SGN May 14, 2010 - Section 1

Issue 20 Volume 38

FRIDAY May 14, 2010 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands

Celebrating 37 Years!

Lambert house p. 16

translations p. 25 & 28

fierstein p. 25

Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Veterans lobby congress for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal

Blood donation ban WA high school student hits back at federal Gay donor blood ban Danielle Hokeika

pat ryan/hrc media

average is at a steady 3.0 because, as he puts it, “I work very hard at school.” Jeffrey lives with his family on Fort Lewis, an army post not too far from the Seattle area. Since moving to Washington from Germany in September of last year, the teen has been involved with the yearbook staff and environmental and DECA clubs at his school. Off paper, Jeffrey is a proud Gay young man who works in the fashion world as a production assistant, coordinator, and stylist. He does not make any attempt to hide his sexual orientaHudson Taylor tion and believes that he

by Shaun Knittel is entitled to the same rights and More than 300 veterans from across the country came to Washington, D.C. on May 11th SGN Staff Writer responsibilities as hetero-Amerto tell Congress to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law this year ica. He is fierce, fabulous, and …

by Shaun Knittel On paper, 17-year-old Jeffrey unable to donate blood.

(HRC) and Servicemembers UnitThe Gay military ban, known Thompson, a student at Lakes Under current federal policy in SGN Staff Writer ed, joined forces on May 11 to as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” reHigh School in Lakewood, Wash- the United States, most Gay and bring hundreds of veterans to lob- quires the Defense Department to ington, is just like his peers. The Two leading Gay rights groups, by Congress for repeal of “Don’t high school senior’s grade point see blood page 19 the Human Rights Campaign Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). see DADT page 18

Sen. Patty Murray signs on Darcelle XV and Senate bill to repeal DADT the history of drag

courtesy darcelle XV

file photo

Washington Senator Patty Murray

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Washington Senator Patty Murray is the latest co-sponsor of a bill to repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

Murray signed on to S 3605 – the Military Readiness Enhancement Act – on May 11.

The bill’s stated purpose is “to amend Title 10, United States Code, to enhance the readiness of the Armed Forces by replacing the current policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces, referred to as ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.”

Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) is the bill’s prime sponsor in the Senate.

Murray’s action coincided with Veterans Lobby Day, organized by Servicemembers United and the Human Rights Campaign.

Darcelle XV At least 300 veterans participated in person in D.C., lobbying for by Shaun Knittel Nightclub repeal of DADT. Murray’s office SGN Staff Writer Walter Cole, 79, enjoys a good also reportedly received a flood of drag show. That may come as no calls for repeal.

La Femme Magnifique surprise to many a drag fan in PortContacted by SGN for comment, and La Femme land, Oregon. For those of you Magnifique Plus who are not in the know, Cole is May 23 Neighbours see darcelle page 20 see murray page 20

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Seattle Gay News

May 14, 2010

Celebrating 37 Years!

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May 14, 2010

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

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

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George Rekers’ European vacation

by Leslie Robinson SGN Contributing Writer As a Baptist minister, a co-founder of the Family Research Council and a board member of the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH), George Rekers has been a relentless leader of the Christian right for decades. He lifted the banner of anti-Gay activism, but now he can’t lift luggage.

That’s the reason he gave for hiring a male escort to accompany him on a European vacation. Thanks to surgery, Rekers needed the 20-year-old to carry his luggage. His second story was he brought him along to urge him toward Jesus and away from homosexuality.

We’ll be learning more about Rekers. And, for that matter, about the callboy dubbed “Lucien.” Right now I can only guess, based on the information in the Miami New Times, which broke the story, what that 10-day sojourn abroad was like: Rekers: You’re back! Right on time.

Lucien: Barely. I got lost on the subway.

Ended up in some place called Convent Garden.

Rekers: I think you mean Covent Garden.

Lucien: Oh. You were right, the British Museum was fab. I might go back tomorrow. Want to go with? I saw a hieroglyphic that looked just like you when you sneeze.

Rekers: Wow. I’m old, but not that old.

Did you spend your whole stipend today?

Lucien: No, I’m saving to go to Harrods tomorrow.

Rekers: I call this a practical arrangement. You go out and spend money; I stay in the hotel room and spend none.

Lucien: Why don’t you come with me?

It’ll be fun.

Rekers: I told you. Allergies. Really bad ones.

Lucien: You have a whole suitcase full of medicine. I know – I carried it. Doesn’t that help?

Rekers: No. I guess I’m just allergic to London. Maybe I’m allergic to Beefeaters.

Lucien: Is that a Gay club?

Rekers: No. Lucien: I should’ve picked a different city.

Rekers: I might do better when we get to Madrid. Y’know, you look different from your Rentboy profile.

Lucien: I do?

Rekers: In a good way. I noticed that the first time I came to your townhouse.

Lucien: I noticed your mustache. When you take your clothes off, I swear it changes color.

Rekers: Oh my God! Excuse me, Lord.

Didn’t mean that.

Lucien: I love being here. I’m not in a hurry to get back to Florida.

Rekers: I love that I finally found an escort who worked out. You just don’t know what you’re getting.

Lucien: Yes you do. Eight inches. I told the truth on my profile.

Rekers: I mean, you don’t know if the guy can have a conversation, or whether he’s out to rip you off.

Lucien: George, how come you don’t want real sex? Or to get off?

Rekers: My mama raised me not to be a greedy boy.

Lucien: Okay, whatever.

Rekers: Besides, you’ve gotten so good at the Long Stroke. Except yesterday you made me giggle.

Lucien: It’s a sensitive area.

Rekers: Yup. Lucien: I see why you call it that. It is long. And complicated. Front, and back.

Since you want it every day, I’m afraid of getting carpal tunnel syndrome.

Rekers: I guess there’s no workers’ comp for that.

Lucien: Ready?

Rekers: Make sure you rub the whole body, especially my shoulders. I feel tense.

Lucien: How come?

Rekers: Now I know my moustache is about to change color.

Leslie Robinson frequently feels tense. Email her at lesarobinson@gmail.com, and read other columns at www.generalgayety. com.

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

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Seattle Gay News

May 14, 2010

Celebrating 37 Years!

Don paulson collection

them “body showoffs,” but who’s complaining? Thelma, the police matron at the Garden, was passionately in love with Michael, but never succeeded in getting him in bed. Michael began as a professional boxer but soon gave it up because he didn’t like hurting people.

He was an impressive dancer, but he also did comedy routines playing his alter ego, “Miss Thing” (a nice but naughty Miss Thing!).

He’d smear his body with baby oil and Tabu perfume and sing campy and suggestive songs and flirt with the audience. A cop who saw the show said he’d hate to arrest him as he would slip through his fingers like a greased pig.

While in Seattle he stayed with black friends because of discrimination in downMichael Phelan and Princess Toulaire town hotels. I tried to loby Don Paulson cate Michael for years and finally someone wrote me and said he interviewed Michael SGN Contributing Writer a few years back and that he was living in Dancers Michael Phelan and Princess poverty in an abandoned building back east Toulaire performed their 1947 “Jungle and selling food out of his kitchen. I immeDance” at Seattle’s Garden of Allah Caba- diately wrote letters to Michael, but got no ret on historic First Avenue. Some called response. I hope he had a good life.

Goodbye – and thanks

by Jennifer Vanasco SGN Contributing Writer When I first pitched a column to the editor of a Gay newspaper in Chicago, I was expecting to write some short, snappy, girlaround-town pieces for a year or two.

I thought I’d write about what was going on in the bars, in the conference rooms – I’d pass along the gossip everyone wanted to know.

“Nah,” my editor said, after listening a moment. “I don’t like that idea. But I like the idea of you writing a column. Just tell your own stories.”

“Tell your own stories,” he said. And so I did.

For 14 years, I’ve been telling my stories to readers of Gay papers from Washington state to Washington, D.C. I’ve talked about the struggle to get my dad to accept my Lesbian self; falling in love and breaking up; and, most popularly, I’ve talked about my dog Max, still barking at 16.

Those stories somehow persuaded readers to tell theirs and share them with me – originally through the actual mail (I still have all of those and tried to answer most of them), then e-mail, and now as comments on posted columns, or as commentary on blogs of their own.

One reader, from Oklahoma, asked if he should come out to his parents, even though they were socially conservative. I still wonder how he’s doing, though he wrote me about seven years ago. Another engaged me in a debate about whether there’s a place for Gays and Lesbians in Evangelical churches.

He just wrote again recently.

When I still lived in Chicago, I met readers for drinks and for breakfast, sometimes in their homes. Occasionally, someone on the street would call out to me while I was walking my dog. In my pajamas.

In those days, the days before the web, writing a column for newspapers felt intimate. People picked up their free paper on the corner and shared it with a cup of coffee. I felt like I was writing for a community – and I could be pretty sure that someone responding to a column had likely read oth-

Visit us online www.sgn.org

ers and knew me pretty well. It was like we were continuing a conversation.

The web changed life for columnists. It became more important that columns were topical riffs on the news (the web is fueled by hits and hits are fueled by keywords which are easy to search for). When I started running a website myself (I’m the editor of the news site 365gay.com), I started writing columns I wanted to run, things that clarified or put a new spin on the news story of the week.

There were fewer of my own stories.

And that made me start to feel like what I was doing, anyone could do. And maybe I should step aside and make room for the new young woman or young man who could.

When the Chicago Free Press closed at the beginning of this month – a paper that was my editorial home longer than the city was my actual home – the conversation came to an end.

But oh, I’m going to miss you. I’m going to miss your stories. I’m going to miss sharing mine, as if we were friends talking quietly over an afternoon cup of tea. Thanks for being there. And if you ever see me in New York – walking Max, I’m sure in my pajamas – I hope you’ll say hello.

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

file photo

Michael Phelan

Sally Clark to propose council’s AZ boycott Seattle City Council member Sally Clark will introduce a resolution on Monday, May 17, committing the city to boycott the state of Arizona.

