SGN Jan 25, 2019 - Part 1

Seattle Gay News

HHS OKs religious discrimination

South Carolina adoption agency may turn down LGBT and non-Christian applicants

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a waiver allowing a Christian adoption agency in South Carolina to reject foster parent applicants on a religious basis.

The waiver, issued January 23, came in response to a request by South Carolina’s Republican governor, Henry McMasters. Federal law prohibits states from licensing service providers that discriminate on the basis of religion but also allows see SOUTH CAROLINA page 12

Seahawks game attacker faces judge at arraignment

by MK Scott SGN Contributing Writer

Jay Dee Harp III faced a judge and his victims at his arraignment in King County Superior Court on Wednesday, January 16th.

The December 30th attack of a lesbian

couple at CenturyLink field during a Seattle Seahawks game was upgraded to a hate crime last week. When Harp faced the judge at his arraignment, his bail was raised to $75,000.

see JAE & MELISSA page 4

Supreme Court declines transgender military ban cases but permits enforcement of ban for now

WASHINGTON, DC [January 22, 2019]

– The U.S. Supreme Court today denied petitions from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) asking that the Court review preliminary federal district court rulings that have kept the Trump administration from implementing its discriminatory plan to prevent transgender people from serving openly in the U.S. Armed Services. However, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court granted the DOJ’s request for a stay on the preliminary rulings, allowing the administration to begin kicking openly transgender troops out of the armed

see SCOTUS page 6

Statement from Gender Justice League on Supreme Court decision regarding Transgender troops ban

The US Supreme Court today [January 22, 2019] in a 5-4 decision granted the Department of Justice’s request for a stay on the lower courts preliminary rulings, which have been protecting transgender troops allowing them to openly serve in the military. With this stay on the prelimi-

nary rulings, the Trump Administration is permitted to enforce the ban on Transgender troops.

“The Supreme Court’s decision today to allow Trump’s ban on transgender troops

see GJL page 11

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Incorrect Supreme Court case reference in recent SGN story

Editor:

Again another incorrect reference to the Supreme Court case about LGBT discrimination on the basis of religion [“Alaska homeless shelter sued for tight to deny help to Trans people” – SGN, 1/18/19].

The Supreme Court held that the Colorado civil rights commission that heard the complaint against the baker was biased and therefore the finding of illegal discrimination could not stand.

There is no generally recognized right for religious people to be exempted from

It is conservative spin that a right wing legal group “successfully defended the ‘right’ of a Colorado baker to deny service to Gay couples.”

non-discrimination laws. Our own state’s Attorney General, Bob Ferguson, has been successfully suing a florist who refused to do a wedding arrangement for a gay couple. Please don’t adopt right wing rhetoric when accurate value neutral reporting is possible.

Phil Bereano

Entre Hermanos announces move to new office

WE ARE MOVING TO A NEW OFFICE!

Entre Hermanos is happy to announce our new location, effective January 28, 2019. Our new address is listed below, along with our phone and fax numbers (which remain unchanged). Please note that the last day at our current address is Friday 25th, January.

New Address:

1621 S. Jackson St. Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98144

Phone: (206) 322-7700

Fax: (206) 582-3195

We will keep providing the following services:

* Free HIV Testing

* Free condoms

* HIV Prevention & Education

* Case Management for Latinos Living with HIV

* Provide Support Groups for Latinos Living with HIV

* Legal Clinic for Immigration

* Workers Rights

* Community Engagement & Advocacy

* Resources for our Trans Community

* Participate in Social Activities

NOS ESTAMOS MUDANDO A UNA NUEVA LOCACIÓN!

Entre Hermanos está felizmente anunciando su nueva locación. Nos estaremos mudando durante esta semana a la Jackson St & 17th Ave S, frente a Casa Latina. Seguiremos ofreciendo nuestros servicios a partir del Lunes 28 de Enero.

