October 1, 2006 Volume 15, Issue 12
www.stonewallnews.net Serving the GLBTQA Community of the Pacific Northwest since 1992
In their own words
Pride and Prejudice Students challenge Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Walking by the recruiting station, the scene of the sit-in, Spokane resident and former Marine, Mike Tonkyn, comments on the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.
“The stupidest thing the government did after 9/11 was to fire two translators who were gay. Absolutely stupid. Who cares what they do in their private time. If they can do their job, nobody needs to ask them anything else!”” Tonkyn then entered the recruiting station to shake the hands of Olson, Corral, and Lapalm. and offer words of support.
Ryan Olson (left) and Dana Corral (right) await criminal citations following their refusal to leave the recruiting office.
Armed Forces recruiter Sgt. Clark (standing background center) accompanies Spokane Police officers before escorting Ryan Olson, Dana Corral and Nick Lapalm (seated on floor) from the recruiting office.
Army tells Gays ‘No Way’ By Joyce Crosby, Special to Stonewall News Northwest Ryan Olson appears to be an exemplary candidate for military service. He’s bright, educated, athletic, and active in student government; just the type of person military recruiters are scrambling to enlist at a time when America can’t afford to reject even one qualified soldier. In the spirit of ACT-UP and Lesbian Avengers, on the morning of Tuesday, September 26th, Olson, 23, the equally qualified Dana Corral, 20, and straight ally Nick Lapalm 19 , took a very direct and dramatic action in targeting “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” the U.S. military’s policy
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of government-sanctioned discrimination against gays. After a press conference in a parking lot at 29th Ave. and Regal St., the trio, accompanied by about a dozen sign wielding supporters, marched into the U.S. Armed Forces recruiting station at Lincoln Heights shopping center on Spokane’s south hill. Olson and Corral respectfully requested that they be allowed to enlist in the military. As expected, when it was revealed that Olson is gay and Corral is bisexual, they were denied their right to serve their country, simply because of their sexual orientation. As Recruiting Center personnel escorted supporters and media outside
as Olson, Corral and Lapalm, all Gonzaga University students, sat on the floor and staged a peaceful sit-in. Their attempted Protest supporters accompany Olsen and Corral on the floor of the armed forces recruiting office in south Spokane. military enlistment and resulting demonstration was part of a our state and federal legislatures to adopt nationwide campaign against the decade the Military Readiness Enhancement Act old “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) by which would do away with DADT and add Soulforce, a Virginia-based gay rights sexual orientation to the armed services group. It is expected that this fall over non-discrimination policy. Let no brave 1000 young people, from thirty-three and courageous soldier be turned away.” cities across the nation, will participate This is the first time in the 13 years in Soulforce’s Right to Serve Campaign. since DADT was enacted that a group of The DADT policy damages soldiers’ selfopenly gay youth has protested the policy respect, encourages harassment, brings by attempting to enlist in the Armed about persecution and results in hate Services. According to a 2004 report by crimes. the Urban Institute, an estimated 63,000 Olson stated that the goal of the Right GLB soldiers are forced to lie about whom to Serve Campaign is to, “end the Don’t they love, and serve in fear of being outed. Ask, Don’t Tell” Policy by encouraging Please see SIT-IN page 5
OutSpokane joins ValleyFest for second year Len Mace Interview - part 2 - Page 4 Arts & Entertainment.............................8 Business Directory . ..............................11 Calendar....................................................14 Gay-Straight Alliances............................3 National / International ........................6 Politicklers..................................................5 Practical Spirituality................................7 Regional News . .......................................5 Resource Directory................................13 Reviews & Previews ...............................9 Spokane......................................................2 Voices...........................................................2
Fly your Flags on Fridays!
Excited children wait patienty as OutSpokane Board members Bridget Potter and Christopher Lawrence affix Pride tattoos on their arms.
(SPOKANE VALLEY) Begun in 1990, Valleyfest annually brings to the Inland Northwest a parade, multiple music venues, and day long festivities at Mirabeau Park in the Spokane valley. “This is the second year OutSpokane has joined the annual ValleyFest celebration”, states Francisca Rapier, OutSpokane Board Secretary, “and we
Posing in front of the OutSpokane booth (L-R): OutSpokane Board members Steven Sanford, Christopher Lawrence and Bridget Potter.
have been overwhelmingly accepted and encouraged for our participation.” With festival events and activities focused on children, the OutSpokane booth povided water-based “Pride” tattoos to scores of eager youngsters in addition to literature about OutSpokane, Odyssey Youth Center, SAN, local Pride Calendars, and Stonewall issues.
“Last year, OutSpokane expanded its mission and its purpose to include education, outreach and community involvement.” Rapier continues, “Reaching out to the surrounding communityat-large furthers the ideals of equality, inclusion and understanding that we hope to share”