Celebrating 41 Years! Issue 11 Volume 43
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Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Utah passes landmark Barney Frank in Seattle anti-discrimination bill March 30 Bill allowing opt-outs from same-sex marriages also passes
The legislature’s only openly Gay lawmaker, Sen. Jim Dabakis, of Salt Lake City, hugs Equality Utah Executive Director Troy Williams following the Senate’s passage of an anti-discrimination bill – Francisco Kjolseth/AP
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The Utah House of Representatives has passed a landmark bill outlawing discrimination against LGBT people in the areas of
housing and employment. The March 11 vote on the measure, titled SB296, was 6510. The bill passed the Utah Senate by a 23-5 vote on March 6. It will now go to Utah’s
On Monday, March 30, at 7 p.m., Barney Frank will appear in Seattle in a conversation, reading and book signing of his new memoir, Frank: A Life in Politics from the Great Society to Same-Sex Marriage, sponsored by the University Book Store. The event will be held at University Temple United Methodist Church, 1415 NE 43rd St. in the Sanctuary. Leading the struggle for personal freedom and economic fairness over nearly five decades in Congress, Barney Frank is widely considered one of the smartest, funniest, and most influential politicians of our time. In his candid and witty new memoir, Frank recounts his journey from the outskirts of New York City to U.S. Congress, from the battle over AIDS funding in the 1980s to debates over “big government” during the Clinton years to the 2008 financial crisis, and from a closeted gay man to the first member of Congress to voluntarily Barney Frank – courtesy of University Book Store disclose his homosexuality. What he gives us is not only a moving Following an introduction by Seattle story of an extraordinary life, but a look at Mayor Ed Murray, Frank will present his how political change really happens. see frank page 4
see utah page 5
Top Dems send marriage brief to SCOTUS
SOSea to launch Safety Shuttle program Self-defense class offered March 18
amicus brief supporting marriage equality. All the Democratic leaders in both Senate and House signed on to the brief, including Washington Senator Patty Murray. Washington’s junior Senator Maria Cantwell also signed the brief. “I am so proud that Washington state has been a leader in advancing LGBT equality and ensuring that all loving couples have the right to marry, but for far too many Americans, inequality remains.” Murray said in a statement. “I am hopeful the Supreme Court will right this wrong and deliver on the promise of equality for all couples across the country, regardless of who they love.” Seattle Congressmen Jim McDermott and Adam Smith signed on as well, as did three of the four other Democrats in Washington’s Congressional delegation. Washington Senator Patty Murray – Congressman Rick Larson did not sign www.napequity.org the brief because, his spokesperson Ingrid Stegemoeller explained, he has a policy by Mike Andrew against signing amicus briefs, no matter SGN Staff Writer what the issue. Larson supports marriage Two hundred and ten Democratic mem- equality, she said, and cosponsored the sucbers of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have sent the Supreme Court an see dems page 5
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
In December I began to look for a passenger van that would be big enough to shuttle eight or more people around. I found one and it was graciously donated to SOSea specifically for this cause. The donor wishes to remain anonymous. After receiving the title to the van, we then had to make sure the vehicle, a 9-passenger GMC van from the 1980s, was mechanically sound. Now, all that is left to do is start the pilot program to find out what the program will ultimately look like. A s with all of our programs, SOSea does not tell the community what the problem is or where the need is. Instead, we reach out and are provided feedback from community members. In that vein, we will operate the pilot program.
Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea) will officially launch its pilot program for a neighborhood safety shuttle service designed to shuttle people around Capitol Hill at night. The idea for a safety shuttle came up as an answer to calls from the community for more safety on Capitol Hill as reports of a spike in hate crimes towards the LGBTQ community surfaced since January. I am the founder and current president of SOSea. It’s simple, really. People have expressed that they don’t feel safe walking around in the neighborhood at night so we decided The questions that we will answer from that the easiest way to move people around, the March 19-May 19 pilot program are: to and from where they are headed, avoiding the possibility of being mugged or at• WHAT are the peak times in which the tacked, is to simply shuttle them around. greatest need exists?
