SGN January 22, 2021

Celebrating 47 Years!

Issue 4 Volume 49

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N E W S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T W E E K LY

BIDEN INAUGURATED AS 46TH U.S. PRESIDENT

President Joe Biden’s Inauguration Speech transcript January 20, 2021

“Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this: Bringing America together.

Uniting our people. And uniting our nation,” President Joe Biden said.

Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States.

– Photo by Andrew Harnik / AP

see BIDEN page 6

Biden appoints Transgender Assistant Health Secretary

Will rescind Trans military ban “on day one”

Biden’s LGBT agenda for Day 1

Dr. Rachel Levine – Photo by Daniel Shanken / Reuters

Photo by Matt Rourke / AP

gender federal officer.

Before Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolfe appointed her to her current post in 2017, Joe Biden announced on January 18 that she was Pennsylvania’s physician general. he would appoint Pennsylvania Health Secre- She won confirmation by the Republicantary Rachel Levine to be his Assistant Secre- dominated Pennsylvania Senate and has emerged as the public face of the state’s tary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Once confirmed by the US Senate, response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Levine will become the first openly Trans-

elect Joe Biden has, and no one has made so many promises. While Biden has a strong record on LGBT issues, some had As a journalist covering LGBT issues, suggested his promises were just campaign this will be the 8th presidential transition talk, as so many elected officials are apt to I’ve witnessed, from the Carter Admin- do. But he has quickly proven those people istration to the Biden Administration. Of wrong. He has already backed up his words those 8 president-elects, no one has reached with action. into the LGBT community as President-

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

see LEVINE page 14

by Mark Segal Philadelphia Gay News

see MARK SEGAL page 3

2 Seattle Gay News

January 22, 2021

Celebrating 47 Years!

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Editors SGN Staff Copy Editor Rick McKinnon • Richard Isaac Advertising Maggie Bloodstone, Advertising Manager National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Staff Writers Mike Andrew • Sara Michelle Fetters Miryam Gordon Contributing Writers Alice Bloch • Maggie Bloodstone Sharon Cumberland • A.V. Eichenbaum Jesse Monteagudo David Nguyen aka Teriyaki Temple Rod Parke • Tim Peter Jessica Price • Renee Raketty • Scott Rice MK Scott • Mark Segal Gaysha Starr • Sarah Toce • Ed Walsh Social Media Manager MK Scott Cartoonist Ken Campbell Calendar Editor, Classifieds Rick McKinnon Op-Ed Columnist, Contributing Writer Tom Orr Photographers Nate Gowdy • Renee Raketty Chris Rojas • MK Scott Production Mike Pham Website Designer Barry Thorsness / Digital Team Works Seattle Gay News is published by Angela Cragin. © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Reprints by permission.

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MARK MY WORDS

A new day is brewing

by Mark Segal Philadelphia Gay News Jason and I passed a milestone this week, one that many of you have had as well. For us it represents our 10th month in quarantine. We started on March 12th. But this column is not about that quarantine, it’s about the future, and that future is bright for all of us.

Let’s face it: we have all gone through a frightening year. First, the pandemic, then an attempted coup led by the President of the United States. The good news is that both are on the decline.

Also good news is that the virus has a vaccine, and that vaccine will eventually get to all of us who want it. And even though the rollout has been mishandled, a new president will correct the ineptitude of Trump’s COVID-19 policies and make our government work to safeguard the health of all its citizens, not just those who voted Republican. The political attack on our national body politic by Donald Trump will finally cease.

But there is also another issue that brings hope. A president, Joe Biden, a vice president, Kamala Harris, and a Congress who will bring equality to our community.

While we will have to live with the far right terrorists that Trump has enabled, make no mistake about this, they will be dealt with by our government and their time is limited. The time for a brighter, more peaceful and secure America is on the horizon.

We’ll have to work hard to get there. It will take a long time to even begin to repair the damage Trump has done. But we will get there.

And when we do, our community will be even stronger than it was before.

Courtesy of Mark Segal and the Philadelphia Gay News

The biggest LGBT stories of 2020

by Mark Segal Philadelphia Gay News Although Trump continued to chip away at the rights our community has attained over the last few years, we did make some amazing gains in Trump’s final year as President. The importance of some of these earth-shattering changes has been overlooked by a lack of historic knowledge.

The two Supreme Court rulings should be on the top of any list of major changes for the advancement of our rights, especially for our trans community. Discrimination against trans people is now prohibited under the Constitution on the basis of sex. The weaker of the two rulings was the issue of employment, housing, and accommodation discrimination, because that ruling will almost certainly be challenged on the basis of religious freedom.

The next step to ensure that religious freedom cannot be used as a basis of discrimination is the passage of legislation: the Equality Act. The fight to get that law passed goes back to 1974 and two pieces of legislation, one by Bella Abzug of New York, and one by Robert N.C. Nix, one of the founders of the Congressional Black Caucus. Nix was also from Philadelphia.

In terms of politics, another cultural change from years of work came when a

gay man and former veteran from South Bend Indiana who would become know as Mayor Pete, became the first truly competitive openly gay candidate for the Democratic Presidential nomination. His campaign energized the community across the nation, and along the way he humanized who we were by showcasing his husband Chasten, their dogs and his quick wit and eloquent speech.

The pinnacle of Mayor Pete’s year was when he was nominated to President Biden’s cabinet and will soon become the first out candidate confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Some point out that Trump appointed a gay man as acting Intelligence Chief. He was never confirmed for that position by the Senate, and on a more important note his legacy in that position will be that under his watch this nation was attacked by the largest cyber warfare in history.

Also in the political arena, members of our community ran and in many cases won more political races then any time in history. Over 400 in one year. As a result we now have OUT governors, senators, congresspeople, judges, state senators, state representatives, mayors, city council people, and even school board members.

Much of this is the result of the impressive work of the Victory Fund, who since 1991 has made it their mandate to discover, sup-

port, nurture candidates from the LGBT community. All of these candidates stand on the shoulders of people like Kathy Kozachenko, who became the first out person elected to any office in this nation to the city council in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1974, followed by Elaine Nobel to the Massachusetts State House in 1975, and Barney Frank to Congress in 1980.

If all of this were not enough, the President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden, proudly announced that his incoming administration had appointed members of the LGBT community to 11% of the high level positions in the White House.

But it is disheartening that many of the LGBT media and writers who compiled their list ignored a story that has haunted us all year, the horrific murders of our trans community. This alone might explain why many in our own community do not take this issue as one that needs our attention and needs it now. At least 43 trans people were killed in the U.S. in 2020. That ranks only behind Mexico and Brazil.

It’s an understatement to say there is much work to be done in 2021. But, as always, we’ll continue to stand up and fight.

Courtesy of Mark Segal and Philadelphia Gay News

MARK SEGAL continued from cover

Even before Biden/Harris take the oath of office and walk into the White House, they have fulfilled several of their promises to the LGBT community. They promised that their administration would look like America and would include the LGBT community, particularly the trans community. The incoming Biden administration has already delivered more LGBT appointments to high level administration positions than any other in U.S. history, including Pete Buttigieg as Transportation Secretary, who will become the first LGBT cabinet member confirmed by the Senate, Karine JeanPierre as Principal Deputy White House press secretary, Pili Tobar as Deputy White House communications director, and Gautam Raghavan Deputy Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office.

But it was also announced today that Pennsylvania’s own Dr. Rachel Levine has been appointed Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services, the highest ever trans appointment to the U.S. Government. Dr. Levine has been stellar in keeping Pennsylvanians safe and informed during the COVID-19 pandemic. She will be a great addition to the Biden administration.

Her appointment stands in stark contrast to the Trump-Pence administration, which

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Biden (center) visits the Stonewall Inn – Photo by Bebeto Matthews / AP

removed trans protections in healthcare among many other anti-trans acts.

Before the Levine announcement, I reached out to several people on the Biden team to get an update on what our 46th President might do regarding LGBT issues on Inauguration Day. Knowing that the transition team is keeping details very close to their vest, I smiled when I was told to read the Q & A with Candidate Joe Biden that we did in PGN as well as his official position paper. [NOTE: Mark Segal’s Q & A with Candidate Joe Biden was reprinted in the November 13, 2020 edition of the Seattle Gay News – http:// www.sgn.org/sgnnews48_46/page1.cfm.]

Both contain too many things to complete

in one day. But, as transition spokesperson Jamal Brown told me, “President-elect Biden is committed to advancing the most pro-equality agenda in history and his administration will begin implementing that vision on day one on key LGBTQ+ priorities.” Step by step, change will come.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have already created LGBT history by their appointments. I have no doubt they will take action on the rest of their promises to the LGBT community.

Their ambitious LGBT equality agenda will begin shortly after they take the oath of office. Of that, we can be 100% certain.

January 22, 2021

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Seattle Pride’s Virtual St!tch & B!tch Community Sews 350+ winter clothing Items for LGBTQIA+ Homeless Youth Volunteers gather virtually to sew masks, hats and mittens for ROOTS and YouthCare Seattle Pride hosted its first virtual St!tch & B!tch over the weekend where volunteers gathered virtually for an afternoon of trivia, conversation, and sewing as part of its new Pride is Visible initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable LGBTQIA+ communities such as homeless youth. The final St!tch & B!tch event is scheduled for this Saturday, January 23, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. via Zoom.

To-date the volunteers have sewed more than 350 masks, hats, and mittens which will be donated to ROOTS and YouthCare – two organizations taking care of homeless youth in the Greater Seattle area. Participants are asked to mail their completed items to Seattle Pride ((1605 12th Ave Suite #2, Seattle WA 98122) by January 26th so they can be packaged and delivered to recipient organizations on January 29th. Those interested in signing up to participate can visit www.seattlepride.org/pride-is-visible.

Volunteers had the opportunity to meet other people in the community and make a difference for those in-need from the comfort

and safety of their homes– and they are looking forward to next Saturday’s event. McKenzie Pick of Sequim will be returning for this Saturday’s event, “[The virtual St!tch & B!tch] was wonderful! It was my second event regarding Pride. My first was Seattle Pride day in 2019, and I am excited for next week!”

Net Timoney, who is new to Seattle and residing in the International District, had the opportunity to meet other LGBTQIA+ people in their community and won the trivia contest. They plan to use their prize of two Alaska Airlines tickets to visit family in Florida when it is safe to do so.

The Pride is Visible initiative is a monthlong effort in which LGBTQIA+ volunteers and allies are asked to create and donate winter clothing items. Seattle Pride will also match up to $10,000 in total cash donations made to ROOTS and YouthCare throughout the month of January.

“Thanks again to you and your fabulous team for organizing this and for everything else you do for our community,” shared

St!tch & B!tch volunteer, Ryan Cline of Queen Anne.

In addition to supporting LGBTQIA+ youth, Seattle Pride announced recipients of its first round of 2021 community grants and sponsorships, which it provides twice annually in support of queer-serving organizations. The organizations receiving grants include C5 Youth Foundation ($5,000), Gay City ($2,000), and Real Rent Duwamish ($2,500). The Duwamish Cultural Center received $5,000 in sponsorship funds providing nearly $15,000 in total to these four nonprofits.

About Seattle Pride Seattle Pride is the (501(c)4) not-forprofit organization which produces the Seattle Pride Parade, Seattle Pride in the Park and other pride-related events and promotions, as well as providing grants and sponsorship support to community-based LGBTQIA+ serving organizations statewide, and year-round advocacy in support

of diversity, inclusivity and equal human rights for all.

About Seattle Out & Proud Foundation Seattle Pride’s Seattle Out & Proud Foundation is a (501(c)3) non-profit foundation which exists to educate the public about the LGBTQIA+ community and the rights of its members; to eliminate discrimination against; and to further the civil rights of members of the LGBTQIA+ community by promoting the arts and supporting leadership development.

To learn more about the Seattle Pride and Pride-related events, grants and advocacy visit www.seattlepride.org, subscribe to our e-newsletters and advocacy alerts, and follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest at @SeattlePride, and on Twitter at @OurSeattlePride.

Courtesy of Seattle Pride

Durkan Digest: Testifying for statewide changes to the police disciplinary process SEATTLE (January 15, 2021) – This week, I joined community members, labor leaders, law enforcement, and mayors across the state to testify in Olympia on police reform. One key aspect of police accountability is changing the police disciplinary process, specifically arbitration.

Our accountability system for law enforcement does not work when an officer who violates policy is terminated by the police chief or sheriff – only to be reinstated by an arbitrator on appeal. In these cases, arbitrators sometimes look at different evidence, conduct a new hearing, and supplant the judgment and discipline decisions of the chief or sheriff. In Seattle and across the nation, the appeals process has provided uncertainty in discipline, undermines public trust, and undermines a chief’s ability to maintain accountability in a department.

