SGN December 16, 2016 - Section 1

Celebrating 42 Years!

Issue 51 Volume 44

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Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Orlando PD adopts SPD Safe ERW takes conversion Place program at six-month therapy ban on the road Pulse shooting anniversary

Safe Place decals given out by the OPD in Orlando – Photo by Monivette Cordeiro

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Earlier this week, the six-month anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida took place, and Seattle

had something to contribute. The city of Orlando announced an initiative on December 12 called Safe Place, a rainbowcolored police-badge decal on windows or front doors of businesses and organizations see SAFE PLACE page 8

Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson no friend of LGBT community

(l) CEO of ExxonMobile Rex Tillerson with Vladimir Putin – Photo by Ria Novosti/Reuters/Reuters

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer There are many reasons to feel anxious about Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of State.

ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson is a

friend of Vladimir Putin and business partner of many of Putin’s cronies. He runs a giant oil conglomerate and almost certainly will backtrack on the Obama administration’s commitment to global environmental see REX TILLERSON page 8

ERW Executive Director Monisha Harrell – Photo courtesy of vimeo.com

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Equal Rights Washington (ERW) will build on its victory in getting the Seattle City Council to ban conversion therapy,

Executive Director Monisha Harrell told a Town Hall forum on December 11, and try to pass similar ordinances in many other Washington cities.

The Seattle City Council voted unanisee ERW page 7

Louisiana judge strikes down LGBT protections

Attorney General Jeff Landry – Photo courtesy of gannett-cdn.com

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer In a December 14 ruling, a Louisiana state judge struck down LGBT protections put in place by Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards.

In April Edwards fulfilled a campaign promise by issuing an executive order requiring protections for sexual orientation and gender identity in state contracts. Similar protections had been in force under the see LA JUDGE page 20

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Celebrating 41 Years!

4.5 percent of California youth identify as gender nonconforming

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor This week the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research released new findings through the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), the largest state health survey in the nation. More than 20,000 Californians – including adults, teenagers, and children – are interviewed each year.

For the first time, CHIS, in partnership with the Williams Institute, measured the size of the Transgender and gender-nonconforming population in California, making it one of the only state-level health surveys to do so.

In 2015, about 64,000 adults ages 18 to 70 (0.25% of the population) were estimated to be Transgender or gender nonconforming, and about 133,000 Californian youth ages 12 to 17 (about 4.5% of the youth population) were estimated to express their gender in a “nonconforming” way (e.g., boys who act or dress mostly or very feminine, and girls who act or dress mostly or very masculine).

The findings of this survey are important in the fact that Transgender or gendernonconforming people are rarely surveyed because it is believed that they make up so little of the population (even within the LG-

BTQ community). However, survey results, such as the CHIS survey, begin to shed light on just how many Transgender or gendernonconforming people there really are.

The Williams Institute thanked all of the UniTy 2015 and 2016 supporters, the Gill Foundation, Anonymous, David Bohnett Foundation, the Arcus Foundation, the Johnson Family Foundation, the California Community Foundation, Barbara Jacobs, Martine Rothblatt, the Edison, Weston Milliken, the Human Rights Campaign, the UCLA School of Law – and many more – for making the collection of the CHIS gender identity and expression data possible.

Local nonprofit consultancy to award pro-bono services to promote tolerance and understanding The Ostara Group works to support ideas that further compassion in Washington state SEATTLE, WA – The Ostara Group is granting 25 hours of pro-bono support in fundraising and organizational strategy for an emerging nonprofit promoting tolerance and understanding.

The rise of hate motivated speech and attacks has been dramatic in the wake of the presidential election. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there were nearly 900 hate incidents reported across the country in the 10 days following the election.

In the wake of 9/11, which saw a similar rise in hate incidents, multiple nonprofit organizations grew out of a response to rising intolerance. OneAmerica was founded to advocate for immigrant rights. Tasveer premiered a South Asian film festival to dispel stereotypes. OneWorldNow! sought to bring foreign language, leadership,

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and study abroad programs to high-need schools. Founder Kristen Hayden writes: “Tired of complaining about the inequity and injustice in our nation’s public schools’ leadership … we launched OneWorldNow! after the tragic events of 9/11 as a goodfaith effort to be ‘part of the solution’.”

In an effort to help a budding nonprofit realize its potential, The Ostara Group will provide 25 hours of free, custom designed support. Founder Kyle Halmrast says, “With this grant, our goal is to catalyze critical ideas and positive social change.”

The grant is open to anyone in Washington state who wishes to start a nonprofit, or to existing nonprofits whose budgets were less than $300,000 in the most recently completed year. Submissions will be accepted through Tuesday, January 31 at 5 pm, and decisions will be announced by

March 31, 2017.

Additional information, along with the application, can be found on our website at: http://www.ostaragroup.com/blog

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The Ostara Group is a Seattle-based consulting firm that strengthens nonprofits’ capacity, capability, and culture through fundraising and organizational strategy. Having worked with over 150 organizations in Seattle and beyond, Ostara supports a wide range of efforts to protect the planet, create vibrant communities, and provide a safety net to society’s most vulnerable. Ostara’s custom tailored approach is designed to help clients make their vision a reality. More information can be found at www.ostaragroup.com Courtesy of Ostara Group

Uncle Ike’s and Solstice partner with Low Income Housing Institute on high-minded stocking stuffer Proceeds from Cannabis Packs will build Tiny Houses for the homeless SEATTLE, WA – There’s no shelter that hides us from the homelessness in Seattle.

