Issue 49 Volume 41
Celebrating 40 Years!
FRIDAY December 6, 2013 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & newsstands
Sec 2 Pg. 1
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Jamie Pedersen to succeed Ed Murray in Senate Brady Walkinshaw to take Pedersen’s House seat by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
nate gowdy / seattle gay news
As expected, 43rd Legislative District activists chose current state Rep. Jamie Pedersen to succeed Ed Murray in the state Senate. Murray, of course, will take office as Mayor of Seattle on January 1. According to procedure, when a vacancy occurs in the state legislature, the Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) of the legislative district recommend a ranked list of three potential successors, and then the King County Council appoints a replacement. Normally the candidate ranked first by the PCOs gets the spot. Pedersen was the only person who came forward to fill Murray’s seat, and as a veteran House member, his selection was a no-brainer for the PCOs. Moving Pedersen to the Senate created another vacancy in the House, however, and that seat was the focus of a competitive threeway race between Brady Walkinshaw – the eventual winner – Scott Forbes, and Cristina Gonzalez.
Walkinshaw, a program manager at the Gates Foundation, is a newcomer to public office. The son of a Cuban immigrant mother, he was raised on an organic farm in rural Washington. He told the 43rd District PCOs that he grew up “Gay and Latino.” Walkinshaw promised to be a champion of the 43rd District’s progressive values, and insiders told SGN that he was thought to be the most progressive of the three candidates. Forbes is a veteran 43rd District activist, and Gonzalez is an economist with King County. The House seat that was Pedersen’s and will now probably be Walkinshaw’s was formerly occupied by Cal Anderson, the state’s first openly Gay legislator. When Anderson went to the state Senate in 1994, the House seat was taken by Ed Murray, and when Murray was elected to the Senate in 2006, Pedersen won the House seat. The seat has been continuously occupied by Gay representatives since Anderson was appointed to fill a vacancy in 1987.
Jamie Pedersen (l) and Ed Murray
Same-sex couples sue Washington same sex couples: anniversary Burlington Northern data report released Railroads agree to benefits for Gay and Lesbian couples
AP
Mike and Eli Hall display their marriage certificate to Seattle reporters.
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Less than 24 hours after Burlington Northern railroad was sued by two same-sex couples – one Gay and one Lesbian – who asked for health insurance coverage for their spouses, the railroad employ-
ers’ association announced an agreement with railway workers’ unions to cover same-sex spouses starting January 1. Mike and Elijah Hall and Amie and Carol Garrand filed suit against Burlington Northern (BNSF), one of the country’s largest railroads, on December 3.
Mike Hall and Amie Garrand are BNSF employees who were denied health insurance coverage for their legally married spouses, even though the company provides health benefits to opposite-sex spouses. see BNSF page 7
OLYMPIA – It’s the one year anniversary of the state’s same sex marriage law, and the latest statistics shows same sex couples made up 17 percent of marriages in Washington in that time. Between the law’s effective date, December 6, 2012, and the most recent complete month of data, September 30, 2013, there were 7,071 same sex couples among the 42,408 total couples who married in the state during that period of time. So far, most of the state’s same sex marriages, 62 percent, occurred between two women. The top five Washington counties where same sex marriages occurred were King County with 3,452; Clark County with 785; Pierce County with 486; Snohomish County with 330; and Thurston
County with 300 marriages. Garfield County is the only county in Washington where no same sex marriages were performed. These numbers may not represent the number of marriage licenses granted by these counties. It appears Washington’s same sex marriage law is drawing people to the state to marry. In 24 percent of same sex marriages, both spouses live in another state. There were 524 same sex marriages in which both parties lived in Oregon. For 170 same sex marriages, the couple lived in Texas, and, for 155 same sex marriages, the couple lived in California. Among opposite sex couples, both spouses see stats page 7
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Seattle Gay News
December 6, 2013
Celebrating 40 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
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Seattle Gay News FOUNDED 1973
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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 Calendar Editors Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Travel Editor George Bakan Advertising Manager Marty Weisbrod Advertising Department Maggie Bloodstone, Tym Brown, Tim Moffett Executive Assistant Mike Andrew Staff Writers Mike Andrew, Miryam Gordon, Anthony Greer, Shaun Knittel, Albert Rodriguez, James Whitely Contributing Writers
Local news
SML holds 25th Leather Daddy & Daddy’s boy Contest Joseph P. Herron / seattle gay news
Rev. Barbara Allen, Eric Andrews-Katz, Madelyn Arnold, Maggie Bloodstone, Beau Burriola, Jessica Davis, Ron Anders, Jessica Price, Milton W. Hamlin, Scott Wittet, Nevin Jefferson, Jason A. Miller, Liz Meyer, Rod Parke, Don Paulson, Scott Rice,Leslie Robinson, Richard Kennedy, Rex Wockner
Ken Campbell / seattle gay news
Classifieds Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Photographers
Nate Gowdy, Joseph P. Herron, Shaun Knittel, James Whitely National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Website Designer Barry Thorsness/Digital Team Works Seattle Gay News is published weekly by Frogs and Ink, Inc. © 2013, Frogs and Ink, Inc., all rights reserved. Reprints by permission.
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.
In Loving Memory Of
Steve Foiles, Scott Roger Alpert, Cookie Andrews-Hunt, James Leland Moore, Randy Peters, Lee Richeson, Shaun Shelton, Jim Tully, James Arnold
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Seattle Gay News
boy Phoenix, Seattle Daddy’s boy 2014 (l) and Mike Daggs Seattle Leather Daddy 2014
On Saturday, November 30, Seattle Men in Leather (SML) presented the 25th Annual Seattle Leather Daddy & Daddy’s boy Contest at The Cuff Complex in Seattle. Congratulations to Mike Daggs, Seattle Leather Daddy 2014, and boy Phoenix, Seattle Daddy’s boy 2014. Emcees for the contest were Larry Ryan, Emperor 32 of the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle, Northwest Leatherboy 2003, Seattle Daddy’s boy 1999, and Eric Bonesteel,
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Emperor Rainier 35 of the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle, Northwest LeatherSIR 2003, Seattle Leather Daddy 1996. The judging panel included Ryan Smith, Seattle Leather Daddy 2012, WA State Mr. Leather 2013; Damien DeOnier, Seattle Daddy’s boy 2012; Paul William Grosart, Northwest Bootblack 2013, International Community Bootblack 2013; Cort Odekirk, Seattle Daddy’s boy 1990 – Seattle’s first Seattle Daddy’s boy; Josue Henriquez, Mr.
Gay Seattle 2013; Don Young, Seattle Men in Leather member-at-large. SML is a Gay men’s social group consisting of individuals who seek or live the Leather/Uniform/Rubber/Etc. lifestyle, providing opportunities for friendship, mentoring, education, and support of the community. More information about SML can be obtained from the SML web site: www.seattlemeninleather.org
Celebrating 40 Years!
