Celebrating 41 Years! Issue 20 Volume 43
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SGN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: An interview with Tab Hunter
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Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
New HIV breakthrough: Sawant commands first Implants can solve District 3 candidate adherence problem forum Other candidates struggle to find their voice
Kshama Sawant is the popular candidate for the District 3 seat – www.kshamasawant.org Scientists have developed a subdermal implant to deliver antiretroviral drugs – arhp.org
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff writer
roviral drugs. Their finding is published in the latest issue of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Scientists at Oak Crest Institute of SciThe implant is said to be about the size ence in Pasadena say they have developed a of a matchstick, and can deliver a controlled subdermal implant that can deliver antiretsee breakthrough page 15
Nepal hit with another quake
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
the Central District, Leschi, Madrona, Madison Park, and Montlake neighborhoods. Sawant is being challenged by former Incumbent City Council member Equal Rights Washington executive direcKshama Sawant commanded the stage at the tor Rod Hearne, Urban League president first candidate forum in the District 3 City Pamela Banks, Seattle Women’s CommisCouncil race on May 12. The new District 3 takes in Capitol Hill, see district 3 page 6
Emerald City Softball Association celebrates midseason with party
With half of its 2015 regular season in the books, the ECSA gives thanks to one of its Hall of Fame electees with May 17 event at Changes by Tony Stasiek Special to the SGN
Aid workers survey damage after a 2nd earthquake rocks Nepal – abc7.com
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Still reeling from last month’s devastating earthquake, Nepal was struck again Tuesday by a magnitude 7.3 earthquake that caused more deaths, created fresh landslides and brought down already shaky buildings. According to officials, more than 1,117 people were injured in the largest aftershock yet recorded from the 7.8 quake on April 25. The toll could rise as rescue and cleanup efforts are still underway.
U.S. military teams and Nepalese army personnel evacuated at least 16 injured people from Charikot to Kathmandu on Tuesday, the U.S. embassy said. Embassy officials said they had no immediate reports of U.S. casualties. However, at least 30 of the country’s 75 administrative districts were affected, according to staterun Radio Nepal. In addition, the quake caused the temporary closure of Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport; which has acted as the see nepal page 14
Although the Emerald City Softball Association (ECSA) has hit the midpoint of its 2015 regular season, the action is just getting started. After the ECSA’s games on May 17, the league invites its players and supporters to celebrate its 36th season at the ECSA Midseason Party, May 17, 3 to 8 p.m., at Changes in Wallingford, 2103 N. 45th St. Changes and longtime owner Floyd McIsaac were elected to the ECSA’s Hall of Fame in 2014, in recognition of their 25 years of supporting what has become one of the country’s largest Gay-sports organiza-
tions. This year, the ECSA is larger than ever, with more than 555 players comprising 37 teams across three division – B, C and D – that are organized by skill level. Since Opening Day, each division has seen its share of excitement. The ECSA’s B Division, reserved for the highest-skill players, boasts a record nine teams in 2015. A number of its players are new to the division this year, commissioner Frank Pichinini says, having moved up from lower divisions to try their hand against tougher competition. Three newly formed teams top the standings entering May 17s games, led by the Ball Hawks, Arsesee ecsa page 6
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Celebrating 41 Years!
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Seattle Gay News 3
Gay Envy rather than admit that they wish they could be like us, they condemn us as sex-driven, promiscuous libertines; sex fiends who copulate anywhere and anytime, and without consideration for our own health or the morals of humanity. Now I don’t presume to speculate about the sex lives of leading homophobes. But whatever their personal lives might be, these religious crackpots are obviously obsessed with queer people’s sex lives. In their fantasies, Gay or Bisexual male teachers are out to seduce innocent boys and Trans* women are really straight men in drag who use their “transition” as an excuse to sneak
tomatically opens its door after a certain time appealed to the Mayor, though not for efficiency’s sake. The way that Naugle saw it, a robotic toilet would put a stop to Gay tearoom sex, which he presumed hapby Jesse Monteagudo pened all the time. Gay men, Naugle proSGN Contributing Writer claimed, are “engaging in sex, anonymous sex, illegal sex” in toilets. “We’re trying to H. L. Mencken once wrote that Puriprovide a family environment where people tanism is “the haunting fear that someone, can take their children who need to use the somewhere, may be happy.” The idea that bathroom without having to worry about a bigots hate those who might be having a couple of men in there engaged in a sex act,” good time comes to mind whenever the he added, noting that he received “numerlikes of Peter LaBarbera of Americans for ous calls of complaints from concerned citiTruth About Homosexuality, Matt Barber zens.” of the Liberty Counsel, Bryan Mayor Naugle was a Fischer of the American Fampain in our