Celebrating 40 Years!
Issue 07 Volume 41
FRIDAY February 15, 2013 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & newsstands
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Illinois Senate, YES on marriage equality Valentine’s Day vote a powerful tribute to LGBT lovers everywhere by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer In a vote symbolically scheduled for February 14, the Illinois Senate approved marriage equality legislation by a vote of 34 to 21, with two abstentions. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Heather
Quinn called for the legislature to pass the marriage bill quickly, saying, “Marriage equality is a matter of fairness and equal rights under law.” “We took the first step towards marriage equality two years ago when I signed civil unions into law. Since that day, thousands of
“All eyes are on us,” said Taylor, who is based in Illinois. “It’s looking great. We’re very excited about Illinois.” RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION Under the measure, state law would be changed to describe marriage as an act between two people
“We have the opportunity today to welcome all families in Illinois as equally valued.” committed couples in 92 counties across our state have entered into civil unions,” he added. “Now is the time for the next step in providing equal rights to all people in Illinois.” Camilla Taylor, marriage project director for Lambda Legal, noted that three other states are considering similar legislation. A marriage equality bill has passed the Rhode QUINN URGED PASSAGE Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has Island House and has been sent to promised to sign the bill when it the Senate, and another is expected comes to his desk. On February 6, in Delaware, Taylor said. Steans, called it “a vote for the history books.” “We have the opportunity today to welcome all families in Illinois as equally valued,” she said. The bill now goes to the Illinois House where, according to the Chicago Tribune, “the fight is expected to be tougher.”
rather than between a man and a woman. In a nod to religious objections, the legislation explicitly says nothing in the law would force a religious denomination or minster to “solemnize any marriage.” People in civil unions would be able to convert them to marriages within a year of a same-sex marriage law going on the books in Illinois. see illinois page 8
A one-two punch against discrimination Ted S. Warren / AP
Activists to lobby for LGBT homeless Senators Murray and Harkin pledge workplace equality push youth in Olympia by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
In a one-two punch against anti-Gay discrimination, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) called on the Obama administration to ban discrimination by federal contractors, and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) “will move this year.” Murray joined 36 other senators in a letter released February 14, calling for an executive order barring companies that do business with the federal government from discriminating against LGBT employees and jobseekers. Only two days before, Harkin, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, told a Center for American Progress audience that ENDA will go forward this year. Murray is also a member of the HELP committee, which would have jurisdiction over ENDA.
by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer
On February 22, LGBTQ Allyship, alongside Equal Rights Washington (ERW), will participate in a homeless and foster-care youth lobby day in Olympia, led by the Mockingbird Society, a foster-care youth lobby group. “Homelessness is an LGBTQ issue,” said Doug Hamilton, ERW’s OBAMA URGED TO ACT operations manager. “An estimat“Issuing an Executive Order that ed 40% of youth on the streets are includes sexual orientation and LGBTQ – and Seattle is kind of a
Weddings By the Sea The Honarable Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
see enda page 16
www.oceanshoresweddings.com 206-403-8170 Let us make your wedding day as fun as a day at the beach.
Mecca for them.” Each year, hundreds of youth from around the state join the Mockingbird Society to bring the needs of foster-care and homeless youth to the attention of lawmakers. This is the first time, however, that a uniquely LGBTQ voice will be heard among them. “The event is officially a youth advocacy awareness day put on by the Mockingbird Society,” said Hamilton. “The Mockingbird Society has done advocacy for fostercare youth for decades – it’s a very see youth page 5