Celebrating 41 Years! Issue 13 Volume 43
FRIDAY March 27, 2015 FREE!
25¢ in bookstores & newsstands
Don’t miss conversation with Barney Frank
Book signing March 30th 7p.m. @ University Temple United Methodist Church 1415 43rd Street www.brownpapertickets.com/event/920339
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Indiana governor signs Former Seattle LGBTQ Commissioner Trans* activist anti-Gay law, stirs up storm of protest Hill Landon Wolf George Takei calls for boycott, major corporations pull out
accepts internship with Rep. Derek Kilmer’s office
Act” into law on March 26. T h e new law allows Indiana businesses to discriminate against LGBT people in employment and provision of services if they claim a religious motivation for their anti-Gay actions. Pence was surroundIndiana Governor Mike Pence – Darron Cummings/Associated Press ed by ministers, monks, nuns, and at least one Chassidic by Mike Andrew rabbi as he signed the legislation. Later he SGN Staff Writer issued a statement claiming he was not moIndiana Governor Mike Pence signed the so-called “Religious Freedom Restoration
at a previous command whether you want to or not. It’s these kinds of truths that make the Golden Rule such a damn good rule to follow. Because when you do bump into an old friend it makes things a lot more enjoyable if they really are an old pal and not an enemy. Life is lived in a circle. Regardless of how you live, it all comes back around. For U.S. Navy veteran Hill Landon Wolf, at this moment in time, nothing could be truer than those words. Luckily for Hill, the Golden Hill Landon Wolf – Rule was followed and friends outweigh encourtesy of Hill Landon Wolf emies ten to one. by Shaun Knittel On March 23, Hill posted to his FaceSGN Associate Editor book wall, “10 years ago around this time I was preparing my discharge paperwork There’s a saying that many people in the from the Navy. My time spent in the service U.S. Navy have memorized and it goes, “It’s a was the most valuable to me, more than any small world, and an even smaller Navy.” other period in my life. Perplexed by some In other words, you can travel this whole of the socially regressive policies of the miliwide world and as big as it is you will still insee Pence page 6 evitably run into someone you served with see wolf page 4
Show me the money!
Seattle minimum wage law kicks in April 1 by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Seattle’s minimum wage ordinance – which will ultimately raise wages for the city’s lowest-paid workers to $15 per hour – kicks in April 1. The law raises wages in stages. Businesses with 500 or more employees will be required to pay $11 per hour starting April 1, and get to the $15 per hour goal by 2017, or 2018 if the company pays employee medical benefits. Smaller businesses have until 2021 to meet the goal. The law survived an initial legal challenge by the International Franchise Association (IFA), but is still being contested in federal court. Meanwhile, the city’s largest employer, the University of Washington, says it is exempt from the law. Other public institutions – community colleges, Seattle public schools, King County, and the Port of Seattle, for example – may be as well. The ordinance was passed last year, and reflects a compromise between business and labor interests hammered out by a task force appointed by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray.
Indiana HIV epidemic traced to needle-sharing by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Seattle workers will see an increase in pay this April 1st – www.snagajob.com
Franchise owners are actually small businessmen, the IFA’s lawsuit claimed, because each franchisee owns only one, or at most a few locations, and employs far fewer than 500 workers. The City’s attorneys replied that franchise owners get the benefit of corporate advertising campaigns, pre-set business and marketing plans, and discounts on supplies and other merchandise, and should be treated as parts of a large corporation. U.S. District Judge Richard Jones turned down IFA’s request to exempt franchises from the April 1 rollout of the new ordinance. In a March 18 ruling, Jones said the business organization had failed to prove that the law would harm them. Law survives legal challenge “Although the court is sympathetic to One of its provisions stating that franchise operations like McDonald’s, Subway, the concerns of franchisees, the individual and Burger King are classified as “big busi- plaintiffs’ declarations in this matter consist nesses” that must meet the $15 per hour wage goal by 2017, was immediately chalsee wage page 4 lenged by the IFA.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence declared a public health emergency March 25, after HIV cases “reached epidemic proportions” in Scott County, in the southern part of the state. The outbreak was first identified in late January. Since then, officials have diagnosed 79 people with new HIV infections – up from 26 cases just one month ago. The annual average for Scott County is five new HIV cases. “Scott County is facing an epidemic of HIV, but this is not a Scott County problem; this is an Indiana problem,” the governor said. “With additional state resources and new tools provided by this emergency declaration, I am confident that together we will stop this HIV outbreak in its tracks.” State epidemiologist Pam Pontones said almost all of the cases originated from intravenous drug users sharing syringes. A large majority of the victims had shared a needle with an infected person while injecting Opana, a prescription painkiller. Scott County is a poor and largely rural area where needle-sharing by drug users is common, health officials said. In response, Pence authorized local health officials to implement a needle exchange program, a measure he previously opposed.
