SGN May 20, 2011 - Section 1

Issue 20 Volume 39

FRIDAY May 20, 2011 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands

Celebrating 38 Years!

madison pub 25 p. 4

hate crime plea p. 5

OUT IN PHOENIX p. 17

Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Hopeful news on SGN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Barney Frank visits Seattle HIV vaccine

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer “You think John Boehner cries a lot?” Barney Frank said defiantly in his rapid-fire staccato. “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. I could return to my youth, to Johnnie Ray – ‘cry me a river.’”

In Seattle on May 17 to support the reelection bid of his House of Representatives colleague, Seattle’s Congressman Jim McDermott, Frank spoke with SGN by phone as he made his way from the airport into the city.

Describing McDermott as “a friend – a personal friend as well as an ally,” Frank said his reelection was important to LGBT-friendly legislation in Congress.

“He’s one of the people who helps us lobby other people,” Frank told SGN. “From the day he got to Congress, he’s been one of our closest allies on the things we want to get done.”

“He’s also one of the leading authorities on health care,” Frank added. “It’s been very important to have that – to have an authority on healthcare as an ally – on AIDS as

list of answers, participants’ top three concerns were marriage equality (55.5%) hate crime violence/harassment (39.0%) and healthcare (32.0%).

The survey also asked respondents about the biggest issues impacting them personally.

Healthcare (51.6%), marriage equality (49.0%), and lack of jobs in this economy (43.4%) were the most popular responses.

This week, Seattle Gay News spoke with Seattle LGBT Commission co-chair Eleazar Juárez-Díaz, Eleazar Juárez-Díaz co-chair for the Comby Shaun Knittel mission, to find out what the group intends to do with the data.

SGN Associate Editor The top concern among LGBT Last week, the Seattle LGBT Seattleites, according to responCommission released a prelimi- dents, was marriage equality. Elnary report of the results from a eazar agreed that result comes as six-week online survey to assess no surprise.

“Sadly, no one is surprised to the needs of Seattle’s LGBT community on issues including hous- see that LGBT folks don’t always ing, education, health, public safe- feel safe in their communities, or that marriage equality is an issue ty, and community involvement.

Nearly 1,600 people participated for us. We are excited, however, to in the survey from June 18 through have concrete data of what all of these issues look like in Seattle beJuly 31, 2010.

Choosing from a multiple-choice cause it is one of the only ways to

move forward with real solutions,” Eleazar told SGN. “The Commission’s role is to advise the mayor and the City Council around any issues that are important to the LGBT community. When we set out to do the survey, we wanted the data to be a community resource with information that would benefit nonprofits, city departments, etc. Not every question on the survey will necessarily correlate to specific actions by the Commission and we want to work on the areas where we’ll have the most impact. For example, our work on harassment and relationship-building with the Seattle Police Department really leverages our role as a city commission.”

“We know that this [marriage equality] is going to be a priority for our community until we get those rights, so it will continue to be an issue that the Commission works on,” he said. “Like with any issue, we will take any opportunity to support existing work that community groups might already be doing and to advocate for the efforts with city government.”

Remember the Capitol Hill crime spree last summer? The sur-

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

ers reported that they had developed a vaccine that was effective in preventing SIV (Simian Immunodeficiency Virus) infections in rhesus macaques.

SIV is the monkey equivalent of HIV in humans, and tests on monkeys are the standard precursor to human testing.

The VGTI researchers said their study could “significantly contribute” to the development of an Scanning electron micrograph of HIV-1 bud- effective HIV vaccine. ding (in green) from cultured lymphocyte.

The researchers gave 24 healthy rhesus macaques a

by Mike Andrew vaccine containing a genetically SGN Staff Writer modified form of the virus rhesus Research conducted at Oregon cytomegalovirus (CMV).

In 13 of the monkeys, the vacHealth & Science University’s cine appeared to offer protection Vaccine and Gene Therapy Instiagainst SIV. Of these 13, 12 montute (VGTI) may offer hope for an eventual HIV vaccine.

In a study published in the journal Nature on May 11, researchsee vaccine page 19

file photo

New study could “significantly contribute” to development

Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank

well as other things.”

According to Frank, allies like McDermott are even more important now that the House is controlled by Republicans in the throes of ideological fervor.

While Democrats controlled the

House, from 2007 through 2011, Frank was chair of the powerful House Committee on Financial Services (sometimes called the

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

rumor mill has been running wild and Chris says that yes, once and for all, C.C. Attle’s is back!

When asked, “So, what the hell took so long?” the look on Chris’ face tells the story of a man who has been working his ass off, against roadblock after roadblock, for months.

“It’s been difficult,” he said.

“The City of Seattle treated us like a new business. So we had setbacks with permitting and building code changes. Plus, permitting costs have skyrocketed.”

Chris says that there were times that he and the owners of C.C.

see frank page 20

Seattle LGBT Commission to C.C. Attle’s announces put survey findings to good use opening dates courtesy entre hermanos

Otters, cubs, and bears – oh my!

C.C. Attle’s will hold a “soft opening” (with a limited selection of food and alcohol) by Memorial Day weekend. Chris Daw, C.C. Attle’s general manager, told Seattle Gay News that the official grand opening is scheduled for June 11.

Chris is in overdrive mode. The man is on a mission, folks. He’s been painting, building, and overseeing all parts of the remodel and reopening of the famed “bear bar” ever since the original C.C. Attle’s (first opened October 17, 1993) see survey page 21 closed late last year. The buzz and

see c.c. attle’s page 18

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Seattle Gay News

May 20, 2011

Celebrating 38 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

May 20, 2011

Seattle Gay News

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Seattle Gay News

Madison Pub birthday celebrating 25 years

by Anthony Greer SGN Contributing Writer Madison Pub, one of Seattle’s most laidback and comfortable neighborhood bars, celebrated their 25th anniversary on May 14.

“We had happy hour all day and pretty much had a good time,” Roland Hyre, Madison Pub’s current owner, said. “We gave away money prizes every hour on the hour, and at 10 p.m. I walked around and gave everybody a coupon for our 25th anniversary T-shirts. I ended up giving away about 200 of them. That was pretty much it – no marching bands or clowns or anything else like that.”

While the celebrating continues and the “25th Anniversary” banner still hangs over the bar, the Pub’s staff and patrons have experienced an abundance of changes, expansions, and managerial transitions.

Despite this, the Pub has remained very similar in its appeal since its opening a quarter-century ago.

In May of 1986, Chet Herald bought a small tavern on Madison Street, remodeled it, and turned it into a Gay bar with red and black décor and simple tables that made people feel at home.

“What I fell in love with when I first walked into the Madison Pub was that it was a neat and tidy neighborhood bar,” Michael Lull, who was hired by Herald six months after the bar opened, said. “I asked Chet if I could work there, and he said yes. I really liked the idea that he wanted to keep it as everybody’s living room, complete with pool tables and dartboards. I think that the concept’s carried on to this day.”

Lull went on to buy the Pub from Herald in 1995, after working there for nine years.

“As a bartender there, I loved it,” Lull said. “I enjoyed bantering with people and I just enjoyed myself. I tried to be a friend and listen when they had troubles. Once I bought the place and started managing it, it didn’t really change much. At one point in my life I felt like I had more friends than just about anybody. I think that most people that work there or have worked there genuinely like the place.”

Joey Perkins, a bartender at the Pub, agrees. “This bar is like my living room, and I think that a lot of us feel that way.”

Lull said that even though he was the owner and the staff were his employees, he rarely called them such. He liked to think of

May 20, 2011

the whole staff as his co-workers. “I wanted to make them feel as if they were an integral part of the bar, and I genuinely thought that each of them were.”

About five or six years ago, Lull was looking to retire and had Hyre take over as manager. Hyro became the official owner on January 1, 2011 so that Lull could retire in Ocean Shores.

“He pretty much did everything and was the obvious choice when I sold it [the bar],” Lull said.

Hyre first started working at the bar in March of 1992. “I got out of the navy in ‘91 and spent six months kicking back and not doing much of anything, and this was my hangout. They were looking for a barback and I honestly had the time, so that’s how I started here. I did a couple of barback shifts and then starting bartending, and that’s just how it went.”

Back in the ’80s and ’90s, the Pub only sold beer and wine, but because so many other bars had hard alcohols as well, the staff decided to make the transition in 2000 to have a full bar.

Not everyone on the staff was enthusiastic about this change.

“I fought tooth and nail to keep from having hard alcohol here because I was afraid that it was going to effect the flavor of the bar,” Perkins said.

Shortly after Madison Pub stocked their shelves with vodkas, rums, and other liquors, Lull was given the opportunity to expand the size of the bar.

“I give great kudos to Chet,” Lull said.

“I think he did an excellent job making the place look comfortable. When I had the op-

portunity to more than double the bar, I used the same wood, the same accents, etc. The basic feel of the place – the red and black – is exactly the same, and I intended to keep it that way.”

For those that never stepped inside Madison Pub before 2002, the bar looked just as it does today, but was about half its size.

“When you walk in, there’s a wall to your right. If you extended that wall to the bathrooms, that was the whole bar,” Lull explained. “We left the rest of that wall in place and redid the entire other side, and in one morning we took that wall out, and by the time everybody showed up it was all wide open. It took us a long time to build up a solid core or regulars, and by the time we did and then expanded, we had people lining up at the door.”

Despite these two drastic changes, Madison Pub only grew in popularity, but also successfully managed to keep its same flavor as a neighborhood bar. So what keeps the Pub open and busy after 25 years?

“I think a lot of it has to do with the longevity of the staff,” Hyre said. “Having that continuity really makes a difference.”

Hyre has worked at the Pub for 19 years, while Perkins has been there for 16, with most of the staff following just shortly behind in experience.

“The longevity of the staff kind of makes us feel like a family,” Hyre added. “This is a good place to work. We give regular pay raises, our paychecks never bounce, we have health benefits. … We’re also very picky about who we hire. If we know someone’s not gonna fit in or work out, we don’t keep them on staff for long.”

