SGN October 5, 2012 - Section 1

Issue 40 Volume 40

Celebrating 39 Years!

FRIDAY October 5, 2012 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & newsstands

Rebel Wilson discusses her new film Pitch Perfect. Page 25

Boxing’s Orlando Cruz comes out. Page 18

Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

California bans Equality foes grow desperate ‘ex-Gay’ therapy as state elections approach north country public radio

Brown signed the measure September 29, a month after it passed the Legislature and less than 24 hours before his deadline to either sign or veto it.

By October 2, two anti-Gay groups had filed suit to overturn the new law.

The bill, introduced

by Democratic State Sen. Ted Lieu, bars mental health practitioners from performing anti-Gay therapies, which professional psychological organiCA Governor Jerry Brown signs a bill into law. zations consider dangerous and abusive.

by Mike Andrew Effective January 1, no mental SGN Staff Writer health professional will be allowed California has become the first to provide therapy that seeks “to state to ban so-called reparative or “ex-Gay” therapy. Gov. Jerry see ex-gay page 21

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Elizabeth Flores / Star Tribune

Religious groups sue after Gov. Brown signs historic bill

‘We are being outgunned,’ NOM leader says in conference call

In a remarkable October 3 conference call taped and posted online by Good As You blogger Jeremy Hooper, the leaders of the four current anti-marriage-equality campaigns spoke candidly about their shortcomings.

The mood was somber as they followed NOM mastermind Frank Schubert in confessing that things are not going as planned for their efforts to prevent marriage for Gay and Lesbian couples at the ballot box this fall.

“In all cases we are being outgunned, out-fundraised, and certainly have very little support in the popular media,” Schubert reported.

The call was facilitated by right-wing Southern California pastor Jim Garlow and included Schubert, Preserve Marriage Washington chair Joseph Backholm, anti-equality campaign see NOM page 6

NOM political director Frank Schubert

R-74 support is first project SOSea launch party draws diverse crowd, unveils campaign videos

nate gowdy / seattle gay news

SOSea members at the launch party

LGBTQA coalition, threw its official launch party at The Grill on Broadway. SOSea officials On October 1, Social Outreach answered questions about the orSeattle (SOSea), a Seattle-based ganization, signed up volunteers,

by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer

registered voters, and offered an impressive night of entertainment featuring 2012 Pride Idol winner Chase Silva as well as drag performers Ceasar Hart, Jack Mozie,

Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, and YeeShin Huang.

SOSea showed four of its 15 Approve Referendum 74 commercials that will debut online each

proud to Be Different

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

day through early October. The ads feature local artists and entertainers, political leaders such as Ed see Sosea page 4

Call us at 206.568.2486

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In Loving Memory Of

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Meet the real Scott Brown Why LGBTs should care about the U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts

by D’Anne Witkowski SGN Contributing Writer

Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT

Mike Andrew, Miryam Gordon, Anthony Greer, Shaun Knittel, Albert Rodriguez, James Whitely

op-ed

There are a few things you should know about U.S. Senator Scott Brown. First, he’s a Republican. Second, he currently represents Massachusetts in Washington, D.C., after replacing Sen. Ted Kennedy, a Democrat, in a special election held after Kennedy’s death in 2010. Third, Brown is currently campaigning to keep his seat against the formidable Elizabeth Warren, a highly progressive Democrat. And finally, Brown, despite his “moderate” reputation inside the Beltway and in the mainstream media, is no friend to the LGBT community (Warren is, though).

Oh, and he also posed naked (with a carefully positioned wrist) for Cosmopolitan magazine in 1982, when he was 22, which is probably the least offensive thing he’s ever done. (Side note: if Warren had done the same thing, her political career would be D.O.A. Aren’t double standards fun?)

While Brown’s campaign is currently focused on proving that Warren is a “fake Indian,” make no mistake – his re-election would not just be terrible for people with Native American ancestry who look white.

It would also be a raw deal for LGBT Americans, not just in Massachusetts but everywhere.

TAKING MASSACHUSETTS BACKWARD Massachusetts may be the state that first brought legal marriage for Gays and Lesbians to America, but Brown believes that “marriage is between a man and a woman.”

Granted, he told CNN’s Piers Morgan that “it’s settled law in Massachusetts, quite frankly, and people have moved on,” but Brown himself has not. At least not to the point that he’s willing to let his state’s married Gay and Lesbian couples be recognized nationwide. Brown supports the Defense of Marriage Act and also supported former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s use of a 1913 anti-interracial marriage law to keep out-of-state couples from coming to Massachusetts to get hitched.

Brown also does not support the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (because, you know, “states’ rights” are more important). He also repeatedly voted in

Visit us online www.sgn.org

Senator Scott Brown

favor of an anti-Gay constitutional amendment in Massachusetts, and essentially gave the middle finger to LGBT youth by refusing to participate in the It Gets Better video made by the state’s congressional delegation.

Oh, and according to Think Progress, Brown once attributed his opposition to Gay marriage to “a personal belief, based on my religious upbringing. It’s just my feeling.”

In other words, “I oppose marriage equality because I feel like it.”

Elizabeth Warren, on the other hand, is GAY PARENTING ‘NOT NORMAL’ out and proud about her support for LGBT I suppose his absence isn’t that surprising equality. According to Think Progress, considering that, according to MassEqual- Warren said, “As other states grapple with ity.org, “in 2001 during a session of the whether to support marriage equality, I’m Massachusetts legislature, Brown referred ready to move to the next step – [ending] to the decision of then-State Senator Cheryl the two-tiered system created by the DeJacques to have children [with her domestic fense of Marriage Act. Our federal governpartner, Jennifer Chrisler] as ‘not normal.’ ment should not be in the business of selectHe also described her parenting role as her ing which married couples it supports and ‘alleged family responsibilities.’” which it treats with contempt.”

Get it? Because she’s a Lesbian, her famiAs RuPaul would say, “Can I get an ly doesn’t really count, so her “responsibili- ‘Amen’ up in here?” ties” are play-pretend.

Massachusetts, please don’t let us down.

October 5, 2012

Seattle Gay News

3

Local news

Seattle Times goes off the rails

City’s only remaining daily endorses anti-Gay bigot for Congress of the Washington Values Alliance (WAVA), the author of Referendum 71, and campaign manager for Protect Marriage Washington in 2009.

The next year Stickney also managed Koster’s winning campaign for the Snohomish County Council, after which he became Koster’s legislative aide.

In that post, Stickney drafted Council Resolution 03-026, which Koster sponsored, supporting the City of Everett’s controversial public monument to the Ten Commandments.

Stickney also helped draft a 2006 Koster amendment to the Snohomish County budget seeking to strike funding for a December holiday program because it included a performance by the Seattle Men’s Chorus.

Stickney managed Koster’s losing 2010 congressional campaign, and is campaign manager for Koster’s effort this year as well.

In an editorial published October 3 that can only be described as bizarre, the Seattle Times endorsed longtime anti-Gay bigot John Koster in his race to fill the open seat in the First Congressional District.

Of course, it’s not news that the conservative Times endorsed a Republican candidate for Congress, but Koster is no run-of-themill Republican. Even in a party that for decades has been moving inexorably to the right, Koster is on the far fringe.

“We disagree with Koster on social issues,” the editorial says, without saying how extreme his views on “social issues” really are. Koster is not the “practical conservative” the Times says he is. In fact, he has been known throughout his long political career for his truly wacky ultra-right views.

