SGN February 28, 2020 - Section 1

Celebrating 46 Years!

Issue 9 Volume 48

FRIDAY February 28, 2020 FREE!

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Three Dollar Bill Cinema at a crossroads and need our help SEC 2 PG 1

Artistic dilemma – When no stories have been told, who tells some?

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Seattle Gay News S E AT T L E ’ S L G B T Q N E W S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T W E E K LY

HRC releases presidential candidate questionnaires Tulsi Gabbard did not participate

Images courtesy of HRC

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Your presidential primary ballot is sitting on the end table next to your sofa.

Maybe it’s already become a coaster for your morning coffee.

You had good intentions – you planned

Paul Danforth and Michelle Beattie – Photo courtesy of change.org

to fill it out and send it in as soon as you got it. But with more than a dozen Democratic Party hopefuls on the ballot, you couldn’t make up your mind.

The ballot has to be returned on or before March 10. Now what do you do?

see MIKE ANDREW page 11

HRC releases 2020 presidential questionnaire, candidate responses

Image courtesy of HRC

WASHINGTON (February 24, 2020) – Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization released its 2020 presidential questionnaire and responses from the leading Democratic candidates

Gay teachers asked to resign from Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien

by Tim Peter SGN Contributing Writer “Two teachers, Paul Danforth and Michelle Beattie, have voluntarily resigned their positions at Kennedy Catholic High School. They are highly capable, gifted and qualified teachers who have served our

community with dedication and humility.

Their loss will be felt deeply by their students and the entire community. We are thankful to Paul and Michelle for their years of service,” read the official statement from the school.

see TEACHERS page 5

Ex-House Speaker Frank Chopp gets primaried

Jessi Murray – Photo courtesy of Friends of Jessi Murray

[see www.hrc.org/election2020].

2020 marks the most pro-equality field of Democratic presidential candidates in US history. Each candidate has released more detailed plans for LGBTQ people and

see HRC page 11

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer For the first time since 2014, former State House Speaker Frank Chopp has a primary challenger for his 43rd District House seat.

Jessi Murray announced on February 26 that she would run for Chopp’s seat.

Murray is a member and former cochair of the Seattle LGBTQ Commission.

Chopp was the longest-serving House

see CHOPP page 4

2 Seattle Gay News

February 28, 2020

Celebrating 46 Years!

Seattle Gay News

OBITUARY

F O U N D ED 1974 MEMBER

2018

1707 23rd Avenue Seattle, WA 98122 (206) 324-4297 sgn2@sgn.org sgn.org

Deadlines Classifieds | Thursday at Noon Calendar | Tuesday at 6pm Display Ads Space Reservation | Monday at 5pm Ad Copy (non-camera ready) | Tuesday at 5pm Ad Copy (camera-ready) | Wednesday at 5pm Letters to the Editor | Tuesday at 5pm Obituaries | Call the SGN office All others | Tuesday at 5pm

IN MEMORIAM Antonio Ernesto Cordova September 22, 1950 - February 16, 2020 (age 69)

Editor in Chief George Bakan Copy Editor Rick McKinnon (since Dec 2013) Advertising George Bakan • Maggie Bloodstone MK Scott National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Staff Writers Mike Andrew • Sara Michelle Fetters Miryam Gordon • Albert Rodriguez Contributing Writers Rev. Barbara Allen • Ron Anders Madelyn Arnold • Alice Bloch Maggie Bloodstone • Beau Burriola Sharon Cumberland • Jessica Davis Tina Gianoulis • Anthony Greer Milton W. Hamlin • Nevin Jefferson Richard Kennedy • Shaun Knittel Liz Meyer • Jason A. Miller Jesse Monteagudo David Nguyen aka Teriyaki Temple Rod Parke • Don Paulson Jerry Peerson • Tim Peter • Jessica Price Scott Rice • Leslie Robinson MK Scott • Mark Segal • Gaysha Starr Sarah Toce • Paul Torres • Janice Van Cleve Ed Walsh • James Whitely Scott Wittet • Rex Wockner Cartoonist Ken Campbell Calendar Editor Rick McKinnon Classifieds Rick McKinnon Photographers Nate Gowdy • Joseph P. Herron MK Scott • James Whitely Production Mike Pham

Tony Cordova – Photo courtesy of Friends of Tony

Our beloved brother Tony passed away suddenly February 16th, 2020 at the age of 69. Tony, or as the family knew him, Ernie, was born in Brownsville, Texas to Celia R. Rocha. He was her 3rd child. In 1960 the family moved to California where he spent most of his young years. He graduated from California State in Long Beach with a degree in psychology. After a few years he decided to make Seattle his home. He loved Seattle and all the longtime friends he made. He worked at Bon Appetite where he enjoyed bringing his passion and talent for decorating. He loved dancing, writing, making others laugh, baseball and was a huge Seahawks fan. He had a sense of humor and a big heart. More than anything he loved his family and especially our Mom. He always enjoyed sharing stories of her to everyone he knew.

