Celebrating 39 Years!
Issue 43 Volume 40
FRIDAY October 26, 2012 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & newsstands
seamec Candidate Dustin Lance Black ratings Interview Page 25 Page 9
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Standing his ground Thank you, Mr. President! A tale of everyday heroism in Seattle’s Central District Jeff Kemp Rinderle
Josh Hall (center) surrounded by anti-Gay protesters
by Tim Moffett Special to the SGN
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Washingtonians got big news October 25 when President Barack Obama officially endorsed Referendum 74, which would affirm marriage equality in the Evergreen State. According to Paul Bell, press secretary for Obama’s re-election efforts in Washington state, “While the president does not weigh in on every single ballot measure in every state, the president believes in treating everyone fairly and equally, with dignity and respect. Washington’s same-sex marriage law would treat all Washington couples equally, and that is why the President supports a vote to Approve Referendum 74.” “President Obama support for marriage reflects what’s happening in Washington and across the country,” said Zach Silk, campaign manager for Washington United for Marriage, which is spearheading the Approve R-74 campaign. “As more people, and more voters, realize that only mar-
news one
Josh Hall, 33, was walking his dog near Pratt Park around 10:30 a.m. on October 18, when he noticed a small rally in opposition to Referendum 74 was going on in the park. Recalling that he was “shocked and upset that this kind of thing was happening in my backyard,” what Hall did next is nothing short of amazing. He grabbed an Approve R-74 yard sign and stood with it, alone, amidst the opposition crowd! He reported that several people
became angry with him for his highly visual support of R-74 and, he said, they “got in my face.” But as a former high school athlete, Hall says he found the experience exhilarating, likening it to the “game on” feeling he would get when playing competitive sports. When told that many in the community would call his action heroic, Hall demurred with a chuckle. “I’m not a hero,” he said. “I was just in the right place at the right time. I knew it was time to stand my ground.” Sounds like the very definition of a hero to the SGN.
Obama officially endorses Approve Referendum 74
see endorsement page 19
President Barack Obama
SGN exclusive interview Bill and Melinda Gates donate $500,000 to R-74
The Rev. Harriett Walden Michael Bloomberg pledges $250,000
friends of harriett walden
Rev. Harriett Walden
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Harriett Walden is interim pastor of Sojourner Truth Unity Fellowship Church in Seattle, and a co-founder of Mothers for Police Accountability, a group that has challenged Seattle police procedures for more than 20 years. She
is also a supporter of equal marriage rights for Gay and Lesbian couples. As a religious leader and community activist, Walden is uniquely positioned to assess support for Referendum 74 in the African American community. The community is debating the issue, Walden tells SGN.
DIVISION RUNS DEEP Walden says the divide goes beyond differing positions on Referendum 74, however. “People are divided on the Bible,” she said. “People are divided on spirituality.” “I always talk about equal protection,” she added. “People who love each other should be able to get married.” Walden says that the NAACP’s endorsement of marriage equality nationally, and Referendum 74 in Washington state is a “good thing” but adds that her community will be more influenced by personal experiences than by organizations. “It’s really about how people are living their lives. On a personal level – based on their own experiences – there are so many families who have family members who are Gay, who are loving and living
matching funds to Approve R-74 vote
Kjetil Ree
“There’s a divide – if you saw the headlines in the [Seattle] Times today – there’s a divide in the African American community,” she said, referring to a story by reporter Lornet Turnbull contrasting proand anti-Referendum 74 Black ministers.
Bill and Melinda Gates
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Washington United for Marriage and the Approve Referendum 74 campaign found new reasons to celebrate this past week, when they received a large new donation from Microsoft mogul Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, and a promsee Walden page 21 ise of matching funds from New
York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Bill and Melinda Gates each contributed $250,000, according to state Public Disclosure Commission reports. Bloomberg offered up to $250,000 to match donations generated by the Approve R-74 campaign. see money page 19
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October 26, 2012
Celebrating 39 Years!
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Washington-area NAACP endorses marriage equality Venerable civil rights group urges voters to Approve R-74 “The AlaskaO r e g o n - Wa s h ington State Area Conference of the NAACP officially endorsed Referendum 74,” stated Area Conference President Oscar Eason, Jr. “The NAACP has always been at the forefront of the battle for marriage equality. We fought for marriage equality in the 1960s when miscegenation laws blocked marriages between races, and we continue to stand up for marriage equality today.” In May, the The Area Conference of the NAACP, NAACP National Board of Directors which includes Washington state, has endorsed a vote of Approve on Referendum 74, which affirms the state’s bipartisan law allowing same-sex couples to marry. “We are honored to have the endorsement of the NAACP, which has always championed justice, fairness, and equality for everyone,” said Washington United for Marriage campaign manager Zach Silk. “The national and regional NAACP join over 30 community of color organizations which have endorsed [Approve] Referendum 74.”
passed a resolution endorsing marriage equality. “Civil marriage is a civil right and a matter of civil law,” said Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP. “The NAACP’s support for marriage equality is deeply rooted in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and equal protection of all people. The National NAACP commends the efforts of the Alaska-Oregon-Washington State Area Conference to break down the barriers to marriage equality.” The Alaska-Oregon-Washington State Area Conference will actively engage in voter education efforts on marriage equality ahead of the November 6th elections. ABOUT THE NAACP Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.
NAACP PRESS RELEASE Following is the full text of the press release announcing the endorsement: The Alaska-Oregon-Washington State Area Conference of the NAACP has officially endorsed Referendum 74, which would legalize same-sex marriage in the state of Washington. The announcement comes just days after the area conference held its annual convention in Vancouver, WA.
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Local news Our flag at the Market
ber any specific instance in which a vendor has been asked to take something down. Most vendors, he said, seem to understand the regulations and follow them without any problem. It is understood that Pike Place Market is a historic tourist location where personal politics (campaign signs, etc.) aren’t allowed. But what is the rainbow flag? Is it a political statement? Sure, but it’s also much more than that. Is the flag of “historical” significance? Ask Sylvia Rivera. Is it of local significance? Absolutely. Is it of historical significance to Pike Place Market? This is the question both Elza and the PDA want answered.
Doughnut vendor ruffles feathers displaying pride banner
or what they [will] do,” said Lindsay. “But [Elza’s] submitted the paperwork.” Elza is ready to go in front of the historical commission and is hoping to do so within the next two weeks. De Vigné, a member of the GSBA, says he’s got her back. “The whole market is built on diversity,” said de Vigné. “You walk through the market and you hear all different languages. The flag is part of that diversity.” Elza thinks the reason she’s being asked to take it down is because of a particular business owner not far from her, who she believes is a “Tea Party member.” Her flag isn’t just a standard rainbow flag – it’s an American flag with rainbow stripes on it,
“I’m a patriot, I love my country. I want to get married in my country. I’ve been with Lucinda for 27 years ... the people who judge me have not gone a day without their civil rights.” chris
Daily Dozen Doughnut Company in Pike Place Market
by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer For 23 years, Barbara Elza has been serving up warm donuts at Seattle’s biggest, busiest tourist spot, Pike Place Market. Her business, the Daily Dozen Doughnut Company, caters to locals and visitors alike, as well to as other market vendors who open in the early morning. A few years ago, Elza and her partner of 27 years, Lucinda, decided to display a rainbow flag behind their counter – and thus ran afoul of the stringent historical charters that govern the market. After being granted permission to hang the flag each June for Pride month, this year Elza refused to take it down. ELZA’S TALE Elza says she first put the flag up just a little over three years ago, intending to keep it up for the month of June, Pride month. About a week later, she got a call from her landlord, who asked her to take it down. The Stranger caught wind of the incident, and soon the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA) was flooded with phone calls from outraged readers. As a result, the flag stayed up. Two years ago, she again put the flag up for the month of June, and she did so this year as well. But this year, when July rolled around, she says, she just “couldn’t take it down.” “There’s nothing inside me that would let me take it down,” Elza told SGN. In August, her landlord gave her a call to ask what was up. Elza said her landlord has “no problem” with the flag, but the decision really isn’t in his hands because he has regulations he must follow. Elza told him she’d give the matter some thought. “But my only thought was, What am I going to do when I refuse? What about my employees? I have a responsibility to provide them with employment.” While the PDA hasn’t threatened to evict her, Elza doesn’t discount the possibility, because she has no intention whatsoever of taking the flag down – ever again. “The Pride flag at Daily Dozen Doughnuts had received temporary approval. That was great. We granted that approval,” Kelly Lindsay, the PDA’s director of marketing and programs, told SGN. “But now it’s the end of October and it’s been hanging long past the expiration of the approval.”