Lull also had some insight about the successes behind the bar. “We’ve been consistent. If you liked Madison Pub 20 years ago, you can still come in and like it today. ... We’ve had the same type of management throughout the entire time, and we really do value the customer.”

“I think that five years from now, this bar will be exactly the same or look very similar and that’s the nice thing about it,” Perkins added.

After 25 years, the Pub certainly has a lot to look forward to. While new bars and clubs open and close around it, Madison Pub has captured a sort of nostalgia that keeps its employees happy while working there, and its patrons returning regularly.

“That place was my life for a long time,” Lull said. “The 25th anniversary was the first time I’d been back since I sold the place. It was a little emotional coming in not as the owner, but the bar wasn’t very different and the party was a lot of fun.”

For now, the Pub’s staff looks forward to the summer months, as well as its next anniversary.

Celebrating 38 Years!

by Richard L. Tso Special to the SGN When you come face-to-face with someone who wants to hurt you, you feel utterly alone. You may have a loving family at home and friends who believe in you, but when you are looking straight into the eyes of a complete stranger who hates you based on preconceived notions of who you are, it is just the two of you and time stops.

In August 2010, I was invited to Baltimore to give a speech at the eTail conference as vice president of a company I worked for at the time. After my speech, Ajit Kapur followed and cornered me in the Baltimore Hilton Hotel and attacked me for being perceived as Gay while yelling the word “faggot” repeatedly between each punch.

I am indeed a homosexual, and a proud one at that. But I am also an accomplished businessman and CEO, as well as executive director and board member of the tolerance organization TAP America, a board member of Stanford Pride, a musician, a brother, and a son. My sexuality does not define me, my actions and accomplishments do.

Almost one year later, on May 11, 2011, I sat in a Baltimore courtroom reliving the incident in my mind and hoping to find closure. In State of Maryland v. Ajit Kapur (Case #810344036), I was subpoenaed as a witness and victim and was prepared to take the stand and testify in front of a jury. This was the State’s case, and while the district attorney could ask for my input about decisions relating to the case, it was ultimately his decision about how to proceed.

After long negotiations, Ajit Kapur pleaded guilty to Maryland Criminal Law Statute 10-304 which protects citizens against “Harassment because of another’s race, color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or national origin.” Sexual orientation was added as recently as 2009 as a protected class. My case was one of the first cases where this updated statute was enforced in the state of Maryland. I was able to submit a victim impact statement before sentencing about how this crime affected me both personally and professionally. Mine is not the only recent case.

Last month, on April 18th, 2011, a young Transgender woman was beaten into a seizure at a Baltimore-area McDonalds. The district attorney has not yet determined if it will be prosecuted as a hate crime. In my own case, Kapur was initially booked for simple assault. It took some convincing by me and my advisors before the district attorney added the hate crime charge.

While I am satisfied with their attentiveness and diligence during my case, it was clear that the judges and lawyers were still becoming familiar with this new law. This is where advocacy is critical. It is not enough to have civil rights statutes on the books – police, lawyers, and judges actually need to enforce these laws to protect us.

These cases highlight the need for similar laws around the United States. States that do not have a statute against hate crimes based on sexual orientation include Alaska, Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Indiana, Virginia, North Caro-

courtesy richard tso

Guilty plea in hate crime against Seattle resident

Richard Tso

lina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Ohio.

Even 13 years after the death of Matthew Shepard, Wyoming still does not have such a law.

According to a 2009 Department of Justice report, 48.4% of hate crimes were motivated by racial bias, followed by religious bias (19.7%) and sexual orientation bias (18.5%). Approximately 71.3% of racial bias was anti-black, while 17% was antiwhite, and about 71.4% of religious bias was anti-Jewish. Also, 55.7% of all sexual orientation bias was directed against homo-

sexual males.

These figures are indeed startling, but we also must remember that these numbers are under-representative of hate crimes in America because only one-third of victims report such crimes to the authorities. As a nation, we need to take action to prevent these violent acts from occurring in the first place. We not only need to encourage more states to adopt these statutes but we need to encourage law enforcement officials and the judicial system to enforce them in a court of law.

What will it take to keep us safe?

without a law covering everyone, businesses that do provide sick leave are placed at a competitive disadvantage vis-a-vis those that do not.

Organizers hope to see the bill passed before flu season begins this fall. Councilmember Nick Licata has agreed to sponsor the ordinance and plans to introduce it in become the fourth city in the United States the next few weeks. At least two other counto require sick leave for all workers in both cilmembers have expressed support for the the public and private sector. The other three cities are San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Milwaukee’s law is being challenged by the state and has not taken effect.) Several other cities and states are considering such a law, including Denver, Philadelphia, New York City, and Connecticut.

Supporters say 190,000 workers in Seattle (40 percent of the workforce) currently lack paid sick days, meaning they lose income if they take a day off due to illness. These employees are heavily concentrated in the hospitality and health-care industries, including restaurants, grocery stores, and assisted living facilities. In such occupations, the potential for sick workers to spread contagious illness to the public is especially high.

Opponents (including the Seattle Times editorial page) have decried the proposal as one more burden on small businesses, but supporters say experience has not borne this out. The coalition cites a recent study of the San Francisco law, which found it added only 11 cents to the cost of a typical restaurant meal. The average employee, according to the study, took only three days of sick leave per year, despite being eligible for five days or more. Supporters also point out that

idea, while others have said they are waiting to see the bill’s actual language.

More information about the campaign can be found at www.seattlehealthyworkforce. org. A detailed analysis of the proposal by the nonprofit Economic Opportunity Institute is available at www.eoionline.org.

Pride At Work backs city sick pay proposal

by C.J. Bille Special to the SGN A proposal to require all businesses in the City of Seattle to provide paid sick leave to their employees has won a key LGBT endorsement.

Pride At Work, a constituent group within the AFLCIO, is listed among more than 70 organizations that make up the Seattle Coalition for a Healthy Workforce. The coalition is urging passage of a city ordinance that would provide workers at companies with 10 or more employees up to 72 hours (nine full days) sick leave per year, accrued at the rate of one hour of leave for every 30 hours of work. Workers at firms with fewer than 10 employees could accrue up to 40 hours (five days) of paid leave per year. They could use the benefit after 90 days of continuous employment (or sooner, if the employer agrees). Companies that use a “paid time off” system that lumps sick leave in with vacation could continue to do so.

Paid sick leave could be used for personal illness or to care for a sick family member.

Pride At Work spokesperson Michael Andrew told SGN that state law would require such a bill to include caring for a same-sex partner.

If the City Council approves, Seattle will

“If the City Council approves, Seattle will become the fourth city in the United States to require sick leave for all workers in both the public and private sector.”

Come meet Tim and Matt and join the family.

Go 1605 12th Avenue at Pine, Seattle (In liquor store parking garage.) Seattle Storm!

206-838-6027 or 206-898-4306 Visit us online www.sgn.org

May 20, 2011

Seattle Gay News

5

Sen. Patty Murray cosponsors bill to combat LGBT youth homelessness

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

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Seattle Gay News

May 20, 2011

The bill is also co-sponsored by Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK), and is now pending before the Senate Finance Committee.

Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) is expected to introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives in the coming weeks.

The bill is supported by 39 organizations, including the National Coalition for the Homeless, PFLAG, the National Center for Transgender Equality, and GLSEN.

Mayor McGinn agrees with LGBT Commission

Jeff Romeo

Senator Patty Murray will co-sponsor a bill to combat homelessness among LGBT youth.

The Reconnecting Youth to Prevent Homelessness Act was introduced by former presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) on May 14.

The bill addresses the needs of young people living on the street and has specific provisions dealing with the problem of LGBT homelessness.

The total number of youth in the U.S. who become homeless or runaway each year may total 1.6 million.

According to studies by NGLTF, 20-40% of homeless youth are LGBT or gender-

variant. In one study, NGLTF found that 26% of teens who came out to their parents or guardians were forced to leave home.

“I am proud to cosponsor this legislation that will help keep young people across America off the streets and in stable housing. This is especially important for LGBT youth who, unfortunately, face the prospect of homelessness at far higher rates than their peers,” Sen. Murray said in a statement to SGN. The LGBT-specific provisions of the bill direct the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to create programs to improve family relationships for LGBT youth and decrease their rate of homelessness.

HHS is directed to run the programs for five years.

They are to include “behavioral interventions” to decrease rejecting behaviors in families with LGBT youth, and assessment tools to identify LGBT youths at risk for rejection.

In addition, HHS would also be directed to create family education resources to help families learn about behavior that could place LGBT youth at risk, as well as alternative behavior to promote positive development.

In addition to setting up LGBT-specific programs at HHS, the measure also allows children to remain in foster care at least until they reach age 21, extends the timeframe for

foster-care youth have to use federal independence training programs, and ensures that children in foster care receive the Social Security benefits for which they qualify due to the death of a parent or a disability.

“As a father,” Kerry said, “it’s a punch in the gut to imagine children living on the streets, but this year alone, one in 50 American kids will be homeless. There are common-sense reforms we can implement to help make things better for LGBT youth.”

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn

On May 9, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn issued this response to the Seattle LGBT Commission: “I have reviewed your memorandum of March 23, 2011, regarding Transgender health insurance coverage exclusions.

Thank you for the thoughtful and compelling work that you have done to research this issue and formulate your recommendation.

“I agree with your recommendation that the city should remove Transgender exclusions in all health care plans offered to city of Seattle employees. Providing inclusive medical benefits to our valued Transgender employees is not cost-prohibitive and is the right thing to do. I will ask the Seattle Personnel Department to work to remove these exclusions in its negotiations with the City’s health plans.”

Celebrating 38 Years!

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia file photo

must be deconstructed in its social logic and fought against openly.

May 17 was chosen as the day of the event because homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization on May 17, 1992.

