SGN September 1, 2017 - Section 1

Celebrating 43 Years!

Issue 35 Volume 45

FRIDAY September 1, 2017 FREE!

25¢ in bookstores & newsstands

Melissa Etheridge exclusive interview SEC 2 PG 1

Adam Pascal is up to Something Rotten SEC 2 PG 1

Seattle Gay News

Pentagon puts Trans ban Grays Harbor LGBTQ on hold as Trans service community target of antiLGBTQ lies after Hoquiam members sue Trump

bar owner confronted over threats, hate speech claims

Donald Trump and James Mattis – Photo by Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Secretary of Defense James Mattis said on August 29 that he will not implement Donald Trump’s order barring transgender people from serving in the military until a Pentagon panel studies the issue and reports back.

“Once the panel reports its recommendations and following my consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, I will provide my advice to the President concerning implementation of his policy direction,” Mattis said in the statement. “In the interim, current policy with respect to

see TRANS BAN page 14

The incident began at this year’s Pride Festival – Photo courtesy of Grays Harbor Pride

by Shaun Knittel SGN A&E Writer Members of the Grays Harbor LGBTQ and Allied communities are unhappy with an article published this week by local newspaper The Daily World in which

they say the community has been greatly mischaracterized, inaccurate information about the dates and times of events were published, and the lies of a bigoted bar owner were presented as if he were the vic-

see GRAYS HARBOR page 8

Hundreds of Christian leaders Charlottesville Nazi rally was planned at Trump hotel denounce the Nashville Statement in open letter

Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC – Photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The now-infamous Charlottesville, Virginia, rally of neo-Nazis and white nationalists was planned at Donald Trump’s signature Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC, according to reporting by New York Times writer Katie Rogers.

In a story on high-profile guests at Trump’s hotel, Rogers reveals that she ran

into white nationalist leader Richard Spencer and his understudy, Evan McLaren, there in early August.

Spencer, boss of the National Policy Institute – a far-right think tank – is perhaps best known as the man who greeted Trump’s electoral success with the words “Hail Trump! Hail our people! Hail victory!”

see NAZI page 13

Church of the Pilgrims in Washington DC – Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

by Michael Toumayan Human Rights Campaign Hundreds of Christian leaders, pastors, theologians, and advocates have denounced the vicious, anti-LGBTQ manifesto “Nashville Statement” with a powerful statement affirming the inclusion of LGBTQ and intersex people within faith communities and broader society. The 10-point treatise, titled Christians United, holds “that every

human being is created in the image and likeness of God and that the great diversity expressed in humanity through our wide spectrum of unique sexualities and gender identities is a perfect reflection of the magnitude of God's creative work.”

In the first 24 hours of its release, the Christians United statement was signed by over 1,000 Christians from around the

see NASHVILLE page 13

What is TRUVADA for PrEP?

Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP?

TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medicine that is used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health.

Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you:

Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

® Also take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP? Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-negative. ® Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin.

While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. ® You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. ® If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. ® To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: ® Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. ® Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. ® Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. ® Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. ® If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: ® Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking TRUVADA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

® Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: ® Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA. ® Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. ® Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. ® Bone problems, including bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.

Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? ® All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. ® If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA. ® If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk. ® All the medicines you take, including prescription and overthe-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. ® If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include certain medicines to treat hepatitis C (HCV) infection.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page.

September 1, 2017 1 2 TVDC0165_PrEP_D_10x15-675_SeattleGayNews_Drag_p1.indd Seattle Gay News

Celebrating 438/28/17 Years!

11:19 AM

I’m irresistible, not irresponsible.

I know who I am. And I make choices that fit my life.

TRUVADA for PrEP™ is a once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when taken every day and used together with safer sex practices. ® TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.

Learn more at truvada.com

Visit us online www.sgn.org2 TVDC0165_PrEP_D_10x15-675_SeattleGayNews_Drag_p1.indd

September 1, 2017

Seattle Gay 8/28/17 News 3 11:19 AM

IMPORTANT FACTS

This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEPTM (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.

(tru-VAH-dah) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP

Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative.

• Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1.

• You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you think you were exposed to HIV-1 or have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

• See the “How To Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information.

TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP” section.

• New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure.

• Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.

• Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.

• Bone problems.

Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight.

These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.

ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA for PrEP is a prescription medicine used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1.

• To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health.

Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status.

• Take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1.

• Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection.

• Use TRUVADA for PrEP together with condoms and safer sex practices.

• Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis.

• Have any other medical conditions.

• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

• Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can pass to the baby in breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

• Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.

HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners.

• Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you.

• Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners.

• Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV infection.

• Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.

TRUVADA FOR PREP, the TRUVADA FOR PREP Logo, the TRUVADA Blue Pill Design, TRUVADA, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.

Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0165 07/17

September 1, 2017 3 4 TVDC0165_PrEP_D_10x15-675_SeattleGayNews_Drag_p1.indd Seattle Gay News

Celebrating 438/28/17 Years!

