Issue 52 Volume 41
Celebrating 40 Years!
Seattle Gay News Hundreds marry in Utah
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SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Tenth Circuit panel refuses third appeal to halt marriages On Christmas Eve, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals refused for the third time to stop Gay and Lesbian couples from marrying in Utah after a federal judge struck
the headquarters of the Mormon Church, Democratic Mayor Ralph Becker personally presided over some of the first weddings in the state. Scouts from Salt Lake City’s Troop 351, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Utah, delivered
talking points memo
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
“Having considered the district court’s decision and the parties’ arguments concerning the stay factors, we conclude that a stay is not warranted.”
down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. Some 700 licenses have been issued to same-sex couples since U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby ruled on December 20 that Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage violates the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Although Salt Lake City is
pizza to county clerks and couples waiting in line for marriage licenses, leading online religion reporter Joanna Brooks to Tweet “Utah. Boy scouts. Delivering pizzas. To support. Gay marriage. The. End.” Scoutmaster Peter Brownstein, who replaced his standard-issue see UTAH page 7
expression,’” Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Thomas B. Leonardi wrote. “The Department [of Insurance] finds the legislative intent to prohibit discriminatory practices based on gender identity and expression to extend to health insurance practices. Accordingly, medically necessary services related to gender dysphoria should not be handled differently from medically necessary services for other see insurance page 9
see church page 9
galen frysinger
Connecticut health insurance providers must cover medically necessary procedures for Transgender patients, including sex reassignment surgery, the state’s Insurance Commissioner said in a bulletin issued December 19. “The Connecticut legislature effective October 1, 2011 amended state antidiscrimination laws to specifically prohibit discrimination based on ‘gender identity or
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Last week, the students at Eastside Catholic High School staged a successful sit-in to educate, spread awareness, and take a stand on the Catholic Church’s samesex marriage policy. The protest garnered the support of nearly all of the other Catholic schools in the Seattle area as students at those schools held similar protests. According to one of the Eastside Catholic High School student leaders, Bradley Strode, the protest would not be a one-day event. In fact, Strode says the students will come up with a plan to present their complaints as a Catholic community to the Catholic Church. “The beauty of being a Catholic is that we are allowed to disagree and engage in discussion with our Church,” he said. “This is our right. We are taking it.” What started out as a simple petition on Change.org, has turned into a spark that is poised to transport the fight to every single Catholic high school in America. As of Thursday, December 26, at 4:30 p.m., the students are roughly two thousand signatures short of their 30,000 goal.
Connecticut State Capitol
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Change the Church REUTERS / David Ryder
Connecticut mandates insurance providers must cover Trans health care
Chris Serrano(l) and Clifton Webb embrace after being married, as people wait in line to get licenses outside of the marriage division of the Salt Lake County Clerk’s Office.
An Eastside Catholic School student holds up a sign during a rally in support of the school’s former Vice Principal Mark Zmuda at the Archdiocese of Seattle chancery building.
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Out of the Dark By J. Glenn Evans
2013
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It was a cold night. A fine sleet pelted me as I walked down Seneca towards town to do some last minute shopping. Walking on the north side of the street, I approached 6th Avenue where cars came roaring off the freeway. I wasn’t paying much attention as I looked straight ahead, hoping to make the light. I felt something hard press against my back. A gruff voice said, “Sir, I will not hurt you, but I want your money. You can keep your cards, just give me your money.” I turned around to look. The man had a dark beard, wore a bill cap and had a neck scarf thrown around his neck with the last swing covering his face except his eyes. His gun was pointing right at my heart. “My friend, if you need money you don’t have to rob me for it and endanger yourself to many years in jail. I’ll share what I have with you.” He grunted. I took out my wallet and removed the bills and said, “Okay, here is a ten for you and a ten for me, a twenty for you and a twenty for me.” I gave him another ten and a five and took the same for me. “Here’s a one for you and another one for me. I’ve got an extra buck so you can have it. That leaves me forty-six bucks for groceries this next month.” “Is that all the money you have?” he asked. “Yes.”
“That will not do,” he said. “I don’t rob poor people. Here let me share with you.” He stuck the money I had given him in his pocket, opened his wallet and gave me two 100 dollar bills. “You are not going to get rich giving back more than you take,” I said. “Getting rich is not why I rob. I give most of the money I take to homeless people.” “You could get killed robbing people with
“Hey, let’s go have a cup of coffee,” I said. “Maybe we can figure out a way you can help the homeless without robbing people.” “I’ll listen to you, but I don’t think you can come up with any faster way getting bucks.” After we settled down in a quiet corner of a café, deserted by the cold and the season of Christmas Eve, I asked, “Why do you think you should rob rich people?” “That’s where the money is. Besides, they pay so damn little in taxes with all of their dodges, while the poor working stiffs pay the full course.” “I agree,” I said. “We did have a taxing program that allowed the government to help less fortunate people.” “Yeah, but that’s all changed. They fucked up the laws so they don’t pay their fair share. I’m just doing a little equalizing.” “You don’t find the real rich people walking the streets. They ride in chauffeured limousines.” “I know, but I catch a few of their sycophants and they know I’m here. That’s why they don’t walk the streets.” “You could start a non-profit corporation and get donations to help the poor.” “Ha! Then you have a whole staff to pay and too little gets to the people who need it.” “Yes, but look at the risk you take by robbing people.” “I just even the score,” he said. “It gets my adrenalin goin’ and most of the money I take gets recycled to the people who really need it.” “What a society we’ll have if everybody takes up your habit.” “Don’t worry. Most people don’t have guts enough to do what I do. Besides, I’m just small potatoes compared to those Wall Street banksters and corporate CEOs.” “Can’t argue with that,” I said. “Besides, I give the rich guys something to tell their kids and grandkids about. Probably more excitement than the last time he raped and plundered another corporation.” “Could be.” “Look, they sent me over to kill and maybe get killed so they could make big bucks. Now they are getting a little blowback.” “Can’t I talk you out of this way of life?” He stood up, tipped his hat, did a low bow and said, “Merry Christmas,” turned and left. I said a little prayer for him and our mixed up world that sends such good-hearted people out on such a mission.
“I’ll listen to you, but I don’t think you can come up with any faster way getting bucks.”
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that toy pistol.” I had seen that it was a toy from the light of a passing car. “I’m not afraid to die, but I will never kill anymore people.” “You’ve killed people?” “Yes, far too many. Iraq and Afghanistan and I feel terrible for what I did for this government.” “That wasn’t murder. You were being a patriot.” “Patriot, hell, it was just plain old murder as far I am concerned.” “If you only rob rich people, why did you stop me?” “You’re wearing an expensive leather jacket.” “I bought it at Goodwill for five bucks.” “I’ll be darn.’
Copyleft 2013 J. Glenn Evans 4
Seattle Gay News
December 27, 2013
Celebrating 40 Years!
