Celebrating 42 Years! Issue 52 Volume 44
Jackie a hypnotic marvel
Fences an absolute triumph
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SEC 2 PG 1
Seattle Gay News
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Inslee, Jayapal declare state a hate-free zone Demonstrators heckle Murray, Constantine
Republicans resurrect “bathroom bill”
HB 1011 replaces I-1515, bans Trans people from appropriate restrooms
Photo courtesy of weareoneamerica.org
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Congresswoman-elect Pramila Jayapal and Gov. Jay Inslee declared Washington
Photo by Toby Talbot/AP Photo
state a “hate-free zone” at a December 19 press conference attended by other elected officials, labor and community activists, and the public. see HATE FREE WA page 7
ERW pledges to double donations made to WA Won’t Discriminate until December 31
Washington Won’t Discriminate Campaign Chair Seth Kirby – Photo courtesy of nwpr.org
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Have you ever heard the expression, “Freedom isn’t free?” Although that is traditionally used in reference to veterans who
lost limbs or friends in war, it also applies to the dollar amount in which it takes to run a successful campaign of any kind these days. And once again, the LGBTQ and allied see ERW page 8
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Washington state Republicans can’t take no for an answer. Having failed to
qualify I-1515 for the November ballot, they’re back with a new anti-Trans measure – HB 1011. Like I-1515, HB 1011 bans Transgender see HB 1011 page 18
World OutGames Miami announces initial roster of distinguished speakers for its global human rights conference
Ivan Cano, CEO of World OutGames Miami – Photo courtesy of floridaagenda.com
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor World OutGames Miami 2017, a nineday multisport, human rights, and cultural event from May 27 through June 4, 2017,
has confirmed the initial roster of notable activists, thought leaders, and community figures to headline the Global LGBTQI Human Rights Conference. see OUTGAMES page 19
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The tabloid president by Jesse Monteagudo SGN A&E Writer During the recent unpleasantness that was the 2016 presidential election much was made of the fact that the vast majority of newspapers endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton against the winning Republican, Donald Trump. A major exception, one that was ignored by the media, probably did more for Trump than all the New York Times or Washington Posts did for Clinton. Though it would be too much to claim that the National Enquirer carried the election for Trump, it certainly did much to express Middle America’s feelings for the Republican candidate. The special relationship between the National Enquirer and Donald Trump goes back years. David Pecker, chief executive officer and chairman of American Media Inc., publisher of the Enquirer, is a good friend of the president-elect. “I have known Donald Trump for 25 years and I am proud to call him a friend,” Pecker said. “I support his candidacy for President and greatly admire what he has achieved in a relatively short period of time as a non-politician.” Trump himself (or his ghost writer) wrote an article for the August 12, 2015 issue, which detailed his presidential platform: “I am the only one who can make America great again. We are in serious trouble – economically and from a security perspective – and we need leaders who are intelligent, truthful and tough in order to negotiate deals with countries like Mexico and many others. America is being laughed at by the rest of the world – and things must change before it’s too late.” “Our readers have a great affection and fondness for Donald Trump,” Enquirer editor-in-chief Dylan Howard said. “It’s a readership that is disenfranchised. They do not like the political establishment. They see Donald Trump as someone who will champion their cause, just like the National Enquirer has championed their cause for many decades.” Howard, Pecker and their tabloid did much to help Trump’s
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David Pecker, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of American Media Inc. – Photo by Patrick McMullan
campaign. In March 14 of this year the Enquirer endorsed Trump, the first time the tabloid endorsed a candidate in its 90-year history. It has since published sleazy stories about Trump’s opponents: According to the Enquirer, Ben Carson was a “bungling surgeon,” Jeb Bush had “sleazy cheating scandals” and, most notoriously, Ted Cruz’s father was linked to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Once Trump and Clinton became their respective parties’ candidates, the paper ran a series of cover stories attacking “crooked Hillary” – some written by professional Clinton hater Dick Morris – while extolling Trump and his campaign to “make America great again.” In this Howard insisted that the Enquirer only heeded public opinion. “My duty is to my readers.” Trump’s affair with the tabloids was noticed by Clinton, who accused her opponent of spreading “dark conspiracy theories” taken from the pages of “supermarket tabloids.” “This is what happens when you treat the National Enquirer like gospel,” she said. Most of the time, Democrats ignored the Enquirer, to their candidate’s
detriment. At the same time that Clinton fans crowed about her endorsements, millions of Middle Americans, who would never read the editorial page of the New York Times, glanced with approval at the Enquirer covers on their way through their supermarkets’ check-out lines. How much did the Enquirer affect their vote? Or did the Enquirer’s anti-Clinton and pro-Trump articles just confirm their already-held beliefs? We shall never know. Since the election, the National Enquirer continued its pro-Trump covers, though it has gradually returned to celebrity gossip as the basis of its existence. But there is no question that favorable stories about Trump and his family will continue to grace the tabloid’s pages. Future issues will no doubt feature stories about Trump’s White House, wife Melania’s fashion and housekeeping, Donald Jr. and Eric’s political aspirations – Trump will be the first president since the elder George Bush to have sons – and the political marriage of daughter Ivanka and businessman Jared Kushner. In this the Enquirer is right. For better or worse, the Trump presidency will be worth covering.
