Issue 20 Volume 41
Celebrating 40 Years!
Page 25
Seattle Gay News
FRIDAY May 17, 2013 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & newsstands
SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Donations pour into Murray campaign Gay mayoral hopeful raises over $100k in two-week ‘window’ ap
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
forward to back this campaign with their generous contributions.”
Working within tight limits prescribed by state law, State Sen. Ed Murray raked in more than $103,000 in a two-week period for his campaign to become Seattle’s first openly Gay mayor.
STRICT DEADLINES As a sitting state senator, Murray is prohibited from raising political campaign money while the legislature is in session. Thus he had a window of only two weeks to re-
“I really appreciate the fact that we are drawing support from hundreds of people across this city who have never given in a mayoral race before.” “This campaign is building a dedicated network of supporters across the city of Seattle, and that energy and enthusiasm is reflected in this wave of support,” Murray said in a statement May 13. “I really appreciate the fact that we are drawing support from hundreds of people across this city who have never given in a mayoral race before, and I want to thank all of the people who have stepped
Washington State Senator and Seattle Mayoral Candidate Ed Murray
plenish his campaign treasury between the close of the legislature’s regular session and the start of the special session called by Gov. Jay Inslee, which began on May 13. After launching his bid for mayor on December 5, Murray had only nine days to raise seed money before the legislature convened. In that brief window, Mursee murray page 7
EmPOWerment in South King County Minnesota: Number 12 Innovative youth group builds community and saves lives Marriage equality is now the law
Jim Mone / AP Photo
courtesy POW
in the North Star State
POW draws an enthusiastic group to its weekly meetings in Burien.
by Jennifer Gess Special to the SGN “POW helped me find hope and community to prevent me from committing suicide.” “I don’t use marijuana on days that I come to POW.” “I feel like I belong when I’m here.” These words, from the youth I’m privileged to work with, inspire me
each day to advocate for equality. As a counselor and consultant for the LGBTQ community, I started POW! (Proud Out Wonderful), an LGBTQ and allied youth support, advocacy, and leadership development program in Burien. POW welcomes youth ages 13-21 to the weekly group where the youth lead projects to raise awareness and educate the public, helping to increase the safety and acceptance
of LGBTQ people in South King County. POW’s mission is to provide a safe space for LGBTQ and allied youth to build community and promote social justice through empowerment, leadership, and advocacy. In our heteronormative society, many LGBTQ youth have experienced parental rejection, home-
Same-sex marriage supporters in the Minnesota statehouse
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
“What a day for Minnesota!” Gov. Mark Dayton said just moments before signing his state’s new marriage equality bill on May 14. “And what a difference a year and an election can make in our see POW page 6 state.”
Only six months ago, equality supporters were mobilizing to defeat a constitutional amendment that would have banned same-sex marriage. But the amendment was defeated in November’s election, President Obama carried the state, see minnesota page 16