SGN Apr 2, 2010 - Section 1

Issue 14 Volume 38

Celebrating 37 Years!

beau & ricky p. 4

innocence lost p. 25

DREAMGIRLS p. 25

Seattle Gay News

FRIDAY April 2, 2010 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands

SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Ricky Martin comes SGN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW out on his own terms Seattle activist Kami Bodily “I am very blessed to be who I am,” singer says sony/bmg

Ricky Martin

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer When pop music star Ricky Martin came out as Gay in a March 29 web posting, the general consensus across the globe was, “Well, duh.”

Seconds after his online admission, the internet was abuzz with chatter about Ricky. Yes, maybe we all did

see Ricky martin page 20

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Kami Bodily

know. But let’s peel the layers off the onion for a second and take a good look.

Ricky came out on his own terms, when he wanted to, and – most importantly – without scandal.

Historically, year after year, the LGBT community has seen our closeted politicians, entertainers, and religious leaders forced out of the closet wearing nothing but a dumb-ass look on their face as the paparazzi snap! snap! snap! photos of the fallen Queer being whisked away by the police for tap-dancing in a bathroom stall, flashing their penis in a park toilet, or stumbling out of a Gay bar and drunk driving down the street with a trick. Each and every time, we

talks about health care reform, Obama, & teabaggers Seattle activist Kami Bodily – in Washington, D.C. for the signing of the historic healthcare reform bill – has vivid memories of the experience.

“We had less than 12 hours’ notice when we flew back for the signing,” she told SGN in an exclusive interview. “We got into D.C. at 6:30 in the morning and we went straight to the White House for the signing at 8:00.”

“We” included Bodily, 11-yearold Marcellas Owens, who became the star witness in Congressional hearings on the bill, his family, and other activists from the Seattle area.

“No sleep,” she shakes her head. see health care page 3

Marcellas Owens in a throng of reporters on his return to Seattle

SGN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW “PFLAG Presents”– HRC President Joe Seattle community Solmonese fires back in good hands

HRC ON LOBBYING ter over the past two weeks as Lt. “HRC and the entire LGBT Dan Choi publicly criticized the nation’s leading Gay rights group, community have worked hard over The battle to allow Gays and the Human Rights Campaign these past years to build support to Lesbians to serve openly in the (HRC). Choi accused the LGBT see HRC page 8 U.S. armed forces seemed to splin- advocacy organization of being

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer

shaun knittel

courtesy HRC

HRC President Joe Solmonese

more concerned about social status than real social change. Many expected a war of words between Choi – a West Point grad and Arabic linguist whose military career came to a screeching halt after he came out as Gay on MSNBC’s Rachael Maddow Show – and HRC President Joe Solmonese, whom Choi says turned his back when Choi asked him to accompany him on a march to the White House to protest “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). However, other than a brief statement following the accusation, Solmonese and the HRC have kept mum about the division – until now.

After publishing a number of articles about Choi’s heroics, SGN contacted Solmonese to give him a chance to tell our readers his side of the story, and to talk about what the HRC has done (and continues to do) to repeal DADT.

Seattle City Councilmember Sally Clark speaks at the March 31 “PFLAG Presents” gathering

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer

“PFLAG Presents” gathering at the 5th Avenue Theatre’s Producer’s Club Lounge on March 31. The The Seattle Chapter of Parents, first in a series of periodic events Families, and Friends of Lesbians, intended to support the LGBT Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender see Pflag page 8 persons (PFLAG) held their first

proud to Be Different

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

Call us at 206.568.2486

2

Seattle Gay News

April 2, 2010

Celebrating 37 Years!

the forms. And I still didn’t get the insurance!” continued from cover Bodily has little patience for the insurance industry, or for “tea party” opponents “It was quite a painful experience.” of health care reform.

Although she says she was exhausted by “They were still in town when we went for the time the signing ceremony in the Oval the signing,” she remembers. “They were Office concluded, Bodily recounts all the very, very angry.” details of her experience with obvious en“Tea baggers!” Bodily thusiasm. grimaces. “It’s insane.

“When we met [Senate Majority Leader] It’s not right. You know, Harry Reid, he noticed Marcellas’ tie was a they dropped $400 or little crooked so he bent down to straighten $600 a night on their it. And then he kind of looked at it like this,” hotel rooms. And they she says, cocking her head and squinting one say they can’t pay for eye, “and he said, ‘Come over here. Take off sick people to get insurthat tie.’ And then he ance?” showed Marcellas “They treated us bad how to tie a tie.” when we went down to “It was so magiOlympia, too – to testify cal, so beautiful,” against cutting medical she smiles. services for kids,” she At the signing ceradds. “We had a lot of emony, Owens took African American kids his place just behind and Hispanic kids – so President Obama’s we had little box lunches desk, while Bodily for them and the tea bagstood toward the gers were chanting ‘no back of the Oval Offree lunch, no free lunch.’ fice “right next to It was awful!” this bust of Martin For Bodily, it brought Luther King.” to mind the nine years “I thought about she spent as an AIDS how much this prevention counselor in was like the civil Idaho. rights movement,” “It was like living with she recalls. “It was the Taliban,” she reMarcellas and Gina Owens meet with reporters amazing. But I also calls. “I couldn’t outside the White House thought about Mareven say anything cellas’s mom and about condoms. all the other people They wouldn’t alwho’d died, so it low it.” was a mix of emo“Everybody tions.” talked about less “There are government. Less millions of peogovernment? Less ple gone – dead taxes? If it wasn’t Marcellas and Gina Owens inform White – not coming for the governHouse security of their appointment back. Marcellas ment, that place with the President isn’t getting his would blow away! mom back. But Try no farm subwhat we can do sidies. No Bureau is to keep this of Land Managefrom happening ment. No reclamaagain,” she contion….” tinues.

Bodily does not “That’s what take credit for her President Obama own part in healthsaid at the signcare reform. Ining. He said we stead she credits can celebrate testimony from now, but we the many indihave a long way viduals who were to go. We have to able to put human educate people faces on America’s (l to r) Monique, Myanna, Marcellas, and Gina Owens return to Seattle to counteract the healthcare crisis. misinformation “The personal put out by corpostories I feel were rations.” the tipping point.

After the cerThe stories of emony, Owens, people struggling Bodily, and against horrendous other guests had odds because insura chance to chat ance companies bebriefly with the came so greedy, and president. they couldn’t stop.”

“We talked to “Who made it him about Capihappen? Lots of tol Hill,” Bodily people,” she consays. “You know, tinues. “HCAN he used to live [Health Care for in a house on America Now, the 13th [AVENUE] activist coalition when he was a at the center of the baby. We made reform movement].

Marcellas meets with Representative Jay Inslee a copy of an old The White House. photo of him and It was not just me, his mom in front it was not just Marof that house and Marcellas gave it to the gotta do it before I die.” cellas. It was all president.” of us. There were Asked if she currently has health insur“He said, ‘Thanks for using that photo. ance, Bodily shrugs. hundreds behind us I remember another one where I was quite and millions behind “Medicaid,” she says, pulling the card out bare,’” Bodily chuckles. them.” of her wallet. “I finally won SSI [Supple“Then, after a few minutes, they showed mental Security income] benefits after nine “And we’re not us out. We had to leave because the prime years of fighting.” done yet,” she adds. minister of Israel [Netanyahu] was schedMarcellas Owens during a rare quiet moment “Be patient,” “I had Primera Blue Cross,” she continuled to come to the White House right after ues. “It was very good insurance.”

Bodily says. “As us.” the dust settles, we Her father provided insurance for her and After the signing, Rep. Jay Inslee (D- the employees of his business, she explains. ing back on her fight to replace her lapsed have a wonderful chance. We can pick and Wash.) took the group to lunch in the Conchoose what we want. We can get a public “Then my dad was late on one payment – insurance. gressional Dining Room.

“They lost half the forms! I was sick and option. Come to the table and let’s get this and thank God dad helped me out, because They also met with Washington Senator without that I would have been homeless on in the hospital and they made me re-do all done for all people.”

health care

Patty Murray – “She told us to keep strong and keeping working on this,” Bodily says – and California Senator Barbara Boxer.

Bodily says she is committed to health care reform because of her own personal experience with the U.S. health care system. Her mother died from lupus – an autoimmune disease – at 40 years old.

Bodily also has the disease.

“I’m in pain and in bed a lot,” she explains. “I have chronic fatigue from the cortisone. I am living to do this because I spent so many years sick in bed and I really don’t think I’ll be here much longer. There’s so much that needs to be done and I’ve

the street. So my dad was late with a payment and we had to reapply even though I was on it for 15 years. They wouldn’t take me back because I had a pre-existing condition.”

“The abuse by insurance companies is too much, just too much!” she exclaims, think-

All photos by Kami Bodily

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April 2, 2010

Seattle Gay News

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Seattle Gay News FOUNDED 1973

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2010

Deadlines Classifieds - Thursday at noon Calendar - Tuesday 6pm Display Ads: Space Reservation - Monday 5pm Ad copy (non-camera ready) - Tues. 5pm Ad copy (camera ready) - Wed. 5pm Letters to the Editor - Tuesday 5pm Obituaries - Call the SGN office All others - Tuesday 5pm

Editor In Chief George Bakan Associate Editor Tom Flint (retired) Editorial Assistant Nick Ardizzone Production William Creswell Calender Editors Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Travel Editor George Bakan Advertising Manager Marty Weisbrod Advertising Department Maggie Bloodstone Executive Assistant Mike Andrew Staff Writers George Bakan, Albert S. Rodriguez, Nick Ardizzone, Shaun Knittel Miryam Gordon, James Whitely, Tim Peter Contributing Writers Rev. Barbara Allen, Mike Andrew, Eric Andrews-Katz, Madelyn Arnold, Maggie Bloodstone, Beau Burriola, Jessica Davis, Ron Anders, Jessica Price, Milton W. Hamlin, Nevin Jefferson, Keen News Service, Jason A. Miller, Liz Meyer, Rod Parke, Don Paulson, Scott Rice, Leslie Robinson, Richard Kennedy, Romeo San Vicente, Rex Wockner Classifieds Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Photographers Nick Ardizzone, Joseph P. Herron, Shaun Knittel, James Whitely National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Website Designer Barry Thorsness/Digital Team Works Seattle Gay News is published weekly by JT&A, Inc. © 2010, JT&A, Inc., all rights reserved. Reprints by permission.