The Times itself noted in an October 2000 ACROSS-THE-BOARD CRAZY editorial that Koster “tries to turn his disgust The LGBT community is not the only tarfor homosexuality and abortion into law.”

Dating back to his years in the state legis- get of Koster’s right-wing zeal, however. lature (1995-2001), Koster was a consistent According to the Times – and conveniently ignored in the paper’s endorsement – Koster enemy of LGBT rights. received a $2,500 contribution from the Republican National Coalition for Life in CONSISTENT FOE April, because he “opposes abortions unOF EQUAL RIGHTS When legal recognition for LGBT rela- der any circumstances, including incest and tionships became a political issue, Koster rape.”

Koster is also no friend of federal efforts was an outspoken opponent.

“I didn’t create the institution of mar- to improve and equalize educational opporriage,” Koster told the Times in 2010, “God tunity.

“You oughta abolish the Department of did. If you think it should be changed, take Education,” he told the Snohomish County it up with the author.”

When Koster decided to run against Dem- Liberty Action Committee during his 2010 ocrat Rick Larsen for a congressional seat in campaign for Congress.

Extreme anti-government views are noth2000, his campaign manager was none other than Larry Stickney, one-time president ing new for Koster. As a state representanate gowdy / seattle gay news

Dru Dinero (far right) and the members of the video production team

SOSea

ny, some of them are serious, but they all are well-produced, shot by local filmmaker Dru continued from cover Dinero, also a member of SOSea. “We deserve to laugh a little,” said Shaun Murray and Jamie Pedersen, and all manner Knittel, founder and director of SOSea, reof everyday people. Some of them are fun- ferring to the comedic spots. “Since when

Tom Williams / CQ Roll Call

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Republican Congressional Candidate John Koster

tive, his claim to fame was his “Freedom County” resolution – seeking to allow his hometown of Arlington to secede from Snohomish County and set up its own county government.

While Koster pitched “Freedom County” as an anti-tax paradise, it was widely believed that it was intended as a haven for right-wing extremists.

Koster’s opponent for the First District congressional seat is Democrat Suzan Del-

Bene. A September 18 SurveyUSA poll showed them in a statistical dead heat, with Koster favored by 46% of the respondents and DelBene by 42%, with a 4.1-point margin of error.

The newly redistricted First Congressional District is considered more Republican than the old district formerly represented by Democrat Jay Inslee, who resigned from the seat to run for governor.

did the movement become so serious? You know, it is OK to win and have a smile on your face. Someone should alert the TightAss Committee and have me run out of town for having some joy in my life.

“Humor is a great way to get a message across without boring people,” Knittel added. “If you are LGBTQ [or] allied and you can’t find something to smile about in 2012, then you’ve got a serious problem. We are winning, folks, it is actually happening right before your eyes. This time in our history, for our movement and our people, will never happen again. Do you want to remember it with a frown on your face, or a smile?

“We don’t need to act, walk, and talk straight to achieve marriage equality,” said Knittel, and the commercials reflect this.

SOSea says one of the reasons the group is so proud of the set of ads is that they are “a reminder that the LGBTQ and allied communities are a beautiful group of diverse, interesting, and compassionate citizens who advocate for the freedom to marry in [Washington] state.”

history, but damn if you can’t get someone 25 or younger to even tell you what POCAAN stands for. Why is that? What happened along the way that made this divide?

“I’m not worried about going back in time to find out the answer. Forward motion is more my speed. The [SOSea] founding committee is multicultural and predominantly nonwhite. You know what the really cool thing is? That wasn’t on purpose. As founder of the organization, I just listed the positions I needed to fill and then looked around for the right fit. It just so happened that in the process of doing that, SOSea naturally progressed into a multicultural group of people with very different backgrounds but very similar morals and ethics. We’ve all got nothing but love for each other.”

Knittel brought the diverse group of members onstage and introduced them to the public as he talked about SOSea’s mission and vision, outlining what the organization had planned for the rest of 2012.

ORGANIC DIVERSITY “[Referendum] 74 is the best thing to happen to Washington,” said one partygoer, Dirk. “I think SOSea will be one of the greatest organizations that’s supporting [R74] because of their diversity.”

“I want to be clear – there is a breakdown in the local LGBTQ community when it comes to race relations,” said Knittel.

“You’ve got Entre Hermanos sitting in an office overlooking Broadway and nobody can tell you what it is they do. You’ve got POCAAN, which has a strong and proud

BEATING BIGOTS WITH THE BALLOT “A win here [in Washington] would be considered a win for the movement as a whole,” said Knittel. “This would be the first time the bigots were beaten at their own game – a popular vote. That’s huge! Remember how we all felt in 2011 when New York legalized marriage equality? It sent a signal to the whole country that if they could do it, then we could too. That is what we are going to do in Washington state when we get see sosea 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!

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October 5, 2012

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NOM loses appeal on donor disclosure

Supreme Court still mum on marriage cases

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer In an October 1 announcement, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear NOM’s appeal of a lower court ruling that the group must disclose its donor list. The announcement was included in a document released by the court after its October 1 conference listing the cases it would not hear in its current term.

Perry v. Hollingsworth – the decision striking down California’s Prop 8 – and several DOMA cases, which had also been appealed to the Supreme Court, were not on the list of cases the court was rejecting, but they also have not appeared on lists of cases the court has accepted for review.

NOM v. McKee had its origins in the 2009 campaign to reverse Maine’s newly passed marriage equality law. NOM (the National Organization for Marriage) spent $1.9 million on a successful effort to repeal the law, but failed to disclose its donors as required

by Maine law.

Maine’s campaign disclosure law requires groups that raise or spend more than $5,000 on influencing elections to register with the state and disclose their donors. NOM claimed that the law was unconstitutional because it violated the group’s First Amendment rights and created an “onerous” administrative burden that it could not bear.

A federal district judge disagreed and or-

dered NOM to comply with the state’s disclosure requirements. In January the First Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the district court’s ruling, and NOM turned to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court turned down NOM’s appeal in two curt sentences.

“The motion of respondents for leave to file a brief in opposition under seal with redacted copies for the public record is granted,” the court said. “The petition for a writ of certiorari is denied.”

The “respondents” in this case are the Maine public disclosure officials who wished to file a brief correcting misstatements and errors of fact in NOM’s petition.

The “petition for a writ of certiorari” which the court turned down is NOM’s request for the court to hear the case.

For NOM, the court’s decision means the end of the line for their attempts to conceal their donors. The group will now have to “In their briefs before the U.S. Supreme comply with Maine law.

Court, the state appeared to have substantially narrowed the type of information they NOM FINDS A SILVER LINING were requesting from NOM. Had the state NOM tried to put a positive spin on the de- taken the position they took recently back cision in a statement reacting to the court’s in 2009, this litigation might well have been announcement. avoided. We will be reviewing the requests “While we are disappointed that the U.S. for information that the state has made in Supreme Court did not grant review in our light of the narrow interpretation the State challenge to Maine’s application of cam- has now provided to its own statute.” paign finance law in 2009, we will be reSince the Supreme Court did not reject viewing the state’s requests in light of the pending petitions to hear the Prop 8 and ruling,” NOM chair John Eastman said.

DOMA cases, they may be taken up at some point during the current term, but almost certainly not before the November election.

The court has already committed to hear several cases that might establish landmark legal precedents. Fisher v. University of Texas challenges affirmative action; Clapper v. Amnesty International challenges national security wiretaps; and Kiobal v. Royal Dutch Petroleum seeks to hold a foreign corporation accountable for human rights violations in Nigeria.

