SGN May 10, 2013 - Section 1

Celebrating 40 Years!

Issue 19 Volume 41

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SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Delaware enacts marriage equality doug denison

A crowd at Legislative Hall in Wilmington witnesses Delaware Governor Jack Markell sign HB-75 into law legalizing same-sex marriage.

who packed the Senate chamber galleries cheered as the result was announced. Delaware has become the The state’s House of Represen11th state to legalize equal mar- tatives passed the bill on April 23. riage rights for Gay and Lesbian couples. Governor Jack Markell SPONSOR COMES OUT signed the new law on May 7, only In a surprise twist, Delaware minutes after it was passed by the Sen. Karen Peterson, the bill’s state Senate. sponsor, came out as a Lesbian “I do not intend to make any during the debate. of you wait one minute longer,” “We are what God made us. We Markell told onlookers as he don’t need to be fixed – we’re not signed the bill. broken,” she said. “If my happi“Delaware should be, is and will ness somehow demeans or diminbe a welcoming place to live and ishes your marriage, you need to love and to raise a family for all work on your marriage.” who call our great state home,” he Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund added. CEO Chuck Wolfe tweeted his The law will go into effect July congratulations to Peterson. 1. “Congratulations to Sen. Karen The vote in the Delaware Sen- Peterson, who just became the 1st ate was 12-9, with one Republican openly LGBT state lawmaker in joining 11 Democrats to pass the Delaware,” he wrote. measure. Two Democrats voted Lambda Legal applauded pasNo with the eight remaining Republicans. Close to 200 supporters see delaware page 9 by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

LGBT protections proposed Minnesota House marriage bill for federal immigration bill passes Supporters confident of victory Leahy amendments would be first official exception to DOMA

in Senate next week

Glen Stubbe / Star Tribune

Mark Wilson / Getty Images

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Senate Judiciary Committee chair Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced two amendments to the “Gang of Eight” immigration bill on May 7, providing protections for binational same-sex couples. The first amendment creates a new category of “permanent partners” to allow Gay and Lesbian U.S. citizens in a “long-term committed relationship” to sponsor their foreign partners for a green card. Opposite-sex spouses are already entitled to that protection under existing law, but protections for same-sex couples have been left out of the Gang of Eight bill. A second Leahy amendment “provides equal protection to lawAdvocates for both sides chant, sing and plead as the fully married binational same-sex Minnesota House takes up the same-sex marriage bill in St. Paul. couples that other spouses receive by Mike Andrew It didn’t work. Minnesota’s under existing immigration law.” House of Representatives passed SGN Staff Writer the marriage equality bill on May A ‘MASTER STROKE’ The anti-Gay hate group Fam- 9, by a comfortable margin of 75 “For immigration reform to be truly comprehensive, it must in- ily Research Council asked its to 59. Hundreds of people on both clude protections for all families,” followers to pray for “divine inLeahy said in a statement. “We tervention” to prevent the Minne- sides of the issue rallied at the sota legislature from passing a bill giving the state’s Gay and Lesbian see minnesota page 20 see immigration page 9 couples equal marriage rights.

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May 10, 2013

Celebrating 40 Years!

Weddings By the Sea

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How a closeted anti-Gay politician became a community hero arizona public media

Executive Assistant Mike Andrew Staff Writers Mike Andrew, Miryam Gordon, Anthony Greer, Shaun Knittel, Albert Rodriguez, James Whitely Contributing Writers

op-ed The evolution of Rep. Jim Kolbe

Rev. Barbara Allen, Eric Andrews-Katz, Madelyn Arnold, Maggie Bloodstone, Beau Burriola, Jessica Davis, Ron Anders, Jessica Price, Milton W. Hamlin, Scott Wittet, Nevin Jefferson, Jason A. Miller, Liz Meyer, Rod Parke, Don Paulson, Scott Rice, Leslie Robinson, Richard Kennedy, Rex Wockner

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Publication of names, photographs or likenesses of any person, organization, event or business in this publication cannot be taken as any indication of the sexual orientation of the person, organization, event or business. Opinions expressed in bylined articles, columns, and letters are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or management of this paper. Seattle Gay News welcomes unsolicited material, including letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit or reject material. All rights revert to authors upon publication. We assume no liability for loss or damage of materials, solicited or not. We invite feedback, please write. And please play safe. It is our policy that no money shall be refunded if you choose to cancel your subscription or ad. However, credit towards any size ad will be given for the balance owed. No exceptions.

In Loving Memory Of

Steve Foiles, Scott Roger Alpert, Cookie Andrews-Hunt, James Leland Moore, Randy Peters, Lee Richeson, Shaun Shelton, Jim Tully, James Arnold

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Seattle Gay News

Jim Kolbe

by Jim Toevs Special to the SGN In 1992 in Tucson, Arizona, I ran for Congress as an openly Gay Democrat against the then-closeted Republican incumbent congressman, Jim Kolbe. I did not win the election, but I did receive 77,000 votes – which at the time was the record number of votes ever received by a non-incumbent, openly Gay congressional candidate. My sexual orientation never became a major factor in the campaign, because Kolbe wanted to avoid the issue like the plague. In 1996, Congressman Kolbe voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, which prompted a decision by The Advocate to “out” him because of his hypocrisy. Kolbe was tipped off before the story was published, and he pre-empted it by issuing his own press release acknowledging that he is Gay.

May 10, 2013

Almost immediately, Kolbe began experiencing the blessings of coming out of the closet in his personal life. No longer dealing with the stress of living a lie, Kolbe’s health improved and his drinking diminished to acceptable social levels. His voting record also improved once he started being honest with himself and everyone else. On several occasions in subsequent years, I telephoned or wrote his office to congratulate him on his willingness to speak out on issues of LGBT equality, and we established a friendly, speaking acquaintanceship. One night at IBT’s, a local Gay bar, Kolbe and I had the opportunity to speak personally. To my surprise, as we were saying goodbye, he kissed me and gave me a big hug. I believe that this was his way of thanking me for the role I played in helping him to accept – and embrace – his sexuality.

PLANS FOR MARRIAGE About eight years ago, Kolbe met a Panamanian citizen, Hector Alfonso, and they fell in love. At some point in their relationship, Hector had to leave the United States for a year because his visa had expired. Hector is now back in the country legally, but not on a permanent basis. Kolbe’s personal experience with LGBT discriminatory immigration policy led him to testify publicly before the Senate Judiciary Committee last month. Kolbe spoke in favor of an amendment to the immigration bill – one that would add protections for married LGBT spouses equal to those afforded heterosexual couples. Further, Kolbe announced that he and his fiancé will be married soon in Washington, D.C. Jim Kolbe is an example of someone who has evolved from being a closeted politician to an advocate for himself, our community, and full legal LGBT equality in our lifetimes. There are legions of other closeted brothers and sisters hiding out there in the shadows. We need to let them know by our words and our actions that we welcome them into our community with open hearts and open arms – all they have to do is come out into the sunshine, like Jim Kolbe did. Jim Toevs co-founded the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission and is a past president of the Seattle-based Pride Foundation. He resides in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico. A version of this essay was published on the Bilerico Project website (www.bilerico.com).

Celebrating 40 Years!

Local news Transgender activists re-evaluate King County Jail policies

While Williams insisted that DAJD wants able to work more closely with to “be fair to anyone incarcerated in our fathe jail to get actual information.” cilities” and is “always open to suggestions and recommendations,” Rose and Langdon CURRENT POLICY agreed that the department had not allowed ‘CRIPPLED’ TPG full access to information about how Christine Langdon, another Trans inmates were actually treated. member of the TPG who has “There was no resistance as far as writing since helped draft jail polices for a consortium of South King County cities called SCORE (South Correctional Entity), added that SCORE “wasn’t too impressed” with the 2006 King County guidelines. “Neither were we members of the Trans Jail Policy Group at the time,” Langdon added, calling the policy DAJD eventually adopted a “crippled version of our recommendation …” Asked specifically what problems she saw in the King County policy, Langdon noted “apocryphal accounts making the rounds about Transgender inmates being humiliated or assigned to inappropriate housing in the jail during the first couple years after DAJD adopted its version of Transgender inmate policy.” “None of us in the TPG had the means or opportunity to conduct follow-up work on the county’s implementation of their version of policy, so we’re not in a position to

the policy, but we were not given access to Trans prisoners, so we had no first hand information to go on,” Rose said. “The overarching problem of the first order is the lack of transparency and independent oversight of DAJD operations,” Langdon added. Rose told SGN that his group would begin analyzing jail policy this month, and he hopes to have draft recommendations ready in October. “After it’s drafted we’ll present it to [DAJD] and if they agree to update it, then we need to go into the community to train people on what their rights are, and how to file a complaint,” Rose said.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence want to give away their money!

