Issue 04 Volume 39
Celebrating 38 Years!
FRIDAY January 28, 2011 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands
COLT BANKRUPT p. 8 HUD PROTECTS p. 15 RUPAUL’S DRAG race p. 21
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
AP Photo/John Froschauer
school on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation (including gender expression or identity), veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physically disability. The bill directed OSPI to create regulations that will assist the agency staff to properly carry out Washington State Superintendent of this new authority. Public Instruction Randy Dorn Equal Rights by Shaun Knittel Washington (ERW), the state’s SGN Associate Editor largest LGBT advocacy organization, American Civil Liberties Last year, Washington state en- Union (ACLU) of Washington, acted House Bill 3026 – a first-of- along with the Safe Schools Coaliits-kind law that gives the State tion and Legal Voice say that the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) authority to combat discrimination in public see erw page 17
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Ugandan Gay rights activist David Kato was murdered on January 26. “He used to say that he was the first ‘out’ Gay Ugandan,” his friend, blogger GayUganda, remembered. According to a statement issued by Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), the country’s main LGBT organization, “David was brutally beaten to death in his home today, 26 January 2011, around 2 p.m.” SMUG executive director Frank Mugisha told reporters for BBC’s Network Africa that “[Kato] was killed by someone who came in his house with a hammer, meaning anyone else could be the next target.” According to BBC News, police confirmed the death and said they are investigating the circumstances. Kato was a plaintiff in the lawsee uganda page 15
callmekuchu.com
ERW takes on OSPI Ugandan Gay activist policies to combat murdered in cold blood school house biases
Slain Ugandan Gay rights activist David Kato
GSBA’s Young Professionals The high cost with Pride mixer celebrates of DADT discharges two-year anniversary by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
nate gowdy
Vice President of the Greater Seattle Business Association’s board Rachael Brister, former Young Professionals with Pride organizer Cole Harrington, and Tidbit Bistro co-owners John van Deinse and Nicola Longo pose for a photo at the YPP gathering Tuesday, January 25, hosted this month by Tidbit Bistro at Broadway and E. Union. The featured GSBA organization of the night was Gay City Health Project.
The Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) has cause to celebrate this year. Founded in 1981, the GSBA will celebrate their 30-year anniversary in the Seattle community. The organization’s programs range from LGBT business referrals to social mixers where networking is key. On January 25, however, it was the organization’s younger constituency that were celebrated as the GSBA’s Young Professionals with Pride (YPP) mixer celebrated two years of friendship, community, and business opportunity. “The GSBA has a commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders, which is why we sponsor a Scholarship Fund for LGBT and allied students. Our monthly Young Professionals with Pride Mixers provide a portal for LGBTA young professionals to connect with the LGBT business community,” said Louise Chernin, GSBA
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
The Pentagon spent nearly $200 million from 2004 to 2009 to discharge 3,664 members of the military under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) ban on Gays serving openly in the armed forces, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The GAO put the per-person price tag per discharge at $52,800 during the six fiscal years – 2004 to 2009. The Army enforced the ban see YPP page 18 much more than any other branch
of service, sending 1,774 soldiers home for being Gay or Lesbian. The Navy kicked out 913 sailors. The Air Force discharged 540 airmen and the Marines separated 437 Marines. In addition, the GAO found that 1,458 of those discharged held critical jobs such as linguists and intelligence officers. Here’s a breakdown of the report: • Honorable discharge: 57% • Uncharacterized discharge: 28% see dadt page 18
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Seattle Gay News
January 28, 2011
Celebrating 38 Years!
Court of Seattle, Miss Precious Cargo and Mark Surreal announce their candidacy
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor This week, Miss Precious Cargo and Mark Surreal declared their candidacies for Olympia XL and Rainier XXXVII – Empress and Emperor, respectively, of The Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle and the Olympic and Rainier Empire – as they launched their campaigns, leading up to the glamorous Court of Seattle Coronation on Presidents’ Day weekend. This year, the Court of Seattle is celebrating their 40th anniversary. Precious Cargo began her involvement with the Court of Seattle 15 years ago. Since that time, she says she has “been able to learn and experience the many aspects of community service, dedicate my time to worthy causes, and help to create education and awareness of issues surrounding the LGBT community.” In addition, Precious Cargo said that she celebrates and promotes the pride and diversity within our Seattle community. Precious is certainly not a newcomer to the Court of Seattle. Her accomplishments
include holding a seat on the Board of Directors, serving as Chancellor of the Imperial Prince & Princess Council, and being Ball Chair for The Imperial Prince & Princess Ball. Past titles include Queen of the Seas XXIII and Imperial Princess XXVL. “If I am chosen as Olympia XL, it will be my goal to continue the mission of our organization to create goodwill, to organize charitable social events, and to hold various fundraising events throughout the community,” said Precious Cargo. “In addition, I intend to focus on the building of our scholarship fund, supporting various charitable organizations, and continuing to act as a positive role model for the entire community.” Precious Cargo says, “I firmly believe that by embracing and promoting diversity in our community, we build a sense of pride and can show what is possible when individuals come together and work to make a difference.” This year’s Emperor candidate, Mark Surreal, has been involved with the Court of Seattle for over 10 years. Surreal says he is dedicated to “making a difference in our
Courtesy Mark Surreal
Courtesy Precious Cargo
Precious Cargo
Mark Surreal
community.” “I have had the opportunity to hold more than one title in this great city,” he said. “Holding each title has been a unique experience, both in the business and entertainment aspects of our organization.” As Emperor, Surreal says he will “continue the mission of the organization through fundraising and entertaining.” “I look forward to creating shows and events that are fresh, dynamic and energetic,” he said. “It will be my goal to raise more funds for the scholarship and various charitable services.” If you would like to cast your vote for Precious Cargo and Mark Surreal, you may do so on February 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the 12th and Pine Building in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. You must be a King County resident and at least 18 years of age to vote and have a valid I.D. Please join the Court of Seattle for Coronation 2011: “The 40th Annual President’s Ball – An American Gala,” at the Madison Renaissance Hotel, February 19 at 5 p.m. For more information about the Coronation, please visit the Court of Seattle online at
www.imperialcourtofseattle.com/coronation. The Court of Seattle Organization DBA The Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle & The Olympic and Rainier Empire is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit social/charitable organization whose purpose is to provide funds and services to other nonprofits within the Gay and Lesbian Community of Seattle and King County, Washington. These funds are raised throughout the year by various fundraisers and donations from individuals and corporate sponsorships. The Court of Seattle annually provides educational scholarships to deserving high school or post high school undergraduates who reside in the state of Washington. The Court believes that by encouraging the pursuit of post high school educational goals, they are helping tomorrow’s individuals develop their potential and thus further enhance our community. The long-range purpose of these scholarships is to enhance self-esteem, recognize diversity, support personal development and acknowledge and support sensitivity and acceptance of human rights. For this reason, scholarship preference will be given to self-identified Gay or Lesbian students.
Luke Montgomery is the man behind the good stuff. Obsessed with leveraging the power of savvy marketing and “good ideas for good causes,” Luke is a consultant for non-profits with a focus on charity branding, marketing, web design, and media strategy. His work has captured front-page coverage in many mainstream newspapers, and his projects have been featured on TV shows as snagged some hottie STR8 dudes 2 take it well as on-air talk shows. In addition, Luke off 2 help the homos get their rights on! Our ‘STR8 Against H8’ 2011 charity calendar benefits the fight 4 equal marriage rights and youth counseling.” So far, the FCKH8 message has been heard loud and clear, with both Gay and straight communities jumping aboard. The THE COSTS OF campaigns numbers are impressive. They’ve “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” sold over 40,000 T-shirts and shipped to 75 countries, and the “FCK PROP 8” video was The ignorant Pentagon ban on Gay people seen by millions and raised over $200,000 in the military has cost more than the dollar for the marriage equality fight. amounts of $193 million over six years plus Not too shabby – and the good works don’t $7.7 million in “administrative costs” in restop there. FCKH8 is raising money by sell- training 3,364 to replace service members ing hoodies, mini-buttons, wristbands, and “expelled” during those years. stickers. The sheer stupidity of these bigoted gen-
works in animal advocacy. In 2006, Luke co-founded the children’s AIDS charity www.WeCanBuildanOrphanage.com, which operates an orphanage for HIV-positive and disable children in the impoverished island nation of Haiti. Luke was recently named one of The Advocate magazine’s “40 under 40” for his Haiti earthquake relief mission, www.CauseCommandos.com.