HIV infections are on the rise due to needlesharing – Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Indiana state lawmaker Ed Clere, like Pence a Republican, said needle exchange legislation was proposed last year but it became stalled in the state’s Senate. “Unfortunately we’re back here, not just with needle exchange as a hypothetical theory, but with a real situation where a needle exchange could make a difference,” he said. State officials said the governor’s emergency declaration provides additional resources for officials to coordinate a response to the “outbreak of HIV that has reached epidemic proportions.” Officials expect the number of infections to rise, and are working to contact as many as 100 other people linked to those with confirmed cases.
2 Seattle Gay News
March 27, 2015
Celebrating 41 Years!
The Islamic State: Prejudice and Power by Jesse Monteagudo SGN Contributing Writer The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIS or ISIL, is an anachronism to those who believe in human progress. It is a throwback to the seventh and eighth centuries, a time when Darul Islam (the House of Islam) was the greatest civilization on earth, outside China. It seeks to resume the “holy wars” of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, when Crusaders and Jihadists fought for control of the Holy Land (now Israel and the Palestinian territories). It is a continuation of a centuries-old Muslim civil war between Sunnis and Shiites. Though friends and foes alike search through the Koran in an attempt to make sense out of it, ISIS is best described by a Roman philosopher who lived seven centuries before Mohammed, Lucretius, who in De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things) spelled out the reason behind ISIS and so many like it: “to so many evils religion has persuaded men.” That the Islamic State does great evil in the name of religion there is no doubt. That it uses its power to promote its prejudices is equally evident. Its goal is world domination. On June 29, 2014 ISIS proclaimed itself to be a worldwide caliphate and named its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as caliph, the first person to hold that title since the fall of the Ottoman Empire (1922). ISIS claims religious, political and military authority over all Muslims everywhere; adding that “the legality of all emirates, groups, states and organizations becomes null by the expansion of the caliphate’s authority and arrival of its troops to their areas.” It took advantage of the Syrian civil war and the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq to seize territory in Syria and Iraq. ISIS also gained the allegiance of the Nigerian
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The group known as ISIS – viralsurvival.com
terrorist group Boko Haram and of western sympathizers who traveled to the Middle East to join the cause. The Islamic State uses modern technology and social media to promote its medieval goals. It carries Muslim ideology to an extreme and threatens dire consequences to those it considers to be apostates or infidels; in other words, the vast majority of the human race. Among ISIS’s crimes against humanity are its violent persecution of religious and ethnic minorities – Jews, Christians, Kurds, Assyrians, Yazidis; its mistreatment of women; its beheading of western journalists and aid workers; and its destruction of historical and cultural artifacts, most notably the bulldozing of the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud. Not surprisingly, LGBT people are part of the Islamic State’s ever-increasing enemies list. ISIS believes homosexuals are a danger to the public, the “worst of all creatures” on par with pedophiles. When ISIS recently threatened the city of Rome (the “Crusader capital”) with conquest and the establishment of Shariah law there, it added that it will “use your leaning tower of pizza [sic] to throw off homosexuals.” Not since the Roman gladiatorial games have executions been such crowd pleasers. Though ISIS has used the religiously-sanctioned method of stoning, it prefers to throw “gay”
men to their dooms from a roof or a tower, often for the entertainment of their supporters. At times the public execution of “gay” men is accompanied by the deaths of other so-called criminals, such as adulterous women who are stoned or thieves who are crucified. One man, who was thrown from the top of a seven-story building, survived the fall, only to be stoned to death by the ISIS-inspired mob. Like other media, I use the word “gay” in italics, since it might not be correct to use such a “western” word to describe same-sex loving men who live in Darul Islam and other non-western cultures. There is also the possibility that some of the victims are heterosexual; and that ISIS used their alleged homosexuality as an excuse to execute them. Lucretius was right. Though religion can inspire good, it can also lead to great evil. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant subverts Islam to promote its hatred and lust for power. Not since the Nazi Party is a group of humans as universally or as deservingly hated as is ISIS. Their rise to power is proof that, in spite of our advances in technology, our species is as morally lacking today as we were thousands of years ago, when Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha walked the earth.
