SGN January 25, 2013 - Section 1

Celebrating 40 Years!

Issue 04 Volume 41

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Miss Coco Peru returns to Seattle Page 25

Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Obama hails Stonewall at inauguration

Calls for equal treatment of ‘our Gay brothers and sisters’ Each time we gather to inaugurate a President, we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution. We affirm the promise of our democracy. We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What makes us exceptional – what makes us American – is our allegiance to an idea artic-

AP Photo / Scott Andrews

President Barack Obama did not neglect the LGBT community in his inaugural speech this week.

Referring to the principle of inherent equality as “the star that guides us still,” Obama went on to say that it “guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall” – referring, respectively, to the women’s suffrage movement, the African-American

“[I]f we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.” civil rights movement, and the LGBT liberation movement. He expanded on this idea moments later, saying that “our journey is not complete until our Gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law” – an unmistakable reference to marriage equality and an end to all forms of official discrimination.

Here is the text of President Obama’s second inaugural address, delivered January 21, 2013, at the U.S. Capitol:

ulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago: “We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Today we continue a never-ending journey to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of see speech page 9

DOMA’s last gasp?

President Obama delivered his second inaugural speech on January 21.

Going to the mat House GOP files brief in defense of discriminatory law for women

Sen. Patty Murray challenges House Republicans on VAWA ap photo

“The fate of the Violence Against Women Act still lays squarely on the shoulders of [Majority Leader] Eric Cantor and [House Speaker] John Boehner,” Murray said.

“To date they have refused to listen to countless law enforcement and women’s groups as well as moderate voices in their own party in the House and Senate who’ve said we need to pass the Senate’s bipartisan bill that extends protections to millions of new women.”

VAWA, drafted by then-Senator Joe Biden in 1994, sets aside fedSenator Patty Murray eral money to assist in

by Mike Andrew the investigation and prosecution SGN Staff Writer of violent crimes against women, and provides for restitution and Washington Senator Patty Mur- civil redress for victims. Because ray issued a statement January 22 it provides federal funds, it must challenging the House Republican be reauthorized periodically. leadership to pass the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The so-called Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (BLAG), representing the House Republican leadership, filed its brief defending DOMA with the Supreme Court on January 22.

Attorneys for Edie Windsor, the plaintiff challenging DOMA

in Windsor v. U.S.A., will reply to BLAG’s brief in February. Her lawyers will be joined by U.S. Department of Justice attorneys, who will also argue that DOMA is unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court justices will hear oral arguments in the case on March 27 – the day after the court hears arguments in California’s Prop 8 case.

Weddings By the Sea

BLAG’s 76-page brief argues that historically, “every state and the federal government defined marriage as the legal union of a woman and a man.”

A NOVEL ARGUMENT In a rather astonishing departure from typical anti-equality rhetoric, BLAG argues that the historical see DOMA page 7

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Celebrating 40 Years!

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op-ed

When will BSA get a clue?

by D’Anne Witkowski SGN Contributing Writer

ful way of saying, “Hell no, buddy. The Boy Scouts hate your moms.”

Look, I’m no Boy Scout – and I never have been. I’m not a boy, for one. I’m also an “avowed homosexual,” which means the Boy Scouts don’t like me as a matter of official policy.

Now, this has not had a huge impact on

CHANGE FROM WITHIN? Granted, I could vow to change the organization from the inside, Log Cabin Republican-style. In fact, I had a conversation with a woman who, when I voiced my fear that my son would one day want to be a Boy

“Boy Scouts of America’s ban on membership for Gays [was] officially recognized in 1991, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2002, and strongly reiterated by the organization in a July ruling.” In other words, this is a firmly entrenched policy that isn’t going to just magically go away. me personally. My younger brother was in the Cub Scouts (I don’t know if he ever made it to Boy Scout or not – sorry, bro) but he’s not Gay, so that wasn’t an issue that ever came up.

But now I have a son of my own and I worry that one day he’ll want to be in the Boy Scouts, and I’ll have to find a very tact-

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January 25, 2013

Scout, advocated this very thing. She said that’s what she would do in my situation because she is kind of a rebel. She is also Jewish and, though I didn’t say this at the time, I doubt that she would be signing her kids up for a group that included blatant antiSemitism in their official policies. I mean, there has to be a point where you say, “You

know what? No. I will not be supporting a group that denigrates my family and practices shameless discrimination. Fuck them to the max.”

According to SFGate.com, the “Boy Scouts of America’s ban on membership for Gays [was] officially recognized in 1991, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2002, and strongly reiterated by the organization in a July ruling.” In other words, this is a firmly entrenched policy that isn’t going to just magically go away.

While my potential conflict is hypothetical at this point, this anti-Gay policy does detrimentally impact actual kids for whom being in this organization means an awful lot. Kids who do all of the work and have been “trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent” in accordance with the Scout Law, and yet have it all come crashing down at the end of their Scouting career just because they’re Gay. THE RYAN ANDRESEN CASE That’s what happened to Ryan Andresen, an 18-year-old in California who was supposed to receive the organization’s prized Eagle Scout ranking, but didn’t. Because Andresen is Gay. Not because he didn’t fulfill the requirements. Not because he wasn’t “helpful” or “friendly” or “brave” enough.

But because he likes guys.

According to the Huffington Post, Andresen’s own local Scoutmaster, someone who apparently knew he was Gay, was the first to block him from achieving Eagle status. An appeal board looked at Andresen’s case and unanimously agreed that the kid should get the award.

“The Board reviewed all of Ryan’s scouting history, his advancement records, his Eagle project, and his spiritual beliefs, and we are convinced that Ryan has more than demonstrated that he deserves the award,” district advancement chair Bonnie Hazarabedian said in a statement.

But when that appeal was submitted, the Boy Scouts of America said, “Take a hike, homo.”

Andresen is not the first kid the Scouts have hurt, and he won’t be the last. While the Boy Scouts claim their mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes, what we’re really talking about is an organization that discriminates against Gay kids. Let’s not forget that.

Celebrating 40 Years!

Local news

Thousands march on Martin Luther King Day nate gowdy / seattle gay news

Marchers move down Pine Street toward downtown Seattle

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer As President Obama was being sworn in for a second term in Washington, D.C., an estimated 5,000 people gathered in Seattle to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. After a standing-room-only rally in the Garfield High School gym, the crowd marched through the Central District, Capitol Hill, and downtown Seattle, ending with a rally in front of the Federal Building.

POLICE PROTESTED The day’s most dramatic moment took place at 12th Avenue and Pine Street, as marchers walked past the SPD’s East Precinct headquarters, chanting, “No more violence, no more hate!”

March organizers changed their traditional route through the city’s Central District this year to pass by the precinct, in order to mark the agreement between the City and the federal Department of Justice on police reforms.

A December 2011 report by the Justice Department found that “SPD engages in a

René Jesus Valdes May 27, 1948 – February 2, 2012

One year ago, René Jesus Valdes, linguist, Gay Games Gold Medalist, and 30year HIV survivor, died after increasingly difficult bouts of mental anguish. He was born In Havana, Cuba, and battled discrimination after being expelled from university and denied employment for being

Gay. He came to the U.S. in 1980 in the Mariel boatlift and battled further discrimination by the INS, which sought to deny his citizenship when he admitted he was Gay. After a lengthy court fight he won his citizenship in 1989.

Shortly after his arrival in the U.S., he quickly found work in the burgeoning IT world and began his career as a computational linguist. Despite being diagnosed with AIDS in 1984 and being told three different times in the ’80s that he had less than six months to live, he survived the disease that took his first U.S. lover and many friends over the years. He was part of the early generation that protested U.S. government inaction on the AIDS crisis and encouraged the FDA to open clinical trials to the dying.

It was in one such clinical trial in 1986, for an early protease inhibitor, that gave him his life back. Despite the illness and other opportunistic infections, he continued to work for most of this period. He also earned his

Visit us online www.sgn.org

pattern or practice of excessive force, in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.” The City and DOJ agreed on steps to remedy the situation in July last year.

East Precinct commanders initially refused to issue a permit for a march past their building, but relented under pressure from march organizers. The 31-year-old march has never been marred by violence.