Over the past year, the One Night Count was roughly 3,000 men, women and children. It’s real, and it takes the whole of us to fix. Solstice and Uncle Ike’s have proudly partnered with Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) to create a special Tiny House cannabis pre-roll pack, sold exclusively at Uncle Ike’s 23rd & Union and Capitol Hill locations. A portion of proceeds will go directly to the Tiny House program, aimed at providing critically needed shelter to Seattle’s homeless families and individuals.

LIHI Executive Director Sharon Lee said, “We think the Tiny House cannabis packs would make a great stocking stuffer or holiday gift. While it’s a little bit of an unusual fundraiser, funds for shelter will help address a deadly serious problem: 91 homeless men and women died on the streets last year. Safe and secure Tiny Houses would have prevented some of those deaths.”

Tiny Houses. Big Future.

About LIHI’s Tiny House Villages LIHI’s Tiny House initiative is a crisis response to growing homelessness in Seattle. Tiny House Villages get homeless people off the streets fast and into a safe environment where they can take a breath and get their lives back together. A warm, enclosed Tiny House is a significant life quality improvement over a tent below an underpass. In the past year LIHI opened three Tiny House Villages and will be opening more in the coming year. Our Tiny

Photo courtesy of the Low Income Housing Institute

House Villages house families, couples, singles, and people with pets. We provide case managers at all sites to help residents find jobs and permanent housing. We are utilizing vacant land and partnering with

many wonderful carpentry apprenticeship programs to build the houses. Hundreds of volunteers have helped us set up the villages. The cost of a Tiny House is less than $2,500.

To learn more: www.LIHI.org/tinyhouses Courtesy of Low Income Housing Institute

SOSea self-defense class instructs community members how to avoid being the target of hate

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Sometimes – no matter if we walk home in a group or alone, or even if we are inside of a packed business – somebody filled with hate in their heart, or whose judgment is muddled by mental health issues, might zero in on a person who is or is perceived to be LGBTQ and commit a bias crime (otherwise known as a “hate crime”). In these instances the victims are often caught by surprise, unprepared for how to best defend themselves.

They also often report that they felt completely alone, the crimes sometimes happening under the watchful eyes of those who fail to step in and do anything about it.

There is more that compounds the situation. Members of the LGBTQ and other marginalized communities often feel like they shouldn’t report a crime because they feel the police department is not on their side or won’t treat the case with sensitivity or compassion. Whether or not this is a true description of how the Seattle Police Department (SPD) handles the reporting of a bias crime is neither here nor there; the fact remains that that sentiment exists.

At Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea), a social justice organization of which I am

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founder and current president, we believe that the best way for members of the GBTQ community to stay safe is to know how to defend themselves against attack, as well as know how to seek justice.

In the wake of the deadly Pulse nightclub attacks six months ago, SOSea produced a self-defense class that focused on an active-shooter situation to help ease the fear that some community members might have about what to do if faced with such a terrible situation. Instructor and SOSea board member Mac S. McGregor went over different places to hide, the Department of Homeland Security’s “Run, Hide, Fight” model, and even gun take-away procedures that he is certified to teach. Nearly 100 people were in attendance, and there was a general sentiment that members of our community wanted to see more of these kinds of trainings.

Last week, in Neighbours nightclub (1509 Broadway), SOSea continued selfdefense training with a special class on hate crimes, entitled “United We Stand.” It was attended by nearly 50 people (from 10 years old to retirement age). As always, the class was free, all inclusive (LGBTQ and allied folks alike are invited to attend), appropriate for all ages, and – with just an hour and

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a half to provide the information – straight to the point. Less talking, more learning.

The latest class was in direct response to the growing fears of members of the LGBTQ and marginalized communities about what will happen in the wake of Donald Trump’s election. Hate crimes are being reported at an increased rate across the US. So many people want to know what they can do if they find themselves in such a dangerous and egregious situation.

McGregor, a world champion martial arts expert and former bodyguard to entertainers such as Diana Ross, explained to the class that the best way to win a fight is to not get into one. So verbally telling people to leave you alone loud enough to get other people’s attention is vital. Also, saying things like, “Get away from me, I don’t know you” loudly makes people look toward what is occurring, and – if you were to be attacked – provides witnesses that could help you when seeking justice.

Basic self-defense tactics were taught, as well as several more advanced tactics.

McGregor went over the difference between self-defense and assault, which selfdefense tools are best (e.g., pepper spray or stun gun), and much more.

Lastly, and perhaps the most impor-

tant part, he reiterated that you must report these crimes when they occur. You’d have to be terribly unlucky to be the first victim of such an attacker, and so if you don’t want something like this to happen to anyone else, don’t aid your attacker in getting away with the crime. Reporting crime is a way a police department justifies resources and where they are used. If there truly is an increase in hate crimes in Seattle, the department can only know that if these attacks or crimes are reported. Reporting to Facebook or Twitter that you have been attacked is not the same are reporting to the police.

If you feel like you do not want to speak to the police and would like an advocate, contact Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea) at SocialOutreachSeattle@gmail.com and we will gladly help in any way we can. If you want to let the police know that such an attack has occurred but want to speak to an LGBTQ officer, contact SPD LGBTQ Liaison Officer Jim Ritter through the SPD Safe Place Program at www.SPDSafePlace.com.