Nuestra nueva dirección la puedes encontrar aquí abajo, junto con nuestro teléfono y fax (que no cambiarán)

Nueva dirección: 1621 S. Jackson St. Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98144

Teléfono: (206) 322-7700

Fax: (206) 582-3195

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged Jay Harp with assault in the second degree and malicious harassment, the hate crime statute in Washington state. A person is guilty of malicious harassment if the individual maliciously and intentionally cause physical injury to another person based on their race, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. Malicious harassment and assault in the second degree are both felony charges.

During the hearing, the victims, Melissa and Jae, were joined by their friend and advocate, Mac McGregor, who was able to get this statement from them:

“Purchasing tickets to this football game was not intended to end in pain and a complete disruption to our lives. While intolerance and hatred toward us and our community are not new concepts, we have never been targeted or even looked at sideways while attending a Seattle Seahawks game. We have attended numerous Seahawk games and have always found the crowd and even opposing fans to be good natured and enjoying themselves. So, you can imagine our surprise at the individual’s belligerent behavior directed at us. To behave so aggressively towards complete strangers over a hatred for their sexuality is a scary display of the defendant’s lack of self-control. For that key aspect we believe this individual presents a risk to the safety of other LGBTQ community members. This event while not only physically painful is extremely traumatizing and emotionally draining.”

According to the charges, the lesbian couple and the mother of one of the women were seated in the same row in Section 118 at CenturyLink Field as a man wearing Arizona Cardinals apparel who was drinking heavily. According to the charges, the man walked by the women multiple times to exit the aisle to buy beer, each time stepping on the women’s feet and making sexual comments as he passed, including asking “Do you need a man in your life?”

Sometime in the third quarter, the man returned with another beer, but this time stopped as he passed the couple. Witnesses said he unzipped one woman’s jacket, grabbed her breast and refused to let go, according to the charges. The woman’s wife and several nearby fans intervened, taking the man to the ground. During the scuffle, he punched one of the women in the face, bloodying her nose and breaking her front tooth, the charges allege.

Fans flagged down police working security at the stadium and the officers responded to the fight. I reached out to the Seattle Seahawks and got a response from spokesperson, Jeff Garza:

“Thank you for reaching out regarding the incident on 12/30. Onsite police services arrested the fan. We have permanently banned the individual from all CenturyLink Field events moving forward. This is an ongoing police investigation. Any further questions should be directed to the King County Sheriff’s Office. As a matter of policy, we typically do not comment on specific incidents within the stadium.” Garza also pointed out the Seahawks’ Core Value Statement:

“The Seahawks organization is guided by overall principles of acceptance and

understanding that help us create a culture of respect, equality and inclusiveness both on and off the field. It is our goal to use these core principles and our commitment to passion, character and excellence to empower change within our community. We, as an organization and as individuals, represent and respect a wide range of human differences, personal experiences and cultural backgrounds.”

Louise Chernin, President & CEO, Greater Seattle Business Association, also responded: “A toxic environment has been created by the bombardment of hateful messaging coming from the highest office in this country. When this happens, the targets are often those who are most marginalized in our country and the results are a spike in harassment, discrimination, and violence against those populations. All crime is bad and harmful, but when someone is targeted because of who they are, there is a community wide ripple effect against not only the person assaulted but an entire community. Hearing that two members of our community, were recently the victims of a violent assault, based on their perceived sexual orientation, has a chilling effect on a community, already on alert from the increase in hate crimes and attacks on our civil rights. First and foremost, our hearts go out to the women who were brutalized. We all need to feel safe in our own community. Everyone should be able to go to a sporting, or other public event, walk down the street, go to work or school without looking over their shoulder for fear of being assaulted because of their identity. Our response is, and must be, to strengthen our resolve as a community, to do all we can to speak out,

stand united in our commitment to stop violence and discrimination against the LGTBQ community, and any other minority community targeted because of who they are. As an LGBTQ business organization, GSBA will continue our commitment to work for a world in which everyone is valued and treated respectfully. Bias, discrimination, bullying, or hate crimes must not be tolerated.”

