SGN Jun 11, 2010 - Section 1

Issue 24 Volume 38

Celebrating 37 Years!

pride events p. 5

frank, baldwin, polis p. 9

cirque p. 25

Seattle Gay News

FRIDAY June 11, 2010 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands

SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

SGN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Partners of LGBT federal

The Victory Fund’s workers get new benefits Robin Brand courtesy metro weekly

Robin Brand

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Robin Brand, deputy executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, will be in Seattle for a June 14 event with local LGBT political leaders and supporters.

The Victory Fund describes itself as an organization that “identifies, trains, and elects LGBT leaders to

see robin brand page 20

A new directive issued by President Obama on June 2 expands the benefits same-sex partners of federal workers can obtain, but still stops short of full equality with married spouses of straight workers.

Obama directed government agencies to offer a number of new benefits to the families of LGBT federal employees, including family assistance services, hardship transfers, and relocation expenses.

The president also ordered federal agencies extending new benefits to married spouses of employees to make the same benefits available on equal terms to same-sex domestic partners “to the extent permitted by law.”

Obama’s latest directive builds on a memo he signed in June 2009.

That memo enabled same-sex partners to get long-term care insurance, expanded sick leave, and medical evacuation rights.

The Office of Personnel Management said that those benefits would go into effect in July this

alex wong

all levels of office, in every corner of America.”

It claims a 68% win rate for its endorsed candidates.

Brand is no stranger to Washington, having been executive director of the state’s Democratic Party in the mid-‘90s.

She spoke exclusively with SGN about the Victory Fund’s strategy and how that will pay out in Washington state.

“We’ve endorsed over 100 candidates this year,” she told SGN, “the most ever. We’ve endorsed three in Washington – Marko Liias, Jamie Pedersen, and Laurie Jinkins.

She will be the first openly Lesbian member of the legislature. It’s very exciting!”

Liias is running for reelection as a State Representative in the 21st District, as Pedersen is in the 43rd.

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

In June 2009, President Obama signed a memorandum on federal benefits and non-discrimination as Vice President Biden and other officials watch.

year.

Last year’s presidential memo also directed federal agencies to identify other benefits that could be offered to same-sex partners.

A review by the Office of Personnel Management and the Justice Department determined that at least some agencies could permit credit union and gym member-

ships, and access to counseling services, adoption counseling, and agency events or outings.

Some intelligence and financial regulatory agencies would be able to provide reimbursements for health-insurance premiums, dental see benefits page 18

Pink Gorillas vs Muffin Tops – UPDATE: Malawi over $2,000 for Lambert House couple splits up

Steven dumps Tiwonge for another woman afp

dan cox

The Lambert House Pink Gorillas and the Muffin tops

by Gaysha Starr Special to the SGN Despite all the rainy weather last week, on June 5, the sun miraculously appeared just in time for the Second Annual Muffin Tops vs. the Lambert House Pink Gorillas Softball Exhibition Game at Cal Anderson Park at 2 p.m. Over 150 people gathered to raise over $2,000 in cash to benefit the Lambert House.

At the park were The Muffin Tops and their friends, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, six Seattle University cheerleaders, Lambert House youth and their supporters, and also community

members who wanted to sit in the warm sun and have some fun.

I served as the hostess, and to be honest, was a little bit nervous walking in broad daylight in a “sexy referee Halloween costume” on Capitol Hill and also not knowing anything about the game of softball – or sports, for that matter. Thankfully, I was greeted by the committee chairperson for the event, Muffin Top player Matthew Lee, and sighed with relief that the Sisters were there to help out.

What makes this event special is that it is an all-ages event with free admission. Part of the fundraising came from selling raffle tickets with great prizes ranging from two

tickets to that evening’s Sounders FC game, baseball caps and T-shirts donated from CC Attle’s, The Eagle, Madison Pub, RPlace, and computer programs from Microsoft valued at over $200.

My job, along with Sisters and the SU cheerleaders, was to work the crowd and get more donations from them ranging from $5 to $30.

For each donation level, you can call the ball or player in or out, advance the player to the next base, and even call a home run. The campiest “call”: for a donation of $15, you could have a player attempt to hit the softball with a pink see softball page 18

Steven Monjeza (l) and Tiwonge Chimbalanga

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The saga of the Malawi couple Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga has taken a dramatic new turn.

On June 7, Monjeza announced he was dumping his Transgender partner for another woman.

According to The Nation newspaper, Monjeza announced he would marry Dorothy Gulo, 24, of Mbayani.

proud to Be Different

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

Claiming he was forced into what he called the “Gay drama,” Monjeza threatened to “expose” those who pressured him if they continue to harass him.

Monjeza also claimed that he never had sex with his partner Tiwonge Chimbalanga, and that he was forced to attend the joint press conference the couple held on June 2. see malawi page 20

Call us at 206.568.2486

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June 11, 2010

Celebrating 37 Years!

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June 11, 2010

Seattle Gay News

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2010

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

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

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No condoms at World Cup?

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

the South African government’s HIV/AIDS initiatives and promised to broadcast HIV messages and ads for Durex brand condoms HIV/AIDS activists have accused FIFA as part of its match-day “infotainment.”

AIDS groups countered the next day, is– the governing body of world soccer – of banning the distribution of condoms at this suing a statement reiterating their concerns year’s World Cup in Johannesburg, South and citing “inconsistencies” in FIFA’s reply.

HIV/AIDS groups asked why, for examAfrica. ple, FIFA promised to air ads only for FIFA is also preventing the distriDurex condoms, a brand that bution of safe sex information is too expensive for many at World Cups stadiums and “FIFA has not South Africans, rather other venues, in spite of permitted any civil than more affordable the fact that alcohol can or free conbe advertized there. society organization to brands doms.

“To date, FIFA has distribute HIV- or healthSixty-five million not permitted any civil society organi- related information ... despite condoms are awaiting distribution in zation to distribute the fact that commercial South Africa, acHIV- or health-relatcording to the South ed information and sponsors selling alcohol African government.

FIFA has not provided In March, the British any written confirmawill have dedicated government announced tion that condoms may spaces available.” it would donate 42 million be distributed at stadia and condoms for distribution at within the fan-fests,” a coaliWorld Cup venues. tion of HIV/AIDS groups said in a According to government figures, more statement. “This is despite the fact that commercial sponsors selling alcohol will have than 71 million condoms are now in circulation in South Africa. dedicated spaces available.”

Distribution of condoms and safe-sex inFIFA officials had originally banned distribution of any non-sponsor items or ad- formation is critical because South Africa vertisements. Budweiser is one of the World has the world’s largest number of people Cup’s corporate sponsors. HIV/AIDS orga- with HIV/AIDS. An estimated 5.7 million South Africans nizations are not.

On June 7, FIFA issued a statement deny- are infected – about one in every five adults. ing any effort to quash condom distribution There are around 1,400 new HIV infections every day and nearly 1,000 AIDS deaths. at its World Cup venues.

In April, South Africa launched the world’s FIFA’s statement specifically commended

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

June 11, 2010

largest HIV testing and treatment program, aimed at providing anti-viral medications to 80% of the country’s HIV-positive people, and testing 15 million people by the end of June 2011.

South African president, Jacob Zuma, earned praise for taking an HIV test himself, and disclosing his status. He was negative.

Such openness about HIV/AIDS is a striking turnabout for a country whose former president, Thabo Mbeki, denied the cause and extent of AIDS for years. Mbeki advocated treating HIV infections with home remedies like garlic and beets.

That position, health experts later said, contributed to hundreds of thousands of needless deaths.

While condoms are not available in World Cup venues, many tourist hotels are distributing them to guests.

“We don’t want to frighten people,” said Sergio Dreyer, general manager of Cape Town’s Grand Daddy Hotel, when asked how guests were responding to its complimentary condoms. “But it’s reality. At the end of the day, you can choose to be offended by it or not. Our brand is all about having fun. Plus, we don’t see it as being offensive.

It’s because we care about our guests.”

South African HIV/AIDS activists had hoped for similar openness from FIFA itself.

“What I hoped I would see at the World Cup would be very visible messaging,” Mark Heywood, deputy chairman of the South African National AIDS Council, said in a June 8 interview.

“Obviously you don’t want to drown out the World Cup; you don’t have to spoil the party. None of us is suggesting that you have to have explicit safe-sex advertising on television being beamed around the globe.

We’re simply suggesting: ‘Know your HIV status. Practice safe sex.’”

The June 8 statement came from a broad coalition of groups including the AIDS Consortium, Community Media Trust, Southern African HIV Clinicians Society, Section 27, and Treatment Action Campaign.

The groups said FIFA had a “moral obligation” to work with local organizations “to protect both citizens and visitors alike from HIV infection, TB and the H1N1 virus.”

Their statement said they had requested an urgent meeting with FIFA and the local World Cup organizers to discuss their concerns, but without success.

FIFA said it was not aware of any such requests, and that a meeting was under way to address the issues.

“The World Cup is an opportunity to combine sport with messages about HIV prevention and healthy living that can be heard by millions of people,” the groups’ statement concluded. “It would be a tragedy to miss it.”

Celebrating 37 Years!

Political cowardice threatens AIDS funding

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A federal program designed to help lowincome people living with HIV/AIDS to pay for their medication is in jeopardy because members of Congress fear that voting for it could hurt their chances of reelection.

That charge was made by William Arnold, executive director of the National ADAP Working Group, to Washington Blade blogger Lou Chibbaro, Jr. ADAP – the federal AIDS Drug Assistance Program – keeps tens of thousands of poor people alive by providing free or lowcost HIV medications.

ADAP was created in 1987 under the Ryan White Care Act to help pay for medication for low-income people with HIV/ AIDS, including those who lack health insurance.

The program is credited with actually saving the federal government money, because it helps HIV/AIDS patients to control the disease and therefore keeps them from seeking treatment in emergency rooms subsidized by federal funds.

Arnold and other HIV/AIDS activists say ADAP is facing an unprecedented crisis this year.

In 11 states, ADAP programs have literally run out of money, and officials have been forced to introduce waiting lists for patients who otherwise would have received AIDS medication prescribed by their doctors.

At least 1,000 HIV/AIDS patients are currently on waiting lists in these states.

Arnold told Chibbaro that the Tea Party’s demands that Congress drastically cut spending make it difficult to line up support for an emergency supplemental appropriation measure to fund ADAP. Both Republican and Democratic supporters of ADAP are reluctant to vote for new spending, Arnold said, even if they know it is needed to help save lives.

