SGN July 12, 2013 - Section 1

Issue 28 Volume 41

FRIDAY July 12, 2013 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & newsstands

Celebrating 40 Years!

A candid conversation with the author of City of Night Sec 2, Page 1

Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Senate committee OKs Trans-inclusive ENDA Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

HELP Committee Chairman Tom Harkin

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The Senate’s Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee approved a Transinclusive ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) on July

protections passed the House in 2007, but was never introduced in the Senate because then-president George W. Bush promised to veto it.

Washington Senator Patty Murray, a member of the HELP Committee, immediately issued a state-

“Qualified workers should not be turned away or have to fear losing their livelihood for reasons that have nothing to do with their qualifications, skills or performance.”

10. ENDA would ban workplace discrimination because of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The vote to send the bill to the full Senate was 15-7 with three Republicans joining all the committee’s Democrats in approving it.

It was the first time a version of ENDA protecting Transgender workers passed any Congressional committee. The House Education and Labor Committee had a version before them in 2009, but it was never scheduled for a hearing.

A version of the bill without Trans

ment on the historic vote.

“Despite the incredible gains we’ve made toward full equality for LGBT Americans, many businesses throughout the United States can still legally discriminate against an employee or an applicant simply because of who they love or how they identify themselves,” Murray wrote. “That is simply wrong, and it has to change.

“I’m proud that Washington

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

gal to file suit in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. ACLU filed on its own in North Carolina. And suits are also going forward in Michigan and Arkansas.

“The ACLU’s actions are part of Out for Freedom, a nation-wide initiative by the ACLU that seeks to advance the freedom to marry

see enda page 21

AP Photo / Matt Rourke

Pennsylvania AG won’t defend Marriage equality state’s Gay marriage ban lawsuits sweep the country

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced on July 11 that she will decline to defend the constitutionality of the state’s law barring same-sex marriages.

“I cannot ethically defend the constitutionality of Pennsylvania’s version of [DOMA] as I believe it to be wholly unconstitutional,” Kane said.

Kane added that her decision was based both on her constitutional obligations and her commitment to Pennsylvania residents.

She had a choice between defending the law and serving the public, she said, and “I choose you.”

Pennsylvania is one of several states where the ACLU and Lambda Legal have filed suits to overturn state laws on grounds they violate the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Kane, a Democrat, and Republican Governor Tom Corbett are named as defendants in the suit, as the state’s top executive officers.

Kane’s move places the burden of defending the law on the governor’s general counsel. Corbett supports the law prohibiting same-sex marriage, which passed the state

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling striking down DOMA in United States v. Windsor, lawsuits to overturn state laws barring same-sex marriage have been filed in at least six states. see pennsylvania page 9 The ACLU joined Lambda Le-

see lawsuits page 9

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Seattle Gay News

July 12, 2013

Celebrating 40 Years!

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July 12, 2013

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Seattle Gay News

Gay Liberation Monument by George Segal, Christopher Park, New York City

was somewhat special.

You see, the group that I marched with are the ones who created that march. It was our Each year when I march in the New York vision. Actually, Gay Pride was our idea, Gay Pride parade — and that has become and this year we celebrated creating that

by Mark Segal Philadelphia Gay News

We wanted to celebrate Stonewall and our achievements in June 1970.

So we organized what today is known as the Gay Pride parade.

GLF NY 1969-71 literally was the foundation that what we have today was built on.

There were homophile activists before us, but their agenda was equality for homosexuals. They wanted nondiscrimination. But GLF, which was created out of Stonewall, with many of us partaking in that monumental event itself, saw something different, and here is where we changed the world. Overstatement? I don’t think so, since we believed not just in simple equality, but in an actual Gay and Lesbian community.

In that first year, we created the first organization to help solve problems of Gay youth. We created the world’s first Gay community center. We issued heath alerts, created community-wide media, issued the first Gay history book, dealt with sexism and racism in our community and, way back in 1969, we even had a Transgender arm, called Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries. We were LGBT people taking care of our own, and we did all of it openly.

That might sound strange to you, but in 1969, the Mattachine Society, a homophile organization, would not allow anyone under 18 into their offices, afraid that the police would raid them. We organized our youth, welcomed them to our meetings, set up a suicide hot line, a speakers bureau that went to schools, and, when the Village Voice would not publish the word “Gay,” we marched on them. The laws were wrong, we were not!

We wanted to celebrate Stonewall and our achievements in June 1970. So we organized what today is known as the Gay Pride parade.

Well, the reality is that doing so 44 years ago means that many of us are getting up in years. While about 40 came to the Saturday night reunion, only about 14 of us marched.

The crowd roared when they saw these 14 old women and men marching with a simple banner that read “Original Marchers June 28, 1970.” When we arrived on Christopher Street, the hub of GLF organizing 44 years ago, it was our street. As we made our way down, the crowd went wild, and then something very touching: The police officer in charge of that area came over to our contingent with his officers in toe, stopped, took his cap off and bowed before us, followed by his officers. The crowd erupted ...

44 years ago, these were the guys who were fighting us at Stonewall.

Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nasomewhat rare — I always say at the end, march 44 years ago.

“Think this just might be my last one.” I We used the march as an excuse to have tion’s most-award-winning commentator in said that four years ago, but there we were a Gay Liberation Front reunion the night LGBT media. He can be reached at mark@ this past Sunday once again. But for us, it before. Very few know LGBT history, but epgn.com.

July 12, 2013

Celebrating 40 Years!

Local news We are a nonviolent movement

youtube

fers us a teachable moment that regardless on which side of the argument you fall, violence is never the answer.

While the current LGBTQ equality grab onto it and pull him to the ground while movement traces its roots back to the Stonethe crowd applauds. That’s when the video wall riots, we are, and always have been, a shows the 36-year-old run back toward the peaceful and nonviolent movement. We just fight and punch the sign-holder in the back heard, days before PrideFest, that the Suof the head multiple times. preme Court ruled in our favor on DOMA Officers returned to the scene after and Prop 8. PrideFest 2013 was supposed the fight was broken up and arrested the to be a celebration. And, for the most part, it 36-year-old, who was booked into King was. But this is certainly a black eye on the County Jail. A 22-year-old, also from whole thing.

Marysville, who the video shows grabbing Protesting with a sign does not mean that the protester’s sign and kicking him while you should be assaulted; otherwise, we’d on the ground was arrested and later re- have a lot of LGBTQ people hurt because leased. Both men are facing possible misde- protesting with signage is something we meanor assault charges. have been doing for decades. Why we are I am shocked that we, as a community, standing for this as a community is beyond have stayed silent about this incident. As me. We have got to do a better job at callthe co-founder and president at Social Out- ing these things out and condemning them reach Seattle (SOSea), I do not intend to when they happen. I understand that there be one of those leaders. Instead, I will say is a lot of emotion that fuels the fires of hate right here and now that this was completely on both sides of the argument, but assault outrageous and that I hope the two men are is never the answer. In fact, we owe the prosecuted to the full extent of the law. As- man who was assaulted an apology for the sault is not a part of activism. And you are show of violence. While I would stop short not an ally to this community whenever you of apologizing for our views and for thinkdo something like this. ing that his message is wrong and bigoted, In the nine months that SOSea has been we still must apologize for retaliating with in existence, we have organized or taken force.

Angry revelers confront a street preacher at Seattle PrideFest. the lead on four rallies and two marches.

The worst part is the people cheering.

by Shaun Knittel fore, we must publicly condemn this kind At each one of those events we held signs. SOSea and other local organizations have SGN Associate Editor of action, because it is something we should Now, there are people who would walk by condemned the rise in violent crime on the never see again. and disagree with what these signs said. Hill and also the attacks on LGBTQ homeBy now I’m sure you have all watched the The video shows bicycle police officers That is the their right, they can do that as an less youth in downtown Seattle. And yet, at video circulating on Youtube and other me- watching a loud debate between two groups American citizen. What they could not do, our own party, one that is traditionally and dia, in which a man carrying a “Repent or of people near Fourth Avenue North and however, is approach us, try and take our historically peaceful despite the sale of alelse” sign is assaulted at Seattle’s PrideFest, Broad Street, but continuing on their way. signs and then assault us. Because if they cohol and massive number of participants, June 30. The video, www.youtube.com/ As shown in a video shot by a witness, did the community would be in an uproar as we react to a person demonstrating well watch?v=utyiN7g0TkE, has been viewed after officers leave, the crowd continues to fast as you could say, “Equality.” within their civil rights, with violence. It is over 200,000 times. That is more than any yell at and shove two religious protesters.

