WEDNESDAY
April 18, 2007 Volume 16, Issue 8
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S e r v i n g t h e GLBTQA C o m m u n i t y o f t h e P a c i f i c N o r t h w e s t s i n c e 1 9 9 2
Stonewall News Northwest turns 15!
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Domestic Partnerships await Governor’s signature “It’s a great day for the state of Washington.”
By Joyce Crosby, Special to Stonewall News Northwest
OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State House of Representatives passed a Domestic Partnership bill that affords same sexpartners a handful of rights traditionally reserved for married couples. House Bill 5336, passed on April 10 with a 63-35 vote, gives registered domestic partners the right to authorize medical care, visit a partner who is hospitalized, donate organs, make funeral arrangements, and administer a partner’s estate if there is no will. Governor Chris Gregoire is expected to sign it into law, making Washington the eighth state to recognize domestic partnerships. The state domestic partnership registry will be open to same-sex couples over 18 who Please see DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS page 15
- City of Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession
“Barring earthquakes, famines or lightning strikes – and we’re praying for any of the above – it will most likely pass.” - Rick Forcier, Executive Director, Christian Coalition of Washington. “People aren’t going to change their minds overnight on this issue, and we need to respect that. We need to bring them along. And that’s what we’re doing, one step at a time.” - Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver
Domestic Partnership Laws
Washington is about to join seven other states and the District of Columbia in allowing marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian couples.
“I beg of you to think very seriously about the road that we are going down, and about how we are going to be changing our civilization from here on in.” - Rep. Lynn Schindler, R-Otis Orchards “This is really a sad day.” - Rep. John Ahern, R-Spokane “It’s not marriage. But it does provide for some of the rights and obligations that we ask people to undertake when they’re in loving relationships recognized by the state.” - Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle
Ed Murray is a prime sponsor of HB5336
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Bugs Bunny on Broadway Page 9 52 Things we can do for Transgender Equality - Returns next issue Arts & Entertainment.............................8 Business Directory . ..............................13 Calendar....................................................12 Classifieds.................................................15 National & International........................6 No Rest for the Wicked..........................4 Practical Spirituality................................5 Pride Foundation Grants.....................10 Resource Directory................................14 Reviews & Previews ...............................9 Spokane & Regional................................2 Voices...........................................................2
Fly your Flags on Fridays!
Healthy Youth Act bill headed to Governor’s desk Medically accurate sex-ed to replace abstinence-only teaching
OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State House passed the Healthy Youth Act (ESSB 5297) April 11 by a vote of 63 – 34. The bill had been approved in the State Senate with a vote of 30 – 19 on March 7th. The Healthy Youth Act is quality assurance for sex education in public schools. The bill requires that school districts that choose to teach sex education provide medically accurate and comprehensive information. Anti-choice Representatives Ahern, Anderson, Bailey, Buri, Curtis, Dunn, Haler, Hinkle, McCune, McDonald, Newhouse, Roach, Ross, Schindler, Strow, Sump, and Warnick offered 33 amendments attempting to undermine the bill, all of which were defeated. “After five years of work on this important issue, NARAL Pro-Choice Washington is very pleased that the Legislature has finally acted to protect the health of Washington teens by approving the Healthy Youth Act,” said Karen Cooper, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. “Teens need reliable information regarding contraception and sexual health in order to make good decisions throughout their lives,” said Cooper. “I am amazed that giving teens accurate, complete health information is still controversial in 2007, but clearly it is for some legislators,” Cooper added, referring to the four hours of debate prior to final passage of the bill. “A 2004 statewide survey demonstrated that 78% of Washington parents think we should be teaching ninth and tenth graders about contraception, birth control, and condoms, yet we know that many Washington schools only provide inaccurate abstinence-only programs,” Cooper said. “The need for this legislation is clear and we look forward to Governor Gregoire signing The Healthy Youth Act it into law.”
Note: California’s provisions are so extensive it’s just about equal to civil unions.
“The simplest way to correct the inequity would be to allow gays and lesbians to enter a true marital relationship that honors their emotional as well as economic commitment to each other” - The Spokesman-Review
SHINE explores coming out dynamics in new documentary By Joyce Crosby, Special to Stonewall News Northwest
in August. Shuffield, 31, who created SHINE two years ago to fight discrimination in a positive way, feels that art is the last venue WENATCHEE, WA - SHINE, an to touch people who wouldn’t normally organization that uses the arts to promote listen to the message. Jonathan realized acceptance and equality the incredible power for all people, is that art has to change filming a documentary people’s minds when his “Ideally, the concerning families mother attended a play coming out after documentary will about the relationship learning a loved one is help families, friends between a woman and gay or lesbian. SHINE her best friend, a gay and LGBT people President, Jonathan man who died. At the Shuffield explains, “The build a bridge of end of the play, his act of coming out creates understanding.” mom was crying, and a ripple effect that Jonathan knew that –Jonathan Shuffield emanates beyond the before her mind could epicenter that is the gay register prejudice or or lesbian individual and disapproval, the message sends the families and friends on their own of love and acceptance got in and touched coming out journeys.” With the expertise his mother’s heart. “SHINE started so of Wenatchee-based Howell at the Moon Productions, SHINE is scheduled to begin Please see SHINE page filming The Other Side of the Closet Door
SHINE President Jonathan Shuffield