Celebrating 36 Years!
Issue 19 Volume 37
FRIDAY May 8, 2009 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands
wayne besen p. 4
diverse harmony p. 12
cinco de mayo p. 6
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Ref. 71 filed to repeal WA Maine, NH & DC pass equality bills domestic partnerships
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer As expected, Washington Values Alliance President Larry Stickney has filed a referendum seeking to overturn SB 5688, the state’s new domestic partnership expansion
law. Stickney filed his referendum with the state Secretary of State’s office on Monday, May 4. The measure has been assigned number 71. Stickney was joined in Olympia by Oregon-based televangelist
REFERENDUM WOULD REMOVE RIGHTS In a May 2 media release featuring quotes from Martin Luther and ultra-right Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), Stickney outlined the strategy behind the referendum. “A Referendum to roll back SB 5688 (which grants full spousal
Pat Wellenbach/Associated Press
asclepias410
Washington Values Alliance President Larry Stickney
Gary Randall. Randall runs a trio of right-wing organizations – the Faith and Freedom Foundation, Faith and Freedom Network, and Faith and Freedom PAC. Other right-wing evangelical leaders immediately distanced themselves from their efforts, however, leaving the future of the referendum in doubt. Stickney’s group must now gather 120,500 signatures by July 25 in order to qualify Referendum 71 for the November ballot. Referendum supporters may not begin to gather signatures until Gov. Gregoire actually signs the domestic partnership bill into law, however, and she has until May 19 to do so. The governor is expected to sign the bill, but according to her office no date has yet been set. Governor John Baldacci of Maine
by Lisa Keen Keen News Service
The momentum for allowing Gay couples to obtain marriage licenses surged dramatically again this week with two more state legislatures passing bills to provide for such equality, one of those governors immediately signing the see referendum page 14 bill, and the District of Columbia
clearing its Marriage Recognition bill. But the gains are almost certainly leading to a referendum in at least one of those two states – in Maine – and a showdown in Congress this year. On Wednesday, the legislatures see equality bills page 13
Advocacy Director for Equal Rights Washington Josh Friedes
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer While anti-Gay forces debated the wisdom of Referendum 71, which challenges new domestic partnership legislation passed this year, LGBT political leaders prepared for the coming campaign. Referendum 71 will need
120,500 voter signatures to qualify for the ballot in November. If it successfully passes that hurdle, voters will have a chance either to approve or reject the new laws giving same-sex domestic partners the same rights and responsibilities as see campaign page 7
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer President Barack Obama will sign a proclamation commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion in New York City, according to Gay and human rights activist Mike Petrelis, who announced the news Thursday on his blog, Petrelis Files (mpetrelis. blogspot.com). Back in March Petrelis asked Patricia Nell Warren, author of the classic Gay novel The Front Runner and civil rights advocate, to draft a proclamation he could submit to the White House for the president to sign. Warren agreed and the draft was in the mail. Warren wrote an SGN exclusive for the March 27, Vol. 37, Issue 13 edition where she pointed out, “Barack Obama is full of surprises, and nowhere more than on the subject of LGBT rights.” Sine then Petrelis spoke with Brian Bond, an openly Gay man in the White House Office of Public Liaison. He asked Bond whether or not the LGBT community could depend on the president to build
file photo
nick ardizzone
Community prepares for White House says Stonewall referendum campaign proclamation set for June '09
President Barack Obama
on the draft. Bond received word Thursday – yes, a draft is being prepared for June. The June proclamation is the first since 2000. “Interesting that Bill Clinton issues a presidential proclamation
honoring LGBT pride month in June 2000, his last year in the Oval Office, and Obama is getting ready to put forward a similar proclamation in his first year as president,” said Petrelis. “Nice bit of progress!”
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Seattle Gay News
May 8, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
Gays not an Obama priority? by Jennifer Vanasco SGN Contributing Writer
Obama made that call for hate crimes legislation, great. Of course, that was the easiest of our issues to get behind – it is supported by the majority of our police forces and attorneys general, after all. And yes, he’s facing big issues – the economic meltdown, two wars, now a retiring Supreme Court Justice. But in his first 100 days, he was somehow able to make it easier for women to sue for equal pay, lift Bush’s ban on stem cell research, lift the traveling restrictions for Cuban-Americans to Cuba, and protect two million acres of wilderness. In other words, he made significant, sweeping change in government and for some groups of people, change that is only tangentially related – if at all – to the economy, or to the wars. We’ve seen change, all right. Good change. For others. But we haven’t seen change for Gays and Lesbians and we haven’t seen proof of commitment to our issues. Campaign promises are campaign promises. It is not enough that Obama said he was our “fierce advocate” during the campaign. He needs to now show us that he is our president as well. Richard Socarides, a former advisor to President Clinton, pointed out in the Washington Post that Obama has no Gay friends close to him in the administration. He does, however, seem to have evangelical friends. If it’s true that you can tell a person by the company they keep, then we may be in deeper trouble than we know. We’ll have to see what the next 100 days brings. Obama is a good president. But we are clearly not his priority. He has forgotten, perhaps, that we are part of America’s “founding promise.” Which means we need to stop being patient, stop giving him time, and start raising our voices until we are heard.
By the end of Barack Obama’s first 100 days, it became clear: Gays and Lesbians are not this president’s priority. He stopped mentioning us, except for two notable cases: the brouhaha surrounding the invitation of Rev. Rick Warren to give the inaugural prayer, and the call to Congress to support including sexual orientation and gender identity in hate crimes. Then, at just about the 100 day mark, bloggers started pointing out something disturbing: WhiteHouse.gov had stripped its “civil rights” page of almost all things Gay. It narrowed down promises to the LGBT community from eight to three, and from a full half-page to a few sentences. When bloggers called the White House to protest, some of the promises came back, including a full repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – but talk of repealing the Defense of Marriage Act had disappeared. What also disappeared was this moving quote from Obama himself, on June 1, 2007, when he was still in campaign mode and working for our votes: “While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It’s about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect.” When blogger John Aravosis called the White House to ask what was going on, this is what he was told: “Recently we overhauled the issues section to concisely reflect the president’s broad agenda, and will continue to update these pages. The president’s commitment on LGBT issues has not changed, and any suggestions to the contrary are false.” Well. Maybe we’d believe that Obama’s Jennifer Vanasco is an award-winning, commitment hasn’t changed if we saw some syndicated columnist. E-mail her at Jenniaction on our issues, instead of almost com- fer.Vanasco@gmail.com; follow her at twitplete avoidance. ter.com/JenniferVanasco.
WILL YOU STAND WITH ME? The past few weeks we’ve seen tremendous progress on marriage equality across much of the country. Today’s news from Maine and Washington DC shows that marriage equality is gaining support across a broad swath of the Northeast. But here in progressive Washington, before our Governor has even signed the recently passed “everything-but-Gay-marriage” bill, wingnut Larry Stickney’s Washington Values Alliance has filed a referendum to undo the good work our Legislators have done over the past three sessions. Those aren’t the values I was raised with here in Washington – my family raised me to be compassionate, to stand up for equality of opportunity and basic human fairness. My partner Mike and I are raising our own kids with those same values, and Anthony and Anya deserve to know that our family is offered the same protections as their schoolmates’ families. The good news is Stickney has a record of failed campaigns, but let this be a call to action to all of us who care about equality, because we are in the majority and we’re on the right side of history. We have the momentum of the past few weeks on our side and this battle is ours to lose. We’ve got to be ready to fight, and that means not just contributing money but being willing to get out of our comfort zones and talk to strangers, and making sure we’re all registered to cast our votes this November. The future is counting on us. I’m ready to stand and fight – will you stand with me?
was pistol-whipped to death in Wyoming in 1998, had been killed during commission of a robbery. Rep. Foxx used the word “hoax” in an attempt to repudiate the facts of the case and gain support for blocking passage of the long overdue bill. I was instantly incensed as the comments by Rep. Foxx. No amount of back-pedaling, apologies for erroneous information or research, nor any other reasons offered will excuse Rep. Foxx for her comments. Your affirmative vote on [April 29th’s] bill demonstrates your understanding of its need. The very same understanding that brought you and your other colleagues to this vote demands that you now take action to censure Rep. Foxx and send a clear message that only the truth will be permitted in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Foxx is clearly of the same cut of cloth that believes there was never a Nazi holocaust. Thank you for your immediate attention to a clear need for immediate reprimand of Rep. Foxx. Jeff Calley THANK YOU FOR CABARET SUPPORT
Thank you for supporting “March Is Cabaret Month” and the Pacific Northwest Cabaret Association. Your support means so much because without you, our audience, there will be no show. We hope that you continue to support LIVE performances – most especially the raw and the vulnerable genre that is known as the American Cabaret. David Ginsberg Special thanks to … Seattle Gay News “Bits & Bytes” writer Milton Hamlin and OPEN LETTER SGN editor George Bakan for their many TO DAVE REICHERT years of supporting cabaret – and especially [for giving] support to grassroots artDear Representative Reichert, First of all, thank you for your appropriate ists like me. I cannot express the amount of support and help passing today of the H.R. gratitude I have for the SGN for their years 1913, titled Local Law Enforcement Hate of support. THANK YOU Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. Arnaldo! Drag Chanteuse Next, as one of your constituents, I urge you immediately enjoin a censure of your THANKS! colleagues in the House, Rep. Virginia Fox (R-NC) for her deplorable attempt at reGeorge and SGN staff, thank you for havvisionist history. Rep. Foxx’s arguments against passage of the bill included a state- ing featured us in an article last month. ment of the “facts” that contended that MatDharma Buddies thew Shepherd, the young Gay man who
Cycle Barn MotorSports Group raises another barn Gay culture war just The Cycle Barn MotorSports Group announces the grand opening of the new “Scooter Barn” this Friday-Sunday, May 8-10. The Scooter Barn is located on the top floor of the lower building at the Lynnwood Cycle Barn location, and carries the full line of scooters from Kymco, Honda, and Eton. Store manager Garrett Johnson has years of experience with both scooters and the scooter business, and his entire family are scooter riders. “Right now I am so excited it’s hard to sit down,” he explained. “Scooters and scooter people are very much of a lifestyle sort of business, and we intend to be the fun center for all sorts of scooter activities. In addition to the scooters, we’ll also have the very popular Corazzo rider gear and clothing, and AGV helmets.” “We can have a major and positive impact
on the scooter scene in the Northwest immediately,” continued Johnson. “We have the advantages of Lynnwood Cycle Barn and Harley-Davidson of Seattle on the same site, which means our scooter customers will have their service work done by some of the most highly trained techs anywhere, and we have access to support systems that go far beyond what any of our competition can offer. I have been looking forward to an opportunity like this for a very long time, and now it is here and it is time to make it happen!” The Scooter Barn will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For further information, please contact Garrett Johnson at (425) 921-1100 or garrett.johnson@cyclebarn.com.
what we don’t need by Joni Balter Courtesy of The Seattle Times
People are upset these days, deeply worried, too, but not about Gay marriage. They are worried about losing their jobs, about not being able to stay in their homes, about not having health care coverage. To be fair, not all conservative leaders feel this is the right time or place to wage this war. They have the same reservations I have about timing and tone and message. Citizens have the right to file referenda whenever they please. But this one at this time is completely off-putting to people who have greater problems that affect them every single day. Dump this ill-considered referenda, and citizens, decline to sign the petitions which will be out in several weeks.