More than $580,000 raised at annual TASTE of GSBA dinner
Funds go toward scholarships for LGBTQ and allied students in Washington State by Rachel Brister Special to the SGN The Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA), the nation’s largest LGBT and allied chamber of commerce, announced that their annual TASTE of GSBA benefit dinner and auction raised a record-breaking
gence, Microsoft and Wells Fargo. Over 100 volunteers, including members of PFLAG, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and GSBA Scholarship recipients, helped make the enormous production flow smoothly and effortlessly. GSBA was one of the first chambers in the country to incorporate philanthropy into its
“In the best way possible, my life has taken a completely new path. But I get it. I am not alone. By speaking up, by speaking out, we can try to bring a voice to the voiceless, and so you can Chamber of Commerce proudly serving the its Travel Gay Seattle tourism initiative. In continue to promote those who struggle business and nonprofit community since addition, GSBA invests in the next genera1981. GSBA is the largest LGBT Chamber tion of leaders by sponsoring a Scholarship to promote themselves.” in the United States with over 1000 members. More than a chamber, GSBA is a vibrant community organization with a broad and diverse membership base. GSBA is widely known throughout the Puget Sound region for its work on business development, connecting community through busiThe Greater Seattle Business Association ness, advocacy on both civil rights and busi(GSBA) is this region’s LGBT and Allied ness and promoting LGBT Tourism through core mission. GSBA members continue to give back to their communities and to support, with ever-increasing generosity, the next generation of LGBTQ and allied leaders.
Visit us online www.sgn.org
Fund, which, since 1990, has given out over $1.8 million in scholarships to undergraduates in Washington State. GSBA’s mission is to combine business development, social action and leadership to expand economic opportunities for the LGBT community and those who support equality for all. For more information about GSBA, visit www. thegsba.org.
World AIDS Day celebration
shaun knittel / seattle gay news
$584,000 to support scholarships for LGBTQ and allied students. The sold-out event on Saturday, November 23, filled the Sheraton Seattle Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. Nine GSBA-member caterers and restaurants welcomed the over 800 guests, and eight Washington State wineries intermingled with the guests amidst the silent auction items. Throughout the night, entertainment was provided by the a cappella group, The 007ths, and performers from KeyBank Broadway at the Paramount, Seattle Theatre Group and the Balagan Theatre showcased a series of upcoming shows for the 2014 season including Once, The Lion King, The Book of Mormon and Evita. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence helped raise $20,000 on the auction floor in raffle ticket sales. The fabulous and glamorous Aleksa Manila guided the evening’s program alongside auctioneer Laura Michalek, who has helmed the auction portion of the TASTE of GSBA for the last several years. “In the best way possible, my life has taken a completely new path,” said Daniel Cords, a current GSBA Scholar who shared his story with the audience. “But I get it. I am not alone. By speaking up, by speaking out, we can try to bring a voice to the voiceless, and so you can continue to promote those who struggle to promote themselves.” Cords was forced into a conversion therapy program and then thrown out of his parents’ home in Issaquah after he came out to them at age 14. In part, thanks to support from the GSBA Scholarship Fund, Cords is concurrently finishing a double Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Learning and Social Justice Studies, while at the same time starting early on a Master’s in Education. Cords’ closed by stating that, “Words cannot express my gratitude. This scholarship helped me realize that success is not about finding a job – it is about finding your life’s work.” Cords’ inspiring and eloquent words, reminding the audience why supporting the GSBA Scholarship Fund is so important, led into the most successful Fund-A-Scholar ask in the organization’s history. The success of the event was due in no small part to the exceptional support received from the community, including Presenting Sponsor 1st Security Bank, Alaska Airlines, Constellation Brands, Holland America Line, Inspire Youth Project, J.P. Morgan, Chase, New Chapter Weddings & Events, Outerwall, Seattle Storm and Vulcan, as well as from GSBA’s annual sponsors such as Safeco and Liberty Mutual, Avanade, Pacific Medical Centers, Re-
On November 30, youth and young adults from in and around Seattle, WA, working with the Multicultural HIV/AIDS Network, performed four flash mob dances with choreography from 22-year-old Jonathan Williams, from 1 to 3 p.m. The purpose of the flash mob was to call attention to World AIDS Day, observed each year on December 1. The youth joined Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea) and Seattle HIV/AIDS Vaccine Trials Unit to get the word out that
a cure still hasn’t been found and that we can’t give up now. It is up to each one of us to continue to the fight. The youth performed two flash mobs at Westlake Center (near the mall entrance), one in front of Macy’s and another in front of Nordstrom. A sizable and enthusiastic crowd formed each time to cheer on the young dancers. During the month of November, Neighbours Nightclub (1509 Broadway) opened its doors early and allowed the youth to re-
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hearse in their space, ensuring that the choreography was learned. SOSea was proud to sponsor this event with Multicultural HIV/AIDS Network, Neighbours Nightclub Seattle, Seattle HIV/AIDS Vaccine Trials Unit and welcomes the opportunity to do this again next year or – until there is a cure. For more information about SOSea visit us online at www.socialoutreachseattle.com
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by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor The unprecedented natural disaster that came in the form of Typhoon Haiyan killed thousands of people when it set its sights on the Philippines, November 7. As we mourn the dead, there is something very important to remember: There are always survivors. And those survivors need aid if they are to truly survive in the long run. Haiyan’s fallout has caused a medical disaster for the Philippines. The government and emergency services are dealing with the fact that, well, no matter how big the storm, not everyone dies. In response, the Red Cross ordered 10,000 body bags in preparation for the number of bodies it believed it would have to retrieve. They would use more than half; but not all of them. What is left behind are some 4.2 million people who have been affected by the storm.
ji ji lee
Local drag entertainers raise thousands for Philippine family in need Many of them were injured and remain, even today, thirsty or hungry. The Philippines storm – some three and a half times more forceful than Hurricane Katrina – created serious food and water shortages. Some of the survivors, as well as victims, have family living in Seattle. A feeling of helplessness must have crept into their hearts as they watched the news for updates about the monster and what it was potentially doing to their family. One of those people is Atasha Manila, a local drag queen and activist from Cebu, Philippines. Atasha’s family reached out to her and what they told her, she couldn’t believe. In the aftermath, services have been down so people are looting; basic supplies like food and water – essential for survival – are not being met. Her family, thankfully, is not as badly hurt as some of their neighbors. But they still need to eat and be clothed and have clean water. So Atasha reached out to local drag icon Aleksa Manila and the two courtesy aleksa manila
Atasha Manila
of them got to work and produced “Coast to Coast,” a benefit for the victims of typhoon disaster, that was held on November 30, 7-9 p.m. at Neighbours Nightclub (1509 Broadway). The event was a total success. To date, Atasha Manila has helped to raise over $3,000 for families affected by Typhoon Haiyan.
quick event-organizing but realized this is a humane response to a globally-affected calamity,” she continued. “This one in particular hits home.” Atasha and Aleksa are both Philippine immigrants. “Although I am not from the provinces severely hit by the catastrophic storm, my
“I couldn’t be more proud of the success of the event. Admittedly, I was nervous when we started with an intimate crowd, but love truly endured that evening.” “When my drag daughter (Atasha) approached me about doing something about the typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines, my quick response was a resounding “Yes!” I wasn’t too particular of how we were going to do it, but just the fact that we were going to do something about it was enough to commit to it,” Aleksa Manila told Seattle Gay News. “In a matter of days, she was able to gather close to 20 performers who were so generous and eager to help the cause. I couldn’t be happier.” “Of course, I was a bit nervous with the
Aleksa Manila
heart was just filled with sadness when I found out that Atasha’s biological family was actually affected,” said Aleksa. “As her drag mom, I felt the pain of knowing one’s family’s home destroyed and relatives searching for food and other vital supplies.” “I couldn’t be more proud of the success of the event. Admittedly, I was nervous when we started with an intimate crowd, but love truly endured that evening,” she continued. “The small audience came in with big hearts that truly appreciated the efforts of the performers and the organizational support. Before the event started, $200 was already donated at a Thanksgiving dinner and at the end, over $2,600 was raised.” [Ed. note: More money has been raised since this interview.] “Atasha has a huge heart and her friends and drag family were there to support her efforts,” said Aleksa Manila. “I am glad she saw an oversight in the current relief efforts where only certain regions were being helped. The funds raised will go directly to these families, as many as we can support, to help buy food and other supplies.” Next week, Seattle Gay News will talk to Atasha Manila and get a firsthand update on her family’s situation in the Philippines.