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Celebrating 41 Years!
Take responsibility for your own safety Refuse to be a victim Distribute funds to the HIV+ people who need it To the Editor: Elton John and his partner raise $5.8 million for HIV/AIDS at an Oscar gala [SGN, February 27, 2015] and yet here I am a homeless, HIV+ person sleeping outside. What’s wrong with this picture? I’ll tell you what HIV+ people don’t need and that’s another $45,000 a year salaried service provider to tell us, “There’s no housing for you,” and “There’s no money for you.” How about taking some of the funding and funds raised for HIV and actually distribute it to the people who need it. Michael Louder Homeless, HIV+ Seattle
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Editor: Tonight [March 3, 2015] Kshama Sawant holds a hearing about hate crimes. I’m not going. All my adult life I have been a very strong proponent of arming the gay community. If you look at the facts. A reasonably intelligent person could figure it out. The record of Seattle police is dismal at best, when it comes to the gay community. Look at the response times their own records show. As long as 4 hours on property crimes. How long is it in the case of a serious bashing by illegals from who knows where? Police get there AFTER you have broken bones, an eye missing, puncture wounds from being stabbed, or god forbid. Another Neighbours type fire. For years bashings have been reported and little if anything is done to punish the bashers. The community has asked for increased police for a very long time. But there’s just one fact the community has ignored. Or been led away from. Police are under no obligation to protect you according to the Supreme Court. That means just one thing. You want to live your life free from fear of being beaten, robbed, or murdered? You have to take responsibility for your own
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safety. Me. I had a group of 4-5 bashers try to beat on me a long time ago. The guy with my 357 Magnum in his nose wet all over himself. The rest ran like hell once they figured out there would be no bashing. Which didn’t take long at all. No shots were fired. Some tough guys found out they weren’t that tough after all, and a guy had to change his pants. That’s my experience. But I hope you will let the community know. Hate crimes can be dealt with in a reasonable and effective manner. Even when Seattle police don’t make the GLBT community a priority. Even if they did. How many officers would be required to post one at every intersection. On the hill. Quite a few more than the whole city has. The National Rifle Association studied criminal behavior and came up with “Refuse to be a Victim” – the only mention of a firearm is that they are available. No more. The program is quite reasonable in cost. It teaches ways to avoid being a crime victim without being armed. Like where to walk on the sidewalk at night. And looking people squarely in the eye. Me. I’ll keep my 357 Magnum close when I’m in the Peoples Republik of Seattle. Mike Silvers Federal Way
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Big changes at SPD as Chief O’Toole names new assistant chiefs by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole announced a shake-up in the agency’s command staff Wednesday morning that includes the promotion of two longtime SPD officers in addition to some out of town folks. Mayor Ed Murray and O’Toole announced the appointments of four new assistant chiefs and a civilian chief information officer who is directed to manage SPD’s data and implement new technologies. The changes will result in shuffling the three current assistant chiefs to other positions in the department. O’Toole was appointment to Chief of Seattle Police in June 2014. Since then, SPD has changed the department’s method of officer oversight, updated its uniforms and introduced a body camera pilot program, and more. Captain Steve Wilske, Southwest Precinct commander, was promoted to assistant chief of patrol operations. Wilske fills the vacant position left by Nick Metz, who left the department to serve as chief of the Aurora, Colorado police department. Wilske has served more than 28 years with SPD in various units, including homicide, force investigation and patrol. “Of all the leaders in the department, Steve Wilske was right at the top of the list,” O’Toole said. Lt. Lesley Cordner, the aide to the chief,
