SGN February 1, 2013 - Section 1

Celebrating 40 Years!

Issue 05 Volume 41

Seattle Gay News

FRIDAY February 1, 2013 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & newsstands

Carolyn Kaster / ap

Obama: Stop breaking up LGBT families!

SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

President calls for including Gay couples in immigration reform

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer In a press release issued just before his major speech on immigration reform, President Obama said, “The United States [should] treat

tional Gay and Lesbian couples that are enjoyed by straight couples.

Currently foreign-born opposite-sex spouses of U.S. citizens get priority for entry visas, green cards, and eventual citizenship,

from other countries should not be faced with the painful choice between staying with the person they love or staying in the country they love.”

Legislation was unveiled in Congress on January 29, but same-

“The United States [should] treat same-sex couples the same as other families, meaning that people would be able to use their relationship as a basis to obtain a visa.” same-sex couples the same as other families, meaning that people would be able to use their relationship as a basis to obtain a visa.”

While he did not mention the issue in the speech delivered in Las Vegas on January 29, it was the first time this – or any – White House has gone on record for extending the same rights to bina-

but same-sex partners do not – sex couples were not included as even if the couple was legally mar- part of the proposed reforms. ried abroad.

Heather Cronk, managing director of GetEQUAL, said the omisA PAINFUL CHOICE sion was part of a deal to get ReIn a January 30 press confer- publican votes for at least some ence, White House spokesper- kind of immigration package. son Jay Carney explained, “The president has long believed that Americans with same-sex partners see immigration page 16

Jim Feigley’s legacy Remembering a Seattle Gay community pillar courtesy Joe Martin

Armed robbers target Capitol Hill

President Obama speaks about immigration at Del Sol High School on January 29 in Las Vegas.

SPD makes two arrests, says one man used sex as a lure Seattle police dept.

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Seattle police announced over the weekend that they had captured the man who has been “terrorizing” residents in a series of armed street robberies stretching from Capitol Hill to Madison Valley to the University District.

In addition, SPD officials also arrested a man who they allege lured his Central District and Capitol Hill victims with a Craigslist sex ad, and then robbed and beat them.

‘SILVER PISTOL’ ROBBER “The suspect terrorizing Capitol Hill residents was arrested last night,” SPD officials said in a brief sent to local media Monday morning.

Police said the suspect may have robbed up to five Capitol Hill residents.

The most recent mugging happened January 18. Police say a man called 911 to report his mother had been held up at gunpoint and had her purse taken on the

Suspect David Hansen has been charged with two counts of first degree robbery

Weddings By the Sea

Jim Feigley (l) with his son Joe Martin

by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer

James “Jim” Feigley was a true community patriarch who didn’t much like the limelight. He was the kind of man who was behind the scenes making things happen, and he no doubt played a large part in creating what we know today as Gay Seattle. Jim passed away on Wednesday, January 2, at 5:14 p.m. from cardiopulmonary failure. He had been fighting Parsee crime page 5 kinson’s disease for the last eight

www.oceanshoresweddings.com 206-403-8170 Let us make your wedding day as fun as a day at the beach.

years of his life.

I met up with Jim’s three adopted sons – Joe Martin, Steven Smith, and David Munden – to learn the story about this man. The three were on their way to meet with Jim’s brother, John, and as we sat and chatted for a too-short hour, the three of them revealed to me the story of a father, an activist, and, in many ways, a hero.

It’s clear that Jim united these three men – truly, they are brothsee Feigley page 6

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February 1, 2013

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Celebrating 40 Years!

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February 1, 2013

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op-ed

Scout board earns merit badge for BS

by Mark Segal Philly.com Is there a Boy Scout merit badge for bullshit? If not there should be, and the first recipient of it should be the BSA’s National Executive Board.

And the second should be the LGBT activists and writers who were gushing all over themselves without having the least bit of concrete information. Here’s the down and skinny: The Boy Scouts leaked to NBC News that the National Board is considering lifting its 100-year, controversial ban on Gay scouts

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THE STICKING POINT Here’s the fun part, still sinister. The LGBT activists and writers who are claiming victory haven’t read the small print.

The Board will state that each chapter will be given the right to decide its own policies on ending the ban or not ending the ban.

So, what’s wrong with that?

Seventy percent of BSA chapters are sponsored by either Mormon or Catholic congregations. So in reality, the Scouts have merely shifted the controversy from their own front door to thousands of localities, setting up a city-by-city battle.

This may be a good thing for big, progressive cities, but what about the rest of the nation?

And here’s another thing: they can do this without ever admitting that it is wrong to discriminate. Now they simply say it’s up to the chapters themselves, with no culpability for what they’ve done, or how their policies have ruined lives.

So the reality is, the head honchos might change a minority of chapters nationally and escape the glare of the media spotlight.

But those 70 percent of troops sponsored by the Mormons and Catholics – can you see them changing anytime soon?

Do you remember the vast support the Mormons gave to stop marriage equality in California? And do you remember that as the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was busy closing their schools in Philadelphia, they had enough money to send $50,000 to New England to fight against equality?

As mother always said, the devil is in the details.

Mark Segal can be reached on Facebook at MarkSegalPGN, or on Twitter @PhilaGayNews.

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and scout leaders. Leaking a story like that is what’s known as a trial balloon. It’s good politics to gauge public reaction, which was positive.

But did you notice there were no details?

As your parents always told you, that’s where the devil is. In this case, these details are very sinister. They’re all about money and shifting it around.

As the discrimination of the Boy Scouts became more and more controversial, and they continued to slam their heels into the dirt by sticking to an unpopular policy of tossing out Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, mothers of Scouts who are Lesbians, and even

Eagle Scouts, corporations began to drop their funding.

How serious is that problem? Well, the Boy Scouts have corporate leaders on its board who fund them and whose companies have nondiscrimination policies. Those CEOs have pledged to work to end the ban.

Translation: If you don’t change the policy, I’m outta here, and my checkbook is going with me.

February 1, 2013

Celebrating 40 Years!

nate gowdy / seattle gay news

Local news

Love told Seattle Gay News.

The day started off normal enough for Fraya. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Fraya went to run errands and, upon returning to her apartment, normalcy left the equation. About 10 feet from her doorstep, a man she had noticed crossing the street asked her for the time.

“I was still walking when I pulled out my phone and informed him it was 5:25 p.m. and, never stopping, continued to walk up the stoop of my building,” recalled Fraya Love. “I pulled out my keys to unlock my front door and all of the sudden I heard someone walk up the steps behind me.”

Fraya Love said an African-American male in his mid-20s said, “I’m not playing around, give me your phone.”

“I turned about to say ‘No!’ and saw that he had a gun in his right hand hugging his hip, pointed at me,” said Fraya Love. “Then he said, again, ‘I’m not playing, give me your phone.’”

Fraya said she hesitated for a second, and then finally relinquished the phone. He quickly turned around and began to leave.

Again, Fraya Love attempted to go into the building where she lives when the criminal returned and demanded Fraya’s wallet.

“I quickly, and half-annoyed, showed him there was no money in my wallet,” she said.

“Then finally, this time, he vanished.”

Without hesitation, Fraya says, she burst through the front door, locked it behind her, ran to her roommate, and used his phone to call 911.

Gaysha Starr.

But, said Halloway, “As I was pulling out my cash drawer at the end of my shift [about 2:30 a.m.], when I looked over to the end of the bar by the exit. Aleksa Manila was sitting behind Geisha Starr, who was currently holding a conversation with a gentleman.

Both were facing the dance floor with backs to the bar.”

A man about 5-feet-9 and in his mid 20s, with black hair, a beard, and a huskier build, slipped behind Aleksa while both were distracted from their clutches lying on the counter.

“I watched the man reach across slowly and grab Gaysha’s phone off of her clutch,” he recalled. “I at first thought he was a friend but then I noticed him starting to back towards the exit. I yelled at him to drop the phone, but he turned and ran. I slid my cash drawer down in front of Aleksa, as I knew she is a trusted employee in good standing with the club, and told her to hold it, and I jumped the bar after the man.”