NOM

continued from cover

“They’re not aware that marriage is on the ballot, and I think that speaks to the culture in some of our churches where we’re just literally burying our heads in the sand and acting like it doesn’t exist.”

Echoing Schubert’s reliance on “people of faith,” Backholm called on the pastors who were listening in on the conference call to motivate their colleagues for an all-out push in the final weeks of the campaign.

“What I think really needs to happen is a lot of conversations between pastors need to take place,” Backholm said.

“It needs to be friend-to-friend, colleagueto-colleague, pastor-to-pastor, where they are encouraging each other to understand why this matters – not just, yeah, as a matter of policy, but why it matters to the gospel and why it matters culturally for the church to engage in those things.”

“It’s not a stretch to say that quite possibly in some of the states, maybe Washington being one of them, that the majority of evangelical, Bible-believing pastors are not aware of the implications of what is about to come in November should we fail to deliver on this,” Garlow added.

leaders from Minnesota and Maine who reIS SATAN TO BLAME? ported on efforts in their respective states, After a report from Carroll Conley of the and a number of conservative church lead- Christian Civic League of Maine, Schubert ers who listened in. returned to report on Maryland and to reiterate NOM’s notorious divide-and-conquer NOM OUT OF MONEY strategy of pitting the LGBT and AfricanIn spite of NOM’s promises to pour mil- American communities against one another. lions of dollars into anti-equality campaigns “Particularly for African-American pasin all four states where the issue is on the tors who may be with us,” Schubert said, “I ballot, Schubert confessed that “we’re com- would ask for you to be bold and challenge pletely dependent on the people of faith, this wrongheaded idea, that somehow redeacross faiths, no matter their religious back- fining God’s institution of marriage is a civil ground to rally together, to come together right, that it somehow equates to the great – first to give us the funds that we need to struggle of the black community. fight this campaign, secondly to become “With lynchings, with the denial of basic volunteers, to provide the ground troops that human recognition, with all the sufferings we need to get the message out, and finally that the black community has gone through, to pray that the Holy Spirit will bless our ef- now there’s an attempt by largely white Gay forts, and come down and move minds and activists to hijack the civil rights movement hearts in these four critical states. and to cloak themselves in it, in an attempt “Marriage is on the ballot, it’s a national to break the support of African-American referendum, and we cannot afford to lose,” voters away from their church.”

Schubert concluded.

Garlow then launched into a tortured BibBackholm reported that the campaign to lical exegesis, asserting that Satan wishes to reject Referendum 74 is not catching fire, destroy “covenantal” one-man-one-woman even among churchgoing Washington vot- marriage because that system is a metaphor ers. for Jesus’s relationship with the church.

“What I’ve noticed here in Washington,” After comments by several pastors reportBackholm said, “what I’ve sensed is there’s ing that their congregations were solidly opstill a degree of absolute – you know – not posed to marriage equality, Garlow urged even awareness of what’s going on, and I – the participants to “get this [audio] viral” as I talk to people all over the state, there by sending it around to like-minded clergyare still, you know – thousands, if not tens men. of thousands of people who are in churches “We only have 30 days to get this done,” who aren’t even aware that this is happen- he warned. ing.

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Celebrating 39 Years!

R-74 opponents urged to disinvite Santorum Former senator to fundraise for anti-equality campaign

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

‘MAN ON DOG’ Among the Santorum quotes Silk cited in his compilation is this 2006 classic: “In every society, the definition of marriage has not ever to my knowledge included homosexuality. That’s not to pick on homosexuality. It’s not, you know, man on child, man on dog, or whatever the case may be.”

Silk also noted Santorum’s notorious observation on Lesbian parents – that “even fathers in jail who had abandoned their kids were still better than no father at all to have in their children’s lives.”

Same-sex marriage, Santorum said this year, means “robbing children of something they need, they deserve, they have a right to.

You may rationalize that that isn’t true, but in your own life and in your own heart, you know it’s true.”

Santorum also co-sponsored amendments to the U.S. Constitution in 2004 and 2005 that would have banned same-sex marriage.

Darren Hauck, Reuters / Landov

The Approve R-74 campaign for marriage equality is calling on its opponents to withdraw an invitation to former U.S. senator and Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum.

Santorum is scheduled to appear at two fundraisers for the anti-equality group Preserve Marriage Washington, one on October 9 and another the next day.

“To bring Santorum here in the final weeks of this election season is both meanspirited and ill-advised,” Washington United for Marriage campaign manager Zach Silk said in a statement released October 4.

“There isn’t a living politician who has built his bona fides more on the backs of Gay and Lesbian Americans than Rick Santorum. This is someone who has likened same-sex marriage to the tragedies of 9/11, calling it the ‘ultimate homeland security’ issue. If [Preserve Marriage Washington is] committed to the rhetoric on their website and spouted endlessly across the state, they should cancel these events and tell Rick Santorum he is not welcome in Washington.”

Silk also released a four-page memorandum detailing Santorum’s extremist views on LGBT issues. Inviting Santorum to headline two events refutes Preserve Marriage’s claims that they respect LGBT people, Silk added.

A two-term U.S. senator, Santorum built a

reputation for being outside the mainstream of national politics. As a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination this cycle, he linked himself to the Tea Party and religious opponents of reproductive choice and LGBT rights.

Chris Barron, political director for the Log Cabin Republicans, said of him in 2004, “I think that Rick Santorum is the face of exclusion and intolerance. I think that if we are going to maintain our status as the majority party in this country then we can’t be led by folks like Rick Santorum.”

Senator Rick Santorum

Santorum is even against Gay people having consensual sex, Silk notes.

“If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual [Gay] sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right to anything,” Santorum said in 2003.

james whitely / seattle gay news

The Student Debt Noise Brigade marching on Seattle’s Capitol Hill

Bringing the noise

figure, while the higher one comes from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Either way, that’s a lot of debt. According to this year’s Federal Reserve data, it’s about $150 million more than the total amount of credit-card debt in the United States and only about $200 million less than Noise Brigade. “I’ve been successful be- the amount of all outstanding U.S. mortcause of a great public education and I’m gage debt. just trying to pay it back.”

Conway, who is Canadian, says he’d love MANY GRADS for the kind of protest momentum recently CAN’T LEAVE HOME seen in Québec manifest here in the United “Since graduating, 60% [of students] States. He wonders “how many brilliant have full-time jobs, nearly 36% have moved minds and brilliant ideas are being lost be- back home to live with either their parents cause of this system.” or relatives, and nearly one-tenth are carryJacob Rapoport, another member of the ing more than $60,000 worth of debt,” said Noise Brigade and a former student, calls New York University sociologist Richard the rapid rise in tuition cost and decline in Arum in a 2009 interview with the New York earnings “a perfect storm.”

Times. “Of those who have jobs, more than Outstanding U.S. student debt reportedly two-thirds were making less than $35,000 a totals $902 billion to $1 trillion. The Federal year, and 45 percent were earning $15,000 Reserve Bank of New York cites the lower or less.”

Cap Hill activists protest student loan debt – loudly

by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer If you live on the Hill, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the clanging of pots, the banging of drums, and the blowing of horns more than a few times in the past several months. In fact, if it seems like it’s happening every week, it’s because it is. It’s the Student Debt Noise Brigade, and every Wednesday they’ve been marching around Capitol Hill to bring attention to what they call a “student loan debt crisis.”

