Issuu

Celebrating 43 Years! Issue 47 Volume 45

Storm Large and her band take the stage in Federal Way SEC 2 PG 1

Seattle Men’s Chorus gets sassy and brassy this holiday season SEC 2 PG 1

Seattle Gay News

FRIDAY November 24, 2017 FREE!

25¢ in bookstores & newsstands

Capitol Hill Station Plaza to house Seattle AIDS Legacy Memorial

A rendering of the Capitol Hill Station Plaza and the future home of the Seattle AIDS Legacy Memorial – Photo courtesy of Seattle Parks Foundation

by Sarah Toce SGN Contributing Writer Cal Anderson was Washington state’s first openly gay legislator – an activist in his own right – who succumbed to AIDS

in 1995 at the age of 47. As a Democrat, he served in both chambers representing the 43rd Legislative District. Seattle’s former mayor, Ed Murray, served as his campaign manager during the 1988 legislative race

see AIDS MEMORIAL page 7

Second federal judge blocks Trump’s Trans ban DOJ says it will appeal previous ruling

14th Annual Stronger Together World AIDS Day Breakfast to be held Dec. 1

STRONGER TOGETHER WORLD AIDS DAY BREAKFAST SHERATON SEATTLE HOTEL Friday, December 1 7:30am registration 8am-9am program It was not so long ago that the average lifespan of someone diagnosed with HIV

was about 10 years. Today, with access to uninterrupted healthcare, an HIV+ person can expect to have a close to normal lifespan. King County’s progress in responding to HIV has been remarkable. But we’re not done. The 14th Annual Stronger Together World AIDS Day Breakfast on December 1

see WORLD AIDS DAY page 8

Federal court strikes down Trump’s executive order on sanctuary cities DOJ had threatened Seattle and King County

Original photo courtesy of the US Air Force

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A second US District court has issued an injunction blocking Donald Trump’s ban on Transgender troops in the US military. Judge Marvin Garbis ruled on November 21 in Baltimore that the six Transgender plaintiffs in the case before him have “demonstrated that they are already suffering harmful consequences” due

to the proposed ban, including threat of discharge, stigma, and the cancellation or delay of surgeries related to their gender transitions. In a 53-page decision, Garbis wrote that the “capricious, arbitrary, and unqualified tweet of new policy does not trump the methodical and systematic review by military stakeholders qualified to understand

see TRANS BAN page 13

US District Judge William Orrick III – Photo by S. Todd Rogers

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A US District permanently struck down one of Donald Trump’s first executive orders on November 20, the one which

sought to cut off federal funds to so-called “sanctuary cities.” In a summary judgment ruling, US District Judge William Orrick III found that Trump’s January 25 executive order

see SANCTUARY page 13

What is TRUVADA for PrEP?

Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP?

TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medicine that is used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health.

Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you:

Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

® Also take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP? Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-negative. ® Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. ® You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. ® If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. ® To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: ® Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. ® Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. ® Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. ® Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. ® If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: ® Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking TRUVADA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

® Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: ® Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA. ® Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. ® Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. ® Bone problems, including bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? ® All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. ® If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA. ® If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk. ® All the medicines you take, including prescription and overthe-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. ® If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include certain medicines to treat hepatitis C (HCV) infection. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page.

November 24, 2017 1 2 TVDC0165_PrEP_D_10x15-675_SeattleGayNews_Drag_p1.indd Seattle Gay News

Celebrating 438/28/17 Years! 11:19 AM

I’m irresistible, not irresponsible. I know who I am. And I make choices that fit my life. TRUVADA for PrEP™ is a once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when taken every day and used together with safer sex practices. ® TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.

Learn more at truvada.com

Visit us online www.sgn.org2 TVDC0165_PrEP_D_10x15-675_SeattleGayNews_Drag_p1.indd

November 24, 2017

Seattle Gay 8/28/17 News 3 11:19 AM

IMPORTANT FACTS

This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEPTM (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.

(tru-VAH-dah) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP

Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative. • Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. • You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you think you were exposed to HIV-1 or have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. • See the “How To Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information. TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP” section. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. • Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. • Bone problems. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.

ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA for PrEP is a prescription medicine used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. • To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. • Take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • Use TRUVADA for PrEP together with condoms and safer sex practices. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. • Have any other medical conditions. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can pass to the baby in breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.

HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV infection. • Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.

TRUVADA FOR PREP, the TRUVADA FOR PREP Logo, the TRUVADA Blue Pill Design, TRUVADA, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0165 07/17

November 24, 2017 3 4 TVDC0165_PrEP_D_10x15-675_SeattleGayNews_Drag_p1.indd Seattle Gay News

Celebrating 438/28/17 Years! 11:19 AM

Seattle Gay News FOUNDED 1974 MEMBER

2017

1707 23rd Avenue Seattle, WA 98122 (206) 324-4297 sgn2@sgn.org sgn.org

Editor in Chief George Bakan Associate Editor Shaun Knittel Travel Editor George Bakan Copy Editor Rick McKinnon (since Dec 2013) Advertising George Bakan • Maggie Bloodstone MK Scott National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Staff Writers Mike Andrew • Sara Michelle Fetters Miryam Gordon • Shaun Knittel Albert Rodriguez Contributing Writers Rev. Barbara Allen • Ron Anders Eric Andrews-Katz • Madelyn Arnold Alice Bloch • Maggie Bloodstone Beau Burriola • Sharon Cumberland Jessica Davis • Tina Gianoulis Anthony Greer • Milton W. Hamlin Nevin Jefferson • Richard Kennedy Liz Meyer • Jason A. Miller Jesse Monteagudo David Nguyen aka Teriyaki Temple Rod Parke • Don Paulson Jerry Peerson • Jessica Price Scott Rice • Leslie Robinson MK Scott • Gaysha Starr Paul Torres • Janice Van Cleve Ed Walsh • James Whitely Scott Wittet • Rex Wockner

Trump Human Rights – LGBT Disaster

Calendar Editors Mike Andrew • Rick McKinnon Classifieds Rick McKinnon Photographers Nate Gowdy • Joseph P. Herron Shaun Knittel • James Whitely Production

Donald Trump was all fingers and thumbs during a carefully choreographed photo at a summit of world leaders, failing to grasp whose hands he was supposed to be holding and breaking a line-up intended to showcase unity. – Photo courtesy of Reuters

Mike Pham Website Designer Barry Thorsness / Digital Team Works Seattle Gay News is published by Frogs and Ink, Inc. © 2017. Frogs and Ink, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reprints by permission. Publication of names, photographs, or likeness of any person, organization, event or business in this publication cannot be taken as any indication of the sexual orientation of the person, organization, event or business. Opinions expressed in bylined articles, columns, and letters are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or management of this paper. Seattle Gay News welcomes unsolicited material, including letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit or reject material. All rights revert to authors upon publication. We assume no liability for loss or damage of materials, solicited or not. We invite feedback, please write. And please play safe. It is our policy that no money shall be refunded if you choose to cancel your ad. Credit will be given for the balance owed. No exceptions.

In Loving Memory Of Steve Foiles • Scott Roger Alpert Cookie Andrews-Hunt James Leland Moore Randy Peters • Lee Richeson Shaun Shelton • Jim Tully James Arnold

by Mark Segal Philadelphia Gay News Much has been made of the lack of attention to human rights by President Trump on his recent excursion to Asia. This, by and of itself, represents the United States giving up the mantel on this subject since we first gained prominence on the issue during the Jimmy Carter administration in the 1970s. We were the international leader for this proud cause, and president after president – regardless of being a Democrat or a Republican – raised it on foreign trips. We are told that Trump mentioned the topic of human rights only in passing to the president of the Philippines during this trip. This is a warning sign for many in the LGBT community throughout the world. Recall a nation called Uganda: If it were not for the intervention of the United States, its legislature would right now have a “Kill the Gays” law.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