Rich Full-Bodied Cafes Savory Homestyle Soups & Sandwiches 6
Seattle Gay News
December 6, 2013
Celebrating 40 Years!
bnsf
continued from cover The couples claimed that BNSF was violating the federal Equal Pay Act, and discriminating against them because of their sex. “The failure to pay is based on sex because BNSF does pay for spousal health needs for employees and locomotive engineers if the employee is a female married to a male spouse, but does not pay for Elijah’s health needs because Michael Hall is male,”
the sex of the employee who has a wife or husband. “Marriage isn’t just one man one woman anymore,” Elijah Hall said. “My marriage to Mikey is legal and it is marriage. Who is BNSF to say we’re not married – that’s discrimination, plain and simple – just because Mikey isn’t a woman? He’s a man and I am his husband, legally and in reality and BNSF has to recognize our marriage. Who are they to say we are not married?” The denial of insurance for Elijah caused the couple considerable emotional stress, both of them said. There were also serious
“These big companies are looking at their bottom line. They realize that a significant number of their employees are in same-sex marriages, and they want to deny them benefits to save money.” court documents said. At a press conference shortly after the suit was filed, plaintiffs’ attorney Cleveland Stockmeyer accused BNSF of acting out of greed. “These big companies are looking at their bottom line,” he said. “They realize that a significant number of their employees are in same-sex marriages, and they want to deny them benefits to save money.” Mike Hall, who said he married “the love of my life” on Martin Luther King Day 2012, “because it was an important day for equality,” told reporters he had gone to work for BNSF in part “because they had an antidiscrimination policy in their company manual.” Hall said he was “disappointed” to be denied coverage for his husband, Elijah, because, as he was told, “company policy is that a marriage is between a man and a woman.” “I was told many times by BNSF, ‘marriage is one man, one woman,’” Hall said. “I told them, ‘Not in Washington state.’ They still told me no.” Stockmeyer pointed out that the company’s health insurance brochure states that dependents eligible for coverage include “your wife or husband,” without specifying
financial repercussions, because Elijah is HIV-positive, and requires expensive medications to remain healthy. Because BNSF refused to cover Elijah, the couple said, they were burdened with $2,400 per month in out-of-pocket medical expenses. “BNSF has no business overriding the vote we had here to make same sex marriage legal,” Stockmeyer said. “Who are they to judge? BNSF should stick to running railroads and stop telling Gay or Lesbian couples who are legally married that they are not.” UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS COME TO AGREEMENT Mike Elliott, a spokesperson for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), the union that represents Hall, also appeared at the press conference, and explained that BLET’s understanding of their collective bargaining agreement with BNSF was that same-sex spouses should receive the same benefits as opposite-sex ones. “We support the Halls and the Garrand family 100%,” he said. “The railroad needs to step up and do the right thing.” Twenty-four hours later, the employer’s association – the NRLC (National Rail-
way Labor Conference) – announced they had reached an understanding with the 13 unions that represent the country’s rail workers that same-sex spouses will get equal benefits effective January 1, 2014. “The nation’s largest freight carriers will provide dependent health care coverage to eligible same-sex spouses of covered railroad employees effective Jan. 1, 2014,” the NLRC said. “While this is not a benefit required by law or under current collective bargaining agreements, the railroads agreed with labor to provide this benefit in light of recent changes allowing same-sex couples to access the same federal tax benefits provided to other married couples.” “This was the correct way to deal with the issue,” said Steve Forsberg, BNSF’s director of external relations. “Changes to the plan must come through the collective bargaining process or through the plan’s governing committee because the agreement involves multiple employers and multiple unions.” The unions had asked employers in September to clarify that same-sex spouses should get equal treatment, but, Elliot said, they had received no reply from the employers. None, that is, until the lawsuit was filed.
officials “have yet to contact me or our clients who sued them.” It was too soon, he told SGN in a lengthy email on December 5, to tell if the reports of a settlement were true. Even if true, he added, “it’s one step out of about five they need to take.” Stockmeyer said they would “continue to carry on the suit by serving the complaint on them and getting their response, etc. It’s rather bothersome to me that they would suggest this change about wasn’t legally required as this amounts to saying they can discriminate more – if they want to. Shocking!” Among other reasons to press on with the lawsuit, Stockmeyer told SGN, was to establish that equal spousal benefits are, in fact required by federal law, “so they can never be taken away.” In addition, Stockmeyer said, the reported settlement did not provide for his clients’ December medical bills or for damages for the year 2013, which he estimated at about $100,000 for both couples. It also “does not cover the past year of medical bills for the dozens or hundreds of other same sex marrieds working at BNSF – we don’t know who they are or how many. Hopefully they will come forward.” Finally, Stockmeyer said, “They haven’t said they will cover retirement and other benefits.” THE FIRST FIVE STEPS No date had yet been set for hearings in On behalf of his clients, Stockmeyer said the suit. “we welcome the change” but that BNSF
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partnership. The state Department of Health may not yet have received records for all marriages during the reporting period. All information on a marriage certificate, including gender, is reported by the couple or the officiant. After the ceremony, the officiant files the marriage certificate with the county auditor that issued the marriage license and the auditor files the marriage certificate with the state health department. The Department of Health website (www. doh.wa.gov) is your source for a healthy dose of information. Also, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
were from another state in only 6 percent of marriages. Each person getting married in Washington can choose whether they would like their marriage certificate to refer to them as bride, groom, or spouse. Within both male and female same sex marriages, most individuals preferred to use the term spouse. On June 30, 2014, all Washington same sex registered domestic partnerships will be converted to same sex marriages unless at least one partner is 62 years of age or older, the couple has gotten legally married, or the A Washington State Department of Health couple has legally dissolved their domestic news release
national news
by Tim Moffett SGN Staff Writer In 1984, the first International LGBT Leadership Conference was held; attended by approximately two-dozen elected officials. Conference attendees estimated there were fifty out LGBT officials in the whole world at the time. Today, there are more than 1,000 out officials around the globe; and they are on the front lines in the fight for equality. The 29th annual International LGBT Leadership Conference, also known as LGBT Leaders 2013, kicked off in Denver, CO yesterday, with an opening night reception at the McNichols Civic Center. The Conference will continue through Sunday, December 8. Nearly 600 attendees from ten countries are expected at the three-day event, produced by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute and hosted by Colorado House of Representatives Speaker Mark Ferrandino. Though most attendees are U.S.-based, out elected officials and advocates from countries including Spain, Japan, Colombia, and Australia are set to participate.
gay and lesbian victory fund
LGBT officials meet for leadership conference
LGBT Leaders 2013 will feature three tracks of programming for participants. Reaching Your Potential focusing on professional development, Reaching Consensus discussing current policy issues, and Reaching Equality providing briefings on the state of the LGBT movement. Important discussion topics for the Reaching Equality track include: “Advocating for LGBT Elders,” “LGBT Issues in U.S. Immigration,” and “Justice in Jail: Policies Impacting Incarcerated LGBT People.” Other important topics include: “Implementing the Affordable Care Act,” “The National Landscape for Trangender Equality,” and “Turning Point: Assessing the LGBT Movement Post DOMA.” Speakers for this year’s event include Harvey Milk Foundation Co-Founder & Board President Stuart Milk, MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts, Houston Mayor Annise Parker, Rep. Mike Michaud (ME), Rep. Jared Polis (CO), Rep. David Cicilline (RI), Rep. Mark Takano (CA), and Rep. Mark Pocan (WI). For more information about the International Leadership Conference, please visit lgbtleaders.org.