FRIENDLY VIBES Although the East Precinct was defended

A PRESIDENT WHO CARES The president is absolutely right when he states for real change to take place it is going to take the involvement of those of us who support a democracy that is inclusive as opposed to one catering to the most powerful and richest among us. For the first time since Presidents Kennedy and Carter I feel we have a president who in his heart and soul cares about people of all walks of life.

The question remains how far are the people willing to go to support him in helping this country reach its full potential, leaving no one out?

For far too long elections have been won by degrading groups and people who don’t fit certain standards. There are still too many politicians and parts of this great country where those in control continue to hold power by dividing groups and cultures setting them against each other. They continue to see only those things that support their narrow-minded views about what America has been. No one thing is perfect but that should not prevent us from continuing to work towards perfection.

by metal barricades, the handful of officers outside nodded to the marchers and even chatted casually with them as they passed.

In a goodwill gesture, the Seattle Police Guild, the union that represents rank-andfile officers, donated $500 to the Martin Luther King Celebration Committee.

Downtown, marchers filled the plaza in front of the Federal Building to hear speeches from local community, labor, and faith leaders, and then returned to Garfield High School for food donated by community restaurants.

NO THANKS, MARS HILL So, homophobic Mars Hill Church wants to partner with [Lifelong] AIDS Alliance, for the purpose of ministering to those with AIDS. Really?!

Kelly Bray, of Lifelong AIDS Alliance, has been quoted by The Stranger as magnanimously stating, “We don’t discriminate against organizations that walk through our doors.” She went on to state, “If Mars Hill is interested in potentially volunteering, they would be made aware of what flies by us, the values we uphold, and individuals we work with. We would not put them in any position where they could proselytize.”

Good! Since they are the moral equivalent of the Taliban, I don’t think they’ll be conforming their conduct to the standards of Lifelong AIDS Alliance. Talk about the clueless.

Steven L. Kendall Seattle

George Whitaker Bellevue master’s degree in Hispanic Linguistics and brought his twin sons from Cuba to live with him.

MICROSOFT LEGEND In 2002, he moved to Seattle. He won several awards from Microsoft for his work in developing spell- and grammar-checks in a host of languages. He spoke seven languages including Esperanto and could get along in at least six others. He hosted noontime discussion sessions in any number of languages and his knowledge was legend among his colleagues.

René was a handsome and sexy man, the life of any group. Men and women enjoyed being around him and all he had to do was to flash his famous smile to endear anyone.

He was curious about everyone and everything and could spend hours talking and questioning friends and strangers alike on politics, the arts, movies, and social conditions around the world. He loved to travel, and once in a new country or region, he would pick up the local language in a few days and be relatively fluent if he was there for a week. At the drop of a hat, he would burst into song in Spanish, Russian, German, Czech, or Yiddish.

He was loyal to all of his friends and especially to his family. He supported several older relatives in Cuba by sending money, medications, and other supplies that were scarce in that country. Even at a long distance he was a father figure to several of his nephews and was beloved by all of his family members in both Cuba and the U.S.

January 25, 2013

STAR ATHLETE He was a runner and became active in Team Seattle Track and Field, where he also learned to throw the javelin and discus. He medaled in both the Chicago Gay Games in 2006 and in Cologne in 2010 he won gold, silver, and bronze medals.

He also ran in numerous local 5k and 10k races.

Active in Democratic politics, René also participated in numerous marches and protests in Seattle. He supported the Lifelong AIDS Alliance and always participated in the Seattle AIDS Walk. He volunteered time in the Seattle community and taught computer skills to Spanishspeaking immigrants. He loved Seattle and its parks and from his home in Capital Hill/Madison Park, he often walked to the Arboretum.

WORLD TRAVELER In 2000 he began a long-distance relationship with Alan Lessik, who lived in San Francisco, and for eight years the two would travel back and forth between the two cities every three weeks. Together they explored Washington and British Columbia as well as traveled to Cuba, Argentina, Spain, Belgium, France, and Germany. René finally moved to San Francisco in 2011. He is survived by his sons, Sandor and Franco Valdes of Miami, his aunt Helga Engelhardt of Cuba, and other relatives, former partners, and friends. A one-year memorial is planned at the San Francisco Zen Center on February 2. For more information contact lessbiz@gmail. com.

Seattle Gay News

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courtesy facebook

Tying the knot Senator Ed Murray and Michael Shiosaki make their engagement official

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Washington State Sen. Ed Murray of Seattle (D-43), who led the effort in the Legislature to legalize same-sex marriage, is getting married himself. He and his longtime partner, Michael Shiosaki, have revealed

Murray and Shiosaki, however, did not get in line. Instead, they watched as the first Washington state marriage license for a same-sex couple was issued, one minute after midnight on December 6. The two men smiled and congratulated that couple and others as each received a license to wed.

Many were no doubt confused and maybe

“Ed and I have found over the years that sometimes it is the little things that make a strong relationship ... (we) are very different people but we have challenged each other to grow in many interesting and significant ways.” that they plan to wed August 10.

The ceremony is planned for the 22-year anniversary of the day they met, on a Mt. Rainier hiking trip.

Although the two men had said that they planned to marry sometime this summer, they’d not been specific until this week.

even a little concerned about this, because Murray was the chief sponsor of the marriage equality legislation and Shiosaki had joined Murray in asking the Senate to debate and ultimately vote on the proposed marriage equality bill last January.

“Marriage should be a happy time, and it’s a happy night,” Murray said.

ABOUT TIME, SOME SAY Late in the evening on December 5, 2012, THE SECRET GETS OUT hundreds of King County residents gathered It wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for anyin downtown Seattle at the King County one interested in details of a Murray-ShioAdministration Building to apply for mar- saki wedding to receive a proper announceriage licenses. ment. However, before the two could make

Senator Ed Murray (l) and his longtime partner Michael Shiosaki are engaged to wed on August 10

such an announcement, Murray unwittingly announced the couple’s engagement on Facebook Tuesday afternoon.

Sitting at his desk in Olympia, Murray noticed he could change his Facebook profile from domestic partner to “engaged.”

When he did this, the update got posted on his Facebook wall, and comments immediately started pouring in. More than 100 people had “liked” his status within 45 minutes, and Shiosaki called Murray directly to ask about the unplanned revelation.

The August 10 wedding happens to be four days after the August 6 primary election, in which Murray is campaigning for Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn’s job at City Hall.

Murray said he and Shiosaki have “waited a long time to get married in our own state.”

They plan to exchange vows at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle.

than 20 years now and through much of our time together I have tried to keep our political life separate from our private life,” said Shiosaki. “Today I am compelled to speak out about our relationship and what marriage means to us.

“Ed and I have found over the years that sometimes it is the little things that make a strong relationship,” he continued. “Ed and I are very different people but we have challenged each other to grow in many interesting and significant ways.

“Through my family’s experience and my own experience growing up as a member of the Japanese-American community in Washington state, I have witnessed my community struggle for inclusion into the mainstream of society. I see that same struggle for recognition and inclusion with marriage no matter when or where it has been tried, history has demonstrated that separate is not equal, it never can be.

AN EVENTFUL YEAR “As Ed and I begin our third decade toTo say that 2012 was a big year for Mur- gether, we hope that this is the year we can ray and Shiosaki is putting it mildly. Al- marry.” though Murray’s announcement to run for mayor came in late 2012, his announcement A WISH COMES TRUE that he intended to get married did not.

Murray and Shiosaki got what they asked On February 1, 2012, just before the State for. The Senate went on to vote 28-21 to Senate vote on marriage equality, the openly pass the bill, setting the stage for the House, Gay Senator took the floor and acknowl- which also passed the bill. Soon thereafter, edged that he would soon be marrying Shio- then-Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the bill into saki. law. And, after a public campaign to approve “Those of us who support this legislation a referendum to keep the new law, on Noare not, and we should not be accused of, vember 6, 2012, Washingtonians voted for undermining family life or religious free- the freedom to marry, becoming one of the dom,” said Murray. “Marriage is how soci- first states in the nation to do so. ety says you are a family.”

To say that Murray and Shiosaki fought for Murray mentioned Shiosaki as he told his love is an understatement. Murray is credited Senate colleagues before the vote that “re- with spearheading nearly every Gay rights, gardless of how you vote on this bill, an in- domestic partnership, and marriage equalvitation will be in the mail” to their future ity bill in the state over the past 20 years he wedding. has spent in the House and Senate. Shiosaki stood beside him through it all.

