SGN January 24, 2020 - Section 1

Celebrating 46 Years!

Issue 4 Volume 48

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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

Young voters love Bernie, hate Mayor Pete

Pete Buttigieg – Photo by Elise Amendola / AP

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Sen. Bernie Sanders is the top choice of younger voters among all the candidates for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, according to a new poll.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders Photo by Matt Baron / Shutterstock

But in spite for the attention he’s gotten in the mass media, Mayor Pete Buttigieg is tied for last place.

The Forbes/Zogby poll, released January 23, sampled 1,014 voters between the ages of 18 and 29, including 650 identified

see YOUNG VOTERS page 7

Anti-LGBTQ activists used anti-Trans rhetoric to sway voters in key 2019 political elections

Photo courtesy of Youtube / Campaign for American Principles

As state legislatures across the nation are ramping up with the introduction of several anti-LGBTQ bills – many targeting transgender Americans – GLAAD is bumping up [re-releasing] a report from

November 6 which predicted this environment, especially during the overall 2020 election year.

see GLAAD page 7

Utah becomes 19th state to protect LGBTQ youth from conversion therapy

Justin Utley (l) and Nathan Dalley, both survivors of so-called conversion therapy, embrace following a news conference in Salt Lake City, UT. – Photo by Rick Bowmer / AP

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (January 22, 2020) – Today the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing adopted statewide rules protecting LGBTQ minors from conversion therapy, the harmful practice that seeks to change a young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Utah Gov. Gary Herbert directed the

division to develop the rules last year after proposed legislation to address the issue narrowly failed to pass the Utah legislature.

Utah joins 18 other states, the District of Columbia, and more than 60 municipalities that have adopted similar protections.

see UTAH page 6

HRC responds to Mike Pence attending anti-LGBTQ church service that called homosexuality “demonic”

Photo by Patrick Lantrip / Daily Memphian via AP

On Sunday [January 19, 2020], Vice President Mike Pence attended a church service in which religious leaders present went on a tirade against LGBTQ people, calling homosexuality “demonic”, among other things. Pence not only failed to rebuke these

statements but appeared to condone them.

Following is a comment from Michael Vazquez, HRC Religion and Faith Program Coordinator in response:

see PENCE page 10

2 Seattle Gay News

January 24, 2020

Celebrating 46 Years!

Seattle Gay News F O U N D ED 1974 MEMBER

2018

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MARK MY WORDS

Stonewall is not my legacy

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.

Mark Segal (second from r) on “The Phil Donahue Show” debating the American Psychiatric Association’s position on homosexuality in 1973.

– Photo courtesy of Mark Segal

by Mark Segal Philadelphia Gay News

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

One of my favorite movies is Some Like It Hot, starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon.

It’s one of those old-time 1950s screwball comedies. At one point, Marilyn Monroe looks at Jack Lemmon – in drag no less – and says, “On my next birthday, I’ll be 25, a quarter of a century – makes a girl think.”

Well, I just had a birthday last week, and I’m way past that quarter-of-a-century mark and proud of the 69 years I’ve lived.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

But no matter what birthday you’re celebrating, don’t worry about the number, and as Monroe said in a way, think about what you’ve brought to life.

This year that wasn’t a problem for me since we celebrated Stonewall 50 in June, and then earlier in the week, GLAAD announced that they’d recognize my pioneering work in television at the 31st annual GLAAD Media Awards. They went on to give my bio: Stonewall, the first gay pride, Gay Liberation Front, Gay Youth, PGN, the John C. Anderson LGBT-friendly senior housing center and even projects I’ve long forgotten.

The list made me recall another line from another of my favorite movies, Auntie Mame, which is my life’s motto: “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death.” She then says, “Live, live, live.”

Putting the two together leads me to a decision that might surprise many. While I know I have an incredible body of work

that I plan to expand upon for many years to come, there’s only one area that I really consider my legacy – changing American media.

Mind you, I’m very proud of all the other events or involvements in my life. I’m so lucky to have worked with some incredible people who remain friends to this day.

While many others will want to list Stonewall as their legacy, I’m not one of them.

I take full ownership of fighting the TV networks in 1973. When I watched Ellen DeGeneres come out in an episode of her show 24 years later and “Will & Grace” air the following year, I was proud of that pioneering work. Whenever I see an LGBT newscaster, anchor or character on TV, I feel a sense of pride then too. As I said in 1973, we will no longer be invisible.

January 24, 2020

Seattle Gay News 3

Courtesy of Mark Segal and Philadelphia Gay News

LETTER OF INTENT

from Howard Russell aka Ladie Chablis Dear I.S.C.S.O.R.E,

My name is Howard Russell aka Ladie Chablis and I am writing this letter to support my consideration for the position of Olympia 49 of the Empire. The past couple years I have wanted to become more than just an active member of the organization or a board member. I’ve really wanted to take my participation further and volunteer my time to assist the organization in becoming more transparent in the community. I feel as Olympia 49 is a great way I can use my skills to help continue to provide growth for the organization and be an active voice for our community. I want to help make this organization truly one of the best in the country.

A little about me. I work for an organization call AHF Pharmacy which provides care service and support for those living with HIV/AIDS. My position is Pharmacy Technician. I was just recently promoted to Pharmacy Sales for the entire State of Washington beginning January 13. 2020. I also work for R Place for 17 years as a host for Lashes Cabaret Show.

I have had a few titles in my career which include: • Lafemme Magnifique Region • Lafemme Magnifique International

• POCAAN (People of Color Against Aids Network)

In the past, I have coordinated numerous fundraisers and events for the following organizations or companies: • Rise n’ Shine • Brother to Brother • POCAAN • Lifelong • Pierce County AIDS Foundation • AHF (AIDS Healthcare Foundation) • Any community members needing help from lost and damages in their personal life.

Ladie Chablis

• Empress 26 of The Imperial Sovereign Court of Tacoma • Princess 24 of The Imperial Sovereign Court of Tacoma • Miss Gay World Series for NAAGA • Saint of the Sister of Perpetual Indulgence.

I have had four board positions past and present this would include: • Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle • Imperial Sovereign Court of Tacoma • ECSA (Emerald City Softball Association)

Two organizations that I have worked on every year are the former Rise n’ Shine and Brother to Brother.

Rise n’ Shine: For the past 11 years, I have worked with Rise n’ Shine, an organization that works with children infected with HIV/AIDS or someone in their family. Each year, children infected submit a Christmas wish list to the organization. I have worked with the organization to put together a fundraising event to make sure each child had the best Christmas and received as much, if not everything, they asked for on their wish list.

The fundraiser starts the day after Thanks-

giving and lasts till the week before Christmas. Since the organization had folded over 5 years ago I continue to work with Michael Dunlap to make sure these children have an amazing Christmas.

Brother to Brother: For the past few years, I worked with an organization called Brother to Brother. I worked putting together a weekend event every year that focuses directly on men of color with health issues, education and life struggles, and more recently political issues. My responsibilities would be to put together workshops and find speakers for panel discussions both of which focus directly on those issues outlined above.

My life I have always tried to give back to my community and throughout, volunteering or putting on events that help support an organization’s mission in the community. I greatly appreciate your consideration of me to be a candidate for the position of Olympia 49 for this Empire. I know I can be a great asset to the Board, Court Members and to our community.

Sincerely yours, Howard Russell aka Ladie Chablis

LETTER OF INTENT

from Rob Haggard-Bonesteel January 6, 2020

Honored Board Members Esteemed College Members,

the team, Crown Royals. This relationship over the last year has been a great avenue for expanding exposure of the Court of Seattle and increasing memberships. We have worked together on Wild Waves, Coronation and car wash fundraisers.