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December 6, 2013
Seattle Gay News
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Mississippi judge turns down Lesbian divorce by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A Mississippi judge turned down a samesex divorce request on December 2, ruling that the marriage of a Lesbian couple who filed for divorce was not recognized under state law. Lauren Beth Czekala-Chatham and Dana Ann Melancon were married in San Francisco in 2008, during the brief window before
trary to Mississippi’s expressly stated public policy.” Czekala-Chatham’s lawyer, Wesley Hisaw, said Desoto County Chancery Judge Mitchell Lundy said he felt that “his hands were tied” by Mississippi law. The couple could get a divorce in California, but Czekala-Chatham says she shouldn’t be treated differently than straight couples. And Hisaw argued that Mississippi wouldn’t recognize the divorce from Cali-
Prop 8 outlawed such marriages. (Same-sex marriage in California was reinstated earlier this year.) They bought a house together in Mississippi the following year, but their relationship soured and Czekala-Chatham filed for divorce in September. But Mississippi lawmakers amended state law in 1997 to say any same-sex marriage “is prohibited and null and void from the beginning. Any marriage between persons of the same gender that is valid in another jurisdiction does not constitute a legal or valid marriage in Mississippi.” Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, a Democrat, argued that his state cannot grant a divorce in a marriage it refuses to recognize. In a November 15 court filing, Hood’s office said that Mississippi “has no obligation to give effect to California laws that are con-
fornia, which could leave their marital property in limbo. In his written arguments for a divorce, Hisaw cited the June ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court striking down DOMA. That has created a situation where same-sex couples “are married lawfully under the laws of the United States, but not under Mississippi law,” he said. Czekala-Chatham told Associated Press reporters that the judge seemed sympathetic and that she plans to appeal the ruling. Czekala-Chatham, a 51-year-old credit analyst and mother of two teenage sons from an earlier straight marriage, said she was “a little bit disappointed.” “I would have liked to have had the divorce, but either way he ruled, it was going to be appealed,” she said. Same-sex divorce cases have cropped up
AP Photo / Rogelio V. Solis
“I would have liked to have had the divorce, but either way he ruled, it was going to be appealed.”
Lauren Czekala-Chatham
in some other states with bans on same-sex marriage. On Nov. 5, the Texas Supreme Court heard arguments about whether their state can grant divorces to Gay and Lesbian couples married elsewhere. The plaintiffs are couples from Austin and Dallas who married in Massachusetts and later filed for divorce in Texas. The Austin couple was granted a divorce, but Attorney General Greg Abbott intervened in the Dallas case and won an appeals court decision blocking a divorce. In the oral arguments, Assistant Attorney General James Blacklock argued there’s no
way for Texas to grant a divorce because of the state’s constitutional ban. “There’s no marriage here,” he said. “So there can be no divorce.” A similar case has just commenced in Kentucky, where two women married in Massachusetts are seeking a divorce. At least one same-sex couple has been able to get a divorce in a state that doesn’t officially recognize same-sex unions. In 2011, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled that two women married in Canada could get a divorce in the state, reversing a ruling by a district judge.
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A federal district judge in Louisiana has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a Gay couple seeking state recognition of their marriage. Judge Martin Feldman ruled in the case of Robicheaux v. Caldwell that he lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit because the named defendant, Louisiana Attorney General James Caldwell, had not actually denied the plaintiffs legal recognition of their marriage. Consequently, Feldman said, the legal doctrine known as “sovereign immunity” applies. In other words, states cannot be sued in federal courts over the effects of state laws. “The Attorney General’s sweeping responsibility to enforce the laws of the State of Louisiana lacks the Ex parte Young specificity nexus between the Attorney General and the alleged unconstitutional provisions that is essential to defeat sovereign immunity,” Feldman wrote in his decision. Feldman said the Attorney General is not the appropriate state official to name in the lawsuit, dismissing the plaintiffs’ arguments that Caldwell is essentially responsible for enforcing the laws in Louisiana. The judge also noted that Caldwell has
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Seattle Gay News
requested the lawsuit be dismissed or transferred for improper venue, but ruled that this request is moot because the suit has been dismissed for other reasons. The case involves Jon Robicheaux and his husband, Derek Pinton, who married in Iowa in 2012. They live in Louisiana and want their home state to recognize their marriage. The suit was subsequently joined by a Lesbian couple, Nadine and Courtney Blanchard, who also married in Iowa. James Hartman, a spokesperson for the plaintiffs, says they do not believe the decision is “a fatal blow to the case” and plan to amend the complaint. “On Monday, pending no objection from the attorney general, Mr. Spivey [the plaintiffs’ attorney] will seek to amend the suit, naming Secretary Tim Barfield of the State Department of Revenue as the defendant,” Hartman said. “Failing acceptance of that amendment or denial of that motion, Mr. Spivey will file an appeal with the Fifth Circuit.” Suzanne Goldberg, co-director of Columbia University’s Center for Gender & Sexuality Law, said the plaintiffs would have been in a stronger position if they first applied for recognition from state officials, and then sued on the grounds that recognition was denied. “If the couples had asked for recognition
December 6, 2013
century council
Federal court in Louisiana dismisses marriage suit
Louisiana Attorney General James Caldwell
and been denied, the court would not have dismissed the suit on the same grounds,” Goldberg said. The Robicheaux case isn’t the only marriage-related lawsuit in Louisiana. Other attorneys have filed a suit in state court, known as In Re Costanza and Brewer,
on behalf of another same-sex couple seeking to have their marriage recognized by Louisiana. Judge Edward Broussard ruled against the couple in July. The case is now being appealed.
Celebrating 40 Years!
nbc philadelphia
Pennsylvania clerk petitions to start issuing marriage licenses again by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer D. Bruce Hanes, the Montgomery County Clerk who issued dozens of marriage licenses to Gay and Lesbian couples until a court ordered him to stop, has petitioned the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to allow him to resume issuing the licenses. On November 2, Hanes filed an appeal
ment lacked legal standing to take him to court and compel him to stop issuing licenses to couples he thought were entitled to them. James Schultz, general counsel to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett, would not comment on the filing, according to Associated Press. Schultz has said in the past that the central issue in the case was whether local officials
In his appeal, Hanes says that Pellegrini’s court order forced him to violate his oath of office by complying with a law he regards as unconstitutional.
Montgomery County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes
of the September ruling by Judge Dan Pellegrini, finding that marriage licenses for same-sex couples violated state law. By the time Pellegrini ordered him to stop, Hanes had already issued 174 same-sex licenses. In his appeal, Hanes says that Pellegrini’s court order forced him to violate his oath of office by complying with a law he regards as unconstitutional. He cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s June ruling that the federal government could not deny benefits to married same-sex couples, as well as Pennsylvania state Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s subsequent refusal to defend the Pennsylvania law against a federal court challenge because she considers it unconstitutional. Hanes also contends the Health Depart-
could decide which laws to uphold, based on their own legal opinions. In seeking to stop Hanes from issuing licenses to samesex couples, the Health Department said his action could cause chaos. Pennsylvania’s marriage law was amended in 1996 to define marriage as a civil contract between “one man and one woman.” At least five other legal challenges to Pennsylvania’s law are pending, including a federal lawsuit on the constitutionality of the law that is slated to go to trial June 9 in Harrisburg. That lawsuit, named top state officials as defendants, was filed by civil rights lawyers on behalf of a widow, 11 couples and one of the couples’ two teenage daughters.