WHY KEEP IT UP? The campaign here in Washington for same-sex marriage has no doubt been a motivating factor in Elza’s decision, but three years of flying the Pride flag in Seattle’s most popular tourist destination has taught her some things. “We’re the number-one tourist destination in the city,” said Elza. “And my corridor is a busy, packed corridor.” Elza told SGN that time and time again, she’ll see a family on vacation walking through the market with a bored-looking teenager in tow, and the teen will stop and look at the flag. Not say a word, just look at that flag, look at their family, and then look at her. In instances like this, words are seldom exchanged. “They would just look at it and I knew. They don’t have to say anything,” said Elza. “Just seeing that flag, they know it’s going to get better.” There are plenty of other visitors, however, who do stop and talk to her about the flag, like during Fleet Week. Since she’s been raising the flag, Elza says, groups of sailors in their whites have come in to get doughnuts and talk to her because they found the flag friendly, both before and after the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” Elza said the flag makes her business an “information booth” for the many LGBT tourists who come through the city looking for bars and other Gay-friendly business. Elza gives them directions to the Hill or sends them to the newsstand just down the hallway, where SGN sells for a quarter. “Taking it down causes injury,” says Elza. That injury would take various forms – fewer rural LGBT teens finding positive reinforcement about who they are; less visibility for the current Approve R-74 campaign for marriage equality and for future LGBT community endeavors; fewer tourist dollars going into Seattle’s LGBT economy – all these things are real to Elza. ADHERING TO THE REGS According to Elza, the market is protected by “historical charters.” Each vendor is required by their lease to comply with certain regulations aimed at keeping the market looking and feeling historic. One of those regulations involves personal politics. “There are very specific guidelines about what can and can’t be hung,” said the PDA’s Lindsay. Kent de Vigné, a dentist located upstairs from the Daily Dozen, says he can’t remem-
Elza worked with the PDA and its governing body, the Pike Place Market Historical Commission, to get the flag permitted for the month of June each year. After the Stranger story broke, she went back to the board to make her case for keeping it up, and there was little resistance. It’s exactly what she intends to do again. “There is no malice, no discrimination, intended in any part of the conversation. We love the Daily Dozen Doughnut Company,” Lindsay told SGN. “Even though the temporary approval for hanging the flag has long passed, we told her if she did want to keep the flag past the election, that would be fine.” HISTORIC DECISION? “I can’t speak for the historic commission
and she suspects this is why her fellow tenant might be agitated. She also thinks the same owner raised the issue three years ago. Lindsay, however, says she hasn’t gotten any complaints from other vendors. “I’m a patriot, I love my country. I want to get married in my country. I’ve been with Lucinda for 27 years. We can’t even file a joint tax return,” Elza told SGN. “The people who judge me have not gone a day without their civil rights.” While Lindsay doesn’t know exactly how the case will go, there are people on the PDA as well as many other vendors, who support Elza in her endeavor. “The market has an incredible amount of diversity,” Elza told SGN. “I want them to realize this is just another part of that diversity.”
Democracy is for all Access Washington helps ensure that citizens with disabilities can vote
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor On October 17, Steven Gilbert, a writer for the Washington Secretary of State’s Office blog, “From Our Corner,” announced the state’s new voter accessibility project. “The Secretary of State’s passion is for equal access for all of our state’s voters,” wrote Gilbert. “That vision includes helping voters with disabilities.” Access Washington is aimed at assisting voters with one or more disabilities to participate to the maximum extent they are able. The program is paid for by a federal grant through the Help America Vote Act. “Thanks to this project, every county now has at least one site with special voting equipment called Accessible Voting Units (AVUs) for individuals with disabilities who can’t use vote-by-mail paper ballots,” said Gilbert.
These special units give voters the ability to listen to the ballot choices with headphones, and they include a keypad helpful for voters with visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities. For people who use wheelchairs, the AVUs height can be adjusted, and most also have an insert device for people who use sip-and-puff auxiliary aids. Washington state has an 18-day voting period starting on October 19, and AVUs are open now. “Our Elections staff has been working to help launch the voters with disabilities page on the Secretary of State’s website,” said Gilbert. “The page provides thorough information on accessible voting units, voters’ pamphlets, assistance with voting, and accessibility concerns along with additional information for voters with disabilities.” For more information go to https://wei. sos.wa.gov/agency/osos/en/voters/Pages/ voters_with_disabilities.aspx.
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Keeping the faith Meet some Seattle-area religious leaders who support Approve R-74 by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Although many opponents of marriage equality claim to be motivated by religious faith, the Approve R-74 campaign has built an impressive coalition of pro-equality religious leaders. While all say they are motivated by the traditions of their faith, each takes a unique approach to the issue of civil marriage. Rabbi James Mirel leads Temple B’nai Torah in Bellevue. He tells SGN he needed very little convincing to support equal marriage rights for Gay and Lesbian couples. “It wasn’t a big discussion,” Mirel says. “I’ve been supportive for 30 years. “I’ve been performing commitment ceremonies,” Mirel added. “It made a lot of sense, and I feel strongly about it. It’s a deep faith-based issue for me. It’s an issue of equality.” BIBLE NOT FINAL WORD Mirel dismisses the view that Biblical prohibitions against same-sex relations should be taken as authoritative. “Like most ancient religions there may be places in our tradition where you find antiGay legislation,” he says. “From the modern Reform [Jewish] perspective, all people should be equal. That’s what you find in our tradition – equality under the law. “We look at tradition as a guideline. The essential thing is justice. ‘Justice, justice you should pursue,’ scripture says.” According to Mirel, he has gotten no pushback from his congregation over his endorsement of the Approve R-74 campaign.
“Maybe ten percent of the congregation is a little more conservative,” he told SGN, “but no one called or spoke to me about [R74]. It was a blessing for me. I know there are people who get pushback – I speak to them sometimes – but people in our congregation understood.” A fixture of Seattle’s progressive community for many years, pastor Rich Lang, now at University Temple Methodist Church, also finds arguments for marriage equality rooted in his church’s religious tradition. “I think of marriage equality as a Christian sacrament,” he says. “Why make distinctions when all marriages manifest the same spirituality? “I think of it as a positive evolution from within our tradition. Progressive Protestantism – we can’t throw out the Bible, we need to know the Bible to pull out the stories that expand us. There’s a strong narrative of inclusion in the Christian gospels.” In a TV spot for the Approve R-74 campaign, Lang says he wrestled with the issue of same-sex marriage for a long time. “I’m 56 years old,” he told SGN. “That’s an important fact. My kids didn’t have to deal with the conflicts I did. Growing up, I had no clue. The only time homosexuality impinged on my consciousness was through the vile language. “And I myself was growing up in a family where my mom was married five times – no, six times! – and all my sisters have been divorced. It was total marital dysfunction,” Lang recalled.
