Celebrating 36 Years!
Issue 48 Volume 37
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Holiday and Travel Guide Section 3
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Lopez Mercado funeral FBI: Hate crimes on the rise held in Puerto Rico by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
david badash
Homemade memorial to Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer More than 1,000 people attended the November 23 funeral of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, the Gay teenager brutally murdered in Cayey, Puerto Rico. “The support we have received from the public and Steven’s friends has given us the strength to bear this moment of such horrible
pain,” Lopez’s aunt Rubi Mercado told El Nuevo Dia newspaper at the funeral. “I asked Steven with his wings from heaven to help us carry on without having him by our side.” El Nuevo Dia reported that at the end of the funeral Mass, Lopez’s aunt and his ex-boyfriend, Luis Rivera, opened the urn containsee mercado page 16
Reports of hate crimes against Gays and religious groups increased sharply in 2008, according to new data released by the FBI on November 23. Overall, there were 7,783 criminal incidents reported last year. Those incidents involved 9,168 offenses. In 2007, there were 7,624 criminal incidents involving 9,006 offenses reported. The data finds the number of reported hate crimes increased about 2%. These same figures show a nearly 11% increase in hate crimes based on sexual orientation, and a nearly 9% increase in hate crimes based on religion. The largest category, racially motivated hate crimes, fell less than 1%. Among all categories of hate crimes, roughly a third are vandalism or property damage. About 30% involve intimidation of some kind, and another 30% were physical attacks against people. Of the criminal incidents, all but three were motivated by a single bias: 51.3% by race, 19.5% by religion, 16.7% by sexual orientation, 11.5% by ethnicity or national origin, 1% by disability. Within the racial bias incidents, 72.6% were against blacks, while 17.3% against whites. Gay men were the victims in
World AIDS Day Luncheon honors Dr. Bob Wood
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
worship accounted for 6.1%. The FBI does not compare yearto-year trends in hate crimes, because the number of agencies reporting the crimes changes too much. The FBI cautioned that the increase reported on November 23 might well be due to more agencies tracking such incidents. see hate crimes page 16
Candlelight vigils mark Transgender Day of Remembrance
SGN. “I was one of the earliest vice Award honoree. doctors to get involved durDr. Wood is no stranger to ing the initial AIDS crisis the HIV/AIDS battle. Wood and have been working holds a fellowship from on helping patients ever the American College since.” of Physicians who For the physician, helped establish a this was a personal King County group fight. Not only had of about 100 LGBT Woods lost a lover physicians in the to the epidemic, he late 1970s that got discovered he was intimately involved HIV-positive in 1985. in AIDS care, and That is when he dewas one of the leadcided to take the job ing AIDS physicians as director of the beginning in 1982 – HIV/AIDS Coneventually becomtrol Program to ing the director “make a contriof the HIV/ bution to the AIDS Concommunity.” trol Program “If you for Public have a disHealth, ease like SeattleHIV and K i n g Protesters mark the Trangender Day of Remembrance you think County the international day of observance you are go- by James Whitely Health Dethat is in its 11th year. ing to die, SGN Contributing Writer partment I The Q Center at the University of you don’t have 1986, a position November 20 marked the Trans- Washington, along with volunteers much to lose,” he’s held for 23 Woods explained, “so you chal- gender Day of Remembrance. All from the student group UW Stuyears. around Seattle, local organizations “I am deeply honored to be getting this award,” Dr. Wood told see BOB WOOD page 15 put on various events to recognize see transgender page 14 james whitely
World AIDS Day Luncheon December 1 Washington State Convention Center World AIDS Day, an annual event held on December 1 that raises awareness about the global issue of HIV and AIDS, is right around the corner. Also known as World AIDS Awareness Day, the 2009 theme for this year’s event is Universal Access and Human Rights. Besides raising awareness, memorials, educational and informative events are held all around the world. In Seattle, Multifaith Works, Dunshee House, Gay City, and Seattle Counseling Service for Sexual Minorities are teaming up to hold a luncheon at the Washington State Convention Center on December 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (www.strongertogetherlunch. com.) This year, Dr. Bob Wood, HIV/AIDS director for SeattleKing County Health Department has been named as the AIDS Ser-
most of the sexual orientation-bias attacks with 58.6%. Anti-Jewish bias accounted for 65.7% of the religious bias attacks, while 7.7% of the attacks were against Muslims. Hate crimes most frequently occurred in or near homes (31.9%). Highways, roads, alleys or streets accounted for 17.4%, schools accounted for 11.7%, parking lots accounted for 6.1%, and places of
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Seattle Gay News
November 27, 2009
Celebrating 36 Years!
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November 27, 2009
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2009
Deadlines Classifieds - Thursday at noon Calendar - Tuesday 6pm Display Ads: Space Reservation - Monday 5pm Ad copy (non-camera ready) - Tues. 5pm Ad copy (camera ready) - Wed. 5pm Letters to the Editor - Tuesday 5pm Obituaries - Call the Sgn office All others - Tuesday 5pm
Editor In Chief George Bakan Associate Editor Tom Flint (retired) Editorial Assistant Nick Ardizzone Production William Creswell Calender Editors Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Travel Editor George Bakan Advertising Manager Marty Weisbrod Advertising Department Maggie Bloodstone Executive Assistant Mike Andrew Staff Writers George Bakan, Albert S. Rodriguez, Rajket Dirzhud-Rashid, Nick Ardizzone, Shaun Knittel Miryam Gordon, Tim Peter Contributing Writers
Rev. Barbara Allen, Mike Andrew, Eric Andrews-Katz, Madelyn Arnold, Maggie Bloodstone, Beau Burriola, Jessica Davis, Ron Anders, Jessica Price, Milton W. Hamlin, Nevin Jefferson, Keen News Service, Jason A. Miller, Liz Meyer, Rod Parke, Don Paulson, Scott Rice, Leslie Robinson, Richard Kennedy, Romeo San Vicente, Rex Wockner
Tour de Life: Journée chanceuse!