In the completely tone-deaf category, we have a group of conservative faith leaders following through on a pledge to file a referendum to overturn legislation extending to same-sex couples state-offered benefits of marriage previously allowed for heterosexual couples. Here’s an idea whose time has not come. Yes, yes, I know that conservative leaders fear that Senate Bill 5688 is a prelude to a full-on Gay marriage bill in Washington. One can only hope! But the main point is: Are these people completely clueless? A culture war in the middle of the worst recession in seven decades seems a tad ri© The Seattle Times Company, May 5, diculous. 2009. Reprinted with permission.
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A fractious movement by Wayne Besen SGN Contributing Writer In an online discussion forum, a respected activist recently lamented the decentralization of Gay community advocacy. He made a powerful case that we would be better off if our efforts were more regimented and unified. “Our communal problem is that the LGBT community is so fragmented that we are constantly a cacophony of voices rather than a choir,” the advocate wrote. He went onto make the point that division can lead to defeat in the political arena. “We celebrate diversity of opinion within our community but that does not work in politics.” The community leader raised another point worth contemplating as legislation that affects the Gay community winds its way though Congress and will likely end up on Obama’s desk: “So, who will the president listen to? Is it the Human Rights Campaign ... or a host of bloggers? Sometimes, I wish we could go back to a time when we had less ability to communicate. Then, there were fewer voices to be heard and less confusion about who was representing the community.” The problem with this analysis is that a golden age of GLBT unity never existed. The early 1950s activists clashed with Gay
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individuals who preferred quiet, “private lives.” Activists who wore suits and ties to protests rejected the new radicalism of the 1960s and 1970s, exemplified by the Stonewall rebellion. Never-ending battles have also been fought over the role of sexual liberation. Some activists have claimed that our movement is about sexual freedom, while others have preached assimilation and found the overt displays of sexuality at Gay Pride parades offensive. Additionally, our movement has fought the battle of the sexes to the point of exhaustion. Let’s not even get started on the nasty dust-ups over Transgender issues. Such disorganization is even more conspicuous when contrasted with the conformity of our opponents. When growing up, these (mostly) churchgoers were rewarded for obedience, while our very existence was considered disobedient. To survive as a GLBT youth, one had to learn to question authority and be a freethinker. These traits make for incredibly interesting dinner guests, but create havoc for political organizers. There is no doubt that the diversity of organizations and mushrooming of messages has hurt our movement on many levels. It has been nearly impossible for any leader to gain traction – and thus legitimacy. The closest we have come to a larger-than-life leader is San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk. However, he achieved far more prominence after he was assassinated (and later canonized by Hollywood) than he ever did while alive. The discordant voices and actions have unfortunately provided fodder for our adversaries. They have endless tapes of nudity and nuttiness – that have made it easier to portray GLBT people as the miscreants they claim we are. That said, there is a strong case to make in favor of the diffuse nature of the movement.
It can lead to innovation and questioning of existing paradigms. For example, we can’t forget that the push for marriage equality was considered wildly “off message” only a decade ago. If our movement had been more centralized, marriage would have seemed too radical and never seen the light of day. However, marriage activists and impatient same-sex couples pushed the envelope. This has given us game-changing victories in four states – and counting. The latest polls show that almost half of Americans now support the freedom to marry. We also have to remember that not long ago, the major GLBT organizations ran from religion. It was Gay religious activists that thought fighting for acceptance within denominations was a worthy battle. While not achieving the same success as marriage equality, there have been successes – most notably the Episcopal Church confirming Eugene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire. We have also seen the rise of groups, which challenge faith-based bigotry, like Faith in America and SoulForce. The controversial campaign by activist Mike Rogers to “out” closeted politicians who favored amending the U.S. Constitution to ban Gay people from marrying would also never have occurred in a centralized movement. Some might argue that his exposing of Republican hypocrisy helped undermine the GOP’s legitimacy as the party representing “family values.” Moreover, conformity also makes it difficult to turn around a sinking ship. The nation is headed on a new path, but hierarchical and rigid GOP leaders are still obsessed with tax cuts, abortion, Ronald Reagan and opposing Gay couples marrying. The Gay movement is untamed and freewheeling, like New York City, while the Religious Right is tightly controlled, like Singapore. Each model has its advantages, but also its shortcomings. In a diffuse media age that resembles the Wild West, the more agile and fractious movement may finally have the upper hand. © 2009 Wayne Besen. All rights reserved.
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
May 8, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
NORTHWEST
NEWS
compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer
AFSC SPEAKER’S BUREAU LOOKING FOR QUEER YOUTH The American Friends Service Committee’s speaker’s bureau, Out Spoken, is looking for Queer youth to interview about their life experiences and hopes for the future to expand and enrich their panel presentations. Participants will receive a gift card and much appreciation for helping out. Contact LT at ltan@AFSC.org for more information and to set up an interview. PROM RESOURCES FOR LGBT STUDENTS http://www.aclu.org/lgbt/youth/ 39462res20090424.html
Revolutionary Road” at a May Day celebration on Saturday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. Palmer’s new biography, James P. Cannon and the Origins of the American Revolutionary Left, 1890-1928, opens with Cannon’s small-town Kansas origins and introduction to the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Trained by IWW agitator “Big Bill” Haywood, Cannon developed into a soapbox orator and labor leader who road the rails across the Midwest to organize strikes and build unions. He took a very public antiwar stance during the first World War. Cannon went on to become a founder of U.S. socialism. He died in 1974. The event, sponsored by the Freedom Socialist Party, will be held at New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S. There is a $3 door donation. The program will be preceded by a “Nothing’s-too-good-for-theworking-class” buffet served at 6 p.m. for a $10 donation (labor exchanges available). The evening celebrates May Day, the international workers’ holiday, inspired by the 1886 Chicago Haymarket riots and the fight for the eight-hour day.
PROP 8 DAY-OF-DECISION ACTION AT WESTLAKE CENTER The day the California Supreme Court rules on Proposition 8, cities throughout the country will gather in celebration or protest of their decision. If the court overturns Prop 8 we will celebrate our growing equality. If the court upholds Prop 8, it will deny LGBTQ people their right to marry in ESPRIT 2009 – California and we will protest. Either way, THE PACIFIC NW’S PREMIER we will take the national movement forward TRANSGENDER CONVENTION by working together for equality right here The Pacific Northwest’s Premier Transin Washington State. The action will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the day the decision is an- gender Convention, Esprit 2009, will be nounced. Similar actions are being planned held May 10-17 in Port Angeles, WA. For around the country. www.dayofdecision. complete details, visit www.espritconf.com. org; www.dayofdecision.wetpaint.com. SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE’S “MAD TEA ASK NOT – A FILM THAT PARTY” POSTPONED EXPLORES THE MILITARY’S Originally scheduled for Mother’s Day, “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” Sunday, May 10, as a benefit for Camp Ten POLICY On Sunday, May 9, Johnny Symon's film, Trees, the Sisters have decided to postpone Ask Not, will be shown at 12:30 p.m. (doors this event due to slow ticket sales. The “Mad at noon), at SIFF Cinema, 321 Mercer St, Tea Party” will likely be rescheduled for followed by a discussion. As wars rage in sometime this fall. To keep abreast of this the Middle East, the U.S. military is eager and the rest of The Sisters’ work, visit their for more recruits – unless you happen to be website at www.theabbey.org. For more inopenly Gay. Ask Not explores the tangled formation on Camp Ten Trees, visit www. political battles that led to the infamous camptentrees.org. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and reveals “…AND I PLAYED the personal stories of Gay Americans who JOHN LENNON’S PIANO” – serve in combat under a veil of secrecy. CoA BENEFIT CONCERT sponsored locally by the Seattle CommisFOR PFLAG-OLYMPIA sion for Sexual Minorities and the Seattle On Sunday, May 10, Steve Schalchlin Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, ITVS, KCTS, KBCS FM, Seattle Office for Civil Rights, presents a fundraising concert for PFLAGOlympia at 7 p.m., at the Capital Playhouse, and Seattle International Film Festival. 612 E. 4th Ave., Olympia. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance by callSISTERS OF PERPETUAL ing the theater at 360-943-2744, TuesdayINDULGENCE HOSTS Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Earlier that day he NUNYA BUSINESS AUCTION On Saturday, May 9, from 1700-1900 will also be singing and speaking at the 10 hours. i.e. 5-7 p.m., the Sisters will be auc- a.m. service at Unity of Olympia, 1335 Fern tioning off many forms of military para- St. S.W., Olympia. www.unityofolympia. phernalia at the Cuff Complex, 13th Ave. org. In the afternoon from 3-4:30 p.m., he & E Pine St. From duffel bags to uniforms will perform and tell stories at the regular (from live models, of course) and even a gas monthly meeting of PFLAG-Olympia at the mask. Plus drink specials. www.theabbey. First United Methodist Church, 1224 Leorg. All proceeds to the Servicemember’s gion Way SE, Olympia. Steve Schalchlin’s Legal Defense Network (SLDN), who are biography is at http://newworldwaking. fighting to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” com/Steve_Schalchilin_Bio.html. His blog and providing free legal counsel to service- is at http://bonusroundblog.blogspot.com/ members facing discrimination based on MUSIC OF REMEMBRANCE sexual orientation. www.sldn.org. CONCERT IN COMMEMORATION OF HOLOCAUST SHIFTING WORDS – REMEMBRANCE DAY AN EVENING OF SPOKEN WORD On Monday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m., Music AND RECOVERY On Saturday, May 9, at 7 p.m. (doors at of Remembrance presents a chamber music 6:30 p.m.), Dunshee House, 303 17th Ave. concert in commemoration of Holocaust E., in conjunction with SHIFT – A Peer Re- Remembrance Day at the Illsley Ball Nordcovery Network, hosts “SHIFTing Words,” strom Recital Hall, Benaroya Hall, 3rd Ave. an evening of spoken word and recovery. & University St. The concert feature two Featuring Tara Hardy, Maya Hersh, Spar- world premieres of works it has commiskle, Stefanie Fox, Cypress Marie Powers, sioned commissions – from Israel’s Aharon and Martia Isabel. FREE. www.multifaith- Harlap, written for two voices, string quintet and oboe and from Spectrum Dance Theworks.org. ater’s Donald Byrd, set to Franz Schreker’s The Wind. The concert will also feature AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR works by Betty Olivero, Osvaldo Golijob, BRYAN PALMER TO SPEAK ON and Edwin Geist. With guest artists and U.S. RADICAL JAMES CANNON Northwest residents will have the rare vocalists, The Northwest Boy Choir, Kurt opportunity to hear scholar Bryan Palmer Beattie, Emily Hindrichs, Angela Niederspeak on “James P. Cannon: A Native Son’s loh, Erich Parce, Geneva Jenkins, Patrick
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Pulkrabek, and Marissa Qumby. Tickets are www.kwanchai.net or contact Christina at $36 and can be purchased in advance at 206- 206-262-1022 or Christina@kwanchai.net. 365-7770 or www.musicofremembrance. (See related event on Sunday, May 17.) org or at the door. DIVERSE HARMONY JOEY ARIAS & SHERRY VINE PRESENTS “FREAK SHOW” IN “SINSATION” AT REBAR SPRING CONCERT Legendary Joey Arias (star of Cirque de On Friday, May 15, and Saturday, May Soliel’s Zumanity and winner of this year’s 16, at 8 p.m., at Seattle First Baptist Church, Off Off Broadway GLAAD Award) and 1111 Harvard Ave., Diverse Harmony, the Sherry Vine (International Drag darling) re- nation’s first Gay/straight alliance youth turn to Seattle for their first show together in chorus, presents “Freak Show,” a musical almost 10 years – SINsation – a dirty, dirty theatre experience. cabaret show! SINsation will be presented “See what’s behind the curtain. We all on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May have public and private personas. We’re all 12, 13 and 14, at 8 p.m., at Rebar, 1114 How- circus freaks on the inside. Diverse Harmoell St. Tickets: $20 in advance or at the door. ny’s latest production, “Freak Show” celewww.brownpapertickets.com/event/62981. brates the bizarre and the sublime, the outraMust be 21+, ID required. geous and exasperating, the distasteful and haunting, for pennies per peek. This producPOZSEATTLE HOSTS tion features songs hand-picked from vari10TH ANNIVERSARY SOCIAL ous sources such as Broadway and popular Please join POZSeattle on Wednesday, music, as well as original compositions by May 13, from 6-8 p.m., at The Cuff Com- our performers, to tell the story of a troupe plex, 13th & E. Pine St., in celebrating their of “freaks” in a traveling side show. These 10th anniversary in Seattle as a social net- “freaks” perform their garish acts, but also working group for HIV-positive guys and give you a behind the scenes look at what their friends. Meet in the downstairs bar makes them tick emotionally – a sort of peek for socializing to catch up with old friends, behind the curtain.” Admission is $10. Ages to make new ones, and a whole lot of fun. 22 and under complimentary. Light, catered fare will be provided by a generous and anonymous supporter of the Q-SQUARED BOOK GROUP group. This event is free (except for the cost On Saturday, May 16, at 1 p.m., at the Capof beverages), and is for all HIV-Positive itol Hill Branch Library, 425 Harvard Ave. men and their friends, regardless of age, E., the Q-Squared Book Group will discuss shape, size, or color. For more information, the book, Hero, by Perry Moore. Booklist’s visit www.pozseattle.org. review said, “Moore’s casting of a Gay teen hero in a high-concept fantasy marks a sigGAY CITY HOSTS nificant expansion of GLBTQ literature into “QUEERITUALITY” DISCUSSION genres that reflect teens’ diverse reading On Wednesday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m., at interests; given the mainstream popularity Kaladi Brothers Coffee, 511 E. Pike St., of comics-inspired tales, the average, ordiGay City hosts their monthly reading and nary Gay teen superhero who comes out and discussion group about Gay/Bi men’s spiri- saves the world will raise cheers from withtuality. Men of all faith traditions (or none) in the GLBTQ community and beyond.” are welcome! To learn more, contact peter@ Q-Squared Book Group is open to men who gaycity.org. are interested in Gay literature and always welcomes new members. For more informaCOALITION OF ANTI-RACIST tion, visit www.qsquared.org. WHITES (CAWR) MOVIE NIGHT On Wednesday, May 13, from 6:30-9 SAFE SCHOOLS COALITION p.m., join CARW at the Cascade People’s PRESENTS “STRAIGHTLACED” Center, 309 Pontius Ave. N., for a movie FILM PREMIERE and discussion centered around the interOn Sunday, May 17, from 2-5 p.m., at sections of racism, sexism, and violence in AMC Pacific Place, 600 Pine St., join the America. CARW is hosting this movie night Safe Schools Coalition for a film premiere as a fundraiser for CARA: Communities screening of Straightlaced: How Gender’s Against Rape and Abuse. Please bring an Got Us All Tied Up, followed by a panel disopen mind, donations for CARA, and some cussion and reception at Il Fornaio, in the friends! Refreshments will be available by Pacific Place atrium. “Straightlaced takes a donation, and they’ll also be holding a raffle powerful and intimate look at how popular for some fun prizes! CARW is a group of pressures around gender and sexuality are white people in the Seattle area working to shaping the lives of American teens. The undo institutional racism and white privi- film proudly showcases the diverse and unlege through education and organizing in scripted voices of more than 50 youth from white communities and through active sup- a wide range of high schools across the port of anti-racist, people of color-led orga- country who speak with breathtaking honnizations. For more information, visit www. esty, insight, and humor about gender roles and the struggle to be who they really are.” carw.org or call 206-734-8051. Tickets: General – $8 advance, $10 at the door; Students/Seniors – $4 advance, $5 at GSBA HOSTS the door. http://groundspark.org/upcomingSCHOLARSHIP AWARDS DINNER On Friday, May 15, the Greater Seattle screenings; www.safeschoolscoalition.org. Business Association, Greater Seattle’s SYTTENDE MAI WEEKEND LGBT Chamber of Commerce, will host “SYTTENDE GAY” CELEBRATION their annual Scholarship Awards Dinner, On Sunday, May 17, from 3-6:30 p.m., from 5:30-9:30 p.m., at The Westin Hotel, 1900 Fifth Ave. $85-members, $95-non celebrate Norwegian Constitution Day in members, $50-students, walk-ins are $10 Ballard with Scandigayvians and friends at The BalMar, 5449 Ballard Ave. NW and more at the door if seating is available. “Bring your Kleenex as we cheer on our watch the Ballard Syttende Mai parade with scholarship recipients. We expect to be giv- a turnout of over 15,000. $10 VIP pass ining out 26 scholarships to future leaders of cludes exclusive access to patio and upour community. Your generosity has made stairs, 10% off inspired food & cocktails. this possible and it is a great place to cel- $2 of each VIP pass will be donated to the ebrate philanthropy. Consider sponsoring a Nordic Heritage Museum. For more inforstudent and/or their family to attend – buy mation and to RSVP, visit www.kwanchai. a table and have a student sit with you and net or call Christina at 206-262-1022. (See related event on Friday, May 15.) share their story and vision.” Register online at www.thegsba.org or SEATTLE SNAP PRESENTS call 206-363-9188. MIZZ GAY CHEERLEADER CHEER-OFF CONTEST SYTTENDE MAI WEEKEND On Sunday, May 17, from 6-9:30 p.m., at HAPPY HOUR FUNDRAISER On Friday, May 15, from 5-8pm, join Kaladi Brothers Coffee, 511 E. Pike St., join the Kwanchai/Jonathan Mathews Design Seattle SNAP (Sober Now and Proud) for Group for a happy hour fundraiser at the their first season Sponsor Night! Come out Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67th and support the Emerald City Softball AsSt. to kick off the Syttende Mai, Norwegian sociation’s first and only Recovery softball Constitution Day weekend celebration. Pro- team. The event will feature a drag cheer-off ceeds benefit the Nordic Heritage Museum. contest, so prepare your best outfits and most For more information and to RSVP, visit exciting cheers! $5 suggested donation.
May 8, 2009
Seattle Gay News
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NEWS
David Kendal
NATIONAL by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer
Gay couples begin marrying in Iowa Nearly 400 same-sex couples got marriage licenses across Iowa April 27 when a state Supreme Court ruling legalizing Gay marriage took effect, and dozens married after receiving waivers of the three-day waiting period between obtaining a license and tying the knot. The Des Moines Register said Gay couples bought licenses in at least 47 of the state’s 99 counties. Couples also arrived from Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin to get hitched. Opponents hope to amend the state constitution to re-ban same-sex marriage, but the process for doing that could not be completed until 2012 at the earliest. Same-sex marriage also is legal in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and becomes legal in Vermont in September. It was legal in California for five months in 2008, until voters amended the state constitution to put a stop to it. Gay-rights lawyers sued over the amendment, and the California Supreme Court must issue a decision by June 3. Gay couples also can marry in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain and Sweden.