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JFS serves survivors of all kinds --- of the Holocaust; of civil wars, religious persecution and famine; of domestic violence; of inter-generational poverty; of circumstances that can upend lives in a heartbeat. We want vulnerable people of all backgrounds to know they are not only welcome here but also will be treated with dignity and respect when they come to our doors. So we are sharing with you now, a statement that explicitly articulates who Jewish Family Service is here to help. Post-election incidents of anti-Semitism have increased concern for many in our Jewish community. Clients, staff, volunteers and donors are expressing heightened anxiety and fear. These feelings of worry and uncertainty are rooted in a documented spike in hate incidents across our country. The Southern Poverty Law Center noted 867 hate incidents in the 10 days following the election, including 48 here in Washington. In fact, our state had the fourth highest number of documented incidents in the country --- higher than all southern states except Texas. During the darkest days of the year, let us remember even a sliver of light can help illuminate a path. We at Jewish Family Service are resolved to stand with the most vulnerable people in our community. We are committed to providing services that honor the dignity of all human beings who turn to us. Our history and values compel us to meet the particular needs of Jewish individuals and families. This responsibility was at the core of our founding in 1892, and it remains as critical to us today as it was then. And, our Jewish history and values compel us to provide services to vulnerable people of all races, religions and ethnic backgrounds. We will continue our work with people in poverty to achieve lives of greater well-being, health and stability. We are unwavering in our commitment to serve refugees and immigrants. We are steadfast in our service to people of any sexual orientation and any gender identity. We are committed to supporting people of all abilities to live as fully and independently as possible. We affirm that people affected by mental illness and/or addiction deserve support in achieving and maintaining a positive quality of life. We will be here for people affected by domestic violence and will not normalize abuse. We believe the path to a just society begins when each of us values and honors the dignity of the other as highly as our own. Our tradition demands this. But our experience has taught us that a just society is only truly possible when the sacred values we live out as individuals extend to our greater world. So we are resolved --- to serve, to ally and to actively participate in building a just society.
Warm regards,
Michele Rosen Board President 6 Seattle Gay News
Rabbi Will Berkovitz Chief Executive Officer
December 23, 2016
Celebrating 41 Years!
Hotel owners sue to stop workplace safety initiative I-124 passed with 77% of votes by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Three hotel owners associations – the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Washington Hospitality Association, and Seattle Hotel Association – have filed a lawsuit challenging the voter-approved Seattle Initiative 124. The measure, which is now Seattle Municipal Code chapter 14.25, was on the November ballot as the Seattle Hotel Employees Health and Safety Initiative. It established safety measures for hotel workers who are subjected to sexual harassment and assault by hotel guests, and also set reasonable workload standards. Local and national hotel owners groups spent $260,000 campaigning against I-124 during the election but without success. I-124 passed overwhelmingly, with 77% of the votes and broad support – from Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, the Seattle City Council, and many community and labor organizations. “In challenging the initiative postpassage, local hotels are demonstrating a clear disregard for hotel employees, Seattle voters, and Seattle values,” said Rebecca Saldaña, executive director of Puget Sound Sage and newly appointed state senator from the 37th Legislative District. “The passage of the initiative was a bright spot on November 8, showing that the misogyny, racism, and xenophobia evident in the election of Donald Trump had no place in Seattle. Now, the hotel industry is seeking to undo this hard-fought victory,” said Nicole Grant, executive secretary treasurer of the Martin Luther King County Labor Council. “As our city steels itself for defensive fights to protect everyone who calls Seattle home, this attack from within by the hotel
Newly appointed State Senator Rebecca Saldaña – Photo courtesy of seattletimes.com
community to undermine protections for hotel workers is deeply saddening. Now, more than ever, we must stand together to make sure hotel housekeepers – immigrant women and women of color – receive the protections they need and are due under the law.” The hospitality industry has a history of lawsuits against local labor standards ordinances, including the SeaTac and Seattle minimum wage laws, but courts have ruled them meritless. In the end, they only served
to delay advances for local workers. The latest lawsuit focuses in large part on preventing hotel guests who sexually harass workers – mainly immigrant women – from suffering any of the consequences of their actions. “The lawsuit states it loud and clear: ‘Hotels stand in the shoes of hotel guests,’” said UNITE HERE Local 8 President Erik Van Rossum. “But we in the Seattle community stand in the shoes of hotel house-
