Issue 49 Volume 38
Celebrating 37 Years!
FRIDAY December 3, 2010 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands
TREE OF LIFE p. 10-11
HOLIDAY GLEE p. 25
NUTCRACKER p. 25
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
“Stronger Together” Pentagon findings show luncheon marks large majority opposes DADT World AIDS Day Chuck Hilliard
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor On December 1, hundreds of Seattleites attended “Stronger Together: Seventh Annual World AIDS Day Luncheon” at the Seattle Convention Center. The luncheon was presented by Multifaith Works, an organization that unites communities of compassionate care and inclusive spirituality with people living in isolation and loneliness; Dunshee House, a non-profit organization that builds community and cultivates powerful, healthy lives by providing emotional support and personal development services to those affected by HIV/AIDS, the Queer communities, and those who love them; Gay City Health Project, a multicultural Gay
The Space Needle was lit with red lights in honor of World AIDS Day.
see aids day page 20
Surprise, surprise. The Pentagon announced this week that, based on their year-long comprehensive “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) study on just how Gay the armed forces are, allowing Gays and Lesbians to serve openly will not undermine military readiness. Are you as shocked as I am? In all seriousness, the report’s findings are a confirmation of what we in the LGBT community have known all along: Things have changed, and the younger troops don’t care who is Gay or Bi or Lesbian and they said so in an overwhelming majority. Among the key findings in the report: • Seventy percent of service members who responded to the survey believe that ending the 17-year-old policy will have little or no effect on unit cohesion. • Seventy-four percent of military spouses said DADT repeal will not affect their spouse’s ability to serve. • Sixty-nine percent of service
file photo
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
Protestors blocking the entrance to the U.S. Armed Forces Career Center in New York’s Times Square
members said they had served with someone who was Gay or Lesbian. Of those who had, 92% said the unit cohesion was either “very good,” “good,” or “neither good nor poor.” The release of the report, which included survey results from about 115,000 service members and 44,000 spouses, put the military
roughly in line with public opinion. A new poll by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that 58% of Americans surveyed support open service for Gays and Lesbians, with only 27% in support of continuing the policy. see DADT page 20
courtesy monte levine
Shelly Bauman
james whitely
AIDS Quilt displayed Shelly Bauman, founder of legendary Shelly’s Leg, dies solemnly in Seattle by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer
Shelly Bauman, who helped start the legendary Gay bar in Pioneer square, Shelly’s Leg, died at home in Bremerton, Washington on November 18, 2010. Life wasn’t easy for Shelly Bauman, and she knew it. She was kicked out of home at an early age, left with an injury in her early 20s that would debilitate her for the rest of her life, had two marriages, two divorces, and struggled with drugs all her life. “The impact that bar had on the Gay rights movement is pretty profound,” said Monte Levine, Shelly’s caretaker during her final years. “I mean we’re looking at less than four years after StoneSections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in Seattle wall.” Shelly was born in Illinois on by James Whitely hung them up in the Queen Anne July 23, 1947. She grew up in Chi- SGN Staff Writer Columbarium (520 W. Raye St.) in cago, where she studied dance. In the Queen Anne neighborhood of the summer of her 16th birthday, AIDS Quilt Seattle. her father committed suicide and Queen Anne The Columbarium was mostly her mother told her that he was reColumbarium bare when the quilt was unveiled, ally not her father and kicked her Through December 5 and when I came to take my first out of the house forever. After this, Six panels of the AIDS Memori- look at the quilt the next day, the life was rough for Shelly, a trend al Quilt, portraying the lives of 48 room was still empty – the quilt people, came to Seattle on Monday, November 29 as a small group see bauman page 19 of people unfolded the quilts and see quilt page 21
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Seattle Gay News
December 3, 2010
We’ve Moved! 619 Broadway E. 206-568-3771 www.dreamscapemassage.com Celebrating 37 Years!
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December 3, 2010
Seattle Gay News
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Seattle Gay News FOUNDED 1973
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2010
Deadlines Classifieds - Thursday at noon Calendar - Tuesday 6pm Display Ads: Space Reservation - Monday 5pm Ad copy (non-camera ready) - Tues. 5pm Ad copy (camera ready) - Wed. 5pm Letters to the Editor - Tuesday 5pm Obituaries - Call the Sgn office All others - Tuesday 5pm
Editor In Chief George Bakan Associate Editor Shaun Knittel Editorial Assistant Nick Ardizzone Production William Creswell Calender Editors Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Travel Editor George Bakan Advertising Manager Marty Weisbrod Advertising Department Maggie Bloodstone Executive Assistant Mike Andrew Staff Writers George Bakan, Albert S. Rodriguez, Nick Ardizzone, Shaun Knittel Miryam Gordon, James Whitely, Tim Peter
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Rev. Barbara Allen, Mike Andrew, Eric Andrews-Katz, Madelyn Arnold, Maggie Bloodstone, Beau Burriola, Jessica Davis, Ron Anders, Jessica Price, Milton W. Hamlin, Nevin Jefferson, Keen News Service, Jason A. Miller, Liz Meyer, Rod Parke, Don Paulson, Scott Rice, Leslie Robinson, Richard Kennedy, Romeo San Vicente, Rex Wockner
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Publication of names, photographs or likenesses of any person, organization, event or business in this publication cannot be taken as any indication of the sexual orientation of the person, organization, event or business. Opinions expressed in bylined articles, columns, and letters are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or management of this paper. Seattle Gay News welcomes unsolicited material, including letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit or reject material. All rights revert to authors upon publication. We assume no liability for loss or damage of materials, solicited or not. We invite feedback, please write. And please play safe. It is our policy that no money shall be refunded if you choose to cancel your subscription or ad. However, credit towards any size ad will be given for the balance owed. No exceptions.
INACCURATE HEADLINE MARS “GAYS MAIN TARGETS OF HATE CRIME” The article “Southern Poverty Law Center: Gays main targets of hate crime” (Seattle Gay News, November 26, 2010) has a deceptive and inaccurate headline. It’s not the fault of the SGN but rather is due to a misleading title in a news release from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). By SPLC’s own analysis, only 17% of “reported violent hate crimes” had a homosexual victim, while blacks made up 41% of the victims. It is simply not true therefore to state that Gay people are the main targets of hate crime. SPLC’s analysis, which is confirmed by other studies, demonstrates that blacks are the minority most targeted by violent hate crimes. The statistics show that a black Gay person would be much more likely to be a victim of a violent hate crime because of being black than being Gay. It is unfortunate that SPLC provided the flatly wrong headline. Perhaps it would have been too wordy to explain what its analysis really showed. The summary it opted to run with, therefore, was sensational but wrong. SPLC’s explanation of its analysis, “AntiGay Hate Crimes: Doing the Math,” is at SPLC’s website, splcenter.org. What SPLC actually calculated was “each group’s rate of victimization compared to its representation in the population,” based on highly selective
parameters of the data and assumptions. When based on an assumed prevalence of only 2.1% of Gay people in the U.S. population, and when also “excluding hate crimes against property” – a significant, perhaps the major, component of hate crimes – “it was calculated that they are victimized at 8.3 times the expected rate (17.4 divided by 2.1).” While this kind of analysis might be useful, it is fundamentally different from the over-generalized and incorrect conclusion that “Gays are the main targets of hate crime.” Further, what if SPLC’s assumptions are wrong? If, for example, Gay people are taken to be a mere 5.1% of the population instead of the much-lower 2.1%, the rate of Gay victimization falls to the point that Jewish people would then be ranked as the main targets under SPLC’s methodology. What about the property crimes that were excluded from the study? Without those, no one including SPLC can make a blanket statement about “hate crimes” without qualifying it somehow as “violent” hate crimes or “hate crimes against persons” as “Doing the Math” does. As a white Gay non-Jewish person, I am sympathetic to the issue of hate crime and am glad that SPLC is doing the work it is doing. In 2006 I did my own research based on Seattle Police Department reports and released a study, Bias Crimes and Incidents
in Seattle (Seattle Gay News, “Bias crimes in Seattle detailed in new report,” May 5, 2006). It is important that hate crime statistics and conclusions are reported accurately by the press, by advocacy groups like SPLC, and by researchers like me. SPLC generally does good work in combating hate. I’ve been a donor for several years and encourage others to do so. In the last few days I have been in contact with Mark Potok, director of SPLC’s Intelligence Project, but have not yet received a reply that addresses these concerns. As I wrote Mr. Potok, one reason the way the headline reads is important is that many black people feel that far too much is being made of anti-Gay hate crimes relative to anti-black hate crimes. As one who works with statistical analysis of data in my profession, I can sympathize with them when a headline like this comes out. I’m sure if I were black, I would, when comparing a 41% anti-black rate to a 17% anti-Gay rate, be angry that it was then stated that Gay people are the more targeted group. A misleading headline risks further alienating black people and others to the real plight of anti-Gay rhetoric and bias-motivated attacks. It also risks misleading Gay people into thinking we are more victimized than are black people, which is plainly not the case. Both groups, black and Gay (with the understanding that many people are both), need to understand the reality of hate crimes so that neither feels unfairly victimized, either by the crimes themselves or by the analyses done after the fact. Ken Molsberry author, Bias Crimes and Incidents in Seattle, 2000 to 2005 DISMAYED BY CHOICE OF LANGUAGE I was reading Chris Azzopardi’s interview with Annie Lennox (SGN, 11/26) with interest, when I came across a question which dismayed me. Azzopardi asks, “Did you ever get gypped as a child?” referring to Lennox’s birthday as being the same day as Christmas. The word “gypped” comes from the tired racist stereotype of Gypsies – otherwise known as Rom or Roma people – as thieves. I would hope that in this day and age, the use of “gyp,” as with other racist terms, would be out the door. In the future, I hope both Azzopardi and SGN will be more aware. For more information on the status of Roma people today, check out the blog of Lolo Diklo: Rromani Against Racism. Sincerely,
In Loving Memory Of Steve Foiles, Scott Roger Alpert, Cookie Andrews-Hunt, James Leland Moore, Randy Peters, Lee Richeson, Shaun Shelton, Jim Tully, James Arnold
Susanna Smith, Seattle, WA 4
Seattle Gay News
December 3, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
Wallace Lanchester 1924-2010