licenses while adding the word “spouse” as an option. “Just one month ago, there were only two states where same-sex couples could marry. Now, with this vote in New Hampshire, we are on the verge of having five states that recognize marriage equality for same-sex couples,” noted Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “It’s been quite a month.” Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat, hasn’t taken a position on the bill, though he has said in the past (but not lately) that he opposes same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage is legal in Connecticut, Iowa and Massachusetts, and becomes legal in Vermont in September. It was legal in California for five months in 2008, until voters amended the state constitution to put a stop to it. Gay-rights lawyers sued over the amendment, and the California Supreme Miss California, Carrie Prejean and Rex Wockner Court must issue a decision by June 3. Gay couples also can marry in Belgium, The department can assist state and local that California pageant officials paid for Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South jurisdictions or take the lead if necessary. Prejean to have breast implants weeks beAfrica, Spain and Sweden. The act also makes grants available to state fore the Miss USA competition. That tidbit and local jurisdictions to combat violent came from Shanna Moakler, executive diU.S. House passes crime committed by juveniles, train law en- rector of Miss California USA. Gay-inclusive forcement officers, and assist in investigat“It was an option and she wanted it. And hate-crimes bill ing and prosecuting bias-motivated crime. we supported that decision,” Moakler said. The U.S. House of Representatives passed A similar bill died in Congress in 2007 Moakler also said Prejean had been avoida Gay- and Trans-inclusive hate-crimes bill after George W. Bush threatened to veto it. ing Miss California USA officials and N.H. Legislature passes April 29 by a vote of 249-175. The measure There is no longer any concern of a presi- “keeps referring us to her mother and her same-sex marriage bill dential veto. PR person.” New Hampshire’s House and Senate have moves to the Senate. The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Finally, Prejean inflamed the Gay blogopassed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage Miss California story sphere April 26 when she told this news colbut the House has to vote on it again because Prevention Act, the Senate version of which is named after Matthew Shepard, gives the keeps on truckin’ umn that being Gay isn’t innate. the Senate amended it. The tale of Carrie Prejean, the Miss USA “No, I don’t think so,” she said in an inThe April 29 vote in the Senate was 13-11. Justice Department the power to investiThe March vote in the House was 186-179. gate and prosecute bias-motivated violence contestant from California who took second terview at the Rock Church in San Diego. The Senate amendments prohibit polyg- where the perpetrator selected the victim place at the pageant after telling the judges “I think it’s a behavior that develops over amy and incestuous marriage, allow clergy because of actual or perceived race, color, that Gay couples shouldn’t be allowed to time.” Asked why someone would “choose” to to refuse to marry Gay couples, and leave religion, national origin, gender, sexual ori- marry, continues to unfold. Among the latest twists, one of the direc- be Gay given that Gay people experience the words “bride” and “groom” on marriage entation, gender identity or disability. tors of the Miss California USA pageant, discrimination, Prejean said, “I’m not sure Keith Lewis, said Prejean needs to get back what the motivation would be.” At that point, Rock Church officials ended to doing her job as Miss California. “Given the fact that Carrie Prejean’s first the 5 1/2-minute interview, noting that anact upon returning to California was to other reporter was waiting to talk to her. (Inheadline five services at a church that pro- terview and audio available at tinyurl.com/ motes homosexuality as both unnatural and rex-carrie.) Earlier in the interview, Prejean said her abnormal, we stand by our concern for her individual image and look forward to a time comments at the pageant – “Marriage should in the near future when she can put down her be between a man and a woman” – wouldn’t personal agenda and assume the responsi- have become such a big deal if Hilton hadn’t bilities associated with being Miss Califor- later called her “a dumb bitch.” nia USA, including promoting our official “Perez Hilton had, obviously, a hidden platform, ‘The Beauty of California,’ which agenda, because of the reaction immediqueens mingled with ranchesole purpose [sic] is to embrace diversity,” ately after the pageant,” she said. “He didn’t ros and Lesbian Latinas drank Lewis said. agree with what I said, therefore he wanted margaritas to the sights and That seems unlikely. On April 30, Prejean to go out there and bash me and say things sounds of Cinco de Mayo – starred in a new TV ad for the anti-Gay Na- that were very hurtful. So, I think that this LGBT style. tional Organization for Marriage – a follow- wouldn’t be happening right now had he not Each contestant was judged up to the group’s widely disparaged “Gath- have done that. So, it would have just been by the who’s who of the LGBT me saying my own opinions ... and I think ering Storm” spot. Latino higharchey, on appearThe new ad also features video snippets of it would have been over with. But the fact ance, talent, and how well they Human Rights Campaign President Joe Sol- that he went out there and attacked me, you answered questions from the monese and pageant judge and Gay blog- know, verbally, that’s why this is all happenjudges. Although the event was ger Perez Hilton (calling Prejean “a dumb ing right now.” primarily emceed in Spanish, Prejean said that if she could do it all over bitch” on his blog). Hilton promptly filed a Efren translated for the nonDigital Millennium Copyright Act violation again, she wouldn’t say anything different, Spanish speakers in the audinotice and got the ad deleted from YouTube, and she pointed out that President Barack ence. The highlight of the evethough NOM’s use of his video-blog mate- Obama agrees with her position on marning was the talent competition rial probably falls within the parameters of riage. – sexuality, amazing dancing, “fair use” law. “I have a lot of friends that are Gay,” she and theatrics were incorporated NOM itself had filed numerous identi- said. “This is not a verbal attack on Gay peointo each performance, keepcal DMCA notices after the audition tapes ple. It’s just a matter of opinion, and the way ing the audience on their feet for “Gathering Storm” were leaked to, and that I was raised, the way that I was brought dancing and cheering nearly up, that was not an option. I knew I was goposted on YouTube by, HRC. the whole time. Following Prejean’s appearance in the ad, ing to marry a man growing up. And so, for This year’s Mr. Gay Cinco de the Miss California USA pageant released a me, it’s a biblical thing, it’s something that Mayo 2009 is Joel De La Fustatement saying that “in the entire history I was raised believing, um, that a marriage, ente, Miss Gay Cinco de Mayo of Miss USA, no reigning title holder has so you know, is between a man and a woman. 2009 is Alexandra La Piere, Mr. Gay Cinco de Mayo 2009, Joel De La Fuente readily committed her face and voice to a Barack Obama even supports that. The maand Gaby is Ms. Gay Lesbian more divisive or polarizing issue.” jority of the people in our nation support Cinco de Mayo 2009. They by Shaun Knittel And Hilton posted a video blog saying that. The secretary of state supports that. So, each win one year of free cover charge enPrejean should hand over her tiara. I don’t see anything wrong with it.” SGN Staff Writer trance to CALIENTE and $300 cash prize. She added that she likes Obama. She “Now that she is officially becoming a The three winners take on the responsicrusader for traditional marriage, I think it’s asked this reporter, “Because Barack Obama Efren Chacon, host of CALIENTE Fri- bility that comes with the title. Each has to time for her to put down her Miss California doesn’t agree with you, does that make him days at Neighbors Underground, oversaw perform at CALIENTE once a month and crown, give up that title, and give up her po- a bad president?” the seventh annual crowning of Mr., Ms. participate in outreach to promote HIV The reporter replied, “No, I kind of like sition as Miss USA first runner-up,” he said. Lesbian, and Miss Gay Cinco de Mayo prevention with People of Color Against “It’s time for her to put on the sash of tradi- Barack Obama as a president, actually.” 2009 May 1. From 9 p.m. – 2 a.m., Neigh- AIDS Network (POCAAN), an agency tional marriage and really just work on that, “I do, too,” Prejean said. bors Underground was transformed into a that offers service to the LGBT Latino if that’s where her passion is.” red, white, and green pageant where drag community in Seattle. Over at MSNBC, meanwhile, we learned With assistance from Bill Kelley
Mr., Ms. Lesbian, and Miss Gay Cinco de Mayo 2009 crowned Shaun Knittel
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Seattle Gay News
May 8, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
many of whom, according to journalists present at the event, had no understanding of what they were protesting.”
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer file photo
Scott Long
Burundi bans Gay sex justification for stripping some of Burundi’s The president of the Central African na- people of their fundamental rights.” tion of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza, “secretHRW and 62 Burundian, African and inly” signed a bill criminalizing homosexual ternational human rights organizations isconduct April 22, Human Rights Watch re- sued a joint statement April 24 denouncing ported. the law, Article 567, which punishes conThe measure had passed the National sensual Gay sex between adults with up to Assembly last November but was rejected two years in prison. overwhelmingly by the Senate in February. Gay sex had never been prohibited in Bu“However, under the Burundian constitu- rundi previously. tion, the National Assembly prevails in cases Speaking on television in January, Nkuof conflict between the two houses of Parlia- runziza called homosexuality a “curse.” Acment,” HRW said. cording to HRW, his staff also lobbied leg“Burundi has taken a disappointing step islators to support the bill and, in March, his backward by legalizing discrimination,” political party, CNDD-FDD, staged a large said Scott Long, director of HRW’s LGBT protest in Bujumbura, the capital, calling for Rights Division. “The government has fall- a ban on Gay sex. en back on ‘custom’ and ‘culture’ to justify HRW said CNDD-FDD bused in “schoolthis repressive step – but there can be no children and adults from rural provinces,
campaign
continued from cover
opposite-sex married couples. Because of the way the ballot measure will be worded, a “Yes” vote means the voter approves of domestic partnership rights, while a “No” vote indicates rejection of domestic partnerships. LGBT community leaders expressed confidence that voters will approve the new legislation. “It’s been interesting to see the debate within the religious right on whether [Referendum 71] is a good idea,” said Rep. Jamie Pedersen (D-43), the prime sponsor of domestic partnership legislation in the state House. “It’s hard to imagine they would win.” Equal Rights Washington’s Josh Friedes agrees. “There is very, very strong support for domestic partnership rights,” he told SGN. A Washington poll, conducted by the UW’s Institute for the Study of Ethnicity, Race and Sexuality at the end of November 2008, found that 37% of their respondents favored marriage equality, and an additional 29% favored equal rights for same-sex couples but without the title of “marriage.” 11% favored some domestic partnership benefits, and only 21% thought there should be no recognition of same-sex relationships whatsoever. Friedes has already begun to reach out to potential allies. “[Wednesday] I met with people from SEIU, Planned Parenthood, NARAL, FUSE. [Monday and Tuesday] I met with the Win-Win Network, AFSCME, people from the building trades unions,” he said. “We’re taking this very seriously,” Friedes explained. “Because of the extent of
the rights involved we have no choice. Our families need and deserve protections. It’s just shocking that some groups – in the midst of this economic downturn – are making their priority taking away rights from LGBT families.” While the risk for the LGBT community is substantial, Pedersen believes the right wing is also risking a great deal with Referendum 71. “If they can’t hold the line here,” he says, “marriage will be following very shortly. This can be a chance for people to tell their stories, a chance to continue the process of moving public opinion towards marriage.” Both Friedes and Pedersen agree that the right wing will be well-funded, and they worry about the advantage that money might give referendum supporters. “The bar for a referendum is relatively low,” Pedersen explained. “It’s abundantly clear that there are more than 120,000 voters who don’t approve of the law. So how do they get them to sign [the petition to get Referendum 71 on the ballot]? If they have enough money they can hire signature gatherers.” “Fundraising is critical,” Friedes declares. “It takes a great deal of money to get the message out, and the economic downturn has definitely put stress on us.”
Visit us online www.sgn.org
Austrian court strikes down Transsexual surgery law Austria’s Administrative High Court has struck down a law that blocked recognition of male-to-female Transsexuals’ new gender unless an individual’s penis had been removed. “Mandatory sex-change surgery today is outdated and not scientific state-of-the-art anymore,” the GLBT group Rechtskomitee Lambda said in a statement. “On the contrary, it is understood as a human rights violation.” The case involved an individual who had become female via hormone therapy and cosmetic procedures, but was denied issuance of official documents recognizing her new sex. “Every time she has to show one of her documents – driver’s license, ID card, passport, residential registration form, birth certificate, etc. – she has to expose her Transsexuality and is coerced into [an] embarrassing and often degrading outing,” Lambda said. Romania considers Gay adoption ban The Romanian GLBT group ACCEPT and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission expressed opposition April 22 to a proposed amendment to Romania’s civil code that would prohibit same-sex couples from adopting children. In a letter to the government and Parliament’s civil-code commission, the groups set forth legal and other arguments against the plan. “The amendment is discriminatory in light of domestic and international law and runs counter to the interests of the children and to the findings of social research,” the organizations said. “The European Court of Human Rights found that sexual-orientation discrimination regarding the adoption of children is prohibited by the European Convention.” Court: Lambda Istanbul can continue operating The legal case against the Turkish GLBT Nevertheless, Friedes is optimistic as he sketches out strategy for the campaign. “The problem is how to educate people to ask them not to sign,” he says. “It’s possible to derail this if they don’t get enough signatures.” A 2006 referendum aimed at repealing the Anderson-Murray Civil Rights Bill failed to get enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. “We want people pledge not to sign Referendum 71,” Friedes says. “Decline to sign. Ask their friends, family, coworkers, congregants not sign.” Friedes promises to use innovative tactics to spread the message. “We can use Facebook, Twitter, a whole range of things that weren’t available the last time [the right] ran a campaign [in 2006]. We have to reach out well beyond Seattle. There will be a huge focus on signature gathering outside Seattle.” While Pedersen expects Referendum 71 to qualify for the ballot, he believes a “Decline to Sign” approach might still be beneficial. “To the extent we can use even the filing as an opportunity to educate people how harmful [the referendum] would be to us, yes, it would save a lot of pain down the road,” he says. “The world is moving much faster than we expected,” Pedersen says. “Who would
group Lambda Istanbul returned to local court April 30 and the organization was granted permission to continue operating. In May 2008 the same court ordered the group shut down, saying its objectives violate moral and family values. But in November 2008 the Supreme Court of Appeal overruled the decision and returned the case to the 3rd Civil Court of First Instance for a new ruling. Activists remain concerned, however, about one sentence in the Supreme Court decision, which says, “Dissolution of the defendant association could still be demanded if it should act counter to its constitution, in the ways of encouraging or provoking Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual and transvestite behavior or acting with the aim of spreading such sexual orientations.” The European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (aka ILGA-Europe) said it hopes courts won’t use the sentence to again try to ban Lambda. “This statement imposes clear limitations to the activities of the organization and to the rights of LGBT people in Turkey to free expression, assembly and life with dignity [as guaranteed by] European Court of Human Rights case law,” the association said. For its part, Lambda says it will only feel truly safe when the Turkish constitution is amended to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, a long-standing goal of activists. “[The] constitutional safeguard is a must to hinder any homophobic interpretations of those vague concepts in law such as ‘general morals’ or ‘social values’ by barristers, who suffer from the very same social prejudices as many others in society,” the group said. Botswana Gays sue over Gay sex ban The organization Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana has sued the government over the nation’s Gay sex ban. Group members filed suit April 29, saying the ban violates rights to freedom of association and privacy and makes Gay and Lesbian people criminals. A previous challenge to the sodomy law failed in 2003. With assistance from Bill Kelley have thought six months ago, after Prop 8 passed and everyone was saying marriage is dead, that Iowa, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire would be there. New York is on the verge, and I hear New Jersey will pass legislation in a few months. They’re dramatic steps forward.”