Publication of names, photographs or likenesses of any person, organization, event or business in this publication cannot be taken as any indication of the sexual orientation of the person, organization, event or business.

Opinions expressed in bylined articles, columns, and letters are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or management of this paper.

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We assume no liability for loss or damage of materials, solicited or not. We invite feedback, please write.

And please play safe.

It is our policy that no money shall be refunded if you choose to cancel your subscription or ad. However, credit towards any size ad will be given for the balance owed. No exceptions.

Tour de Life: Leave Ricky alone!!

by Beau Burriola SGN European Correspondent

times. It’s life, and a boy has gotta eat.

Sometimes the easier road is best.

I worked the same office job for eight years and I never came out in that office. It would have been uncomfortable and there was no reason to. Does that mean I am less brave for it? Does it represent a failure to my community? I don’t know. I wasn’t wrestling with philosophical principles; I just wanted things to stay peaceful. I like peace. We all do.

Ricky did the same thing all Gay people on earth – except professional leather men and Gay porn stars – have to do at some point in their lives: He let people think he was straight. He’s probably a decent fellow who will now do more for the Gay community than most of us can do in a lifetime. He joins Rosie and Ellen and Elton and the rest of the Pink Walk of Fame.

Coming out at work isn’t easy for anyone, and if you had been in his position and decided to go ahead and come out and be a world-changing hero, you can probably at least see why he stayed in the closet.

I can see why because I still do it, too. I accept that some mornings I get up and go to work and just let people assume I am straight, because you can only fight a battle worth winning and sometimes it’s more valuable just to keep the peace.

And whether you are a rock star, a starfish fisherman, or rock planter, you like peace at work. And if you do one day come out at work and risk your livelihood, good for you.

You are a saint. As for the rest of us normal people, we’re just us, and you can’t really get mad at people for just being normal.

ing the blaring front-page headline, “Ann Coulter Really Is a Cross Between a Hungry Praying Mantis and a Chihuahua” or “Fred I cracked three eggs over the skillet and Phelps Really is That Eerie Preacher from turned the radio on. I had exactly 25 minutes Poltergeist.”

While this bit of news isn’t particularly inbefore I had to be out the door and off to the teresting in itself, far more interesting to me train. is the reaction of some Queer I don’t normally keep the rafolks on the blogosphere, dio tuned to morning news which portray a because my ears reject cynical timing in anything in French Ricky’s coming before 10:00 in out. Said one the morning, but such reaction: the radio was “It’s easy to already on the come out when news and in my you’re a hasmorning lazibeen and your ness, I just left it career is dead.” there.

Said another, “Now? So when the big Why bother?” Ouch.

French news of the day My friend Hong says he was that Ricky Martin was should have come out a long time Gay, I was really waiting for something else to come through in translation. ago, and even my buddy Rich says, “It’s a Like maybe “was caught in Gay scandal” slap in the face to guys in Mississippi who or “was opening the Gay Parade” – or really come out and actually are courageous.”

Now, I know it’s hard for a lot of us to just anything in addition to “Gay.” But that spare loads of empathy for millionaire suwas it.

The world headline was just “Ricky Mar- perstars – especially pretty ones. I get it. But I would quietly point out that what Ricky tin Really Is Gay.” It’s a bit like opening your paper and see- did was what millions of Gay folks face at work every day: Sometimes you work in a Beau Burriola is a writer struggling to job where being out isn’t easy and you hide make his hips do that thang. beaubrent@ a bit. Everyone does it, even if just some- gmail.com

“While this bit of news isn’t particularly interesting in itself, far more interesting to me is the reaction of some Queer folks on the blogosphere.”

In Loving Memory Of Steve Foiles, Scott Roger Alpert, Cookie Andrews-Hunt, James Leland Moore, Randy Peters, Lee Richeson, Shaun Shelton, Jim Tully, James Arnold

4

Seattle Gay News

April 2, 2010

Celebrating 37 Years!

SOaP announces 2010 Pride events

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer

Seattle Out and Proud (SOaP), producers of the annual Seattle Pride Parade, announced on March 24 their collaboration with Esurance for this year’s inaugural Seattle Pride Family Picnic.

According to SOaP officials, the organization is enthusiastic about the collaboration with the direct-to-consumer personal auto insurance company. The Seattle Pride Picnic is scheduled at Volunteer Park on June 13. SOaP officials say that everyone is welcome, and kids between 7 and 11 years old will enjoy a Soap Box Car installation. In addition, Esurance will have a photo booth set up.

“One of the points consistently raised by many in the LGBT community is that, other than the parade itself, Pride Month doesn’t have enough family-oriented or under-21 events,” said SOaP President Eric Gauthier.

“The Seattle Pride Family Picnic is sure to become one of our most attended and enjoyed events. With the park setting, great food and music, Soap Box Cars, and the support of sponsors like Esurance, it’s going to be hard to find a better place to be on June 13.”

Additionally, Esurance has been named the presenting sponsor of “Pride Idol,” the

hugely popular talent search and surprise hit of Pride 2009. The event is revving up again, with preliminary auditions scheduled to begin this month.

Last year, Pride Idol was presented on Tuesday nights – this year, the competition takes place on Sundays. The first Pride Idol preliminary will be held on April 11, with the competition running for seven weeks and ending with a Pride Idol finale on June 20.

According to SOaP, winners of the talent search will be awarded cash and additional prizes and will get to ride on the official Seattle Pride Idol float in the Seattle Pride Parade on June 27. All Pride Idol events are scheduled to take place at R Place on Capitol Hill.

The 2010 “Over the Rainbow” Pride Parade will celebrate, among other victories, the passage of Referendum 71, a historic milestone that places the state of Washington squarely at the forefront of LGBT civil rights issues.

SOaP helps to connect community members, commemorate LGBT heritage, and achieve equal rights in Seattle.

For more information regarding the Seattle Pride Parade, Pride Idol, and the Pride Family Picnic, visit SOaP’s official website at www.seattlepride.org, or call the organization’s office at 206-322-9561, or e-mail SOaP at info@seattlepride.org.

Out Lesbian Chai Feldblum appointed to EEOC

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer President Obama appointed openly Lesbian law professor Chai Feldblum to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on March 27.

Feldblum is currently a professor at Georgetown University School of Law, and is co-director of the university’s Federal Legislation and Administrative Clinic.

She has also served as legislative counsel for the ACLU in D.C., and as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun.

Feldblum played a key role in drafting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), and negotiating the final language with Congressional committee staff.

Should ENDA pass Congress, the EEOC will be charged with developing rules to implement it. The EEOC is also empowered to investigate complaints, file suits against employers, and resolve claims against federal agencies.

Feldblum was one of 15 “recess appointments” announced by the president.

If the U.S. Senate goes into recess before acting on nominations made by the president – as it now has for its spring break – he may make the appointments without their consent.

The 15 recess appointees are expected to begin work next week and will be able to serve without Senate confirmation until the end of 2011.

Although a Senate committee approved Feldblum’s appointment last December, one Senate Republican put an anonymous and unspecified hold on her nomination. Under Senate rules, any senator can put any nominee on indefinite hold for any reason, without identifying him or herself.

Feldblum’s appointment was reportedly held up because of her prior record of activism on LGBT issues.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, for example, warned senators that “Feldblum intends to use her position of influence as EEOC commissioner to force private institutions to follow her radical vision of society, through the enforcement of aggressive and intrusive employment nondiscrimination laws.”

Feldblum’s signature on a July 2006 state-

ment titled “Beyond Same-Sex Marriage” particularly enraged conservatives. The statement says that that “marriage is not the only worthy form of family or relationship, and it should not be legally and economically privileged above all others.”

It also suggests that many people in nontraditional households “stand to gain from alternative forms of household recognition beyond one-size-fits-all marriage.”

Feldblum subsequently repudiated the 2006 statement, and denied she personally favors polygamy or other controversial household arrangements.

According to White House Deputy Communications Director Jen Psaki, Pres.

Obama has 77 nominees currently pending in the Senate. Fifty-eight of them have been waiting for over two weeks, and 44 of those have been waiting more than a month.

In contrast, by this same time in Pres.

Bush’s first term, he had only five nominees still awaiting confirmation.

The White House expressed frustration at the delay, and charged that Republican moves to block Pres. Obama’s nominees were politically motivated.

“The United States Senate has the responsibility to approve or disapprove my nominees,” Pres. Obama said in a statement. “But if, in the interest of scoring political points, Republicans in the Senate refuse to exercise that responsibility, I must act in the interest of the American people and exercise my authority to fill these positions on an interim basis.”

Besides Feldblum other recess appointments include NAACP Legal Defense Fund Counsel Jacqueline Berrien to chair the EEOC, and union lawyers Craig Becker and Mark Pearce to sit on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Becker, who has worked for SEIU, the country’s largest single union, and the AFLCIO, its largest labor federation, was especially controversial with Republicans.

Psaki’s statement notes that both the EEOC and the NLRB lacked a quorum and were unable to function while the president’s nominees were held up by Senate Republicans.

Berrien’s nomination had been held up for 254 days. Becker and Pearce had been waiting 261 days. Feldblum was first nominated by the president on September 16, 2009.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CUFF Gay bars come and go in the Seattle area and throughout our country, with some of these watering holes surviving because of hard-working employees and management. The winners in this competition have learned that industrious, creative, and dedicated personnel, plus supervisors, really do make the difference. All of these people insure quality and superior public relations, creating very positive environments.

Celebrating an anniversary means two things: good management and exceptional employees. The Cuff is without a doubt

outstanding because of its longevity in the area where Gay men and women feel comfortable in patronizing throughout the years because of the environment that encourages socialization, personable employees, and management that cares about patrons.

Some of the older guard – Charles, Dan, and Jeff – have seen many changes since the opening of the bar 17 years ago, including a patio, dance floor, and food service.

The Cuff is remarkable.

Buzz Flowers Callaway

Oklahoma not OK as anti-Gay Senate bungles bills

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer In trying to sabotage enforcement of new hate crimes laws protecting LGBT people, the Oklahoma State Senate accidentally declared their state exempt from federal laws protecting race and religion.

As reported in SGN (March 12), the Oklahoma Senate voted 39-6 to require state prosecutors to destroy evidence collected in investigations under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act, or to turn it over to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

The stated intention of the bill’s author, Republican Sen. Steve Russell, was to thwart U.S. Justice Department investigation of hate crimes targeting LGBT victims.

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the FBI would typically rely on evidence collected by state or local authorities. Without access to such evidence, they would not be able to establish a case.