STR8T against H8 a hot way to support Gay rights by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Since the FCKH8 campaign launched in mid-2010, the in-your-face message of “Fuck Hate” can be seen on T-shirts, uncensored videos, and the like. Now the Gay rights advocates have enlisted the help of some hot straight allies for a sexy calendar, with proceeds going to charity. The $10 “STR8 Against H8” 2011 Calendar (available at www.fckh8.3dcartstores. com/2011-Calendar_p_36.html) features 12 muscular straight boys who strip down for Gay rights! “Hey, I’m Luke, the fag behind FCKH8. com,” says the campaign founder in a message on the back of the calendar. “We
Visit us online www.sgn.org
January 28, 2011
erals has also disrupted the lives of these people in many ways, who tried to do their best for their country in these dirty illegal Bush wars that are ongoing, with costs of $7 billion a month and for eight years a monstrous cost of $700,000,000 plus. Doesn’t that make you oh so proud? Leonard Larson
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2011
Deadlines Classifieds - Thursday at noon Calendar - Tuesday 6pm Display Ads: Space Reservation - Monday 5pm Ad copy (non-camera ready) - Tues. 5pm Ad copy (camera ready) - Wed. 5pm Letters to the Editor - Tuesday 5pm Obituaries - Call the SgN office All others - Tuesday 5pm
Editor In Chief George Bakan Associate Editor Shaun Knittel Editorial Assistant Nick Ardizzone Production William Creswell Calender Editors Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Travel Editor George Bakan Advertising Manager Marty Weisbrod Advertising Department Maggie Bloodstone Executive Assistant Mike Andrew Staff Writers George Bakan, Albert S. Rodriguez, Nick Ardizzone, Shaun Knittel, Miryam Gordon, Tim Peter Contributing Writers
Rev. Barbara Allen, Mike Andrew, Eric Andrews-Katz, Madelyn Arnold, Maggie Bloodstone, Beau Burriola, Jessica Davis, Ron Anders, Jessica Price, Milton W. Hamlin, Nevin Jefferson, Keen News Service, Jason A. Miller, Liz Meyer, Rod Parke, Don Paulson, Scott Rice, Leslie Robinson, Richard Kennedy, Romeo San Vicente, Rex Wockner
Classifieds Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Photographers Nick Ardizzone, Nate Gowdy, Joseph P. Herron, Shaun Knittel 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. © 2011, 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.
Union calls for boycott of Red Lion Airport Hotel
Courtesy of Pride At Work AFL-CIO
On January 25, a delegation of Red Lion Airport Hotel workers delivered a petition to their HR director announcing the official boycott of the hotel. Red Lion Airport workers are represented by UNITE HERE Local 8, the hotel and restaurant employees’ union. The boycott petition was circulated by the hotel’s union committee, with 89% of the employees signing on. Hotel workers, many of whom have worked at the Red Lion for over a decade, are fighting for contract language that would protect their jobs and their union if the hotel or Gregory’s restaurant were to be sold, or if a subcontractor took over the work. The employer has maintained strong opposition to language that would protect
long-term employees from having the quality of their jobs eroded if the hotel were to contract out the restaurant to a separate company. In fact, the company is planning to do just that: get rid of the restaurant without protecting their workers. Hotel employees are asking the community to support them in their fight for fair treatment. “We are asking the public, especially unions and organizations that do significant business at this hotel, to take their business elsewhere beginning on February 10. By joining together to boycott this employer, our entire community will help these workers win what they deserve in their new contract,” UNITE HERE said in a statement issued on January 26. UNITE HERE Local 8 won a significant victory with its 2007 Westin contract. It was
Hotel employees are asking the community to support them in their fight for fair treatment.
the first union contract in the country to provide explicit protections for Transgender workers. UNITE HERE also endorsed marriage equality in a March 2008 resolution passed unanimously by the union’s national executive board. The union contributed significant resources to the No on Prop 8 campaign in California and the Approve Referendum 71 campaign in our state. Pride At Work hopes our community will build on our relationship with UNITE HERE and support the Red Lion Airport Hotel workers’ boycott. The Doubletree Hotel and the Hilton Seattle Airport Hotel are union hotels near SeaTac Airport, and are available for the community’s business. Other union hotels in the state are listed on the union’s website, www.unitehere8.org. Contact Sarah Warren at swarren@unitehere.org or 206-470-2978 to discuss how this boycott might affect your business at the Red Lion. Pride At Work can be reached at 206-2618110 or OutFront.PrideAtWork@gmail. com. Pride At Work is an LGBT labor organization. It is affiliated with the AFL-CIO but includes members of AFL-CIO, Change To Win, and independent unions, and nonunion allies.
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
January 28, 2011
Celebrating 38 Years!
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
At its first meeting of the New Year, the members of the King County Board of Health elected Metropolitan King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, an openly Gay politician, as board chair for 2011. McDermott was appointed to the Board of Health after joining the Council in November 2010. McDermott said the challenge facing public health agencies throughout the region is continuing to deliver health services in the age of shrinking funds. Last week, Public Health – Seattle & King County announced the layoff of over 120 Public Health employees who provide maternity support services for at-risk mothers so their babies start healthy by reducing low birth weights, which can result in long and expensive hospital stays, lifelong health problems, or even death. “More than a third of all pregnant women in King County depend on the County for their health care, so these cuts will have a long-term impact on the health of our communities,” said McDermott. “I will be working with the state Legislature to protect these critical services.” “With his clear commitment and experi-
ence in working for healthier communities, I’m very much looking forward to working together with Councilmember McDermott in his new role as board chair to address our current crisis in public health service funding and other serious health threats,” said Dr. David Fleming, director and health officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. McDermott will replace Councilmember Julia Patterson, who is stepping down after five years as board chair. “As the legislator who introduced the first Clean Indoor Air Act, I have been concerned about public health issues my entire career,” said McDermott. “I look forward to continuing the work of Councilmember Patterson and the entire Board as we work to promote health around King County.” McDermott joined the County Council in November 2010, leaving the Washington State Legislature where he had served for 7 years in the state House before being appointed in 2007 and later elected to the state Senate. He was a Senior Budget Analyst with the Seattle School District and worked for former Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney John Ladenburg. The Board of Health is responsible for setting countywide public health policy,
courtesy Joe McDermott
Joe McDermott elected chair of King County Board of Health
Joe McDermott
enacting and enforcing local public health tious disease, abating nuisances, and estabregulations. The Board also plays a role in lishing fee schedules for licenses, permits, enforcing state public health statutes, pre- and other services. venting and controlling the spread of infec-
GLSEN’s eighth annual SO&P announces No Name-Calling Week 2011 Pride theme
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Thousands of schools across the country will participate in GLSEN’s (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) eighth annual No Name-Calling Week this week, a week of educational activities designed to address bullying and name-calling of all kinds. A project of GLSEN, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, and more than 50 participating organizations, and sponsored by Cisco, No Name-Calling Week has become one of the most embraced and celebrated bullying prevention programs in the country. “We are proud to support the work of thousands of educators and students who are using No Name-Calling Week to bring a message of respect to their schools,” GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said in a January 24 statement. “One of the wonderful lessons from No Name-Calling Week is that we can empower students to work together to improve school climate for all students. Bullying is a public health crisis in this country, but through programs like No Name-Calling Week, we know we can make schools safer and more affirming for everyone,” said Byard. According to GLSEN officials, No NameCalling Week was initially created for middle schools and is now used in all grade levels. Schools participate in a variety of ways, from hosting assemblies to hanging posters promoting respect to using lesson plans that encourage students to intervene when they hear name-calling. Lesson plans for all grade levels and other resources can be
found at www.NoNameCallingWeek.org. Many schools also encourage students to participate in No Name-Calling Week’s Creative Expression Contest (submission deadline is February 28). No Name-Calling Week was inspired by the young adult novel The Misfits by James Howe, a story about four students who have experienced name-calling and decide to run for student council on the platform of creating a “No Name Day” at school. “From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America,” a 2005 Harris Interactive report commissioned by GLSEN, found that 47% of junior/middle high school students identified bullying, name-calling or harassment as somewhat serious or very serious problems at their school. Additionally, 69% of junior/middle high school students reported being assaulted or harassed in the previous year, and nearly a third said that school staff did nothing in response when the incident was reported. To learn more about No Name-Calling Week, visit www.NoNameCallingWeek. org. GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to create a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN’s research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.
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by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Seattle Out & Proud (SO&P), the producers of the annual Seattle Pride Parade in downtown Seattle, have just released their 2011 dates for the Pride Parade, the Picnic and for Pride Idol. The parade will be held on June 26, with the first contingent leading the charge at 11:00 a.m. in downtown Seattle along 4th Ave., kicking off at Westlake Park just like in years past. Parade registration will open in March, and is completely automated. To register your business, club, or organization for Pride Parade visit the SO&P website at www.seattlepride.org. This year’s Pride Parade theme is “Be You. Be Proud. Express Yourself.” “Drawn from a rich tapestry of experiences and identities, the story of our community and our pride in being ourselves is evident not just during the parade, but all year long,” say SO&P officials.
This year, the organizers of the parade encourage everyone who participates, whether on the sidelines or marching down 4th Ave., to openly express what pride in their community means to them. Come to the parade. Be you. Be proud. Express yourself. It’s never too early to begin gearing up for the June calendar of events! Pride is only a few months away, after all. SO&P invites you to the Pride Idol Kickoff, held March 27 at its new location, Neighbours Nightclub. Pride Idol runs each Sunday through June. The picnic event is slated for June 19 at Volunteer Park, with a much larger grill to accommodate the increased attendance expected. Details of all events are available on the SO&P website. The Seattle Gay News will continue its tradition of keeping the community informed of all the Seattle Pride people, places, and performances that make the annual event such a big success.
This year’s Pride Parade theme is “Be You. Be Proud. Express Yourself.”
