SGN November 9, 2018 - Section 1

Celebrating 44 Years!

Issue 45 Volume 46

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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

STATE ELECTION: Voters want to regulate cops, guns, but not carbon

RAINBOW WAVE:

LGBT candidates sweep into office

Democrats gain ground in legislature, may pick up one congressional seat

Photo by Elaine Thompson / AP

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Like voters around the country, Washington state voters sent mixed messages in the November 6 election.

I-940, the measure that would change state law to make it easier to prosecute police officers who shoot civilians, won by a 60-to-40% margin. I-1639, which has been described as “the nation’s strictest gun

see LOCAL ELECTION page 5

Historic number of LGBTQ people elected to US House LGBTQ pickups helped strengthen new Democratic majority

Photo by Jonathan Ernst / Reuters

WASHINGTON, DC – Eight openly LGBTQ candidates have won their races for the US House and one will head to a recount, ensuring a historic number of openly LGBTQ candidates in the US Congress next year.

Three of the LGBTQ candidates won seats currently held by Republicans, one won in a key swing district held by a retiring Democrat,

see LGBTQ CONGRESS page 5

Photos courtesy of Getty / AP

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Within the “blue wave” that swept Democrats into control of the US House of Representatives was a rainbow wave that

brought a record number of LGBT candidates into office.

In Colorado, Rep. Jared Polis became the first out Gay man elected governor of a US state. Former New Jersey Gov. Jim

see RAINBOW WAVE page 4

VICTORY: Massachusetts voters uphold protections for Transgender people in historic ballot question

Laverne Cox (l) speaks for Yes on 3 – Photo by Natasha Moustache / Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC (November 7, 2018) – Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, celebrated a

historic victory in Massachusetts [in which] voters upheld nondiscrimination protections for transgender people in public spaces.

see TRANS VICTORY page 6

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Celebrating 44 Years!

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Thank you for your interest in volunteering at GenPRIDE. We will be hosting two orientation and basic training workshops this month. This training consists of an orientation to GenPRIDE followed by our Dialogue for Understanding workshop, which is an illuminating discussion on different communication styles that you will find very practical in every day life.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

Our two-hour orientation dates are Monday: November 12 at 6pm and Saturday: November 17 at 10am.

Please RSVP to let us know which orientation and workshop you will be able to attend.

If you’ve ever wondered what a volunteer opportunity at GenPRIDE looks like, please take advantage of one of these volunteer

orientation and workshop events. We are growing as an organization and would love to have you join us!

Feel free to reach out with any questions or comments to Beatrixm@gapseattle.org. www.gapseattle.org www.facebook.com/genprideseattle

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Courtesy of GenPRIDE

RAINBOW WAVE continued from cover

McGreevey, also a Democrat, came out as Gay while in office in 2004.

Polis, a Democrat who has served in the House of Representatives since 2009, used his sexual orientation to emphasize the contrast between himself and Donald Trump’s administration.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, also a Democrat, is openly Bisexual, which made her the first openly LGBT person elected governor in 2016, when she was elected to serve out the term of John Kitzhaber when he resigned. She won election to a full term this year.

In Michigan, Lesbian attorney Dana Nessel – who represented plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on samesex marriage – was elected attorney general.

She said the case influenced her to run for office. She said Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette “made a mockery of state government” by bringing social scientists to court to knock the parenting skills of samesex couples.

Schuette was defeated by Democrat Gretchen Whitmer in the race for Michigan governor.

Wisconsin’s Lesbian senator Tammy Baldwin was re-elected to the US Senate, and, as the SGN goes to press, Bisexual Democrat Kyrstin Sinema has pulled ahead of her rival in the race for US senator from Arizona.

Kansas voters make history In Kansas, of all places, Native American Lesbian Sharice Davids was elected to a congressional seat.

Davids, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, will be the first Native American woman to serve in Congress – a distinction she shares with New Mexico’s Deb Haaland, who also won election this year – and the first openly LGBT person to represent the state of Kansas.

The political newcomer defeated fourterm incumbent Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder to capture Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District.

“It’s significant beyond Kansas,” said Davis Hammett, an LGBT rights activist from Topeka. “This is significant to all LGBT folks in the Midwest. She really feels like the voice for all the LGBT folks in the Midwest.

And I know that there’s a similar feeling in Native American communities.”

More firsts Malcolm Kenyatta became the first LGBT black man elected to the Pennsylvania state legislature. Kenyatta will succeed his cousin, W. Curtis Thomas, who has occupied the seat since 1989, according to Philadelphia magazine.

Though Kenyatta will be the first openly Gay person of color in the state legislature, he’s not its first LGBT member. That distinction belongs to Democrat Brian Sims, who in 2012 was elected to represent the 182nd District. Sims was re-elected to that post on Tuesday.

The dual victory means that, for the first time, two openly Gay lawmakers will sit in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Lesbian Angie Craig defeated an extreme anti-LGBT congressman in Minnesota, becoming the first openly LGBT person elected to Congress from that state.

