SGN April 15, 2016 - Section 1

Celebrating 42 Years!

Issue 16 Volume 44

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Robbie Turner sashays away

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Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Mayor Ed Murray Anti-Trans initiatives: discusses travel bans to Judge rules against hate states NC and MS bigots on ballot language

by Victor Hawthorne SGN Staff Writer

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray signed executive orders in recent weeks banning official City of Seattle travel by City of Seattle employees to both North Carolina and Mississippi after the two states passed similar anti-LGBT laws.

While the move is largely symbolic, as it would have virtually no direct economic impact on the two states, it is nonetheless important as it sends a strong message against discrimination at a pivotal time.

In an interview with Mayor Murray on Thursday, April 14, I asked him to discuss his ban in greater detail and what it means for North Carolina, Mississippi, and the City of Seattle.

Mayor Murray began the Mayor Edward B. Murray at his inauguration – Nate Gowdy Photography

see ED MURRAY page 15

SPD to host first-ever National Hate Crimes Conference April 27-28

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson – nwpr.org

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A superior court judge has ruled against sponsors of a series of anti-Trans initiatives in Washington, leaving the state attorney general’s description of their ballot measures more or less intact.

Local LGBT activists said they were “deeply pleased” with the judge’s decision.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson is charged with writing the descriptions of

ballot initiatives that appear in voter guides and statewide ballots. His description of the measures designed to prohibit Trans people from using gender-appropriate restrooms did not meet the approval of the initiatives’ sponsors, so they sued to get more appealing language on the ballot.

Thurston County Superior Court Judge Anne Hirsch ruled against them on April 13.

The ballot summary will now read as follows – depending on which of several see BIGOTS page 16

Northwest charity donates $375,000 to right-wing hate group supporting WA state anti-Trans Initiative 1505

Courtesy of SPD

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor The Seattle Police Department is about to host something very profound. On April 27-28, with the SPD LGBTQ Liaison Officer Jim Ritter at its helm, the department with host hundreds of law enforcement leaders and Department of Justice folks for a two-day conference to address hate crimes in our communities. Never before has anything like this been done. Who knows why or why not – and frankly – who

cares. The point is it is happening and it is happening here because Ritter and SPD leadership, from Chief Kathleen O’Toole on down, recognized that bias crimes were on the rise last year and that was not okay.

Other cities and jurisdictions will also share similar stories I’m sure. So what better way to attack the problem than by getting leaders, lessons-learned, and powerful anti-violence advocates together for a weekend with the goal of working to eliminate this sickness, as best as we can, on our see HATE CRIMES page 14

How the fund flow – Illustration by Julia Hutchinson

by Victor Hawthorne SGN Staff Writer A billion dollar trust fund based in Vancouver, Washington just gave a big

chunk of money to the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), one of the groups behind the anti-Transgender initiatives in Arizona, North Carolina, and now in Washington see HATE GROUP page 16

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2 Seattle Gay News

April 15, 2016

Celebrating 41 Years!

IN MEMORIAM: Valerie (Val) Jean Valrejean

Valerie (Val) Jean Valrejean – Courtesy of Michael Jensen

Valerie (Val) Jean Valrejean, 67, went to meet her Savior on March 29th, 2016 from the Ray Hickey House in Vancouver, Washington after fighting a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer.

Val was born on February 3rd, 1949 in Seattle, Washington. She was the daughter

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of Shirley Rose Honroth and Gilbert Henry Bailey. Val was the oldest living child of 8 children.

Val graduated from Olympia High School. She continued her education at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington and transferred to the

April 15, 2016

University of Washington where she received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in History. Later she returned to school and graduated with an MSW degree from Portland State University.

During her life, she was a minister with the Metropolitan Community Churches and pastored churches in California and Washington state. She went on to work as a social worker at Cascadia and Allied Health in Portland, Oregon. No matter what Val did, she brought her own unique commitment to ministering to people’s needs.

Even in her final days and weeks, her courage and optimism blessed everyone who came in contact with her. In conversation with one friend during that time she shared that her experience had taught her that “forgiveness is the most important thing to learn.” Her wit and wisdom always made for engaging conversation, and the twinkle in her eye and dimpled smile could brighten the darkest day, and warm the coldest heart. She will be greatly missed.

Val is survived by her partner Kathy Valrejean and daughter Rebecca Salazar; sisters Vicki Gifford (Denzel Gifford) Mary Kinder (Tim Kinder), Dianna Mitchell; and brother Tracy Schey. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews, and countless friends. Val was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers Robert, Patrick, and Kevin.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday April 16th, 2016 at 1:00 p.m., at the Salmon Creek United Methodist Church, 12217 NE Hwy 99 Vancouver WA 98686. Potluck to follow.

In lieu of flowers gifts can be made in memory of Val to our friends at the Ray Hickey House. 2112 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661.

Seattle Gay News 3

A breakdown of all the anti-LGBTQ legislation around the country IOWA A proposed bill to prohibit the government from substantially burdening a person’s exercise of religion similar to legislation being considered in many other states was introduced in the Iowa House of Representatives in January. The proposal has been referred to the judiciary committee.

KANSAS A new law prevents colleges and universities from denying religious student associations the same funding or benefits available to other groups because of requirements that its members follow the association’s religious beliefs, standards or conduct. The law will take effect July.

Bills were also introduced to order schools to designate restrooms, locker rooms and other facilities for use by males or females according to students’ gender at birth.

KENTUCKY The Republican-led Senate passed a measure that would expand the state Religious Freedom Restoration Act by barring penalties against those who decline to provide “customized, artistic, expressive, creative, ministerial or spiritual goods or services” to people that would infringe on their “right of conscience” or religious freedoms.

The bill is pending in the Democratic-led House.

Map of the states sponsoring anti-LGBTQ legislation

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor As soon as the LGBTQ community won the right to marry the person they love, activists, experienced leaders, and some elected officials warned – almost immediately – that there was still more work to be done and that the bigots were not going to sit idly by and take the loss lightly. The community was warned, nationwide, to stay vigilant because a wave of anti-LGBTQ sentiment, proposed legislation, and twisted policies were on the way. Well, all one needs do is take a look at the amount of antiLGBTQ legislation around the country at this moment to see that the warnings were right – the bigots are fighting back. And sadly, in some cases, they are winning. And even though some of the wins might not be big ones or they might not even really pass all of these hateful proposals of hateful legislation in order to become hateful laws; this fight is costing the LGBTQ community – once again – millions and millions of dollars. We are, once again, being asked to validate our right to equality.

If this all seems familiar it’s because we have certainly been here before. But there is something a little extra spiteful and just downright needling about the battle this time and that is that the religious right must know, on some level, the gig is up.

Discrimination, for the most part, against the LGBTQ community is out as far as big business, the federal government, and the Supreme Court is concerned. So why then, are they continuing on even though the writing on the wall says “Dead End” for the kinds of things they have proposed? Only time will tell. No matter what though, the LGBTQ community must remain together in some shape or form to confront the bigots head-on in the streets, at the ballot box, and through donations to advocacy organizations that do the important work to advance our rights at the state and federal levels of government.

4 Seattle Gay News

You may have heard of some of these but others might come as a surprise. Either way, Seattle Gay News feels that it is important for the community to be aware of the extent at which our detractors have gone to chip away at what little rights and responsibilities we have as a community. Here’s a list compiled by the Associated Press: ALABAMA Alabama lawmakers are considering a measure to prevent the state from refusing to license childcare service providers who decline services that conflict with their religious beliefs. Religious organizations contract with the state to provide some childcare services, and opponents of the proposal have argued that the bill could be used to exclude Gay and Lesbian couples from adopting children or being foster parents.

The proposal comes after the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously struck down an Alabama Supreme Court order that invalidated a Lesbian couple’s adoption in Georgia.

schools and other religious organizations cannot be required to marry people or allow their facilities to be used for marriage celebrations that violate “a sincerely held religious belief.” The law takes effect July 1.

