Issue 23 Volume 37
Celebrating 36 Years!
FRIDAY June 5, 2009 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands
pride events p. 3
decline to sign p. 14
mike webb p. 4
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
New Hampshire Gov. signs samesex marriage bill
Cal Anderson dollar supports Capitol Hill merchants
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
in the day in favor of the bill. The house followed later in the afternoon, voting 198-176. Grouped The New Hampshire State with two previous pieces of legisHouse and Senate passed legisla- lation aimed at advancing the freetion to recognize marriage equality for same-sex couples on June 3. The Senate voted 14-10 earlier see new hampshire page 7
The Capitol Hill Community Council (CHCC) formally unveiled the new Capitol Hill Discount Dollar, featuring beloved Seattle politician Cal Anderson, the night of June 1st. Cal Anderson was Washington State’s first openly Gay legislator and is the namesake for a Capitol Hill park. Each month, the CHCC, a state non-profit corporation organized for the purpose of preserving and improving the neighborhood in accordance with the wishes of the community, will unveil a new
coupon with a different historical figure or importance to the area. Participating business owners take 10% off purchases when presented with the coupon. Alcohol and tobacco are excluded. “We chose Cal Anderson because we thought it would be fitting for June, which is LGBT Pride month,” said Capitol Hill Community Council Vice President Charlette Lefevre. “Anderson was our Harvey Milk.” Lefevre said the Capitol Hill Discount Dollars are intended to urge Capitol Hill residents and tourists to frequent neighborhood businesses. The theme printed on
the dollar is “In Each Other We Trust.” So far, nearly 20 local business owners participate in the discount program. “Our wish is for people to shop or dine at the local businesses,” she said. “Capitol Hill is the heartbeat of the LGBT community in Seattle.” There are two ways of knowing if a business participates, Lefevre explained. “You can either look in the window of a business – if you see one of the dollars posted then they are participating in the 10% see dollar page 13
SGN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: SGN exclusive interview: City Attorney candidate Seattle City Attorney Tom Carr Peter Holmes
Accountability (OPA), overseeing the conduct of Seattle police, the two clashed over OPA reports critical of police conduct. At issue was legal indemnity for OPA members from potential claims by officers or their union, the Police Guild. “We asked Tom Carr for opinions on the OPA reports,” Holmes recalls. “We were concerned that we’d lose the right to indemnity, in fact we might have to indemnify the City.” Carr refused to issue an opinion supporting the OPA, citing the confidentiality agreement OPA members must sign. “The reports did not name a single officer and did not disclose a single piece of confidential information,” Holmes says, “but the law department would not give us a ‘comfort letter’ [indicating that the City Attorney agreed seattle courant
ap photo
law-and-order guy,” Carr continued. “That’s just the way it goes. If I’m in the news, it’s because I’m prosecuting someone. People don’t see everything else that we do. I am a law-and-order guy, but that’s not all.” Carr is perhaps best know to SGN readers for his recent suit against Seattle Out and Proud (SOAP), to collect debts to Seattle Center resulting from SOAP’s financially disastrous 2006 Pride Festival. SOAP no longer operates the festival, and its annual Pride Parade has run in the black every year. “Seattle Center hung me out to dry,” Carr says. “It was the Center that made the decision to go forward [with the suit], as you know from exploring the facts.” As previously reported in SGN, Seattle Center Productions Director John Merner worked with SOAP to orSeattle City Attorney Tom Carr ganize 2006 Pride Festival at the by Mike Andrew an exclusive interview this week. Center, and subsequently instructCarr is running for a third term as ed Carr to sue SOAP to collect the SGN Staff Writer Seattle City Attorney. His oppo- debt remaining from the event. “I believe I’m one of the most nent, Peter Holmes, was also interprogressive prosecutors in the viewed for this week’s SGN. “There’s a perception of me as a country,” Tom Carr told SGN in see tom carr page 17
Peter Holmes
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Peter Holmes has tangled with Tom Carr before. “‘Tangled’ is definitely the right word,” Holmes says. This year, Holmes is running against incumbent Carr for Seattle City Attorney. Two years ago, when Holmes was Chair of the Office of Professional
see peter holmes page 13
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Seattle Gay News
June 5, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
PRIDE EVENTS
CALENDAR
compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer
Captain Smartypants. The Q Center and the GLBT Commission continue their tradition of honoring one ally, student, staff member, faculty member, and alum with the Q Visionary Awards. Award recipients were nominated by their peers and were selected by previous Q Visionaries. In addition, student artists and performers will be displaying their many talents. If you are graduating and wish to participate, please follow the links to the graduate information form on the Q Center website: www.qcenter.washington.edu. This event is open to the public.
GAY PRIDE MONTH SAM REMIX AND FILM SCREENINGS AT SEATTLE ART MUSEUM On Friday, June 5, 6-10 p.m., celebrate Gay Pride month with DJs Colby b and crew at Seattle Art Museum, 1300 First Ave. at University St. Catch special film screenings selected by Three Dollar Bill Cinema. Experience performances by Tam Gina, The Can Can Castaways and burlesque superstars STAND UP WITH PRIDE Lucky Penny and Nessa Lashes. Hosted by COMEDY FEST the fabulous Ade. FREE with suggested $15 On Thursday, Friday & Saturday, June 11, museum admission. For more info and tick12 & 13, enjoy the “Stand Up With Pride” ets, visit seattleartmuseum.org. Comedy Fest at the Parlor Live Comedy Club, Lincoln Square. 3rd Floor, 700 Bel“INDIVIDUAL DEMOGRAPHICS” levue Way NE, Bellevue. The Gay Stand AT GREG KUCERA GALLERY For the month of June, the Greg Kucera Up Tour features Jason Dudley, Jen Kober Gallery, 212 Third Ave. S., presents work by and ANT. Thursday show at 7 p.m., Friday a dozen plus artists of international standing & Saturday at 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. Tickets: addressing Gay political issues, issues of $25, $20 & $15. Enter the word “PRIDE” race and gender, and gender identity issues. for 20% off tickets. www.parlorlive.com. Included in the show are works by Tom of An official Seattle Pride ’09 special event. Finland, John Waters, Fergus Greer and UNCORKED! – Deborah Oropallo. The show runs through A FABULOUS WINE TASTING Saturday, June 27. The gallery is open TuesHOSTED BY GAY CITY day through Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. On Friday, June 12, Gay City presents www.gregkucera.com/individual_demotheir 4th annual wine tasting extravagangraphics.htm za featuring the wines of the Click Wine Group. This year’s focus will be on the VOICES RISING PRESENTS wines of Italy accompanied by fine ItalHIP HOP, SPOKEN WORD, ian comestibles at the Steve Jensen Studio, BREAKIN’ AND 1424 10th Ave. Doors at 5:30 p.m., tasting DRAG PERFORMANCE begins at 6 p.m. Tickets: $35 in advance; AT RICHARD HUGO HOUSE On Saturday, June 6, join Voices Rising, $40 at the door. For more information and to Seattle’s only showcase dedicated solely to RSVP, visit www.gaycity.org. All proceeds LGBTQ artists of color, for a celebration benefit the programs and services at Gay of pride: from hiphop to the Harlem Re- City Health Project. naissance and beyond. Performers include GAY PRIDE MONTH Mami Watu, Emiko Sugiyama, THEEFILM PROGRAM AT Satisfaction, Dakota Camacho, Mikeya SEATTLE ART MUSEUM Jackson-Harper, Landon Longhill, Crystal In collaboration with Three Dollar Bill Ybarra and Storme Webber. The event will be held at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Cinema, SAM salutes Gay Pride Month Ave., doors at 7 p.m. Tickets” $10-$25 slid- with three films by Derek Jarman. On Friing scale. For more information, visit www. day, June 12, from 7:30-9:30 p.m., SAM, myspace.com/voicesrising. Advance tickets 1300 First Ave. at University St., presents will be available at brownpapertickets.com. Caravaggio in the Plestcheeff Auditorium. For complete details, visit www.seattleartmuseum.org. Tickets are $7 at the door. “STRIKE OUT WITH PRIDE” Advance tickets for the 3-film series are BOWLING TOURNAMENT $19-general or $17-SAM and Three DolAND UNLIMITED BILLIARDS On Sunday, June 7, from 7-11 p.m., at lar Bill Cinema members. 206-654-3121 or ACME Bowl, 100 Andover Park W., Tuk- www.seattleartmuseum.org. wila, join Seattle Pride ’09 at the private BAT N’ ROUGE: and super comfy Seven10 bowling lounge DRAG QUEENS VS. THE DYKES – at ACME Bowl. This ultra-modern, swanky A SOFTBALL EXTRAVAGANZA lounge will provide Seattle Pride bowlOn Saturday, June 13, from 5-8 p.m., at ers with an intimate, upscale bowling experience. Enjoy food and beverage from Cal Anderson Park/Bobby Morris Playfield, the ACME Bowl restaurant and lounge on entrance off 11th Ave. north of E. Pine St., comfortable couches and view 150” projec- come cheer on the players, enjoy a softball tion screens at the end of each pair of lanes. game like no other and support the Capitol Also enjoy unlimited billiards. Tickets: $30 Hill Alano Club at this hilariously fun anincludes open bowling, shoes, Seattle Pride nual LGBT Pride event. $5 suggested donaT-Shirt, goodies and an opportunity to enter tion. Bat N’ Rouge is a fundraising event for Seattle Pride’s first progressive raffle for a CHAC. CHAC is a non-profit group hosting chance to win international airfare, hotel ac- nearly 60 twelve-step meeting each week. commodations, gift certificates, etc. www. CHAC is now in its 27th year of service in providing the Seattle LGBT Community brownpapertickets.com/event/69091. with recovery support for drug and alcohol addiction. For more information, visit www. PRIDE IDOL AT R PLACE Preliminary competition on Tuesday, June chacseattle.org or call 206-860-9560. 9, at 9:30 p.m., at R Place, 619 E. Pine St., SEATTLE FRONTRUNNERS leading to final event on June 23. Proceeds RUN AND WALK WITH PRIDE benefit Seattle Pride®. www.SeattlePriOn Sunday, June 14, Seattle FrontrundeIdol.com. ners presents their 26th Annual Run and Walk With Pride featuring a fun 4K run, UW LAVENDAR GRADUATION On Wednesday, June 10, at 6 p.m., the UW 10K run, or 4K walk at Seward Park, 5898 Q Center and the UW GLBT Commission Lake Washington Blvd. S. Day of race regwill host the University of Washington’s istration opens at 8:30 a.m. and the Run and 8th Annual Lavendar Graduation at the Don Walk begins at 10 a.m. All abilities are welJames Center (at Husky Stadium), on Mont- come. This USATF sanctioned event will lake Blvd NE and NE Pacific Pl. This year’s feature Chip timing. There will be medals ceremony features a keynote address by Dr. for overall winners and ribbons for gender Karina Walters (Choctaw) and a surprise student speaker as well as the musical stylsee pride events page 5 ings of the Seattle Men’s Chorus ensemble
Visit us online www.sgn.org
Gary Mooney 1953-2009 Gary Mooney was one of the world’s most wonderful people. He was sweet and kind and gentle and loyal and caring. He had an enormous heart and was a steadfast friend to many. He enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. Gary was a southern boy, born in Memphis, TN, 9/21/1953. He passed away 5/25/09 in Seattle, WA, from lung cancer. He spent most of his growing-up years in orphanages, where he unfortunately suffered severe and bloody beatings in part due to academic challenges caused by dyslexia. Despite suffering this cruelty at a formative age, he was not a bitter man and always managed to see the good qualities in everyone. Gary loved hosting BBQs and camping in the Cascades. He especially enjoyed annual Memorial Day weekend Knights of Malta camp-outs. For many years he volunteered at the Pike Market Medical Clinic, accompanying people in need to medical appointments, even when he was nearing the end of his own life. Gary loved animals and the last years of his life were enriched by his canine companions, Memphis and Tennessee, and his feline companion, Renegade. Gary was a great gardener and had many birdfeeders in his yard; he drew an amazing number of hummingbirds, who visited all year long. Gary was a veteran of the US Navy. Gary leaves a huge hole in his wake and the many who loved him will forever feel his absence. The only consolation is knowing that their lives were touched by someone who truly was their angel on earth. Gary is survived by his daughter Nicole Flores (Simi), grandson Angel Flores, son Shaun, siblings Karen Lee Crosby, Kay Smith (Paul), Kenneth Mooney (Cheryl), Donna Lynn Gorman (Rob) and Carlos Mooney (Betty), many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews and scores of friends. He was predeceased by his son Mark. A memorial gathering will be held at Martins Off Madison, June 7, 2009, from 1-3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please remember Gary with a donation to the Knights of Malta (P.O. Box 21052, Seattle, WA 98111). You may also honor him with your kindness, your open heartedness and your embracing of ALL people!