This was the second time Lewis and Craig have battled for the suburban Twin Cities swing seat. Lewis – who has compared Gay people with “rapists” and has denounced same-sex marriage – bested Craig by just two percentage points in 2016.

Democrat Chris Pappas will become New Hampshire’s first openly Gay member of Congress after defeating Republican Eddie Edwards in the state’s 1st Congressional District.

While both candidates said they want to bring integrity and decency to Washington, Pappas argued only he had the experience to back that up. In addition to running a family restaurant, he is a former state lawmaker who

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Jared Polis – Photo by Polis for Colorado

Oregon Governor Kate Brown – Photo courtesy of State of Oregon

Dana Nessel –Photo courtesy of Dana Nessel for MIAG

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin – Photo courtesy of U.S. Senate

U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema – Courtesy of U.S. Congress

Malcolm Kenyatta – Photo courtesy of Malcolm Kenyatta

State Rep. Brian Sims – Photo courtesy of PA State Legislature

Susan Ruiz – Photo courtesy of Susan Ruiz for Kansas

Brandon Woodard – Photo courtesy of Woodard 4 Kansas

Gerri Cannon – Photo courtesy of LGBTQ Victory Fund

Lisa Bunker – Photo courtesy of LGBTQ Victory Fund

Zach Wahls – Photo courtesy of Zach Wahls for Iowa

serves on the Executive Council, approving state contracts and nominations.

Also, Democrats Susan Ruiz and Brandon Woodard become the first LGBTQ members of the Kansas state legislature.

incumbent Republican Phil Scott. Hallquist, a former utility executive who was a relative unknown at the start her Democratic campaign, won 40% of the votes.

“I wouldn’t change anything, and everything about the campaign was exciting and rewarding, except for the losing part,” Hallquist told reporters.

Wahls is the co-founder of Scouts for Equality, an advocacy group dedicated to ending discrimination in the Boy Scouts of America.

Transgender candidates In other state legislative races, two Transgender women, Gerri Cannon and Lisa Bunker, were elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives, winning seats in the Strafford 18 and Rockingham 18 districts, respectively. According to the Los Angeles Blade, Cannon and Bunker will join Virginia state Delegate Danica Roem as the only openly Trans members of any US state legislature.

Roem, who made history last year when she was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, celebrated the two women’s victories on Twitter on Tuesday night.

“Pretty soon, I will no longer the only out Transgender state legislator in the country... and that is wonderful!” Roem wrote.

Christine Hallquist, first Transgender nominee for governor of Vermont, lost to

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Zach Wahls elected to Iowa legislature In Iowa, LGBT ally Zach Wahls was elected to the Iowa State Senate, becoming one of the youngest faces in that body at 26.

At his election night watch party at Big Grove Brewery, Wahls said he was pleased with voter turnout, particularly from young people.

“We smashed voter turnout from 2014,” Wahls said. “Iowa students really delivered.”

In 2011, Wahls stood on the political stage for the first time with a speech in front of a state legislative committee to argue against a proposed constitutional amendment that would have banned gay marriage. A video of the speech went viral, amassing almost two million views in two weeks.

Massachusetts OKs Trans protections In Massachusetts, voters sustained a 2016 law barring discrimination in access to public facilities on the basis of gender identity. Ballot Question 3 asked voters if they wanted to keep the law.

“By winning the first statewide popular vote on transgender rights, Massachusetts voters reaffirmed our Commonwealth as a place that fiercely defends our basic values of dignity and respect for everyone,” the ACLU said in a statement.

“When Massachusetts leads on equality, the nation watches – and often, it follows.

Tonight, we sent a message not just to transgender people and their families and friends here in Massachusetts but to the entire country. At a time when transgender rights are being threatened nationally, we absolutely must preserve the rights we have secured at the state level.”

Celebrating 44 Years!

Katie Hill – Photo courtesy of Katie Hill for Congress

U.S. Rep. Mark Takano – Photo courtesy of U.S. Congress

Sharice Davids – Photo courtesy of Sharice for Congress

Angie Craig – Photo courtesy of Angie Craig for Congress

Chris Pappas – Photo courtesy of Chris Pappas for Congress

U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney – Photo courtesy of U.S. Congress

U.S. Rep. David Cicilline – Photo courtesy of U.S. Congress

U.S. Rep Mark Pocan – Photo courtesy of U.S. Congress

LGBTQ CONGRESS

Congressional District

continued from cover

and four were incumbents. US Sen. Tammy Baldwin won a resounding re-election in Wisconsin, and Kyrsten Sinema’s race for US Senate in Arizona remains too close to call.

“An unprecedented rainbow wave of LGBTQ congressional candidates helped strengthen the new Democratic majority, flipping three seats and securing eight seats in all,” said Mayor Annise Parker, president and CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund.

