Celebrating 37 Years!
Issue 28 Volume 38
BARRY IN AFRICA p. 5
BRITS OK ASYLUM p. 16
ALANO CLUB p. 17
Seattle Gay News
FRIDAY July 9, 2010 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands
SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Hawaii governor Mass. Federal judge vetoes civil union bill
strikes down DOMA
Massachusetts judge finds key section based on “irrational prejudice” Reuters/Robert Galbraith
colleeninHawaii
Scene from the 2010 Honolulu/Waikiki Gay Pride parade
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed a civil-union bill July 6 that would have granted same-sex couples all the rights, benefits, responsibilities, and obligations of marriage under a different name. “I have been open and consistent in my opposition to same-gender marriage and find that House Bill
444 is essentially marriage by another name,” Lingle said at a 3 p.m. news conference. “I am vetoing this bill because I have become convinced that this Supporters of Gay marriage rally outside the federal courthouse in San Francisco, California January 11, 2010 issue is of such societal importance that it deserves to be decided by all by Mike Andrew ruled that a key section of the fed- Equal Protection clause of the 5th the people of Hawaii,” she said. “It SGN Staff Writer eral DOMA (Defense of Marriage Amendment. would be a mistake to allow a deciAct) is unconstitutional. In Commonwealth of Massachusion of this magnitude to be made In two stunning decisions on In Gill v. Office of Personnel setts v. Health and Human ServicJuly 8, Federal Judge Joseph Tauro Management, Tauro ruled that see hawaii page 21 of the District of Massachusetts Section 3 of DOMA violates the see DOMA page 18
Emerald City Classic softball Snapshot Seattle tourney announces champions survey focuses on courtesy ECC
Division B Champs – The Portland Grind courtesy ECC
Division C Champs – The San Francisco Bad Boys
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
Over the July 4 weekend, the Emerald City Softball Association (ECSA) hosted the 2010 Emerald City Classic – a Gay softball tournament consisting of 44 teams (18 from out of state) and over 600 players. According to the tournament’s officials, ECSA Open Division commissioner Jeff Card and tournament director Frank Pichinini, out-of-state teams came from Portland, Oregon; San Francisco and Los Angeles, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Austin, Texas; and Vancouver, British Columbia. The tournament was held on 13 fields across four different softball complexes: North Seatac Park, Moshier Park, Underwood Memorial Park, and, for the first time in over a decade, a Seattle venue at Riverview Playfields in West Seattle. “We were very pleased with the tournament,” Card told SGN. “It was the second-largest weekend tournament we’ve ever organized, just a few teams fewer than our record in 2007.” Card says that tournaments like
LGBT community
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
answers will be used to help inform policy makers, elected officials, and City departments about The Seattle LGBT Commission the specific needs of the community on a range of issues has launched a new websuch as education, site and online surhousing, health, vey at www.snappublic safety, shotseattle. and commucom to assess nity involvethe needs of ment. the LGBT All incommunity formation in Seattle. collected The Seis confiattle Snapdential and shot affords does not consurvey partain informaticipants the tion that could opportunity to be used to identify give the City of anyone. Seattle their opinions “We see this survey as about how best the city can an important step in addressing the be for the LGBT community. The survey takes about 10 min- needs of the LGBTQ community utes to complete and, according to in Seattle,” said Lillie Cridland, the LGBT Commission, will help to create an accurate snapshot of see softball page 20 Seattle’s LGBT community. The see snapshot page 20
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Seattle Gay News
July 9, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
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Editor In Chief George Bakan Associate Editor tom Flint (retired) 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.
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.
Change tackles the world of rugby by Leslie Robinson SGN Contributing Writer
writer Gary Smith delved into Thomas’ psyche, his years of striving to be fitter, louder, drunker than his teammates, his brothers. The man named to the Welsh naThings do change. tional rugby team more often than Consider the case of Gareth anyone else fought to keep Thomas, an international his secret from his rugrugby star. The Welshged teammates and his man is 6’3” and a rugged country. muscular 225 You can guess pounds. He’s busthow well that ed his nose five worked out. times, fractured In 2006, at both shoulders a physical and and a hip and an emotional low, arm, lost eight Thomas began teeth, and been telling people concussed an avclosest to him the erage of three times truth, starting with his a year. wife – generally a good Rugby is such a wussy choice. sport. He resisted going public until You wouldn’t think Thomas would be afraid of anything. But he was, December of 2009, when, wrote Smith, “a in a bone-deep way. He feared that people now-or-never feeling gripped his chest. He was 35, his international career finished, and would find out he was Gay. In the May 3 issue of Sports Illustrated, he trusted his Cardiff Blues teammates and
The man Sports Illustrated called “the world’s bravest athlete” for being the only out active player on a major men’s team sport has become a changed fella, a visible Gay force.
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
coaches.” Thomas knew coming out as an active player rather than in retirement would have a far greater impact. Hours after he came out in print, he found himself in a game sporting the jersey the team occasionally wears for away matches – the pink one. At least the ball wasn’t rainbow-striped. The man Sports Illustrated called “the world’s bravest athlete” for being the only out active player on a major men’s team sport has become a changed fella, a visible Gay force. In the months since coming out, he’s talked about homophobia on TV and at universities, and become a patron saint of LGBT History Month. Thomas wants to help kids. “I want to be the Gay role model I never had. The note I got from a guy who gave up rugby years ago because he was Gay and has returned to playing it since I came out – that outweighs lifting the biggest trophy as captain of Wales.” Such notes won’t break any part of his anatomy, either – except, perhaps, his heart. It’s not just one man who has changed. The reaction from teammates, fans, the media has been largely positive. Paul Burston, a Gay editor who hails from Thomas’ Welsh hometown, said, “Something really deep is changing. There’s still a lot of homophobia, but it’s not something you let out in genteel company now. It’s been stigmatized.” How great is that? The stigma is now on the other rugby boot. Thomas, who was planning to retire, felt so invigorated that he signed on with a team in northern Wales to play two years of an even faster and more physical brand of rugby. Either he’s feeling suddenly, wonderfully free, or the man has had one too many concussions. On March 26, in his second game for the Crusaders, his squad played the Castleford Tigers in Yorkshire, England. Tigers fans subjected Thomas to homophobic taunting. Some of those Yorkshire lads would rather hurl themselves into the scrum than go along with this change thing. But they may have to. On June 29, the Rugby Football League (RFL) slapped the Castleford club with a fine of about $60,000. The RFL said, “Castleford were found guilty of unacceptable behaviour, of breaching the RFL’s respect policy, of misconduct by their supporters and of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the sport.” Here’s my very un-British reaction: Yeehaw! First Thomas came out, now the league has his back. Finally everybody’s on the same team. Leslie Robinson prefers sports that keep her body intact. E-mail her at lesarobinson@gmail.com, and visit her blog at www. generalgayety.com.
July 9, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
PRIDE EVENTS
CALENDAR compiled by Rick McKinnon and Nick Ardizzone SGN Staff Writers
BELLINGHAM PRIDE B PROUD Continuing through Sunday, July 11, Bellingham will hold the B Proud Pride festival in Bellingham, WA. On Sunday, July 11, the Bellingham Pride Parade steps off from Bellingham High School, 2020 Cornwall Ave, at 11 a.m., and travels via Cornwall Ave. to Depot Market Square/Bellingham Farmers Market, E. Chestnut St. & Railroad Ave., for the Pride Festival, that runs noon-6 p.m. Bellingham Pride began 10 years ago under the direction of Whatcom PFLAG, as an event with roughly a half-dozen tables in Fairhaven Park on a Sunday afternoon in June. It has been in its current location of Depot Market Square (Home of the Bellingham Farmers Market) for four years, and this will be the third year in which the festival has had a parade. While most pride festivals tend to take place in June (National Gay & Lesbian Month), we recognize that we can offer a festival during July when Bellingham weather is nicer and no other prides are generally taking place. This is our 10th Anniversary of pride and we strive to be a festival everyone can be proud of. We offer events that cater to all aspects of our LGBTQQI2A community. We look forward to a fantastic pride this year. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or would like to help, sponsor or be a vendor, visit www.bhampride.org. OUT IN THE PARK 2010 TACOMA/PIERCE COUNTY PRIDE On Saturday, July 10, from noon to 7 p.m. at Wright Park (6th Ave., between I and G Sts.), celebrate Tacoma Pride with Out in the Park 2010. The event will feature a food court with a new coffee drink vendor, kids’ corner with a free raffle for kids and a bounce house, assorted vendors/community organizations and groups, as well as the main stage with a mixed lineup of familiar faces as well as new and exciting performers. Applications are still being taken for vendor/participants as well as entertainers. Out in Tacoma is still seeking an Asian-style food vendor for the food court. For more information and applications, please visit www.rainbowcntr.org or www.outintacoma.com. MID-COLUMBIA PRIDE 2010 On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 16-18, Mid-Columbia Pride 2010 will be held at Memorial Park (1520 W. Shoshone) in Pasco, WA. This year’s theme is “Cirque du Q.” The event expects 2,500+ visitors throughout weekend, with 55% coming from the Tri-Cities area and other attendees from Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Canada. On Saturday, July 17, from 9:30 p.m. until past midnight, the 12th Annual Gay Basin Pageant will be held at Out and About (327 W. Lewis, Pasco, WA). Join Out and About Nightclub along with Mr. Gay Columbia Basin XI, Scotty Mathers Marche, and Miss Gay Columbia Basin XI, Selina Kyle for the 12th Annual Gay Columbia Basin Pageant! This is always the busiest night of the year, so you’ll want to make sure you purchase your tickets early and reserve your tables now! Tickets are $10 pre-sale and $12 at the door. On Sunday, July 18, at noon, join the Mid-Columbia Pride March. For more information, visit www.midcolumbiapride.com.