On June 3, U.S. Reps. Barney Frank (DMass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and 76 of their House colleagues released a petition to President Obama calling for $126 million in emergency funds for ADAP. The petition says that the emergency supplemental funds are needed to reverse a growing trend among states to put uninsured ADAP patients on waiting lists to get their medications.

“It’s abundantly clear that without emergency action, the ability for ADAP programs to provide a safety net for low-income and underinsured Americans with HIV/AIDS will be seriously damaged,” says the petition.

“It’s ridiculous that people have to be wait-listed for medicine that they need to stay alive,” said Laurie Young, a policy analyst for the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force.

HIV/AIDS advocacy groups say an emergency appropriation of at least $126 million is needed this year to provide AIDS drugs for all that need them.

They add that the Obama administration and Democratic leaders in Congress have yet to make a commitment to back an emergency appropriations bill.

Baldwin said on June 8 that she and her colleagues who signed the petition have yet to hear back from the White House.

In an e-mail to the Blade, also dated June 8, White House spokesperson Shin Inouye said Pres. Obama “strongly supports the Ryan White Program and the AIDS Drug Assistance Program’s vital role in providing life-saving medications for people living with HIV and AIDS.”

Inouye noted that the 2010 funding for ADAP represents a $20 million increase over the fiscal year 2009 funding. He said President Obama has proposed an increase in ADAP funding for 2011 that will allow the program to “serve an additional 3,389 individuals.”

But Inouye did not say whether the administration would support the $126 million emergency supplemental appropriation for ADAP for this year.

Asked for the White House position on the current emergency funding proposal, Inouye would say only, “We are working to ensure that ADAP has the funds it needs so that waiting lists are not needed for this safety net program.”

Drew Hammill, a spokesperson for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, said Pelosi and other House Democratic leaders were reviewing the request for emergency funding.

“As she has every single year since the program was created, the speaker will push for increased funding for ADAP in the regular [fiscal year] 2011 Labor-[Health & Human Services]-Education appropriations bill,” he said.

HIV/AIDS activists, including Arnold, said a funding increase in the fiscal year 2011 appropriations bill would be helpful and could alleviate the ADAP crisis if the funding were large enough.

But they said that immediate relief is needed this year, noting that the regular 2011 funding would not be available until July 1, 2011.

Baldwin said she was certain that congressional Democrats would support the $126 million emergency appropriation. But she said Republicans in the House have followed a policy of opposing nearly all spending bills proposed by Democrats.

The president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Michael Weinstein, challenged Baldwin, saying that Democrats have not yet introduced a bill to provide the emergency $126 million funding for ADAP. “Why don’t they introduce a bill and call the Republicans’ bluff if they want to blame this on the Republicans?” Weinstein said.

Meanwhile, Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) introduced a bill in May to take $126 million for ADAP out of the federal stimulus program, where there are millions of dollars in unallocated funds.

Sens. Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.) and George LeMieux (R-Fla.) also signed onto the bill, but to date no Democrats have agreed to become co-sponsors.

Weinstein said Democratic sources in the Senate told him the bill would be “dead on arrival” when it is referred to committee.

“This is partisan politics, with the wellbeing of people with AIDS the ones to suffer the consequences,” Weinstein said.

Weinstein challenged Speaker Pelosi to introduce immediately an emergency funding measure to cover the funds ADAP will need this year.

Pelosi’s district in San Francisco has a large number of low-income people with HIV that rely on ADAP, Weinstein noted.

He acknowledged that no other Republican senator, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, have signed on to the Burr-Coburn bill, however.

No companion bill has yet been introduced on the House side.

The new healthcare reform bill passed this year includes prescription drug plans that cover expensive anti-retroviral drugs that are used to control HIV/AIDS. That system does not go into effect until 2014, however.

In 11 states, ADAP programs have literally run out of money, and officials have been forced to introduce waiting lists for patients who otherwise would have received AIDS medication prescribed by their doctors.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

PRIDE EVENTS

CALENDAR

to 4 p.m. at Volunteer Park (14th Ave. and E. Prospect St.) at the amphitheater lawn. Sponsored by Seattle Out and Proud (SOaP), producers of the annual Seattle 2010 SOAP PRIDE IDOL Every Sunday from now until June 20, Pride® Parade, the picnic welcomes the join Seattle Out and Proud (SOaP) at the LGBT community and allied families.

2010 Pride Idol competition at R Place (619 Enjoy live entertainment and a $1 buffet E. Pine St.). Doors open at 7 p.m., shows catered by Whole Foods and Popchips. In start at 8 p.m. This year, Pride Idol offers addition to an Esurance photo booth, kids all of the undiscovered talent in the LGBT between 7 and 11 years old will enjoy a community an opportunity to shine in com- soap box car installation. Proceeds will be petition for cash and fabulous prizes! The donated to Food LifeLine.

For more information about the Seattle Wildcard Round will be held on June 13 and the Finals will be held on June 20. Win- Pride® Parade or the Family Picnic, visit ners will ride in the official Pride Idol Float www.seattlepride.org. in the Seattle Pride® Parade.

QUEERS TAKE OVER JOESEPPI’S For more information, visit idol.seattleIN TACOMA pride.org.

On Monday, June 14, between 4 and 8

compiled by Rick McKinnon and Nick Ardizzone

UNCORKED GAY WINE TASTING AND LAUNCH PARTY FOR GAY CITY VOLUME 3 On Friday, June 11, at 5:30 p.m., join hosts Roy Schaefer and Randy Shields on the Garden Terrace at Continental Place (2125 First Ave., 5th floor) for Uncorked, the 5th annual Gay City wine tasting extravaganza, featuring the wines of Winebow.

This year highlights the wines of Italy, accompanied by fine comestibles. This event also marks the debut of Gay City Volume 3: Re-Pulped. Enjoy selections from the third collection of fiction, poetry, comic art, and photography, and meet some of the writers and artists. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door.

For more information, visit www.gaycity. org.

p.m. at Joeseppi’s Italian Ristorante (2207 N. Pearl St., Tacoma), join friends of the Rainbow Center for a “Queer takeover.”

Dine with friends, and a percentage of your dinner bill will go directly to the Rainbow Center. By coming for a scrumptious meal at Joe Sortini’s treasure of a restaurant, you will be helping the Rainbow Center achieve their mission to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

To make a reservation, call (253) 7615555.

RADICAL WOMEN SCREEN LATINO BEGINNINGS On Thursday, June 17, at 7:30 p.m. at New Freeway Hall (5018 Rainier Ave S.), Radical Women will screen a special Pride showing of Latino Beginnings. This moving documentary follows three young Latina/o UNDERWEAR FASHION SHOW Queers as they confront and overcome barFUNDRAISER On Saturday, June 12, at 9:30 p.m. at R riers to acceptance in their communities.

Place (619 E. Pine St.), the Seattle Front- Profiled are: Jesse, an openly Gay college runners will present an underwear fashion student in New Mexico; Marisol, an ex-soldier worried about coming out to her mother show fundraiser. in Los Angeles; and Gustavo, a performer in the Miami drag scene. The 45-minute film, released in 2005, explores a number of issues associated with being Gay, being Latino, and being unashamed of being different.

Add your views and experiences in discussion! A $2 donation is requested for movie.

Supper, with vegan option, is served at 6:30 p.m. for a $7.50 donation.

For more information, visit www.radicalwomen.org/seattle.html.

GLITTORUS! A FUNDRAISER FOR LAMBERT HOUSE On Friday, June 18, and Saturday, June 19 at 8 p.m., Glittorus! will be staged at The Rendezvous/Jewel Box Theatre (2322 2nd Avenue). Experience two amazing nights of a spectacular mix of burlesque, boylesque, cabaret, comedy, and bellydanc-

RUN AND WALK WITH PRIDE On Sunday, June 13, at 10 a.m. at Seward Park (5895 Lake Washington Blvd. S), the Seattle Frontrunners will host Run and Walk With Pride. With over 300 members, Seattle Frontrunners is one of the largest running & walking clubs in the northwest, and welcome all abilities.

To register or donate, visit www.seattlefrontrunners.org/register.

see Pride events page 16

SEATTLE OUT AND PROUD’S SEATTLE PRIDE FAMILY PICNIC On Sunday, June 13, the Seattle Pride Family Picnic will be held from 11 a.m.

June 11, 2010

Seattle Gay News

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Join Seattle’s Jewish LGBTQ Community for

A celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Jews, friends, allies and families

Friday, June 25, 2010

at Temple de Hirsch Sinai, Seattle

7:00pm Pre-service appetizers 7:30pm Shabbat service Post-service celebration with light snacks and desserts

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Seattle Gay News

June 11, 2010

Celebrating 37 Years!

NORTHWEST

NEWS

compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer

COMMUNITY CAR WASHES On Saturday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the Abbey of St. Joan, host a car wash at C.C. Attle’s, 15th Ave. and E. Madison St., to benefit the Sisters’ Charity Grant Fund.

Also on Saturday, June 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Seattle Gay Flag Football hosts a car wash at 14th Ave. E. and E. John St. in support of their activities.

SEATTLE CENTER FESTÁL: “FESTIVAL SUNDIATA” On Saturday, June 12, from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday, June 13, from noon to 8 p.m., celebrate “Festival Sundiata” at the Seattle Center’s Center House. This lively festival celebrates art, entertainment, and education about the people of African descent, where participants and visitors from all communities may have an opportunity to peak into the window and experience the richness of black culture.

This year, the festival features a compelling and touching exhibit, “The American History Exhibit,” divided into three parts.

“The Unspoken Truths” chronicles the rich history of Africans in Africa and their significant contributions to the world. “Black Holocaust: Middle Passage/Chattel Slavery” explores the challenges African Americans endured during the Jim Crow Era. “African American Inventors/Inventions” showcases their perseverance and accomplishments.

Other weekend highlights include a “Best of Both Worlds” fashion show, African performance showcase and Literary Café. A special Saturday evening concert features popular 1970s group Cookin Bag and other special guest artists.

For more information, visit www.seattlecenter.com.

EMERALD CITY SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION’S SPRING SEASON Visit www.emeraldcitysoftball.org for information about the Emerald City Softball Association’s Open League for Gay and non-Gay men and women. Sundays through June 20.

Visit www.eteamz.com/womensecsa for information about the Emerald City Softball Association’s Women’s League for Gay and non-Gay women only. Sundays through June 20.