Halloway gave chase down the alley, up Pike Street, and across Broadway.

“I yelled that if he dropped the phone, I’d stop chasing,” he said, realizing that the suspect was bigger than he was, and he didn’t know if anyone was coming to back him up.

“He did, and I returned the phone to Miss Starr.”

THEFT ALSO INCREASING This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Along with the rise in violent crime, petty crime has also begun to rise as PRAISES SPD RESPONSE well. In fact, Aleksa Manila had her phone Fraya says SPD took “no time to get to me stolen the week before. after I had called.”

“We activated the GPS locator, and found “In fact they were there within minutes,” the person who had taken it caught onto Local entertainer Fraya Love was recently robbed at gunpoint said Fraya. “They made me feel very com- what we were doing,” says Halloway. “They in broad daylight in front of her Capitol Hill home. fortable and confident that they were on an gave it to a homeless person to try to ditch it, immediate search for the culprit.” we suspect, but it was recovered.”

SEX AS THE BAIT When asked if she was possibly targeted Halloway says he believes that thieves are Police have also arrested David Hansen, because she was perceived as Gay, Fraya the lowest of the low. “I don’t care if you’re continued from cover 25, who is suspected of using sex as the said, “No, it had nothing to do with my be- doing it to feel, I don’t care if you’re doing bait in a string of robberies, including an street near 27th Avenue and Thomas Street. early January incident in which he allegedly The suspect was described as a Black pulled a gun and mugged two victims in an male in his 20s, wearing a long black jacket East Howell Street apartment. and brandishing a silver pistol.

Hansen was taken into custody by SPD According to radio dispatches, the victim Friday night outside an Aurora motel after said the suspect chambered a round as he “information was received” that the suspect threatened her during the course of the rob- was staying there. Tuesday night, Hansen bery. escaped capture after an arrest attempt in the It was the third holdup in the area this Central District. month. Local neighborhood blog Capitol Hansen is a suspect in a November case in Hill Seattle (CHS) has reported on a suspect which a man reported he met Hansen for sex threatening his victims with a silver pistol. but was brutally beaten and robbed.

On Sunday, patrol officers spotted the Following the Central District arrest at- ing perceived as a homosexual. Just wrong it to survive, I don’t care if you are doing 19-year-old suspect near Mount Baker and tempt, SPD provided Hansen’s photo and place, wrong time.” it to just see if you can … When you steal chased after him on foot. Officers were able asked for assistance in tracking him down.

“What I would have done differently is from someone, I want you think of it this to catch up to him, arrest him, and book him Last week, after reading about Hansen, told him to fuck off when he asked for the way: Instead of a stranger, replace their face into the King County Jail for robbery. police say another possible victim came time,” said Fraya Love. “Other than that, with someone that you care about the most Officers also found a handgun not far forward to say they had been involved in nope.” in your life, and then try to go through with from where they arrested the man. a Gay sex social networking app, Hookup “Next time a stranger asks for the time, stealing from them,” he said. Or ask yourCHS also reported on a gunpoint holdup with Hansen, only to become another of his tell them to fuck off,” Fraya said, half-jok- self “how they would feel if they’d been stonear 21st Avenue and John Street Monday victims. ingly. len from.” afternoon, and a woman told police she had The victim told police he and another man “I filled out the police report because it He recommends to customers, “Keep a gun held to her head in a robbery at 21st were robbed by a person matching Hansen’s was my duty as a citizen and to do all I can items close to you. Just as you’d keep your and Mercer on Thursday, January 10. description inside their East Howell Street to keep this from happening to someone eye on your drink, not to be slipped someThe King County Prosecutor has iden- apartment. else,” she said. “Also to keep people like thing, you need to be careful of what you do tified the man charged in connection According to state records, Hansen was him off of these streets.” with your things.” with the string of Capitol Hill stickups as busted in 2009 for second-degree escape Because Fraya Love filled out a report Throughout the ordeal, Halloway admits Tamir Thomas, for his part in a North Se- after he failed to report back to his work- and, due to the news reports about the rise in he did not think of his own personal safety. attle home-invasion style robbery. Hezekiah release program following convictions for crime, the perpetrator was apprehended by Instead, he says he thought about “commuGreene, 20, is charged along with Thomas residential burglary. He was sentenced to a police. nity first.” in the first-degree robbery case. year in jail but we don’t have information on “It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve There are no charges yet related to the how much time he served. A King County ‘WRONG NIGHT TO STEAL’ been to a bar or club or who knows you string of armed robberies around Capitol Jail record indicates he was arrested earlier Janson Halloway is a hero to drag queens there, or how many of the employees you Hill. this month and spent a day locked up on an everywhere. Okay maybe that is an exag- know … there are new people who filter Greene was convicted last year of first- apparent Department of Corrections viola- geration, but I can say with a good amount in and out of places all the time,” he said. degree residential burglary for a South tion. of certainty that he is a hero to Gaysha Starr, “ Most are harmless, but some have other Seattle break-in. He was sentenced to six at the very least. motives. You never know what someone is months. The felony conviction also means DRAG QUEEN ROBBED On Saturday, at Neighbours Seattle, Hal- thinking or planning, so be on your guard the 20-year-old is ineligible to possess a Local drag personality Fraya Love was loway was working as a bartender. Gaysha and protect yourself. More so, keep an eye firearm. robbed at gunpoint last week, in broad day- was celebrating her birthday and 20 years out for those around you. Next time, they SPD officials were able to make the ar- light, on Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighbor- as a drag queen. Much like the situation that might be more inclined to keep an eye out rests because concerned citizens called in hood.

Fraya Love found herself in, there was noth- for you or someone close to you.” saying they had seen the criminal.

“I wasn’t harmed, thank God,” Fraya ing out of the ordinary for Halloway and

crime

“Keep items close to you. Just as you’d keep your eye on your drink, not to be slipped something, you need to be careful of what you do with your things.”

Come meet Tim and Matt and join the family.

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

206-838-6027 or 206-898-4306

Visit us online www.sgn.org

February 1, 2013

Seattle Gay News

5

courtesy Joe Martin

Jim Feigley in his mid 30s

“That changed Jim. Up to that point I’d never seen that man sad before, but he shut continued from cover down,” Joe told SGN. “He got his smile back when he met a young, interesting perers. And while Jim has many important son who invaded my home, called David legacies, from owning and operating sev- Munden.”

Both Joe and David smiled. eral bars, to fundraising, to fighting police repression, it’s quite clear that these three DAVID’S STORY trump it all.

“Let’s see. I was 14, so 1989 – I’m the “He met us each at different times,” said baby of the family,” said David. “I was a Steven. street kid. I had been a street kid for a long time, several years.”

STEVEN’S STORY “The first time I met him he gave me his Steven Smith was 12 when he met Jim. “My mother died when I was five. I was phone number. I knew if I didn’t have any given to my godparents, they were in their place to go, or I was hungry, he’d come meet 60s,” Steven told SGN. “I used to hang out me and buy me a meal. There were a few at what’s now City Market. Every night occasions where I’d had absolutely nowhere he’d walk by and I’d bum cigarettes and to go and he’d take me down to the shelter. It quarters from him to play video games. One was supposed to be for 18-year-olds or older night he came by and I was beat up,” said only, but he’d call up the manager and sneak Steven. “So he took me home and took me me in there,” said David.

“One day, it was shortly after my 15th to my godparents’ the next morning, to see birthday, he met me down at the Mercer what kind of environment I was from.”

“I had great foster parents,” said Steven, Denny’s, which doesn’t exist anymore. He “[but] I was with people who were too old was sitting across the table and he asked me, ‘What the fuck are you doing?’ He was very to handle me.”

So, when Steven was 13, Jim adopted mild-mannered,” said David.

Everyone agreed and said that Jim didn’t him, taking legal custody. swear much. “‘With your life, what are you doing?’”