January 28, 2011
Seattle Gay News
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INTERNATIONAL file photo
NEWS
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer
clubhouse attacked Homophobes attacked the Buenos Aires Bears clubhouse January 15, shouting antiGay abuse, throwing rocks and bottles at members, and burning a mattress and garbage up against the entrance, local media reported. Several bears reportedly were injured by projectiles when they ventured back outside to put out the fire. Police arrived and ended the attack but made no arrests. Representatives of the club filed a complaint with the National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism, which vowed to help them pursue criminal charges for property damage, personal injury, and attempted murder. Euro MPs blast Lithuanian bill The European Parliament on January 19 called on Lithuania’s Parliament to reject a proposed law that would punish “public promotion of homosexual relations” with a fine of up to $3,900. The Euro Parliament also called on Lithuania to review existing laws that ban Gay information from any place where a minor could possibly see it, censor mentions of sexual orientation in advertising, and exclude Gay protections from the nation’s educational equal-opportunity policy. Ulrike Lunacek, co-president of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights, said: “We need to educate people – including children and youth – about the different forms of sexuality that have always existed in every culture, everywhere in the world, including in Lithuania. Hiding facts from young people generates fearful attitudes, prejudice and hate, something Europeans stand united against.”
Co-president of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights, Ulrike Lunacek
Brit Gay couple win hotel case, Christians must pay damages A British Gay couple, Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy, who are in a civil partnership, will receive $2,872 each in damages from Cornwall hotel owners Peter and Hazelmary Bull, Christians who refused to rent them a room with a double bed. The ruling was handed down January 18 by the Bristol County Court, which found that the Christians violated the nation’s ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation. In court, the couple claimed they hadn’t discriminated based on sexual orientation because they also refuse to rent such rooms to unmarried heterosexual couples. Gay leader Peter Tatchell commented: “People of faith should not be permitted to use religion as an excuse to discrimi-
nate against other people. ... If the court had ruled that the Bulls were allowed to ban Gay couples from sleeping together in the same room, it would have opened the floodgates to a deluge of similar religious-motivated claims for exemption from the equality laws.” The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement’s chief executive, the Rev. Sharon Ferguson, added: “Peter and Hazel Bull may well have sincere convictions about the nature of marriage – this ruling does not deny them these convictions. But if you are running a business you must make your services available to all without discrimination ... and excluding people, especially when our scriptures are full of exhortations to welcome the stranger ... is no way to defend and uphold Christian values.” Buenos Aires Bears
NATIONAL
NEWS
Supremes squash last-ditch effort to undo D.C. marriage law The U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 18 refused to hear an appeal by anti-Gays hoping to force a voter referendum on the law that legalized same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia. “For almost two years, the National Organization for Marriage and the Alliance Defense Fund, along with Bishop Harry Jackson, have fought a losing battle to shamelessly harm Gay and Lesbian couples in D.C. who seek nothing more than to share in the rights and responsibilities of marriage,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “The D.C. Council and mayor courageously made marriage equality a reality last year, and the courts have since upheld the rights of D.C. residents to govern ourselves and take the necessary steps to eliminate discrimination in our community.” The appeal challenged a ruling by the D.C. Court of Appeals in which it upheld a D.C. law that bans ballot measures proposing any kind of discrimination already prohibited by 6
Seattle Gay News
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer the D.C. Human Rights Act. The Court of Appeals said putting the district’s same-sex marriage law to a vote would discriminate against D.C. Gays and Lesbians. “With today’s decision from the Supreme Court, marriage equality opponents have reached the end of their legal wrangling,” said HRC. “The D.C. Board of Elections, Superior Court, Court of Appeals and now the U.S. Supreme Court have rejected their meritless and tired arguments that they should be permitted to impose a discriminatory ballot measure on D.C. voters.” Same-sex marriage became legal in D.C. last March. It also is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont – and, internationally, in Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and Mexico City. Connecticut men win birth-certificate case The Connecticut Supreme Court on January 5 forced the state Department of Public Health to list a Gay male couple as parents on the birth certificates of their twin boys
January 28, 2011
Spain’s same-sex marriage law could face repeal effort The head of Spain’s opposition Popular Party has said he may work to repeal the 2005 law that legalized same-sex marriage if the party wins the elections at the beginning of 2012, which is a possibility. “I don’t like [same-sex] marriage and I believe it’s not constitutional,” Mariano Rajoy said in a recent interview. He said any legislative action would come after a decision is issued in a long-delayed Constitutional Court case challenging the law, and if the people of Spain support repealing the law. In an interview, veteran Gay activist Jordi Petit said he isn’t overly concerned about Rajoy’s threat. “It’s not a given that Rajoy will head the PP in 2012,” Petit said. “And they said the same thing years ago about the laws on diwho were delivered by a gestational surrogate. Shawn and Anthony Raftopol will receive corrected birth certificates for their kids. “As a couple, we chose to create a family,” said Anthony Raftopol. “We assumed the responsibility for bringing them into the world, with the understanding that we would love, support and nurture them in every way. In other words, to be what parents are supposed to be.” Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders Senior Staff Attorney Karen Loewy said the state Supreme Court’s “historic decision honors the intentions of everyone involved in bringing these children into the world, and provides those children with the protection of having two legal parents from the moment of their birth.” “This ruling has special significance for same-sex couples using assisted reproductive technologies like gestational surrogacy, because there will always be one intended parent who is not a genetic parent. It is now clear that Connecticut law honors and protects those intended families,” she said. Bill seeks to end same-sex marriage in Iowa A bill to authorize a public vote on amending the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage, domestic partnerships, civil unions and all other recognition of same-sex couples was introduced in the Iowa House of Representatives January 19.
vorce and abortion, then when they won the election, they didn’t do anything. Beyond that, many important PP mayors have married homosexual couples.” IGLHRC worried for Cameroon activists The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission says it is deeply concerned over recent threats to LGBT rights defenders in Cameroon. The organization said that Alice Nkom, chairperson of the Association for the Defense of Homosexuality, has been threatened with arrest by state officials and with violence from segments of civil society. Harassment of Nkom and the organization has mounted since January 4 when local media reported that the group will receive a grant from the European Union for “support and training for sexual minorities.” The harassment has included a fatwa from the Coalition of Cameroonian Youth, televised denunciations of Nkom and the group by representatives of the Communications Ministry and the Bar Association of Cameroon, police cars parked outside the group’s offices for hours on end, and Minister of External Relations Henri Eyebe Ayissi’s reportedly urging the EU to cancel the grant. U.S. Embassy seeks investigation of Honduran killings The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa has urged the Honduran government to “vigorously investigate” five murders of LGBT people that took place since December 18. The embassy expressed “great concern” about the killings and said “the protection of Honduran law extends to all citizens regardless of sexual orientation.” The government must “take all necessary steps to protect LGBT persons, who are among the most vulnerable to violence and abuse in Honduras,” the U.S. officials said. According to the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, there have been at least 31 murders of Honduran LGBT people since the nation’s coup d’état in 2009. Andorran Gays can now donate blood Gays in Andorra no longer are banned from donating blood. The policy change follows the small nation’s decision to disaffiliate its blood-donor system from the one in nearby Toulouse, France, and to affiliate instead with the system in nearby Catalonia, in Spain. Toulouse considers Gay blood dangerous while Catalonia considers infected blood dangerous. With assistance from Bill Kelley The measure would have to pass the Legislature in two consecutive General Assemblies, then could appear on the ballot in 2013. “This bill intends to forever strip basic protections from loving and committed Gay couples,” said One Iowa Executive Director Carolyn Jenison. “Now is the time for Iowans to come together and send a clear message to their legislators that discrimination has no place in Iowa’s Constitution.” The group is urging an immediate response from activists. See tinyurl.com/4sam5cf. Iowa is one of five states, plus the District of Columbia, where same-sex marriage is legal. Elton raises $3 million for AFER Elton John raised $3 million for the American Foundation for Equal Rights on January 19 at a 90-minute private concert in Beverly Hills. About 500 people attended the soirée in a tent at the estate of entrepreneur Ron Burkle. AFER will use the money to continue its federal lawsuit against California’s Proposition 8, the state constitutional amendment that re-banned same-sex marriage in 2008. AFER won the case at the District Court level and it now is on appeal at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. With assistance from Bill Kelley
Celebrating 38 Years!