SOSea will continue to offer monthly self-defense classes throughout 2017. A schedule of classes and the location of each class will soon be published on our website, www.SocialOutreachSeattle.com.

Celebrating 41 Years!

Former Gov. Christine Gregoire & Diverse Harmony bring unity and hope to the GSBA Holiday Luncheon

by MK Scott SGN Contributing Writer It was an exciting afternoon this past Wednesday (12/14) when major players from the Seattle LGBTQA business community came together at McCaw Hall for the GSBA Holiday Luncheon and Annual Meeting.

As you entered the main hall and lobby there were booths lined up featuring all the GSBA corporate sponsors including Wells Fargo, Pacific Medical, Microsoft, Amtrak, 1st Security Bank, Sound Publishing, with goodie bags filled with mugs, water bottles, stuffed toys, and even hand sanitizer. The always-fab piano man Victor Janusz provided live background music for the pre-luncheon showcase as he had done at the GSBA’s recent Equalux scholarship fundraising gala.

On the McCaw Hall mezzanine level round tables were set up with salad-filled plates and rolls for the luncheon. I was honored to share a table with GSBA president and CEO Louise Chernin and special guest and keynote speaker Washington’s former Governor Christine Gregoire.

After a great performance by Diverse Harmony, Seattle’s Gay-Straight youth choral group, Louise Chernin paid homage to outgoing GSBA board co-chair, Kevin Gaspari (Windermere) and welcomed the new board co-chair, Drew Ness (1st Security Bank).

After a brief business meeting Christine Gregoire took to the podium to talk about her new project, Challenge Seattle, but first had to say something about the recent election. Gregoire startled the crowd by saying she had been asked to be on Hilary Clin-

Seattle’s Gay-Straight youth choral group Diverse Harmony performs at the GSBA Holiday Luncheon – Photo by MK Scott

ton’s transition team and was disappointed that it didn’t happen.

After assuring the crowd that Washington is in good shape and is safe from Federal interference, Gregoire spoke about being the CEO of Challenge Seattle, a private sector

initiative led by many of the region’s CEOs working to address the issues that will determine the future of our region – for our economy and our families to ensure our region continues to grow, transform, and thrive, while maintaining our quality of life.

For more information and updates on the initiative, please visit Challengeseattle. com. For member info for the Greater Seattle Business Association, check out, www. the-gsba.org.

Washington Won’t Discriminate – Join the fight!

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Last week, the Seattle Gay News reported on HB 1011, a legislative effort to repeal protections for Transgender Washingtonians. This week, SGN wants you to know about the efforts to get the message to lawmakers to oppose HB 1011.

“Legislative session hasn’t even started, and already some fringe lawmakers have pre-filed legislation (HB 1011) with one goal: strip transgender Washingtonians of nondiscrimination protections,” said Seth

ERW

continued from cover mously on August 2 to prohibit conversion therapy for minors with the city limits and impose hefty fines on violators. ERW proposed the local ordinance because a bill banning the practice has been stalled for years in the state legislature.

“We’ve always wanted to pursue legislation against conversion therapy on a statewide level,” Harrell explained to the SGN. “That’s more comprehensive, and the state deals with licenses. Cities and municipalities can’t suspend the licenses of people who practice conversion therapy.

“But cities can make it illegal, and they can fine people who do this. A good stiff fine, like [the] $1,000 fine in the Seattle ordinance. I’d love to take away their licenses, but if we can’t, we can at least make it illegal and fine them.”

LGBT, labor, and environmental activists had hoped that the 2016 election would break the deadlock in Olympia, where

Kirby, Washington Won’t Discriminate (WWD) campaign chair, in an email to supporters December 15.

“This inhumane legislation – like a similar law that caused uproar earlier this year in North Carolina – explicitly targets transgender people for discrimination by effectively banning them from using public restrooms,” Kirby said.

“But we are NOT North Carolina – and we cannot and will not let anti-Transgender hysteria take root here in Washington,” Kirby continued. “We have to squash HB 1011 before it advances any further – and

we need to mobilize a groundswell of grassroots supporters to get the job done.”

Kirby and WWD are asking each of us to join the fight by rushing a message to lawmakers urging them to oppose HB 1011 and all other efforts to repeal protections for Transgender Washingtonians. Go to http://action.wawont.org/page/s/hb1011 to support such an effort.

According to Kirby, HB 1011 is just the start of the anti-Transgender initiatives we expect to see in Washington in 2017. “[I]f our opponents can’t succeed at passing anti-Transgender bills in the leg-

islature, we know they’re prepared to take this fight to the ballot,” Kirby said.

“If we give our opposition an inch, they will take a mile,” Kirby continued. “We’ve got to mobilize a strong grassroots movement – and fast – to send a clear message to opponents of transgender equality and lawmakers alike: discrimination has no place in Washington.”

“We face a tough fight ahead,” Kirby concluded. “But with your support we’re confident we will defeat efforts to repeal transgender nondiscrimination!”

Democrats have a slim majority in the state House, but Republicans control the state Senate. That split has been the death of many progressive proposals, including the conversion therapy ban.

“I was hoping – many people were hoping – for a better legislative makeup than we got,” Harrell said. “But we still have to do something to protect as many of our youth as possible.”

The election also brought Donald Trump to power on a national level. That means LGBT rights groups will no longer get a sympathetic hearing in the other Washington.

It all adds up to a new strategy, Harrell says, what she calls “a patchwork solution,” where local jurisdictions pass protections for their LGBT residents. And ERW already has a plan to do it, she added.