GEORGIA Republican Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed a bill that would have prohibited the government from imposing penalties on religious schools and organizations that chose not to employ or serve people based on their sincerely held religious beliefs. The proposal would have also protected clergy who declined to perform weddings for Gay and Lesbian couples.

HAWAII Hawaii lawmakers last January introduced legislation to prohibit the state from burdening any person’s right to exercise religion unless it was needed to further a compelling governmental interest. The bill was carried over to the 2016 regular session.

ARKANSAS Arkansas lawmakers last year approved a revised version of a religious objections measure after the initial version faced widespread criticism that it was anti-LGBT. The Legislature also enacted a law aimed at preventing cities and counties from passing anti-discrimination measures that include sexual orientation or gender identity.

ILLINOIS Lawmakers are considering legislation that would require school boards to designate separate boys and girls’ bathrooms, changing rooms and other facilities being used during school-sponsored activities.

The legislature defines sex as a student’s gender at birth and not their gender identity.

COLORADO Colorado lawmakers introduced a bill in February that would have blocked the state from taking any action that may burden a person’s religious freedom unless it was the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling governmental interest. A House committee indefinitely postponed discussion on the bill.

INDIANA Republican Gov. Mike Pence signed a bill last year barring government entities from substantially burdening the religious exercise of individuals, organizations and businesses, unless by the least restrictive means to further a compelling government interest. After businesses raised concerns, Pence signed an amended version stating that the law cannot be used to deny services, public accommodations, employment or housing based on race, religion, age, sexual orientation or gender identity.

FLORIDA Republican Gov. Rick Scott signed a law stating that clergy, churches, religious

April 15, 2016

LOUISIANA Gov. John Bel Edwards signed an executive order providing state employees and contractors with protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and more. The order recognizes exemptions for churches and religious organizations. Edwards also rescinded an order former Gov. Bobby Jindal signed that prohibited state agencies from denying licenses and contracts to businesses that take actions because of religious beliefs against samesex marriage.

MASSACHUSETTS The Legislature is weighing a bill to expand a 2011 state law banning discrimination against Transgender people in the workplace and in housing by also banning discrimination in restaurants, malls and other public accommodations, including restrooms.

MICHIGAN Michigan Sen. Tom Casperson says he’s firmly committed to introducing legislation to prohibit Transgender students from using a bathroom other than the one matching the sex listed on their birth certificate. Casperson said his proposed bill, which has not yet been introduced, would allow Transgender students to use staff restrooms in the school, or single occupancy unisex bathrooms, but only with the consent of the student’s parent.

MINNESOTA A bill was introduced in late March to require employers and public facilities to designate separate restrooms and changing rooms for men and women. A portion of the bill reads, “No claim of nontraditional identity or ‘sexual orientation’ may override another person’s right of privacy based on biological sex.”

MISSISSIPPI A new law prohibits the government from taking “any discriminatory action” against religious organizations that decline to host marriages, employ people or facilitate adoption or foster care based on a religious belief that marriage should be be-

Celebrating 41 Years!

tween one man and one woman, sex outside marriage is wrong or that sexual identity is determined by a person’s anatomy at birth.

Several states and cities have banned travel to Mississippi and rock singer Bryan Adams canceled a concert in the state to protest.

an ordinance in Charlotte that would have allowed Transgender people to use bathrooms that correspond to their gender identity. Lawmakers then blocked all cities and counties from passing rules that targeted LGBT discrimination.

MISSOURI The Senate passed a proposed amendment to the state constitution in March that would bar government penalties against individuals and business such as florists or photographers who cite “a sincere religious belief” while declining to provide “services of expressional or artistic creation” for same-sex weddings and receptions. The protections also would apply to clergy and religious organizations that decline to make their facilities available for same-sex weddings. If passed by the House, the proposal will go before voters. The proposal has generated backlash from more than 60 businesses and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.

NORTH DAKOTA North Dakota lawmakers have defeated measures in each of the past three sessions to prohibit discrimination in housing and employment based on sexual orientation.

NEBRASKA A bill to ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity was defeated in the Nebraska Legislature this year. Lawmakers have shelved the bill for the rest of the year.

NEW MEXICO Three New Mexico lawmakers in December 2015 introduced a measure “to prevent discriminatory action by a person or a government agency in response to a person’s free exercise of religion.” The proposal died during the 2016 regular session.

NORTH CAROLINA A new law prevents local and state government from mandating protections for LGBT people in the private sector or at stores and restaurants. The Legislature held a special session in March to overturn

OKLAHOMA A new law states clergy and other religious officials cannot be required to perform marriages or provide marriage counseling, courses or workshops that violate their conscience or religious beliefs. On March 14, Gay rights advocates in the state celebrated the failure of 27 bills in the Legislature that they said unfairly discriminated against LGBT people.

PENNSYLVANIA Pennsylvania‘s Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf earlier this month signed an executive order barring state contractors and grant recipients from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity. State Sen. Mike Folmer says he wants to vet the bill in committee to make sure it does not violate anybody’s religious liberties or freedom of conscience.

SOUTH DAKOTA The Legislature passed a bill to require students to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender at birth, but GOP Gov. Dennis Daugaard vetoed it. The House also passed legislation barring government from taking “discriminatory action” against people, organizations or businesses based on religious beliefs that marriage should be between one man and one woman, sex outside marriage is wrong or that sexual iden-

tity is determined by a person’s biological sex at birth. The bill did not pass before the legislative session ended.

TENNESSEE Tennessee lawmakers passed legislation exempting counselors and therapists from providing services to clients related to behaviors that conflict with “a sincerely held religious belief,” as long as they refer the clients to someone else. The American Counseling Association has said Tennessee would be the only state to allow counselors to refuse to treat patients if the bill is signed into law.

TEXAS Before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states must allow Gay marriage, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law last June stating that clergy and religious organizations cannot be required to marry people or allow their facilities to be used for wedding celebrations that violate a “sincerely held religious belief.” Texas did not hold a legislative session in 2016, but the previous year, a Republican-backed bill repealing local ordinances banning discrimination against Gay and Transgender people failed without reaching a floor vote in either chamber. The proposal attempted to roll back such ordinances that already existed in all the state’s largest cities. Instead, the all-Republican state Supreme Court heard a legal challenge to an anti-discrimination ordinance approved by Houston’s City Council, and ruled that it had to be put to a referendum. Houston voters soundly defeated the anti-discrimination ordinance in a November 2015 election featuring very low turnout.

UTAH Utah in 2015 passed an anti-discrimination law that makes it illegal to base employment and housing decisions on sexual

orientation or gender identity. Gay-rights advocates had tried for years to pass similar legislation but only succeeded last year when the measure won support of the Utahbased Mormon Church and included religions protections.

VIRGINIA Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed a Republican-backed bill stating that clergy and religious organizations cannot be penalized for declining to participate in same-sex marriages.

WASHINGTON Multiple pieces of legislation concerning sex-specific restrooms were introduced

by Republicans in both chambers of Washington’s legislature. A bill that would have blocked the Washington Human Rights Commission from initiating any rule-making procedures involving gender segregated bathrooms died in a Senate committee.

WISCONSIN The only bill introduced in the Republican-led Legislature dealing with Gays, Lesbians and Transgender people was a measure to force Transgender students in public schools to use bathrooms and locker rooms assigned to their gender at birth. GOP leaders never brought the bill up for a vote before the two-year session ended.

WEST VIRGINIA The Republican-led House passed a bill modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, stating that government “shall not substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion” unless by the least restrictive means for a compelling government interest. The bill was amended and then defeated in the Senate.

North Carolina Governor “clarifies” state policy OKs protections for LGBT state employees

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory issued an executive order April 12 – only a week after he signed a bill legalizing discrimination against LGBT residents of his state – to “clarify” the state’s policy on LGBT rights.

McCrory’s effort to calm a nationwide outcry against the discriminatory legislation, known as HB 2, was immediately rejected by North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper and by human rights activists.

“After listening to people’s feedback for the past several weeks on this issue, I have come to the conclusion that there is a great deal of misinformation, misinterpretation, confusion, a lot of passion, and frankly, selective outrage and hypocrisy, especially against the great state of North Carolina,” McCrory said in a video released by his office.

