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Celebrating 43 Years! Issue 44 Volume 45

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Seattle Gay News

Why I’m standing with Jenny Federal District Court stops Durkan for Mayor of Seattle Transgender military ban in Doe v. Trump

Court agrees with NCLR and GLAD that ban’s harms to Transgender service members and those trying to enlist are severe and unacceptable

Sen. Patty Murray – Photo courtesy of US Senate

by Patty Murray U.S. Senator for Washington State Since President Trump was elected last year, people in Seattle have been resisting in so many ways, big and small. From the

Women’s March, to the incredible crowds at Sea-Tac to fight back against the illegal and immoral refugee ban, to parents and teachers standing up and speaking out against Betsy DeVos, and so much more –

see PATTY MURRAY page 8

Original photo courtesy of US Air Force

WASHINGTON, DC – Today [Monday, October 30], the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and enjoined the transgender military ban, the discriminatory policy challenged in Doe v. Trump, the first case filed

against President Trump’s transgender military ban. The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD, co-counsel in the case, issued the following statement:

see MILITARY BAN page 18

Eric Holder urges LGBTQ HRC-led amicus briefs in advocates to “keep resisting” at Masterpiece Cakeshop case GLAD’s Spirit of Justice dinner feature top chefs, businesses

GLAD’s Mary Boanauto, The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr., and GLAD’s Janson Wu – Photo by Infinity Portrait Design

The Honorable Eric H. Holder Jr., the 82nd attorney general of the United States, accepted the Spirit of Justice Award in Boston Friday night [October 27], urging the crowd of 1,000 advocates for LGBTQ equality to “keep standing up, keep speaking out, keep resisting.”

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) honored Holder for his instrumental role in advancing LGBTQ justice and his leadership on other civil rights matters, including criminal justice reform, and

see SPIRIT OF JUSTICE page 19

Photo courtesy of HRC / AP

Briefs announced in the Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case at the U.S. Supreme Court of the United States, argues that businesses do not have a right to discriminate against customers

WASHINGTON, DC – Today [Monday, October 30], the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced two

see AMICUS BRIEFS page 19

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 3, 2017 1 2 TVDC0155_PrEP_D_10x15-675_SeattleGayNews_Apt_p1.indd Seattle Gay News

Celebrating 43 7/31/17 Years! 9:27 AM

We're open, not unprepared. We know who we are. And we make choices that fit our lives. 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 TVDC0155_PrEP_D_10x15-675_SeattleGayNews_Apt_p1.indd

November 3, 2017

Seattle Gay News 3 7/31/17 9:27 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. TVDC0155 07/17

November 3, 2017 3 4 TVDC0155_PrEP_D_10x15-675_SeattleGayNews_Apt_p1.indd Seattle Gay News

Celebrating 43 7/31/17 Years! 9:27 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

POZSeattle and Positively Living to host Thanksgiving Potluck Social/ Dinner November 8 @ The Cuff

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

POZSeattle is pleased to announce our 2017 Thanksgiving Social … now Potluck style! Our event will be held Wednesday, November 8 from 6-8:30pm at The Cuff, 1533 13th Ave. (at E. Pine St.) We are also delighted to welcome Positively Living as co-sponsors for this event. Positively Living is a weekly social group sponsored by Lifelong, offering support, education and community for individuals living with HIV & AIDS where everyone is welcome! Please join us in the downstairs bar at The Cuff for our Thanksgiving-themed potluck. The Turkey will be provided by POZSeattle. This being a Potluck please feel free to bring items like Dressing, Potatoes, Gravy, Veggies, Cranberry Sauce, Pumpkin Pie. Please join us for our Thanksgiving

Visit us online www.sgn.org

feast, for social interaction, to catch-up with old friends, to make new ones, and a whole lot of fun. We will also be having a 50-50 raffle. Whatever is raised is split 50/50 between POZSeattle and the lucky winner. This is not only great for our community, but it gives us a chance to expand, meet new people, experience a different environment and atmosphere. This event is offered at no cost, but to help with overhead we ask a $5.00 donation (no one is ever turned away for lack of funds). We are fully self-supported by your donations. You can always give more. This event, and all others are for all HIV-Positive men and our friends, family, and support networks, (HIV-Positive or not), regardless of age, shape, size, origin, citizenship, color, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity or any other protected charac-

teristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws. Beverages are at cost as always from The Cuff’s sexy bartenders! POZSeattle is a social organization run by and for Seattle-area HIV-positive guys and our friends, family, and support networks, (Positive or Not) that are committed to planning and promoting fun, social activities. For questions or more information about this event, to plan your own social event, or to be added to our event promotions email list, email contactpozseattle@gmail.com Our website is currently under construction.

