Celebrating 40 Years! Issue 11 Volume 41
Seattle Gay News
FRIDAY March 14, 2014 FREE!
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SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Mark Zmuda sues Eastside Catholic & Seattle Archdiocese AP Photo
Mark Zmuda
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Mark Zmuda, the Gay vice principal who was forced out of his job at Eastside Catholic School last December filed a discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuit against the school and church on Friday. Lawyers
for the church and school planned to respond immediately with a motion arguing King County Superior Court does not have jurisdiction to hear the case without violating the First Amendment. The students at Eastside Catholic High School started a movement that captured the attention of the world. They inspired adults and stu-
dents alike. But once the activist energy around the issue wound down as the kids return to school from winter break – the big question on everyone’s mind was, “Now what?” The case stirred debate at the school and in front of the Seattle Archdiocese and has led to several online petitions arguing for reinstatement of the popular teacher,
coach and administrator and calling for a change in church doctrine on same-sex marriage. It was decided by the school and the church that Zmuda, or Mr. Z, couldn’t continue in his job after they learned he had married his same-sex partner over the summer. They cited an employment agreement Zmuda had signed that said his public behaviors would at all times be consistent with the values and teachings of the Catholic Church. An attorney for the school acknowledged that school leadership, Sister Mary Tracy, told Zmuda he could get a divorce to keep his job. “I was asked by the school to break my wedding vows to keep my job,” Zmuda said at a news conference Friday. “I was told I could either divorce or be fired. How could anyone ask anyone else to make that choice?” The lawsuit Zmuda filed in King County Superior Court accuses the school and the church of discrimination, wrongful termination and violation of the state consumer protection laws. Zmuda has said the school’s administrators were aware that he is Gay and that he was in a relationship.
Zmuda’s lawyers argue he was not a religious employee of the school while lawyers for the church argue the case “would impermissibly entangle the Court in Catholic doctrine,” and would lead the court to examine the church’s definition of marriage. “I am a lifelong Catholic,” Zmuda said. “I am a Gay man. I did not choose to be Gay. I do not see any inconsistency in the teachings of Jesus and being Gay.” Zmuda’s lawsuit notes that the school previously posted a statement on its website that it does not discriminate based on marital status or sexual orientation but that statement was removed after his dismissal. A similar statement was included in the employee handbook. “I relied on those statements,” Zmuda said. But administrators asked him not to bring his partner to school functions, according to the lawsuit. The school sent a letter home to parents on Thursday, saying the school’s board of directors would handle legal issues and the administrators would continue to run the school.
New Q Patrol
U.S. Senator Patty Murray forms in wake of attack on entertainer outlines how ACA is working for women of America
Members of Q Patrol circa mid-1990s
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor After another round of violent attacks on Capitol Hill, a group of citizens have decided to revive the QSafety Patrol, calling it Out Watch. The group says that patrols could start as soon as next weekend. On Wednesday night, a group gathered inside Dr. Jen’s House of Beauty (Atomic Cosmetics) for the first meeting to revive the citizen safety patrol groups that aims to prevent anti-LGBTQ attacks and violence on Capitol Hill. Jennifer Dietrich, owner of the beauty and cosmetic salon told Capitol Hill Seattle Blog (CHS Blog) she decided to organize the meeting after a spate of violent attacks in the
neighborhood, including a rape and an assault of a drag performer. “I just stopped and said ‘this is not cool, that we can’t walk around our own neighborhood.’ We need to do something,” she said. Dietrich said the group will use Dr. Jen’s as a home base. Volunteers will walk Capitol Hill in beats from 10 p.m. - 3 a.m. in groups of four, wear “Out Watch” shirts, and carry mace. Dietrich told CHS Blog said she wants all members to receive some self-defense training, but that having a public presence will be the most important deterrent to would-be criminals. “We’re not a roaming pack of vigilantes,” she said. “It’s important that we report crimes to the police.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, March 11, U.S. Senator Patty Murray delivered a speech on the Senate floor highlighting the success of the Affordable Care Act, focusing on the positive impact it has for women. Senator Murray outlined increased access to affordable insurance, benefits, and services for women and their families, thanks to the Affordable Care Act. The Senator also discussed the efforts by private corporations to get in between a woman and her health, highlighting her work in leading the Senate’s brief filed in the Hobby Lobby case. Senator Murray shared stories from a self-employed woman in Bellingham, a farmer in Orting, and a small business owner in Seattle, all of whom have benefitted from the Affordable Care Act:
Youtube
Senator Murray shares often overshadowed success stories of constituents from Bellingham, Orting, and Seattle; discusses Hobby Lobby case about to come in front of Supreme Court:
Senator Patty Murray delivering speech
“Four years ago, the insurance companies had all the leverage. And four years ago, too often, women were paying the price. Since the Affordable Care Act became law, women have been treated fairly with increased access to affordable health insurance, benefits and services,” said Senator Murray. “While we can never stop
working to make improvements, we owe it to the women of America to make progress and not allow the clock to be rolled back on their health care needs. Every American deserves to have access to high quality health care coverage regardless of where they work. And each of us should have the right to see Patty Murray page 6