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Transgender activists are launching a major re-evaluation of King County Jail’s policies towards Trans inmates, according to Lincoln Rose of Trans Lives Matter, a local advocacy group. Rose, one of the members of the Trans Jail Policy Group (TPG), whose recommendations on Trans inmates helped spark

“The overarching problem of the first order is the lack of transparency and independent oversight of [Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention] operations.” revision of the jail’s policy in 2006, said he hoped to “make the policy better – a lot more solid and a lot more inclusive.” King County Jail is administered by the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) under the supervision of the County Executive. The policy on Trans inmates adopted in 2006, based on work done by TPG, requires Trans inmates to be “treated with dignity” and establishes protocols for searching them and housing them in appropriate conditions. STRIP-SEARCHES RESTRICTED Among other guidelines, jail personnel may not strip-search Trans inmates to determine their gender, and must house them in units with other inmates of the gender with which they identify. Rose told SGN that more recent policies adopted in other jurisdictions led Seattle’s Trans community to take a second look at King County’s practices. “In a way we’re coming full circle,” he said. “[Other cities] were able to improve on our model, so now we’re looking to them for help in improving ours. “[Washington] D.C. comes to mind,” Rose added. “I had a phone call from the D.C. Trans policy group asking why we hadn’t addressed showers and bathroom use. Well, we couldn’t get information on how they were actually used, so we decided to leave that issue out. “D.C. was able to address it, they were

say anything definitive,” she added. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Rose also told SGN that he had heard “horror stories” about the treatment accorded Trans inmates, even though the policy reforms are more than six years old. “There are anecdotal stories that if you know the policy you’re treated better,” Rose said. “If you can cite it so they know you know, they will follow the policy. But if you can’t, they won’t.” According to DAJD spokesperson Commander William Hayes, “our expectation is that our staff will follow the policy regardless, and if they don’t we will follow up with discipline at that time.” County jail inmates who believe they have been mistreated can complain to DAJD’s Internal Investigations Unit, Williams said. He said did not know how many Trans inmates have filed complaints since the 2006 policy has been in place. Williams added that a federal law, the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003, also creates guidelines for county jails on issues like sexual harassment of inmates. “We’re working toward updating our policies in terms of PREA,” he told SGN. “Transgender issues will probably be included in those updates. We’re working diligently to address these things.” NO ACCESS TO PRISONERS

sands of dollars to help support our community. Check out our website, www.theabbey.org, to find a link to our Charity Grant Fund. By following that link you will find the application for downloading and printing, plus instructions on filling it out so that you give us the information we need to make a thoughtful and informed decision (no bribes, please, no matter how sparkly). You can also reach the application/instructions directly by typing http://www.theabbey.org/projects/grants.html into your web browser. If you have questions about the application process even after reading the precise instructions, we’ll be available to answer questions on Tuesday, May 14. That evening between 6:30 and 8:30, you’ll find Sisters from the Granting Committee waiting to provide insight at the 15th Avenue Starbucks (328 15th Ave E. on Seattle’s Capitol Hill). We encourage you to get your thorough and concise application in ASAP, because it must reach The Abbey no later than June 28, 2013, to be considered. This will give us enough time to review each one before we distribute the monies at our Anniversary Party in July. (Stay tuned for Party details.) And the competition will be even more intense this year than previous years, so make sure your application strongly reflects your work! The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan’s mission statement: “We are an order of 21st Century Nuns dedicated to the promulgation of universal joy and the expiation of stigmatic guilt. We work to raise money for AIDS charities, fight for Queer rights and visibility, do safer-sex outreach, and strive diligently to never take ourselves so seriously that we forget to have fun. We gladly welcome all races, creeds, genders, and sexual orientations.”

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan, are opening the coffers they have been steadily filling the past 12 months and are now accepting applications for their 2013 Charity Granting Cycle. For several years, The Sisters have been giving out grants annually to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Washington state. The organizations that have qualified for grants in the past have all been supportive of our community in some way, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS services, STD prevention, LGBT veterans, youth This article was supplied by The Sisters support, and marriage rights. Since our Grant program was started, The Abbey Sis- of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. ters have given away thousands and thou- Joan.

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Christian Carroll

Cherry Tart: She’s got heart

Seattle burlesque star recovering from auto accident by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Whenever I interview Cherry Tart, local burlesque star and event producer, there’s always laughter and sharing of stories – and she introduces me to the most interesting people. So when I’d heard that our latest interview would be done within hours of her leaving Harborview Medical Center’s ER, bruised and upset – I was first and foremost concerned, and secondly, left with the feeling of deja vu. Let me explain. Last week, when I met with Cherry Tart to discuss the success of her fundraiser, “You Are Loved: A Big Gay Cabaret!” at Meander’s Kitchen, she had explained that it was because of her full figure that she had survived a childhood car accident. An accident that was so bad, doctors assured her, that had it not been for her extra “padding” she would’ve almost certainly been killed. The accident years ago was a head-on collision which resulted in the car bursting into flames, requiring the use of the jaws-of-life to extract her from the vehicle. She needed

to be airlifted to the hospital. T-BONED BY PICKUP The May 5 crash was, thank goodness, not that bad. But it was still a doozy. “I was on my way to an audition to emcee a monthly show and as I was going down 5th Avenue a guy in a pickup truck ran a red light and hit me in the intersection,” Cherry Tart told SGN. “I’ve got some awesome three-point restraint bruises and a nasty sprained ankle, but I’m glad it wasn’t worse. I am grateful to the bystander who held my hand until help came, to the first responders and all the ER staff who made sure I wasn’t broken, and to all my friends and family who’ve been checking in on me. I will hopefully be up and saving the world one over-commitment at a time very soon.” According to Cherry Tart, the truck Tboned her car. Now, anyone who knows Cherry could tell you that she is one hell of a personality. When she walks into a room, Miss Cherry Tart you notice her. And that is not because of her voluptuous curves either (well … ness to talk to everyone – especially those to use the jaws-of-life to cut me out of the wreckage before I was airlifted to Harbormaybe a little). It’s because of her positive who look like they might need a friend. Following the accident, Cherry Tart up- view,” she told SGN, having just returned personality, amazing costumes, and willingdated her Facebook, saying, “Ug. Car got home from Harborview. “As part of my retotaled. Truck ran red light. In Harborview covery, I learned how to belly dance.” ER. No blood, just bruised & upset. Waiting After many years in the dance community for X-ray results.” and traveling to places like Egypt, Turkey, A little somber, but understandably so. and Morocco, Cherry Tart said she couldn’t Then, just so we all would know she was reconcile the amount of cultural appropria-

“I’m happy that the accident wasn’t worse, and grateful my extra heft managed to spare me from major damage.” truly OK, she posted, “Pretty bummed about my car and sassy pink dress.” Cherry Tart is, among other things, obsessed with costume making – especially dresses. She once told me, “Seriously, my house is like that show Hoarders, only it is just rainbowcolored fabrics and glittery things everywhere.’” Cherry Tart was released from Harborview and is currently at home, resting and recovering from being “pretty darn sore, nursing a sprained ankle, and a whopper of a seatbelt bruise” from her shoulder to her ribs. “I’m happy that the accident wasn’t worse,” she said, adding, “and grateful my extra heft managed to spare me from major damage.” FROM HOSPITAL TO STAGE Most would agree that out of tragedy grows triumph. And more still might agree that the best artists are tortured souls. The same could be said for Cherry Tart. Only thing is, this rad chick isn’t bitter about it one bit. She’s taken broken dreams (and bones) and dusted them off, thrown some glitter on them, sewed some sequins in here and there, and got on with it. “When I was 18, I was hit head-on by a truck that crossed the center line on Highway 522. My car was on fire and they had

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tion and misinformation that seemed to go along with the art. “It didn’t feel right, so I stopped dancing,” she said. “Around that same time, I started looking for another artistic outlet.” “I’ve always loved the stage and discovered the Queer burlesque community in 2005,” she told SGN. “I started performing in a group in 2006 and as a solo performer in 2008. I love that there is so much flexibility to make social commentary within the art and to be shamelessly body-positive (at least in Queer space).” “I’ve had a life-long love affair with performing and collecting sparkly costume pieces, so was a natural progression,” said Cherry Tart, who is known for making glamorous, albeit sparkly, gowns and costumes. “I love seeing all different body types and performance styles on stage and I believe the way to keep that space going is to be a different kind of body on stage and to help create space for other folks on the margins to shine.” Her stage name is like a triple entendre. Cherry explains, “I’m a fat girl named after a sweet and savory pastry, which equals awesome!” she says excitedly. “Is it sharp or sarcastic? Yes. And it is old slang meansee cherry page 21

Celebrating 40 Years!

