SGN Dec 11, 2009 - Section 1

Issue 50 Volume 37

Celebrating 36 Years!

FRIDAY December 11, 2009 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands

PRIDE AT WORK p. 5

HOUSTON MAYOR p. 5

DINA MARTINA p. 25

Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Joe McDermott to Open Lesbian Bishop King County Council? elected in Los Angeles Would be first openly Gay Council member file photo

courtesy episcopal diocese of Los Angeles

by James Whitely ticking to succeed SGN Contributing Writer him on the County The Episcopal Diocese of Los Council.

Openly Gay Angeles elected a Lesbian to an State Senator Joe assistant bishop position on DeMcDermott (D- cember 5. The Rev. Canon Mary 34) has already Glasspool, canon to the bishops stated his inten- of the Baltimore Diocese of Marytion to run for the land, was elected to the office of Council seat in bishop suffragan, where she will 2010. McDermott be assisting Bishop Diocesan J. is also arguably Jon Bruno in ministry to the rethe favorite to win gion’s 70,000 parishioners.

Glasspool still needs approval appointment to replace Constantine from the majority of the Episcopal until the seat can Church’s other 108 dioceses bebe filled by elec- fore she can be consecrated as the tion next Novem- assistant bishop. Consents from each respective diocese must be ber.

McDermott is received prior to the bishop-elect’s one of four final- scheduled ordination to the episists for the posi- copate, on May 15, 2010.

Glasspool, 55, is not only the tion who were interviewed by first open Lesbian to be elected a the County Coun- bishop in the Episcopal Church, cil committee of but also the second woman to be Washington State Senator Joe McDermott the whole on De- elected a bishop in her diocese.

by Mike Andrew cember 7. If successful, he will be She is also the 17th woman to be the first openly Gay King County elected to a bishop position in the SGN Staff Writer Episcopal Church altogether.

Council member.

The election began on December Speaking to SGN by phone, When Dow Constantine was sworn in as King County Execu- McDermott was upbeat about his tive on November 24, he set off a see mcdermott page 18 swirl of behind-the-scenes polisee Bishop page 20

Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool

national governors association

Washington Governor Christine Gregoire

www.njsendems.com

OLYMPIA BLOODBATH – N.J. Senate same-sex Gregoire and the 2010 budget marriage vote delayed

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer On December 9, Gov. Christine Gregoire announced a state budget for 2010 that would totally eliminate critical services for poor and disabled residents of the state.

At the same time, she said she had no intention of implementing all the cuts she was announcing.

Washington state faces a projected $2.6 billion revenue shortfall for 2010. The Governor is required by law to present a budget that is balanced using existing revenue.

Consequently, Gregoire’s budget totally eliminates the Basic Health Plan, a state-subsidized insurance program for the working poor, saving about $161 million over the next fiscal year.

The Basic Health Plan had been touted as a model for subsidized health insurance in the ongoing national healthcare debate. Some 65,000 people are currently enrolled. Few if any have prospects of securing market-rate health insurance.

Also eliminated would be the see budget page 17

New Jersey Senator Raymond Lesniak

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer New Jersey’s crucial Senate vote on same-sex marriage, expected on December 10, was called off late Wednesday night as Democrats backing same-sex nuptials realized they were not sure they would get enough votes for the bill to pass.

The bill’s sponsors, Sens. Raymond Lesniak (D., Union) and

Loretta Weinberg (D., Bergen), reportedly asked for the delay in hopes the measure would begin moving through the Assembly, where it is believed to have more solid support.

The Senate is seen as the biggest hurdle for the same-sex marriage bill. Several Democrats have come out in opposition to the measure, see N.J. Senate page 20

Christmas Eve

Time to reconnect with church in a setting where all are warmly welcomed?

Join us for Christmas Eve service

Thursday, Dec. 24 6:00 p.m.

All Pilgrims ChristiAn ChurCh • 500 BroAdwAy E. ( At rEPuBliCAn ) • 206-322-0487 • www.AllPilgrims.org 2

Seattle Gay News

December 11, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

December 11, 2009

Seattle Gay News

3

Seattle Gay News FOUNDED 1973

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Phone: (206) 324-4297 Fax: (206) 322-7188

MEMBER

e-mail: sgn2@sgn.org internet: www.sgn.org

2009

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, Rajket Dirzhud-Rashid, Nick Ardizzone, Shaun Knittel Miryam Gordon, 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, Rajket Dirzhud-Rashid 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. © 2009, 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.

Seattle Gay News welcomes unsolicited material, including letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit or reject material. All rights revert to authors upon publication.

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: A Mother’s Plea

by Beau Burriola SGN European Correspondent

Dear Readers, This week I want to use my column to reprint a letter I was forwarded, written by the brave mother of a Gay 16-year-old in Shreveport, Louisiana, to a local PFLAG chapter. She was kind enough to give me permission to reprint the letter in its entirety.

I think you’ll find Laura Ballantine’s story a moving and heartfelt plea for support that every parent with a Gay child feels. At her request, I am including her e-mail address for those of you who wish to contact her.

From: ballantine1972@aol.com Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 11:12 Subject: My son, Zachary.

Good morning. My name is Laura Ballantine. I am the wife of a soldier here at Fort Polk. I have four children and a grandchild.

We’ve been here in Louisiana for three years this past November and are originally from San Diego. My son, who is 13 years old, came out to me almost a year and a half ago. My brother is Gay. I have many Gay friends. So, this news wasn’t a good news/ bad news type of thing. I offered my help and support whenever he needs it, just as I do with any other aspect of his life.

Well, as you can imagine, in the last several years Zachary has grown and matured in his own way and it’s becoming apparent to students at his school who he is. He started

it a year ago and he didn’t like it. He doesn’t want to change schools when he as the option to. I applaud his bravery, but I don’t understand. I asked him if he felt humiliated and his response to that was, “I don’t feel anything about it anymore.” That scares me.

I feel as though not only is he physically being damaged, but emotionally and mentally he is being destroyed.

Zachary is an A-B student, gets along well with his teachers and is a good citizen. I feel he’s being torn down and doesn’t want to inconvenience anyone with it. He says he doesn’t want attention drawn to the problem any more than it is. I think that nothing is going to get resolved because he’s conveying that people can get away with what they are doing because he allows it. My biggest fear now is that one day I am going to get a call or a knock at my door with the news my son’s body has been found.

As a mother, I am lost. I really have no one here I can talk to about this. I mostly have my friends back home, and they have been a wonderful help. They guided me to your organization. As you can imagine, being a military family makes things all the more difficult since there really isn’t support for parents and families like us and I really don’t want to have to deal with the stigma the military already bestows upon Gays.

Any advice and suggestions you can offer me would be greatly appreciated. You are the first place I’m coming to for support.

You were highly recommended.

Thank you in advance for your time.

Laura Ballantine

becoming the subject of verbal and physical abuse from another student last year.

When he told me what was going on I was very quick to jump to his defense. I contacted the school and the offending student was suspended. It was the last I had heard from Zachary regarding any other issues at school. That is until this last weekend. I got an e-mail from a friend Zachary had made on the internet. He’s 16, lives in Arizona and is also Gay. Zachary has been telling this boy about his encounters at school. This young man managed to get my e-mail address from Zachary and e-mailed me that there was almost daily bullying and physical abuse going on again. The same student from last year is back at it, but even more so because I reported him last year. And now there are about five more kids involved in the attacks.

The latest was last Thursday when a kid from his PE class slapped him across the face, called him a faggot and stole his glasses, which had flown off his face when the kid slapped him. Zachary tells me that he’s gotten to where he carefully plans where he sits. At lunch he has to look over his shoulder, and he tries to avoid these kids in the courtyard after lunch. PE is very stressful because the abuse takes place during class and the handful of PE coaches do nothing to stop it.

To add to this, Zachary doesn’t want me to go to the administration. I’ve done it anyway, because as his mother I cannot and will not allow him to be subject to this abuse at If those of us who were Gay were fortunate the hands of a bunch of ignorant kids. He enough to have a mother like this watching doesn’t want to be home-schooled. We tried our backs, perhaps it would have been much easier on all of us. People like Laura and her son are exactly why PFLAG exists and why they are so necessary for us to support. They are the support in places where the Gay voice isn’t always heard. Thank you, Laura, for being a kickass mum.

Beau Burriola is a Gay kid of two formerly unsupportive parents. www.beaubrent.com, beaubrent@gmail.com.

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

December 11, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

Lesbian leading race for Houston Mayor Target of anti-Gay mailer www.anniseparker.com

Annise Parker, candidate for mayor of Houston

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A Zogby poll conducted for the Houston Chronicle newspaper and released December 8 shows openly Lesbian mayoral candidate Annise Parker leading her opponent Gene Locke by 5.5 points.

The poll shows 41.9% of the respondents for Parker as opposed to 36.4% for Locke.

It is the fourth poll published since the primary election November 3, and the fourth showing Parker in the lead.

The runoff election is scheduled for Saturday, December 12.

The day before the poll was released, Parker charged her opponent’s campaign with illegally coordinating efforts with a conservative PAC which had sent out an anti-Gay mailer targeting her.

Coordinating efforts between a campaign and PAC is illegal under Texas state campaign finance laws.

According to Texas Ethics Commission documents, the finance chairman and one of the finance committee members of Locke’s campaign helped bankroll Conservative Republicans of Harris County PAC, the creation of anti-Gay activist Steven Hotze.