through Bible study. “I began to meet people who were openly and actively Gay, and they were just like me, and their coupling was sometimes more functional than what I had observed among straight couples. “For Christians it’s not about battling with the Bible. That comes after experience. When you know people who are openly Gay it becomes less tenable to hide behind the stories our culture has told us.” Ron Moe-Lobeda is pastor at University Lutheran Church. He says he looks forward to performing same-sex marriages at his church, “and I think many of our Seattle area churches would.” While the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the group Moe-Lobeda’s church is affiliated with, does not yet recognize same-sex marriages, “our church is moving in the direction of affirmation and acceptance,” he says. EXPERIENCE MATTERS “At our synod we passed a resolution supHis change of heart came, he says, through his own life experience, rather than porting [R-74] by 87 percent, so that covers
WA marriage foes lose another round
R-71 petitioners’ names must remain public, court says by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has dismissed yet another attempt to shield the names of people who signed Referendum 71 petitions. In a decision announced October 23, the court said that since the petitions were already widely available on the Internet, the case is moot. R-71 was a 2009 ballot measure asking voters to approve or reject the state’s thennew domestic partnership law. As with R-74, right-wing opponents of LGBT rights succeeded in putting the measure on the ballot through a petition campaign. HARASSMENT FEARED Anti-Gay activists sought to conceal the names of petition-signers, alleging they would be subject to harassment if their names were published. The Ninth Circuit refused to keep the names secret, however, and the U.S. Supreme Court upheld that decision in June 2010. In October 2011, U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle ruled that Protect Marriage Washington – the group opposing domestic partnerships – and two anonymous petition signers had failed to demonstrate the
Rabbi James Mirel
potential for harassment if the names were released. The anti-Gay plaintiffs appealed, but the Ninth Circuit declined to stay disclosure pending their appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court also denied a stay in November 2011. In its October 23 ruling, the Ninth Circuit rejected the plaintiffs’ appeal.
not only our more progressive Seattle-area congregations, it’s the whole state.” Tim Phillips, lead pastor at Seattle First Baptist Church, on First Hill, points out that the readerboard outside his church proudly states, “Marrying all couples since 1979.” “We called them commitment ceremonies,” he explained, “but as far as I’m concerned they’re married!”
‘LOVE IS THE CENTER’ He has two reasons for supporting marriage equality, Phillips tells SGN. “The first is my faith. Love is in fact the center of what God wants for the world. Just as other religions do, I recognize marriage as a sacrament – it’s a window into God’s love. “The second reason is I’m a Baptist, and we’ve had a commitment to the separation of church and state from the beginning. Churches can hold whatever position they want to about marriage. I don’t think any argument based on what people think the Bible says should have any weight.” Phillips says his congregation is united in their support for marriage equality, even if other Baptists disagree. “We get pushback from outside folks,” he says. “We were picketed by the Fred Phelps people. For our folks, the idea of the government telling two people they can’t be married rankles them, even if they’re not completely on the same page.” Phillips says he looks forward to marrying same-sex couples legally. “We would marry same-sex couples not merely because the state says we should, but because we believe in it. For me it’s a faith issue and – as a Baptist – a church and state issue.”
Smith added that the plaintiffs made a “tactical error” earlier when they failed to file a motion for a stay on releasing the names with the District Court, thus allowing the names to be released in the first place. “Thus, the only government action now at issue is whether the state of Washington can continue to disclose these names,” he wrote.
closure,” Smith wrote. “When the District Court ordered plaintiffs to submit supplemental summary judgment briefing providing evidence that any R-71 signer had been harassed or threatened, plaintiffs responded that ‘there is no such evidence.’ “In oral argument, when asked about this evidence, plaintiffs admitted that no camNO EVIDENCE paign of intimidation has been waged, or Smith then went on to shred the plaintiffs’ appears likely to be waged, against R-71 pecentral claim – that releasing signers’ names tition signers in Washington,” Smith found. would expose them to retaliation. Protect Marriage could now ask for an “Though R-71 petitions have been avail- en banc hearing of the full Ninth Circuit, able for three months, plaintiffs have pre- or it could file another appeal to the U.S. sented no evidence of an R-71 signer being Supreme Court, but neither option seems threatened or harassed as a result of that dis- likely to succeed.
THE QUESTION IS MOOT Two of the three judges who heard the case came to the conclusion that the case was moot because the names had already been released and were available online. “This case is moot because no effective relief remains available to plaintiffs,” according to the majority opinion authored by Judge A. Wallace Tashima. “No exception to the mootness doctrine applies because this is not the type of case that is capable of repetition, yet evading review.” The third judge, N. Randy Smith, wrote that the case was not moot, but found against the plaintiffs on the merits. “Plaintiffs fail to provide any link between the harms they allege and how those harms will likely be caused by the specific government action at issue: the continued disclosure of already disclosed names,” Smith wrote.
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Don’t overlook judicial race The only Superior Court race on the ballot this fall warrants your readers’ attention. Incumbent Judge Chris Washington, recommended by SEAMEC, is being challenged by Suzanne Parisien, who was rated “not qualified” by QLaw (the LGBT bar association) and by Washington Women Lawyers when she ran and lost in 2008. These two ratings are almost unheard of and are huge red flags. Ms. Parisien has been rated by only one bar association this time around – the King County Bar Association. Her reluctance to undergo formal evaluation from other bar associations is troublesome, particularly in light of her previous ratings. In contrast, Judge Washington has submitted himself for evaluation to five bar associations and has been rated either “well qualified” or “qualified” by all of them. He has been endorsed by 13 Democratic districts; by more than 190 justices, judges, and attorneys; by dozens of elected officials and individuals, including Rep. Jamie Pedersen (D-43rd Dist.); and by the Seattle Times. Although there are many factors to consider when electing a judge, a breadth of support from multiple levels of the commu-
nity and legal profession are important indicators. Ms. Parisien’s attempts to fly under the radar should not be rewarded. Jim Doerty Judge, King County Superior Court ‘Domestic partnerships’ not enough As you know, Referendum 74 will be on the ballot this November. R-74 asks whether you approve enacting the marriage equality bill that state legislators – both Republicans and Democrats – passed earlier this year. I know that most of you intend to vote to Approve R-74, but I am asking you to do a bit more before the election. I will admit that it is hard knowing that others get to vote on whether I have the right to marry the person I love. It is frustrating and stressful. So, I’m choosing to use this as an opportunity to talk with family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues about why marriage equality is important. We know that people’s views on marriage equality evolve through personal conversations with or about those for whom this law has a personal impact. In my experience, most Washington vot-
ers do not believe that Lesbians and Gays should be denied equal rights. However, they are not aware that the current law that allows same-sex couples to enter into domestic partnerships isn’t sufficient. There are literally hundreds of rights, like inheritance rights and tax benefits, that are provided to married couples that are not provided to domestic partners. I firmly believe that all of us, regardless of whom we love, should be entitled to the same rights in this country. I hope you agree. A misconception is that the new law would require churches to marry same-sex couples. Lawmakers made certain to ensure that the law does not impinge on any church’s religious freedom. No church or religious institution would be required to marry any couple. This is about civil marriage, not religious marriage. But, in many ways, allowing couples to marry says something much more important. In our society, marriage is how we understand that people are committed, that they are a family, that they will be there and take care of each other throughout their lives. Remember back to when you married your spouse. You were likely overjoyed and wanted to tell your friends, family, and community that this is the person you love and want to spend your life with. You did that by getting married. People understood the importance and strength of your relationship just because you chose to marry. It said something and was universally understood by others.