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Hate-Free Zone was the name of an organization founded by Jayapal to protect immigrants in the wake of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. The group is now called OneAmerica and is the state’s leading immigrant rights organization. “We stand ready to take on any federal actions that undermine this state as a sanctuary and refuge for all people,” Jayapal said in her speech. “Just as we did 15 years ago, we reaffirm our promise to each other and declare our state, the state of Washington, a hate-free state… “Here in Washington state, we refuse to succumb to fear-based politics. We know using fear to advance an agenda is an old and practiced tactic... “We come together today to say we will fight injustice and policies rooted in racism and will condemn hateful rhetoric. “Together we say we respect women, we value Muslims, we value black lives, we stand with LGBTQ community members, and with immigrants, refugees, and people of all faiths. We value those of all abilities and workers, and we will fight for dreamers of all kinds, immigrant and native born.” Jayapal was joined by Gov. Inslee, Rep. Adam Smith, Rep. Suzan DelBene, Rep. Derek Kilmer, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Mayor Ed Murray, and Seattle City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, among other political and organization leaders. Noting that Donald Trump would soon be made president by the Electoral College in spite of losing the popular vote, Inslee stated that “the Electoral College has not
Washington State Congressmember Adam Smith – Photo courtesy of electadamsmith.com
taken away our right to speak out against hate.” Adam Smith, now the senior US congressmember from Washington, was especially critical of the incoming Trump administration. “We must stand up against the specifics of the hatred of this coming administration,” he said. Smith also joined the other six Democratic members of Washington’s congressional delegation in signing on to a formal statement of opposition to Trump. “In the wake of recent events, we strong-
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ly believe it is our moral obligation to continue to fight injustice and policies rooted in racism and condemn hateful rhetoric, hate crimes, and hate threats against our fellow residents,” the statement says. “We stand together now to say: We respect women. We value black lives. We stand with our LGBTQ community members. We stand with immigrants and refugees and people of all faiths. We value and support those with disabilities.” Youth prison still a divisive issue Although everyone at the event was
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keepers. It’s who we are.” UNITE HERE 8 represents some 5,000 hotel and restaurant workers in Washington and Oregon and was one of the main backers of I-124. “Through organizing,” the union’s website says, “UNITE HERE members are aiming to transform thousands of traditionally low-wage jobs into good, family-sustaining, middle-class jobs.”
united in opposition to Trump, it soon became clear that an issue closer to home remained divisive. Activists interrupted Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and King County Executive Dow Constantine to demand a halt to the plans for replacing the old youth detention center at 12th Avenue and Alder Street with a brand new facility. “Hate-free state means cage-free kids!” the activists chanted as they held up signs reading “Cancel the jail” and “Hate-free means jail-free.” OneAmerica Executive Director Rich Stolz, the final speaker at the press conference, agreed with the demonstrators that abandoning plans for the new youth jail would be one way of taking action to eliminate hate in Washington. “It has a particular resonance today because our criminal justice system is the tool used by the federal government to incarcerate civilians and undocumented immigrants,” he said. “This is a time for us to really stand up and work with each other.” After the press conference, community activist and attorney Nikkita Oliver took the microphone to denounce the new youth jail. Building a new detention center contradicts the goal of making Washington a hate-free state, she said. “It’s really essential for the county exec and the mayor step in and make the decision not to grant those permits [to build the new facility]. This is the easiest place to stop right now,” Oliver said. “It’s acknowledging and looking at who is most likely to be incarcerated and seeing that those are the same populations of people we say we’re trying to protect from state violence,” she added.
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Turgeon Raine celebrates 35 years of serving our community with gift ideas and future commitments! by MK Scott SGN Contributing Writer The holidays are for love and bling, and sometimes the love of bling, so this week we salute long time ally and SGN advertiser since 2002, Turgeon Raine Jewelers. As their website states: Founded in 1982 by two gem aficionados, Norman Turgeon and Jerry Raine, Turgeon Raine offers the discriminating jewelry buyer an unparalleled experience in taste, style and elegance. Our remarkable collection of fine jewelry and gems is an ongoing collaboration of their combined experience of more than 70 years and their passion for exceptional diamonds, gemstones and jewelry design. In addition to original Turgeon Raine designs, you will find many of the top collections by international designers. Our store, located in the heart of downtown Seattle, also showcases a major collection of engagement rings, wedding bands and a custom design shop with a staff of master jewelers along with a knowledgeable and friendly sales staff. Complementing our collection of jewelry is an extensive inventory of watches by the world renowned, Patek Philippe ... displayed in its own in-store boutique. In addition to perusing our website, we invite you to visit our store. Anyone who loves jewelry will enjoy Turgeon Raine as a visual treat for the senses. I had a chance to chat with Gem Spe-
Choose from many varieties of rings and Swiss-made watches, exclusive to Turgeon Raine – Photos courtesy Turgeon Raine
cialist Carla Carter at Turgeon Raine about what the trends are for engagement or wedding rings for same-sex couples: MK Scott: What do you recommend as the perfect engagement ring for Gay and Lesbian couples? Carla Carter: Like any couple looking for the perfect rings to commemorate their special day and their commitment to one another, it’s about personal style. Some choose contemporary minimalist designs and others like to have some sparkle with added diamonds.