March 27, 2015
Seattle Gay News 3
wolf
continued from cover tary and failures of the VA, I made the difficult decision to leave, hoping that I could do something outside of the military to somehow help make it better.” Hill continued, “Today, I accepted an internship position with Congressman Derek Kilmer’s Office, who is the representative of the district with the most veterans, more than any other congressional district, and where I was stationed at 10 years ago today wondering what was next for me. I’m really looking forward to doing policy work for my beloved shipmates and battle buddies who deserve better.” “I love it when things come full circle,” said Hill. IN THE NAVY Many people in the Seattle and the Tacoma area of Washington state might know Hill one of two ways – as advocate or educator. Hill is Transgender. He prefers masculine pronouns and lives his life identifying as a man. Aside from being a veteran, Hill is also a former member of the City of Seattle LGBTQ Commission and board member at Ingersoll Gender Center. Few people, however, know Hill as he once was: 16 years old, sitting in a Navy recruiter’s office in 2002 when America was still in the beginning stages of the Global War on Terrorism. “By the age of 17, I swore in and was in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) and was training in my hometown, preparing for Active Duty once I graduated from high school,” Hill recalls. “When I enlisted, I had little self-awareness about my feelings and what they actually meant. So in short, I was not out as Trans* in the military because frankly I wasn’t even out to myself.” “Ironically,” Hill said, “When I first got to my ship, the very first person I met was a sailor named ‘Hershey’ who was on duty guarding the ship.” Hershey became Hill’s best friend, and the two of them are still close to this day. Like Hill, Hershey transitioned from female to male after the service as well. “At the time,” explains Hill, “We both didn’t have the knowledge we have today to be able to come to a place of wisdom and comfort about our identities.” Hill’s Navy career was eventful. He worked hard as an Aviation Boatswain Mate on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier
Hill Landon Wolf – courtesy of Hill Landon Wolf (launching and recovery equipment). “I was stationed on the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), originally on Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California and then we moved up to Bremerton, Washington, on Naval Base Kitsap where the Stennis still holds homeport,” Hill told
Seattle Gay News. SELF DISCOVERY Although Hill found the Navy to be a good fit, it wasn’t a perfect fit. And that became more apparent to the young sailor as time went by.
“I enlisted well before I fully embarked on my journey of representing myself through my male identity,” said Hill. “Unaware of who I really was, I was identifying as a female and was perceived as such.” At the time Hill was one of only a few females out of over 30 airmen. “There was a lot of overt sexism and harassment toward female airmen and little to no accountability for actions,” said Hill. “Additionally, when I joined the Navy, I had yet to have a romantic relationship and had no awareness of what types of people I was intimately attracted to.” Hill met his first girlfriend while he was serving and says he can remember constantly being in fear of anyone finding out because it was against military policy to disclose information about your sexual orientation if it was anything other than heterosexual. “At the time, people would perceive my relationship as a ‘same-sex’ relationship since I was female identified and dating another female,” recalls Hill. “The unique thing about the military is that you live and work with the same group of people in close quarters, doing probably the most stressful and intensive work that humans can do. The work of service members always has the tone of ‘life or death’ because that’s quite literally what our work is about.” “Being so close to these people was tricky, because aside from being harassed for not being male, you could also be harassed for not being perceived as heterosexual,” said Hill, adding, “The ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy quite literally forced people to lie about who they are, who they were seeing and forced people to be very calculated about how they talked about their partners, themselves and their personal lives.” “Talk about extra stress,” he said. HONORABLE DISCHARGE According to Hill, not every division and sailor would harass someone for being female and/or queer, but this was unfortunately not the case with his division. “Leaving the Navy was one of the most difficult decisions to wrap my head around,” remembers Hill. “Oddly enough, the adjustment of going from military life to civilian life was just as perplexing, confusing and stressful as telling my family and friends ‘I’m male, I’d like to be called by this name now, I’m really your brother, your
Hill Landon Wolf – courtesy of Hill Landon Wolf
wage
No pay raise for UW workers The UW, however, is not planning to increase wages for its workers on April 1, and says it may never do so. At issue is whether the City of Seattle has jurisdiction to set
wages for other public entities. While the UW has not gone to court over the Seattle ordinance, the Port of Seattle is suing the City of SeaTac over its $15 per hour minimum wage law, claiming that SeaTac has no authority to set wages for airport workers. SeaTac Airport is owned by the Port of Seattle. That case is now pending before the Washington State Supreme Court. The high court heard oral arguments in June 2014, but no date has been set for a decision. In the meantime, UW’s obligations under the Seattle ordinance are not clear, the school claims. “I don’t want to say we’re in limbo, but we’re in limbo,” UW spokesman Norm Arkans told the Seattle Times. “We’re waiting for some direction from Olympia. ... At some point, someone’s going to say: ‘We don’t think you’re subject.’ Or: ‘We think
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March 27, 2015
continued from cover only of speculation,” he wrote in a 43-page decision. “There is no actual evidence of the alleged negative impacts that plaintiffs fear will occur as a result of the faster phase-in schedule.” Even if the IFA did show harm, Jones continued, that “does not outweigh the concrete harm that will be suffered by employees who are entitled to a schedule 1 increase in their wages under the ordinance.” The IFA and the City will be back in court to argue the issues later this year.
