SGN August 23, 2019 - Section 1

Celebrating 45 Years!

Issue 34 Volume 47

FRIDAY August 23, 2019 FREE!

25¢ in bookstores & newsstands

24th annual Seattle Queer Film Festival unveils gala night films SEC 2 PG 1

Romantic Vita & Virginia an empathetic journey of understanding SEC 2 PG 1

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

Only some Trans military personnel have standing to sue, judge says

No standing if you’re still in the military

Photo by Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty Images

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Transgender people who have been barred from serving in the US military

because of the Trump administration’s Transgender troops ban do have standing to sue, according to a federal court ruling on August 20.

see TRANS MILITARY page 11

Log Cabin Republicans endorse Trump re-election, then implode

SGN EXCLUSIVE:

Event founder Stacy Bass-Walden previews 5th Annual Alki Beach PRIDE August 25

Stacy Bass-Walden (l) with Mike Evans and last year’s performer, Lakin – Photo by MK Scott

by MK Scott SGN Contributing Writer ALKI BEACH PRIDE Sunday, August 25

Log Cabin Republicans (LCR), a group for LGBT people who identify with the Republican Party, endorsed Donald

Trump’s re-election on August 15 – and was promptly hit with a wave of resignations, both from leadership and rank-andfile members.

see LOG CABIN page 11

see ALKI BEACH PRIDE page 5

SGN EXCLUSIVE:

OUT “American Idol” alum DeAndre Brackensick returns to Alki Beach PRIDE

Photo by Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty Images

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Sunday, August 25, will mark the 5th Annual Alki Beach PRIDE at the Beach.

From 11am to 6pm join performers, eat food and hang out at the beach. Hosted by

DeAndre Brackensick – Photo by MK Scott

by MK Scott SGN A&E Writer ALKI BEACH PRIDE Sunday, August 25

Sunday, August 25, will mark the 5th Annual Alki Beach PRIDE at the Beach.

From 11am to 6pm join performers, eat food and hang out at the beach. Hosted by

see BRACKENSICK page 5

2 Seattle Gay News

August 23, 2019

Celebrating 45 Years!

Seattle Gay News 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

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

Virginia Mason named a leader in serving LGBTQ individuals

Cartoonist Ken Campbell Calendar Editor Rick McKinnon Classifieds Rick McKinnon Photographers Nate Gowdy • Joseph P. Herron MK Scott • James Whitely Production Mike Pham Website Designer Barry Thorsness / Digital Team Works Seattle Gay News is published by Frogs and Ink, Inc. © 2018. Frogs and Ink, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reprints by permission.

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.

Opinions expressed in bylined articles, columns, and letters are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or management of this paper.

Seattle Gay News welcomes unsolicited material, including letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit or reject material. All rights revert to authors upon publication.

We assume no liability for loss or damage of materials, solicited or not. We invite feedback, please write.

And please play safe.

It is our policy that no money shall be refunded if you choose to cancel your ad. Credit will be given for the balance owed.

No exceptions.

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

Photo courtesy of Virginia Mason

Virginia Mason Medical Center is designated as a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality in the 2019 Healthcare Equality Index (https://www.hrc.org/hei) released August 16, 2019.

The medical center earned the top score of 100 in this year’s survey, a project of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). (https://www.hrc.org/hrc-story/hrcfoundation) The survey scores organizations on criteria such as non-discrimination and staff training; LGBTQ and transgender patient services and support; and community outreach that supports equitable treatment and inclusion for LGBTQ individuals.

“Receiving the highest score possible in the Healthcare Equality Index sur-

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vey reflects the commitment across our organization to providing quality care for every one and treating all individuals with respect,” said Charleen Tachibana, senior vice president for Quality and Safety and chief nursing officer at Virginia Mason.

Virginia Mason is a leading provider of Transgender Health Care services in the Puget Sound region. (https://www.virginiamason.org/transgender-health) The Healthcare Equality Index is the national benchmarking tool that evaluates health care facilities’ policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees.