11:19 AM

Seattle Gay News FOUNDED 1974 MEMBER

1707 23rd Avenue Seattle, WA 98122 (206) 324-4297

2017

sgn2@sgn.org www.sgn.org Deadlines

Classifieds - Thursday at noon Calendar - Tuesday 6pm Display Ads: Space Reservation - Monday 5pm Ad copy (non-camera ready) - Tues. 5pm Ad copy (camera ready) - Wed. 5pm Letters to the Editor - Tuesday 5pm Obituaries - Call the SGN office All others - Tuesday 5pm

Editor in Chief George Bakan Associate Editor Shaun Knittel Travel Editor George Bakan Copy Editor Rick McKinnon (since Dec. 2013) Advertising Department George Bakan, Maggie Bloodstone and MK Scott National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Staff Writers Mike Andrew, Sara Michelle Fetters, Miryam Gordon, Shaun Knittel, Albert Rodriguez Contributing Writers Rev. Barbara Allen, Ron Anders, Eric Andrews-Katz, Madelyn Arnold, Alice Bloch, Maggie Bloodstone, Beau Burriola, Sharon Cumberland, Jessica Davis, Tina Gianoulis, Anthony Greer, Milton W. Hamlin, Nevin Jefferson, Richard Kennedy, Liz Meyer, Jason A. Miller, Jesse Monteagudo, David Nguyen aka Teriyaki Temple, Rod Parke, Don Paulson, Jerry Peerson, Jessica Price, Scott Rice, Leslie Robinson, MK Scott, Gaysha Starr, Paul Torres, Janice Van Cleve, Ed Walsh, James Whitely, Scott Wittet, Rex Wockner Calendar Editors Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon

Keep Lenin!

Dear City Councilmembers,

Classifieds Rick McKinnon Photographers Nate Gowdy, Joseph P. Herron, Shaun Knittel, James Whitely Production Liz McCarty Website Designer Barry Thorsness / Digital Team Works Seattle Gay News is published weekly by Frogs and Ink, Inc. © 2017, Frogs and Ink, Inc., all rights reserved. Reprints by permission.

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

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

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

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

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

In Loving Memory Of Steve Foiles, Scott Roger Alpert, Cookie Andrews-Hunt, James Leland Moore, Randy Peters, Lee Richeson, Shaun Shelton, Jim Tully, James Arnold

Fremont’s Lenin – Photo by Chris Yunker

The very idea of removing the statue of Lenin from the Center of the World (Fremont) is as dangerous as it is silly. It is no different than burning books or banning speakers. This is the sort of action that close-minded, narrow, ignorant people engage in. They can’t stand opinions different from their own, probably because their opinions do not possess the rigor to withstand inspection.

Intelligent adults in a cosmopolitan world-class city, on the other hand, seek to learn and understand differences of opinion and celebrate the diversity of ideas and peoples. We grow from exposure to diversity, not diminish

Who’s next? Will we remove the statue of George Washington from the UW campus?

He was, after all, a rebel general, a slave owner, and an Indian killer.

We should have more statues, not less.

We should have more books, more speakers, more advocates, and more ideas, not less. Why do you think we broke up the city council to elect members by district? That gave you more diversity of ideas and opinions in your discussions. We even got our own Socialist, our own Latina, and our own Native American!

Keep Lenin!

Janice Van Cleve PCO 37/1875 www.jvox.doodlekit.com

Grays Harbor incident aftermath To the Editor: Miki Cabell and other LGBTQ members of Hoquiam should be contacting the Wing Luke Civil Rights Unit, of the Washington Attorney General’s Office, ATG.WA.GOV, and file a complaint against the Black Pearl Tavern. Attorney General Ferguson created the unit in order to enforce Washington’s civil rights laws. There’s a good chance they would investigate it. Furthermore, Miki Cabell and other affected community members, should seek legal counsel to file a class action lawsuit, under RCW 49.60.215, the Public Accommodations statute, against the Black Pearl Tavern. Civil rights laws are only effective if victims are willing to invoke them. Otherwise, they’re not worth the paper they’re printed on.

Sincerely, Steven L. Kendall University District Seattle, WA

Visit us online www.sgn.org

The Black Pearl Tavern in Hoquiam – Photo courtesy of The Daily World

September 1, 2017

Seattle Gay News 5

6 Seattle Gay News

September 1, 2017

Celebrating 43 Years!

Neighbours Pageant kicks off 35th anniversary celebrations

By Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer

Aleksa Manila hosted the glamorous evening – Photo courtesy of Aleksa Manila

Seattle Gay News congratulates the newly crowned Mr. Neighbours David Clark Partridge and Miss Neighbours Tsunami!

SGN would also like to thank Mr. and Miss Neighbours 2016–2017, Apollo Dior Black and Deb Leigh Nightshade, for a fantastic year!