Russell made one mistake, however: He cited the wrong federal law code section in

his bill.

Protections for sexual orientation and gender identity are in Title 18 U.S. Code Section 249, but the Oklahoma bill cited Section 245 instead. Section 245 refers to crimes motivated by race or religion.

Oklahoma Senate Minority Leader Andrew Rice (D-Oklahoma City) pointed out the defect on March 27.

“The bill in its current form doesn’t take away rights from Gays and Lesbians,” Rice said. ‘It takes away rights for religion and race.”

The Oklahoma House of Representatives has not yet voted on the measure. If they amended it to cite the correct section of the federal law code, the bill would have to return to the Senate side for another vote.

Even if passed by Oklahoma’s legislature, nullification of federal law is unlikely to stand up to federal court tests.

Opponents of Russell’s bill argue it would expose Oklahoma officials to federal obstruction of justice charges if they failed to turn over evidence demanded by federal investigators.

C. Wight Reade

September 25, 1923-March 13, 2010 C. Wight Reade, Jr., M.D. passed away after a long battle with cancer on March 13, 2010 at his Seattle, WA home. He was born September 25, 1923 in Toledo, Ohio to Carleton Wight Reade and Margaret Bushong Reade Wall. Dr. Reade was a pediatrician in Olympia, WA for 25 years before board-certifying as a radiologist. He served on the radiology staff of the Seattle Veteran’s Hospital and Virginia Mason before his retirement.

Dr. Reade was involved in many civic and philanthropic groups throughout his lifetime, with special loyalty to the Seattle Men’s Chorus, the Seattle Opera, Center for Spiritual Living, Border Riders, and the Gay Fathers Association of Seattle.

Many remember Wight as an owner of the popular Ritz Restaurant and for his loving support of Glo’s Restaurant, where he greeted neighbors each morning as they walked along Olive Way. He is survived by his partner, Darwin Goetz; three daughters, Susan Reade Lund, Dr. Sarah Scott Reade, and Mary Reade Larson; by his four grandchildren, Sarah and Margaret (Maggie) Lund, Abby and James Larson; as well as his sister Mary Wall O’Leary and his beloved stepsister Joan Reade Kelly. His sister Elizabeth Reade Teague McAfee preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 10, 2010 in the Grand Lobby of the Seattle Opera House at noon with a social hour prior to the service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Remembrances and notes of life-celebration are encouraged by e-mailing WightMemories@gmail.com. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Seattle Men’s Chorus or the Seattle Opera.

April 2, 2010

Seattle Gay News

5

Dateline Indonesia – Mob breaks up international conference

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

A mob of Muslim fundamentalists attacked an international LGBT conference in Surabaya, Indonesia, on March 26.

Intimidated by the mob, Indonesian police banned the conference, and two of the host hotels evicted conference participants.

The conference had been organized by ILGA-Asia, a branch of the International Lesbian and Gay Association.

The conference had originally been scheduled for the French-owned Mercure Hotel, but after Muslim leaders threatened the management on March 25, the hotel abruptly canceled the conference and evicted participants from their rooms.

The conference was then transferred to the locally owned Oval Hotel.

Speaking by phone with Gay City News, ILGA Co-Secretary-General Renato Sabbadini, said that the mob invaded and occupied the Oval Hotel at around 1:00 p.m.

on March 26, shortly after Friday morning prayer services in the city’s mosques had concluded.

“The mob invaded the lobby of the [Oval] hotel and would not leave unless the police and the hotel management would guarantee that our conference would not go forward,” Sabbadini told Gay City News.

The mob reportedly grew from about 50 people to 150.

According to Sabbadini, “The police claimed they were powerless to assure the security of the participants in our conference, with the local police passing the buck to the national police, while the national police said it was purely a local matter.”

Indonesian newspapers said the mob was organized jointly by the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) – described by the Jakarta Post as a “radical” group of “hardline” fundamentalists – and the Indonesian Council of Ulema, an association of Muslim clerics.

“The rule of law was basically suspend-

ed during the occupation by the Islamists, and both the police and the hotel management gave in completely to the demands of the mob’s leaders, who threatened to call in reinforcements if their demands were not met,” Sabbadini said. “The hotel management even went so far as to give a complete list of the conference participants staying in the hotel to the mob.

“Later that evening, mob members conducted a floor-by-floor sweep of the hotel, going to the rooms of conference participants to make sure they had left.”

Conference participant Joel Bedos, staff coordinator of the Paris-based International Day Against Homophobia Committee (IDAHO) said, “We had to hide in our hotel rooms, where we were confined, because a mob of men outside the hotel screamed threats at us as soon as they saw someone at the hotel’s windows.”

According to the Jakarta Globe, “When the ILGA members planned to hold a news conference after the raid, the Islamic Defenders Front members prevented them, leading to another skirmish.”

King Oey, a member of Indonesia’s oldest Gay group, GAYa Nusantara, reported that he was repeatedly punched by one of the mob leaders for refusing to turn over a list of participants.

According to the ILGA, 150 people from 14 Asian countries, including 60 Indonesians, attended the conference.

Indonesia, a nation of some 230 million

people, has the world’s largest Muslim population. According to the country’s 2000 census, 86.1 percent of Indonesians are Muslims.

“East Java is a hotbed of Islamic fundamentalism and extremism, which makes it one of the most hostile parts of Indonesia for LGBT people,” Oey told Gay City News, “and the rise of these extremist groups here are the biggest threat to us now – more so than the police.”

Oey reported that the Islamic Defenders Front was particularly dangerous. They “will use violence against LGBT people any time they think they can get away with it,” he said.

The Front’s secretary-general, Muhammad Chaenruddin, told Jakarta Post that “The foreigners were told to leave because Surabaya Muslims believe the conference was against religious values and teachings.

We forced them to leave by Sunday, and we also told them not to make a media statement.”

There is no national law making homosexuality illegal in Indonesia, but many provinces and cities have laws against “moral vice” that criminalize homosexuality along with prostitution and drug abuse.

According to Oey, “In general, the media here treat homosexuality as hype, and while a few newspapers have somewhat neutral or realistic treatment of homosexuality, for the most part an ingrained homophobic bias persists.”

U.K. partnerships show INTERNATIONAL progress since 2004 NEWS

by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Two civil partnership ceremonies celebrated in Britain March 27 show how far the United Kingdom has come since Britain’s Civil Partnership Act was passed in 2004.

In one ceremony, Labor Member of Parliament Chris Bryant was united with Jared Cranney in Westminster Palace, the home of Britain’s Parliament.

In the other, Lance Corporal James Wharton was united with Thom McCaffrey at the Westminster Registry Office and then returned to his regimental barracks for his wedding reception.

The Civil Partnership Act gives same-sex couples the same public recognition, legal protections, and inheritance rights as opposite-sex married couples.

Bryant, M.P. for the Rhondda district since 2001, met Cranney on the election campaign trail in April last year.

Bryant was formerly a Church of England curate and chaplain, and later the European Affairs bureau chief at BBC. Opposite-sex weddings have already been held in Parliament’s chapel on the Westminster Palace grounds, but as a Church of England venue it would not accommodate same-sex civil partnerships.

Commons Speaker John Bercow personally intervened to get permission from Westminster City Council to hold the ceremony on the Parliament grounds.

In a statement after the ceremony, the couple thanked Bercow for helping to make their “really special day” possible.

Bercow also hosted the reception in the Speaker’s House with guests including Labor Party Deputy Leader Harriet Harman. A noted feminist, Harmon is the prime sponsor of Labor’s Equality Act, forbidding discrimination on a variety of grounds including sexual orientation and gender identity.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown advocated for allowing same-sex commitment ceremonies on Parliament’s grounds last year in testimony to the speaker’s conference on diversity at Westminster.

“We never thought this day would come – and never thought we’d have to worry about cakes and flowers and rings,” Bryant and Cranney said in their statement. “It’s amazing how much things have changed in such a short time.

“Only a few years ago, there was a dif-

6

Seattle Gay News

ferent Gay age of consent, you could sack people or refuse to serve them just because of their sexuality, and Gays were banned from the military, from adopting, or getting married.

“Parliament is special because it has made it possible. We are delighted that everyone in the U.K. can now share in a privilege that used to be available just to straight M.Ps.” Meanwhile, a few blocks to the west at the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment’s barracks in Knightsbridge, LCpl James Wharton was celebrating his union with Thom McCaffrey.

Guests included all the regimental officers and the families of the couple. The curry lunch was personally overseen by the regimental master chef.

Wharton wore his ceremonial dress uniform with Iraq service medal, and McCaffrey wore formal morning dress with an orchid.

The two met several years ago in their hometown in Wales, but only decided to make it official during a holiday in New York.

“We just clicked when we met. We laugh a lot together,” said McCaffrey. “It is really quite strange. I went to the regiment’s Christmas ball and we were the first Gay couple to go there and everyone was really nice. I would have thought they would have been more old-fashioned but they have been brilliant.”

“The lads joked it was the Gay event of the year. Everyone was excited. It was the talk of the barracks. This generation of soldiers is completely liberal,” Wharton said of the reception.

“The Household Cavalry has a fine tradition of leading from the front, so it is unsurprising that we continue to represent the face of the modern Army,” said regimental commanding officer, Lt-Col Crispin Lockhart MBE. “We recognize and value individuals from diverse backgrounds who bring fresh ideas, knowledge, experience, and talent to the regimental family.”

“This is our first Gay wedding,” explained Wharton’s stepfather Philip Ellis. “We come from north Wales and some people are still old-fashioned.”

After a honeymoon in San Francisco, the young couple will be heading home to their new married quarters, which were renamed Service Family Accommodation when the Civil Partnership Act took effect in 2005.

April 2, 2010

Skinheads attack U.S. legal observers say there is little Bulgarian Gay rally chance of success for such a lawsuit.

Six skinheads were arrested in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria, on March 20 after they atHungarian court upholds tacked Gay and Lesbian activists who were Gay partnership law protesting a City Council decision to ban Hungary’s Constitutional Court upheld public displays of homosexuality. the nation’s same-sex registeredThe protesters, from the partnership law March 23. youth group LGBT in Conservative forces – Action, had traveled to including the Christian the city from Sofia, Democratic People’s the capital.

