Community Spotlight...
Page 10
City rejects West
Vol. XV, No. 1
Serving the GLBTQA Community of the Inland Northwest since 1992
World AIDS Day Commemorated
Arts & Entertainment......................... 12 Be Our Guest ......................................16 Business Directory . ........................... 21 Calendar............................................... 22 Family . ................................................. 10 Healthier Options .............................. 20 National / International News............ 8 No Rest for the Wicked ....................... 6 OUT! in the Middle . ............................ 7 Regional News . .................................... 6 Resource Directory............................. 23 Reviews & Previews ........................... 14 Spokane News....................................... 4 Tell Trinity............................................. 17 Voices...................................................... 2
Inside Our Web Site www.stonewallnews.net - GLBTQA Regional Calendar - Classifieds - Resource Directory - Distribution Locations - Employment Opportunities - Circulation Information - Advertising Information - Current Issue - Back Issues
Photos by Pat Devine
Spokane voters recalled Mayor Jim West Dec. 6, opting by a margin of nearly two-to-one to oust the controversial city leader. The Spokane County Elections Department certified the vote Dec. 16, and West left office that day. City Council President Dennis Hession became acting mayor under the succession procedure set forth in the City Charter and was unanimously elected by the City Council Dec. 19 to complete West’s term of office, which expires at the end of 2007. He is expected to be sworn in as mayor Jan. 3. Hession, pictured in the upper left corner of the photo collage on this page, read the City Proclamation acknowledging World AIDS Day. The final vote tallies were as follows: 40,575 for the recall (64.96 percent) and 21,888 against (35.04 percent). Voter turnout approached 57 percent.
Inside This Issue
January 2006
“We are as one” or “You hurt, I hurt,” proclaims a revered native chant shared by Dave Red Antelope Brown Eagle at the World AIDS Day candlelight vigil Dec. 1. Fellow speakers included Unity’s Claire Austen and SAN’s Susan Fabrikant, above, left to right.
by Christopher Lawrence and Catherine D. Willis
About 70 people braved a snowstorm and icy roads Dec. 1 to participate in the 2005 World AIDS Day candlelight vigil at the Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane’s Browne’s Addition. Lay pastor Len Mace of Emmanuel Metropolitan Community Church stepped forward to organize the 18th such gathering when funding cutbacks prevented longtime sponsors, the Spokane Regional Health District and Spokane AIDS Network, from spearheading the annual memorial. A full table of hors d’oeuvres and other treats greeted attendees. A slide
show furnished by SRHD honored many area residents who have passed on due to AIDS. Friends and supporters wrote the names of their lost loved ones as well as special notes to and about them on a banner to be used at future events. “We should be occupying the Coliseum,” declared Dave Red Antelope Brown Eagle, who presented the first formal commentary of the program after welcoming remarks by Mace. The Spokane tribal member recounted his decision to become an ally years ago when he realized the degree to which AIDS was devastating the native community. He offered a spiritual
ERW geared up for 2006, offers Equality Day transportation for Inland Northwest advocates Equal Rights Washington is ready for this year’s short (60-day) legislative session, which opens in Olympia Jan. 9. Getting an anti-discrimination bill through the Legislature is high on the advocacy group’s priority list. Community representatives have been lobbying lawmakers nonstop since last year’s effort, HB 1515, failed to pass by a single vote. Supporters believe such a bill will prevail this year if legislators get sufficient input from GLBTQA voices.
Toward this end, and to educate about of other equality-oriented issues, including marriage, Equality Day has been set for Monday, Jan. 23, in Olympia. ERW and the Religious Coalition for Equality will be cosponsoring the multipart event along with other groups and individuals. (For sponsorship options, go to www. equalityday.org.) Continued on page 17
message rooted in hope. After the City Proclamation was read, Elaine Eagle, an advocate from SRHD, gave a stirring history of AIDS awareness education, prevention and intervention efforts in the Inland Northwest (see full text, page 4). “As a community we still have a great deal of work to do on reducing and eventually eliminating the stigma and discrimination of HIV/AIDS,” said Susan Fabrikant, executive director of SAN. She talked about the changing face of funding for HIV/AIDS services and expressed deep gratitude for the efforts Continued on page 5
Fridays are our Flag Day!
Photos by Pat Devine
Whether pets are regarded as children, as they are for Marvin Reguindin, or as just part of the family, as Paul Tiesse sees them, Lori McAllister, dog trainer and all-around pet advocate, can guide you toward a better ‘fit.’
Show everyone that we are here and proud. Let’s make a statement at least once a week.