So let’s take this a step at a time, and see where we are. The best way to do that is by noting what others have stated: President Trump likes strongmen with authoritarian governments. The two cases that are clear are Russia and Egypt. Russia, under Vladimir Putin, has become a homophobic state; all one has to do is mention Chechnya. The killings of LGBT people in that part of the Russian-controlled territory are so outrageous that both houses of the U.S. Congress condemned it; the Senate resolution doing so was led in part by a Republican senator, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. But what did the Trump administration do about Chechnya? The U.S. State Department put out a press release April 7 headlined: “The United States Concerned by Reports of Detentions and Deaths of LGBTI Individuals in Chechnya, Russia.” It was a strong press release, but nothing more happened. How do I know this? This week I tried calling, emailing and, like other journalists have been, was put on the State Department merry-go-round. But hey, that’s only one country. There is also Egypt, where LGBT people have been imprisoned and beaten simply for holding a rainbow flag at a concert in a country that Amnesty International says is expe-

riencing the worst crackdown on the LGBT community. Yet, nothing from the Trump administration during the Egyptian president’s recent visit to the United States. So those are the most recent examples, but what else has Trump said or not said? He condemned terrorists who tossed LGBT people from a building, but remained quiet while LGBT people were imprisoned, beaten and harassed by our allies among the Gulf States. What about Turkey, which this year wouldn’t even allow a gay Pride celebration – and those who attempted to stage such were arrested or beaten? Nothing. There are many cute, insulting or snarky ways this column could end, but, simply put, President Trump, do you know what will happen if you do not speak up for human rights, specifically LGBT rights? People will die. Preventing that, Mr. President, would be presidential.

November 24, 2017

Seattle Gay News 5

Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s most-award-winning commentator in LGBT media. His recently published memoir, And Then I Danced, is available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or at your favorite bookseller.

6 Seattle Gay News

November 24, 2017

Celebrating 43 Years!

Reaching the top of the journalism ladder there I was, receiving its highest award … That says where we as a community have come from, and also is a nod to LGBT media that “You’re one of us.” The following morning at the same convention, the PGN staff gathered for the Newspaper of the Year Awards. The honors are awarded by division and circulation, so PGN was competing with almost every weekly in the state. Many are small-town newspapers, other are big-city weeklies. Time and time again, when they announced the awards, the staff of PGN had to stand; we won six divisional awards in total. Then the biggest award. PNA awards one daily and one weekly as the Newspaper of the Year. The daily award went to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and the weekly, Philadelphia Gay News. Our editor, Jen Colletta, went to the stage to accept. The pride and chills I had, I’ll never be able to express. But what I knew is that LGBT media and PGN had set a new bar. My thoughts went back to my days when I started this newspaper and was shunned. All I can say to those people is that we not only climbed the ladder, we’re at the very top. I say that not for myself, but as I said when I accepted the Ben Franklin Award, I say it for all those LGBT youth who wonder if they can enter journalism or media management and make it as an out person. We at PGN are proof you can, and we dedicate these awards to you as encouragement to follow your dreams.

by Mark Segal Philadelphia Gay News At the end of my father’s life we’d get together and, when we did, Dad would always say, “So, what was your day like?” or “What have you been doing?” At such times, I’d shrug and say, “Just the same.” The reality was that my life at that point was full of excitement and efforts to make new gains for our community, but I thought that talking about such work might look like bragging so I didn’t. But that was a big mistake, since my father read about my activities in mainstream newspapers and saw some on TV. I found out later that he’d ask my relatives why I wouldn’t share my pride of accomplishment with him. He wanted bragging rights. In his last few months, he never missed an opportunity to tell me how proud I made him. So since Dad is not here, let me share with you some pride, and you can share in it, like I know he would. Last week [EDITOR’S NOTE: The first week of November] was a time when I finally began to realize how far this community has come, through a series of events that individually are amazing – but putting them together is a new benchmark. It started last Thursday evening [November 2] when the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association presented me its highest honor, the Ben Franklin Award for Excellence, at its 93rd-annual convention. This organization represents all newspapers in the state, including dailies and weeklies. The significance of that came as our former editor, Sarah Blazucki, was brought in from D.C. as a surprise to do the introduction. She