Party, the Society When the skinfor Christian Phyheads attacked, sicians in Hunpolice officers, gary, the Pro led by the poLife Forum, and lice chief, representatives knocked them of Faith Church to the ground – had argued in and arrested nine petitions them, accordthat the law uning to the Sofia dermined marNews Agency. riage, discriminatThe skinheads ed against straight reportedly yelled, people, violated mo“Go to Uganda, rality and harmed chilfreaks.” dren, among other things.

LGBT in Action has filed The court disagreed on all a challenge to the new local law points. with the national anti-discrimination comThe law grants registered partners most mission. of the rights of marriage, with the exception of access to adoption and assisted reDutch Gay group production, and the right to take a spouse’s plans to sue U.S. general last name.

The Dutch foundation Pink Army said March 22 it will sue retired U.S. general and U.N. to target Gay sex bans former NATO commander John Sheehan in UNAIDS, a grouping of 10 United Nafederal court in California for slander and tions agencies, will launch a new campaign defamation. to repeal laws that criminalize Gay sex in 85 Appearing before a congressional com- of the world’s approximately 194 nations. mittee looking at the U.S. military’s “Don’t UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Ask, Don’t Tell” policy March 18, Sheehan Sidibe said countries that criminalize homosaid the Dutch military failed to stop the sexuality can see HIV transmission levels 1995 genocide in Bosnia because, among 10 times higher than nations that do not, in other things, the presence of openly Gay part because criminalization discourages Dutch soldiers weakened the force. people from seeking medical care.

Pink Army said it plans a class-action suit and wants Sheehan to retract the statement, Anti-Lesbian Spanish judge apologize at a press conference and in interwill stay suspended national newspapers, and attend sensitivity Spain’s Constitutional Court has refused training. an appeal from a judge in Murcia who was “Sheehan’s comment dishonors and banned from office for 10 years by the Sucheapens the sacrifice that brave Gay men preme Court after he refused to let a Lesbian and women have made in military service to adopt her partner’s child. Judge Ferrín Cathe Netherlands,” said Pink Army founder lamita also must pay the woman 6,000 euros Peter Schouten. “They are willing to make ($8,040). the ultimate sacrifice every day and this should not be smeared with such a lie.”

With assistance from Bill Kelley

When the skinheads attacked, police officers, led by the police chief, knocked them to the ground and arrested them, according to the Sofia News Agency.

Celebrating 37 Years!

Spectrum Natural Health at Country Doctor Community Health Clinic, 500 19th Ave. E., offers primary and naturopathic care for the LGBTQ community every Thursday, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Providers have compiled by Rick McKinnon been serving the LGBTQ community for SGN Staff Writer many years. Cost is sliding scale – no one turned away for lack of funds. For informaFREE RÉSUMÉ AND nation at the door. www.JetChapterKofM. tion and to make an appointment, call 206JOB SEARCH WORKSHOPS 299-1600. com.

South Seattle Community College’s WorkSource Center is partnering with the “LABOR’S STAKE THREE DOLLAR BILL Seattle Public Library and the King CounIN ENDING THE WARS” – CINEMA PRESENTS ty Library System to offer résumé and job AN EVENING WITH “INNOCENCE LOST” search workshops. The Seattle Public LiMICHAEL EISENSCHER SPRING FILM SERIES brary events will be held at the downtown CO-FOUNDER US LABOR See page 25 in this week’s SGN for details Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Room 4 or visit www.threedollarbillcinema.org.

AGAINST THE WAR on Level 4. No registration is required, but On Thursday, April 8 at 7 p.m., join Pride seating may be limited. For more informaat Work (AFL-CIO) MLK County Chapter, EMERALD CITY tion, contact South Seattle Community ColJobs With Justice, Student Anarchist Study SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION’S lege WorkSource Center at 206-764-5304 Group, UAW Local 4121, Harry Bridges SPRING SEASON & or visit www.southseattle.edu for complete Center for Labor Studies, and Common AcECSA OPEN DIVISION schedule. tion, for an enlightening presentation and KICK-OFF AT PURR Come celebrate the start of the ECSA discussion at The Labor Temple, Hall 6, SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOOD Open Division’s 30th Anniversary season 2800 1st Ave. CLEAN-UP – on Sunday, April 4, at 4 p.m., at Purr, 1518 IT’S TIME FOR SPRING CLEAN 40TH ANNIVERSARY 11th Ave. This year more than 500 players Spring has arrived and Seattleites are will be playing on 35 teams – up from 32 MR., MISS & MS. GAY gearing up to take part in the city’s longest- teams last year.

WASHINGTON PAGEANT running neighborhood cleanup program – Mr. Gay Washington ‘09-’10, Matt SurVisit www.emeraldcitysoftball.org for inSpring Clean. Spring Clean, now in its 24th formation about the Emerald City Softball real Cache, and Miss Gay Washington ‘09year, runs from April through May. Association’s Open League for Gay and ’10, The Surreal Roxanne Von Cummings, Spring Clean activities include painting non-Gay men and women. invite you to the 40th Anniversary of the out graffiti, picking up litter and illegally Visit www.eteamz.com/womensecsa for Ms., Miss, and Ms. Gay Washington Pagdumped materials, stenciling storm drains, information about the Emerald City Softball eant at the LaQuinta Inn, 1425 E. 27th St., cleaning school yards, removing invasive Association’s Women’s League for Gay and Tacoma. www.laquinta.com.. plants in planting strips and traffic circles, non-Gay women only.

The Last Show and Awards will be held and planting trees. All projects are conducton Friday, April 9, door at 7 p.m., show at 8 ed on public property. p.m. Cost: $20.

IN THE LIFE TV The City of Seattle supports volunteers The Gay Washington Pageant will be held “DISMANTLING HATE” with FREE bags, gloves, safety vests, and On Sunday, April 4, at midnight, KCTS- on Saturday, April 10, door at 5 p.m., show waste disposal. Spring Clean information, TV, Channel 9, broadcasts In the Life TV’s at 6 p.m. Cost: $40, includes elaborate bufincluding neighborhood cleanup activities April episode, “Dismantling Hate.” The fet. and sign-up packets, is available by calling program talks with hate crime victims and The Victory Brunch will be held on Sun206-233-7187 or by visiting www.seattle. perpetrators about the nature of hate. The day, April 11, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost: $26. gov/util/springclean. program also visits with artist Alix Smith, IMMIGRATION REFORM RALLY who is traveling the country photographing GAY GAMES VIII On Saturday, April 10, at noon, the Washhundreds of same-sex couples, challenging COLOGNE 2010 sterotypes and taking conventional portrai- ington Immigration Reform Coalition, an alSEEKING VOLUNTEERS ture to a new level. The program can also liance of over 50 organizations, faith groups, The Cologne Gay Games, July 31-August be watched online throughout the month community groups and labor unions, is 7, is seeking volunteers to help with the pre- of April at www.inthelifetv.org. hosting “Immigration Reform Rally: We sentation of the games. Visit the “Take Part” Can’t Afford to Wait!” at Occidental Park, page at www.games-cologne.com for comjust east of 1st Ave. S. between S. WashingGSBA PRIME TIME EAST plete details.

On Tuesday, April 6, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., ton St. and S. Main St., in Seattle’s Pioneer join GSBA members and friends at the Square. Communities across the country AN EVENING WITH Grand Cru Wine Bar, 1020 108th Ave. N.E., will be participating in this national day of DINA MARTINA Bellevue, for an after-work networking so- action to ensure our representatives know The incomparable Dina Martina presents cial. FREE. Sponsored by the Greater Se- we want comprehensive immigration rea new evening (or matinee, if you prefer) attle Business Association, Seattle’s LGBT form. of hilarious songs, stories, videos and au- Chamber of Commerce. 206-363-9188; dience gifts that will knock your socks off. www.thegsba.org.

SEATTLE QUAKE RUGBY Because Dina Martina’s performances have HOME GAME been described as “totally fresh” and “unThe Seattle Quake Rugby hosts their final 5TH ANNUAL like anything you’ve ever seen,” it’s next home game this season on Saturday, April QOLOR’S RECEPTION to impossible to effectively describe what On Wednesday, April 7, from 5-7 p.m., 10 (vs. Corvallis). All games are played at a Dina Martina show is like. It is, however, at the Walker Ames Room in Kane Hall, on Magnuson Park, Field #5, 7400 Sand Point easy to list some things the show IS: hysteri- the UW’s main campus off Red Square, the Way NE. Kickoff at 1 p.m. www.quakerugcally funny, surprisingly smart, hilariously University of Washington’s Q Center and by.org. stupid, occasionally obscure, surreal, sweet, the Ethnic Cultural Center/Theatre invite full of pathos. The show runs March 5-April you to the 5th Annual Qolors Reception as a SEATTLE CELEBRATES 18 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and time to celebrate Queer People of Color and BERNSTEIN FESTIVAL Sundays at 2 p.m. Doors open one hour pri- Queers of Color contributions to the UW WITH SEATTLE OPERA or to show time. Tickets are $20 in advance and the Queer communities at large. Listen On Saturday, April 10, at 2 p.m., Seattle and $25 at the door. 1-800-838-3006 or to awesome speakers, participate in a com- Opera presents a FREE panel discussion, www.brownpapertickets.com/event/93619. munity art project and mix and mingle. For “Collaborating with Bernstein” featuring No one under 21 years old admitted.

Daron Aric Hagen, Peter Kazaras and Stemore information, call 206-897-1430. phen Wadsworth. The event, moderated SEATTLE GAY FLAG FOOTBALL

by Seattle Opera General Director Speight SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN LEAGUE SPRING GAMES BOOK CLUB AT DUNSHEE HOUSE Jenkins with performances by soprano JenSeattle Gay Flag Football League seeks The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club nifer Zetland and mezzo-soprano Cecelia players of all skill levels for weekly Satur- meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Dun- Hall, will be held at Seattle Town Hall, 1119 day practices and games. Final spring sea- shee House, 303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas 8th Ave. at Seneca St. Although the event is son game is scheduled for Saturday April 3 St. The club is pleased to announce the fol- free, ticket reservations are required and at 3 p.m. at Georgetown Playfield, S. Homer lowing title to be discussed in their ongo- can be made by calling the Seattle Opera St. & Corson Ave. S. Practices and games ing reading and discussion series: April – ticket office at 206-389-7676 or 800-426are open to spectators. There will be a sum- The Last of the Wine by Mary Renault. All 1619. For more information on this event, mer break with pick-up games scheduled GLBTQ folks in the community are wel- visit www.seattleopera.org/calendar. Seattle during the summer. League practice and come to participate in this free book club. Celebrates Bernstein is a city-wide arts fesplay will return in the fall. For more infor- The reading list is chosen and the discussion tival honoring the great composer and conmation, contact Manager Rich at atlasrich@ facilitated by Nick DiMartino, published ductor. The festival, which runs from March hotmail.com or join the Seattle Gay Flag novelist and playwright, currently a book to June, is a combined effort by local arts Football League group on Facebook. reviewer for ShelfAwareness.com, and a 30- organizations – orchestras, choruses, and year employee of University Book Store. theater companies – to present Bernstein’s KNIGHTS OF MANTRA’S For more information, email nickdimartin@ works. www.seattlecelebratesbernstein.org.