Happy birthday, Sylvia Rivera!
David Distelhorst
Pride events continue in Washington state and British Columbia
“Hell hath no fury like a drag queen scorned!”
KITSAP PRIDE 2010 Planning is underway for the Kitsap Pride celebration, to be held on Saturday, July 17 in Bremerton’s Evergreen Park (1500 Park Ave.). This year’s theme is “One World, One Heart, One Pride,” and is the international theme adopted by Interpride. The main event at Kitsap Pride will be July 17th from noon to 5 p.m. at Evergreen Park. They have a great line up on the stage, a growing list of vendors, and a new layout for the stage and food area that will surely be a hit. Go check it out. Bring chairs, blankets and make it a day. The bouncy house and children’s crafts will return to “Kid Valley,” and the youth from the Q center have a “Cirque de la Queer” experience planned. Red Star hosts the Pride Party at the Bremerton Eagles with DJ Dana Dub from Seattle dance spot Neighbours and the Seattle Eagle. Miss Tory Marchella and friends will be back with a great show! Recent crowds have been over 300, so this night should be crazy fun! Sylvia Rivera-Murray celebrates as she is released from police custody after being arrested Vendor applications are available and have as part of the Soulforce act of civil disobedience, Tuesday November 14, 2000. been coming in steadily. Volunteers are being recruited to help plan and more will be by Mike Andrew needed the day of the event. SGN Staff Writer youth. For more information, visit www.kitsapTowards the end of her life, she was still pride.org. July 2 was the birthday of Queer revolu- bitter about her treatment at the hands of her tionary Sylvia Rivera (1951-2002). one-time allies. • BRITISH COLUMBIA A participant in the Stonewall riots in “When things started getting more main1969, Rivera became a founding member stream, it was like, ‘We don’t need you no VANCOUVER, B.C. PRIDE 2010 of the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay more,’” she said. On Sunday, August 1, Vancouver, BC Activists Alliance. With her friend Marsh But, she added, “Hell hath no fury like a celebrates Pride 2010. Spanning 20 blocks P. Johnson, she was a co-founder of STAR drag queen scorned.” and attracting an audience of over 600,000 (Street Transvestite Action RevolutionarAt some points in her life, Rivera also in 2009, the Pride Parade is Vancouver’s ies), a group organizing homeless young battled substance abuse problems and lived premier celebration of culture and diversity. Transgender women. on the streets. In May 1995, she attempted The 2010 Pride Parade will start in the heart Born in New York City of mixed Puerto suicide by walking into the Hudson River. of downtown Vancouver at noon at Robson Rican and Venezuelan descent, she also In spite of her personal issues, Rivera nevand Thurlow, then head west down the hill became involved with the Young Lords – a er abandoned radical activism. She traveled to Denman street, following Denman to Puerto Rican revolutionary nationalist orga- to Italy for the Millennium March in 2000 Pacific and Beach Avenue before finishing nization – and the Black Panther Party. and was hailed as the “Mother of all Gay at the Sunset Beach festival site. CelebraAs a Transgender woman with life-long People.” tions continue after the Parade at the Sunset ties to drag culture and street life, Rivera The same year, she organized STAR street Beach festival site. There will be a crowd clashed with assimilationist leaders who, actions to demand that police investigate the that reaches over 110,000 people in the park she charged, wanted to make the LGBT murder of Amanda Milan, a young Trans listening to live music by local performers community look acceptable to middle-class woman. and headliners on the Festival Stage. There straight people. She died on February 19, 2002, from comare 125 booths with a diverse range of prodIn 1971, Rivera campaigned for a New plications of liver cancer. ucts and services with drinking and dancing York City-wide anti-discrimination ordiOn her deathbed, she met with Matt Foreat the beer garden. The Vancouver Pride So- nance that included drag queens and Trans- man and Joe Grabarz of Empire State Pride ciety adopted a three-year theme of “Edu- gender people. She was shocked when other Agenda in an effort to make ESPA Transcate, Liberate, Celebrate,” focusing on one GAA leaders agreed to drop drag and Trans inclusive. of the three elements each year. In 2010, we protections from the legislation. focus on Liberate, and what it means to be Inclusive anti-discrimination measures free. In parts of the world and even in our did not pass until 1986. own country, Pride is still a movement to Rivera often charged that Gay white male liberate. Pride is a vehicle to educate, liber- leaders would ask her to lead potentially ate and celebrate and every summer, that’s dangerous street actions, only to push her what we do here in Vancouver. aside when the media showed up for interFor more information, visit www.vancou- views. verpride.ca. Rivera also clashed with Lesbian separatists, at one point being escorted out of a Queer women’s conference by security. She was banned from the New York City Gay Center for aggressively demanding that they offer services for homeless Queer
Visit us online www.sgn.org
July 9, 2010
Seattle Gay News
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NEWS
Lesbian Icelandic prime minister gets married Openly Lesbian Icelandic Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir got married to her partner, writer Jónína Leósdóttir, on June 27, when the nation’s law legalizing samesex marriage took effect. Since the couple already were registered partners under an existing civil-union law, they simply filed paperwork to convert their eight-year-old partnership into a marriage. “I have today taken advantage of this new legislation,” Sigurðardóttir said in a message sent to a celebration of the new law. Sigurðardóttir is the world’s only openly Gay or Lesbian head of government. Parliament legalized same-sex marriage by a vote of 49-0 on June 11. Fourteen MPs skipped the vote. The bill also blocked future use of the registered-partnership law. Iceland is the ninth nation where samesex couples can marry nationwide and the 11th nation where same-sex marriage is possible. Gay marriage also is legal in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Mexico City, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C.
Kirill Nepomnyaschiy/GayRussia.Ru
INTERNATIONAL by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer Ireland passes civil-partnership law The lower house of Ireland’s parliament passed a civil-partnership bill for same-sex couples July 1. It is expected to pass the upper house easily and take effect early next year. The law will 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 of their intention, as with marriage. To end a partnership, a couple will go to court and prove they’ve not lived together for two of the previous three years, the same as with marriage. The law also will recognize foreign samesex unions. Activists welcomed the “historic advance” but said it fell short of equality. There is no provision, for example, to acknowledge joint parenthood. “A continuing area of concern ... is the absence in the bill of support and recognition of the many children being parented by same-sex couples,” said Kieran Rose, chair of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network. “This critical omission will have to be addressed.” Marchers arrested at banned St. Petersburg, Russia, pride parade Twenty-five Gays and Lesbians staged a pride parade in St. Petersburg, Russia, on June 26 although the city government had banned the march. Police broke up the gathering and arrested five participants. The march began in the courtyard of the famed State Hermitage Museum and made it as far as the entrance to Winter Palace Square before police swooped in.
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Twenty-five Gays and Lesbians staged a pride parade in St. Petersburg, Russia, on June 26 although the city government had banned the march. Police broke up the gathering and arrested five participants
Hundreds of tourists were unwitting observers of the parade. The marchers chanted: “Gay equality, no compromise,” “Homophobia: shame of this country,” “Homophobia is a disease” and “Marriage rights for all.” One marcher carried a sign that said “Peter I was Bisexual.” “The city and the country refused to recognize us as equal to other citizens of this country and that is what we came to denounce today at Winter Palace Square,” organizer Maria Efremenkova told fellow activists just before police took her into custody. Also arrested were co-organizers Yuri Gavrikov and Alexander Sheremet, Belarusian activist Sergey Androsenko and Moscow activist Anna Komarova. They were charged with organizing an unauthorized public action and were released after several hours. They could be jailed for 15 days if found guilty. The other marchers apparently escaped arrest by mingling with tourists. Efremenkova had sought a city permit to hold the parade and submitted more than 10 proposed routes. All were rejected under varying pretexts. She said pride organizers will sue over the denials, taking the case as far as the European Court of Human Rights if necessary. “Right to freedom of assembly is guaranteed in Russia by Article 31 of the constitution as well as the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights, which are two international treaties ratified by our country,” Efremenkova said. “Despite the pressure from the authorities and from the nationalist and religious groups, we held our action today,” she added. “We are only at the beginning of a long road before we manage to get implemented civil and political rights of sexual minorities in Russia.” Shortly after police aborted the march, 70 anti-Gay skinheads and other troublemakers appeared on the scene, some carrying baseball bats. Twenty-two of them were arrested
and charged with disorderly conduct. There is video of the parade at tinyurl. com/sppride. Gay parades also have been banned in Moscow. Mayor Yuri Luzhkov has prohibited pride for five years in a row, calling Gay marches “satanic.” Small groups of activists have defied the bans and have been attacked and beaten by police and anti-Gay protesters. LGBTs march in Sofia, Helsinki Several hundred people marched in the third Gay pride parade in Sofia, Bulgaria, on June 26, under protection of hundreds of police officers. Anti-Gay protesters rallied earlier in the day and did not disrupt this year’s march. A concert was staged at the parade’s endpoint. In 2008, some 60 counterdemonstrators were arrested for attacking the inaugural parade with bottles, rocks, eggs, firecrackers, smoke bombs and Molotov cocktails. In Finland, about 5,000 people marched through Helsinki on July 3. Three bystanders were taken into police custody after some marchers were hit with pepper spray. Slovenian Gay venue vandalized The Gay/Lesbian bar Cafe Open in Ljubljana, Slovenia, was vandalized twice in late June. Local activists said a Molotov cocktail was placed at the entrance and that the building was defaced with graffiti, including “Death to faggots.” Activists said similar graffiti was found on the house of the judge in a case against three men who attacked the bar last year and were sentenced to 18 months in jail following hate-crime convictions. In last year’s incident, the attackers carried torches, threw rocks and shouted that Gay people should be killed. They reportedly beat and burned Gay activist Mitja Blazic, who required hospital attention as a result. With assistance from Bill Kelley
NATIONAL
NEWS
Lambda fights for Arizona partner benefits Lambda Legal presented oral arguments in U.S. District Court in Phoenix on June 28 to block a law that strips domestic-partner benefits from Gay and Lesbian state employees. Arizona lawmakers eliminated health care for Gay state employees’ partners in a budget bill signed by Gov. Jan Brewer last September. Lambda represents 10 state employees whose partners need the benefits. 6
Seattle Gay News
July 9, 2010
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer Senator Graham says he’s not Gay U.S. Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) told The New York Times on June 28 that suggestions he is Gay are untrue. “Like maybe I’m having a clandestine affair with Ricky Martin,” he said. “I know it’s really gonna upset a lot of Gay men – I’m sure hundreds of ‘em are gonna be jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge – but I ain’t available. I ain’t Gay. Sorry.” With assistance from Bill Kelley
Celebrating 37 Years!