SEAMEC HAPPY HOUR FUNDRAISER On Sunday, June 13 from 4-8 p.m. at Changes in Wallingford (2103 N. 45th St.), join the Seattle Metropolitan Elections Committee (SEAMEC) for a happy hour fundraiser. Enjoy menu and drink specials, happy hour prices all day, plus raffles, gift baskets and silent auction. SEAMEC interviews, researches and rates candidates for public office for the LGBT community.

For more information, visit www.seamec. org.

ONE NIGHT ONLY – “AN EVENING WITH SHIRLEY MACLAINE” On Sunday, June 13, at 7 p.m. at Benaroya Hall (3rd Ave. & University St.), Shirley MacLaine will appear for An Evening with Shirley MacLaine. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will allow the audience to explore life’s big questions with a woman who isn’t afraid of the answers. What is the purpose of our lives? Are we alone in the universe? What is consciousness? Find out at this long-awaited appearance by one of the most visionary women of this century.

Tickets are $50 at the Benaroya Box Office, (206) 215-4747.

For details, visit www.benaroyahall.org.

2010, Seattle’s talent search contest to find the best vocalists in the area. The Pride Idol contest runs every Sunday through June 20.

The contest will be held at R-Place (619 E. Pine St.), door at 7 p.m., contest at 8 p.m.

Winners will be awarded cash and additional prizes and get to ride on the official Seattle Pride Idol float in the Seattle Pride Parade on Sunday, June 27. For more information, visit www.seattlepride.org, call the Pride office at 206-322-9561 or email info@ seattlepride.org.

THE VICTORY FUND’S “VICTORY IN SEATTLE” On Monday, June 14, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Marjorie’s (1412 E. Union St.), The Victory Fund will hold a “Victory in Seattle” event featuring Robin Brand, Seattle City Councilmembers Sally Clark and Tom Rasmussen, Tacoma City Councilmember Ryan Mello, Port Commissioner Rob Holland, State Senator Joe McDermott, State Representative Marke Liias, Anne Levinson, Tina Podlodowski, Michael Mattmiller and Jay Petterson, Kevin Thompson and Greg Ratliff, and Brady Walkinshaw. Tickets are $50 and go to benefit the Victory Fund’s Leadership Institute.

For more information, visit www.victoryfund.org/about_us/events.

NW FILM FORUM SCREENS FIELD GUIDE TO NOVEMBER DAYS On Monday, June 14 at 7 p.m. at the NW Film Forum (1515 12th Ave.), a Queer filmmaker from Portland, OR will screen Field Guide to November Days, a film that looks at coping with loss, social isolation, and exploring sexual identity. The film focuses on Matt and Natalie, recently separated, who resume their relationship after a chance meeting. However, they soon fall back into old destructive patterns, and they separate once again. To cope with the loss, Natalie isolates herself and experiments with radically different places in society. Matt finds solace in his friendship with Christian, who is Gay. Confused by their companionship, he begins to question his own sexual identity.

For more information, visit www.nwfilmforum.org.

GAY CITY UNIVERSITY NIGHT SCHOOL: “PRIDE PREP RALLY” On Tuesday, June 15, at 7 p.m. at Gay City (511 E. Pike St.), Gay City University will present Joanne Stekler, MD, MPH, who will speak on emerging biomedical interventions for HIV, as well as new tests on the horizon.

Dr. Stekler is the deputy director for public health – Seattle/King County HIV/STD Program.

GSBA BUSINESS LUNCHEON TO FOCUS ON TRAVEL On Wednesday, June 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel (1415 5th Ave.), the GSBA will hold their monthly Business Luncheon. How can Seattle leverage the estimated $84 billion LGBT travel industry for our region and businesses?

Two powerhouse speakers will show you how. Bill Tilden is the president of Alaska Airlines. He helms a variety of divisions for the airline including marketing and operations. David Paisley is an expert in LGBT consumer marketing for Community Marketing, Inc. (CMI) where he is the senior projects director. Washington State Senator Ed Murray will also be in attendance and will be making a special announcement. $32 for members and students, $37 for nonmembers. 363-9188.

For more information, visit www.thegsba. org/events.

PRIDE IDOL CONTEST AT R-PLACE SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN Seattle Out and Proud (SOaP), producers BOOK CLUB AT DUNSHEE HOUSE of the annual Seattle Pride Parade, in assoThe Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club ciation with Esurance, presents Pride Idol meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Dun-

Visit us online www.sgn.org

shee House (303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas St.). The title for June – Maurice by E. M. Forster, an intense book about an ordinary college guy. Forster wanted to write a novel in which Gayness actually made a man better, and to tell a story in which the Gay hero didn’t end up swinging at the end of a rope.

All GLBTQ folks in the community are welcome to participate in this free book club.

For more information, email nickdimartin@ earthlink.net or contact Dunshee House at 206-322-2437.

TWISTED! COMEDY SHOW On Wednesday, June 16, at 8:30 p.m. at Comedy Underground (109 S. Washington St.), TWISTED!, a sex-positive comedy event, will question and stretch the 1950s sex/sexuality morality prevalent in America.

Comedians and variety acts from the LGBTQA and BDSM communities sizzle with suggestibility and laughter. TK Kasnick, a Bisexual comedienne from both communities, hosts the show with a hot sensuality that must be experienced. Every month, a different theme and a different experience from BDSM play will be demonstrated, courtesy of the Center for Sex-Positive Culture.

For more information, visit www.comedyunderground.com; www.sexpositiveculture.org. Next shows 7/14 and 8/11.

FREMONT SOLSTICE PARADE On Saturday, June 19, the Fremont Solstice Parade steps off at noon from Leary way N. and N. 36th St. and travels through Fremont to Gasworks Park.

For more information, visit www.fremontfair.org.

FREMONT FAIR AND SOLSTICE PARADE The 39th annual Fremont Fair will be held on Saturday, June 19, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, July 20, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., on N. 34th St. just west of Fremont Ave. N., in the heart of the Fremont neighborhood. The weekend festival features over 300 arts and crafts booths, plus food vendors, beer gardens, 2 music stages. Visit www.fremontfair.org for more information.

LIFE OF CAL ANDERSON TO BE CELEBRATED IN PERFORMANCE AT CAL ANDERSON PARK On Sunday, June 20, at 2 p.m. in Cal Anderson Park (1635 11th Ave.), near the fountain at the north end, the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, Seattle Parks and Recreation and POWER of PLACE Youth will present a short performance highlighting the life of Cal Anderson to coincide with LGBTQ Pride month activities.

Washington’s first openly Gay legislator, Cal Anderson was a decorated Vietnam veteran who worked for inclusion, fairness, and participation in the democratic process until his death from AIDS in 1995. He was widely admired for his integrity, courage, and compassion.

Presented in collaboration with the Cal Anderson Park Alliance, the event is free and open to the public. The event will be approximately 30 minutes in length and Parks officials will be in attendance.

For more information about the Cal Anderson event, e-mail randy.wiger@seattle. gov. For more information about Seattle Parks and Recreation, visit www.seattle. gov/parks.

GAY CITY UNIVERSITY NIGHT SCHOOL: “THE QUEEN CITY COMES OUT” On Tuesday, June 22, at 7 p.m. at Gay City (511 E. Pike St.), Gay City University will present Professor Michael Brown, who will provide an introduction to the social histories and geographies for our community.

Remember Madam Peabody’s? How about Shelly’s Leg? Want to learn about those places and others? Be sure to attend this presentation by Gay City University.

GAY CITY UNIVERSITY NIGHT SCHOOL: “BOOSTING YOUR JOB SEARCH” On Wednesday, June 23, at 7 p.m. at Gay City (511 E. Pike St.), Gay City University presents Joe Perez, CPRW, CJSS, who will show you how to shift from a lackluster job search to a career marketing campaign that gets better results faster. This workshop can help provide the motivation and tools for success.

SEATTLE CENTER FESTÁL: 2010 IRANIAN FESTIVAL On Saturday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 7 “UNTIL THE FAT LADY SINGS 2” p.m. at Seattle Center’s Center House, join TO BENEFIT AIDS HOUSING a celebration and exploration of Persian/IraASSOCIATION OF TACOMA nian life.

On Friday, June 25, at 8 p.m. at The Blue For more information, visit www.seattleMoose Theater (2611 N. Proctor, Tacoma), center.com. the AIDS Housing Association of Tacoma presents “Until the Fat Lady Sings 2,” a drag Q-SQUARED BOOK GROUP: benefit show. The show will feature some of DREAM BOY On Saturday, July 19, at 1 p.m. at Capitol the Best Impersonators from the Northwest, Hill Branch Library (425 Harvard Ave. E.), including Ms. Gay Vancouver, Diva Deverthe Q-Squared Book Group will discuss the aux, Taylor Courtour, and Victoria Eyslie. novel Dream Boy by Jim Grimsley. From Admission to the Preshow VIP Reception Publisher’s Weekly: “With this heartbreak- (at 6:30 p.m.) is $20. General admission is ing story of first love, Grimsley, recipient $10. AIDS Housing Association of Tacoof the 1995 Sue Kaufman Prize for his first ma’s mission of service is to provide people novel, Winter Birds, has crafted another living with HIV/AIDS a circle of caring that potential award winner.” Q-Squared Book empowers them to stabilize their health and Group is open to men who are interested in to maintain diverse housing options through Gay literature and always welcomes new support services, life skills education, and in home professional services. members.

For more information, visit www.aidFor more information, visit www. shousingtacoma.org. qsquared.org.

MCC SEATTLE BECOMES EMERALD CITY MCC SEATTLE – NEW WORSHIP TIME IN JUNE, NEW LOCATION IN JULY Metropolitan Community Church Seattle has renamed their church the Emerald City Metropolitan Church Seattle, and will be holding worship services at 11 a.m. The church will continue to meet in the Chapel of Temple de Hirsch Sinai (1441 16th Ave.) throughout the month of June, except there will be no service on Sunday, June 27, as the church will be participating in the Seattle Pride Parade that day. The church encourages attendance of the Interfaith Pride worship service on Saturday, June 26, at 2 p.m., at All Pilgrims Church (500 Broadway E.).

On Sunday, July 4, the church will relocate to the Chapel of University Temple United Methodist Church (1415 N.E. 43rd St.), with worship service at 11 a.m.

June 11, 2010

SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE ACCEPTING 2010 GRANT APPLICATIONS The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Abbey of St. Joan, is currently accepting 2010 grant applications. The deadline for the 2010 Charity Granting Cycle is 5 p.m. on June 30.

