SGN January 17, 2020 - Section 1

Celebrating 46 Years!

Issue 3 Volume 48

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Seattle Opera’s Eugene Onegin

Seattle Women’s Chorus starts the decade with Revolution 2020 SEC 2 PG 1

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Chairman Nadler statement on GAO decision that Trump violated the law by withholding Ukraine aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump on Sept. 25, 2019.

– Photo by Saul Loeb / AFP / Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC (January 16, 2020) – Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman and impeachment manager Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) released the following statement after the Government Accountability Office announced that President Donald Trump violated the law

when he withheld millions in military aid for Ukraine: “Today’s decision by the Government Accountability Office confirms what we already knew: the president broke the law

see NADLER page 13

Kshama Sawant debuts new plan to tax Amazon

Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant – Photo by Alex Garland / CapitolHillSeattle.com

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Newly reelected Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant held her inauguration ceremony at Washington Hall on January 13 and debuted her new plan to tax the city’s

mega-corporations – with Amazon topping the list.

“We need a clear and fearless message that will inspire working people and community members to come out and get

see KSHAMA SAWANT page 7

NJ court employee sues over Lambda Legal and ACLU urge federal court in Ohio to hostile work environment Suit charges racist, homophobic atmosphere strike down anti-Transgender birth certificate policy

Photo courtesy of Google

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A municipal court employee in Brick Township, New Jersey, has filed an employment discrimination lawsuit charging that court officials allowed a racist and homophobic atmosphere to develop in her workplace.

Sarah Fearon said in her court filing that co-workers regularly made homophobic remarks about fellow employees and members of the general public.

According to her lawsuit, filed January 10 in the Ocean County Superior Court,

see NEW JERSEY page 13

Original photo courtesy of City of Steubenville, OH

COLUMBUS, OH (January 16, 2019) – Today, Lambda Legal, the ACLU, and the ACLU of Ohio filed a motion for summary judgment in the Southern District of Ohio, asking the court to strike down the state’s policy prohibiting transgender people from correcting the gender marker on their birth certificates. The policy is discriminatory

and violates the plaintiffs’ constitutional rights to privacy, free speech, and equal protection.

“Identity documents such as birth certificates, are critical to everyday life,” said Kara Ingelhart, staff attorney for Lambda

see OHIO page 13

2 Seattle Gay News

January 17, 2020

Celebrating 46 Years!

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Seattle Gay News 3

GSBA recognizes excellence in workplace diversity & inclusion SEATTLE (January 16, 2019) – GSBA has announced the recipients and finalists of its annual business and humanitarian awards. Each year, GSBA honors small businesses, corporations, and business and community leaders who exemplify the highest standards of their profession, promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace, demonstrate leadership, visibly support the LGBTQ community, and invest time and resources into other communitywide causes.

“Celebrating success and philanthropy lifts us all up,” said Louise Chernin, president and CEO of GSBA. “Each year, at GSBA’s annual Business & Humanitarian Awards Dinner, we reflect back and honor those business and nonprofit leaders who run outstanding agencies and also give back to their communities. It takes courage, vision, and skill to open a business or lead an organization, and coming together to applaud that spirit, energizes us all to do more to enrich our lives and our community.”

On Thursday, February 13, 2020, GSBA will honor the following recipients and finalists at Thrive Together: The 39th Annual Business & Humanitarian Awards Dinner at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront.

New Business of the Year Thyme Well Spent Catering Chantel Jackson, owner Chef Chantel “The Lunch lady” Jackson is a native to Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood. Her culinary journey started in 2016 when she was tired of cooking under corporate companies, so she took a leap of faith and launched her private chef business – Thyme Well Spent, LLC – and also opened CJs Philly’s, a food truck business. This then led her to create her own curriculum on how to start a food truck business, which has been contracted through several colleges and programs across the state. Chef Jackson is in high demand in the PNW and has catered for companies, including Amazon, Facebook, Starbucks, and T-Mobile, among others.

Finalists: • Bahthoh, Bobbie Yanoupeth & Michael Sing • Lilith Tattoo, Jude Le Tronik • A Sensible Theatre Company, Paul Flanagan & Jared Michael Brown • The Lumber Yard Bar, Nathan Adams & Michale Adams-Farrar Business of the Year Wezee’s Plumbing Louise Hansen, owner Established in 2007, Wezee’s Plumbing was started by Louise Hansen, at the time owner of a Seattle-based general contracting company. Not being satisfied with what she saw from plumbers, Louise used her extensive plumbing experience to create the type of plumbing company she wanted to be working with. Louise Hansen has created a culture of compassion at Wezee’s and supports many community organizations, including Seattle Counseling Service and Camp Ten Trees.