A Washington Post analysis of 1,881 officers fired by the nation’s largest police departments from 2006 to 2017 found that “departments have been forced to reinstate more than 450 officers after appeals required by police union contracts.” A recent analysis by Stephen Rushin found that arbitrators on appeal reduced or overturned police officer discipline in 52% of these cases. In 46% of these cases, arbitrators ordered police departments to rehire previously terminated officers States [such as] Minnesota have made statewide changes to arbitration, so for months, I have been working with legislators, labor leaders, and community members on changing state law. SB 5055 and SB 5134 both propose changes to the discipline appeals process for instances when an officer is disciplined for misconduct.

Police perform an important role in our communities. We have seen the bravery of police in our nation’s capitol where an officer gave his life to protect our democracy.

With this role come significant powers – the ability to restrict liberty or take life. These powers are sanctioned and exercised on behalf of the state and people, as such they must be subjected to exacting standards and oversight by the state and the people.

If Olympia does not act on arbitration and strengthen the proposal, here are the real consequences: officers terminated or

disciplined for significant misconduct will continue to be reinstated. Both the community and other officers will see these results.

Community confidence will be diminished, making it more difficult for [officers] to do their jobs. Discipline and accountability in departments will be undermined, making it more difficult to ensure the proper cultures and actions in a department.

Only the state legislature can change the state law to ensure consistency and a uniform standard across the state. There are many key police reform bills in Olympia, which I support, and the City of Seattle will closely follow progress on key issues like independent investigations, demilitarization, and use of force standards.

As always, please continue to write me at Jenny.Durkan@seattle.gov, reach out via Twitter and Facebook, and stay up-to-date on the work we’re doing for the people of Seattle on my blog.

4 Seattle Gay News

January 22, 2021

DURKAN’S INNOVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL ANNOUNCES PRIORITIES AND PROJECTS FOR 2021 Following a year focused on helping the City of Seattle respond to the COVID-19 crisis, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan’s Innovation Advisory Council (IAC) announced the first round of projects for 2021, bringing innovation and data expertise to the City’s priorities of supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities, homelessness, affordability, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This partnership is more important than ever as we work to recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19 on our communities,” said Mayor Durkan. “Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, IAC partners were a critical part of the City’s response as we stood up testing and encouraged workers to shift to teleworking. As we move into the next phase of this pandemic, I am grateful to the Innovation Advisory Council members for their continued partnership and commitment to supporting underrepresented communities and helping our City as we begin focusing on vaccinating our communities in 2021.”

From 2018 to 2020, the IAC has helped the City of Seattle launch a number of new,

innovative projects, including the Affordable Seattle portal, where residents can check their eligibility for over 20 City programs in less than five minutes; an updated, data-driven app for outreach to Seattle’s unsheltered population and to help them more quickly and easily access shelter and services; and a brand-new, first-of-its-kind affordable housing search app, built natively on the Zillow housing search platform.

The Innovation Advisory Council has identified the following projects to work on in the first quarter of 2021: • Supporting our community’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan: IAC members are supporting the City’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, helping to shape our operational response, including opportunities to ensure equitable access and outreach, as well as transparent and clear communications.

• Making data-driven investment recommendations to support Black and Indigenous communities: IAC partner Microsoft has offered to support the Equitable Communities Initiative Task Force (ECITF) by applying advanced data analytics to focus on areas of greatest potential impact for investments in areas where Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color are experiencing disparate impacts. This support will culminate in investment recommendations that the ECITF will make to the Mayor by April.

• Providing real-time data capabilities for new homelessness outreach team: This project is a partnership between Seattle IT, the City of Seattle HOPE team and Tableau. It will strengthen real-time data for outreach providers to make shelter referrals and build the path toward better service matching for individuals experiencing homelessness. In Q1, the focus will be on designing a thoughtful approach, taking into account privacy considerations and existing data infrastructure (e.g., HMIS).

• Streamlining program application experience for residents: The City provides a series of important resources to residents, from utility discounts to food assistance to childcare and more. Building off of the first and second phases of the Affordable Seattle portal, this project will be focusing on streamlining the application process to

make it easier for residents to apply to multiple City of Seattle assistance programs without needing to requalify for each. The City of Seattle Innovation and Performance Team is partnering with new IAC member Google to design, build, and test a solution to enable those enrolling in programs to submit their information to City of Seattle once and have the option to reuse their information to enroll in multiple programs.

The IAC is also welcoming Google to the Innovation Advisory Council, the council’s first new addition since 2018. Through a Google.org Fellowship, the City of Seattle is welcoming 13 full-time fellows to work pro-bono on the third phase of the City’s Affordability Portal. The Google.org team will be supporting the City for nine months.

Google.org’s mission is to bring the best of Google to help solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges – combining funding, innovation, and technical expertise to support underserved communities and provide opportunity for everyone.

“Google is excited to collaborate with Mayor Durkan and the city’s Office of Innovation to design a comprehensive portal for individuals seeking services from the city,” said Ian Goodhew, head of government affairs for Google Washington.

“The team of Google.org fellows who are dedicating their time to help the city build this important tool are eager to contribute to our community with their time, innovation, and technical expertise. By working together, we can help ensure that people who need assistance get it in an efficient and effective manner.”

Established by Mayor Durkan via executive order in August 2018, the Innovation Advisory Council acts as an advisor on issues and policies affecting the City, where data and technology solutions could be of benefit. Specifically, the IAC focuses on issue identification, policy recommendations, and project implementation of technology solutions, including new data analytics, dashboards, applications, and software for the City. Members and their businesses have committed to helping deliver these technology solutions.

Courtesy of Mayor Jenny Durkan

Celebrating 47 Years!

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The issue of Black hair

by Janice Athill SGN Contributing Writer For over four hundred years natural Black hair has been stigmatized and viewed as unacceptable in professional workplaces as well as within society’s beauty standards. Discrimination against natural Black hair is an issue of historical relevance that has influenced modern beauty standards, contributed to the lack of advancement of Blacks in professional workplaces, and created the need for laws that prevent this injustice.

On January 16, 2020 Washington state held the first reading for House Bill 2602, concerning hair discrimination. This bill was inspired by The CROWN Act (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) drafted and sponsored by California state senator Holly Mitchell in 2019, which would make it against the law to discriminate against anyone, in the workplace and in schools, because of their hair.

This law was passed in California and New York in 2019, and Washington state joined other states like New Jersey, Virginia, Colorado and Maryland in taking a stand on the issue of Natural Black Hair. This is important for current and future generations when you consider how history shows the Black community was taught not to like their own hair, something that once signified status in their African community. Black women and men were forced to keep their hair out of sight, cut short or chemically altered and were conditioned to view their traditional hairstyles like braids, twists and locs as uncivilized and unprofessional.

The idea that hair could have political significance is unnerving to many of the people it doesn’t apply to so it has been a struggle trying to get understanding on this issue. However, with 87 yeas and 10 nays, the Washington stateHouse of Representatives passed Bill 2602 on February 12, 2020 and it had its first reading in the Senate on February 14th. Then, on March 4th with 38 yeas and 9 nays the Senate passed Bill 2602 participating in the change of narrative this country needs.

On March 19th Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 2602 into law, which amends the Washington state law against discrimination to include the definition of “Race” as “inclusive of traits historically associated or perceived to be associated with race including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. For purposes of this subsection, ‘protective hairstyles’ includes, but is not limited to, such hairstyles as afros, braids, locks, and twists” (HB2602).

It was announced that the CROWN Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives on September 21, 2020. This Act has only been passed in seven states so far, but if approved by the U.S. Senate and the President this amendment would cover all 50 states immediately.

The passage of the CROWN Act, will mean a new era of acceptance for members of the Black community as well as Black members of the LGBTQ community who grew up knowing this unique struggle for self-acceptance.

REFERENCES https://ogletree.com/insights/washington-amends-its-law-against-discriminationto-provide-protections-for-hair-texturesand-styles-as-traits-associated-with-race/ https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillN umber=2602&Year=2019&Initiative=false http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/bienn iu m /2 019 -2 0/ Pd f / Bi l ls / Hous e%2 0 Bills/2602.pdf#page=1

Photo by Ogo from Pexels

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Janice Athill, is a 28-year-old aspiring novelist who loves unique stories with unexpected plot lines.

Her passion for literature began in elementary school with obsessively reading the Goosebumps series by R.L Stine and performing poetry on stage in competitions. At a time when inspirational and empowering authors like Dr. Maya Angelou were favorites for winning competitions, Athill was drawn to the more somber

and melancholy work of Edgar Allen Poe, whose inspiration can be seen in her poetry. In middle school Athill gained The Phantom of the Opera as her favorite book with The Mist and Midnight

by Sister Souljah close behind. In high school she began to develop her writing style and voice. What began as YA Urban fiction grew into a sophisticated interlaced universe of dark spine-tingling stories that explore psychological

https://nul.org/news/ending-hair-discrimination-workplace-dove-and-crowncoalition

ton-amends-its-law-against-discriminationto-provide-protections-for-hair-texturesand-styles-as-traits-associated-with-race/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www. glamour.com/story/the-crown-act-banning-hair-discrimination/amp

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillN umber=2602&Year=2019&Initiative=false

Visit us online www.sgn.org

https://ogletree.com/insights/washing-

thrills and the supernatural. While studying for her BA in Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University Athill interned with The Borgen Project, which has published several of her articles written for the organization’s blog and online magazine. During those spare hours of the day, Athill enjoys reading, skating, assisting friends with editing their work, and spending time with her 7-yearold son.

Bills/2602.pdf#page=1 https://nul.org/news/ending-hair-discrimination-workplace-dove-and-crowncoalition

http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/bienn iu m /2 019 -2 0/ Pd f / Bi l ls / Hous e%2 0

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www. glamour.com/story/the-crown-act-banning-hair-discrimination/amp

January 22, 2021

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Day-one executive actions by Joe Biden

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer According to Joe Biden’s advisors, the newly inaugurated President will issue 15 executive orders on his first day in office.

CBS News lists the following actions Biden will sign on the afternoon of January 20: • Starting a “100 Days Masking Challenge,” calling for a nationwide face-mask and social-distancing mandate in federal buildings, on federal lands, and by federal employees and contractors.

• Restructuring federal government coordination of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Biden White House is bringing back an Obama-era position called “the Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense,” which was organized with additional staff within the National Security Council after the 2014 Ebola epidemic.

This office was dispersed into other roles during the Trump administration.

• Rejoining the World Health Organization (WHO), which the Trump administration said it would leave. Biden is also hoping to reestablish the US as an active leader at the WHO. • Extending eviction and foreclosure moratoriums. To do this, Biden will call on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reimplement and extend the already-defunct moratorium until at least March 31. The new president will also call on the Departments of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, and Veterans Affairs to extend the foreclosure moratoriums for their federally backed mortgages.

• Continuing the “pause” on student loan payments until September 30. The Biden advisers say Biden still supports his campaign pledge to cancel $10,000 of student loans, but this will take time, as it requires congressional legislation.

• Rejoining the Paris climate agreement. The Paris climate negotiations took place under the Obama administration and were led by incoming climate change czar John Kerry when he was Secretary of State.

This will take 30 days to go into effect.

• Ending the Keystone XL pipeline and revoking oil and gas development at national wildlife monuments. To do this, the Biden administration will discard or redo more than 100 “harmful” presidential proclamations, memoranda, or permits signed by the Trump administration.

Revoking permits will effectively cancel

BIDEN

continued from cover Chief Justice Roberts, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice President Pence, my distinguished guests, and my fellow Americans: This is America’s day.

This is democracy’s day.

A day of history and hope.

Of renewal and resolve.

Through a crucible for the ages America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge.

Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of democracy.

The will of the people has been heard and the will of the people has been heeded.

We have learned again that democracy is precious.

Democracy is fragile.

And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.

So now, on this hallowed ground where just a few days ago violence sought to shake

6 Seattle Gay News

Photo by Susan Walsh / AP

the Keystone pipeline.

• Acting to advance racial equity through the federal government. Incoming Domestic Policy Adviser Susan Rice explained that President Biden wants every federal agency to review equity in their programs and actions. Rice also said Trump’s “harmful” 1776 Commission, the 18-member board he formulated in September, will be stopped. The commission’s goal was to study the president’s concern that the American education system was taking a too-liberal approach to American history.

• Counting non-citizens in the US Census again. This reverses President Trump’s order in July 2020 to not count undocumented Americans, which would affect federal allocation of money and federal representation.

• Strengthening workplace discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. At agencies, this broadens the federal protections against sex discrimination to include LGBTQ Americans.

• Defending the “DREAMers” program for undocumented young Americans. In this executive order, Biden will call on Congress to grant permanent status and a path to citizenship to DREAMers – almost a million undocumented young people who were brought to the country as children and shielded from deportation by President Obama.

• Ending the so-called “Muslim travel ban,” which in 2017 restricted travel and immigration to the US from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen, before adding Eritrea, Nigeria, Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan, and Tanzania in 2020. The State Department is also instructed to restart visa applications for these countries.

• Changing Trump’s arrest priorities for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE ). This executive order will repeal the changes Mr. Trump made in the first week of his presidency in 2017.

• Stopping border wall construction.

Biden will end the national emergency

declaration cited by the Trump administration to divert money to the building of the southern wall.

