Community Spotlight... Adam Cogswell, Jill Gersh and Joe Lockridge are bright, young, up-and-coming leaders ... Page 9
Vol. XIV, No. 11 Serving the GLBTQA Community of the Inland Northwest since 1992
by Catherine D. Willis
A fluid crowd of 50 to 65 GLBTQ community members and activists and a small army of committed allies from far-flung parts of Washington attended the “United We Win”: Organizing for Equality Power Summit on the Itron corporate campus in Spokane Valley October 8-9. Co-sponsored by Equal Rights Washington, Inland Northwest Equality and the Pride Foundation, with substantial funding from the Gill Foundation, the conference featured two general sessions, two panel discussions, four workshops, two documentary showings, meals and abundant networking opportunities. State Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, opened the summit with words of optimism and restraint. He spoke of the Evergreen State’s progressive history and legacy of moderation. Even after the turn to the right that accompanied the 1994 Republican
Inside This Issue Arts & Entertainment......................... 10 Business Directory.............................. 15 Community Service............................ 18 Family............................................. .........9 Be Our Guest........................................16 National / International News............ 8 No Rest for the Wicked . ..................... 6 Out! in the Middle . ............................. 7 Regional News...................................... 6 Resource Directory............................. 18 Reviews & Previews............................ 12 Spokane News....................................... 4 Tell Trinity............................................. 17 Voices...................................................... 2
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takeover of the Legislature, patient and willing advocates forged coalitions that have advanced GLBTQ interests, he said. He pointed to Washington’s safe schools legislation, the hate crimes bill and domestic partner benefits for state employees and employees of the University of Washington. While conceding that the defeat of HB 1515, the anti-discrimination bill, in this year’s legislative session was a disappointment, he praised the alliances that brought the measure to within a single vote of passage. Among Democrats, he noted, “all but two got there – it’s unheard of.”
“The most radical thing any of you can do is to be out.” – Rep. Ed Murray Murray expressed confidence that the bill, or one like it, will someday be law. He strongly cautioned against the
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Activists learn how to win
November 2005
Above: Panelist David Hopkins, Genevieve Aguilar, Brie Gyncild, Jim Moeller and Paul Rodkey discussed marriage equality at the Power Summit. Inset to left: Brooke Powers, INWE organizer and stalwart ally, orchestrated “United We Win!”
push for marriage rights ahead of this legislation. The basic issue is economic justice, he said, which is a coalitionfriendly concept, whereas marriage enters the tenuous sphere of religion. “The African-American community is with us on civil rights, not marriage,” he stated. “If we go to war with the African-American churches, we will lose.” He addressed the same problem relative to the Hispanic community and the Catholic Church.
Lawmaking, Murray said, is akin to sausage-making. Sometimes stopping bad legislation is as important as enacting good. He concluded, “I’ve never voted for a pure bill.” State Rep. Jim Moeller, DVancouver, continued this theme in an afternoon panel discussion on marriage equality and messaging. “We may find ourselves unprepared for whatever we are offered.” Continued on page 14
Corker offers experience and empathy
Editor’s note: Last month Stonewall News Northwest endorsed the two incumbents, Al French and Mary Verner, and former City Councilman Steve Corker in races to be decided Nov. 8. Our lackluster selection of Corker for the 3rd District seat was as much a repudiation of the candidacy of Nancy McLaughlin as it was a plug for Corker. We decided our readers deserved a another look at the candidate we asked you to support.
“I didn’t wake up one morning will require the acquisition, by creative and decide to run for City Council. My planning, annexation or merger, of more commitment to the community began commercial properties within the city. in 1970 when I was a part of one of Spokane’s general fund takes in the first community development task 33 percent less per capita than the forces,” said Steve state average. Corker, who has Some of this is “We’ve got to take the politics served terms on a reflection of the airport board, out of economic development” high poverty the regional health –Steve Corker numbers, a district board and problem that the parks board, as is exacerbated, well as his 2000Corker stated, by the premise used 2003 term on the Spokane City Council. to sell the area to to prospective He emphasized his résumé, businesses: “Come to Spokane. Labor’s especially his many years in the Spokane not a factor. People work cheap.” business sector. Fiscal management What needs to happen, he said, is that experience is crucial, he noted, as the “Incomes should rise. Period.” city comes to grips with a projected $6 As a business owner, he paid million budget shortfall. good wages and offered full medical Time-limited tax increases can benefits. The strategy served everyone forestall draconian cuts in city services, well. There was little turnover in his he acknowledged, but the city’s longworkforce. term economic health hinges on a A commitment to infrastructure more robust tax base. Growing this will draw businesses to Spokane, he
suggested, but “Even something like the domestic partners issue is significant,” he added, “not only to government but to major corporations. They don’t want to come into communities that are not going to be accepting of diversity.” He made a case for consolidation and responsible planning. Developers “need to be part of the solution,” he argued. He favors regional impact fees. “I came from a poor family,” he said of his youth. “I was raised by a village that empowered me.” To those who claim that childrearing is best left to parents and family, he conceded, “Yes, the family plays a role. My folks did. … but they also knew their limitations, and they made sure that I connected, not only to the church but with Scouts, school and sports.” Corker applauded the kindness and generosity that characterize most of Spokane’s citizenry.