Issue 19 Volume 38
Celebrating 37 Years!
FRIDAY May 7, 2010 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands
Jinkins kickoff p. 16 CLASSIC PETER PAN p. 31
SMARTYPANTS p. 25
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Lesbian couple legally SGN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW married in Texas Barney Frank talks – 30 years by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
A Lesbian couple has been legally married in Texas – even though same-sex marriages are constitutionally prohibited there – thanks to an apparent loophole in Texas state law. Sabrina J. Hill and her longtime partner, Therese “Tee” Bur, were legally married May 3 in San Antonio. S.M. STANFILL
“It’s a weight lifted,” Hill told the El Paso Times newspaper. “Now the federal government and state government recognize our love.” “It did strike me. We have been living so covertly, being careful not to express public displays of affection, and then we were standing in front of a judge saying, ‘You may now kiss your bride,’” Bur said. “A public display of affection – it is so validating.” The complication is that Hill was born with both male and female sex organs. She is identified on her birth certificate as male, and it is this fact that got the couple legal permission to marry. Hill was raised as a male and served in the Army, but when she was 28 a medical exam revealed that she had ovaries. Hill underwent sex reassignment surgery in 1991. She has been with Bur for 17 years. They applied for a marriage license in El Paso in February. The county attorney there declined to issue one immediately,
in Congress by Scott Rice SGN Contributing Writer
Barney Frank was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, just across Kill Van Kull from Staten Island. He’s a Harvard-educated elder statesman, head of the powerful House Financial Services Committee, a self-deprecating funnyman, an irascible curmudgeon who just turned 70, an eloquent speaker, the consummate politico, an effective compromiser, a hopeless romantic, and he’s one of only three openly Queer current members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Barney Frank, for better or worse, belongs to us. Frank came out in 1987, not amid scandal, but partially because he was becoming more and more well-known and partially because a closeted colleague’s death prompted unseemly speculation regarding the colleague’s sexuality which Frank simply wanted to avoid. On January 31, 2011, Frank will mark 30 years as a member of Congress. see TEXAS UNION page 9 Over the years, Frank has wit-
nessed scandals, brokered deals, and become an architect of history. He’s also been a Queer role model and icon who has worked hard to carry himself with dignity while never taking himself too seriously. I still remember hearing about the congressBarney Frank in his D.C.office man who came out back in 1987. I was just beginning my journey as an out do just that. We’re no longer satGay man living in Austin, TX. isfied with having separate comFrank’s gesture meant a great deal munities in Queer ghettos where to us back then, as my peers and we could live in relative safety I struggled to come to terms with and drive up real estate prices via our sexuality under the dark cloud tasteful gentrification. No, now we of the early days of the pandemic. expect nothing less than full equalIt meant that we all could take our ity in employment, housing, marplace at the table if we chose to do riage, military service, and parenting rights. so. And Frank has been there the enThese days, the Queer community is more impatient than ever to see BARNEY FRANK page 8 MARLON REIS
Male-to-female Transgender bride designated “male” on birth certificate
Hawaiian legislature OKs civil unions nisms as spouses for securing parent-child relationships, access to family court,and clear duties to In a surprise vote on the last day pay child support and alimony as of its legislative session, the Ha- spouses must, and other vital prowaii House of Representatives le- tections.” galized civil unions for both samesex and opposite-sex couples. The April 30 vote on HB 444 was 31-20. Hawaii’s Senate passed the legislation January 22, by a margin of 18-7. The bill provides that partners The measure now goes in a civil union “have all the same to Hawaii’s Republican Goverrights, benefits, protections, and nor Linda Lingle for her signature. responsibilities under law, whether She has not said if she will sign or derived from statutes, adminis- veto the measure. trative rules, court decisions, the She must decide by July 6. If she common law, or any other source does not take action, the bill will of civil law” as do married spous- become law without her signature es. and will take effect immediately. The measure also provides recThe bill’s majority in the Senate ognition of civil unions and same- is more than two-thirds and theresex marriages contracted in other fore veto-proof, but supporters jurisdictions where they are legal. in the House could not override a “All unions between two indi- Lingle veto unless they were able viduals not recognized [as mar- to persuade some representatives riages] under section 572-3 shall to switch sides. be recognized as civil unions proIf Lingle signs the bill, Hawaii vided that the relationship meets will be one of six states that allow the eligibility requirements of this civil unions, including marriage chapter,” the bill says. benefits without marriage equalAccording to Lambda Legal, ity. Hawaii’s civil unions will offer Five states and the District of couples “the same legal mecha- Columbia allow same-sex marby Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
riages. April 30, the day after HB 444 passed the Hawaii House, the governor’s office was swamped with phone calls and e-mails from both supporters and opponents of same-sex relationships. Equality Hawaii, the state-
wide LGBT rights organization, called on supporters to send thankyou notes to legislators who supported HB 444, and to urge the governor to sign it. Opponents from religious groups also called for a phone-in campaign rather than large-scale demonstrations against the bill. HB 444 was generally assumed to be dead for this year, until the House Majority Leader, who is Gay, revived it. A version of the measure providing only for same-sex civil unions originally passed the Hawaii House in February of last year. A Senate version, amended to include opposite-sex couples, passed
in May 2009. The bill was carried over into the 2010 legislative session, and passed the Senate again in January. It then went back to the House for final approval, but House Speaker Calvin Say moved to postpone action indefinitely. He was reportedly reluctant to take up controversial legislation in an election year. Say’s motion was carried by voice vote and the measure was considered
As Oshiro moved to bring the measure up for a vote, he also came out to his House colleagues. He later told reporters he does not usually discuss his sexual orientation, but felt it was important in light of the vote. “It was really heartwarming to me, to know that at the end of the day people are willing to do what they need to do, do what they came here to do, and not just worry about keeping their jobs,” Oshiro told KITV News. Oshiro will face Gary Okino, a conservative Honolulu city council member and civil unions opponent, when he runs for reelection this fall. A 1993 decision by the Hawaii Supreme Court held that the state’s refusal to grant same-sex couples marriage licenses was discriminatory. In 1998, however, votdead. ers approved the so-called I t “defense of marriage” conwas restitutional amendment which vived gave the State Legislature powon a er to reserve marriage to oppositemotion sex couples. by House The legislature subsequently Majority Leader Blake passed a law prohibiting same-sex Oshiro and proceeded to a vote marriage. That law remains unwith only hours left in the 2010 changed by HB 444. legislative session.
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Celebrating 37 Years!
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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
Entre Hermanos: SB1070
by Lonnie Tristan Renteria Special to the SGN
Por Lonnie Tirstan Renteria, miembro, Mesa Directiva de Entre Hermanos, Activista de Comunidad y Profesor de Francés y Estudios Culturales. En 1989 vivía en Francia. Para muchos es una oportunidad de sueño. Me encanta la Francia, pero la realidad engañó. La política francesa estaba involucrada en tensiones debido a la política del gobierno sobre la inmigración y las acciones de la policía que sucedieron enfocados en los inmigrantes de la África del Norte y sus hijos que ya tenían la nacionalidad francesa. En esos tiempos tuve una mata de pelo negro y rizado y llevaba mi piel morena con orgullo. Lo que no sabía es que estas dos características físicas se convertiría en impedimento. Pasé mi vida universitaria en París cerca de casa o encerado. Hasta que su identidad se pone en duda, es demasiado fácil hablar en términos abstractos. El altercado que toma en cuenta la política de SB1070 sugiere que muchas más preguntas surgirán en vez de resolver problemas o preguntas que todavía no resuelven. Como miembro de la tribu LGBT y siendo también latino, SB1070 me pone ansioso. Si una persona es documentada o no, niveles de vulnerabilidad toman fuerza y nos convertimos en blanco de acoso. En el caso de los trabajadores indocumentados tenemos que considerar cuántos crímenes de odio no se denunciaran por miedo de expulsión y represalias. Al nivel nacional, los casos y demandas judiciales sobre los perfiles raciales arbitrarios abundan. ¿Qué significa realmente “sospecha razonable”? Muchos afroamericanos y latinos ya pueden dar sus definiciones propias basadas en experiencia. ¿Quién decide y cómo se decide? La “léxica” de la ley SB1070 no es más mágica que las líneas de cruce peatonal. Uno se pregunta si los responsables de esta política sufren amnesia. Ya en el 2006, el Departamento de la Seguridad Pública pasó por una demanda que obligó la reconsideración de las prácticas de discriminación racial. El reverendo Desmond Tutu, que conoce de primera mano los efectos de un gobierno que ofrece más poderes a la policía durante el Apartheid ha entrado en la conversación. ¿Dónde está la dignidad cuando un grupo étnico visible necesita llevar documentación y la otra no? Este tipo de práctica priva los
May 7, 2010
derechos de las comunidades y dos resultados son inminentes: la falta de participación en el proceso político y la apatía. La verdadera reforma migratoria no dará luz en echando culpas a los inmigrante indocumentados o controles de inmigración como se hace en Arizona. Reforma sucede cuando las políticas defienden resultados cuantificables, la investigación y la reconciliación de experiencias reales. SB1070 no tiene en cuenta que la persona es la piedra angular de este tema. Normalmente la política tiene como objetivo crear la seguridad humana y no hacer víctimas. Lamentablemente las empresas de media han hecho una maniobra en donde los resultados de sondeos de opiniones se publica como hechos. Las opiniones no tienen lugar en la política, especialmente cuando ambos estudios e instituciones independientes desacreditan muchos de los discursos de ambos lados del espectro político. No hace tanto tiempo que la violencia contra las personas LGBT se vio impulsado por la opinión pública y fuimos víctimas a doble porque no teníamos protecciones. El discurso de hoy no es muy diferente. A pesar de que mi historia tiene cerca de 20 años, puede ser adaptada y transportada a nuestra situación contemporánea. A pesar de que llevaba mi Carte de séjour en todas partes, cuando tuve que producir mis documentos que claramente mostraban mi estatus migratorio y mi nacionalidad, tenía que defender a continuación que era Americano. En Los Estados Unidos, en Seattle, todavía lo hago. Lonnie Tristan Renteria is an Entre Hermanos member, community activist, and college professor in French and Cultural Studies. In 1989, I lived in France. For many, this is a dream opportunity. I love France, but reality deceived. French politics were mired with tensions due to government policies and subsequent police actions that inadvertently singled out North African immigrants and their children who held French nationality. I had a mop of curly black hair and wore my dark olive skin proudly. What I didn’t know was that these two physical features would become a liability. I spent my Parisian college life