SIR GUY 2010 CONTEST earthlink.net or contact Dunshee House at On Saturday, April 3, door at 6 p.m., con- 206-322-2437.

“WE’VE GOT FRIENDS test at 7 p.m., join the Knights of Mantra at ‘ROUND HERE” – The Cuff Complex, 1533 13th Ave. at E. CAMP TEN TREES’ COUNTRY DOCTOR Pine St., for the Sir Guy 2010 men’s leather DINNER & AUCTION COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC title contest, with silent auction and 50/50 FUNDRAISER OFFERS HEALTH CARE NIGHT raffle fundraisers and leather fantasy. $5 doFOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY

NORTHWEST

NEWS

Visit us online www.sgn.org

April 2, 2010

Come celebrate the first ten years of Camp Ten Trees on Saturday, April 10, at the 10th Annual Camp Ten Trees Dinner and Auction. The event will be held at the Westin Cascade Ballroom, 1900 Fifth Ave., starting at 6 p.m. Enjoy dinner, fabulous auction and entertainment. Tickets: $90-individual; $125-VIP. Get your tickets by April 8 at www.camptentrees.org. Camp Ten Trees is a summer camp for LGBT kids and children of LGBT parents.

SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS PRESENTS OLÉ!, OLÉ!, OLÉ!

On Saturday, April 10 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, April 11 at 2 p.m., The Seattle Men’s Chorus presents their spring concert, Olé!, Olé!, Olé!, at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St. Don’t miss this HOT retrospective of the sounds and flavors of Latin America and Spain. The Seattle Men’s Chorus will serenade you with zarzuela of Spanish opera, tangos of Argentina and salsas of Brazil and Cuba. Dance the night away with the greatest hits of famous contemporary Latino vocal artists: Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” Jennifer Lopez’s “Let’s Get Loud,” Selena’s “Como la Flor,” Julio Ingelsias’ “Un Hombre Solo,” and Gloria Estefan’s “Conga.” Tickets are $30-$35, $15 youth (17 and under). 206-388-1400; www.flyinghouse.org.

The SMC also presents Olé!, Olé!, Olé!

Saturday, April 17 at 7 p.m., at the Admiral Theatre in Bremerton and Saturday, May 1, at 2 p.m. at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia.

CAPITOL HILL PRIDE COMMITTEE RECEIVES CITY GRANT, ISSUES OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS The Capitol Hill Pride Committee is proud to announce it has received a Small and Simple Matching Fund Project Grant from the City of Seattle Mayor’s Office. We are delighted as this will afford better development and outreach for the community festival this year.

The committee is also announcing an Open Call to all artists and entertainers.

Please submit your information to capitolhillfestival@gmail.com with “ARTIST” in the subject line for committee review.

Deadline: April 15, 2010.

LGBT LIBRARY NOW OPEN The LGBT Library houses a wide range of fiction and non-fiction works of interest to those in the LGBT community and its allies. The Library is located at Gay City’s offices, on the ground floor behind Kaladi Brothers Coffee (just follow the signs).

Library hours are Mon-Fri, 3-7 p.m., and Saturday, 3-5 p.m. Items may be borrowed free of charge; however, ID is required. For your convenience, a drop box for returning borrowed items is available next to the front door when the library is closed.

LGBT RESOURCE & REFERRAL LINE The Resource & Referral Line can connect you to LGBT-friendly resources throughout Puget Sound and beyond. Coming out and just learning what is out there? Visiting and want to know about nightlife options? Interested in drug or alcohol counseling? For these or any other LGBT issues, call 206323-LGBT. Phone line hours are Mon-Fri, 3-7 p.m., and Saturday, 3-5 p.m. Leave a voice message at all other times and your call will be returned. Alternatively, you can view our resource lists at www.gaycity.org under the resources menu.

GAY CITY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR LGBT LIBRARY AND RESOURCE & REFERRAL LINE Gay City Health Project’s newest program needs your help! They have taken charge of the 323-LGBT community resource line and need your help to make it successful! Some duties include answering phones, connecting people to resources, updating material for their records, checking out books and reshelving. If you are interested, please contact Susan at 206-388-1707 or email her at susan@gaycity.org.

Seattle Gay News

7

Pflag

continued from cover community by celebrating families, teaching tolerance, and advocating justice by engaging the local community in dialogue about LGBT issues, the gathering spotlighted three out local elected officials: Seattle City Councilmembers Sally Clark and Tom Rasmussen, and Washington State Senator Joe McDermott, who represents the 34th Legislative District.

The discussion, moderated by Seattle Channel City Inside/Out host C.R. Douglas, was an evening of thoughtful dialogue and renewed community connections. Throughout the two-hour, town hall-style forum, conversations with the politicos centered around their personal experiences as members of the LGBT community and how that affected their approaches to politics and policy. The group also discussed ideas on reducing hate crimes, promoting equality and workplace fairness, the future of the local LGBT community, and ways to strengthen collective goals.

Clark, McDermott, and Rasmussen, with the help of moderator Douglas and Seattle PFLAG President Barbara Clark-Elliott, successfully created a community feeling by talking about issues that any LGBT person could relate to. Topics were heavy on personal experience and focused less on political posturing. Truth be told, all discussion was light-hearted, and by the end of the forum it was clear that as far as LGBT advocacy is concerned, Seattle is in good hands.

Although there were a number of topics that stood out, it was the question-and-answer portion of the forum that empowered the audience and brought the PFLAG Presents event full-circle.

When asked about the lack of Seattle Police Department (SPD) foot patrols on Capitol Hill, both Clark and Rasmussen agreed that it was a needed service. “Foot patrols are a great way to make our streets feel safe and civil,” said Rasmussen. “I have seen foot patrols make a big difference in some troubled areas of our city.”

Clark agreed, but mentioned that if members of the LGBT community have concerns about safety, they need to “become engaged in the discussion for finding a police chief.”

Continuing with another SPD issue, the concern was raised that we do not have a large number of LGBT police officers – or firefighters, for that matter. In response, all three politicians said this was due to the nature of the culture that exists within the lower ranks of both emergency service providers.

Fittingly, the topic of the needs of LGBT youth came up. Since the closure of the Seattle LGBT Center, the demand for a space where non-profit and community organizations and LGBT youth can meet and feel safe is in high demand.

So, what worries the out politicians?

“Young people of color have an increasingly really tough time coming out,” Rasmussen told the audience. “This is an issue

that needs to be addressed and we need to work with communities of color to fix the problem.”

According to Clark, her main concern rests with the homeless LGBT youth. “Our biggest challenge is, once we identify these kids, how do we properly restabilize them?”

McDermott agreed with both Rasmussen and Clark, but took his concern one step further, saying, “In our search for equality, I worry about assimilation. I worry that we might be losing our cultural identity as a community.”

PFLAG promotes the health and wellbeing of LGBT persons and their family and friends, so beyond the realm of politics, a large chunk of time was dedicated to “coming out” stories.

Clark, who says she came out as Lesbian at age 19, said she believes that Gay youth should “make sure that the environment is fundamentally safe” before they come out.

It has become clear, she said, that many of the homeless LGBT youth were kicked out for coming out, and that although it may be difficult to remain in the closet, there is, unfortunately, a time and a place to admit your sexual preference.

Rasmussen, who admits to coming out at age 24 but jokingly says he’s never come out to his parents because “I didn’t have to,” said, “There really is no rule – just know the territory you are living in.” In other words, like Clark, Rasmussen suggests that safety should trump coming out.

McDermott, who is the youngest of the three politicians but came out later, at age 30, said, “I came out in a very strategic way.

I think that it is different for everyone. You just have to know the right time and place, and for each one of us, that age or location will be different.”

“Coming out still seems to be taken good or bad by parents depending upon political or religious views,” said Seattle PFLAG President Barbara Clark-Elliot. “Not much has changed in a generation. No one is required to come out. But when you do, be thoughtful about it. Be conscious that it may be a shock to your family.”

Barbara and PFLAG members across the country have been lauded for providing families of LGBT persons with support to cope with an adverse society, education to enlighten an ill-informed public, and advocacy to end discrimination and secure equal rights.

PFLAG provides an opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. Keeping families together is the mission of PFLAG. Their family values include education, understanding, acceptance, and support, but most of all love, thereby empowering children – straight and Gay – to lead happy and productive lives.

Seattle PFLAG consists of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, children, spouses, and friends and allies of LGBT persons.

Get in touch with Seattle PFLAG at www. seattle-pflag.org, or call 206-325-7724.

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Seattle Gay News

April 2, 2010

HRC

continued from cover repeal DADT. There has been understandable frustration in the community at the pace of progress at advancing some of the pieces of key legislation that are important to the LGBT community,” Solmonese told SGN. “However, the biggest challenge facing pro-LGBT legislation in Congress is the lack of a solidly pro-LGBT majority in the House and Senate.”

The 2006 and 2008 elections brought a change in leadership in the House, Senate, and White House that took anti-LGBT initiatives like the Federal Marriage Amendment off the table and made room for key pro-LGBT advances such as hate crime bills, he said.

“However, on any given issue, many of the votes needed to secure come from ‘undecided’ or ‘swing’ members of Congress, and we have to lobby those members and senators aggressively,” Solmonese said. “After organizing the grassroots and lobbying lawmakers in their home districts and in Washington, on some key issues we are able to secure a majority of votes – 218 needed in the House and 60 needed in the Senate. But the hard work must be done.”

“We continue to press the president and Congress to live up to the promises they made to advance real, substantive equality for LGBT Americans,” Solmonese told SGN. “It is critical that everyone in the LGBT community and our allies engage in this effort.”

the organization has joined with former U.S. Army Specialist Jarrod Chlapowski. Similar to Choi, Chlapowski is an Iraq war vet and linguist and advocate for repealing the discriminatory policy. In 2005, he decided not to reenlist despite a pending promotion to sergeant and a promising military career and co-founded Servicemembers United, the largest organization of LGBT troops and veterans. Last year, Chlapowski went to work for HRC as their military consultant.

