SGN June 17, 2011 - Section 1

Issue 24 Volume 39

FRIDAY June 17, 2011 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands

Celebrating 38 Years!

Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

DOMA is unconstitutional, says U.S. Bankruptcy Court

Pride flag will fly – community elated

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

file photo

AP Photo/Mark Duncan

married couple, Gene Douglas Balas and Carlos A. Morales.

Judge Thomas B. Donovan found that DOMA violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. His ruling was signed by 19 of the 23 other bankruptcy judges in the Central District, in an unprecedented show of unanimity.

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner – who U.S. House Speaker John Boehner has hired an atby Mike Andrew torney to defend DOMA on behalf of the House – said on June 16 that SGN Staff Writer he would not challenge the BankThe U.S. Bankruptcy Court for ruptcy Court’s ruling.

Balas and Morales were legally the Central District of California, based in Los Angeles, released an married in California on August opinion on June 13 finding Section 20, 2008, and remain legally married because the passage of Prop 8 3 of DOMA unconstitutional.

Their ruling came in a bankruptcy filing brought by a same-sex see doma page 24

Our flag, part II

We often use the word “community” to describe what we have as LGBT people. You can lean on me and I will lean on you – we’ll hold each other up. Short of some dramatic squabbles here and there, we really do take care of each other.

One of the things we’ve gotten really good at (be it out of a sense of equality or simple necessity) is organizing. Make no mistake, a Gay community scorned is a community that can, and will, fight back. We make signs, boycott, march, petition, and social-network our way to victory time and again.

Such is the case with the Pride flag that once proudly flew high above the city on the top of the iconic Space Needle. We did it, everyone. The flag will fly again.

I say “we” because there really isn’t any one person who can claim that this victory is theirs and theirs see Pride Flag page 26

Fifth annual PrideFest Westboro Pig Church plans picket at Pride Picnic asks community to Michael S. Williamson

Rev. Fred Phelps, leader of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, KS

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Seattle, we’re a sinful lot.

Because of that, we are the unlucky recipients of a Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) picketing, where the controversial members of the moronic group will condemn us for our wicked ways.

Why won’t these idiots just go away already?

The hate group has zeroed in on two events that, they say, are especially immoral: The Seattle SlutWalk, a protest against sexual assault, and the Seattle Pride Picnic at Volunteer Park.

For those of you not in the know (and on this one, ignorance really is bliss), the Topeka, Kansas-based church, headed by Fred Phelps, is known for demonstrating against homosexuality and picketing funerals of servicemembers, always with grossly inflammatory signs.

Seattle Out & Proud, the organization that produces the annual Pride Picnic, issued a statement regarding the scheduled picketing of their event. “The WBC is scheduled to protest for 30 minutes, from 10:50 to 11:20 a.m., on June

“Live Proud”

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

The fifth year of PrideFest promises to exceed all expectations.

One Degree Events officials – the producers of PrideFest, the biggest LGBT party in the Northwest – say this will be the best year yet. PrideFest 2011 will feature three stages, four days of events, a family and kids’ area with a Ferris wheel, dozens of artists, men’s and women’s parties, and hundred of vendors.

This year’s theme is “Live Proud,” and that is exactly what the thousands of Pride revelers intend to do. The festival is June 26 from noon to 8 p.m., immediately following the Seattle Out & Proudproduced Seattle Pride Parade.

Join One Degree Events for the fifth annual PrideFEAST on June 23 at participating Seattle restausee westboro page 27 rants. Once again, the dining bene-

fit to raise money for LGBT health and wellness non-profits Gay City and Seattle Counseling Service returns, and it’s always sure to be a good time. Most importantly, you get to choose the eating locale that best suits you and your dinner guests’ needs. Up to 20% of your bill goes to the beneficiaries that provide essential services to the community. Visit www.pridefeast. org for more details.

“We at One Degree do this as a great way to support the community and to contribute to a true sense of Pride,” officials said. “Pride in our mental and physical health and taking pride in a community that helps those who need help the most.”

Calling all Armistead Maupin fans! The author himself will conduct a reading from his work at the see pridefest page 24

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June 17, 2011

Celebrating 38 Years!

Finally, A New Gay Bar in West Seattle!

Coming Summer 2011 Visit us online www.sgn.org

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Celebrating 38 Years!

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Celebrating 38 Years!

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Seattle Gay News FOUNDED 1973

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Deadlines

Classifieds - thursday at noon Calendar - tuesday 6pm display ads: Space reservation - Monday 5pm ad copy (non-camera ready) - tues. 5pm ad copy (camera ready) - Wed. 5pm Letters to the editor - tuesday 5pm Obituaries - Call the SGN office all others - tuesday 5pm

Editor In Chief George Bakan Associate Editor Shaun Knittel Editorial Assistant nick ardizzone Production William Creswell Calender Editors Mike andrew and rick McKinnon Travel Editor George Bakan Advertising Manager Marty Weisbrod Advertising Department Maggie Bloodstone Executive Assistant Mike andrew Staff Writers George Bakan, albert S. rodriguez, nick ardizzone, Shaun Knittel, Miryam Gordon, tim Peter Contributing Writers

rev. Barbara allen, Mike andrew, eric andrews-Katz, Madelyn arnold, Maggie Bloodstone, Beau Burriola, Jessica davis, ron anders, Jessica Price, Milton W. Hamlin, nevin Jefferson, Keen news Service, Jason a. Miller, Liz Meyer, rod Parke, don Paulson, Scott rice, Leslie robinson, richard Kennedy, romeo San Vicente, rex Wockner

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Publication of names, photographs or likenesses of any person, organization, event or business in this publication cannot be taken as any indication of the sexual orientation of the person, organization, event or business.

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appointment of Randall H. Russell as chief executive officer effective July 1, 2011. Mr. Russell will succeed Amanda Madorno, who has served the agency as interim executive director since July, 2010.

“Upon our initial meeting, I was immediately impressed with Randall’s passion and in-depth understanding of the complex world of serving those living with HIV/AIDS,” said Michael Godfrey, Lifelong AIDS Alliance board chair. “His dedication, extensive list of accomplishments, and strategic vision for the future will ensure that Lifelong is positioned to meet the growing needs of our community and adapt to a future of increasing complexities.

We are thrilled to have Randall join our team.”

Randall will be responsible for the leadership, management, oversight, and strategic direction of Lifelong AIDS Alliance as esRandall H. Russell tablished by the board of directors. ”It is a privilege to join the dedicated Courtesy of board, staff, donors, and volunteers to meet Lifelong AIDS Alliance the needs of those living with or are at risk of HIV infection,” said Russell. “The chalAfter conducting an extensive national lenges faced by persons living with HIV search, the board of directors of Lifelong disease are dynamic; it is our job to listen to AIDS Alliance is pleased to announce the the needs of those living with HIV as well as courtesy LLAA

Photographers

nick ardizzone, nate Gowdy, Joseph P. Herron, Shaun Knittel

Lifelong AIDS Alliance hires new CEO

in Loving Memory Of

Steve Foiles, Scott roger alpert, Cookie andrews-Hunt, James Leland Moore, randy Peters, Lee richeson, Shaun Shelton, Jim tully, James arnold

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June 17, 2011

those at risk of becoming infected, and develop our responses accordingly in a fiscally sound manner.”

Randall brings to Lifelong AIDS Alliance 25 years of experience in nonprofit management and consulting. Most recently, Randall served as president and founder of Healthcare Responses, Inc., a consulting firm focused on HIV/AIDS advocacy, special needs housing, and HIV service organization capacity development. In addition, Randall worked to support collaborations among government, community, and private-sector participants in access to care, treatment, and prevention services for sexually transmitted infections. He is also cofounder and director of the Southern AIDS Coalition and founding director of AIDS Alabama, where he was executive director for 10 years and oversaw its growth from a small local agency to a statewide program with over 35 funding sources and dozens of community partnerships.

Randall’s leadership experience includes many roles at local, state, and national levels. He served as president of the National AIDS Housing Coalition, testifying to the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) during the Clinton, Bush Jr., and Obama administrations. He has led advocacy development programs throughout the Southeast and facilitated the development of statewide HIV advocacy networks in multiple states. He is chair of the Partnership Steering Committee of the Housing and Homelessness Committee of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Further, he co-founded Collaborative Solutions in 2005, a national technical assistance nonprofit organization dedicated to housing services for the disenfranchised. In 2010, he facilitated, launched, and incorporated a national nonprofit, the Professional Association of Social Workers in HIV and AIDS (PASWHA) to train social workers in preparation for healthcare reform. Randall holds a master’s degree in social work (with honors) from the University of Alabama.

“It is with a strong commitment to the Seattle community that I made the choice to be involved with an organization so dedicated to reduce the number of annual new HIV infections, advocate for the rights of the chronically ill, and provide support services for those whose lives are affected by HIV and AIDS,” Russell concluded.

Lifelong AIDS Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is the largest AIDS Service Organization in the Pacific Northwest. Lifelong serves more than 3,500 clients annually through a variety of programs that include medical nutrition therapy, housing, case management, insurance, prevention, and education. For more information about Lifelong AIDS Alliance, visit www.llaa.org.

Celebrating 38 Years!

Supporting the community pour after pour A conversation with Absolut’s Jeffrey Moran courtesy absolut vodka

Absolut Colors Vodka

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Absolut Vodka and the LGBT community have a love affair dating back to the 1980s.

Sure, the vodka tastes good (and just keeps getting better!) and the marketing is genius; but the union between the company and our community is built on the support and visibility they have provided us over the years.

Never wavering, always championing, Absolut is a shining example of what big corporations can accomplish when they put their money where their mouth is.

Their support for us is … well, absolute.

Nobody knows that more than the man who lives and breathes the Absolut brand, Jeffrey Moran, vice president of public relations, sponsorships, and events for the company. Moran, who is openly Gay, has been with the company for over seven years. And if you think you might know that name, it’s because you do. He’s been featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race a number of times, promoting the product and helping Ru choose which queen to send packing. He is the company’s direct connection to us, the LGBT consumer.

“Working for a company like Absolut fills me with pride,” he told Seattle Gay News.

“I had the amazing opportunity to oversee a lot of LGBT activities. I love that part of my job. I really do feel that as much as I give back in my personal life, I get to do it professionally, too.”

Moran said that there is no doubt that Absolut cares about the Gay community, and as a Gay man, he has a unique position within the company to see just how involved they are with LGBT issues and marketing. He

describes himself as a “corporate citizen.”

Ask anyone and they will tell you that Absolut is known as the “Gay vodka.”

Moran says that is due to the company’s long-standing relationship with local markets, such as Seattle, which include Gay Pride activities and working with foundations that combat hate. “We’ve just continued to show that we are serious about supporting the LGBT community, and we’ve strictly courted that relationship.”

Moran points out that Absolut depends on the expertise of their local reps, such as Marty Weisbrod in Seattle. With Weisbrod’s help, Absolut moves a lot of product to cocktail lounges such as Purr and The Lobby, nightclubs like R Place, and sports bars like Madison Pub. “Our sales guys don’t sit in a board room,” said Moran. “They get out there and get to know the local community and they all know the importance of the Gay community and

Absolut.”

“They know that if they screw around with those relationships, it can be detrimental to the company,” he continued. “The Gay consumer is a smart consumer. They don’t want a product that is ‘Gaywashed.’ Instead, they say, ‘Show me something real and support me.’”

Locally, Weisbrod has been successful in fusing Absolut with almost every major LGBT fundraiser in the city. From Youth Suicide Prevention Program fundraisers to helping raise money for local LGBT sports teams, Absolut and Weisbrod are there every step of the way.

“It is heartwarming from a personal and corporate perspective,” said Moran. “It is very nice.”

The history between Absolut and the LGBT community began in New York City some 30 years ago. “Michelle Roux was the original importer of Absolut to America,” Moran told SGN. “While in New York, he became involved in the disco party scene.

In fact, he was keenly involved with every aspect of going out on the town in New York City.”

Roux was a known friend of Bianca Jagger and Andy Warhol. It was during the disco days that, according to Moran, Roux began to see that Gay men always seemed to be one step ahead of their straight counterparts when it came to consumerism – be it fashion, music, or liquor.

“He singlehandedly got Absolut into the Gay community,” said Moran. “He realized that Gay culture was on the cutting edge of making things cool.”

The relationship between Absolut and the Gays has been solid as a rock ever since.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

The Swedish government still privately owned Absolut when Moran joined the company. “The Swedes knew good P.R.,” he said. “They understood the importance of talking to the media and hosting and sponsoring events. They were embracive of me because of my passion for the brand, and they never once took issue with me being a Gay man.”

Now Absolut falls under the Pernod Ricard empire. “They really have embraced the LGBTs, too,” said Moran. “We are not going to pretend that we do everything 100% right, but we really do spend a lot of time looking at what we are doing to make sure it is the right thing.”

One of the things that Absolut can say they’ve done right is being the official sponsor for the wildly popular RuPaul’s Drag Race on the LGBT-themed network Logo.

“Being a judge on the show is like a yearbook write-in,” admitted Moran.

At the time of the show’s creation, Logo was struggling to get a hit. Moran says he knew the company had to take a chance with the show. “Absolut said yes, we put the deal together, and after the first season, at a wrap-up party, we all looked at each other and knew that we’d hit gold.”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race is a standout hit, and is as campy and out-there as I’d hoped it would be,” he said. “The road shows, viewing parties, and marketing is just so successful. We are going to continue to build on the current success of the show.”

Moran says that Logo and Absolut, along with RuPaul, have helped to “raise visibility for Gay programming.”

Beginning in 2007, Absolut began an aggressive “city series” campaign. The company had upwards of 50 individual ads made that each included something that made that city special. The city vodkas are all flavored varieties.

“We had such an amazing response to those ads,” said Moran. “Then, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, we just knew that we had to respond with a New Orleans specialedition bottle and flavor.”

Absolut created Absolut New Orleans, made with mango and black pepper. Moran reports that 100% of the profits went to charities along the Gulf coast.

“It was a hit and proved to us that the city series of vodkas could serve two purposes,” he said. “On one hand, we could introduce new innovations with flavors, and on the other hand we get to relive one of our most successful series ever – the city series.”