by Beau Burriola SGN European Correspondent
Aquarius, November 25: “Vous pourriez être à l’honneur dans tous vos domains de prédeliction, profitez-en!” “You could have the honor of deciding your future,” my typically vague horoscope began. “Make good of it!” I sat on the bench waiting for the train to come with my coffee in one hand and my copy of the daily free paper in the other. Julien always reminds me how American it is for me carry my coffee with me when I head
“A vous les petits chemins de traverse!” “You have all the shortcuts!” And that’s what I get from it now, that little bit of optimism that makes me think that all the cosmic motions of the universe occasionally and predictably align in ways that would warrant the confident extravagances that my otherwise cynical nature would not allow to happen. It’s nice to think that all of this really does have something to do with me, that I could actually have a better chance of some great event happening just “D’autant que si d’autres se creusent because I took the extra step on a day when le méninges pour trouver des idées, vous two astrological nouns lined up in a way that means that whatever noun I am meant n’en manquerrez pas!” “While others rack their brains to find to verb will turn out a little more adjective. It’s nice to think the universe really does all that just for little old me.
Classifieds Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Photographers Nick Ardizzone, Joseph P. Herron, Shaun Knittel, Rajket Dirzhud-Rashid National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Website Designer Barry Thorsness/Digital Team Works Seattle Gay News is published weekly by JT&A, Inc. © 2009, JT&A, Inc., all rights reserved. Reprints by permission.
Publication of names, photographs or likenesses of any person, organization, event or business in this publication cannot be taken as any indication of the sexual orientation of the person, organization, event or business. Opinions expressed in bylined articles, columns, and letters are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or management of this paper. Seattle Gay News welcomes unsolicited material, including letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit or reject material. All rights revert to authors upon publication. We assume no liability for loss or damage of materials, solicited or not. We invite feedback, please write. And please play safe. It is our policy that no money shall be refunded if you choose to cancel your subscription or ad. However, credit towards any size ad will be given for the balance owed. No exceptions.
In Loving Memory Of Steve Foiles, Scott Roger Alpert, Cookie Andrews-Hunt, James Leland Moore, Randy Peters, Lee Richeson, Shaun Shelton, Jim Tully, James Arnold
out in the morning. You can usually tell the Americans in town by this quirk, something the locals would never do. It’s far more acceptable and European to buy your little two-ounce thimble of sour coffee, shoot it like tequila, and go about your day with your hands free. To me, this lacks the meditation that goes with morning coffee, and anyway, old habits die hard. So today, just like in all the days before, I kept right along with my morning ritual. I never read my horoscope before I got to Europe. I’ve always been one of those people who believe that you can’t really put the billions of people in this world into 12 categories and predict their future with any real degree of accuracy. To me, horoscopes always seemed to be nothing more than a hopeful bit of divine advice people grab at when they can’t muster up any energy to make a decision of their own. I’d rather fail on my own advice than on someone else’s, especially random advice from a star chart reader, so I’ve always skipped it. Like everything else in my life lately, this has changed, too.
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ideas, you cannot miss!” On my first week in Europe, I started reading the little daily horoscope in the subway on my way to French class as a way to better learn French. It was short enough to digest on the subway every day and easy enough to pull out the meaning of the words through context. Then, gradually, like the steadily growing vines of a blackberry bush, it became as much a part of my day as breakfast. I didn’t put much stock into it when it was negative, but when it was positive, I’d walk with a bit more confidence through my day, maybe buy a lottery ticket or apply for an impossible-to-get job. I haven’t won the lotto yet (although there is a drawing this evening), and I don’t have any messages waiting from anyone for any CEO or secret agent positions, but for the first time, I’m starting to buy into a little bit of the hopeful optimism.
November 27, 2009
“Vous serez populaire, advantage pour vos competences que pour vos beaux yeux.” “You will be popular on account of your brains and your pretty eyes.” Maybe what horoscopes offer isn’t so much desperate cosmic advice as it is just a little divine hug, affirmation and permission for us to do something a little extraordinary to remind us that we can, or a little more caution when we are being blindly confident. It’s just a little daily reminder that our path through the universe is a series of decisions we make based on the best perspective we can muster, give or take a few little scary words. When my train arrived, I folded up the paper and took a few steps in the direction of the train, already planning to buy my lottery ticket. I smiled at the people around me, letting them all see my pretty eyes and pondering the bits of my brain that anyone might want to see, too. Hey, if the cosmos say today is a lucky day, who am I to argue?
Celebrating 36 Years!
