SGN Sep 11, 2009 - Section 1

Issue 37 Volume 37

Celebrating 36 Years!

FRIDAY September 11, 2009 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands

melvin van peebles p. 25 taking woodstock p. 27 village theatre p. 29

Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Activist bakers’ Pansy Division’s Jon Ginoli at Equality Cookies, Seattle event endorses Ref. 71 delicious funding

james whitely

Manager Andrew Cleary and chef Karra Wise of Columbia City Bakery

by James Whitely SGN Contributing Writer “Equality Cookies” are available now at Columbia City Bakery, in an effort to support the Approve Referendum 71 Campaign. The cookies sell for $1.50 each, $1 of which is donated directly to Washington Families Standing Together (WAFST).

Equality Cookies are heartshaped shortbread cookies with various equality-themed icing

designs and patterns. Rainbows, peace signs, hearts, and the HRC logo are what you can expect to see on these sweet treats, available from now until November 3.

The fundraising effort began Labor Day weekend, and in the first five days, 400 cookies were sold.

The initial goal was to raise $3,000 for WAFST. Andrew Cleary, the manager of Columbia City Bakery, see cookies page 8

The founding member of Pansy Division, Jon Ginoli, is in Seattle for his new book about his experiences as a Gay rock icon and to kick off his West Coast tour.

On September 10, Ginoli read from his new book, Deflowered: My Life in Pansy Division, at Bailey/Coy Books, did a book signing for fans, and played an acoustic set. He also had something to tell SGN and its readers about the Referendum 71 campaign.

“The book is about my adventures having an out Gay rock band.

I began piecing it together about 10 years ago … it took a while to remember all the good stories,” Ginoli told SGN. “We started in the early ‘90s, so it covers a lot of ground.”

Ginoli is very excited about his new book and is happy to be an author now, in addition to a songwriter.

On Referendum 71, Ginoli had one simple message for the young people of Washington State: “Get registered to vote, and vote. Not just this time, but always.”

Ginoli, who was in some of the Proposition 8 demonstrations in San Francisco where he resides,

james whitely

by James Whitely SGN Contributing Writer

Pansy Division founder Jon Ginoli wants you to vote to approve Ref. 71

doesn’t want to see more rights taken away elsewhere.

Ginoli also spoke on the debate in California about campaigning for Gay marriage in 2010 versus 2012. As much as he doesn’t want to wait any longer, he pointed out that, at least statistically, more voters – especially young voters – tend to make their voices heard during general elections.

“I think we should wait until 2012, during the presidential election,” Ginoli told SGN. Aside from the current movement issues, Ginoli is excited to be in Seattle. “Chris, our bass

player, is from Seattle, so I’m always shown where to go,” said Ginoli. “I remember the first show we played here. It was at the now long-defunct Gay bar, Tugs.”

Pansy Division will be playing their kickoff show September 11 at The Fun House, 206 5th Ave. N. along with The Avengers. Doors are at 8:30 p.m., Pansy Division goes on at 10 p.m. Tickets are $14 at the door.

For more information on Pansy Division, Deflowered: My Life in Pansy Division, and the show, check out www.pansydivision.com and www.thefunhouseseattle.com.

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: Raising HRC launches DOMA awareness to approve Ref. 71 repeal campaign

On November 3, Washingtonians will be asked to vote to approve or reject Referendum 71. After months of signature gathering and an exhausting, nail-biting, downto-the-wire signature check, the fate of the nearly 6,000 same-sex domestic partners in the state will be decided during Washington’s first statewide all-mail-in vote.

The State Elections Division began printing Voters’ Pamphlets and county ballots on September 10. By law, the Voters’ Pamphlet is required to carry every single word of the legislation.

The R-71 ballot summary says, “Same-sex couples, or any couple that includes one person age 62 or older, may register as a domestic partnership with the state. Registered domestic partnerships are not marriages, and marriage is pro-

hrc

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer

hibited except between one man and one woman. This bill would expand the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of registered domestic partners and their families to include all rights, responsibilities, and obligations granted by or imposed by state law on married couples and their families.”

