Issue 31 Volume 38
Celebrating 37 Years!
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Seattle Gay News
FRIDAY July 30, 2010 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands
SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Target donates $150,000 Supreme Court candidate to anti-Gay group Charlie Wiggins SGN Exclusive Interview
charliewigginsforjustice.com
Charlie Wiggins
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Attorney and former judge Charlie Wiggins is running for a seat on the Washington Supreme Court.
see wiggins page 19
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
Gay rights activists and loyal Target shoppers are furious with the company after it contributed $150,000 to MN Forward, a political group that has endorsed and is paying for ads for conservative Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, who opposes same-sex marriage. In the wake of the donation, groups such as “Boycott Target Until They Cease Funding AntiGay Politics” have sprung up on Facebook, where those upset with the donation are encouraged to contact Target to let them know how they feel. In addition to the calls for picketing and boycotting the department store, Randi Reitan, who has a Gay son, has posted a video on YouTube showing her cutting up her Target card and returning merchandise in protest. “I shared with her why I had bought each item, who they were see target page 20
Izeekiel Lundsten
His opponent, 15-year incumbent Richard Sanders, has earned a reputation as a loose cannon. Sanders has been labeled pro-business and anti-labor, but also anti-prosecutor. He is the only sitting Supreme Court justice to have been admonished for unethical conduct. In 2008, Sanders reportedly heckled then-Attorney General Michael Mukasey at a Federalist Society event in D.C. In his career on the Supreme Court, Sanders has written several opinions hostile to LGBT rights, something Wiggins is quick to point out. This week, Wiggins spoke exclusively with SGN about his campaign and his views on LGBT legal issues.
A cart of merchandise abandoned in protest of Target’s policies.
Discharged Gay Army Lt. SGN Exclusive Interview Lesbian labor leader Dan Choi confronts Reid Mary Kay Henry
Senator Reid embraces Choi, promises to pass DADT bill
Dan Choi is at it again. Depending on what side of the activist coin you associate yourself with, Choi is either a hero or an instigator. Regardless of what you think of Choi, he isn’t going anywhere; which is exactly what Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) learned on July 24 when Choi showed up at Netroots Nation in Las Vegas to present Reid with his West Point ring and ask him to make good on his promise to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). Choi, along with his discharge papers he had just received last week, hopped onstage to shake hands with and hug Senator Reid. Choi presented Reid with his West Point ring as a symbol of promise. Reid was visibly moved. “He earned this ring. And I’m going to give it back to him. I don’t need this ring to fulfill the promise I made to him,” Reid told the audience, who began to chant, “When it’s signed!”
President of SEIU “the most powerful Lesbian in the country” by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
courtesy SEIU
Muncy for news
Lt. Dan Choi
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
Mary Kay Henry has been described as “the most powerful Lesbian in the country.” In May, she was elected president of the 2.2 million-member SEIU (Service Employees International Union), one of the largest, fastest growing, and most influential unions in the country. In Seattle to meet with local SEIU leaders after an SEIU 925 conference in Yakima, Henry spoke exclusively with SGN about her union, its role in a broader social justice movement, and the future Mary Kay Henry of LGBT activism. She also revealed new initiaTHE PURPLE OCEAN tives to repair relations with other Henry was instantly recognizunions – relations that were often able in a purple shirt – purple being strained to the breaking point under her SEIU predecessor, Andy see labor leader page 20 see choi page 18 Stern.
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Seattle Gay News
July 30, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
All photos by james whitely
Capitol Hill Alano Club meets fundraising goal by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer Capitol Hill Alano Club (CHAC) has done it! CHAC has raised $21,398 – exceeding their $15,000 fundraising goal. Aleksa Manila and Friends, a variety show sponsored by Seattle Gay News and hosted by Aleksa Manila and SGN Associate Editor Shaun Knittel at Café Metropolitain (1701 E. Olive Way) raised nearly $3,000 alone in a single night on Sunday, July 25. The show featured Miz Ginger Snapz, Cherry Pop Tart, Ashley Nicole, Prince William, Gaysha Starr, Jackie Scott, Sahara Dior, Marita Isabel, Elaina M. Ellis, Janet Planet, Yee-Shin Huang, Mr. Gay Latino 2010 Horacio Cruz, Verge, the Rev. Shae Savoy, and jazz vocalist Ben Black. For 28 years, CHAC has provided clean and sober space for people in recovery. Every day of the week, CHAC provides safe space for the LGBTQ and ally communities for meetings and social events. Safe and sober space is an integral component of
Visit us online www.sgn.org
recovery, especially for the LGBTQA communities. Faced not only with the stigma of addiction and recovery, LGBTQ members are often hit with issues of discrimination, Transphobia, and homophobia, to name a few. CHAC ensures this safe and sober space exists for our communities. However, due to extraordinary expenses for maintenance and repairs on the rented space last year alone, and along with diminished meetings and membership income, CHAC is seeking emergency help, said Aleksa Manila. CHAC’s goal was to raise $15,000 by the end of July 2010 in order to survive. If, by August 1, 2010, the goal was not met, CHAC would have had to close its doors forever. Fortunately, with the help of Seattle’s LGBT community, CHAC exceeded their goal. CHAC still needs donations for the future. To make a donation now or to learn more about the “Staying Alive 2010” campaign, CHAC’s fundraising effort, visit www.capitolhillalanoclub.org.
July 30, 2010
Seattle Gay News
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2010
Deadlines Classifieds - Thursday at noon Calendar - Tuesday 6pm Display Ads: Space Reservation - Monday 5pm Ad copy (non-camera ready) - Tues. 5pm Ad copy (camera ready) - Wed. 5pm Letters to the Editor - Tuesday 5pm Obituaries - Call the sgN office All others - Tuesday 5pm
Editor In Chief George Bakan Associate Editor Shaun Knittel Editorial Assistant Nick Ardizzone Production William Creswell Calender Editors Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Travel Editor George Bakan Advertising Manager Marty Weisbrod Advertising Department Maggie Bloodstone Executive Assistant Mike Andrew Staff Writers George Bakan, Albert S. Rodriguez, Nick Ardizzone, Shaun Knittel Miryam Gordon, James Whitely, Tim Peter 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, Joseph P. Herron, Shaun Knittel, James Whitely National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Website Designer Barry Thorsness/Digital Team Works Seattle Gay News is published weekly by JT&A, Inc. © 2010, JT&A, Inc., all rights reserved. Reprints by permission.
Victory for Argentina by Leslie Robinson SGN Contributing Writer Argentina suffered a distinct blow when its promising soccer team was bounced from the World Cup. What did the country do to pick up its spirits? It passed Gay marriage. Argentina is the first nation in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage. Gays and Lesbians in Argentina will have all the legal rights and responsibilities that marriage affords straight couples. Goal! The days leading up to the momentous decision were infused with pressure, both sides pushing and pushing. About the only thing missing were vuvuzelas. And for all I know, some Argentine soccer fans brought those horns home from South Africa and blew them in the streets of Buenos Aires, aggravating people on both sides of the marriage battle. The issue of same-sex marriage pitted the Catholic Church against Argentine President Cristina Fernandez. Time.com reported that Buenos Aires archbishop and Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio said, “This is no mere legis-
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.
lative bill, it is a move by the father of lies to confuse and deceive the children of God.” Fernandez responded that Bergoglio’s statement was “really reminiscent of the times of the Inquisition.” The hyperbole was sky-high enough to tickle St. Peter’s feet. Polls indicated a solid majority of Argentines favored same-sex marriage, even though the country is overwhelmingly Catholic. With the president of the nation a strong supporter of the bill, and the lower chamber having approved it in May, all that remained was for Argentina’s Senate to get in the game. In a march organized by the Catholic Church and evangelical groups, 60,000 people descended on Congress the evening before the vote. Same-sex marriage supporters held smaller, loud rallies. As the final debate took place inside Congress, opponents stood outside reciting the rosary in freezing temperatures, and supporters chanted equality slogans. These people must’ve wondered if the senators had escaped out the back door – the vote didn’t take place until 4:05 a.m., after 15 hours of debate. The game lasted so long
it went into penalty kicks. “Marriage between a man and a woman has existed for centuries, and is essential for the perpetuation of the species,” asserted Senator Juan Perez Alsina, according to The Associated Press. Senator Norma Morandini compared the discrimination closeted Gays experience to the oppression Argentina’s past dictators imposed. “What defines us is our humanity, and what runs against humanity is intolerance,” Morandini said. With that, every dictator rose from his grave and tried to give her a red card, but no one noticed. At the end of the long, tense session, the Argentine Senate approved same-sex marriage 33-27, with three abstentions. Argentina became the 10th nation in the world to approve Gay marriage. On the same day the Catholic Church lost the game, the Vatican announced that the “attempted ordination” of women is now one of the most serious crimes under church law, on a par with clerical sexual abuse of children. Altogether, the Catholic Church is shooting on the wrong goal. The first legal same-sex wedding is scheduled for August 13. Ernesto Rodriguez Larrese, 60, will wed Alejandro Vanelli, 61. The men have lived together for 34 years, so presumably they require no pre-wedding counseling. Mexico City, which legalized Gay marriage last year, made an offer the guys might not be able to refuse. The city’s tourism minister promised a free honeymoon to the first Gay couple wed in Argentina. The minister seeks to recognize tolerance and to promote Gay tourism – a healthy, eminently practical combo. By the way, the two World Cup finalists, Spain and Holland, both legalized Gay marriage. All the soccer-playing nations in the world, and it was those two that made it. I’m just sayin’…. Leslie Robinson thinks the U.S. better hurry up and legalize Gay marriage if it is ever to do well in the World Cup. E-mail Leslie at lesarobinson@gmail.com, and visit her blog at www.generalgayety.com.
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
July 30, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
courtesy towleroad
GetEQUAL arrested (again) Obama angers pro-choice supporters, excludes in U.S. Capitol rotunda insurance coverage for abortions
GetEqual protestors demonstrate in the United States Capitol rotunda.