The 24th annual Neighbours Pageant was held August 27 at the nightclub. Aleksa Manila hosted the event, which featured performances from past Mr. and Miss Neighbours drag kings and queens such as Ceasar Hart, Gaysha Starr, and “Mom” Mark Finley. Dana Dub served as DJ for the pageant, and the judges’ panel included Roxy Doll, Tanya Rachinee, Lou Vargas and Kahlua Ice. Each year, the pageant kicks off the nightclub’s anniversary celebration. This year Neighbours Nightclub is celebrating an amazing 35 years in our community. On Saturday, local drag legend (and the first

ever crowned Miss Neighbours) Gaysha Starr hosts an evening celebration during Power Mix, 10 p.m. – 4 a.m., featuring cake, champagne, and a special performance from recording artist Brandon Lentz.

Neighbours Nightclub general manager surprised Gaysha Starr with a special presentation of the Miss Neighbours crown because, as it was explained to the audience, when Starr won the very first Neighbours Pageant in the early 1990s, the crown she received was very small. Starr accepted the gift to the cheers of the audience and said some wonderful things about what local drag meant to her and the young queens that perform today, explaining that if it weren’t for the pioneering work of queens such as Kahlua Ice, the community wouldn’t be where we are today.

Kahlua Ice, who is credited for having created the pageant, was also ceremoniously crowned Miss Neighbours in recognition of how the pageant has lasted more than two decades and cultivated some of the best drag queens in the city.

Mayor Murray statement on potential elimination of DACA SEATTLE – Today [August 31, 2017], Mayor Ed Murray issued the following statement in response to reports President Trump is planning to eliminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program: “Behaving like a flip reality TV show host who boosts ratings by dismissing people isn’t presidential, particularly when you’re threatening the real lives of hundreds and thousands of young people. Protecting immigrants and defending DACA is not only a moral issue, it is also an economic one. And our city has a vibrant economy because of the important contributions of all immigrants, including Dreamers and other undocumented individuals.

“DACA recipients contribute 15.3 per-

cent of their wages to taxes, which fund Social Security and Medicare. DACA recipients own homes and start new businesses, which contribute to the success of our economy and our communities.

“We need comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship, but because of Congress’ failure to act, programs like DACA are critical in supporting people who grew up in our country. Seattle is a Welcoming City and we’ve already taken legal action against the president over his threats related to immigration policy.

We will continue to stand with our friends and neighbors and ensure they know we want them to always call Seattle home.”

Courtesy of the Office of the Mayor

DACA recipients and supporters march in Seattle on Aug. 15 – Photo by Will James/KNKX

Seattle Human Rights Commission statement on Lake View Cemetery Confederate memorial

The Confederate memorial in Lake View Cemetery – Photo by Joe Mabel

Visit us online www.sgn.org

SEATTLE – The Seattle Human Rights Commission calls for the removal of the Confederate monument in Lake View Cemetery in Seattle.

Seattle declared itself to be a Human Rights City in 2012, committing itself to protect, respect, and fulfill the full range of inherent human rights for all, as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and numerous other international human rights instruments. This commitment stands at odds with the presence of a Confederate memorial in our city.

The values for which the Confederate States of America existed, and the values perpetuated by those who maintain its legacy do not support human rights. The memorial erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in Lake View Cemetery is an affront to this city’s values, just as it is an affront to Seattle residents affected by racial injustice.

This memorial perpetuates the “Lost Cause” mythology that holds the Confederate cause to have been a gallant defense of states’ rights. But the Confederate States of America rebelled against our country in order to maintain a widespread, insidious, and criminal system of chattel slavery.

The impact of this system, upheld by the South’s military and plantation aristocracy, was the kidnapping and cultural genocide of millions of African people. Its legacy was segregation, socioeconomic inequality for people of color, and the disproportionate exercise of state violence against people of color. That legacy would have

been impossible were it not for those enlisted soldiers and officers of the Confederacy whose memory such monuments were erected to glorify.

That memory has arisen in new violence, as alt-right and neo-Nazi organizations march through places like Charlottesville, Virginia. The violence they bring, and the equivocal response of the federal government, require that our city, both its government and its private entities like Lake View Cemetery, take a stand against racism.

Memorials like the one at Lake View Cemetery provide rallying inspiration to these bigoted movements, as a statue of Robert E. Lee has in Charlottesville. Lake View Cemetery should follow the example of the City of Bellingham, which has renamed Pickett Bridge. George Pickett, prior to serving as a Confederate general, served the United States in Washington Territory.

The Confederate memorial, by contrast, honors no contribution to our territory and is relevant only to the Confederate States of America’s effort to protect slavery.

We recognize that this memorial stands on private land. In order to better repair the divide of slavery, racism, and recent violence, we urge Lake View Cemetery Association to immediately seek to remove this memorial.

September 1, 2017

Seattle Gay News 7

Marta R. Idowu, M.A. Commission Administrator Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities Seattle Human Rights Commission

Drag king Ceasar Hart and Miki Cabell, executive director of Out & Proud Grays Harbor Coalition – Photos courtesy of Seattle Counseling (L) and The Pride Foundation (R)

GRAYS HARBOR continued from cover

tim when it is alleged that he told members of the community that they would “leave in body bags” if they entered The Black Pearl Tavern on a Friday or Saturday night.