SHIOSAKI’S TESTIMONY Murray admits that he thought it might be Weeks earlier, on January 23, 2012, Shio- “a little weird” to get married so close to the saki testified before the Senate during hear- primary election, but says Shiosaki really ings for SB 6239, otherwise known as the wanted to do it then.

Marriage Equality Act. “Over the years Michael has had to give up “Ed and I have been together for more a lot for my schedule,” said Murray.

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January 25, 2013

Celebrating 40 Years!

national news

Gretchen Ertl / The New York Times

Rhode Island House passes marriage equality bill Measure faces uncertain fate in Senate

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A bill to legalize same-sex marriage passed the Rhode Island House of Representatives on January 24. The vote was 5119.

The issue was never in doubt, since the bill came to the floor with 42 co-sponsors in the 75-member House. Speaker Gordon Fox is Gay and was a leading supporter of the

the bill, and state senators are being lobbied heavily by both sides.

State Sen. Frank Ciccone, like PaivaWeed an anti-equality Democrat, has introduced a constitutional amendment that would limit marriage to opposite-sex couples. His proposal has been referred to committee, but even if it passed the Senate it is thought to have no chance of passing the House.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee, an independent,

Strongly Roman Catholic, Rhode Island is the last holdout against marriage equality in New England.

Marriage equality legislation has been introduced in the state every year since 1997, but this is the first time the proposal has come to the floor of the House for debate and a vote. measure. The House deputy majority leader, Rep. Frank Ferri, is also openly Gay. Strongly Roman Catholic, Rhode Island is the last holdout against marriage equality in New England. Marriage equality legislation has been introduced in the state every year since 1997, but this is the first time the proposal has come to the floor of the House for debate and a vote.

HEAVY LOBBYING The real challenge to equality is expected to come in the Senate, where Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed opposes the bill.

Paiva-Weed promised she would let the measure go through the Senate Judiciary Committee when it passed the House.

Supporters say that if it gets to the Senate floor, the measure will pass, but anti-equality forces think they have the votes to defeat

vawa

continued from cover LESBIANS EXCLUDED In April, the Senate passed the reauthorization bill 68-11, but the Republican-controlled House refused to take it up. Republican House leaders passed their own version of the bill, which removes explicit protections for undocumented immigrant women, as well as Lesbians, Trans women, and Native Americans.

Because Republicans would not agree to a joint conference to write a compromise bill, the legislation lapsed when the 112th Congress adjourned. It was reintroduced in the Senate on January 22, with Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) as the prime sponsors.

“In a new Congress, on a newly reintroduced bill, the House Republican leadership faces the same choice,” Murray said in her statement.

“They can either kowtow to those on the far right of their caucus who would turn battered women away from care, or they can stand with Democrats, moderate Republicans, and the many millions of Americans who believe that who a person loves, where they live, or their immigration status shouldn’t determine whether they are protected from violence.

“In the days ahead, I encourage the moderate Republican voices in the House to call on their leadership to pass the bipartisan

strongly supports marriage equality and said he would oppose efforts to put the issue up for a popular vote. Last year he signed an executive order requiring the state to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

PUBLIC OPINION SHIFT In 2011 Fox dropped a similar marriage bill after he concluded it would not pass the Senate. Instead, lawmakers passed civil unions for same-sex couples. This time, supporters say, there has been a turnaround in public opinion, and even former opponents of equality may give the proposal a second look.

“It’s a harder ‘no’ vote than people may have thought,” Rep. Art Handy, the bill’s prime sponsor, said.

Perhaps the biggest reason for the turn-

State Representative Frank G. Ferri (l) hugged his husband, Tony Caparco, on Tuesday after a Rhode Island panel sent a same-sex marriage bill to a full House vote.

about is that equality supporters made a concerted effort to elect sympathetic candidates to the legislature in last year’s election.

“We began planning for that by reaching out to pro-equality candidates and working

with pro-equality incumbents,” said Ray Sullivan, campaign director for Rhode Islanders United for Marriage.

As a result, he said, the group helped elect nine of the 10 new House members and the five new senators who support equality.

Senate bill. Too many women have been left spring.”

“There is a unique relationship between vulnerable while House Republican leaders marriage and procreation that stems from have played politics.” marriage’s origins as a means to address the tendency of opposite-sex relationships HELP FOR RAPE VICTIMS The latest version of VAWA is essentially to produce unintended and unplanned offthe same as the previous measure with two spring,” BLAG attorneys write in their brief. significant differences.

“There is nothing irrational about declinFirst, the new bill includes the SAFER Act, according to Leahy. This provision is ing to extend marriage to same-sex relationaimed at reducing the backlog of untested ships that, whatever their other similarities to opposite-sex relationships, simply do not DNA evidence from unsolved rape cases.

Second, it omits a section increasing the share that same tendency. Congress likewise number of temporary visas available for un- could rationally decide to foster relationdocumented immigrant women who have ships in which children are raised by both of fled abuse in their home countries. Repub- their biological parents.”

Congress also has the authority to legislicans had opposed this provision last year, saying that allowing more visas for abused late “national uniformity” in the provision of federal benefits based on marriage, rather immigrants would result in fraud.

“In the interest of making quick and de- than leaving that to the states, BLAG says.

Finally, BLAG’s brief argues that laws cisive progress, we introduce the bill today without that provision in order to remove classifying people based on sexual orientaany excuse for House inaction,” Leahy said. tion should not be subject to “heightened “We have retained other important im- scrutiny” under the Constitution’s equalprovements for immigrant victims in the protection guarantees, because “the histobill we introduce today as part of our com- ries of discrimination based on race, ethnicmitment to ensuring that all victims are pro- ity, sex, and legitimacy are different.” tected.”

ASSAILS OBAMA POSITION The Republican brief also denounces the Obama administration for “attacking” continued from cover DOMA as unconstitutional.

“Although the Holder Letter [stating that definition of marriage must be upheld be- the Obama administration believed DOMA cause unmarried opposite-sex couples can was unconstitutional] had said only that produce “unintended and unplanned off- the Department would ‘cease defense’ of

DOMA Section 3, the Department did not merely bow out of DOMA litigation,” the brief charges.

“Instead, it affirmatively assailed DOMA in court – arguing that Section 3 violates equal protection and urging courts to render judgment in favor of plaintiffs challenging the law even in Circuits in which rational basis was binding circuit law. The Department even went so far as to accuse the Congress that enacted DOMA – many of whose Members still serve – of being motivated by “animus.”

DOMA

PROP 8 BRIEF ALSO FILED On the same day, supporters of Prop 8 also filed their opening brief with the Supreme Court.

The case brought by same-sex couples seeking to marry in California is unlike past LGBT rights cases in which the court struck down anti-Gay restrictions, Prop 8 supporters asserted.

It is also unlike Loving v. Virginia, in which the court struck down bans on interracial marriage, they argue, because there is no historic reason “for invalidating marriage as it has existed in California for virtually all of its history, as it was universally understood throughout this Nation (and the world) until just the last decade, and as it continues to be defined in the overwhelming majority of States and Nations.”

Arguments in Hollingsworth v. Perry, the Prop 8 case, will be heard on March 26.

Come meet Tim and Matt and join the family.

Go 1605 12th Avenue at Pine, Seattle (In liquor store parking garage.) Seattle Storm!

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January 25, 2013

Seattle Gay News

7

Steph Brusig

Eyewitness to history A first-person account of Inauguration Day

by Sarah Toce Special to the SGN The crowd erupted in cheers as pro-LGBT President Barack H. Obama addressed the diverse crowd of waiting Americans at the United States Capitol and adjoining National Mall January 21.

The majority of those present at the timeencapsulated building stood in line for more than seven hours for a chance to see the president deliver his second inaugural address. A sea of 800,000 estimated individuals braved the bone-chilling cold to bear witness to history … and be counted.

THE PRESIDENT ARRIVES As the festivities officially began and members of Obama’s administration filtered down the steps of the Capitol building, the crowd shone in the new sun. This was what we had all waited for and we were ready to receive it. Whatever his message might be, we were ready.

As America swore in the returning president for a second term, a silence filled the crowd. We were riveted – mesmerized – by the freethinking man with the shiny, progressive ideas.