Today, there are 35.3 million people living with HIV/AIDS, including 1.1 million in the United States and 3.3 million children worldwide. In recent years, the number of AIDS-related deaths has declined, the rate of new infections has been reduced, and the availability of lifesaving treatments has increased. Still, 1.6 million people died from AIDS-related causes in 2012 and we have much work to do before treatment and care are available to all in need. This year, the theme for World AIDS Day is “Shared Responsibility: Strengthening Results for an AIDS-Free Generation.” President Obama and the United States are answering this call in a manner that transcends partisan politics and that stretches across all sectors of American society. Ten years ago, President George W. Bush, backed by a strong coalition in Congress, created the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). In 2011 President Obama established a series of ambitious goals for PEPFAR, including a commitment to increase by fifty percent the number of HIV-positive people receiving lifesaving treatment. We are able to announce today that we have exceeded this goal. PEPFAR is now providing treatment to 6.7 million people, an increase of seventy-one percent in just two years. PEPFAR has also prevented HIV from blighting the birth of more than one million babies; one million infants who would have been born with the virus are instead AIDS-free. The United States remains by far the largest contributor to the Global Fund to Fight
AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. This year, we are challenging the world by offering to contribute $1 to the Fund for every $2 made available by other donors. The United States is determined to continue leading in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but we cannot succeed alone. The Global Fund and other initiatives are supported by a vast network that includes philanthropists, the business community, health care professionals, civil society, and governments both in and outside the regions of greatest risk. Our collective efforts are informed by the knowledge that millions of lives are at stake; by the understanding that comprehensive measures are needed to make further progress; by a commitment to end the bigotry, ignorance, sexual violence, and economic inequities that lead to new infections; and by the conviction that defeating AIDS is not only a public health necessity, but also a human rights imperative. Since the start of the AIDS epidemic in the early 1980s, the disease has claimed more than 36 million lives. For a time, we felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of the challenge. But slowly - too slowly - we have developed the tools, the knowhow, and the degree of international cooperation necessary to stem the tide. Our commitment now - our goal on World AIDS Day 2013 - is to move relentlessly toward achieving an AIDS-free generation. Success will demand an enormous commitment from us all, but achieving this goal is within our reach.
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KAREN BLEIER / AFP
U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power’s Statement on World AIDS Day
U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power
December 6, 2013
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PLEASE ALSO SEE THIS WEEK’S HOLIDAY EVENTS CALENDAR FOR DETAILS ON SEVERAL UPCOMING LGBTQ HOLIDAY RELATED EVENTS.
MICHAEL C. WIEDEMANN LGBT LIBRARY AT GAY CITY – MEET THE AUTHOR: TIM TEEMAN “IN BED WITH GORE VIDAL” On Friday, December 6, at 7 p.m., at Calamus Auditorium at Gay City (517 E. Pike St.), meet author and journalist Tim Teeman. Tim will read from his recently published book “In Bed With Gore Vidal: Hustlers, Hollywood and the Private World of an American Master,” a biography of Vidal’s sexual and private life and how both intersected with his work and his public life. FREE. www.gaycity.org GAGE ACADEMY OF ART – 2013 DRAWING JAM On Saturday, December 7, from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Gage Academy of Art hosts their annual community celebration of music, art and creativity at the Gage building (1501 10th Ave. E.) next to St. Mark’s Cathedral. Spend an hour – or the entire day – but don’t miss one of the most unique art events in the Northwest. Live models, live music (see website for schedule), open studios and art activities for the whole family – plus, a great assortment of some of Seattle’s finest food trucks! Tickets at the door – just $10 for adults, $5 with a student ID, and kids get in FREE! www.gageacademy.org.
Committee for a Human Rights Day action to free Nestora Salgado, a Seattle-area resident and imprisoned indigenous leader, who was arrested after leading a successful indigenous police force in her hometown of Olinala, Guerrero, Mexico. The community police defended residents against a wave of murder, intimidation and rape by organized crime and corrupt officials. Sponsored by Libertad para Nestora/Freedom for Nestora Seattle Committee. 206-722-2453. Q-LAW HOLIDAY SOCIAL – “BE MERRY. BE BRIGHT. HAVE A COCKTAIL.” On Tuesday, December 10, at 6:30 p.m., Q-Law (The GLBT Bar Association of Washington) hosts a holiday social gathering at the Lobby Bar (916 E. Pike St.). Join Q-Law in the upstairs lounge for beverages, light hors d’oeuvres and socializing. Happy hour prices until 8 p.m. RSVP requested at www.q-law.org.
GSBA HOLIDAY LUNCHEON & ANNUAL MEETING WITH SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER CHRIS GREGOIRE On Wednesday, December 11, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at the Four Seasons Hotel (99 Union St.), raise a glass and take a midday break with your GSBA (Greater Seattle Business Association) colleagues and friends at the Annual GSBA Holiday Luncheon and Annual Meeting. It’s the time of year when long-term colleagues and friends catch-up and new business connections get started. It is also the time of year to thank GSBA’s outgoing Board members for their leadership and POCO – meet the new 2014 GSBA Board members. 6TH ANNUAL HOLIGAYS! Former Governor Chris Gregoire will share (WITH DJ SKIDDLE) + her reflections on this past year and what is WINE TASTING! On Sunday, December 8, from 4-8 p.m., in store for our region in 2014. Cost: $35 members, $40 non members, POCO (1408 E. Pine St.) hosts their annual $35 students. Walk-ins $5 more at the door. holiday party. Ho ho ho boy, deck your halls! Drink RSVP: 206-363-9188; www.thegsba.org. wine (or cocktails), be merry, and rock out PRIDE FOUNDATION with some untz untz beats. Seattle native SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DJ Skiddle will be setting up and spinning WORKSHOP (WEBINAR) for your drunken amusement, while variOn Wednesday, December 11, at 3 p.m., ous holiday treats are served up alongside Pride Foundation’s Educational Programs POCO’s usual tapas tasty bites. But wait, there’s more! Join in on the $20 Director, Craig Williams, will be leadtasting and get: Eight (EIGHT!) tastes of lo- ing an online workshop to expound on the cal greats and Spanish stars. Highly compet- Pride Foundation’s scholarship application itive prices on wines tasted for gift-giving process and answer questions. All students pleasure. Re-tastes on demand. The tasting are encouraged to participate. Details are line-up includes several custom blends, as available when you RSVP to scholarships@ well as tempranillo, cava, prosecco, and pridefoundation.org. www.pridefoundation. more. Please note, tasting goes until 7 p.m. org. After that, it’s just cookies and camaraderie! POZ SEATTLE – ANNUAL CHILI FEED & GAY CITY ARTS – HOLIDAY GIFT EXCHANGE “GATHER AND GLEAN” On Wednesday, December 11, from 6-8 Gay City Arts presents “Gather and Glean,” a solo exhibition of works by p.m., at The Cuff Complex (13th Ave. & Therese Buchmiller from Thursday, No- E. Pine St.), POZSeattle presents their Anvember 14 through Monday, December 9, nual Holiday Chili Feed Social. Meet in at Gay City Arts (517 E. Pike St.). For this the downstairs bar for drinks, home-made exhibition, Buchmiller has created new chili (both vegetarian and with meat), corn mixed media installations, arrangements bread and holiday desserts, socializing, and of repurposed household objects, as well as a whole lot of fun. The Holiday Social features an optional small-scale paper collage. Together these works explore