MK: How has the Gay Marriage Boom affected business? Carla: We have always supported the Gay community and as a result have received a great deal of business. That, of course, has increased even more with marriage equality. MK: As a holiday gift, what would make the best gifts, regardless of gender? Carla: One that reflects the taste of the recipient. We spend a great deal of time getting to know the recipient so that we can help assure a wonderful success. Here is another gift idea:
ERW
continued from cover communities of Washington state are being asked to make monetary contributions in order to stop bigots hell-bent on taking away rights from a specific class of people: the Transgender members of our community. Republican lawmakers in Olympia have already made it known that they didn’t listen the first time last year when Washington Won’t Discriminate and its supporters helped stop I-1515, a harmful initiative aimed against the rights and protections of Transgender Washingtonians to use the public restroom or locker room that they choose, and similar proposed legislation. The bigots screamed about the need to protect women and children from possible assault. (There is absolutely no data to back up the ridiculous claim that Transgender folks, or cisgender predators impersonating a Transgender person, gain access to victims if anti-Transgender laws are not passed.) It didn’t work. Not only were the bills defeated by state legislators but I-1515 failed to get the number of signatures required to qualify for the general election ballot. Republican lawmakers vowed they would try again, and by introducing HB 1011 ahead of the January 2017 start of the legislative session, it would seem that the bigots have made good on that promise. Washington Won’t Discriminate (www. WashingtonWontDiscriminate.org) has stepped up to lead the charge against the new threat, but it isn’t doing it alone. Earlier this week, Equal Rights Washington (ERW) Director Monisha Harrell announced that Washington’s statewide LGBTQ advocacy and community outreach organization would match all donations
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ERW Director Monisha Harrell – Photo courtesy of equalrightswashington.org
made to Washington Won’t Discriminate up to $5,000 until December 31. In an email to supporters, Harrell warned against Washington becoming the next North Carolina. “North Carolina is in shambles, Seattle. Devastating economic losses, national boycotts, and complete political chaos,” Harrell said, referring to the state’s discriminatory policy to deny Transgender folks
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access to public accommodations. “And maybe you’ve looked at the messy situation in North Carolina and thought, ‘I’m glad that’s not Washington.’ “But not so fast: Because believe it or not, that may very well be Washington in just a matter of months,” she continued. “That is, if some lawmakers get their way by passing a proposed ‘bathroom bill’ (HB 1011) that is a near-replica of North Caro-
If you have some time on your hands, don’t miss the in-store Patek Philippe boutique. Turgeon Raine is the only jeweler in Washington to sell the Swiss-made watches which feature sapphire crystal casebacks and hand-stitched alligator wrist straps – a seemingly perfect fit for a store that’s equally attentive to detail. Turgeon Raine Jewelers is located at 1407 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle. For more information and photographs, please check out the Turgeon Raine website, turgeonraine.com.
lina’s horrific HB 2.” Harrell says that the fact that this bill has already been pre-filed before the legislative session begins means anti-Transgender forces are planning for a full-on attack on Washington’s nondiscrimination laws from day one. “And it’s painful to imagine what could happen if we’re blindsided here,” Harrell said. “Transgender Washingtonians would be stripped of critical protections – and just like that, our state could become ground zero for discrimination and hate.” But with a strong campaign, we can, and we will, defeat this shameful bill, says Harrell. ERW and Washington Won’t Discriminate are asking that supporters pitch in a minimum of $15 toward the cause. Donating is easy: just go to www.WashingtonWontDiscriminate.org and double-click on the “Donate” tab and follow the prompts to a safe and secure donation. “North Carolina had to learn the hard way the steep price of discrimination: nearly one billion in lost revenue, hundreds of thousands of jobs, and a tarnished national reputation,” said Washington Won’t Discriminate Campaign Chair Seth Kirby. “And those costs are sure to rise so long as this heinous law remains on the books.” “So it’s unconscionable that, in the face of these grave consequences, some lawmakers would even consider introducing a ‘bathroom bill’ in Washington,” Kirby continued. “But make no mistake: That’s how determined a vocal minority is to repeal our state’s transgender nondiscrimination laws.” If they succeed, Kirby says Washington is sure to meet the same fate as North Carolina: national embarrassment, political mayhem, and economic downfall.