THE ELITE HOSTS FREE ASL LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS Have you ever wanted to learn basic American Sign Language? If so, you can compiled by Rick McKinnon get some beginning ASL instruction at the SGN Staff Writer Elite (1520 E. Olive Way). The FREE lessons will be held every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in AN EVENING AT LE FAUX Tet in Seattle. For a full event schedule, visit the loft. DUNSHEE HOUSE www.tetinseattle.org and for more informaFUNDRAISING EVENT HIV VACCINE TRIALS UNIT/ tion on this cultural series and other Seattle On Friday, January 28 at 10 p.m. at Julia’s Center programming, click on www.seattleFRED HUTCHINSON on Broadway (300 Broadway E.), join the center.com. CANCER RESEARCH CENTER cast of Seattle’s longest-running celebrity PRESENTS impersonation show, Le Faux, in supporting FREE PUBLIC SCREENING PRIDE FOUNDATION/ the community through services provided at OF HIV/AIDS DOCUMENTARY GSBA SCHOLARSHIP Dunshee House. Proceeds from ticket sales On Wednesday, February 2, the HIV VacAPPLICATIONS on Friday, January 28 will go directly to Pride Foundation/GSBA Scholarship Ap- cine Trials Unit of Fred Hutchinson Cancer benefit Dunshee House. The show begins at plications are now available at www.Pride- Research Center, Thomas Clinical Research 10 p.m. Tickets are available at http://www. FoundationScholar.org. This year, $500,000 Building, 1100 Fairview Ave. N. (Pelton Aubrownpapertickets.com/event/113129. Din- is available in scholarships to support edu- ditorium), presents a free public screening ner is also available prior to the show. cation and leadership development for Les- of The Other City – a documentary about a For reservations call (206) 334.0513. bian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Queer side of Washington, DC, that visitors rarely students of any age; students who have an see. The nation’s capitol has an HIV/AIDS DIVERSE HARMONY LGBT parent; and students who are straight rate that is not only the highest in the U.S., PRESENTS allies and are committed to civil rights for but rivals that of some African countries. A WINTER CONCERT The event begins with a reception and lab the LGBTQ community. Since 1990, more On Saturday, January 29, at 7:30 p.m., than $3 million in scholarships have been tours from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., opening reat Seattle First Baptist Church (1111 Har- awarded. Pride Foundation and the GSBA marks at 6 p.m., screening from 6:30 p.m. to vard Ave. at E. Union St.), Diverse Har- Scholarship Fund would like to encourage 8 p.m., community discussion from 8 p.m. mony presents their winter concert, “Lose you to share this excellent opportunity for to 9 p.m. Yourself.” Experience the youth of Diverse students of any age or sexual orientation Candice Wiggins, a guard for the WNBA’s Harmony as they shed their own notions of from Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Minnesota Lynx and former All American identity to discover what really makes us all Washington who are pursuing any post- basketball player for Stanford University, tick. By “losing ourselves” in the moment of secondary education (including community will provide opening remarks. Wiggins lost self-expression we come closer to who we college, public or private colleges and uni- her father, former Major League Baseball truly are. Tickets are $15 at the door (cash or versities, trade apprenticeships, or certifi- player Alan Wiggins, to AIDS when she was check only); youth 21 and under FREE. cate programs)! There are 50 different types 4 years old and today is outspoken about Diverse Harmony provides a safe, affirm- of scholarships with awards up to $10,000, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. ing environment for youth where everyone but only one web-based application to comSeating is limited. For free tickets, inforis accepted for who they are. “We use the plete! mation about transportation and directions, passion and the power of music to inspire Applications can be completed online at please contact James at 206-667-1979 or the celebration of differences in our homes, www.PrideFoundationScholar.org and are info@seattlevaccines.org. community and the world.” www.diverse- due by 5:00 p.m. PST on Monday, JanuThe screening is sponsored by the HIV harmony.org. Vaccine Trials Unit of Fred Hutchinson ary 31, 2011. For information on other LGBT scholar- Cancer Research Center in collaboration IMPERIAL COURT OF SEATTLE ship programs, visit the Safe Schools Coali- with the Langston Hughes African AmeriINTRODUCES CANDIDATES tion’s scholarship resource list at www.safe- can Film Festival. FOR EMPEROR AND EMPRESS schoolscoalition.org/youth. AND SCHEDULE SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN OF CORONATION EVENTS BOOK CLUB AT DUNSHEE HOUSE SEATTLE EROTIC ART FESTIVAL On Saturday, January 29, at 7 p.m., at The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club CALL FOR ART SUBMISSIONS Neighbours (1509 Broadway – entrance in The Seattle Erotic Art Festival announces meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Dunalley between Broadway and Harvard off the Call for Art for its ninth annual event shee House (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas E. Pike St.), the Imperial Court of Seattle to be held May 20-22, 2011. Submissions St.). All GLBTQ folks in the community are presents this year’s candidates for Emperor will be accepted from January 1-31, 2011. welcome to participate in this FREE book and Empress. This special show will feature All artists age 18 and older are encouraged club. drag performances by the candidates along to submit up to five works of erotic art of The book for February is Alan Hollinwith other talented members and friends of any medium. Sculptors, multimedia artists ghurst’s The Line of Beauty, the novel that the Court. and painters are particularly encouraged surprised the English-speaking world by On Sunday, February 13, from 11 a.m. to 6 to apply. Submissions can be made online running away with one of the most honored p.m., at the Richmark/12th & Pine Building at SeattleErotic.org throughout January. annual literary prizes on this planet, the (12th Ave. & E Pine St.), King County resi- The Festival stands by its mission to sup- 2004 Booker. This is a big Gay novel with dents who are 18 and older with valid ID, port a vibrant creative community, support- hot sex scenes, catty comments, relentless are encouraged to vote for their candidates ing living artists with low submission fees realism and hilarious perceptions. Hollinof choice. Later that evening, at 7 p.m., at and commission rates. Selected art will be ghurst writes like a Gay Iris Murdoch, with R Place, (619 E. Pine St., at Boylston Ave.), showcased throughout the three-day event gorgeous sentences, hilarious stinging satthe Court presents their Intown Show and to thousands of patrons. Most importantly, ire, and flawed fascinating characters. Awards. For more information, e-mail nickdimarthe Festival sells far more art than any other On Thursday, February 17, at 7 p.m., at erotic art festival. Artists may also choose to tin@earthlink.net or contact Dunshee House Neighbours, the Court presents the Denver/ submit to the Festival Store, which has a lat- at 206-322-2437. Salt Lake City show. On Friday, February er submission deadline (to be determined). 18, at 7 p.m., at R Place, the Court presents Artists do not need to attend the Festival in SEATTLE PARKS & RECREATION the Out of Town Show. TO EXPLORE NEW DIRECTIONS order to participate. On Saturday, February 19, the Court FOR COMMUNITY CENTERS presents Coronation 2011: “The 40th AnOn Tueday, February 2, from 6:30 p.m. to ALLYSHIP nual President’s Ball – An American Gala” 8:30 p.m., at Miller Community Center (330 SEEKING VOLUNTEERS at 5 p.m. at Seattle Renaissance Hotel (515 Allyship is an organization that does 19th Ave. E.), Seattle Parks & Recreation Madison St., at 6th Ave.) Tickets are $40. multi-issue organizing in the social justice will hold a public meeting to discuss ideas On Sunday, February 20, at 10:30 a.m., at community as out Queers and connects for how, in the wake of challenging budgets, the Renaissance Hotel, the Court presents social justice issues within LGBTQ com- the city’s Community Centers can be run the Victory Brunch in celebration of the new munities. For several years Allyship has differently. You are invited to attend to learn Emperor and Empress. www.imperialcour- been sponsoring a discussion series called more about this discussion and to share your tofseattle.com “Queerly Classed,” as well as mobilizing ideas, thoughts and concerns. for marches and actions, and building relaSEATTLE CENTER FESTÁL: SEATTLE ARCHITECTURE tionships in the labor, feminist, immigrant TET FESTIVAL FOUNDATION HOSTS rights, housing and health care movements. On Saturday, January 29 and Sunday, This year Allyship will be creating camVOLUNTEER OPEN HOUSE January 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Seattle paigns around health care, workers’ rights On Thursday, February 3, from 5:30-8:30 Center Festál presents Tet Festival in the and Queer youth and is looking for volun- p.m., at Olive 8 Condo Common Room, Center House. The Vietnamese Lunar New teers to help with campaign research, social 18th Fl. (737 Olive Way at 8th Ave.) the Year festival offers entertainment, explora- media, and outreach. For more informa- Seattle Architecture Foundation hosts their tion and insights into the culture of Vietnam. tion, including a description of tasks and annual open house and celebration to learn Craft bookmarks, create an apricot blossom time commitment for volunteer positions of more about SAF programming and the myrboutonniere and express your inner artist researcher, social media assistant, and out- iad volunteer opportunities associated with through painting workshops. Revisit thou- reach assistant, email ladyking6k@yahoo. them. The event is free, but advance regissands of years of the Vietnamese history at com or allyship@yahoo.com. tration is requested at www.brownpaperthis festive New Year celebration as you imtickets.com/event/149440 so they can plan merse in the dance, traditional music perforfor enough refreshments. The event includes mance, visual and martial arts of Vietnam. peeks at staged luxurious Olive 8 condos. Seattle Center Festál: Tet Festival is produced by Seattle Center in partnership with
NORTHWEST
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January 28, 2011
CORNISH COLLEGE PRESENTS TRIBUTE TO MERCE CUNNINGHAM Cornish Dance Theatre will present a series of free public events in February, March and April to honor the legacy of modern dance choreographer Merce Cunningham. The Merce Cunningham minEvent will be a dance of uninterrupted excerpts drawn from three Cunningham masterworks: Roaratorio (1983), Fabrications (1987) and Enter (1992) to music by John Cage performed by the Cornish Music Department’s Indeterminacy Ensemble. The minEvent performance will run 20 minutes. The minEvent will be performed on Friday, February 4, and Saturday, February 5, at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., at ACT Theatre, Bullitt Cabaret (700 Union St.) on Saturday, February 5, at 10 a.m., at the Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St. On Friday, March 4, at 12:15 p.m., at Cornish College Main Gallery, 1st Floor (1000 Lenora St.), an interdisciplinary conversation with Seattle artists Catherine Cabeen, Tonya Lockyer and Jarrad Powell will look at the legacies of Merce Cunningham, John Cage and Yves Klein. The minEvent will be performed again on Thursday, April 7, and Thursday, April 21, at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Seattle Art Museum, (3rd Ave. and University St.) (free with museum admission). For more information, visit www.cornish. edu.merce/ NOTE: The Merce Cunningham Dance Company will make a stop in Seattle on its final Legacy Tour, appearing at the Paramount Theatre on October 24. When Cunningham died in 2009, plans were initiated for a final farewell tour by his company. It will be the last opportunity to see the choreographer’s works performed by dancers he personally trained. MS. & MISS GAY WASHINGTON HOST WESTSIDE SHOW FUNDRAISER IN OLYMPIA On Sunday, February 6, door at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m., at Jakes on Fourth in Olympia (311 4th Ave. E., Olympia), Ms. Gay Washington, Sir Antonio Awesum, and Miss Gay Washington, Ifeelya Cummings, host a Western Washington show leading up to the Mr., Ms. and Miss Gay Washington’s Pageant weekend April 8, 9 and 10 at the Poodle Dog in Fife (1522 54th Ave. E, Fife). Their Eastside show will be held Friday, March 11 at Out and About in Pasco (327 W. Lewis St., Pasco). ROSEHEDGE HOUSE PRESENTS “LOVE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES” On Sunday, February 13, doors at 6 p.m., join Rosehedge House for “Love Without Boundaries” at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel, Madison Ballroom (515 Madison St.) Enjoy a romantic champagne and hors d’oeuvres reception, gourmet dinner, silent auction and Valentine’s Day dance with proceeds to benefit Rosehedge House, with emcee Pulitizer Prize-winning cartoonist David Horsey and the Dina Blade Jazz Quartet. Tickets: $150 individual at party size table; $350 for private party seating for two. For more information, visit www.rosehedge.org. DAVID WOJNAROWICZ’S CONTROVERSIAL VIDEO, A FIRE IN MY BELLY, SHOWING IN SEATTLE David Wojnarowicz’s controversial video, A Fire in My Belly, that was part of a show of Gay and Lesbian related art at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery recently, until it was removed from the exhibition in response to a deluge of unfavorable calls and emails from the Catholic League and its partisans, is being shown with other less controversial works by Wojnarowicz at the Greg Kucera Gallery (212 Third Ave. S.) and the Henry Art Gallery (15th Ave. NE & NE 41st St.) through February 13. The Seattle Art Museum, (First Ave. & Union St.) presents other works by Wojnarowicz through January 30. The video can also be seen online by Googling “David Wojnarowicz,” including http://vsthepomegranate.blogspot. com/2010/12/fire-in-my-belly-by-davidwojnarowicz.html
