SGN April 4, 2014 - Section 1

Celebrating 41 Years!

Issue 14 Volume 42

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Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Boy Scouts dismisses openly Gay Seattle scoutmaster Geoffrey McGrath Steph Brusig / The Seattle Lesbian

Scoutmaster Geoffrey McGrath (far left) with supporters including State Senator Jamie Pedersen (far right)

admit Gay boys in the youth organization but still prohibit openly Gay leaders. This week the reNearly a year ago the Boy Scouts percussions of last year’s decision of America announced it would have been felt – right here in Seatby Victor Bogatko SGN Contributing Writer

tle. A local scoutmaster, Geoffrey McGrath, has been dismissed for being openly Gay. The news came to McGrath on Monday in the form of a letter,

stating that he failed to satisfy the leadership qualifications established by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). “As part of those qualifications, the BSA does not permit open or avowed homosexuals to serve as volunteer leaders,” the letter states. It continues, “the BSA does not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of its volunteer leaders … but if a volunteer makes an issue out of his or her sexual orientation – especially to the youth we serve – then that volunteer is no longer eligible to be a registered leader.”

According to the BSA, the decision to dismiss McGrath came after the organization was notified of McGrath’s involvement in an NBC news story, where McGrath allegedly stated that he was Gay. Based upon this “public” statement, it was decided that he no longer exemplified the BSA’s leadership qualifications, leaving the BSA council “no choice” but to revoke McGrath’s registration.

Last fall, the 49 year-old Ea-

gle Scout and software engineer formed troop 98 in Seattle because he loves scouting and because low-income children living in south Seattle had few opportunities to participate in after-school activities. At the time, McGrath had offered to help out in a less formal role because he had lead Colorguard, a protesting Boy Scout contingent, in last year’s Seattle Pride Parade and received a considerable amount of attention. Instead, he was asked by the pastor of the church sponsoring the troop to serve as scoutmaster.

The troop is sponsored by the Rainer Beach United Methodist Church, a congregation that performs same-sex marriages and promotes equality for the LGBT community. In a telephone interview Tuesday, Reverend Monica Corsaro denied she or McGrath ever misled local Boy Scout officials. Not having heard from officials of the regional body, the Chief Seattle Council, Rev. Corsee Boy Scouts page 8

Mississippi loves religion, World Vision update hates Gays Jacquelline Fuller, Google executive, resigns from World Vision board over Gay marriage decision

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Mississippi’s legislature has passed a so-called “Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act” – a measure that would allow individuals and businesses to refuse service to LGBT customers.

With less than 72 hours left in their session, both houses of the state legislature rushed to pass the measure on April 2. The House first passed the bill on a 79-43 vote, and later, Senators approved the bill on a voice vote.

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant is expected to sign the bill into

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AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant

law. If and when he does, the law will take effect July 1.

The measure is said to duplicate provisions of the 1993 federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act and other bills passed in 18 states, except for language that offers additional protections to employees of businesses. It is reportedly more narrowly drawn than the “religious freedom” bill vetoed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer in February.

Supporters say the bill will protect state citizens’ free exercise of religion from government intrusion. Opponents said the measure legalizes discrimination, especially against LGBT Mississippians.

During the Senate debate, Senator Derrick Simmons, a Democrat who has been outspoken in his opposition to the legislation, urged his colleagues to vote no, saying, “I urge you not to legalize discrimination in the State of Mississippi.”

“I believe certainly by the way that this bill is drafted that it will allow discrimination in Mississippi,” Simmons said. “There is nothing in the proposed legislation that prohibits that.”

While lawmakers denied that the

Jacquelline Fuller

SEATTLE (AP) – A World Vision board member has resigned in protest after the Christian aid group quickly reversed its decision to hire employees in samesex marriages.

Jacquelline Fuller, director of corporate giving for Google Inc., said in an email Wednesday to The see Mississippi page 8 Associated Press that she remains

a “huge fan” of the group’s work on behalf of the poor, but she resigned Friday “as I disagreed with the decision to exclude gay employees who marry.”

She declined to comment further.

Last week, World Vision U.S. was at the center of an uproar after confirming it would hire see World Vision page 8

2 Seattle Gay News

April 4, 2014

Celebrating 41 Years!

Politics of the mind and the heart

by Jesse Monteagudo SGN Contributing Writer Politics is often a dialogue between the mind and the heart. Our constitutional system of government encourages moderation and compromise and discourages ideology.

Unlike other countries, which have proportional representation, we have a “winner takes all” tradition in which the person with the most votes is elected. All that this means is that, for those of us who have principles, elections are often a choice between the lesser of two evils. This is especially true for us progressives, who often have to hold our noses and vote for a wishy-washy Democrat when the only viable alternative is a staunch right-wing Republican. And, as we all know, in an election between a republican and a Republican, the Republican always wins.

With such a system, what can a true-blue progressive do? We can move to another country, or push for constitutional change, a near-impossible task. Seriously, though, we who belong to the progressive left must work within the Democratic Party, and hope that we can transform our party the way the Tea Party has transformed the GOP. We need to encourage like-minded candidates, in any way we can, and get out the vote on their behalf in the primaries. Even when we lose, we can make an impact. Back in 1980, Lesbian and Gay activists (Bisexual and Transgender people were not yet part of our coalition) who were dissatisfied with President Jimmy Carter’s record backed the insurgent candidacy of Senator Ted Ken-

nedy. We did not keep Carter from being nominated (and losing to Ronald Reagan) but we elected openly Lesbian or Gay delegates to the Democratic National Convention where they spoke out on our issues.

And to this day, many of us vote our hearts’ desire when it comes to primary elections.

For example, in 2004 I voted for Vermont Governor Howard Dean in the Florida primary, though Dean had already withdrawn from the race, because I felt that Dean was more in synch with what I believed in than the winner, Senator John Kerry. On the other hand, when November comes around, my mind always prevails and I vote for the Democrat, if only because the alternative is so much worse.

This brings me to this year’s [Florida] gubernatorial race, where once again LGBT Democrats have to choose between the mind and the heart. All of us agree that GOP Governor Rick Scott is a disaster, for many reasons, and must be voted out of office by any means possible. However, we disagree as to who should carry the Democratic banner when it comes to the general election in November. Should we support Nan Rich, the former Minority Leader of the Florida Senate and a staunch progressive? Or should we support Charlie Crist, the former Republican governor who switched parties after committing what the GOP considers to be the most unforgivable sin (he embraced President Obama, both literally and figuratively). Many of our community’s best and brightest, including people who I admire and respect, made their choice clear when they attended a benefit for Crist at the home of Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner

Dean Trantalis. On the other hand, staunch activists like Michael Emanuel Rajner and Wilton Manors Vice Mayor Julie Carson continue to back Rich, pointing out to her support for LGBT rights back in the day when most politicians, Crist included, were against us.

There is much truth in both sides. On the one hand, Rich has been our friend and ally for many years, and has earned our support.

Furthermore, her views are more in synch with my own, not only on LGBT rights but on so many other issues. Crist is a political opportunist who changed his mind when it was convenient to do so. How can we be sure that Crist will not change his mind again, once he regains the governorship? On the other hand, Rich has a minimal chance of being elected governor in a state as conservative as Florida. Both Rich and Crist face a formidable opponent in Scott, who will try to use his vast fortune and a united GOP apparatus to destroy whoever runs against him. On the other hand, the Democrats, as we tend to do, are still divided.

Here as in previous elections, the mind and the heart will come together to work out a solution that will compromise our deepseated beliefs with the realities of electoral politics. Whatever we decide, the most important thing is to make sure that Scott is a one-term governor. The answer to my dilemma, at least in terms of the primary election, is simple. I will support and vote for the more progressive candidate, which is Rich. But once the primary is over, I will work for my party’s candidate, and do what I can to make sure that she or he becomes the next governor of Florida.