November 3, 2017

Seattle Gay News 5

Thanks, and see you there! POZSeattle Events Committee

Seattle Gay News

November 3, 2017

Celebrating 43 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

November 3, 2017

Seattle Gay News 7

Former US Attorney General Eric Holder endorses Durkan

Friend, I wanted you to hear it first: Today [October 18], I’m announcing my support for my friend Jenny Durkan to be Seattle’s next mayor. I was fortunate to work with Jenny, in her role as United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington, for nearly five years while I was attorney general of the United States during the Obama administration. There’s a reason Jenny was one of Presi-

dent Obama’s first appointments: She is smart, tenacious, and committed to public service. She has a record of advocating for the underdog, fighting for real systemic reforms, and getting things done for her community. I know that’s exactly who she would be as Mayor of Seattle. She’s a proven progressive leader who has been addressing the undeniable inequities in policing, juvenile justice, and criminal justice for decades. Jenny doesn’t just discuss the problems – she takes urgent action. And her work on these issues didn’t start a few months ago. She’s been on the front lines fighting for civil rights and making real systemic reforms for decades. At the US Department of Justice, we advocated for progressive change and the civil rights of all Americans, enacted meaningful police reform, and worked to make our communities safer from gun violence. Her leadership was key to building meaningful, impactful, and lasting police reform and a progressive justice system centered on proven prevention and intervention policies. We also worked together to craft broad

criminal justice reform initiatives that President Obama championed – including reforming sentencing guidelines to eliminate unfair disparities and reducing unwarranted mandatory minimum sentences. Jenny supported re-entry efforts and worked to establish, here in Seattle, one of the first federal drug courts in the country. She launched a civil rights office to investigate housing and job discrimination. She spearheaded unprecedented efforts to reform police departments throughout the country to ensure constitutional police practices. Like I do, Jenny believes that to bring about real change, communities have to expand prevention efforts that give young people meaningful opportunities to succeed. She knows that communities have to get better at supporting interventions that reduce violence and divert people from the criminal justice system. She understands that we have to ensure our police departments are more accountable. And she knows that we must help those Americans who have been incarcerated to reclaim and rebuild their lives.

So Jenny doesn’t just discuss the problems – she takes urgent action. And her work on these issues didn’t start a few months ago. She’s been on the front lines fighting for civil rights and making real systemic reforms for decades. Take it from me: Jenny has a progressive vision for Seattle. She knows how to put that vision into action to address our shared challenges – and there is no one better to stand up to President Trump and to stand up for our values. I have no doubt that Jenny will be a mayor who can implement her big ideas for Seattle. With Election Day approaching and with this campaign so close, I hope you’ll join me in making sure we do all we can to make my friend Jenny the next mayor of Seattle. Thank you for standing with her, Eric H. Holder, Jr. 82nd Attorney General of the United States Courtesy of Jenny Durkan for Seattle Photo courtesy of US Dept. of Justice

UW Daily’s Editorial Board endorses Jenny Durkan for mayor

Jenny Durkan – Photo by Jordan Pickett / UW Daily

Today, November 2, The Daily’s Editorial Board endorsed former US Attorney Jenny Durkan in the race for mayor. The Daily’s Editorial Board is proud to endorse Jenny Durkan in the race for mayor of Seattle. Durkan is an innovative leader who has the experience, resilience, and vision to lead Seattle to a more inclusive and prosperous future. While the Board does recognize that opponent Cary Moon has a fresh perspective that could be beneficial to Seattle politics, her reliance on Olympia for funding and lack of political experience have led the Board to doubt whether Moon has the political savvy to effectively follow through on her campaign promises. However, if elected, the

Board strongly recommends that Durkan work on leading outreach efforts into marginalized communities in order to incorporate their experiences into future policy decisions. Additionally, the Board suggests Durkan needs to learn to reconcile her own experiences as a woman of privilege with the challenges that will present themselves while leading a city as diverse as Seattle. Overall, the Board is confident Durkan is the best choice for the city. Courtesy of Jenny Durkan for Seattle

Experience begets success: Vote Jenny Durkan by Ryan Phelan UW Daily November 2, 2017 In this period of political instability, both in Seattle and the country as a whole, this city needs a mayor with their eyes set on fixing the pervasive issues, as well as the experience to accomplish these solutions. Jenny Durkan is the mayor this city needs. Following the resignation of Ed Murray as mayor of Seattle, amid his fifth child sex abuse accusation, the people of Seattle have been tasked with choosing the best mayoral candidate to address the city’s issues regarding homelessness, housing, policing, and many more. Durkan possesses the necessary expertise, ideas, and background. Durkan has 20 years of experience in law, including serving as the US Attorney in Seattle from 2009 to 2014. In 2012, she successfully pushed for widespread reform in the Seattle Police Department at the behest of community groups, establishing the Community Police

PATTY MURRAY continued from cover

Seattle has led the way in making it clear that we can do a whole lot better as a country than the path President Trump is leading us down. I have been proud to be your voice in the United States Senate, doing everything I can to fight back against President Trump’s hateful, divisive agenda. I couldn’t have resisted President Trump’s agenda nearly as effectively without your amazing support, and today I am asking you to support Jenny Durkan for Mayor of Seattle to stand with me to keep up the fight.