Finalists: • Nuflours Bakery, Phebe Rossi & Kathryn Jenkins • Olympic Hot Tub, Don Riling Business Leader of the Year Nat Stratton-Clarke, owner of Café Flora, Floret, and the Flora Bakehouse In a crowded restaurant industry that does not prioritize inclusivity or sustainability, Nat Stratton-Clarke has modeled

Green Business of the Year Goldmine Jewelers Goldmine Design is a small workshop of fine artisan jewelers. For over 20 years, they have been making jewelry in their shop located steps from Pike Place Market.

They help translate their customers’ ideas and inspirations into beautiful and unique designs. Their designs are as individual and varied as their customers, and their design process has worked for 16,000+ pieces without making the same ring twice. They use 100% recycled precious metals and ethically sourced gemstones and diamonds.

Finalists • Soaring Heart Natural Bed Co., Michael Schaefer • Lumenomics, Marti Hoffer Special Recognition: Voice for International Social Justice OutRight Action International OutRight Action International, formerly IGLHRC (the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Organization), fights for the safety, dignity, freedom, and equality of LGBTIQ people around the world. In 71 countries, same sex relationships are illegal, with more than two billion people living in countries where being queer can result in arrest, incarceration, or even the death penalty (as evidenced by the recent enactment of the final phase of sharia law in Brunei). OutRight monitors and documents human rights violations, supports grassroots activists on the frontlines, and holds governments accountable.

his business to embody the values he holds close. Through the Café Flora family, he fosters a haven for vegetarians and vegans at the table, and as a transgender business owner has prioritized a safe, respectful, and diverse environment for guests and his 100+ employees. He continues to learn and develop opportunities to support LGBTQ folks, womxn, and people of color. He and his wife Erin are raising their two-year-old twins down the street from Café Flora in Madison Valley.

Finalists: • Jeff Pelletier, Board & Vellum • Danielle Hulton, Ada’s Technical Books & Café Corporate Leader of the Year Alaska Airlines For over 85 years, Alaska Airlines has been guided by integrity, caring, ingenuity, professionalism, and a unique spirit that has grown out of its geographical roots. A long list of aviation milestones paired with countless stories of people being remarkable to help others has helped Alaska grow from a small regional airline to an international carrier with more than 44 million customers a year and a route system spanning over 115 destinations and four countries.

Non Profit of the Year QLaw Foundation The QLaw Foundation of Washington bridges the divide between the LGBTQ community and legal professionals. The Foundation offers a free legal clinic that provides legal advice on LGBTQ issues and a summer fellowship program that partners with nonprofit organizations to fund a sum-

mer internship position for law and graduate students working on projects that benefit the LGBTQ community and/or people living with HIV/AIDS. The QLaw Foundation also develops educational materials and presentations for the broader legal and nonlegal community and works to address the needs of LGBTQ youth.

Finalists: • Rainbow Center Tacoma, Manny Santiago, Executive Director • UTOPIA Seattle Community Leader of the Year Dominique Stephens Dominique Stephens is a native of Seattle, whose roots run deep in civil rights and social justice. She attended Tennessee State University, where she studied philosophy and religious studies. In 2012, Dominique created Artisan Event Logistics, focusing on public relations, events, brand marketing, and fund development for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. She now works for the City of Seattle as a senior external relations liaison for Mayor Jenny Durkan. She is a former Seattle LGBTQ Commissioner and board member for Equal Rights Washington. Currently, Dominique sits on the board for the Coalition of Immigrants, Refugees and Communities of Color (CIRCC), AU Collective, Earth Pearl Collective, and POCAAN. In her spare time, you can find Dominique performing as drag king, D. Dynasty.

Finalists: • Gunner Scott • Monserrat Padilla

Board Chair’s Award Marci Flanery, FlaneryCPA Marci Flanery is a CPA specializing in the taxation of individuals and small business entities. Marci’s Seattle office is located in the Madison Park neighborhood. Before starting her own tax practice in Seattle, Marci worked as a principal in a large San Francisco CPA firm, specializing in the taxation of registered domestic partners, same-sex married couples, and investment-related pass-through entities. Based on this experience, Marci wrote “The Guide to the Federal Taxation of Washington State Registered Domestic Partners,” and she has taught for both the Washington and California State Society of CPAs on this and other topics.

Tickets to Thrive Together: the 39th Annual Business & Humanitarian Awards Dinner are $175 for individuals, $1,750 for a table of 10, and $2250 for a VIP table of 10 (which includes premium table placement and access to the Honoree Reception). They are available at www.gsbaevents.com.

