SGN Jul 10, 2009 - Section 1

Issue 28 Volume 37

Celebrating 36 Years!

FRIDAY July 10, 2009 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands

fort worth update p. 4

brüno p. 23

Larry Kramer p. 18

Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Gay sailor murdered Veteran activist Marsha at Camp Pendleton Botzer speaks on Obama’s kfdm-tv

Stonewall reception

ference, Navy officials said they would conduct a thorough investigation into the murder. However, they said there was no evidence the killing was a hate crime.

“Preliminarily, it appears Seaman Provost suffered gunshot wounds, and it appears that someone attempted to destroy evidence by lighting a fire to Seaman Provost’s assigned place of duty,” Navy Captain Matt Brown, a

“It’s a long way from my ‘60s organizing to the White House,” veteran activist Marsha Botzer told SGN about attending President Obama’s July 29 White House reception honoring the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion.

Botzer, who was a national cochair of Obama Pride during the presidential campaign, was one of about 300 guests at the reception.

“I’m so pleased this was done,” Botzer said. “To hear a sitting president speak glowingly of Stonewall – and all our issues – it did my heart a lot of good.”

The reception was controversial, coming at the end of a month of public relations disasters for the Obama administration. The release of a Justice Department brief defending DOMA, and Obama’s perceived reluctance to challenge “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” led many LGBT activists to boycott a Democratic Party fundraiser held only days before the White House re-

see sailor page 17

see botzer page 6

August Provost III

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer The body of August Provost, a 29-year-old Gay sailor, was found at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base in Southern California about 3:30 a.m. June 30. Provost had been standing watch as a sentry at a compound on the base when he was murdered. Initial indications are that Provost was shot and his body suffered burns.

In a late afternoon press con-

www.botzerconsulting.com

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Veteran Seattle activist Marsha Botzer

Steve Hildebrand, Colin Powell: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” should be reviewed Obama’s go-to guy Saul Loeb

Colin Powell, retired Army General and former Secretary of State says it’s time to review “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Powell appeared on CNN’s State of the Union Sunday to talk about the U.S. military policy that discharges any Gay or Lesbian who serves openly. When the policy was put into place early in the Bill Clinton presidency, Powell was serving as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. At the time, Powell was strongly in favor of DADT. Sunday, Powell said that American attitudes have changed regarding Gays and Lesbians serving in the military, therefore the policy should be “reviewed.”

“The policy and the law that came about in 1993, I think, was correct for the time,” Powell said.

“Sixteen years have now gone by, and I think a lot has changed with respect to attitudes within our country.”

Gay activists who are asking

on Gay issues

by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer Openly Gay Steve Hildebrand was Barack Obama’s deputy national campaign director. When Obama started to come under heavy fire from GLBT people in recent weeks – for talking the talk but not walking the walk on his promises to Gay people – it was Hildebrand who went into the Oval Office for a one-on-one with Obama to let him know what was going down. Steve and I spoke late in the evening July 5 in San Diego.

file photo

Colin Powell

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer

Steve Hildebrand, Deputy Campaign Manager for Barack Obama

Rex Wockner: There’s probably nobody who’s talked to Barack Obama more about Gay stuff than you – and you’ve done so within the last couple of weeks. Since he’s come under fire for allegedly talking a really good talk but not see powell page 7 walking the walk, yet, on Gay and

Lesbian issues ... what did you talk about in that meeting you had with him?

Steve Hildebrand: I told him very clearly that many in the Gay community across the country are see Hildebrand page 13

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Seattle Gay News

July 10, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

has volunteered to help build, secure, and tival’s huge success, and many in our comdisplay the decorations on Broadway for munity are truly grateful. several years.

All of you contributed greatly to the FesLee Serrano

LARRY KRAMER ADDRESSES THE COMMUNITY

That candidate, Dow Constantine, has battled for the equal rights of all citizens harder and longer than any candidate in this race. Since his days in the state legislature, this has been his fight. He co-sponsored the Washington State Civil Rights Act, led the opposition to “DOMA,” and pushed through numerous pieces of legislation banning discrimination of Gays. SEAMEC, an organization that rates candidates based on their support for LGBTQ issues, has consistently recognized Dow with an AAAAA rating – their highest honor.

Though 40 years removed from Stonewall, we cannot forget to recognize the leaders in a struggle that remains unfinished.

I implore your three organizations, Lambda Legal of Los Angeles, national center for Lesbian rights, and ACLU LGBT project, to not interfere with the Olson/Boies case.

You will only botch up what they are trying to achieve. You have thus far not achieved it on your own and with your own tactics, so why are you trying to kibosh someone who has come along with fresh new energy, ideas, and clout? You are only behaving in the worst possible bitchy way, the way Gay groups can fall victim to when their feelings are hurt. Keep your noses out of it, will you please? I beg of you. You should be cheering these guys from the sidelines and showering Garth Woldseth them with gratitude for coming along and trying to help us in our hugely enfeebled poPRIDE DECORATION sition, brought on in great part by our inabilTHANK-YOUS ity to work together effectively ourselves.

You are only perpetuating this useless beA great big thank-you goes out to the dechavior. orations sponsor and volunteer decorators of the 2009 Capitol Hill/Broadway Pride FestiLarry Kramer val Saturday, June 27. The rainbow arches, umbrellas and long-stem flower balloons SUPPORTING were the perfect touch to a perfect day. We DOW CONSTANTINE couldn’t have done it without you.

A heartfelt thank-you goes to Kevin McOn Sunday, the 40th anniversary of the Carthy, owner of Checkmasters on BroadStonewall riots, Seattle jubilantly erupted way, for your continued support of our Pride in its annual celebration of LGBTQ pride. decorations on Broadway 11 of the past 12 Despite the hoopla, however, we must re- years. It’s this kind of community spirit and member that the members of our LGBTQ business leadership that will hopefully incommunity remain second-class citizens spire other businesses on Broadway to do even today. the same.

At the parade, members of the King CounAnd a very special thank-you to the wonty Democrats held portraits of the elected derful tenants and friends who volunteered leaders with a long history of championing to help decorate the Pride Festival with so Gay rights. Pictures of Chris Gregoire, Joe much heart and enthusiasm: McDermott, Jim McDermott, Deb Eddy Joseph Morgan, Kit Bond, Shawn Corand Ed Murray all swayed in the hands of mick, Donna, David Hodgkinson, Steve exuberant Democrats alongside that of only Horning, Stacy Schwing, Paul Laslie, Craig one candidate in the upcoming race for King Kjos, Darien Ilar, David Rios, Brian (of N. County Executive.

Carolina), and especially Stu Hidalgo, who

Long distance

by Jennifer Vanasco SGN Contributing Writer I never expected to be in a long-distance relationship.

And if you had asked me a year ago, I would have said that it would never work, at least for me.

What I love about long-term relationships is their quiet, steady dailyness. Sure, the rush of love in the beginning is intense, fun the way a rollercoaster is fun; your stomach jumps, you feel slightly sick but exhilarated.

To fall in love is to feel unsettled, obsessed, and intensely alive.

But what I like is waking up next to someone every morning and going to sleep next to her every night. I like cooking dinner together with a glass of wine and having friends over for meals on the porch. I like holding someone’s hand on the way to the grocery store. I like witnessing someone else’s life; her triumphs, her challenges.

So if you had asked, I would have said that a long distance relationship was not for me, even in the short term.

But last summer, when I met Jenny, we fell in love. She was in New York for a couple months, and we quickly became close friends. It was only in the weeks before she was leaving that I realized I felt more for her than that. But I didn’t tell her – neither of us talked about it, or made any moves – until she was already back in Chicago in grad school, 801 miles away.

I would not have chosen long distance.

But it might have been the best thing that could have happened to us.

Long distance meant that we had to work harder to communicate. We were on the phone constantly, updating each other on our lives. We discovered video chatting, and would introduce each other online to our friends, our new purchases, our changing

facial expressions.

And we visited. All the time. We spent a week a month in each other’s space. We were constantly changing work schedules, school schedules, plane schedules so that we could spend one more day, one more morning, one more afternoon.

But in addition to all that togetherness, we had apartness. We learned a tricky thing – how to be in love, and want to be with someone all the time, and yet also carry on an independent life, making new friends, seeking new adventures.

We also fought. A lot. Wow, did we have fights. But it was a good kind of fighting, where we smoothed out the rough places and figured out where we were different and where we were the same; where we could bend and where we needed our own way of doing things.

Was it hard? Yes. Hard enough that I thought about moving to Chicago for a few months. Hard enough that we counted every day. Hard enough that we didn’t think we could do it.

Our relationship is so solid now because it was built step by slow step. We are both old enough to have been in other relationships

Visit us online www.sgn.org

Capitol Hill ricin threat still an active investigation

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Six months have passed since the January 6 ricin scare on Capitol Hill. The threats, delivered in letters to 11 bars, warned that patrons would be poisoned. The individual(s) responsible said they had approximately 67 grams of ricin and would indiscriminately target at least five clients and “expect them to die painfully while in the hospital.”

Ricin is a poison that is extracted from the castor bean. It can be either a white powder or a liquid in crystalline form. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gives a possible minimum figure of 500 micrograms, equal to half a grain of sand, for a lethal dose of ricin in humans if exposure is from injection or inhalation.

No one took the threats lightly. Not the police, not the LGBT community, not the bar owners. The FBI and federal postal inspectors were called in. The mayor issued a statement. It was all anyone could talk about.

Who could it be? When will they strike?

Being the resilient and proud community that it is, locals organized a Gay Pub Crawl in which they packed the Capitol Hill bars full of people in a show of solidarity. Bar owners posted signs warning patrons not to leave their drinks unattended, and the party raged on in spite of the danger.

Luckily, nothing happened and no one was hurt. There’s just one problem: no one ever got caught.

“The case is still very much actively investigated, detectives are still working on it even though there have not been any reoccurrences of the threat,” Seattle Police Department media relations sergeant Sean Whitcomb told SGN. that weren’t quite right; we know what we want and who we are. And because we have spent so much time apart, we don’t take each other for granted.

For us, long distance worked for a few reasons. We both had full, independent lives, so neither of us was at home pining (don’t get me wrong, we pined, just not morosely at home). We had an end in sight – Jenny’s graduation from grad school in mid-June.

We were deeply committed to each other right away. We gave each other both space and full attention.

