M O N D A Y
November 27, 2006 Volume 15, Issue 16 www.stonewallnews.net
Now published every other week!
Serving the GLBTQA Community of the Pacific Northwest since 1992
Uncertainty follows Sturchio rally
Continuing coverage of Bigotry & ignorance rampant in U.S. Border Patrol article in November 13, 2006 issue of Stonewall News Northwest By Joyce Crosby Special to Stonewall News Northwest (SPOKANE, WA) - On November 16th supporters braved the chilling cold and wind to rally outside the Spokane Border Patrol Compound at the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Nevada Street in North Spokane to support Tracy Sturchio, a transgender woman from Colbert WA, as she fought for her job. About 15 people came out to protest the proposed dismissal of Sturchio by the Federal Office of Information Technology (OIT), a subsidiary of Customs/Border Patrol under the Department of Homeland Security. Inside the compound, beginning at 10:00 a.m., a disciplinary review board
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hearing was held, in which Tracy Sturchio and her attorney replied to the charges against her, including the allegation that she sent a derogatory fax to herself, and then lied about it, that may lead to her termination from her job as a telecommunications specialist. The hearing which continued for more than three hours, was held behind closed doors, before Cynthia Walters, deputy director of Customs/Border Patrol’s Office of Information Technology, while protestors rallied outside. Bearing a sign of protest, the Reverend Christina Pollack, Deacon at Saint John’s Cathedral, in reference to the marginalization of transgender and Please see STURCHIO page 2
Photo above: Kim Stankovich protests in front of the US Border Patrol compound in north Spokane on November 16th. Inside the compound, Tracy Sturchio and her attorney met with the Border Patrol’s OIT director to dispute an internal investigation that proposes to fire Sturchio. Photo right: Wanda Daehlin, Kathryn, and Catherine Willis protest across the street from the Border Patrol compound.
Marc Morris shares his portraits of HIV/AIDS | Page 15
Anything But Straight............................3 Arts & Entertainment.............................8 Business Directory . ..............................11 Calendar....................................................14 Classifieds.................................................13 Distribution Locations.........................10 National / International ........................6 Politicklers..................................................5 Practical Spirituality................................4 Resource Directory................................12 Reviews & Previews ...............................9 Spokane / Regional.................................2 Voices...........................................................2
Fly your Flags on Fridays!
Photography exhibit, speakers, to honor 18th Annual World AIDS Day By Cat Carrel (SPOKANE, WA) - A fine-art photography exhibit will be the highlight of the 18th Annual World AIDS Day event, which will also feature speakers, drumming, music, and a candlelight vigil. The event will take place on Friday, December 1, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the WSU-Riverpoint Campus, 410 E. Spokane Falls Blvd., next door to the WSU bookstore, The Bookie. Parking is easily accessible in front of the building and is free for the event. Marc Morris, a photography student at EWU and an instructor at Spokane Art School, will present largescale photographic prints of people who live with HIV/AIDS. “I want to bring attention to HIV/ AIDS in a very loud way,” says Morris, whose portraits feature people with
their parents, children, partners and selves. “Ultimately, I want to represent each individual’s identity” Morris adds. “I want the public to see them as people first and living with HIV/AIDS second. We have a tendency to treat HIV/AIDS as clinical, and I want the public to see HIV/AIDS as human.” In addition to the photography exhibit, speakers include Dr. Kim Thorburn, Susan Fabrikant, director of Spokane AIDS Network; Nancy Nelson, Professor of African American Studies at Eastern Washington University; Dr. Rebecca Block, and HIV/AIDS Educator “Mountain Man” Charley Fawcett. Marc Morris will also speak on his experience photographing people living with HIV/AIDS. The theme of this year’s global World AIDS Day continues to be “Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise,” a campaign
through 2010 that holds governments and policy makers accountable to reach their goals in fighting the worldwide pandemic. “I firmly believe all of us need to work in partnership, including the business, nonprofit, faith-based, and government sectors, and we should all be accountable when addressing the prevention and treatment of HIV/ AIDS,” says Susan Fabrikant. A candlelight vigil will follow the presentations. For more information, call 455-8993. Other World AIDS Day happenings include Gonzaga University’s AIDS Awareness Week, November 27-December 1, and a special edition of Queer Sounds on November 30, 68 p.m. on KYRS (Thin Air Radio), FM 92.3. Further coverage page 15