In their joint statement, Jae and Melissa also added, “We would like to thank the community and our allies who have stepped up to support us through this difficult time. The outpouring of love and support has helped us begin to heal. From the fans, the 12’s, who risked injury to themselves to help us, to folks who have offered words of encouragement and those who have supported our GOFUNDME page. We truly feel held in love and community. When we stand together love and compassion wins.” According to the gofundme page they are getting close to their goal. Please check it out. https://www.gofundme. com/support-for-jae-and-melissa

“Episodes of malicious harassment are a disturbing reminder that we have not yet built the inclusive society that we aspire to be,” said King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg in a statement. “I want to encourage anyone who is targeted for harassment to report it to police immediately, because we want to respond to acts of hate. Whether at a football game or walking down the street, every member of our community should feel safe and welcome.”

MK Scott is a Seattle-based, public affairs blogger. Check out his site at uniteseattlemag.com.

LETTER OF INTENT TO THE IMPERIAL COURT OF SEATTLE FROM DEEVA DEVAREAUX ST. LAURENT

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen of the Board of Directors of the ISCSORE and the College of Monarchs:

This letter is meant to inform of my intent to apply for the position of Olympia 48 of the ISCSORE. Below will be my list of qualifications that I feel make me a viable candidate for this role.

I have been involved with the Court system for 20 years. I am aware of the proper protocols and the difficulties that we have faced and continue to face. One of the biggest challenges that we, as a Court system, face is relevancy. Due to efforts of those that have come before me and with me, there is a feeling of complacency.

Another challenge is to bring in the younger generation. I am a firm believer that neither generation can exist without the other; also if you don’t stand for something, then you fall for anything.

As for past experience, I have been a reigning monarch of the Imperial Sovereign Court of Tacoma, not once but twice. Both times that I was the reigning monarch, I reigned alone. I stand behind the belief that both of the reigns were successful and forward moving for the Court. I started with the Court of Tacoma as the treasurer and board member, then moved to the position of monarch. I have also held the title of board president for Tacoma as well. I

LETTER OF INTENT TO THE IMPERIAL COURT OF SEATTLE FROM GABRIEL SURREAL MARCHE

was president of the board for a stint of 5 consecutive years, before stepping away with the intent to give others the opportunity to chair such an incredible organization. I was once again afforded the opportunity to be president again.

At the present time, I am a board member of the ISCSORE and hold the invested title of Czarina of Capitol Hill. In this position, I was charged with putting on the King and Queen of Hearts Pageant. This endeavor did produce a profit for the organization.

Also, I have a degree in accounting and have managed numerous businesses that have produced a profit. Being board president, I am very aware of the fiduciary aspects that the organization faces. I have dealt with various personalities in my line of work and continue to do so while attending different events in the Court system.

Respectfully yours,

Geoffery Lamb Aka:

Deeva Devareaux St. Laurent

To the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle:

My name is Gabriel Verduzco (Gabriel Surreal Marche), and this is my letter of intent for the position of Emperor with the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle. I believe firmly in contributing to my community and paying it forward in any capacity that I can. Whether it be in any form of fundraising, leadership role, mentor, or facilitator.

For me to be able to be a leader in this community and to help empower others is what this is all about to me. I found out about the Court system a lot later in my adult life. But I also would not be where I am at today in my life had I probably not lived or experienced what I have experienced. But being a part of this amazing family of my choosing has helped me to see the bigger picture and that i am not alone.

What I would like to help improve and better in my community is a sense of belonging and togetherness. There are many facets to this community, but in a large part I feel like we are still a community divided. I would like to help bridge that gap between the different aspects of the LGBTQ community. Instead of competing in different ways I feel like all together we can make a bigger difference. I would like to help bridge the divides by opening communication and reaching out to as many different groups as possible. I feel that it is a big lack of communication and interaction that keeps us from seeing the bigger picture. I also feel like i can really help bridge the gap between the Latino gay community and our own Court system. Being bilingual and being able to communicate in both English and Spanish I believe will greatly help bridge that gap.