• Keeping protections for a group of Liberians in the country. Liberians who have been in the United States for many years will be able to remain longer. Their “deferred enforcement departure” will be extended an additional year, until June 30, 2022.

• Freezing last-minute Trump administration regulatory actions. Technically, White House chief of staff Ron Klain will be charged with carrying out this out, and a presidential memo will formally state the regulations to be frozen.

• Formulating an Executive Branch ethics doctrine. Biden wants every executive branch appointee to sign an ethics pledge. The pledge also demands federal employees promise “to uphold the independence of the Department of Justice,” the executive order outline states.

the Capitol’s very foundation, we come together as one nation, under God, indivisible, to carry out the peaceful transfer of power as we have for more than two centuries.

As we look ahead in our uniquely American way – restless, bold, optimistic – and set our sights on the nation we know we can be and we must be.

I thank my predecessors of both parties for their presence here today.

I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

And I know the resilience of our Constitution and the strength of our nation.

As does President Carter, who I spoke with last night who cannot be with us today, but whom we salute for his lifetime in service.

I have just taken the sacred oath each of those patriots have taken – the oath first sworn by George Washington.

But the American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us.

On “We the People” who seek a more perfect Union.

This is a great nation, we are a good people, and over the centuries through storm and strife, in peace and in war, we have come so far. But we still have far to go.

We will press forward with speed and urgency, for we have much to do in this winter

of peril and significant possibility.

Much to repair.

Much to restore.

Much to heal.

Much to build.

And much to gain.

Few periods in our nation’s history have been more challenging or difficult than the time we’re in now.

A once-in-a-century virus that silently stalks the country.

It’s taken as many lives in one year as America lost in all of World War II. Millions of jobs have been lost.

Hundreds of thousands of businesses closed.

requires so much more than words.

It requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy: Unity.

Unity.

In another January, on New Year’s Day in 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

When he put pen to paper, the President said, “If my name ever goes down into history it will be for this act and my whole soul is in it.”

My whole soul is in it.

January 22, 2021

A cry for racial justice some 400 years in the making moves us. The dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer.

A cry for survival comes from the planet itself. A cry that can’t be any more desperate or any more clear.

And now, a rise in political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism, that we must confront and we will defeat.

To overcome these challenges – to restore the soul and to secure the future of America –

Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this: Bringing America together.

Uniting our people.

Uniting our nation.

And I ask every American to join me in this cause.

Uniting to fight the foes we face: Anger, resentment, and hatred.

Extremism, lawlessness, violence.

Disease, joblessness, and hopelessness.

With unity we can do great things. Important things.

We can right wrongs.

We can put people to work in good jobs.

We can teach our children in safe schools.

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President Biden issues most substantive, wide-ranging LGBTQ executive order in US history

Photo by Evan Vucci / AP

WASHINGTON, DC (January 20, 2021) – Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization – responded to the signing of an executive order that implements the US Supreme Court’s ruling in the consolidated cases Bostock v. Clayton County, Altitude Express v. Zarda, and R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v.

EEOC. The order is included in a series of day-one executive orders that also includes executive actions launching a “whole-ofgovernment” response to address racial equity, improving response to the COVID19 pandemic and reducing its economic impact on the vulnerable, and combating climate change.

“Biden’s executive order is the most substantive, wide-ranging executive order concerning sexual orientation and gender identity ever issued by a United States president.

Today, millions of Americans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their president

and their government believe discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is not only intolerable but illegal,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “By fully implementing the Supreme Court’s historic ruling in Bostock, the federal government will enforce federal law to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in employment, health care, housing, and education, and other key areas of life. While detailed implementation across the federal government will take time, this executive order will begin to immediately change the lives of the millions of LGBTQ people seeking to be treated equally under the law. The full slate of day-one executive orders mark a welcome shift from the politics of xenophobia and discrimination to an administration that embraces our world, its people, and its dreamers. We look forward to continuing to engage with the White House, Department of Justice, and other agencies to ensure that Bostock is properly implemented across the federal government.”

On June 15, in a landmark ruling in the consolidated cases of Bostock v. Clayton County, Altitude Express v. Zarda, and R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v.

EEOC, the Supreme Court of the United States affirmed that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is a form of prohibited sex discrimination. In July 2020, the HRC spearheaded a letter along with other leading LGBTQ rights organizations to call on the Department of Justice to not delay the application of the law and fully enforce the Supreme Court’s Bostock decision. However, the Trump Justice Department failed to adequately instruct the federal government to implement the ruling, leading to dangerous misinterpretations like the one the Department of Education released last week and that issued by the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division on Sunday.

Over the months since Election Day, the HRC made clear to the Biden-Harris transition team that implementing Bostock

should be one of the top LGBTQ priorities for the upcoming administration. We released the “Blueprint for Positive Change 2020,” an important brief that includes 85 individual policy recommendations, reaching across the federal government, aimed at bettering the daily lives of LGBTQ people at home and abroad. Other recommendations include eliminating the transgender military ban, enforcing civil rights statutes and provisions, and appointing openlyLGBTQ justices, judges, executive officials, and ambassadors.

We can overcome the deadly virus.

We can reward work, and rebuild the middle class, and make health care secure for all.

We can deliver racial justice.

And we can make America, once again, the leading force for good in the world.

I know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy these days.

I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real.

But I also know they are not new.

Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we all are created equal and the harsh, ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, demonization have long torn us apart.

The battle is perennial.

And victory is never assured.

Through Civil War, the Great Depression, World War, 9/11, through struggle, sacrifice, and setbacks, our “better angels” have always prevailed.

We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbors.

We can treat each other with dignity and respect.

We can join forces, stop the shouting, and lower the temperature.

For without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness and fury.

No progress, only exhausting outrage.

No nation, only a state of chaos.

This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward.

And we must meet this moment as the United States of America.

If we do that, I guarantee you, we will not fail.

We have never, ever, ever, ever failed in America when we have acted together.

And so today, at this time, in this place, let’s start afresh.

All of us.

Let’s begin to listen to one another again.

Hear one another.

See one another.

Show respect to one another.

Politics doesn’t have to be a raging fire destroying everything in its path.

Every disagreement doesn’t have to be a cause for total war.

And we must reject a culture in which facts themselves are manipulated and even manufactured.

My fellow Americans, we have to be different than this.

America has to be better than this.

And, I believe America is so much better than this.

Just look around.

Here we stand, in the shadow of the Capitol dome that was completed amid the the Civil War, when the Union itself was literally hanging in the balance.

Yet we endured, we prevailed.

Here we stand looking out on the great Mall where Dr. King spoke of his dream.

Here we stand, where 108 years ago at another inaugural, thousands of protestors tried to block brave women marching for the right to vote.

And today, we mark the swearing-in of the first woman in American history elected to national office – Vice President Kamala Harris.

Don’t tell me things can’t change.

Here we stand across the Potomac from Arlington National Cemetery, where heroes who gave the last full measure of devotion rest in eternal peace.

And here we stand, just days after a riotous mob thought they could use violence to silence the will of the people, to stop the work of our democracy, to drive us from this sacred ground.

It did not happen.

It will never happen.

Not today.

Not tomorrow.

Not ever.

Not ever.

January 22, 2021

Seattle Gay News 7

In each of these moments, enough of us, enough of us have come together to carry all of us forward.

And, we can do that now.

History, faith, and reason show the way, the way of unity.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.

The HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.

Courtesy of the HRC

To all those who supported our campaign I am humbled by the faith you have placed in us.

To all those who did not support us, let me say this: Hear me out as we move forward.

Take a measure of me and my heart.

And if you still disagree, so be it.

That’s democracy. That’s America. The right to dissent peaceably, within the guardrails of our Republic, is perhaps this nation’s greatest strength.

Yet hear me clearly: Disagreement must not lead to disunion.

And I pledge this to you: I will be a President for all Americans, all Americans.

see BIDEN page 8

Following Biden’s “day one” exec order strengthening LGBTQ protections, Lambda Legal calls for swift action on series of additional, critical priorities WASHINGTON, DC (January 21, 2021) – As the newly-inaugurated Biden-Harris administration embarks on its first 100 days in office, Lambda Legal called today for swift action on a series of critical priorities to not only undo the damage wrought by President Trump by restoring key protections for LGBTQ+ people but to also usher in a new era of unprecedented progress for LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV. In addition to reversing some of the most controversial and damaging policies set forth by Trump (like the trans military ban), Lambda also called for urgency in taking steps to restore balance to a federal judiciary that under Trump’s influence has become unprecedented in its hostility toward LGBTQ+ people.

Lambda’s call for action today comes following President Biden’s “day one” signing of a series of key executive orders – including an executive order strengthening protections for LGBTQ+ people (by directing all federal agencies to apply the historic Supreme Court ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination), and an executive order that reverses Trump’s efforts to ban federal agencies, contractors, and other institutions from holding diversity and inclusion training.

“Following four years of disastrous executive orders, judicial appointments that have created a federal court system hostile toward LGBTQ+ people, and a dizzying patchwork of federal rulemaking and regulatory actions that have sought to deny healthcare and other basic services and protections for some of the most vulnerable in our community, we are calling for swift action from the Biden-Harris administration – to reverse the damage done by Trump, and to usher in a new era of unprecedented progress,” said Kevin Jennings, CEO of Lambda Legal.

“Following their historic campaign that ran on a strong, pro-equality platform, the Biden-Harris administration is poised to be the most LGBTQ+-friendly and progressive in our nation’s history,” Jennings continued. “And we’re already seeing the administration make good on its promise with the signing of several ‘day one’ executive orders that not only strengthen protections for LGBTQ+ people but also reverse some of Trump’s most racist, repugnant executive actions. Lambda Legal stands ready to support the new administration

in its continued efforts to restore dignity, guarantee fairness, and ensure justice for LGBTQ+ people, people living with HIV, and the countless other communities who have been marginalized and targeted by Trump’s four-year assault on civil rights.”

In addition to yesterday’s executive order signings, early reports are signaling a series of additional, planned actions from the Biden-Harris administration in the coming days and weeks, underscoring the urgency with which President Biden is looking to make good on promises to usher in a new era of progress.

BIDEN

And each of us has a duty and a responsibility, as citizens, as Americans, and especially as leaders – leaders who have pledged to honor our Constitution and protect our nation – to defend the truth and defeat the lies.

Look, I understand that many of my fellow Americans view the future with fear and trepidation.

I understand they worry about their jobs, I understand, like my Dad, they lay in bed at night staring at the ceiling wondering can I keep my health care, can I pay my mortgage, thinking about their families, about what comes next.

I promise you, I get it.

But the answer is not to turn inward, to retreat into competing factions, distrusting those who don’t look like you, or worship the way you do, or don’t get their news from the same sources you do.

We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal.

We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts.

If, we show a little tolerance and humility.

And if, we’re willing to stand in the

continued from page 7 And I promise you, I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did.

Many centuries ago, Saint Augustine, a saint of my church, wrote that a people was a multitude defined by the common objects of their love, defined by the common objects of their love.

What are the common objects we love that define us as Americans?

I think I know.

Opportunity.

Security.

Liberty.

Dignity.

Respect.

Honor.

And, yes, the truth.

Recent weeks and months have taught us a painful lesson.

There is truth and there are lies.

Lies told for power and for profit.

8 Seattle Gay News

Lambda Legal’s top priorities for Biden-Harris administration’s first 100 days Lambda’s series of additional, critical priorities for Biden’s first 100 days underscore the hostility and wrath imposed

by Trump and his allies on the LGBTQ+ community, and illuminate the important work that Lambda and other organizations have led over the past four years to hold the line – from suing the Trump administration over its racist ban on diversity training (which resulted in a preliminary injunction barring the policy from going into action) to regularly sounding the alarm on Trump’s judicial nominees (which Lambda has meticulously tracked over four years and recently found that 40% of Trump’s confirmed federal appellate judges have a demonstrated anti-LGBTQ+ bias). Lambda’s top priorities include: • Repairing the damage to our courts: The Trump administration damaged the integrity of our federal judiciary by packing it with right-wing extremists who oppose LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, and civil rights more broadly. We call on the Biden administration to make the restoration of fairness and impartiality to the courts one of its highest priorities.

• Protecting marriage equality from assault: With the new majority on the Supreme Court created by Trump and increasingly hostile lower court appointments, we have every reason to believe our opponents will seek to undermine marriage equality for same-sex couples. Now more than ever, we need a robust ally in the White House who will vigorously defend and fully implement marriage equality, including things like the right of LGBTQ widows and widowers to access Social

January 22, 2021

Security survivor’s benefits. The Biden administration must ensure that marriages between same-sex couples are respected and LGBTQ families are treated like all other families.

• Stopping the granting of “licenses to discriminate”: At every turn, the Trump administration granted licenses to discriminate to health care providers, social service agencies, and private businesses, but we know that religious freedom does not include the freedom to harm people because of those beliefs. The Biden administration must reassert protections for LGBTQ people when we are at our most vulnerable in hospitals, homeless shelters, nursing homes, and foster care, and end the effort to grant a “license to discriminate” in the name of religion.