Seattle Gay News

Commission in response to uses of excessive force. She also established a Civil Rights Department within her office as US Attorney, targeting discrimination within employment and housing. In a political climate that has seen Washington state and Seattle, in addition to many other cities, under attack from President Donald Trump, it is important to have a mayor who can serve and protect the interests of this city. Durkan’s civic background in Seattle, as well as her decades of experience as an attorney, show she has the willingness and experience necessary to handle this task. Durkan’s experience serves as stark contrast to her opponent, Cary Moon, whose experience as an urban planner has been overstated. Moon’s experience largely lies in the realm of activism, which, while commendable, does not provide her with the experience that will be required to put her plans into action. There has recently been a push for anti-establishment candidates in American politics, but in the race to be Seattle’s mayor, only one of the final candidates possesses the governmental

experience necessary to tackle the city’s most pressing issues. In regards to policy, Durkan provides a balance of lofty aspiration with pragmatism. She supports greater outreach in regards to homelessness, such as increasing shelter space, building micro-housing, and consolidating regional homeless services. As an answer to the city’s increasing housing issues, she plans to implement the current Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, which includes rapidly increasing development of affordable housing units for those most vulnerable. Her agenda includes two years of free community college for all Seattle public high school graduates. She has also provided a comprehensive plan to protect Seattle’s small businesses and maintain the strong connection between our city and our industry, all while fighting for the rights of our labor force. She has also shown an ability to learn and develop her positions, such as her view on safe injection sites. This is an incredibly valuable qualification for an executive position built around difficult decisions.

Durkan has received endorsement from workers, labor leaders, environmentalists, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and many other groups. It’s no surprise why: She has spent her career fighting for their rights. She has a backlog of governmental and legal success, and has been a champion for the people of Seattle. She has done far more than Moon in showing dedication to this city, and has the extensive experience that will make her an effective mayor. The problems that this city faces will not be solved by talking points and promises. They will be solved by the hard work, experience, and dedication necessary from our public servants. This is exactly what Durkan offers, and it is exactly why you should vote for her when you send in your ballot. The general Election Day is Nov. 7. Regardless of your candidate, make sure you cast a ballot and make your voice heard.

President Trump represents the shortterm triumph in America of hatred and division, empty promises, and insults and personal attacks. Jenny represents the exact opposite of President Trump, and it would send an incredible signal if she were elected and make it clear that wherever President Trump is trying to take America, Seattle is going somewhere else. As first openly-gay U.S. Attorney, Jenny has dedicated her career to fighting hatred and bringing people together, working hard and delivering actual results, and standing up for the most vulnerable families against discrimination and hate crimes. Can you think of a time when this has been needed more than right now?

I’ve seen what it takes to stand up to President Trump. I’ve done it. It takes a willingness to fight and win, of course. But it also takes the ability to show something more than fight. It takes a willingness to work hard and build coalitions of people who can come together around a shared interest in a better country than the one President Trump is trying to sell. I believe Jenny’s experience and values will help her do exactly that as the next mayor of Seattle and I am asking all of you to stand with me to help her get elected. People in Seattle care so much about the future of our great city, and there has been so much energy, excitement, and great ideas in this campaign – from all sides.

But I know Jenny, I’ve seen her stand up to President Trump on the front lines at SeaTac and every day in her work – and I am confident she will be an amazing mayor and partner in the fight against President Trump. I ask all of you to keep standing with me, to stand with Jenny, and to keep showing President Trump that we can fight back and lead by example.

November 3, 2017

Courtesy of Jenny Durkan for Seattle

Celebrating 43 Years!

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November 3, 2017

Seattle Gay News 9

SEAMEC Gives JOHN URQUHART Highest Possible Rating! The Seattle Metropolitan Committee has given John a score of 5 — the highest ranking possible! He received all A’s from the SEAMEC interview committee for his excellent leadership and proven commitment to the concerns of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities.

Vote www.johnforsheriff.com by November 7th! Paid for by John for Sheriff • PO Box 9100 • Seattle, WA 98109

10 Seattle Gay News

November 3, 2017

Celebrating 43 Years!

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November 3, 2017

Seattle Gay News 11

Paid for by Jenny Durkan for Seattle —

12 Seattle Gay News

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Celebrating 43 Years!

Post this poster in your home window or at your office. Landlords cannot prohibit apartment window postings during an election. This has been litigated by the ACLU.

— 603 Stewart St. #819 Seattle WA 98101 Visit us online www.sgn.org

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Celebrating 43 Years!

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Celebrating 43 Years!

Read with Pride 2017: LGBTQIA Romance Fiction Conference at The Seattle Public Library Nov. 4 It’s getting steamy at the Library! We’re co-hosting Read with Pride (RWP) Northwest 2017, the LGBTQIA Romance Fiction Conference of the Pacific Northwest. You can attend for free from noon to 5:30pm Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., 206-386-4636. As part of “Seattle Writes,” Read With Pride Northwest 2017 is free – just preregister at https://readwithpridenorthwest2017.brownpapertickets.com/, if possible. Parking is available in the Central Library garage for $7. Swag giveaways during registration are first come, first served and while supplies last. We’re thrilled to have some awardwinning keynote speakers this year: • Tobi Hill-Meyer, author and filmmaker (“Nerve Endings: The New Trans Erotic,” “A Princess of Great Daring!”) • Rebekah Weatherspoon, author (“Treasure,” “Soul to Keep”) You can also check out these authors and panelists at their workshops or the book fest: MB Austin, Jove Belle, Dev Bentham, James Brock, Austin Chant, Charli Coty, Christine Danse, CJane Elliott, Kim Fielding, J.S. Fields, Ginn Hale, Tobi Hill-Meyer, Amanda Jean, Nicole Kimberling, RL Mosswood, LM Pierce, Liv Rancourt, Rick R. Reed, Blythe Rippon, Ziggy Schutz, Nisi Shawl, Andrea Speed, CM Spivey, Karelia Stetz-Waters, Tracy Timmons-Gray, Julie Tizard, Rebekah Weatherspoon and Sheri Lewis Wohl. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Noon to 1pm – Registration and swag giveaways – Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium 1pm to 2pm – Opening remarks and keynote speakers – Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium 2:15pm to 3pm – Panel discussions – Session 1 • Reading Recommendations: Find Your Next Book! – Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium • Writing Queer Romance in Turbulent Times: Escapism, Political Act, or Both? – Level 4, Howard S. Wright Family & Janet W. Ketcham Meeting Room 2 3:15pm to 4pm – Panel discussions – Session 2 • Character Type Love Match: reader game – Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium • With Romantic Elements: Writing and

