SGN Mar 27, 2009 - Section 1

Issue 13 Volume 37

Celebrating 36 Years!

bonnie beers p. 4

DR. BOB p. 14

gainesville p. 17

Seattle Gay News

FRIDAY March 27, 2009 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands

SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

New Hampshire passes Gay marriage bill mitchelmal

In a dramatic session on March 26, the New Hampshire House of Representatives just passed a bill allowing Gay couples to obtain marriage licenses – a vote that came less than 30 minutes after the House defeated the measure by one vote.

The vote for passage – 186 to 179 – came after the House first voted 182 to 183, defeating the bill. But in unprecedented action, the House took a rapid of series of procedural votes that threw that first vote – and the bill – into a confusing state of limbo.

back to the floor this session – or pronounced the measure dead. Today is the last day a measure can pass the House and be sent to the Senate for consideration this session.

Passage in the New Hampshire House came just three days after another historic vote in neighboring Vermont. There, the Senate voted 26 to 4 to pass a marriage equality bill.

Republican Governor Jim Douglas of Vermont said after the Senate vote there this week that he will veto the bill if it passes. In New Hampshire, Colin Manning, a spokesperson for Governor John Lynch, said the governor opposes same-sex marriage but has not yet indicated whether he will sign or veto the legislation, should it pass.

One of the first amendments proposed during debate was a hostile amendment, aimed at requiring the state to provide two types of marriage licenses – one for religious marriages and one for civil marriages. The amendment was struck down by a 34 to 306.

The New Hampshire bill now goes to the Senate. The Vermont bill now goes to the House.

OPEN HOUSE (Saturday) April 4 10am to 4pm

New Hampshire State Capitol

by Lisa Keen Keen News Service

Bailey-Boushay funding on the brink

It also came just minutes after a dramatic address by openly Gay Representative David Pierce, who spoke at length about his almost 20-year relationship with is partner Bob and their love and concern for their two young daughters.

When the 182 to 183 vote was posted on the electronic voting board just after noon, there was a loud exclamation from the House and public balcony – sounding both anguished, surprised, and a smattering of applause.

The House body then launched into a raucous consideration of whether to table the bill – and thus preserving the ability to bring it

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Funding for Bailey-Boushay House remains in doubt as clients and caregivers await the announcement of the state Senate’s 20092011 budget package on Monday.

“We’re anxious. This is a big, big deal for us,” Bailey-Boushay Executive Director Brian Knowles told SGN. “We’re fortunate that [Senator] Ed Murray has been such an advocate for us. And [Representative] Jamie [Pedersen] has been terrific. His partner is on our board.”

A Seattle institution since 1992, Bailey-Boushay was the first skilled nursing facility in the country dedicated specifically to the care of people with HIV/AIDS. Currently it operates a 35-bed in- see bailey-boushay page 13

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patient nursing home facility and an Adult Day Health program serving 200 outpatients who need dayto-day assistance, but not ‘roundthe-clock care.

Bailey-Boushay’s outpatient program is funded largely by contracts with the state of Washington, and is at risk because of the state’s fiscal crisis. $1.1 million of the program’s total $1.8 million budget comes from state funds.

Among other services, BaileyBoushay provides outpatients with a medication management program with a 97% adherence rate, compared to less than 50 % adherence in similar populations.

The highly successful program combines group and individual

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

ruary, and one on a Gay man last October.

In January, 11 bars on Capitol Seattle police are declining to Hill catering to Gay and Lesbian characterize re“Given that I haven’t seen customers recent assaults ceived letters on Gay men most of the reports, going threatening to as a “spike” in poison their anti-Gay vio- just on what I’ve read about patrons with lence. in the SGN or elsewhere, ricin, a highly On March toxic poison 23, King some of the reports may be extracted from County pros- malicious harassment and castor beans. ecutors filed SPD spokescharges against some are clearly malicious person Det. Abiazzizi I. Id- harassment,” he continued, Renee Witt ris, alleging he told SGN, assaulted and “but it’s not like two years “I can’t say robbed a man there’s a spike. ago when I saw many on Rainier It could be cases. It seemed like one that people are Avenue South while yellpaying more every week.” ing anti-Gay attention to inslurs. Idris reportedly announced cidents, so more incidents are bethat homosexuality was an offense ing reported.” against his religion. The incident “We’re doing a good job asking occurred on March 10. people to report these incidents, The March 10 incident follows and people are stepping up,” she at least three other known assaults continued. “It’s a good thing. More on Gay men in February, an assault reports mean we have a greater OPEN HOUSE (Saturday) April 4 on a woman presumed by her at10am to 4pm tacker to be a Lesbian, also in Febsee violence page 15 Bring in this ad and apply same day to receive a $400 rent credit and pay no application fee!

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by Patricia Nell Warren Special to the SGN

Barack Obama is full of surprises, and nowhere more than on the subject of LGBT rights. In March, when we were all focused on the Prop 8 court decision, the president hit us with a big surprise when the White House announced that the U.S. would join 65 other countries in supporting the UN declaration calling for global decriminalization of homosexuality. In so doing, he reversed George Bush’s obstinate and shameful policy of refusing to support this declaration – Bush putting our country in the company of 70 other non-democratic countries that outlaw us and, in some cases, punish us with the death penalty.

Abroad, reaction to the U.S. move was positive in many countries, with the International Gay and Lesbian Association lauding it. But here in the U.S., the reliPatricia Nell Warren gious right were not happy about Obama’s move, with Focus on the right … and the degree to which vered into backtracking on our Family declaring that they are very he is courting them back. While I issues, little by little. Standing up “disappointed” in him. don’t doubt thatlayouts our toand Wall Street one thing. StandTake a tour of the ourtoughness unique open enjoy theisstunning The thing that worries me about new president has shown in a lot ing up to purveyors of churchism Obama is the degree to which he of situations, there is alwaysviews the and expansive windows. is being pressured by the religious possibility that he will be maneusee Obama page 7

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2

Seattle Gay News

March 27, 2009

Celebrating 35 Years!

GAY SCENE ANTI-ROCK? Why is the Seattle Gay scene so anti-rock?

Why have even places like The Eagle turned into yet another Gay techno bar? Why has techno become some universal Gay-standard for music? When I've asked management at The Eagle and The Cuff if they ever have a rock night anymore, the answer has been "We play high-energy music." What, so rock is lethargic now? Or is it not "Gay" enough?

I don't like being reminded of bathhouses when I go to a bar – it makes NO sense to me to play dance music at a bar that has no dance floor. I have been left with hanging out at "straight" establishments for nightlife so I don't have the same crappy techno rhythm that plays for hours pounding in my head while I sleep.

And another thing – why in 15 years has there not been a Gay-friendly bar that has live bands? Why do I have to put up with homophobia in order to enjoy live bands?

Kizzume

MILITARY DIFFICULTIES Yep! Another opinion from Lenny, like Jimmy Durante said about his jokes, “I’ve got a million of ‘em.”

In my view “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a message within itself. It is a mystery to me why guys (maybe women too) put themselves in jeopardy under hazardous circumstances such as in the military to compromise themselves by making their sexual proclivities known, no matter how guarded, to a predominantly “captive” straight group!

I could understand if you dressed in civvies and went to a Gay bar where you saw your master sergeant or rear admiral there.

In this case you would either have the upper hand or find yourself in the brig for even blinking at the wrong time!!

Well, for the guys, like my old friend Alex used to say, “A still penis has no conscience.”

Yes, this military “law” should be abolished, but it may not stop people from getting into “difficulties”!! For the above reason.

Cordially, Lenny

Elder Lesbian meeting

In the fullness of time, it may come to pass that elder women would like to exchange ideas, experience, and hear what other elders have to say about life, living, love, their world, wisdom, and more.

The group will meet residentially on a weekend afternoon in a lovely setting. Subjects will be carefully chosen from those suggested to the hostess and facilitator. There may be music, poetry, readings, movies or video clips, shared art, and wonderful food provided by those attending.

No one under 60, elders only!

Handicapped friendly and accessible.

This group is intended to be positive, spiritual, enlightening, pleasant, philosophical, soulful, and for some, healing.

There is no fee or charge.

Meeting will be held at a location north of Everett, south of Mt. Vernon.

Space is limited, and by advance reservation only.

Contact: spiritual.soul@verizon.net by direct and private email for further information.

This must be a safe place for elders to meet as friends, share and be with their peers in a peaceful, beautiful, drug, alcohol and smoke free environment!

Please advise groups or individuals who might be interested.

Civil unions bill killed in Hawaii Senate

The Family Equality Coalition, a Hawaiibased organization dedicated to securing equal marriage rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people and their families, and the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization with more than 2,500 supporters in Hawaii, released a statement today regarding the state Senate’s rejection of legislation that would have allowed civil unions for Lesbian and Gay couples statewide. The bill failed on the vote to pull the bill from committee by a margin of 18 to six.

“Today’s vote is a great disappointment for loving, committed Hawaiian Lesbian and Gay couples,” said Family Equality Coaltion Co-Chair Alan Spector. “We share the sadness of all who hoped this vote would go differently and that the state would take a step toward equality for all Hawaiians.”

“Today’s vote helps no one in the state of Hawaii. It protects no one’s marriage. It grants dignity to no couple’s relationship.

It does nothing to ensure that all families receive the equal rights and responsibilities they deserve. But no one is giving up,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “The Human Rights Campaign is proud to have partnered with the Family Equality Coalition on behalf of this critical legislation. It has been a long, hard struggle for couples and families in Hawaii who simply want equal rights, and this effort continues, as it does across the nation.”

The legislation, which previously passed the House of Representatives by a 33-17 vote, would have permitted Gay and Lesbian couples to enter into civil unions and

Washington century: Real goal: Equality Courtesy of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer The state Senate has taken a big step toward fuller rights for domestic partners.

Don’t forget the real goal, though: equality in marriage.

On March 24, the Senate passed a bill that would remove state barriers to domestic partners conducting their lives as a family.

Under SB5688, Lesbian and Gay partners would have the same rights to sick leave to care for a spouse, insurance rights and a variety of legal process rights.