CORRECTION: In the caption to the photograph of the winners of the Washington State Mr. and Ms. Leather and Bootblack 2014 Contest that ran in last week’s SGN, the SGN misspelled the name of the new Washington State Bootblack 2014 titleholder. Her name is Becca, not Decca.

The SGN regrets the error, and extends congratulations to all three Washington State Mr. and Ms. Leather and Bootblack 2014 titleholders.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

April 4, 2014

Seattle Gay News 3

Emerald City Softball Association season begins

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor The Emerald City Softball Association (ECSA) begins its 35th season on April 6, continuing a long love affair between Seattle’s Gay men and women and softball.

The tradition continues.

“Some things stick: On April 6, 1980, Post-It Notes first hit the shelves in U.S. stores,” said ECSA leadership in a media release. “Around the same time, the group of Seattle-area softball players that became

the Emerald City Softball Association hit the fields for its first official season as the region’s LGBTQ softball league.”

More than three decades later, the ECSA Open Division begins its 35th season on April 6, with games from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at North SeaTac Park in SeaTac, and Moshier Park in Burien. Each game lasts about one hour. A league-sponsored postgame event is scheduled for later that afternoon at R Place (619 E. Pine St.).

Now, one of the country’s longest-running Gay-softball leagues, according to ECSA Mar-

keting and Communications Director Tony Stasiek, the ECSA is also one of its largest.

“This year’s ECSA features 36 teams in the B, C and D Divisions – with C and D Divisions each entering the season split into two even divisions – plus another Masters Division team, for players ages 50 and older.

More than 500 LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ players from the Seattle area are on ECSA team rosters this year alone,” said Stasiek.

In a nod to its long history, the ECSA is naming eight of its subdivisions after some of its 27 Hall of Famers. These individuals – who include longtime league players, sponsors and even an umpire – were elected by their peers in the past decade and have strongly demonstrated the league’s standards of excellence, community, sportsmanship and acceptance.

ECSA commissioner Frank Pichinini, an ECSA and North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) Hall of Famer, is entering his 22nd season with the league.

“I am grateful for those who came before me and created this great organization,” Pichinini says. “Dedicated to working to ensure this organization continues to provide future generations the opportunities it has for me, I declare the state of the league to be vibrant and on strong ground for years to come.”

As a member of NAGAAA – which represents more than 10,000 players and 800 teams in 44 member cities in the U.S. and Canada – the ECSA sends its top teams to each year’s NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series. The 2014 World Series will be in Dallas this September 22-27.

Over the past 10 years, the ECSA has produced more World Series champions than all but one city, Boston.

The ECSA’s regular-season play dates for 2014 are April 6, April 13, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11, May 18, June 1, June 8, June 15 and June 21. First-place teams in each division at the conclusion of the regular season secure an automatic bid to the World Series. A berth tournament to determine non-automatic World Series team bids is set for July 12-13.

“It will be fun to watch the competition and see which 10 teams will be representing ECSA, the city of Seattle and the state of Washington at the 2014 World Series in Dallas,” Pichinini says.

Following the regular season, the ECSA hosts the annual Emerald City Classic tournament over the Fourth of July weekend.

The tournament already features 67 registered teams spanning 12 cities – including Atlanta, Minneapolis and Tampa, FL. Finally, the ECSA is proud to announce five league sponsors for 2014. Bud Light has been an ECSA supporter for more than 15 seasons. Other league sponsors include PB&J Textiles, Rick A. King of Cobalt Mortgage, 1st Security Bank and Rein Fire Ranch.

More than 40 community businesses also support individual ECSA teams – including numerous sponsors that have joined the league for the first time in 2014.

For more information about the ECSA, please visit emeraldcitysoftball.org, seattlegaysoftball.com or contact them at marcom@seattlegaysoftball.com.

City of Seattle to consider sexual orientation / gender identity when addressing pay inequity Is it only gender discrimination that leads to decreased pay for women, or are there other cultural forces at work? Nudged a year ago by a report showing women in the Seattle metro area earn just 73 cents for every dollar earned by a male – the worst pay gap in the nation – then Mayor McGinn formed the Gender Equity in Pay Task Force to study why these regional and city-wide wage disparities persist. This week, as a result of that study, the Seattle City Council issued a pending resolution calling for changes within, and Mayor Murray held a press conference announcing the City’s plans to address our gender pay gap, calling it “an issue of fundamental equity that we can fix.”

According to the study by the Gender Equity for Pay Task, women in America earn just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. The pay gap also reflects the experience of Transgender women across the country. A recent Rice University and New York University report showed Transgender women lost on average $3.16 an hour after transitioning from male to female.

The study also found, “At the City of Seattle, while white women earn an average of 92 cents for every dollar a white man earns, Asian and Pacific Islander women earn 85 cents, Latina women earn 83

cents, African American women earn 79 cents and Native American women earn 74 cents. Examining race, sexual orientation and gender identity is critical if we are to have a full understanding of inequity.”

While the pay gap at the City of Seattle is significantly smaller than the national average, the city’s effort to look inwardly at the remaining injustice is significant.

The City pays over 10,000 employees, and manages a 2014 budget proposed at $4.4 billion dollars. Astonishingly, two-thirds of the City’s workforce is male. The City has set aside $1.4 million for the purpose of addressing gender equity.

One of the first things Mayor Murray did when made aware of the task force’s work, was to request that information gathered recognized not just male and female, but also Transgender workers. This is the first time Seattle City government now includes gender identity and sexual orientation as factors that may be associated with lower pay. “This might be an example of where it helps to have a Mayor, Councilmembers and a Director of Human Resources who are from the community,” Seattle Councilmember Sally Clark said.

City of Seattle Councilmember Jean Godden concurred that including LGBT in the stats is an historic first, “I believe this is the first time the City of Seattle has looked to be more inclusive in their gender demographic analysis. In the work on gender wage equity, we must begin by including employees of

4 Seattle Gay News

April 4, 2014

by Doug Hamilton SGN Contributing Writer

all gender identities and sexual orientations to get a clearer picture of where we are and how to ensure equitable opportunities for each person employed by the City.”

The process for the City to collect LGBT workforce demographic information is already underway. “The Personnel Department is in the hiring process for a position that will be charged with multiple aspects of the gender wage equity initiative, including the collection of this demographic information. As soon as this post is filled, I hope to meet with that individual to get an understanding of the timeline within which this work might be completed. In the meantime, as the Mayor mentioned yesterday, Councilmembers will be calling department heads before their respective committees to provide an initial picture of the gender wage parity in departments they supervise,” said Councilmember Godden.

The study submitted to the City of Seattle found the city government’s internal culture at a crossroads. “Preliminary data supports that women and men do not share equal experiences within the City’s work force. We believe we can rectify this, and that women, people of color and LGBT employees can achieve parity. Much of the data tells us that the wage gap is not caused by identifiable discrimination, but rather by institutional norms and practices that keep our departments and job categories largely segregated by gender and/or race. This is a significant obstacle, difficult to overcome, but one that

the City of Seattle can eliminate. This report outlines the first steps that the City can take toward achieving gender parity Godden acknowledged that overcoming cultural and institutional biases would be one of the most challenging aspects, and identified the city’s retention and promotion system based on seniority as a root cause of the wage inequities. She was dismayed to learn of the City’s historic, lopsided employment practices, and was surprised it currently has no parental leave for new mothers or fathers.