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
told us that we needed to ‘get the drumbeat going’ and ‘make you do it.’ Madam speaker, we are here to do just that.” On July 28, eight people were arrested On July 14, GetEQUAL sent out a national during a staged sit-in by the direct action e-mail to its members and supporters asking group GetEQUAL in the rotunda of the U.S. who their next set of ENDA direct actions Capitol. GetEQUAL officials say the act of should target. Cronks said that Pelosi recivil disobedience was part of an effort to ceived the highest number of responses. She push House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to take a said that GetEQUAL’s Washington, D.C.vote on the Employment Nondiscrimination based members met recently to organize a Act (ENDA) – legislation that direct action and “overwhelmWe have would outlaw workplace ingly agreed on targeting yet to see [Pelosi] discrimination against Pelosi as well.” people based on their “We know that show the leadership she’s Speaker sexual orientation Pelosi has promised in taking ENDA out the political prowand gender identity. The LGBT activists of committee and moving it ess and the political – estimated at around bandwidth to take on through the House. ENDA while the Senate is 20 people – entered the building as part of a routine tour shepherding ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t through the Capitol. According to news re- Tell’ through the legislative process,” said ports, upon reaching the rotunda, the activ- Robin McGehee, co-founder of GetEQUAL. ists pulled out signs reading, “Pass ENDA “We are pressuring Speaker Pelosi to move Now” and “Pelosi: This Is Your Reminder.” on ENDA because, while we know that she GetEQUAL reports that eight people vol- values the legislation, we have yet to see her unteered to risk arrest in the action, with show the leadership she’s promised in takthe other half present to provide support – ing ENDA out of committee and moving it including a couple of legal observers. The through the House.” support group – along with tourists and reAccording to the Advocate, a spokesperporters – were quickly removed by Capitol son for Pelosi said ENDA was still in the police. queue for a vote but encouraged activists to GetEQUAL officials say the group chose focus their energy on the Senate. the rotunda because it symbolizes AmeriCronk says that GetEQUAL plans to ca’s commitment to justice, equality, and take its show on the road during the August freedom. 9-September 10 recess, when lawmakers “In March, GetEQUAL held a sit-in in will be back in their home districts. Pelosi’s office asking her to bring ENDA to Currently, in 29 states, Lesbian, Gay and the floor for a vote. At that point, we said Bisexual employees can be fired from their we would keep coming back until it was jobs, and in 38 states, Transgender or genvoted on,” said Heather Cronk, GetEQUAL der-nonconforming employees can be fired. spokesperson. “So this is us making good on our promise, asking her to make good on her promise over the last few years on ENDA.” Last week, Pelosi told attendees of the Netroots Nation conference for progressive bloggers that they should hold her accountable – though she stopped short of promising a vote on ENDA. “I can’t give you a time, but I can tell you that it is a priority,” Pelosi said. “To do it this year, we have to finish ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ Hopefully we can do them both this year.” Cronk said GetEQUAL sent a letter to the Speaker on July 28 as well, stating, “You
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by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Gay rights activists are not the only ones wondering where their “fierce advocate” went. Pres. Obama outraged reproductive choice supporters when his administration announced on July 16 that the high-risk insurance pools created by his healthcare reform bill to cover people with pre-existing conditions would not pay for most abortions. The announcement by the Department of Health and Human Services was intended to refute claims by the National Right to Life Committee, the Family Research Council, and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) that some states plan to cover socalled “elective” abortions. HHS spokesperson Jenny Backus said the insurance pools will cover abortions only in cases of rape, incest, or to save the mother’s life. She added that states will update their websites in the coming weeks to provide information on current abortion coverage. Rosanne Placey, a Pennsylvania state insurance official, also added, “We absolutely do not cover elective abortions.” She noted that the state already prohibits the procedure under existing federally funded programs, including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Michelle Lujan Grisham, deputy director of the New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool, said her state is in “the process of correcting the package so it will not have elective abortion coverage.” Pennsylvania and New Mexico were two
July 30, 2010
of the states anti-abortion forces had alleged would fund abortions. Reproductive choice advocates said the new rules amounted to reinstatement of the Stupak Amendment, which was eventually dropped from the healthcare bill before it passed in May. Nancy Keenan, President of NARAL ProChoice America, said in a statement “This policy means that women who are part of these pools because they have significant health problems, such as diabetes or cancer, will not be able to access abortion care, even if their health is at further risk. This decision puts in place a three-year restriction that is similar to the proposal from Rep. Bart Stupak that was rejected during the legislative debate on health reform.” Rev. Debra Haffner, director of the Religious Institute, a multifaith organization that advocates for sexual health, education, and justice within faith communities, called the administration’s announcement “extremely disheartening.” “As a pro-choice religious leader, I believe that abortion is a moral decision and that it must not only be safe and legal, but accessible to all,” she added. Gloria Feldt, author and past president of Planned Parenthood threatened political consequences for the president. “Women are 52% of the voters and up to 60% of the voters who support Democrats,” she said. “We have the power to rise up and hold Obama to his campaign promises. And now is the time to do it. No excuses and no fair complaining about the result if we fail to do so.”
Seattle Gay News
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NEWS
HIV-positive people stage massive die-in at International AIDS Conference Hundreds of HIV-positive people disrupted the opening of the biennial International AIDS Conference in Vienna on July 18 by staging a massive die-in. Blogger Rod McCullom said the protesters “were calling attention to the decreased funding of HIV/AIDS programs by the G8 leaders, as well as the ‘slowing and scaling back [of] their commitments toward universal access to HIV care, treatment and prevention.’” The protesters said U.S. President Barack Obama’s new “National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States” contained no new funding for fighting the epidemic. Seventeen killed at Gay party in Mexico Seventeen people were killed at a birthday party organized by a Gay group in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico, on July 19, the Los Angeles Times reported. Another 18 people were injured in the attack at the Italia Inn, during which the gunmen said nothing. Police theorize that the bloodbath was related to drug-cartel clashes and may not have been a hate crime. The party had been advertised online and was promoted as being open to everyone. The state of Coahuila borders Texas. Irish partnership bill signed President Mary McAleese signed Ireland’s civil-partnership bill into law July 19. It will take effect early next year and extend marriage rights and obligations in areas such as taxes, pensions, property, tenancy, inheritance, alimony, immigration and social benefits. Couples will unite before a registrar after providing three months’ advance notice. To end a partnership, a couple will go to court and prove they’ve not lived together for two of the last three years. The law also will recognize foreign samesex unions and provide some rights for unregistered cohabitating couples. Justice Minister Dermot Ahern called the
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer law “one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation to be enacted since independence.” Gay marriage off to slow start in Portugal Only about 20 Gay or Lesbian couples have gotten married in Portugal since it became possible June 7. Another 30 weddings are scheduled before the end of the year. Portugal has about 10.6 million residents. Meanwhile, two administrative changes have been made to resolve snafus encountered by same-sex couples. People who married in other countries before the Portuguese law took effect now will have their foreign marriages recognized. Previously, those marriages were not recognized but, at the same time, such couples couldn’t marry in Portugal because they were already married. The second change removed a requirement to include the gender of the person one intends to marry on a required certificate of matrimonial capacity that a foreigner must obtain from his or her native land before marrying in Portugal. There were problems with getting such certificates from some nations that oppose same-sex marriages. One does not have to live in Portugal to get married there. Zimbabwean president at it again Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has lashed out at Gays again. Speaking at a church event July 17, Mugabe said: “We say no to Gays! We will not listen to those advocating the inclusion of their rights in the [upcoming new] constitution. Today, the Anglican Church conHundreds of HIV-positive people disrupted the opening of the biennial dones marriages between men and the same International AIDS Conference in Vienna on July 18 by staging a massive die-in. for women. The Archbishop of Canterbury pean Court of Human Rights. is blessing such marriages – that is similar for recognition of same-sex unions. “The court has created a very dangerous to dog behavior.” The ministry claimed it cannot officially approve Marriage Equality Russia because precedent which goes much further than the Russia refuses to register national law defines marriage as between a campaign for Gay rights, making it possible marriage-equality man and a woman, and the group’s objec- to deny registration to any organization organization tives therefore “conflict with the laws of the whose purpose is to fight for changes in the Russian laws,” he said. The Gagarin district court in Moscow on Russian Federation.” July 20 upheld the refusal of Russia’s Justice Activist Nikolai Alekseev says MER may With assistance from Bill Kelley Ministry to register an organization pushing appeal to the Supreme Court, then the Euro-
Gay priests “sadden” pope by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
The Italian weekly Panorama – owned by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi – pubThe Vatican said it was “saddened and lished the article titled “Le notti brave dei troubled” by a magazine cover story on Gay preti Gay” (The wild nights of Gay priests) priests. last week.
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Seattle Gay News
Kaytee Riek
INTERNATIONAL
July 30, 2010
Using hidden cameras, Panorama captured priests visiting Gay nightclubs and bars, and having sex. One French priest in his 30s, identified only as “Father Paul,” was photographed at a party with two male prostitutes. The next morning, Fr. Paul said Mass as usual, then drove the pair to the airport. A photo on Panorama’s website claimed to show the priest wearing his collar but not his pants, in company with a Gay man who acted as a decoy for the magazine. In other shots, priests were shown kissing the Panorama decoy. The Vatican does not condemn same-sex attraction, but it teaches that Gay sex is “intrinsically disordered.” Pope Benedict XVI has forbidden actively Gay men from studying for the priesthood. A member of the clergy quoted by Panorama said that perhaps 98% of the priests in Rome were Gay. The Vatican, meanwhile, insisted that the vast majority of priests in Rome were “models of morality for all.” The number of Gay clergyman was “small,” the Vatican said, “but not to be writ-
ten off as isolated cases.” The Vatican said it would pursue “with rigor any behavior that is unworthy of the priestly life.” “No one obliges them to remain priests and keep enjoying the advantages,” the Vatican continued. “Consistency demands that they reveal themselves. We don’t wish them any harm, but we cannot accept that the honor of all the others is dragged through the mud because of their behavior.” Former member of the Italian parliament and Gay activist Franco Grillini told AFP reporters, “If all the Gays in the Catholic Church were to leave it at once – something we would very much like – they would cause it serious operational problems.” Another activist, Aurelio Mancuso, condemned the Panorama sting investigation as a “horrible political and cultural operation,” but agreed that if Gay priests quit, it would “paralyze” the Roman diocese. In March, the pope’s own household was rocked by scandal when court documents revealed that the Vatican’s choirmaster had procured male prostitutes for another papal official.