• Reversing racist executive orders: The Trump administration called efforts to train medical and other personnel on the pernicious effects of systemic racism “unAmerican” and issued an executive order banning the use of federal funds for such training – which was reversed by President Biden as part of his series of “day one” executive orders. The Biden administration must reverse and repudiate the many racist orders and policies of outgoing President Trump, including the Muslim ban, its attacks on Black and brown communities, and its most recent assault on diversity training.

• Ending the Trans military ban: As commander-in-chief of the military, one of the world’s largest employers, President Biden must end the ban on open services by transgender people, and ensure that Pentagon leadership understands that our patriotic transgender service members have a right to serve their country openly, as who they are, and free from discrimination.

• Stopping attacks on trans kids: School is tough enough without bullying from the federal government. The Biden administration must get the Department of Education back in the business of protecting the educational opportunities of all students, and in particular, should end its relentless assault on the identity and opportunity of transgender students.

• Defending our health care: Every American needs access to affordable, quality health care. The Trump administration was relentless in its efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act and to restrict the

ability of many – including LGBTQ people – to access care, regardless of who they are.

The Biden administration’s Department of Justice should stop trying to undermine health care in our courts, and its Department of Health and Human Services should be fighting for quality health care free from discrimination.

• Stopping the separation of families: The Trump administration acted with total disregard for family ties when it did not approve of the families involved – such as immigrant families and those headed by LGBTQ people – and used the power of the government to separate and undermine such families. The Biden administration must respect – not target and persecute – all families by immediately reuniting families separated at the border, by creating a pathway to citizenship that allows families to stay together, and by ensuring that LGBTQ families are treated the same in the eyes of the law as all others.

• Ending HIV discrimination in the military: President Biden must direct the Pentagon to end its discrimination against our patriotic service members living with HIV, and ensure that our military’s policies are informed by science and not outdated and stigmatizing views about who can serve our country safely, with honor and distinction.

• Providing safe harbor for LGBTQ refugees: LGBTQ people from around the world come to the United States, sometimes literally running for their lives. But the Trump administration tarnished our reputation as a safe harbor by making it virtually impossible for people to seek refuge in the United States and enacting historically low ceilings on the number of refugees that can be admitted. The Biden administration must reestablish asylum rules to ensure those seeking safety from repression because of their sexual orientation or gender identity can find refuge in the United States.

other person’s shoes, as my mom would say, just for a moment stand in their shoes.

We will get through this together, together.

The world is watching, watching all of us today.

Because here’s the thing about life: There is no accounting for what fate will deal you.

There are some days when you need a hand.

There are other days when we’re called to lend a hand.

That is how is has to be, it’s what we do for one another.

And, if we are this way, our country will be stronger, more prosperous, more ready for the future.

And we can still disagree.

My fellow Americans, in the work ahead of us, we’re gonna need each other.

We need all our strength to persevere through this dark winter.

We are entering what may be the toughest and deadliest period of the virus.

We must set aside politics and finally face this pandemic as one nation, one nation.

And I promise you this: as the Bible says weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning.

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work.

Courtesy of Lambda Legal

So here is my message to those beyond our borders: America has been tested and we have come out stronger for it.

We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again.

Not to meet yesterday’s challenges, but today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.

We will lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example.

We will be a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress, and security.

Look, you all know, we have been through so much in this nation.

And, in my first act as President, I would like to ask you to join me in a moment of silent prayer to remember all those who we’ve lost this past year to the pandemic.

Those 400,000 fellow Americans – moms, dads, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

We will honor them by becoming the people and the nation we know we can and should be.

Celebrating 47 Years!

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Rep. Jayapal celebrates the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

Photo by Carolyn Kaster / AP

WASHINGTON, DC (January 20, 2021) – US Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) issued the following statement today on the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and Vice President of the United States: “This historic day proves that the flame of democracy still burns bright, that the power always belongs to the people and that America is forever a place where change and progress are truly possible. Millions across this country united, organized, and mobilized each and every single day over the last four years, refusing to allow one dangerous president to change that fact.

“I extend my enthusiastic well wishes to President Joe Biden as he begins to lead America with compassion during unprecedented crises. As the first South Asian American woman ever elected to the House of Representatives, I am also deeply proud to call Kamala Harris our vice president – the first woman, first South Asian Ameri-

can, and first Black woman to ever hold this position of public trust. This is a truly meaningful moment in history for our country, including for so many women, people of color and immigrants.

“I look forward to working closely with the new administration on a COVID19 relief package that meets the scale of this crisis, on putting people back to work in good union jobs that pay a living wage and on guaranteeing health care. We must address the urgent crisis of climate change and climate justice, create a humane and just immigration system, expand voting rights, end forever wars, fight corporate greed and make higher education accessible to everyone. Throughout everything, we must be fully dedicated to dismantling racism, white supremacy and inequity in every institution and addressing the disproportionate effects of racism and inequality in America on Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities.

“As I watched our president and vice president take the oath of office, I thought about all of those who persisted and resisted over the last four years. Today is only possible because of them – because of all of us. We put aside cynicism, doubts, and fears to step up, speak out, and organize. Millions of people took to the streets for women’s rights, flooded airports to fight xenophobic bans, turned back assault after assault on our health care, and demanded an end to kids in cages and family separation. Even as we opposed, our movements for justice proposed a different vision: one that stands firmly for Black lives and racial justice, for climate justice, for respect on all levels for women, for public education, for peace domestically and internationally, for love meaning love regardless of gender, for respect for each person and differing abilities, the power of people over the power of corporations and for a country that works for all of us not the wealthiest few.

“That organizing does not end today; it is all the more important now that we have a Democratic White House, Democratic Senate, and Democratic House. We cannot rest as we take on a devastating public health and economic crisis, as we recover from the deadly attack that Donald Trump incited on our democracy, and as we fight for racial, social, economic, gender, and environmental justice. Let us never forget that working people of all races joined Black, brown, AAPI, immigrant, Indigenous, and young voters in making today’s change possible.

Now, we must deliver on a transformative agenda that makes a real difference in their lives and the lives of everyone across America. This inauguration reminds us that the power is in our hands, and when we exercise that power, there is nothing that can stop us.”

So I ask you, let’s say a silent prayer for those who’ve lost their lives, and those left behind, and for our country.

Amen.

Will we rise to the occasion? is the question.

Will we master this rare and difficult hour?

Will we meet our obligations and pass along a new and better world to our children?

I believe we must, I’m sure you do, as well, I believe we will.

And when we do, we will write the next great chapter in the history of the United States of America, the American story.

A story that might sound something like a song that means a lot to me.

It’s called “American Anthem” and there is one verse that stands out, at least for me, and it goes like this:

Let’s add, let’s us add our own work and prayers to the unfolding story of our great nation.

If we do this then when our days are through our children and our children’s children will say of us: They gave their best.

They did their duty.

They healed a broken land.

My fellow Americans, I close today where I began, with a sacred oath.

Before God and all of you, I give you my word.

I will always level with you.

I will defend the Constitution.

I will defend our democracy.

I will defend America.

I will give my all in your service thinking not of power, but of possibilities.

Not of personal interest, but of the public good.

And together, we shall write an American story of hope, not fear.

Of unity, not division.

Of light, not darkness.

A story of decency and dignity.

Of love and of healing.

Of greatness and of goodness.

May this be the story that guides us.

The story that inspires us.

And the story that tells ages yet to come that we answered the call of history.

We met the moment.

Democracy and hope, truth and justice, did not die on our watch but thrived.

That America secured liberty at home and stood once again as a beacon to the world.

That is what we owe our forebearers, one another, and generations to follow.

So, with purpose and resolve, we turn to those tasks of our time.

Sustained by faith.

Driven by conviction.

And devoted to one another and the country we love with all our hearts.

May God bless America and may God protect our troops.

Thank you, America.

January 22, 2021

Seattle Gay News 9

Folks, this is a time of testing.

We face an attack on our democracy and on truth.

A raging virus.

Growing inequity.

The sting of systemic racism.

A climate in crisis.

America’s role in the world.

Any one of these would be enough to challenge us in profound ways.

But the fact is we face them all at once, presenting this nation with one of the gravest of responsibilities we’ve had.

Now we’re gonna be tested.

Are we gonna step up?

All of us?

It is a time for boldness, for there is so much to do.

And this is certain.

I promise you.

We will be judged, you and I, by how we resolve these cascading crises of our era.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

“The work and prayers of centuries Have brought us to this day What shall be our legacy?

What will our children say?

Let me know in my heart When my days are through America America I gave my best to you.”

Courtesy of Rep. Pramila Jayapal

To view President Joe Biden’s Inaugural Address, visit https://www.politico.com/ news/2021/01/20/joe-biden-inaugurationspeech-transcript-full-text-460813 Courtesy of Politico

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Historic day-one executive orders will impact millions of LGBTQ youth and adults from diverse communities LOS ANGELES (January 20, 2021) – Today, President Biden signed a sweeping executive order directing federal agencies to adopt a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including in federal employment, policies, programs, and services. This is the first day-one executive order by a president to address LGBT people specifically and the first-ever executive action to mention those who identify as “queer” by name.

According to Williams Institute research, 13 million LGBTQ youth and adults live in the US. LGBTQ people continue to face discrimination in all areas of their lives. Recent Williams Institute research has documented discrimination against LGBTQ people in employment, housing, public accommodations, health care, and other settings.

Nearly 40% of LGBT adults in the US are people of color. Adults who identify as LGBT are more racially and ethnically diverse than the general population. Many LGBT people of color are particularly vulnerable to poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness. A 2019 study found both

LGBT and non-LGBT racial minorities had higher rates of poverty than white people.

“Economic insecurity is notably high at the intersection of race and sexual orientation and gender identity,” said Bianca D.M. Wilson, senior scholar of public policy at the Williams Institute. “Policies to secure racial equity must take into account the unique needs and experiences of LGBT people of color, who are often particularly vulnerable based on their multiple marginalized identities.”

Key findings from Williams Institute research include the following: • An analysis of data collected by Gallup found that 60% of LGB people report being fired from or denied a job compared to 40% of heterosexual people.

• The same analysis found that 15% of LGB people report being prevented from moving into or buying a house compared to 6% of heterosexual people.

• Stigma and discrimination increase the risk for mental distress, mental, health problems, suicide, and lower social wellbeing among LGB people compared to their non-LGB counterparts.

• 17% of LGB adults and 30% of transgender adults have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives, compared to 6% of the general population.

• 22% of LGBT adults live in poverty in the US compared to 16% of non-LGBT people.

• 9% of LGBT adults are unemployed compared to 5% of non-LGBT people.

• 27% of LGBT adults experience food insecurity compared to 17% of non-LGBT adults.

LGBTQ people of color are even more likely to experience economic hardships: • Nearly 40% of LGBT people are people of color, including Latino/a (22%), Black (12%), Asian (2%), Native American/Alaskan Native (1%), Hawaiian Native/other Pacific Islander (1%).

• Among the transgender population, 16% identify as Black, 21% identify as Latino, and 8% identify as another race or ethnicity.

• LGBT people of color are more likely to live in poverty than white LGBT people: 37% of Latino/a LGBT people, 31% of Black LGBT people, 23% of Asian LGBT

people, and 22% of multiracial LGBT people live in poverty, compared to 15% of white LGBT people.

• Among LGBT people, 38% of multiracial people, 37% of Black people, and 32% of Latino/a report not having enough money for food in the past year, compared to 22% of white LGBT people.

• LGBT people of color have similar or higher rates of unemployment compared to white LGBT people: 11% of Black LGBT people, 9% of Latino/a people LGBT people, and 7% of LGBT Asian LGBT people are unemployed, compared to 7% of white LGBT people.

The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, a think tank on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy, is dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research with real-world relevance.

Courtesy of the Williams Institute

Sen. Murray reflects on inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris, thanks Washington State constituents WASHINGTON, DC (January 20, 2021) – US Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement on the inauguration of Joseph Biden as President of the United States and Kamala Harris as Vice President of the United States.

“As I watched Joe Biden and Kamala Harris be sworn in as our next President and Vice President, I couldn’t help but think about this day four years ago. I went to President Trump’s inauguration because as much as I didn’t like it, he’d won. But, I went wearing a Planned Parenthood scarf – the same I had on today – to show I planned to work every day to defend all the rights I knew were threatened. The next day I went to the Women’s March and saw crowds of women ready to stand up for their rights and each other’s. I realized then how much it was going to matter that every single person who opposed what President Trump stood for – hate and division, racism and bigotry – speak up and make sure they were heard. And Washington State, you did.

“Since the day President Trump was inaugurated four years ago I’ve had more calls, more emails, more constituents closely following what’s happening in the other Washington and getting engaged in elections up and down the ticket, than ever before. From defending the Affordable Care Act, to standing against the President’s cruel immigration policies, to protesting racial injustice and more, you’ve been there every step of the way, ready to use your voice and your vote to hold our country accountable to our ideals of justice and equality. You made such a difference. I know because I saw it firsthand every single day of the Trump administration, and because President Trump lost a free and fair election.