GAY CITY UNIVERSITY NIGHT SCHOOL: “WHO’S YOUR DADDY?” On Monday, July 12, from 6:30-9 p.m. at Gay City (511 E. Pike St.), Gay City Unicompiled by Rick McKinnon versity Night School presents “Who’s Your SGN Staff Writer Daddy?” This interactive workshop will help us explore the relationship – past, presSEE PAGE 5 of this week’s edition for a event/111305). ent, and future – between our fathers and list of upcoming PRIDE EVENTS around ourselves, to come to a better understanding Washington state and British Columbia. of who we are as men and as Gay men. FaFREEDOM SOCIALIST PARTY cilitated by John Heller, Dennis McCarthy NATIONAL CONVENTION UNDER U 4 MEN The Freedom Socialist Party will hold and Everett Considine. HOSTS UNDERWEAR/ART For more information, visit www.gaycity. their National Convention from Friday, July MASHUP 9, to Monday, July 12, at The Evergreen org. Local artist Chris Collins will have an ex- State College in Olympia. With keynote hibit of work done in his signature bubble- speakers from New York, Los Angeles, San GSBA PRIME TIME MIXER gum/baroque style at Under U 4 Men (400 Francisco, and Australia, plus organizers’ On Wednesday, July 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 Broadway E.) through July 23. “Gods and workshops and small group discussions. p.m. at Foodz Catering (301 Queen Anne Athletes” introduces the characters of clas- Strategy sessions will focus on rekindling Ave. N.), the GSBA will hold their Prime sical mythology – with a twist. Collins, who a militant labor movement; justice for im- Time Mixer. This is your opportunity beis known about town for his stylish commis- migrants, Queers, and people of color; the fore the primary to mix and mingle with sioned portraits, recruited ripped personal effort to save public education from privati- those who have filed to run for office. Betrainers and muscular college athletes to zation; Cuba today; and creating a socialist ing pre-primary, you will have a chance to pose for such subjects as Mars, Poseidon, feminist alternative to Wall Street and the ask questions before you have to vote. Join and Apollo. Collins is a New York native, Tea Party. Daily registration $20; students other guests for fine food created by Foodz where he honed his style as a freelance and strikers $10. Catering. Register early for this popular paparazzo and painter of tiny watercolor For more information, call (206) 985- event. Cost $10 for GBSA members, $15 and gold leaf portraits of society children. 4621 or visit www.socialism.com. non-members, $10 students. A portion of any proceeds will be donated For information, call (206) 363-9188 or to the artist’s favorite local non-profit, the visit www.thegsba.org. GREENSTAGE PRESENTS FREE Lifelong AIDS Alliance, which is commitSHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK ted to preventing the spread of HIV and to SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN Through August 14, GreenStage will perproviding practical support services and ad- form Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and BOOK CLUB AT DUNSHEE HOUSE vocating for those whose lives are affected As You Like It in Seattle at Seattle and King TO DISCUSS by HIV and AIDS. THE POETRY OF WALT WHITMAN County parks. All performances are free. Preview the artist’s work at www.theThe Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club Romeo and Juliet will be performed at NEWportrait.com. Volunteer Park on Friday, July 9 at 7 p.m., meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at DunSaturday, July 10 at 7 p.m., Thursday, Au- shee House (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas SEATTLE ARCHITECTURE gust 12 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, August 14 St.). In July, the club will discuss the Poetry FOUNDATION at 7 p.m. As You Like It will be performed at of Walt Whitman. All GLBTQ folks in the HOLDS OPEN MODEL EXHIBIT Volunteer Park on Sunday, July 11 at 2 p.m., community are welcome to participate in The Seattle Architecture Foundation Friday, August 13 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Au- this FREE book club. For more information, (1121 First Ave.) presents their annual open gust 14 at 2 p.m. For a complete schedule of email nickdimartin@earthlink.net or conmodel exhibit, Monday to Saturday, 10:30 performances, visit www.greenstage.org. tact Dunshee House at 206-322-2437. a.m. to 3 p.m., through July 31. Admission is free. POZSEATTLE MONTHLY SOCIAL SEATTLE SHAKESPEARE CO. “The design profession has suffered greatOn Wednesday, July 14, from 6-8 p.m. at PRESENTS FREE ly this past year with layoffs, budget cuts the Cuff (13th Ave. and Pine St.), POZSeSHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK and projects put on hold indefinitely. We Through August 1, Seattle Shakespeare attle will hold their monthly social. Meet us believe these achieved ideas, projects and Co. and Wooden O perform Shakespeare’s on the outside patio for grilled burgers and dreams deserve to see the light of day. Much Ado About Nothing and Othello in dogs (we will have veggie fare, too) and all “This year’s model exhibit, ‘HOPE,’ is Seattle and King County parks. All perfor- the fixins, socializing, catching up with old dedicated to all the un-built work waiting mances are free. friends, making new ones, and a whole lot for its debut. We may not be able to fix the Othello will be performed at Volunteer of fun. This event is free except for the cost economy, but we can collectively celebrate Park on Saturday, July 10 at 2 p.m. and at of beverages and is for all HIV-positive men what will someday become a part of our Seattle Center on Sunday, August 1 at 6 and their friends, regardless of age, shape, built world.” p.m. Much Ado About Nothing will be per- size, or color. Please spread the word about For more information, visit seattlearchi- formed at Volunteer Park on Sunday, July 11 us! If you or your group or organization tecture.org. at 7 p.m., and at Seattle Center on Sunday, would like to sponsor one of our monthly August 1 at 2 p.m. For a complete schedule socials by either donations, or a meal, or STRAWBERRY THEATRE of performances, visit www.seattleshake- both...please contact us by e-mail. WORKSHOP PRESENTS POZSeattle is a social organization run speare.org. THE LARAMIE PROJECT for and by Seattle-area HIV-positive guys The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman PIONEER SQUARE FIRE FESTIVAL that is committed to planning and promotexplores the reaction to the murder of MatOn Saturday, July 10, from 11 a.m. to 5 ing fun, social activities. Our primary social thew Shepard – a Gay student who was tor- p.m. in Occidental Square Park (South Main event is always held on the second Wednestured and murdered near Laramie, Wyoming St. between 1st Ave. and 2nd Ave. S.), the day of each month. For questions or more in 1998. The play draws on hundreds of in- Pioneer Square Fire Festival will take place. information about this event, or to be added terviews conducted by the theatre company The annual festival commemorates the1889 to our event promotions e-mail list, e-mail (Tectonic Theater Project) with inhabitants fire that destroyed most of downtown Seattle info@pozseattle.org or visit us at www.pozof the town, company members’ own jour- and gave rise to the historic Pioneer Square seattle.org. nal entries, and published news reports. District neighborhood. The Pioneer Square Performances will run through August Fire Festival gives attendees a glimpse into PUDDLETOWN SQUARES HOST 7 at 8:30 p.m. at the Erickson Theatre Off- Seattle’s past and features displays by the SQUARE DANCE INTRO EVENT Broadway (1524 Harvard Ave., between E. Last Resort Fire Department Museum, the On Wednesday, July 14, from 7-9 p.m. at Pine and E. Pike Sts.) Tickets: $30-general; Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum, and St.Andrew’s Episcopal Church (NE. 80th $100-group of 4; $15 half-price Thursdays the Klondike Gold Rush National Histori- St. and 1st Ave. NE.), join Seattle GLBT – in advance through www.brownpapertick- cal Park-Seattle. Included will be 15 antique favorite Puddletown Squares and learn the ets.com; 1-800-838-3006; www.strawshop. fire engines, police cars, a gold mining dem- ABCs of square dancing at the first of our org. onstration, live mural painting and lots of annual summer “intro” events. Led by internationally known, local favorite caller Mike family friendly activities. SHINE: A Burlesque Musical For more information, visit http://www. DeSisto, this energetic, non-traditional, and Through July 18 at Theatre Off Jackson lastresortfd.org/Fire_Festival-09.htm. fun evening will give beginners a chance to (409 7th Ave. S.), SHINE: A Burlesque “get a taste” of what modern western square Musical will be performed in collaboradancing is all about with help from experiBASTILLE DAY CELEBRATION tion with the Seattle Erotic Art Festival. On Sunday, July 11, from 10:30 a.m. to enced “angels” from Puddletown Squares. Internationally acclaimed comedy cabaret 6:30 p.m. celebrate Bastille Day at Seattle For more information, visit www.puddleduo The Wet Spots (John Woods and Cass Center. www.seattle-bastille.org. townsquares.org. King) will present 12 performances of the recent winner of a Vancouver Ovation LGBT YOUTH SUICIDE CAMP TEN TREES Award for Outstanding New Work. SHINE PREVENTION/ POTLUCK IN THE PARK 2 is a tassel-twirling original, full-book muINTERVENTION TRAINING On Sunday, July 11, from noon to 2 p.m. sical about an infamous burlesque theatre in Edwin T. Pratt Park (20th and Yesler in On Wednesday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to and the family of talented misfits who try Seattle Central District), Camp Ten Trees noon at the Matt Griffin YMCA (3595 S. to save it from demolition … or worse, re- will hold their second Potluck in the Park. 188th St., SeaTac, WA), join an LGBT youth spectability. Performances run through July Bring a dish to share and a serving utensil, suicide prevention/intervention training ses18, Thursdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m. and Camp Ten Trees will provide plates, sion. Join the workshop to gain increased and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and eating utensils, napkins, and drinks. knowledge about the risk and protective 10:30 p.m. Tickets are available now at For more information, contact Camp Ten factors, heightened awareness of the warnBrown Paper Tickets, 18+ only, $25 or $45 Trees at www.camptentrees.org or (206) ing signs for clinical depression and suicide, VIP (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ 288-9568. enhanced ability to differentiate suicidal