World AIDS Day honored New resolution: GOP must be pro-DOMA, anti-choice with local events On Sunday, November 29, Metropolitan basic facts and statistics about HIV/AIDS Community Church Seattle Pastor Rev. and a history of Lifelong’s work in the Se- by Mike Andrew attle area. (depts.washington.edu/ SGN Staff Writer Ray Neal will be giving a special serqcenter) mon in commemoration of World A resolution introduced at the Republican A World AIDS Day lecture with AIDS Day. Metropolitan CommuDr. Grace John-Stewart will be National Committee lays out a 10-point test nity Church Seattle gathers at the held Tuesday, December 1, at of party purity, including support for DOMA chapel of Temple de Hirsch Si1:30 p.m. at the University and opposition to government funding for nai (1441 16th Ave.) at 12:30 of Washington, Hogness abortion. pm. (www.mccseattle.org) The resolution will be considered at the Auditorium, Room A-420. The 6th Annual World This lecture is a joint lecture RNC’s January meeting in Honolulu. AIDS Day benefit lunOne of the resolution’s 10 authors will be between the UW School cheon will be held Tuesof Medicine and the UW familiar to Washingtonians. James Bopp Jr., day, December 1 at the an RNC vice chair, was the attorney repreSchool of Public Health. Washington State ConvenOn Tuesday, December senting Protect Marriage Washington and tion and Trade Center. This 1, free HIV/AIDS testing Family PAC in two court cases related to complimentary luncheon is will be offered by Gay City Referendum 71 this fall. presented by the Dunshee Among Bopp’s other clients are Focus on Health Project from 1:30House, Gay City Health 4:30 p.m. Testing is always the Family and National Right to Life. Project, Multifaith Works Bopp was also the author of a previous professional and confiand Seattle Counseling dential. (206-860-6969; RNC resolution which would have required Service. Registration is Republicans to refer to the Democratic Parwww.gaycity.org) at 11:15 a.m., lunch is ty as the “Democratic Socialist Party.” That from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 resolution was not adopted. NATIONAL p.m. (www.stronBopp’s latest resolution would require On December 1, gertogetherlunch. the Clinton Presi- Republicans to “espouse conservative princom) dential Center in ciples and public policies” and display “ReOn Tuesday, Little Rock, Ar- publican solidarity in opposition to Obama’s December 1, kansas, will be socialist agenda.” The resolution lists ten the Q Center displaying the core principles it requires Republicans to at the UniAIDS quilt. affirm: versity (1) We support smaller government, The Clinton of WashH I V / A I D S smaller national debt, lower deficits and ington will Initiative helps lower taxes by opposing bills like Obama’s be hosting to bring afford- “stimulus” bill; an ice cream (2) We support market-based health care able, lifesaving social from 1-2 treatment to hun- reform and oppose Obama-style governp.m. A speaker dreds of thousands ment run health care; from Lifelong AIDS (3) We support market-based energy reof people in dozens of Alliance will hold a Q&A foforms by opposing cap and trade legislarum from 2-3 p.m. Discussion topics will be countries. (www.clintonfoundation.org) tion; (4) We support workers’ right to secret ballot by opposing card check; (5) We support legal immigration and assimilation into American society by opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants; (6) We support victory in Iraq and Afghanistan by supporting military-recommended by Shaun Knittel troop surges; (7) We support containment of Iran and SGN Staff Writer thodox Church in America; Focus on the Family founder James Dobson; National North Korea, particularly effective action to Citing the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Association of Evangelicals president Leith eliminate their nuclear weapons threat; (8) We support retention of the Defense of Jr.’s call to civil disobedience, more than Anderson; seminary leaders, professors 150 Christian leaders – a majority of which and pastors who hope to influence current Marriage Act; (9) We support protecting the lives of are conservative evangelicals and tradition- debates over health care reform, the sameal Roman Catholics – issued a joint declara- sex marriage bill in Washington, D.C., and tion on November 20 reaffirming their op- the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, position to Gay marriage. which would prohibit discrimination based The 4,700-word document, called “The on sexual orientation. Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian The document also calls on younger Conscience,” states the organization’s dis- Christians who have become involved in isdain for Gay issues, but also says they will sues such as climate change and global povnot cooperate with laws that they say, could erty, as well as whose who are accepting of be used to compel their institutions to “par- homosexuality, saying they need reminding ticipate in abortions, or to bless or in an way that abortion, homosexuality and religious recognize same-sex couples.” freedom are still principal issues. “We pledge to each other, and to our felGay rights advocates say the document is low believers, that no power on earth, be it “fear-mongering.” The First Amendment cultural or political, will intimidate us into and conscience clauses that allow medical silence or acquiescence,” the document professionals and hospitals to opt out of perreads. forming certain procedures, and religious The declaration, released to the National exemptions written into same-sex marriage Press Club in Washington, D.C. on No- bills, protect religious organizations. The vember 20, states that opening a legal door only points of contention could involve for Gay marriage would do the same for groups that provide social services to the “polyamorous partnerships, polygamous public. Such organizations could be obligathouseholds, even adult brothers, sisters, or ed to provide social services to Gay people brothers and sisters living in incestuous re- or provide spousal benefits to married Gay lationships.” employees – laws that conservative evanThe document was written by promi- gelicals say they will not follow. nent evangelical Charles Colson; Robert P. George, a professor of jurisprudence at Princeton University, who is Catholic; and the Rev. Timothy George, dean of Beeson Divinity School, an evangelical interdenominational school on the campus of Samford University, in Birmingham, Alabama. The manifesto is seen as an effort to rejuvenate the political alliance of conservative Catholics and evangelicals who want to signal to the Obama administration and to Congress that they are still a formidable force that will not compromise on abortion, stem-cell research or Gay marriage. The signers include nine Roman Catholic archbishops and the primate of the Or-
Christian leaders unite against Gay political issues
Visit us online www.sgn.org
November 27, 2009
vulnerable persons by opposing health care rationing and denial of health care and government funding of abortion; and (10) We support the right to keep and bear arms by opposing government restrictions on gun ownership. Any Republican candidate who broke with the party on three or more of these issues – “as identified by the voting record, public statements and/or signed questionnaire of the candidate” – would be penalized by being denied party funds or party endorsement. “Having the RNC financially support liberal Republicans who are future party splitters is just very damaging to our ability to reclaim our conservative bona fides,” Bopp told Hotline, a feature of the National Journal. Other Republicans worried that Bopp’s resolution would further alienate independent voters who flocked to Democratic candidates in the 2008 election. Charles T. Moran, spokeperson for Log Cabin Republicans, an LGBT Republican organization, said the resolution “would do nothing but drive people away from our party who are not deemed ‘pure’ enough to be an endorsed candidate...” MSNBC commentator Keith Olberman quickly pointed out that even conservative icon Ronald Reagan would have scored perhaps 5 out of 10 points on this ideological purity test. RNC Chair Michael Steele would not say whether he supported the resolution, but he told The Hill magazine that he is consulting with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and other party leaders on messaging for the 2010 elections. “I think we’ll have some very interesting things to say next year about that,” Steele said. RNC spokesperson Gail Gitcho suggested that Bopp’s resolution may not come to the January RNC meeting, at least not in its present form. “The deadline for submitting resolutions for the RNC Winter Meeting is more than 30 days away,” she said. “At this point, we do not know what resolutions will be submitted nor what the final language of any resolution ultimately submitted may be.”