The survey evaluates more than 1,600 health care facilities nationwide and is

conducted annually by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation – the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people.

In the 2019 report, a total of 406 facilities earned the “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation, receiving the maximum score in each section and earning an overall score of 100. Another 148 facilities earned the “Top Performer” designation for scoring from 80 to 95 points.

August 23, 2019

Seattle Gay News 3

Courtesy of Virginia Mason Medical Center

King County LGBTQ+ 2020 Census Coalition receives $50,000 Greetings!

We got $50,000 for the LGBTQ+ 2020 Census Coalition!

This is an historic moment in King County where 8 organizations (LGBTQ Allyship, Entre Hermanos, U.T.O.P.I.A., Gender Justice League, Alliance of People with Disabilities, GSBA, Q-Law and Peer Seattle) have come together to increase the count of LGBTQ marginalized community members in King County.

Being counted in the 2020 Census for LGBTQ+ residents means access to needed services, increased funding for LGBTQ culturally competent services, as well as educational, employment, housing and

medical representation around LGBTQ+ issues. And, of course, it means stronger civic representation at the local, regional and state level.

This growing LGBTQ+ Census Coalition will launch a website, hold free LGBTQ+ culturally competent Census trainings and 2 educational events in South King County.

If you are interested in volunteering around Queer the Census activities please email us at info@allyship.org.

Our coalition was in good company as awardees of the Seattle Foundation, King County, and City of Seattle partnership that created the Regional Census Fund. Other awardees included:

• Asian Counseling and Referral Service • Byrd Barr Place • Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC) • Cierra Sisters • Coalition of Immigrants, Refugees and Communities of Color (CIRCC) • Eastside Refugee and Immigrant Coalition • Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center (HSDC) • India Association of Western Washington • Khmer Community of Seattle King County • Lake City Collective • Latin Empire of Seattle

• MAPS (Muslim Association of Puget Sound-MCRC (Muslim Community Resource Center) • Mujer Al Volante/Women Driving • Restore Assemble Produce • Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority • Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness • Somali Health Board • South Park Senior Citizens • United Indians of All Tribes Foundation • West African Community Council Courtesy of LGBTQ Allyship

Swedish Hospital health care workers rally for safe staffing

Jeffery Schellenberger (l) and fellow 1199 members – Photos courtesy of Mike Andrew

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Health care workers at all Swedish Hospital locations held informational picketing on August 22, climaxing in a huge rally in front of the Swedish First Hill campus at 747 Broadway.

Swedish Hospital workers, represented

by SEIU 1199NW, are in contract negotiations with their employer, the Providence Hospital Group, which purchased Swedish a decade ago.

The union says the most serious issues they have with the employer are safe staffing, overtime protections, recruitment and retention, racial equity, and quality patient care for their community.

Union sources told the SGN that thousands of their members participated in picketing, and most of them converged on the First Hill location for an evening rally.

According to Jeffery Schellenbarger, a member of the union bargaining team,

4 Seattle Gay News

union members felt they had to stage a mass public protest because “management has refused to move on any proposal that would benefit anyone other than themselves.”

Schellenbarger has been a Swedish employee for three years and nine months, working in the nutrition services department. SGN readers might also know him under the drag name “Shelley Burger.”

The frustrating thing about the drawnout contract negotiations, Schellenbarger explained, is that hospital management seems concerned only about profitability, not the welfare of patients and the people who care for them.

“For them, everything comes down to economics,” he told the SGN. “And yet they have several billion dollars in assets, and their CEO gave himself a 157% raise. I’d like a 157% raise.”

“I left Starbucks to work at Swedish,” Schellenbarger continued, “because I wanted to do good. I don’t want to work to make somebody rich. Swedish is supposed

August 23, 2019

to be a not-for-profit corporation, but they never talk about anything but profitability.