A noticed challenge within our city of Seattle and the organizations, is the planning of events. I propose a joint meeting early in the year to compile a calendar of fundraisers so that we are not overlapping.

This has been an ongoing issue, acknowledging and attempting a resolution of some stage.

and

Let this communication be considered my Letter of Intent for the purpose of being considered for the position of Rainier 46 of the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle & the Olympic and Rainier Empire, Inc. (ISCSORE).

Personal: I have been working at Goodbye Graffiti as the Office Manager for three years.

Goodbye Graffiti is a fifteen plus year small business who has been gracious in donating to and attending events for ISCSORE. My employment is secure. They are aware of my intentions for the next year and support my philanthropic efforts. I currently reside in Seattle; King County; near Bitter Lake.

I live with my partner Eric Bonesteel who has been Rainier 35, 40 and currently 45.

I am actively involved in the Seattle community through: • Seattle Men in Leather • Knights of Mantra • Washington State Leather Organization • Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence • Sea-Pah (Seattle Pups and Handlers) • Seattle Quake • Emerald City Softball Association • Pride Organization History: I have been a member of the International Court System for almost 15 years. Of those years, prior to relocating to Seattle, I resided in Las Vegas where I reigned four times as Emperor and have been a member of ISCSORE during the last 5 years. I have included a Letter in Good Standing from the Court of Las Vegas.

During my time with ISCSORE, I have held a board seat as well as appointed titles in four of the last five reigns. I have been a key person in driving the success of several events including the Gay Seattle, King and Queen of Hearts, King and Queen of the Seas, and other pageants; Wild Waves and

4 Seattle Gay News

Rob Haggard-Bonesteel

assisting with Seattle Coronations.

Lastly, over the last year, I have stepped up as an Heir Apparent to Queen Mother Nicole the Great. I have carried this role and representation of Seattle to San Diego, San Francisco, Denver, Calgary, Salt Lake City, Kentucky, Boise, Eugene, Washington D.C., Spokane, Portland and Las Vegas. I plan on continuing as Heir Apparent in the coming year Mission: “Provide funds and services to other nonprofits within the communities of Seattle throughout King and Island counties. Our organization strives for acceptance and equality for all citizen erasing hate, denigration and degradation resulting in the enhancements to our communities near and far.”

ISCSORE Mission Statement If elected, my mission is to celebrate the many Seattle communities and their diversity by attending and supporting local LGBTQIA non-profit organizations. In supporting these organizations, we can provide them with court knowledge, expand membership and create a synergy that will produce a combined effect of unity and support. In attending and supporting other organization fundraisers, it is my hope and ask that they will attend ours. I have seen this work with our own involvement with the Emerald City Softball Association and

January 24, 2020

Goals: My fundraising goal for my reign, should I be elected, is $100,000 of which 20% would be earmarked for the J.C./ Lady Graytop Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Attached is a full year proposed calendar with travel and events listed.

Below is a proposed list of fundraisers/events, outside of those required, that I would like to hold during the 2020-2021 year include: • Bi-Monthly Membership Drives • St. Patrick’s Day Event – March 17 • Memorial Day BBQ – May 25 • Celebrate Daddy – Keg Party – June 20 • Scavenger Hunt/Dart TournamentAugust 1 • Food Competitions – Mac It Till It Cheese’s – August 16 • End of Summer BBQ – September 7 • MuMu Show – September 12 • Food Competitions – Just Desserts – September 20 • Adopt a Family – Beginning of October for Thanksgiving 2020 • Clothing Drive – Beginning of October for Christmas 2020 • Wreath Auction/Holiday Show – December 12 • New Year’s Event – January 2 These are outside of any other events that the Imperial Family members would like to hold. These are flexible times of the year, as are my travel plans.

Monies raised during these events will be donated toward but not limited to:

• Dogtopia – Seattle • Puget Sound Honor Flight • Emerald City Softball Association • Elizabeth Gregory House • Ingersoll Gender Center • Bailey-Boushay House • Pancreatic Cancer Action Network – PANCAN • JC/Lady Graytop Scholarship Fund A few of these are new non-profit charities and I have included information on each of them.

My prospective travel plans are San Francisco, Vancouver, BC, Denver, Calgary, Vancouver, WA, San Antonio, Salt Lake City, Boise, Everett, Eugene, Edmonton AB, Alaska, Spokane, Portland, Tacoma, Ogden, Las Vegas, Bellingham and Ft. Lauderdale. This is an existing goal; particularly because the 50th Anniversary is right around the corner.

Included with this letter is a proposed calendar reflecting travels, fundraising events and other organizations events where attendance by either Monarch(s) or Imperial Prince/Princess or Family Line. A proposed Operating Budget for the reign is included along with my option for Imperial Prince.

I acknowledge that I have received and read the current Operating Guidelines governing the office I am applying for and do hereby agree to follow said rules and regulations during the campaign. I further understand that any and all actions that are detrimental to this organization or the other candidates will be just cause for removal, whether discovered before or after the campaign begins, and will result in immediate disqualification by the Board of Directors.

I am excited for the upcoming year and making it a year to remember. I hope each of you will be there to support and be a part of Reign 49.

In Service to the Community and the Seattle Empire, Rob Haggard-Bonesteel

Celebrating 46 Years!

Lambda Legal urges 10th Circuit to uphold ruling in favor of intersex vet seeking accurate passport DENVER (January 22, 2020) – Lambda Legal today appeared before the US Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit to urge the court to uphold a district court ruling that the State Department cannot rely on its male-or-female-only gender policy to withhold a US passport from Dana Zzyym, a US Navy veteran who is intersex and nonbinary, and does not identify as male or female.

“We appeared before the 10th Circuit today to urge the court not to permit the State Department to force a US Navy veteran to lie on their passport application,” Lambda Legal counsel Paul D. Castillo said. “Dana Zzyym just wants an accurate passport, an essential identity document that accurately reflects who they are. Yet, the State Department seems to be urging Dana to lie in order to exercise their right to travel.”

In September 2018, a US District Court judge ruled for the second time against the US State Department, finding that the agency violated the federal Administrative Procedure Act in denying Zzyym a passport. In its ruling, the court stated that, “The authority to issue passports…does not include the authority to deny an applicant on grounds pertinent to basic identity.” The State Department then appealed to the 10th Circuit.

“It’s been about five years since I started the process to get an accurate passport,” Zzyym said. “In those five years, I’ve been invited to present at several international conferences on issues confronting intersex individuals. Ironically, it is precisely the discrimination intersex and nonbinary people face that prevents me from attending these conferences. Nearly a dozen countries allow their citizens to use gender markers other than M and F for their passports. And individuals traveling on those passports are able to enter the United States. It makes no sense that the State Department continues to insist that I carry passport that doesn’t reflect who I am.”

Zzyym, who uses “they” gender-neutral pronouns, was born with ambiguous sex

Photo courtesy of Lambda Legal

characteristics. After their parents decided to raise them as a boy, Zzyym underwent several irreversible, painful, and medically unnecessary surgeries that didn’t work, traumatized Zzyym, and left them with severe scarring. Many years later, after serving six years in the US Navy and then attending Colorado State University, Zzyym began researching surgeries and came to understand they had been born intersex.

Zzyym currently serves as associate director for Intersex Campaign for Equality. As part of their work, Zzyym has been invited to attend several international intersex conferences. However, they have been unable to attend because they do not have a valid passport. The passport application requires that the applicant select a gender marker of either male or female. It also requires first-time applicants to submit evidence of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, which in Zzyym’s case lists their sex as “unknown.” Notwithstanding the information on their birth certificate and the fact that Zzyym’s doctors with the US Department of Veterans Affairs confirm Zzyym

was born with intersex traits, Zzyym’s application for a passport has been denied.