Established in 1981, GSBA is Washington State’s LGBTQ and allied chamber of commerce. It represents over 1,400 small business, corporate, and nonprofit members who share GSBA’s values of promoting equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. GSBA is widely respected throughout the region for its effectiveness in business development, representing the business voice, connecting community through business, advocating for civil rights and business, promoting LGBTQ tourism through Travel Out Seattle, and investing in the next generation of leaders through the GSBA Scholarship Fund. For more information on GSBA, visit www.thegsba.org.

Courtesy of GSBA

Visit us online at www.sgn.org 4 Seattle Gay News

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Celebrating 46 Years!

Seattle LGBTQ+ bars host Bush Bash on Jan. 25 to celebrate Australia Day and support Bush Fire Relief

Australia Day is usually a day when Aussies around the globe celebrate their unique culture, wildlife, and country. But this year, as the bush fires continue to rage across the continent, they’re turning the public holiday into a day of action. This is no exception for the Australian community and friends over 8,000 miles away here in Seattle.

Record-breaking temperatures and a severe drought have created unimaginable conditions in the country. Some 28 people have lost their lives, an estimated 15.6 million acres of bush, forest, and parks have been burned, and an inconceivable 1 billion animals have died. Rehab and relief will take the continent decades and unimaginable funds are needed.

Always working to better improve the local LGBTQ community, and the greater Seattle area as a whole, queer/bar, Diesel, R Place and The Lumber Yard Bar are uniting

by donating a generous amount of money to the Australian Community’s Disaster Relief Fund while also holding a fun-filled evening of specialty Tito’s drinks, chances

to donate further, and, of course, the musical offerings of Australian Queen Kylie Minogue and more favorites from Down Under.

The Australian Community’s Disaster Relief Fund (https://aucommunity.org/) distributes funds to various organizations and charities working directly on the ground in Australia all while allowing US citizens to make tax-deductible donations.

Participating bars will also have a koala on display with a QR code for bar patrons to make further donations, and revelers can also keep an eye out for one of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence working the bars.

We’re asking for Seattle’s LGBTQA+ community to come out in full force on Saturday, January 25 at 8pm to the participating establishments: queer/bar, Diesel, R Place and The Lumber Yard Bar and help fight the bush fires in Australia.

The event can be found, shared, and shared some more at : ht t p s://w w w. fa c eb o ok. c om / events/2305421352906409/?ti=icl

Free dental, vision, and medical services offered for people in need SEATTLE (January 13, 2020) – Seattle/ King County Clinic returns for a sixth year to Seattle Center, Feb. 13-16, with free dental, medical, and eye care services for those who struggle to access or afford healthcare. With one month to go until the clinic opens its door, organizers are intently focused on patient outreach to make certain those in need are aware of this substantial opportunity.

Seattle/King County Clinic transforms the form and function of multiple Seattle Center facilities where services are provided. The licensed healthcare professionals and general support volunteers who staff it donate their time and expertise. Patients receive real, and in many instances, extensive care, including dental fillings and extractions, eye examinations, physicals, behavioral healthcare and social work, prescription eyeglasses, immunizations, laboratory tests, mammograms, ultrasounds, X-rays, and much more.

Here is how Seattle/King County Clinic works: • Clinic patients receive treatment on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Patients may park free of charge at Mercer Street Parking Garage on each day of the clinic.

• Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center, located at the corner of 2nd Ave. North and Thomas St., serves as the ticket waiting and distribution area. Organizers distribute free admission tickets for the day beginning at 5 a.m. Tickets are limited.

• Doors to the clinic open at 6:30 a.m.

• Patients are escorted to the service facilities and are admitted by ticket number into the clinic.

• Patients register as they enter. They do not need to show identification or proof of immigration status. Services are not limited to residents of Seattle and King County.

• Inside the clinic, all procedures and services are provided free of charge, and interpretation services are available for those who need them.

• Patients cannot receive both dental and eye care in one day. They may return to the clinic on other days for additional services.

Additional information is available at www.seattlecenter.org/patients.

The largest event of its kind in the State of Washington, Seattle/King County Clinic brings together over 100 healthcare organi-

Photo by Auston James

zations, civic agencies, nonprofit entities, and private businesses, as well as thousands of volunteers, with a goal of helping over 3,000 people in need during the four-day period. Over the past five years, the clinic has cared for 20,000 patients and provided $17 million in services.