collective butts; and ily Association or Tony Perkins I am glad that he finally retired of the Family Research Council from a job that he held for too make a stupid or hateful comlong. For all his faults, the curment about the LGBT commurent Fort Lauderdale Mayor nity or our allies. Some attribute Jack Seiler would never make these men’s enduring homophostupid comments like that. On bia to their own suppressed hothe other hand, LaBarbera and mosexuality. (This is especially Barber and Fischer and Perkins true of Mr. LaBarbera.) This is are still around; and their regular no more than conjecture; and I comments make even the crazihave no reason to doubt the hetest Naugle remarks seem almost erosexuality of LaBarbera, Barsane. To these men, being Gay is ber, Fischer or Perkins (among all about sex, sex, SEX! Though others). However, like other puthey never say it, it wouldn’t ritans, these religious crackpots surprise me if they think that seem obsessed with the idea that LGBT doctors, lawyers or realLesbians, Gay men, Bisexuals tors spend their working days and Trans* people are getting screwing their clients (in the litmore than we deserve, in spite eral sense of the word); or that of their determined belief that LGBT-friendly synagogues and LGBT people are “unhappy.” churches exist primarily as pickBeware of the envious – internationalrelationscliches.blogspot.com Though there are many reasons up joints. Alas, our lives are not why one might be homo- bi- or transpho- into women’s bathrooms and locker rooms. always as exciting as our critics think they bic, envy of LGBT people is certainly one One of the most memorable incidents of are. But they are certainly more interesting of them. According to Gregory M. Herek of homophobic insanity involved Jim Naugle, and fulfilling than theirs. the University of California at Davis, “het- who was Mayor of the City of Fort LauderI have been openly Gay for all of my erosexual men may envy gay men because dale, Florida from 1991 to 2009. (I have a adult life and, while I’ve had my ups and the latter are not constrained by the mascu- lot of Jim Naugle stories on file, but one will downs, they had nothing to do with my sexline ideal. Heterosexuals may also envy the suffice.) Though La-Di-Da’s LGBT com- ual orientation. In fact, I think being Gay sexual freedom presumably enjoyed by les- munity was as dynamic then as it is now, it enriched my life; opening it to new varieties bians and gay men. In either case, the envy did not stop Hizzoner from expressing his and opportunities that I would never have is presumably translated unconsciously deeply-held bigotry. Just before Naugle left experienced if I was heterosexual. In fact, if into hostility.” In layperson’s terms, many office his City proposed to place a robotic I was straight, my life would probably be as straight men hate Gay or Bisexual men be- toilet at the “Gay beach” on the corner of boring as our enemies’ are. No wonder they cause we score more often than they do. But A1A and Sebastian Street. A toilet that au- keep attacking us.
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Celebrating 41 Years!
SEAMEC announces early endorsement of Herb Krohn for Port Commissioner SEAMEC has announced its early endorsement of Herb Krohn for Seattle Port Commissioner, Position 5. Herb Krohn is the Washington State Legislative Director for the United Transportation Union (UTU), which represents railroad and other transit workers. He also serves on the boards of Equal Rights Washington and SEAMEC. Position 5 is the seat now held by Bill Bryant, who has announced he will not run for reelection. The Seattle Port Commission is an elected body that oversees the management of both the Seattle seaport and SeaTac airport. This is not Krohn’s first run for public office. In 1986 he became the first openly Gay candidate in the state to win a contested primary election, running for the state Senate in the 32nd District. In the general election,
he received SEAMEC’s highest rating and a co-endorsement with incumbent Al Williams. SEAMEC bases its endorsements on interviews with candidates for public office, research into candidates’ backgrounds and public statements, and their records on issues of importance to the LGBT community. Early endorsements are given only when the candidates have shown exceptional commitment to LGBT rights and have a documented record of work on issues affecting the community. The endorsement of Herb Krohn reflects his political activism, his long service to SEAMEC, and his work with Equal Rights Washington. Courtesy of SEAMEC
OUTSpoken welcomes Matthew Shepard’s mother, Judy Shepard to the show Act was signed into law. From a mother’s perspective, Judy also authored a memoir, The Meaning of Matthew, which explores the family’s journey including Matthew’s life, the prosecution of his murderers, the ensuing media coverage, and the family’s continuing work to advance civil rights. The Shepards continue to make Wyoming their home. Director Michele Josue, a friend of Matt’s, took to the road and visited pivotal location’s in Matt’s life while interviewing friends, family members, and others who were touched by Matt. This documentary, Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine, is now playing in select theaters across North America, following a year of acclaim on the festival circuit and recent accolades at the Side by Side Film Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia. A winner of four Best Documentary awards, Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine first opened in New York and two other cities on February 6, followed by Los Angeles on February 13, and continues to expand into select markets across the U.S. and Canada.