On November 3, voters will be asked to approve the referendum, meaning they support the extended benefits for registered same-sex domestic partnerships, or reject, meaning they do not wish to see domestic partners in Washington receive all rights, responsibilities, and obligations granted by or imposed by state law on married couples.

With just six weeks until ballots are mailed and eight weeks until they are due, Washington Families Standing Together (WAFST), the LGBT advocacy group leading the Approve Referendum 71 Campaign, has shifted gears from litigation to action.

WAFST Chair Anne Levinson said the fight isn’t about the interpretation of referenda status because “something far more impor-

Rep. Jerrold Nadler and HRC Public Policy Advocate Allison Hewitt

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

As Congress returned from its August recess, the HRC announced a new campaign aimed at repealing the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

HRC President Joe Solmonese announced the Repeal DOMA Now campaign on the morning of see awareness page 8 September 10.

“A bill to repeal DOMA could be introduced as early as next week by longtime LGBT champion of equality Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY),” Solmonese wrote in an e-mail to supporters. “We’re launching a new campaign today to tell Congress and President Obama to repeal DOMA!” Nadler had announced his intensee doma page 17

Community Organizing Meeting Join us in your town as we kick off the campaign to Preserve the Domestic Partnership Law. Time: Tuesday, September 15 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Location: Broadway Performance Hall 1625 Broadway, Seattle, WA For more information or to RSVP please contact the organizers at volunteer@wafst.org or by calling 206.324.2570

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Celebrating 36 Years!

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New poll – Queers more confident than straights

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer LGBT Americans are far more confident in the direction of the country than their straight neighbors, according to a new poll released September 8.

Sixty-seven percent of LGBT adults said that the country was headed in the right direction, in contrast with only 45% of straight respondents. This is a significant increase from June 2009, when only 56% of LGBT respondents expressed confidence in the direction of the country.

While straight respondents were more skeptical of the current direction of the country, the latest polling nevertheless shows a significant turnaround from the situation just before the 2008 presidential election, when almost all national polls showed only 10-12% of respondents saying the country was headed in the right direction.

The new poll was conducted online by Harris Interactive – a global market research and polling company – and Witeck-Combs Communications – a public relations firm with experience in the LGBT market.

The survey included 2,709 US adults, of

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

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whom 378 self-identified as LGBT. The poll did not ask about issues like DOMA or “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which have strained relations between the Obama administration and LGBT activists, but the numbers do show continued goodwill toward the president in the LGBT community.

Eighty-two percent of LGBT respondents said they trusted Obama to do what is right for the economy, compared to 60% of the straight respondents. Sixty-nine percent of LGBT adults said they are confident the Obama administration will enact policies to fix the economy, compared to 51% of straight people.

Sixty-four percent of LGBT respondents said Obama’s stimulus plan had been successful, compared with only 39% of the straight ones.

Fifty-seven percent of LGBT respondents expect the economy to improve in the coming year, compared to 45% of the straight respondents. Thirty-one percent on the LGBT side expected an economic improvement within six months, compared to 24% on the straight side.

On the downside, 35% of the straight re-

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spondents blame Obama for the country’s economic problems, but only 13% of the LGBT respondents agree. 27% of straight people had no trust whatsoever in Obama to do what is right for the US economy, but only 7% of the LGBT people polled expressed no confidence in the President.

Overall, 75% of the LGBT people polled rated Obama’s job performance as excellent or pretty good, while only 49% of straight people agreed.

On a range of issues – from handling the threat of terrorist attack, to health care, to the federal budget – LGBT respondents took a much more favorable view of the president than straight people did.

Only on Social Security and the federal budget did the administration fail to win approval of a majority of LGBT respondents, but even on these issues the favorable/unfavorable split was much narrower than among straight respondents.