was promoted to assistant chief of compliance and professional standards, replacing Assistant Chief Tag Gleason. Cordner joined SPD in 1989. Superintendent Robert Merner will serve as assistant chief of investigations, replacing Assistant Chief Robin Clark. Merner comes to the department via the Boston Police Department. Despite O’Toole’s history as Boston police commissioner, she didn’t know he applied for the job until he was considered a contending candidate, she said Wednesday. She had promoted Merner to lieutenant during her time in Boston. O’Toole called Merner “the hardestworking cop in the city of Boston.” In fact, Merner is a four-time Medal of Honor winner. “If shots ring out anywhere in the city, he’ll probably be first on the scene,” O’Toole said. Merner spent 28 years at the Boston Police Department and currently oversees the investigations bureau there. Perry Tarrant was selected to serve as assistant chief of special operations and homeland security. He spent 34 years in the Tuscon, Arizona Police Department before becoming the coordinator of the Gang Free Initiative in Yakima, Washington. He replaces Assistant Chief Paul McDonagh. Greg Russell was hired as the new chief information officer. He’s coming from Amazon, where he served as a vice president overseeing corporate applications, enter-
IN MEMORIAM:
TRENTON JOHN GARRIS Trenton John Garris passed away Monday morning March 2nd, 2015 at the age of 42 at his cousin’s house in Tucson, AZ. He is survived by his mother, sister, niece and nephew, an aunt, four cousins and their eight children. He was also survived by the shear multitude of friends and an entire community who not only shared his life and the ups and downs that were part of it over the past 20+ years, but who played a major role in helping him develop into the person so many people knew and adored. Barely out of his teens, Trenton left his estranged family behind in San Diego where he grew up and moved to Seattle in 1993. He struggled through years of addiction, depression, anger, violent and toxic relationships, and remained in a constant cycle of self-destruction. When he finally learned to trust, open up to and embrace the positive people around him, he began to grow as a person. He reached out to and reconciled with his family, forming new bonds and becoming closer than ever. He integrated himself into the community, overcame addiction, and became the literal poster child for multiple causes, volunteering and participating when, where, and however he could. His love and compassion for animals even compelled him to go back to school to work towards getting certified as a vet tech. He was already working in the field and well loved by co-workers and clients, and had been dubbed “the cat whisperer” for his ability to calm the unruliest of felines. Anyone you talk to would have a “Trent story” to share and at least 100 pictures to go with it. They would easily be able to list off their 10 most favorite things about him,
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Trenton Garris
and the 10 most annoying. The best part about Trenton was, so many of these would probably be on the same list. There was no one like him. There will never be anyone like him. Orange will now always be his, as will bubbles, glitter, Hello Kitty, any kitty, and you – if you were ever “his.” A memorial and celebration of Trent’s life will be held on Saturday, March 20 from noon to 3 p.m. at Gay City (517 E. Pike St.), and will then move to CC Attle’s (1701 E. Olive Way) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. All those whose lives were touched by Trent are invited to share their stories.
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Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole speaking before press – www.komonews.com
prise data warehouse and information technology. “Obviously he made a decision of the heart, not of the head,” O’Toole quipped of Russell’s transition from the private to public sector. He will oversee SPD’s body camera pilot project and work to develop new ways to track crime using police data. In December 2013, Seattle City Council overturned a 35-year ban on bringing outside figures into police leadership positions, Seattle City Council President Tim Burgess said, making the appointments of Russell, Tarrant and Merner possible. Since her appointment, O’Toole has been tasked with following the federally-
mandated consent decree since the U.S. Department of Justice found a “pattern of excessive force” and deficient officer accountability in a 2011 report. Though the Department of Justice has since praised SPD for implementing required reforms, O’Toole wants to impress a “greater sense of urgency” in following the federal directives. O’Toole pledged upon her appointment that she would spend her first six months assessing the department’s leadership and then likely make changes based on her observations. She says the changes announced Wednesday will infuse “fresh thinking” into the command staff.
