SGN October 23, 2020

Celebrating 46 Years!

Issue 43 Volume 48

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

Former Seattle Mayors call for return to civility in public discourse A statement from former Seattle Mayors – via Facebook As former Mayors of Seattle, we condemn the continuing threats of violence against our elected officials, including Mayor Durkan and our City Council members. These threats, homophobic, misogynistic and anti-immigrant slurs, and the destruction of personal property have no place in our city or as part of our civic discourse.

see MAYORS page 10

“To the City’s first lesbian Mayor”: A photo from one of the six demonstrations where the Mayor's house and street were filled with homophobic, misogynistic and graffiti that incites violence. – Photo courtesy of The Office of the Seattle Mayor

Pope backs same-sex civil unions Photo by Angelo Carconi / AP

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Pope Francis has announced public support for same-sex civil unions.

“Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family. They’re children of God and

have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it,” Pope Francis said.

“What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered,” he added. “I stood up for that.”

see POPE FRANCIS page 9

How they’re spending the money:

Big differences between Trump and Biden campaigns Biden – Photo by Matt Rourke / AP, Trump – Photo by Alex Brandon / AP

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Both Donald Trump and challenger Joe Biden have raised huge amounts of campaign cash, but they’ve spent the money in very different – and characteristic – ways.

According to NPR, Biden had raised a total of $1.35 billion against Trump’s $1.49 billion. Biden has a decided edge in recent fundraising, however, posting $358 million for the month of September, against Trump’s $153 million.

see BIDEN V. TRUMP page 7

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October 23, 2020

Celebrating 46 Years!

Vote!

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

Editors SGN Staff Copy Editor Rick McKinnon • Richard Isaac Advertising Maggie Bloodstone, Ad Manager National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Staff Writers Mike Andrew • Sara Michelle Fetters Miryam Gordon Contributing Writers Alice Bloch • Maggie Bloodstone Sharon Cumberland • Jesse Monteagudo David Nguyen aka Teriyaki Temple Rod Parke • Tim Peter • Jessica Price Scott Rice • MK Scott Mark Segal • Gaysha Starr Sarah Toce • Ed Walsh Social Media Manager MK Scott Cartoonist

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OBITUARY

IN MEMORIAM Carl J. Estheimer October 22, 1962-August 25, 2020 Carl J. Estheimer was born October 22, 1962 in Minot, ND. He passed away August 25, 2020 in Seattle. He is survived by his husband, Kyle Aguon, and their canine child, Zoey.

We were all blessed with the good fortune of having our lives touched by Carl.

Especially Kyle, who spent 17 years with him, married for 7. He was a very humble guy never bringing up his accomplishments.

Carl was an Eagle Scout, did his mission in Nova Scotia, became a physician, a skilled innovated craftsman, a physical therapist and a property manager. He loved to cook, bake and garden, growing tomatoes and flowers. As property managers, Carl and Kyle created a community among their apartment tenants, providing a table, chairs, canopy and BBQ for all to use and gather around, pre-COVID. Carl was a devoted son to his mother, Beverly, and his father, C.R. Estheimer. He is preceded in death by his favorite uncle, Larry, his best friend, Dennis Thompson, and canine children, Diesel and Sasha.

Kind, generous and loving with a great sense of humor are qualities to describe Carl. Carl left us too soon, but he will be forever in our hearts.

Photo courtesy of Friends of Carl J. Estheimer

Ken Campbell Calendar Editor Rick McKinnon Classifieds Rick McKinnon Photographers Nate Gowdy • Renee Raketty Chris Rojas • MK Scott Production Mike Pham Website Designer Barry Thorsness / Digital Team Works Seattle Gay News is published by Angela Cragin. © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Reprints by permission.

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

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

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

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

And please play safe.

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

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In Loving Memory Of George Bakan

Scott Roger Alpert Cookie Andrews-Hunt James Arnold Steve Foiles Shaun Knittel James Leland Moore Don Paulson Randy Peters Lee Richeson Shaun Shelton Jim Tully

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$40 million COVID relief fund opens for WA immigrants SEATTLE (October, 21, 2020) – A new $40 million fund to provide economic relief to immigrants in Washington state began accepting applications today. The Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund will distribute $1,000 per person (up to $3,000 per household) to Washington residents who are ineligible because of immigration status for federal stimulus funds or unemployment benefits.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced the fund in August after working with a coalition of more than 400 community organizations across the state. The fund is managed by a leadership team of 11 immigrant-led community organizations, along with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, the Legal Foundation of Washington and Seattle Credit Union.

To apply, individuals must be Washington residents, at least 18 years old, have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and be ineligible for federal stimulus funding and unemployment insurance because of their immigration status. Applications are open at immigrantreliefwa.org from Oct. 21 to Dec. 6.

Money will be disbursed by Dec. 28, 2020.

The fund was created in response to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on immigrant communities. Many immigrants are essential workers in Washington’s biggest industries, including agriculture, construction, and health care. Latino immigrants in particular are at risk from COVID19. As of August, Latino residents make up 40% of COVID-19 infections in Washington state, but only 13% of the population.

While most immigrants (regardless of immigration status) pay local, state, and federal taxes, about 250,000 people

October 23, 2020

in Washington state do not have access to federal CARES Act stimulus payments or unemployment benefits because of their immigration status.

The community organizations administering the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund include: • Asian Counseling and Referral Service • Colectiva Legal del Pueblo • Fair Work Center • Northwest Immigrant Rights Project • Nuestra Casa • OneAmerica • Raiz of Planned Parenthood • Scholarship Junkies • Washington Census Alliance • Washington Dream Coalition • Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network Organizations involved in the leadership of the fund issued the following statements: “Undocumented, immigrant, and refugee communities live essential lives and most are work essential jobs. During this global pandemic that has impacted everyone, immigrant communities have been left behind and excluded from most safety net programs that are keeping everyone healthy and safe. As Americans, we know that during a disaster no one should be left behind; as Washingtonians we are walking the talk, and we are ensuring that our deserving communities have access to the COVID-19 relief tools to keep their families and neighbors healthy!” – Monserrat Padilla, director, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network “During the pandemic, as immigrants, we have been at the highest risk for getting the virus, losing work, or losing loved ones.

But the federal government intentionally left millions of us out of financial support based on our immigration status. This is wrong: all of us who call Washington home deserve support to make it through this time. The $40 million state fund, which immigrants fought for and will be administering, is a victory.” – Alejandra Pérez, organizer, Washington Dream Coalition “ACRS is proud to support the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund and help support undocumented AAPI Washingtonians in solidarity with other immigrant communities across the state. American Community Survey data has shown that AAPIs represent around a quarter of all undocumented Washingtonians, but the need to support undocumented AAPIs has gone largely unnoticed, and we look forward to finding more ways to connect our most vulnerable community members with the resources they are entitled to and need to provide for themselves and their loved ones during these nearly unprecedented times of economic insecurity.” – Joseph Lachman, policy analyst, Asian Counseling and Referral Services “We are proud to be part of the very broad coalition that made the case for this critical funding and we thank Gov. Inslee for making this a priority. This is an important step toward recognizing both the critical role undocumented immigrants play in our economy and the fact that they have been excluded from all previous pandemic relief programs.” – Larry Brown, president of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO Courtesy of Pyramid Commuications

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BOOKS

We want your books!

Due dates for library materials are back in November at the Seattle Public Library return services are in full swing, it’s important we get books and other materials back to ensure a well-stocked collection for patrons who are ready to check out new items,” said Bo Kinney, managing librarian for the Library’s Circulation Services.

Loan periods will remain the same as they were prior to the Library’s COVID-19 closure: three weeks for most materials and two weeks for DVDs and Peak Picks titles.

Patrons will be contacted individually about specific due dates and return options.