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attempts and self-harm, know the steps for intervening, and gain increased recognition of resources for GLBTQ youth. For more information, visit www.safeschoolscoalition.org. SEAFAIR INDIAN DAYS POW WOW Starting at noon from Friday, July 16 to Sunday, July 18, at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Discovery Park (3801 W. Government Way) will be the Seafair Indian Days Pow Wow. This year marks both the 40th anniversary of the takeover at Ft. Lawton by Native activists that led to the foundation’s founding, and the 25th anniversary of the annual pow wow itself. The three-day cultural celebration featuring contest dancing and drumming, Native crafts and traditional foods, and other intertribal exhibitions is one of the largest Native American pow wows in the Pacific Northwest. Event schedule: Friday, July 16, 2010: Family Night free admission, salmon bake dinner booth opens for weekend, Seafair Indian Days Pow Wow princess crowned, exhibition dancing in all categories. Saturday, July 17: Contest dancing in all categories, honoring of original Ft. Lawton invaders, coastal tribes exhibition dancing. Sunday, July 18: Bernie Whitebear Men’s Traditional Special Contest, Dance contest winners announced. Admission is $5 and pow wow grounds open daily at noon. This is a drug and alcohol free event. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.unitedindians. org. THREE DOLLAR BILL OUTDOOR CINEMA PRESENTS “BLONDE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN” SUMMER OUTDOOR MOVIES On Friday, July 16, Three Dollar Bill Cinema presents Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (featuring Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Russell) – the first of four fun and FREE movies shown at Cal Anderson Park, 11th Ave. & E. Olive St., this summer, under the stars! The Legend of Billie Jean will be shown of Friday, July 30, Desperately Seeking Susan will be shown on Friday, August 13, Candleshoe will be shown on Friday, August 27. All screenings start at dusk. To make your movie going experience complete, concessions will be sold at the screenings. For more information and to see trailers for the “Blonde But Not Forgotten” movie series, visit www.threedollarbillcinema.org. Three Dollar Bill Cinema sponsors the annual Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival in October. Q-SQUARED BOOK GROUP On Saturday, July 17, at 1 p.m. at the Capitol Hill Branch Library (425 Harvard Ave. E.), the Q-Squared Book Group will discuss the book My Queer War by James Lord. Larry Kramer stated, “My Queer War is magnificent. It is beautifully written, it is very wise, and it’s a great read. There has never been anything quite like it and it deserves to be come a classic.” Q-Squared Book Group is open to men who are interested in Gay literature and always welcomes new members For more information, visit www. qsquared.org. FUNDRAISER FOR QUEER TEEN ENSEMBLE THEATRE FEATURES SCREENING OF WAXIE MOON On Saturday, July 17, from 6-10 p.m., the Washington Ensemble Theatre, sponsors of the Queer Teen Ensemble Theatre (QTET), will host a fundraiser at the Broadway Performance Hall (1625 Broadway at E. Pine St.) to benefit the growth of Washington Ensemble Theatre’s QTET program. The evening will feature a reception with the Washington Theatre Ensemble, the QTET team, and the producers of the hit documentary Waxie Moon, along with a silent auction and a screening of Waxie Moon. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance at 800838-3006, at www.brownpapertickets.com, or at the door. All auction sales and donations are tax deductible. www.washingtonensemble.org.
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by Barry Thorsness SGN African Correspondent An Introduction As webmaster of the SGN since February 18, 2005, I have had the wonderful opportunity to post almost every story online that has been in the print edition. Often the SGN would “go online” from locations other than Seattle, often Vancouver, Canada, sometimes places as remote as a small village in the mountains of Bolivia. Not only is the SGN going to go online for the next while from Africa, my partner Louis and I are going to explore and share with you what it is like to be Gay in Africa. Our plans are as diverse as checking out the nightlife in Johannesburg to visiting and chatting with the activists who worked to free Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza from prison in Malawi. I have been in touch with LGBT activist organizations from South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda. While some places in South Africa have full rights, including marriage, for GLBT people, in others, such as Malawi, even a Gay engagement can result in 14 years in a very rough prison. What is it like to be Gay in Maputo, Mozambique, or Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania? I am currently working with the LGBT organization in Dar Es Salaam to create a website to help with their work. The SGN is providing the server space for the website. So as we venture forth, we are not sure of what we will encounter. Louis and I look forward to sharing our travels with you. I am currently working on a blog so that you, as a reader, can ask us questions and we can have a dialog as we travel. I hope to give you the link with our next story. Getting to Africa Getting tickets to South Africa can be difficult to arrange, especially if you plan to arrive in Johannesburg during the World Cup.
South African Airlines flies from New York and Washington, D.C. daily. Many have a stop to refuel in Dakar, Senegal. Ours happened to be direct and only took 15 hours from New York. A suggestion: If you want some of the best fares and someone great to help you book a flight to Africa (or anywhere else, for that matter) give
during the World Cup without a place to stay borders on sheer nightmare. Our friend who we were planning to stay with had rushed off unexpectedly as her mother was in very poor health.
What are we doing this week? We are exploring Johannesburg from Constitution Hill – where the new Supreme Courts are and the prison where Mahatma Gandhi was held twice (“deplorable” does not come close to describing the conditions in this prison) and where Nelson Mandela was held before being transferred to Robben Island near Cape Town – some African markets, the Gay bars, of course, and the Apartheid Museum. We will also see why everyone has walls and electrical fences around their homes and how one gets around in a city of 8 millions people when rapid transit is more like Seattle’s and some areas of the city are too dangerous to venture through. Have questions about our travels? Until the blog is up and operational, we welcome your e-mails at barry@sgn.org.
had. His attorney, Neal Eggeson, said a medical panel reviewed the case and determined the medical profession has an obligation to protect a patient’s privacy. “The entire case is about protecting his privacy and not having people in the Bloomington community know his status,” Eggesen, said. “He was asking the jury to at least give him enough to move somewhere else. He does not feel comfortable here anymore.” Attorneys for IMA argued that since M.O. lection agents, and included it in a court fil- had disclosed his status to at least one other ing demanding payment. Because the docu- person besides family members or sexual ments are public information, anyone could partners, they had no obligation to pay anyhave accessed the filing and discovered thing for telling a non-relevant party. IMA attorneys also demanded to know M.O.’s HIV status. At the conclusion of the three-day trial, how many sexual partners M.O. had so they the six jurors deliberated two hours before knew how many people he told before having sex. returning with a judgment against IMA. The July 1 court ruling was the result of Indiana state law requires HIV-positive years of court hearings, depositions, and people to disclose their status to sex partners. Last month, for example, a 19-yearmedical board rulings in favor of M.O. M.O. testified in court that IMA had told old woman was arrested after a man she met more people he was HIV-positive than he on MySpace charged that she had failed to
disclose she is HIV-positive before they had unprotected sex. After the trial, Eggeson told reporters that his client can now move to another location and start his life over, as he desires. Eggeson expects an IMA appeal, however. “I would be shocked if there was not one,” he said. The Indiana Supreme Court previously dismissed an HIV privacy suit in 1998. In that case, an HIV-positive man disclosed his status to ambulance attendants as he was being taken to a hospital. They informed hospital workers, one of whom revealed the information to her husband who was also employed there, and working with the patient. He, in turn, informed other co-workers, and one of them informed two other people who were not involved in treating the patient. That individual was sued for unnecessarily disclosing the patient’s HIV status, but the court ruled that revealing the information to only two individuals did not amount to publicizing it.