Tony is preceded in death by our Mother Celia R Gutierrez and brother Johnny Gutierrez. He is survived by his brothers Xavier Gutierrez of Baytown TX, Richard Rocha and wife Lynn of Midland TX, George Gutierrez of Dayton TX, Gerald Gutierrez of Baytown TX, Alfred Gutierrez and wife Deborah of Baytown TX. Surviving sisters are Maria Balderas of Cypress TX, Corina Brown and husband Rick of Georgetown TX, and Tina Neff and husband Van of Mont Belvieu TX. A special Aunt Janie Moon of Round Rock TX, numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grand-nieces and cousins. Also his oldest and special friend Brian Daley of Mobile, Alabama along with many other friends.

A special thank you to Dr. Aboulafia and staff for all the care over the years.

Our hearts are broken. We love you Ernie. Until we are together again.

February 28, 2020

Seattle Gay News 3

Tony died unexpectedly at The Cuff on February 16 doing what he loved doing very much, dancing. Tony was a former volunteer with the Tacky Tourist Clubs of America’s Seattle Chapter, the Freedom Day Committee (former organizers of Seattle’s Gay Pride Parade & Rally), and a volunteer with Lifelong AIDS Alliance & Chicken Soup Brigade. Tony was also a former resident of both Capitol Hill Housing and Bellwether Housing.

A memorial celebration for Tony Cordova will be held in Seattle on March 8th, 4-8pm at CC’s, 1701 E Olive Way. Please bring a dish to share.

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Publication of names, photographs, or likeness of any person, organization, event or business in this publication cannot be taken as any indication of the sexual orientation of the person, organization, event or business.

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In Loving Memory Of Steve Foiles • Scott Roger Alpert Cookie Andrews-Hunt James Leland Moore Randy Peters • Lee Richeson Shaun Shelton • Jim Tully James Arnold

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Sixth annual Seattle Annual Sex Work Symposium to be held Feb. 29 & March 3 We are very excited for the sixth-annual Seattle Annual Sex Work Symposium (SASS), happening on Saturday February 29 and Tuesday March 3.

SASS has been pared down this year to two main events: 1) We will be hosting an extraordinary fellowshipping all-day event, just for current and former sex workers, on Saturday February 29.

2) We will be hosting an exciting public education/canvassing event for the public and for sex workers alike on Tuesday March 3.

1) SASS’s private event for current and former sex workers will take place on Saturday February 29, location to be

announced. The event will be an afternoon of skill shares, networking, a shared meal, and ice-breaking crafts. Here’s a taste of what we’ll be doing there: • Legal Clinic • Learn key tricks for staying safe online • Learn to create, market, and sell audio content online and generate passive income...

• ....and more!

Email seattle@swopusa.org for details.

2) The following Tuesday March 3 is International Sex Worker Rights Day. For our public SASS event, we are inviting sex workers and our allies to canvass with SWOP-Seattle [Sex Workers Outreach Project-Seattle] in honor of this very, very

CHOPP

continued from cover speaker in Washington state history, serving in that post from 2002 until he stepped down last year. He has represented the 43rd District in Olympia since 1995.

“I represent the young, queer, car-free, renter portions of the 43rd that still need to be amplified in the legislature,” Murray said.

On her agenda are free transit, increasing housing stock, increasing density while tackling the effects of gentrification, and making health care cheaper, more accessible, and more inclusive.

Murray has served for three years on the LGBTQ Commission – co-chairing the group for two of those years – and has been a board member and PCO for the 43rd Dis-

Frank Chopp – Photo by Ted S. Warren / AP

trict Democrats.

She also chaired the Seattle Ladies Choir, was a committee member with the Northwest Abortion Access Fund, and organized the first SlutWalk Seattle in 2011.

Murray works as a technical program manager and UX designer on open-source software for accelerating cancer and HIV research. She adds that her time working

important day. This is a great opportunity to build sex worker rights awareness in the Seattle community and all are welcome to join one of our canvassing teams that day.

Please, let us know if you’d like to join us on March 3 by emailing seattle@swopusa.org.

About SWOP Seattle SWOP Seattle is the chapter of the Sex Workers’ Outreach Project centered in the City of Seattle, WA. We share the mission statement and values of our parent organization, SWOP USA, who maintains our 501(c)(3) status.

SWOP Seattle hosts an annual Sex Worker Symposium around International Sex Workers’ Rights Day on March 3, walks in Seattle’s Pride Parade in late June, in the tech sector has given her insight into ways the state should regulate the industry.

During his long career in the House, Chopp has made progressives both cheer and despair. Democratic legislators credit him with rebuilding the party’s majority in the House after the “red wave” of 1994, but activists also charge that he torpedoed many progressive initiatives to shield his members in swing districts from taking tough votes.

Nevertheless, Chopp has accumulated a notable record. In 2007 legislative session, for example, he helped create Apple Health For Kids, which now covers over 800,000 young people in Washington State.

Chopp also implemented Medicaid Expansion in Washington state and led efforts to help enact mental health parity, which Chopp cites as “the proudest moment of my service in the legislature.”

Holds a container for Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, and Honors the fallen on International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers on December 17.