AIDS MEMORIAL continued from cover

and later went on to become the city’s first openly gay mayor. Anderson’s legacy has lived on in the spirit of Capitol Hill residents since April 10, 2003 when Cal Anderson Park (1635 11th Avenue) was renamed in his honor. Now, leaders in the community are preparing to honor Anderson’s contributions with another historic project: the Seattle AIDS Legacy Memorial (SALM). Slated to open late in 2019, the Seattle AIDS Legacy Memorial will be housed adjacent to Cal Anderson Park above the light rail station. Nearby, 59,000 square feet of gathering space, including 400 affordable living apartment units and 200 underground parking slots, will converge with the installation. The goal here is community, organizers say. So far, there is plenty of buy in, including Sound Transit (who issued a public letter of intent to support the project relocating the Broadway Farmer’s Market to make way for the new space). If all goes according to plan, a new night market may also spring into action. The City of Seattle issued a payment of $75,000 to get the project underway. The committee is fundraising for additional monetary requirements. According to the Seattle Parks Foundation, former Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, along with Leonard Garfield, executive director of the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI), and Michele Hasson, community volun-

Mark Segal receiving the Ben Franklin Award for Excellence from the PA NewsMedia Association. – Courtesy of Philadelphia Gay News

reminded me, and those publishers sitting in that room, of how PGN had survived the bombing of our vending boxes, the trashing of our offices and even being put on the KKK’s hit list; I had forgotten that last one. Then I took the stage to deliver my speech, which I prepared as a tribute to the power of newspapers. As I read it now, I understand

teer, convened a group of stakeholders in summer 2015 to assess interest in creating a memorial to recognize those lost during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s-90s as well as our communities’ responses to it. Seattle City Council provided funding to MOHAI to identify sites for the memorial, engage with community leaders, identify design parameters and goals, and seat a Community Advisory Group, with three subcommittees: Community In-reach, Content & Experience, and Fund Development. The Community Advisory Group identified and vetted a number of prospective sites for the Seattle AIDS Legacy Memorial. The group concluded the best of these to be a site consisting of the northern edge of Cal Anderson Park, the adjacent public plaza at the Capitol Hill Link Light Rail Transit-Oriented Development (CHTOD), and the connecting festival street block of E. Denny Way. Currently, it is estimated that 36.7 million people are living with HIV or AIDS globally. In Washington state, seven out of every 100,000 people are living with AIDS. King County notes another 6,968 people are living with HIV. Seattle AIDS Legacy Memorial organizers are now calling for artists to help design the project. Artistic proposals will be considered in the coming months. Participants are encouraged to help remember King County’s AIDS crisis through visuals reflecting remembrance of a community ravaged by the health crisis that changed the landscape of an entire intersection of lives throughout the ’80s and ’90s. “The great thing coming out of this proj-

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why many people told me afterwards that it was inspirational. (I’ve posted the speech on my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ MarkSegalPGN.) Here’s the main point I made: That same organization that was giving me its highest award wouldn’t allow me to join for almost 10 years because I was a gay man. And

Tom Rasmussen – Courtesy of Tom Rasmussen

Leonard Garfield – Photo courtesy of Daniel Sheehan

ect is that people are sharing stories they’ve never told anyone before,” George Bakan, one of the Seattle AIDS Legacy Memorial organizers, said. “We, as a community, were devastated during the AIDS crisis and our stories need to be told.” One specific group not previously recognized: the women. “Women came in to help when all the men were dying,” he said. “It’s time to hold up these women and thank them. This is the women’s time.”

Another community organizer, Paul Feldman, said he hoped visitors would find inspiration in the monument and “hear stories we’ve never heard before.” These intimate stories have been relayed between organizing members for years now, but the project is only now being confirmed publicly. Volunteer opportunities are available by contacting volunteer@seattleaidslegacy.org.

