Issue 13 Volume 38
Celebrating 37 Years!
Laurie Jinkins p. 5
3 BY DOVE p. 26
PHOENIX in franCE p. 31
Seattle Gay News
FRIDAY March 26, 2010 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands
SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
What LGBT folks get “We will not go away.” from the health care bill Awaiting trial, Dan Choi challenges nat’l LGBT leadership … and what we don’t Win McNamee
the most sweeping changes to the country’s health care system since Medicare was introduced by John F. Kennedy may have overshadowed what is actually in the legislation. There are many provisions in the final bill that will make the LGBT community happy: • Insurance companies can no longer exclude “preexisting conditions” from coverage. President Obama signs the health care bill • Insurances comby Mike Andrew panies can no longer cancel insurSGN Staff Writer ance when their policyholders become ill. “This is a big fucking deal!” – • Insurance companies can no Vice President Joe Biden to Presi- longer impose caps on payments. dent Barack Obama at the signing • Medicare patients with HIV/ ceremony for the Patient Protec- AIDS who get prescription drug tion and Affordable Care Act. assistance are no longer subject to The drama of actually passing
see health care page 18
courtesy Huffington Post
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
When two out Gay U.S. soldiers, Lt. Dan Choi and Captain Jim Pietrangelo, chained themselves to the White House fence in protest against the military Gay ban known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) last week, they were arrested and charged with failure to comply with a lawful order by a police officer. At their March 19 Washington D.C. Superior Court hearing, Choi and Pietrangelo opted for a trial rather than pleading guilty. Choi told the court, “I’m not ashamed, I’m not finished. Not guilty.” They cannot be jailed if found guilty of the charge, but could be fined up to $1,000. The trial will be held on April 26. Choi, 29, and Pietrangelo, 44, crashed a Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Kathy Griffin Washington D.C. protest after Choi was told that he could not speak out against DADT by HRC’s Executive Director Joe Solmonese. “When I heard Kathy Griffin see choi page 18
Lt. Dan Choi
Pentagon takes charge, revises Tea Party turns ugly Racism, homophobia, violence over “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” rules health care bill Cherie Cullen
Defense Secretary Robert Gates
by Nick Ardizzone SGN Staff Writer
Tell” (DADT) – the U.S. military’s discriminatory policy against open Gay and Lesbian servicemembers On March 25, the Pentagon ap- – which reflect what Defense Secproved a revised set of rules for the retary Robert Gates called a “comenforcement of “Don’t Ask, Don’t mon sense and common decency”
application of the law. The new rules would put high-ranking officers in charge of the dismissal proceedings and discourage the use of hearsay as testimony, among other revisions. Defense Secretary Gates approved the new set of rules, and told a Pentagon news conference that the changes, which go into effect immediately and apply to all current and future cases, are “an important improvement in the way the law is put into practice.” In a March 25 release “strongly supporting” the Defense Department’s new DADT rules, the Center for American Progress stated that the revised regulations will: • Raise the officer rank required to initiate DADT discharge proceedings to at least that of a onestar general • Raise the rank required for the person conducting the DADT inquiry • Raise the officer rank required to authorize a servicemember’s separation under DADT • Revise what constitutes credible information necessary to inisee DADT page 19
c. j. brenchley
Pentagon acts while Congress mulls over DADT repeal
Health care protestors outside the Capitol Building on March 20
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Any doubts that the Tea Party movement is about something far more sinister than taxes should have been dispelled by the ugly behavior of tea baggers in the closing days of the health care debate. Members of Congress were subjected to racist and homophobic slurs as they walked from their offices to the House floor between lines of tea baggers protesting the
proud to Be Different
We are conveniently located on-site at Lifelong AIDS Alliance below the Thrift Store.
health care bill. During debate on the bill, mentions of President Obama were booed by Tea Party protestors in the House galleries, and at least one Republican House member tried to disrupt a speech by a Democratic colleague. After the bill passed on March 21, Democratic offices were vandalized in several locations. Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.) told see tea party page 20
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Seattle Gay News
March 26, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
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Seattle Gay News
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Seattle Gay News FOUNDED 1973
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2010
Deadlines Classifieds - Thursday at noon Calendar - Tuesday 6pm Display Ads: Space Reservation - Monday 5pm Ad copy (non-camera ready) - Tues. 5pm Ad copy (camera ready) - Wed. 5pm Letters to the Editor - Tuesday 5pm Obituaries - Call the sGn office All others - Tuesday 5pm
Editor In Chief George Bakan Associate Editor Tom Flint (retired) Editorial Assistant Nick Ardizzone Production William Creswell Calender Editors Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Travel Editor George Bakan Advertising Manager Marty Weisbrod Advertising Department Maggie Bloodstone Executive Assistant Mike Andrew Staff Writers George Bakan, Albert S. Rodriguez, Nick Ardizzone, Shaun Knittel Miryam Gordon, James Whitely, Tim Peter Contributing Writers Rev. Barbara Allen, Mike Andrew, Eric Andrews-Katz, Madelyn Arnold, Maggie Bloodstone, Beau Burriola, Jessica Davis, Ron Anders, Jessica Price, Milton W. Hamlin, Nevin Jefferson, Keen News Service, Jason A. Miller, Liz Meyer, Rod Parke, Don Paulson, Scott Rice, Leslie Robinson, Richard Kennedy, Romeo San Vicente, Rex Wockner Classifieds Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Photographers Nick Ardizzone, Joseph P. Herron, Shaun Knittel, James Whitely National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Website Designer Barry Thorsness/Digital Team Works Seattle Gay News is published weekly by JT&A, Inc. © 2010, JT&A, Inc., all rights reserved. Reprints by permission.
Publication of names, photographs or likenesses of any person, organization, event or business in this publication cannot be taken as any indication of the sexual orientation of the person, organization, event or business. Opinions expressed in bylined articles, columns, and letters are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or management of this paper. Seattle Gay News welcomes unsolicited material, including letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit or reject material. All rights revert to authors upon publication. We assume no liability for loss or damage of materials, solicited or not. We invite feedback, please write. And please play safe. It is our policy that no money shall be refunded if you choose to cancel your subscription or ad. However, credit towards any size ad will be given for the balance owed. No exceptions.
Showdown on new health care law State Attorney General sues to block, Governor may sue to block him by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
tion to McKenna, the Attorneys General of Alabama, Florida, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Utah participated. Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum filed the suit in a Pensacola federal court just minutes after President Obama signed the bill on March 23. The attorneys general of Louisiana and Michigan joined the suit, although they were not in on the advance planning. Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who also was not in on the conference call, announced that he will file a separate suit challenging what he called the “unconstitutional overreach” of the new law. Cuccinelli is perhaps best known in the LGBT community for his March 6 ruling that Virginia state colleges and universities may not prohibit discrimination against LGBT students and employees. Thirteen of the 14 attorneys general involved are Republicans. The only Democrat is Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell.