Local news
SEATTLE – Last month, on Friday, November 22, Elise Lindborg and Kelli Henderson, leaders of ZippyDogs, a Seattlebased supplier of Made in USA and ecofriendly promotional products, traveled to Washington, D. C. to be honored at the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) National Dinner. This black-tie gala is dedicated to celebrating leading LGBT business owners and entrepreneurs, corporations and supplier diversity advocates, as well as government and community leaders. From a competitive field of applicants, ZippyDogs was selected as LGBT Supplier of the Year. The LGBT Supplier of the Year award recognizes an exemplary certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (LGBTBE®) for their outstanding achievement and contribution to the development of LGBT supplier diversity. ZippyDogs assists companies to market their business through the creative use of eco-friendly and Made in USA promotional products. Earlier this year, ZippyDogs customers responded with overwhelming satisfaction to a service survey and described the company as innovative, responsive, reliable, friendly, and “off the leash.” ZippyDogs is led by “Top Dog” Elise Lindborg and “Chili Dog” Kelli Henderson, who both attribute their company’s growth in part due to the NGLCC’s Supplier Diversity Initiative. “The NGLCC has been pivotal to the success of ZippyDogs, and that makes this
courtesy zippydogs
National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce honors Seattle’s ZippyDogs
award extra special to us,” says Elise Lindborg. “Not only do we provide products that we are proud to sell to our clients, we take every opportunity to educate our customers about eco-friendly, Made in USA products and supplier diversity. If we can help influence companies into this forward-thinking model of business, then we can wag our tails at the end of the day.” ZippyDogs has been in business since 2000, however, the last three years have seen sustained growth for ZippyDogs. Since purchasing their World Headquarters and becoming an LGBT certified business in 2010, they have hired two employees, won two government contracts, and they are on par to make 2013 their best year in business yet. ZippyDogs is based in West Seattle. ABOUT ZIPPYDOGS ZippyDogs is a Seattle-based supplier of eco-friendly and Made in USA promotional products. They consider it their duty to be your loyal brand companion, when choosing products that best represent your company and align with your values. They have been fetching promotional products since 2000, becoming the leader of Made in USA, eco-friendly and sustainable promotional products. ZippyDogs has worked on branding and promotional products for companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Sound Transit, the University of Washington, the Seattle Storm, Univar, the Seattle Public Library, the Seattle Opera and Swed-
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Elise Lindborg of ZippyDogs
ish Edmonds Hospital. Learn more at www. community. As the national certifying body zippydogs.com. for LGBT-owned businesses, with 140 corporate partners and 52 local, state, and inABOUT NATIONAL GAY & ternational affiliate chambers, NGLCC is LESBIAN CHAMBER OF the largest LGBT business development COMMERCE (NGLCC) and economic advocacy organization in the The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of world. Learn more at www.nglcc.org. Commerce (NGLCC) is the only national not-for-profit advocacy organization dediCourtesy National Gay & Lesbian Chamcated to expanding the economic opportu- ber of Commerce nities and advancements of LGBT business
December 27, 2013
Seattle Gay News
5
national news Transformative Year
by Richard J. Rosendall SGN Contributing Writer
2013 was a big year for the LGBT community, with six states (Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Rhode Island) joining the marriage equality ranks;
Jason Collins announcing he was Gay. Top WNBA draft pick Brittney Griner came out on April 17. Robbie Rogers, who came out in February, became the first openly Gay player in Major League Soccer in May when he signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy. The long-term impact of these sports new york magazine
In late June, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered historic rulings in the Windsor and Perry cases, overturning the federal denial of recognition to same-sex marriages and restoring marriage equality in California. Edith Windsor, whose irrepressible personality made her the perfect “poster girl” for marriage equality at age 84, was a finalist for Time’s Person of the Year. That honor ended up going to Pope Francis, whose international charm offensive included criticizing church leaders’ excessive focus on social issues like abortion and Gay marriage, and said, “Who am I to judge a Gay person of goodwill who seeks the Lord?” On the other hand, Francis told La Stampa in December, “Women in the Church must be valued not ‘clericalised.’ Whoever thinks of women as cardinals suffers a bit from clericalism.” This is unpersuasive. Francis has reached out to the laity and brought to life the Jesus of the Gospels in a way his recent predecessors have not; but on doctrinal matters he is no radical. The cause of marriage equality grew more bipartisan in 2013, when former RNC Chair Ken Mehlman organized a pro-equality amicus brief in the Perry case signed by more than 100 Republican officials; Sen. Rob
the downside, the National Organization for Marriage, floundering and debt-ridden, turned its sights on spreading misinformation and stoking fears about Transgender youth. December brought the passing of former South African President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the revolutionary-turned-statesman who emerged from 27 years in prison to steer his nation through a relatively peaceful transition to democratic rule. He had presided over the adoption of the world’s first national constitution that prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation. As news spread of Madiba’s death, people gathered outside his home in Johannesburg and began chanting, singing songs from the freedom struggle, and dancing in celebration of his life. At the memorial service in FNB Stadium where world leaders gathered on December 10, the booing of President Jacob Zuma by his own countrymen revealed the contrast between the transformative leader they mourned and the self-aggrandizing strongman they were left with. Mandela always resisted the mythmaking that grew up around him. He wanted to be seen as an ordinary man whose legacy jbp
The United States Supreme Court struck down the Defence of Marriage Act in June.
landmark marriage rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court; the Social Security Administration making it easier for Transgender people to obtain Social Security cards reflecting their true gender identity; strong moves in sports and the arts; and Presidential Medals of Freedom awarded posthumously to Bayard Rustin and Dr. Sally Ride. The year began auspiciously, as Defense Secretary Leon Panetta lifted the ban on women in combat roles. President Obama declared in his second inaugural address, that “the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall....” Amid the horror of the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, openly Gay police officer Javier Pagan received attention as one of the first responders. In November, after Boston won the World Series, Pagan made the cover of Sports Illustrated along with fellow officers and Red Sox slugger David Ortiz. SI’s April 29 cover made some history as it featured 12-year NBA veteran
“outings” remains unclear, but paths have been charted for a new generation. The June wedding of Alvin Ailey dancers Antonio Douthit and Kirven Boyd was but one of many refutations of the persistent claim from some quarters that the push for marriage equality is “a white thing.” While oppressions are pointlessly ranked and causes set in gratuitous competition, love happens. To watch the Douthit-Boyds in performance is to have one’s categories swept away by their art. Notable Gay-related films released in 2013 include the Beat Generation drama Kill Your Darlings, directed by John Krokidas in his feature film debut and starring Daniel Radcliffe as Allen Ginsberg; and God Loves Uganda, a documentary by Roger Ross Williams on efforts by American evangelicals to promote their anti-Gay beliefs in Africa. An unfinished independent project filmed during the summer in Brooklyn is Naz + Maalik, about a pair of Gay Muslim teenagers whose furtive behavior as lovers arouses the suspicion of an FBI agent; director Jay Dockendorf and his collaborators are raising funds via Kickstarter.
A trans-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act was passed by the Senate in 2013
Portman (R-OH) endorsed marriage equality after learning his son was Gay; and former President George H.W. Bush and wife Barbara served as witnesses at the wedding of Bonnie Clement and Helen Thorgalsen in Maine. One of the early beneficiaries of the rules change in the U.S. Senate on judicial and executive nominees was longtime LGBT advocate and Georgetown Law Professor Chai Feldblum, who won confirmation in December to a second term on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This gave little comfort to advocates unhappy with President Obama’s resistance to signing an executive order protecting LGBT employees of federal contractors; he prefers a legislative solution. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was passed by the U.S. Senate, but stalled in the GOP-controlled House of Representatives. The Trans-inclusive ENDA passed by the Senate stood in happy contrast to the lower profile taken by the cause of Transgender equality in the public square. There were state-level advances, including a directive by the Oregon Insurance Division that insurance companies doing business in the state must expand healthcare coverage for Transgender people; a California law protecting the rights of Transgender students; and a law in the District of Columbia enabling people to obtain birth certificates reflecting their correct gender identity. On
would be carried on by others. He did bring a rare set of qualities to his work: courage, discipline, endurance, craftiness, and a steel spine. He was a master political strategist. But his greatest gift was in loving his country more than he hated his enemy, putting his moral force behind reconciliation in order to build a non-racial and non-sexist democracy. President Obama, eulogizing Madiba in Johannesburg, spoke of continuing challenges: “[A]round the world today, we still see children suffering from hunger and disease. We still see run-down schools. We still see young people without prospects for the future. Around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs, and are still persecuted for what they look like, and how they worship, and who they love.” Obama is right: much work lies ahead. This is particularly true for LGBT people internationally, with persecution receiving official encouragement in Russia, mob violence escalating in Jamaica, and homosexuality re-criminalized by a court ruling in India. As the struggle for dignity and justice continues, let us use our strength to honor our love, open new avenues of cooperation, and make the most of 2014. A luta continua. Richard J. Rosendall is a writer and activist. He can be reached at rrosendall@starpower.net.
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Seattle Gay News
December 27, 2013
Celebrating 40 Years!