I also believe in following in the foot-

steps of the reigning monarchs and continuing to help out the youth in all ways possible. As a young pre-teen and teenager I had no one to reach out to or a safe space to turn to. If in turn i can help provide that for a younger generation to make them feel safe and accepted then I will do that to the best of my ability. I also feel that I am in a position of helping the younger community and the older community come together in a way that is acceptable to both. By being able to bring both sides together will help further our cause of doing good. I firmly believe that “One without the other will not be successful!”

I have no problem being out front leading, yet I know when I have strong leaders on my team and how to listen and support them in ways to make them be successful. I am only ever going to be successful with a strong and successful team with me. I have eight years of management experience leading a team to multiple records and success! I also know that without them all we would not have completed our goals and break records. I cannot do it alone. To me the greatest success is seeing my team succeed first and foremost.

I firmly believe I can help lead and further the success of the ISCS. I thank you for taking the time to read my letter and I hope you all find it in you to accept me as a candidate for the position of Emperor.

Thank you,

Gabriel Verduzco

(Gabriel Surreal Marche)

Supreme Court declines transgender military ban cases but permits enforcement of ban for now

WASHINGTON, DC [January 22, 2019]

– The U.S. Supreme Court today denied petitions from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) asking that the Court review preliminary federal district court rulings that have kept the Trump administration from implementing its discriminatory plan to prevent transgender people from serving openly in the U.S. Armed Services.

However, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court granted the DOJ’s request for a stay on the preliminary rulings, allowing the administration to begin kicking openly transgender troops out of the armed services and to deny transgender people the opportunity to enlist. The preliminary rulings include one out of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in the lawsuit brought by Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN and joined by the State of Washington challenging the constitutionality of the proposed ban.

“The Supreme Court’s decisions today are perplexing to say the least: on the one hand denying the Trump administration’s premature request for review of lower court rulings before appellate courts have ruled and rebuffing the administration’s attempt to skirt established rules; and yet on the other allowing the administration to begin to discriminate, at least for now, as the litigation plays out,” Lambda Legal Counsel Peter Renn said. “For more than 30 months, transgender troops have been serving our country openly with valor and distinction, but now the rug has been ripped out from under them, once again. We will redouble our efforts to send this discriminatory ban to the trash heap of history where it belongs.”

Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN filed the lawsuit, Karnoski v. Trump, in

August 2017, on behalf of nine individual plaintiffs and three organizational plaintiffs – the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Seattle-based Gender Justice League, and the American Military Partner Association (AMPA). The State of Washington later joined the lawsuit. The district court in December 2017, granted the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction preventing implementation of the ban, which DOJ chose not to challenge on appeal, and the court reaffirmed that preliminary ruling in April 2018 after the Trump administration released an implementation plan. The administration appealed that latter ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which heard oral argument on October 10, 2018.

“For the past two-and-a-half years, thousands of qualified, transgender individuals have made our nation’s armed forces better, in every measurable quality, with their authentic service,” OutServeSLDN Executive Director Andy Blevins said. “The Court’s decision to allow the Trump-Pence Administration to institute their wanting and discriminatory practices while the litigation proceeds is disappointing – our siblings-in-arms deserve better. We look forward to continuing our representation of these proud and selfless patriots, and reminding this Administration that military policy cannot be defined by baseless and discriminatory rationalizations.”

In addition to Karnoski v. Trump, the administration also asked the Supreme Court to review the preliminary rulings in Stockman v. Trump and Doe v. Trump, lawsuits also challenging the ban filed by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD). Doe v. Trump was filed

in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that DOJ appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Stockman v. Trump was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and is also on appeal to the Ninth Circuit.

Earlier this month, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals dissolved the preliminary injunction in Doe v. Trump, but the preliminary injunctions in Karnoski v. Trump and Stockman v. Trump, as well as in a fourth case out of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, had remained in effect.

Read more about Karnoski v. Trump here: https://www.lambdalegal.org/ in-court/cases/karnoski-v-trump

The Lambda Legal attorneys working on the case are: Peter Renn, Diana Flynn, Camilla B. Taylor, Tara Borelli, Paul Castillo, Sasha Buchert, and Kara Ingelhart. They are joined by co-counsel Peter Perkowski of OutServe-SLDN. Also on the legal team are pro-bono co-counsel at Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Newman Du Wors LLP.