In October 2015, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Colorado, asserting that the US State Department violated the federal Administrative Procedure Act, among other claims, by denying Zzyym a passport that accurately reflects their gender. The dourt issued its rulings in favor of Zzyym on November 22, 2016, and on September 19, 2018.

At least ten countries issue passports with gender markers other than “F” (female) or “M” (male): Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Denmark, Germany, India, Malta, Nepal, New Zealand, and Pakistan. Most countries that offer a third marker in the sex field on passports use “X,” a gender marker option that is recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations agency that sets forth international travel document standards.

More information about the lawsuit can be found at www.lambdalegal.org/in-court/ cases/co_zzyym-v-pompeo.

The Intersex Campaign for Equality

and its founding director, Hida Viloria, played a critical role in bringing Zzyym’s case forward. For more information about the Intersex Campaign for Equality, visit www.intersexequality.com.

For more information about people who are intersex and the diversity of gender identities, visit www.lambdalegal.org/ blog/20151026_intersex-101.

Handling the case for Lambda Legal are Paul D. Castillo, Camilla B. Taylor, and Puneet Cheema, joined by pro-bono cocounsel Emily E. Chow, Ann E. Prouty, and Rory F. Collins of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP. 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. For more information, visit www.lambdalegal.org.

Courtesy of Lambda Legal

HRC honors life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with day of service WASHINGTON, DC (January 20, 2020) – Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced that hundreds of HRC volunteers will take part in nearly 30 community service events across the nation in a day of service and action honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “More than half a century ago, our nation was moved by a preacher who stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and shared his dream of a day when his children would be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character,” said HRC President Alphonso David.

“Since the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke those words in 1963, we as a nation have made great progress in our journey toward full equality, but we know that we have much further to go.”

“Today, as Americans across the country come together in a day of service to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King, we must all recommit ourselves to making his dream of justice and equality a reality for all,” David said. “At the Human Rights Campaign, we are fighting for a future where every LGBTQ person is able to live up to their full potential without fear of discrimination. It was Dr. King who said that ‘human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability.’ As our community faces

school supplies, and winter accessories; and participating in beautification and small renovation projects.

The HRC will partner with over 30 service providers and local organizations across 27 cities and regions in living out the values of justice and equality that Dr. King so tirelessly championed.

As we honor his legacy of service, the HRC is also working to carry forward Dr. King’s vital work for justice and access at the ballot box. Ahead of the critically important upcoming 2020 election, the HRC and Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight are partnering to help combat voter suppression. This partnership is bringing together the organizations’ expertise in voter protection and voter mobilization to ensure fair and open elections in 2020 and beyond.

For more information about service projects around the country, visit hrc.org/ MLKDayOfService.

Cartoon by Ken Campbell

some of our toughest battles yet, let us keep Martin Luther King’s vision at the center of all that we do as we continue our efforts to make his dream a reality for all.”

Joining national movement partners such as the NAACP, the National Black Justice Coalition, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and organizations across the country, the HRC is proud to celebrate this day of service that honors the powerful legacy and transformative vision of Dr. King.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

With the support and involvement of HRC members and supporters, volunteers nationwide will be giving back to their communities through a range of service projects and amplifying the work that local organizations and leaders are undertaking for the most marginalized groups of the LGBTQ community. Efforts include organizing clothing and toiletries donation drives; assembling and distributing care packages of travel-size hygiene items,

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.

January 24, 2020

Seattle Gay News 5

Courtesy of the HRC

Nathan Dalley, left, shakes hands with Republican Utah Rep. Craig Hall – Photo by Rick Bowmer / AP

UTAH

continued from cover Every leading medical and mental health organization in this country has rejected conversion therapy as ineffective and dangerous for minors.

“Once again, Utah has shown that LGBTQ advocates and political conservatives can work together to address the harms caused by discrimination and bias,” said Mathew Shurka, a conversion therapy survivor and co-founder of Born Perfect.

“Utah’s rule protecting LGBTQ youth from conversion therapy is a milestone in our nation’s growing recognition that LGBTQ youth are part of every community, and that every child is born perfect. We are grateful to Equality Utah for their unwavering commitment to this issue and to Gov. Herbert for his leadership.”

“Utah’s emergence as the most conser-

vative state to address this issue shows how rapidly attitudes toward LGBTQ youth are changing in every part of this country,” said National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) Legal Director Shannon Minter.

“No matter what one’s political or religious affiliation may be, more and more people are recognizing that public officials have a responsibility to protect vulnerable youth from this life-threatening harm.”

To celebrate the adoption of the rule, conversion therapy survivors from around the state gathered at the state capitol in Salt Lake City with Equality Utah, the Utah Psychological Association, and state Rep. Craig Hall, sponsor of HB 399 in 2019 […].

Troy Williams, executive director of Equality Utah stated, “Every reputable science-based organization in the country recognizes that conversion therapy is a dangerous fraud. It exacerbates depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation. We are grateful to Gov. Herbert and the Board of

Psychologists for acting swiftly on behalf of LGBTQ youth.”

For more than 25 years, the NCLR has been leading the fight against conversion therapy. Since 2014, the NCLR’s Born Perfect Campaign has brought survivors and legal experts together to support legislation protecting LGBTQ youth from conversion therapy. Born Perfect has partnered with the Trevor Project 50 Bills 50 States campaign, the Human Rights Campaign, and Equality Utah, along with local advocates in support of these vital protections in Utah.

Momentum on this work continues to build, with a record-breaking number of states and localities taking action to protect youth in recent months, including North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The adoption of these new rules in Utah comes just a day after the Virginia Senate approved SB 245, which would protect youth from conversion therapy in that state. The Virginia bill now

heads to the Virginia House of Delegates.

According to an estimate from the Williams Institute from UCLA Law, more than 350,000 LGBTQ minors have been subjected to the dangerous practice of “conversion therapy,” which studies have linked to these youth being more than twice as likely to experience depression, and nearly three times more likely to attempt suicide.

Born Perfect is a survivor-led campaign created by the NCLR in 2014 to end conversion therapy by passing laws across the country to protect LGBT children and young people, fighting in courtrooms to ensure their safety, and raising awareness about the serious harms caused by these dangerous practices. http://bornperfect.org/ Courtesy of Born Perfect

HRC lauds adoption of Utah regulations protecting youth from “conversion therapy” SALT LAKE CITY (January 22, 2020) – Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, praised the adoption of Utah regulations that protect LGBTQ youth from the dangerous, debunked practice of so-called “conversion therapy.” Utah now becomes the 19th state (plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) to adopt a law or regulation against this harmful practice.

“No child should be subjected to socalled ‘conversion therapy,’ which has been debunked and condemned by every major medical and mental health association,” said Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “This is a hopeful day for Utah’s LGBTQ youth, and we’re grateful to the leadership of Equality

Utah and others on the ground who have been working tirelessly to make this day a reality. Now, we have to continue to push for laws and regulations in every state and jurisdiction in the United States, so that no youth will be forced to endure this dangerous practice anymore.”

There is no credible evidence that conversion therapy can change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. To the contrary, research has clearly shown that these practices pose devastating health risks for LGBTQ young people, resulting in depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, homelessness, and suicidal behavior. The harmful practice is condemned by every major medical and mental health organization, including the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, and

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January 24, 2020

American Medical Association.

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico all have laws or regulations protecting youth from this harmful practice. A growing number of municipalities have also enacted similar protections, including over sixty cities and counties in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin.