In the years to follow, Absolut released Absolut Los Angeles (2008), containing acai, acerola, pomegranate, and blueberry flavor mix; Absolut Boston (2009) with black teas and elderflower flavor; Absolut Brooklyn (2010) containing red apple and ginger flavor; and this year – as an homage to the company’s long-standing relationship with the LGBT community – Absolut San Francisco, with grape, dragon fruit, and papaya flavor.

“San Francisco is, and was for many years, such a stronghold in the LGBT community,” said Moran. “As a city, it has its own personality that is separate from the rest of California.”

The bottle is crafted after how Absolut views the city. “Many cities are identified by the popularity of their neighborhoods,” he said, “Seattle being one of them. But San Francisco has so many distinctive neighborhoods that just cannot be denied. San Francisco is on the fringe, on the edge, and a lot of what is on the bottle is evocative of these neighborhoods.”

As Moran pointed out, San Francisco has played a pivotal role in Gay liberation.

So, to acknowledge that fact, Absolut has placed a pink triangle placard on the bottle to represent all of their LGBT consumers, as well as the Castro neighborhood.

Moran said he would like to thank Seattle Gay News readers for “being a part of our family for 30 years. We look forward to many more years to come as we continue to grow and make beautiful music together.”

June 17, 2011

The Sun Goddess Tour ft.

Ramsey Lewis and his Electric Band June 16-19

Maraca June 21-22

Upbeat, Grammy-Winning, 12-Piece Cuban Jazz Goodness!

Hiromi: The Trio Project featuring Anthony Jackson and Steve Smith June 23-26

Virtuosic and Feisty Jazz Pianist Touring in Support of The Voice

Milton Nascimento June 28-29 Brazil’s Most Celebrated Living Musician Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist - Jazz Alley Debut!

Lowrider June 30 July 3

Composers of the hits: Lowrider, Why Can’t We Be Friends and Cisco Kid!

Curtis Salgado July 5-6

2010 Blues Music Award Winner for Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year

Mose Allison July 7-10

One-of-a-kind Mississippi Blues Pianist, Singer and Songwriter

Seattle Gay News

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Reuters / Beck Diefenbach

Move to “vacate” Prop 8 strikedown fails Judge also rejects request that trial tapes be returned to court

by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer A legal attempt to “vacate” the federal court ruling that struck down California’s Proposition 8, which amended the state constitution in 2008 to re-ban same-sex marriage, failed June 14.

U.S. District Judge James Ware rejected arguments by Prop 8’s supporters that nowretired trial Judge Vaughn Walker, who is Gay, should have recused himself from the case, or have been disqualified, because he is in a same-sex relationship.

Ware wrote: “The sole fact that a federal judge shares the same circumstances or personal characteristics with other members of the general public, and that the judge could be affected by the outcome of a proceeding in the same way that other members of the general public would be affected, is not a basis for either recusal or disqualification. ... Further ... it is not reasonable to presume that a judge is incapable of making an impartial decision about the constitutionality of a law, solely because, as a citizen, the judge could be affected by the proceedings.

Accordingly, the Motion to Vacate Judgment on the sole ground of Judge Walker’s same-sex relationship is DENIED.” Prop 8’s supporters contended that Walker had a personal stake in the case because if Prop 8 dies, Walker could then marry his partner. But Ware didn’t buy that.

“Requiring recusal because a court issued an injunction that could provide some speculative future benefit to the presiding judge solely on the basis of the fact that the judge belongs to the class against whom the unconstitutional law was directed would lead to a ... standard that required recusal of minority judges in most, if not all, civil rights cases,” he wrote. “Congress could not have intended such an unworkable recusal statute.”

Neither should Walker have been disqualified from hearing the case, Ware said.

“The single characteristic that Judge Walker shares with the Plaintiffs, albeit one that might not have been shared with the majority of Californians, gave him no greater interest in a proper decision on the merits than would exist for any other judge or citizen,” Ware said, in reference to Walker’s same-sex relationship.

Beyond that, even if Walker wants to get married (which is not something he’s ever talked about publicly), that could be an urge that waxes and wanes over time, Ware said.

“Under such a standard, disqualification would be based on assumptions about the amorphous personal feelings of judges in regards to such intimate and shifting matters as future desire to undergo an abortion, to send a child to a particular university, or to engage in family planning. So, too, here, a test inquiring into the presiding judge’s

10 Seattle Gay News

desire to enter into the institution of marriage with a member of the same sex, now or in the future, would require reliance upon similarly elusive factors.” “[R]ecusal could turn on whether a judge ‘fervently’ intended to marry a same-sex partner versus merely ‘lukewarmly’ intended to marry, a determination that could only be reached through undependable and invasive self-reports,” Ware said.

“The Court declines to adopt the principle that absence of disclosure (by Walker of any marriage desire) should warrant the mandatory inference that the presiding judge ‘fervently’ intends to marry and, thus, holds an interest in this case that is substantially affected by the outcome.”

In wrapping up his 21-page decision, Ware opined: “The presumption that Judge Walker, by virtue of being in a same-sex relationship, had a desire to be married that rendered him incapable of making an impartial decision, is as warrantless as the presumption that a female judge is incapable of being impartial in a case in which women seek legal relief.”

Gay groups cheered Ware’s ruling.

“We applaud the court for rejecting the pathetic attempts by Prop 8 backers to viciously malign Judge Walker,” said Equality California Interim Executive Director Jim Carroll. “Because proponents of the marriage ban have repeatedly failed to present even a shred of evidence to support the insidious discrimination that Prop 8 fosters, they tried and failed to hide behind groundless, shameful arguments to discredit Judge Walker – arguments that fail to hold up under even the slightest scrutiny.”

Lambda Legal staff attorney Peter Renn said: “The court decisively rejected an outrageous attack on the integrity of Judge Walker, not to mention judges in general.

The motion was a sideshow designed to deflect attention from the fact that the proponents had every chance to prove that Prop 8 was constitutional, but could not do so. Prop 8 was declared unconstitutional because it is unconstitutional – not because the judge is Gay.” National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell opined, “This ruling will protect all judges from similarly desperate and unwarranted attacks from parties who lose their initial case and unfairly seek a second bite at the apple.”

The lead lawyer defending Prop 8, Charles Cooper, said he will appeal Ware’s decision.

“The ProtectMarriage.com legal team obviously disagrees with today’s ruling,” Cooper said. “Our legal team will appeal this decision and continue our tireless efforts to defend the will of the people of California to preserve marriage as the union of a man and a woman.”

Meanwhile, in a separate ruling June 14, Ware rejected a request from Prop 8 supporters that all parties to the case return to the court their copies of the video recording of the Prop 8 trial.

That request stemmed from Walker’s having shown snippets of the recording in public speeches about cameras in the courtroom.

After Prop 8 supporters objected to the showings, Walker gave his copy of the seemingly legally “sealed” recording back to the court. In his ruling, Ware declined to address whether Walker had done anything wrong in using the tapes, and he said he plans to give the recordings back to Walker

June 17, 2011

Retired Judge Vaughn R. Walker

if no objections are filed.

The Gay side’s lawyers want the whole trial recording released to the public. Ware said he will hold a hearing on that request August 29.

Walker’s ruling that struck down Prop 8 as unconstitutional is on appeal to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The appeal has been delayed because the 9th Circuit is unsure whether the people who filed the appeal -- the folks who had put Prop 8 on the ballot in 2008 – have a legal right to step into the shoes of the state government and defend a piece of the state constitution that has been found in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

All of the actual defendants in the case –

the governor, the attorney general, the county clerks of Alameda and Los Angeles counties, and the state Health Department – have refused to defend Prop 8.

Because of its uncertainty, the 9th Circuit has asked the California Supreme Court for its thoughts on whether the Prop 8 proponents have legal standing to appeal. The California Supreme Court has agreed to answer that question, but has not yet done so.

Should the Prop 8 proponents be found not to have any legal standing to have appealed Walker’s ruling, the ruling will take effect and same-sex couples will again be able to marry in California.

The standing issue should be resolved late this year or early next year.

by Que Areste, N.D. Special to the SGN

if you plan to watch the parade. Remember this mantra: hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate!

Bring a water bottle or two.

Use sunscreen! This year has been so gray that we aren’t used to being out in the sun yet, so our skin is more likely to burn – I call it the Seattle mayonnaise look. If you burn easily, use your sunscreen even if the weather is cloudy (those UV rays come through clouds). If you want to, wait for 15 minutes if you’re fair skinned, 20-30 minutes if you tan easily, and an hour if you have dark skin before you put the sunscreen on so you can make a little of that natural Vitamin D. It’s OK to soak up a little sun, but after that, put on the sunscreen.

This is a hard one, but a little moderation goes a long way. You’re gonna party, but you can have a great time and not drink the bar dry. Pride week only comes once a year, and this is it. Have a great time and have a safe time. Viruses don’t take Pride week off, and neither should you. Use protection every time you have sex and you will be able to enjoy Pride week for years to come.

Dance more than you drink, but take breaks, too. Go talk to that cutie, as this is a great time to meet new friendly people. We have a ready-made conversation topic – all those great Pride events – so you don’t even have to wonder what you’ll talk about! Eat food before you drink alcohol. You’ll have a better chance of being able to get up and go to the parade and festival if you do.

Above all, enjoy our celebration, our Seattle Pride!

Enjoy Pride week and stay healthy

It’s our time, and we’re gonna celebrate!

You can celebrate your pride, show your true self to the world, and not need to stay in bed the next week to recover. You want to remember the good times you had this week, not sunburn, sore feet, and exhaustion from overdoing it yet again.

It takes a little planning, but you want your Pride week to be fun, so do plan. There will be parties galore for men, women, youth, and everybody. There are events happening all week and you want to do them all, but that’s probably impossible. Choose what you really want to do, and chat about the rest. You and your friends can have lots of great stories to share.

Go online and find out what is happening and where it’s being held. Decide which events you want to include in your Pride week. Dress appropriately for the occasion and the weather. It is Seattle, so bring an umbrella or raingear if the event is outside.

If the event includes walking or dancing, wear comfortable shoes. If you are going to wear high heels, put gel pads in them to cushion your feet – in fact, gel pads are a good idea no matter what kind of shoes you plan on wearing.

If you are going to the parade, bring some kind of pack or carrying bag for water, sunscreen, munchies, and maybe a blanket.

Leave room for your jacket in case it gets warm. Come early and bring a lawn chair

Celebrating 38 Years!

NORTHWEST

NEWS

compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer

SEE THE PRIDE EVENTS CALENDAR IN THIS WEEK’S SGN FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF UPCOMING PRIDE-RELATED EVENTS

YESLER JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL On Friday, June 17, from 5-8 p.m., at 917 E. Yesler Way, celebrate Juneteen in Seattle with food (including turkey hot dogs, hamburgers, Asian and East African foods), live entertainment, information booths, and a raffle to win a handmade quilt.

THE GENE POOL AT THE ANNEX THEATRE From June 3 to June 19, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. with an additional performance on Sunday, June 19, at 2 p.m., at The Annex Theatre (1100 E. Pike St., 2nd Floor), Arouet presents the Seattle premiere of The Gene Pool.

Meet the Grays – an average family. Mira cooks, cleans, wears dresses, is sexually frustrated, and her spouse is a workaholic veterinarian. Their son is almost 18, has a new girlfriend that he wants to lose his virginity with, and is always hungry. The only way in which this family is not conventional is that the parents are Lesbians. What happens when their son wants to know who his dad is? The Gene Pool explores the family’s relationships and how they are dealing with their mid-life crises, their son’s resolution to lose his virginity, and ... oh yeah, his question, “Moms, who is my Dad?” Tickets: $12-$18 general admission. Reservations at 425-298-3852 or boxoffice@ arouet.us or www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/174247. $10 rush tickets will be sold 5 minutes before showtime, depending on availability. http://arouet.us.

ARTISTS FOR JAPAN ART SALE AND JAMFEST On Saturday, June 18, from noon-8:30 p.m., KOBO at Higo (604 S. Jackson St.) hosts their second Artists for Japan art sale.

100% of the proceeds from this sale will go to the Ashinaga Foundation, which provides support for the education of children who have lost their parents or guardians in the recent earthquake and tsunami. Accordionist Philip Kobernik from Hey Marseilles will perform from 6:30-8:30 p.m. http://artisforjapan.blogspot.com. 206-381-3000.

PICNIC AT THE EAST PRECINCT On Saturday, June 18, from 1-4 p.m., at the Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct (1519 12th Ave. at E. Pine St.), all East Precinct residents are invited to a Picnic at the East Precinct, with free food, dancing and children’s activities, featuring live music by Land of Pines. Meet your local officers and take a precinct tour.

MEN OF ALL COLORS AND CULTURES TOGETHER JUNE POTLUCK SOCIAL On Saturday, June 18, at 6 p.m., call for Seattle (98118) location, join Men of All Colors and Cultures Together for their June Potluck Social. For more information and location, call 206-923-8313 or email macctseattle@yahoo.com.

SEATTLE RAINBOW CONTRA DANCE On Saturdays, 6/18, no dance 7/2 or 7/9, resumes 7/16, at Ballard Odd Fellows Hall (1706 NW Market St.), join LGBTQ folks and friends (and all who want to dance) for this fun, easy-to-learn, easy-to-dance, gender-neutral contra dance, with live calling and live bluegrass music. No experience or

partner necessary. All dances taught. Free lesson at 7 p.m. Dance from 7:30-10 p.m.

Cost is $8. Organizers suggest bringing water to drink. A bin for non-perishable food donations is available at the hall. Please come fragrance free in consideration of those with allergies. Bring a dry shirt to change into if you sweat a lot. No drunkenness, rude or abusive behavior will be tolerated. http://seattledance.org/contra/rainbow; YouTube: Seattle Rainbow Contra Dance.

FREMONT FAIR & SOLSTICE PARADE JUNE 18-19 On Saturday, June 18, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (with main stage and beer garden open until 10 p.m.) and on Sunday, June 19, 11 a.m.6 p.m., in Fremont: The Center of the Universe (N. 34th St. and Fremont Ave. N.), the Fremont Chamber of Commerce presents the annual Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade, a festive weekend of arts and crafts, live entertainment, food and beverage. The annual Solstice Parade will be held on Saturday, June 18, starting at noon. www.fremontfair.org.

discuss and it’s so rich we may well continue with our discussions into July.