SWOP Seattle also supports and networks with local agencies, organizations, and individuals to support and further goals set by the national board of SWOP USA. SWOP events including health fairs, council meetings, fundraisers, street based outreach, panel discussions, and more are open to the public. Skill shares, brunches, legal clinics, and other similar events are private, reserved for SEPIA members. https://seattle.swopusa.org/ Courtesy of SWOP-Seattle Chopp also helped save and reform the Disability Lifeline program, which provides services for people with disabilities.

At a recent 43rd District town hall event, Chopp also promised to oppose any amendment to Rep. Nicole Macri’s payroll tax proposal – intended to fund housing and homeless services – that would prevent Seattle from taxing big businesses within city limits.

The last time Chopp faced an electoral challenge was 2014, when Jess Spear challenged him. She was fresh from managing Kshama Sawant’s successful City Council campaign, but Chopp won 82% of the votes.

Murray claims to have raised $20,000 for the campaign, but Chopp has already spent almost $68,000 and has another $45,000 in the bank.

International Women’s Day Celebration

“Women’s Bodies are a Battlefield: Climate Destruction, the Refugee Crisis and Reproductive Justice” On Friday, March 6 at 7pm, hear a panel of activists speak on how sisters are leading fightbacks to these interconnected, global issues. Panelists include: Mahilet Mesfin – UW student in International Studies & Human Rights working with Radical Justice collective for refugee & immigrant rights; Gina Petry – multi-issue feminist organizer who has led Radical Women’s participation in reproductive justice work and Standing Rock defense; Faith Baever – member of Inupiaq Tlingit & Sugpiaq tribes, active with Protectors of the Salish

Sea to stop climate destruction in the U.S. and Canada. Open discussion will follow the panel. Cost: $3-$5 door donation; dinner for a $10 donation. New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave S, Seattle. Hosted

by Radical Women. For more info or to reserve childcare: 206-722-6057. RWseattle@mindspring.com. Wheelchair accessible.

Courtesy of Radical Women Photo courtesy of Radical Women

King County Library System announces March 2020 LGBTQ+ events TEENS You Belong Teen Group Auburn Library (1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn), Wednesday, March 4 and 18, 3:30-5pm (Grades 6 to 12) Join You Belong to support diversity and gain leadership experience!

It’s a PRIDE Party!

Fairwood Library (17009 140th Ave SE, Renton), Thursday, March 5, 7-8pm (Children, tweens, teens and adults welcome) Celebrate the diversity of our community through art, music and other fun activities! Show your LGBTQ+ spirit with a Sharpie tie-dye t-shirt. Bring a white t-shirt, all other supplies will be provided.

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Rainbow Teen Advisory Board Redmond Regional Library (15990 NE 85th St, Redmond), Tuesday, March 10 and 24, 5pm (Grades 6 to 12) Please join us to create safe spaces for East King County LGBTQ+ youth, socialize and get valuable leadership experience in the process. You will get the opportunity to create, plan and promote events that bring LGBTQ+ youth and allies together to build an inclusive community.

Questions? Contact Stephanie Zero, Teen Services Librarian, Redmond Library, szero@kcls.org.

Queer Café & Board Games for Teens Bellevue Library (1111 110th Ave NE,

February 28, 2020

Bellevue), Saturday, March 14, 2-5pm (Grades 6 to 12) Join LGBTQ+ teens and allies to meet new friends, play board games, D&D or just hang out in the café. Come in your coziest pajamas, flannels or hoodies.

For more information, contact Stephanie Zero, Teen Services Librarian, Redmond Library, szero@kcls.org.

Respecting the Rainbow: LGBTQ+ 101 for Parents and Teens Renton Highlands Library (2801 NE 10th St, Renton), Thursday, March 19, 6:30pm (For adults and teens) Presented by Andie Lyons, MTS, Health Educator, Family Planning Public Health – Seattle & King County.

In this workshop, learn language and definitions and begin exploring the “Gender and Sexuality Universe” that we all live in.

Together, we can create safe and welcoming spaces for ALL young people.

NOTE: All KCLS libraries, phones and Ask KCLS will be closed Monday, March 23 for a Staff-Learning Day. Through activities, workshops and team exercises, we will model the teamwork, appreciation and service we envision. This day brings together all employees – from 50 worksites and all shifts – to learn from each other and recharge our commitment to excellence. Full service and normal hours resume Tuesday, March 24.

Courtesy of King County Library System

Celebrating 46 Years!

Photo courtesy of Sean Nyberg / GLAAD

TEACHERS

continued from cover This is the news that shocked a Seattle area high school on Valentine’s Day. Danforth and Beattie had both been employed by the school for six years. They became engaged to their respective partners last year. Danforth taught English and is a graduate of KCHS as well as the son of a former faculty member. Beattie taught health and fitness and coached soccer. Multiple sources have said both teachers were well-liked by their coworkers, students and families.

“I was baptized and grew up Catholic – attending both a Catholic high school and college, King County Councilman Joe McDermott wrote on Facebook. “I didn’t come out myself until I was 30 – in part certainly because of the damaging messaging I received from the Catholic Church that being gay was wrong. Today my nephew and his Kennedy Catholic classmates continue to receive this destructive message.”