According to a recent report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, an estimated 20,000 LGBTQ minors in states without protections will be subjected to conversion therapy by a licensed health

care professional if state officials fail to act. Last year, national organizations representing millions of licensed medical and mental health care professionals, educators, and child welfare advocates declared their support for protections against conversion therapy.

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!

YOUNG VOTERS continued from cover

as “likely Democratic voters.”

Sanders was the preferred candidate for 32% of the respondents. Former Vice President Joe Biden follows with 16%. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg were tied for third with 9% each.

Andrew Yang came next at 8%, with Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard tied at 3% each. Thirteen percent of respondents said they were undecided.

Curiously, Sanders has the greatest appeal to young voters, but he is the oldest candidate in the Democratic field, at 78.

Buttigieg is the youngest, at 38.

Sanders’s lead in the survey cuts across all demographics, including young men, women, whites, African Americans, and Latinos, as well as self-described Democrats, independents, progressives, and liberals.

Respondents also seem to favor the Democratic brand in general. Every leading Democratic presidential candidate beats Donald Trump by double digits in head-to-head match-ups.

Sanders beats Trump by the largest margin, 58% to 34%. Biden wins by 51% to 35%, and Warren leads Trump by 51% to 36%, according to the poll.

Bloomberg also leads Trump in a headto-head matchup, 50% to 34%, while Buttigieg has a 12-point margin, 47% to 35%.

“We know from history that the young

Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

vote, when harnessed and unleashed, can have huge consequences on the election,” Jeremy Zogby, partner and managing director of John Zogby Strategies, said in a statement.

“The Young Voter survey we’re conducting with Forbes is an important barometer of what will happen not only this year but in five to ten years, as this young cohort becomes the next wave of leaders in business and society.”

Claim: There are only two genders.

Truth: Human biology is far more complex than a binary. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the American Psychiatric Association all agree that gender identity does not exist in a structured binary.

GLAAD

continued from cover NEW YORK – GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today [November 6, 2019] released the following information to show a disturbing trend by anti-LGBTQ activists who have used anti-trans rhetoric and messaging to influence this year’s contentious statewide elections across the country. The anti-trans ads reached Americans through many mediums and appear to have targeted electoral contests in Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Virginia. But despite the onslaught of ads, LGBTQ candidates like Danica Roem and pro-LGBTQ candidates like Andy Beshear were able to win their respective elections.

Photo courtesy of Youtube / Campaign for American Principles

THE ADS: Nationwide: The same conservative PAC that is behind the Kentucky ads has cut a series of anti-trans spots that culminate in the message: “On Tuesday, November 5, vote against Democrats.” It is unclear where these will air. [https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNqpkLX_ shU&feature=youtu.be]

are likely to continue using this tactic into next year’s critical 2020 elections. This anti-LGBTQ campaign is a similar strategy deployed by anti-LGBTQ activists in the 2004 elections, a successful effort which demonized marriage equality. [https:// www.nytimes.com/2004/11/04/politics/ campaign/samesex-marriage-issue-key-tosome-gop-races.html]

Kentucky: A conservative PAC is running ads claiming that that the Democratic candidate for governor, Andy Beshear, is threatening opportunities for cisgender females athletes because he supports “a competitor who claims they are a girl. [https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2019/09/ rightwing-pac-scare-mongering-transrights-kentucky-governors-election/]”

“The Trump Administration’s incessant attacks on transgender Americans have effectively spread across the country in 2019 state elections, and the public should expect this tactic to be used during critical elections next year too,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD’s President & CEO. “The assertions and misinformation in these ads have been debunked time and again, but this ‘topdown’ strategy by anti-LGBTQ activists will only be defeated when the community bands together and fights back.”

The anti-transgender dialogue comes as attacks on the trans community have skyrocketed. So far this year [2019], more than 21 transgender women of color have been murdered, [https://www.hrc.org/resources/ violence-against-the-transgender-community-in-2019] continuing a disturbing epidemic on the community. Further, President Donald Trump and his administration’s 130 attacks on the LGBTQ community [https:// www.glaad.org/trump] have largely targeted the transgender community specifically, including denying trans Americans health care and banning trans people from serving in the country’s armed forces.

Below you will find background information from GLAAD on how anti-LGBTQ activists are using anti-trans language and messaging in their campaigns:

Louisiana: Ralph Abraham, GOP candidate for governor, is running ads stating, “as a doctor, I can assure you, there are only two genders.” [https://www.nbcnews. com/feature/nbc-out/louisiana-governors-race-ad-takes-aim-transgender-rightsn1045176] Mississippi: GOP candidate Tate Reeves has made anti-trans comments, insisting to the anti-LGBTQ American Family Association that trans rights would trample on religious freedom. [https:// afaaction.net/interviews-with-mississippicandidates-for-governor/] Donald Trump, Jr. used this anti-trans rhetoric just yesterday [November 5, 2019] [http://www.newnownext.com/donaldtr ump-jr-transphobic-cbs-this-mor ning/11/2019/], and anti-LGBTQ activists

The poll has a margin of error of 3.1 points, and 3.9 points for questions asked of self-identified Democratic voters only.

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WHAT: With past LGBTQ political footballs like marriage equality no longer playable for them, some conservative candidates and groups are spewing anti-transgender rhetoric and using misinformation about trans people in last-minute attempts to turn out voters in their favor. A similar strategy was made by the Virginia Republican Party and its candidates, who used debunked ads about immigration days before the 2017 Virginia gubernatorial elections.

WHY: With a president whose own anti-trans record is clear, statewide candidates are following the national party’s lead and using transgender people as a way to get out the evangelical vote.

WHO’S BEHIND THE ADS? In Kentucky, it’s an organizational PAC called Campaign For American Principles, and in Louisiana and Mississippi, it is the Republican Party’s candidates’ own campaigns. However, the anti-trans push is a mainstream political position that is supported by virtually every conservative group, the vast majority of GOP elected officials, and the current Trump Administration. Which means we are more likely than not to see this push in GOP campaigns up and down the ticket across the nation through November 2020.

FACT VERSUS FICTION: Below you will find the type of antitransgender rhetoric that is surely to pop up in future political ads across the nation through the 2020 political cycle.

January 24, 2020

Claim: Trans women have an unfair advantage in sports.

Truth: This is false, and the so-called “unfair advantage” narrative developed only when transgender athletes began winning their competitions. As the NCAA states, there are about 150 to 200 student athletes who identify as transgender. [https://www.wired.com/story/the-glorious-victories-of-trans-athletes-are-shaking-up-sports/] However, they have not received attention because they haven’t won their matches. Organizations like Athlete Ally have also worked with scientists to confirm that a person’s gender identity does not impact their performance as an athlete.

Claim: Trans rights threaten religious freedom.

Truth: The idea that trans people are in conflict with any law, policy, or statute is 100% built around transphobia. Transgender people are religious and non-religious, Republican and Democrat, conservative and liberal. That’s because transgender people are simply people trying to live, work, and operate in society the same as anyone else.

DOES THIS CAMPAIGN TACTIC WORK? There are two major differences between the most prominent anti-LGBTQ wedge issue, marriage equality, and this current anti-trans push.

(1) The Democratic Party is largely united in support of trans rights, something that was not true when the big anti-marriage pushes of the early 2000’s led to antiLGBTQ electoral success. [https://time. com/5657157/2020-election-candidatestransgender-lgbt-rights/] (2) Public polling shows that a majority of American voters support trans rights, with many polls showing even a plurality of Republican voters hold favorable views. [https://www.prri.org/research/americasgrowing-support-for-transgender-rights/] Courtesy of GLAAD

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RELIGION

Pope replaces anti-Gay Philly archbishop

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Pope Francis announced on January 23 that he would replace Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput.