The Reverend Wallace E. Lanchester was a long-time resident of Seattle and a frequent visitor to family and friends in the Shelton area. Wally was born December 7, 1924, to Robert and Nellie (Jones) Lanchester in Turlock, CA, and died November 5, 2010, in Seattle, WA. Wally tried to join the army in 1941, but was sent home to gain 20 pounds. Instead, he went to Chicago to attend North Park Seminary School. While in Chicago, Pastor Wally started his 66 years of ministry as a circuit minister in Lower Michigan serving four communities every Sunday. He left Chicago in 1942 and came to Seattle to attend Seattle Pacific College. His next service was the First Covenant Church in Monroe, WA, where he established a strong, vibrant congregation. In 1973, Pastor Wally served Metropolitan Community Church of Seattle. While serving in Seattle, he also helped establish churches and missions in Portland, Olympia, Tacoma, Everett, Mt. Vernon, Bellingham, Vancouver, BC, and Spokane. He was a true leader in the advancement of minorities and served on the Governor’s Committee of Civil Rights. He also served three terms as MCC district coordinator, 11 years on the board of the United Council of Churches – Seattle, and president of the Dorian Business Group. He also loved politics, serving as precinct committeeman for over 20 years. While never running for office himself, he served on many successful campaigns. Wally’s second great love was travel. He was proud that he had been in every state, most of Canada, and a great deal of Mexico. His passport shows stamps to Israel, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, England, and France. Wally was also a partner in B and W Antiques for 35 years, doing antique shows up and down the west coast. He also had a shop in the Seattle area most of the time. He also worked for Group Health Cooperative in the bond department for 12 years and retired in 1994. He is survived by his life partner of 37 years, Bob Leeds of Seattle, WA; his sister, Rose Stamper (Harlen) of Turlock, CA; three nieces, Muriel, Toleda, and Mary Jo; great-nieces and nephews; and the Leeds family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Nellie; sisters Thelma and Mary; and nephew Arley. There will be a musical memorial for the Reverend Wallace Lanchester on his birthday, December 7, at 4 p.m. the memorial will be at the World Trade Center, Executive Dining Room, 2200 Alaskan Way, Seattle.
Cary Toland 1956-2010
Cary Toland was many things: A good friend; always reliable and ready to lend a hand, give advice, and make you feel warm and welcome; a political sparring partner, ready for a spirited discussion or debate, leaving everyone in the dust with his knowledge of history, his witty humor, his compassion for the human condition, and his expansive take on life; and a hero, organizer, and activist for LGBT equality and the election of progressive candidates for office. His passion for life, way with words, never-ending wit, and generosity of spirit defines his soul. Cary was heavily involved in the Obama campaign, Approve Ref. 71 Campaign, and the campaigns to re-elect Patty Murray and to protect our equality majority in the State Senate (i.e. Democratic Senators from moderate districts who always voted for LGBT equality who were in tough races with anti-Gay GOP opponents). Cary was also a devoted member of the Seattle Men’s Chorus and was rehearsing for Glee around the time of his sudden death by cardiac arrest on November 22. Cary was 54 years old. Cary left us too soon, but his spirit lives on with the thousands of lives he touched personally and the millions of lives made better through his organizing and activism. Once we’re past the tears, knowing Cary, he would tell all of us to quit moping around and to get back to work fighting for equality, justice, and fairness. We love you, Cary, and will miss you sorely. An event called “Cocktails for Cary! A celebration of Cary Toland’s life” at the Hard Rock Café in downtown Seattle is planned for Saturday, December 4 from 4-7 p.m.
Dan Murphy 1950-2010
Surrounded by friends and family, including Dennis Brown, his partner of 31 years, Dan R. Murphy passed away at Seattle’s VA Hospital shortly after midnight Thanksgiving morning from an infection complicated by kidney disease. Dan had been battling bravely for eight days at Seattle’s VA Hospital where Dennis said he and Dan were treated exceptionally well. “Dan received wonderful care from everyone there. They treated me with the same respect as they would treat any other spouse.” Dan was a successful real estate practitioner for 21 years. He and Dennis were the Murphy Brown team at Windermere Fauntleroy in West Seattle. “Dan really liked West Seattle because of its wide variety. There are houses here in every price range, style, and vintage,” Dennis said. Dan served as President of Seattle/ King County REALTORS® in 2005. Governor Christine Gregoire appointed Dan to the position of Real Estate Commissioner in 2008, which he was serving at the time of his passing. Dan was active politically in Seattle’s 34th Leg-
islative District and served as a REALTOR® key contact to many legislators in the West Seattle area. He was a committed supporter of RPAC, the association’s political action committee, and a strong supporter of Senator Patty Murray. Before entering real estate, Dan and Dennis managed popular Gay tavern Mike’s on Madison in the location most recently known for housing C.C. Attle’s. They also managed Big Eddie’s Vine Street Station in Belltown. Dan had also been general manager at Ivar’s Captain’s Table. “Dan was the last manager personally hired by Ivar before he passed away,” Dennis said. Dan received the Defense Service Medal while serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Dan is survived by his partner of 31 years, Dennis Brown, three sisters, two brothers, two daughters, one son, and two grandchildren. Per Dan’s wishes, his ashes will be scattered at Molokini Crater, Maui, Hawaii, where he and Dennis spent happy times. The day after Dan died, Dennis was sitting in the couple’s West Seattle living room with their close friend, Van Anderson. Van looked out the window and saw a beautiful rainbow in the sky near the VA Hospital. “We took this as a sign from Dan that he was OK.” A memorial will be planned for some time after the holidays. A memorial fund has been started. Donations can be sent to: Dan Murphy Memorial Fund Seattle/King County REALTORS® 12410 SE 32nd St. Suite #100 Bellevue, WA. 98005
Visit us online www.sgn.org
December 3, 2010
Seattle Gay News
5
INTERNATIONAL HOSI Wien photo
NEWS
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer
the group Insight was beaten at the gatherPollsters questioned 1,400 voters. ing at the Visual Culture Center. The incident occurred inside the building Vienna Gay ball as the group watched the film Boys Don’t set for imperial palace Cry. Vienna’s traditional LGBT Rainbow Ball Victims are filing police complaints and will take place in the Hofburg Imperial Palpushing to have the incident classified as a ace in February. hate crime rather than hooliganism, which “For the first time, the LGBT communiwas officials’ preliminary assessment. ty will paint the imperial staterooms of the Habsburgs’ winter residency in rainbow colAussie PM refuses to OK ors,” said organizer Homosexual Initiative Gay marriage despite Vienna, or HOSI Wien. public support Three thousand attendees are expected. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard “As the Parkhotel Schönbrunn is closed continues to oppose legalization of same- for refurbishing works next year, we had to sex marriage despite polls that show the find an alternative location for the ball,” said public supports it. HOSI President Christian Högl. “We seized The latest Sydney Morning Herald/Niels- this occasion to secure the most prestigious en poll, released November 22, found that venue for balls in Vienna [where] we expect only 37 percent of Australians oppose same- to be able to almost double the number of sex marriage while 57 percent support it. guests.” Among Australians who belong to GilFor more information in English, see tilard’s Labor Party, two-thirds support same- nyurl.com/2bk3glq. sex marriage and among Greens party voters, 86 percent support it. With assistance from Bill Kelley
NATIONAL rex wockner
NEWS
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer
Vienna’s traditional LGBT Rainbow Ball will take place in the Hofburg Imperial Palace in February
Poland sees first openly Gay elected official Poland has its first openly Gay elected official. Gay activist and club owner Krystian Legierski was elected to the Warsaw City Council from the city’s Mokotow district in the November 21 election. Although he is a member of the Green Party, Legierski was a candidate on the Social Democrats’ party list. As in many countries, parties rank their candidates on a list and then the number of the candidates who win office is a matter of the percentage of votes the party receives overall. Legierski also is black – “a very rare feature in Polish homogeneous society,” said veteran Gay activist Slawek Starosta. In an interview for this column, Legierski said: “In Poland, there are so few blacks that nobody has ever done research on how many there are. It would not pay to do it. But without a black-emancipation movement, and without a strong organization of sexual minorities, after just 20 years of democracy, we have achieved what elsewhere sometimes took generations. Poland showed its tolerant and nondiscriminatory face.” Euro Parliament says all EU countries must recognize marriages The European Parliament said November 23 that civil documents – birth and death certificates, marriage certificates, etc. – must be recognized the same in every European Union nation. That means countries that don’t allow same-sex marriage or civil unions are expected to recognize such unions from countries that do. The Parliament said it “strongly supports plans to enable the mutual recognition of the effects of civil status documents” and “stresses the need to ensure mutual recognition” of them. The next step is for the European Commission to propose ways to achieve mutual recognition of all partnerships and marriages throughout the EU. “This is a great development for the many couples and families who see their fundamental rights diminished every day when crossing a border inside the EU,” said Ulrike Lunacek, co-president of the European Parliament Intergroup on LGBT Rights. Co-President Michael Cashman said the statement adopted by the Parliament “fol6
Seattle Gay News
lows the Commission’s assertion in September that freedom of movement must be guaranteed for all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation.” “Claims that mutual recognition will undermine national sovereignty are plain wrong; it won’t affect national marriage or partnership laws, but simply recognize civil unions that already exist,” Cashman said. Member nations of the European Union are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Currently seeking to join the EU are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Iceland, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. Same-sex marriage is legal in Belgium, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Elsewhere, it is legal in Argentina, Canada, South Africa, Mexico City, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C. Russian pride event attacked About 100 people demonstrated against Russia’s first legal Gay pride event November 20 in St. Petersburg. Some of the counterprotesters threw eggs at the 15 Gay ralliers, tore up signs, damaged a rainbow flag, shouted insults, and sang religious hymns. Organizers expressed disappointment at the level of police protection of the event. “Police had to evacuate participants and they are all safe,” said Moscow Pride founder Nikolai Alekseev, who drove 10 hours “on the icy road with snow and many trucks” to join the rally. Around 10 counterdemonstrators were taken into custody. There is raw video of the showdown at grani-tv.ru/entries/1479/. Russia’s routine bans on public Gay events recently were struck down by the European Court of Human Rights, in a series of cases brought by Alekseev. Masked men tear-gas Trans event in Ukraine Thirty attendees at a Transgender Day of Remembrance event in Kiev, Ukraine, were attacked with tear gas by 10 men in masks November 20. In addition, activist Timur Lysenko from
December 3, 2010
Lawyers Ted Olson (l) and David Boies will defend the ruling that struck down Proposition 8 in arguments before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on December 6 at 10 a.m. in San Francisco.