On a 30-to-18 vote, the Senate passed the measure to complete the process of giving domestic partners all the same rights and responsibilities under state law as those applied to married couples. The House should speed the measure to Gov. Chris Gregoire for her signature.

Assuming good sense prevails in the House, the final passage of the bill will be a historic day. But implementation of parts of the measure won’t go into effect until as late as 2014, principally ones with fiscal impacts, such as pensions and survivor benefits. And the measure falls short of the equal respect, recognition and honesty that all family relationships deserve in the 21st century.

State action also won’t deal with the inequalities faced under federal law. Testimony on the bill indicated that there are more than 1,100 federal rights and protections still reserved for married couples.

In a news release, Sen. Joe McDermott said, “Our state is facing historic job-

less numbers. This is a very scary time for Washington families, no matter who they are made up of. Now more than ever, every family must have the same protections under the law.

Sen. Ed Murray, the measure’s chief sponsor, said, “People who wish that the tens of thousands of Gay and Lesbian families in Washington did not exist will still be able to wish that we did not exist under this bill ... But this bill does recognize the reality of too many families denied the ability to make decisions as a family at the very times when they need to be together the most.”

The bill is overdue. And there will be more work to be done. But Washington is ready to be a leader on the issue of marriage equality.

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receive the rights, benefits, and responsibilities under Hawaii law that are granted to spouses. Couples who enter into a civil union would not receive any rights, benefits, or responsibilities under federal law.

Hawaii does not permit Gay or Lesbian couples to marry. Hawaii law currently permits couples prohibited from marrying in the state to enter into reciprocal beneficiary relationships and receive limited rights and benefits, not all the rights and responsibilities provided to married couples under state law.

In addition to Hawaii, nine states plus Washington, D.C. have laws providing at least some form of state-level relationship recognition for Gay and Lesbian couples.

Massachusetts and Connecticut recognize marriage for Gay and Lesbian couples under state law. Five other states – California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont – plus Washington, D.C. provide Gay and Lesbian couples with access to the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships.

Maine and Washington provide Gay and Lesbian couples with limited rights and benefits, not all the rights provided to married couples. New York recognizes marriages by Gay and Lesbian couples validly entered into outside of New York.

Lesbian and Gay couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. To learn more about state by state legislation visit: www.hrc.org/state_laws.

Courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

March 27, 2009

Seattle Gay News

3

Seattle Gay News FOUNDED 1973

1605 12th Ave., Ste. 31 Seattle, WA 98122

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

MEMBER

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

2008

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, Brad Caldwell Executive Assistant Mike Andrew Staff Writers George Bakan, Albert S. Rodriguez, Rajket Dirzhud-Rashid, Nick Ardizzone, Miryam Gordon, Tim Peter Contributing Writers

Seattle’s first woman firefighter inspires

nick ardizzone

Rev. Barbara Allen, Mike Andrew, Eric Andrews-Katz, Madelyn Arnold, Maggie Bloodstone, Beau Burriola, Jessica Davis, Ron Anders, Jessica Price, Milton W. Hamlin, Nevin Jefferson, Keen News Service, Jason A. Miller, Liz Meyer, Rod Parke, Don Paulson, Scott Rice, Leslie Robinson, Richard Kennedy, Romeo San Vicente, Rex Wockner

Classifieds Mike Andrew and Rick McKinnon Photographers Nick Ardizzone, Joseph P. Herron, Rajket Dirzhud-Rashid National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Website Designer Barry Thorsness/Digital Team Works Seattle Gay News is published weekly by JT&A, Inc. © 2008, JT&A, Inc., all rights reserved. Reprints by permission.

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

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

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

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

And please play safe.

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

Bonnie Beers

by Nick Ardizzone SGN Staff Writer On March 24, retired Battalion Chief Bonnie Beers, the first woman firefighter in the Seattle Fire Department, spoke on her groundbreaking 30-year career to a crowd at Seattle City Hall. Strong and confidant, Beers applied as a firefighter in 1976, wanting little more than a well-paying, exciting job. She had no idea that her subsequent success in the face of doubt and discrimination would make her a powerful role model – one whose struggle has a special poignancy for those in the GLBT community.

“I was the outsider that nobody wanted,” Beers said during an interview with the Seattle Gay News. “The firefighters had their

own boys’ club, and they didn’t want anybody who was different than them.”

“There were times when I knew to shut up and not say anything, but there were also times when I knew I had to be verbal and had to say something. It was a fine line between showing you’re assertive and not going to be run over, but not be so sensitive that they can’t get along with you.”

Beers said the firefighters were hard on her when she began, but her courage and perseverance ultimately earned their respect. “They were amazed that I was able to be successful when they knew it was very difficult, when it would have been difficult even for them.”

Beers rose through her career with the support of those who once doubted her abil-

ities. The presence of a woman in the firehouse “definitely added a new dimension, though I don’t think they used to want that dimension.”

The presence of an openly Gay firefighter is another dimension whose time has come, though Beers feels the Fire Department might be hesitant. “I think they’re not ready for it yet. They should be ready for it, but I’m not so sure how easy it would be.

They are much more accepting [now],” she laughed, “but I’m not sure they’re that accepting.”

“I’m sure there are Gay men [in the Fire Department], and there are going to be more Gay men, but they’re going to have to be very strong [to come out],” she said.

Beers knows how difficult is it to face adversity, and understands the decision to stay closeted. “I don’t blame them [for not coming out]. It’s a lot easier without doing that.

Sometimes you have to decide in your life what is easier.”

“I couldn’t hide who I was,” she reflected. “If I had been able to, I probably would have.”

She briefly shared a story of a Gay firefighter who was outed in recruit class and ended up quitting to avoid dealing with the fallout. “Being a recruit is already hard enough without dealing with that dimension,” she said. “I’m not saying it’s impossible, but you’d have to have your shit together.”

Beers, unique in her experiences in an intensely male-dominated, hypermasculine field, offered advice to Gay firefighters, whether new recruits or veterans: “If he felt he was accepted enough and he wanted to come out, go ahead! I think it would cause some bumps, but if you’re strong and you know what you’re doing, go ahead – though if you’re having problems or your life isn’t exactly right, why would you do that to yourself?” Beers paused. “I’m sure Gay men are going to have a hell of a time.”

“It has to be worth it to do that,” she said.

“I think, for some people, it is worth it.”

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

4

Seattle Gay News

March 27, 2009

Celebrating 35 Years!

NORTHWEST

NEWS

compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer

RAINBOW CITY BAND PRESENTS “MADE IN AMERICA!” On Saturday, March 28, at 7 p.m., and on Sunday, March 29, at 3 p.m., the Rainbow City Band, Seattle’s non-audition LGBTQA community concert and marching band, presents their Spring concert, “Made in America!” The concert will feature a variety of musical styles from classical and contemporary American composers, including a world-premiere performance.

Join the Rainbow City Band, the Purple Passion Swing Band, and the SpinOUT Color Guard for a high-energy ride that will include the whimsy of Aaron Copland’s “Rodeo,” the powerful music of John Williams, and the breathtaking beauty of the American classic, “Shenandoah.” RCB will also be performing two unpublished works for wind band, Steve Reisteter’s “Welsh Folk Rhapsody,” and Joel Kurzynski’s “Musical Chair Rag,” composed just for the concert. The concert will be held at the Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway (at E. Pine St.). Tickets are $15 and are available online at www.brownpapertickets. com/event/56428 and at the door. For more information, call 1-866-841-9139 ext 2126 or visit www.rainbowcityband.com.

STATE SENATOR ED MURRAY HOSTS 43RD LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT TOWN HALL MEETING On Sunday, March 29, at 2 p.m., Senator Edward B. Murray (D-43), hosts a Town Hall discussion on the 2009 Legislative Session. The event will be held at Hamilton International Middle School auditorium (at Lincoln High School), 4400 Interlake Ave. N. in the Wallingford neighborhood.

GAY SOCIAL DINNER CLUB OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY The Gay Social Dinner Club of Snohomish County is an informal group of Gay men living in Snohomish County who meet for dinner every Monday at a different restaurant in Snohomish County. The next get-together will be Monday, March 30, at 7 p.m., at Arnie’s Restaurant, 714 2nd St., Mukilteo, WA. “The intent of the club is not to hook up, but rather try different food, share a joke or life experience, create friendships and a social circle of people to hang out with.

It’s a lot of fun and it gives you a chance to try different restaurants, meet new people.

The club has 175 people on their mailing list with about 18-20 guys getting together for dinner each week.”

If you are planning to attend this Monday, SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS please RSVP via email by Sunday evening PRESENTS so Ricardo can reserve a section of the res“SINGING…IN THE RAIN” WITH AMERICA’S SWEETHEART, taurant large enough to accommodate everyone. For more information and to RSVP, DEBBIE REYNOLDS On Saturday, March 28, at 8 p.m., and contact Ricardo at knead2feelgood@yahoo. on Sunday, March 29, at 2 p.m., the Seattle com.

Men’s Chorus presents their spring concert, RISE N’ SHINE’S “Singing…In The Rain,” with special guest, 11TH ANNUAL Debbie Reynolds at McCaw Hall, 321 MerBIG BAIL OUT FUNDRAISER cer St. On Wednesday, April 1, from 2-9pm, “Singing…In The Rain” will salute the golden age of Hollywood musicals and at The Broadway Grill, 314 Broadway E., when silver screen legend Debbie Reynolds Rise N’ Shine’s teams of volunteers will be joins forces with the Seattle Men’s Chorus “bailing” themselves out of “jail” to raise you can be sure history will be made. The money to send kids affected by HIV/AIDS classic movie musicals of the 1940s and to summer camp. To support their efforts, 1950s are feted in this toe-tapping and tune- stop by The Broadway Grill and make a doful extravaganza. Several famous produc- nation to Rise N’ Shine or donate online at tion numbers will be recreated, including www.risenshine.org/donate.htm. For more “Hallelujah!” from Hit the Deck and, of information, contact 206-628-8949 ext 211 course, “Singin’ in the Rain.” An entire sec- or email rick@risenshine.org. tion will be devoted to favorite songs from DEFLOWERED: MY LIFE classic westerns such as How the West Was IN THE PANSY DIVISION – Won, High Noon, and Blazing Saddles. AnBOOK READING AT other section features Oscar-winning songs ELLIOTT BAY BOOK COMPANY from the era such as “Moon River” and “The On Wednesday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m., Jon Way You Look Tonight.”