The health care drama that consumed the country’s political class for the last year has not ended with the historic House vote approving President Obama’s health insurance reform on March 21. Washington’s Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna announced on March 22 that he would sue to block the new law from taking effect. Later the same day, Washington’s Democratic Governor Christine Gregoire said she would act to block McKenna. On March 23, Washington State Democratic Party Chair Dwight Pelz weighed in, filing a sweeping public records request designed to force McKenna to reveal who he consulted before deciding to sue. Health care activists and HIV/AIDS advocates immediately began to mobilize their supporters to counter McKenna. McKenna joins 13 other state attorneys general in suing to reverse Congressional action on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Who represents the people? McKenna joined 10 other attorneys In a statement released on March 22, general in a late-night conference call on McKenna claims that the newly passed March 21, in which they planned a joint le- health care bill “violates the Commerce gal strategy to block the new law. In addi- Clause and the 10th amendment of the US
Constitution.” “I’m concerned that the measure unconstitutionally requires all Washingtonians to purchase health insurance and places an extraordinary burden on our state budget by requiring Washington to expand its Medicaid eligibility standards in violation of our state’s rights guaranteed under the10th amendment,” McKenna said in his statement. In a statement released the same day as McKenna’s, Gov. Christine Gregoire dismissed McKenna’s claim to be representing Washington state’s citizens. “I completely disagree with the attorney general’s decision, and he does not represent me,” Gregoire said. “He doesn’t represent the people of Washington who would get assistance so they could afford quality health insurance. He doesn’t represent the thousands of small businesses that would benefit from tax credits to provide coverage for their employees. He doesn’t represent the thousands who will no longer be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. He doesn’t represent the half-million young people in our state who would be covered under their parents’ plan until they are 26. He doesn’t represent our state’s Medicare recipients. He doesn’t represent the taxpayers of Washington.” Gregoire went on to say, “I have made it clear to the Attorney General that I will actively oppose this lawsuit if it moves forward.” When asked by SGN what the governor would do to “actively oppose” McKenna’s suit, Gregoire spokesperson Viet Shelton said the governor would take legal action to intervene. “If the A.G. [attorney general] moves forward, this is what we’re thinking so far – and it’s not set in stone – we would petition to be a party to the suit and participate in opposition to the A.G.,” Shelton told SGN. One of the legal issues would then be who actually represents Washington citizens. “And that’s uncharted territory,” Shelton said. “He has a duty to consult with me ….” In a subsequent press conference in Olympia, Gregoire suggested she might file a countersuit if McKenna proceeds, and outlined her legal reasoning to reporters. “He has, in my opinion, a duty to consult with me,” she said. Gregoire said she had not been consulted prior to McKenna’s March 22 announcement, but had spoken with him by phone after learning of his plans. “He obviously does not represent the majority leader or the speaker and he has a duty
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
see mckenna page 18
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Seattle Gay News
March 26, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
courtesy Peter Yacobellis
U.S. Air Force DADT victim Dutch reject U.S. general’s Peter Yacobellis speaks out “bizarre private opinion”
Peter Yacobellis
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
he came to realize that he could not live and operate within an organization that forced him to disguise his sexual orientation. In December of 1998, Peter Yacobellis With so much focus being placed on the was discharged from the United States Air debate over repealing DADT, Yacobellis, Force at Lackland Air Force Base in San now the deputy director of administration Antonio, Texas, under the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy. After serving only a few short weeks in basic training, see yacobellis page 17
Laurie Jinkins, former Asst. Atty. General, to run for 27th District seat by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer On March 20, Laurie Jinkins, deputy director of the Pierce County Public Health Department, longtime Tacoma Community College (TCC) trustee, public school mom, and noted leader for equality and human rights, announced her candidacy for State Representative in Tacoma’s 27th Legislative District. Jinkins, a Democrat, is seeking the seat being vacated by Dennis Flannigan and, if elected, would be the first open Lesbian elected to state office in Washington state history. “I’m running on a simple platform: create jobs and opportunity for hard working families, protect the safety of health and human services, and invest in clean energy and transportation solutions that protect our quality of life and environment,” Jinkins told SGN. “I’m excited for the opportunity to serve and the outpouring of support I’m receiving as we launch this campaign.” Jinkins is well-known for her leadership in public health and as a TCC trustee. Jinkins cites this experience as critical to delivering quality, basic services in challenging economic times. “I’ve worked alongside unions, service providers, employers and the community to set priorities and balance budgets,” said Jinkins, who chaired the TCC Board in 2009. “In this economy, we have to focus on outcomes that serve people and maximize limited resources. I’ll bring that focus on fiscal management to Olympia to help make the tough choices we face as a state.” Jinkins enters the race with the endorsements of prominent Tacoma area elected officials, including State Representative Jeannie Darneille (D-27), former County Chief of Staff Lyle Quasim, State Auditor Brian Sonntag (D), Senator Rosa Franklin (D-25), Pierce County Councilmember Tim Farrell (D), former 27th District Representative Art Wang (D) and Tacoma School Board Member Kim Golding. In addition, Jinkins has support from community leaders across the district, including Liz Dunbar, Dawn Lucien, Judie Fortier, Benjii Bittle, Steve Smith, Ron Lunceford, Artee Young, and Sondra Purcell.
“She is brilliant, hard-working, and a champion on a host of progressive issues,” Josh Friedes, incoming executive director for Equal Rights Washington (ERW), told SGN. “Her commitment to bringing jobs to Tacoma will make her an appealing candidate to all.” Friedes, who has worked side-by-side with Jinkins on the Approve Referendum 71 campaign and on securing domestic partnership benefits for Pierce County, says that Washington state has never had an out Lesbian in the Legislature, and that Jinkins would represent “a voice that is needed, and long overdue.” “I’m hopeful that people from all across Washington state will support her and contribute to her campaign,” he said. Although becoming the first open Lesbian elected to state office would be historic, Jinkins told SGN that she is much more than a “Gay candidate” and that “having a diverse group of elected officials is important for any state.” “As a mom and Tacoma resident, I see the importance for treating all people with the respect and dignity they deserve,” said Jinkins. “I want all of our kids to grow up in a world where we recognize that there is strength and opportunity in our diversity.” Tacoma has been home to Jinkins since she moved there in the late ‘80s to go to law school. “From the moment I arrived, I knew I loved it,” she told SGN. “I love that it is very urban and small-town at the same time. It is very easy for people to get to know each other.” Jinkins says that Tacoma is a practical city. “We create imagination here,” she said. “Our citizens spend their energy on making those imaginations and dreams become reality. I feel so connected to the city because that’s how I’ve always thought. It is great to have dreams, but the best thing is when you can take dreams and make them real.” Jinkins told SGN she plans a volunteerdriven, grassroots campaign, similar to those run by Darneille and Flannigan. “I’m going to run a Tacoma-style campaign of shoe leather, yard signs, and shaking hands,” she said. “I’m running to represent the values and priorities of the city I love, and look forward to a great, energetic campaign.”
Visit us online www.sgn.org
Retired general claimed Gay soldiers led to Srebrenica massacre by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Just when you thought the debate over “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) – the U.S. military’s discriminatory policy on Gays and Lesbians serving openly in the armed forces – couldn’t get any stranger, enter retired former NATO Supreme Allied Commander John Sheehan. In a moment of absolute homophobia and anti-Gay rhetoric at a U.S. congressional hearing on March 18, Sheehan said there was a link between having homosexuals in the Dutch forces and the Srebrenica massacre during the Bosnian war. Sheehan opposes President Obama’s pledge to end DADT and tried to use the Dutch case as a cautionary tale. The resulting backlash has not been pretty. Sheehan’s claim triggered outrage on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1995, Dutch troops were part of the inadequate U.N. peacekeeping force stationed in Srebrenica. Bosnian Serb forces overran lightly armed Dutch soldiers in the U.N.’s designated enclave and subsequently massacred more than 7,000 Muslim men and boys – the worst mass killing in Europe since World War II. The events in Srebrenica remain a sensitive subject in the Netherlands, where a sixyear investigation into the massacre led to the government’s fall in 2002. Sheehan says that the Dutch were illequipped to go to war because they had “socialized” their military by allowing Gays to serve. “The case in point that I’m referring to is when the Dutch were required to defend Srebrenica against the Serbs. The battalion was under-strength, poorly led, and the Serbs
March 26, 2010
came into town, handcuffed the soldiers to the telephone poles, marched the Muslims off, and executed them,” Sheehan told the Armed Services Committee. Senator Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the committee, asked, “Did the Dutch leaders tell you it was because there were Gay soldiers there?” “Yes, they did. They included that as part of the problem,” Sheehan said. “That there were Gay soldiers?” Levin then asked. “That the combination was the liberalization of the military,” Sheehan answered. The Dutch Defense Ministry called Sheehan’s claims “absolute nonsense” and added that Gay Dutch soldiers routinely cooperate with the U.S. military in the NATO mission in Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen called the claim “the bizarre private opinion of someone without an official function.” The Dutch news agency ANP quoted the head of the military union AFMP as saying Sheehan’s comments were “out of the realm of fiction.” The head of the Dutch Gay soldiers’ group SHK called his comments “the ridiculous convulsion of a loner.” Dutch Defense Minister Eimert van Middelkoop called Sheehan’s comments “scandalous, and unworthy of a soldier.” Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said, “Toward Dutch troops, homosexual or heterosexual, it is way off the mark to talk like that about people and the work they do under very difficult circumstances.” Prime Minister Balkenende said he did not intend to bring up the matter with President Obama, however, because Sheehan is retired.
