Where the Journey Began... ...page 8
Vol. XV, No. 5
Fly your Flags on Fridays!
Next Quarterly Forum takes shape “GLBTQ Youth: Choices and Challenges in 2006 and Beyond” is the topic for the third quarterly GLBTQA Community Forum, tentatively scheduled for Sunday, June 4, at CenterStage, 1017 W. First Ave. in downtown Spokane. The program, co-sponsored by Stonewall News Northwest and Odyssey Youth Center, will be formatted like previous Community Forums, opening with a panel discussion followed by a question-and-answer session. Prospective panelists include representatives from Odyssey Youth Center and Quest Youth Group, educators, a youth advocate and a mental health professional. Ramon Alvarez, OYC’s executive director, will moderate the event. Should a date or site change be necessary, full details will be available on the Stonewall Web site, www. stonewallnews.net.
Inside This Issue Arts & Entertainment......................... 12 Business Directory . ........................... 21 Calendar............................................... 18 Classifieds............................................ 20 Distribution Locations....................... 20 Letters of the Law............................... 16 National / International News.......... 11 No Rest for the Wicked ....................... 6 OUT! in the Middle of Nowhere........ 7 Pride Events ....................................... 1,3 Regional News . .................................... 6 Resource Directory............................. 23 Reviews & Previews ........................... 14 Spokane Downtown Map................. 19 Spokane News....................................... 4 Tell Trinity............................................. 17 Voices...................................................... 2 Where the Journey Began- Part 1...... 8
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Serving the GLBTQA Community of the Inland Northwest since 1992
May 2006
Washington & N.J. Gay Couples Enduring ‘Excruciating’ Wait For Marriage Rulings
by Doreen Brandt, 365gay.com As the nation waits to see which state becomes the second to legalize same-sex marriage for gay and lesbian couples in the states of New Jersey and Washington the wait is unbearable. “The tuxes are in the closet and our wedding bands are in a box in the bureau,” said Jeff Smyth. “They’ve been there for more than a year and we have no idea when we can have our wedding.” For Smyth and his partner Bob the garment bags holding the white tuxedos have become a symbol of the thirteen months since arguments for marriage equality were made before the Washington State Supreme Court. Arguments challenging the state’s ban on same-sex marriage were made before the Washington Supreme Court last March.
The case involves eight same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses in King County in 2004. That August, King County Superior Court Judge William Downing said that the Washington State Constitution guarantees basic rights to lesbian and gay people - and that those rights are violated by a state law prohibiting samesex couples from marrying. Downing’s ruling went on to say that the couples must be given marriage licenses. One month later, a court in Thurston County ruled similarly. Legal experts say the court could rule in any of three ways: It could declare DOMA unconstitutional and grant same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexuals, uphold DOMA, or ask the Legislature to resolve the issue.
DOMA WATCH ! No one knows when the State Supreme Court will rule in the case that could make Washington the next Massachusetts. Regardless of outcome, Inland Northwest Equality and affiliated organizations will rally in front of the Federal Courthouse, 920 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane, at 5 p.m. that day. Contact Krista Benson, PJALS/INWE coordinator, if you have a compelling desire to speak at the event. To check the status of Castle & Anderson vs. the State of Washington, go to: www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/?fa=opinions.notice.
Equal Rights Washington, the state’s largest LGBT rights group, says it expects if the suit is successful gay and lesbian couples could immediately apply for licenses. Speculation is rife as to why the court is taking so long to rule. Some point to November when two justices are up for re-election. Others suggest the court doesn’t want to make Washington only the second state to legalize gay marriage. Still others believe the court is deeply divided between the three possibilities. But recent rulings by the court indicate that a year-long wait is not uncommon for the court. Over the past month it has handed down several rulings in which arguments were heard last year. The Supreme Court of New Jersey is likely not to take so long. It has a history of ruling within several months of hearing arguments. In addition the Chief Justice is slated to retire this fall and it is widely believed she wants to be involved in the ruling. Arguments in New Jersey were heard in February. The justices peppered attorneys on both sides of the argument about the Continued on page 17
Pride 2006 is heating up!
A community service announcement: So many interesting and fun ideas have come to fruition that we had to cram some of them into the last two weeks of May! As you can see from the OutSpokane graph on the right, the goal is getting closer, making Pride 2006, our 15th anniversary, the biggest and most exciting array of events we have ever had. “Will & Grace” are leaving the airwaves and, love ’em or hate ’em, this is our chance to party while they give us their farewell performance. OutSpokane is holding a fundraiser ‘Farewell to Will & Grace party’ at Dempsey’s where three dollars will get you some appetizers and an evening of nostalgia and hilarity with Jack and Karen – C’mon we all know they are the REAL stars of the show. They represent the worst and funniest GLBTQ traits with style and panache.
Party with Pride will be happening on May 20. Our famed Giant Ass Drum Corps and OutSpokane are throwing a dance for ALL GLBTQA at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane. Tickets are only $10 and the DJ will be playing the hottest tunes. For the campiest of camp and a chance to renew your cache of plastic containers, don’t miss Dixie’s Tupperware™ Party! at UUCS on May 30, 2006. This gal has a gimmick and she knows how to work it! Tickets are $15 dollars for the premiere of her new off-Broadway show. Bring your friends and family, but remember, “This is NOT your grandma’s Tupperware™ lady!” You will never see plastic kitchen utensils quite the same way again. Proceeds go to OutSpokane. Continued on page 3
$50,000 June
$32,500 May
April
March