The article, published August 28, says that the “dispute between tavern owners and LGBTQ group becomes toxic.” The Daily World reporter David Hammock opens the report saying, “A conflict between the owners of a Hoquiam bar and the Grays Harbor LGBTQ community has boiled over into an ugly situation with each side claiming the other is guilty of threatening violence.”

Hammock goes on to report that The Black Pearl Tavern owners Johnny and Denise Gallego were approached by an LGBTQ group that wanted to hold a drag show at the bar. The problem is – according to leaders in the Grays Harbor LGBTQ community – nobody met with Johnny Gallego about hosting a drag event at the Pearl and by reporting Gallego’s lies, the newspaper is helping to mischaracterize the community, when in fact it is the LGBTQ community that is under attack, and not the other way around.

There are other things wrong with the report as well, says Ceasar Hart, LGBTQ activist, well-known drag king performer, and leader in the Grays Harbor LGBTQ community. “We held a Pride Prom on August 18 to kick off Pride events, which according to what the Black Pearl owner says in the article is when we were all there having a sit in asking about a drag show and that there was 30 to 40 of us according to the Daily World article,” Hart told SGN. “But the sit in that Gallegos is quoted as mentioning happened back in April and was due to Gallegos asking a Transgender person to leave the establishment because he felt that the Trans person was making Black Pearl regulars feel uncomfortable.”

Hart does have a point. A quick read of the published article will bring you to the conclusion that while the article is being presented as bias-free, the reality is Gallegos and the lies he tells have been published without scrutiny and the dates and locations of actual events are not correct.

“The sit-in and the call to boycott the Pearl is not because he wouldn’t allow a drag show to happen there,” Hart continued. “I produce the drag shows in Grays Harbor and never once has that thought ever entered my mind to ask him if we

8 Seattle Gay News

could use his space for anything. I’m great sations made by Gallegos should not have where I’m at and I know where I’ll hold my been printed in the article because there shows in the future. The Pearl,” says Hart, is absolutely nothing to prove those things “would not be one of those places.” happened. In fact, Cabell flat out denies that Hart’s wildly popular once-per-month anybody was having oral sex, threatening drag show, “Small Town, Big Harts,” is the life of the owner and his family, or anyproduced and performed at Simpson Ave. thing close to it.

Bar and Grill, owned by straight ally Shelly Enemies of the LGBTQ community, Dixon. Dixon stood up to Gallegos, con- particularly when it comes to Gay men, demning the threats and hate speech she have often times justified their hate or atand others say Gallegos spews, and in re- tacks on what has become known as the turn she became “panic defense.” a target of online It is, “That Gay accusations being guy touched me made that she is, in so I didn’t know fact, Lesbian, and what else to do, so not straight. Dixon I shot him,” type doesn’t deny being stuff. For decades Lesbian because it has worked to she views being acget people out of cused of one is bad trouble who most – she denies the alcertainly should be legation because it in trouble. It also simply is not true. works in the sense While Gallegos that it turns people is doing his best against the commuto discredit anynity, and I suspect one that speaks out that is what Galagainst his actions legos is up to by tell and condemns his the Daily World rewords, it is imporporter the things he tant to note that he did, which makes called Dixon a Lesthe dynamic where bian as a way to inwe now have to sult her. If the man defend ourselves is so innocent and about the right to accepting as some defend ourselves to are trying to make people who think others believe, then that we are sexual why would he think deviants, misbethat being a Leshaved, depraved, Jodie Frodert, a former employee of The bian is a negative and on and on and Black Pearl Tavern, was able to corroborate thing? on.

“I take hate and reports that Johnny and Denise Gallegos are Hart and Cabiased against the LGBTQ community bigotry seriously,” bell are particusays Hart. “There is larly aware of this no room for that kind of mentality in Grays as they began to see, after the newspaper Harbor. Nobody wants that here. It’s time published Gallegos’ lies, the situation play for it to go!” out in which people began saying, “Well, The lies that some LGBTQ members of if they did that in my bar I would throw Grays Harbor allege Gallegos says in The them out too,” or “How can you claim to Daily World article also include a claim be threatened if you are also threatening that he saw a man performing oral sex on someone with violence.” Gallegos is simply another man near the dance floor of his bar using an old tactic – but it is unfortunately during the sit-in, a person participating in an effective one. the sit-in told Gallegos that they had a relaCabell does not dispute that at one point tive in the Syrian army who was coming to (she says it was at the very end of the sitkill him and his family, and more. in when she and an “unnamed friend” who These lies are absurd, says Miki Ca- does not wish to be identified had been bell, executive director of Out & Proud threatened by Gallegos) a suction-cupped Grays Harbor Coalition. Cabell told SGN large dildo was placed on the bar and Galthat she was at the sit-in and that the accu- legos was told to “Sit on that” as they left.

September 1, 2017

Now, it is important to put something into perspective here, and that is the fact that, yes, on its own, some people could take that as a stupid thing to have done, helps to prove Gallegos’s accusations and just was all around a bad idea to do. But I ask you, which is more shocking or egregious? A dildo or death threats? Obviously the answer is death threats. The person who stuck the penis to the bar did so after having received threats from Gallegos. It is important to not lose that perspective when judging the action.