“We’re hearing from the community that people of all backgrounds and circumstances have to make choices between housing, food, and healthcare,” said Seattle/King County Clinic Director Julia Colson. “Amid the current affordability crisis in our region, the clinic provides needed support, now more than ever.”

Statistics from previous years show that many patients who come to the clinic do not have health insurance (49%) or are unemployed (31%), and 60% are at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. They come from all over the region, representing over 260 unique ZIP codes and speaking 50 primary languages. Patients are parents, children, elders, veterans, immigrants, refugees, people living homeless and, in large part, wage earners who struggle with the high cost of living.

As one patient stated, “The financial burden of medical care in America is prohibitive. Even for those of us working fulltime with very basic health insurance, there are services I need that I can’t afford.”

Seattle/King County Clinic is made

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possible through thousands of donated work hours, as well as cash and in-kind contributions. Donations are accepted at www.seattecenter.org. Healthcare professionals and general support volunteers may sign up for a variety of work shifts through an online registration system at www.seattlecenter.org/volunteers.

“Seattle/King County Clinic is a beacon of caring and generosity,” says Christine Lindquist, executive director of Washington Healthcare Access Alliance. “It provides immediate dental, vision, and medical care, and connects patients to resources beyond the clinic walls. It also raises awareness about who is left out of the current healthcare system and demonstrates the good we can accomplish when we work together as diverse partners to serve others and effect change.”

Learn more about Seattle/King County Clinic at www.seattlecenter.org/skcclinic or by calling 206-684-7200.

These are just some of the organizations that collaborate to produce Seattle/ King County Clinic and contribute needed resources and expertise: 141 Eyewear | Amazon | America’s Dentists Care Foundation | Arcora Foundation | Auburn Dairy | Auston James Photography | The Ballmer Group | Bargreen Ellingson | Benco Dental | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | Burkhart

January 17, 2020

Dental Supply | Ceres Roasting Company | City of Seattle | Cornish College of the Arts | Crane Fund for Widows and Children | DCG ONE | Delivery Express | Delta Dental of WA | DentaQuest Foundation | Dentsply Sirona | Dunn Lumber | Essilor Vision Foundation | Expedia Group | Group Health Foundation | HealthPoint | Hepatitis Education Project | Hollywood Lights | HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response | Ivoclar Vivadent Inc. | Jorgenson-Peninsula Optical Supply | Kaiser Permanente | KaVo Kerr | KIND | King County 2-1-1 | King County Metro | King County Nurses Association | KLS Martin LP | Laney Dental | Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization | Medical Teams International | Mediterranean Inn | Microsoft | Mid-Gulf Instruments | Mighty-O Donuts | Moccasin Lake Foundation | MultiCare | The Norcliffe Foundation | Ophthalmic Training Solutions | Opticians Association of WA | Optometric Physicians of WA | Pacific Office Automation | Patterson Dental | Patterson Foundation | Philips Healthcare | Physical Therapy Association of WA | Project Access Northwest | Public Health—Seattle & King County | Seattle Animal Shelter | Seattle Cancer Care Alliance | Seattle Center | Seattle Center Foundation | Seattle City Light | Seattle Department of Neighborhoods | Seattle Fire Department | Seattle Housing Authority | Seattle Human Services Department | Seattle Information Technology | Seattle-King County Dental Foundation | Seattle-King County Dental Society | Seattle Office for Civil Rights | Seattle Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs | Seattle Opera | Seattle Parks & Recreation | Seattle Police Department | Seattle Public Library | Seattle Public Utilities | Septodont | Shofu Dental Corporation | Space Needle | SPARK | Spectra | Swedish | TheraTek USA | UW Medicine | UW School of Dentistry | UW School of Public Health | Virginia Mason | VOSH Northwest | WA Academy of Eye Physicians & Surgeons | WA Academy of General Dentistry | WA Dental Hygienists’ Association | WA Healthcare Access Alliance | WA State Chiropractic Association | WA State Dental Association | WA State Department of Health | WA State Nurses Association | WA State Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | Wells Fargo | Zeiss Courtesy of Seattle.gov

Seattle Gay News 5

Union members and Jewish activists join January 5 “Community Solidarity Rally Against the Far Right” in downtown Seattle

Photos courtesy of Community & Labor Against Fascism

A protest, organized by Community and Labor Against Fascism (CLAF), outnumbered and outlasted a gathering of the Three Percenters, an ultra-right militia group, who assembled at Seattle City Hall on January 5. CLAF organizers, responding to escalating malicious harassment incidents, particularly the December attacks on the Jewish community in New York and vandalism of synagogues in Seattle, put out a call to “oppose the racist, misogynist and anti-Semitic message promoted by the Washington Three Percenters.”