national news Trans woman to head OutServe-SLDN Allyson Robinson chosen as executive director of combined military support group by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor On October 25, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) and OutServe, the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel, announced the selection of Army veteran Allyson Robinson to lead the newly combined organization. Robinson assumes the post as the two organizations are slated to finalize their combination this weekend. The merger was announced in July. “I am honored to lead the new OutServeSLDN into this next phase of advocacy and action on behalf of our brave LGBT service members, veterans, and their families. Until they are guaranteed equal opportunity, recognition, support, and benefits, our mission is incomplete. We cannot and will not leave them behind,” said Robinson. VETERAN ACTIVIST A native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Robinson comes to OutServe-SLDN from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). In 1994 she graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where she majored in physics. After an internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory, she was commissioned as an officer in the Army and commanded PATRIOT missile units in Europe and the Middle East. She also served as a senior trainer/evaluator for NATO and as an advisor to the armed forces of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. Robinson resigned her commission in 1999 to pursue a calling to Christian ministry, serving as pastor-teacher to churches in the Portuguese Azores and central Texas. She earned a master of divinity degree in theology with a capstone em-
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phasis in social justice from Baylor University in 2007. Most recently, as the first deputy director for employee programs of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Project, Robinson drove the design and delivery of HRC’s broad portfolio of training and curricula for corporate leadership and employee audiences to improve LGBT cultural competence and inclusion in the workplace. She lives with her wife of 18 years and their four children in Gaithersburg, Maryland. “Allyson Robinson is exactly the right person at the right time to be our leader and voice in Washington in the fight to achieve full LGBT equality in the military,” said April Heinze, retired Navy captain and cochair of the SLDN board. “She comes with an exemplary military background, strong political and policy acumen, and a deep commitment and vision for bringing about the changes needed to carry forward the work we began with the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’” ACCELERATING THE FIGHT Representing seven plaintiff same-sex military couples – each legally married – SLDN filed a federal court challenge in October 2011 to the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and other federal laws that prevent the military from providing equal recognition, benefits, and support to all service members and their families. On October 25, Robinson said that among her priorities will be accelerating the fight for equal support and benefits for all service members. “The repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ taught us that to be victorious, we must fight inequality on multiple fronts – in the courts, on Capitol Hill, and in the public square. It’s
October 26, 2012
Allyson Robinson
time to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, revise laws that prevent the military from honoring the service of all of our nation’s men and women in uniform, and end marriage discrimination for our service members and their families once and for all,” Robinson said. Robinson, who is Transgender, also vowed to continue the important work necessary to bringing about full LGBT equality in the military. “We cannot stop until we reach the day when all qualified Americans who wish to wear the uniform of our armed forces have the opportunity to do so with honor and integrity – and without fear of discrimination or harassment – whether they are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender,” Robinson said. EXPANDED MISSION In addition to advancing the mission of
All of us, regardless of whom we love, want our relationship understood and acknowledged in that same way. I want my friends, family, and community to know that my love and commitment to Marc is just as strong as yours is to your spouse. Again, thank you for your support for marriage equality. Please remember to vote to Approve Referendum 74. But given the profound impact that this election will have on my life, I am asking you to take the next three weeks to do more. Talk to others about marriage equality. Feel free to use my story as a way to initiate those conversations, if you want. Together, we can ensure equal rights for all in Washington. Matthew Haggerty An ex-Knight speaks out I recall a professor in seminary telling us that we shouldn’t worry about the Church being harmed from the outside, as he said that the destruction of the Church will come from within. And, how true that has become in the last decade! (“Catholic bigots raid the collection plate,” SGN, Oct. 19) When will the IRS revoke the tax-free status of the Catholic Church for meddling in politics, which violates the separation of church and state? “Render unto Caesar …” John Henry Mark Former Third Degree, Knights of Columbus (Fr. Funcken Council #1504) Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
full equality in the military, Robinson will lead a newly formed organization with an expanded mission, the result of the combination of SLDN and OutServe, which currently boasts 6,000 members worldwide. “From the moment I met Allyson, I knew she was the right leader for OutServe-SLDN,” said Josh Seefried, co-founder and co-director of OutServe. “As someone who graduated from West Point, deployed multiple times, and has dedicated her life to advancing social justice, she will relate to service members and supporters and lead this organization to a new level. She is a professional of unparalleled experience and will earn the respect and admiration of LGBT service members right away.” “Allyson will bring a new perspective and enthusiasm – as well as a deep commitment – as we enter the next phase of the fight for full LGBT equality in the armed forces,” said Aubrey Sarvis, Army veteran and outgoing SLDN executive director. “Allyson Robinson is strategic, passionate, and committed. She’s the right person to lead this organization. She’s a graduate of West Point and a decorated military officer, which makes her uniquely qualified for this position,” said Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “We have a lot of work ahead of us at OSSLDN, and we need a strategic, smart, dynamic leader who is strong both inside and outside the Beltway. Allyson fits the bill perfectly. She understands the importance of faith and family, especially within the LGBT and military communities, and will be able to get things done,” added Sue Fulton, executive director of Knights Out, an organization of LGBT West Point alumni.
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Celebrating 39 Years!
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October 26, 2012
Celebrating 39 Years!
health and medicine it. We support it! We know in our hearts that what I’ve outlined above is true. These are neighbors, friends, brothers, sisters, parents, and children who know Gay and Lesbian men and women who are in love. They know that supporting us getting married is a way in which they show their love and acceptance of us. It is an act of inclusion.
How marriage equality benefits all of us by Michael Raitt SGN Contributing Writer Culturally it is a historic time for the residents of Washington. Families and communities here, and around the country, are talking about the implications of legally recognizing same-sex marriage. Here are my thoughts, from personal and psychological perspectives, supporting Gay men and Lesbian women in getting legally married. When families are beginning – even during the planning phase, before a child has been conceived or adopted – most parents start hoping and dreaming about the lives their children will live. Mothers and fathers across the world fantasize that their children will experience success, happiness, and love. Parents dream of the day that they will witness their adult child joining someone they love and building a family. Parents visualize in their minds the weddings, spouses, in-laws, and grandchildren they want in their future. This is a cultural cycle. A CORE EXPERIENCE Have you ever seen little children playing “house”? Almost all children, at some point, begin to dream themselves about having a family and being in love. These children are already beginning to understand and live out this natural phenomenon. There is an instinctive drive towards love, bonding, and
family-building. This intrinsic drive is reinforced through stories, families, fairy tales, modeling, and religious teachings. Dreams are for everyone – they are not exclusive to certain people. A cornerstone of American culture is exactly what this is about – pursuing and achieving the American Dream. Without question, part of this dream includes being in love and building a family. Marriage is the legal and culturally sanctioned recognition of a loving, romantic bond and it is this bond that cements families and communities. Whether people want to admit it or not, being Lesbian/Gay is about romantic love. As I’ve said in previous articles, Gay is an emotional orientation. It is not singularly about an act of sex, and it never has been – it’s only been talked about this way. Psychologically, it is well-known that love is one of our strongest bonds. It is this love bond that brings happiness and peace and affects our perceptions of ourselves. We are happier when we know we are loved and accepted by another. It is love that creates a family, and families are essential to community. Communities make cultures, and cultures create a diverse country. This is a core experience and process of being human. At our essence, we know this! Parents, children, brothers, sisters, and grandparents all fundamentally know this. For many of us, this is a non-issue. We get
‘We’re not sick!’
40,000 demand World Health Organization stop labeling Trans people mentally ill la times
Miss Universe Canada Pageant for having undergone Transgender medical procedures, has launched a petition on Change.org as well as a video appeal in defense of Trans people everywhere. The petition asks the World Health Organization (WHO) to immediately remove transsexualism from its list of mental disorders. In just over one week, more than 45,000 people have signed the petition, which can be found at www.change.org/ notsick. A WHO working group is currently revising the classification and activists hope the campaign will result in a new list that does not include transsexualism.