Think about all of those times you’ve shameful. single Pridefest video in existence. Vio- At one point, the video shows a 36-year- been to a meeting or rally or march. Did you This is something that we must address. lence is what the world has seen our 2013 old Marysville man taking off his shirt and hold a sign? Was the message popular at the SOSea is going to get with other local leadPride display. threatening the sign-holding protester. time? Chances are, you took part in one of ers and discuss what we feel is the proper The behavior exhibited by the allies and The man eventually starts leaving, saying, the Ref-71 or Ref-74 actions. You were not response to this mess. We won’t stand for community members in the video is rep- “Cops are coming; let’s roll.” attacked by the opposition. This video is violence of any kind. And you shouldn’t eirehensible. It is hard to watch. This is not After a group of women try ineffectively not something that needs to be shoved into ther. what our community is about and, there- to steal the protester’s sign, a group of men a dark corner and forgotten. Instead, it of-

Victory Fund’s Seattle Champagne Fundraiser

by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer On the morning of Sunday, July 21, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, the largest LGBT Political Action Committee in the nation will hold its first Seattle champagne brunch fundraiser at the Hyatt at Olive 8 downtown. Founded in 1991, the Victory Fund strives to “change the face and voice of America’s politics and achieve equality for LGBT Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBT officials at all levels of government.”

The Victory Fund assists LGBT candidates across the country on both strategic and financial fronts and works on campaigns at local, state and federal levels of government. Since its founding, the organization has helped lead several hundred openly LGBT candidates to victory.

“Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender office holders are our clearest and most convincing champions for true equality. As leaders in government, they become the face and voice of a community. They challenge the lies of extremists and speak authentically about themselves, their families and their community,” says the organization in their mission statement.

The champagne brunch is one of the organization’s key annual fundraising events, usually held in multiple major cities across

the country.

“We do about ten of these a year,” said Denis Dison, vice president of communications for the Victory Fund.

The keynote speaker at the upcoming Seattle champagne brunch will be Joel Burns, the well-known city councilman from Fort Worth, TX who became an internationally recognized name in October 2010 after speaking out at a council meeting on the issues of bullying and suicide among LGBT youth, as part of the “It Gets Better Campaign.”

“We try to bring in speakers that people will know… that have a story to tell about the difference they’ve been able to make as LGBT officials,” Dison told SGN. Another special guest at the brunch will be Washington State Senator and Seattle mayoral candidate Ed Murray.

“The Victory Fund will be honoring the Gay and Lesbian legislators of Washington State for their contributions to the fight for marriage equality,” Dison told SGN. “The impact of having out people in public office has been demonstrated in places like Washington, where out officials are not just

Visit us online www.sgn.org

relative voices, they’re leaders on the issues that matter to the LGBT community.”

“I’ve been with the Victory Fund for seven years… I can remember one of the earliest races I was involved in was for Jamie Pedersen,” said Dison. “There was a real questioning at the time from people who were backing other candidates of whether we really needed another Gay candidate in that seat.”

Dison cited Referendum 74 as demonstrative of “what Jamie’s been able to accomplish in the House in concert with Ed in the Senate.”

While this is the first time the Victory Fund will hold its champagne brunch fundraiser in Seattle, the organization’s history with the city dates further back than Murray, whom the organization has endorsed numerous times throughout his political career, including an endorsement for his current mayoral campaign.

The first successful candidate ever endorsed by the Victory Fund was Sherry

July 12, 2013

Harris, who was elected to the Seattle City Council in November 1991. Since then, the organization has endorsed candidate after candidate in Washington and tallies the amount of out LGBT officials in the state at 33. Dison called these officials: “a phenomenal group of people” that serve a state where now, “LGBT people have almost full equality.”

The organization also offers financial assistance for training programs for elected LGBT officials through a linked but separate non-profit, the Victory Institute. Last year, the Victory Institute awarded Seattle City Council President Sally Clark a large grant to attend the three-week Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Dison said the Victory Fund helps to bring “LGBT people to participate, not just to advocate in front of or demonstrate in front of.”

“It has worked when we have taken office ourselves,” added Dison, citing Murray’s work in the Washington State Senate.

“We need to replicate that success across the country.”

The champagne brunch fundraiser will be held on Sunday, July 21 at Hyatt at Olive 8 (1635 8th Ave.) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration and more information on the Victory Fund can be found online at: www.victoryfund.org/seattlebrunch. Individual tickets start at $125. Those interested in further assisting with fundraising can volunteer to sell a table or host their own.

Seattle Gay News

5

After marriage equality, influential members of Seattle’s Transgender community speak courtesy of Mac McGregor

Mac Scotty McGregor

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

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Seattle Gay News

what it is to do more, to fully thrive and grow at any age, to be active as equals, to support families and children and organizations, to be political and creative,” she said.

“We are learning to understand how gender, identity, and expression contribute to hu-

According to Scott, there are more states and cities passing Transgender rights and inclusive LGBT laws as well as working to implement those rights. “There is also a growing divide between states that have basic non-discrimination laws, including Transgender protections and those that do not or have just sexual orientation and relationship recognition,” he said. “For example, there are now 4 marriage states, NH, NY, DE, and MD, that do not have basic Transgender non-discrimination protections and up until 2011, that was also the case in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

There is still a pervasive feeling that leaving out Transgender rights or putting them on the back burner is still okay with some advocates, but the reality is it takes more than 13 years and in some cases closer to 20 years, between passing sexual orientation protections and passing stand-alone gender identity protections.”

“On the flip side, we are also seeing an extremely regressive response/backlash with introduction of bills or amendments trying to require Transgender people to use bathrooms of their assigned sex at birth.” continued Scott. “These bills do not take courtesy national gay and lesbian task force

During the weeklong observance of LGBT Pride in Seattle, a new event was introduced. On June 28, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Cal Anderson Park, Seattle Trans Pride, produced by Gender Justice League (GJL), was a smashing success. There was plenty of buzz around the inaugural event, GJL did a great job of promoting it, but I think the actual number of supporters, guest speakers, and members of the Transgender community that showed up to the actual event was a pleasant surprise.

Gender Justice League officials asked that supporters assemble in front of Seattle Central Community College and march over to Cal Anderson Park. The march was followed by speeches and a call to action, performances, and then the official Trans Pride After Party Dance and several community organizations tabled at the event.

According to information on the GJL website, genderjusticeleague.org, the goal of Seattle Trans Pride is to increase the power of the Transgender community and its allies, both within and beyond Seattle, through the elevation of our visibility, breaking down barriers, increasing our connections, ending isolation, and creating a Trans celebration that is vital to our community’s social justice work.

Seattle follows the example of cities such as Atlanta and San Francisco, which have lead by example and held Transgender pride marches. The event also positioned Seattle as a leader in promoting LGBTQ rights and visibility across the country.

“It was the start of an ever growing, annual tradition to celebrate our community and enhance Seattle’s reputation as a welcoming, diverse city,” said GJL. After witnessing the success of Trans Pride mixed with the fact that Seattle is home to some of the most well-known Transgender activists, I decided to seek out and answer the question, “What is the current state of the Transgender movement?”

Marsha Botzer, 66, founder of Ingersoll Gender Center, says she first came out at 30 in 1976. She told Seattle Gay News, “I think this question is too large for any one person to fully answer today, and that is in itself part of the answer! We are still at

der communities is that we continue to be a part of the LGB movement and that we also have a parallel Transgender movement. The Transgender movement is also becoming more visible to the public but also to antiGay/anti-LGBT groups as well.”

“I would say as a Transgender movement, we are gaining more on the federal side with all the significant changes regarding identity documents such as the progressive passport policy and now with the social security policy for changing gender marker. Each of these policies reflects the reality of how a Transgender person lives and presents in their daily life.”

Marsha Botzer helps raise the Pride flag over the Space Needle in 2010

work on basic protections and services of course, still working to understanding what it means to be fully and wholly at one with our identities, privately and in our social worlds, still fighting violence and misunderstanding, still sharing and training and educating.”

“But beyond this, we are discovering

July 12, 2013

man experience. There are now many thousands of people worldwide, in every nation and place, who are thinking about Trans issues – and doing more than thinking! They are changing their lives and their worlds.”

Gunner Scott, 43, Pride Foundation’s Director of Programs, and longtime Transgender activist said, “The state of the Transgen-

into account that this would force someone like me, a Transgender man that looks and is identified by others, including strangers, as a man into the women’s restroom. These bills and amendments are using an unfounded fear that men will use gender identity non-discrimination laws to gain access to women’s spaces to do bad things.”

Celebrating 40 Years!

“The reality is that the states that have had Transgender inclusive non-discrimination laws for years have not had those laws used to excuse any criminal activity in a bathroom or anywhere else,” he said. “More often than not it is a Transgender person that faces harassment and in some cases, physical violence in a public restroom.”

Mac Scotty McGregor, 48, came out in 2009 as a man who is Transgender. McGregor, who serves on the board at Seattle Counseling Service and the City of Seattle LGBTQ Commission, as well as the Transgender and Gender non-Conforming program director at Social Outreach Seattle, told Seattle Gay News, “I think the Trans community is moving in a positive direction slowly, like the entire LGBTQ community is right now. Rights and awareness are on the rise for all of us. There is still a great deal to do and I believe now that marriage equality has passed that immigration issues and Trans issues are next up for big change.