“In every part of the world, men and women are persecuted and attacked because of who they are or whom they love,” said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a statement to the press. “Homophobia, Transphobia, and the brutal hostility associated with them are ofSecretary of State Hillary Clinton ten rooted in a lack of understanding of what it actually means to

by Shaun Knittel be LGBT. So to combat this terrible scourge and break the cycle of fear and violence, we SGN Associate Editor must work together to improve education On May 17, members of the world com- and support those who stand up against laws munity observed the International Day that criminalize love and promote hate.”

As we mark the International Day Against Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). The day aims to coordinate inter- Homophobia and Transphobia this May 17, national events to call for respect for LGBT let us resolve to redouble our efforts, she persons worldwide. Unlike Gay Pride, said.

“On behalf of President Obama and the which is largely meant to emphasize pride in one’s sexual orientation and refusal to be people of the United States, I am proud to ashamed of it, IDAHO highlights that in re- reaffirm our support for LGBT communities ality it is homophobia that is shameful and at home and abroad, and to call for an end to

New data links antiLGBT school bullying with suicide, HIV, STDs

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

Critical new research has found that LGBT youth who experience high levels of school victimization in middle and high school report impaired physical and mental health in young adulthood, including depression, suicide attempts that require medical care, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and increased risk for HIV. This is the first known study to examine the relationship between school victimization during adolescence, specifically related to sexual orientation and gender identity, with multiple dimensions of young adult health and adjustment. The study demonstrates the importance of addressing and preventing anti-LGBT victimization at the structural or school level to reduce health disparities among LGBT young people.

The study is published in the Journal of School Health, the journal of the American School Health Association.

Analyzing data from the Family Acceptance Project’s young adult survey, the authors examined experiences related to school victimization during adolescence based on known or perceived LGBT identity among 245 LGBT young adults, ages 21

to 25. They found that LGBT young adults who were victimized in school because of their LGBT identity reported much higher health and adjustment problems, while students with low levels of school victimization had higher self-esteem and life satisfaction as young adults.

“We now have evidence of the lasting personal and social cost of failing to make our schools safe for all students. Prior studies have shown that school victimization of LGBT adolescents affects their health and mental health. In our study we see the effects of school victimization up to a decade later or more. It is clear that there are public health costs to LGBT-based bullying over the long term,” said the study’s lead author, Stephen T. Russell, Ph.D., a distinguished professor at the University of Arizona.

Director of the Family Acceptance Project at San Francisco State University and study co-author Caitlin Ryan, Ph.D., pointed out, “The pervasiveness of bullying and lack of research on outcomes in adulthood have masked the serious long-term health costs for LGBT children and youth. These new findings will help providers and school advocacy groups understand the critical role families can play in preventing and managing victimization and the importance of our

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discrimination and mistreatment of LGBT persons wherever it occurs,” said Clinton.

“Whether by supporting LGBT advocates marching in Belgrade, leading the effort at the United Nations to affirm the human rights of LGBT persons, or condemning a vile law under consideration in Uganda, we are committed to our friends and allies in every region of the world who are fighting for equality and justice. These are not

Western concepts; these are universal human rights.”

“Despite these gains and hard work, there is more to do to turn the tide of inequality and discrimination against the LGBT community. If you are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender, know that the United States stands with you and we are unwavering in our commitment to ending this cycle of hate,” she concluded.

Sisters giving out money, soliciting grant applications

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan, want to give you money!

On May 16, the Sisters announced they are opening the coffers they have been steadily filling the past 12 months and are now accepting applications for their 2011 Charity Granting Cycle.

For the last several years, the Sisters have been giving out grants annually to nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations in Washington state. The organizations that have qualified for grants in the past have all been supportive of the LGBT community in some way, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS services, STD prevention, LGBT veterans, youth support, and marriage equality.

According to the Sisters, since their grant program was started, the Abbey has given away thousands of dollars to help support the community.

“Check out our website (www.theabbey. org) to find a link to our ‘Charity Grant Fund’ on the ‘Sunday School’ page. By following that link, you will find the application for downloading and printing, plus instructions on filling it out so that you give us the information we need to make a thought-

ful and informed decision (no bribes, please, no matter how sparkly),” said the Sisters in a press release. “You can also reach the application/instructions directly by typing www. theabbey.org/projects/grants.html into your web browser.”

If you have questions about the application process, the Sisters will be available to answer questions on May 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the 15th Avenue Coffee & Tea Starbucks (328 15th Ave. E. on Seattle’s Capitol Hill).

“We encourage you to get your thorough and concise application in ASAP, because it must reach the Abbey no later than June 29 to be considered,” they said. “This will give us enough time to review each one before we distribute the monies at our anniversary party in July. Stay tuned for party details.”

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan are “an order of 21st-century nuns dedicated to the promulgation of universal joy and the expiation of stigmatic guilt. We work to raise money for AIDS charities, fight for Queer rights and visibility, do safer sex outreach, and strive diligently to never take ourselves so seriously that we forget to have fun. We gladly welcome all races, creeds, genders, and sexual orientations.”

work in engaging and teaching parents and caregivers how to support and advocate for their LGBT children in families, schools, and communities. The focus on serving LGBT youth primarily in peer-only spaces has prevented families and caregivers from learning the skills they need to advocate for their LGBT children.”

Ann P. Haas, Ph.D., director of prevention projects for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, said, “This new study provides compelling evidence that negative environments pose long-term health and mental health risks for LGBT youth. The Family Acceptance Project’s growing body of research is building a solid foundation to develop preventive interventions to deal with the harmful effects of anti-LGBT environments on young people in their families, schools, and communities.“ Commenting on the study’s findings related to sexual health risks, Sean Cahill, Ph.D., managing director of public policy, research, and community health for Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) noted, “Once again, the Family Acceptance Project is helping us understand the social parameters of risk for LGBT youth by expanding on their work with families to show that school experiences also contribute to sexual health risk and risk for HIV among LGBT young adults. As the HIV epidemic continues to escalate among young Gay and Bisexual men and Transgender women, and especially black Gay youth, this study provides important evidence of the public health need for structural interventions and targeted anti-discrimination policies in our nation’s schools to prevent HIV and other serious health problems.”

Key research findings:

• LGBT young adults who reported high levels of LGBT school victimization during adolescence were 5.6 times more likely to report having attempted suicide, 5.6 times more likely to report a suicide attempt that required medical care, 2.6 times more likely to report clinical levels of depression, and more than twice as likely to have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease and to report risk for HIV infection, compared with peers who reported low levels of school victimization.

• Gay and Bisexual males and Transgender young adults reported higher levels of LGBT school victimization than Lesbian and Bisexual young women.

• LGBT young adults who reported lower levels of school victimization reported higher levels of self-esteem, life satisfaction, and social integration compared with peers with higher levels of school victimization during adolescence.

The Family Acceptance Project is a community research, intervention, education and policy initiative, affiliated with San Francisco State University, that is designed to improve the health, mental health, and wellbeing of LGBT children and adolescents; strengthen and help ethnically and religiously diverse families support their LGBT children; help LGBT youth stay in their homes to prevent homelessness and the need for custodial care in the foster care and juvenile justice systems; inform public policy and family policy; and develop a new evidence-based, family model of wellness, prevention, and care to promote wellbeing and decrease risk for LGBT youth in families, schools, and communities.

For more information, please visit http:// familyproject.sfsu.edu.

May 20, 2011

Seattle Gay News

7

Out in Front graduates third leadership class courtesy Out in front

Governor Chris Gregoire with Out in Front

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Out in Front Seattle, a leadership development effort seeking to secure the future of the movement for LGBTQ equality at all levels of government and society, graduated its third class of new leaders this week.

Over eight months, through six full-day sessions, two weekend-long retreats, plus professional networking opportunities and intergenerational collaboration, the class worked to gain new understanding and reinforced their own skills toward becoming inclusive, relevant, inspiring, and accountable leaders.

The latest class of graduates are Jessie Benet (King County), Jordan Duran (Gay City Health Project), Matthew Gockel (Hopelink), Jeremy Haber (The Boeing Company), Tye Larabee (Mod Content), Ruben Lozano-Aguilera (Microsoft), Ryan McMurray (Free & Clear), Caila Nickerson (Lifelong AIDS Alliance), Anthonio Petit (Aditi Consulting), Nicole Sylvester (Wimmer Solutions), and Eric Williams (Obama For America).

The road to graduation was an informative one. The students kicked off their training with a retreat that included discussion on the characteristics and challenges of leadership, leadership styles, and local LGBTQ history.

They also worked on team building and net-

working. The retreat afforded participants the opportunity to hear from leaders and historians about their experience in Seattle’s LGBTQ past. After that, the months-long programs of business savvy, community organizing, diversity, advocacy, media, national movement, and sustainability began.

Since beginning the leadership program in 2009, Out in Front has garnered an impressive group of alumni – something Out in Front officials hope will continue. Like any existing leadership curriculum, it does not come without a cost. Prospective students pay tuition based on their annual income.

The tuition helps defray the costs of meals, lodging for two overnight retreats, speakers who travel long distances, supplies, and other expenses. Tuition assistance may be available for those who qualify.

Out in Front is currently seeking members for the 2012 class. Although the program is designed for emerging leaders who identify as LGBTQ, applications are welcome from straight allies who have demonstrated a commitment to LGBTQ equality.

According to Out in Front officials, they are looking for candidates who meet the following admissions criteria: • LGBTQ-identified people or straight allies with demonstrated commitment to Out in Front’s mission, vision, and values • Identity and experience that contribute to a diverse class • Achievements that demonstrate initiative or exceeding expectations • Demonstrated ability to grasp complex issues and develop collaborative solutions • Commitment to community involvement • Interest in the empowerment, equality, and vitality of the LGBTQ community • Ability to form enduring relationships within the greater community • Willingness and ability to commit to the program participation policy Out in Front Seattle was founded in 2007. its mission is to foster the development of effective, engaged, and passionate leaders in order to build a thriving Lesbian, Gay,

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Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer community through training, networking, and mentorship, connecting participants to some of the foremost current leaders in the LGBTQ movement. From the non-profit sector to government to the corporate world, Out in Front strives to provide a diverse look at the

ways in which our community works for equality, and the ways our community can more effectively reach out to our friends and allies.