Celebrating 37 Years!
On Thursday, August 5, Madison visits C.C. Attle’s (1501 E. Madison St.) at 8 p.m., followed by a visit to Madison Pub (1315 E. Madison St.) On Friday, August 6, Madison visits The compiled by Rick McKinnon Vibe (226 1st Ave., Kent) at 8:30 p.m. for SGN Staff Writer Karaoke, followed by a visit to Swank (24437 Russell Road, Kent). EVERETT-SNOHOMISH COUNTY On Saturday, August 7, Madison hosts a what will someday become a part of our FRIENDSHIP DINNER AND special Empress Express Show at Neighbuilt world.” HIV/AIDS SUPPORT GROUP For more information, visit seattlearchi- bours (1501 Broadway – entrance in alley On Friday, July 30 at 6 p.m. at the Saint tecture.org. between Broadway & Harvard off E. Pike Paul United Methodist Church (2005 ColSt.), door at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. by Ave., Everett), the Everett-Snohomish www.imperialcourtofseattle.com. HEIDI DURHAM County Friendship Dinner and Support BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Group for Persons Living with HIV and THE ELITE HOSTS On Saturday, July 31 at 1 p.m. at 1903 NE AIDS will meet. Support group meets at 5 82nd St., there will be a public birthday celFREE ASL LESSONS p.m. All are invited and everyone is wel- ebration for Heidi Durham. She was one of FOR BEGINNERS come. Dinners are held the last Friday of the first electrical tradeswomen at Seattle Have you ever wanted to learn basic each month. Donations accepted. City Light and lifelong fighter for work- American Sign Language? If so, you can For more information, call (425) 252- ers and the disabled. BBQ picnic lunch, $9 get some beginning ASL instruction at the 7751. donation (vegan options available). Rain or Elite (1520 E. Olive Way). The FREE lessons will be held every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in shine. A benefit for Radical Women. THANK GLAAD IT’S FRIDAY For more information, call (206) 722- the loft. On Friday, July 30, from 7-9 p.m. at The 6057 or visit RWSeattle@mindspring.com. Lobby Bar (916 E. Pike St.), GLAAD presSEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN ents their national networking event series BOOK CLUB AT DUNSHEE HOUSE GAY CITY LGBT LIBRARY for young LGBT professionals and straight The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club MEMBERSHIP DRIVE allies. A second event will be held Friday, Through July 31, the Gay City LGBT Li- meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at DunAugust 20, from 7-9 p.m. at PURR (1518 brary (511 E. Pike St.) is having a member- shee House (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas 11th Ave.). TGIF 2010 Seattle Series passes ship drive. ID required to sign up for mem- St.). All GLBTQ folks in the community are are $35 and $50 and grant access to both bership to check out up to five books for a welcome to participate in this FREE book events, which including two hours of hosted month. The library has over 2,000 books in club. The book for August is Mark Doty’s Absolut Vodka cocktails, chances to win all topics and genres. The Gay City LGBT Dog Years. If your reaction is anything like sponsored prizes, a one-year membership Library is a member-generated organization Nick DiMartino’s, you’ll be roaring with to GLAAD, and opportunities to talk with and needs you to become a member in order laughter and red-eyed from crying throughGLAAD staff and supporters. to grow and become a success and staple in out this little torpedo to the heart. The readFor more information, visit www.glaad. the LGBT community. ing list is chosen and the discussion faciliorg/2010/tgifseattle1. For more information, call (206) 860- tated by Nick DiMartino, published novelist and playwright, currently a book reviewer 6969 or visit www.gaycity.org. STRAWBERRY THEATRE for ShelfAwareness.com, and a 30-year emWORKSHOP PRESENTS ployee of University Book Store. For more IMPERIAL COURT OF SEATTLE THE LARAMIE PROJECT information, e-mail nickdimartin@earthPRESENTS The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman link.net or contact Dunshee House at 206KING & QUEEN OF THE SEAS explores the reaction to the murder of Mat322-2437. PAGEANT thew Shepard – a Gay student who was torOn Saturday, July 31 at 7 p.m. at Neightured and murdered near Laramie, Wyoming bours Nightclub (1509 Broadway), the ImFREEDOM SOCIALIST in 1998. The play draws on hundreds of in- perial Sovereign Court of Seattle will hold DISCUSSION SERIES: terviews conducted by the theatre company their King & Queen of the Seas Pageant: “A THE LOGIC OF MARXISM (Tectonic Theater Project) with inhabitants Pirate Wedding.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m., On Wednesdays through September 15 of the town, company members’ own jour- $7 donation. at the Old Firehouse (402 15th Ave. E.), nal entries, and published news reports. For more information, visit www.imperi- The Logic of Marxism, by socialist scholar Performances will run through August alcourtofseattle.com. George Novack, will be discussed. This 7 at 8:30 p.m. at the Erickson Theatre Offbook provides an accessible introduction to Broadway (1524 Harvard Ave., between E. Marx’s dialectical materialism and contrasts SEATTLE STEALTH Pine and E. Pike Sts.) Tickets: $30-general; it with other political philosophies. Free. JELLO-SHOT FUNDRAISERS $100-group of 4; $15 half-price Thursdays Drop-ins welcome. Sponsored by Freedom AT PURR, EAGLE & ELITE – in advance through www.brownpapertickOn Saturday evening, July 31, Seattle Socialist Discussion Series. ets.com; 1-800-838-3006; www.strawshop. Stealth, the Emerald City Softball AssociaFor information, call 206-722-2453 or org. tion’s Second Berth D Division Team, will visit www.socialism.com/seattle. be selling Jell-O shots at the Elite (1520 E. THREE DOLLAR BILL LUAU ON THE LAWN Olive Way), the Seattle Eagle (314 E. Pike OUTDOOR CINEMA PRESENTS On Thursday, August 5, from 6-8:30 p.m., St.), and Purr, (1518 11th Ave.), to help fi“BLONDE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN” nance their participation in the Gay World The Friends of the Conservatory in VolSUMMER OUTDOOR MOVIES Series in Columbus, OH. They will also be unteer Park present “Luau on the Lawn – On Friday, July 30, Three Dollar Bill Cin- selling Jell-O shots on Saturday evening, Tropical Evening Event” at Volunteer Park ema presents The Legend of Billie Jean – the August 7, at the Elite and the Seattle Eagle. Conservatory (1400 E. Galer St.) Everyone second of four fun and FREE movies shown is invited to a dance performance by Sunat Cal Anderson Park, 11th Ave. & E. Olive shine from Polynesia, a local hula/Tahitian SEATTLE SHAKESPEARE CO. St., this summer, under the stars! school, on the front lawn of the ConservaPRESENTS FREE Desperately Seeking Susan will be shown tory at 6:30 p.m. There will be a tropical SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK on Friday, August 13, Candleshoe will be Through August 1, Seattle Shakespeare punch to enjoy and you are free to wander shown on Friday, August 27. Co. and Wooden O perform Shakespeare’s through the five luscious rooms of the beauAll screenings start at dusk – around Much Ado About Nothing and Othello in tiful Victorian glass conservatory. Docents 9:15-9:30 p.m. To make your movie going Seattle and King County parks. All perfor- will be on hand to help educate and answer experience complete, concessions will be mances are free. questions. As a special treat, small tours of sold at the screenings. Othello will be performed at Seattle Cen- the back production greenhouse area will be For more information and to see trailers ter on Sunday, August 1 at 6 p.m. Much Ado offered every 15 minutes. for the “Blonde But Not Forgotten” movie About Nothing will be performed at Seattle For more information, visit www.volunseries, visit www.threedollarbillcinema.org. Center on Sunday, August 1 at 2 p.m. For a teerparkconservatory.org. Three Dollar Bill Cinema sponsors the an- complete schedule of performances, visit nual Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival in www.seattleshakespeare.org. KEXP OFFERS BBQ & October. CONCERTS AT THE MURAL On Fridays, August 6, 13, 20, and 27 from EMPRESS EXPRESS WEEK SEATTLE ARCHITECTURE 6-8 p.m., enjoy Concerts at the Mural, a WITH REGENT EMPRESS FOUNDATION free summer concert series at Seattle CenMADISON LANE-WESTON HOLDS OPEN MODEL EXHIBIT Join Madison Lane-Weston, Regent Em- ter’s Mural Amphitheatre curated by KEXP. The Seattle Architecture Foundation press for the Imperial Sovereign Court of Included in this series is the annual KEXP (1121 First Ave.) presents their annual open Seattle, for a week of special appearances at BBQ, a free-entry event offering a great model exhibit, Monday to Saturday, 10:30 Seattle area bars. lineup of bands, Saturday, August 14, from a.m. to 3 p.m., through July 31. Admission On Sunday, August 1, at 3 p.m., Madison 2-9 p.m. at Seattle Center. Artists performis free. visits the Crescent Bar (1413 E. Olive Way) ing at Concerts at the Mural and KEXP BBQ “The design profession has suffered great- for Karaoke. include Grand Hallway, The Lonely Forest, ly this past year with layoffs, budget cuts On Monday, August 2, at 9 p.m., Madison Sa Hi, Mt. St. Helen’s Vietnam Band, The and projects put on hold indefinitely. We visits Purr (1518 11th Ave.) for Karaoke. Head and the Heart and many more. believe these achieved ideas, projects and For more information, visit http://www. On Tuesday, August 3, at 7:30 p.m., Madidreams deserve to see the light of day. son visits The Lobby (916 E. Pike St.) for seattlecenter.com. “This year’s model exhibit, ‘HOPE,’ is Trivia Night with special guest host Glamadedicated to all the un-built work waiting zonia. for its debut. We may not be able to fix the On Wednesday, August 4, at 9 p.m., economy, but we can collectively celebrate Madison visits R Place (619 E. Pine St.) for WET.