“LGBTQ candidates won over independents and even Republicans to win in some of the most competitive districts in the nation, proving that out LGBTQ candidates can secure big wins in tough places. With more LGBTQ candidates in the US House than ever before, we have the opportunity to finally pass equality legislation too long ignored.”

“There was hand-wringing among some politicos about whether LGBTQ candidates would provide the best opportunity for Democrats to pick up seats in red districts.

Instead we saw LGBTQ candidates talk openly about their lives to a degree unseen in past elections – and it resonated with voters.

We tripled the number of LGBTQ women members of Congress, doubled the number of LGBTQ people of color, and increased

LOCAL ELECTION continued from cover

regulation,” passed by the same margin.

On the other hand, I-1631 – which would have been a historic effort to clean up the environment by making corporate polluters pay fees based on their carbon emissions – failed by more than 10 points.

I-1634, to block Washington cities from following Seattle’s lead and taxing sugared beverages, leads by nearly 10 points. Mayor Jenny Durkan’s signature $600 million Seattle Education Levy is also passing.

Washington’s congressional delegation will almost certainly be more Democratic in January when new representatives are sworn in. As the SGN goes to press, Democrat Kim Schrier leads Republican Dino Rossi by more than 12,000 votes for the 8th

CA-25

Congressmember Elect

Katie Hill

Political Affiliation

Current Member Political Affiliation

CA-41

Mark Takano

Democrat

Democrat

KS-3

Sharice Davids

Democrat

Republican

NH-1

Chris Pappas

Democrat

Democrat

MN-2

Gina Ortiz Jones – Photo courtesy of Gina Ortiz Jones for Congress

Angie Craig

Democrat

Democrat

Republican

Republican

NY-18

Sean Patrick Maloney

Democrat

Democrat

RI-1

David Cicilline

Democrat

Democrat

WI-1

Mark Pocan

Democrat

Democrat

Above are the LGBTQ congressional candidates who have won their races so far.

Incumbents are italicized. Additionally, U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema’s race for U.S. Senate remains too close to call, and Gina Ortiz Jones’ race for the U.S. House will head to a recount.

our overall number of LGBTQ members from six to eight. And we played a key role in securing a pro-equality Congress. America needs authentic, values-driven elected officials in the halls of power right now, and voters found those qualities in our out LGBTQ candidates.”

The LGBTQ Victory Fund raised more than $235,554 for its endorsed LGBTQ US House candidates and more than $366,000 for its US Senate candidates this cycle.

Currently there are six openly LGBTQ members in the US House and one openly LGBTQ US senator. Twenty-two openly LGBTQ candidates won Democratic or Republican primaries for US Senate or US House this year – more than at any other time in US history. Twelve of the candidates were endorsed by the Victory Fund. The unprecedented number of nominees marks a 29.4% increase when compared to the 2016 election cycle and a 340% increase since 2010.

For the latest results, visit victoryfund. org/results2018.

Congressional District seat being vacated

by Dave Reichert.

The Washington State Legislature will also be more Democratic.

Anti-LGBT Sen. Mark Miloscia (R-30), trails Democratic challenger Claire Wilson by seven points. In the 47th Legislative District, Republican Sen. Joe Fain – accused of a 2007 rape – leads Democratic challenger Mona Das by less than 100 votes.

In the Issaquah-area 5th Legislative District, a pair of Republican House candidates – former Rep. Chad Magendanz and current Rep. Paul Graves (Fall City) – trailed Democratic challengers Bill Ramos and Lisa Callan, respectively.

In South King County’s 47th District, Rep. Mark Hargrove, a Republican, trails Democratic challenger Debra Entenman by about four points.

Among the races too close to call are the 26th District open Senate seat in Pierce and Kitsap Counties, where Democrat Emily Randall leads Republican Marty McClendon by about one point. In Whatcom County’s 42nd, District, GOP Sen. Doug Ericksen, perhaps President Donald Trump’s strongest booster in the legislature, leads challenger Pinky Vargas by 132 votes.

The results put Democrats in position to increase their small majorities in the legislature. If the numbers hold, Democrats would pick up seven seats in the House and two in the Senate.

“We think this a victorious night for House Democrats, and we think we will be in better position to pass the priorities that we’ve heard from our constituents come January,” said Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D-34), chair of the House Democratic Campaign Committee.

Because of the state’s top-two primary system, three districts saw Democratversus-Democrat races. In the Eastside’s 48th District, Sen. Patty Kuderer easily beat back a challenge by former Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom. In the 34th District’s open race to replace retiring Senate Majority Leader Sharon Nelson, Microsoft senior manager Joe Nguyen was leading Shannon Braddock, deputy chief of staff for King County Executive Dow Constantine, by a wide margin.

And in the 32nd District, Sen. Maralyn Chase, a longtime LGBT ally, trailed Shoreline Deputy Mayor Jesse Salomon.