Health care and employment are what I believe to be our biggest issues at this time and rights to use the public bathroom of one’s identity or gender neutral bathrooms.”

All three leaders told me that positive changes have taken place. But the change that stood out the most was the fact that Transgender folks have the ability to change the gender markers on their ID without surgery. This change impacts passports, social security cards, and now in many states, driver’s licenses.

“Having an ID reflect your gender identity and presentation is vital to a person’s safety, security, access, and in many cases employment and housing opportunities,” Scott said. “Unlike sexual orientation, Transgender people are most often forced to disclose that they are Transgender, due to identity documents, past employment references, school transcripts, credit checks, and background checks, anything that may flag a legal name change or gender marker inconsistencies.”

“Any time a policy puts the control of disclosing past history back into the hands of the Transgender person, this gives all of us the opportunity to decide for ourselves to disclose or not our own personal medical information about our gender transition,” said Scott. “Transgender people should have the same reasonable expectations for medical privacy as anyone else and that includes gender transition.”

Scott also says that the other major change has been recognition of Transgender people through non-discrimination policies at the highest level, such as within the Obama administration and with the appointment of openly identified qualified Transgender candidates.

“I hope we will see this happen on local levels, with more qualified Transgender candidates being appointed, hired and/or promoted into state and local governmental positions,” he said.

Botzer, however, says that change has come far and wide and in areas that many non-Transgender people might not think about. “A major change for me is the move from questions of pure survival in the early years to the possibility and reality of full lives today. This amazing move means we can hope to live full and equal lives as all people should be able to do, and is the result of many individuals and groups acting and working together – so many people we will never know, the activists for equality and justice.”

“Another change is the move from a time when few thought they could go to school or to work, or to find partners as their true selves, to a time when these are increasingly the common rights of all,” she said.

Another change Botzer noticed was the “expansion of our internal discussion in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s – for example, the addition of Transgender as a concept and the increasing acknowledgement that there are many forms of gendered expression – and especially the understanding that there is nothing to fear from these varied ex-

pressions of identity.”

“The growth of the Trans community and our supporters worldwide is a major historical change,” said Botzer.

The Transgender movement has seen recent success because of the amount of education and outreach from various state and federal organizations. Local leaders agree this is key to advancing what rights they currently do not enjoy.

“The binary gender construct is so deep in our society that this is a difficult thing for people to break and understand if we don’t fit into their neatly constructed boxes of gender,” said McGregor. “If a person has never had any feeling of their brain and

be their full selves,” he said. “The work we all need to do, including myself, is to advocate for every community, county, state, and on the federal level to respect their inhabitants with non-discrimination laws, policies, practices, and equal opportunities.”

McGregor said he is inspired by “people like Senator Ed Murray, who work for the rights of the entire community and Allena Gabosch the executive director of the Center & Foundation for Sex Positive Culture who has, from the day it began, made safe places for Trans and Gender non-conforming people to be. Aiden Key who started Gender Odyssey and works with Trans youth locally and, of course, Mama Kate

“Let the world move forward, let us leave behind the fear and prejudice that has caused this nation to hold back on such a simple act as protecting employment opportunities. Madness, that one day will seem so hard to understand.” body not matching according to society how are they to easily understand this? It takes patience and time. I also believe that there are more of us coming out publicly about it, which helps people better understand, because if no one talks publicly about it how will there ever be change and understanding.”

Scott, whose organization works with LGBTQ communities in five states, said, “I am meeting more and more people talking about having a Transgender relative, friend or knowing of someone who is Transgender.

This is something I did not see even a few years back. There has also been an increase in media coverage of Transgender people.

Just the other night I was flipping stations and on CNN was an interview with Kristen Beck, the former U.S. Navy SEAL who transitioned from male to female.”

That being said, there is still so much more work to be done, according to Scott. ”We continue to see that young Transgender women of color are dying from hate violence at alarming rates and this often is coupled with poor and inflammatory media coverage.”

“There is also the silent epidemic of suicide, particularly among Transgender men who are community activists, that has not been addressed by our own community or by service providers,” said Scott.

“There is also the issue in rural and remote communities with not much support, resources or other Transgender people to be in community with,” he said. “Unfortunately, the economic realities of poverty for many in our community go hand in hand with isolation.”

Botzer says the outreach and education is working, “especially as we tell our stories and share our lives. But I also believe, after many years and much effort, that we must do this work over and over again as well as reach new people and organizations. One time or one generation is not enough for such a large discussion of self and identity.”

Each one of us, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, is inspired by someone. Each of the local leaders I spoke to say they are inspired by different people.

Scott says, “Transgender youth, their supportive families, and Transgender people living in rural or remote communities inspire me.”

“Transgender youth because of their courage to be who they are and to voice that to others against all the odds,” he said. “The courage of family members to trust their child in knowing their own gender and then to fiercely advocate for their child to have no more and no less than anyone else’s child.”

“For Transgender people in rural and remote communities, because they are being who they are where they are, that is brave, and that says to the world no one should have to give up the community they love to

Bornstein, who is wonderful and wrote “Gender Outlaw” and was out about all this a long time ago and very open about her struggles with it all and has been wonderful to me.”

Botzer told Seattle Gay News, “I am inspired by every person who has come to visit Ingersoll Gender Center’s open groups.

Thousands and thousands of people: individuals, families, activists, care providers, researchers, they all have brought their voices to our weekly discussions. Many of these people have gone on to create new projects that help the Trans Community, and I am grateful that Ingersoll continues to welcome and support new voices. That will help assure a strong future.

“And I am inspired by supporters, especially LGB and progressive leaders and activists who have learned about and included

Trans issues in their own projects,” she continued. “To include Trans was not the easiest thing in years past, but organizations like the Task Force (NGLTF, my favorite, and a group on whose board I have served for some years) have shown the way to do it!

And locally I am so proud of our LGB organizations, they are with us.”

The major issue that Trans leaders around the nation are working on is the passage of a Transgender inclusive Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA). “Unemployment for Transgender people is the highest of any minority group there is. Most people have no idea the complications Transgender people face around employment,” said McGregor. “One’s IDs may not match how a person presents at this time and using former references can be challenging with a new name and gender identity, the same with college records. It goes on and on and in this job market. If it becomes too difficult, most employers just move on to someone easier to deal with and the Transgender person will never know for sure why they were not hired, but the statistics speaks for themselves.”

“ENDA needs to stay intact, with gender identity and sexual orientation,” said Scott.

“We all have our part to do and that is to educate our Congress members about why this needs to happen. It is good business to hire the most qualified talent, it is good for our communities to have people working and contributing to the tax base, which in turn makes sure we have the funds to pay for schools, roads, and other infrastructure. The most qualified talent pool includes LGB and T people.”

Botzer told SGN, “Let the world move forward, let us leave behind the fear and prejudice that has caused this nation to hold back on such a simple act as protecting employment opportunities. Madness, that one day will seem so hard to understand.”

Rich Full-Bodied Cafes Savory Homestyle Soups & Sandwiches Visit us online www.sgn.org

July 12, 2013

Seattle Gay News

7

The Sisters turn seventeen, throw kegger!

by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer For 17 years, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the Abbey of St. Joan has been supporting Seattle, and indeed all of Washington’s LGBT community in a highly visible and celebratory way. From preaching safer sex and dispersing “condom saviors” to staging events in small towns throughout the state, the Sisters’ dedication to service has been evident from the very beginning.

“We’re very excited,” said Sister Ophelia Onassis. “17 years of doing what we do, lovingly serving our community.”

The Sisters aim to celebrate this birthday like any responsible 17-year-old – with a keg party – to be held at R Place on Saturday, July 13.

“Nearly every active Sister and Guard at all levels of progression will be in attendance, ready to play beer pong with you,” Sister Ophelia told SGN. The Abbey of St. Joan’s anniversary actually falls on Bastille Day, July 14. On that day, 17 years ago, five sisters baptized themselves in the waters of Madison Beach and established the order. This is where the Abbey’s name comes from; the patron saint of the order is, Joan of Arc. “We always do the anniversary party on a Saturday,” Sister Ophelia told SGN. The anniversary festivities go all weekend. On Friday, the Sisters do a “bar tour,” where they will be “out in force, spreading love and joy and expiating guilt.” On Sunday, they hold their “Saint’s Brunch,” an event that is open only to Sisters and those they’ve sainted.

Saints are people in the community that

the Sisters have recognized as exemplary in their giving back. Some saints are wellknown advocates that have served Seattle’s LGBT community though nonprofits, others are simply bar staff that have gone above and beyond to create safe, happy places for LGBT patrons.

Over the course of 17 years, the Sisters have given out tens of thousands of dollars to LGBT organizations around Washington from their charity grant fund, the money they collect throughout the year, which is donated back to the community every anniversary. This year, the Sisters will be giving out almost $9,000.