“It would call on the city to restrict travel that may be planned or conferences that were slated for Arizona, many of which I understand may be in the process of being canceled at this point,” Clark explained. “And it would also ask that we look at any purchasing we do of any products or services from the state of Arizona.”

The reason is Arizona’s controversial new immigration law, often called the “show me your papers Act.” The Arizona law requires Seattle City Council member Sally Clark local law enforcement officers to demand proof of immigration status City’s Council’s 2006 resolution on immifrom anyone they suspect may be in the U.S. gration reform. Other co-sponsors who are illegally. Critics of the law say it mandates still serving on the Council include Jean Godden, Nick Licata, and Tom Rasmussen. racial profiling.

Asked if she thinks she has all her Council Clark says Seattle has a large immigrant colleagues lined up to vote for her population that is a crucial part of resolution, Clark chuckles. the work force and the lo“In general, my “I’ve learned not to cal economy. She also my chickens,” cites a 2006 City colleagues are uniformly count she says. “In generCouncil resolution calling for com- disappointed by the Arizona law, al, my colleagues are uniformly disprehensive federal immigration re- and the lack of comprehensive appointed by the Arizona law, and form. immigration reform.” the lack of compreWhile Clark admits hensive immigration the resolution will have reform.” a very limited practical effect Clark would not comment on the – “at this point there is no discretionary travel,” she says – she believes it is neces- recent case of a Seattle police officer videotaped kicking a handcuffed Latino suspect sary.

“It still makes a statement,” she told SGN. in the head.

“I’m gonna beat the Mexican piss outta “It gets people to focus on Arizona and the issue of immigration reform. For any city, you!” the officer reportedly said. The susboycott is not a particularly effective tool.” pect was subsequently cleared of any chargClark is working with Mayor Mike es and released.

“I can’t comment until we’ve gotten the McGinn’s office and the office of Portland Mayor Sam Adams in hopes of passing the investigation back,” Clark told SGN. “I’m resolution in several northwest cities simul- glad to see the officer apologized for his remarks. There’s no legitimate law enforcetaneously.

While Clark opposes the new Arizona ment need for that kind of language.”

Asked if the incident should be investigatlaw, she believes it is merely symptomatic ed as a hate crime, Clark answered, “I don’t of a bigger problem.

“We need federal immigration reform,” think I can go into that now.”

Along with her City Council colleagues, she insists. “There have to be understandable and just rules. We have to end the Clark did sign on to a statement expressing “concern” over the incident, which it called patchwork approach.”

Clark says that managing immigration “extremely troubling.”

“The Council fully expects Seattle Police will continue to be a problem until immigrants get “meaningful ways to get citizen- Department leadership to take the appropriship or meaningful economic and political ate actions with the involved officers, upon completion of their internal investigation,” reform in their home countries.”

Clark was one of the co-sponsors of the the statement said.

Jennifer Vanasco (was) an award-winning columnist. E-mail her at Jennifer.vanasco@ gmail.com; Follow her at Twitter.com/ JenniferVanasco. She writes occasional pieces for the Huffington Post and is working on a book.

May 14, 2010

Seattle Gay News

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INTERNATIONAL file photo

NEWS

by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer

galize same-sex marriage within several weeks.

The relevant bill was submitted by the nation’s justice and human rights minister.

The proposal also would allow religious organizations to perform same-sex marriages.

Iceland already has same-sex registered partnerships that are nearly identical to marriage.

Same-sex marriage is legal in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Mexico City, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C. Danish Gay couples get adoption rights Denmark, which in 1989 was the first nation to create same-sex registered partnerships, extended adoption rights to registered same-sex couples May 5.

Parliament passed the measure without the support of the ruling coalition. It takes effect July 1.

Danish Gays and Lesbians previously could adopt only as individuals or as the second parent of a partner’s biological child.

Justice Minister Lars Barfoed said the government opposed the bill because “children as a rule need a mother and a father.”

LGBT activists in 31 Russian cities staged Day of Silence actions April 24 and 25.

Lithuanian court un-bans Gay pride parade, homophobes attack Lithuania’s Supreme Administrative Court overruled the Vilnius Regional Administrative Court on May 7 and un-banned the following day’s Baltic Pride march, which was then targeted by more than 1,000 anti-Gay protesters.

The court said European Union law obligates the nation to protect the rights to free expression and assembly.

“Lithuania was the last EU member state whose authorities were trying to prevent LGBTI people from their constitutional right to peaceful assembly,” said ILGAEurope, the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. “This [is] a triumph of the rule of law and democratic values.”

The May 8 march featured 500 marchers, 800 police officers protecting them, and more than 1,000 anti-Gay protesters trying to hurt them.

The anti-Gays threw rocks, bottles, fireworks, and other items, but failed to breach the police cordon. Police used tear gas to keep the homophobes at bay.

More than a dozen people were detained.

Marchers included several members of the European Parliament, foreign ambassadors, and Swedish Minister for European Affairs

Birgitta Ohlsson, who said: “Today we are marching for Europe. ... We would never accept homophobia taking over our streets.”

The lower court had banned the march on May 5 at the request of interim Prosecutor General Raimondas Petrauskas, agreeing with him that the authorities could not protect marchers from radical anti-Gay protesters.

“This parade is like a red rag for a bull,” Petrauskas said.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite had expressed shock at that ruling.

“The president is astounded ... that the police claim they are ready to ensure safety, but the acting prosecutor general sees a threat,” her spokesman told Baltic News Service. “The constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly.”

The Baltic Pride march was part of five days of events for LGBT people from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

A recent Eurobarometer poll found that 93 percent of Lithuanians say they don’t know anyone Gay, and another poll in March found that 73 percent of Lithuanians don’t want Gays to hold parades.

Iceland to legalize same-sex marriage Iceland’s parliament is expected to le-

NATIONAL

NEWS

Christian right leader went to Europe with “rentboy” George Alan Rekers, who co-founded the anti-Gay Family Research Council, was photographed at Miami International Airport on April 13 returning from a European vacation with a male escort who says the two met via rentboy.com, Miami New Times reported May 4.

The escort, who has been called “Lucien,” “Geo” and “Jo-vanni” in news reports, also told various media outlets that he gave Rekers daily massages in the nude during the trip, which included genital touching. Lucien showed CNN a travel contract between the two men that mandated daily hour-long massages, and told the network that Rekers “basically got excited” during the massage sessions.

Rekers, 61, has used his professorgeorge. com website and other online resources to fight back against the “slanderous” reports, saying he’s not Gay and that nothing “illegal or sexual” took place during his trip with Lucien, 20. Rekers told multiple media outlets that he will acquire or has acquired a lawyer and may or will sue for “defama6

Seattle Gay News

by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer tion.”

“I have been advised to retain the services of a defamation attorney in this matter, because the fact is that I am not Gay and never have been,” he told the Washington Post on May 6.

On his website, Rekers wrote: “A recent article in an alternative newspaper cleverly gave false impressions of inappropriate behavior because of its misleading innuendo, incorrectly implying that Professor George Rekers used the Rentboy website to hire a prostitute to accompany him on a recent trip. Contrary to internet stories based on this slanderous article, following medical advice Professor George Rekers requires an assistant to lift his luggage in his travels because of an ongoing condition following surgery. ... Dr. Rekers found his recent travel assistant by interviewing different people who might be able to help, and did not even find out about his travel assistant’s internet advertisements offering prostitution activity until after the trip was in progress. There was nothing inappropriate with this relationship. Professor Rekers was not involved in any illegal or sexual behavior with his travel assistant.”

May 14, 2010

Thirty-one Russian cities take part in LGBT Day of Silence Activists in 31 Russian cities took part in the LGBT Day of Silence on April 24 and 25.

The youth-oriented international event targets anti-LGBT discrimination, defamation and violence.

In most Russian localities, activists opted for a “flashmob” approach, since it’s difficult or impossible to get city permission for LGBT events on public property.

Activists appeared and distributed literature in the cities of Abakan, Arkhangelsk, Cheboksary, Chelyabinsk, Cherepovets, Glazov, Ivanovo, Izhevsk, Kaliningrad, Kazan, Kemerovo, Kirov, Krasnodar, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Novokuznetsk, Oboyan, Omsk, Perm, Petrozavodsk, Pskov, St. Petersburg, Samara, Severodvinsk, Syktyvkar, Tyumen, Vladivostok, Volgograd, Voronezh, Vyborg, and Yekaterinburg.

For the most part, “the reaction of the passersby was calm and even friendly,” said national coordinator Valery Sozaev of the Russian LGBT Network. “People took flyers with interest.”

One exception was in Syktyvkar, a city of 230,000 people located 1,000 km (620 miles) northeast of Moscow.

Local organizers had to change the date of the protest following threats from neo-NaAs the story unfolded, Lucien learned of Rekers’ history of anti-Gay activism and then decided to tell media outlets about the trip’s alleged sexual component.

“It’s a situation where he’s going against homosexuality when he is a homosexual,” Lucien told New Times.

Gay activist Wayne Besen, whose Truth Wins Out group battles the anti-Gay movement, told New Times that Rekers’ “fingerprints are on almost every anti-Gay effort to demean and dehumanize LGBT people.”

“His work is ubiquitously cited by lobby groups that work to deny equality to LGBT Americans,” Besen said. “Rekers has caused a great deal of harm to Gay and Lesbian individuals.”

Reports said Rekers also is a member of the board of the anti-Gay National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality. He also recently was paid tens of thousands of dollars by the state of Florida to be an expert witness against Gay adoption. Florida is the only state that bans Gay people from adopting across the board.

After Rekers testified in that case, MiamiDade County Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman wrote: “Dr. Rekers’ beliefs are motivated by his strong ideological and theological convictions that are not consistent with the science. Based on his testimony and demeanor at trial, the court cannot consider his testimony to be credible nor worthy of forming the basis of public policy.”

Lucien told The Miami Herald he became an escort to pay for college, but that he

zis, who gathered on the original date at the original location with the intention of stopping the event.