Book drops open daily The Library is now accepting returns at 13 library locations. No appointment is necessary to return materials. Book drops are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or until they are full.

Two weeks before a patron’s due date, a one-time email notice will be sent asking for materials to be returned and providing information about return options.

We will also be sending regular due date reminders and other notices, available by email, phone, and text message. See spl. org/notifications for more detail. To pick up new holds while returning books, visit the Library’s Curbside Service page for locations, hours, and appointment options.

Image courtesy of SPL

SEATTLE (October 21, 2020) – That stack of books and DVDs you’ve had since March? We’re ready for them to come back!

Starting Nov. 1, staggered due dates will be applied to all physical materials cur-

rently checked out from the Seattle Public Library. Due dates were suspended when Library buildings were closed to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

“Now that curbside pickup and book

No more late fines The Library no longer charges daily late fines for overdue items, thanks to the 2019 Library Levy, and, if no one else is waiting, an item may be renewed up to three times.

However, patrons are still responsible for

returning items on time. If an item is kept 31 days past the due date, a patron’s library account will be temporarily suspended, and some digital media services will not be accessible until all overdue items are returned. (Normally, a patron’s account would be suspended if an item is kept 14 days past its due date, but that rule has been relaxed during this time.)

More information The Library brings people, information, and ideas together to enrich lives and build community.

On Oct. 6, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that public libraries may allow some indoor service at 25% capacity in Phase 2 of his Safe Start reopening plan. The Seattle Public Library is assessing the new reopening requirements with current planning efforts to expand services. The safety of our patrons and staff is our top priority.

More details will be announced soon at the Library’s Road to Reopening page.

The Seattle Public Library also has many free online services, resources and programs available while its physical buildings remain closed. You can find out more [at www.spl.org/books-and-media/digitalresources] or by contacting the Library by phone at 206-386-4636. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information during this challenging time.

Courtesy of the Seattle Public Library

HRC report highlights the unique impact of felony disenfranchisement laws on women of color WASHINGTON, DC (October 21, 2020) – Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, released “Banned from the Ballot Box: The Impact of Felony Disenfranchisement Laws on LBTQ Women of Color,” a new report detailing the United States’ history of felony disenfranchisement and how laws have uniquely impacted lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer women of color, who are the fastest-growing group in the juvenile justice system. Too often felony disenfranchisement laws suppress the voices of communities of color, including women and LGBTQ people, and lead to overpolicing and mass incarceration.

“For far too long, laws and policies have been enacted to restrict the rights of people of color to vote and include women, LGBTQ people, and other marginalized communities,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “Currently, people of color, including lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer women, who have been convicted of felonies are forced to live under a patchwork of state laws, leaving them uncertain about their eligibility to vote and unfairly removed from the electoral process. We need systemic change at every level to break the cycle of racial and social injustice that affect all people of color.

And that change most effectively comes

arrest, incarceration, and ultimately disenfranchisement. Increased contact with law enforcement, judges, and jurors presents unique opportunities for racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia to occur. Disenfranchisement and alienation from civic life are often additional penalties that trail these women – in some cases for a lifetime.

Within the LGBTQ community, people of color, LGBTQ youth, and transgender individuals are often the most impacted by weakened voting rights laws. A poll found that African-American and Latino voters were three times as likely as white voters to report trouble finding their polling place. With one-third of transgender people reporting having no government identification that reflects their gender identity, voter ID laws often forcibly “out” transgender voters to poll workers, putting them at risk for discrimination and harassment.

Read the report [at https://bit. ly/3dLQnk1].

Image courtesy of HRC

through a pro-equality administration that advances comprehensive federal legislation that restores the right to vote after the completion of one’s sentence.”

Girls are the fastest growing group in the juvenile justice system, and nearly 60%

Visit us online www.sgn.org

of them identify as LBTQ and gender-nonconforming. A failure to conform to strict expectations of feminine behavior and sexist judicial paternalism contribute to their overrepresentation behind bars. LBTQ women of color are also at increased risk of

October 23, 2020

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

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ELECTION

Drag performers from all 50 states launch roll call video for LGBTQ voters hosted by Shangela, Bob the Drag Queen, and Eureka O’Hara

Photo courtesy of GLAAD

(October 21, 2020) – The hosts and producers behind the Emmy-nominated HBO docuseries We’re Here today premiered “We’re Here. We’re Queer. #WeVote,” a roll call video featuring drag talent from all 50 states, as well as DC, urging LGBTQ people and allies to vote in the upcoming election.

View the video at https://youtu.be/ XXYZJBHx4s0.

Shangela, Bob the Drag Queen, and Eureka O’Hara, hosts and consulting producers of HBO’s We’re Here, star in the

video, based on the 2020 virtual roll call from the Democratic National Convention, where a representative from each state cast votes for a candidate from a beautiful location in their home state.

“We’re Here. We’re Queer. #WeVote” aims to reach LGBTQ voters and motivate them to the polls, to let them know their votes matter, and that LGBTQ voters are here, everywhere.

[It] premiered on national LGBTQ advocacy organization GLAAD’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

pages today. The video also premiered on social media pages of Shangela, Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara, and the other talent featured in the video.

The roll call video was created and produced by Stephen Warren, Johnnie Ingram, Erin Haglund and Peter LoGreco, producers of HBO’s We’re Here, as well as Intellectual Property Corporation and Trailer Park.

We’re Here was nominated for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program at this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards and was recently renewed for a second season by HBO.

Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara, and Shangela – Photo courtesy of GLAAD

6 Seattle Gay News

October 23, 2020

The video points viewers to GLAAD’s Voting Action Center (http://glaad.org/ vote) to check registration, request mail-in ballots, and become a digital door-knocker to spread the word about what is at stake for LGBTQ people this election.

Bob, Shangela, and Eureka also spoke out about the importance of the LGBTQ vote: Bob the Drag Queen said: “Voting is the cornerstone of democracy and when you are underrepresented in congress this is the best way to make your voice heard.”

Shangela said: “It’s imperative that we as an LGBTQIA community stand together and make our voices heard loud and clear during this election. There is a great deal at stake for us and those who love like us, and if we don’t win, the conservative agenda will push back any progress on equality that we’ve achieved in the last decade.”

Eureka: “The importance of LGBTQ people using their voice has always been important, but now more than ever! We have to stand together to maintain what growth we have received in our equal rights and especially to keep them moving forward. It’s no longer a suburban family ruled America! We have to prove that! We’re Here and We Vote!”

The “We’re Here. We’re Queer. #WeVote” roll call video features Bob the Drag Queen, Shangela, and Eureka O’Hara, as well as drag queens, drag kings, and transgender and nonbinary talent: Alabama: Sam Star Alaska: Gigi Monroe Arizona: Tempest Dujour Arkansas: Inertia the Movement California: Landon Cider Colorado: Alice Glamoure Connecticut: Mia E. Z’lay

see ROLL CALL page 8

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Photo by Paul Sancya / AP

BIDEN V. TRUMP continued from cover

According to the Associated Press (AP), the Trump campaign blew much of his campaign money on a “lifestyles of the rich and famous” setup.

“Aides made flashy displays of their newfound wealth – including a fleet of luxury vehicles purchased by Brad Parscale, his former campaign manager,” the AP noted.

With only two weeks to go before the election, some Trump aides told the AP that

Photo by Evan Vucci / AP

they are facing tough spending decisions at a time when Democratic nominee Joe Biden has flooded the airwaves with advertising.

That means Trump must do more of his signature mass rallies as a substitute while relying on an unproven theory that he can turn out infrequent voters at historic levels.

Meanwhile, Trump bought a $10 million Super Bowl ad even before the Democrats had formally nominated his challenger.

The AP says Trump also “tapped his political organization to cover exorbitant legal fees related to his impeachment.”