The people who have begun to take up for Gallegos and The Black Pearl Tavern have said things like “Where is your proof?” even though Hart and friends have dozens and dozens of screenshots of the owners responding to bad reviews and Facebook posts with hateful and bigoted words. Is that not proof? Also, a former employee came out to set the record straight.

Jodie Frodert posted on Facebook that Gallegos is, in fact, anti-LGBTQ community. She urged anyone that wanted to speak to her as a witness to his homophobia, to contact her. Additionally, Gallegos is painted out as not being anti-Transgender when others say that that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Cabell told SGN, “Employees and the Transgender person themselves, both have told me that Gallegos referred to them as “it,” saying, “Why does it have makeup on” and then asked the Transgender person to leave because they were making his customers uncomfortable.”

Hart is working with others to organize a peaceful protest against The Black Pearl Tavern on September 10, from 12–4pm at 7th and J Street in Hoquiam. The event invite reads, “Please join the LGBTQ and ally community to let The Black Pearl Tavern know that discrimination is not tolerated in our town. The LGBTQ community has worked hard to make Grays Harbor a safe and accepting community. Events, actions, and words spoken by the owners/workers of The Black Pearl Tavern have been hateful, discriminatory and downright terrifying.

Threatening people that if they come into the business they will leave in body bags... this kind of behavior has no place in this town. So let’s gather and find solidarity in one another that hate doesn’t belong here in Hoquiam.”

It is important to note that Hart and fellow organizers have planned a “peaceful protest” which directly contradicts Gallegos’ assertions that the community has threatened him with violence.

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Seattle Gay News 9

Seattle sends 12 teams to compete in 40t

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer Beginning next Tuesday, the 40th annual North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) Softball World Series kicks off in Portland, OR, with Seattle well-represented at the tournament by sending 12 teams to compete in six different competitive divisions: the Ballhawks (A-Division); Arsenal, Los Gallitos, Score (all B-Division); Badgers, Shade, Wolfpack (all C-Division); Muffin Tops, Plastix, Toros (all D-Division); Silverbacks (Masters Classic) and Maulers (Masters Legends).

All teams qualified for the World Series by competing in the Emerald City Softball

10 Seattle Gay News

September 1, 2017

Celebrating 43 Years!

th annual NAGAAA Softball World Series

Association (ECSA) regular season or via league-sponsored berth tournaments.

The NAGAAA Softball World Series will take place at complexes in and around Portland starting Tuesday, Sept. 4 with all championship games scheduled to be played at the Delta Park Complex at 10737 N. Union Ct. throughout the day on Saturday, Sept. 9. All games are free to the viewing public. A complete schedule will be available at http://www.gsws2017.org on Monday, Sept. 3 after 5pm (PST).

Following are a collection of photos featuring a number of the Seattle teams heading to Portland to compete in this year’s NAGAAA Softball World Series. Photos are courtesy of Robin Thompson.

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Seattle Gay News 11

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Fox News poll: Two-thirds of Republicans say Trump is bringing the country together

Trump arrives at a rally in Phoenix, Arizona on August 22 – Photo by Alex Brandon/AP

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A new Fox News poll shows that the opinion gap between self-identified Republicans and everyone else in the country is growing wider.

The poll, released August 30, shows that 56% of respondents believe that Donald Trump is “tearing the country apart,” while only 33% say he’s “drawing the country together.”

NAZI

continued from cover “Hail victory!” is a literal translation of the German “Sieg Heil!” used by the Nazis.

McLaren, an employee of Spencer’s think tank, declined to be interviewed by Rogers for her report, telling her that he was “too busy planning a rally” in Charlottesville. McLaren did tweet about his visit to the hotel, confirming that he was there on August 5.

“First visit to Trump Hotel w @RichardBSpencer, @Daniel_Friburg & @ chris_altright. Observed Nigel Farage & Stephen Miller. Place to be,” he tweeted.

Friburg is the founder and editor of the right-wing website AltRight.com.

Chris_altright is the online pseudonym of a Scandinavian neo-Nazi who also uses the name Chris Nordick and other aliases. Ni-

There’s a big “BUT,” however. Among respondents who identify as Republicans, just the opposite is true.

About two-thirds of Republicans – a whopping 68% – say Trump is bringing the country together. Only 15% of Republicans worry that he’s tearing the country apart, and another 18% aren’t sure what he’s doing.

In contrast, nearly every Democrat – 93% – says Trump is tearing the country apart, and more than half of independents gel Farage is the former leader of Britain’s anti-immigrant UKIP party and one of the architects of Brexit, the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. Stephen Miller is a senior policy advisor in the Trump administration. He formerly worked as communications director for Jeff Sessions, then an Alabama senator and now US attorney general.