For more information, including how to enroll in the next class, visit the organization online at www.outinfrontseattle.org.

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

wing evangelical group with connections to several powerful Republican politicians.

The legislation was drafted soon after a March 2009 conference in Kampala attended by U.S. evangelical leaders including Scott Lively, Caleb Lee Brundidge, and Don Schmierer.

The measure would provide life sentences for same-sex relations – existing Ugandan law only calls for 14 years in prison – and a death sentence for “repeat offenders” or for HIV-positive people who have sex with anyone.

Once the proposed legislation became widely known, Museveni was besieged by international condemnation – including threats by the European Union and Great Britain to cut off all foreign aid to Uganda.

President Obama characterized the bill as “odious,” U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned it, and Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnny Carson personally phoned Museveni to stress U.S. objections to the law.

Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) has also proposed legislation to cut off aid to Uganda if the bill passes.

Museveni, meanwhile, blamed all Uganda’s troubles on his enemies, including news reporters.

On May 13, he wrote a long, rambling letter, laced with Biblical allusions, to New Vision newspaper. In it he described both local and foreign media as “enemies of Uganda’s recovery.”

Perhaps the best commentary on the situation in Uganda comes from a blogger know as GayUganda, a personal friend of murdered Gay activist David Kato: “People, I am a Gay man, who is Ugandan. I can be killed because of being Gay in Uganda. But, I can also be killed because of the general abuse of human rights in the country.

“I REQUEST, AND BEG OF YOU, OUR ALLIES, NOT TO BE FOOLED. “That is very important.

“If you want to condemn the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, please CONDEMN in the strongest terms possible the general state of human rights in Uganda.”

Uganda’s “Kill the Gays” bill still alive

Uganda’s government has Gays, political opponents, and the news media on its hit list, according to reports from Kampala, the country’s capital.

Although Uganda’s parliament adjourned on May 13 without acting on the notorious “Kill the Gays” bill, the measure will reportedly be reintroduced when parliament reconvenes later this year.

Also on the agenda will be legislation to allow the government to hold prisoners for up to six months without bail.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni asked for the special powers to cope with riots that have erupted since he won re-election in February, in a contest that his opponents charged was corrupt.

Museveni has been president since 1986, and all his re-election campaigns have been marked by violence against his opponents and charges of fraud.

His main challenger, Kizza Besigye, is currently being held under house arrest.

New rioting broke out when Museveni’s security forces beat him up while taking him into custody on April 29.

Museveni has accused him of using trying to foment an Egypt-style popular uprising.

From his house, Besigye told the BBC’s Network Africa program on May 14 that he felt ashamed that his country had “regressed back to the dark days of previous atrocious dictatorships.”

“When we used to have a law called the preventative detention act under which political opponents could be detained indefinitely by the regime in power,” he said.

“I have no idea what the conditions of my house arrest are … they didn’t say for how long.”

During the campaign, Besigye advocated decriminalization of same-sex relations.

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, also known as the “Kill the Gays” bill, was introduced

by David Bahati, a junior minister in Museveni’s political party.

Both Museveni and Bahati are reportedly protégés of The Family, a secretive right-

Lewis County kicks off Pride celebration on May 26

Courtesy of Centralia College GSA On May 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Centralia College Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) will be sponsoring the 5th Annual Lewis County Pride 2011. Pride started back in 2006 with a handful of energetic supporters, and has grown each year to a bigger and better event. We would like to invite you to join us with for this event and ask if you can spread the word.

Organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Stonewall Youth, PFLAG-Olympia, Centralia Timberland Library, Lewis County Health Dept., and Centralia High School GSA will be represented. We would like to spread the word of the event. There will be people from all over the Washington and out of state also to support a worthy cause.

Entertainment such as a drag show, belly dancers, Mukana Marimba Band of Olym-

pia, Mr. & Miss Gay Lewis County crowning, and several speakers will be on the stage at the Clock Tower. There will be a gift basket raffle and food sales to support Centralia College GSA. Please feel free to bring your family and friends to support diversity in Lewis County.

Please help us spread the word of acceptance in Lewis County. You could make a difference! We invite you to join us at the event for a wonderful celebration. Post this event on your Facebook to invite your friends and add Centralia College GSA as a friend to stay updated. If you are unable to make it but would still like to support the event, we are taking donations to support the Centralia College GSA Scholarship, which is award each year to students who are making a difference in the GLBT community. Please send all donations in care of Centralia College GSA to 600 Centralia College Blvd, Centralia, WA, 98531.

Come meet Tim and Matt and join the family.

Go 1605 12th Avenue at Pine, Seattle (In liquor store parking garage.) Seattle Storm!

206-838-6027 or 206-898-4306 8

Seattle Gay News

May 20, 2011

Celebrating 38 Years!

NORTHWEST

NEWS

compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR SEATTLE PRIDE PARADE www.seattlepride.org

bus lines 21, 54 and 55, Seattle’s Dharma Buddies and Lotus Sisters host a one day retreat for the Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Trans, Queer, Non-Gender Identifying Community.

“Opening to Happiness” will be a time to MISS INDIGO BLUE’S explore in silence and dialog the unfolding ACADEMY OF BURLESQUE – of our lives in the environment of awareness “GET THEM TO LAS VEGAS!” and love. Facilitated by Arinna Weisman.

A BENEFIT FOR THE Co-sponsored by Seattle’s Lotus Sisters and BURLEQUE HALL OF FAME On Friday, May 20, doors at 7:30 p.m., Dharma Buddies. $15 suggested donation. show at 8 p.m., at the Academy of Burleque, Lotus.sisters@yahoo.com; www.dharmWest Hall, OddFellows Building, 915 E. abuddies.org.

Pine St., local burlesque legends Eartha GLSEN/WA Quake and Velvet Ice take the stage along GSA RECEPTION, with a bevy of local performers who are AWARDS & AUCTION competing, performing, or have previously On Sunday, May 22, from 5-8:30 p.m., at competed at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend! Don’t miss this chance to cheer the Maritime Event Center at Bell Harbor, on the amazing collection of talent who will Pier 66, 2211 Alaskan Way, join GLSEN/ be representing the Northwest in Las Vegas, WA board members, GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) students and advisors, emcee June 2-5.

Tickets: $25-VIP advance, $30 at the door; Q13 FOX News anchor Lily Jang, keynote $15-general advance, $20 at the door. www. speaker Washington State Representative brownpapertickets.com/event/174501. Must Marko Liias, and friends and supporters for GLSEN/WA’s (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Edube 21+ with ID. Wheelchair accessible. cation Network) 6th annual GSA reception, awards presentation, and silent and live auc“RED LIGHT DISTRICT” – SEATTLE EROTIC ART FESTIVAL tion. Build you own tacos at the taco bar and On Friday, May 20, through Sunday, May enjoy a delicious ice cream bar for dessert.

22, at Fremont Studios, 155 N. 35th St., the Auction items include: Field-level Mariners Seattle Erotic Art Festival presents “Red game seats for June 29th game vs. the AtLight District,” an immersive weekend of lanta Braves, dinners at Poppy and at Teatro visual art, film, performances, literary art, Zinzanni, tickets to the 5th Avenue Theatre, interactive installations, after-parties, work- holiday reception at the Governor’s Manshops, and museum-quality festival store. sion with tour of the mansion and photo Hours: Friday/Saturday, noon-2 a.m.; Sun- with Governor Gregoire, and more. Tickets: day, 11a.m.-8 p.m. Tickets: Friday/Saturday, $35-general admission, $20-youth/student, $30-advance, $36-at the door, $10 day pass and can be purchased in advance at www. (noon-6 p.m.), $10 after-party (11 p.m.- brownpapertickets.com/event/154346.

2 a.m.); Sunday, $10 suggested donation. www.glsenwa.org.

Full weekend pass: $55-advance, $65 at the LA FEMME MAGNIFIQUE door. Age Restriction: 18+ Friday/Saturday WASHINGTON PAGEANT until 6 p.m. (21+ after 6 p.m.) and all day On Sunday, May 22, doors at 6 p.m., pagSunday. www.seattle-erotic.org. eant at 7 p.m., at Neighbours, 1509 Broadway (entrance in alley between Broadway “SPRING SYMPHONY” and Harvard off E. Pike St.), join Gaysha IKEBANA EXHIBITION – Starr and the reigning La Femme MagSEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM On Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and nifique and La Femme Magnifique Plus for Sunday, May 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Seattle the exciting La Femme Magnifique WashAsian Art Museum, Volunteer Park (14th ington Pageant. Tickets: $15 in advance Ave. E. & E. Prospect St.), Seattle Chapter and at the door. Partial proceeds to beneft 19 of Ikebana International presents their GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education annual show of Japanese flower arrange- Network) WA. For contestant information ments with demonstrations at 1 p.m. and or tickets, email gaysha@gayshastarr.com.

2 p.m. both days. Admission is FREE (no SEATTLE PRIDE IDOL museum admission charge required). www.

ON HIATUS iiseattlechapter19.com.

On Sundays through June 19 (except May 22), doors at 6 p.m., competition at 7 p.m., U DISTRICT at Neighbours (1509 Broadway. entrance STREETFAIR 2011 On Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and in alley off E. Pike St. between Broadway Sunday, May 22, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., on Univer- and Harvard), join Seattle Out and Proud sity Way NE between NE Campus Parkway (SO&P) for Seattle’s Pride Idol talent comand NE 50th St., the U District StreetFair petition to see who will represent Seattle kicks off the festival season in the Seattle re- Out & Proud on the Pride Idol Float in the gion attracting 50,000 and showcasing 350 Seattle Pride Parade on Sunday, June 26. craft, food and information booths in an en- For complete details, visit www.seattleergetic and exciting celebration of arts and pride.com. crafts, community, music and food.

SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN BOOK CLUB AT DUNSHEE HOUSE “A GLIMPSE OF CHINA – The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club CHINESE CULTURE & ARTS meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at DunFESTIVAL On Saturday, May 21, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., shee House (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas at Seattle Center’s Center House, enjoy St.). All GLBTQ folks in the community are a showcase of Chinese music, art, dance, welcome to participate in this FREE book Wushu (martial arts), Taiqi (Tai Chi) and club.