Despite driving cold rain, the rally attracted a diverse group, including union members, feminists, LGBTQ and Jewish activists, people of color and students. “As a unionist, it was good to see a tightly organized, loud picket line with folks from so many different communities that reflected the membership of our counterforce. It

showed our resolve and solidarity against bigotry,” said Jared Houston, a grocery worker and a member of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21.

Marchers sang civil rights songs such as “Solidarity Forever” and “We Shall Not Be Moved,” and chanted, “Three Percenters you can’t hide, we can see your fascist side!” Their picket signs condemned racism, homophobia and anti-Semitism, and called for a halt to far-right violence. CLAF members distributed flyers explaining Three Percenters’ ties to white supremacist organizations, including their prominent role in the deadly “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville two years ago.

However, the overwhelming presence of police, who escorted and formed a protective barrier around the Three Percenters on January 5, blocked the anti-fascist counter-demonstrators from picketing

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directly across from the Three Percenters as planned. Police, armed with bicycles and three-foot billy clubs forced the protesters to relocate on the next block. Rally decision-maker Jane Cutter denounced this, saying “Seattle Police were nothing more than a personal protection service for the far-right. The sheer size of the police force was ridiculous overkill, and was intended to intimidate those who turned out to oppose this fascist threat. City leaders ought to be ashamed of themselves.” Organizers vowed to file a complaint with the police.

Concern among labor groups over rising far-right activity was reflected in the endorsers for the Sunday picket, which included Washington Federation of State Employees Local 304; Washington Federation of State Employees Local 1488; Kevin Allen, President Coalition of Black Trade Unionists-Puget Sound Chapter*;

Juan José Bocanegra, Director All In for Washington*; Dr. Cairo D’Almeida, President American Federation of Government Employees Local 1121*; Denise Krownbell, PROTEC17 member and Co-chair Seattle Silence Breakers*; Gabriel Prawl, President A. Philip Randolph InstituteSeattle* and Co-chair Seattle Million Worker March Movement*. The wide array of other endorsers included ANSWER Coalition; Freedom Socialist Party; Bend the Arc; Jewish Action Seattle; Organized Workers for Labor Solidarity; Party for Socialism and Liberation; Radical Women; Salem AntiFascist Ethos (SAFE); Seattle Revolutionary Socialists; Sex Workers Outreach Project-Seattle; and the Sparkle Brigade. *For identification only.

Courtesy of Community and Labor Against Fascism

Celebrating 46 Years!

Womxn’s March on Seattle 2020: “I am the Future” is rescheduled from January 18 to International Womxn’s Day on March 8 After conversations with our youth and First Nations leaders, our organizers, and the City of Seattle, we have unfortunately decided we needed to postpone the march. Our top priority is the safety of participants, including those who need ADA accommodations. We are looking forward to bringing the event back in March, on International Women’s Day on March 8.

We look forward to celebrating youth leaders and all our womxn participants safely on that day. The Womxn’s March fundraiser that was scheduled for January 15 will also be postponed. All funds raised thus far are intended for this effort.

Over the next 60 days, the organizing team will perform outreach to groups whose voices and concerns have been previously under represented. These efforts are to expound and build with the communities and people fighting for womxn’s liberation in Seattle and around the world.

Please let us know if you or your organization are planning events for the same weekend with any interest of collaboration.

We encourage thoughtful reflection on this and encourage participation in the weekend’s events celebrating Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and support MLK Youth Coalition’s Young Leaders event on Sunday, January 19th (https://www.seattlemlkcoalition.org/youth-event) [EDITOR’S NOTE: as well as the Seattle MLK Coalition’s 20/20 Vision – MLK Jr Day events at Garfield High School on January 20th. We look forward to building with you a future we all deserve.

Thank you, Womxn’s March on Seattle 2020: “I am the Future” Organizing Team

Photos by Alex Garland / CapitolHillSeattle.com

KSHAMA SAWANT continued from cover

involved,” Sawant told the standing-roomonly crowd.

“We need a message that will sound as powerful in spirit for working people around the country, hence: Tax Amazon!”

Hundreds of her supporters filled the Central District auditorium for the twohour event. Sawant was formally sworn in

by Kaylah Williams, speaking on behalf of Sara Nelson, the international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, who was unable to attend due to illness.

In her speech, which Williams read to

the crowd, Nelson looked back at Seattle’s radical past – the 1919 Seattle General Strike and 1999 WTO protests. “[O]ur real power is in solidarity,” Nelson wrote. “[W] e must build a movement of working people – where the person next to you can be trusted to have your back.”