close to home or indoors. Until your identity is questioned, it is too easy to speak in abstract terms. The fracas around Arizona’s SB1070 policy suggests that many more questions will emerge than issues resolved and questions answered. As a member of the LGBT tribe who happens to be Latino, SB1070 makes me anxious. Whether a person is documented or not, the layers of vulnerability become all the more real, and becoming a target of harassment all the more possible for black and brown people. In the case of undocumented workers, consider how many hate crimes would go unreported for fear of deportation and retaliation. Nationally, instances and lawsuits around racial profiling abound. What does “reasonable suspicion” really mean? Many African-Americans and Latinos can already tell you their definitions. Who decides and how is it decided? The policy’s “language” is no more magical than crosswalk lines. Are Arizona’s policy makers suffering amnesia about the Department of Public Safety’s class action lawsuit of 2006 that forced reconsideration of racial profiling practices? The Reverend Desmond Tutu, who understands firsthand the effects of a government that affords its police extra powers, has even weighed in on Arizona’s policy. One may ask what black South African was able to walk about town without documents that gave him permission to be where he was during Apartheid. Where is the dignity when a visible ethnic group needs to carry documentation and another doesn’t? Such practices disenfranchise communities, and one outcome is non-participation in political process and apathy. True immigration reform will not happen with political scapegoating or immigration control. Reform happens when policies espouse measurable results, real research, and reconciliation of experiences. SB1070 is about people. Policies normally mean to create human security not to victimize. Sadly, media houses are polling for opinions and publishing results where public opinion is couched as fact. Opinions have no place in policy, especially when both non-partisan think tanks and case studies debunk discourses on both sides of the political aisle. Not so long ago, violence against LGBT people was fueled by public opinion and we were doubly victimized because we had no real protections. Today’s discourse isn’t that much different. Although my story is close to 20 years old, it can be transposed and transported to our contemporary situation. Even though I carried my Carte de Séjour everywhere, when asked to produce my documents that clearly stated my immigration status and my nationality, I had to defend then that I was indeed American. In America, in Seattle, I still do.
Celebrating 37 Years!
Charles E. “Chuck” Wilson, Jr. 1938-2010 Chuck was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama to Charles and Mary Wilson. He was an only child. He attended elementary and junior high schools in Tuscumbia and Sheffield, Alabama. He graduated from Sterling High School on June 5, 1956. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and became an engineman and rose through the enlisted ranks to chief petty officer before being appointed to warrant officer. While in the Navy, he served on the Heavy Cruiser USS Macon; at the Headquarters Commander Fleet Air Mediterranean in Naples, Italy; at the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Training Unit in West Milton, NY; as engineering officer on the USS Whitehall in Cleveland, OH; and as a Nuclear Power Ships Superintendent, Naval Shipyard, in Bremerton, WA. Chuck graduated from officers candidate school in 1966 before being discharged from the Navy in 1968 while stationed in Bremerton, WA. Shortly after his naval discharge, he went to work for Emerson Diesel, during which time he met his lifetime partner, Fugi, in April of 1968. After leaving Emerson Diesel in 1969, he attended Northwest School of Business, studying computer programming until his graduation in 1970. After his graduation, he went to work as a supervisor for Unigard Insurance until his retirement in March of 2000.
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
In his spare time, Chuck enjoyed working in the community. He joined the Knights of Malta in 1973. During his 37 years with them he served as president, vice president, road captain, and treasurer. He was also a member of the United Ebony Council, and at one time a member of the Court of Seattle. Chuck is survived by Fugi, his life partner of 42 years, and many friends. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Chuck Wilson Knights of Mantra Charity Fund to benefit those in need within our community. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2010 beginning at 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Martins Off Madison. Please join Fugi in remembering Chuck and his tireless spirit.
Chicago Free Press out of business by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The LGBT newspaper Chicago Free Press did not publish its April 29 edition, and appears to be out of business. On May 3, the paper’s editor, Kerrie Kennedy, issued a statement saying it had ceased publication. “Due to health problems, publisher David Costanzo is no longer funding the operation of Chicago Free Press. Consequently, the April 29 issue was not published, and it is not expected that any additional issues will be published,” Kennedy said. Kennedy told the Chicago Tribune that the staff has been unable to reach Costanzo since April 15. ChicagoPride.com reports that the Chicago Free Press staff has not been paid since March 31. The Chicago Free Press first published in 1999, when staff from Chicago’s original LGBT newspaper, Windy City Times, walked out on publisher Jeffery McCourt and started a new publication. McCourt subsequently sold Windy City Times, its trademarks, and all its archives to another rival, Outlines publisher Tracy Baim. Costanzo, a former investment banker and lawyer, bought the corporate holding company known as Rainbow Media LLC, including Chicago Free Press, in 2002. In the past year, concerns over the paper’s long-term stability began to emerge, however. Editor-in-Chief Matt Simonette and staff writer Amy Wooten resigned from the paper last December because of slow payments to employees. At that time, co-General Managers Bill
Boy Scouts of America lose Supreme Court case
Feld and Jeff McBride denied financial problems and told ChicagoPride.com the paper would continue to publish as scheduled. This year both Feld and McBride left the paper. In its heyday, Chicago Free Press enjoyed a reputation for quality journalism and innovative marketing. In her statement, Kennedy said “... it was CFP’s staff of talented and award-winning writers who gave people a reason to pick up the paper every week. Many of them – Paul Varnell, Jennifer Vanasco, Larry Bommer and Web Behrens – have been writing for the paper since its inception.” “It has been my good fortune to have known and worked with many of these writers for more than 15 years,” Kennedy continued. “The fact that any of us chose to stay during these past few bumpy years is testament not only to the respect we have for each other, but to the dedication we have to serving Chicago’s GLBT community.” Chicago Free Press created and launched “Out at the Ballgame,” the Midwest’s largest “out” event in association with a professional major league sports team, in this case the Chicago Cubs. Chicago Free Press became one of the largest LGBT newspapers in the country, with a readership of 50,000. Windy City Times, which is still in publication, now remains as Chicago’s only LGBT newspaper. It will celebrate its 25th anniversary in September. “This is not a day to celebrate,” said Windy City’s Tracy Baim. “All media, Gay and mainstream, are facing new and difficult paths to survival. So it is never a good thing when a media outlet closes.”
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The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to let stand a ruling by a U.S. District Court in San Diego that the Boy Scouts of America may not lease city-owned land because they are a religious organization. In a ruling on May 3, the court denied the Boy Scouts’ petition for certiorari without comment. A writ of certiorari is a formal request that a lower court turn over records of a case to a higher one, so that the court can review the case. The Supreme Court will grant certiorari at its discretion in cases it wishes to hear. Denying the Boy Scouts’ petition leaves the District Court’s ruling as the final judgment in the case of Boy Scouts v. BarnesWallace. U.S. District Judge Napoleon Jones, Jr. ruled in 2003 that San Diego acted improperly when it leased an18-acre city-owned campsite to the Boy Scouts because the group is actually a religious organization. The judge held that the lease violated the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendm e n t prohibiting government promotion of religion. While the Boy Scouts contended they are not a religious group because they have no theology and merely teach that children should “do duty to God” to become productive citizens, their bylaws include a “Declaration of Religious Principle.” The declaration is printed in all Boy Scouts publications including membership and adult leadership applications and all leader handbooks. Boy Scouts v. Barnes-Wallace was filed by the ACLU in August 2000 on behalf of a Lesbian couple and an agnostic couple, each with scouting-age sons. Lesbians Lori and Lynn Barnes-Wallace
joined agnostics Michael and Valerie Breen in suing the City of San Diego and the Boy Scouts of America. The suit was filed after the San Diego City Council voted to extend the Boy Scouts’ 50-year campsite lease for an additional 25 years. Since 1957, the City of San Diego has leased part of the city’s Balboa Park to the Boy Scouts of America for the price of $1 per year. A subsequent settlement between the ACLU and the City of San Diego allows the Boy Scouts to continue using the facilities. At the time of the settlement, San Diego’s City Attorney roundly criticized his co-defendants, the Boy Scouts. “The Boy Scouts have repeatedly and pointedly refused to support the City in helping to pay any of the potential attorney’s fees involved in this case,” he said. “They want the City taxpayers to continue to argue the case even though they have acknowledged that they are a religious organization and even though they refuse to share in the potentially enormous attorney’s fee award that will be ultimately awarded to plaintiffs who have already prevailed in Judge Jones’ ruling noted above.” The City of San Diego ultimately agreed to pay $950,000 in legal fees to settle the Barnes-Wallace case. In a previous case, Boy Scouts v Dale, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June 2000 that the Boy Scouts and all other private associations have a 1st Amendment right to freedom of association, and therefore may expel openly Gay members, as well as atheists and agnostics. Since the Dale decision, the Boy Scouts have become targets of preferential treatment lawsuits on behalf of plaintiffs who were excluded on the basis of sexual orientation or religious conviction.