The book for May is JUST KIDS, by Patti puppet arts. For full event schedule, visit Smith, a portrait of her friendship with conwww.chinaartandculture.com. troversial Gay photographer, Robert Mapplethorpe. It is a quick, compelling read DHARMA BUDDIES about a friendship between two artistic geAND LOTUS SISTERS niuses.

HOST QUEER On May 25, the book club will show the COMMUNITY MEDITATION On Sunday, May 22, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., at superb documentary, Black, White and Camp Long (5200 35th Ave. SW), on Metro Gray, which brings Patti Smith and Robert

Visit us online www.sgn.org

Mapplethorpe to life through their intersection with Robert’s lover, Sam Wagstaff, the older man who almost single-handedly brought the art of photography to the center of the art world. As an example of how two Gay lovers can influence each other, the film is almost unparalleled. And in its 72 minutes, your eyes will feast on dozens of gorgeous turn-of-the-century photographs rescued from obscurity and honored now in the Getty collection by Sam Wagstaff, one of the character’s in this month’s book.

For more information, email nickdimartin@earthlink.net or contact Dunshee House at 206-322-2437.

against LGBT youth. Bob, who is married with two daughters, is among the world’s great athletes, ranking second in all-time scoring for England. He is first, however, among straight professional athletes to focus his philanthropic efforts for the benefit of the LGBT community. Ben will talk about his foundation and his tour, followed by a reception and photo line. There will be a silent auction of Ben Cohen memorabilia during the event, benefiting GLSEN WA. A no host bar and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Tickets are $35 in advance at www. quakerugby.org and a limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $50.

4TH ANNUAL BARTENDER AUCTION AT PURR TO BENEFIT RISE N’ SHINE On Wednesday, May 25, at Purr Cocktail Lounge (1518 11th Ave.), join event host Glamazonia for the 4th Annual Bartender Auction. Bid for a date with your favorite bartender and raise money for Rise n’ Shine in support of their programs to support children affected by HIV/AIDS. Bidding begins at 8 p.m. www.risenshine.org.

KNIGHTS OF MANTRA CAMPOUT 2011 AT MILLER RIVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND MAY 27-30 Includes meals, entertainment, and hot showers. Bring your own camping gear or contact the Knights of Mantra for assistance.

Cost: $125 from May 17-27. For more information, email kofmnews@comcast.net.

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY STAR BEN COHEN AND FORMER HUSKY AND NFL PLAYER DAVID KOPAY HEADLINE TOWN HALL MEETING ON BULLYING AND HOMOPHOBIA IN SPORTS AND SCHOOLS On Friday, May 27, at 4:30 p.m. (doors at 4 p.m.), at University of Washington, Kane Hall, Room 210, the UW welcomes international rugby superstar Ben Cohen MBE to campus for a conversation about ending homophobia in sports and bullying in schools.

Ben will be joined by special guests from varying aspects of sports, including former UW Husky and NFL player, David Kopay, in a panel discussion about the movement to end homophobia in the athletic world. This event is FREE, but RSVP to dawglife@ uw.edu by Monday, May 23, is advised as seating is limited. A reception follows.

SEATTLE QUAKE RUGBY HOSTS MAGNITUDE 15.11 – THE NORTH AMERICAN GAY RUGBY TOURNAMENT MAY 27-29 From Friday, May 27, through Sunday, May 29, Seattle Quake Rugby hosts “Magnitude 15.11 – The North American Gay Rugby Tournament” with special guest international rugby superstar Ben Cohen in attendance. The games will be held at Magnuson Park, Field 5 (7400 Sandpoint Way NE) on Saturday 8:45 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Spectators are welcome!

(See www.magnitude15.org for complete details.) Ben Cohen will make two public appearances on Friday, May 27, at the University of Washington (see details above) and on Saturday, May 28, at the Renaissance Madison Hotel (see details below) to discuss homophobia in sports. For more information on the tournament, Ben Cohen’s visit to Seattle and the Ben Cohen Stand Up Foundation, which supports organizations that advance equality and combat bullying against LGBT youth, visit www.quakerugby.org or www.magnitude15.org.

PRESENTATION AND RECEPTION WITH INTERNATIONAL RUGBY STAR AND OUTSPOKEN LGBT ALLY BEN COHEN On Saturday, May 28 from 7-9 p.m., at Renaissance Seattle hotel (515 Madison St.) join Seattle Quake Rugby and GLSEN WA (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) in welcoming international rugby superstar Ben Cohen to Seattle. Ben is on a North American tour to discuss his new foundation, The Ben Cohen Stand Up Foundation, which supports organizations that advance equality and combat bullying

May 20, 2011

DREAMS DEFERRED: THE SAKIA GUNN FILM PROJECT TO BENEFIT B-GLAD On Saturday, May 28, at 3 p.m., at Broadway Grill (314 Broadway E.), Sistah Sinema will screen Dreams Deferred: The Sakia Gunn Film Project. This documentary tells the little known story of Sakia Gunn, a 15 year old student who identified as an Aggressive – a homosexual woman of color who dresses in masculine attire but does not necessarily identify as either Lesbian or female-to-male Transgender, according to GLAAD. Sakia was fatally stabbed in a Gay hate crime in Newark, New Jersey. The murder cut short Sakia’s potential as a promising basketball player and an “A” student.

Dreams Deferred: The Sakia Gunn Film Project depicts the homophobia that resulted in the murder of a Black Gay teenager and questions the lack of media coverage.

The documentary follows the reaction of the Newark community where several rallies and vigils were held. The event galvanized the community and prompted several LGBT organizations to form, including the Newark Pride Alliance and Sakia Gunn Aggressives & Femmes, as well as a scholarship fund in her name.

Tickets are $10 online at www.sistahsinema webs.com and $15 at the door. $5 from each ticket sold will benefit Youth Eastside Services’s B-GLAD initiative that provides group consulting for Queer youth in the Greater Seattle area. www.youtheastsideservices.org.

Sistah Sinema is a movie night showcasing Black womyn in Queer roles. Each showing will be followed by a moderated discussion series.

Sistah Sinema was created to showcase the nuances of Black Queer Womyn culture. It is hoped that the movies will serve as a vehicle to foster honest dialogue on struggles and opportunities unique to Black Queer Womyn. While discussion will focus on Black Queer Womyn, all members of the Queer community are invited to attend.

SEATTLE FETISH FESTIVAL 2011 MAY 28-30 A weekend of workshops and play parties from the producers of the Seattle Erotic Ball and New Horizons. www.seattlefetishfestival.com.

CIRQUE DU GAY AT NEIGHBOURS TO BENEFIT LAMBERT HOUSE On Saturday, May 28, at 7 p.m., at Neighbours (1509 Broadway, entrance in alley between Broadway and Harvard Ave. off E. Pike St.) join your host Aleksa Manila and Bianca Starr for an evening under the “Big Top” for over the top entertainment. A benefit for Lambert House, with raffle drawings and prizes. No cover!

Seattle Gay News

9

 Broadway 

Farmers Market 10 Seattle Gay News

May 20, 2011

NEW LOCATION! B'way & E. Pine, at Seattle Central Community College Sundays, 11am - 3pm, May 8 - Dec 18.

Celebrating 38 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

May 20, 2011

Seattle Gay News 11

12 Seattle Gay News

May 20, 2011

Celebrating 38 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

May 20, 2011

Seattle Gay News 13

Walk & Talk

Join a walk through Capitol Hill to discuss development around Sound Transit and features that make this a walkable neighborhood. Proceeds of this event support Feet First.

Tuesday May 24th, 2011 5:30-7:30 Feet First members $10 Non-members $15

Meet at:

5:30 at the Odd Fellows Building (the entry is to the right of Odd Fellows Cafe) 1525 10th Avenue Seattle, WA 98122

Reception at:

The Baltic Room

1207 Pine Street Seattle, WA 98101

Guest Speakers:

Sally Clark

Seattle City Councilmember Presented by:

Celia Kupersmith Sound Transit Deputy CEO

Sponsored by:

for more information and to purchase a ticket visit our website:

www.feetfirst.org rie@feetfirst.org 206.652.2310

xiii 14 Seattle Gay News

May 20, 2011

The Drag Queens Vs. The Dykes

Hosted by GaysHa starr

Saturday, June 18th, 2011 Cal anderSon Park, BoBBy MorriS Ball Field GateS oPen at 4 PM GaMe FroM 5 to 9 PM

Celebrating 38 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

May 20, 2011

Seattle Gay News 15

CNN’s Don Lemon: “I’m Gay” file photo

begin openly living my own truth. And let me say right up front that I hope many of you will be inspired to do the same thing in your daily lives. Some of the things I’ve chosen to reveal in my book Transparent were very difficult to share with even those closest to me.

“There was a time when I was terrified of revealing these things to the person I love most in this world – my own mother. But when I finally mustered the courage to tell her that I had been molested as a child and that I was born Gay, my life began to change in positive ways that I never imagined possible. Yet I still chose to keep those secrets hidden from the world. I, like most Gay people, lived a life of fear. Fear that if some employers, co-workers, friends, neighbors, and family members learned of my sexuality, I would be shunned, CNN anchor Don Lemon mocked, and ostracized.

It is a burden that milby Shaun Knittel lions of people carry with them every single day. And sadly, while the mockery and osSGN Associate Editor tracizing are realized by millions of people On May 16, multiple Emmy-winning every day, I truly believe it doesn’t have to CNN anchor Don Lemon came out as Gay happen and that’s why I feel compelled to in an official statement to the media. Lem- share what I’ve written in Transparent.

“As a journalist I believe that part of my on’s statement, “In My Own Words … I mission is to shed light onto dark places.

Was Born Gay,” read: “Today I chose to step out on faith and So, the disclosure of this information does not inhibit in any way my ability to be the professional, fair, and objective journalist I have always been.