Statements of Organizational Plaintiffs:

“Allowing Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s transgender troop ban to go into effect harms both transgender service members and our national security,” said HRC National Press Secretary Sarah McBride. “As this critical matter makes its way through the courts, brave transgender patriots deserve to have their constitutional rights protected. Today’s decision thrusts this administration’s discriminatory agenda onto a military that clearly

doesn’t want it, and does so at the expense of transgender people’s careers and service – and we remain committed to fighting for all transgender troops and thank Lambda Legal and Outserve-SLDN for their tireless work representing us in this case.”

“Our military families are incredibly alarmed right now by the court’s decision to lift the injunctions that were blocking implementation of the Trump-Pence administration’s unconscionable transgender military ban,” said American Military Partner Association (AMPA) President Ashley Broadway-Mack, spouse of an active duty U.S. Army officer. “The thousands of transgender military members and their families serving our nation right now deserve better than this decision, which has compounded the tremendous amount of uncertainty these military families were already facing. Our only hope is that justice will ultimately prevail over blatant bigotry and discrimination when the court hears the full arguments of our case.”

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. For more information, visit www.lambdalegal.org

Courtesy of Lambda Legal

services and to deny transgender people the opportunity to enlist. The preliminary rulings include one out of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in the lawsuit brought by Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN and joined by the State of Washington challenging the constitutionality of the proposed ban.

“The Supreme Court’s decisions today are perplexing to say the least: on the one hand denying the Trump administration’s

premature request for review of lower court rulings before appellate courts have ruled and rebuffing the administration’s attempt to skirt established rules; and yet on the other allowing the administration to begin to discriminate, at least for now, as the litigation plays out,” Lambda Legal Counsel Peter Renn said. “For more than 30 months, transgender troops have been serving our country openly with valor and distinction, but now the rug has been ripped out from under them, once again. We will redouble our efforts to send this discriminatory ban to the trash heap of history where it belongs.”

Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN filed the lawsuit, Karnoski v. Trump, in August 2017, on behalf of nine individual plaintiffs and three organizational plaintiffs – the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Seattle-based Gender Justice League, and the American Military Partner Association (AMPA). The State of Washington later joined the lawsuit. The district court in December 2017, granted the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction preventing implementation of the ban, which DOJ chose not to challenge on appeal, and the court reaffirmed that preliminary ruling in April 2018

after the Trump administration released an implementation plan. The administration appealed that latter ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which heard oral argument on October 10, 2018.

“For the past two-and-a-half years, thousands of qualified, transgender individuals have made our nation’s armed forces better, in every measurable quality, with their authentic service,” OutServeSLDN Executive Director Andy Blevins said. “The Court’s decision to allow the Trump-Pence Administration to institute

Jae and her wife, Melissa, attended a Seahawks game on December 30th. They were verbally harassed multiple times by a man, because of their sexuality. The harassment eventually ended in the man punching Jae in the face.

Jae is suffering from facial fractures and is unable to work. Because of this, she may even lose her job. Melissa and Jae are left with the financial burden of not working and still needing to pay household bills.

Melissa and Jae are both trying to emotionally process what happened. Neither of them are the type of people that would ask for money or anything from anyone. But they are going to need all the support they can get.

Anyone that knows these two ladies knows that they have kind hearts and would do any thing for anyone, without question. Let’s do the same for them!

www.gofundme.com/support-for-jae-and-melissa

SCOTUS

continued from page 6

their wanting and discriminatory practices while the litigation proceeds is disappointing – our siblings-in-arms deserve better. We look forward to continuing our representation of these proud and selfless patriots, and reminding this Administration that military policy cannot be defined by baseless and discriminatory rationalizations.”

In addition to Karnoski v. Trump, the administration also asked the Supreme Court to review the preliminary rulings in Stockman v. Trump and Doe v. Trump, lawsuits also challenging the ban filed by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD). Doe v. Trump was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that DOJ appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Stockman v. Trump was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District

GJL

continued from cover

is ultimately baselessm” says Sophia Lee, board chair of Gender Justice League. “Transgender troops meet all requirements set forth by the military and to deny them the chance to serve based off of their gender identity alone is discrimination pure and simple.”