Prop 8 is back in court Proposition 8, the California constitutional amendment that re-banned same-sex marriage in 2008, returns to the federal courtroom December 6 – this time at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. Prop 8 was struck down as unconstitutional by U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco on August 4. Twelve days later, however, the 9th Circuit blocked any same-sex marriages from taking place in California while proponents of the ban attempt to appeal Walker’s ruling. Oral arguments in the appeal will take place for two hours starting at 10 a.m. December 6. It will be the only courtroom action at the appeals-court level. In the first hour, the parties will address the question of whether any entity has legal standing to appeal Walker’s ruling. The state of California and the county clerks who were sued in the case have refused to defend Prop 8 in federal court. The people who put Prop 8 on the ballot are hoping to be granted standing to proceed with their appeal. In addition, the Southern California desert county of Imperial is seeking to intervene in the case as a defendant. It is unclear if either of these parties will achieve standing. If they do not, the case is over and Walker’s ruling will take effect. Or the parties could appeal the standing issue to the U.S. Supreme Court. In the second hour of the hearing, lawyers will seek to defend or destroy Walker’s determination that Prop 8 violates the U.S. Constitution’s guarantees of due process and equal protection under the law. Those arguments will become irrelevant if no Prop 8 opponent achieves standing in the case. Walker found that there is no “rational basis” for Prop 8’s existence and that voters inserted it into the state’s constitution solely to express “moral disapproval” of gay people.
He blamed pro-Prop 8 campaigners for fueling such disapproval by airing misleading TV ads and distributing material that “relied heavily on negative stereotypes about Gays and Lesbians and focused on protecting children from inchoate threats vaguely associated with Gays and Lesbians.” The 9th Circuit hearing will be aired live by C-SPAN and several California television outlets. N.H. same-sex marriage law could be repealed New Hampshire’s law that legalized same-sex marriage could be repealed if some Republican legislators get their way. In the November elections, Republicans took control of both houses of the Legislature and have enough seats to override vetoes by Democratic Gov. John Lynch. Bills already have been filed to repeal the marriage-equality law and to amend the state constitution to prohibit same-sex couples from marrying. “Republicans now have a veto-proof majority in the Legislature, and the newly elected House speaker, state Rep. Bill O’Brien, is a staunch opponent of marriage equality,” said Lee Swislow, executive director of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders. “But we know there are many New Hampshire Republicans who support marriage equality and we’re looking forward to working with them.” The Legislature legalized same-sex marriage in June 2009 and the law took effect Jan. 1 of this year. Same-sex marriage also is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont and Washington, D.C. With assistance from Bill Kelley
Celebrating 37 Years!
NORTHWEST
NEWS
compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer
QUEER YOUTH EDUCATORS RETREAT On Saturday, December 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the YMCA (909 4th Ave.), come to the Queer Youth Educators Retreat for a full day of training for LGBTQ youth and allies who want to become educators on the issues facing Queer youth in schools and communities. The first half of the day will train LGBTQ and allied youth who want to become panelists for the OutSpoken Speakers Bureau. OutSpoken panelists get paid to share their stories and engage in dialogue with school and community groups. Panelists must be under the age of 24. In the afternoon, we will work on developing the training on gender & sexuality associated with the documentary film, PUT THIS ON THE {MAP}. REGISTRATION REQUIRED: E-mail briana@safeschoolscoalition to register. Breakfast, lunch, and a gift card provided for all who attend. INGERSOLL GENDER CENTER PRESENTS KATE BORNSTEIN & SNOWBALL 2010 For decades, Kate Bornstein has been a thinker, an author, playwright, speaker, performer, raconteur and all around gender agent provocateur who has been challening ideas about gender inside and outside the LGBT community. She has been instrumental in re-defining, shaping, crafting and warping the ideas and words that are used to discuss gender and how we present it personally. The concepts of gender fluidity were radical and dangerous back in the early 90s when Kate surged onto the scene with her seminal book Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women and the Rest of Us. Since then, she has continued to develop, expand and exploit her ideas in her books My Gender Workbook, Hello Cruel World, recently released Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation, and in her speaking and performance art. As we approach the end of the first decade of the 21st Century, Kate is still pushing buttons, for fun and for effect. For those who cling to rigid or essentialist ideas about gender and its performance, Kate Bornstein is still dangerous. On Saturday, December 4, from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., join Ingersoll Gender Center and special guest Kate Bornstein, at the Mt. Baker Community Club (2811 Mt. Rainier Dr. S.), for Snowball 2010: “Double Diamond” Community Holiday Celebration. The most dangerous ski runs on the mountain are labeled Double Diamond. Only the most daring, the most courageous point their skis and board down these slopes. This isn’t for everyone but the thrill and the reward are unparelleled. We think it is the perfect metaphor for the spirit of personal and collective challenge we embrace. Snowball 2010: “Double Diamond” features special guest, the always provocative and dangerous Kate Bornstein, and our own, the international sensation, DJ Michelle Love. Come for good food and friends. Stay for entertainment, excitement, schmooze and dancing to the beats of DJ Michelle Love. Annual awards ceremony. Tickets: $25 in advance; $35 at the door. www. brownpapertickets.com/event/136601. On Sunday, December 5, from 7 pm to 9:30 p.m., Kate Bornstein will give a public reading of her work at the Museum of History & Industry (2700 24th Ave. E.). Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/136013 and at the door. Additional events with Kate Bornstein include a booksigning at Elliott Bay Book Company (1521 10th Ave.), on Sunday, December 5, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Bornstein will also be presenting a workshop for atrisk youth and a workshop at Toys in Babeland. For complete information visit http://ingersollcenter.org.