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Visit us online www.sgn.org

The LGBTQ Victory Fund works to change the face and voice of America’s politics and achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government. victoryfund.org Courtesy of the LGBTQ Victory Fund

GLSEN celebrates historic night for Transgender rights with Yes on 3 vote NEW YORK (November 7, 2018) – GLSEN, the leading education organization working to create safe and inclusive schools for LGBTQ students, today celebrated the historic victory in Massachusetts [in which] voters overwhelmingly chose to uphold protections for transgender people by voting yes on the Question 3 ballot initiative and preserving the state’s existing anti-discrimination law. This crucial vote comes after two years of constant attacks on transgender students, and makes history as the first-ever statewide popular vote in favor of transgender rights.

“After two years of dispiriting and horrific attacks on transgender youth, this historic victory sends them a resounding message of love, support, and care,” said Eliza Byard, executive director of GLSEN. “The passage of the Question 3 ballot initiative in Massachusetts is a wellspring of hope for transgender youth, and an enormous boost for all of us fighting to safeguard their rights and safety.”

Additionally, a historic night of victories for women, people of color, and LGBTQ people at all levels of public life provide[s] both inspiration and the building blocks for the continuing fight for respect for all in K-12 schools. A new generation of decisionmakers now in office at all levels [is] drawn from the marginalized communities most directly and blatantly targeted by structural racism, xenophobia, misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia. These outcomes are a vital step forward, especially as the rhetoric and actions of many during the campaign demonstrate how much remains to be done.

TRANS VICTORY continued from cover

Question 3 – which asked voters whether to maintain a 2016 law protecting transgender people from discrimination in critical public accommodations, including restaurants, hotels, hospitals, stores, and public transportation – was the first time gender-identity nondiscrimination protections were on a statewide ballot independent of protections based on sexual orientation.

The HRC serves as a founding executive committee member of Freedom for All Massachusetts, a coalition of national and state equal rights organizations, which led the successful Yes on 3 Campaign. The multiyear coalition effort also included organizational partners like Freedom for All Americans, Massachusetts Transgen-

GLSEN’s 2017 National School Climate Survey (NSCS) revealed the extent to which LGBTQ students are leaders in social and political organizing, including leading GSA clubs in thousands of schools across the country. GLSEN’s research shows that 80% of LGBTQ students have advocated for social or political change in the past year, such as participating in GLSEN’s Day of Silence, Ally Week, or No Name-Calling Week; expressing political or social views on social media; or directly participating in a political event or contacting their elected official.

Image courtesy of GLSEN

Finally, an increase in youth voter turnout accompanied by high voter turnout generally is a positive sign of a more highly engaged and motivated electorate that was central to last night’s gains.

“GLSEN’s research and experience

underscore how much LGBTQ students themselves have to contribute to the ongoing work of progress,” Byard continued, “Their advocacy and determination must inspire and motivate us all as we prepare for the work to be done tomorrow.”

der Political Coalition, GLAD, ACLU of Massachusetts, Boston Alliance of Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Youth, Mass Equality, Greater Boston PFLAG, and Fenway Health.

“At a critical moment in the fight for equality, Massachusetts voters sent a powerful message that transgender people are loved and welcomed in the Bay State,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “From North Carolina and Virginia to Alaska and Massachusetts, we have demonstrated that when we stand together and fight back against attacks on our progress, we win.

The LGBTQ community is indebted to the courage of so many transgender people – particularly young people – who opened hearts, changed minds, and laid the foundation for this victory, and the Human Rights Campaign is proud to have been a part of the historic work of the Yes on 3 Campaign.”

“Transgender residents of Massachusetts can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their hard-fought protections will remain in place,” said HRC National Press Secretary Sarah McBride and one of HRC’s representatives on the Yes on 3 executive committee. “This was a crucial test for our community and movement. The Yes on 3 Campaign demonstrated that when we tell the stories of transgender people and our families, voters will reject the scare tactics and side with dignity and equality.”

HRC staff, members, and supporters have been on the ground throughout the campaign. Two weeks ago, Griffin was in Massachusetts for the Yes on 3 Campaign, speaking at a press conference with educators, parents, transgender youth, and actor and activist Laverne Cox. Earlier in the week, McBride, a transgender advocate, headlined a rally in Need-

GLSEN works to create safe and inclusive schools for all. We envision 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 across the United States, and our network of 39 community-led chapters in 26 states brings GLSEN’s expertise to local communities.

GLSEN’s progress and impact have won support for inclusive schools at all levels of education in the United States and sparked an international movement to ensure equality for LGBTQ students and respect for all in schools. For more information on GLSEN’s policy advocacy, student leadership initiatives, public education, research, and educator training programs, please visit www.glsen.org.

Courtesy of GLSEN ham with faith leaders and more than 200 Yes on 3 supporters. Over the course of the campaign, the HRC donated $250,000 – and another $75,000 in in-kind contributions – to the Yes on 3 effort, helping to fund critical field staff, polling, and digital and television advertisements.