“Our granting process this year was very competitive,” Sister Ophelia told SGN. “We had to make some very difficult choices.”

The Sisters will also be adding five more saints, who will be announced and “canonized at the kegger.”

In addition to sainting members of the community, the Sisters also designate certain places as “sacred spaces.” This is why the kegger is being held at R Place and why many Sister events are held there or at The Cuff.

“The way [R Place and The Cuff] give back to the community and the level to which they ensure their clientele are safe – and always have – there’s a long history.

And along with that, they have long histories of partnering with Sisters on large scale events such as Halloween or Mardi Gras,” said Sister Ophelia.

Even after all they’ve done to give back, one of the most important things the Sisters have always done is simply be themselves.

Anyone who’s spent nights in one of Seattle’s Gay bars can attest, when a Sister

walks through the door in habit, the mood changes – smiles form, any shame is forgotten.

The Abbey of St. Joan’s anniversary party, “The Ultimate Kegger!” will be held Sat-

file photo

national news

Implement DOMA ruling ASAP senators tell Obama

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Senator Diane Feinstein

urday, July 13 at R Place (619 E. Pine St.).

The kegger begins at 6 p.m. A $10 donation buys your cup; each subsequent refill is $1.

All money raised form the kegger goes right back into the Abbey’s charity grant fund.

Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and 38 other senators sent a letter to President Obama asking him to act “swiftly and comprehensively” to implement the Supreme Court decision striking down DOMA. Washington’s Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell were among those who signed the letter, released on July 11.

“We understand that your Administration is evaluating the vast number of statutes and regulations impacted, and that many laws provide Federal agencies with great discretion to provide relief to legally-married, same-sex couples,” the senators wrote.

“We urge you to ensure that legally-married, same-sex couples are treated equally under Federal law regardless of where they live, to the greatest extent possible. Only by doing this can we truly provide equal protection to the married couples that have long borne the brunt of DOMA’s unconstitutional discrimination.”

The senators also stressed the need to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, to abolish the sections of DOMA not covered by the Supreme Court decision.

“Some statutes, including the Social Security Act and Veterans Code, may limit the degree to which equal treatment under the law can be fully realized,” the letter continued.

“Passing this legislation will fix that, by making sure that couples that have entered into the lifelong commitment of lawful marriage are treated equally under Federal law regardless of where they live. We also believe that DOMA should be stricken from the books – period. It should not be subject to a potentially shifting Supreme Court majority. Nor should a couple’s legally recognized marriage be vulnerable to changing Administrations.”

Besides Feinstein, Murray, and Cantwell, the letter was signed by Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Thomas R. Carper (D-DE), Robert P. Casey, Jr.(D-PA), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Al Franken (DMN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus S. King, Jr.(I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Carl Levin (D-MI), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), Christopher S. Murphy (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mark Udall (D-CO), Tom Udall (D-NM), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

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Seattle Gay News

July 12, 2013

Celebrating 40 Years!

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor In a July 8 letter, sent to Secretary Janet Napolitano, twenty-two U.S. Senators, including Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to quickly make any necessary administrative changes and appoint an independent ombudsman for bi-national LGBT couples in response to the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

The ruling in the United States v. Windsor case declared Section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional, allowing married bi-national LGBT couples to apply for a green card and access to federal protections and benefits.

According to Sean Coit, press secretary for Sen. Murray, before the ruling, an estimated 36,000 bi-national LGBT couples were forced to live in fear of separation because DOMA prohibited the American citizen from sponsoring their spouse for a green card.

“Last week’s ruling is a major step forward in the civil rights and marriage equality movement. Immigration policy is clear that marriages are recognized as valid based on the place of celebration. Now that the Supreme Court has acted, we were pleased to see U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issue the first approval of a green card to an LGBT family in Florida,” the Senators wrote. “We urge you to swiftly make any further necessary administrative changes required to immediately implement the ruling across the Department. We also urge

lawsuits

continued from cover through action in the courts, at the ballot box and in legislatures,” the group said in a statement.

“This effort comes on the heels of the historic U.S. Supreme Court decisions that struck down a section of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that denied federal recognition to legally married samesex couples, and reinstated the federal trial court decision that found no rational basis to support Proposition 8, California’s ban on same-sex marriage.”

“The end of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act opens a new chapter in our work to ensure same-sex couples and their families across the country are treated with dignity and respect,” said Greg Nevins, Supervising Senior Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal’s Southern Regional Office based in Atlanta.

“We know that many same-sex couples and their families have waited a long time and we are excited to announce that the campaign for the freedom to marry is coming south…

“We do not want a country so divided by unfairness and discrimination. Samesex couples are in loving, committed relationships in every region of our nation and should be treated the same way, whether they live in Maine or Virginia. This is one America.”

Meanwhile, the federal Office of Personnel Management (OPM) – itself a defendant in two suits challenging DOMA, Gill v.

OPM and Golinski v. OPM – created a basis for still more lawsuits with a ruling that same-sex couples in civil unions are not entitled to the same federal benefits as married same-sex couples.

In Illinois, where the state legislature failed to act on a marriage equality bill

you to appoint an independent ombudsman for LGBT issues who reports directly to you, is available and accessible to the public, and is empowered to resolve complaints across agencies within the Department. We believe the ombudsman is necessary to address the inquiries from LGBT couples and resolve any problems these couples face, some with very complex situations requiring careful attention.”

Senator Murray was joined in signing the letter by Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Bernard Sanders (D-VT), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mark Udall (D-CO), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Al Franken (D-MN), Christopher Coons (DDE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

“For too long, married bi-national LGBT couples were treated as second-class citizens by our federal government and were denied equal access to federal protections and benefits,” said the Senators. “In our immigration system, bi-national LGBT couples were forced to choose between the spouse they love and the country they love.

After the Supreme Court’s ruling in United States v. Windsor, Americans no longer must face this choice. However, the harsh reality of DOMA has already split apart thousands of loving and committed families. Today, we write to ask for your help before adjourning on May 31, ACLU and Lambda Legal filed a motion for summary judgment, meaning they are asking for a quick ruling by a federal court that the state law barring same-sex marriage is unconstitutional on its face.

The Illinois filing came in a suit for marriage equality originally filed by 25 samesex couples in May 2012, and was accompanied by amicus briefs on behalf of numerous organizations including the Mexican American Legal Defense & Education Fund (MALDEF), The Chicago Bar Association, Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, and The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, and many faith leaders from across the state.

The Pennsylvania suit asks a federal district judge to enjoin state officials from enforcing the law preventing Gay and Lesbian couples from getting married.

The plaintiffs are one widow, 10 couples, and the two teenage daughters of one of the couples, and they include four couples who were legally married in other states, but whose marriages are not recognized by the state of Pennsylvania.

The plaintiffs, including Deb and Susan Whitewood, who have been together for 22 years, said their willingness to join the lawsuit was driven both by a desire to have the same legal and financial protections afforded to opposite-sex couples and the emotional satisfaction of seeking social justice.

The Virginia suit challenges a state constitutional amendment, passed in 2006, that defines marriage as “a union between one man and one woman…” on grounds that it violates the equal protection and due process clauses of the U.S. Constitution. The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from restricting rights granted to US citizens.

In North Carolina, the ACLU is asking to amend a suit they previously brought on be-

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associated press

Senator Murray urges appointment of ombudsman for bi-national LGBT couples

Senator Patty Murray

in remedying these past actions and ensuring our immigration policies are swiftly changed to provide equal access to LGBT couples. “ The Senators ended the letter by saying, “Every American should have the choice to marry who they love and live in the country they love. The Supreme Court has decided in favor of justice and equality – finally making this choice possible. We thank you for your leadership on this important is-

sue and we urge you to act decisively and quickly to correct these past injustices. We look forward to hearing back from you about the actions your Department will take and timeline for these actions, to remedy past discrimination and ensure equal access in our immigration system for all bi-national LGBT couples. As your Department moves forward to correct the systematic and unconstitutional actions of the past, we stand ready to be your allies and partners in the Senate.”

half of same-sex couples where one of the partners is a parent, but the other partner is prohibited by state law from adopting the child as well.

In light of the Supreme Court ruling striking DOMA, the group said, they want to challenge state law against same-sex marriage – which underlies the ban on second parent adoptions.

Less than 24 hours after the Supreme Court ruled against DOMA in Windsor, a federal district judge in Michigan ruled that a suit against that state’s anti-equality constitutional amendment could go forward. The case is similar to the North Carolina suit, in that the plaintiffs are adding the claim for equal marriage rights to an existing suit for adoption rights.

In Arkansas, 11 same-sex couples filed a lawsuit arguing that laws banning Gay marriage in Arkansas and refusing to recognize Gay marriages from other states are unconstitutional.

Even more marriage equality suits may be on the horizon, because of federal guidelines interpreting the Supreme Court’s DOMA decision.