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

GIVEBIG ON JUNE 23 On Thursday, June 23, from 7 a.m.-midnight, the Seattle Foundation is sponsoring a day for everyone to make a gift to community non-profits that are listed on their website. On that day, the Seattle Foundation will be stretching $500,000 proportionately amongst all of those non-profits based on the total money each of those organizations raises from the public through the www. seattlefoundation.org website on that day.

The Seattle Foundation sponsors numerous community non-profits in the following categories: Basic Needs, Health and Wellness, Neighbors and Community, Economy, Arts and Culture, Education, Environment, Global Giving. To make a donation, go to www.seattlefoundation.org and search for the specific organization you want to donate to or open the Giving Center menu and review the Giving Center categories to find organization(s) you would like to support.

Make your donation(s) through the Seattle Foundation website and a portion of the Seattle Foundation’s $500,000 will be allocated to those organization(s) you support. LGBT community organizations that are eligible for GiveBig on June 23 include: Bailey/Boushay House, Dunshee House, Entre Hermanos, Gay City Health Project, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Pride Foundation, Rosehedge, Safe Schools Coalition, Three Dollar Bill Cinema.

NORTHWEST COFFEE FESTIVAL JUNE 18-19 On Saturday and Sunday, June 18 and EVERETT-SNOHOMISH COUNTY 19, from 11 a.m.-11 p.m., at Seattle Center, FRIENDSHIP DINNER Center House, the Iranian American ComFOR PEOPLE LIVING munity Alliance presents the Iranian FesWITH HIV/AIDS tival, which offers exploration and insight The Everett-Snohomish County Friendinto the culture of Iran. For a full schedule ship Dinner for people living with HIV/ of events, visit www.iaca-seattle.org.

AIDS will be held on Friday, June 24, at 6 p.m., at St. Paul United Methodist Church SEATTLE PRIDE IDOL (2005 Colby St., Everett). Support group FINALE On Sunday, June 19, door at 6 p.m., com- meets at 5 p.m. The event is FREE to all and petition at 7 p.m., at Neighbours (1509 everyone is welcome. For more informaBroadway, entrance in alley off E. Pike St. tion, call 425-252-7751. between Broadway and Harvard), join SeOLYMPIC MUSIC FESTIVAL – attle Out and Proud (SO&P) for the grand “CONCERTS IN THE BARN” finale of Seattle’s Pride Idol talent competiQUILCENE, WA tion to see who will represent Seattle Out & JUNE 25-SEPT. 4 Proud on the Pride Idol Float in the Seattle www.olympicmusicfestival.org Pride Parade on Sunday, June 26. For complete details, visit www.seattlepride.com.

REEL QUEER YOUTH FILMMAKING WORKSHOP SEATTLE ARCHITECTURE FOR LGBTQ & ALLIED YOUTH FOUNDATION MODEL EXHIBIT – Film is a powerful way to tell stories.

“TRANSITIONS” Reel Queer Youth, now in its third year, is JUNE 21-JULY 24 Seattle Architecture Foundation presents a filmmaking workshop for Lesbian, Gay, their annual model exhibit featuring more Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) than 100 physical architectural models, youth and their allies, allowing their unique renderings and digital images, at Pacific perspectives to be shown. Three Dollar Place (600 Pine St), in the former Restora- Bill Cinema, producers of the Seattle Lestion Hardware retail space on the first floor. bian and Gay Film Festival and Reel Queer Open Tues.-Thurs., 1:30-6:30 p.m.; Fri.- Youth, is currently accepting applications Sun., noon-6:30 p.m., closed Mondays. for this year’s program. The week-long Free admission – small donation suggested. workshop will be held July 18-22, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., in Seattle’s Central District. www.seattlearchitecture.org.

Participants will use professional camera and editing equipment to create a short film SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN along with a team of professional filmmakBOOK CLUB – ers and mentors in a safe, open, and fun enANDRE GIDE’S vironment. A “Friends and Family” screenTHE COUNTERFEITERS The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club ing of the completed works will be held on meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Dun- the afternoon of July 23. Applications are shee House (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas available at www.threedollarbillcinema.org/ St.). All GLBTQ folks in the community are programs/RQY. The application deadline is June 30. welcome to participate in this FREE club.

The book for June is Andre Gide’s The GENDER ODYSSEY SHOW Counterfeiters, one of the all-time masterSEEKS ART SUBMISSIONS pieces by a Gay author. The novel won Gide As part of Gender Odyssey’s 10th annithe Nobel Prize in 1924 and mixes Gay and straight characters in the same way as Iris versary conference, the We Made This Road Murdoch’s A Fairly Honourable Defeat and by Walking art show is an opportunity for reflection and celebration. We Made This Alan Hollinghurst’s The Line of Beauty.

The Counterfeiters has nothing to do with Road by Walking references creating a path fake money. It’s about people who are fake for oneself when the road to a desired desand deceive, and it’s an unforgettable read- tination doesn’t already exist. Our theme is ing experience. There are a zillion things to not limited to Transgender topics, but con-

Visit us online www.sgn.org

June 17, 2011

textualizes our individual and collective experiences in terms of the actions we have taken to move our lives and our community forward. The submission deadline is June 30, 2011, and the exhibition dates are August 4-7, 2011.

Entry of artwork to this show is open to members of our collective transgender communities. Original 2- and 3-dimensional works and original multimedia works – subject to technical requirements – will be accepted. Display space may be limited so please get your submissions in early. Gender Odyssey 2011 does not guarantee space for all art submissions.

Please visit http://www.genderodyssey. org/submit-art/ for further details, as well as an entry form.

EMERALD CITY CLASSIC SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT JULY 1-3 www.seattlegaysoftball.com SEATTLE TENNIS ALLIANCE – SEATTLE CLASSIC 2011 JULY 2-4 www.seattletennisalliance.org SEATTLE UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE SUMMER SEASON The Seattle United Soccer League’s summer season begins on Saturday, July 9, at Miller Soccer Complex (19th Ave. E. and E. Thomas St.). All skills levels welcome.

Online registration deadline is June 30 at 11:30 p.m. To register for the league, visit http://seattleunitedsl.com.

SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY SEEKS VOLUNTEER GARDENERS The Seattle Public Library is seeking volunteers to help maintain attractive grounds at 12 neighborhood branches this summer and fall. Volunteers will weed gardens, rake leaves and pick up litter. Work parties will be scheduled June through October – on Tuesdays and Thursdays, between 9 a.m. and noon. For more information, contact Anne Vedella, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at anne.vedella@spl.org or 206-3864614. Volunteer applications can be downloaded from www.spl.org – select “Support Your Library” and go to the “Volunteer Opportunities” page.

“INJUSTICE AT EVERY TURN” – COMPREHENSIVE TRANSGENDER DISCRIMINATION STUDY SHARES TWO PERSONAL STORIES ON “IN THE LIFE” http://www.itlmedia.org/html/other/Injustice%20at%20Every%20Turn.html LGBT LIBRARY NOW OPEN The LGBT Library houses a wide range of fiction and non-fiction works of interest to those in the LGBT community and its allies. The Library is located at Gay City’s offices, 511 E. Pike St., on the ground floor behind Kaladi Brothers Coffee (just follow the signs). Library hours are Mon-Fri, 2-8 p.m., and Saturday, 2-5 p.m. Items may be borrowed free of charge; however, ID is required. For your convenience, a drop box for returning borrowed items is available next to the front door when the library is closed.

LGBT RESOURCE & REFERRAL LINE The Resource & Referral Line can connect you to LGBT-friendly resources throughout Puget Sound and beyond. Coming out and just learning what is out there? Visiting and want to know about nightlife options? Interested in drug or alcohol counseling? For these or any other LGBT issues, call 206323-LGBT. Phone line hours are Mon-Fri, 2-8 p.m., and Saturday, 2-5 p.m. Leave a voice message at all other times and your call will be returned. Alternatively, you can view our resource lists at www.gaycity.org under the resources menu.

Seattle Gay News 11

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Celebrating 38 Years!

 Broadway 

Farmers Market Visit us online www.sgn.org

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

June 17, 2011

Seattle Gay News 13

xiii 14 Seattle Gay News

June 17, 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!

SEATTLE OUT AND PROUD’S SEATTLE PRIDE PICNIC On Sunday, June 19, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at Volunteer Park (14th Ave. E. & E. Prospect St.), Seattle Out & Proud’s Seattle Pride Picnic will be held. $1 (one dollar) gets you hamburgers, hotdogs and veggie burgers and all the fixings. The picnic welcomes the LGBT community, friends and allies. Enjoy “THE REAL RICE QUEENS music, games and revelry. “Let’s celebrate OF SEATTLE – the family spirit of Pride.” Sponsored by SePRIDE + INSPIR/ASIAN” On Saturday, June 18, door at 7 p.m., attle Out and Proud (SO&P), producers of show at 8 p.m., at Neighbours Nightclub Seattle’s annual Pride Parade. www.seattle(1509 Broadway, entrance in alley between pride.org Broadway and Harvard Ave. off E. Pike St.), 2011 SOAP PRIDE IDOL FINALE join Gaysha Starr, Aleksa Manila and Gene On Sunday, June 19, door at 6 p.m., conOsias for a special Pride show, “The Real Rice Queens of Seattle – Pride + Inspir/ test at 7 p.m., join Seattle Out and Proud Asian.” Tickets $10 at the door. Presented (SO&P) for the 2011 Pride Idol Grand Finaby the Asian Pacific Islander International le competition at Neighbours (1509 Broadway - entrance in alley between Harvard Council. and Broadway off E. Pike St.). Winner receives $1,000 cash prize, round trip airfare ORCA SWIM TEAM’S for two from Orbitz, and will perform on the “BLOW HOLE” Pride Idol Float in the Seattle Pride Parade UNDERWEAR PARTY

PRIDE EVENTS

CALENDAR

compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN staff writer

Friday, June 17 SEATTLE DYKE MARCH BENEFIT AT TOMMY GUN On Friday, June 17, at 8 p.m., at Tommy Gun (1703 E. Olive Way, between Boylston Ave. E. and Harvard Ave. E.), join Seattle Dyke March supporters for a fundraising benefit to finance this year’s Dyke March.

The Dyke March has been very lucky, because due to the hard work of several folks a few years back we were able to raise enough money to operate for three years with minimal additions needed. But now, we are back on our own and need to meet our budget requirements. So it’s time for a party! With fabulous raffle prizes and an excellent DJ. All of your $10 cover will go to support the Dyke March. www.seattledykemarch.com

GAY PRIDE TV DINNER MOVIE NIGHT AT CENTRAL CINEMA On Tuesday, June 21, at 7 p.m., Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave.) presents Will & Grace: Celebrity Guest Star Edition. $5 food/beverage voucher. 206-686-MOVI; www.central-cinema.com.

Saturday, June 18 PORTLAND PRIDE WEEKEND JUNE 17-19 Portland Pride Festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, on Friday, June 17, from 6-10 p.m. (main stage and snack vendors only), Saturday, June 18, from noon-9 p.m., and Sunday, June 19, from noon-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday includes a full line-up of speakers and entertainment, community information and vendor and food booths. The Portland Dyke March will be held on Saturday, June 18, line-up at 5 p.m., step-off at 6 p.m., from N. Park Ave. and W. Burnside St. and follow the Sunday Pride Parade route to Tom McCall Waterfront Park. See website for route map. www.pridenw.com. On Sunday, June 19, at 11:30 a.m., the Pride Parade steps off from NW 13th and W. Burnside and travels through downtown Portland to the Pride Festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. See website for route map and more details. www.pridenw.com.

INDEPENDENT LENS: TWO SPIRITS COMMUNITY CINEMA On Saturday, June 18, at 2 p.m., at the Frye Art Museum (704 Terry Ave.), join KCTS 9 and Community Cinema for a FREE, exclusive pre-screening of Independent Lens: Two Spirits. Fred Martinez was a male-bodied boy with a feminine nature, a special gift according to his Navajo culture. Martinez was brutally murdered at 16.

Two Spirits explores the life and death of a boy who was also a girl and the essentially spiritual nature of gender. Two Spirits will broadcast on KCTS TV, Ch. 9, on Monday, June 27, at 10 p.m.

BAT N’ ROUGE XIII THE DYKES VS DRAG QUEENS PRIDE WEEK KICKOFF GAME AT CAL ANDERSON PARK On Saturday, June 18, from 5-8 p.m., at Bobby Morris Playfield in Cal Anderson Park (11th Ave. and E. Howell St.), the Capitol Hill Alano Club presents Bat N’ Rouge XIII – The Dykes vs. Drag Queens’s Pride Week Kickoff Game with your host Gaysha Starr. Bat N’ Rouge is a fundraising event to benefit Capitol Hill Alano Club, which has an ongoing mission of drug and alcohol recovery. CHAC is a nonprofit organization now in its 28th year of service in the Seattle LGBT community. www.chacseattle.org.

Jennifer Knapp, rocked the Christian music world in the last two years by coming out and again taking up her music after a sevenyear hiatus. At this special one-night event, Jennifer will tell her courageous story in a Q&A session as well as share her faith, her life, and her art through her incredible voice and folk-alternative stylings. Opening the show for her will be Queer comic Lianna Carrera who will also join in the Q&A. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with local music and a ministry fair at the back of the nave. Faith-based LGBT ministries as well as other community organizations serving the LGBT community are invited to host tables inviting others to join their ministries.

Following a performance by Lesbian comic Lianna Carrera, there will be a blessing of the community gathered and of the good work being done to make life better for LGBT persons. Jennifer Knapp’s music and her story will follow, celebrating the crazy human ways we experience and express God’s love. The concert is FREE to the public. www.jenniferknapp.com; ecww.org.

On Saturday, June 18, at 9 p.m., at The Lobby (916 E. Pike St.) join the Orca Swim Team for a fun evening with swimmers in Speedos, go-go boys and girls, Daniel Webster underwear and swimsuit modeling, drink specials, music by DJ Chris Bresemann, and special debut performance by Orca Swim Team drag queen patron Juanita DeFuca – all to benefit the Orca Swim Team’s competition scholarship fund. No cover! www.orcaswimteam.org.

Sunday, June 19 SEATTLE FRONTRUNNERS’ RUN AND WALK WITH PRIDE 4K WALK & RUN; 10K RUN On Sunday, June 19, at 10 a.m., at Seward Park (5895 Lake Washington Blvd. S), the Seattle Frontrunners will host Run and Walk with Pride, a 4K walk and run and a 10K run open to all. Registration cost is $20 online, $25 day of race; $10 student/low income online, $15 day of race. All abilities are welcome, so come and join the fun! Chip timing is provided and there will be awards for top finishers. Event t-shirts will be given to all finishers and finishers will be eligible for fabulous raffle prizes. Proceeds to benefit Three Dollar Bill Cinema, producers of the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.