The preliminary rulings that have been affected by today’s decision includes Gender Justice League’s lawsuit against the Trump Administration.

“Transgender people, like any service member, deserve the right to choose to serve their country,” says Elayne Wylie, Co-Executive Director of Gender Justice League. “It is beyond unconscionable to treat them like second class citizens, and we will continue to fight this injustice.”

of California and is also on appeal to the Ninth Circuit.

Earlier this month, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals dissolved the preliminary injunction in Doe v. Trump, but the preliminary injunctions in Karnoski v. Trump and Stockman v. Trump, as well as in a fourth case out of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, had remained in effect.

Read more about Karnoski v. Trump here: https://www.lambdalegal.org/ in-court/cases/karnoski-v-trump

The Lambda Legal attorneys working on the case are: Peter Renn, Diana Flynn, Camilla B. Taylor, Tara Borelli, Paul Castillo, Sasha Buchert, and Kara Ingelhart. They are joined by co-counsel Peter Perkowski of OutServe-SLDN. Also on the legal team are pro-bono co-counsel at Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Newman Du Wors LLP.

“We’re very concerned about the impact this will have on individuals already in a tough position,” added Co-Executive Director Tobi Hill-Meyer. “If anyone experiences harassment or discrimination as a result of this ruling, please get in touch with us about it.”

If you are a transgender military service member and you are in need of support, please reach out to us at info@genderjusticeleague.org.

As always if you believe in our cause please donate to Gender Justice League at https://www.genderjusticeleague.org/ donate

For more information about the Gender Justice League, visit www.genderjusticeleague.org.

Courtesy of Gender Justice League

Statements of Organizational Plaintiffs:

“Allowing Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s transgender troop ban to go into effect harms both transgender service members and our national security,” said HRC National Press Secretary Sarah McBride. “As this critical matter makes its way through the courts, brave transgender patriots deserve to have their constitutional rights protected. Today’s decision thrusts this administration’s discriminatory agenda onto a military that clearly doesn’t want it, and does so at the expense of transgender people’s careers and service – and we remain committed to fighting for all transgender troops and thank Lambda Legal and Outserve-SLDN for their tireless work representing us in this case.”

“Our military families are incredibly alarmed right now by the court’s decision to lift the injunctions that were blocking implementation of the Trump-Pence

administration’s unconscionable transgender military ban,” said American Military Partner Association (AMPA) President Ashley Broadway-Mack, spouse of an active duty U.S. Army officer. “The thousands of transgender military members and their families serving our nation right now deserve better than this decision, which has compounded the tremendous amount of uncertainty these military families were already facing. Our only hope is that justice will ultimately prevail over blatant bigotry and discrimination when the court hears the full arguments of our case.”

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. For more information, visit www.lambdalegal.org

Courtesy of Lambda Legal

Lambda Legal condemns Trump administration move to allow discrimination in foster care system claiming religion objections

NEW YORK (January 23, 2019) –Today, the Trump-Pence administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) granted special permission to federally funded child welfare contract agencies in South Carolina to discriminate against prospective foster and adoptive parents based on their religious beliefs.

HHS granted South Carolina’s Gov. Henry McMaster’s request that taxpayerfunded agencies contracted with the state to provide child welfare services be exempted from federal rules prohibiting discrimination and be allowed to work only with families who meet their religious litmus test. In addition to violating the principle of separation of church and state, the waiver violates a host of statutory and constitutional protections that apply to children in foster care and allows South Carolina agencies to turn away parents trying to provide children with good homes.

Lambda Legal Youth in Out-OfHome Care Project Director Currey Cook released the following statement:

“By granting this waiver, the Trump administration is favoring the religious beliefs of some over the well-being and best interests of youth in care, which is the core obligation of the child welfare system. Organizations [that] receive taxpayer funding and provide government functions, like foster care services, are required to comply with constitutional protections which protect Americans from discrimination. There should not be a special pass around those rules. This is unacceptable and alarming.