Brett Copeland a call at Flight Center in L.A. at (877)
862-7051 or e-mail him at Brett.Copeland@FlightCenter.com. You are welcome to let him know that Barry and Louis referred
Man wins suit against doctors who disclosed HIV status by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer An Indiana man identified in court documents only as M.O. won a $1.25 million judgment against doctors who disclosed his HIV status in public documents. M.O. claimed that Internal Medicine Associates included the fact that he is HIVpositive in collection claims they filed in 2004. IMA was attempting to collect a $326 past due medical bill. IMA had given the information to their collection attorneys who then sent it to col8
Seattle Gay News
all photos barry Thorsness
Barry & Lewis – SGN staff – dateline Africa
Thank you to the worldwide LGBT comyou. If you book the flight with S.A. Air, remember you can stay in Dakar for a couple munity! Suddenly, there I was in Seattle, two days of days or travel to nearby Gambia at no extra charge for the layover, and then go on to before our flight left, and I was e-mailing all my “African contacts” for help! Thank Johannesburg. you, Tracey Sandilands, executive director of Pride Toronto and our hero. There was poor Tracey, in the middle of Pride in Toronto, getting an e-mail from Barry asking, “Can you find us a place to stay in Johannesburg?” Tracey was previously with Pride in Cape Town and Johannesburg. She pulled through, and we are so lucky to be staying in the northern part of Johannesburg with our new South African friend Sharon Versfeld, and our other two housemates, Joyce and Lebo, who Arriving in Johannesburg are from Botswana. Sharon had a big party to celebrate her I have to admit that going to Africa can be birthday on the weekend and we worked to daunting even for a get over our jet lag with too much to drink! A suggestion: Yes, Johannesburg can be person who is a wellseasoned traveler. Ar- dangerous, and you must be aware and travel riving in Johannesburg accordingly. It is a good idea to have someone meet you at the airport, especially if you are going to arrive after 6 p.m. when it is dark in Africa (in our case, we took the new Gautrain to Sandton in the morning to meet Sharon). More on this in weeks to come.
July 9, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer London Mayor Boris Johnson, the second best-known Conservative party leader after Prime Minister David Cameron, said July 3 that he favored ending Britain’s ban on same-sex marriage. Johnson was attending London’s Pride Parade when he was confronted by Gay activist Peter Tatchell. Tatchell held a sign which read “Dave & Sam Cameron [the Prime Minister and his wife] can marry, Gays can’t. End the ban on Gay marriage.” Johnson read Tatchell’s sign and shrugged “Why not?” “So you are in favor of same-sex marriage?” Tatchell asked. “Yes, I don’t see why not,” Johnson answered. Tatchell asked once more, and Johnson replied, “Fair enough, the ban should go.” When Tatchell pointed out that the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government does not support same-sex marriage, Johnson answered, “Well, they should.” “If the Conservatives and Liberals can get together in a national coalition and settle their differences, I don’t see why you can’t have Gay marriage,” Johnson added.
file photo
Gay marriage OK by me, says London mayor
“If a Gay couple wants to get married in a registry office, why shouldn’t they?” Johnson is the most senior Conservative party leader to endorse same-sex marriage. He had previously disappointed LGBT Londoners by canceling the annual Pride reception begun by his left-wing Labor party predecessor “Red Ken” Livingston. Lesbian Conservative Member of Parliament Margot James, who marched with Tatchell in the parade, hoped Johnson’s support would move other Conservative members. “It is a big breakthrough to win Boris’ backing for marriage equality. His support will increase pressure to end the Gay ban. I am very grateful to the mayor,” she said. “Public opinion is on our side. The government and most MPs are out of touch. An opinion poll conducted by Populous and published by The Times last June found that 61% of the British public support same-sex civil marriage,” James continued. “Civil partnerships are a big advance but London Mayor Boris Johnson they not equality. They are second-class. In a democratic society, we should all be equal which entitled same-sex couples to all the in power. In the 2010 national election campaign, under the law. Having separate laws for rights and responsibilities of marriage, but only Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg Gays and heterosexuals is a form of sexual without the formal title. Labor’s Equality Act, which became law unequivocally supported marriage equalapartheid,” Tatchell said. Same-sex marriage was explicitly banned in April, allowed civil partnership ceremo- ity. Clegg is now Deputy Prime Minister, in Britain in 1971. In 2004, the Labor gov- nies in religious venues. Only a month later, and junior partner in the governing coalition ernment passed the Civil Partnership Act, Labor was swept out of office after 12 years with the Conservatives.
Google “grosses up” domestic partner benefits courtesy google
Under federal tax law, employer-provided health benefits for domestic partners are counted as taxable income, unless the partner can be claimed as a dependent. The tax owed is based on the value of the partner’s coverage paid by the employer. According to a 2007 report by UCLA Law School’s Williams Institute, LGBT employees with domestic partners will pay about $1,069 a year more in taxes than a married employee with the same coverage. Google is now promising to cover those costs, putting same-sex couples on an even footing with straight employees whose spouses and families receive health benefits. The additional pay will also cover the dependents of the employee’s domestic partner. According to Laszlo Bock, Google vice president for people operations (formerly known as HR), the extra compensation will only be available for same-sex domestic partners because straight partners can avoid extra taxes by marrying. The changes will also only be available to workers inside the U.S. Extra pay for eligible workers will be retroactive to January 1, 2010. It is not known how many of Google’s 20,600 employees will benefit from the changes, but the company’s LGBT group – called “Gayglers” – has about 700 members. Bock declined to provide details about total cost to the company, but said the decision was less about money and more about equalizing benefits. “If you were to add it all up, it’s not like we are talking hundreds of thousands per employee,” he said. “It will cost some money, but it was more about doing the right thing.”
“It’s a fairly cutting-edge thing to do,” said Todd A. Solomon, a partner in the employee benefits department of McDermott Will & Emery, a law firm in Chicago, and author of Domestic Partner Benefits: An Employer’s Guide. The Kaiser Family Foundation says that 36% of companies that offer health benefits provide coverage for same-sex domestic partners, and more than half of Fortune 500 companies provide domestic partner coverage, but only a few gross up LGBT employees’ pay to cover extra tax bills. According to Bock, Google began to look at the disparity after a Gay employee pointed it out. “We said, ‘You’re right, that doesn’t seem fair,’ so we looked into it,” Bock said. “From that initial suggestion, we said, let’s take a look at all the benefits we offer and see if we are being truly fair across the board.” As a result of its investigation, Google also decided to make a few other changes that would help Gay employees, including eliminating a one-year waiting period before qualifying for infertility benefits and including domestic partners in its family leave policy. Congress has also tried to address the disparity between what same-sex couples and straight married couples pay for health coverage. The healthcare reform legislation passed by the House last November included an amendment introduced by Seattle’s Rep. Jim McDermott (D-7) that would have eliminated the tax on employer-provided coverage. That provision did not make it into the final legislation signed by President Obama in March, however.
“It will cost some money, but it was more about doing the right thing.”
Google Vice President for People Operations Laszlo Bock
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Called “grossing up,” the extra pay to LGBT employees with domestic partners is designed to achieve parity with married Google announced June 30 that it would straight employees. While it is not comcover the extra tax cost that its LGBT em- mon, at least some other large employers ployees must pay when their domestic part- currently gross up pay for partnered LGBT employees. ners get company health benefits.
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photos by James whitely and Joseph P. Herron
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State Supreme Court will hear Seattle’s challenge to McKenna healthcare suit by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
State Supreme Court Commissioner Steven Goff has cleared the way for a showdown between Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes and State Attorney General Rob McKenna. Goff announced July 2 that the full court would hear a complaint by Holmes, on behalf of the City of Seattle, against McKenna’s lawsuit challenging federal healthcare reform. McKenna, a Republican and a potential candidate for governor in 2012, announced on March 22 that he would join a suit to block the new healthcare law from taking effect. He is one of 20 state attorneys general who have joined in the suit. McKenna claimed to represent Washington state citizens, who – he says – would be unconstitutionally burdened by the requirement to buy health insurance and to fund an expansion of Medicare through their taxes. Gov. Christine Gregoire vehemently opposed McKenna’s suit. “I completely disagree with the attorney general’s decision and he does not represent me,” she said at the time. On March 24, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting the healthcare bill and urging the state legis-
lature to deny McKenna funds to pursue the suit. Holmes joined in on April 22, when he filed a petition with the Washington Supreme Court asking them to direct McKenna to withdraw from the suit. “The mayor, the City Council and I want Rob McKenna to comply with the law,” Holmes said. “He does not have the authority to take this cynical, partisan action in the name of the state of Washington.” “He certainly does not represent the City of Seattle,” Holmes continued. “While claiming concern for the U.S. Constitution, the attorney general disregards Washington’s own constitution. He should withdraw from the lawsuit.” At issue is when and under what circumstances McKenna can sue on behalf of the state. Holmes argued in his April 22 petition that McKenna only has the powers granted to him by the state legislature, and those do not include making an independent decision to join in a federal lawsuit. “None of the provisions of RCW 43.10.030 grant authority for the attorney general to act unilaterally to make the state of Washington a plaintiff in the Florida lawsuit without the governor’s concurrence,” Holmes wrote in his petition. McKenna filed a motion to dismiss the
At issue is when and under what circumstances McKenna can sue on behalf of the state.
City of Seattle’s action, and argued his views before the court last week. Goff ruled that the Supreme Court would hear Holmes’s case, however, because it raises important questions about the constitutional role of state officers. “Arguably at stake is not the fate of the underlying federal lawsuit, but the role of the attorney general in state government,” he said in his ruling. “Suffice it to say that the issues in the case seem to me to be sufficiently debatable and important as to call for a decision of the court rather than its commissioner.” “Indeed, Commissioner Goff got it exact-
ly right,” City Attorney Pete Holmes said in a statement. “This issue demands review by the full court.” Oral arguments in the case are set for November 18. Both the city attorney’s office and the attorney general’s office say that the decision whether Holmes and McKenna will appear personally for their respective sides has not yet been made. Holmes’ Communications Director Kimberly Mills did tell SGN, “You know, our softball team beat the attorney general’s team last weekend, if that tells you anything….”