Seattle Frontrunners is one of the largest running and walking clubs in the Northwest, and welcomes all abilities. www.seattlefrontrunners.org.

“LGBT EQUALITY AT A CROSSROADS” – A COMMUNITY FORUM On Tuesday, June 21, from 7:30-9 p.m., at Town Hall (1119 Eighth Ave. at Seneca St.), The American Constitution Society, American Civil Liberties Union of WA, Lambda Legal, Legal Voice, Pride Foundation, Equal Rights Washington and Q Law present: “LGBT Equality at a Crossroads,” featuring Sara Dunne, Legal Director, ACLU/WA; The Honorable Jamie Pedersen, State Representative, 43rd Legislative District, Washington House of Representatives; Jennifer C. Pizer, Legal Director and the Arnold D. Kassoy Senior Scholar of Law, The Williams Institute; moderated

by The Honorable Mary I. Yu, Judge, King County Superior Court, Distinguished Jurist in Residence, Seattle University School of Law; with an introduction by LaShawn on Sunday, June 26. No cover. www.seattle- Warren, Director of Programs, The American Constitution Society. Cost to attend is pride.org. $5 at the door.

CAPTAIN SMARTYPANTS NON-PROFIT COMEDY “EAT, PRAY, PANT” HOSTS COMEDY BENEFIT On Sunday, June 19, at 7:30 p.m., at All FOR CAMP TEN TREES Pilgrim’s Christian Church (500 Broadway On Tuesday, June 21, from 8:30-10 p.m., E. & E. Republican St.), join Captain Smartypants for selections from their latest con- at Comedy Underground, 109 S. Washingcert, “Eat, Pray, Pant.” $15 donation at the ton St., join Non-Profit Comedy for an evening of comedy to benefit Camp Ten Trees. door.

Tickets at the door (no advance sales): $12-general; $6-students with ID. RSVP Monday, June 20 to info@camptentrees.org appreciated but not required. This is an all-ages event, but GAY PRIDE will be a “free speech zone” event. For more PAJAMA PARTY MOVIE NIGHT information: http://nonprofitcomedy.com; AT CENTRAL CINEMA On Monday, June 20, at 7 p.m., Central www.camptentrees.org.

Cinema (1411 21st Ave.) presents Spice World. Ginger, Sporty, Posh, Baby, and Wednesday, June 22 Scary are gonna give you what you want.

What you really, really want! Tickets: SEATTLE PRIDE PIN LAUNCH $8-advance; $10-day of show. ($2 discount WITH GAYSHA STARR for Three Dollar Bill Cinema members.)

AND PERFORMANCES BY 206-686-MOVI; www.central-cinema.com.

THIS YEAR’S PRIDE IDOL FINALISTS Tuesday, June 21 On Wednesday, June 22, from 7-10 p.m., at The Hard Rock Café (116 Pike St.), SeSEATTLE FAITH & PRIDE 2011 – attle Out and Proud presents their Seattle AN EVENING WITH Pride Pin Launch hosted by Gaysha Starr JENNIFER KNAPP with performances by SO&P’s Pride Idol FiAT ST. MARK’S CATHEDRAL nalists and the funky, fresh local band Soul On Tuesday, June 21, door at 6:30 p.m., Jelly. Raffle includes two Xbox Kinects. concert at 7 p.m., at St. Mark’s Cathedral (1245 10th Ave. E.), join local faith-based LGBT ministries as well as other community organizations serving the LGBT community for an evening with musician Jennifer Knapp. Grammy-nominated musician, see pride calendar page 16

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

June 17, 2011

Seattle Gay News 15

pride calendar continued from page 15

INLAWS & OUTLAWS – FREE COMMUNITY SCREENING AT ALL PILGRIMS CHRISTIAN CHURCH On Wednesday, June 22, at 7 p.m., in honor of Pride month, All Pilgrims Christian Church (Broadway E. and E. Republican St.) is hosting a FREE community screening of the award-winning Seattle documentary, Inlaws & Outlaws. With remarkable honesty, good humor, great music and real heart, Inlaws & Outlaws weaves together true stories of couples and singles, Gay and straight, to embrace what we all have in common: WE LOVE. Filmmaker Drew Emery will join the audience for a Q&A and discussion after the film.

Thursday, June 23

son) kicks off Pride Weekend with another installment of top-notch comedy and cabaret acts to benefit The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan, and the good work they do in the community.

“Summer Soiree” will feature entertainment from DJ Mayhem, Sr. Dinah Doosh, Chris Ferguson, Barbara Sehr, Elicia Sanchez, Matt Baker, Helvetica Phont, JR Berard, Barbara Holm, Rylee Newton, Derek Sheen, Shannon Whaley, Rick Taylor, Emmett Montgomery, and one of the best cabaret acts in Seattle known simply as Kerry & James. The show will include music, standup comedy, dance, drag, and even some juggling.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan, work hard at benefits for many other organizations in the community.

This is a way you can benefit the Sisters and the work they do with their granting fun.

Helping is as easy as buying a ticket and enjoying an amazing show. Tickets: $20-advance, $25 at the door. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/175808.

PRIDEFEAST BENEFIT On Thursday, June 23, get your Pride weekend started early and help raise funds “BOOGALOO BLITZ” for LGBT health and wellness nonprofits at PRIDE KICK-OFF the fourth annual PrideFeast. For details and AT THE WILDROSE a list of participating restaurants, visit www.

On Thursday, June 23, at 9 p.m., at the pridefeast.org.

Wildrose (1021 E. Pike St.), Kook Teflon and Seattle International Cabaret Fest presQLAW & PERKINS PRIDE PRESENT AN EVENING WITH MAJOR MARGARET WITT On Thursday, June 23, meet and greet at 5:30 p.m., speaker’s remarks at 6 p.m., at Perkins Coie LLP (1201 Third Ave., Suite 4800), join QLaw, Perkins Pride, and members of the LGBT legal and business communities, friends and allies, in a memorable evening with Major Margaret Witt in celebration of LGBT Pride in Seattle.

Major Margaret Witt, a decorated U.S. Air Force flight nurse, was discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in 2007. In September 2010, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington ordered the Air Force to reinstate Major Witt, finding that Witt’s sexual orientation does not negatively impact unit cohesion or morale.

This heightened inquiry is now known as the Witt Standard, and her historic case was ent “Boogaloo Blitz” with Jackie Hell and instrumental in the path to repealing “Don’t friends, Lisa Dank, and others.

Ask, Don’t Tell.” If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP to PerkinsPride@perFriday, June 24 kinscoie.com.

NAMES PROJECT QUEER TEEN AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT PANELS ENSEMBLE THEATRE AT SEATTLE CENTER On Thursday, June 23, Friday, June 24, From June 24 through June 26, 10 panels Saturday, June 25, Sunday, June 26, from from the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial 6:30-9 p.m., Washington Ensemble The- Quilt will be on display at the Fisher Pavilatre (608 19th Ave. E.) presents Queer Teen ion at Seattle Center (south of the InternaEnsemble Theatre (QTET). www.washing- tional Fountain). The display is sponsored tonensemble.org. (See Friday listing for de- by PrideFest. tails.)

SHIFT NETWORK PRESENTS GAY PRIDE PRIDE SURVIVAL WORKSHOP “WAY GAY SING ALONG” On Friday, June 24, from 2-4 p.m., at AT CENTRAL CINEMA Seattle Counseling Service (1216 Pine St. On Thursday, June 23, at 8 p.m., Central at Melrose Ave.), SHIFT will be hosting a Cinema (1411 21st Ave.) presents “Way Pride Survival Workshop for people who are Gay Sing Along,” featuring divas, icons, in recovery from addiction. They will cover and camp classics from Wham to Lady topics such as dealing with triggers, places Gaga. Tickets: $9-advance; $11-day of to avoid, sexual orientation and substance show. ($2 discount for Three Dollar Bill abuse. Additionally, they will advertise soCinema members.) 206-686-MOVI; www. ber events that will be going on during Pride central-cinema.com. weekend. The main objective of the workshop is to help participants plan a sober and “SUMMER SOIREE: fun Pride weekend and to learn more about A COMEDY/CABARET SHOW what Pride can mean for LGBTQ people in TO BENEFIT THE SISTERS recovery. Call Matt Bridge at 206-323-1768 OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE, ext 209 for more information. Sponsored by THE ABBEY OF ST. JOAN” Gay City Health Project, Rosehedge/MulOn Thursday, June 23, door at 6:30 p.m., tifaith Works, Dunshee House, and Seattle show at 7 p.m., at Rendezvous Jewelbox Counseling Service, through the SHIFT Theater (2322 2nd Ave.), Breezy Mist Pro- Network. ductions presents “Summer Soiree: A Comedy/Cabaret Show to Benefit The Sisters PRIDE SHABBAT 2011 of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. On Friday, June 24, from 6-8 p.m., at Joan,” a follow-up to last December’s high- Temple De Hirsch Sinai (1511 E. Pike St. – ly successful “Holiday Hullabaloo.” Breezy enter on 16th Ave. between E. Pike St. and Mist Productions (Seattle stand-up comic E. Union St.) celebrate Pride Shabbat 2011 Rick Taylor and his husband Chris Fergu- with service and celebration, light snacks

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June 17, 2011

and desserts. Pride Shabbat is a community-wide event brought to you by Bashert: The Jewish Federation of Seattle’s LGBTQ Initiative, Congregation Tikvah Chadashah, Kolenu, Jewish Family Service, Seattle Gay News, Temple Beth Am, and Temple De Hirsch Sinai.

BENT WRITING INSTITUTE – “OUTWRITE: A PRIDE WORKSHOP” On Friday, June 24, from 6-8 p.m., Bent Writing Institute presents “OUTWRITE: A Pride Workshop.” OUTWRITE will be facilitated by one of Bent’s volunteer teachers and held at their Capitol Hill location – RSVP for details. Bent workshops create a safe and supportive environment for Queers to tell their stories and express themselves through writing. Come celebrate Pride with them at this community-building, substance-free event. All Queer-identified folks are welcome: no previous writing experience is necessary. Cost is pay-whatyou-can and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please RSVP to bent.news@ gmail.com if you plan to attend.

2ND ANNUAL PROM DRESS RUGBY EXHIBITION GAME – CAL ANDERSON PARK

On Friday, June 24, from 6-9 p.m., Seattle Quake Rugby will present their 2nd Annual “Prom Dress Rugby” at Bobby Morris Playfield in Cal Anderson Park (11th Ave. and E. Olive St., just north of E. Pine St.). Similar to the annual “Dykes vs. Drag Queens” softball game, admission will be $5 to “prime” sideline areas and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the Abbey of St. Joan, will be selling penalties, conversions, scrums, line-outs, meters, tries and conversions to raise money for Seattle Quake Rugby and their mission. Because members of Seattle Quake Rugby will be wearing dresses, due to those limitations and the overall fun nature of this exhibition match, they will not be playing full tackle rugby. The opponents this year will be the Seattle RFC women’s team, The Breakers. Local celebrity announcer/referee will be the ever-fabulous Gaysha Starr. www.quakerugby.org “PRIDE NIGHT” PLAY GIRL MALE REVUE AT MUCKLESHOOT CASINO On Friday, June 24, show from 6:30-8 p.m., dance from 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Muckleshoot Casino’s Club Galaxy (2402 Auburn Way S., Auburn) will host the men of Play Girl and renowned DJ phenomenon Kimberly S, an internationally known favorite among the Gay community. The event is open to the public for guests 21 and over and FREE for those with a Preferred Players Club Card, which can be obtained for no charge on-site. Tickets are not required and space is available on a first come, first served basis. www.muckleshootcasino. com.

QUEER TEEN ENSEMBLE THEATRE On Thursday, June 23, Friday, June 24, Saturday, June 25, Sunday, June 26, from 6:30-9 p.m., Washington Ensemble Theatre (608 19th Ave. E.) presents Queer Teen Ensemble Theatre (QTET), led by co-artistic director Jessica Hatlo. The performances will be the end result of the Ensemble’s model for ensemble-generated new works, where students collaboratively produce a piece of theatre based on their own experiences surrounding identity, love, and Queerness. The month-long intensive begins with directed free-writing that is eventually shared with the group and is later used to generate something new. This phase continues until there is a sense of cohesion, and texts are then molded into a working script. www.washingtonensemble.org.

ARGOSY CRUISES OFFERS PRIDE CRUISE ON ELLIOTT BAY WITH DINNER BUFFET AND CELEBRITY IMPERSONATOR SHOW On Friday, June 24, boarding at 6:15 p.m., cruise from 7-9:30 p.m. Argosy Cruises hosts a 2-1/2 hour LGBT Pride dinner cruise with a hilarious Celebrity Impersonator Show featuring Joan Rivers, Cher, Janis Joplin, Dolly Parton, Lady Gaga and Sarah Palin. Come expecting lots of audience participation, including a FAB “AB” contest!

All the while enjoying a fabulous dinner buffet on the waters of Elliott Bay. Tickets $99.50 (includes tax and gratuity).

For information and reservations, call 206-623-1445 or visit www.argosycruises. com.

FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO – FILM SCREENING On Friday, June 24, at 7 p.m., the documentary For the Bible Tells Me So will be shown at University Christian Church (4731 15th Ave. NE). Can the love between two people ever be an abomination? Is the chasm separating Gays and Lesbians and Christianity too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuse to hate? Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families – including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal bishop Gene Robinson – we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a Gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard’s Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, For the Bible Tells Me So offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of Scripture and sexual identity. This FREE screening is sponsored by University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), University District Ecumenical Parish, University Congregational UCC, Emerald City MCC Seattle, and University Baptist Church.

PRE-PRIDE FOLK-I-FIED – FEATURING COYOTE GRACE WITH AMBER DARLAND, EVERYTHING BUT MARRIAGE On Friday, June 24, door at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m., at Columbia City Church of Hope (3818 S. Angeline St.), enjoy “PrePride Folk-i-fied” featuring the folk/roots/ acoustic music of Coyote Grace, Amber Darland and Everything But Marriage.