Ms. Reynolds will perform songs from her Ginoli, a founding member of the first opencelebrated roles in Tammy, The Unsinkable ly Gay pop-punk band, Pansy Division, will Molly Brown, and Singin’ in the Rain, as be reading from his memoir about his expewell as a tribute to the songs Judy Garland riences with the band at Elliott Bay Book brought to life in film. A gifted storyteller as Company, 101 S. Main St. FREE. well, Ms. Reynolds will treat the audience “EXPOSED: A CELEBRATION to some of her saucy, riotous, and touching OF QUEER ARTISTRY” tales from the Hollywood back-lots.

On Friday, April 3, at 7 p.m., Gay City In addition to the spectacle and harmony, a generous splash of the ridiculous is planned: Health Project presents its second annual singing nuns do battle with the Van Trapp exhibit, “Exposed: A Celebration of Queer Family Singers, Captain Smartypants sends Artistry.” The exhibit will be held at the up movie musicals with a bouncy song Century Ballroom’s West Hall, 915 E. Pine fraught with double entendre, and “Think St. The juried show will feature some of Pink” from Funny Face comes fully fur- Seattle’s most gifted artists, presenting a nished with the actual video from movie, in wealth of Queer art in a variety of media – visual, sculpture, ceramic and functional. all its rosy, Technicolor glory.

Available tickets are $35 and can be pur- All artwork will be available for purchase. chased at 206-388-1400 and online at www. Tickets in advance are $40-VIP, $25-general, $20-student at www.gaycity.org. All flyinghouse.org. tickets are $5 more at the door. All proceeds benefit Gay City Health Project.

GAY CITY TV PRESENTS “RACE BEHIND THE RAINBOW: MILK TO BE SHOWN IT’S MORE THAN JUST AT BETHANY UCC BLACK & WHITE” On Friday, April 3, at 7 p.m., the Bethany On Sunday, March 29, at 1 p.m., Gay City Health Project and Three Dollar Bill Cin- United Church of Christ’s Social Justice ema present the latest Gay City TV short Committee will show Gus Van Sant’s recent film, which explores race, homophobia, film Milk at Bethany UCC, 6230 Beacon and Gay community. The event will be held Ave. S. (at S. Graham St.). FREE. Coffee at Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave. and discussion follow.

“Join us for this free film and discussion!”

Visit us online www.sgn.org

DHARMA BUDDIES HOST FIVE DAY SILENT RETREAT FOR GAY/BI & TRANS MEN Dharma Buddies, a peer-led meditation and discussion group for Gay, Bi and Transgendered men that meets every Sunday at 11 a.m. at Cal Anderson House, 400 Broadway, will be sponsoring a five-day silent meditation retreat April 3-8 at Camp Shale on the Kitsap Peninsula on 65 wooded acres with a stream running through it. LarryYang, a meditation teacher from Spirit Rock in Marin County, CA, will be leading the retreat for the third year. This is an opportunity for Queer-identified men to be together as spiritual family. It is suitable for beginning and experienced meditators alike. You will be invited to practice with the Buddha’s instructions on freedom, mindfulness, and loving kindness. Each day consists of silent sitting, walking, movement, and eating meditations, question and answer sessions, and a Dharma talk. There will also be an opportunity to meet with the teacher in small group discussion.

The retreat is limited to 20 men. The registration varies from $380 to $475 and includes all meals and lodging for five days.

Dana for the teacher is extra. For more information email Dharma@wamail.net or call James at 253-306-9880. The group has a website at www.dharmabuddies.org. You can go to Larry Yang’s website – larryyang. org to get a feeling for his teachings. If you have more questions about the group, you can call Forrest at 206-920-6117.

1518 11th Ave. Every player, coach, manager and fan are asked to bring at least one canned or non-perishable food item for the food drive. The Open Division Spring League begins on Sunday, April 12, at the North SeaTac and Celebration Parks. www. emeraldcitysoftball.org.

MR. NUDE SEATTLE CONTEST The 11th annual amateur Mr. Nude Seattle Contest hosted by Mark “Mom” Finley and Latrina Bidet will be held on Monday, April 6, at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S. (at Yesler St.) With special guest performance by Titan Men Media Porn Model/Actor Brodie Newport.

Tickets: $20 at the door. Contestant applications are available at the door or email RainierXXX@aol.com. Contest segments: first look (clothed), striptease, question & answer, last look (nude).

MR., MISS & MS. GAY WASHINGTON PAGEANT The annual Mr., Miss & Ms. Gay Washington Pageant will be held this year on Saturday, April 11, doors at 5 p.m., pageant at 6 p.m., at the Poodle Dog Restaurant, 1522 54th Ave. E., in Fife, WA. Tickets for the pageant, which includes a buffet, are $35.

On Friday, April 10, the 2008-2009 Gay Washingtons will present their Last Show & Awards Celebration, doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m., at the Poodle Dog Restaurant. Tickets are $15. On Sunday, April 12, the Gay Washington Pageant Victory Brunch will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Poodle Dog Restaurant. Order brunch off the resLIFELONG AIDS ALLIANCE taurant’s menu. For more information, visit CARE TO SHOP FOOD DRIVE Chicken Soup Brigade, Lifelong AIDS www.myspace.com/mccaskillrainbow and Alliance’s food program, sponsors an on- scroll down to Mr., Miss & Ms. Gay Washgoing food drive program to provide bags of ington section. groceries to people living with HIV/AIDS MAYOR GREG NICKELS in Seattle/King County. “Care to Shop” is SEEKING YOUNG ADULTS held between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the folFOR CITY BOARDS lowing stores: & COMMISSIONS The first Saturday of the month at QFC, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels is seeking 416 15th Ave. E., Seattle; the second Saturday of the month at QFC, 417 Broadway E. people 18 to 29 years old who are interested (Broadway Market), Seattle; and the third in making a difference through public serSaturday of the month at Thriftway, 9740 vice. As part of the YMCA’s Get Engaged program, Nickels will appoint people in SW Bank Rd., Vashon Island. this age group to 13 of the city’s boards and commissions this fall.

CASCADE FLYERS The Get Engaged program aims to give HOST LUNCH MEETING young adults a voice in city government IN GEORGETOWN On Saturday, April 4, the Cascade Flyers, and foster long-term citizen participation in an LGBT Pilots and Aviation Enthusiasts government. Participants serve on boards Group of the Pacific Northwest and British and commissions that advise city governColumbia, will be hosting a lunch meeting ment on a variety of issues, including human at noon at the Hangar Café, 6261 13th Ave. rights, historical preservation, city planning S., near Boeing Field. For more informa- and the arts.

In addition to being appointed to a yeartion, visit www.cascadeflyers.org or email long term as voting commissioners, particicascadeflyers@cascadeflyers.org. pants join a group of inspired young adults who are dedicated to making Seattle a better AN EXHIBIT ON place to live through community building WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE and leadership development.

IN SEATTLE To apply, you must be an adult between Through May 31, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, located in the the ages of 18 and 29 and reside in the city former Cadillac Hotel at 319 2nd Ave. S., of Seattle. If you are interested in applying is presenting a tribute to Catherine Blaine to the Get Engaged program, or want more (1829-1908), the suffragist who opened Se- information, visit http://www.seattle.gov/ attle’s first school in 1854 in a house at the mayor/boards.htm or contact Alexandra Daintersection of what is now First Avenue and vid, metrocenter YMCA, at 206-382-5005 Madison St. The museum will be open daily or via email at getengaged@seattleymca. from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Special events will be org. The application deadline is April 19. held throughout the run of the exhibit. SpePACIFIC NW LESBIAN ARCHIVES cial lectures and presentations will be held SPONSORING WOMEN’S on April 4 at 2 p.m. (a dramatization of the WEEKEND IN THE WOODS story of prim-and-proper Emma Smith DeIN JUNE Voe and flamboyant May Arkwright Hutton The gathering you’ve only dreamed about who, despite contrasting styles, helped win the vote for women in Washington State), is happening! Join us for a relaxing weekend April 5 at 2 p.m. (a fashion show demon- on Kitsap Peninsula this summer. Choose strating how the women’s rights movement to sleep under the stars or in the cabins at influenced women’s clothing styles up to Camp Indianola. Visit http://www.pnwlesbithe time women gained the right to vote in anarchives.org for all the details. When you 1910), and May 9 at 2 p.m. (a presentation are on the website, you may need to follow on Fay Fuller, the first woman to climb Mt. a few links in order to find pricing, registraRainier [in 1910]; Helen Thayer, an adven- tion, etc. If you know of any women who do turer and explorer; and Minnie Peterson, a not have internet access, but may be interested in attending, please spread the word mountain guide). and let them know how to get in touch with us. Pacific NW Lesbian Archives, PO Box EMERALD CITY 27671, Seattle, WA 98165; 206-654-4477.

SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION SEASON KICK-OFF SOCIAL & FOOD DRIVE On Sunday, April 5, starting at 4 p.m., the ECSA Open Division hosts a season kickoff social and food drive to benefit Lifelong AIDS Alliance at Purr Cocktail Lounge,

March 27, 2009

Seattle Gay News

5

NEWS

Denmark OKs Gay adoption Denmark, which enacted the world’s first same-sex civil-union law in 1989, extended adoption rights to Gay couples March 17.

Parliamentarians voted for the measure 62-53, with 64 legislators not present.

The bill was supported by the opposition Social Democrats and Socialist People’s Party. The ruling Liberal Party opposed it, though seven Liberal MPs broke ranks and voted for it.

Denmark’s groundbreaking 1989 “registered partnership” law granted same-sex couples more than 99 percent of the rights and obligations of marriage – a model that later was copied by several other European nations.

