Issue 14 Volume 41
Celebrating 40 Years!
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Seattle Gay News file photo
Cheryl Chow dies at 66
SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Former Seattle councilmember came out as Lesbian last year by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer Cheryl Chow, a former Seattle City Councilmember, teacher, youth advocate, and school board member, died on Friday, March 29,
with her partner, Sarah Morningstar, and their then-four-year-old daughter, Liliana. She spoke after the proclamation was read about her difficulty displaying affection – due partly, she said, to her strict Asian upbringing. She said Sarah
SHERRY HARRIS REMEMBERS “I was so sorry to hear about Cheryl’s death,” said Sherry Harris, a former Seattle City Councilmember alongside Chow and a longtime friend. “Cheryl Chow
“I am humbled by the attention I’m receiving and thankful for the opportunities and forums to keep spreading the message of hope, acceptance, and understanding to parents and kids.” in her home. She was 66. Last year, Chow came out as a Lesbian after she was diagnosed with terminal central nervous system lymphoma. “I was afraid for over 60 years and those 60 years were wasted,” said Chow in an interview with KING-TV after she came out. Not long after, on September 17, the city declared that date “Cheryl Chow Day” and honored the former councilmember at City Hall. Chow attended in a wheelchair
had taught her how to love. “Being honored by the Seattle City Council was a wonderful experience and a great walk down memory lane. It’s hard to believe it’s been so many years,” Chow told SGN a few days after the ceremony. “I am humbled by the attention I’m receiving and thankful for the opportunities and forums to keep spreading the message of hope, acceptance, and understanding to parents and kids.”
was almost like a mentor to me. At the time [we met], I was a newbie and our offices were directly across from one another.” “I really appreciated the kind of person she was in terms of the kinds of insights she would offer, the wisdom she had, and the kind of openness she displayed,” said Harris, who is also a Lesbian. “She see chow page 6
Cheryl Chow
New hope for a HIV vaccine A majority for equality Fifty U.S. senators plus VP Biden now support same-sex marriage elicit strain-specific neutralizing
Researchers discover immune system’s ‘training manual’
thinkprogress
antibodies,” the scientists write in the current issue of the journal Nature. “However, cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies arise in approximately 20% of HIV-1-infected individuals, and details of their generation could provide a blueprint for effective vaccination.” In other words, the research shows that in some HIV patients their antibodies are able to attack and destroy many strains of HIV, not merely one as in most patients. These patients are therefore able to cope with the constant mutations The 50 senators who support same-sex marriage of HIV much better than patients whose antibodies only attack one by Mike Andrew or two strains of the virus. Sens. Claire McCaskill, Mark SGN Staff Writer Warner, Mark Begich, Jay RockHIV’S WEAK SPOT efeller, Kay Hagan, and Jon TesIn patients with so-called “crossFifty out of the 100 U.S. Sena- ter all took the occasion to declare reactive” antibodies – about 20% tors – 48 Democrats and two Re- their support for equality. of all HIV patients, according to publicans – now publicly support Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), a dethe study – their antibodies target marriage equality. According to vout Catholic, joined the tide on parts of the virus that do not mu- Josh Israel at Think Progress, April 1. tate. “with Vice President Joe Biden “If two people of the same sex “Even though the virus mutates, the tie-breaker, this marks the first fall in love and want to marry, why and there are literally millions of time that a majority in the U.S. would our government stand in quasi-species of virus because of Senate has endorsed same-sex their way?” Casey said in a stateall these mutations, there are parts marriage.” ment to Philadelphia Gay News. the virus can’t change – otherwise The rush to join the side of equal “At a time when many Amerithe virus cannot infect. These are treatment for Gay and Lesbian cans lament a lack of commitment the vulnerable sites,” Professor couples began last month as the in our society between married Barton Haynes of Duke Universi- U.S. Supreme Court prepared to men and women, why would we hear the Prop 8 and DOMA cases see hiv page 17 on March 26 and 27. Democratic see majority page 9
ual” for combating HIV infections. The discovery may lead to the creation of an effective HIV vaccine, Researchers at Duke University the scientists said. “Current human immunodefisay they have found what they describe as the body’s “training man- ciency virus-1 (HIV-1) vaccines by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
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