Pride Foundation announces 2013 scholarship awards

Grants to 89 students total more than $400k

from the start.” Each year, Pride Foundation relies upon its community volunteer-led review and selection processes that considers, respects, and understands the unique experiences, contributions, and pathways to education of LGBTQ and allied students. Recipients

studies. Farand Gunnels, Pride Foundation’s regional development organizer in Eastern Washington, notes that a core element of the scholarship program is to provide community support and encouragement to LGBTQ students. “All too often LGBTQ students

“Pride Foundation has opened doors of opportunity in my life. My dreams burn brighter than ever before.” come from incredibly diverse personal and lived experiences as LGBTQ and allied people. As a Pride Foundation scholar, each student is recognized for their passion of giving back to the community and their existing and growing potential as a leader. A COMMUNITY EFFORT Scholars use their awards to help fund their studies toward post-secondary educational pursuits including two- and four-year degrees, vocational programs, and graduate

with tremendous promise give up on their educational dreams because they don’t have the family, financial, and community support in place to pursue their education,” he says. “Our donors and volunteers recognize the importance of supporting the success of existing and emerging leaders in order to achieve and sustain equality in our community.” For more information about Pride Foundation’s 2013 scholars and its scholarship program, visit www.pridefoundation.org.

Pride Foundation welcomes three new board members by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

across the five-state region. In Washington, celebrations will be held on May 11 at 5:30 p.m. at Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Pride Foundation marks the 20th anni- Spokane, and on May 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Seversary of its scholarship program this year attle Art Museum. by awarding more than $403,000 to 89 LGBTQ and straight ally students in the U.S. MAKING CHANGE HAPPEN Northwest states of Alaska, Idaho, Mon“It’s amazing what we’ve accomplished tana, Oregon, and Washington. in 20 years,” states Craig Williams, Pride According to officials, since 1993, the Foundation’s educational program officer. foundation’s scholarship program has “Each year, we have the privilege of giving awarded over $2.7 million to more than scholarships to student leaders who advo1,100 recipients, making it one of the larg- cate for expanded understanding of LGBTQ est LGBTQ- and allied-focused scholarship issues and real cultural change. We’re able programs in the world. to do this year after year due to the continAmong the recipients are 52 students ued generosity of our donors, fund holders, from or studying in Washington who will and volunteers.” receive more than $234,500 in scholarship “Pride Foundation has opened doors of awards, said officials. opportunity in my life. My dreams burn Scholarship recipients will be honored brighter than ever before,” shares Luis by Pride Foundation donors, volunteers, Mancheno, Pride Foundation scholar alum. and staff at the organization’s 2013 Schol- “I am on the journey my life is supposed to arship Celebration Receptions happening be, and Pride Foundation was there with me by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

Pride Foundation announced early this week the addition of three people committed to furthering the foundation’s mission to its board of directors: Greg Smith (Bozeman, Montana), Darci Van Duzer Heroy (Eugene, Oregon), and Jean-Paul Willynck (Seattle). “We couldn’t be happier to have Greg, Darci, and Jean-Paul join our board,” says Pride Foundation Board President Doug Exworthy. “In addition to being great supporters of the foundation, they bring a diverse set of experiences and perspectives that will be a great contribution to guiding the foundation and its future work.” Smith is a licensed mental health counselor and the executive director of AIDS Outreach, a Bozeman-based HIV testing, service, and support organization. After receiving his master’s degree in mental health counseling from Seattle University, the former priest and Montana native dedicated himself to making the state safer, more educated, and proud of its LGBTQ youth. Smith is also a health educator and chair of the foundation’s Montana Leadership Action Team.

Van Duzer Heroy is an independent contract attorney in Eugene and a senior civil rights investigator for the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. A graduate of the University of Oregon School of Law, Monterey Institute of International Studies, and Portland State University, Van Duzer Heroy is passionate about supporting through her volunteer work organizations advancing LGBTQ, economic justice, and women’s rights issues. Willynck serves as a project coordinator with EnviroIssues, assisting both public and private clients with their public engagement needs. In addition to holding a B.A. in urban studies from the University of Washington (UW) at Tacoma, he is currently working toward an M.A. in geography from McGill University. Willynck also serves as co-chair of the UW Tacoma Alumni Council’s Advocacy Committee. Based in Seattle, Pride Foundation is a donor-supported community foundation providing grants, scholarships, and community leadership in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. As a catalyst for change, Pride Foundation supports transformative philanthropy, programs, and individuals that advance equality for the LGBTQ community. For more info, visit www.pridefoundation.org.

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national news A community divided Army ‘whistleblower’ disinvited as SF Pride grand marshal by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer On Monday, April 29, about 200 people gathered for a hastily arranged protest outside the Market Street office of the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee (SF Pride). The reason? Pfc. Bradley Manning. While you’ve no doubt heard his name in the news as the U.S. Army soldier who leaked 700,000 classified government documents to WikiLeaks, you might be surprised to know that he is Gay. Also surprising was

Pride.” Manning was selected by an “electoral college” consisting of former SF Pride grand marshals. One of those former marshals, Gary Virginia, who said he voted for Manning, is claiming that Williams and Pride CEO Earl Plante “changed the rules by which marshals are selected” after Manning was chosen. In her statement, Williams said that Manning received fewer than 15 votes, but she did not specify how many votes were cast altogether.

“Listen up, fellow homos – you have been bought, paid for, and sold to the highest bidder. The military-industrial complex is so far up the ass of the LGBT movement that it can feel what is being digested. Dissent will not be tolerated, and the assimilation of homosexuals into the rest of the militarized American public is complete.” SF Pride’s decision to select the 25-yearold, who is currently in a military prison awaiting court-martial, as a grand marshal for San Francisco’s 2013 Pride celebration. Two days later, however, the honor was rescinded. Now, the board of SF Pride is facing a backlash from community members and veterans’ groups such as the San Francisco chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War (SF IVAW). “The beginnings of San Francisco’s Gay liberation movement were deeply tied up with mass mobilizations against the Vietnam War, alongside thousands of GI resisters like B. Manning,” said SF IVAW in a press release. “SF Pride has broken with its own tradition of appointing controversial community leaders and freedom fighters as grand marshals.” THE RESCISSION Manning’s name was announced with those of the other grand marshals on April 24. Two days later, SF Pride President Lisa Williams issued a statement calling his selection a “mistake” – one that she attributed to an unnamed SF Pride staff member. She said Manning would not be a grand marshal. “A staff person at SF Pride, acting under his own initiative, prematurely contacted Bradley Manning based on internal conversations with the SF Pride organization,” said Williams. “That was an error and that person has been disciplined. He does not now, nor did he at the time, speak for SF

FORMAL COMPLAINT FILED “Mismanagement has disgraced and diminished our community,” Virginia told the crowd of protesters at the April 29 rally in support of Manning. “They denounced him for what he stands for politically as a whistleblower,” said David Wagner, a San Francisco attorney. “That’s illegal under San Francisco law. You can’t get money from the city and then turn around and discriminate against people on the basis of their moral convictions.” Wagner has filed a discrimination complaint against SF Pride with the city’s Human Rights Commission, claiming SF Pride discriminated against board members who voted for Manning. Williams reasoned that because Manning is facing the military justice system, he is not eligible to be a marshal. “We all await the decision of that system,” said Williams. “However, until that time, even the hint of support for actions which placed in harm’s way the lives of our men and women in uniform – and countless others, military and civilian alike – will not be tolerated by the leadership of San Francisco Pride.” In a later statement, given at SF Pride’s board meeting on May 7, Williams cited Manning’s not being “local enough” as another reason for rescinding the honor. “The powerful group [SF Pride] found perhaps the most marginalized, powerless homosexual in the nation, pulled him into the spotlight for a few hours, took a giant shit on him, roughed him up a little, called him names, and then kicked him back into the gutter,” wrote Steven Thrasher, a former Village Voice writer who was named Journalist of the Year 2012 by the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, on his blog. ‘AN ANTI-WAR HERO’ Shouting “Shame on Pride” and “They say court-martial, we say grand marshal,” protesters at the April 29 rally expressed their frustration at SF Pride, particularly Williams and Plante, for rescinding Manning’s invitation, calling their actions “ar-