you’re subject.’” The UW employs some 30,000 workers including its medical facilities and campuses in Tacoma and Bothell, but only about 70 workers nowmake less than $11 per hour. If the state legislature approves the UW’s already negotiated contracts with its unions, the minimum wage for full-time UW employees will rise to $12 per hour in July. If student workers are included, as well as salary adjustments to make supervisors’ pay rise in proportion to their minimumwage workers’ pay, the UW estimates some 16,600 workers would be affected, at a cost of some $22.5 million. Bright lights, big city, low pay Like many big cities, Seattle has seen a huge jump in incomes at the high end but stagnation for most working class residents. According to the labor group Working
Washington, one in four Seattle workers earn less than $15 per hour. While the top 5% of earners have a yearly income of more than $423,000, the bottom 20% average only $13,000. While some Seattle residents struggle to get by on $13,000 per year, the Economic Policy Institute estimates that a single-parent, single-child household needs $52,611 per year to live comfortably in the city. A Seattle household with two parents and two children need an average annual income of $70,025 to live securely, their study showed. Seattle’s cost of living is substantially higher than the national average. Utility costs are somewhat lower in Seattle, but housing prices are 57% above the national average. In addition, transportation costs are 18% higher, healthcare is 17% higher, and groceries are 11% higher than the national average.
Celebrating 41 Years!
son, etc.’ and going through the adjustment of being socialized as a woman and telling the binary world we live in that I am the exact opposite of what they think I am.” “I felt completely broken when I left the Navy,” said Hill. Despite experiencing the effects of the socially regressive culture in his division, Hill found that he loved the order, the regimented life, and the work. “Maybe it was the resilience I developed of having to protect myself and well-being, but I was determined to make things better upon leaving,” he said. “I love the mission of the military and the complexities of its role comparatively with other nations. I know it’s almost paradoxical, but I choose to also see the value in the military as an institution and not let the negative social experiences cloud over those aspects.” Having faith that the military could do better, Hill had a ton of questions of why things were the way they were – for example, why is an institution as efficient and progressive as the military so regressive when it comes to diversity and culture? Hill says this was especially troubling especially considering that he met the most unique, diverse individuals during his time of service that he says will forever be in his life. “I assumed the best way to find answers to these questions was to go to college and study public administration and take core courses in sociology, diversity and inclusion,” he said. LIFE AS A VETERAN Present day, Hill told SGN he accepted an internship with Congressman Derek Kilmer’s office as a unique opportunity to get a better understanding of the ropes pulled behind the curtain when it comes to laws and regulations governing our current service members and veterans. Congressman Kilmer is the Representative of the 6th Congressional District of Washington, which has the most amount of veterans than any other district. The district also encompasses most of the City of Tacoma, which was named the “Gayest City” by The Advocate in 2013. “The district is interesting to me because it definitely has what people would consider
as conservative roots, but also has a rich diverse culture and is overall politically progressive,” said Hill. “I am beyond humbled at the opportunity to help serve the constituents where my original duty station is (Naval Base Kitsap). Hill told SGN he also got an offer to serve in Jim McDermott’s office for the summer, but said, “I think I’ll have a lot more to learn outside of the Seattle area.”