November 24, 2017

Seattle Gay News 7

Generations Aging with Pride creates new Seattle & King County LGBTQ Aging Advisory Group Generations Aging with Pride, funded by the City of Seattle’s Aging and Disability Services, hosted an engaging Community Supporter Event with sixty-five people gathering for conversations on ways to best address the needs of older LGBTQ adults. Because of the feedback received at the event, Generations Aging with Pride along with the UW Center for LGBTQ Aging and Health, have formed a new Seattle & King County LGBTQ Aging Advisory Group. “We are so pleased with the success of the event and interest in LGBTQ aging in our communities, said Karen Fredriksen-Goldsen, Board Co-Chair of Generations Aging with Pride and UW Professor. She added, “I’ve worked in this field for over two decades and it is exciting that our elders are no longer relegated to shadows but rather are gathered together to provide leadership in addressing aging needs in our communities.” Representative Macri of the 43rd District added her support for LGBTQ aging and Generations Aging with Pride, as she honored the “pioneers that paved the way for the rights we enjoy today.” “Generations Aging with Pride is here to serve as a HUB and clearinghouse for LGBTQ aging in the Seattle and King County area,” added Ruben Rivera-Jackman, Board Co-Chair of Generations Aging with Pride. At the supporter reception the attendees gathered together to discuss: 1) Understanding our Needs; 2) Creating Supportive Environments; 3) Advancing LGBTQ Issues; 4) Building Generations Aging with Pride; and

Rep. Nicole Macri speaks with attendees at the Community Supporter Event on Oct 23, 2017 – Photo courtesy of Generations Aging with Pride

5) Activities and How to Get There. Dozens of exciting ideas were generated by the spirited discussions. Based on the feedback, the organization has established the new Seattle & King County LGBTQ Aging Advisory Group, which will meet quarterly to achieve the following goals: • Create a mechanism where all LGBTQ and aging organizations can collaborate and work together to address the needs of LGBTQ elders; • Provide members with on-going opportunities to share resources and ideas; • Generate innovative ways together to address existing and emerging needs of LGBTQ elders, families and caregivers.

Other ideas that were raised at the supporter community engagement event included: • Create a safe space for people to network and seek solutions; • Help people stay in their own homes through caregiver support, volunteer help, and referrals for LGBTQ-friendly services; • Create a central hub with information flowing both ways; • Develop a multi-pronged fundraising plan; and • Numerous other creative initiatives. The excitement of possibilities motivated many participants to sign-up to volunteer with Generations Aging with Pride

to implement Action Steps. Other volunteer opportunities include assisting with website design, accounting, fund-raising, administrative support and teaching recreation and enrichment activities. To join the Seattle & King County LGBTQ Aging Advisory Group or for more information about Generations Aging with Pride or to volunteer, please call (206) 495-8312 or email info@gapseattle.org.

WORLD AIDS DAY

you to make the strongest impact you can by supporting the network of AIDS service providers in Seattle. Last year we brought in nearly $120,000 for the combined agencies, which provided those living with HIV/ AIDS care, support and most importantly – hope. While the breakfast is complimentary, the event is a fundraiser. We invite and challenge you to consider a minimum gift or pledge of $150; however, any amount you are able to donate will be welcome. The World AIDS Day Breakfast is being organized by and is a fundraiser for Gay City, Seattle Counseling Service and CareTeams, a program of Samaritan Center. The event is co-hosted by POCAAN

(People of Color Against AIDS Network), Entre Hermanos, Lifelong and Seattle Area Support Groups. The presenting sponsor is Wells Fargo. Working together, we provide crucial HIV prevention, education, support and care in the Seattle area. Together our organizations will continue to change lives! For more information and to pre-register, contact StrongerTogetherSeattle.com. We are truly Stronger Together!

continued from cover

Dr. Marjorie Hill, keynote speaker – Photo courtesy of strongertogetherseattle.com

is both a celebration of achievements and a rallying cry to end AIDS in Washington by 2020. Hosted by Molly Shen from KOMO 4, the 14th Annual Stronger Together World AIDS Day Breakfast will feature Keynote Speaker, Dr. Marjorie Hill, CEO, Joseph Addabbo Health Center and Chairperson, New York State AIDS Advisory Council and will honor Kenny Joe McMullen, ProjectHANDLE@Navos and Kevin Patz, CareTeams. This breakfast is an opportunity for