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May 10, 2013

Army Pfc. Bradley Manning

rogant,” “heavy-handed,” “insulting,” and “unprofessional.” “He’s an anti-war hero – a whistleblower who is Gay,” said local activist and comedian Lisa Geduldig. “He was lip-synching to Lady Gaga while downloading classified documents. It doesn’t get more Gay than that.” Joey Cain, a former SF Pride board president, past grand marshal, and “electoral college” member, told the crowd, “Bradley Manning was a little Gay boy like me” who made a “bad decision to join the military.” “Manning is a hero,” added Cain, who said he also voted for Manning. Renowned Pentagon Papers leaker Daniel Ellsberg, who attended the rally, said he would march in San Francisco’s Pride Parade in support of Manning. Virginia, while not speaking on behalf of his position at SF Pride, likewise assured supporters that San Francisco’s Pride celebration would honor Manning. CORPORATE INVOLVEMENT? Some of the protesters and speakers called attention to corporate sponsors in relation to the board’s decision to rescind Manning’s honor. “SF Pride sponsors include Bank of America and Wells Fargo, who have foreclosed on hundreds of veteran families,” said John Caldera, a Gay U.S. Navy veteran and member of the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Commission. “Listen up, fellow homos – you have been bought, paid for, and sold to the highest bidder. The military-industrial complex is so far up the ass of the LGBT movement that it can feel what is being digested,” wrote Thrasher. “Dissent will not be tolerated, and the assimilation of homosexuals into the rest of the militarized American public is complete.” Caldera also called attention to media giant Clear Channel, another sponsor of SF Pride, which broadcasts Rush Limbaugh’s right-wing radio program. Calling Williams “unqualified” for the presidency, Caldera claimed she has put corporate needs above

the needs of the LGBT community. LGBT VETERANS SPLIT Unsurprisingly, Manning’s selection seems to have created a divide among LGBT military veterans. Keith Meinhold and Zoe Dunning, both veterans and former SF Pride grand marshals, denounced the selection of Manning, saying he taken an oath when he enlisted in the Army – an oath he didn’t keep. In her April 26 statement, Williams said the selection of Manning would be “an insult to everyone, Gay and straight, who has ever served in the military of this country.” Fred Schein, president of San Francisco Log Cabin Republicans, also said that his group does not support Manning being a grand marshal. Of the April 29 rally, Schein said the protesters struck him as “the usual suspects” and “leftover Occupy types.” “As veterans, we have witnessed the effects of U.S. occupations on civilian populations in Iraq and Afghanistan. As violence wracks communities throughout Iraq this month, we note with sadness that today’s Iraq is less safe for Gay men – as well as women of all sexual orientations – than it was a decade ago when the U.S. invaded,” said SF IVAW. HOW YOU CAN HELP Manning was arrested in May 2010 during his tour of duty in Iraq. He was initially held in conditions a United Nations inspector called “cruel, inhuman, and degrading.” On February 28 this year, he pled guilty to 10 of the 22 charges against him, which could carry a sentence of up to 20 years in a military prison. He is currently in custody at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia. To learn more about Bradley Manning or to write to him, visit www.bradleymanning. org. SF IVAW is calling on the LGBT community and all supporters of Bradley Manning to contact SF Pride and demand his reinstatement as a grand marshal. E-mails can be sent to info@sfpride.org.

Celebrating 40 Years!

AP Photo / Nam Y. Huh

Pro-Gay Illinois GOP chair resigns Pat Brady cites wife’s illness, says marriage stance not a factor by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

would sabotage the party efforts to appear more inclusive. Speaking to reporters after the last attempt on April 13, Brady said he did not plan to seek another stint as party chair next year, when his current term was due to expire. But he gave no indication he would resign just weeks later, and emphasized again that the party needed fresh ideas. “I think there are people in the party who don’t necessarily agree with me, but the point is ... we’re a party that welcomes all ideas,” Brady said then. “You don’t have to be exactly a platform Republican to be welcome in the party, and that’s the direction we’re taking the party.”

Illinois State Republican chair Pat Brady, who outraged many of his fellow Republicans by endorsing the state’s marriage equality bill, resigned his position on May 7. Brady announced his departure in a letter to the state party’s central committee. The letter made no mention of the party’s internal divisions, and he declined to discuss them in a phone interview with the Associated Press. “I’ve been going hard for six years. It’s time to move on,” he told AP. Brady said his wife has been battling WHO’S IN CHARGE? “very serious” cancer for two years and that Brady was reportedly hurt by criticism he wanted to spend more time with her and from some Republican leaders over his their four children. “It’s time to focus on my wife and our endorsement of pro-Gay policies. He also differed with the party central committee kids,” he said. in wanting Illinois Republican office holders to decide party policy, rather than GOP NO REGRETS In an interview with the Chicago Sun- insiders. “There’s plenty of them. You have [U.S. Times, Brady insisted he did not regret supSen.] Mark Kirk on one side and [U.S. Rep.] porting same-sex marriage. “Absolutely not!” he said. The contro- Peter Roskam on the other. They’re true versy “was a factor in my decision,” he re- leaders in my mind,” Brady told the Chicago Tribune. ported, “but not an overriding factor.” “The central committee members thought Brady has survived two ouster attempts at party leadership meetings since he en- it was just the opposite, that they run the dorsed the marriage equality bill in March. party. No, it’s the opposite. They need to Those efforts failed because some Republi- look to the people who have won elections can leaders worried that getting rid of Brady and proven they’re leaders.” May said that her boss also supports equal treatment for same-sex couples. continued from cover “As a co-sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act for the past three Congresses, must end the discrimination that Gay and Sen. Cantwell supports the policy behind Lesbian families face in our immigration Senator Leahy’s proposed amendments to law.” provide equity in our nation’s immigration Lavi Soloway, an immigration-rights law- laws for same-sex couples,” May told SGN. yer who represents same-sex couples and co-founded The DOMA Project, said LeaOBAMA APPROVES hy’s second amendment is “nothing short of President Obama gave the Leahy amenda strategic master stroke.” ments public support in a press conference “It would amend the Immigration and in Costa Rica, the day before they were ofNationality Act so that all marriages of Gay ficially submitted to the Judiciary Commitand Lesbian binational couples would be tee. recognized for immigration purposes only, “The LGBT community should be treated thus creating the first-ever ‘carve-out,’ or like everybody else,” the president told reexception, to DOMA under federal law,” porters. “That’s the essential core principle Soloway told BuzzFeed on May 7. behind our founding documents. The idea If passed, the “carve-out” would give pro- that we’re all created equal and we’re equal tection to foreign-born same-sex spouses before the law … of U.S. citizens regardless of how the U.S. “And so Senator Leahy may present this Supreme Court rules on the constitutional- provision in committee; it may be presented ity of DOMA. That ruling is expected next on the floor. It will be one of many amendmonth. ments and provisions, some of which I support [and] some of which I think are really MURRAY, CANTWELL AGREE bad ideas … Washington’s Senators Patty Murray and “I can tell you I think that the provision is Maria Cantwell, while not Judiciary Com- the right thing to do.” mittee members, quickly endorsed Leahy’s amendments. REPUBLICANS SAY NO “Who a person loves should have no bearRepublican senators, meanwhile, reacted ing on their immigration status, so I strong- to Leahy’s amendments with far less enthuly support Senator Leahy’s amendment to siasm. ensure all families are treated equally under “It will virtually guarantee that it won’t our nation’s immigration laws,” Murray pass,” Gang of Eight member Sen. Marco said in a statement e-mailed to SGN. Rubio (R-FL) told Politico blog in a brief “This important issue is a reminder that interview on May 1, when the proposed the Gang of Eight’s bill is only a starting amendments were already being talked point for this debate, and that there is still about. plenty of work to be done to pass legisla“This issue is a difficult enough issue as it tion that creates a fair immigration system is. I respect everyone’s views on it. But ultifocused on uniting families.” mately, if that issue is injected into this bill, Cantwell spokesperson Janeen Heath the bill will fail and the coalition that helped

immigration

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Illinois Republican Chairman Pat Brady

Brady charged that only a “sliver of the party” is driving the socially conservative message as opposed to “the people who are the rank and file.” If GOP conservatives put a premium on ideological purity as opposed to electability, Brady said, the party will continue to face losses at the polls. “Not to belittle the grassroots, but the whole purpose is to get your candidates elected,” he said.