The Secret Service was everywhere, but the agents could not quiet the one group of protesters who felt it necessary to scream

As America swore in the returning president for a second term, a silence filled the crowd. We were riveted – mesmerized – by the freethinking man with the shiny, progressive ideas.

AN EARLY START The day started at 3:30 a.m. for this 29-year-old reporter. The train from Columbia Heights to Judiciary Square was a long one as each car was filled to the brim. We huddled together with excitement, anticipation and, quite frankly, a bit of hesitance.

Would it all go as planned? Would the president be safe since all of the anti-gun-control talk post-Sandy Hook? Would we get a good spot in the standing-room-only orange-ticketed section? How many of us would get in?

How many of us would be told to go home, sans the experience of a lifetime, for lack of space? All of these thoughts and more flooded my mind as my wife, photographer Stephanie Brusig, and I stepped into a moment of our lives we would not soon forget.

As we exited the train and ran into the already crowded streets at 4:30 a.m., we hopped into line to wait another three hours before our section opened. There we stood another three hours. It was approximately 20 degrees. We weren’t going anywhere.

No one else was either.

“Obama is a baby killer” throughout the service. The music played louder.

STONEWALL SHOUT-OUT Perhaps one of the most telling moments of Obama’s speech began: “We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still, just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall; just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone; to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth.”

There was silence … and then, as Stonewall was referenced, a sea of applause and hollering – the good kind – reverberated throughout the barricades. We were noticed!

Once again, there was applause: “We, the people, still believe that enduring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war. Our brave men and women in uniform,

The view from the crowd

tempered by the flames of battle, are unmatched in skill and courage. Our citizens, seared by the memory of those we have lost, know too well the price that is paid for liberty,” said Obama. “The knowledge of their sacrifice will keep us forever vigilant against those who would do us harm. But we are also heirs to those who won the peace and not just the war, who turned sworn enemies into the surest of friends, and we must carry those lessons into this time as well.”

UNIVERSAL TRUTHS Another moment of note that hit home to our strikingly diverse community of people: “It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our moth-

ers and daughters, can earn a living equal to their efforts,” Obama proclaimed. “Our journey is not complete until our Gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.”

Choirs, musicians, famous singers and songwriters (James Taylor, Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson) took the stage to relay their support for the 57th Presidential Inauguration – and Obama’s second term.

Approximately 800,000 Americans, immigrants, and visitors made the trek toward warmth following the prestigious ceremony.

While the cold lessened over time, Obama’s promises to a new and united America remained.

file photo

The community’s response Leading LGBTQ voices react to President Obama’s inaugural address (Compiled from news sources)

New York Times Op-Ed Columnist Frank Bruni

8

Seattle Gay News

January 25, 2013

deserves nothing less than a president who will treat all families fairly. We congratulate FREEDOM TO MARRY President Obama and his administration and “In his second Inaugural today, President look forward to working with them in this Obama traced the moral arc from Seneca second term to build a stronger future for Falls to Selma to Stonewall, and rightly ex- LGBT people and opportunity for all.” alted the struggle for the freedom to marry as part of America’s moral commitment to OUTSERVE–SLDN equality, liberty, and the pursuit of happi“Today, President Obama made history ness. Freedom to Marry applauds our presi- with a clear and passionate declaration of dent and the moral leadership he has shown the fundamental rights of LGBT Americans, – the moral leadership we will continue to and all Americans. We honor the work of his need until all Americans, all loving couples, first term – especially his leadership in the all families, can share fully in the American repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” – and expromise we celebrate on Inauguration Day.” pect great progress over the next four years on the very real inequalities that exist for NGLTF our LGBT service members, veterans, and “We couldn’t agree more. It’s now time their families as we work together to bend for the president – and for all of us – to fin- the moral arc of the universe toward jusish the job of ensuring that every Ameri- tice.” can gets a fair shake. President Obama has repeatedly shown he is willing to fight for FRANK BRUNI, NEW YORK TIMES us. We have another four years to keep the OP-ED COLUMNIST momentum going, and will be vigilant in “The causes of Gay Americans and Black pursuing policies to ensure our community Americans haven’t always existed in perfect is not left behind. This includes pushing for harmony, and that context is critical for apfederal LGBT employment protections, preciating Obama’s reference to Stonewall ending the so-called Defense of Marriage alongside Selma. Blacks have sometimes Act, combating HIV/AIDS, preserving a social safety net, and much more. America see reactions page 18

Celebrating 40 Years!

speech

continued from cover our time. For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they’ve never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by his people here on Earth. The patriots of 1776 did not fight to replace the tyranny of a king with the privileges of a few or the rule of a mob. They gave to us a republic, a government of, and by, and for the people, entrusting each generation to keep safe our founding creed.

And for more than 200 years, we have.

HARD LESSONS LEARNED Through blood drawn by lash and blood drawn by sword, we learned that no union founded on the principles of liberty and equality could survive half-slave and halffree. We made ourselves anew, and vowed to move forward together.

Together, we determined that a modern economy requires railroads and highways to speed travel and commerce, schools and colleges to train our workers.

Together, we discovered that a free market only thrives when there are rules to ensure competition and fair play.

Together, we resolved that a great nation must care for the vulnerable, and protect its people from life’s worst hazards and misfortune.

Through it all, we have never relinquished our skepticism of central authority, nor have we succumbed to the fiction that all society’s ills can be cured through government alone. Our celebration of initiative and enterprise, our insistence on hard work and personal responsibility, these are constants in our character.

ADAPTING TO CHANGE But we have always understood that when times change, so must we; that fidelity to our founding principles requires new re-

sponses to new challenges; that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action. For the American people can no more meet the demands of today’s world by acting alone than American soldiers could have met the forces of fascism or communism with muskets and militias. No single person can train all the math and science teachers we’ll need to equip our children for the future, or build the roads and networks and research labs that will bring new jobs and businesses to our shores. Now, more than ever, we must do these things to-

ity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class. We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship. We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is an American, she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.

We understand that outworn programs

“We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still, just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall.” gether, as one nation and one people.

This generation of Americans has been tested by crises that steeled our resolve and proved our resilience. A decade of war is now ending. An economic recovery has begun. America’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands: youth and drive; diversity and openness; an endless capacity for risk; and a gift for reinvention. My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it – so long as we seize it together.

NO ONE LEFT OUT For we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. We believe that America’s prosper-

are inadequate to the needs of our time. So we must harness new ideas and technology to remake our government, revamp our tax code, reform our schools, and empower our citizens with the skills they need to work harder, learn more, reach higher. But while the means will change, our purpose endures: a nation that rewards the effort and determination of every single American. That is what this moment requires. That is what will give real meaning to our creed.

We, the people, still believe that every citizen deserves a basic measure of security and dignity. We must make the hard choices to reduce the cost of health care and the size of our deficit. But we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its

future. For we remember the lessons of our past, when twilight years were spent in poverty and parents of a child with a disability had nowhere to turn.

OBLIGATIONS TO POSTERITY We do not believe that in this country freedom is reserved for the lucky, or happiness for the few. We recognize that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, any one of us at any time may face a job loss, or a sudden illness, or a home swept away in a terrible storm. The commitments we make to each other through Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security, these things do not sap our initiative, they strengthen us. They do not make us a nation of takers; they free us to take the risks that make this country great.

We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more powerful storms.

The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition, we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries, we must claim its promise. That’s how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure – our forests and waterways, our crop lands and snow-capped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.

SECURITY WITHOUT WAR We, the people, still believe that enduring security and lasting peace do not require see speech page 18

Alex Garcia / Chicago Tribune

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2016: Sooner than you think New poll finds people like Joe, but they love Hillary

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A new ABC News/Washington Post poll released January 23 shows Hillary Clinton retiring from the State Department at the peak of her popularity. Some 67% of poll respondents said they have a favorable impression of Clinton, as opposed to only 26% who view her unfavorably.

Vice President Joe Biden, a possible rival to Clinton for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, is also popular, but not nearly as much as Clinton. Forty-eight percent of respondents said they viewed Biden favorably, against 37% who had an unfavorable impression of him.

As might be expected, Democrats give both high marks, but they favor Clinton.

Ninety-one percent of self-identified Democrats have a positive view of Clinton, compared to 78% who have a favorable opinion of Biden.