VACATION IN THE HEART OF THE CASCADES Prices and interest rates are at their lowest, so now is the time to buy that special getaway property. Come see the beautiful Cle Elum area just 1 hr. 20 min. east of Seattle off I-90. Give me a call and let’s talk
Jack Clark, Windermere/Cle Elum. 509-304-4332. May 8, 2009
Seattle Gay News
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• AWD with Torsen Limited Slip center differential • Adaptive variable air suspension • Variable gear ratio electronic power steering system • Ventilated disc brakes with aluminum calipers • 18” aluminum alloy wheels with V-rated tires and full-size spare tire
2009 Lexus LS 460 AWD by J.T. Hills SGN Contributing Writer
Top • Contemporary elegant styling • Powerful yet frugal V-8 • Impressive safety features Bottom • Funnily enough, choppy freeway ride • Looking for rear legroom? Order the “L” extended wheelbase version • Pairing cell phone to Bluetooth should be a less complicated process Toyota first introduced the Lexus line in 1990 with the LS 400 as its flagship. The third-generation LS 430 debuted as a 2001 model with new safety technology, improved performance, and one of the first gas-powered V-8 engines to receive an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle certification. Replacing the LS 430 in 2007, the fourthgeneration LS 460 is built on a sophisticated platform that maintains a balance between ride comfort and responsive handling. In addition to a long wheelbase model, the LS 460 L is available featuring 4.8 inches of additional space. For 2009, the Lexus LS 460 is available with full-time all-wheel drive. After spending a week with the 2009 Lexus LS 460, I’ve assimilated, corrugated, encapsulated, conjugated, and insinuated my own observations, and here they are: For those not affected by the recession, are you single? The Lexus LS 460 features a 4.6-liter V-8
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Seattle Gay News
with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and for the first time, all-wheel drive. The V-8 in the all-wheel drive model features 357 hp with 344 lb.-ft of torque with a 0-to60 acceleration of 5.9 seconds while still achieving an EPA estimated 16mpg city and 23mpg highway. Such specifications beg for a road trip. Lucky for me, I had work in Eastern Washington to attend to. The first 500 miles is like a great first date; I was quite smitten with the horsepower, air-suspension with three settings, the super smooth eight-speed transmission, Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management system (it makes minor steering adjustments to improve control during challenging road conditions). The second 500 miles is the afterglow where you get over driving an $80k car and get to the nuts and bolts of what’s great, and maybe not so great. With the LS 460, there’s a lot about it that’s really, really great. For one, it’s just an aesthetically beautiful car, inside and out. The horsepower is delivered seamlessly in a very refined manner. For a car of its size, it handles surprisingly nimbly both on the freeway and in in-city driving. The technology incorporated in the LS is awe-inspiring and intuitive to use. When you’re not using a valet – and why wouldn’t you; it’s worth the response – the car parallel parks itself. After spending hours in the car, there are options that you find you really can’t live without – if you have the money. For me, it was the Dynamic Radar Cruise control with pre-collision system. You don’t really realize how often you’re constantly resetting
May 8, 2009
the cruise control because someone’s driving 5 mph under the speed limit in the fast lane. The Dynamic Radar Cruise control automatically applies brakes when coming up on a car that’s going slower than you, and then resumes your set speed after they return to the lane they should’ve been driving in in the first place. You can also pace yourself behind state patrol cars and let them choose the speed – unless they’re in a high-speed chase. Another great option is the 19-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound package. Cher never sounded so fabulous! On the downside, for all its sophisticated technology, pairing up your phone to the Bluetooth is way too complicated. If you’re a tall, somewhat statuesque driver like moi, the rear legroom is surprisingly compact for a car of its size (although there is an extended wheelbase version available). After mile 750, you realize something is a bit off – it’s minor, but still off. The car rides a little choppy on the interstate no matter what mode you set the air-suspension. Oh, and lastly, the navigation system got me lost. Great for interstates (like it will find Spokane), not so great in the city. Okay, for an MSRP of $79,414, what do you get? The 2009 Lexus LS460 comes with just about every option you can think of with a base sticker MSRP of $67,200, but believe it or not, you can add on more. Get out the checkbook; it’s worth it. Here are some of my favorites: Technical Features: • 357hp 4.7-liter Four Cam 32-valve V-8 engine with electronic valve timing • Dual fuel injection system • Eight-speed sequential automatic transmission
Safety Features • Driver and front passenger’s advanced airbag system with front passenger twin-chamber airbag, front seat side airbags, driver’s and front passenger’s knee airbag, front and rear side curtain airbags • Electronic controlled braking, vehicle dynamic integrated management, traction control, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist • High intensity discharge (HID) headlamps with dynamic auto leveling and integrated foglamps • Adaptive front lighting system • Rain-sensing variable intermittent wipers Interior Features • Leather trimmed seats with Lexus memory seats • Genuine wood interior trim • Heated wood and leather steering wheel with multifunction controls • One-touch open/close power tilt-and-slide moonroof • Lexus 10-speaker, premium sound system with digital sound processor, automatic sound levelizer, in-dash single-feed six-disc CD changer • Dual-zone climate control • Power rear sunshade • Lexus personalized settings Optional Equipment • Navigation/ Mark Levinson package with reference surround sound, 19 speakers, DVD audio and DVD video playback, voice activated hard disc drive navigation with backup camera, Bluetooth, XM Satellite radio and NavTraffic with real-time traffic capability ($5,645) • Lexus pre-collision system and dynamic radar cruise control ($2,850) • Luxury Value Edition Package with Comfort Plus seating package with power rear seats with memory, rear seat side airbags, climate comfort front and rear cooled/heated seats, headlamp washers and intuitive parking assist, one-touch open/close power door closers ($2,895) • Destination and delivery ($825)
Celebrating 36 Years!
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Seattle Gay News
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May 8, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
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Diverse Harmony
Diverse Harmony’s powerful Freak Show by Scott Rice SGN Contributing Writer Freak show May 15-16, 8 PM Seattle First Baptist Church I recently attended a rehearsal for Diverse Harmony’s upcoming production Freak Show. I sat down expecting to be charmed by a group of idealistic young songbirds. What I witnessed was a powerful performance by a seriously talented group of young artists that nearly brought me to tears. After they performed, these young people were so engaging and enthusiastic that during the subsequent interview, the few notes I took were unintelligible. I was so enthralled by what they had to say and moved by their performance, I think I just wanted to sit back and absorb their formidable energy. This troop, along with Artistic Director Brent McGee, is amazing.
Diverse Harmony is Seattle’s own Gay/ Straight Alliance Youth Chorus. The group is open to youth aged 13-22 and was founded by Rhonda Juliano six years ago. Juliano decided an LGBT youth chorus was needed, so she formed the group mostly with kids from the high school where she taught. Diverse Harmony performs a couple of shows each year and attends various Queer music festivals. They rehearse once per week and their productions are a unique blend of music and theater. Diverse Harmony’s current mix of talent accurately reflects the diversity indicated in the name. It’s a lovely blend of Queer identities, and they even have a straight dude (and, unfortunately for all the Gay boys who’ll swoon at the show, he’s really cute). Artistic Director McGee is a high-energy creative force who obviously relishes his job. While he picks the music and develops the show, the group has final approval. However, given the rapport between Mc-
Gee and the performers and the savvy musical choices he makes, I don’t think they’ll be refusing him anytime soon. The youngsters are a dedicated group who take their music seriously. One young man sat with a box of Kleenex under his seat, blowing his crimson nose between singing parts. They sing the central song of Freak Show (“Come Look at the Freaks” from the musical Side Show) with an intensity that grips you and demonstrates their collective dedication and intensity. They have something to say and they seem determined to refuse to allow their audience to turn away. Freak Show, though realized as a collaborative effort, is the brainchild of McGee. The show evolved from his personal experiences feeling like the only “Gay” at the party. “I was the one answering questions like, ‘When did you first know you were Gay? Are you the boy or the girl in the relationship?’” While the attention was fun in the beginning, the constant reminders of his difference soon began to make him feel uncomfortable. McGee says, “I started feeling like I should be in a zoo with a little information placard outside my cage: homo eroticus, a rare species of human who tends to live on Capitol Hill and eat salads. Yucky, was how it started to feel.” Freak Show aims to confront Queer stescott rice
Diverse Harmony
12 Seattle Gay News
May 8, 2009
reotypes and see what might be lurking underneath. The first part of the production portrays a traveling freak show from the perspective of the fictional audience. The actual audience watches the freaks (the stereotypical Queer identities) perform on stage. The second half of Freak Show takes place backstage, where we get to see the real identities of the freak performers, the real identities of the people behind the personas. It’s all superbly post-modern and absurdly fun. Though I didn’t get to see the entire production, I did get to see – and hear – enough to know this is something special. Freak Show performances are Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 at 8 p.m. in the downstairs performance space at Seattle First Baptist Church. You may visit the Diverse Harmony website (diverseharmony. org/index.html) for more information and to purchase tickets or making a contribution. PERFORMER OFFERS INSIGHTS INTO VALUE OF DIVERSE HARMONY Jenni is a quiet young woman with blond hair and a soft voice. She didn’t say much during my group interview with six members of the group after the rehearsal I attended. I sent out a follow-up e-mail after the interview to get a bit more information. Though Jenni didn’t say much to me in person, I was impressed by her articulate, thoughtful, and dynamic answers in print. Below are her unedited answers to my e-mailed questions. Scott Rice: Why did you join Diverse Harmony (DH)? Jenni: I decided to join DH after one of the former singers came to my high school and did a presentation about the choir. I joined because I started singing in middle school and loved it, but couldn’t continue at my high school because my high school doesn’t have a music program. I was also drawn to DH by the fact that it is a GSA choir, because at that time, my sexuality was a big part of my life and I was still exploring what it means to be Queer. Rice: How long have you been with DH? Jenni: Since my freshman year of high school – January of 2006. Rice: What is your favorite thing about performing with DH? Jenni: I love being able to express myself through music. I also really appreciate the fact that I really relate to the concerts DH does, because they contain themes and material that are relevant to my life. Rice: What would you say to someone considering joining DH?
Celebrating 36 Years!