According to the Tribune, there are perhaps a dozen potential successors to Brady. Brady said he thinks a woman should succeed him, to provide “better optics” for a political party trying to modernize. “Do we need any more white Irish males?” he joked. Illinois’ marriage equality bill is currently being debated in the House, where supporters say it is still a few votes short of the 60 it needs to pass. The current legislative session is scheduled to end May 31.

put it together will fall apart.” “It’ll kill the bill,” Rubio proclaimed even more forcefully on May 7. “There is a coalition of groups who are supporting immigration reform who will not support it if that’s in there.” “Bad idea,” agreed Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who echoed Rubio that such an amendment would “kill the bill.” “I’ll do everything in my power to see that it’s not there,” Sen. John McCain (RAZ) vowed. Obama warned Republicans that they would have to accept compromises if they want an immigration bill to pass. “I’m not going to get everything I want in this bill,” he said. “Republicans are not going to get everything they want in this bill.”

delaware

ACTIVISTS: IT’S ONLY FAIR A coalition of LGBT rights organizations charged that the existing immigration system “dehumanizes, scapegoats, and vilifies all immigrants, including LGBT immigrants, and their friends and families.” The National Center for Lesbian Rights, GLAAD, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, United We Dream, and Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project said in a joint statement that their “primary goal is to pass a common-sense, compassionate immigration reform bill that puts our nation’s undocumented men, women, and children on a pathway to citizenship. “That pathway would provide at least 267,000 LGBT undocumented people the opportunity to become full participants in our economy and our democracy,” they added. The group’s statement concludes, “Comprehensive, compassionate immigration reform is an urgent priority for our nation and the LGBT community.”

May 10, 2013

continued from cover

sage of Delaware’s new marriage law. “Today, we celebrate with the thousands of Delaware same-sex couples and their children who will soon be able to have the full recognition and respect accorded to married families,” Susan Sommer, director of constitutional litigation at Lambda Legal, said in a statement. REPLACES CIVIL UNIONS Under the law, no new civil unions will be performed in Delaware after July 1, and existing civil unions will be converted to marriages over the next year. The legislation also states that same-sex unions established in other states will be treated the same as marriages under Delaware law. “As of July, we are considered married,” said Mikki Snyder-Hall, who married her partner, Claire, in California in 2008, when same-sex marriage was briefly legal there. The couple moved to Delaware two years ago. The Synder-Halls said that while they don’t intend to have another wedding ceremony, they may hold another reception to celebrate their new legal status in Delaware. Scott Forrest, 50, of Newark, said he and his partner of almost 21 years, Kevin Fenimore, look forward to having the civil union they entered into last year converted to a marriage as soon as possible. “I am elated,” he said. Delaware’s marriage equality law comes just one week after Rhode Island became the first state in 2013 to legalize same-sex marriage.

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GAY CITY HEALTH PROJECT – “THE SEATTLE PROJECT” PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT From May 9 through June 9, selections from “The Seattle Project,” a body of photographic work from Portland, Oregon based photographer, R. Edward will be on display at Gay City Health Project (517 E. Pike St.) along the wall just outside the Gay City library. “The Seattle Project,” which began in 2001, is a collection of photographs that tell the stories of Pacific Northwest men who have faced significant challenges in their lives from serious health issues and death threats to their own self realizations. These men have offered their images to the Project to give hope and encouragement to others facing similar challenges. www.redwardjack.com.

compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer

SISTERS ORGANIZE FOR SURVIVAL – MOTHER’S DAY PARADE: ACT NOW FOR WOMEN AND KIDS On Saturday, May 11, gather at 1:30 p.m., at Stevens Place Park (Beacon Ave. S. & 17th Ave. S.), join Sisters Organize for Survival and the Pacific Northwest Alliance to Free Marissa Alexander for a Beacon Hill parade to honor mothers and highlihgt the need for affordable childcare, an end to domestic violence, stopping deportations tht tear families apart, and funding services, jobs and public schools by taxing the rich and ending U.S. militarism. Strollers, tricycles, banners, and festiv attire encouraged. March begins at 2 p.m., and concludes with

a gathering at Maestes Festival Street. For first served – maximum 10 contestants per more information, 206-722-6057. week. $20 registration fee; prizes to be determined. The contest will be held Sundays, JUSMONI & WD4D WITH April 7, 14, 21 and 28, May 5 and 12, June 2 DAVE B, GIFT UH GAB & DJ SAME (Wild Card) and June 9 (Final). Seattle Out AT WASHINGTON HALL & Proud organizes Seattle’s annual Pride On Saturday, May 11, at 8pm, at Wash- Parade in downtown Seattle. Winner will ington Hall (14th Ave. & E. Fir St.) Local perform at the Parade Pre-Show and on the R&B singer and activist JusMoni (aka Moni Pride Idol Float on Sunday, June 30. Visit Tep) hosts an evening of music and more www.seattlepride.org for complete details with WD4D, Dave B, Gift Uh Gab and DJ and a directory of karaoke songs to choose Same. from or bring your own music. www.seatAs Luzviminda Uruzi “Lulu” Carpenter tlepride.org writes: “JusMoni exemplifies the fusion of art and activism. She’s a musician, stoHISTORIC SEATTLE – ryteller, community organizer, grassroots 5TH ANNUAL HISTORIC educator, and all around advocate for LGPRESERVATION AWARDS BTQ people, youth, people of color, and W/SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL women, along with everyone standing at the PRESIDENT SALLY CLARK intersections of these identities, as she does On Tuesday, May 14, from 5:30-8 p.m., herself. with formal program at 6:45 p.m., Historic “‘Intersections mean figuring out where Seattle hosts its 5th Annual Historic Preserthings connect. Figuring out how one thing vation Awards ceremony at Good Shepherd affects another.’ JusMoni says, reflecting on Center (4649 Sunnyside Ave. N.), a commuhow mixed gender, racial and cultural ex- nity asset saved, preserved and renovated periences have influenced her. ‘My identity by Historic Seattle. These yearly awards helps me reach audiences and communities acknowledge recent successes in the local of vast demographics. There are no rules at preservation field. This year Historic Seattle the intersections, so why make them.’ introduces the “Beth Chave Historic Preser“Nurtured by the Seattle scene, R&B vation Award” in honor of their friend and singer JusMoni has come into her own, and colleague who served as the Seattle Landis ready to lift up a new general of local mu- marks Preservation Board Coordinator for sic and activism.” many years. This year, Seattle City Council Joining JusMoni at this event will be President Sally Clark will give her thoughts WD4D aka Waylon Dungan, Dave B., Gift on historic preservation efforts in Seattle. Uh Gab, and DJ Same. Come to the event! Enjoy wine, beer, As Luzviminda Carpenter writes, “The and appetizers, accompanied by the meloshow will be ushering in a new renaissance dious sounds of harpist Susi Hussong, in a at Washington Hall that is known for its room off the restored veranda – open if the cultural fusion of immigrants and people weather cooperates. Join with old and new of color since 1908 with jazz, music, art, friends and colleagues who share a passion culture, activism, and community. In many for preservation. Then move upstairs to The ways, JusMoni embodies the essence of Chapel Space for desserts, coffee and tea, a what this historical Central District building performance by pianist Dawn Clement to is all about. experience the superior acoustics, followed “JusMoni’s music invited audiences to by remarks by Seattle City Council Presijoin her on her life’s journey; from being dent Sally Clark. University of Washington born to a Cambodian refugee mother and Architecture Professor Jeffrey Ochsner inAfrican-American father, growing up in the troduces the 2013 Preservation Award reCentral District and South End, surviving cipients. RSVP: $75 Historic Seattle memtraumas, seeing many friends die at a young bers; $85 General Public; $25 Students. $25 age, being a single and resourceful mother, is a tax-deductible contribution to Historic coming out as Queer and gender fierce, and Seattle Preservation Foundation. www.hisultimately using her stories, identities, and toricseattle.org or 206-622-6952. experiences to advocate for herself and othHistoric Seattle, founded in 1974, is the er youth. only city-wide nonprofit membership or“If you do come out on Saturday night, ganization dedicated to the preservation of you will not be disappointed. JusMoni and Seattle’s architectural legacy. Historic SeWD4D make audiences smile for joy, come attle advocates for and participates in the to peace with their pasts, heal through beats thoughtful preservation and rehabilitation and vocals, and tell a story of pain, struggle, of historic buildings, landscapes, and archiand ultimate triumph through art and com- tectural artifacts. munity.” Admission: $10 – all ages. MUSIC OF REMEMBRANCE – LAMBERT HOUSE – PINK PROM “FAREWELL, AUSCHWITZ!” On Saturday, May 11, from 8 p.m.On Tuesday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m., at the midnight, at All Pilgrim’s Christian Church Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benar(500 Broadway E. at E. Republican St.), oya Hall (3rd Ave. & Union St.), Music of Lambert House, Seattle’s LGBTQ Youth Remembrance presents the world premiere Resource Center, will host this year’s Pink of an intimate new song cycle version of Prom for LGBT youth and allies, ages 14- “For a Look or a Touch,” a poignant story 22. No date is required; most youth come about two idealistic young Gay lovers torn singly. Festive dress is encouraged, formal apart by persecution. Also, MOR returns wear is not required. $5 suggested donation. to the amazing story of Polish Resistance www.facebook.com/LambertHouse. member Krystyna Zywulska, whose poems in Auschwitz circulated secretly and beEMERALD CITY SOFTBALL came anthems of resistance. In “Farewell, ASSOCIATION Auschwitz!,” composer Jake Heggie and liOn Sunday, May 12, from 9 a.m.-6:30 brettist Gene Scheer breathe renewed musip.m., at North SeaTac Park (S. 128th St. and cal life into those very poems. Tickets: $36. 20th Ave. S., SeaTac) and 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 365-7770. NOTE: After the concert, join the at Moshier Park (430 S. 156th Pl., Burien), Cast Party! Toast the composer, librettist the ECSA, the Northwest’s largest LGBTQ and performers. Ticket & cast party packsoftball league, continues its season at mul- age: $100. 365-7770; www.musicofrememtiple locations. www.emeraldcitysoftball. brance.org. org “SYTTENDE GAY 2013” SEATTLE OUT & PROUD – On Friday, May 17, Kwanchai hosts “PRIDE IDOL” “Syttende Gay 2013,” a celebration of the On Sunday, May 12, doors at 6:30 p.m. LGBT Nordic community, from 5-8 p.m., at with community karaoke, contest at 8 p.m., BalMar (5449 Ballard Ave. NW at NW Marat Neighbours (1509 Broadway), join Seat- ket St.), in conjunction with the Syttende tle Out & Proud and your host Robbie Turn- Mai (17th of May) Norwegian Constitution er for Seattle’s Pride Idol competition. Each Day parade and celebration in Ballard. Your week talented local amateur singers will $7 VIP pass includes exclusive access to the compete to become Seattle Out & Proud’s upper VIP level with a panoramic view of 2013 Pride Idol. Registration is first come, the parade. Plus 10% off Nordic inspired