“Our Day of Silence was successful, since we were able to attract 21 new cities,” Sozaev said. “Most importantly, in most of the regions, people took initiative on their own, without waiting for organizations. This is very much in the spirit of the Day of Silence – individual responsibility in the process of building a world without homophobia.”

For more information, see dayofsilence. lgbtnet.ru.

Turkish LGBTs protest Trans murder Around 100 members of the Black Pink Triangle Association in Izmir, Turkey, staged a candlelight vigil April 28 following the killing of Transgender member Azra.

Azra “was murdered by a gunshot to the back of her head … in what seems to be a serial murder,” said Hossein Alizadeh of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission.

“Turkish authorities believe that the murder weapon used in this case was the same that took the lives of two other Transgender people in Izmir,” he said.

For more information, see http://siyahpembe.org/?p=578.

Meanwhile, a local court on April 30 rejected an official attempt to close down the Black Pink Triangle Association.

Judge Mursel Ermis declared that “homosexuals are free to found associations like all other people.”

Izmir officials had targeted the group for dissolution on the grounds that it violated morals and harmed Turkish families.

Two other leading Gay organizations – Lambda Istanbul and Ankara’s KAOS GL – also have beat back local governments’ attempts to shut them down.

New Zealand Olympian comes out New Zealand speed skater Blake Skjellerup, who competed in the recent Vancouver Olympics, came out in the Australian Gay magazine DNA in early May. “Back when I was 18, and becoming serious about my sport and my Olympic goals, if I could have seen an athlete like myself out there ... my journey would have been a lot easier,” the 24-year-old told the magazine.

“I can’t personally relate to [American figure skater Johnny] Weir or [out Welsh rugby star Gareth] Thomas, nor will many other young Gay athletes out there,” he said. “But maybe some of them will see something in me to relate to.”

With assistance from Bill Kelley might have to drop out now. He said Rekers paid him $75 per day during the trip, which is less than the $300-$500 he would have charged for sex. He told CNN there was no sexual contact other than the massages.

In a message to the Joe.My.God. blog, Rekers said no one should be surprised he was found in the company of a male escort.

“Like Jesus Christ, I deliberately spend time with sinners with the loving goal to try to help them,” Rekers wrote. “Like John the Baptist and Jesus, I have a loving Christian ministry to homosexuals and prostitutes in which I share the Good News of Jesus Christ with them. ... If you talk with my travel assistant that the story called ‘Lucien,’ you will find I spent a great deal of time sharing scientific information on the desirability of abandoning homosexual intercourse, and I shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with him in great detail.”

Not everyone in the media bought that explanation.

“Here’s the basic idea about cases like this,” MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow said May 7. “The miserable denial and lying in your own sex lives is your own miserable, indenial, lying business – unless you make it the whole country’s business by crusading against the thing that is true about yourself that you hate so much. Being Gay cannot be cured. Being a contemptible, pathetic hypocrite can be cured. ... Congratulations, you’ve made the news.”

With assistance from Bill Kelley

Celebrating 37 Years!

SURVIVING THE RECESSION WITH THE FREEDOM SOCIALIST PARTY On Wednesday, May 19, from 7-9 p.m., the Freedom Socialist Party and Radical Women presents a “Surviving the Recession” discussion circle at the Old Firehouse (402 15th Ave. E.). The discussion will continue every Wednesday through June 30 and covers the nuts and bolts of how capitalism works (and why it doesn’t any more), as well as ideas for mobilizing against layoffs, furloughs, and budget cuts. The first session will feature Megan Cornish, author of A Marxist Looks at Capitalism’s Meltdown.

For more information, visit www.socialism.com/seattle.

CHCC CLEANS UP CAPITOL HILL On Saturday, May 22, The Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce and 12 local businesses will combine their efforts to clean up Capitol Hill, starting in Cal Anderson Park (11th Ave. and E. Howell St.) at 10 a.m. Volunteers are encouraged to meet up for breakfast snacks at the Volcano in Cal Anderson Park before a presentation by Ed Murray and Sally Bagshaw, after which groups will clean different blocks of the Pike/Pine corridor. Pizza and ice cream will be served after an hour or two of cleaning. This event has been growing each year, and 100+ are expected to attend. For more information, visit www.caphillchamber.org.

PURR BARTENDER AUCTION The bidding begins at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19, for Purr’s Third Annual Bartender Auction. Come to Purr (1518 11th PRIDE IDOL CONTEST Ave.) and bid on a date with your favorite AT R-PLACE Seattle Out and Proud (SOaP), producers bartender. Hosted by Latrina Bidet. of the annual Seattle Pride Parade, in asso3RD ANNUAL DRAG NIGHT ciation with Esurance, presents Pride Idol EXTRAVAGANZA 2010, Seattle’s talent search contest to find AT SOUTH SEATTLE the best vocalists in the area. The Pride Idol COMMUNITY COLLEGE contest runs every Sunday through June 20.

On Thursday, May 20, from 7-9 p.m., the The contest will be held at R-Place, 619 E. Pine St., door at 7 p.m., contest at 8 p.m. SSCC Brockney Student Center (6000 16th Winners will be awarded cash and addi- Ave. SW) hosts a FREE evening of drag pertional prizes and get to ride on the official formance in conjunction with the school’s Seattle Pride Idol float in the Seattle Pride 20th Annual Rainbow Festival, May 18-20.

Parade on Sunday, June 27. For more inforSEXUALITY IN PERFORMANCE: mation, visit www.seattlepride.org, call the A DOUBLE STANDARD? Pride office at 206-322-9561 or email info@ On Friday, May 21, from noon-1:30 p.m., seattlepride.org.

Washington Lawyers for the Arts will present “Sexuality in Performance in Seattle: UW QUEER FILM FESTIVAL From May 17 until May 21, the Univer- A Double Standard?” at Little Red Studio sity of Washington will show a collection of (400 Dexter Ave. N.). Washington state has some of their favorite Queer movies at Allen some of the most stringent laws in the U.S. Auditorium in the Allen Library (UW Cam- governing sexuality in performance, espepus). The movies that will be shown are: cially in establishments that sell liquor. In May 17, 2:30 p.m., Boys Don’t Cry; May 18, this presentation, Will Wright provides a 7 p.m., Margaret Cho stand-up and Saving brief overview of the constitutional issues Face; May 19, 6:30 p.m., Ellen DeGeneres implicated by these laws and summarizes stand-up and For the Bible Tells Me So; the administrative licensing and review proMay 20, 7 p.m., A Single Man; May 21, 1 cess. Registration fee is $45 for attorneys p.m., Wanda Sykes stand-up and The Times and paralegals, $20 for artists and students. of Harvey Milk. Food and drink is welcome. A boxed lunch will be provided for those Admission FREE, but donations welcome. who register by May 19. Register at www. brownpapertickets.com/producer/3042, or call 800-838-3006.

SYTTENDE GAY 2010 SCANDINAVIAN CELEBRATION GSBA SCHOLARSHIP FUND On Monday, May 17, Kwanchai presents CELEBRATES 20 YEARS Syttende Gay 2010, a celebration of ScanOn Friday, May 21, from 5:30-9:30 p.m., diGayvians and friends, from 5-8 p.m. at the BalMar cocktail lounge (5449 Ballard the Greater Seattle Business Association Ave. N.W.). The event coincides with the will hold their 20th annual Scholarship Norwegian Constitution Day Parade (Norsk Awards Dinner at the Hyatt at Olive 8 (1635 Nasjonaldag Paraden) at 6 p.m. A $7 VIP 8th Ave.). Emceed by Seattle City Counpass provides access to an upper VIP level cilmember Sally Clark, it will be a night to with a panoramic view of the parade, as well celebrate students, both the newest scholars as 10% off food and cocktails. Proceeds and scholars from the past. It will also be an raised will go toward Journey Home, a Solid evening to recognize the GSBA’s ScholarGround program which provides long-term ship Fund founders, who had the vision 20 case management, transitional housing, and years ago to create the first LGBT scholpermanent housing placement assistance for arship program in the U.S. Every student homeless families with children throughout who attends the dinner is a guest of GSBA. King County. For more information, visit Whether or not you are able to attend the dinner, please partner with GSBA to host a www.kwanchai.net. student. Donate the cost of a dinner – $100 – or support several students and their guests SEATTLE GAY & LESBIAN BOOK CLUB AT DUNSHEE HOUSE to be recognized as a Scholarship Dinner The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Book Club Host on the night of the event. Please conmeets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Dun- sider a gift to the GSBA Scholarship Fund shee House, 303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas as an investment in tomorrow’s leaders.

Register online at thegsba.org, or call St. May – The Satyricon by Petronius (translated by William Arrowsmith), a comic sat- (206) 363-9188. ire of Ancient Rome which follows two Gay CAPTAIN SMARTYPANTS young men chasing the boy of their dreams & SENSIBLE SHOES – and on which Federico Fellini based one of SPRING CONCERTS the greatest films of his career. All GLBTQ On Friday, May 21, at 8 p.m., Captain folks in the community are welcome to participate in this free book club. For more in- Smartypants presents their spring concert at formation, email nickdimartin@earthlink. Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave. Tickets: $20-adnet or contact Dunshee House at 206-322- vance general admission, $25-at the door, $35-premium table seating (limited avail2437. ability).

On Saturday, May 22, Sensible Shoes GAY CITY HEALTH PROJECT’S performs at Town Hall at 7 p.m., followed GCU NIGHT SCHOOL:

by Captain Smartypants at 9 p.m. Tickets: SPACE CREATED On Wednesday, May 19, from 6:30-8 for single performance of either group, see p.m., meet at Gay City (511 E. Pike St.) for ticket information above; for both shows a special class on how to become more or- $35-advance general admission; $40 at the ganized and meet those space challenges. door; $50-premium table seating.

Tickets: 206-388-1400, www.captainsNeed to create more space in your closet for more spring fashion? Can’t seem to find martypants.org, www.sensibleshoes.org. your keys and wallet? Join Thomas Glass for GSU Night School’s Space Created.

