WEDNESD A Y
February 7, 2007 Volume 16, Issue 3 www.stonewallnews.net
News Northwest Serving the GLBTQA Community of the Pacific Northwest since 1992
Spokane School District mum on Peter Perkins investigation
Stonewall News Northwest turns 15!
Three months after placing Perkins on paid leave, District silent on credibility of accusation
Now published every other week! Next Issue: Wednesday, February 21st
By Joyce Crosby Special to Stonewall News Northwest Photo by Mike Schultz
Ad and Content Deadline: Wednesday, February 14th
Peter Perkins, a teacher at Rogers High School for 20 years, was yearbook advisor for 14 years. Perkins has earned several state and national awards for excellence, including Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Gold Crown award in 1995 and Washington Journalism Education Association’s Advisor of the Year in 1997.
SPOKANE, Wash. - Peter Perkins, a popular and respected teacher at John R. Rogers High School in Spokane, stands accused of inappropriate use of school district computers. Inappropriate use can be anything from “accessing any information that does not have educational or training value” to theft and forgery. Spokane Public Schools Ad-
ministrators refuse to disclose who filed the complaint, how they know the charge is credible or even what specific policy Perkins is alleged to have violated. D. Michelle Loucks, Police Records Specialist, Spokane Police Department confirmed that on November 2, 2006 Spokane Public Schools filed a report with the Spokane Police Department’s Sex Please see PERKINS page 7
Equal Rights Activists Introduce Initiative that Would Require Children in Marriages
Issues available free throughout the Pacific Northwest and at www.stonewallnews.net THIS ISSUE
KENNEWICK, Wash. - A new initiative is turning heads around the state as the gay-marriage debate heats up again. Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed has accepted Iinitiative 957, a response by gay rights activists to a State Supreme Court ruling last summer. The Washington Supreme Court ruled that the state could prevent gay and lesbian couples from marrying because the state has a legitimate interest in preserving marriage for procreation. The Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance then filed the
initiative. I-957 has five clauses that would have to be met for a legal marriage. It would allow only couples capable of having kids to marry, and that they file “proof of procreation” within three years of the marriage. If not, the marriage would be annulled. Many people think the law is over the top. Leaders at a Kennewick church with gay and lesbian members feel the same. “There are many marriages that are not about having children. There are many couples who marry later in
Westborow picketers no-show Counter protestors gathered instead
anniversaries Page 2
52 Things for Transgender Equality...5 Anything But Straight............................4
SPOKANE, Wash - Braving cold-numbing temperature, Drew Sweatte gathered supporters to counter-protest the potential presence of Westborow Baptist Church’s homophobic funeral picketers at the funeral service of Marine Cpl. Darrel James Morris. The service was held at Morris’
Where: Dempsey’s Brass Rail 909 W 1st Ave Spokane, WA 99201 In keeping with John Deen’s wish for a no-frills nonreligious remembrance of him, an informal Celebration of John Deen will be held at Dempsey’s Brass Rail. Dempsey’s is opening early for the memorial celebration and is providing food.
Please see PICKETERS page 7
Business Directory . ..............................11 Calendar....................................................14 Classifieds.................................................13 National & International........................6
Spokane DT Map....................................15
Fly your Flags on Fridays!
Photos by Mike Schultz
Practical Spirituality................................5 Reviews & Previews .............................10
Memorial Celebration When: Sunday, February 11, 2007 2-4pm
Arts & Entertainment.............................9
Resource Directory................................12
Please see I-957 page 15
of John Deen
By Mike Schultz
A celebration of
life, they marry for companionship, they marry because they want to create a family,” said the Reverend Janet Pierce. “They don’t necessarily marry to have children,” Pierce said. I-957 would also force couples who married out of state to show the same proof of procreation or their marriage wouldn’t be recognized, and it would become a criminal act for anyone in an unrecognized marriage to get marriage benefits. To make it on the November ballot they need 224,800 signatures by July 6.
In leu of flowers, donations can be made to Spokane Cancer Care, 601 South Sherman Street, Spokane, WA 99202. For updates, please check Stonewall’s website at www.stonewallnews.net or contact: John Marshall 509-209-0312 Mike Schultz 509-570-3750 publisher@stonewallnews.net