Issue 22 Volume 37
Celebrating 36 Years!
FRIDAY May 29, 2009 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands
pride calendar p. 3
bat n rouge p. 4 captain smartypants p. 24
Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Darlene Nipper speaks Court OK's California's Prop 8; at Seattle POCAAN rally/protest march in Seattle
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
ence to the People of Color Against Aids Network (POCAAN) center on May 21. When Darlene Nipper speaks, Rev. Darlene Nipper, deputy executive director of the Nation- she is talking to you, not throwing al Gay and Lesbian Task Force, brought her nearly 20 years of see POCAAN page 6 management and advocacy experi-
Shaun Knittel
shaun Knittel
Rev. Darlene Nipper
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer California’s Supreme Court upheld the state’s Gay marriage ban on May 26 in a 6 - 1 decision written by Chief Justice Ron George, leaving the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) citizens of California angry and activated. The California Supreme Court based its decision on three considerations: if the initiative was a constitutional amendment or revision, the validity of the initiative process itself, and if Proposition 8 itself is retroactive, applying to existing same-sex marriage. The court rejected arguments that the ban approved by Californians last fall was such a fundamental change in the California Constitution that it first needed the Legislature’s approval. In their 136-page majority ruling, the justices said it is not their job to address whether the ban is wise public policy, but to decide whether it is constitutionally valid, while “setting aside our own personal beliefs and values.” The 18,000 same-sex couples see prop 8 rally page 13
Prop 8 protesters at Cal Anderson Park
Operation Shine Seattle begins Pride weekend
shaun Knittel
the location of their first Shine – a grassroots, old-fashioned rally where homeless youth and their supporters meet. “This is my first time in Seattle,” Noble told SGN. “It is beautiful and everyone has been so nice.” The Seattle Shine began May 23 at Westlake Park, where Noble and other supporters formed up, eventually marching to Victor Steinbrueck Park. From 7-8 p.m., guest speakers from YouthCare, Seattle Office for Civil Rights, Social Justice Movement Advocates, and homeless youth spoke about issues facing the LGBT homeless youth demographic. Noble gives Seattle high accolades when it comes to caring for LGBT homeless youth. “Seattle is a prime example of a city that deals with youth in a positive manner. There are drop-in centers and they are doing well sustaining these kids,” Noble told SGN at the Shine last Saturday. “With enough funding and support, Seattle could (l to r) An LGBT homeless youth volunteer, Tomlin and Noble be a city that ends their homeless at the first Shine held at Westlake Center Saturday youth problem.” by Shaun Knittel According to Noble, as many out across America from downSGN Staff Writer town Seattle to raise awareness as 1.3 million homeless youth about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, sleep outdoors at night, and over Early on the morning of May and Transgender (LGBT) home26, Chloe Noble, Nicole Tomlin, less youth. The four walkers chose Jill Hardman and Matt Rouse set Seattle as their starting point and see shine page 7
main events
by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer It’s that time of year again … or is it? Seattle Pride 2009 promises to be special – with the recent signing of the “everything but marriage” bill into law and the observance of the 40th anniversary since the Stonewall riots of 1969, Pride will be bursting at the seams
with good feelings galore. It’s time to celebrate, honey! Looking for a place to showcase your best drag or rainbow apparel? SGN has got you covered. Here is a roundup of the major events making up Pride weekend June 27-28. see pride WEEKEND page 14