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Gene Helfman
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Polecat comes to Lopez
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Making it official By San Juan Journal and Sounder staff
Life affirming. It’s the two words Robert Herrmann used to describe how he felt when Referendum 74 was passed by voters. “I am ecstatic and elated and befuddled,” he said. “I am still in shock and awe. I feel gobsmacked. There was a huge win for marriage equality across the country.” Herrmann, who lives on Lopez, has been with his partner Ron Hall for 16 years. Last week, they made their relationship official by being one of four same-sex couples to receive a marriage license at the San Juan County Auditor’s Office in Friday Harbor. A couple that wishes to remain anonymous received the first license and were followed by Anne Hietbrink and Beth Shirk of Lopez, Karen Kuster and Susan Moon of San Juan and Herrmann and Hall. Dec. 6 marked voter-approved Referendum 74 formally taking effect around the state. “This is affirming. I feel like a full citizen now,” Herrmann said. “Straight people don’t have the experience of being called names and ridiculed.” Governor Christine Gregoire signed the marriage bill last February. That bill prompted Referendum 74, which 53.7 percent of Washington voters approved while 46.3 percent rejected it in last month’s election. In San Juan County, the measure was
overwhelmingly approved: 70 percent to 30 percent. Referendum 74 allows gay couples to marry and preserves domestic partnerships for seniors and the right of religious organizations to refuse to perform or recognize any marriage ceremony. The marriage license costs $60 and is good for 60 days. Washington joins these states in legalizing same-sex marriage: Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. Hall and Herrman intend to marry as soon as possible. In fact, after the three-day mandatory waiting period elapses, they plan (as of this writing) to exchange vows in San Juan County Superior Court, on Dec. 10, with Judge Don Eaton officiating. Hermann, 59, said he firmly believed at one time that he would never live to see the day. “Not ever, never in our lifetimes,” he said. Still, he noted cultural attitudes have shifted dramatically and in a positive direction toward gay people and their relationships in particular over the last few decades. “It’s really a non-issue with most of the people we know anymore,” he said. Although it left devastation in its wake, Hall points to the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and ‘90s as a milestone that helped to humanize gay people in the eyes of many
Special to the Islands’ Weekly
o! o! joy! ten t nce t s a i L D to En o o t c t i c c s i i Mu Mus Mus
Rhea Miller and Sandy Bishop are the recipients of this year’s Lopez Spirit Award. These two dynamic women will be honored on Sunday Dec. 16 at the Lopez Center. Established in 2000, the award is given in honor of Dolly and Andy Holland, two individuals whose generosity of spirit in time and talents consistently improved the lives of the Lopez commu-
Lopez Center
POLECAT
VOLUME 35, NUMBER 50 • December 11, 2012
Journal photo / Scott Rasmussen
On Dec. 6, Robert Herrmann and Ron Hall made their relationship official by being one of four same-sex couples to receive a marriage license at the San Juan County Auditor’s Office in Friday Harbor. and to also stir empathy and understanding among the larger population. People are more inclined now to focus more on similarities than differences, he said.
nity. The award recognizes an individual or couple who exemplify this tradition. Bishop and Miller first met in the early 1980s on a Peace-Walk. Covering more than 5,000 miles, the walk followed the rail-route of the “White Train,” which carried nuclear weapons between Washington and Texas. Bishop was a member of the Ground Zero Center for Non-violent Action. Miller was working with a catholic organization, helping transport refugees of violence.
Join us in celebrating...
Sunday, Dec. 9th, 5-7:30pm
Andy & Dolly Holland Spirit Award Potluck
Modern Americana Bluegrass
• Lopez Center • Saturday, Dec. 15, 7:30pm Adult sliding scale $10-$15 Youth $5
Islands’ eekly W
“When they’re able to put a face to it,” he said, “then it becomes a part of regular society, rather than something secret, or something dark.”
Miller and Bishop win Lopez Spirit Award By Sorrel North
Lobo Basketball Home Games 12/14 Girls 2:30 Boys 4:00 12/18 Girls 2:30 Boys 4:00
The
This years recipients: Bring a potluck dish and a story
Sandy Bishop and Rhea Miller
Somewhere along the way, pulling handcarts from town to town, they realized they were kindred spirits. That began a dynamic relationship that has endured and blossomed over the course of nearly 30 years. Sandy Bishop moved to Lopez in 1979. A selfdescribed “lover of endless possibilities,” she initially became involved with a group called Shelter, which advocated for the rights of ownerbuilder codes. Bishop’s childhood was profoundly influenced by living in the shadow of the Hanford nuclear plant, which led her to become a member of Nuclear-Free San Juans. Her father was chief steward at Hanford. “He was always watching out for people,” she said. “I saw that as a role one needs to play.” Being community minded is an authentic expression of who Bishop is. “I’m a private person,” she
said, “But I made a conscious decision to participate so I can help create the world I want to live in.” Rhea Miller calls herself a “People Farmer and Social Artist.” These terms sum up a lifetime of community involvement, beginning in childhood with social activist parents who introduced her to the civil rights movement. Growing up during the politically tumultuous times of the 1950s and 60s, she witnessed her father being attacked by the John Birch Society for protecting freedom of education. Those early years forever shaped her values and commitment to a peaceful, sustainable future. Miller is primarily motivated by her spiritual center. “My social conscience is about following my heart and my inner spiritual journey,” she said. “It guides my involvements.” See SPIRIT, page 12