Beginning in 2001 with the Netherlands, Gay couples began gaining access to marriage itself. Same-sex marriage now is possible in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain and the U.S. states of Connecticut and Massachusetts.

From June to November 2008, Gays in California also could marry, until voters amended the state constitution to stop it. The constitutionality of the amendment, known as Proposition 8, is now being reviewed by the California Supreme Court.

Obama reverses Bush opposition to UN declaration The administration of President Barack Obama has reversed a decision by the administration of former President George W. Bush and added the United States’ signature to a pro-Gay declaration delivered in the United Nations General Assembly last December.

Sixty-six nations supported the groundbreaking statement that called for the decriminalization of Gay sex worldwide and affirmed that international human rights standards include protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“The United States supports the UN Statement on ‘Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity,’ and is pleased to join the other 66 UN member states who have declared their support of this Statement that condemns human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity wherever they occur,” the State Department said March 18. “The United States is an outspoken defender of human rights and critic of human rights abuses around the world. As such, we join with the other supporters of this Statement and we will continue to remind countries of the importance of respecting the human rights of all people in all appropriate international fora.”

In opposing the declaration, the Bush administration had said the document’s broad language could reach into areas that fall out-

by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer side of federal jurisdiction, such as the right of each U.S. state to define marriage.

It was the first time a statement condemning rights abuses against GLBT people was presented in the General Assembly.

Gay activists hailed the State Department decision.

“It is terrific that the Obama administration is joining the United Nations’ resolution calling for an end to laws that make physical intimacy between same-sex couples a crime,” said Matt Coles, director of the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project. “Many of these laws are ... used to put people in prison and sometimes result in people being executed.”

“That the Bush administration refused to endorse the resolution is pretty unbelievable considering the U.S. Supreme Court said it was unconstitutional to criminalize physical intimacy between consenting adults back in 2003,” Coles added. “We urge the United States to match its action on human rights abroad with bold commitment to respect and promote human rights at home. We can begin putting an end to discrimination against [LGBT] people by, as the president has proposed, banning job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and by repealing the section of the Defense of Marriage Act that denies federal protections to those same-sex couples who have legally married.”

More than 80 of the world’s 195 nations criminalize Gay sex, and it is punishable by death in 10 – Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. In Pakistan and the UAE, however, the criminal code, which does not punish sodomy with death, tends to take precedence over the equally legal Shariah law, which does punish sodomy with death. In Somalia, Shariah law is in force in portions of the nation. Somalia presently has no national government. In Afghanistan, the penal code does not punish sodomy with death, but Shariah does – and is in force in much of the country. Nigeria has the Shariah death penalty for Gay sex in northern provinces only, where Shariah takes precedence over federal law and people have been sentenced to death for Gay sex, though executions apparently have not been carried out. The remaining five nations have an unambiguous national death penalty for sodomy – Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen.

The UN declaration’s original signers were Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cy-

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March 27, 2009

Boris Dittrich, advocacy director of Human Rights Watch's LGBT Rights Program.

• Nine in 10 secondary school teachers and two in five primary school teachers said pupils experience homophobic bullying even if they are not Gay. • Homophobic bullying is the most prevalent form of bullying after bullying because of weight.

• The vast majority of incidents go unreported by pupils.

• Forty-three percent of secondary school teachers and three in 10 primary school teachers have heard anti-Gay remarks by other school staff.

• Nine in 10 teachers have received no training about homophobic bullying.

CoE, HRW: Serbia “This survey reveals how much remains needs to protect Gays Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of to be done by our schools to demonstrate to Europe’s human-rights commissioner, said all pupils that homophobic bullying is unacMarch 11 that Serbia is doing a bad job of ceptable,” said Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill. protecting Gay people.

“Discriminatory statements made by poHRW: Cayman Islands litical figures and the media go largely unshould protect Gays punished,” he said. “Human rights activists The Cayman Islands, a British overseas in particular are victims of intolerance, hate speech and threats, sometimes resulting in territory, should revise a draft constitution physical attacks. Such instances must be that will be submitted to voters May 20 to condemned from the highest political level ensure it protects everyone from unequal treatment, and the British government and sanctioned appropriately.”

Founded in 1949, the Council of Europe should ensure this happens, Human Rights seeks to develop common democratic prin- Watch said March 11 in letters to Caymaciples based on the European Convention on nian Gov. Stuart Jack and British Foreign Human Rights and other texts. Forty-seven Secretary David Miliband.

The draft constitution will eliminate a nations are members of the body.

On March 10, Human Rights Watch urged free-standing guarantee of equality before Serbia to relaunch efforts to pass a Gay-in- the law and limit anti-discrimination protecclusive anti-discrimination bill that recently tions only to rights expressly included in the was removed from active consideration in constitution.

“This means that large and critically imParliament following objections from the portant areas of daily life would not be covSerbian Orthodox Church. ered, including access to jobs, housing, and medical treatment,” HRW said. “ReportHomophobic bullying edly, the government succumbed to presis ‘rife’ in British schools A YouGov survey of more than 2,000 sure from religious groups, and the action primary and secondary school teachers has was apparently intended to deny protections revealed that homophobic bullying affects to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender more than just the 150,000 Gay pupils in people.”

Boris Dittrich, advocacy director of British schools, the Gay lobby group StoneHRW’s LGBT Rights Program, accused the wall reported March 10.

The “Teachers Report” found that boys British government of “using a double stanwho work hard, girls who play sports, young dard, approving a draft constitution for an people with Gay parents and young people overseas territory that gives fewer protecwho are presumed to be Gay all experience tions than British citizens enjoy at home.” anti-Gay harassment.

With assistance from Bill Kelley Findings included: prus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, São Tomé and Príncipe, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, United Kingdom, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Celebrating 35 Years!

Attorney general signals shift in marijuana policy

by Devlin Barrett Courtesy of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer Attorney General Eric Holder signaled a change on medical marijuana policy March 18, saying federal agents will target marijuana distributors only when they violate both federal and state law.

That would be a departure from the policy of the Bush administration, which targeted medical marijuana dispensaries in California even if they complied with that state’s law.

“The policy is to go after those people who violate both federal and state law,” Holder said in a question-and-answer session with reporters at the Justice Department.

Medical marijuana advocates in California welcomed the news, but said they still worried about the pending cases of those already in court on drug charges.

California law permits the sale of marijuana for medical purposes, though it still is against federal law.

Holder did not spell out exactly who no longer would face the prospect of raids by the Drug Enforcement Administration. But he was quick to add that law enforcement officers will target anyone who tries to “use medical marijuana laws as a shield” for other illegal activity.

“Given the limited resources that we have, our focus will be on people, organizations that are growing, cultivating substantial amounts of marijuana and doing so in a way that’s inconsistent with federal and state law,” the attorney general said.

Advocates and government officials had been waiting since President Barack Obama was sworn into office for a clear signal on what the new president’s drug policy would be toward medical marijuana. As a candidate, he repeatedly promised a change in policy in situations in which state laws allow the use of medical marijuana.

Yet shortly after Obama took office, DEA agents raided four dispensaries in Los Angeles, prompting confusion about the government’s plans.

obama

continued from cover

when you’re a churchgoer yourself is another thing. The righters got their foot in the door during the inauguration with the prayer

by Rick Warren, but now they must push for bigger incursions than a few words at a microphone.

The Obama administration clearly feels that they have to placate the religious right.

Take the March 24 meeting that just took place at the White House between Christian evangelical leaders and Joshua Du Bois, head of Obama’s Faith-Based Office.

The righters included representatives of the Christian Medical Association, Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America. Obama actually took the initiative to invite them in order to discuss abortion policy in the U.S. Now if “including” the Bible-izers isn’t deliberately tickling the dragon’s tail, I don’t know what is. As a Washington Monthly commentator pointed out, “Imagine George W. Bush aides agreeing to meet with representatives of the ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and People for the American Way, to discuss culture war issues. If that sounds like a ridiculous scenario, then you can appreciate why this meeting between Obama’s faith-based guy and leading activists from the religious right is unusual.”

The March 24 meeting got very little notice in the mainstream media, although right-wing and evangelical media all did copious reports that it was going to happen.

But all in all, when you look at the superhigh profile of – and the endless nitpicking

Thirteen states have laws permitting medicinal use of marijuana. California is unique among them for the presence of dispensaries, which are businesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services.

Legal under California law, such dispensaries are still illegal under federal law.

Kris Hermes, a spokesman for national medical marijuana advocacy group Americans for Safe Access, said he welcomed Holder’s perspective.

“It signals a new direction and a more reasonable and sensible direction on medical marijuana policy,” he said.

Still, Hermes said his Oakland-based organization was concerned about the fate of more than two dozen California medical marijuana cases currently pending in federal court.

“There remains a big question as to what the federal government’s position is on those cases,” Hermes said. He pointed specifically to the case of Charles Lynch, who was federally convicted for running a medical marijuana dispensary collective in San Luis Obispo County last year.

Hermes said Lynch could face decades in prison when he is sentenced Monday even though his clinic had been compliant with state law.

According to the government’s sentencing recommendation for Lynch, which says the five-year mandatory minimum prison term is an appropriate one, Lynch had violated California state law because his “operation was rife with activities having more to do with business and casual drug distribution than anything medical.”

U.S. attorney’s office spokesman Thom Mrozek declined to comment on what would happen to the outstanding marijuana cases in the Los Angeles area.

The 13 states that permit medical use of marijuana are Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

Associated Press writer Thomas Watkins in Los Angeles contributed to this report. at – almost everything else that Obama has done so far, there has been a curious “top secret” air around this particular event. As I write this, I can’t find any news reports on the web regarding what actually happened there. Supposedly Obama’s purpose was to be “inclusive” and discuss how to decrease the number of abortions in the U.S. every year. But it’s not much of a stretch from “decreasing abortions” to “banning abortions,” since that’s what the religious right really want.

Once the extremists have their foot in the door, and concessions are made, other concessions will be demanded, and that will surely include Obama’s positions on LGBT rights. The dragon’s tail is big, and very long. The religious right have endless amounts of money to lobby with, and an iron patience that comes from believing that their religion goes back for 2,000 years.