NORTHWEST
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RAIN COUNTRY DANCE ASSOCIATION OFFERS FREE CLASSES On Fridays, August 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 7:15 p.m. at The Cuff Complex (1533 13th Ave. at E. Pine St.), Rain Country Dance Association will offer weekly west coast swing dance lessons for the GLBTQ community. This one-month series will teach new dancers the fundamentals of this fun and flirty dance style, followed by chances to practice during “Cuff Country” Fridays. The series is free (though tips are welcome) and open to all, regardless of gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, body type, and skill level, and no partner is required. Lessons from each week will build on moves taught during the previous session. Some weeks will also feature the opportunity to learn a line dance or basic two-step. More details are available at www.raincountrydance.org. SEATTLE STEALTH BOWLING FUNDRAISER AT ROXBURY LANES On Saturday, August 7, from 3-6 p.m., Seattle Stealth, the Emerald City Softball Association’s Second Berth D Division Team, will be sponsoring an afternoon of bowling at Roxbury Lanes (2823 SW Roxbury), to help finance their participation in the Gay World Series in Columbus, OH. Enjoy three hours of bowling for $15. Registration starts at 2:30 p.m. COMMUNITY ALLIANCE FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE FOURTH ANNUAL DINNER On Saturday, August 7, from 4:30-11 p.m. at St. Demetrios Church (2100 Boyer Ave. E.), join Community Alliance for Global Justice and over 400 local advocates, farmers, food workers, and allied organizations at our 4th annual “Strengthening Local Economies, Everywhere! Dinner” to raise awareness about pressing social, economic, and environmental justice issues, as well as to celebrate our own vast pool of resources locally to create lasting change. This year, we are thrilled that Ben Burkett will join us as keynote speaker, on the topic “Globalize Hope! Globalize Struggle! Connecting U.S. and African Farmers for Food Sovereignty.” Burkett is a fourth-generation Mississippi farmer, president of National Family Farm Coalition and active in La Via Campesina, the international movement of peasants struggling for food sovereignty. Tickets are $35, $60 for “Support a Farmer/Food Worker” tickets, which gives you entry and also ensures a local farmer or food worker can be one of our honored guests at the event! Kids’ tickets are $10. Buy tickets online at Brown Paper Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/107571. For more information, or to get involved with organizing, please contact CAGJ: 206-405-4600, contact_us@seattleglobaljustice.org TRIANGLE CAMPSITE PRESENTS UNDERWEAR FOAM PARTY From Friday, August 13, through Sunday, August 15 at Triangle Recreation Camp, join Triangle Recreation Camp’s Underwear Foam Party fundraiser. Regular camping fees and rules apply. Full details, including maps and directions, at www.camptrc.org. CRUISEYT GET TOGETHER CRUISE On Saturday, August 14 at 12:30 p.m. at Argosy Cruises (Pier 55/56, 1201 Alaskan Way), boarding begins for the Cruisey T Get Together Cruise. Cruise aboard the MV Good Times 2. Drag performances by Joan-E and special guests. DJs Zach Shore and Brett Law provide music. Light meal by Bucca De Beppo. Partial proceeds benefit Seattle Out & Proud. Tickets $55. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.cruiseyt.com. REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR BOYZ IN THE WOODS LABOR DAY WEEKEND CAMP www.Qcamp.org
Seattle Gay News
7
by Barry Thorsness SGN African Correspondent It’s a good feeling to know that you “have to go to work” when you are traveling. For all the readers of the SGN, every Friday I must find a computer, usually at an internet café, to put the SGN online. On Tuesday, I found myself off to work with Sharon (at whose home we are staying in Joburg) to meet the owner of the company and some of the employees to help them build a website. To me, this was really traveling! I not only got to meet the people in the country in which I was traveling, but worked with them to understand their business and their jobs, so I could build a website which accurately represents them and their business.
All photos by Barry Thorsness
Our fourth week in South Africa tates, and some beautiful dammed lakes, some with signs posted to beware of the hippos and crocodiles. The town of Tzaneen is built over a hilltop and has a small town feel to it, with its shops and businesses more like those you might find in Kennewick. On our way to Botswana On Saturday, we took the bus from Joburg to Gaberone, Botswana. It was very interest-
Pilot Mathambo
aisle and started talking about Jesus, and how we could be saved. About two hours into the trip, I thought that a movie had come on. It was actually an ad for the bus company, but with a “Christian message,” followed by about 45 minutes of Christian music. How I appreciated American laws regarding religion. The border from South Africa to Botswana We arrived at the border at about 7:30 p.m. in the dark. As with most border crossings, it was everyone off the bus, and then meet the bus after you walk over and cross through the Botswana immigration. It ran through my mind “when do we collect our luggage to go through customs?” We went through the South African emigration and they stamped our passport and then we
tically designed shopping centers and office towers. We see mega grocery stores, large chain electronics stores, and like huge automobile dealerships. Lots of Chinese and Indian cars and trucks are for sale, and top-ofthe-line Mercedes SL models are prominently shown in the windows.
Illegal Gay life in Bots, meeting Pilot Mathambo and night life in Gaborone On Monday, Louis and I got to spend about 90 minutes chatting with Pilot Mathambo, who is the coordinator of LEGABIDO, the LGBT organization here in Botswana. LEGABIDO is partially funded and helped by Bonela (Botswana Network on Law, Ethics and HIV/AIDS). It is important to know, although “Gay sexual acts” are illegal in Botswana (like when we were in Texas about six years ago), being Gay isn’t. In the last five years, the government has never imprisoned or fined somebody because they were Gay. It seemed to me that the biggest problem by far that LGBT people have is that of the reaction and response they receive from their families when they find out that they are Gay. Around 80% of families will disown their children, and very few over the next couple of years will come around to taking them back. Coming out in Botswana is almost impossible to do. LEGABIDO and Bonela offer workshops for the LGBT community, help with legal problems, education, and support for HIV/ AIDS. They are also working with two members on taking the government to court to challenge the sexual laws and start the decriminalization process. They are also building an activist LGBT organization. In Botswana, treatment and meds for HIV/AIDS are free. It is not a good idea to divulge your sexuality and those receiving
Gaborone, Botswana
We are off to Tzaneen On Wednesday, we had the opportunity to travel northeast of Joburg, through Polokwane, and to Tzaneen. Much of the ride from Polokwane through to Tzaneen is quite scenic. When you get to the mountainous region just before Tzaneen, the views are quite spectacular. Twisting, almost switchback roads run up and down the mountains, and look green and tropical. There are banana plantations, lots of abandoned tea es-
ing to watch the landscape change quite rapidly from the dry scrub near Joburg to flat, very prairielike grain farms (mostly corn) with some of the largest grain elevators I have ever seen. The closer we got to Botswana, the greener it became. We passed shantytowns as well as some very modern and aesthetically pleasing gated communities. Just as the bus was rolling out of the station, a woman stood up in the
Shantytowns
At the farm
8
Seattle Gay News
July 30, 2010
found our way to the Botswana immigration. After waiting in a short lineup, our passports were stamped (the visa for Botswana is free) we walked down the road to our bus and got on. Never in my life have I ever traveled by bus across any border and not had to carry my baggage through customs for possible inspection. After about 30 minutes, we find ourselves pulling into Gaberone and see Stella waiting for us. Gaborone, like many other African towns and cities, blows away the myth I had about what living in Africa is like. We drive by large, modern and very artis-
meds must have a CD4 count less than 200. The exception is if you have an HIV/AIDSrelated disease. It seems the Gates Foundation was most helpful to get antiretroviral medicines to people in Botswana. Many other organizations and drug companies have contributed funding. Going out in Gaborone Louis and I are looking forward to our return to Gaborone in about two weeks. We hope to be able to go out to The Grand West, a mixed nightclub that is Gay-friendly. This means no cover charge (because we are Gay) and that we can actually dance together. What’s coming up We are on our way in the morning to the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls, some of the most spectacular places in the world.
Celebrating 37 Years!
Judge rules AZ workers Victory in Sonoma Gay man separated from can keep partner benefits Elderly dying partner wins damages U.S. District Court Judge John W. Sedwick issued a preliminary injunction on July 23, blocking Arizona’s attempt to take away domestic partnership benefits from LGBT state employees. The injunction was requested by Lambda Legal attorneys representing 10 state employees – including employees of the Arizona Highway Patrol, the State Department of Game and Fish, and state universities. The judge also denied a motion to dismiss the employees’ case by State’s Attorney Charles Grube and ordered that it proceed on the merits. Lambda Legal argued that LGBT employees rely on benefits from their state employers to provide for their families’ healthcare, just as straight workers do. About 800 state employees are affected, according to the state. The Arizona legislature eliminated samesex domestic partner benefits for state employees as part of a last-minute budget deal engineered by Gov. Jan Brewer last September. Health benefits for married straight workers were not affected. Former Arizona governor Janet Napolitano, now Secretary of Homeland Security in the Obama administration, changed state employment rules to allow LGBT employees to provide health benefits to their domestic partners. Sedwick’s injunction barring enforcement of the health insurance cutoff will take effect in 10 days. The state may now appeal his ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, or attempt to defend the discriminatory budget provision on its merits in federal District Court. Arizona state officials have not announced whether they will appeal the ruling. Sedwick rejected claims by the state that the elimination of domestic partner benefits
will not harm the families of LGBT employees because they can obtain insurance privately, through Medicaid, or from the employers of the non-public employee partner. “Even assuming that is true,” Sedwick wrote in his decision, “the Ninth Circuit has recognized there is ‘an inherent inequality’ in allowing some employees to participate fully in the State’s health plan, while expecting other employees to rely on other sources, such as private insurance or Medicaid. This ‘back of the bus’ treatment relegates plaintiffs to a second-class status by imposing inferior workplace treatment on them, inflicting serious constitutional and dignitary harms that after-the-fact damages cannot adequately address.” Sedwick also rejected the State’s claims that preserving benefits for LGBT employees equal to their straight counterparts would endanger other state services. The state’s lawyers had argued that the law was a necessary budget measure aimed at cutting a ballooning deficit. Sedwick held that it was impermissible to place the budgetary burden solely on LGBT workers, however. “The State’s argument, which is not supported by any evidence, is speculative at best and discriminatory at worst. Contrary to the State’s suggestion, it is not equitable to lay the burden of the State’s budgetary shortfall on homosexual employees, any more than on any other distinct class, such as employees with green eyes or red hair,” he wrote. “This injunction removes the sword that’s been hanging over the heads of hundreds of state workers and their families,” said Tara Borelli, the Lambda Legal staff attorney who argued the case on June 28. “We’re pleased Judge Sedwick has recognized that this is a matter of equal pay for equal work, and that eliminating benefits for Arizona’s Gay and Lesbian state employees would hurt real families.”