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INTERNATIONAL
NEWS
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer Rex Wockner
Protestors gather in Moldova
Moldova blocks Gay demonstration At the mayor’s request, a court in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau on April 28 ruled that leading Gay group GenderDocM could not stage a May 2 rally in the city center in support of an anti-discrimination law. The court said the rally, the culmination of five days of LGBT pride events, must take place in a secluded park away from downtown, to protect public order and morality. GenderDoc-M refused to abide by the ruling and canceled the demonstration. Moldova has previously blocked public Gay pride events and, in 2007, the nation’s Supreme Court ruled that a ban of a 2006 pride event had been illegal and a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Local officials, however, simply ignored the determination. Chisinau pride has been beset by drama each year since its inception in 2005. Last year, Sören Juvas, president of Sweden’s national Gay organization, RFSL, was beaten up. He was stopped by Chisinau police as he left a pub and asked if he was in
town for Gay pride and if he was Gay. When he answered both questions in the affirmative, he was taken to a police station, then released. As he left the station, Juvas was attacked by a group of men and suffered cuts and bruises. “The men who attacked him were most likely police in civilian clothing or men who had been informed by the police that Sören Juvas was going to be outside the police station at that time,” said RFSL spokesperson Malinda Flodman. In 2008, Chisinau’s pride march was canceled after the bus carrying the 60 marchers was halted by hundreds of snarling anti-Gay protesters who tried to pry open the door, smash the windows, and disable the engine. Police stood by and watched for more than 45 minutes. In the end, protest leaders boarded the bus and agreed to let it pass if the Gay activists destroyed all their banners and flags, and popped all their rainbow balloons. They did so as the homophobes cheered. “After ceasing of all materials, the two men ordered to unblock the bus and let it go,” said GenderDoc-M’s Boris Balanetkii. “The bus headed towards GenderDoc-M office, followed by a car with members of
NEWS
LGBTs denounce Arizona immigration law LGBT groups and public figures are speaking out against the draconian immigration law enacted in Arizona on April 23. The statute requires police to check an individual’s immigration status whenever an officer suspects an individual may be in the U.S. illegally. The law has been dubbed, “Papers, please.” Newly out singer Ricky Martin denounced the law April 29 at the Billboard Latin Music Awards. “This is not in the script,” Martin said. “I want to send a warm greeting to all our Latin American friends who live in the state of Arizona. The SB 1070 is a law that doesn’t make sense. You are not alone. We are with you. Stop discrimina-
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer
REX WOCKNER
tion. Stop hate. Stop racism. Enough already. Long live love. Long live peace.” Lambda Legal took aim at the law in an April 30 statement. “As we pursue our lawsuit against the state of Arizona for its elimination of health insurance benefits for the partners of its Lesbian and Gay employees, we condemn the state government’s further manifestation of bias in its new immigration law,” said Executive Director Kevin Cathcart. He added: “LGBT undocumented immigrants are among the most invisible of the invisible. Many inhabit a double closet, afraid of disclosing their sexual orientation and/or gender identity and afraid of disclosing that they are undocumented.” The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force also denounced the law. “ A r i z o n a ’s new immigration law is draconian and inhumane,” said Executive Director Rea Carey. “It has no place on the books anywhere. The potential for racial profil-
Conservative Ted Olson trumpets Arizona immigration law
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Seattle Gay News
May 7, 2010
Youth and the private Planet Cinema. But on the day the event was to begin, the city withdrew support for the festival and also pressured Planet Cinema to back out. In addition, the director of the shopping center in which Planet Cinema is located received a telephoned threat that if any Gay films were screened, electricity to the entire shopping center would be disrupted. Local organizers Maria Shulaeva and Alexey Levin scrambled and found another location for the films, which, in the end, screened over three days. In Novosibirsk, Russia’s third-largest city, the scene was much different. Some 700 people attended four days of movies, and the festival received support from local officials and media. Vladimir Miller from the city’s Department of Culture attended the opening events and declared, “We are building an open democratic society and are sympathetic to the theme of the festival.” The festival included Lida Mikhailova’s “Coming Out of the Closet” photo exhibition, a lecture on early Gay cinema in Germany, and three panel discussions on Gay parenting, LGBT rights, and coming out.
Gay marriage to be legalized in Finland No matter who wins Finland’s next elections, Parliament is expected to legalize same-sex marriage and adoption. The Helsingin Sanomat newspaper reported that its surveys have found minimal opposition to the plans among the larger poGay film festival for India litical parties – the governing Center Party, India saw its first big Gay film festival the Social Democrats and even the conserApril 22-25. vative National Coalition. Mumbai’s International Queer Film Festival 2010 presented more than 100 films at IDAHO is May 17 the PVR Cinemas multiplex and elsewhere. The International Day Against HomophoThe sometimes censorious Information bia and Transphobia (IDAHO) is May 17 and Broadcasting Ministry kept its hands this year. off the festival, approving all 110 movies ILGA-Europe – the European Region of without any cuts. the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, A Delhi High Court ruling last year de- Trans and Intersex Association – will stage criminalized Gay sex in India. a “Rainbow Buzz action” in the center of Brussels’ European Union quarter. Gay film festival banned “We are planning to distribute flyers sumin Siberia marizing our key demands. The ‘Rainbow A traveling version of St. Petersburg, Rus- Buzz’ action will culminate in a release of sia’s Gay film festival, Side by Side, was 300 rainbow balloons,” the group said. banned in the Siberian city of Kemerovo on Worldwide IDAHO events this year April 17 but was a big success April 15-18 include a campaign against religious hoin Novosibirsk. mophobia (see idahomophobia.org) and the The Kemerovo festival was scheduled Great Global Kiss-In (see gays.com/idaho). for April 17-19 at the city-owned Palace of With assistance from Bill Kelley ing, infringement of civil liberties, and violence and harassment against individuals and their families just going about their daily lives is enormous. Comprehensive immigration reform is critically needed, but targeting and demonizing people is not the answer; stripping people of fundamental rights and common humanity is not the answer. Our political leaders must work toward reform that is fair and humane. This law is neither. It is a cruel, quick fix that demeans our country’s Kids protest Arizona immigration law values of freedom, justice and equality.” said “people of good conscience” need to In San Francisco, Gay supervisors David “speak up.” Campos and Bevan Dufty are supporting a Leading Gay news blogger Andy Towle Board of Supervisors resolution calling for (Towleroad.com) called the law “heia city boycott of Arizona and businesses nous” and noted that Gov. Jan Brewer, who based there. signed the immigration law, also took away “We in the LGBT community know what domestic-partner benefits for state employit’s like to be the target of discrimination, ees, which had been extended by the previand we have to stand firmly in support of ous administration. other groups that are also impacted by disLeading Gay blogger Joe Jervis (Joe. My. crimination,” Campos, who introduced the God.) called the law “racist,” and top Gay resolution, told the Bay Area Reporter. “I blogger Andrew Sullivan said, “A society think that’s the only way all of us collec- where one minority feels under surveiltively are going to have full rights and full lance is not a truly free society. This is beequality, if we make a point of standing to- neath America, in my view.” gether when one group is targeted.” Campos called the law “horrendous” and With assistance from Bill Kelley REX WOCKNER
NATIONAL
the crowd. Participants left the office in dispersed groups on alert of possible repeated attack by the crowd. Another crowd of approximately several hundred people surrounded GenderDoc-M office demanding that pride participants exit the office. ... The office remained blocked for several hours.” All other remaining pride events also were canceled. In 2007, despite the fresh Supreme Court ruling, city authorities banned all public pride activities, saying they threatened public order, offended Christians and promoted sexual propaganda. Despite the ban, Gay activists attempted to lay flowers at a monument to victims of repression. They were stopped by police, who falsely claimed that a permit was required for the action. Activists then deposited the flowers at the officers’ feet. Later that day, about 20 activists went to City Hall and stood in front of it for 15 minutes with their mouths taped shut with rainbow stickers. Police allowed the protest and protected the activists from 30 counterdemonstrators from an extremist youth organization. This year, pride events other than the canceled rally proceeded unimpeded. They included press conferences, workshops, a successful laying of flowers at the anti-repression monument, an awards ceremony, an art exhibition, a safer-sex-promotion party, a concert, a disco party, and the highly anticipated “International Transvestite Beauty Contest ‘Miss Flawless Queen 2010.’”
Celebrating 37 Years!