According to the documents, Hotze’s PAC received a $20,000 donation from Ned Holmes, finance chairman of Locke’s campaign, and $20,000 from James Dannenbaum, who is on Locke’s finance committee.

Hotze’s PAC disclosed $56,000 in donations between October 25 and December 2.

LGBT organizations call for ENDA passage now Courtesy of Pride At Work AFL-CIO Pride At Work AFL-CIO and 21 other LGBT organizations reacted to the postponement of a scheduled markup on ENDA in the House Education and Labor Committee with a joint statement calling on Congress to pass ENDA immediately.

The Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) protects against employment discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. It was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 24 as HR 3017, and in the US Senate on August 5 as S 1584.

Pride At Work is an LGBT labor organization affiliated with the AFL-CIO, but it also includes members of Change To Win and independent unions, and non-union allies.

King County Pride At Work can be reached at 206-261-8110 or OutFront.PrideAtWork@gmail.com The joint statement of 22 LGBT organizations follows: In light of continuing delays in the House of Representatives, we must state clearly and unequivocally: Passing basic job protections for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people must happen now. At a time when our government is deeply focused on the critical issue of employment, it is inexcusable to delay action on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Each and every job lost to prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity needlessly compounds the unemployment challenges facing our nation. We call on Congress for the immediate passage of ENDA. For decades now, we have called upon Congress to pass legislation to address the basic right of LGBT people to work free from discrimination at our jobs, and now Congress tells us we must wait another year.

In 29 states, it remains legal to fire people based on sexual orientation and in 38 states, discrimination based on gender identity remains legal. In failing to take swift action to pass ENDA, our government allows unfettered bigotry to go unchecked, leading to the loss of jobs, fear in the workplace, economic instability, and personal hardship, while allowing employers to lose competent experienced workers. ENDA is urgently needed by our communities.

The majority of Americans consistently state their support for employment protec-

tions and voters have affirmed similar state and local measures. There is absolutely no reason for Congress to continue to delay this non-controversial bill or drop LGBT issues to the bottom of their agenda. We will not be denied basic rights any longer. Nothing is more important than protecting people’s jobs, so ENDA must pass now. Further delays are absolutely unacceptable.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

Matthew Coles & James Esseks, Co-Directors, American Civil Liberties Union LGBT Project Jeanna Frazzini, Basic Rights Oregon Terry Stone, Executive Director, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers Randi Romo, Executive Director, Center for Artistic Revolution Bob Palmatier, Board Chair, Equality Alabama Robin Tyler, Executive Director, The Equality Campaign, Inc. Geoff Kors, Executive Director, Equality California Toni Broaddus, Executive Director, Equality Federation Nadine Smith, Executive Director, Equality Florida Rick Garcia, Director of Public Policy, Equality Illinois Ian Palmquist, Executive Director, Equality North Carolina Stephen Skinner, President, Fairness West Virginia

Only two other donors, who contributed a total of $16,000, are listed.

Hotze used the money to finance a mailer which appeared last week, urging voters not to choose Parker and two candidates for City Council because they were “endorsed by a Gay Lesbian political action committee,” a reference to Houston’s Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Political Caucus.

It labeled some candidates as “radical liberals” and supported others based on their record of fiscal conservatism.

Hotze endorsed Locke for mayor after the November 3 primary. Locke actively solicited his support, but he now says he has not decided whether to accept that endorsement.

Hotze has been a leader in opposing Lesbian and Gay candidates and issues in Houston since the 1980s.

Locke, on the other hand, had previously been an ally of Houston’s LGBT community. Before the primary, Locke sought the endorsement of the Houston Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus. As city attorney, he wrote Houston’s non-discrimination ordinance.

Parker also accuses Locke’s campaign of coordinating with homebuilder Bob Perry who donated $50,000 to the Houston Police Officers Union (HPOU). They then sent a mailer charging that Parker was “soft on crime.”

Perry, who has built a number of developments in the Oak Lawn section of Houston, is best known for financing George Bush’s “swiftboating” campaign against John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election.

Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director, Family Equality Council Mary Griggs, Managing Director, Forum for Equality Lee Swislow, Executive Director, Gay and Lesbian Advocates & Defenders Jarrett Tomás Barrios, President, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Eliza Byard, Executive Director, Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network Joe Solmonese, President, Human Rights Campaign Rachel B. Tiven, Executive Director, Immigration Equality Earl Fowlkes, President/CEO, International Federation of Black Prides, Inc. Travis Myles, Board Chair, Kentucky Fairness Alliance Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director, Lambda Legal Christian Berle, Director, Log Cabin Republicans National Office Sharon J. Lettman, Executive Director/CEO, National Black Justice Coalition Kate Kendell, Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality

December 11, 2009

Parker campaign manager Adam Harris said evidence points to coordination.

“Locke and HPOU share donors and have a common strategist,” he said. “Locke’s campaign has been meeting with Hotze’s strategist, and they even offered him a job.

Hotze’s funders are Gene’s closest advisers and major financial supporters. Locke is either behind all the illegal coordination or has absolutely lost control of his campaign.

Either way, that’s bad for Houston and we deserve better.”

Holmes, former chairman of the Port of Houston Authority and the Greater Houston Partnership, said he has been a long-time supporter of Hotze’s PAC and that his donation was not earmarked for the mail piece.

Dannenbaum could not be reached for comment.

A spokesman for HPOU said Perry is a frequent supporter of the union and that HPOU did not need his financial contribution to send out mail pieces.

Parker was elected Houston City Controller – the second most powerful city office – in 2003, and was reelected without opposition in 2005 and 2007. She served on Houston’s City Council from 1997 to 2003.

Locke was formerly Houston city attorney, and is now in private practice. His law firm’s relationship with public entities in the Houston metropolitan area, which he might control or influence as mayor, has been an ongoing issue in the campaign.

While Houston’s municipal elections are officially non-partisan, both Parker and Locke are Democrats.

Rebecca Fox, Executive Director, National Coalition for LGBT Health Rea Carey, Executive Director,

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund

Michael Mitchell, Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats Gregory Varnum, Executive Director, National Youth Advocacy Coalition Mo Baxley, Executive Director, New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Laura Pople, President, New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition Paulin Park, Chair, New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy Selisse Berry, Founding Executive Director, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates Jody Huckaby, Executive Director, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) National Kathy Kelly, Executive Director, MEGA Family Project Jo Kenny, Interim Director, Pride at Work AFL-CIO C. Dray Drew, Executive Director, PROMO Christopher Sanders, Tennessee Equality Project Masen Davis, Executive Director, Transgender Law Center

Seattle Gay News

5

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer Tucked into a small building on Rudolfplatz, a popular square in central Cologne where the illuminated signs of Gay sex-toy shops and Starbucks greet thousands of passers-by each day, you’ll find the humble and well-kept offices of the Gay Games organizing committee. A large digital clock, ticking down the minutes and seconds to the event, is mounted on one side of the main room, while posters, postcards, and stick pins are located in piles here and there, and just about everywhere. Excitedly busy, the staff answers more e-mails, schedules more meetings, writes more press releases, and processes more applications, all the while noticing precious seconds vanishing from the countdown clock.

Last month, after a rowdy Carnival festival that flooded the streets with costumeclad partiers, I spent an afternoon in Cologne with Michael Klein, the public relations and communications director for Gay Games.

We met across the street from the famed Cathedral, then Klein kindly drove me to the campus of The German Sports University, where half of the sporting competitions and opening/closing ceremonies will take place.

A liaison for Gay Games and the college, which attracts students and Olympic-bound athletes from Europe and as far away as the United States, guided us through gymnasiums, cafeterias, aquatic centers, lecture

halls, and locker rooms that will be used for sporting and cultural events next summer.

It was an impressive tour, as Klein is quick to point out not only which event is taking place at each specific venue, but he also gives me particular details, like a meal plan that will allow participants to choose from four separate menus (vegetarian, etc.).

RheinEnergie Stadion will hold 48,000 attendees for the opening ceremonies, and in the tradition of grand European soccer stadiums, it’s an amazing venue to take in with the first breath. This will be the place where Gay men and women from around the world will proudly stand in unison, many who will have overcome difficult obstacles just to get here. This will be where new friendships will be made, where tears will be shed, where a week of partying will begin, and where my friends will march in and represent my city of Seattle. I take a moment to take it all in, and then it’s time to pile into the car and look at a few more venues before darkness sets in, like a beach volleyball court full of sand, soccer fields laid out on an opposite side of campus, and a trail along the perimeter of the university that will welcome marathoners in August.

Klein and I drove back to central Cologne, 10 minutes from the sports campus (a subway train runs directly to the campus from

EU treaty is first to ban discrimination against Gays The European Union’s Treaty of Lisbon, which came into force December 1, incorporates the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the only international governmental document that bans discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Article 21 states, “Any discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation shall be prohibited.”

According to the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (aka ILGAEurope), the charter “is the first EU consolidated document containing the values and fundamental economic, social, civil and political rights to which EU citizens should be entitled.”

“The European Union made it crystal clear and provided the EU institutions and EU member states with guidelines that discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is incompatible with the application of the union’s law,” said ILGA-Europe Board Co-chair Martin K.I. Christensen.

Three countries opted out of the charter, Christensen said – the United Kingdom, Poland and the Czech Republic.