Chaput turned 75 last September and, as required by Catholic Church rules, submitted a pro forma resignation to the Vatican.

In many cases, the Pope will choose not to act on such resignations, leaving trusted clerics in their positions.

In Chaput’s case, however, Francis decided to replace him with Nelson Perez, currently Bishop of Cleveland.

Although the Pope did not explain his decision, Chaput had clashed with Francis on a number of issues. Chaput, for example, supported a 2017 letter sent to the Vatican by four ultraconservative cardinals, demanding that the Pope clarify his views on communion for LGBT and divorced Catholics.

Throughout his career, Chaput was an opponent of the LGBT community.

Last October, at a general assembly of Bishops, Chaput opposed the use of the terms “LGBT” or “LGBTQ” in church documents.

“There is no such thing as an ‘LGBTQ Catholic’ or a ‘Transgender Catholic’ or even a ‘heterosexual Catholic,’” he proclaimed.

Chaput also used the occasion to denounce the Pope, suggesting he was guilty of “ignorance, cowardice, and laziness in forming young people to carry the faith into the future.”

In 2015, Chaput supported the firing of Margie Winters, the director of religious education at Waldron Mercy Academy, when he discovered she had married her wife in a 2007 civil marriage ceremony.

In his previous post as archbishop of Denver – before the Obergefell decision legalized same-sex marriages nationally – Chaput helped defeat civil unions legislation. More recently, Chaput, paid for bus fleets so Philadelphia Catholics to attend the National Organization for Marriage’s anti-LGBT hate marches.

Chaput also believed that public officials who voted for LGBT rights or reproductive choice should be denied church sacraments.

In 2004 Chaput told the New York Times that it was sinful for Catholics to vote for Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry because Kerry was pro-choice. According to the Times, he said that those who intended to vote for him were “cooperating in evil” and needed “to go to confession.”

Pope Francis and Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput – Photo by L'Osservatore Romano

King County Library System surpasses 5 million digital checkouts in 2019 ISSAQUAH (January 13, 2020) – Rakuten OverDrive, a digital reading platform used by the King County Library System (KCLS), has released their 2019 digital circulation statistics. KCLS patrons checked out 5,678,572 digital titles in 2019 – up nearly 17% from last year, making KCLS the No. 2 digital circulating library in the U.S. and No. 3 worldwide.

Public libraries around the world circulated a record level of digital content last year, providing patrons access to more than 326 million eBooks, audiobooks and digital magazines.

“We are pleased to see record-breaking digital readership in 2019, both among the residents of King County and readers nationwide,” said KCLS Executive Director Lisa Rosenblum. “OverDrive’s download data illustrates the ever-increasing need for digital content, and the important role libraries play in providing equitable access to information in all forms.”

KCLS’ Top Five Electronic Titles in 2019: • Becoming by Michelle Obama • Educated: a Memoir by Tara Westover • Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens • Crazy Rich Asians: Crazy Rich Asians Series, Book 1 by Kevin Kwan • Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng A valid KCLS library card or eCard gives patrons access to the System’s online collection, which includes streaming films, eBooks, online magazines, research databases, exam-preparation tools, online classes and more.

About the King County Library System Founded in 1942, the King County Library System (KCLS) is one of the busiest public library systems in the country.

Photo by John Lamb / Digital Vision / Getty Images

Serving the communities of King County (outside the City of Seattle), KCLS currently has 50 libraries and more than 700,000 cardholders. In 2019, residents

checked out more than 5.6 million digital eBooks and audiobooks through Rakuten OverDrive, making KCLS the No. 3 digital circulating library in the world. In 2011,

KCLS was named Library of the Year by Gale/Library Journal.

Courtesy of KCLS

Visit us online at www.sgn.org 8 Seattle Gay News

January 24, 2020

Celebrating 46 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

January 24, 2020

Seattle Gay News 9

PENCE

continued from cover “From his years attacking same-sex marriage to his implicit support of marginalizing LGBTQ youth, Mike Pence has spent his career denigrating the rights and liveli-

hoods of LGBTQ people. It’s not surprising that Mike Pence would condone this dangerous and hateful rhetoric against LGBTQ people that is supported by radical fringe faith groups. While Pence’s tacit endorsement of this threatening rhetoric will only further put LGBTQ people at risk of violence and discrimination, we are grateful

for the ever increasing presence of proequality denominations and faith leaders across the country drowning out the shriek of violence with songs of love.”

The Human Rights Campaign has compiled a report of Pence’s long and deeply troubling history of anti-LGBTQ

actions and rhetoric, accessible at https:// assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/ RealMikePence-2018-FinalReport.pdf.

Courtesy of HRC

During third year in office, Trump administration expanded discriminatory policies and practices that are harming the health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ people in America and around the world BOSTON (January 21, 2020) – Today, the Fenway Institute of Fenway Health released a policy brief demonstrating that in 2019, the Trump administration dramatically expanded upon discriminatory, antiLGBT policies implemented in 2017 and 2018 that are harming the health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ people in America and around the world.

“During Donald Trump’s third year as president, we moved from worrying that antiLGBT policies would harm people to seeing the damage of these policies in action,” said Sean Cahill, PhD, director of health policy research at the Fenway Institute. “The most dramatic examples have been the deaths of two transgender women seeking asylum in the United States who were detained in facilities currently being sued for their alleged abuse of LGBT migrants. Other moves have made LGBT people and people living with HIV much more vulnerable to discrimination in health care, social services, employment, education, and access to basic government services.”

Much of the harm LGBT people are now experiencing is the result of discriminatory actions that target them, such as rolling back sexual orientation and gender identity nondiscrimination provisions in health care, employment, and housing while expanding discriminatory religious refusal policies. But other policies that are not specifically aimed at LGBT people, such as restricting asylum hearings in the United States only to people who have been denied asylum in another country, and the maltreatment of people in border detention facilities, have disproportionately affected LGBT people from Central America seeking asylum to escape anti-LGBT violence.

In June, a transgender woman from El Salvador, who spent six weeks in a detention center in New Mexico that has been sued by the ACLU for creating “unconscionable conditions” for LGBT immigrants, died after being hospitalized for chest pain. The woman, a nurse, had repeatedly asked for an IV solution or, barring that, water, salt, and sugar, so she could make and administer her own solution but was denied medical care.

Two initiatives by the Trump administration aimed at improving the conditions of LGBT people around the world and ending the transmission of HIV have been undermined by the administration’s own anti-LGBT policies.

During his 2019 State of the Union address, President Trump announced the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative, a new plan to end the HIV epidemic by 2030 with increased investments in outreach and prevention to communities hit hardest by HIV. But the campaign does little to address anti-LGBT discrimination and stigma, which are the underlying drivers behind the HIV epidemic among the most disproportionately affected populations in this country. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s work to uphold religious refusal protections, repeal nondiscrimination protections for LGBT Americans, and

10 Seattle Gay News

Photo by Saul Loeb / Getty Images

other such actions may actually increase discrimination against LGBT people, creating additional barriers to success for the HIV initiative.

In February 2019, the Trump administration announced that it would launch a global campaign to end the criminalization of homosexuality, as it is still a crime in 70 countries around the world, with 13 of them allowing for the death penalty. Since the announcement, the Trump administration has been inconsistent in implementing its policy. While the US State Department publicly condemned anti-LGBT laws and actions in Chechnya and Brunei, it has been silent on similar anti-LGBT actions taken this year by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kenya.

The US Ambassador to Zambia, who criticized the imprisonment of a gay couple there for 15 years, was told to leave the country by Zambia’s president and was recalled by the US State Department last month.