Seattle Gay News
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INTERNATIONAL IGLHRC
NEWS
by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer
Around 50 Gays and their supporters protested outside Uganda’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations on Nov. 19
Same-sex marriage legalized in Buenos Aires A judge legalized same-sex marriage in Buenos Aires on November 13. Mayor Mauricio Macri quickly said he would not appeal the ruling, a Gay couple was given a marriage license on November 16, and they will marry on December 1. In the case filed by Gay couple Alex Freyre and José María Di Bello, Judge Gabriela
Seijas ruled that it is unconstitutional not to treat everyone equally under the law. Other local same-sex couples now can use the ruling to demand their own marriage licenses. Freyre is head of the Buenos Aires AIDS Foundation and Di Bello works for the Red Cross. Buenos Aires, some other Argentine cities and the province of Río Negro already have civil-union laws for same-sex couples. Elsewhere in Latin America, similar laws are in force in Uruguay, Mexico City, the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, and the Mexican state of Coahuila, which borders Texas. The Buenos Aires archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church criticized Seijas’ ruling, saying banning Gays from marrying is not “discrimination.” In a statement, the archdiocese said society is in “moral crisis” and that matrimony is about legal recognition of women’s children. Indian election officials recognize third gender Indian Transgender and Intersex people will no longer have to choose “male” or “female” when they vote, the Election Commission said November 12. They can instead choose “O” for “other.” India has a class of Transgender people known as “hijras.” Most have penises or are Intersex; some are female and some have undergone genital modifications. They usually use female pronouns and dress as women. Iranian HIV stats released Iran’s Health Ministry says that as of midOctober, a total of 20,130 Iranians have tested HIV-positive, 2,097 people have been diagnosed with AIDS and 3,409 HIV-positive people have died. The ministry said 93 percent of those who tested HIV-positive are male and only 13 percent of infections resulted from sex, with 77.5 percent resulting from sharing needles to inject drugs. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has claimed that Iran does not have Gay people “like you have in [the U.S.]” “In Iran ... absolutely such a thing does not exist as a phenomenon,” he said in 2007. There have been persistent, though unconfirmed, reports for years that Iran hangs men for the crime of engaging in sodomy, but the only sodomy-related executions that have been publicized involved individuals who were accused of additional crimes as well, such as rape. In a 2008 interview, Ahmadinejad denied that people are executed solely for engaging in homosexual acts. “Homosexuals are not even known who they are to be hanged,” he told the Democracy Now! radio program. “So, we don’t have executions of homosexuals. Of course,
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Seattle Gay News
November 27, 2009
we consider it an abhorrent act, but it is not test took place at the Ugandan Embassy in punished through capital punishment.” Washington, D.C. For the full text of the bill, see tinyurl. Australian Capital com/hatebill. For information on how to Territory legalizes help fight the bill, see tinyurl.com/iglhrcsame-sex unions ug. Australia’s Capital Territory has again legalized same-sex unions. Activists target Two previous attempts were overturned Turkish law by the national government, which has cited The Pink Life LGBTT Solidarity Associaa national law that bans legal statuses that tion in Ankara, Turkey, and the International mimic marriage. Gay and Lesbian Human Rights CommisLocal legislators this time banned straight sion have teamed up to demand that Turcouples from entering into civil unions so as key’s “Law of Misdemeanors” be rewritten not to “mimic” marriage. It is unknown if to protect Transgender people’s rights to the attorney general will allow the new law free expression, association and movement. to stand. “In recent months,” the groups said, “the harassment of Transgender and Transsexual Protesters march persons in Turkey has intensified as police on Uganda’s N.Y. mission abuse the country’s Law of Misdemeanors Around 50 Gays and their supporters pro- to legitimize daily fines, extortion, eviction, tested at Uganda’s Permanent Mission to detention and police brutality. The law gives the United Nations on November 19 against security forces tremendous leeway to puna draconian anti-Gay bill pending in Ugan- ish any noise, disobedience and disturbance, da’s Parliament. with virtually no oversight in how the law is The legislation bans anything and every- applied or recourse to those who are penalthing Gay, including: touching someone ized.” in a Gay way; funding or sponsoring Gay The groups said Trans people are routinely groups; broadcasting, publishing or market- fined $67 under the law’s Article 32, which ing anything Gay; advocating for homosex- applies to anyone who disobeys an order isuality; renting to or harboring a homosex- sued “to protect public security, public order ual; engaging in “aggravated homosexual- or commonweal,” and are fined $34 under ity”; and failing to report to authorities one’s Articles 36 and 37, which target anyone who awareness of the existence of a Gay person “makes noise with a purpose of discomfortwithin 24 hours of learning the person ex- ing or breaking the peace of others” or “disists. “Aggravated homosexuality” applies to turbs others to sell goods and services.” repeat offenders and people who are HIV“In Ankara, Transgender people report bepositive. It is punished with death, while the ing regularly ... taken into custody and beother crimes carry penalties as high as life ing kicked, slapped, punched and physically in prison. brutalized,” the groups said. “Persecution The bill has been strongly denounced by of Transgender people in Istanbul has ... bethe European Parliament’s Intergroup on come especially vicious with the introducLGBT Rights and the U.S. House of Rep- tion of a bonus system [that] gives officers resentatives Committee on Foreign Affairs’ ‘points’ for the number of fines they issue chair, vice chair and ranking minority mem- and lawbreakers they apprehend.” ber, along with openly Lesbian U.S. Rep. The groups said Trans people in Istanbul Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., who called the are being apprehended in broad daylight legislation “egregious.” while shopping or running errands and subThe New York demo was organized by the jected to fines, detention, extortion, police African Services Committee, Health Gap, brutality and eviction from their homes. the International Gay and Lesbian Human For more information or to join the camRights Commission, Human Rights Watch, paign against the law, see tinyurl.com/tranthe Council for Global Equality, ACT UP/ sturkey. Philadelphia, Advocates for Youth, and Proyecto Sol Philadelphia. A similar proWith assistance from Bill Kelley