“We are particularly concerned with Poland’s reasons for not signing the charter as the Polish leaders believe the charter might compromise their sovereignty in the ‘sphere of public morality, family law,’” he said.

The Treaty of Lisbon gives more power to the European Parliament, increases EU member states’ and institutions’ obligations to tackle discrimination and to mainstream equality, and makes the EU a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights.

“The European Union was always one of the world’s leaders on human rights, but now we have a treaty ratified by all 27 EU member states which clearly identifies the duties of the EU institutions to take human rights and equality issues to the very center of their work when adopting various policies and taking actions,” said ILGA-Europe

Seattle Gay News

Rhein Energie Stadion, site of the Gay Games VIII Opening Ceremonies

Rudolfplatz), and we grabbed a corner table at a cozy cafe on Friesenwall street, firmly situated in the city’s known Gay district called “The Bermuda Triangle.” There’s noticeable excitement from Klein, and he has reason to be ecstatic as 2,800 participants are already fully registered – a figure that exceeds expectations at this point. But there are minor challenges to be dealt with, primarily the language; plenty of Germans speak English, enough to provide you with directions and basic information, but with

streets signs, subway stations, and restaurant menus entirely in German, there’s bound to be confusion and frustration from some of the participants. Like in any international urban center, the further you go away from downtown, the less English is likely to be spoken.

Another challenge, and one I immediately bring up to Klein, is drumming up support see gay games page 18

unions,” said John Kloprogge of Equal Love Canberra. “The federal government is being held hostage by the Australian Christian Lobby, and the ACT Labor Party should not aid and abet the blackmailing of their

by Rex Wockner federal party colleagues.”

SGN Contributing Writer Equal Love’s Gab Hitch said the amendments “sold out” the Gay community.

“The ACT civil-union laws have been so Board Co-chair Linda Freimane. watered down that they are now unrecognizable to the original legislation tabled by the Argentine same-sex Stanhope Labor Government,” Hitch said. marriage blocked, “This is death by a thousand amendments to Supreme Court to rule A national judge on November 30 blocked civil unions in the ACT.” a city judge’s ruling that legalized Gay marUN secretary-general riage in Buenos Aires – canceling the city’s calls for end first same-sex wedding scheduled for Deto Gay discrimination cember 1 – but the nation’s Supreme Court In a World AIDS Day message December promptly announced it will rule on the is1, United Nations Secretary-General Ban sue.

Activists Alex Freyre and José María Di Ki-moon said the world must “shine the full Bello planned their wedding after Judge Ga- light of human rights on HIV.” “I urge all countries to remove punitive briela Seijas ruled November 16 in a case the couple filed that it is unconstitutional not laws, policies and practices that hamper the AIDS response,” he said. to treat everyone equally under the law.

“In many countries, legal frameworks inBut Civil Court 85 Judge Marta Gómez Alsina declared December 1 that Seijas had stitutionalize discrimination against groups overstepped her authority in determining most at risk. Yet discrimination against sex that the nation’s ban on same-sex marriage workers, drug users and men who have sex with men only fuels the epidemic and predid not apply to Freyre and Di Bello.

Buenos Aires, some other Argentine cities vents cost-effective interventions.

“We must ensure that AIDS responses are and the province of Río Negro already have civil-union laws for same-sex couples. Else- based on evidence, not ideology, and reach where in Latin America, similar laws are in those most in need and most affected.” force in Uruguay, Mexico City, the Brazilian Sweden state of Rio Grande do Sul, and the Mexican changes ban state of Coahuila, which borders Texas. on Gay Same-sex marriage is legal in Belgium, blood donors Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Sweden will end its blanket ban on blood Africa, Spain, Sweden, and the U.S. states of Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Ver- donation by Gay men on March 1, the Namont and, starting in January, New Hamp- tional Board of Health and Welfare said December 1. shire.

Under the new rules, Gay men who have not had sex with another man for at least a Australian year can be approved as donors.

Capital Territory Some Gay activists said the change is sees civil-union battle Some Gay activists in the Australian Capi- mostly meaningless since most Gay men do tal Territory have rejected proposed amend- not practice celibacy. ments to the ACT civil-partnership laws.

Government Territory Attorney-General Simon Coropens Gay bar bell reportedly struck a deal with the federal in China government that allows ACT Gay couples Officials in Dali Prefecture in China’s to have an official ceremony in conjunction with a civil partnership. But to seal the Yunnan Province have opened a Gay bar in deal, Corbell gave in to a federal demand hopes of reducing stigma against Gay men that the celebrants’ actions will carry no le- and thereby slowing the spread of HIV. The gal weight and that only the actions of the prefecture spent about $17,500 to set up the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages venue, which is run by the Gay group Good Friend Center. matter legally.

“The proposed changes to the ACT laws With assistance from Bill Kelley entirely undermine the purpose of civil

INTERNATIONAL

NEWS

6

Albert Rodriguez

Cologne gets ready for Gay Games VIII

December 11, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

NORTHWEST

NEWS

compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer

PRIDE FOUNDATION & GSBA OFFERING $300,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2010-11 Pride Foundation and the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) are accepting applications for 2010-11 scholarships to eligible LGBT students and straight allies. Currently, $300,000 in scholarship money is available during this cycle. Pride Foundation along with the GSBA offers 50 different scholarships, all through a single streamlined application. For more information on previous scholars, the scholarship process, or how to start a scholarship fund, visit www.pridefoundation.org/scholarships/ or www.PrideFoundationScholar.org or thegsbascholarship.org. Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2010 at 5 p.m. PST. VOICES RISING – LGBTQ OF COLOR ARTS & CULTURE – PRESENTS AN EVENING OF SPOKEN WORD, HIP HOP, POETRY & ARTISTRY On Friday, December 11, at 7:30 p.m., Voices Rising presents Luzviminda Carpenter, Crystal Ybarra, Marita Isabel and Ela Barton, with Chad Goller-Sojourner, at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., just north of E. Pine St., for an evening of spoken word, hip-hop, poetry and artistry. Tickets: $10-$25 sliding scale. www.facebook. com/voicesrisingseattle. www.brownpapertickets.com.

SEATTLE MEN IN LEATHER’S “PICTURES WITH SANTA” On Friday and Saturday evening, December 11 and 12, from 8 p.m.-midnight, the Seattle Men in Leather will host their annual “Pictures With Santa” fundraiser at The Cuff Complex, 1533 13th Ave. at E. Pine St. Come get your picture taken with a hot and hunky Santa. Your $5 donation will benefit Lambert House, Seattle’s LGBTQ youth resource center. Plus enjoy naughty elves and other guests both nights.

FREE MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY SCREENINGS AT THE WILDROSE The YWCA LGBT Health Outreach program and the Wildrose Tavern will conduct mobile mammography screenings on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at The Wildrose, 1021 E. Pike St. The screenings are free for income-eligible people age 40 and over who lack insurance or are underinsured. Those with insurance are also welcome. To make an appointment, please call 206-436-8671 or email lbthealth@ywcaworks.org.

GAY CITY PRESENTS MIRRORED – A GCTV SHORT FILM What’s in your reflection? Gay City’s latest GCTV short film explores the relationships between Gay men, our body images, and its impact on our community. Join Gay City on Saturday, December 12, at 2 p.m., at the Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., for this FREE event, FREE popcorn, and FREE lively post-film discussion. Presented

by Gay City and Three Dollar Bill Cinema.

“A HOLIDAY SHOW TO REMEMBER” On Saturday, December 12, door at 6 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m., the Imperial Court of Seattle, the Imperial Court of Tacoma, and the Knights of Malta/Jet Chapter present “A Holiday Show to Remember,” at Neighbours, 1509 Broadway, entrance in alley between Broadway and Harvard Ave. off E. Pike St. Enjoy a festive evening of fine drag entertainment, plus silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Cost is $5 at the door along with an unwrapped toy or food donation.

DIVERSE HARMONY – “A SEASON OF GIVING” On Saturday, December 12, at 7 p.m., Diverse Harmony presents “A Season of Giving,” an evening of music and scrumptious desserts benefiting Diverse Harmony, the nation’s first Gay/straight youth alliance chorus and the GSBA’s youth scholarship program. With special guest performance by the Seattle Women’s Chorus’ ensemble, Sensible Shoes. The event will be held at the Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave. at E. Union St. Tickets: $50 suggested donation – 90% of each ticket sold will benefit Diverse Harmony, 10% will benefit the GSBA youth scholarship fund. www.diverseharmony.org.

GSBA HOLIDAY LUNCHEON AND ANNUAL MEETING WITH SYLVIA O’STAYFORMORE On Wednesday, December 16, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., the GSBA (the Greater Seattle Business Association), Seattle’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, hosts their Holiday Luncheon and Annual Meeting at the Renaissance Hotel, 515 Madison St. Come toast the outgoing GSBA board members, welcome new 2010 GSBA board members and celebrate the holiday season with entertainment by Sylvia O’Stayformore.

Out magazine voted Sylvia the hottest drag queen in America in 2003. www.stayformore.com.

Cost is $30 – members (in advance); $35 – non-members (in advance); $30 – students (in advance); walk-ins are $10 more at the door. www.thegsba.org; 206-363-9188.