Reading Genre Fiction Mash-ups – Level 4, Howard S. Wright Family & Janet W. Ketcham Meeting Room 2 • Writer Roundtable Discussion: Action! Love Scenes and Fight Scenes – Level 4, PACCAR Meeting Room 6 4pm to 5pm – Author signings – Level 4, Washington Mutual Foundation Meeting Room 1 Don’t miss the Read with Pride Book Fest on Level 4, Washington Mutual Foundation Meeting Room 1. The book fest will be open the entire conference, from noon to 5:30pm. Stop by, grab some swag and check out the book-selling table hosted by Another Read Through, a Portland-based bookstore. The book fest is free, open to the public and can be accessed without registering for the conference. This conference is presented in partnership with Old Growth Northwest and Gay City: Seattle’s LGBTQ Center. For more information, call the Library at 206-386-4636, visit GRNW’s website (https://readwithpridenorthwest.org/) or Ask a Librarian (https://www.spl.org/ using-the-library/get-help/ask-a-librarian). Courtesy of Seattle Public Library

NOTE: In conjunction with the Read With Pride 2017: LGBTQIA Romance Fiction Conference, Gay City will be hosting two book reading and Q & A events on Nov. 3 & 4 from 7-9pm at the Calamus Auditorium at Gay City (517 E. Pike St. at Belmont Ave.) QUEERLY YOURS – A Kickoff Night of LGBTQ Love Stories Friday, November 3 from 7-9pm @ Calamus Auditorium at Gay City Kick off Read with Pride Northwest 2017 weekend with a reading event and Q & A with seven amazing LGBTQIA romance and genre fiction authors! From contemporary love stories to romantic suspense to exciting adventures, each writer shines a spotlight on LGBTQ lives, loves and relationships, and promotes the theme that there’s a Happily Ever After for everyone. The authors sharing their work during “Queerly Yours” are: Tobi Hill Meyer (Nerve Endings: The New Trans Erotic) – MB Austin (Strictly Need to Know) – Ziggy Shutz (Behind the Mask) – James Brock (Tailor Made, Men Overboard) – Julie Tizard (The Road to Wings) – Charli Coty (Toy Run, Torque) – Dev Bentham (Tarnished Souls, Making Home)

READING WITH PRIDE – LGBTQ Love Stories Saturday, November 4 from 7-9pm @ Calamus Auditorium at Gay City Celebrate LGBTQIA love stories again with a second reading event at Gay City that will highlight seven more authors of queer romance and genre fiction. Whether their books are exploring the far reaches of space, riding through the old west, or heating up the streets of Seattle, each author shines a spotlight on LGBTQIA relationships and the universality of love. The authors sharing their work during “Reading with Pride” are: Andrea Speed (Infected: Prey, Hearts of Darkness) – Rick R. Reed (High Risk, Lost & Found) – Christine Danse (The Spires of Turris) – Austin Chant (Peter Darling, Carline’s Heart) – Ginn Hale (The Long Past & Other Stories, Wicked Gentlemen) – Kim Fielding (Brute, Clay White: A Bureau Story) – Cjane Elliott (All the Way to Shore, In Over Our Heads) Courtesy of Gay City

Health insurance enrollment underway Sign up through January 15 by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The annual open enrollment period for health insurance is under way, starting November 1 and running till January 15. Washington residents – you don’t have to be a citizen to enroll – who buy individual coverage can enroll through Washington Health Plan Finder at www.wahealthplanfinder.org. Washington Health Plan Finder is the state’s online marketplace for individuals and families to enroll in health insurance coverage and gain access to tax credits, reduced cost sharing, and public insurance programs such as Medicaid. Employees of the state can enroll by going to the Washington Federation of State Employees, AFSCME Council 28 website, www.wfse.org. The Trump administration’s attempts

to sabotage the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare) has intentionally confused consumers, experts said. “Every year is a challenge, and this year we have a unique set of challenges,” said Michael Marchand, chief marketing officer and spokesman for the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, which runs the state’s health-insurance marketplace. Washington is one of 11 states operating its own marketplace. Because of this, state officials have set a longer-than-usual enrollment period, lasting through January 15. States that use the federal government’s marketplace through Healthcare.gov have an enrollment period from November 1 to December 15, only half as long as last year. In addition to its online option, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange has announced 13 locations across the state that will offer in-person assistance to consumers. These customer support locations will