Seattle Gay News
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NATIONAL
hours and ordered to stop dressing in wom- ed, was held in June in Mexico City. In Deen’s clothing. Gay rights organizations also cember Mexico City legalized Gay marriage reported cases of individuals discharged and adoption, effective in March 2010.” from their jobs due to their sexual orienta• Nigeria: “In the 12 northern states that tion. Mariela Castro, the president’s daugh- have adopted Shari’a law, adults convicted by Rex Wockner ter, headed the national Center for Sexual of engaging in homosexual activity may be SGN Contributing Writer Education and continued to be outspoken in subject to execution by stoning, although no U.S. State Dept. reports on U.S. ambassador to Romania, and an ad- promoting Gay rights. Despite these efforts, such sentences have been imposed.” LGBT life in nearly viser to the council, commended “President every nation Obama’s and Secretary [of State Hillary] This year’s U.S. State Department “Coun- Clinton’s principled belief that the human try Reports on Human Rights Practices” rights of LGBT people cannot be separated looked at LGBT life in nearly every nation from those of all of society.” on the planet and did an excellent job of The report’s LGBT content stretches to documenting anti-LGBT abuse across the 137 pages of 12-point type. Here is just a globe, the Council for Global Equality said tiny amount of what was reported: March 11. • Australia: “[T]he government amended The council further applauded the State 84 laws to eliminate discrimination against Department for urging “the use of diploma- same-sex couples and their children in a cy to counter this trend” of anti-Gay hostil- wide range of areas, including taxes, child ity. support, immigration, pensions, and social Introducing the report, Michael Posner, security.” assistant secretary of state for democracy, • Azerbaijan: “[P]olice raided Gay bars on human rights and labor, singled out the situ- four occasions and arrested almost 50 peration in Uganda, where a proposed draco- sons. Police reportedly held the individunian anti-Gay bill has resulted in a seriously als and threatened to expose their sexuality deteriorating atmosphere for LGBT people. publicly unless they paid a bribe. The huAmong much else, the bill punishes “ag- man rights Ombudsman’s Office intervened gravated homosexuality” and a second con- to resolve the incidents.” viction for “the offense of homosexuality” • Burundi: “[R]evisions to the penal code with the death penalty. enacted during the year included a provision “The report ... documents LGBT-related that criminalizes homosexual acts. ... On incidents in almost every country in the March 6, a demonstration with an estimated world, including a range of cases involving 2,000 to 3,000 participants took place in Buarbitrary arrest and detention, police abuse, jumbura in support of the law criminalizing rape, and murder,” the council said. “For homosexuality. The march was sponsored Gay marriage is now legal in Mexico City the first time ever, most of the reports have by the ruling party, CNDD-FDD. Particia dedicated section examining ‘societal pants in the antihomosexual demonstration several non-government Gay rights activists • Russia: “Project GayRussia attempted to abuses, discrimination, and acts of violence wore CNDD-FDD T-shirts and sang party asserted that the government had done noth- stage a Gay pride parade timed to coincide based on sexual orientation and gender anthems. Buses were hired to bring large ing to stop frequent cases of police brutality with the annual Eurovision song contest identity.’” numbers to the march, including school- and harassment of LGBT persons. In August hosted by Russia. Authorities arrested all 50 two LGBT activists were detained without participants in the Sparrow Hills park becharges for 13 days in connection with their fore they could organize. ... Moscow mayor efforts to plan a ‘Mr. Gay Cuba’ competi- Yuriy Luzhkov, who in the past had called tion. During the detention, police destroyed homosexuality ‘satanic,’ told the television or damaged personal property and seized program ‘Facing the City’ that ‘the morals computer equipment used by the activists. of society’ do not accept Gay persons, to The activists were held incommunicado for whom he referred using a slur.” more than 24 hours. On September 3, the • Samoa: “The Censorship Board banned contest winner reported that he had been de- the film Milk due to its homosexual scenes.” tained for several hours and threatened with • Sierra Leone: “Social discrimination expulsion from medical school as a result of based on sexual orientation occurs in nearly his participation in the contest.” every facet of life for known Gays and Les• Ecuador: “The new constitution includes bians, and many choose to have heterosexthe principle of nondiscrimination and es- ual relationships and family units to shield tablishes choice of sexual orientation as a them.” right.” • Somalia: “Sexual orientation is consid• Equatorial Guinea: “Societal stigmatiza- ered a taboo topic, and there is no public tion and discrimination against homosexual discussion of this issue in any region of the persons was strong, and the government country.” made little effort to combat it.” • Taiwan: “The seventh Gay pride march • Gambia: “In a March 27 speech before was held in October. More than 25,000 indithe National Assembly, President Jammeh viduals participated.” called homosexual conduct ‘strange be• Uganda: “The September introduction havior that even God will not tolerate.’ The in parliament of a bill providing the death president previously described homosexual penalty for ‘aggravated homosexuality’ and conduct as a criminal practice and told po- for homosexual ‘serial offenders’ resulted lice to arrest persons practicing homosex- in increased harassment and intimidation ual activity and to close motels and hotels of LGBT persons during the year; the proSteven Monjeza (l) and Tiwonge Chimbalanga after being arrested that accommodated them. In May 2008 the posed legislation also provides for a fine and for conducting a Gay wedding in Malawi president ordered all LGBT persons to leave three years’ imprisonment for persons who In Jamaica, for example, the report says aged children; schools were closed for the the country within 24 hours and threatened fail to report acts of homosexual conduct to to cut off their heads. There were no LGBT authorities within 24 hours.” LGBT people suffer “arbitrary detention, event.” mob attacks, stabbings, harassment of ... • Croatia: “On June 13, an anti-Gay pro- organizations in the country.” • Yemen: “Homosexual activity is a crime • Indonesia: “On May 16, LGBT organi- punishable by death under the country’s patients by hospital and prison staff, and tar- test was staged during the annual Gay Pride geted shootings.” Parade. Members of the protest carried ban- zations held Gay pride marches in Jakarta, interpretation of Islamic law. There were In Iraq, it says, Gays “were assaulted and ners with abusive language such as ‘kill the Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Makassar, and Ban- no Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender murdered by having their anuses glued shut faggots.’ Organizers of the parade consid- da Aceh commemorating the International (LGBT) persons’ organizations. ... Few, if or their genitals cut off and stuffed down ered the protest a hate crime and criticized Day Against Homophobia. Organizers were any, LGBT residents were open about their their throats until they suffocated.” authorities for having allowed it to take able to obtain necessary permits from the orientation or identity because of heavy sogovernment and police provided protection cietal pressure.” “The level of reporting on LGBT abuses place.” this year is remarkably detailed and truly • Cuba: “[S]ocietal discrimination on the to the marchers.” To see all the lengthy LGBT excerpts, • Iran: “[T]he last confirmed death sen- visit tinyurl.com/statelgbt. commendable, and unfortunately this new basis of sexual orientation or gender identity level of detail shows just how dangerous it persisted, as police occasionally conducted tences for homosexual conduct were handed The Council for Global Equality is a is for LGBT individuals to go about their sweeps in areas where Gay men congregat- down in 2005, although there were allega- project of Public Interest Projects, a New daily lives as ordinary citizens in so many ed, particularly along sections of Havana’s tions of executions related to homosexual York-based nonprofit organization. Memparts of the world,” said council Chair Mark waterfront. On March 24, police arrested conduct in 2006 and 2007.” ber organizations include American Jewish • Kuwait: “[T]here were more than a doz- World Service, Amnesty International USA, Bromley. 20 male Transvestites in Central Havana. Michael Guest, the openly Gay former Some were reportedly detained for several en reports of police arresting Transgender Anti-Defamation League, Center for Amerpersons at malls and markets, taking them ican Progress, Gay & Lesbian Leadership into custody, beating them and shaving their Institute, Global Rights, Heartland Alliance, heads, and then releasing them without Human Rights Campaign, Human Rights charges.” First, Human Rights Watch, Immigration • Malawi: “On December 28, two men Equality, International Gay and Lesbian were arrested in Blantyre and charged with Human Rights Commission, Metropolitan illegal carnal knowledge and committing Community Churches, National Center for acts of ‘gross indecency with another male Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transperson.’ The men were denied bail and were gender Equality, National Gay and Lesbian in jail awaiting trial at the end of the year.” Task Force, Open Society Institute, and Out • Mexico: “Activists organized Gay pride & Equal. marches in cities across the country; the largest, in which 400,000 people participatWith assistance from Bill Kelley
NEWS
courtesy jezebel.com
Eldson Chagara/Reuters
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Seattle Gay News
March 26, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
NEWS
Portugal same-sex marriage law still on track Same-sex marriages could start in Portugal in May. Parliament finalized and passed a law legalizing same-sex marriage on February 11. The law was sent to President Aníbal Cavaco Silva on March 5. On March 13, Cavaco Silva sent it to the Constitutional Court for review. The court must act on the review by April 8. The bill then will return to the president, who will have 20 more days to mull it over. If he signs it, it becomes law. If he vetoes it, Parliament is expected to pass it again, which would then force Cavaco Silva to sign it. Should the Constitutional Court find some problem with the law, which is considered to be unlikely, Parliament then probably would amend it to address the court’s concerns. The current form of the law specifically excludes access to adoption for married same-sex couples, which may catch the Constitutional Court’s attention. However, Cavaco Silva did not request court review of that provision. Socialist Prime Minister José Sócrates has said legalizing same-sex marriage “rights a wrong” and increases freedom and equality. The board co-chair of the European Region of ILGA – the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association – said same-sex marriage is rapidly becoming the norm in Europe.
Presidência da República Portuguesa photo
INTERNATIONAL by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer residents of the Federal District” and present the original and a copy of proof of domicile issued within the past three months. It does not say what qualifies as proof. News reports have mentioned such things as utility bills and have suggested that the requirement does not seem to be strictly enforced. The same page of the website explains what is required for “foreigners” to marry in Mexico City. If only one of the individuals is a foreigner, he or she must present “authorization issued by the Secretary of Governance to marry.” But, “When both parties are foreigners, permission from the Secretary of Governance is not required.” The website’s information seems at odds with media statements by Mexico City officials, who have said they hope Gay couples will come from around the world to get married and that the city is working with travel agencies to offer packages that include flights, hotel, sightseeing, a wedding, and a banquet. There are no differences between sameand opposite-sex marriage in Mexico City, and the city’s website contains otherwise identical PDF forms for “him/her,” “him/ him” and “her/her” marriages. The website of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, under the heading “American Citizens Services – Marriage and Divorce in Mexico,” says: “You should contact the office of the Registro Civil in the jurisdiction where you plan to get married for complete information about the requirements. A marriage that is properly executed in Mexico is
Portuguese President Aníbal Cavaco Silva
in a Gay-themed video. Ahmad al-Faqih was charged with impersonating a police officer, being a homosexual, and committing a general-security offense. The amateur, three-minute production shows al-Faqih dressed as a cop, asking for someone’s driver’s license, and demanding “physical comfort” to let the driver go free. He opens his shirt, plays with his chest and dances around suggestively to club music while holding a gun. The video reportedly raced around Saudi Arabia via the internet and cell phones. See it at tinyurl.com/saudivid.
courtesy rex wockner
Hate crime convictions in Slovenia Slovenia has seen its first convictions leading to imprisonment in an anti-Gay hate-crime case. Three men will spend 18 months in jail for attacking the Ljubljana Lesbian bar Café Open during a pride week event last June. Along with several other men, they threw rocks, yelled anti-Gay slurs and beat Gay activist Mitja Blazic, who suffered head injuries as well as burns from the attackers’ torches. The Ljubljana District Court found the three guilty of instigating hatred, violence and intolerance on the basis of sexual orientation. The men’s lawyers said the verdict will be appealed.
