WEDNESDAY
April 4, 2007 Volume 16, Issue 7
www.stonewallnews.net
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!
Published every other week Next Issue: Wednesday, April 18th Ad and Content Deadline: Wednesday, April 11th
Spokane’s oldest church Comes Out 117-year-old Westminster now listed among 148 welcoming gay friendly churches in Washington State By Joyce Crosby, Special to Stonewall News Northwest Photos by Steve Dawson
SPOKANE, Wash. - Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ, the oldest church in Spokane, is now Open and Affirming to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. A small rainbow flag can be seen on a sign attached to the stone wall just outside the 117-year-old church’s Fourth Avenue entrance, and a large reader board announces to all who venture downtown via Washington Street that the church is indeed open and affirming. A church member since 2004, Marj Johnston, a lesbian who became the church’s Assistant Pastor on March 4, proclaimed, Please see WESTMINSTER page 3
Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ is located at 411 South Washington Street in Spokane, Wash.
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Rev. Andrea Castro-Lang (standing) greets parishioners seated in the sanctuary of Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ
Westminster Rev. Andrea Castro-Lang “Pastor Andy” (left) and Assistant Pastor Marj Johnson
Vista Youth Center garners community support Interview with Patty Duke Page 8
Center sees immediate, increasing need from youth
52 Things we can do For Transgender Equality...................4 Anything But Straight..........................10 Arts & Entertainment.............................8 Business Directory . ..............................11 Calendar....................................................14 Classifieds.................................................13 Cody.............................................................5 National & International........................6 Practical Spirituality................................4 Resource Directory................................12 Reviews & Previews ...............................9 Spokane & Regional................................2 Stonewall Distribution Locations....15
Fly your Flags on Fridays!
Vista Youth Center founder Mark Lee (left) and Rev. Janet Pierce of River of Life MCC in Kennewick, Wash.
KENNEWICK, Wash. - Vista Youth Center, a drop in center for LGBTQA youth in the Tri-Cities area, opened on March first. According to the center’s Executive Director, Mark Lee, “Based on what we have at the center (in kind gifts) and what moneys we have received, I think we have received over $22K in donations so far.” A house party raised $3800 in cash, and the Pride Foundation approved a $5000 grant in support of the center. The guest book at VYC’s March 1 Open House was signed by forty-one individuals, including people from Lutheran Family Services and Juvenile Justice Center. Representatives from the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN), PFLAG, Planned Parenthood and River Of Life Metropolitan Community Church were also present on opening day. On opening day group of volunteers made a list of what VYC neededeverything from trash cans to beanbag
Vista Youth Center Board Memebers Kerry Stickland (left) and Topher Mobley
chairs- “and almost as if by magic the list was filled within a few hours,” Lee reported. “What I seem to experience often here is amazing support from ever direction.” VYC’s Grand Opening held from 7-10 p.m., also on March 1, included a dance hosted by DjSco for the youth ages 14-21. It was a huge success. Lee stated, “I wish I could explain the sparks and energy in the center with 18 kids Please see VISTA page 2