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include six full-service enrollment centers and seven broker affiliate sites staffed with trained navigators and brokers who will be available to personally guide Washingtonians through the process of enrolling in health and dental coverage. The customer support information for Seattle is as follows: Carol McClure, Financial Designs, Inc., 2723 California Ave. SW. She can also be reached by phone at 425-392-7390, or by email at carol_ mcclure@att.net. “Increased rates will impact customers very differently depending on where they live and their eligibility for subsidies,” said Pam MacEwan, CEO of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. “It is especially important that all customers who have questions related to their insurance coverage and would like one-to-one assistance connect with a skilled broker or navigator who can help

them understand their coverage options and enroll in coverage that best meets their needs.” Low-income Washingtonians can apply for Washington Apple Health, the state’s Medicaid program. To be eligible, a single adult 19-64 years of age must earn $1,387 or less per month. According to data collected by “navigator” outreach groups working with local healthcare providers, 6.7% of working-age adults in King County are uninsured. That number is down substantially from 16.4% in 2013. The uninsured rate varies quite a bit depending on race, however. While only 4.6% of whites were uninsured in 2016, 26.1% of Native Americans and 24.8% of Hispanics had no health insurance in the same period. For blacks, the uninsured rate was 10.3%, for Pacific Islanders it was 8.4%, and for Asians it was 5.2%

November 3, 2017

Seattle Gay News 17

Global surveys of Intersex and Trans groups reveal critical funding gap

Intersex and Trans groups are fighting violence and discrimination around the world, but surveys reveal a chronic lack of support from international funders

CotravetD – Photo by Christine Han

OII Chinese – Photo by Yeh Hsiao Chi

NEW YORK – [On October 31], the American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice (Astraea), and Global Action for Trans Equality (GATE) released the findings of their global surveys of intersex and trans organizations in 107 countries engaged in advocacy, services, and education in two new reports, “The State of Intersex Organizing” [http://www.astraeafoundation. org/app/asset/uploads/2017/10/IntersexREPORT-For-the-Web-updated.pdf] and “The State of Trans Organizing” [http:// www.astraeafoundation.org/app/asset/ uploads/2017/10/Trans-REPORT-for-theweb-Updated.pdf]. More than 450 groups working on trans issues and more than 50 groups working on intersex issues participated in the surveys. The surveys looked at the financial and organizational capacity of intersex and trans groups around the world, which provide critical support and services to their respective communities, including legal aid, health care, advocacy, and leadership training. The reports conclude that, despite increased awareness and media coverage of both intersex and trans people and issues, intersex and trans groups are deeply underresourced and continue to be neglected by international funders. Global funding for broad LGBTI groups has grown exponentially in recent years, but just 6% of trans groups and almost no intersex groups receive funding from donor governments. Foundations are the primary source of external funding for these groups, but the need far outweighs the current level of support, with more than three-fifths of trans groups and almost half of intersex groups not receiving funding. Of those who

applied and did not receive funding, more than half of intersex groups and more than a third of trans groups were told by funders that funding for their issues was not a priority. As a result, more than half of trans groups and more than three-quarters of intersex groups globally had 2016 budgets of less than US $10,000. Only just over one in five trans groups and one in ten intersex groups had 2016 budgets over US $50,000. “The hundreds of trans and intersex groups we surveyed are sending a strong message to funders about their needs,” said Mauro Cabral Grinspan, executive director of GATE. “In all corners of the world, trans and intersex groups face tremendous challenges, including discrimination and violence, and desperately need additional resources from governments and foundations to continue – and expand – their vital work.” The longstanding underfunding of intersex and trans groups is reflected in chronic understaffing of these organizations. Fewer than one in five intersex groups and one in three trans groups have full-time paid staff. Even those with paid staff struggle to provide a living wage given their budget constraints. Intersex and trans groups overwhelmingly report having pressing, unmet needs which undermine the sustainability of their efforts. Nearly eight in ten trans and intersex groups report needing support with fundraising and grant-writing, and roughly three-quarters report needing support in healing from trauma and preventing burnout for trans and intersex activists who are leading the fight against significant human rights violations. “The funding gap for trans and inter-

sex groups is an outrage that has realworld impacts on people’s lives. We call on donors to increase their support and to ensure that funding decisions are driven by the needs of activists,” said Sarah Gunther, Director of Philanthropic Partnerships for Astraea. “The International Trans Fund and Intersex Human Rights Fund are two new activist funds that are modeling how this can be done, with strong participation and decision-making by trans and intersex activists themselves. Activists who are closest to the problems that need solving know best which interventions are most effective.” “Intersex and trans activists are fighting violence and discrimination while pioneering new legal reforms and shifting cultural narratives across every region of the world,” said David Scamell, Director of International Advocacy for the AJWS. “We believe that international funders must step up so that intersex and trans activists will receive the resources and support they need, so that they can continue to build global momentum for positive change for trans and intersex people.” The reports on the state of intersex and trans organizing [were] released on October 31 in conjunction with the ILGA-Europe 2017 Annual Conference in Warsaw, Poland. These reports are available on the web: “The State of Intersex Organizing” is at http://www.astraeafoundation.org/app/asset/uploads/2017/10/ Intersex-REPORT-For-the-Web-updated. pdf, and “The State of Trans Organizing” is at http://www.astraeafoundation.org/app/ asset/uploads/2017/10/Trans-REPORT-forthe-web-Updated.pdf.