personal identity through the Holiday Gift Exchange. If you’d like to metaphoric potential of color, language, and participate, bring a fun, funny, or naughty wrapped gift for “Santa POZ” to deliver, image. “Gather and Glean” is presented in con- and you will get one in exchange. It is a lot junction with Gay City Arts, through which of fun to participate. This event is FREE (except for the cost of Gay City collaborates with local LGBT artists to galvanize an audience for Queer arts, beverges) and is for all HIV-Positive men foster the development of LGBT artists, and and their friends, regardless of age, shape, facilitate artistic excellence across a wide size, or color. A voluntary donation of $3 range of disciplines, including theatre, mu- will be solicited, if you are able, to help sic, dance, film, spoken word, literary and defray expenses; but no one is ever turned visual arts. A portion of any sales will be do- away for lack of funds. POZSeattle is a social organization run nated to Gay City. www.gaycity.org. For more information about the artist, vis- for and by Seattle-area HIV-positive guys that is committed to planning and promotit tbuchmiller.com. ing fun, social activities. For questions or more information about this event, to plan LIBERTAD PARA NESTORA/ your own social event, or to be added to the FREEDOM FOR NESTORA POZSeattle event promotions email list, SEATTLE COMMITTEE – email info@pozseattle.or or visit www.pozHUMAN RIGHTS DAY ACTION On Tuesday, December 10, from 11 a.m- seattle.org. 1 p.m., at the Mexican Consulate (2132 3rd Ave.), join the Freedom for Nestora Seattle 16 Seattle Gay News
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compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer
SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN BOOK CLUB – THE DEVIL IN LOVE The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club meets every Wednesday from 6-7:15 p.m., at Seattle Area Support Groups Community Center (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas St.). In December, the club will discuss The Devil in Love, a new three-volume Gay fantasy like no other by Nick diMartino. All GLBTQ folks are welcome to participate in this FREE book club. For more information, visit http://faculty.washington. edu/swittet/SGLBookClub/. SEATTLE LGBT COMMISSION – “ENTERSECTIONS: A CELEBRATION” On Wednesday, December 11, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Washington Hall (in the historic Lodge Room), 153 14th Ave., please join the Seattle LGBT Commission in celebration of their accomplishments in 2013 and give your input for the Commission’s 2014 Work Plan. Come celebrate and share your thoughts and ideas at this FREE evening mixer. The title “EnterSections” speaks to the diversity of the LGBTQ communities in Seattle that encompass the many directions we intersect and meet. See below for some of the Commissions accomplishments in 2013: • Provided access to services around youth and gender identity through the Total Bull card distribution and participated in community discussions around violence and youth homelessness. • Submitted a comprehensive proposal and public testimony on the important of an Office for LGBTQ Affairs. • Advocated for Space Needle workers with LGBTQ Allyship and other community partners. • Supported the Gender Equity in Pay Task Force through the Mayor’s office. • Supported the Seattle Trans Pride March and Pride Parade. • Co-sponsored the Pride flag event at City Hall for the official opening of Pride month in June. • Advocated for an LGBTQ Community Center. • Advocated along with other Commissions, support of local comprehensive immigration reform. • Worked with the Community Police Commission and signed on to points of unity with other community organizations to lessen youth incarceration. The Commission hopes that this event will draw people from a variety of backgrounds to inform us about the important work that needs to be done to advocate for LGBTQ people in our community. For more more information about the Commission, visit www.seattle.gov/LGBT.
City Rollergirls training facility, travel, and uniforms. www.ratcityrollergirls.com. GAY CITY HEALTH PROJECT – AFFORDABLE CARE ACT/ OBAMACARE FORUM On Saturday, December 14, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Calamus Auditorium at Gay City (517 E. Pike St.), Gay City Health Project invites you to learn about and sign up for Affordable Care Act health insurance coverage at this event. (See related article in this week’s SGN for complete details.) There is no need to pre-register for this event. It will be important to know your Social Security number and income information, though, if you want to sign up for insurance at this event. There will be inperson assisters to help you navigate the process there. This event is FREE. www. gaycity.org. [NOTE: This meeting originally scheduled for December 7 has been rescheduled to December 14.] SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE, THE ABBEY OF ST. JOAN – “THE SISTERS PANTRY 2” The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan, are conducting a canned and dry foods and sundries drive for the Chicken Soup Brigade through December 14. Donations can be dropped off at C.C. Attle’s (1701 E. Olive Way), Changes (2103 N. 45th St.), Lifelong AIDS Alliance Thrift Store (1017 E. Union St.), Madison Pub (1315 E. Madison St.), R Place (619 E. Pine St., and the Wildrose (1021 E. Pike St.). On Saturday, December 14, celebrate with the Sisters at R Place. www.theabbey. org. SOCIAL OUTREACH SEATTLE – “HOLIDAY + CHEER VOL. 1” CD RELEASE PARTY/SHOW On Sunday, December 15, doors 6 p.m., show 7-9 p.m., at Neighbours Nightclub (1501 Broadway, entrance in alley between Broadway and Harvard Ave., off E. Pike St.) join Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea) for their first annual holiday party and show fundraiser. $20 suggested donation. www. socialoutreachseattle.com
PRIDE FOUNDATION – YEAR END CELEBRATION On Monday, December 16, at 5:30 p.m., the Pride Foundation (2014 E. Madison St. Suite 300) invites you to attend their year-end event to celebrate what we have achieved as a community in 2013. This casual community gathering is FREE and open to the public. The Pride Foundation would like to share their gratitude for your commitment to equality and the Pride Foundation. Please RSVP to Christina Rocks – christina@pridefoundation.org. JOHN PAUL SHARP’S (NOTE: Pride Foundation year-end cel“TOTAL FAMILY MASSAGE: ebrations will also be held in Mt. Vernon, THE MUSICAL” WA on 12/3; Boise, ID 12/4; Missoula, MT DECEMBER 12-29 12/5; Spokane Valley, WA 12/7; Olympia, Queer confessional artist John Paul Sharp WA 12/10; Anchorage, AK 12/12; and Portwrites and stars in an over-the-top, hilarious land, OR 12/12.) musical loosely based on his real life! Enwww.pridefoundation.org joy a full evening of laughs and live singing with your friends this month at The Eclectic QUARE ARTS PROJECT – Theater (1214 10th Ave.). “BEARING WITNESS: The musical runs Thursday-Saturday at A QUEER YOUTH OF COLOR 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets: PERFORMING ARTS SHOWCASE” Thursdays are pay-what-you-can; FridayOn Thursday, December 19, doors at Sunday $12 & $15. www.brownpapertick- 6:45 p.m., show at 7 p.m., at Langston ets.com/event/469108. Use promo code: Hughes Performing Arts Institute (104 17th GAYCITY and $5 of your ticket price will Ave S., at E. Yesler Way), join the Quare be donated to Gay City Health Project. Pre- Arts Project for this FREE showcase featursented by Copious Love Productions. ing performances by local Queer Youth of Color sharing their stories and exploring RAT CITY ROLLER GIRLS – their art, creating space and opening a door “BLACK EYED BALL” for discussion and awareness in the commuOn Friday, December 13, starting at nity. More details on Facebook. Sponsored 7 p.m., at 1927 Events (1927 3rd Ave.), by the Seattle Parks Department. dive into the holidays by bringing back the past at the 2013 Black Eyed Ball. Rat City WINTER PRIDE – Roller Girls will be in full-swing with their GAY SKI/SNOWBOARD WEEK prohibition-themed fundraiser. Featuring WHISTLER, BC live music, burlesque, and many wonderful JAN. 26 – FEB. 2, 2014 items up for auction! Tickets: $50. Proceeds 866-787-1966; www.gaywhistler.com. from this annual fundraiser support the Rat
Celebrating 40 Years!