open Trans* service should be allowed, which is not-so-ironically-akin to the fight on ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” Hill points out. “The main difference is changing the requirement to allow open Trans service is a medical regulation, and is a policy that can be administratively lifted by the Obama Administration. Some of our allies even allow open service, including Canada, Australia, Israel, Sweden and the United
Hill Landon Wolf – courtesy of Hill Landon Wolf
Like many in the LGBTQ community, Hill believes that Transgender people should be allowed to serve in the U.S. military. “The current debate is really interesting,” said Hill. “You have prominent Trans* activists who are not champions of this cause, because they are not about the military as an institution. Then you have activists on the completely opposite end, who feel being Transgender should remain a medical disqualification. The funny thing is, Trans* people are already serving in the U.S. military.” Estimates from the Williams Institute are that more than 15,000 Transgender troops are currently serving. “The true question is whether or not
Kingdom. Studies have continually shown that there is no current rationale for having the ban in place. The medical standards are outdated and antiquated. I have no doubt that the ban will be lifted in my lifetime. The only remaining question is, how much longer will we have to wait and have the ban be a barrier to recruiting our best and brightest?” So why would someone who left the military because they didn’t feel they were welcome recommend that others join? “What I love about the military is that each service member experiences being a part of something so much larger than themselves,” said Hill. “It’s humbling really. This doesn’t mean that you lose your identity, but rather bring forth the individual
skills and strengths that you can contribute. The military taught me the importance of patience and discipline. The military also taught me how to reach out and ask for help, and the importance of working with other people, regardless of how different they are from you.” Hill says when you put on a uniform, you are symbolically communicating that you are a part of a collective community. “Great things can absolutely be achieved by individuals, but everything is a lot more efficient and rich when working with others,” he said. “The military also taught me to lead, that regardless of how much stress you are going through or how scared you are, you are more powerful than you think you are. It’s just a matter of stepping up to the plate for the sake of others.” MILITARY OVERALL CAN DO BETTER For any Trans person who is planning on coming out after the military, Hill would suggest they find support. “They should build what my first doctor who administered my Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) called a “tribe” – a collective of supports of friends, family, and colleagues,” he said. “One thing I learned from the military is that big struggles are best done with help.” Lastly, Hill told Seattle Gay News, “I would just want to add that I think the military overall can do better with numerous social policies. I think they have a ways to go when it comes to sexual harassment, sexual assault, combating racism and ensuring that Gays, Lesbians and Bisexual people are not harassed.” “Again, I have hope and faith that it can and will get better,” concludes Hill. “The work just has to be done. That’s where I come in. I just want to help.”
The Seattle Public Library joins Safe Place network for teens
Seattle’s downtown Public Library is one of many libraries teens can call a Safe Place – jaymare-av.com
To kick off National Safe Place Week, The Seattle Public Library system has
become a part of the Safe Place network in King County. As of today, all 27 of Seattle’s public libraries are a Safe Place where youth
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ages 12-17 can ask for help when in crisis. “Joining the Safe Place network is a great way for the Library to further connect teens with the information and resources they need to be safe,” said Marcellus Turner, Seattle’s city librarian. “One of our service priorities is to re-imagine how Library spaces are used, and being a Safe Place helps us expand our support to Seattle’s youth.” Safe Place in King County quickly connects youth ages 12-17 in crisis to help, through a network of local businesses and organizations designated as “Safe Places.” Youth can approach any established Safe Place site, recognizable by a yellow diamond logo, or call 1-800-422-TEEN to receive immediate help. A Safe Place coordinator will respond 24/7, providing resources, connecting the young person to shelter services, or reuniting them with family when safe and appropriate. “We are so excited to have The Seattle Public Library joining our network of Safe Place partners,” said YouthCare’s executive director, Melinda Giovengo. “Youth
already see libraries as safe and trusted locations, and librarians as important community resources. This partnership will help library staff have the tools to quickly identify and assist youth in crisis and connect them to services and support effectively and efficiently.” The Safe Place program in King County is operated through a collaboration of Auburn Youth Resources, Friends of Youth, and YouthCare, and is funded by the United Way of King County. The Library joins a network of agencies and organizations providing over 1,900 Safe Place sites throughout the county, including Seattle Parks and Recreation’s community centers, Metro Transit buses, King County libraries and YMCA facilities. For more information, call the Library at 206-386-4636 or www.spl.org.