Foundation site: http://matthewshepard.org Foundation program to create virtual blog/community for LGBT youth: http:// matthewsplace.org Website for documentary on Matt’s life Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine: http:// mattshepardisafriendofmine.com Personal writings by Judy Shepard for HuffPo: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ judy-shepard/ Visit us at www.hotmesssunday.com for more details, events, and past recordings. Courtesy of OUTSpoken
WEBSITE LINKS:
Judy Shepard – courtesy of OUTSpoken
OUTSpoken, a Pacific Northwest LGBT radio talk show hailing from Spokane, WA features two dynamic hosts, Jonathan Shuffield and Sergey Grankin, who talk about issues and people affecting the LGBT community both locally and globally. OUTSpoken is honored to welcome Judy Shephard to May 17th’s show. Tune in Sundays 12:00 to 2:00 PST 88.1/92.3 FM or stream live from www.hotmesssunday.com. In October of 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their 21-year-old son, Matthew, to a brutal murder motivated by anti-Gay hate. Determined to prevent others from suffering their son’s fate, Judy and Dennis decided to turn their grief into action and established the Matthew Shepard Foundation to advance the causes Mat-
thew championed during his lifetime. The Foundation seeks to replace hate with understanding, acceptance, and compassion through educational resources, outreach and advocacy. Judy Shepard is the founding president of the Foundation’s Board of Directors and in that role, she travels across the nation and the world urging audiences to act individually and collectively to make the world a more accepting place for everyone regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sex, and gender identity. Judy Shepard became an LGBT activist and the most recognized voice in the fight for a more inclusive federal hate crimes statute. In 2009, more than a decade after Shepard’s murder, The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention
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Matthew Shepard – courtesy of OUTSpoken
May 15, 2015
Seattle Gay News 5
Donald J. Abshire – IN MEMORIAM
Donald J. Abshire (l) with his partner, John Cook
ecsa
continued from cover nal and Expos. In the C Division, the Maulers recently moved into first place with a 9-1 record. Just behind them are the upstart Hammer (9-2) and the 2014 division champion Knights (8-2). The Muffin Tops – the ECSA’s last remaining undefeated team – lead the D Division at 10-0 and hope to represent Seattle for the second-straight year at the North American Gay Amateur Athletics Alliance
district 3
continued from cover sion member Morgan Beach, and retired reporter Leon Carter. In her opening speech Sawant threw down the gauntlet for the evening, taking credit for Seattle’s $15 per hour minimum wage, for voting down massive rent hikes at Seattle Housing Authority properties, and for a City Council resolution opposing Arctic oil drilling.
(NAGAAA) World Series after the season. Hot on their heels are the Atomic and Fat Cats. ECSA regular-season games continue through June 20. Following that is the annual Emerald City Classic (ECC) tournament on July 4-5. In 2014, the ECC was the West Coast’s largest Gay-softball tournament, and it will welcome more than 60 teams in 2015 from as far away as Minneapolis, Houston and San Diego. Volunteers are welcome to help with ECC events and games. Email ecc@seattlegaysoftball.com for information.
In their opening remarks, her opponents chastised Sawant for her sometimescontentious relationship with her City Council colleagues. “The District 3 Council seat is only one vote,” openly Gay candidate Rod Hearne said in his opening remarks. “I’d still need four more. You build allies by building trust,” he added, noting that he’d done so at Equal Rights Washington and Washington United for Marriage. “It’s not about beating your opponents,”
District 3 City Council candidate Rod Hearne – theseattlelesbian.com
She then identified income inequality as the main problem facing Seattle, and promised to combat it with a program of rent control, maximum linkage fees for developers, and city funding for transit and mental health services. Sawant’s campaign clearly did the best job of turning out supporters to the forum, and every statement from her was greeted with enthusiastic applause – so much so that at one point she had to ask supporters to quiet down, so she’d have more time to speak.
he said. “I’m focused on winning them over.” “It’s time to stop grandstanding and govern,” Morgan Beach warned. “I’ll see that all the residents of District 3 have an effective representative who can deliver results,” Pamela Banks promised. While Sawant’s opponents seemed to agree on the kind of Council member they didn’t want – namely Sawant – they struggled to find their own voice on issues where Sawant had preempted the discussion. All the candidates, for example, agreed
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Donnie, aka Donald J. Abshire, left earth April 17, 2015 for the Great Beyond. A Loving Friend and Partner, he’ll be missed by all that knew him. He was the kind of person who spoke his truth, never with malice, but from his heart. Truth was one of his greatest strengths and much admired, even when the truth might hurt. The last 32 years of his life were physically and spiritually challenging, sometimes referring to himself as a PSP (Professionally Sick Person). Yet he inspired so many. Some thought this tough Old Bird was never gonna die. He drew strength from the God of his understanding and the love of his friends. His true commercial talent was interior design, attested to by all the hair left on the showroom floors. He knew what he wanted and by God that’s what he got 99% of the time. If not, he’d be back at
About the ECSA The ECSA started in 1980 in Seattle as a group of friends playing ball and has grown to be a welcoming place for LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ players to partake in the competition and spirit of softball. It is now one of the oldest and largest Gay-softball leagues in the nation. Games are on Sundays at North SeaTac Park in Seatac and Moshier Park in Burien. As a member of NAGAAA – which represents more than 10,000 players in 36 member cities in the U.S. and Canada – the
the opening of business the next day! I had the gift of being his Partner for 21 years. We took 4 years off to work on our Programs. Thanks to God’s Grace it was time well spent!!! We deepened our commitment and learned the TRANSFORMATIVE Power of Loving and Giving Back…. So Long For Now, Youngster. – JC
ECSA sends its top teams to each year’s NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series. In August 2014, a record nine teams represented Seattle and the ECSA in the World Series in Dallas. This year’s series is set for August 17-22 in Columbus, Ohio. To learn more about the ECSA or to get information on sponsoring the league or its teams, please visit emeraldcitysoftball.org or contact marketing/communications director Tony Stasiek at marcom@seattlegaysoftball.com.