Vigils commemorate murdered Gay teens by James Whitely SGN Contributing Writer
Around the country, from Gainesville, Florida to New York City, and even here in Seattle, solidarity vigils have been held to commemorate the lives of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado and Jason Mattison Jr., two teenage boys who were slain recently for being Gay. Ten people gathered at Red Square at the University of Washington on November 23 at 5 p.m. to hold the only Seattle vigil for the two boys. A letter written by Mattison’s teacher was read, and each participant shared their feelings about how these crimes made them feel and how to go about bringing change. “The night is darkest before the dawn,” said one of the attendees. Everyone at the vigil hoped that that would be the case. Mattison, 15, an openly Gay sophomore, attended the Vivien Thomas Medical Arts Academy in West Baltimore, a high school that prepares kids for careers in medicine. He was a model student, who loved his friends, and dreamed of being a pediatrician. “He was not involved in any gangs, any violence, any weapons – it just wasn’t him. He wanted no part of it,” said Ryan Jones, one of his teachers. “Take every negative stereotype you have about Baltimore City and the crime and throw it out the window.” “Jason was one of the most popular kids at school,” said Jones. “Always first to class, always first to the cafeteria, where students fought to sit at his table.” “You need to simply look at his exotic dress, flair for the dramatic in class and with friends, and talk to those who knew him to
understand what a loss we have all been dealt,” said Jones. Mercado, 19, was well-known in the Gay community of Puerto Rico. In a video released online, Miriam Mercado, Mercado’s Mother, expressed her gratitude for the national response to her son’s killing. “Love conquers hate, and this we have to shout to the world,” said Miriam Mercado. Pushing back tears, she added, “I ask you and beg you, everyone in the world, that we should love everyone else no matter what’s there.” Mattison’s body was discovered on November 10. He was gagged, raped, stabbed to death and stuffed into a closet inside of his aunt’s home in East Baltimore, allegedly by Dante Parrish, who had been released from prison after appealing a murder conviction. Mercado was discovered on November 14, on an isolated road in the city of Cayey. He was partially burned, decapitated, and dismembered, at the arms, legs and torso. Never in the history of Puerto Rico has a murder been classified as a hate crime. The officer handling Mercado’s case gave a public statement, saying, “people who lead this type of lifestyle need to be aware that this will happen.” In both cases, the suspects have been apprehended. A Baltimore PD spokesman said Parrish confessed to killing Mattison and is being held without bail. On November 16, a suspect confessed to the killing of Mercado, saying that he murdered Marcado because he thought he was a woman. According to Puerto Rican police, the suspect will likely use a “homosexual panic” defense, arguing for a plea of temporary insanity.
Celebrating 36 Years!
NORTHWEST
NEWS
compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer
PRIDE FOUNDATION & GSBA OFFERING $300,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2010-11 Pride Foundation and the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) are accepting application for 2010-11 scholarships to eligible LGBT students and straight allies. Currently, $300,000 in scholarship money is available during this cycle. Pride Foundation along with the GSBA offers 50 different scholarships, all through a single streamlined application. For more information on previous scholars, the scholarship process, or how to start a scholarship fund, visit www.pridefoundation.org/scholarships/ or www.PrideFoundationScholar.org or thegsbascholarship.org. Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2010 at 5 p.m. PST. “GLOBAL JUSTICE FORWARD” THE PEOPLE’S SUMMIT – WTO+10 The People’s Summit will present a weekend of speakers, a film, workshops, and a community dinner this weekend, addressing social and environmental issues focused on achieving global justice. On Friday, November 27, Amy Goodman will speak at Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave. at Seneca St. and the Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., will screen The Yes Men. The opening plenary – “The Climate is Changing – It’s Time for Solutions!” will be held on Saturday, November 28, at 9 a.m. at Seattle University, 12th Ave. & E. Marion St. On Saturday and Sunday, workshops will be held at Seattle University, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. On Saturday evening, “Reclaiming Community,” a dinner event featuring speakers, performance and music, will be held at New Hope Baptist Church, 116 21st Ave. from 6-10 p.m. On Sunday, there will also be a strategy session at Seattle U, “Catch the Buzz: Cross-Pollinating Our Movements.” The closing plenary – “Global Justice Forward!” – on Sunday evening, 6-9pm, will be held at Town Hall. All events are FREE or by donation (except the Amy Goodman benefit for KBCS and The Yes Men film screenings). For more information, visit www.seattleplus10.org. [NOTE: Debbie Carlsen will be leading a workshop on Saturday from 4:15-5:45 p.m. that will feature a documentary on the making of Queers Fight the WTO, as well as some amazing speakers.] SEATTLE LEATHER DADDY & DADDY’S BOY CONTEST AT THE CUFF COMPLEX On Friday, November 27, from 7-10:30 p.m., Seattle Men in Leather will host a Meet & Greet for their Seattle Leather Daddy and Daddy’s boy contest at The Cuff Complex, 13th Ave. & E. Pine St. Come meet SML members and contestants at this lively social gathering. On Saturday, November 28, the contest will be held at The Cuff Complex, door at 6 p.m., contest from 7-9 p.m. A Victory Brunch will be held on Sunday, November 29. Details will be available at the contest. MOVIE ABOUT 1999 WTO PROTESTS TO BE SHOWN AT UW On Monday, November 30, at 6 p.m., the world premiere of a new movie about WTO and spiritual activism will be shown at the University of Washington, Johnson Hall, Room 102. Today We Have The Power: Spirituality and the Seattle WTO Protests is a documentary that delves beneath the mayhem and madness of the 1999 WTO protests, goes deep into the issues that brought people to Seattle, and even deeper into the spiritual crisis at the root of the problems that inspired the event. The screening will be followed by a short talk and Q&A with David Korten. www.todaywehavethepower. com.