Susan A. Lockwood 1962-2009 Susan A. Lockwood, 46 years old, passed away on Saturday, May 16, at home on a brilliantly sunny morning, surrounded by her community of friends and family. Susan was born on July 8, 1962 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She will be deeply missed by her parents, John and Lauma Lockwood of Traverse City, MI. Susan was devoted to her loving brother Douglas Lockwood, who was always the light of her life. Her sister-in-law Tanya and niece Sienna and nephew Lance reflected the love back to her that she held for them. Her partner, Eileen Hartwings, considered her not only a queen, but a mentor and cherished friend. Together they encouraged one another to live life, take risks, and pursue
dreams. Susan was a visual artist, a painter with a brilliant eye for colors. She was a poet and avid writer who continually surprised her friends and acquaintances with her humor and insight. Susan believed in community. She held the vision that anyone and everyone could experience the joy of creating art. Susan was a wonderful, gifted teacher who encouraged children to explore art. Countless children resonated to her quietness and naturally trusted her. Susan was dedicated to environmental causes all her life. This led her to visit many magnificent places, and she expressed those experiences in her art. In 1989, Susan traveled west to Prince William Sound in Alaska to help clean up the oil spilled from the Exxon Valdez. In the early 1990s, Susan was co-director of Heart to Art, a Seattle-based community arts organization dedicated to raising awareness, money and creativity in response to HIV and AIDS. In 1993, she and her friends created House, an arts and crafts consignment shop in Capitol Hill. Over the past 20 years, Susan also taught art to children, explored alternative building processes, and coordinated numerous art shows, workshops, and community events. Though Susan has been an artist all her life, in 2000 she decided to pursue painting as her full-time occupation. For several years she commuted across Puget Sound to maintain a studio and hold a board position at Metropolis Gallery – an artists’ collective in Bremerton, WA. In the spring of 2002, she moved to a new studio in Pioneer Square, where she began to curate and maintain Alchemy Gallery. She continued this work until her passing. Many, many people bore witness to Susan’s whimsical humor in her art and through conversations. She lived her life always without judgment of others, always believing in gratitude and love for all beings. We will miss her dearly. A celebration of life will be held at Susan’s home on June 20. Call (206) 7254470.
June 5, 2009
Seattle Gay News
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Seattle talk show host’s killer pleads guilty kiro
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Mike Webb
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Scott Brian White pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in a plea deal arranged with prosecutors June 4 in court. White is accused of killing Seattle radio talk show host Mike Webb in 2007. King County Su-
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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.
perior Court Judge Jeffrey Ramdsdell heard the plea. According to White’s confession, he was living with the 51-year-old KIRO Radio host in the months leading up to the murder. He was taken into custody after police found Web’s dismembered body in the crawlspace under his Queen Anne home. Webb had
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been missing for two months before his remains were found in June 2007; White admitted that the killing occurred sometime between April 13 and April 15, 2007. He’d brutally murdered Webb with an axe. In the weeks following the murder, after he’d hid the body, White text-messaged Webb’s friends and family posing as Webb, saying he was out of town. He reportedly pawned some of Webb’s personal items and used his debit card. When White was taken into custody, he was charged with first-degree murder. In the weeks that followed, his mental health was called into question, and his attorneys prepared to make an insanity defense. Prosecutors said a reduced charge was needed in order to resolve the case. According to Don Raz, senior deputy prosecutor, White’s psychiatric condition – schizoaffective disorder, a condition that can include episodes of severe psychosis when untreated – and drug use at the time of the killing prompted his psychiatrists to conclude he was likely unable to plan a murder. Premeditation is required for a firstdegree murder conviction. “Premeditation probably didn’t occur in this case,” Raz said. Defense attorney Julie Lawry said Webb and White met at an addiction-recovery group. In the weeks leading up to Webb’s death, the talk-show host was sharing drugs with White, she said. Following a 2005 car crash, friends say Webb had been struggling with personal problems. He’d been fired from his 10-year job as a late-night liberal host at KIROAM/710 for making a false insurance claim after the car crash. He continued to work online after his departure from the station. Lawry said her client accepts responsibility for the killing and believes White’s chances of acquittal at trial were strong. He entered the guilty plea, she said, to see the case resolved quickly. White is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10. Lawry said she will ask for a 10year term; prosecutors are seeking a 12-year sentence.
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
4
Seattle Gay News
June 5, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
pride events continued from page 3
and age division winners. All finishers will receive an event T-shirt and entry for fabulous raffle prizes. Fees are $20 for online registration; $25 day of race registration; $10 student/low income rate available. For more information and to pre-register for this event, visit www.seattlefrontrunners.org. Seattle Frontrunners is Seattle’s running and walking club for Gay men, Lesbians and friends. PRIDE IDOL AT R PLACE Preliminary competition (Wild Card Round) on Tuesday, June 16, at 9:30 p.m., at R Place, 619 E. Pine St., leading to final event on June 23. Proceeds benefit Seattle Pride®. www.SeattlePrideIdol.com. “40 YEARS AFTER STONEWALL: UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF OUR MOVEMENT” – PRIDE AT WORK AFL-CIO On Wednesday, June 17, at 5:30 p.m., local LGBT activists will speak on Marriage Equality, LGBT Homelessness, LGBT Immigrants, Transgender Workers and ENDA, and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” at a forum sponsored by Pride at Work AFL-CIO, at the Labor Temple, Hall 8, 2800 1st Ave. 206-261-8110; OutFront.PrideAtWork@ gmail.com. “AN EVENING OF PRIDE” AT HALF PRICE BOOKS HONORING 40 YRS SINCE STONEWALL! On Friday, June 19, from 6-9 p.m., Half Price Books on Capitol Hill, 115 Belmont Ave. E., welcomes a selection of honored guest speakers providing a unique perspective on the LGBT experience since Stonewall. FREE. Sponsored by Half Price Books and Seattle Out and Proud. FROLIC AND OUTDANCING AT CENTURY BALLROOM On Friday, June 19, come frolic with the sassy, classy cabaret artists of Century Ballroom, 915 E. Pine St. Enjoy dinner starting at 6 p.m. and a Gay evening of dance, drag and striptease (see website for details) from 7:30-9 p.m., followed by Dustbowl OUTDancing Gay Night (two-step, swing and waltz), lesson at 9 p.m., dance from 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. 21+. Cost $60-dinner and cabaret; $25-cabaret; $5 Dustbowl OUTDancing. 206-324-7263; www.centuryballroom.com; 1-800-838-3006; www.brownpapertickets.com/event/70025. GAY PRIDE MONTH FILM PROGRAM AT SEATTLE ART MUSEUM In collaboration with Three Dollar Bill Cinema, SAM salutes Gay Pride Month with three films by Derek Jarman. On Friday, June 19, from 7:30-9:30 p.m., SAM, 1300 First Ave. at University St., presents Wittgenstein in the Plestcheeff Auditorium. For complete details, visit www.seattleartmuseum.org. Tickets are $7 at the door. Advance tickets for the 3-film series are $19-general or $17-SAM and Three Dollar Bill Cinema members. 206-654-3121 or www.seattleartmuseum.org.