And, most importantly, we started off with the same deep values – we discovered our compatibility through friendship, not romance.

Now it is nine months since we started dat-

July 10, 2009

Whitcomb said the SPD coordinated with the FBI early in the investigation, but the police department is ultimately responsible for it. He said nothing new could be disclosed to the media because it is still an ongoing investigation in the violent crimes section.

So where does the investigation stand?

When asked about whether or not the SPD is taking this seriously or how they are handling the case, Whitcomb said they are still treating this as a real threat. He said if the person or persons responsible for this were “only playing a joke,” the SPD wouldn’t see it as such.

“This is being looked at as a serious threat,” he said, “If the investigation yields an arrest and we find that the people did not have the ability to carry out the threat, we still would never look at it as a joke – neither should the people who were threatened.”

Whitcomb says there are no new leads in the case.

“We are still seeking information from the community,” he told SGN. “There is a cash reward up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.”

Whitcomb said there are mechanisms in place for people to make anonymous reports to Crime Stoppers Peugeot Sound.

“What Crime Stoppers do is they get the information, then scrub all the contact information, and pass on the info they have about the case to us,” Whitcomb said. “We follow up on any information they pass to us.”

If you have information that might aid the police in the investigation and want to contact the SPD directly, call the department’s non-emergency number, (206) 625-5011.

Citizens with information who wish to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. ing. Jenny moved in to my NYC apartment five days ago. And tonight, we are cooking dinner, glasses of wine in hand.

Jennifer Vanasco is an award-winning, syndicated columnist. E-mail her at Jennifer.Vanasco@gmail.com; follow her at Twitter.com/JenniferVanasco

Seattle Gay News

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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, 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. © 2008, 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.

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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.

Fort Worth fallout as community rallies

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer As the Fort Worth LGBT community prepares to rally on Sunday in protest of the June 28 police raid on the Rainbow Lounge Gay bar, Fort Worth city and Texas state officials were busy blaming one another for the incident.

Fort Worth Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead announced last week that his department was suspending all operations with the Texas Alcoholic Beverages Commission (TABC) until he gains a “better understanding” of the events that occurred during a joint raid on the Rainbow Lounge.

Halstead’s action came immediately after TABC admitted that Chad Gibson had sustained serious brain injuries while in its custody.

Gibson, 26, remains hospitalized with a blood clot behind his right eye, but is recovering and has spoken with reporters. While admitting he could not recall many details of the June 28 raid, he bluntly dismissed police reports that he accidentally injured himself while drunk.

“They have blamed it on me, that I was drunk [and] that I hit my head,” he told WFAA-TV reporters. “I groped the officer.

I did this. I did that. You know what, no. ...

Accept responsibility.”

“You used excessive force and that’s why I got hurt,” he said.

Gibson said he is also frustrated at the city pointing the blame at the TABC. “Even if the Fort Worth Police didn’t touch me, they watched it,” he said. “They watched other people do that to me.”

A second man, George Armstrong, has also come forward saying he suffered bruis-

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

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Seattle Gay News

July 10, 2009

es and a back sprain during the raid. Armstrong says he was arrested by Fort Worth city police, and was in their custody for about 12 hours. Seven people were reported arrested during the raid, but only five – including Gibson and Armstrong – have been charged.

In his statement admitting that his agents were involved in Gibson’s injuries, TABC Administrator Alan Steen promised an investigation into the incident. “I have initiated an internal affairs investigation to answer questions about how these locations were chosen, to review the agents’ actions, and specifically to establish the facts surrounding Mr. Gibson’s injury,” he said.

FWPD Chief Halstead has also promised an internal affairs investigation of his offi-

cers’ conduct, and has backed away from his previous statements that they acted with restraint. On Tuesday, the FWPD announced that “an officer has stepped forward” to act as the department’s LGBT liaison, and that Chief Halstead is working through the process of getting final approval for the position.

Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief has asked for a US Justice Department review of the police investigations.

“I have asked the acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, James T. Jacks, to independently review the findings of the Fort Worth Police Department’s investigation to ensure the department has thoroughly and impartially carried out its obligation to all the citizens of Fort Worth.

I encourage the TABC to follow the same course,” Moncrief said in a letter released on July 4.

The U.S. Attorney’s office told reporters for the local CBS affiliate that it will oversee both the Fort Worth and TABC investigations, and if necessary send the cases on to the US Department of Justice as a civil rights case.

Join The Impact, Pride At Work announce new partnership

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Join The Impact and Pride At Work AFLCIO have announced a new partnership – Fairness Works – aimed at eliminating job discrimination in the US. Join The Impact, which burst onto the political scene with its post-Prop 8 marriage equality demonstrations in November 2008, features the new project prominently on its website: “Fairness does work,” Join The Impact says. “Unfortunately millions are not protected from unfair job termination because of sexual orientation or gender identity. Join the Impact hopes to change the landscape by helping pass three important pieces of legislation, the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT), and the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).”

Kick-off events are scheduled for July 25 in several US cities, including Seattle.

The Seattle event will be at the Capitol Hill branch library, 435 Harvard Ave. E., 10 a.m.-noon.

“Join The Impact is providing all the tools and talking points people will need,” says Seattle organizer Joe Mirabella. “These tools will help you explain workforce discrimination, its impact on our culture, our military, and our families.” All the materials

can be accessed online at http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/ Pride At Work, the LGBT constituency organization of the AFL-CIO, has been working on these issues with several other national organizations, including Join The Impact and National Stonewall Democrats.

ENDA, which was introduced by Rep Barney Frank (D-MA) on July 1, would remedy a glaring omission in US civil rights law by prohibiting workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Federal law currently protects workers from discrimination only on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, and disability.

DADT is a relic of the Clinton administration’s 1993 failure to eliminate military regulations against LGBT servicemembers.

An estimated 65,000 LGBT people are currently serving in the US armed forces, and they face less than honorable discharge, which means loss of their career, benefits, and education opportunities.

EFCA would reform federal labor law by removing existing legal obstacles to collective bargaining, and easing the way for workers who choose union representation to win a contract. The provision which has drawn the most opposition from employers, “majority sign-up” or “card check,” would allow employees to form unions by signing cards authorizing union representation.

Celebrating 36 Years!

NORTHWEST

NEWS

compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer

“EYE CONTACT: VISUAL DIALOGUES ON IDENTITY AND COMMUNITY” – A PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT BLENDING ART AND WORDS

BY QUEER YOUTH The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) GLBTQ Youth Peace & Social Justice Program presents a photography exhibit by Queer youth blending art and words at Kaladi Bros. Coffee, 511 E. Pike St., through July 17.

KING COUNTY 4CULTURE AWARD-WINNING GAY POET & ARTIST JEFF CRANDALL HOSTS FREE POETRY READING A recipient of King County’s 4Culture 2008 Special Projects Awards to Individual Artists, Gay poet and artist Jeff Crandall will host a poetry reading on Friday, July 10, 7-8 p.m., at Edge of the Circle Books, 701 E. Pike St. Crandall will be reading from two complete 60-page poetry manuscripts titled Queer Gods & Demons and The Witch Lover which he is submitting to 40 national poetry competitions. The poems in these two collections explore the world through the perspective of a Gay, Pagan man.

ANNUAL BI COMMUNITY PICNIC On Saturday, July 11, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at Golden Gardens Park, 8498 Seaview Pl. NW, BiNet Seattle will host their 10th annual picnic for the Bisexual community – rain or shine. Bring your significant others and family, and some food to share. BiNet Seattle will provide burgers, sausages, and veggie burgers. www.BiNetSeattle.org.

PRIDE AROUND WASHINGTON STATE Bellingham Pride Weekend – Friday, July 10. The Betty Pages (Bellingham’s alternative lifestyle tabloid) 6th anniversary party kicks off Pride weekend at 8 p.m. at Rumors cabaret, 1119 Railroad Ave. On Saturday, July 11 the Betty Pages Family Picnic will be held at Whatcom Falls Park, from Noon-4 p.m. (Use entrance on Silver Beach Road off Lakeway Drive; or you can use the entrane on Electric Ave. that has more parking and walk down to the picnic area). On Saturday, from 6-10 p.m., The Royal, 208 E. Holly St., will host a community party sponsored by 4 Women Events. Also on Saturday, from 6-9 p.m. The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Evergreen Empire will host an “Absolutely Fabulous” drag show at Rumors. Following the drag show, Rumors will host the official pride party from 9 p.m. to closing.

On Sunday, July 12, The Royal will host the official pride breakfast, from 8-10:30 a.m., cost of breakfast to be determined. At 11 a.m., the 3rd Annual Pride Parade steps off from Bellingham High School, 2020 Cornwall Ave. via Cornwall Ave. to Depot Market Square, 1200 Railroad Ave. (across from Rumors), Pride Festival follows at Depot Market Square from noon-6 p.m., party continues into the evening at Rumors.

Out in the Park (Tacoma) Saturday, July 11. Wright Park. Noon-7 p.m. 253-383-2318; outintacoma@rainbowcntr.org; www.rainbowcntr.org.

Saturday in the Park (Vancouver, WA) Saturday, July 11. Esther Short Park.

Noon-6 p.m. www.myspace.com/sitp2008 SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARKS On Saturday, July 11 at 2 p.m. see Seattle Shakespeare Company’s 2009 Wooden O outdoor production of Shakespeare’s Richard III at the Volunteer Park amphitheatre, 1400 E. Prospect St. On Sunday, July 12 at 7 p.m. see their production of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew at the Volunteer Park amphitheatre. FREE. Shakespeare in the Parks will be presented at locations in Seattle, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Lynnwood,

Edmonds, Redmond, Mercer Island, Sammamish, SeaTac, Federal Way, and Bonney Lake from July 9 through August 2. For complete information, visit www.seattleshakespeare.org and select “Wooden O” from the menu at the top of the home page.

Also this summer, GreenStage will present King John and Comedy of Errors at eleven outdoor locations in the Seattle area.

On Saturday, July 11 at 7 p.m., see Comedy of Errors at the Volunteer Park amphitheatre. On Sunday, July 12 at 2 p.m., see King John at the Volunteer Park amphitheatre.

FREE. Visit www.greenstage.org for complete schedule.