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A federal judge ruled on December 23 that Ohio must recognize legal same-sex marriages from other states, and therefore issue death certificates that list the deceased partner as “married” to the survivor. Judge Timothy Black, an Obama appointee, also wrote in his opinion that Ohio’s ban on same-sex marriages is unconstitutional, but limited the effect of his ruling only to death certificates. While the ruling appears to be limited in scope, listing a same-sex spouse on the death certificate may have important implications for pension survivor benefits, whereby a surviving spouse – but often not a domestic partner – continues to receive a portion of their spouse’s earned benefits. In a lengthy decision, the judge said that “once you get married lawfully in one state, another state cannot summarily take your marriage away.” He added that the U.S. Constitution recognizes the right to remain married as a fundamental liberty. Black ruled in a case brought by John Arthur and Jim Obergfell. The couple had been together for more than 20 years, before they married in Maryland in July. Arthur, dying of ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, applied to Black to be listed as Obergfell’s spouse on his death certificate. The couple also filed a
lawsuit challenging Ohio’s refusal to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages. In July, Black issued a case-specific ruling ordering the state to list Arthur and Obergfell as spouses. Arthur died in October. On the broader issue, Black stated in his December 23 ruling that the case was not about marriage, but about “the right to remain married.” Ironically, Black cited U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s dissent in USA v. Windsor, the case in which the Supreme Court struck down DOMA. The majority’s decision, Scalia wrote in June, would lead to a rash of state challenges. Black said the prediction came true and now the lower courts must apply the high court’s ruling. “The question presented is whether a state can do what the federal government cannot – i.e., discriminate against same-sex couples ... simply because the majority of the voters don’t like homosexuality (or at least didn’t in 2004),” Black said in reference to the year Ohio’s Gay marriage ban passed. “Under the Constitution of the United States, the answer is no.” “The Court’s ruling today is a limited one,” Black cautioned, “and states simply, that under the Constitution of the United States, Ohio must recognize valid out-ofstate marriages between same-sex couples on Ohio death certificates, just as Ohio talking points memo
Samantha Christensen (l) and Elise Larsen apply for a marriage license.
utah
continued from cover blue scout scarf with a rainbow one for the occasion, told CNN the delivery was “meant to show what true Scouting values are – of thinking of others and helping others and not being selective about who you are helping. “I still celebrated Hanukkah, not Christmas,” Brownstein continued, “But this seems in the spirit of Christmas.” Moudi Sbeity and Derek Kitchen, one of the plaintiff couples in the case, were driving home from the grocery store when their attorney called with the news. Sbeity said he was delighted that federal courts were
siding with marriage equality. “It seems like we win over and over again. This is crazy,” Sbeity said. “This has been the best Christmas gift ever.” The office of the Utah Attorney General asked Shelby to stay his ruling pending appeal, which would have blocked Gay and Lesbian couples from marrying, but he declined on December 23. The Tenth Circuit Court also declined on three separate occasions to stay Shelby’s ruling – the latest being on December 24. “Having considered the district court’s decision and the parties’ arguments concerning the stay factors, we conclude that a stay is not warranted,” Tenth Circuit Judges Jerome Holmes and Robert Bacharach wrote in an order signed by court clerk
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huffington post
Court orders Ohio to recognize marriages
John Arthur (l) and Jim Obergfell
recognizes all other out-of-state marriages, if valid in the state performed, and even if not authorized nor validly performed under Ohio law, such as marriages between first cousins, marriages of certain minors, and common law marriages.” Then, in language reminiscent of Judge Robert Shelby’s ruling three days before, striking down Utah’s ban on same-sex marriages, Black cited the Fourteenth Amendment to say that states may not refuse to recognize legal Gay and Lesbian marriages. “That is, once you get married lawfully in one state, another state cannot summarily take your marriage away, because the right to remain married is properly recognized as a fundamental liberty interest protected by
the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution. U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 1,” he wrote. While Ohio voters in 2004 opposed Gay and Lesbian marriage, as Black noted in his opinion, recent polling shows a narrow majority in favor of equality. According to a PPP poll taken in August, 48% of respondents support marriage equality, while 42% remain opposed. Pollsters also found that 69% of Ohioans support either marriage (44%) or civil unions (25%) for same-sex couples, including a majority (54%) of Republican voters. Twenty-seven percent of respondents said that there should be no legal recognition of same-sex relationships.
Elisabeth Shumaker for the court. Holmes is a George W. Bush appointee, and is the first African American to serve on the Tenth Circuit. Bacharach was appointed by Obama. The next, and final, step for the state would be to appeal for a stay to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the governor’s spokesperson Ryan Bruckman said that the state would do just that. “We’re disappointed in the ruling, but we just have to take it to the next level,” Bruckman told Associated Press. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor supervises the Tenth Circuit, but if she declines to issue a stay, any other justice may do so. The Attorney General’s office had been expected to appeal to Justice Sotomayor on December 26, but a spokesperson said that “the appeal may be delayed for a few days,” while the office consults with outside attorneys. According to legal experts, delay may not be the best strategy for the state of Utah to take, however. “The longer this goes on, the less likely it becomes that any court is going to entertain a stay,” University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias told Associated Press. He said that Utah faces long odds to get their stay granted, considering that the Tenth Circuit has rejected it and marriages have been going on for days now. Utah Governor Gary Herbert opposes marriage equality and has instructed the state’s Attorney General to pursue an appeal in the case, but he also issued a letter advising state departments to comply with Shelby’s ruling or consult with the Attorney General’s office if they feel there is a conflict with other state laws. In a similar advisory letter, the Utah Attorney General’s office warned counties they could be held in contempt of federal court if they refuse to issue the licenses. Initially, some county clerks were refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and the clerk of Utah County refused to issue any marriage licenses at all. But as of December 26, all but one of Utah’s 29 counties are issuing same-sex marriage
licenses. In that one county, the clerk is reportedly on vacation. In the meantime, state agencies have begun trying to sort out how the newly-legal same-sex marriages may affect state services. The Utah Department of Workforce Services, which administers social welfare and food stamps programs, is recognizing the marriages of Gay and Lesbian couples when they apply for benefits, spokesperson Nic Dunn told The Associated Press. Charlie Roberts, a spokesperson for the Utah State Tax Commission, said the agency still needs to consult the attorney general’s office about allowing same-sex couples to file joint state tax returns. They will be able to do so for their federal income taxes. In a sweeping opinion that went beyond the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning DOMA in USA v. Windsor, Judge Shelby ruled on December 20 that “Utah’s prohibition on same-sex marriage conflicts with the United States Constitution’s guarantees of equal protection and due process under the law. “The State’s current laws deny its Gay and Lesbian citizens their fundamental right to marry and, in so doing, demean the dignity of these same-sex couples for no rational reason. Accordingly, the court finds that these laws are unconstitutional.” The judge then enjoined the state of Utah from enforcing any of its laws prohibiting same-sex marriage, touching off the rush to get a license and marry. The Mormon Church, which has been one of the mainstays of opposition to marriage equality, issued a surprisingly moderate statement after the ruling: “The Church has been consistent in its support of traditional marriage while teaching that all people should be treated with respect. This ruling by a district court will work its way through the judicial process. We continue to believe that voters in Utah did the right thing by providing clear direction in the state constitution that marriage should be between a man and a woman and we are hopeful that this view will be validated by a higher court.”