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
evil of persecution. More recently, fanned by misguided but vigorous religious doctrine, the situation has changed dramatically. The ultra-conservative interpretation of Islamic law that prevails in Iran is one example. The rampant homophobic teaching that rightwing evangelical Christian churches indulge in throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa is another.” More and more LGBT people are likely to seek asylum in Britain if they continue to be at risk in their home countries, he added. “It is one of the most demanding social issues of our time. Our own government has pledged to do what it can to resolve the problem, but it seems likely to grow and to remain with us for many years.” Another member of the court, Lord Rodger, said the normal behavior of Gay people must be protected just as it is for heterosexual people. “What is protected is the applicant’s right to live freely and openly as a Gay man. To illustrate the point with trivial stereotypical examples from British society: just as male heterosexuals are free to enjoy themselves playing rugby, drinking beer, and talking about girls with their mates, so male homosexuals are to be free to enjoy themselves going to Kylie concerts, drinking exotically colored cocktails, and talking about boys with their straight female mates.” The justices said immigration courts should decide on the evidence whether an applicant was Gay and whether he would face persecution if he lived openly in his own country. If this is the case, then he would have a well-founded fear of persecution, even if he could avoid the risk by living discreetly. If a court found the applicant would have to live discreetly to avoid persecution, then his application for asylum should be allowed, the judges said. If the applicant chose to live discreetly because of social pressure – not wanting to distress his parents or embarrass his friends, for example – then the application should be rejected.
Brits OK asylum for Gay refugees Britain’s Supreme Court ruled on July 7 that Gays and Lesbians seeking asylum have a right not to be deported if they would be in danger in their home countries. The unanimous ruling came in cases involving Gay men from Cameroon and Iran. Both men had previously applied for asylum on grounds of their sexual orientation and had been turned down. Officials informed both that they could escape persecution by behaving discreetly. One of the men, called “T” in court documents, was appealing a lower court decision that he should return to his native Cameroon even though he had been attacked by a mob after he was seen kissing his boyfriend. The other, called “J,” had been told by a lower court that he could reasonably be expected to cope with conditions in his native Iran if he were discreet. In Cameroon, prison sentences for samesex relations range from six months to five years. In Iran, punishment ranges from public flogging to hanging. Lord Hope, deputy president of the Supreme Court and chair of the panel of five judges who ruled in this case, said that forcing a Gay man to pretend his sexual orientation does not exist or should be suppressed was a breach of his fundamental rights. The court also laid down a framework for determining future asylum claims by Gays and Lesbians. The international Convention on the Status of Refugees provides that members of social groups have a right to asylum if they can establish a well-founded danger of persecution if they were returned to their home country. Lord Hope noted that persecution of LGBT people was not regarded as a problem when the convention was drafted because it was the practice in some countries to deny its existence. “This was manifest nonsense,” Lord Hope said in his ruling, “but at least it avoided the
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Celebrating 37 Years!
The judges added that courts should follow the same approach for Lesbians. The ruling was welcomed by British Home Secretary Theresa May, whose ministry oversees immigration issues. “We have already promised to stop the removal of asylum seekers who have had to leave particular countries because their sexual orientation or gender identification puts them at proven risk of imprisonment, torture or execution,” May said. The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom was established by the Constitutional Reform Act of 2005, and began work in October 2009. It replaced the House of Lords as the final court of appeal in Britain. The U.S. is also a signatory of the Convention on the Status of Refugees, and is therefore bound by its provisions. The U.S. has established a complex priority system for admitting asylum seekers. None of the categories explicitly address
sexual orientation or gender identity. Typically, refugees from countries the U.S. considers hostile – Iran, for example – get priority over those from countries considered friendly to the U.S., like Saudi Arabia. There is no definitive right to asylum in U.S. law. Refugees do have a procedural right to ask the attorney general to make a discretionary determination whether they should be admitted into the United States. Applicants for asylum are also entitled to mandatory “withholding of removal” if they can prove that their life or freedom would be threatened upon return to their country of origin. Disputes in U.S. asylum cases would initially be litigated before the Executive Office of Immigration Review. Subsequently, federal courts would decide whether the immigration courts acted properly in rejecting an applicant’s claim.
The meaning of Pride by Michael Raitt SGN Contributing Writer This is the season when Pride is celebrated in the GLBTQ community in Seattle and throughout the nation. This is when we honor who we are, reflect upon what it means to be GLBTQ, and, for many, it is a period of personal and community growth. It is a time when leaders and members of our community highlight who we are individually and collectively and it is a reminder to the larger culture that we have a place – an important place – in our society because of our contributions. Pride is about recognizing every serviceman and woman who is on active duty, or the members who have paid the highest price – their lives – so the rest of us can benefit from the rules of law and the liberties that are outlined in our Constitution. They serve with as much dignity, honor, and courage as any man or woman could. They personify the values and ethics that make every free society strong. They are the quiet servicemembers who are forced to stay silent so they can continue to serve. Some are outspoken, like Lt. Dan Choi, who publically protest anti-Gay policies and stand on their integrity while making personal sacrifices for the larger good. Pride can also emerge from a horrific private tragedy invading one’s life when one chooses to channel one’s grief into a cause greater than one’s own personal loss. Locally, Ms. Charlene Strong, who lost her partner in 2006, champions equal protection
under the law so that adults in loving samegender relationships can be there with each other in life’s most important moments and not ever suffer the indignity and callousness in being denied the right to be with your partner when they die. She recently met with President Obama to move this cause along. Pride is exemplified in the work that Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard – a young man brutally murdered in October, 1998 – does to make sure no other family goes through what she, Matthew, or her family went through. Pride is in never forgetting. Pride is exercised every day in the tireless work that doctors, nurses, and other medical providers do to provide services without shame to men and women in the GLBTQ community. The doctors I am most familiar with are Dr. Vy Chu, Dr. Peter Shalit, Dr. Rob Killian, and Dr. Jeff Olliffe. All the providers at Madison Clinic who provide care and support to every patient they serve, as well. Pride is about the parents, families, and friends I know about who work hard through their own fears and misperceptions about what LGBTQ is because they realize that loving and accepting their GLBTQ child, sibling, or friend is more important, which speaks more about their character, than anything else. Pride is our straight friends who love us and stand with us and accept us and include us as family in their family. Pride is about the women and men who work privately and publically on issues, pol-
icies, and laws like Referendum 71 – which started in Washington state and the focus of a recent Supreme Court decision to release the names of those who signed the petition. Also, in California, it is about partners like Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo, and their attorney David Boies (who, by the way, politically sways right and is straight), who are fighting to defeat Prop 8, which denies equal marriage rights. There are national and constitutional implications in this. They devote their time, emotional energy, and money because they know the fundamentals of what being GLBT is: love, relationship, identity, and soul. Pride is every GLBTQ firefighter, police officer, clergy, teacher, business leader, or volunteer who understands the human condition and intentionally chooses careers that are in service of others. Many of these men and women are still in the closet and unidentified to their colleagues and peers, yet the work they do and the services they provide are equally as important and impactful to everyone they touch. Pride is in witnessing celebrities like Ricky Martin come out of the closet and show the world that having a Gay, loving partner and relationship is just as normal and healthy as any other. Locally there are untold same-gender parents in loving relationships raising beautiful, successful children who will be the next generation in making our world a better place. Celebrities are simply faces that represent the rest of us in our process of coming to terms with being GLBTQ and making public who we really are. They represent the strength we’ve all tapped into in facing the pockets of people and groups who hate us and in finding acceptance in those who love us. Pride provides homage to the GLBTQ
men and women who have come before us and who did what they could, based on the period of time they lived, to take a place in society. It is also about the present and the legacy we leave for GLBTQ men and women to come. Fundamentally, Pride is how we see ourselves, and the way in which we see ourselves drives how we show up in the world. Pride is having confidence that we are loveable people who contribute greatly to our personal relationships and the greater society as a whole. Pride is taking our personal hardships and propelling those experiences and learnings towards the greater good, however we can. I am proud to be Gay. I wouldn’t want to be anything else! I am well-loved by my family and friends and am very proud of them and they are proud of me. I’m proud of all the people I work with and the work they do for themselves and the community. Being Gay, Lesbian, Bi, or Transsexual is not about an act of sex. It is about love, relationship, identity, and soul. Take pride in that! As you celebrate Pride, feel good about yourself, reflect upon how you love others and are loved by others. Be intentional about seeing all that is good about being GLBTQ and see each and everyone as contributing to a greater good either through one small gesture at a time or on a large public scale. HAPPY PRIDE! 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.
Capitol Hill Alano Club needs your help chacseattle.org. Bottom line is, if CHAC is unable to raise $15,000 by August, they will have to shut their doors. Each year, the Club has two major fundraisers to close the monthly gap in income and expenses. Although CHAC raised $5,863 at Bat ‘n’ Rouge XII, the amount was considerably less than what the Club’s officials were hoping for. The income fell far short of what CHAC needs to stay afloat until the November Kringle’s Korner Christmas tree fundraiser.
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
The Capitol Hill Alano Club (CHAC), an organization dedicated to providing a safe place for Seattle’s LGBT recovery community, knows a thing or two about helping people. For years, CHAC has held weekly meetings to help members of our community deal with addiction through recovery. Now the CHAC needs your help. The Club recently launched Staying Alive 2010, a call-to-arms to the Seattle recovery community, the Capitol Hill neighborhood, and Where to send money and how to give you, to help keep their doors open. 1) Online using VISA/MC through payAccording to CHAC officials, due to expal. traordinary expenses for maintenance and 2) Send check or money order to repairs on the space they rent, along with 1122 E. Pike St #1109 diminished meeting and membership inSeattle, WA 98122 come, the organization is in danger of closing. “We are seeking emergency help from see CHAC page 20 you,” CHAC posted on their website, www.