“It has been an incredibly hard four years. Many of us are missing people we

10 Seattle Gay News

Photo by Patrick Semansky / AP

wish could see this day. I hope each of you is taking time to remember those who are still in our hearts, and to appreciate all you’ve done to raise your voices and each other’s. You make our democracy what it

January 22, 2021

is, and your commitment to a fair and just future for all will help our country rebuild stronger from all we face right now. Please keep making yourselves heard, because as today shows, it could not matter more. I am

so proud to be your senator, and I can’t wait for our work ahead together.”

Courtesy of Sen. Patty Murray

Celebrating 47 Years!

Volunteers wanted to help save historic Seattle Gay Newspapers:

Volunteers are needed to sort through over 200 boxes of Seattle Gay News issues from the 1980s to the 20-teens.

Sorting involves identifying not more than 10 copies of each issue, putting the issues in chronological order and organizing by year.

Non-SGN items will be separated out as well as copies that exceed ten per issue.

Boxes will be labelled and issue numbers will be identified per box. Once the boxes are arranged chronologically and we have a list of all the issues, the copies will be organized into complete runs with one copy of each issue in each set.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

Volunteers need to be able to lift boxes up to 40 pounds, stand on a cement floor, and be willing to follow COVID-19 protocols which involve having your temperature taken as you enter the building and wearing a mask at all times.

The work takes place at Seattle City Hall, 600 Fifth Avenue, in the vault that holds records for the Seattle Municipal Archives.

Please contact:

tom4seattle@msn.com to volunteer or to seek further information.

January 22, 2021

Seattle Gay News 11

12 Seattle Gay News

January 22, 2021

Celebrating 47 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

January 22, 2021

Seattle Gay News 13

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President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi at HRC “The Power of Equality” online LGBTQ inaugural event WASHINGTON, DC (January 21, 2021) – Last night, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization – held an online inaugural event to commemorate the historic inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Vice President Kamala Harris. The event featured remarks from President Biden, HRC President Alphonso David, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, among others.

Here are some key highlights from last night’s event: “[W]e have an incredible opportunity… an opportunity to build an economy back better and this time bring everybody along; an opportunity to build to lead with facts, science, and truth and bring an end to this pandemic; an opportunity to take the existential threat of climate change; to bring greater racial justice and equity to every part of our society… to set us on a course

for a brighter future,” said President Joe Biden.

Watch President Biden’s full remarks [at https://bit.ly/2Y2nRUo].

“If we are going to realize the promise of America, we must first see these realities and see them clearly. We must see that white supremacy is fatal. Not simply to me as a Black, gay man but to all us and to the promise of this nation. And if we do not free ourselves from its hold, it will be fatal to our democracy,” said HRC President David.

Watch President David’s full remarks [at https://bit.ly/3qDYPXO]. “[T]hank you to the LGBTQ community for turning out in record numbers to secure a Democratic majority in both the House and the Senate for years. For years the LGBTQ community has been essential in supporting pro-equality candidates, and we couldn’t have won in 2020 with you….

Because I am now majority leader, we can

take action on the Equality Act in the Senate, which McConnell had bottled up, and we will work as hard as we can to finally pass this into law,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Watch Senate Majority Leader Schumer’s full remarks [at https://bit.ly/3qJ3Rm2]. “[W]e [are] elected leaders who believe in and will fight for the bedrock values of equality and justice. I am proud to say that the Biden-Harris administration will be the most pro-equality administration ever, and they will have a strong partner in our democratic House – the majority of which is now nearly 70% women, people of color, and LGBTQ,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Watch Speaker Pelosi’s full remarks [at https://bit.ly/396rbnD]. “[W]e are proud that this new cabinet will be just as President Biden promised: one that looks like America...the first ever that is evenly balanced by gender and the first where the majority are people of

color,” said Transportation Secretary-designate Pete Buttigieg.

Watch Mr. Buttigieg’s full remarks [at https://bit.ly/3sJ2aGN].

Watch the performances by Grammy-, Tony- and Emmy Award–winning actor, singer, and activist Billy Porter [at www. youtube.com/watch?v=qwrZWBWQHnA].

Watch the full recap of the HRC “The Power of Equality” Online LGBTQ Inaugural Event [at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=wunademG6Xg].

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.

The HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.

Courtesy of the HRC

On Inauguration Day, NAMI calls for addressing mental health: the silent epidemic within the pandemic ARLINGTON, Va. (January 20, 2021) – As the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) congratulates President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their inauguration today.

NAMI looks forward to working with the new administration to build better lives for the millions of people in our country who are affected by mental illness.

More people than ever are experiencing anxiety and depression for the first time because of the challenges related to COVID-19, economic hardship, and racial injustice. The demand for mental health services is increasing. We are in the midst of alarming mental health, substance use, and suicide challenges that are taxing an

already fragmented system of care.

Last week, President Biden announced the American Rescue Plan, which includes significant investments that would help people with mental health conditions. In addition to proposals that will help people access mental health care and focus on their wellness, including expanding health care subsidies, extending the eviction moratorium, and providing emergency housing assistance, the plan specifically addresses the country’s mental health needs during this crisis. The plan calls for an additional $4 billion to help people access mental health and substance use care.

“We need to alleviate the pain and suffering of millions of Americans by increasing access to quality mental health and

substance use interventions,” said Daniel H. Gillison Jr., CEO of NAMI. “More people – including our nation’s youth and first responders – are reporting their mental health is worse than it was a year ago.

NAMI applauds the President’s call for substantial resources to expand access to mental health and substance use services.”

To further address the growing mental health epidemic within the pandemic, NAMI urges the Biden administration to prioritize a cross-agency effort to help people get on the path to recovery. We hope the new administration will use the Unified Vision for Transforming Mental Health and Substance Use Care, developed in partnership with 14 of the nation’s leading mental health organizations, as a roadmap to

changing the paradigm for mental health care in our country. To achieve this vision, we must institute policies, programs, and standards that value the critical importance of mental health. We must intentionally address the inequities in care and unacceptable disparities in outcomes that result from systemic racism and discrimination.

We must invest in comprehensive system solutions that promote mental wellness for all.

Together, NAMI looks forward to working with President Biden and his administration to find solutions that help everyone get the mental health support they need.

Good news for Trans military per- access to bathrooms, locker rooms, and sonnel and students sports consistent with their gender identity.

On other good news for the Trans comOne source, identified as a “Democratic continued from cover munity, Biden has promised to rescind insider,” told the Washington Blade that “Dr. Rachel Levine will bring the steady Trump’s ban on Trans military personnel dozens of executive orders have already leadership and essential expertise we need “on day one” of this administration. been drafted. to get people through this pandemic – no On a conference call with LGBTQ Other campaign promises expected to matter their zip code, race, religion, sexual leaders before the holidays, Biden’s team be addressed in the early days of the new orientation, gender identity, or disabil- repeated his intention to order the reversal administration include issuing a presidenity – and meet the public health needs of of the Transgender ban on military service tial memorandum prioritizing support for our country in this critical moment and on January 20.

LGBTQ human rights. beyond,” Biden said in a statement.

The policy, initiated by President “She is a historic and deeply qualified Trump via tweet in July 2017, can be The Equality Act choice to help lead our administration’s reversed by executive order without acts of Biden has also committed to passing health efforts.”

Congress, but it could take up to a year to the Equality Act. The measure would add A pediatrician, Levine graduated from fully reverse, according to the Washington sexual orientation and gender identity as Harvard University and Tulane Medical Blade. protected classes to the Civil Rights Act School. She is also president of the AssoThis promise follows Biden’s appoint- of 1964, and ban discrimination against ciation of State and Territorial Health Offi- ment of Trans veteran Shawn Skelly as an LGBTQ people on a federal level. cials. advisor on military affairs. Skelly previThe bill was passed during the last sesHer scholarly research includes articles ously worked in the Obama administration sion of Congress in the House, but Senate on the opioid crisis, medical marijuana, in several defense and transportation roles, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked adolescent medicine, eating disorders, and and became the first Transgender veteran the legislation from reaching the Senate LGBTQ medicine. to be appointed by a president in 2013. floor for a vote.

Levine will serve with Biden’s HHS Biden also promised that “on his first While Biden promised to have the secretary nominee Xavier Becerra, a day in office” he would restore Obama-era Equality Act signed into law within 100 Latino politician who served in Congress guidance to the Department of Education days of taking office, some obstacles have and as California’s Attorney General. ensuring that Transgender students have emerged.

The Senate Judiciary Committee, which would have jurisdiction over the legislation, is the same committee that will have to deal with the impending Trump impeachment trial.

Some LGBTQ activists told the Washington Blade that under the circumstances, giving the new Biden administration extra time would be reasonable.

“I think we’ve gotten the commitments that we expected and hoped for and sought from the Biden team and from legislative leadership, and what that means for us now is holding them accountable, but also understanding that the country, our democracy, and the ability of people to actually live is going to take priority,” one LGBTQ advocate told the Blade.

Others insisted on holding Biden to his original promise, however.

“The notion that our government can only focus on one thing at a time isn’t acceptable,” said another activist. “You can’t have the agenda and policy goals that Biden does and not have the process to move faster.”

LEVINE

14 Seattle Gay News

January 22, 2021

Courtesy of NAMI

Celebrating 47 Years!

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Americans United and American Atheists sue to overturn Department of Education regulation that forces universities to fund anti-LGBTQ student groups WASHINGTON, DC (January 19, 2021) – Today, the national civil rights organizations American Atheists and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, on behalf of the Secular Student Alliance and a California university student, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s Department of Education to challenge a recently published regulation that forces universities to financially support religious student groups that discriminate.

“The Trump administration is forcing colleges to choose between protecting students and losing federal funding, or allowing discrimination against students in order to keep federal financial assistance. That is unfair, unlawful, and just plain wrong.

Discrimination has no place in our public colleges and universities,” said Richard B. Katskee, vice president and legal director at Americans United for Separation of Church and State. “Discriminating against any students in the name of religion jeopardizes religious freedom for all students.”

The new rule requires public colleges and universities to exempt religious student clubs from nondiscrimination provisions that apply to all other student clubs that are officially recognized by the colleges and funded by activity fees paid by all students.

The rule undermines the nondiscrimina-

tion policies that many colleges and universities have enacted to ensure that clubs don’t reject students from membership or leadership positions on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other protected characteristics.

The lawsuit argues that former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos had no authority to issue this rule, ignored the harms the rule will cause to students and their colleges and universities, and imposed requirements that directly conflict with the US Constitution, as well as statutory nondiscrimination laws. The lawsuit asks the US District Court for the District of Columbia to invalidate the new rule, which went into effect on November 23, 2020.

“This unlawful rule was part of the Trump administration’s campaign to pander to Christian nationalists and weaponize religious freedom to justify discrimination,” said Alison Gill, vice president for legal and policy at American Atheists.

“Freedom of religion is a fundamental American value that protects everyone’s right to their beliefs, as long as they don’t harm others. It does not give people or organizations the right to ignore civil rights protections and discriminate.”

Americans United and American Atheists are suing on behalf of Declan Galli, an

LGBTQ sophomore at California Polytechnic State University, as well as the national nonreligious student organization the Secular Student Alliance.

“I fear for my safety and the safety and mental health of my fellow students,” said Galli, an Episcopalian, who is a member of the Cal Poly Transgender and Queer Student Union and works as a student assistant at the university’s Student Diversity and Belonging office. “If colleges now have to promote student organizations that discriminate, it’s hard to believe the campus can keep us safe.”

“This isn’t a hypothetical situation. Last year, a professor and a dozen students rallied on campus, shouting that being gay is a sin. This Department of Education regulation allows these same students to start a group that would discriminate against me while still receiving funding from the fees I’m required to pay,” added Galli.

“No students should ever be forced to subsidize clubs that discriminate against them. Students who are LGBTQ, religious minorities, nonreligious, or otherwise marginalized will especially be harmed by this rule,” said Kevin Bolling, executive director of the Student Secular Alliance, the largest nonreligious student organization, with over 300 chapters in colleges and high schools across the country.

“Students who experience discrimination are more likely to have negative attitudes about school, lower academic motivation and performance, increased risk of dropping out of school, and increased negative physical and mental health. Allowing prejudice on campus too often leads to increased bullying, discrimination, and harassment,” he warned.

January 22, 2021

Seattle Gay News 15

American Atheists is a national 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that defends the rights of atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; advocates for the absolute separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy. American Atheists was founded in 1963 by Madalyn Murray O’Hair.

Americans United (AU) is a religious freedom advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, AU educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.

Courtesy of American Atheists

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Seattle Public Library & Seattle Times present “2020 Pictures of the Year” on January 27 SEATTLE (January 19, 2021) – Take a close look at events from the past year that helped shape the Pacific Northwest region with local photo editors and photojournalists. From 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, the Seattle Times’ award-winning staff will present a slideshow of photographs from 2020 and discuss the story and technique behind each image. A moderated question-and-answer session will follow.