“Every time we come to the bargaining table with a proposal, all we hear from them is ‘It’s not profitable.’

“It would be so simple for them to prioritize patients, to prioritize the community.

But they don’t.”

According to Schellenbarger and SEIU organizers, Swedish management has short-staffed the hospital to the point that patient safety is at risk. Management has cut staff to the bone, the union says, forcing fewer staff to care for more patients.

Ironically, Schellenbarger said, Swedish management wants to cut back on hospital workers’ health care.

“They want to raise our medical rates,” he told the SGN. “They say it’s become too expensive, but that’s nonsensical. We get our health care from the hospital. If it’s too expensive, it’s because they charge too much. They set the rates. They’re choosing to make it that expensive.”

“They even want to get rid of paid sick days,” Schellenbarger continued. “Really.

If we can’t get paid for sick days, people will come to work sick, and that will harm the patients.”

While he’s frustrated with management’s intransigence, Schellenbarger says he likes the work.

“I like the patients,” he explained. “I come into their room, and even if I’m only there for a minute or two, they light up.

“We get people at the worst times in their lives. We should be able to give them our best. We want to.”

Swedish workers have so far lined up considerable support. Rep. Adam Smith, state Sen. Rebecca Saldana, and state Rep. Nicole Macri spoke at the August 22 rally, as did Nicole Grant, executive secretary of MLK Labor – the county central labor council – and Phyllis Compano, president of the SEA teachers’ union.

Celebrating 45 Years!

ALKI BEACH PRIDE continued from cover

La Saveona Hunt with music by DJ Fred Eddison, Team Assassin Sound (Tecknikally Savvy + DJ Pashion), and DJ Mixx America plus LIVE ENTERTAINMENT featuring: CarLarans, Izohnny, Kristy Stray, and a returning DeAndre Brackensick (w/Jenn Wright).

I had a chance to chat with the event founder Stacy Bass-Walden about this weekend’s event.

MK Scott: Congrats! Last year’s Alki Beach PRIDE (ABP) was wonderful. What do you have planned this year?

Stacy Bass-Walden: I have been a busy bee this year. New this year ABP will have food trucks attending, to satisfy the beach goers’ taste buds. We also have a wonderful lineup of All LGBTQ entertainment.

And also new this yearm directly after the event ends at 7pm, we’ve added two options to keep the festivities going: Option 1 – After Party across the beach at Alki Beach Pub (2722 Alki Ave SW) starting at 6pm – must be 21+.

Option 2 – Movie on the Beach. We are excited that our ally neighbors are graciously setting up movies on the beach at dusk. Moana will be showing. So bring your warm beach blankets and sleeping bags. Cozy up to the bonfire and enjoy the movie Moana at Alki Beach PRIDE. MK: My pal, DeAndre is coming back as a headliner. What impressed you the most about him from last year?

SB-W: What impressed me the most?

What can I say? DeAndre is a phenominal singer/song writer. ABP folks will experience the soulful vibe DeAndre brings.

When I hear him sing I can’t sit still. And when he hits those high notes ... watch out ’cause those folks who are sitting or in the middle of a conversation will stop what they’re doing and rush the stage. His voice

Photo by MK Scott

commands attention. And we are honored that he has agreed to join us again. Seattle is in for a REAL treat!

MK: Any more surprises this year?

SB-W: Movies on the beach. Who knows…? Maybe even a surprise celebrity pop-up!!!

MK: Who would your dream headliner be?

SB-W: Hmmm, who would my dream headliner be…? Well, if budget wasn’t an issue, I’d say Chaka Khan with JANELLE MONAE. EPIC!!! (drops mic) The 5th Annual Alki Beach PRIDE will be hosted by La Saveona Hunt with music

by DJ Fred Eddison, Team Assassin Sound (Tecknikally Savvy + DJ Pashion), and DJ Mixx America plus LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: CarLarans, Izohnny, Kristy Stray, and a returning DeAndre Brackensick (w/ Jenn Wright).