GAY CITY HOSTS “CHATROOM” On Monday, November 30, at 7 p.m., Northwest LeatherSir 2010 Hugh BR facilitates a discussion regarding the tradition of mentorship in the Gay Men’s Leather community at Gay City’s monthly drop-in discussion series. The event will be held at the Gay City offices, 511 E. Pike St. For more information visit www.gaycity.org or call 206-860-6969. SOJOURNER TRUTH CHURCH HOSTS WORLD AIDS DAY COMMUNION SERVICE On Tuesday, December 1, at 7 p.m., Sojourner Truth Church invites the community to join them for a worship and communion service, praying for people living with HIV/ AIDS and remembering those who have died of HIV/AIDS. The service will be held at the El Centro de la Raza building, 2524 16th Ave. S., Room A-209. (See related articles in this week’s SGN for additional World AIDS Day events.) SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN BOOK CLUB AT DUNSHEE HOUSE The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Dunshee House, 303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas St. The club is pleased to announce the following titles to be discussed in their ongoing reading and discussion series: December – Death in Venice by Thomas Mann. All GLBTQ folks in the community are welcome to participate in this free book club. The reading list is chosen and the discussion facilitated by Nick DiMartino. For more information, email nickdimartin@earthlink. net or contact Dunshee House at 206-3222437. MOHAI MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF WTO PROTESTS IN SEATTLE WITH FILM & DISCUSSION AND ORAL HISTORY PROJECT On Thursday, December 3, the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI), in partnership with the Harry Bridges Center from the University of Washington and the Young Professionals International Network (YPIN) from the World Affairs Council, will mark the 10th anniversary of the WTO protests in Seattle with a screening of Jill Freidberg’s award-winning film, This is What Democracy Looks Like. The 7 p.m. screening will be followed by a discussion with Freidberg, Matthew Sparke and Verlene Jones moderated by KUOW reporter Deborah Wang. Guests will examine how the actions of 1999 have influenced present-day events along with how they will continue to shape the future. A pre-screening reception will be held with Freidberg, Sparke and Jones for an additional cost. MOHAI is also looking to gather first-person stories from those who were in Seattle for the protests for its oral history collection. Pepperspray Productions, an independent video activist collective, will be filming from 5-8 p.m. Additionally, MOHAI exhibit staff is creating a small display of WTO artifacts with an interactive element where visitors can express their opinions or share their stories. December 3 is Free First Thursday at MOHAI and the museum is open 10 a.m.8 p.m. The museum is located at 2700 24th Ave. E. Admission to the film and panel is $10-general, $5-WAC/MOHAI members and students. For special reception at 6 p.m. with film and panel at 7 p.m., admission is: $35-general, $25-WAC/MOHAI members and students. Tickets are available through the World Affairs Council online at www. world-affairs.org or at 206-441-5910. Tickets will be sold at the door on a space available basis.
way E., which closed on Friday, November 20, will be holding a wake for the bookstore, in memory of all those years, and celebrating the customers who’ve walked through the doors, the authors the bookstore has hosted, the generations of books they’ve sold, and their staff, who have served the store and their customers so well. They are also holding an auction of the memorabilia they’ve collected over the years. They want to say goodbye in style and raise some cash to help the store. Auctioneer Laura Michalek will oversee bidding on a pair of white boxer shorts signed by David Sedaris, original cartoons from their guestbook by Matt Groening and Lynda Barry, a poster signed by Annie Leibovitz, an original painting from the “Big Fucking Hands” series by Ellen Forney, signed first editions and other very special and very odd items. They’ll also be auctioning off dates with two of Capitol Hill’s celebrity politicians, State Senator Ed Murray and City Councilmember Sally Clark. Entertainment will be provided by Fuchsia FoXXX and the magnificent Dina Martina. Food and champagne will be served, all provided by local Capitol Hill eateries such as Poppy, Table 219, Charlie’s and High Five Pies. “We will pop the champagne open at 6 p.m. – the entertainment and the auction will begin promptly at 7 p.m.” Celebrate the end of an institution. NOTE: No one under 21 years old will be admitted. Tickets to the event are $40.00 and can be purchased in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/90672. CENTRAL DISTRICT FORUM FOR ARTS & IDEAS PRESENTS PANEL ON HISTORIC MIGRATION OF BLACKS TO THE WEST On Thursday, December 3, at 7 p.m., the Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas celebrates its 10th Anniversary season by exploring the often ignored migration of Blacks to the West. “Seattle, in the best tradition of the Old West, continues to draw migrants from all over the nation,” said Denee McCloud, CD Forum Program Director. “CD Forum explores history-making Black trailblazers and ask ‘How did we get here? Why do we keep coming?’” The evening’s panel will trace the history of the Black migration and settling of the West, and discuss the influence of that history on Black westerners today. How does the history of Black westerners inform their culture and identity? Are Black communities in the West vastly different than in other areas? This event will be held at the Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S. Massachusetts. Tickets are $7-general admission, $5-senior/student. Advance tickets at 800838-3006; www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/72041. www.cdforum.org.