December 27, 2013
Seattle Gay News
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by Tim Moffett SGN Staff Writer Chelsea Clinton, Vice Chair of the Clinton Foundation, will deliver special remarks at “Time to THRIVE,” the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s first national conference addressing safety, inclusion and well-being for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, Feb 14-16 in Las Vegas. Time to THRIVE will bring together a wide range of youth service professionals to discuss the most recent best practices for serving LGBTQ youth and their families in schools, community centers, healthcare systems and beyond. “It’s vitally important we create opportunities for young people to raise their voices, develop their talents, and join in the work of imagining and then building a better future for all of us,” said Chelsea Clinton. “Too many LGBTQ youth face significant challenges to being supported and empowered in their communities, schools and even homes because of who they are. I’m grateful Time to THRIVE is bringing people together to raise awareness and find solutions to
ensure every young person can be empowered, for their future, and ours.” “LGBT youth too often face burdens and challenges across virtually every aspect of their daily lives – from home, to school, to their broader communities,” said Human Rights Campaign (HRC) president Chad Griffin. “Chelsea Clinton’s passion for ensuring that all young people – regardless of who they are – have the tools and support systems necessary to reach their full potential is inspiring. We’re excited to welcome her to our first Time to Thrive conference.” According to the HRC Foundation’s groundbreaking 2012 survey “Growing Up LGBT in America,” only half of LGBTQ youth say that they “fit in” in their community. LGBTQ youth are more than twice as likely to be verbally harassed at school; and 63 percent of LGBTQ youth say they will need to move to another part of the country to feel accepted. When asked about their top concerns, straight young people named test scores, their finances, and getting into college. But for the LGBTQ teens, the top three concerns were unsupportive families, bullying in school, and fear of coming out. While LGBTQ youth certainly worry about grades
HRC donates $100K to Russian LGBT movement Matt Damon, Robin Thicke, and Sarah Silverman join campaign
WASHINGTON – Just 50 days from the start of the Sochi Winter Olympics, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, announced its first contribution to the Russia Freedom Fund (www.russiafreedomfund.org) in the amount of $100,000. The announcement is featured in a video holiday card to the Russian LGBT community, compiling support and solidarity for their cause across social media. The video is set to singer/songwriter Ingrid Michaelson’s song
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Seattle Gay News
“Blood Brothers.” The donation was made possible because individuals from around the world have joined HRC’s “Love Conquers Hate” campaign, which is raising awareness about the Russian government outlawing even modest support for LGBT equality. The campaign has been bolstered by participation from a diverse group of prominent celebrities, athletes and politicians with Matt Damon, Robin Thicke and Sarah Silverman joining the campaign this week. “With less than two months until the So-
December 27, 2013
Jake Chessum
Chelsea Clinton to address HRC conference on LGBTQ youth
Chelsea Clinton
and finances, too, it’s the issues tied to their identity that weigh on them the most. Time to THRIVE is being co-presented by the National Education Association and the American Counseling Association, and
sponsored by AT&T. Other special guests at the conference include Betty DeGeneres, ESPN columnist LZ Granderson, E.J. Johnson, labor and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, and many more.
chi Olympic Games, it’s time to harness the tidal wave of support for Russia’s LGBT community emerging around the world,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Now more than ever, we must expose the Russian government’s hateful campaign against its own people and support LGBT Russians enduring oppression and violence every day.” “We are thankful to HRC for this ground setting donation to support the Russian LGBT movement,” says Anastasia Smirnova, coordinator of the coalition of Russian LGBT organizations. “While the safety of our community continues to be put at risk, more and more individuals and groups are standing up to defend and promote equality. HRC’s support will help this energy last and will contribute to a safer and better life for LGBT people in Russia.” Today’s announced funds will be donated to the Russia Freedom Fund (www. russiafreedomfund.org). The fund seeks to create a safe environment for LGBT people in Russia by supporting local organizations that have been effective at combatting discrimination and violence. The fund is a U.S. tax-deductible vehicle for making financial contributions in support of the LGBT movement in Russia. “History has demonstrated the power of combining the efforts of courageous activists with the support and resolve of a global movement,” said Kevin Jennings, Executive Director of The Arcus Foundation, speaking on behalf of the Russia Freedom Fund. “People, institutions and heads of state are coming together to support Russia’s LGBT community. We are grateful to have HRC as a partner in the struggle, and especially grateful to the thousands of people spreading the word through their ‘Love Conquers Hate’ campaign.” (www. russiafreedomfund.org) This donation was made possible because thousands of individuals from around the world purchased Russian “Love Conquers Hate” t-shirts and shared photos of themselves in the shirt via social media platforms using the #loveconquershate tag. One hundred percent of net proceeds from the shirt are being used to support the Russian LGBT movement. Madonna recently penned a note encouraging people around the world to join the campaign.
To date, campaign participants include Alan Lowenthal (Rep), Amanda Leigh Dunn, Amanda Von Furrer, Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Ana Matronic, Andrew Rannells, Andy Cohen, Anthony Bourdain, Ben Cohen, Chelsea Handler, Chloe Melas, Chris Seitz, Chuy Bravo, Craig Gibbons, Cyndi Lauper, Dan Bucatinsky, David Cicilline (Rep), Doutzen Kroes, DT Model Management, Joe Slaughter, Dustin Lance Black, Eliot Engel (Rep), Fergie, Francesco Borgato, Gavin Newsom, Gwen S. Moore (Rep), Heather Mitts, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jason Collins, Jay Manuel, Jeri Ryan, Jonah Hill, Jonathan Del Arco, Jozy Altidore, Keke Palmer, Kevin Bacon, Kristen Bell, Kyra Sedgwick, Landon Donovan, Lori Lindsey, Madonna, Maggie Rose, Maria Menounos, Mark Pocan (Rep), Mark Ruffalo, Megan Rapinoe, Michael Buckley, Mya, Nick Youngquest, Perez Hilton, Ricky Martin, Robbie Rogers, Russell Simmons, Sarah Silverman, Shane Britney Crone, Stephanie March, Tam O’Shaughnessy, Taryn Manning, Thomas Roberts, Tim Gunn, Todd Glass and Wentworth Miller. In June, Russia enacted an “anti-propaganda” law that outlaws even modest public gestures of support of the LGBT community. Fines for breaking the law are more severe if information promoting equality is distributed through the media or the Internet. Foreigners breaking this law, such as those visiting Russia for the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games, face arrest for up to 15 days followed by deportation. In September, a piece of legislation was proposed that would allow courts to take children away from parents who are LGBT or suspected of being LGBT. This state-sanctioned homophobia contributes to a culture of violence and harassment against the Russian LGBT community that goes unchecked by law enforcement. The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. www.hrc.org. Courtesy of Human Rights Campaign
Celebrating 40 Years!
erational change being led by young people you see here.” continued from cover Still, Sartain’s lips are sealed on the matter. He has not released a statement or rebutThe “kids” aren’t really kids at all; they tal to what the youth are asking. Likewise, personify what it means to act as an adult. I Mr. Zmuda has also remained silent on the say this because I have witnessed their ma- issue. turity first hand. Some adult activists in our community might learn a thing or two from NEW MOVEMENT these folks. Because they refuse to badIt is important to note that really, in all mouth anyone or vandalize property and are reality, this movement will have little to working to build a bridge instead of divide do with Mr. Z from here on out and as one the Church, their cause has reached mil- of the adults actively mentoring these kids lions; being picked up by hundreds of media throughout this important beginning of a stations and newspapers including the New national movement, I can tell you that there York Times, the Associated Press, and ABC are two important things to remember for News. everyone involved, and for anyone looking to get involved in this call for social justice TACTICS and policy change. What Strode and company have successThe first distinction is that Mr. Z is not fully done is take this out of the realm of going to get his job back. So why continue ideology and wishful thinking, and disas- to talk about him or chant “Keep Mr. Z! sociated the movement from being mere Keep Mr. Z!” Because the goal of the activmedia frenzy. Currently the students are ists, and SOSea shares this as well, is that enjoying winter break from school. How- we don’t want to see this happen to anyone ever, Strode says that a contingent of stu- else. Mr. Z did not get married in the Cathodent leadership is working to find ways lic Church, or on the grounds at the school to advance the same-sex marriage and the he works at, so how can the Church justify Catholic Church cause for after the Christ- firing him when he’s not broken any laws mas season. In order to do that, the young at all. Still, Friday was Mr. Z’s last day at man told supporters that they must keep the Eastside. momentum of the petition rolling. BasicalThe school said the issue is not that Zmuly, Strode is fully aware that when you take da is Gay, but that the Catholic doctrine on the Catholic Church you will need a little does not allow Gay marriage. The students help from your friends. say the doctrine is outdated and change is Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea), the so- inevitable. And we believe that at Social cial justice nonprofit that I founded in 2012 Outreach Seattle as well. This movement and currently serve as President, is one of could very well be a game changer. those friends. Last week I planned the secThe other important distinction to be ond action for the youth activists alongside aware of is that the students at Eastside Zeena Rivera, Founder, Editor-in-Chief at Catholic High School will continue to the online LGBTQ youth-led “Be! Maga- lead their piece of this fight and others zine.” Rivera and I thought that the office will step in to