The Biden campaign is also paying for

lawyers, not to defend their candidate but in expectation of legal challenges as Trump struggles to remain in office.

According to the Daily Beast, the Biden campaign is continuing its round of highly successful fundraisers – not for campaign ads but in expectation that it will have to lawyer up if Trump loses the election but refuses to accept the results.

“The [Biden] campaign is still leaning hard on its donor network, explicitly pointing ahead to its potential need to fund legal battles in multiple states following the election,” the Daily Beast notes.

“The Biden campaign has assembled the biggest voter protection program in history to ensure the election runs smoothly and to combat any attempt by Donald Trump to create fear and confusion with our voting system, or interfere in the democratic process,” Biden campaign spokesperson Michael Gwin told the Daily Beast.

“We’re confident that we’ll have free and fair elections this November, and that voters will decisively reject Donald Trump’s erratic, divisive, and failed leadership at the ballot box.”

Pick up voting materials at the Seattle Public Library; five library closures announced for Election Day to reduce crowding and encourage social distancing SEATTLE (October 19, 2020) – The Seattle Public Library is a one-stop resource for Seattle voters in the upcoming election. Starting on Oct. 20, patrons can find information about voting and elections, including important dates, how to register and links to government election websites, at spl.org/elections. Below you’ll find a list of voting resources, as well as curated learning guides on voting and elections for children and teens.

Also, to support the safety of Seattle voters and Library patrons and staff, the Seattle Public Library will suspend Library operations at five locations with ballot boxes on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 3).

PICK UP VOTING MATERIALS Library locations with Curbside Service have extra ballot envelopes and the following materials available in print: Voter registration forms Washington State Voters pamphlets King County Voters pamphlets Guide to Voting in King County brochures CIVIC EDUCATION FOR KIDS & TEENS Youth librarians have curated the following Exploration Guides – digital collections of engaging and educational resources on a specific topic – for children and teens: Whose Vote Counts? Voter Suppression in the U.S. (high school) Voting (middle school)

Lake City Branch, 12501 28th Ave. NE, 206-684-7518 Curbside Service will still be available on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at the Central Library, Douglass-Truth, and Rainier Beach branches. Restrooms will be open at the Central Library, Capitol Hill, and University branches. Book drops will be open at Columbia, Green Lake, Greenwood, Northeast, and Southwest branches. Explore all services at spl.org/RoadtoReopening.

Image courtesy of SPL

Votes Are Our Voices for the Future (elementary school) (middle school) ELECTION DAY CLOSURES To help ensure appropriate social distancing space at Library locations with ballot boxes, the Library will suspend Library services at five branches on Tuesday, Nov. 3 (Election Day). These locations will not offer Library services that day – such as book returns, Curbside Service, or rest-

Visit us online www.sgn.org

room operations – to reduce crowding on Election Day, as a large turnout of voters is anticipated: Ballard Branch, 5614 22nd Ave. NW, 206-684-4089 Beacon Hill Branch, 2821 Beacon Ave. S., 206-684-4711 Broadview Branch, 12755 Greenwood Ave. N, 206-684-7519 High Point Branch, 3411 SW Raymond St., 206-684-7454

October 23, 2020

MORE INFORMATION On Oct. 6, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that public libraries may allow some indoor service at 25% capacity in Phase 2 of his Safe Start reopening plan. The Seattle Public Library is assessing the new reopening requirements with current planning efforts to expand services. The safety of our patrons and staff is our top priority.

More details will be announced soon at the Library’s Road to Reopening page.

The Seattle Public Library also has many free online services, resources, and programs available while its physical buildings remain closed. You can find out more on our digital resources page [www.spl. org/books-and-media/digital-resources] or by contacting the Library by phone at 206386-4636. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information during this challenging time.

Courtesy of the Seattle Public Library

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ELECTION

GLAAD, Demi Lovato, Halle Berry, and Adam Rippon record GOTV phone calls to voters: “Let’s use our voices to create a landslide for equality” NEW YORK (October 21, 2020) – GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, today announced its election-season partnership with Demi Lovato, Halle Berry, and Adam Rippon to send voice messages to LGBTQ voters and allies in battleground states of Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania about early voting, voting deadlines, and the issues at stake in this election.

Calls direct voters to http://glaad.org/ action for ways to vote and to spread the word about what is at stake for LGBTQ people during this election.

TEXAS: Queer superstar and native Texan Demi Lovato Demi Lovato’s call reminds voters in her home state of Texas that early voting is ongoing through October 30. “So much is on the line,” Lovato says. “Marriage equality, adoption, the safety and the dignity of transgender Americans, racial justice.

Let’s use our voices to create a landslide for equality. We can do it, if we do it together.”

Lovato, who was raised in Dallas, previously received the Vanguard Award at the GLAAD Media Awards for her LGBTQ advocacy.

Early voting began in Texas on October 13, shattering a record with more than 100,000 ballots cast on opening day in Harris County (Houston metro area) alone.

Listen to Lovato’s message here: https:// youtu.be/FS1nSXIIh9M OHIO: Oscar-winning actress and Cleveland native Halle Berry In a message to voters in her home state of Ohio, Halle Berry says: “I’m a proud LGBTQ ally working with GLAAD in my home state of Ohio to make sure Ohio has the highest turnout of LGBTQ and ally voters this election year.” Berry’s call reminds Ohioans that early voting is ongoing now through November 2, or they can vote in person on Election Day, November 3.

Early voting began in Ohio on October 6, with thousands of people already casting ballots. Metro areas saw long lines of voters, as the number of polling locations was severely limited.

Listen to Berry’s message here: www. youtube.com/watch?v=uOs2c4Pw65M

ROLL CALL

continued from page 6 Delaware: Magnolia Applebottom Florida: Queef Latina Georgia: Celeste Holmes Hawaii: Sasha Colby Idaho: Ursula Illinois: Tenderoni Indiana: Miss Mossy Stone Iowa: Domita Sanchez, Vana B Kansas: Brown Sugar Kentucky: Uma Jewels Louisiana: Luna Rei Maine: Cherry Lemonade Maryland: Sue Nami Massachusetts: Laila McQueen Michigan: Gabriella Stratton Galore Minnesota: Allota Shots Mississippi: Lexis D’Ville Missouri: Crystal Methyd Montana: JuicyBouviér St. James Nebraska: Persephone Shakers Nevada: London Adour, Asia King, Anetra New Hampshire: Ivy League

8 Seattle Gay News

Photos courtesy of Getty for GLAAD / Composite courtesy of LGBTQ Nation

PENNSYLVANIA: Out Olympian and Pennsylvanian Adam Rippon Olympic figure skating star Adam Rippon, who was born in Scranton, has recorded calls going out to his home state of Pennsylvania, another key battleground in the 2020 election. Rippon reminds LGBTQ friends and allies of the stakes in the election, that early voting is ongoing now in Pennsylvania through October 27, and suggests: “Go to glaad.org/action to find everything you need to make your voice heard and your vote count. Don’t forget, you can also vote in person on Election Day, November 3rd.”

Early voting began in Pennsylvania September 14 and continues through October 27. More than 2.6 million mail ballots have been requested statewide. Mailed ballots can be returned via mail, via drop box, or handed in at county election offices.

Listen to Rippon’s message here: www. youtube.com/watch?v=rdgyD-RTtAk “There is so much on the line for LGBTQ people in the 2020 election, and we continue to dedicate our efforts to ensuring that our community turns out in record numbers this November,” said GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate

Ellis. “With the help of allies like Halle Berry and proud LGBTQ stars Demi Lovato, and Adam Rippon, we hope to reach as many people as possible across Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, and all across the country to ensure they have the tools they need to make their voices heard in this critical election.”

