground organizing strategy can pull in more votes than the big money mass-marketing campaign of her opponents.

Sawant came first in the field of six candidates for her District 3 seat, with 32.75% of the vote. Facing Sawant in the November election will likely be Egan Orion, the favorite of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and its CASE PAC. Orion pulled in 23.74% of the votes.

Orion, an events promoter who runs the popular Pride Fest and who presided over the bankruptcy of the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, was the beneficiary of $123,000 in “independent expenditures” from local business interests in their attempt to dislodge Sawant.

NIMBY activist Pat Murakami is running third in the pack with just over 14% of the votes.

Zachary DeWolf, like Orion an out Gay man, is in fourth place after a lackluster

help level the playing field for underserved populations by forming a strong partnership with our community members to offer aid with student success.

night; fund seismic retrofitting at Columbia City, Green Lake and University branches; provide additional support for library early learning programs for children up to age five; upgrade internet technology and support digital equity efforts such as mobile hotspots and digital literacy classes. Also, of great importance to many lower income people, the new levy would eliminate all overdue fines; however, fees for lost and damaged items will remain in effect.

Countywide, the $810 million, six-year parks levy was passing with almost 70 per-

campaign, with 12.54%.

The Seattle business community seems to be facing an uphill battle in its drive to replace progressive City Council members with more conservative members beholden to developers and business interests.

In District 1, incumbent Lisa Herbold, protégé of progressive veteran Nick Licata, ran well ahead of her nearest challenger, with almost 48% of the vote against Phil Tavel’s 33.83%.

In District 2, labor organizer Tammy Morales led the field of seven candidates with 44.69%. She will likely face Mark Solomon, a civilian employee of the Seattle Police Department, in November. Solomon scored 24.59% of the votes.

District 4 may provide the best opportunity for the pro-business side to elect a councilmember, with CASE-backed Alex Pedersen well ahead in the field of 10 candidates. Pedersen won more than 45% of the votes. His likely November opponent, socialist Shaun Scott, brought in 19.41%.

In District 5, incumbent and semi-progressive Debra Juarez led the field with more than 42% of the votes, followed by Ann Davison Sattler, running on a “crack down on the homeless” platform. Sattler took almost 28% of the votes.

District 7 is shaping up to be a race between two relatively progressive candidates. Andrew Lewis, backed by MLK

cent of the vote. The parks levy is more than double the existing $396 million. It would cost approximately 18 cents per every $1,000.00 for a $500,000.00 home, (roughly $92 in the first year) beginning in 2020. It will “provide funding for county, town, city and park district parks, and for open space, trails, recreation, public pools, zoo operations and an aquarium capital project,” according to the ballot title.

Labor, is running first with 28.85%, followed by a pro–police reform ex-cop, Jim Pugel, with 26.46%.

Comeback city

The District 6 City Council race featured the surprising comeback of former City Councilmember Heidi Wills. Wills was one of three councilmembers caught up in the infamous 2003 “Strippergate” scandal – accused of accepting campaign contributions from the Colacurcio crime family in return for a favorable vote on a zoning variance for a Colacurcioowned strip club in Lake City.

Although Wills denied any wrongdoing, she opted not to run for reelection. Frank Colacurcio Sr. and Jr. were convicted of felony violations of campaign finance laws. In her previous political incarnation, Wills was considered part of the City Council’s progressive wing, but this year she campaigned on a law-and-order platform and came in second in the field of 13 District 6 candidates, with 22.74% of the vote.

Dan Strauss, former staffer to retiring City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, led the field with 30.85%, and will face off against Wills in November.

Campaign opposes Trump rule changes to ACA

Calls for comments on government website

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

National health care and human rights organizations have united in a campaign to turn back changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare) that would weaken nondiscrimination language in the law and lead to denial of care for LGBTQ and other patients.

The issue revolves around Section 1557 of the ACA, which prohibits discrimination in health programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability status. According to the Obamaera Department of Justice (DOJ), the word “sex” also covers LGBTQ persons seeking health care.

Donald Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed changes to the rules that will weaken or eliminate protections for LGBTQ individuals, people with limited English proficiency, and individuals seeking reproductive health services.