The State’s argument, which is not supported by any evidence, is speculative at best and discriminatory at worst.
NJ Supreme Court will not hear marriage case by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The New Jersey Supreme Court announced July 26 that it would not hear Lewis et al v. Harris et al, a case in which six same-sex couples asked for the right to marry. The court’s decision came on a 3-3 vote. One Supreme Court seat is currently vacant, and four votes were needed to grant the motion to take the case. “This matter cannot be decided without the development of an appropriate trial-like record,” Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said in his order denying a hearing. “Plaintiffs’ motion is therefore denied without prejudice to plaintiffs filing an action in Superior Court and seeking to create a record there.” Lambda Legal, which represents the six couples, hoped the Supreme Court would rule on the constitutionality of the state’s civil union law without requiring the case to wend its way through lower courts. Lambda Legal attorney Hayley Gorenberg said her clients are ready to start the legal battle over, but the delay means more than just red tape. “Every day, people are being denied their rights in medical situations, in school situa-
tions, at work,” she said. In 2006, New Jersey’s Supreme Court ruled same-sex couples should have all the rights and benefits of straight married couples, but left it up to the legislature to provide those rights. Later that year the legislature responded with a civil union law. Armed with a legislative commission report saying that civil unions had failed to achieve equal status for same-sex couples, LGBT advocates pushed for full marriage rights. After the state Senate rejected a marriage equality bill in January, the case made its way back to the state’s highest court. Garden State Equality chair Steven Goldstein said in a statement that the court’s decision maintains the unequal legal status of same-sex couples. “Same-sex couples will continue to be denied the consistent right to visit one another in the hospital, to make medial decisions for one another, and to receive equal health benefits from employers, all because of the deprivation of the equality and dignity that uniquely comes with the word marriage.” Goldstein vowed that equality advocates “will never give up – not until our dying breath.”
Goldstein vowed that equality advocates “will never give up – not until our dying breath.”
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in separate nursing home facilities and refusing to allow them to visit one another. When Scull died – without having seen Greene since the day of his fall – the County assumed control of “his” estate. All the couple’s property was sold off and their two cats where euthanized. In August 2009, Greene and the executor of Scull’s estate, the couple’s longtime friend Jannette Biggerstaff, filed a lawsuit alleging 20 separate causes of action against the County, the nursing home, and several individuals. Greene was represented by NCLR (National Center for Lesbian Rights), and volunteer attorneys Anne Dennis, and Stephen O’Neill and Margaret Flynn of the law firm Tarkington, O’Neill, BarHarold Scull (l) and Clay Greene in happier times rack & Chong. “What Clay and Harold by Mike Andrew lost can never be replaced, but this settleSGN Staff Writer ment brings a measure of justice to their story,” said Amy Todd-Gher, senior staff atClay Greene, an elderly Gay man who torney for the NCLR. was forcibly separated from his dying part“This victory sends an unmistakable mesner and deprived of his home and property sage that all elders must be treated with reby officers of Sonoma County, California, spect and dignity, regardless of their sexual will receive $653,000 in damages in a set- orientation, and that those who mistreat eltlement announced July 23. ders must be held accountable.” Sonoma County agreed to pay Greene NLCR Executive Director Kate Kendell $600,000 and Agua Caliente Villa nursing hailed the settlement in a statement. home – where Greene was confined against “These payments are partial vindication his will – will pay $53,000. for the nightmare Clay and Harold endured In addition to the cash settlement, the at the hands of county workers, who disreCounty agreed to change policies governing garded their 20-year relationship and failed its Office of Public Guardian, the County to respect legal documents in which Clay department involved in Greene’s case. and Harold named each other as agents for In the future, County employees will have medical and financial decisions,” Kendell enhanced protocols they must follow before said. seizing private property, they may not reloShe added that Greene’s case illustrates cate seniors against their will, and they are the necessity “for true and full LGBT equalprohibited from backdating information in ity across the country, rather than a patchtheir guardianship databases. work of hit and miss state rights or protecThe settlement was announced just days tions,” however. before Greene v. County of Sonoma was to “This settlement cannot undo what Clay go to trial. and Harold endured, but it assures that Clay Greene had lived with his partner, what happened to them will never happen Harold Scull, for 20 years. They leased a in Sonoma County again. Someday, I hope home in the town of Sebastopol, California. I will be able to say the same for the rest of As longtime partners, they had wills, pow- the country.” ers of attorney, and medical directives, all naming each other as responsible parties. Scull was 88 years old in 2008, and in deteriorating health. Greene was 11 years younger and physically healthy, but beginning to show signs of cognitive impairment. In April of 2008, Scull fell down the front steps of their home. Greene immediately called an ambulance and Scull was taken to the hospital. There, attendants observed bruises on Scull that were not caused by his fall. They informed Sonoma County authorities, who accused Greene of domestic violence. The County’s Public Guardians then forcibly separated the couple, confining them courtesy windy city times
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
July 30, 2010
Seattle Gay News
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by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence vs. Quake Rugby kickball August 14 Hold onto your butts. On Saturday, August 14, the Quake Rugby team will take on the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Abbey of St. Joan and Order of Benevolent Bliss (Portland) in the all-American, rough-andtumble sport of kickball. The game will be hosted and announced by the one and only Lily Armani of La Femme Magnifique. A $5 suggested donation gets you in and the game will benefit the Capitol Hill Alano Club. In addition, there will be a raffle (with a special cruise package prize) and a variety of other ways to put some of your spare cash to good use and raise some money for a worthy charity at the same time. Sisters will be walking through the audience and taking donations to actually change
10 Seattle Gay News
July 30, 2010
All photos by james whitely
Sisters go head to head with Quake Rugby for kickball fundraiser the course and nature of the game. Your donations can pull a player out, put a player back in, make a player go shirtless, run backwards, add a point to either team, have a player strip down to just a jockstrap, or force a “Twisted Sister,” meaning a Quake player gets Sister makeup and switches to the Sister team – and those are just a few of your options. In addition, any other reasonable suggestions you may have will be considered by Sister attendees, so get creative. The 2010 Seattle Leather Daddy and Leather Boy will serve as referee and scorekeeper, and the Northwest Bears will make up the cheerleading squad – if only your high school gym class kickball games could have had such a pleasant line-up! A pre-game cocktail hour will begin at 4:30 p.m. at Purr Cocktail Lounge, and kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. A 9:00 p.m. “Black and Blue Victory Party” will take place at C.C. Attle’s after the game, followed by a dance party at the Cuff Complex at 10:30 p.m.
Celebrating 37 Years!
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Seattle Gay News 11
A unique weekend for Gay, Bi and Trans men to play in the wilderness and meet new people. 12 Seattle Gay News
July 30, 2010
Labor Day Weekend, Sept 3 - 6
www.QCamp.org Celebrating 37 Years!
A unique weekend for Gay, Bi and Trans men to play in the wilderness and meet new people. Visit us online www.sgn.org
Labor Day Weekend, Sept 3 - 6
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Seattle Gay News 13
A unique weekend for Gay, Bi and Trans men to play in the wilderness and meet new people. 14 Seattle Gay News
July 30, 2010
Labor Day Weekend, Sept 3 - 6
www.QCamp.org Celebrating 37 Years!