Susan Fitzgerald of Ireland’s Socialist Party, a sister party of Sawant’s Socialist Alternative, said Sawant’s electoral victory sent reverberations throughout the world, galvanizing people who are fighting for better working conditions everywhere.

“Big corporations have their billions,” Fitzgerald said, “but workers’ movements have the people.”

People’s Party organizer and former

Visit us online www.sgn.org

mayoral candidate Nikkita Oliver also spoke, as did Maurice Mitchell, national executive director of the Working Families Party.

In her speech, Sawant described Seattle as a “city that is deeply unequal, with historic and unprecedented degrees of inequality.”

Taxing Amazon and other giant corporations, she added, could raise $200-500 million a year, which would be used to develop social housing, fund education, and build infrastructure.

John Burbank, executive director of the Economic Opportunity Institute, noted that in 2018 Amazon doubled its profits to $11 billion and got a federal tax rebate of $129

million. Despite the company’s staggering income, Seattle taxpayers paid over $220 million for Amazon’s electric substation in South Lake Union.

Sawant’s office has not yet produced draft legislation, but the general direction of her agenda was made crystal clear at the inauguration.

“I was asked why I was linking my inauguration to the launch to Tax Amazon,” Sawant said in a statement after the event.

“I said my council office belongs to the people and the movement, and what better way to demonstrate that by combining the events.”

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Seattle Gay News 7

8 Seattle Gay News

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Seattle Gay News 9

“Gay Bingo 2020: A Space Odyssey”

Photos courtesy of Lifelong & The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan

10 Seattle Gay News

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Celebrating 46 Years!

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Seattle Gay News 11

Discrimination in Tennessee: Legislature sends anti-LGBTQ child welfare bill to governor’s desk NASHVILLE (January 14, 2020) – Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, condemned the Tennessee legislature for passing HB 836, a bill that would allow child welfare organizations – including taxpayer-funded adoption and foster care agencies – to turn away qualified Tennesseans seeking to care for a child in need, including LGBTQ couples, interfaith couples, single parents, married couples in which one prospective parent has previously been divorced, or other parents to whom the agency has a religious objection. The bill has passed through both chambers and will now be sent to the governor’s desk. The HRC urges Gov. Bill Lee to veto this bill.

HB 836 could have a sweeping, harmful impact on child welfare services […].

The biggest barrier to placing children with

families is a lack of qualified prospective parents; having the state give contractors and subcontractors a license to discriminate, thereby limiting the pool of prospective parents for no legitimate reason, is unconscionable and an unacceptable use of taxpayer dollars.

“Lawmakers in Tennessee used some of the first minutes of their legislative session to enshrine discrimination into law,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “These legislators are disregarding the best interests of kids in the child welfare system to create a ‘license to discriminate’ against qualified, loving prospective parents. This bill does nothing to improve the outcomes for children in care, shrinks the pool of prospective parents, and is a blatant attempt to discriminate against LGBTQ Tennesseans.

It is shameful that one of the first orders of business in Nashville was to target LGBTQ people. We urge Tennesseans to make their

voices heard in opposition to this bill as it heads to the governor’s desk.”

“Passing a bill that funds discrimination in adoption and foster care is one of the worst ways to start a legislative session,” said Chris Sanders, executive director of the Tennessee Equality Project. “Despite a vigorous debate on the bill, the best interests of children in Tennessee lost today. We join friends and allies across the country in calling for the governor to veto the bill.”

The HRC recently released a report, titled “Disregarding the Best Interest of the Child: License to Discriminate In Child Welfare Services,” detailing the harms of efforts to write anti-LGBTQ discrimination by child welfare agencies into law. Statistics suggest that an estimated two million LGBTQ adults in the US are interested in adoption, but the LGBTQ community often remains an untapped resource when it comes to finding families for children and

youth in foster care.

Research consistently shows that LGBTQ youth are overrepresented in the foster care system, as many have been rejected by their families of origin because of their LGBTQ status, and are especially vulnerable to discrimination and mistreatment while in foster care. HB 836 will only exacerbate these challenges faced by LGBTQ young people.

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

HRC expands impact with critical new hires

Photo courtesy of HRC

WASHINGTON, DC (January 16, 2020) – Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced the hiring of four accomplished advocates to fill key roles as the organization deepens and broadens the scope of its work nationally.

The HRC has hired Tori Cooper as Director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative, Michael Vazquez as Director of the HRC Foundation’s Religion and Faith Program, Jason Starr as Litigation Director, and Elizabeth Bibi as Senior Advisor for Communications, New York. Starr and Bibi will work out of the HRC’s newly launched office in New York.

