SNN THIS MONTH SPOKANE – National spokeswoman Candace Gingrich will be in Spokane at the first of the month to help launch Building Community, Creating a Vision for the Inland Northwest Business Alliance. Page 6. SPOKANE – Emperor 28 Mark Surreal and Empress 32 Selena Blaque conclude their reign of Flash, Class and Attitude and preside over coronaEmpress 32 tion ceremonies at Selena Blaque the end of the month that will attract drag celebrities from throughout the Northwest. Related picture, Page 5. SPOKANE – A health summit expressly geared for those in the gay community offers Emperor 28 Mark Surreal a full range of helpful seminars. Page 4.
– Good intentions have a way of leaving a person with a feeling of unfulfilled expectations. Mark Garrett asks readers to consider that now is a good Mark Garrett time to volunteer their services in the battle against HIV and AIDS. Page 4. SPOKANE
HAYDEN LAKE – It’s a fundraiser that’s evolved into an anticipated social event, the Tastefully Done Wine Tasting benefit for North Idaho AIDS Coalition at the Clark House Bed and Breakfast. Page 9. PRICHARD – Tucked among the firs and cedars north of Idaho’s Silver Valley, the Y Tavern celebrates diversity with Drag Night every Saturday. Page 10. TACOMA – Author Michael Jensen, who introduced his Frontiers to Spokane audiences five years ago, has just published his latest colonial-era mys- Michael Jensen tery, Firelands. Page 21. TRENTON – Police say the alleged
lover of New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey, who recently admitted to being gay, poses no security threat to the state. Page 13. FORT LAUDERDALE – Mubarak Dahir says the gaydar functioned flawlessly during Hurricane Frances. Page 20.
Vol. XIII, No. 10
Serving the Gay and Lesbian Community of the Inland Northwest
Judge tosses state’s DOMA
October 2004
Comedic cavorting at the Civic
Ruling favors marriage for same-sex couples OLYMPIA – A second judge in two months has ruled that Washington state’s discriminatory ban on samesex marriage is unconstitutional. Thurston County Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks ruled Sept. 7 that the state’s 1998 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) violates the civil liberties of gay men and lesbians under the Washington constitution. “For the government, this is not a moral issue. It is a legal issue,” Judge Hicks said in a written ruling. Hicks acknowledged that the intent of the state’s Defense of Marriage Act
photo by Cristopher Lawrence
Exuberant cast members and a raucous script will set Spokane Civic Theatre rocking to the riotous antics of Noises Off this month. In the scene above are, from left, Wes Deitrick, Thomas Heppler, Jone Campbell Bryan, Allison Standley, Patrick McHenry-Kroetch, Melody Deatherage and Stephanie Dyer. Related story on page 18.
was very clear: Legislators wanted to limit marriage to a union between one man and one woman. But, Hicks said, that law directly conflicts with the state constitution. “What fails strict scrutiny here is a government-approved civil contract
Public will be allowed in Scotty Joe Weaver trial BAY MINETTE, Ala. – A state judge has ruled that he does not plan to seal the record or bar the public from court proceedings in the capital murder case against three young defendants in the killing of gay teenager Scotty Joe Weaver. Baldwin County District Judge Jody W. Bishop also delayed a decision on a defense request for a gag order that would prohibit attorneys, court and law enforcement officials from making public comments about the case. A trial date is not expected until next year. Robert Porter, 18, Christopher Ryan Gaines, 20, and Gaines’ girlfriend, Nichole Kelsay, 18 – all held without bond – are charged in the July 18 killing of Weaver. Allegations that the slain teen’s homosexuality was a motive in the gruesome killing have stirred debate about
hate crimes. Weaver was beaten, stabbed and his body burned in woods near his mobile home. A scheduled preliminary hearing was canceled after the three defendants waived their right to that hearing. The 18-year-old Weaver was murdered not far from the home he shared with Gaines and Kelsay, two of the three people charged in his murder. They and Porter were arrested July 24 and charged with capital murder. According to Baldwin County District Attorney David Whetstone, Weaver was robbed of less than $100, then beaten, strangled, stabbed, cut, partially decapitated and set on fire. Whetstone has said the brutal nature of the murder “is suggestive of overkill, which is not something you see in a regular robbery and murder.” He also has said that there is “not a doubt in my mind” that Weaver’s sexual orientation played a part in his murder.
for one class of the community not given to another class of the community,” Hicks wrote. “Democracy means people with different values living together as one people. What can reconcile our differences is the feeling that with these differences we are still one people. This is the democracy of conscience,” he explained. The case was brought by 11 gay male and female couples from across the state, including Marge Ballack and Diane Lantz of Spokane. Ballack Continued on page 29
INSIDE Arts & Entertainment .......... 16 Business Directory ............. 15 Classifieds ........................... 29 Garden Clippings ................ 26 International News .............. 14 Ken Lovering ....................... 27 National News ..................... 12 Political News ...................... 24 Regional News ...................... 8 Resource Directory ............. 30 Reviews & Previews ........... 21 Spokane News ...................... 4 Tell Trinity ............................ 25 Voices ..................................... 2