“The gender wage gap is both a systemic and a discrimination issue. Leadership training and education opportunities with business partners will be fundamental to our gender wage gap efforts. As was apparent yesterday with King County (Councilmember Rod Dembowski) and State (Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles) representation at the gender wage equity press event, there is regional energy on this issue. Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim is charged with the regional business initiative on gender wage parity and I look forward to working with her on this,” Godden said.

Councilmember Clark added, “Changing the sex and identity dynamics around who applies to become a police officer, firefighter or administrative assistant or childcare worker, and how we compensate different jobs? Those things take longer.”

Celebrating 41 Years!

“REVEALING QUEER” – LGBT HISTORY AT MOHAI FEBRUARY 14-JULY 6 Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry (860 Terry Ave. N. in South Lake Union) present “Revealing Queer,” a landmark exhibit on the history of the Puget Sound region’s LGBTQ community. Admission: $14 general; $12-student/senior/military/ teacher; children under 14 free when accompanied by an adult. Museum hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, Thursdays until 8 p.m.

First Thursdays FREE. www.mohai.org.

relationships in your recovery journey? Are you ready to have that long-overdue conversation about re-connecting with your inner self, who has the ability to give and receive love? Reclaim the journey that God intends for you. Discover a recovery community that celebrates YOU for who you are. All are welcome at All Pilgrims. Come and join us in a safe and compassionate environment as we are led in discussion by therapist Derrek Zietz, M.S., LMHCA, NCC, around issues of Active Listening, Feelings and Needs, Conflict Resolution, and Intimacy. For more information, contact Victor B. DeLosSantos, CDP Recovery Intern, 206-322-0487; office@allpilgrims.org.

“SOUTH PACIFIC” – THREE DOLLAR BILL CINEMA’S 7TH ANNUAL DINNER & AUCTION On Friday, April 4, silent auction begins at IMPERIAL COURT OF SEATTLE – 6 p.m., fine dining and entertainment at 7:30 IMPERIAL PRINCE & p.m., at MOHAI (860 Terry Ave. N.), join PRINCESS BALL Three Dollar Bill Cinema for their 7th annual The Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle dinner and auction. Support LGBT arts! Tick- and their Most Imperial Highnesses, Impeets: $139. www.threedollarbillcinema.org rial Prince 39 Jacob Howe and Imperial Princess 27 DonnaTella Howe invite you to the ALL PILGRIMS 2014 Imperial Prince and Princess Ball and CHRISTIAN CHURCH – Investitures – “Once Upon a Stepdown.”

FREE RECOVERY, INTIMACY & Come one, come all! Come as your faRELATIONSHIPS WORKSHOP vorite fairy tale hero, heroine, villain or On Saturday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to such, as Storybrooke is taking over Velocity noon, All Pilgrims Christian Church (500 Dance Center (1621 12th Ave) on April 5.

Broadway E.) offers a FREE Recovery, InMagic is here as we celebrate the year of timacy and Relationships Workshop. Are Jacob and DonnaTella and their year repyou struggling with intimacy in new and old resenting the Court of Seattle as Prince

and Princess. Join them as they bring you a show packed with incredible non-stop entertainment and energy. There will be a cash bar available to keep you hydrated. As a result, this is 21+ event.

Tickets are $15 at the door. Limited advanced ticket purchase at Brown Paper Tickets are only $10, and saves you $5 off the price! http://bpt.me/615351 (Purchaser responsible for associated fees when using BPT.) Also starring tonight, Rainier 40 Eric Bonesteel and Olympia 43 Rodeo Drive, as they present Investitures, presenting their Reign Titles for the 43rd Monarchy of the Court of Seattle.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m., Investitures will start at 6:30 p.m., and the Ball begins at 7:00 p.m. You don’t want to miss this!

EMERALD CITY SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION – 2014 SEASON OPENING DAY On Sunday, April 6, from 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., at North SeaTac Park, SeaTac, and Moshier Park, Burien, the Pacific Northwest’s largest Gay softball organization begins its 35th season with games on 5 fields all day, with post-game party at R Place, 619 E. Pine St. For more information and complete schedule, visit http://seattlegaysoftball.com.

SEATTLE PRIDE IDOL On Sunday, April 6, Seattle Out & Proud (SO&P) kicks off the 6th annual Seattle Pride Idol talent showcase and competition.

The event will be held at Neighbours Nightclub (1509 Broadway) – with contestant registration beginning at 6:30 p.m., doors at 7 p.m. and contest at 8 p.m. Registration is free, and contestants may bring their own musical accompaniment. There is no cover charge.

The amateur voice competition will feature up to 10 different competitors at each event through the June 8 finale. Each competition winner will advance to the Finale to compete for the title of 2014 Pride Idol, while the runners-up will face off in the Wild Card Night on June 1 for two coveted spots at the Finale.

A panel of three to four judges will rate the contestants weekly based on vocal ability, overall performance and stage presence. The first place winner each night will win $100, second place $50 and third place $25.

Contestants may choose from mover 10,000 songs (covering the 1950s to the present) from an extensive karaoke song list. Contestants may also bring their own music on audio compact disc (CD). Audio track must be instrumental without lead vocals. All accompanying music not selected from the karaoke music library must be submitted on CD at least 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the evening’s contest. see NW News page 17

Supporters of ousted openly Gay troop leader speak out at Seattle rally Dru Dinero

Scoutmaster Geoffrey McGrath at Seattle rally

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Openly Gay Seattle area Boy Scouts of America troop leader, Geoff McGrath, was recently notified that he was being ousted from his leadership position because leadership says he made an issue out of his sexual orientation. On a rainy Thursday afternoon yesterday, supporters of Geoff McGrath, including his brother and state Senator Jamie Pedersen (D-43), rallied to demand no more discrimination under any guise.

The national organization told Geoff McGrath in a letter Monday that it “has no choice” but to revoke his registration after he said he was Gay while being profiled by NBC News. The issue harkens back to the days of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” when U.S. service members could serve as long as they remained silent about their sexual orientation.

Unlike the U.S. military, The Boy Scouts of America do not have an official policy barring Gay leadership from speaking out about their sexual orientation – they downright say you cannot be a homosexual or Lesbian and remain a part of the organization – period.

“Your statement is in direct violation of the BSA’s leadership qualification,” said the letter from the Boy Scouts’ Office of General Counsel in Irving, Texas.

And, in a particularly pointed statement, BSA leadership noted that there would not be a review of the decision if McGrath talked about this.

“I’m stunned,” McGrath, 49, said Tuesday. “Our hope is that they’ll rethink their decision.”

McGrath earned the rank of Eagle Scout and has been leading Seattle Troop 98 since its formation was approved last fall; he’s taken the troop to camp in a snow cave at Mount Rainier

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National Park, and they’ve worked on knots and lashing skills just like any other troop.

Nothing, in fact, is out of the norm, save the fact that the scouts are now missing their leader due to a discriminatory and archaic policy.

McGrath was asked by the pastor of Rainier Beach United Methodist Church, the chartering organization, to lead the troop. He obliged and submitted an application that was approved by the Chief Seattle Council and national headquarters.

“We were transparent,” he said. “If they didn’t want us to be a troop, they shouldn’t have accepted our application. To hear claims that this is surprising to them is confusing.

We’ve been transparent from day one.”

Among McGrath’s supporters – many of whom drove from Bellingham, Olympia, and more – were scouts from troop 11 and his twin brother David McGrath.

McGrath and his brother grew up in Seattle. He was a Cub Scout, became a Boy Scout at 11, and with his twin brother earned Eagle Scout rank before turning 18.

“Scouting was the best part of our youth and adolescence,” McGrath said, “Adolescence was a hard time, but [scouting] wasn’t. That was uncomplicated and wonderful in every way.”

The McGrath brothers’ father was also present on Thursday. McGrath said that he and his brother and dad went to the woods and canoed and climbed Mount Rainier.