Jenni: Join! Actually, first I would tell them to just drop by and check out a rehearsal, because if someone doesn’t want to jump in right away, that’s totally fine. I would tell them that they’ll find an overall great group of people, some of whom they’ll get along with and some of whom they won’t, but all of whom will support them and their singing aspirations, as well as their sexuality. Rice: How has DH changed you? Jenni: DH has made me a lot more comfortable with my sexuality, because I’ve been able to see that there really is a culture associated with the Queer community, and it’s a beautiful and incredible thing. It has also changed me because it has greatly enhanced my singing skills. Because of DH, I’m looking forward to continuing to sing when I move to the other side of the country for college in the fall. Rice: What would you like the Queer community to know about DH? Jenni: DH isn’t a choir for Gay kids. It’s a choir for everyone – Gay, straight, Trans, Bi, whatever. It doesn’t really matter, as long as you’re up to standing up for equal rights for everyone and supporting your peers. At DH, we welcome everyone. We often examine our world from a Gay perspective, but we also examine other points of view and try to put together shows that will reach and affect everyone, not just the Queer community. It’s especially important that we reach peo-
ple beyond the Queer community because that’s the only way that anything is going to change. Rice: What does DH do for you? Jenni: DH gives me a safe place to be myself – whether I’m ecstatically happy over being accepted to college or really unhappy about someone I love moving away, I can go to rehearsal and know that the people there will give me the space and time to work through those issues, while supporting me at the same time. Having music and being able to sing makes it a lot easier for me to handle the stresses in the rest of my life as well, because for three hours a week I can relax and feel a weight lifted off my shoulders. I go home more relaxed and happier, and that helps me succeed in the rest of my life. Rice: What does DH do for our community? Jenni: DH strives to show the Queer community that we can’t separate ourselves from the rest of the world anymore – that’s precisely what incites homophobia and intolerance and inequality. DH also gives hope to older generations of both the Queer and straight communities because we’re able to show them that as young people, we’re dedicated to striving for equality until we get it, and we’re able to be out and proud about our dreams without being afraid of harassment.
equality bill
transformations on the issue, explaining how they had come to see equal marriage rights as “the right thing to do.” Rep. Wendy Peih (D-Breman), who was one of only 39 representatives to oppose a state Defense of Marriage Act in 1997, noted that “A lot has happened in 12 years.” “It’s a different day today,” said Peih. “We’ve moved forward. Our culture has changed. And I’m very proud to be supporting this majority report” for the same-sex marriage bill. Rep. Mark Eaves (D-North Burwick) called marriage equality the “civil rights issue of our time.” “We look over our shoulders now and wonder how we ever discriminated against women or because of race or religion,” said Eaves. “Someday soon, we will look again over our shoulders and wonder how we could have remained silent for so long” on marriage equality. Rep. Veronica Magan (D-Stockton Springs) said that, as a born-again Christian, she didn’t sign onto the original marriage bill, but after much thinking and praying decided she could. With her voice choking, she said, “I stand to support this bill because it’s the right thing to do.” Several senior white men stood to support the bill. One told of how he has been haunted since he was a young man because he had visited South Carolina and drank from a water fountain marked “For Whites Only.” Another, a Republican, said that President George Bush “did the right thing when he backed off” his own opposition to same-sex marriage and “didn’t buckle under to the evangelicals.” But there was laughter and opposition, too. Rep. Diane Russell (D-Portland) caused the chamber to erupt in laughter when she said she had discovered an economic reason to oppose the bill: “because of the sheer number of wedding gifts she would have to buy” for her many friends. One opponent, Rep. Sheryl Briggs (DMexico), her voice choking back tears throughout, explained her anguished decision to vote against the bill even though her daughter is Gay. Briggs said the bill had forced her to “confess” to her daughter how she really feels about her being Gay – that “the deepest part of my soul tells me this is wrong.” Rep. Michael Thibodeau (R-Winterport) quoted President Obama’s campaign statements that he is opposed to same-sex marriage. “He would certainly not be opposing same-sex marriage if it was a true civil rights issue,” said Thibodeau. “This isn’t about civil rights, it’s about a social agenda … that tears at the very fabric of our society.” But the House ultimately passed the bill Tuesday – as expected – on a vote of 89 to 58, after first defeating an amendment that
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in Maine and New Hampshire finished their voting on same-sex marriage bills and sent them to their respective Democratic governors. And, in Washington, D.C., the City Council on Tuesday took its final vote to approve the legal recognition in D.C. of marriage licenses that same-sex couples have obtained legally elsewhere. Opponents in Maine have vowed a referendum and in D.C. have vowed a fight in Congress. Now, in Congress and New Hampshire, some waiting begins. New Hampshire Governor John Lynch has opposed same-sex marriages but no position, yet, on a bill to establish equal rights to marriage for Gay couples. And a spokesperson said Wednesday afternoon that the governor has still given no indication of what he plans to do when the bill reaches his desk. But Rep. Jim Splaine, a key proponent of the bill, does not expect a veto and thinks the governor could let the measure into law without his signature. Congress is both volatile and unpredictable. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (DCalif.) issued a statement Tuesday saying Congress “should not interfere” with the D.C. Council’s governance. But because D.C. is a federal district – not a state – Congress has authority to review any of its legislation. And it has frequently used that authority to overturn pro-Gay measures, including when Congress has been dominated by Democrats, as it is now. Tears and laughter But in Maine, Governor John Baldacci surprised many by stepping out early Wednesday afternoon and holding a press conference at which to sign the same-sex marriage bill. Baldacci said he did not come to the decision “lightly or in haste” and noted that, while he had opposed same-sex marriage in the past, “I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law.” He also acknowledged the likelihood opponents will call for a referendum. “I recognize that this may not be the final word,” said Baldacci, but added, “my responsibility is to uphold the Constitution and do, as best as possible, what is right.” In the Maine House of Representatives, the discussion Tuesday over the bill to legalize same-sex marriage was by far one of the most emotional debates among all the many debates that have taken place in state legislatures considering same-sex marriage bills – but not because the House was deeply divided. Many representatives described personal
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sought to put the issue to voters. The bill then went back to the Senate on Wednesday morning and, after a brief discussion, passed on a 21 to 13 vote. Equality Maine Executive Director Betsy Smith said she was thrilled with the votes and with Governor Baldacci’s quick action in approving the bill. “We’re so happy,” said Smith in a phone interview with this reporter. The sound of happy people could be heard in the background. Smith credited “tens of thousands of Maine voters” with contacting their legislators and urging support for the bill. “It’s so exciting,” said Smith. “It’s just – we have people standing around right now a little bit shell-shocked by how quickly things happened.” Now the timing is on opponents. They have 90 days from the day of adjournment to collect enough signatures to put the referendum on the ballot this November. NH and DC on the brink Gay civil rights supporters in New Hampshire are optimistic their Democratic Governor, John Lynch, will “do the right thing,” too. The House voted 178 to 167 Wednesday afternoon to concur with a Senate version of its same-sex marriage bill. One representative then asked for reconsideration of that vote, but on a 161 to 185 roll call, that request failed. Several members then sought to file “petitions of protest” with the speaker, who accepted them and said only that they would be “noted in the journal.” After several procedural activities, the bill will now go to Governor John Lynch. The governor’s press secretary Colin Manning said Wednesday the governor has given no indication of his intentions. Perhaps the roughest waters stirring this week were in Washington, D.C. – the federal district whose self-governing measures are all subject to approval by the U.S. Congress. The D.C. Council on Tuesday voted 12 to 1 for its second and final vote on a bill that will give legal recognition in the city to marriage licenses obtained legally by samesex couples in other states and jurisdictions. Democratic Mayor Adrian Fenty has made
May 8, 2009
he clear he will sign the legislation, and then the measure goes through a 30-day review period by Congress. Speaker Pelosi issued a statement immediately after Tuesday’s voting: “I have long believed that Congress should not interfere with internal decisions made by the District of Columbia’s elected representatives – just as the Congress did not intervene in the State of New York’s recognition of valid marriage contracts in other jurisdictions.” But that now seems unlikely. A large crowd of opponents staged a raucous demonstration after the vote this week, vowing to take their opposition to Congress. “This is not over. We are going to the Hill with this issue,” said opponent C.T. Riley, according to a Washington Post report. And a local pastor told the Post that opponents are already developing a “political and legal strategy” to stop same-sex marriage. The lone vote against the Marriage Recognition bill was stinging, too – it came longtime Gay civil rights supporter Marion Barry. Gays helped Barry win election as mayor many years ago and, for many years, he was a strong advocate for treating Gays equally. But Barry lost the mayor’s office after being arrested and convicted of using crack. Now, he is back on the Council representing only one ward of the city, and his loyalties have changed. The Post said Barry predicted there would be a “civil war” in D.C. if the Council should take up a bill to approve issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in the District. “All hell is going to break loose,” Barry told the Post. “We may have a civil war. The black community is just adamant against this.” Human Rights Campaign spokesman Brad Luna said HRC is already preparing for a fight. “We have already begun engaging our allies on Capitol Hill and are prepared to do anything we can to protect this vote of the DC City Council,” said Luna. “At a time when our country faces serious issues, antiGay legislators move forward at their own risk if they try to get involved in the District’s affairs simply to score a few, cheap political points.” © 2009 Keen News Service
Seattle Gay News 13
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rights for homosexual couples in everything but the name) will keep the law from going into effect and put the measure in front of the voters in November,” Stickney wrote. “If we wait, the new law goes into effect in June and the Defense of Marriage Act will be challenged in the courts and likely overturned this same time next year. We have no time to waste, we have no other recourse, they are inside the wire.” “Faith and Freedom Network has up-todate polling data by Elway that asked one simple question: ‘In your opinion, should homosexuals be allowed to legally marry?’” Stickney continued. “A majority said NO. Conclusion: This is a winnable issue for our side and not a fight we should run from [emphasis in the original].” The Elway poll Stickney cites was commissioned by Randall’s Faith and Freedom Network. The poll, conducted on April 13 and 14 this year, shows 50% of the respondents opposing marriage equality and 43% supporting it, with 7% answering “don’t know,” and a margin of error of 5%. The poll asked only about marriage, and did not
survey public support for domestic partnership rights. Before becoming president of WAVA, Stickney was executive director of the Family Policy Institute of Washington – the local affiliate of James Dobson’s Focus on the Family. One of FPIW’s directors has publicly opposed the referendum, however. Pastor Joe Fuiten of Cedar Park Church in Bothell reportedly e-mailed his congregation, saying, “My belief is that it would be a mistake to run a referendum,” in part because he believes the referendum will lose. Fuiten conducted his own e-mail poll of prominent pastors, right-wing organizers and fundraisers, and Republican Party leaders. According to his blog, only six responded definitely in support of a referendum, and three more offered conditional support. Over 25 opposed running a referendum at this time. Among those opposing a referendum campaign, Fuiten cited Larry Sundquist, who he described as “the largest funder of our Referendum efforts in 2006.” Others opposing the referendum included Maureen Richardson, state director of Concerned Women for America; Jerry Beebe, executive Presbyter of the Assemblies of God denomination; Dan Kennedy, director of Human Life of Washington; and Judy Jennings, director of
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the Washington Federation of Independent Schools. Right-wing forces including Randall, Fuiten, anti-Gay pastor Ken Hutcherson, and initiative maven Tim Eyman sponsored a 2006 referendum aimed at repealing the Anderson-Murray Civil Rights Bill, but failed to gather enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. PASTOR DOES NOT FEEL GOD SUPPORTS REFERENDUM The 2006 failure was clearly on Fuiten’s mind as he weighed the prospects of a new ballot effort. Like most of those he polled, he believes that the ballot measure will probably lose. “My belief is that it would be a mistake to run a referendum,” Fuiten wrote on his blog. “I know that some will say that I just lack faith. It might be. I don’t have any interest in being another General Custer. I also know that when Israel decided to enter the Promised Land without God’s blessing they were soundly defeated. If I felt that God was telling us to go ahead, I would do it in a heartbeat. I don’t feel the Lord has said not to, but I cannot get any peace about making this effort [emphasis in the original].” Stickney, meanwhile, posted a list of his own supporters on the WAVA website. They include Bruce Craswell, husband of the late Republican gubernatorial candidate Ellen Craswell; Ken Hutcherson; the Christian Coalition’s Rick Forcier; and four Republican legislators, Sen. Dan Swecker, Sen. Val
Stevens, Rep. Matt Shea, and Rep. Jim McCune. In a media release posted on the Faith and Freedom PAC website, Randall proclaims, “If you are on the side of marriage, this is our time. People of faith and conservatives must carry this referendum drive. There is no one else. Let The Church Rise.” Randall also accuses the Secretary of State’s office of trying to undermine the referendum effort by leaking information to the media in advance of his group’s press release. Randall’s Faith and Freedom PAC has reported contributions to date of $95.51. All campaign contributions and expenditures must be reported to the state’s Public Disclosure Commission. WAVA has not filed a report with the PDC. OVER 5,300 DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS SO FAR To date, over 5,300 domestic partnerships have been registered with the state Secretary of State’s office. Domestic partnerships were first recognized by the state in July 2007. While state law prohibits same-sex marriage, the new domestic partnership legislation passed this year affords same-sex couples all the rights and responsibilities of married spouses. Since a referendum challenging it has been filed, the new law will not go into effect until it has been ratified by voters, or until Referendum 71 fails to qualify for the November ballot. The Washington state legislature passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples, over Gov. Gary Locke’s veto in 1998. In a controversial 5-4 decision the state Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of DOMA in 2006. Legislation recognizing domestic partnerships first passed in 2007, affording a limited number of rights to same-sex couples. This year’s domestic partnership bill expanded those rights to full equality with opposite-sex married couples. Five states have legalized same-sex marriage: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa, Vermont, and Maine. New Hampshire, and New York have marriage equality legislation pending. Same-sex marriage was also legal in California until Proposition 8 passed last fall. New York and the District of Columbia recognize same-sex marriages concluded in other jurisdictions. New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and the District of Columbia have laws that recognize civil unions or domestic partnerships affording same-sex couples some or all of the rights of marriage. Thirty states have Gay marriage bans in their constitutions.