that the cost of housing is pushing working Sawant enjoys several advantages in the class and even middle class people out of campaign: she’s the incumbent, she’s rolled Seattle. Sawant alone was able to name con- up a number of important endorsements, crete solutions – rent control, requiring six including many labor unions, and she has a months notice for rent increases, and city core of dedicated volunteers. financing for “thousands of new units of afShe also has amassed the biggest camfordable housing.” paign treasury. According to Seattle EthWhile all her opponents reject rent con- ics and Election Commission numbers, trol, they had no alternative to offer apart Sawant has raised more than $81,000, from increasing compared with density in the $48,000 for urban core – in Banks, $47,000 other words for Hearne, most of District and $10,000 for 3 – and hoping Beach. Carter that increasing has reported no supply could fundraising. keep up with Nevdemand. ertheless, SawaOn the only nt doesn’t have specifically the election LGBT question locked down. A of the night – poll taken last How would year shows she you protect the is a polarizing city’s Transgenfigure, unlike der commumost of her colnity? – Sawant leagues. While once again she has the offered conhighest name crete solutions, recognition of promising to any incumbent champion city City Council funding for an member and LGBTQ Center. the highest apHearne adproval ratings, vocated genshe also has the District 3 City Council candidate Pamela Banks – electpamelabanks.com der-neutral resthighest disaprooms in public proval ratings. places, and a public education campaign to To take her down, however, one of her help cisgender people “recognize that gen- opponents has to find an issue that resoder is not one thing or the other.” nates with the District 3 voters that Sawant Banks referred to the city’s Race and So- hasn’t already preempted. Based on their cial Justice Initiative, and Beach promised performances at the May 12 candidate foto “empower community groups.” Carter rum, it looks like that will be a struggle for said he was proud to be on the stage with them. such nice people.
Celebrating 41 Years!
Academic student employees and UW agree on contract: Groundbreaking step toward an inclusive, equitable campus
Student employees and the UW agree on contract – photos.oregonlive.com
Unprecedented aspects of the new contract include protections against micro-aggressions, access to all-gender bathrooms, and commitments by the employer to increase access to lactation stations! After months of heated negotiations and actions by members of the union to push for a more equitable workplace, UAW Local 4121 (the union for Academic Student Employees) and the University of Washington have agreed to a contract that features historic movement toward ensuring an inclusive campus.
For the first time, there is a clear definition of micro-aggressions and new language around workplace conduct that empowers members to file grievances should circumstances warrant. Micro-aggressions are everyday exchanges – including words and actions – that denigrate and exclude individuals based on their membership in a group or class of individuals. These more subtle forms of discrimination greatly impact people’s ability to work and learn on campus, and they are increasingly recognized as key targets in the fight against racism, sexism, and homophobia.