JOE’S STORY “We met in 1980 at the Westin Hotel. It David continued. “He asked me if I wanted was a benefit. The day before that benefit I to be 30 years old, still sitting on the street had met with Liberace, his manager, and his begging for money.

“He told me I was too smart to be running bodyguard Michael,” Joe told SGN. “At the benefit I was with the owners of the Brass around on the streets. He made me a deal Door” [a Gay disco on E. Pike St. where a that he would provide my housing, my food, my clothes – whatever I needed, as long as sports bar now resides].

Joe saw Jim from across the room and I got my GED and started college,” David told SGN. “That was almost a prerequisite thought he looked like Liberace. “‘He looks just like Lee Liberace,’ I said. of Jim’s, that if he was going to give his time My friends introduced us and we had a very and take care of you, the only thing he asked long conversation that night,” Joe told SGN. was that you walk the straight and narrow.”

The three brothers nodded. Joe, who does “He too knew Lee Liberace – our friendship finance for the Seattle-based law firm Pergrew from there.” “[Jim] would show up at my home to kins Coie, said that Jim was responsible for take me to work every morning,” said Joe. what he’s now able to do. The case is the “Never asked a single thing from me, but same for Steven and David. Steven owns did that for a couple of years. Shortly after his own business. David recently sold a that I moved in to the place that he had extra business and is currently coaching a youth karate team that’s going to Israel in July to room in.”

Joe said that the extra room was unfortu- compete in the Maccabiah Games. nately available because Jim’s partner, Tony Russo, had passed away.

feigley

CHARITIES AND ACTIVISM Over the years, Jim owned and operated several bars: the 922, the 944, the 611 (here Steven added that Jim liked his numbers), Oz, the Tacky Tavern, and the Crescent.

Jim was also involved with and helped start many charities, including the Knights of Malta [now the Knights of Mantra], Bailey-Boushay, Pennies from Heaven, and Strand Helpers, which donated food and funds to other organizations. He also held a plethora of benefits at all of his bars, through police repression, the AIDS crisis of the ’80s – everything.

“If there was a need he would do whatever he could,” said David.

“He never said ‘no,’” added Joe. “He stopped at nothing to help the Gay community and the community at large.”

“The slogan of Strand Helpers always really personified my dad. Their slogan was ‘helping others help themselves.’ He really believed in that. He was willing to help anyone who was willing to stand up and help themselves,” David told SGN. “When it came to his bars, the fact that he had to pay off the police [to prevent raids] was horribly offensive to him. It wasn’t that he couldn’t afford to do it, but it was a horrible injustice and nobody knew how to fix it.”

for a few short years, and I’d like to think that he never did drugs, but we did find some things.”

They all laughed and Steven said, “I’d like to think that he came across those things as a bar owner.”

He loved his boys unconditionally.

“Right, wrong or indifferent, he never turned his back on any of us,” said Steven.

“There was some yelling sometimes, though,” added Joe.

A TRUE FATHER At this point in the conversation, I made the observation that despite the fact that Jim adopted these three men, everything they’ve told me is indicative of nothing other than a family. Initially, I’d wondered if I should put the word sons in quotes, but it shouldn’t be written that way. Biology aside, these three men are brothers and Jim doesn’t sound like anything other than their father.

“In every sense of the word,” said Joe, “he was.”

“It’s hard to describe him as anything other than ‘my dad’ and the true meaning of ‘dad.’ He never made me feel like anything other than loved, even when he was mad at me,” said Steven. “I know my real father.

He lives in South Seattle. He abandoned me.

I was very lucky I met Jim.” “Where our own biological fathers may have failed us, he succeeded in every way,” STANDING UP TO THE SPD On this last point it was necessary to said Joe. “He never really said ‘I told you so,’ he’d consult the editor-in-chief of SGN, George Bakan, with his wealth of historical knowl- just grin at me,” said David.

“Oh, that soft smirk he’d have – it said evedge.

In the late ’70s, when many of Seattle’s erything,” said Joe. Gay bars were still in Pioneer Square, bar WALKING THE WALK owners were paying off the SPD to avoid The three brothers said that their father alpolice harassment, Bakan said. He recalled that the police would harass people in all ways abhorred discrimination and they joke that it was evident in the three of them. sorts of ways.

“I think he purposely tried to complete the “They’d arrest people for jaywalking outside the bars,” said Bakan. “There was al- circle,” said Joe. “He was German and he took in a Hispanways this trepidation about going out to a

“It’s hard to describe him as anything other than ‘my dad’ and the true meaning of ‘dad.’ He never made me feel like anything other than loved, even when he was mad at me.”

Gay bar.”

“It would be substantial amounts of money,” Bakan continued. “Somebody [from the SPD] would show up and they’d get a couple hundred bucks a week. The bar owners got together and said ‘we’re not doing this anymore’ and they went public.”

“It was a scandal,” said Bakan. “The police chief resigned; three or four cops went to jail.”

Bakan emphasized that many bar owners were involved, but Jim played a vital role behind the scenes, making things happen – like he always did.

“He was very, very smart,” said Bakan.

“He was probably the perfect person to do it.”

ic [Joe], a Black [Steven], and a Jew,” added David, laughing.

Jim also had quite a few grandkids from his sons. David has six children and Steve has four biological, two step, and one adopted. From them, Jim also had two greatgrandchildren.

Steven smiled and said that he loved his grandkids because he could “spoil them and send them home.”

“I think Christmas time was his favorite time of year – he loved shopping for the grandkids,” said David.

THE FINAL TRIBUTE A celebration of life was held for Jim on January 20 at the Crescent, which Jim owned. At least 100 people packed the small FRIEND TO ALL “We ate out at restaurants three meals a bar, including most of the Crescent staff, all of whom knew and loved him. Extended day,” said Steven.

Everyone laughed and they all agreed that family, members of the Court system, memJim was the kind of guy who always made bers of the Knights of Mantra (which Jim sure you were fed. It didn’t matter who you helped found), all came out to share memories and grieve. At the end, the group moved were. Friend, enemy – irrelevant.

“He always dressed impeccably,” said outside and released a large assemblage of red balloons, with personal notes for Jim atJoe. “He definitely liked to dress well,” added tached to them. Joe said what made it espeDavid, laughing. “He’d always comb his cially emotional for him was that as the balhair before he’d answer the door. You’d be loons flew into the street and off into the sky, not a single car honked or attempted to get standing there waiting.”

“He didn’t drink,” said Joe. “He smoked around them – they, too, sat and watched.

Come meet Tim and Matt and join the family.

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

206-838-6027 or 206-898-4306 6

Seattle Gay News

February 1, 2013

Celebrating 40 Years!

Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle The Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle and the Olympic and Rainier Empire is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social/charitable organization whose purpose is to provide funds and services to other nonprofits within the Gay and Lesbian Community of Seattle and King County. These funds are raised throughout the year by various fundraisers and donations from individuals and corporate sponsorships. The Court of Seattle annually provides educational scholarships to deserving high school or post-high school undergraduates who reside in the state of Washington. We believe that by encouraging the pursuit of post-high school educational goals we are helping tomorrow’s individuals develop their potential and thus further enhance our community. The long-range purpose of these scholarships is to enhance self-esteem, recognize diversity, support personal development, and acknowledge and support sensitivity and acceptance of human rights. For this reason, preference will be given to self-identified Gay or Lesbian students. – from the Imperial Sovereign Court website (www.imperialcourtofseattle.com)

Statement of Michael David D Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle and the Olympic and Rainier Empire Honorable College of Monarchs & Board of Directors: I, Michael David D, would like to be considered for the position of Emperor XXXIX. In my short amount of time on the Court, I have been honored to meet so many great people dedicating their time and energy to helping others.

I was introduced to the Court by my friend and former neighbor, Sahara Dior D. Before I ever attended an event, I heard about all the good things Sahara has been doing for the community. Last year I began attending and helping with events to support Sahara and the Court, and since then my admiration for the Court and its mission has continued to grow.