SEATTLE OUT PROTEST RALLY AT WESTLAKE PARK TO PASS THE FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT AND REPEAL DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL On Saturday, May 22, from noon-2 p.m., attend a rally at Westlake Park (4th Ave. & Pine St.) organized by Seattle Out Protest in support of passing the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act and repealing the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

NORTHWEST

NEWS

compiled by Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer

THREE DOLLAR BILL CINEMA PRESENTS TRANSLATIONS: SEATTLE TRANSGENDER FILM FESTIVAL THROUGH MAY 16 Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s 5th annual Translations: Seattle Transgender Film Festival, May 13-16, will feature an eclectic mix of short films, documentaries, comedy and compelling dramas showcasing the incredible diversity of Transgender filmmaking.

On Friday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m., Riot Acts, featuring interviews and performances by some of the best and brightest Transgender musicians playing in North America today, will be shown at the Erickson Theatre, 1524 Harvard Ave., followed by the Opening Night party featuring a live music performance by two musicians associated with the film.

On Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16, at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m., and Saturday only at 9 p.m., films will be shown at the Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave. For a complete schedule, visit www. threedollarbillcinema.org.

Tickets: $50 festival pass to get into every screening; $8-single tickets; $6-Three Dollar Bill Cinema member; $5-youth (21 & under) and senior (65 and over) – ID required. For tickets, visit www.threedollarbillcinema.org.

CD FORUM’S CREATION PROJECT SHOWCASE On Friday/Saturday, May 14/May 15, at 8 p.m., the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas will showcase the culmination of its year-long new works and professional development program at Rainier Valley Cultural Center (3515 S. Alaska St.). The CREATION Project Showcase represents the breadth and excellence of local contemporary performing arts. Tickets are $15 general, $10 student/senior. For more information, visit www.cdforum.org.

FRIENDSHIP THROUGH FLOWERS IKEBANA EXHIBITION On Saturday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Ikebana International Seattle Chapter 19 will present its 51st annual ikebana Japanese style flower arranging exhibition at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, Volunteer Park (1400 East Prospect). Demonstrations will be held both days at 1 and 2 p.m.

For additional information, e-mail lilychang@comcast.net or shirleyhill@live. net.

SEATTLE CHEESE FESTIVAL On Saturday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Seattle’s annual Cheese Festival will be held at Pike Place Market (1st and Pike).

Come enjoy a variety of local and exotic cheeses, attend a seminar, or have a glass of wine in the wine garden.

For a full schedule, visit www.seattlecheesefestival.com.

Q-SQUARED BOOK GROUP On Saturday, May 15, at 1 p.m. at the Capitol Hill Library (425 Harvard Ave. E.), the Q-Squared Book Group will discuss the novel Salvation Army by Abdellah Taia. In his introduction, Edmund White says, “Abdellah Taia is a brilliant young Moroccan living in France. In this novel, appropriately, he talks about his first contacts with Europeans. We learn about the traditional Moroccan family, about Swiss sex tourists, about the Salvation Army in Geneva, about his first burgeoning of desire in a young Arab, about family and carnal love.” Q-Squared Book Group is open to men who are interested in Gay literature and always welcomes new members.

For more info, visit www.qsquared.com.

SNOQUALMIE CASINO PRESENTS “HUSH” Experience the Gay and Lesbian event of the season at 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, with “Hush” at the Snoqualmie Casino Ballroom (I-90 E., Exit 27 / I-90 W., Exit 31).

Original Glam presents a night of glamour, fantasy, magic, male and female go-go dancers, DJs, and a performance by recording artist Vanessa Thompson. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 the night of the event. For more information, visit www.hushpride.com.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

May 14, 2010

Q-SQUARED MEN FUNDRAISER Sunday, May 23, is your last chance to win 7 nights’ lodging (one bedroom standard lodging) anywhere in the world (subject to availability). (Does not include meals or airfare.) Choose the location from thousands of properties at www.rci.com. The opening bid is $600. All proceeds go to CAMP operations and scholarships.

Questions, bids, and counterbids are to be submitted to bid@qsquared.org and must be received by May 23.

LAFEMME MAGNIFIQUE WASHINGTON PAGEANT SEEKING CONTESTANTS On Sunday, May 23, Gaysha Starr Productions presents the LaFemme Magnifique Washington Pageant, at Neighbours, 1509 Broadway, entrance in alley between Harvard and Broadway off E. Pike St., door at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m.

The pageant will be hosted by pageant founder and Portland legend Darcelle XV. Competition categories are: Evening Gown, Theme Wear: “The Garden of Eden,” Talent Presentation, and Las Vegas Showgirl. Admission is $12 at the door, with partial proceeds to GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) Washington State.

The winner and first runner-up of both LaFemme Magnifique Washington and LaFemme Magnifique PLUS Washington will go to the International Pageant Labor Day Weekend at the Oregon State Convention Center for a $1,000 cash prize, crown, sash, jewelry and the title, in both categories.

For complete information, contact pageant coordinator Gaysha Starr at gaysha. starr@gmail.com.

GLAM 5 A CELEBRATION OF HIGH-STYLE DESIGN On Thursday, May 27, from 6-9 p.m., Masins and Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) present Glam 5, a night of fashion, furnishings, and fabulous jewels, with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and wine, luxury silent auctions, and music by DJ Wendall. Reservations required, RSVP

by May 21 to attend. $25 minimum suggested donation at the door. Dress is glam.

For more information call (206) 763-8885 or visit diffa.org/seattle.

DIVERSE HARMONY’S NEW MUSICAL – BEST FRIENDS FOREVER On Friday, May 28, and Saturday, May 29, at 7:30 p.m., Diverse Harmony will perform their new musical, Best Friends Forever, at Seattle First Baptist Church (1111 Harvard Ave.). Diverse Harmony is a musically creative social connection in the greater Seattle area designed to nurture friendships, promote musical abilities, and provide a safe place where youth can be accepted for who they are. www.diverseharmony.com.

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Minnesota couples challenge state’s DOMA law – court case filed Andy Birkey

Lindzi Campbell, Jesse Dykhuis, and son Sean

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Three same-sex couples have filed suit to overturn a Minnesota law that bans samesex marriages and prohibits the state from recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.

The suit was filed in Hennepin County District Court on May 11.

The couples contend that the state is vio-

lating their constitutional right to marry. At issue are several provisions of Minnesota state law.

The Minnesota Supreme Court held in Baker v. Nelson (1971) that state law prohibits marriages between same-sex partners.

The couples contend that case was wrongly decided.

They also contend that the 1997 Defense of Marriage Act was passed in violation of the “single subject” rule of the Minnesota

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

The killer of Gay Puerto Rican teen Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado has entered a guilty plea and has been sentenced for the crime.

Juan Jose Martinez Matos confessed to the murder during a hearing in Caguas on Wednesday, May 12. He had been scheduled to go on trial for killing Lopez on Monday, May 17.

Martinez told the court he understood the consequences of his actions, and Judge Miriam Camila Jusino immediately sentenced him to 99 years in prison.

Lopez was stabbed to death, decapitated, dismembered, and his body was partially burned in a gruesome murder in Cayey, Puerto Rico, on November 12 last year.

Martinez was arrested several days later and reportedly told police that he had picked up Lopez thinking he was a female prostitute, and became enraged when he realized his mistake.

Primera Hora newspaper reported that Lopez’s parents, Myriam Mercado and Jorge Lopez, hugged prosecutor Yaritza Carrasquillo after the hearing.

Mercado told the newspaper that the killer’s confession was bittersweet for her and

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Seattle Gay News

children to always do the right thing,” said Dykhuis.

She added that their aim in joining the suit is to give their family and those of other same-sex couples more stability.

She recalled the scene when Campbell, a Duluth-area firefighter for 13 years, went into early labor with their son Sean, who is a plaintiff in the suit as well.

In order for Dykhuis to make medical decisions for Campbell and their newborn, she and Campbell had to go over a mountain of legal documents.

“Between contractions, we were signing legal documents,” said Campbell.

“That’s no way to go through labor.”

“The joys and benefits of marriage should be available to everyone, and the Minnesota Constitution has greater breadth on these rights than the United States Constitution,” said lawyer Peter J. Nickitas.

Nickitas is representing the three couples, and he believes they will win their suit.

“The country is changing,” he said. “And it’s changing for the better.”

Openly Gay Minnesota state legislator Scott Dibble, who represents Minneapolis, expressed skepticism, however.

“It is understandable that this lawsuit would be filed, given the pain, frustration and hardship for those families who are unable to fulfill basic responsibilities to each other because of deficiencies that currently exist in Minnesota state law,” Dibble told the Minnesota Independent.

“I am concerned, though, that court and statutory precedent, and the lack of a sufficient constitutional foundation might make the likelihood of a successful outcome remote,” he continued. “In that case, the prospect of further cementing precedence that is negative for our families is very real.”

“I’m getting older.

If not now, then when? When I’m dead?”

courtesy rodonline

Guilty plea in Puerto Rican hate crime murder

Constitution and should be thrown out.

Finally, they are seeking a court order to compel the state to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Duane Gajewski and Doug Benson are one of the couples who have filed the suit.

They have been together 19 years, and have been married in two U.S. states and in Canada, and had a civil union in Vermont.

In their home state of Minnesota, however, their relationship is not legally recognized.

“We’re hoping just in case one of those marriages is recognized, we’ll be safe,” said Gajewski.

Benson, head of the nonprofit group Marry Me Minnesota, said that Minnesota’s Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was passed illegally by the legislature.

“It was passed in violation of the single subject rule,” which says that legislation cannot be passed while it is attached to an unrelated bill, he told the Minnesota Independent newspaper.

John Rittman and Tom Trisko, who are also part of the suit, have been together for 40 years.

“When I was growing up, you were called three things if you were Gay: You were sick, you were a sinner, and you were a criminal,” said Trisko. “Today, everywhere we go we have to have a big file of documents with us, living wills, powers of attorney. It’s a burden on a daily basis to not have the assumption we are married.”

Asked why he filed the lawsuit, he replied, “I’m getting older. If not now, then when?

When I’m dead?”