The Sisters have given grants for the past several years to 501(c)3 organizations in Washington state. The organizations who have qualified for grants in the past have all been supportive of the LGBT community, providing services for every type of need from HIV/AIDS services, STD prevention, LGBT veterans, LGBT youth, LGBT rights, and more.

To apply to receive funds, visit the Abbey’s website aw www.theabbey.org and follow the “Sisters Charity Grant Fund” link. The application can be printed out or filled out online.

Seattle Gay News

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New Gallup poll shows Study finds kids historic shift in opinions raised by Lesbians are well-adjusted

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer

Last week, Gallup released a remarkable report on Americans’ evolving views on homosexuality.

According to the results of Gallup’s annual Values and Beliefs survey, for the first time, the percentage of Americans who perceive “Gay and Lesbian relations” as morally acceptable has crossed the 50% mark. Fifty-two percent of respondents said Gay relationships were morally acceptable, while 43% took issue – a new low.

In a noteworthy point, the Gallup poll suggests that the largest change in attitudes over the last four years has come from men – younger males in particular. Another first.

The survey also documented a decrease in opposition to Gay marriage this year,

though 53% of Americans remain opposed.

On the other hand, support for the legality of Gay consensual relations has gone up for by Shaun Knittel the second year in a row.

SGN Staff Writer From the Gallup poll summary: “There is a gradual cul- A 25-year study concluded that children tural shift under way in raised by Lesbian households were psychoAmericans’ views to- logically well-adjusted and had fewer beward Gay individu- havior problems than their peers. als and Gay rights. The study, published June 7 in the jourWhile public at- nal Pediatrics, followed 78 Lesbian couples titudes haven’t that conceived through sperm donations and moved consistently assessed their children’s wellbeing through in Gays’ and Lesbi- a series of questionnaires and interviews. ans’ favor every year, the Although more common these days, Gay general trend is clearly in that parenting still remains an issue with the gendirection. This year, the shift is apparent in eral populace with many people debating a record-high level of the public seeing Gay the children’s psychological adjustment. and Lesbian relations as morally acceptable. The research was reportedly funded by Meanwhile, support for legalizing Gay mar- several LGBT advocacy groups – the Gill riage, and for the legality of Gay and Les- Foundation and the Lesbian Health Fund bian relations more generally, is near record from the Gay Lesbian Medical Association, highs.” to name a few. According to the author of The Gallup Values and Beliefs survey is the study, the funding sources played no conducted each May. role in the design or conduct of the study.

“My personal investment is in doing reputable research,” said Dr. Nanette Gartrell, who authored the study. “This is a straightforward statistical analyses. It will stand and it has withstood very rigorous peer review by the people who make the decision whether to publish it or not.”

Gartrell started the study in 1986. She reto obtain information necessary to deter- cruited subjects through announcements in bookstores, at Lesbian events, and in newsmine citizenship and identity.”

The State Department said the new rules papers throughout Massachusetts, Califormean that “it is also possible to obtain a nia, and Washington. limited-validity passport if the physician’s According to the study, the mothers were statement shows the applicant is in the pro- interviewed during pregnancy or the insemcess of gender transition. No additional medical records are required.”

The change coincides with LGBT Pride Month, the department noted.

The new policy was praised by HRC President Joe Solmonese in by Shaun Knittel a statement also is- SGN Staff Writer sued June 10.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has “Today’s policy change will allow many ruled that same-sex couples must be treated more Transgender Americans to ob- the same as heterosexual couples under a tain an important identity document that feature of California tax law – the first time accurately reflects their true identity and to the agency has acknowledged Gay couples travel with less fear of discrimination and as a entity for tax purposes.

The Wall Street Journal reports on the harassment,” he said.

“We thank the State Department for taking change, which reverses a 2006 IRS ruling this historic step and congratulate the many and may also affect Nevada and Washingorganizations that have pushed for this his- ton state couples.

The IRS said that nearly 58,000 couples toric change in policy.”

NGLTF Executive Director Rea Carey who are registered as domestic partners in California must combine their income and also joined in praise for the new policy.

“The old policy regularly put Transgen- each report half of it on their separate tax der people at increased risk for harassment returns.

According to the report, same-sex couples and violence,” she said. “This update will go a long way to rectify this problem. We account for an estimated 95% of Califorthank the State Department for taking this nia’s domestic partnerships; partnership staimportant step, and all the organizations tus is also available to heterosexual couples that worked together to advocate for this in which one partner is over the age of 62.

Eric Rey, a resident of Berkeley, Calichange.”

The new passport policy was one of the fornia, told the Journal, “For the first time changes advocated by the New Beginning ever, I’m able to file federal taxes that, in a Initiative, a project HRC, NGLTF and a small way, acknowledge what’s going on in number of other national LGBT organiza- my relationship.”

Rey and his partner requested the IRS tions participate in.

NBI advocates for changes in federal ruling during the Bush administration and regulations and administrative policies that again this year. According to Rey, he and help to eliminate discrimination against the his partner were wed during the brief time when same-sex marriages were legal in LGBT community.

California. The issue arises because the men are registered as domestic partners. Samesex couples, even if they are legally married in their home states, may not file joint federal tax returns. The federal Defense of Marriage Act, passed in 1996, defines marriage as between one man and one woman and bars federal agencies from interpreting it otherwise.

California is one of nine states with community-property rules, which require married couples to treat all income as joint property for a variety of purposes. The Supreme Court has said that if married couples

Fifty-two percent of respondents said Gay relationships were morally acceptable

New passport rules for Transgender travelers

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The U.S. now has more flexible passport rules for Transgender people, according to a statement issued by the State Department on June 10.

“Sexual reassignment surgery is no longer a prerequisite for passport issuance,” the statement said.

Beginning June 10, “when a passport applicant presents a certification from an attending medical physician that the applicant has undergone appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition, the passport will reflect the new gender.”

Previously, Transgender people had to demonstrate they had completed sex reassignment surgery before the State Department would change the gender on their passports.

The State Department said it was basing its new policy on the recommendations of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).

WPATH is recognized by the American Medical Association as the authority in this field.

The new policy brings U.S. gender change procedures more in line with passport regulations in other countries, as well as policies governing vehicle licenses and birth certificates in many U.S. states.

The State Department also promised that its officers would respect the personal privacy of Transgender passport applicants.

“As with all passport applicants, passportissuing officers at embassies and consulates abroad and domestic passport agencies and centers will only ask appropriate questions

Sexual reassignment surgery is no longer a prerequisite for passport issuance.

8

Seattle Gay News

June 11, 2010

ination process, and again when the children were 2, 5, 10 and 17 years old.

The children were interviewed four times as they matured, culminating with an online questionnaire at age 17 which focused on their psychological adjustment, peer and family relationships, and academic progress.

According to Gartrell, to assess their wellbeing, she used the Child Behavioral Checklist; a commonly used standard to measure children’s behavioral and social problems such as anxiety, depression, aggressive behavior and social competence. The answers were coded into a computer and then analyzed. The data was compared with that from children of non-Lesbian families.

The study found that children of Lesbian families rated higher in social, academic, and total competence. They also showed lower rates in social, rule-breaking, and aggressive problem behavior.

Some of the teenagers reported being stigmatized by peers because of their parents’ sexuality. Researchers compared the figures in terms of the psychological adjustment between children who had experienced stigma versus those who did not. They found no difference.

Gartrell said she studied only Lesbian families because circumstances surrounding Gay male families are different. Research shows that Gay men becoming parents is newer in comparison with Lesbians because their options have been limited to adoption or surrogacy. Lesbians often conceive through donor insemination.

Gay couples get equal tax treatment

are filing taxes separately, they must combine their incomes together and then divide the sum equally.

According to California law, since 2005, registered domestic partners are required to honor the property rules.

Rey, who says he earns much more than his partner does, said that applying the property rule to federal taxes offers clear tax benefits by bringing them into a lower tax bracket. According to Rey, in 2007, if he applied the federal standard, it would have cut his federal tax liability in half and more than doubled his partner’s tax bill – ultimately saving the couple about $7,000.

In 2005, Rey asked the IRS for clarification as to how they should file “their” taxes.

He was told that California domestic partners could not apply the community property standard to federal taxes because the rules did not apply “outside the context of a husband and wife.” The IRS added, “The relationship between registered domestic partners under the California Act is not marriage under California law.”

In 2007, when Rey asked again, the agency decline to offer guidance either way.

When President Barack Obama was elected, Rey’s tax attorney advised the couple to try for the ruling again. This time, the IRS said registered same-sex domestic partners must combine and then divide their income for property tax purposes – a direct contrast to previous rulings under the Bush administration.

According to an IRS spokesman in a memo issued last month, the shift is due to a 2007 change in state law. The change deals with the way California calculates income for state taxes. Nevada and Washington state are also community-property states that recognize domestic partnerships.

The new IRS ruling has some issues, however. Chiefly, it clashes with the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits federal agencies (such as the IRS) from recognizing same-sex couples.

Celebrating 37 Years!

Taking the Queer members of the U.S. House for a test drive file photo

Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo)

by Scott Rice SGN Contributing Writer

Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colorado 2011 Mustang V6 When Polis walks into a room, he demands your attention – not by asking for it directly, but because you can feel his energy.

He sweeps through a crowd making brief eye contact, shaking hands, and uncannily mentioning something of personal interest

Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin 2007 Honda Accord EX-L V6 Baldwin’s office is in perfect order. The staff is quiet and composed. The magazines are arranged nicely in the waiting area.

There is no dust on the high shelves and the flags hang perfectly.

Even Baldwin’s personal desk is the picture of organization. There are no stacks of unruly papers lying about, no wastebaskets overflowing, and no rings left by coffee Rep. Barney Frank, mugs. We sat facing each other across a cofD-Massachusetts fee table situated just so in front of her desk.

2010 Mercury Grand Marquis Baldwin is wearing a blazer and slacks Barney Frank has been a member of Conand a simple off-white blouse. The clothes gress for 30 years. Though not the most glamorous legislator to grace the House Chamber, he is one of the longest serving and most effective. His office is run by middle-aged Beltway old-timers who go about their business with a quiet pragmatism. The office is organized but in an unkempt system that was likely decades in the making. Why mess with something that works, right?

The day I met him, Frank wore a standard white dress shirt with a standard purple and black striped tie. He wasn’t rumpled and he wasn’t exactly pressed. His glasses are just glasses, not fashion statements. I imagine he can see through them really well.

Frank often speaks in a disconnected way, as if he’s said everything so many times that even he doesn’t find it interesting any longer.