Among independent voters, 65% have a favorable opinion of Clinton, but only 42% have a good opinion of Biden. Even worse for the veep, 21% of independents say they have no opinion of him, compared to only 9% who say the same about Clinton – indicating she has a far higher profile in public awareness.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton giving testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

in mounting another presidential campaign.

“I’ve said I really don’t believe that that’s something I will do again,” she told Walters.

“I am so grateful I had the experience of doing it before. I think there are lots of ways to serve, so I’ll continue to serve.”

On the other hand, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi all but endorsed Clinton shortly after the interview aired.

“Wouldn’t that be exciting?” Pelosi enthused about another Clinton campaign. “I hope she goes – why wouldn’t she?”

“She could be president of the United States, and she would be great,” Pelosi added. “She would go into the White House as well-prepared – or better prepared – than almost anybody who has served in that office in a very long time.”

BIDEN: FOCUSED ON VP JOB Biden has also been coy about his plans for 2016. In a January 22 CNN interview, the vice president said that there were “a whole lot of reasons why I wouldn’t run.”

“I haven’t made that decision and I don’t have to make that decision for a while,” he added. “In the meantime, there’s one thing I know I have to do no matter what I do. I have to help this president move this country to the next stage.”

Biden would not speculate on whether he would back out if Clinton announced she TEMPERING EXPECTATIONS was in the race.

So far, neither Clinton nor Biden have “Look, I haven’t made that judgment and confirmed that they will run in 2016.

Hillary hasn’t made that judgment,” he said In a December interview with Barbara in the interview.

Walters, Clinton denied she was interested

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor If you are single, Gay, Mormon, and looking for love, then Origins might be the answer to your prayers.

Origins’ creator, Andrew Markle, says the forthcoming website seeks to give Gay Mormons an online social network to meet

file photo

New dating website seeks to connect LGBT Mormons practicing Gay Mormons.

Expected to launch in the second quarter of 2013, Origins is supported by Affirmation, an advocacy group for LGBT Mormons made up of both actively practicing members of the Mormon faith and nonmembers.

Affirmation seeks to provide a safe space in the Mormon Church “where LGBT indi-

Affirmation seeks to provide a safe space in the Mormon Church “where LGBT individuals, as well as those questioning their orientation, can associate with like individuals, ask questions, and know that they are not alone.” viduals, as well as those questioning their orientation, can associate with like individuals, ask questions, and know that they are not alone.”

Affirmation believes that same-gender relationships are “compatible” with the teachings of the church and hopes to make the church more inclusive for LGBT practitioners. Markle hopes the Origins website will be a crucial component of this effort.

Neither Origins nor Affirmations is officially sanctioned by the Mormon Church, which does not recognize LGBT organizaCOMMUNITY BUILDING Also, Markle believes that Origins is tions as official church entities. about building a Gay Mormon community SHIFTING DISCOURSE and estimates that there are around 22,000 others like them for “marriage or long-term commitment.”

According to Markle, the website will act both as a tool for dating and as a resource for LGBT Mormons looking for acceptance within a church that’s still evolving on its stance on homosexuality.

Markle stated that Origins will also “connect Gay Mormons with allies and help them reconcile their [religious] beliefs with their lifestyle.”

Marriage equality supporters outside the Mormon temple in Salt Lake City

Origins comes on the heels of the church’s announcement that it will minister to LGBT individuals.

In December, the church launched “Mormons and Gays,” a website devoted to “discussion on same-sex attraction.” According to the website, the church’s changing stance on Gay members does not mean that the church accepts “homosexual behavior” as acceptable but recognizes that homosexuality is not a choice.

Like Origins, Mormons and Gays acts as a conduit for conversation and acceptance of LGBT individuals, so that church members can “respond sensitively and thoughtfully when they encounter same-sex attraction in their own families, among other Church members, or elsewhere.”

Markle realizes that the mission of Origins, which helps LGBT singles connect for the purposes of a relationship, diverges with the church’s new stance on homosexuality.

For Markle, Origins will act as a further step in the right direction for Gay Mormons – moving from preliminary dialogue to a place of action. Frustrated with the church’s decision to call same-gender relationships “attractions,” Markle stated that the church

“still has a long way to go in regard to full inclusion” and repairing the damage done by decades of forcing LGBT members into the closet.

In order to act as a force for good in the lives of its Mormon members, he says, the church will have to continue evolving and making amends to the Gay faithful.

DISFELLOWSHIPPED Markle is a practicing Mormon and weekly churchgoer. By creating Origins, Markle understood his position will be controversial for many in the church and that he may face excommunication for his involvement in Origins.

Advocating same-sex relationships are grounds for expulsion from the church. In fact, Markle already has been disfellowshipped (a form of church probation) for getting involved in such a relationship. Despite disapproval from the leadership, Markle says his local congregation was welcoming of his orientation and treated his new relationship just like any other.

Markle hopes that one day he will be able to say the same about the church authorities.

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DIVERSE HARMONY IN CONCERT – “HARMONY VS. DISSONANCE” On Friday and Saturday, January 25 and 26, at 7:30 p.m., at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center (104 17th Ave. S.), Diverse Harmony, Seattle’s LGBTQA youth chorus, presents a concert of songs reflecting the positive and negative issues that we may deal with in our daily lives. This concert is open to the general public. Tickets: $20 general admission; FREE for youth 22 and under. www.diverseharmony.org.

NOTE: Diverse Harmony will be hosting auditions on Tuesday, February 5, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at Seattle First Baptist Church (1111 Harvard Ave.) for youth ages 13 to 22 or just show up to one of their practices on Tuesday nights. See website for details.

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH JANUARY 15-27 AT THE MOORE Seattle Theatre Group and Balagan Theatre present Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the historic Moore Theatre (1932 2nd Ave. at Virginia St.), January 17-27, with preview performances on January 15 and 16.

Directed by Ian Bell, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is the story of an East Berlin born rock-and-roll-goddess Hedwig Schmidt, a botched sex change, stolen music and a love affair with an American GI. Rising star Jerick Hoffer (most recently seen in the role of Angel in the 5th Avenue production of RENT) portrays Hedwig as she recounts her outrageous life story as the lead singer in a sleazy lounge act, backed by her rock-androll band “The Angry Inch.”

Hoffer (Hedwig) has also been seen on stage at Balagan (Spring Awakening), BookIt Repertory Theatre (Red Ranger Came Calling), and Seattle Shakespeare Company (Threepenny Opera). A recent graduate of Cornish College of the Arts, the role of Hedwig is a perfect fit for Hoffer, also known to many in Seattle as preeminent drag queen chanteuse Jinkx Monsoon, host of the popular “An Evening at Le Faux” weekly celebrity impersonation show at Julia’s on Broadway. Tickets: $17.50-$32.50 (not including fees) at www.stgpresents.org.

SEATTLE ASIAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL JANUARY 25-27 The Seattle Asian American Film Festival will showcase works by Northwest Asian American filmmakers, as well as films from across the country dealing with Asian American people, issues, and themes, including LGBTQ focused films. All screenings will take place at the Wing Luke Museum’s Tateuchi Story Theatre (719 S. King St.). www.seattleaaff.org. The festival is cosponsored by the Pride Foundation.

SEAMEC HOSTS ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING On Saturday, January 26, starting at 2 p.m., at the Capitol Hill Library (Harvard Ave. & E. Republican St.), SEAMEC (Seattle Municipal Elections Committee) will host their annual business meeting.

SEAMEC is a community organization that has been interviewing and rating political candidates on their knowledge and positions on LGBT issues and publishing voter advisory election ratings since 1977.

The agenda for this meeting includes the election of new steering committee members and a discussion of priorities for the future. SEAMEC survives on donations and volunteers to help with questionnaire development, candidate research, candidate interviews and compilation and distribution of ratings.

Much has changed in Washington State, King County and City of Seattle politics since SEAMEC was founded. With the advent of legalized marriage for Gays and Lesbian, it is important to maintain the support of our lawmakers. Anyone who is interested in supporting this cause is welcome to attend the SEAMEC annual meeting.