Lithuanian MPs try to stop pride parade Fifty members of Lithuania’s Parliament have petitioned the Prosecution Office to stop the Vilnius city government from permitting a Gay pride parade in May. The MPs say the parade would violate the new “Law on the Protection of Minors A 27-year-old man in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was sent to jail for a year, Against the Detrimental Effect of Public Infined $1,330, and will be lashed 1,000 times for appearing in a Gay-themed video. formation.” The law, which took effect March 1, bans “It is truly a fantastic start of 2010 for valid in the United States provided the marinformation that promotes sexual relationLGBT people in Portugal and Europe as a riage would be legal in the United States.” whole,” said Martin K.I. Christensen. “It A marriage contracted legally anywhere ships, “denigrates family values” or encouris clear that a European consensus is fast in Mexico also is supposed to be recognized emerging on marriage equality.” everywhere in Mexico, but some Mexican Same-sex marriage is legal in Belgium, states have taken recent steps to attempt Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South to avoid recognizing Gay marriages from Africa, Spain and Sweden; in Mexico City Mexico City. and Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province; It is not known how those conflicts will and in Washington, D.C., and the states of play out. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New An English-language Google search for Hampshire and Vermont. “getting married in Mexico” produced tens of thousands of hits clearly aimed at nonGay, Lesbian couples resident foreigners. marry in Mexico City Same-sex marriage also is legal in BelSame-sex couples started marrying in gium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Mexico City on March 11. South Africa, Spain and Sweden; in ArThe first same-sex weddings took place in gentina’s Tierra del Fuego province; and in the Municipal Palace with Mayor Marcelo Washington, D.C., and the states of ConEbrard and numerous other officials in at- necticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hamptendance. shire and Vermont. It will become legal later The federal government is challenging this year in Portugal. Mexico City’s legalization of Gay marriage, but the case likely will not see any action by Saudi man to be flogged the Supreme Court for more than a year. for Gay video The Mexico City government’s website A 27-year-old man in Jeddah, Saudi Arasays that to get married in Mexico City, bia, was sent to jail for a year, fined $1,330, “requirements” include that the couple “be and will be lashed 1,000 times for appearing
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ages a nonheterosexual concept of marriage and family. Such information is prohibited wherever it could be accessed by a minor. The petition states: “It is obvious that one of the aims of the parade ... is the promotion of the organization [Lithuanian Gay League] and attraction of new members – also the demonstration of a positive attitude towards nontraditional families. Therefore, the parade may be treated as the dissemination of public information.” The MPs said the parade also could provoke anti-Gays to riot. U.K. Catholic adoption charity can discriminate against Gays London’s High Court on March 17 exempted a Catholic adoption charity from laws that ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in the provision of public services. The court said Leeds-based Catholic Care can refuse to consider Gay couples as parents. The charity had threatened to stop placing children if it had to abide by anti-discrimination laws. Leading Gay rights group Stonewall denounced the decision, which ordered the Charities Commission to reconsider Catholic Care’s request for an exemption in light of the court ruling. “It’s unthinkable that anyone engaged in delivering any kind of public or publicly funded service should be given license to pick and choose service users on the basis of individual prejudice,” said Stonewall spokesman Jonathan Finney. “It’s clearly in the best interests of children in care to encourage as wide a pool of potential adopters as possible.” According to the court, Catholic Care argued that it is prevented from behaving legally by Roman Catholic teaching that “the Holy Family of Nazareth” is the only correct “model for family life.” With assistance from Bill Kelley
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NORTHWEST
NEWS
compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer
BOOKS TO PRISONERS PROJECT SEEKS DONATIONS IN SUPPORT OF 2-FOR-1 MATCHING GRANT THROUGH MARCH 31 www.bookstoprisoners.net
GAY GAMES VIII COLOGNE 2010 SEEKING VISUAL ARTISTS & VOLUNTEERS As part of the Cologne Gay Games this summer, July 31-August 7, artists are invited to discuss and present works based on the topic “movement,” mobility within their inspiration, in their world view, and in their attitudes, for an exhibit titled “Move It!” For complete details, visit www.gamescologne.com and visit the “Culture” and then “Visual Art” pages. Deadline for submission is March 31. The Cologne Gay Games is also seeking volunteers to help with the presentation of the games. Visit the “Take Part” page at www.games-cologne.com for details. TACOMA RAINBOW CENTER COMMUNITY SURVEY 2010 The Tacoma Rainbow Center throughout the month of March is conducting a population survey for LGBTQ people in the general Pierce County area. The survey results will provide a more detailed and comprehensive view of the LGBTQ community in the region. Data from the survey will be used to help get funding for programs aimed at the LGBTQ community, and will have the potential for other positive political and social implications for LGBTQ people. A summary of survey results will be shared. The survey is anonymous and takes about 10 minutes to fill out. The survey can be accessed March 1-31 through a link (“Rainbow Center Community Survey”) at the Tacoma Rainbow Center website, www. rainbowcntr.org, or call the Center, 253-3832318 for other ways to access the survey. “We want the participation of everyone in the community, and we will accommodate participants with no computer access.” WA STATE MS. LEATHER COMPETITION On Friday, March 26, starting at 7 p.m., The Cuff Complex, 1533 13th Ave., at E. Pine St., hosts the Washington State Ms. Leather Competition. SEATTLE GAY FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE SPRING GAMES Seattle Gay Flag Football League seeks players of all skill levels for weekly Saturday practices and games. Games are currently scheduled for Saturdays March 27 at 9 a.m. at Lower Woodland Park #2, N. 50th St. & Stone Way N., and April 3 at 3 p.m. at Georgetown Playfield, S. Homer St. & Corson Ave. S. Practices and games are open to spectators. There will be a summer break with pick-up games scheduled during the summer. League practice and play will return in the fall. For more information, contact Manager Rich at atlasrich@hotmail. com or join the Seattle Gay Flag Football League group on Facebook. “BEST OF THE NORTHWEST” JURIED ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW On Saturday, March 27, and Sunday, March 28, the Spring “Best of the Northwest” show will be held at Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The juried show will feature work for sale by over 110 regional artists working in every medium - wood, glass, ceramic, metal, fine painting, garden art, beautiful artist-designed clothing and jewelry. $5-online; $7 at the door. www.nwartalliance.com
Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Microsoft Auditorium, Level 1. Lithuanian, Estonian and Latvian dancers and singers will perform traditional folk songs in native costumes. The program is FREE and open to the public. No registration is required. Parking will be available in the Central Library garage for a $5 special event rate. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. VELOCITY DANCE CENTER RELOCATION CELEBRATION On Saturday, March 27, at 5:30 p.m., Velocity Dance Center will launch their relocation celebration with a Victory Parade from the OddFellows Building, 915 E. Pine St. (their former home) to 1621 12th Ave. (their new home). The parade will feature a marching band, a moped gang, surprise performers, contingents of dance companies and partner arts organizations, plus Mayor Mike McGinn. At 6 p.m., dance supporters and civic luminaries will christen Velocity’s new home with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 1621 12th Ave. From 7-11 p.m., Velocity will host a Three Ring Circus Party featuring Airpocalypse, secret dance performances, Merce Cunningham duo, DJs from Mad Rad, food and drinks. All events are FREE and all-ages. From Sunday, March 28-Saturday, April 3, enjoy the full line-up of Velocity’s ongoing classes in modern dance, ballet, yoga, hiphop, West African, breakdancing and more at no charge. The FREE classes are open to students 16 and older. There will also be Benefit Master Classes ($20 per class) on Saturday, April 3, and Sunday, April 4, in Intermediate and Advanced Modern and Ballet, with all proceeds to the Velocity Forever Capital Campaign. Velocity is also offering their beautiful new studios to artists at no cost all week on a first-come, first served basis (10 hours maximum per artist). SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS’ “OLÉ!, OLÉ!, OLÉ!” SPRING CONCERT DEBUTS IN EDMONDS On Saturday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m., the Seattle Men’s Chorus debuts their spring concert, “Ole!, Ole!, Ole!,” at the Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N., Edmonds. (See note below for additional performance dates and venues.) Don’t miss this HOT retrospective of the sounds and flavors of Latin America and Spain. The Seattle Men’s Chorus will serenade you wtih zarzuelas of Spanish opera, tangos of Argentina and salsas of Brazil and Cuba. Dance the night away with the greatest hits of famous contemporary Latino vocal artists: Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loce,” Jenifer Lopez’s “Let’s Get Loud,” Selena’s “Como la Flor,” Julio Inglesias’ “Un Hombre Solo,” and Gloria Estefan’s “Conga.” Tickets are $30-$35, $15 youth (17 and under). 425-275-9595; www. ec4arts.org. Additional performances are Saturday, April 10 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, April 11 at 2 p.m. at McCaw Hall in Seattle; Saturday, April 17 at 7 p.m. at the Admiral Theatre in Bremerton; Saturday, May 1, at 2 p.m. at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia. www.flyinghouse.org.