international news
IGLHRC calls for ensurance of LGBT rights
Martin Holvik
African human rights defenders call on international community
with HIV. He currently sits on local and Kapya Kaoma, Zambia, an ordained Anregional committees, such as the Namibian glican priest, is the author of the groundGlobal Fund CCM, Namibia’s Ministry of breaking report, “Globalizing the Culture Health, and AMSHeR. Wars: U.S. Conservatives, African Churches, and Homophobia.” He is currently the Gaelle Tjat, Cameroon, is a blogger, jour- rector of Christ Church in Hyde Park, MA, nalist and human rights defender. Tjat is a and visiting researcher at Boston University consultant at the AsCenter for Global sociation of Defence Christianity and Misof Homosexuals sion. (ADEFHO) and a coordinator at Elles. Liesl Theron, South Africa, is a CoGift Trapence, MaFounder of Gender lawi, is the executive DynamiX and is acdirector of the Centively involved in the tre for the DevelopSouth African LGBT ment of People. Trasector. She contributpence’s work made ed extensively to her several strides in the organization’s first fight for LGBT hubook, TRANS: Transman rights, including gender Life Stories the announcement from South Africa, of the suspension of interviewing and acsodomy laws by the tively participating Malawi government. in focus groups. Her Trapence’s HIV reresearch projects on Executive Director of the Centre for search on men who the Development of People Gift Trapence gender identity, sexhave sex with men ual health and rights, has been published and inaccessible by several science journals, including the shelters for LGT people have been pubLancet. lished in various journals. Juliet Mphande, Zambia, is a founding member and the current executive director of RAINKA Zambia, where she has worked extensively on the rights of minorities. Mphande currently sits on human rights corporate policy making bodies including,
rica, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi will meet with members of the press to address LGBT issues in The International Gay and Lesbian Hu- their regions. The activists and the issues man Rights Commission (IGLHRC), they face are: founded in 1990, is a leading international Chesterfield Samhuman rights orgaba, Zimbabwe, is nization dedicated to the current Director improving the lives of Gays and Lesbiof people who experians of Zimbabwe ence discrimination (GALZ). As a Gay or abuse on the basis activist, Samba folof their sexual orienlows political detation, gender idenvelopments in Zimtity or expression. babwe and analyzes They are dedicated political developto strengthening the ments and their imcapacity of the LGBT plications on citizens human rights moveof LGBTI commument worldwide to nities. Samba has a conduct documentaspecial interest in tion of LGBT human advancing human rights violations and rights of minorities by engaging in huand marginalized man rights advocacy with partners around Director of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe communities. (GALZ) Chesterfield Samba the globe. They also D o r o t h y work with the United Nations, regional human rights monitoring A’ken’ova, Nigeria, a feminist and sexual bodies and civil society partners. IGLHRC rights activist, is the founder and execuholds consultative status at the United Na- tive director of the International Center for tions as a recognized Non-Governmental Sexual Reproductive Rights (INCRESE). Organization representing the concerns and A’ken’ova, also an IGLHRC Africa Advihuman rights of Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and sory Committee member, creates and manages community projects targeting young Transgender people worldwide. The International Gay and Lesbian Hu- people, women, and other sexual minoriman Rights Commission will host over 20 ties. She has coordinated national research activists from Asia, Africa, Latin America and analyzed sexual diversity and human and the Middle East in December. They will rights in Nigeria. A’ken’ova is currently participate in inter-regional meetings dur- implementing an advocacy project for the ing a weeklong visit, and engage with UN protection of the human rights of sexual miagencies, missions, and global civil society norities, and the eradication of discriminaon specific LGBT advocacy issues. In many tory laws. parts of the world today, LGBT people live Friedel Dausab, Namibia, has worked under the threat of physical violence and other forms of discrimination. Over 76 na- in the HIV prevention field for the past 10 tions criminalize same-sex relations, and years. Working with NGOs, Dausab particiothers lack legal protections for LGBT peo- pated in community-based initiatives, and evidence-based and participatory invenple. On December 9, activists from South Af- tions within communities of people living by Tim Moffett SGN Staff Writer
saih
Visit us online www.sgn.org
Melanie Judge, South Africa, is a human rights activist who collaborates with nonprofit organizations and donors on strategy, research and communications to advance social justice. Judge was integrally involved in advocacy and law reform for marriage
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission will host over 20 activists from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East in December. The Global Forum for Civil Society through the US Embassy, the Bilateral Initiative on Human Rights and the Junior Achievement International.
equality in South Africa. As an author and commentator, she has also published and presented widely on matters of gender and sexuality.
Julius Kaggwa, Uganda, is the executive director of the Support Initiative for People with atypical sex Development (SIPD). Kaggwa led international campaigns against Uganda’s anti-homosexuality bill, which was tabled in October 2009. He has facilitated workshops on the rights of Intersex and gender variant people, and authored several media articles in these topics.
Damian Ugwu, Regional Program Coordinator, Africa, is embedded in the dynamic environment of LGBT rights in Africa. Described as one of the “best human rights researchers in Nigeria” by peers, Ugwu has contributed to publications on the current state of human rights in Nigeria. He has trained human rights defenders on documentation of human rights violations and his expertise extends throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
December 6, 2013
Seattle Gay News 17
by Tim Moffett SGN Staff Writer
file photo
Israeli President supports marriage equality the bill any time soon, but a memorandum signed by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni in its favor is being circulated.
Israeli President Shimon Peres expressed unequivocal support for same-sex marriage ISRAEL MOVING during a state visit to Mexico. TOWARD EQUALITY In an interview with Ynet [Israel News] On Sunday morning the Ministerial Comon Sunday while in Guadalajara, Peres said mittee on Legislative Affairs authorized
“We cannot take away someone’s rights because they are different. We cannot take away their right to breathe, right to eat or right to start a family. We must allow everyone to live as is natural to them.” that “even a person who is a homosexual is a human being, and he has rights. We have no power to take away (their) rights.” Peres added: “We cannot take away someone’s rights because they are different. We cannot take away their right to breathe, right to eat or right to start a family. We must allow everyone to live as is natural to them.” Peres’ comments came in response to a new bill being promoted by the Justice Ministry called “Living Together” which attempts to regulate some form of a civil partnership between same-sex couples. The government is not scheduled to vote on
a new bill, which attempts to mend the Income Tax Act and grant same-sex couples with children the same tax exemptions enjoyed by their heterosexual counterparts. “We are talking about tens of thousands of shekels given to the parents of children under 18, sums which were prevented from same-sex parents,” said MK Adi Kol (Yesh Atid), who proposed the bill. An additional bill, being promoted by MK Stav Shaffir (Labor), and which attempts to secure equal marriage rights to same-sex couples, failed to make it through the committee a few weeks ago.
Israeli President Shimon Peres
Yesh Atid filed a party-supported initiative to regulate same-sex as well as civil (as opposed to religiously ordained) marriage in Israel. The gist of the bill was an attempt to form a civilian version of the rabbinate, which would offer state-sanctioned civilian marriage services. The bill is expected to be voted on in the committee and – if it should pass – could move onto the Knesset for an additional round of vote. It is safe to assume that, if it should pass, even within the coalition, there will be those opposed to the proposal
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December 6, 2013
– namely the Habayit Hayehudi, who view the idea as an attempt to circumnavigate the rabbinate. As the Knesset’s summer plenum began, Finance Minister Yair Lapid reiterated his commitment to the fight for same-sex marriage. In reality, there are little to no differences between Livni’s and Lapid’s bill, and now it is only a fight over who will take the credit for the move. It remains unclear whether the two are considering merging their respective proposals.