The proposed changes will seriously undermine existing protections against discrimination in health care. The changes in rule will significantly harm:

• Trans and gender-nonconforming people, who already experience significant obstacles to accessing all health care,

• LGBTQ people who do not conform to traditional sex stereotypes,

• people who need abortions or have had abortions in the past, and

• people with limited English proficiency, who need to access language services such as interpreters and translations.

The groups organizing opposition to the proposed changes include Families USA, the Kaiser Family Foundation, the National Health Law Program, the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum, the National Women’s Law Center, Protect Trans Health, and Action Link.

People are asked to log into the fed-

NAVY

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serving in their preferred gender,” Gilday wrote. His reply echoed similar sentiment from all military chiefs of staff that personnel who had transitioned to their preferred gender had not damaged readiness.

Palm Center director Aaron Belkin said: “Vice Adm. Gilday’s statement under-

eral government’s comment page and register their opposition to the proposed changes: https://www.regulations.gov/ comment?D=HHS-OCR-2019-0007-0001

Washington state’s attorney general, Bob Ferguson, has intervened in the law-

mines the primary rationale for Trump’s transgender ban, which is that those who need to transition gender threaten the readiness and cohesion of the force. Across three years of open service by transgender patriots – including by those who have transitioned – military leaders have found time and again that such service is fully consistent with military readiness. Once again, uniformed leaders have confirmed that the Trump ban is indefensible.”

suit brought by the state of Texas hoping to overturn the entire ACA, known as Texas v. USA

Ferguson explained that because the Trump administration “callously refused to defend the law,” Washington joined many

About The Palm Center

The Palm Center is an independent, non-partisan research institute that conducts scholarly analysis of U.S. military personnel policy, with an emphasis on LGBT populations. Our research has been published in leading scholarly journals and our expert analysis is regularly covered in all forms of media worldwide. In providing clear explanations of key data and developments in our reports, memos, state-

other states and the House of Representatives, intervening to do so. Under the ACA, our state’s uninsured rate has dropped by 60% and federal premium subsidies average $295 per month.

ments, op-eds, blog, and social media, we serve as a trusted resource for journalists, policymakers, service members, scholars, students, and the public. For more information, visit www.palmcenter.org.

Courtesy of The Palm Center

Gender-neutral language decreases gender bias, new study says

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Using gender-neutral language helps decrease gender bias and increase support for non-male individuals, according to a study in the July Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

The study conducted by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis and UCLA took off from the hypothesis that gendered language reinforces the implicit social bias in favor of men.

Participants in the study were instructed to use either masculine (he/him/his), feminine (she/her/her), or gender-neutral (they/ them/their) pronouns to describe a hypothetical situation like a politician running for office.

Then, after the initial description, researchers prompted participants to share their views on women and LGBTQ individuals.

The results confirmed the researchers’ original hypothesis. Those who used feminine and gender-neutral pronouns to describe the hypothetical scenarios were more likely to make statements supportive of women and LGBTQ people when quizzed afterwards.

On the other hand, participants who used masculine pronouns were less likely to do so.

“The results establish that individual use of gender-neutral pronouns reduces the mental salience of males,” write study authors Margit Tavits and Efrén O. Pérez.

“This shift is associated with people expressing less bias in favor of traditional gender roles and categories, as manifested

in more positive attitudes toward women and LGBTQ individuals in public affairs.”

Word choice not only reflects our personal values, the researchers explained, but reinforces our personal and cultural prejudices. In fact, gendered language can be the equivalent of linguistic sexism. How we speak influences our perception and bias toward others and helps create and reinforce power dynamics in society.

For example, using words like “guys” to address a group of people essentially erases anyone in the group who is not a man, while saying “mankind” as a catchall for “humankind” or “firemen” in place of “firefighters” says that masculinity is the cultural norm.

“When pondering civic affairs, speakers using masculine pronouns will be more likely to deem it a male realm, viewing other groups as atypical,” the study notes.

“Speakers who use masculine pronouns will also be more likely to endorse traditional gender roles, as they align with a male-centered view.”

Gender disparities extend far beyond workplace dynamics or family roles, the researchers say. Naming a hurricane, for example, might seem value neutral, but independent studies show that hurricanes with feminine names are perceived as less serious than ones with male names, resulting in lower evacuation rates and higher death rates.

