SGN February 18, 2011 - Section 1

Page 1

Issue 07 Volume 39

Celebrating 38 Years!

FRIDAY February 18, 2011 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands

OBAMA’S AIDS $$$ p. 7

SEXY KABOOM p. 25

CEDAR RAPIDS p. 28

Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

SGN speaks with Greg Louganis on his life and upcoming Seattle appearance Eagle photo/Stuart Villanueva

Through strength and determination, Louganis has learned to accept his HIV-positive diagnosis and has overcome substance abuse, domestic violence, and battled dyslexia. Greg Louganis spoke with Seattle Gay News on the obstacles he has overcome and his upcoming appearance in Seattle with a warmth and grace Former Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis that embody the by Shaun Knittel Olympic spirit. “I have been to Seattle many SGN Associate Editor times. I love it. The city and surFor years, Greg Louganis’ cheer- rounding area are beautiful,” he ful public persona gave little hint to see louganis page 20 the personal challenges he faced.

Emily Stock/ The Falcon

SPU rejects LGBT student “So much has group, Haven’s right to meet changed … and that’s a great thing.”

The leadership of Haven, a student-led group at Seattle Pacific University

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor The plight of Haven – a studentled group at Seattle Pacific University dedicated to discussing sexuality and LGBT issues – to get official club status from the school’s administrators has left the confines

of the campus and is now in print, online, and all over the news radio broadcasts. A little over a week ago news of the students fight for recognition appeared in The Falcon, the Christian university of liberal arts, sciences, and professions’ campus newspaper. Almost overnight, the

story picked up speed and has already resulted in dozens of SPU alumni criticizing the administration for their January 25 decision to deny Haven the right to meet on campus. Haven was formed four years see haven page 18

Three steps forward, one step Does political revolt in Egypt mean freedom back for same-sex couples AP Photo/Eugene Tanner

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer As LGBT rights activists celebrate the passage of a civil unions bill in Hawaii, other states are also acting on legislation that impacts same-sex couples. In Washington, openly Gay legislators Sen. Ed Murray (D-43)

and Rep. Jim Moeller (D-49) have introduced a bill to legalize marriage equality. Appropriately, the bill was introduced on Valentine’s Day. “Today is not the first time the issue of marriage equality for Gays and Lesbians and the Valentine’s Day holiday have crossed paths,” the lawmakers said in a statement

for Gays and Lesbians?

GayEgypt.com

Supporters of the Hawaii Civil Unions Bill applaud, celebrating the Hawaii Senate’s vote 18-5 to approve the Civil Unions bill at the Hawaii State Capitol Wednesday, February 16, 2011 in Honolulu.

issued February 14. They point out that in February 1998, the legislature overrode Gov. Gary Locke’s veto to pass the state’s DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act). “We’ve made tremendous progress since 1998,” Murray said. “Gay and Lesbian families in Washington now enjoy the same state spousal rights that their married straight friends enjoy – except for the name ‘marriage.’ The recognition that their loving, lifelong commitment is no different from the loving, lifelong commitment of straight couples is the final step to achieving full equality. I believe the Legislature and the public are both ready to take that final step.” In 2008 the legislature passed – and voters later ratified – an expansion of domestic partnership rights to include all the benefits of marriage except for the official designation. Moeller agreed that the state was moving toward full equality for its LGBT residents. “Over the past several years, the Legislature and the public together have been steadily building a bridge to equality for Gay and Lesbian families,” he said.

Egyptian soldier holding a rose given to him by a protester

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

The resignation of President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt was a monumental and historic moment for Egypt – and the world – as it showed the power of peaceful protests. The dramatic changes in Egypt, following the uprising in Tunisia, have inspired others in the region to challenge the repression see marriage page 21 of their own dictatorship and de-

proud to Be Different

We are conveniently located on-site at Lifelong AIDS Alliance below the Thrift Store.

mand democracy. More than just a political victory, this is a moment of hope for the Egyptian people. Among the country’s 82 million people, a large number of LGBT Egyptians – many of whom took part in the ousting of Mubarak – are looking towards an uncertain future as the fate of the Gay community rests in the balance of power between the see egypt page 20

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