It’s like this until he starts to speak about his partner, Jim, and only then does he gain a romantic spark, saying, “We met nearly five years Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass) ago, but [the relationship’s] fit perfectly and her natural blonde hair greatly deepened.” He goes on to talk about is parted on the side and in place without how difficult it is to balance his job as conseeming just-combed. Tammy Baldwin gressman, chairman of the powerful House is put together, but not in a self-conscious Financial Services Committee, Queer icon, way. She probably learned to do this while and partner to his mate. attending tony Smith College.

Talking to Frank is like talking to your She is a leading advocate for universal great uncle who’s been around forever and health care and a proponent of energy inde- is the smartest person in the family, even if pendence and renewable fuels. Tammy also he would never say so. His stealthy intelliis a forceful supporter of civil rights gence is part of his political arsenal, and he’s and an advocate for those in our society always ready to disarm with his plebeian dewhose voices, too often, are not heard meanor. He’ll also cut you down to size with (while that’s code for Queer, to be fair, his rapier wit and intellectually out-maneushe works hard for the civil rights of ver you every time as the need arises – and all). he’ll do it wearing a suit he bought off the In fact, Baldwin seems to have an in- rack in 1994. nate understanding of her dual role as The Mercury Grand Marquis is an automember of Congress and Queer icon. motive dinosaur. The platform traces its She talked about a young person who roots all the way back to 1979 and the incalled her to say they had found her on troduction of the “downsized” version of Wikipedia and that finding an openly the all-American full sized sedan. Not much Queer person with such success had has changed in the 30 years since. Today’s probably saved their life. The story Grand Marquis is still a V8 powered bodywas related by Baldwin with awe and on-frame six-passenger behemoth with live respect; it’s probably a Midwest thing. rear axle and a trunk large enough to stow a Tammy’s partner Lauren Azar lives Smart car and a couple of Vespas. back in Wisconsin and is the Public The Grand Marquis wasn’t automotive Service Commissioner for the state of perfection when it was a new design. The Wisconsin. She comes to Washington, technology, to put it romantically, was deD.C., sparingly due to her own career. cidedly yesteryear (to be less romantic I’d Visiting the capitol is often not the call it archaic). The large sedan is a lumbermost satisfying experience for her ei- ing relic that’s bulletproof reliable (years ther. Baldwin says, “What would it be of real-world use have worked out the malike if you’re a professional with a ca- jor bugs for certain), comfy (thanks to the reer and everybody in the room keeps cushy suspension and futon seating), and reaching past you to talk to me?” unquestionably familiar to older consumers.

The Honda Accord has long been In fact, say what you want about a 30-yearknown as the attractive yet understated old design that was arguably outdated when pinnacle of over-achieving family sedan new; as of April 2010, Automotive News reengineering. It’s a refined luxury car with- ports the grand old Grand Marquis was the out the garish stigma of a pricy name and Mercury brand’s highest seller. Stuff that in swoopy styling that screams, “Look at me!” your Milan Hybrid with the fancy SYNC No, Accords quietly whispered in your ear, connectivity system, integrated navigation, “I am competent and I’ll make you look and hi-tech stability control. Apparently, smarter than you really are.” Sadly, the 2008 there are instances when comfort and reliAccord has grown ungainly in size and ap- ability trump excitement and technology. file photo

There are 435 members of the United States House of Representatives. Of those 435 members, only three openly identify as Queer: Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, and Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado.

Estimating Queer population is dicey business. Kinsey estimated – though his estimate stems from decidedly unscientific methods of data collection – that about 1 in 10 people are Queer. The latest estimates, which may or may not be scientifically sound, range from 5-15%, depending on who you ask and the criteria used. The point is, even if we use the low end of the estimated range, the Queer community is woefully underrepresented in the U.S. House of Representatives (5% of 435 comes out to about 22 members). Things are even worse in the Senate, where we’re 0 for 100.

That means these three politicians are very important to the Queer community.

They are the vanguard for Queer candidates everywhere and they serve – sometimes reluctantly – as role models, giving hope to young Queer people coming of age. This is a lot of pressure on top of the already formidable job of being a U.S. lawmaker representing a diverse district that is somewhere between 8595% straight.

I was fortunate to interview all three on a recent trip to Washington, D.C., and I can report that each is handling their dual role with a healthy mix of respect, reserve, and all-out passion.

And while they are connected by their Queerness, they are three extremely different people.

Since there are only three and they belong to us, it might be good to get to know them better. However, since I’ve only got so much space to tell you about them, I’ll need a literary shortcut to help me out – a simile that will cut through all details and give you a concise image of who they are in a thrifty manner. Mmm, I wonder … if our Queer legislators were automobiles, what kind of automobiles would they be?

pearance, leaving the previous generation to carry the mantle of car model that seems innately logical. That’s why Baldwin is like the 2007 Honda Accord.

You can hear it when the door shuts. You can feel it when you turn a switch. You can see it in the perfect alignment of each body panel. The ‘07 Accord is quiet perfection.

The experience is uninterrupted as you turn the ignition and the silky-smooth 3L engine comes alive. You snick the shifter into first and the car lifts off seamlessly. Snick, snick into third, then fourth and you came to the first curve. The Accord dives in willingly with a preternatural knowledge of the road ahead. Everything works, everything is in order, everything is familiar, and it all seems easy.

file photo

to everyone he greets. Watching him work a room, I couldn’t help think he was thinking three moves ahead all the time.

His office has a constant din of activity. Everything from policy discussions to scheduling conflicts to ski conditions at Arapaho Basin may be overheard at any given moment. His 20-something staff wouldn’t be out of place on a spring break beach wearing flip flops and drinking Corona. He and his young staff are efficient, fast, and loads of fun to hang out with.

Polis, a bit of a rule-breaker, is a new model of fast-moving, tech-savvy young congressman who’s also a wildly successful internet entrepreneur with an Ivy League education and a penchant for overachievement and philanthropy. Polis’ high-energy style and tendency for chaotic, though effective, multitasking is fueled largely on lunches of garbanzo beans and cucumbers.

Polis’ pet issues also indicate a modern perspective. He is, of course, a huge supporter of Queer rights and is the co-chairman of the LGBT Equality Caucus. He’s also interested in education and immigration. The two issues dovetailed nicely in 2004 with the establishment of the New America School, charter schools that seek to diminish barriers faced by older immigrant youth in mainstream public schools. Today, the New America School operates four campuses in Colorado and plans to open a campus in New Mexico to extend the benefits of English literacy and a high school liberal arts education to all students.

Thus, Polis is like the 2011 Ford Mustang V6. Forget all you know about American pony cars, because the new Mustang breaks all the rules. The old school fire-breathing, fuel-slurping V8 powered monster with a solid axle rear suspension and parts purloined from more prosaic stablemates is so 1995. You can also forget the sickly six-cylinder bastard siblings of those fire-breathing monsters that were little more than econoboxes in muscle car drag. The 2011 Ford

0-to-60 in 5.4 seconds and the quarter-mile in 14 flat at 104 mph. Add the brand new six-speed tranny and a sophisticated suspension that encourages carving the twisties over Steven’s Pass and you have a complete and competent world-class car that’s fun, fast, and fairly green.

Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin)

Mustang V6 is an efficient and fast high-tech performance car for the 21st century.

Damn the V8, the brand-new tech-heavy and forthrightly unapologetic 3.7L 4V TiVCT V6 engine achieves an industry-exclusive 305 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque while delivering an EPA-estimated 31 MPG on the highway. That translates to

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Celebrating 37 Years!

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Seattle Gay News 15

SEXY UNDERWEAR PARTY! “Not Required, But Desired”

by Gaysha Starr Special to SGN On June 5, over 400 supporters of the Rain City Soccer Club and patrons of the Lobby Bar attended “Not Required, But Desired,” a fundraiser and sexy underwear party to celebrate the RCSC 2010 Friendly Soccer Tournament held earlier that day. Sponsoring the event were three Seattle Teams: haloPONY, Jet City Stickers, and Surge, a female team. I was lucky enough to be asked to be the hostess of the hourly raffles and underwear contest.

Over $2,000 was raised during the evening, which was double their financial target.

The proceeds will be divided evenly by the three teams in order to help cover the costs for each team’s trip to the 2010 Gay Games which will be held in Cologne, Germany, the first week of August. At the Games, the Jet City Stickers will defend their Division II World Champion Title, while both haloPONY and Surge will continue to gain experience in a tournament level setting.

The party was a huge success, as the Lobby served as a perfect backdrop to host this underwear party. After paying a $5 suggested donation, you were greeted with a bar decorated with soccer jerseys hanging from the balcony railing, festive blue and white balloons anchored in various spots, and energetic dance music playing a mix of current hits and old-school favorites. The soccer players – both male and female – were all great hosts, and they started to strip down as early as 7:30 p.m. to get the party started and to eventually sell 750 Jell-O shots and hundreds of raffle tickets.

During the first announcement, I brought

out the tallest soccer player – who happened to have a 36-inch inseam – and invited the guests to use him as their inseam guide since guests could purchase a quantity of raffle tickets for a flat amount using any inseam in the bar as their measuring stick. The player was toured around the bar as the best value in raffle tickets that anyone could buy. Each hour I selected a representatives from the host teams to have them draw the winning tickets for three prizes, including dinner and tickets to Julia’s and their Le Faux show, a wine tasting for 10 people, and the grand prize of $250 cash. The final highlight was an 11 p.m. underwear contest where enthusiastic participants spun and modeled to thunderous applause.

The most refreshing takeaways from the evening was meeting out-of-town soccer players from Atlanta, Minneapolis, Portland, San Francisco, and Vancouver, BC, and seeing them mix with Seattlites, including the Quake Rugby players. Regardless if you were male or female, your orientation, and if you were wearing your skivves or were fully dressed as a Lobby patron who happened to walk in, no one felt out of place or uncomfortable. The event was also more on the sexy side as opposed to the sleazy side of what you would think when you hear “underwear party.”

Later this summer, in addition to attending the Gay Games in August, Rain City Soccer Club will be sponsoring a Shirts vs. Shorts fundraiser game, and a New Player Orientation tentatively to be held in September.

Rain City serves as the umbrella group for a total of 15 LGBT soccer teams in Seattle.

For more information, please visit www. raincitysoccer.org.

Gary Sarozek, MA, LMHC

continued from page 5

ing, all to benefit Lambert House. This a variety show not to be missed, and a cause not to be ignored. Tickets are $15 and are available at www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/112038.