SEATTLE ECSA OPEN & WOMEN’S LEAGUES SEEKING SOFTBALL PLAYERS FOR UPCOMING SEASON The Emerald City Softball Association’s Open League for Gay and non-Gay men and women is seeking new players for their Spring 2010 season. To get involved visit www.emeraldcitysoftball.org and sign up on the ECSA Open League “New Player Matchmaker” roster. “THE BALTIC RITES OF SPRING” The Emerald City Softball Association’s AT SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY Women’s League for Gay and non-Gay Celebrate the passage of the seasons with women only is hosting a Play Day on Suntraditional Baltic dancers and singers on day, March 28, from 9:30 a.m.-noon, for Saturday, March 27, from 2-4 p.m., at the players who are looking to be picked up on a 8
Seattle Gay News
March 26, 2010
on local politics with Seattle City Councilmember Sally Clark, Washington State Senator Joe McDermott, and Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen. C.R. Douglas, host of Seattle Channel’s “City Inside/Out,” will be the moderator. The event will be held at the 5th Avenue Theatre’s SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN BOOK CLUB AT DUNSHEE HOUSE Producer’s Club Lounge, 1308 5th Ave. The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club Suggested donation is $15. Seattle PFLAG meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Dun- Help Line – 206-325-7724; www.seattleshee House, 303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas pflag.org. St. Titles to be discussed are: March – The GAY CITY: VOLUME 3 Pure and the Impure by Colette; April – REPULPED – The Last of the Wine by Mary Renault. All CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS GLBTQ folks in the community are welLurid covers, sensational titles, scandalcome to participate in this free book club. For more information, email nickdimartin@ ous storylines: the books of Gay pulp were earthlink.net or contact Dunshee House at denounced and sometimes even banned, but they also informed and delighted readers. 206-322-2437. Gay City Anthologies is currently seeking fiction, poetry, art, comics and photography RAINBOW CITY BAND that revisits, renews, reacts, reshapes and MARCHING SEASON reinterprets the Gay pulp genre of the ‘50s KICK-OFF REHEARSAL & and ‘60s. Don’t just imitate the genre; raise INFORMAL COMMUNITY the bar as far as you can and make it relevant GATHERING On Tuesday, March 30, the Rainbow to modern issues. Happy endings are not City Band will kick off their first rehearsal always required, but the work must reclaim of the season, from 7-9 p.m., at the Wedg- positive representations of Gay people and wood Community Church, 8102 30th Ave. culture. Despite pulp’s sometimes pornoNE. New or prospective band members are graphic roots, we are not looking for erotica encouraged to join the non-audition band at at this time unless it has something unique and very literary to say. Deadline is Thursthis rehearsal. On Wednesday, March 31, the Rainbow day, April 1. For complete details, visit City Band will host an informal gathering, www.gaycity.org Each Gay City anthology supports the from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Broadway Grill, 314 Broadway E. Members of the band, Gay City Health Project mission of reducincluding members of its color guard, spin- ing HIV infection by building community, OUT, will be available to answer questions communication and self-esteem among Gay about the band and its 2010 rehearsals and men. As always, you DO NOT have to be either male or Gay to contribute. performances. Rainbow City Band is one of the largest SEATTLE QUAKE RUGBY and most active LGBT bands in the counHOME GAME try. Contact the band at rainbowcityband@ The Seattle Quake Rugby hosts their final onebox.com, 866-841-9139 ext 2126, www. home game this season on Saturday, April 3 rainbowcityband.com. (vs. Corvallis) at Magnuson Park, Field #5, 7400 Sand Point Way NE. Kickoff at 1 p.m. “BIG BAIL OUT” www.quakerugby.org. FUNDRAISER FOR RISE ‘N’ SHINE KNIGHTS OF MANTRA’S On Wednesday, March 31, from 3-8 p.m., SIR GUY 2010 CONTEST Rise ‘n’ Shine will be raising money at The On Saturday, April 3, door at 6 p.m., conBroadway Grill, 314 Broadway E., to send children and teens affected by HIV/AIDS to test at 7 p.m., join the Knights of Mantra at camp. Participating teams will be “jailed” The Cuff Complex, 1533 13th Ave. at E. at the Broadway Grill and will be soliciting Pine St., for the Sir Guy 2010 men’s leather “bail” donations to benefit Rise ‘n’ Shine’s title contest, with silent auction and 50/50 programs to provide emotional support and raffle fundraisers and leather fantasy. $5 doadvocacy to children and teens affected by nation at the door. www.JetChapterKofM. HIV/AIDS. Drop by The Broadway Grill com. and support this worthy cause. www.risenTHREE DOLLAR BILL shine.org. CINEMA PRESENTS “INNOCENCE LOST” PETERSON TOSCANO SPRING FILM SERIES ONSTAGE AT Three Dollar Bill Cinema presents four UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND On Wednesday, March 31, at 7 p.m., Pe- not-to-be-missed Queer film classics in terson Toscano, playwright, actor, come- April at the Northwest Film Forum, 1515 dian, and Gay activist, will be performing 12th Ave. The series begins on Saturday, April 3, his play, Transfigurations, Transgressing Gender in the Bible, in Schneebeck Concert with Fortune and Men’s Eyes (1971). In Hall, University of Puget Sound, in Tacoma. the isolated world of a men’s prison, sex The one-person play explores the lives of is currency, power and the only escape. A Transgender individuals using stories from baby-faced new inmate learns all of this the Hebrew and Christian scriptures in a and more – the hard way – in this gritty and controversial performance that has been de- often graphic drama. This film features a must-see performance by Michael Greer as scribed as funny, moving, and insightful. Toscano uses comedy and storytelling to “Queenie.” The series continues on Thursday, April address social justice concerns. As a young man, impelled in part by his Christian be- 8 with Chastity (1969), on Saturday, April liefs, he rejected his same-sex orientation 17 with Mädchen in Uniform (1958), and on and spent 17 years and more than $30,000 Thursday, April 22 with Score (1974). Tickets are $9 for Three Dollar Bill Cinattempting to change and suppress his sexual identity. He eventually came out as ema members and $9.99 for general audia Gay man in 1999. Believing that Gay re- ence. The Innocence Lost Series Pass which parative therapy was damaging to his own includes all four films in $30. www.threedollarbillcinema.org. life, Toscano has since sought to raise public awareness about the harm that can come “WE’VE GOT FRIENDS from trying to change one’s sexuality and ‘ROUND HERE” – gender differences. Since 2003 he has travCAMP TEN TREES’ eled in North America, Europe, and Africa DINNER & AUCTION performing and writing plays that explore FUNDRAISER sexism, racism, the environment, violence, Come celebrate the first 10 years of Camp and gender. Tickets are FREE for UPS students, fac- Ten Trees on Saturday, April 10, at the 10th ulty and staff; $5 general admission. www. Annual Camp Ten Trees Dinner and Auction at the Westin Cascade Ballroom, 1900 pugetsound.edu. Fifth Ave., starting at 6 p.m. Enjoy dinner, fabulous auction and entertainment. Tickets: “PFLAG PRESENTS” – $90-individual; $125-VIP. Get your tickets LOCAL POLITICS On Wednesday, March 31, from 7-9 p.m., by April 3 at www.camptentrees.org. Camp Seattle Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Ten Trees is a summer camp for LGBT kids Gays (PFLAG) presents a panel discussion and children of LGBT parents. team. Players will run through three drills – hitting, fielding and throwing. The Play Day will be held at Lower Woodland #5, off N. 50th St. & Greenlake Way N. www.eteamz. com/womensecsa.
Celebrating 37 Years!
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Celebrating 37 Years!
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Celebrating 37 Years!
Thy Health Is Not For Sale (USA 2010) by Alexey Timbul-Bulokhov (Russia) Dearest American friends, Some among you express concern and confusion about the state of health care and the reform’s hypothetical impact upon abstract constructs such as political power, economic progress, religious rights. There is nothing political in the efforts of a broken bone to regain its ability to give support; No economics in the way cancer spreads throughout your neighbor’s body undetected; Nothing of any religion in a drop of your loved one’s blood spilled at the scene of an accident or a crime. Your own health and wellness of your community are ancient inseparable matters, A balanced state of being that predates myopic ideals of this so-called-democracy by forever. Do not be swayed by the rhetoric of capitalism for it triumphs on a premise logical to itself only. Turn to nature... Do waves forecast profits from the wind’s desire to fill all sails with power to reach home? Do flowers commission feasibility studies of the sun so as to reimburse its warmth with their fragrance? Does your heart count its beats so its capacity for love can be measured in the next progress report? Turn to science... Does a ray of light map in advance its path so as to predetermine efficacy of illumination? Do atoms cross-reference their credit ratings prior to forming objects and phenomena so diverse? Is there a formula for a raindrop’s success rate as it commits to water’s endless cycles? Turn to the sacred... Do ancestors see their descendants as a target demographic and guidance as marketable service? Do the faithful undertake the cost-benefit analysis of a miracle before turning to prayer for mercy and healing? What have ever asked their messengers, gatekeepers, or saints, “Can you afford your fate?” Turn to your selves, each other and those chosen to represent you best... Ask why should your body’s health and wellness of your community continue to be valued only as commodities exchanging gamblers’ hands? Do right. Be well. Sincerely, your many friends near and far. This poem was written for the 2010 Common Folk Series hosted by One Common Unity in Washington, DC. www.onecommonunity.org
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TALENTED DENTIST IN SEARCH OF . . . Highly skilled, very sensitive dentist located in the Madison Park neighborhood of Seattle is looking for patients who would appreciate being pampered and respected. If you are looking for a dentist who will listen to you, never judge or put you down and will always be there for you then please respond. I love all aspects of general dentistry including cosmetic dentistry, periodontal teeth cleanings, implants (dental implants, of course) and SEDATION dentistry. I am one of only 1% of dentists qualified to administer “Sedation Dentistry” in the entire country. I am open to having you come in for a complete examination or we could just meet for a short chat to get to know each other a little better first if you prefer. Just give me a call at (206) 323-7877 or visit me on-line at seattlesbestsmiles.com. Who knows, it might just be the perfect fit. Visit us online www.sgn.org
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Celebrating 37 Years!