16 Seattle Gay News

May 10, 2013

THREE DOLLAR BILL CINEMA – TRANSLATIONS: THE SEATTLE TRANSGENDER FILM FESTIVAL MAY 9-12 Three Dollar Bill Cinema presents a provocative mix of films, discussions and live programs navigating themes of Transgender family, relationships and sexuality. Northwest Film Forum (1511 12th Ave.). Tickets: $10-general admission, $8-student/senior with ID. www.threedollarbillcinema.org TWISTED CABARET MAY 2-26 www.twistedcabaret.com DIVERSE HARMONY – “MAGICAL THINKING” On Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 12, at 2 p.m., at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (107 17th Ave. S.), Diverse Harmony, Seattle’s LGBTQ Youth Chorus, presents a concert that will celebrate the creative and imaginary worlds that youth invent and will explore how imagination can transform the world as we mature through our youth and adulthood. Come join Diverse Harmony as we change the world into a better place with our thoughts and music. Tickets: $20 at the door; FREE for ages 22 and under. www.diverseharmony.org. AROUET PRESENTS THE TEMPERAMENTALS – A CHRONICLE OF GAY HISTORY On Friday-Saturday, May 10-11, Monday, May 13, Thursday, May 16, Saturday, May 18, Sunday, May 19 (May 19 performance interpreted for the hearing impaired), and Thursday-Saturday, May 23-25, with performances at 7:30 p.m., except Sunday, May 19 at 2 p.m., at The Ballard Underground (2220 NW Market St.), Arouet and Alfed Zern Hill present the Northwest premier of The Temperamentals by Jon Marans. See preview in this week’s SGN for details. Tickets: General admission $16 in advance/$20 at the door; student/senior $12 in advance/$16 at the door. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/362590; 1-800-8383006. SEATTLE CENTER FESTAL – “SPIRIT OF WEST AFRICA” On Saturday, May 11, from noon-8 p.m., at Seattle Center Armory, Seattle Center Festal presents “Spirit of West Africa.” www.thionediop.com.

food and cocktails, including the customary drink Aquavit! The party continues at Changes Bar and Grill in Wallingford (2103 N. 45th St.) from 9 p.m. to closing for “17th of Norgay,” featuring young Naughty-Nordic men and their special twist on an underwear show. 2013 GSBA SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS DINNER On Friday, May 17, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at Seattle Marriott Waterfront (2100 Alaskan Way), join GSBA (Greater Seattle Business Association) members and friends and Keynote Speaker Kate Starbird, with emcee Bernard Choi, to celebrate the recipients of GSBA’s Scholarship Fund. “Join us for an inspirational evening as we introduce and celebrate our 2013 scholars. This year we are proud to award $200,000 to deserving students.” Kate Starbird is a former professional basketball player for the Seattle Reign and Seattle Storm and now Assistant Professor at the University of Washington’s Department of Human Centered Design and Engineering. Tickets: $120 GSBA members, $140 nonmembers, $100 students. For more information and to register, call 363-9188 or visit www.thegsba.org. SAME LOVE, SAME RIGHTS – 5TH ANNUAL GAY & LESBIAN WEDDING EXPO On Sunday, May 19, from 1-4 p.m., at Crowne Plaza Hotel Seattle (1113 Sixth Ave.), Same Love, Same Right returns with their 5th Annual Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo. This year’s Expo will be better than ever, presenting a diverse array of Gay-friendly Wedding Professionals, Music, Planning Tips, Free Samples and Giveaways ... and much more! Visit www. samelovesamerights.com for more information and to RSVP. SOCIAL OUTREACH SEATTLE – INTERNATIONAL AIDS CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL On Sunday, May 19, at 5 p.m., at Seattle Central Community College’s South Lawn (Broadway & E. Pine St.), Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea) is honored to host the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial in Seattle. 2013 PRIDE ASIA COLLECTIVE – NATIONAL API HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY On Sunday, May 19, at 6 p.m., at the New Hong Kong Restaurant (900 S. Jackson St.), the 2013 Pride ASIA Collective along with HIV Vaccine Trials Unit and Lifelong AIDS Alliance proudly celebrate National API HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This event hosted by Ro Yoon and Aleksa Manila features performances by Miss Gay Washington Mulan Rouge-Bradshaw, Miss UTOPIA Marion Malena, Atasha Manila, Victoria Victor Loo, Recording Artist Jack Mozie, Slam Poet Nicole Masangkay and MORE! Special thanks to Jasmine Mac, Amanda Crutchley and the Event Committee! $20 VIP Reception at 6 p.m. includes entertainment and hors d’oeuvres; $5 General Admission at 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit the 2013 LGBTQ API Event on June 23. More info at www.prideasia.org. OUT OF THE SILENCE is a calligraphic art exhibit bringing issues of bullying and hate crimes against LGBTQ youth to light. The exhibit celebrates diversity, love and understanding. After an incredi-ble run in Olympia, the exhibit has moved to Seattle. The exhibit is currently on display at UW School of Law, William H. Gates Hall, just south of the main gate entrance to the UW Campus (17th Ave. NE & NE 45th St.). The exhibit runs April 9-May 31, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. www.pizzaklatch.org/ events/

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Seattle Gay News 17

Minister under fire for performing Gay wedding

odist ceremony. So when his son asked him last year to officiate at the wedding, he said yes. “I was inspired,” Ogletree said. “I actually wasn’t thinking of this as an act of civil disobedience or church disobedience. I was thinking of it as a response to my son.”

file photo

DECLINED TO APOLOGIZE In January, Ogletree met face-to-face with his principal accuser, the Rev. Randall C. Paige, in an effort to resolve the dispute

ist Church, especially rules that denied my right to officiate at my own son’s wedding. “As a heterosexual, married clergyman I have a unique opportunity and obligation to challenge the inequitable treatment of Gay and Lesbian persons, both in church practices and also in the wider society. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us in his Letter from Birmingham Jail, ‘one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.’” INTERNAL CONTROVERSY

“I was inspired. I actually wasn’t thinking of this as an act of civil disobedience or church disobedience. I was thinking of it as a response to my son.” Reverend Thomas W. Ogletree

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A Methodist minister, the Rev. Thomas W. Ogletree, is facing church discipline for officiating at the wedding of his Gay son. Ogletree performed the ceremony in October 2012, uniting, Thomas Ogletree, with his boyfriend, Nicholas Haddad. The wedding was held at the Yale Club in New York because Ogletree is a retired dean of Yale Divinity School, one of the country’s most prestigious theological seminaries. It featured readings from scripture and from the pioneering Massachusetts court decision legalizing same-sex marriages. The couple’s wedding announcement in The New York Times prompted a group of conservative Methodist ministers to file charges with the local bishop against Ogletree, alleging he violated the denomination’s Book of Discipline.