“WHAT RIGHT WITH GAYS THESE DAYS??” On Sunday, June 21, at 1 p.m., Gay City Health Project and Three Dollar Bill Cinema present What’s Right with Gays these Days??, a GCTV Short Film by Lonnie Tristan Renteria, at Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave. “We hear a lot about the challenges facing our community, and the problems that many Gay men face. But sometimes we dwell too much on the negative! This film and following discussion will look at the positive aspects of the Gay community and how we as Gay men make the world a better place, with a few laughs along the way!” FREE admission and free popcorn. www.gaycity.org; www.seattlequeerfilm.org. “FOR MY WIFE” SCREENING AND FUNDRAISER On Sunday, June 21, at 4 p.m., Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., will be screening for my wife… (www.formywife. info), an award winning documentary film that humanizes the struggle for full LGBT marriage equality through the story of Kate Fleming and Charlene Strong. Admission is $10. At 7 p.m., the Wildrose Tavern, 1021 E. Pike St., will be hosting a fundraising event in support of the documentary for my wife… Charlene Strong, who will be one of the Seattle Pride Parade’s Grand Marshals this year, will be in attendance to perform with her new band, Velvet Fingers. Also on the bill will be Desperado with their tribute to Linda Ronstadt. $6 donation to the film at the door. If you attend the screening at the Northwest Film Forum, you will receive a wrist band that will get you into the fundraiser at the Wildrose Tavern for FREE. LAUGH OUT LOUD COMEDY NIGHT FOR SAFE SCHOOLS COALITION On Tuesday, June 23, the Safe Schools Coalition presents “Laugh OUT Loud,” a night of comedy to benefit the Safe Schools Coalition. The event will be held at the Comedy Underground, 109 S. Washington St., doors at 7:30 p.m., show from 8:30-10:30 p.m. This event is “all-ages,” meaning that alcohol is served, everyone is carded and only adults may purchase or drink alcohol. That does NOT mean the comedy is necessarily without profanity. Non-profit Comedy, the group of volunteer comedians who provide the show, says, “Thoughtful, politicalish comedy can still be foul-mouthed and potentially offensive.” Parents/guardians should use their own judgment. Tickets: $10 general advance, $12 at door; $5 youth advance, $6 at door. www.safeschoolscoalition.org. PRIDE IDOL AT R PLACE Pride Idol Finals competition on Tuesday, June 23, at 9:30 p.m., at R Place, 619 E. Pine St. Proceeds benefit Seattle Pride®. www. SeattlePrideIdol.com.
2ND ANNUAL PRIDEFEAST BENEFIT FOR PRIDE FEST On Friday, June 26, eat at participating PrideFeast restaurants and a portion of your purchase will benefit The Pride Project (sponsoring organizing of entertainment and beer garden at Pride Fest at Seattle Center following the Pride Parade), Gay City DIFFA’S 4TH ANNUAL Health Project, and Seattle Counseling SerOUT OF THE CLOSET vice. Visit www.pridefeast.com for details FASHION EVENT On Saturday, June 20, join the Design In- and participating restaurants. dustries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFDUNSHEE HOUSE HOSTS FA/Seattle), at W Seattle, 1112 4th Ave., for 3RD ANNUAL PRIDE BARBECUE a great evening of hot men’s and women’s On Friday, June 26, beginning at 5 p.m., fashions, cool cocktails, music and a rousing celebration of diversity. Doors at 7 p.m., Dunshee House, 303 17th Ave. E. (at E. show at 8-10 p.m. Tickets: $20 includes no Thomas St.), invites you to join them for host bar and complimentary appetizers; VIP their 3rd Annual Pride Barbecue. There will Party (limited availability) $50 includes 2 be lots of burgers, hot dogs, salads and bevcomplimentary cocktails, appetizers and erages for your enjoyment in addition to live goodie swag bag. Purchase tickets from music from special guests and a fabulous Brown Paper Tickets at http://tinyurl.com/ raffle. The cost is a $10 suggested donapbmufy. www.brownpapertickets.com/ tion and $20 with your choice of bottomless beers on tap. All proceeds benefit Dunshee events/67814. House. www.dunsheehouse.org; 206-3222584.
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FROLIC AND OUTDANCING AT CENTURY BALLROOM On Friday, June 26, come frolic with the sassy, classy cabaret artists of Century Ballroom, 915 E. Pine St. Enjoy dinner starting at 6 p.m. and a Gay evening of dance, drag and striptease (see website for details) from 7:30-9 p.m., followed by OUTDancing Gay Night (salsa, swing and dance favorites), lesson at 9:15 p.m., dance from 9:45 p.m.-12:30 a.m. 21+. Cost $60-dinner and cabaret; $25-cabaret; $10 OUTDancing. 206-324-7263; www.centuryballroom.com; 1-800-838-3006; www.brownpapertickets. com/event/70025.
654-3121 or www.seattleartmuseum.org. QUEER TEEN ENSEMBLE THEATRE JUNE 26-29 Now in its third year, Queer Teen Ensemble Theatre (QTET) is an educational outreach program giving voice and artistry to LGBT youth in the Seattle community. Teens works with WET ensemble members to explore their perspectives onstage in the creation of a new play. Watch for The Ensemble in Seattle’s Pride Parade. Watch for more details. http://washingtonensemble. org
DIGNITY SEATTLE’S 21ST ANNUAL PRIDE WEEK BREAKFAST On Saturday, June 27, from 8 a.m.-noon, Dignity/Seattle will host their annual Pride Week Breakfast at Central Lutheran Church, 1710 11th Ave. For $7 per person, enjoy allyou-can-eat pancakes, eggs, sausage, melon, orange juice, coffee and tea. Also purchase raffle tickets – 5 for $5 – to win goods, gift certificates and services from local GLBTfriendly merchants and donors. Dignity/Seattle is also collecting old cell phones and used inkjet cartridges at the event. Proceeds, after expenses, will benefit Bailey-Boushay House, Multifaith Works and Dignity/Seattle. Volunteers needed for Friday evening SHIFT PEER RECOVERY set-up and cooks, dishwashers and clean-up NETWORK BBQ crews on Saturday. www.dignityseattle.org; AT MULTIFAITH WORKS On Friday, June 26, from 6-10 p.m., join 206-325-7314. SHIFT for a Pride weekend kick-off with LAMBERT HOUSE food, fun and friends. The BBQ will be held “SUMMER OF LOVE” at Multifaith Works, 115 16th Ave. at E. Fir St. FREE. For more information, email PRIDE CELEBRATION On Saturday, June 27, from noon-midChris@gaycity.org. SHIFT: A Peer Recovery Network is a multi-agency collaboration night, Lambert House, Greater Seattle’s that provides administrative, emotional, and Community Center for LGBTQ Youth, supervisory support for LGBTQ volunteers ages 11-22, 1818 15th Ave., will be hosting and clients in the Seattle/King County area events and various happenings throughout who are struggling with drug/alcohol abuse the day – including live band performances, a BBQ, and dancing – plus a sleepover on and addiction issues. www.multifaith.org. Saturday night (permission forms required for sleepover) with breakfast Sunday mornFREEDOM SOCIALIST PARTY ing from 8-10 a.m. 206-322-2515; www. FORUM TO DISCUSS lamberthouse.org. GAY RIGHTS AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SEATTLE PRIDE CRUISE On Friday, June 26, at 7:30 p.m., the FreeOn Saturday, June 27, join Seattle Pride dom Socialist Party hosts a forum at New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S., on “Gay party-goers for Seattle’s hottest floating Rights and the Democratic Party.” $3 door T-dance on a 4 hour Argosy Cruise aboard donation; enjoy $6 tasty snack plates. For the MV Spirit of Seattle with light meal, hot rides, childcare or work exchanges, please DJ’d music and drag entertainment. Boardcall three days in advance. Bring nonperish- ing at 5 p.m. at Argosy Cruises, Pier 55, able food donations for the local food bank. 1101 Alaskan Way, cruise from 5:30-9:30 For more information, call 206-722-2453 or p.m. Tickets: $50 until June 1, $60 after June 1, $65 dockside (if available). www. email fspseattle@mindspring.com. cruiseyT.com; 604-551-BOAT. Proceeds benefit Seattle Out and Proud. GAY PRIDE MONTH FILM PROGRAM AT CAPITOL HILL PRIDE FESTIVAL SEATTLE ART MUSEUM On Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m.-4 In collaboration with Three Dollar Bill Cinema, SAM salutes Gay Pride Month p.m., the Capitol Hill Community Council with three films by Derek Jarman. On Fri- presents the new Capitol Hill Pride Festival day, June 26, from 7:30-9:30 p.m., SAM, 2009 on Broadway between E. John St. and 1300 First Ave. at University St., presents E. Harrison St. Enjoy non-profit and vendor The Angelic Conversation in the Plestcheeff booths, entertainment, music and history. Auditorium. For complete details, visit www.capitolhillcommunitycouncil.org. www.seattleartmuseum.org. Tickets are $7 at the door. Advance tickets for the 3-film series are $19-general or $17-SAM and Three Dollar Bill Cinema members. 206see pride events page 16 PRIDE SHABBAT 2009 On Friday, June 26, join the greater Seattle Jewish Community for Pride Shabbat 2009. The family-friendly service will be held at Congregation Kol HaNeshamah at Alki UCC, 6115 SW Hinds St., starting at 6 p.m., followed by an oneg reception (dietary laws observed). Pride Shabbat is a project of Bashert, the LGBTQ initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and their generous co-sponsors. For more information or to become an event co-sponsor, contact Jessica at 206-774-2251 or email Bashert@ JewishInSeattle.org.
June 5, 2009
Seattle Gay News
5
NORTHWEST
NEWS
compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer
BARTELL DRUGS AND NORTHWEST HARVEST ORGANIZE “STOCK THE PANTRY” FOOD DRIVE – JUNE 1-14 From June 1 to June 14, all 55 Bartell Drugs locations in King, Pierce and Snohomish County will be accepting nonperishable food donations for Northwest Harvest. www.bartelldrugs.com.
House youth programs. For more information, contact Kristina at Lambert House at 206-322-2515 or email Kristina@lamberthouse.org. www.seattlegaysoftball.com; www.lamberthouse.org. DUNSHEE HOUSE GAY & LESBIAN BOOK CLUB Come discuss the best of Gay and Lesbian novels at the new Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club. Join other book-lovers on a drop in basis every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Dunshee House, 303 17th Ave. E. Come only once or come every meeting. Each month a different title will be discussed. The title for June is Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. For more information, call 206-322-2437; nickdimartin@earthlink.net.