Courtesy of Generations Aging with Pride

Local World AIDS Day Events FRYE ART MUSEUM “Alternate Endings, Radical Beginnings” 28th Visual AIDS Day With(out) Art Friday, December 1 @ 7-8:30pm Frye Auditorium 704 Terry Ave., Seattle FREE

In addition to Seattle’s 14th Annual Stronger Together World AIDS Day Breakfast, here are three additional local events commemorating World AIDS Day: PIERCE COUNTY AIDS FOUNDATION “PCAF 30 - Courage, Compassion, Resilience” Honoring World AIDS Day + Celebrating PCAF’s 30th Anniversary Friday, December 1 @ 6pm Star Center 3873 S 66th St., Tacoma FREE Gather with us as we honor the legacy of those affected by HIV and look towards the future as we work to end HIV. This evening celebrates you and the rest of PCAF’s community. Join us as we reflect on the journey we have taken together, inspire each other to persevere in the face of an ever-changing epidemic, and enjoy the company of old and new friends. We have collected 30 years of stories and arti-

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facts demonstrating our history of courage, compassion, and resilience. Your presence will make the evening complete. Seating is limited; reserve your space at http://www. piercecountyaids.org/ There is no cost to attend and this event is not a fundraiser.

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In honor of World AIDS Day and the 28th iteration of Visual AIDS Day With(out) Art, the Frye Art Museum has partnered with Visual AIDS to present the film ALTERNATE ENDINGS, RADICAL BEGINNINGS, a collaborative video project curated by Erin Christovale and Vivian Crockett, featuring seven short videos about the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis, by artists Mykki Blanco, Cheryl Dunye, Reina Gosset, Thomas Allen Harris, Kia Labeija, Tiona McClodden and Brontez Purnell. Immediately following the film, there will be a panel discussion. ht t p://f r yemuseu m.org /ca lend a r/ event/6764/

LIBERATION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Gospel Drag Tea Party Friday, December 1 @ 7-9:30pm Madrona Grace Presbyterian 832 32nd Avenue, Seattle FREE Grab your tambourine, throw on your Sunday best, and feel a touch of the Spirit as local drag artists perform all your favorite gospel hits! Admission is free, but be sure to bring tips for the performers – and a little something for the collection plate. A dessert reception will follow. https:// mylucc.org/calendar/gospel-drag-tea-party About Liberation UCC Liberation is a radically inclusive, vitally progressive, justice and liberationoriented faith community that believes that everyone – yes, everyone – is important to God. For more information, please visit www.mylucc.org

Celebrating 43 Years!

Transgender Day of Remembrance at City Hall by MK Scott SGN Contributing Writer Seattle’s annual Transgender Day of Remembrance took place on Monday, November 20, at the Bertha Knight Landes Room at Seattle City Hall. Seattle City Councilmember Lorena Gonzalez was on hand to greet everyone in attendance. Seattle Trans activist Mac McGregor hosted the somber event that also welcomed Jaime Deer, a Transgender officer at the King County Sheriff’s Department. Aleksa Manila was on hand to help read the names and tell stories of people who were murdered in 2017 because they were Transgender. At the end of the evening Diverse Harmony sang Sting’s “Fields of Gold” as the pictures and names were once again featured on the screen: Candace Towns, 30 Stephanie Montez, 47 Ally Lee Steinfeld, 17 Derricka Banner, 26 Kashmire Redd, 28 Kiwi Herring, 30 Gwynevere River Song, 26 TeeTee Dangerfield, 32 Ebony Morgan, 28 Ava Le’Ray Barrin, 17 Josie Berrios (also known as Kendra Adams and Kimbella Rosé), 28 Kenne McFadden, 27 Sherrell Faulkner, 46 Brenda Bostick, 59 Chay Reed, 28 Alphonza Watson, 38 Jaquarrius Holland, 18 Ciara McElveen, 21 Chyna Gibson, 31 Keke Collier, 24 JoJo Striker, 23 Mesha Caldwell, 41 Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow, 28 Scout Schultz, 21 Sean Hake, 23

Members of Diverse Harmony

Photos by MK Scott. Listing courtesy of Official Pride ASIA.