SEATTLE QUAKE RUGBY NEW PLAYER ORIENTATION On Saturday, January 26, from 2-4 p.m., at Magnuson Park Field #5 (7400 Sand Point Way NE), Seattle Quake Rugby hosts a new player orientation. Learn rugby! Never played a sport? No problems. For complete information, visit www.quakerugby.com.

KNIGHTS OF MANTRA – BEGGARS FEAST On Saturday, January 26, doors at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., at the Russian Cultural Center (704 19th Ave E.), join the Knights of Mantra for their annual Beggars Feast.

“A Feast to the Royal Family and their Glorious Members and their Glorious Jewels” will feature a seven course dinner, including wine, plus an evening of entertainment and games. Tickets: $35. www.jetchapterKofM. com.

METROPOLITAN OPERA AUDITIONS AT MEANY HALL On Sunday, January 27, at 1 p.m., at the UW’s Meany Theatre, the Metropolitan Opera will hold their Northwest Auditions featuring an exciting lineup of 11 young singers who have won their respective district auditions all over the Northwest.

Winner(s) will go to New York for semifinals and possibly final auditions. Come hear the cream of the arias at what is still the best cultural bargain in town! Tickets: $20-general, $15-students.

LGBTQ YOUTH BASKETBALL Meeting weekly on Tuesdays, from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., at the International District/ Chinatown Community Center (719 8th Ave. S.), Seattle Parks and Recreation will be hosting their FREE LGBTQ youth basketball program for LGBTQ Youth, Queer Youth of Color, allies and friends, ages 1419. For more information, contact Randy Wiger at 206-883-6110 phone/text or email randy.wiger@seattle.gov.

SEATTLE-KING COUNTY GUN BUYBACK PROGRAM On Saturday, January 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the parking lot (600 7th Ave.) beneath I-5 (between Cherry and James Sts.), the Seattle Police Department will be collecting unwanted guns from private citizens as part of the Seattle-King County Gun Safety Initiative. Receive up to a $100 gift card in exchange for handguns, shotguns, SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN and rifles and up to a $200 for assault weapBOOK CLUB – ons. Receive up to $25 for high-capacity BECOMING A MAN clips (max 3) when turned in with a gun.

The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club Trigger locks and gun safety information will also be available. For more informa- meets every Wednesday from 6-7:15 p.m., at Seattle Area Support Groups Community tion, go to seattlepolicefoundation.org.

Center (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas St.).

On January 30, at 6 p.m. sharp, the club MUSIC OF REMEMBRANCE – will show the documentary: Paul Monette: SPARKS OF GLORY CONCERT On Saturday, January 26, at 2 p.m., at On the Brink of Summer’s End. In February the club will be reading Paul Seattle Art Museum’s Plestcheeff Auditorium (1st Ave. & University St.), Music of Monette’s second memoir, Borrowed Time.

All GLBTQ folks are welcome to parRemembrance presents their second Sparks of Glory concert-with-commentary, free-to- ticipate in this FREE book club. For more the-public outreach concert featuring Steve information visit http://faculty.washington.

Reich’s Different Trains and Lori Laitman’s edu/swittet/SGLBookClub/.

The Seed of Dream. www.musicofrememNICOLE GEORGES – brance.org.

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On Wednesday, January 30, at 7 p.m., Elliott Bay Book Co. (1521 10th Ave.) presents Portland artist, activist and ‘zinester Nicole Georges. Her hip and heartfelt new memoir comic, Calling Dr. Laura, opens when Nicole discovers that her presumeddead father is actually alive, something her entire family had kept from her for years.

But she’s been keeping something from them, too: she’s Gay. With a supporting cast of friends, girlfriends, rescued dogs, pet chickens, and the occasional conservative radio host, Nicole figures out how to confront - and come out to - a mother she no longer trusts.

PRIDE FOUNDATION & GSBA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Since 1993, Pride Foundation, along with their partner, the GSBA Scholarship Program, have awarded over $4 million in scholarships to more than 1,400 students to support education and leadership development for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) and straight-ally students.

On their 20th anniversary of supporting education in the community, Pride Foundation encourages students of any age, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression living or studying in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, who are pursuing any post-secondary education (including community college, public or private colleges and universities, trade apprenticeships, or certificate programs, to apply now.

Along with their scholarship partners, the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA), they offer over 50 different scholarships, but have only one application to complete. A combined total of over $500,000 will be awarded during this scholarship cycle. The joint application is available at www.PrideFoundationScholarship. org. The deadline for application is Thursday, January 31, 2013, at 5 p.m. PST. The GSBA and Pride Foundation scholarships take into account a wide variety of experiences and academic levels. All scholarships require that students be committed to LGBTQ advocacy and equal rights in their community. That can look different depending on where you are and who you are.

They have straight allies who help start Gay Straight Alliances in their schools, LGBTQ students who have organized Queer youth rallies, and older members of the community returning to school after fighting inequality for all their lives. Leadership can take many different forms and Pride Foundation encourages everyone to share their vision with them and apply.

For more information, visit www.pridefoundation.org or call 800-735-7287.

NAMOLI BRENNET IN CONCERT – WITH LIVE STREAMING BENEFIT FOR LAMBERT HOUSE On Friday, February 1, at 7 p.m., Namoli Brennet, a nationally touring singer/songwriter, who happens to be Trans, will perform at Empty Sea Studios (6300 Phinney Ave. N.). Tickets: $12 advance, $15 at the door. For those who would like to watch the concert streaming live, viewers can stream the show for $6.99 and $2 from each view will go to Lambert House LGBTQ Youth Services Center. www.namolibrennet.com; www.emptysea.com SURVIVING PARTNERS On Saturday, February 2, at 10:30 a.m., (email facilitator for South Lake Union location), SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders) hosts a new group for the LGBT community focusing on those who have survived the loss of a partner. It’s a member-driven group that will meet for an hour of discussion and then an opportunity for social activities. The group will meet the first Saturday of each month. For location and more information, contact Trish at pthroop@eldercareconsulting.info.

January 25, 2013

“OUT OF THE SILENCE” EXHIBIT IN OLYMPIA FEBRUARY 1-MARCH 31 “Out of The Silence,” a calligraphic art exhibit that “celebrates diversity, love and understanding” is slated to open in the historic Hotel Olympian (116 Legion Way, Olympia) on February 1. (An opening reception will be held at the Hotel Olympian’s Urban Onion Restaurant from 5-8 p.m., with a presentation at 6 p.m. The reception is FREE and open to the public.) The exhibit will be on display through March 31.

The exhibit was developed by Sally Penley, a local Olympia calligrapher, to address the issues of bullying and hate crimes against LGBTQ youth. Thirty-nine calligraphers from across the U.S. and Canada have donated 60 pieces of art displaying powerful messages that address the issues.

When “Out of The Silence” closes in Olympia at the end of March, the exhibit will travel to various venues until the summer of 2014, when the art will be offered for sale in an online auction. All proceeds from the sale of the art, as well as sale of cards and prints from the exhibit, will go to benefit Pizza Klatch.

Pizza Klatch was started in 2007 because of the increasing number of suicides of kids in Thurston County who were Gay or thought to be Gay. Pizza Klatch offers weekly lunchtime support grups for LGBTQ youth and their allies. They provide free pizza, two trained facilitators for each group, and a convenient and safe forum for discussion and education. Currently, there are 11 Pizza Klatch groups in 6 Thurston County high schools. Proceeds from this exhibit will help the program expand to other communities. www.pizzaklatch.org The goals of the Pizza Klatch groups are to: diminish bullying in schools; help students to feel strong enough to intervene when they witness bullying; decrease suicide and suicidal attempts by LGBTQ students; lend support so LGBTQ students feel less isolated in the school setting; educate group members on various subjects and resources related to gender identity and sexuality.

For more information about the purchase of art prints and the online auction of the original art to benefit Pizza Klatch, contact Lynn Grotsky at lynngrotsky@gmail.com.

SEATTLE WOMEN’S CHORUS – “CELEBRATE!” FEATURING VICCI MARTINEZ On Friday, February 8, at 8 p.m., at Benaroya Hall (3rd Ave. & University St.), Seattle Women’s Chorus celebrates their 10th anniversary season “Celebrate!” with special guest Vicci Martinez.