MILITARY BAN

Trump’s change in military policy. This clear, powerful ruling confirms that there is no legitimate reason to exclude transgender people from military service,” said Jennifer Levi, Director of GLAD’s Transgender Rights Project. “Fighting discrimination isn’t easy, and to all the transgender members of the armed forces or those looking to join, I want to say thank you for your courage, not only in fighting for our country, but in fighting for the constitutional values of equality and justice.” NCLR and GLAD have been at the center of the legal fight challenging Trump’s military ban since filing Doe v. Trump, on August 9 on behalf of five transgender service members. On August 31, NCLR and GLAD filed a motion in Doe

asking the court to immediately block the president’s policy and adding two named plaintiffs who have had their plans for a career in military service thwarted by the ban – Regan Kibby, a Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy and Dylan Kohere, a first-year student at University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut denied participation in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program because of the ban. The two organizations are also co-counsel in a second suit challenging the ban, Stockman v. Trump, brought by Equality California.

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“This is a complete victory for our plaintiffs and all transgender service members, who are now once again able to serve on equal terms and without the threat of being discharged,” said Shannon Minter, NCLR’s Legal Director. “We are grateful to the court for recognizing the gravity of these issues and putting a stop to this dangerous policy, which has wreaked havoc in the lives of transgender service members and their families.” “This court saw straight through the smokescreen the government tried to create to hide the bias and prejudice behind

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The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice is the only philanthropic organization working exclusively to advance LGBTQI human rights on a global scale. Through grantmaking, capacity building, leadership development, philanthropic advocacy, and media and communications, Astraea provides critical strategic resources to hundreds of LGBTQI groups in the US and internationally. (http://www. astraeafoundation.org/) The American Jewish World Service is the leading Jewish organization working to promote human rights and end poverty in the developing world. Through direct funding of trans and intersex groups and carrying out advocacy to increase funding by other funders, the AJWS works to increase resources for LGBTI communities in the developing world, including intersex and trans activists. (http://www.ajws.org/) Global Action for Trans Equality is an international organization working on gender identity, sex characteristics, and, more broadly, bodily diversity issues. It works on supporting trans, gender-diverse, and intersex movements by producing and making available critical knowledge, promoting their access to organizational resources, and advocating with them to make our human rights a lived reality. (http://www.transactivists.org/) Courtesy of the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, the American Jewish World Service, and Global Action for Trans Equality

Through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy, and education, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation. www.GLAD.org The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. www. NCLRights.org Courtesy of GLAD and NCLR

Celebrating 43 Years!

HRC Foundation to host students from 23 historically black colleges and universities at leadership summit WASHINGTON, DC – On Friday, November 3, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, will welcome student activists from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) for a threeday leadership summit designed to foster campus environments that are welcoming and affirming to LGBTQ people. “We’re thrilled to welcome these student leaders to HRC for our 12th annual HBCU summit,” said Leslie Hall, the HRC’s Senior HBCU Program Manager. “The commitment and dedication demonstrated by these fierce advocates is inspiring, and we look forward to having them return to their campuses with a renewed commitment to fighting for equality and inclusion. I am truly excited that we have the opportunity to come together, learn from each other, and increase our strength as advocates for the LGBTQ community.” For more than a decade, the HRC has held an annual summit for LGBTQ student leaders from many of the nation’s historically black institutions. This year, the 41 attendees represent 23 HBCUs from 10 states: Albany State University; Bethune-Cookman University; Bowie State University; Claflin University; Dillard University; Fayetteville State University; Hampton University; Howard University; Johnson C. Smith University; Morehouse College; Morgan State University; North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; North Carolina Central University; Philander Smith College; Savannah State University; Southern University; Southern University at New Orleans; Spelman College; Stillman College; Tuskegee University; University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; University of the District of Columbia; and University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Photo courtesy of HRC

The HRC Foundation’s HBCU Program empowers LGBTQ students to be change agents on their HBCU campuses and in their communities, and trains them to lead effectively through the intersections of race, religion, gender identity, class, and sexual orientation. At this 12th annual summit, participants will develop leadership skills in the key areas of self-awareness, awareness of others, courageous actions, and collaboration to advocate for LGBTQ equality and other social justice issues. Sessions will cover topics including the intersection of race and sexual orienta-

tion, mental health and wellness, inclusive leadership, and harnessing political power. The HRC’s HBCU Project was founded to support LGBTQ students at HBCUs by providing resources and trainings to advance affirming and supportive college campuses. The program is supported by the David Bohnett Foundation and the CocaCola Foundation. For the last 12 years, the HBCU Project has hosted an annual HBCU Leadership Summit to train and prepare student leaders and administrators to advocate for LGBTQ inclusion and safety.

For more information about the HRC’s HBCU Project, visit http://www.hrc.org/ blog/topic/hbcu.