HELLO, CRUEL WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION WORKSHOP WITH KATE BORNSTEIN On Sunday, December 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Elliot Bay Book Company (1521 10th Ave.), take part in the Hello, Cruel World At Risk Youth/Suicide Prevention Workshop by Kate Bornstein, sponsored by Ingersoll Gender Center. Kate will hold a youth workshop around the material published in her book, Hello, Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teans, Freaks, and Other Outlaws. This event is sponsored by Ingersoll Gender Center, in collaboration with local youth and Queer youth organizations and youth activists. For more information, visit camptentrees. org. LIGHT THE NIGHT: A GLBTQ HANUKKAH On Sunday, December 5 from 7-9 p.m. at the Lobby Bar (916 E. Pike St.), celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah at the second annual Light the Night: A GLBTQ Hanukkah Community Gathering. Honor the community leaders who have been influential in our local fight for equality, enjoy latkes, dreidels, music and a beautiful candle lighting symbolizing both the miracle of Hanukkah and the idea that great leadership and community action will prevail against oppression. FREE and open to the community. Allies, friends and family welcome. Due to the location, this is a 21+ event. THE INFECTION MONOLOGUES On Monday, December 6 at 7 p.m. at Erickson Theater Off Broadway (1524 Harvard Ave.), Gay City Health Project is proud to present the Seattle premiere of The Infection Monologues. This inspirational piece breaks new ground on the way we understand HIV infections among Gay men, HIV stigma, and living with HIV in 2010. Funny and thought-provoking, The Infection Monologues challenges the way we think about the contemporary HIV experience. Tickets $15, $10 students and seniors. For more information, visit www.gaycity. org. SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN BOOK CLUB AT DUNSHEE HOUSE The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Dunshee House (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas St.). All GLBTQ folks in the community are welcome to participate in this FREE book club. The book for December is My Father and Myself by J.R. Ackerley, the British editor who worked with Graham Greene, E.M. Forster, W.H. Auden, and others. For more information, e-mail nickdimartin@earthlink.net or contact Dunshee House at 206322-2437. GSBA PRIME TIME MIXER On Wednesday, December 8 from 5:307:30 p.m. at Intiman Theatre (201 Mercer St.), join the GSBA December Prime Time Mixer. Find out what the Intiman is offering this season and enjoy the holiday atmosphere. Get tours of backstage, and enter a drawing for tickets. $15 non-members, $10 members and students. For more information, visit www.thegsba. org. POZSEATTLE ANNUAL HOLIDAY CHILI FEED SOCIAL On Wednesday, December 8 from 6-8 p.m. at The Cuff (13th and Pine), POZSSeattle is pleased to present its Annual Holiday Chili Feed Social. Meet at the downstairs bar for drinks, homemade chili (vegetarian and meat) and desserts, socializing, and a whole lot of fun. This event is free (except for the cost of beverages), and is for all HIV-positive men and their friends, regardless of age, shape, size, or color. The Holiday Social features an optional Holiday Gift Exchange. If you’d like to participate, bring a fun, fun-
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ny, or naughty wrapped gift for “Santa Poz” how to incorporate these into our institution. to deliver, and you will get one in exchange. It is our hope that everyone will commit to the full day training, but we acknowledge that not everyone can commit to becoming TOASTING EQUALITY 2010 a trainer. LGBT COMMUNITY BREAKFAST For more information, visit www.prideOn Thursday, December 9 at 7:30 a.m. at the downtown Seattle Hilton (1301 6th foundation.org. Ave.), join Equal Rights Washington for AN EVENING IN DECEMBER their second annual LGBT community WITH ARNALDO! breakfast: Toasting Equality 2010. Meet On December 10, 11, 12, 17, and 18 at 7:30 with some of their closest friends and supporters to hear a panel including special p.m. at Julia’s on Broadway (300 Broadway guest panelist HRC national field direc- Ave. E.), join Arnaldo! drag chanteuse, Victor and former campaign director at Mass tor Janusz on piano and Troy Kendrick on Equality, Marty Rouse speak on charting the bass for a An Evening in December, a holiway toward marriage equality in Washing- day cabaret. Tickets $15 advance, $20 at the door (two drink minimum). ton state. For dinner reservations, call (206) 334For more information or for tickets, visit equalityfederation.salsalabs. 0513. For tickets, visit www.brownpapercom/o/35037/p/salsa/event/common/ tickets.com. public/?event_KEY=414 SEATTLE MEN IN LEATHER’S PICTURES WITH SANTA QLAW HOLIDAY SOCIAL TO BENEFIT LAMBERT HOUSE On Thursday, December 9 from 5:30On Friday, December 10 and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at Cork House Winery (1421 10th Ave.), join the QLaw Holiday Social. December 11 from 8 p.m. to midnight at Enjoy an evening of wine and socializing The Cuff (1533 13th Ave.), Get your picture with your QLaw friends. A portion of the taken with Santa Jay (on 12/10) or Santa proceeds from the evening’s wine sales will Billy (on 12/11). $5 per photo. Presented by benefit Lifelong AIDS Alliance. Light cater- Seattle Men in Leather. Benefits Lambert House. ing from Gourmando will be provided. For more information, visit www.q-law. CELEBRATE OUR DIVERSITY: org. AN EVENING 4 QUEER YOUTH OF COLOR 2010 AIDS & STIGMA On Saturday, December 11 from 8 a.m. CONFERENCE – to 11 p.m. at the Yesler Community CenPEOPLE OF COLOR: ter (917 E. Yesler Way), join Celebrating HIV/AIDS STIGMA & Our Diversity: An Evening 4 Queer Youth ACCESS TO CARE On Thursday, December 9 from 8:30 a.m. of Color. Friends and allies welcome, ages to 4:30 p.m. at Tukwila Community Center 15-19. Free. Food and fun will be provided. (12424 42nd Ave. S., Tukwila), the 2010 Open mic, drag and fashion runway, perforAIDS & Stigma Conference presents Peo- mance by THEESatisfaction, DJs. For more information, look up Seatple of Color: HIV/AIDS Stigma and Access to Care. Examine the role HIV/AIDS-relat- tleParksCOD on Facebook. ed stigma plays in HIV testing behavior, the RAINBOW CITY BAND disclosure of positive serostatus, and entry PRESENTS “JOY! into HIV/AIDS care for people of color. ExA BLISSFUL HOLIDAY CONCERT” amine the impact HIV/AIDS-related stigma On Sunday, December 12 at 3 p.m. at the has on people of color. Explore possible strategies to reduce health disparities among Edmonds Center for the Arts (410 4th Ave. people of color across their life span. Spon- N., Edmonds), join the Rainbow City Band sored by AARTH, African Americans Reach for a holiday celebration the whole family will enjoy, as they lift spirits and make and Teach Health. Registration fee $35. To register, visit https://catalysttools. merry with the classics from your childhood washington.edu/webq/survey/aarth/114073 and new music sure to delight. There’ll be something for everyone as they fill ECA BUTOH PERFORMANCE BENEFIT with such timeless works as Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival,” and energize FOR CHILDHAVEN On Thursday, December 9 at 8 p.m. at the hall with the contemporary sounds of Good Shepherd Chapel (4649 Sunnyside Mannheim Steamroller. At the heart of the Ave. N.), DAIPANbutoh presents The holiday concert will be a brand-new piece Marys Project…every baby is Jesus. The for the band sure to make your heart sing, Marys Project is inspired by faith, what “Today’s the Gift,” a celebration of the life people believe in, and how they practice it. and work of Rosa Parks. Tickets $10-$25. For more information, visit www.ec4arts. The intention is to share an uplifting performance while benefitting children in need. org. The show benefits Childhaven, a nonprofit NOMINATE AN ICON organization in King County dedicated to FOR GLBT HISTORY MONTH the mission of healing young and vulnerable Equality Forum is accepting nominations victims of abuse. Tickets sliding scale, $10 for GLBT History Month 2011 Icons. Subminimum. For reservations, e-mail davidthorn- mit your nomination(s) to nominations@ brugh@hotmail.com or call (206) 729- equalityforum.com by Friday, December 17, 2010. The nominee needs to be a Gay, 2054. Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender person, SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE living or deceased, who has distinguished him or herself in their field of endeavor, is a TRAIN-THE-TRAINERS national hero, or has made a significant conWORKSHOP On Friday, December 10 from 9 a.m. to tribution to GLBT civil rights. For examples 3:30 p.m. at MAC 210 (central campus), of past Icons, visit the archives at glbtHistojoin Seattle Central Community College’s ryMonth.com for the list of 155 Icons from Train-the-Trainers Safe Space Workshop. 2006-2010. GLBT History Month co-chairs, This six-hour workshop focuses on devel- Professor Katherine Sender, Annenberg oping a Safe Space Training Team. Pre- School for Communication, University of sented by Dr. Manivong J. Ratts, Seattle Pennsylvania, and Professor Kenji Yoshino, University, the training will work towards New York University School of Law, review ensuring a campus atmosphere that is sup- all nominations and recommend 31 Icons to portive, informative and welcoming for LG- the Equality Forum Board of Directors. The BTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, 31 Icons for GLBT History Month 2011 will Queer/Questioning) students, faculty, staff be announced at the International Equality and administrators and their allies. Partici- Dinner at the National Constitution Center pants with the appropriate general skills will on Saturday, April 30th at Equality Forum gain knowledge about LGBTQ issues, sup- 2011. “Around the globe, GLBT History port, referrals, methods, and tools that are Month has been embraced in high schools, essential to facilitating effective Safe Space colleges, social networking sites, workplaces, and by community organizations. For trainings on their campus. The first half of the training will be infor- middle schoolers to senior citizens, GLBT mation and skills development driven, and History Month features roles models, teachvaluable for all participants. The afternoon es our history, provides narratives and intraining will be specifically for those who spires our movement. Shape GLBT History intend to facilitate trainings on campus and Month 2011 by nominating an Icon.”