EMERALD CITY SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION FALL BALL LEAGUE Emerald City Softball Association is sponsoring Fallball ’09, an ECSA Open Division softball league for men and women of all skill levels. Play dates will be August 9 and 23, September 13, 20 and 27, and October 4. Teams are typically a random draw of available players with a few exceptions to allow people to play with friends. Higher rated players from the A and B divisions are spread evenly amongst the teams to promote mentoring, as are those players that have a special ability like pitching. This is a purely fun and social league so there will be no trophies or World Series berths. Informal post-game socials will be held at area businesses after the games. There will also be an end-of-season party.

Space is limited to 7 teams or 100 players.

53 players have already confirmed. To reserve your spot, please contact Josh the Fall Ball Coordinator at Joshua.wojcik@gmail. com or register at www.emeraldcitysoftball. org. Registration will be held on Sunday, July 12, at 4 p.m., at Purr Cocktail Lounge, 1518 11th Ave. Registration by PayPal is also available. Requires a login to the ECSA website at http://www.seattlegaysoftball. com/fallball. Cost is $65/person, which includes T-shirt, insurance, and end of season party.

nic postcard views of the Seattle skyline and the Space Needle, Lake Union’s houseboat communities, and Gas Works Park.”

Kayaking dates (and trip themes) are July 18 – Lewis & Clark adventure month: checking out more distant locations; August 1, 15 & 29 – Where’s Waldo? – open to suggestions and ideas; September 12 – season final event – some kind of party?

Outing schedule: Meet at the Northwest Outdoor Center, 2100 Westlake Ave. N., Ste. 1, at 9 a.m. SHARP! Be on time. “We will not wait for late comers.” 9-11 a.m., get kayak, get gear on, review tour plan suggestions, review safety rules, paddle around and have fun. 11-11:30 a.m., check in kayaks and make plans if anyone wants to get together to eat nearby.

For more specific details on cost, gear, preparations, food, itinerary, clothing, safety message, etc. and a map to the Northwest Outdoor Center, visit www.pozseattle. org/images/NW Outdoor Center.gif. If you have questions or would like additional information, email POZadventures@googlegroups.com. The Northwest Outdoor Center provides kayaks with life-vest, paddle, and a drybag to store wallet and water-sensitive items while on the trip. Come to the event self-sufficient with drinking water, sunscreen, snacks, etc.

POZSeattle is a social organization run for and by Seattle-area HIV-positive guys that is committed to planning and promoting fun, social activities. For questions or more information about this event, to plan your own social event, or to be added to the POZSeattle event promotions email list, email info@pozseattle.org or visit us on the web at www.pozseattle.org.

PRIDE AROUND WASHINGTON STATE Kitsap Pride (Bremerton) – Saturday, July 18. Watch for more details. http://kitsappride.org

Mid-Columbia “Coming Home with PRIDE” Parade and Festival (Pasco) – On Saturday, July 18, starting at 11 a.m., enjoy the Women’s Softball Expo at Memorial Park, 1520 W. Shoshone. A Woman 4 Woman Social will be held at Out & About, 327 W. Lewis St. starting at 4 p.m. From 9 p.m.2 a.m., Out & About will host the Miss Gay Columbia Basin Pageant 2009. On Sunday, July 19, the parade steps off from Out & About at 10 a.m., and travels via Clark St. to Memorial Park. www.vistayouthcenter.

BORDER RIDERS org. The festival at Memorial Park follows HOST WEEKEND RUN from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The weekend celebraTO STEAMBOAT, OR On July 17-19, the Border Riders Motor- tion continues with The Pink Party at Out & cycle Club will make a weekend camping About from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. run to Umpqua’s Last Resort in Steamboat, GLSEN WA HOSTS 2ND ANNUAL OR. For complete information on Border “SCHOOL’S OUT Riders’ day runs or weekend camping runs, FOR THE SUMMER” visit www.borderriders.com.

FUNDRAISER AT C.C. ATTLE’S On Saturday, July 18, at C.C. Attle’s, 15th THREE DOLLAR BILL Ave. E. & E. Madison St., from 7-9 p.m., the PRESENTS “UNDER THE STARS, Washington State Gay, Lesbian & Straight THE EIGHTIES STRIKE BACK!” Education Network (GLSEN WA) will host OUTDOOR CINEMA their second annual “School’s Out for the IN CAL ANDERSON PARK This summer Three Dollar Bill Outdoor Summer” fundraising event. The event will Cinema presents a slate of three fun and feature a raffle with many prizes. Jello shots campy films from 1980, the premiere year will also be sold. “We hope to raise money of the decade that made sexual power plays, in order to continue our work of supporting alien encounters and shameless success all and encouraging Gay/Straight Student Althe rage. The films are Friday, July 17 – Lit- liances (GSAs) in state-wide high schools tle Darlings; Friday, July 31 – Flash Gor- and work to end harassment and bullying don; Friday, August 21 – 9 to 5. The FREE incidents of GLBT youth in Washington screenings will be shown at sunset (around State.” All members of the LGBTQ com8:30-9 p.m.) at the southeast corner of Cal munity and allies (who are at least 21 years Anderson Park, near the park’s shelter house of age) are welcome. off 11th Ave. & E. Olive St. Snacks and bevREEL GRRLS PRESENTS erages will be available for purchase on-site REEL QUEER FOR LGBTQ TEENS with proceeds benefiting Three Dollar Bill A video production and media literacy Cinema’s non-profit efforts to produce and promote Queer-friendly film events in the training course for LGBTQ teens (ages 13Pacific Northwest. Three Dollar Bill Cin- 19) of all genders will be held starting July ema produces the annual Seattle Lesbian & 20. Learn to use professional camera and Gay Film Festival. www.threedollarbillcin- editing equipment to make your voice heard in a safe environment for Queer and quesema.org tioning youth and mentors. Make a video in four days with Queer and questioning youth POZ SEATTLE LAUNCHES media makers. Explore issues of gender, POZ ADVENTURES WITH sexuality, and representation in the media, SUMMER KAYAKING OUTINGS This summer, POZSeattle is pleased to then learn the tools to make your own media present Saturday morning POZAdventures in response to these issues. Classes will be kayaking outings on Seattle’s historic Lake held on July 20, 22, 27 and 29, from 10 a.m.

Union. “Join us June through September for to 4 p.m., at the Reel Grrls New Media Lab, a series of kayaking adventures. Enjoy sce- 1409 21st Ave., in Seattle. Cost is FREE

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July 10, 2009

thank to generous support from the Pride Foundation. For more information and to register, contact reid@reelgrrls.org or rq@ reelgrrls.org.

SEATTLE HOSTS NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF LGBTQ ASIAN AMERICANS, SOUTH ASIANS & PACIFIC ISLANDERS Seattle will be host to a national conference for LGBTQ Asian American, South Asians and Pacific Islander on the weekend of August 14-16 at the University of Washington. Titled “Transgress, Transform, Transcend,” the conference will showcase the diversity of the LGBTQ Asian Pacific Islander experience and will expand the capacity and ability of LGBT Asian Pacific Islander activists and communities to organize. Conference organizers have lined up four keynote speakers and over 50 workshops, panel discussions, caucuses, and cultural performances, which will address a wide array of topics and issues. The event’s many programs will provide attendees opportunities to network and to expand their knowledge and skills in advocacy and community building. Registration fee is $100, with a reduced rate of $75 for presenters and people with limited income. Some scholarships are available to assist attendees pay for the cost of conference registration. Registration is available online at www.nqapia. org/nc-2009.html.

Q-SQUARED HOSTS LABOR DAY WEEKEND CAMP (COME AND MEET PEOPLE) FOR GAY, BI & TRANS MEN This coming Labor Day Weekend (Sept.

4-7), Q-Squared, a Seattle-based non-profit organization, is hosting its annual CAMP (Come And Meet People) getaway at the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwest Washington State.

Celebrating its 14th year, CAMP provides camp-goers a unique opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and connect with fellow GBT men in a healthy, fun-filled environment. Like traditional summer camps, the weekend event will offer a wide variety of fun-filled activities, including campfire sing-alongs, hiking trips, a talent show, a dance, and a variety of workshops and outdoor games. CAMPers will have the choice of staying in a modern cabin or roughing it in their own tent. Early registration is available until June 28. After June 28 the cost for the weekend will be $175. Scholarships are available. For more information and to register, visit www.qcamp.org.

PRISM COMICS SEEKING SUBMISSIONS FOR FIFTH ANNUAL QUEER PRESS GRANT Prism Comics is seeking submissions for its fifth annual Queer Press Grant, established to support and encourage new LGBT comics creators. Application guidelines are available at www.prismcomics.org/grant.

Deadline for application is October 1, 2009.

“COMMUNITY STORIES” DOCUMENTS THE CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES & HEALTH CARE STRUGGLE AROUND THE AIDS CRISIS IN SEATTLE IN THE 1980S The onset of AIDS “was a health crisis, but it was also a civil rights crisis,” recalls Carol Sterling, former director of the Chicken Soup Brigade. Debuting recently on the Seattle Channel (Cable Channel 21), “Community Stories” looks back to the 1980s and the start of the AIDS epidemic in Seattle. This history is told through the words of people – including Sterling, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, Seattle Gay News editor George Bakan and King County AIDS Program Director Bob Wood – who lived and worked on the front lines in the community. Learn about this important history by following this link now: http:// www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video. asp?ID=3170902.

Seattle Gay News

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NATIONAL courtesy WFAA.COM

NEWS

by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer

Fort Worth bar patron Chad Gibson

Fort Worth police under fire over violent Stonewall 40 bar raid Fort Worth police and agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission raided a Gay bar June 28 – the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots – and roughed up several patrons, including one who is hospitalized with a life-threatening blood clot on his brain.

The reason for the raid: To be sure no one was too drunk. Seven people were arrested for alleged intoxication.

Patrons of the Rainbow Lounge say four or five officers tackled Chad Gibson, who patrons say wasn’t drunk, and banged his head on the wall and on the floor for no reason. The police have said Gibson fell down later outside and hurt himself, because he was drunk.

Police Chief Jeff Halstead also says Gib-

son groped one of the officers, yet Gibson was not charged with any sort of assault.

“You’re touched and advanced in certain ways by people inside the bar, that’s offensive,” Halstead said. “I’m happy with the restraint used when they were contacted like that.”

That Gibson groped a uniformed cop is, of course, improbable. As Rainbow Lounge owner J.R. Schrock put it: “The groping of the police officer – really? We’re Gay, but we’re not dumb. That is a lie, and I am appalled by it.”