NORTHWEST
NEWS
compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer
FREE RÉSUMÉ AND JOB SEARCH WORKSHOPS South Seattle Community College’s WorkSource Center is partnering with the Seattle Public Library and the King County Library System to offer résumé and job search workshops. The Seattle Public Library events will be held at the downtown Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Room 4 on Level 4. No registration is required, but seating may be limited. For more information, contact South Seattle Community College WorkSource Center at 206-764-5304 or visit www.southseattle.edu for complete schedule. SAFE SCHOOLS COALITION ORIENTATION TRAINING On Saturday, May 8, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the Safe Schools Coalition will be hosting an Orientation Training for folks who want to get more involved with the work of the Coalition. This training will provide an overview of the structure, ideology, and services of the Coalition and provide an opportunity to build community amongst Coalition members, leaders, and folks hoping to get newly involved. For more information and to register, contact briana@ safeschoolscoalition.org. The training will be held at a Seattle location. www.safeschoolscoalition.org. SEATTLE CENTER FESTÁL – SPIRIT OF WEST AFRICA On Saturday, May 8, from 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m., experience the excitement, richness and beauty of West Africa through live music, dance, art, film, exhibits, a fashion show, a West African marketplace and more. This lively and colorful festival features traditional performances by world-class griot artists – musicians, drummers and dancers long considered the repositories of oral traditions in West Africa – from Senegal, Ghana, Guinea, Benin, Gambia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Liberia. Their presence is essential to all West African celebrations, uniting and strengthening the community with drum and dance and celebrating the rites of passage of its members. In Center House. www.seattlecenter.com. “A SALUTE TO DEFIANT PUBLIC WORKERS” On Saturday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m., the Freedom Socialist Party presents “A Salute to Defiant Public Workers” at New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S. A panel of public employees will speak from their experiences fighting to preserve social services, education and the environment in times of privatization and government budget crises. $3 door donation requested. A special BluePlate Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. for a $9 donation. For more information: 206722-2453 or FSPseattle@mindspring.com. Wheelchair accessible.
EMERALD CITY SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION’S SPRING SEASON Visit www.emeraldcitysoftball.org for information about the Emerald City Softball Association’s Open League for Gay and non-Gay men and women. Visit www.eteamz.com/womensecsa for information about the Emerald City Softball Association’s Women’s League for Gay and non-Gay women only. WASHINGTON STONEWALL DEMOCRATS RECEPTION AND FUNDRAISER On Tuesday, May 11, the Washington Stonewall Democrats, a leading political voice in the LGBT community, will hold a reception and fundraiser at Tutta Bella (4411 Stone Way N.) in Wallingford from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to come and meet the new executive board. SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN BOOK CLUB AT DUNSHEE HOUSE The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Dunshee House, 303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas St. The club is pleased to announce the following title to be discussed in their ongoing reading and discussion series: May – The Satyricon by Petronius (translated by William Arrowsmith), a comic satire of Ancient Rome which follows two Gay young men chasing the boy of their dreams and on which Federico Fellini based one of the greatest films of his career. All GLBTQ folks in the community are welcome to participate in this free book club. For more information, email nickdimartin@earthlink. net or contact Dunshee House at 206-3222437. POZSEATTLE’S 11TH ANNIVERSARY On Wednesday, May 12, POZSeattle will hold its 11th Anniversary party at The Cuff (13th and E. Pine) from 6-8 p.m. Meet at the downstairs bar to socialize or catch up with old friends. Light catered fare will be provided. This event is free (except for the cost of beverages) and open to all HIV-positive men and their friends, regardless of their age, shape, size, or color. For more information, visit www.pozseattle.org.
GAY SKATE PARTY AT BELLEVUE SKATE KING NEW MONTHLY DATE On Wednesday, May 12, from 7-10 p.m., enjoy an evening of roller-skating at Bellevue Skate King, 2301 140th Ave. NE, Bellevue, at this LGBTQ community social event for friends and family. Cost is $10 at the door; $7 under 18 (a portion of proceeds benefit Dunshee House). Regular skate rentals: FREE. Inline skate rentals: $4 or bring your own skates. For more information and directions, call 425-458-4707. Next Gay Skate Party is Wednesday, June 9 . www. NUBIAN PRIDE PRODUCTIONS GaySkateSeattle.com; info@gayskatesePRESENTS “DRAG ‘EM OUT” On Saturday, May 8, from 9-11 p.m., join attle.com. Nubian Pride Productions for their “Drag LAMBERT HOUSE BENEFIT ‘Em Out” drag show fundraiser for the Safe DINNER AND CABARET Haven Women’s Shelter. The event, featurAT JULIA’S ON BROADWAY ing Jell-O shots and a 50/50 raffle, will be On Wednesday, May 12, Synergy Events held at Vibe Bar & Grill (226 1st Ave. S. presents a cabaret and dinner fundraiser for Kent, WA). There is a $5 cover. Lambert House to be held at Julia’s Restaurant (300 Broadway E.). Tickets are $30, GAY CITY PRESENTS doors open at 7:30 p.m. Join host Mark SERIAL MOM On Sunday, May 9, at 2 p.m., Gay City “Mom” Finley for a delicious banquet dinand Three Dollar Bill Cinema present John ner as you take in a cabaret show by some Water’s cult comedy classic, Serial Mom, a of Seattle’s best drag artists. There will be a hilarious skewering of suburban life, true fundraising ask, raffle, and a collection takcrime tales, and “family values.” Come en up for Lambert House, so bring cash for dressed to compete in Gay City’s “Dare to raffle tickets and your checkbook or credit Wear White” fashion show, plus other fun card. Net proceeds go to Lambert House. Buy tickets now at www.brownpapertickchances to win fabulous prizes. The event will be held at Central Cinema, 1411 21st ets.com/event/106804. www.lamberthouse. Ave. Tickets: $15 general admission; $12 org. for members of Three Dollar Bill Cinema. (includes complimentary mimosa). www. gaycity.org; www.threedollarbillcinema.org.
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MAYOR’S OFFICE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AGE 55+ JOB SEARCH WORKSHOP Jobless, but discouraged because of age bias? Help is available at the Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens Age 55+ Job Search Workshop on Thursday, May 13. Job counselors from the Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens Age 55+ Employment Resource Center will discuss job coaching, job-related computer training classes, a job list, and other services. The workshop will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Central Building (810 Third Ave.), Suite 150. For more information, call (206) 6840500, e-mail seniors@seattle.gov, or visit www.seattle.gov/seniors. COUNTRY DOCTOR COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC OFFERS HEALTH CARE NIGHT FOR LGBTQ COMMUNITY Spectrum Natural Health at Country Doctor Community Health Clinic, 500 19th Ave. E., offers primary and naturopathic care for the LGBTQ community every Thursday, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Providers have been serving the LGBTQ community for many years. Cost is sliding scale – no one turned away for lack of funds. For information and to make an appointment, call 206299-1600. SAYING IT OUT LOUD CONFERENCE On Friday, May 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies will hold the 11th annual Saying It Out Loud conference at the Shoreline Conference Center (18560 1st Ave. N.E.) in Shoreline, WA. Jaime M. Grant from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is this year’s keynote speaker. Megan Kennedy and Sid Peterson will present the film Put This On the Map, a film about young people re-teaching gender and sexual identity through narratives. Workshops will also be held. For more information, visit dbhr.casat. org. To register for this free conference, go to casat.unr.edu/dbhr/siol2010.html.
SEATTLE CHEESE FESTIVAL On Saturday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Seattle’s annual Cheese Festival will be held at Pike Place Market (1st and Pike). Come enjoy a variety of local and exotic cheeses, attend a seminar, or have a glass of wine in the wine garden. For a full schedule, visit www.seattlecheesefestival.com. Q-SQUARED BOOK GROUP On Saturday, May 15, at 1 p.m. at the Capitol Hill Library (425 Harvard Ave. E.), the Q-Squared Book Group will discuss the novel Salvation Army by Abdellah Taia. In his introduction, Edmund White says, “Abdellah Taia is a brilliant young Moroccan living in France. In this novel, appropriately, he talks about his first contacts with Europeans. We learn about the traditional Moroccan family, about Swiss sex tourists, about the Salvation Army in Geneva, about his first burgeoning of desire in a young Arab, about family and carnal love.” Q-Squared Book Group is open to men who are interested in Gay literature and always welcomes new members. For more information, visit www. qsquared.com. SNOQUALMIE CASINO PRESENTS “HUSH” Experience the Gay and Lesbian event of the season at 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, with “Hush” at the Snoqualmie Casino Ballroom (I-90 E., Exit 27 / I-90 W., Exit 31). Original Glam presents a night of glamour, fantasy, magic, male and female go-go dancers, DJs, and a performance by recording artist Vanessa Thompson. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 the night of the event. For more information, visit www.hushpride.com.