Chlapowski recently told Newsweek that he disagrees with Choi that larger national groups, like HRC, have become too insular and elitist, and no longer represent the Gay community. “These people are just as invested as he is in repealing the law,” Chlapowski said.

Solmonese told SGN that despite not being in the limelight as much as Choi, Chlapowski has been instrumental in the organization’s push to end the Gay military ban.

“Chlapowski was a key member of HRC’s 2007 Legacy Service Tour, and was instrumental in planning the 12,000 flags on the National Mall event commemorating the 14th anniversary of the implementation of DADT,” he said. “For us, it was a natural fit to bring Jarrod on board to help repeal this discriminatory law.”

Solmonese says that, with Chlapowski’s help, HRC started the hard behind-thescenes work of designing and implementing the first Voices of Honor national tour in 2009, a 26-stop national tour designed to educate the public about the inequality of DADT. “Going back to November 2005, Chlapowski teamed up with Alex Nicholson to develop the aggressive 18-city Call to Duty Tour, a seven-week public education initiative which put a human face on the DADT issues,” said Solmonese. “Jarrod has spoken in Congress regarding the financial costs of DADT and has met with politicians and military leaders, contributing to the current momentum in the movement to repeal the law.”

“Activism

by Dan Choi and others has one common intent that we share: to advance equality in the fastest way possible,” Solmonese continued. “As we said last week, this is the nature of social change, and everyone has a role to play.”

HRC AND KATHY GRIFFIN After images of Choi handcuffed to the White House fence swept over the web and the LGBT community heard why Choi was angry about comedian Kathy Griffin speaking on behalf of Gay veterans for a DADT repeal, the question that seemed to be on everyone’s mind was, “Why was Kathy Griffin speaking about DADT?” In other words, what qualifies Griffin to step into such a role?

“HRC, along with veterans and entertainer Kathy Griffin, hosted a rally at Washington, D.C.’s Freedom Plaza between the White House and Capitol Hill, calling for the repeal of DADT,” Solmonese explained to SGN. “DADT repeal requires pressure on many fronts and we’re glad to work with Kathy Griffin, who is using her notoriety as a platform to raise awareness of the issue.

Her reading heartbreaking e-mails from servicemembers to the crowd of over 1,000 at the rally – and, yes, to a television audience – helps move people to action in overturning this horrible law.”

HRC AND DAN CHOI According to Solmonese, HRC harbors no ill will towards Choi. In fact, Solmonese told SGN that within the complex movement towards equality, everyone has a role to play.

“The beauty of our movement is that we have a dedicated community that is constantly searching for new and innovative ways to effect change. Whether it be these recent actions [by Choi] or meeting with a key congressperson or senator in their district office, these are ways that our community continues to advocate for LGBT equality,” he said.

“Activism by Dan Choi and others has one common intent that we share: to advance equality in the fastest way possible,” Solmonese continued. “As we said last week, this is the nature of social change, and everyone has a role to play.”

HRC AND U.S. ARMY VET JARROD CHLAPOWSKI Although Solmonese and HRC may not be working closely with Choi to repeal DADT,

HRC AND DADT According to Solmonese, HRC’s “Voices of Honor: A Generation Under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’” tour has been successful in that it highlights the discriminatory law that “hurts military readiness and national security while putting American servicemembers fighting overseas at risk.”

“HRC is also recruiting servicemembers, their families and allies together in one of the largest showings of veteran support for the repeal of DADT on May 11, as Congress begins to take action on the Defense Department budget,” Solmonese told SGN. “The ‘Lobby Day’ action, in partnership with Servicemembers United, will build a national network of Gay and straight veterans willing to give voice to repeal.”

“Our recent efforts across the country, with particular emphasis on 103 priority congressional districts, have resulted in over 190,000 phone calls and e-mails to members of Congress,” he said, adding that 2,500 veterans recently said in a survey they’re willing to take action to repeal DADT. “Our members submitted over 1,300 letters to editors in papers in priority media markets,” said Solmonese. “Earlier this month, nearly 300 HRC members lobbied the Hill in support of ENDA, DADT repeal, and other key legislation.”

“Beyond the beltway, our members conducted over 250 in-district lobby visits,” he told SGN. “In 41 cities, we held events that highlighted veterans who are opposed to DADT. Over the next several months, we look to have dozens more.”

Solmonese says that in May, HRC plans to bring an “unprecedented number of veterans and their family members to directly lobby Congress for repeal.”

To join the HRC effort to repeal DADT, or to contact your member of Congress, visit www.hrc.org/RepealDADT.

Celebrating 37 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

April 2, 2010

Seattle Gay News

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10 Seattle Gay News

April 2, 2010

Celebrating 37 Years!

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Seattle Gay News 11

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Seattle Gay News 15

Whiskey and whores Republican National Committee lives it up

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer As Republican leaders denounced President Obama for the cost of healthcare reform, Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele presented the GOP with an expense account detailing lavish spending on deluxe hotels, chartered jets, limousine services, and at least one highend strip club.

According to Steele’s March spending report, RNC officials frequented only the best hotels, including the Beverly Hills Hotel (at which they spent $9,000), the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons ($6,600) and the W Hotel in D.C. ($15,000).

The GOP’s midwinter meeting in Hawaii ended up costing the party $43,000 in expenses, not including airfare.

To travel to these posh locations, the RNC spent more than $17,000 on private jets, as well as nearly $13,000 for limousines and car services in February alone.

Perhaps the most interesting expense was the $1,946.25 spent at Voyeur, a West Hollywood nightclub that features strippers performing simulated S&M and Lesbian sex.

RNC spokesperson Doug Heye denied that Steele had personally visited the club, or was aware that other RNC personnel had visited it.

“The chairman was never at the location in question, he had no knowledge of the expenditure, nor does he find the use of committee funds at such a location at all acceptable,” Heye said in a statement.

According to Heye, the RNC paid the stripper expense in error, and will be reim-

bursed by Erik Brown of Orange, California, who billed the GOP for the club visit on behalf of the attendees.

According to public disclosure statements, Brown is both a donor and recipient of GOP money.

Since November, the RNC has paid Brown’s company, Dynamic Marketing Inc., about $19,000 for printing and directmail services. He has contributed several thousand dollars to the party.

Brown has not commented on the evening at Voyeur, or his relationship with the Republican Party.

The RNC also announced on March 29 that it has fired Allison Meyers, the staffer who organized the evening at Voyeur. Meyers was director of the RNC’s “Young Eagles” program for donors under the age of 45. Several “Young Eagles” were reportedly guests of the GOP at Voyeur.

The new revelations follow a pattern Steele has set in the 14 months he has been RNC chair.

In 2009, the RNC spent a total of $144,549 for rooms at the Four Seasons Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. On one day alone – March 19, 2009 – it spent $31,980 for catering by the Breakers Palm Beach in Florida.

The RNC paid $18,361 over the past several months to the Tiny Jewel Box in Washington for “office supplies,” which reportedly included trinkets or gifts for major donors. It spent $13,622 at Dylan’s Candy Bar in New York City.

On election as RNC chair, Steele ordered his personal office redecorated to the tune of

$18,500.

Heye maintains that the hotels, jets, and limousines were booked only “as needed.”

Some prominent Republicans defended Steele, saying he was simply trying to woo the party’s major donors.

“The appearance is bad, I’ll give you that,” said Larry Farnsworth, a Republican strategist and former press secretary to House Speaker Dennis Hastert. “But it’s tough raising money and I don’t think donors want to meet for free waffles and coffee at the Holiday Inn Express. These guys want to be wined and dined – it’s the dirty part of politics.”

If fundraising was Steele’s plan, he has not been spectacularly successful. The RNC had more than $22 million on hand when

Steele was elected chairman last January, but is down to under $10 million now despite raising $96 million during that time.

Other Republican heavy-hitters were critical of Steele.

“For those donors who truly believe in conservative values, this latest news about Steele has to be very disturbing,” said Douglas MacKinnon, former press secretary to Majority Leader Robert Dole.

“No matter which side of the aisle you find yourself, if you are giving a political party your hard-earned money, you should have no doubts that it is going to be spent as advertised and not to provide a spoiled, egocentric, out-of-touch chairman with frivolous luxuries which are out of reach of the vast majority of the American people.”

Malcolm X’s confessed killer granted parole

by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer After being turned down for parole 16 times, Thomas Hagan – also know as Mujahid Halim, the confessed assassin of civil rights leader Malcolm X – is about to be released from Lincoln Correctional Facility in Manhattan.

On March 3, on his 17th appearance before a parole board, Hagan was granted parole, the New York State Division of Parole said. Hagen’s final release date is tentatively scheduled for April 28, the AP reports.

“I’ve been incarcerated for 40 years, and I’ve had a good record all around,” said Hagen. “I don’t see any reason for holding me.”

On February 21, 1965, in Manhattan’s Audubon Ballroom, Malcolm X began to speak to a meeting of the Organization of Afro-American Unity when three men rushed forward and shot at him, hitting him 16 times.

Hagen is the only confessed assassin of Malcolm X, two other men were convicted but maintained innocence and have since been released.

Hagan said in a sworn affidavit in 1977 that he and several accomplices (who did not include the two convicted men) plotted to kill Malcolm X because he was a “hypocrite” who had “gone against the leader of

the Nation of Islam,” Elijah Muhammad.

Hagan said that after one man shot Malcolm X in the chest with a shotgun, he and another man fired several more rounds at him.

Hagan was a militant member of the Nation of Islam.

Hagan, known at the time as Talmadge X. Hayer, was captured by the crowd and shot at by Malcolm X’s bodyguards and beaten before being rescued by the police. At the time of the assassination, Hagen was 22 and a married father of two.

On February 28, 1966, during his trail, Hagen confessed to the assassination of Malcolm X, testifying that the other two defendants had nothing to do with the murder.

Hagen and his three accomplices, whom he did not name, had been hired to carry out the assassination. All three defendants were sentenced to 20 years to life.

Hagen has been on work release for more than 20 years. He has earned his master’s degree in prison. In 2008, he was spending his free days with his wife and children in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and working in a fast food restaurant.

Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, was an African-American Muslim minister, public speaker, human rights activist, civil rights leader, and father of six. At the time of his death, he was 39 years old.

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Possible DADT repeal raises partner benefits questions

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer

Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages.