“My book is dedicated to the memory of Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi, who jumped to his death from a bridge after his dorm mates streamed his private business over the internet for the world to see.

Tyler might still be with us today if more Gay men and women had chosen to live proudly and openly. It is also dedicated to the millions of young Gay people who believe they are alone when dealing with their own sexual identities. You are not alone!

There are people, like me and many others, who are thriving in their personal and professional lives and although we sometimes have a hard time with it ourselves, we are here to show you by example that you too can overcome any obstacle as long as you stay strong and, most of all, stay alive.”

16 Seattle Gay News

May 20, 2011

Celebrating 38 Years!

NBA joins GLSEN to address anti-Gay language among teens

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

use the phrase “that’s so Gay” to describe something negative. In the second year of the campaign, hard-hitting web-based materials challenged teens to think about the impact their language has on others. One banner ad recalled the story of Carl WalkerHoover, an 11-year-old from Massachusetts who took his own life after enduring constant bullying at school. A badge was also created to track the occurrence of common LGBT slurs in real time on the popular micro-blogging site Twitter. Additionally, a polling tool was developed for bloggers to use on their sites, which features timely events to encourage thought and discussion on the subject of how anti-Gay language is used.

To date, Think Before You Speak, the Ad Council’s first-ever LGBT-themed campaign, has received significant PSA placement and media coverage, combining more than $17.6 million worth of media exposure for the campaign’s message since its launch in 2008.

Phoenix Suns executive announces he is Gay According to news reports, Welts talked to NBA commissioner David Stern, WNBA president Val Ackerman, Hall of Famer Bill Russell, and Suns guard Steve Nash before discussing his sexual orientation with America.

All of them offered Welts their support.

“This is one of the last industries where the subject is off limits,” said Welts. “Nobody’s comfortable in engaging in a conversation.”

Welts’ declaration makes him one of the most prominent figures active in sports to openly admit to being Gay. Others in the industry have come out, but usually well after their playing career is over.

Welts, a 58-year-old UW alum, began his career in Seattle as a ball boy for the SuperSonics. He went on to become the architect of the Phoenix Suns president and CEO Rick Welts All-Star Weekend and helped raise the NBA’s profile as a

by Shaun Knittel league executive before leaving to run the Suns.

SGN Associate Editor His announcement comes at a time when On May 15, Rick Welts, president and the NBA has been forced to confront antiCEO of the NBA Phoenix Suns basketball LGBT bullying by L.A. Lakers star Kobe team, announced he is Gay. Welts says he Bryant, who last month responded to a went public with his announcement because technical foul by calling a referee a “faghe wants to break down one of the last sig- got.” The league responded by fining Bryant $100,000. He later apologized for the slur. nificant social barriers in sports.

David Wallace/AP

The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and the Ad Council joined the National Basketball Association (NBA) to debut a series of public service advertisements (PSAs) featuring Phoenix Suns stars Grant Hill and Jared Dudley designed to address the use of anti-Gay language among teens on May 13.

According to GLSEN officials, the campaign includes new television, radio, print, and web ads, with the TV spot debuting May 15 during the NBA Conference Finals on ABC, TNT, and ESPN. The PSAs are an extension of the awardwinning “Think Before You Speak” campaign and GLSEN’s “Changing the Game” initiative.

The TV spot can be previewed at http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D_XLCmY0D8.

Nearly nine in ten LGBT teens report having been verbally harassed in the past school year, and almost half have been physically harassed based on their sexual orientation, according to GLSEN’s 2009 National School Climate Survey. Homophobic remarks such as “that’s so Gay” are the most commonly heard type of biased remarks at school, and nine in ten LGBT teens say they’ve heard “Gay” used in a negative way frequently or often.

Created pro bono by ad agency ArnoldNYC, the new PSAs communicate that using words such as “Gay” in a negative way has serious consequences.

In the TV spot, which was filmed in New York City and Phoenix, a teen says “Gay” casually on the basketball court. Hill and Dudley call out that using “Gay” when you mean something is “dumb or stupid” is not acceptable and that the teens are ”better than that.”

New radio, print, and web PSAs similarly show how the use of anti-Gay language is not acceptable on the basketball court or anywhere else. The new PSAs direct audiences to visit ThinkB4YouSpeak.com to learn how to get involved and take a pledge against using anti-LGBT language.

A 16-year NBA veteran, Hill became the sixth player in league history to average at least 13 points per game last season at age 38 or older. Dudley appeared in all 82 games for the second consecutive season in 201011, averaging a career-high 10.6 points. ”The NBA is honored to work on this important campaign in partnership with

GLSEN and the Ad Council,” said Kathy Behrens, NBA executive vice president of social responsibility and player programs.

“NBA players like Grant Hill and Jared Dudley know that words are powerful and they understand the impact they can have by encouraging young fans to think before they speak.”

The Ad Council is distributing the PSA to more than 1,600 TV stations nationwide this week and the ad will air in donated time.

The NBA has committed to support the TV ad across their broadcast partners as well as on NBA TV and NBA.com. The league will also support the campaign through their social media assets, where they connect with more than 11 million fans.

“The NBA has been a tremendous partner from the moment we engaged them last year,” said Eliza Byard, GLSEN executive director. “The NBA’s support helps us start a conversation that hopefully will have a lasting impact with an incredibly engaged audience about the Think Before You Speak campaign’s message of respect. Anti-LGBT language is one of the most pervasive forms of harassment in schools, and the casual use of phrases like “that’s so Gay” contributes to the hostile school climates that LGBT youth face across the country.”

GLSEN also recently launched “Changing the Game: The GLSEN Sports Project” (http://sports.glsen.org) to specifically address anti-LGBT behavior in K-12 sports and physical education and provide resources to support the new wave of the Think Before You Speak campaign.

“While Think Before You Speak has been remarkably successful in terms of raising awareness and influencing attitudes and behaviors, there are still far too many teens who do not realize the serious impact of their words,” said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “With NBA players teens look up to delivering the message, we will be able to break through and help teens understand that the casual use of this language carries over into more overt harassment and bullying.”

According to the Ad Council, high recognition of Think Before You Speak among teens (41% of teens aged 13-16 nationwide reporting that they have seen or heard at least one PSA) has translated into significant shifts in key attitudes and behaviors regarding the use of anti-LGBT slurs like “that’s so Gay.” For instance, findings from an Ad Council survey conducted in 2008 and 2009 of teens suggest that a higher percentage

of teens think that people should not say “that’s so Gay” for any reason (38% in 2009 vs. 28% in 2008) and a higher percentage also report “never” saying “that’s so Gay” when something is stupid or uncool (28% in 2009 vs. 18% in 2008).

“We’ve partnered with GLSEN and the Ad Council on Think Before You Speak for several years, and while we’re proud to be able to turn our energy and talent toward changing negative behavior, there is unfortunately a lot more work to be done. This year alone there has been an overwhelming amount of news reporting on the devastating effects that harassment has on Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender youth. The NBA deserves big kudos for stepping up to the plate and being a part of this important dialogue,” said John Staffen, chief creative officer of ArnoldNYC. Previous PSAs for the campaign, which launched in October 2008, featured Hilary Duff and Wanda Sykes asking teens if they “realize what they say” when they

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Seattle Gay News 17

The crippling effects of being shy

by Michael Raitt SGN Contributing Writer There are a certain number of people who label themselves as “shy.” They experience times when all they want is to be alone, they are sometimes afraid of certain social situations, and they generally feel like they can’t connect with people.

This is a double-edged sword in that it feels good and right, yet contributes to a lot of loneliness and self-judgment. People who are shy often feel left out and begin to cope in a variety of ways, ranging from secluding themselves at home to excessive substance use.

Being shy is something of a cloak for two underlying phenomena: anxiety and being introverted. These are two very different things, yet they are frequently confused.

First, let me tell you briefly what an introvert is. Being an introvert means that you recharge your energy by spending time alone. After a busy week of being with people or dealing with stress, introverts might enjoy an afternoon reading a book or taking a quiet, contemplative walk by themselves.

I’m an introvert, and after a long week of being with people and talking, I enjoy time to myself – it’s necessary. This includes quiet time alone or going out and sitting in a social situation watching people. I’m frequently seen out and about alone – this is the introverted side of me recharging my batteries. Introverts often think before they speak and, therefore, appear reserved or even standoffish. I’ve been accused many times of being intimidating as I’m sitting quietly.

(People who know me know I’m anything but intimidating.)

Being an introvert does not mean we cannot socially interact or talk publicly (I talk all the time). It doesn’t mean we don’t have friends or we are antisocial. It doesn’t mean we aren’t interested in others or that we don’t care (I spend a great deal of time with others, both professionally and socially). Being an introvert doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with us, either. It simply means we come to the world in a way that requires us to get our energy back through quiet time.

People who don’t understand they are introverts sometimes begin to think there is something wrong with them because they don’t feel socially connected, or they feel people push them away. They begin to get down on themselves. Introverts can also become anxious if they’ve experienced too many episodes of wanting to connect but not feeling that they can.

Anxiety, on the other hand, is a completely different beast. Anxiety is about fear, and there are a good number of people who are afraid of being judged and/or being rejected because, deep down inside, they feel they are undesirable and no one will ever like them.

This level of fear causes anxious people to withdraw and pull back. This is different than re-energizing. They pull back in selfhatred or shame and they cope in a couple of different ways, either by literally secluding themselves or by using various substances to excess to dull down their anxiety and feel more confident.

Here’s what to do. First, for introverts, you need to understand who you are and why you are doing what you are doing. You want alone time because that’s how you get your energy back. You have to design your life in such a way that you have time for yourself.

For example, if you have a big party to go to on a Saturday night, you need time to yourself on Friday night or Saturday morning rather than declining the invitation because you are too exhausted. Then you’ll feel like you’ve got the energy you need to show up and enjoy. Also, you have to stop thinking there is something wrong with you. You have to inform people about how you come to the world so you aren’t misunderstood.

Let your friends/family know what and why you do what you do. When we have friendships/relationships, we contract with others.