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by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Several student organizations have launched a new campaign against the return of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) to college campuses in light of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) due to their policy of discrimination towards Transgender servicemembers. The National Marriage Boycott, a national youthled LGBT rights organization, has called for youth activists on college campuses that include gender identity in their non-discrimination clause to oppose the introduction or return of ROTC to their institutions. On the campus of Stanford University “Students for Queer Liberation,” an LGBTQ rights group, is currently lobbying Stanford administration and organizing against the return of ROTC to campus. “Now, more than ever, is the time for college students across the country to take a stand and organize against Transgender discrimination, an issue that has been historically ignored by the mainstream Gay rights agenda” said Alok Vaid-Menon, president of Stanford Students for Queer Liberation. “A re-introduction of ROTC on college campuses [including Stanford, Harvard, and Columbia] that include ‘gender identity’ in their non-discrimination clause is a fundamental violation of policy and an endorse-
ment of discrimination.” The Military Leadership Diversity Commission issued the recommendation of a ban on Transgender servicemembers as part of a draft report on diversity in the services. The final report is due to lawmakers this spring and commission members are meeting this week in Virginia to debate final changes. This treatment of Transsexual servicemembers was recently highlighted in the Washington Post article titled “Transgender Vets Want Military Access For Own” telling the story of former Petty Officer First Class Autumn Sandeen and her trials as a Trans-women veteran. “Before handcuffing herself to the White House fence, Autumn Sandeen carefully pinned three rows of Navy ribbons to her chest. Her regulation dress blue skirt, fitted jacket, hat, and black pumps were new – fitting for a woman who spent two decades serving her country as a man,” read the article. “Sandeen was the only Transgender person among the six veterans arrested in April while protesting the military’s ban on openly Gay troops. But when she watched President Barack Obama last month sign the hard-fought bill allowing for the ban’s repeal, melancholy tinged her satisfaction.” “This is another bridesmaid moment for the Transgender community,” the 51-yearold San Diego resident Sandeen said. Sandeen hopes the United States will one day join the seven other nations – Canada,
Courtesy of Jimmy Ruck
Stanford students fight return of ROTC
“Now, more than ever, is the time for college students across the country to take a stand and organize against Transgender discrimination.”
Students participate in an ROTC training exercise.
the United Kingdom, Spain, Israel, the Czech Republic, Thailand, and Australia – that allow Transgender troops. No one knows how many Transgender people are serving or have served. Neither the Department of Defense nor the VA keep statistics on how many servicemembers have been discharged or treated for Transgender conditions or conduct. The Transgender American Veterans Association, an advocacy group founded in 2003, estimates there could be as many as
300,000 Transgender people among the nation’s 26 million veterans. The National Marriage Boycott is a youth-led grassroots movement determined to create a world where everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can live with dignity and security. NMB mobilizes youth activists at college campuses across the country to become involved in the struggle for LGBTQ equality. You can learn more about NMB at www.nationalmarriageboycott.com.
Franco Folini
Judge OKs COLT Studios bankruptcy plan by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A federal bankruptcy judge approved COLT Studio Group’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan on January 18, clearing the way for the financially troubled porn giant to pay off its debts to its former owner. U.S. Judge Alan Jaroslavsky approved COLT’s plan to continue in business while paying Jim French Studios $500,000 in 20 installments to settle claims resulting from French’s 2003 sale of COLT to its current owners. Porn industry pioneer Jim French founded COLT in 1967. Under his ownership, it grew into a diversified sex empire, dealing in porn, fetish gear, club apparel, and sex toys. In addition to its COLT Studio flagship titles, subsidiary labels include Buckshot Productions, Minute Men, and Olympus. COLT also produces and distributes content online through its website and adult video retailers worldwide. French sold the company to its current owner, Prowest Media Corporation, in 2003. He now sells limited edition prints from his vast archive of erotic photographs. According to court documents, Prowest
owners John Rutherford and Thomas Settle had financial trouble shortly after closing the COLT purchase in 2003. By 2008, business for COLT was “seriously declining,” court papers said. Prowest Media eventually filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, listing assets of $105,000 and liabilities of $2.9 million. Its largest creditor was Jim French Studios at $1.49 million. Later, Jim French Studios brought suit in San Francisco Superior Court because COLT failed to make the payments on the original purchase agreement. Both Rutherford and Settle then countersued French, and filed their own personal Chapter 7 cases. In his ruling, Judge Jaroslavsky expressed the hope that the decision will allow COLT to continue in business. “Confirmation of the [Chapter 11] plan is not likely to be followed by the liquidation or the need for further financial reorganization,” he wrote. Under the terms of Jaroslavsky’s ruling, Jim French Studios will have a stipulated judgment to recover its collateral and obtain other relief in the event of a default. The terms also allow for Prowest’s countersuit against Jim French Studios in San Francisco Superior Court to be dismissed.
COLT performers at a 2006 San Francisco Gay pride parade
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Seattle Gay News
January 28, 2011
Celebrating 38 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
January 28, 2011
Seattle Gay News
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10 Seattle Gay News
January 28, 2011
Celebrating 38 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
January 28, 2011
Seattle Gay News 11
12 Seattle Gay News
January 28, 2011
Celebrating 38 Years!
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Beijing’s first same-sex marriage took place January 22. Two men, identified by the pseudonyms Da Wen and Xiao Qiang, held what was described as a “comparatively open” wedding ceremony with some 50 friends in China’s capital city. MC Xiao Dong presided. Xiao works as an HIV/AIDS prevention counselor at Beijing’s Rainbow Volunteer Station. The couple displayed marriage certificates similar to ones issued by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, but they are not believed to be authentic. Same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in China. This is reportedly Beijing’s first samesex marriage, and China’s first marriage between Gay men. Two women previously wed in a ceremony in Guangdong province in southern China. Remarkably, the January 22 ceremony was reported in the English language edition of China’s official newspaper People’s Daily on January 25 The newspaper is a publication of the
Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and presents the views and policies of the Chinese leadership. An article in even a foreign-language edition of People’s Daily reflects a high degree of official approval. While the Chinese leadership did not comment directly on the marriage, or give reasons for their decision to publicize it, it is known that they are concerned about the rate of China’s HIV infections. Statistics from a 2010 Health Report conducted by the Beijing Health Bureau show among the 1,233 new HIV/AIDS cases last year in Beijing, the ratio of male to female was 7.62: 1, with 60% of new infections contracted by men who have sex with men. Xiao Dong, who emceed the Beijing wedding, said he hoped that marriage might help prevent new HIV infections. “Their marriage is a remarkable move in the Gay community because a settled-down relationship helps reduce the chances of AIDS infection,” he said. “They set a model among Gay couples, to encourage more Gays to have a stable relationship, which not only benefits themselves
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer In an upset victory, former KVI radio talk show host Kirby Wilbur trounced incumbent Luke Esser to win election as chair of the state Republican Party. Delegates to a Republican meeting in Tukwila elected Wilbur on January 22 with 69 votes, to only 36 for Esser and seven for Bill Rennie. Esser had been state GOP chair since 2007. The change in Republican leadership was a blow to state Attorney General Rob McKenna, potential Republican candidate for governor in 2012. McKenna had personally campaigned for his ally, Esser. Esser’s defeat may indicate that McKenna’s path to the gubernatorial nomination will be rockier than previously thought. Neither Esser nor Wilbur is at all sympathetic to LGBT rights, but they represent different factions of the Republican Party. As a state senator, Esser compiled a dismal record of opposition to LGBT interests that earned him a rock-bottom rating of zero from SEAMEC, the LGBT political advocacy group. In 2004, he reportedly bragged to other Republicans that he single-handedly killed the Anderson-Murray Civil Rights Bill, which finally passed two years later. As Republican chair, he led his party to advocate repeal of domestic partnership rights for same-sex couples in the Referendum 71 campaign. Esser nevertheless aligned himself with so-called “mainstream” Republicans like McKenna and against the hard right figures who had controlled the state GOP throughout most of the 1990s. Wilbur, in contrast, has lined up with many prominent right-wing leaders, ranging from neo-con Karl Rove to several Tea Party-backed legislative candidates. Before his election to head the state Republicans, Wilbur was director of Americans for Prosperity Washington, the state
chapter to Karl Rove’s conservative fundraising machine. As director, Wilbur was the target of complaints to the state Public Disclosure Commission that Americans for Prosperity Washington violated state disclosure law by refusing to reveal the identities of its donors. Americans for Prosperity backed Dino Rossi’s losing senate campaign with a series of attack ads targeting incumbent Democrat Patty Murray – including the now infamous “Tennis Shoes” ad which portrayed Murray’s signature tennis shoes walking on the backs of the state’s citizens. Apart from his work with Rove’s group, Wilbur also endorsed a number of legislative candidates in the November election, all of them anti-Gay and anti-choice, and many of them associated with the Tea Party. Wilbur was one of the early fans of Republican legislative candidate Hans Zeiger, for example. After Zeiger’s anti-Gay blog posts became public, his campaign removed Wilbur’s name from his website, in an effort to give Zeiger a more mainstream image, Wilbur also endorsed Elizabeth Scott, the gun-toting, anti-Gay, anti-choice opponent of Rep. Marko Liias (D-21). Wilbur’s election may spell trouble for McKenna’s campaign to get the gubernatorial nomination. It might also cast some doubt on the ability of Republicans to win back the governorship after seven Democratic victories stretching back to 1985. Historically, far right candidates like former talk radio host John Carlson and Christian fundamentalist Ellen Craswell have performed very poorly in statewide races. Dino Rossi, on the other hand, has been competitive in two gubernatorial races and one senate race by keeping a discreet distance from the far right wing of his party. To date, McKenna is still the most prominent Republican commonly mentioned as a candidate for governor. Congressman Jay Inslee (D-1) has been mentioned as a likely Democratic nominee, although Christine Gregoire has not ruled out running for a third term.