ter, Mercer St. at Second Ave. N. The last time was 1974. More than 300 costumes, accessories and props from the past 36 seasons will be on sale – everything from Oberon’s cape from A Midsummer Night’s Dream to Queen Elizabeth’s gown from The Bard of Avon to dresses, suits, wigs and hats. Prices range from $10-$1,000, and there are many sizes available. In addition to the sale, a dozen of the most elaborate and intricate POZSEATTLE HOSTS show pieces will be part of a silent auction. PRIDE SOCIAL Bidding will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. GLSEN/WA PRESENTS POZSeattle is pleased to present its anCash, check and credit cards accepted. All 5TH ANNUAL GSA AWARDS nual Pride Social on Wednesday, June 10 On Friday, June 5, join GLSEN/WA (the proceeds will benefit the Seattle Rep. from 6-8 p.m. at The Cuff Complex, 13th & Washington State chapter of the Gay, LesE Pine St. Meet on the back patio for BBQ, CASCADE FLYERS bian & Straight Education Network) for socializing, to catch up with old friends, to HOST LUNCH MEETING their 5th Annual GSA (Gay/Straight Allimake new ones, and a whole lot of fun. This IN GEORGETOWN ance) Awards. The evening will be held at On Saturday, June 6, the Cascade Flyers, event is free (except for the cost of beverthe Bush School, 3400 E. Harrison St., starting with a reception at 6 p.m. The awards an LGBT Pilots and Aviation Enthusiasts ages), and is for all HIV-Positive men and ceremony follows at 7 p.m. Enjoy hors Group of the Pacific Northwest and British their friends, regardless of age, shape, size, d’oeuvres, good conversation, live enter- Columbia, will be hosting a lunch meeting or color. POZSeattle is a social organization run tainment, a silent auction and an inspiring at noon at the Hangar Café, 6261 13th Ave. and heartwarming awards ceremony. Cel- S., near Boeing Field. For more informa- for and by Seattle-area HIV-Positive guys ebrate the courageous youth and allies who tion, visit www.cascadeflyers.org or email that is committed to planning and promoting fun, social activities. For questions or seek to end anti-LGBT bullying and harass- cascadeflyers@cascadeflyers.org. more information about this event, to plan ment in Washington’s K-12 schools. These your own social event, or to be added to our MAJESTICS FINAL HOME GAME kids are doing incredible work in our state On Saturday, June 6, at 7 p.m., catch the event promotions email list, email info@ to support each other, raise consciousness and fight bigotry in their schools! Tickets Seattle Majestics women’s football team in pozseattle.org or visit us on the web at www. are $25-general; $10-students and can be action at the final home game of the 2009 pozseattle.org. Mark your calendars: POZSeattle presents purchased in advance at 1-800-838-3006 regular season. Standing at a strong 6-0 reor online at www.brownpapertickets.com/ cord this season, the Majestics rank third in POZadventures: summer kayaking at Lake event/58138. For more information and the IWFL Western Conference. Pending late Union starting June 13 and June 27. Check to support the work of GLSEN/WA, visit season victories, the team is teetering on an out the POZSeattle website at www.pozsewww.glsenwa.org, email mail@glsenwa. away playoff game, most likely to the LA attle.org for details. Amazon team. Seattle faces the Portland org or call 206-330-2099. RADICAL WOMEN HOSTS Shockwave at French Field, Kent MeridBON VOYAGE PARTY ian High School, 10020 SE 256th St., Kent. CAPTAIN SMARTYPANTS On Saturday, June 13, Radical Women SeTickets: $12-adults, $10-student/senior, PRESENTS AIR SMARTY military (with ID), $5-youth. www.theseat- attle hosts a summer picnic potluck to help CONCERTS IN COLUMBIA CITY When a luxury airliner nosedives in the tlemajestics.com/store or at the gate day of send National Radical Women Organizer Anne Slater on her Bread and Roses Tour of Pacific, the shipwrecked Air Smarty crew game. West Coast and New York Radical Women takes to the airwaves. Part Tempest, part chapters. She will look at how the current EMERALD CITY Gilligan’s Island, part Lost, and part Amerieconomic crisis affects women and the most SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION can Idol, this show demonstrates just how vulnerable and propose solutions on what SPRING LEAGUE UNDERWAY creative, and desperate, a group of nine surThe Open Division Spring League is un- we can do – now! The bon voyage party vivors can get. Air Smarty features songs by Annie Lennox, a tribute to Gay and straight derway every Sunday through June 21 (ex- will be held at 2940 36th Ave. S. starting at composers, and a medley of songs shown cept Memorial Day weekend) at the North 4 p.m. Bring your favorite dish. Donations to drive people clinically insane. Peppered SeaTac Park, S. 128th St. & 20th Ave. S., will benefit the tour. For more information with commercials for new and cryptic SeaTac, WA (C Division Teams) and Cel- or rides, call 206-722-6057 or email RWproducts, the evening features a parade of ebration Park, 11th Pl. S. & S. 324th St. Seattle@mindspring.com. Everyone welundaunted, unbalanced, and unearthly char- (1111 S. 324th St.), Federal Way (A, B & come. acters who will keep you laughing. Joining D Division Teams). (Check website for posMUSIC OF REMEMBRANCE Captain Smartypants on June 5, 6 and 7 sible rainout announcements and Saturday PRESENTS UNSILENCED! will be the bubbly, bawdy and brilliant lo- rainout day schedules.) Both fields are acAT MOHAI cal singing legend Bobbi Kotula. Sensible cessible by public transit. For further inforOn Sunday, June 14, at 6 p.m., at the MuShoes, the small ensemble of the Seattle mation, including teams, league sponsors Women’s Chorus, will perform a 10 to 15 and schedule of play, visit www.emeraldci- seum of History and Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E., Music of Remembrance presents minute curtain warmer at Saturday and Sun- tysoftball.org. the world premiere of Unsilenced!, a new day performances. The performances will documentary by John Sharify, six-time IMPERIAL VOTING DAY be presented at the Columbia City Theater, winner of the Edward R. Murrow prize for & IMPERIAL PRINCE 4918 Rainier Ave. S. on June 5, 6 at 8 p.m. journalism. The hour-long film chronicles & PRINCESS BALL and on June 7 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 in On Sunday, June 7, from 12-6 p.m., in the MOR’s first decade of performing and readvance and $25 at the door. 206-388-1400; www.flyinghouse.org. Captain Smartypants lobby entrance to the Richmark Building, cording Holocaust-related chamber music, is a small ensemble of the Seattle Men’s 12th Ave. & E. Pine St. next to the liquor and focuses on MOR’s path-breaking work store, the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seat- commissioning new music from some of Chorus. tle and the Olympic & Rainier Empire will today’s leading composers. Eric Slocum, a hold elections to select their new Imperial former KOMO anchorman, hosts this FREE LIFELONG AIDS ALLIANCE Prince and Princess. All King County resi- screening, followed by a Q&A with the SeCARE TO SHOP FOOD DRIVE Chicken Soup Brigade, Lifelong AIDS dents (ID required) are invited and encour- attle Symphony’s Gerard Schwarz, producer John Sharify, and MOR Artistic Director Alliance’s food program, sponsors an on- aged to participate in this election. On Sunday, June 13, the LGBT communi- Mina Miller. www.musicofremembrance. going food drive program to provide bags of groceries to people living with HIV/AIDS ty is invited to the 2009 Imperial Prince and org. in Seattle/King County. “Care to Shop” is Princess Ball, which will be held at Russian BORDER RIDERS held between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the fol- Hall, 704 19th Ave. E., door at 6 p.m., pagMOTORCYCLE CLUB eant at 7 p.m. Tickets: $20 at the door. www. lowing stores: HOSTS WEEKEND RUN The first Saturday of the month at QFC, imperialcourtofseattle.com. TO GRANITE FALLS 416 15th Ave. E., Seattle; the second SaturOn Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June MUFFIN TOPS VS. day of the month at QFC, 417 Broadway E. 21, Border Riders Motorcycle Club will LAMBERT HOUSE – (Broadway Market), Seattle; and the third hosts a weekend run and campout to Granite A SOFTBALL EXHIBITION GAME Saturday of the month at Thriftway, 9740 On Sunday, June 7, starting at 3:10 p.m., Falls, WA. For more information on Border SW Bank Rd., Vashon Island. the Emerald City Softball Association’s Rides day rides in the city or their weekend Muffin Tops will take on youth, volunteers camping runs, visit www.borderriders.com. SEATTLE REP HOSTS and staff from Lambert House, Seattle’s GIANT COSTUME & PROP SALE SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS On Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Center for LGBT youth, in an exhibition UNPLUGGED CONCERTS the Seattle Repertory Theatre opens their softball game. The game will be held at the WITH M-PACT costumes and props collection to the public North SeaTac Park at 13735 24th Ave. S., Seattle Men’s Chorus presents an all a for sale for the second time in their history in SeaTac, WA. Spectators are encouraged at the Bagley Wright Theatre, Seattle Cen- to attend. All proceeds will benefit Lambert cappella concert at the UW’s Meany Hall 6
Seattle Gay News
June 5, 2009
for the Performing Arts on Friday and Saturday, June 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, June 21 at 2 p.m. Joining the SMC at Meany Hall will be the vocally stunning a cappella sextet m-pact. Hear Sondheim and Schubert blend beautifully with Mendelssohn and Montoya. The repertoire for SMC Unplugged will cover lots of musical ground: from African anthems to barbershop, and beyond. m-pact’s pop-jazz vocals and unique sound make a perfect pairing of two extraordinary vocal groups appealing to anyone who loves music. The SMC will also present their concert sans m-pact on Saturday, June 13, at 7:30 p.m., at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon, WA. Tickets for Meany Hall performances are on sale at www.flyinghouse.org or 206-388-1400. Ticket prices range from $20-$55. Tickets for the Mount Vernon concert are available at ticketing.mcintyrehall. org or 360-416-7727. Q SQUARED BOOK GROUP TO DISCUSS AMERICAN STUDIES On Saturday, June 20, at 1 p.m., at the Capitol Hill Branch Library, 425 Harvard Ave. E., the Q-Squared Book Group will discuss the book, American Studies, by Mark Merliss. This debut novel won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for First Fiction. Library Journal said, “Its simple, noble, graceful prose refreshes the very language, and its unsquinting portrayal of Gay men is searing and authentic. Merlis’s novel belongs to the best of contemporary literature, Gay or other.” 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. LGBTQA YOUTH CONFERENCE FOR HOPE – IN SPOKANE JULY 24-26 Participation is expected from youth and adults from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, California, Alaska and Canada. In addition to a series of workshops for youth, there will be workshops for teachers, leaders, community members, service providers and parents. An estimated 500 LGBTQ individuals and straight allies are expected at this event to network, learn and support each other. For more information and to register, visit www.odysseyyouth.org or call 509325-3637. Registration deadline is June 30. Sponsored by the Odyssey Youth Center. SEATTLE HOSTS NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF LGBTQ ASIAN AMERICANS, SOUTH ASIANS & PACIFIC ISLANDERS Seattle will be host to a national conference for LGBTQ Asian American, South Asians and Pacific Islander on the weekend of August 14-16 at the University of Washington. Titled “Transgress, Transform, Transcend,” the conference will showcase the diversity of the LGBTQ Asian Pacific Islander experience and will expand the capacity and ability of LGBT Asian Pacific Islander activists and communities to organize. Conference organizers have lined up four keynote speakers and over 50 workshops, panel discussions, caucuses, and cultural performances, which will address a wide array of topics and issues. The event’s many programs will provide attendees opportunities to network and to expand their knowledge and skills in advocacy and community building. Deadline for the early registration rate of $75 (or $50 for presenters and people with limited income) for the threeday conference is June 11. Starting June 12, the rate will be $100, with a reduced rate of $75 for presenters and people with limited income. Some scholarships are available to assist attendees pay for the cost of conference registration. Registration is available online at www.nqapia.org/nc-2009.html. AFSC SPEAKER’S BUREAU LOOKING FOR QUEER YOUTH The American Friends Service Committee’s speaker’s bureau, Out Spoken, is looking for Queer youth to interview about their life experiences and hopes for the future to expand and enrich their panel presentations. Participants will receive a gift card and much appreciation for helping out. Contact LT at ltan@AFSC.org for more information and to set up an interview.