“Seattle was a great first city [to ban conversion therapy].” Harrell explained.

“It has more resources, it has an office of civil rights – which many cities don’t have – it has a city attorney we could work with.

In other cities we’ll have to adapt the Seattle model, to see how enforcement would

work. Seattle already had the resources to enforce it.

“We’ll have to see where we can gain traction outside of Western Washington.

We’d look at places that can provide some resources for enforcement. Our criterion will be ‘Do we have a foothold in local leadership?’ It may be only one councilmember, but if there’s one person willing to bring it up with their peers, that’s what we’re looking for.”

One of the factors that made ERW successful in Seattle was their existing relationships with many City Councilmembers.

Harrell told the SGN that over the years, they have built similar relationships with officials in other local jurisdictions.

“It’s been a deliberate strategy ERW has been developing for a while now,” Harrell said, “building relationships with local electeds throughout the state.

“For example, this year we endorsed in every legislative district across the state. People said ‘Well, why did you do that if you’re based in Seattle?’ But this is why – to start to have conversations with local officials.”

Harrell said she expected movement on

ordinances in other cities “within the next six months,” depending on the advice ERW gets from friendly local officials.

“We may need a longer lead time in some cities,” she continued. “It may take longer to bring the issue up for public discussion.

“Our efforts will be both east and west of the mountains. Maybe it will take two years in Eastern Washington, but in the west it can be done sooner.”

Harrell told the SGN she hopes ERW’s campaign for local conversion therapy bans will reinvigorate LGBT activists.

“What I’ve heard from a lot of people over the last couple of years is this: ‘Oh, we’ve arrived, we’re kind of done with the activism piece.’ For people who’ve let their guard down a little bit, I hope they will recommit to their statewide organizations.

That’s where the wins are going to be.

“I think the election does embolden the opposition. The Vice President is a strong supporter of conversion therapy.

“They are emboldened, so we must be bold in the way we fight as well.”

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SAFE PLACE

continued from cover that will signify a location where a victim can go to feel safe. A victim, business owner, or employee can call 911 and a police officer will respond.

If the program seems familiar to you, that is because Safe Place is a program that SPD LGBTQ Liaison Officer Jim Ritter developed with the help of community groups like Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea); it went into effect in May 2015. Since then, the program has been adopted by police departments around the nation and even as far away as Japan.

However, few of those locations are as meaningful as Orlando, where the LGBTQ and Latino communities experienced a deadly mass shooting attack in which 49 were killed and as many as 68 people were injured when a man walked into the Pulse nightclub and opened fire. It was the worst mass shooting incident in our nation’s recent history.

While there is no evidence that a program like Safe Place would have stopped such a tragedy, the fact that this program brings the City of Orlando, its police department, and the members of its LGBTQ community closer together is a step in the right direction, considering that many police departments and LGBTQ communities have never been aligned.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said she’s never really felt safe as a

REX TILLERSON continued from cover

agreements. He’s an enemy of government health and safety regulations but a vocal supporter of free trade deals.

He also runs one of the most anti-LGBT companies in the country. ExxonMobil’s record is so bad, in fact, that it received the only negative ratings ever issued by HRC’s Corporate Equality Index. His company earned a minus-25 rating from HRC in 2012 and 2013.

Tillerson became CEO of ExxonMobil in 2006 after a quarter century as an em-

member of Orlando’s gay community. But now Sheehan and other lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people who feel threatened or are victims of crimes will have a harbor.”

“I honestly always thought that I would be a victim of violence, and I’m very grateful that I was not,” Sheehan said. “What we are asking for is a safe haven. There are those

that will victimize us for who we are.”

At the December 12 ceremony announcing the launch of Safe Place, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said, “We thought it would be fitting today to announce an initiative that aligned with our pledge to ensure that inclusion and the embracing of diversity and safety are the hallmarks of Orlando.”

ployee of the firm. In 2014, the company’s shareholders – which included Tillerson – voted against offering protections to LGBT workers for the 17th time.

To be fair, the company’s anti-LGBT record goes back years before Tillerson took the helm, although he has been employed there since 1975.

In 1999 Exxon took over Mobil Oil and rescinded Mobil’s domestic partner benefits for Lesbian and Gay employees. At the time, Tillerson was Exxon’s Vice President of Exxon Ventures, the oil giant’s capital investment arm. After the merger, Tillerson steady climbed the corporate ladder, becoming president and director of ExxonMobil in 2004 and CEO in 2006.

In 2009, ExxonMobil, now led by Tillerson, took over XTO Energy. Just as it did when it acquired Mobil, it canceled same-sex domestic partner benefits for XTO employees.

In fact, ExxonMobil did not add sexual orientation and gender identity to its nondiscrimination policies until last year, following President Obama’s executive order requiring federal contractors to offer such protections.

HRC president Chad Griffin released a statement calling on the Senate to ask tough questions of Tillerson when it considers his nomination.

“ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson’s nomination raises critical questions as to

Orlando police Chief John Mina said Safe Place is an extension of the community being the department’s eyes and ears.

“When hate crimes, discrimination, harassment occur, those are things that need to be addressed collectively, not separately,” he said. “Since the horrific tragedy six months ago, we saw our community come together in unity, love, and support, and this just reinforces that love and support.”

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the LGBT Center of Orlando was the first establishment to receive the decal. All public city buildings also will have them.