OPM, which manages benefits for federal employees said in a series of memos issued after the Supreme Court decision in Windsor, that same-sex couples in civil unions – as opposed to ones that are legally married in states where they can do so – “will remain ineligible for most federal benefits programs.”

Four states continue to offer civil unions: Hawaii, Colorado, Illinois, and New Jersey.

Same-sex couples in those states have all or almost all the state benefits of marriage, but none of the federal ones, and they might also have standing to sue for the right to marry and acquire federal benefits, under the equal protection and due process clauses of the federal constitution.

pennsylvania

July 12, 2013

continued from cover

legislature in 1996.

Plaintiffs in the suit are 10 same-sex couples, a widow, and two children of one of the couples.

Mary Catherine Roper, a senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said she and others involved in the lawsuit were “celebrating” Kane’s decision.

“To have the highest law enforcement official of the Commonwealth come out and say, ‘I agree with you, this law is unjust, that’s huge for us,’” Roper said in a phone interview.

Roper added that it was “too early to tell” how Kane’s decision would affect the actual case, but said the 23 plaintiffs would continue to pursue their suit against the state.

“We’re ready to roll,” she said.

Thomas Peters, spokesman for NOM (the National Organization for Marriage), said Kane’s refusal to defend the ban on samesex marriage amounted to a “pocket veto” of the law.

“This is just one more example of how the Supreme Court set a bad precedent [last month] in allowing elected officials to not represent the will of the people when they find it expedient,” he said an in interview.

Kane’s action is reminiscent of California’s Prop 8 case, in which California Governors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown, and state Attorney General Kamala Harris refused to defend the measure. Ultimately the U.S. Supreme Court allowed a lower court ruling striking Prop 8 to stand because – unlike the state’s executive officers – the law’s defenders lacked standing to appear in court.

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Seattle Gay News 15

health and medicine

The joys of Dr. Silverstein

An exclusive interview with a Gay pioneer in psychiatry

file photo

Dr. Charles Silverstein

by Eric Andrews-Katz SGN A&E Writer Dr. Charles Silverstein is a man who has seen every angle of Gay civil rights and has lived to tell about it. He came of age in a time when homosexuality was a criminal offense that could lead to incarceration in jail or a mental institution, and when “cures” might entail electroshock or even a lobotomy. As a psychiatrist, Dr. Silverstein’s courage led him to become a key figure in having homosexuality delisted as a mental illness from the journals of the American Psychiatric Association. After writing several acclaimed articles on sexual behavior, he went on to write the groundbreaking book The Joy of Gay Sex. As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the removal of the offensive clause, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing this monumental man.

Eric Andrews-Katz: Will you please describe your family life growing up?

Dr. Charles Silverstein: I grew up in Brooklyn, New York, with my mother, father, and older brother. Those were days when very few people “came out.” I can’t even think of any time the word “homosexual” was mentioned in my family. They were the sorts of people that if you didn’t mention it, it didn’t exist. I don’t remember being called “faggot” like some kids do, as I was a big, strong kid. I did know enough to be quiet and not say anything about it. I came out after college, when I was about 30 or 31 years old.

Andrews-Katz: At what age were you aware of your homosexuality?

Dr. Silverstein: In my early teens I was absolutely aware of it. By the age of 16, I was madly in love with some straight boy (of course), and that story now is commonplace. Someone I met at Boy Scout camp, and we were very close friends for a long time. I never had the nerve to tell him, for fear of him rebelling or rejecting me and I’d never see him again. These things did happen, but much later when I was in graduate

16 Seattle Gay News

school. I was training to be a psychiatrist and met this guy at the American Psychological Association, an associate, and we became very close friends. I had a thing for him and one day I realized I had to take the plunge and tell him. One night I did, and the son-of-a-bitch asked immediately, “Are you attracted to me?” When I said yes, he walked out. These are the experiences of someone who grew up in a generation where it was hard to be openly Gay because of the fear of being rejected. It wasn’t just a fear – there was a good probability it would happen! Today it’s not hard to find people

tric shock. Sometimes you hear people say it was mere torture and that the electrode was attached to the penis, but it wasn’t – it was attached to the finger. [It was] based upon the “learning” theory: that a response was conditioned and that a condition could be unlearned. People went through these electric shocks and they weren’t any more successful than any of the others. All these forms had in common was that they told Gay people not only that they were sick, but that they were right to feel bad about it – to feel guilty. It reinforced all those feelings of low self-worth. That attitude is what we’ve

“Young guys today don’t realize that not long ago, many of the things they’re interested in doing were against the law and many people went to jail for it. We were for more basic rights than for marriage equality.” and socialize, when everyone is so open.

Andrews-Katz: Since homosexuality was still counted as a mental disorder, what were some of the common homosexual “cures” being practiced at the time?

Dr. Silverstein: Most people were subjected to psychoanalysis and would go to the analyst multiple times a week, trying to find out what intro-psychotic conflict could be resolved to make that person “straight.”

That was the most common and most expensive. I did it [seeing an analyst] for many years. Everyone failed at it because the whole thing was wrong. The only other predominant form of “treatment” at the time was some form of aversion therapy, most commonly electro-aversion. A person was shown various slides of supposedly attractive men (all chosen by straight men, of course), and if there was arousal response (measured by an erection) to the slide of the nude man, the person would get a mild elec-

July 12, 2013

had to fight against, especially in the 1970s.

Andrews-Katz: How and when did you learn to accept your own homosexuality?

Dr. Silverstein: I didn’t come to it by myself. At the time the Gay Activist Alliance had just been organized in NYC. I saw an ad for them somewhere and decided to go to a dance they were holding. I knew what a dance was, and I knew where the location was, so I drove downtown to park my car by the old GAA Firehouse. I walked around and saw all these men in line. They were all cute as hell and it scared the living shit out of me. I turned around, got into my car, and drove home. It was too scary for me. But the genie was out of the bottle, so what I did next was to go to one of their meetings at the Firehouse, and then I joined a committee and started being active there. I went to dances and it was there that I met William Bory, the man who would be my lover for the next 20 years.

Andrews-Katz: How did the fight to remove the listing of homosexuality as a mental disorder begin?

Dr. Silverstein: It had been going on for a number of years – we certainly didn’t organize it. Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings were politicking for the removal of the homosexual clause and had been fairly unsuccessful. We had a fluke. We had a zap [a demonstration] planned at the AABT [Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy], and Robert Spitzer was in the audience. Bob said, “Why don’t you make a presentation before the committee?” Since he was a research psychiatrist at Columbia University and not invested in psychoanalytic theory, he could look past any issues.

He eventually did suffer for it, because afterwards a colleague wondered if he were Gay (guilt by association was common) – and Bob is not Gay. So, it took bravery on behalf of the straight psychologists and psychiatrists to take a stand. By and large, the Gay psychiatrists/psychologists were not helpful – they preferred we shut up and that wasn’t something we were going to do.

They were afraid we would blow their cover because they were [successfully] operating in a heterosexual world and had clients, and no one knew they were Gay. They were terrified they would be kicked out or not get patients.

Andrews-Katz: What were some of the biggest challenges in getting the declassification established?

Dr. Silverstein: The psychoanalysts.

They were a group of psychoanalysts who made their careers on “curing” homosexuals. Of course, their leaders were Charles Socarides (whose son is Gay), Lionel Ovesey, and Irving Bieber, and this trio published many books and papers about how sick we [Gay people] are. When they heard that we had made this presentation before the psychiatrists and removing the passage was under consideration, they were up in arms, raising petitions and making all sorts of threats. When the Board of Trustees announced that homosexuality was being removed, they were actually able to get enough signatures on a petition to have a vote of the entire membership on the subject. The membership did vote, and the people who supported the removal of the clause won.

You have to remember that what we were doing was not just changing the passage, but we were hitting people in the pocketbook.

We wanted to do that. We were appalled that there were a group of people whose income was dependent on hurting Gay people, and that was how we wanted to utilize our services. If the APA was going to vote that homosexuality was no longer a disorder, then there was no longer a reason to seek out a cure. That would hit them where it hurt, and they were furious at us. I’m glad we shut them up!

Andrews-Katz: In 1977 you and Edmund White wrote The Joy of Gay Sex. Why the need for such a book and how difficult was it to get published?

Dr. Silverstein: They actually came to us. The publishers first published The Joy of Sex and they made a fortune out of that.

Somehow they got the idea to try and repeat it with the same style of alphabetic organization for Gay people. They wanted to do one for Gay men and one for Lesbians. I was asked to write it partially because there weren’t many openly Gay professionals at the time. I needed a co-author, someone who is a better writer than me, and by chance they picked Ed White. Ed was a young, promising novelist who was also a patient of mine at the time (I can talk about it now, as he has talked about it publicly). I had to shock him with the idea – they didn’t tell him who the other author was going to be. We obviously knew each other pretty well and lived only a few blocks away. It

Celebrating 40 Years!

was easy for us to meet up and it was a perfect collaboration.