Over the last 20 years, I watched President Clinton and growing numbers of Democrats starting to pander to the evangelical vote, instead of sticking to the human-rights guns that Democrats supposedly stand for. Now, with a staunchly churchgoing Democrat in the White House, I’m just a little concerned at how President Obama will stand up to these same kinds of pressures over the long haul of his four years in office, if that dragon tail comes swinging around to smack him.

Copyright © by Patricia Nell Warren.

All rights reserved. Patricia Nell Warren, author of the bestselling sports novel The Front Runner, also writes commentary for the Huffington Post, the Bilerico Project and numerous LGBT print publications. Her newest book is The Lavender Locker Room, a collection of profiles on LGBT sports greats throughout Western history. Her website can be found at www.patricianell-

Visit us online www.sgn.org

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March 27, 2009

Seattle Gay News

7

to use to set the climate control. Oh, and as for the voice recognition system, well, it didn’t seem to want to recognize my voice.

I found myself screaming at it, and I don’t know if that looked schizophrenic. The Bluetooth connectivity should be far easier to set up. You have to use the voice recognition system and, well, it will have you screaming at your car and after 20 minutes your phone still wont be set up – that’s after spending 15 minutes trying to look how to set it up in the owner’s manual. Ohhhh, and the Collision Mitigation Braking System – a great idea – didn’t work in the test car. After three days of driving the RL, the whole dash lit up to tell me that it wasn’t working correctly.

Hmm. Um, other than those things, the RL really is fun to drive. The Super Handling AllWheel-Drive System sure does work well.

OK, for a before-tax price of $54,860, what do you get?

Unlike many of its competitors, with the 2009 Acura RL CMBS, all the high end features come standard. A quick look at the favorites includes:

2009 Acura RL CMBS

by J.T. Hills SGN Contributing Writer TOP • Packed with high-end features • Lots of safety features • Mild redesign for 2009 BOTTOM • Lots of techno gadgets – lots of buttons for them • It still has a five-speed automatic • No optional V8 For 2009, Acura redesigned the RL with a more aggressive styling and an all new 3.7-liter V6, the most powerful engine ever offered in an Acura sedan. The RL also features an updated version of the Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission with a “smart” steering wheel mounted paddle shifters and a new straight-gate console gear selector. The top-of-the-line RL with Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) uses a millimeter-wave radar unit mounted in the grille to detect vehicles ahead and monitor potential rear-end collisions, to alert the driver when the likelihood

8

Seattle Gay News

of a collision increase. The CMBS helps reduce the impact on front occupants by pretensioning the front seatbelts and applying the brakes should a collision prove imminent. After a week with the 2009 Acura RL CMBS I’ve compiled a brass-tacks list of highly technical scientific data based upon observations, experimentation, tabulations, inspections and so forth. Here we go: There’s a lot to like about the 2009 Acura RL CMBS, and there’s a lot that leaves you scratching your head, wondering what they were thinking There’s unquestionably a lot of value in the 2009 Acura RL CMBS. There are few cars on the market that pack in as much technology under a single pricing plan and do so for under $55k. The RL has a new, more powerful 3.7-liter V6, a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, and has the most advance safety features.

If you’re a tech geek, you’ll completely geek out on all the options that come standard on the RL. There’s the Collision Mitigation Braking System, Voice-Activated Navigation with a rear view camera and real

March 27, 2009

time traffic and weather. The Acura Bose 10-speaker sound system is excellent. The GPS-linked solar-sensing dual-zone climate control system with front seats that are heated and ventilated will keep you comfortable no matter the weather outside. The Acura RL has every conceivable option a consumer could want.

The other evening I dropped by Blockbuster and pulled into a spot next to a brandnew Jag. I get out and start to walk into the store, look back at the RL parked next to the Jag, and it hit me: For curb appeal, even with a restyle, the RL just doesn’t look as rich as its competitors. If I just spent, with tax and license, $60,000, when I pull into a lot, I want to see – and I want everyone else to see – I just spent $60,000.

That’s just for starters. Next, why is there no V-8 option on the RL? I know the 3.7-liter has 300 hp and it’s lighter in weight and more efficient than an eight-cylinder. But, really, for a flagship car of a luxury car line, a V-6 should be the entry-level model. Even Hyundai knows that. Another thing: Why is the flagship RL basically the same size as the mid-level TL? Also, what’s with the five-speed automatic transmission and not a six-speed? I would guess it doesn’t have the engineers over at BMW shaking in their lederhosen.

And another thing: The Acura driver interface is one of the most user-unfriendly devices out there. It has the knob like the Idrive system, but it doesn’t accomplish nearly enough. There are 20 other buttons on the center stack that you have to figure out how

Performance • 3.7-liter SOHC 24-valve VTEC V6 • Five-speed automatic transmission with SportShift and paddle shifters • SH AWD system • Four-wheel ventilated disc brakes • Aluminum front double-wishbone and rear multi-link suspension • Carb-certified ELEV2 • 100K miles no scheduled tune ups • 18” alloy wheels Safety • Collision mitigation braking system • Driver and front passenger front airbags, side curtain airbags • Vehicle stability assist • Active front lighting system • Xenon HID headlights • Bi-Xenon headlamps with power-wash and self-leveling system • Rear parking assist camera • Anti-lock braking system • Vehicle stability assist Comfort and Convenience • Acura navigation system with voice recognition • AcuraLink communication system with real-time traffic and weather • Adaptive cruise control • Acura/Bose surround-sound system with 10 speakers • GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone auto climate control • Power rear sunshade • Driver’s and front passenger’s 10-way power seat • Heated and ventilated front seats • Dual zone climate control • Bluetooth connectivity

Celebrating 35 Years!

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March 27, 2009

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Celebrating 35 Years!

Black Tie Bingo

Interview with LLAA’s David Richart

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN Contributing Writer With over 300 in attendance, last Saturday found the Downtown Grand Hyatt Ballroom to be the site of Lifelong AIDS Alliance’s (LLAA) 5th Annual Black Tie Bingo hosted

by Sylvia O’Stayformore and featuring noted author and activist Reichen Lehmkuhl.

“It was an absolute success,” said LLAA’s Executive Director David Richart. “It’s just what we were hoping for.”

The central highpoint of the evening wasn’t all the fancy gowns, the extravagant prizes, the whimsical drag icon or the Amazing Race prize-winner, but instead the appearance of a LLAA client, referred to simply as “Stephanie.” Giving an emotional address with her 18-year-old daughter by her side, attendees were visibly moved to tears during her speech. “Chicken Soup Brigade gives me a chance to take a breath and know we will not go hungry because we cannot afford the basic food we need to survive,”

she exclaimed. “I thank God every day that this service is here and that they have given me the ability to feed my child and myself and that I do not have to make the choice to not eat so that there is enough for her to eat.

They made me feel so welcome I became a volunteer.”

While not ready to disclose just how much money was raised during the evening, Richart still sounded quite happy. “We think we were able to make out goals,” he stated. “What I can tell you is that we [raised] $50,000 during our ‘Feed the Need’ portion of the night. That part of the evening we know was extremely successful and that has us very excited.”

Even still, the executive director wasn’t about to step back and wax poetic about the dire financial situation staring down nonprofits both locally and nationally. At the same time, he also wasn’t about to go negative, either. “Most people tend to assume that individual donations are down [be-

Prom fashion fray

by Leslie Robinson SGN Contributing Writer At this time of year, the thoughts of high school seniors all across America turn toward the prom. How do I rent a tux? Can Mom afford that dress I want? Is the guy I like going to be a total jerk and ask a freshman instead? Will I win my lawsuit?

Okay, that one isn’t so common. But it’s very much a concern for a 17-year-old Lesbian student at Lebanon High School in central Indiana. The senior is suing the school district for the right to wear a tuxedo to her prom.

Wow. The closest I came to a prom-related legal struggle was considering charging my date, his Triumph convertible, and the wind with a wrongful pre-prom assault on

bailey-boushay continued from cover

counseling, chemical dependency counseling, occupational and physical therapy, and meals and nutritional counseling.

“Our friends in the legislature are so impressed by our outcomes,” Knowles says, “we could also be providing services for ALS [Lou Gehrig’s Disease], end of life cancer, mental health problems. I’m excited about that.”

Bailey-Boushay’s outpatient program was included in the budget proposed by Gov. Christine Gregoire in December 2008, but the governor’s budget was based on an anticipated revenue shortfall of $6 billion. It now appears that the total shortfall will approach $9 billion. In fact, the state of Washington ranks among the top 10 states in the magnitude of its budget shortfall.

While Gregoire recommended $3.5 billion in budget cuts, including $990 million in cuts to state healthcare services, the legislature is expected to cut even more in an effort to cope with the state’s impending fiscal catastrophe. Washington will receive somewhat more than $2 billion in federal stimulus money for healthcare, but that will be dedicated funding for the state’s Medicaid program.

Bailey-Boushay’s inpatient program is also expecting budget cuts from the state this year, and the facility recently learned it would no longer be a recipient of United Way funding. Unlike the outpatient program, however, it is not considered at risk of closing.

“But it gets much more complicated,”

my coif.

This youngster in Indiana, whose name hasn’t been revealed, knows herself a lot better than I did at her age. Her school principal told her she couldn’t wear a tux to the prom, and she must wear a dress. She responded by calling in the American Civil Liberties Union. By God and Calvin Klein, she’s fighting for what she wants!

Indystar.com reported that court papers say the blossoming Lesbian doesn’t wear dresses because she feels they express a sexual identity that she doesn’t embrace.

I wonder if such sentiments caused a collective Hoosier heart attack. After all, the school district’s longstanding policy on prom attire – only boys may wear tuxedos, and girls must wear dresses – had never Knowles told SGN. “Our funding is like a house of cards. If the funding for outpatient services goes, even if we retain our nursing home funding, how do we support this building? We can shoulder nursing home cuts, but there’s no way we can shoulder outpatient cuts.”

Legislative insiders were unwilling to predict whether Bailey-Boushay’s funding would be spared. When contacted by SGN, the office of Senate Ways and Means Committee chair Margarita Prentice (D-11) declined to comment. “We’re announcing the budget on Monday at 10:30 a.m.,” her spokesperson said.