If we are giving the message that we want time alone, many people will try to honor that. If they don’t understand what we are doing, they may go too far and pull away.

Introverts experience this all the time when they say, “People don’t call me or ask me to parties anymore.” It’s not because you aren’t fun or they don’t want you; it is because they are fulfilling the social contract that you’ve established about your alone time.

For people suffering from anxiety, you need to understand what the root of that anxiety is and begin the process of re-scripting any stories you have about your worthiness.

Whatever pain you experienced from an earlier rejection, you have to look at that and deal with it, then get back out there. Anxiety is the anticipation that something will go wrong. When you stop worrying so much about what will go wrong, or you don’t care as much about being rejected (because we’ve all been rejected), your anxiety will decrease and you’ll show up in a more confident way. Confidence is one of the most attractive traits!

We are who we are. We have to understand our strengths and figure out how we are getting in our own way and not getting what we want. We are in complete control about how we appear to others and we have to find optimum ways of doing that. We can control our fears and no longer feel controlled by them.

If you aren’t sure whether you are an introvert or reacting to anxiety, contact a professional to help you sort out what is happening for you, then get strategies to work with where you are coming from.

Michael Raitt, M.A. LMHC, is a therapist and a contributing writer to the SGN. He writes a bi-monthly column in the SGN. If you would like to comment on this column, ask a question, or suggest another topic of interest, please contact him at askingmichael@comcast.net.

c.c. attle’s continued from cover

Attle’s may have been down, but they certainly were never out. “We found a suitable space,” he said, “and we’ve really turned it into something great!”

The “New C.C.’s” is designed with re-

Religion & Spirituality

spect to the old Madison Street location.

“We’ve even kept the Dirk statue,” joked Chris.

The notorious outdoor deck (oh, if decks could talk…) has been replicated inside the building, he said.

Initially, some changes have been made to the menu. But according to Chris, everyone’s favorite bar foods will still be available. “You will still be able to get nachos, mini-corndogs, and fried foods,” he said.

“We’ve also got a lot of great salads.”

In addition, the bar will open a little later (3 p.m.) and close at 2 a.m.

When Chris talks about the new space, he lights up with excitement. He jokingly told SGN that “besides being a much larger space, the beer will actually be cold!”

C.C. Attle’s, now located at 1701 E. Olive Way, will feature two pool tables, two dartboards, and some bigscreen televisions.

“There are a lot of interesting areas in the bar for people to congregate,” said Chris.

“Above all,” he said, “we are going to continue to offer the best value for your money.”

In other words, you heard it straight from the horse’s … uh, the bear’s mouth: C.C. Attle’s famous “pour” will still exist!

Soon after it opened, C.C. Attle’s became a part of LGBT Seattle’s fabric. What began as a restaurant eventually turned into a bar that served food, where everyone was welcome. The environment was safe, the clientele were loyal, and the fundraisers were epic. When C.C.’s closed late last year, it left a hole in Gay Capitol Hill nightlife.

It seemed the community wouldn’t be the same until the new location opened up.

There was just one problem: That didn’t happen.

Week after week, in Facebook post after misleading Facebook post, C.C. Attle’s was the talk of the online town. All the while, Chris was sweating bullets trying to balance the public relations fallout from the closure of Café Metropolitain, a condo association that did not want another bar in the building, and a client base that wanted those doors opened “Now!” Well, my fuzzy friends, that day is about to become a reality.

“I want your readers to know that I’ve really, really missed them” Chris told SGN. “Closing the old bar and reopening this one has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

He did it, he says, for the community.

“C.C. Attle’s is a part of our city and our community,” Chris proudly stated. “Aside from providing jobs and a place for the bear community to go, we really mean something to our patrons.”

The bar will still be cover-free. It will never cost you a dime to walk in the door, said Chris.

“C.C. Attle’s will remain a place where there is no attitude and no posing. It is just a good, fun place for the community where you get an honest drink, good food, and meet with friends.”

Welcome back, C.C. Attle’s. We’ve all missed you.

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18 Seattle Gay News

May 20, 2011

Celebrating 38 Years!

vaccine

continued from cover keys were still protected one year into the experiment.

The researchers say the vaccine works by stimulating the production of a particular type of blood cell, called “effector memory T-cells,” which can remain vigilant in the body long after an infection has abated.

Lead author VGTI Professor Louis J. Picker compared these cells to soldiers being held in reserve.

“There are soldiers that are back at the base with their rifles in the shed, and then you have the guys out in the field,” he said.

There was also evidence, Picker added, that the vaccine all but eradicated traces of SIV in the monkeys, something which is “unprecedented” in HIV vaccine research.

CMV is related to herpes, generally has no symptoms, is thought to already infect most humans, and tends to stay in the system forever.

Researchers hoped that such a persistent virus might be able to keep human antibodies constantly active against another longliving virus like HIV. Safety concerns Professor Sir Andrew McMichael of Oxford University told BBC News that HIV arose from a type of SIV found in chimpan-

zees, so the animal model used in the VGTI study was promising.

“I’m excited by the science because it really does demonstrate that it may be possible to eradicate the HIV virus by a strong immune response,” he said.

“But at the same time I’m scratching my head how to take this approach into humans.”

The problem, McMichael said, was potential safety and regulatory issues with introducing CMV into humans, even though many of us already carry the virus.

“CMV is not totally benign, it does cause a number of diseases. If you’re giving people something you’re not going to be able to get rid of should it cause problems, then that’s quite a difficult risk to manage.”

Professor Robin Shattock of Imperial College, London, agreed safety would be key.

“The breakthrough here is in using a viraldelivered vaccine that persists – essentially using an engineered virus to thwart a pathogenic virus,” he told BBC. “The tricky part will be showing it is safe and effective in humans.”

VGTI’s Picker responded by saying such issues would be addressed in forthcoming work, pointing out that early forms of the smallpox vaccine also carried health risks to humans.

“On one level 99% of people in subSaharan Africa are CMV-positive and half the people in the developed world are, so

we know a lot about it and it’s mostly nonpathogenic, except in vulnerable populations like pregnant women,” he said.

“We’re fully aware that to make it available to humans, the next step is to make a virus which retains or has an enhanced ability to make effector memory cells, but no longer has the capacity to infect vulnerable parts of the population.”

Human testing In the wake of the Nature article, VGTI revealed on May 13 that they hoped to test their vaccine on human subjects at facilities in Florida.

Dr. Jay Nelson, executive director and vice president of VGTI Florida, said the vaccine could be ready for clinical trials on humans in three years.

“The experiments we’ve done raise a lot of hope for a vaccine that’ll provide protection for the majority of people,” Nelson said.

“We’re taking one persistent infection [HIV] and fighting it with another [CMV], and it works.”

Nelson added that VGTI Florida is currently working on how to make the vaccine safer for humans, particularly for those groups with pre-existing health conditions.

Future research could include collaboration with Martin Memorial Health Systems, Nelson said. Martin Memorial’s new 80-bed hospital is slated to open next door to VGTI

Florida’s facilities in 2014.

According to spokesperson Scott Samples, Martin Memorial has already been in talks with VGTI about various HIV trials.

Funding VGTI Oregon has been researching the vaccine for more than 10 years with federal grant money from the National Institutes of Health, and additional funding from the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI).

The project received $1.06 million from NIH in 2010 and received similar amounts in 2008 and 2009, according to the NIH website.

For the previous five years, NIH funded the project at about $700,000 per year.

“When the time comes, if they’re [VGTI] looking for assistance from Martin Memorial, we’ll see if we can accommodate that, and we look forward to having the opportunity to help them further their research,” Martin Memorial’s Samples said.

NIH is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

IAVI is an independent agency that helps fund research and clinical assessment of HIV vaccines with a special focus on “the developing world, where some 95% of new HIV infections occur.”

According to its website, IAVI and its partners have developed 17 possible vaccines, nine of which have entered human trials in 11 countries.

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Seattle Gay News 19

Barney Frank comes to Seattle for Jim McDermott re-election fundraiser

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

“This is great!” beamed Congressman Jim McDermott as he wrapped up a successful campaign fundraiser at the new offices of Nyhus Communications. “I always make money when Barney comes.”

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) was in Seattle May 17 to help raise money for McDermott’s re-election campaign.

Not that McDermott particularly needs help. His 7th District seat, covering most of Seattle, is considered one of the safest in Congress, and McDermott is popular here.

As guests said their goodbyes and filtered out of the campaign event, McDermott and Frank met with reporters for a brief press conference.

Asked if bringing Barney Frank to town wasn’t overkill, considering that he won reelection in 2010 with a whopping 83% of the vote, McDermott grinned.

“Barney and I had a chairman…” he began.

“Henry Gonzalez,” Frank interjected.

“Yes, Henry Gonzalez,” McDermott con-

likes to get asked.’”

In response to a question about raising the debt ceiling to enable the federal government to raise additional money by selling bonds, Frank bristled. “It’s unthinkable not to raise it!”

It was suggested that as a psychiatrist, McDermott might have unique insight into Republican views on the country’s finances.

“It’s not a psychiatric problem, it’s a political problem,” McDermott replied. “They want to threaten the president, to make him give on issues even when it doesn’t make sense.”

“They’re willing to risk everything,” he continued. “The dollar is the reserve currency for the whole world. And they want to throw it in the wastebasket!”

“The Republicans are eager to undermine recovery,” Frank added, “because they see that as a way to undermine the president.”

Frank was asked if the latest version of ENDA includes protections for Trans workers.

“Yes, of course,” he answered. “But that makes a political problem. People now have to do the lobbying for it. And it will take

time. I think [in 2009 and 2010] people were under the impression that the Democratic leadership could just deliver this.”

To illustrate the difficulty of getting a majority vote for Trans-inclusive legislation, Frank revealed that a Trans aide had asked him to call the president of the Maryland Senate and lobby for a Transgender antidiscrimination bill.

“Well I didn’t call because I didn’t know the man,” Frank said. “But I got [Minority Whip] Steny Hoyer to call, because Steny used to be Senate president in Maryland.