“I’m trying to build a better world for future generations,” said Damien Conway, a “concerned citizen” who marches with the

“While [Preserve Marriage’s] current opposition to R-74 puts a rosy spin on their position, with a lot of talk about respecting their Gay and Lesbian neighbors, bringing Santorum here should finally put that ruse to bed,” Silk wrote.

Choosing to headline Santorum, he said, “only underscores our lead opponents’ true colors.”

So why bang pots? Rapoport says it makes the march “approachable.” Certainly its uniqueness sparks interest in onlookers.

During the most recent march, held October 3, passersby ran into the street, sometimes from out of their homes, to take pictures or videos, cheer on the marchers, or join the Brigade themselves. Drivers honked their horns and motorcyclists revved their engines.

“It’s not an angry march. People get up and lean out their windows and think about it for five minutes, which is maybe five minutes more than they thought about it yesterday,” said Rapoport.

The Noise Brigade says since they started in June, they’ve seen all manner of people come out to make noise and march – from families with children who are concerned about future college costs, to people who worry about how the outstanding debt will affect other areas of society.

MAKE SOME NOISE So, if you live on the Hill and you hear a cacophony coming by, consider throwing on your shoes, grabbing some pots from the kitchen, and taking to the streets. You don’t have to be a student – you don’t even have to know a student. You can be debt-free. If you think student loans should be forgiven, if you think education should be free, or if you just want an excuse to bang some pots, have fun, and be as loud as you can, come on out. The march is permitted and escorted by the Seattle Police Department – and even the cops seem to get a kick out of it.

The Noise Brigade gathers in the South Plaza of Seattle Central Community College every Wednesday starting at 6 p.m., and they march at 7 p.m. The route changes from week to week, but always ends at Cal Anderson Park, where a free picnic is held.

“Whether or not you’re a student, the fact that we have a trillion dollars in [student] debt is terrifying,” said Rapoport. “It’s an attack in every conceivable way [on] the upward mobility of society.”

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national news

Igualdad, sí!

Latinos support same-sex marriage rights, new poll confirms

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

LGR_lez

Members of California’s Latino community at an anti-Proposition 8 rally in 2009

Six out of ten U.S. Latinos support marriage equality, according to a new national poll.

The NBC Latino/IBOPE Zogby survey asked 400 Latinos nationwide, “Do you agree or disagree with same-sex couples having the right to marry?” Results showed that a large majority support equality, but that opinion has become polarized between two strongly held, opposing viewpoints.

Sixty percent of the respondents said they agreed – 48% “strongly” and 12% “somewhat.” Only 38% disagreed with same-sex marriage – 31% “strongly” and 7% “somewhat.”

Polling was done between August 31 and September 4. The results have a 4.8-point margin of error, according to the pollsters.

Respondents were also asked what they felt would be parents’ biggest disappointment with respect to their children.

Forty-three percent said “being a drug addict,” 33% said “going to prison,” and only 10% said “being Gay.” Five percent answered “being a teen parent.”

STATE RESULTS SIMILAR The national data echo polling done in Washington state.

Although SurveyUSA identifies these voters as “Hispanic” rather than “Latino,” their September poll of Washington likely voters showed that 53% of Hispanics intended to approve Referendum 74, with 45% saying they would reject it. A July poll by the same pollster showed 66% of Hispanic voters favoring R-74 and only 27% opposed to it.

The decline in support for R-74 among this group could be attributed to active campaigning against marriage equality by the state’s Roman Catholic bishops. According to the Center for Applied Research at Georgetown University, some 70% of Latinos in the U.S. identify as Catholic.

In Washington, Latinos make up the largest nonwhite racial category, comprising slightly more than 11% of the population.

Sixteen percent of Washington residents identify as Catholic. SurveyUSA based its samples on the assumption that Hispanic voters would make up 8% of likely voters, or 9% of registered voters.

support King, 28% want Republican candidate Charlie Summers, and only 12% favor Democrat Cynthia Dill.

Seventy-nine percent of King’s supportA new poll released October 1 shows Maine’s marriage equality referendum lead- ers back marriage equality, while 77% of Summers supporters will vote against it. ing by 21 points.

Fifty-seven percent of respondents in the OBAMA MOVES FARTHER AHEAD Critical Insights poll said they would vote The poll also showed Obama expanding Yes on the initiative to restore the equal marriage rights that were repealed in 2009. his lead in Maine, with 52% of respondents saying they will vote for the president as opOnly 36% said they would vote No. The Critical Insights poll was conducted posed to 36% who support Mitt Romney.

September 12-16 with live telephone inter- Maine runs counter to the national trend, views of 618 likely voters statewide. The however, in that the state’s higher-income voters tend to support Obama, while lowerpoll has a stated 4-point margin of error.

Not surprisingly, given President income voters lean toward Romney.

Maine voters repealed their state’s marObama’s endorsement of marriage equality, 86% of Obama supporters said they would riage equality law in a 2009 referendum. vote Yes, while 75% of Romney supporters The vote was not close – 53% for repeal and 47% against. Polling throughout 2011 inwill vote No. dicated that public opinion was shifting on the marriage issue, however, and this year WHO SUPPORTS, WHO OPPOSES As in other states, party identification is Equality Maine and GLAD succeeded in one of the most reliable predictors of how putting the pro-equality initiative on the balMainers will vote on marriage. Eighty-one lot.

If it passes, Maine will be one of possipercent of Democrats said they would vote Yes, while 64% of Republicans said they bly three states – along with Maryland and Washington – to pass marriage equality by would vote No. Support for marriage equality is just as popular vote. generational in Maine as in other states.

Among 18-to-34-year-olds, 77% support marriage equality. Among voters over 65, half oppose it.

Education level is also predictive of support for equal marriage rights. Sixty-nine percent of Maine college graduates support equality while 56% of people with a highschool education or less are against it.

The Critical Insights poll also shows independent candidate Angus King maintaining a commanding lead in the race to succeed Republican Olympia Snowe in the U.S. Senate. Fifty percent of the respondents

Joel Page / AP

Marriage equality takes big lead in Maine

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Visit us online www.sgn.org

Gay-marriage supporters gather at a rally outside of City Hall in Portland, Maine.

October 5, 2012

Seattle Gay News

9

northwest news

REGISTER TO VOTE Register to vote at myvote.wa.gov.

Mail-in voter registration forms can also be obtained in person at city and county public libraries and county election offices around the state. For more information on the 2012 election, visit www.vote.wa.gov.

The deadline for online and mail-in voter registration as well as CHANGES OF ADDRESS and other updates is Monday, October 8. (Because Monday, October 8, is a federal holiday, if you are planning to mail in your voter registration, you are advised to mail it in no later than Saturday, October 6, before the last mailbox pick up time that day, because the post office will not be processing mail on October 8.)

Because Washington State has a voteby-mail system, it is important to submit changes of address to ensure you receive your ballot in the mail. If you have not submitted a change of address by October 8, you can still vote, but you will need to pick up your ballot from your previous address or contact your county elections office for information on other voting options.)

The FINAL deadline for NEW (in person only) Washington State voter registration is Monday, October 29. After October 8, the only option to register to vote in Washington State is to go in person to your county elections office. The King County Elections Office is located at 919 SW Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057. The Snohomish County Elections Office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave. #505, Everett, WA 98201. The Pierce County Elections Office is located at 2501 S. 35th St., Tacoma, WA 98409. For other county locations contact the Washington State Elections Office, 360902-4180.