On Social Security, 52% of the LGBT people polled rated Obama’s performance as fair or poor, and 71% of straight people agreed. On the budget, 59% of the LGBT respondents rated Obama poorly, while a whopping 79% of straight people agreed.

“It’s not surprising to see the higher marks that LGBT citizens give to the president and his administration; last year’s exit polls, for example, suggest that at least three out of four Gay and Lesbian votes were cast for President Obama,” said Wesley Combs, President of Witeck-Combs Communications.

“Keep in mind, this survey also addressed overarching national issues, and not policy matters affecting LGBT voters specifically such as Gays serving openly in the military, or employment nondiscrimination,” Combs continued. “As we see our way through this difficult economic climate, we know that LGBT households are feeling the same stress and sacrifices as other Americans.

Nonetheless, the optimism and confidence shown by LGBT households is very telling, and policymakers and business leaders should take strong note.”

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

4

Seattle Gay News

September 11, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

WHY JESUS CHRIST WOULD VOTE “YES” ON REF. 71

Robert Rosencrantz’s statement on Referendum 71

CHOICES FOR SEATTLE MAYOR

After looking at more opinions for Seattle mayor and King Co. Council head. I may rethink my choice for mayor. Mallahan is “out of the loop” in politics. Being a highly paid corporate man who hasn’t voted in 10+ elections? I do see he got a favorable rating for the LGBT community, but so did McGinn!

McGinn has been very much into the environment, and no dummy in handling and running a non-profit corporation. Mallahan has the big bucks of his own from a highroller salary at T-Mobile. I will probably send a donation or two to the McGinn campaign. As for the King County head, I am NOT voting for Ms. Hutchison, she is just a Robert Rosencrantz right wing Republican pretty TV face, with no council experience as has Dow ConED MURRAY, WE NEED YOU stantine over the years. As I’d said, McGinn would be appear comfortable as a bartender I admit I would not like to see our sea- at C.C.’s! Not so with preppy Mallahan! soned senator leave a void in the State Senate, where he is a leader who brings people Lenny Larsen together across the aisle, who has defended programs for people with HIV/AIDS, and BRING ATTACKERS TO JUSTICE one of a very few Seattle Legislators with the will and the wisdom to address our transThank you for publishing this story about portation woes. But frankly I don’t want to the incident [Violent attacks continue on Capsee Seattle led by Mr. Either or Mr. Or. Nei- itol Hill, 8/28/09]. This is a maddening situather candidate for mayor has the depth of tion. What can we do to bring not only this experience or ability to lead Seattle. They attacker but the policeman to the forefront? are, unfortunately, so typical of a city that I live downtown and many nights, very will vote its future to death while other cit- late I can hear druggies, street people, or idiies solve their problems. ots in general so loud they wake us up. This Senator Murray is the only Seattle politi- has been going on for years and the police cian who could move this city forward, ad- do next to nothing about it and when you call dress the problems of budget crisis, public them in the middle of the night they somesafety and transportation (to mention three of times never show or even hang up on you. many) and do so without alienating the vast Swear to god. Several tenants in the building majority of those of us who live here. Sena- have tried the same thing with no success. tor Murray might be the only person capable I feel the only way to start making a of getting the self-absorbed members of our change is to expose them more publicly. city council to stop their endless pursuit of Between what I’ve experienced and what “me” politics for “all-of-us” solutions.

Sean B. experienced and so many others, I Whether you like it or not, Ed, I am writ- feel the police need to be brought into quesing you in. tion as our so-called protectors.

Personally and as public policy, I strongly support R-71.

Permanent, loving relationships are the cornerstone of a strong and durable society. We should actively encourage them.

Whether they are between people of the same sex is irrelevant; America should be gender-blind as well as color-blind towards people in love.

I am certain that R-71 will be approved and our State will be the better for it. Please join me in supporting R-71 by voting “approve.”