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Da Wen and Xiao Qiang (aliases), tie the knot at a Gay marriage ceremony in Beijing, January 22, 2011.
but also the whole society.” Xiao added. The couple themselves just hoped to live as other married couples do. “We just want to live a stable life as normal couples do, no matter if the wedding is held or not,” said Xiao Qiang. “The society is more open than before, which makes us brave enough to show the public” Da Wen added. The Chinese government has gone back and forth on LGBT rights in recent years. China’s first LGBT activity center opened in the southern city of Chongqing in December. The “Chongqing Rainbow Floating Population Activity Center” will be offi-
cially dedicated at the 2011 Spring Festival, officials said. Beijing also launched an official “Smile at Gay People” campaign last year, co-sponsored by China’s first PFLAG chapter. In 2009, Beijing held its first LGBT film festival, and Shanghai hosted China’s first pride Festival. On the other hand, Beijing police broke up a Mr. Gay China pageant in January last year. Same-sex relations have been legal in China since 1997, and discrimination against LGBT people or people with HIV/AIDS is illegal.
Catholic bishop apologizes for “faggots” remark Toledo was president of Peru from 2001 to 2006 and is considered the frontrunner in the April 10 election. At present, only a civil unions bill covering same-sex couples is being considered by Peru’s Congress. Peru’s senior church officials, including Cardinal Luis Cipriani – the top Catholic cleric in Peru – have been vocal about their opposition to Gay marriage and the proposal for same-sex civil unions. Bruce said later that he realized the Catholic Church opposes marriage equality, but he expected them to be civil nevertheless. “What is wrong is that instead of giving rational arguments he sunk to the level of insults,” Bruce said about the bishop’s remarks. Christian Olivera of the LGBT group Homosexual Movement of Lima went further, describing Bambaren’s language as hate speech. “Bambaren’s claim to call Gay people ‘faggots’ is totally unacceptable and constitutes an incitement to hatred,” Olivera said in a statement. “In a country where we should all see ourselves as equals, Bambaren is encouraging violence by using a term that represents what is disgusting and perverse. Despising a community is not an example of what one supposes are Christian values.” By January 26, Bishop Bambaren was forced to apologize. “I ask for an apology for everyone who felt offended. It is an offensive word, and [homosexuals] deserve respect,” Bambaren said in a statement. courtesy on top magazine
New state GOP chair no friend of LGBT community
t.sina.com.cn
Same-sex marriage in Beijing reported in official press
Bishop Luis Bambaren
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A Peruvian Catholic bishop was forced to apologize for using anti-Gay slurs in comments he made to reporters on January 24. Bishop Luis Bambaren, said to be influential in Peru’s Roman Catholic hierarchy, was stopped by reporters as he was leaving a church event and asked for his views on same-sex marriage. Bambaren replied that politicians “are just looking for votes when they propose useless things like Gay marriage.” Then he added, “I do not know why we talk about Gays. Let’s speak in Creole or Castilian: They’re faggots. That’s how you say it, right?” In Peru, the English word “Gay” is used when the speaker wants to convey a positive meaning, but the Spanish “maricon” is used to convey a negative meaning, equivalent to “faggot” in English. The issue of same-sex marriage came to the fore because vice presidential candidate Carlos Bruce told El Comercio newspaper that he and presidential candidate Alejandro Toledo had marriage equality as “part of our political agenda.”
January 28, 2011
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Hillary Clinton issues statement on David Kato murder Marc Nozell
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
We are profoundly saddened by the loss of Ugandan human rights defender David Kato, who was brutally murdered in his home near Kampala yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues. We urge Ugandan authorities to quickly and thoroughly investigate and prosecute those responsible for this heinous act. David Kato tirelessly devoted himself to improving the lives of others. As an advocate for the group Sexual Minorities Uganda, he worked to defend the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender individuals. His efforts resulted in groundbreaking recognition for Uganda’s LGBT community, including the Uganda Human Rights Commission’s October 2010 statement on the unconstitutionality of Uganda’s draft “anti-homosexuality bill” and the Ugandan
uganda
continued from cover suit against Ugandan tabloid Rolling Stone, which resulted in Uganda’s Supreme Court ordering the paper to stop inciting violence against Ugandan Gays. The tabloid – which has no connection to
High Court’s January 3 ruling safeguarding all Ugandans’ right to privacy and the preservation of human dignity. His tragic death underscores how critical it is that both the government and the people of Uganda, along with the international community, speak out against the discrimination, harassment, and intimidation of Uganda’s LGBT community, and work together to ensure that all individuals are accorded the same rights and dignity to which each and every person is entitled. Everywhere I travel on behalf of our country, I make it a point to meet with young people and activists – people like David – who are trying to build a better, stronger future for their societies. I let them know that America stands with them, and that their ideas and commitment are indispensible to achieving the progress we all seek. This crime is a reminder of the heroic generosity of the people who advocate for and defend human rights on behalf of the rest of us – and the sacrifices they make. And as we reflect on his life, it is also an occasion to reaffirm that human rights apply to everyone, no exceptions, and that the human rights of LGBT individuals cannot be separated from the human rights of all persons. Our ambassadors and diplomats around the world will continue to advance a comprehensive human rights policy, and to stand with those who, with their courage, make the world a more just place where every person can live up to his or her Godgiven potential. We honor David’s legacy by continuing the important work to which he devoted his life. the U.S. music magazine of the same name – published photographs of many people it identified as Gay next to a headline reading, “Hang them.” According to SMUG’s statement “David has been receiving death threats since his face was put on the front page of Rolling Stone magazine, which called for his death and the death of all homosexuals.” Mugisha confirmed that threats against
Kato had increased since the tabloid story was published. “Before he died, he talked a lot about receiving threats from the anti-Gay groups,” he told the BBC. Ugandan activists blamed the climate of hate stirred up by an anti-Gay conference in the country’s capital, Kampala, in 2009. The conference was attended by a number of Americans prominent in anti-Gay Christian right groups. Shortly after the conference, Ugandan government supporters introduced the infamous “Kill-the-Gays” bill, which specifies the death penalty for “serial offender” Gays. Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni is also known to be a protégé of the secretive U.S. Christian group The Family. Val Kalende, the chair of the Lesbian organization Freedom and Roam Uganda, did not mince words when assigning blame for Kato’s death. “David’s death is a result of the hatred planted in Uganda by U.S. Evangelicals in 2009. The Ugandan government and the socalled U.S. Evangelicals must take responsibility for David’s blood!” she said. Mugisha demanded that the Ugandan government protect all its citizens, but also cautioned LGBT individuals to be vigilant. “We’re strongly asking every Gay and Lesbian and Bisexual and Transgender person in Uganda to watch out for their security. … [They] should take extra caution.” According to BBC News, there has been a recent spate of “iron-bar killings” in Mukono, where Kato lived, in which the victims were beaten with pieces of metal. “Iron-bar killings” were also common in Uganda when the late dictator Idi Amin was in power in the 1970s. Rolling Stone editor Giles Muhame tried to distance himself from responsibility for the crime. “There has been a lot of crime, it may not be because he is Gay,” he told Reuters News Agency. “We want the government to hang people who promote homosexuality, not for the public to attack them,” he added. International human rights organizations condemned the killing and called on the Ugandan government to protect its citizens. “IGLHRC calls upon the government of Uganda to publicly condemn Kato’s murder, carry out a full and fair investigation into his death, and prosecute the perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law,” the group said in a statement on January 27. “Additionally, Ugandan authorities
should provide police protection to LGBT human rights defenders who want it, particularly at their homes and offices.” Human Rights Watch also called for a swift investigation into Kato’s death. “David Kato’s death is a tragic loss to the human rights community,” Human Rights Watch spokesperson Maria Burnett said. A primary school teacher, Kato became an LGBT rights activist in 1998 after he returned to Uganda from a stay in South Africa. “In South Africa, I fought for their liberation in Johannesburg, so when I came home I had the same momentum. I tried to liberate my own community,” he said in an interview posted last year on YouTube. “I didn’t know anyone, but I knew there were people there.” Not long afterwards, he was arrested for his activism and spent a week in police custody. The incident was the start of a career that saw him become a leading member of the LGBT rights movement in East Africa. Kato, who was passionate and outspoken about his views, said that the life of a Gay activist in Uganda was like playing “hide and seek.” Offices had to be changed often so they did not become targets of either police or freelance anti-Gay vigilantes. “David was always proactive and also very authoritative. He seemed to want to be a leader in every way,” his close friend Poline Kimani, of the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya, told BBC News. “I will miss everything about David – he was somebody I’d talk to about advice. I will miss him as a friend, and I will miss him as a comrade in the struggle for social justice. I know that we have lost someone who was making a change in all our contexts,” she added. Mugisha vowed that SMUG would continue to fight for LGBT rights. “No form of intimidation will stop our cause. The death of David will only be honored when the struggle for justice and equality is won. David is gone and many of us will follow, but the struggle will be won,” he said. Perhaps the best tribute to Kato came from his school friend, blogger GayUganda. “We need to celebrate his life,” GayUganda wrote. “Maybe that will take our minds off the desperate vulnerability of ours.... how quickly, how easily we can lose all, in the name of nothing, or something. “But, it is a matter of fact that he lived his life. And, was happy. A Gay man in Uganda.”