House Ways and Means chair Kelli Linville (D-42) was in a budget meeting and not available for comment when called, but a staffer told SGN, “I don’t know when we’ll complete our work on the budget, and I can’t speak for her on what will be in it.”

Bailey-Boushay’s funding problem is compounded by an unprecedented drop in private donations. Normally Bailey-Boushay would expect donations of $1 million per year, but last year donors gave only $650,000, the lowest amount in the agency’s 16-year history.

Bailey-Boushay House has been managed

by Virginia Mason Hospital since 2007. Virginia Mason Vice President Kathleen Paul described retention of Bailey-Boushay’s state funding as “the number-one policy goal for Virginia Mason this year.”

Virginia Mason did not commit to directly funding Bailey-Boushay programs if state funding does not materialize, however. Virginia Mason’s Media Relations Manager Alisha Mark told SGN, “We’d have to look at that [direct funding by Virginia Mason],

Visit us online www.sgn.org

cause] of the economy,” said Richart. “The exact opposite is true. [While] corporate donation are indeed down, in 2008 almost all of our major donors gave at the same level, if not higher, than they did in 2007. We feel particularly lucky in that respect.”

Not that the stalwart community organization hasn’t had to make some tough decisions. “We’ve had to cut back,” he admits candidly. “We’ve had to [engage] in furloughs and different things because of some of our contracts going away, because of funding cuts from the [State] and Federal governments. Also, the [NW AIDS] Walk was down a little bit last year, and that combination has forced us to take measures like closing the office for 10 days between now and the end of our fiscal year and to freeze all staff positions. We’ve definitely felt the impact.”

“At the same time, right now our clients need us more. They are using our services more. Which then costs us more, which conversely affects our budget and makes things more [difficult]. There’s sort of a boomerang effect, if that makes sense.”

Although the situation could look bleak to most, Richart refuses to look at the dark side. “We’re hoping we’re going to get some of the stimulus money,” he admits candidly.

“Vice President Biden just announced that $20 million has been written in just for food banks, and we’re hopeful we’ll be able to get a piece of that. But, with the government, it takes time, so I can’t really speak to the [particulars] on that as of yet. The [money] has to make its way through the system first, so we have to wait.”

“But we’re hopeful. We’re hopeful we’re going to get some of that. It’s going to take some time, and it can seem kind of elongated and convoluted, but until then we’re going to keep making the choices we think we need to make to make sure our clients continue getting served.”

With all this chaos and uncertainty, what is it that keeps Richart so upbeat? “The reason I can do this every day is because of people like Stephanie,” he answered. “I know what [her] story does for people and I know how [they] connect with it. She is the example that gets me out of bed every day.”

“You know what’s really cool?” asks Richart. “At the end of the night, we were doing the [final] bingo and she won it! She won a roundtrip vacation to New York for her daughter. People went just crazy for her!

It was a stunning moment. It’s the kind of moment those in attendance will never forget.”

been challenged.

Now the ACLU of Indiana is arguing that the policy violates the federal Title lX law prohibiting gender-based discrimination in schools. The group also claims the policy violates her constitutional right of free speech.

“From a First Amendment standpoint, wearing a tuxedo makes an affirmative statement about her own sexuality,” said her lawyer.

It can look pretty hot, too, but I doubt anybody mentioned that in the court filings.

The head of the American Family Association of Indiana said he supports the principal’s decision because it reflects the community’s standards.

No doubt. In those rigid standards lies the problem. As unfortunate as a stinkweed corsage.

“I don’t think we should allow kids to act out certain impulses,” said the AFA guy. “A girl in a tuxedo doing this as a sexual statement, that’s something the school should draw the line at.”

Maybe if she said she was doing this as a fashion statement, he’d approve. She could claim bow ties are slimming.

This isn’t Indiana’s first rumpus over prom garb. In 1999, a male high school senior in Indianapolis successfully sued to wear a dress to the event. In 2006 a Transgender student in Gary was denied entry to the prom

for wearing an evening gown; Kevin “K.K.” Logan’s lawsuit is pending.

None of the accounts I read of the Lebanon High School senior’s battle mentioned whether she has a date for the prom. Does she have a girlfriend? Is she planning to ask someone to accompany her? Is she expecting to go alone or with friends?

If she has a date, the federal court better get moving. The prom is April 25. The girls will have precious little time to coordinate colors!

The Lesbian has a sensible classmate by the name of DeAmber Jaggers who told Indystar.com that she suspects the school made its decision due to the girl’s orientation.

“What bothers me is that you won’t let someone wear something conservative, but you’ll let girls go with see-through parts of their outfits or something short,” said Jaggers. “A tuxedo’s not hurting anybody. Why should it matter?”

Personally, I’ve come to agree with the school district that not just anybody can wear a tux. I say an individual who wants to wear one must first be able to spell “cummerbund.”

but we don’t have plans to do it.”

“Virginia Mason already gives us $500,000 a year in cash and in-kind services,” Knowles explained. “They’re the largest private contributor to AIDS care. Not many people know that. The question is, can they make up funding at this level?”

Bailey-Boushay clients and supporters have been using innovative grassroots advocacy to keep their funding intact, including a Facebook page and Craigslist postings. In

addition, more than 60 clients and supporters traveled to Olympia to lobby legislators for continued funding.

“We’ve been working for the past three months with the Senate,” Knowles said.

“When the governor cut us from her original budget, people on her staff worked with us to get funding back in. No matter what, we’ll do everything we can to make sure the services continue.”

Leslie Robinson hasn’t a clue how to put on a bow tie. E-mail her at LesRobinsn@ aol.com.

Senator Schumer calls to repeal DOMA Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced his support for marriage equality for samesex couples and for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The announcement followed a meeting on Sunday evening, March 22, in Manhattan, initiated by Senator Schumer, with a group of New York LGBT elected officials and leaders of the city’s largest LGBT organizations, including Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle.

“I want to thank Sen. Schumer for his support of marriage equality and the repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act,” said Van Capelle. “Like a majority of New Yorkers, Sen. Schumer recognizes that only marriage equality provides same sex couples the status, protections and rights afforded to all other Americans. We look forward to working with him to win marriage equality in New York State and around the country.”

March 27, 2009

Van Capelle said that during the meeting, Schumer pledged his support to repeal DOMA and, in the interim, to work to provide federal recognition and portability of benefits to legally married same-sex couples.

Sen. Schumer is vice chair of the U.S. Senate’s Democratic Conference and the highest ranking member of the Senate to endorse marriage equality.

Among other topics discussed at the meeting were continued HIV and Ryan White Care Act funding, appointment of openly LGBT people to the federal bench, special issues facing LGBT youth and seniors, the U.S. Census, and passage of a Trans-inclusive Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) and hate crimes legislation.

Courtesy of Empire State Pride Agenda.

Seattle Gay News 13

Shigella in Gay and Bisexual men

by Robert W. Wood, MD SGN Contributing Writer This is the first of a series of articles I hope will be of interest and use to Seattle and King County men who have sex with men (MSM), regardless of whether they identify as Gay, Bisexual, straight, Queer, Transgender, or whatever. I began writing articles in the Seattle Gay News in 1987-‘89, which provided my perspective as an openly Gay physician, and the new director for the HIV/ AIDS Program for Public Health – Seattle & King County, when an AIDS diagnosis virtually always led to death within a couple of years. Again in 1997-‘98 and in 2001, I contributed two additional series of articles to SGN readers to share the latest developments in preventing and treating HIV and STD, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM).

This new series of articles will be my last for the Seattle Gay News as director of the

HIV/AIDS Program of Public Health – Seattle & King County, as I’m planning to retire after 23 years in this position. Before I leave, I would like to share my perspective with regard to HIV/AIDS and other continuing health sexual disease threats to MSM, and what’s needed to create a healthier MSM community, a goal of Public Health’s strategic plan for HIV prevention, adopted in 2007.

A new resurgence of Shigella First, let me update the situation regarding Shigella, one of the local recent concerns for the health of homosexually active men.

Many Gay men today are unaware they are at risk for serious stomach cramps and diarrhea caused by a microscopic bug called Shigella, the cause of another sometimes sexually transmitted disease. When this bug is present, the disease can easily be spread from one person to another through rim-

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ming (oral-anal contact) and from oral contact with contaminated skin, including skin in the groin area, the testicles, and the penis.

Increased numbers of people infected with Shigella are currently being reported locally among homosexually active men. People with HIV who are immuno-suppressed (those with T4/CD4 cell counts below 200) are more likely to have serious complications from infections with Shigella.

Shigella is often spread through fecally contaminated food and water, but can also be spread person-to-person through sexual activity. Many cities with sizeable Gay/Bi populations worldwide have experienced outbreaks of shigellosis within their homosexually active communities. The last time I provided an article on this topic to the SGN (2001) in addition to cases in Seattle, San Francisco was also experiencing an outbreak of Shigella in MSM. Sexual practices more common in Gay and Bi men facilitate fecal-oral spread of the infection. For example, 50% of the sexually active men with Shigella questioned in San Francisco answered “yes” to the question: “in the week before your illness did you put your tongue in a partner’s anus?” Also, oral-penile sex is a very common sexual practice among MSM and rarely is oral sex protected by condoms.

Ingestion of Shigella bacteria indirectly, through touching or licking contaminated skin can transmit infection; that is, it is not necessary for one’s tongue or mouth to touch an infected anus. A penis or testicles that are less than perfectly clean can easily transmit infection. A very small amount of Shigella can cause infection, resulting in serious stomach cramps, fever, sometimes bloody diarrhea, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. Symptoms can occur 4-7 days after contact and may last up to a week. In San Francisco, about three out of four infected men surveyed had performed fellatio (oral-genital contact) the week before they became ill.

Locally, many Gay and Bisexual men with shigellosis are surprised when they learn that sexual behaviors can put them at risk of contracting diarrheal illnesses such as Shigella. This is not earth-shattering news, nor is Shigella the only gastrointestinal infection that MSM are more likely to get.