Lindzi Campbell and Jesse Dykhuis of Duluth have been together for three years and are raising two children. They are the third couple involved in the suit.

“We have a responsibility to teach our

her family.

“We are able to find a bit of peace in this aspect, but it still is not going to return Steven,” she told reporters. “But at least there is justice in Puerto Rico.”

Jorge Lopez repeated his previous statements of forgiveness for the killer.

“I want to send a message to Juan [Martinez] and tell him there is hope in Christ,” said Lopez with tears in his eyes. “The Lord has forgiveness for him, irregardless of what has happened. God has a plan for him if he opens his heart to Christ. God will forgive him also.”

The brutality of the crime made international headlines, and brought in outside intervention.

In one of the first applications of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act, the FBI monitored the case and was prepared to intervene if local authorities failed to convict Martinez.

Puerto Rico has hate crime legislation on Confessed murder Juan Jose Martinez Matos the books, but it has never been used.

In a written statement circulated by New York City Council Speaker Christine activists in January.

Their delegation also challenged Puerto NGLTF, Serrano stressed that the organiQuinn and Illinois state Sen. Iris Martinez, who chairs the Democratic National Com- Rico Gov. Luis Fortuño for not publicly zation’s work against hate crimes will continue. mittee’s Hispanic Caucus, traveled to Puerto condemning the teenager’s murder.

Pedro Julio Serrano of the National Gay “This was a brutal crime, and today’s deRico and met with local officials and LGBT and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), who was velopments have been very emotional for in Caguas when Martinez confessed to Lo- Jorge Steven’s family and friends, as well pez’s murder, told reporters there was not a as to the entire Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and dry eye in the courtroom.

Transgender community in Puerto Rico.

The NGLTF has an office in San Juan, While the guilty plea and sentencing bring Puerto Rico, and was active in urging lo- some closure, these wounds will never heal cal officials to investigate and prosecute the for those who knew and loved Jorge Steven. case.

“Yet, despite how heart-wrenching this Serrano added that Lopez’s family re- has all been, Jorge Steven’s family has been mains a source of inspiration for him and so loving and strong; they have been and other LGBT Puerto Ricans. continue to be a symbol of love conquering “The family is sending a powerful mes- hate. This has inspired me and so many othsage to the world of the love that conquers ers in our work to keep this from happening hate,” he said. again.”

May 14, 2010

Celebrating 37 Years!

Baltic Pride goes on Syphilis epidemic in despite rocks and tear gas China reflects Mindaugas Kulbis /AP Photo

Participants of the annual Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Pride Parade march in Vilnius, Lithuania Saturday May 8, 2010.

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Four hundred marchers took part in Baltic Pride 2010 in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Saturday, May 8.

They were escorted by 800 Lithuanian police who eventually had to use tear gas to disperse a mob of 1000 anti-Gay protestors.

Pride marchers walked and danced for two hours through a sealedoff area in downtown Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital. They carried huge rainbow flags and banners emblazoned with the slogan “For Equality.”

Anti-Gay protesters carried crosses and signs, and shouted insults at rally participants. Some threw smoke bombs at the Pride parade.

After they were dispersed by police tear gas, they reformed and attacked the police with rocks and street signs.

Nineteen people were arrested, including two Lithuanian legislators who tried to climb over police barriers to attack the march. The two were later released by police.

Earlier in the day, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the office of Youth for Tolerance, a human rights organization that helped organize the event. The bomb failed to explode, however, and no one was injured.

A Catholic Mass at the nearby National Cathedral was held to “pray for homosexuals,” according to Associated Press.

Seventy-nine percent of Lithuania’s 3.4 million people are Roman Catholic.

“Sweden has already wiped out traditional families. Now they came over here to tell us how to live, how to think and who to sleep with. Lithuania will not allow such perversions,” said Jonas Kempinskas, who walked from the Cathedral to the protest holding a huge cross.

It was the first Pride event in Lithuania, and it almost did not happen.

A Lithuanian court banned the march on May 5, following the advice of police officials who claimed that it would incite violence, but on May 7 the Supreme Administration Court ruled that the march could take place.

The rights of assembly and expression are guaranteed by the European Convention and the government is obligated to defend them, the court held.

Lithuania joined the European Union in 2004 and is required to observe European Convention human rights protections.

“There were storm clouds this morning, but now the sun shines and we see a rainbow in the sky and on the ground. I hope this peaceful parade will show the Lithuanian people that there is nothing shameful or frightening,” said Vladimir Simonko, a Lithuanian Gay activist.

Simonko said the parade would be held again next year.

Slavic Pride 2010 will take place on May 15 in Minsk, Belarus, and Moscow Pride is scheduled for May 29.

Moscow Pride has been banned by Moscow’s mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, but organizers say it will take place anyway.

Earlier in the day, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the office of Youth for Tolerance, a human rights organization that helped organize the event.

FIRST EVER: Philippine Gay party on ballot

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer

A Gay political party appeared on a ballot for the first time in the Philippines – or anywhere else, for that matter – where 8 out of 10 households are Roman Catholic.

The elections were held to determine whether Ang Ladlad (Tagalong for “out of the closet”), a political party representing LGBT Filipinos, would get the maximum three seats allowable for a marginalized or underrepresented party in Congress.

“We consider it a milestone in Philippine human rights. They are really always victims of discrimination, exclusion and even violence,” said Leila De Lima, head of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines.

According to De Lima, the Commission, citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil

and Political Rights, sided with Ang Ladlad when its fight for elections reached the Supreme Court.

Ang Ladlad has a five-plank agenda. The political party supports the nation’s AntiDiscrimination Bill (which would criminalize discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity), supports LGBT-related and LGBT-friendly businesses, supports setting up microfinance projects for poor and disabled LGBT Filipinos and centers to provide legal aid and counseling services for poor and aging LGBT Filipinos, and supports the repeal of the Anti-Vagrancy law – a tool that Ang Ladlad says has been exploited to extort members of the LGBT community.

Absent from their list is same-sex marriage, which Ang Ladlad officials say they will focus on later because “We’re going to lose on this one so we are going to focus on human rights first.”

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free-market growth

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Once nearly eradicated in China, syphilis is now the leading STD in Shanghai, China’s largest and richest city.

According to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on May 6, newly diagnosed cases are increasing by 30% every year, with the official government number tripling between 2004 and 2008 to nearly 280,000.

The rate of mother-to-child transmission jumped from 7 to 57 cases per 100,000 live births between 2003 and 2008, the study found.

“In the ‘50s and ‘60s in China, syphilis and other STDs were extremely uncommon.

The number of new cases has just rapidly accelerated,” the study’s lead author, Dr. Joseph Tucker said. “Even one baby born with syphilis in China is unacceptable.”

Tucker is an infectious disease specialist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Some of the increase can be attributed to better reporting and screening, and one reason why the rate of syphilis among newborns may be growing faster is because they are being tested more often than in the past.

Nevertheless, the study found that prostitutes, along with Gay and Bi men – many of them married, with children – were driving the increases.

The Chinese Communist government succeeded in nearly eliminating syphilis through a mass campaign in the 1960s.

Brothels were closed, and prostitutes were given free medical treatment for STDs. A mass propaganda campaign encouraged regular screenings and safer sexual practices.

As free-market reforms transformed China’s economy in the 1980s, the disease rebounded at an unprecedented rate, however.

The increase in syphilis infections reflects the growth of a cash-based industrial economy, providing both Chinese businessmen and migrant laborers with disposable income, and opportunities to buy unsafe sex while away from home.

China’s integration into the global economy and its government’s desire to market the country as a cosmopolitan business and tourist destination has also led to a growing sex industry in business centers like Shanghai and tourist resorts like Dali.

Unlike other STDs, such as gonorrhea or Chlamydia, syphilis destroys the central nervous system and can be fatal if left untreated.

“This damage is irreversible,” said Dr.

Connie Osborne, a senior HIV adviser at WHO in China. “Prevention of maternal syphilis combined with routine screening of pregnant women and early treatment of neonatal syphilis can prevent most, if not all, cases.”

The disease is relatively simple to cure.

Usually only a shot of penicillin is required, but many people never experience specific symptoms and consequently the disease often remains undiagnosed.

Unfortunately, China does not require routine syphilis screenings for pregnant women.

Since the 1990s, China’s government has made huge strides in openly addressing the spread of HIV, which is easier to transmit and catch if other infections, like syphilis, are also present.

Social stigma remains a huge barrier for people infected with any STD, however, making it important for tests and treatment to be moved out of doctors’ offices and into brothels, nightclubs and communities where high-risk groups gather.

Reaching married men who have sex with men in China is particularly tricky because they remain deeply closeted and do not associate with Gay men socially, according to Paul Causey, a consultant with the Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health in Bangkok.

Chen Xiangsheng, deputy director of China’s National Center for Sexually Transmitted Disease Control, said that his government needs to do a better job of integrating screening for HIV and other STDs, as well as figuring out how and when testing and treatment should be carried out all the way down to the community level.

Chen’s observations were published last fall in a World Health Organization (WHO) journal. Chen also co-authored the NEJM study.

“Unlike many Western countries, China does not have an STI public health program – which it should have,” he said. “State policy has focused mainly on HIV/AIDS.” WHO estimates some 12 million people worldwide are infected with syphilis every year. The disease affects some 2 million pregnancies, with about one quarter of them resulting in miscarriages or stillbirths.

Twenty-five percent of the babies who survive are born underweight or with serious infections, increasing a newborn’s risk of death during the first fragile weeks of life.

Syphilis can also cause deafness, neurological problems or bone deformities in newborns.

The significance of Ang Ladlad can be seen around the world, as they are the world’s only known Gay political party.

There have been other attempts, but ultimately, nothing has ever materialized.

Sam Cook, communications and research director of the New York-based International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, told CNN he was not aware of any other organization like Ang Ladlad.

In addition, the Washington-based Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Leadership Institute, which supports LGBT candidates to all levels of office, said there has not been an equivalent in the U.S.

May 14, 2010

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Celebrating 37 Years!