Q-SQUARED MEN FUNDRAISER Sunday, May 23, is your last chance to win 7 nights’ lodging (one bedroom standard lodging) anywhere in the world (subject to availability). (Does not include meals or airfare.) Choose the location from thousands of properties at www.rci.com. The opening CD FORUM’S CREATION bid is $600. All proceeds go to CAMP opPROJECT SHOWCASE erations and scholarships. On Friday/Saturday, May 14/May 15, at Questions, bids, and counterbids are to be 8 p.m., the Central District Forum for Arts submitted to bid@qsquared.org and must and Ideas will showcase the culmination of be received by May 23. its year-long new works and professional development program at Rainier Valley LAFEMME MAGNIFIQUE Cultural Center (3515 S. Alaska St.). The WASHINGTON PAGEANT CREATION Project Showcase represents SEEKING CONTESTANTS the breadth and excellence of local contemOn Sunday, May 23, Gaysha Starr Proporary performing arts. Featuring okanomo- ductions presents the LaFemme Magnifique dé (aka SoulChilde), Cristina Orbé, Storme Washington Pageant, at Neighbours, 1509 Webber, and Arnnnontaine Aurore. Tickets Broadway, entrance in alley between Harare $15 general, $10 student/senior. vard and Broadway off E. Pike St., door at 6 For more information, visit www.cdfo- p.m., show at 7 p.m. rum.org. The pageant will be hosted by pageant founder and Portland legend Darcelle XV. JUST US GIRL RIDERZ Competition categories are: Evening Gown, CONFERENCE FOR Theme Wear: “The Garden of Eden,” Talent WOMEN BIKERS Presentation, and Las Vegas Showgirl. AdOn Saturday, May 15, from 8 a.m. to 4 mission is $12 at the door, with partial prop.m., Just Us Girl RiderZ (JUGRZ) will ceeds to GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight hold a conference for women who wish to Education Network) Washington State. hone their mechanic skills at Des Moines The winner and first runner-up of both Masonic Lodge #245 (2208 S. 223rd St., LaFemme Magnifique Washington and Des Moines, WA). Women will be invited LaFemme Magnifique PLUS Washington to share and learn alongside fellow women will go to the International Pageant Labor riders from the Northwest and beyond. Day Weekend at the Oregon State ConvenThere will be opportunities for hands-on use tion Center for a $1,000 cash prize, crown, of tools and equipment. sash, jewelry and the title, in both categoFor more information, visit www.jugrz. ries. com. For complete information, contact pageant coordinator Gaysha Starr at gaysha. FRIENDSHIP starr@gmail.com. THROUGH FLOWERS IKEBANA EXHIBITION GLAM 5 A CELEBRATION OF On Saturday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 HIGH-STYLE DESIGN p.m. and Sunday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 On Thursday, May 27, from 6-9 p.m., p.m., Ikebana International Seattle Chapter Masins and Design Industries Foundation 19 will present its 51st annual ikebana Japa- Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) present Glam 5, a nese style flower arranging exhibition at the night of fashion, furnishings, and fabulous Seattle Asian Art Museum, Volunteer Park jewels, with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and (1400 East Prospect). Demonstrations will wine, luxury silent auctions, and music by be held both days at 1 and 2 p.m. DJ Wendall. Reservations required, RSVP For additional information, e-mail lily- by May 21 to attend. $25 minimum sugchang@comcast.net or shirleyhill@live. gested donation at the door. Dress is glam. net. For more information call (206) 763-8885 or visit diffa.org/seattle.
May 7, 2010
Seattle Gay News
7
BARNEY FRANK continued from cover
Hospital visitation a daily struggle for LGBT couples queerty.com
Langbehn and her children with a photo of their deceased family member, Lisa Pond
by Jesse Monteagudo SGN Contributing Writer
to the patient, including “spouses, domestic partners and both different-sex and samesex significant others.” Meanwhile, “while this is a positive step for the LGBT community in South Florida, the work to implement fair visitation policies throughout the rest of South Florida and across the state is far from over,” announced SAVE Dade. Coincidentally, on April 15 President Barack Obama, who’s having his own problems with his LGBT constituents, issued a memorandum that calls for an end to discriminatory policies that limit hospital visitation to legal spouses and immediate family members. The president directed Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to “ensure” that hospitals that participate in Medicare and Medicaid (that is, most hospitals) “respect the rights of patients to designate visitors” and allow those visitors the same privileges that married spouses and legitimate children take for granted. (The memo makes no mention of assisted living facilities.) Obama then called Janice Langbehn to express his sympathy and apologize for the injustice done to her and her dead partner. “I hope that taking these steps makes sure that no family ever has to experience the nightmare that my family has gone though,” she replied. Unfortunately, the fight is far from over. Two years ago, Clay Greene and Harold Scull, an elderly couple living in “liberal” Sonoma County, California, were forcibly separated when Scull fell and became incapacitated. Though the couple had provided for such an emergency, the County refused to recognize their relationship. It got a judge to declare Greene – who had allegedly acted violently against Scull – mentally incompetent, placed both men in separate facilities, gained the power of conservatorship from a sympathetic judge, and then proceeded to take over, sell, or keep the couple’s belongings. Through it all, Greene was not allowed to visit Scull, who died in August 2008. Needless to say, Greene is now suing the County. Cases like this remind us that we must keep vigilant and ever-active in our struggle for the rights of same-sex couples. Horror stories like these will not cease until and unless Lesbian and Gay couples achieve the same rights that straight married couples now have, whether in Florida, California, or across these United States.
Every day, same-sex couples must fight for the basic rights that straight married couples take for granted. One of those basic rights is the right to visit your partner in the hospital. Michael and I are fortunate to live in Broward County, a progressive county in the mostly conservative state of Florida. Broward has a domestic partners ordinance which, among other things, guarantees the right of domestic partners to visit their loved ones in the hospital. During the last year, Michael and I had to be hospitalized on separate occasions: Michael in the Cleveland Clinic in March, and I in Broward General in June. (Happily, neither hospital visit lasted for more than a day or so.) In both cases, we were allowed unlimited access into the hospital’s emergency room to be with each other. Unfortunately, other couples were not so fortunate. During the height of the AIDS epidemic, too many Gay or Bisexual men were forcibly kept away from their dying lovers by hospitals and hospices who did not recognize their relationships. Just last year, partners Janice Langbehn and Lisa Pond experienced homophobia firsthand when Pond suffered an aneurysm during a Florida vacation. When Pond was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Langbehn and her children were denied access to Pond because (in the hospital’s opinion) she wasn’t a “real” family member. As a result, Pond died alone, in spite of the fact that she and Langbehn had living wills, advanced directives, and power-of-attorney documents. This didn’t matter, according to a heartless hospital worker, who allegedly told Langbehn that she was in an “anti-Gay city and state.” (This might be true of the State of Florida, but not of the City of Miami.) Langbehn, not surprisingly, sued the hospital. Obviously an incident like this one does nothing for Jackson’s reputation, especially when one considers the hospital’s current financial problems. To their credit, officials from the Jackson Health System (JHS) dealt with the resulting brouhaha by meeting with a coalition of local LGBT organizations, including SAVE Dade (Safeguarding American Values for Everyone), to solve this pressing (and embarrassing) issue. The end result of these negotiations, announced on April 12, was a change of policy for JHS that gave the same-sex partners of Lesbian, Jesse Monteagudo (jesssemonteagudo@ Bisexual, and Gay patients the same visita- aol.com) is a freelance writer and regular tion rights as heterosexual spouses. Jack- contributor. son redefined its definition of “family” to include people who are not legally related 8
Seattle Gay News
May 7, 2010
tire time, working political magic and serving the interests of the whole Queer community while crafting a formidable political career that is history-making for a number of reasons. I had the honor of interviewing Frank last week in his office on Capitol Hill. Frank doesn’t give interviews as much as he holds court. He sat behind his desk and waved me to be seated. He interrupted me with abandon, even taking a phone call mid-answer to one of my questions. He is obviously impatient with most everyone and never fails to shoot from the hip. He’s also much more comfortable talking politics than he is about his personal life. The interview didn’t so much come to a close as it segued into an informal conversation, with Frank getting up from his desk and showing me photos of his partner, Jim, and a few mementos, like a framed copy of Clinton’s 1995 executive order ending the denial of security clearances on the basis of sexual orientation of employees in the CIA, NSA, and FBI, which Frank describes as the most important gain ever for the Queer community. If I wasn’t a fan before, I certainly am now. Long live the king of Queers! Scott Rice: Thank you for taking a little time out of your day to meet with me. How long have you been in Congress? Rep. Barney Frank: Thirty years. Rice: What are the biggest changes you’ve seen since you arrived? Frank: The partisanship. … Newt Gingrich decided the way to – let me take it back. When I got here, the majority of the southern members of the House were Democrats who did not often vote democratic, and there were also northern Republicans who were somewhat moderate. That’s now shifted. … Used to be there were northern Republicans who were more liberal than southern Democrats. That’s not true anymore. So now you have a Democratic Party that goes from moderate to liberal and a Republican Party that is almost all conservative. Re-enforcing that, driven by that, is greater partisanship between the parties that Newt Gingrich consciously set out to do. The last thing is, it’s now become popular to say you hate Washington and you want to go home so that members don’t get to know each other. Members used to be here much of the time and we’d socialize with each other. It’s very rare now. Rice: The partisanship got its start with Gingrich. Frank: He exacerbated it, yeah. The partisanship was his. Rice: How does the new right-wing media play into that? Frank: It re-enforces the conservatism of the Republican Party. It means it’s tough to sniff out the moderates. There are very few Republicans left who will challenge the party, so you have every single Republican voting “no” on the stimulus bill, every single Republican voting “no” on financial reform, all but one on health care. The right-wing media, which has these people – the main moderates – terrified to get beaten in primaries, has done that. Rice: Well, it’s a valid fear, right? Frank: Yes, very accurate. … The conservatives are facing tough, conservative rightwing challenges in primaries. Charlie Crist, Robert Bennett.... Rice: And in the long run, the divisiveness within the Republican Party isn’t going to serve it well, is it? Frank: I hope not. Short-term, the problem is that it’s going to be a good year for them for a variety of factors. You’re right, though, it will be negative for them, but I think that will be masked in the short-term and that will re-enforce their sense of, “go ahead.” But ultimately, within a few years, it’s going to hurt them. Rice: You mention that the conventional wisdom is that Democrats are going to get spanked in the midterms, do you.... Frank: Yeah. First of all, we have way too many seats. The Democrats are holding seats that really shouldn’t be voting Democratic if people were paying attention when they voted, which I wish they would. … Secondly, we have [ourselves] in a bad situ-