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• WHAT are the “lessons learned” items that we can identify? • WHO is primarily taking the shuttle? • WHERE are most people asking to be shuttled to? • WHAT is the estimated weekly cost to pay the driver, fuel, and operate this program? • WHAT Capitol Hill nightlife businesses work with the program? • DID crime stats reflect a decrease in muggings or anti-LGBTQ attacks during the pilot program? It is important, we believe, to get some answers before we actually launch the program and call it good. Although there is an expected learning curve, we don’t foresee any issues to arise that will make the shuttle worthless during the pilot program. For all intents and purposes, this shuttle will be a good and safe way for folks to get home from work, the club, or back to the Seattle University dorms, even during the pilot program period of its life. It is important to note that SOSea does not think that this safety shuttle is the answer to combating crime on Capitol Hill. It is a way to keep people safer though and that is something. Please consider donating to the shuttle by going to www.SocialOutreachSeattle.com and following the prompts to a safe and secure donation. In addition, SOSea is offering the first of our monthly self-defense classes March 18 at Neighbours Nightclub (1500 Broadway) from 6 p.m. doors, 6:30-8 p.m. class. This is open to all ages, LGBTQ and Allied, and is a donation-based entry for any amount.
new memoir and discuss his remarkable life in politics in conversation with Eric Liu. Tickets for the event are $27 and are available from Brown Paper Tickets – 1-800-838-3006; www.brownpapertickets. com/event/920339. One ticket admits up to two people and includes a copy of Barney Frank’s book, Frank: A Life in Politics from the Great Society to Same-Sex Marriage. For more information, Google University Book Store or visit www.bookstore. washington.edu or Google University Book Store and select Reading Aloud Events and scroll to March 30 or call 206-634-3400 or 1-800-335-7323. Courtesy of University Book Store [EDITOR’S NOTE: Seattle Gay News will be publishing an exclusive interview with Barney Frank in next Friday’s SGN.]
Celebrating 41 Years!
Social Security Administration sued over marriage recognition by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders) and Justice in Aging filed a class action lawsuit March 10, demanding that the Social Security Administration (SSA) stop trying to collect overpayments to same-sex couples. The groups’ clients, Hugh Held and Orion Masters, say they are victims of SSA’s incompetence and inertia in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Windsor decision striking down DOMA. Since the suit is filed as a class action, any same-sex couples who are in a similar position may join the suit. Held and Masters were married in California in 2008, in the brief window of opportunity between the California Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage and the passage of Prop 8, re-banning it. At the time, Held was on SSI (Supplemental Security Income), a federal program that helps support disabled persons. Since DOMA was then in effect, SSA did not recognize their marriage. Had it done so, Held’s SSI benefits would have been reduced, because his total household income would have included Masters’ wages. When the U.S. Supreme Court struck DOMA down in the 2013 Windsor decision, Held asked his local SSA branch office if his marriage to Masters would mean a
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Seattle Congressman Jim McDermott – www.dems.gov
cessful repeal of DADT, as well as a bill to repeal DOMA before it was struck down by the Supreme Court. No Washington Republicans were on the brief. In all, 44 members of the Senate and 167 members of the House of Representatives signed on to the brief, according to a March 9 media release. An amicus brief, sometimes called a “friend of the court” brief, is used by outside parties who do not have a direct interest in a case but want to express their views on the legal issues at stake. In their 60-page brief, the Congressional Democrats argue that “we believe that heightened review is warranted for laws that distinguish among individuals based on sexual orientation,” but they also add that “regardless of the standard applied, the