When Sahara told me she was considering running for Empress, I had a

big decision to make. After receiving so much support and encouragement, I felt it was my duty to support her efforts by running for Emperor. Beyond that support, though, I want to honor the position in my own right and focus on philanthropic work and connecting the community. My other goal is to shape the role of the Court in the information age. With the Court’s permission I aim to redesign the website to focus on distributing information about events and causes, making it easier to connect with the community at large.

I am hopeful that with the approval of the College of Monarchs and the Board of Directors, this might be possible.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and support.

Respectfully, Michael David D (Michael Ebert)

Michael David D

Statement of Sahara Dior D. Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle and the Olympic and Rainier Empire Honorable College of Monarchs & Board of Directors: I, Sahara Dior D., would like to be considered for the position of Empress XLII. I have been an active member of our community and this organization for nine years, meeting wonderful people, their dedication and passion inspiring me to keep doing what I love to do: help those who cannot help themselves.

I am proud to say I have had the honor to represent the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle as Closet Ball Queen 2004-05, Queen of Hearts XXXII 2005-06, and Imperial Princess XXXIV 2010-11. Currently I am serving as a member of the Board of Directors and Her Majesty’s Parliament. I am also a member of the Knights of Mantra Seattle Jet Chapter; I have had the opportunity to work with them and represent them as well. I am extremely proud and honored to represent the Matt Wright/Kristin Dior Pennies from Heaven Fund.

Throughout these years, all of my experience has allowed me to meet and work with a lot of people – some involved in the Imperial Court System, some from

different organizations, and still others who are just regular, hard-working persons who, like me, enjoy helping others. I have learned that it takes more than compassion to aid those less fortunate. It takes a lot of constant work, effort, dedication, and commitment. I also know that most of the time, whatever we are able to give is not enough for those in need.

That’s why I have made it my top priority to do whatever it takes to make a difference.

My goal is to continue my philanthropic work for those who can’t speak for themselves. However, I cannot do this alone. If I become Empress, I ask for your support and I hope to work as a team with all of you to represent our organization as active members of our community with honor, dedication, and dignity, combining our skills, talent, and effort. Together we can make a difference.

I am hopeful that with the blessing of the College of Monarchs and the Board of Directors, this might be possible.

Thank you for your consideration, time, and support.

Respectfully, Sahara Dior D.

Sahara Dior D.

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national news

Defending inequality

Anti-Gay briefs filed in SCOTUS marriage cases

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer “Everybody wants ta get inta the act!” as Jimmy Durante used to say.

On January 30, a number of anti-Gay groups filed amicus briefs in the Prop 8 and DOMA cases before the Supreme Court.

While none of the groups are parties to either case, the briefs are designed to express the views of the filers, and – they hope – to influence the court’s decision.

One of the organizations filing briefs is the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and several others are associated with or funded by the Catholic Church.

The bishops argued that “there is no fundamental right to marry a person of the same sex,” and therefore “‘sexual orientation’ is not a classification that should trigger heightened scrutiny,” as race or ethnicity would.

The bishops added that the government can legitimately decide to support only opposite-sex marriages.

“While this Court has held that laws forbidding private, consensual, homosexual conduct between adults lack a rational basis, it does not follow that the government has a constitutional duty to encourage or endorse such conduct,” the bishops’ brief said. “Thus, governments may legitimately decide to further the interests of oppositesex unions only.”

Good said that in voting for Prop 8, California’s citizens “voted to reaffirm the unique biological and cultural status of the only civil institution that unites male-female couples with each other and any children that might be born from their union …”

They joined the Catholic bishops in claiming that laws discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation should not be subject to heightened scrutiny.

“Unlike the ‘socially constructed’ classifications that the Court now rightly views with suspicion, such as race, illegitimacy, and alienage, ‘physical differences between men and women … are enduring’ and a ‘cause for celebration,’” they said in their summation.

The Manhattan Declaration, a Catholicinspired group that urges public officials to disobey pro-Gay and pro-choice laws, filed a brief “remind[ing] the Court of the critical role believers in Jesus have had in America’s positive social achievement.”

WESTBORO WEIGHS IN Not all the amicus briefs were filed by Catholics, however. Gay neocons David Benkof, Doug Mainwaring, and Robert Oscar Lopez filed a joint brief arguing that “children have a right to a mother and a father; marriage is society’s institutional expression of that right.”

“There is a deep wisdom in our marriage tradition …” they continue. “Gay marriage, in particular ‘marriage equality,’ will repuDON’T FORGET JESUS diate the wisdom of this tradition, putting A group called Catholics for the Common government in the position of stating an un-

truth: unions of two men or two women are just the same as unions of husband and wife, especially when it comes to children.”

Even the notorious Westboro Baptist Church filed a brief, liberally sprinkled with citations from Bible passages, rather than

legal precedents.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the Prop 8 case, Hollingsworth v, Perry, on March 26, and on the DOMA case, Windsor v. U.S.A., the next day. It is not expected to issue a ruling until June.

cantly – by about 30% – in 2011.

According to HRC, NOM raised $6.2 million in 2011, compared with the $9.1 million it raised in 2010. And, according to the HRC, “Just two donors were responsible for funding 75 percent of the anti-Gay group –

the organization reported two donations of approximately $2.4 million each.”

According to tax documents, NOM paid nearly $375,000 to Frank Schubert, the ad guru who managed the Reject R-74 campaign.

Bigots with empty pockets Anti-Gay group going broke fighting marriage equality

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer ProtectMarriage.com, the group that engineered the passage of Prop 8 in 2008 and is now defending its handiwork before the Supreme Court, is going broke, according to a new report by Reuters.

Federal tax records show the group running a $2 million deficit in its legal fund for 2011, the last year for which public records are available. The group is still $700,000 short in fundraising for its Supreme Court expenses, its lead attorney Andrew Pugno said.

“Unless the pace of donations starts to pick up right away, we could soon be forced over a financial cliff,” ProtectMarriage.com said in a fundraising e-mail to supporters earlier this month.

The group’s lead outside counsel, Charles Cooper, is still working on the Supreme Court case, although he declined to comment on his financial arrangements.

WEARING THEM DOWN The problem, according to Pugno, is the sheer doggedness of equality supporters, forcing his group to fight same-sex marriage for almost a decade, in court and out.

“I don’t detect a decrease in enthusiasm,” he said. “What I detect is a certain degree of fatigue after having to essentially fight this issue nonstop since 2004, when the mayor in San Francisco started issuing marriage licenses.”

Almost as soon as Prop 8 passed in 2008, Americans for Equal Rights (AFER) filed suit to strike it down. By the end of 2009,

8

Seattle Gay News

ProtectMarriage.com was $220,000 in the red.

Litigation was expensive, however. Cooper’s firm billed the group $4.5 million in 2010 and total expenses came to $6.1 million, for a year-end deficit of $1.8 million.

By comparison, AFER reported a $2.7 million surplus at the end of March 2011.

AFER outraised ProtectMarriage.com, but the Gay rights group also got a much better deal from its lawyers. Ted Olson and David Boies’ law firms billed only $1.5 million during the trial year.

MORMONS BACK OFF One explanation for ProtectMarriage’s funding problems in the four years since Prop 8 passed is that the Mormon church has stepped back from its all-out opposition to marriage equality.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had been one of the most vocal Prop 8 backers, raising more than 1,000 donations from its stronghold in Utah for a total of $2.7 million, but the church came under fierce attack from equality supporters as a result. Image-conscious Mormon leaders now speak about the need to respect all individuals and have set up a website, www. mormonsandgays.org, to urge LGBT members to stay in the church.

Mormon fundraising for anti-Gay groups plummeted in the last election cycle. During the Referendum 74 campaign in Washington, for example, anti-equality forces netted just four donations from Utah, for a grand total of $197.50.

Donations to the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) also dropped signifi-

February 1, 2013

Celebrating 40 Years!

denver post

One step forward, one step back Civil unions advance in Colorado but stall in Wyoming

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

families have equal protection under the law.

“We applaud the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee who voted to affirm that all families are worthy of dignity and respect. We look forward to bipartisan passage on the floor of the Senate.