Only a week after Spencer, McLaren, Friburg, and “alt-right” met at the Trump Hotel, a torchlight march of white nationalists chanting “Blood and Soil!” – another old Nazi slogan – kicked off a weekend of neo-Nazi actions in Charlottesville.

On August 13, the second day of the Charlottesville rally, anti-Nazi protestor Heather Heyer was killed when a white nationalist drove his car into the crowd of protesters. Thirty-four other anti-Nazis were injured, 19 of them in the same incident in which Heyer was killed.

– 59% – agree.

That’s not the only area where hard-core Trump supporters differ from the mainstream.

For example, 75% of Trump voters say the news media are a bigger threat to the country than white nationalists. Eighty percent of Hillary Clinton backers say white supremacists.

Overall, by a 70% to 13% margin, respondents think Trump dislikes the media more than he does white supremacists.

To take another example, 58% of Clinton voters say they’re losing sleep since Trump took office. On the other hand, 62% Trump voters say they’re sleeping better these days. Among all respondents, 31% say they’re having sleepless nights worrying about Trump, while 28% say they’re sleeping better with him in the White House. Forty percent said there was no difference in their sleep patterns.

Fifty-eight percent of respondents said Trump will finish out his four-year term.

An overwhelming majority of Trump voters – 92% – say he’ll serve a full term, but only 29% of Clinton voters agree.

Virtually all voters told pollsters they’re still OK with their 2016 vote for president – 96% of Trump voters and 93% of Clinton voters said so.

While Trump is still holding his own among many of his voters, he’s down in some key demographics. For example, among self-identified conservatives, he’s

Richard Spencer at the Charlottesville white supremacy rally – Photo by Richard Spencer

NASHVILLE continued from cover

The Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, UCC General Minister & President – Photo courtesy of UCC

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lost seven points from previous polling.

Among Republican men – his solid base of support – Trump is down nine points, and among white people without a college degree, he’s also down nine points.

All this adds up to job ratings that are increasingly negative. A record 55% of voters disapprove of the job he’s doing as president, while only 41% approve, a 14-point negative and Trump’s worst score to date.

In April, around the 100-day mark of the administration, his ratings were at net negative three (45% approve to 48% disapprove).

Trump gets his best job ratings on handling the economy (49% to 43%). He also gets positive scores on terrorism (47% to 45%) and dealing with Hurricane Harvey (44% to 26%).

On the other hand, he gets net negative ratings on North Korea (43% to 50%), taxes (37% to 45%), immigration (43% to 54%), Russia (35% to 56%), the environment (36% to 56%), and health care (34% to 60%). His worst marks are – no surprise – on race relations (33% to 61%).

Over half the respondents think Trump does not respect racial minorities (56%), and only 35% approve of his response to the violent neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville.

Contrary to Trump, who condemned both Nazis and anti-Nazi protestors, the poll shows a 52% majority of voters blame white supremacists. Far fewer, 17%, blame counterprotesters, and 19% say “both.”

world, including top theologians and leaders of some of the world’s most influential Christian denominations.

Prominent faith leaders who signed the letter include the Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, General Minister and President, United Church of Christ; Jayne Ozanne, General Synod member in the Church of England; the Rev. Rachelle Brown; Moderator of the Metropolitan Community Churches; Bishop Yvette Flunder, Presiding Bishop of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries; Dr. Jeffrey Kuan, President of Claremont School of Theology; the Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins, Senior Vice President of Union Theological Seminary; and the Rev. Vanna Fox, Senior Vice President of Wild Goose Festival.

The international theological declaration came in response to the so-called “Nashville Statement,” released on Tuesday

September 1, 2017

[August 29] by a coalition of roughly 150 conservative Evangelical Christian leaders, including prominent members of the Trump-Pence administration’s Evangelical Advisory Board. The statement attacked LGBTQ people, asserting opposition to marriage equality and denying the dignity of transgender people.

The swift response by both faith leaders and the broader public to the Nashville Statement reflects the breadth of support among people of faith for LGBTQ inclusion and equality. Another open letter, spearheaded by The Liturgists, garnered more than 3,500 signatories.

According to Pew Research Research, almost all U.S. Christian groups are more accepting of LGBTQ people. Roughly half (51%) of evangelical millennials agree with the statement, “homosexuality should be accepted by society.”

Read the Christians United statement at www.christiansunitedstatement.org.

Courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign

Seattle Gay News 13

NY A.G. Schneiderman announces civil suit and criminal charges against pharmacy owner for allegedly defrauding Medicaid of millions Hin T. Wong allegedly paid patients kickbacks and billed Medicaid for HIV medications never dispensed

Hin Wong’s NY Pharmacy, Inc. – Photo courtesy of newyorkpharmacyinc.com

NEW YORK, NY – Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today [August 24] announced a lawsuit and criminal charges against pharmacist Hin T. Wong, 49, of Manhattan, and NY Pharmacy, Inc. (“NY Pharmacy”) for allegedly defrauding the New York State Medicaid program out of millions of dollars. Wong, a licensed pharmacist and owner of NY Pharmacy, located at 131 Walker Street in Manhattan, allegedly paid undercover agents posing as Medicaid recipients kickbacks for HIV prescriptions and for referring other Medicaid recipients to bring their prescriptions to NY Pharmacy. Wong and NY Pharmacy also allegedly billed and were eventually paid over $60,000 by Medicaid for refills on prescriptions submitted by undercover agents that NY Pharmacy either did not dispense or were predicated on the payment of a kickback. Various state laws and Medicaid regulations prohibit the payment of kickbacks for the referral of patients or individual prescriptions. In addition, the

Attorney General also announced the filing of a civil asset forfeiture action seeking over $11 million in damages from Wong, NY Pharmacy and two other pharmacies owned by Wong that are now closed.