“I went to Kennedy with Paul Danforth,” said State Senator Joe Nguyen (D White Center). “He wanted to go back and

teach there because his father taught there.

There is nobody that embodies the values of that school more than Paul and his family. If you look at the stuff we are doing locally, nationally, and in the state to make sure we have equity for the LGBTQ community, and then you see this happen, it’s frustrating. We all understand how important it is for these voices to be uplifted. This is a huge step back.”

When asked if he has any sympathy for the school’s religious freedom, Sen. Nguyen said, “No, I don’t.” However, the school is likely within its legal rights if the pair’s marital engagements violated their employment contracts. Religious organizations often include a morality clause that requires the signer to abide by the official teachings of the church. Washington state has some of the strongest protections for LGBTQ people in the U.S., yet laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on sexual orientation don’t necessarily apply in this case. Private schools can often do what they want, unlike public schools.

More than 100 parents, alumni and friends of Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien gathered at the Catholic Archdio-

cese of Seattle early Tuesday morning, February 18, to protest Danforth’s and Beatty’s termination; later that afternoon, the first day back after a three-day weekend, students walked out of class and staged a sit-in in the school’s hallways.

King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, whose district includes Burien, posted on Facebook, “Kennedy High School in Burien today fired (forced the resignation) of two of their teachers solely because they are gay. This is a reminder of the blatant discrimination that continues to exist in our community. I hope everyone who values fairness and equality is as disgusted and outraged by the mean-spirited action of this anti-gay institution.”

Following several days of protests, Archbishop Paul Etienne on Tuesday suspended the school’s president (principal) Mike Prato until the end of the school year and replaced him with Father Bryan Dolejsi who was the chaplain at Kennedy Catholic from 2011 to 2017. “ Mike Prato is a highly respected leader, and it is our desire to support him during this challenging time,” the church’s statement said. “Please continue praying for

him, the faculty and staff, and the entire Kennedy Catholic community.”

In a letter to the Kennedy Catholic High School community, the Archbishop said he was creating a task force “to look at how we apply universal church teaching locally.

Specifically, under the leadership of the Office for Catholic Schools, this task force will examine how we remain faithful to our mission in a dramatically changing world.”

In a written statement, Sean Nyberg, Danforth’s fiancé, said, “The announcement today proves that the Seattle Archdiocese is paying attention to this story. I assume that means they will address the discriminatory and targeted enforcement of their morality clause against LGBT persons. While personnel changes were long overdue, the primary issue has been, and still remains, that the Seattle Archdiocese uses their morality clause to justify disciplinary action against LGBT persons, while ignoring other violations of Catholic teaching. I look forward to hearing a clear explanation for this discriminatory practice.”

Labor union throws $150 million into campaign to defeat Trump SEIU will target voters of color in battleground states

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer SEIU, one of the country’s largest labor unions, is investing $150 million in a campaign to defeat Donald Trump in November.

The effort will focus on eight key battleground states, the union’s president, Mary Kay Henry, told the Associated Press, and will target voters of color who typically don’t vote.

The operation will be the largest voter engagement and turnout effort in the history of SEIU, a union with some 2 million members nationwide.

Henry, an out Lesbian who has led the union since 2010, says the upcoming election is “a make-or-break” moment for

working people in America. “[Trump is] systematically unwinding and attacking unions. Federal workers rights have been totally eviscerated under his watch,” Henry said in an interview.

“We are on fire about the rules being rigged against us and needing to elect people that are going to stand with workers.”

The union’s campaign will span 40 states but be especially focused on Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin, according to details of the plan shared with the Associated Press. Six million potential voters will be targeted.

SEIU members will pay particular attention to two key urban battlegrounds they believe will play a defining role in the

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2020 general election: Detroit and Milwaukee.

There may be some television advertising, but the investment will focus primarily on direct contact and online advertising targeting minority men and women who typically don’t vote.

Trump won the presidency four years ago largely because of a dropoff in turnout from young voters and people of color.

SEIU’s political director, Maria Peralta, noted that Trump’s campaign has been working to win over some minority voters, particularly men, who have traditionally voted Democratic.

“He’s going after our communities in ways that are pervasive. We’re deeply aware of that,” Peralta said. “They’re talk-

ing about the strength of the economy.”

SEIU has not yet endorsed a Democratic Party candidate. SEIU may endorse a candidate in the coming months, Henry said, but it has decided to stay out of the messy nomination fight for now.

“We’re trying to figure out, inside our union as we walk through Super Tuesday and through March, what do working people and our members think about the choice in the field,” she said.

SEIU is one of the most diverse unions in the United States. The union’s membership includes workers in health care, food service, janitorial services, and state and local government workers. Half its members are people of color, and more than half make less than $15 an hour.

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Seattle Gay News 5

Statewide HIV social media campaign launches this week As you may know, the Washington State Department of Health’s Office of Infectious Disease (OID) has been working with the social marketing firm Better World Advertising (BWA) on a series of media campaigns to increase uptake and adherence to HIV prevention and treatment and reduce HIV-related stigma.