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Seattle Gay News 15

HIV. Lambert House offers 22 programs including mentoring, support groups, case management, HIV prevention, and social and recreational opportunities for this underserved population.

The event kicked off with a welcome mixer, where guests got a chance to get to know

together and putting the successful event together from beginning to end.

Immediately following the Julia’s on Broadway main benefit came the afterparty.

Also produced by Synergy Events, “Dessert” was hosted by Lady Chablis and held at R Place, where the fundraising efforts continued.

jorge hernandez

youth. Lambert House provides services for youth who have been abandoned by their families and those at risk for school failure, homelessness, chemical dependency, and

one another before the Julia’s on Broadway staff assisted in serving a buffet-style dinner and drinks. Seattle’s celebrated DJ Kryspin entertained the crowd with music.

The emcee for the night, Mark “Mom” Finley, flawlessly hosted the evening with the brand of comedy, cabaret, and character that has made Finley one of the city’s best-know drag queens.

Performances throughout the night included Isaac Scott, Jetta, Sharon Husbenz, Aleksa Manila, Lady Chablis, and Mark “Mom” Finley.

During the intermission, Lambert House’s Executive Director Ken Shulman thanked everyone for showing up to support the organization. Shulman explained to everyone the services that Lambert House offers and said he was moved to see so many past “Lambert House graduates” in the audience.

In a particularly moving part of the benefit, Shulman was joined on stage by four Lambert House youth: Squid, Erika, John, and Sonny. Each youth told the audience why Lambert House was important to them.

For William Pontius and Justin Giossi of Synergy Events, helping Lambert House was an honor. The organization’s officials told SGN that they were proud to work with Lambert House because of all the services they offer LGBT youth. Synergy Events was responsible for getting all of the entertainers

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer On May 12, a capacity crowd showed up for a Lambert House benefit at Julia’s on Broadway. The event, produced by Synergy Events, was a night supported by all aspects of the Seattle LGBT sphere. Business own-

jorge hernandez

Lambert House benefit showcases community ers and openly Gay elected officials mingled with community activists and Lambert House youth and volunteers, proving that our community’s generosity is alive and well.

Lambert House is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the largest provider in the Northwest of services for at-risk LGBT

Counseling Services

SPECIALTIES LGBT Issues Couples Counseling Depression Anger Management Domestic Violence Grief and Loss HIV/AIDS

Gary Sarozek, MA, LMHC

www.sgn.org

1370 Stewart Street 206-619-4187 (Across from REI)

Seattle WA, 98109

16 Seattle Gay News

gsarozek@comcast.net www.garysarozek.com

May 14, 2010

Celebrating 37 Years!

Seattle Volleyball Club’s winter season awards The winter season of the Seattle Volleyball Club concluded with a grueling oneday tournament on April 3. The tournament awards ceremony occurred at Chao Bistro on April 27. Intense competition, camaraderie, and good sportsmanship marked winter season league play. The tournament saw upsets of teams holding first place positions at the end of league play. The top division 1 team, Sweet Spot, was unseated by the Elitists.

The top division 3 team, Mad Hitters, was defeated in a series of come-from-behind wins by Justice League.

The winning teams and their members are as follows:

2nd Place: Balls Deep: Brian Boyer, Allan Deleon, Brandon Easterday, Gordon Klug Andrew Kolb, Kevin Niuvela, Jeff Pelzel, Fanuafou Tiapula 3rd Place: New Dig Order: Luke, Botzheim, Tiffany Butac, Allan Carandang, YiiAnn Chen, Wilson Lau, Kevin Moser, Dan Rotramel, Gabriel Saucedo

Division 3 1st Place: Justice League: Leif Anderson, Kyle Chao, Bill Krekling, Edgar Longoria, Taliau Niuvela, Tony Phan-leBlanc 2nd Place: Mad Hitters: James DelAlcazar, Lon Kissinger, Luis Lopton, Tony Ly, Barett McGavock, Archie Orbino, Mark Steffen, Sherwin Tolentino 3rd Place: Thundercats II: Jonny Dong, Jonathan Gronberg, Jackson Lum, Levi Division 1 Nordquist, Ben Nusser, Don Okazaki, Ryan 1st Place: The Eliteists: Kevin Battenfield, Smith, Holger Winnemoeller Orrin Brown, Jared Ferrer, Louis Galdeira, Nicholas Isaac, Keith Luttschwager, Marc Division 4 Nakamura, Devin Timpson 1st Place: Cabana Boys: Michael Black2nd Place: Sweet Spot: Alfredo Acosta, well, Stephen Chandler, Luke Forster, Eric Teddy Basladynski, John Bennett, Brandon Goemer, Matt Munday, Chris Walker, Jason Berg, Eric Camacho, Aaron Hult, Geoff Warne, Scott Winn Tongue 2nd Place: The Cocktails: Kelly Cassady,

Bryan SykesAllstarFull Servicers Andrew ChildsAllstarHappy Endings Finally, in recognition of the importance of good sportsmanship, the following individuals received awards for exhibiting and improving sportsmanship within the league: file photo

Courtesy of the Seattle Volleyball Club

Division 1 Marc NakamuraMVPEliteists Jared FerrerAllstarEliteists Aaron HultAllstarSweet Spot Richard FejeranAllstarHoochies Luke PrestonAllstarLiquid Force Chanelle MontonegroDefensive DivaVigilante

Division 4 1st Place Team From left to right: Chris Walker, Luke Forster, Matt Munday, Scott Winn, Michael Blackwell, Eric Goemer, Jason Warne, Stephen Chandler

file photo

Division 2 Sean MaguireMVPBend N Snap Tiffany ButacDefensive DivaNew Dig Order Allan CarandangAllstarNew Dig Order Andrew KolbAllstarBalls Deep

Jared FerrerEliteistsDivision 1 Kevin NiuvelaBalls DeepDivision 2 Robert FanSexy SideoutsDivision 3 Seth PrestwichThe CocktailsDivision 4

Division 3 Edgar LongoriaMVPJustice League Taliau NiuvelaDefensive DivaJustice League Barett McGavockAllstarMad Hitters Clarence ChiuAllstarRice Crackers Will YeeAllstarSexy Sideouts Jackson LumAllstarThundercats II Division 4 Matt MundayMVPCabana Boys Kelly CassadyDefensive DivaThe Cocktails Seth PrestwichAllstarThe Cocktails Dug WehageAllstarBlock N Roll Division 1 1st Place Team from left to right: Orrin Brown, Devin Timpson, Nicholas Isaac, Jared Ferrer, Keith Luttschwager, Not Pictured: Kevin Battenfield, Marc Nakamura, Louis Galdeira

3rd Place: Liquid Force: Benjamin Boyles, Joey Donato, Dennis Dulle, Heather Kalb, Manuel Espino, Bryan Getchell, Leifitele Seth Prestwich, Dylan Randolph, Ryan Mamea, Matt McCurdy, Luke Preston, Erick Spady Rowley, Daniel Tapia 3rd Place: Full Servicers: Jeremy Creasy, Chriss Curry, James Guzman, Kyle Montes, Division 2 Brent Ruth, James Swift, Bryan Sykes 1st Place: Bend N Snap: Tom Abrams, Andrew Baylor, Cliff Black, ScottItano, Brant Each division also included an “All-Star” Lyerla, Sean, Maguire, Dave McColgin, team. These individuals are as follows: Don Rupp, Kurt Wong

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Seattle Gay News 17

file photo

crats in Congress and HRC would be wise to recognize it and respond appropriately.

Solmonese, for example, should have apologized for the [Kathy] Griffin rally – it was a sorry exercise in star-fuckery that had no place in the serious debate over Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” residents, to the Bay Area Reporter, April –Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff in 29. an April 23 commentary.

“In 2004, the social question that animated the campaign was Gay marriage. Before the election season had unfolded, I had talked to George about not making Gay marriage a significant issue. We have, I reminded him, a number of close friends who are Gay or whose children are Gay. But at that moment I could never have imagined what path this issue would take and where it would lead.”

–Laura Bush in her new book, Spoken From the Heart.

“I don’t even know that there’s a word to describe the level of fatigue and outrage watching some of our purported community leaders being jerked around, co-opted, demeaned, diluted and diminished by the largest LGBT organization, HRC [Human Rights Campaign], that sucks the air and dollars out of the room without conscience, jerking the LGBT community around like a

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“I’ve had dozens and dozens of national and international media interviews since my election, and they fall into two categories: One category is, ‘Wow, you’re a Lesbian mayor,’ and the other category is, ‘How did this happen in Houston or how did this happen in Texas?’”

–Houston Mayor Annise Parker to the newspaper DC Agenda, April 19.

With assistance from Bill Kelley

Three Dollar Bill Cinema finds a new home

“Far too many of the Gay ‘leaders’ publicly defending the Obama administration’s lackluster record on Gay civil rights either run lobbying firms with interests before the administration, or are looking for administration jobs. It’s readily transparent, it’s the Laura Bush same people every time. They are defending by James Whitely

by Rex Wockner the administration for their own personal SGN Staff Writer SGN Contributing Writer gain, at the expense of your civil rights.”

Three Dollar Bill Cinema (TDB), Seat–AMERICAblog’s John Aravosis, April tle’s premier LGBT film organization, held “We in the LGBT community know what 24. an open house to show off their new home it’s like to be the target of discrimination, nestled right between E. Pike and E. Pine and we have to stand firmly in support of on Bellevue Avenue, here on Capitol Hill. other groups that are also impacted by disTDB members, friends, and representatives crimination. I think that’s the only way all of other local LGBT and film organizations of us collectively are going to have full showed up to show their support, donate to rights and full equality, if we make a point TDB, mix, mingle, and talk about movies. of standing together when one group is tar“It’s great, it’s big,” said Rachael Brisgeted.” tler with an excited laugh. The new space –Gay San Francisco Supervisor David is 1,525 square feet – a huge upgrade from Campos urging LGBTs to actively optheir previous 425-square-foot space. Very pose Arizona’s “horrendous” new “Papers, excited, she went on to tell SGN that “We’ve please” law targeting primarily Mexican never been able to do something like this before in our own space.”