ation, and we’re paying for it. Rice: The pundits talk about health care being a big issue for the midterm elections, but I’m not sure I agree with that. Frank: I think it’s more the bad economy and the fact that we had to be supportive of Bush in responding to the financial crisis in ways that are characterized as helping out the banks. … When the AIG bonuses came out, the Obama people made one terrible mistake, which was to make a prediction that the economic recovery bill was going to bring unemployment down. I don’t know why they [predicted it] below a certain number. Of course it helps, but there was never any reason to give a number, and now we’re paying a price for it. Rice: [The bill] hasn’t brought [unemployment] down, but it has done a lot to stabilize it … maybe? Frank: It’s clearly better than it would have been, but that’s not a good political platform. Rice: Moving away from politics, you’re an icon for the Queer community and you have been a long time. Frank: It’s a time-consuming job and it doesn’t pay very well. Rice: [Laughs.] That’s true, but the question is, you’re the head of arguably the most important committee.... Frank: It’s a constant struggle, particularly since … [I] got into a very serious relationship – the most serious relationship in my life – with my current partner [Jim Ready]. … We first met nearly five years ago, but it’s greatly deepened. His partner was ailing and died … and, yeah, it’s become a real source of frustration, constantly seeing him and parting … and part of what it means is that … I’m happy to have this job and I feel lucky to have it. If I didn’t like it, I’d quit. But that’s curtailed other activities. So, it’s been very time-consuming. Rice: I think the Queer community right now is a little impatient, whether we should be or shouldn’t be. I think many of the people I talk to [in the Queer community] thought there was going to be more change taking place. Frank: Well, I’m impatient with them. People waste their time going to marches on the Mall. … We’re trying hard now – [Colorado Rep.] Jared [Polis], [Wisconsin Rep.] Tammy [Baldwin], myself, and Democratic leadership – to get a good bill through. You get all these people who … most of them have never picked up a phone to call one of their representatives. The political immaturity of our community is a constant source of frustration. I’ve told people if somebody runs against me who they think is going to be better on LGBT issues, they can vote for them. I don’t think that’s likely, but that’s OK. Beyond that, I just do what I think is right. Rice: So the message to the community is to politicize yourself. Frank: Yes. … Militancy doesn’t mean decibels; it means effectiveness. It means figuring out what works and doing it. Rice: That is one thing [our community] has a lot of trouble with: grassroots organizing. Frank: I have a rule, which is: The better an activity makes you feel when you’re trying to get something done, the less likely it is to be helpful. Sitting down and calling your representative and, you know, giving rude responses, fine. Go out with the demonstration and chanting, fine. It’s useless, useless. Rice: So, what would be useful? Frank: Call your representative, and once you’ve done that, ask all your friends to do it. Then you get out your list of whoever you send a holiday card to and ask them to call their representatives. What affects members – other than their own views and the party – is what they hear from their constituents. It is overwhelmingly constituents. It’s more important than campaign contributions – they don’t hurt, but hearing from your constituents is what counts. Rice: It’s interesting. I think if you ask a person on the street if their phone call to their representative would make a difference, they might tell you they didn’t think it would. Frank: Well, that’s part of the problem: The self-inflicted rules of the left, because we have this self-fulfilling prophecy that your phone calls won’t have any effect, so we don’t make them. I’ll tell you, the phone call that isn’t made has no effect.
Celebrating 37 Years!
Gay rights groups look DOMA heads to federal court for leadership on DADT
TEXAS UNION continued from cover
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott about whether one could be granted. “In evaluating the various proofs of identity offered by Hill, the County Clerk was unsure as to the eligibility of the applicants for a marriage license,” El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal wrote to Abbott. The couple then traveled to San Antonio, where the clerk issued them a marriage license. According to the San Antonio City Clerk, a Texas appeals court ruling in Littleton v. Prange states that the sex specified on an individual’s birth certificate is determinative. In that 1999 case, a Texas appeals court refused to recognize a marriage between a man and a male-to-female Transsexual because her birth certificate identified her as male. The San Antonio City Clerk told reporters he grants same-sex marriage licenses once or twice a year on the basis of the Littleton ruling. In 2009, the Texas state legislature changed the state’s family code to permit an applicant for a marriage license to use a court order to nullify the sex specified on the birth certificate. The new law also allows a driver’s license to serve as proof of identity and age. Hill has both a Washington state court order changing her name to Sabrina, and an Arizona driver’s license identifying her as a female. Her New York birth certificate continues to identify her as a male, however. Any future litigation will turn on which of these documents finally determines an individual’s sex if they conflict, as they do in Hill’s case. In her letter to Attorney General Abbott, Bernal says that “the changes to the Family Code provide, for the purposes of a marriage license application, that the identity of a person as a man or a woman may be established by any one of 19 documents … and the County Clerk is bound to accept whichever document the applicant submits….” Hill and Bur say they never intended to make a social statement or seek publicity but are now receiving interview requests from as far away as England.
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Gay rights groups and supportive Democratic lawmakers were angered on April 30 by a letter by senior Pentagon leaders warning Congress not to tamper with the ban on Gays serving openly in the military until they can come up with a plan for dealing with potential opposition in the ranks. In the strongly worded letter, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen told the House Armed Services Committee that forcing policy changes on the military before it’s ready would be a mistake. “Our military must be afforded the opportunity to inform us of their concerns, insights, and suggestions if we are to carry out this change successfully,” Gates and Mullen wrote to the panel’s chairman, Missouri Democrat Ike Skelton. “Imposing a moratorium on DADT before the end of a review would send a very damaging message to our men and women in uniform that, in essence, their views, concerns, and perspectives do not matter on an issue with such a direct impact and consequence for them and their families.” The Gay military ban, known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” requires the Defense Department to separate from the armed services members who engage in or attempt to engage in homosexual acts, state they are homosexual or Bisexual, or marry or attempt to marry a person of the same biological sex. Nearly 14,000 otherwise qualified men and women have been discharged from the military under DADT, and many thousands more have chosen to not re-enlist because of the policy. Enforcing and implementing the policy has cost U.S. taxpayers
hundreds of millions of dollars. Activists and supporters said the letter puts their efforts in jeopardy. On April 30, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that Congress should “immediately place a moratorium on dismissals under this policy until the review has been completed and Congress has acted.” Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, said that Gates’ statement “delivered a devastating blow to getting repeal done this year.” Sarvis said, “The joint political decision by Obama and Gates showed a lack of respect for our LGBT servicemembers who are on the front lines every day, risking their lives for our safety.” President Obama has said the 1993 law unfairly punishes patriotic Americans and asked Congress to repeal it, yet little has been done by the administration to support his claims. In a statement released late Friday, White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said Obama’s commitment to repealing the law remains “unequivocal” and that Obama “is committed to getting this done both soon and right.” Gates says he supports lifting the ban but wants to survey the troops first on how it should be done. He has ordered a study – to be completed at year’s end – that will look at whether housing arrangements would have to be altered and if Gay partners would be allowed military benefits. Defense officials hope the protracted timeline will help troops adjust to the idea of serving with openly Gay colleagues before they are actually faced with the change. Still, supportive Democratic politicians are accusing the Pentagon of employing stall tactics, saying the time for repeal is
“Our
military must be afforded the opportunity to inform us of their concerns, insights, and suggestions if we are to carry out this change successfully.”
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) entered federal court this week. Mary Bonauto, who’s made a name for herself as lead lawyer in same-sex marriage court cases in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, is heading up the team challenging DOMA in a Boston federal courthouse. DOMA, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Clinton in 1996, defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman. DOMA essentially overrides state laws and court orders in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, and Vermont, where Gay marriage is legal. The Boston-based Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) brought the lawsuit against the federal government in March 2009. Bonauto has been the civil rights project director at GLAD since 1990. Bonauto and the 19 plaintiffs she represents are targeting Section 3 of the law, which disqualifies Gay and Lesbian couples from receiving federal protections and benefits that are available to heterosexual married couples – shared Social Security, disability, and tax benefits, to name a few. Nancy Gill and Marcelle Letourneau of Bridgewater, Massachusetts are the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Gill, a Postal Service worker, tried unsuccessfully to add her wife to a family health insurance plan after they were married in 2004. “They are paying taxes, Social Security, doing all the things the government asks of them, and yet the federal government treats them as though they are unmarried,” Bonauto said. No matter which side wins this round, Bonauto says the case will likely be appealed to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, and then to the U.S. Supreme Court. Bonauto, 48, lives in Portland, Maine, with her partner of 22 years, Jennifer Wriggins, a professor at the University of Maine School of Law. They have twin daughters. The couple wed in Massachusetts, but their marriage is void in Maine – thanks to DOMA.
see DADT page 16
Argentinian Deputies advance marriage equality by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
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If the law is passed in the Senate, Argentina would be the first country in predominantly Roman Catholic Latin America to allow same-sex marriages. Neighboring Uruguay grants extensive rights, including adoptions, to same-sex couples in civil unions but does not allow them to marry. Roman Catholic leaders have denounced
same-sex marriage as “perverse” and immoral, but the marriage bill has not sparked much public controversy in Argentina. Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital, is a cosmopolitan and Gay-friendly city with many hotels, nightclubs, and shops catering to Gay tourists.