Family was never the problem he said. In fact, when he came out as Gay in 1988 at the age of 23, the hardest part was anticipating rejection from the Boy Scouts. He lost contact with the Scouts, moved to California and became a software engineer. In 2008, McGrath married his longtime partner.

Last year his brother, David McGrath and his nephew rode their bikes from Idaho to

Texas to drum up support for allowing Gay youth to participate in BSA. Late last year, the policy on youth was changed – but still, adults who identify as LGBT are prohibited from leadership roles.

However, that rule does not matter to Rev. Monica Corsaro at Rainier Beach United Methodist Church. She and her congregation are standing by McGrath as troop leader.

“This is a nonissue here. We’ve gotten no complaints from parents,” she said. “He decided to tell his story to somebody is why he’s getting in trouble.”

And because Corsaro said that she hasn’t gotten official word that McGrath is not a Boy Scouts leader, he’ll continue in his role.

McGrath thought their willingness to accept the troop was indicative of the BSA leadership’s willingness to, at the very least, tryout a new membership policy. McGrath learned Monday that he was wrong.

Still, he says he will continue with the troop, adding, “The kids are relying on us to be reliable and trustworthy.”

Thursday’s rally and protest was held in front of the Chief Seattle Council Boy Scouts of America office, which recently celebrated 100 years of scouting. The crowd of supporters, which looked to be about two dozen people, gave their heartfelt testimony to why they thought McGrath makes a great troop leader.

There was no one from the opposing authority present at the rally. Social Outreach Seattle (www.SocialOutreachSeattle.com) and Equal Rights Washington (www.EqualRightsWashington.com) were at the rally to show support for a new era of scouting.

The rally was organized by GLAAD and Scouts for Equality. For more information about what you can do to help or show support, go to http://www.scoutsforequality. com/in-the-press/geoff-mcgrath/.

April 4, 2014

Seattle Gay News 5

Support DADT repeal or get out, Obama told Joint Chiefs President Obama told the Joint Chiefs of Staff that if they would not support his decision to end the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, they should resign “and go do other things,” according to a story on the BuzzFeed blog.

In a video BuzzFeed obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Robert Papp revealed that Obama met with the five service branch heads in 2010, and told them flatly, “This is what I want to do.”

“I cannot divulge everything he said to us, that’s private communications within the Oval Office, but if we didn’t agree with it — if any of us didn’t agree with it — we all had the opportunity to resign our commissions and go do other things,” Papp said.

In a question and answer session after a January 8 address to Coast Guard Academy cadets, Papp spoke about the meeting with the President, and what an officer should do if he or she disagreed with a policy of the Commander-in-Chief.

“If I disagree morally with [a policy], it’s my obligation to voice that, regardless of the risk it might give my career,” he said. “I’ve been in those situations. I’ve been fortunate to

have good leaders that have appreciated that.”

Using his own experience with DADT as an example, Papp said it was fine for leaders to “not be thrilled” with a certain regulation, but if they didn’t “see anything terribly wrong with it,” it was their job as officers to support and enforce it.

The U.S. military made the right decision by abolishing DADT, the admiral added. Papp is scheduled to retire from active service on May 30.

Obama’s blunt talk to the Joint Chiefs contrasts with the performance of Bill Clinton in 1993, when intense lobbying by the military chiefs – including then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Colin Powell – led Clinton to back down from his stated objective of allowing Gay and Lesbian service members to serve openly.

DADT was, at that time, Clinton’s fallback position. The policy was codified in Defense Directive 1304.26, which ordered that service members were neither to be asked about their sexual orientation nor to reveal it.

Some observers speculate that Clinton’s retreat on open service for Gay and Lesbian military personnel emboldened his political enemies, and led to further defeats for his administration on healthcare reform and other initiatives.

Reuters

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

President Barrack Obama signs the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal Act of 2010

Mozilla boycott: Everybody wants to get in on the act Stephen Shankland

Brendan Eich

named Brendan Eich its CEO. He had been the company’s chief technology officer since 2005. Eich is famous for two Anti-Gay forces are now calling for a boy- things: he created JavaScript, and he docott of Mozilla as the swirl of controversy nated $1000 to the Prop 8 campaign to resurrounding the software giant intensifies. peal same-sex marriage in California.

It all started March 24, when Mozilla Eich’s appointment touched off calls for

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

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April 4, 2014

a boycott of Mozilla products spearheaded by Mozilla Firefox developer Hampton Catlin and his husband Michael.

By March 30, Mozilla felt compelled to issue a statement affirming its corporate commitment to LGBT rights.

“Mozilla’s mission is to make the Web more open so that humanity is stronger, more inclusive and more just,” the company said. “This is why Mozilla supports equality for all, including marriage equality for LGBT couples. No matter who you are or who you love, everyone deserves the same rights and to be treated equally.”

The chair of Mozilla’s board of directors, Mitchell Baker, also issued a statement of her own. “This is not only a commitment, it is our identity,” she wrote.

“I stand strongly for gay marriage,” Mozilla Foundation Executive Director Mark Surman weighed in.

Even Eich issued a statement affirming his “commitment to equality.”

“I’m very happy that @mozilla is unequivocal in its support now,” Catlin Tweeted. “Took longer than it should, but #proud.”

Former National Organization for Marriage (NOM) chairman Robert George got into the act on April 1, with a call to boycott Mozilla because of its statements affirming LGBT rights.

“The employees of Mozilla evidently think that people like me, and perhaps you, are not morally fit to be employees of their company,” George said in a statement, referring to Catlin’s role in launching the boycott.

“Why contribute to the prosperity of those who would exclude you?” George asked his supporters. “Cancel Firefox or any other Mozilla product. Sure, its competitors are probably ‘just as bad,’ but we have an opportunity here to send a message to all of them.”

In addition to his role at NOM, George

is known as co-author of the infamous Manhattan Declaration, which calls on right-wing Christians to disobey laws that guarantee the rights of LGBT Americans.

On the same day, dating website OKCupid began asking its one million users to boycott Mozilla Firefox. Anyone accessing the site with Firefox is diverted to a special message.

“Mozilla’s new CEO, Brendan Eich, is an opponent of equal rights for gay couples,” the message tells users.

“We would therefore prefer that our users not use Mozilla software to access OKCupid…Those who seek to deny love and instead enforce misery, shame, and frustration are our enemies, and we wish them nothing but failure.”

The message allows OKCupid users to continue to the site via a link at the bottom, but not before they’ve seen download links for Firefox’s major competitors.

Mozilla, in turn, responded to OKCupid, with a new statement reaffirming that the company is “staunchly in support of marriage equality and LGBT rights.”

In a statement, Surman said he was worried about the future of the company.

“I worry that Mozilla is in a tough spot right now,” he wrote. “I worry that we do a bad job of explaining ourselves, that people are angry and don’t know who we are or where we stand. And, I worry that in the time it takes to work this through and explain ourselves, the things I love about Mozilla will be deeply damaged.

“And I suspect others do, too. If you are a Mozillian, I ask that you help the people around you understand who we are. And, if you have supported Mozilla in the past [and] are frustrated or angry with us, I ask you for kindness and patience. What Mozilla is about is working through these things, even when they’re hard. Because the web needs us to. It’s that important.”

Celebrating 41 Years!

Feds to recognize Michigan marriages The federal government will recognize all 300-plus same-sex marriages performed in Michigan before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed a lower court ruling striking down the state’s discriminatory marriage ban, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced March 28.

“I have determined that the same-sex marriages performed last Saturday in Michigan will be recognized by the federal government,” Holder said.