“Our federal government should never be in the business of granting taxpayerfunded organizations a license to discriminate, and privileging the religious liberty of certain faiths over the needs of vulnerable children in the foster care system, a disproportionate number of whom are LGBTQ.

“With this waiver, HHS is ignoring its primary responsibility to do what is in the best interest of children. Children in the foster care system are already in need of loving homes if they cannot safely return to their families of origin. To grant special permission to religious organizations to limit the pool of prospective adoptive and foster parents who could provide a home puts already vulnerable children at even greater risk.

“The Trump administration continues to violate the most basic principles of the freedom of religion by allowing these agencies to prioritize their beliefs and ignore nondiscrimination laws. Freedom of religion is a fundamental value in the United States, but none of our religious beliefs

SOUTH CAROLINA

continued from cover

for case-by-case waivers. Miracle Hill Ministries, the adoption agency in question, sought a waiver that would allow it to receive a state license, while denying applications from non-Christian couples.

According to the Greenville News, Miracle Hill turned away a Jewish woman because she didn’t share the organization’s Christian beliefs.

The group also has referred qualified foster parent applicants to other agencies because they were same-sex couples. Miracle Hill chief executive Reid Lehman told The Post and Courier of Charleston that the policy is based on the belief that “God’s design for marriage is the legal joining of one man and one woman.”

should come at the expense of our children.

While this waiver is specific to South Carolina and the licensing of foster and adoptive parents, it has enormous implications for the rights and well-being of LGBTQ youth in the child welfare system and religious minority children or those who are not part of any faith community.

“We call on Congress to pass the Every Child Deserves a Family Act to protect our children and ensure our freedom of religion cannot be used as a weapon to discriminate against marginalized communities.”

In granting the waiver, HHS argued that Obama-era regulations improperly expanded the requirements placed on such agencies by federal law.

“This decision...protects minors who are in need of as many options as possible for being placed in loving foster families,” Lynn Johnson, assistant secretary of the federal agency that administers the fostercare program, said in a statement.

“The government should not be in the business of forcing foster care providers to close their doors because of their faith. Religious freedom is a fundamental human right.”

Johnson said all qualified, would-be foster parents will continue to have other options in South Carolina. As a condition of the waiver, federally funded faith-based groups will continue to be required to refer any potential foster care families that they

For more information on Lambda Legal’s advocacy around this issue, please visit the website for the Every Child Deserves a Family Campaign [https:// everychilddeservesafamily.com/]. Lambda Legal is proud to be a founding member of the campaign and co-chair of the campaign’s state coalition with Family Equality Council.

Read Lambda Legal’s letter to US HHS Secretary Alex Azar urging him not to grant South Carolina’s request for an exemption from federal nondiscrimination

do not accept to other placement agencies or to Social Services.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State denounced the Trump administration’s decision to sanction taxpayer-funded discrimination by allowing South Carolina foster care agencies the right to refuse to work with anyone they deem the “wrong” religion.

“This is yet another example of the Trump administration using religion to advance a regressive political agenda that harms others. And this time, the target is not only religious minorities but also our most vulnerable children – those in need of loving homes,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. “It is unconscionable that this administration would use government funds to discriminate against the very populations our laws are designed to protect.

law here: https://www.lambdalegal.org/ blog/20181119_76-national-and-state-organizations-urge-hhs-not-to-grant-southcarolina-license-to-discriminate

Read about Marouf v. Azar, Lambda Legal’s case on behalf of a lesbian couple turned away by government-funded, faithbased agency when they tried to foster a refugee child: https://www.lambdalegal. org/in-court/cases/marouf-v-azar.

Courtesy of Lambda Legal

“While this waiver is specific to South Carolina, it sets a dangerous nationwide precedent that elevates the beliefs of government-funded programs over the best interests of the children in their care,” Laser continued. “Religious freedom is a fundamental American right – it should never be used to justify discrimination.”