Other examples of actions taken by the Trump administration in 2019 that undermine the health and well-being of LGBT people and people living with HIV include the following: • Proposing a new rule to reverse the Obama-era final rule implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which prohibits discrimination in the provision of health care. The 2016 Section 1557 rule was implemented to address anti-LGBT discrimination in health care, which can range from being verbally or physically harassed to being denied treatment altogether.

• Proposing a new rule to remove explicit sexual orientation and gender identity nondiscrimination provisions from important health care regulations governing health

January 24, 2020

insurance exchanges, Medicaid regulations, and the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.

• Proposing a new rule to remove regulatory provisions that explicitly prohibit organizations that receive HHS grant funding from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, and religion. Such a rule would affect organizations that provide a wide array of health and social services, including health care at federally funded community health centers, HIV and STI testing and prevention, refugee resettlement, elder care programs, childcare and after-school programs, community meal programs, and adoption and foster care services.

• Nominating judges for lifetime federal appointments who have expressed antiLGBT sentiments and/or have histories of ruling against the interests of LGBT Americans.

• Arguing before the US Supreme Court in favor of limiting existing nondiscrimination provisions under Title VII that have been used to protect LGBT workers.

• Proposing an amendment to the Equal Access Rule, which ensures that homeless shelters do not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

• Amending the 2019 Notice of Funding Availability Act, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, to remove a crucial incentive that encouraged housing providers to support LGBT individuals. LGBTQ youth and transgender people, especially people of color, experience disproportionately high rates of homelessness.

• Eliminating disparate impact civil

rights regulations that treat policies that are neutral on paper but have an unequal impact in practice as forms of discrimination, even if there was no discriminatory intent.

• Finalizing a rule that allows health care providers to refuse to participate in medical procedures, such as infertility treatment for same-sex couples, abortion, and HIV treatment, for religious reasons.

• Proposing a new rule that would remove sexual orientation data collection for foster youth and foster and adoptive parents in the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System.

• Implementing a ban on transgender troops that was first proposed in 2017 and that puts an estimated 13,600 transgender individuals at risk of being discharged.

The policy brief can be downloaded [at https://fenwayhealth.org/during-third-yearin-office-trump-administration-expandeddiscriminatory-policies-and-practices-thatare-harming-the-health-and-well-being-oflgbtqia-people-in-america-and-around-theworld/].

Since 1971, Fenway Health has been working to make life healthier for the people in our neighborhoods, the LGBTQIA+ community, people living with HIV/AIDS and the broader population. The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health is an interdisciplinary center for research, training, education, and policy development focusing on national and international health issues.

Courtesy of Fenway Health

Celebrating 46 Years!

HRC announces Senate endorsements in effort to achieve pro-equality majority WASHINGTON, DC (January 23, 2020) -- Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization announced multiple endorsements of candidates and incumbents in their bid for seats in the US Senate.

Last year, the US House passed the Equality Act, historic and crucial federal legislation that would finally guarantee explicit, permanent protections for LGBTQ people under our nation’s existing civil rights laws. But rather than giving LGBTQ people a fair shot, Sen. McConnell has blocked the bill from coming up for a vote.

With a new pro-equality Senate majority, we have the opportunity not just to pass the Equality Act but ensure access to quality, affordable health care is protected, com-

mon-sense gun safety legislation can be considered, voting rights can be advanced, and anti-equality judges are not put on our federal courts and the Supreme Court.

HRC-endorsed candidates for US Senate • Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) • Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) • Jaime Harrison (D-SC) • Mark Kelly (D-AZ) • Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) • Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN, previously endorsed) “Across America, LGBTQ people are fired from jobs, refused essential services like health care, and vulnerable to violence because of Sen. McConnell’s failure to bring the Equality Act up for a vote,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “When

these candidates are elected as part of a pro-equality majority, the US Senate can pick up where the House left off and finally pass the Equality Act. The HRC is working to mobilize 57 million equality voters nationwide to turn out this November and ensure our candidates win because lives are on the line.”

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.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organizations 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

GLSEN denounces harmful new religious exemptions proposed by the Trump administration NEW YORK (January 21, 2020) – GLSEN, the leading education organization working to create safe and inclusive schools for LGBTQ students, today denounced the harmful religious exemptions to federally funded programs across nine federal agencies recently proposed by the Trump administration. These new regulations would, among other things, make it easier for schools to qualify for Title IX exemptions as “religious schools” and make it more difficult for states to protect students from discrimination carried out with public funds. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects students from discrimination on the basis of sex, which has been interpreted in recent years to cover discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Further, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, which will be argued in front of the US Supreme Court tomorrow, could allow for public funds to go to

schools that discriminate against LGBTQ students and staff by eradicating the current provisions that bar public funds from financing religious education. The Department of Justice under Attorney General William Barr filed an amicus brief in support of jettisoning those provisions.

“The Trump administration’s ongoing effort to make us all pay for discrimination in K-12 schools under the guise of religion must be resisted at every step,” said Eliza Byard, executive director of GLSEN. “We should be working to make our nation’s schools safe for all students, not eroding existing civil rights protections that protect LGBTQ and other marginalized youth, and paying for the practices that put them at risk.”

GLSEN’s most recent National School Climate Survey (NSCS) shows that 62% of LGBTQ youth experienced discriminatory school policies and practices. LGBTQ students who experienced LGBTQ-related

discrimination at school were more likely to miss school, had lower GPAs, were less likely to feel a sense of belonging to their school community, had lower self-esteem, and had higher levels of depression.

GLSEN’s NSCS also found that LGBTQ students in religious schools were more likely to hear negative remarks about gender expression than LGBTQ students in public schools, and LGBTQ students in religious schools reported the most antiLGBTQ related discriminatory school policies and practices, compared to LGBTQ students in public schools and in private nonreligious schools.

GLSEN is calling for the passage of the Equality Act, which would protect all students from discrimination based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, which would help assure safer school environments, where LGBTQ youth can thrive, personally and academically.

GLSEN works to create safe and inclusive schools for all. It envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression. Each year, GLSEN programs and resources reach millions of students and educators in K-12 schools, via action at the national, state, and local levels. Over nearly three decades of work, GLSEN has improved conditions for LGBTQ students across the United States and launched an international movement to address LGBTQ issues in education and promote respect for all in schools. Find more information on GLSEN’s policy advocacy, student leadership initiatives, school-based programs, research, and professional development for educators at www.glsen. org.

Courtesy of GLSEN

6% of sexual minority adults in the US identify as queer LOS ANGELES (January 22, 2020) – An estimated 6% of sexual minority adults in the US identify as queer, according to a new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. Those who identify as queer are overwhelmingly cisgender women or genderqueer/nonbinary (GQNB); they are also younger and more highly educated than other sexual minorities.

Researchers examined a representative sample of sexual minorities in the United States from three age groups – young (1825), middle (34-41), and older (52-59) – to determine the demographics and sexuality of people who identify as queer, compared to those who identify as lesbian/gay, bisexual, or other sexual minority identities.

In terms of sexuality, queer individuals are more likely than other sexual minorities to report attraction to, and sexual relationships with, transgender and GQNB people, though differences emerge by gender identity.

“We find in this study that queer individuals make up a sizeable proportion of sexual minorities, who are distinct in a number of important ways from other sexual minority people, both in terms of demographic characteristics and sexuality, and across gender identity. Additional research is needed to fully understand this population,” said lead author Shoshana K. Goldberg, a research consultant at the Williams Institute.

Findings • Among sexual minorities, 6% identify as queer, 50% identify as lesbian/gay, 41% identify as bisexual, and 7% use another sexual minority identity (e.g., pansexual).

• The majority (83%) of queer individuals were assigned female at birth.

• An estimated 56% of queer people are cisgender women and 10% are cisgender males.