BAT N’ ROUGE THE DYKES VS DRAG QUEENS On Saturday, June 19, from 5-8 p.m. at Bobby Morris Playfield in Cal Anderson Park (11th Ave. and E. Howell St.), The Capitol Hill Alano Club presents The Dykes vs Drag Queens at Bat N’ Rouge’s pride kickoff game. Bat N’ Rouge is a fundraising event to benefit Capitol Hill Alano Club, which has an ongoing mission of drug and alcohol recovery. CHAC is a nonprofit organization now in its 27th year of service in the Seattle LGBT community.

For more information, visit www.chacseattle.org.

RAINBOW FAMILIES OF PUGET SOUND COMMUNITY PICNIC On Sunday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Carkeek Park (950 Northwest Carkeek Park Rd.), join Rainbow Families of Puget Sound for their second annual Community Picnic. Rainbow Families of Puget Sound is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization. For more information, e-mail kjbeck@ metlife.com.

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pride events

LIFE OF CAL ANDERSON TO BE CELEBRATED IN PERFORMANCE AT CAL ANDERSON PARK On Sunday, June 20, at 2 p.m. in Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave., near the fountain at the north end, the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, Seattle Parks and Recreation and POWER of PLACE Youth will present a short performance highlighting the life of Cal Anderson to coincide with LGBTQ Pride month activities.

Washington’s first openly Gay legislator, Cal Anderson was a decorated Vietnam veteran who worked for inclusion, fairness, and participation in the democratic process until his death from AIDS in 1995. He was widely admired for his integrity, courage, and compassion.

Presented in collaboration with the Cal Anderson Park Alliance, the event is free and open to the public. The event will be approximately 30 minutes in length and Parks officials will be in attendance.

For more information about the Cal Anderson event, e-mail randy.wiger@seattle. gov. For more information about Seattle Parks and Recreation, visit www.seattle. gov/parks.

THE REAL L WORD SERIES PREMIERE On Sunday, June 20, at 6 p.m. at Purr Cocktail Lounge (1518 11th Ave.), join the Human Rights Campaign and Showtime for the series premiere of The Real L Word, a new Showtime reality series that follows

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June 11, 2010

Celebrating 37 Years!

a group of real-life, high-profile, left coast Dubb provides a mix of House music to get Lesbians as they go about their daily lives, your pride on. Cover is $5 per day. at work and play. Fabulous, fashionable, For more information, visit www.juliasand completely hot, The Real L Word is real- restaurantseattle.com. ity TV that only Showtime can bring you.

Be the first to get a sneak peek of this exciting new series amidst hundreds of curious fans. $10 suggested donation includes annual HRC membership. Must be 21+, doors open at 5 p.m.

For more information, e-mail communityevents@hrc.org.

QUEER TEEN ENSEMBLE THEATRE On the evenings of June 24, 25, and 26, Washington Ensemble Theatre presents Queer Teen Ensemble, led by co-artistic director Jessica Hatlo. The performances will be the end result of the Ensemble’s model for ensemble-generated new works, where students collaboratively produce a piece of theatre based on their own experiences surrounding identity, love, and Queerness. The month-long intensive began with directed free-writing that was eventually shared with the group and was later used to generate something new. This phase continued until there was a sense of cohesion, and texts were then molded into a working script.

Watch for more details regarding performance time and ticket price or visit www. washingtonensemble.org.

FEED YOUR PRIDE AT PRIDEFEAST On Thursday, June 24, at participating restaurants, join One Degree Events in celebrating the third annual PrideFeast benefit.

Get your Pride weekend started early by helping to raise funds for LGBT health and wellness nonprofits.

For details and a list of participating restaurants, visit www.pridefeast.org.

JULIA’S GAY PRIDE BLOCK PARTY On Friday, June 25, from 2-10 p.m. and Saturday, June 26, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Julia’s on Broadway (300 Broadway E.) will present their Gay Pride Block Party.

The event promises music, entertainment, and fun for the entire community, with proceeds benefiting The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Abby of St. Joan. Featuring the stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race, the always outrageous and just plain Fabulous Shannel, Raven, and Morgan. Two hot live bands: Seattle’s popular funk-rock fusion Smoking Bill, and the truly original, contemporary Columbian pop and rock group No Rey Band. The event is hosted by Seattle ’s newest funny nun and hostess extraordinaire, Sister Stella Standing, of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Abby of St. Joan.

Peppered throughout the day are Seattle’s All-Stars of drag, including the best female impersonators from throughout the Puget Sound, the performing Sisters of P.I., and the wildly popular cast of Julia’s own Le Faux. You’ll be served drinks by beefy ball boys the Seattle Squadron Gay softball team and guest bartenders. Music maven DJ Dana

RALLY: A SHIFT PRIDE BBQ On Friday, June 25, from 6-9 p.m., join Gay City to kick off the Pride weekend with food, fun, and friends at Multifaith Works (123 16th Ave.). Surprise guest appearances. This event is free. SHIFT is a peer recovery network supporting dynamic recovery paths by uniting our LGBTQ community to experience freedom through empowerment.

Learn more about SHIFT at www.shiftrecovery.org. for more information, contact chris@gaycity.org.

ing dresses – will take on the Seattle RFC Women’s team, The Breakers. This event is similar in style to the annual Dykes vs. Drag Queens softball game. Tickets will be sold

for admission to the sideline (for $5) and players will work the crowd to sell penalties, conversions, scrums, line-outs, meters, and tries. Proceeds from the event will be split with Lambert House, the center for LGBT youth that encourages empowerment through the development of leadership, social and life skills. www.quakerugby.org.

PRIDE SHABBAT AT TEMPLE DE HIRSCH On Friday, June 25, Temple De Hirsch Sinai (1511 E. Pike St.) will host Seattle’s 2010 Pride Shabbat. Pre-service appetizers will be at 7 p.m., and the service will begin at 7:30 p.m. Organized by Bashert, the LGBT Initiative of the Jewish Federation of Seattle and other community sponsors, including Temple Beth Am, Kolenu, Congregation Tikvah Chadashah, Jewish Family Service, Bet Aleph Meditative Synagogue, Anti-Defamation League, NW Network of Bi, Trans, Lesbian and Gay Survivors of Abuse, and Temple De Hirsch Sinai, this is shaping up to be one of the most successful Pride Shabbats yet. www.jewishseattle.org/ news-events/events/pride-shabbat-2010.

ter and Be Gay at McCaw Hall (321 Mercer St.). The concert is a tribute to two great American composers: Leonard Bernstein, a prodigy renowned for his energy and talents as both a confuctor and composer, and Stephen Sondheim, the undisputed master of the modern Broadway musical. The concert will feature music from Bernstein and Sondheim’s collaborations, as well as their individual careers. Expect to be transported to musical heaven when artistic director Dennis Coleman pulls out all the stops and more than 400 voices take the stage to perform music from such Broadway classics as West Side Story, Sunday in the Park with George, Wonderful Town, Sweeney Todd, Candide, and A Little Night Music. Glitter and Be Gay is destined to be a show to remember for decades to come, and the perfect ending to the Seattle Men’s Chorus’ 30th anniversary season.

For details and ticket information, visit www.flyinghouse.org/smc/gabg or call the box office at (206) 388-1400.

BEND-IT EXTRAVAGANZA SHOWCASES QUEER ARTISTS From Friday, June 25 to Sunday, June 27, the Queer activist collective Bend-It will showcase local Queer artists at the BendIt Extravaganza. Visit BendItBandits.org to get involved. As part of the 8th annual event, Queer zinesters will be given a table where they can pass out their zines for free.

Everyone who contributes will receive free photocopies for work sent in by the June 11 deadline.

For more information, contact Quinn at quinnwyatt@gmail.com or visit benditbandits.org or www.myspace.com/bend_it DIGNITY/SEATTLE HOLDS 22ND PRIDE PANCAKE BREAKFAST On Saturday, June 26, from 8 a.m. to noon, Dignity/Seattle will hold its 22nd annual Pride Pancake Breakfast at Central Lutheran Church Social Hall (1710 11th Ave.). $7 donation. Proceeds go to Multifaith Works, Bailey-Boushay House, and Dignity/Seattle. Raffle prizes will be drawn. A recycling dropoff will be provided for cell phones and empty ink cartridges. Dignity/Seattle has been a faith community of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Catholics and their families and friends in Seattle since 1973.

For more information, visit www.dignityseattle.org.

UNTIL THE FAT LADY SINGS 2 On Friday, June 25, at 8 p.m. at The Blue Moose Theater (2611 N. Proctor, Tacoma), the AIDS Housing Association of Tacoma presents Until the Fat Lady Sings 2, a drag benefit show. The show will feature some of the Best Impersonators from the Northwest, including Ms. Gay Vancouver, Diva Deveraux, Taylor Courtour, and Victoria Eyslie.

Admission to the Preshow VIP Reception (at 6:30 p.m.) is $20. General admission (doors at 7:30 p.m.) is $10. AIDS Housing Association of Tacoma mission of service is to provide people living with HIV/AIDS a 12TH ANNUAL circle of caring that empowers them to staSEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS AND RAINBOW HEALTH FAIR bilize their health and to maintain diverse SEATTLE WOMEN’S CHORUS On Saturday, June 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 housing options through support services, PRESENT GLITTER AND BE GAY life skills education, and in home profesOn Friday, June 25 and Saturday, June 26 p.m. at Gilda’s Club (1400 Broadway), come sional services. at 8 p.m., Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle to the 12th annual Rainbow Health Fair for For more information, visit www.aid- Women’s Chorus join forces for the first see pride events page 18 shousingtacoma.org. time ever in an extravaganza called GlitPROM DRESS RUGBY EXHIBITION MATCH On Friday, June 25, from 7-10 p.m., come see the first annual Prom Dress Rugby Exhibition Match at the Bobby Morris Playfield in Cal Anderson Park (11th Ave. and E. Howell St.). Seattle Quake RFC – wear-

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June 11, 2010

Seattle Gay News 17

House or the Senate.

None of the benefits covered by presidencontinued from cover tial directives or the DPBO apply to members of the armed forces. Repeal of the miliand vision insurance, business travel acci- tary’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy would be dent insurance, physical exams, and hom- required before the Defense Department can eowners’ insurance, according to the OPM address the needs of same-sex partners of review. military personnel.

The reservation “to the extent permitted by law,” inserted in the president’s latest directive, refers to restrictions contained in the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), continued from cover which prohibits the federal government plastic Cinderella bat. from recognizing same-sex relationships.