reduction in his benefits. Although President Obama immediately directed federal agencies to determine what effect Windsor would have on their operations, SSA was slow to decide how it would deal with newly-legal same-sex marriages. In Held’s case, the agency did nothing for almost a year. Finally, in June 2014, they reduced Held’s monthly benefit from $877.40 to $308.10. Held and Masters expected the change, and say they accepted it, but they could not accept the $6,205 bill that SSA also sent Held. That amount, SSA claimed, was what they had overpaid Held between the time of the Windsor decision and June 2014. The lawsuit claims that “SSA should have recognized Plaintiffs’ marriages immediately” after the Windsor decision. “Yet it failed to do so.” Then, once SSA finally did begin treating married same-sex couples as married, it asked for overpayments that resulted from their own failure to recognize the marriages in the first place. As GLAD and Justice in Aging’s lawyers write, “SSI recipients are now being targeted by SSA for recoupment of overpayments caused by the government’s own unlawful actions.” “Unfortunately for married same-sex couples in marriage recognition states, SSA was completely unprepared to implement policies required of it by law after DOMA
refusal to license or recognize the marriages of same-sex couples is unconstitutional.” The Congress members go on to note that “nearly all of the state bans on marriages of same-sex couples were enacted between 1998 and 2012 – during the same political environment that led to Congress’s enactment in 1996 of DOMA, a law that the Court already has held had the ‘principal purpose [of] impos[ing] inequality.’” While they agree that marriage laws should be regulated by state governments, the Congress members point out that “the [Supreme] Court has long recognized that state laws that infringe on fundamental rights or make invidious distinctions are subject to constitutional restraints. This is so even when those laws regulate areas within traditional state authority, such as state courts, property, crime and criminal procedure, and education. “The same is true for marriage,” they conclude. While the Congressional Democrats agreed with many lower court rulings that laws discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation should have to meet the “heightened scrutiny” test, they also said that under any standard of judicial review laws banning same-sex marriage “violate the equal protection clause and impair federal interests” in fair treatment of U.S. citizens. “As federal legislators, we believe the state bans at issue violate the Equal Protection Clause, impair national interests, and impose significant pecuniary and dignitary harm on same-sex couples and their children throughout the nation,” they said. Senator Murray was also a signatory to the 2013 amicus brief that Congressional Democrats sent to the high court urging them to declare DOMA unconstitutional.
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w a s struck d o w n ,” Gerald McIntyre, directing attor ne y for Justice in Aging, said in a statem e n t . “ T h e victims of that discrimination s h o u l d Social Security Administration is being sued – www.springfielddisability.com not be the are not the same-sex spouses’ fault because ones to pay for the agency’s mistake.” the Social Security Administration failed Lawyers for Held and Masters argue that to implement the constitutional ruling in the Social Security Act itself makes it illegal Windsor, meeting the first requirement, for SSA to seek repayment in this circum- and it would be “against equity and good stance. conscience” to order repayment, meeting “The Social Security Act provisions the second. authorizing overpayment recoupment exSpecifically, it says that “it is unfair, inpressly require SSA to waive recovery of equitable, and unconscionable for SSA to SSI overpayments if (1) the overpaid SSI demand overpayment from a group of inrecipients were not at fault for the overpay- dividuals who not only are destitute, but ment and (2) recoupment would either a) who have been discriminated against by be against equity and good conscience or b) SSA, and then were overpaid by the governdefeat the purposes of the statute,” the law- ment’s unjustified perpetuation of that very suit states. discrimination long after it was held unlawThe lawsuit argues that overpayments ful by the Supreme Court.”