“Our community isn’t advocating for civil unions in order to achieve some historic victory for Colorado. We’re advocating for our families – for the couples that have been together 40 years, for the kids whose parents aren’t treated equally in the eyes of the law, for the Gay student who finally sees his government recognizing who he is. That’s what we’re fighting for.”

Civil unions for same-sex couples appear to be moving forward in Colorado, but a bill to legalize them in Wyoming was rejected by the state House of Representatives.

The Colorado Senate Appropriations Committee approved a civil unions bill on January 31, by a 4-3 vote. The measure had been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee the previous week.

The bill will now go to the full Senate for consideration. According to the Denver Post, it is expected to pass, and if it does it will become effective in May. If passed, SB-11 will give committed Gay MARRIAGE INITIATIVE FILED and Lesbian couples most of the protections Meanwhile, a 17-year-old high school seand responsibilities of marriage, including family medical leave, medical and end-of- nior filed a 2014 ballot initiative that would life decisions for a partner, cohabitation in a amend the Colorado constitution to allow same-sex marriage. nursing home, and joint adoption.

Zoe Mandelski told Denver Post reporters she is straight, but she adopted the issue as SENATE PASSAGE EXPECTED Brad Clark, executive director of One a civics class project because she found it Colorado, an LGBT rights organization, “interesting.”

“It seems like a nonissue to me, but I said he expected the bill to pass the Senate guess that’s my generation’s view on it,” she and go to the Wyoming House.

“Committed Gay and Lesbian couples in said after filing the initiative in January 28. the state have been waiting for years – 10, “I do personally support Gay marriage, but 20, even 40 years – to have their relation- my parents don’t.”

Colorado voters amended their constituships protected. It’s well past time that these

17 year old Zoe Mandelski filed a proposal to legalize same-sex marriage in Colorado

tion to ban Gay and Lesbian marriages in floor of the House for debate. A similar bill 2006. was rejected by the House Judiciary Committee in 2011 by a narrow 5-4 vote.

SETBACK IN WYOMING A separate bill to ban discrimination on In Wyoming, on the other hand, the state the basis of sexual orientation cleared WyHouse voted down a civil unions bill, 35- oming’s Senate Judiciary Committee on 24. The measure had been approved by the January 30. That bill now heads to the full House Judiciary Committee on January 30, Senate. The same committee had rejected by a 7-2 vote. a marriage equality bill by a 5-4 vote only It was the first time in Wyoming history minutes before. that pro-Gay legislation actually reached the

Pitching Obama on Prop 8 Attorneys take their case directly to the White House Steve Rhodes

Attourny Charles Cooper

by Daniel Hanks SGN Contributing Writer The lawyers on both sides of the current Supreme Court battle on same-sex marriage have gone directly into the Department of Justice and pitched Solicitor General Donald Verrilli as well as other top Obama administration lawyers.

On January 18, the powerhouse team representing Gay couples and challenging California’s ban on same-sex marriage, Theodore Olson and David Boies, requested that the administration back their claim of a constitutional right to such unions across the country by filing an amicus brief in the case.

Then, on January 24, another attorney, longtime Prop 8 defender Charles Cooper, requested that the government keep its hands off this one.

Lawyers who attended these private ses-

sions said government attorneys did not appear to have been swayed either way. Typically, officials do not make their choices in the moment, and it could be weeks before any brief is filed.

President Obama has strongly endorsed Gay marriage, reaffirming that support in his January 21 inaugural speech, but he has also suggested that the federal government should not take control of the issue away from the states.

CIVIL RIGHTS PARALLELS The arguments presented were very similar to briefs used in the earlier meetings.

According to lawyers in the meeting, Olson insisted that the administration should definitely intervene at such a historic time. He likened the idea that states need extra time to solve the Gay marriage question to the “states’ rights” claim by opponents of AfricanAmerican equality, at a time when state laws across the South forbade Blacks and whites from sharing public accommodations such as restrooms and water fountains.

Cooper, who worked in the Reagan administration, asserted that marriage is strictly a state issue, and therefore no federal attention was warranted in the case of Prop 8. He even quoted President Obama from a May 2012 interview with ABC News, in which the president hailed the “healthy process” and “healthy debate” occurring in the states.

Two cases will be heard by the Supreme Court over two days: the Prop 8 case (Hollingsworth v. Perry) on March 26 and the Defense of Marriage Act case (Windsor v.

U.S.A.) on March 27.

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February 1, 2013

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Celebrating 40 Years!

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Seattle Gay News 15

SPORTS

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor San Francisco cornerback Chris Culliver was being interviewed by comedian and radio host Artie Lange on Tuesday night, January 29, when Lange asked him if there

getty images

49ers’ Culliver apologizes for anti-Gay comments said, in a statement released by the team.

“It has taken me seeing them in print to realize that they are hurtful and ugly. Those discriminating feelings are truly not in my heart. Further, I apologize to those who I have hurt and offended, and I pledge to learn and grow from this experience.”

“There is no place for discrimination within our organization at any level.

We have and always will proudly support the LGBT community.” were any Gay players in the NFL. “I don’t do the Gay guys, man,” Culliver responded. “I don’t do that.”

Lange asked if he thought there were any Gay players currently on the 49ers team.

“No, we don’t got no Gay people on the team, they gotta get up out of here if they do.

Can’t be with that sweet stuff.”

On Thursday, Culliver issued an apology for the remarks, which he made during a pre-Super Bowl media event.

“The derogatory comments I made yesterday were a reflection of thoughts in my head, but they are not how I feel,” Culliver

The 49ers also released a statement Wednesday: “The San Francisco 49ers reject the comments that were made yesterday, and have addressed the matter with Chris,” the statement said. “There is no place for discrimination within our organization at any level. We have and always will proudly support the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community.”

Culliver, who is in his second year with the team, is slated to play Sunday as a cornerback and special-teams player.

49ers cornerback Chris Culliver

immigration continued from cover

“It’s my understanding that there is no explicit mention ... in order to get Republican sign-on on the issue,” Cronk said.

She also accused Catholic bishops of lobbying Congress to exclude same-sex couples from an immigration bill, and she worried that Gay and Lesbian couples might become a bargaining chip as legislation is written.

NADLER VOWS INCLUSION Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), prime sponsor in the U.S. House of the Uniting American Families Act, which would extend to committed Gay and Lesbian couples the same immigration privileges available to heterosexual married couples, promised same-sex couples would be covered.

“We made it quite clear that Gays and Lesbians are not second-class people,” Nadler said, “and if we have general immigration reform they are going to be included, period.”

But Republican Sen. John McCain (RAZ), one of the so-called “group of eight” senators who are hoping to craft a bipartisan immigration bill, scoffed when a reporter asked him if LGBT protections could be included.

“I think it is a red herring,” McCain told Mike Allen of Politico. “You might as well

16 Seattle Gay News

February 1, 2013

put in taxpayer-funded abortion.”

“Which is more important,” McCain asked, “LGBT or border security? Huh? I’ll tell you what my priorities are.”

LGBT ACTIVISTS WEIGH IN Meanwhile, five national LGBT rights groups issued a joint statement supporting comprehensive immigration reform.

The National Center for Lesbian Rights, Human Rights Campaign, Immigration Equality Action Fund, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, and the National Center for Transgender Equality issued their statement on January 28.

“We are fully committed to, and deeply understand, the need for this nation to adopt a humane and effective comprehensive immigration policy which places a premium value on justice, dignity, respect, and opportunity,” they said.

“Any legislation must include the ability of couples in same-sex relationships to sponsor their spouse or permanent partner in the same way opposite-sex couples have long been able to under current immigration law.

“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those striving for and dreaming of a nation that embraces all who come here seeking a better life. We look forward to working with Congress, the White House, and every community harmed by our broken immigration system to finally achieve the comprehensive reforms we all so desperately need.”

Celebrating 40 Years!

northwest news

“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 on February 1 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 who are committing suicide at an alarming rate. 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.

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.

