SGN April 15, 2011 - Section 1

Page 1

Issue 15 Volume 39

Celebrating 38 Years!

male VS. man p. 8

ASK MICHAEL p. 17

ORCA SWIM p. 18

Seattle Gay News

FRIDAY April 15, 2011 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands

SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

courtesy Cal Anderson Park

Bobby Morris Playfield

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor At the first sight of the summer sun, Seattleites – Gay, straight, families, students, and anyone in between – flock to Cal Anderson Park and make use of every square inch of the park and adjoining playfield. For many nonprofit and LGBT sports teams, Bobby Morris Playfield – the south half of Cal Ander-

son Park – is of particular interest. Major fundraisers such as Bat N’ Rouge and Jockstraps and Glitter take place on the field. This summer, however, will be different. Bobby Morris Playfield will be closed from June 20 until the end of August, and construction and fences will replace sunbathers and sports teams. see playfield page 21

shaun Knittel

Bobby Morris Playfield OLYMPIA – Anti-bullying bill closing for summer use due to lighting upgrade passes, governor will sign by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

This year’s new anti-bullying bill – HB 1163 – passed its final test in the state House of Representatives on April 13. It will now go to the governor for her signature. The bill’s prime sponsor was openly Gay Rep. Marko Liias (D21). The bill builds on work Liias did in the last legislative session, expanding anti-bullying laws passed in 2002, 2007, 2009, and Liias’ own 2010 bill. The original 2002 bill required schools to adopt an anti-bullying policy covering all the protected classes in Washington’s hate crimes law, including sexual orientation. In 2007, the scope of the antibullying law was expanded to prohibit cyber-bullying by students. In 2009, the definition of sexual orientation was amended to include gender identity and expression. see bullying page 20

Representative Marko Liias

Lady Chablis birthday, $$$$$$ Seattle City Aging & for Youth Suicide Prevention Disability Services courtesy Lady Chablis

Lady Chablis reigns supreme as the queen of R Place. Nearly every night of the week, fans and friends can watch one of Seattle’s most recognizable drag entertainers bring down the house with one amazing performance after another. Chablis does it all. The Chablis we all know and love can have you in stitches one moment as she dons a fat suit and does her best Aretha, or have you dabbing tears away as she lip-synchs a song that tells you that, when she dreams, she dreams in color. She is a firecracker of an entertainer, a dedicated member of our community, and a staunch supporter of equality – and we love her for it. A drag queen with a microphone can be two things: a powerful force or a hot mess. Chablis is the former. Over the years she has used her status as an entertainer (with a loyal, built-in audience) to help raise money for causes near and dear to her heart. Her birthday celebrations are no exception. On April 29 and 30, Lady Chablis is asking you to join her in a cel-

asks for LGBT input

getty images

The many sides of Lady Chablis

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

The needs of the aging LGBT population have been brought to the forefront thanks to recent media attention. Gay advocacy groups and mental and physical health professionals have all joined together to jumpstart talks see chablis page 20 about how to best serve that seg-

proud to Be Different

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

ment of our aging communities unique needs. Seattle has a large LGBT population and will not remain immune to the issue. With that in mind, the Aging and Disability Services (ADS) organization has set out to develop a community that prosee aging page 20

Call us at 206.568.2486


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