“It’s important to have a program, because even if it’s just optics, it says you are safe here,” Sheehan said. “That’s what diverse communities do. For my brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ community, this is important to us because of what happened to us [at Pulse].”

Seattle’s Safe Place Program has been a success in that many LGBTQ community members who felt apprehensive about reporting a crime to SPD can simply go to http://www.seattle.gov/spd-safe-place/ and fill out a contact form in which they report any incident to Officer Ritter. Although the form is not considered a police report, Ritter has the opportunity to speak with the person, meet with victims, and help them report the incident and seek justice, or just answer any questions they might have. To date, there has not been one example recorded in which a person seeking refuge or support from a business that displayed the Safe Place decal has not received it.

how a Trump administration plans to protect LGBTQ employees and contractors affiliated with the State Department, and ultimately whether it will continue American efforts to advance equality through US foreign policy,” Griffin said.

“Will Trump and Tillerson take on brutal dictators like Putin, who have inspired attacks against LGBTQ people?

Will they assist LGBTQ Muslim refugees fleeing death from ISIS? For millions of people around the globe, their position on these and other issues are a matter of life and death. These are among the questions that senators – Democrats and Republicans alike – must ask.”

Federal employees union refuses to turn over names of energy staffers to Trump team

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The head of a union representing federal employees has refused to turn over the names of Energy Department staffers to Donald Trump’s transition team.

Trump’s team asked Jeff Eagan, President of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) – which represents employees of several federal departments, not just Treasury workers – for the names of staffers who attended meetings on climate change issues.

Eagan refused because his members worried that they might be targeted by a Trump administration that rejected the whole notion of climate change.

“There is major concern amongst my members,” Eagan told the Washington Post on December 13. “I have received lots of calls, emails, messages expressing shock and dismay.”

Eagan himself is a 17-year Energy Department employee, but he made clear he was speaking in his capacity as a union official.

What NTEU members are worried about is what Trump might do to federal

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Image courtesy of nhlabornews.com

employees whose work has been in line with scientific consensus and the Obama administration, which has spoken about “the urgent imperatives of climate change.”

Trump himself has sent mixed signals.

Early on in the presidential campaign, he called climate change a “hoax” concocted by the Chinese to limit US economic growth.

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After the election, however, he seemed more open to the reality of climate change.

In a November 22 meeting with Time magazine editors, Trump was asked if he believes there is “some connectivity” between human activity and climate change.

“Some, something,” he answered. “It depends on how much.”

When journalist Tom Friedman asked if he would withdraw from climate change accords signed by the Obama administration, Trump answered, “I’m looking at it very closely. I have an open mind to it.”

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WEEKLY PETS: Adoption Center

PEYTON

Sunday – Wednesday | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Thursday – Saturday | 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Phone: (425) 649-7563 Email: adoption@seattlehumane.org

Meet Peyton, an 8-year-old Retriever/Australian Shepherd mix with the sweetest smile.

This loving senior will greet you with lots of kisses and affection. Peyton absolutely adores belly rubs and will goofily roll over to ask for them. Peyton also doesn’t let age hold him back! He lives for long hikes and walks that would exhaust him. Peyton would thrive in an active family with teens 16 years+ and adults. Another plus – he can be introduced to dog-savvy cats! At the end of the day, he would love to snuggle up with his people and keep them company. If you would like to meet Peyton today, stop on by Seattle Humane today!

PROMOTIONS

Dec. 16-18 | Doggone Homes Complete your home just in time for the holidays and adopt a dog! They’ll fill your holidays with cuddles, licks, and endless love. Our $50 off adoption fees will give you another reason to celebrate!

BABY

Meet Baby, a sweet 6-year-old black and white kitty! Don’t be fooled by her name Baby is a big girl at slightly over 11 pounds. Baby is a lover and will purr all day for head scratches. She may swat at a toy here and there, but she mainly wants her human’s love.

She’s a quiet and reserved kitty who longs for a best friend she can open her heart to. Baby has some special needs that are resolvable with a patient family that is willing to take some steps to ensure her success in her new home.

Baby tested positive for FIV. When kept indoors, an FIV-positive kitty can live a long, happy life like any other feline. Come and learn more about Baby at Seattle Humane today - she might be just the friend you’re looking for!

Our staff would be happy to speak with you about FIV and Baby’s long-term care.

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Celebrating 41 Years!

GOP resurrects FADA Bill legalizes anti-LGBT discrimination

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah said on December 12 that he would reintroduce the so-called “First Amendment Defense Act” (FADA) when the new Congress convenes next year.

The bill provides that the federal government “shall not take any discriminatory action against a person, wholly or partially on the basis that such person believes or acts in accordance with a religious belief or moral conviction that marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman, or that sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage.”

In other words, the bill prevents federal courts and agencies from enforcing the civil rights of LGBT people when they are targets of discrimination, as long as the offending parties claim a religious motive.

The bill was first introduced in 2015

by Lee in the Senate and Rep. Raul Labrador in the House but it has not been scheduled even for a committee hearing, much less a vote.

According to Lee’s office, the election of Donald Trump will give the measure a new lease on life.

“Hopefully November’s results will give us the momentum we need to get this done next year,” said Lee’s spokesman,

Republican Sen. Mike Lee – Photo courtesy of hiddenamericans.com

Conn Carroll.

During the campaign, Trump promised to sign FADA, saying it would “protect the deeply held religious beliefs of Catholics and the beliefs of Americans of all faiths.”