making of a quilt panel. Once assembled, these panels will be shipped to the Names Project Foundation in Atlanta, GA, where they will join the approximately 45,000 other panels that make up the AIDS Memorial Quilt. These panels will be publicly displayed at various locations around the globe and will become a part of the largest community art project worldwide. For more information or to register for the workshop, please send an email to aidsquiltseattle@gmail.com. For more information on the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan, please visit www.theabbey.org. STEAMPUNK EXHIBITION BALL AND VENDOR FAIRS PRESENTED BY CENTER FOR SEX POSITIVE CULTURE On Saturday, December 5, the Center for Sex Positive Culture presents the Steampunk Exhibition Ball, at 8 p.m., at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), 2700 24th Ave. E. A night of whimsy and merriment, the Ball will showcase a number of local Steampunk dance and music performers in the setting of the MOHAI’s AlaskanYukon-Pacific Expo exhibit. Tickets: $30. Must be 21+ with photo ID for the ball. 800838-3006; www.brownpapertickets.com. The Steampunk and Kink Vendor Fairs will be held from 12-6 p.m. at 1602 15th Ave. W. FREE admission. Must be 18+ with photo ID for the vendor fairs. “Steampunk,” or “Victorian science fiction,” has a strong following in Seattle. For complete information, visit www.steampunkexhibitionball. com MUSIC OF REMEMBRANCE PRESENTS FREE CONCERT: “UNCONQUERED!” On Saturday, December 5, at 2 p.m., Music of Remembrance (MOR) presents a free 90-minute chamber music concert featuring songs and music composed during The Holocaust. The concert will be held at the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. (in Wallingford). The promising composer, Gideon Klein, only 23 when he was sent to the Terezin concentration camp, organized concerts there and gave talks on music. On this program, MOR will perform Klein’s vibrant, melodic Trio, composed just nine days before his transport to Auschwitz in October, 1944. The wit and satire of Terezin’s Czech and German cabaret songs by Karel Svenk and others represent a unique expression of spiritual resistance. A wellknown actor, Svenk dared to write new morale-boosting lyrics for popular songs of the time, mocking camp authorities and the absurdities of camp life. The program also includes the second string quartet of the audaciously original Erwin Schulhoff. Schulhoff – whose music the Nazis banned as “degenerate” – was sent not to Terezin but to a camp in Bavaria, where he perished in 1942. He combined dance, jazz, and folk song melodies in compositions that are only now gaining the recognition they merit. At this concert-with-commentary, MOR artistic director Mina Miller will provide perceptive insights on the music’s unique context and profound significance. For more information, visit www.musicofremembrance. org.
YOUNG AND IN THE STREETS: THE NEW WAVE OF QUEER RADICALISM Domestic partnership legislation won in Washington. Same-sex marriage lost in Maine. On Friday, December 4, at 7:30 p.m., a panel of beginning and experienced leaders appraises the upsurge and examines the future direction of LGBT activism, at ADDENDUM TO New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S. SGN HOLIDAY EVENTS GUIDE: Door donation $3. Snack plates available at 6:30 p.m. for a $6 donation. For more inforSunday, December 6 mation: 206-722-2453, FSPseattle@mindspring.com, www.socialism.com/seattle. “From Heaven on High” - Opus 7 Vocal To request childcare, please call in advance. Wheelchair accessible. Sponsored by Free- Ensemble presents music for choir and orchestra by Felix Mendelssohn, celebrating dom Socialist Party. the 200th anniversary of his birth. Opus 7 will be performing two of his early composiTHE SISTERS OF PERPETUAL tions: his radiant cantata Von Himmel hoch INDULGENCE, and his brilliant Magnificat. Also on the THE ABBEY OF ST. JOAN, concert is Canticum Mariae Virginis by the HOST AIDS QUILT PANEL Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara, MAKING WORKSHOP The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The which captures the divine mystery of the Abbey of St. Joan are hosting an AIDS Quilt Nativity as a movement from darkness to a Panel Making Workshop on Saturday, De- glorious blaze of light. Finally, Georg Schucember 5, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Nova High mann’s setting of Von Himmel hoch paints School at Meany Middle School, 300 20th a vivid picture of the heavenly reaction to the earthly birth on Christmas night. 12/6Ave. E. There is no cost for this event. BAILEY/COY BOOKS The purpose of this workshop is to give 7:30pm. St. James Cathedral, 804 9th Ave. WAKE & AUCTION On Thursday, December 3, from those who have lost loved ones to AIDS a Tickets: $20-advance; $25-at the door. 2066-9:30pm, Bailey/Coy Books, 414 Broad- chance to memorialize them through the 782-2899; http://opus7.206host.com.
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photos by J. J. Cariaso and James Whitely
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The Second Annual Seattle Red Dress Party was a unique fundraiser for local HIV/AIDS charities. Held November 21 at the Naval Reserve Center in South Lake Union, the party was a vibrant (and vermillion) success.
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Celebrating 36 Years!
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were well-attended and well-organized. In a rare instance of civil disobedience, continued from cover the Q Center held its “die-in” on the steps of Red Square at UW, just after noon on the Day of Remembrance. Participants fell to dents Organizing for LGBT Equality, hosted the ground at the blow of a whistle as a Q two events at the university, both of which Center activist shouted to the students passing by that they were walking over dead bodies. About 25 activists laid on the ground as the Q center volunteer yelled out, “Stop! You’re walking over dead bodies! These are people that have been murdered due to anti-Transgender hatred!” Held in between classes, foot traffic was extremely heavy; it is estimated that 500 people saw the 10-minute demonstration. At the Q Center’s evening candlelight
transgender
vigil, which was held at the UW entrance stairs, I was handed a card which read, “An unidentified individual dressed in women’s clothing was stabbed to death on October 25, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. Police found her lying unconscious and bleeding in the street. They took her to the hospital where she died a half-hour later.” Mine was one of many cards handed out at the vigil. Approximately 60 attendees read the cards, which included the story of every unidentified individual that had been killed due to anti-Transgender prejudice around the world in 2009. Although not one person could keep their candle lit due to high wind, the vigil was an effective demonstration of community and humanity.