For more information, contact the Washington State Elections Office, 360-9024180; 800-448-4881 (voter hotline).

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – WASHINGTON UNITED FOR MARRIAGE CAMPAIGN TO APPROVE REFERENDUM 74 Washington United for Marriage is seeking volunteers to help with a myriad of tasks to ensure passage of Referendum 74. If approved, the referendum will uphold the decision made by the Washington state legislature and signed by Christine Gregoire to legalize Gay marriage, marriage equality, the freedom to marry for all couples.

To get involved, email volunteer@washingtonunited.org, phone 206-486-0359, or stop by the Capitol Hill Action Center (517 E. Pike St.).

There are volunteer opportunities around the state. To find out how you can get involved, visit www/washingtonunitedformarriage.org or call 425-954-3252.

SEATTLE LATINO FILM FESTIVAL OCTOBER 5-14 www.slff.org SOCIAL OUTREACH SEATTLE – MARCH FOR MARRIAGE TO APPROVE REFERENDUM 74 On Saturday, October 6, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., join Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea) for public rallies at both locations and a march from Cal Anderson Park (11th Ave. & E. Olive St.) to Westlake Park (4th Ave. & Pine St.) in support of Washington United for Marriage’s campaign to Approve Referendum 74. This event will be a passionate, non-violent, uplifting march and rally to thank all who support marriage equality and to remind everyone to vote to Approve Referendum 74. This is an all-ages, allinclusive, welcoming public event. www. facebook.com/events/361479900595906 or email socialoutreachseattle@gmail.com.

Song,” a concert to benefit Rosehedge/Multifaith Works and their programs in support of people with HIV/AIDS, MS, addiction, and other life-challenging illnesses. Tickets: $10 advance, $15 at the door. 206-3241520, www.rosehedge.org. Sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia.

AROUET PRESENTS “LAWFULLY WEDDED” – PLAYS ABOUT MARRIAGE. OR NOT. Over six months of planning comes to fruition with the presentation of “Lawfully Wedded.” Inspired by true stories and social research and propelled by Washington State’s Referendum 74 for Marriage Equality, Arouet explores what marriage is, or is not, through music, poetry, and theatre. Two playwrights, a poet, and a musician wrote original pieces for this emotionally charged evening, performed by eight actors who tackle multiple roles.

Performances of “Lawfully Wedded” are presented free of charge or pay-what-youcan as a featured event of Arts Crush, the month-long arts festival in the Puget Sound area: Saturday, October 6, 7:30 p.m., FREE at King’s Books (218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma); Wednesday, October 10, 7:30 p.m., FREE at Theatre 47 at Magnuson Park (courtesy of Seattle Musical Theatre) (7400 Sand Point Way NE); Thursday, October 11, 7:30 p.m., FREE at Kenyon Hall (presented in partnership with Twelfth Night Productions and Kenyon Hall) (7904 35th Ave. SW); Wednesday, October 17, 7:30 p.m., paywhat-you-can at Odd Duck Studios (1214 10th Ave.).

“Lawfully Wedded” is made possible thanks to the support of Barbie Humphrey and Purr Cocktail Lounge.

LAUNCH PARTY – “LAWFULLY WEDDED” AND FUNDRAISER – WASHINGTON UNITED FOR MARRIAGE On Sunday, October 7, from 4-7 p.m., at Purr Cocktail Lounge (1518 11th Ave.), Arouet presents “Lawfully Wedded.” (See listing above.) Meet the cast and crew of “Lawfully Wedded.” Enjoy appetizers and happy hour cocktails. Admission is free, donations to support Washington United for Marriage will be requested. $20 suggested donation.

POZ SEATTLE MONTHLY SOCIAL On Wednesday, October 10, from 6-8 p.m., at The Cuff Complex (13th Ave. & E Pine St.) join POZSeattle in the downstairs bar for some home cookin’, socializing, to catch-up with old friends, to make new ones, and a whole lot of fun. Please bring your appetite for spaghetti with all the fixins, meat and non-meat sauces, garlic bread, salads, and some dessert.

The event is offered at no cost – no one turned away for lack of funds – but to help with overhead costs, a $3 voluntary donation is requested – you can always give more! Beverages are at cost from The Cuff’s hottest bartenders. This event is for all HIVPositive men and their friends, regardless of age, shape, size or color.

POZ Seattle is a social organization run for and by Seattle-area HIV-positive guys that is committed to planning and promoting fun, social activities. www.pozseattle. org.

“MANY VOICES, ONE SONG” – A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR ROSEHEDGE/ MULTIFAITH WORKS On Saturday, October 6, at 7 p.m., at Seattle First Baptist Church (1111 Harvard Ave.), join the Total Experience Gospel Choir, Soul Jelly, Captain Smartypants, and Chava Mirel for “Many Voices, One

SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN BOOK CLUB – UNCENSORED PICTURES OF DORIAN GRAY The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club meets every Wednesday from 6-7:15 p.m., at Seattle Area Support Groups Community Center (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas St.).

For October, the club will be reading the recently published Uncensored Pictures of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. The homosexual passages, once chopped out, have

10 Seattle Gay News

October 5, 2012

compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer

been restored.

All GLBTQ folks are welcome to participate in this free book club. For more information email nickdimartin@earthlink.net, visit http://faculty.washington.edu/swittet/ SGLBookClub/ or contact SASG at 206322-2437; www.sasgcc.org. For discount on cost of books, email Nick.

through the trenches of this Glamourous War Zone. Tickets: $10-advance, $15 cash only at the door. www.brownpapertickets. com/event/269505.

“LOVE FREE OR DIE” – A DOCUMENTARY FILM ON BISHOP GENE ROBINSON On Wednesday, October 10, at 6:30 p.m., The Well: Intimate Space, Big Conversation at Queen Anne United Methodist (1606 5th Ave. W.) presents “Love Free or Die,” a Sundance Special Jury Prize winning documentary (2012) about Bishop Gene Robinson, whose election to bishop in the Episcopal church strained relations throughout the Anglican communion. Film director Macky Alston will be in attendance to speak about the film and facilitate conversation after the screening.

PUGET SOUND MYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY – 2012 WILD MUSHROOM SHOW On Saturday, October 13, from noon7 p.m., and Sunday, October 14, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Mountaineers Club at Magnuson Park (7700 Sand Point Way NE), the Puget Sound Mycological Society presents their annual show of foraged and found wild mushrooms. Cost: $10-general, $5-students/seniors, children under 12 free. www. psms.org.

A NIGHT AT Q FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY On Wednesday, October 10, from 7:30-10 p.m., at Q Nightclub (1426 Broadway), join Q Nightclub in support of Referendum 74 with resident DJs Riz Rollins, Nark, and Almond Brown, and special guest Terry Hecker (DJ Trouble), Emmy Award recipient for the It Gets Better Project. Bar hosted by Q and food provided by Cupcake Royale, Marination, Madison Park Conservatory, Poquitos and Skillet. Cost: $74 donation.

SEATTLE LESBIAN & GAY FILM FESTIVAL OCTOBER 11-21 www.threedollarbillcinema.org MEN IN DANCE On Fridays, October 12 & 19, at 8 p.m., Saturdays, October 13 & 20, at 8 p.m., and Sundays, October 14 & 21 at 8 p.m., at Broadway Performance Hall (1625 Broadway), Men in Dance presents a two weekend festival showcasing a broad spectrum of dance forms in which male dancers can excel. Male dancers from major dance organizations such as Cornish College of the Arts, Pacific Northwest Ballet and the University of Washington will be participating, along with 3 out-of-state artists and many local community choreographers. Tickets: $20-$25. 1-800-838-3006; www.brownpapertickets.com/event/265661. Credit card purchases through Brown Paper Tickets; cash and check sales ONLY at the door.