Tickets: $15-advance, $18-at the door (cash only), $7-children 12 and under, children 3 and under free. www.brownpapertickets. com/event/181870. Donations for YouthCare’s Isis House, which provides transitional housing and case management for LGBTQ youth (18-21), will be collected. www.coyotegrace.com, www.amberdarland.com, www.reverbnation.com/everythingbutmarriage.

Celebrating 38 Years!

STORM PRIDE NIGHT On Friday, June 24, at 7 p.m., at Key Arena, Seattle Center, join the Seattle Storm for an evening of women’s professional basketball – Seattle Storm vs. Minnesota – at Storm Pride Night. Lauren Jackson bobblehead for first 4,000 fans. Special $15 tickets, visit www.wnba.com/storm/pride.html and enter promo code PRIDE.

SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS’ “HEARTTHROBS” CONCERTS AT MCCAW HALL On Friday, June 24, and Saturday, June 25, at 8 p.m., at McCaw Hall (321 Mercer St.) the Seattle Men’s Chorus presents “Heartthrobs.” Get ready to scream and faint with excitement as Seattle Men’s Chorus thrills fans of all generations with a musical look at America’s singing heartthrobs – the boy bands! This high-energy program pays tribute to six decades of male singing groups, from the Ink Spots to the Jonas Brothers, with a host of other swoon-worthy acts – like the Beatles, the Bee Gees, the Temptations, Earth, Wind & Fire, Menudo, the Backstreet Boys, and ‘N Sync – sandwiched in between. Tickets: $20-$55. 206-3881400; www.flyinghouse.org.

R PLACE PRESENTS JUJUBEE AND SEATTLE’S TOP DRAG QUEENS On Friday, June 24, and Saturday, June 25, at 9 p.m., R Place (619 E. Pine St. at Boylston Ave.) presents “Jujubee and Seattle’s Top Drag Queens.” Tickets: $15-general admission; $25-VIP. Advance tickets at www. brownpapertickets.com/event/178083. www.rplaceseattle.com.

TWO KNIGHTS PRESENTS “EVOLUTION” AT BALTIC ROOM On Friday, June 24, from 9 p.m.-3 a.m., at The Baltic Room (1207 Pine St.), Two Knights presents “Evolution,” a dance party with DJ Craig Gaibler, who knocked your socks off at last year’s Seven Deadly Sins “Vanity” party. Tickets: $15 advance; $20 at the door, if available. This event will likely sell out. Advance tickets strongly recommended. www.twoknightsevent.com/evolution.html.

Saturday, June 25 DIGNITY/SEATTLE HOLDS 23RD ANNUAL PRIDE PANCAKE BREAKFAST On Saturday, June 25, from 8 a.m.-noon, Dignity/Seattle hosts their 23rd annual Pride Pancake Breakfast at Central Lu-

13TH ANNUAL RAINBOW LBTQ HEALTH FAIR On Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Gilda’s Club (1400 Broadway at E. Union St.), the YWCA’s Women’s Health Outreach Program is hosting the 13th Annual Rainbow LBTQ Health Fair. Experience

Drag Race Season 1 contestant and former “LeFaux” host, Shannel, along with Season 2 alumni, Jessica Wild, and Season 3 alumni, India Ferrah. Join host Mama Tits along with DJ Dana Dub, Seattle’s premier drag performers, and the cast of “LeFaux” and local live bands Smoking Bill, Sex Offender, and the Georgetown Orbits for a party to remember. The Seattle Squadron Softball team will host the food and drink booths, along with providing free prizes. Julia’s Gay Pride Block Party is a fundraiser to benefit the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the Abbey of St. Joan.

NAMES PROJECT AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT PANELS AT SEATTLE CENTER From June 24 through June 26, 10 panels from the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display at the Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center (south of the International Fountain). The display is sponsored

by PrideFest. file photo

YOUTH PRIDE DANCE On Friday, June 24, from 7 p.m.-midnight, at Pravda Studios (1406 10th Ave., Ste 200), the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) of Washington State will be holding at Youth Pride Dance. The event is intended to give the under 21 community of LGBTQ youth and their allies a safe and fun way to participate in Seattle’s Pride weekend. The theme of the dance is “Born This Way” to go along with Seattle Pride’s theme of “Be You. Be Proud. Express Yourself!” The Youth Pride Dance hopes to honor this theme by allowing youth a space to celebrate themselves. An opening act to be determined will be scheduled from 7-8 p.m.

From 8 p.m.-midnight a DJ dance party will be held. At 11 p.m. a Lady Gaga look-a-like contest will be held – prizes to be determined. Guests will receive a wristband for free entry to Neighbours after 2 a.m. Light refreshments will be served. A $5 suggested donation is requested.

GLSEN strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN works with Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) groups in schools in the Seattle area and around the state as well as other LGBTQ youth centers, groups and organizations.

theran Church Social Hall (1710 11th Ave., across from Cal Anderson Park). Includes raffle prizes. Cost is $7 donation. Proceeds go to Multifaith Works, Bailey-Boushay House, and Dignity/Seattle. Bring your old cell phones, empty ink cartridges, laptops, digital cameras, hand-held game systems, GPS devices to recycle. Dignity/Seattle has been a faith community of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Catholics and their families and friends in Seattle since 1973.

To volunteer with set up Friday at 6 p.m. and serve breakfast and wash dishes on Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon, email Dignity.Seattle@gmail.com or call 206-659-5519.

For more information, visit www.dignityseattle.org.

Armistead Maupin

an exciting diversity of peer complimentary health services intended to empower and encourage our community members. Services available at the health fair include acupuncture, massage, Trager, energy healing, personal trainers, tarot readings, safer sex, cholesterol checks and a wonderful laughter session. The Swedish Breast Center Mammography coach partners on-site for low or no-cost mammograms for income eligible individuals 40 and over (insurance is accepted also). For detailed information on the health fair program and additional peer provider services offered, follow the blog at http://lbtqhealth-ywca.blogspot.com/.

To schedule a mammogram appointment, please call 206-436-8623.

PRIDE COMMUNITY WORSHIP SERVICE – “LIVE PROUD! GOD LOVES YOU!” On Saturday, June 25, at 1 p.m., at All Pilgrims Church (500 Broadway E., at E. Republican St.) a Pride Community Worship Service will be held. This year’s theme is “Live Proud! God Loves You!” Rev. Ray Neal, Emerald City Metropolitan Community Church Seattle, will be the speaker.

Join the Community Chorus to sing “Seasons of Love” from the musical Rent. Rehearsal at All Pilgrims at 11 a.m. Love offering to benefit Lambert House, Seattle’s resource center for LGBT youth and young adults. Sponsors include All Pilgrims Christian Church (United Church of Christ/Disciples of Christ), Emerald City Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) Seattle, Prospect United Church of Christ, Seattle First Baptist Church, Seattle Gay News, University Baptist Church, University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), University District Ecumenical Parish, and University Lutheran Church.

For more information, visit www.mccseattle.org

CAPITOL HILL PRIDE FESTIVAL 2011 On Saturday, June 25, from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., the third annual Capitol Hill Pride Festival will be held on Broadway E., between E. John and E. Roy Sts. This is a free, all-ages community festival celebrating diversity and community pride. The five-block festival will feature three stages and 150 booths and vendors. Attractions include live and DJ’d music, drag and dance performance, ARMISTEAD MAUPIN artwalk, fashion shows, and a Doggie Drag AT SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY Costume Contest. For a complete list of enAND W SEATTLE HOTEL tertainment, performers, vendors, and other On Saturday, June 25, from 3-4:30 p.m., participants, visit capitolhillpridefestival. the Seattle Public Library and Seattle Pridenet.

Fest welcome best-selling author Armistead Maupin for a special Pride Week reading RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE ALUMNI from his latest novel, Mary Ann in Autumn, AT JULIA’S 2011 and a conversation on the very Gay world GAY PRIDE BLOCK PARTY of Tales of the City. The reading will be held On Saturday, June 25, from noon-10 p.m., at the Seattle Public Library, Microsoft AuJulia’s on Broadway presents their 2011 ditorium (1000 Fourth Ave.) The event is Gay Pride Block Party (Broadway E. & E. FREE and open to the public, but tickets Thomas St.), in conjunction with the Capi- are required. Tickets are available at www. tol Hill Pride Festival, featuring RuPaul’s brownpapertickets.com or at 800-838-

Visit us online www.sgn.org

June 17, 2011

3006. Seating is not guaranteed after 2:45 p.m. www.seattlepridefest.org.

On Saturday, June 25, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., attend a VIP Meet & Greet with Armistead Maupin at the W Seattle Hotel (1112 Fourth Ave.) Enjoy complimentary hors d’ouevres and the opportunity to meet and chat with Armistead Maupin. Cost is $15 – with a portion of the proceeds to benefit Equal Rights Washington. Limited entry; pay at the door. Get $5 off entry with a PrideFest VIP Pass. www.seattlepridefest. org.

SEATTLE DYKE MARCH AND RALLY On Saturday, June 25, the Seattle Dyke March Rally will be held from 5-7 p.m. at Seattle Central Community College Plaza (Broadway and E. Pine St.). Confirmed performers include: Emcee Lamar Van Dyke, Laura Robinson and Everything But Marriage, Seven Star Women’s Kung Fu, the Northwest Network, and more. The Seattle Dyke March steps off at 7 p.m. to go around Capitol Hill and back to the Plaza.

For more information, visit www.seattledykemarch.com.

CONCERT FOR EQUALITY WITH CRYSTAL BOWERSOX, THELMA HOUSTON AND THE BAND BETTY On Saturday, June 25, gates at 5 p.m., concert from 6-9:30 p.m., join Crystal Bowersox, Grammy winner Thelma Houston, and the band BETTY, for a night of amazing music, drinks (including 21+ beer garden), food and Pride on the sprawling lawns of the Mural Amphitheatre (just north of the Pacific Science Center and south of Center House).

Tickets: $20 advance at www.brownpapertickets.com. www.seattlepridefest.org.

QUEER TEEN ENSEMBLE THEATRE On Thursday, June 23, Friday, June 24, Saturday, June 25, Sunday, June 26, from 6:30-9 p.m., Washington Ensemble Theatre (608 19th Ave. E.) presents Queer Teen Ensemble Theatre (QTET). www.washingtonensemble.org. (See Friday listing for details.)

RYAN HAZY’S FREE SHOW AT ROSEBUD RESTAURANT On Saturday, June 25, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., at Rosebud Restaurant and Bar (719 E. Pike St.), Ryan Hazy presents a FREE unscripted show. Synopsis: Ryan Hazy has an Evil TWIN Sister who is out to steal the show away from him. Will She Succeed?

Find out!

SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS’ “HEARTTHROBS” CONCERTS AT MCCAW HALL On Friday, June 24, and Saturday, June 25, at 8 p.m., at McCaw Hall (321 Mercer St.) the Seattle Men’s Chorus presents “Heartthrobs.” (See Friday listing for details.)

Tickets: $20-$55. 206-388-1400; www.flyinghouse.org.

SHIFT NETWORK WITH GAY CITY PRESENTS “LIBERATE” FREE ALL-AGES PRIDE DANCE PARTY On Saturday, June 25, from 8 p.m.-2 a.m., at Sole Repair Shop (10th Ave. & E. Pike St.), celebrate Pride weekend at “Liberate,” a FREE (free entry with RSVP) all-ages Pride dance party featuring music from some of Seattle’s hottest DJs. Featuring Flammable Resident DJs Wesley Holmes, Brian Lyons and Karl Kamakahi. To RSVP, visit www. brownpapertickets.com/event/178395 to reserve your free tickets. For more information, contact Gay City at 206-860-6969 or info@gaycity.org. Sponsored by Gay City Health Project, Rosehedge/Multifaith see pride calendar page 18

Seattle Gay News 17

6:30-9 p.m., Washington Ensemble Theatre (608 19th Ave. E.) presents Queer Teen continued from page 21 Ensemble Theatre (QTET) www.washingtonensemble.org. (See Friday listing for deWorks, Dunshee House, and Seattle Coun- tails.) seling Service, through the SHIFT Network HEDWIG and ourQ.org. www.gaycity.org.

AND THE ANGRY INCH TO BENEFIT THE R PLACE PRESENTS “IT GETS BETTER” PROJECT JUJUBEE AND On Sunday, June 26, at 8 p.m., the CrocoSEATTLE’S TOP DRAG QUEENS On Friday, June 24, and Saturday, June 25, dile Café (2200 2nd Ave.) presents the stage at 9 p.m., R Place (619 E. Pine St. at Boyl- musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, to benston Ave.) presents “Jujubee and Seattle’s efit the “It Gets Better” Project. Tickets: $15 Top Drag Queens.” Tickets: $15-general ad- plus $3 service charge. Must be 21+. www. mission; $25-VIP. Advance tickets at www. hedwigseattle.com. brownpapertickets.com/event/178083.

CLAIMING THE TITLE: www.rplaceseattle.com.

GAY OLYMPICS ON TRIAL ON KCTS 9 TV RED – THE BIG PRIDE PARTIES On the 25th anniversary of its arrival to On Saturday, June 25, Seattle PrideFest the U.S. Supreme Court, the historic legal presents two big Pride parties.

The RED Men’s Pride Party with DJ Bri- battle over the “Gay Olympics” will be the an Gorr will be held from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. at subject of a documentary airing on PBS staNeumos (10th Ave. and E. Pike St.) Tickets: tions around the country beginning June 1.

The documentary will be shown in the Seat$20 pre-sale. www.seattlepridefest.org.

The RED Women’s Pride Party with DJ tle market on Sunday, June 26, at 10:30 p.m, Spinderella will be held from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. on KCTS 9 TV. San Francisco filmmakers Jonathan Joiner at Baltic Room (1207 Pine St., near Melrose Ave.) Tickets: $20 pre-sale. www.seattlepridefest.org.

pride calendar

Sunday, June 26 SEATTLE PRIDE BRUNCH AT HARD ROCK CAFÉ On Sunday, June 26, from 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., The Hard Rock Café (116 Pike St.) in conjunction with Seattle Out & Proud, is hosting a special Pride-inspired all-you-caneat breakfast buffet to fuel your morning before the downtown Pride Parade begins.

Cost is $19.95 with 20% of that cost going to Seattle Out & Proud during those hours.