lead the rest. Mr. Z was the of the Archdiocese of Seattle, Archbishop J. spark; changing the Catholic Church and Peter Sartain, would be a good place to hold their doctrines is the fire. This will not hapa demonstration. After all, it was Sartain pen overnight and it cannot be done by the who allegedly ordered the firing of Eastside youth alone. Catholic High School Vice-Principal Mark Zmuda. SEAHAWK GAME On Sunday, Social Outreach Seattle ZMUDA’S WEDDING joined the youth activists and Eastside Students at Sammamish’s Eastside Catho- alumni once again; this time the setting was lic High School disagreed with Sartain’s Century Link field, one-hour before game decision – so much so that they walked out time. Again, media was present and, again, of class after the Seattle Archdiocese dis- a lively group of students, led by Eastside missed the popular Vice Principal and swim Catholic High School Senior Alex Kovar, team coach for marrying his same-sex part- were on hand to chant and raise awarener over the summer. School officials say ness over the issue. One by one, Seattle that Zmuda broke an employment contract Seahawk-clad fans walked over to give the guaranteeing that he would abide by the youth words of encouragement, take phoprinciples of the Catholic Church. Students tos and video of the protest, and every now say that the contract shouldn’t include any- and then give a fist-bump or high five. The thing about being discriminated against for event, like the original sit in and first rally at being LGBT or marrying the one you love Sartain’s office, was a total success. – regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The “total success” piece of this is imPretty simple, right? portant. It lets you know when you are on Well, apparently Archbishop Sartain the right track. It also is a strong sign that doesn’t get it. Or maybe he just couldn’t you are working with the right people on the hear the youth all the way from Sam- right message. mamish. The potential to mess this all up, however, So we decided that the kids would come is huge. I can tell you that I will be diligent to him. And we brought the noise. SOSea in my role as advisor and organizer to not provided the sound system, organized the allow this to happen. You see, for the stuevent, and I proudly led the rally, which dents, the long haul might not be possible. was a huge success. More than 200 students Some of the parents are none too happy showed up and were joined by nearly every with the actions of their kids; school admedia outlet in the city as well as Eastside ministrators are worried about losing their Catholic High School alumni and support- jobs over a budget crisis (apparently certain ive community members who agree with alumni are refusing to donate because the the students request that the Church change students are pro-same-sex marriage), and its views on same-sex marriage. The bottom more will seek to divide the youth and make line is, if Sartain didn’t hear about the youth them fight amongst themselves and disband and their dissatisfaction about Mr. Z’s fir- or seek out other loyalties. I warned them at ing on Thursday, he certainly heard them on the Century Link rally to remain mindful of Friday. The chanting from the lively crowd that fact. Some of youth are uncomfortable could be heard for blocks around Seattle’s with being referred to as an activist, and for First Hill neighborhood. some odd reason (panic, I would think) a Seattle Mayor-elect Ed Murray, who is a few of the students have said that the movepracticing Catholic, made a brief appear- ment is not a Gay rights movement or antiance to show his support for the students. Catholic Church movement. “I just want to be in solidarity with the Those last two alarm me. So I spoke with students because the students are the ones some of the youth about their views and rewho will make a difference,” said Murray, minded them that their movement is directwho married his same-sex partner, Michael ly tied to the greater Gay Equality moveShiosaki in August. “We are seeing a gen- ment because, aside from the fact that they
church
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are not the first to ask the Catholic Church to change their views on the Gay community, this has everything to do with us. Who else gets same-sex married but LGBTQ people? And please, don’t misunderstand the tone; I’m not poking fun or anything. I am just stating that, yes, the second those students refused to go to class last week, is the second they started their movement for the Church to change. It will take a village to change things for all people in every state when it comes to same-sex marriage. But we, as community and a culture, have great endurance and these youth are championing our cause. It is worth every second to mentor them and help get this thing going in every state. LONG TERM For young activist Bradley Strode, this is a fight he is willing to see through to the end. “As a community, we have united to stand in solidarity with Mark Zmuda and Eastside Catholic students.” he told SGN. “His termination stemming from his marriage to a man was ordered by the Archdiocese of Seattle because of the Church’s official doctrine opposing Gay marriage. This is a great injustice. Mr. Zmuda was fired based off of action he took to consecrate his love for another man in the eyes of God. It in no way affected his ability to support and lead students at Eastside Catholic.” “The Catholic and non-Catholic youth of the Greater Seattle community are trying to effect change in the Church’s policy towards Gay marriage,” he continued. “As a confirmed Catholic, I firmly believe that if Jesus Christ was here in human form, he would have sat-in with all of us in protest of this ruling. The Catholic Church’s ultimate mission is to spread the unconditional love that Christ acted with and preached on throughout the Gospels. This means loving each human on earth regardless of sexual orientation, gender, or race. In order for the Catholic Church to fulfill this mission, it must support Gay marriage.” “Now is the time to make a difference,” said Strode. “Our message has already been projected throughout the country and the
insurance continued from cover
medical and behavioral health conditions.” Leonardi added that the “refusal by an insurer to pay for medically necessary treatment of gender dysphoria to be to be an unfair claim settlement practice” under Connecticut law. Since the law cited in the bulletin includes medically necessary surgery, Leonardi’s ruling means that insurance providers may not refuse sex reassignment surgery. The bulletin directs all individual and group insurance policies in Connecticut “to ensure that there is no discrimination against insured individuals with gender dysphoria,” and to file any necessary revisions in coverage within 90 days. Under the new rules, insurance companies may still review claims by Trans patients on a case-by-case basis, but if they deny coverage because they say that procedures related to gender dysphoria are not medically necessary, the patient has the right to independent review by the Insurance Department’s External Review Program. In a statement issued December 26, GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders) praised the bulletin as “a significant step toward increasing access to critical health care for Transgender residents of Connecticut, who have long been arbitrarily denied coverage for medical treatments related to gender transition.” GLAD asked the Connecticut Insurance Department to examine healthcare polices in a memo sent to Leonardi, requesting he look at state antidiscrimination laws and insurance regulations. “We applaud the Connecticut Insurance Department for this significant step to en-
December 27, 2013
world, and it will only amplify from here.” Strode refers to Pope Francis, who said, “If a person is Gay and seeks the Lord and is of good will, who am I to judge him,” by saying, “It is apparent that now the Catholic Church is ready for change. We will continue to stand in solidarity with Mr. Zmuda and the rest of our family to collaborate with the Archdiocese of Seattle, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and, ultimately, the Vatican to change this rule.” “In the next couple of weeks, we will further develop this plan for reform,” he concluded. “Be patient. Be vocal. Be positive. Take your energy and work in actions of love. I know we will do this.” Zeena Rivera and “Be! Magazine” are leading an action that anyone could do, or should do, for the cost of a stamp: Write the Pope a letter. Starting today and continuing through the end of this month, hand write a letter to Pope Francis, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Archbishop Sartain and make a difference. “You don’t have to argue for a sudden change in Church doctrine towards samesex marriage, but please do emphasize that the Archdiocese’s action went against the teachings of the Church on love for homosexuals and was blatantly hypocritical,” Rivera told SGN. “So, write a letter (or 3), buy some stamps, and let the leadership of the Church know that their actions are not merciful, are not just, and are not the love of God.” You can mail your letter(s) to: His Holiness, Pope Francis Apostolic Palace 00120 Vatican City United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 3211 Fourth Street NE Washington, DC 20017 USA Archbishop Peter Sartain 710 9th Avenue Seattle, WA 98104 USA sure that Transgender people have access to life-saving, medically necessary care,” GLAD Staff Attorney Zack Paakkonen said in a statement issued December 26. “First, it brings Connecticut health insurers into alignment with state and federal law prohibiting discrimination against Transgender people in the health care setting. Second, the bulletin comports with the position of all of the major medical and psychological associations, which is that gender dysphoria is a legitimate medical condition with a prescribed course of effective, medically necessary treatment that should be determined by an individual’s doctor rather than an insurance company.” In a phone interview with SGN, Paakkonen acknowledged that “it remains to be seen whether the insurance companies will comply with the bulletin.” “I think they probably will,” he added. “In some other states – Colorado, for example – there have been some delays.” Insurance regulators in California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, and the District of Columbia have issued bulletins instructing insurance companies to cover Transgender patients equitably. Efforts are underway to have other New England states issue similar bulletins. Paakkonen advised Trans people in other states to “work with their insurance departments. Ask them to look at state antidiscrimination laws, and also look at the Affordable Care Act [Obamacare], because there’s also antidiscrimination language in that.” “It’s an extremely important issue because most people who have surgery pay for it through some form of insurance,” he added. “If they can’t get coverage, then they’re stuck having to pay out of pocket.”