“Based upon this feedback, I am taking action to affirm and improve the state’s commitment to privacy and equality.”

In his video statement, McCrory claims his executive order does the following: “First, it maintains common-sense gender-specific restroom and locker room facilities in government buildings and in our schools, and when possible, encourages reasonable accommodations for families and those who have unique or special circumstances.

“Second, the private sector can make its own policy with regard to restrooms, locker rooms, and/or shower facilities. This is not

a government decision. This is your decision in the private sector.

“Third, I have affirmed the private sector and local government’s right to establish its own nondiscrimination employment policies.

“And fourth, as governor, I have expanded our state equal employment opportunity policy to clarify that sexual orientation and gender identity are included.

“And fifth, I will immediately seek legislation in the upcoming short session to reinstate the right to sue for discrimination in North Carolina state courts.”

A day late and a veto short No sooner had McCrory issued his “clarification” than North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, a candidate for governor in November, issued a sharp rebuttal.

“Gov. McCrory’s executive order is a day late and a veto short,” Cooper wrote.

“The sweeping discrimination law he signed has already cost Noth Carolina hundreds of jobs and millions in revenue.

“I’m glad Gov. McCrory has finally acknowledged the great damage his legislation has done, but he needs to do more.”

Cooper then called on the governor to “work to repeal HB 2.”

A poor effort to save face ACLU of North Carolina acting executive director Sarah Preston also rejected McCrory’s executive order.

“Gov. McCrory’s actions today are a poor effort to save face after his sweeping

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North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory – wsbradio.com

attacks on the LGBT community, and they fall far short of correcting the damage done when he signed the harmful measure into law that stigmatizes and mandates discrimination against gay and transgender people,” she said in an April 12 statement.

“With this executive order, LGBT individuals still lack legal protections from discrimination, and transgender people are still explicitly targeted by being forced to use the wrong restroom.”

The ACLU was joined by HRC, which issued its own statement.

“While the governor’s executive order extends protections to state workers, it does

nothing to fix the vile and discriminatory provisions he signed into law through HB 2,” the group said.

HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow added that, “The governor’s action is an insufficient response to a terrible, misguided law that continues to harm LGBT people on a daily basis. It’s absurd that he’ll protect people from being fired but will prohibit them from using the employee restroom consistent with their gender identity. The North Carolina Legislature must act to right this wrong as swiftly as possible.

They created this horrendous law, and they need to repeal it.”

April 15, 2016

Seattle Gay News 5

Dave Upthegrove to run for Commissioner of Public Lands

Dave Upthegrove – waterlandblog.com

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

King County Council member Dave Upthegrove announced April 11 that he will

run for Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands. The incumbent, Peter Goldmark, said he would not run for a third term.

The Commissioner of Public Lands heads the state Department of Natural Resources and is responsible for managing state-owned lands, including aquatic lands and more than two million acres of state forests.

Upthegrove also announced his opposition to the controversial Gateway Pacific coal export terminal at Cherry Point, north of Bellingham. If built, the terminal would be able to export 48 million metric tons of coal a year.

The $700 million project is currently on hold while developer SSA Marine awaits a decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Indian treaty rights. The Lummi Nation opposes the project on the grounds that it would interfere with its fishing rights.

“Voters expect the Commissioner of Public Lands to be an environmental champion,” Upthergrove said. “I am excited to be that champion and continue the work I’ve done to combat climate change, support responsible conservation, and protect Puget Sound.

“I will oppose leasing of aquatic lands for coal export terminals. We need to respect tribal treaty rights and create jobs by investing in environmental cleanup and

renewable energy, not by building massive coal export terminals.”

Upthegrove is in the middle of his first term on the King County Council, where he is one of two openly Gay members. His colleague, Joe McDermott, is running for Congress in the 7th District.

Before being elected to the County Council, Upthegrove was elected to seven terms in the state House of Representatives, where he chaired the Environment Committee, sponsored legislation creating the Puget Sound Partnership, and was honored as “Legislator of the Year” by Washington Conservation Voters in 2011.

In 2012, the Kent Chamber of Commerce honored Upthegrove as its Public Employee of the Year for his work to support local small businesses. The NW Marine Trade Association, which represents hundreds of small businesses, also honored Upthegrove as its 2012 Legislator of the Year.

Upthegrove has the backing of former governor Christine Gregoire, Rep. Adam Smith, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy, and Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission executive director Steve Robinson.

Fellow Democrat Karen Porterfield announced earlier this year that she would also seek the Commissioner’s office.

Honduras: 215 LGBT people killed in 7 years LGBTs at risk of torture, imprisonment and assassination, with impunity

by Peter Tatchell Peter Tatchell Foundation A new report from Index on Censorship exposes the torture, imprisonment and assassination of LGBT people and activists in Honduras.

The research, published by SAGE and carried out by journalist Duncan Tucker utilising data collected by on-the-ground NGOs, reveals some shocking statistics: • 215 LGBT people were murdered in Honduras 2009-2015 • 37 of these killings occurred in 2015 alone Most assassinations have never been prosecuted.

“I’ve been imprisoned on many occasions. I’ve suffered torture and sexual violence because of my activism, and I’ve survived many assassination attempts,” Honduran LGBT rights activist Donny Reyes said in an interview with Index on Censorship.

Reyes describes the state, the church and the mainstream media as a triumvirate that has fueled “impunity, fundamentalism, machismo and misogyny” across the country, with disastrous consequences for the LGBT community.”

Index notes: “Arcoíris (the country’s LGBT group) reported 15 security incidents against its members during the second half of 2015, including surveillance,

6 Seattle Gay News

harassment, arbitrary detentions, assaults, robberies, theft, threats, sexual assault and even murder. Other LGBT activists have experienced forced evictions, fraudulent charges, defamation, enforced disappearances and restrictions of (their) right to assembly.”

Anti-LGBT violence rocketed after the country’s 2009 coup, which ousted liberal President Manuel Zelaya, but homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crimes are largely overlooked, both within the country and internationally.

On average two LGBT people were murdered each year in Honduras from 1994 to 2008. After the 2009 coup, that rate rocketed to an average 31 murders per year.

Peter Tatchell, London-based LGBT campaigner, has called for the international community to press the Honduran government over the killings. He told Index on Censorship: “This extensive, shocking mob violence against LGBT Hondurans is almost unreported in the rest of the world. The big international LGBT organisations tend to focus on better-known homophobic repression in countries like Egypt, Russia, Iran and Uganda. What’s happening in Honduras is many times worse. Is this neglect because it is a tiny country with few resources and no geo-political weight?

“The U.N., Organisation of American States and foreign aid providers need to do more to press the Honduran government to crackdown on anti-LGBT hate crime and to

April 15, 2016

Map of Honduras – Ezilon.com

educate the public on LGBT issues to combat prejudice. Honduran schools and media should be giving a lead, to counter the hate that leads to such gross violence.

“Similar anti-LGBT attacks – sometimes perpetrated by death squads – are happening in other parts of Central and South America, including Brazil, Mexico, Peru and El Salvador. A disproportionately high number of the victims are trans people.”

Index on Censorship magazine’s deputy editor Vicky Baker explained why it is critical for more attention to be paid to what is

happening in Honduras: “You know you have a very serious situation on your hands when you are researching a topic and every time you find someone you want to speak to, you delve deeper and find they have been killed. At Index on Censorship, we work with a lot of endangered activists and reporters, but these threats are terrifying. Speaking out on an unpopular topic in Honduras is like a death sentence.”

Activists and journalists are in serious danger in Honduras. Index on Censorship’s

Celebrating 41 Years!

report also includes an interview with Honduras’s most renowned investigative reporter, and former Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression award nominee, Dina Meza, who has reported on the plight of the country’s beleaguered LGBT community and people.

The article is part of the Spring issue of Index on Censorship magazine.

The edition also carries a special report on Shakespeare, looking at how his plays have been used to challenge power and sneak past censors around the world, from Brazil and China to the USA and Zimbabwe.