Jenna Talackova
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Jenna Talackova, the Canadian beauty queen who rose to fame earlier this year after being expelled from Donald Trump’s
Visit us online www.sgn.org
for the love they feel for their partner, and you know that social acceptance is conveyed through the legal recognition we call marriage. Most of you profoundly know that your love of God and the love you have for your Gay/Lesbian loved one can co-exist. You realize that your act of loving your God is reflected in the act of granting legal standing that recognizes the love between HONEST QUESTIONS two people, even if they are of the same Some people, however, are truly conflict- gender. ed. These are not the citizens who stand in blind, defiant opposition and who will never IT’S ALL ABOUT LOVE be open to anything different than what they Love is a fundamental experience of believe. Rather, these are individuals who all humans. I see it every day. I work with are honestly toiling in their thoughts, feel- people who want to find love within themings, and values about what the right thing selves or who want to love another adult. I to do is. They value love and community work with people who are in deep pain beand want their Gay and Lesbian loved ones cause they have lost love. I know parents to be happy and live the dream as well. Yet, who have always loved their Gay/Lesbian they face questions and concerns that exist child, yet have been in conflict because their deep within them. dream is changing from those earlier years. Some of the deepest, most caring, I recognize that love is the foundation of thoughtful people in the world have been all the great religions of the world and that deeply conflicted when faced with ex- many people look to the teachings in these tremely important social and emotional religions to live love daily. I know, too, that issues. There is no shame in this conflict fear is the biggest enemy of love. and no need to criticize it. This conflict is Being Gay/Lesbian is about being in love. reflective of depth of character. It is a will- Marriage is the legal recognition of that ingness to challenge oneself and be open to love and it provides rights to couples who growth. This struggle is sometimes based are in love – rights that our counterparts are on religious beliefs, mixed with fear. These given. This is what Referendum 74 is about. people face change themselves and poten- For those who are in support, thank you. tial ridicule and social sanctions from others For those who are conflicted, I encourage in their social circles. It puts these people in you to find that place within yourself where what seems to them an agonizing position. you know that acting on behalf of love is the For this group of people, what is needed, in right thing to do. In supporting love, you my opinion, is respect and acknowledgment are supporting strong, connected families – a recognition that they are open to a dif- and cohesive communities. Find that place ferent perspective and a willingness to take within yourself where you pass through a position for others they care about, even the trepidation, and never let irrational fear though it may expose them to harsh judg- deny the rights of others, disregard genuine ment from people they currently consider love, or kill a dream. friends and/or leaders of their particular communities. Michael Raitt, M.A., L.M.H.C., is a therIf this describes you, in my opinion your apist whose column appears bimonthly struggle is a noble one. You want your Les- in SGN. If you would like to comment on bian/Gay loved ones to be happy. You rec- this column, ask a question you’d like him ognize that you want your Gay son, daugh- to write about, or suggest another topic of ter, mother, father, or friend to be accepted interest, please contact him at askingmichael@comcast.net.
inclusive Miss Universe competition, I’m so glad I can help bring attention to this issue,” said Talackova. “My hope is that the World Health Organization will listen to everyone signing our petition on Change.org, and that we can make this huge step toward eliminating discrimination against Trans people.” Gloria Allred, a prominent American attorney famous for taking on and winning high-profile cases representing LGBT people, has supported the campaign, saying, “It is long overdue for the World Health Organization to remove transsexualism from the list of mental disorders.” In a video, Allred explains the negative impacts of the WHO label and how she believes it “serves to increase the discrimina-
tion that those who are Transsexual already suffer in their everyday lives.” After Jenna was kicked out of the Miss Universe Canada pageant, a student in New York started a Change.org petition for her, demanding that pageant officials reinstate her. After tens of thousands of people signed that petition and others like Allred worked on her behalf, Jenna was allowed to participate. This WHO campaign is part of an international initiative supported in various countries by other prominent Trans celebrities, politicians, and activists, including Vladimir Luxuria of Italy, Carla Antonelli of Spain, Rochelle Gregorie of France, Kim Schicklang Valentijn de Hinhg of the Netherlands, and Maxwell Zachs of the U.K.
October 26, 2012
Seattle Gay News 15
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION “As a woman who fought for a Trans-
northwest news
REGISTER TO VOTE – LAST DAY TO REGISTER IS MONDAY OCTOBER 29 The deadline for mail-in and on-line voter registration and changes of address has past. If you moved since the last election and haven’t submitted a change of address, contact the Washington State Elections Office, 360-902-4180 to find out what your voting options for the November 6 election are. The FINAL deadline for NEW Washington State voter registration is Monday, October 29. The only option to register to vote in Washington State after October 8 is to go in person to your county elections office. Seattle/King County voters have TWO options. King County Elections Offices are located at both the King County Administration Building, 500 4th Ave. in downtown Seattle and at 919 SW Grady Way in Renton. The Snohomish County Elections Office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave. #505, Everett, WA 98201. The Pierce County Elections Office is located at 2501 S. 35th St., Tacoma, WA 98409. For other county locations contact the Washington State Elections Office, 360-902-4180. The 18-day mail-in voting period for the 2012 General Election is October 20-November 6. Ballots must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, November 6. If you mail your ballot on Tuesday, November 6, be sure to put your ballot in the mail box before that mail box’s last scheduled pick up of the day, to ensure that your ballot is postmarked November 6. (Earlier voting is recommended.) If your ballot is postmarked after November 6, your ballot will not be counted. Your county elections office can also provide you with locations where you can drop off your ballot in person. The November 6 General Election has several important candidates and issues on the ballot – including President of the United States, Governor of the State of Washington, Attorney General of the State of Washington, Referendum 74 to APPROVE Marriage Equality (LGBTQ Marriage) in Washington State, and Initiative 502 to Decriminalize Marijuana in Washington State. For more information on the 2012 election, contact the Washington State Elections Office, 360-902-4180; 800-448-4881 (voter hotline); www.vote.wa.gov. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – WASHINGTON UNITED FOR MARRIAGE CAMPAIGN TO APPROVE REFERENDUM 74 Washington United for Marriage is seeking volunteers to help with a myriad of tasks to ensure passage of Referendum 74. If approved, the referendum will uphold the decision made by the Washington state legislature and signed by Christine Gregoire to legalize Gay marriage, marriage equality, the freedom to marry for all couples. To get involved, email volunteer@washingtonunited.org, phone 206-486-0359, or stop by the Capitol Hill Action Center (517 E. Pike St.). There are volunteer opportunities around the state. To find out how you can get involved, visit www/washingtonunitedformarriage.org or call 425-954-3252.
of free concert events (no tickets required) in five cities throughout Western Washington. Each program will feature a 90-minute set of music, stories, and speakers devoted to building awareness and engaging audience members to help Approve Referendum 74. Concerts have already been held in Tacoma, Edmonds, Olympia and Bellingham. The remaining concert schedule is: Seattle: Friday, October 26, 8 p.m., Center for Spiritual Living, 5801 Sand Point Way NE.
SEATTLE BUTOH FESTIVAL DAIPANbutoh Collective presents Seattle Butoh Festival 2012 from October 22-28, a week of workshops, performances and community conversations with two top international Butoh masters and the artists in the collective and workshop participants. On Friday, October 26, at 8 p.m., at Velocity Dance Center (1621 12th Ave.), SUEN Butoh Company from Sweden and DAIPAN members Kaoru Okumura, Helen Thorsen, and Will Fredo perform. On Saturday, October 27, at 8 p.m., at Velocity Dance Center, Atsushi Takenouchi (Jinen Butoh) and DAIPAN members Joan Laage, Kaoru Okumura, Diana Garcia-Snyder and Maureen “Momo” Freehill & Sheri Brown perform. On Sunday, October 28, at 6 p.m., at Velocity Dance Center, DAIPANbutoh presents the “BUTOH OPEN” featuring experienced butoh students from this year’s festival workshop series. Tickets: Fri/Sat: $25-at the door, $22 pre-purchase (student/seniors $15); Sun: $10. www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/273073. www.daipanbutoh.com. ONE LOVE WEDDING SHOWCASE On Saturday, October 27, from noon-5 p.m., at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel (515 Madison St.), One Love Wedding Showcase presents more than 60 vendors providing products and services to same-sex couples for every aspect of creating a life together – from planning a wedding, to legal and financial support, real estate advice and more. One Love is presented in association with GSBA and Washington United for Marriage. www.oneloveseattle.com. SEATTLE CENTER FESTAL – DIA DE MUERTOS CELEBRATION OCTOBER 27-28 On Saturday, October 27, from 12 noon8 p.m., and Sunday, October 28, from 12 noon-6 p.m., at Seattle Center’s Armory/ Center House, Taller Mexicano para la Cultura y Las Artes presents their annual “Dia de Muertos” (“Day of the Dead”) celebration with a program of arts and entertainment, display of memorial altars and a stunning tapete (monumental sand painting). www.tallermexicano.org.
SEATTLE WEAVER’S GUILD ANNUAL SHOW AND SALE Friday, October 26, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday, October 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Bloedel Hall at St. Mark’s Cathedral (lower level), 1245 10th Ave. E. http://seattleweaversguild.com.