The full schedule is as follows: DJ Lineup All Day 11am-1pm DJ Edison 1pm-3pm Team Assassin Sound (Tecknikally Savvy + DJ Pashion) 3pm-6pm DJ Mixx America (will cue artists’ tracks during performances)

Live Performances 2pm - Welcome/Open (Cheer Seattle) 2:15pm - La Saveona #1 (10 min) 2:30pm - Kristy Stray (20 min) 3pm - La Saveona #2 (10 min) 3:15pm - Izohnny (15 min) Part 1 3:45 pm - Break for Audience Participation portion (Twerk and Lipsync Contest) (20 min) 4:15pm - Izohnny (15 min) Part 2 4:45pm - CarLarans (20 min) 5:15pm - La Saveona #3 (10 min) 5:30 pm - DeAndre Brackensick/Jenn Wright (Jroc) (45 min) MK Scott is a Seattle-based arts blogger and publisher of uniteseattlemag.com

BRACKENSICK continued from cover

La Saveona Hunt with music by DJ Fred Eddison, Team Assassin Sound (Tecknikally Savvy + DJ Pashion), and DJ Mixx America plus LIVE ENTERTAINMENT featuring: CarLarans, Izohnny, Kristy Stray, and a returning DeAndre Brackensick (w/Jenn Wright).

Following is my interview with Brackensick that ran in the Seattle Gay News last year on July 20, 2018 ahead of DeAndre Brackensick’s first appearance at Alki Beach PRIDE: From 2009 to 2012, I was proud of my work as being the only NW LGBT media to cover the American Idol tour. It was 2012 at the Key Arena, where I met DeAndre Brackensick. I could tell there was something magic about him. He had lots of passion when talking about his gay fans and that he had family that were gay and that he grew up around lots of drag queens. So, I was still surprised when he confirmed that he is bisexual. I could find no mention of this on line, just a short-term relationship with Season 11 runner up, Jessica Sanchez.

Despite this revelation, I managed to ask the heartthrob, now 23, some questions (by email on July 17) about performing this weekend.

MK Scott: DeAndre, we met about 6 years ago on the “America Idol” tour, at the Key Arena and it was a joint interview with Elise Testone. What have been doing in the last 6 years?

DeAndre Brackensick: Ahh beautiful! I remember that interview! Hope you’re well! I’ve been working a lot the past 6 years, went to college in Hawaii, have been traveling singing, spent the last year living in Melbourne Australia recording my album Black Denim that just released. And plan on touring that for the next year!

MK: So you are coming to the Alki Pride Beach Party this Saturday. What is planned?

Lakin and DeAndre Brackensick – Photo by MK Scott

DeAndre: I’ll be at Alki Pride singing a set mixed with originals and covers and just enjoying the day and being around beautiful people.

MK: What does Pride mean to you?

DeAndre: Pride is an important time to me, being part of the LGBTQ community.

It’s a time for me to reflect and remember who I am and it is to be celebrated not only for this month but the whole year. Even though we have progressed in the world, it’s still hard to be LGBTQ. There’s still little kids out there and adults with no support from family, public bullying, even homeless because of who they are. So I think Pride is necessary to show not only the world, but

Visit us online www.sgn.org

most of all our community, that it’s okay to love and live and we’ll always have a place in the world .

MK: What part of the LGBTQ community do you identify as?

DeAndre: I identify as bisexual.

MK: WOW! Single or attached?

DeAndre: Yes, I’m single.

MK: In 2012, you mentioned J-Lo was huge a supporter of yours. Do you still keep in touch?

DeAndre: Unfortunately, me and J-Lo don’t keep in touch, but I still love her lol.

MK: Also in 2012, you revealed that you had a connection to the LGBTQ community through your lesbian aunt and being

raised around drag queens. Do you have any celeb drag queens that you follow?