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Break-in, burglary at Dunshee House courtesy dunshee house
Dunshee House
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Dunshee House was the target of burglars who broke into their Capitol Hill location late in the night of November 30, or early in the morning of December 1. Dunshee House Executive Director Dale Rogers told SGN he discovered the breakin when he came to work on the morning of
December 1. “I came up the stairs and our front door was kicked in,” he said. “It was a complete bummer.” Ironically, the burglary came on the eve of World AIDS Day, as the AIDS support organization was putting the finishing touches on plans for their Stronger Together Luncheon and Rock the House fundraising concert. According to Rogers, the burglars got
away with $10,000-$15,000 worth of Dunshee House equipment, and left “a few broken doors” in their wake. “They took a digital camera and two DVR cameras,” Rogers told SGN. “They took a TV, they took some tools. We bought new tools for the Christmas trees.” Dunshee House sells trees during the holiday season as one of its major fundraising projects. Even worse, according to Rogers, the burglars stole four laptops that stored the organization’s entire budget for the year. “We were right in the middle of doing the budget for next year,” Rogers said. “We spent a couple months working on it. And all that work, that’s something we’ll never get back.” Rogers hoped to reassure the community that personal files were not touched. “No personal information was taken,” Rogers said. “No names. No social security information. We still have all that information.” Rogers told SGN he did not believe Dunshee House was targeted because of bias against people with HIV/AIDS or the larger LGBT community. Seattle police agreed. “There’s nothing to indicate it’s anything other than a burglary,” Seattle police spokesperson Mark Jamieson told SGN. “We’re investigating it as a burglary.” Rogers told SGN he could not be sure if the burglars had cased Dunshee House prior to breaking in. “We deal with so many individuals, I couldn’t tell you,” he said. “Especially now, when we have the Christmas tree lot.” Rogers said the building had been locked as usual when volunteers left on the night of November 30.
“The volunteers left about 9:30 p.m.,” he said. “They’re very trusted, very good at locking up. And we have a tight neighborhood block watch.” According to Rogers, Seattle police dusted for fingerprints at the scene. This was confirmed by Jamieson. “We were able to recover useful fingerprints,” Jamieson told SGN. “They’ll need to be analyzed before we see just how useful they are.” Jamieson would not comment on prospects for catching the burglars. “It happened two days ago,” he told SGN on December 2. “We’re still investigating and we’ll see where it goes.” Rogers worried that the cost of replacing the stolen equipment would take funds away from the services Dunshee House provides. “In this economy, we don’t have a lot of money to work with,” he said. “We don’t want to take away from services. But we have to repair the building and replace the equipment.” Asked what the community could do to help, Rogers said Dunshee House would release a “wish list” soon. “Also, buy trees,” he added. “Stay away from the big box stores, and buy trees from grassroots organizations like us, or [Capitol hill Alano Club], or the Beacon Hill Community Center. All of us need money.” Located at 303 17th Avenue East, Dunshee House is Seattle’s oldest HIV/AIDS support organization. It was founded as Seattle AIDS Support Group (SASG) in 1983, and moved to its present location in 1989. In 2004, SASG changed its name to Dunshee House to honor Susan Dunshee, who served as SASG’s executive director for 17 years.
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Steamworks was robbed and one of its employees was assaulted on the night of December 1. Brian Short of Steamworks headquarters in San Francisco told SGN that the incident was “highly unusual.” The robbery took place about 11:00 p.m. According to reports, the robber told the Steamworks employee he had a gun and ordered him to empty the till. He then sprayed the employee with pepper spray as the cash register was being emptied. Short declined to say how much money was taken. Police and a medic unit responded to the scene, but the employee was able to provide
only a general description of the robber. He was about 5’9”, of unknown race, and was wearing a dark hoodie pulled tight to conceal his face. Short told SGN that Steamworks has security cameras, but “that area wasn’t covered by the cameras,” so all police have to go on is the employee’s description. Although he claimed to be armed, the employee did not see a gun. The employee was treated at the scene for effects of the pepper spray. According to Short, “he is doing OK.” Police have not apprehended a suspect, but “are talking to our people in Seattle and doing an investigation,” according to Short. Steamworks employees at the Capitol Hill location declined to speak with SGN about the robbery.
Illinois passes civil unions by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Same-sex couples in Illinois will be able to form legally recognized civil unions when Gov. Pat Quinn signs a bill newly passed by the state legislature. The Illinois Senate voted 32-24 to pass the measure on December 1. The state House passed the bill 61-52 the previous day. Gov. Quinn supported the bill and is expected to sign it into law. The bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Greg Har-
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Seattle Gay News
ris of Chicago, told his colleagues that the measure would help reverse injustice and inequality. “We have a chance here, as leaders have had in previous generations, to correct injustice and to move us down the path toward liberty,” Harris said. “It’s a matter of fairness, it’s a matter of respect, it’s a matter of equality.” Harris, a Democrat, is one of two openly Gay members of the Illinois legislature. Rick Garcia, political director of Equal-
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andrew collins
Steamworks robbed
Steamworks
ity Illinois, hailed the bill’s passage as “historic.” “I think it was telling that as the bill was being discussed the governor came out onto the floor and got a standing ovation,” Garcia said. “We’ve taken a huge step toward fairness. We are thrilled.” The bill will give same-sex couples many of the same rights as married couples, such as making endof-life decisions, handling probate matters, sharing nursing home rooms, or even visiting partners in hospitals that deny visits by anyone but family. The civil unions bill passed in the face of vigorous opposition from the Catholic Conference of Illinois. Roman Catholic Cardinal Francis George of Chicago personally made calls to legislators asking them to vote No on the bill. Public opinion favored the measure, however. A Chicago Tribune poll conducted in late September showed 57% of the respondents approved of legalizing civil unions, while only 32% disapproved. The civil unions bill is the latest success in a rapidly developing political climate favoring LGBT rights in Illinois.
Five years ago, Illinois lawmakers passed protections against discrimination in jobs and housing for Gays and Lesbians. Although it took decades to pass that measure, Illinois has moved toward a more liberal position on social issues since Democrats took control of state government at the start of 2003. On the Senate side, only one Republican voted for civil unions, and one Democrat voted “present.” On the House side, where Democrats hold only a slim majority, several Republicans joined Democrats to pass the bill. Democratic Sen. David Koehler of Peoria said he sees the issue “through the eyes of a father who has a Gay child,” a daughter who “doesn’t have the same rights” as his other children. Sen. Heather Steans, a Democrat from Chicago, was one of many referencing Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement as she urged colleagues to join her in “bending the moral arc of justice.” “This is a legacy vote,” she said. “It makes a statement about the justice for which we stand.”
“It’s a matter of fairness, it’s a matter of respect, it’s a matter of equality.”
Celebrating 37 Years!
Singapore water polo team Kenya’s prime minister says “Round up the Gays!” makes fashion statement courtesy straits times
Matthew Jordaan mattjordaanphoto@gmail.com
Government not amused
The Singapore water polo team sporting their new swimsuit design
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga, speaking at a campaign rally on November 28, said that Gay couples should be arrested. Kenyan Gay rights activists immediately denounced his remarks. “If found the homosexuals should be arrested and taken to relevant authorities,” Odinga said. The rally had been called to whip up support for Kenya’s new constitution. Odinga supports the new document, but opposition parties are urging a No vote. The prime minister charged that his enemies were spreading the false rumor that the new constitution legalizes same-sex marriage. He vigorously denied that. “We will not tolerate such behaviors in the country,” Odinga said. “The constitution is very clear on this issue and men or women found engaging in homosexuality will not be spared.” According to Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper, the prime minister went on to say that the recent census showed there were more women than men and so there was no need for men to enter into Gay relationships. He added that there was no need for women to get involved in Lesbian relationships while they could still bear children. David Kuria from the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya denounced the prime minister’s remarks. Kuria told the BBC that Odinga’s comments left him “full of sadness.” He also expressed concern that the prime minister’s speech would encourage people to extort money from Gays and Lesbians. “We thought in this country we had made a lot of headway,” he said. “People will succumb to extortion, blackmail and violence.” Solomon Wambua, another Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya activist, told The Irish Times that Odinga’s comments would push the country’s LGBT community further underground, exacerbating the country’s STD problem.
“This will only cause further stigmatization, which will stop people attending clinics, getting health check-ups and accessing anti-retroviral drugs if they need them,” he said. “He should have thought of the repercussions before he said what he did.” The same day that Odinga made his speech, LGBT Kenyans commemorated the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) with a public event at the National Museum of Kenya. They hoped to initiate public dialogue among Kenyans on gender identity and sexual orientation, they told BBC News. “Ten years ago there was no public place that could have hosted such a function,” Kenya Human Rights Commission director Muthoni Wanyeki said. Wanyeki was one of the organizers of the event. “Although the Committee of Experts [that drafted the new constitution] did not allow same-sex marriage in Kenya, the Proposed Constitution would enable all Kenyans to access health care and be free from discrimination and violence. The basic rights are for all Kenyans including people from the Gay community,” he added. Activist Kate Kamunde said Kenyan government officials had been invited to the event, but none attended. At least one member of Odinga’s government does not agree with the prime minister. In February, Special Programmes Minister Esther Murugi told participants at a national symposium on HIV/AIDS in Mombasa that the government should recognize the LGBT community. “We need to learn to live with men who have sex with other men … we are in the 21st century and things have changed,” she told the gathering. Her speech outraged both Christian and Muslim religious leaders. Later that month, religious leaders provoked anti-Gay riots in the resort city of Mombassa and five people were arrested after reports they were trying to organize a Gay wedding.