Read more about the Spring issue of Index Magazine: h t t p s: // w w w. i n d exo n c e n s o r s h i p. org/2016/03/staging-shakespearean-dissent-spring-magazine-2016 Index on Censorship magazine, which was launched in 1972, has reporters around the world. International in outlook, outspoken in comment, and publishing some of the world’s finest writers, Index exposes stories that are suppressed, publishes banned writing, investigative journalism and new fiction. Previous contributors in-

clude Margaret Atwood, Noam Chomsky, Nadine Gordimer, Aung San Suu Kyi, Salman Rushdie, Tom Stoppard and Umberto Eco. www.indexoncensorship.org/ magazine SAGE Publishing was founded by Sara Miller McCune in 1965 to support the dissemination of usable knowledge and educate a global community. SAGE is a leading international provider of innovative, high-quality content publishing more than 900 journals and over 800 new books each year, spanning a wide range of subject areas. A growing selection of library prod-

ucts includes archives, data, case studies and video. SAGE remains majority owned by our founder and after her lifetime will become owned by a charitable trust that secures the company’s continued independence. Principal offices are located in Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC and Melbourne. www. sagepublishing.com Courtesy of Peter Tatchell Foundation – PeterTatchellFoundation.org

Trans activists boo Massachusetts governor off stage

Colby Patrie (center) screams at Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker – Photo credit: Stuart Cahill

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Trans activists disrupted a speech by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on April 13, forcing him from the stage at an event for Boston LGBT business leaders.

Baker had been invited to speak at the annual Boston Spirit LGBT Executive Networking Night, hosted by Boston Spirit magazine, a local LGBT publication.

Among the crowd of 1,000 people packed into the Marriott Hotel banquet room were many activists hoping that Baker would commit publicly to signing a pending

bill that would extend protections for Trans people to public accommodations.

Baker played coy, however, saying he would “make sure I talk to all the parties involved” if the legislation comes to his desk.

He also avoided saying whether he would veto the bill.

Twenty minutes into Baker’s speech,

activists in the crowd began to chant “Sign the bill!” and to wave signs reading “Trans rights now!”

Baker then walked off the stage. He did not stay to greet attendees afterwards, as event organizers had promised.

Baker, a Republican, was elected in 2014 after incumbent Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick decided not to run for a third term.

Baker served in several positions in the administration of another Republican governor of Massachusetts, William Weld.

While liberal for a Republican – he has supported same-sex marriage and reproductive choice – he is a pro-business fiscal conservative.

According to the Boston Globe, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable supports the bill extending protections for Trans people, as does General Electric, which recently announced it was moving its corporate headquarters from Connecticut to Boston.

Massachusetts law currently protects Trans residents against discrimination in employment, housing, credit, and union representation, but not in public accommodations, such as restrooms.

Louisiana governor orders protections for LGBT state employees

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards – Gerald Herbert

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Newly elected Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed an executive order on April 13 providing employment protections for state employees and employees of state contractors on the basis of race, color,

religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, disability, and age.

Edwards’ executive order also prohibits discrimination in services provided by state agencies and recognizes an exemption for churches and religious organizations.

Similar executive orders were signed

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by former Louisiana governors Edwin Edwards and Kathleen Blanco. Like Edwards, they were Democrats. Republican Govs. Bobby Jindal – Edwards’ immediate predecessor – rescinded prior protections for LGBT employees.

In fact, Jindal issued an order enshrining part of the so-called “Marriage and Conscience Act,” allowing discrimination against Gay and Lesbian couples, after that measure was rejected by the state legislature.

“We are fortunate enough to live in a state that is rich with diversity, and we are built on a foundation of unity and fairness for all of our citizens,” Edwards said in a statement.

“We respect our fellow citizens for their beliefs, but we do not discriminate based on our disagreements. I believe in giving every Louisianan the opportunity to be successful and to thrive in our state. Our goal is to promote the opportunities we have right here in Louisiana. While this executive order respects the religious beliefs of our people, it also signals to the rest of the country that discrimination is not a Louisiana value but rather that Louisiana is

a state that is respective and inclusive of everyone around us.”

Edwards went on to criticize Jindal’s executive order, saying “it does nothing but divide our state and forced the business community, from Louisiana’s smallest businesses to large corporations, like IBM, to strongly oppose it. This executive order threatens Louisiana’s business growth, and it goes against everything we stand for – unity, acceptance, and opportunity for all.”

Edwards was elected in November in a bitter campaign against Republican Sen. John Vitter, in which he touted his own service record with the 82nd Airborne Division and contrasted it with Vitter’s involvement in the notorious “D.C. Madam” scandal.

He “answered his country’s call,” Edwards’ TV spot asserted, while Vitter “answered a prostitute’s call.”

Jindal was term-limited out of the governor’s office and briefly sought the Republican presidential nomination.

April 15, 2016

Seattle Gay News 7

Federal study of Seattle youth increases understanding of homeless teens

SEATTLE – More than half of homeless youth become homeless for the first time because they are asked to leave home by a parent or caregiver, and more than half say they have tried to stay at a shelter but it was full. Those findings resulted from a study released on Thursday, April 14 by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

The first-of-its-kind study, funded by ACF’s Family & Youth Services Bureau and conducted by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, focused on 873 youth ages 14 to 21 in 11 cities, to include homeless youth from Seattle. Respondents included street youth receiving services from federally supported local organizations and street youth who were not currently using services from federal grantees. The study found the following among the youth surveyed nationally: • On average, youth became homeless for the first time at age 15.

• The average youth spent nearly two years living on the streets.

• More than 60 percent were raped, beaten up, robbed, or otherwise assaulted.

• Nearly 30 percent of participants identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual, and nearly 7 percent identified as transgender.

• About half of youth had been in foster care and youth with a foster care history had been homeless for much longer (27.5 months on average) compared to youth who had never been in foster care (19.3 months, on average).

The study was designed to increase the government’s understanding of the services

young people need when they are homeless.

The majority of participants needed help with job training or finding a job, transportation, and clothing. More than half of respondents also needed a safe place to stay, help with education, access to laundry facilities, a place to study, rest, or spend time during the day, and a phone.

“It is unacceptable for any youth to become homeless in America. The findings of this study will help us more effectively target our street outreach programs so that we can help our youth receive the help they need, when they need it most ,” said Rafael López, Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, which commissioned the study. “With data detailing the problem in cities across our country, we can work with local agencies to end youth homelessness.”

“With this first-of-its-kind study providing insight into how long youth spent living on the streets, who they are, and what their greatest needs are, ” said ACF Acting Assistant Secretary Mark Greenberg, “The data from Seattle and ten other cities can help communities strengthen their efforts to serve homeless youth in need.”

ACF provides services to runaway and homeless youth on the streets or in areas with increased risk of abuse and sexual exploitation. The programs aim to help young people get off the streets and promote efforts by its locally supported organizations to build relationships between street outreach workers and homeless street youth.

These local organizations also provide support services to help move youth into shelters or stable housing, and prepare them for independence. Homeless youth also use federally supported drop-in centers to shower, eat a hot meal or obtain food cou-

pons, receive hygiene kits, and obtain referrals for medical, dental, mental health, or social services.

ACF is also releasing a new public service announcement campaign targeting runaway and homeless youth. The new television PSAs feature homeless youth sharing their personal stories and is aimed at connecting runaway and homeless youth with services and resources. ACF’s Street Outreach Program supports work with homeless, runaway and street youth to help them find stable housing and services. The program also focuses on developing relationships between outreach workers and young people that allow homeless youth to rebuild connections with caring adults and prevent the sexual abuse or exploitation of young people living on the streets or in un-

stable housing.

Runaway and homeless youth who need help, or parents and guardians who are worried about their children, can call the National Runaway Hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY. To learn more about youth homelessness, visit: youthhomelessness.acf.hhs.gov.

All ACF news releases, fact sheets and other materials are available on the ACF news page: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/media.

Follow ACF on Twitter for more updates.

Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Homeless teens in Seattle – alltreatment.com

Anti-Trans bill will cost us billions in federal money, Tennessee AG warns

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Passing pending legislation to exclude Transgender students from gender-appropriate restrooms will cost the state of Tennessee as much as $3 billion, the state’s attorney general warned on April 11.

Because school districts that receive federal money must comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 – part of which is understood to protect Trans students under the category of discrimination on account of sex – Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery III warned that passing restrictive measures would put federal funding in jeopardy.

“In sum, if a transgender student is required by a school district in Tennessee to use a restroom or locker room facility that is consistent with his or her anatomical gender rather than his or her gender expression or gender identity, and if that student files a complaint, [the U.S. Department of Education], applying its current interpretation of Title IX, will almost certainly require the school district to permit the student access to the facility consistent with his or her gender expression, and refusal to do so could very well result in loss

8 Seattle Gay News

of federal funding – at least until [the Department of Education’s] interpretation is overruled by authoritative and binding judicial decision,” Slatery wrote in a formal legal opinion.

According to Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, some $3 billion in federal funding for the state’s schools and universities is at stake. His spokesperson has said that the governor “trusts our teachers and local school boards to make necessary accommodations” for Transgender students without the need for statewide legislation.

The states of North Carolina and Mississippi are under federal scrutiny because of their newly enacted discriminatory laws.

“We hope that Tennessee’s elected officials hear Attorney General Herbert Slatery’s clear message – the state’s discriminatory, anti-transgender legislation will jeopardize crucial federal funding for the state’s public schools,” said HRC Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs JoDee Winterhof.

“Any compassionate person can see how cruel this legislation targeting transgender children is. But this warning from the state’s top lawyer also makes clear that the terrible bill puts millions of federal education dollars in peril, risking the quality of education received by every single student

April 15, 2016

attending Tennessee’s public schools.”

HRC has already released an open letter from executives at the Dow Chemical Company, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Choice Hotels International, Inc., and Alcoa, Inc. urging Tennessee lawmakers to abandon their legislative assault on Transgender students.

Meanwhile, country music stars Emmylou Harris, Chely Wright, Ty Herndon, and Miley Cyrus are also publicly condemning these discriminatory bills, as is Viacom, the parent company of Country Music Television.

Actor Chris Carmack speaks at a news conference calling on the country music industry to take a stand against proposed laws in Tennessee that LGBT activists see as discriminatory – Associated Press

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April 15, 2016

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April 15, 2016

Celebrating 41 Years!

North Carolina NAACP against anti-LGBT law Plans sit-in for April 21

North Carolina backlash – prwatch.org

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The North Carolina NAACP has announced plans for a sit-in at its state’s capital on April 21 to demand repeal of HB 2, the bill legalizing sweeping discrimination against LGBT people in the state.

“We are the laughing stock of the whole nation,” said North Carolina NAACP president Rev. William Barber, referring to the nationwide outcry against the legislation.

Barber is best known as a leader of North

Carolina’s Moral Monday Movement, originally organized to protest laws restricting voting rights, and many members of that coalition are now involved in fighting back against HB 2.

“We cannot be silent in the face of this race-based, class-based, homophobic, and transphobic attack on wage earners, civil rights, and the LGBTQ community,” said a group called Forward Together Moral Movement, a project of the North Carolina NAACP. “Together with our many allies, we will coordinate a campaign of nonviolent direct action, along with other forms of nonviolent protest, that will instruct our legislators with respect to the rights of all people.”

Because HB 2 also includes a ban on raising the minimum wage above $7.25 per hour, the NAACP is being joined by a labor group called Raise Up for $15.

The North Carolina legislature was called into special session to pass the anti-LGBT measure and adjourned immediately afterwards. It will be in recess until April 25, so no lawmakers will actually be inconvenienced by the April 21 sit-in, but organizers say that event is only the beginning.

Other groups have also planned protests. On April 13, a group is organizing an “air horn orchestra” to surround the governor’s mansion with noise.

On the other side of the issue, the Christian Action League of North Carolina held a rally of several hundred people on April 21 to show its appreciation for the new law.

Meanwhile Democratic Rep. Billy Richardson, one of 11 Democrats who

voted for HB 2, expressed his regrets on April 11 and called for the measure to be repealed.

“By enacting House Bill 2, the legislature did the wrong thing,” he said. “I made the wrong vote, and we must now make it right.”

William Barber – worldnow.com

Social Security Administration gives in on overpayments to married Gays and Lesbians

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The Social Security Administration (SSA) said on April 13 that it will give up trying to collect so-called “overpayments” from married Gay and Lesbian SSI recipients.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program designed to help verylow-income people with disabilities or those over the age of 65. Part of the consideration in calculating an individual’s SSI benefit is whether the person is married, with married people getting a smaller benefit.

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2013 Windsor decision striking down DOMA but leaving state laws against samesex marriage intact, SSA decided that it would recognize same-sex marriages when the couple lived in states that also recognized them, but not when the couple lived in states that refused to recognize their relationship.

Consequently, when SSA determined SSI benefits for one person in a married same-sex couple, they paid higher benefits if the couple lived in a state where same-sex marriage was still illegal and lower benefits in a state where the couple’s marriage was legally valid.

For example, if a couple married in New York and remained there, SSA would pay the smaller SSI benefit. But if the couple subsequently moved to Mississippi, where their New York marriage was not valid, SSA would pay a higher benefit.

Fast forward two years to 2015. With its Obergefell decision, the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriages throughout the country and removed the basis for SSA’s distinction between different married couples.

Although SSA was tardy complying with Obergefell, when it finally issued new guidelines reflecting the Supreme Court’s ruling, it also decided that it had been “overpaying” married Gays and Lesbians in states that formerly did not recognize same-sex marriage.

To go back to the previous example, the couple that married in New York but then moved to Mississippi had been married all along, the SSA said, so they had been “overpaid” during the time that the agency did not recognize their marriage.

SSA wanted its money back and began sending demand letters to old or disabled Lesbian and Gay SSI recipients. In many cases the “overpayment” amounted to thousands of dollars – money that had already been spent by poor recipients who had no way to pay it back.

Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) then joined with the group Justice in Aging and the law firm of Foley Hoag LLP to sue the SSA on behalf of married Lesbian and Gay SSI recipients.

The lawsuit charged that the SSA’s conduct violated the Social Security Act and the equal protection and due process guarantees of the U.S. Constitution.

“These individuals, some of the most vulnerable people in our country, were not to blame for the agency’s failure to recognize their marriages after Windsor, and the government’s actions were clearly unjust.

Our lawsuit was meant to correct that,” said Marco J. Quina of Foley Hoag.

In October 2015, 39 senators and 82 members of the House of Representatives, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Mark Takano, sent the SSA a letter asking the agency to waive recovery of overpayments.

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“SSA should not penalize people who are poor, elderly, or disabled because SSA continued issuing benefits to these married individuals as though they were single,” the lawmakers wrote. “According to SSA’s statute and regulations, SSA shall avoid penalizing an individual for overpayment if the individual is without fault and if recovery of the overpayment would be against equity and good conscience.”

SSA has now issued a new policy that addresses the issues raised in the lawsuit and the congressional letter.

According to new SSA instructions, local SSA offices will now presume that married Lesbian and Gay SSI recipients have requested a waiver of the “overpayment” even

if they have not formally filed a petition.

The new policy also provides that the waiver will be granted on the grounds that the individual is without fault for the overpayment, and that collection would be against “equity and good conscience.”

The authority to deny a waiver has been removed from local offices, and any denial must first be reviewed by the SSA’s Central Office.

“We commend the Social Security Administration and Commissioner Colvin for taking this important step to correct an injustice,” said Gerald McIntyre, special counsel with Justice in Aging. “We are optimistic that the few remaining issues will be satisfactorily resolved.”

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren – Dave Roback / The Republican

April 15, 2016

Seattle Gay News 13

HATE CRIMES continued from cover

streets and in our neighborhoods.