“WINTER PRIDE” – WHISLER BC – FEBRUARY 3-10 The evolution of Gay & Lesbian ski/ snowboard week. 866-787-1966; www.gaywhisler.com SEATTLE VOLLEYBALL CLUB – WINTER 2013 SEASON The Winter 2013 Season runs through March. For complete details, including schedule, locations and costs, visit www.seattlevolleyballclub.com.

LGBTQ YOUTH BASKETBALL Meets 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 hosts this FREE LGBTQ Youth basketball program for LGBTQ Youth, Queer Youth of Color, allies and friends, ages 14-19. For more information, contact Randy Wiger at 206-883-6110 phone/text or email randy. wiger@seattle.gov.

SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN BOOK CLUB – BORROWED TIME The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club meets every Wednesday from 6-7:15 p.m., at Seattle Area Support Groups Community Center (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas St.).

In Febuary, the club is reading Paul Monette’s Borrowed Time.

All GLBTQ folks are welcome to participate in this FREE book club. For more information visit http://faculty.washington. edu/swittet/SGLBookClub/.

GSBA PRIME TIME EAST On Thursday, February 7, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Let’s Do Lunch (1471 130th Ave NE, Bellevue), join GSBA (Greater Seattle Business Association, Greater Seattle’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce) members and friends on the Eastside to enjoy a fun and relaxing environment to network, socialize and build business relationships.

Cost: $10-GSBA members, $15 non-members, $10 students. Pre-registration encouraged: 206-363-9188, www.thegsba.org.

Walk-up registration is $15.

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 HISTORIC SEATTLE – concert streaming live, viewers can stream CALIFORNIA ARTS & CRAFTS the show for $6.99 and $2 from each view ARCHITECTURE FILM NIGHTS will go to Lambert House LGBTQ Youth On Thursdays, February 7, 14 and 21, at Services Center. www.namolibrennet.com; Washington Hall (153 14th Ave.) Historic www.emptysea.com Seattle and Northwest Film Forum invite you to enjoy three outstanding films proSEATTLE WOMEN’S CHORUS – duced by Paul Bockhurst on Arts & Crafts FRIENDS & FAMILY PREVIEW The Seattle Women’s Chorus’ Friends and architecture in Southern and Northern CaliFamily Preview Concert will be held on Sat- fornia and the visionary architecture of Berurday, February 2, at 8 p.m., at the Renton nard Maybeck.

You’ll see familiar and not so familiar of IKEA Performing Arts Center (400 S. 2nd St., Renton). Tickets are $10 and can be pur- examples of buildings and interiors by the chased in advance at 206-388-1400 and at region’s most accomplished and imaginathe door. The preview concert does not in- tive designers with commentary and critique by outstanding scholars and authors. clude the appearance by Vicci Martinez.

The films are February 7: “Beautiful Simpliciy: Arts & Crafts Architecture in Southern California.”

February 14: “Designing With Nature: Arts & Crafts Architecture in Northern California.” February 21: “Pursuing Beauty:

Visit us online www.sgn.org

compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer

The Architecture of Bernard Maybeck.”

Tickets: $10 members, $15 general public, $5 student. (Series pass: $25 members, $35 general public, $15 student.) 206-622-6952; www.historicseattle.org.

SEATTLE PARKS & RECREATION ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SEATTLE VOLUNTEER NATURALISTS PROGRAM Up to 50 applicants will be accepted into this unique program that includes 200 hours of instruction on how to be a naturalist and interpret the natural environment of the Pacific Northwest.

The program is free, and those accepted make a one-year commitment. Training includes 10 weeks of classes and outdoor instruction in which new volunteer students are taught how to create naturalist programming and learn about the natural and cultural history of the Puget Sound area.

The goal of the program is to enhance, promote and foster appreciation of nature and to connect the public with Seattle parklands through education.

Students will have access to an excellent natural history library, develop and hone communication, public speaking and group management techniques, and promote conservation and stewardship of natural resources.

“The people who enter this program have a chance to share fun, fellowship and community with others who enjoy nature and appreciate parks,” said professional Seattle Parks and Recreation Naturalist Penny Rose, who oversees the program.

Students who complete the training are then asked to commit to at least one year of volunteering, including teaching 12 programs or 12 two-hour Discovery Stations in public parks. These must be completed within a 12-month period, and include leading either school groups or members of the public. Continuing education is offered throughout the year of volunteer service.

Successful applicants will enjoy working with children and the public, have the physical ability to lead group walks over rough terrain, feel comfortable working outdoors and can transport themselves to Environmental Learning Center hubs at Discovery Park, Carkeek Park and Camp Long and other parklands throughout the city.

Applications for the Seattle Volunteer Naturalist program are due Friday, February 8, 2013.

For more information, and for a complete application packet, visit www.seattle.gov/ parks/environment/naturalist.htm, or contact Penny Rose at penny.rose@seattle.gov.

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

February 1, 2013

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.

BABES NETWORK – ANNUAL ONE-DAY RETREAT FOR HIV+ WOMEN On Saturday, February 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at the YWCA (5th Ave. & Seneca St.), join the BABES Network for a day of education, sisterhood, good food, massage, and free giveaways. RSVP to 206-720-5566. www. babesnetwork.org.

IMPERIAL COURT OF SEATTLE – CORONATION WEEK On Sunday, February 10, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at Richmark’s 12th & Pine Building (12th Ave. & E. Pine St.) cast your ballot for this year’s Emperor and Empress candidates, Michael Dior D. and Sahara Dior D. on the Court of Seattle’s designated Voting Day. All King County residents (ID required) are eligible to select the coming year’s Emperor and Empress.

On Sunday, February 10, 6 p.m. door, 7 p.m., show, at R Place (619 E. Pine St.), enjoy the Imperial Court of Seattle’s In Town Show and Awards event featuring performances by Seattle members and friends of the Court paying tribute to the current reigning Emperor and Empress, Rainier 38 Rick Peters-Lake and Olympia 41 Beverly Peters Lake. Awards will be bestowed to selected individuals to recognize their special contributions to the Court of Seattle this past year.

No cover.

On Thursday, February 14, 7 p.m. door, 7:30 p.m. show, at R Place (619 E. Pine St.) the Imperial Court of Seattle presents the Denver/Salt Lake City Show featuring dignitaries from Denver and Salt Lake City in town for Coronation. No cover.

On Friday, February 15, 6 p.m. door, 7 p.m. show, at Neighbours Nightclub (1509 Broadway), the Imperial Court of Seattle presents the Out-of-Town Show featuring dignitaries visiting from outside Seattle in town for Coronation. $15 cover.

On Saturday, February 16, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at Seattle Renaissance Hotel Presidential Suite (515 Madison St.), dignitaries are invited to submit their Protocol for Coronation.

On Saturday, February 16, 5 p.m. door, 6 p.m. pageant, at Seattle Renaissance Hotel (515 Madison St.), join the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle and the Olympic and Rainier Empire for Coronation 2013: The President’s Ball: A Cruise Around the World, Lake Style.

The Court of Seattle is pleased to host Queen Mother of the Americas, Empress Nicole the Great, as she presents her 7th annual State of the Empire address.

The evening will also feature command performances, introduction of visiting dignaries, the crowning and investiture of the Court of Seattle’s new Emperor and Empress and final walks of the Court of Seattle’s reigning Emperor 38 Rick Peters-Lake and Empress 41 Beverly Peters-Lake.

Tickets for the President’s Ball: $50.

On Sunday, February 17, at 11 a.m., at Seattle Renaissance Hotel Visions Ballroom (515 Madison St.), the Court of Seattle hosts Coronation Victory Brunch, celebrating the investiture of the new Emperor and Empress.

On Sunday, February 17, at 3 p.m., at C.C. Attle’s (1701 E. Olive Way), the Court of Seattle presents the Alaska Bird Party, featuring dignitaries from Alaska in town for Coronation. No cover.

Seattle Gay News 17

international news

Benjamin Girette / ap

French National Assembly debates marriage law Hundreds of thousands march on both sides

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Debate on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage and adoption by Gay and Lesbian couples opened in the French National Assembly on January 29. The debate is expected to last two weeks.