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New Jersey Gay marriage Gays protest battle back in court Romney appearance Advocates for same-sex marriage are taking their case back to the New Jersey Supreme Court. On March 18, Lambda Legal filed a motion with the Garden State’s highest court arguing that the state constitution requires granting marriage rights to samesex couples. “We are here today to ask the New Jersey Supreme Court to make equality real,” said Hayley Gorenberg, Lambda Legal’s deputy legal director. Lambda Legal filed the motion on behalf of six New Jersey same-sex couples who first brought a lawsuit in 2002, seeking the right to marry. On the one hand, the case is similar to those heard in California, Iowa, Massachusetts and Connecticut. However, according to Lambda Legal, this case has a helpful twist: The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in 2006 that same-sex couples are entitled to the same rights as heterosexual couples. This decision, however, left the form which these rights would take up to the Legislature, who decided civil unions would suffice. Four years later, same-sex marriage advocates argue that civil unions provide unequal benefits, are misunderstood, and amount to separate and unequal rights. In 2006, when the Legislature responded to the ruling by expanding their civil unions
to include “all the rights” of marriage, they set up a Civil Unions Review Commission. The Commission’s report, released in 2008, documented how the law wasn’t working. Still, in January 2010, the New Jersey State Senate declined to pass marriage equality – resulting in the pending court case by Lambda Legal. Gay advocates say that Gays in New Jersey who apply for a job or get called for jury service must inadvertently “out” themselves when asked the question “Are you married?” because to say they are “domestic partnered” exposes their sexual orientation. Lambda Legal says that, as a direct result, some have faced discrimination. In another example, Gay advocates say that many couples in civil unions have had a harder time getting hospitals to grant them emergency room visitation rights or add their partner to their health insurance plan. While it may be true that there are a lot of similarities between traditional marriage and civil unions, the clearest distinction between the two is that the latter doesn’t exist at the federal level. A state can create civil unions that include all the rights that married couples have under state law – but it would have no effect on Social Security benefits, immigration rights or federal tax benefits. In every case, in every state of our Union, a state can’t do anything about it – because federal law under the Defense of Marriage Act stands in the way.
rex wockner
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
Protestors outside a Morman bookstore in La Jolla, California
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer A dozen Gay people protested an appearance by Mitt Romney at a Mormon bookstore in La Jolla, Calif., on March 22. They said Romney should apologize for Mormons’ having donated “$30 million” to the campaign that led to the passage of Proposition 8, which re-banned same-sex marriage in California in 2008. “As a national political leader and influential member of the Mormon Church, Mitt Romney could persuade church leaders to end their 15 years of active involvement and massive financial support to oppose equal rights for Gay and Lesbian Americans,” said
Californians Against Hate, which organized the demonstration. The protest took place outside a mall that houses the Deseret Book Company, where Romney signed copies of his new book, No Apology: The Case for American Greatness. News reporters and photographers were not allowed inside the store. News photographers were instructed to take their pictures through the windows. Several hundred people waited in line to meet the former Massachusetts governor and 2008 presidential candidate. Romney is considered a front-runner for the Republican nomination in the 2012 presidential election.
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Celebrating 37 Years!
Medicaid and Social Security changes urged to help Gay seniors by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
want to have that discussion about how you make sure people have access to those kinds of benefits,” said Tom Nelson, chief operatA new report endorsed by mainstream ag- ing officer of AARP. Nelson said that the AARP wants to see ing groups says Gay senior citizens face disthe “needs of LGBT seniors discussed and heartening social and financial problems. The report, prepared by Services and Ad- met.” “We don’t want to see discrimination in vocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE), endorsed care facilities,” he said. “This reby the AARP and the American port should help people to “This Society on Aging, says that start thinking about all LGBT senior citizens is the first time the dimensions that face myriad social and financial probthat the heavyweights of need to be addressed in the LGBT comlems, and lawmakers could help them the aging network are really munity.” Official estimates by altering Social embracing a comprehensive point to a national Security and MedicLGBT senior citizen aid rules. look at the needs of LGBT population of 3 million, “This is the first time older adults.” expected to grow to at least that the heavyweights of 4 million in the next decade. the aging network are really Serena Worthington, director of the embracing a comprehensive look at the needs of LGBT older adults,” said Michael SAGE program in Chicago, said she rouAdams, executive director of SAGE. “We tinely saw seniors who felt socially isolated. know there are anywhere from 2 to 3 million Some, she said, have never come out of the LGBT seniors in this country. We’re talking closet. Others were out, but then moved into about a very significant portion of the older a nursing home and thought they had to hide their sexual identity. population in this country.” “If you were coming of age when it was The SAGE report highlights three key areas: financial security, health care and social illegal or immoral to be Gay or Lesbian, you could be considered mentally ill,” she said. support services. In its conclusion, the report calls on fed- “And now you picture seniors walking into eral and state lawmakers to consider ways to senior centers still holding that fear of rejeclegally recognize same-sex relationships so tion. Many LGBT seniors are just not acaging partners in a committed relationship cessing social services, and so they become can have access to the same support systems increasingly isolated.” According to Worthington, for same-sex that benefit heterosexual seniors – which include Social Security survivor benefits couples, if one person needs to spend assets and the rights of same-sex partners to make to qualify for Medicaid to pay for long-term care, the healthy partner can often be left medical decisions for each other. “Whether it’s in an institution where without money or a place to live. For hetsomeone’s receiving care or whether it’s erosexual couples, there are Medicaid exsome of the fundamental building blocks of emptions that keep a healthy partner out of retirement security like Social Security, we poverty.
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for New York Governor David Paterson, contacted SGN to tell his story about a policy that he says “should have never been enacted.” Yacobellis, who was born in Queens but grew up on Long Island, says it is important to note that at the time he entered the service he had not yet fully come out as a Gay man, and he remained very confused about his feelings. According to Yacobellis, in the year prior to his enlistment, he’d become a “born again” Christian and was taught by
his church that he had demonic spirits corrupting his soul. “On one occasion, I was brought to the alter and many of the church members laid their hands on me, praying and speaking in tongues with the goal of ‘curing’ me,” he told SGN. “I was 17, young, and at the time homosexuality was far less accepted and understood than it is today. This understandably made me very confused and scared.” He said that the loose acceptance of a possibility that he could be “cured” was “probably one of many reasons I pursued a career in the military.” Although the stressful situation he experienced as a teen happened over 12 years ago, certain things stand out in his memory,
like going through the medical examination and evaluation at his Military Processing Entrance Station at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn. “I remember listening to tapes describing homosexuality and homosexual conduct and then having to sign some forms acknowledging that I received and understood the information,” he told SGN. “I remember the recordings and paperwork reiterating that there would be consequences for disclosure of homosexuality or engaging in homosexual behavior which, at the time, seemed very broadly defined.” “I suppose I hoped that the strictly heterosexual environment would “help.” I soon realized, being in an all-male unit, that my same-sex attraction was very real, and not going to go away,” he admits. “I knew that I could easily comply with rules against engaging in intimacy that exist for everyone in basic training. But what was becoming clearer was what life would be like after basic training.” Yacobellis says he realized that after basic training, other airmen would be allowed to have intimate relationships and he wouldn’t be able to have one with another male without living under the fear and shame of a DADT discharge. “I ultimately decided to disclose my feelings to a chaplain, who then encouraged me to tell my superiors,” he recalls. “I was encouraged by lawyers to state only that I was Bisexual, even though today I am openly a homosexual.” He told SGN that at that time, “I felt samesex attraction, but wasn’t ready to rule out opposite-sex attraction – especially in a letter that would be part of a permanent military record. I was scared and worried about all sorts of possible lingering consequences.” Once he had disclosed his sexuality, Yacobellis says he was accused of lying and held in a room for a couple of hours while his superiors decided what to do with him. “I remember being screamed at by my training instructor [T.I.], accused of lying and deceiving,” he told SGN. “I was told by my T.I. that this discharge on my record would prohibit me from being successful in life and that I wouldn’t be able to get a job anywhere.” Yacobellis says he was then pulled from his unit and placed in a unit with people who were being discharged because of physical conditions and mental disorders. He then had to continue with training in this special
unit alongside the other unit that he had been taken out of. “I felt embarrassed, ridiculed, and inferior,” he said. “Maybe I’m just cynical, but I can’t help but feel like this was all some sort of malicious retaliation.” For Yacobellis and others who have been discharged from the military under DADT, the fallout after they leave the service is not easy to endure. He told SGN that he was struggling with his “parents and the world.” The pain, he recalls, was fresh, and he felt like abandoning his faith as his dreams of a career in the Air Force came to an end. “I share this story, and a lot of these painful details, now because I see us at a point in America where this policy can finally be thrown out and so other people like me won’t have to go through this,” Yacobellis said. “I believe that President Obama, who has said he intends to see this law repealed, needs to take a more active and engaged role in seeing it through.” Yacobellis told SGN, “The law to repeal this policy can and should be passed now with a fair timeline built in that allows military leadership to carefully execute the implementation of the repeal. Any other courses of action are just delaying tactics intended to push a controversial issue into the future to avoid current election-year fallout. Where is the courage?” Currently, with the DADT discharge behind him, Yacobellis is happy to report that the Air Force T.I. who told him he’d never get hired anywhere was mistaken. Since leaving military service, he’s backpacked through Southeast Asia, lived in Australia, taken up politics and worked for Hillary Clinton when she was a New York senator, and is currently working as deputy director of administration for Gov. Paterson. “I scored high on the ASVAB [military entrance exam] and I remember being so excited to pursue a career in the Air Force. My uncle was a retired major who had taken me to Andrews Air Force Base when I was younger to see Air Force One, and I remember dreaming about working on it,” Yacobellis continued, “and while I acknowledge that it was my own disclosure of my sexuality that led to my being discharged, I feel strongly that the military should be an environment where servicemembers can serve openly and honestly. I feel I’m smart and talented and would have been a valuable addition to the service had it been a place where I could exist as a homosexual man. I wasn’t willing to live a lie. The time to repeal this policy is now.”