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Seattle Gay News 15
Being Gay in Federal Way
Young is trying to understand the position of are. “[In Federal Way] I always have to keep each individual council member on LGBT my guard up, it’s a very strange difference,” issues. said Young. Young travels to Seattle regularly as he attends school in Seattle and his GROUP WILL FILL partner lives in the First Hill neighborhood. THE SOCIAL NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY CONTROVERSIAL “Gay in Federal Way” is intended to priCOMMUNITY RESPONSE marily serve as a networking group for Gays Another response, a letter to the editor and Lesbians to meet others like themselves, although all colors of the LGBT spectrum, titled “Pandering to the Gay lifestyle,” was printed in the Mirror on July 14. including allies, are welcome. “I have lived in Federal Way for over 30 “There isn’t diversity in Federal Way the This sparked confusion among some residents writing into the Mirror, who were un- way there is in Seattle,” Young told SGN. years and raised a family here,” read the letder the impression that Young was asking “Most Gay people know a couple other Gay ter, credited to T. J. Brown. “One of the main people, maybe two to five; it’s sort of like reasons I chose Federal Way over a larger the city to directly fund the Gay group. “I don’t think our tax money should go to- little pockets of networks. … That’s why I city like Seattle was precisely because Federal Way did not pander to Gays and their wards Gay dating, though,” read one online created the group.” Young has lived in Federal Way all his perverted lifestyle with Gay bathhouses, response on the Mirror website. “When I mentioned Gay people having life. However, according to him, unlike most Gay bars, and dykes on bikes parades.” In his hostile letter, Brown told Young to equal funding, I said that since Gay people other Gays and Lesbians who were born and are paying taxes, some of the money the lo- raised in Federal Way, he’s been “absolutely “get out of Federal Way, and don’t come back.” Young responded in the July 21 edition of The Mirror. Addressing Brown’s misconceptions about Gay people, he wrote, “Me and you aren’t so different. I hope we meet, I hope you’ll learn to see the humanity in me, and I hope someday you’ll be ready to shake my hand. It will always be there for you.” Despite this incident, Young says that in general, the discrimination he has faced for being an out Gay man in Federal Way has been fairly minor. He told SGN of how, during his youth, he was removed from a class because it became known that he had a crush on his male teacher, and that during his middle and high school years some teachers thought that he was “probably pretending for attention,” but Young does not fear violence in Federal Way. “If somebody wants to beat me up, I’ll kick their ass,” Federal Way, Washington, as seen from Puget Sound Young told SGN. Young also voiced his support for the pocal government is already putting into diver- out since middle school,” leaving him with sity and community building should also go a bigger Gay network than other Gays and lice force in Federal Way. He mentioned that to Gays. This funding could include aware- Lesbians in the city, who are either only some of his Gay friends have been verbally ness about AIDS/HIV – something that out to their friends or still completely in the abused by Federal Way police in the past, benefits non-Gay members of our city, too closet. This helped him to see the need of a but he personally has not. “The police force is always going to re– or paying for teacher workshops that help Gay social group for everyone. The group had their first meeting on July flect the community, because the police teachers deal with Gay and Lesbian issues, force comes from the community,” said such as bullying,” Young responded. “That 25. “Being Gay is much more controversial Young. seems reasonable to me. I’m a Gay AmeriThe group currently meets at the Federal can who pays taxes, and should be treated in Federal Way,” Young told SGN. According to him, the social networking site Face- Way Regional Library (34200 1st Way S.). equally by the Federal Way government.” According to him, the written responses book could not be relied upon for the group, Next month’s meeting will feature a celebhe received from council members have because joining a “group” or committing to rity guest appearance from openly Gay acan “event” on Facebook could potentially tor/model Daniel Skelton (Eating Out 3: All been generally helpful, but very formal. “Only three of the seven council members out those participating. “Doing something You Can Eat). To learn more about the group and check ever bothered to reply. Jack Dovey, Linda like that could raise serious suspicion of meeting times, check them out on Facebook Kochmar, and Jeanne Burbidge all replied,” them,” said Young. Despite the risks, Young thinks it’s about or at www.gayinfederalway.blogspot.com. said Young. “It’s time for the Gay revolution in Fed“Because it’s a city council for a non-ma- time that LGBT Federal Way residents jor city, subjects like this never really come should not have to travel to Seattle when- eral Way to begin,” said Young. up that often,” Young told SGN. Currently, ever they want to feel accepted for who they
Out life in Federal Way not quite like Seattle by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer
Eben Calhoun
“Truth be told, Federal Way isn’t really ready,” said Tyler Young, who is starting what he says is the first LGBT group based in Federal Way, Washington, a city of approximately 86,000 located between Seattle and Tacoma. Federal Way is also one of the 10 largest cities in the state of Washington, but Young isn’t letting that stop him. He’s already alerted the Federal Way City Council of his intentions. The Gay 21-year-old’s interest in starting a group where Gays and Lesbians could get together in Federal Way is longstanding, but he’s received increased attention lately over an op-ed he was asked to write for the Federal Way Mirror. “I agreed to write the op-ed because it’s important for Gay people in Federal Way to have someone expressing their frustrations and needs to the general community,” Young told SGN. His op-ed – and a particularly hateful opinion letter he received in response – has generated a debate within Federal Way and Seattle about whether a Gay group is acceptable and possible in a city like Federal Way. In his op-ed, “Gay revolution in Federal Way” (July 10), Young wrote, “You don’t see Gay people here. There is no Gay culture. … Even though Gay people make up roughly five percent of the population, zero tax dollars that they pay go into diversity funding and community building to help Gays.” He also stated that the creation of an LGBT group was necessary for both political and social reasons. “Politically, because the city council needs to be reminded that Gay people live here, too. They pay taxes, they have been here since the city was founded 20 years ago, and some of those taxes go to diversity funding and community building that excludes Gay people,” wrote Young. “Socially, we need this because without a group it is very difficult to tell who else is Gay, so connecting with similar individuals is difficult. Most Gays here can count on one hand how many Gay people they know living in Federal Way.”
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Celebrating 37 Years!
The fathers of Gay children by Michael Raitt SGN Contributing Writer Recently I’ve been impacted by several stories of fathers doing their own personal work to break through their issues and accept their Gay sons or Lesbian daughters. These are heartwarming stories which remind me of another important part of the coming-out process: the part which influences us as individuals and affects the integrity and cohesiveness of families and our community. When a child comes out of the closet, there is impact on parents, and the parents are confronted with a myriad of struggles. We need to acknowledge these struggles and support them so they can have the relationship with their child that they want which, in turn, will strengthen the family, our community, and society as a whole. This process is not exclusive to fathers and their relationships with their Gay children. I’m intentionally focusing on fathers in this article because, in my opinion, cultural norms, relationship dynamics, and expectations related to men, sons and daughters, attitudes about masculinity, and issues of being Gay/Lesbian are all different. When a child is born, every stable father cultivates hopes and dreams for their child. They dream about the lives their son or daughter will have and how their lessons and love will inform the trajectory that their child’s life takes – a life full of success, happiness, and love. Dads envision the relationship they will have with their child and, for the most part, their intentions are well-founded. They integrate their sense of self – their identities – into these hopes and dreams, and they measure themselves based
on how their child reflects these dreams. Sometimes early and sometimes later, most fathers realize that their daughter or son is “different” and, with that realization, they may begin to pull away and/or put more pressure on the child to exhibit behaviors that think will extinguish any indications that their child might be “different” and seen by others as Gay/Lesbian. Occasionally they know that their child is Gay and just as often they know it and hope it isn’t true. This hope, that their child is not Gay, is some mixture of religious beliefs, cultural messages/misconceptions, and the questioning of what they did “wrong” to create a Gay child. Dads also incorporate fears about how their child will be treated in a society where certain others still hate Gay people, want to make them second-class citizens, and even want to kill them. When some dads first hear (or finally acknowledge) that their child is Gay/Lesbian, they think that all the hopes and dreams they’ve had for their child are dead. Dads, this couldn’t be further from the truth! Most of us want to fulfill the dreams you’ve had for us because they are dreams we have for ourselves – they are just a little different than you thought they would be. Gay men and Lesbian women often have every success that their straight counterparts have, and same-gender relationships can be as loving and fulfilling as any opposite-gender relationship can be, and these are the dreams you had for your child. Your fears are based in reality. People want to deny us rights and hurt us. The best way we can combat this and overcome these mindsets and behaviors is by having as much support as possible. There are never guaran-
tees for anyone to avoid hurt and pain. The probability that we deal with these more effectively increase with the love, guidance, and support we get from our fathers. Dads, please put the myth to sleep that you made us Gay because you didn’t spend enough time with us! Not true! Gay isn’t born of a family dynamic; the idea that being Gay is caused by an over-attentive mother or a distant father is complete bullshit. We are born Gay (another article). The only thing a family dynamic will influence is how we feel about ourselves and how strong the family bonds are. I doubt anyone could argue that healthy, strong family bonds positively contribute to the individuals of the family and to society. If you feel guilty about being distant or about putting pressure on your child to be something other than who they are, put that guilt to rest by acknowledging your fears and your past interactions with your son/ daughter. Talk to them. Share with them how much you love them and how you are working to make things different. Guilt will keep you away from your child. Find the strength to forgive yourself and invite your child to forgive you, as well. Being a great parent isn’t about parenting perfectly. Being a great parent is being flexible enough to adapt, take responsibility in raising us as children, and then walking beside us in adulthood as we create our lives and fulfill our mutual dreams. Recognize what’s important above all else: a relationship with your child built on love, respect, and acceptance. Remember the moment your child was born and how much love and acceptance you had then – nothing was conditional. We were perfect and you wanted to give us nothing less that pure love. We are still “perfect,” and we still need your love. When you love us and accept us, you contribute, in a very positive way, to the journey of our lives.
Many of us want good relationships with our dads, and both parties contribute to that. However, dads, these good relationships can’t be at the cost of asking us to be other than who we are. We are Gay, and that won’t change. This is where you have to come towards us by doing your own personal work, and only you can do that. We can work on other issues we may have and take responsibility for how we’ve contributed to the dynamic, and we should – that’s our duty if we want a closer relationship with you. Yours is in dealing with whatever contributes to you having shame about having a Gay/Lesbian child. I didn’t have the opportunity to finish this process with my father, because he passed away. I know he was very uncomfortable and he pulled away. I also know I am a Gay man and my dad contributed in such a positive way to my life that I am happy, successful, and proud. Before he died, he worked at making the relationship closer. I also know that he did his work and got to a point where he was quietly accepting of me. Had he lived longer, he’d have been stronger and open about his love and pride for me. I wish he were still here – I still need him at times. Thanks to all the dads who are doing this. It is so meaningful, and I can’t emphasize enough how important this is. I invite everyone to start your journey of acceptance. The benefits are huge for you, your child, and all of us. 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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Seattle Gay News 17
Lambda Legal and ACLU sue Hawaii
Gay City and Entre Hermanos receive Public Health grants
by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
ples. The amendment, however, says nothing about civil unions or rights for same-sex couples. On July 29, Lambda Legal and the AmeriHawaii does grant some rights to Gay coucan Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a ples through its reciprocal beneficiaries syslawsuit on behalf of six Gay couples asking tem, but they lack the same legal privileges for the same rights as married couples. and obligations of adoption, child support, Lambda Legal and the ACLU threatened alimony, and access to family court. it would file the lawsuit if Hawaii Governor “There is no question that LGBT families Linda Lingle vetoed a civil unions bill for in Hawaii are hurting without the full range Gay couples. Lingle rejected the bill on July of rights to protect their family,” Lambda 6, saying that voters should decide whether Legal Staff Attorney Tara Borelli told SGN. to reserve marriage for couples of a man and “This lawsuit aims to right that wrong so a woman. that these families can be fully responsible According to the two legal organizations, for each other.” the lawsuit doesn’t seek the title of “mar“This case is not about marriage. It’s about riage” or “civil unions” for Gay partners; the right of same-sex couples to at least instead, it requests that the court system ex- have a system that is understandable and tend them the benefits and responsibilities complete,” said Jennifer Pizer, senior counof marriage based on the Hawaii Constitu- sel for Lambda Legal. “The state’s equaltion’s prohibition against sex discrimina- ity guarantee at least has to mean same-sex tion. couples should have the same rights and rePlaintiff Suzanne King – who has been in sponsibilities, even if it’s segmented off into a relationship with her partner for 29 years a system that isn’t as respected, understood, – said, “We continue to be discriminated and revered as marriage.” against. We’re a family unit, and we live our The case is expected to reach the Hawaii lives just like everyone else, but we aren’t Supreme Court. treated the same.” Five other states and the District of CoIn 1998, Hawaii passed the nation’s first lumbia permit same-sex marriage. Five defense of marriage constitutional amend- more states essentially grant the rights of ment, giving the state’s legislature the pow- marriage to same-sex couples without auer to reserve marriage to opposite-sex cou- thorizing marriage itself.