Celebrating 36 Years!
rex wockner
Rev. Scott Rennie
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS
Quebec to launch strategy against homophobia Quebec Justice Minister Kathleen Weil has announced the Canadian province will implement a comprehensive strategy against homophobia before the end of the year. She broke the news at a May 17 rally marking the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). “We see it as a major step forward here since doing so, Quebec will acknowledge officially that homophobia – and not homosexuality – is a social problem and take action, instead of passively banning discrimination,” said Magazine Être Editor André Gagnon. “As far as I know, it will be the first government in the world to adopt such a strategy that will cover all its spheres of intervention,” he said. Peru Gay police ban less stringent than reported Peruvian Interior Minister Mercedes Cabanillas says recent news reports that Gays have been banned from being police officers were not quite right. Mid-May reports said cops who have sex with people of the same sex would be banned because they cause scandal and denigrate the police’s image. But Cabanillas says the new law, which took effect May 12, will only ban Gay cops if their Gay-related public behavior is scandalous or damages the image of the institution. She said the ministry has no desire to “get in anyone’s bed” and that officials only wish
new hampshire continued from cover
dom for Gay and Lesbian couples to marry, the passing of Wednesday’s bill was the last major procedural before Gov. John Lynch (D-NH) signed all three bills into law, making the “Live Free or Die” state the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage. “The legislature has upheld the New Hampshire values of individual liberty, freedom and fairness,” said Executive Director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition Mo Baxley. “We applaud the legislature for continuing to strongly safeguard religious freedom while making sure that all loving, committed couples have the freedom to marry.” For Gay-rights supporters, New Hampshire signals further momentum out of New England to expand same-sex marriage nationwide. Momentum, they say, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community needs considering last week’s
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer to target unseemly, embarrassing or scandalous occurrences or attitudes related to sexual orientation that happen in the public sphere. Gay groups said the law is problematic and discriminatory either way because it seems to suggest that certain public expressions of homosexuality are more likely to run afoul of the law than similar public expressions of heterosexuality. The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and Movimiento Homosexual de Lima have launched a letterwriting campaign to Peru’s public defender, “asking her to file an Action of Unconstitutionality with the Constitutional Court to challenge the so-called ‘offense’ of samesex relations and its associated penalty.” “We write to express our concern over Law 29356, which establishes a new disciplinary code for the Peruvian police, and stipulates in Article 34 that it is a serious offense to ‘have sex with people of the same gender that causes scandal or undermines corporate image,’” a sample letter says in part. “This law is a clear violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – both of which have been signed by Peru. This regressive law also violates the Andean Charter, a regional treaty ratified by Peru in 2002. ... Finally, Law 29356 is inconsistent with human rights principles that are already codified in Peruvian law. On December 1, 2004, a new Constitutional Procedures Code, approved by Parliament, modified constitutional procedures to recognize dis-
crimination based on sexual orientation.” Australian benefits agency recognizes Gay de facto couples Centrelink, the Australian government’s social-benefits agency, will treat Gay de facto couples as married for benefits purposes starting July 1. While the move increases equality, it also will result in a loss of benefits for some coupled Gays, who previously qualified based on their individual income. Centrelink assistance encompasses such things as health care, prescription drugs, unemployment payments, disaster aid, rent subsidies, aid to single parents and a wide range of other benefits and welfare programs. “From 1 July 2009 changes to legislation will mean that customers who are in a samesex de facto relationship will be recognized as partnered for Centrelink and Family Assistance Office purposes,” says the agency’s website. “All customers who are assessed as being a member of a couple will have their rate of payment calculated in the same way.” Colombian policeman added to partner’s health insurance The Board of Health of Colombia’s National Police granted health-insurance benefits to the partner of a Gay officer May 14. The extension of coverage to Fabián Mauricio Chibcha Romero followed a January ruling by the nation’s Constitutional Court that granted marital rights to common-law same-sex couples in areas that include civil service, contracts with the government, housing protection and assistance, immigration, social security, death indemnification, and criminal nonincrimination. The activist group Colombia Diversa said the ruling encompassed all the “civil, political, social, economic, criminal and immigration rights ... of a common-law union, minus adoption.” Chibcha also gained access to police housing subsidies and vacation clubs.
Church of Scotland OKs partnered Gay minister The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland voted 326-267 on May 24 to uphold the appointment of a partnered Gay minister at a parish in Aberdeen. The Rev. Scott Rennie was appointed to the parish a year ago but had been unable to assume his duties as opponents sought to block the move. In issuing its decision, the General Assembly ordered a moratorium on the appointment of any more Gay ministers until a church commission studies the issue and reports back in 2011. Church ministers opposed to Rennie’s placement have vowed to withhold collection-plate funds from the national church in retaliation. “The General Assembly has shown itself to be seriously out of touch with its grassroots in the churches,” said the Revs. David Court of Edinburgh and William Philip of Glasgow. “But it should remember that these are the people who have – hitherto, at least – kept a creaking denomination afloat financially. There will be a great deal less willingness to do that from now on.” The Church of Scotland – “the Kirk” – is Presbyterian and counts 14 percent of Scots as members, though 42 percent of the population named it as their denomination in the 2001 census. With assistance from Bill Kelley
California Supreme Court ruling to uphold Proposition 8. “No religious institution will have to recognize any marriage under this law, as the language proposed by Gov. Lynch and agreed to by the legislature made abundantly clear,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. Last month, almost identical legislation came across Gov. Lynch’s desk. After carefully reviewing the bill, Lynch said he would not sign it into law until some of it was reworded. He said he wanted to make sure no religious institution was forced to perform same-sex marriages. The legislation was worded differently and Lynch signed the bill making it state law. At this time, six states recognize samesex marriage under state law: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire. Six states, California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Nevada, Washington and Washington D.C. provide same-sex couples with access to the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage; through either civil unions or domestic partnership. Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state.
Visit us online www.sgn.org
June 5, 2009
Seattle Gay News
7
high, which makes parallel parking without it a little precarious. I also loved the fact that you can pair your cellphone to the Bluetooth without pulling out the manual. I was also quite fond of the 11-speaker Bose sound system. If you’re an audiophile, you’ll love it. I loved it. It’s lovable. Okay, with a MSRP of $45,045, what do you get? The 2009 Infiniti G37 Coupe in the Journey trim level comes pretty well equipped, but with a base MSRP of $36,650, popular options add up quick. Here’s a look at some of my favorites:
2009 Infiniti G37 Coupe Journey by J.T. Hills SGN Contributing Writer Top • It’s definitely fun to drive • Gorgeous exterior styling • Intuitive controls Bottom • Some fit and finish details are a bit cheesy • Ride suffers in sport model • Back seat is cute – serves no purpose, but is cute
ond-generation G37 Coupe arrived in 2008 with a more powerful engine, redesigned look and a more refined interior. For 2009, Infiniti adds to the G Coupe lineup with an all-wheel-drive version. There is also a new seven-speed automatic transmission with Drive Sport (DS) mode and adaptive shift control (ASC). A six-speed manual transmission is also available. After spending a week with the 2009 Infiniti G37 Coupe in the Journey trim level, I’ve assimilated, corrugated, encapsulated, conjugated, and insinuated my own observations, and here they are:
Infiniti first introduced the G Coupe in 2002 as a 2003 model. In 2007, an all-new G37: Infiniti’s near-luxury sport coupe second-generation sedan arrived with a reI don’t really get how auto manufacturstyled look, enhanced platform, redesigned ers classify their cars. Infiniti classifies the suspension and upgraded engine. The sec- G37 as a near-luxury sport coupe. What’s
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June 5, 2009
near-luxury? Either you’re in or you’re out. Bi-luxury? Anyhow, with a sticker price of $45,045, it’s certainly priced for luxury. I know, maybe it’s how the marketers justify a coupe with really astonishing exterior styling and some truly funky plastic finishes on the interior. It looks like it could be high-end – your payment’s going to be high-end – but then you get in it and you see, yup, it’s really almost nearly a luxury coupe. That’s okay, though it’s what you look like on the outside that counts the most – and, well, under the hood. All the rest is semantics. Actually, if you’re looking in that price range, you really get a lot of bang for your buck in the G37 coupe. If you were looking at a comparatively equipped German coupe, you could easily add another 5 to 10 thousand dollars to that price tag. So what’s a little funky plastic here and there? Lease and forget about it. Sarcasm aside, the G37 is beautifully designed and executed. The aesthetic design carries over to the driving experience. The Journey trim level comes with a standard 3.7-liter DOHC VVEL 330 hp V-6 engine with 270 lb-ft of torque mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. The test car came with the optional sport package ($1,850), which among other things provided a sport-tuned suspension and 19” alloy wheels and summer tires. The only unfortunate part about it was that with our deeply rutted streets and freeways in Seattle, it provided a pretty harsh ride for a daily commute. Out on the interstate is where it was better than an amusement park ride. The G37 is on a rear-wheel-drive platform, which gave it an incredibly balanced handling. There’s no torque steer like you’d find on an Acura, well if they still made a coupe. The interior of the G37 is quite functional and comfortable for two people. The backseat is there for aesthetic reasons only and barely fits a gym bag. Who really cares? If you carry people, buy a sedan. The Navigation system for Infiniti is quite intuitive, with a really easy to use touch screen and realtime XM Traffic. I loved it. Funnily enough, the rear camera is actually a very practical option on the G37. The back-end is pretty
Technical Features: • 330 hp 3.7-liter DOHC 24-valve V-6 engine • Seven-speed automatic transmission with sport mode • Independent front and rear suspension • Front and rear stabilizer bars • Dual flow path shock absorbers • Vehicle-speed-sensitive steering • Zero-lift front aerodynamics • 18” aluminum-alloy wheels • Dual chrome exhaust finishers Safety Features • Driver and front passenger dual stage airbags • Driver and front passenger side airbags • Four-wheel anti-lock brakes • Brake assist • Electronic brake force distribution • Vehicle dynamic control • Traction control • Side curtain airbags • Tire pressure monitoring system • Fog lamps Interior Features • Leather seating surfaces • Eight-way power front seats • XM Satellite radio • Six-speaker AM/FM audio system • Six-disc CD changer • Seven-inch color display with Infiniti controller • Dual zone climate control Optional Features • Premium Package: Power moonroof, Infiniti Studio on Wheels Bose Audio system with 24 bit Burr Brown DAC and 11 speakers, interface for iPod, memory seat, tilt telescopic steering wheel, Bluetooth, heated front seats ($3,200) • Illuminated kick plates ($330) • Sport Package: Solid magnesium paddle shifters, viscous limited slip differential, 19” sport aluminum alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, sport brakes with four-piston front and two-piston calipers, unique front fascia and side sills, 12-way power driver and eight-way front passenger seats, sport seats with sport stitching, aluminum pedals ($1,850) • Navigation Package: Infiniti hard drive navigation system with touch screen, XM NavTraffic, rear-view monitor, 9.3 GB Music Box hard drive and CompactFlash slot for MP3 playback ($2,200) • Destination charge ($850)
Celebrating 36 Years!