March 27, 2015
Seattle Gay News 5
Courtesy of Seattle Public Library
pence
continued from cover tivated by bigotry. “Today I signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, because I support the freedom of religion for every Hoosier of every faith,” Pence said in a statement. “The Constitution of the United States and the Indiana Constitution both provide strong recognition of the freedom of religion but today, many people of faith feel their religious liberty is under attack by government action. One need look no further than the recent litigation concerning the Affordable Care Act. A private business and our own University of Notre Dame had to file lawsuits challenging provisions that required them to offer insurance coverage in violation of their religious views.” While Pence tried his best to portray the law as something other than naked antiGay bigotry, his endorsement of the measure touched off a firestorm of protest. George Takei calls for boycott Even before Pence signed his name to the document, actor George Takei called for a total boycott of the state of Indiana. “I am outraged that Gov. Pence would sign such a divisive measure into law,” Takei said in a statement. “He has made it clear that LGBT couples, like Brad and me, are now unwelcome in his state. The notion that this bill was not driven by animus against our community is belied by the record and frankly insulting. I will join many in demanding that socially responsible companies withdraw their business, conferences and support from his state and that LGBTs and our friends and supporters refuse to visit or do business with Indiana. It is a sad day for the Hoosier state, and indeed for the many good people of Indiana, for whom this law now stands as a terrible blight upon that state’s reputation.” In a Facebook post prior to the signing, Takei noted that “This bill is strikingly similar to one proposed – and vetoed due to
public outcry – in Arizona. Such laws harken back to a time where our society was divided, and people of color were banned from white establishments. That is not our nation any longer, and those are not our values.” Corporations pull out Immediately after Pence signed the bill, Salesforce CEO Mark Benioff Tweeted “Today we are cancelling all programs that require our employees/customers to travel to Indiana to face discrimination.” Salesforce is a $40 billion computerbased customer relations company headquartered in San Francisco. Gen Con, a computer gaming convention, also threatened to pull out of its annual event in Indianapolis. The event is estimated to generate more than $50 million in business revenue. “Legislation that could allow for refusal of service or discrimination against our attendees will have a direct negative impact on the state’s economy, and will factor into our decision-making on hosting the convention in the state of Indiana in future years,” Gen Con CEO Adrian Swartout wrote in a letter to Pence. “Gen Con proudly welcomes a diverse attendee base, made up of different ethnicities, cultures, beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. “We are happy to provide an environment that welcomes all, and the wide-ranging diversity of our attendees has become a key element to the success and growth of our convention.” The NCAA, the governing body of college sports, also said it would “re-evaluate its relationship” with Indiana. “The NCAA national office and our members are deeply committed to providing an inclusive environment for all our events,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a statement. “We are especially concerned about how this legislation could affect our studentathletes and employees. We will work diligently to assure student-athletes competing
in, and visitors attending, next week’s Men’s Final Four in Indianapolis are not impacted negatively by this bill. Moving forward, we intend to closely examine the implications of this bill and how it might affect future events as well as our workforce.” Church to cancel 2017 convention Although Indiana’s new anti-Gay law is billed as a “religious freedom” measure, one major Christian denomination said it would cancel its 2017 convention, scheduled to be held in Indianapolis. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) said Salesforce CEO Mark Benioff is just one of many CEOs in a letter to Pence that they pulling their business from Indiana’s economy – would switch to a different investor.salesforce.com city if he signed the bill into Degges. law. The Disciples of Christ have held their “Our perspective is that hate and bigotry wrapped in religious freedom is still hate annual convention in Indianapolis three and bigotry,” Todd Adams, the associate times since 1989. Adams said he expected general minister and vice president of the up to 8,000 people to attend in 2017. The Indianapolis-based denomination, told The estimated economic impact would be about $5.9 million, according to VisitIndy, the InIndianapolis Star. Adams said the Disciples of Christ dianapolis tourism bureau. would instead seek a host city that is “hosIndianapolis mayor condemns bill pitable and welcome to all of our attendees.” The Republican mayor of Indianapolis, In its letter to Pence, the church said it is Greg Ballard, is also unhappy with the new inclusive of different races, ethnicities, ages, law. genders, and sexual orientations. “Indianapolis strives to be a welcoming “As a Christian church,” it wrote, “we are particularly sensitive to the values of the place that attracts businesses, conventions, One we follow – one who sat at (the) table visitors and residents,” he said in a statewith people from all walks of life, and loved ment. “We are a diverse city, and I want evthem all. Our church is diverse in point of eryone who visits and lives in Indy to feel view, but we share a value for an open Lord’s comfortable here.” Meanwhile, two big names in Indiana Table.” Republican political circles are staying siThe letter was signed by the denomilent on the law. Spokespeople for former Innation’s General Minister and President, Sharon E. Watkins, Division of Overseas diana Governor Mitch Daniels and former Ministries, Julia Brown Karimu, and Dis- U.S. Senator Richard Lugar said their clients ciples Home Missions President, Ronald J. declined to comment on the measure.