Andrews-Katz: In 1993, you and Felice Picano wrote an updated version entitled The New Joy of Gay Sex. What was the reason for the update?

Dr. Silverstein: We were asked to do it.

Ed was busy at the time and I don’t think he was interested, since he was mainly a novelist. I searched for a co-writer who I thought I could get along with and settled on Felice.

We wrote a revision and the next revision afterwards.

Andrews-Katz: In your book For the Ferryman you describe the sense of desperation and frustration that was brought on

by AIDS. What were some of the “miracle cures” offered?

Dr. Silverstein: When the disease first hit, it was very much a matter of searching for anything that would work. I sort of attack some of these people offering miracle cures, as some of them were out-and-out scams, and some were so wrong, causing more harm than good. We said at the beginning of the epidemic that there was no reason to seek out a cure because there was no treatment available, and no one was doing anything about it. No one knew if ARC (AIDS-related complex) was separate or just an early stage of AIDS. There was this hope that the disease wouldn’t progress, and of course it did. The illness and dying at the time was outrageous.

I know that younger guys today think that barebacking is fun, but they wouldn’t if they saw the illnesses of the people who got the HIV virus earlier. The degrees of KS (Kaposi’s sarcoma) purplish lesions all over the body. The discrimination against the people who were hospitalized was extraordinary.

They rejected clients who were suspected of having AIDS as if it were the bubonic plague. If 911 were called there were people who refused to come to a house or to touch a person, even if wearing gloves. Only certain funeral homes would accept people who died of AIDS. It was an all-around plague that everyone suffered from.

Andrews-Katz: I’ve heard many people say “Gay life was more fun when it was illicit.” What part of Gay life was compromised – if any – on the road to equality?

Dr. Silverstein: I don’t think any of that was compromised on the road to equality.

There are different issues and I don’t think it had an effect. The people who believed in civil rights and freedom continue to believe it. The bigots just have another reason to hate us and there certainly are enough bigots out there.

Andrews-Katz: What is the greatest change you’ve observed in the Gay liberation movement?

Dr. Silverstein: The current movement

for marriage equality is something we never anticipated. We had (in New York) a zap about Gay marriage where guys came into the county office carrying two cakes, one with two males and the other with two females. No one took us seriously and what we were searching for then was publicity.

We knew that the clerk would call the police, and the newspapers would follow the police. Publicity was the name of the game.

No one thought we should promote Gay marriage, as it wasn’t conceivable. What we were fighting for was to not be called (or thought of) as sick, and for our civil rights, and to not let employers fire Gay people for being Gay, to not being allowed to kick someone out of their house because they are Gay. We were also after more basic rights like [repealing] the sodomy laws. Young guys today don’t realize that not long ago, many of the things they’re interested in doing were against the law and many people went to jail for it. We were for more basic rights than for marriage equality.

Also, there was a left-wing ideology that we didn’t want to mimic heterosexual values. And “heterosexual values” included people being married in a monogamous relationship. It went against the Gay ideology at the time, and against the middle-class straight values, wanting more open relationships. Which was probably explained by our being young and horny – I don’t think there was anything more to it than that.

Andrews-Katz: In your opinion, who are the movers and shakers of today’s Gay rights movement?

Dr. Silverstein: I hesitate to answer because I’m not sure there is a Gay movement [today] in quite the same sense. The 1970s were a time of radical Gay politics, and it was a rather sophisticated game that we were playing. What happens in social movements is that the more moderate people are outraged because of the tactics of radicals, but in the end what happens is that society always moves towards the center. While we were radicals, society changed its values, but moved towards the center, not towards us. It always happens that way. An example is when Martin Luther King first started, he looked like a radical – until Malcolm X and the Black Muslims came onto the scene, and then everyone looked at King as a moderate, when in actuality he didn’t change his opinions at all! The same thing happens in all movements.

Today the [assimilation] gender has taken over, where Gay people want to be assimilated into heterosexual society. Gay Liberation doesn’t want to be like them; we want to be different and to celebrate those differences. Not only would we not have conceived of [marriage equality], but also

we would have been appalled by it. We have now clearly won the battle to be as unhappy as straight people. There were two groups that fought most for Gay marriage, in my understanding: the Gay movement and divorce attorneys.

The other thing that has changed (definitely for the good) is the Transgender movement. Years ago they were just “trannys” and a lot of them were prostitutes on the streets. Certainly, a few famous ones were known in New York. But what has happened in the last 10 years is the extent to which the Transgendered have come out of the closet. There is an enormous amount of government funding and clinical research for Transgendered people. I think that is very positive – certainly there are more Trans people than we ever dreamed.

Andrews-Katz: If you could pass on a piece of wisdom to today’s LGBT youth, what would it be?

Dr. Silverstein: My first thought is for them to think about safe sex, but that doesn’t seem to work. It worked for a while – when people were dying. It doesn’t work today because there is a whole generation that has grown up with it, and for them AIDS is a matter of history and not very interesting. The problem is that I don’t want

to sound like someone’s father. I have patients who are facing these things, and it is mostly about safe sex and people who are not following the guidelines. They are suffering because of it in many ways. It’s not just kids, though. I’m seeing more people in their 30s and 40s whose activities are going to get them in trouble.

Dr. Charles Silverstein was born in 1935 and is the author of eight books and several essays, winning awards from the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Foundation. His books include The Joy of Gay Sex and all subsequent updates, and For the Ferryman: A Personal History, chronicling his life and the landmark events of the Gay Pride movement.

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Seattle Gay News 17

northwest news

GAY CITY ARTS – “IDOL TIME” JULY 11-AUGUST 5 From July 13-August 5, Gay City Arts (517 E. Pike St.) presents “Idol Time,” an exhbiition of work by Flynn Bickley.

Flynn Bickley started making dolls in childhood, as a girl who looked and acted like a boy. Today, as a grown-up Transman, “Idol Time” is a collection of handcrafted dolls Bickley made over the last four years that embody stories about gender identity, fantasy, human folly and hunting. Also on display will be paintings from his series “Plots,” a series of architectural mixed media paintings on tar paper inspired by homeownership and dreams.

Flynn Bickley earned a BFA in sculture from Central Washington University in 2001 and currently resides in South Park.

He is a 2012 Artist Trust EDGE program graduate and has recently exhibited around Seattle, including CoCA Ballard, as well as Simon Mace Gallery in Port Townsend.

Bickley is a co-founder of the Art Lending Library, a Seattle program that checks out original artwork to the public for free.

“Idol Time” is presented in conjunction with Gay City Arts, through which Gay City collaborates with local LGBT artists to galvanize an audience for Queer arts, foster the development of LGBT artists, and facilitate artistic excellence across a wide range of disciplines, including theater, music, dance, film, spoken word, literary and visual arts. www.gaycity.org; www.flynnbickleyart.com SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK From Thursday, July 11 through Sunday, August 11, Seattle Shakespeare Company’s Wooden O presents Shakespeare’s Henry V and The Tempest around Seattle and King County. All performances are FREE and open to the public; donations encouraged. www.seattleshakespeare.org.

From Friday, July 12 through Saturday, August 17, GreenStage presents Shakespeare’s King Lear and A Midsummer Night’s Dream around Seattle and King County. All performances are FREE and open to the public; donations encouraged. www.greenstage.org.

and JJ is forced to choose between her hot new lover and her best friend. A post-film discussion follows. Tickets: $10. www.sistahsinema.com

TACOMA PRIDE – OUT IN THE PARK On Saturday, July 13, from noon-5 p.m., on Broadway between 9th and 11th Sreets, in downtown Tacoma, Tacoma’s Rainbow Center hosts their annual LGBTQA Pride Celebration, noon-5 p.m., on Broadway between 9th and 11th streets, in downtown Tacoma. Enjoy entertainment, food, fun, and community at this family-friendly event. www.rainbowcntr.org or http://tacomapride.org/out-in-the-park.

In conjunction with Tacoma Pride, The Mix (635 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma) hosts a block party, gates at 2pm; show at 5pm featuring Cazwell, The Breaklites of Tacoma, LA Kendall ft. Adbraboo, and hosted by Aleksa Manila. $10 cover – cash only, cash bar.

SEATTLE PEACE CONCERTS On Sunday, July 14, at Magnuson Park Beach Area (7400 Sand Point Way NE) from noon-6 p.m., enjoy the music of Steve Kelly’s Little Big Band, Jill Cohn, Town Hall Brawl, and Ravin’wolf at this FREE city-wide outdoor concert.

Seattle Peace Concerts will be held from June through September at Woodland Park, Gas Works Park, Magnuson Park Beach Area and Volunteer Park. All ages welcome.

Please bring food bank donations. For a complete schedule, visit www.seapeace.org.