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June 5, 2009
Seattle Gay News
9
Pride with a Purpose.
Capital City Pride 2009 Get your Pride to the State Capital.
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10 Seattle Gay News
June 5, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
BAT N’ ROUGE XI Gay Pride 2009 Kick Off Event!
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saturday june 13th 5:00pm - 8:00pm
CAL ANDERSON PARK - BOBBY MORRIS PLAY FIELD BETWEEN 11TH & 12TH ON PINE STREET - SEATTLE
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Please Support the Capitol Hill Alano Club’s Ongoing Mission of Drug & Alcohol Recovery
Bat N Rouge 2009 Supported By: FIRST PITCH: Senator Ed Murray Rat City Roller Girls - The Seattle Storm - The Teamsters Local # 117 Rainbow City Renegayed Pep Band - Knights Of Malta Jet Chapter
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Seattle Gay News
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Bat N Rouge is a Fundraising Event to benefit the Capitol Hill Alano Club. CHAC is a non-profit organization hosting nearly 60 twelve-step meetings each week. CHAC is now in its 27th year of service in providing the Seattle LGBT Community with recovery support for drug and alcohol addiction. For More Information Contact: www.chacseattle.org or call 206-860-9560
Visit us online www.sgn.org
June 5, 2009
Seattle Gay News 11
12 Seattle Gay News
June 5, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
peter holmes continued from cover
that the OPA reports were within legal bounds].” “They just weren’t open to hearing constructive criticism,” he says. “‘They’ meaning the mayor’s office and the City Attorney’s office.” Holmes’ opinion of Carr has not mellowed over the intervening years. He is also critical of Carr’s suit against Seattle Out and Proud (SOAP) on behalf of Seattle Center. “I would not have filed that suit,” Holmes says. “A lawyer in private practice would have looked at that case like ‘OK, there’s money owed, how do I get the money?’” Holmes says. “The City Attorney has to ask more questions. Here’s a citizen organization exercising its First Amendment rights. What sense does it make to sue them? Could we work toward a compromise? Not that we’d let debts to the City go unpaid, but could we reduce it? Could we get them on a [payment] plan?” Holmes rejects Carr’s contention that as City Attorney he was compelled to file suit on behalf of his client. “As if he’s an automaton with no independent judgment,” he scoffs. “The City Attorney is first and foremost an officer of the court,” Holmes explains. “He is supposed to exercise prosecutorial discretion on the criminal side. He can also exercise judgment on the civil side. You’re not locked in to filing [a suit] just because another department asks you to.” Holmes also accuses Carr of a lack of transparency. “Trying to find audits of [Tom
Carr’s] law department has been very, very difficult,” he says. “For example, Operation Sobering Thought,” Holmes continues. “You ask the police what resources they have assigned to that and you get very precise responses. Ask the law department and they can’t even tell you the names of the lawyers assigned to the cases.” Operation Sobering Thought was a 2007 sting operation, engineered by Carr, which targeted bars and nightclubs suspected of serving minors. On the issue of building a new Seattle jail, Holmes says flatly, “It would be a shame and an embarrassment to the city.” “I want the [City Attorney’s] office to be in the lead in the effort not to build a new jail,” he says. “That will be my first priority, and I want the voters to hold me accountable if I fail.” Holmes believes many of Carr’s criminal prosecutions are unnecessary. “Take the homeless sweeps,” he says. “Carr was directed by the SDOT to drop 22 cases. They never should have been brought.” In April 2008, Mayor Greg Nickels authorized police raids on homeless encampments, many of them occupying land owned by Seattle’s Department of Transportation. “It’s just like the [auto] impounds at the start of Carr’s term,” Holmes continues. “The notion that we’re going to prosecute people for being poor. Stop prosecuting socalled crimes, that are crimes only because we’ve defined them as such.” “We’re disenfranchising minority groups,” he insists. “LGBT, ethnic minorities. Prosecutions under Carr cut across all these categories. We’re much less of a city when we do that.” Holmes believes alternatives to incarcera-
tion can help reduce the demand for additional jail space. He cites two recent studies. “The King County Bar Association Drug Policy report has not been fully embraced by Tom Carr,” Holmes charges. “Carr opposed marijuana de-prioritization [Seattle’s Initiative 75, passed in 2003].” “The Seattle University report on misdemeanor crimes cited inadequate staff support and inadequate funding [for alternatives to incarceration programs]. Especially from the City Attorney’s office. They don’t even maintain adequate data,” Holmes says. “I would really commit to it,” he promises. “It would be the major focus for most misdemeanors under my watch.” “I will take a really progressive approach
to this office for the first time,” Holmes promises. “I’ll work to build consensus, but there are some things they just won’t push me back on.”
dollar
continued from cover off discount – or you can visit the CHCC website for a list of participants.” CHCC had made obtaining the Cal Anderson Discount Dollar easy. They are available at Perfect Copy and Print on Broadway, or you can print your own free copy at www. capitolhillcommunitycouncil.org.
Sound Transit Capitol Hill Station
CONSTRUCTION OPEN HOUSE To complete construction of the Capitol Hill light rail station as safely and efficiently as possible, tunneling operations at the site will take place around-theclock for approximately two years. Sound Transit is seeking a noise variance from the City of Seattle for the extended work hours. Sound Transit invites you to attend the next construction open house to learn more about the night time construction work, the noise variance, pedestrian safety and other issues.
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June 5, 2009
Seattle Gay News 13
Man with HIV charged for unprotected sex by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Zuriel E. Roush, a 22-year-old Gay male, is in Spokane County Jail on $100,000 bond and faces a first-degree assault charge for having unprotected sex with another man without revealing he has the virus that causes AIDS.
Roush appeared last Thursday before Superior Court Judge Ellen Kalama Clark, one day after his arrest and four days after he told police he’d lied about not having the disease when he had sex with a married man in April. According to an affidavit prepared by Detective Jim Madsen, when the man Roush had sex with learned Roush has HIV, he called the police.
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ing the virus anymore and don’t protect themselves. Ryan Oelrich, who works for the Spokane AIDS Network, agrees. Oelrich says images of AIDS victims with gaunt faces and sores have faded away, and it’s led to a mistaken notion that people can be saved by new drug treatments, which in turn leads to apathy. AIDS is treatable to a point, he said, but only for so long. Statistics show the number of HIV cases is increasing about five percent a year for Gay and Bisexual men ages 18 to 29 years old. The most recent stats show about 700 people in Spokane County and 1,500 in all of Eastern Washington have HIV. Police want people who have had contact with Roush to seek medical attention. They said the health district offers anonymous HIV testing for people who may be reluctant about coming forward. Anyone who may be a victim is asked to call Detective Mark Burbridge at (509) 6254262. “That’s what we have to make sure these people are willing to do: show up to court and testify,” said Spokane police Lt. Dave McGovern. “This one victim says he will.” If victims testify, say police, Roush could be looking at a very long time behind bars. In 2006, Kanay Mubita, a Latah County, Idaho, man, was sentenced to 44 years in prison with eligibility of probation after four years for 11 charges related to having unprotected sex with women without telling them he had HIV.
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The Spokane police served a search warrant to the Spokane Regional Health District to obtain Roush’s health records and interviewed his caseworker there. The affidavit said Roush remembers signing paperwork warning him it was a crime to expose people to the virus. At first, Roush denied having promiscuous sex, police said. But a friend told detectives Roush had multiple sex partners each week, and only sometimes used condoms. The friend learned he had HIV last August, the affidavit said. According to the document, the friend “has been very concerned about Zuriel’s actions since August 2008 because he routinely meets anonymous men on a website called manhunt.com, and routinely goes to People’s Park for anonymous sex.” Investigators are beginning to suspect that as many as 70 men may have been infected with the HIV virus by Roush, who could only guess at the number of men he put at risk for HIV the past year. “I can’t count, but I think there [were] a few that didn’t know,” Roush told police. In interviews with local news stations at the jail, Roush said he felt bad about potentially giving unsuspecting partners HIV, but said people aren’t as concerned about catch-
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14 Seattle Gay News
June 5, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
Hotel and restaurant workers say “Decline to Sign” UNITE HERE Local 8, which represents hotel and food service workers in western Washington, has endorsed the “Yes! Decline to Sign” campaign. UNITE HERE nationally represents almost a million workers and retirees in the hospitality, food service, textile, and clothing industries, including large concentrations of LGBT workers. UNITE HERE 8 joins AFGE 3937, UFCW 21, and SEIU 775 in rejecting rightwing efforts to repeal equality for same-sex domestic partners. UNITE HERE’s interna-
tional union has gone considerably beyond many other unions in its advocacy of equal rights for the LGBT community. In March 2008, the union’s General Executive Board unanimously adopted a resolution calling for marriage equality. The resolution promised that UNITE HERE would “support the rights of LGBT individuals and couples against discrimination in all areas including employment, housing and civil marriage.” The resolution went on to say that “civil
union and domestic partnership laws, however well intentioned, create an unequal legal status for same-sex couples and their families.” In February 2007, UNITE HERE 8 won historic contract language which explicitly protects Transgender workers after an eightmonth struggle with the Westin Hotel. It was believed to be the first hotel contract in the country to include protections for “gender identity, expression and characteristics.” This language has since become standard in Local 8’s contracts. While many union contracts include language barring employers from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, relatively few offer explicit protection for Transgender workers. Local 8 was also one of 32 labor organizations signing on to amicus briefs supporting
marriage equality in the 2006 Andersen v Sims case. In Andersen, the Washington Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that same-sex couples do not have a right to marriage in this state. Local 8’s action last week came at the request of Pride At Work, the AFL-CIO’s LGBT constituency organization. Pride At Work includes members of AFL-CIO, Change To Win, and independent unions, as well as non-union allies. It is a founding member of Washington Families Standing Together, the campaign formed to protect the domestic partnership rights passed by the state legislature this year. Pride At Work can be contacted at 206261-8110 or OutFront.PrideAtWork@ gmail.com.
for support. The adverse publicity caused SSA management to back down. “We will renegotiate the National Agreement this summer, and will not only preserve the existing language, but will try to improve upon it,” Kofahl promises. AFGE employees would also be covered
by the federal Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act introduced by Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) on May 20. The bill would require the federal government to extend the same benefits, rights, and responsibilities to same-sex domestic partners of its employees as it affords to employees’ married spouses. The bill is currently in committee, but is thought to conflict with sections of the federal DOMA. Pride At Work is the AFL-CIO’s LGBT constituency organization, although it also welcomes members of Change To Win and independent unions, as well as non-union al-
lies. Pride At Work’s mission is to mobilize mutual support between the labor movement and the LGBT community, organizing for social and economic justice. The King County chapter is represented on the Martin Luther King County Labor Council Executive Board and on the Washington State Labor Council. For more information, contact Pride At Work, Martin Luther King County chapter at 206-261-8110, or e-mail OutFront.PrideAtWork@gmail.com.