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international news
Alan Turing: Was he murdered by the security services? Call for full inquiry into the scientist’s death LONDON – Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has written to the Prime Minister urging a new inquiry into the death of the scientist Alan Turing, who has just been granted a royal pardon for his 1952 conviction for homosexual relations. “The government should open a new in-
quiry into the death of Gay war-time codebreaker, mathematical genius and computer pioneer Alan Turing, including an investigation into the possibility he was murdered by the security services,” said Peter Tatchell, director of the human rights advocacy organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
“The security services would have been very fearful that Turing was vulnerable to blackmail and anxious that he might pass information to the Soviets, as did the British nuclear scientist Klaus Fuchs, who was convicted in 1950 of assisting the Soviet Union’s atomic programme. There was an irrational, paranoid fear that other leading scientists might also aid the Soviets. “Although there is no evidence that Turing was murdered by state agents, the fact that this possibility has never been investigated is a major failing. The original inquest into his death was perfunctory and inadequate. Although it is said that he died from eating an apple laced with cyanide, the allegedly fatal apple was never tested for cyanide. A new inquiry is long overdue, even if only to dispel any doubts about the true cause of his death. “Turing was regarded as a high security risk because of his homosexuality and his expert knowledge of code-breaking, advanced mathematics and computer science. At the time of his death, Britain was gripped by a McCarthyite-style anti-homosexual witch-hunt. Gay people were being hounded out of the armed forces and the civil and foreign services. “In this frenzied homophobic atmosphere, all Gay men were regarded as security risks – open to blackmail at a time when homosexuality was illegal and punishable by life imprisonment. Doubts were routinely cast on their loyalty and patriotism. Turing would have fallen under suspicion. ROYAL PARDON DUE TO ALL MEN CONVICTED OF THE SAME CONSENTING OFFENCE
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This story – based on Alcott’s own childhood – is deeply etched in the cultural and emotional landscape of our country, that it resurfaces generation after generation to capture our hearts. This holiday season, let ArtsWest bring you and your family on this journey of courage, friendship and loss – reminding us to care for what we believe in and to care deeply for those we choose to love. Tickets: $17-$36.50. ArtsWest, 4711 The Dina Martina Christmas Show – California Ave. SW, Seattle. 206-938-0339; The Best of the Best! Nov. 29-Dec. 31. www.artswest.org. PAGENTRY AND PATHOS! GLAMOUR AND GIFTS! HILARITY AND HITS! This Total Family Massage: The Musical. year’s Dina Martina Christmas Show will Dec. 12-29. Queer confessional artist John have it all, because this year’s show will Paul Sharp writes and stars in an over-thebe THE BEST OF THE BEST! It’s time top, hilarious musical loosely based on his for Miss Martina to acquiesce and appease real life! Enjoy a full evening of laughs and her admirers by performing her ALL-TIME live singing with your friends. GREATEST HOLIDAY HITS – from the 14 The musical runs Thurs-Sat at 7:30 p.m. pretty much all-new, pretty much all-unique and Sun at 2 p.m. Tickets: Thurs are payChristmas shows she’s done in Seattle over what-you-can; Fri-Sun $12 & $15. www. the years. From the beloved mash-ups to brownpapertickets.com/event/469108, Use the treasured abominations, this festive promo code: GAYCITY and $5 of your tickevening will be jam-packed with genius et price will be donated to Gay City Health comedy and holiday chestnuts – and there Project. Presented by Copious Love Proain’t a rotten one in the bunch! This is the ductions. first time Miss Martina, along with famed musician/composer Chris Jeffries, has perSeattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra presformed her all-time greatest holiday hits ents “Duke Ellington’s Sacred Music,” in one show. So get your tickets now, be- Saturday, December 28, at 7:30 p.m. Don’t cause pretty soon they’ll be goin’ like HOT- miss this holiday performance of works CAKES! Only they’re TICKETS! $20 ad- drawn from Ellington’s three Sacred Convance; $25 at the door. Re-bar, 1114 Howell certs featuring blues, gospel, and jazz pieces St., Seattle. www.brownpapertickets/com/ that Ellington considered some of his most event/451053. www.dinamartina.com important works. Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave. (at Seneca St.) Tickets: $14-$36. www.srjo. Little Women – The Broadway Musical, org; www.brownpapertickets.com Nov. 29-Dec. 29. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s enduring classic, Little Women folTHE ROCKY HORROR SHOW – lows the beloved stories of the March sisters A BENEFIT FOR as they come of age in Civil War America. GAY CITY HEALTH PROJECT This timeless, captivating story is brought On Saturday, December 28, doors at to life in this glorious musical filled with 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m., at Showbox at the personal discovery, heartache, hope, and ev- Market (1426 1st Ave.), Chandelier Producerlasting love. tions teams up with Gay City Health Project
“Singling out Turing for a royal pardon just because he was a great scientist and very famous is wrong. At least 50,000 other men were convicted under the same law. They have never been offered a pardon and will never get one. Selective redress is a bad way to remedy a historic injustice. “An estimated 15,000 men convicted of the same offence as Alan Turing are still alive. “An apology and pardon is due to the other 50,000-plus men who were also convicted of consenting, victimless homosexual relationships during the twentieth century. These men were criminalised for consenting behaviour that was not a crime between heterosexual men and women. “The precedent for a mass pardon is the granting of a pardon in 2006 to over 300 soldiers who were executed for alleged cowardice and desertion during World War One. “Turing was convicted under the same ‘gross indecency’ law that sent Oscar Wilde to prison in 1895. It remained on the statute book until 2003, classified in the penal code under the heading ‘unnatural offences.” Likewise, the law against ‘buggery’, which was legislated in 1533 during the reign of King Henry VIII, was not repealed until 2003. “The criminalisation of homosexuality only ended in 2003 in England and Wales. It is only since then that we have had a penal code that does not discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation,” said Mr. Tatchell. Courtesy Peter Tatchell Foundation, www.PeterTatchellFoundation.org.
compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer
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Queen grants Alan Turing posthumous pardon by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Alan Turing, the British mathematician who cracked Nazi Germany’s Enigma code, received a posthumous pardon from Queen Elizabeth II on December 23. Turing committed suicide in June 1954, two years after being convicted of “gross indecency,” the legal term for having sex with another man. To avoid a prison term, he had agreed to accept chemical castration. Prime Minister David Cameron declined
his substantial scientific achievements, often being referred to as the ‘father of modern computing,’ ” Cameron said. In a 1936 research paper, Mr. Turing anticipated a computer that could perform different tasks by altering its software, rather than its hardware. He also proposed the now famous Turing test, used to determine artificial intelligence. In the test, a person asks questions of both a computer and another human – neither of which they can see – to try to determine which is the computer and which is
“His action saved countless lives. He also left a remarkable national legacy through his substantial scientific achievements, often being referred to as the ‘father of modern computing.’ ” the fellow human. If the computer can fool the person, according to the Turing test, it is deemed intelligent. In 1952, Turing, then 39, met a young man, Arnold Murray, outside a movie house in Manchester, invited him to lunch, and then took him home. A few weeks later, Turing’s house was burgled, and Murray admitted that one of his friends was the culprit. When Turing summoned the police, they asked about his relationship with Murray. Turing admitted it was sexual, which led to both men being charged with gross indecency. Gay sex was not decriminalized in Britain till 1967, by which time Turing had already been dead for 13 years. In addition to being chemically castrated, Turing also lost security clearance as a result of his conviction, and was fired from his government job. He was also denied entry into the United States, where he hoped to settle into an academic career. Turing died after eating an apple laced with cyanide. Disney’s Snow White had been his favorite movie.