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New HUD rules protect LGBT renters and homebuyers by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced new rules banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in its core housing programs. The new rules will affect some 4.4 million units of housing across the country. The new rules say that: • Families who are otherwise eligible for HUD programs may not be excluded because one or more family members are LGBT individuals, have an LGBT relationship, or are perceived as LGBT or in an LGBT relationship. • Owners and operators of HUD-assisted or HUD-financed housing may not ask about applicants’ sexual orientation or gender identity. • Lenders may not use sexual orientation or gender identity as a basis to determine eligibility for FHA mortgages. The new policies would apply to HUD’s rental assistance and home ownership programs, including FHA mortgage insurance programs, community development programs, and public and assisted housing programs. FHA mortgages represent one-third of all new mortgages in the country. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan called the move “a fundamental issue of fairness” and said, in a press briefing, that he wants HUD to be a “leader” in the fight for LGBT equality, as it has been in other civil rights battles.
The new HUD rules must go through a 60-day period of public comment before the final versions are published. The date of publication for the final rules will depend upon the volume of comments received, but is expected by the end of 2011, a HUD spokesperson said. The new rules fulfill a promise made by HUD last October, to revise its policies as part of a series of measures addressing housing discrimination against LGBT people. In July 2010, HUD announced a “clarification” of existing policy relating to the Fair Housing Act. While that law does not specifically cover discrimination against sexual orientation or gender identity, HUD said, it may still cover them in other ways. For example, genderidentity discrimination may be seen as sex discrimination, or discrimination against a same-sex couple may be treated as discrimination on the basis of family status. HUD has also instructed its staff to inform individuals about state and local LGBT protections that may apply to them. And HUD has told its grant applicants – who seek a total of $3.25 billion in federal funding – they must comply with such state and local laws, where they exist. There are currently no explicit federal protections that ban housing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Twenty states plus the District of Columbia have housing protections specific to sexual orientation, and 13 states plus D.C. have
The new rules fulfill a promise made by HUD last October, to revise its policies as part of a series of measures addressing housing discrimination against LGBT people.
protections specific to gender identity. Approximately 150 cities, towns, and counties have LGBT protections as well, according to HUD. Washington state law includes gender identity as part of the category of sexual orientation, for the purpose of protecting LGBT people against discrimination in housing as well as other facets of life. Both King County and the City of Seattle have fair housing ordinances that include sexual orientation and gender identity. No national studies have been done to document discrimination in housing against LGBT persons, but HUD is now preparing a national study to fill this gap. The agency collected input for the study last year via a national listening tour and online submissions. A HUD spokesperson said the target date for reporting findings is late 2012. HUD may additionally include LGBT discrimination in its decennial study of housing discrimination, which has, in the past, looked at racial- and ethnic-based dis-
crimination. Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), John Conyers (D-Mich.), and Edolphus Towns (DN.Y.) introduced the Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) Act in the last session of the 111th Congress. The HOME Act would amend the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, or marital status in the sale, rental, financing, or brokerage of housing. The bill would also expand the Fair Housing Act’s definition of “familial status” to include “anyone standing in loco parentis” to a minor – thus providing protection to same-sex couples and other families where one parent may not be legally recognized. Individuals seeking redress under the Fair Housing Act would be allowed to bring a lawsuit in federal district court or file an administrative complaint with HUD. Prospects for passing such legislation in the new Republican-controlled 112th Congress are not bright, however.
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When to admit it’s over by Michael Raitt SGN Contributing Writer Ending a relationship is never easy. Sometimes the relationship has only lasted for a few weeks or months. Other times, it has been a relationship that has been built over the course of years and it has many ties and affiliations with it. How do you know when its over? When do you make the call and end it? The reasons that relationships end vary greatly. Sometimes, they end because a significant act of betrayal has occurred, such as an affair. Sometimes relationships end because one or both people have grown in different directions and their needs and desires have changed. In some relationships, the dynamics have become so dysfunctional that one or both are more unhappy and dissatisfied being together than they are being happy. For some, you wake up one day and realize this wasn’t the life you signed up for, and the reality of the relationship is far off of what you thought the relationship would be. It is not uncommon for one person to want the relationship, and another to want out. For most, there is a lot of pain in ending a relationship and many things to consider such as friends, pets, family, and property. Often it is the fear of pain and dealing with all of these ties that keeps people in relationships when they’d rather be out. People are also afraid of causing the other person
pain, and/or are afraid to be on their own – they’ve become so accustomed to the relationship they are afraid if it ends, they won’t know how to function or whether they will ever have a relationship again. Some would rather sit in the pain of an unsatisfying relationship then deal with the pain of ending it. Relationships end. It is very common and, for some couples/individuals, very necessary. It’s over when you know in your gut and heart that it just doesn’t work for you any more. You know its over when, even though you may still have feelings of love for your partner/spouse, you know that there aren’t enough places that you come together and you aren’t getting what you want or need out of the relationship. You know it’s over when you feel like you’ve put in all the work you could and you still can’t get traction on making it better. When one or both of you have come to this point, for all intents and purposes, the relationship as it was won’t continue. At this juncture, someone has to be brave enough to call it and then start taking the steps to redefine or dissolve the relationship. Being at this point and waiting for the right moment to say something won’t diminish the pain that is going to be experienced by one or both of the people in the relationship. The longer you wait, the more you put off the inevitable and prolong the process. Surprisingly, many people think that the way to end a relationship is only through anger and hatred. This is rarely necessary. You
never have to work so hard at saving the relationship that you end up resenting and hating the other person. You can end it and still respect and love the other person. In my opinion, I’d rather walk away from a relationship, even in pain, caring and respecting and loving the other and hoping they have similar feelings for me. I’d rather have a number of people in my life that I once loved and still care for and who care for me, than having a number who I hate or who hate me! Anger and hate take up so much energy! There is nothing worse than being angry with someone over the end of a relationship, and he’s moved on and is happy. That kind of anger only negatively affects the person who is angry – no one else. How you feel about a relationship ending will be greatly influenced by how you acted in ending the relationship. Be honest and make the call. Realize that hurt will happen and you’ll both have to work through it. Don’t be a wimp and act poorly to screw things up in order to make the other person break up with you so that it’s not “your fault” and you don’t feel guilty. Man up! If you are the person who still wants the relationship and is fighting to not have it end when the other person is clear that they want it to end, you have to ask yourself why you are trying so hard to be with someone who doesn’t want to be with you. Are you trying to avoid the pain? Do you have low self-esteem? What are you afraid of? In most cases, you are not likely to ever feel se-
cure in the relationship when you constantly doubt whether the other really wants to be with you. This is the emotional equivalent of death by a thousand cuts. Deal with whatever is going on, but don’t submit yourself to any more humiliation or degradation by frantically pursuing someone who doesn’t want to be with you. You will be fine! You are likely to end up better off anyway! When it is appropriate, redefine the relationship. End it as it was. Acknowledge the love and the good times and commit to respecting and caring for each other as friends. Deal with the pain. Work through the grief – the grief that is ending and the grief that it isn’t going to be like you thought it would. Your future is going to be different than you had planned. You will be okay! It will be awkward and uncomfortable at times, but work through that. Encourage your mutual friends to accept both of you and don’t put them in a position where they have to take sides. A relationship not working out doesn’t make you a failure or a loser. Sometimes it just isn’t going to work. Both people have great influence on how it will end. I’d encourage you to end it on a positive note.