The Police Department also has said that other patrons “made sexually explicit movements” toward uniformed officers. Patrons have said that nothing of the sort occurred, and that the notion is asinine.

At press time, the Police Department remained under heavy fire for the raid – from

news reporters, newspaper columnists, bloggers, activists and local politicians.

“Jeff Halstead can’t be allowed to use the Gay Panic Defense,” wrote Gay syndicated columnist and frequent national-TV talking head Dan Savage. “His officers weren’t groped, no one was ‘touched and advanced.’

Homophobic cops raided a Gay bar, roughed up the patrons, and a young man is in the hospital and may die.”

“This is exactly the kind of state-sponsored violence that Gays and Lesbians fought back against at Stonewall 40 years ago,” Savage said. “Gay men all over the country are going to have to speak up and defend the patrons of the Rainbow Lounge.

We can’t allow the chief of police in Fort Worth to use the Gay Panic Defense or exploit stereotypes about Gay men – so sexually reckless that they can’t even keep their hands off cops during a raid! – to get away with violating the civil rights of Gay men in Fort Worth.”

Dallas freelance writer John Selig reported June 30 that President Barack Obama is aware of the raid.

“Jesse Garcia, who has been active in Stonewall Democrats for years and was recently head of Stonewall Democrats of Dallas, mentioned the incident to the president and asked him to pray for Chad Gibson,” Selig wrote. “President Obama told Jesse that he was aware of the situation and that he would pray for Chad.”

The exchange occurred at Obama’s June 29 White House gathering with 300 GLBT leaders to mark the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

SC Lt. Gov. Bauer isn’t Gay South Carolina Lt. Gov. André Bauer isn’t Gay, he told The State newspaper June 30, introducing the topic himself.

Bauer could become governor if Gov. Mark Sanford resigns in the wake of his June disappearing act, during which he was continuing an extramarital affair with his “soulmate” in Buenos Aires.

“One word, two letters. No,” Bauer said, in response to his own question. “Let’s go ahead and dispel that now. Is André Bauer Gay? That is now the story. We’re a long way from where we were a week ago. We

botzer

continued from cover

ception.

Veteran activist David Mixner, former Clinton adviser Richard Socarides, millionaire donor Bruce Bastian, Obama Leadership Council co-chair Stampp Corbin, blogger Andy Towle, and the entire board of the Stonewall Democrats were all absent from the party event.

Some activists had also called for a boycott of the Stonewall commemoration.

Botzer, however, thought it was important to attend.

“It’s still our government,” she told SGN. “We have to make it work. To shake hands with [Obama] and talk to him – however briefly – about Trans issues, that is a valuable act, a progressive act.”

“We don’t go naively into that room,” she cautioned. “At some point there must be more action. There has to be pressure to get it done. More time is needed, but we’re not going to wait forever!”

As a veteran Transgender activist, a founder of Ingersoll Center, a past national co-chair of NGLTF, a former union shop steward, and someone who worked hard to elect Obama, Botzer is in a unique position to speak on how to move the administration.

“He said we’d be proud of him by the end of his term. This was a public commitment to do what he promised to do,” she said. “I still believe he will act on his promises.”

Botzer confesses to some impatience, however. “ENDA….” she sighs. “The fact that we’re still waiting for basic protections for Trans people – for our whole LGBT community – that’s just unacceptable.”

For Botzer, there is no substitute for political activism. “Action trumps inaction,” she insists. “We have to use every tool we 6

Seattle Gay News

July 10, 2009

have diverted what the real topic should be here: Is the governor capable for carrying on the duties for which he was elected?”

Bauer, 40, has never married.

Obama invites 300 GLBT leaders to White House for Stonewall 40 President Barack Obama – under heavy fire for talking the talk but not walking the walk on numerous Gay-rights promises – had 300 GLBT leaders over to the White House on June 29 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which, in 1969, jump-started the modern Gay-rights movement.

“I know that many in this room don’t believe that progress has come fast enough, and I understand that,” Obama said. “It’s not for me to tell you to be patient, any more than it was for others to counsel patience to African Americans who were petitioning for equal rights a half-century ago. But I say this: We have made progress and we will make more. And I want you to know that I expect and hope to be judged not by words, not by promises I’ve made, but by the promises that my administration keeps.”

Obama also defended his decision not to issue an order stopping the military’s expulsions of openly Gay members, suggesting, again, that such an approach wouldn’t work out in the long run.

“As commander in chief in a time of war, I do have a responsibility to see that this change is administered in a practical way and a way that takes over the long term,” he said. “That’s why I’ve asked the secretary of defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to develop a plan for how to thoroughly implement a repeal. I know that every day that passes without a resolution is a deep disappointment to those men and women who continue to be discharged under this policy – patriots who often possess critical language skills and years of training and who’ve served this country well. But what I hope is that these cases underscore the urgency of reversing this policy not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it is essential for our national security.”

With assistance from Bill Kelley can use. Every single tool!”

“We must engage. Nothing fell out of the sky,” she says, recalling 30-some years of struggle for equal rights. “We had to engage, engage, engage.”

“We need more marches, more Join The Impact,” she continues. “We need a more fluid community across all these nominal divisions.”

As for her own role in the movement, Botzer says, “I don’t see any reason you can’t be in the street one day and in the White House the next. These days I spend more time on boards [of directors], but that’s not all that needs to be done.”

Botzer believes the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives will pass ENDA and repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” in short order, and she hopes Obama will use his considerable popularity to pressure the Senate to act as well.

“I hope he twists arms!” she says about Obama. “At one point at the reception, I was standing there and I looked up and realized I was standing under a portrait of LBJ. It was a real flashback for me. I remembered how much I loved him and how much I hated him. I hope [Obama] channels the best part of LBJ or Kennedy. All these men – and they’ve all been men up to now – they could get things done.”

Botzer smiles when she thinks of her early days as a ‘60s radical. “I began by opposing participation in the military and opposing the institution of marriage,” she muses.

“Now they’re vehicles for liberation. If you can change the military, you can change the culture.”

“For the new generation, a real understanding of equality is a natural part of their existence,” she says. “The people who are standing in the way of ENDA or repealing ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ – they are the past.”

Addressing this new generation of LGBT activists, Botzer says “For me, activism was always a communal act. I was not alone.

Now it’s your turn. The time to be happy is now.”

Celebrating 36 Years!

INTERNATIONAL

NEWS

by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer Nikolai Alekseev

protection.” * “Indian Constitutional law does not permit the statutory criminal law to be held captive by the popular misconceptions of who the LGBTs are. It cannot be forgotten that discrimination is antithesis of equality and that it is the recognition of equality which will foster the dignity of every individual. ... We declare that Section 377 IPC, insofar it criminalizes consensual sexual acts of adults in private, is violative of Articles 21, 14 and 15 of the Constitution.”

What happens next?

The national government could appeal the ruling to India’s Supreme Court, though that is considered unlikely; the national government could both accept the ruling and use it as ammo to introduce a bill in Parliament to duplicate the ruling in national law; Liza Minelli at Paris’ Gay pride parade June 27 and/or anti-Gay parties to the lawsuit could appeal to the Supreme Court.

India’s Gay sex ban But until such time as the Supreme Court struck down Following an eight-year court battle, In- overturns the Delhi ruling, India’s GLBTs – dia’s Delhi High Court legalized Gay sex who comprise more than 17 percent of all July 2 in a forceful and poetic ruling that had GLBT people on the planet – are no longer criminals. India has a population of nearly GLBT activists crying in the courtroom.

The ruling took effect immediately – na- 1.2 billion people.

The erroneous reports that the ruling did tionally – and will remain in effect unless the Supreme Court reverses it. Several ma- not apply outside of New Delhi appeared jor Western media outlets erroneously re- in The New York Times, The Washington ported July 2 that the ruling only applied in Post, the Los Angeles Times, on the Associated Press wire and elsewhere. (For corNew Delhi.

The court decision “read down” Section rect information, see bit.ly/WeXyO and bit.

377 of the Indian Penal Code so that it no ly/7su4o.)

“Every major media outlet in the world longer applies to the activities of consenting adults. The section bans “carnal intercourse got this wrong because they don’t underagainst the order of nature with any man, stand how the Indian courts work,” said woman or animal” under penalty of 10 years journalist Vikram Doctor of India’s Queer Media Collective. “It will apply nationally to life in prison.

The court smashed 377’s application to until somebody challenges that at the SuGay people in myriad ways, finding it vio- preme Court, which is where this case is golated a constitutional guarantee of equality ing to end up anyway.”

In most common-law court systems, inunder the law, a constitutional ban on discrimination based on sex, and constitutional cluding India’s in this case, the decision of promises of personal liberty and protection an appellate court binds lower courts within its territorial jurisdiction and also is the of life.

The ruling is chock-full of soaring state- “last” word on the subject nationally unless ments in support of India’s GLBT popula- a court of equal authority elsewhere makes a contrary decision or the Supreme Court tion, including: * “The criminalization of homosexuality reverses the decision. An appellate decision condemns in perpetuity a sizable section of also binds the parties in the case (which insociety and forces them to live their lives in clude the Indian government in this case) the shadow of harassment, exploitation, hu- regardless of where they are in the country.

Meanwhile, Gay pride parades were miliation, cruel and degrading treatment at the hands of the law enforcement machin- staged in four Indian cities June 27-28 – ery. ... Section 377 IPC grossly violates their New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Bhuright to privacy and liberty embodied in Ar- baneshwar.

At least 2,000 people marched in New ticle 21 insofar as it criminalizes consensual Delhi. Marches are still to come in Mumbai sexual acts between adults in private.” * “Section 377 IPC targets the homosex- and Kolkata. ual community as a class and is motivated Liza does Paris Pride by an animus towards this vulnerable class Singer and Gay icon Liza Minnelli danced of people. ... It has no other purpose than to criminalize conduct which fails to conform on a float in Paris’ Gay pride parade June with the moral or religious views of a sec- 27.

Minnelli is the daughter of Gay icon Judy tion of society. The discrimination severely affects the rights and interests of homosexu- Garland, whose death five days before the Stonewall Riots 40 years ago is thought to als and deeply impairs their dignity.” * “When everything associated with ho- have contributed to the foul mood of the mosexuality is treated as bent, Queer, re- Gays who decided to fight back against the pugnant, the whole Gay and Lesbian com- police raid of the Stonewall Inn. “Freedom,” Minnelli shouted from the munity is marked with deviance and perversity. ... The result is that a significant group float. About 700,000 people took part in the of the population is, because of its sexual festivities.