These dynamic leaders are part of the expanded initiatives recently announced by the HRC’s new president Alphonso David, including the creation of an impact litigation department and the deepening of the organization’s work on transgender and racial justice.

“Tori, Jason, Michael, and Elizabeth all bring significant experience and clear commitment to their work at this pivotal time for our movement,” said David. “These talented advocates will dramatically enhance the Human Rights Campaign’s impact in the courts, our communities, in houses of worship, and throughout the media. With the LGBTQ community facing discriminatory attacks and the most important election of our lifetime this November, we are privileged to welcome them to the HRC team and look forward to their central role in our work in 2020 and beyond.”

In his first official act as the HRC’s president, David embarked on a national tour of seven key cities to meet with and rally HRC members, advocates, voters, and proequality candidates.

This tour, as well as ongoing conversations with community leaders, members, and partners, led to the launch of several initiatives to advance equality, empower and support our community’s most marginalized members, protect foundational rights and institutions of our democracy, and expand our national footprint. To advance David’s priorities, HRC will be deepening and expanding the HRC’s work dedicated to seeking justice for transgender people with new initiatives that address their urgent needs, specifically in communities deeply affected by racism, sexism, and transphobia. This major effort will be rooted in collaborative, community-based work focused on economic empowerment, capacity-building programs, targeted task forces in many of the communities hardest hit by the epidemic of anti-trans violence, and expanded public education campaigns; expanding the HRC’s legal efforts by joining with seven of the nation’s top law firms to bring strategic-impact litigation challenging anti-LGBTQ legislative and policy actions domestically and internationally, including the relentless attacks on LGBTQ equality by the Trump-Pence administration; recommitting the organization to deepening its racial justice work and releasing a statement of principles on racial equity and inclusion; and expanding the HRC’s national footprint and engagement by opening offices in New York and Los Angeles.

12 Seattle Gay News

January 17, 2020

The four new members of the HRC’s team collectively represent decades of experience in community organizing and progressive advocacy.

Tori Cooper is a health and equity advocate, community organizer, educator, published author, and leader in the transgender and HIV communities. She brings more than 30 years of experience at all levels of HIV service, from volunteer roles to her service as executive director and founder of Advocates for Better Care Atlanta, LLC. In the 1980s, Tori began her volunteer work in HIV at a hospice facility. For the last several years, Tori has led capacity-building training and lent expertise to communitybased organizations serving the transgender community and those impacted by HIV and AIDS. Jason Starr is a human rights advocate with over a decade of experience as an attorney, policy innovator, organizer, and educator. Most recently, he served as assistant counsel to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo for civil rights and federal affairs. Jason was formerly the director of the Long Island chapters at the New York Civil Liberties Union, leading the organization’s policy initiatives in the region, including a spearheading a grassroots campaign to end discriminatory policing on Long Island and working to end discrimination in public education for immigrant youth. His work has been featured in [various] outlets, including NPR, the Huffington Post, Newsday, and the New York Times, and he has spoken extensively on issues at the intersection of race and public policy.

Michael Vazquez is an intersectional faith leader and advocate. Michael previ-

ously served as a fellow at Faith in Public Life; founded Brave Commons, an intersectional advocacy organization that supports and trains LGBTQ+ students at Christian colleges and universities; and served as a program director at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Weber State University, served in the US Army Reserve Officer Training Corps, and is completing his master of theological studies at Duke Divinity School.

Elizabeth Bibi is a political and nonprofit communications professional with a career that has spanned the public and private sectors. She previously managed executive and policy communications at Oscar Health, served as deputy director of media relations for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and ran press advance for Sen. Tim Kaine on the Hillary for America campaign. She began her career on the press team of the Clinton Foundation and on the government relations team at Scholastic, Inc. A lifelong New Yorker, she holds a bachelor’s degree in American studies from Barnard College.

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

Celebrating 46 Years!

Human Rights Campaign: New Trump-Pence regulations undermine LGBTQ rights

Photo courtesy of HRC

Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, responded to the Trump-Pence White House announcing the publication of nine proposed rules revising the regulations that guide the participation of faith-based organizations as service providers of federally funded programs.

“Today’s new regulations proposed by the Trump-Pence White House roll back existing protections for LGBTQ and other people seeking government services and benefits,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “The right to believe and to exercise one’s faith is a core American value. The right to discriminate with taxpayer dollars is not. These regulations would dismantle meaningful protections for beneficiaries of these federally funded programs and strip away basic notice requirements designed to

ensure that beneficiaries know their rights to be free from discrimination and their right to an alternative, non-religious provider. Taxpayer funds should not be used to allow discrimination.”