“HOW SWEET THE SOUND” – SEATTLE WOMEN’S CHORUS IN CONCERT On Fridays, October 12 & 19, at 8 p.m., and Saturdays, October 13 & 20, at 8 p.m., at St. Mark’s Cathedral (1245 10th Ave. E.), the 200+ voice Seattle Women’s Chorus performs contemporary work by Eric Whitacre, Morton Lauridsen, Greg Gilpin, Gwyneth Walker and Craig Hella Johnson, as well as classic French pieces from Ravel, Faure, and Delibes in the gorgeous, acoustically rich sanctuary at St. Mark’s Cathedral.

Tickets: $27, $37, and $47. 206-388-1400; www.flyinghouse.org.

“LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD” – MISS U.T.O.P.I.A. SEATTLE 2012-2013 On Saturday, October 13, door at 6 p.m., pageant at 7 p.m., at Renton Ikea Performing Arts Center (400 S. 2nd St., Renton), the 3rd Annual Miss U.T.O.P.I.A. Seattle scholarship pageant returns. Join some of the most talented local female impersonators, queens and transgender women, and the reigning Miss U.T.O.P.I.A. Seattle, Tanya Rachinee, as she presents “Love is a Battlefield,” which recognizes the struggle for marriage equality in Washington state and across the U.S., and the landmark repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Contestants will compete in the following categories: National Couture, Swimwear, Talent, and Q&A. Join your hosts, Miss Tiare Fidow and Chase Silva as they lead you

EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL OCTOBER 13-NOVEMBER 4 www.earshot.org

MY BIG FABULOUS JEWISH GAY WEDDING On Sunday, October 14, from 5-7 p.m., at the Sorrento Hotel (900 Madison St.), Temple B’nai Torah and Temple De Hirsh Sinai host a free class open to all LGBTQ couples who plan to have a Jewish wedding. The class will explore the traditional ceremony and creative ways to adapt it. Interfaith couples are welcome. Light dinner will be served. For more information and to RSVP, contact Rabbi Kinberg, RabbiKinberg@ templebnaitorah.org or 425-603-9677. This event is made possible through a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and the generosity of the Sorrento Hotel.

ICON – A CELEBRATION OF DRAG, ART AND LIFE! A BENEFIT FOR SEATTLE COUNSELING SERVICE On Sunday, October 14, VIP early bird reception at 5:30 p.m., general admission at 6 p.m., dinner & show at 7 p.m., at The Grand Hyatt Hotel (721 Pine St.), join your host Aleksa Manila for ICON – A Celebration of Drag, Art and Life! featuring some of Seattle’s top entertainers: Arnaldo! Drag Chanteuse, Atasha Manila, Fuchsia Foxxx, Gaysha Starr, Miss Indigo Blue, Jee Wong, Lady Corinne, Miss Kitty Baby, Nina Maxwell, The Shanghai Pearl, Trojan Original, Yee-Shin Huang, and the cast of Le Faux at Julia’s on Broadway. Tickets: General Admission $100, VIP $125. www.seattlecounseling.org/icon A GOSPEL CONCERT FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY On Sunday, October 14, at 6:30 p.m., at Seattle First Baptist Church (1111 Harvard Ave.), six choirs representing different communities of faith around Puget Sound sing for marriage equality. The historic sanctuary will ring out with gospel songs from Shades of Praise Gospel Choir, Liberation UCC Choir, Madrona Grace Presbyterian Choir, St. Luke’s House Band, the Amazing Grace Spiritual Center, and the Seattle First Baptist Sanctuary Choir.

“Gospel music as an African-American art form has always been an avenue for expression and a beacon for hope and change,” says Pastor Darrell Goodwin-Moultry, pastor of Liberation UCC. “Our desire is that the faith community and the city of Seattle will hear the loud and charismatic support for marriage equality and cast a vote for freedom.” A free will offering benefits Washington United for Marriage.

SEATTLE’S LGBT COMMISSION & HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION – HATE CRIMES FORUM On Monday, October 15, from 6-8 p.m., at Bertha Landes Room, Seattle City Hall (600 4th Ave.), join Seattle’s LGBT Commission and Human Rights Commission for a free two-hour educational forum to learn what a hate crime is and how to deal with this situation if it happens to you or if you witness one. This forum will feature a one-hour panel discussion followed by questions and answers with the panelists and continuing with discussion with smaller groups.

Celebrating 39 Years!

all photos by nate gowdy / seattle gay news

Visit us online www.sgn.org

October 5, 2012

Seattle Gay News 11

E T O V O T REGISTER

WWW.MYVOTE.WA.GOV

12 Seattle Gay News

October 5, 2012

Celebrating 39 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

October 5, 2012

Seattle Gay News 13

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14 Seattle Gay News

October 5, 2012

Celebrating 39 Years!

How homophobic is the Twitterverse?

Monitor site counts more than a million uses of Gay slurs on Twitter

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor NoHomophobes.com, a website calling itself a “social mirror,” reported last week that it found 2.5 million uses of the word “faggot” on Twitter since it started counting in early July.

The website is run by the University of Alberta’s Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services.

“We never imagined the scale of casual homophobia that actually exists on social media,” Kristopher Wells, associate director

and tragically, youth suicide.”

The site breaks down statistics by week.

From Sept. 20 through Sept. 26, the word “faggot” was included in 218,946 tweets.

Here are some examples the Advocate found on Sept. 27 alone: Someone re-tweet-

“The use of homophobic language remains one of the few socially acceptable forms of discrimination in our society – and, make no mistake, leads to isolation, bullying, beatings, and tragically, youth suicide.” for the institute, told the Advocate. “The use of homophobic language remains one of the few socially acceptable forms of discrimination in our society – and, make no mistake, leads to isolation, bullying, beatings,

ed, “My math teachers a faggot.” Then there was an insult, “hope u get lice faggot.” Another appeared to try to reclaim the word: “I’m a faggot. Lol.”

October 5, 2012

Seattle Gay News 15

Evidenced by a daily counter on the home page of NoHomophones.com, the use of Gay slurs on the social media platform is rampant. Since July 5, the site found nearly 900,000 tweets with the phrase “So Gay” and another 800,000 instances of “No Homo.” “Dyke” wasn’t far behind with about 350,000.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

international news

England begins free HIV treatments for all

ment.

Britain’s National AIDS Trust has called for formal legal changes in all the internally self-governing parts of the United Kingdom to ensure free and universal access to HIV treatment.

When the new rules were announced in February, then-Public Health Minister Anne Milton said the aim of the government was to reduce the rate of new infections by encouraging all residents of England to get tested for HIV and, if they test positive, to get speedy treatment.

“This measure will protect the public and brings HIV treatment into line with all other infectious diseases,” she said. “Treating people with HIV means they are very unlikely to pass the infection on to others.”

MANY ARE UNDIAGNOSED According to BBC News, there are perhaps 25,000 people with undiagnosed HIV in Britain, many of them immigrants.

Milton also said that policies would be put in place to protect the NHS from having to pay for so-called health tourism – HIV-positive individuals who come to England solely

to get free medical care.