Registration is required; visit the Library’s calendar for more information.

This event is presented by the Seattle Public Library Foundation. Special thanks to the Gary and Connie Kunis Founda-

tion and the Seattle Times for supporting the Seattle Public Library’s Authors and Events Series.

The Seattle Public Library also has many free online services, resources, and programs available while its physical buildings remain closed. Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at www.spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information during this challenging time.

Photo courtesy of SPL

Courtesy of the Seattle Public Library

Seattle Public Library expands curbside pickup and return services SEATTLE (January 19, 2021) – Starting Tuesday, Jan. 19, the Seattle Public Library will expand locations and hours for curbside pickup and material return services. With this expansion, the Library now offers curbside service at 13 locations, and patrons can return materials at 18 locations throughout the city of Seattle.

“We developed our new curbside service last summer to give patrons access to books, CDs, DVDs and other materials while Library buildings are closed,” said Andrew Harbison assistant director for collections and access. “Seattle residents will now be able to use this popular service in more neighborhoods to pick up their eagerly awaited holds and return their items.”

See www.spl.org/Hours for a full list of services at each location, but highlights of the expansion includes: • Two new curbside pickup service locations: Patrons of Magnolia and Northgate branches can now pick up holds at those locations three days a week. Book drops at these locations will also be open for returns.

• Additional curbside days at six locations: Six Library locations will expand curbside pickup service from three to five days a week: the Ballard, Broadview, Douglass-Truth, Lake City, Rainier Beach, and Southwest branches.

• Additional return locations: Have a stack of books to return? Five Library locations have added return service: the Magnolia, Northgate, Queen Anne, South Park, and West Seattle branches. You can now return materials at 18 locations around the city.

• Free curbside printing: The Library’s free curbside printing service is now available at nine locations. Patrons can order up to 10 black-and-white pages a day. Find locations, hours, and a how-to at www.spl. org/Print.

• Increased holds limit: Starting Jan. 19, the maximum number of holds patrons can place on physical materials has increased from 25 items to 50 items.

• Curbside pickup service locations offer additional services, including a selection of Peak Picks (there are new titles for January!) that patrons can browse and add to their checkouts, Grab & Go bundles of books sorted by genre, and free child-sized and adult disposable masks available for patron use.

In order to minimize the spread of COVID-19, patrons should wear face coverings and maintain six feet of separation from other patrons and staff. The Library will continue to follow best practices for the health and safety of our patrons and staff, including social distancing, regular cleaning and sanitation, wearing personal

protective equipment, requiring the use of face masks, plexiglass barriers, and quarantining of Library materials.

Visit www.spl.org/Curbside for information on how curbside pickup service works and www.spl.org/Hours for a schedule of services at each curbside location.

The Library’s Road to Reopening page shares the latest updates on our reopening process and the Chief Librarian’s Winter Message shares his reflection on 2020.

More information The Seattle Public Library also has many free online services, resources, and programs available while its physical buildings remain closed. Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at www.spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information during this challenging time.

Courtesy of the Seattle Public Library

Winter author readings hosted by the Seattle Public Library SEATTLE (January 20, 2021) Attend author events, book discussions, and literary programs from the comfort of your own living room this winter. The Seattle Public has a wide variety of online author events coming up in January and February, from essays by disabled people to a discussion with a hyperlocal media journalist.

Library events are free and everyone is welcome. Registration is required for each event; visit the Library’s calendar to sign up.

Author reading schedule • 7 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26 “Disability Visibility Project” discussion with Alice Wong, Leah Lakshmi PiepznaSamarasinha, and Elsa Sjunneson. Just in time for the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, activist Alice Wong brings together this urgent, galvanizing collection of contemporary essays by disabled people. Wong, founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, will speak with Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha and Elsa Sjunneson about their contributions to the anthology.

• 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27 - The Nutritionist’s Kitchen with Carly

16 Seattle Gay News

Knowles. Join Carly Knowles, registered dietitian nutritionist, nutritionist and author of the new book The Nutritionist’s Kitchen, for a conversation with Dr. Tori Hudson, naturopathic physician, as they discuss simple but powerful ways to transform your diet, health, and our planet.

• 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28 - WA State Book Awards: Eric Liu and Become America: Civic Sermons on Love, Responsibility, and Democracy. Winner of the 2020 Washington State Book Award for Creative Nonfiction, Become America offers stirring explorations of current and timeless topics about democracy, liberty, equal justice, and powerful citizenship. Liu will do a brief reading followed by a discussion on civic involvement and a Q&A. • 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3 - WA State Book Awards: Aaron Bobrow-Strain and The Death and Life of Aida Hernandez. Winner of the 2020 Washington State Book Award for Biography, The Death and Life of Aida Hernandez: A Border Story asks: What happens when an undocumented teen mother takes on the US immigration system? Bobrow-Strain will discuss his book and the future challenges around

January 22, 2021

immigration and the border.

• 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 - Close to Home: Virtual Stories of Health, Tech, and Resilience. Meet Omari Salisbury, co-founder of Converge Media, the Central Area’s independent media company raising the voices and perspectives of Seattle’s African American community.

Converge Media produces livestreamed videos, podcasts, and local news coverage. Salisbury and Trae Holiday co-host The Morning Update Show, which delivers culturally relevant content to the Pacific Northwest’s urban audience with an analysis of the day’s local and national headlines.

• 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10 Brandon Hobson and David Heska Wanbli Weiden discuss The Removed. Join us for a discussion of The Removed, the new novel from National Book Award finalist Brandon Hobson, [which is] steeped in Cherokee myths and history. Tommy Orange calls The Removed “spirited, droll, and as quietly devastating as rain lifting from earth to sky.”

• 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25 James Dales and Dr. Maya Rockymoore Cummings discuss “We’re Better Than This.” Join us for a conversation about

the late Rep. Elijah Cummings’ life and legacy. Known for his poise, intellect, and influence until his death in October 2019, Cummings was one of the most respected figures in contemporary politics, a politician who held fast to his beliefs but was not afraid to reach across the aisle in the name of friendship and progress.

More information The Library believes that the power of knowledge improves people’s lives. We promote literacy and a love of reading as we bring people, information, and ideas together to enrich lives and build community.

The Seattle Public Library also has many free online services, resources and programs available while its physical buildings remain closed. Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at www.spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information during this challenging time.

Courtesy of the Seattle Public Library

Celebrating 47 Years!

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BOOKS

LAMBDA LITERARY Applications are now open for four cash prize opportunities for LGBTQ writers – DEADLINE: February 15, 2021 – NO FEE TO APPLY

(l-r) 2020 Duggins Prize winner Larissa Lai, 2020 Markowitz Prize winners Xandria Phillips and Calvin Gimpelevich, and 2020 Córdova Prize winner Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

ANNOUNCING THE RANDALL KENAN PRIZE FOR BLACK LGBTQ FICTION The Randall Kenan Prize for Black LGBTQ Fiction, in memory of the celebrated author Randall Kenan, honors Black LGBTQ writers whose fiction explores themes of Black LGBTQ life, culture, and/ or history.

The award includes a cash prize of $3,000.

To be eligible, the winner of the prize must have published at least one book and show promise in continuing to produce groundbreaking work.

This award is made possible by founding sponsor Cedric Brown, Darnell Moore, and Dr. L. Lamar Wilson.

APPLY NOW – https://lambdaliteraryawards.submittable.com/submit Eligibility In order to be considered for the award, the applicant must: • self-identify as LGBTQ and Black; • have written and published (self-published or traditionally published) at least one book of fiction that captures the depth and complexity of Black LGBTQ life, culture, and/or history; • be of demonstrated ability and show promise for continued growth; and • show meaningful engagement with LGBTQ literary communities.

Additional Information The applicant’s contributions to the LGBTQ literary field beyond their writings and publications will also be considered.

For example: reviewing LGBTQ literature, conducting relevant research, participating in LGBTQ literary events, contributing to LGBTQ journals and reviews, membership in online LGBTQ literary forums, etc. ********** JIM DUGGINS OUTSTANDING MID-CAREER NOVELISTS’ PRIZE The Jim Duggins Outstanding MidCareer Novelists’ Prize honors LGBTQ-iden-

tified novelists of demonstrated ability who share promise for growth in their writing.

Two winners will each receive a cash prize of $5,000.

The winners must have published at least three novels, or two novels and substantial additional literary work (including poems, stories, or essays).

This award is made possible by the James Duggins, PhD Fund for Outstanding Mid-Career LGBTQ Novelists, a fund of the Horizons Foundation.

APPLY NOW – https://lambdaliteraryawards.submittable.com/submit Dedicated to the memory of author and journalist Jim Duggins, this prize honors LGBTQ-identified authors who have published multiple novels, built a strong reputation and following, and show promise to continue publishing high quality work for years to come. Made possible through the generous support of the James Duggins Estate, two winners will each receive a cash prize of $5,000.

Eligibility In order to be considered for the award, the applicant must: • self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer; • have written and published at least three novels or two novels and substantial additional literary work (including poems, stories, or essays); and • be of demonstrated ability and show promise for growth in their writing.

Additional Information This award is for a writer, not a book. The application must therefore focus on the qualifications of the writer, not the qualities of a particular book. The prize will be awarded with a goal of gender diversity among recipients.This award honors mid-career novelists.

For the purposes of this prize, Lambda Literary defines mid-career novelists as those who have published at least three novels or two novels and substantial additional literary work (including poems, stories, and essays).

Applicant’s contributions to the LGBTQ literary field beyond their writings and publications shall also be considered.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

JEANNE CÓRDOVA PRIZE – FOR LESBIAN/QUEER NONFICTION Granted in memory of the beloved activist and author, the Jeanne Córdova Prize for Lesbian/Queer Nonfiction honors lesbian/queer-identified women and trans/ gender non-conforming nonfiction authors who are committed to nonfiction work that captures the depth and complexity of lesbian/queer life, culture, and/or history.

The award includes a cash prize of $2,500.

The winner must have published at least one book and show promise in continuing to produce groundbreaking and challenging work.

The award was introduced in 2018.

JUDITH A. MARKOWITZ AWARD FOR EMERGING LGBTQ WRITERS The Judith A. Markowitz Award for Emerging LGBTQ Writers (formerly the Dr. Betty Berzon Emerging Writer Award) honors two LGBTQ-identified writers whose work demonstrates their strong potential for promising careers.

Two winners will each receive a cash prize of $1,000.

By emerging writer, we mean those who have published at least one, but no more than two, books of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.

APPLY NOW – https://lambdaliteraryawards.submittable.com/submit

Eligibility In order to be considered for the award, the applicant must: • self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer; • have written and published at least one but no more than two books of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry; • be of demonstrated ability and show promise for growth in their writing; and • show meaningful engagement with LGBTQ literary communities.

Eligibility In order to be considered for the award, the applicant must: • self-identify as lesbian/queer or trans/ gender non-conforming; • have written and published at least one book of nonfiction that captures the depth and complexity of lesbian/queer life, culture, and/or history; • be of demonstrated ability and show promise for continued growth; and • show meaningful engagement with LGBTQ literary communities.

Additional Information The award is for a writer, not a book.

The application must therefore focus on prior and ongoing writings, showing the author’s commitment to lesbian/queer nonfiction (including, but not limited to: memoir, biography, history, philosophy, and social justice genres and themes).

The applicant’s contributions to the LGBTQ literary field beyond their writings and publications will also be considered.

For example: reviewing LGBTQ literature, conducting relevant research, participating in LGBTQ literary events, contributing to LGBTQ journals and reviews, membership in online LGBTQ literary forums, etc.

January 22, 2021

APPLY NOW – https://lambdaliteraryawards.submittable.com/submit

Additional Information This award is for a writer, not a book.

The application must therefore focus on the qualifications of the writer, not the qualities of a previous book. The prize will be awarded with a goal of gender diversity among recipients.

This award honors emerging writers.

Established authors are not eligible for consideration. Lambda Literary defines emergent writers as those who have published at least one but no more than two books of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.

Applicants’ contributions to the LGBTQ literary field beyond their writings and publications shall also be considered.

Courtesy of Lambda Literary

Seattle Gay News 17

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CHOP SHOP: Bodies of Work announces 2021 online Dance Festival The annual dance festival returns in a new online format for 2021, bringing audiences and artists together virtually for an exploration of contemporary dance.

CHOP SHOP: Bodies of Work Contemporary Dance Festival returns in January and February 2021 in a new and expanded online format, co-designed with the festival artists, offering audiences in Seattle and beyond the opportunity to engage with contemporary dance from their homes. All programming during CHOP SHOP 2021 is offered online at www.chopshopdance.org and on a free or pay-what-you-can sliding scale basis.