Today’s announcement is the latest effort in a three-year campaign by the Trump-Administration to sanction discrimination against LGBTQ people under the guise of religion. In 2017, Donald Trump issued an Executive Order directing Jeff Sessions to look across the federal government and assess ways in which the administration could license discrimination in federal programs. In early 2018, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the creation of a so-called “Conscience” Division and accompanying regulation. This rule empowers health care providers – doctors, nurses, and even nonmedical support staff like receptionists – to

deny even potentially life-saving care to LGBTQ people, women and other vulnerable communities on the basis of the worker’s personal beliefs, as well as a regulation to permit HHS to continue supporting federally-funded programs that discriminate against those groups.

HRC has been chronicling the TrumpPence Administration’s onslaught of attacks on the LGBTQ community here: http://www.hrc.org/timelines/trump.

The Human Rights Campaign is 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.

NADLER

are clear and the evidence is overwhelming. He did this solely to pressure Ukraine for his personal, political gain. The Senate must act to remove President Trump from office for his abuse of power.”

OHIO

The lawsuit was brought on behalf of four transgender plaintiffs seeking an accurate birth certificate in March 2018. Noting that Ohio is an extreme outlier – one of only two states maintaining this policy – the court denied the state’s motion to dismiss the case in September 2019, holding that the lawsuit raised valid claims of privacy violations risking even bodily harm.

“We ask that the court strike down this discriminatory policy so that Ohio-born trans people can access accurate birth certificates. This is basic, and it’s essen-

tial to trans peoples’ safety, privacy, and well-being,” said Elizabeth Bonham, staff attorney for the ACLU of Ohio. “The state should not have erected this barrier in the first place; our clients need the court to eliminate it now.” “[I] and others from the Trans community deserve to have documents that reflect who we are and don’t put any of us in harm’s way – the same as anyone would want for themselves and their loved ones,” said plaintiff Stacie Ray. A copy of the motion for summary

judgment is available at https://www. lambdalegal.org/in-court/legal-docs/ray_ oh_20200116_motion-for-summary-judgment.

within the public court system, is truly appalling.”

Fearon was hired as a part-time employee at the municipal court in March 2016 and became a full-time employee in July 2016. Fearon identifies as LGBTQ but was not out at work. She found the comments intimidating and she suffered from stress and anxiety “arising out of the toxic work environment,” her lawsuit charges.

According to Fearon’s 30-page filing, her coworkers called LGBTQ people “gross,” “disgusting,” and “crazy,” and said things like “Can you believe the gays?” and “Gay people are only gay because they

think it is cool, especially nowadays in high school.”

The lawsuit also charges that Fearon’s co-workers made fun of same-sex couples coming in for court services, mocking them for holding hands “or displaying any kind of modest affection toward one another.”

One of her co-workers refused to touch money given to her by a Gay man. Another said that LGBTQ people should “not have the right to vote in elections.”

Fearon says she complained to supervisors and union representatives in late 2018 but was told to “brush it off.”

“In turn, the discriminatory and hos-

tile working environment remained unchanged,” the suit says.

Not only that, but Fearon’s supervisors increased her workload and her co-workers began avoiding her, going so far as to completely ignore her at a holiday party.

When she complained that the workplace was becoming “extremely uncomfortable,” her manager replied, according to her suit, “Maybe you should tell everyone that you are gay, so they stop making jokes and comments.”

Fearon is seeking damages plus sensitivity training for township workers.

January 17, 2020

Seattle Gay News 13

continued from cover Legal. “Without them, transgender people – who already experience staggering levels of discrimination and violence – also have to contend with barriers to employment, education, and important public benefits.

Ohio’s policy is discriminatory, dangerous, out-of-step with practically every other state in the country, and clearly unconstitutional.”

NEW JERSEY continued from cover

Brick Township court officials “cultivated a workplace that allowed and encouraged employees and supervisors to engage in crude, racist, and homophobic behavior.”

“Our client worked in such a toxic environment that her co-workers and supervisors felt entitled to make discriminatory and disparaging comments on almost a daily basis,” Fearon’s attorney, Matthew A. Luber, said in a statement.

“The notion that such bigoted behavior could occur in any workplace, let alone

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continued from cover by withholding critical military aid from a vulnerable ally. Despite the president’s continuing efforts to conceal his unlawful scheme from the American public, the facts

Courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign

Courtesy of Rep. Jerrold Nadler

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

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14 Seattle Gay News

January 17, 2020

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