Celebrating 41 Years! Issue 15 Volume 42
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Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Community Member Spotlight: Aleksa Manila Nate Gowdy
Aleksa Manila
Aleksa Manila said she reminds all of her drag children to be whenever they find themselves in a tough situation. “Be gracious. Always.” I think it is only fitting to begin That is what local drag icon
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
this community spotlight feature on Aleksa Manila with that quote, because as those of you who know her would agree, Aleksa really is gracious – always.
She is often referred to as “The nice one.” No, I’m not talking about the comparison some locals might have between Aleksa Manila and the fabulous Gaysha Starr. (Seriously, racist people who think all Filipinos look alike get them confused all the time.) I’m talking about people referring to Aleksa and whomever. She is the nicest one. And it’s not an act. She’s the real deal. I’ve been around Aleksa for five years now. We’ve produced shows, co-hosted fundraisers, marched down the street for equal rights and more. If she were fake, I’d know it. In fact, we would all – every single one of us in the Gayborhood – know it, because she is everywhere, hosting everything, and raising awareness about anything. When Aleksa is at her best (which is almost always) no one can touch her. She is magnificent. “There is no need to run,” Aleksa told Seattle Gay News, adding, “Gracefully walk through life, and enjoy every step.” “I think sometimes there’s a hurried sentiment to being young and queer (LGBTQ), but if you do it too fast, you might miss the wonderful moments along the way,” she said.
It’s important, said Aleksa, for young LGBTQ folks to “listen to your elders – your parents, your role models, and your pioneers – the ones that have your best interest at heart; especially when we say, ‘Be safe. Wear a condom. Get to really know someone first.’” That’s good advice coming from a person who has an incredible amount of “street cred.” Aleksa doesn’t just talk about it, she is about it. During the day she is a counselor of the utmost professionalism at Seattle Counseling Service. Her annual fundraising event ICON raises tens of thousands of dollars for the mental health and substance abuse counselling service serving the LGBTQ community since 1969. Aleksa Manila and philanthropy go hand in hand. Around Seattle, Aleksa has raised well over $100,000 for the community or causes that she cares about. “I believe I get this from my mom,” she told SGN. “I grew up Roman Catholic so this was also instilled going to private school. After mass, we would always give something to the poor. Of course, it feels good – it makes the heart warm. That’s an incentive for sure.” see Aleksa page 4
Pocatello, Idaho fights SCOTUS turns down appeal of against Proposition One “Christian” New Mexico photographer Bruce Ellefson, Alliance Defending Freedom \ NY Times
fairpocatello.com
Elaine Huguenin
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer by Victor Bogatko SGN Contributing Writer In December of 2011, Sandpoint, Idaho became the first city in the state to pass a non-discrimination ordinance protecting the LGBT community from discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations. Since then, more
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from a New Mexico photographer convicted of violating the state’s anti-discrimination laws when she refused to photograph a samesex wedding ceremony. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson later told SGN that the court’s decision not to hear the see Pocatello page 13 case confirms his decision to prose-
cities in the state have pursued similar ordinances, including Boise, Idaho’s capitol and largest city. Though these extraordinary victories in our more traditionally conservative neighbor are encouraging, they have not come without aggressive opposition from Idaho’s
cute a Richland florist for refusing to provide flowers for a Gay wedding. In the New Mexico case, Elaine Photography v. Willock, the photographer filed suit in a state court, claiming that her refusal to photograph the 2006 wedding of Vanessa Willock and Misti Collinsworth was protected on religious grounds. The ceremony itself was symbolic, since same-sex marriages were not yet legal in New Mexico. The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled against the photogra-
pher, saying that her business service can be regulated because it is a public accommodation. Following that decision, Elane Photography asked the U.S. Supreme Court to consider the lawsuit based on First Amendment protections under the U.S. Constitution. The legal principles are essentially identical to the Washington case in which Alene’s Flowers refused to provide service to a Gay see New Mexico page 5