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Singapore’s water polo team found itself at the center of a fashion controversy when it debuted its new swimsuit design at the Asian Games. Like many teams, Singapore’s tried to incorporate design elements from its country’s flag, which features a white crescent and five stars on a red stripe. It was the placement of the white crescent – directly over the swimmer’s crotch – that sparked the controversy. Photos of the water polo team were widely posted on the internet. While some observers found the Singapore team’s swimsuits amusing, the country’s conservative government called the design “inappropriate.” “Unfortunately the team did not seek our advice on the use of the crescent moon and stars when they designed their swim trunks,” Singapore’s Information Ministry
said in a statement. “We would have told them that their design is inappropriate as we want elements of the flag to be treated with dignity.” The ministry told AFP news service that it would normally review the use of the flag on sports uniforms on a case-by-case basis. A ministry spokesperson declined to specify which part of the design the government found objectionable. The team apologized for its design choice, but denied it had deliberately insulted the national flag. “We didn’t have the slightest intention to do anything funny on our trunks to insult Singapore,” team manager Samuel Wong told the Straits Times newspaper. The rules of the Asian Games – held this year in Guangzhou, China – do not allow teams to change their uniform designs in the middle of competition, so the Singapore team is stuck with the offending swim suits. They have promised not to use them again, however.
OUTServe goes public by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor OutServe, the underground network of Gay and Lesbian actively serving military members, announced November 29 the worldwide locations and contact information for each of its 27 chapters – including the chapter for those based in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Making OutServe chapters available in these hopefully last critical weeks of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ debate will allow the media access to speak confidentially with Gay and Lesbian servicemembers and regional OutServe leadership, who will be able to talk about their hopes and plans for a post-DADT military, one where they can serve openly and with integrity,” said JD Smith, OutServe co-director. “Post-repeal, we anticipate these chapters will serve as points of contact for military personnel who wish to reach out to actively serving Gay and Lesbian military members as a resource and as colleagues.” According to OutServe officials, the organization currently has more than 1,200 members worldwide. OUTServe’s largest regional chapters are those in Southern California and Germany, with 110 and 83 members, respectively. OutServe’s Afghanistan/
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Iraq chapter has 50 members. The organization’s average chapter size is 45 members. OutServe chapters in the continental United States include Alabama, Arizona, Northern California, Southern California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Nebraska, New England, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Service Academies, Texas, Virginia, Washington state, and Washington, D.C. Worldwide chapters include: Afghanistan/ Iraq, Cuba, Diego Garcia, Germany, Guam, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, and United Kingdom. For more information, go to www.outserve.org.
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The Seattle Gay News would like to gratefully acknowledge all of our generous partners for their help in raising funds this holiday season for the Youth Suicide Prevention Program
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Celebrating 37 Years!
Tree of Life During the month of December, many of your favorite Capitol hill bars and restaurants will join together to help prevent teen suicide. Please take a moment and join the Seattle Gay News and this establishment to donate to the Youth Suicide Prevention Program of Washington state in our efforts to stop these tragic events. Take action and become part of the “Tree of Life” today.
Take Action Tree of Life / Stop Teen Suicide Program is proudly sponsored by:
SGN Seattle Gay News
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Celebrating 37 Years!
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Celebrating 37 Years!
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Celebrating 37 Years!
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor The Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) announced on November 30 that GSBA Executive Director Louise Chernin received the Aubrey Davis Award for Progressive Leadership, sponsored by Group Health, from the Economic Opportunity Institute (EOI). The award recognizes Chernin for her tireless work and progressive leadership throughout the community. Chernin was honored at the Economic Opportunity Institute’s annual dinner. “The Aubrey Davis Award honors leaders and advocates leading the efforts to improve our community,” said John Burbank, executive director of the Economic Opportunity Institute. “Over the years, Louise has been at the forefront of progressive social change on many issues. She has demonstrated time and time again her dedication to making our community a better place to live, work, and do business.” According to the GSBA, Chernin was selected for her leadership of the GSBA, continued advocacy for LGBT rights, and her history of progressive social activism. Nominations touted Chernin’s activism for progressive tax reform, ability to unite business interests and progressive values, advocacy for working people and marginalized groups, and ability to reason under fire. The award is named after Aubrey Davis, one of the earliest founder-members of Group Health. Davis is a health care reformer, public transportation advocate, politician, civil servant, businessman, inventor, and environmentalist. He pioneered community involvement in highway planning,
ran businesses creating products ranging from military weather stations to deck waterproofing, advocated to preserve abortion rights in Washington, and chaired the task force that investigated the 1990 sinking of the Interstate 90 floating bridge. The Aubrey Davis Award for Progressive Leadership is bestowed annually to a civic leader who best exemplifies the values and work of Davis, and who has significantly contributed to improving quality of life throughout the region. EOI Board President Dawn Trudeau presented the award to Chernin. Since first being awarded to Bill Gates, Sr. in 2008, Chernin and Cheryl Sesnon of the Washington Community Alliance for Self-Help have been the only others to receive the honor. The EOI is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit public policy organization founded in 1998 and based in Seattle. EOI uses the tools of research, education, and advocacy to shape public policy debate and promote new public policies focused on shared prosperity, retirement security, worklife standards, and education. EOI’s mission is forging realistic and robust public policies to build long-term economic security, promote economic opportunity, and ensure the benefits of prosperity are universally available for Washington’s middle-class and low-income workers. The GSBA has been the LGBT allied business and professional chamber of commerce since 1981. The GSBA is the largest business chamber of its kind in the United States and was honored as 2008 Gay and Lesbian Chamber of the Year by the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. For more information about GSBA, visit www. thegsba.org.
courtesy GSBA
Louise Chernin receives award from EOI
“She has demonstrated time and time again her dedication to making our community a better place to live, work, and do business.”
Louise Chernin
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Seattle Gay News 17
The failure of cable news to follow up by Wayne Besen SGN Contributing Writer
Transgender steps forward by Leslie Robinson SGN Contributing Writer Recently, our community marked the 12th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance – a somber day devoted to memorializing those murdered for their gender identity. Also recently, however, we’ve seen Transgender breakthroughs that are, in a word, fabulousgreatwonderful. College basketball season has begun, and many a media outlet has covered the story of Kye Allums, a junior guard at George Washington University. At 5-foot-11, Allums won’t be shattering glass, but his story is. “Yes, I am a male on a female team,” Allums, 21, told USA Today. “And I want to be clear about this: I am a Transgender male, which means feelings-wise, how it feels on the inside, I feel as if I should have been born male with male parts. “But my biological sex is female, which makes me a Transgender male.” This was a college student taking great pains to educate a sportswriter, who’s accustomed to Xs and Os, on Xs and Ys. The sportswriter can expect a midterm. When Allums’ college playing career is over, he intends to transition. He planned to keep quiet until then, but “it just got too tough not to be me.” His teammates, coach and university all appear to be supportive. The NCAA probably thought not long ago that it would have to deal with this issue the day the Rhode Island School of Design won the Rose Bowl. But the NCAA has a policy, explained a spokesman: “A female who wants to be socially identified as a male but has not had hormone treatments or surgery may compete on a women’s team.” So this college basketball season begins with an African-American, openly Transgender person playing Division 1 hoops. This represents so many steps forward it’s practically traveling. Turning to a different sport, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) will soon have a different understanding of “lady.” GolfChannel.com reported the LPGA will propose in a November 30 player meeting to axe its “female at birth” requirement. It’s not that association honchos experi-
enced an epiphany. It’s that they have drivers aimed at their heads. Lana Lawless, 57, who had gender-reassignment surgery five years ago, filed suit in San Francisco over the LPGA declining her application for tour membership. Her suit claims the organization discriminated due to her Transgender status, a violation of California’s anti-discrimination statutes. The LPGA has landed in the rough indeed. A change to the constitutional bylaws requires two-thirds of the LPGA membership to agree. The association has already told players the old gender rule was established “in a different time,” and defending it legally today would be harder than putting with your eyes closed. Also, the International Olympic Committee, the U.S. Golf Association and other golf entities now allow Transgender participation. The fairways are getting fairer. Victoria Kolakowski, who had reassignment surgery in 1991, has scored big in a different arena. In a race so tight it couldn’t be called until two weeks after the election, voters in California chose Kolakowski for Alameda County Superior Court. An openly Transgender woman wins a popular election. Thank you, California, for being ... California. Kolakowski, 49, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the election result “speaks well of our ability to look past differences and look to the things that matter: our ability and experience.” Here’s hoping she has both, because she’ll be scrutinized like an American Idol finalist. Two days after Kolakowski declared victory, Transgender LGBT activist Phyllis Frye was appointed a municipal court judge in the Houston City Council chamber, the same room where 30 years ago Frye helped repeal Houston’s “cross-dressing ordinance.” Frye, 63, said to the Houston Chronicle, “Things have changed, and it’s pretty wonderful.” Two judges in two days. That’s the right kind of order in the court. Leslie Robinson lives in Seattle. E-mail her at lesarobinson@gmail.com, and read more columns at www.generalgayety.com.