Introducing the bill, Justice Minister Christiane Taubira called it “an act of equality.”

She later told reporters from the Journal du Dimanche that the law, known as Marriage for All, “simply gives the same rights to and confers the same duties on homosexual couples. The conditions of marriage are unchanged.”

The day before debate began, a Sunday, as many as 400,000 people marched in Paris in support of marriage equality. While substantial, that number was less than the estimated 800,000 demonstrators who protested the equality bill on January 13.

Pro-equality marchers waved banners

with slogans like “Equality of rights is not a threat” and chanted: “What do you want?

Equality! When do you want it? Now!” Another placard showed a version of the French government’s seal, but with two “Mariannes” (the female figure of Liberty) kissing. Under the words “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” was the slogan “No more, no less!”

WHAT MAKES A FAMILY? A young woman who identified herself to reporters as Magali said that marriage equality is inevitable.

“When I see the people who protest against Gay marriage, I am just so disappointed for France,” she said.

“They talk about family first, but they should see that society has changed. The family today is not the same as the family yesterday. We have to rethink the whole concept of family.”

French President François Hollande promised to enact marriage equality dur-

A placard read “Equality for me too.” As many as 400,000 people marched in Paris as Parliament prepared to debate the bill to legalize same-sex marriage in France.

ing his election campaign last year, and his Prime Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, is committed to passing the measure.

Hollande’s Socialist Party enjoys a comfortable majority in the National Assembly, France’s parliament, so the eventual passage of the bill is not in doubt. The measure is also supported by Greens, Communists, and even some centrists.

MAJORITY SUPPORT Opinion polls show that 55% to 60% of French people support same-sex marriage, though only about 50% approve of adoption by same-sex couples.

The openly Gay Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, said that the pro-equality march demonstrated public support for equality.

“There is a big difference between today’s march and the [anti-equality] one two weeks ago, which is that this demonstration is one of brotherhood, not of hatred,” he said at a rally. “The majority of French people want all couples to have equality in love and parenthood.”

BISHOP: INCEST IS NEXT Most of the opposition to Hollande’s plan has been mobilized by the Catholic Church.

In September, Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, the archbishop of Lyon, said that the measure would open the door to incest and polygamy.

That prompted Delanoë to say that the elderly cleric must have “flipped his lid.”

Some equality opponents predicted the legislation would lead to the collapse of French civilization.

“We’ll have a country of Gays and in 10 years there’ll be nobody left – that’s stupid,” Serge Dassault, CEO of the Dassault industrial group and a right-wing politician, predicted in November.

Brian Ellner, an American activist who helped lead the campaign for marriage equality in New York, was in Paris, acting as an advisor to the pro-equality group All Out. “France is always important as an exporter of ideas,” he said in an interview. “That’s why it’s important internationally. I believe a win in France would undoubtedly have an impact globally and even in the United States.”

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health and medicine The hidden epidemic Study finds Lesbian and Gay men victimized more than straights by sexual violence

to better describe and understand the level of IPV, SV, and stalking victimization in the United States. Using 2010 data from NISVS, this report is the first to provide national data that examines IPV, SV, and stalking by sexual orientation. Further research is needed to fully understand the experience of interpersonal violence that impacts LGB individuals and their communities. This information is critical to informing prevention programs and policies aimed at reducing these types of victimization.

ADDITIONAL KEY FINDINGS • The majority of women who reported experiencing sexual violence, regardless of their sexual orientation, reported that they were victimized by male perpetrators.

• Nearly half of female Bisexual rape victims (48.2 percent) and more than one-quarter of female heterosexual victims (28.3 percent) experienced their first rape between the ages of 11 and 17.

CDC will work to create resources to bring attention to these issues within LGBT communities.

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor The first set of national prevalence data on intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual violence (SV), and stalking victimization by sexual orientation was released January 25 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The survey found that Lesbians and Gay men reported IPV and SV over their lifetimes at levels equal to or higher than those of heterosexuals, with sexual orientation based on respondents’ identification at the time of the survey.

Researchers also found that Bisexual women (61.1 percent) report a higher prevalence of rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner compared to both Lesbian (43.8 percent) and heterosexual women (35 percent). Of the Bisexual women who experienced IPV, approximately 90% reported having only male perpetrators, while two-thirds of Lesbians reported

having only female perpetrators of IPV.

watch webinars that discuss the NISVS 2010 Summary findings, visit PreventConnect (http://preventconnect.org), a national online project dedicated to the primary prevention of sexual assault and domestic violence.

For more information about sexual violence, visit www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/.

For more information about intimate partner violence prevention, visit www.cdc. gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/index.html.

OTHER SERVICES/RESOURCES • National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), www.ncavp.org • Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) hotline, 1-800-656-HOPE • The National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or www.thehotline.org • The National Center for Victims of Crime Stalking Resource Center, www.victimsofcrime.org • National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women (VAWnet), www.

FURTHER READING vawnet.org For more information about NISVS, in• National Sexual Violence Resource cluding study details, visit www.cdc.gov/ Center (NSVRC), www.nsvrc.org violenceprevention/nisvs/index.html. To

NOT A DIRECT COMPARISON The data presented in this report do not indicate whether violence occurs more often in same-sex or opposite-sex couples. Rather, the data show the prevalence of lifetime victimization of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and stalking of respondents who self-identified as Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual at the time of the survey, and describe violence experienced with both same-sex and opposite-sex partners.

“We know that violence affects everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. This report suggests that Lesbians, Gay men, and Bisexuals in this country suffer a heavy toll of sexual violence and stalking committed by an intimate partner,” said CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden. “While intervening and providing services are important, prevention is equally critical.”

The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) is designed

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Seattle Gay News 19

ASK DR. J: The Cascade, not the local mountains

by Dr. Joanne Stekler Special to the SGN This article is part of a series focusing on HIV and other STD prevention and care topics for Gay/Bisexual men and Transgender individuals in Seattle and King County.

Lately, there’s been a lot of talk in the HIV field about the “cascade.” In nature, a cascade is a small waterfall that flows down a mountain slope in steps. In HIV care, it’s a way to look at how we are doing as a community to get care and treatment for people living with HIV (see figure). For people living with HIV, there are four steps in the HIV care cascade: knowing your status, getting into care, staying in care, and getting to an undetectable level of HIV in your blood.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there are about 1.1 million people living with HIV in the U.S. Of those, about 80 percent know they are infected, and the other 20 percent are still not aware of their status. Only people who know their status can take the next steps to take care of themselves. That’s why Public Health – Seattle & King County is promoting more frequent testing, so more people know their status.

If you’ve been diagnosed with HIV, the first step is to get into care – to be seen by a doctor or other provider who can monitor your HIV infection and talk with you about treatment options. You might hesitate to see a doctor for a variety of reasons – it’s hard to face the diagnosis, you’re worried about how much it’s going to cost, or you’re afraid someone might see you walk into an HIV clinic – but it’s the most important first step.

About 20 percent of people living with HIV know they’re infected but haven’t seen a

doctor. If you’re HIV-positive and not seeing a doctor regularly, then you’re not getting the care you need.

TEST FREQUENTLY The next step down the cascade is the number of people living with HIV who stay in care after that first visit. This means going to see your provider and getting blood tests every three to six months. People can fall “out of care” for a lot of reasons. Maybe it’s the money for co-pays. Or substance use or depression is getting in the way of taking care of yourself. Or you’ve moved and don’t know how to find a new doctor. Or things get too busy with work or school. Again, I don’t mean to be a nag, but there are places that can help you with anything that gets in the way of sticking with your medical care.

Check out Public Health Seattle’s guidebook, Now That You Know, to find help. It can be downloaded at www.kingcounty. gov/healthservices/health/communicable/ hiv/publications.aspx.

Finally, the last step down this cascade is the number of people living with HIV who have an undetectable level of HIV in their blood. That means you’re on HIV medicines, you’re taking them as prescribed, and blood tests show they’re working. HIV medicines can help you live longer and decrease the chance of passing HIV to others.