utah
Anti-Gay talk show host Bryan Fischer condemned the Mormons’ compromise on governor, who is expected to sign it into LGBT rights. law. “Be advised,” he Tweeted, “the Mormon The bill amends the state’s current an- church has switched sides in the culture war tidiscrimination and fair housing laws to over homosexual ‘rights.’” include “sexual orientation” and “gender Fischer is the former Director of Issues identity” in the list of protected character- Analysis for the American Family Foundaistics. tion. Employers are allowed to set “reasonIn the same session that passed SB296, able” standards of dress and grooming and the Utah House also passed SB297, which designate genderallows state employees specific restroom and to opt out of performshower facilities, acing same-sex marriagcording to the bill. es. Under the requireAlso under SB ments of the bill, if of296, someone who ficials want to abstain expresses religious, from marrying samepolitical or personal sex couples, they must views about marrecuse themselves riage, family, or sexufrom all marriages, ality in a “nondisrupsame- or opposite-sex. tive” and “nonharassThe measure also specUtah flag – www.elcivics.com ing” manner cannot be ifies that someone in fired or denied housing on those grounds. each county clerk’s office must be available Religious institutions and their affili- to perform same-sex marriages. ates, religious schools, and the Boy Scouts Unlike SB296, SB297 was not a prodof America are exempt from the law. uct of negotiations between the Mormon When the final vote was announced, ob- Church and LGBT activists, but was, inservers in the packed galleries burst into ap- stead, a work-around bill put together in plause. The House clerk was so moved, that response to federal court orders striking she was unable to read the next bill on the down Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage. docket and simply handed it to her assistant Utah Governor Gary Herbert said in as she wiped the tears from her eyes. response to the federal court ruling that he The measure is the result of a historic would refuse to officiate at a marriage cercompromise between LGBT activists and emony for a same-sex couple, and lawmakthe LDS (Mormon) Church, which domi- ers wanted to open that option to all state nates Utah’s economic, political, and so- officials. cial life. Anti-discrimination measures have been presented to the Utah legislature for many years, but none passed until the church gave its blessing. Republican Rep. Merrill Nelson summed up the position eventually adopted by Mormons with the statement “Homosexuality is not a civil right but equal access to housing and employment is.” continued from cover
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Oklahoma House abolishes marriage licenses If we have to license same-sex couples we won’t license anyone, lawmakers say by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Bill sponsor Rep. Todd Russ – lockerdome.com
The Oklahoma House of Representatives has passed a bill abolishing marriage licenses. The measure, passed on March 10 by a lopsided 67-24 vote, would substitute afterthe-fact “certificates of marriage” filled out by whoever officiates a marriage ceremony. Bill sponsor Rep. Todd Russ said he introduced the measure to “protect” Oklahoma county clerks who do not want to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. “This takes them out of the trap,” he said, meaning that they could be found in contempt of court if they refused federal court orders to issue licenses to Gay and Lesbian couples. Ironically, the bill also deletes language limiting marriage in Oklahoma to opposite-sex couples. Other marriage restrictions would remain unchanged. Democrats who opposed the measure charged that Republican foes of same-sex
marriage were creating a scenario in which Oklahoma would legalize same-sex marriage even if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns lower court rulings the bill seeks to counter. Supporters of the bill said that it only removes the state from the marriage process. “Marriage was not instituted by government,” said Rep. Dennis Johnson during debate on the bill. “It was instituted by God. There is no reason for Oklahoma or any state to be involved in marriage.” Johnson did allow, however, that the state does have an interest in preventing such things as incest, polygamy and marriage of minors. Democratic Minority Leader Scott Inman argued that preventing marriages of minors might be harder to do under the proposal because court clerks would no longer be in a position to require proof of identity and age. The House bill now goes to the Oklahoma Senate, which is also controlled by Republicans.
FDA approves expanded testing for HIV “cure” by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved expanded testing for what has been called an “effective cure” for HIV. The method uses genetic modification to create a specific mutation in the patient’s T-cells which replicates naturally-occurring mutations in the rare people known to
be immune to HIV infection. Stem cells are taken from HIV-positive patients and their gene sequence is altered to modify the CCR5 protein found on the surface of T-cells. HIV initially uses CCR5 receptors to enter and infect new cells. Individuals who are naturally resistant to HIV – known as “elite controllers” – have a mutation of CCR5, which rejects HIV and thus protects them against infection.