SEATTLE EROTIC ART FESTIVAL PRESENTS “SEDUCTION” – SEATTLE’S SEXIEST HALLOWEEN On Saturday, October 27, from 8 p.m.-2 a.m., at Fremont Studios, 155 N. 35th St., see and be seen at this alluring night of amazing music and dancing, enticing performances, lavish erotic art showcase, sultry interactive installations, and, of course, lots of delicious eye-candy, plus costume contest with over $3,000 in prizes. Tickets: Individual - $28 limited tier 2 advance, $40 when tier 2 sells out and at the door or $115 Velvet VIP; Couple - $50 limited tier 2 advance, $75 when tier 2 sells out and at the door or $200 Velvet VIP. Plus after-party from 1-5 a.m. at Center for Sex Positive Culture. Last year Seduction drew 1500 of Seattle’s sexiest and most creative people. www.seattleerotic.org.
“VOICES UNITED FOR MARRIAGE” – SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS/ SEATTLE WOMEN’S CHORUS ON TOUR The SMC and SWC are showcasing their support for marriage equality with a series
GAY CITY PRESENTS BUMP! 2012 HALLOWEEN PARTY On Saturday, October 27, from 9 p.m.2 a.m., at Neumos (925 E. Pike St.), Gay City presents Bump! 2012 with DJ Almond Brown, DJ Spaceotter, Honey Bucket, the cast of Rocky Horror Picture Show, and
16 Seattle Gay News
October 26, 2012
EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL OCTOBER 13-NOVEMBER 4 www.earshot.org
compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer
Equality and the Changing Lives of LGBT Older Adults,” including key findings from the first national LGBT health and aging project, “Caring and Aging with Pride.” Attendance is FREE, but RSVP is required at 206-543-7704 or http://engage.washington. NORTHWEST NETWORK edu/site/Calendar/514271146?view=RSV MIMOSA BRUNCH & P&id=109461. This lecture is co-hosted by 25TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY On Sunday, October 28, from 11 a.m.-1 Senior Services and SAGE Seattle. p.m., at Southside Commons (3518 S. EdSEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN munds St.), join Northwest Network for a BOOK CLUB – scrumptious biscuit bar and raise a glass to UNCENSORED the amazing community that has sustained PICTURES OF DORIAN GRAY Northwest Network through a quarter cenThe Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club tury of survivor-centered work. Price: $50. The Northwest Network of Bisexual, Trans, meets every Wednesday from 6-7:15 p.m., Lesbian and Gay Survivors of Abuse works at Seattle Area Support Groups Community to end violence and abuse by building lov- Center (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas St.). For October, the club will be reading the ing and equitable relationships for our community and across the country. 206-568- recently published Uncensored Pictures of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. The homo7777; www.nwnetwork.org. sexual passages, once chopped out, have been restored. BISHOP GENE ROBINSON – All GLBTQ folks are welcome to partici“STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT pate in this free book club. For more inforGAY MARRIGE” mation email nickdimartin@earthlink.net, AT TOWN HALL On Monday, October 29, at 7:30 p.m., visit http://faculty.washington.edu/swittet/ Town Hall (8th Ave. & E. Seneca St.) pres- SGLBookClub/ or contact SASG at 206ents Bishop Gene Robinson, one of the 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org. For discount on world’s leading religious spokesmen for cost of books, email Nick. Gay rights and Gay marriage. BURLYCON 2012 The bishop of the Diocese of New HampNOVEMBER 1-4 shire in the Episcopal Church, Robinson BurlyCon, the educational and social conwas the first openly Gay person to become a bishop in the historic traditions of Christen- vention for the burlesque community, will dom. He wore a bulletproof vest to his 2003 hold a Guiness Book of World Records Atconsecration and quickly stepped onto the tempt for the “World’s Largest Fan Dance” world stage. In 2009, he delivered the invo- during the November 1-4, 2012 event at cation at the opening inaugural ceremonies the Seattle DoubleTree Inn (18740 Internafor President Barack Obama, and a feature- tional Blvd) near Sea-Tac Airport, featuring length documentary on Bishop Robinson’s over 250 burlesque dancers executing fan ministry, Love Free or Die, premiered at dance choreography in “traditional” costhe Sundance Film Festival in 2012. As a tumes. Now in its fifth year, BurlyCon is a man who holds the Bible holy, the author fixture of the booming burlesque festival of God Believes in Love makes the case for circuit attracting hundreds of burleque persame-sex marriage using a religious argu- formers, fans and aficionados from around ment – and personal insight: Robinson was the world for a full weekend of classes, married to a woman for two decades and has panels, networking, shopping, and social been married to a man the last four years. events. www.BurlyCon.org. Tickets: $5 at www.townhallseattle.org or SEATTLE CENTER FESTAL – 888-377-4510 and at the door beginning at HMONG 6:30 p.m. NEW YEAR CELEBRATION On Saturday, November 3, from 11 a.m.BISHOP GENE ROBINSON – 8 p.m., at Seattle Center’s Armony/Center “LOVE FREE OR DIE” House and Fisher Pavilion, explore and ON KCTS-TV CHANNEL 9 On Monday, October 29, at 10 p.m., on experience the cultural roots and contempoKCTS-TV, Channel 9, “Independent Lens” rary influences of the people from the hillpresents “Love Free or Die,” a Sundance tops of China, Laos, and Thailand through Film Festival (2012) Special Jury Prize win- live performances, visual arts, hands-on ning documentary about Bishop Gene Rob- activities, foods, games, and a lively marinson, whose election to bishop in the Epis- ketplace. Gain insights into the customary copal church strained relations throughout courtship ritual of ball tossing and participate in flower cloth sessions. Presented in the Anglican communion. Faith, love, marriage, homosexuality and partnership with the Hmong Association of the Episcopal Church collide in the first Washington. http://hmongofwa.org. openly Gay Bishop Gene Robinson of New “SING OUT FOR WOMEN” Hampshire. Robinson is a man whose two SEATTLE PEACE CHORUS & primary passions are in direct conflict: his CRIS WILLIAMSON love for God and for his partner Mark. RobOn Saturday, November 3, at 7:30 p.m., inson is the first openly Gay person to become a bishop in the historic traditions of at Town Hall (8th Ave. & Seneca St.), enjoy Christendom. His consecration by the Epis- an extraordinary evening celebrating womcopal Church, to which he wore a bullet- en’s rights and social justice. Join us for a proof vest, caused an international stir. He wonderful evening of music celebrating became the focal point as American church- women’s rights and social justice. After dees debated whether or not Lesbian and Gay cades of progress, women around the world people are equal to heterosexuals in the eyes still lack freedom to vote, freedom from of God, while the United States at large violence, freedom of choice over their own struggles with legal equality for Gays and bodies, and freedom from repression. On the eve of our national election, as women’s Lesbians. rights are debated, it is vital we do not fall silent. Pioneer of “Women’s Music” singerKAREN I. FREDRIKSEN songwriter Cris Williamson’s albums beGOLDSEN – came the soundtrack for a movement and “EMERGING FROM THE helped foster the birth of an entirely new MARGINS: genre of music. She will sing many of her MARRIAGE EQUALITY & most loved songs, with new arrangements THE CHANGING LIVES OF premiering with the chorus. Also featured LGBT OLDER ADULTS” On Tuesday, October 30, from 5:30-7:30 will be Grammy award-winning singer/mup.m., at the UW School of Social Work, sician Nancy Rumbel of Tingstad & RumRoom 305 (4101 15th Ave. NE), Karen I. bel and original compositions by Seattle Fredriksen-Goldsen, Ph.D., Professor and composer-songwriter Carol Sams and other Director of the Institute for Multigenera- women composers. Tickets: $20-advance, tional Health at the UW School of Social $18-student/senior/disabled. www.brownWork, addresses the important issues in the papertickets.com/event/280680, 800-838lives of LGBT older adults in her lecture, 3006, www.seattlepeacechorus.org. Tickets “Emerging from the Margins: Marriage will also be available at the door. their famous $1,000 costume contest. Advance tickets: $30-general admission; $65 VIP. Must be 21+/ID required. Tickets: www.gaycity.org/bump.
Celebrating 39 Years!