On July 21, Public Health – Seattle & King County issued 51 grants totaling $8.9 million to fund school districts, communitybased organizations, and local governments to improve nutrition and physical activity, and decrease tobacco use and exposure within King County. Both Entre Hermanos and Gay City Health Project received grants under the Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) project in support of their tobacco prevention and control programs. “More than 4,300 people die from heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, and diabetes every year in King County, representing 38% of total deaths. Poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, and exposure to tobacco smoke are critical risk factors for these chronic diseases,” said a Public Health – Seattle & King County press release. Thirty-seven obesity grants were given out, along with 14 tobacco prevention grants. Gay City Health Project was awarded a $200,000 grant to support their “Tobactivism” project, designed to address the policies, systems, and environmental changes that can reduce or eliminate tobacco use and support healthy behaviors among LGBT people. Entre Hermanos was awarded $125,000 to support their tobacco program, which focuses on the Latino LGBT community. “We’re excited to have this opportunity to create long-term systems changes within our communities,” says Fred Swanson, executive director at Gay City. “This funding supports our ‘Tobactivism’ work, which helps LGBT people to see how tobacco is more than just a health issue for our community; it’s a social justice issue, as well.” “Tobacco really takes a tremendous toll on the LGBT community and the Latino community,” said Marcos Martinez, executive
director of Entre Hermanos. “So for people who are in both of those worlds, it’s really critical to do the tobacco prevention work.” “As part of the project, Gay City will work with local businesses and organizations to explore how tobacco marketing and use impacts their LGBT employees, customers, and clients,” said a Gay City press release. “Our focus will be working with the Latino LGBT community, which also has increased rates of tobacco use. What we want to do with this project is to get people to think about how tobacco affects their community,” Martinez told SGN. “We are helping our communities use proven strategies to fight the leading causes of death in our region, such as heart disease and diabetes. Our goal is for all residents, regardless of where they live in the county, to have access to healthy choices and opportunities for healthy living,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. The primary goals of CPPW are to increase physical activity and improve nutrition, decrease smoking rates, the number of teenagers who begin to smoke, and public exposure to secondhand smoke, and reduce health inequities.
choi
continued from cover “OK, that’s good enough with me,” Reid said. “When the bill is signed. I’ll keep it safely, and give it back then.” The senator recalled that his youngest son, who played on three champion soccer teams in college, had given him a ring. Reid wouldn’t accept. “He earned it, I didn’t,” the senator said. The whole episode won Reid a standing ovation and loud cheers from the liberal base that has so often derided him.
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July 30, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
Reid has been the target of a group called GetEQUAL, which is also pushing the Senate Majority leader to pass the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA). Choi had recently sent a letter to Reid, obtained by SGN, alerting him of his intentions. “My West Point ring has always symbolized an irrevocable promise: my commitment to serving America and my duty to defend freedom and justice,” Choi wrote. “Today, with my discharge from the army for telling the truth, the ring takes on a new meaning, serving as a symbol for the enduring pain of broken promises.” Choi told the senator that America was “founded on the principles of inalienable rights, equality, and the promise of justice for all. But today, Americans remain segregated from that promise. Fired from our jobs, discriminated in the military, denied equal access to our own integrity and acknowledgement of our families, we cannot conclude that our country has manifested its own promise, over 230 years later.” Choi reminded Reid that he promised him that he would repeal DADT before the end of 2009. “I believed your promise because you are the most powerful senator in America,” he said. “Truly, no one can do more. The false hope of your promise has been made real to me today with another letter: the letter terminating my military service. “But I present this ring to you, symbolizing my promise as a fellow citizen: my service continues,” continued Choi. “I promise I will hold you accountable to your obligations to lead in the effort to end discrimination, both in the workplace and in the military. My promise is not merely written on a piece of paper or words alone, but in the hearts of every LGBT American fired from their job because of broken promises from those who purport to be our friends. “History will judge us and conclude that the greatest obstacles to justice were not the loud rants of bigots, but the quiet fears of those unwilling to stand firm in the fulfillment of their commitments. I commit to you my new renewed pledge and continued service. To you and all those ‘friends’ who manipulate, deceive and exploit our community, I will serve as a reminder of the consequences we all pay when allegiance to political careers takes higher priority than allegiance to America’s promise.”
person and through the media, that he is a homosexual, being in violation of DADT, I direct 1Lt. Choi be discharged from the New York Army National Guard with an Honorable characterization of service.” Choi told SGN he was devastated. He’d been recommended for discharge under DADT last year, but the Army had yet to serve him with official discharge paperwork. For the last year and a half, as Choi spoke out against the discriminatory policy, he did so as an Army Lieutenant. Lieutenant Choi is now civilian Dan Choi. “After 11 years since beginning my journey at West Point and after 17 months of serving openly as an infantry officer, this [discharge] is both an infuriating and painful announcement,” said Choi. “Our fight has only begun.” Two days after receiving his discharge, Choi and a handful of others were arrested for stopping traffic in Las Vegas with GetEQUAL to demand that Reid and the federal government pass ENDA. “Although I am now a civilian – repealing DADT remains one of my highest priorities, but passing ENDA is also a chief way to protect the LGBT community from heinous job discrimination,” Choi told SGN. “Job loss from our government’s policy of DADT is wrong, just as not offering equal employment protections for LGBT people is wrong – discrimination is discrimination.” “Across this country, LGBT people experience discrimination every day – more lives have been impacted and more careers have been destroyed than just mine,” he said. “But I’m not going to stand by without a fight … and neither is GetEQUAL.” “Thank you for supporting me through what has been one of the toughest times of my life,” Choi told SGN. “I couldn’t have done this work without the support of this community, and I look forward to the fights ahead of us.”
WITHDRAWAL OF FEDERAL RECOGNITION, 1LT. CHOI, DANIEL Early last week, Dan Choi was officially stripped of his rank, command, and career as an Army officer in the U.S. military. Brigadier General Patrick A. Murphy recommended Choi’s discharge, saying, “I have reviewed the findings and recommendations of the Board of Officers regarding the withdrawal of 1Lt. Daniel Choi’s Federal Recognition, and the action taken on said findings and recommendations by the Chief National Guard Bureau. Based on the approved board findings that Choi did publicly admit, on more than one occasion, in
DOMA and marriage equality While he is critical of Sanders for “extreme, hurtful” views opposing LGBT rights, Wiggins himself is not everything that activists might hope for. On DOMA, for example, Wiggins believes the law is not unconstitutional, but he adds there are other legal avenues the LGBT community could take to get to recognition of marriage. “On Andersen – the DOMA case,” Wiggins tells SGN, “I’ll tell you right out – I wish I could tell you I would have voted with the minority [to strike down DOMA], but I think the majority – at least the opinion
wiggins
continued from cover
written by Justice Madsen – was a defensible constitutional opinion.” Andersen v. King County was the infamous 2006 case in which the state Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that same-sex couples do not have a constitutional right to marry. Justice Barbara Madsen wrote the main opinion, which two other justices signed. Sanders signed on to a concurring opinion written by James Johnson, who is also running for reelection this year. Their opinion more explicitly opposed same-sex marriage than Madsen’s did. “I don’t know what I would have done – probably voted with the majority,” Wiggins admits. “I’ve wrestled with this issue. I may be right and I may be wrong.” According to Wiggins, his opponent, Justice Sanders, took a simplistic view of the legal issues involved in the Andersen case. “Justice Madsen said, ‘well, the legislature has spoken.’ Sanders had a different opinion, joining Jim Johnson. I think it shows a lack of understanding. It goes much further than necessary. It’s not a cut and dried legal issue,” Wiggins said. Asked if he considered the decision in Andersen settled law, Wiggins replied, “I don’t think it’s finally settled. I don’t know what form it will take, but I think the court can do something.” Wiggins suggested that future court cases might center on Vasquez v. Hawthorne, in which the Supreme Court ruled in 2001 that same-sex partners are entitled to inherit community property, reversing an appeals court decision. “There is the doctrine of meretricious relationships,” Wiggins explained, “committed family-like relationships. In this state we don’t have common law marriage, but the fact is that people live together – both same-sex couples and, I guess you would say, opposite-sex couples. “So does the doctrine also apply to samesex couples? In Vasquez v. Hawthorne the court assumed it did. Sanders wrote a dissent saying it can’t apply to same-sex couples. It’s kind of hard to say that it’s settled law because the majority never spoke to the law, they just assumed it applied. That’s why I can’t say this is the final deal.” Vasquez involved community property in a long-term same-sex relationship, not state recognition of the relationship itself. Asked if he foresaw litigation on the state’s “everything but marriage” domestic partnership law, validated by voters last November, Wiggins declined to speculate. “Even civil unions may be problematic,” he said. “We haven’t reached equilibrium on the constellation of issues that are involved. Part of the difficulty for a candidate is that this may bubble up at any time.”
ers was the only justice to dissent from the court’s ruling that Vancouver could offer insurance benefits to the domestic partners of city employees. In Parentage of LB, Sanders and James Johnson dissented from the court’s ruling that non-birth parents of children of a samesex couple are entitled to visitation rights if the couple separates. “A judge is supposed to follow the law,” Wiggins insists. “I don’t think Sanders does that. I think he views cases through the prism of his own beliefs. It’s OK to have philosophical leanings. Everybody does. But we expect a judge to be impartial.” Wiggins also charges that Sanders is influenced by his campaign donors. “Look at his endorsers,” Wiggins says. “The BIAW [Building Industry Association of Washington]. In 2004 they gave him more money than any other candidate. The BIAW filed amicus briefs in 28 cases, and in 25 of those Sanders voted for their position.” Both Sanders and the BIAW oppose campaign spending limits, Wiggins notes, while he favors public financing of judicial races. “I believe in the independence of the courts,” Wiggins tells SGN. “The influence of special interest money in judicial elections is terrible. I’ve worked to reduce that through a series of reforms, and in 2006 that happened [through a state law]. Sanders has always opposed that.”