DeAndre: And, yesm my aunty is happily married to her wife since last year July, still goin’ strong, and yes, I do have a few celeb drag queens that follow me, my girl, Adore Delano, Delta Work , trinity k Bonet and Coco Montrese.

MK: What is next for you?

DeAndre: What’s next for me is I’m getting my album tour dates set up and sharing my music with the world.

August 23, 2019

Seattle Gay News 5

See DeAndre at the 5th Annual Alki Beach PRIDE this year on Sunday, August 25, from 11am-6pm. FREE.

see ads below for location

6 Seattle Gay News

August 23, 2019

Celebrating 45 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

August 23, 2019

Seattle Gay News 7

8 Seattle Gay News

August 23, 2019

Celebrating 45 Years!

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August 23, 2019

Seattle Gay News 9

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Celebrating 45 Years!

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal statement on Trump Administration’s attempts to undermine Flores Settlement WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today [August 21, 2019], Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) issued the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s proposal to withdraw from the Flores Settlement Agreement, a critically important long-standing policy that protects immigrant children.

The administration’s proposed rule would expand the ability of the Department of Homeland Security to jail families in poor conditions and dismantle decadeslong protections for children that were established under the Flores Settlement.

“These proposed changes show that the President has learned absolutely nothing from the outrage that exploded across the country at his zero-humanity family separation policy and his ongoing policies that put children in cages,” said Rep. Jayapal.

“Indefinitely detaining children in jails is unconscionable – children and families escaping violence and seeking a better life simply should not be imprisoned in facilities, many of which do not even provide adequate medical care or basic hygiene. Trump’s proposals are reprehensible, unnecessary and show a blatant disregard for the well-being of children – all

for the purpose of trying to score political points by playing to a diminishing part of his base that thrives on the scapegoating of immigrants. Americans across this country should remember their own immigrant histories, and the values that define this nation.

We cannot expect to lead the world on human rights when we violate them within our own borders with the most vulnerable – children. This administration has repeatedly shown it is absolutely unwilling to put forward any proposals that actually address the plight of families that seek refuge across our southern border. It has buoyed a for-profit detention system that benefits

from the detention of children and families at the expense of basic rights, health and safety. Congress must act by passing comprehensive legislation, like my Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, to transform our detention system and protect immigrant children and families. Welcoming newcomers is foundational to our country – we should protect and expand the ability of families to seek refuge from violence and treat every person with dignity and respect regardless of their status.”

TRANS MILITARY

In his decision, Russell said that the Pentagon policy was based on Trans status and not a medical condition.

“By its plain language, then, the [Trump administration’s policy] discriminates on the basis of transgender status,” Russell wrote.

“In addition the plan categorically bars transgender individuals who have transitioned to their preferred gender – a recommended treatment to alleviate the distress dysphoria causes.”

Josh Block, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer representing the plaintiffs, said in a statement that “this is a victory for our clients who want the opportunity to serve their country openly and freely in our armed forces.

“We will continue to hold the government accountable for their attempts to ban trans people from the military and shut down judicial review of the policy” Trump administration lawyers had asked that the lawsuit be dismissed. It is one of several suits challenging the Pentagon’s policy banning Trans people from enlisting or serving in the military.

Trump’s policy went into effect April 12, jeopardizing the livelihood of what is estimated to be thousands of Trans military personnel. From April 12, any out Trans person serving in the military was to be discharged, forcing them to suppress their identity.

The military will not currently pay for any gender confirmation surgeries, except

for those necessary to “protect the health” of people who have begun to transition.

After April 12, people enlisting in the armed services have to present as their assigned birth gender in order to serve.

A doctor must certify that they have been “stable” in that gender for at least 36 months, and that they have not medically transitioned. No person who has had any gender confirmation surgeries will be allowed to enlist.

According to the Palm Center, a public policy think tank attached to the University of California at Santa Barbara, about 13,700 people may lose their jobs under the Trump policy.

continued from cover

The judge’s ruling allows the court challenge against Pentagon policy banning Trans troops to go forward.