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October 26, 2012
Seattle Gay News 17
philadelphia inquirer
Arlen Specter’s LGBT legacy A hidden history of the late Pennsylvania senator
yard and in the halls of the building, members of the Gay Raiders were handing out flyers that read, “District Attorney Arlen Let me tell you how I met Arlen Specter, Specter invites you to a reception in honor who died October 14 at age 82. of Gay rights legislation in City Council. Back in the early days of the battle for Please join him at 10 a.m. in his office, room Gay rights, Arlen was district attorney of 666.” (That really was his office number.) Philadelphia. He had not taken a stand on the Gay rights bill that was before the City A FRIENDLY AMBUSH Council in 1973. Efforts to set up a meeting At 10 a.m., we, along with hundreds of went unanswered. So we had to be a little city workers and a huge collection of newscreative. people, arrived at his office. We walked in One crisp Monday morning, a caterer and there was Arlen’s staff trying not to look delivered two large coffeemakers and doz- too surprised at a reception held in their ofens of donuts to Arlen’s office. His staff as- fice that their boss was having, about legissumed that Arlen had ordered the special lation he had not endorsed. Arlen remained treat, and Arlen assumed his staff had ar- in his inner office. ranged it. At first, the media took pictures of me At the same time, in the City Hall court- handing out coffee and donuts to City Hall by Mark Segal Special to the SGN
The 1973 clipping from the Philadelphia Inquirer showing the meeting between Arlen Specter (l) and Mark Segal
staffers, and we weren’t sure if Arlen would even come out of his private office. Finally, the door to his office opened and there he was, all smiles. He walked over, shook my hand, helped me hand out coffee, and we then went into his private office. His first comment to me was, “Mark Segal, who else would cater a disruption? Did you think I’d allow you to have all the media attention to yourself?” And then that big smile. The Philadelphia Inquirer the following day (October 10, 1973) had a large picture of the event, or “zap,” as we called such actions in those days. The caption read: “District Attorney Arlen Specter shakes hands with Mark Segal, leader of the Gay Raiders, who parked outside the district attorney’s office until he emerged and granted them an interview. The Raiders handed out free donuts and coffee while waiting for Specter.”
his support, it failed by one vote. He later supported the repeal of both “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the Defense of Marriage Act. In 2009, when HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan was in town, we were in the beginning stages of an LGBT-friendly senior residence project. We needed to meet with him, but his schedule was tight. Arlen said, “Don’t worry about it. Just meet me at his next-to-last stop while he’s in Philadelphia and I’ll arrange it.” As Donovan was about to leave, Sen. Specter, with me standing to one side, grabbed him and took us both to his car in the motorcade, where a Secret Service agent had the door open. Arlen allowed the secretary to get into his car and then followed and pushed me in at the same time. “We’re going to ride with you to the next stop,” he said. The secretary was not about to refuse a senator. As a result, I had Donovan’s undivided attention for 20 minutes. In hindsight, it’s fair to say Arlen and I kidnapped the secretary of HUD. And a week from today, we will hold the groundbreaking on the nation’s largest LGBT-friendly building project. Thank you, Arlen!
BEHIND-THE-SCENES ALLY Arlen eventually went to the National District Attorneys Association and asked them to get on board and support nondiscrimination. Now, here’s what you never knew. In Arlen’s Republican years in the U.S. Senate, he was always behind the curtain ready to vote yes on a pro-LGBT bill if it was needed to assure passage. Only HRC Mark Segal publishes the Philadelphia and I were aware of that. His 1996 vote on Gay News. He can be reached at mark@ the Employment Non-Discrimination Act epgn.com. nearly got the measure through – but despite
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www.sgn.org 18 Seattle Gay News
October 26, 2012
www.sgn.org Celebrating 39 Years!
been released already.
endorsement
money
riage fully protects and supports families, they move towards supporting marriage for same-sex couples and Approving Referendum 74. We’re now in the home stretch, mobilizing thousands of volunteers with the largest ground game in Washington ballot history. We feel momentum is on our side, and having the President weigh in on Referendum 74 puts an extra gust of wind in our sails.” The president’s endorsement comes at a time when polling numbers have begun a slow shift. For months, Approve R-74 has held a healthy lead, and while it is still ahead, the race is tightening as Election Day approaches.
VOTE OF CONFIDENCE Washington United for Marriage campaign manager Zach Silk said the new donations represented a vote of confidence in the campaign for marriage equality. “These amazing gifts, from two visionary leaders, demonstrate their confidence in our campaign, which families across Washington state are counting on us to win,” Silk told SGN. “They join tens of thousands of individual donors and their call to action, coming as it does in these final days, is an inspiration to every supporter of the freedom to marry.” The Approve R-74 campaign received the $500,000 Gates contribution on October 15. It brought the total raised for marriage equality to just under $11 million. Bloomberg’s money has not yet been counted toward the total, because it is contingent on Approve R-74 fundraising. Washington United for Marriage has spent about $9.5 million, much of it on an effective series of TV ads featuring a cross section of people advocating for “the freedom to marry the person you love.” Silk told SGN that the campaign “will pour 100% of the [newest] gifts into direct voter contact. It will help us complete our advertising and run a large-scale get-outthe-vote campaign.”
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AD CALLED MISLEADING “In places where marriage has been redefined, people who believe in traditional marriage have faced lawsuits and lost their jobs. The same thing will happen in Washington if R-74 is approved,” said Preserve Marriage Washington’s Chip White in a statement issued October 23 about the group’s new TV ad. Washington United for Marriage condemned the new ad by R-74 opponents, titled “Examples,” as nothing more than a rehash of old stories designed to scare and confuse voters, as they have done in every marriage battle at the ballot box. “Neither of these stories are new,” said Silk, referring to the allegedly true-life tales of woe depicted in the ad. “They’ve been used repeatedly here in videos, mailers, and Sunday bulletins, and putting them up on TV does not make them true. In fact, the Vermont inn story was used in an ad in Maine where there is also a referendum on marriage equality, and the state’s newspapers called it out as false. “Our opponents are desperate. And so they’re closing out with their old playbook of distortions and lies to scare voters. We’ll put our trust in Washington voters who can see through these cynical political tactics,” said Silk.
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SPREADING THE WEALTH Bloomberg, a successful equity broker as well as mayor of New York, pledged matching funds of $250,000 to Washington United for Marriage, $125,000 to Mainers United for Marriage, and $125,000 to Minnesotans United for All Families. Bloomberg said he hoped his pledges would help pro-equality groups raise additional money by generating new contributions in the homestretch of their campaigns.
If the challenge is successful, it will raise $1 million for the cause of marriage equality in the three states. On October 13, Bloomberg announced that he had made an outright donation of $250,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality. “Maryland will always hold a special place in my heart,” Bloomberg said at the time, because he attended Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Bloomberg is reportedly the 10th richest person in the U.S., with assets totaling some $25 billion.