“Stealing from Medicaid in order to purchase fancy accessories and travel tickets is absolutely shameful,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “We will not allow Medicaid to serve as a personal piggy bank for criminals. Fraudsters who seek to ripoff this vital program that helps millions of New Yorkers will be held accountable.”

The ongoing investigation into NY Pharmacy being conducted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (“MFCU”) revealed that on multiple occasions between July 2014 and August 2017, Wong allegedly paid kickbacks to undercover MFCU agents posing as patients to fill prescriptions, most of which involved medication to treat HIV, at NY Pharmacy or at two other pharmacies she owned, which are now closed. The defen-

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(JBLM). The second lawsuit also raised constitutional concerns.

“The law is on our side; justice is on our side,” said Peter Perkowski, legal director for OutServe-SLDN. “Trump can’t tweet his way out of this one.”

Cathrine Schmid, one of the plaintiffs and a staff sergeant at JBLM, told the Seattle Times that she believes it is her duty as a transgender person and a soldier to speak up when she sees something that appears to be unlawful.

“If I received an unlawful order from someone over me,” Schmid said, “it would be my responsibility to step forward and say, ‘Sir or ma’am, is this really what you want me to do?’”

Schmid has already served more than 12 years in the Army, and has been stationed in Germany, South Korea, and Iraq.

She received medals, advanced in rank, and has applied to become a warrant officer, she said.

“I love this job, serving this country and being a soldier,” she said.

Another local plaintiff is Ryan Karnoski, who wants to become an officer doing social work for the military. Gender Justice League Executive Director Danni Askini said her organization has received hundreds of calls from trans military personnel, or trans people who wish to serve in the armed forces.

continued from cover

currently serving members will remain in place.”

The additional study will lead the Pentagon to determine if it will allow thousands of transgender troops to continue to serve or how they will be discharged, and whether they will receive medical transition services.

Trump first announced his new policy in a series of tweets on July 26. On August 25, Trump followed up with a formal memorandum ordering the Pentagon to terminate the service of trans personnel. Meanwhile, at least two federal lawsuits have been filed by trans service members seeking to block Trump’s orders from going into effect.

The ACLU filed suit on August 28 on behalf of five Transgender service members. The suit argues that Trump’s ban is unconstitutional and discriminatory. The ACLU has hired powerful DC law firm Covington and Burling to represent the plaintiffs.

In a second suit, Lambda Legal, OutServe-SLDN, the HRC, and Seattle’s Gender Justice League filed suit on behalf of two transgender people who want to join the military and one currently serving in the Army at Joint Base Lewis-McChord

14 Seattle Gay News

September 1, 2017

dants thereafter allegedly submitted claims for reimbursement to Medicaid through NY Pharmacy for refills that were not dispensed by the pharmacy, a scheme known as “auto-refilling.”

Simultaneous to today’s arrest, the Attorney General filed a civil asset forfeiture action against Wong, NY Pharmacy, and Wong’s two closed pharmacies in New York State Supreme Court, New York County seeking over $11 million in damages. In papers filed in court today, the Attorney General alleges that Wong personally made millions from the scheme and used the proceeds, among other things, to make lavish credit card purchases of highend retail items (including Prada and Vuitton), and to pay for travel expenses and expensive furniture. An investigational audit uncovered evidence indicating that Wong’s pharmacies did not purchase enough medication to support their substantial billings to Medicaid. Between January 1, 2014 and August 1, 2017, Wong’s pharmacies billed Medicaid and other insurers over $15 million for medications, but allegedly purchased only a fraction of the amount of drugs necessary to fill those prescriptions.

As part of the civil action, the Attorney General also obtained a court order freezing the bank accounts held by the defendants to preserve money wrongfully obtained from Medicaid.

Investigators from the Attorney General’s Office with the assistance of investigators from the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General executed a search warrant this morning at NY Pharmacy. Hin T. Wong and NY Pharmacy were arrested and charged by felony complaint filed in New York City Criminal Court, New York County with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony, and Medical Assistance Provider: Prohibited Practices (Kickbacks), a class E felony. Wong is expected to be arraigned later this afternoon.

If convicted on the top count, Wong faces

up to seven years in state prison. Wong may face additional criminal charges as the criminal investigation continues.