LIFE LINES 2010 ROSIE THE RIVETER CALENDAR MEET & GREET & SIGNING TO BENEFIT WASHINGTON WOMEN IN THE TRADES On Wednesday, December 16, from 3-5 p.m., Mosaic, 9200 Holman Road NW, will host a meet and greet and calendar signing event in celebration of the 2010 Rosie the Riveter Calendar, featuring 13 extraordinary Northwest women who worked as “Rosie the Riveters” during World War II. This informal afternoon event will give the public a rare opportunity to meet these extraordinary women, swap stories and purchase a collectable, signed copy of the 2010 calendar – $20 each – which supports Washington Women in the Trades ongoing community projects.

The calendar is also available at Not a Number Cards & Gifts, 1905 N. 45th St.

GRACE GOSPEL CHAPEL’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT On Saturday, December 12, at 7 p.m., Grace Gospel Chapel, 2052 N.W. 64th St., presents their annual Christmas Concert, featuring accomplished concert pianist, Jee Wong, with local vocalists. A dessert bar and refreshments will be served after the concert.

Grace Gospel Chapel is the oldest independent LGBTQ church in the US. The church is also straight affirming. The church has limited disability access due to the age of its building. They have a stair seat lift with people available to assist with the chair lift as well as taking chairs up and down “LIGHT THE NIGHT” – their facility. However, electric wheelchairs A GLBTQ HANUKKAH are not accessible due to their weight. The On Wednesday, December 16, from 7-9 chapel does not have ramps. 206-784-8495; p.m., Kolenu – The GLBTQ Initiative of www.gracegospelwa.org.

Jconnect Seattle invites you to “Light the Night: A GLBTQ Hanukkah,” at Sole ReINGERSOLL GENDER CENTER pair, 1001 E. Pike St., to “celebrate the mirPRESENTS SNOWBALL 2009 acle of Hanukkah as we honor eight com“SIMPLY WONDERFUL!” munity leaders who have been influential in HOLIDAY CELEBRATION On Saturday, December 12, from 7 p.m.- our local fight for equality.

“During the Festival of Lights we rememmidnight, the Ingersoll Gender Center presents their annual holiday celebration at Café ber the importance of standing up for who Metropolitain, 1701 E. Olive Way. Dress you are. Each candle we light of the menoup or dress down, this event is for all ages. rah reminds us of the story of the Maccabees Enjoy music, dance, celebration and food. and the light inspires us to continue working Only $9 at the door! www.ingersollcenter. for justice and equality in the GLBTQ community. org.

“We’ll have everything from latkes to dreidels, and the evening will also include a “A CABARET beautiful candle lighting ceremony symbolWINTER WONDERLAND izing both the miracle of Hanukkah and the WITH ARNALDO!” Julia’s on Broadway, 300 Broadway E., idea that great leadership and community presents “A Cabaret Winter Wonderland action will prevail against oppression.”

The event is FREE. with Arnaldo!” on Sundays, December 13 and 20, show at 7 p.m., with dinner seatLE FAUX ing at 5:30 p.m., featuring the Victor Janusz HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA Jazz Trio. Traditional and non-traditional TO BENEFIT SCCC’S tunes will be showcased in this American FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE Style Cabaret – from “Winter Wonderland,” SUCCESS PROGRAM “Santa Baby,” and “What Are You Doing On Wednesday, December 16, Julia’s on New Year’s Eve?” to Maltby and Shire’s “I Don’t Remember Christmas,” Fishberg’s Broadway, 300 Broadway E., presents the “You Are There,” and the French classic 2009 Le Faux Holiday Extravaganza Benefit Performance for Seattle Central Com“Les Fuilles Mortes.”

General admission: $18 + two-drink munity College’s The Friends of the Colminimum at www.brownpapertickets.com/ lege Success Program (FCSP) with the ever event/84315; seniors and students: $10 with outrageous Shannel and the full Le Faux cast performing holiday favorites. No host valid ID, please call 206-334-0513. bar at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., show at 8:30 p.m.

SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS Come see Seattle’s finest celebrity imperHOLIDAY CONCERTS sonators, cabaret stars, and burlesque perDECEMBER 13, 14 & 20 Santa’s bag is jam-packed with new mu- formers and support Seattle Central Comsical toys, as well as new takes on old fa- munity College’s students who are former vorites in the SMC’s 2009 holiday concert, foster youth. Tickets: $25-show; $50-din“Santa Baby.” This year, tune into a “Very ner/show single; $65-VIP dinner/show Special Christmas Special” with hilarious single; $90-dinner/show couple; $125-VIP highlights from forgotten TV Christmas dinner/show couple. 206-334-0513; www. shows, a Bollywood carol that will expand brownpapertickets.com/event/46489. your holiday horizons, and the chorus’ inGEOFF RYMAN spiring version of “Silent Night,” back by BOOK READING & SIGNING popular demand. Add in the majestic sounds On Friday, December 18, at 7 p.m., NW of Benaroya Hall’s Watjen concert organ and you have a wonderful new visit with Media Arts and the University Book Store a Seattle holiday tradition. 12/13, 12/14 & present a Fantastic Fiction salon with award12/20 @ 7:30 p.m., Benaroya Hall, 3rd Ave. winning and openly Gay author, Geoff Ry& University St. 206-388-1400; www.fly- man, at the University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE. $5 suggested donation. inghouse.org.

Ryman will also be teaching a writing workshop as part of the Fantastic Fiction

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December 11, 2009

Workshop Series at Richard Hugo House on Saturday, December 19, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 206-322-7030; www.hugohouse.org.

SHIFT PEER RECOVERY NETWORK HOSTS GAME NIGHT AT DUNSHEE HOUSE On Friday, December 18, from 9 p.m.-1 a.m., the SHIFT Peer Recovery Network will host a substance-free dinner and game night for LGBTQ people in recovery and their friends at Dunshee House, 303 17th Ave. E. MEN OF ALL COLORS & CULTURES TOGETHER HOLIDAY POTLUCK SOCIAL On Saturday, December 19, from 5-10 p.m., Men of All Colors & Cultures Together (MACCT) will be hosting their Holiday Potluck Social. For additional information and location, call 206-923-8313 or email macctseattle@yahoo.com.

SEATTLE WOMEN’S CHORUS HOLIDAY CONCERTS DECEMBER 19 & 20 The heavenly and angelic voices of the Seattle Women’s Chorus will once again be “Making Spirits Bright” in their annual holiday concert. Joyful numbers will combine with inspirational carols to create an experience the whole family will love. 12/19 at 8 p.m. and 12/20 at 2 p.m. at Meany Hall, University of Washington. 206-388-1400; www.flyinghouse.org.

MCC SEATTLE HOSTS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SERVICE AND COMMUNITY DINNER On Sunday, December 20, at 12:30 p.m., Metropolitan Community Church Seattle invites the entire Queer community and its straight supporters, to their annual Christmas worship service and community dinner in the Chapel at Temple de Hirsch Sinai, 1441 16th Ave. at E. Union St. Tom Carlisle, an energetic pianist and singer and long time favorite of the Seattle Men’s Chorus, will be bringing special music for the worship service.

MCC Seattle is the oldest congregation in the Pacific Northwest founded by and for the Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Bisexual community. Rev. Ray Neal is the senior pastor, having come to Seattle in March, 2009.

Rev. Michelle Carmody serves the congregation as Associate Pastor.

206-325-2421; www.mccseattle.org.

“A CHILD’S HOLIDAY” – RAINBOW CITY BAND’S HOLIDAY CONCERT On Sunday, December 20, at 3 p.m., the Rainbow City Band presents their holiday concert, “A Child’s Holiday,” at the Broadway Performance Hall, Broadway & E. Pine St. The concert will be a magical, musical journey back to childhood, and those days when the Menorah shone brightly in the window, and those Christmas presents were under the tree just BEGGING to be unwrapped! The celebration will feature such classics as “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The Purple Passion Swing Band will also make toes tap with their high energy take on the holidays. Get ready to ride in Santa’s sleigh as they perform “Hot Chocolate” from the big screen hit, The Polar Express. It’s an afternoon of music, fun, and family, as they kick off the holidays, Rainbow City Band style! Tickets: $15 general admission in advance at www.rainbowcityband.com and at the door.

GAY SKATE PARTY AT BELLEVUE SKATE KING On Monday, December 21, from 7-10 p.m., enjoy an evening of roller skating at Bellevue Skate King, 2301 140th Ave. NE, Bellevue, at this LGBTQ community social event for friends and family. Cost is $8 at the door; $5 under 18. Regular skate rentals: FREE. Inline skate rentals: $4 or bring your own skates. For more information and directions, call 425-458-4707.

Seattle Gay News

7

by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer The Courage Campaign, the second-biggest player for the Gay side in California’s continuing war over same-sex marriage, said November 30 that it was pulling out of the campaign to put an initiative before voters in 2010 to repeal Proposition 8.

Passed by voters in 2008, Prop 8 amended the state constitution to re-ban same-sex marriage just four and one-half months after it had become legal.

“We need a combination of powerful and clear research that informs an expertly run campaign, an unstoppable movement that harnesses the new energy we have seen since the passage of Prop 8, and the connections through personal stories and outreach in order to win at the ballot box,” said Chair Rick Jacobs. “We are taking the lessons learned from last year’s Prop. 8 campaign, the campaigns in Maine and other states to understand the fundamental work that must be done before moving forward in California. We also must come together as a community to create a broad coalition and governance structure, put in place a strong manager and secure the resources to win. Right now, the pieces are not all in place to do so confidently.”