“These families will be eligible for all relevant federal benefits on the same terms as other same-sex marriages. The Governor of Michigan has made clear that the marriages that took place on Saturday were lawful and valid when entered into, although Michigan will not extend state rights and benefits tied to these marriages pending further legal proceedings.

“For purposes of federal law, as I announced in January with respect to similarly situated same-sex couples in Utah, these Michigan couples will not be asked to wait for further resolution in the courts before they may seek federal benefits to which they are entitled.”

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder said on March 26 that his administration will not “recognize the benefits of [the same-sex] marriage[s] until there’s a removal of the stay.”

The Sixth Circuit granted the stay pend-

ing their hearing of the state’s appeal in the case. U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman ruled on March 21 that Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriages failed to satisfy rational basis review – the lowest standard of judicial scrutiny – and therefore violated the equal protection rights of the plaintiffs.

Friedman, a Reagan appointee, did not stay his decision pending appeal, and officials in four Michigan counties opened their offices on Saturday, March 22, to issue licenses to same-sex couples. The Sixth Circuit did not issue its stay until the following Monday, and in the mean time some 300 couples had married.

Holder made a similar decision regarding same-sex marriages performed in Utah between December 20, when U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby struck down the state’s same-sex marriage ban, and January 6, when the Tenth Circuit Court issued a stay on his ruling. More than 1,300 couples were married during that window of opportunity.

Holder’s decision entitles couples in Utah, and now Michigan, to all the federal rights of legally married couples, including the right to file joint tax returns, to be free of federal estate taxes when inheriting the property of a deceased husband or wife, and rights to Social Security partner and survivor benefits.

The federal government’s position has no bearing on the couples’ standing under state law, which will be determined by federal appeals courts.

Mark Wilson / Getty Images

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Attorney General Eric Holder

DOJ announces new Trans education program Photo by Lonnie Tague / DOJ

Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division Tony West

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The U.S. Department of Justice has announced a new program to train local police departments to understand and deal effectively with Transgender issues.

“It’s clear that such a training is as nec-

essary as it is overdue,” Associate Attorney General Tony West said in a March 27 statement. “Because too often, in too many places, we know that transgender victims are discouraged from reporting hate crimes and hate violence due to their past negative interactions with and perceptions of law enforcement.”

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The program will be administered by DOJ’s Community Relations Service, which works to prevent and respond to hate crimes. Lesson plans include suggestions for addressing school bullying, and lists of do’s and don’ts, with don’ts including using terms like “transvestite” and asking whether a Transgender person has had “sex reassignment” or “sex change” surgery.

Deputy Attorney General James Cole said that “the [Transgender] community’s fears about law enforcement’s support and perceptions” prevent them from reporting acts of anti-Transgender violence, a situation he described as unacceptable.

“This is not a result that can or will be tolerated by the Department of Justice, and it runs counter to the very role your community public safety officials want to promote,” he added.

Seattle Police Department (SPD) spokesperson Mark Jamieson said he was not aware of any Justice Department outreach to SPD in regards to the new program.

Asked how he would evaluate SPD’s relationship with the local Trans community, Jamieson said “we’re good with the meetings and exchanging information, but could we improve? Yes.” “There have been reports in the media,” Jamieson told SGN, “of people who stated they were victimized, but they didn’t feel comfortable calling the police. That’s troubling to me. We’ve got a relationship with the community, but it could be improved.”

Unfortunately, SPD’s experience is right in line with national trends. While Transgender people are at far greater risk of assault, with an astonishing 61% reporting that they had been victims of physical violence, many also say they are reluctant to report crimes to the police.

“Cops will deal with Trans folks and assume because you’re Trans, then in some kind of way you’ve caused this kind of violence on you,” said GLAAD spokesperson Tiq Milan.

Veteran Seattle activist Marsha Botzer, founder of Ingersoll Gender Center, expressed both “great appreciation for the interest in building this training” and reservations about whether it would have a lasting effect.

“What I want is that we create a training that lasts and is vibrant, alive to the changes that develop in the community,” Botzer told SGN. “For years I have worked on trainings for police and other systems, and my one great objective is this: “The information must really be used and must last, not just as a special onetime training that fades with a change of personnel or leadership, or lasts for just one season or year, but as a dynamic process that continues on in formal written policy with ongoing training that is reviewed regularly for effectiveness.

“Any process must address understanding of what Transgender issues really are (and are not), abolish irrational fears, and place at the heart of any interaction a clear knowledge that a Transgender individual is first, foremost, and always, a person and a human being worthy of fair and equal treatment,” she told SGN. Harper Jean Tobin, policy director at the National Center for Transgender Equality, helped to design the DOJ program, but said there is still more work that will need to be done in order to fix the problems between Transgender people and America’s police departments.

“You can’t train your way out of this problem. It’s one piece of the puzzle. It’s one tool that we can use,” she said.

April 4, 2014

Seattle Gay News 7

Oregon will drop ballot initiative if court strikes marriage ban tures to qualify for the ballot by December.

Oregon United for Marriage organizers worried, however, that a statewide initiative campaign would be too costly. In an amicus brief filed with U.S. District Court Judge Michael McShane, Oregon United argues that an initiative campaign would be expensive for the state and for Oregon businesses.

A popular vote also carries “substantial social costs,” with same-sex couples and their families paying “a high emotional price when their basic civil rights are up for debate,” the group added.

In addition, right-wing groups have launched a rival initiative campaign of their own. The so-called “Protect Religious Freedom Initiative” was filed in November by the Oregon Family Council, the same group that led the successful 2004 campaign to ban same-sex marriage.

The proposed initiative, which is also aimed at the November ballot, would allow individuals and businesses to refuse services to samesex couples seeking to be married. It is now in the process of receiving its official title from the Oregon secretary of state’s office.

Once that is complete, supporters can begin collecting the required 85,000 or so signatures needed to get the measure before voters.

The suits have now been consolidated

by Judge McShane, with oral arguments scheduled for April 23. If federal courts do not rule on the pending lawsuits by the May

23 deadline, Oregon United for Marriage has until July 3 to submit the signatures its gathered for the Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection Initiative, which will then be put on the November ballot.

A poll released by Oregon United For

Marriage in February showed that 55% of the state’s likely voters supported same-sex marriage while only 41% were opposed.

Oregon has recognized same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions since October 2013.

LGBT community was the intended target of the bill, supporters outside the legislature made it very clear that they were.

“This is a victory for the First Amendment and the right to live and work according to one’s conscience,” Tony Perkins, President of the anti-Gay Family Research Council, said in a statement.

“I commend Mississippi legislators for reading the bill and consulting the facts and not yielding to the wild distortions of the frenzied opposition of anti-religious liberty activists who caused other elected officials to

retreat in recent weeks. Whether it’s someone like Pastor Telsa DeBerry who was hindered by the Holly Springs city government from building a new church in the downtown area, or a wedding vendor, whose orthodox Christian faith will not allow her to affirm samesex ‘marriage,’ the provisions of RFRA would apply to prevent the government from discriminating against religious exercise.”

Human rights organizations condemned the measure.

“The law could allow individuals and businesses to bring challenges against what they view as substantial government burdens against religion, including challenging existing nondiscrimination laws,” the ACLU said in a statement.

“Even though the Mississippi legislature removed some of the egregious language from Arizona’s infamous SB 1062, we are disappointed that it passed this unnecessary law and ignored the national, public outcry against laws of this nature,” said Eunice Rho, advocacy and policy counsel with the ACLU. “We will continue to fight in state legislatures across the country to ensure that religious freedom remains a shield, not a sword.”

“While there were many efforts to correct the clearly problematic elements of this legislation, the bill still has the effect of making LGBT people strangers to the law,” HRC State Legislative Director Sarah Warbelow said.