GLAAD’s recently released “State of LGBTQ Voters” poll found that LGBTQ voters are highly motivated and prepared to vote. GLAAD’s poll, with Pathfinder Opinion Research, found that 76% of likely LGBTQ voters favor Biden over Trump, who received 17%. Eighty-eight percent of respondents report being registered to vote, and 81% of likely LGBTQ voters are more motivated to vote in 2020 than in recent elections.

GLAAD is currently engaged in a 100 Days of Action campaign to educate LGBTQ people about what’s at stake during the 2020 election and to increase LGBTQ turnout at the polls in November. GLAAD has added pressure on news media to include LGBTQ issues as a part of their coverage, including in conventions, debates, town halls, and the Supreme Court confirmation hearings. As part of its get out the vote work, GLAAD last month launched its Digital Doorknocking

initiative, which is a grassroots effort to get GLAAD’s followers the tools to reach out to family and friends. By signing up, GLAAD’s followers gain access to exclusive graphics, videos, research and resources to share with friends, family, and fellow advocates between now and the election. Continue to invite your contacts to participate by signing up at www. glaad.org/knock.

“It is so important for every member of the LGBTQ community to be engaged in this election cycle,” said Ross Murray, GLAAD’s senior director for the GLAAD Media Institute. “Voting is essential, but we want people to go beyond, helping friends, family and local media understand what is at stake this election for the community.”

New Jersey: Olivia Lux New Mexico: Lady Shug New York: Shequida Hall, Brita Filter North Carolina: Amazing Grace North Dakota: Kara Fiyera Ohio: Virginia West Oklahoma: Londenn D Raine Oregon: Flawless Shade Pennsylvania: Vinchelle Rhode Island: Phaedra Phaded South Carolina: Patti O Furniture South Dakota: Maddix Wild Tennessee: Wendy Williams Texas: Violet S’arblue Utah: Madazon Can Can Vermont: Shani Stoddard Virginia: Jessica Jade Washington: Luchi Washington, D.C.: Vagenesis West Virginia: Jade C. Stone Wisconsin: Anya Knees Wyoming: Temple Ceiling Additional producing and production support [was] generously contributed by Rachel Dax, Spencer Wolf, Eric Courtney, Sarose Klein, Ericka Janian, Madeline Bouldin,

Mary Anne Egan, Dave Klein, Ruby Klein, Jonathan Haglund, and Max Haglund.

“This first-of-its-kind drag roll call features beautifully diverse LGBTQ talent from each and every state, and we hope it especially inspires the millions of LGTBQ voters outside of major cities to use their voices and vote,” said GLAAD Chief Communications Officer Rich Ferraro. “The LGBTQ community and our allies in states across the South and heartland will be the deciding votes of this election. If our community and our allies bring our power to the polls, we will see a landslide of equality at a critically important time in our community’s, and our nation’s, history.”

GLAAD’s recently released “State of LGBTQ Voters” poll found that LGBTQ voters are highly motivated and prepared to vote. GLAAD’s poll, with Pathfinder Opinion Research, found that found that 76% of likely LGBTQ voters favor Biden over Trump, who received 17%.

Exit poll data from the 2018 midterm election estimated that 6% of the electorate was LGBTQ and, of that 6%, 82% sup-

ported pro-equality candidates.

An October 2020 GLAAD poll showed that 88% of LGBTQ Americans report being registered to vote and 81% of likely LGBTQ voters are more motivated to vote in 2020 than in recent elections.

According to a GLAAD op-ed, “razor-thin victories in key swing states resulted in Donald Trump becoming president, despite losing the popular vote in 2016. He carried Michigan – with its critical 16 electoral college votes – by a margin of just 10,704 voters. Activating a dormant 15% of the approximately 87,000 LGBTQ voters could have flipped the state.

In Pennsylvania, Trump received the state’s 20 electoral votes by a margin of just 44,292 votes out of nearly 5.9 million cast. There are approximately 190,557 unregistered and/or nonvoting LGBTQ people there – meaning activating an additional 25% would have changed the outcome. Similar scenarios played out in Florida, Arizona, and North Carolina.”

October 23, 2020

GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. More at www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.

Courtesy of GLAAD

Courtesy of GLAAD

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RELIGION

New poll shows highest level of support for marriage equality ever recorded

WASHINGTON, DC (October 22, 2020) – This week, the Public Religious Research Institute (PRRI) – the gold standard for polling on LGBTQ issues – released its annual American Values Survey, tracking support for LGBTQ equality.

The poll found that 70% of people in the United States support same-sex marriage, the highest percentage recorded by a major national poll. The results show that the overwhelming majority of people in the United States support LGBTQ equality, including both Democrats and Republicans and adherents to most major religious denominations. Yesterday, in a significant step for inclusion and acceptance in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis publicly stated support for same-sex unions.

The survey results also come in the midst of the confirmation process for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, who has defended the Supreme Court’s dissenters on the landmark marriage equality case, Obergefell v. Hodges.

Earlier this month, Justices Thomas and Alito wrote that the marriage equality decision in Obergefell v. Hodges was a “problem” that only the Supreme Court could fix. If Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed by the United States Senate, we could be one step closer to a Supreme Court bent on relagating same-sex couples marriages to “skim milk,” despite overwhelming support for marriage equality from the American people.

The vast majority of people – 70% – in the United States now support same-sex marriage. This majority has only grown since the Supreme Court’s landmark marriage equality decision in 2015.

• This is the highest percentage ever recorded by a major national poll • Support has increased dramatically: it is now +42 (70%-28%). In 2019, it was +29 (62%-33%). This is a substantial increase in a short period of time; in 2007, it was -19 (36%-55%).

Photo courtesy of HRC

Approval of same-sex marriage crosses the political divide.

• 80% of Democrats and 76% of independents support same-sex marriage.

• Even 50% of Republicans support same-sex marriage.

• Most major religious denominations back marriage equality, including: • 79% of white mainline Protestants • 78% of Hispanic Roman Catholics • 72% of religious non-Christians • 68% of Hispanic Protestants

• 67% of white Catholics • 57% of Black Protestants • 56% of other Christian denominations • 90% of religiously unaffiliated Americans Support for nondiscrimination protections also grew substantially this year, after not changing much for a decade.

• 83% of Americans now “favor laws that would protect gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people against discrimination in jobs, public accommodations, and hous-

ing,” compared to only 16% of Americans who oppose such laws. ◦This ◦ is compared to 72% in 2019.

• 94% of Democrats, 85% of independents, and 68% of Republicans favor nondiscrimination laws that protect LGBTQ people.

Courtesy of the HRC

POPE FRANCIS continued from cover

The Pope’s statement came in a documentary released October 21, titled Francesco, the Pope’s name in Italian. The documentary is premiering at the Rome Film Festival and will make its US premiere on October 25.

According the Catholic News Agency (CNA), the film chronicles the approach of Pope Francis to pressing social issues, and to pastoral ministry among those who live, in the words of the pontiff, “on the existential peripheries.”

Featuring interviews with Vatican figures, including Cardinal Luis Tagle and other collaborators of the pope, Francesco looks at the pope’s advocacy for migrants and refugees and the poor, his work on the issue of clerical sexual abuse, the role of women in society, and the disposition of Catholics and others toward those who identify as LGBT. It includes a story of the Pope encouraging two Italian men in a same-sex relationship to raise their children in their parish church, which, one of the men said, was greatly beneficial to his children.

“He didn’t mention what was his opinion on my family. Probably he’s following the doctrine on this point,” the man says in the film.

The pope’s remarks on civil unions come amid that part of the documentary.

Filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky told the CNA that the Pope stated his support for civil unions during an interview they had.

Pope Francis in Francesco – Photo courtesy of Afineevsky - Tolmor Production

The CNA notes with more than a little understatement that the Pope’s remarks are “likely to spark controversy among Catholics.” In the context of a film interview, the Pope’s statement can only be read as his

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personal opinion, and not as a doctrinal pronouncement binding on Roman Catholics.