Currently, about 13% of South Carolina foster families are supported by Miracle Hill. Those families care for about 5% of the state’s 4,624 foster children, said Chrysti Shain, a Social Services spokeswoman.

South Carolina licenses 11 child-placement agencies with religious affiliations, Shain added.

Members of Voices4 removed from Russian Consulate by NYPD amidst LGBTQ+ crackdowns in Chechnya and Russia

NEW YORK, NY [January 23, 2019]

– Voices4, a non-violent and direct action advocacy group, and their partner group RUSA LGBT staged a protest Sunday, January 20, at 1pm, at the Russian Consulate. The Russian LGBT Network confirmed last week that about 40 LGBTQIA+ people have been imprisoned and at least 2 people murdered since December 2018.

Over one hundred protesters stood in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ Chechens affected by a new round of queer purges in Chechnya. Less than 24 hours after the protest ended, a message appeared on social media in Chechnya offering

300,000 rubles (about 4,500 USD) to anyone who incited violence against LGBTQIA+ people. The message asked people to kidnap, beat up, disrupt bars and meeting spaces and do “everything except murder.”

As the vigil began, Voices4 members gathered across the street from the Russian Consulate. Attendees held candles and posters with messages of solidarity, including “Queer people anywhere are responsible for queer people everywhere,” “You are loved,” and “We see you.” The visual demonstration reflected how all people must stand in solidarity with persecuted communities. After activist Adam Eli and Lyosha Gorshkov spoke, three members of Voices4 peacefully crossed the street and approached the steps of the Russian consulate, where they began to lay down flowers, a pride flag, electronic candles and a sign that read “QUEER PEOPLE ANYWHERE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR QUEER PEOPLE EVERYWHERE.”

The purpose of this makeshift memorial was to bring the issue of Russia’s compliance with the queer violence taking place in Chechnya and their own country right to their front door. An unidentified man emerged from the consulate and began to deconstruct the memorial while Voices4 members were still setting up. However he retreated inside once the NYPD arrived and began removing members.

The NYPD removed the materials and ordered the Voices4 members to leave, claiming “this isn’t our land,” referring to extraterritoriality status the Russian Consulate receives (meaning the building and the land surrounding it are governed by Russian, not American law).

“Something changed for me as I watched the man emerge from the Russian consulate and begin to take down our memorial. The genocide taking place in Chechnya often feels like an issue without a face – the violence takes place five thousand miles away, escaped survivors have to stay hidden and we never meet the perpetrators.

“The man from the consulate had been outside photographing us earlier and was clearly forewarned about the protest. By taking down the sign and making eye contact with us his actions affirmed what we already knew and said you are right to think your queer family is under attack and we have no interest in taking responsibility or stopping.”

ELLY QUOTE: “These recent reports of the resurgence of violence against the LGBTQIA+community in Chechnya is a call to action for queer people all over the world. We must remain vigilant against these atrocities and push the international community to hold Kadyrov accountable and to recognize the Russian government’s complicity in a genocide that is happening within its own borders.”

Earlier and across the street, Lyosha Gorshkov, an exiled queer professor and co-president of RUSA LGBT, spoke about the recent atrocities and genocide in Chechnya. He believes that more than 100 Chechens have been killed since December 2016.

Wyatt Harms then stood to read a statement from LGBT World Beside, an organi-

zation founded by refugees who survived the “first wave” of LGBT persecution in Chechnya. The statement detailed purposeful violations towards LGBTQIA+ people in Chechnya and are now living in Europe.

LGBT World Beside demanded that Russian authorities end persecution against LGBTQ people in Chechnya and investigate all crimes of past weeks. The organization also appealed to the world community and authorities in democratic states to not refuse LGBTQIA+ refugees from Chechnya.

Jesse Hepworth read a statement from a victim of imprisonment. The statement detailed the imprisonment and described torture via electric shock, beatings, and forced hard labor.

SOCIAL – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voices4_/ – Twitter: https://twitter.com/voices4_ – WEBSITE – https:// voices-4.com/

Courtesy of Voices4

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