Meds can also decrease the “community viral load,” the average level of HIV in the community. With a lower level of virus in the community, we believe it’s less likely someone else will get infected with HIV. Now that we’ve taken all these steps down the cascade, look where we ended up – only about a quarter of all people living with HIV in the U.S. are taking meds and have a sup-

pressed HIV level.

SEATTLE’S SUCCESS But you can see from the black bars in this figure that we’re doing a whole lot better in Seattle – over half of the people living with HIV in Seattle have a suppressed HIV level.

Part of the explanation is probably different characteristics of people living with HIV in Seattle compared to the rest of the country.

And part of it is probably the great network of providers who take care of and support people living with HIV here.

But we still have some big steps to take so we can flatten out this cascade.

If you’re an HIV-negative guy who has sex with other guys, you can get tested for HIV and other STDs at Public Health’s STD Clinic, Gay City, the baths, or your doctor’s office. For hours and locations for these and other places that do HIV testing, call (206) 263-2000 or go to www.FindYourFrequency.com. You can also use this website to find

the testing frequency that’s right for you and sign up for testing reminders.

If you’re HIV-positive but don’t have a doctor, please call the One-on-One program at (206) 744-4377 to make an appointment to see one of our doctors. One-on-One is free. If you already have a doctor but it’s been a while since you’ve been in, call them now to make an appointment. Set up a reminder in your calendar or on your phone to help you make and keep appointments regularly. And talk to your doctor about taking HIV medicines and how to make them work for you.

Joanne Stekler, M.D., M.P.H., is deputy director of community services for the HIV/ STD Program at Public Health – Seattle & King County. She is also an internal medicine and infectious disease physician at Harborview Medical Center and an assistant professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Washington.

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www.sgn.org 20 Seattle Gay News

February 1, 2013

www.sgn.org Celebrating 40 Years!

Honoring our community elders Caregiver program reaches out to LGBTQ couples in February

by Jewish Family Service Special to the SGN It is sometimes referred to as “the graying of America.” It is a demographic revolution that is transforming the nation. At the turn of the 20th century (1900) only 4% of our citizens were aged 65 or above. By 2000, this had risen to 12% – and by 2030, it is projected that fully one in five will fall into that age category. The good news is that more of us are living longer. Along with those extra years, however, comes the challenge of caring for substantially more individuals who will need support and assistance as they age.

For LGBTQ elders, in particular, this can be a frightening time. While most retirement communities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes have nondiscrimination policies, the reality for members of the sexual minority community can be very different. The majority of residents in these facilities are members of the so-called “Silent Generation,” born between 1925 and 1945. They, and the surviving members of the even older “Greatest Generation,” often hold more traditional views about sexuality and may not openly welcome LGBTQ neighbors. In addition, a large number of service workers in care facilities are im-

migrants, and many of these employees, while dedicated and hard-working, come from cultural or religious backgrounds that continue to stigmatize sexual minorities.

As a result, a significant percentage of LGBTQ elders find themselves returning to the closet in the final years and months of their lives.

Of course, the majority of older adults, regardless of sexual orientation, choose to remain in their homes for as long as they are able – a phenomenon known as “aging in place.” Polls indicate that up to 90% of all elders wish to age in place, and roughly two-thirds succeed in doing so (that is, they live out their lives in the same place where they celebrate their 65th birthday). But most of those remaining at home will also, at some point, need assistance. Here, too, LGBTQ elders face special challenges. Many in the Silent Generation were alienated from their birth families, and may not have children of their own. As a consequence, they often lack the natural circle of support that gathers around other older adults as they become increasingly frail. LGBTQ elders often rely exclusively on partners and friends who may themselves have age-related disabilities.

CARING FOR CAREGIVERS Fortunately, help is available. Jewish Family Service, located at 16th Avenue and East Pine Street on Capitol Hill, offers a program known as Family Caregiver Support (FCS). This program, funded by federal and state government, provides an array of support services at no cost to individuals who are providing care and assistance to other adults. Jewish Family Service is engaged in a special outreach to the LGBTQ community during the month of February.

Services available through Family Caregiver Support include: • Financial assistance in purchasing goods and services related to caregiving. Eligible individuals may receive up to $1,000 annually in aid, and in certain cases may qualify for even more.

• Counseling. Caring for a loved one with an illness or a disability can be very rewarding, but it can also be extremely stressful.

Short-term counseling is available for many FCS participants, and can be offered in the caregiver’s own home.

• Housekeeping and errands. For those involved in caregiving, simply keeping up with day-to-day chores – maintaining one’s house or apartment, and shopping for groceries – can be overwhelming. Qualified individuals may receive up to 12 hours per month of assistance with these tasks.

• Professional consultation. Participants may request a consultation with a knowledgeable expert in any area related to caregiving. Consultants may be nurses, social workers, physical therapists, etc.

• Education in providing care. Periodic courses, averaging 10 weeks in duration, are offered for individuals who unexpectedly find themselves in a caregiving role. Topics range from body mechanics (e.g., how to assist someone in bathing or transferring without injuring yourself) to self-care.

• Support groups. There is often no substitute for sharing your concerns and your experiences with someone who has been through the same situation. A variety of support groups, many of which focus on particular conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, are available for FCS participants.

• Respite care. For those living with the care recipient and providing a substantial amount of support, short-term respite care may be available. Respite providers will generally be certified nursing assistants or certified home care aides.

• Ongoing access to information and referral. Every person enrolling in FCS will be given the name and telephone number of a “care consultant.” They will be able to telephone this individual, a professional in the aging field, whenever they have a question or need referral to another agency or organization.

The Family Caregiver Support program is open to any qualified applicant residing in King County. However, Jewish Family Service has prioritized services to the LGBTQ community as well as to Russian-speaking and African-American seniors. All three groups are underserved, or have specific

needs that have not been fully met.

PARTNERED WITH GAY CITY “We are very committed to working with each of these groups in a culturally competent and sensitive way,” said Stephen Uy, a community liaison specialist at Jewish Family Service. “That’s why we have partnered with Gay City Health Project to help us get the word out about this program.”

The word “family” in the name of the program is a bit misleading, Uy noted. Eligible caregivers need not be related to the care recipient, nor do they need to reside in the same home. Friends and neighbors, as well as spouses, partners, and children, can receive support at no cost through FCS. There are, however, two important disqualifiers.

First, the care recipient may not be receiving COPES services and, if he or she resides in a care facility, may not have long-term care services paid for by Medicaid. Second, the caregiver may not be receiving compensation for the services he or she provides.

Family Caregiver Support was formally launched in September 2011, and has enrolled more than 240 individuals to date.

The agency also offers, on a fee basis, nonmedical home care and home health services through HomeCare Associates, a division of JFS. Uy sees FCS as a natural complement to these other programs. “Most home care agencies are there to serve the patient or client,” he observed, “but through FCS we can offer support to the partner or spouse as well.”

Jewish Family Service is one of nine nonprofit organizations providing such services in King County through a contract with the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department. Some of the agencies serve specific populations, such as the Chinese Information and Service Center, or a particular geographical area, such as the North Shore Senior Center.

A CRITICAL NEED The importance of this new initiative was underscored by Don Armstrong, director of home care and community-based services at Jewish Family Service. “Forty-four million Americans provide unpaid assistance to loved ones who are ill, or who have disabilities,” he said. “Yet they are often isolated and feel that they are alone. I try to tell people that the aging process is the same for all of us, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. At one point or another, we will all need a helping hand – and that is what Family Caregiver Support is all about.”

Those interested in this new program may enroll or request additional information by calling Adam Halpern, Jewish Family Service’s intake specialist, at (206) 861-3152.

Founded in Seattle in 1892, Jewish Family Service delivers essential human services to alleviate suffering, sustain healthy relationships, and support people in times of need. For more information, call (206) 4613240, e-mail contactus@jfsseattle.org, or visit www.jfsseattle.org.

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Celebrating 40 Years!

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