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

Civil rights leaders demand increased awareness, protection for Black LGBTQ community WASHINGTON, DC – Next Thursday, November 15, in honor of Trans Awareness Week (Nov. 13–17) and Transgender Day of Remembrance (Nov. 20), the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) and the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls (CCBWG) will host a joint press conference on Capitol Hill to raise awareness about gender-based violence and to call for an end to the rising epidemic of discrimination, abuse, and violence against Black LGBTQ/same-gender-loving people.

NBJC Executive Director David J. Johns and coalition partners will call on government officials to pass the Equality Act (HR 2282) to advance more robust hate crime laws at every level of government. They will also call on government to invest public funds into supporting cultural

competency of first responders – police officers, ambulatory care, and firefighters, among others – to help prevent and better respond to violence against Black transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals.

Dr. Avis Jones-Deweever, #SheWoke Committee, Founder of the Exceptional Leadership Institute for Women Londyn DeRichelieu, NBJC Black Trans Advisory Council

WHAT: Transgender Awareness Week Press Conference to call for an end to gender-based violence and to raise awareness about issues harming Black transgender and gender-nonbinary people.

WHEN: Thursday, November 15, 1:00 pm WHERE: The House Triangle, located on the House side of the Capitol’s East Front (Independence Ave.) SPEAKERS: David Johns, executive director of NBJC Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL)

“We must ensure the equal protection of ALL Black people under the law, and that includes Black transgender and nonbinary people,” said David Johns, executive director of the NBJC. “We have an opportunity and an obligation to stand up for, and speak out against, rampant violence, terrorism, policies, or practices that deny any Black person the opportunity to thrive – to be happy, healthy, and whole. Every day we should ensure that our efforts to protect the human and civil rights of all Black people includes being intentional about protect-

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ing Black transgender women and gendernonbinary Black people. This is especially important because Black transgender people and Black nonbinary people are victims of hate crimes at disproportionate rates, and sister Fanny Lou Hamer reminds us: none of us are free until all of us are free.”

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is America’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and same-gender-loving (LGBTQ/SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS. Courtesy of the NBJC

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Celebrating 44 Years!

Historic victory in Colorado for HRC-backed candidate Jared Polis, first openly Gay man elected governor in US WASHINGTON, DC – [On November 7], the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, released the following statement on the victory of HRC-endorsed Rep. Jared Polis in his bid to become the next governor of Colorado. Polis will become the nation’s first openly gay man elected governor.

“Tonight, Colorado rejected the TrumpPence administration’s politics of bigotry and fear by choosing bold pro-equality champion Jared Polis, the nation’s first openly gay man elected governor,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “For nearly a decade in Congress, Jared Polis fought to advance fairness and equality in Colorado and across America. He is a proven leader who will take his commitment to securing full equality to the governor’s mansion and fight to make Colorado a stronger and more inclusive state.”

Democratic Colorado Governor-elect Jared Polis (center) arrives onstage with running mate Dianne Primavera – Photo by Rick T. Wilding / Getty

For the past decade, Polis has earned a perfect score on every HRC Congressional Scorecard, a tool that measures support for LGBTQ equality. Polis helped launch the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus shortly after taking office in 2008 and also helped launch the Congressional Transgender Equality Task Force in 2015. He is the lead sponsor of the Student Non-Discrimination Act and is also an original co-sponsor of the Equality Act, crucial federal legislation that would finally guarantee clear, permanent protections for LGBTQ people under our nation’s existing civil rights law.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. The HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.

Courtesy of the HRC

HRC-backed candidates surge to victory, Equality Voters prove a decisive voting bloc

The Equality Act House leadership has promised to make the Equality Act a top priority in the new Congress.

• The Equality Act is a crucial piece of legislation that would add comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people to our nation’s existing civil rights laws. It is HRC’s top federal legislative priority in our pursuit of full LGBTQ equality for every American coast-to-coast.

• The Equality Act has 246 bipartisan cosponsors in Congress and 121 corporate cosponsors – which is more than any other piece of LGBTQ legislation in history.

WASHINGTON, DC (November 7, 2018) – Last night Human Rights Campaign (HRC)-backed candidates surged to victory in every corner of the country as millions of LGBTQ voters and allies turned out to pull the emergency brake on this administration and make the difference in many of these razor-thin elections.

Here’s more on last night’s historic and decisive victories, as well as the HRC’s largest expansion and investment in grassroots organizing in our history.

Key Points • The wave of victories for pro-equality candidates nationally was a clear rejection of Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s dangerous policies and divisive rhetoric.

• Eighteen months ago, the Human Rights Campaign launched HRC Rising to make sure we were organized to resist the attacks of this administration and take back power in these midterms.

• These midterm victories couldn’t have come at a more critical time – as LGBTQ people are under constant attack by the Trump-Pence administration – and remain at risk of being fired, evicted, or denied services in a majority of states because of who they are or who they love.