SEATTLE PRIDE PARADE On Sunday, June 26, starting at 9 a.m., the Seattle Pride Parade assembles on 4th Ave. just south of Westlake Park. At 11 a.m. the parade steps off and travels north on 4th Ave. to PrideFest 2011 at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion and International Fountain.

“Be You. Be Proud. Express Yourself!” is the parade theme for 2011 and is a celebration of the cultural diversity that the LGBT and allied communities express every day.

This year’s theme is a celebration of our ability to create, innovate, influence, and express ourselves.

For more information, visit www.seattlepride.org.

SHIFT NETWORK PRESENTS SHIFT AT PRIDEFEST On Sunday, June 26, join and/or watch the SHIFT contingent march in the Seattle Pride parade and afterwards join SHIFT at PrideFest in the Chill Lounge at the Gay City Health Project booth atop the Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center. Sponsored by Gay City Health Project, Rosehedge/Multifaith Works, Dunshee House, and Seattle Counseling Service, through the SHIFT Network.

SEATTLE PRIDEFEST 2011 On Sunday, June 26, from noon-8 p.m., PrideFest 2011 gears up at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion and International Fountain following the parade. Enjoy 3 stages, national and local artists, community nonprofit booths, food and commercial vendors, beer gardens. The International Fountain dance scene will rock.

For more information, visit www.seattlepridefest.org or e-mail info@seattlepridefest.org.

Monday, June 27

On Saturday, July 9, from noon to 6 p.m., in Tacoma’s downtown Theater District (on Broadway, between 9th St. and 11th St., and on the plaza between The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts and the Pierce Transit Park/staging area), Out in Tacoma presents the 2011 Tacoma/Pierce Country Pride Festival. www.rainbowcntr.org or www.outintacoma.com.

“SATURDAY IN THE PARK” VANCOUVER, WA PRIDE JULY 9 On Saturday, July 9, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at Esther Short Park (W. Columbia Ave. and W. 8th St., Vancouver, WA), celebrate Vancouver’s “Bigger, Better, Brighter” GLBTQ Pride for SW Washington. On Sunday, June 26, Vancouver hosts their 7th annual Gay Pride Pageant, 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show, at The Northbank Bar (106 W. 6th St., Vancouver, WA).) http://sitppride.info.

INDEPENDENT LENS PRESENTS TWO SPIRITS ON KCTS 9 TV On Monday, June 27, at 10 p.m., Independent Lens presents Two Spirits on KCTS 9 TV. Two Spirits interweaves the tragic story of a mother’s loss of her son with a revealing look at the largely unknown history of a time when the world wasn’t simply divided into male and female and many Native American cultures held places of honor for people of BELLINGHAM PRIDE integrated genders. Powerful and moving, B PROUD PRIDE WEEK Lydia Nibley’s Two Spirits explores the life JULY 6-10 and death of Fred Martinez and the ancient On Sunday, July 10, from noon-5 p.m., at Native American Two-Spirit tradition.

Fred Martinez told his mother he felt as Bellingham Farmers Market (1100 Railroad Ave., Bellingham), the Bellingham Pride Festival will be held. The Bellingham Pride Parade will be held on Sunday, July 10, prior to the festival. For more information, visit www.bhampride.org.

VICTORIA, BC PRIDE JULY 8-10 On Sunday, July 10, at noon, the Pride Parade steps off from Government and Pandora Sts. and travels to the Pride Festival at MacDonald Park (Oswego St. and Simcoe St., Victoria) which starts at 1 p.m. A Sunset Harbour Boat Cruise will be held on Friday, July 8, from 7-10 p.m. www.victoriapridesociety.org.

and Robert Martin capture a rich history of events in the LGBT civil rights movement in Claiming the Title: Gay Olympics on Trial.

The half-hour documentary is both historic and timely – revealing the hidden conflicts behind a lawsuit that many in the community believed to be a risky challenge to a high profile institution.

The film examines the lawsuit that pitted Olympic athlete Tom Waddell and movement legal activist Mary Dunlap against the U.S. Olympics Committee and its ultimate resolution before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The case was lifted into the news again recently and linked to the same-sex marriage fight due to the ironic role of Vaughn Walker, who was an attorney for the Olympics Committee in their fight to stop the “Gay Olympics” and in 2010 was the federal judge who declared California’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional.

QUEER TEEN ENSEMBLE THEATRE On Thursday, June 23, Friday, June 24, Saturday, June 25, Sunday, June 26, from

IN THE LIFE TV CELEBRATES GAY PRIDE MONTH WITH “A MESSAGE OF HOPE” ON KCTS 9 TV On Sunday, June 26, at midnight, KCTS 9 TV broadcasts In the Life TV’s June episode, “A Message of Hope,” featuring a gospel choir raising spirits and awareness about HIV/AIDS. Messengers of Hope is an Oakland-based gospel choir that uses gospel music as a means to go into the church and the community to engage people in conversations about HIV/AIDS. African Americans have been disproportionately affected

by HIV/AIDS since the epidemic’s beginnings.

Maintaining the theme of celebrating one’s authentic self, In the Life also features Andre Cooley, a Mississippi Corrections Officer who was fired when his employer discovered he was Gay and Bill Hendrix, Bio Team Leader of Dow AgroSciences in Indiana who has civil protections from 8 a.m-5 p.m. that disappear after leaving the gates of

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June 17, 2011

NAMES PROJECT AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT PANELS AT SEATTLE CENTER From June 24 through June 26, 10 panels from the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display at the Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center (south of the International Fountain). The display is sponsored

by PrideFest.

his company. Their personal stories provide a look at employment discrimination and how some corporations provide protections to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender employees in the absence of a federally accepted Employment Non-Discrimination Act. For more information and to watch the episode online, visit www.itlmedia.org at your convenience.

MID-COLUMBIA PRIDE “TRUE COLORS” PRIDE WEEK JULY 10-17 Club Out & About (327 W. Lewis, Pasco) will host an LGBTQ Film Festival on 7/10 at 4 p.m., an 18+ Drag Bingo & Drag in a Bag Contest on 7/13 at 9:30 p.m., an Out & About Idol: Karaoke Contest on 7/14 at 9 p.m., the Miss Gay Columbia Basin Pageant on 7/16 at 9 p.m., and the Pink Party on 7/17 at 6 p.m. On 7/15 at 6:30 p.m., the Rainbow Awards will be presented in Walla Walla at a location to be determined. On 7/16 at Keewaydin Park (W. 4th Ave. and S. Auburn St., Kennewick), a W4W softball game will be held at 11 a.m. and a M4M kickball game will be held at 1 p.m. On 7/17 the Pride March will step off on Kennewick Ave. in Kennewick at 2 p.m. and march to Keewaydin Park for the Pride Festival from 3-6 p.m.

if he was both a boy and a girl, and she explained that this is a special gift, according to traditional Navajo culture. But the place where two discriminations meet is a dangerous place to live, and Fred became one of the youngest hate-crime victims in modern history when he was brutally murdered at sixteen. Between tradition and controversy, and freedom and fear, lies the truth – the bravest choice you can make is to be yourself.

Two Spirits explores issues of national KITSAP PRIDE concern including bullying and violence JULY 16 commonly faced by LGBT people, and the Kitsap County celebrates Pride on Saturepidemic of LGBT teen suicide, and reveals the range of gender expressions that has day, July 16, at Bremerton’s Evergreen Park long been seen as a healthy part of many of (1500 Park Ave.). www.kitsappride.org. the indigenous cultures of North America, NORTH AMERICAN OUTGAMES and of Navajo culture in particular. (A free VANCOUVER, BC exclusive public pre-screening of this proJULY 25-31 gram will be held on Saturday, June 18, at 2 www.vancouver2011outames.com p.m., at the Frye Art Museum in Seattle.)

PRIDE AROUND WASHINGTON AND IN BRITISH COLUMBIA “RAINBOWS OVER ST. HELENS” – A PRE-PRIDE KICK OFF PARTY TO BENEFIT RAINBOW CENTER IN TACOMA On Thursday, June 30, at 9 p.m., at The Mix (635 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma), join Miss Gay Washington and the Imperial Court of Tacoma – The Diamond Empire.

First prize is $100 cash plus two tickets to the Rainbow Center’s annual gala with lots of others prizes for runners-up. $2 cover benefits Tacoma’s Rainbow Center. www. thediamondempire.org.

“OUT IN TACOMA/ OUT IN THE PARK” TACOMA/PIERCE COUNTY PRIDE FESTIVAL JULY 9

VANCOUVER, BC DYKE MARCH JULY 30 www.vancouverdykemarch.com VANCOUVER, BC PRIDE PARADE & FESTIVAL JULY 31 The annual Pride Parade, from noon-3 p.m., travels through the downtown corridor along Denman St. and ends at the Sunset Beach for the Pride Festival. The 150 parade entries include colourful floats, musical marching bands, community groups and 650,000 spectators. The celebration continues at the Sunset Beach Pride Festival, which attracts 125,000 people and features ive music by local performers and headliners. The festival includes 140 booths with a diverse range of products, services, and a private, beachfront beer garden. www.vancouverpride.ca.

Celebrating 38 Years!

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June 17, 2011

Seattle Gay News 19

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June 17, 2011

Celebrating 38 Years!

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June 17, 2011

Seattle Gay News 21

New York marriage equality one vote away

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Marriage equality in New York state is only one vote away, according to political observers.

The latest version of the state marriage equality bill passed the New York Assembly on June 15, by a vote of 80 to 63.

It is now pending in the state Senate, where 31 senators have committed to vote Yes. Thirty-two are needed for passage.

Earlier in the week, two Republican senators, Sen. James S. Alesi and Sen. Roy J. McDonald, announced that they would join 29 Democrats in supporting the bill.

Sen. Rubén Díaz, a Pentecostal minister, is the only Democrat to oppose marriage equality.

Four additional Republican senators say they are undecided on the issue, including Stephen Saland, Mark Grisanti, Andrew Lanza, and Greg Ball.

Grisanti, who changed his public position from a definite No vote to “undecided,” is considered the likely swing vote on the bill.

The Republican senator told reporters this week that he has been thinking about the bill “every second of every day in the last couple of weeks.”

Ball has said he will vote No unless he gets very specific language in the bill creating exceptions for religious groups opposed to same-sex marriage.

Republicans currently control the New

22 Seattle Gay News

and indicated the vote could take place next week.

The marriage bill in New York has met with strong opposition from many anti-Gay religious groups, including the New York Family Research Foundation, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, and the New York State Catholic Conference.

The state Senate rejected a similar bill in York Senate, as they have for most for the December 2009 by a margin of 38 to 24. last century, by a 32 to 30 margin. Consequently, Republican leaders can prevent the measure from coming to the Senate floor for a vote.

According to the New York Daily News, Republican senators met for four hours about the bill on June 15, but did not reach consensus on bringing the bill to a vote.

“We’ve had a tremendous conference, by Shaun Knittel a thoughtful conference discussing the is- SGN Associate Editor sue of marriage equality,” Senate Majority A group of local elected officials, individLeader Dean Skelos said in a statement after the meeting broke. “The discussions are uals, and LGBT rights organizations filed a going to continue. The issue has not been lawsuit this week in Tennessee’s Davidson resolved and I’ll respect the decision of the County Chancery Court challenging the state’s recent passage of House Bill 600, conference once it’s made.”

On June 16, New York Mayor Michael which prohibits local municipalities and Bloomberg, who favors marriage equality, counties, including local school districts, met behind closed doors with Senate Re- from enacting local laws or school policies publicans for about an hour in Albany in an that protect Gay and Transgender people effort to persuade them to allow a Senate against discrimination.

The bill was passed earlier this vote on the issue.

The marriage bill is also supported by year, just weeks after the city of New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Nashville added sexual orientation and gender idenwho proposed it.

Skelos, who met with both Bloomberg tity to an existing local and Cuomo, said on June 16 that no decision anti-discrimination has been made on whether a vote would be law. The new law allowed, according to the Associated Press. also prohibits localiOn the same day, Republican Sen. Mar- ties from protecting tin Golden, who joined in the meeting with any other group Bloomberg, told AP he expects the marriage that is not already bill will go to the Senate floor for a vote, protected under state law, which would include veterans and people with disabilities.

According to the complaint filed, “HB600 embodies an animus toward Gay and Transgender people so strong that the Tennessee legislature was willing to repeal policies protecting students against bullying and harassment and to make other groups suffer as well, merely to prevent Gay and Transgender citizens from obtaining needed protections.”

“This law is contrary to core Tennessee values,” said Abby R. Rubenfeld, the suit’s lead attorney. “Tennessee is the volunteer state – we help each other, we don’t single out certain Tennesseans who are deemed unworthy of help. Our legislators abused their power by preventing localities from assisting their own citizens. Rather than considering what is best for our state, they passed a law based on disapproval of Gay and Transgender people, which the Tennessee and U.S. Constitutions do not permit.”

“Fifteen years ago, in fact, in a case quite similar to this one, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that, ‘If the constitutional conception of equal protection of the law means anything, it must at the very least mean that a bare … desire to harm a politically unpopular group cannot constitute a legitimate governmental interest,’” said Rubenfeld, citing Romer v. Evans, which struck down a Colorado constitutional amendment that barred localities or the state from passing laws to

An April 2011 Siena College survey found that 58% of New York voters supported the legalization of same-sex marriage, while 36% were opposed, and 6% didn’t know or had no opinion.

While same-sex marriages cannot be performed in New York, same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions are recognized in the state under a directive signed by Gov. David Paterson in 2008.

Tennesseans challenge discriminatory state law

prohibit discrimination against Gay people.

“I want my daughter to grow up in a state that treats everyone equally,” said Lisa Howe. “This lawsuit is necessary because the legislation is discriminatory and unconstitutional. Unfortunately, the majority of the legislature didn’t read the bill carefully and think through its consequences. But that’s why we have the Constitution and the courts to interpret it – so that the rights of everyone can be protected.”

“The state legislation was disguised as an effort to ensure consistent business regulations across Tennessee counties. But that was a Trojan horse pretext for getting this passed. Every county has unique zoning regulations, unique employment regulations, and so forth. Why is it only now, and only on the issue of discrimination, that we suddenly need uniformity?

If every county now needs to be identical, should we abolish city councils across the state?” asked Nashville Metro Councilmember and suit plaintiff Mike Jameson.