The campaign trail This is not Wiggins’ first run for office. “I was appointed by Gov. Lowry to the Court of Appeals in Tacoma in 1994,” he recalls, “and since I was appointed I had to run for the seat in November. So I did run. And I lost. That was a difficult experience.” Wiggins says he learned from the loss that “people are interested in who the candidate is as a person,” so this year he has made an extra effort to get out and meet voters. He says he is still surprised that people make time to talk to him. “You go places and hand out stuff, and people say ‘Oh, you’re the candidate! No supreme court candidate ever talked to me before.…’” Asked how he planned to keep in touch with the public if he is elected, Wiggins replies, “I’ve thought a lot about that. How do you keep in touch? Because you can’t go to political meetings.…” Wiggins suggests that he might work with the American Judicature Society’s public education project. The AJS maintains several outreach and education programs. “I’ve spoken to many high school classes,” he adds. “I like doing that and if I’m elected I’d like to work on that. When we graduate kids, they should be equipped to vote.” “I’m 62,” Wiggins reflects. “I’m several Questioning Sanders’ generations removed from high school. integrity, impartiality, Their attitudes are so different. On LGBT isindependence Wiggins cites two other cases in which sues – I have to be honest with you – I have Sanders wrote opinions hostile to LGBT to consciously think about my own attitudes, to put them aside. My kids don’t have that. rights. In Heinsma v. City of Vancouver, Sand- It’s totally foreign to them.”
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July 30, 2010
Seattle Gay News 19
target
continued from cover for, and why that person wouldn’t want me to have bought them at a Target store,” Reitan explained. “The items were for my grandchildren, and they love their uncle Jake so much, and Jake is Gay, and they wouldn’t want to have things coming from a store that contributes to a campaign that would have a governor candidate with the anti-Gay views that Tom Emmer has.” Emmer, who will face the winner of the Democratic gubernatorial primary and an independent candidate in the general election this November, defines marriage as a “union between one man and one woman” on his website and has given money to support a Christian rock band that has been known to speak harshly of Gays. Large corporations have only recently been legally allowed to contribute to campaign advertising, after the Supreme Court in January reversed a century of campaign finance reform that had limited the money that could be spent by private companies and unions. Target, which is based in Minnesota, has defended its donations to MN Forward by stating that they were tied to Emmer’s position when it comes to creating a positive environment for businesses, not his stance on social issues. Target is not the only retailer to have donated to MN Forward – electronic retailer
Best Buy gave the group $100,000 – but it has been the primary target of anger in large part because it has long been seen as an ally by the Gay rights movement. Target’s CEO Gregg Steinhafel defended the company’s decision to contribute to MN Forward in an e-mail made available to SGN. “Target has a history of supporting organizations and candidates, on both sides of the aisle, who seek to advance policies aligned with our business objectives, such as job creation and economic growth,” wrote Steinhafel. “MN Forward is focused specifically on those issues and is committed to supporting candidates from any party who will work to improve the state’s job climate. However, it is also important to note that we rarely endorse all advocated positions of the organizations or candidates we support, and we do not have a political or social agenda.” “Let me be very clear,” he continued. “Target’s support for the LGBT community is unwavering, and inclusiveness remains a core value of our company.” Some current examples of that support include domestic partner benefits, sponsorship of Twin Cities Pride, and sponsorship of Out & Equal Workplace Summit, said Steinhafel. In addition, he said Target’s rating of 100% on the 2009 and 2010 Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index further demonstrates the reputation the company has earned. A representative from Best Buy also released a statement saying that it supports MN Forward because the group makes “jobs
LGBT rights and economic issues a top priority this elecHenry was a founding member of the tion.” Like Target, Best Buy does not claim to agree with all issues a particular candi- SEIU Lavender Caucus, the union’s LGBT member organization, and she talked with date promotes. SGN about the apparent stall in the community’s political agenda. While Henry expresses some frustration with the Obama administration’s slow progcontinued from cover ress on LGBT equality, she is careful not to endorse a strategy targeting the president. “My members all tell me ‘we want you to back this president. Support him. Back his the signature color of SEIU. In fact, SEIU play,’” she says. “I think he’s trying to figure has been called “the purple ocean” because out how to move his agenda. But we need a of its ability to turn out hundreds of purple- different public strategy.” clad members at labor rallies and political Asked if “a different public strategy” events. meant backing away from the very public “Once in a while I have dared not to wear acts of civil disobedience favored by Dan purple,” she laughs, “and people always Choi or Get Equal, Henry shot back, “No, give me a hard time about it.” no. One of the best things about the LGBT Henry believes that her union’s strong movement was ACT UP. Think of the differpublic image – SEIU is arguably better ence they made! And people said to them, branded than many corporate employers – ‘Be nice, be polite, be quiet, blah, blah, helps foster a sense of solidarity among her blah….’” members. “We need to have a united public front,” “It creates an identity,” she says, “which she continued, “and then push the shit out of comes with plusses and minuses. When I [Pres. Obama] on the inside.” joined SEIU in 1980, no one knew who the To achieve the broad unity she believes is union was. It was like ‘SEIU – who?’ This is necessary, Henry says LGBT activists need a huge advance.” to talk about our concerns in a way that othAlthough SEIU has added 1 million new er communities can understand and identify members since 1996, “there is a unity of with them. purpose” among her members, Henry says, “We [in SEIU] try to link marriage equalbecause of their strong sense of identity. ity – for example – to the idea of justice for “Unity of purpose” is an idea that Henry all,” Henry says. “Many activists in our will return to again and again in her conver- [LGBT] community want the marriage sation with SGN. equality debate to be about our liberation as Henry has a very clear idea of what she a people. We [in SEIU] try to talk about marwants to do with the political power that riage as a civil instrument that conveys specomes from her 2 million members’ sense cific economic rights that everyone should of solidarity. have. “I want to be clear that I stand on the “The fight against oppression is a series shoulders of leaders who saw their mission of steps – ENDA, marriage equality – we – the mission of the labor movement – as can use it as an opportunity to educate each being about economic and social justice,” other. That’s the beauty of the labor moveshe says. ment. It’s a forum where people who might “I hope to build on that incredible foun- otherwise be pitted against each other can dation, to use our power and strength to re- build unity.” balance the economy, to put people back to work, to rebuild the union movement, and New cooperation redress income inequality – which is growin the labor movement ing for the first time in recent memory.” While Henry’s predecessor, Andy Stern,
labor leader
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www.sgn.org 20 Seattle Gay News
July 30, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
nearly doubled SEIU’s membership and turned the union into a political powerhouse, he was also a deeply controversial figure in the US labor movement. In 2005, he led SEIU and five other unions out of the AFL-CIO to form the Change To Win labor federation. Stern also became embroiled in conflicts with National Nurses United (formerly the California Nurses Association), his former Change To Win partner UNITE HERE, and the National United Healthcare Workers (NUHW), once an SEIU local. Henry was elected to head SEIU with a mandate to repair the union’s relations with the rest of the labor movement, a charge she readily accepted. “That’s one of my top priorities,” she tells SGN. “In my first weeks as president, I went around and I listened to the other unions. I wanted to know what pissed them off about SEIU, what scared them about SEIU, what
could we do to make things better.” On July 27, SEIU and UNITE HERE – which represents hospitality and food service workers – announced a settlement of their nasty 18-month-long turf war. For Henry, repairing relations with other unions is not just about making peace with former rivals. She is actively pushing an aggressive political agenda that requires cooperation with other unions. “We are going to have a 2010 coordinated political program,” she tells SGN. “We just moved on a written proposal from Change To Win to [AFL-CIO President] Rich Trumka. It will be announced Friday [July 30].” “This project,” she continues, “will be based on a new level of unity – real unity of purpose – in federal races. It will be launched on Labor Day,” the traditional start of the campaign season. In the longer term, Henry says, “we want to hold a retreat with other unions – both
Change To Win and AFL-CIO unions – to figure out a much more aggressive organizing strategy in the private sector. And then we’ll surface with a campaign to outreach to private sector workers.” Although private sector workers make up the majority of the U.S. work force, organizing them has been particularly problematic for unions in the recent past. While fully one third of private sector workers had union representation at the end of World War II, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, today less than 8% do. For Henry, a unionization drive is not just about membership, it is about building political power. “We want to build a progressive majority,” she says. “We want the voices of working people to be heard – the people who don’t control the wealth to give us the level of influence that some people enjoy.” “The progressive movement has to be in-
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vested in the growth of unions,” Henry says flatly. The future Henry tells SGN that she is optimistic about the future. “I’ve had the privilege of working for 15 of my 30 years in labor trying to build the union in non-union work places,” she says. “The great thing about working people is we persevere, we take the long view, we rally in times of crisis.” Asked if she had any fears about the future, Henry was silent for a long time. At last she said, “I’m afraid that my sense of confidence that we can change might not be shared. I’m afraid that when we try to reach unity within the progressive movement we’ll find we don’t have unity on what’s wrong. And I’m afraid that my union might be consumed with defensive fights to preserve what our members already have.” After another pause, she added. “I’m afraid we’re missing the moment of opportunity in Obama’s election. Because that’s the question. How do we use that? How do we galvanize public opinion and allow the silent majority to emerge?”
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Resources & Referrals
206.323.LGBT / www.gaycity.org Whether you are looking for resources for yourself or your friends and family, Gay City is here to help get you connected with LGBT organizations and services! Check out our website or give us a call, and we’ll do our best to get you the information you need. Phone hours are Mon-Fri, 2-8pm and Sat, 2-5pm. A Program of Gay City Health Project 511 E Pike St / Seattle, WA / 98122
22 Seattle Gay News
July 30, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
July 30, 2010
Seattle Gay News 23