The biggest player for the Gay side, Equality California, came out in opposition to the 2010 effort previously, saying it will instead work toward a 2012 campaign asking voters to re-amend the constitution.

Courage’s decision leaves the Los Angeles-based group Love Honor Cherish as the sole substantial player working to put a Prop 8 referendum on the November 2010 ballot.

On November 16, LHC started gathering the more than 1 million voter signatures it needs to put the measure before voters. Exactly 694,354 valid voter signatures must be turned in to state officials by April 12.

LHC has said it will rely only on volunteers, eschewing the normal practice in California of hiring people to gather hundreds of thousands of signatures.

Executive Director John Henning did not respond to a reporter’s e-mail asking how the signature-gathering is coming along.

The proposed amendment being circulated states, in part: “To provide for fairness in the government’s issuance of marriage licenses, Section 7.5 of Article I of the California Constitution is hereby amended to read ... Marriage is between only two persons and shall not be restricted on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender,

Rex Wockner

UPDATE: Courage Campaign rejects 2010 effort to repeal Prop 8 sexual orientation, or religion.”

Meanwhile, the federal lawsuit by famous lawyers Ted Olson and David Boies, which argues that Prop 8 violates the U.S. Constitution, is heading to trial in San Francisco in January.

Some key activists, speaking privately, believe the Gay side will win both at the trial-court and the appeals-court level, which would deposit the case on the doorstep of the U.S. Supreme Court.

These analysts think four U.S. Supreme Court justices might agree and four might disagree that Prop 8 and other same-sexmarriage bans violate the due-process and equal-protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution by singling out Gays for disfavored legal status and discriminating on the basis of gender and sexual orientation.

The biggest wild card, the thinking goes, is Justice Anthony Kennedy, who previously sided with Gays in striking down all remaining U.S. bans on Gay sex as well as a statewide ban on Gay rights laws in Colorado.

CONTROVERSY In the aftermath of the Courage Campaign’s announcement, a mini-controversy erupted when the group refused to release new internal research data on which it said its decision was based.

Among those who criticized the nonrelease were well-known Gay journalists and bloggers.

“However and whatever way you peel the onion, [Courage Campaign] has lost some trust in the grassroots community, no matter whether you agree that trust should have been broken or not,” blogger Phillip Minton wrote at his UniteTheFight.org site. “Showing how much research was done and by whom, how much money was spent, how extensively and in what way, could be a first step in rebuilding that trust. Another step could be to confidentially share their findings with other LGBT advocacy groups who may really need the information. Otherwise, CC is well on its way to being ironically put in the same position as its old rival Equality California found themselves after Prop 8 – being angrily and distrustfully called to intense accountability with disbelief being the response to anything they say.”

But Courage spokesman Steve Hildebrand strongly defended the group’s silence.

“We do not think it is in the best interest of the marriage-equality movement to share strategic research with the media, as it would result in news stories that provide vital strategic information to our opponents,” he said. “Same-sex marriage opponents have proven to do whatever it takes to pre-

Courage Campaign Chair Rick Jacobs now says 2010 is too early to ask California voters to unban same-sex marriage

vent LGBT people from gaining equality.

They have kept a tight lid on their strategy and tactics and it’s proven successful. Our side needs to be just as smart and keep strategic data internal to our efforts.”

Blogger Michael Petrelis was unimpressed with that reasoning.

On his Petrelis Files blog, he wrote: “I’m over being asked to trust any Gay leader with a roadmap, polling research or insidebaseball knowledge that just simply can’t be shared with the larger and fuller cross-spectrum of the Gay community. If these leaders can’t, in 2009, determine a way to conduct research, create a Gay sunshine panel to review the data, without divulging superduper top secrets to our enemies, and share some of their damn research, research that is the basis for big decisions, then I hope they fail. No more blind trust from Gays for choices made by our unelected leaders behind closed doors.”

Petrelis’ anger hearkens back to the harsh criticism last year of the leaders of the disastrous No on 8 campaign, who were widely disparaged for alleged insularity and ineptitude.

Of those leaders, only Equality California Executive Director Geoff Kors seems poised to play a major role in the next campaign.

EQCA’S PLANS In an interview December 5, Kors said, “EQCA has taken the lessons learned from

8

Seattle Gay News

December 11, 2009

Prop 8 and the loss in Maine to heart and we are committed to trying and testing different approaches, messages and messengers rather than turning everything over to campaign ‘experts,’ who I believe rely too much on focus-group-driven research, as that has not resulted in a marriage victory at the ballot in any state.”

Kors said that in preparation for the 2012 campaign, EQCA has opened field offices around the state and is “doing door-to-door canvasses with other organizations in the places where the Yes on 8 campaign got the majority of their votes.”

He said such canvassing didn’t happen last year “and is essential to building the grassroots field infrastructure that is needed and that the community wants.”

In addition, Kors said, EQCA has increased its work with “communities of color and faith,” is hosting public and online forums “to obtain greater input about our work” and is “aggressively pushing elected officials to support full equality.”

He said the organization also is “calling out” same-sex-marriage opponents “for creating a climate that results in hate crimes and teen suicides, and making it clear that the danger to youth comes not from students learning about LGBT people in schools, but rather from not teaching about LGBT people in schools.”

With assistance from Bill Kelley

Celebrating 36 Years!

Coach Jim Harbaugh: I did not say “faggot”

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Stanford Cardinal Football Coach Jim Harbaugh denies he used the word “faggot” while yelling at officials during the November 28 Notre Dame-Stanford game.

In a statement to Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), one of the nation’s leading LGBT advocacy organizations, Harbaugh said: “It did not come out of my mouth. It would not come out of my mouth. It’s not in my heart to ever say that.”

Allegedly, Harbaugh yelled some choice words at game officials during the college football game – a contest that Harbaugh’s team, the Cardinals, won 45 to 38. After a quarterback scramble gave the Cardinals a first down, the referees called a holding penalty, negating the play. That call set Harbaugh off on the following alleged rant: “That’s bullshit! Asshole! Fucking asshole faggot!”

In sports, without a doubt, there is a long and documented tradition of vulgar, profanity-laced rants against game officials who make calls a coach does not agree with.

Most of these rants are immortalized in “best-of” videos where coaches are ejected from a game after screaming at an official or throwing and kicking things.

Unfortunately, there is also a long tradition of rampant homophobia that explains

why Gay athletes in sports like football tend to stay in the closet.

The controversy started when Chris Finley made and then e-mailed a YouTube link alleging that Harbaugh yelled the homophobic slur at an official following the holding call. The problem, though, is that the audio is muted and Finley laid over some text of what he guesses Harbaugh is saying.

In other words, there is no audible proof that Harbaugh said such words.

Harbaugh told GLAAD that he did curse, but denies using an anti-Gay slur. Still, Harbaugh is bothered by the character assassination attempt in a sport that has been rocked by anti-Gay rhetoric all year.

In late September, Hawaii college football coach Greg McMackin was suspended for 30 days without pay and was fined $169,000 for making anti-Gay derogatory comments while describing Notre Dame’s chant before last year’s Hawaii Bowl.

Then, in early November, the Kansas City Chiefs fired National Football League running back Larry Johnson after he called the team’s head coach and various members of the media an anti-Gay slur.

As for Harbaugh, the simple truth remains that without audio, it is impossible to know what he said. In any case, it should go without saying that football coaches and players alike ought not to engage in anti-Gay namecalling if they want to keep their jobs and reputations intact.

Curlers hope condom sales get attention

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer The United States Curling Association (USA Curling) and longtime sponsor Kodiak Technology Group (KTG) have teamed up to sell Hurry Hard Condoms, hoping the increased interest in Olympic sports before the Vancouver Games will help raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Proceeds will be split between USA Curling and Central Coast HIV/AIDS Services.

Through sales and promotions of Hurry Hard Condoms, USA Curling and KTG – along with the Monterey County AIDS Prevention (MCAP) program – want to use the inspirational elements of sport and the Olympics to contribute to the ongoing needs for education and prevention, particularly for today’s youth.

“Hurry hard” is a curling term, and the packages feature a cartoon logo of a smiling curling stone on a house. Additionally, the packages feature the tagline “Be smart.

Stay safe.” KTG will produce and sell the condoms online (www.hurryhardcondoms. com), with distribution handled by MCAP. The International Olympic Committee has an “HIV and AIDS Prevention Through Sport” program, and considers it a “moral obligation” to “place sport at the service of mankind.”

Curling is a team game with similarities to shuffleboard, played by two teams of four players each on a rectangular sheet of carefully prepared ice. Teams take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones down the ice towards the target, known as the house. Two sweepers with brooms accompany each rock and use timing equipment and their best judgment, along with direction from their teammates, to help direct the stones to their resting place.

While it may be true that curlers aren’t as edgy as snowboarders and skiers, curling is a rapidly growing sport in the United States and around the world. The sport has gained a significant following during the past two Winter Olympic Games, leading television ratings for all Winter Olympic sports. In

February 2006, the US Curling Association website received 100 million verifiable hits, with a record 12.5 million on February 16.

Curling was the third most-searched topic on MSN.com during the Games.

“The platform that USA Curling can leverage is the Olympic exposure and excitement around the Olympics,” said Rick Patzke, USA Curling’s chief operating officer. “I’m sure it’ll bring more fodder for talk shows and things like that. But it will bring attention to the central message, which is safety and education and awareness for safer sex and HIV prevention.”