• Over one-third of queer people identify as GQNB (34%), including 27% who were assigned female at birth and 7% assigned male at birth.

• The majority of queer individuals (76%) are young, aged 18-25. An additional fifth (22%) are aged 34-41, with the remaining 2% from the oldest age group (age 52-59).

• 39% of queer individuals have graduated from college or obtained a postgraduate degree compared with 32% of lesbians and gay men, 17% of bisexual people, and 25% of other sexual minorities.

• 85% of queer cisgender women report attraction to both men and women. Almost two-thirds (62%) were attracted to both cisgender and transgender women, substantially more than the rate at which lesbians (20%) and bisexual women (38%) are attracted to both. Queer cisgender women were substantially more likely than women of all other sexual minority groups to have had transgender sexual partners (either transgender men or transgender women).

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• 47% of queer cisgender men report attraction to both men and women. 72% were attracted to both cisgender and transgender men. Queer cisgender men were substantially more likely than men of other sexual minority groups to have had sexual partners who are transgender men (reported by approximately 30% of queer cisgender men, versus 11% of bisexual men and 2% of gay men).

“The term ‘queer’ has a long history with different connotations for sexual minorities,” said study author Ilan H. Meyer, Distinguished Senior Scholar of Public Policy at the Williams Institute.

“Some older people learned it as a derogatory term, but later it was claimed by academics as a critical term and field of study, and some young people may perceive it as an identity that is more fluid than ‘lesbian’ and ‘gay.’ Queer identity seems to represent greater openness to partners of all gender identities.”

About the study The report, “Exploring the Q in LGBTQ: Demographic Characteristic and Sexuality of Queer People in a US Representative Sample of Sexual Minorities,” appears in Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity and is coauthored by Shoshana K. Goldberg, PhD, research consultant at Williams Institute; Esther D. Rothblum, PhD, professor of

January 24, 2020

women’s studies at San Diego State University; Stephen T. Russell, PhD, professor in child development at the University of Texas, Austin; and Ilan H. Meyer, PhD, distinguished senior public policy scholar at the Williams Institute.

Research reported in this report is part of the Generations study, supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) of the National Institutes of Health, under award number R01HD078526. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

The Generations investigators are Ilan H. Meyer, PhD, (PI, UCLA); David M. Frost, PhD, (University College London); Phillip L. Hammack, PhD, (UCSC); Marguerita Lightfoot, PhD, (UCSF); Stephen T. Russell, PhD (University of Texas, Austin) and Bianca D.M. Wilson, PhD, (UCLA).

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

Courtesy of the Williams Institute

Seattle Gay News 11

HRC President Alphonso David releases record-breaking Corporate Equality Index at World Economic Forum in Davos DAVOS, SWITZERLAND (January 21, 2020) – At an event hosted by the Partnership for Global LGBTI Equality during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Alphonso David today announced that a record 686 of America’s leading companies and law firms are continuing to advance vital and rigorous policies and practices to protect their lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) workers, both at home and abroad, according to the HRC Foundation’s newly-released 2020 Corporate Equality Index (CEI).

This year, the highest number of companies in the CEI’s 18-year history earned top scores of 100 in the survey, the nation’s premier measure of LGBTQ workplace inclusion, besting last year’s total of 572 by more than 100. These companies – including 214 Fortune 500 companies and 123 of the nation’s top 200 law firms – have been designated a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality. Their efforts on behalf of their LGBTQ workers come at a time when the Trump-Pence administration is continuing its sustained attack on LGBTQ people – from a “license to discriminate” order targeting LGBTQ people as they go about their daily lives to proposing federal regulations to remove protections for LGBTQ employees of federal contractors. These companies have additionally weighed in on global equality and paid family leave.

“These companies know that protecting their LGBTQ employees and customers from discrimination is not just the right thing to do, it is also the best business decision. In addition, many of these leaders are also advocating for the LGBTQ community and equality under the law in the public square,” said David. “From support-

Image courtesy of HRC

ing LGBTQ civil rights protections in the US through HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act, to featuring transgender and nonbinary people in an ad in Argentina, to advocating for marriage equality in Taiwan, businesses understand their LGBTQ employees and customers deserve to be seen, valued, and respected not only at work but in every aspect of daily life.”

For the first time, the HRC this year is giving special recognition to the 11 companies that earned top marks on all three of HRC’s workplace equality assessments: the CEI, as well as Equidad MX and Equidad CL. The HRC’s groundbreaking Equidad program recognizes Latin American companies and US multinational companies for their work in Mexico and Chile.

“Transforming industry and society takes more than any one organization alone.

It takes consistent and sustained effort to overcome long-standing injustices that are codified in bodies of law or embedded in dominant cultural norms,” said Lindsay-Rae McIntyre, Microsoft Chief Diversity Officer.

“The Corporate Equality Index sets forth a common standard that I hope all organizations embrace – challenging us to construc-

tively disrupt systems [and] drive change within our business and the places where we do business – to be more fair, more caring, and more human.”

More than 260 top businesses – including 191 that earned top scores on the CEI – are also corporate supporters of the Equality Act, critically important bipartisan legislation that would finally add clear, comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people to our nation’s civil rights laws. While the Supreme Court decides whether LGBTQ people are protected by federal employment non-discrimination law, these companies are holding the line for their employees and their families.

Other key findings revealed in the 2020 CEI: • The 686 companies who earned a 100 on the CEI represent 12.4 million employees nationally and 11.9 million globally and earn a combined estimate of $12.9 trillion in revenue.

• Eighty-three companies participated in the CEI for the first time in 2020, with 36 debuting at a score of 100, including Etsy Inc., Peloton Interactive Inc., Stop & Shop, and Warner Music Group.

• Of all Fortune 500 companies, 93% have sexual orientaiton in their US nondiscrimination policy, and 91% have gender identity.

• The average CEI score for all Fortune 500 companies increased from 67 to 71 in the past year, with actively participating Fortune 500 companies having an average score of 90, up from 88 last year.

Over the last several years, CEI-rated companies have dramatically expanded their support for transgender workers. This year 89% percent of companies participating in the CEI offer at least one health care policy that is inclusive of their transgender workers, and 85% percent met stringent criteria that requires all blanket exclusions of medically necessary care for transgender workers be removed from all health policies the company offers, up from 73% last year.

The CEI rates companies and top law firms on detailed criteria in four broad categories: • Nondiscrimination policies • Employment benefits • Supporting an inclusive culture and corporate social responsibility including public commitment to LGBTQ equality • Responsible citizenship The full report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of 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

Equality California Institute launches $1 million statewide LGBTQ census outreach campaign LOS ANGELES (January 22, 2020) – Ahead of the 2020 census, Equality California Institute launched a $1 million statewide outreach campaign focused on the LGBTQ community – one of the hardest-to-count populations nationwide – on Wednesday. The campaign aims to educate and encourage LGBTQ people, especially those who are a part of other historically undercounted populations, to take part in the census by mail, telephone, or online.

California is home to the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ population – and key LGBTQ population centers like West Hollywood and San Francisco – and, experts say, is at serious risk of losing a congressional seat for the first time in history.