Other bugs commonly acquired through sex that can cause stomach pain and diarrhea are Giardia, Amebiasis, and Cryptosporidium, three kinds of intestinal parasites. Also, in 2000, public health investigators reported the first case of sexually transmitted typhoid fever between men, another disease transmitted through fecal contamination. Finally, hepatitis A, caused by a virus, has long been known to be spread sexually between Gay and Bi men, through the fecal-oral route.

What to do if you think you have Shigella If you think you may have Shigella and have a regular health care provider, contact that person and make an appointment as early as possible so you and your stool can be evaluated. Make sure your provider is aware that you have sex with men (being “out” to care providers is always important for your health) and disclose the kinds of sex you engage in, so he or she will understand how you might be at risk. If you have no regular provider, Public Health’s STD Clinic at Harborview can provide evaluation and care. These infections are all diagnosable and most are relatively easily treatable with antibiotics if the right ones are chosen after stool testing and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Remind doctors to request antibiotic sensitivity testing; based on sensitivity test results, they might need to change antibiotics.

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March 27, 2009

Celebrating 35 Years!

diarrhea-causing agents from the butt to the mouth, MSM need to be aware of the increased risk of transmission of these bugs from oral-genital (fellatio) and especially oral-anal (anilingus) contact. Using gloves for hand-anal contact, and latex and other barriers like condoms, dental dams, and plastic wrap may help to reduce risks for anal intercourse, blowjobs, and rimming.

Still, avoiding oral contact with fecally contaminated body parts or objects, along with very thorough genital and hand washing before and after sex, remain critically important defenses against infection.

Homosexually active men with active shigellosis or any diarrhea that may have an infectious origin should avoid sexual contact with others while symptoms are present, and not resume partnerships until at least three days after beginning an appropriate course of antibiotics. People with Shigella should wait until a repeat stool culture shows them to be free of infection, since antibiotic resistance is common. People who work in the food industry, health care workers, and child care workers with acute vomiting or diarrhea should stay out of work while they have symptoms, and should be especially quick to contact their health care provider about diagnosis and treatment.

These people, and all homosexually active men always need to use careful and basic hand washing and food hygiene to prevent disease transmission by non-sexual routes Shigella infections among homosexually active men remind us that there are diseases out there not usually thought of as sexually transmitted infections that can be spread by risky sexual activity. I also want to point out to the Gay community that sexual risk taking by homosexually active men has increased significantly since effective treatment for HIV reduced the threat of dying from AIDS. We now have the highest rates of syphilis locally that we’ve had since before AIDS, and cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia are also remaining at very high levels.

In future articles of this series, I want to share updates about the ongoing problems

of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV in our community. I’ll give you my views about why this is happening, how these affect the health of MSM, and what we are and should be doing about these serious and ongoing threats to our community and to the broader one. To protect and value our personal health and the health of our community, we must increase the emphasis on safer sex. Ultimately, our actions need to be rooted in our caring and deep commitment to one another now and for the future.

If you think you may have symptoms of shigellosis, contact your health care provider. If you have no regular provider, Public Health’s STD Clinic at Harborview (206-744-3590) can provide evaluation and care. If your health care provider diagnoses shigellosis, ask him or her to notify the Public Health – Seattle & King County Communicable Disease Epidemiology & Immunization program at (206) 296-4774.

Citizens may also call this number for general questions on shigellosis.

For the Public Health – Seattle King County Shigellosis Fact Sheet in multiple languages please visit http://www. kingcounty.gov/health/cd – click “S” then “Shigellosis.” The same site has information on other conditions mentioned in this article (giardiasis, amebiasis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A) – just click on the first letter of the condition.

Information on sexually transmitted infections can be found on the Public Health STD Program website at www.kingcounty. gov/health/std. For CDC Shigellosis information visit www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/ disease_listing/shigellosis_gi.html.

with an ID’d suspect,” he told SGN. “Most cases I don’t see. Given the random nature of the crime, most people involved don’t know each other, so to get an ID’d suspect the police have to gather evidence and follow up on leads.”

“Given that I haven’t seen most of the reports, going just on what I’ve read about in the SGN or elsewhere, some of the reports may be malicious harassment and some are clearly malicious harassment,” he continued, “but it’s not like two years ago when I saw many cases. It seemed like one every week.”

Concerns about the number of hate crimes targeting the LGBT community in the summer of 2007 prompted Seattle City Council members Tom Rasmussen and Sally Clark to ask the Office of the City Auditor for a report on bias crimes. The OCA presented its Bias Crimes Audit to Council member Nick Licata’s Committee on Culture, Civil Rights, Health, and Personnel in August 2008.

The OCA’s Audit documented bias crimes

during the years 2006 and 2007, evaluated police response, and made recommendations for improvements. While it characterized the SPD’s response as “adequate,” the OCA called for improvements in incident tracking, community outreach, and SPD training and coordination.

At the time the Audit was released, Council member Tom Rasmussen also called for an annual comprehensive report on bias crimes.

Council member Tim Burgess, whose Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee oversees the SPD, has promised to hold additional hearings on the Bias Crimes Audit in April or May. Asked for comment on the recent assaults, Burgess aide Nigel Herbig told SGN, “The SPD would have a better idea of whether there is a spike in violence. They have the stats. The Council member usually talks with them more about policy issues than actual crime reports.”

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King County Deputy Prosecutor Mike Hogan also declined to characterize the recent assaults as a trend. “I only see cases

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March 27, 2009

Seattle Gay News 15

That’s why I believe that the states should parently devoted husband and father’ whose have an opportunity to address that issue.” worst vice is ‘an occasional cigarette.’”

–Republican National Committee Chair–New York Times columnist Frank Rich, man Michael Steele to GQ, March 12.

March 14.

by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer

–Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele to GQ, March 12.

“The two top candidates for leader of the post-Bush G.O.P, Rush and Newt, have six marriages between them. The party that once declared war on unmarried welfare moms, homosexual ‘recruiters’ and Bill Clinton’s private life has been rebranded by Mark Foley, Larry Craig, David Vitter and the irrepressible Palins.”

–New York Times columnist Frank Rich, March 14.

“During their campaign, the Yes-on-8 people hit us with a sledgehammer and our side hit back with a slingshot. The time for candlelight vigils is over.”

–California marriage case plaintiff Robin Tyler to wowowow.com (The Women on the Web), March 11.

Rex wockner

“Oh, no [I don’t think homosexuality is a choice]. I don’t think I’ve ever really subscribed to that view, that you can turn it on and off like a water tap. Um, you know, I think that there’s a whole lot that goes into the makeup of an individual that, uh, you just can’t simply say, oh, like, ‘Tomorrow morning I’m gonna stop being Gay.’ It’s like saying, ‘Tomorrow morning I’m gonna stop being black.’ ... I mean, I think that’s the prevailing view at this point, and I know that there’s some out there who think that you can absolutely make that choice. And maybe some people have. I don’t know, I can’t say.

Until we can give a definitive answer one way or the other, I think we should respect that.”

Rex wockner

“I went to boarding school Southern, religious, and straight, and I left boarding school not being at all religious and not being straight.”

–Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, 25, to the magazine Fast Company, April issue.

“I don’t like mucking around with the Constitution. I’m sorry, I just don’t. I think, you know, in a pluralistic, dynamic society as the one that we have, every five years you can have a constitutional convention about something, you know? I don’t think we should be, you know, dancing around and trying to amend it every time I’ve got a social issue [such as same-sex marriage] or a political issue or a business issue that I want to get addressed. Having said that, I think that the states are the best laboratory, the best place for those decisions to be made, because they will then reflect the majority of the community in which the issue is raised. And that’s exactly what a republic is all about.”

–Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele to GQ, March 12.

“The family-values dinosaurs that once stalked the earth – Falwell, Robertson, Dobson and Reed – are now either dead, retired Robin Tyler or disgraced. ... Americans have less and “I have been, um, supportive of a lot of less patience for the intrusive and divisive my friends who are Gay in some of the moral scolds who thrived in the bubbles of core things that they believe are important the Clinton and Bush years. Culture wars to them. You know, the ability to be able to are a luxury the country­– the G.O.P. includshare in the information of your partner, to ed – can no longer afford.”

–New York Times columnist Frank Rich, have the ability to – particularly in times of crisis – to manage their affairs and to help March 14. them through that as others – you know, as “Even were the public still in the mood family members or others – would be able to do. I just draw the line at the Gay mar- for fiery invective about family values, the riage. And that’s not anti-Gay, no. Heck G.O.P. has long since lost any authority to no! It’s just that, you know, from my faith lead the charge. The current Democratic tradition and upbringing, I believe that mar- president and his family are exemplars of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom riage – that institution, the sanctity of it – is precisely the Eisenhower-era squareness reserved for a man and a woman. That’s just – albeit refurbished by feminism – that the “How can you argue separate is not equal my view. And I’m not gonna jump up and Republicans often preached but rarely prac- and then argue that separate is equal – but down and beat people upside the head about ticed. Obama actually walks the walk. As only if you’re Gay? It’s everything I’m it, and tell Gays that they’re wrong for want- the former Bush speechwriter David Frum not.” ing to aspire to that, and all of that craziness. recently wrote, the new president is an ‘ap–San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom speaking at the city’s Commonwealth Club, March 11.

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Celebrating 35 Years!

Pro-hate bill defeated in Gainesville, Florida

glaad

much obliterated’ the Gay leadership structure in California, so it’s ‘difficult to know what the other side will do, since there isn’t anyone in charge anymore. The evidence of that,’ Schubert further explains, ‘is that you have all of these grassroots groups getting involved without any input from the usual Human rights groups celebrated the Gay leaders.’” overwhelming rejection, 58% to 42%, of –LA Weekly, March 11.

Charter Amendment 1 in Gainesville, FL on March 24. The referendum would have eliminated the nondiscrimination protections that Gainesville extends LGBT people by requiring the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance to conform to the state’s nondiscrimination laws, which do not cover sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Gainesville Charter Amendment was the first vote on civil rights and equality for LGBT persons in Florida since the passage of Amendment 2, the so-called Marriage Protection Amendment, in November, 2008.