Francis’s approach stands in stark contrast to his predecessor, Benedict XVI. In 2003, Benedict, then Cardinal Ratzinger

and head of the Vatican’s doctrinal agency, explicitly ruled out Catholic support for same-sex civil unions.

October 23, 2020

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MAYORS

continued from cover We may agree or disagree on specific policy considerations and debate those differences vigorously, but recently many of our public officials have faced ongoing organized efforts to intimidate them and cause destruction. Enough is enough – threatening to harm others, inciting hate speech, or damaging their property is not acceptable.

These harmful actions do nothing to advance the public’s interest. Instead, these behaviors divide us and damage our shared commitment to the common good.

We don’t believe the people of Seattle want these behaviors to continue in any fashion.

We are also concerned for the safety of all Seattle residents from violence and hate during these trying times. Disease, loss of income, and isolation due to the pandemic is hard on individuals and families. There is no question that this is a traumatic time for Seattle, indeed our nation. We acknowledge this trauma and the toll of inequity and racism on our residents. This is a time for Seattle to prioritize the economic and physical security and safety of all residents, no matter the political currents swirling around us.

Wesley Uhlman (1969-1977) Charles Royer (1978-1989) Norman Rice (1990-1997) Gregory Nickels (2002-2009) Michael McGinn (2010-2013) Bruce Harrell (2017) Tim Burgess (2017) EDITOR’S NOTE: We noticed that former Seattle mayor Ed Murray was not a signer on this letter so we reached out to him for a comment: “I was asked to sign onto an earlier version that focused solely on the harassment directed against the current mayor (something I certainly can identify with).

I believed the earlier version should be broadened to address the larger issues of race, police reform, and the violence and harassment so many experience in this City and this nation. In addition, I was concerned the original language combined with my signing it, would distract from the larger conversation. I did not see the current version.” – Ed Murray (2014-2017)

10 Seattle Gay News

Photos from one of the six demonstrations where the Mayor's house and street were filled with homophobic, misogynistic and graffiti that incites violence. – Photo courtesy of The Office of the Seattle Mayor

October 23, 2020

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

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ART

Seattle arts organizations receive $9 million infusion at critical time

The gifts, made by the Friday Foundation, honor the legacy of philanthropists Jane Lang Davis and Richard E. Lang and aim to inspire others SEATTLE (October 20, 2020) – Nine leading Seattle arts organizations have received welcome news at a critical time.

The Friday Foundation today announced philanthropic gifts totaling more than $9 million to honor the lives and legacies of late art enthusiasts Jane Lang Davis and Richard E. Lang.

The gifts are intended to inspire others to discover and engage with Seattle’s many cultural communities and opportunities in the visual and performing arts, and find lifelong engagements as the Langs did themselves. Whether it is attending a concert or performance, volunteering with an organization, supporting an institution or discovering art, the hope is to remind the Seattle community that there are so many places and organizations for everyone of all ages to find inspiration.

With lights dimmed in most theatres and museums this year due to COVID19, these gifts enable five major Seattle arts organizations – Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, and Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington – to acquire or present new works for audiences to enjoy from home or together in person when it is safe to do so. Additionally, four organizations are receiving unrestricted gifts.

The Langs, who lived in Medina, will perhaps always be best known for their superlative, internationally recognized art collection with a focus on abstract expressionism. Richard joined the Seattle Art Museum board in 1972 and served until his death in 1982. Jane, who died in 2017, joined the SAM board in 1985 and in 2000 became a lifetime trustee, and served for a time as the chair of the honorary trustees.

Always true to her devotion to abstraction, emerging artists and the newest work, Jane was an early and active member of the Contemporary Art Council (CAC), advocating for and supporting Seattle Art Museum’s early initiatives in its contemporary collections and exhibitions. She served on the CAC and all its subsequent forms for four decades and was an active participant in all major Seattle Art Museum fundraising campaigns.

To enrich the continual evolution of the Seattle Art Museum’s contemporary collection, the Friday Foundation, which was established to continue the Langs’ legacy, is funding the Richard E. Lang and Jane Lang Davis Acquisition Fund for Global Contemporary Art with a $2 million gift.

Amid the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Friday Foundation also gifted the Seattle Art Museum an additional $2 million in emergency funds to help offset economic losses when the museum closed to visitors in March.

Ultimately, the Langs believed in the power of all the arts to embrace new ideas, foster quiet reflection, and promote community. Besides their leadership roles at the Seattle Art Museum, both Richard and Jane were also active on the boards of many of the organizations receiving these gifts.

They were also generous donors to these organizations.

In addition to the $2 million SAM acquisition fund, the new endowments include $1.5 million to support the development of the Richard E. Lang and Jane Lang Davis Living Music Program at the Seattle Symphony, $1 million for the creation of the Jane Lang Davis New Works Fund at Pacific Northwest Ballet, $1 million to support the launch of the Jane Lang Davis Cre-

16 Seattle Gay News

tion allows us to create the Jane Lang Davis Creation Lab, which cultivates the next generation of storytellers in opera. This new multiyear initiative will contribute to the operatic repertoire at large – and bring new stories to our community – by supporting the talents of a diverse group of composers and librettists (ages 18-30). Opera needs new and varied perspectives to thrive into the future – and to complement great works of the past. The impacts of this gift will reverberate in Washington State, and far beyond. We are humbled by this investment in the future of opera.”

“The Langs transformed the arts landscape throughout our region with their stewardship, advocacy, and extraordinary support,” said Sylvia Wolf, John S. Behnke Director of the Henry Art Gallery. “With these gifts, their impact will live on, in perpetuity. The Henry has a long tradition of inviting artists to consider the museum as a laboratory for new ideas. This extraordinary gift will allow us to expand this practice and to deepen our service to artists, audiences, and the field at large. It will also connect our UW community and students of all ages with living artists and their creative processes. We are deeply grateful to the Friday Foundation for establishing the Henry’s first endowed fund specifically geared towards supporting newly commissioned work.”

Jane Lang Davis and Richard E. Lang. Photo courtesy of Lang Family Collection, 1973.

ation Lab at the Seattle Opera, and $1 million to support the creation of the Richard E. Lang and Jane Lang Davis New Works Fund at the Henry Art Gallery.

“My mother and stepfather were dedicated to the arts, to Seattle, to the stability of these critical civic gems, and to the inherent promotion of human connection.

They were bright and smart, and took great pleasure in their participation as well as in the knowledge that they would be able to pay forward for all of us who would follow,” said Lyn Grinstein, daughter of Jane Lang Davis and president of the Friday Foundation. “Through the Friday Foundation, these gifts will help fulfill these wishes, by funding new activities and initiatives, as well as provide stability through financial assistance to operations hard hit by the pandemic shutdown. It was always their intention to invite others to connect in whatever ways they find rewarding – to join up and join in, like Dick and Jane, for the pure joy of it.”

Amada Cruz, Seattle Art Museum’s Illsley Ball Nordstrom Director and CEO, said, “These gifts are a shining example of what community support for art and art institutions looks like, and it reflects and furthers the incredible legacy of the Langs. The gift to our Closure Relief Fund was the single largest gift to that fund, and it arrived at a crucial moment in April as we faced the crisis directly, enabling us to support all museum operations. And this

October 23, 2020

endowment will help shape the future of SAM’s collection, as we continue our focus on emerging artists from all over the world.

We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Friday Foundation.”

“The Seattle Symphony is honored to receive this grant from the Friday Foundation recognizing the legacy of Richard and Jane,” said Seattle Symphony president and CEO Krishna Thiagarajan. “The Symphony is known for its imaginative programming, from our [untitled] series to our just-launched The Essential Series.