Featuring songs from some of the fantastic musical divas of the past few decades, written by some of the great female singersongwirters of the modern era, this chorus of 200 women will be setting the stage on fire with songs such as “Constant Craving” (k.d. lang), “Rumor Has it” (Adele), “Give Me One Reason” (Tracy Chapman) and “Natural Woman” (Carole King) and other tunes. Vicci Martinez, known for her rocking acoustic guitar and electrifying performances, will join the chorus on stage for a few songs and will showcase her impressive musical talents.

The event continues with a FREE postconcert dance party in the Benaroya Hall lobby. DJ Stacey Cooks (The Original Timberline, The Cuff, Hotflash, and Girl 4 Girl) will spin celebratory music from the ‘70s to the present. The party continues until 1 a.m.

There will be a cash bar and all are welcome.

Tickets to the Seattle performance are $25-$65 and can be purchased in advance at 206-388-1400 or at www.SeattleWomens Chorus.org.

NOTE: The Seattle Women’s Chorus’ Friends and Family Preview Concert will be held on Saturday, February 2, at 8 p.m., at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center (400 S. 2nd St., Renton). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance at 206-388-1400 and at the door. The preview concert does not include the appearance by Vicci Martinez.

Seattle Gay News 17

speech

constant advance of those principles that our common creed describes: tolerance and opportunity, human dignity and justice.

perpetual war. Our brave men and women in uniform, tempered by the flames of battle, are unmatched in skill and courage. Our citizens, seared by the memory of those we have lost, know too well the price that is paid for liberty. The knowledge of their sacrifice will keep us forever vigilant against those who would do us harm. But we are also heirs to those who won the peace and not just the war; who turned sworn enemies into the surest of friends – and we must carry those lessons into this time as well.

We will defend our people and uphold our values through strength of arms and rule of law. We will show the courage to try and resolve our differences with other nations peacefully – not because we are naïve about the dangers we face, but because engagement can more durably lift suspicion and fear.

America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the globe. And we will renew those institutions that extend our capacity to manage crisis abroad, for no one has a greater stake in a peaceful world than its most powerful nation. We will support democracy from Asia to Africa, from the Americas to the Middle East, because our interests and our conscience compel us to act on behalf of those who long for freedom. And we must be a source of hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudice – not out of mere charity, but because peace in our time requires the

OUR GUIDING STAR We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still, just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall; just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone; to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth.

It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers and daughters, can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until our Gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote. Our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity – until bright young students and engineers are enlisted in our work force rather than expelled from our country. Our journey is not complete until all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia, to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are cared for and cherished and always safe

continued from page 9

from harm.

NOW IS THE TIME That is our generation’s task – to make these words, these rights, these values of life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness real for every American. Being true to our founding documents does not require us to agree on every contour of life. It does not mean we all define liberty in exactly the same way or follow the same precise path to happiness. Progress does not compel us to settle centuries-long debates about the role of government for all time, but it does require us to act in our time.

For now decisions are upon us and we cannot afford delay. We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate. We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect. We must act, knowing that today’s victories will be only partial and that it will be up to those who stand here in four years and 40 years and 400 years hence to advance the timeless spirit once conferred to us in a spare Philadelphia hall.

A SACRED OATH My fellow Americans, the oath I have sworn before you today, like the one recited by others who serve in this Capitol, was an oath to God and country, not party or faction. And we must faithfully execute that pledge during the duration of our service.

But the words I spoke today are not so different from the oath that is taken each time a soldier signs up for duty or an immigrant realizes her dream. My oath is not so different from the pledge we all make to the flag that waves above and that fills our hearts with pride.

They are the words of citizens and they represent our greatest hope. You and I, as citizens, have the power to set this country’s course. You and I, as citizens, have the obligation to shape the debates of our time – not only with the votes we cast, but with the

voices we lift in defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideals.

Let us, each of us, now embrace with solemn duty and awesome joy what is our lasting birthright. With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history and carry into an uncertain future that precious light of freedom.

Thank you. God bless you, and may He forever bless these United States of America.

reactions

continued from page 8 questioned Gays’ use of “civil rights” to describe their own movement, and have noted that the historical experiences of the two groups aren’t at all identical. Obama moved beyond that, focusing on the shared aspirations of all minorities. It was a big-hearted, deliberate, compelling decision.

“He went on, seconds later, to explicitly mention ‘Gay’ Americans, saying a word never before uttered in inaugural remarks.

What shocked me most about that was how un-shocking it was ...

“Four years ago the inaugural invocation was given by a pastor with a record of antiGay positions and remarks. This year, a similar assignment was withdrawn from a pastor with a comparable record, once it came to light. What’s more, an openly Gay man was chosen to be the inaugural poet, and in news coverage of his biography, his parents’ exile from Cuba drew more attention than his sexual orientation. That’s how far we’ve come.”

JONATHON CAPEHART, WASHINGTON POST OP-ED COLUMNIST “Obama has not been shy about talking inclusively about Gays and Lesbians. But his words, said with confidence and conviction from that spot on this day, go well beyond what he or any president before

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January 25, 2013

Celebrating 40 Years!

file photo

were heard by the United States Supreme Court Justices sitting right behind the President! ...

“Today was America’s day with everyone included and no person left behind. From the struggles of young immigrants wanting an education, to women desiring equal pay for equal work, to the poor desiring income to feed their children, and to those who simply aspire to be a new greatness ... this was their day too.”

MICHELANGELO SIGNORILE, RADIO JOURNALIST “There’s much pressure on the president to deliver on a variety of equality issues and match his words with actions. He’s still not signed an executive order that would ban federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT people. The Justice Department has not filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the Prop 8 case before the Supreme Court. The military is still not equal in the aftermath of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal,

with no ban on discrimination against Gays in the armed forces, and there’s fear that Obama’s Defense Secretary nominee, former Nebraska GOP Senator Chuck Hagel, will not take up the issue with force.

“By putting full equality and marriage rights in such a defining speech, however, and making history in the process, as the first president to refer to the struggle for Gay equality in his inaugural address, President Obama has laid out a promise in perhaps the most powerful way he could.”

RICHARD SOCARIDES, POLITICAL STRATEGIST “Not only was this a call to end discrimination, but an unambiguous argument for the recognition of same-sex marriage across the country. For a president who announced his support for marriage Civil Rights Activist David Mixner equality less than a year ago, after more reluctance him has ever done. Obama listed Stonewall (and suggestions about what could be left among this country’s great social moveto the states) than many would have liked, ments. And his call for marriage equality usthis was a bold declaration from perhaps the ing the megaphone of an inaugural address boldest platform of all.” with its global audience will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the Gay rights movement.

“The power of what Obama did today was eloquently summed up by my friend Jeffrey Martin in Illinois. ‘Amazing to hear Gay people recognized so much, so clearly, so naturally throughout the ceremony,’ he wrote in an e-mail. ‘Amazing. I feel more fully American today. Not completely, yet, but we are moving closer.’”

DAVID MIXNER, LONGTIME ACTIVIST “He lifted us up from a contentious issue to a civil rights struggle that must be won in order for the Declaration of Independence to have meaning. He embraced our right to love and marry.

“Those who have doubts about his commitment to our epic struggle clearly don’t want to hear his powerful and inclusive words that were heard in every home around the world. Most importantly, the words

ANDREW SULLIVAN, BLOGGER “Obama included these references rightly in the context of other struggles. This is not about identity politics but human and civic equality that goes far beyond the Gay experience. But sometimes you have to remember how far we have come, with this man pushed relentlessly forward by our pressure and by our conversations with each other.

On the weekend we celebrate the memory of the assassinated Dr. King, we also reelect the country’s Black president, who also happens to be finally embracing the civil rights cause of his time and ours.

“So forgive me genuflecting a little before this moment – but I didn’t think I’d ever live to see it. I didn’t just see it, but heard and felt it – and saw in this morning and early afternoon a tableau of democratic diversity that was indeed, to my mind, a city on a hill, deeply shifting, in its symbolism and multicultural dynamism, the ‘opinion of mankind,’ and our global future.”

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Seattle Gay News 19

An antidote for Anita

Remembering Florida’s first Gay newspaper

by Jesse Monteagudo SGN Contributing Writer In Gay Press, Gay Power: The Growth of LGBT Community Newspapers in America (Prairie Avenue Productions and Windy City Media Group), editor Tracy Baim and her contributors chronicle the history of LGBT newspapers during the past century.