At first, Ritter, who I work closely with in the community in response to crimes against people and anti-LGBTQ bias crimes, envisioned the conference being for law enforcement only. And there is a reason, although jump to any conclusions, because it might not be the one that is right just yet. The reason is really because the nature of some of the crimes that will be discussed and looked at as case studies could be traumatic for people to hear about – let alone view the evidence and photos and maybe even video of gnarly death scenes.

The “Understanding, Investigating and Responding to Hate Crimes Conference” will bring family members of people who were brutally murdered from our community.

Judy and Dennis Shepard, Matthew Shepard’s mother and father, will attend and speak at the conference, and so will the law enforcement officials who worked on the investigation of what happened to Shepard before he was found, in 1998, hanging on to life, in a coma, beaten beyond recognition, tied to a fence post in Laramie, Wyoming.

Also in attendance, crime scene photos and all, will be guest speakers Jasper County Texas Sheriff Billy Rowles (Ret.) and Jasper County Prosecutor Guy James Gray (Ret.) who worked on the James Byrd case.

For those readers that do not recall, James Byrd was an African-American who was murdered in Jasper, Texas, on June 7, 1998 by three men, of whom at least two were white supremacists. Shawn Berry, Lawrence Russell Brewer, and John King dragged Byrd for three miles behind a pickup truck along an asphalt road. Byrd, who remained conscious throughout most of the ordeal, was killed when his body hit the edge of a culvert, severing his right arm and head. The murderers drove on for another mile before dumping his torso in front of an African-American cemetery in Jasper.

Byrd’s lynching-by-dragging gave impetus to passage of a Texas hate crimes law.

Both events later led to the federal Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, commonly known as the Matthew Shepard Act, which was passed in Congress on October 22, 2009, and which President Barack Obama signed into law on October 28, 2009.

Heavy stuff. Additionally, this is a conference where presenters will present about an area of expertise that they specialize in.

It is designed to be an information sharing and idea sharing conference. This way it is productive and not interrupted every five

minutes by someone with a sign reminding us that not all police are good people or some other useless thing that stops conversation and changes nothing.

Conference to be open to the public But SPD is a different department than it was even just a few years ago. O’Toole and the leadership team she has put together are making a difference. And Ritter, who recently launched the much praised project SPD SAFE PLACE program, and who also testified before the Washington Senate in Olympia, in uniform, and on behalf of the Transgender community, is one of the fairest and least executive types I’ve ever known. This past Monday and Tuesday Ritter and I were guest speakers at the “No Victim Left Behind Conference” at the University of California, Davis because of the community policing we both engage in, and he discussed with me the possibility of opening up enrollment to the hate crimes conference in Seattle. We both agreed that although some of the content will be tough to look at and process for some, it is always better to educate the public and operate in transparency; and so now, you get to decide if this conference is something you or your organization would like to attend. The price is $75 per enrollment and you can sign up for that at www.spdhatecrimesconference.eventbrite.com.

While the campus – and in particular the campus police – at UC Davis is sometimes embattled in what seems like alternate universes from each other due to a pepper spray incident four years ago, the “No Victim Left Behind Conference” was not impacted by any of that. While we were there I got the feeling, as did Ritter, that the police chief and school leadership want to be closer to their LGBTQ students and population earnestly. However, they just did not know where to begin. We spoke on the last day of the conference and talked about the SPD SAFE PLACE program and I talked about the importance of building a strong partnership with community groups the department can trust in tandem with whatever other efforts of outreach are deployed to include LGBTQ people in all things public safety and so on in their respective cities and towns. Needless to say we made an impact, but to what end and what extent we really didn’t not know. Wednesday night, Ritter and I received an email from the Chief of Police at Davis who said, “Because of your presentations one of my police officers came to us today and asked to be assigned as the liaison officer to our LGBTQIA community. She has always been very open about who she is, but both of you presenting inspired her and provided her the confidence to seek this assignment.”

“I am at a loss for words and thank you is surely not enough. It has been such a fight these last four years,” said the Chief. “This is a huge step. She will be our first ever liaison officer to our LGBTQIA community.

Ever.”

Now that is progress in the right direction.

Looking to the past to move forward While our movement towards full equality as LGBTQ people takes two steps forward and one step back, I can say that there is little more that I am routinely impressed with above the changing attitude (in both directions) towards the police in our city. Full disclosure, aside from my duties at the Seattle Gay News some of you might recognize me more easily if I hold a bull horn in my hand: Like many editors before me at the paper, I double as an activist, and a very public one at that. I can tell you that when I founded Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea) in July of 2012, working with the Seattle Police Department did not seem like anything even remotely possible. The attitude amongst nearly all of my peers, the young adults who would take on the awesome responsibility of helping to pass marriage equality by popular vote (the very green and newly politicized SOSea founding board of directors), and the community elders pretty much all had the same feelings about the cops. Simply put it was classic “us” and “them” to the max.

But then bias or hate crimes started to happen a little more frequently than before.

And they were hitting home. In the first six months of running as an organization, five out of the nearly fifteen founding board members (all very different in size, height, fighting ability, ethnicity, etc.) had been attacked. Four out of the five had been called, right from the start of the attack or carjacking (yes, that happened as well) a faggot.

Only one did not get the benefit of hearing an anti-Gay epitaph, but it was no consolation prize I assure you because this man, who is literally built like a football player and teaches kindergarten was actually hit from behind and woke up face down in a puddle of rain water without his phone, house keys or wallet. Instead, he was left with a headache and a story. Yet only one out of the five original board members had bothered to make a police report.

Now let’s think about that for a moment.

Five educated, young LGBTQ people who had an immediate support group, each one also had family members that live near, felt that the police would do nothing, they would not get their property back, and that the cops don’t like queers anyway. Life though, isn’t always as we see it to be, right?

I mean, I hope as you read this you think

back to a moment where someone or something was not who or what you thought them to be. I am not, in any way going to tell you that the police are angels. I am no fool.

But what I can tell you is that in nearly all of those incidents (including the carjacking and wallet mugging) the victim received their property as it had been recovered by SPD, the officers were friendly, and when all was said and done, we, the governing board of the social justice organization, realized we had to have a conversation about what we thought or had thought, and what had actually taken place. So, in December of 2012 I began to attend every single LGBTQ Advisory Council meetings to SPD and I haven’t missed one since. Late last month I was elected, unanimously, chair of the advisory council.

I am not bragging. I am not boasting.

What I am doing is setting up the background for you so you might understand how so many of the changes we see today in the department went down. The only answer I can give you without hesitation is hard work between people who give a damn. In my time of working with SPD, at first at an arm’s length because neither I, nor them, knew if we could really trust each other. Later on, of course, all that has changed. I enjoy a true working relationship with SPD and their transparency whenever dealing with anything – good or bad – is unparalleled by any other City of Seattle department by a long shot.

Now, at the upcoming SPD National Hate Crimes Conference, law enforcement from around the nation and Department of Justice folks will discuss the crime, the investigation and lessons learned from the James Byrd murder; the Matthew Shepard case; how we’re wired to see differences: reacting to prejudice and why hate crimes laws matter; exposing the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States; how hate groups foster fear; passing legislation that is favorable to victims of hate crimes; and much more.

All of this now and to think that it used to be like pulling teeth to get anyone, in so many police departments and city attorney offices, to say that anything was a hate crime. We are headed in the right direction for sure. I don’t want to sound like a broken record or cliché but there certainly is a lot more work to be done. However, there are people like Ritter, and Officer Sina Ebinger before him, that work more hours than I can count and dedicate all that they can give to the community, our safety, and to repairing the relationship between “us” and “them” so one day soon it can be “we.”

Half of all people carry “Gay gene” one study suggests

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor New research suggests that roughly half of all people – including heterosexual women and men – could carry so-called “Gay genes.”

The research suggests that Gay men’s sisters tend to have more children, which may help explain how homosexuality persists in larger populations.

Meanwhile, heterosexual men could also carry genes predisposing them to being Gay. The study was conducted by Giorgi Chaladze of Ilia State University, based in Tbilisi, Georgia.

According to the study, “Gay genes” are continuously passed down through the generations in spite of the fact that homosexuals

14 Seattle Gay News

are still relatively unlikely to have children.