Mac McGregor

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Melissa Batson

Officer Jaime Deer

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Aleksa Manila

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Salon Dallas 3121 E Madison, Suite 203, Seattle, WA 98112 206-322-2100 mysmilelabs.com/seattle

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Gay Dodgeball coming to Seattle Hosted by the National Gay Dodgeball League

Photo courtesy of America’s Finest Dodgeball League

The National Gay Dodgeball League is launching their 8-week Sunday afternoon Gay Dodgeball League in Seattle starting on Sunday, December 3 at 11am at the Yesler Community Center (917 E Yesler Way). Keith London, Dodgeball Coordinator

at GayDodgeball.com, writes: Welcome to Gay Dodgeball Seattle. We are so excited to be opening a league in Seattle! If you would like to join the league, registration is OPEN at https://www. gaydodgeball.com/seattle.html

We are a Sunday afternoon league. The season starts on December 3 at 11am and runs for 8 weeks at the Yesler Community Center. This event is hosted by the National Gay Dodgeball League, which is a league for the whole LGBTQ+ family.

h t t p s : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / events/142342439848261/?ti=icl Courtesy of the National Gay Dodgeball League

Vanita Gupta – Photo courtesy of the US Government

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violated the US Constitution by invoking spending powers that belong exclusively to Congress, and by placing unrelated conditions on federal grants in violation of the Tenth Amendment. “Federal funding that bears no meaningful relationship to immigration enforcement cannot be threatened merely because a jurisdiction chooses an immigration enforcement strategy of which the President disapproves,” Orrick wrote in a 28-page ruling. Orrick had previously stayed the executive order in April after San Francisco and Santa Clara County filed separate lawsuits against the presidential directive.

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the ramifications of policy change.” The ACLU, which represented the six Trans plaintiffs in the latest ruling, said Garbis’s decision was “a victory for transgender service members across the country.” “We’re pleased that the courts have stepped in to ensure that trans service members are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,” senior ACLU staff attorney Joshua Block said in a statement. The ACLU had also filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against the proposed ban in September.

“This is a victory for the American people and the rule of law,” San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera said in a November 20 statement. “This executive order was unconstitutional before the ink on it was even dry.” The US Department of Justice (DOJ) warned Seattle on November 15 that its “sanctuary city” policy may be in violation of federal law and could result in cancellation of federal grants that help pay for law enforcement. In response, Mayor-elect Jenny Durkan issued a strongly worded statement vowing that “our City will fight Trump every step of the way” to defend City policy. King County Executive Dow Constantine and King County Council President Joe McDermott received the same warning from the DOJ.

Since the Trump administration assumed power in January, it has been US government policy to arrest and deport as many undocumented immigrants as possible, and to threaten uncooperative cities with the loss of federal funds. In its latest letter, the DOJ expressed “concern” about Seattle’s policy and threatened to cancel federal funding for three civilian crime prevention specialists in Seattle’s police department. “This action is both immoral and illegal,” Durkan said in a November 15 statement. “It threatens the safety not just of our immigrant families but of all of Seattle, which relies on the police resources they seek to cut. Unfortunately for the Trump administration, multiple federal judges have ruled that the Department of Justice

cannot withhold federal law enforcement aid to sanctuary cities. Seattle is and will continue to be a sanctuary city, and our City will fight Trump every step of the way against these illegal attempts to withhold funds. I’ll say it again: Jeff Sessions and Donald Trump, keep your hands off Seattle.” Seattle stands to lose as much as $85 million out of its $5 billion budget if the federal government decides to back up Trump’s threats by withdrawing funds. San Francisco receives $1.2 billion in annual federal aid and $800 million in multiyear grants, while Santa Clara County relies on $1.7 billion each year to fund essential services, including public health and child protective services.

