Issue 44 Volume 39
Celebrating 38 Years!
FRIDAY November 4, 2011 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands
LGBT HISTORY p. 4
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL p. 25
ASK MICHAEL p. 18
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
New polling says LGBT community center WA voters 55% for plans continue – no funding marriage equality
A Washington poll released on October 31 shows that voters could approve a law giving
courtesy sound transit
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
equal marriage rights to same-sex couples if the legislature passes it in 2012. The University of Washington Center for Survey Research sampled 938 registered voters by phone between October 10 and October 30. Among other questions, they were asked: “Next year the legislature could pass a law allowing Gay and Lesbian couples to get married. If that happens, there could be a referendum in which voters would be asked to approve or reject the law. If such a referendum were held today … would you vote YES – that is, to keep the law in place allowing Gay and Lesbian couples to marry
Artist’s rendering of Broadway’s light-rail station, currently under construction
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor
In 2007, the Seattle LGBT Community Center closed, leaving America’s third-largest LGBT population without a space to call their own. There has been talk – mostly among LGBT non-profit see Poll page 21 executive directors, community
organizers, and the City of Seattle LGBT Commission – to once again lay the groundwork for the development of an LGBT community center on Capitol Hill. But where would the center be housed? If a center did emerge, what would it look like? And most importantly, who would fund such a project? After all, the last com-
munity center closed its doors amidst funding problems. Money talks, and in this economy, the talking is so scarce it could be heard as a whisper. Still, community leaders like Louise Chernin, the Greater Seatsee center page 20
Defense Department confirms 14 The Advocate’s benefits for Gay & Lesbian troops founder Aristide
“AJ” Laurent dies
Duval “Buck” Laurent, a farmhand, and Betty Weeks. He was reportedly an altar boy and choir leader at his local church. After graduating from high school in 1960, Laurent joined the Air Force, where he served four years as a signals intelligence operator. According to Laurent, his sexual orientation became an issue during his service. He was investigated by Air Force officials during his service in Turkey, and questioned by federal agents after his discharge, he said. Despite threats, he refused to inform on other Gay service members and remained proud of his military service. He later held a sign at the 1993 Gay march on Washington that featured a copy of his honorable discharge under the words, “I Served My Country! Did Rush courtesy queerty
• Service Members Group Life Insurance beneficiary, • Post Vietnam-era Veterans Assistance Program beneficiary, • All-volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program – Active Duty Death Benefit beneficiary, • Death Gratuity beneficiary, • Final Settlement of Accounts, • Wounded Warrior Designated Caregiver, • Thrift Savings Plan beneficiary, • Survivor Benefit for retirees, • Casualty Notification, • Escorts for Dependents of Deceased or Missing, • Designation of Persons Having Interest in Status of a Missing Member, by Shaun Knittel Department spokeswoman Eileen • Veterans’ Group Life Insurance SGN Associate Editor Lainez. “While these are not ‘new,’ beneficiary, now that we’ve confirmed these • Person Eligible to Receive EfIn their ongoing review of mili- additional benefits, we’re updat- fects of Deceased Persons, and tary benefits in connection with the ing the Quick Reference Guide to • Travel and Transportation Alrepeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” ensure all are aware of their ben- lowance: Attendance at Yellow Defense Department officials have eficiary options.” Ribbon Reintegration events. now identified a total of 14 benIn other words, Gay and Lesbian Eligibility for a number of other efits where service members may service members who were legally benefits, including on-base housdesignate beneficiaries of their married in states where same-sex ing and tax-free commissary shopchoosing – regardless of sexual marriage is legal, or who’ve en- ping, is restricted due to the federal orientation. tered a domestic partnership or Defense of Marriage Act. “We listed eight member-des- civil union, may legally designate “Unfortunately, this announceignated benefits in our original 14 benefits to their partner. ment does nothing to move the Quick Reference Guide, released The 14 benefits identified for September 20. We’ve now validat- members to designate whomever ed an additional six,” said Defense they wish as beneficiaries are: see benefits page 21
Aristide Laurent
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Aristide J. Laurent, Gay rights pioneer and founder of The Advocate newspaper, died on October 26 after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 70. Of Louisiana/Creole ancestry, Laurent was born in Alabama to
proud to Be Different
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see laurent page 21
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