“Even a small level of protection is fundamentally important for a lot of people,” says Lydia Ramirez, Teaching Assistant, Department of Philosophy. “I may not be afraid of being gay bashed while working but it does not mean that I cannot be made to feel uncomfortable for my sexual orientation and gender identity. I deserve a workspace free from aggression, micro or otherwise.” Union members have taken action to address these issues through existing dispute resolution processes, but wanted to change the collective bargaining agreement
to more clearly address micro-aggressions. Micro-aggressions are increasingly understood to be a problem affecting inclusion and productivity of employees, and are squarely in the center of the current media conversation, evidenced by various social media projects, including Tumblr pages from Harvard and Fordham Universities, as well as this recent piece by KUOW Radio: http://bit.ly/1AgYk53. In addition, the contract features a commitment by the University to 26 all-gender bathrooms on central campus by Summer 2015 and a clear provision for adequate time for student employees to access these bathrooms. Additionally, the University will advertise its clean, private lactation stations on an official website, with the ability to add additional stations as they become known and available. The Union will continue to work with the University to expand the number of all-gender bathrooms and lactation stations in order to meet current and future demands from our members. Overall, this new contract represents incredible steps forward on the part of the University to conquer institutional oppression by supporting and providing for all academic student employees. Courtesy of UAW 4121
Musicians win support for fair treatment Seattle City Council to declare May 20 “Fair Trade Music Day” by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Local musicians won important support from the Seattle City Council May 13, when Nick Licata’s Finance and Culture Committee voted unanimously to “reaffirm their support for all workers, including musicians, having the right to negotiate fair contracts, establish equitable business relationships, and abide by enforceable standards.” In addition, the committee’s resolution, co-sponsored by Licata and Mike O’Brien, will declare May 20 “Fair Trade Music Day” in Seattle. The resolution goes before the whole City Council on May 18, but with eight of the nine Council members plus Mayor Ed Murray already on record in support, it is almost certain the measure will pass. Fair Trade Music Seattle is a grassroots campaign bringing local musicians – union and non-union – together to fight for basic rights. “This city does a good job of supporting music, but often not a very good job of supporting musicians,” musicians union organizer Paul Bigman told Licata’s committee. While it may seem obvious that musicians should have written contracts with club owners and be paid an agreed-upon amount, musicians say even these simple rules are far from standard in their business. Testifying before Licata’s committee, local musicians recounted how club owners often refuse to sign contracts with musicians, and then pay them less than was agreed on verbally. One musician who spoke with SGN be-
fore the committee hearing asked not to be identified by name because he feared retaliation by club owners. A recent incident illustrated the problems musicians have to face, he said. His band was hired to open for a nationally-known band. He was “treated with disdain at best,” he said, when he asked for a written contract. Then he was informed that the band was touring without instruments, and his group would be expected to loan them theirs. When he again asked for a written agreement with assurances that the headline act would pay for any damage to the instruments, he says the venue offered him a mere $50 extra for the use of his instruments. “I found out later that the venue was paid $2,500 to rent instruments for the [headline] band,” he told SGN. “They offered us $50 and pocketed the rest. “A month later I saw a Facebook post with that same band destroying their instruments in another city,” he continued. “What if it had been our instruments? I don’t have $5,000 to throw down for new instruments. “I have a day job where I don’t even make a living. I’m lucky if I go home at the end of a gig with $50. We’re expected to fill the club at $25 per ticket and we end up with $1 or $2 per ticket.” Bigman also explained that some music promoters make musicians sign onerous non-compete clauses in order to play at local music festivals. “Several local festivals, including the Capitol Hill Block Party, require excessive and unreasonable non-compete clauses,” he said, sometimes making musicians promise
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Musicians have won support for fair contracts and negotiations – axezen.com
not to play at other festivals with a 300-mile radius. A number of local venues have already agreed to Fair Trade Music principles, including enforceable written contracts with musicians and fair pay for a night’s work. Fair Trade Music venues that may be familiar to SGN readers include 88 Keys, Capitol Cider, Chop Suey, Re-bar, Showbox, Showbox SoDo, and Vito’s. The Seattle Theater Group – which produces shows at the Moore, Neptune, and Paramount – has signed on to the campaign. Last year Fair Trade Music won their first victory when they were able to get four designated “musician loading zones” in front of the Crocodile and Tula’s in Belltown, High Dive in Fremont, the Showbox by Pike Place Market, and the Triple Door
in downtown Seattle. The group has also written a template for musician’s performance agreements so that venues and musicians can agree on terms and conditions of employment quickly and fairly. They have also conducted training for musicians on how to negotiate a contract with club owners. AFM (American Federation of Musicians) Local 76-493, their national union, and the Washington State Labor Council have put up funds for free diagnostics and tune-ups for sound systems at Fair Trade Music venues.
May 15, 2015
Seattle Gay News 7
Senator Patty Murray introduces Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act
U.S. Senator Patty Murray pushes for fair credit opportunities for LGBT individuals – etitleloan.com
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Washington’s senior Senator Patty Murray has introduced a bill to ban discrimination against LGBT Americans when they apply for credit. The Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act (FDCA) would amend the Equal
Credit Opportunity Act to prohibit credit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. There is currently no federal law that protects LGBT individuals from credit discrimination. Fourteen states and the District of Columbia prohibit credit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity – including California, Colorado, Con-
necticut, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. New York has a law prohibiting discrimination in credit transactions based on sexual orientation, but not gender identity. The FDCA would prohibit credit discrimination against all LGBT Americans. The bill debuted on May 13. Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) has introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives. “Securing credit is an important part of our economy and helps so many Americans looking to buy a home, go to college, or start a small business,” Murray said in a statement. “It is unacceptable that someone can be denied credit, simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. I am proud that my home state of Washington has these protections, but it is time to ensure all LGBT Americans are protected from this discriminatory practice.” “We have made great strides towards achieving full equality for all LGBT Americans, but we still have a long way to go. Putting in place federal protection for LGBT Americans who face discriminations when applying for credit is good for our busi-
nesses, our economy and all hardworking Americans,” Israel added. “Since 2009 I’ve led the fight to prohibit lenders from denying credit based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and I’m proud to join my colleague Senator Murray in calling for passage of this important legislation.” The FDCA has been endorsed by: The Human Rights Campaign, The National Center for Transgender Equality, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, National LGBTQ Action Fund, and Credit Union National Association. “In many states, protections against discrimination for LGBT Americans are a patchwork at best and nonexistent at worst, including when it comes to fair and equal access to credit,” said David Stacy, Government Affairs Director of the Human Rights Campaign. “No one should be denied credit based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The commitment of Senator Murray and Congressman Israel to end this injustice is the kind of leadership Americans expect and deserve in Congress.”