“We knew that she [Minnelli] had a connon-conformity, persecuted, marginalized cert this evening in Paris but when her agent and turned in on itself.” * “We hold that sexual orientation is a told us that she could come, we thought it ground analogous to sex and that discrimi- was a joke,” Pride spokesman Philippe Casnation on the basis of sexual orientation is tel told Agence France-Presse.

Berlin also held Pride on June 27. About not permitted by Article 15. ... A provision of law branding one section of people as 550,000 people turned out, reports said. criminal based wholly on the State’s moral Gay pride goes well disapproval of that class goes counter to the in Jerusalem, for a change equality guaranteed under Articles 14 and About 2,000 people marched in Jerusa15 under any standard of review.” * “’[R]ight to personal liberty’ and ‘right lem’s Gay pride parade June 25 without into equality’ are fundamental human rights cident, but for one tossed egg.

Previous years’ marches have been met which belong to individuals simply by virtue of their humanity. ... A Bill of Rights with violent protests, stabbings and the ardoes not ‘confer’ fundamental human rights. rest of a man carrying a bomb.

Police protection was reduced this year, to It confirms their existence and accords them

Visit us online www.sgn.org

a mere 1,600 officers.

Gays attacked at Slovenian Pride event A cafe in Ljubljana, Slovenia, that was holding a Pride week cultural event was damaged June 25 by rock-throwing, hatespewing anti-gays.

Eight men carrying stones and torches attacked Cafe Open and shouted that gay people should be killed.

They also set upon gay activist Mitja Blazic outside the cafe, injuring his head and burning him. Activists said Blazic was “severely beaten up” and required hospital attention.

300 march in Sofia Around 300 people marched in the second Gay pride parade in Sofia, Bulgaria, on June 27, twice as many as last year.

Police and private security officers, hired by pride organizers, protected the marchers to prevent a recurrence of last year’s violence, when skinheads and right-wing extremists attacked the parade with bottles, rocks, eggs, firecrackers, smoke bombs and Molotov cocktails, resulting in 80 arrests.

This year’s march, which traveled from the National Palace of Culture to the Red House debate club, encountered nothing more serious than some booing.

Organizers called for a law to ban antiGay discrimination in employment.

Irish gov’t introduces civil-partnership law Ireland’s government has introduced a civil-partnership bill in Parliament, where it should pass easily. The law is expected to be in effect by the end of the year.

The measure extends to registered samesex couples nearly all rights and obligations of marriage.

However, most Gay activist groups have denounced the plan, saying it amounts to second-class status for same-sex couples.

The organizations have cited inequalities in the areas of inheritance, taxation and children’s rights.

“The bill is forcing Lesbians and Gay men to accept a second-rate set of rights,

powell

continued from cover for a repeal of DADT are applauding Powell’s statement because he crafted the actual policy. Within the military, Powell is widely viewed as a hero and remains popular with servicemembers. By coming forward and admitting DADT is no longer needed, the retired four-star General is telling current commanders the policy is outdated.

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a national legal service dedicated to aiding those affected by DADT, describes it as “the only law that punishes Gays, Lesbians, and Bisexuals for coming out.”

The current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, also appeared on the show and said that he will continue to carry out the law as it applies to DADT, but says that it is clear that President Barack Obama feels that, at least for now, the policy needs to be carried out in “the most humane way possible.”

The Obama administration is facing de-

July 10, 2009

and ensures that Lesbian and Gay relationships will be regarded as inferior to married couples,” said the group MarriagEquality, urging that Gay couples be granted access to marriage instead.

The group Equals likewise complained, “Civil partnership will create a two-tier society and will legislate Gay and Lesbian people into inequality.”

On June 26, activists protested against the measure outside Leinster House, seat of the two houses of Parliament, the Dáil Éireann and the Seanad Éireann.

Activist Will St. Leger climbed atop a pillar and remained there for three hours before being arrested. He was later released without charge.

Protester Lisa Connell chained herself to the Dáil gates. Police used a bolt cutter to remove her, then ordered her to leave the scene.

Meanwhile, thousands of people took part in Dublin’s Gay pride parade June 27.

Marchers chanted: “What do we want? Marriage. When do we want it? Now.” Lithuanian president vetoes ‘no promo homo’ bill Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus on June 26 vetoed a bill that banned from schools and public places information that agitates for homosexual, Bisexual or polygamous relations.

The vote for the bill in the Seimas (parliament) had been 67-3 with 67 MPs not voting. Seventy-one votes would be needed to override Adamkus’ veto.

The proposed “Law on the Protection of Minors Against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information” has been denounced

by Amnesty International, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, foreign governments and various arms of the pan-European bureaucracies.

Should it become law, the measure likely would end up before the European Court of Human Rights, where it probably would be found to violate the European Convention on Human Rights.

With assistance from Bill Kelley mands from the LGBT community to end the ban on Gays in the military – something he promised he would do when running for office. However, since Obama was sworn in, 284 servicemembers have been discharged under his watch.

Last week, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the Pentagon is looking into ways to apply the law in a “more humane way” – the same term Admiral Mullen used on Sunday. Gates appeared to disagree with discharges in cases where Servicemembers were maliciously outed.

“If someone is outed by a third party … does that force us to take action?” he asked.

The recent change in attitude towards DADT by such high-ranking officials shows a political shift.

“It is very clear what President Obama’s intent here is: he intends to see this law changed, and my advice … is that I think we need to move in a measured way,” Mullen said.

“At a time when we’re fighting two conflicts, there is a great deal of pressure on our forces and their families,” he added.

Seattle Gay News

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$35,400, as well it should. Popular luxury option add up quickly. Here’s a look at some of my favorites: Technical Features: • 228-hp 3.0-liter dual overhead cam 24V V6 • Seven-speed automatic transmission • Front suspension: Three-link independent strut-type with stabilizer bar • Rear suspension: Multi-link independent with stabilizer bar • Dual exhaust with two chrome outlets • 4Matic all-wheel-drive system Safety Features • Dual stage front airbags • Side airbags mounted in front-seat backrests • Head protection curtain • Dual front pelvic airbag • Four-wheel ABS disc brakes with brake assist system • Electronic Stability Program (ESP) • Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) • Smart key with panic button • Tire pressure monitoring system

2009 Mercedes Benz C300 4MATIC

by J.T. Hills SGN Contributing Writer

Top • All-wheel-drive handling • Optional panoramic sunroof • Fuel-efficient 3.0-liter 228hp V-6 Bottom • Competitive base price, popular options add up quickly • Bluetooth is overly complicated to connect

1993 as a 1994 model to replace the 190 Sedan. For the 2009 model year, Mercedes Benz optional upgrades include available integrated compass in the rear-view mirror and optional navigation system with a larger 40-gigabyte hard drive with more space reserved for music and Zagat Restaurant Survey. A total of eight airbags are standard including new pelvic airbags for front-seat occupants. After spending a week with the 2009 GMC Sierra 4WD Hybrid Crew Cab I’ve assimilated, corrugated, encapsulated, conjugated, and insinuated my own observations. Here they are:

The C-Class is Mercedes Benz’s entrylevel sedan. Completely redesigned for The Mercedes Benz C300 4MATIC 2008, the C-Class is offered in three trim I happen to be on the tall side, and when levels: Luxury, Sport, and AMG-inspired Sport. The C-Class was first introduced in you’re over six feet tall, finding a car that

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10840 Myers Way S, Seattle, WA 98168 southendmotorcycle.com

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Seattle Gay News

fits you is a real problem. Compact and midsize cars just don’t seem to fit. What I love about German cars – and Mercedes Benz in particular – is that you don’t have to buy a full-size sedan to get a car that you can actually be comfortable in.

The entry-level Mercedes Benz C300 4MATIC comes with a 228-hp 3.0-liter dual overhead cam 24-valve V6 with 221 lb-ft of torque @ 2,700-5,000 rpms, and is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. The C300 has an EPA estimated fuel economy of 17 MPG city and 25 MPG highway – not bad for an all-wheel-drive sedan. The test car came with the optional Sport Package which includes a body styling kit, 17” wheels, and sport-tuned suspension. The bigger wheels and suspension can provide for a stiffer, harsher ride, especially noticeable on Seattle’s potholed streets, but the stiffer ride is well worth it when it comes to handling out on the interstate.

The interior of the C300 was typical German minimalism, though for an entry-level sedan, it didn’t lack in the luxury department. Again, I loved how much room there was up front, although I did feel sorry for anyone who had to sit behind me. Trunk space in the C300 also seemed spacious for a car of its size. I also really loved the new available panoramic sunroof, and the power retractable 7” color display. Connecting your mobile phone to the Bluetooth system seemed to be a bit harder than it should be, though. There was little not to like about the C300 4MATIC. You can definitely pick and choose how much or how little luxury you want – just be prepared to pay for it.

Okay, for an MSRP of $46,710, what do you get?

The 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 4MATIC comes well equipped with a base MSRP of

July 10, 2009

Comfort and Convenience • Power sunroof • Dual-zone climate control • Single disc CD/MP3/AM/FM Weatherband radio • Eight-speaker sound system • Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone use • Central controller with 5” display • Leather multi-function steering wheel • Automatic headlamps with twilight sensor and locator lighting • Trip computer Optional Features • Black leather ($1,570) • iPod integration kit ($375) • Tele Aid ($650) • Panorama sunroof ($1,050) • Burl walnut wood trim ($310) • Premium II package: SIRIUS satellite radio, heated front seats, Bi-Xenon headlamps with headlamp washers and cornering fog lamps, split-folding rear seats, garage door opener, auto-dimming mirrors, rain sensing wipers, power rear-window sunshade, 10-way power driver’s seat with memory and power-adjusting steering column ($3,500) • Multi-media package: 7” power retractable color display, COMAND hard-drive based Navigation System, six-disc CD/DVD changer, Harman/ Kardon LOGIG discrete multi-channel surround system, voice control, music register, PCMCIA slot ($2,980) • Sport Sedan: Sport body styling, Mercedes Benz star in grille, 17” staggered-width alloy wheels with all-season tires, sport suspension and braking system, sport interior, aluminum trim (N/C) • Destination and delivery ($875)

Celebrating 36 Years!