“Before Mississippi has had the opportuni-

ty to robustly discuss the lived experiences of LGBT people, this bill would hollow out any non-discrimination protections at the local level or possible future state-wide protections.

Just as we’ve seen in other states, this bill is bad for business, bad for the state’s reputation, and most of all, bad for Mississippians. Governor Bryant must veto the measure.”

Legislatures in Georgia, Idaho, Maine, and Ohio, have rejected similar measures. Bills are still pending in Missouri and Oklahoma.

The federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 was originally intended to protect sacred Native American lands from encroachments by federal construction projects.

World Vision

Boy Scouts

employees in gay marriages. The charity, based in Federal Way, was started by evangelicals and grew to become a nearly $1 billion international relief agency.

Some prominent evangelical leaders condemned the decision, and several thousand donors canceled their child sponsorships over the new policy. Within two days, the charity backtracked, causing a separate backlash, this time from evangelicals and others who supported recognition for married gay employees.

Washington is among the states that recognize same-sex marriage.

Fuller had served on the board for just over two years. World Vision President Richard Stearns released a statement thanking Fuller for her service.

A World Vision spokesman, Steve Panton, said no other board members have resigned. Panton said the board of directors met Wednesday and will meet again within the next few days “to assess our past and future actions.”

In the rain. With a heavy pack.”

Still, McGrath remains determined in his efforts. “Let’s build a stronger, more inclusive Boy Scouts of America,” he tweeted on his twitter page. When asked about whether or not he will continue to push for a more inclusive Boy Scouts, McGrath replied, “I’ve been working to change the Boy Scout’s Membership Policy quite actively for the past year. I don’t see my level of advocacy decreasing going forward.”

Nationally, the decision has outraged individuals and organizations alike. The Human Rights Campaign issued a statement on Tuesday calling on the Boy Scouts to change its policy toward scout leaders. Director of Scouts for Equality, Zach Wahls, questioned the claim that McGrath had “deliberately injected” his sexual orientation into scouting. “He was asked about his sexual orientation,” said Wahls.

“I don’t think telling the truth is a violation of scouting principles.”

Locally, Adam McRoberts, organizer of Seattle’s Pride Parade was equally outraged. “This is just ridiculous! Last year

Geoffrey led Colorguard in the parade. It was like their big outing in the gay community … and now the Boy Scouts do something like this!” he exclaimed.

With so many outraged about the decision, it is not difficult to imagine the amount of support McGrath has been receiving. Supportive messages and tweets have been flooding McGrath’s Facebook and Twitter pages and for that McGrath says he is very thankful for.

“People have just been really supportive,” he says. “It has made this ordeal much more manageable.”

Earlier this week on Wednesday, McRoberts invited McGrath to once again join the Seattle Pride Parade this year. When asked if he would walk in the parade again, McGrath beamed, “I was honored to participate in Seattle’s Pride Parade last year – I hope to be a part of that again this year.”

Courtesy Huff Post and Associated Press

saro said that McGrath will preside at the scout troop’s Thursday meeting, as usual.

When asked about how this decision will affect his scouts, McGrath replied, “I stand in my post as scoutmaster until released by Pastor Corsaro from my duties. I have not abandoned my post so this decision doesn’t make any change at all to the existing day-to-day running of the troop.” He added that it will probably mean the BSA won’t recognize rank advancement cards signed by him and that they likely won’t permit him on BSA camp property “but that’s pretty much it.

We have enough able assistant scoutmasters to pick up the slack as well as scoutmasters from other troops who are standing by as needed.”

Though McGrath’s commitments to his scouts remain unchanged, he admitted the ordeal is taking a rather heavy toll on him personally. “Thanks to all of the support from co-workers, family, friends, and especially members of the troop committee, it has been manageable; but I won’t kid you, it has felt a bit like hiking a 50 miler.

8 Seattle Gay News

April 4, 2014

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Oregon United for Marriage said on April 2 that it would drop its ballot initiative to legalize same-sex marriage if a federal judge strikes down their state’s ban by May 23.

“Oregon is closer than ever to winning marriage for all loving, committed couples in our state,” Oregon United for Marriage campaign manager Mike Marshall said in a statement.

“We would prefer a quick resolution of the court cases, and, if possible, to avoid an expensive marriage campaign, especially now that we are facing an Arizona-style discrimination measure that would allow businesses to turn people away from commercial services because of who they are and whom they love.”

Four couples filed federal lawsuits last year challenging the state’s 2004 constitutional amendment that defined marriage as a union of one man and one woman.

The lawsuits, Geiger et al. v. Kitzhaber and Rummell et al. v. Kitzhaber, assert that the marriage ban violates the equal protection and due process clauses of the U.S. Constitution.

In February, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced her office would not defend the state’s ban, saying she failed to find “a valid reason” to prevent same-sex marriages.

The initiative campaign to repeal Oregon’s ban on same-sex marriages was launched in July last year, and gathered enough signa-

Mississippi

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Pro-Gay mayors elected in Turkey

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

In 2011, an Amnesty International report charged the Turkish government with ignoring harassment and discrimination against the country’s LGBT community. “[H]omophobic statements by government officials have encouraged discrimination against individuals,” the report’s lead

researcher said at the time.

As a candidate for Prime Minister in 2003, Erdogan said that “it is essential that LGBT’s human rights be protected before the law.” Recently, however, he asserted that Turkish public opinion “is not ready” for laws protecting the LGBT community.

Getty

Four pro-Gay candidates have been elected in Turkey’s municipal elections held March 30.

In all, more than 3,000 mayoral positions were up for grabs, with the Islamist Justice and Development Party of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan taking more than 1,750.

Forty candidates from left-wing opposition parties signed on to the LGBT rights platform issued by the Social Policies, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (SPOD). The platform commits signers to protect and improve LGBT rights, to partner with LGBT associations, and to promote anti-discrimination measures.

Founded in 2011, SPOD “advocates full equality for LGBT individuals in Turkey with a special emphasis on social and economic rights and works for the elimination of all forms of discrimination including discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation and gender expression,” its website says.

“SPOD works for the development of rights-based social policy that contributes to the full equality of LGBT individuals. SPOD’s activities cover a wide range of social policy domains including labor market, social services, education, elderly care, healthcare, housing, and income poverty alleviation.”

Of the winning candidates, three representing districts of Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, and one from Mersin, had

signed SPOD’s platform.

The three Istanbul winners represent the center-left Republican People’s Party (known by its Turkish initials as CHP), and the new Mersin mayor comes from the leftist Peace and Democracy Party (BDP).

CHP claims to be the political heir of modern Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and is rigidly secularist, in contrast to Erdogan’s Islamist government. It is based among Turkey’s westernized middle classes, government workers, and military officers.

BDP has strong ties with non-Turkish minority communities like the Kurds, as well as with feminists and other nontraditional groups.

The Prime Minister’s Justice and Development Party, or AKP, is based among rural voters in Turkey’s interior provinces, and among the urban poor. Although Erdogan was widely accused of corruption and abuse of power, AKP elected well over half of its candidates.

Same-sex relations have been legal in Turkey since 1858, but the LGBT community has no other legal protections. Istanbul has a large LGBT community – which played a prominent role in the Gezi Park riots last spring and summer – but life for LGBT Turks in the interior of the country can be harsh.

On March 31, in fact, a Turkish court convicted a man of manslaughter for shooting his Gay son and dumping his body by the side of a road. The victim’s uncles were also convicted in what was said to be an “honor killing.”

On hearing the verdict, the victim’s mother reportedly screamed “If he were Gay, I would have killed him with my own hands. You have shamed us.”