FDA has approved expanded testing for an HIV cure – www,androcryos.co.za
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This mutation occurs naturally in a small percentage of the world’s population and gives these individuals a life-long resistance to HIV infections. Although the virus may enter and remain in their bodies, without being able to enter the T-cells it cannot replicate and therefore will stay at low numbers, without harming the individual’s immune system. In theory, genetically edited stem cells can be introduced into HIV patients, duplicating natural immunity. The modified cells will then repopulate the body with cells possessing the same mutation. This would give patients the same lifetime resistance to HIV as those with natural immunity have, and with only one medical procedure. The method was developed by Sangamo BioSciences Inc., but has also been tested in early human clinical trials by drug research company Calimmune. Initial clinical trials found that a number of patients controlled the virus for up to four years. An increase in T-cells was also noted, which was unexpected due to the cessation of HIV drugs. Because initial human tests were done on a very small sample of 12 subjects, once it was established that the method was safe
and showed promise, the FDA approved expanded testing on 70 additional subjects. Besides expanding the current trial, the FDA also approved two more US-based trials. One is a more aggressive method to disable CCR5 so that HIV cannot latch onto new cells, and the other uses the original strategy but is aimed at people who have failed current HIV drug regimens. Although the antiretroviral drugs that are now standard HIV therapies do control the virus, they can have side effects and a number people are resistant to certain drugs. Antiretrovirals work by stopping the replication of HIV in the body and achieving an “undetectable” viral load by using powerful and toxic drugs. The new genome editing method aims to stop the HIV from infecting new cells without drugs. Research into genome therapy took off after the “Berlin Patient,” Timothy Ray Brown, was effectively “cured” of HIV after a stem cell transplant from a donor with natural HIV fighting genes.
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New app locates Trans-friendly restrooms Restroom rights threatened in Texas by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A new iPhone app can help Transgender and other gender variant people find safe restrooms. The app – launched by Refuge Restrooms on iPhone and Android – allows business owners to identify gender-neutral and safe gendered restrooms. Trans people can then use the app to find the nearest safe restroom, much like a Grindr for toilets. Trans-friendly business owners can also download signs from the Refuge Restrooms website to mark restrooms that are safe and welcoming for Trans people. “One of the biggest battlefields upon which the fight for transgender rights is taking place daily are restrooms,” the app’s creators say in a statement. “It seems that every other week a transgender child is made the centre of a national news story because they used the restroom assigned to the gender they identify with. “Obviously, we believe that every transgender person should have the right to use the restroom they want to. “However, we also realize that despite
legislative victories in recent years regardAccording to the Refuge Restrooms ing restroom usage, many transgender in- website, the cities where the app has proved dividuals still face both verbal and physical most popular are San Francisco, Las Vegas, harassment simply for using the restroom. Portland, DC, and New York. Nobody should have R e to face that stroom – and that is rights unwhy we creder threat ated REFMeanUGE.” while, as “ Us e r s if to prove can search the need for for restsuch an app, rooms by a Texas lawp r ox i m i t y maker has to a search proposed location, a bill that add new rewould forstroom listbid schools ings, as well from allowAn All Gender Restroom sign – www.lockerdome.com as comment ing students and rate existing listings. We seek to create to use restrooms corresponding to their a community focused not only on finding gender identity. existing safe restroom access but also lookThe bill, filed by Republican Rep. Gilbert ing forward and participating in restroom Pena, is similar to one passed recently by advocacy for transgender, intersex, and the Kentucky Senate. gender nonconforming folk.” Under the proposed legislation, “only
persons of the same biological sex may be present at the same time in any bathroom, locker room, or shower facility in a building owned by the district.” Schools could provide “reasonable alternate” facilities if students swear they are Transgender and parents sign off on it, but districts could be held liable for a $2,000 fine plus damages, court costs, and attorneys fees, if employees knowingly allow Transgender students to use restrooms in accordance with their gender identity. The measure also provides funds for rewards to peers who report Trans students for using a restroom illegally. Pena’s bill is the third anti-Trans restroom bill introduced in Texas this year, and it is not the most severe. Two other measures would make it a crime for Transgender people to use restrooms or similar facilities in accordance with their gender identity. The restroom bills are among at least 11 anti-LGBT measures that have been introduced in the current Texas Legislature.