“Words matter,” Pérez explained. “The specific words we use can nudge people toward making judgments and choices that, as a society, we may think are good for us as a whole, such as greater gender equality and inclusiveness of LGBTQ communities.”

“The executive action, signed by Gov. Cooper, restricting the use of public funds to support the dangerous, debunked practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy,’ is an important step forward in North Carolina, and we are grateful to the Protect Our Youth NC Coalition – led by Equality North Carolina and the Campaign for Southern Equality – for pursuing this important campaign to protect LGBTQ youth,” said JoDee Winterhof, senior vice president for policy and political affairs at the Human Rights Campaign. “We look forward to working alongside our partners to pass a law – similar to those enacted

in 18 other states – that would cover all state-licensed professionals working with minors. For North Carolina to be a leader in the South, the governor and the legislature must prioritize full LGBTQ equality.”

There is no credible evidence that conversion therapy can change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. To the contrary, research has clearly shown that these practices pose devastating health risks for LGBTQ young people, resulting in depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, homelessness, and suicidal behavior. The harmful practice is condemned by every major medical and mental health organization, including the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, and American Medical Association.

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico all have laws or regulations protecting youth from this harmful practice. A growing number of municipalities have also enacted similar protections, including at least fifty cities and counties in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin.

According to a recent report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, an estimated 20,000 LGBTQ minors in states without protections will be subjected to conversion therapy by a licensed health care professional if state officials fail to

act. Last year, national organizations representing millions of licensed medical and mental health care professionals, educators, and child welfare advocates declared their support for legislative protections against conversion therapy.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. the HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.

Courtesy of HRC

NCLR’s Born Perfect campaign hails groundbreaking North Carolina order protecting LGBTQ youth from conversion therapy

Raleigh, NC – [On Friday, August 2], North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order to protect vulnerable young people from conversion therapy, which seeks to change a young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

The order directs the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to prohibit payment for conversion therapy for minors by any health care provider receiving state or federal funds.

“What leaders do matters,” said Mathew Shurka, Born Perfect co-founder and conversion therapy survivor. “Governor Cooper’s executive order sends a clear message that he and his administration will protect LGBTQ youth and ensure that no taxpayer money is spent on this life-threatening practice, which has been condemned by every leading professional medical and mental health organization. Now more than

ever, LGBTQ children need to hear that they are born perfect.”

“Thanks to Governor Cooper’s leadership, North Carolina is now the first state in the South to take statewide action to protect youth from conversion therapy,” said Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Kendra R. Johnson, Executive Director of Equality North Carolina said: “This year our campaign ignited a conversation among North Carolinians about the importance of protecting our kids from ‘conversion therapy.’ It’s gratifying to see Governor Cooper take this critical step in the right direction. No child should be told that they must change their sexual orientation or gender identity; we’re grateful that Governor Cooper agrees. We are committed to ending this debunked practice and will work for statewide protections.”

Allison Scott, Director of Policy & Programs at the Campaign for Southern Equality, added: “Governor Cooper’s order will create a safer North Carolina for LGBTQ youth. Young LGBTQ people who endure ‘conversion therapy’ are at an immensely higher risk for depression and suicide than those whose identities are affirmed, a primary reason that we must do all we can to end this dangerous pseudoscience. As we continue our campaign to end conversion therapy once and for all, we’re looking forward to working across North Carolina to share a message of love and affirmation. We have the momentum, and now it’s time to amplify the voices of North Carolinians everywhere who are taking action to protect our youth.”

The Born Perfect campaign to end conversion therapy was founded by NCLR in 2014 to bring survivors and legal experts together to end this dangerous practice.

Born Perfect has partnered with the Human Rights Campaign and state equality groups across the nation to pass state and local legislation protecting youth from conversion therapy. Mathew Shurka, Born Perfect CoFounder and Chief Strategist, has shared his story as a survivor with legislators and policy makers across the country.