For the past three to four years, TDB has strived to promote programs year-round.

Originally established to organize and promote the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, they expanded their programming in recent years with events such as Translations: The Seattle Transgender Film Pam Spaulding Festival and Three Dollar Bill Outdoor Cin“[Human Rights Campaign President Joe] ema, which takes place in Cal Anderson Solmonese ... and his organization often Park each summer, the Spring Film Series, sound out of touch with the average LGBT which features hard-to-find movies, rarely person. There is a palpable and growing an- screened film prints and classics, and Cineger with President Obama and the Demo- oke! (Think karaoke with movie-musicals.)

18 Seattle Gay News

puppet on a string with promises it cannot deliver on. Maybe words don’t matter in the rarefied bubble of power politics, I can tell you that that shit won’t go unchallenged any more.”

–Popular blogger Pam Spaulding (Pam’s House Blend) in an April 24 post.

With the increased programming that they’ve taken on recently, the move became both possible and necessary.

For TDB Outdoor Cinema, Bristler says we can expect two nights each in the months of July and August, but just which movies will be played are still in the works.

This October will mark the 15th year of their biggest event: the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

Three Dollar Bill Cinema provides access to films by, for, and about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people and their families, and a forum for LGBT filmmakers to share and discuss their work with audiences.

Visit www.threedollarbillcinema.org to learn more.

DADT

continued from cover separate from the armed services members who engage in or attempt to engage in homosexual acts, state they are homosexual or Bisexual, or marry or attempt to marry a person of the same biological sex. Nearly 14,000 otherwise qualified men and women have been discharged from the military under DADT, and many thousands more have chosen to not re-enlist because of the policy.

Enforcing and implementing the policy has cost U.S. taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

HRC, along with Servicemembers United, have been working together with lawmakers to get DADT repealed. This week, they hoped that personal narratives of military veterans would propel their cause forward.

According to CNN, hundreds of LGBT veterans and straight veteran allies attended the lobby day, and posed for a photo on the Capitol steps with Senator Joseph Lieberman, the chief sponsor of the bill that would repeal DADT. “Repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell!’” the activists shouted during the photo session, minutes before they met with lawmakers. The vets had received training earlier in the week on how to lobby mem-

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Celebrating 37 Years!

bers of Congress.

The debate over a possible DADT repeal in 2010 began when President Barack Obama asked Congress to end the Gay military ban during his State of the Union address. Since then, the Obama Administration and Congress has done little to prove that what the president said will actually happen.

Currently, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has commissioned a study to find out how to “best integrate the repeal.” Results from the Pentagon-led study are not expected until the year’s end. The timeline has become a major point of contention for DADT adversaries as each day, Gay and Lesbian servicemembers still face discharges under the discriminatory law.

Eric Alva, a retired Marine working with HRC, visited with his congressman, Representative Charles Gonzalez, a Democrat from Texas.

“He’s a friend to his constituents so we were there just to thank him,” said Alva, who was the first American seriously injured in the Iraq war when he lost his right leg after stepping on a land mine. He announced he was Gay after his medical discharge from the military.

Andrew Dawson, a former Marine Corps corporal from West Virginia, received an honorable discharge under DADT. Still, he says his discharge papers explicitly state that he was kicked out of the military for being Gay. “It sets me up to be discriminated against by future employers,” he said.

Andre Sauvageot, 77, served in the Army during World War II. Sauvageot says he is straight and “happily married to a Vietnamese woman for 40 years,” but said he came to the lobby day to show solidarity with Gay and Lesbian veterans.

“It’s a waste of human resources to discharge skilled military personnel simply because of sexual orientations,” he said.

Sauvegeot says he spoke with two Virginia senators, Mark Warner and Jim Webb, both Democrats.

“I’m very encouraged,” he said. “I think people are beginning to understand the common sense and justice in keeping with American values in getting rid of DADT.” Servicemembers Legal Defense network said their client, Sara Isaacson, a University of North Carolina Army ROTC student (discharged in March after she told her commander she was a Lesbian and told by school officials she would have to repay her $80,000 ROTC scholarship) was on hand to lobby lawmakers.

“Our first meeting this morning went very well,” said Isaacson in a press release about her lobbying efforts on May 11. “I was able to share my story and tell them about my dream to follow my grandfather and become an Army doctor. I think it was beneficial for them to hear it directly from me. I believe in living up to the military’s core values of integrity. If I could serve openly and honestly, I’d seriously consider returning to school today and serving my country after graduation.”

blood

continued from cover Bisexual men are permanently excluded from donating blood. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has, since 1985, enforced a policy in which any man who has had sex with another man (MSM), even once, since 1977, is permanently “deferred” from donating blood, regardless of the man’s actual HIV status. This policy, initially implemented during the early years of the AIDS crisis in an effort to protect blood transfusion recipients from inadvertently contracting HIV from infected blood, is one component of a set of donor eligibility policies that temporarily or permanently defer prospective blood donors thought to be at elevated risk of infection of HIV or other transmissible diseases like hepatitis.

The most restrictive permanent deferral applies only to a limited group of prospective donors. In addition to the MSM restriction, other groups permanently deferred are individuals who have received payment for sex since 1977, intravenous drug users, and individuals who have tested positive for HIV. The FDA has upheld the MSM policy through the years based on data that Gay and Bisexual men continue to be, as a group, at the highest risk of contracting HIV. However, others at elevated risk of HIV or other transmissible disease are subject to significantly less restrictive deferrals – or no deferral at all. A non-MSM individual who has had sexual contact with a commercial sex worker or HIV-positive partner, for example, is deferred from donating blood for only 12 months after that sexual contact.

Certain groups now known to be at high risk of HIV, such as African American women, are subject to no deferral at all.

Although the FDA MSM deferral policy has been in place for some 25 years, many LGBT persons, particularly in Jeffrey’s age group, are unaware of the policy until they are faced with the decision of donating blood.

“I SIGNED UP LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE” Last month, when Jeffrey heard that the Cascade Regional Blood Services would be sending a team to Lakes High School for a blood drive, he was more than happy to help.

“When it comes down to it, most anybody will do what they can to help save lives,” Jeffrey told SGN. “Donating blood is easy.

So I signed up to participate just like everybody else.”

On the day of the blood drive, Jeffrey said he was asked to fill out a questionnaire.

“One of the questions was if I had had any sexual relations with a man,” he said. “I put ‘yes.’”

According to Cascade Regional Blood Services officials, donors undergo a health history and are given a mini-physical prior to donating. In Jeffrey’s case, a mini-physical was unnecessary because, by answering

“yes” on the health history questionnaire, he had disqualified himself as a donor.

“I was taken into a room and told that I couldn’t give blood because I was Gay and that I was permanently deferred,” said Jeffrey. “I’ve always been taught by my mom to be strong and independent. Being told that my blood was deemed unworthy was horrible. I wanted to cry, but I didn’t. To some, this may not be a big deal. For me this was just another thing to add to the long list of things I am not allowed to participate in due to my sexual orientation.”

Jeffrey, who admits to being sexually active as a teen, says that, according to his last HIV test, he is negative of any disease. “The nurse tried to make me feel better but I was upset,” he said. “I felt targeted.”

Jeffery is not alone; there is an active debate within the FDA, American Red Cross, and with Washington, D.C, lawmakers – Senator John Kerry, in particular – about ending the “Gay blood ban” due to advances in the way blood is tested before it can be used in a transfusion.

Still, regardless of which side of the argument you fall on, there is no denying that blood is in need and that all too often there is a shortage in the supply but an increase in demand.

According to the Cascade Regional Blood Services website, someone needs blood every three seconds, one out of every seven people entering a hospital needs blood, approximately 38,000 units of blood are used each day in the United States, 37% of the nation’s population is eligible to donate but only 5% actually donate regularly, and a single teaspoon of blood can save a baby’s life.

The truth is, the average adult has 1011 pints of blood in their body and – since there is no substitute for human blood and almost all of us will need blood products in our lifetime – it might be time to rethink the FDA MSM policy. Cascade Regional Blood Services says that if donors gave two to four times a year, blood shortages could be avoided.

A DRIVE FOR CHANGE According to a 2010 study, “A Drive For Change: Reforming U.S. Blood Donation Policies,” the Gay blood ban is outdated.

At the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States in the early 1980s, the disease was a terrifying mystery to the general public, the medical and public health communities, and policy makers. The ear-

liest signs of AIDS appeared in the Gay male population, leading experts to initially (and incorrectly) speculate that AIDS was a “Gay disease.” It was only after AIDS cases began to emerge in other groups – including hemophiliacs and others who had received blood transfusions – that it become understood that AIDS was caused by a virus, HIV, that could be transmitted through certain contact with an infected individual’s semen, blood, or breast milk, regardless of the individuals’ sexual orientation.

For young Gay men like Jeffrey, the prejudice that “you are Gay so you don’t have protected sex and you have AIDS” is just plain wrong. “It’s very insulting and a dangerous insinuation,” he told SGN. “It doesn’t make any sense to point fingers at one whole group of people for their orientation because of a disease that affects everyone, not just Gays. I’ve always used protection; I believe that anytime you don’t use a condom, it’s like playing Russian roulette.

HIV/AIDS is not something to be messed with.”

Still, Jeffrey cannot donate blood – even though he is documented as being HIV negative – because of the MSM policy.

It is now a quarter-century after the FDA first instituted the current MSM donor deferral, initially conceived as an emergency response to the horrifying AIDS epidemic.

According to the “A Drive For Change” authors, great strides have been made in HIV/ AIDS prevention, detection, and treatment over those 25 years, as well as in recognition that HIV/AIDS in a not a Gay disease, but one that affects men and women, Gay and straight, and members of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

“Despite these important developments – and the fact that the HIV epidemic in the United States in 2010, unquestionably serious in its own right, bears little resemblance to the vexatious and frightening AIDS crisis of 1985 – America’s blood donation policies for Gay and Bisexual men have remained wholly unchanged through the present day,” reads the report.