The centerpiece of the 2021 festival is a series of seven world premiere dance films created by leading local and national contemporary dance artists premiering each Thursday starting February 4 will live Q&A following each Sunday. The dance film festival will be available online February 4 - March 31. www.chopshopdance.org CHOP SHOP 2021 proudly features dance films by: • Daniel Costa / Daniel Costa Dance (Seattle, WA) • Eva Stone & Simone Elliott / Root Collective (Seattle, WA & Germany) • Javier Padilla and The Movement Playground (New York City, NY) • Lauren Horn//Subira Vs. Movement (Windsor, CT) • Mark Haim (Seattle, WA) • Nicole von Arx / NVA & Guests (Brooklyn, NY & Switzerland) • Omar Román De Jesús / Boca Tuya (New York City, NY) “The recent dramatic shift caused by the pandemic in the performing arts landscape, though devastating for so many of us in the dance community, offered up an incredible opportunity to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in dance in a whole new way,” says CHOP SHOP producer, founder, and co-curator Eva Stone. “All festival participants will have a rare opportunity to engage directly with these groundbreaking dance artists and connect with their creative processes. Through master classes, original dance films, and stimulating conversations with each of these dancemakers, we are staying true to our mission of the past 14 years in connecting audiences to dance through education, experience, and performance.”

CHOP SHOP will premiere dance films created by the participating artists each Thursday in February, with a live Q&A with the week’s artists following each Sunday. All the films will remain accessible online until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, allowing viewers to revisit the films as often as they’d like during that time.

In addition to the dance films, CHOP SHOP offers fun classes and events designed to bring artists and audiences closer together, even during this time of social distancing. This additional programming includes: • The Experience Dance Program invites everyone to explore modern and contemporary dance through two no experience necessary classes. “Reading Dance” offers the opportunity to engage directly with festival artists as they discuss the craft of choreography, while “Intro to Modern Dance” is a fun dance technique class for those interested in learning basic modern dance vocabulary. Both classes are open to participants of all ages and abilities.

• New this year, the Arts Journal-

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ism Intensive, offered in partnership with TeenTix, engages teens ages 13-19. During the four-week series, participants will be mentored by a professional arts journalist, interview contemporary dance artists, and write an article about one of the artists featured in the 2021 CHOP SHOP Contemporary Dance Festival. All participants will have their writing published on both the TeenTix Blog and CHOP SHOP’s website and receive a modest stipend for their work.

The series runs each Sunday from January 10 - January 31. More information and registration details are available at chopshopdance.org/dance-journalism-workshop.

• The CHOP SHOP Master Class Series offers intermediate/advanced level classes highlighting diverse approaches to modern and contemporary dance. Taught by the festival artists, each class is open to dancers ages 12+ with a minimum of three years of dance training.

CHOP SHOP 2021 Festival Trailers – YouTube: youtu.be/zrVqYuWldZ0; Vimeo: vimeo.com/485311852 CHOP SHOP 2021 Festival Artists Daniel Costa / Daniel Costa Dance (Seattle, WA) Daniel Costa (he/him) has presented work in Seattle for over five years. Daniel’s latest research involves the concept of resonance and the ways in which energy reverberates both in an individual body and in a collective. Daniel has worked with Alex Ketley, Chamber Dance Company, Madboots Dance, Stephanie Liapis, The Three Yells, Wade Madsen, Cherdonna Shinatra, and has performed works by Crystal Pite, Kate Weare, Shen Wei, Larry Keigwin, and Manuel Vignoulle, among others. Daniel Costa holds a BFA in dance from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Learn more about Daniel and Daniel Costa Dance at danielcostadance.com. Instagram: @dancecosta / @dcchoreography Film Title: Adrift See website for more details on Daniel Costa’s dance film Adrift for CHOP SHOP 2021. Daniel Costa’s dance film will have its CHOP SHOP premiere on Thursday, February 18, 2021.

Eva Stone & Simone Elliott / Root Collective (Seattle, WA & Germany) Eva L. Stone (she/her) has been creating dance work for over 30 years. She received a BFA in Performance and Choreography from Arizona State University and has performed professionally with companies in both Boston and Los Angeles. After completing a Master of Arts degree at Trinity Laban in London, England, she formed The Stone Dance Collective. After relocating to Seattle, Eva re-established her company and began an extensive teaching and lecturing career throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Eva has created commissioned works for Pacific Northwest Ballet, Spectrum Dance Theater, Seattle International Dance Festival, and numerous regional ballet companies across the west coast. In 2018, Eva initiated a nationally recognized choreography program “New Voices: Choreography and Process for Young Women in Dance” for the PNB school. Eva is the founder, producer, and co-curator of “CHOP SHOP: Bodies of Work”, one of the longest-running contemporary dance festivals in the Seattle area. Learn more about Eva Stone at evastonedance.com. Instagram: @eva77stone Freelance performer and choreographer, Simone Elliott (she/her) was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. Dur-

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ing fifteen consecutive seasons performing in theaters across Europe, Simone’s career provided her the opportunity to work with well-known choreographers such as Crystal Pite, Mats Ek, Johan Inger, Nacho Duato, Jiri Kylian, Mauro Bigonzetti, Felix Landerer, Yuki Mori, Marina Mascarell, Fabien Prioville, Ihsan Rustem, Guiseppe Spota, and Stephen Thoss. She attended renowned ballet schools such as Boston Ballet, the Goh Academy in Canada, and the Tanya Pearson Academy in Australia. Simone studied at the Tanz Akademie Zürich and upon completion, accepted her first contract in Austria at Tiroler Landestheater. She then continued on to Die Theater Chemnitz, Staatstheater Nürnberg, and most recently Theater Regensburg where she also created her own works for the company. Learn more about Simone Elliott at simone-elliott.com. Instagram: @ simone._.elliott.

Film Title: Violet crumble This film begins at escape. The film is conceived from the point of view of a woman finding a way to cope with the consequences of a traumatic event. From the moment her feet touch the ground, we find ourselves alongside her, entering a place that is safe from damage and pain. We are offered a feeling of sanctuary, yet beneath these still waters are the forces of a riptide of memory, recognition, and unattainable recovery. Eva Stone & Simone Elliott’s dance film Violet crumble makes its world premiere at CHOP SHOP 2021 on Thursday, February 18, 2021.

Javier Padilla and The Movement Playground (New York City, NY) Originally from Puerto Rico, Javier Padilla (he/him/they/them) is a movementbased artist currently working in New York City. Through his choreographic endeavor, The Movement Playground, Javier explores the extremes of our humanity. The soft magic of the every day and the aggressive moments in between. Javier Padilla and The Movement Playground have shared work at Judson Memorial Church, Socrates Sculpture Park, GreenSpace, Peridance Capezio Theater, The Theater at Gibney Dance, Dixon Place, Jack Crystal Theater at NYU Tisch, TaDa Youth Theater, and MANA Contemporary Jersey City. Learn more about Javier Padilla and The Movement Playground at jpmovementplayground.me. Instagram: @javipadilla26 Film Title: how to become an escape artist Javier Padilla’s dance film how to become an escape artist will have its world premiere at CHOP SHOP 2021 on Thursday, February 25, 2021. See website for more details about the dance film.

Lauren Horn / Subira Vs. Movement (Windsor, CT) Lauren Horn (she/her) is a movement and text-based artist from Windsor, CT. She graduated from Amherst College with degrees in Psychology and Theatre and Dance. Lauren’s work explores identity and the ways it can be uncovered, marginalized, highlighted, and erased. By utilizing movement and text as a means of fostering a more welcoming form of vulnerability, the work creates a space for self-reflection and conversation for both the performer and viewer. Lauren’s choreographic work has been showcased at The BAM Fisher Theatre in Brooklyn, NY, Hibernian Hall in Boston, MA, Meydenbauer Center Theatre in Bellevue, WA, and more. Learn more about Lauren Horn and Subira Vs. Movement at subiravsmovement.com. Instagram: @subiravsmovement

Film Title: @Me @Me is a digital biography of the life of digital native Lauren Horn. Cascading through different lenses, it looks at online expression. From learning dance videos online to making a vlog to crafting the perfect Instagram post, it plays with the sense of isolation that comes with using the internet as your main mode of connecting with others and providing entertainment. Inspired by the Covid-19 pandemic, it explores the ways that many of us have delved deeper into our online lives during the quarantine. CHOP SHOP 2021 is proud to share the world premiere of Lauren Horn’s dance film @Me on Thursday, February 4, 2021.

Mark Haim (Seattle, WA) Based in Seattle, Mark Haim (he/him) has been making dances for 35 years. He has created works for companies like the Nederlands Dans Theater, Ballet Frankfurt, Joffrey Ballet, and Limon Dance Company.

He toured his full-evening solo, The Goldberg Variations, from 1997 to 2006 around the U.S. and Czechia, Korea, and Russia.

His work, This Land Is Your Land, created in 2009 in Seattle, was seen at the Joyce Theater, the American Dance Festival (ADF), the ArtDansThe Festival in Paris, and the National Performing Arts Center in Beijing. His most recent solo, Parts To A Sum, incorporated movements from 370 people from around the world, ages 2 to 95, performed in reverse chronological order.

He is a recipient of two NEA Fellowships and grants from the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture. Learn more about Mark Haim at markhaimart.com.

Film Title: WALDO: 2020 Mark Haim’s dance film WALDO: 2020 will have its world premiere during CHOP SHOP 2021 on Thursday, February 25, 2021. See website for more details about the film.

Nicole von Arx / NVA & Guests (Brooklyn, NY & Switzerland) Born in England, Nicole von Arx (she/ her) grew up in both Hong Kong and Switzerland. Her career led her to become a soloist at the Royal Opera House & Lyric Opera while dancing for Jasmin Vardimon.

She’s worked for Carte Blanche, Company XIV, Loni Landon, Romeo Castellucci, and Bryan Arias. She is a 2021 Dance Initiative artist in resident, 2018 Stuffed Artists in Residence, 2020 Jacob’s Pillow Choreography Fellow, and 2017 Dance Gallery Level UP artist. She has taught at Juilliard, Rutgers, Gibney, NYU Tisch, Sam Houston State University, and Dance Italia. Now based in Brooklyn, Nicole creates under NVA & Guests, and teaches online and outdoor classes. Learn more about Nicole von Arx at nvonarx.com. Instagram: @nicolevarx / @nva.and.guests Film Title: NINE This work is a video adaptation of Nicole von Arx’s evening-length solo work NINE. Influenced by her theatrical and operatic experiences, in NINE Nicole will portray nine different characters and emotions. She invites you to sit still as she pirouettes, slow strips, and delivers a voiceless monologue. This solo is a playful satire of our daily lives and an attempt to slow down time. CHOP SHOP is proud to present the world premiere of Nicole von Arx’s dance film NINE on Thursday, February 4, 2021.

Omar Román De Jesús / Boca Tuya (New York City, NY) Omar Román De Jesús (he/him), originally from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, is a recipient of the 2020 Jacob’s Pillow Ann

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Fausto Rivera & Michele Dooley of Spectrum Dance Theater perform Donald Byrd’s OCCURRENCE #8 REDUCED at CHOP SHOP 2020 – Photo by Bret Doss

& Weston Hicks Choreography Fellowship. He has been commissioned twice by Instituto de Cultura de Puerto Rico to create work for the International Dance Festival of Puerto Rico, where he was awarded the Ambassador of Dance medal. Omar has won choreographic competitions including the Joffrey Academy of Dance’s Winning Works Choreographic Competition and Whim W’Him’s Choreographic Shindig, and received awards including the Audience Award at The Dance Gallery Festival, 1st place prize at the Reverb Dance Festival, and the Parsons Dance GenerationNOW Commission for their 2017 Joyce Season. He has also created work for Jacob Jonas The Company and educational institutions such as The Ailey School, James Madison University, and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. His work was recently presented at the 2020 CHOP SHOP: Bodies

of Work Contemporary Dance Festival and will be presented, online and live, at the upcoming PRISMA International Dance Festival in Panama, the Jerusalem International Choreographic Competition, and the Palm Desert Choreography Festival. Learn more about Omar Román De Jesús and Boca Tuya at bocatuya.com. Instagram: @ bocatuya____ Film Title: Los Perros del Barrio Colosal From inside the constant change and mood swings of a teeming disordered mind, we flip perspective to view, from the outside, a human net supporting the chaos as it unravels into itself. These parallel worlds invite the audience into an exuberant ever-changing fantasy. A colorful, rhythmic, and dream-like experience.

CHOP SHOP proudly presents the world premiere of Omar Román De Jesús’ dance film Los Perros del Barrio Colosal on Thursday, February 11, 2021.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

About CHOP SHOP: Bodies of Work CHOP SHOP’s mission is to offer insight on contemporary dance and its creative process, in order to forge deeper connections between artists and audiences through presentation, education, dialogue, and experience. The festival is committed to promoting work that is accessible to a diverse audience, comprising both new and experienced dance viewers, and providing free, fun, and open to all ages and abilities dance classes through our innovative Experience Dance Program.

Since its founding in 2008, CHOP SHOP has shared and championed the work of 410+ individual artists from 76 dance companies, welcomed over 1,000 Experience Dance Program participants to free and open to all ages and abilities dance classes, and invited numerous dance students to engage directly with professional artists in more than 70 master classes.