In addition to the Q Center’s events, Entre Hermanos held a commemoration celebration. Seattle University law professor Dean Spade spoke on a panel at Seattle Central Community College about the impact of violence on the lives of Transgendered people living in the United States. Ravenna United Methodist Church screened the documentary Naming Jennifer and held its own candlelight vigil. The Transgender Day of Remembrance was conceived of to memorialize those who are killed each year as a result of anti-Transgender hatred or prejudice. It is always held in November to honor Rita Hester, who was murdered on November 28, 1998. Hester’s murder, like most anti-Transgender murder cases, has yet to be solved.
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Celebrating 36 Years!
BOB WOOD continued from cover
lenge people and push buttons. A couple of years ago, I got an award for courage in medicine. But the truth is, when you think you are dying, you don’t have to have a lot of courage. You just get things done. I’m proud that I’ve been able to show people that since ’85 I’ve had AIDS, and yet, here I am.” Although Dr. Wood says receiving the award is an honor, he maintains that most of what his program at the Seattle-King County Health Department has accomplished “is the work of a lot of different people, not just me.” “I’m proud of having so many wonderful colleagues around me,” he said, “people who are devoted to doing the best they can to prevent the spread of the disease and helping the people who are sick.” While progress has been made over the years regarding HIV and AIDS, there is still much to do. It is estimated that over 33 mil-
lion people live with HIV – more than 1.1 Still, Wood said the quality of life for million in the U.S. alone – and many of them people who are surviving with the disease children and Gay men. is not one-dimensional. The biggest change, he said, is that “in the early days, before the “THE FEAR drug cocktails, if you got AIDS, you were IS NO LONGER THERE” expected to die. Nowadays, we see HIV Dr. Wood said he is concerned with the as a chronic disease that is not curable, but way people are no longer afraid of the dis- somewhat manageable.” ease because not as many people are dying “We still don’t have a vaccine or a cure from AIDS anymore. He said people who do yet, but it is better in many ways.” he told not have HIV should not look at it as a man- SGN, “especially concerning the drugs ageable, one-pill-a-day disease. “You don’t available for people who are infected.” see people looking emaciated or having le“But more people are getting infected than sions on their faces,” Wood said. “You no are dying,” he warned. “The number of peolonger see people with AIDS using walkers ple living keeps going up 5% a year, with to get around. The fear is no longer there – it the worst impact on the Gay community.” was that fear that, frankly, brought down the Dr. Wood is also a clinical professor of infection rates among Gay men.” medicine and of Health Services at the UniWood says that the menace of AIDS is greater today than at any time in its history. “Too many new infections are occurring and highest risk populations are not getting enough prevention services,” he said. “AIDS is still a serious threat; never have there been more people living with HIV and AIDS.”
versity of Washington. From 1984 to 1998, he was a member of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS & STD Prevention and remains a consultant to the CDC. Dr. Wood was the Seattle principal investigator for the CDC’s AIDS Community Demonstration Project from 1985 to 1994, and for the NIDA’s National AIDS Demonstration Research from 1987 to 1990. He has written extensively on HIV/AIDS clinical care, epidemiology, and prevention – something Wood plans to continue as he approaches retirement after 39 years as a doctor. He says he will travel a little more and continue to teach and keep involved with the university. “But first,” says Wood, “I’m going to take a good, long vacation.”
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hate crimes
mercado
The new statistics were released less than 30 days after President Obama signed a hate crimes bill that would expand those covered by the federal law. Previously, the law had protected those attacked on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin. The new law signed by Obama covers crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. It also removes the restriction that federal authorities can launch investigations of victims who were engaged in federally protected activities like voting or free speech.
ing Lopez’s ashes and placed a necklace and a white rose inside it. The newspaper also reported that Lopez’s parents hugged their son’s friends and cried. ”We definitely hope people and society wake up and demand justice,” Lopez’s friend Jose Alicea told El Nuevo Dia. Lopez’s friends carried balloons and white roses as they walked to the cemetery. Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” played during the procession. Miriam Mercado, Lopez’s mother, said in a videotaped statement released before the funeral:
continued from cover
continued from cover
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“When my son told me he was Gay, I told him, ‘Now, I love you more.’ I want to tell the world that hatred is not born with human beings; it is a seed that is planted by adults and is fostered creating a climate of intolerance and violence. We must change our ways and understand that anyone … could have been my son. And I want everybody to know that Jorge Steven was a very much loved son.” Lopez was decapitated and dismembered on November 13. He was 19 years old. A suspect in the killing was arrested four days later and subsequently confessed to the killing. He has been charged with murder and weapons violations. Puerto Rican prosecutor Jose Bermudez said he believes the slaying was a hate crime. “This constitutes a hate crime because [suspect Juan Martinez Matos] is angry with people who have sexual relations with persons of the same sex, but he goes out and
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seeks the services of people of the same sex in order to get angry and kill them,” Bermudez said in an interview with Telemundo news service. Martinez has claimed he picked up Lopez thinking he was a female prostitute and became enraged when he found Lopez was a man. A spokesman for Lopez’s family told Telemundo they were unaware the teen was involved in any kind of prostitution. In separate footage aired on Telemundo, a reporter asked Martinez Matos if he is Gay. “No,” he replied. “[Lopez] tried to kill me.” “What happened happened because I defended myself. I cut him and beheaded him and I accept it as a man,” Martinez told reporters. Several hundred Puerto Rican Gay activists rallied on November 19 to demand an aggressive prosecution of Martinez. Supporters have started a Facebook page
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Celebrating 36 Years!
called “Justice for Jorge Steven Lopez – End Hate Crimes.” The group demands an investigation by Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuno and prosecution of the case under federal hate crimes statutes. The FBI office in San Juan, Puerto Rico
confirmed it is monitoring the case and has offered technical assistance to Puerto Rican authorities. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Act passed and signed into law in October authorizes federal law enforcement officials to assist in
investigating and prosecuting hate crimes against LGBT persons. NGLTF Communications Director Pedro Julio Serrano, one of the organizers of the November 19 protest, said homophobia was rampant among political and law enforce-
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