According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, “It typically costs up to £7,000 [$11,327] a year to treat someone diagnosed with HIV, and an average of £300,000 [$485,449] per patient over their lifetime with the disease.”

BBC News reported on October 3 that “the NHS has lost at least £40 million [$64,759,361] in four years by failing to identify so-called ‘health tourists’ accessing hospital care.”

Current Health Minister Anna Soubry admitted the system for identifying people who are not entitled to free care is complex and at times “flawed.”

NHS hospitals in England and Wales must offer free treatment to all patients who have lived in the U.K. for the past 12 months.

For patients who present with infectious diseases – and as of October 1, this now includes HIV patients – the hospitals must offer treatment without regard to the patients’ residence or immigration status. However, BBC News found, “45 out of 133 hospital trusts which gave details said they do not check” on patients’ residence.

in the community? How do we protect Trans people from discrimination, for example? continued from page 4 And how do we support people in our community who now live outside of the boundthis referendum approved!” aries of family and work – homeless youth, Added SOSea member Mike Andrew, for example?”

“The other side never gets tired of pointing out that they’ve won every election on marHOMELESS YOUTH A PRIORITY riage up to this point. Breaking that trend, The problem of homelessness among LGespecially if we’re part of a three-state BTQ youth is one of SOSea’s most ambisweep with Maine and Maryland, is crucial tious projects, and the group plans to tackle for carrying the national agenda forward. it head-on after the election.

For one thing, it will show that the tide has “We don’t have anything set in stone at turned and that public opinion is trending in the moment,” said Knittel. “That is our foour favor. It also makes it much easier for cus. As the leader of this group it would be a people in other states to raise the resources mistake if I got ahead of myself and started they’ll need for their own electoral battles to plan all of that when we haven’t even won if one or more states show that it’s possible marriage equality yet. … I can tell you it to win. And finally, once we can look at the will be a million-dollar project and probably numbers and see who voted how, I’m cer- take three to four years. But I am in this for tain we’ll see that there are fractures even the long haul. Those kids need us. in supposedly anti-Gay institutions like the “Throughout my role as a community Catholic Church – with many Catholics, leader I have learned that each individual just for one example, lining up on the side of who makes up our collective community freedom and equality in spite of their bish- might have a different dedication to the ops.” movement. I think it is important to remind “I can’t vote for my own rights,” said Jack people that all of this ‘stay on message’ talk Mozie, SOSea’s LGBTQ youth and ally is complete and utter nonsense that your outreach director, who isn’t a U.S. citizen. average ‘I don’t give a rat’s ass about poli“So I’m counting on all of you.” tics’ Gay does not hear. It goes in one ear Currently, it’s Mozie’s job to work with and out the other faster than you could blink high school GSAs and college LGBT clubs your eyes. And you know what? That’s OK. to get the word out on campus about the Ap- You’ve got to reach [people] where they prove Referendum 74 campaign. are,” said Knittel. “You can’t expect anyone to come to you and just accept your likes and A NEW HYBRID dislikes or opinions on everything as fact.

Knittel says he believes that SOSea is Open and honest dialogue where everyone poised to play a strong role in the greater has respect always yields good results. It’s LGBTQ movement because “in some ways tricky, especially when talking about poliwe already are.” tics and religion, because it is true – we LG“We are a new hybrid of sorts. This is BTQs are a dramatic bunch. But somehow, an all-inclusive, non-executive, and com- we manage. We take care of each other bepletely transparent organization whose cause we know, deep down inside, no one sole purpose is to do good. We aren’t rais- else will.” ing money for salaries. We don’t need $200 galas where guests are served bad chicken MARCH AND RALLY SATURDAY and everyone in the room is white. We are SOSea’s next event is an Approve R-74 about the $5 spaghetti feed or the ‘donate march and rally set for noon on Saturday, what you can because you are still welcome’ October 6, starting at Cal Anderson Park in crowd. That is our scene. All of our events, the Capitol Hill neighborhood. More than with the exception of a few, will be all-ages. 500 people are expected to attend.

I think that is important.”

“We’re not going away after the Novem“I’m optimistic that we’ll win [Approve ber vote, Knittel promised. “Without quesR-74] and I’m already thinking of what that tion or demands, we are here to serve the will mean for the political tasks our commu- community and will be something that Senity will face after marriage is legal,” added attle is proud of. Now let’s get out there and Andrew. “How, for example, can we build a win this thing. Approve Referendum 74!” local economy based on family-wage jobs To learn more about SOSea or to get inthat will support our newly enfranchised volved, email socialoutreachseattle@gmail.

Gay and Lesbian families? How do we en- com or “like” Social Outreach Seattle on sure that labor agreements cover everyone Facebook.

SOSea

Beginning October 1, all HIV patients in England will receive free treatment, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status.

New rules adopted by Britain’s National

Health Service (NHS) in February and taking effect this month open free HIV treatments even to undocumented immigrants.

The new rules brought England into line with Scotland and Wales, where non-British HIV patients are not usually charged for treatment. In Northern Ireland, noncitizens are typically required to pay for their treat-

16 Seattle Gay News

October 5, 2012

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Celebrating 39 Years!

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This year our guest preacher will be the Revd. Stan Fowler, who will preach on "Marriage Equality is the Gospel mandate for our time .” Bring any of your friends and family who may be undecided: our message is that Christians can and should support marriage equality.

October 5, 2012

Seattle Gay News 17

SPORTS

AP Photo/Event Marketing & Communications, Reynaldo Sanchez

A champion for equality Orlando Cruz comes out as the first openly Gay pro boxer EMC Events

Orlando Cruz (r) battles Alejandro Delgado on February 10, 2012

His amateur career culminated as a representative of the 2000 Olympic Team in Sydney, Australia. Among his teammates that year were former world champions Miguel Cotto and Ivan Calderon.

On December 15, 2000, Cruz made his

“I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will be a proud Gay man.”

Orlando Cruz

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Orlando Cruz, a professional boxer and former Olympian from San Juan, Puerto Rico (18-2-1, 9 KOs), currently ranked the world’s No. 4 featherweight contender by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), announced October 3 that he “is a proud Gay man.”

Cruz thus became the first pro fighter in boxing history to come out as Gay while still active in the ring. (A few others, such as Emile Griffith, have disclosed their sexual orientation after retiring.)

“I’ve been fighting for more than 24 years and as I continue my ascendant career, I

‘COMFORTABLE WITH MYSELF’ Cruz told the Los Angeles Times he’s received “unconditional, 100% support,” including text messages and Twitter and Facebook notes of endorsement from openly Gay Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin.

want to be true to myself,” Cruz said in a press release. “I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career. I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will be a proud Gay man.” professional debut and won his first world title on March 22, 2008 (the vacant IBA A RING VETERAN featherweight title), and a regional title on Cruz has enjoyed an impressive pugilistic October 14, 2011 (the WBO Latino feathercareer. Now 31, he began boxing at age sev- weight title). en and went on to post an amateur record of His next fight is scheduled for October 19 178-11, winning seven Puerto Rico nation- in Kissimmee, Florida, where he will defend al titles. He spent four years on the Puerto his title against Jorge Pazos of Mexico. A Rican national team, during which he won win over Pazos should position Cruz for a seven gold, one silver, and two bronze med- WBO world title shot. als in various international tournaments.

“I was physically and mentally prepared for whatever the reaction would be before this, and I can tell you from the response, this will never bother me again,” Cruz said.