And they still lost 20-27….”

“Our system is set up to go slow,” McDermott added. “Slower than activists might want.”

“We had nine Republicans who were with us on the Trans issue,” Frank said. “[Bellevue Republican] Dave Reichert, by the way, was not one of them.”

Told that Reichert had put out informal word through his staff that he would be willing to vote for ENDA if it came to the floor, Frank shook his head.

“No,” he said firmly, “he never committed. Not to us. No.”

frank

lenged in a primary by some Michele Bachmann type.”

While he acknowledged that LGBTfriendly legislation is at an impasse while Republicans control the House, Frank remained upbeat when he talked about the future. “[On LGBT issues] we’re on defense now,” he said. “But they won’t be able to undo the things we accomplished. They won’t be able to undo [the repeal of] ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.’ Plus, the public is moving in a more and more supportive direction.”

“The challenge now is abortion much more than LGBT issues,” Frank added.

Frank was – and is – the prime sponsor of ENDA (the Employment Non-Discrimination Act) in the House. In spite of a series of announcements in 2009 and 2010 that ENDA was about to come up for a vote, it never did.

Asked what was the main obstacle to getting a Democratic-controlled House to adopt ENDA, Frank replied, “It’s the Transgender language, plain and simple.”

“We’ve spent 30 years educating people on the LGB issues,” he said. “And we’ve passed ENDA without the Trans language.

But the community said, ‘We want the Trans language,’ so there you go.

“Look, Maryland – it’s a pretty liberal state – they refused to pass a Trans rights bill. If you can’t pass it in Maryland, or New York, or Massachusetts….” his voice trailed off.

tinued. “He used to say, ‘It’s always too early to congratulate yourself.’”

“People always have a right to reject you,” McDermott continued. “Alan Boyd, Jim Oberstar, Ike Skelton – moderate, productive members – and they got dumped [in 2010].”

“I get the same question,” Frank added.

“Last September my numbers were in the high 60s to mid 70s – and I had Bill Clinton out to campaign for me. You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t – you don’t campaign and you’re ‘arrogant,’ you do campaign and it’s ‘overkill.’”

“Tip O’Neill told me a story once,” Frank recalled. “He was 21. He was running for city council. And there was this older woman – he used to shovel snow for her and carry her groceries.

“And on Election Day she says to him, continued from cover ‘Thomas’ – that was his given name – ‘Thomas, I voted for you even though you didn’t ask me to.’

“And Tip says, ‘I didn’t think I had to Banking Committee), charged with reguask….’ lating the country’s securities, insurance, “And she answers, ‘Thomas, everyone banking, and mortgage industries.

He recalled that a more collegial atmosphere prevailed in the previous period of Republican control.

“From 2003 till 2007, I was ranking member on my committee – in other words, the senior Democrat on a committee led by Republicans,” he said. “I had a very good relationship with Chairman [Mike] Oxley (R-OH).

“Now it’s a totally partisan atmosphere, a totally right-wing atmosphere.

“You know, I’m going to go back to work next week, and when I get back to work I’m going to have to try to stop them from deregulating derivatives,” he said, referring to proposed Republican legislation to undo reforms put in place after the financial crash of 2008.

Frank says many of his Republican counterparts are motivated by fear for their careers, rather than ideological loyalty to a right-wing agenda.

“It’s not so much that a lot of them are so right wing,” he says, “but they’re afraid of the right-wing in their party. They’re afraid that if they’re reasonable they’ll be chal-

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20 Seattle Gay News

May 20, 2011

Celebrating 38 Years!

Nevertheless, Frank predicted, “It will pass the next time we have a Democratic Congress.”

And that, Frank believes, is not far away.

“Their extremism is so bad – their incompetence is so bad,” he said of House Republicans, “we have a very good chance to get it back.”

One of Frank’s favorite stories, one that he has told many times in TV interviews, is about the time he came out to then-Speaker Tip O’Neill. “‘Oh, Bah-ney,’” he quoted in O’Neill’s distinctive Boston Irish accent. “‘I’m so sad. I always thought you could be the first Jewish speak-uh!’”

Asked if he still had the ambition to be the first Jewish – and first Gay – House speaker, Frank shot back, “No, no. I’m 71 years old.

My advancements are mostly behind me, not ahead of me.

“Look,” Frank added, “I was the chair of a major committee at a critical time in our country’s history. Being Gay didn’t slow me down a bit.”

“Ten years from now, it will happen,” he predicted. “But it won’t be me.”

survey

continued from cover

vey came out during the spike in assaults, muggings, and other such crimes. Not surprisingly, the second most important topic of concern from respondents was hate crime violence/harassment.

According to Eleazar, the Commission already participates in the Seattle Police Department’s LGBT Advisory Council and meets regularly with SPD officials to bring issues to their attention and to help provide feedback and possible solutions. He said the

LGBT Commission is wholeheartedly committed to holding SPD to a very high standard when it comes to handling bias crimes and engaging with the LGBT community.

“I think it’s important to note the high percentage of people who aren’t reporting incidents of harassment. While Seattle may be generally very safe, these results are telling us there are a lot of things going on that aren’t being officially recorded,” he said.

“We need to find out why LGBT people aren’t reporting harassment and then figure out how to increase that reporting. It will help SPD and the LGBT community to have a more complete picture of what types of harassment are going on, where these incidents are happening, who’s being targeted, etc., so that we can better direct resources towards the problem.”

Health care was also an issue of concern.

Recently the LGBT Commission has taken a leading role on this.

“We are committed to ensuring that the city of Seattle removes exclusions for Trans employees from its insurance plan, but we are also concerned with making sure that LGBT folks have access to LGBT-competent healthcare,” said Eleazar. “We are often going to a physician who does not understand our lifestyle or doesn’t take into consideration the different health care priorities of LGBT folks. The LGBT community is often subjected to insurance plans that don’t recognize same-sex couples, and that can be a huge financial burden for LGBT couples.”

Just like anyone else without health insurance, uninsured LGBT people are placed in a tenuous position. However, the survey shows that there are a lot of LGBT people with chronic or ongoing medical issues, and there are some national studies showing that LGBT people are at higher risk for a variety of health problems. For example, when managing a substance abuse problem or dealing with depression or trying to maintain a drug regimen, not having insurance can be a life or death situation.

“We also thought it was really important to

ask the question about what types of health issues LGBT people are dealing with,” Eleazar pointed out. “We really didn’t know if the LGBT population in Seattle had specific health care needs. By getting more data about our own LGBT community here, we can help the city and community organizations identify what types of services need to be prioritized.”

So why did the Seattle LGBT Commission conduct this survey in the first place?

The answer, said Eleazar, is that there was a need to compile concrete evidence that was representative of our community.

“In 2008, Mayor Nickels held a roundtable with LGBT stakeholders, and while a great deal of important issues came up in the conversation, there was a lack of data to back them up,” he said. “Mayor Nickels asked for more concrete information on the LGBT population in Seattle, and Seattle Snapshot is the first step in gathering this valuable data.”

Many of us are aware of the needs and concerns of our community, but without concrete data it is hard for us to create policies or budget recommendations and speak to the overall state of our community, he said.

“Non-profits and community groups also work hard on our issues and will hopefully benefit from this data and somehow use it to support their work or to seek grant funding to finance it,” continued Eleazar. “The Seattle Snapshot survey is not the be-all and end-all of what the LGBT community looks like, but a snapshot to provide jumpingoff points and guidance. We hope it starts a conversation about how we can all work together.”

While the survey reflected a diverse crosssection of the LGBT community, the Commission acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately capture every segment of the population. While homeless, Trans, seniors, and youth were represented in the survey, the Commission doesn’t feel like the samples were adequate. As a result of that effort,

they are now reaching out to these communities to get their input before they submit a final report (and suggestions) to Mayor McGinn and the City Council.

“We are working on setting up a meeting and gathering feedback from groups who were not represented as thoroughly in the survey as we would have liked,” said Eleazar. “We are meeting with folks individually, going to their group meetings, or asking them to come to this forum. We will give a brief presentation on the results the survey has produced so far and will seek their feedback on that information as well as listen to what they have to say. We’re looking to find out if the survey is reflective of their experiences, but we also want to know what ideas people have for solutions. This isn’t just about identifying problems; we want to start creating a plan for moving forward. We want as diverse a cross-section of the LGBT community as possible to be represented in our final report to the mayor and City Council.”

The forum will take place in the Rainbow Room at Seattle Counseling Service on May 31 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

“The Commission works hard to make sure that we are part of any dialogue within the city government that might pertain to the LGBT community and that we are committed to representing our community’s needs as best we can,” said Eleazar. “Seattle has a long legacy of considering the needs of LGBT people. It is the reason why so many of us live here. It is the Commission’s responsibility to ensure that Seattle lives up to our community’s expectations.”

Seattle LGBT Commission meetings are public and they welcome members of the community to come and talk with them about the issues affecting the community.

They meet in City Hall on the third Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

“There are opportunities to work with us or become a commissioner,” said Eleazar, “so I would urge people to come to a meeting and engage with us.”

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Phone: 206-781-0999 / www.TorgersonCompany.com #GARYDTC134CJ

May 20, 2011

Seattle Gay News 21

Kal Klass DDS

A very personable dentist!

1001 Broadway #314 Broadway and Madison Seattle, Wa 98112

206-324-3800 www.drklass.com

LGBTQ Counseling

1812 E. Madison St #101 Seattle, WA 98122 www.jarredcounseling.com 22 Seattle Gay News

May 20, 2011

“As your therapist, it is my priority to work with you through your pain, and bring empathy, knowledge, respect and hope to our time together.”

Jarred Lathrop-Weber MA, LMHCA, MHP 253-906-8738

Celebrating 38 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

May 20, 2011

Seattle Gay News 23

thank you sEattlE for 25 yEars of fun

and a grEat 25th annivErsary Party!

Madison Pub 1315 E. Madison strEEt, sEattlE

206.325.6537 MadisonPub.coM facEbook.coM/Madison-Pub