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health and medicine Possible radiation cure for HIV apy (RIT), is similar to procedures already used to treat cancer. Cloned cells called “monoclonal antibodies” are paired with raResearchers have successfully used ra- dioactive isotopes. The antibodies are then diation to destroy so-called “dormant” HIV injected into the patient’s bloodstream, travcells in blood samples from patients treated el to the targeted HIV cell, and deliver their by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
“Any strategy for curing HIV infection must include a method to eliminate viral-infected cells.” with standard antiretroviral drugs, according to a paper presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America on December 3. The technique, called radioimmunother-
radiation, killing the virus. “In RIT, the antibodies bind to the infected cells and kill them by radiation,” lead researcher Dr. Ekaterina Dadachova said. “When HAART and RIT are used together,
they kill the virus and the infected cells, respectively.” Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has transformed the outlook for patients infected with HIV by suppressing the replication of the virus in the body. Nevertheless, in spite of the success of HAART in effectively controlling HIV, scientists have found reservoirs of dormant HIV persisting in their patients’ bodies, thus ruling out a permanent cure. “In an HIV patient on HAART, drugs suppress viral replication, which means they keep the number of viral particles in a patient’s bloodstream very low. However, HAART cannot kill the HIV-infected cells,” Dadachova said. “Any strategy for curing HIV infection must include a method to eliminate viral-infected cells.” Dadachova is a professor of radiology, microbiology, and immunology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York. In her study, her team of researchers administered RIT to blood samples from 15 HIV patients treated with HAART at the Einstein-Montefiore Center for AIDS Research. For the study, Dr. Dadachova’s team paired a monoclonal antibody designed to target a protein expressed on the surface of HIV-infected cells with the radionuclide Bismuth-213.
The researchers found that RIT was able to kill HIV-infected lymphocytes previously treated with HAART, reducing the HIV infection in the blood samples to undetectable levels. “The elimination of HIV-infected cells with RIT was profound and specific,” Dadachova said. “The radionuclide we used delivered radiation only to HIV-infected cells without damaging nearby cells.” The study also tested the ability of the radioactive antibody to reach HIV-infected cells in the brain and central nervous system. Using an in vitro human blood brain barrier model, the researchers demonstrated that their monoclonal antibodies could cross the blood-brain barrier and kill HIV-infected cells without any overt damage to the barrier itself. “Antiretroviral treatment only partially penetrates the blood brain barrier, which means that even if a patient is free of HIV systemically, the virus is still able to rage on in the brain, causing cognitive disorders and mental decline,” Dadachova said. “Our study showed that RIT is able to kill HIVinfected cells both systemically and within the central nervous system.” According to Dadachova, clinical trials in HIV patients are the next step for the RIT treatment.
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Health and Personal Services SPECIALTIES LGBT Issues Couples Counseling Depression Anger Management Domestic Violence Grief and Loss HIV/AIDS
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206.328.2926 drque@speakeasy.net 1605 12th Avenue, Suite 16 • Seattle, WA 98122
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Seattle Gay News 19
Kiki with D Nine-to-five blues by D Smith SGN Contributing Writer Dearest D, I’m honestly not sure how to begin this letter. My heart tells me to write it, but my mind tells me that it would not be advisable, as it could be tracked back to me. I’m fearful. I know that your column tends to sway toward relationship issues, but what’s on my plate isn’t so lovey-dovey. I’m not one to complain. Honestly, I do everything in my power not to. I’m a nice guy; one who prefers to suffer in silence. Unfortunately, I hate every day of the week that isn’t Sat or Sun. It’s difficult for me to get out of bed in the morning, knowing that I have to go to work; I spend the rest of the
day counting minutes until I can leave the office. Why? The only interactions I have with my boss are when he’s pissed off and screaming at me, or his explanations regarding why I won’t be getting a check that week. My supervisor, who calls himself a close friend of mine, is a softer version of the berating I already know is always coming. Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, is literally a living hell. I already know that you’re going to tell me to quit the job and/or talk to the people I’m referring to about how I feel, but the job is cool, and as of this point I would prefer not to discuss the people I work with. I don’t know what to ask you specifically. I just need guidance. – Survivor of the Week
Dear Survivor, It seems to me that you are in a rut. Your mindset is not working for you. If there is anything in your life that is not bringing you joy, you are the only one who can change that. There are a number of ways to go about making changes. Remember, it’s all about your mindset. Currently your mind is set to be a weekend warrior! Live for the weekend. You can’t wait for Friday to arrive so that you can get it in on Sat. and Sun. – no work. Am
start looking for new ways to challenge yourself. You can start making it a game. Or a musical in your mind, with your boss and coworkers as the characters. Just imagine that “if I do this … the boss is going to say or do that.” Now, keep in mind I am not advising you to do anything out of the ordinary, but just to expect the unexpected. Notice the routines that people around the office have. There is a person in my office who goes to the water cooler every hour
This is a good time to make some changes, make things interesting for you, change your mindset, and start looking for new ways to challenge yourself. I right? You have to find little ways throughout the week/workday to make it more interesting for you. You can get a Zen garden or take time during your lunch break to meditate. Take a walk to clear your mind and release the stress of the day. Taking time out of the office helps you refocus and readjust yourself to deal with the stresses of work. Everything is becoming routine and boring. Not in a good way. This is a good time to make some changes, make things interesting for you, change your mindset, and
on the hour. I sometimes pretend the office noise is an orchestra and I am the conductor and get a laugh out of it. Be creative, use your imagination, and have fun. Hope this helps. Remember be true to you, love yourself, and encourage yourself and others. – D Life problems bringing you down? Have a burning question? Can’t tell your girlfriend? Hit me up! E-mail KikiWithD@ gmail.com.
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Synthetic molecule can block HIV by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Spanish researchers have developed a synthetic molecule capable of blocking the ability of HIV to replicate, according to an article in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
But the new molecule designed by Spanish scientists, a virus inhibitor called terphenyl, reproduces the interactions of one of the proteins encoded by the virus – a viral protein called REV. The terphenyl molecules block normal interaction between the REV protein and the virus’s RNA receptor. The virus’s replica-
The terphenyl molecules block normal interaction between the REV protein and the virus’s RNA receptor. The virus’s replicative ability is broken and the normal interaction required for the virus’s genetic material to leave the infected cell is prevented. If the virus is prevented from replicating, no new infections can occur and infected cells will eventually die off, leaving the patient HIV-free. As in all living matter, the replicative genetic material of the HIV-1 virus is formed by ribonucleic acid (RNA). This critical genetic material encodes for special proteins that allow it to penetrate human cells and then reproduce within them.
tive ability is broken and the normal interaction required for the virus’s genetic material to leave the infected cell is prevented. Thus, with no replication, no further infections of neighboring cells can occur. Researchers first designed the terphenyl molecule on a computer, and modeled its action. They subsequently synthesized the molecules in the lab. The compound was then tested on living HIV-infected cells.
The lab tests confirmed the computer model of the new molecule’s effectiveness. The next step will be to improve the pharmacological properties of the new REV inhibitors and work towards actual clinical applications. Researchers told BBC News that the terphenyl structures identified in their research could also open new ways to approach other therapeutic targets. To date, HIV/AIDS has killed more than 28 million people worldwide. While new HIV vaccine designs show some promise,
they will not help the 34 million people estimated to be living with the virus. In treating existing HIV infections, pharmaceutical companies typically focus on medicines that act on target proteins, but the HIV protein is considered a very difficult target because of the complexity of its RNA receptors. This new research therefore offers some hope, if it proves itself in clinical tests, of finding a different approach to blocking HIV infections.
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Celebrating 40 Years!
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