The Richard E. Lang and Jane Lang Davis Living Music Program allows us to expand this transformative work by creating a pathway for sustained success within our bold programming choices, while also giving us the possibility of re-envisioning the concert experience for audiences within and beyond Benaroya Hall.”

Peter Boal, artistic director of Pacific Northwest Ballet, said, “Through the gift of the Friday Foundation, Jane and Richard Lang’s legacy continues by helping the creation of new choreography. Because of this generosity, Pacific Northwest Ballet will be able to fund an original new work every season. When I choose the commission every season, I will recall Jane’s willingness to embrace risk and innovation in order to bring inspired art and dance into our lives.”

Christina Scheppelmann, general director of the Seattle Opera, said, “This extraordinary gift from the Friday Founda-

In addition to the new works, other Friday Foundation gifts announced today include $270,000 to ArtsFund’s COVID-19 Arts Emergency Relief Fund, and $100,000 each to ACT – A Contemporary Theatre, the Seattle Rep, and the Seattle Chamber Music Society.

“The Langs understood the transformational power of the arts – a power we need today more than ever,” said Michael Greer, president and CEO of ArtsFund.

“Their vision and legacy, honored by these gifts from the Friday Foundation, will have an immediate impact on arts and culture in our region and will resonate for years to come. These gifts serve as a significant reminder of the impact of philanthropy, and how we can and must all work together to secure the future of cultural organizations that help our community thrive. These generous gifts are inspiring and set a profound example for us all.”

Pablo Schugurensky, adviser to the Friday Foundation, said, “As well as sustaining and strengthening these nine institutions, we hope these gifts spur others to join the arts community, inspired by the examples of Jane Lang Davis and Richard E. Lang and their deep commitment to the arts and their love for Seattle. Whether it is creating art, enjoying a performance, attending exhibitions, or supporting artists and art organizations in their city, we all have an important role to play.”

Today’s gift announcement honoring the Langs’ legacy is the first of several.

Additional announcements will be made in 2021.

The Friday Foundation is dedicated to supporting arts organizations following the passion and philanthropy of Jane Lang Davis and Richard E. Lang during their lifetimes. Visit www.fridayfoundationarts. org for more information.

Courtesy of The Friday Foundation

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MUSEUMS

Henry Art Gallery receives $1 million endowment fund from Friday Foundation Fund will support commission of new works by contemporary artists; first recipient will be Donna Huanca

Donna Huanca, Installation view of PIEDRA QUEMADA, 2018, Belvedere Museum, Vienna, Austria. Photo: Johannes Stoll and Elsa Kostic, courtesy of Peres Projects, Berlin

The Henry Art Gallery is pleased to announce that the museum is the recipient of a $1 million endowment fund from the Friday Foundation in honor of Richard E. Lang and Jane Lang Davis, long-term supporters of the arts and of the Henry. The newly established fund, the first of its kind at the Henry, will allow the contemporary art museum to commission a new work every two years.

“We’re honored to receive this extraordinary legacy gift,” says Sylvia Wolf, John S. Behnke Director of the Henry Art Gallery. The Langs understood the transformational power of the arts and shared generously to strengthen arts organizations, build community, and inspire others to create and give. Within the Seattle community, Jane Lang Davis was a founding member of the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Together with her husband, they contributed to the growth of the local opera and symphony, the Seattle Art Museum, and the Henry, where her service spanned more than four decades. “As a Trustee, a key member of our Advisory Council and Collection Committee, and a trusted advisor and advocate, Jane supported the Henry through her vast knowledge of modern and contemporary

art and her vivid presence as a civic leader,” Wolf says. “Her contributions have been deep and profound and – with this gift – will continue in perpetuity.”

A museum of contemporary art and ideas, the Henry is internationally recognized for groundbreaking exhibitions, for being first in the field to champion artists who go on to global acclaim, and for premiering and sponsoring new works by artists of note. With its location on the University of Washington’s campus, one of the nation’s top research universities, the museum is also a test site for creative thinking. “The Henry has a long tradition of inviting artists to consider the museum as a laboratory for new ideas,” Wolf says. “This gift allows us to expand this practice and to deepen our service to artists, audiences, and the field at large. It will also connect our UW community and students of all ages with living artists and their creative processes.”

The first commissioned work supported by the Richard E. and Jane Lang Davis New Works Fund will be artist Donna Huanca, who will create a solo exhibition at the Henry in 2022. The BolivianAmerican artist (U.S., born 1980) creates work that destabilizes the male gaze while

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exploring femme and Indigenous, specifically Andean, narratives and mark-making.

Huanca’s installations encompass painting, sculpture, and live performance. She has had solo exhibitions at Marciano Art Foundation (Los Angeles), Copenhagen Contemporary, the Belvedere Museum (Vienna), Zabludowicz Collection (London), Malmö Konsthall, Yuz Museum (Shanghai), MoMA PS1 (New York), and Peres Projects (Berlin), among others.

Huanca’s art, which is fundamentally site specific, is deeply invested in Bolivian rituals. For her exhibition at the Henry, the artist plans to create an architecturally immersive environment, resembling a labyrinth or a forest, and offering a meditative journey of discovery for the viewer through “private spaces” for viewing paintings, video, and sculpture. The Henry and the artist will work with a number of community organizations to identify performers for the exhibition films and to launch dialogue on its themes, including gender, Indigeneity, sexuality, and ritual.

The Henry is one of nine Seattle arts organizations to receive funds through the Friday Foundation. Additional recipients include Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Sym-

phony, Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, ArtsFund, ACT - A Contemporary Theatre, Seattle Chamber Music Society, and Seattle Rep. The Langs loved Seattle. Their legacy is a testament to their commitment to Seattle’s performing and visual arts, which they considered fundamental to the health and growth of the community at large.

October 23, 2020

Seattle Gay News 17

About the Friday Foundation The Friday Foundation is dedicated to supporting arts organizations following the passion and philanthropy of Jane Lang Davis and Richard E. Lang during their lifetimes. Visit fridayfoundationarts.org to learn more.

About the Henry A museum of contemporary art and ideas, the Henry Art Gallery presents exhibitions by a multi-national roster of emerging and mid-career artists. Known for taking risks and for allowing space for uncertain outcomes, we anticipate the conversations and opinions that will be important and relevant in the field. henryart.org Courtesy of the Henry Art Gallery

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FILM

Groovily psychedelic Synchronic worth getting addicted to

Jamie Dornan and Anthony Mackie in Synchronic – Photo courtesy of Well Go USA

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer SYNCHRONIC NOW PLAYING (most of AMC’s are now open at 25% capacity) While the setup to Synchronic is relatively straightforward, leave it to the talented duo of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead to flip things on their head, spin them sideways and then do backflips out the door as they tinker with the interior mechanics of their film’s time-bending, trippily surrealistic narrative. The minds behind The Endless, Spring and Resolution once again challenge their audience while pulling out all the stops in their pursuit to entertain, doing so with jubilantly spectacular aplomb.

Two New Orleans paramedics and best friends, Steve (Anthony Mackie) and Dennis (Jamie Dornan), haven’t been having the greatest time. Every call is stranger and far more gruesome than the last. All apparent accidents, each event they’ve been sent to there is also the remnants of a popular new party drug. Things get even more bizarre when Dennis’s eldest daughter goes missing and Steve starts experimenting with the drug to learn about its dangers, two seemingly disconnected events that have more in common than it initially appears.

Much like the pair’s previous endeavors, I think less is more as far as trying to explain details about this film’s labyrinthine plot is concerned. Just know this one isn’t nearly as convoluted as it might sound. Even dealing with time travel, various plains of existence and parallel dimensions, this is arguably Benson and Moorhead’s most easily accessible effort yet. Once one gets with the vibe of the piece it’s pretty dang easy to follow along with what is happening, and for my part I never lost track of where I was or what was going on even when it looked as if Synchronic was going to surrealistically spiral out of control.