According to UNAIDS, of the 33.4 million people living with HIV, 2.1 million are children under 15. Young people account for about 40% of all new adult infections, and fewer than 40% of young people have basic information about HIV. Worldwide, approximately one in every 100 adults aged 15 to 49 is HIV-infected. Two young Americans are infected by HIV/AIDS every hour, with 40,000 to 60,000 infected annually.

“AIDS is threatening to destroy our collective sporting future and everyone must play a part in the fight,” the International Olympic Committee stated in its fact sheet.

“This is why all of us – a father or mother, a son or daughter, a brother or sister, a teacher or coach, an administrator or a community leader, an athlete or spectator – are being called on to play a part in the response to HIV/AIDS and in the fight against discrimination.”

Patzke says USA Curling’s Hurry Hard Condom project is not promoting or advocating sex. Instead, it is trying to raise awareness and promote education for a disease that has already killed 25 million people.

“The easy thing to do would be to say, ‘Oh, this is too risky,’ to say we’re not going to get involved in it,” Patzke said. “But there were enough people who thought it’s a good thing to do, and that we’re in a position to help people. Using sports to leverage things like this is sometimes the easiest way to get more exposure.”

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Florida McDonald’s refuses to hire Transgender woman

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) filed a complaint on December 7 with the Florida Commission on Human Relations against an Orlando, Florida McDonald’s for refusing to hire a Transgender woman, 17-year-old Zikerria Bellamy.

On July 10, Bellamy applied online for a position as a shift manager or crew leader at McDonald’s.

She did not complete the section that asks applicants about their gender. On July 28, a manager asked her to come in for an in-person interview. When Bellamy met the manager and he realized she is Transgender, he no longer wanted to interview her.

Determined, Bellamy says she visited a second manager in the restaurant on July 28.

The second manager insisted she fill in the gender field on the application, even though the online application assures viewers that there is no onus associated with leaving the field blank. When Bellamy checked off the “male” option she said the manager “was upset. I seen the anger, you know, like you can tell when someone gets upset.” This manager reportedly told her he “didn’t have time for this.” He followed up his comments with a scathing voice mail message to Bellamy a few hours later: “It doesn’t matter how many times you go down there, you will not get hired. … You lied to me. … You told me you was a woman. … We don’t hire faggots.”

This case, filed by TLDEF on Bellamy’s behalf, has implications at both the state and national level. TLDEF says that, in Florida, there exists no law that explicitly addresses discrimination based on gender identity.

Florida administrative agencies, however, have ruled that Transgender people are protected by the Florida Human Rights Act’s prohibitions on sex and disability discrimination.

In 38 states where Transgender people are not protected against employment discrimination, a Trans applicant could receive the same message or be fired because of who they are, and there is often little that he or she could do about it.

The lack of legal protections has immediate ramifications. TLDEF cites a recent survey conducted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality which found that 47% of Transgender people report being fired, or denied a job or promotion simply because of who they are.

In Washington State, Transgender people are protected under Anderson-Murray Civil Rights Act of 2006, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orienta-

tion – including gender expression. Initially, the victim would file a complaint with the Washington State Human Rights Commission.

According to TLDEF, federal law offers no job protection for Transgender people.

The latest federal legislation, The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was introduced in the United States Senate on August 5. If the measure becomes law, ENDA would address discrimination in the workplace by making it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, or refuse to promote an employee based on the person’s gender identity or sexual orientation at companies with 15 or more employees.

On November 5, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee held the Senate’s first hearing on the latest version of ENDA. A version of ENDA was also introduced in the United States House of Representatives on June 24. The House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing on the measure in September.

A 2007 survey showed that 72% of Americans agree that “fairness is a basic American value and employment decisions should be based solely on qualifications and job performance, including for Transgender people.” That’s an 11% increase in support since 2002, when a similar poll found that only 61% of Americans said that we need laws to protect Transgender people from discrimination.

Bellamy said her treatment made her “very upset,” but she added she hopes others don’t share her experience. She said she hopes McDonald’s will amend its employment policies to protect its Transgender applicants and employees as well as train its employees on how to appropriately deal with LGBT issues.

“Times are hard and if you have a job opening, you shouldn’t select based on gender or who someone is,” Bellamy said. “I just wanted to go in and make an honest living and provide for myself. Something like this doesn’t need to happen. I don’t want McDonald’s to get away with this.”

“It doesn’t matter how many times you go down there, you will not get hired. … You lied to me. … You told me you was a woman. … We don’t hire faggots.”

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10 Seattle Gay News

December 11, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

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December 11, 2009

Seattle Gay News 11

12 Seattle Gay News

December 11, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

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14 Seattle Gay News

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Seattle Gay News 15

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer On December 8, CapitolHillSeattle.com (CHS) and Dibspace.com teamed with more than 50 Capitol Hill businesses, service providers and entrepreneurial types for the Capitol Hill Holiday Hoopla. The free party, held at Pravda Studios, was well attended by nearly 700 Seattleites looking to discover new businesses on Capitol Hill.

“The Capitol Hill Holiday Hoopla was an astounding success,” Dominic Canterbury, CEO Dibspace.com told SGN. “If I were to put a rating to it, I’d say five stars!”

In addition to the business aspect of the Holiday Hoopla, a number of non-profits were in attendance, as well as entertainment and plenty of food and drink.

Hoopla was a joint venture between CHS and Dibspace.com, according to Justin Carder, publisher of the popular Capitol Hill blog. Carder says he’d seen the Dibspace. com guys around all the time, but when they showed up to a “CHS meetup” they began making plans for a bigger party.

“I brought the grassroots and indie Capitol Hill business connections,” Carder told SGN, “Dominic [Canterbury] brought entrepreneurial spirit and startup-style marketing.”

According to Carder, “The guys from Dibspace are a part of the 15th Ave E. fabric.”

Dibspace is a virtual currency for real stuff, says Canterbury. Businesses like it because it’s a powerful way to get new people through their doors while earning “Dibits” to pay for everything from electricians to web designers, he said. Canterbury says consumers love it because it’s easy for them

to earn Dibits and get fantastic deals.

Transactions on Dibspace are based on Dibits rather than dollars. Though Dibits aren’t cash, the pricing is the same; if a participating business normally charges $100, they would charge 100 Dibits in the Dibspace.com site.

Canterbury says Dibspace is “launching big on Capitol Hill.” He said people will soon be able to use Dibits to pay for everything from restaurants to rent.

The partnership between Dibspace and CHS for the Holiday Hoopla, according to Canterbury, couldn’t have been better. “Justin Carder was the perfect partner for this event,” he told SGN. “Carder has more love and dedication for the neighborhood than just about anyone I know, and not only does he know the neighborhood inside and out, he really knows how to get things done.”

One of the best things about living on Capitol Hill, according to Carder, is getting to know the people who make a local business work. “It’s not easy to build that dayto-day relationship,” he said. “It takes a lot of time.” With events such as the Holiday Hoopla, Carder says, “We’re trying to jumpstart those one-on-one connections.”

The connection certainly was made at Hoopla. From start to finish, the event was packed with people visiting each booth and getting to know the business owner or representative. Additionally, Canterbury saw the Dibspace.com Dibit system in action as potential customers traded Dibits for everything from cupcakes and ice cream to massages and pictures with Santa Claus. While the Capitol Hill Holiday Hoopla wasn’t your normal Christmas party, it was a festive way for the community to come together and re-

shaun knittel

Capitol Hill Holiday Hoopla gets “five stars!”

Samples from more than 50 Capitol Hill businesses were given out at the Capitol Hill Holiday Hoopla on December 8.

ceive gifts from local businesses, listen to music, mingle and celebrate Seattle’s Capitol Hill Neighborhood.

Carder promises that the December 8 event may have been the first, but certainly won’t be the last.

“There will be more Hooplas,” he told SGN. “We learned a lot putting this one

together and the response was so fantastic that we should be able to make it bigger and better – we have some fun things already planned for the next party.”

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16 Seattle Gay News

December 11, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

budget

continued from cover

“THIS IS NOT A BUDGET I CAN LIVE WITH” Gregoire quickly disavowed the draconian budget cuts she announced.

“This document is not true to the values I believe in and which have guided me through a 30-year career in public service,” she said in a letter released by her office on the same day as the budget. “It is not a budget I can live with, nor is it one I believe Washingtonians can live with.”

Gregoire plans to issue a revised budget in early January, just before the legislature reconvenes on January 11.

“My second budget will more adequately fund our public schools, pay for the basic safety net for our most needy, help more of our students achieve the higher education they need, and set the stage for a more pros-

Evan Low elected youngest Gay US mayor file photo

General Assistance-Unemployable (GAU) program, which provides a temporary safety net for people unable to work because of mental or physical disabilities. That would save $207 million.

Some 22,000 people annually use GAU grants to provide their minimum food, medical, and housing expenses.

The proposed budget would suspend funding for school levy equalization, which provides money to “property-poor” school districts, saving $110.6 million.

The budget would also suspend statesubsidized all-day kindergarten, saving another $33.6 million. State-subsidized allday kindergarten has been offered as a pilot program in a few school districts with the intention of expanding it statewide.

The budget cuts $146 million in financial aid for college students and lowers the qualifying income threshold from 70% of median family income to 50%. That means the money would only go to the lowest-income families. The size of the grants would be smaller as well.