LA meningitis outbreak health officials urge vaccination

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The Los Angeles County Department of Health issued an announcement April 3, urging Gay and Bisexual men to be vaccinated for meningitis. Eight cases of the disease have been reported so far this year, and three patients have died.

Health officials said they have found

“commonalities” in four of the latest cases. This outbreak cluster reportedly includes the three fatalities. The Department said that the finding of “commonalities” contrasted with previous meningitis outbreaks in 2012 and 2013.

Three of the patients lived or socialized in the West Hollywood and North Hollywood areas, and three were 27-28 years of age.

The fourth meningitis patient was 50 years (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Men wait for free meningitis vaccinations in West Hollywood

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old, the Health Department reported.

Three of the eight reported Los Angeles area cases have occurred in HIV-positive men. Reports do not say whether any of those three cases are among the fatalities.

Invasive meningococcal disease stems from a rare bacterial infection that can spread to the blood, brain, or spinal cord and can affect the entire body, sometimes causing death. It is spread by close exposure to sneezing or coughing or direct contact with saliva or nose mucus, although it is less contagious than influenza, the Health Department said.

Symptoms commonly include severe headache, stiffness or rigidity of the neck, high fever, mental confusion, sensitivity to light, and sometimes a distinctive skin rash.

There may be inflammation of the brain itself or its blood vessels, and the infection may lead to sepsis.

Bacterial meningitis progresses very rapidly, with patients becoming symptomatic sometimes within two to four days of infection, or seven to ten days at most.

While the disease can be fatal, meningitis patients respond very well to antibiotics, especially if they are administered soon after infection, and there are standard vaccines that can prevent the disease.

ALA County Health Department Director Dr Jonathan Fielding urged that all men who have sex with men, whether

or not they identify as Gay or Bisexual and “regardless of HIV status, who regularly have close or intimate contact with multiple partners, or who seek partners through the use of digital applications, particularly those who share cigarettes, marijuana or use illegal drugs, should visit their health provider to be vaccinated against invasive meningococcal disease.”

“Invasive meningococcal disease is very serious and potentially deadly,” says LA Gay and Lesbian Center Medical Director Dr. Robert Bolan.

“We’re concerned there have been four reported cases among gay and bisexual men in just the first three months of this year and that the county is reporting commonalities among some of the cases. Though it’s important to note that IMD is not spread by casual contact, such as being in the same room with someone who may be infected, I encourage gay and bisexual men – regardless of their HIV status, but especially those who are HIV-positive – to get vaccinated.

It’s possible that people who are HIV-positive, and gay men in general, may be at greater risk of infection.”

LA County officials said they would provide free vaccinations to individuals without medical insurance. A similar mass vaccination campaign seemed to be successful in bringing New York City’s 2012 outbreak to a close.

April 4, 2014

Seattle Gay News 13

Dear Kiki with D, I’ve been with my partner for the past six years and he is the love of my life. Over the past year, I’ve begun to hear rumors at the work place of him cheating on me with another man, but there are no outright signs at home. The shocking twist to this story is that the purported man is not only a coworker, but a man I consider to be one of my closest friends. We’ve even taken him on vacation with us and accepted him into our apartment. Admittedly, the romance of our relationship has cooled off recently due to other interests, but I feel like that is par for the course after several years together. I still love him with all of my heart and have never even thought about being with another man.

My dilemma here is how to approach this delicate situation. I planned on proposing and marrying my partner this summer; now, I am confused and don’t know what to do. Do I confront my partner about it and risk accusing him of something that will jeopardize our relationship? Do I approach my coworker and risk not only losing a great friend, but potentially ruining the great workplace chemistry that we have established?

–Mind-Blown in Bellingham

Dear Mind-Blown in Bellingham, Approach your partner, please. Not with anger, but with concern. You can tell him that you’ve heard these rumors and that you have no idea how to process the information. You can explain that the rumors have caused you to worry about whether he’s happy with the relationship. See what he has to say.

This situation is delicate, but it can’t be avoided. You can’t continue this three-way friendship, if you’re secretly stewing about what you’ve heard. And really, your partner deserves to know about the rumor mill – and about your anxiety. It’s his relationship, too.

Whatever you do, don’t confront your friend. For the moment, this is between you and your partner. Call on that partnership.

Hope this helps. Remember be true to you, love yourself, encourage yourself and others.

–D

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NGI men thrive in sexual marketplace

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor According to a new study from the University of Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health, men who specifically don’t identify as Gay are sought after 11 percent of the time in Craigslist ads for Gay men who are looking for Gay sex.

To examine the subgroup of men seeking NGI (non-Gay-identified) men in the online sexual marketplace, the researchers reviewed 1,200 Internet personal ads posted on Craigslist and selected 282 for analysis and performed comparisons of two categories of personal ads: those seeking encounters with NGI men, including straight, Bisexual, married, curious, and men on the “down low” (those who usually identify as heterosexual but have sex with men); and a contrasting set of ads that did not specifically seek NGI men.

Craigslist was chosen because it is publicly accessible, highly trafficked, free-of-charge, and widely used by Gay, NGI men seeking men, or men who have sex with men and women to find sexual partners.

From the study: Among the ads studied, 11% were placed by men seeking NGI partners. Although men who posted NGI-seeking ads were more likely to self-identify as Bisexual, married, and/or discreet and to seek out an anonymous encounter relative to the ads of comparison men, only 24% of online advertisements seeking NGI men were posted by men who were themselves non-Gay-identified. This suggests that many of the posts are placed by Gay men seeking NGI men, perceived by some Gay men to be more masculine, dominant, or “straight-acting.”

The analysis revealed that men seeking NGI partners were significantly less likely to

mention that they wanted to have safer sex/ use condoms (15% vs. 33%) and were more likely (66% vs. 42%) to omit mention of condoms or safer sex in their advertisements.

“This suggests that these men are more likely to be looking for and willing to engage in sex without a condom which may place them at greater risk for HIV/STI transmission than men who are not seeking non-Gay-identified male partners,” said Dr. Schrimshaw, who is assistant professor of Sociomedical Sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health.

Although few advertisements posted by men seeking NGI partners specifically sought anal sex without a condom (1% vs.

2%), they were significantly more likely to seek oral sex without a condom (14% vs. 5%) than comparison advertisements. “Future research on NGI-seeking men could lead to better understanding of their risk behaviors

which, in turn, could be helpful for developing and targeting HIV/STD prevention and intervention efforts,” noted Dr. Schrimshaw.

“Regardless of any study limitations, the research has allowed us to document the existence of a subgroup of men who actively seek out sexual encounters with men who do not identify as gay,” said Dr. Schrimshaw. “Moreover, the findings suggest that men with a preference for NGI men attempt to alert such prospective partners through a combination of selfdescribed characteristics, desired partner attributes, and behavioral preferences, all of which serve to attract more discreet and masculine men. Given the attention to the sexual behaviors of NGI MSM [men who have sex with men], the results of this study support the need for additional research to investigate the behavioral outcomes of NGI-seeking men’s personal ads.”

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continued from page 5 The 2014 Pride Idol winner will perform in the Seattle Pride Parade on June 29, at the Pride Picnic on June 14, and potential performances at other events representing Pride Idol, and receive the grand prize of $1,000 and a vacation package from Alaska Airlines. The first runner-up will receive $500 and a T-Mobile iPad Mini, and the second runner-up will receive $250 and a Microsoft Surface Tablet. All competitions will be hosted by Miss Gay Seattle, Olivia LaGarce.

Regular competitions will be held every Sunday, April 4-May 25 (except May 18) at Neighbours Nightclub. Regular competitions will also be held on Thursday, May 1 at Baltic Room (1207 Pine St.), Wednesday May 7 at The Lobby Bar (916 E. Pike St.), and Thursday May 22 at OutWest Bar (5401 California Ave. SW). The Wild Card Night will be held on Sunday, June 1 at Neighbours and the Finale on Sunday, June 8 at Neighbours.