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July 10, 2009

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Celebrating 36 Years!

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Celebrating 36 Years!

hildebrand continued from cover

getting very anxious and that folks have felt very hurt by the Justice Department brief – the language that was used in it. He reassured me that he will not disappoint the Gay community during his time as president, that the promises he made during the campaign are promises he will fulfill, and he was very forthright about his commitment to equality. And, people will accuse me – probably rightfully so – that I’m a Kool-Aid drinker, that I believe in this guy, but I’ve been around a lot of very important politicians in my lifetime and I think this guy is different and I do trust him to do what is right. I also believe that he knows how to get things done, and that he will make a significant difference in a positive way in the lives of Gay and Lesbian Americans.

Wockner: Let’s go back just a second to the [controversial marriage-case] brief. Do you have any reason to believe that he may or may not have known what was in that brief before it happened?

Hildebrand: As I understand it, he did not read the brief in advance but he subsequently has read the brief and was not happy at all with both the direction as well as the language that was used – and that he expects much better from his administration.

Wockner: This same Justice Department is going to have to file another brief in [another federal Gay marriage] case in October.

Do you think it’s likely we’re going to see something different this time?

Hildebrand: I hope so, I don’t know so. I certainly don’t profess to be somebody who has intimate knowledge of what’s going on at the Justice Department. I hope the outrage that has come – not just from the Gay community but from others – about how pathetic the first brief was, that we will expect to see something more improved. You know, I have a little bit different perspective. I, like most people, was not at all happy with the language that was used, but better language would not have changed the end result of what the Justice Department was ruling on. I would like to see the Justice Department take a dramatic step and disagree that DOMA is a constitutional law.

Wockner: There were some news stories to the effect that HRC cut a deal with the administration to delay the process on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and to work on, I guess, hate crimes first. ... Do you think there’s any kind of order for the promises that Barack Obama made during the campaign on things that he wants to get done for the Gay and Lesbian community. Is there an order that we’re likely to see those happen in?

Hildebrand: ... Regarding some kind of deal that was cut, I think that’s pretty crazy. Anybody who followed Barack Obama during the campaign and anybody that really knows this guy – he’s not exactly one who’s out cutting deals with special-interest groups on the left or the right for the timing of various legislative initiatives. Barack Obama as president and commander in chief is, and will continue to go through, a process, methodically, to get the ducks in a row in order to get the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ done in a successful way that isn’t just going to happen overnight.

He has to move the minds of the public, he has to move the minds of Congress and he has to move the minds of military leaders.

And once that happens, and the ducks are in a row, I believe he can successfully move forward for repeal, something that he feels very strongly about and something that he spoke very passionately about.

Wockner: Are we likely to see some other things from the administration or moving through Congress before ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’? Once again, do you think there’s some kind of order ... for the things that we’re going to see happening? Are hate crimes going to be first and DOMA going to be last, for example?

Hildebrand: Hate crimes has already passed the House. It’s sitting in the Senate. Majority Leader Reid has promised action on it very soon and I hope he’ll live up to that commitment. Passing hate crimes through Congress, and the signature of the

president, can actually have a real positive impact on people’s lives. That’s something that’s very critical – and it’s something that’s really long overdue. So I believe that if there is an order to things, because the House has taken action, because the Senate could take action at any time, that is something that is probably likely to move pretty quickly. I can’t say I’m privy to what might be next, and that doesn’t always just happen from the White House. You know, Nancy Pelosi as speaker has a real impact on that.

Harry Reid as majority leader has a real impact on that, and I have not spoken to either of them.

Wockner: In your speech to the National Education Association GLBT Caucus here tonight in San Diego, you came ‘this close’ to basically putting your fist in the air and saying, “It’s time to ACT UP and fight back.” What exactly were you talking about? What do you think ... the Gay and Lesbian community needs to be doing that we’re not doing?

Hildebrand: I don’t think our voices are as powerful as they should be. I think too many people in the Gay community do not push their elected officials as hard as they should. If you had 20 Gay people together in a room and asked how many of them actually have reached out and either called, e-mailed or sent a letter to their member of Congress over the last two months, I would say the vast, vast majority of them will have done nothing. My suggestion is that people need to become strong activists, that we need to multiply by hundreds the number of activists we have in the Gay community. We need more voices, we need louder voices, and we need to tell politicians at every level we’re not willing to take their excuses anymore.

Wockner: ... There has been this sort of groundswell of yelling at Barack Obama for the last three or four weeks. Would you include him in this kind of call for steppedup pressure on politicians, or do you have a faith in him – a personal faith in him based on your experience – that he’s going to be there for us whether we’re nice or not-sonice to him?

Hildebrand: I would encourage Gays and straights alike to put pressure on President Obama, on his administration, to call for action – immediate action on the laundry list of items that the Gay community deserves for true equality in this country. What I don’t like is the suggestion by a lot of people that this guy has lied to us and that he isn’t fulfilling his campaign promises, when he’s only been in office for five months. He can’t change the world overnight and – I’m doing my best to say this without providing excuses – but this is a president who was handed a larger number of really big issues to deal with at the beginning of his presidency than any other president in history. He’s got to get an economy moving, he’s got to get the troops out of Iraq, there’s a lot of big, big problems. At the same time, he is working within his administration to try and get in a position to get some meaningful things done to help the Gay community achieve equality. That does not preclude any suggestion that we should not keep up the pressure. He has told me, and he has told ... staff in the White House that pressure’s a good thing, so people should continue to put pressure on him.

Wockner: A lot of these things need congressional action, not just him to say things.

Hildebrand: Exactly, and if people want things done, they should demand action from Congress, they should demand action from the president, they should demand action from their school boards, from their city council members, their mayors, their legislators, their governors, everybody. They should demand action within their churches.

I don’t believe in the kind of civil discourse that ACT UP used several years back. My

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suggestion is that people ought to be very vocal, they ought to vote with full knowledge and full commitment of candidates – not just to support, but to actually lead on issues that are important to us.

Wockner: From some of our conversations earlier this evening, when we were just chatting, I got the impression that you believe that Barack Obama, in his gut, gets the Gay thing and sees it as one of – or maybe even the – last big civil rights things to accomplish, and that this is somebody – I mean, I think it would be comforting to the Gay and Lesbian community to know that he gets it in his gut and sees it as a fundamental civil rights issue and ... by the end of his first four years in office, you think things are going to have changed for the Gay and Lesbian community.

Hildebrand: I don’t think it’s just in his gut, I think it’s in his heart. You know, none of us can know somebody exactly, but I do believe this guy fundamentally in his heart believes that we should not stop fighting – whether it’s for Gay civil rights or any other kind of equality – until the job is done. ... I do believe that in his heart he will fight his tail off until we’ve achieved full equality in the Gay community.

Wockner: There’s been all this pressure on Obama but nobody’s really yelling at Congress.

Why aren’t we yelling at Congress too?

Hildebrand: Everybody should use their voices very loudly until we’ve achieved full equality. I do think that we’ve seen disappointment from politicians – Democrat and Republican – for too many decades now of people who say, “Yes, we support equality,” but then they go to Washington and they don’t do anything about it. They’re too wrapped up in figuring out how to win their next election and they’re not concerned enough about doing what’s right for the American people. And I think, I firmly believe that politicians should stop being so spineless and start being real leaders, and actually doing things that have a dramatic impact in a positive way on people’s lives.

Wockner: Make it specific. What would you like to see Pelosi and Reid do next week for Gay people?

Hildebrand: Next week they should pass employment nondiscrimination, they should pass the Safe Schools [Improvement] Act [of 2009] to address the bullying issue, and they should pass hate crimes, and put those three pieces of legislation on the president’s desk, where he would sign them immediately.

Wockner: Why haven’t they done it?

Hildebrand: I firmly believe they haven’t done it because too many members of the

[Obama] has told me, and he has told ... staff in the White House that pressure’s a good thing, so people should continue to put pressure on him.

House and Senate don’t have the political courage and the political will to take those votes. They believe those votes are too hard and will hurt them in their re-elections, and they’re more concerned about their re-elections than they are about actually helping people.

Wockner: When you look at, say, the Massachusetts example: Not a single legislator who voted for the Gay issue of all Gay issues – same-sex marriage – lost a seat in Massachusetts as a result of that vote. Do you think this fear that voting in favor of Gays is going to lose you your next election is kind of overblown in the eyes of members of Congress and, if so, why?

Hildebrand: I don’t believe it’s just Gay issues that politicians are afraid of. You’re seeing politicians who are afraid to do the right thing when it comes to climate-change legislation, you’re already hearing various members of the House and the Senate go south on health care reform because they think it might be a vote that’s going to be tough for their re-election. These folks, when they’re running for office, say they want to do important things and have a real impact, but then they go to Washington and all they do is focus on their re-election.

Wockner: A lot of these Gay ... things, if they were put on his desk tomorrow, he would sign them. So, this is really Congress.

Hildebrand: Well, I certainly don’t want to let President Obama off the hook. He needs to use his bully pulpit, he needs to use pressure on Congress, he needs to help move public opinion, but Congress needs to step up to the plate and do their part too.

Wockner: What do you do to make Congress act? ... How do I get my congresswoman’s attention?

Hildebrand: You should call her office, you should show up at events, whether it’s a town hall or another event that she might be at, and try to address her in person, you should write her a letter, you should write a letter to the editor, which calls upon her to take action that you’re requesting, you should not make a contribution to her campaign, and encourage others not to contribute, if she is not showing leadership on our issues. There’s a whole bunch of ways.

Wockner: Thanks, Steve.

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Seattle Gay News 13

New information about HIV and HAART therapy

by Michael Raitt SGN Contributing Writer There is new research out authored by a local researcher and physician, Dr. Mari Kitahata, that has huge implications on how patients and physicians work together to make the most informed decisions about HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) treatment for people newly infected with HIV. Last month I had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Kitahata present her research at the

Seattle/King County HIV/AIDS Planning Council meeting. Members and guests were impressed by the scope of her research. We are very aware of the implications this research has on when treatments are started and the work we have to do as patients, providers and a community to get the word out so patients can be more informed and make health decisions that are best for them.

This research has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 360:1815-1826, April 30, 2009, Number

18, and is titled, “Effect of Early versus Deferred Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV on Survival,” authored by Dr. Mari Kitahat, et al.