How you feel about a relationship ending will be greatly influenced by how you acted in ending the relationship.
Michael Raitt, MA LMHC, is a therapist and a contributing writer to the SGN. He writes a bi-monthly column in the SGN. If you would like to comment on this column, ask a question you’d like him to write about, or suggest another topic of interest, please contact him at askingmichael@comcast. net.
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ERW
continued from cover new rules that State Superintendent Randy Dorn and his team have put together to enforce the law simply won’t do. “One of the important things that organizations like ERW do is to monitor and, if need be, help with the rule-making process,” Josh Friedes, executive director for ERW, told Seattle Gay News. “The passing of a law does not represent victory; it is just one important step towards victory. We will continue to keep our advocates aware and engaged on the rule-making process for legislation that we advocate for.” This past summer, OSPI gathered input from parents, students, community groups, superintendents, school board members, and teachers from all across the state to help it draft the proposed regulations. The draft regulations crafted by the stakeholder process addressed the concerns of each group and promised to fully implement both the spirit and intent of the new law. Unfortunately, say ERW officials, in response to pressure from school districts and their lawyers, OSPI has issued new Proposed Administrative Rules that weaken the law and, in all actuality, roll back the civil rights for students. That is when ERW, ACLU of Washington, and a consortium of other public policy and advocacy groups took to the web, issuing action e-mail alerts asking their supporters to contact Gov. Chris Gregoire and Randy
Dorn to voice their dissatisfaction. “These dramatically scaled-back regulations take a one-size-fits-all approach and squeeze the concerns of a wide variety of students and discriminatory concerns into one set of provisions,” ERW officials said in a statement to their supporters. “The resulting regulations do not address the kinds of discrimination faced by Washington’s students and undermines civil rights laws.” In layman’s terms, says Friedes, the law that ERW worked to pass – prohibiting discrimination in public schools – intended to provide a variety of classes of students with the same types of protections already available to women that have existed for 30 years. The new rules, according to ERW officials, do not live up to that – in fact, they roll back protections for certain classes, including women. How is that possible if HB3026 was signed into law? Friedes says that the answer to that question can be found in the details. “It is very clear that one of the reasons that this bill was introduced was to address the achievement gap in schools due to discrimination,” he said. “The new proposed rules have no ‘known standard,’ which means that a school district could stick its head in the sand and say, ‘We didn’t know about the discrimination.’ One should not be able to avoid claims of discrimination by saying, ‘We were unaware.’ Schools have an obligation to be aware of what is happening.” The ACLU of Washington agrees. “Racial, ethnic, disability, sexual orientation,
and other kinds of discrimination remain a tionately impact student of color and conpervasive problem in Washington schools. tribute to the achievement gap. • Mandate equal treatment of limited EngDiscrimination shows up in a variety of forms, among them harassment, disparate lish language students, another significant discipline including suspensions and ex- issue contributing to the achievement gap. • Establish less stringent complaint propulsions, over-referral to special education, and under-inclusion in advanced-placement cedures that are clear and manageable for classes. Such discrimination contributes to students and their families. • Require schools to respond to all incilower achievement and higher dropout rates dents of harassment and bullying among student populations,” ACLU about which they knew or of Washington officials said of In response should have known. the achievement gap, due • Address the unique to discrimination, in to pressure from concerns facing each Washington state public schools. school districts and their protected class rather than writing a oneAccording to the lawyers, OSPI has issued size-fits-all regulaACLU, by creating a narrower cause new Proposed Administrative tion. Friedes was hapof action and specifically delegating Rules that weaken the law py to report that over 450 people parauthority to OSPI, and, in all actuality, roll ticipated in ERW’s the new law was supposed to create a clearer back the civil rights for action alert, and an even greater number parand more effective way ticipated in the ACLU’s acto address civil rights violastudents. tion alert. tions in schools. In addition, the “We hope that the OSPI gets the passage of HB3026 was supposed to provide students and parents alternatives to message that what we want is real protection filing complaints, including technical assis- against discrimination for all Washington students,” he said. “To propose rules that do tance for OSPI and dispute resolution. All of that is great, in theory, says Frie- not meet the needs for all students and roll des. But the reality of the situation, accord- back protections for female students is coming to ERW, is that the new rules allow the pletely unacceptable, and we will continue OSPI and school administrators to simply to watch this very closely.” State Superintendent Randy Dorn says he say, “We did not know this was going,” allowing them to wash their hands of claims and the OSPI have done nothing wrong. “Superintendent Dorn is committed to of discrimination that may implicate public protecting the civil rights of all students,” schools in litigation. “There are problems around gender iden- Nate Olson, OSPI communication manager, tity and expression,” said Friedes. “One of told Seattle Gay News. “In that spirit, he the important things about the statute is that supported the passage of House Bill 3026 it is gender identity and expression inclu- in 2010. The administrative rules that were drafted for HB3026 follow the intent of the sive.” Friedes says it is important to note that law, which was to extend the protections gender identity and expression were in- available under current state sexual equality cluded within the body of the law, rather law to all protected classes listed in chapter than just as an expression or label. “The 28A.642RCW.” Olson said Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, proposed OSPI rules do not take that approach to those students,” he said. “They who currently is the chair of the House Eduare not looking at the reality of where the cation Committee, sponsored HB3026. “It is important to remember that the rules discrimination occurs. The rules need to go deeper and address the types of problems be consistent with and not go beyond the inthat Transgender students experience, such tent of the legislature,” added Olson. “The as discrimination surrounding school ath- rules drafted for HB3026 meet that test.” Friedes does not see it that way. “A lot of letic programs and so on.” “The new rules should recognize the mo- what is happening here is that the schools dality of discrimination,” states Friedes. don’t want to be held responsible for dis“Simply put, these rules do not do that. We crimination,” he said. “It is really our job, have to make sure that all forms of discrimi- and the job of parents, to make it clear to the OSPI that the best way to avoid litiganation are addressed.” ERW, alongside the coalition of like- tion and liability is for schools to make sure minded advocates, asked that their support- that their practices are nondiscriminatory ers contact OSPI and urge the superinten- and that their staff is adequately trained and dent to reject the Proposed Administrative that the learning environment is safe. AtRules. They asked people to insist that Dorn tempting to pass rules that would prevent adopt new regulations, similar to the origi- accountability when there is discrimination is counter to the intent of the law which was nal Draft Regulations that: • Hold schools accountable for policies passed and bad public policy.” “We hope that when Randy Dorn sees our and practices that have the effect or result of comments, he will recognize that the prodiscriminating against students. • Prohibit discriminatory discipline prac- posed rules are inconsistent with the intent tices, which are widely proven to dispropor- of the legislation,” concludes Friedes.
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Seattle Gay News 17
it brings together a diverse group of professional LGBT community members from diverse backgrounds and professions,” he said. “Everyone that I spoke with was very passionate about making connections within the LGBT community.” Rumley says he believes that making connections within the community “is the best way to foster a strong and active community.” “Success is learning how to make important business connections, expand referral sources, and meet like-minded professionals,” added Louise. “YPP was developed to ensure our young professionals make the connections and have the tools they need to be successful. Oh, and as with all GSBA programs, YPP mixers are fun!” If you are interested in attending the next YPP event on February 15 at Purr Cocktail Lounge (1518 11th Ave.), register online at www.thegsba.org or call (206) 363-9188. The cost is $10 for GSBA members and students and $15 for non-members. Please keep in mind you must be over 21 to attend a YPP mixer.
ypp
continued from cover
executive director. “There are unique challenges faced by young professionals, and being able to connect with peers is reassuring and helpful. In GSBA, young professionals have the added advantage of being able to network with peers at YPP, plus meet other seasoned professionals throughout GSBA’s huge and diverse membership.” According to GSBA officials, the GSBA’s Young Professionals with Pride is dedicated to providing Seattle’s LGBT and allied young professionals 21-39 years of age with unique and valuable opportunities to enhance personal and professional development through social, educational, and philanthropic activities. The anniversary YPP mixer was held at Tidbit Bistro (1401 Broadway) in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., over 50 young professionals and their mentors were in attendance. “It was a great event. I was able to meet, socialize, and network with other people within the community that I might not have met otherwise,” said Molly Sanders, a recent Seattle University graduate. continued from cover Joshua Rumley, one of the event’s organizers, said he is incredibly thankful to be working with an organization like the GSBA. “The YPP social has the potential to • General discharge: 10% open countless doors for attendees because • Other than honorable discharge: 3%
dadt
• Not applicable or unknown: 2% The cost stands at $193.3 million – but excludes the Navy, which was unable to provide data for the time period. Seventy percent of those discharged under DADT were white, 18% were African American, 2% were multiracial, 2% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 3% were American Indian or Alaskan Native, 3% were Asian, and 3% were unknown. Ninety-eight percent were enlisted servicemembers while just 2% were officers; 66% were male and 34% were female. “The GAO report underscores that the DADT law not only deprives the military of the qualified Americans it needs, but has also been a huge waste of taxpayer dollars on replacing patriots lost under this discriminatory law,” said Aubrey Sarvis, Army veteran and executive director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. “These numbers remind us why it’s time to move forward on certification so we can begin implementing repeal of DADT and make a smooth transition to open service.” The GAO reported its findings to Rep. Susan Davis of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee. “Clearly this was the right thing to do,” Davis said of the repeal, after the GAO released its report. “No longer will American taxpayers continue to pay to throw out patriotic servicemembers who only want to serve their country.”
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