A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE The United Methodist Church, the thirdlargest denomination in the country (after Roman Catholicism and the Southern Baptist Convention), does not endorse same-sex marriage, and its Book of Discipline forbids clergy from officiating at such ceremonies. Offenders may be suspended from the ministry, or even defrocked. Ogletree, now 79, is already retired from active ministry, so even if his denomination convenes a church trial and he is convicted, he faces few consequences. But he says that for him, the issue is one of principle. “Sometimes, when what is officially the law is wrong, you try to get the law changed,” Ogletree, told the Times. “But if you can’t, you break it.” Ogletree explained that both his children are Gay, and that he has long accepted that fact. His daughter previously married her partner in Massachusetts, in a non-Meth-

without a church trial. According to Ogletree, Paige asked him to apologize and promise never to perform such a ceremony again. He refused. “I said, ‘This is an unjust law,’” he recalled telling Paige. “Dr. King broke the law. Jesus of Nazareth broke the law – he drove the money-changers out of the temple. So you mean you should never break any law, no matter how unjust it is?” In a long post on the Washington Post On Faith blog, entitled “Why I Disobeyed the United Methodist Church’s Unjust Teaching on Same-Sex Marriage,” Ogletree recalled his childhood in the old South. “As a white Southerner growing up during the segregation era,” he wrote, “I became intensely aware of the pervasive racism in our society. I recognized that I had to join emerging new movements to dismantle racial segregation or I would myself become morally complicit for injustices resident in those practices … “My experiences in the Civil Rights movement,” he continued, “have illumined my responses to what I perceive to be unjust disciplinary rules in the United Method-

Ogletree is not without support in his denomination. At the UMC’s General Conference last May, a proposal to endorse samesex marriage was hotly debated, but it eventually was voted down by a wide margin, 61% to 39%. Retired African-American Bishop Melvin Talbert was so angry over the result, he exclaimed, “The time for talking is over. It is time for us to act in defiance of unjust words of immoral and derogatory discrimination.” The UMC has dealt with at least four other cases in which clergy performed same-sex marriages. In 1999, the Rev. Greg Dell was suspended from the ministry for one year. In the same year, 68 Methodist ministers were brought up on charges after they blessed a Lesbian wedding as a protest against the church’s position, but that case was eventually dropped. The Rev. Jimmy Creech was defrocked, however, for continuing to marry same-sex couples after he had been warned to desist. In 2011, the Rev. Amy DeLong was convicted of violating the Book of Discipline for marrying a same-sex couple, but received only a 20-day suspension.

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18 Seattle Gay News

May 10, 2013

Celebrating 40 Years!

international news

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Albania, a small, poor country that recently was labeled the “most homophobic country in Europe,” has passed a new hate crimes law that specifically includes LGBT persons – and goes beyond U.S. law in protecting them. Passed by the Albanian parliament on May 4, the new law amends the country’s existing criminal code to add LGBT protections not previously offered in the law. The first change amends Section 50, clause J, to name sexual orientation and gender identity as explicitly protected

thew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which does not penalize the distribution of anti-LGBT material over the Internet. Albania’s ombudsman, Igli Totozani, who was one of the driving forces behind the legislation, hailed the new law. “The approval of amendments to the Criminal Code against homophobia represents a revolution in the Albanian legislation against homophobia,” Totozani said. “Albania is on the way to a more fair, equal, and European society,” he added. “[The laws are a] valuable contribution to a greater protection of human dignity and a more open and European Albania.”

“Albania is on the way to a more fair, equal, and European society. [The laws are a] valuable contribution to a greater protection of human dignity and a more open and European Albania.” classes, just as race, ethnicity, language, and other factors are. The clause now reads: “… when the offense is committed due to reasons related to gender, race, color, ethnicity, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, health status, genetic predisposition, or disability[.]” Albanian prosecutors can now pursue extra penalties for hate crimes against LGBT individuals. NO HATE IN CYBERSPACE In the second amendment to the criminal code, distributing homophobic material is outlawed, even over the Internet. The new language amends Article 119 to create a list of offenses that include “[p]roviding to the public or distribution of deliberate materials containing racist, homophobic, or xenophobic content, through the communication and information technology.” Violations are “punishable by a fine or imprisonment up to two years.” This language goes beyond the U.S. Mat-

file photo

Albania passes LGBTinclusive hate crimes law

Bekim Asani of the LGBT United group in neighboring Macedonia told Gay Star News that he was in tears at the news. “Albania is leading the region with its visionary and tolerant approach to LGBT rights,” he said. “It really brings tears to my eyes to think that a mainly Muslim, secular, Balkan state can be so progressive. We hope Macedonia and other countries in the area will follow its lead.” SECULAR BUT PREJUDICED Perhaps 60% of Albanians identify as Muslim, but many do not actively practice religion. Under the Communist government that ruled Albania from 1944 to 1992, religious institutions were suppressed and public worship was forbidden. Same-sex relations were forbidden as well, and were only decriminalized in 1995. An anti-discrimination law including protections for LGBT individuals was passed in 2010, but Albanian society retained its reputation for homophobia in spite of government efforts to bring the county’s social

Albanian prime minister Sali Berisha

attitudes into line with those of the European Union. In March, the European Social Survey named Albania the most homophobic country in Europe, based on the findings of its opinion survey. According to the EES poll, 53% of Albanians believe that “Gays and Lesbians should not be free to live life as they wish.” Albanian LGBT rights activist Xheni Karaj told Balkan Insight that the survey’s findings reflect the discrimination that members of the community face every day in Albania. “It’s part of a mentality that does not see us as members of the community and often

perceives [being Gay] as a phenomenon imported from developed countries, and that there is no such thing as homosexual in Albania,” she said. “People should understand that we have been, are, and will continue to be Albanians and homosexual,” Karaj added. In March 2012, Albanian Deputy Defense Minister Ekrem Spahiu said Gay Pride marchers should be “beaten with billy clubs.” Prime Minister Sali Berisha promptly denounced his remarks as “unacceptable,” and Ombudsman Totozani began to campaign for a hate crimes law that protected LGBT Albanians.

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May 10, 2013

Seattle Gay News 19

Senate passes Internet sales tax bill Campaign contributions appear to have influenced both sides

supporting the bill (including Amazon, Walmart, AFL-CIO) have given 40 times as much money to senators than interest groups opposed (including eBay, TechNet, and the anti-tax group FreedomWorks). Senators voting Yes received, on average, 53% more money from Amazon than from eBay, and 44% more money from Amazon

than senators voting No. Senators voting No received, on average, 62% more money from eBay than senators voting Yes. Senators voting Yes received 29% more money, on average, from interest groups supporting the bill than senators voting No. The MapLight data can be found online at http://maplight.org/content/73240.

minnesota

sex couples marry for the same reasons as anyone else,” Carlbom added. “They want to marry the person they love.” A new Survey USA poll shows that 51% of Minnesotans favor marriage equality while 47% are opposed, with 2% unsure. Just over two months ago, in early February, only 42% favored legalizing same-sex marriage and 54% were opposed.

continued from cover line (the bill exempts businesses with less than $1 million in annual sales). Opposition to the bill is being led by eBay, Minnesota Capitol building, with proBy a vote of 69-27, the U.S. Senate passed which has organized a coalition of small on- equality forces wearing orange T-shirts and a bill May 6 that would require online retail- line retailers to lobby Congress to reject it. holding signs that read “I Support the Freedom to Marry.” ers to collect and distribute sales taxes acBehind them, opponents held up bright BIG MONEY WEIGHS IN cording to the tax laws of the 50 states. MapLight analysis of campaign contribu- pink signs that simply read “Vote No.” If signed into law, this bill would impact Among the pro-equality demonstrators thousands of LGBT owned and operated tions from interest groups that have taken a position on the bill, known as the Market- was Grace McBride, a 27-year-old nurse online retail companies. Under current law, retailers are only re- place Fairness Act (S-743), to members of from St. Paul. She told the Minneapolis Star quired to collect sales taxes for online pur- the Senate from January 1, 2007 to Decem- Tribune that she and her partner felt comchases originating in states where they have ber 31, 2012, is available. SGN received pelled to be there to watch history unfold. She hopes to get married “as soon as I data from the Center for Responsive Polia physical presence. The bill is supported by national brick- tics in regards to contributions made by big can,” she said. If the bill passes in the Senate, it will take effect on August 1. and-mortar chains and Amazon, both of business. “I have thought about my wedding since I We found that Amazon’s contributions to which would gain a competitive advantage by the increased burden the bill would place the Senate total $208,428, eBay’s contribu- was a little girl,” she added. on small and mid-size retailers that sell on- tions total $177,900, and interest groups GOING FOR 12 The state Senate will take up the bill on May 13. Democratic leaders said they are confident they have the votes to pass the measure there too. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has promised to sign the bill when it comes to his desk, making Minnesota the 12th state in the country to authorize samesex marriage, after Delaware. Richard Carlbom, executive director of Minnesotans United for All Families, said there has been “a dramatic shift in attitude toward Gay marriage in the last decade because people understand that marriage, regardless of who you are, is about the commitment two people share. And they don’t want to stand in the way any longer.” “More and more people realize that sameby Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