The statewide campaign, “I Am Not a Risk,” launches this week and will run through May, in both Spanish and English. The “I Am Not a Risk” campaign theme was informed by a campaign advisory group, which consisted of 20 community members living with HIV, and tested through three focus groups, with shared

lived experience, across the state. The message will be promoted through four ads; each highlighting a local community member living with HIV:

• George, from Kitsap County; • Tranisha, from Seattle; • Gilberto, from Spokane (originally from Yakima); and • Anthony, from Tacoma.

As with previous campaigns, the ads will be primarily promoted through social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube), connection apps, and search engines. Additionally, ads will play

across the state over iHeartMedia stations and Spotify. There will be limited transit ads in Snohomish, King, and Pierce Counties; and billboards around Seattle. Due to budget limitations, this campaign will be smaller and shorter than the second campaign.

Background The first campaign was focused on increasing knowledge among medical providers about PrEP and PrEP prescribing.

The second campaign was focused on African American and Latinx men and PrEP. The third campaign is focused on people living with HIV (PLWH) to encourage

engagement in behaviors that improve their health and eliminate their risk of transmitting the virus. This third campaign was developed by BWA with the assistance of a large advisory group, which consisted of PLWH from across Washington, and tested and discussed with focus groups. Input from the Advisory Group influenced campaign concepts, messaging, and placement.

Courtesy of WA State DOH

Celebrating 25 Queer Years:

Gay City, Northwest Film Forum, and Three Dollar Bill Cinema partner throughout 2020 In 2020, peer institutions Gay City: Seattle’s LGBTQ Center, Northwest Film Forum (NWFF) and Three Dollar Bill Cinema (TDBC) will celebrate 25 years of existence and collaboration with a series of touchpoint events – including performances, workshops, and festivals, such as TDBC’s Translations: Seattle’s Transgender Film Festival, and Seattle Queer Film Festival (formerly SLGFF, TWIST).

“After 25 years, TDBC, NWFF, and Gay City have more relevance and purpose than ever,” says Kathleen Mullen, Interim Executive Director at Three Dollar Bill Cinema.

“All LGBTQ stories must have a visible and vibrant platform for expression. Through storytelling, we are able to show the complexity and diversity of our multifaceted lives and combat our rights being taken away during changing political times.”

By drawing upon their shared heritage and commitment to Capitol Hill – Seattle’s historically queer neighborhood – these three community strongholds will elevate diverse media arts programs as a means of raising awareness about LGBTQ issues and supporting local queer and trans creators.

“We join our partners in celebrating our silver anniversary,” adds Fred Swanson, Executive Director of Gay City. “For 25 years, Gay City has built resilience and joy in the LGBTQ communities. Our arts programs galvanize an audience to support queer arts and creates space for the diverse expressions of queerness – especially from Queer and Trans Artists of Color – that exist within our community.”

“By empowering one another and honoring our long-standing legacies, we can continue to stabilize safe spaces within Capitol Hill as we enter the new decade,” explains Vivian Hua, Executive Director at Northwest Film Forum. “The collective potential among our three organizations to generate new opportunities around queer education and exhibition has begun to play an increasingly pivotal role in shifting uninformed mainstream narratives.”

NWFF, TDBC & GAY CITY: 2020 CO-PRESENTED EVENTS Saturday, February 29: Rainbow Roar Short Film Program Presented at Northwest Film Forum during Children’s Film Festival Seattle The first LGBTQ short film program ever presented at Northwest Film Forum’s Children’s Film Festival Seattle, Rainbow Roar features celebrate beautiful and complex stories of identity and diversity, featuring those who live fiercely in their authentic selves, reject stereotypes, and reach out to others who respect and affirm their journeys.

Children’s Film Festival Seattle (February

27 to March 8) is an annual cinematic extravaganza that celebrates the best and brightest in international films for children, including animation, feature length films, short films, and hands-on workshops. CFFS provides a joyous and dynamic setting that cultivates intergenerational relationships and inspires younger generations to participate as agents of change in their local and global communities. Details at childrensfilmfestivalseattle.org.

August 3-7: Reel Queer Youth Summer Camps Reel Queer Youth (RQY) is a video production and media literacy training for LGBTQ+ youth and allies ages 13-20.

Offering training in professional cameras and editing equipment, youth will then work in small groups to create a finished documentary or narrative project. Details forthcoming!

May 7-10: 15th Annual Translations Seattle’s Transgender Film Festival Opening Night screening and party and May 9 workshops at Northwest Film Forum. All other programs and screenings at Gay City: Seattle’s LGBTQ Center.

Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s Translations Seattle Transgender Film Festival is a groundbreaking film festival that provides the Pacific Northwest with a venue for films by, for, and about transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse people and the issues facing the community. In its 15th year, Translations places its emphasis on visibility and positive representations. Programs forthcoming!

August 20: Eden Garden Party

May 28-30: “And Then I Got Fired: On Being Trans, Unemployed & Surviving” Curated by J Mase III & Presented by Gay City: Seattle’s LGBTQ Center For the second year in a row, “And Then I Got Fired” gives space for Trans Artists of Color to share the reality of (un)employment for Trans people. Through performance and stories, the show addresses the various ways Trans folks get shut out of 9 to 5 work and still make a living. Each night, performers spit poems, share stories, and dance on the graves of broken promises from the mainstream LGBTQ communities.