SPIRIT OF JUSTICE

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voting rights. Attendees also heard from Dylan Kohere, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of New Haven, who has been barred from enrolling in ROTC because of President Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military. Kohere is a plaintiff in GLAD’s lawsuit Doe v. Trump, which challenges the ban. On Monday, a federal district court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and enjoined the ban. The annual event this year raised $890,000 to support GLAD’s work fighting for LGBTQ equality through litigation, legislation, and education.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer equality. The HRC envisions a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community. Courtesy of HRCF

Courtesy of GLAD

Dylan Kohere – Photo courtesy of GLAD Photo by Infinity Portrait Design

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amicus briefs featuring the nation’s leading bakers, chefs and businesses who oppose discrimination against LGBTQ people – the central issue in the pending Supreme Court case Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The “Chefs for Equality” brief includes bakers, chefs, restaurateurs and other culinary industry leaders from every state, plus Washington, DC. In addition to food professionals from all over the country, it is signed by some of the most prominent names in the culinary industry, including Elizabeth Falkner, Jose Andres, Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Berman of Georgetown Cupcake, Carla Hall, Padma Lakshmi, Christina Tosi, Anthony Bourdain, Tom Colicchio, Duff Goldman, Sam Kass and more. An HRC-led amicus brief featuring 37 businesses has also been filed in this case, also arguing that businesses must be open to all.

“The culinary community has joined this brief to relay a very simple message: ‘we welcome all,’” said Sarah Warbelow, legal director for the Human Rights Campaign. “If a business is open on Main Street, it must be open to everyone, regardless of who they are or whom they love. It is important for the nation and the Supreme Court to affirm the equal dignity of every single American.” The “Chefs for Equality” brief was authored by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, an international law firm headquartered in Washington, DC. “These companies are sending a powerful message to LGBTQ people and their families that America’s leading businesses believe in equality,” said HRC Deputy Director of Employee Engagement Beck Bailey. “Across the country, corporate leaders know that businesses should be open for all. A business owner’s personal beliefs should never be reason enough to discriminate against a customer because of who they are or who they love.” The brief featuring major businesses

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was authored by Steptoe & Johnson LLP, an international law firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. The companies signing the brief are: Affirm, Inc.; Airbnb, Inc.; Amalgamated Bank; Amazon.com, Inc.; American Airlines; Apple; Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc.; Choice Hotels, International; Cisco Systems, Inc.; Citigroup Inc.; Deutsche Bank; Glassdoor, Inc.; Intel Corporation; John Hancock; Levi Strauss & Co.; Linden Research, Inc.; Lyft Inc.; Marriott International, Inc.; MassMutual; Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; MongoDB, Inc.; National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce; NIO U.S.; PayPal Holdings, Inc.; Pfizer Inc; Postmates Inc; PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; Prudential; Replacements, Ltd.; salesforce.com, inc.; SurveyMonkey; The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.; Uber Technologies, Inc.; WeddingWire, Inc.; Weebly, Inc.; Witeck Communications; and Yelp Inc. Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission is a case pending at the Supreme Court of the United States involving a baker who in 2012

November 3, 2017

refused to provide a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. Last year, the Colorado Supreme Court upheld a ruling by the Colorado Court of Appeals that bakery owner Jack Phillips cannot cite religious beliefs or free speech in order to discriminate against same-sex couples. Amicus briefs in support of the same-sex couple and the Colorado Civil Rights Commission must be filed at the Supreme Court of the United States today [October 30]. Oral arguments will be heard by the Court on December 5. The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community. Courtesy of the HRC

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New AHF billboard campaign highlights troubling global HIV/AIDS statistics as World AIDS Day approaches on December 1st LOS ANGELES – In anticipation of World AIDS Day on December 1st, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has launched a new billboard outdoor advertising to call attention to the millions of people still affected by HIV/AIDS around the globe today. Inspired by vintage fuel pump counters, the billboards draw attention to staggering statistics from UNAIDS on the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, including “1,000,000 AIDS Deaths in 2016,” “1,800,000 New HIV Cases in 2016,” and “20,000,000 Untreated HIV Cases in 2016.” The final number on each billboard appears to be rolling, a visual allusion to the fact that the numbers of individuals directly affected by HIV/AIDS continue to increase. “Each year as we commemorate World AIDS Day, we like to stop and [assess] the progress that has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS around the world and identify those areas where our efforts still need to be refocused and intensified. As AHF celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and the milestone of having over 820,000 patients in our care across the globe, we are encouraged that millions of lives have been saved through targeted prevention efforts, testing, and breakthrough medical treatments. However, the prescription drugs required to treat HIV/AIDS and many other chronic diseases remain out of reach for

many governments, insurers, and individuals due to Big Pharma’s endless pursuit of profits at the expense of people in need. This unconscionable price gouging must be stopped,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein. “These billboards are meant to be a stark reminder that real lives are at stake in our challenge to win the decadeslong fight against this global epidemic.” The billboards started appearing in late September in high-visibility locations around Los Angeles; Brooklyn, NY; Atlanta, GA; Washington, DC; and South Florida and are scheduled to run through mid-November. In September 1983, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) used the term “AIDS” (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) for the first time, describing it as “a disease at least moderately predictive of a defect in cell-mediated immunity, occurring in a person with no known case for diminished resistance to that disease.” The International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses announced in May 1986 that the virus that causes AIDS [would] officially be called HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). According to UNAIDS, over 36 million people are living with HIV/AIDS around the world and over 76 million people have become infected with HIV since the start of the epidemic. Although AIDS has claimed more than 35 million lives to date, AIDS-