Chaladze utilized a computational model to examine how genes and heredity influence homosexuality, closely monitoring its existence throughout human history and through every culture.

He wanted to discover why genes commonly tied to homosexuality haven’t died out, especially since heterosexual men have five times more kids than homosexual men.

Earlier research that found Gay men are more likely to come from larger families figured into his research, which was published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior.

Chaladze’s research suggests that male homosexuality survives at “low and stable frequencies,” provided that half the men and more than half the women are carrying the genes that predispose men to homosexuality.

April 15, 2016

The consistent prevalence of homosexuality throughout history has been explored by scientists – Credit: Alamy

Studies have identified a genetic link between a person and their sexuality – Credit: Alamy

Celebrating 41 Years!

22 year-old Gay Mormon activist dies by suicide

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

Lincoln Parkin – prwatch.org

ED MURRAY

continued from cover conversation by stressing why it was important to take a stand against hate. “I thought it was very important for a city like Seattle, with one of the most dynamic business communities on the planet, to stand up and say something about this issue...to reflect our values and who we are as a city. We have to express these things.”

He explained that the order means that “we’re not going to be spending our travel dollars for any purposes and have employees working in these states.”

“The city has many employees and there’s a lot of travel involved. That’s what this ban will do.”

Addressing those who view his order as just symbolic, Mayor Murray explained that “symbolism is important.” but added that the move was not just symbolic.

“It’s not just about symbolism, it sends a message to other cities to act, it sends a message to businesses to act, and it is resulting in a national effort that is not helpful to these states...they lose business and op-

Lincoln Parkin, 22, a well-liked and respected LGBTQ activist and Utah-based youth advocate and environmentalist was found dead on April 6.

As medical examiners investigate the case, the consensus is that Parkin’s death was self-inflicted. The young man who inspired so many sadly died by suicide.

“I think he got out of balance physically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially,” said Brent Parkin, Lincoln’s father. “He got pretty extreme with his diet, he got to the point where he felt like God wasn’t there for him, and he isolated himself.”

Julie Van Orden, the former adviser of Weber High School’s Gay-Straight Alliance club, says Parkin was instrumental in making the club flourish.

“It’s this big vibrant group now,” she

says. “And that’s in large part due to what Lincoln did while he was there.”

“He was just a very bighearted kid. I’m a better person for having known Lincoln.

He wanted to change the world, and I think he did just that.”

“He was always talking about not wasting food, recycling, being respectful to animals,” says Bob Hunter, president of the United Way of Northern Utah, who talked about how Parkin promoted responsibility towards the environment. “He was never pushy, but he was insistent enough that we paid attention to it.”

“He inspired us to be better to the Earth.

He was just so kind and thoughtful. He was a very special young man.”

Parkin was actively involved with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

According to his father, he was “so conflicted” about his sexuality because “it was contrary to our religion and to things he thought were true for years,” that he’d stopped being an active member as he grew older.

“My wife and I told him we loved him whether he was Gay or straight. He’s our son, and if he’s Gay, he’s our son even more.

He being Gay was his chemistry, and we embraced it. Our family was behind him 100 percent,” said his father.

According to family and friends, Parkin had been battling depressing for well over a decade.

portunities.”

Although other states have passed antiLGBT legislation in recent years, Mayor Murray stressed that these two states’ laws, along with Indiana’s last year, were different and more extreme.

“Indianapolis was the first place that started passing laws that said, ‘you can discriminate’ and now you see that in North Carolina and Mississippi. That is very different than preventing anti-discrimination laws from passing. We’re reacting to something that’s very new.”

He added that there “are states without any LGBT protections, but they are not passing laws to say it’s okay to fire folks, to not serve folks. This is a step in the wrong direction.”

The Mayor also pointed out that “instead of the LGBT community being engaged in a battle to pass anti-discrimination legislation in states that don’t have them, we find ourselves trying to fight laws that say you can discriminate.”

According to Mayor Murray, both states are now in a position where they have to decide what kind of states they want to be. Inclusive and tolerant or backwards and hateful.

He explained that not only is it the right thing to do, it makes the most business sense.

“One of the things we see around the globe is that when you have cities and countries, and states, that are accepting and tolerant, they attract talented people. It’s just good business practice.”

Towards the end of the interview, Mayor Murray said he has “not heard back from either state” in response to his travel ban, which is not surprising considering the amount of political and business fallout both states have seen in the past few weeks.

Just this week, leaders in both states have been scrambling to deal with the mess they created as international companies and politicians speak out against such laws. LGBT lawmakers in Israel spoke out against the controversial laws while the Deutsche Bank froze its expansion in North Carolina yesterday.

While it’s horrific to see such laws being passed in 2016, it’s more remarkable that these states are even willing to consider such laws given the chaos that ensued in a different state that passed a similar law last year.

Last year Mayor Murray issued a similar ban on travel to Indiana along with a handful of other mayors and a plethora of businesses in response to a similar law passed in that state.

The result? A catastrophe for Indiana and a triumph for Gay rights. A trifecta of political, business, and public pressure forced the state to pass another bill that essentially nullified the first law. The state learned its lesson in encouraging hate while setting an example to neighboring Arkansas, which scrambled to modify its own version of the bill in an attempt to escape the negative fallout Indiana experienced.

It appears legislators in North Carolina and Mississippi have not been paying attention to the direction the country is heading.

Thanks to Mayor Ed Murray and other politicians and business leaders across the country who have taken a stand against such laws, both states are getting the message loud and clear – there’s no place for discrimination in North Carolina, Mississippi, or any other state.

2016 State of the Hill Address and the annual Spirit Award

State of the hill logo – http://www.caphillchamber.org/

The Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) has announced that this year’s State of the Hill address will be held April 20, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Grim’s (1512 11th Ave).

“The State of the Hill is the Chamber’s opportunity to celebrate the successes of 2015 and discuss our plans for 2016,” Mel Burchett, CHCC Community Engagement Manager, said in a media release. “Join fellow chamber members, business owners, public officials and your neighbors for an evening of food, music and fun.”

According to officials, this year’s State of the Hill Address will be the first for current CHCC Executive Director, Sierra Hansen. The evening’s emcee will be The Lady B. “We’ll have an assortment of delicious

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bites from Lost Lake, Poquitos, and Big Mario’s,” said Burchett. “DJ Blueyedsoul will be spinning great tracks throughout the evening and the Awesome Witch of Rad will be offering guests intuitive readings.

We will also be raffling off prizes from local businesses throughout the evening.”

According to officials, the State of the Hill event is a celebration of organizations and individuals who make Capitol Hill a fun, safe, diverse and vibrant place to visit, live and relax. The Chamber will present the 2015 Spirit Award to an individual, organization or business that has shown an outstanding commitment to the Capitol Hill community. The Spirit Award represents the best of Capitol Hill through community service, excellence, and passion for this neighborhood.

As this is the sixth year of presenting the Spirit Award, CHCC will acknowledge previous award winners during the evening: Justin Carder (writer and publisher of the Capitol Hill Seattle blog), Catherine Hillenbrand (for her work with the Champion on Sound Transit TOD site), Kay Rood (as an advocate for Cal Anderson Park and creator of the Cal Anderson Park Alliance), Michael Malone (historic preservation and advocacy around Pike/ Pine) and Chip Ragen and Michael Wells (for their work as founding members of the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce).

For more information about the chamber please call 206-328-6646 or visit http:// www.caphillchamber.org.

April 15, 2016

Seattle Gay News 15

BIGOTS

continued from cover initiatives ultimately qualify for the ballot: “Initiative Measure No. 1504, 1505, 1506, 1507, and 1508 concern gender-segregated facilities and civil liability.

“This measure would repeal protections against gender-identity discrimination in certain public-accommodation facilities, require that public schools restrict use of specific facilities based on anatomy or chromosomal sex, and allow student lawsuits against schools.”