“This is a great day for Gainesville. …

While the opposition rooted its campaign in lies and scare tactics, fair-minded Gainesville voters knew that Charter Amendment Portia de Rossi and Ellen Degeneres 1 was really about discrimination,” said Rea Carey, executive director of the National “It’s such a personal thing, and I don’t Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund.

Supporters of Charter Amendment 1 think it does anybody any good to out people or force them out of the closet. I don’t waged a misleading, fear-based campaign see the point. It can still be very difficult in for over a year. “Gainesville voters turned this business, so I’m sympathetic to that. out in record numbers and said no to disYou hear rumors and gossip, but nobody re- crimination,” said Shelbi Day, staff attorney ally knows except that person, and it’s ul- for ACLU of Florida’s LGBT Advocacy timately up to them. Now, there are times Project, who was on the ground in Gaineswhen the press goes easier on or is more for- ville working with the local group opposing giving of someone, and I say, ‘How come he Charter Amendment 1. “ Gainesville voters overwhelmingly rejected a fear-based got a free pass?’”

–Actor Nathan Lane to The Advocate, campaign of lies and misinformation and stood up for protection from discrimination April issue. against LGBT people. Voters sent a clear “Yes, I’m like the homosexual Oracle of Delphi. They all come to ask my advice [on whether to come out]! No, nobody’s coming to ask my advice. It would be hard to give a young actor advice on that. Yes, I think it’s the right thing to do and the healthy thing for everyone, but it’s also a business, and there are those considerations.”

–Actor Nathan Lane to The Advocate, April issue.

message that the discrimination stops right here, right now.”

“This is an important victory for equality, for the proposition that people deserve to be judged based on their merits, and should not face discrimination simply because of who they are,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Gainesville voters saw past the deception and scare tactics used by proponents of Amendment 1 and made clear that Gainesville rejects discrimination against any of its residents, including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people.”

Gainesville Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan added, “As Mayor, I am extremely pleased that Gainesville voters chose to reaffirm that discrimination has no place in our city. Many thanks to Equality is Gainesville’s Business and the hundreds of tireless volunteers who represented the true values of Gainesville.

These volunteers demonstrated the diversity and expertise within our community, representing such groups as the NAACP of Alachua County, the Human Rights Campaign, the ACLU of Florida, the University of Florida Student Senate and others.”

A broad coalition of groups came together to defeat Charter Amendment 1, including the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, Equality Florida, the ACLU of Florida, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Center for Transgender Equality, Lambda Legal, National Center for Lesbian Rights, GLAAD, SAVE Dade, Organizations United Together (O.U.T.) and UM (University of Miami) for Equality, UF Students for Change, Planned Parenthood of Florida, Gainesville Area NOW and Judy Levy NOW. Courtesy of media sources.

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“No, I have no interest whatsoever [in getting married]. I’ll fight for the rights for everybody else, but we’re perfectly happy the way we are.”

–Actor Nathan Lane to The Advocate, April issue.

“Believe me, I think motherhood would be amazing and exciting and wonderful, but it isn’t really something that’s on the immediate horizon for us. How this IVF rumor started, I really, really have no idea.

But I can tell you that it is definitely not happening in the near future. ... It’s great that Ellen [DeGeneres] and I are a Gay couple and people are open-minded enough to talk about us having a family. The only thing I’m trying to avoid by denying it is, I just don’t want those horrible pictures in magazines where they circle your stomach and point and go ‘baby bump!’”

–Actress Portia de Rossi to the Los Angeles Times, March 15.

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“People magazine put us on the cover when we got married. And that felt like something big happened. That felt really good to me, that they could show two very happy Gay people. ... I feel like we kind of get all the same stuff that any heterosexual couple would get in the public eye. And that is great, that is wonderful.”

–Actress Portia de Rossi, who is married to Ellen DeGeneres, to the Los Angeles Times, March 15.

“It is a question we all must ask ourselves: Am I a top or a bottom? I have posed this question to myself many a time and find difficulty settling on an answer. However, now that I have started seeing someone – a man – I know I need to find a clear and decisive answer.”

–Columnist Trevor Nutley in the Vancouver Gay newspaper Xtra! West, February 26.

With assistance from Bill Kelley

Visit us online www.sgn.org

March 27, 2009

Seattle Gay News 17

Boycott Jamaica

by Michael Petrelis Courtesy of the Bay Area Reporter Regardless of who’s sitting in the Oval Office running the country or leading the State Department, every year the U.S. survey of human rights practices for Jamaica and the deadly violence and other horrific acts perpetrated against LGBT people makes for grim reading.

The reports never contain any good news for Jamaican LGBT people, and the latest report, issued in February, documents a dramatic surge in human rights violations, that too often go uninvestigated and unprosecuted. Here are some depressing highlights: “The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All Sexuals, and Gays (J-FLAG) continued to report human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention, mob attacks, stabbings, harassment of homosexual patients by hospital and prison staff, and targeted shootings of homosexuals ... a fire bombing at the home of two men that left one of them with burns on more than 60 percent of his body ... Lesbian women were subject to sexual assault as well as other physical attacks ... No laws protect persons living with HIV/AIDS from discrimination. Human rights NGOs [nongovernmental organizations] reported severe stigma and discrimination against this group.”

Also well-documented in the Jamaican press, with gruesome photos included, are mob attacks on Transgender persons, often beaten bloody, left with no protection from the police force.

The nation’s prime minister, Bruce Golding, recently called for strengthening and preserving the draconian buggery law,

which fuels much of the burning homo-hatred across Jamaica’s political and religious institutions.

Golding boasted to parliament: “We are not going to yield to the pressure, whether that pressure comes from individual organizations, individuals, whether that pressure comes from foreign governments or groups of countries, to liberalize the laws as it relates to buggery.”

Translation? Jamaica is happy to take Gay money and do nothing to eradicate the penal code sections that criminalize LGBT citizens and marks them with heavy stigma.

There is no end in sight to the hellish miseries suffered by the LGBT community in Jamaica.

But starting this weekend, at Harvey Milk Plaza, site of many actions by Milk in his crusade against Coors beer, a coalition of activists will gather to launch the boycott of Myers’s Rum and Red Stripe beer.

The time has come to ask all Gay bars and restaurants in San Francisco to boycott Jamaican rum and beer. Switch to serving rums from Puerto Rico and beers produced in countries with enlightened Gay laws and social acceptance.

The Jamaican boycott encompasses not only Myers’s Rum and Red Stripe beer; we are also asking travelers to avoid cruises to the country. There is no justifiable reason for Gays and our allies who value the lives of LGBT and persons with AIDS in Jamaica to vacation there, or consume their alcoholic drinks.

Across the USA, Gays are stepping up to create a successful boycott of Jamaican products and cruises.

In Brooklyn, Wayne Besen of Truth Wins

Out is developing a website to provide background information. He’s working closely with Jim Burroway of Arizona, researcher and editor of the Box Turtle Bulletin blog. Besen and Burroway have both written extensively on the need to flex Gay economic muscle and not spend our dollars in a country that explicitly hates us.

We also have Art Johnston, owner of Sidetracks, Chicago’s largest video and cruise bar, pulling Myers’s Rum from his shelf, and working with other Gay bars there to come on board the Jamaican boycott express. Across the pond, UK activists are poised to promote the boycott in their pubs and newspapers.

Small, but very important steps toward building a public relations nightmare for the county’s political and religious leaders, who remain silent about the anti-Gay human rights abuses.

There are several avenues of participation I ask you to consider. Personally boycott Myers’s Rum and Red Stripe beer. Ask your favorite bars to boycott them also. If you’re a bar or restaurant owner willing to pull those products, call me to add your establishment’s name to the growing list of Gay venues boycotting Jamaican drinks.

My phone number is: (415) 621-6267.

And deliver a pro-Gay and pro-boycott message to Mr. Anthony Johnson, the Jamaican ambassador to the U.S. Send e-mails to: ambassador@jamaicaembassy.org. You can reach the embassy by telephone at: (202) 452-0660.

Our demands are simple and doable: 1) Repeal Jamaica’s oppressive sodomy law, 2) Issue a statement from the prime minister clearly and unequivocally condemning violence against LGBT people and apologizing for past violence, 3) Implement a Gay-affirming program to train police officers.

It will take many political and economic strategies to bring about the change we all want to see in Jamaica, and the one website to learn about those strategies goes live this weekend. Check out boycottjamaica.org and tell your friends to visit the site.

Let’s start the Jamaica boycott with a rousing and fabulous launch on Saturday, March 28, at noon, at Harvey Milk Plaza, that would not only make Harvey proud, but also send a powerful message to Jamaican leaders to start respecting the human rights and dignity of LGBT persons across the island country.

Join us on Saturday as we pour Myers’s Rum and Red Stripe beer where they belong – down the sewer.

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18 Seattle Gay News

March 27, 2009

Celebrating 35 Years!

friday, april 3 at 7pm the west hall at century ballroom (915 e pine st in seattle) Featuring works by Scott Aitken Debra Bacianga Ingrid Berkhout Neelu Bhuman Cody Blomberg Andrew Adam Caldwell Jim Hamilton Anna Perrone Hendrichs Frankie Krhounek Mark Magill Justin Orvold Gregory Poore H. Lee Porter Derek Sparks Claudia Trott Matt Wencl Thomas Wurst . . .and many more!

Exposed is an arts-based fundraising event featuring the work of Seattle’s most gifted queer artists! The exhibit will present a wealth of artwork in a variety of media. All artwork will be available for purchase. Exposed includes the art exhibit, a spoken word showcase, live chamber music, a no-host bar, and hors d’oeuvres throughout the evening!

Tickets: $25

VIP Tickets: $40

Student Tickets: $20

include a hosted champagne reception with the artists before doors open to the public, and special VIP gifts!

Get your tickets at www.gaycity.org (Tickets are $5 more at the door) Enjoy dinner before or after Exposed at The Tin Door, the Century's new dining space.

Thanks to our Sponsors

exposed is a benefit for

Visit us online www.sgn.org

Kent Johnson & Cody Blomberg

March 27, 2009

Seattle Gay News 19