May 29-31: Sovereign Festival 2020 Produced by Earth Pearl Collective & Presented at Northwest Film Forum Sovereign, Seattle’s First Black Queer One Womyn Show Festival, highlights the multifaceted talents of black queer womyn.

Earth Pearl Collective takes their one womyn tribute show to the next level by creating a full festival in 2020! One womyn shows from queer womyn of color will take the stage, presenting previews, viewings, and talkbacks with featured multidisciplinary artists.

October 15-25: 25th Annual Seattle Queer Film Festival Opening and Closing Night at SIFF Egyptian All other programs and screenings at Northwest Film Forum Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s flagship program, Seattle Queer Film Festival, has been part of the Greater Seattle LGBTQ2+ community and beyond since 1996 when it was known as the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival and has become the largest festival of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. The festival has garnered national recognition for showcasing extraordinary and awardwinning work. The festival is an important event in Seattle where the community gathers for films, education programs, events, and panel discussions, and people have a venue to express their creativity through film and video.

OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS Saturday, April 4 – TDBC 25th Anniversary at Sodo Park “Out of the Celluloid Closet!” – Three Dollar Bill Cinema 25th Anniversary Gala: Dinner & Auction Join Three Dollar Bill Cinema as they celebrate 25 years of queer cinema in Seattle with their annual 2020 gala theme, “Out of the Celluloid Closet!” Come as your favorite queer TV or movie character for an evening celebration at Sodo Park!

Friday, April 30 – NWFF Annual Gala at Washington Hall “LEVEL UP”– Northwest Film Forum’s Annual Gala 2020 Ready yourself for LEVEL UP, NWFF’s veritable sit-down rager of an annual gala, as we regale you with some of our most pro-

found revelations of 2020 and fond remembrances from the past quarter-century! Come feast with us as we reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and… play video games at Washington Hall. We’ve grown from 16 bits to 64 – from VHS, DigiBeta, and 35mm to 4K – and from Wiggly World Studios (our original name, in 1995) to Northwest Film Forum, as you now know us.

ABOUT GAY CITY: SEATTLE’S LGBTQ CENTER 2020 marks Gay City’s 25th year of building resilience and joy in LGBTQ communities. We are the leading HIV/STI tester in King County, and provide 100+ resources and a space for our LGBTQ people to grow, thrive, and be authentically themselves...a place to be you. Our mission is to cultivate access and connections to promote self-determination, liberation and joy in our communities. gaycity.org ABOUT NORTHWEST FILM FORUM Founded in Seattle in 1995 as an independent film and arts nonprofit, Northwest Film Forum incites public dialogue and creative action through collective cinematic experiences. Each year the Forum presents hundreds of films, festivals, community events, multidisciplinary performances, and public discussions. As a comprehensive visual media organization, the Forum offers educational workshops and artist services for film and media makers at all stages of their development. nwfilmforum.org ABOUT THREE DOLLAR BILL CINEMA Three Dollar Bill Cinema strengthens, connects, and reflects diverse communities three queer film and media. We provide access to films by, for, and about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people and their families, and a forum for LGBTQ+ filmmakers to share and discuss their work with audiences. threedollarbillcinema.org Courtesy of Gay City

Visit us online at www.sgn.org 6 Seattle Gay News

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Celebrating 46 Years!

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Celebrating 46 Years!

HRC president on Bloomberg’s apology for transphobic comments

Mike Bloomberg – Photo by Yana Paskova / Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC (February 27, 2020) – Earlier today, NewNowNext exclusively reported that [former] New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg apologized for his transphobic comments in two videos released over the course of the last month.

Last week, HRC President Alphonso David called on Mayor Bloomberg to apologize for those statements and engage with community leaders to understand the impact of his words. In response to the mayor’s apology, David […] issued the following statement: “The HRC called on Mayor Bloomberg to apologize, and we are glad he did.

He took the time to engage members of the transgender community, and it’s heartening that he has realized his comments were unacceptable. Today, Mayor Bloomberg and his campaign rededicated themselves to pursuing a safer, more inclusive future

MIKE ANDREW continued from cover

One thing you could do is consult the HRC’s presidential candidate questionnaire.

You can find it at www.hrc.org/election2020.

The HRC asked the candidates 18 questions, the first 14 dealing with LGBTQ issues, plus four more about intersectional issues affecting many marginalized communities.

Candidates responded in interesting – and characteristic – ways. Elizabeth Warren, as you might expect, has a plan for that.

Bernie wants to build a movement that is not divided up by race, gender, or sexual orientation. Joe Biden highlights the accomplishments of the Obama administration.

One candidate you won’t be able to read about is Tulsi Gabbard. She apparently chose to ignore the questionnaire.

“The Human Rights Campaign sent our questionnaire to all Democratic presidential candidates earlier this year,” the group explains on its website.