Artists featured in past editions of the

festival include Spectrum Dance Theatre (Seattle), Joshua Beamish (Vancouver, B.C.), zoe | juniper (Seattle), Adam Barruch Dance (New York City), Kiyon Gaines (Seattle), Kyra Jean Green (Montreal), Alicia Mullikin | Morena (Seattle), Javier Padilla & The Movement Playground (New York City), Whim W’Him (Seattle), Julie Crothers (Oakland), Donald Sales (Vancouver, B.C.), Mark Haim (Seattle), and Alex Ketley/The Foundry (San Francisco). For more information visit chopshopdance.org.

CHOP SHOP: Bodies of Work is supported by grants from 4Culture, the Bellevue Arts Commission, the Washington State Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

CHOP SHOP: Bodies of Work / StoneDance Productions is powered by Shunpike.

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January 22, 2021

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Strength Over Speed - www.strengthoverspeed.org Tacoma/Pierce County - Rainbow Center, 2215 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, a resource center for the LGBTIQA community of Pierce County, (253) 383-2318, www. rainbowcntr.org Three Dollar Bill Cinema - TWIST: Seattle Queer Film Festival; Translations: Seattle Transgender Film Festival; Outdoor Cinema at Cal Anderson Park. www. threedollarbillcinema.org TRANSGENDER: Emerald City Social Club: (425) 827-9494; Gender Alliance of the South Sound: www.

SouthSoundGender.com; Gender Diversity: www. genderdiversity.org; Gender Justice League: www.genderjusticeleague.org; Gender Odyssey: www.genderodyssey.com; Hermanos Trans Latino & Foreign-Born

Support Group: (206) 322-7700; Ingersoll Gender Center: (206) 329-6651, www.ingersollcenter.org; Lion’s Main Art Collective: www.lionsmain.org; The New BoyZ Club: www.olympiaftmgroup.webs.com; Olympia Trans Discussion Group: www.facebook.com/pages/ Olympia-Trans-Discussion-Group/262449878114; [trans] ACTION: Trans* & Gender Non-Conforming Sex Workers’ Support Group - a safe, peer-led space. mail@utopiaseattle.org; TRANSform Washington: transformwashington.com; Trans Resource & Referral Guide: kctransguide.org; Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network: Funding the collective liberation of Trans women of color – https://m.facebook.com/ TWOCSolidarityNW/; Washington Gender Alliance: (360) 445-2411, www.washington genderalliance.com WOMEN: Aging Ballard Lesbian Exchange (A.B.L.E.): We are Lesbians 60 years (generally) and up, living (mostly) in the north half of Seattle. The purpose of the group is to connect, socialize and support each other. ruthemilyvogel@gmail.com; Aging Lesbians in South Seattle (ALISS) - Lesbian Group at the Southeast Seattle Senior Center. This is a gathering primarily for Lesbians but all are welcome to attend. Kate, (206) 722-0317; www.sessc.org; BABES: support groups for HIV+ women. (206) 720-5566, 1-888-292-1912; Coming Out Women Support Group of Tacoma: www. comingoutwomen.org; Festival of the Babes: www. festivalofthebabes.com; Mature Friends: Gay men & women 40 & over, www.maturefriends.org; Puget Sound Old Lesbian Organizing for Change: http:// psoloc.org, (253) 777-3357; Older Lesbians Organizing for Change/WA State Chapter: gloria@oloc.org, mary@oloc.org, www.oloc.org; Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives: www.pnwlesbianarchives.org; RainshadowWomen: RainshadowWomen@aol. com; Seattle Bisexual Women’s Network: BiSeattle. wixsite.com/SBWN; Seattle Girls of Leather: www. sgol.org; Tacoma Lesbian Concern (TLC): www.tacomalesbianconcern.org; Tacoma Older LGBT: www. tacomaolderlgbt.org; Women of West Seattle (WOWS): a fun, member-driven social group for Lesbians, http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/womenofwestseattle; YWCA Women’s Health Outreach: providing low or no-cost mammograms for income eligible 40+ LBTQ individuals. Follow us at http://lbtqhealth-ywca.blogspot.com, twitter.com/ingridWHO or email lbthealth@ywcaworks. org, (206) 461-4493. (See also listings under Bisexual, Parenthood, People of Color, Transgender.)

YOUTH: B-GLAD (Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Trans & Questioning Adolescent Drop-In Group): Youth Eastside Services offers many programs for GLBT youth, including B-GLAD, (425) 747-4937; Coyote Central: www.coyotecentral.org; Diverse Harmony: www.diverseharmony. org; GLSEN/Washington State (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) & Washington State GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) Network: GLSEN works to create safe schools for LGBT students. WA GSA Network supports youth-led GSA’s to fight harassment & homophobia in Washington state schools. (206) 330-2099; www.glsenwa. org; www.wagsa.org. GLOBE (GLBTQ Loving Ourselves, Becoming Empowered): a support group & HIV/STD prevention program for GLBTQ youth, 14-20, in Everett, (425) 263-2908, www. globeyouth.org; It Gets Better Project: www.itgetsbetter.org; Lambert House: an activities & resource center for LGBT youth, 14-22, 1818 15th Ave @ E Denny Way, with additional support groups organized in smaller towns throughout King County, (206) 322-2515, www. lamberthouse.org; Lifelong HEYO (Health Education Youth Outreach): for LGBTQ youth, ages 16-24: (206) 957-1665; www.llaa.org/HEYO; www.MatthewsPlace. com; The Mockingbird Society: (206) 323-KIDS (5437), www.mockingbirdsociety.org; New Horizons: social services and shelter for homeless youth, 2708 3rd Ave (in Belltown), (206) 374-0866, http://namin.org; Oasis Youth Center: for GLBTQ youth, ages 14-25, in Tacoma, (253) 671-2838, www.oasisyouthcenter. org; OKAY! LGBTQ+ Outreach for Kent Area Youth: (253) 859-0699 ext 3034. OKAY! is an open support group for youth ages 13-19 who identify as LGBTQ+. A program of Kent Youth & Family Services; OUT There Adventures: www.outthereadventures.org; Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG)/ Puget Sound: (206) 325-7724, www.seattle-pflag.org; Pizza Klatch: weekly lunchtime support groups for LGBTQ youth in Thurston County, www.pizzaklatch. org; Prism: for LGBTQ youth, 14-21, in Puyallup Cherise.Alexander@ multicare.org; www.facebook. com/PuyallupPrism; Proud Out Wonderful (POW!): for LGBTQ youth, 13-21, in South King County, (206) 326-9112, www.facebook.com/proudoutwonderful; Q Youth Resources: in Kitsap County - (360) 698-3335; www.kchaf.org; Roots Young Adult Shelter: 1415 NE 43rd St., (206) 632-1635; www.rootsinfo.org; Safe Schools Coalition: www.safeschoolscoalition.org; (206) 451-SAFE, (206) 451-7233 (non-emergency), 1-877-SAFE-SAFE (1-877-723-3723) (crisis line); Seattle Young People’s Project (Queer Youth Resource Board): (206) 860-9606, www.sypp.org; Street Youth Ministries (SYM): (206) 524-7301 ext 111; www. streetyouthministries.org; Teen Link: (206) 461-4922, 1-888-431-TEEN; The Trevor Project: 866-4-U-Trevor; www.thetrevorproject.org; True Colors - Connecting LGBTQ Teens: in Shoreline, (206) 362-7282 x 8018, lbagley@chs-nw.org; The Vera Project: fuels personal & community transformation through collaborative youthdriven engagement in music and art. (206) 956-8372; theveraproject.org; Vista Youth Center: for LGBTQ, questioning and allied youth, ages 14-21, in Kennewick, (509) 396-5198, www.vistayouthcenter.org; YouthCare/ Isis Program (Transitional Living Home for LGBTQ Young Adults, 18-22): (206) 522-8412; YouthCare/ Orion Center Young Adult Shelter: 1828 Yale Ave @ Stewart St. (206) 622-5555; Youth in Focus: (206) 723-1479; www.youthinfocus.org; Youth Suicide Prevention Program (OUTLoud-GLBTQ): (206) 297-5922, ext 116, 1-800-273-TALK, www.yspp.org

Celebrating 47 Years!

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FILM

Ploddingly tedious Marksman a dramatically inert misfire

Liam Neeson in The Marksman – Photo courtesy of Open Road Entertainment

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer THE MARKSMAN Theatres now / PVOD Feb. 5 The Marksman isn’t the blandly routine Liam Neeson Taken-style actioner we’ve all come to expect around this time of year.

Robert Lorenz’s (Trouble with the Curve) thriller aims a bit higher than something like The Commuter or Non-Stop, and it’s clear the director and his co-writers Chris Charles and Danny Kravitz have plenty on their minds that they’re hoping to say. This is a somber tale that proudly wears its heart on its sleeve, attempting to achieve a level of empathetic understanding and grace that could potentially be universal in its eventual impact.

The film fails in this endeavor. This is a ponderous slog of a tale that rarely achieves anything close to a lasting impact. Worse, it wastes a fine, typically sturdy performance from Neeson and an even better one from his pint-sized costar Jacob Perez, the child actor doing a splendid job making an impression. It’s a muddled mess that far too often relies upon racial dog whistles to create tension or augment its central villain’s venal cruelty, all of it saddled with a morally complex protagonist who brushes right

up against any number of uncomfortable “white savior” archetypal character traits.

Arizona rancher Jim Hanson (Neeson) is an ex-Marine trying to get out from underneath a mountain of medical bills amassed due to the untimely death of his beloved wife. Driving along the border, he encounters Rosa (Teresa Ruiz) fleeing through the fence with her 11-year-old son Miguel (Perez). After calling Border Patrol to pick them up, before they can arrive Hanson is forced to intervene when ruthless drug cartel assassin Mauricio (Juan Pablo Raba) attempts to kill both mother and child.

Shortly thereafter, a mortally wounded Rosa begs the former soldier to get her son to his family in Chicago. While Hanson initially refuses and turns the boy over to Border Patrol supervisor Sarah (Katheryn Winnick), who also happens to be his stepdaughter, he inadvertently observes officers allowing Mauricio to freely re-enter the U.S. without a search. After finding a bag full of cash hidden in his truck his suspicions something ominous is about to happen are confirmed, and if Miguel is going to survive the coming maelstrom he’s going to need protection from someone who hasn’t been corrupted by the cartel’s blood money.

What follows is a fairly standard road trip through the backroads of America, Hanson and Miguel racing against time to

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get to Chicago before Mauricio tracks them down. They are also forced to dodge law enforcement after an encounter with a State Patrol officer goes sideways, all the while Sarah puts the pieces of the bigger puzzle together while also intervening on her father-in-law’s behalf right when he needs it most. It all builds to a final confrontation between Hanson and Mauricio at a deserted farm, Miguel’s life hanging in the balance depending on the outcome.

Yawn. The whole thing came perilously close to putting me to sleep on multiple occasions. Lorenz paces events so laboriously that even the more intense moments have all the urgency of a tax audit. It’s tiresome, and there were times I began to wonder if the director was purposefully attempting to hypnotically induce a catatonic reaction from the viewer.

Making all of this so much worse is that Neeson isn’t sleepwalking. He’s trying to give a complex performance, one filled with layers and nuances speaking to current events involving the U.S./Mexico border, health insurance inequities, racial discrimination, white privilege and more. Perez is even better, the youngster managing to do far more with the material than the film deserves. He effortlessly builds chemistry with Neeson, and if the screenwriting cared to do more than traffic in stereotypes the

budding father-son dynamic happening between Hanson and Miguel could almost be considered heartwarming.

Lorenz does stage one effective action sequence, and as it is the most pivotal one in the film this is a positive that cannot be summarily dismissed. The confrontation between Hanson and Mauricio is extremely well done, and it’s clear the director did his homework while cutting his teeth working for Clint Eastwood on films like American Sniper, Million Dollar Baby and Space Cowboys. Mark Patten’s (Morgan) cinematography is smooth and uncomplicated, while editor Luis Carballar (Sin Nombre) cuts things together with electrifying simplicity.

None of which matters. The Marksman is borderline offensive in its retrograde cultural depictions, especially as they pertain to Mauricio and his men. The way it almost deifies Hanson as a great white hunter who finds personal redemption in bonding with and protecting Miguel is equally risible, while Winnick’s Border Patrol supervisor is a non-character who all but disappears during the final act. Worst of all, Lorenz’s film is frequently boring, thrills so few and far between even a solid climactic encounter between hero and villain isn’t enough to make this one worthy of a look.

January 22, 2021

Seattle Gay News 21

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22 Seattle Gay News

January 22, 2021

Celebrating 47 Years!

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January 22, 2021

Seattle Gay News 23

THIS AD SPACE HAS BEEN GENEROUSLY DONATED BY KRISTIN COSTELLO IN MEMORY OF SGN PUBLISHER GEORGE BAKAN