I won’t go into details explaining the research protocols and the complicated statistical models used (if you are interested in that, you can find the article at www. nejm.com and it will take you to the site and search “HIV”). I will say that this is an expansive, multi-national study – the first of its scope – that has addressed important variables from other studies and that has given an important, new understanding of long-term survival and health for patients who are newly infected with HIV and who start antiretrovirals early.

Every year in our community and state, a few hundred men and women are infected with HIV. Clearly, people are still being infected nationally and internationally. Historically, patients were advised to monitor their CD4 cell count and viral load. Doctors suggested, and many times patients agreed, to wait to start antiretroviral treatments until viral loads were higher and CD4 counts were between 350 to 500. Patients and doctors were concerned about drug toxicity and side effects. This was the standard of care.

With all due respect, doctors were going

with what they knew at the time and based on research they had and their understanding of the disease.

The research that Dr. Kitahata presents suggests strongly that the prognosis for survival and overall maintenance of health is greater when patients who are newly infected with HIV begin antiretroviral therapies immediately while their CD4 counts are still high and healthy and their viral load is very low.

This research states a couple of important points that people should be aware of. First, drug toxicity is an important consideration for patients when deciding when to begin treatment. As it pertains to drug toxicity and treatment adherence, this research states that “newer antiretroviral therapies that are more potent, have fewer side effects, and have to be taken less frequently improve adherence and maintain viral suppression at lower levels of adherence … starting therapy at progressively higher CD4+ counts has been shown to lower the risk of some toxic effects.” This finding may influence the decision a patient makes when considering this aspect of treatment.

A second interesting point that supported beginning antiretroviral treatment early was based around “cumulative viral load.” My

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July 10, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

understanding of this term was that cumulative viral load was a number that was used to represent how much virus there has been in an individual as it fluctuated over time (I don’t know whether it is an actual number or a concept). What is important is that cumulative viral load has an impact on overall health, organ systems, and long-term survival. What I extrapolated from this was that it is much more beneficial to keep the cumulative viral load very low for optimal health and long-term survival. In other words, if you are newly infected and your viral load is very low, CD4 count is healthy, you start antiretroviral treatments and your viral load stays low or is non-detectable for a long period of time, the research indicates your chances of long-term survival and maintaining a higher level of health are greater.

In her presentation at the Planning Council, Dr. Kitahata stated that HIV is a “very complex” disease and that researchers and doctors are continuing to understand the impact it has on the immune system and organ systems. Dr. Kitahata did state that the research seems to indicate that patients who started antiretroviral therapy early, when they were very healthy and viral loads were down and CD4 counts were high, were generally able to maintain that level of health.

Likewise, those who started their treatments later after the viral load was higher and the CD4 levels decreased could maintain a certain level of health but they were not able to regain that higher level of health they had early in the infection or prior to infection.

In this area, when you are newly infected, you have an opportunity to meet with Dr. Bob Wood of King County Health. He has been working with HIV+ patients and newly infected patients for years. He is excellent and you can ask him about this study and the implications of starting antiretroviral therapies early or waiting until your CD4 counts are lower and your viral counts are higher. As well, the physicians I know of – Dr. Vy Chu, Dr. Peter Shalit, Dr. Jeff Olliffe, Dr. Rob Killian, and the physicians at Madi-

Michael Raitt, MA LMHC, is a therapist son Clinic – are experts in their fields and have excellent reputations in working with and a contributing writer to the SGN. He their HIV+ patients. If you are, or become, writes a bi-monthly column in the SGN. If a patient of theirs, talk to them about this re- you would like to comment on this column, search.

I recognize that the study that Dr. Kitahata has done is very comprehensive and that my summary of it is very cursory and brief. My sole purpose in this thumbnail presentation of the study is to provide people with some new, interesting data and give them at least some information that they can use to advocate for themselves or to pass on to friends who are newly infected. Ultimately, to advocate for yourself as a patient, you have to have as much information as you can. Educate and inform yourself. Challenge your doctors and providers and push them to get this information and education so they can provide advice that is in your best interest.

We need to keep talking about this and making sure everyone has as much information as possible that will benefit our selves and our loved ones and keep individuals and our community healthy.

Advocate for yourself. This is big news and has huge implications for the health of the people we love and the future of our community. Get the word out! Hopefully this research will contribute to a shift in the, “standard of care” for newly infected individuals so they live healthier, longer lives.

Thank you, Dr. Kitahata, et al.

ask a question you’d like him to write about, or suggest another topic of interest, please contact him at askingmichael@comcast. net.

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July 10, 2009

Seattle Gay News 15

Compiled by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer

rex wockner

"As anger at White House missteps boiled over this month, the president abruptly staged a ceremony to offer some crumbs.

The pretext was the signing of an executive memorandum bestowing benefits to the domestic partners of federal employees.

But some of those benefits were already in force, and the most important of them all, health care, was not included because it is forbidden by DOMA." –New York Times columnist Frank Rich, June 27.

have now learned a little something about how much we care, how closely we watch, and how frustrated we have become. And in the process they may begin to see us, not as a self-absorbed little interest group, but as the truly battered, long suffering and incredibly patient segment of society that we are.

Taxpayers with no benefits. Couples with no recognition. Soldiers with no identity. Employees with no protection. The list goes on. ... Maybe Obama has learned that we really do need his help."

–San Francisco Bay Times writer Ann Rostow, June 25.

Andrés Duque

"There's a perception in Washington that you can throw little bits of partial equality to Gay people and that Gay people will be satisfied with that."

–Oscar-winning Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black to The New York Times, June 27.

in the glare of public scrutiny. Although I may not understand, I will strive to be understanding. The one thing that will never change is my abiding love for my child."

–A statement from Cher on June 17 in response to her child Chastity Bono's an"Obama's inaction on Gay civil rights is nouncement that Chastity is transitioning to striking. So is his utterly uncharacteristic male and now is known as Chaz. inarticulateness. The Justice Department brief defending DOMA has spoken louder "One way to get the Obama administrafor this president than any of his own words tion's attention on civil rights is for Gay on the subject." people to stop funding the Democrats.

–New York Times columnist Frank Rich, That's all these people care about anyway June 27. when it comes to Gays: our money. If the Democrats refuse to support us, refuse to "She is embarking on a difficult journey, support them. ... But we need to get more but one that I will support. I respect the creative. We need actions to highlight the courage it takes to go through this transition administration's betrayals, postponements and boilerplate. We need to start confronting the president at his events. We need civil disobedience. We need to tell him we do not want another fricking speech where he tells us he is a fierce advocate for our rights, when that is quite plainly at this point not true. We will not tolerate another Clinton. ...

I am a proud, self-respecting Gay man with HIV. And I am not going to take this crap for much longer on civil rights. Fight back.

Act Up." –Andrew Sullivan declares war, on his blog, June 18.

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"Who could have imagined that the GLBT community would even notice a Justice Department brief on an obscure case, let alone arise as one in full-throated condemnation?

The simple fact of that reaction, quite aside from our specific objections to the brief, led the administration to understand one important thing that they didn't understand before. To wit, they don't understand us. I know this sounds Rumsfeldian, but if you Joe Jervis don't know what you don't know, you're not going to make any progress, and, in fact, you're not even going to worry about the "Dykes on bikes, Tarzana Trannies, Jewnot-known thing. The administration may ish Leather Daddies and Kathy Griffin's mom. Don't get me wrong. I love these people. Let's call them the 'Usual Suspects.'

They fought for my rights and taught me how to dance. But they should no longer be representing 'the pride.' It's a different time. ... I cringe when a local newsperson shoves a microphone in the face of some young 95-pound twink [who] looks into the camera and screams into the reporter's microphone: 'Get down here now. The drinks are big. But you know what's bigger...' He laughs in a high-pitched cackle and his 'girlfriends' join in. I wish they'd read more and drink less.

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Celebrating 36 Years!

ing for me? I know there were many types of interesting, smart people on the parade route showing their support. But guess what, guys and gals? None of you have a loud enough, strong enough or powerful enough voice to be heard over the thumping techno backbeat of the big Gay parade. This is a huge problem."

–Will & Grace co-creator Max Mutchnick writing at the Huffington Post, June 18.

"For years, I experienced a peculiar kind of fame or infamy – depending on one's perspective – for taking on the public face of sex without condoms. ... In the 1990s, I was called a murderer for talking about unprotected sex; now, public health workers call [barebacking between partners of the same HIV status] 'serosorting' and deem it a harmreduction strategy. Imagine that."

–Longtime Los Angeles and San Diego AIDS activist Tony Valenzuela to POZ magazine, July issue.

"You're not really allowed to go to the USA if you're HIV-positive. On the immigration forms it always says, 'Do you have any contagious illnesses or diseases?' and I just put 'no' because I think it's not contagious unless you sleep with me, and we have unprotected sex. I've been stopped [by customs agents] before and they asked, 'What are these?' and I said, 'My combination therapy,' and they just let me go. ... As long as you're courteous you're going to be fine."

–Erasure singer Andy Bell to Passport magazine, June issue.

"Oddly enough, I've started Twittering.

It's really easy to do. I use it as a little miniplatform for my thoughts and introspection.

The MySpace and all that I couldn't figure out how to navigate, but Twitter is really easy so I'm enjoying it. I just want to get out my philosophies and thoughts. I don't think I care much about following anybody. I'm not even looking for a dialogue with anybody necessarily. I only want to be followed. Is that so wrong?"

–Lesbian comedian Sandra Bernhard to Windy City Times, June 10.

to help him – but vone shtep at a time. In terms of his style, he perfectly bridges Serious und Sexy … Oval Office und Oval Ori- continued from cover fice."

–Brüno (Sacha Baron Cohen) to GQ, June spokesperson for Navy Region Southwest 16. in San Diego, California told SGN during a "At some point [during Gay pride week], July 6 phone interview.

According to Brown, investigators have a group of Gay men in their 40s or 50s will find themselves occupying the same bar or linked a sailor to the crime through both park or restaurant or subway car or patch physical evidence and his own statement. of pavement as a group of Gay men in their He said the sailor has been taken into custo20s. We will look at them. They will look at dy and is cooperating with the investigation. us. We will realize that we have absolutely No information has been released about a nothing to say to one another. And the Gay possible motive, and no charges have been generation gap will widen. You hear the filed.