US district judge George Russell said that Trans men and women who would otherwise be eligible for military service but were barred from serving could proceed with their challenge to the Pentagon’s partial ban.

However, Russell also said that five of the six original plaintiffs in the case could not proceed with the lawsuit, because they had been able to remain in the military and therefore had suffered no harm to their careers.

Jennifer Horn – Photo by Matt Rourke / AP

LOG CABIN

continued from cover LCR chair Robert Kabel and vice-chair Jill Homan announced the endorsement in an op-ed in the Washington Post, praising Trump for his “commitments to the United States, including taking bold actions that benefit the LGBTQ community.”

By Monday, August 19, the LCR was rocked by denunciations by its own members.

Jennifer Horn, who has sat on the board of the group for years, announced August 19 that she could no longer serve a group that endorses the subjugation of her own community and other minority groups.

“He will divide and damage and destroy this country in any manner he thinks he need to advance his own political power,” Horn told MSNBC anchor Chris Hayes.

“But it’s not just the LGBTQ community this president targets,” she added.

“When we look at immigrants, people – anyone that he thinks he can somehow use to anger his base – he doesn’t care if he has to divide on racial lines, on ethnic lines, on educational lines.”

Horn was soon joined by Robert Turner, former chair of the LCR’s Washington DC chapter. Turner’s resignation was announced on social media.

“It saddens me greatly to say that today, I am ending my association with Log Cabin Republicans, an organization I’ve been heavily involved with for the last decade – including serving as president of the DC chapter for three years,” he wrote.

“There are many great people still involved with the organization, and I hope they press on, but for me, there’s no more

Visit us online www.sgn.org

Photo by Patrick Semansky / AP

fight left. The national board’s endorsement of Trump, and their subsequent and hollow WaPo op-ed, is a step too far. And this leaves me sad.”

Jordan Evans, a Transgender municipal office holder, also left the group.

“There exist many of us who wish to see acceptance take root in the Republican Party,” Evans wrote in an op-ed for The Advocate. “However, with the news of our recent endorsement of President Trump for re-election, it seems that the ‘premier Republican organization for LGBTQ+ conservatives’ couldn’t care less about which form of acceptance qualifies as passable allyship and would instead willfully embrace an administration notorious for hollow words, fair-weather friends, and a seemingly endless number of cuts for us to endure.”

“This endorsement ignores the reality of what it means to be queer in our current political climate. It speaks more to a mentality of partisan tribalism than a sincere commitment to fostering inclusion within the Republican Party. With this endorsement, we turn a blind eye to the plights and fears of our colleagues in the queer movement and embrace an administration that has consistently antagonized the LGBTQ+ community through an endless array of rollbacks and rule changes.”

According to the Washington Post, the group is seeing a “mass exodus of Log Cabin Republicans” in the wake of their endorsement.

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Seattle Gay News 11

Congressman Adam Smith statement on Planned Parenthood and Title X WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) today [August 21, 2019] issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s new rules issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which would prohibit Title X grantees from providing

or referring patients for abortion, except in cases of rape, incest or medical emergency:

“The Trump administration forcing Planned Parenthood grantees out of Title X with a gag rule will impact women across the country.

“The Trump administration’s Title X rule change is a direct attack on Planned Parenthood and the access to health care that millions of women rely on. Reproductive choice and women’s health are being threatened due to the Trump administration’s deliberate attempt to reduce access to

birth control, cancer screenings, and limit the other crucial services the organization provides.

“I stand with Planned Parenthood to ensure the reproductive rights of all women are protected, and I will fight to keep their critical services in Title X.”