“It is unrealistic to think the military Momentum appears to be building for ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), would be out front of the rest of the govthe ban on Gays in the military. If Gay ser- ernment in offering benefits to unmarried vicemembers are allowed to serve openly, partners,” said Nathaniel Frank, a senior the U.S. military will face another tough research fellow at the Palm Center at the University of California, Santa question: Should Gay partners Barbara. “They don’t do it “This be entitled to military benfor straight people, and efits? is the first time they are unlikely to do On March 25, Secretary of Defense that the heavyweights of it for Gay people.”

Luckily, there Robert Gates ordered new rules the aging network are really does appear to be light at the end that could make it embracing a comprehensive ofsome the tunnel. Gates harder to discharge has included the issue Gays and Lesbians look at the needs of LGBT of benefits in a review under DADT. Many older adults.” of how to lift the repeal, have applauded Gates for which is due December 1. his leadership on the issue, Also, in addition to repealing DADT, which is seen as a temporary measure while Congress weighs whether to go along Obama has called for getting rid of DOMA with President Barack Obama’s request to and has moved to extend some federal benefits for same-sex partners. repeal the discriminatory law.

The State Department extended benefits to Gay diplomats, such as the right for their Spousal Benefits In 1973, the military draft ended in the domestic partners to hold diplomatic passU.S. Faced with the responsibility of re- ports and for paid travel to and from foreign cruiting new troops, the armed forces began posts – the military could feasibly work using, among other things, spousal benefits through the DOMA red tape similarly. In as an incentive for people to join the service. other words, if military brass wanted to exAccording to the Department of Defense tend equal benefits, they could make it hap(DoD), each service must retain and recruit pen.

U.S. military officials have expressed a certain number of troops yearly in order to maintain an effective fighting force. Today, concern that recruitment might suffer if they with two wars going on at the same time, open the door to Gay servicemembers and recruiting and retention have become a top their families.

Some repeal proponents say that lifting priority for military brass.

According to the DoD, more than half of the ban should be the focus, and not the “what ifs” related to benefits. For others, all troops are married.

Over the years, spousal benefits have the thorny question of benefits should be inchanged and changed again. Today, benefits cluded in the repeal language, otherwise it for married servicemembers include col- may take years to clear it up should DADT lege tuition for a spouse and the right for a be repealed. spouse to be at a wounded servicemember’s bedside. More commonly known, spouses enjoy access to military health care and taxfree commissaries worldwide. Also, married servicemembers receive first pick of on-base housing and extra pay when they are shipped off to war.

The one and only requirement for those benefits is a marriage certificate.

Unfortunately, Gay marriage is only legal in five states and Washington, D.C. If DADT were repealed, would the armed forces recognize such marriages? In addition, would they honor same-sex domestic partnerships or civil unions?

Most likely not. The reason? The 1996

Poll: 50% of Californians support Gay marriage

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer According to a new poll, support for same-sex marriage appears to be increasing in California.

A Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) survey released on March 24 found that support for Gay marriage has reached 50% for the first time since the San Francisco-based think tank began polling on the issue in 2000. The first year pollsters asked, only 39% of Californians favored Gay marriage, while 55% opposed it. Support has hovered at about 45% for much of the decade.

Support for same-sex marriage is highest among Democrats, at 64%. However, a majority 67% of Republicans still oppose the institution. The PPIC survey found that opposition is strongest in rural areas, such as The Central Valley.

The new survey results indicate that Gay marriage advocates who want to repeal Cal-

ifornia’s Proposition 8 might have a fighting chance.

Proposition 8, which places a prohibition on Gay marriage in the California State Constitution, was passed by voters in 2008 and is currently being litigated in federal court. Earlier this year, Gay rights advocates decided to put off mounting a challenge this year to Prop 8 because of stagnant poll numbers. The PPIC results could act as a catapult for the marriage equality movement in California.

In addition, the poll also found that 75% of Californians support President Obama’s call to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the 1993 law that prohibits Gay troops from serving openly. Just 19% say they remain opposed to repeal the law.

The institute surveyed 2,002 California adults by phone from March 9-16 of this year. The poll has a sampling error rate of plus or minus 2 percentage points, higher for subgroups.

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Seattle Gay News 17

Portrait of America urges community involvement in census

by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer

If you happen upon a blue truck covered with the smiling faces of people of all ages and ethnicities, it should serve to remind you that, just like the beginning of every decade, it’s census time. The truck is part of the 2010 Portrait of America Road Tour. The U.S. Census Bureau – the government agency that handles the census, which falls under the Department of Commerce – has hired people of all ages and ethnicities to take part in the tour to get the word out about the national survey that’s required by the United States Constitution to be carried out by the government every 10 years.

SGN met up with the Portrait of America Road Tour when they stopped at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill on March 29.

Amidst rain, wind, and thunder, members of the tour distributed free census merchandise such as tote bags, backpacks, water bottles, and T-shirts to anyone who filled out and mailed their census.

So what does this mean for us? Well, legally, everyone who calls America home is required to fill out the census, whether you’re a legal citizen or not – even if you’re homeless. It also means that the Census Bureau has taken special care in hiring people from our community to get the word out the LGBT community.

This is the first census ever where if you consider yourself “married” to your partner, you can list them as your husband or wife, regardless of same-sex marriage legality in your state or domestic partnership laws or status.

This time around, the Census Bureau wants you to fill out the survey however you see fit; however you see yourself in regards to race, gender, and martial status.

“There have been a lot of progressive updates,” said Hillary Bingman, a partnership specialist with the Seattle Regional Census Center. This is the first time in history that you can identify with multiple races in the U.S. census.

is real, the money is real, and the repercussions of not filling it out are immediate and severe.

Bingman likens the importance of filling out the census to voting.

“The 2010 census is so important for the LGBT community,” said Che Rudell-Tabisola, who works for the National LGBT Partnership in Washington, D.C. “Literally billions of dollars come to our community from the census … so fill it out and mail it The census asks for only the most basic of back.”

If you don’t fill out your census and mail your information: name, gender, age, race, martial status, and whether you rent or own it, expect a knock on your door in the comproperty – that’s it.

Naturally, this begs the question, “Where does my information go?”

According to Bingman, the Census Bureau, by law, cannot share any of your personal information with any other entity, federal or private. Even under the Patriot Act (H.R. 3162), which former President George W. Bush signed into law in October 2001 and can call for any person’s privacy to be invaded with or without their knowledge or consent at any time by the Department of Homeland Security, the informa- by Leslie Robinson tion collected in the United States Census is SGN Contributing Writer completely confidential.

As if arthritis and profuse nose hair weren’t Even if you’re currently serving on active duty in the United States armed forces, you enough. Aging is already loaded with physicannot be outed by the census; your infor- cal and emotional challenges. Now we hear that LGBT elders face a distinct set of burmation is absolutely and entirely private.

Essentially, the census works like this: dens in addition. It gives growing old all the The U.S. Census Bureau tallies up all the appeal of a colostomy bag.

Called the first major collaboration beresponses and uses them to create statistics, which are presented to the federal govern- tween LGBT groups and mainstream orgament. The government then uses the infor- nizations for the elderly, a report called “Immation to distribute funding on the state and proving the Lives of LGBT Older Adults” lays out the problems LGBT seniors face municipal level across the nation.

This is why Americans from every color and offers recommendations.

A twink’s recommendation might be, and flavor of the American spectrum who have joined the Portrait of America Road “Just don’t grow old!” It’s hard when you’re young to imagine yourself over 40, let alone Tour want you to fill out your census.

“It comes down to about $1,400 per 70. But aging happens to every soul on the person per year,” said Bingman. “That’s planet – unless you see to it that you depart $16,800 until the next census. It’s basically the planet early, determined to be a pretty corpse. like writing a check to your community.”

At 46, I’m showing signs of aging, from According to Bingman, each person – not to be confused with each household, which gray hair to assorted aches to wrinkles moris how the census is distributed – will get phing into crevices. I’m on my way to eltheir community approximately $1,400 a der-hood – if I’m lucky – and I insist that year for the next 10 years if they fill out this all these LGBT-specific problems be fixed year’s census. This means more money for before I qualify for Medicare. Given how parks, roads, hospitals, and schools – things my back feels right now, there’s no way it that are essential for everyone, Gay, straight, will support being old and discriminated against. or anywhere in between.

The report on the lives of LGBT elders Five predominantly minority K-12 schools in Seattle were closed last year was co-authored by the Movement Adalone due to lack of funding. The census vancement Project (MAP) and Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders (SAGE) in cahoots with the American Society on Aging, the National Senior Citizens Law Center, and the Center for American Progress. AARP provided the

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ing months with government employees asking you why you haven’t filled it out.

Likewise, if the $16,800 check to your community isn’t enough for you, visit www.2010censusjobs.gov to become one of these door-to-door government census takers.

According to census officials, most Americans should have already received their census – if not, you’ll be getting it soon.

It takes about three minutes per person in your household to fill out the census, and it doesn’t cost you anything to mail your census back; the postage is already paid.

April 2, 2010

foreword, lending the whole affair a certain geriatric panache.

According to the abstract on MAP’s website, the report hones in on three bugaboo areas for LGBT seniors. And no, the difficulty of singing “I Am What I Am” with illfitting false teeth is not one of them.

The first is money. Gay elders have less of it, contrary to stereotype. “LGBT older adults are poorer and less financially secure than American elders as a whole due to a lifetime of discrimination compounded by major laws and safety net programs that fail to protect and support LGBT elders equally.”

The report examines the impact of everything from Social Security to estate taxes.

I’m so glad there are people out there who undertake the scrutinizing of such important subjects. If I had to analyze Medicaid and long-term care I’d drift into a coma – requiring Medicaid and long-term care.

The second area of concern is health and health care. It’s trickier for LGBT seniors to stay healthy, for reasons including inhospitable health care environments, nursing homes that fail to protect Gay seniors, and medical decision-making laws that shut out LGBT elders’ partners.

Just reading how hard it is to get healthy makes you sick.

The third area of particular difficulty is LGBT elders are more likely to be socially isolated. “Despite a high level of resilience and strong friendship networks, social isolation has still been found to be higher among LGBT older adults.”

The idea of a previously animated social butterfly sitting with his wings clipped in a lonely apartment makes me want to cry. A waste of fabulousness.

The report notes that Gay elders are more likely to live alone. They also face housing discrimination, which may mean separation from loved ones. Further, LGBT elders can feel as welcome in senior centers as dry rot.