The explanation of the measures that will accompany them will now read: “This measure would repeal Human Rights Commission rules interpreting the Law Against Discrimination as allowing people to use gender-segregated facilities based on gender-identity, restrict similar local laws, and state that, with exceptions, the law does not require allowing ‘private facilities’ based on gender identity. It requires that use of certain public-school facilities be restricted based on birth anatomy

HATE GROUP continued from cover

state via Initiative 1505.

In February, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, one of the largest charities in the Pacific Northwest, donated a $375,000 grant to the ADF to help support North Carolina’s anti-Transgender legislation and others like it across the country.

Murdock is widely respected here in the Northwest for funding arts and education programs but few people know about its anti-LGBT funding, including Gay conversion therapy.

Founded in 1975, the Trust has over $1 billion in assets today and gives out roughly $50 million a year “to enrich the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest by providing grants and enrichment programs to nonprofit organizations that seek to strengthen the

Activists “deeply pleased” Activists working to defend Trans rights said they were delighted by the ruling, although they expect future court fights be-

fore the November elections.

“Thanks to our brilliant attorneys and our fine Community!” Ingersoll Center founder Marsha Botzer said. “It is getting a bit harder to be an opponent of fair, just, and inclusive law. And we all are becoming wiser to the deceptive ways used by our opponents – the way they turn meanings upside down in an Orwellian flourish, attempting to change persecute into protect.”

“Never quit fighting this madness, for surely there is more to come,” Botzer warned.

“I am deeply pleased that Judge Hirsch assigned a fair and accurate ballot title to Initiatives 1504-1508 so that the voters of Washington will clearly understand that they are being asked to repeal 10-year-old antidiscrimination protections for transgender people and to create a ‘bounty’ of $2,500 should classmates find Transgender students in a school bathroom,” Gender Justice League Executive Director Danni Askini told SGN. “Our opponents have made bald-faced lies, used offensive stereotypes, and made

some of the most mean-spirited attacks against Transgender people I have seen.

Judge Hirsch saw right through their cynical arguments and rejected every single one; she even adopted our suggested language on student lawsuits.

“While this isn’t the end of the struggle over the ballot measure, we put a major dent in their plans to move forward. We will continue to fight them every step of the way to ensure that all Washingtonians are able to live their lives safely, true to themselves, and free from violence and discrimination.”

David Ward, Legal & Legislative Counsel for Legal Voice, added, “Ballot title language should be clear, honest, and accurate so voters understand what they are voting on. We hope the court-approved language will help voters understand that this initiative repeals our state’s discrimination protections, which have been in place for 10 years.”

region’s educational, spiritual, and cultural base in creative and sustainable ways.”

While most of these funds go to beneficial projects, it is difficult to understand how financing an Arizona right-wing hate group and their attacks on Trans* people in North Carolina enriches the quality of life here in the Pacific Northwest.

The Murdock Trust has given well over $1 million to ADF since 2000 and has also been pouring money into other right wing hate organizations including Focus on the Family, the Heritage Foundation, the Discovery Institute, and “conversion therapy” groups.

The Trust has recently faced intense criticism over its funding of various right wing organizations.

On January 27, a group of protesters gathered around Wells Fargo’s downtown Seattle office building demanding that a top

bank executive cut his ties with the Murdock Charitable Trust. According to the Portland Business Journal, Jeffrey Grubb, senior managing director for Wells Fargo, is also a Murdock trustee, one of three trustees making decisions on where funds are distributed.

The National Committee on Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) recently warned Murdock about its support of groups like ADF, releasing the following statement: “While NCRP strongly encourages nonprofits and foundations to support civic engagement and advocacy to the full extent they are able to under IRS regulations, this kind of aggressively partisan activity is way over the line, not only inviting scrutiny from regulators but potentially chilling legitimate nonprofit and foundation activities.”

The advice comes as billboards in Portland and Vancouver put additional pressure on Murdock Trustee Jeffrey Grubb to

stop supporting anti-LGBT groups, reading “Oregon Wells Fargo Executive Jeffrey Grubb: Stop supporting groups that promote an anti-LGBT agenda.”

When asked by the Portland Business Journal about the controversial grant, Murdock Executive Director Steve Moore responded that their “grantees have diverse viewpoints, perspectives and missions.”

He added, “We do not expect every person or organization to approve of every grant we make. We respect the rights of organizations and individuals to disagree politically and engage in productive civil discourse.”

According to the Northwest Accountability Project, the group that organized the downtown Seattle protest, the Murdock Trust gave $54 million to rightwing extremist groups over the past 10 years.

or chromosomes, and authorizes lawsuits against schools that grant students access to those facilities based on gender identity.”

Veteran anti-LGBT activist and head of the Family Policy Institute Joseph Backholm complained that the attorney general’s ballot language was not “neutral” as it was supposed to be.

Backhom specifically objected to the phrases “would repeal” and “authorizes lawsuits against schools” because they sounded negative, even if they were true.

Backholm wanted to add language that mentioned “enforcing a right to privacy.”

His organization, the Family Policy Institute, also objected to the terms “segregated” and “civil liability,” because both terms had negative connotations.

After Judge Hirsch’s ruling, however, all the language Backholm objected to will remain in the official descriptions.

Chinese court rules against Gay marriage

Sun Wenlin (left) and Hu Mingliang – GILLES SABRIE / NYT

by Victor Hawthorne SGN Staff Writer A court in southern China has ruled against a Gay couple seeking the right to marry in China’s first court case addressing the issue of same sex unions.

The couple, Sun Wenlin and Hu Mingliang, were refused a marriage license after they tried to register in Changsha, a city of over 7 million people and the capitol of Hunan Province. In a surprising move, a district court accepted the case in January of

16 Seattle Gay News

this year, the first time a Chinese court had agreed to hear such a lawsuit.

The court held a hearing Wednesday morning, reaching a decision just a few hours later.

“I had hope before the trial started, but when I saw the official from Civil Affairs Ministry look at the judge, I knew that the result had been decided in advance,” Wenlin told USA TODAY after the court hearing.

Despite the swift ruling dismissing the case, China’s Gay rights movement is making significant gains.

April 15, 2016

Cheers from hundreds of supporters greeted the couple as they arrived at Furong District People’s Court. The substantial public turnout and coverage by usually conservative Chinese media appears to reflect shifting social attitudes on the topic of LGBT rights.

Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1997 and it was removed from the list of mental illnesses in 2001. In 2014, a Beijing court ruled that Gay conversion therapy was illegal because “homosexuality does not require treatment.” Earlier this week, a labor arbitration panel in the southern province of Guizhou heard China’s first Transgender job discrimination case, with an expected ruling coming in the next few weeks.

However few and far between, such cases represent a significant governmental shift on handling of LGBT issues. Still, it is not clear how far Gay rights activists will be able to go given the current political climate in China, where lawyers groups and feminist activists have been jailed in recent months.

Wenlin has not been immune to government pressure in his legal fight either. He recalled police officers showing up at his home after filing his lawsuit, who encouraged him to drop the case.

“They told me that everyone has the responsibility to carry on the family line and that I am violating traditional beliefs. I told them it’s your freedom to carry on the family line, and my freedom to choose not to,” Wenlin said.

Few legal experts were surprised by the ruling, as Chinese society and the government have generally frowned on nontraditional expressions of gender and sexuality.

Ying Xin, the director of the Beijing LGBT Center explained, “I am not surprised about today’s verdict. There is no understanding of gender pluralism in China,” said Xin. “But the fact that we have entered the era when we can ask for gay marriage, that is a big step,” she added.

Xin is optimistic and credits the shift in public opinion to media coverage.

“This is a moment because of all the news coverage, and people are gaining exposure,” Xin said, pointing out recent coverage of LGBT issues in domestic online and broadcast news outlets.

Hu Mingliang seconded the notion, recalling his own personal experience bringing Wenlin home to the countryside to meet his family and friends, who were not bothered by their same-sex relationship.

“These people knew me for 20 years,” Mingliang said. “If you know someone who is gay, that changes your perspective. It just takes exposure.”

The couple, who plan to appeal the decision to a higher court, explained that their decision to keep fighting is not a personal one but to “secure equality for all people.”

“It is to make gay people’s voices heard,” Wenlin added.

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