HRC releases annual Healthcare Equality Index, rates record 680 health care facilities on LGBTQ inclusion New HRC President Alphonso David to launch HEI as one of the first acts as president, underscoring HRC’s commitment to quality and inclusive health care for all As the Trump-Pence administration attempts to strip away explicit health care protections for transgender and gender non-conforming people, HRC highlights facilities committing to equality and the importance of health care free of bias WASHINGTON, DC – Today [August 16, 2019], the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) released its 12th annual Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) (https:// www.hrc.org/hei), which scores health care facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees. A record 680 health care facilities actively participated in this year’s survey, and, even as Trump-Pence continue their assault on LGBTQ-inclusive health care, 406 of them earned a top score of 100.

They received HRC’s coveted “Leader in LGBTQ Health Care Equality” designation.

In addition, the HRC Foundation proactively researched key policies at 1,000 non-participating hospitals across the nation.

“As the Trump-Pence administration continues to attack the most fundamental rights of LGBTQ people, including rolling back non-discrimination protections in the Affordable Care Act and promoting a license to discriminate in health care, it is more important than ever that health care institutions stand with the LGBTQ community,” said HRC President Alphonso David.

“The health care facilities that participate in HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index are making clear that they stand on the side of fairness and are committed to providing inclusive care to their LGBTQ patients.

Going beyond inclusive non-discrimination policies, these health care facilities are adopting best practices in the areas of LGBTQ patient care and support, employee policies and benefits, and LGBTQ patient and community engagement. We commend all of the HEI participants for their commitment to providing inclusive care for all.”

David will launch the HEI today in Columbus, Ohio, as part of his crosscountry tour. The #WeAreHRC tour marks David’s first official act as the head of the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights group and will highlight his priorities for the coming years, including passing the Equality Act, stopping the disturbing trend of anti-trans violence, expanding access to inclusive health care, ending the HIV and AIDS epidemic and electing pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot. Before serving as HRC’s president, David litigated precedent-setting civil rights cases across the nation affecting the LGBTQ community as well as those living with HIV and AIDS in health care settings.

The release of the 2019 HEI comes as

12 Seattle Gay News

Image courtesy of HRC

the comment period closes on a regulation proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that would strip away explicit health care protections on the basis of gender identity, effectively targeting transgender and gender non-conforming people’s access to critical care. Under the Obama administration, these landmark protections were added under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, the first time sex was covered as a protected characteristic in health care.

Despite these assaults on LGBTQ-inclusive health care from the highest offices in the land, HRC has and remains committed to ensuring that LGBTQ people have access to the best, most respectful and appropriate care.

The 12th edition of the HEI (https:// www.hrc.org/hei) assesses participants on four criteria: Non-Discrimination and Staff Training, Patient Services and Support, Employee Benefits and Policies, and Patient and Community Engagement.

In the 2019 report, an impressive 406 facilities earned HRC’s “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” designation, receiving the maximum score in each section and earning an overall score of 100. Another

August 23, 2019

148 facilities earned the “Top Performer” designation for scoring from 80 to 95 points. With 81% of participating facilities scoring 80 points or more, health care facilities are demonstrating concretely that they are going beyond the basics when it comes to adopting policies and practices in LGBTQ care.

The remarkable progress reflected in the 2019 HEI includes: • Over half of HEI participants now have written gender transition guidelines; • 75% of hospitals surveyed offer transinclusive benefits – an impressive eight percentage point increase over last year, and numbers that bring them on par with their corporate counterparts, as measured by HRC’s 2019 CEI; • A 35% increase in training hours recorded – clocking in at more than 94,000 hours of LGBTQ care training provided; • A 60% increase in the number of HEI participants whose electronic health records capture a patient’s sexual orientation, and • A 40% increase in the number of HEI

participants whose electronic health records capture a patient’s gender identity.

Of the 1,000 hospitals that didn’t actively participate in the HEI but were included based on HRC Foundation research, only 67% have patient non-discrimination policies that include both sexual orientation and gender identity, and only 62% were found to have an LGBTQ-inclusive employment non-discrimination policy. The equal visitation policy, in place at 90% of facilities that didn’t actively participate, is the only aspect in which this group comes close to matching the rate of the participating facilities.

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

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