Born Perfect is a survivor-led campaign to end conversion therapy created by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. Bornperfect.org

Courtesy of the National Center for Lesbian Rights

AHF sues city of Los Angeles, multiple developers over fair-housing violations in Hollywood

LOS ANGELES (August 8, 2019) – The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will host a press teleconference on Thursday, August 8 at 3:00 pm PT to announce its filing Thursday of a lawsuit in Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles (case # TBD) against the City of Los Angeles, the LA City Council, and property developers of numerous luxury residential/commercial/entertainment projects within the Hollywood area. The Hollywood development projects targeted in the lawsuit include: Sunset Gordon Tower, Palladium Residences, Crossroads Hollywood, and a luxury housing tower planned for the site of Amoeba Music.

The AHF’s legal action asserts violations of both federal and state housing laws intended to eliminate barriers to minority housing and integrated communities. The AHF’s lawsuit seeks to enforce the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), asserting [that] the various Hollywood developments singled out in the AHF’s lawsuit were approved “…without providing adequate measures to ensure that the [p]rojects would not displace protected minorities.”

It its lawsuit, the AHF also asserts: “The City’s approvals of the [p]rojects turn a blind eye to the imminently foreseeable effects of constructing a large number of new, marketrate housing in this community. The influx of new, more affluent residents will have a ripple effect of displacement on the existing residents, who will see increased rents and increased property values that put pressure on existing, lower-income residents who are

already struggling to make ends meet. This influx of wealthier residents into what have been historically low-income neighborhoods, and the demographic, cultural, and economic changes in those neighborhoods, is known as gentrification. Frequently, those who are pushed from their neighborhoods are people of color.”

Studies show that market-rate housing development is linked to the mass displacement of neighboring low-income residents.

In its lawsuit, the AHF offers a prime example of such low-income and minority displacement: Crossroads Hollywood, which will demolish over 80 existing rent-stabilized apartments, displacing a decades-old, tight-knit community of largely low-income, predominantly Latino residents.

On that point, the AHF’s lawsuit noted: “The City’s own data, as well as the factors that the City has identified as relevant to displacement potential, and the work of academics looking more broadly at other cities, make clear that displacement may be a result of development even if the new development does not directly displace any individual by removing existing housing from the market. Here, by contrast, the Crossroads Project will in fact displace current residents.”

[Also:] “Approximately half of all Latino renter households are rent-burdened, spending over 30 percent of their household income on rent. The disparities between non-Hispanic whites’ and Latinos’ capita income is significant, showing that Latino residents will more likely be impacted and displaced by the [p]rojects. The median

per capita income of Latino renters is only $17,241, compared to $36,403 for non-Hispanic whites.”

In its pleadings, the AHF also asserts that the developers’ pursuit – and the city’s fast-track approval – of so many variances, exceptions, zone changes, and general plan amendments for these large-scale luxury developments and related amenities in Hollywood – without sufficient affordable housing – violates both the federal and the state housing acts. The AHF is also seeking a preliminary injunction or administrative stay to prevent construction on the parcels in question from starting, including any demolition of existing structures and/or other site preparations.

In May of this year, Judge Beckloff of the LA Superior Court decided that similar fair housing claims regarding the project planned at the Crenshaw Mall could proceed.

Hollywood projects in development targeted in the AHF’s lawsuit include:

• The Sunset Gordon Tower on Sunset Boulevard, a 22-story, almost entirely market-rate apartment complex by development company CIM that has been sitting vacant for three years after a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge retroactively invalidated the project’s construction permits.

• The Hollywood Palladium Residences, by developer Crescent Heights, twin 28-story towers that will house 730 residential units, with only 5% of units set aside for people making up to 150% of median income.

• Crossroads Hollywood, by Harridge Development Group, which would demol-

ish over 80 units of current rent-stabilized housing. The project is set to include 905 apartments and condos in three high-rise buildings, 308 hotel rooms, [and] 190,000 square feet of retail space. The developer has been granted 22 liquor licenses across the project – nearly one each for every new affordable apartment created.

• An as-yet-unnamed 26-story, 200-unit luxury residential and commercial development that provides almost no below-market housing by GPI Companies for the site of Amoeba Music on Sunset Boulevard.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/ or services to over 1.2 million individuals in 43 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific region, and Eastern Europe. To learn more about the AHF, please visit www.aidshealth.org or www.facebook. com/aidshealth, or follow @aidshealthcare on Twitter.

Courtesy of AHF