“Unfortunately, we did not receive responses from Tulsi Gabbard ahead of publication. Should she send a response, we will update the site accordingly. Deval Patrick and Andrew Yang sent responses but are not included because they have since

HRC

continued from cover LGBTQ equality than any field in history, recognizing that LGBTQ voters and proequality allies are a crucial constituency to court.

The release of candidate questionnaire responses is a crucial step in the Human Rights Campaign’s endorsement process.

The HRC asked 16 questions on topics ranging from the Equality Act to health care, and from conversion therapy to immigration reform.

For the first time, the questionnaire asks the candidates for their plans to address the epidemic of violence facing transgender and gender-nonconforming people, especially Black trans women. Since 2013, over 150 transgender and gender-nonconforming people, almost entirely Black transgender women, have been killed. The HRC strongly believes that the federal government is uniquely poised to address this national problem.

“LGBTQ people are among the most politically engaged constituencies in the country, and Democratic presidential candidates are taking notice. The more than 11 million LGBTQ voters and 57 million Equality Voters – LGBTQ voters and our allies – are crucial members of the intersectional coalition that will oust President

Tulsi Gabbard – Photo by Sean Rayford / Getty Images

for the LGBTQ community, and for transgender people specifically.

“Our focus, alongside all the pro-equality candidates, remains on mobilizing the 57 million Equality Voters around the country to defeat Donald Trump and Mike Pence and reverse their administration’s many attacks on our community.”

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 “During her run for state legislature in 2002, Gabbard told the Honolulu StarBulletin, ‘Working with my father, Mike Gabbard, and others to pass a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage, I learned that real leaders are willing to make personal sacrifices for the common good. I will bring that attitude of public service to the legislature.’

“The quote, which CNN’s KFile found during a review of Gabbard’s early career, shows how closely she aligned herself with her father’s mission at the time,” the CNN report continues.

“Gabbard’s father ran the Alliance for Traditional Marriage, a political action committee aimed at opposing pro-gay lawmakers and legislation that organized and spent more than $100,000 to pass an amendment in 1998 that gave the Hawaii state legislature power to ‘reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples.’ The amendment to the state’s constitution passed.”

Gabbard released a video after the CNN report aired apologizing for her past views and statements about LGBTQ people, and work for anti-gay groups.

She did not participate in the HRC’s review of Democratic presidential candidates, however.

suspended their campaigns.”

The lack of a response from Gabbard is interesting in light of her past association with anti-LGBTQ groups run by her father, Mike Gabbard.

In January 2019, CNN aired a story

about Tulsi’s work in the political groups Mike led, including an effort to ban samesex marriages in Hawaii.

“Gabbard’s past positions can be traced back to the early 2000s, when she first sought public office,” CNN said.

Trump in November,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “Throughout his administration, Trump has attacked LGBTQ people at every opportunity. From eliminating access to necessary health care to actively supporting discrimination in the workplace, Trump has put LGBTQ rights at risk.

Our community is looking for a leader that understands the challenges we face each and every day and has substantive, realistic plans to overcome them. The TrumpPence administration must be stopped, and the HRC will work nationwide through November to ensure that they are.”

The HRC sent questionnaires to all Democratic presidential candidates earlier this year. It received questionnaires from Vice President Joe Biden, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Bernie Sanders, businessman Tom Steyer, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. It did not receive responses from Rep. Tulsi Gabbard ahead of publication.

Should her campaign send responses, we will update the website accordingly. Gov. Deval Patrick and businessman Andrew Yang sent responses but are not included in our public release or website because they have since suspended their campaigns.

Over the last two years, the TrumpPence administration has rescinded key protections for transgender students, appointed two new conservative justices to the Supreme Court, banned transgender

troops from serving openly in the military, and repeatedly sought to allow discrimination against LGBTQ people in health care, housing, public accommodations, and other aspects of life under the guise of “religious freedom.” Despite campaigning on a promise to be a “friend” to the LGBTQ community, President Trump designated Mike Pence as his vice president and has refused to advance bipartisan federal civil rights legislation – the Equality Act – which overwhelmingly passed through the US House of Representatives this spring.

These issues are of crucial importance to LGBTQ voters and allies. Today, there are an estimated minimum of 11 million LGBTQ voters nationwide – along with millions of parents, siblings, friends, colleagues, and allies – who will play a decisive role in the 2020 election. Since 2016, the HRC has identified more than 57 million “Equality Voters” nationwide who prioritize LGBTQ-inclusive policies, including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

LGBTQ voters cast ballots in higher numbers than the general population in the 2018 midterm elections. LGBTQ voters cast more than 7 million ballots in all – a turnout of roughly 70%, compared to a turnout of 49% among the general population – and comprised 6% of the entire

electorate, despite representing 4.5% of the voting-age population.

In the 2018 midterms, the HRC helped register more than 32,000 voters and recruited more than 4,200 volunteers, who worked over 8,500 shifts and clocked more than 30,000 volunteer hours. In the critical final four days of the campaign, HRC staff and volunteers in get-out-the-vote efforts alone knocked on more than 80,000 doors and held 36,400 conversations with voters at their doors and by phone on behalf of our endorsed candidates. The HRC’s unprecedented grassroots mobilization represented an investment of approximately $26 million to recruit volunteers, mobilize constituents, register voters, and grow the organization’s grassroots army in an all-out effort to pull the emergency brake on the hateful anti-LGBTQ agenda of the Trump-Pence administration and elect a Congress that would hold them accountable.