Peru civil unions bill fails Catholic bishop calls sponsor a faggot
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Catholic Bishop Luis Bambaren – twitter.com
A bill to allow same-sex civil unions failed to pass Peru’s legislature March 10 in the face of vicious opposition by local Catholic authorities. Sponsor Carlos Bruce said he was confident the measure would pass a key committee vote, but the bill was voted down 6-4 with two abstentions.
During the run-up to the critical committee vote, Catholic Bishop Luis Bambaren used a press conference to attack Bruce. “I am totally against [the draft Civil Union bill],” the bishop said. “The law is unnecessary – you can form an arrangement with another person and put the rules in the administration of property … Congressman Carlos Bruce is making a fool of himself with all of this, looking like a maricon [the equivalent of “faggot” in
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English] in the middle of everything. “He himself has said that he is Gay. Gay is not a Peruvian word. The word is maricon [faggot].” Bruce responded to Bishop Bambaren on Facebook the same day – calling on him to apologize to the LGBT community in Peru. “Was it not the Catholic Church who preached the love of neighbor and non-discrimination?” Bruce wrote. “I demand that you apologize not only to me but to the three million Peruvians that share my sexual orientation.” This is not the first time Bambaren has used the word maricon to attack Peru’s LGBT community. In 2011 he was forced to apologize for making similar statements. “I ask for an apology for everyone who felt offended,” he said then. “It is an offensive word, and [LGBT people] deserve respect.” In the Peruvian capital of Lima, hundreds of LGBT activists gathered March 9 for a rally and vigil leading up to the committee vote. “We would be able to ask for a loan together in a bank, we would be able to share our insurance, but from an emotional point of view it would be one step further,” vigil attendee Jose Benaola explained. “We have been together for five years now and I think
that as a couple we are ready to move forward but we are not able to do it here, so I think emotionally it would mean a lot for both of us.” He and his partner, Fernando Alemand, said that while they are lucky their families support their relationship it is hurtful they cannot share affection outside of their house in the open. Bernaola said that holding hands in the street is risky in Peru because society is very conservative and prejudiced against members of the LGBT community. Other speakers at the rally said the alternative proposal of so-called “solidarity unions” is too limited. “We want equal rights and ‘solidarity union’ does not recognize that me and my female partner are a family, for example,” said vigil organizer Pilar Rojas from the Civil Union Now collective. “It doesn’t recognize that we have a relationship with feelings, nor the basis that we want to build our life together, and that is what thousands of families want.”
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Same-sex marriage is a human right, European Parliament says Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia (effective date pending), Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland.) Same-sex civil unions are legal in another nine members of the EU: Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia (effective 2016), Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Malta. Only eight EU countries deny recognition to sameParliament members taking a vote – sex couples: Bulgaria, Cyprus, europeandignitywatch.org Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, and Slovakia. The new by Mike Andrew left-wing government of Greece has said it SGN Staff Writer wants to pass a civil unions law, but has not The European Parliament has called yet offered a bill. The resolution on same-sex relationon EU member states to recognize samesex marriages and civil unions as a human ships came out of discussions on parliament’s annual report on human rights. right. While parliamentary resolutions may “The European Parliament takes note of the legalization of same-sex marriage influence public opinion in Europe, they or same-sex civil unions in an increasing do not have the force of law. The Europenumber of countries around the world,” an Parliament has power to enact binding the group said in a March 12 resolution, laws only on matters that affect the EU as a and “encourages the EU institutions and whole, and it is not allowed to intervene in the Member States to further contribute to the domestic politics of member states. reflection on the recognition of same-sex The European Parliament is elected marriage or same-sex civil union as a politi- by popular vote every five years. The 751 cal, social and human and civil rights issue.” seats are allocated among EU members in Same-sex marriage is now legal in 11 of proportion to the national population. It is the 28 members of the EU: Belgium, Den- currently run by a center-right/center-left mark, Finland (effective 2017), France, coalition.
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