Another reason for LGBT elders’ social isolation is they “often lack support from, and feel unwelcome in, the broader LGBT community.” I don’t doubt it. Gay men especially put such a premium on youth, holding off aging like it’s a rampaging movie monster. We don’t celebrate our elders; we collude in keeping them hidden.

It’s time to make Gay seniors a glamour group. And soon – like the moment I become a member.

Leslie Robinson is middle-aged in Seattle.

E-mail her at lesarobinson@gmail.com, and read more columns at www.generalgayety.com.

Celebrating 37 Years!

Dems: Stop taking us for granted

by Jesse Monteagudo SGN Contributing Writer The Dolphin Democrats are South Florida’s oldest, largest and most successful LGBT political organization. Founded in 1982 by Karl Clark, Tom Bradshaw, Jamie Bloodworth and other activists, the Dolphins have made Broward County the most Gayfriendly county in a still-homophobic state.

Thanks to Dolphin leadership, Broward has both an LGBT-inclusive human rights ordinance and a domestic partners law. Friendly politicians on both the state and local levels owe their success to the votes, money and volunteer labor of the Dolphin members.

Gay activist-politicians like Dean Trantalis, Ken Keechl, and Justin Flippen have used the Dolphins as a launching pad for their political careers, and our community has been the better for it. I have been a member of the Dolphin Democrats since the early days and have nothing but affection and respect for the women and men who lead that organization.

Unquestionably, the Dolphin Democrats are a big success. In fact, the Dolphins are too successful; so successful, in fact, that it’s almost a given that any up-and-coming LGBT activist in Broward County would join the Dolphins as a matter of course.

Thanks to their success, the Dolphins have sucked the air out of Broward’s Queer political life. There was a time when our community was led by independent, non-partisan political advocacy groups like the Bro-

ward County Coalition for Human Rights, the Tuesday Night Group, GUARD (Gays United to Attack Repression and Discrimination) and the “PAC-PAC.” Today the only alternative we have to the Dolphins are the equally partisan (but less successful) Log Cabin Republicans and Sunshine Republicans.

As a Democrat, I was proud to be part of a community and a state that helped elect Barack Obama president of the United States, along with a Democratic Congress. Just over a year later, Obama remains popular, but he and his Congress have failed to deliver most of what they promised us. Though the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act is now the law of the land, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is going nowhere and both “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) and the socalled Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA) promise to be around for a long time. (The recent “revelation” that the White Houses doesn’t really want DADT repealed this year was the last straw for too many activists.) Our community expects more from this president and this Congress than a few empty gestures or symbolic appointments.

In all fairness, we are not alone. Each and every group that worked hard to elect Obama and a Democratic Congress in 2008 – anti-war activists, civil libertarians, environmentalists, feminists, labor unions, racial and ethnic minorities – has had its collective

heart broken by the reality of an ineffective and incompetent administration and Congress. Our president seems to do a better job hosting parties in the White House than pushing other Democrats to pass his agenda.

For their part, the Dems have missed their opportunity to enact useful reforms because of their distressing inability to unite and their disgusting lack of will power. The long-awaited health care reform bill is a disaster; going from a concept that everyone favored to a bill that everyone hates. Unemployment is still high, our men and women are still dying in Iraq and Afghanistan, and cap and trade is still a long way off. Obama and the Democratic Party have disillusioned their friends, energized their enemies, and alienated independents. The question right now is not if the Dems will lose seats in Congress come November, but whether or not the Republicans will gain enough seats to retake the House and/or the Senate. The Republicans are evil, but the Democrats are incompetent – frankly, I’d rather deal with

evil than with incompetence.

Like too many other progressives, LGBT activists are sick and tired of being taken for granted by a Democratic party that takes our votes, our money and our volunteer work and gives us little in return. Admittedly, the Republicans (except for Miami Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen) have done nothing to win our support, being married as they are to homophobic, religious extremists. However, the fact that GOP is controlled by our enemies is beside the point, as is the fact that Democratic clubs like the Dolphins have done great things for our community.

As LGBT activists, our priority is to win equal rights for Lesbian women, Gay men, Bisexuals and Transgender people and not to elect politicians of one particular party. If the Obama Administration and the Democrats in Congress want our support, they are going to have to earn it.

Jesse Monteagudo (jesssemonteagudo@ aol.com) is a regular contributor to SGN.

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Seattle Gay News 19

by James Whitely SGN Staff Writer

On March 27, Jet City Hoops, Seattle’s only Gay basketball league, finished its most recent season with two heated championship matches at Seattle Central Community College’s Mitchell Activity Center.

Purple Vortex won the Competitive Division Championship and Nutz and Honeyz won the Co-Rec Championship.

“We just wrapped up a very successful season,” co-founder Michael Coleman told SGN. “Jet City Hoops was founded just a short time ago in the fall of 2008, with a total of eight teams that all played together in one Rec [recreational] Division. This season we grew quite a bit, and ended up with a total of 14 teams; eight teams in the Rec Division and six teams in the Competitive Division, and close to 100 players in our league.

In just over one and a half years, Jet City Hoops has become the largest Gay basketball league on the entire West Coast and one of the largest Gay basketball leagues in the

nation,” Coleman told SGN. Recently, the LGBT basketball league founded by Coleman and Mike Hamstra put on a bachelor/bachelorette auction fundraiser at the Lobby Bar on Capitol Hill and raised over $6,000. The fundraiser was intended to raise money for the league and to send some of its athletes to the Gay games this summer in Cologne, Germany. However, because of the tremendous success of the fundraiser, they were able to make a substantial donation to the Pride Foundation.

“I think raising $6,000 was kind of beyond our wildest dreams,” said Ernie Lou, who serves as secretary on Jet City Hoops’ board of directors. “We’re already thinking about doing another next year.”

Although the season has just ended, Jet City Hoops is already gearing up for their open gym program, which begins the first Saturday in May (May 1) and runs for four weeks. According to Coleman, the open gym program is open to anyone and is an excellent way to get started if you’re thinking about signing up for the next fall season.

rex wockner

Purple Vortex wins Jet City Hoops championship

The Purple Vortex

Jet City Hoops currently has two leagues: the Co-ed Recreational League and the Competitive League. The Co-ed Recreational League is open to players of all skill levels.

“We have male, female, and Transgendered players, and even though we are predominantly a Gay basketball league, we do have a number of straight players, too.

We are open to anyone who is interested in playing basketball in a fun, welcoming en-

vironment,” Coleman told SGN. “Our goal is to provide a fun environment for players who enjoy or want to learn more about basketball,” said Lou. The cost of the open gym program is $20.

The program runs from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. the first four Saturdays in May (May 1, 8, 15, 22) at Seattle Central Community College’s Mitchell Activity Center on Capitol Hill.

For more information on Jet City Hoops, visit them online at www.jetcityhoops.org.

ricky martin

you’ve worked and everything you’ve built will collapse,’ ‘Many people in the world are not ready to accept your truth, your reality, your nature.’ Because all this advice came from people who I love dearly, I decided to move on with my life not sharing with the world my entire truth.”

Ricky went on to say that allowing himself to be “seduced by fear and insecurity” became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sabotage. “Today, I take full responsibility for my decisions and my actions,” he said.

“If someone asked me today, ‘Ricky, what are you afraid of?’ I would answer, ‘The blood that runs through the streets of countries at war … child slavery, terrorism … the cynicism of some people in positions of power, the misinterpretation of faith.’

But fear of my truth? Not at all! On the contrary, it fills me with strength and courage,” Ricky explained. “This is just what I need, especially now that I am a father of two beautiful boys that are so full of light

continued from cover

out and proud Queers are left shaking our head and asking, “Why?” Well, Seattle, this wasn’t the case with our boy Ricky. The international singer-songwriter, who has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide, came out of closet quite eloquently, citing his twin boys as a reason to let the world know that yes, once and for all, he is a proud Gay man.

“I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man,” Ricky posted on his website, rickymartinmusic.com. “I am very blessed to be who I am,” he concluded.

In the lead-up to his declaration, the Puerto Rican singer – known as much for his good looks as his record sales – explained, “Many people told me, ‘Ricky it’s not important,’ ‘It’s not worth it,’ ‘All the years

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Celebrating 37 Years!

and who, with their outlook, teach me new things every day. To keep living as I did up until today would indirectly diminish the glow that my kids were born with.”

“Enough is enough,” he continued, “this has to change. This was not supposed to happen five or 10 years ago, it is supposed to happen now. Today is my day, this is my time, and this is my moment.”

someone like Ricky Martin comes out, hundreds of millions of people now have a cultural connection with an artist, a celebrity, and perhaps most importantly, a father who happens to be Gay,” Barrios said.

Barrios, an openly Gay Latino and father of two teenage sons, told SGN, “Ricky coming out as Gay is a game-changer for many Gay and Transgender Latino children – and adults – who, for too long, have not had “He’s now a face for the many out Gay people to look up to. For all mothers, aunts and the boys and girls struggling to find the langrandmothers of Gay and guage to tell their coming-out story for the Transgender Latinos” first time, it just became that much easier.”

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defama“He’s now a face for the mothers, aunts tion President Jarret Barrios said Ricky’s de- and grandmothers of Gay and Transgender cision to come out is a positive one. “When Latinos,” continued Barrios. “Many of these

adults were once teenage girls screaming at Menudo concerts, and have grown up with Ricky. As more and more people get to know Gay and Transgender friends, neighbors, family members, and celebrities, they come to know that our community wants the same things all people do: to be accepted, valued for our contributions, and to take care of our loved ones.”

Barrios told SGN that amidst all of the social change taking place in Mexico and Latin America, Ricky’s coming out story serves as a positive rebuttal to old-world thinking and homophobia.

“Two weeks ago, iconic Mexican singer Paquita la del Barrio, who has sold millions of albums worldwide and whose songs are

staples in jukeboxes in Mexico, announced that show would ‘rather a child starve to death than be raised by a Gay couple’ when she was asked her opinion on same-sex couples marrying in Mexico City,” said Barrios to SGN. “Two weeks ago, there was no word, image or story to contradict Senora la del Barrio in Spanish-language media – just abstract stereotypes about being ‘Gay.’ Her job isn’t so easy anymore.”

Barrio continued, “Today, our friend Ricky Martin, who we Latinos have known since he was 12 and first joined Menudo, is a face – a father of two sons who happens to be Gay. Today he becomes a face to all Latino people who do not know or understand Gay and Lesbian people.”

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