Celebrating 41 Years! Issue 17 Volume 42
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Section 2 Page 1
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Support pours in for Gay Scoutmaster after BSA revokes church’s charter Dru Dinero at visual affairs
Geoff McGrath
standing discriminatory ban on Gay adults in scouting and reinstate Rainier Beach United MethThe Human Rights Campaign odist Church’s charter. In March, BSA leaders fired (HRC) is calling on the Boy Geoff McGrath, 49, leader of Scouts of America to end its longby Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
Troop 98 in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood after he came out as Gay in an NBC News report. McGrath’s troop’s meetings were held weekly at Rainier Beach United Methodist Church. After
“Your slave john” –
his firing, the church stood by him and McGrath continued to lead the troop. BSA leaders have revoked the church’s charter. “Banning a caring Scoutmaster who has dedicated his time and efforts to helping young men grow into adults of integrity is a moral outrage,” said Jeremy Pittman, HRC’s deputy field director and an Eagle Scout. “Leaders at Rainier Beach United Methodist Church put young people first and denounced discrimination. Now they are paying the price as BSA clings to its outdated policies.” In a letter to Mr. McGrath, BSA leaders rely on the same thinking behind the U.S. military’s now repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, writing, “If a volunteer makes an issue out of his or her sexual orientation – especially to the youth we serve – then that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. That has been part of the adult leadership qualifications for many years.” Next month, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who
oversaw implementation of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will take the helm of BSA. Leaders at Rainier Beach UMC are hoping Gates will overturn BSA’s decision and reinstate both McGrath as a Scoutmaster and the church’s charter. The United Methodist Church
Dr. Reverend Monica Corsaro Courtesy of RMNetwork
see MCGRATH page 15
Harvey Milk stamp:
Taunting email sent to accused Neighbour’s arsonist Postal Service unveils final design Facebook
John Doe
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Musab Musmari, the man accused of setting fire to a Neighbours nightclub on New Year’s Eve may have been provoked, according to KIRO 7. KIRO 7 uncovered new evidence against Musab Musmari, who told a friend about his “distaste for homosexuals” shortly before he was arrested and
charged in the New Year’s Eve fire at the Gay nightclub. KIRO reports that the email was sent by someone who signed it “Your slave john.” According to new police documents filed in King County Superior Court, “john” offered to polish Musmari’s shoes using his tongue. The sender also propositioned Musmari, writing, “You can order me to do what you want me to do,” and, “Can I have a chance?”
Here is the email in full: hey musab,
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
The U.S. Postal Service unveiled the final design of a new stamp honoring Gay activist and San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk and announced ceremonies honoring Milk and the stamp. The stamp image is based on a circa 1977 black and white photograph of Milk in front of his Castro see Musmari page 6 Street Camera store taken by Daniel
can I be your slave? Under your feet? i can serve your life privately, being your dog slave. I can lick your dirty feet and polish your dirty shoes using my tongue. You can also order me to do what you want me to do, any humiliation is
Nicoletta of Grants Pass, Oregon. Antonio Alcalá of Alexandria, Virginia, was art director for the stamp. Milk, who was assassinated in 1978, is the first openly Gay American honored with a stamp. Although he was only in office some 11 months, Milk introduced and passed a landmark civil rights ordinance banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in San Francisco. see Milk page 17