As far as I’m concerned, MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews should ban the Family Research Council’s (FRC) president, Tony Perkins, from appearing as a guest. Indeed, all respectable media outlets should take this congenital liar off of their Rolodexes and give precious airtime to more respectable spokespeople. I reached my verdict after watching Perkins square off against the Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) Mark Potok. Perkins was livid because the SPLC had just categorized FRC as an official, certified hate group. One of the primary factors that placed FRC on the list was the group’s tendency to distort the lives of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender people. It was fascinating to watch Perkins defend his organization by trotting out more lies – thus proving that FRC earned its dubious classification. The spouting of anti-Gay falsehoods seems so deeply ingrained, that even for this short television segment, Perkins was unable to curb his compulsion to fudge the facts. During the show, Perkins deftly shifted the conversation about FRC’s transgressions into one about pedophilia. Without flinching, Perkins smeared Gay men by falsely saying they were more likely to molest children. To back his bogus claim, he cited the discredited American College of Pediatricians. In case you missed it, The American College of Pediatricians made national news this year after one of its chief activists, Dr. George Rekers, was caught vacationing with an escort he met on RentBoy.com. Only weeks before the scandal, this hypocritical group sent a letter to every public school superintendant in the nation. The pseudo-scientific letter condemned homosexuality and referred school officials to an anti-Gay website, “Facts About Youth,” that was packed with junk science. The website cherry-picked quotes from legitimate researchers, including University of Minnesota scientist Dr. Gary Remafedi, who charged that the American College of Pediatricians was “knowingly misrepresenting research findings.” Of course, this is no surprise. The American College of Pediatricians is a small, anti-
Gay sham group that purposely tries to confuse itself with the credible American Academy of Pediatrics. The American College of Pediatricians is run by politically-motivated charlatans that do not produce peer review research on LGBT people. Meanwhile, The American Academy of Pediatrics is a group of legitimate researchers that actually do produce respected peer review science on homosexuality. Citing the American College of Pediatricians on homosexuality is like citing the cigarette lobby on the health benefits of smoking. Of course, Tony Perkins knows this, yet he was still sleazy and dishonest enough to cite the group, proving SPLC’s original point that FRC’s misrepresents the facts in an ugly effort to demonize LGBT people. Similar to Perkins, United States Rep. Michele Bachann (R-Minn.) is severely truth-challenged. On November 3, she told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that Obama’s upcoming trip to India would “cost the taxpayers $200 million a day.” Bachmann went on to say that, “He’s taking 2,000 people with him. He will be renting out over 870 rooms in India. And these are five-star hotel rooms at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.” The problem with her assessment, of course, was that it wasn’t true. Yet, it is a fair bet that Bachmann will be invited back on the air to spew her fabricated garbage. But given her lack of credibility, why do cable networks provide a soapbox? Is this really about greedy corporations that control newsrooms pressuring booking departments into choosing reprobates and hate mongers who will rant for ratings? The truth is, giving a platform to unrepentant liars and propagandists has harmed this country. For example, this week’s Pentagon report on repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell concludes that much of the concern in the armed forces about openly Gay service members was driven by misperceptions and stereotypes, and that fears were “exaggerated and not consistent with the reported experiences of many service members.” In essence, the biggest problem with lifting Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is not having actual Gays serving openly, but having to unravel the insidious lies peddled about Gays in the military. If the cable networks insist on setting the stage for those who tell whoppers, the least they can do is carve out time the following evening to correct the mistruths. Without such consistent follow-up, these programs become little more than unwitting conduits for misinformation. I get the need for ratings, but how about balancing it with respectability?
“Citing the American College of Pediatricians on homosexuality is like citing the cigarette lobby on the health benefits of smoking.”
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18 Seattle Gay News
December 3, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
ter Nesser, a Gay man whom she moved in with the next day. He owned a large house in continued from cover Rainier Valley and rented out rooms to other Gay men. The two chatted about opening a that would continue throughout her 63-year bar with part of her settlement money – very quickly, it became a reality. life. “Peter wanted to name it the ‘Great White “She never really recovered from being kicked out,” said Levine. “She had trouble Swallow,’ wrote Shelly. “[I] wanted to name trusting people, and without trust, you can- it ‘Shelly’s Leg.’” The first disco in Seattle opened Novemnot have love.” After leaving home, she became an ex- ber 13, 1973, just a few years after Stonewall – and Seotic dancer to supattle’s first disco port herself. She was a Gay Bar. moved around Shelly’s Leg the country – Chihoused 1940s cago, Miami, Halounge decor waii, and to Fort along with fake Myers, FL, where palm trees and her family had neon lights. The spent their sumbar was very mers in her youth. successful, with Shelly ended up weekend lines in Seattle in the that stretched winter of 1968 around the block. and she was taken The “in crowd” – in by a black famthe Gays – often ily living in Rainwent though a ier Valley. She special entrance continued dancat the back where ing until the day their names were of her fateful accilisted in a Rolodent, which would dex. inadvertently lead One of the most not only to the recognizable ascreation of her bar, pects of the bar but to the name itwas a 4x8 sign self. Shelly’s Leg in 1973 posted in the foyer Shelly and a that proclaimed: group of friends went to Pioneer Square on July 14, 1970 for “Shelly’s Leg is a GAY BAR provided for Seattle’s Gay community and their guests.” the Bastille Day Parade. “As word spread through town that there “There was a cannon in the parade loaded with gunpowder, held in place by a wad of was this great place to party, more straight wet paper-mâché,” wrote Shelly. “Some- people began to frequent the bar. Tensions one lit the fuse and the cannon fired into the rose and Shelly’s Leg ended in 1979. [I] crowd, hitting [me] in the pelvis. It was the wanted a place where everyone would feel son of the owner of the cannon showing off welcome, no matter what their sexual orientation, identity, race, religion or other facto a friend.” The blast took part of Shelly’s pelvis, a tors,” wrote Shelly. In the wake of the bar closing, Shelly’s kidney, some of her intestines and her left leg – after that, there was no more dancing doctor informed her that she was dying. “It was a good run,” said Shelly. She for Shelly Bauman. She described the blast as lifting her up in packed up her belongings and moved to Hathe air and landing her flat on her back. She waii. In Hawaii, she met a native healer and her slipped out of consciousness quickly and went comatose, not waking up for almost a physical condition improved, but she then year. It took two years for Shelly to get out lost most of her belongings in a fire. Left of the hospital, and even longer for her to with nothing, she fell in love with a man who happened to be from Fort Myers, FL. win her lawsuit. It was during this time that she met Pe- The couple moved to Fort Myers, they mar-
bauman
file photo
ried, they divorced, and Shelly remained in Florida until 2002, living in a trailer near the water. In 2002, Fort Myers was hit hard by a hurricane, once again leaving Shelly with nothing – the Red Cross gave her $750. She decided to call Levine, back in Seattle, whom she had met before her accident in 1969 and ask for help to relocate back to the Seattle area. She used the money to book a flight, and she was off. “When she moved back to Seattle, she knew she couldn’t live in Seattle proper, because of her love of drugs,” Levine told SGN. She moved in with Levine and his partner Marc in Bremerton until there was a vacancy in the duplex the pair managed across from their house, and the two took care of Shelly until her death. Levine and his partner coordinate one of the largest non-urban syringe exchange programs in the country out of their garage, and while she was living with them, she became very interested in the rights and plight of intravenous drug users. Just after her 60th birthday in 2008, Shelly was stricken by yet another fire when she was smoking and forgot to take off her oxygen cannula. A neighbor, Rodney Jewell, noticed the smoke and was able to run in and rescue her just in the nick of time. Once
again, all her possessions were gone. Shelly was left with burns all over her body and the smoke from the fire – coupled with her history as a lifelong smoker of cigarettes, marijuana, and any other drug that could be smoked – deteriorated her lungs beyond repair. “Shelly never went a day without experiencing physical pain. The psychological scars from her youth never had an opportunity for healing. All a dancer has is their body, and Shelly lost that a couple of weeks before she turned 23, and with that lost control of her life,” said Levine. Shelly’s final years were rough on Levine. “Hell, anyone that knew the woman knew she was a pathological liar. … It’s very hard to love and be a friend to someone who can’t tell the truth. … Shelly told me I taught her three things: ‘please,’ ‘thank you,’ and ‘you’re welcome,’” Levine told SGN. Shelly will always be remembered as a party girl with beautiful long red hair. A celebration of her life is in the works, which will fundraise for organizations that help people in recovery for intravenous drug usage. The iconic sign from Shelly’s Leg is now in the permanent collection at Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry.