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Liars! North Carolina Republicans renege on deal to repeal HB 2 Boycott still on, NCAA and NBA say by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A deal to repeal North Carolina’s draconian anti-LGBT bill, HB 2, collapsed on the night of December 21, as Republican state senators reneged on a deal with their Democratic colleagues and the Charlotte City Council. Acting on December 19 and 20, the Charlotte City Council repealed its own LGBT rights ordinance – the measure that North Carolina Republicans overrode with HB 2. The City Council’s action was supposed to lead to a repeal of the statewide law in a special legislative session called for December 21. Things didn’t work out that way. Instead of introducing a clean repeal bill, GOP state senators proposed a law that would still prevent local governments from passing LGBT protections. “Don’t be fooled,” tweeted HRC President Chad Griffin. “This is not full repeal of #HB2, doubles-down on discrimination, and makes clear that NC is still closed for business.” “This is unacceptable,” National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) Executive Director Mara Keisling said after the legislative debacle. “The legislature’s actions today have proven that the people of North Carolina – particularly transgender North Carolinians – cannot have any faith in their shameless lawmakers.” In response, the NCAA and NBA, which announced a boycott of North Carolina after HB 2 passed earlier this year, said their decision to relocate their signature sporting events to other states remained in force. “The NCAA’s decision to withhold championships from North Carolina remains unchanged,” said NCAA spokesman Bob Williams in a statement. An NBA league source told ESPN reporter Andy Katz that its decision to relo-
Simone Bell southern regional director at Lambda Legal – Photo courtesy of lambdalegal.org
cate the All-Star Game from Charlotte also had not changed. The executive committee of the North Carolina NAACP said it would ask the national leaders of the civil rights group for a nationwide economic boycott of the state. “This legislature is trying to raise a new Confederacy in policy,” North Carolina NAACP President Rev. William Barber said at a December 22 news conference. “This group doesn’t respect the Constitution. They do not respect the voices of the people. They do not respect the will of the people. They do not respect the vote, and it seems in some ways they do not respect just a little bit of money
being removed from the state.” Barber said the state NAACP takes issue with more than the legislature’s failure Wednesday to repeal the “an anti-worker, anti–civil rights, anti-LGBT bill” HB 2. That was just the last straw, he said, adding that Republican lawmakers also stripped incoming Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper of various powers. Other human rights groups also denounced GOP trickery, with the ACLU and Lambda Legal vowing to press on with their lawsuit against the state of North Carolina. “It is a shame that North Carolina’s General Assembly is refusing to clean up the mess they made,” said James Esseks, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s LGBT & HIV Project. “The support for the LGBT community from political leaders, faith leaders, businesses, and everyday people that has emerged this year will not fade. These attempts to expel transgender people from public life will not be tolerated. The legislature may not be willing to undo their unconstitutional overreach and respect the rights of LGBT people, so we’ll just have to see them in court.” The ACLU, the ACLU of North Carolina, Lambda Legal, and the law firm of Jenner and Block are challenging HB 2 in federal court on behalf of four LGBT North Carolinians and members of the ACLU of North Carolina. The complaint argues that HB 2 violates Title IX and Title VII by discriminating against students and school employees on the basis of sex. It also argues the law is unconstitutional because it violates the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the 14th Amendment by discriminating on the basis of sex and sexual orientation and violates the privacy and medical decisionmaking rights of transgender people. “The General Assembly and Gov. Mc-
Crory are playing political chicken, and North Carolinians continue to lose for it,” Simone Bell, southern regional director at Lambda Legal, added. “It is an outrage that North Carolina’s Republican lawmakers could not follow the mandate of the voters and repeal HB 2, As long as HB 2 is on the books, thousands of LGBT people who call North Carolina home, especially transgender people, are being discriminated against and will never feel safe. This was a counterproductive exercise in reaffirming to the rest of the country that North Carolina wants to remain mired in last year’s divisive dispute.” “The full repeal of HB 2 with no harmful amendments would be welcomed news for North Carolina, but instead, GOP lawmakers have turned their backs on LGBTQ people, workers, veterans, women, and people of faith,” NGLTF Executive Director Rea Carey said in a separate statement. “Let’s be clear: HB 2 is bad for business, bad for politicians, but bad for all North Carolinians, as it denies millions of people freedom, justice, equality, and human dignity. HB 2 bans cities and local jurisdictions from enacting nondiscrimination protections on grounds such as race and gender, and from enacting equal pay laws, family paid leave, and livable minimum wages.” According to Business Insider magazine, HB 2 has cost the state of North Carolina $400 million, and the loss of business and jobs cost incumbent Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, a strong supporter of the antiLGBT law, his job. McCrory’s bid for re-election was defeated by Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper, who earlier refused to defend HB 2 in court. Only a week before backing out of the HB 2 deal, the North Carolina legislature stripped the incoming governor of many of his appointment powers, in a move many observers branded a “coup.”