Social Security workers say “Decline to Sign 71” The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3937 has endorsed the Decline to Sign Referendum 71 campaign. Their action came at the request of Pride At Work, the AFL-CIO’s LGBT constituency organization. AFGE 3937’s President Steve Kofahl informed Pride At Work of his local’s endorsement on Wednesday, May 27. “We’re in.” he said. AFGE 3937 represents approximately 1500 Social Security Administration employees in 60 facilities in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Idaho. During bargaining on the AFGE’s last National Agreement in 2004 – “midway through the Nightmare on Pennsylvania Avenue,” as Kofahl calls it – SSA management proposed to eliminate contract language protecting workers from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. AFGE responded by publicizing the attack and calling on their community allies
Courtesy of Pride At Work AFL-CIO
Courtesy of Pride At Work AFL-CIO
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Seattle Gay News 15
Pride events continued from page 5
SEATTLE STONEWALL 40TH CELEBRATION On Saturday, June 27, celebrate Stonewall’s 40th Anniversary at Volunteer Park Amphitheater, 14th Ave. E. & E. Prospect St. Starting at 2 p.m., enjoy an afternoon of music and performance. Seattle Stonewall 40th Celebration is celebrating the past, present, and rallying for the future by paying tribute to past leaders of the LGBT community.
SHIFT PEER RECOVERY NETWORK PRIDE PARTY On Saturday, June 27, from 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m., join SHIFT and Gay City for a substance-free Pride party. Enjoy DJ’d music, dancing, and plenty of fun at a location to be determined! For more information, email Chris@gaycity.org. SHIFT: A Peer Recovery Network is a multi-agency collaboration that provides administrative, emotional, and supervisory support for LGBTQ volunteers and clients in the Seattle/King County area who are struggling with drug/alcohol abuse and addiction issues. www.multifaith.org.
LAMBERT HOUSE SEATTLE DYKE MARCH “BREAKFAST OF LOVE” & On Saturday, June 27, rally from 5-7 p.m. PRE-PRIDE GET-TOGETHER at Seattle Central Community College, On Sunday, June 28, from 8-10 a.m., LamBroadway & E. Pine St., march steps off at bert House, Greater Seattle’s Community 7 p.m. Center for LGBTQ Youth, ages 11-22, 1818 15th Ave., will be hosting breakfast and preCOUNTRY WESTERN Pride Parade get-together, leaving at 10 a.m. PRIDE DANCE WITH for the parade. 206-322-2515; www.lamRAIN COUNTRY DANCE berthouse.org. On Saturday, June 27, from 6-8 p.m., Rain Country Dance will host a Country Western SEATTLE PRIDE BRUNCH Pride Dance on the dance floor at Seattle On Sunday, June 28, from 8-11:30 a.m., Center’s Center House. A mixer dance with enjoy a special plated Pride Brunch for hunbe taught. FREE. www.raincountrydance. gry Pride Parade-goers. Proceeds from each org. Pride Brunch sold will go directly to Seattle
Pride®, a local organization supporting tickets.com/event/69977. unity and diversity in our community . Cost is $25. For a list of participating restaurants KCTS-TV BROADCASTS and brunch menus, visit www.seattlepride. IN THE LIFE TV’S org. and scroll down the events menu. Spon“SUMMER OF STONEWALL” sored by Seattle Out and Proud and GroupIn The Life, the only national public teledyne.com. vision program documenting the people and issues shaping the Gay experience, kicks 2009 OFFICIAL off June Pride with “Summer of StoneSEATTLE PRIDE® PARADE wall,” a summer-long three-part mini-se& VIP VILLAGE ries celebrating the 40th anniversary of the BEER/WINE GARDEN Stonewall Riots. Exploring the history of On Sunday, June 28, from 11 a.m.-2:30 the movement from a variety of angles, the p.m., join Seattle’s LGBT community and June special takes a look at the proliferation visiting friends starting at 4th Ave. & Union of LGBT social justice organizations, the St. for Seattle’s mega Pride Parade traveling cost of coming out young, and Queer comnorth on 4th Ave. to Denny Way celebrating munication from flyers to blog. KCTS-TV “Peace, Love and Equality” and the 40th will broadcast “Summer of Stonewall” on Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. FREE. Sunday, June 28, at midnight. The program www.seattlepride.org. can also be viewed online at your conveIf you would like to enjoy an ice cold beer nience at www.inthelifetv.org. or a glass of wine while watching the parade, check out the VIP Village for $5 (or show ***PRIDE AROUND your official Seattle Pride® button for free WASHINGTON STATE entry) at 4th Ave. & Bell St. You must be 21+ to enter the VIP Village – ID required. Bellingham Pride Weekend – Friday, Sponsored by Seattle Out and Proud and July 10. The Betty Pages (Bellingham’s alGroupdyne.com. www.seattlepride.org. ternative lifestyle tabloid) 6th anniversary party kicks off Pride weekend at 8 p.m. at 2009 SEATTLE PRIDEFEST Rumors cabaret, 1119 Railroad Ave. On AT SEATTLE CENTER Saturday, July 11 the Betty Pages FamOn Sunday, June 28 from 11 a.m to 7 p.m., ily Picnic will be held at Whatcom Falls celebrate Pride at the Seattle PrideFest. Park, from 12-4 p.m. (use entrance on SilEnjoy local and national talent, commu- ver Beach Road off Lakeway Drive). On nity nonprofit and vendor booths, beer gar- Saturday, from 6-10 p.m., The Royal, 208 dens, DJ’d music and dancing at the Interna- E. Holly St., will host a community party tional Fountain. www.seattlepridefest.com. sponsored by 4 Women Events. Also on Saturday, from 6-9 p.m. The Imperial SovHEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH ereign Court of the Evergreen Empire will TO BENEFIT host an “Absolutely Fabulous” drag show HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN at Rumors. Following the drag show, RuOn Sunday, June 28, Club Motor, 1950 mors will host the official pride party from 1st Ave. S. presents the songs from Hedwig 9 p.m. to closing. $3 cover after 9:30 p.m. and the Angry Inch in a live performance On Sunday, July 12, The Royal will host with band. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. the official pride breakfast, from 8-10:30 Tickets: $16 in advance, $20 at door. www. a.m., cost of breakfast to be determined. At brownpapertickets.com/event/63495. 11 a.m., the 3rd Annual Pride Parade steps off from Bellingham High School, 2020 THE GAY GAY CABARET Cornwall Ave. via Cornwall Ave. to Depot AT RE-BAR Market Square, 1200 Railroad Ave. (across On Sunday, June 28, at Re-bar, 1114 How- from Rumors), Pride Festival follows at Deell St., 7 p.m. door, 8 p.m. show, Paula the pot Market Square from noon-6 p.m., party Swedish Housewife presents an evening of continues into the evening at Rumors. Gay cabaret starring Scotty The Blue Bunny with Waxie Moon, Boi/y’s Club and LesbiKitsap Pride (Bremerton) – Saturday, an stripper Miss Indigo Blue! What could be July 18. Watch for more details. http://kitgayer than a grown man in a skintight Blue sappride.org Bunny suit, platform shoes, stubble and attitude as high as his ears? Advance tickets: $20 at 1-800-838-3006; www.brownpaper-
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Celebrating 36 Years!
Lewis County Pride (Centralia) – Friday, June 5. Centralia College, 600 Centralia College Blvd, 11.a.m.-4 p.m. Sponsored continued from cover by Centralia College GSA. centraliacollegegsa@gmail.com Peter Homes, Carr’s opponent, says he would not have brought the suit against Capital City Pride (Olympia) – Sun- SOAP. “That’s easy for him to say!” Carr day, June 21. Parade starts at noon from the exclaims. “That’s his whole campaign. Capitol steps, heads north on Capitol Way, Anything that I’ve done, he wouldn’t have right onto 4th Ave., right onto Washington done.” St. and ends at Sylvester Park. Enjoy music, “If your client tells you to sue, you can’t entertainment, and community vendors at refuse to follow the client’s instruction. That Pride Festival in Sylvester Park. www.capi- would be wrong.” Carr says. “Collection talcitypride. lawsuits are just about money. We try to negotiate with all people who owe debts to the Mid-Columbia Pride (Pasco) – Sunday, city. We negotiated with [SOAP] for a long July 19. Watch for more details. time – nine months. Usually we wouldn’t have waited that long with a debtor.” Spokane Pride Parade & Rainbow FesCarr admits he has a certain amount of tival 2009 – Saturday, June 13. Assemble at discretion as City Attorney, but he cautions, 11 a.m. on Wall St. between Spokane Falls “It’s unusual to exercise discretion. We’d do Blvd. and Main Ave. Parade steps off at it where we thought it was in the interests of noon. See website for parade route. Rain- the city.” bow Festival at Gondola Meadows, River“For example, Tent City,” he continfront Park, noon-5:30 p.m. www.outspo- ues. “We had a sympathetic defendant, we kane.com thought there was a good chance of losing, and then we’d have had an appellate Out in the Park (Tacoma) – Saturday, judgment that the city couldn’t enforce our July 11. Wright Park. noon-7 p.m. 253- building code. So we worked out a deal with 383-2318; outintacoma@rainbowcntr.org; SHARE/WHEEL. And that’s still in place www.rainbowcntr.org. today.” “I’m really proud of the Tent City deal,” Saturday in the Park (Vancouver, WA) Carr says. “People said you couldn’t work – Saturday, July 11. Esther Short Park. with SHARE/WHEEL, but we did.” Under noon-6 p.m. www.myspace.com/sitp2008 a 2002 consent decree engineered by Carr, Tent City rotates its site on a participating Yakima Pride Fest 2009 – Saturday, church property every three months. June 13. Rainbow Pride Dance, 8 p.m.-midWhile Tent City has operated legally for night at Rainbow Cathedral Metropolitan many years, Carr was caught up in recent Community Church, 225 N. 2nd St. (in the controversy over police sweeps of other Unitarian Universalist Church) - $8 dona- homeless encampments. City officials estition. Sunday, June 14. Central Washington mate that up to 300 people live in some 25 Diversity Coalition Pride Family Barbeque camps around Seattle. In April 2008, Mayand Shindig, noon-midnight at Club 54, 2014 S. First St. - $5 donation for BBQ; $12 donation for dance ($10 with two nonperishable food items). FREE for ages 60+. Open Wedding at 2 p.m. centralwashdiversitycoalition@yahoo.com. Sunday, June 14. Worship service at Rainbow Cathedral MCC at 6:30 p.m.