All told, the governor’s budget would reduce spending by about $1.7 billion. The remaining $900 million would be made up by shifting money among specific state funds and tapping reserves.

Most of the state budget is off-limits to cuts because it is protected by the state constitution – such as funding for K-12 education – or by federal requirements – such as the state’s share of Medicaid, a federal-state insurance program for the poor.

perous future,” Gregoire’s letter said.

Her office has not detailed options for raising more money. However, Democratic leaders in the state House and Senate joined her recently in calling for new taxes to help close the budget gap.

Gregoire said she expects new taxes to cover the GAU, the Basic Health Plan, school levy equalization, financial aid for college students and a shortlist of other state services worth about $700 million combined.

The Governor also said she expects to secure federal funding for some programs.

“I anticipate the legislature may receive good news from the federal government concerning reimbursements for some of our safety net programs,” she said.

Gregoire added that she expects to ask for about $1 billion in actual cuts.

Until the legislature convenes and begins to tackle the budget, it remains unclear which cuts are likely to remain and how new taxes will be raised.

State Budget Director Richard Moore cited a proposed $89.5 million cut in funding for colleges and universities as an example of a cut that will probably remain in the final budget.

“That would be tough to restore,” Moore said, adding that increasing tuition to make up for the cuts isn’t an option.

“They’ll just take the cut,” he said. “I think you’ll see fewer class offerings. I think you’ll see bigger class sizes.”

The Governor also said she would take administrative action to close all or part of nine state prisons to save money.

Ahtanum View, Larch and Pine Lodge prisons would be closed under the Governor’s plan. In addition, a wing at the state prison in Walla Walla will be closed, and the McNeil Island Corrections Center would be downsized from a maximum-security to a minimum-security facility.

Those moves and consolidation of inmate beds elsewhere are expected to save $65 million over the next three years.

On the revenue side, the Governor seemed to foreclose the possibility of a state income tax, long a favorite budget remedy of progressives. Instead, she hinted she might opt for more limited adjustments to the state tax code.

“With regard to revenue, we should first look at eliminating unfair and unproductive exemptions and loopholes. … While it is evident we cannot cut our way out of this budget dilemma, it is just as certain we cannot tax our way out of it,” Gregoire said.

Evan Low elected mayor of Campbell, California

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Evan Low was elected mayor of Campbell, California, on December 1, making him the country’s youngest Gay mayor.

Low is 26, has been a Campbell City Council member since 2006, and served as vice mayor this past year.

“Generally, the vice mayor is voted in as the next mayor,” Low explained to reporters. Campbell’s mayor is elected by the City Council from among their members.

Low is Asian American and a fifth-generation Californian.

Since his election to the Campbell City Council, he has become active in Democratic Party circles nationally, winning election in September to an at-large seat on the Democratic National Committee.

In the spring he ran for the male vice chair post within the state Democratic Party against another Gay candidate but conceded the race to Eric Bauman prior to the vote at

the state party convention.

He was threatened with being recalled from office last fall for speaking out against Prop 8, the ban on same-sex marriage passed in the November 2008 election, but managed to keep his seat.

Low was chosen as a grand marshal of the San Francisco Pride Parade in 2008.

Balancing the city’s budget amid the economic troubles facing the state will be his top priority over the next year.

“Mainly, I want to make sure we maintain a fiscally sound budget and do not make any layoffs,” he said.

He also wants to make city government more transparent by streaming city meetings live online and plans to be accessible to Campbell residents outside of City Hall.

Campbell is a city of some 39,000 people, a suburb of San Jose. About 73% of its residents are white, somewhat more than 14% Asian American, and 2.5% African American. It is perhaps best known as the original home of eBay.

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Seattle Gay News 17

gay games continued from page 6

from the local community, specifically the straight population of this reputable Gayfriendly city. While residents are openminded and pose no foreseeable problems for Gay Games, the ones I met and spoke to were unaware of the grand scale of the event. Thousands and thousands of Gay men and women will arrive in Cologne in eight months to partake in something that has become a milestone for many, and even for those who view it with less symbolism and come for the social aspect, or – rather bluntly – to get laid. This is a huge event that carries on long after the sun goes down.

Simply put, locals appear to be uneducated as to what the Gay Games is all about. The organizing committee will need to work closely with local media and the city’s tourism office to not only inform them of the magnitude of such an event, but to also gather their support. Athletes, participants, travel companions, and spectators will want to be welcomed in Cologne with precedence, not be treated as just another tourist.

Twelve thousand participants are expected to register by late July. The latest addition to Gay Games VIII is bridge – if you play and are interested in taking your skills to the next level, there are now medals on the line. Besides those competing or registering for cultural events, an expected number of spectators, mainly from neighboring European countries, will descend to Cologne to take in all the action.

Seattle Gay News will provide travel coverage for Gay Games in the coming weeks with information on convenient flights, railway services, and specific information on Cologne itself. It’s a beautiful city worth exploring outside of the competition. Plus, I’ve scoped out four other German cities to

include in your itinerary, from a darkroom at a Gay bar in Berlin to an observation tower 500 feet off the ground in Dusseldorf to a meat ‘n’ potatoes dinner at a traditional apple wine pub in Frankfurt.

To register for Gay Games or to get more details, visit http://www.gaygamescologne. com.

mcdermott continued from cover

chances.

“Both from my interview with the committee of the whole and from my conversations with individual Council members, I’m optimistic,” he said. ”I still have more work to do to make sure I have all the votes I need for the appointment.”

PCOs LOBBYING HARD FOR MCDERMOTT Constantine represented County Council District 8, including West Seattle, Pioneer Square, Georgetown, Burien, Normandy Park, Vashon and Maury Islands, and parts of Tukwila and SeaTac. A large swath of Council District 8 corresponds very neatly with the 34th Legislative District, which Constantine represented before going to the County Council, and which McDermott represents now.

The other piece of Council District 8 lies mainly in the 11th Legislative District.

Constantine was appointed to the County Council when then-Council member Greg Nickels was elected Mayor in 2002. Constantine had represented the 34th District first in the House (1996-2001) and then as Senator (2001-2002).

When Constantine left his House seat for the Senate in 2001, McDermott succeeded him. Now McDermott wants to repeat the exercise.

State Representative Sharon Nelson (D-

34), who succeeded McDermott when he left the House to go to the Senate, now wants to succeed to McDermott’s Senate seat.

34th District PCOs – the precinct committee officers who are the foot soldiers in the Democratic Party’s ground game – adore McDermott, and they also like Nelson.

While none of them is talking for the record, they are known to be lobbying hard for McDermott to be appointed to the Council and for Nelson to step into his Senate seat.

“I think the Council realizes they’re hearing from the 34th District and in fact from all over the 8th District,” McDermott told SGN. “I’ve run for office five times in 60% of the [8th] District.”

Their task was complicated, however, when 11 other candidates – including 11th District Rep. Zack Hudgins (D), both the current and the former mayors of Normandy Park, a former mayor of Burien, Seattle City Council member and unsuccessful mayoral candidate Jan Drago, and Nelson herself – threw their names into the race.

A 12-member advisory committee appointed by the County Council and chaired by attorney Anne Levinson, fresh from leading the campaign to approve Referendum 71, interviewed all 11 and narrowed the choices to four.

Two of the final candidates – McDermott and Hudgins – have said they will run for the seat in 2010, and two others – Drago and Nelson – have indicated they will be caretaker Council members, serving only until the election.

The four were interviewed by the committee of the whole on December 7, with the final decision to be made on December 14, the Council’s last meeting of 2009.

Some Council members, notably Bob Ferguson, have expressed a preference for a caretaker appointment, presumably to avoid giving one of the already announced candidates an incumbent’s advantage in the November election.

On the other hand, Reagan Dunn, who chaired the committee of the whole on December 7, reportedly wants to help name the presumed front-runner for 2010.

McDermott is skeptical of a caretaker appointment.

“It’s not a job I’d be interested in,” he says. “I think it’s in everybody’s interest to appoint someone who wants to represent the 8th [Council] District and who will hold themselves accountable to the voters.”

While the process is complex enough, it is complicated further by party politics. Since November 2008, all King County offices

are officially non-partisan, but all the current Council members were elected as party candidates, with the Council split between 5 Democrats and 4 Republicans.

Council District 8 was always considered a safe Democratic seat, and it is difficult to envision a Republican-identified or Republican-leaning candidate winning there in 2010.

For the Council’s Republicans, then, the choice becomes which Democrat they would prefer to work with.

A CHOICE BETWEEN DEMOCRATS McDermott is openly Gay, he is a union member (American Federation of Teachers 1789), he is identified with progressive political issues, and he is an ally of Dow Constantine.

All of these qualities appeal to many Democrats but few Republicans.

The Council already split along party lines on November 16, in a vote on how to choose Constantine’s successor. All four Republicans voted not to allow the appointment of a candidate who intended to run for the office in 2010 – which would have ruled out McDermott.

The five Democrats voted to keep him in the running, however.

While Hudgins is also a Democrat and a union member (Communication Workers of America), he is less associated with Constantine and with progressive causes than McDermott, and might be more acceptable to the Council’s Republicans.

McDermott dismisses the idea that Republican Council members might try to block his appointment.

“Republicans actually have a disincentive to do that,” he told SGN. “I will win the election and I will be there a year from now. Going with someone else now is only a short term political gain for them.”