Chris Christie boozes it up
Embarrassed NJ Republicans pay state back for Christie’s entertainment expenses
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie – sbnation.com
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, once touted as a frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, has racked up an astonishing $300,000 in
spending on food and drink charged to his state expense account. Christie’s refreshment allowance amounts to 80% of his total expense account. In addition, he has spent a cool $1 million on personal security during his time in office.
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According to the website New Jersey Watchdog, Christie’s most notable spending spree occurred during the 2010 and 2011 NFL football seasons at MetLife Stadium, where the New York’s Giants and Jets play their home games. New Jersey’s governor traditionally gets free use of luxury box-
es for games and other events at the government-owned venue, but food and beverages cost extra. On 58 occasions, Christie used a debit card to pay a total of $82,594 to Delaware North Sportservice, which operates the concessions at MetLife. The governor’s office did not provide any receipts, business reasons, or names of individuals entertained, New Jersey Watchdog said, but did defend the Governor’s spending. “The official nature and business purpose of the event remains the case regardless of whether the event is at the State House, Drumthwacket or a sporting venue,” said Christie press secretary Kevin Roberts in a prepared statement. The state GOP has repaid the purchases made at the stadium, which averaged about $1500 per game. New Jersey Watchdog is suing Christie to provide itemization of the $1 million he spent on personal security since taking office. Christie was elected Governor of New Jersey in 2009 and handily reelected in 2013. In January he formed a PAC to raise funds for a presidential bid, but his poll numbers have sagged due to the ongoing “Bridgegate” scandal, in which Christie aides were accused of engineering a retaliatory traffic jam in the town of Fort Lee, whose Democratic mayor refused to endorse Christie’s reelection.
Celebrating 41 Years!
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HHS to issue contraceptive guidelines in response to Patty Murray letter by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced May 11 that her department will issue new guidelines clarifying women’s rights to contraceptives under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Senator Patty Murray and 38 other Democrats had written to Burwell demanding clarification of consumers’ rights under the ACA. Reports by the National Women’s Law Center, the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Northwest Health Law Advocates, and NARAL Pro-Choice Washington showed that some healthcare plans are not in compliance with ACA, and have been denying women coverage, charging them incorrectly, or providing inaccurate information on contraception. The reports also identified gaps in coverage for transition-related care, preventive services for covered dependents, and other critical health care needs. Murray welcomed Burwell’s announcement in a statement. “Today’s announcement is an important
step toward making it clear that all insurance companies should follow the rules and provide women with the health care they are entitled to, including access to all forms of FDA-approved contraceptive methods,” she wrote. “I’ve been deeply concerned about reports in Washington state and across the country that show insurers are failing to uphold the standards set in the Affordable Care Act when it comes to women’s health. I’m pleased that with this announcement Secretary Burwell is acting to address these violations as well as others that have become barriers to accessing critical preventive care, especially for those in the transgender community. I look forward to continuing to work with her and my colleagues to help the families and communities we serve get the health care they need.” Murray and her colleagues wrote to Burwell on May 5. The week before, Murray also wrote to eight Washington state insurance providers challenging them on their failure to provide accurate information about contraceptive information to consumers. According to Murray’s office, three of the insurers – Coordinated Care, Bridgespan,
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Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell – Alex Wong/Getty Images
and Community Health Plan of Washing- ria Cantwell, was among the senators who ton – responded with assurances that they joined Murray in her May 5 letter to Burwould address the issues raised by the Sena- well. tor. Washington’s other U.S. senator, Ma-
May 15, 2015
Seattle Gay News 13
Scotland most pro-Gay country in Europe, ILGA says
Scotland scored the highest in ILGA’s 2015 “Rainbow Europe Index” – Yaël Ossowski
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Scotland scored the highest rating in ILGA’s 2015 “Rainbow Europe Index,” the group said May 11. The index measures progress on LGBT equality in European countries for 48 cri-
nepal
continued from cover hub for relief operations. The aftershock was reportedly so strong that it was felt as far away as New Delhi – some 500 miles west of Kathmandu. Last month’s quake damaged or destroyed about 90% of the buildings in the town of about 6,000, which is built on a rugged ridge line. Landslides were reported in parts of Sindhupalchowk (which suffered the greatest number of casualties in last month’s quake.) In central Katmandu’s Durbar Square, residents of the capital ran into the streets to escape damaged buildings and crammed into city buses in an effort to get home. At this point, according to Carson Cook, a former Seattle resident who lives in Nepal after moving a company he co-owns to Nepal, this scene is becoming all too repetitive. Between the aftershocks and the latest big quake, Cook says that while things were getting back to normal that all changed Tuesday. “Again but still rocking,” Cook told Seattle Gay News on Wednesday, just hours after the last quake to hit the landlocked nation. “Everything was getting back to normal. But now everyone is acting really cautious again.” Cook let all of us who worry about his safety in the region know through Facebook, which set up a notification that an earthquake had just occurred May 12. The page, www.facebook.com/safetycheck/nepalearthquake-may12/ allows people who live in Nepal or who are traveling at the moment, to check in so their friends and family are updated quicker than if they tried to call relatives separately. About eight months ago, Cook and his business partner Briton Stender moved part their credit card processing business to Nepal. Things were going well and just as the
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teria – including legal protections from discrimination in employment and services, measures to tackle hate crime, rights and recognition for Transgender and Intersex people, and equality in family law including same-sex marriage and parenting rights. Scotland scored 92%, ahead of the United Kingdom as a whole, which rated 86%.
