Issue 45 Volume 41
Celebrating 40 Years!
FRIDAY November 8, 2013 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & newsstands
Seattle Gay News
IT’S ED!
SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Murray wins Seattle mayor’s race by 12 points by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
nate gowdy / seattle gay news
Ed Murray and husband Michael Shiosaki celebrate on election night
Ed Murray will take office as the new mayor of Seattle on January 1. The two-term state senator jumped to a 12-point lead over incumbent Mayor Mike McGinn on election night, and that margin held up over the next two days as additional ballots were counted, frustrating the incumbent’s hopes that late voters would swing the election his way. Ballot-counting continued as SGN went to press, with Murray holding a 10-point lead late Thursday. McGinn conceded defeat at a press conference on November 7. “Sometimes I rubbed people the wrong way, but I was always trying to do the right thing,” he said. McGinn added he had already phoned Murray to concede. “I congratulated him on his victory ... and offered our support for
the transition,” McGinn said. “He put together a very strong campaign.” For his part, Murray said in a subsequent statement that the phone conversation with McGinn was “substantive and cordial,” and added that he “thanked the mayor for his service, and told him that he respected his tremendous passion and dedication to the people of Seattle.” A WINNING STRATEGY The election was a stunning rejection of a sitting mayor, and proof, if any was needed, that Murray is one of the city’s most popular politicians. It was also proof that the Murray team had a winning campaign strategy – to convince voters that Murray could actually deliver on the progressive promises that Mcsee murray page 6
U.S. Senate passes ENDA Illinois passes full equality by historic 64 to 34 vote marriage Governor to sign bill later this month; Landmark nondiscrimination bill faces opposition in House
weddings will begin June 1, 2014
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
Marriage equality is finally a done deal in Illinois, the nation’s fifth most populous state. The Illinois legislature gave its final approval on November 5 to a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, sending it to Gov. Pat Quinn for his signature. Quinn, who strongly supports the measure, said he would delay the signing to allow time to organize a signing Illinois Representative Greg Harris is congratulated Tuesday after the Illinois House voted to ceremony. approve a Gay marriage bill he sponsored. “We’re going to U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (l) celebrates with supporters after a vote to pass make an arrangement so lots and mocracy is all about – people banthe Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), legislation to ban workplace discrimination against Gays. lots of people can come to the cer- ning together for a cause they beby Mike Andrew November 7. Sixty-four senators Both of Washington’s U.S. emony,” Quinn told the Chicago lieve in, passing a law that makes SGN Staff Writer voted yes, with only 32 voting no. senators were vocal supporters of Tribune. “I think it’s important to our state a better place.” Earlier in the day, the Senate the measure, and they celebrated have an opportunity for the people Once Quinn signs the bill into In a vote that can only be de- voted 64-34 to end debate, break- its passage in statements issued who worked so hard in the com- law, marriages can begin on June munity to pass marriage equality 1, 2014. The bill’s legislative scribed as historic, the U.S. Sen- ing a Republican filibuster. Ten shortly after the bill passed. to have an opportunity to be there ate passed ENDA, the Employ- Republicans joined 54 Democrats ment Non-Discrimination Act, on to move the measure to the floor. see enda page 9 at the bill signing. This is what desee illinois page 9