Another sailor, initially questioned July 1 tone of brusque dismissiveness in private conversations, often fueled by a couple of as a “person of interest,” has been released.

“Based on the information that we’ve been drinks, and you see the irritation become combustible when it's protected by internet able to come up with, there is nothing that suggests this is a hate crime, gang related, or anonymity."

–Mark Harris writing in New York maga- a terrorist act. But, we will address any possible motivation as part of the investigation zine, June 21. as we continue to thoroughly examine the "Sorry to admit it, but just had to delete many leads and facts in this case,” Brown several hundred FB [Facebook] e-mails. told SGN. Brown said the investigation is very comI think they call it 'e-mail bankruptcy.' Or 'giving up.' If you sent me something impor- plex and detailed and that the Navy Criminal tant and I didn't get back to you, let's start Investigation Service (NCIS) are not ruling anything out, but right now there is no inover."

–Popular Gay blogger Joe.My.God. (Joe formation to suggest Provost was murdered because he was Gay. Jervis) on his Facebook page, June 23.

Rep. Bob Filner (D-Chula Vista), chair"To the 1,321 people whose e-mails were man of the House Veterans Affairs Commitsitting in my Facebook inbox unanswered, tee, said July 1 he wanted a complete invesI apologize but I just deleted all of them. tigation of the circumstances surrounding Probably not the best way to reach me for the murder. He is asking for investigators to determine if the killing was a hate crime. something important. Sorry!"

Gay leaders in San Diego had asked Fil–Popular Gay blogger Andy Towle (Towleroad) on his Facebook page, June ner to intervene based on concerns brought to their attention by Provost’s family. Ac20. cording to chairman of the San Diego Human Relations Commission Nicole MurrayWith assistance from Bill Kelley

sailor

Ramirez, Provost’s family said other personnel on the base had harassed the sailor.

“We respect the military, but we want to ensure that there is full disclosure, to see if this was a hate crime,” said Murray-Ramirez. “A member of our community has been killed.”

It has been widely speculated that Provost told members of his family that he had been harassed but could not seek help within the Navy due to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” a Department of Defense policy that prevents Gays from serving openly. Brown said that although the public debate over DADT is “an important one,” investigators have not been able to link the sailor’s sexuality to the crime. In fact, investigators have called Provost’s death a random act unrelated to his sexuality.

Brown told SGN, “There is, unfortunately, a lot of bad information circulating in the press and on the internet.”

“Provost did suffer gunshot wounds, and a fire had been set,” Brown said, but added, “He was not bound, he was not gagged, and he was not mutilated.”

The official said the Navy is working closely with the slain sailor’s family as well as monitoring the impact Provost’s murder has had on his unit. He said Provost was popular with a lot of the sailors and was well liked. His commanding officer said he was a “bright star for the command.”

“Seamen Provost was an outstanding sailor looking forward to a bright future,” said Brown. “He was also a son, a friend and a shipmate, and all of us share grief and this sense of loss. He will most surely be missed by all who loved and cared for him, and by those who served with him.”

The family plans to hold funeral services July 10 in Houston. Brown said Navy representation would be present at the service.

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"Any candidate for president in 2008 – to openly declare that he's in favor of same-sex marriage ... I think that it would give people on the right a sort of handy club to wield and use Gay marriage as a wedge issue. And so I accept it [that Obama didn't]. I mean, I hate that we live in a world where this is the case, but I'm perfectly willing to accept that this may be a necessary compromise to make.

I wish people didn't have to say, 'I believe marriage is between a man and a woman' when I think they obviously don't believe that. But ya know, if that's what it takes to get elected."

–Playwright Tony Kushner to CNN, June 15.

"The way that same-sex marriage should reach the federal level is that it absolutely should be decided by the Supreme Court as ... a 14th Amendment issue. There's no argument about it. We are citizens of the United States. Citizens of the United States are guaranteed equal protection under the law by the 14th Amendment, and that's the end of ... the discussion. You can't treat people differently. It's unconstitutional."

–Playwright Tony Kushner to CNN, June 15.

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July 10, 2009

Seattle Gay News 17

Larry Kramer makes Perry v. Schwarzenegger battle public

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer After publicly questioning the wisdom of Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the federal lawsuit challenging California’s same-sex marriage ban, three Gay-friendly legal groups have asked to be a part of the case. The reception they got from the activists behind the case was essentially “thanks, but no thanks.”

The three legal organizations, The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and the National Center for Lesbian Rights submitted paperwork saying they want to represent Gay community groups in the proceeding. The newly formed political group funding the case, the American Foundation for Equal Rights, is opposing the request.

In a letter to the legal groups sent July 8, board President Chad Griffin said the show of solidarity was not needed since the same groups originally criticized a federal civil rights claim by saying it was premature.

“You have unrelentingly and unequivocally acted to undermine this case even before it was filed. Considering this, it is inconceivable that you would zealously and effectively litigate this case if you were suc-

nizations, imploring them to not interfere with the case. [See Larry Kramer's letter on page 3.] Kramer, who founded ACT UP and has over 30 years of experience in the Gay movement, shot right to the point, telling the groups “you will only botch up what [Olsen and Boies] are trying to achieve.”

Kramer said the three legal organizations were “behaving in the worst possible bitchy way.” He asked them, “Keep your noses out of it, will you please?”

Jennifer Pizer, Lambda Legal’s national cessful in intervening,” said Griffin. “Therefore, we will vigorously appose any notion marriage director, disagrees, saying the organization’s full participation is vital. to intervene.”

Griffin explained that getting more lawyers involved would delay and unnecessarily complicate the proceeding. He did say, however, that the groups were welcome to continue participating as consultants.

U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker has put the Proposition 8 challenge on a fast track to trial, but it is unclear when the judge by Charles Drabkin would rule on the motion naming the three Special to the SGN community groups as parties to the case.

We’ve all heard the phrase “out of the fryThe fallout from the California Supreme Court’s ruling on Proposition 8 set off dis- ing pan and into the fire.” I feel like I’m livagreements within the LGBT community ing it! Because of the threat posed by Refover what strategy would be best for revis- erendum 71, I decided to take off my chef’s ing the measure; the American Foundation hat several days a week and pitch in as a volfor Equal Rights found two high-profile unteer with Washington Families Standing lawyers, Ted Olson and David Boies, to take Together (WAFST), the statewide coalition on the lawsuit. Immediately after the an- working to retain our state’s domestic partnouncement of the federal lawsuit ACLU, nership law.

The WAFST coalition was formed at the Lambda, and NCLR criticized it by arguing that the way to strike down Proposition 8 end of May in response to a group that calls itself “Protect Marriage Washington,” anwas through California voters.

Larry Kramer, a playwright, author, pub- nouncing it was going to start collecting lic health advocate and LGBT rights activ- signatures to try to put a referendum on the ist, sent a scathing letter to the three orga- ballot to repeal the domestic partnership law. In just a few weeks, the WAFST coalition grew to more than 50 groups across the state. Organizations such as the Urban League, the Anti-Defamation League, Organization of Chinese Americans of Greater Seattle, FUSE, Women’s Funding Alliance, the Latino Political Action Committee, Jewish Federation, Planned Parenthood, and the Japanese American Citizen’s League, all quickly stepped forward to take a stand, to ensure that individuals and our families are treated fairly and with dignity and respect.

As I talk with my own friends, I see firsthand how important it is that we not be complacent, that we as a community must continue to take action and to protect what is still fragile. We need to keep broadening the discussion and understanding, whether it is explaining to co-workers how not having these protections in the law can put our families at risk, or asking our friends to stay vigilant and engaged. Activism takes many shapes. WAFST provides tools so that everyone can do their part in whatever way works best for them. There are so many ways we can each help.

If you haven’t yet added your name to WAFST’s Decline 2 Sign campaign, I urge you to do that. Just log onto www.WAFST. org. Then forward the Decline 2 Sign link to all your friends and family members. Tens of thousands of people across Washington have already done that. I can’t think of a better way to show the breadth of support across the state for our families.

Now is the time to act. Thanks to the leadership of the Governor and Legislature, we have domestic partnerships, but we must

“We think it will be very helpful to Judge Walker and the ultimate resolution of the questions in the case for the litigation to have the benefit of the presence of the community in all its diversity,” she said.

The three organizations are the same that have led the effort to legalize same-sex marriage in California.

Still, Griffin protests any interference by the ACLU, Lambda, or NCLR. “Given our willingness to collaborate with you, and your efforts to undercut this case, we were surprised and disappointed when we became aware of your desire to intervene.”

Volunteer to keep Referendum 71 off the ballot

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dig in to do more work to fight back against those whose goal is to repeal laws that protect Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people and our families. Over the coming weeks, everyone can be an advocate for our community once they understand the harm that comes when essential rights and protections are not provided to all families.

Friends and neighbors are organizing pub crawls, hosting community barbeques and writing letters to the editor of their local newspaper, all to protect Washington’s families. People have been taking pledge forms to church, community gatherings, and work, describing in their own terms how the repeal of Washington’s domestic partnership law will affect their lives. Faith leaders and congregation members are urging their communities to Decline 2 Sign. In Spokane, high school and college students volunteered their time, collecting hundreds of Decline 2 Sign pledges.

If you have not yet done so, please visit our website at www.WAFST.org. Through the website, you can also sign our pledge, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. Our Organizational Endorsement Form is also located on the site so if you are involved in a community organization, ask your group to be part of this statewide effort.

Under the “Handout” section of our website you will find Decline 2 Sign pledge forms as well as a short piece that explains the important legal ramifications of Referendum 71.

When we tell our stories, the truth becomes clear. If everyone does their part to protect domestic partnership rights, we will win. Our opponents are running out of time to gather the signatures they need to roll back the law. We know they will be actively gathering signatures the next three weeks to get Referendum 71 on the ballot. We urge just and fair-minded people everywhere to gather more Decline 2 Sign pledges, take other steps and help keep Referendum 71 from qualifying for the ballot.

Chef Charles Drabkin’s work focuses on organizing sustainable food systems and teaches Culinary Arts at Edmonds Community College. He is a steadfast advocate and volunteer for Washington Families Standing Together (WAFST). He lives in the Capitol Hill neighborhood with his husband, Michael.

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18 Seattle Gay News

July 10, 2009

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July 10, 2009

Seattle Gay News 19