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Pentagon questions soldiers on Gay military ban by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer On July 7, the Department of Defense sent surveys to 200,000 active duty and 200,000 guard and reserve servicemembers asking for their personal assessments of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), the military’s discriminatory policy that bans Gays and Lesbians from openly serving in the U.S. military. According to the Pentagon, the survey, sent to servicemembers through official military e-mail, asks questions as to how unit morale and readiness might be affected if a commander is believed to be Gay or Lesbian; the need to maintain personal standards of conduct; and how repeal might affect willingness to serve in the military. More poignantly, the survey asks a number of questions aimed at identifying what, if any, problems might occur when troops live and work in close quarters in war zones such as in Afghanistan and Iraq. In other words, troops are asked how they might react if they had to share a room, bathrooms, and open-bay showers (specifically in a war zone) with servicemembers that were openly Gay or Lesbian. In addition, the survey asks several questions about reactions to dealing with samesex partners in social situations.
Earlier this year, top Pentagon brass established a team to conduct the survey after President Barack Obama called upon Congress and the military to end the ban, which has been in place since 1993 and ruined nearly 14,000 careers. Thus far, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen publicly back a repeal of DADT. It is important to note that Defense Department officials say the survey is aimed at determining the impact of repeal, not whether repeal should happen. Breaking ranks with Admiral Mullen, several members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff say they want to see the results of the survey before they offer their final opinion on the impact of a repeal. On July 7, a senior U.S. military official with direct knowledge of the review process told CNN the military needs until the end of 2010 to figure out how to implement a repeal of DADT in terms of housing, medical, and marriage benefits, as well as issues involving the reinstatement of Gay soldiers previously discharged under the policy. According to the official, in addition to the survey, the Pentagon has also been soliciting opinions in a number of private meetings with troops. The results of the review will not be available until December.
Defense Department officials say the survey is aimed at determining the impact of repeal, not whether repeal should happen.
DOMA
continued from cover es, he ruled that Section 3 of DOMA also violates the 10th Amendment by usurping the rights of states to regulate marriage. The two cases were argued separately in May this year. If the respective federal agencies decide to appeal Tauro’s decisions – as they are likely to do – the cases will go to the First Circuit Court of Appeals and may ultimately go to the Supreme Court.
morals. “Neither does the Constitution allow Congress to sustain DOMA by reference to the objective of defending traditional notions of morality,” he wrote. “As the Supreme Court made abundantly clear in Lawrence v. Texas and Romer v. Evans, ‘the fact that the governing majority in a State has traditionally viewed a particular practice as immoral is not a sufficient reason for upholding a law....’”
Massachusetts v. HHS Massachusetts v. HHS was brought by Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley to defend the DOMA Gill v. OPM right of her state to grant requires all Gill v. OPM was filed by permission for same-sex GLAD (Gay and Lesbian marriages. federal departments Advocates and DefendIn his decision to and agencies to disregard ers) on behalf of eight grant summary judgsame-sex couples valid state-licensed marriages ment to Massachuand three surviving setts, Tauro first reof same-sex couples, but not viewed several state partners living in Massachusetts who programs, includother married couples. Only were denied federal ing the MassHealth benefits available to married same-sex couples are medical insurance married spouses. denied rights, protections, and program, where In his decision in DOMA-based restricGill, Tauro found that responsibilities associated tions on federal spend“the government’s profing impact citizens of with marriage at the Massachusetts. fered rationales, past and current, are without ‘footing federal level. Tauro then said his reasonin the realities of the subject ading in the Gill decision should dressed by [DOMA].’ also apply to Massachusetts v. HHS. “And ‘when the proffered rationales for a “In the companion case, Gill et al. v. Oflaw are clearly and manifestly implausible, fice of Pers. Mgmt. et al., No. 09-cv-10309a reviewing court may infer that animus is JLT (D. Mass. July 8, 2010) (Tauro, J.), this the only explicable basis. [Because] animus court held that DOMA violates the equal alone cannot constitute a legitimate govern- protection principles embodied in the Due ment interest,’ this court finds that DOMA Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. lacks a rational basis to support it.” … That analysis, which this court will not Lacking any rational basis to restrict mar- reiterate here, is equally applicable in this riage to opposite-sex couples, Tauro said, case.” DOMA can only be based on irrational prejOn that basis, Tauro ruled that in passing udice against same-sex couples. DOMA Congress had created a situation “As irrational prejudice plainly never that leads the state of Massachusetts to vioconstitutes a legitimate government inter- late the rights of its own citizens. est, this court must hold that Section 3 of “Accordingly, this court finds that DOMA DOMA as applied to Plaintiffs violates the induces the Commonwealth to violate the equal protection principles embodied in the equal protection rights of its citizens. Fifth Amendment to the United States Con“And so, as DOMA imposes an unconstistitution,” he concluded. tutional condition on the receipt of federal Tauro also demolished four separate argu- funding, this court finds that the statute conments that Congress had a legitimate inter- travenes a well-established restriction on the est in intervening in the definition of mar- exercise of Congress’ spending power. Beriage to favor opposite-sex couples. cause the government insists that DOMA is “What remains, therefore, is the possibil- founded in this federal power and no other, ity that Congress sought to deny recognition this court finds that Congress has exceeded to same-sex marriages in order to make het- the scope of its authority.” erosexual marriage appear more valuable or Because Congress exceeded its authority, desirable,” he wrote in his decision. Tauro said, they violated the 10th Amend“But to the extent that this was the goal, ment. Congress has achieved it ‘only by punishing “That DOMA plainly intrudes on a core same-sex couples who exercise their rights area of state sovereignty – the ability to deunder state law.’ And this the Constitution fine the marital status of its citizens – also does not permit.” convinces this court that the statute violates Then, turning to U.S. Supreme Court de- the Tenth Amendment.” cisions striking down sodomy laws and disIronically, the 10th Amendment – which criminatory state constitutional provisions, states simply “The powers not delegated to Tauro rejected the idea that Congress may the United States by the Constitution, nor intervene to defend its conception of public prohibited by it to the States, are reserved
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Celebrating 37 Years!
to the States respectively, or to the people” – has historically been used by right-wingers to challenge federal civil rights laws.
Reaction to the decisions “Today the Court simply affirmed that our country won’t tolerate second-class marriages,” says Mary Bonauto, GLAD’s civil rights project director, who argued the case. “I’m pleased that Judge Tauro recognized that married same-sex couples and surviving spouses have been seriously harmed by DOMA and that the plaintiffs deserve the same opportunities to care and provide for each other and for their children that other families enjoy. This ruling will make a real difference for countless families in Massachusetts.” “With today’s decisions, the federal court orders that the heavy hand of the U.S. government must be lifted off the scales of justice, so all legally married people – Gay and straight alike – can receive the same treatment under U.S. law and in federal benefit programs,” said Jennifer Pizer, national marriage project director for Lambda Legal. “Today’s decision is a confirmation of what every Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender American knows to be a basic truth – we, and our families, are equal,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “This is an important step forward, but there is a long path ahead before we see this discriminatory law consigned to the dustbin of history.”
file photo
Section 3 of DOMA and why it’s important Section 3 of DOMA applies to the federal government only. It overrides a state’s decision that a samesex couple is legally married and says that they are not married for purposes of all federal laws and programs, even though the federal government has historically deferred to state definitions of marital status. Under DOMA Section 3, “the word ‘marriage’ means only the legal union of a man and a woman as husband and wife, and the word ‘spouse’ refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.” Therefore DOMA requires all federal departments and agencies to disregard valid state-licensed marriages of same-sex couples, but not other married couples. Only married same-sex couples are denied rights, protections, and responsibilities associated with marriage at the federal level. DOMA Section 3 deprives LGBT families of federal economic safety nets for married families – Social Security survivor benefits, for example – to the detriment of those couples and their children or other dependents. Section 3 of DOMA does not involve the Full Faith and Credit clause of the U.S. Constitution, which requires individual states to recognize legally binding actions of other states. Therefore the portion of DOMA allowing states to disregard legal same-sex marriages conducted in other states would remain in force even if Tauro’s decisions are upheld on appeal.
Raiding the child rapists in Belgium
Pope Benedict XVI
by Wayne Besen SGN Contributing Writer There was certainly no waffling in Belgium when law enforcement officials raided a Catholic Bishop’s meeting to pursue tawdry allegations of sexual abuse by pedophile priests. When Pope Benedict XVI heard about the operation, he put down his incense and announced he was incensed that police actually did their jobs to protect minors from major abuses. He called the police action “surprising and deplorable,” which more accurately might describe the way Rome has handled the child rape crisis. Make no mistake; the raid was harsh, heavy-handed, and certainly long overdue. It is important to remember that the authorities only acted after the church stonewalled and failed to follow through on promises it made to refer abuse cases to prosecutors under a 1990s agreement. In condemning the sting operation, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, tried to hide behind diplomatic protocol by calling the police practices “serious and unbelievable” and compared them to the handiwork of communist dictatorships. However, if the Vatican were a genuine country where leaders abused children on
such a massive scale worldwide, they would have suffered far more serious consequences. There would surely be calls in the United Nations for sanctions and a demand that the Pope step down. The heart of the matter is that the Holy See wants to remain in charge of investigations, despite its complete and utter failure to comprehensively investigate, no less discipline, wayward priests. They obviously remain clueless on the gravity of the situation and heartless in the clumsy way they often treat their victims. At this point, The Roman Catholic Church arguably has less credibility than the despicable North American Man Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) in terms of investigating allegations of abuse. If you think this is anti-Catholic hyperbole, consider that the Vatican has a total of 10 investigators to cover hundreds of complaints worldwide. Pause and digest this paltry number for a moment … then get really angry. That’s right, the Los Angles Lakers have two more basketball players than the Vatican has child sexual abuse investigators. Rome’s entire molestation unit is the size of two Jackson 5s. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the Pope has hired more than 10 personal shoppers to help him pick out his Prada shoes.