Pentagon spokesperson Mark Wright said the November 21 ruling will have no impact on current Defense Department (DoD) policy because the department is not currently discharging Trans service members. “As directed by the DoD guidance, no action may be taken to involuntarily separate or discharge an otherwise qualified service member solely on the basis of a gender dysphoria diagnosis or transgender status,” Wright said. Late on November 21, the US Department of Justice announced it would appeal a previous ruling, by US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, against Trump’s Trans ban, thus eliminating any question

of whether the administration would allow court orders against the ban to stand. Judge Kollar-Kotelly issued her injunction against Trump’s anti-Trans policy on October 30. In a strongly worded opinion, she wrote that the Trump policy “does not appear to be supported by any facts.” Trump’s Transgender ban is also being challenged in federal court in Seattle in a case brought by Lambda Legal. US District Judge Marsha Pechman heard oral arguments between lawyers for the Justice Department and Lambda Legal also on November 21, just hours after the Baltimore judge’s ruling. Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN represent nine Trans plaintiffs, six currently

serving members of the US Armed Services and three individuals who wish to enlist, and three organizational plaintiffs: the HRC, Gender Justice League, and American Military Partner Association (AMPA). Pechman said she would decide by December 8 whether to join her counterparts in Washington, DC, and Baltimore in blocking the Trump administration’s policy.

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Judge strikes down Seattle income tax by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer King County Superior Court Judge John Ruhl struck down Seattle’s income tax on November 22. The tax was passed by the City Council in July and signed by then-Mayor Ed Murray. City residents who earned $250,000 or more or married couples who earned $500,000 or more would be liable for a 2.25% tax, had the law been upheld.

Multiple plaintiffs sued to block the tax, arguing that state law forbids taxes on incomes. The City said the tax was, in fact, a legal excise tax, but Judge Ruhl disagreed. Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes said the City will appeal to the State Supreme Court. “Our state continues to be one of the worst in the nation when it comes to tax fairness, a result of our misguided overreliance on regressive sales taxes,” City Attorney Pete Holmes and Mayor Tim Burgess

said in a statement shortly after the court decision was announced. “We are also living in a time of extreme income inequality that corrodes our social compact and causes many to wonder whether wealthy individuals are paying their fair share. When it comes to Washington state, the studies are clear: the wealthiest among us are not paying their fair share. As it happens, many of them agree. In order to build a more just and equitable society for all, we need a seri-

ous overhaul of our state’s tax structure. We know some argue against any income taxes at all, but we would point out that we already have a corporate income tax in this state – through the business and occupation tax. But we need more progressive tax sources, not fewer. The Seattle income tax was an attempt to move toward this goal, and we are hopeful that it will be upheld on appeal.”

Seattle Area Support Groups wants to decorate your door with keepsake wreaths

Seattle Area Support Groups is expanding its annual Christmas tree lot with a special selection of wreaths decorated by local artists. The wreaths will be on display from November 1st through December 23rd at HomeStreet Bank, 700 Broadway East, Unit D, Seattle, WA 98102, and will be sold directly. Seattle Area Support Groups is readying its largest single fundraising event, the 28th annual Holiday Tree Lot. As a

special thank you to our community, SASG reached out to nine Seattle-area artists to create keepsake wreaths that express each artist’s unique style. Celebrating 28 years of helping Seattle families celebrate the holidays inspired SASG to partner with our community’s creative lifeblood to offer something special. SASG’s Holiday Tree Lot is entirely volunteer run, and additional help is always welcome.

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Contact rivet@sasgcc.org or visit sasgcc.org/treelot to volunteer for a great cause. Each year, SASG depends on the support of the LGBTQ+ community to empower service to our own; volunteer with a fun group of committed people and help us continue to provide vital services. Last year SASG Holiday Tree Lot hit a record, selling over 3,000 trees and raising $235,000 in under 4 weeks.

About Seattle Area Support Groups SASG is a non-profit corporation that cultivates powerful, healthy lives by providing peer emotional support and development services to the LGBTQ+ community and their allies embracing issues of mental health, chemical, and behavioral addiction, and chronic illness.

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Courtesy of Seattle Area Support Groups

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