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Seattle Gay News 17
mckenna
continued from page 4 to consult with them,” she added. “And he has failed. And if he had consulted with any one of us, we would be clear about what the benefits were to the people of Washington state, and that his attempt to undermine that benefit is just wrong.” The issue of exactly who McKenna did consult prior to joining the other attorneys general in their suit is also at the heart of Pelz’s public records request. The document, filed with the attorney general’s office on March 23, demands “all documents relating in any way to your decision to join in bringing or threatening a lawsuit challenging some or all of the historic health care legislation approved by the House of Representatives on March 21, 2010.” “The public has a right to know whether McKenna generated this idea himself or whether he is acting on behalf of the National Republican Party or the Insurance Industry,” Pelz said in a statement. “We need to know more about his communication with the Southern attorneys general and the Florida-based Republican law firm that has been hired to spearhead this effort.” Lawsuit not likely to succeed McKenna has acknowledged that the suit probably will not succeed in blocking health care reform. In any case, the provisions the suit targets will not take effect until 2014. “This is a 2,200-page bill. One lawsuit, even if it’s successful on those specific issues, doesn’t stop the whole program from moving forward,” McKenna said. McKenna’s legal arguments are based on the 10th Amendment and the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The Commerce Clause – Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution – gives
Congress the power “To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes….” Historically, the federal government has used its power over interstate commerce to regulate industries like banking and investments, to establish quality standards for meat and other commodities, and to set safety standards for automobiles and other manufactured items. It is not immediately clear why the insurance industry could not also fall under federal regulation. Members of Congress certainly believe the Commerce Clause empowers them to regulate health insurance. “Of course it does!” Seattle Congressman Jim McDermott (D-7) exclaimed when asked by SGN. “We’ve given insurance regulation to the states, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take it back, that doesn’t mean we can’t impose some requirements.” Politics McDermott, a psychiatrist who has been one of the leading advocates of health care reform, spoke derisively about McKenna’s action. “It’s about the silliest thing I’ve ever seen,” McDermott said. “The ink is not dry on the bill, and he’s already decided it’s not good for people.” “He wants to solidify his base on the right before he runs for governor, but he hasn’t thought this through politically,” McDermott added. McKenna has been mentioned as a possible Republican candidate for governor in 2012. “If McKenna wants to run for governor of this state by advocating the radical teabaggers’ agenda, I say, ‘good luck with that,’” said Washington State Labor Council President Rick Bender. “But do not force Washington taxpayers to finance that campaign with this partisan political lawsuit.”
health care continued from cover
other medication costs. • Young people may be covered by their parents’ policies up to age 26. • Small businesses will get tax credits to help them provide insurance for their employees. On the other hand, some provisions of the original House bill that dealt specifically with LGBT issues were not passed by the Senate and have been dropped from the final version of the bill passed March 21. The new ban on excluding pre-existing conditions prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to people with HIV/ AIDS, among other conditions. Previously, insurance providers could refuse to cover applicants if they were ill at the time they wanted to buy insurance, or they could refuse to pay for treatment for specific illnesses that they deemed to be “pre-existing.” A related provision forbids the practice known in the insurance industry as “rescission.” In other words, insurance companies may no longer cancel the policies of people with chronic illnesses. One of the main complaints against the U.S. insurance industry has been that companies try to save themselves money by canceling the policies of chronically ill patients who require expensive long-term care. The new ban on rescission would obviously benefit people living with HIV/AIDS, but also people with diabetes, lupus, liver or kidney disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, or other illnesses requiring protracted treatment. Another provision of interest to patients with chronic or recurring illnesses is the new ban on payment caps. Previously, insurance companies were allowed to limit the amount of money they were required to pay out over the lifetime of their policyholders. That meant that patients with long-term illnesses faced the grim choice of taking on huge out-of-pocket expenses every year, or running out of insurance coverage at some point. Now, insurance companies will be required to continue payments to their policyholders, no matter how long they require treatment or how expensive the treatments end up being. The new legislation also deals with costs accrued by AIDS Drug Assistance Programs.
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Previously, patients who qualified for Medicare assistance with HIV/AIDS drugs might still be subjected to charges for other prescription drugs. Now they will be spared additional costs for prescription medication. Young LGBT people between 21 and 26 years of age who still maintain relations with their families can now benefit from their parents’ insurance policies. Previously, children could be covered by their parents’ policies only up to the age of 21. This provision, plus the one offering tax credits to small businesses to enable them to provide group coverage to their employees, should increase the number of LGBT people – particularly young workers – who have health coverage. While older LGBT workers may be employed in workplaces where health insurance is part of the compensation package, many young LGBT people find work in small businesses which previously could not afford to provide insurance for their employees. Now they can be covered by their parents or by employers who benefit from new tax credits. Absent a single-payer system, or even a “public option” that could compete with private insurance plans, private group plans subsidized by tax credits may be the best method of providing affordable coverage for the largest number of people. Not all LGBT-friendly provisions made it into the final bill, however. The Tax Equity for Health Plan Beneficiaries Act – which would have eliminated the federal income and payroll taxes that are currently imposed on health care benefits provided to domestic partners – was part of the original House bill, but did not survive into the version passed on March 21. Currently, health care benefits provided to same-sex domestic partners are taxable as extra income, but benefits for married spouses are not. Even same-sex couples who have been married in a state where it is legal must pay the extra federal taxes because DOMA prevents the federal government from recognizing those marriages. The proposed legislation was intended to correct the inequity in tax law, although it would have no effect on DOMA. The measure’s author, Seattle Democrat Jim McDermott, promised to re-introduce it in some form. “You just have to be watchful and look for the right opportunity to re-introduce it,” he told SGN. “The business community wants it. Everybody wants it. I didn’t find anybody on the [Income Security and Family Support] committee who didn’t want it.” Another provision that failed to make it into the final bill was LGBT data inclusion, sponsored by Rep. Tammy Baldwin (DWis.). That measure would have required collection and reporting of data specifically documenting LGBT health issues.
was going to be a spokeswoman for DADT, I wondered about that. I have great respect for her as an advocate. But if HRC thinks that having a rally at Freedom Plaza with a comedienne is the right approach, I have to wonder,” Choi told Newsweek in a March 22 interview. “DADT is not a joking matter to me. To be at Freedom Plaza and not at the White House or Congress? Who are they trying to influence? I felt like they were just trying to speak to themselves. If that’s the best the lobbying groups and HRC can do, then I don’t know how these powerful groups are supposed to represent our community.” Choi says Kathy Griffin and Solmonese said they would march with him to the
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White House, but didn’t. “I feel so betrayed by them,” he said. Choi and Pietrangelo led a demonstration to the White House and chained themselves to the fence until U.S. Park Police arrested them. “When you get arrested, it’s difficult because your hands are restrained and the movement is a little bit stymied or halted on the physical level. But it’s my hope that the larger movement, even with the chains on, can do nothing but grow to the point where it cannot be controlled by anything but the freeing and that dignified expression of getting arrested for what you know is absolutely morally right,” Choi said. “There was no freer moment than being in that prison.” It was freeing, said Choi, because “I thought of all of the other people that were still trapped, that were still handcuffed and fettered in their hearts.” He said that he and Pietrangelo may have been caught physically, but the message was very clear to all people who think that equality can be purchased with a donation, with a cocktail party, or with tokens. “We are worth more than tokens,” Choi said. “We have absolute value, and when the person who is oppressed by his own country wants to find out how to get that dignity back – being chained up and arrested – that’s how you get your dignity conferred back upon you.” Choi is an Arabic linguist and a West Point graduate. He was recommended for discharge last year after announcing he was Gay on national TV, although he has not yet been discharged from military service. In the past year, Choi has become the country’s most outspoken advocate for a DADT repeal. Pietrangelo, now a lawyer, was discharged under DADT for being Gay in 2004. Under the current law, Gay and Lesbian soldiers must keep their sexual orientation a secret. They can be discharged if they reveal it – or if someone else does. Senate hearings on a repeal began last month and are expected to take at least one year. Choi believes that a one-year timetable is unacceptable and says he’s angry that Congress, the Obama administration, and national LGBT advocacy organizations (such as HRC) aren’t doing enough to make the repeal a reality. “Within the Gay community, so many leaders want acceptance from polite society,” he told Newsweek. “I think there’s
been a betrayal of what is down inside of us in order to achieve what looks popular, what looks enviable.” Choi said the Gay movement seems to be centered around how to “become elite.” “There is a deep schism [in the Gay-rights movement] – everyone knows this,” he said. “But this shouldn’t be about which group has better branding. There is a tremor right now in every Gay and Transgender youth that these groups are not grasping. I would say to them, you do not represent us if all you are looking for is a ladder into elite society.” Choi announced that he is not done protesting. “We’re going to do it again,” he said. “We are going to keep doing it until the promises are manifest. And we will not stop. This is a very clear message to President Obama and any other leader who supposes to talk for the American promise and the American people: We will not go away.”