The Attorney General thanks the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General under the leadership of Inspector General Dennis Rosen for its continued partnership and its assistance in this investigation. The Attorney General also thanks Medicaid managed care insurers Amida Care and Metro Plus for referring the matter and for their cooperation throughout the investigation.

The charges against the defendants are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

MFCU’s investigation was conducted by Investigator Nefertiti Clarke with the assistance of Supervising Investigator Dominick DiGennaro and Deputy Chief Investigator Kenneth Morgan. The audit investigation was conducted by Principal Auditor Investigator Cristina Marin and Auditor Investigator Megan Scott with the assistance of New York City Regional Deputy Chief Auditor Jonathan Romano and New York City Regional Chief Auditor Thomasina Smith.

The criminal case is being prosecuted

by Special Counsel Imran S. Ahmed with the assistance of MFCU New York City Deputy Regional Director Twan Bounds and MFCU New York City Regional Director Christopher M. Shaw. The civil action is being brought by Senior Counsel Marie Spencer and Special Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Kappakas with the assistance of MFCU Chief of Civil Enforcement Carolyn Ellis. Special Assistant Attorney General Thomas O’Hanlon is the MFCU Chief of Criminal Investigations-Downstate. MFCU is led by Director Amy Held and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Paul J. Mahoney.

Courtesy of the Attorney General’s Office

Cathrine Schmid, one of the suit’s plaintiffs and a staff sergeant at Joint Base Lewis-McChord – Photo courtesy of Cathrine Schmid

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More than 1,860 leaders across America sign onto new statement standing up for DACA and Dreamers

WA Governor Jay Inslee – Photo courtesy of Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC – Calling on President Trump to preserve the successful Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and for Congress to pass a standalone version of the bipartisan Dream Act, more than 1,860 leaders from across America today [August 30] announced that they had signed onto a new “We Are With Dreamers” statement.

Signers onto the new We Are With Dreamers statement include governors, mayors, state attorneys general, state legislators, city and county elected officials, and leaders from faith communities, law enforcement, and civic life across America.

On a press call held earlier today to release the We Are With Dreamers statement, Governor Jay Inslee (D-WA) said: “This country is home to hundreds of thousands of Dreamers. For many of them it’s the only home they have any memory of. Five years ago we made a promise to them that they could continue to stay here and work towards achieving their American dreams.

Now there are national leaders cruelly threatening to break that promise, a move that would fly in the face of everything we stand for as a nation that welcomes those

seeking opportunity for a better life. As governor I will do everything I can to keep our Dreamers safe here, at home. And I am proud to join more than 1,860 other leaders around the country in asking Congress and our president to do the same.” In addition to Gov. Inslee, other governors on the We Are With Dreamers statement are: Governors Jerry Brown of California, Kate Brown of Oregon, Mark Dayton of Minnesota, John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Dannel P. Malloy of Connecticut, Terence R. McAuliffe of Virginia, and Gina M. Raimondo of Rhode Island.

On the press call, Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami, FL noted “The president should summon the moral courage to do the right thing and stand by these talented young people. They talk like Americans, eat like Americans, and think like Americans. They should be able to dream like Americans.”

For a recording of the press call as well as the full list and overview of signatories on the new “We Are With Dreamers” statement, visit WithDreamers.com.

Courtesy of We Are With Dreamers

“We Are With Dreamers” statement “We, the undersigned governors, statewide constitutional officers, mayors, state legislators, local elected officials, businesses, law enforcement professionals, and faith and civic leaders are united in declaring that we are with Dreamers and DACA recipients. We recognize their enormous role in our communities and families and their contributions to our schools, workplaces, and shared prosperity as a nation.

Since June 2012, nearly 800,000 of these young people who came to the United States as children have come forward, passed background checks, and received permission to live and work in America.

With DACA, they have advanced their education, started small businesses, and more fully established themselves as integral members of our society.

Ending DACA means all of these young people would be at risk of deportation and separation from their families and our communities; this would be senselessly cruel.

Ending DACA and removing hundreds of thousands of young men and women from our workforce also would cost the country an estimated $460.3 billion in lost Gross Domestic Product over a decade and tens of billions more in lost contributions to Medicare and Social Security, and force

businesses to incur $3.4 billion in turnover costs.

In late June, attorneys general from ten states threatened to sue the Trump Administration if it does not end DACA; twice that number wrote to encourage the administration to maintain and defend the initiative.

We urge President Trump to sustain his commitment and preserve DACA. We also encourage President Trump and Republicans and Democrats in Congress to enact legislation that replaces fear and uncertainty with permanent protection for Dreamers. The recently introduced stand-alone Dream Act of 2017 would do that and we

support it.

As the leaders of communities across the country—individuals and institutions that have seen these young people grow up in our communities—we recognize how they have enriched and strengthened our cities, states, schools, businesses, congregations, and families. We believe it is a moral imperative that the administration and the country know we are with them. We also join together to send our assurances to Dreamers: we see you, we value you, and we are ready to defend you.”

DACA advocates gather outside of Trump Tower on August 15 in New York City – Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty

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Seattle Gay News 17

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Seattle Gay News 19

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