LGBT Humanists welcome pardon for Alan Turing
Courtesy The Pink Triangle Trust The UK Gay Humanist charity the Pink Triangle Trust (PTT) has warmly welcomed the posthumous royal pardon granted to Alan Turing, the Gay atheist code-breaking genius and father of the modern computer, who committed suicide in 1954 after being punished for homosexuality by being chemically castrated. In 2009 thousands of people added their
names to the on-line petition calling for the Government to recognise the “consequences of prejudice” that ended the life of the scientist aged just 41. Notable among the petition’s signatories was the well-known atheist and Humanist Professor Richard Dawkins who said that this would “send a signal to the world which needs to be sent,” and that Turing might still be alive today if it were not for the repressive, religioninfluenced laws, which drove him to despair. The author of The God Delusion, who presented a television programme for Channel 4 on Turing, said the impact of the mathematician’s war work could not be overstated. “Turing arguably made a greater contribution to defeating the Nazis than Eisenhower or Churchill. Thanks to Turing and his ‘Ultra’ colleagues at Bletchley Park, Allied generals in the field were consistently, over long periods of the war, privy to detailed German plans before the German generals had time to implement them. “After the war, when Turing’s role was
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to pardon Turing in 2012, but after a bill to exonerate him was introduced in Parliament, Cameron asked the Queen to exercise her “royal prerogative of mercy” and grant him a formal pardon. In 2009, then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown issued a formal apology, calling Turing’s prosecution and conviction “appalling.” Turing was also honored with a commemorative stamp in 2012. Britain’s Justice Secretary Chris Grayling announced Turing’s pardon on behalf of the government. Grayling explained that Turing had invented an early computer and discovered the algorithms that enabled the British government to unscramble the supposedly unbreakable Enigma code. Turing “deserves to be remembered and recognized for his fantastic contribution to the war effort and his legacy to science,” Grayling said. Cameron also recognized Turing’s wartime service in a statement released by his office. “His action saved countless lives. He also left a remarkable national legacy through
Alan Turing, OBE, FRS
no longer top-secret, he should have been knighted and fêted as a saviour of his nation. Instead, this gentle, stammering, eccentric genius was destroyed, for a ‘crime,’ committed in private, which harmed nobody,” he said. Professor Dawkins also called for a permanent financial endowment to support Bletchley Park, where Turing helped break the Nazi Enigma code. PTT secretary George Broadhead commented: “It was great to have such a prominent atheist and Humanist as Richard Dawkins supporting the campaign for Turing to be pardoned and it is significant that he identified religious-influenced laws as being to blame for Turing’s suicide. “As a Gay atheist Alan Turing is a Humanist hero and a pardon is long overdue. However, I agree with other LGBT activists that it’s wrong that the many other men convicted of exactly the same offence are not even being given an apology, let alone a pardon.”
the Nazi concentration camps. The registered charity was set up in 1992 to advance the education of the public and particularly of Lesbians and Gay men, in the principles and practice of Humanism and to advance the education of the public, and particularly of Humanists, about all aspects of homosexuality. It may also assist individuals to obtain remedies under the law where they have suffered unlawful discrimination on account of their homosexuality or their Humanism. The PTT is: A member of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, a member of the Cutting Edge Consortium, a member of the Alliance for a Secular Europe, a sponsor of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans History Month, a sponsor of the Uganda Humanist Schools Trust (UK), a supporter of the Secular Europe Campaign, a supporter of the Nigerian Humanist Movement, supporter of Galop (London’s leading anti-LGBT hate crime charity). The Pink Triangle Trust, Spring House, ********** 34 Spring Lane, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2HB, United Kingdom. The Pink Triangle Trust is named after the Tel. 44 (0)1926 858450; www.thepinktripink triangle that Gay men had to wear in angletrust.com.
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December 27, 2013
Dmitry Isakov
an obligation to “protect children from information, propaganda and campaigns that can harm their health and moral and spiritual development.” The court also said that the law is not discriminatory, as Alekseyev charged, because the propaganda ban applies to everyone in the city equally, regardless of sexual orien-
tation. Yevtushenko was part of a protest at the St. Petersburg registry office, in which five same-sex couples applied to register their marriages. All the applications were rejected, but no charges were filed against the couples who participated.
Pussy Riot freed
her release, Alyokhina said that she did not want amnesty, and that officials had forced her to leave the prison. She said that her release was designed to make Putin look benevolent, and that she would have preferred to serve the remainder of her sentence. “I think this is an attempt to improve the image of the current government, a little, before the Sochi Olympics – particularly for the Western Europeans,” she said. “But I don’t consider this humane or merciful.” She added, “This is a lie.” Maria Alvokhina of the band Pussy Riot after her release “We didn’t ask for any by Mike Andrew pardon,” Alyokhina added. “I would have sat here until the end of my sentence beSGN Staff Writer cause I don’t need mercy from Putin.” Tolokonnikova shouted “Russia without Two jailed members of the Russian allgirl punk band Pussy Riot were released Putin” as she emerged from a prison hospifrom prison three months early on Decem- tal in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk. The 24-year-old said her time in jail had ber 23. Maria Alvokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were convicted of “hooli- not been wasted, adding, “I became older, I saw the state from within, I saw this totaliganism” in 2012. A third member of the band, Yekaterina tarian machine as it is. “Russia is built on a penal colony. That is Samutsevich, was also convicted but her why it is so important to change the prison sentence was overturned on appeal. In Russian law, “hooliganism” is a catch- system in order to change Russia.” Both women were set free under the terms all term that can be applied to a broad range of offenses from vandalism, to public fight- of an amnesty law passed by Russia’s parliament, controlled by Putin’s political aling, to political protest. In the case of Pussy Riot, the band entered lies. Mark Denisov, an official with the Public Christ the Savior Cathedral, the headquarters of the Russian Orthodox Church, and Supervisory Commission in Krasnoyarsk, performed a piece called “Punk Prayer,” which is responsible for monitoring prison in which they implored the Virgin Mary conditions and prisoners’ rights, said he expected that about 1,000 convicts would ”Mother of God, Chase Putin Away!” The early release of Pussy Riot, like the ultimately be released under the amnesty previous release of Putin critic Mikhail program out of some 23,000 held in jails in Khodorkovsky, was seen as an effort to buff the region. In addition to Pussy Riot and Khodorup Russia’s international image ahead of the opening of the Sochi Winter Olympics in kovsky, Russian authorities also announced they would drop charges against 30 GreenFebruary. Both Alvokhina and Tolokonnikova re- peace activists arrested in a protest at a Rusfused to play ball, however. In a telephone sian oil-drilling platform, and allow them to interview with BBC News on the day of leave the country. AFP-JIJI
What Vladimir Putin gives with one hand, he takes away with the other. Just as prominent political prisoners Pussy Riot and Mikhail Khodorkovsky were being released from prison by Russian authorities, another Gay rights activist was convicted of violating the country’s “Don’t Say Gay” law. Dmitry Isakov was convicted of “homosexual propaganda” on December 19. He faces a fine of 4,000 rubles ($120). Isakov was the first person arrested under the new law and the third to be convicted. In June, on the very day that Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the antiGay law into effect, Isakov stood in the main square of Kazan holding a sign that read: “Being Gay and loving Gays is normal. Beating Gays and killing Gays is criminal.” He says he was immediately arrested, roughed up by police, and taken to the local jail. Although police initially released him without charges, he was re-arrested in September when a teenager in another province filed an official complaint after seeing the incident online. Isakov’s own parents helped authorities to apprehend out him. The boy, Erik Fedoseyev, later revealed he had been coerced by his father into filing the complaint. Despite the court’s decision, Isakov told
the New York Times in a telephone interview that he plans to continue his activism. “I will not stop,” he said. Activists Nikolai Alekseyev and Yaroslav Yevtushenko were convicted of violating the same law on December 9, and each fined 4,000 rubles. They were arrested for holding a banner reading “Gay propaganda doesn’t exist. People don’t become Gay, people are born Gay” near a library in the northern city of Arkhangelsk. Alekseyev is the controversial founder of Moscow Pride. He has worked at cross-purposes with many other Russian Gay rights activists, notably opposing boycotts of the Sochi Olympics and Russian products. “It is the first time in the history of Russian court decisions that there is a prosecution for promoting non-traditional sexual relations under the new federal law,” Alekseyev said after leaving the court. He pledged to appeal the case in the coming days in hopes of bringing the question before the Constitutional Court of Russia – the nation’s highest court – and even to the European Court of Human Rights. In May, Alekseyev was convicted of violating a similar provincial law in St. Petersberg for displaying a poster with a quote by famous Soviet-era actress, Faina Ranevskaya: “Homosexuality is not a perversion, unlike grass hockey or ice ballet.” He was fined 5,000 rubles ($150). His appeal of that conviction was rejected by a court, which ruled that the government has
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
london times
Russian court convicts Gay rights activist
Celebrating 40 Years!