No individual businesses went on record in support of HB600, and some of Tennessee’s largest employers, including Nissan, Alcoa, FedEx, AT&T, Whirlpool, and Comcast, opposed the bill. In addition, the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce issued a public statement in opposition to the bill on the day it was signed into law by Gov. Bill Haslam.

“Under the very thin guise of protecting businesses and commerce, Tennessee passed a law specifically intended to encourage discrimination against LGBT members of the community,” said Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “This law is part of a larger, national strategy to attack cities and counties that attempt to protect their citizens from discrimination based on characteristics that bear no relationship to job performance, talent, or one’s ability to contribute to society.”

Plaintiffs’ claims are based on the equal protection guarantees of the United States and Tennessee Constitutions. The lawsuit, which will proceed in state court, seeks injunctive relief to stop the enforcement of HB600 and an order from the court declaring the law unconstitutional.

“Rather than considering what is best for our state, [legislators] passed a law based on disapproval of Gay and Transgender people, which the Tennessee and U.S. Constitutions do not permit.”

June 17, 2011

Celebrating 38 Years!

Emerald City MCC offers special Pride worship service courtesy christina brewer

courtesy rev. ray neal

Christina Brewer

Rev. Ray Neal

by Rev. Ray Neal Courtesy of Emerald City Metropolitan Community Church Seattle The second annual Pride Community Worship Service will be held on Saturday, June 25, at 1 p.m. at All Pilgrims Christian Church (500 Broadway E.). The Rev. Ray Neal, Emerald City Metropolitan Community Church Seattle, will be the featured speaker for the event.

The guest musician for the service will be Christina Brewer. A finalist in the 2011 Pride Idol competition, Brewer will sing “I Am Not Ashamed” and “Testify to Love.”

Brewer is the former Miss Teen Washington, Miss Washington for the Miss Worldwide Pageant, and American Idol season six contestant. She is also a past recipient of GSBA scholarship awards.

Additionally, a community choir will perform “Seasons of Love” from the musical Rent. Those who wish to participate in the choir are asked to rehearse at 11 a.m. at the church. The choir and worship music will be under the direction of Dr. Gary Ballou, a long-time member of the Seattle Gay Men’s Chorus. Mark Cooley, pianist and organist for Des Moines United Methodist Church and Emerald City MCC, will be the pianist and organist for the service.

“Gay Girl in Damascus” exposed, fake Lesbians come out of the woodwork

Participants from many different LGBT organizations and groups will take part in the liturgy. Groups involved include Towards an Inclusive Conversation; Haven, the SPU LGBT student group; and Seattle Mennonite Church. The inclusion of so many different leaders and members of these organizations and churches makes this a truly citywide event.

Lambert House will be the recipient of this year’s offering to be taken up during the worship service. Lambert House works with LGBT youth and young adults. Representatives from Lambert House will speak briefly before the offering. Last year’s offering of over $500 went to Queer Youth Space.

The primary organizers for the event are Emerald City Metropolitan Community Church Seattle and All Pilgrims Christian Church. Sponsors include Seattle Gay News, University Christian Church, University Lutheran Church, University Baptist Church, Prospect United Church of Christ, Seattle First Baptist Church, University District Ecumenical Parish, All Pilgrims Christian Church, and Emerald City MCC Seattle.

For more information, contact Rev. Ray Neal, pastor, Emerald City Metropolitan Community Church Seattle, at revrayneal@ gmail.com or (206) 325-2421.

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Less than a week after “Gay Girl in Damascus” was allegedly kidnapped by Syrian security officers, “she” turned out to be a straight American man from the state of Georgia studying in Scotland.

On June 10, Tom MacMaster, revealed he had created the online persona of “Amina Arraf” – a pro-democracy Syrian Lesbian.

On June 6, MacMaster had posted a fictional account of Arraf’s abduction by Syrian authorities.

The same day, one of the editors of the Lesbian blog LezGetReal also revealed that he is Bill Graber, a straight Ohio man who used the persona of “Paula Brooks.”

A master’s student in medieval studies and an activist for democracy in the Middle East, MacMaster used his knowledge of Arab cultures to create a convincing story of a young Lesbian in Damascus.

He fooled such reputable news sources such as The Washington Post, CNN, Time magazine, and the British newspaper The Guardian, all of which featured email interviews with “Arraf.”

MacMaster apparently also fooled Graber, who reposted many of “Arraf’s” blog posts on LezGetReal, and helped to promote “her” as an international media sensation.

The first reports of “Arraf’s” kidnapping, although actually fictional, sparked a very real international online campaign for her release.

In his initial admission, MacMaster was only somewhat apologetic, saying he was surprised by the response to “Arraf’s” apparent plight. His intentions were good, he insisted.

“I never expected this level of attention,” he wrote in a posting allegedly coming from Istanbul, Turkey.

“The events [in the Middle East] are being shaped by the people living them on a daily basis. I have only tried to illuminate them for a western audience.”

MacMaster’s revelation was not well received by the news media he systematically deceived or by the international LGBT community mobilizing to help someone they believed to be one of their own, or by pro-democracy Syrians who felt betrayed by the revelation that an iconic figure was some foreigner’s creative writing project.

“He completely stole the limelight of real LGBT bloggers and activists in the Middle East and diverted it in a negative way,” said Dan Littauer of the website Gay Middle East.

Daniel Nassar, the pseudonym of a Syrian man affiliated with Gay Middle East, said MacMaster had put all Gay Syrians in danger.

“If I was living in a country where I could sue this person because he has damaged me and damaged my cause ... then I would,” he said.

“This deception ... has sown confusion, distraction and absorbed energy and attention at a time when real people are in danger in Syria and in other countries in the region,” said Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intifada blog.

The universal criticism prompted MacMaster to issue a second round of apologies.

“I never meant to hurt anyone,” he wrote.

“I am really truly sorry and I feel awful about this. ... I betrayed the trust of a great many people, the friendship that was honestly and openly offered to me, and played with the emotions of others unfairly.”

Graber’s apology followed the same pattern. On June 10 he told the Associated Press that he set up LezGetReal to promote Gay and Lesbian rights. He said he feared he would not be taken seriously if he blogged as a straight man.

Graber also claimed to have helped unmask MacMaster by tracking his posts to computer servers in Edinburgh.

“He would have got away with it if I hadn’t been such a stand-up guy,” Graber told AP. “LezGetReal was not meant to be deceitful or con anyone,” he said. Graber is no longer associated with LezGetReal.

In an apology to its readers, one of the other owners, Linda Carbonell, wrote, “The past three days have been devastating for all of us on LezGetReal. ‘Paula Brooks’ has been a part of our lives for three years now.”

Iman Qureshi, a Pakistani Lesbian writer, wrote that MacMaster and Graber seem to be motivated by a very distinct form of egotism.

“I think the rise of identity politics – a concerted effort to give marginalized people a voice – has made some white heterosexual men a little paranoid or insecure,” she wrote, “so they invent an oppression and position themselves as victims. I would assume MacMaster felt ostracized from his ‘own people,’ as it were, and as a result took on a persona in which he felt he could be heard without criticism. This seems to me to be a hero complex that’s really a very smug delusion – ‘Look at me, look at how I’m standing up for oppressed people.’”

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June 17, 2011

Seattle Gay News 23

Obama will protect same-sex couples under Medicaid

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

In a new set of federal guidelines announced June 10, the Obama administration said that states may offer protections to same-sex couples equal to those now enjoyed by married spouses when one partner receives long-term care under Medicaid.

Created in July 1965 under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, Medicaid is a state-administered and federally regulated healthcare program for low-income U.S. citizens.

Under previous Medicaid guidelines, an individual is eligible for benefits after he or she depletes almost all their assets. If a Medicaid beneficiary owns a home, a state could impose a lien on the home to offset Medicaid expenses.

However, federal law prohibits imposing this lien if the beneficiary is legally married

and the spouse is still living in the home.

When one member of an opposite-sex couple applies for institutional care, Medicaid pools the couple’s assets and allows the healthy spouse to retain up to about $110,000.

Thus both partners in an opposite-sex marriage are at least somewhat protected from the consequences of a protracted illness.

The old rules would not protect unmarried partners living together, however, even if their circumstances were exactly the same as those of a married couple.

Individuals who are part of a same-sex couple must apply as “single,” and the healthy partner is not entitled to any assets or property that remains in their partner’s name.

As a result, the healthy partner can be left homeless and impoverished.

Under the new guidelines signed by Deputy Administrator of the Centers for Medicare

“Today’s guidance represents another important step toward ensuring the rights and dignity of every American are respected by their government.”

& Medicaid Services Cindy Mann, states can offer the same protection to same-sex partners of Medicaid recipients.

“A state can have a policy or rule not to pursue liens when the same-sex spouse or domestic partner of the Medicaid beneficiary continues to lawfully reside in the home,” the guidance states.

In a statement, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius expressed hope that the new federal guidelines would create a more equal situation for same-sex couples.

“Low-income same-sex couples are too often denied equal treatment and the protections offered to other families in their greatest times of need. That is now changing. Today’s guidance represents another important step toward ensuring the rights and dignity of every American are respected by their government,” she said.

Since Medicaid is administered by the individual states, the new guidance from the federal government does not mandate states to provide protection to same-sex partners, but it does state that DOMA (the federal Defense of Marriage Act) does not preclude states from providing this protection.

According to the new guidelines, each state may “incorporate their criteria for determining when to impose a lien in the Medicaid State plan,” with some states presumably protecting same-sex partners and others not.

Washington state law already prohibits the state’s Department of Social and Health Services from filing a lien against the home of a Medicaid client if “the client’s spouse or domestic partner” still lives in the home.

The Obama administration had not previously taken a position on whether samesex couples could receive these protections while DOMA remains on the books.

On February 23, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that President Obama had concluded that DOMA is unconstitutional, and that the Justice Department would no longer try to defend it in court, but would continue to enforce it until it is repealed by Congress.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been examining ways to offer more protections to same-sex couples under Medicaid as part of a general re-examination of federal policies by the Obama administration, but until now it had not is-

sued policy guidance to states.

HRC spokesperson Michael ColeSchwartz praised the Obama administration for issuing the guidance, but added that same-sex couples won’t have equal protection under the law until DOMA is repealed.

“No one should have to choose between keeping their home and getting the medical care they need and deserve,” Cole-Schwartz said.

“This is an important step to give some couples the security and dignity they deserve when they need it most. However, all same-sex couples will remain vulnerable until we end discrimination in marriage and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.”

pridefest

continued from cover Seattle Public Library on June 25 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The best-selling author will read from his latest novel, Mary Ann in Autumn, and hold a conversation on his masterpiece, Tales of the City.

Also on June 25, One Degree presents a Concert For Equality, featuring the worldclass talent of Crystal Bowersox (of American Idol fame), Thelma Houston, and the band BETTY at the Seattle Center’s Mural Amphitheatre with 100% of net proceeds to benefit Equal Rights Washington. Gates open at 5 p.m. with the show starting at 6.

Producers of the event estimate that it will end around 9:30 p.m.

This year, PrideFest officials have put together two parties – one for men and one for women – on June 25. The men’s Red Pride Party with DJ Brian Gorr is scheduled from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. at Neumo’s. The women’s Red Pride Party with Spinderella is scheduled for 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. at the Baltic Room.

The following day, immediately after the Pride Parade, PrideFest 2011 begins! National and local artists will entertain on three stages from noon to 8 p.m. There will also be vendors nonprofits, a beer garden, and more!

doma

continued from cover did not invalidate marriages concluded during the brief period that same-sex marriage was legal in California.

They filed a joint Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition on February 24, coincidentally one day after U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced that President Obama had concluded that DOMA is unconstitutional.

Their petition was challenged by the U.S. bankruptcy trustee, who asserted “that the Debtors are ineligible to file a joint petition based on Bankruptcy Code § 302(a) because the Debtors are two males.”

According to Judge Donovan’s written opinion, the trustee in this case had consult-

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24 Seattle Gay News

June 17, 2011

Celebrating 38 Years!

ed with Boehner’s House Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group, although the BLAG ultimately decided not to intervene in the case.

Judge Donovan completely rejected the claim that DOMA should control the disposition of the case.

“This case is about equality,” he wrote, “regardless of gender or sexual orientation, for two people who filed for protection under Title 11 of the United States Code (Bankruptcy Code).”

“This court cannot conclude from the evidence or the record in this case that any valid governmental interest is advanced by DOMA as applied to the Debtors,” Donovan continued.

Donovan then went on to review – and ultimately dismiss – arguments in favor of DOMA. “None of these post hoc defenses of DOMA withstands heightened scrutiny,” he wrote. “In the court’s final analysis, the government’s only basis for supporting DOMA comes down to an apparent belief that the moral views of the majority may properly be enacted as the law of the land in regard to state-sanctioned same-sex marriage in disregard of the personal status and living conditions of a significant segment of our pluralistic society.

“Such a view is not consistent with the evidence or the law as embodied in the Fifth Amendment with respect to the thoughts expressed in this decision. The court has no doubt about its conclusion: the Debtors have

made their case persuasively that DOMA deprives them of the equal protection of the law to which they are entitled.”

ERW Executive Director Josh Friedes said the court’s ruling is additional evidence that DOMA is unconstitutional.

“What’s happening to DOMA reminds me of the old children’s story – the emperor has no clothes!” Friedes told SGN. “I think what we are likely to see are more and more cases where judges call DOMA what it really is, an unconstitutional law that serves no compelling interest and harms millions of Americans.”

“The greater the variety of courts that argue DOMA is unconstitutional, the faster it will fall,” he added.

ACLU Washington’s Doug Honig agreed. “[The ruling] is another example of a growing consensus that DOMA is discriminatory, indefensible, unconstitutional, and should be struck down,” Honig said.

Asked if he saw broader legal implications in the Bankruptcy Court’s ruling, Honig replied, “Our lawyers are looking at that.”

“We have a history of challenging DOMA and I’m sure [the ruling] is something we’ll take into account in our ongoing strategy,” Honig added.

Boehner spokesperson Brendan Buck told The New York Times that the speaker would not challenge the ruling because it was not likely to have wider application.

“Bankruptcy cases are unlikely to provide a path to the Supreme Court, where we

imagine the question of constitutionality how DOMA hurts families and we have to will ultimately be decided,” he said. allow skilled legal professionals to decide “Obviously, we believe the statute is con- what are the best cases to bring.” stitutional in all its applications, including bankruptcy, but effectively defending it does not require the House to intervene in every case, especially when doing so would be prohibitively expensive.”