It helps considerably that the two pri-

Ally Ioanides in Synchronic – Photo courtesy of Well Go USA

mary characters are so three-dimensionally fleshed out. While at first it might look like the filmmakers are going to use a bunch of buddy action-comedy clichés as things pertain to Steve and Dennis, it quickly becomes clear this was all nothing more than a deft ruse to catch the audience unaware. Their goofy banter and macho posturing is a clever smokescreen. After laying the groundwork for this world the two inhabit, Benson and Moorhead pull out the rug from underneath the paramedics to reveal deeper truths and impenetrable mysteries that are as emotionally affecting as they are psychologically stimulating.

This ends up being a movie about grief. About loss. About failed dreams and missed opportunities. It also is a story about friendship. About family. About fatherhood and marriage. Mostly it is about love. Not romantic love, mind you, (although I guess there is an element of that) but a type of love

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that’s far more expansive and much more empathetic than one expects to find in a twisted time travel puzzle box of a thriller overflowing in humor, excitement, terror and suspense. This is the very soul of Benson and Moorhead’s loopily chaotic baby, and almost without my realizing it, the pair had grabbed a hold of my heart so firmly I almost didn’t want them to ever let go.

This is one of Dornan’s best performance, the Fifty Shades punching bag doing a wonderful job showcasing all of Dennis’ emotionally anarchic permutations. He has a couple of scenes with Katie Aselton (portraying his harried wife Tara) that took me by surprise, and even when he’s saying precious little the actor is still able to convey so much through the use of his body movement and facial tics alone.

Mackie is even better. This might be the actor’s finest hour, maybe even surpassing his stupendous work in The Hurt Locker.

As the one who decides to investigate the effects and dangers of this drug no matter what the consequences, it is Dennis who has to do a lot of the expository heavy lifting. Much of the bewildering carnage and awe-inspiring wonders are seen directly through his eyes, and as such Mackie is forced to be the central guiding light around which everything revolves.

There’s plenty more to add, including comments about Jimmy LaValle’s (The Endless) effectively hypnotic score and the subtly terrific performance from Ally Ioannides (she plays Dennis’s missing daughter Brianna). But I think I’m going to leave things here. Benson and Moorhead have designed a time travel excursion into the unknown where it’s best to discover all its twists and turns without any unnecessary spoilers from me, Synchronic a groovy psychedelic hallucinatory delight worth getting addicted to.

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Seattle Gay News 19

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Northwest Lesbian & Gay History Museum Project - gayhistnw@aol.com

20 Seattle Gay News

community resources Northwest Rainbow Alliance for the Deaf - www. nwrad.org Olympia/Thurston County - www.RainbowCenterOly. org Out & Equal Workplace Advocates/Seattle Regional Affiliate supports the work of LGBT employees and the growing number of ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) making a difference within local companies, including Alaska Airlines, Amazon.com, Amgen, AT&T, Bank of America, Deloitte, Macy’s, Microsoft, Russell Investments, Safeco Insurance, Starbucks Coffee, Xerox. www.outandequal.org/affiliates/seattle Out & Proud Grays Harbor Coalition - http://outandproudgh.org PARENTHOOD: Families Like Ours provides a gateway for LGBT families interested in adoption & provides a network of safe placement agencies, training, support & resources: (206) 441-7602, www.familieslikeours. org; Family Works offers support, information & activities for LGBT families: (206) 694-6727, www.familyworksseattle. org; Gay Fathers’ Association of Seattle offers support groups & social activities: www.gfas. org; Proud & Loud Families - Northwest, www.meetup.com/proudand-loud-families-northwest, plfnorthwest@aol.com; Queer Parent Networking Dinners: (206) 568-7777, qpnd@nwnetwork.org, www.nwnetwork.org; Rainbow Families of Puget Sound: www.rainbowfamiliesps.org PFLAG is the national organization for parents, families, allies, and LGBTQ people united for equality with chapters in Seattle, Bellevue/Eastside, the Puget Sound region and across Washington state. PFLAG Seattle: (206) 325-7724, info@pflagseattle.org, and www.pflagseattle.org; PFLAG Bellevue/Eastside: (425) 483-6642, info@bellevue-pflag.org, http://community. pflag.org/PFLAGBellevue; PFLAG Pacific Northwest: www.pnwpflag.org; PFLAG Washington State Council: www.pflagwsc.org.

Peer Seattle (formerly Seattle Area Support Groups) is a non-profit organization that builds community and cultivates powerful, healthy lives by providing emotional support and personal development services to those affected by HIV/AIDS, the Queer communities, and those who love them. Our work is done in a spirit of safety, trust, inclusiveness, and celebration of individual differences.

(206) 322-2437; www.peerseattle.org PEOPLE OF COLOR: AARTH (African American Reach & Teach Health Ministry), (206) 850-2070, www.aarth.org; Asian/Pacific Islander Queer Network Program at API Chaya, (206) 467-9976; Center for MultiCultural Health, (206) 461-6910, www.multiculturalhealth.org; Entre Hermanos, GLBT Latinos/as, (206) 322-7700, www.entrehermanos.org; Ile LaiLai, (206) 781-3565, iya@ilelailai.org; Men of All Colors & Cultures Together (MACCT), (206) 923-8313, macctseattle@yahoo.com, www.macctsea.org; Northwest Two Spirit Society, https://www.facebook.com/ groups/nw2spiritsociety/, Nubian Pride Productions, nubianpride@gmail.com; People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN) offers rapid HIV testing, M-F, 10am-5pm, (206) 322-7061, www.pocaan.org and on Facebook; QBASS - Queer Black Alliance of the South Sound, (253) 256-1846, weareqbass@gmail. com; Sistah 2 Sistah, LBT women of African descent, (206) 322-7061, (206) 255-8951; Somos Seattle, somosseattle.org; Trikone-Northwest, GLBT South Asians, (425) 985-4376, www.trikonenw.org; Two-Spirit Honor Project, 1-866-685-0164; U.T.O.P.I.A. Seattle, www.utopiaseattlewa.org; VietQ Greater Seattle, vietqorganization@gmail.com Pierce County AIDS Foundation - (253) 383-2565; www.piercecountyaids.org Pride Foundation - (206) 323-3318; www.pridefoundation. org Pride Lives - www.facebook.com/PrideLives/ Pride Radio 93.3 HD2 Project NEON is a program of Seattle Counseling Service providing FREE information & services to Gay & Bi men to reduce health risks associated with methamphetamine use. (206) 323-1768. www.crystalneon.org Public Health-Seattle & King County Online Comprehensive Health Information for Sexual Minorities: www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/personal/ glbt.aspx Q Law: The GLBT Bar Association of WA - (206) 682-6711; www.q-law.org Q Law GLBT Legal Clinic - (206) 235-7235.

Queer Geek! - queergeekseattle.org Rainbow Center - Resource Center for Tacoma/Pierce County LGBTIQA community. Through education, advocacy and celebration, the Rainbow Center expands resources, and safe space for the LGBTQIA community.

October 23, 2020

Sponsors Tacoma Pride Festival. (253) 383-2318, www. rainbowcntr.org SEAMEC interviews, researches & rates candidates for public office on issues of concern to the LGBT community. www.voteseamec.org Seattle Area Support Groups & Community Center (SASG) i- SEE LISTING for Peer Seattle.

Seattle Bisexual Women’s Network - BiSeattle.wixsite. com/SBWN and on Facebook.

Seattle Counseling Service for Sexual Minorities is a community mental health service for GLBT persons & their families providing comprehensive mental health services on a sliding scale. (206) 323-1768.