• We’ve reached a watershed moment in the political history of our movement for LGBTQ equality. For decades, antiLGBTQ politicians have attacked our community as a tactic to drum up votes, but we’ve responded by organizing, mobilizing, and building our political power and proving that when politicians come for us, we come for them on Election Day. • We have elected a pro-equality majority in Congress that has vowed to make the Equality Act a top priority.

Here is a primer about our electoral work, the results, and the Equality Act. HRC Rising About 18 months ago, the HRC launched the largest grassroots expansion in its 38-year history and made significant investments – about $26 million over two years – in key races nationwide and in six key states: MI, OH, WI, NV, AZ, and PA.

Photo courtesy of HRC

• We made investments and deployed more than 150 staff to dozens of races across the country; we had staff on the ground in more than three-quarters of the House races that were flipped last night. In the seats that have flipped so far, anti-equality incumbents were defeated in 23 races and will be replaced with pro-equality HRC-endorsed candidates.

• In the six states where we made our most significant investments, we: • Held US Senate seats in MI, OH, PA, and WI, and picked up NV; AZ is too close to call.

• Netted six US House seats, flipping AZ-02, MI-08, MI-11, PA-05, PA-06, PA-07, and PA-17.

• Re-elected Gov. Tom Wolf in PA, and picked up three new pro-equality governors in MI, NV, and WI – [two of which] went for Donald Trump and 2016 and put him in the White House.

• Picked up three pro-equality attorneys general in MI, NV, and WI. • HRC’s Equality Votes PAC spent $3.2 million to drive turnout through direct mail and digital ads in priority races, including [those of] Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Jacky Rosen, Kyrsten Sinema, Harley Rouda, Mike Levin, Sharice Davids, and Angie Craig. The HRC also invested in sixfigure GOTV ads in Georgia and Florida.

Through tested digital ads, the HRC was

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able to reach a total of 4.6 million voters across priority races.

• 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 getout-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.

Rainbow Wave Americans headed to the polls to elect a record number of out LGBTQ candidates, as well as women and people of color.

• Last night included a historic wave of LGBTQ candidates elected to office at all levels – from Jared Polis becoming the first openly gay man elected governor in the US, to Sharice Davids becoming the first out gay Native American woman elected to Congress. Trailblazing Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Gov. Kate Brown were soundly re-elected, and a number of openly LGBTQ candidates were elected and re-elected to Congress. We’re continuing to watch one of the most crucial Senate races in the country as the votes are tallied for a candidate HRC has worked tirelessly to elect, Kyrsten Sinema.

November 9, 2018

Polling We’re excited to share some new polling with you today courtesy of GQRR that demonstrates an outsized role played

by Equality Voters – a group of voters modeled to support LGBTQ issues and instrumental in the HRC’s activity this election cycle – in this victory.

• The poll found that equality issues played a significant and direct role in the new Democratic majority. In this survey, and in preelection qualitative research by the HRC, we found that voters recognize in Trump a significant threat to the values of the country.

Trump and Republican messaging at the end of the campaign likely amplified this fear.

Among Democratic who voted mostly FOR a candidate (rather than against his or her opponent), the leading reason for their support is “they stand up for immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ people, and others targeted by Trump and the Republicans.”

• Equality voters and LGBTQ voters, among others, led this victory. Equality voters delivered an 83-to-16% margin for Democrats in this election. In both this and national exit surveys, self-ascribed LGBTQ voters made up around 6% or 7% of the 2018 electorate. In national exit surveys, 81% of LGBTQ voters supported Democrats. Among major demographic groups, only African-Americans voted [Democratic] at higher levels.

• The survey found that voters support the Equality Act by a 65-to-25% margin.

Courtesy of the HRC

Seattle Gay News 11

Historic victory for HRC-backed Sharice Davids, first Native woman in Congress & first LGBTQ member of Congress from Kansas

WASHINGTON, DC (November 6, 2018) – Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, released the following statement on HRCendorsed Sharice Davids on her historic US House win. Davids is the first Native woman elected to the US Congress and the first openly LGBTQ US congressmember from Kansas.

“Sharice Davids made history tonight as the next congresswoman from Kansas, showing the Trump-Pence administration that LGBTQ people of color are here [and] visible and that our fight for equality continues to move forward,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “From civil rights to health care to education, on issue after issue, Davids is committed to making the United States a stronger, more vibrant, and inclusive nation. We look forward to working closely with Congresswoman Davids to pass commonsense federal protections for LGBTQ people through the Equality Act.” The HRC deployed three staff and organizers across the state alongside its local volunteer steering committee. In addition to robust door-to-door, mail, and phone canvassing in partnership with local groups, the HRC hosted Equality Action Academy trainings to give HRC members and supporters the tools they need to take action locally in legislative advocacy and in support of pro-equality-candidate campaigns. Just this past weekend in Kansas, HRC members and supporters knocked on hundreds of doors.