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Seattle Gay News 19
aids day
continued from cover men’s health organization and the leading provider of HIV and STD testing in King County; and Seattle Counseling Service, which provides mental health and addiction services to LGBT communities of Seattle, King County, and the surrounding regions. The event kicked off at 11:30 a.m. with Executive Director of Multifaith Works Arthur Padilla and KING 5 anchor Joyce Taylor welcoming the nearly 75 table captains and their guests. A video presentation, entitled Meet the Agencies, followed so luncheon attendees could familiarize themselves with the four community host organizations on the front lines of Seattle’s HIV/ AIDS battle. Elaina Ellis, a local spoken-word artist and writer with TumbleMe Productions, delivered a powerful performance using the phoenix as a metaphor for survival. Arthur Padilla joined Randy Beighle, Lane Powell PC, to present Janet L. Trinkaus with this year’s AIDS Service Award. Janet is the founder of Rise ‘n’ Shine. Since 1988, Rise ‘n’ Shine has been providing emotional support programs, stability, advocacy, and AIDS education for children and teens affected by the disease, children and teens who live with a parent or other close family member with HIV/AIDS, and those who are infected themselves. Janet is honored for her willingness to
stand up and fight for children whose voices could have been lost or forgotten. Rise ‘n’ Shine was the first program of its kind in the nation. She started the program because in her heart she felt that “eventually women would become infected, and if women were infected, their children would be affected.” AIDS organizations from around the globe have visited Rise ‘n’ Shine to learn from Janet and the staff how to better support the children affected by the AIDS epidemic. Janet thanked her staff and said the award is due, in part, to their hard work. Attendees were then treated to a preview of the upcoming Seattle premiere of The Infection Monologues. The inspirational piece breaks new ground on the way we understand HIV infections among Gay men, HIV stigma, and living with HIV in 2010. Funny and thought-provoking, The Infection Monologues challenges the way we think about the contemporary HIV experience. At the conclusion of the event, luncheon participants were asked to make a donation to Multifaith Works, Dunshee House, Gay City Health Project, and the Seattle Counseling Service so that they may continue carrying out the important services they offer. World AIDS Day is observed December 1 each year and is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. AIDS has killed more than 25 million people worldwide and an estimated over 33 million people live with HIV. In Seattle, the Space Needle was lit with
red lights in observation of World AIDS Day. Since 1995, the president of the United States has made an official proclamation on World AIDS Day. This year, President Obama said, “Over the past three decades, brave men and women have fought devastating discrimination, stigma, doubt, and violence as they stood in the face of this deadly disease. … On World AIDS Day, we rededicate ourselves to developing a national AIDS strategy that will establish the priorities necessary to combat this devastating epidemic at home, and to renewing our leadership role and commitments abroad. … Though we have been witness to incredible progress, our struggle against HIV/AIDS is far from over. With an infection occurring every nine and-a-half minutes in America, there are more than one million individuals estimated to be living with the disease in our country. Of those currently infected, one in five does not know they have the condition, and the majority of new infections are spread by people who are unaware of their own status. HIV/AIDS does not discriminate as it infiltrates neighborhoods and communities. Americans of any gender, age, ethnicity, income, or sexual orientation can and are contracting the disease. … I urge the governors of the states and the territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and the American people to join in appropriate activities to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS, and to provide support and comfort to those living
dadt
continued from cover More than 14,000 service members have been discharged under DADT since the law went into effect in 1993. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen appeared at a Tuesday afternoon briefing with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, calling the report “one of the most expansive studies ever done on military personnel issues,” one that examines “not only the impact of repeal, but also how best to implement a new policy across the joint force.” Gates said he did not ultimately know how long it would take to phase out DADT. But he did press lawmakers to do so in order to avoid an overturning of the law in federal court, which could, he said, “jeopardize an orderly process for repeal.” In a lawsuit brought by the Log Cabin Republicans, a federal judge in California struck down DADT as unconstitutional in September, though the Justice Department has appealed the decision. In the Senate, John McCain vowed to block any change in DADT and remains a chief obstacle. “We need to look at whether it’s the kind of study that we wanted,” McCain said of the Pentagon report during a November 14 appearance on Meet the Press. “It isn’t, in my view, because I wanted a study to determine the effects of the repeal on battle effectiveness and morale.” “I obviously have a lot of admiration and respect for Senator McCain, but in this re-
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spect, I think that he’s mistaken,” Gates said. “I think this report does provide a sound basis for making decisions on this law. People can read this and potentially come to different conclusions, but in terms of the data and in terms of the views of the force, it’s hard for me to imagine that you could come up with a more comprehensive approach.” Many others agree with Gates. “This issue has been studied for 50 years, including by the military itself, and the results from over 22 studies are uniform: Open service does not harm effectiveness,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “The small handful of senators blocking repeal no longer has any fig leaves behind which to hide. The time for repeal is now.” “America’s men and women in uniform are professionals who already serve with Gays and Lesbians, and repeal will do nothing to change their dedication to protecting our nation,” he said. “Senators who said they want to hear from military leaders and troops now have their answers. Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ will allow every qualified man and woman to serve without sacrificing the high standards that have made our military great.” Twenty-five nations allow open service by Gays and Lesbians and all of them have implemented repeal of their bans without major disruptions – including close allies such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Israel. In a November 30 statement, President Obama said: “As commander in chief, I have pledged to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law because it weakens our national security, diminishes our military readiness, and violates fundamental American principles of fairness and equality by preventing patriotic Americans who are Gay from serving openly in our armed forces. At the same time, as commander in chief, I am committed to ensuring that we understand the implications of this transition, and maintain good order and discipline within our military ranks. That is why I directed the Department of Defense earlier this year to begin preparing for a transition to a new policy. “Today’s report confirms that a strong majority of our military men and women and their families – more than two thirds – are prepared to serve alongside Americans who are openly Gay and Lesbian. This report also confirms that, by every measure – from unit cohesion to recruitment and retention to family readiness – we can transition to a new policy in a responsible manner that ensures our military strength and national security. And for the first time since this law was enacted 17 years ago today, both the secretary of defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have publicly endorsed ending this policy. “With our nation at war and so many Americans serving on the front lines, our troops and their families deserve the certainty that can only come when an act of Congress ends this discriminatory policy once and for all. The House of Representatives has already passed the necessary legislation. Today I call on the Senate to act as soon as possible so I can sign this repeal into law this year and ensure that Americans who are willing to risk their lives for their
www.sgn.org www.sgn.org 20 Seattle Gay News
December 3, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
country are treated fairly and equally. Our troops represent the virtues of selfless sacrifice and love of country that have enabled our freedoms. I am absolutely confident that they will adapt to this change and remain the best led, best trained, best equipped fighting force the world has ever known.” U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) released the following statement following the release of the military’s report on the potential effects of a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy change: “This report gives us just one more reason among many to finally repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ We have heard the stories of the lives this policy has ruined, we have heard from top-ranking military officials that it simply doesn’t work, and now we have heard from servicemembers that they too want it to change. “For far too long, too many with the courage and commitment to serve our nation have been asked to hide the truth about who
they are as individuals. It’s a policy that has failed in its intended goals and done a tremendous disservice to men and women who want nothing more than to defend their country and the freedoms America stands for. “I am glad that the military has released this report. And I urge my colleagues in the Senate to stand with me as we continue to work to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’” But not all of Murray’s colleagues feel the same way. As the SGN goes to press, DADT repeal advocates scramble to line up the votes to beat a GOP filibuster of the National Defense Authorization Act. On December 2, Gates, Mullen, and the coauthors of the report backing repeal testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Their biggest obstacle? The question of “how” such a change would take place. Will domestic partners receive benefits? Will Gays and Lesbians get their own military status? What will happen to hous-
ing? Will there be separate barracks and facilities? And the big one – will the change affect unit cohesion on the battlefield? The answers to those questions, says Gates and Mullen, are complex.
quilt
continued from cover hung in silence. It still hangs there now, but people are on their way. “Putting them up and them just being there … it’s very humbling,” said Ron Clark, the organizer, who is also the general manager of Butterworth Funeral Home, which lies right next to the Columbarium. Clark hung the quilt himself with the help of two others. “I just wanted Seattle to have a part, and some awareness of the quilt,” Clark told
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SGN. Having worked at the Seattle Gay News for a year and a half now, it seems fitting that I first see the quilt during my last month here at the SGN. I noticed things that have now become familiar to me: a Seattle Frontrunners race number and a patch displaying the logo of the Bailey-Boushay House. In a way, seeing the quilt put all my work here at the SGN in perspective, as if it were a culmination of what I’ve learned here as I prepare to depart to finish college. From military insignias and photos to union patches and Boy Scout patches, people from all walks of life are portrayed here. People from Seattle; Portland, OR; Marysville, ID; Reno, NV; and Miami, FL have all come together to give us a look into what their lives meant to those around them. A husband whose wife had sewn their wedding rings into the quilt, a little girl who lived only three years before she was lost to the disease, a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant of the 119th Engineer Division who received the Army Commendation Medal – there are stories of all kinds here. Multiple cultures are reflected here: Mexican, Italian, Native American, and Colombian. A quilt “for the silent” is sewn among them all, revealing only initials or first names housed in a rainbow – one of the colors, red, reads simply “Unknown.” “There is no more powerful way to visually tell the story of HIV/AIDS than with a display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. With family photos, love letters, and a lifetime of keepsakes, the Quilt transforms statistics and disease into real people who were loved and lost to AIDS,” said the NAMES Project Foundation, the Atlanta-based organization that maintains the quilt. As of March 2010, the AIDS Memorial Quilt contains the names of more than 91,000 people. It measures 1,293,300 square feet and weighs over 56 tons. The AIDS Memorial Quilt is the largest ongoing community arts project in the world. The six panels of the quilt will be on display for seven days at the columbarium, until Sunday, December 5 at 4 p.m. The display is free and open to anyone. Afterwards, the quilt panels will make their way back to Atlanta – see them before they’re gone.
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Seattle Gay News 21
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Seattle Gay News 23