We also had one crowd favorite spend In a statement issued by Pres. Obama on June 2, he reaffirmed his support for leg- quite a few dollars to see her favorite Mufislation to equalize benefits for partners of fin Top player do cheers with the SU cheerleaders. In the third inning, a spectator spent LGBT federal employees.

“While this memorandum is an impor- $100 to see me try to hit the softball and run tant step on the path to equality,” the presi- all four bases. With a quick flashback to judent said, “my administration continues to nior high, I apprehensively approached the be prevented by existing Federal law from plate, missed the first pitch, and hit a foul providing same-sex domestic partners with for the second one. I then was urged to run the full range of benefits enjoyed by hetero- in my four-inch high-heeled tennis shoes. I sexual married couples. That is why, today, was dressed like a girl, which matched the I renew my call for swift passage of an im- way I ran!

This is the second year that the Muffin portant piece of legislation pending in both Houses of Congress – the Domestic Partner- Tops have sponsored this event, and event chair Lee was ecstatic with the team’s hard ship Benefits and Obligations Act.” The Domestic Partnership Benefits and work in putting together the event and its Obligations Act (DPBO, S 1102 and HR end results.

“We didn’t want to be just another soft2517) would offer across-the-board equality to same-sex partners of federal employees, ball team, but a team that gave back to the at least in the area of work-related benefits. community that supports it. We decided to Same-sex relationships would still not choose an organization that is sometimes receive full federal recognition as long as overlooked or forgotten when it comes to raising money. Lambert House was the perDOMA remains on the books, however.

The Senate DPBO bill, S 1102, is spon- fect choice. This year’s event was awesome! sored by Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Su- The weather was amazing, and we had an san Collins (R-ME), and co-sponsored by energetic and engaged crowd that made for 30 other senators, including Patty Murray a perfect day. The Muffins Tops take on sole responsibility for producing this event with and Maria Cantwell of Washington.

The House bill, HR 2517, is sponsored by all the proceeds benefiting Lambert House,” Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Ileana Ros- Lee said.

The Muffin Tops are in their second seaLehtinen (R-Fla.) and is co-sponsored by son and have already received the Out140 representatives.

Washington state Democrats Brain Baird, sports.com 2010 Best Sports Gay Team of Jay Inslee, Rick Larsen, Jim McDermott, the Year award, and last year were awardand Adam Smith are all co-sponsors of the ed the 2009 ECSA Commissioner’s Cup. They are a softball team made up of friends legislation.

The DPBO was reported out of the House which got its start when a few of the foundOversight and Government Reform Com- ing members watched their friends play and mittee in November 2009, with a favorable asked themselves, “Why couldn’t we have a team made up of large men?” They startvote of 23-12.

It was reported out of the Senate Commit- ed brainstorming on possible team names, tee on Homeland Security and Government and the Muffin Tops were fresh out of the Affairs in December, by a vote of 8-1. Bob oven. They are sponsored by CC Attle’s and Bennett (R-UT) was the sole vote against it. the Seattle Eagle. For more information on To date, the DPBO has not been scheduled the Muffin Tops, please visit www.seattlfor debate prior to a floor vote in either the emuffintops.com.

benefits

softball

pride events continued from page 17

complimentary health services for the LBT community, utilizing peer providers. Appointments can be made at (206) 436-8666 or my e-mailing lbthealth@ywcaworks.org, although drop-ins are welcome for many services.

For more information, visit ywcaworks. typepad.com/lbthealth.

INTERFAITH PRIDE WORSHIP SERVICE On Saturday, June 26, at 2 p.m., an Interfaith Pride worship service will be held at All Pilgrims Church (500 Broadway E.).

Presentations will be made by members of the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities, with more faiths being added.

For more information, visit www.mccseattle.org.

CAPITOL HILL PRIDE FESTIVAL 2010 On Saturday, June 26, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., the second annual Capitol Hill Pride Festival will be held on Broadway, between E. John and E. Roy Sts. This is a free, all-ag-

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SEATTLE DYKE MARCH AND RALLY On Saturday, June 26, from 5-7 p.m. at Seattle Central Community College Plaza (Broadway Ave. E. and E. Pine St.), join the Seattle Dyke March Rally: “Connecting to the International Community – Dyke, Lesbian, Bi, Trans, and Queer.” Performers confirmed to date: Emcee Lamar Van Dyke, singer Alicia Healy, Spokane’s Giant Ass Drum Corps, Seattle’s Queer Tango Dancers, 7 Star Women’s Kung Fu, and more. At 7 p.m., the Seattle Dyke March steps off to circle Capitol Hill. T-shirts are now available for $15. If you order now, there is a $5 charge for delivery. E-mail marcy@seattledykemarch.com for details.

For more information, visit www.seattledykemarch.com.

LIBERATE: A SHIFT PRIDE PARTY On Saturday, June 26, from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the West Hall in Century Ballroom (915 E. Pine St.), join Gay City for

206-683-9666 rkennedypainting@yahoo.com

18 Seattle Gay News

es festival celebrating diversity and community pride. The festival is open to everyone – LGBT or straight – from any background.

The five-block festival will feature four public stages, a Kids’ Zone, Faerie Circle stage, and over 200 booths and vendors. Attractions include live entertainment, music, singing, face/body painting, and a Doggie Drag Costume Contest.

For the festival’s second year, attendance is expected to be 7,000-10,000.

For a full list of entertainment, performers, vendors, and participants, visit capitolhillpridefestival.net.

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Liberate: A Pride Party. Dance your ass off – sober! SHIFT brings you their annual substance-free Pride Party, with DJ Joe King.

SHIFT is a peer recovery network supporting dynamic recovery paths by uniting our LGBTQ community to experience freedom through empowerment. Learn more about SHIFT at www.shiftrecovery.org. for more information, contact chris@gaycity.org.

SEATTLE PRIDE PARADE On Sunday, June 27, at 11 a.m., the Seattle Pride Parade will begin at Westlake Park (400 Pine St.) and travel down 4th Ave. to PrideFest 2010 at the Seattle Center.

Remember when Dorothy opens the door to Oz? Her whole world transforms from black and white to vibrant color. That’s kind of like the Seattle Pride Parade. This year, the Emerald City goes “Over The Rainbow” and over the top to support our LGBT community. Expect a dazzling spectacle of floats, outlandish costumes and dancing in the streets. The Parade, produced by Seattle Out and Proud, is an exuberant, high-energy celebration of diversity, community and unity.

Visit www.seattlepride.org for more information.

kane. 2010 brings many changes to Spokane’s Annual Pride Parade & Rainbow Festival. This year’s theme is “Pride in Our Community.” Use this theme to guide your Pride parade expression in float design, signs, and parade dress! Let’s have lots of color and fabulousness! Be OUT and PROUD! For more information, visit www.outspokane.com.

OLYMPIA PRIDE FESTIVAL CAPITAL CITY PRIDE 2010 Olympia’s Capital City Pride 2010 will run from Saturday, June 12, to Sunday, June 13, when it culminates in a noon parade through downtown Olympia. The Olympia Pride Festival promises “More pride. More to love.” The festivities begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Sylvester Park (at the corner of Capitol Way S. and Legion Way S.E.), with music, food, film screenings, and an 8 p.m. masquerade ball. Sunday’s parade starts at the State Capitol steps, then travels northbound on Capital Way to 5th Avenue, then winds back toward Sylvester Park via Washington St. For a full schedule of events and times, visit capitalcitypride.net.

BELLINGHAM PRIDE SEATTLE PRIDEFEST 2010 B PROUD On Sunday, June 27, the Pride parade will From Wednesday, July 7, to Sunday, July end at Seattle Center, and PrideFest 2010 will begin. Tens of thousands of revelers 11, Bellingham will hold the B Proud Pride

pack the Seattle Center to dance, drink, eat, shop, and party. Every year the event gets bigger (both in attendees, caliber of performers, and size of event footprint), and every year this event gets better. Please join us in 2010 as we take up more of the Seattle Center grounds with more vendors, bigger stages, and better entertainment than ever before! This year’s headlining star is singer Kimberley Locke, and comic Julie Goldman will join the festivities at the largest LGBTQ gathering in the Pacific Northwest.

New events are still being scheduled.

For more information, visit seattlepridefest.org or e-mail info@seattlepridefest.org.

• PRIDE AROUND WASHINGTON STATE OUTSPOKANE On Saturday, June 12, from noon to 5:30 p.m. at Wall Street (between Spokane Falls Blvd. and Main St.) in Spokane, WA, Spokane will hold their Pride festival, OutSpo-

OUT IN THE PARK 2010 TACOMA/PIERCE COUNTY PRIDE On Saturday, July 10, from noon to 7 p.m. at Wright Park (6th Ave., between I and G Sts.), celebrate Tacoma Pride with Out in the Park 2010. The event will feature a food court with a new coffee drink vendor, kids’ corner with a free raffle for kids and a bounce house, assorted vendors/community organizations and groups, as well as the main stage with a mixed lineup of familiar faces as well as new and exciting performers. Applications are still being taken for vendor/participants as well as entertainers.

Out in Tacoma is still seeking an Asian-style food vendor for the food court.

For more information and applications, please visit www.rainbowcntr.org or www. outintacoma.com.

MID-COLUMBIA PRIDE 2010 On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 16-18, Mid-Columbia Pride 2010 will be held at Memorial Park (1520 W. Shoshone) in Pasco, WA. This year’s theme is “Cirque du Q.” The event expects 2,500+ visitors throughout weekend, with 55% coming from the Tri-Cities area and other attendees from Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Canada.

For more information, visit www.midcolumbiapride.com.

KITSAP PRIDE 2010 Planning is underway for the Kitsap Pride celebration, to be held on Saturday, July 17 in Bremerton’s Evergreen Park (1500 Park Ave.). This year’s theme is “One World, One Heart, One Pride,” and is the international theme adopted by Interpride. Vendor applications are available and have been coming in steadily. Volunteers are being recruited to help plan and more will be needed the day of the event.

For more information, visit www.kitsappride.org.

• PORTLAND AND BRITISH COLUMBIA

festival in Bellingham, WA. Bellingham Pride began 10 years ago under the direction of Whatcom PFLAG, as an event with roughly a half-dozen tables in Fairhaven Park on a Sunday afternoon in June. It has been in its current location of Depot Market Square (Home of the Bellingham Farmers Market) for four years, and this will be the third year in which the festival has had a parade. While most pride festivals tend to take place in June (National Gay & Lesbian Month), we recognize that we can offer a festival during July when Bellingham weather is nicer and no other prides are generally taking place. This is our 10th Anniversary of pride and we strive to be a festival everyone can be proud of. We offer events that cater to all aspects of our LGBTQQI2A community. We look forward to a fantastic pride this year.