New York Trans man gets OK to change name without doctor’s note by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A Transgender man in New York has won the legal right to change his name without providing “medical evidence” of his gender transition. In a December 19 ruling, a New York state appeals court granted Ben Stanford’s petition for a legal name change and reversed a lower court decision that denied his name change because he declined to provide a doctor’s note detailing his gender transition. Stanford was represented by attorney Laurie Styka Bloom of the law firm Nixon Peabody, working as pro bono counsel for the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF). In a statement, Stanford expressed relief that his name change has been granted. “I have worked hard to be who I am and live my life authentically,” he said. “Having a name that did not match my identity caused me great difficulty in my daily life, particularly when forced to present inaccurate identification. Thankfully I finally have a name that accurately reflects my true self. I am grateful to TLDEF and
ready face in education, health care, housing, and public accommodations,” said TLDEF staff attorney Ezra Young. “Navigating the legal system can be expensive, time consuming, and intimidating. We are committed to providing our clients with legal assistance that brings positive outcomes and helps them lead happier, healthier lives. We are thrilled to see Ben’s name change come through once and for all.” Stanford’s attorneys argued that nobody should be forced to provide medical evidence, especially since other name change petitions do not require such evidence.
Laurie Styka Bloom of Nixon Peabody – Photo courtesy of nixonpeabody.com
Nixon Peabody for helping me through this ordeal. I can now move forward with my life as myself.” “It is critical for trans persons to align their legal names with who they are to help them challenge the discrimination they al-
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Washington state law Washington state law is similar to New York’s. While anyone who has the $171 fee can change their name, making your name match the gender markers on your birth certificate and driver’s license or ID is more complicated. The Department of Health, which issues birth certificates, requires either a doctor’s letter “stating that you have had the appropriate clinical treatment” or “a certified copy of a court order that states your name, date of birth, gender currently listed on birth record, and new gender.”
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The Department of Licensing requires that a doctor fill out a section of the official request form in order to change gender markers. Washington state’s process, then, requires access to a regular doctor or an attorney who can help get a certified court order. It also requires some out-of-pocket money, which could be an additional obstacle for low-income people. In addition to the $171 fee for a name change, it costs $20 to get King County to issue a new birth certificate. If you were not born in King County, getting a new birth certificate may be very difficult. Some states – Texas, for example – will not change gender markers on birth certificates. New passports cost $135 and require some proof of identity plus passport photos, which may cost $20 or more. New state IDs cost $54 and driver’s licenses cost $89. If you already have Washington state ID, there is an additional $20 to change gender markers.
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80 Christian leaders condemn protections for sexual orientation and gender identity Group includes four Catholic bishops, five Catholic college presidents by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Eighty conservative Christian leaders have issued a statement rejecting legal protections for sexual orientation and gender identity as “contrary to Christian and American values.” Among the signers were four Catholic bishops, five Catholic college presidents, and an assortment of Catholic intellectuals and organization heads. The statement, titled “Preserve Freedom, Reject Coercion,” is being circulated by the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, founded by former Nixon aide Chuck Colson. The Colson Center played a similar role in circulating the infamous Manhattan Declaration – a call for Christians to disobey marriage equality laws – in 2009.
HB 1011
continued from cover people from restrooms or other gender-segregated facilities that correspond to their gender identities. The measure has already been “prefiled” in the State House, meaning that it was introduced before the start of the 2017 legislative session and will await lawmakers when they convene in January.
An article in the National Catholic Register promoting the new anti-LGBT statement claims that laws protecting LGBT people would “crush Catholics.” The article specifically cites the “Education Department’s interpretation of Title IX to require schools and colleges to make bathrooms and locker rooms open to students who claim a gender different from their birth sex” as being a problem for Catholics. The Catholic bishops who signed the statement are: • Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia, chair of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth; • Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, chair of the Committee for Religious Liberty;
• Bishop Frank Dewane, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development; and • Bishop George Murry, chairman of the Committee on Catholic Education. The Catholic college presidents are Sister Mary Sarah Galbraith of Aquinas College, James Towey of Ave Maria University, Father Sean Sheridan of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Dr. Derry Connolly of John Paul the Great Catholic University, and Dr. William Fahey of Thomas More College of Liberal Arts. Other prominent Catholics include Ryan Anderson of the Heritage Foundation, Anthony Esolen of Providence College, Thomas Farr of Georgetown University, Robert George of Princeton University, Alan Sears of the Alliance Defending Freedom, and George Weigel of the Ethics and
Public Policy Center. Non-Catholics who signed include a number of prominent Christian conservatives: Franklin Graham, Russell Moore, Albert Mohler, Eric Metaxas, and Focus on the Family head Jim Daly. On December 12, National Organization for Marriage (NOM) boss Brian Brown issued the “Capetown Declaration” in the name of a new global anti-LGBT organization, the International Organization for the Family. Catholic Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of Ojo, Nigeria, was one of the signers of Brown’s statement, as were Robert George and Ryan Anderson, who also signed the “Preserve Freedom, Reject Coercion” statement.