OPPONENTS DEMORALIZED Even some Republicans, whose “Don’t Mess With Marriage” campaign failed to catch fire in the wake of voters’ decisive rejection of an anti-equality constitutional amendment last November, said that marriage equality appears to be a done deal. “Is it inevitable? I’d say probably,” said Republican Rep. Michael Beard. “I mean, marriage is what it is, but they are redefining words and redefining meanings that have been in use for centuries because it is the cause of the week, the flavor of the month.” Speaker Paul Thissen told reporters on May 6 that he had at least the 68 votes needed to pass the measure. His Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party has a majority of 73 seats in the House. In the end, four Republicans voted for the bill and two Democrats voted against it. “My family knew firsthand that same sexcouples pay our taxes, we vote, we serve in the military, we take care of our kids and our elders, and we run businesses in Minnesota,” said the bill’s sponsor, openly Lesbian Rep. Karen Clark. “Same-sex couples should be treated fairly under the law, including the freedom to marry the person we love.”

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20 Seattle Gay News

May 10, 2013

Celebrating 40 Years!

cherry

continued from page 20 ing promiscuous and/or adorned flamboyantly. Love it!” “Plus I’ve been dyeing my hair red since before I could drive and challenging the status quo for just as long,” she said. QUEER BURLESQUE DIFFERENT Seattle has long had a love affair with burlesque. Any night of the week, one can see a burlesque entertainer – or a whole show, for that matter – almost anywhere in the city. Cherry Tart says, however, that Queer burlesque is a horse of a different color. “I hope Queer burlesque keeps happening and that it gets more recognition because it is so different from the mainstream interpretation of burlesque,” she told SGN. “Queer burlesque performers are often so savvy in using one’s body to be subversive in shifting cultural norms and challenging the messedup stuff that happens in society around sexism, sizeism, gender norms, Transphobia, and even racism.” “There is a huge social justice aspect to Queer burlesque and so much of it, at least what I am involved with, is about giving back to and celebrating our community,” she said. “It’s about finding the joy in who we are and who we love. Being an ‘other’ body on stage is an inherently political act and can be downright revolutionary.” “If the mainstream wants to adopt a more open stance to all the different types of Queer love, explore body celebration, and become more welcoming to critiques of society in the form of fabulous folks wearing glitter, I think that would be pretty awesome,” said Cherry Tart. DEBAUCHERY AND GLORY “I love Seattle,” Cherry Tart said, in such a way that you actually believe her. “It’s my home town.” “I was raised by two Lesbians in a log cabin out in the woods with a big red truck out front and organic gardens out back,” she explains. “My mom is a self-employed glass artist, from a family of glass artists and painters. She cannot figure out how some-

thing so femme-y came out of her body, as she’s more of a soft butch girl.” Growing up in a small town with two moms certainly was not always the most socially accepted thing at the time, Cherry Tart explains, “but I learned at an early age that it is important to be who you are, love who you love, and work to build a strong community.” But things have changed and these days, Cherry Tart finds nothing but community. “I’m lucky that I get to spend time with a lot of amazing performers,” she said. “Some of my favorites have got to be Lily Divine, Randy Andy, Tiger Bombshell, Cinnamon Maxxine, okanomode & THE CAROUSEL and the Luminous Pariah.” Outside of town, Cherry Tart enjoys The Lady Ms. Vagina Jenkins, who she says “would have to be my most favorite classic performer.” “And I’ve had the honor of spending a bit of time with the amazing legendary performer Miss Toni Elling.” SIZE SOMETIMES MATTERS But all that glitters certainly is not gold. Even in progressive Seattle, there can sometimes be venue owners or management that seeks to divide the community for whatever reason. Cherry Tart is well aware of this. “I’m disappointed that there are some venues that have spoken or unspoken policies barring larger performers.” Cherry Tart says she just doesn’t get it “because I have never seen an audience that didn’t love good artistry no matter what the size/shape/color.” Cherry Tart is a regular performer at Debauchery every third Thursday at Neighbours Nightclub (1509 Broadway). She’s also involved with Randy Andy Productions as her drag king alter-ego, Glitterace (the lost love child of Freddy Mercury and Liberace). “I just produced my first show, “You Are Loved! A Big Gay Cabaret at Meander’s Kitchen,” she said. Other performances include “West Side Glory” at the Skylark, hosted by Jeffrey Robert, and several “Oh Snapz!” She also starred in productions of “The Wiz,” a multicultural cabaret. In addition, she has taught costume-making at The Femme Con-

ference and NoLose. “I’ve been performing at least once a month at various shows for over two years, and I donate a lot of performances to fundraiser shows benefiting local charities,” she said. YOU ARE LOVED It is important, Cherry Tart believes, that people – especially LGBTQ people – hear and know that they are loved. To fight bigotry, she created “You Are Loved: A Big Gay Cabaret!” held April 26-27 at Meander’s Kitchen in Seattle as a fundraiser for LGBTQ youth. Meander’s was scheduled to host folksinger Michelle Shocked at the time, but canceled her appearance following her anti-Gay onstage rant in San Francisco. “I wanted the show to be the antithesis of what Michelle Shocked said,” said Cherry Tart. “Whatever her excuse, I feel like repeating hate speech has a lot of power, and claiming to be ironic does not erase the fact that words like that were used to make me afraid my mommies were not going to come home when I was a kid.” “I wanted to build the show theme around creating a loving community response in the face of hate. I wanted a positive celebratory space to let the Queer kids know they were loved. The actual title comes from a Facebook friend, Sister Glo Euro N’Wei, who posts a message of self-acceptance every day followed by the phrase ‘You Are Loved.’” “That is amazing and clear, yet hugely profound,” she said. “I mean, there are posters all over town saying ‘You Are Loved,’ and I get to start every e-mail to performers and helpers with the same sentiment,” said Cherry Tart. “If that isn’t a positive and intentional message in the face of anti-Gay remarks, I don’t know what is.” The two-day “love-fest” was a hit. Cherry Tart, alongside Adra Boo of Fly Moon Royalty, James Bound, Lily Divine, Ceasar Hart, Al Lykya, Cinnamon Maxxine, Solange Corbeau, Lily Divine, Al Lykya, comedian Jeffrey Robert, Pidgeon Von Tramp, Cori Connilungus, Lady Laycock, Sarey Savy, Chocolate Saucy, Randy Andy and Cock Saucy, Honey Bucket, (just) David,

okanomodé and THE CAROUSEL, and Mary Lambert, raised $2,500 to benefit two amazing Queer youth organizations: Camp Ten Trees and Queer Rock Camp. A $500 donation from Pride Foundation’s Beyond the Bridge program put the total amount raised at a healthy $3,000. Cherry Tart hosted and produced the event, with the raffle hosted by Mac MacGregor. Assistance to Cherry Tart was provided by Miss Violet De Ville, while Shannon Sounders handled stage management. Astro worked the sound system; Angela Merici gathered raffle prizes; Tiger Bombshell, Sky, and friends were on cleanup duty; and chocolates were provided by Sister of the Mother House of Washington (Sisters Assisting, Angela Merici, Gaurd Saturnalia). Drinks were donated by Burners Without Borders, and poster printing was done by Seattle Event Printing. LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS There are a few things about Cherry Tart that you might not know. For instance, “I don’t like chocolate,” she says. “I spent my last two years of high school attending college thru the Running Start program, so I graduated college with an AAS degree the day before I graduated high school,” she said with a grin. “I serve on two nonprofit boards of directors: The Northwest Network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Survivors of Abuse, and Lily Divine Productions.” “Oh, and I’ve had three cars totaled in notmy-fault accidents and I have never had a broken bone or required stitches,” she says. “I know I’m super-lucky. I’ve said it before and I will say it again: I’m grateful that my curves have managed to spare me any permanent damage.” Cherry Tart hopes to produce more shows in the future, “because You Are Loved was an amazing experience.” “I have an essay on body-positivity and survival in Hot & Heavy: Fierce Fat Girls on Life, Love, & Fashion, edited by Virgie Tovar,” she said. “The book is amazing and I highly recommend it to folks who are struggling with body love.”

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