If you have any questions, comments, concerns or would like to help, sponsor or be a vendor, visit www.bhampride.org.

VICTORIA, BC PRIDE 2010 From Sunday, June 27 to Sunday, July 4, Victoria, BC will hold Victoria Pride 2010.

A festival and parade will be held on July 4 at MacDonald Park in James Bay. For more information, visit www.victoriapridesociety.org.

VANCOUVER, BC PRIDE 2010 On Sunday, August 1, Vancouver, BC will begin its Pride 2010 festivities. Spanning 20 blocks and attracting an audience of over 600,000 in 2009, the Pride Parade is Vancouver’s premier celebration of culture and diversity. The Vancouver Pride Society adopted a three-year theme of “Educate, Liberate, Celebrate,” focusing on one of the three elements each year. In 2010, we focus on Liberate, and what it means to be free.

In parts of the world and even in our own country, Pride is still a movement to liberate. Pride is a vehicle to educate, liberate and celebrate and every summer, that’s what we do here in Vancouver.

For more information, visit www.vancouverpride.ca.

PORTLAND PRIDE 2010 On Saturday, June 19, and Sunday, June 20, Pride Northwest will hold Portland Pride 2010. The parade steps off on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Burnside St. and NW 13th Ave. The theme of this year’s festivities is “Power to the People!”

For a full list of entertainers, vendors, and details, visit www.pridenw.org.

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June 11, 2010

Seattle Gay News 19

malawi

continued from cover “We were pardoned, but I know the law can bounce back on us if we are not careful,” Monjeza told The Nation. “Although I claimed that I still love Tiwo, I did not mean it. I have never had sex with him as was revealed in court. That is why the medical examination failed to establish any anal penetration. I was coerced into the whole thing.”

The court did order intrusive medical exams to determine if the couple had sex, but the findings were not released to the public.

Monjeza then told an elaborate cloakand-dagger tale of how he came to be at the Lilongwe press conference.

“They forcefully picked me from my house in Kameza when I was drunk. They bundled me into their car and said they were

taking me for a drink. Indeed, I was treated to a drinking orgy throughout the journey but no one revealed where we were going until I reached a house in Lilongwe to find Tiwo.

“He told me that there are many countries willing to take us but I told him I was not interested and would not go,” said Monjeza.

“I know there are people on a mission to lure me into doing things against my wish.

I will not relent. Ndakanitsitsa kwa mtuwagalu [I have adamantly refused to follow]. I am not a fool. They have gone to the extent of involving my family to convince me to change my mind.

“Three people came in a four-wheel drive to pick me. One of them was white and concealed his identify by staying in the car while the other two were talking to me. I have been forced to come to the media so I can be left alone. If they return, I will expose them more.”

Monjeza’s new love, Dorothy Gulo, said on June 7 that she loves him in return.

Monjeza is “a real man capable of doing to women what other men ably do in bed,” she said.

“I have tried him on two occasions and he proved to me he can live with a woman. I was impressed with him when my curiosity got the better of me and here I am. My only worry is what Chimbalanga would do if he found out,” Gulo said.

She said they have been living together for some days after meeting in Mbayani where she was living with her parents. Gulo said Monjeza complimented her on her looks.

“I did not immediately realize it was Monjeza because I knew his story. I only recognized him after a while. Right now, I am looking forward to a future together. I don’t care what people say, because many are talking. I am yet to tell my parents about us,” Gulo said.

Chimbalanga did not comment on Monjeza’s statements. The male pronouns used to refer to her in the quotes above are those chosen by the original speakers.

Always the more resilient and cheerful of the two, she previously insisted that she still loves Monjeza, and wished to seek asylum with him in another country.

The pair married on December 28 last year. The next day they were arrested and charged under Malawi’s colonial-era “antibuggery” law. They were held without bail in prison, where Monjeza became seriously ill, until May this year.

In May they were found guilty as charged and sentenced to 14 years’ hard labor. They were then split up and sent to separate prisons.

Ten days later, they were pardoned by Malawi’s president and released. Chimbalanga went to the city of Lilongwe – for “a breather,” she said. Monjeza returned to his village, where his relatives warned Chimbalanga not to follow him.

The two appeared together at a press conference on June 2 where they thanked Malawi’s president for their pardon. It was the last time they would be seen together.

British Gay rights activist Peter Tatchell, who maintained contact with Monjeza and Chimbalanga in prison, attributed the latest development to Monjeza’s fear of retaliation.

“The couple had been subjected to many death threats and the government had threatened to re-arrest them if they got back together,” Tatchell said in a statement released June 9.

“I was in communication with Steven and Tiwonge for over four months, via prison visitors who I arranged to deliver them food, medicine, shoes and clothes. In messages passed to me by the prison visitors, the couple affirmed their love. I believe it was genuine affection and commitment,” Tatchell added.

“It is a tragedy that homophobic threats and abuse have forced this couple apart.

They were deeply in love. The pressure has got to Steven. Very understandably, he wants a quiet, safe life. This would not be possible if he remained with Tiwonge. Both would be at risk of violent attack. Some people have threatened to kill them. I respect their decision to split. It is up to them.”

Tatchell went on to celebrate the couple for their contribution to human rights.

“Whatever their feelings for each other now, Steven and Tiwonge have done more for Gay and Transgender rights in Malawi than anyone else. I salute them. They are lions of Africa. They have helped continue the unfinished African liberation struggle by pursuing freedom for Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Africans.

“Thanks to them, same-sex love is now visible in Malawi. There has been a huge public debate. This awareness and discussion is positive. It has helped break down homophobic ignorance and prejudice,” Tatchell said.

robin brand continued from cover

Jinkins is running for an open House seat in Tacoma’s 27th District.

“Washington state has a great history with LGBT electeds!” Brand said. “I remember Cal Anderson. And Ed Murray – he’s kind of the patriarch of LGBT electeds.”

“It will be interesting running under the new primary laws – the top two go to the general [election],” she added. “It will be a different dynamic than in the past.”

Brand then outlined other races she believed were especially important.

“We have two great congressional candidates,” she said. “David Cicilline, the mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, and Steve Pougnet, the mayor of Palm Springs. That’s a swing district where we think we have a good chance to pick up the seat.” “[Pougnet’s opponent, Mary Bono Mack ] voted against ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal,” Brand added.

Republican incumbent Mack, onetime wife of the late Sonny Bono and his successor in Congress, voted the Republican party line 89% of the time and earned an 84% approval rating from the Christian Coalition.

“There’s also an important primary in Ohio,” Brand told SGN. “Nickie Antonio will be the first openly Gay member of the Ohio legislature.”

Antonio won her Democratic primary on June 8. No Republicans have filed for the seat, and an independent candidate withdrew from the race, meaning Antonio is certain to win the seat in November.

“We have a number of what we call ‘building our influence states’ – Washington, Colorado, and Maryland for example,” Brand continued. “This also coincides with the next tier of states looking to expand relationship recognition.”

“We’ve noticed that where you have five or more LGBT members in the legislature, that’s where they’ve passed significant relationship recognition laws,” she explained.

“Colorado and Maryland are right at that threshold level.”

Asked if she was advocating a state-bystate approach to marriage equality, Brand replied, “The Victory Fund itself doesn’t advocate for policy issues, but we do see the value in working in states where you have two, three, four, five members [of the legislature].”

Brand is optimistic about electing LGBT candidates, and says she is not worried about the Tea Party, or what some have begun to call the “new right.”

“It’s clear there’s frustration among all

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June 11, 2010

Celebrating 37 Years!

voters with economic issues, deficits, cuts in services – that’s never good for incumbents. But I’m not convinced it’s going to be anti-Democratic or anti-progressive,” she said. “There’s anger towards the direction the country is going, but I don’t think it’s partisan.”

“We’re continually electing LGBT candidates. We have really competitive races in Montana, Colorado, and Oklahoma – it’s only going in one direction,” Brand concluded.

Brand added that the Victory Fund also tries to build working alliances with other constituencies that might have compatible political goals.

“Labor, for example. In California, we’ve worked very well with the California Nurses Association. Washington is ahead of the curve a little bit on this issue,” she told SGN. “We’re always looking for candidates who represent many constituencies. We

support many candidates of color – a high percentage – our commitment to diversity is very strong,” she added.

Asked what candidates could expect to get from a Victory Fund endorsement, Brand listed several benefits the Victory Fund offers.

“Our goal is to have openly Gay office holders in every state. There are still 18 or 19 without one in the state legislature. So one thing we do is to recruit candidates.

“We also train candidates. It’s really very hard work. Our Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute has worked with hundreds of potential candidates. Sometimes after going through the training, someone will decide that being a candidate is not for them….

“We offer financial support. We offer technical support. Our team divvies up the candidates and we go and meet with them, and we ask them, ‘How is the campaign doing? How many doors have you knocked on? How much money have you raised?’”

Brand told SGN that LGBT victories in any part of the country benefit the community even in places where LGBT voters are not very visible or well organized.

“There’s no doubt that our successes in states like Washington and Vermont are moving the needle across the country. It impacts where we are nationally,” she said “How do we get more influential? Openly Gay candidates – that’s an important first step for voters in supporting Gay rights. The voter might say, ‘Well, I think he or she will do a good job, and that’s more important than being Gay.’” “That’s especially important in the more conservative states,” Brand added.

Brand herself is closely identified with the Democratic Party, having led the Washington state party – “Through its darkest years!” she chuckles. “I came in in 1995.”

Almost all the candidates endorsed by The Victory Fund run as Democrats. Asked if they had written off the Republican Party,

Brand replied it had not.

“We have endorsed Republican candidates – a couple of them, anyway – and we’re looking to expand the number,” she said.

“There’s an openly Gay Republican running for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts,” she added, noting “There’s a very different dynamic in a Republican primary.”

Brand will be the special guest at a June 14 event at Marjorie’s, 1412 E. Union Street, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The $50 ticket goes to support the Victory Fund’s Leadership Institute.

Hosts of the event include Seattle City Councilmembers Sally Clark and Tom Rasmussen, Tacoma City Councilmember Ryan Mello, Port Commissioner Rob Holland, State Sen. Joe McDermott, State Rep. Marko Liias, Anne Levinson, Tina Podlodowski, Michael Mattmiller and Jay Petterson, Kevin Thompson and Greg Ratliff, and Brady Walkinshaw.

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