Carroll added, “We do plan to reintroduce FADA next Congress, and we

welcome Trump’s positive words about the bill.”

FADA is supported by all the usual suspects: Heritage Action, the American Principles Project, the Family Research Council, the American Family Association, and Liberty Counsel.

A version of FADA was introduced in Georgia by Republican state Sen. Greg Kirk in January. It passed both houses of the state legislature but was vetoed by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal in March.

Pride at Work statement on Secretary of Labor nomination

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer In another case of putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop, Donald Trump nominated Andrew Puzder on December 8 as the Secretary of Labor for his administration. Puzder is the CEO of CKE restaurants, which owns the Hardees and Carl’s Jr. fast food chains. He is strongly opposed to any increases in the minimum wage and wants to see the Affordable Care Act repealed.

Pride at Work Executive Director Jerame Davis issued the following reaction to Puzder’s nomination to head the Department of Labor: “Andrew Puzder’s nomination to become the Secretary of Labor is a slap in the face to every working person in America.

Here we have a man who makes over a million dollars a year in base salary, but he thinks the minimum wage is too high. Just to prove how out of touch he is with average working people, he also opposes the Affordable Care Act, which has insured over 20 million people – many of whom likely work for Pudzer’s company.

“LGBTQ working people should also be concerned because Puzder was a member of the GOP platform committee that produced the most anti-LGBTQ platform by any major political party in history. When asked about the anti-LGBTQ planks by The Hill, Puzder said, ‘However, we do support nondiscrimination.’ Where that made it into the platform is still an open question.

“Even if Donald Trump decides not to repeal President Obama’s executive order barring LGBTQ discrimination among

(l) CEO of CKE restaurants and Department of Labor nominee Andrew Puzder and Pride at Work Executive Director Jerame Davis – Photo of Andrew Puzder by Daniel Acker/Bloomberg Newx and Jerame Davis by Michael Key

federal contractors, there is little hope that Puzder will enforce it. It’s beyond frightening that every single person Trump has put forward as a nominee for his administration is staunchly anti-LGBTQ. “Puzder’s views on women aren’t exactly stellar, either. When asked about his company’s racy, sexist ads, he told Entrepreneur magazine, ‘I like beautiful women

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eating burgers in bikinis. I think it’s very American.’ Such a flippant response is unbecoming of someone who will be charged with protecting the rights of the American workforce, half of which are women.

“Every working American will suffer under a Labor Department that is derelict in its duties. There is no reason to believe Puzder or Trump will lift a finger to pro-

tect the rights of working people. This administration is quickly shaping up to be one of the most anti-labor governments we’ve encountered. We call upon the Senate to reject the Puzder nomination and to carefully vet every nominee put forth by President-elect Trump.”

Pride at Work is an LGBTQ labor organization affiliated with the AFL-CIO.

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Anti-LGBT group drops First Amendment lawsuit

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), an anti-LGBT legal group, dropped its lawsuit against a Massachusetts anti-discrimination law.

Acting on behalf of four Massachusetts churches, ADF had charged that the law violates their First Amendment rights by treating them as public accommodations when they engage in secular commercial activities.

Churches should have absolute control over the use of their facilities in every context, ADF argued.

Although it challenged the entire state public accommodations law, the lawsuit seemed to be motivated by the recent addition of gender identity as a protected class in Massachusetts law.

That addition would have required churches to allow Trans people to enter their premises and to use gender-appropriate restroom facilities, at least when the churches were open for activities other than religious services.

GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), which intervened in the case to uphold the anti-discrimination law, said they were “glad” to see ADF drop its suit.

“The claim made by the plaintiffs was from the outset breathtaking in its audacity,” GLAD Legal Director Gary Buseck said in a statement.

“Their assertion that churches are completely excused from complying with nondiscrimination statutes has no foundation in the law. To the contrary, Massachusetts courts have struck an important balance

From left: GLAD team members Vickie Henry, Janson Wu, Gary Buseck & Mary Bonauto – Photo by Susan Symonds

between principles of nondiscrimination and religious liberty – applying the public accommodations law to entities, including religious ones, when engaged in secular ac-

tivities and not applying the law to entities when engaged in any religious activities.

“We are glad to see ADF withdraw its baseless claim but stand prepared to ensure

that when churches engage in nonreligious activities, they are bound by the law just like everyone else.”

Guilty!

White supremacist convicted of Charleston killings

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Self-proclaimed white supremacist Dylann Roof was found guilty on 33 separate federal charges arising from his murder of nine parishioners at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Roof was found guilty on 12 counts of hate crimes, 12 counts of obstruction of religion, and nine counts of use of a firearm to kill.

Deliberations began on the afternoon of December 15 after attorneys made closing arguments.

Shortly after deliberations began, the jury asked to rewatch the video in which Roof confessed to two FBI agents. Specifically, the jury wanted to see the portion where Roof said he was unsure of how many people he had killed.

Not long after that, the jury returned the guilty verdicts.

“He needs to be held accountable for every bullet,” Assistant US Attorney Nathan Williams told the jury.

“The parishioners could not have seen the hatred in his heart,” Williams said. “He sat and waited until they were at their most vulnerable.”

Family members of the victims sobbed as Williams spoke.

Roof, who handled his own defense, did not call any witnesses and did not testify.

The nine victims, who welcomed Roof into their Bible study when he showed up at the church, were killed on the night of June 17, 2015. Roof was arrested the next day.