February 28, 2020

Seattle Gay News 11

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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

12 Seattle Gay News

February 28, 2020

Celebrating 46 Years!

NEW SURVEY: Majority of active-duty servicemembers opposed the Transgender military ban WASHINGTON, DC (February 26, 2020) – Today, the Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) – the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing fairness and equality for the LGBTQ military and veteran community – responded to new survey results released by the University of California, Los Angeles, that reveals the far majority of active duty servicemembers oppose the Trump-Pence transgender military ban. Funded by the Department of Defense, the survey of 486 active-duty, nontransgender servicemembers from the four major branches of the US military found an overwhelming 66% support an inclusive policy.

“What really matters for military service is whether or not you are capable and qualified to serve – not your gender identity.

This survey shows that the far majority of servicemembers know this to be true,” said MMAA interim executive director and Air Force veteran Jennifer Dane. “The excuses used to try and justify Trump’s transgender military ban have been proven wrong time and time again. It’s time this administration abandon discrimination and start supporting all of the brave American patriots who serve our nation – including those who happen to be transgender.”

Researchers stated, “Findings indicate

lifted given these data.”

In Karnoski v. Trump, the MMAA and Lambda Legal are challenging the constitutionality of the Trump-Pence administration’s transgender military ban. The lawsuit represents six currently serving members of the armed services; three who seek to enlist; the American Military Partner Association (now part of the MMAA); the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organization; and Gender Justice League, a gender and sexuality civil and human rights organization, headquartered in Seattle.

More than 70% of the general public are also opposed to the transgender military ban.

Photo courtesy of MMAA

broad support for transgender military service across all four branches of the military and military ranks, with some statistically significant differences in support emerging by gender, sexual orientation, and race/ ethnicity. Results suggest that the ban, in

part, based on a belief that transgender service members degrade unit readiness, contradicts our findings of broad support for transgender service among active duty service members. Policies limiting transgender service in the US military should be

The Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization for LGBTQ service members, military spouses, veterans, and allies. Created through the merger of OutServe-SLDN and the American Military Partner Association, the MMAA is a united voice for the LGBTQ military and veteran community. Find out more at www.

ModernMilitary.org.

Courtesy of the MMAA

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights rules Jamaica’s “buggery” law incompatible with American Convention on Human Rights NEW YORK (February 27, 2020) – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) ruled yesterday that Jamaica’s colonial-era ban on same-sex relations, known as the “anti-buggery” law, is incompatible with the American Convention on Human Rights. The Commission recommended that the law be repealed and instructed the country to pay reparations to the plaintiffs in the case.

Same-sex relations have been criminalized in Jamaica since colonial times under the Offences Against the Person Act, which prescribes a prison or hard labor sentence of up to 10 years. While the law has rarely been enforced in recent years, its continued existence has perpetuated pervasively negative societal attitudes and demonized LGBTIQ people.

Jessica Stern, executive director of OutRight Action International, commented, “I am thrilled that the IACHR has reaffirmed that criminalization of same-sex relations is wholly incompatible with basic human rights standards. I urge Jamaican authorities to comply with and ensure full implementation of the commission’s recommendations, so that they translate into real change for LGBTIQ people.”

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is a principal and autonomous organ of the Organization of American States [and] aims to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere. The decision adopted by the commission remains confidential for the time being, giving Jamaica time to implement its recommendations. While the decision is specific to Jamaica, the body is a regional one and therefore could have implications across the Caribbean region.

Neish McLean, Caribbean Program

Photo courtesy of OutRight Action International

Officer at OutRight Action International, commented, “The decision of the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights will be felt beyond the borders of Jamaica.

Over half the countries in the Caribbean region continue to criminalize same-sex relations. The subsequent actions of Jamaican authorities, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, could have a significant ripple effect for decriminalization of same-sex relations across the Caribbean, setting a precedent which would be difficult to ignore.”

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Challenges to laws criminalizing samesex relations are also pending in Dominica [and] St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights concerning the law banning same-sex relations in Barbados.

OutRight Action International works at a global, regional, and national level to eradicate the persecution, inequality, and violence lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) people face around the world. From its offices in

February 28, 2020

seven countries and headquarters in New York, OutRight builds capacity of LGBTIQ movements, documents human rights violations, advocates for inclusion and equality, and holds leaders accountable for protecting the rights of LGBTIQ people everywhere. OutRight has recognized consultative status at the United Nations.

Courtesy of OutRight Action International

Seattle Gay News 13

HOME SERVICES HEALTH SERVICES

RELIGIOUS SERVICES St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Welcomes LGBTQ Community Members!

Join us for Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m. that is sign language interpreted or Wednesday service at 6 p.m.

2702 Broadway E. Seattle, WA 98102 · www.stpatrickseattle.org

14 Seattle Gay News

February 28, 2020

Celebrating 46 Years!

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