dadt
continued from cover tiate a DADT investigation (e.g., discouraging the use of hearsay and overheard statements, and all testimony must be given under oath) • Revise what constitutes a reliable person upon whose statements a DADT investigation can be launched (e.g., disregarding a third party who might be motivated to harm the accused servicemember) • Allow servicemembers to honestly discuss their sexual orientation in certain settings, including on health records and safety clearance applications, and with doctors, mental health therapists, lawyers, and members of clergy without repercussions.
SUPPORT FROM DISCHARGED SERVICEMEMBERS, NGLTF, HRC Support for the new regulations has echoed from many major organizations – though most well-wishes carry the caveat that the eased enforcement should not be viewed as a replacement for a repeal of DADT. “These changes are by no means a substitute for full legislative repeal of the law this year, but they are certainly a good start,” said Alexander Nicholson, former U.S. Army interrogator discharged under DADT and current executive director of Servicemembers United. Nicholson called the new regulations “a solid first step.” “It’s going to stop the most vile aspects of the law,” said Mike Almy, a former Air Force major who was discharged in 2006 for being Gay. However, “it’s not a substitute for full repeal, which has to come from Congress.” Almy believes he would still have his job had his case been reviewed under this week’s revised rules. “While this announcement today by Sec-
retary Gates is welcomed, it still falls painfully short of the real, substantive action that is needed to put an end to the immoral and unnecessary ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy once and for all,” said a statement by Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. “Just last week, more former military personnel stepped forth to testify before Congress about the damage caused by this unjust and archaic policy. … How many more of these stories must Congress hear before it takes action to end this discrimination against courageous and qualified people who are willing and proud to serve their country?” “The time is now to end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” Carey concluded. “These new regulations are a positive step toward repeal of the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law this year,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Congress must continue to move forward. … There is no reason for Congress to wait for the details on implementation when Secretary Gates and the president have made it clear that this law should be repealed.”
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Seattle Gay News 19
One out of four Republicans says Obama is the Antichrist by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
A new Harris survey finds that 24% of Republicans – nearly one out of four – believe that President Obama is the Antichrist. Seriously. The poll surveyed 2,230 adults right at the height of the health care reform debate, between March 1 and March 8 this year. The purpose was to compare attitudes of selfidentified Republicans to those of Americans as a whole. Released on March 24, the poll found remarkable differences between Republicans and their neighbors. Sixty-seven percent of Republicans – compared to 40% of Americans overall – believe that Obama is a socialist. Fifty-seven percent of Republicans – compared to 32% overall – believe that Obama is a Muslim. Forty-five percent of Republicans – compared to 25% overall – agree with the Birthers in their belief that Obama was “not born in the United States and so is not eli-
gible to be president.” Thirty-eight percent of Republicans – compared to 20% overall – say that Obama is “doing many of the things that Hitler did.” And 24% of Republicans – but only 14% of Americans overall – say that Obama “may be the Antichrist.” Not surprisingly, the responses correlated very strongly with the education level of the respondents. Forty-five percent of those with no college believe that Obama is a socialist, compared with 20% of those with post-graduate education. Forty-three percent of those with no college believe the president is a Muslim, as opposed to only 9% of those with post-graduate education. The “Birther” argument – “he was not born in the U.S. so is not eligible to be president” – got agreement from 32% of those with no college, but only 7% of those with post-graduate education. Twenty-seven percent of those with no college agree that Obama is “anti-Ameri-
can.” Only 9% of those with post-graduate education agree. Curiously enough, a previous Harris poll released February 21, 2009, found Obama out-polling Jesus in popularity. Taken in Obama’s “honeymoon” period just after his inauguration, the poll showed that the new president was the most popular figure in the country, followed by Jesus and Martin Luther King, Jr. That earlier survey had 2,634 participants. Harris Interactive warns that their samples are self-selecting – respondents sign up to be polled online – so no “margin of error” can be calculated. Samples are weighted to reflect the demographics of the whole adult population of the U.S.
tea party
continued from cover a reporter that as he left the Cannon House Office Building with civil rights movement hero Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), Tea Party protestors chanted “the N-word, the Nword, 15 times.” Both Carson and Lewis are African American. “It was like going into the time machine with John Lewis,” said Carson. A former police officer, Carson said he wasn’t frightened, but he was worried about the 70-year-old Lewis, who is twice his age. “He said it reminded him of another time,” Carson told reporters. Kristie Greco, spokesperson for Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), said a tea bagger spit on African American Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.). Clyburn, who led fellow African American students in integrating South Carolina’s public facilities a half century ago, called
the behavior “absolutely shocking.” “I heard people saying things today that I have not heard since March 15, 1960, when I was marching to try to get off the back of the bus,” Clyburn told reporters. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX) told colleagues he was called a “wetback” by Tea Party protestors at a town meeting earlier in the week. Rodriguez’s spokesperson Rebeca Chapa told reporters that another tea bagger phoned Rodriguez’s home and told a family member to “go back to Mexico.” Openly Gay Rep. Barney Frank (DMass.) said protesters shouted “abusive things” at him as he walked from one House office building to another. As Frank left the Longworth Building, a protestor yelled, “Barney, you faggot.” The surrounding crowd of tea baggers then erupted in laughter. “The Republican leadership is making a mistake not doing more to disassociate from this. … It’s a mob mentality that doesn’t work politically,” Frank said. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), who is white and straight, was also harassed by a mob of tea baggers. Reporters said that a group of tea baggers swarmed a very calm-looking Waxman as he got on an elevator in the Longworth Building, with shouts of “Kill the bill! You liar! You crook!” At one point, Capitol Police threatened to throw a group of protestors out of the building, but that only seemed to inflame them more, and apparently none were ejected. During debate on the floor of the House, Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) yelled “Baby killer!” at Rep. Bart Stupak (DMich.), as Stupak explained why he was reversing his opposition to the bill and voting Yes. Stupak had previously opposed the bill because of concerns over federal funding of abortion services, but an executive order signed by President Obama reassured him
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March 26, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
that the bill would not pay for abortions. Neugebauer subsequently apologized for the incident, but denied he was referring to Stupak. The day after the bill passed the House, there were reports that windows were smashed in Democratic Party offices in several places – Tucson, Arizona; Wichita, Kansas; and two locations in upstate New York. In Rochester, New York, a brick shattered the glass doors of the Monroe County Democratic Committee headquarters. Attached to the brick was a note that said, “Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice” – a quote from Barry Goldwater’s acceptance speech as the 1964 Republican presi-
dential nominee. A former Alabama militia leader has taken credit for instigating the vandalism. Mike Vanderboegh of Pinson, Alabama, former head of the Alabama Constitutional Militia, called for “modern Sons of Liberty” to break the windows of Democratic Party offices nationwide in opposition to health care reform. “We can break their windows,” Vanderboegh said in a blog posting. “Break them NOW. And if we do a proper job, if we break the windows of hundreds, thousands, of Democrat party headquarters across this country, we might just wake up enough of them to make defending ourselves at the muzzle of a rifle unnecessary.”
Tea bagger hero Rush Limbaugh fanned the flames on his radio show. “We need to defeat these bastards! We need to wipe them out!” Limbaugh proclaimed on his March 22 show. Meanwhile, other Republicans close to the Tea Party movement tried to minimize the incidents. Rep. John Culberson (R-TX) said that Tea Party protesters had been “polite and respectful.” “I just don’t think it’s anything,” said Rep. Steve King (R-IA), characterizing the incidents as isolated. “There are a lot of places in this country that I couldn’t walk through. I wouldn’t live to get to the other end of it.” At least one Republican member of Con-
gress blamed Democrats for the ugly outbursts. “When you use totalitarian tactics, people, you know, begin to act crazy,” Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) said March 21 on C-SPAN. “I think that people have every right to say what they want. If they want to smear someone, they can do it.” Speaking to reporters on March 20, Barney Frank was defiant. “The only problem I have with this,” Frank said, “They all said ‘You should quit. You should quit. We’re going to defeat you.’ At some point I’d like to retire. As long as I think it might make some of those people happy, I can never retire. I may have to work forever as long as they’re out there.”
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