tom carr
or Greg Nickels signed an order allowing the city to expel camp inhabitants with 72 hours’ notice. Resulting arrests led to 22 prosecutions. Seattle’s Department of Transportation, the legal owner of the land on which the arrests occurred, subsequently instructed Carr to drop the charges. Asked about his role in the sweeps, Carr says, “Nothing! Nothing at all. That was all the mayor’s office. And the police.” “Most people don’t know how hard I work on homelessness,” Carr adds. “I’m on the Interagency Committee to End Homelessness. I’m the sole public safety guy. You know why? A lot of our defendants are homeless – 50% of the defendants in community court. When people are warm and dry, they’re a lot less likely to commit crimes.” The IAC is a group of King County and city officials, directors of public service organizations, service providers, and faith and community leaders best known for their “10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.” Carr continues to defend the City’s auto impound ordinance, originally put in place on the initiative of his predecessor Mark Sidran. The ordinance allowed police to seize the vehicles of people driving with suspended licenses. It was repealed by the City Council in 2004, because of concerns that it unfairly targeted people of color and the poor. “People don’t understand this, but the ordinance actually benefited minorities. Fewer African Americans were charged when impound was in effect than either before or after. But politics killed it,” Carr says. Carr also defends Operation Sobering Thought, a sting operation he engineered in 2007 to target bars and nightclubs serving underage drinkers. “It contributed to a calming attitude and a more collaborative
approach,” Carr insists. “By everybody’s reports, it calmed down.” While most observers, than and since, believe the operation was misguided, Carr maintains the criticism signals its success. “What do you do when someone has you dead to rights?” Carr asks. “You say ‘Oh, why me? I didn’t do anything…’ And we had them! We had 14 or 15 places, we had two guns. [Club owners] hired a PR guy to go after me. They really hammered me!” Recalling his run-ins with his opponent, Peter Holmes, when Holmes served in the Office of Professional Accountability monitoring police conduct, Carr readily admits that he refused to indemnify Holmes against potential action by the police or their union. “Of course!” Carr exclaims. “There was a confidentiality agreement. He’s a lawyer, he signed it, he knew what he was signing. It was an interest arbitration as part of a collective bargaining agreement. You can’t waive a collective bargaining agreement.” Carr notes with some satisfaction that he has received the endorsements of Holmes’ colleagues on the OPA, Terry Carroll and Kate Pflaumer. “When people have worked with me, they endorse me. When people have worked with Pete – they endorse me,” he grins. When asked about the perception that he is sensitive – perhaps too sensitive – to public criticism, Carr looks astonished. “I don’t know where you’d get that!” he exclaims. “I’ve never responded to attacks on me,” he says. “Only once I responded to a Times story that unfairly attacked one of my lawyers. The story named me, which I’m fine with, but it also named a senior staff attorney. I was furious! He was a good attorney who was doing his job.” “You take a lot of heat,” Carr says philosophically. “It comes with the territory.”
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Portland Pride 2009 – Saturday & Sunday, June 13 & 14. Pride Festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park: Saturday, noon-11 p.m. and Sunday, noon-6 p.m. Pride Parade on Sunday, June 14 steps off at 11 a.m. from NW Park and NW Davis via NW Davis to NW Broadway, right onto NW Broadway, left onto SW Taylor, left onto SW Naito Parkway to SW Pine to Pride Festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. www. pridenw.org. www.pridenorthwest. Vancouver, BC Dyke March and Festival – Saturday, August 1. Watch for more details. www.vancouverdykemarch.com. Vancouver, BC Pride Parade & Sunset Beach Festival – Sunday, August 2. Pride Parade begins at noon from Robson and Thurlow and heads west down the hill to Denman, then follows Denman to Pacific and Beach, ending at the Sunset Beach Festival which begins at 11 a.m. www.vancouverpride.ca.
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Victoria, BC Pride – Sunday, July 5. Pride Parade steps off from Government and Pandora at noon; Pride Festival at Fisherman’s Wharf Park begins at 1 p.m. www. victoriapridesociety.org.
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June 5, 2009
Seattle Gay News 17
Trans dating adventures with my slave by Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid SGN A&E Writer
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Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid
Stuff I’m currently into these days includes the new show featuring real icon of the British stage and silver screen Kenneth Branagh (yeah, Britney wishes she were this talented, honey, but she ain’t), Wallender (which premiered a few weeks ago on PBS, where good shows stay and don’t get bumped for tripe like American Idol and The Bachelorette). Also, buying flowers at the farmer’s market in Ballard and the cute redhead on the Zyrtec commercial, who looks so hot on the bicycle. Stuff I don’t like these days: My creepy neighbor, who’s back to trying to work his slimy way into my life (dahling, we’re dating folks our age these days, but fossils need not apply!), that Jan Drago (she of the “fourfoot rule” and likeminded, narrow-minded stuff) is running for mayor of “misery city.” You want the same mess as under hizzoner, then elect this woman, otherwise let’s pick someone much better, please. Also not liking all the fools who think it’s okay to clog
up the road in their cars, one person per car. Stoopid! So, what has this one been up to of late, under so many astrological configurations even God/Goddess/The Big Wow must be pulling ethereal hairs out of an ethereal head? Well, my dear slave and I had the day of all days last week, with that one serving me brunch in bed – honey, this one’s a vampire so breakfast is a moot point, eh, being that I usually ain’t outta bed until the noon hour – sans clothes, in a spike collar. Then there was so much pleasure I thought my eyes would pop out from having my “bell rung” so many times! That delish day ended with a date, my dear one finally getting me on Fetlife (look up Gracx and send me a “thread”), then coming back to The Digs for more shenanigans, including a scene right out of 9 and 1/2 Weeks (not that this one has seen that movie yet, but I’ve heard so much, I can imagine) and tea for me and that one to refresh us, ‘cause honey, we needed it, fo’ sho’! Then more fun at The Wet Spot prom with a new bottom (not nearly as good as this one’s slave,
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my little strawberries, I assure you!), and a hookup that had me hot and sweaty, so slave, when done with “other mistress,” had to lather me, and kiss me ‘til I nearly lost my mind in the Wet Spot shower (we had a line waiting for us to get done, my loves). So, all of this and having to call SPD ‘cause some yoyos were shining lights in this one’s place, and this one thought creepy neighbor guy was on the prowl again, but turned out to be only some witless kids. Scary, but both coppers were nice to eye, as were the ones during some drama downtown when this one went for new makeup (which I’ll get to later, sweet ones!), particularly the two Sheriff guys who seemed happy to be in those hot, black uniforms (which this one definitely did check out, dahlings). We got to check out yet more of SPD (are they following me, honey, or what?) as I checked my Fetlife entries the other night at The Online Cafe and even winked at one of them. Ah, someday one of these “bad boys” will join this one at The Spot for some horizontal tango, or maybe a turn on the rack. Oh, and hey, this one got interviewed by Channel 13 on her opinions on the Prop 8 decision (shame on you, California, shame, shame!) and folks have been saying they saw me all over the place (though I missed my own moment of fame ‘cause I was watching a dif channel). So, with all of that going on, what has this one tried that she wants to tell you about? Well, if you aren’t having fabulous times with your slave, or love, or whatever that this one is having, maybe you should order some Mistress Lip Gloss (which comes in a delish dark shade that I now wear every time I’m with my slave/lover, called Gothic Beauty, and also Earthen Sand and Passion). Order from The Pyramid Collection
by going to their website at www.pyramidcollection.com. Nice outfits there, too! Also picked up the most chic new nail polish for my little piggies in Surf’s Up from Sally’s Beauty Supply (located at Third and Pine, near Payless Shoes, where this one’s getting new sandals very soon!), so get in there and get those toes summer-ready with loads of colors at cheap prices, honey babies. Also, Le Slave and I wandered into Nordstrom and tried some Kelly Coleche eau de toilette and Dark Amber and Ginger Lily eau de toilette and also got some Cinnabar (that one’s Trans persona, Francine’s, fave scent), which made us even happier. So, go and get some, and though we tried on shoes, we left them there, ‘cause my budget and bunion said “no” to those cute heels, honey. But we did see Terminator: Salvation after, which we both thought rocked, so ignore the naysayers on that one, honey, and go see it! And, to “soap opera vixen,” honey, this one has eyes on you, so watch it. ‘Nuff said, there! Oh, and to a certain long-term, Taurean friend, sorry this one has not called, but you can see the plate’s full, hon, but will have coffee soon, promise. As for the bodacious babe this one shared the shower with (with Le Slave) at The Spot last weekend, let’s do something fun soon, hmm? So, that’s it for now, my sweet cherries, and keep in mind, the planet you’re saving is your own, so no throwing trash on trees, or using them for beer can receptacles, eh? And you drivers, learn to carpool, or ride the bus, or heck, walk. And one last thing, honey: pets belong at home and are not accessories, so stop being a Paris Hilton wannabe and leave your little whatever at home with appropriate food and water, ‘cause they really don’t like that much stimulation, eh? Get a clue! Buhbye, kiss kiss!
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18 Seattle Gay News
June 5, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
June 5, 2009
Seattle Gay News 19