“I feel comfortable with myself.”

He also has come out as an advocate for marriage equality, saying, “The Gay community should have the same rights as the heterosexual community, and I want to be part of that movement to make that happen here.”

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October 5, 2012

Celebrating 39 Years!

out magazine

NFL warming to LGBT cause While no active players have yet come out, more and more allies are emerging Dan Warner

Chris Kluwe

on this subject? If we’re not the generation to make Gay marriage legal, why should we prevent our children having a say on the matter?”

Kluwe got a massive new audience for his views after he penned a blistering open letter to a Maryland state lawmaker who criticized another NFL player, Brendon Ayanbadejo of the Baltimore Ravens, for supporting Gay marriage, with the issue also on Maryland’s ballot.

“I’m just going to continue to voice my First Amendment rights and continue to support the cause,” Ayanbadejo said. “There’s a lot of work to be done.”

Matt Willig

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Lately, the National Football League has made headlines for more than game stats and Super Bowl commercials. More and more players have come out in support of LGBT equality and same-sex marriage.

Matt Willig, a straight ally who played for several teams during his 1992-2005 career, including the Super Bowl XXXIV champion St. Louis Rams, recently discussed his support for marriage equality and LGBT rights in general with Outsports.

WOULDN’T MATTER TO MOST Willig said that although no teammate ever came out to him, he strongly suspected one of them was Gay, and he expects there were several others given the percentage of Gay people in the population. “I would have relished the opportunity to stand up alongside a player who came out while he was playing and say, ‘It doesn’t change a thing about how I feel about this guy,’” he said.

He added, “Most guys would have 10 Gay guys on their team if it meant winning a Super Bowl. If tomorrow 20 of the top 30 athletes in the NFL came out and said they

were Gay, I don’t think it would matter a bit to the guys looking to win those rings.”

Willig also described the tension between his Roman Catholic faith and his support for marriage equality – eventually he decided that he could remain in the church and disagree with the hierarchy on this issue.

He’s trying to impart his beliefs to his two daughters. “I am the evolution of middle America,” he said. “People are struggling with how they grew up and how their parents have seen things. And I wanted to talk about my experiences, and that I evolved into feeling that equality and treating everyone the same is the utmost important thing.”

He posed for the No H8 campaign in June.

EX-COMMISH COUGHS UP CASH In the latest example of support from the pro football community, former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue recently donated $100,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality, a group defending the state’s same-sex marriage law in the upcoming election.

“I think this is the time to view this not as an expense, but as a capital investment in our nation’s infrastructure,” said Tagliabue at a recent fundraiser backing Question 6, the referendum on the marriage bill passed by the Maryland legislature and signed by Gov. Martin O’Malley.

Last week, a Gonzalez Research poll found 51% of Marylanders support Question 6, while 43% oppose it. Addressing opposition to marriage equality, Tagliabue said, “At some point the tide has got to turn.

You got to stop the litigation. You got to demonstrate that … the second-guessing at the ballot box is not going to overcome the will of the legislature. At some point you’ve got to demonstrate that people who support this are going to be re-elected, and not get punished for supporting marriage equality.

And I think right now is the time.”

Tagliabue, 71, was commissioner of the NFL from 1989 to 2006. He currently chairs Georgetown University’s board of directors.

CHANGING MINDS IN MINNESOTA With Minnesota voters weighing whether to ban Gay marriage this fall, Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has emerged as a high-profile LGBT rights champion – and a symbol of changing attitudes toward openly Gay athletes in the sports world.

“I’d like to win some votes against the amendment,” Kluwe told the Associated Press. “It would permanently change the state constitution. Who are we to say we should decide what our children should do

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Celebrating 39 Years!

Other LGBT groups also praised Brown for signing the measure.

“Governor Brown has sent a powerful message of affirmation and support to LGBT youth and their families,” the National Center for Lesbian Rights said.

“This law will ensure that state-licensed therapists can no longer abuse their power to harm LGBT youth and propagate the dangerous and deadly lie that sexual orientation is an illness or disorder that can be ‘cured.’”

“Governor Brown today reaffirmed what medical and mental health organizations have made clear,” Equality California said in a statement.

“Efforts to change minors’ sexual orientation are not therapy – they are the relics of prejudice and abuse that have inflicted untold harm on young Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Californians. We thank Senator Ted Lieu and Governor Brown for their efforts in making California a leader in banning this deceptive and harmful practice.”

ex-gay

continued from cover change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.”

The law applies to patients under 18 years of age who lack the legal capacity to make judgments about their own care. Mental health providers who violate the law will be subject to discipline by whatever group licenses them.

‘PRAY AWAY THE GAY’ “Reparative therapy” practitioners are typically affiliated with fundamentalist religious institutions, and LGBT rights groups have derisively characterized the therapy as an attempt to “pray away the Gay.” “This bill bans non-scientific ‘therapies’

LEGAL CHALLENGES The measure did not meet with the same approval from anti-Gay groups, however.

On October 1, Liberty Counsel announced it was filing suit to block the new law on behalf of NARTH (National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality), perhaps the most infamous “ex-Gay” group in the country.

The next day, the Pacific Justice Institute also filed suit, charging that the law infringed religious freedom.

“Of all the freedom-killing bills we have seen in our legislature the last several years, this is among the worst,” the group’s president, Brad Dacus, said in a statement.

“This outrageous bill makes no exceptions for young victims of sexual abuse who are plagued with unwanted same-sex attraction, nor does it respect the consciences of mental health professionals who work in a church,” continued Dacus. “We are filing suit to defend families, children, and religious freedom. This unprecedented bill is outrageously unconstitutional.”

that have driven young people to depression and suicide. These practices have no basis in science or medicine and they will now be relegated to the dustbin of quackery,” Brown said in a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle.

As the deadline for signing or vetoing the bill approached, Brown became the target of intense lobbying by national LGBT organizations. HRC sent him a petition with some 50,000 signatures urging him to approve the measure.

Once Brown signed, HRC released a statement congratulating him.

“LGBT youth will now be protected from a practice that has not only been debunked as junk science, but has been proven to have drastically negative effects on their wellbeing. We commend Gov. Brown for putting children first, and call on all states to take California’s lead on this issue,” HRC president Chad Griffin said.

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World’s largest LGBT archive marks 60 years ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, the oldest and largest repository of LGBTQ materials in the world, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Formed in 1952 by several members of the Mattachine Society, an early “homophile” group, ONE Inc. published the first issue of ONE Magazine in 1953. ONE was the first widely distributed sexual minority

publication in the United States.

ONE Archives is holding a series of events in Los Angeles to celebrate its six decades of existence. In June, the organization hosted a month-long exhibition at City Hall titled “Defiant Spaces: 60 Years of Queer Organizing in L.A.” This exhibit chronicled the history of 44 LGBT organizations in Southern California. This Saturday, October 6, ONE will present “Letters to ONE: From Fringe to Forefront,” a special evening featuring dramatic readings of heartfelt, poignant, and deeply personal letters written to ONE Magazine. Performed by several LGBT actors and directed by Zsa Zsa Gershick, this performance will offer insight into the incredible resilience, creativity, and adaptability of the LGBT community during the intolerant McCarthy era.

ONE Archives currently houses more than two million items, including periodicals, books, films, video and audio recordings, photographs, artworks, organizational records, and personal papers. The collections are a part of the University of Southern California libraries and are open to the public free of charge.

For more information on ONE Archives, visit www.onearchives.org.

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