Photo courtesy of AIDS Healthcare Foundation

related deaths have fallen by 48% since the peak in 2005. In 2016, over 19 million people globally were accessing antiretroviral therapy to prolong their lives and stop the spread of the virus. In 1987, a group of activists founded AIDS Hospice Foundation in Los Angeles to provide a final resting place for terminally ill AIDS patients. Three years later, as lifesaving antiretroviral medical therapy was introduced, AIDS Hospice Foundation changed its name to AIDS Healthcare Foundation in 1990 to signify its new focus on being a medical provider to people living with HIV/AIDS. As the largest global provider of HIV medical care today, the AHF will debut a new billboard closer to World AIDS Day

with the number of people living with HIV/ AIDS the organization now has in care worldwide. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 821,000 individuals in 38 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific region, and Eastern Europe. To learn more about the AHF, please visit www.aidshealth.org, find it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aidshealth, or follow it on Twitter: @aidshealthcare. Courtesy of the AHF

Texas employer claims First Amendment right to out Trans employee by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A car dealer in Texas is defending himself from a discrimination suit in part by claiming that he has a First Amendment free speech right to out a Transgender employee. Bradley Ruskin was general manager of Roger Beasley’s Mitsubishi dealership in South Austin, Texas, from February 2015, through the summer of this year. While there, he turned around a failing business, increasing the dealership’s sales by 540%. Nevertheless, he was harassed

by his superiors because he is Transgender, and he was eventually fired without notice or cause. Rudkin filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and when the EEOC could not bring about a resolution with his employer, Rudkin sued. In court documents, Rudkin says that soon after he was hired by Beasley in 2015, company vice president Jim Bagan asked him if he was a cross-dresser. Rudkin responded, “Do you really want me to comment on that?” to which Bagan said, “No, just keep it professional.”

On another occasion, the dealership’s employees laughed and taunted Rudkin with crude remarks when he was visited at work by his girlfriend, a Trans woman. Rudkin was fired shortly after that incident. Beasley’s attorneys answered that even if the harassment described by Rudkin did, in fact, occur, it was not illegal because discrimination against Trans employees is not covered under Title VII – even though their response was filed weeks before the Trump-Sessions Justice Department canceled Obama-era protections for Trans workers. Furthermore, Beasley said he had a

First Amendment free speech right to out Rudkin to other employees. Subsequently, Beasley CFO Steve Tonsi released a document originally filed with the EEOC charging Rudkin with a list of “fireable offenses,” all of which Rudkin denied and which the EEOC did not find credible. In addition to the South Austin location where Rudkin worked, the Roger Beasley Automotive Group has Mazda dealerships in North and South Austin, Georgetown, and Killeen, Texas; and Hyundai dealerships in Kyle and New Braunfels, Texas.

Colonel sues Air Force, claims First Amendment right to discriminate against same-sex spouses by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer An Air Force colonel filed a lawsuit on October 31, alleging that the Air Force violated his First Amendment right to freedom of religion by disciplining him when he refused to sign a document recognizing the same-sex spouse of an NCO under his command. Col. Leland Bohannon was commander of the Air Force Inspection Agency at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico when a master sergeant due to retire asked him to sign a certificate of appreciation for his husband. Such certificates recognizing the

20 Seattle Gay News

spouses of retiring military personnel are regularly issued to opposite-sex spouses. When Col. Bohannon refused to sign the certificate, the master sergeant filed an equal-opportunity complaint, charging that the colonel unlawfully discriminated against him due to his sexual orientation. Air Force equal-opportunity investigators substantiated the complaint, and as a result, Air Force Inspector General Lt. Gen. Anthony Rock suspended Bohannon from his command, withheld a pending decoration, and submitted a letter recommending that Bohannon not be promoted to brigadier general. Bohannon appealed the ruling, saying that he’d sought – but was denied – a reli-

November 3, 2017

gious accommodation that would allow him to be excused from signing the certificate. On August 31, his appeal was denied by Brigadier General Paul W. Tibbets IV, deputy commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command and deputy commander of Air Forces Strategic-Air, US Strategic Command at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Tibbets ruled that even if Bohannon had received the accommodation he requested, he would still be guilty of discriminating against the master sergeant on the basis of sexual orientation. “Such a position renders religious accommodations meaningless,” Bohannon’s attorneys wrote in their lawsuit.

“Religious accommodations exist to avoid placing service members in the religious and moral dilemma of having to violate their religious convictions in order to serve.” Bohannon is represented by Mike Berry of First Liberty Institute, a Texas-based legal group that uses First Amendment claims to challenge civil rights legislation. First Liberty’s former senior counsel, Ken Klukowski, also worked for the Family Research Council, is a Breitbart columnist, and worked on Trump’s transition team. Former First Liberty lawyer Jeff Mateer spoke at the infamous “death to gays” National Religious Liberties Conference in 2015.

Celebrating 43 Years!

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November 3, 2017

Seattle Gay News 21

religion & spirituality

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November 3, 2017

Celebrating 43 Years!

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November 3, 2017

Seattle Gay News 23

Join us for a fun and fabulous LGBTQ Night at The 5th Avenue Theatre for Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn on November 28 at 7:30pm! We’re excited to announce that the talented Lorna Luft, daughter of Hollywood film darling, Judy Garland, will star alongside the amazing cast of this holiday classic!

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