GATES A REPEAT DONOR Gates donated $100,000 to Washington United for Marriage in June. His business partner Steve Ballmer, now Microsoft CEO, also invested $100,000 at that time. “We were excited the Gates family decided to invest again,” Silk said. “Bill and Melinda Gates made a second contribution to the [Approve] Referendum 74 campaign because they support marriage equality and believe the law is good for Washington state,” said a family spokesperson announcing the new donation on October 23. Contacted by SGN, a spokesperson for the Gates family said the donation was a personal contribution from the couple and not connected with the Gates Foundation. The spokesperson added that Bill and Melinda Gates are “out of the country” and would have no further comment beyond what had
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Some Maryland ballots missing marriage question What to do if you receive a defective Washington ballot
be reached at (360) 902-4180. Since Washington state ballots are all one-page documents, missing pages would not be a problem, but voters could discover other errors. It’s possible to have received a ballot for the wrong congressional or legislative district, for example. “We have no reason to believe there were any printing errors in the ballots that were sent out in King County,” King County Elections Chief Communications Officer Kim van Ekstrom told SGN, “but if anyone thinks they should be eligible to vote on something that is not on their ballot, they should call us.” CHECK YOUR INFO King County Elections also offers a Voter Guide feature on its website, van Ekstrom said. Enter your name and date of birth, “and it pulls up all the ballot items you’re eligible to vote for,” she explained. The guide is at www.kingcounty.gov/elections. “Voters can also check to see if their
registration information is accurate,” van Ekstrom added. Any errors or discrepancies should be reported to King County Elections, she said. The Secretary of State’s office recently mailed out more than one million postcards notifying eligible voters that they did not “appear to be registered,” largely because name and date-of-birth information was inconsistent between the state’s DMV and voter databases. Thousands of the cards were reportedly sent in error because of birthdates entered incorrectly, or because of variations in name – “Mike” instead of “Michael,” for example. Voters can visit the Secretary of State’s website to determine if they are, in fact registered, and if not, they may register in person on or before October 29. King County in-person registration can be completed at the King County Elections office in Renton (919 S.W. Grady Way), or the King County Administration Building in Seattle (500 4th Ave., Room 311).
permanent.” Asked if she had many discussions with continued from cover anti-Referendum 74 clergy, Walden replied, “Most of the people I’ve talked to are people who support it. When I speak to opponents I with partners of the same sex,” she said. “Everybody knew Gay or Lesbian people speak to the 14th Amendment – people unbefore Bush II came into office and made derstand what equal protection means.” it a hot-button issue. It’s divisive. We have REFORMING THE SPD to come together. This division doesn’t help Walden also talked with SGN about her people at all. It doesn’t create one job, no bread and butter on the table, no red shoes work with Mothers for Police Accountability, and the recent Department of Justice setunder the Christmas tree.” tlement with the Seattle Police Department. “Mothers was one of the groups that PRAISES CAMPAIGN Walden gives Washington United for signed the ACLU’s letter to the Justice DeMarriage high marks for reaching out to di- partment” complaining about the SPD’s excessive use of force, Walden noted. verse communities. “As soon as the city decides on a monitor “I’ve gone to some of their events,” she told SGN, “and I think they’ve done a good [to oversee the terms of the settlement], Sejob of outreach to the religious leaders, and attle has a real opportunity to correct some of the problems with our police force. to the different communities. “I’m very optimistic – the Justice Depart“And they have nice, peaceful commercials with a wide range of people, a wide ment coming to Seattle was a vindication for range of clergy – very tastefully done, very us, who have been doing this kind of work high caliber,” she added, referring to the se- for so long.” Asked if there was anything else she ries of pro-equality TV spots produced by wanted SGN readers to know about her or the Approve R-74 campaign. Walden is now interim pastor of So- her work, Walden mentioned her son, Hiram journer Truth Church, founded by the Rev. Salisbury, who died from complications of Gwendolyn Hall, an influential minister and AIDS. “He was my greatest teacher,” she said. Lesbian activist. Hall died in 2007. “It was one of the first Black churches for “He taught my family what unconditional Gay and Lesbian people,” Walden recalled. love means. Hiram believed in live-and“Gwen stood up for decent treatment for all let-live. ‘There’s room on the planet for evpeople who are different. I’m honored to be eryone,’ that’s what he used to say. There’s the interim pastor till they can find someone room on the planet for everyone.”
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by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Some absentee ballots being distributed in Maryland are missing the page with the state’s marriage equality initiative, a Washington, D.C., TV station has learned. “Maryland State Board of Elections Deputy Administrator Ross Goldstein confirmed that some absentee ballots in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties are missing the second page,” where Question 6 on marriage is printed, reported WRC-TV (News 4), an NBC affiliate. “He says the state is investigating what happened but stresses it’s a small number,” News 4 continued.
COULD IT HAPPEN HERE? Washington state election officials say they have not received any reports of ballot error, but stress that voters who receive erroneous or defective ballots should contact their county election officials immediately. “The quickest way to solve the problem would be to call your county election office,” according to Dave Ammons, spokesperson for the Washington Secretary of State’s office. “Or you could call here, to our Elections Division.” King County Elections can be reached at (206) 296-8683, and Snohomish County Elections is at (425) 388-3444. In Pierce County, voters should contact the County Auditor’s office at (253) 798-7427. The Secretary of State’s Elections Division can
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Gallup says 3.4% identify as LGBT
(So where are the rest of us?) by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A new Gallup survey released October 18 reports that 3.4% of Americans identify as LGBT. According to the pollsters, this was “the largest single study of the American LGBT population on record.” Gallup conducted 121,290 phone interviews between June 1 and September 30, asking the question, “Do you, personally, identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender?” The 3.4% claiming to be LGBT is similar to a 3.8% estimate based on averaging a
group of smaller studies done in the period 2004-08, but it is substantially less than the “one-in-ten” often cited as an estimate of the LGBT population. So it makes sense to ask, “Where are the rest of us?” The answer is complicated by the fact that sexual orientation is not a protected class, at least not in federal law, as race and sex are. As a result, the U.S. Census Bureau is not mandated to count LGBT people as a category, nor do all schools or employers apply affirmative action rules to sexual orientation. As a result, no accurate numbers exist for LGBT Americans as they do for the number of women, African Americans, and Hispanics. The other complication is the fact that the 10% number comes from Alfred Kinsey’s 1948 report, Sexuality in the Human Male, in which Kinsey reported that 10% of men in his study reported having had at least one same-sex sexual experience. Kinsey envisioned sexuality across a continuum – from exclusively same-sex partners to exclusively opposite-sex partners – and not as a specific identity, in the way we now speak of “being” Gay or Lesbian.
STIGMA PREVENTS ACCURACY Still another complication comes from the methodology of the poll itself, since the assumption underlying the telephone poll is that respondents will be candid with random strangers asking about their sexual orientation. While this may be true for some LGBT people living in cosmopolitan cities, it is questionable for those living in less LGBTfriendly environments, as Gallup admits. “As a group still subject to social stigma, many of those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender may not be forthcoming about this identity when asked about it in a survey,” the pollsters said. “Therefore, it’s likely that some Americans in what is commonly referred to as ‘the closet’ would not be included in the estimates derived from the Gallup interviews.” Presumably straight Americans are not “in the closet” about being straight, and would respond candidly to Gallup’s questions about their sexuality. On the other hand, even if LGBT people are out to friends and family, they might be reluctant to be out to a disembodied voice on the phone. So we might expect a relatively large proportion of LGBT respondents not to answer Gallup’s question about their sexual orientation. In fact, more people refused to answer the question, or said they “didn’t know” their sexual orientation, than said they were LGBT. Gallup reported that 3.4% of their respondents said they identify as LGBT, while 4.4% either refused to respond or “didn’t know.” Adding these figures, we get 7.8% who do not claim to be straight, a number closer to the 10% figure that can be extrapolated from the Kinsey study.
AGE ALSO A VARIABLE More evidence that Gallup’s results are skewed by respondents’ reluctance to be candid about sexual orientation comes from the survey’s age bracket crosstabs. Respondents aged 18 to 29 are more than three times as likely as seniors aged 65 and older to identify as LGBT. Some 6.4% of the youngest respondents said they were LGBT, as compared to only 1.9% of the oldest respondents. For other age brackets, self-identification as LGBT declines with age – 3.2% of 30-to-40-year-olds, and 2.6% of those aged 50 to 64 said they are LGBT. Among the oldest age group, 6.5% refused to answer the question or said they “didn’t know” their sexual orientation, while among the youngest group, only 3.5% refused to answer or “didn’t know.” If the Gallup survey were actually measuring sexual orientation, as opposed to willingness to discuss sexual orientation, we would expect LGBT identity to be evenly distributed across age brackets. What Gallup is reporting is that younger LGBT people are more comfortable discussing their sexual orientation with strangers. Interestingly enough, among the youngest respondents, the number who did not claim to be straight adds up to 9.9% – a number that corresponds almost exactly to estimates based on Kinsey’s study. The full Gallup survey results, including fascinating data on LGBT income levels and an apparent “gender gap” in LGBT selfidentification, can be found at www.gallup. com/poll/158066/special-report-adultsidentify-lgbt.aspx.
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