These were the victims: • Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd (54), a

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Dylann Roof – Photo courtesy of trbimg.com

manager for the Charleston County Public Library system • Susie Jackson (87), a Bible study and church choir member • Ethel Lee Lance (70), the church’s sexton • Depayne Middleton-Doctor (49), a

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pastor who was also employed as a school administrator and admissions coordinator at Southern Wesleyan University • Clementa C. Pinckney (41), the church’s pastor and a South Carolina state senator • Tywanza Sanders (26), a Bible study

member and grandnephew of Susie Jackson • Daniel Simmons (74), a retired pastor • Sharonda Coleman-Singleton (45), a pastor, speech therapist, and high school track coach • Myra Thompson (59), a Bible study teacher

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Cherokee Nation to recognize same-sex marriages

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The Cherokee Nation, the country’s largest Native American tribe, will now recognize same-sex marriages.

Cherokee Attorney General Todd Hembree ruled on December 9 that all Cherokee tribal members are entitled to marriage rights regardless of their sexual orientation.

His ruling invalidates the 2004 Cherokee Nation and Family Protection Act, which restricted marriage to opposite-sex couples.

Like many Native American tribes, the Cherokee Nation is considered a sovereign and self-governing nation in both Cherokee and US law and is entitled to make its own laws governing the marriages of tribe members.

Hembree ruled on a question put to him by the Cherokee Tax Commission. A recently married woman was trying to obtain a Cherokee Nation ID card for her new spouse, another woman. The Tax Commission asked Hembree whether it could recognize a same-sex marriage.

Hembree said, “Yes.” “The constitution affords these rights to all Cherokee citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, and the Cherokee Nation, or any subdivision, must recognize validly issued civil unions, same-sex marriages, and same-sex domestic partnerships from other jurisdictions,” Hembree wrote.

The opinion goes into effect immediately. While it can be challenged by other Cherokee officials, Hembree told ABC News in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that he saw no reason why anyone would.

Chad Smith, who was tribal chief when the now-invalidated law was passed in 2004, said he approves of the change.

“Our constitution incorporates the provisions of the US Constitution, and the

Cherokee Attorney General Todd Hembree – Photo courtesy of cherokee.org

Supreme Court (of the United States) has since made its ruling,” Smith told CNN. “The fact that they would voluntarily do this is a really great thing,” said Ryan Payne, who is both a US citizen and Cherokee Nation citizen. “It speaks to the progression of the tribe and the nation as a whole…

“For someone like myself, who is both a Cherokee citizen and a US citizen, to be able to have that recognized on both levels, you really do have that full sense of equality.”

Payne added that the change is a monumental step for the LGBT community and would allow members to re-embarce their

tribal heritage.

“It’s going to be a welcome signal from their tribe that they are equal,” he said.

“They do have value. They do belong.”

Surprise! Trump is the messiah, televangelist says

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Donald Trump may be the messiah, according to televangelist Tom Horn. At the very least, he is a precursor to the messiah, much like John the Baptist, Horn said.

Horn made the remarks on Jim Bakker’s TV show, where he was a guest along with several other so-called “end times” preachers.

According to Horn, unnamed “rabbis” have revealed that Trump could be the messiah.

“They’re looking at Donald Trump” as the messiah, Horn said of “the rabbis,” adding that Trump’s name “actually means ‘messiah.’”

Among the clues that Trump may be the messiah, he said, is that the president-elect is a kingly and warrior-like leader committed to protecting Israel and, according to Horn, rebuilding the Temple of Jerusalem.

Horn said that if Trump is not the messiah, then he is likely “the forerunner” to the messiah who “will start the message in the wilderness, and the messiah is going to come in on his heels.”

If Trump turns out to only be a John the Baptist-like figure, Horn explained, then his inauguration will signal the beginning of the “countdown to the appearance of the messiah.”

But the “rabbis” who “do think he is the

Tom Horn – Photo courtesy of jcourt.net

messiah,” Horn said, are looking for proof that Trump’s “bloodline goes back to the Davidic dynasty.”

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While Horn did not cite any rabbis by name, he was possibly referring to a controversial New York rabbi, Men-

December 16, 2016

del Kessin, who said in September that Trump is “a messiah.”

Kessin’s theory also got support from Christian-right preacher Carl Gallups, a supporter of the Trump presidential campaign.

“I think the main thrust of Rabbi Kessin’s message is that, somehow, Yahweh might be in the process of using Donald Trump to bring about some much-needed biblical reformation to the United States and, thus, the world,” Gallups told WorldNetDaily in September.

“I think he is also hoping and praying, along with much of the Jewish and Christian world, that Trump might be used [by] God to restore the United States to being a great friend and protector of Israel. This is especially true as we see the miraculously returned Israel now surrounded with nations on every side that are plotting its ultimate demise.”

Trump, Gallups said, has characteristics of a messiah, just as President Obama has “antichrist characteristics.”

In fact, Kessin was careful not to claim that Trump is “The Messiah” – the figure who will restore the Kingdom of Israel and rebuild the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem – but only “a messiah” who “turns a nation, basically that’s going awry, it’s collapsing with the evil and immorality, and turns it around...”

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LA JUDGE

continued from cover previous Democratic governor, Kathleen Blanco, but were rescinded by Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Louisiana District Judge Todd Hernandez ruled that Edwards’ anti-discrimination order is unconstitutional because it seeks to create or expand state law rather than leaving that to the legislature.