Seattle LGBTQ Commission - (206) 684-4503. www/ seattle.gov/lgbtq Seattle Out & Proud - (206) 322-9561; www.seattlepride.org Seattle Police Department Sexual Minorities Community Advisory Council: kim.bogucki@seattle.gov Seattle PrideFest - www.seattlepridefest.org Servicemembers Legal Defense Network - (202) 328-3244; www.sldn.org Sex Workers Outreach Project - https://seattle. swopusa.org Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan - (206) 860-3666; www.theabbey.org Snohomish Health District HIV/AIDS Program provides free confidential/anonymous HIV counseling & testing 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, until 7pm Tuesdays.

(425) 339-5298.

South Sound Q Calendar - LGBTQ events in Tacoma, Olympia & Sound Puget Sound area; www.SouthSoundQCal.com Spokane/Inland Northwest - www.outspokane.com; www.stonewallnews.net SPORTS & RECREATION: Bent Car Guys: www. bentcarguys.org; Border Riders Motorcycle Club: www.borderriders.com; Bottom Dwellers Scuba Club: www.bottomdwellers.org; Capitol Hill Cyclers: join their Facebook group or email capitolhillcycling@ groups.facebook.com or jordan.l.simonson@gmail.com; Cascade Flag Football: www.cascadeflagfootball.org; Cascade Flyers: www.cascadeflyers.org; Emerald City Mudhen Rugby: www.mudhenrugby.com; Emerald City Softball Association: www.emeraldcitysoftball. org, www.eteamz.com/womensecsa; Ethyl Forever Car Club: ethylforever@hotmail.com; Festival of the Babes: www.festivalofthebabes.com; Olympic Yacht Club: www.oycnw.org; OutVentures: outdoor education & recreation activities, www.outventures.org; Pacific Northwest Gay Rodeo Association: www.pacificnwgra.org; Puddletown Squares: www.puddletownsquares.org; Rain City Soccer: www.raincitysoccer.org; Rain Country Dance Association: a country-western dance organization catering to the LGBTQ community but open to all, www.raincountrydance.org; Sea Dawgs: LGBT ice hockey - SkateSeaDawgs@gmail.com and on Facebook; Seattle Frontrunners: www.seattlefrontrunners.org; Seattle Gay Basketball Association: www. seattlegaybasketballassociation.com; Seattle Orca Swim Team: www.orcaswimteam.org; Seattle Otters Water Polo: www.otterpolo.com; Seattle Quake Rugby: www.quakerugby.com; Seattle Tennis Alliance: www. seattletennisalliance.org; Seattle Unified Bowling Association (SUBA): magee98106@aol.com, www. teamseattle.org/bowling.htm, www.theprideleague. com, Century 21 League; Seattle Volleyball Club: www.seattlevolleyballclub.com; Ski Buddies: www. skibuddies.org; Team Seattle Gay Sports Network is an umbrella organization for a wide range of local GLBT sports activities, (206) 367-4064, www.teamseattle.org (see website for comprehensive list of sports clubs); Triangle Recreation Camp at Bender Creek: recreational camping for GLBT folks. Must be 21; ID required. trc@ camptrc.org, www.camptrc.org, 1122 E Pike St #1069, Seattle 98122-3934.

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

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

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

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

Celebrating 46 Years!

www.gofundme.com/f/seattle-gay-news-needs-your-support-now • VISIT SGN.ORG

FILM

Wheatley’s Rebecca an emotionally flaccid adaptation of the Daphne Du Maurier classic

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer REBECCA Netflix I’m not going to waste time comparing director Ben Wheatley’s adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier’s classic Rebecca to Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 masterpiece.

It’s extraordinary, and one of the precious handful of Best Picture Academy Awardwinners that deserves all 8.5 pounds of its Oscar. If you’ve never seen it, please do what you need to in order to remedy that.

May I recommend the Criterion Collection’s superb Blu-ray? It’s lovely.

Wheatley’s film deserves to stand on its own outside of the Hitchcock version, as it is indeed a different animal from its Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine-starring predecessor. Not that I would expect anything different from the guy behind such weirdly ambitious genre mashups like Kill List, Sightseers, High-Rise and Free Fire. The director appears to see the world from a unique point of view, one filled with obtuse angles and unexpected bursts of pugnacious imagination. There’s no way Wheatley would go the expected route with this mysterious gothic romance, and that’s just as it should be.

If only his Rebecca took more risks, went in even more unusual directions and didn’t feel so by the numbers right at the point where it should be on the verge of careening out of control, maybe there

Armie Hammer and Lily James in Rebecca – Photo courtesy of Netflix

Scott Thomas I do not think I’d have much in the way of positives to talk about.

That’s not true. The film is impeccably designed across the board. From Julian Day’s (Rocketman) exquisite costumes, to Sarah Greenwood’s (Atonement) marvel-

cast Thomas as the perpetually scowling head of household Mrs. Danvers isn’t enough to steady the ship. All urgency disappears, and the central mystery as to why the late Rebecca De Winter’s ethereal presence is haunting all who reside at Manderley isn’t worth the effort it takes to solve. It becomes a rote, emotionally muted slog, and what it lacks in suspense it equally

showcases a noted deficiency in romance, and to say this is problematic is to understate the obvious considerably.

What’s most frustrating is that Wheatley does stage a small handful of splendid moments that are undeniably effective.

Mrs. De Winter’s first trip to the dilapidated beachside cottage where something horrible possibly took place. The conniving subtlety of Mrs. Danvers’ machinations leading up to the return of Manderley’s costume ball, formerly the social event of the season before the former mistress’ tragic demise. A horseback ride between Mrs. DeWinter and Rebecca’s black sheep cousin Jack Favell (Sam Riley) that begins with beguiling charm and culminates in sinister discombobulation.

But it isn’t enough. The chemistry that James and Hammer showcased in spades during the first act disappears once they end up at Manderley, and while I understand part of that is a facet of the puzzle Mrs. De Winter takes it upon herself to solve, there should be at least an iota of heat passing between the pair to make her travails meaningful. More than that, Rebecca De Winter is supposed to hover over everything that happens like an anvil waiting to drop and destroy all unlucky enough to be standing underneath it. Instead, she’s something of a non-presence. Her ghost isn’t just ephemeral, it’s practically nonexistent, making all of Maxim’s brooding, Mrs. Danvers’ scheming and Favell’s smarmy indignation meaningless.

Wheatley is a talented filmmaker, and he showcases distinctly vibrant and colorful flourishes throughout Rebecca that caught my eye and forced me to pay attention. But even with James giving everything she’s got as Mrs. De Winter and featuring technical facets that are nothing less than superlative throughout, this new adaptation of Du Maurier’s novel falls crushingly flat. It left me wanting more, this emotionally flaccid retelling of one of literature’s greatest gothic romances a frustrating waste of time.

October 23, 2020

Seattle Gay News 21

just adored the sundrenched sensuousness of it all as this pair quickly became lost in one another’s arms.

It is after they are married and finally arrive at Maxim’s sprawling British estate that things go off the rails. Even a perfectly

Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James in Rebecca – Photo courtesy of Netflix

would be something worthwhile to talk about. Working from a script by Jane Goldman (Stardust), Joe Shrapnel (Race) and Anna Waterhouse (The Aftermath), there is a perfunctory tediousness to the central plot mechanics driving this adaptation forward which grow increasingly tiresome as events progress, and if not for superb performances from Lily James and Kristin

ous production design, to Laurie Rose’s (Summerland) sumptuous cinematography and Clint Mansell’s (The Fountain) robustly lush score, Wheatley’s latest is a sensory feast. Additionally, the opening act featuring the courtship between the future second Mrs. De Winter (James) and the brooding Lord of Manderley Maxim De Winter (Armie Hammer) is divine, and I

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October 23, 2020

Celebrating 46 Years!

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October 23, 2020

Seattle Gay News 23