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May 8, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
Brits ban bigots by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The British government has banned several US citizens from entering the United Kingdom. British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced the list of banned individuals on May 5. “If you can’t live by the rules that we live by, the standards and the values that we live by, we should exclude you from this country and, what’s more, now we will make public those people that we have excluded,” she said. Of the 22 people on the list, six are US citizens, and one has dual US and Israeli citizenship. Prominent on the list are Topeka, Kansas pastor Fred Phelps and his daughter Shirley Phelps-Roper, who are accused by the British Home Office of “fostering hatred which might lead to inter-community violence.” Known for his trademark slogan “God hates fags,” Phelps and members of his Westboro Baptist Church are notorious for picketing Gay events, including the funeral of Matthew Shepard in 1998. Phelps has
affiliations. Abdul Alim Musa is a US-born Muslim activist who has donated to Hamas, and praised Palestinian suicide bombers as “heroes.” Mike Guzovsky is a follower of the late Rabbi Meir Kahane and lives in an also picketed a number of military funerals, illegal Jewish settlement on the West Bank. stating that the US is “a sodomite nation of He has dual US and Israeli citizenship. Britain is particularly sensitive to interflag-worshiping idolators.” Phelps has also made anti-Semitic, antiCatholic, anti-Irish, and anti-Swedish statements. His daughter Shirley is part of the leadership of Westboro Baptist Church. Also on the banned list is talk-radio host Michael Savage, who is officially “considered to be engaging in unacceptable behaviour by seeking to provoke others to serious criminal acts and fostering hatred which might lead to inter-community violence.” Besides his anti-Gay remarks, Savage is noted for calling autism a “racket” that poor parents use to cheat the government out of disability benefits. In 2006 he urged by Leslie Robinson his listeners to burn Mexican flags to protest SGN Contributing Writer immigration to the US. He has also mocked I’ve decided that it’s time. Time to test Islam and Roman Catholicism Other US citizens on the list are neo- your knowledge of recent GLBT news. Nazi leader Erich Gliebe, and ex-Klansman Circle the right answer for each multipleand current Stormfront leader Stephen Don- choice question below. The correct answers are provided at the end. No cheating. I’ll ald Black. The two remaining Americans on the know. list are banned because of their Mid-East In Maine’s capital of Augusta, so many people wanted to attend the first public hearings on same-sex marriage that officials moved the event from the State House to: a. a high school gym b. a movie theater c. the Augusta Civic Center d. Massachusetts
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communal hostilities because it has become the home of very diverse immigrants from former British colonies. Many are Muslims, and many come originally from Africa and the Mid-East. The white nationalist National Front was active in Britain in the 1970s and 1980s, its rallies often ending in attacks on immigrant communities.
The news we use man and a woman. The furor that followed completely eclipsed the pageant victory of: a. Miss Delaware b. Miss Oklahoma c. Miss North Carolina d. Mr. North Carolina Last year former New Jersey Governor James McGreevey and Dina Matos concluded their bitter and melodramatic divorce. But they’re back in the news, announcing they plan to share his pension fund. This writer doesn’t care: a. about New Jersey b. about pension funds c. if she ever hears about either one of them again d. if you get this question right
Beatrice Arthur, star of Gay fave The Golden Girls, died at age 86. Her character A show called Liberace: The Man, the in that show was named: Music, and the Memories, is slated to open a. Laverne DeFazio this fall. Where? b. Rhoda Morgenstern a. Branson c. Dorothy Zbornak b. Duluth d. Roseanne Roseannadanna c. Broadway d. a retirement home near you A newspaper in a homophobic nation outed 50 citizens, publishing their names, A new book questions whether prominent occupations, physical descriptions, part- cases of Gays turning straight were fabricatners and HIV status. The report exposed the ed. Whose work, happily cited by reparative country’s “shameless men and unabashed therapy supporters, is now in doubt? women that have deliberately exported the a. Alfred Kinsey western evils to our dear and sacred society. b. Shere Hite They have been influential in spreading the c. Masters & Johnson gay and lesbian vices in schools to kill the d. Little Lulu morals of our lovely kids!!” In which nation did the exposé run? The answer to every question is “c.” How a. Jamaica did you do? That badly, eh? Well, later on b. Afghanistan I’ll give you another opportunity. But that’s c. Uganda just because I like you. d. Idaho Leslie Robinson suspects Little Lulu is the During the Miss USA pageant, Miss Cali- answer to many of life’s questions. E-mail fornia said marriage should be between a Leslie at LesRobinsn@aol.com.
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Seattle Gay News 15
Rex wockner
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer “Most of our nation wants our nation to succeed. Most people are ready to move on to the future, not live in the past. Most of the old-school Republicans are scared shitless of that future.” –Meghan McCain, John McCain’s daughter, addressing the Gay Log Cabin Republicans’ convention, April 18. “I’d be happy to go and deny it, because I’m not [Gay]. But by denying it, I’m saying there is something shameful about it, and there isn’t anything shameful. The questions about sexuality I find more here in America than anywhere else, because it’s a big hangup and defines what people think about themselves and others. It’s not a big issue in Australia.” –Actor Hugh Jackman to Parade magazine, April 26.
Californians is far from done. It shocked us. Many of us were living our lives in the false assurance that in most Californian eyes we were equal. We are not. Our work is not done. We need fresh leadership, new thinking.” –Veteran activist Torie Osborn addressing Camp Courage San Diego, April 19. “The hippie in me [my family legacy, my parents were hippies] bemoans the fact that we defeated the Iraqi military only to help them build an even stronger one that might one day be used against children and innocents, as often is the case. When will all the killing end? Where have all the flowers gone? And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and they shall study war no more. Alas, the Iraqis are studying war under our all-too-capable tutelage.” –Gay U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., in an April 8 posting on his house.gov Web site. “No one wants me to bottom. When they see my dick, they want to suck it.” –Gay porn star and mogul Michael Lucas to the Village Voice’s Michael Musto, April 21.
“I was asked earlier if I was Gay. ... Well, I can answer this way: I’m very Gay and happy. I’m very happy to be here for my Gay friends. I’ve never been with a woman, so I guess I’m straight, OK? But I’m straight Patti LaBelle enough to know the difference between right and wrong. I am straight enough to know that if you want to marry whoever you Solmonese, in an April 29 statement. want to marry you should be able to.” –Singer Patti LaBelle at the first Miami “We still do largely do what we want to Beach Gay Pride, April 18. She served as do. We write music for pleasure, as much as grand marshal. anything else. I think Chris and I managed not to lose that childish sense of play, like, I “Love is love! People should be able to do don’t know, making a sandcastle.” whatever makes them happy. I have lots of –Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys to Gay and Lesbian friends and I want to see Idolator.com, April 4. them get married. ... I’ll do whatever it takes to make their dreams come true. Discrimi“Prop 8’s passage ... revealed that our esnation has no place in America.” tablished organizations had lost touch with –Singer Britney Spears tweeting April 23. the grassroots. They had become too focused on institution-building and forgotten “Just one month ago, there were only two about movement-building. Prop 8 revealed states where same-sex couples could marry. that our major organizations had become Now, with this vote in [both houses of the] disconnected from the rising tide of poverty New Hampshire [Legislature], we are on the and despair that engulfed our natural allies verge of having five states that recognize in communities of color. Prop 8 revealed marriage equality for same-sex couples. It’s the ugly racism just under the surface of our been quite a month.” successful movement. Prop 8 revealed that –Human Rights Campaign President Joe our work reaching the hearts and minds of
“I couldn’t talk about anything in Russia. I was growing up in a very strict regime. But I rebelled. I wouldn’t wear a tie, and I didn’t want to salute the flag. At that time in Russia, sexual education did not exist, and there were no discussions of it. I had no idea how to masturbate. There was no sharing of information – I was isolated. ... I accidentally got off on the flow of bathwater on my dick. I came and then freaked out because I didn’t know what had happened or what the come was. Then, obviously, I loved the feeling, so I tried it again. It took me a while to figure out I could do it without water and instead use my hand. I felt guilty every time – people don’t understand how damaging the Communist regime is.” –Gay porn star and mogul Michael Lucas to the Village Voice’s Michael Musto, April 21. “My feeling about Gay people is that we have a responsibility not only to make Gay marriage acceptable and to make Gays feel accepted as much as heterosexuals [but] that we have to hold Gay people above all others. ... Gay people are downtrodden. They are beaten. They are abused for their sexuality, and it goes across race. In the white community and the black community, Gay people are the bastards of the world. And in
order for things to change – because any one of you could have Gay children or gay relatives or Gay friends ... we have a responsibility to make this acceptable, to get all this bullshit so that some Gay kid going to high school isn’t getting the shit beaten out of him just because he’s Gay. Listen, I’m as hetero as they come. I don’t even understand Gay. I don’t understand how you look at another guy and want to fuck him in the ass [but] what is this hang-up with the Gay marriage? Who cares? Get on with your life!” –Howard Stern on his radio show, April 29. “If [U.S. Rep. Aaron] Schrock [R-Ill.] isn’t Gay, he needs to learn a few things about how not to be Gay. 1. Don’t obsess about your body and your abs (you do). It’s kinda Gay. 2. Don’t do interviews with Details magazine (you did). We love them, but then again, we’re kind of Gay. 3. Don’t go to dinner at Gay diners where you’re the only ‘straight’ guy in the place. You did, and people noticed. 4. Don’t make excuses for why you’re 27, gorgeous, smart, successful, powerful, and just can’t seem to find the right girl (you did, you are, and you can’t). We’ve heard them all before, they’re cliché as hell, and they just convince people even more that something isn’t quite right. ... If anyone thinks this post is mean, you should read what I’m not writing about. It’s a small town, Aaron. People talk.” –Blogger John Aravosis (AMERICAblog. com), April 24. “Nearly everyone who’s ever played a reasonably significant role in my life, both past and present, has since found and reconnected with me, initially via e-mail through the digital reach of this very column over the years, but now far more actively and vividly through my Facebook profile (or, to a lesser extent, my Twitter feed). It’s sort of stunning, really. Old girlfriends, lost loves, longforgotten friends, high school sweethearts, band mates, roommates, old nemeses, lots of former cheerleaders turned born-again Christian megamoms, and everything in between. All those old connections, those lives and chapters and periods of my life I thought I’d left behind so cleanly, so decisively, way back when? Here they all are again, like a living scrapbook, constantly renewing and updating itself. What a thing.” –San Francisco Chronicle columnist Mark Morford, April 29. With assistance from Bill Kelley
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Celebrating 36 Years!
by Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid SGN A&E Writer First, happy mom’s day to all of you mothers (and all of you muthers, and you know who you are, hahahahaha), and to all of our mom, Earth. Me, I want flowers, candles and lots and lots of that new ice cream at the new store, Molly Moon’s, which just opened downstairs in the Oddfellows Hall on Pine. True, the owner of that building kicked out just about all of the art folk (boo, hiss), but at least there’s terrif ice cream on The Hill (just know there’s always a line, like at the one in Wallingford, so go with some patience and you cheap folks – like some folks I overheard in line the day I went – stay away, this is for those of us who like food enough to pay for it). Speaking of cheap folks and food, my friend and I have developed a theory that all of the good, cheap food is leaving Capitol Hill and being replaced by chi-chi yuppie joints with little food and very high prices. Hey, it’s my damned theory and I’m sticking to it, so there. Also, riding home with some lovely leathermen after last weekend’s Seattle Erotic Arts Festival, I’ve also concluded (and not just me, honey!) that GLBT space is disappearing at an alarming rate, too. Oy me, why do vanilla yuppies always move into areas for the “ambiance,” then proceed to change said “ambiance” to match their bland, stupid-ass mindsets? Me, I say go out there and work your fierceness like some charming Gay boys I saw walking the other night as I waited for a very slow Metro bus (what is up with Metro, anyway, do they really hate their bus-riding passengers so much lately, or what?) to go to my appointment with my slave at The Wet Spot. Thanks for liking my hat, boys, and honeys, keep on being that Gayly fierce on this horridly gentrifying Hill. And speaking of my slave, me and that lovely one did the most wickedly evil scene
and this one gave him a wrist version of a collar (so he can wear it around his mum and co-workers without much undo questioning – hey, I’m his top, not the other folks in his life who think they are, eh?). This was earned after that one did some “oral service” for this one, twice, and not a bad job for a novice, either, my dahlings. Can we say purr, and then some? Oh, yeah! Also picked up another bottom who’s hankering to be this one’s new slave, and who gifted this one with more than a pound of fresh shrimp from a recent catch. Oh, but dear, we don’t like the ones with heads on so that one will have to try harder (even though, being the top I am, I gritted my teeth, and pinched the little heads off, and peeled and ate them anyway – pretty good in my made up recipe too). So, what has this one been up to besides working out slaves and cursing Metro’s tardiness and, yes, more mean drivers? Well, we did drag our tired little self to this year’s Seattle Erotic Arts Festival last weekend (after my Zumba class and after a session of learning the right way to do bench presses, ouch!) and was pretty glad I did, too. In short, what I liked were the many kinky, hot folks and sexy art, and what I didn’t like was that it was at the Seattle Center, which
Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid
Mother’s Day, my slave and I take it further
ain’t as private as the old ConWorks where Festival (RSVP at 206-628-1071). this one first attended SEAF many years So that’s it for now, my little spicy chocoago. No “play space,” either, but then, that’s lates, and, dahlings let’s do work to save my why we have a membership to The Wet fave show Dollhouse from the stupid ratSpot, hmmm? True ings axe and Fringe dat! Oh, and yes, this too. It’s good to have one did lots of flirting intelligent fare to with a number of hot, watch, and speakbodacious femmes, ing of intelligent, if including a ceryou haven’t checked tain fuschia-haired out the new Harpwench who this one er’s Island (now on hopes to play with Saturdays, so this at The Spot in the one can’t miss it), future. And maybe you are missing out. a chocolate lovely I Also, a big, honking met there, too. “shame on you” to So, what has this North Carolina conone tried that she’s gresswoman Virginia just dying to tell Foxx for calling the you about? Well, I murder of Matthew am loving my jar of Shepard a “hoax.” Neutrogena Lift and Whatta beotch! VotStrengthen Intensive ers get ready to take facial lift moisturher down next elecizer (though I’m tion. still looking forward And this one says to ordering some a fond farewell to more Ocean Actives electric star Natasha Squalane oil when Richardson and the cash flow imdelightful balleproves), and adoring rina Ekaterina (who Hotties on Capitol Hill my sample of Redanced with the storative Night Treatment by Perricone MD, greats way back when). Viva! And a nod of which you can pick up at my fave store, Se- “hallelujah” to Northwest Film Forum for phora. Pick up the Neutrogena moisturizer showing the first (and only as far as this one at Bartells or Walgreens. Finally, I also love knows) Trans film fest May 7 through 10. sporting the new True Religion fragrance I Hope to see you there! Be nice to each othpicked up at Norsdstrom. Just perfect wheth- er, drive less (especially you stoopid folks er you’re an F to M like me, or a biological still driving Hummers and those ugly-assed boy, or just want a no-nonsense scent to wear boxy things called cars), and really do reeveryday. And if you make it to Nordstrom cycle more and give to animal rights groups on Friday, check out their Spring Fragrance today. Kiss kiss, buh bye!
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Seattle Gay News 17
UConn athletes have CLASS by Dan Woog SGN Contributing Writer Sports fans know the University of Connecticut for its men’s and women’s basketball teams. It’s a fine academic institution too. But one day soon it may be famous for its CLASS. That’s CLASS as in the Connecticut LGBT Athlete Safe Space. An online support system and resource network including links, educational infor-
mation, question-and-answer forums and more, the site is designed to provide information on LGBT issues for students (athletes and non-athletes alike), coaches, administrators and faculty members – regardless of sexual orientation. It is believed to be the only website of its kind affiliated with a college athletic program. Ingrid Hohmann – an academic counselor working with UConn’s Counseling Program for Intercollegiate Athletes – came up with the concept. A track and field athlete at the University of Delaware, she did not come out until after graduation in 1990. “I never felt comfortable going to the LGBT Center on campus,” she says, recalling her college years. “In fact, I was terrified.” She would have welcomed “any athleticrelated resource that I could have just looked at to answer questions,” she says. “Like a lot of athletes, I wasn’t political. But it would have been nice to have access to help me figure out who I was.” In addition to LGBT athletes, “some al-
lies and potential allies may be interested in ways to support their peers,” says Alana Linick, CPIA academic counselor and tutorial coordinator, describing CLASS’s desired audience. Hohmann, Linick and CPIA director Bruce Cohen thought the anonymous nature of a web page would be attractive to everyone, regardless of their sexual identity. Administrators – including the athletic director – were fully supportive. “They even wanted support groups,” Hohmann said. “But we think this is more effective.” Nine CPIA counselors, a learning specialist, four graduate students and an administrative assistant helped develop the website. Student-athletes provided feedback before it went live. The easily navigable site includes resources like “Action Guides” for administrators, coaches and athletes; links to the Gay Games, Gay and Lesbian Athletes Association, It Takes a Team, NCAA Diversity, OutSports.com, Human Rights Campaign, the University of Connecticut Rainbow Center, and LGBT scholarship applications; information on state and national laws and an anonymous message board. “We wanted something that had lots of resources, but also felt safe to use,” Linick says. “If someone feels they need to access this from their dorm room or an apartment, that’s fine. It’s all about providing information.” “Athletes can talk to me – I’m out,” says Hohmann. “But if they want a way to figure things out first, resources like this are great.” As with any site, some usage has been unexpected. A number of students find it to be a valuable resource for classes like psychology and human development. “We didn’t see that coming,” Linick says. “But we’re glad it’s there.” Though students are encouraged to ask questions online – and get direct, personal answers that are not viewable by anyone else – “they’re not really doing that,” Hohmann notes. “We know the site is getting
hits, but that part of it hasn’t taken off yet.” The “Chalk Talk Feedback” page includes just five questions, but they’re good ones. Some of CLASS’s responses are adapted from “It Takes a Team” resources. Someone wrote: “I think one of my teammates is Gay. What should I do if they come out to me?” The answer was: Be yourself. The teammate may need someone to talk with. But if he or she does not come out to you, don’t take it personally. Another user wondered how to deal with anti-Gay comments without others thinking he or she is Gay. CLASS responded that although being an ally is challenging, standing up to inappropriate language sets a powerful example for everyone. There is also a question about locker room behavior by Gays and Lesbians. The answer is that the stereotype of Gay people as sexual predators is wrong. All athletes, the CLASS website says, focus on the same things: upcoming games, injuries, laughing and talking with teammates. Any inappropriate behavior should be addressed without regard to sexual orientation. A major challenge for CLASS is to publicize the website around campus. Mass emails have been sent to athletes, flyers are hung throughout the department and there is a link from the CPIA home page. (However, it simply says “CLASS website”; there is no indication that “CLAA” offers LGBT resources.) “We need to advertise this a bit more than we have,” Hohmann admits. “We think it’s the only site like it. People are taking advantage of it, but we have to continue to educate student-athletes and allies that it’s here and available to everyone.” Visit the CLASS website at www.cpia. uconn.edu/class or call 860-486-5515. Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach, Gay activist, and author of the “Jocks” series of books on Gay male athletes. Visit his website at www.danwoog. com. He can be reached care of this publication or at OutField@qsyndicate.com.
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Celebrating 36 Years!
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May 8, 2009
Seattle Gay News 19