HB 1011 would add the following language to the state civil rights law: “Nothing in this chapter prohibits a public or private entity from limiting access to a private facility segregated by gender, such as a bathroom, restroom, toilet, shower, locker room, or sauna, to a person if the person is preoperative, nonoperative, or otherwise has genitalia of a different gender from that for which the facility is segregated. Nothing in this chapter grants any right to a person to access a private facility segregated by gender, such as a bathroom,
restroom, toilet, shower, locker room, or sauna, of a public or private entity if the person is preoperative, nonoperative, or otherwise has genitalia of a different gender from that for which the facility is segregated.” The bill exempts children, who are allowed to use the restroom appropriate for their accompanying parent, or disabled people, who may use a restroom appropriate for their caregiver. The bill currently has only 14 House sponsors, and there is no Senate version at
this time. The list of sponsors features all the usual suspects: Reps. David Taylor, Matt Shea, Bob McCaslin, Jesse Young, Brad Klippert, Jim Walsh, Larry Haler, Shelly Short, Matt Manweller, Mark Hargrove, Liz Pike, Jeff Holy, Jay Rodne, and Vincent Buys. I-1515 was launched in February after the State Senate voted down SB 6443, which would have taken away restroom access from Trans people. The initiative failed to gather enough signatures to make it to the November ballot.
Listerine can cure oral gonorrhea, new study shows by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Ordinary Listerine mouthwash can cure oral gonorrhea, a new study shows. The study, by scientists at the Melbourne Sexual Health Center in Australia, was published December 20 in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections. The researchers performed two experiments using Listerine. In the first, Listerine Cool Mint or Total Care was added to lab dishes containing cultures of Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. Undiluted, both flavors left no bacteria alive in the dishes after only one minute of exposure. Even diluted 4-to-1, they killed most of the bacteria. In the second experiment, men who have sex with men and who tested positive for gonorrhea in their mouth or throat participated in a randomized clinical trial. One hundred and four subjects rinsed and gargled once with Cool Mint, while 92 performed the same procedure with saline solution. Five minutes later, 84% of the saline group still tested positive for gonorrhea in a throat culture. But only 52% of the Listerine users did. Testing negative “means there is no viable N. gonorrhoeae present on the swab,” lead researcher Eric Chow said. The researchers did offer some cautionary notes. First, they said, there is a remote possibility that there were still viable bacteria in the throat culture, but in amounts too small to detect. Second, testing people five minutes after they gargled does not show whether Listerine had more than a short-lived effect. On the other hand, they pointed out
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Image courtesy of undertone.com
that in the lab dish study, the bacteria did not return once killed by the application of Listerine. The finding that a single gargle eliminated gonorrhea bacteria in the throats of nearly half the men raises the possibility that regular use of Listerine might keep the bacteria at bay and prevent gonorrhea transmission through oral sex. Listerine was invented in the 19th
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century for use as a surgical antiseptic. It was later sold as both a floor cleaner and a cure for gonorrhea. In the 1920s it began to be marketed as a mouthwash and breath freshener. The active ingredients listed on Listerine bottles are the essential oils menthol (at 0.042% concentration), thymol (0.064%), methyl salicylate (0.06%), and eucalyptol (0.092%). All have antiseptic effects, and
there are some reports that methyl salicylate may have an anti-inflammatory effect as well. Ethanol, which is used to dissolve the active ingredients, is toxic to bacteria at concentrations of 40%; it is present in concentrations of 21.6% in flavored Listerine and 26.9% in the original gold Listerine Antiseptic.
Celebrating 41 Years!
Pennsylvania court allows Gay couple to dissolve adult adoption, get married by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A Pennsylvania court ruled on December 21 that a Gay couple can dissolve their adult adoption and get married. Nino Esposito, now 78, adopted Roland Bosee Jr. in 2012, when it was still against Pennsylvania state law for the couple to marry. They have been together 46 years. Esposito told the Associated Press that he legally adopted Bosee because he wanted them to “be a family of our own” when no other option was available to them. The idea came to him, he said, when the couple were revising their wills and looking for ways to avoid high probate taxes when one died and the other inherited his partner’s estate. According to CNN, other same-sex couples also used adult adoption to cement their family rights before same-sex marriage became legal in Pennsylvania in 2014. The couple “never thought we’d see the day” they could marry, they explained to CNN. Esposito and Bosee eventually decided they preferred to be married and petitioned the courts to dissolve the 2012 adoption. In June 2015, Judge Lawrence O’Toole of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County rejected the couple’s request on the grounds that state law allowed adoptions to be dissolved only in case of fraud. However, a three-judge Superior Court panel reversed the lower court, saying that “under the circumstances of this case, Pennsylvania law permits an unopposed annulment or revocation of an adult adoption.” President Judge Susan Peikes Gantman
(l) Nino Esposito and Roland Bosee Jr. – Photo courtesy of fpiw.org
wrote in the panel’s opinion that Bosee and Esposito’s case presented “wholly new and unique circumstances” for the annulment of the adult adoption.