The HRC’s Equality Votes PAC invested more than $3 million in an ad blitz focused on voter engagement and turning out the vote in key states and congressional districts, including Kansas’s 3rd Congressional District in support of Sharice Davids. The digital advertising and direct-mail program focused on

Victory for Sharice Davids (l) – Photo by Whitney Curtis / Getty

educating over 97,000 voters about early voting options, mobilizing them to turn out on November 6th, and holding Trump [enablers] like Kevin Yoder accountable for his extreme positions on issues such as health care, immigration, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and more.

Davids ran on a platform to ensure that every student has access to public educa-

tion, every American has access to affordable health care, every DACA recipient is protected and has a pathway to citizenship, and every LGBTQ person has full federal protections through the Equality Act. She ousted Rep. Kevin Yoder (R), who has earned a “zero” in the past three HRC Congressional Scorecards.

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

GLAAD applauds rainbow wave of victories and LGBTQaffirming elections in the US House of Representatives NEW YORK (November 7, 2018) – GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today celebrated the LGBTQ-affirming wave of elections in the US House of Representatives, as well as key victories in governorships and statehouses nationwide. GLAAD also applauded voters in Massachusetts for supporting a “Yes” vote on Question 3, upholding the state’s transgender nondiscrimination law, which protects transgender people from discrimination in public spaces like restaurants, hotels, and hospitals. The victory in Massachusetts marks the first statewide popular vote in favor of rights for transgender Americans.

The 2018 midterm elections were historic for LGBTQ, people of color, and women candidates, as several swept to victory in a wave of opposition to the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ, hate-fueled, and anti-woman policies. As of this morning, the LGBTQ Victory Fund notes that LGBTQ people won eight federal office seats, 86 state office seats, and 34 local office seats. Sharice Davids of Kansas became the first out Native American woman elected to Congress.

Angie Craig of Minnesota and Chris Pappas of New Hampshire became their states’ first out officials elected to Congress. Jared Polis of Colorado became the first openly gay person elected governor. Bi incumbent Gov. Kate Brown of Oregon was re-elected to a

new term, and incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin will continue to represent Wisconsin as an out US senator. Out incumbent members of Congress David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, and Mark Tacano of California were all re-elected.

“This election is shaping up to be truly historic for LGBTQ candidates and, coupled with the change in leadership in the US House of Representatives, shows a rejection of the hate-fueled politics of the Trump administration that have heartlessly targeted LGBTQ people, women, immigrants, Muslims, and all vulnerable populations,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD. “The new House of Representatives is a critical check against the Trump administration’s continued abuse of power and a strong signal that acceptance and inclusion are core American values. We must continue to grow the energy and enthusiasm from diverse voters across the country as LGBTQ Americans and our allies continue to push forward for equal protections under the law and grow support for writing explicit anti-discrimination into the US Constitution.”

Last night, GLAAD joined with LGBTQ organizations and allies to celebrate a victory in Massachusetts around Question 3, which cements nondiscrimination laws for transgender people in Massachusetts.

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November 9, 2018

“Voters in Massachusetts made history and sent a clear message that transgender rights are human rights,” Ellis continued.

“The personal stories of so many transgender people in Massachusetts, coupled with support from allies in business, faith communities, sports, and so many areas of the state, shattered stereotypes and sparked this historic show of acceptance.

This victory for transgender people all around the country is the latest sign that the Trump administration’s attempts to discriminate against transgender Americans are completely out of step with where the American public is.”

Last month, GLAAD launched its first-ever “Electing Acceptance” candidate survey – the only national candidate survey dedicated to LGBTQ acceptance – which received responses from 356 candidates running for US House and US Senate seats, as well as for governor and lieutenant governor, in the 2018 midterm election. Two hundred forty-five Democratic candidates responded, and only 32 Republican candidates responded. Ninety-nine percent of the Democrats who responded are categorized as “allies,” meaning they responded they are “comfortable” across seven scenarios involving LGBTQ people.

In the lead-up to the election, GLAAD launched the Amp Your Voice campaign and online action center, where users were

encouraged to register to vote, take action on state and federal legislation, contact elected officials, and participate in other GLAAD actions to inspire LGBTQ Americans and allies to vote in the midterm elections.

GLAAD’s Trump Accountability Project has documented more than 81 direct attacks on LGBTQ people – and especially transgender people – since President Trump took office. These attacks include ongoing efforts to ban transgender soldiers from openly serving in the military, revoking nondiscrimination protections for transgender youth at school, supporting religious exemptions that would lead to discrimination against LGBTQ people, and, most recently, attempting to erase transgender people’s identities by redefining and restricting the legal meaning of “sex” to sex assigned at birth.

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. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org.

Courtesy of GLAAD

Celebrating 44 Years!