One of the most interesting features of this fascinating book is a series of first-person accounts by veterans of some of our community’s leading journals: San Francisco’s Bay Area Reporter, Boston’s Bay Windows, Dallas Voice, Chicago’s Windy City Times, and others. On the other hand, the book regrettably left out the storied and sometimes controversial history of Florida’s LGBT media. It would have made an interesting story.

I have been an active contributor to Florida’s LGBT press for most of its history (since 1975) and have written for all of the Sunshine State’s leading Queer periodicals except David, Hotspots, and Watermark.

Before The Express and SFGN, South Florida’s “Gay community newspaper” was The Weekly News, best known as twn.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS It began as the mimeographed Weekly News Bulletin on August 30, 1977, the newsletter of the (Miami-) Dade County Coalition for Human Rights (DCCHR). The DCCHR had just lost the fight to preserve

Dade County’s first human rights ordinance.

South Florida did not have a Gay community paper in 1977, and the region’s LGBT community was demoralized following our recent electoral defeat. We needed a publication that would keep us informed, organized, and together as a community.

It was a daunting task that the members of the Weekly News Bulletin Committee were willing to take on. The committee consisted of active DCCHR members – volunteers with more enthusiasm than journalistic experience. They included editor-in-chief Paul Guiles (who was also the coalition’s office manager); art director/columnist Peter J. Kiernan; news editor Gary Grimmett; social events editor Rob Johnstone; circulation directors Paul Butler and Keith Cantine; and Bill Watson, who became twn’s publisher and ran the paper for much of its 29-year history. During the fall of 1977, the DCCHR used twn to publicize its programs and projects: a bulletproof vest fund, a blood bank, and the “First Annual Dove of Peace Ball.”

The coalition also persuaded local bar owners to boycott Florida orange juice products (Anita Bryant, in those years the most highprofile leader of the anti-Gay movement, was also chief spokesperson for the Florida Citrus Commission).

sisted of about six pages of copy which I ran off on our copy machines at the Coalition office. … Since that time, we have increased our production to over 3,000 copies per week, which are being distributed to every Gay bar in Dade County, a few in Broward, and copies mailed to various Gay publications all over the United States. … This tremendous increase in production, coupled with the interest which has been shown in the News Bulletin these few short months, tell me there is a vast need for some form of information and communication within the Gay community here in Dade County. A source that will inform them of what’s happening, not only here in Dade and Broward counties, but all over the country as well – particularly in the political arena.”

It would take a few years before twn would achieve any form of journalistic excellence. Most of its early articles were reprints from other publications. A major exception was a series of articles about the local Gay-bash murder of John Ward, a cause that the DCCHR took on as its own.

Another memorable feature was “Kiernan’s GROWTH AND INNOVATION Korner,” by Peter J. Kiernan, which was In the November 8, 1977, issue, Guiles “designed to bring you little tidbits of inforexpressed his vision for twn: “When I first mation, both local and national. We aim to initiated the idea of a news bulletin ... it con- do away with hearsay and give you fact. We

welcome any little tidbits you may have to share with us.” Though “Kiernan’s Korner” lasted for only a few issues, twn was now raring to go. It became a tabloid in 1979 and severed its ties with the DCCHR in 1980.

Its movie reviews – by Watson, the late Jack Sturdy, and Steve Warren – and its in-depth interviews by LoAnn Halden were justly famous. At its height, twn also produced Contax, a statewide bar guide famous for its adult film reviews and the late Jack Nichols’s “Tomcat Chronicles.”

A LASTING LEGACY As a writer and journalist, I owe much to twn, which took me from amateur to professional. In the November 15, 1977, issue, I began “The Book Nook,” a Gay bookreview column that actually survived the paper. In 1980, I began a personal opinion column, which began as “Hammer and Anvil” before it progressed to today’s “Jesse’s Journal.” I also contributed historical essays, news stories, interviews, and photos.

Though twn ceased publication in 2006, during its 29-year existence it had an enormous impact on the lives of South Florida’s Lesbians, Gay men, Bisexuals, and Trans people – few of whom will ever forget it.

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www.sgn.org 20 Seattle Gay News

January 25, 2013

www.sgn.org Celebrating 40 Years!

international news

British parliament to debate marriage equality bill file photo

civil partnerships are not marriages, which tion” in which the government solicited express a particular and universally under- comments from all interested parties. The consultation received some 228,000 substood commitment.” missions.

In response to some concerns, the governSCOTLAND ON BOARD The government of Scotland, which is in- ment said it would not change the legal defiternally self-governing, has also published nitions of adultery or non-consummation of draft legislation to introduce same-sex mar- a marriage, and would not allow either to riage. be cited as grounds for divorce – unless the Cameron began his campaign for a mar- adultery was with someone of the opposite riage equality law with a public “consulta- sex.

UK in same-sex royalty succession row If the King is Gay, do you sing “God Save the Queen”?

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Britain’s Culture Secretary Maria Miller

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

against religious organizations or individual ministers who refuse to marry same-sex couples.

Miller also promised that teachers, “particularly in faith schools, will be able to continue to describe their belief that marriage is between a man and woman whilst acknowledging and acting within the new legislative position which enables same sex-couples to get married.”

Labor Party sources said the broad religious exemption was “disappointing” but indicated they would still vote for the bill.

The marriage equality bill sponsored by Britain’s Conservative government was officially introduced in Parliament by Culture Secretary Maria Miller on January 24. The measure will be debated on February 5.

Prime Minister David Cameron is committed to passing the legislation, and it has the support of both the allied Liberal Democratic and opposition Labor Party leadership.

Liberal religious groups like the Quakers, Unitarians, and some Jewish congregaCONSERVATIVES DIVIDED tions also support equality, but the Church According to the London Telegraph, the of England and Britain’s Roman Catholic measure is not universally popular in CamChurch are formally opposed. eron’s Conservative Party, however. Some 130 of the 303 Conservative members of RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION Parliament may vote against equality.

Miller told Parliament in December that In response, 19 senior Conservatives, inno religious group “will ever be forced to cluding the highly popular Mayor of Lonconduct marriages for same-sex couples.” don, Boris Johnson, formed a “Freedom to In fact, the government’s bill actually for- Marry” group to promote the government’s bids religious organizations from perform- legislation. ing same-sex marriages unless they specifiIn a letter to the Sunday Telegraph, the cally opt in to the system. group said that “marriage should be open to Britain’s Equality Act of 2010, which for- all, regardless of sexuality.” bids discrimination on the basis of sexual “We recognize that civil partnerships orientation, will be amended to ensure that were an important step forward in giving discrimination claims cannot be brought legal recognition to same sex couples. But

The British Parliament is facing the question of what to do if a future King or Queen happens to be Gay. Labor Party MP Paul Flynn has introduced an amendment to the law that deals with the possibility of a Gay or Lesbian royal succeeding to the throne.

The amendment provides for a potential same-sex partner to be recognized as consort, just as Prince Phillip is recognized as the present Queen’s consort.

The governing Conservative Party is already revising the rules to make succession to the throne follow birth order, regardless if the first-born is a boy or a girl. Current rules give precedence to male heirs.

Under Flynn’s amendment, any children born to the couple through artificial insemination or surrogacy would succeed to the throne, provided that the couple are in a same-sex marriage or civil partnership.

Currently, such children are excluded from the line of succession.

BILL’S FATE UNCERTAIN In order to come to the floor of the House of Commons for a debate, the amendment must be accepted by Speaker John Bercow.

He has not said whether he will accept the amendment, but he is known to be a strong supporter of LGBT rights.

Although the Labor Party is not part of the government coalition, Flynn’s bill is thought to have the support of Conservative Party members who back Prime Minister David Cameron’s marriage equality legislation, although this is by no means all Conservative members. It is also said to have support from Liberal Democrats, the junior partners in Cameron’s coalition government, and most Labor members.

In addition to regulating the order of succession, the government’s bill also allows heirs to marry Roman Catholics without disqualifying themselves from inheriting the throne. Since the last Catholic King, James II, was deposed in 1688, it has been illegal for British monarchs to be Catholic or marry Catholics.

The future King or Queen will still have to be a member of the Church of England, however. Since 1534 the King or Queen of England has been the titular head of the church.

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Seattle Gay News 23