McDermott has not formally endorsed anyone to succeed him in his Senate seat, but he has kind words for Nelson.

“I’m focused on what I need to do to get the appointment,” he said, “but Rep. Nelson would be an outstanding person to succeed me in my Senate seat.”

Asked if he was glad to be leaving the Senate after looking at Gov. Gregoire’s 2010 budget proposal, McDermott replied “The budget the Governor was required to present was – I don’t know how to put it into words – certainly not something that reflects my values or what I would want for the state.”

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Celebrating 36 Years!

Snohomish and Thurston County hold Ref. 71 celebrations

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer

Members of Snohomish County Gay Men’s Task Force (GMTF) and others gathered at the Snohomish County Courthouse in Everett on December 3 to thank all Washington State voters who helped approve Referendum 71.

On November 3, Washington voters approved Referendum 71, upholding a state law that provides important legal protections and the same rights and responsibilities for same-sex and senior registered domestic partnerships as married couples enjoy.

The expanded same-sex domestic partnership law became effective December 3. To commemorate the importance of the date and to celebrate and thank voters, GMTF and a group of about 20 people carried signs and personally thanked passing voters for their support in the passage of the referendum. The hand-lettered signs, provided by GMTF spokesman John Marsh, stated messages of appreciation and approval. GMTF officials say the group was well received by most passers-by.

The celebration, a followup to the final election result, was a particularly pleasing victory for GMTF and their supporters due to the fact that the majority of Snohomish County voters (the home of the referendum’s opponents Senator Val Stevens and Larry Stickney) approved passage of Referendum 71, as did a majority of each and every county in the 2nd Congressional District, including Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and King Counties.

“Most of the people I spoke to before the vote in November, were pessimistic about the passing of Referendum 71 since nothing

“As hurtful and divisive as the ‘No on 71’ campaign was, it opened the entire issue of same-sex families for a full discussion – whether anyone wanted to talk about it or not,” Fay told SGN. “I like to believe that the majority of Washington voters are fair minded and know what is right and what is wrong. That is how I interpret the passage of Referendum 71.”

Fay says he understands that a sizable group of Washington voters are not yet like it has passed before when put before the ready to embrace full and equal civil marvoters,” Marsh told SGN. “But, of course, riage for same-sex couples. But, he said, we were thrilled about its passage.”

“Attitudes are changing. Time is on our side Marsh says he and his partner of 38 years and those people will come to understand registered in a domestic partnership the first day it was legal in Washington State.

He said they feel good knowing they have all the same rights and responsibilities as a married straight couple.

“We are now, more equal in the eyes of the law, which is great,” said Marsh. “Neither of us would ever have thought such a thing could happen in our lifetime.”

Like many others who voted to uphold the Legislature’s expansion of domestic partnership rights and responsibilities, GMTF member Charles Fay of Marysville, Washington, says he was disappointed when the issue made the ballot. “There is something basically wrong with allowing the civil rights of a minority to be decided by a majority vote,” he said. But, the more Fay thought about it, the more he came to realize that “the opponents of expanded domestic partnerships have also done our cause a favor.”

that our families are no different from their families in any important way.”

Joining in the recognition of the passage of Referendum 71 was a group of people who gathered on December 5 at Procession of the Species Studios in Olympia. The event, “A Family-Friendly Celebration of Our Families! Our Rights!: The Approval of Referendum 71 and the Enactment of the New Domestic Partner Law,” was sponsored by the Rainbow Center, Capital City Pride, and PFLAG-Olympia. The gathering featured kids activities, special guests, and celebration of the newly enacted expanded domestic partnership rights.

“As hurtful and divisive as the ‘No on 71’ campaign was, it opened the entire issue of same-sex families for a full discussion – whether anyone wanted to talk about it or not.”

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Seattle Gay News 19

N.J. Senate continued from cover

while others have remained publicly unsure, ultimately raising questions about its fate.

“I don’t know if we’ll ever know if we have the votes until the board is open and people actually cast their votes,” Sen. Lesniak said. “I think it’s a 50-50 chance. It’s a real toss-up.”

Steven Goldstein, executive director of Garden State Equality, did not see the maneuvering as a setback. Instead, he says Assembly hearings would give Gay and Lesbian couples another chance to make their case after some did not have the opportunity to speak at a Senate committee vote December 7.

“It’s not a setback. … We think it’s a good thing,” Goldstein said.

N.J. Senate President Richard J. Codey (D., Essex) said he supports the request for a delay in the upper house. “I understand their desire to make sure this bill receives the thorough attention it deserves, and therefore I have agreed to postpone [today’s] vote until further notice,” he said in a statement on November 10.

The measure’s sponsors hope the bill could receive a hearing in the Assembly Judiciary Committee; however, the Assembly is not due back in session until January 7, 2010. As it stands, no Assembly hearing has been scheduled.

Supporters are racing against time. The current Democratic governor, Jon Corzine, backs the bill and has promised to sign it into law, while his replacement from January 19, Republican Chris Christie, says he would veto it. To become law, the bill would have to be approved in full votes by both houses, and then signed by the governor.

New Jersey allows civil unions for Gay couples; critics say the unions have failed to give Gay couples the same protections offered by marriages. Gay and Lesbian couples in New Jersey say they have been denied access to their partners in hospitals and benefits such as health insurance under civil unions.

Gay marriage has taken a political rollercoaster ride in 2009.

Last week, the state assembly in neighboring New York overwhelmingly rejected a Gay marriage bill. Earlier this year, a ref-

erendum in Maine repealed the state government’s approval of same-sex marriage rights, as happened previously in California and Hawaii.

Gay marriage has been defeated each of the 31 times it has been put before state voters at the ballot box.

Still, many Gay advocates say 2009 was a year of victories. Gay marriage became legal in Vermont and Iowa this year, and takes effect January 1, 2010 in New Hampshire.

In the District of Columbia, a city council vote on same-sex marriage is set for next week.

Currently, only five states, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire allow Gay marriage – while 40 out of the 50 states have constitutional amendments that outlaw same-sex marriage.

bishop

continued from cover 4 at the 114th Annual Meeting of Diocesan Convention in Riverside, California, with six candidates running for two vacancies.

Glasspool was elected on a seventh ballot that included two other candidates. She won 153 clergy votes and 203 lay votes, leaving her with a narrow margin, but with still enough votes to win.

DIOCESES URGED NOT TO VOTE BASED ON FEAR After the results were announced, the question was raised whether Glasspool might not receive consent from other dioceses. Los Angeles Bishop Jon Bruno, who leads the diocese, replied, “That would be a violation of the canons of this church. At our last General Convention, we said we are nondiscriminatory.” Bruno urged all Episcopal dioceses to approve Glasspool’s election and not base their decision on fear of how other Anglicans will react.

He did acknowledge rumors of a “concerted effort not to give consent” to Glasspool because she is openly Lesbian, however, “I would remind the Episcopal church and the House of Bishops they need to be conscientious about respecting the canons of

the church and the baptismal covenant to respect the dignity of every human being,” he said. “To not consent in this country out of fear of the reaction elsewhere in the Anglican Communion is to capitulate to titular heads.”

Since the election of V. Gene Robinson, the first openly Gay bishop, in 2003, there have been breakaways within the Episcopal Church. The conservative Anglican Church of North America has since been vying for official recognition by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. This has left the church fractured, especially over the issue of same-sex relationships.

Rev. Kendall Harmon of the traditional Diocese of South Carolina said the vote would further damage relations among Episcopalians, their fellow Anglicans and other Christians.

“This decision represents an intransigent embrace of a pattern of life Christians throughout history and the world have rejected as against biblical teaching,” said Harmon.

Her victory has underscored the continued Episcopal commitment to accepting samesex relationships in the face of pressure from other Anglicans to change their stand.

Jim Naughton of the Chicago Consultation, a group of Episcopal and Anglican clergy and laypeople who advocate on behalf of Gays and Lesbians, called Glasspool’s election “a liberation.”

Robinson, the first openly Gay elected bishop, told Glasspool before the election that he was grateful she was willing to put herself in the stressful position of running for bishop.

Glasspool wrote in an essay on the Los Angeles diocese website that she had an “intense struggle” while in college with her sexuality and the call to become a priest.

“Did God hate me (since I was a homosexual), or did God love me?” she wrote.

“Did I hate (or love) myself?”

“One of the reasons she is so the right person for this is that she knows who she is and she knows she belongs to God and she knows everything else falls in place when you keep that central,” said Robinson.

“She’s no stranger to people who think she shouldn’t be a priest because she’s a woman, or think she shouldn’t be a priest because she’s a Lesbian.”

Glasspool decided to run for the position

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December 11, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

because she believed it was time “for our wonderful church to move on and be the inclusive church we say we are.”

Glasspool met her partner, Becki Sander, in Massachusetts in 1988. She was ordained as a priest in 1982 in the Diocese of Penn-

sylvania, she holds a master of divinity degree from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts and a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She has led parishes in Annapolis, Boston and Philadelphia.

The Episcopal Church includes approximately 2.4 million members in 109 dioceses in 16 nations.

“I am very excited about the future of the whole Episcopal Church, and I see the Diocese of Los Angeles leading the way into

that future,” said Glasspool. “But just for this moment, let me say again, thank you, and thanks be to our loving, surprising God. I look forward, in the coming months, to getting to know you all better, as together we build up the body of Christ for the world.”

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