Now, compare the figures 10 and 400. The former we know, and the latter is the total number of sexual abuse allegations leveled against Belgian priests since the ‘80s. Of course, the Church created a puppet committee in Belgium to plod through the cases. But, we all know that Rome’s specialty is stonewalling and smokescreens. Given the disparity between promises to actual prosecutions, no country that cares about its children should allow the Vatican authority to police itself. The time for ceding control to Rome must end and civil authorities worldwide should follow Belgium’s laudable lead. Left to its own deviant devices, the Vatican’s instincts are to pass the buck, while giving guilty priests a pass. When the abuse cases first came to light in the United States, the Vatican tried to spin the immoral monstrosity as an American problem, as if latitude and longitude caused the lechery and lies. The geographical excuse imploded after an avalanche of child rape allegations came from all corners of the world including the Catholic strongholds of Ireland, Austria, and Germany. In a panic, the Pope and his minions tried to blame everything from gossip to Gay men. Indeed, Belgium’s Archbishop Léonard has long tried to demonize LGBT people. Three years ago he said they were “abnormal,” with “a blockage in their normal psychological development.” That’s interesting, because the police just raided his church over a pedophilia cover-up, not one of the many Gay establishments or organizations in Brussels. In the controversial raid, according to Time Magazine: “Police sealed off St. Rumbold’s Cathedral in Mechelen, north of Brussels, where the nine bishops were meeting, and carried away computers and hundreds of files. They drilled into the tombs of prelates Leo Jozef Suenens and Jozef-Ernest van Roey – who headed the Belgian Catholic Church between 1926 and 1979 – and poked a camera inside to look for hidden documents. At the same time, they raided the home and seized the laptop of Cardinal Godfried Danneels, who was the head of the Belgian Catholic Church for three decades until Léonard succeeded him in January. The police also went to nearby Leuven to search the premises of the independent Church body that is investigating hundreds of cases of clerical abuse.” In this particular case, I say, “Drill, baby, drill.” This is the way to run a proper investigation. Law enforcement across the globe must stop coddling alleged criminals and enabling a Vatican cover-up. The Pope’s kangaroo investigative committees ought to be dismantled immediately and the police should handle the possible crimes. If the Pope and his cohorts are truly men of God, wouldn’t they welcome much-needed assistance for their obviously overburdened and beleaguered 10 investigators?
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CHAC
softball
3) Drop your gift directly into the 2nd floor office wall slot located at 1900 E. Madison St Seattle, WA 98122 4) Contact CHAC via phone: (206) 8609560. Remember CHAC is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization and your contribution is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
the Emerald City Classic give the ECSA great hope that the athletic organization is in the process of establishing “one of the premier Gay softball weekend tournaments in the country.” For 2010, ECSA offered a team entry fee of $50, in comparison to most travel tournament fees of $300 to $450. According to Card, they were able to offer the low entry fee due to the support of league sponsors, most notably Bud Light. Local players interested in Gay softball can join the Fallball Season, which is less formal than the regular spring season. It’s a six-week season, which begins after Labor Day and is designed to be a fun league where players of all skills play together on the same team. Details are available at www.seattlegaysoftball.com.
continued from page 17
Other ways to help CHAC 1) Become a dues-paying member, or make a one-time contribution. 2) Find individuals or groups that can provide a major financial gift to the Club. 3) Attend the emergency board meeting at 6 p.m., July 14 in room 2B. 4) Attend the regular general membership meeting at 6 p.m., July 21 in room 2B. CHAC has Board elections scheduled.
continued from cover
FINAL RESULTS B Division Portland Grind – Champions Seattle Vendetta – 2nd Place Seattle Dirty Dawgs – 3rd Place Phoenix Trojans – 4th Place Don Edmunds - B Division MVP Vancouver Hellfish – Spirit Award Seattle Shock – Sportsmanship award C Division San Francisco Bad Boys – Champions Seattle SIN – 2nd Place Seattle Squadron – 3rd Place San Francisco Crush – 4th Place Tony Valdez – C Division MVP Austin Chaos – Spirit Award LA Rough Trade – Sportsmanship Award D Division Seattle Avengers – Champions Seattle Saints – 2nd Place Seattle X-Wolves – 3rd Place Seattle Dirty Dozen – 4th Place John Ball – D Division MVP Screaming Weenies – Spirit Award Portland Swallows – Sportsmanship Award
Special Awards Austin Chaos – Team that traveled the Furthest to Play in the ECC Seattle Drillers – Best Uniform
snapshot
continued from cover co-chair of the LGBT Commission. “The goal of the Seattle Snapshot is to get an accurate picture of how people are doing right now. With the feedback and data from the survey, we can figure out what’s going on in the community and where we can partner with the City and other organizations to make improvements.” Christopher Peguero, co-chair of the Seattle LGBT Commission says that Seattle has always been on the forefront for promoting LGBT rights and that the Commission is pleased to have the support of the City Council in continuing to push Seattle forward. “The needs assessment will be a great tool for figuring out where there is still more work to be done and how we can work together to implement solutions,” he said. The Seattle LGBT Commission advises the mayor, City Council, and City departments about LGBT issues. The Commission is hoping for a good survey turnout in order to get an accurate picture of the greater LGBT community at large. “Of course, the value of our data will be dictated by the participation of the community. The Commission wants to know how to make your life better where you live, work, and play,” the Commission posted on their webpage. According to the City of Seattle’s official website, www.seattle.gov, Seattle has the third-largest percentage of LGBT residents among large cities in the U.S. On June 21, the Seattle City Council passed a resolution reaffirming the City’s commitment to full equal rights for all residents and employees regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The resolution also supports the work of the needs assessment, Snapshot Seattle, and requests that the Commission return to City Council next year with the results of the assessment and proposed strategies to address the needs identified.
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Celebrating 37 Years!
hawaii
continued from cover
by one individual or a small group of elected officials. ... There are issues that require the reflection, collective wisdom and consent of the people and reserves to them the right to directly decide those matters. This is one such issue.” Lingle went on to criticize the way the bill had been passed in the House of Representatives. “The legislative maneuvering that brought House Bill 444 to an 11th-hour vote on the final day of the session via a suspension of the rules, after legislators led the public to believe that the bill was dead, was wrong and unfair to the public they represent,” she said. “This is a decision that should [be made] by all the people of Hawaii behind the curtain of the voting booth.” Lingle said she felt “very comfortable” with her veto, but added, “I would be surprised if this does not go on the next available ballot. ... I would encourage lawmakers to do it ... so that we can all move on.” Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union promptly announced they would file suit over the veto. “We’re obviously disappointed that Gov. Lingle has, once again, used her power to deny the people of Hawaii their civil rights,”
said Laurie Temple, staff attorney for the ACLU. “Luckily for the people of Hawaii, however, our constitution prevents discrimination based on sexual orientation. If the governor won’t honor her oath to uphold the constitution, the courts will.” Hawaii’s constitution was amended by voters in 1998 to give the Legislature authority to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples, which it did. The amendment does not prohibit civil unions, or the Legislature’s changing its mind. The amendment states: “The legislature shall have the power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples.” Freedom to Marry called the veto “deeply disappointing” and said it “unnecessarily delays Hawaii’s journey toward fairness and equality.” “Gov. Lingle has rejected the will of the state Legislature and the advice of countless business and faith leaders and turned her back on the committed couples and Hawaii kin who have expressed their support for this measure,” said Executive Director Evan Wolfson. “Freedom to Marry urges the Hawaii state Legislature to overrule Gov. Lingle’s veto.” Equality Hawaii’s Alan Spector commented: “Today is a sad day for the thousands of Hawaii families who remain second-class citizens. We fail to see how the governor’s actions are in the best interest of Hawaii’s future and are nothing more than political maneuvering at the expense of people’s lives. We’re disappointed and outraged.”
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey called the veto “a disgrace.” “Hawaii’s lawmakers passed this bill because it was about fundamental fairness,” she said. “The governor’s action today flies in the face of both common sense and common humanity. We urge the Hawaii Legislature to override this veto.” Same-sex marriage is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. Five additional states have domestic-partner or civil-union laws that extend to samesex couples all state-level rights and obligations of marriage: California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington. Five other states extend limited marital rights to registered same-sex couples: Colo-
rado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, and Wisconsin. New York and Maryland recognize samesex marriages from other states and countries. California recognizes same-sex marriages from anywhere in the world if they were entered into before Proposition 8 amended the state constitution in November 2008 to re-ban same-sex marriage, which had been legal for 4 1/2 months. A high-powered lawsuit charging that Prop 8 violates the U.S. Constitution will see a U.S. District Court decision in San Francisco this summer. The case likely will end up at the U.S. Supreme Court. Internationally, same-sex marriage is legal in Belgium, Canada, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and Mexico City.
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