For more information, call 206-322-9561, email info@seattlepride.org, or visit www. seattlepride.org.

“BEARING WITNESS” – A PERFORMANCE MENTORING PROGRAM & SHOWCASE FOR QUEER YOUTH OF COLOR & THEIR FRIENDS & ALLIES Seattle Parks & Recreation in partnership with Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (LHPAI) presents “Bearing Witness,” a performing arts program for Queer Youth of Color and their youth allies focusing on dance, song, music, drag, spoken word, and theater. This program for first-timers as well as experienced performers includes four mentoring sessions with a creative mentor on Wednesday, April 9, 16, 23 and May 7, from 3:45 p.m.5 p.m., leading to a performance showcase on Wednesday, May 14. This program for LGBTQ youth of color and friends and allies up to age 22 will be held at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (104 17th Ave. S., at E. Yesler Way). There is no cost to register and participants will receive a $50 stipend. Under the guidance of professional mentors, participants will create and perform new works. This program is designed for youth at all levels and experiences. In this community there are rarely ever spaces for Queer Youth of Color to share their stories and explore their art.

“Bearing Witness” is designed to create that space and open a door for discussion and awareness in the community.

Not sure you’re interested in performing? But want to be involved and earn some money? The “Bearing Witness” program is seeking Youth Peer Outreach Coordinators to help recruit youth performers and promote the May 14 showcase. Up to $250 is available for each coordinator.

This opportunity is available for youth, ages 16-22 to apply. Hours: 30 hours maximum – expected to average about 5 hours per week between April 9 and May 14, 2014. Flexibility is required, especially for after school and evening hours. There are four positions available. For application materials, send an email to Rodney.

Greene@seattle.gov. Application deadline is Wednesday, April 9.

The “Bearing Witness” Quare Arts Project is a mentored performing arts program that provides creative assistance in implementing performing arts events, such as poetry slams, dance competitions, or performances, drag arts (queens and kings), musical or theatrical presentations, or related activities. The showcase and the sessions leading up to it will provide opportunities for youth to express the realities of their experiences with authenticity and to name, explore, express, and celebrate who they are as LGBTQ Youth of Color, and promotes participant decision-making and ownership, creativity, self-esteem, and personal identity.

The overarching goal of the project is to support participating youth to “be the best persons they can be.” It will also engage LGBTQ and allied adult People of Color who are experienced performing artists as Adult Creative Mentors. These allies will assist the youth in creating a performance reflective of their rich and poignant experiences and talents.

For more information, visit Facebook. com/SeattleParksCOD or contact Rodney in Seattle Parks at 206-295-5218 or Rodney.Greene@seattle.gov.

POZ SEATTLE – “EASTER BUFFET & EGG HUNT” On Wednesday, April 9, from 6-8 p.m., at The Cuff Complex (13th Ave. & E. Pine St.), join POZSeattle for their monthly second Wednesday social. This month’s theme: “Easter Buffet and Egg Hunt.” Meet up in the downstairs bar for light snacks, socializing, catching up with old friends, making new ones, and a whole lot of fun. A catered full Easter dinner with ham, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, salads, and all the sides will be provided. A suggested donation of $5.00 will be requested, but no one will be turned away for lack

Visit us online www.sgn.org

INSPIRE YOUTH PROJECT – “THE BIG BAIL OUT” On Wednesday, April 16, from 4 to 9 p.m., at The Lobby Bar (916 E. Pike St.), help raise money to send children affected

by HIV/AIDS to Camp Rise n’ Shine! Grab your team of four and come on down to our jail located at The Lobby Bar. Our sheriff will sentence you to an hour of jail time where you will call friends and family to raise your bail and help send a kid to Camp SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN Rise n’ Shine! Sign up your team of 4 today!

BOOK CLUB – Contact Mandy at mandy@inspireyouthproTELL THE WOLVES I’M HOME ject.org. Donations to Inspire Youth Project AND THE NORMAL HEART and the “The Big Bail Out” event are also The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club welcome. www.inspireyouthproject.org meets every Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m., at Seattle Area Support Groups Community CAMP TEN TREES – Center (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas St.).

“S’MORE FUN!” In April, the club will discuss Tell 2014 CAMP TEN TREES the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Riftka DINNER & AUCTION EVENT Brunt. It’s 1986. The world is terrified Each summer, LGBTQA youth and youth of of the new plague. We learn in the very LGBTQ families come together to strengthen first sentence that the fourteen year-old inner courage, build life skills, and find comgirl narrator loves more than any other munity through the fun of the Camp Ten Trees person alive her Gay uncle who is dying summer camp sessions. Get a taste of that of AIDS. Which is walloping in itself – same camp magic by being a part of our 2014 but wait until Uncle Finn’s lover seeks dinner and auction event, “S’more Fun,” and her out as the only one who loved her you’ll be letting our campers know that their uncle as much as he did. Get your hand- joy, resiliency, and well being are of parakerchiefs ready. As Gay literature enters mount importance to you. the mainstream, let’s think about how On Saturday, April 19, at 6 p.m., at we describe ourselves and how straight Herban Feast’s Sodo Park (3200 1st Ave. people describe us. We will be able to S.), join us at “S’more Fun” to raise the vital talk for hours about the way Brunt uses funds necessary to ensure that every youth her Gay characters in her novel. DON’T who needs this camp can attend, regardless read the back of the book – the blurb of ability to pay. Camp Ten Trees changes gives away half the surprises. Bring lives. Our supporters make it possible. your opinions!

Go to www.camptentrees.org to donate an In May, the club will discuss Larry auction item, purchase a ticket, sign up to be Kramer’s 1985 AIDS play, The Normal a table captain, become an event sponsor, or Heart. On May 7, the group will read make a tax-deductible donation. Act now to aloud Act One; on May 14, the group save your spot at “S’more Fun.” will read aloud Act Two; on May 21, the Event tickets are $60 individual; VIP indigroup will discuss the play; on Sunday, vidual $125. RSVP for “S’more Fun” requestMay 25, HBO will telecast the made-for- ed by April 4. Register online at www.campttelevision movie, The Normal Heart, with entrees.org or call 206-288-9568. Help sustain Julia Roberts and Mark Ruffalo; on May for this year and years to come, the camp that’s 28, the group will discuss the made-for- not just a camp … it’s a revolution! television movie.

All GLBTQ folks are welcome to parQ-SQUARED MEN – ticipate in this FREE book club. For more Q-SPRING 2014 information, visit http://faculty.washington.

APRIL 25-27 edu/swittet/SGLBookClub/ Q-Spring, a celebration of self and Spring for Gay, Bisexual and Transgender men, is NORTHWEST BEARS – a chance to gather with other men to reflect “SPRING THAW XX” on, embrace, and celebrate who you are, APRIL 10-13 where you have been, and where you are www.nwbears.org headed. Discover new parts of yourself and enjoy the company of other men in a non‘MO WAVE FESTIVAL 2014 judgmental, attitude-free atmosphere.

APRIL 10-13 & 18 For more information and to register, visit www.mowavefestival.com www.qsquared.org or phone 253-216-3997. of funds. Beverages will be provided at cost by the bar. This event is for all HIV-Positive men and their friends, regardless of age, shape, size, or color.

POZSeattle is a social organization run for and by Seattle-area HIV-positive guys that is committed to planning and promoting fun, social activities. For more information, email info@pozseattle.org or visit www.pozseattle.org.

April 4, 2014

Seattle Gay News 17

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Seattle Gay News

April 4, 2014

Celebrating 41 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

April 4, 2014

Seattle Gay News 19