According to the FDA, the rigorous screening procedures of donated blood have been credited with virtually eliminating the risk of HIV transmission through the blood supply in the United States.

The FDA requires all blood centers, including Cascade Regional Blood Services, see blood page 20

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Seattle Gay News 19

straight people, either. I just want to point out that it doesn’t make any sense to point continued from page 19 fingers at any one whole group of people.

It also doesn’t make any sense to lump Gay and Bisexual men into the same deferral to use standard operating procedures to rig- policy as a prostitute.” orously monitor compliance with regulations, and to use current testing technology.

NEW RECOMMENDATIONS Included in the routine safeguards are health A Drive for Change says, “Fortunately, screenings for all donors; donation proce- the opportunity to improve the fairness – dure calling for single-use, sterile supplies, and overall effectiveness – of blood screenand donors who have positive test results for ing policies in the United States is stronger infectious diseases being notified confiden- now than ever before.” tially and possibly being deferred from doOver the last several years, each of the nating again. In addition, prior to release for major blood bank organizations, includtransfusion, each unit of blood undergoes ing, most recently, the American Red Cross, extensive laboratory testing to screen for have expressed support for abolishing the the following diseases: ABO/Rh blood type, current policy for MSM donors, supported atypical red blood cell antibodies, syphilis, by contemporary blood screening technolohepatitis B (two separate tests), HIV/AIDS gies that minimize the risk of accidental (two separate tests), HTLV, hepatitis C (two HIV transmission through blood transfuseparate tests), West Nile Virus, and Cha- sions. gas.

The FDA has expressed willingness to Jeffrey’s blood, for all intents and pur- change the policy if evidence can be shown poses, is clean. The teen admits that he un- that a new policy would not increase the derstands the scary history of the early days risk of disease transmission to blood donor of the AIDS crisis and recognizes the need recipients. to make sure that blood is clean of disease According to the American Red Cross, before it is given to someone in need, but a number of other countries have recently what he can’t understand and would like to relaxed, or are considering relaxing, restricsee changed is the exclusion of Gay and Bi- tions on MSM blood donors. sexual men because of an archaic policy.

“Given this coalescence of science, pubJeffrey said he has “plenty of straight lic opinion, support from the public health friends” whom he would never accept blood community, and international momentum from. “Now, don’t get me wrong,” he told toward change, the time is right to advoSGN, “I believe in sexual liberation and sex- cate for blood donation policy reform in the ual freedom. I also have no hard feelings for United States,” said A Drive for Change in

blood

their report.

Jeffrey says he has taken all of this as a learning experience and, in an attempt to educate his classmates, read a statement over the school’s P.A. system about the “Gay blood ban” and standing up for what you believe in.

“There is always going to be hatred in the world against someone for one thing or another,” he said. “I am proud of who I am.

I would like to be an example of my generation, and I commend anyone who fights off hatred and soldiers on to inner and outer happiness.”

“For a LGBT person, every day is a struggle or a fight for equality,” said Jeffrey. “It takes a lot of guts and moxie to go out there and be who you are – which is a funny thing to say. I hope that, through my actions, I can do my part to liberate my generation and take a stand.”

murray

continued from cover Murray sent the following statement: “For far too long, we’ve asked those with the courage and honor to serve our nation to hide the truth about who they are as individuals. It’s a policy that has failed in its intended goals and done a tremendous disservice to men and women who want nothing more than to defend their country. As top-ranking military officials have indicated, it’s also a policy that simply doesn’t work. It is clearly time to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

In his State of the Union address to Congress, Pres. Obama called for repeal of DADT in 2010.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has asked for a delay of up to a year to allow time for the DOD to complete a study on the effects of repeal.

Asked to clarify whether Murray agreed or disagreed with the delay, her spokesperson Eli Zupnik answered, “Sen. Murray cosponsored this bill because she believes it’s time to repeal ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.’”

Murray becomes the 29th Senate co-sponsor of the bill. Sen. Maria Cantwell is also a co-sponsor.

The only Republican co-sponsor on the Senate side is Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon.

The companion bill on the House side, HR 1283, has 183 co-sponsors, including Washington Reps. Brian Baird (D-3), Norm

Dicks (D-6), Jay Inslee (D-1), Rick Larson (D-2), Jim McDermott (D-7), and Adam Smith (D-9).

Republican House co-sponsors include Anh Cao of Louisiana and Ileana RosLehtinen of Florida.

Murray and Cantwell are also co-sponsors of ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, as are all the Democratic House members from Washington state.

darcelle

continued from cover

– and has been – Darcelle XV, the legendary drag queen of the Pacific Northwest for the past 40 years. With thousands of shows under her tiara, Darcelle XV and company (whose numbers have varied over the years, but hover around nine drag queens and a male dancer) have performed shows in Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, B.C.; San Francisco, California; and Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada, to name a few. Dressed to the nines in all her drag queen majesty, the queen from Oregon has even performed shows in England, China, and India.

With all that experience and history, it’s no wonder Darcelle XV has created one of drag’s premier events: La Femme Magnifique. The pageant, now in its 29th year, is, as Darcelle XV puts it, “Glitz and glamour and a passion to win the crown.” This year, the regional contest will be held in Seattle at Neighbours Nightclub on May 23. The winner of the regional La Femme Magnifique and La Femme Magnifique Plus (for the healthier girls!) will advance to the La Femme Magnifique International, held on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend in the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. In the past, only three Washington drag queens – Coco Vaughn (Tacoma, 1986), Gaysha Starr (Seattle, 1994), and LaVada Dela Rosa (Seattle, 1996) – have won the crown. SGN caught up with Darcelle XV to discuss the magic of make-up, entertainment, and 40 years of fabulousness.

“In 1967, I bought a tavern [with Roxy LaRoy] in Old Town,” Darcelle XV told SGN. “The laws were very different back then. You couldn’t serve alcohol and have entertainment. But soon the laws changed, and our first drag shows were danced on tabletops. Forty years later, Darcelle XV Showplace is a full liquor bar with food and cabaret.”

Darcelle XV told SGN that the club exists – and thrives – because of the art of drag.

“It’s nice to see that drag has moved into the mainstream and is something that people from all walks of life can enjoy,” she said.

“It didn’t used to be that way, and it certainly was never on television. In the late 1960s, drag was unique and performed for all-Gay audiences. Shows were very primitive.”

Darcelle XV says that although they never

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May 14, 2010

Celebrating 37 Years!

ran into too many problems with the police in the early days, “Gay bars weren’t quite as open as they are now.” The entertainer says she credits drag for helping to promote the Gay lifestyle in a fun and positive light.

Over the years, there have been certain things that have surprised the seasoned entertainer and business owner. “During the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, we thought we might lose our audience because people were scared and confused about the disease,” she recalled. “But that didn’t happen.

We did, however, lose a lot of dear friends and wonderful entertainers. The drag community really did a lot of fundraising and benefit work during those early days. We helped out whenever we could.”

“I just closed Just Call Me Darcelle, a one-man show out of drag,” Darcelle XV told SGN. “I talked a lot about my history and the history of drag. I think everyone should sit down and write a one-person show. It is very wonderful. It is hard to do

because you can’t hold back. Mine took me two years to write. I didn’t hold back; I was honest with myself, and when I was through, I ended up with a very good outline of who I really am.”

“If everyone did that, then no one would need therapy,” Darcelle XV laughed.

“Drag is theatrical, of course,” she said.

“Eighty-five percent of drag queens take it very seriously. It’s a lot of work. You’ve got to gather material to do, and costumes are very important. Years ago, we used to just throw on a dress from Goodwill. You can’t get away with that anymore. Being a drag queen is also very expensive. It is, however, a beautiful art form.”

Darcelle XV says she had to learn her craft onstage. “Before I became a drag queen, I was doing male characters from book plays. But once I did drag, I became addicted. When the audience applauds you, it is wonderful.”

“The magic formula is to have fun,” Dar-

celle XV told SGN. “You can’t just walk out on stage knowing you are the most beautiful, painted-up creature. It isn’t just the ‘look’ that sells the show. The look is five seconds into seeing you – you’ve got to follow it up with talent and fun.”

Darcelle XV says that a good drag queen should be dedicated to the craft. “Discipline is important – from wearing stockings to wigs to make-up, you’ve got to have that discipline. A good drag show does not have ‘drag time’; performers should be respectful of the audience and show up on time.”

The 29th Annual La Femme Magnifique and (for the first time) La Femme Magnifique Plus will seat 800 people at 80 tables. The production is no small undertaking, and Darcelle XV promises that audience members are never disappointed. “The winner seems to stand out from the minute they walk out onstage,” she said. “The competition consists of formal wear, theme wear [this year’s theme is the Garden of Eden], a

talent showcase, and a Las Vegas showgirl [segment].”

“This year, I’ve been asked to be a grand marshal for the Portland Pride Parade,” she said. “When the parade is through, I will wash my face and go out with my family.

I have two children and two grandchildren from a previous marriage. Although Roxy and I have been together for over 40 years, we haven’t been able to conceive yet – but we’re still trying!”

“I think everyday LGBT people should be proud,” said Darcelle XV. “We need to be proud of who we are and where we’ve come from. In the past, a drag queen would have never been invited to important events.

Now, over the past 40 years, I’ve attended or performed at mayoral and city council victory brunches. I’m proud that, in Portland, I’ve helped with positive interaction between the Gay and straight community at large.”

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May 14, 2010

Seattle Gay News 21

Broaden your Horizons!

Open your home and heart to a foreign student and discover the life-changing experience of international exchange! Pacific Intercultural Exchange, a non-profit organization, has students from over 30 countries just waiting for an American host family. You can be that family! Whether you are single, married or even an alternative lifestyle, with no children or lots of children, you can be an ambassador. Help to teach a foreign student about real life in the United States, promote world peace, cultural awareness, global understanding and create a lifelong friendship. Call Shelli for more information today at 1-866-360-0598 and start an incredible journey!

Area Representative positions also available in your area!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

May 14, 2010

Seattle Gay News 23