Uganda and Nigeria pass new anti-Gay bills U.N., U.S., and Britain condemn laws
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by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The U.S. and Great Britain – the two leading sponsors of aid to Africa – have joined United Nations officials in condemning new anti-Gay laws passed in Uganda and Nigeria. Uganda passed an only slightly less draconian version of its infamous “Kill the Gays” bill on December 20. Instead of calling for the execution of Gays, the law as passed only provides for life in prison. Both the White House and the U.S. State Department rushed to condemn the law. Jonathan Lalley, assistant press secretary for national security at the White House, said the Obama administration is “deeply concerned” about the Uganda measure. “We are deeply concerned by the Ugandan Parliament’s passage of anti-homosexuality legislation,” said Lalley. “As Americans, we believe that people everywhere deserve to live in freedom and equality – and that no one should face violence or discrimination for who they are or who they love. We join those in Uganda and around the world who appeal for respect for the hu-
part because of international pressure on the Ugandan government not to pass it. Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni must now sign the bill within 6o days for it to become law. International human rights activists are urging him not to sign. “The knock-on effect of passing this bill will reach far beyond Gay and Lesbian people in Uganda, impeding the legitimate work of civil society, public health professionals and community leaders,” said Aster van Kregten, Amnesty International’s deputy director for Africa. Nigeria’s parliament also passed a bill that adds more severe penalties for same-sex relations, including new punishment for attempting to enter into a same-sex marriage. “It would place a wide range of people at risk of criminal sanctions, including human rights defenders and anyone else – including friends, families and colleagues – who stands up for the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender people in Nigeria,” Amnesty International said in a statement. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the law. “I am very concerned that the rights of LGBT people… their sexual orientation rights are being violated; that they are being subjected to discrimination and I condemn this law of Nigeria because it violates
the Equality Clause both of Nigerian law as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which speaks of equality for all,” Navi Pillay said on BBC’s World News TV program. “Nigeria has signed many treaties,” she continued. “Nigeria has to report how it’s implementing and delivering on its obligations.” She said Nigeria will be expected to tell the U.N. bodies “how it is addressing discrimination in various forms.” British Prime Minster David Cameron said he would raise the question in bilateral talks with Nigerian leaders. “This is something we raise continually and ... we’re also saying that British aid should have more strings attached in terms of “Do you persecute people for their faith or their Christianity or do you persecute people for their sexuality?’” Cameron said in a statement. “We don’t think that’s acceptable. So look, this is an issue where we want movement, we’re pushing for movement, we’re prepared to put some money behind what we believe.” In the past, Cameron has threatened to cut off British aid to countries like Uganda and Nigeria that criminalize same-sex relations.
man rights of LGBT persons and of all persons.” Meanwhile, Aaron Jensen, spokesperson for the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, told the Washington Blade that the Obama administration remains strongly opposed to any form of anti-Gay legislation abroad. “The United States respects the sovereignty of Uganda and the prerogatives of its Parliament to pass legislation,” said Jensen. “Nevertheless, we oppose any legislation that undermines a person’s enjoyment of his or her human rights, and for that reason we condemn legislation that criminalizes consensual sexual conduct between adults or criminalizes simply being of a particular sexual orientation or gender identity.” Jensen said the Anti-Homosexuality Bill would not only discriminate against LGBT Ugandans, but “seriously undermine” efforts to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in the African country. “We reiterate our long-standing opposition to this bill,” he told the Blade. The Ugandan bill was first proposed by Member of Parliament David Bahati in 2009, but was held up for several years in
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Seattle Gay News 19
health and medicine
Researcher admits he faked HIV data by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer In what an NIH official called the worst case of research fraud he had seen in his 24 years at the federal agency, a professor admitted he falsified HIV research data. Dong-Pyou Han, an assistant professor of biomedical sciences at Iowa State University, resigned in October after his fraud was
discovered. Federal documents released December 23 showed that’s Han faked data helped ISU get millions of dollars in federal research grants. James Bradac, who helps oversee HIV vaccine grants for NIH said Han had added human blood to the rabbit blood that was being tested in a vaccine experiment. The blood came from people who had produced
antibodies to combat HIV infections. Adding it to the rabbit blood made it appear that the vaccine being tested induced the animals to produce antibodies on their own. “This positive result was striking, and it caught everybody’s attention,” Bradac said. Researchers at other institutions became suspicious, Bradac explained, when they were unable to reproduce the ISU results. Professor Michael Cho, the research team leader, was alerted to the problem in January 2013. “At Iowa State’s request, the research samples in question were examined by researchers at another university; they confirmed samples had been spiked,” ISU spokesperson John McCarroll said. Han was identified in August as the likely suspect, McCarroll added. “He later admitted responsibility and resigned from Iowa State, effective Oct. 4, 2013,” McCarroll said. Han had worked with Cho for some 15 years, and came to ISU with him from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. Federal investigators said Han apparently acted without the knowledge of the rest of his team, and Cho has been cleared of any suspicion in the fraud. “A large amount of what they were focusing on was flushed down because of this one
guy,” Bradac said. The vaccine testing was central to the $19 million in grants, but other activities also were covered by the money, Bradac said. About $4 million has yet to be spent. Federal documents posted on a government website say Han agreed to be banned from participating in any federally financed research for three years. According to Ivan Oransky, who blogs about medical research on Retraction Watch, this is an unusually severe penalty for a researcher, but “It’s unusual to see someone fake results this brazenly.” Most incidents of misconduct involve someone writing down false data, not altering physical evidence, Oransky explained. Oransky said the federal documents suggest ISU officials promptly looked into the suspicions of fraud and reported their findings. He hoped federal prosecutors would look into the allegations that millions of taxpayer dollars were awarded based on lies, Oransky added. “This is fraud, and the question is whether it’s a big enough case for the government to go after,” he said. “…I think it’s time for the government to criminally prosecute more of these cases.”
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Celebrating 40 Years!
SPORTS
Brian Boitano named to U.S. Olympic delegation Comes out publically as Gay by Tim Moffett SGN Staff Writer
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Brian Boitano, the 1988 Olympic figure skating gold medalist came out as Gay in a statement issued several days after being appointed by President Obama to the U.S. Olympic Delegation for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games which open February 7. The Games are being held in Sochi, Russia during a time when Russia is being sharply criticized by much of the world for its social rights violations, as well as its laws prohibiting any public discussion that positively portrays homosexuality. Boitano’s statement reads, “I am currently skating in Europe, but want to provide a statement regarding my appointment to the Olympic delegation. I have been fortunate to represent the United States of America in three different Olympics, and now I am honored to be part of the presidential delegation to the Olympics in Sochi. It has been my experience from competing around the
world and in Russia that Olympic athletes can come together in friendship, peace and mutual respect regardless of their individual country’s practices. “It is my desire to be defined by my achievements and my contributions. While I am proud to play a public role in representing the American Olympic Delegation as a former Olympic athlete, I have always reserved my private life for my family and friends and will continue to do so. I am many things: a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend, an athlete, a cook, an author, and being Gay is just one part of who I am. First and foremost, I am an American athlete and I am proud to live in a country that encourages diversity, openness and tolerance. As an athlete, I hope we can remain focused on the Olympic spirit which celebrates achievement in sport by peoples of all nations.” Also appointed to the U.S. Olympic Delegation are openly Gay tennis legend Billie Jean King and Olympic hockey player Caitlin Cahow.
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