The couple subsequently released a short statement saying they were “relieved” by the court’s decision and calling the ruling “a wonderful Christmas gift.”
Bosee and Esposito’s attorneys praised the decision as a victory for same-ex couples across the state.
OUTGAMES continued from cover
According to World OutGames officials, the four-day conference (May 26-29) will feature as many as 25 speakers and more than 35 topics under three specific tracks: promoting inclusivity in sports, health and wellness, and global social justice. The first confirmed speakers include Ugandans Austin Bryan and Richard Lusimbo of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) to present “Politicization of Homosexuality in Uganda: Scapegoating Sexual and Gender Minorities”; Carlos Quesada of the International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights, who will speak on a panel on the human rights situation of LGBTQI people in Latin America; Dr. Cecile Houry of Florida International University, who will present “American Women and the Modern Summer Olympic Games: A Story of Obstacles and Struggles for Participation and Equality”; Haven Herrin of ILGA North America, presenting “Fueling a Queer Religious Left at the Organization of American States”; Belgian Marthe Djilo Kamga, who will present “SIKILIZA, Mon corps te parle: Se réapproprier nos images de femmes noires qui aiment d’autres femmes par des expressions artistiques et culturelles”; and Justin Klecha of SAVE, presenting “Prejudice Reduction Conversations to Decrease Anti-LGBT Prejudice: An Interactive Workshop on the Art and Science of Persuasion.” “We are excited to bring together this stellar roster of speakers who can share their stories of strength and hope to a global audience during the World OutGames Mi-
World OutGames Miami – Photo courtesy of outgames.org
ami Global Conference on Human Rights,” said Ivan Cano, CEO of World OutGames Miami. “This conference, along with our other pillars, will offer an amazing experience and serve as a powerful tool to promote unity and inclusiveness.” World OutGames Miami registration for participants is available online at outgames.org. The comprehensive registration package includes admission to Opening and Closing Ceremonies at Marlins Park,
Visit us online www.sgn.org
access to sports and culture events, access to the Festival Village, and much more. World OutGames Miami is made possible through the support of Bacardi; the City of Miami Beach; Coca-Cola; the Florida Sports Foundation; the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau; the International Institute on Race, Equality, and Human Rights; the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority; the Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs
Council; the Miami Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; and Miami Sports. Organizations and business that are interested in supporting World OutGames Miami are encouraged to contact sponsorship@outgames.org. For more information about World OutGames Miami, visit www. outgames.org.
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Celebrating 41 Years!
WEEKLY PETS: Adoption Center Sunday – Wednesday | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday – Saturday | 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Phone: (425) 649-7563 Email: adoption@seattlehumane.org
ART
Introducing Art, a devastatingly handsome 1-year-old Great Pyrenees mix! At 114lbs, Art is a gentle giant – a sweet and well-behaved boy. He is also intelligent and sits on command. Art makes one of the best walking partners around! He has excellent leash manners and looks absolutely majestic. Art adores long hikes, walks, cuddles, and head and belly scratches. Due to his large size, Art would be happiest in a home with children 14 years and older. To make sure your resident dogs and Art will get along, a meet and greet is required prior to adoption. Come see Art today at Seattle Humane! As with all of our dogs, Art has been neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and behavior tested. He will go home with a certificate for an examination by a King County veterinarian and an identification tag. PLUS, most dog adoptions include 30 days of pet insurance from Trupanion and a training rebate when you complete a dog behavior course - a great way to start off on the right paw!
ANNIE
Meet Annie, a loveable 3-year-old black and white spotted female kitty! Annie is a social girl who lives for affection. When you approach her she’ll roll over to her belly and sweetly ask for chin scratches. Annie rewards any affection with steady and calming purr. Annie is waiting to meet her new best friends and family today at PetSmart in Bellevue, a Seattle Humane satellite location. Come find her there today and have her purring and making biscuits for you! As with all of our cats, Annie is spayed, microchipped and vaccinated. All of our cats have been tested for Feline Leukemia/FIV and go home with a certificate for an examination by a King County veterinarian and their very own identification tag and collar. PLUS, most cat adoptions include 30 days of pet insurance from Trupanion – a great way to start off on the right paw!
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religion & spirituality
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Celebrating 41 Years!
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