BELLINGHAM PRIDE – DANCE, PICNIC, DRAG SHOW, PARADE & FESIVAL JULY 12-14 On Friday, July 12, Bellingham Pride kicks off with a B-Proud Dance at Depot Market Square, 9 p.m.-midnight, $3 admission benefiting local charities. All ages welcome. Also, Rumors Cabaret (1119 Railroad Ave.) features a Betty Pages 8th Anniversary Party, no cover before 10 p.m., free food (21+).

On Saturday, July 13, Bellingham Pride hosts their Pride Family Picnic starting at noon in Maritime Heritage Park. FREE (donations accepted). The annual ISCEE Pride Drag Show at Rumors Cabaret (1119 Railroad Ave.) starts at 7 p.m., followed by Pride Celebration party, $5 cover (21+).

On Sunday, July 14, Bellingham’s annual Pride Parade starts at noon at Bellingham High School, proceeding along Cornwall Avenue, and ending at Depot Market Square. Pride Festival runs until 4 p.m. at Bellingham Farmers Market (suggested donation $2).

Info at www.bhampride.org.

compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer

ACCIDENTAL BEAR QUEER MUSIC SUMMER TOUR – A BENEFIT FOR PRIDE FOUNDATION On Sunday, July 14, at 7 p.m., at Chop Suey (1325 E. Madison St.) , the Accidental Bear Queer Music Summer Tour in support of LGBTQ mental health services comes to Seattle, with featured artists Logan Lynn, Big Dipper, Conquistador, Darling Gunsel, and Rica Shay. The mission of this tour is to bring awareness and visibility to LGBTQ music while working to diminish the stigma around mental health and raise money for suicide prevention efforts in each of the communities where the tour is taking place.

All proceeds from the Seattle show will be donated to the Pride Foundation. Tickets are $15 advance at http://bit.ly/18r0hgP; with $45 and $75 VIP packages available. www. accidentalbear.com

and special selections. The party starts at 6 p.m.; the film program begins at 7 p.m.

“We’re mpressed with the beautiful new venue Sundance Cinemas has created in Seattle, and grateful that they’ve welcomed the LGBT community with the special benefit for Three Dollar Bill Cinema,” said Jason Plourde, Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s Executive Director.

Tickets are available through Three Dollar Bill Cinema and 100% of ticket sales will benefit the arts organization and their programming, which includes the Three Dollar Bill Summer Outdoor Movie Festival at Cal Anderson Park, Translations: The Seattle Transgender Film Festival, Reel Queer Youth, the 18th Annual Seattle Lesbian & Fay Film Festival, as well as other programs year-roumd. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance at www.threedollarbillcinema.org and at the door. All guests must be 21 or older.

Robert Redford, Sundance Group President, said, “Finding a home for Sundance Cinema in Seattle is something I’ve wanted to accomplish since we launched this endeavor, so I’m very pleased. Because independence and personal expression have always been cncouraged and embraced here, the city’s overall cultural vitality makes this a particularly exciting community collaboration for us.

SUNDANCE CINEMAS – THREE DOLLAR BILL CINEMA SNEAK PREVIEW PARTY BENEFIT Seattle will never see movies the same way again when Sundance Cinemas opens in July. The company recently announced several exciting celebrations revealing the completely remodeled Sundance Cinemas Seattle, formerly known at the Metro 10.

A special Sneak Preview Party benefitting Three Dollar Bill Cinema, producers of the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film FestiSEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN val, will take place on Tuesday, July 16, at BOOK CLUB – TOAST Sundance Cinemas (4500 9th Ave.). Guests The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club will get a special sneak-preview of the new meets every Wednesday from 6-7:15 p.m., space and will be treated to appetizers, beer, at Seattle Area Support Groups Community wine, popcorn with real butter and free Center (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas St.) movies, including first run summer releases In July, the club will be reading Toast by Nigel Slater, the memoir of a young Gay boy growing up with a mortally-ill mother who can barely cook toast, a father who rejects him, and a rival stepmother who is a killer cook, until he leaves home to become one of Britain’s most famous chefs. (It’s been made into a charming little film (by the director of Billy Elliot) in which Helena Bonham-Carter gives one of her finest performances.

All GLBTQ folks are welcome to participate in this FREE book club. For more information, visit http://faculty.washington. edu/swittet/SGLBookClub/.

THREE DOLLAR BILL CINEMA – “I NEED A HERO” SUMMER MOVIE SERIES On Friday, July 19, at Cal Anderson Park (11th Ave. & E. Olive St.), join Three Dollar Bill Cinema for the kick-off of their outdoor summer movie series. On Friday, July 19, Three Dollar Bill presents Hairspray (1988), on Friday, August 2, it’s Galaxy Quest (1999), on Friday, August 9, it’s Batman: The Movie (1966), and on Friday, August 16, it’s Conan: The Destroyer (1984).

All screenings are FREE and start at dusk. www.threedollarbillcinema.org.

KITSAP PRIDE– PRIDE 365 On Sunday, July 21, from noon-5pm, Kitsap Pride hosts “Pride 365: at Evergreen Park in downtown Bremerton. Info at http:// kitsappride.org BINET SEATTLE PICNIC On Sunday, July 21, from 3-7 p.m., at Matthews Beach Park, BiNet Seattle invites you to join the Bisexual community for their 14th Annual Picnic. Theyll provide burgers, sausages, vegetarian burgers, and plates.

You bring a non-alcoholic beverage and something to share, such as a salad or dessert. This is a family-friendly event. Bring your kids and your partners and enjoy the sun and the shade. RSVP to: http://socializr. punchbowl.com/parties/5804309-binetseattle-2013-summer-picnic?noflash=true

SISTAH SINEMA – “STUD LIFE” On Saturday, July 13, doors at 7 p.m., screening at 8 p.m., at New Freeway Hall (5018 Rainier Ave. S.), Sistah Sinema presents “Stud Life.” JJ is a “Stud” Lesbian.

Together with her best friend, Seb, a Gay pretty boy, they work as wedding photographers. When JJ falls in love with a beautiful diva, JJ and Seb’s friendship is tested

Rich Full-Bodied Cafes Savory Homestyle Soups & Sandwiches 18 Seattle Gay News

July 12, 2013

Celebrating 40 Years!

Tour de Life: Five and Two

and go. I would clear out the years built up in the apartment, throw away everything, deal with all the administration and even give him some money for the stuff that we bought together. All he had to worry about was his next step. And so that was that.

“Plans this weekend?” Niels asks in his heavy Dutch accent, and I smile and say that, of course, I do, although that’s where I stop. Five days a week you do this dance, this polite conversation dance with com-

er imagine how, maybe you actually believe it never will.

One day when all this is over and I am in my new place starting my new chapter, I might look back and wonder at the strength of these months, of the reservoir of energy I found to make it. When it is over, I will be harder and stronger - hopefully not cynical - but wise enough to remember that there is a price to pay to end it and keep the peace.

“All is good?” Phillip asks at 9 a.m. and I

I have bawled like a baby going through photos and mementos each item giving me a little electric shock of memory and plunging me back into the deep end. I am emotionally tired, but this is the price, this is the cost, this is what I knew I would have to pay.

by Beau Burriola SGN Contributing Writer “All is good? Phillip asks at 9 a.m. in his Flemish accent. It’s usually just the way he starts morning conversation. He doesn’t want an honest response - he wants a funny response, a story, maybe a conversation about a TV show I have discovered from the Flemish television offering. It’s a loaded question for me these days, because I haven’t got much time for empty, polite banter.

Sure, everything is fine. It’s all fine if you count I am living in the middle of fifty quickly-packed boxes all stacked in the middle of a room so I can repaint it and hand it back to its owner when I figure out where I am going next. I have no idea where I will live when I move to the city; I’m still looking and far too picky. I want an American oven. I want light. I want hot water you don’t have to wait years to get when you go to take a shower. I want proximity to work, gym, dry cleaners, grocer and train so I can get rid of my car.

When I ended my eight-year relationship at 34 years old and decided to start over on my own, I didn’t expect to do it in Belgium.

I thought that if playing house ever failed in Europe, I would be on the first plane back to

Seattle, but I wasn’t. After three years here, I’ve got a job I like, friends, activities, and I learned a language. I am not ready to give that up.

“How are you feeling?” Laurent asks at 10 a.m. in his Walloon accent and I just smile. I know the drill - that he will tell me all about his latest aches or pains, his visits to the doctor. I have my health, I can’t complain, I just listen.

Sure I’m feeling great, if you count that I’m not sleeping much and I have spent every night for two weeks separating the garage into piles of “recycling” and “dump run.” I have bawled like a baby going through photos and mementos - of that crappy shirt I wore on that cruise around Spain or those socks with the holes he mended while I was in the hospital - each item giving me a little electric shock of memory and plunging me back into the deep end. I am emotionally tired, but this is the price, this is the cost, this is what I knew I would have to pay.

“How you end something says a lot about you,” my dad told me before I made this decision. “Sometimes the cost of peace is high.”