Friedes told SGN that even if the Bankruptcy Court’s ruling did not have a wider judicial application, it would help create public opinion in favor of marriage equality.

“Candidates who support DOMA will increasingly be viewed as bigoted, hateful or ignorant by moderate voters who have LGBT friends, family members, neighbors, or co-workers,” he said. “We just need to keep the pressure on by telling the stories of

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June 17, 2011

Seattle Gay News 25

pride flag continued from cover

alone. We might have been a bit fractured over the whole deal, but in the end, with a collective voice, we screamed out that the visibility that the flag brings to our community is visibility we’ve earned.

The Pride flag saga was not a tale of catty drama or hurt egos, no mere tale of a perceived injustice. What this struggle showed was that, although we all may not see eyeto-eye on everything, we can – and do – make a difference in our own ways. The beauty of all this mess is that there are no losers. The Space Needle wins and we win – together. Happy Pride, indeed.

THE CHALLENGE On June 13, less than a week after Space Needle officials announced they would not fly the Pride flag this year due to branding issues, they issued a challenge to the LGBT community: The Pride flag will be raised if the community could raise $50,000 for four charities.

To sweeten the deal, the Space Needle folks chipped in a $5,000 donation right off the bat.

The fundraising challenge would benefit four different organizations that support the LGBT community: the Greater Seattle Business Association’s (GSBA) LGBT and allied scholarship fund; the It Gets Better

Project, which supports the Trevor Project; Lambda Legal; and Mary’s Place, a Transinclusive women’s shelter in Seattle.

While some members of the community applauded this effort – including Josh Castle, the Seattle activist behind the petition that called for the Space Needle to fly the flag – others did not. When phrases like “legal extortion” and “holding the flag for ransom” began to surface, it was clear that this problem wasn’t going to go away quietly.

Any way you slice it, $50,000 in two weeks is a tall order. Had the community been aware of the Space Needle’s intentions in January and been given time to raise the money from the start, there is no doubt we would’ve met – and probably well exceeded – the dollar amount.

Still, the Space Needle (a GSBA member) was applauded by some. “I could not be more excited by the Space Needle’s decision,” Castle told Joe Mirabella, the journalist/activist credited for breaking the story, in a Change.org press release. “The Space Needle chose four charities that I am proud to support. Now let’s all pitch in and raise the flag!”

And people did pitch in, and continue to do so. As of press time, the community had raised more than $13,000 towards the $50,000 goal.

The voice of those who cried foul could best be heard on social networking sites.

One Facebook group called for a boycott of the Space Needle, while another asked people not to donate because they saw it as a form of legal extortion.

The Space Needle’s silence did little to ease the tension. In fact, other than updates from Joe Mirabella, the community didn’t hear a peep from Space Needle officials.

But on June 15, when they finally did speak, their message packed a punch. Mirabella reported that the Space Needle would fly the Pride flag, regardless of whether or not the community reached the $50,000 goal.

THE OUTCOME So what happened? Why the sudden change of heart? I suppose we might never really know the answer to those questions, as most corporations talk spin or hide behind reasons that only they truly understand.

I surmise they simply crumbled under the weight of the mounting pressure the community was applying.

At no time did the staff of SGN think that the Space Needle stood as a towering edifice of bigotry. What we did think (and write) was that this was just an absolute public relations mess from beginning to end. The silver lining of this storm cloud is a big payoff for this year’s Pride. The community is energized. Pride and the flag were the talk of the town. People who don’t normally talk politics were politicking and lobbying for the Space Needle to “do the right thing.”

Money has been raised and we have a cause we are proud to stand behind.

Mirabella reported, “The [Space Needle officials’] new statement makes it absolutely clear that the Space Needle will raise the Pride flag during Seattle Pride weekend.

They also want to continue to raise $50,000 through an online fundraiser to help four LGBT charities.”

“This is a real win/win for everyone involved,” he explained. “Those passionate about the Pride flag will get to see it on the Space Needle again. Those who know how desperately our community needs financial support will have a tool to raise $50,000.”

In a conversation with Mirabella, he and I agreed that, by telling the LGBT community before June 26 that they would raise the Pride flag regardless of the monetary goal, they motivated the community, and the $50,000 goal would most likely be met.

Space Needle officials defended themselves in their June 15 statement, which read, in part, “We are thrilled to report that since Monday, we have raised more than $13,000 towards our goal of $50,000 for LGBT charities. … Our sincere intention is to reach out to the LGBT community to raise money for these important organizations and to proudly fly the Pride flag on the top of the Space Needle. We are on our way to our fundraising goal, and will be just as excited as the community to see the Pride flag raised on the Space Needle. … This is not the first time the Space Needle has organized fundraisers for the community. We had a competition between the Huskies and the Cougars in which the school with the most donations was honored with their flag on the Space Needle. We raised more than $160,000 for Habitat for Humanity during

this fundraiser in less than 14 days. We have challenged many charitable organizations to raise money for humanitarian causes, such as our Tree for All holiday project to light our tree at the base of the Needle. … This current fundraiser is a way to raise money for people in the LGBT community who especially need it, such as helping LGBT students pay for college, giving LGBT youth the support they need to keep from contemplating suicide, providing homeless women a safe LGBT-friendly place, and providing legal representation to LGBT persons and causes. This was a way the Space Needle could not only raise the Pride flag, but also give back even more to the LGBT community.”

They said the Needle has turned down eight requests to fly different flags this year alone, but the overwhelming support for this cause created the opportunity for them to lead the fundraising for the LGBT organizations.

“Again, our sincere intention is to reach out to the LGBT community to help raise money for these important organizations and to proudly fly the Pride flag on the top of the Space Needle,” the statement concluded.

Castle has now set his sights on continuing to help the community reach the $50,000 goal, and Mirabella is hopeful for a wonderful Pride. The duo behind the public campaign to see the Pride flag raised has cause to be proud. The job is essentially done, though they say it’s not completely over until the money is raised and the flag is flown.

“Let’s hope for a sunny and beautiful Pride weekend,” wrote Mirabella for the Seattle P.I. “The flag is going to look magnificent.

Even more importantly, four amazing charities are going to get a lot of support from our community. The Space Needle has clearly demonstrated they care about our community. They could have easily just raised the flag, but instead they are going to both raise the flag and raise money for our community at the same time. This is simply an incredible outcome.”

IT’S PERSONAL It has been said that personality goes a long way. While that may be true, we are learning as a community that as we struggle to find our footing on the shaky ground where we fight for our equality, it is often the personal story that makes a difference.

In the middle of all the Pride flag madness, one such story came from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of Saint Joan.

Just hours before the Space Needle said they would fly the flag, the Sisters hit the streets to help raise money so that the flag would fly.

They were a sight to see. Standing on the streets outside the Space Needle with picket signs and donation buckets, they began a truly organic awareness campaign.

For Sister Abba, this was personal. Abba told KOMO News that she came out as a teen in a small town of just 375 people and

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26 Seattle Gay News

June 17, 2011

Celebrating 38 Years!

that “it almost destroyed” her family. She described it as a “horrible, horrible experience.”

Trouble ensued – not only for Abba, but the whole family, and after suffering from intense bullying, Abba attempted suicide on three different occasions.

Although Abba was helping to raise money for the Space Needle to fly the flag, she said she understood how the ultimatum could be unsettling.

“We fought so much already, why do we have to fight again to have Pride?” she told KOMO. When Abba heard that some of the money raised would go towards helping Gay youth, she was sold on the challenge and got to work.

What was not reported in the KOMO story was that Space Needle officials came down to visit Abba and the other Sisters who were helping to raise money. They even brought them coffee and doughnuts.

It is not the point of view of this writer that Sister Abba is singlehandedly responsible for changing the hearts and minds of the Space Needle folks (nor is she claiming such). But the point still stands that it is face-to-face interactions like this that can help in ways that are invaluable.

Throughout this fight – and make no mistake, it was a fight – the thousands of people who signed Castle’s Change.org petition and made hundreds of personal phone calls, Facebook posts, etc., inevitably changed the way the Space Needle saw things.

Pride is a time of year when we are reminded of just who we are, as individuals and collectively, and that we do have a voice in this world. We are here, we are Queer, and we do still love the rainbow flag. Oftentimes in our community’s history, the debate over whether or not we should care so much about the Pride flag creeps up. Well, I think Seattle and the Space Needle have proved that yes, we do care – we care a great deal.

I agree with Mirabella that the Pride flag

is going to look magnificent. It will always look magnificent regardless of where it is flown, because it stands for us, our history, our struggle, our Pride.

westboro continued from cover

19. … WBC is a small, virulently homophobic, anti-Semitic hate group that travels the country spreading a message of hate and intolerance and picketing events. They have gained notoriety by picketing events such as the funerals of Elizabeth Edwards and soldiers killed in war. By contrast, SO&P’s mission is to create unity and honor diversity, and the picnic is all about celebrating love and equality.”

A Seattle Police Department East Precinct official told Seattle Gay News that, in fact, WBC picketers will not protest inside Volunteer Park like many originally thought.

Instead, they will spew hate at 15th Avenue East and East Galer Street.

This makes SO&P’s marketing director, Karolina Longoria, happy. “It’s not the adults that I am worried about; we can handle the nonsense,” she said. “I just don’t want any of the little kids to read the terrible messages on the signs they hold.”

Longoria’s statement brings up an interesting point: Due to domestic partnership and adoption laws, the landscape of LGBT families has changed dramatically over the past few years. It is not uncommon to see children who have two daddies or two mommies. There is no doubt children will be present at the picnic.

“Organizations like the WBC are by their nature divisive and isolationist,” said Adam Rosencrantz, president of the SO&P board

of directors. “Conversely, we’re all about individuality and peace, and we invite all families of all kinds to come out to our picnic and celebrate unity and family with us.

Not only will you be showing WBC that their hatemongering is not welcome in Seattle, we guarantee you’ll have a fun time, as it’s a great event.”

In a June 14 statement to the public, SO&P officials said, “SO&P invited all in Seattle to show their support, not by engaging in counter-protests or mudslinging, but by attending the picnic and enjoying a fun, family-friendly day.”

But not everyone will heed that message.

In fact, there is an official counter-protest in the works. Ben Crowther, a local activist, has organized the protest, which already has more than 700 people signed up on its Facebook event page.

“I’m just totally not feeling them being there, ya know?” Crowther tells his supporters on the FB page. “This is Seattle, and we just don’t stand for hatred or stupid signs here.”

Crowther is asking people to bring fun signs. His suggestions include “God Hates Signs” and “If God Hates Gays, Why Did He Make Us So Cute?”

He is telling fellow counter-protesters to “keep it clever and classy.”

To be quite honest, the counter-protest sounds like it will be great fun and a good way to show WBC that they are not welcome in Seattle – all without violence and hateful rhetoric. Crowther has made it clear that the counter-protest won’t be hateful, “but it will be fun!”

Officials from the Seattle Police Department said they are expecting a small contingent from WBC, which will undoubtedly be grossly outnumbered by the throngs of LGBT families, singles, and supporters.

In addition, Crowther has turned the counter-protest into a fundraiser by getting Phelps-A-Thon (phelps-a-thon.com) involved.

“The Phelps-A-Thon is a fun, positive way for the local Seattle community to respond to the hateful message of the WBC,” Chris Mason, director of Phelps-A-Thon, told SGN. “When the Phelps clan comes to protest the Seattle LGBT community, they will actually be raising money for that same community.“ Mason asks that people can log in to Phelps-A-Thon to make a monetary donation as a form of protest to the WBC’s presence in Seattle. He says that 95% of the funds raised with go to Queer youth space, while Phelps-A-Thon retains 5% of the funds raised to run the website.

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Major Credit Cards Accepted

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Professional Customized Home Cleaning!

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The Right Choice Is Important.

Call Diversity Cleaners.

GARY D. TORGERSON CO.

Building restoration Specialists expert residential painting and carpentry

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Visit us online www.sgn.org

Comprehensive professional services essential to long term home preservation and renovation.

Visit our web site for extensive displays of our services and expertise, including correction of peeling and blistering problems.

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June 17, 2011

Seattle Gay News 27

ELECTRIC

BOAT Rentals On Lake Union, Seattle

ELECTRIC

BOAT Rentals On Lake Union, Seattle

Electric Boat Rentals ELECTRIC ELECTRIC ELECT On Lake Union, SeattleELECTRIC 206.223.7476

BOAT BOATBOAT BOA w w w. T h e E l e c t r i c B o a t C o . c o m

28 Seattle Gay News

206.223.7476

June 17, 2011

Celebrating 38 Years!

June 24th, 7 PM – midnight Pravda Studios, 1406 10th Avenue, Seattle AgeS 13 And uP! $5 Suggested donation

(proceeds benefit GLSEN Washington State)

7 – 8 PM: Opening Act (TBD) 8 PM – midnight: dJ dance party with dJ *V* 10 PM: Lady Gaga look-a-like contest, prizes TBD Light refreshments will be provided.

Guests will receive a wristband for free entry to Neighbours after 2 AM (18+ only)

Tickets available at: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/174990 Having a ticket guarantees entry. Limited quantities available at the door.

ELECTRIC

BOAT

Thanks to Rentals Seattle Gay News, Panache, Pac Med, PFLAG, SO&P, Court of Seattle, Central Co-Op ELECTRIC Entertainment provided by Antrim Music Productions (AMP)

On Lake Union, Seattle

BOAT Rentals On Lake Union, Seattle

Electric Boat Rentals ELECTRIC ELECTRIC ELECT On Lake Union, SeattleELECTRIC 206.223.7476

BOAT BOATBOAT BOA w w w. T h e E l e c t r i c B o a t C o . c o m

Visit us online www.sgn.org

206.223.7476

June 17, 2011

Seattle Gay News 29

Barrett M. Rochefort, D.D.S. 2046 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 204, Seattle (206) 284-4505

Making beautiful smiles for over 30 years $25 Barnes & Noble gift card for new patients Come see us, we are right on the west side of Lake Union.

30 Seattle Gay News

June 17, 2011

Celebrating 38 Years!

LGBTQ Counseling

1812 E. Madison St #101 Seattle, WA 98122 www.jarredcounseling.com Visit us online www.sgn.org

“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 June 17, 2011

Seattle Gay News 31