The decision was a significant victory for Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry, who filed the lawsuit challenging the LGBT rights order. Landry had previ-

ously held up enforcement of at least 100 state contracts because they contained the anti-discrimination language mandated by the governor.

In retaliation, Edwards refused to transfer $18 million to the attorney general’s office because Landry refused to include the anti-discrimination language in the transfer agreement.

Edwards said he plans to appeal. He said his order, which contains an exception for contractors that are religious organizations, is a statement that Louisiana doesn’t discriminate.

“With great respect for the role of the Louisiana legislature, we continue to believe that discrimination is not a Louisi-

ana value and that we are best served as a state when employment decisions are based solely on an individual’s qualifications and job performance,” the governor said in a statement.

LGBT rights organizations condemned the judge’s decision.

“This is a setback with serious consequences for LGBTQ state employees and contractors throughout Louisiana,” said HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow.

“No one should face unfair and unjust discrimination simply because of who they are or whom they love. Upon appeal, we are hopeful that justice will ultimately prevail and these important nondiscrimination protections will be restored.”

“Unfortunately, the LGBT community suffered another setback after today’s ruling. These are protections that are not new: two prior governors have issued similar orders,” said Forum for Equality Executive Director Sarah Jane Brady.

“Forum for Equality is confident that the governor will continue to fight for the rights of the LGBT community in this state.

It is important at this time to be able to send a message to all people and businesses that Louisiana is moving forward and standing on the right side of history. We look forward to continuing to work towards that goal and fight for the rights of all LGBT citizens in Louisiana.”

Seattle will host the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer For the first time ever, the WNBA AllStar Game will take place in Seattle. The Emerald City was selected by the professional women’s basketball league to host the event next year, scheduled for July 22 at Key Arena, making it only the third time it’s been held in the Western half of the country; Phoenix hosted both other times.

Similar to the men, over at the NBA, the elite WNBA players will be invited to par-

ticipate in the game and a slate of activities leading up to it, such as basketball camps and fan meet n’ greet sessions.

In a statement posted to the league’s official website, wnba.com, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray noted, “We are honored to host the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game, which will bring the best basketball players in the world to the Emerald City. Seattle is a basketball town, home to the two-time WNBA champion Seattle Storm and last year’s University of Washington women’s Final Four team. We are proud of this tradition

and we will look forward to celebrating the WNBA in Seattle next summer.”

Also quoted on the website and celebrating the announcement was Seattle Storm player and US Olympian Sue Bird, who stated, “Seattle has the best fans in the WNBA, and I am so proud to be hosting Verizon WNBA All-Star 2017 in our hometown. This event celebrates worldclass basketball, and there is no other city more deserving than Seattle.”

Due to the Rio Summer Olympics, there was no WNBA All-Star game played this

year. The most recent was in 2015, when teams representing the Western and Eastern conferences took to the court in Uncasville, Connecticut; the West won by a score of 117-112.

Ticket information is available at StormBasketball.com, or by calling (206) 217-WNBA. Although individual tickets won’t be available for purchase until next spring, old and new Storm 360 Members are eligible to get their tickets in advance.

UN fires Wonder Woman Comic book hero was supposed to symbolize women’s empowerment

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Less than two months after being symbolically appointed an “honorary ambassador” by the UN, DC Comics hero Wonder Woman has been removed from the post.

A UN spokesperson made the announcement December 13. As of December 16, Wonder Woman and the UN will part company, the spokesperson said.

The announcement brought a premature end to what was supposed to be a collaboration between the UN’s children’s agency, UNICEF, Warner Bros., and DC Entertainment to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.

While well intentioned, the choice of Wonder Woman did not go over well among all UN constituencies. A petition against the selection gathered nearly 45,000 signatures.

“It is alarming that the United Nations would consider using a character with an overtly sexualized image at a time when the headline news in United States and the world is the objectification of women and girls,” the petition read.

More than 1,000 “concerned” UN staff members issued the petition, charging that Wonder Woman was not an appropriate choice. She is “a large-breasted white woman of impossible proportions, scantily clad in a shimmery, thigh-baring body suit with an American flag motif and knee-high boots – the epitome of a ‘pin-up’ girl,” the petition said.

France’s highest-ranking female cabinet minister, Ségolène Royal, told CBS News that “Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai would have been a good choice” to highlight women’s empowerment.

Anne Marie Goetz, a New York Univer-

20 Seattle Gay News

Wonder Woman – Photo courtesy of media.dcentertainment.com

sity professor of global affairs and former adviser on peace and security issues for UN Women, called the decision to feature Wonder Woman “disgusting.”

Feminist icon Gloria Steinem told CBS News she was “all for symbolism” but “we are now looking for women with real terrestrial power.”

She added she would rather see the UN elect its first woman Secretary General.

UN officials said they had been misunderstood.

December 16, 2016

“The focus [of the UN] was on her feminist background, being the first female superhero in a world of male superheroes and that basically she always fought for fairness, justice, and peace,” Maher Nasser told NPR. The organization said the Wonder Woman appointment was meant to “highlight what we can collectively achieve if women and girls are empowered” and “to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls,” according to the UN’s

website on sustainable development goals.

In her brief career as a UN ambassador, Wonder Woman joined Winnie the Pooh, who became the Ambassador of Friendship in 1998; Tinkerbell, who was named Ambassador of Green in 2009; and Angry Birds leader Red, who became the Honorary Ambassador for the International Day of Happiness in 2016.

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