So when I sat down to tell Julien it was over, I said I would take care of everything; he could just take what he wanted

plete strangers at work, because that’s what grown ups do, that’s how you behave professionally.

And then Saturday morning comes and I call my best friends - Sean, Chris, Izzy, Jamie, Jeffrey - and they know exactly where I left off and how to spend the next hour or so picking me up and pushing me along one more step. Then I spend two days of the most honest part of my week, packing and bagging and crying and painting, cleaning up the mess and one weekend closer to my own next step. By Sunday night, I fall on my bed and put in ear plugs so I can’t even hear the silence.

“Great weekend?” Kip asks me in his Turkish accent at 8:30 Monday morning and I smile and ask him about his. He wants to work in Poland a bit, maybe meet a nice Polish girl.

When you move in together with someone, all you are thinking is rainbows and sunrises, maybe picturing coffee on the terrace over a home-cooked breakfast and coming home to see a smiling face. You don’t think of how that might end, you nev-

smile, part of the price to start again.

“The world breaks everyone and afterwards many are strong at the broken places.” - Hemingway Beau Burriola is a 34-year-old writer looking for the next step. beaubrent@gmail. com.

Religion & Spirituality Sojourner Truth Ministries Sunday Service 11:15 am Rainier City Bldg 1265 South Main St #106 (14th & Main) Seattle, WA 98144 Phone: Rev. Walden @ 206 380-1710

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Visit us online www.sgn.org

July 12, 2013

Seattle Gay News 19

Kiki with D Unfriendly benefits

by D Smith Special to the SGN Dear D, I’ve been seeing this guy off and on for the last 4 years. We dated seriously for about a year, but then it turned into friends with benefits situation. I would like for him to recommit to a steady long term relationship,

He then starts cursing at me through text, degrading and belittling me. Things like I am nothing, ugly, fat, what a loser you are.

Then, I just don’t know how to feel any more about it. It’s so much back and forth that I find myself most of the time being more sad than happy. The truth is, I feel like I am losing my mind dealing with all this. - Living in a Mental Ward

If someone loves you, would they call you names or make you feel degraded and/or belittled? Love builds you up, not tears you down. Never allow someone else’s lack of esteem to take yours away. but he always comes up with a reason not to.

We have a hard time getting along outside of having sex. At times it seems like that is all we have in common. Don’t get me wrong, the sex is good, sometimes mind blowing.

He knows just how to touch me like no man ever has.

When things are good, we get along – our conversations are so heart felt and I feel like no one knows me better than he does. But if I say something that he does not agree with, it gets taken to the extreme. It’s an emotional roller coaster on the crazy train. One moment we may be sitting on the couch cuddling, but if I don’t want to watch what he wants to watch, he will just get up and leave, just walk out and then text me to tell me how rude I was for not being courteous to him.

Dear Living in a Mental Ward, Matters of the heart are never easy. Thank you for being so open and asking for advice.

Love can tug at your heart and cause a flood of emotions which can place you in a state of complete disarray. When we love someone we will go through hell and back for/ with them. Love will make you do some crazy things. I want you to know that I hear you. I really hear and understand what you are saying. I have been there myself. You want this love so much that you are willing to do anything to keep it. No matter what the cost. That is a very dangerous situation to place yourself in. Much less keep yourself there.

Self-preservation is the first law of na-

ture. If you do not have peace of mind, what can you offer anyone, including yourself?

From what you wrote, it sounds to me as if this man is verbally abusing you. We should never tolerate abuse of any kind, nor make excuses for someone who is being abusive.

I’m not saying that you are making excuses for him. I would like to pose a question to you. If someone loves you, would they call you names or make you feel degraded and/ or belittled? Love builds you up, not tears you down. Never allow someone else’s lack of esteem to take yours away. Our interactions with one another are to add to each other’s lives not destroy them.

Sex is not everything! What good is a temporary physical feeling, if you are left an emotional wreck? There are too many sex shops in Seattle for you to be worried about that. You can buy yourself a toy and take care of the physical. It would cost you a lot less to do that, than it would to repair the psychological damage.

Love yourself and love a man that is confident enough to let you be you. A man that is taking the time that is required to get to know you. A man that wants to make sure that you are the first thing he sees in the morning and the last thing he see before he closes his eyes at night. A man that does care, if you put on a little weight, he understands that’s just more of you to love. That if putting on weight begins to bother you, he will join the gym and workout with you.

Until then, love yourself. Let this current man know your roller coaster ride is over.

And, as always, stay positive and remember, encourage yourself! - D

Dear I Should Have Looked Before I Leapt, Your courage in asking for advice is greatly appreciated. I can see that you have a wonderful heart to care for those in your life. Never lose that. It sounds like you have placed yourself in quite the predicament.

What alarms me is why you did not inform your current boyfriend about this prior to making arrangements with your ex? Obviously, you are concerned about how he would feel about the situation or you would not have mentioned it. It is important to be open and honest with one another and keep nothing hidden. These types of mishaps can cause a whirlwind of problems. How would you feel if you were at this meeting and he just happened to come across the two of you. Innocent as it may be, still, appearances can be everything.

Your heart is in the right place. I would suggest taking the time to talk with your boyfriend and explain the situation to him.

Even asking him to come along with you, allowing him the opportunity to be part of it. Safety may be an issue, and it’s good to have support in any case. Then making any necessary adjustments, such as calling the ex to inform him of a change of venue. Remember, what is in the past is in the past.

If your current boyfriend does not wish for you to meet with your ex, respect that. Try to find a happy medium. Maybe a phone conversation would work best in situations like this.

It is a safe, convenient way, that is respectful and courteous to all involved. It shows your ex that you care enough about him as a person to help him in his journey to obtain closure. Yet are being respectful in your current relationship so you are not over stepping any boundaries. And, let’s not forget, talking on the phone is safe. You are not placing yourself in a possibly dangerous situation, and if things get out of hand, you can just disconnect the call.

Hope this helps. Stay positive and remember encourage yourself! - D

Dear D, Recently, my ex-boyfriend contacted me.

He said that he wanted to talk to me. He said he does not feel like we had proper closure with our relationship that ended almost two years ago. I have moved on and am in a wonderful new relationship with a great guy. I am fine with the way the relationship ended, but I want to be decent and do the right thing and help him out. So, I told him I would meet with him, but now I am having second thoughts after remembering how Life problems bringing you down? possessive he was, and I don’t know how Have a burning question? Can’t tell my current boyfriend would feel about it. - I your girlfriend? Hit me up! E-mail Should Have Looked Before I Leapt KikiWithD@hush.com.

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20 Seattle Gay News

July 12, 2013

Celebrating 40 Years!

enda

continued from cover state is a leader in providing employment protections for LGBT Americans, and today’s vote was an important step toward extending these protections to every LGBT American.

“Discrimination of any kind, against anyone, is unacceptable, so I’m incredibly proud to have voted for this historic legislation today. I applaud Senator Harkin for making equality in the workplace a priority for this committee, and I will continue working with my colleagues to pass this important bill through the full Senate.”

HELP Committee Chair Tom Harkin (D-IA) said it was “time, long past time” for Congress to take action against LGBT workplace discrimination.

“Qualified workers should not be turned away or have to fear losing their livelihood for reasons that have nothing to do with their qualifications, skills or performance,” Harkin said. “Let’s not mince words: such practices are un-American. They should have no plans in any American workplace.”

Pres. Obama, who endorsed ENDA during the presidential campaign, also issued a statement.

“The President has long supported an inclusive ENDA, which would enshrine into law strong, lasting and comprehensive protections against employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity,” White House spokesperson Jay Carney said.

“We look forward to the full Senate’s consideration of ENDA, and continue to urge the House to move forward on this bill that

upholds America’s core values of fairness and equality.”

Republican Mark Kirk of Illinois was already a co-sponsor of the bill and voted to send it to the full Senate as expected. ENDA supporters picked up two additional Republican votes – Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Orin Hatch of Utah.

Murkowski, who has also endorsed marriage equality, told reporters she decided to vote Yes after hearing from constituents in Alaska.

“When I was home over the break …

1,774 postcards were delivered to my office from Alaskans around the state in support [of ENDA],” Murkowski said. “I listened to the folks back home; this is important to them.”

In a statement Hatch explained that he felt comfortable supporting ENDA because of the strong religious exemption in the bill.

“I appreciate that the authors of the bill were willing to include a robust religious exemption in this bill,” Hatch said. “I voted for it because it prohibits discrimination that should not occur in the workplace, it protects the rights of religious entities, and minimizes legal burdens on employers.”

Currently, 16 states – including Washington – and the District of Columbia, have enacted laws that prohibit discrimination based sexual orientation or gender identity.

Another five states bar job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, but not gender identity. While these state laws provide important protections, employers in a majority of states can still fire, refuse to hire, or otherwise discriminate against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

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Seattle Gay News 23