Both countries legalized same-sex marriage last year, but the UK’s rating was downgraded because it lacks protections for Intersex people in England and Wales, and Northern Ireland has failed to respect LGBTI human rights in a range of areas including its refusal to legalize same-sex marriage. “The fact that Scotland now ranks best in Europe overall on LGBTI legal equality is welcome recognition for the efforts of campaigners and the willingness of our politicians to properly consult with LGBTI people and then act on the evidence by passing progressive measures,” Tom French, Policy and Public Affairs Coordinator for Scotland’s Equality Network, said. “However, the Equality Network warns against any complacency, as we know there is still much more to do to achieve full equality for LGBTI people in Scotland. “As ILGA’s review shows there are still areas where Scotland is failing to respect LGBTI human rights and falling behind the progress in other countries, particularly when it comes to the rights of trans and intersex people. “There is also a big difference between securing legal rights and full equality for LGBTI people in their everyday lives. “Despite real progress in the law, LGBTI people in Scotland are still facing unacceptable levels of prejudice, discrimination and disadvantage throughout their lives.”
Scotland and the UK were followed by Belgium (83%), Malta (77%), and Sweden (72%). The five countries ranked worst for LGBT legal equality in Europe include Azerbaijan (5%), Russia (8%), Armenia (9%), Ukraine (10%), and Monaco (11%). With a few exceptions, the human rights of LGBTI people are better respected in Western Europe than Central Europe, and are least protected in Eastern Europe, the ILGA said. Like Northern Ireland, Scotland is internally self-governing with its own parliament. The Scottish National Party (SNP), which controls Scotland’s government, is an explicitly socialist party and supports LGBT equality. In addition to controlling 64 of 129 seats in Scotland’s parliament, the SNP also won an unprecedented number of seats in the UK parliament, taking 56 of the 59 Scottish seats. The UK (Westminster) parliament makes law for the UK as a whole in areas not under the jurisdiction of the Scottish or Northern Ireland parliaments, and it makes law for England’s and Wales’ internal affairs. The ILGA (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Association) is a federation of 1,100 LGBTI rights organizations in 110 countries.
company was operating with 30 employees strong, the April 25 quake hit and essentially shut down the nation – and StenCo, Cook and Stender’s business. Over half of their staff had gone missing and they set up an online fundraiser at www.gofundme. com/stencosupport asking the public for $15,000 to save their business, but first and foremost, to help the families who lost everything in the disaster. Currently they have raised over $5,000 but are still asking for donations. [EDITOR’S NOTE: Jet City Improve hosts fundraising event for Nepal Jet City Improv is proud to announce a special comedy showcase on Sunday, May 17, 7:30-9:30 p.m, in support of the relief efforts in Nepal following the deadly earthquake that struck the region at the end of April. The event will be held at the Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE. All proceeds from tickets sales will be donated to Mercy Corps, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit that is providing food, water and shelter to the survivors of the Nepal earthquake. Tickets are $20 for this two-hour show featuring a mix of local independent comedy groups including Carskee, Price/Nixon, Interrobang!?, Scenic Detour, Dance Buffet and Illuminaughty. Tickets are available at the door or online at jetcityimprov.org.]
May 15, 2015
Celebrating 41 Years!