Pope to visit White House
DC Archbishop wants to take away protections for Gay students
President Obama and Pope Francis share a laugh – www.thetrentonline.com
The White House announced on March 26 that Pope Francis will visit the Obamas on September 23 this year. Meanwhile, Catholic Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the Archbishop of Washington, DC, urged Congress to repeal a DC ordinance protecting LGBT students at local religious schools. President Obama visited the Vatican in March 2014, and invited Francis to come to the United States. According to the White House statement, the two leaders will dis-
cuss a number of issues, including “caring for the marginalized and the poor; advancing economic opportunity for all; serving as good stewards of the environment; protecting religious minorities and promoting religious freedom around the world; and welcoming and integrating immigrants and refugees into our communities.” The Pope’s itinerary has not yet been announced, and it is not certain what interaction he will have with Cardinal Wuerl. Wuerl was one of the signatories to a March 20 letter to the U.S. Senate urging them to block a DC ordinance that would protect LGBT students from discrimination at religious schools operating in the city.
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March 27, 2015
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Because Congress had oversight over the District of Columbia, local ordinances may be overturned by Congressional action. The letter objects to the Human Rights Amendment Act approved by the DC City Council last year. The measure is an attack on religious freedom, freedom of speech, and freedom of association the letter charges. The Archdiocese of Washington runs 139 Catholic parishes and 95 Catholic schools in DC and five counties in Maryland, whose students would be protected by the ordinance. The Human Rights Amendment Act repeals a 1989 law passed by Congress known as the Armstrong Amendment. The amendment changed the DC Human Rights Act to exempt religious educational institutions from a provision in the act that bans discrimination based on sexual orientation. Under the Armstrong Amendment, religious schools like Catholic University may deny meeting space or other privileges to groups that engage in “promoting, encouraging, or condoning any homosexual act, lifestyle, orientation or belief,” even when such privileges would normally be offered to other student groups. Although the repeal of the Armstrong Amendment was passed by the DC Council and signed by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, Congress can block it by majority vote of both houses, if the President also signs the disapproval resolution. Wuerl’s letter was urging Congress to do so.
It also calls on Congress to kill another bill approved by the DC City Council and signed by Mayor Muriel Bowser – the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act. That measure would prohibit DC employers from discriminating against employees based on their personal reproductive health choices, including a decision to have an abortion. DC Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton joined city officials in strongly disputing claims that the two bills would infringe on religious freedoms or freedom of speech. Wuerl joined other conservative religious groups in speaking out on the two DC bills after U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) introduced resolutions of disapproval to kill the DC laws. Wuerl may be familiar to some older SGN readers because in 1985 he was appointed auxiliary bishop in Seattle, taking over administrative duties from liberal Archbishop Thomas Hunthausen. Pope John Paul II relieved Hunthausen of many of his duties after local conservatives accused him of being pro-Gay, among other sins. Then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger investigated Hunthausen and recommended sending in Wuerl to re-establish orthodoxy. As Pope Benedict XVI, Ratzinger raised Wuerl to the office of Cardinal in 2010.
Celebrating 41 Years!
The staff of Seattle Gay News welcomes
Barney Frank to Seattle
On Monday, March 30th, at 7 p.m., Barney Frank will appear in Seattle for a conversation, reading and book signing of his new memoir, Frank: A Life in Politics from the Great Society to Same-Sex Marriage. This event is sponsored by the University Book Store and will be held at University Temple United Methodist Church, 1415 NE 43rd St. 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 new book.
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Replacements, Ltd. Founder and CEO Bob Page weds longtime partner Page one of North Carolina’s most vocal activists for marriage equality
Bob Page and Dale Frederiksen, with their twin sons – courtesy of Replacements, Ltd.