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Argentina’s House of Deputies passed a historic marriage equality bill on May 5 following 11 hours of debate on the House floor. The bill includes both the right to marry and the right to adopt children. The adoption provision was especially controversial. The vote was 125-109, with Socialists and smaller leftist parties joining the supporters of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to pass the measure. Party leaders instructed their members to “vote their conscience” rather than the party line earlier in the day. Most leftist members were already on record in support of marriage equality, however. Some right-wing lawmakers also supported the bill, but most of the Peronists – followers of the late dictator Juan Peron – voted against the measure. Marriage equality supporters displayed a huge banner from the visitors’ gallery which said mockingly, “Putos Peronistas” (“Peronist Fags”). After the vote, supporters of the measure erupted in cheers and unfurled rainbow flags down the side walls of the legislative hall. Outside, small groups of supporters gathered to watch the proceedings on a live feed, or to follow the debate on Twitter. “Love isn’t owned by heterosexuals,” said Deputy Felipe Sola, who backed the bill. “If we’re all equal before the law, why do we want to give a different name to unions be-
tween same-sex couples?” Maria Rachid, director of The Argentinian LGBT Federation (FALGBT), told Argentine TV reporters that it was the first time a national legislature had voted in favor of same-sex marriage in Latin America. Mexico City’s legislature passed a marriage equality bill December 21, 2009, but that law only applies to the Federal District surrounding Mexico City, not to the whole country. The Mexican law also does not address adoptions. Alex Freyre and Nino Di Bello, the first same-sex couple to be married in Argentina, were on the House floor observing the debate. They were married last December, but a court subsequently annulled their marriage. Four Gay couples and one Lesbian couple have been married in Argentina, but only two of the marriages remain legally valid. The Argentine Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments on the legality of samesex marriages, but it is widely assumed that the justices would prefer to have Argentina’s Congress act first. The bill now goes to the Argentine Senate, which is considered more conservative than the House of Deputies. The FALGBT’s Rachid said she does not expect the Senate to reject the measure. “We’ve talked to the heads of the political blocs [in the Senate] and the majority are in favor of this, so we think we could get a favorable vote in the Senate as well,” she said.
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Laurie Jinkins launches campaign for State House by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer On May 4, Laurie Jinkins, a public health leader, chair of the Tacoma Community College (TCC) Board of Trustees, school mom, and longtime community volunteer and leader, kicked off her campaign for State Representative with more than 200 supporters. Jinkins is running in the 27th Legislative District, Tacoma, and would be the first open Lesbian elected to the State House if elected. The campaign launch featured speakers underscoring Jenkins’ broad support and experience. State Auditor Brian Sonntag praised Laurie for her commitment to financial transparency and accountability. Former Pierce County Chief of Staff Lyle Quasim spoke to Jinkins’ commitment to equality and opportunity for all people. State Representative Jeannie Darnielle, Jinkins’ seatmate if successful in November, told the crowd how a leader with Jinkins’ track record and collaborative style is needed in Olympia. Jinkins told SGN she chose to hold the event at the Mecca – a former adult movie theater – because the location represented something old that wasn’t working, but has since been transformed into something that would help the community. Also in attendance were Jinkins’ partner, Laura Wulf, and the couple’s 9-year-old son, Wulf Jinkins. “Wulf gave a top-10 list of reasons I should be elected,” Jinkins told SGN. “He talked about me being trustworthy and a good citizen. He told everyone that I do the things I say I am going to do, and that I never give up and I keep on working.” Number six on Wulf’s list: “She is really good at math and will take care of the whole budget.” “I’m running to fix what’s broke in Olympia,” Jinkins told her supporters. “This isn’t about holding political office; it’s about solving problems for our families – providing needed education and worker training funds, reforming a broken tax system, assuring health care for kids, seniors, and the vulnerable, and protecting our environ-
ment.” Jinkins cited her recent experience in her professional career and service at TCC as examples of her problem-solving approach. “Facing cuts in Public Health, we brought everyone together to prioritize services and agree on furloughs and other sacrifices to protect essential services,” said Jinkins. “At TCC, we invested in new, job-creating training centers that will prepare workers for emerging careers. Making tough choices and planning for the future – that’s what we need in Olympia to get our state and region back on track.” Jinkins, who is actively knocking on doors throughout the district, hopes that the energetic crowd will swell an already large volunteer base. “In order to get elected, I am going to have to use a lot of shoe leather,” she told SGN. “I have to go out and talk to voters. I’m already doorbelling, and I will keep on doing it through the whole campaign.” Jinkins says that what voters have said has been “very interesting.” “People are worried about jobs and taxes – but not in the way you might think. Voters are telling me they don’t have a problem paying taxes as long as they know the money is going to worthy causes like education, job creation, and roads.” “I am a creative problem-solver who listens to other people’s ideas,” Jinkins told SGN, “but I am results-oriented. We have tough issues ahead of us, and we cannot avoid working on these issues. They are not going to solve themselves; we cannot keep putting it off.” “I’m not a political insider; I’m a community person, a grassroots person,” said Jinkins. “With the momentum we are building in fundraising, voter contact, and community spirit, we are in a great position to win this election.”
DADT
continued from page 9 now. Michigan Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is expected to sponsor repeal language in the defense budget in the Senate, while Representative Patrick Murphy, a Pennsylvania Democrat, is considered the most likely to offer the legislation in the House. The window to act, however, is quickly coming to a close, as markups for the 2011 Defense Authorization Bill on both sides of Congress are expected to take place within the next three weeks. A House vote may come as early as May 24. MORE ARRESTS AT WHITE HOUSE GATE On May 2, six more openly Gay people were arrested for handcuffing themselves to the White House fence following a rally at Lafayette Park. During the rally former chairman of the Democratic National Committee Howard Dean told the crowd of more than 100 that the committee chairman running the DADT discussion in the Senate “has the votes” to pass a repeal this year. Referring to Lt. Dan Choi – who has twice been arrested for handcuffing himself
(alongside Capt. James Pietrangelo) to the fence in front of the White House – Dean told the crowd, “We can’t afford to lose any talented people.” As Choi was speaking to the crowd, six activists – Ann Tischer, Nora Camp, Alan Bounville, Natasha Dillon, Eiona DiBona, and Mark Reed – attached themselves to the same fence where Choi and Pietrangelo had been with four others two weeks ago. According to Metro Weekly, after a few minutes of standing silently at the fence, the six activists stood on the raised cement, shouting slogans demanding equality. The crowd chanted in response, “Yes, you can!” Pietrangelo said to the crowd, “I wish that President Obama had the courage of those protesters on the fence. There’s more of that coming, and we will keep doing that until we get full equality. Period.” Choi and Pietrangelo did not chain themselves to the fence. By D.C. Superior Court order, the two openly Gay veterans must stay away from the fence – and the block surrounding the White House – until their cases are resolved or face a contempt of court citation. Roughly 30 minutes after handcuffing themselves to the fence, the six protesters had their cuffs removed by U.S. Park Police and were arrested and placed in a van for processing.
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D.C. Appeals Court hears marriage equality case by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer On May 3, the D.C. Court of Appeals heard arguments in a lawsuit seeking to force the city to put its new marriage equality law on the ballot for a popular vote. The suit was filed by Bishop Harry Jackson and other local religious leaders who opposed passage of D.C.’s marriage equality law last December. The law took effect on March 3 this year. Jackson and his co-plaintiffs were represented by Austin Nimocks, legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian law group aligned with former Focus on the Family leader James Dobson. At issue in the suit is an apparent conflict between two D.C. laws. A 1970s-era amendment to the D.C. City Charter allows voters to pass or repeal laws through an initiative or referendum. Jackson claims this amendment gives him the right to get D.C.’s marriage equality law put on the ballot for a vote. “The people have a right to vote that’s guaranteed by the District of Columbia Charter,” Nimocks, Jackson’s attorney, said. “And the City Council cannot amend the charter. They cannot do anything to undermine the people’s right to vote.” On the other hand, D.C.’s Human Rights Act bans discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation, among other characteristics. A provision was added to the city’s referendum and initiative law that bans such ballot measures if they would result in discrimination prohibited by the Human Rights Act. D.C. Solicitor General Todd Kim, who argued on behalf of the city, told the court that the charter amendment establishing the initiative and referendum system gives the City Council authority to make some changes in the system to carry out its “purpose.” The D.C. Human Rights Act indicated that the city’s overall policy and purpose was to protect the rights of Gays and Lesbians along with other minorities, Kim said. The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics rejected Jackson’s application for an initiative defining marriage as the union of one man with one woman on the grounds that it violated D.C.’s Human Rights Act by depriving LGBT citizens of equal rights. Jackson then filed suit with the D.C. Superior Court, seeking an order to allow a ballot initiative. In January, Superior Court Judge Judith Macaluso upheld the Election Board’s decision, saying the law cited by the city to ban such ballot measures was valid.
Jackson and his supporters then appealed Macaluso’s ruling, resulting in the May 3 hearing before the Appeals Court. In an unusual step, the full nine-member court heard the oral arguments, rather than the standard three-member panel. One possible significance of an en banc – or full court – hearing is that the full court has the authority to overturn previous decisions if they would interfere with its intentions in a current case. Legal observers said one ruling the court might overturn is Dean v. the District of Columbia, a 1995 case which also dealt with same-sex marriages. In Dean, the appeals court rejected a claim by a Gay couple that the city’s Human Rights Act required issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples because it banned discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. At that time, the court ruled that the marriage law restricting marriages to oppositesex couples took precedence over the Human Rights Act. In the current case, seven of the nine judges asked pointed questions that challenged the legal arguments presented by both sides, making it difficult to predict how the judges might rule. “The court asked a variety of probing questions, as they should have,” said Thomas Williamson, an attorney who filed an amicus brief on the side of the D.C. government. “But it seemed that a consistent theme in their questions was a sensitivity to the importance of protecting civil rights of a vulnerable minority, which is really what this case is about here – the right of same-sex couples to enjoy marriage and have the same status for their marriage as all other citizens of the District,” Williamson said. Five of the nine judges, including Chief Judge Eric Washington, were appointed by President George W. Bush. President Bill Clinton appointed the remaining four. Observers say a decision on the marriage case could come sometime in the next several months, but may take more than a year. The losing party could appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, but many legal observers believe the high court would be unlikely to take the case.