New HIV research partnership announced: UNC Chapel Hill and GlaxoSmithKline by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
A new HIV research project combining the efforts of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline was announced May 11. UNC Chapel Hill will put up a team of 40 researchers. GSK will provide its own research team and $20 million to fund the project for five years. The joint research project is described as “open ended” and will focus on several already identified approaches to curing HIV/ AIDS. The project is reportedly the first publicprivate research partnership of its kind, and will be called Qura Therapeutics. It will be based at the UNC Chapel Hill campus. The effort will be separate from ViiV Healthcare, the company owned by GSK, Pfizer, and Shionogi that develops and sells drugs that control HIV. Qura, as the name suggests, will try to develop a cure for HIV/ AIDS. “The excitement of this public-private partnership lies in its vast potential,” UNC
breakthrough continued from cover
and sustained release of anti-HIV drugs for up to 40 days with no adverse side effects. Tests have so far been done only with dogs, with human testing to follow. “To our knowledge this is the first implant to be used for this purpose,” said Oak Crest founder and president Dr. Marc Baum. “This novel device will revolutionize how we treat or prevent HIV/AIDS as it delivers powerful HIV-stopping drugs and eliminates one of the key obstacles in HIV/ AIDS prevention – adherence to proper dosing regimens,” he added. Although daily doses of antiretrovirals can help HIV-negative people to resist HIV infection – called pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP therapy – adherence to the dosing regimen is problematic. In fact, medical practitioners and scientists acknowledge that adherence is one of
Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol L Folt said. “Carolina has been at the forefront of HIV/AIDS research for the last 30 years. “This first of its kind, joint-ownership model is a novel approach toward finding a cure, and we hope it serves as an invitation to the world’s best researchers and scientists. “Today, Carolina’s best are taking another major step in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.” She added that the new partnership hoped to attract other collaborators in the future. “This partnership is a testament to our past and present leadership, innovation and commitment to this field,” GSK CEO Sir Andrew Witty said. “We are inspired by the confidence that with the right resources and research teams, we will be able to make a meaningful impact towards a cure for HIV.” The two partners have a history of HIV research that goes back to the earliest days of the epidemic. AZT, the first approved HIV drug, was patented in 1985 by Burroughs Wellcome, which was subsequently bought by GSK. the main drawbacks in current HIV prevention and treatment strategies. An implant that automatically releases the correct dose of antiretrovirals could solve the problem. “It’s unfortunate, but patients do not always follow the dosing instructions as prescribed,” Baum said. “In clinical trials erratic administration of drugs has led to highly variable efficacy outcomes. That’s what peaked our interest in the possible use of a subdermal implant for the prevention of HIV.” The use of subdermal implants for contraception began in the United States in 1993. A small flexible tube, measuring about 40mm in length, is inserted under the skin by a health care professional, typically the upper arm. After it is inserted it prevents pregnancy by releasing hormones that prevent ovaries from releasing eggs and by thickening cervical mucous. “Our subdermal implant is used in the same manner as a contraceptive implant. It
UNC logo courtesy of www.brillneumann.com/GSK logo courtesy of www.cimaglobal.com
At UNC-Chapel Hill, molecular biologist David Margolis and his colleagues are noted for their so-called “kick and kill” strategy to root out HIV from its many latent reservoirs in the body, even in patients already treated with antiretroviral therapy. That avenue will be one of the methods slated for further research.
With that approach, “what was once provocative and unthinkable became mainstream: let’s try and cure AIDS,” Myron Cohen, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at UNC-Chapel Hill, told BuzzFeed News.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in antiretroviral drug delivery – en.wikipedia.org
is easily inserted and removed and provides sustained release of the potent prodrug tenofovir alafenamide, which is roughly ten times more potent against HIV than tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, another tenofovir prodrug that has been shown to prevent sexually transmitted HIV when used as a pre-exposure prophylaxis,” Baum said.
“We are very pleased with the results of our preliminary studies and are working diligently to develop a subdermal implant for HIV prevention that will remain effective for a full 12 months.”
AHF supports development of implant to deliver HIV drugs
Aids Healthcare Foundation – www.eventbrite.com
On May 1 AIDS Healthcare Foundation President Michael Weinstein issued the following statement on findings recently published in the Antimicrobial Agents and
Chemotherapy report that scientists from the Oak Crest Institute of Science have created the first subdermal implant that delivers antiretroviral drugs for up to 40 days to
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prevent or treat HIV: “Numerous medical studies and our years of treating people living with HIV all over the world have proven to us that one of the most significant challenges in suppressing the virus is getting patients to take their medications every single day. From the beginning of the debate on pre-exposure prophylaxis as a public health strategy, AHF has said that we would support a vaccine or implant that reduces the human tendency to skip doses. While patient studies, federal approval, and information on pricing and availability is still needed at this early stage, the news that scientists have created the first implant to deliver HIV medications for prevention or treatment is a potential medical breakthrough that AHF wholeheartedly welcomes. We’ll be closely monitoring the
next steps following these promising preliminary studies.”
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AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 415,000 individuals in 36 countries worldwide in the U.S., Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www. aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www. facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @ aidshealthcare Courtesy of AIDS Healthcare Foundation
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