Trump fires Jeff Sessions, replaces him with someone just as bad

President Trump and Jeff Sessions – Photo by Andrew Harrer / Getty

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Only a day after the election, Donald Trump fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

While that might seem like a cause for celebration, he replaced Sessions with someone just as bad.

Matthew Whitaker, the new acting attorney general, was Sessions’ chief of staff

before Trump raised him to head the whole Justice Department.

In doing so, Trump passed over Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who would normally step into Sessions’ shoes.

Both Rosenstein and Sessions were targets of Trump’s wrath – Rosenstein for doing his job as supervisor of Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, and Sessions for recusing himself from overseeing Mueller’s investigation.

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal responds to the firing of Jeff Sessions

U.S. Rep Pramila Jayapal – Photo courtesy of Pramila Jayapal / Twitter

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, member of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding the firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions: “This was no simple resignation: President Donald Trump fired Jeff Sessions the day after an election in which his party lost control of the House. This is extremely dangerous territory, placing our nation in the throes of a potential constitutional crisis. We must do everything we can to protect the Special Counsel’s investigation, and to ensure that this president does not obstruct justice.

“The president has made it clear for months now that he considered Attorney General Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein impediments to ending the Special Counsel’s probe into interference in our elections, the Trump’s

campaign’s role in that and any potential obstruction of justice from the president himself. President Trump also criticized Attorney General Sessions numerous times merely for doing the right thing and recusing himself from supervising Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation. Installing a new Acting Attorney General, Matthew Whitaker, who has clearly and vocally been critical of the Special Counsel’s investigation and has called for limitations on Robert Mueller and his team, could – in and of itself – be another example of potential obstruction of justice by the president.

Reports that Mr. Whitaker is seeking to take over the supervision of the Special Counsel’s investigation must be stopped immediately – we believe it is not only wildly inappropriate for Mr. Whitaker to supervise the Special Counsel, but actually illegal based on the existing regulations. The president may act as though he can simply hire and fire whomever he wants, but this is not the case if his actions are shown to subvert the rule of law and obstruct justice.

“The House Judiciary Committee Democrats have already begun issuing letters to key officials demanding that they preserve all relevant documents to ensure evidence remains safe from improper interference or destruction. There is bipartisan support for these protections. Now is the time for Congress to pass the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act and protect the Special Counsel’s investigation from any attempt to interfere and obstruct.”

Courtesy of the Office of Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal

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Matthew Whitaker – Photo by Charlie Neibergall / AP

Whitaker has publicly stated that the Russia investigation has “gone too far” and is widely expected to kill it to protect Trump.

Like many Trump appointees, and like his predecessor, Whitaker is a conservative Christian with a long history of anti-LGBT bias.

Whitaker launched his political career in Iowa in 2002, campaigning for state treasurer. He also ran unsuccessfully for the GOP nomination to the Senate in 2014. In that campaign, Whitaker billed himself as “a Christian who regularly attends church with his family.”

As might be expected from that description, Whitaker has an affinity the legal theories of the Christian right.

“I have a Christian worldview,” he said during his 2014 campaign. “Our rights come from our Creator and they are guaranteed by the Constitution.”

Judges should be “people of faith” who “had a biblical view of justice,” he added.

From 2004 to 2009, when Whitaker was

a US attorney in Iowa, he targeted Matt McCoy, the state’s first out Gay legislator.

Whitaker brought extortion charges against McCoy, claiming that McCoy threatened a company with loss of Medicaid contracts if it didn’t pay him.

“There’s no allegation that he would have been successful or had any sway with the state Medicaid office,” Whitaker said.

“It’s merely the threat that was made.”

McCoy denied the charges, saying that the company owed him $2,000 for a failed business deal.

Whitaker based his case on the testimony of a paid witness but originally denied to the jury that his office had offered the witness money. After he was forced to admit paying the witness, the jury found for McCoy after only two hours of deliberation. McCoy still serves in the Iowa legislature.

Whitaker has also called for a special prosecutor to look into Hillary Clinton’s email server and he said that Trump made the “right decision” to fire Comey.

Congressman Adam Smith statement on the resignation of Attorney General Sessions

Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement in response to the resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions: “As Attorney General, Jeff Sessions actively undermined voting rights and civil rights. Sessions has a horrific record when it comes to protecting the individual rights of American citizens, and I expressed my serious concerns with him at the time that he was nominated. I am, however, worried that Sessions’ firing today could possibly signal an effort by President Trump to undermine the ongoing Mueller investigation into the foreign interference that took place during the 2016 election. We in Congress will do everything we can to push back against that eventuality. We must affirm our commitment to protecting the integrity of the Mueller investigation and making sure the President does not interfere with its conclusions.”

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith – Photo by Cliff Owen / AP

November 9, 2018

Courtesy of the Office of Congressman Adam Smith

Seattle Gay News 13

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November 9, 2018

Celebrating 44 Years!

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November 9, 2018

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