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N.Y. Court of Appeals Seattle May Day march expands rights of non- intensified by AZ immigrant bill biological parents by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
On May 1, as Calvin Borel won his third Kentucky Derby in the last four years, thousands of workers poured into the streets of Seattle’s Central District to march downtown for International Workers’ Day. Participants chanted in Spanish and English, calling on Congress and President Barack Obama to reform the nation’s immigration policies. In the last decade, International Workers’ Day has taken a new form. Originally conceived of to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Haymarket Square massacre in Chicago of 1886 when police fired on
striking workers demanding an eight-hour workday, International Workers’ Day now focuses heavily on immigration reform. Thus, the crowd consisted largely of church groups, immigrants’ rights groups, and workers’ unions. May Day marches all across the country saw increased participation over past years as a result of Arizona’s new law on illegal immigrants, which requires law enforcement to question people about immigration status if there is reason to suspect they are in the country illegally. Civil rights advocates have said the law is unconstitutional and encourages racial profiling and discrimination against immigrants or anyone thought to be an immigrant. The Seattle march was lead by local immigration reform and social justice organization, El Comité.
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The New York Court of Appeals, that state’s highest court, handed down two rulings May 4 that substantially expanded the rights of non-biological parents. In one case, the court ruled that a woman can obtain visitation rights for the child she raised with her former partner because she is a legal parent, even though she is not the child’s biological mother. The women, identified in court documents as Debra H. and Janice R., entered into a civil union in Vermont and later separated. In their 7-0 decision, the court said Debra H. could ask a court for visitation and custody rights because New York confers parental rights on both partners in a same-sex civil union. New York does not permit either samesex marriages or same-sex civil unions, but recognizes those relationships when they are concluded in another jurisdiction. Some legal observers were dismayed that the court did not go even further and establish the parental rights of non-biological parents who are not in legally recognized relationships. “In many ways, this is a real breakthrough in New York,” said Lambda Legal senior counsel Susan L. Sommer, who argued the case before the Court of Appeals. “But there’s also a lot more work that needs to be done, because the decision stops short of bringing New York into line with the growing trend in other jurisdictions,” Sommer added. In fact, some observers argued that the New York decision establishes two standards for children of same-sex couples – one for those born to couples with a legally recognized relationship, and another for those born to couples without legal recognition. “It is a narrow victory that will help the
children of couples who marry or enter civil unions, but it will not help the children of parents who don’t,” said Nancy Polikoff, a law professor at American University. “A distinction between whether one is a parent or is not a parent based on whether a couple is in a civil union or not in a civil union – that should not matter,” Polikoff added. “From the child’s point of view, he or she has two parents.” That case was considered the more farreaching of the two. In the other case, the Court of Appeals found that a woman is entitled to seek child support from her former partner, even when the former partner is not the biological mother of a child the couple raised together before they separated. The decision in this case was split 4-3. The Court of Appeals has so far rejected legal challenges to out-of-state same-sex unions. In November, the court decided in separate cases that New York state and Westchester County had both acted lawfully when they extended benefits to samesex couples. In the state case, the court rejected a challenge to a state policy that extended health benefits to same-sex partners of state employees who were married in other states. In the Westchester County case, the court said the county could recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. In February, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case in which a biological mother was seeking to strip her former partner of parental rights. A family court in California ruled that the former partner should be considered a full parent, and the Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene allowed that decision to stand.
by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer
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International Gay and Lesbian Social networking Human Rights Commission’s led to murderous Executive Cary Alan Johnson by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer From April 26-28, Cary Alan Johnson, the executive director of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) visited Seattle for a variety of speaking engagements. Johnson spoke to the University of Washington School of Law about the role lawyers play in moving the struggle forward around the world. He also spoke at Seattle University and the PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology in Health) Seattle Offices. Johnson, who has been executive director of the commission for the last year, seemed excited to be in Seattle. According to him, the organization doesn’t “get enough time to talk to people in the United States about the work we do.” In addition to his public engagements, Johnson was able to sit down with Sally Clark and Tom Rasmussen, Seattle City Council members who are both out LGBT civic leaders. Johnson joined SGN at Capitol Hill’s Cupcake Royale to talk about the methodology of IGLHRC, his work as the former director of IGLHRC’s Africa Program in Cape Town, South Africa, and the direction of the organization, which began in San Francisco in 1990. The mission of IGLHRC is to advance human rights for everyone, everywhere to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. “The reasons are many and the repercussions are severe,” said Johnson in regards to the reason for IGLHRC’s work. “Victimization, violence, verbal abuse, complete lack of access to HIV services … and the U.S. plays some role in perpetuating this.” According to Johnson, under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), launched by President George W. Bush in 2003, the U.S. made $15 billion available for AIDS relief. Approximately 1% of that has gone to men who have sex with men. “Sodomy laws still exist in over 80 countries around the world. Lesbian and Bisexual women face violence in their homes and communities,” Johnson said. “We know that while Gay men often bear the brunt of oppression from the state, women face violence and policing of their behavior in the home and the community.” Before taking the position of executive director, Johnson spent four years in Cape Town as director of IGLHRC’s Africa pro-
gram. In addition to responding to human rights emergencies, the Africa program focuses on changing laws, attitudes, and perceptions. Under Johnson’s leadership as senior Africa specialist, the Africa program grew significantly. “South Africa is the country that has probably the most progressive legislation in the world,” said Johnson. “Protections based on orientation and gender are in the constitution.” However, one of the biggest barriers Johnson said he saw there was religious fundamentalism. “[It] is the main enemy right now to the struggle for LGBT Rights,” Johnson told SGN. Partnering with LGBT rights organizations around the world to address situations in critical times – such as rising against legislation like sodomy laws and cross-dressing laws – IGLHRC sees itself as part of an international LGBT rights movement. Unlike lobbying organizations like the Human Rights Commission, the IGLHRC works with activists worldwide to strategize on the ground level. The IGLHRC accomplishes all of this with a staff of only about 20 people – half working out of New York City, where the organization is headquartered, and half abroad. The IGLHRC is currently vying for United Nations Observer Status. If they get it – which is likely, according to Johnson – they will be the first LGBT organization to be given the important privileges the status grants. Organizations with Observer Status have the right to speak at United Nations General Assembly meetings, participate in procedural votes, and to sponsor and sign resolutions, but not to vote on resolutions and other substantive matters. Examples of organizations with this status include the International Olympic Committee and the International Committee of the Red Cross. If the IGLHRC gets Observer Status, it could be one of the most radical steps forward for LGBT human rights on an international level. Cary Alan Johnson is an author and activist with more than 20 years of experience in the LGBT rights movement and in African social and economic development. He has worked in management positions for Amnesty International, Africare, the U.N. Human Rights Commission, and Planned Parenthood. He has worked in many SubSaharan African countries, including Rwanda, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and many others.
connection, say cops by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Hooking up has never been easier. These days, Gay men can turn to a number of online dating websites where they are a couple of clicks away from quick connect sex. In fact, you don’t even need a computer to access these social networking sites; there’s an app for it on your cell phone. Unfortunately, say police, social networking sites for Gay men have turned into a playground for criminals, who log on to find unsuspecting victims for encounters that end up in theft and intimidation – and, in some cases, murder. Last month, Hermosa Beach, California detectives arrested the alleged “Gay Prey” bandit for kidnapping, car jacking, and robbery. According to detectives, Angel Ayala, 24, allegedly preyed on Gay men he found on social networking sites and has an “extensive history of violence.” Ayala found his latest victim through Craigslist. According to detectives, Ayala met the victim at the man’s apartment, where he allegedly drew a gun and forced him to load his car with a television, computer, and camera. Then, Ayala forced the man to drive him to an ATM, where he made the victim withdraw an undisclosed sum of cash. Ultimately, Ayala dropped the man off in El Segundo and drove off with his car. Detectives said that fingerprints left behind at the most recent victim’s apartment and his vehicle led to Ayala’s location and arrest. Hermosa Beach detectives say that Ayala has committed similar crimes in Bell Gardens and West Hollywood, but to an unknown extent, because his victims may have been too embarrassed to call the police.
Ayala’s latest victim faired a lot better than Mark G. Woodland, 54, of Phoenix, Arizona. Last week, Phoenix police say that Woodland was found dead at his apartment from a beating and stabbing that could be traced back to a social networking application used by Gay men to meet each other. Police say Woodland’s roommate returned home to the apartment the men shared and noticed the place had been ransacked. The roommate called the police, who, after searching the apartment, found Woodland’s body, beaten and stabbed, in a downstairs bathroom. According to the Phoenix New Times, the roommate told police that Woodland had sent him a text message saying he was going to pick up a male date. He sent a second text to make sure the roommate had left the apartment. After finding his body, police tracked down a friend of Woodland’s in California, who told them Woodland had met the man using an unidentified social networking application. The application uses a GPS to locate potential dates based on a person’s proximity with other users. According to police, they were given Woodland’s date’s username for the app by his friend, as well as a description of the man last seen with Woodland by one of his neighbors. They tracked down a suspect whose iPhone arranged the date with Woodland and matched the description of the man. Tommy Reed, 19, was arrested and taken to police headquarters for questioning. He made certain admissions, which, combined with other evidence, gave police probable cause to make an arrest. Reed was booked on charges of second-degree murder.
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May 7, 2010
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22 Seattle Gay News
May 7, 2010
Celebrating 37 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
May 7, 2010
Seattle Gay News 23