GREENSBORO, NC – Following a decades-long fight for marriage equality, Replacements, Ltd. Founder and CEO Bob Page married his longtime partner Dale Frederiksen on March 26 in a private family ceremony at Replacements. Witnessed by their twin 15-year old sons, their marriage coincided with the couple’s 26th anniversary. A long-time activist for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender rights, the 69year old CEO gained national prominence pushing for the defeat of North Carolina’s Amendment One, a state marriage ban found unconstitutional last October. As a result, North Carolina is one of 37 states that recognize the right of same-sex couples to marry. “I sometimes doubted I’d live to see marriage equality in North Carolina, let alone be able to marry the person I’ve loved all these years less than 30 miles from where I was born,” says Bob Page. “This is a day I dreamed about. The reason I’ve spent years fighting for equal rights is so people like me – and families like our family – could have the same freedoms and protections as every other person or family. After all this time together, only now is it possible for both of us to be legal parents to our sons. Denying any-
one a loving parent isn’t right for children or families, and I’m glad to have played a part in righting this wrong. And I plan to keep working at it, because there’s still plenty of wrong out there.” Page adds that it is imperative all Americans have this same right recognized. Earlier this month, Replacements joined 378 other companies in filing an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm the right of same-sex couples to marry and to strike down individual state laws banning those marriages. The High Court hears the case next month. Replacements, Ltd. is the world’s largest retailer of old and new china, crystal, silver and collectibles. About Replacements, Ltd. Founded by Bob Page in 1981, Replacements, Ltd. carries the world’s largest selection of old and new china, crystal, silver and collectibles. The company’s 500,000 square foot facilities house an inventory of nearly 12 million pieces from more than 400,000 patterns. Headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., Replacements, Ltd. serves over ten million customers worldwide. www.replacements.com Courtesy of Replacements, Ltd.
Amnesty International endorses Irish marriage referendum by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
The leading human rights organization Amnesty International has endorsed a Yes vote in Ireland’s upcoming referendum on same-sex marriage and is campaigning to turn out voters. The Republic of Ireland will vote on a proposal to amend the country’s constitution and legalize same-sex civil marriage May 22. “May 22 will be an historic date,” Amnesty Ireland Director Colm O’Gorman said to a rally outside Dublin’s historic General Post Office. “It is a day when we all, as Irish people, have a chance to stand for a Republic of equals. A day when we can more fully realize equality for all of our people. “It is fitting that we are launching this campaign outside the GPO. Here, almost a century ago those who proclaimed our Republic, asserted that Ireland would value and cherish all of its people equally.” Amnesty International has officially supported equal marriage since 2007. Recent polling shows that 75% of Irish
the GPO event and call for older people to support equality. According to the Irish Independent newspaper, he said “People of my generation do have doubts but they are our greatest supporters when they are convinced. “This is a campaign like any other – voters need to be asked. Irish people are used to being asked on the doorsteps for their vote. We must avail of every opportunity to make direct contact with voters. Sitting at home talking to each other or talking to people who are already convinced won’t win this referendum – conviction, hard work and shoe leather will.” “When this referendum passes I believe it will lead to Ireland becoming an even more generous, kinder, compassionate, caring and tolerant country but we cannot take a Yes for granted.” Fianna Fáil is a centrist and nationalist political party, and the main electoral rival Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director of the Irish branch for Amnesty International – of the center-right Fine Gael party which courtesy of Amnesty International voters support marriage equality, in spite vote – will be unwilling to break with Catho- currently leads the Irish government. Fine Gael Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of the country’s Roman Catholic heritage. lic tradition. Enda Kenny supports marriage equality, as Amnesty International brought former Equality supporters still worry that older do all parties in the Irish Dail (parliament). voters – the ones most likely to turn out to Fianna Fáil minister Pat Carey to speak at
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Sweden introduces official gender-neutral pronoun
“Hen,” the newly indoctrined word into the Swedish dictionary – redicecreations.com
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Beginning in April, a new gender-neutral pronoun will debut in the official dictionary of the Swedish language. The pronoun “hen” will be added to “han” (he) and “hon” (she), as one of 13,000 new words in the dictionary’s latest edition according to editors at the Swedish Academy. The Swedish Academy’s dictionary is updated every 10 years. New entries are determined by their frequency and relevance. The new edition went on sale April 15. “For those who use the pronoun, it’s obviously a strength that it is now in the dictionary,” editor Sture Berg told AFP on March 24. “Hen” can be used to refer to an indi-
vidual without implying any gender – either because their gender is unknown, because the person is Transgender, or because the writer believes that specifying the person’s gender is unnecessary information. According to AFP, the word dates back to the 1960s. At that time the pronoun “han” was used for anyone whose gender was not specified, just as the equivalent pronoun “he” was used in English. As the feminist movement gained strength and language was adapted to indicate equality of men and women, “hen” was created to avoid the clumsy “han/hon” (“he/she”) construction. The word never really caught on until the turn of the 21st Century, when Sweden’s Trans community revived it. “Hen” is now fairly widely used in official texts, court rulings, media texts, and books.
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