Equality California Institute’s comprehensive outreach campaign will include: • Digital advertising on Facebook and the LGBTQ dating app Grindr targeting LGBTQ people in California’s hardest-tocount neighborhoods and those who belong to other hard-to-count populations – communities of color, immigrants, renters, people experiencing homelessness, etc.; • Peer-to-peer text messaging, which the US Census Bureau recently touted as the most effective way to engage with hardto-count populations, encouraging selfresponse, providing reminders offering information on how to find local census kiosks, and more; • 10 regional LGBTQ census assistance kiosks, in traditionally hard-to-count loca-

tions throughout the state and staffed by local community-based partners. Locations have been finalized in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Bakersfield, and Visalia, and additional locations in Napa, Santa Rosa, Ventura County, and Santa Cruz are in the process of being finalized. Some locations will specifically serve bilingual LGBTQ populations; • Engagement with community members at local pride celebrations and other LGBTQ community events across the state; • Door-to-door canvassing in Los Angeles County, historically the hardest to count county in the nation; and • Technical support, grant funding and community engagement resources for local LGBTQ and allied community partners – including the California Complete Count Office’s regional LGBTQ outreach leads, local LGBTQ community centers, and organizations conducting outreach to other hard-to-count populations to whom LGBTQ people belong.

“The 2020 census is nothing less than a fight for our future – a future that values diversity and invests in the communities that need it most,” said Equality California Institute’s executive director Rick Zbur.

“Too often, California’s diverse LGBTQ community is undercounted, which denies us power, representation and funding for programs that the most vulnerable members of our community need to survive.

There’s far too much at stake to allow that

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January 24, 2020

to happen in 2020. LGBTQ Californians will be counted.”

Conducted every 10 years, the US census attempts to count every living person in the country. Both the US Census Bureau and the California Complete Count Office have designated LGBTQ people as a hard-tocount population. Members of the LGBTQ community who belong to multiple hardto-count populations – those experiencing homelessness, immigrants, people of color, renters, and low-income people – are particularly vulnerable to being undercounted.

The Latino Equality Alliance, a local nonprofit organization that serves Latinx members of the LGBTQ community in Los Angeles County, will partner with Equality California Institute to run a census questionnaire assistance kiosk at Mi Centro in Boyle Heights.

“The 2020 census will be critical for the LGBTQ community, especially for people of color,” said Latino Equality Alliance’s executive director Eddie Martinez.

“We as a community of immigrants and working-class families must be counted. It will determine who represents us as elected officials and the equity of resources that will support our schools, neighborhoods, and homes.”

Other local partner organizations include the Gender Health Center, the LGBT Asylum Project, the SOURCE LGBT+ Center, the Dolores Huerta Foundation, Arming Minorities Against Addic-

tion and Disease Institute, and San Diego LGBT Pride.

Even after the Trump-Pence administration scrapped plans to include questions regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in the 2020 census, participation is still crucial. The census will still ask demographic questions about race, ethnicity, and gender, and will for the first time include a question allowing same-sex couples to identify as either as spouses or unmarried partners. Additionally, LGBTQ families are disproportionately likely to participate in social safety net programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), in which one out of five LGBTQ families are enrolled. An undercount of LGBTQ Californians would result in less federal funding for LGBTQ families who depend on these programs to survive.

Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. It brings the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. It advances civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating, and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those it serves. www. eqca.org Courtesy of Equality California

Celebrating 46 Years!

HRC scores Washington companies’ LGBTQ-inclusive workplace policies in new corporate Equality Index

Photo by Rachael Jones / Amazon

WASHINGTON, DC (January 21, 2020) – America’s leading companies and law firms are stepping up in record numbers to adopt increasingly forward-looking policies and practices to meet the needs of their lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) workers in the US and abroad, according to the 2020 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), released today by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization.

In the most rigorous assessment of LGBTQ-inclusive workplace policies and practices to date, a record of more than 680 companies have been designated a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality by the HRC Foundation for their efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria results, earning them a 100% rating. Top-scoring companies include 14 in Washington.

In total, 1,059 companies and law firms were officially rated in the new CEI, up from 1,028 in last year’s survey. The report also unofficially rated 122 Fortune 500 companies, which have yet to respond to an invitation to participate in the CEI survey assessing their LGBTQ policies and practices. The average score for companies and law firms based in Washington is 88%. Of the 22 companies ranked, 14 earned 100 points and 18 earned 90 points and above.

For the first time, the HRC this year is giving special recognition to the 11 companies that earned top marks on all three of the HRC’s workplace equality assessments: the CEI, as well as Equidad MX and Equidad CL. The HRC’s groundbreaking Equidad program recognizes Latin American companies and US multinational companies for their work in Mexico and Chile.

“These companies know that protecting their LGBTQ employees and customers from discrimination is not just the right thing to do, it is also the best business decision. In addition, many of these leaders are also advocating for the LGBTQ community and equality under the law in the public square,” said HRC President Alphonso

Employer Headquarters Location State 2020 CEI Rating Amazon.com Inc. Seattle WA 100 Brooks Sports Inc. Seattle WA 100 Davis Wright Tremaine LLP Seattle WA 100 Expedia Group Bellevue WA 100 Fortive Corp.

Everett WA 100 Lane Powell PC Seattle WA 100 Microsoft Corp.

Redmond WA 100 Nordstrom Inc. Seattle WA 100 Perkins Coie LLP Seattle WA 100 Slalom Seattle WA 100 Starbucks Corp.

Seattle WA 100 T-Mobile USA Inc. Bellevue WA 100 WE Communications Bellevue WA 100 Zillow Group Seattle WA 100 Washington Permanente Medical Group Renton WA 95 Weyerhaeuser Co. Seattle WA 95 Alaska Airlines Seattle WA 90 Recreational Equipment Inc. Kent WA 90 Redfin Corp.

Seattle WA 65 Costco Wholesale Corp.

Issaquah WA 60 Expeditors International of Washington Inc. Seattle WA 20 Paccar Inc. Bellevue WA 20 David. “From supporting LGBTQ civil lion employees nationally and 11.9 million removed from all health policies the comrights protections in the US through the globally and earn a combined estimate of pany offers, up from 73% last year.

The CEI rates companies and top law HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality $12.9 trillion in revenue.

• Eighty-three companies participated in firms on detailed criteria in four broad catAct, to featuring transgender and nonbinary people in an ad in Argentina, to advocat- the CEI for the first time in 2020, with 36 egories: • Nondiscrimination policies ing for marriage equality in Taiwan, busi- debuting at a score of 100, including Etsy • Employment benefits nesses understand their LGBTQ employees Inc., Peloton Interactive Inc., Stop & Shop, • Supporting an inclusive culture and corand customers deserve to be seen, valued, and Warner Music Group.

• Of all Fortune 500 companies, 93% porate social responsibility, including puband respected not only at work but in every have sexual orientation in their US nondis- lic commitment to LGBTQ equality aspect of daily life.”

• Responsible citizenship More than 260 top businesses – includ- crimination policy, and 91% have gender The full report is available online at ing 191 that earned top scores on the CEI identity.

• The average CEI score for all Fortune www.hrc.org/cei.

– are also corporate supporters on the Equality Act, critically important biparti- 500 companies increased from 67 to 71 in The Human Rights Campaign Foundasan legislation that would finally add clear, the past year – with actively participating comprehensive nondiscrimination protec- Fortune 500 companies having an average tion is the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to tions for LGBTQ people to our nation’s score of 90, up from 88 last year.

Over the last several years, CEI-rated achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual civil rights laws. While the Supreme Court decides whether LGBTQ people are pro- companies have dramatically expanded transgender, and queer people. The HRC tected by federal employment nondiscrimi- their support for transgender workers. This envisions a world where LGBTQ people nation law, these companies are holding the year 89% of companies participating in the are embraced as full members of society at CEI offer at least one health care policy home, at work, and in every community. line for their employees and their families.

Other key findings revealed in the 2020 that is inclusive of their transgender workCourtesy of the HRC ers, and 85% met stringent criteria that CEI: • The more than 680 companies that requires all blanket exclusions of medically earned a 100 on the CEI represent 12.4 mil- necessary care for transgender workers be

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