Bob Doyle

Marc

As the pastor of a Christian church who is in support of domestic partnerships having the same rights as married couples, I am greatly dismayed that those who have led the cause to get Referendum 71 onto the ballot this year call themselves Christian but are conducting themselves in anything but a Christian manner. They have used hateful words and untruthful speech against those they oppose, clearly ignoring the words of Jesus Christ to accept, love, care for and affirm all persons, especially those who are different from you.

The supporters of Referendum 71 have used deceit and lies to get people to sign the petition by telling others that the law under question, which gives domestic partners the same rights as married couples, would create situations which would restrict their free speech rights, resulting in the arrest of pastors preaching from their pulpits, or that it would somehow force public schools to teach about sexuality issues. Neither statement is true; both are lies used to incite hateful thinking and cause persons to sign petitions they might not otherwise have signed had the information they were being given been truthful. The so-called “everything but marriage law” does nothing to change free speech liberties or educational laws.

Are lies and deceitful behavior Christian? I don’t think so.

The Washington Values Alliance website states: “Hate crimes laws were enacted within months of the passage of same-sex marriage in Canada. The federal Hate Crimes Bill passed the U.S. House on Thursday of this week. We may be running out of time to address this issue without fear of jail time. I believe it would be foolish to wait another 10 months to two years to run an initiative under the current circumstances.”

I am at a loss to explain how so-called Christian people could oppose a Hate Crimes Bill that would address many of the issues Jesus Christ spoke about himself: justice, equality, the end of violence and hate. How is the hate crimes law even related to the domestic partnership law in the state of Washington?

The Washington Values Alliance also states: “I believe that Christians are paying

more attention to the issues at hand during these rough economic times (because of a newfound reliance on the Lord) and are more willing to get involved in political matters than they were during the good times.”

I would hope that true Christians who understand the love and words of Jesus Christ will be paying more attention to the deceptive, deceitful, lying behavior of groups like Washington Values Alliance who, in my opinion, are exhibiting anything but Christian behavior.

During the presidential campaign of 1971, the late Rev. Jerry Falwell was asked why he lied about Jimmy Carter during an interview in which he opposed Jimmy Carter’s election to be president, he responded, “The end justifies the means.” In other words, it’s okay to lie, even if you are Christian or a Christian pastor, if you think that will result in your side winning. Doesn’t sound much different from the behavior of some nonChristians.

Jesus Christ continually fought a battle of truth with the religious fundamentalists of his day. The Pharisees and religious lawyers constantly called his teaching and behavior into question, saying he was not acting consistently with their own understanding of the Holy Scriptures. Jesus was quick to point out to them in Mark 7 that those religious authorities invented rules to interpret their Scriptures and then made those rules more important than the scriptures themselves. So it is with modern-day religious fundamentalists who are telling people that they must oppose equality and justice issues. They are making their own personal interpretations of the scriptures more important than the scriptures themselves. They are telling us that the God of Love is now the God of Hate. I protest loudly about this horrible twisting of the Holy Scriptures.

The domestic partnership law isn’t about “special rights.” It is, however, about equal rights, something Jesus Christ would definitely support! Stand up with Jesus Christ for justice and equality. Vote “Yes” to affirm Referendum 71.

Rev. Ray Neal MCC Seattle

AFL-CIO’s Sweeney honored by Georgetown University, conservative Catholics protest award

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer AFL-CIO President John Sweeney was honored by Georgetown University with a Doctor of Laws degree on September 3.

Sweeney, a Roman Catholic who has advised the US Conference of Catholic Bishops on social justice issues, is retiring from his position at the AFL-CIO after 14 years leading the labor federation.

According to Georgetown President John DeGioia, the university sought to recognize Sweeney’s “dedication to fighting for better working conditions and human rights for workers,” causes “rooted in his Catholic education and beliefs.”

Saying in his speech at the ceremony that his Catholic faith has been “the bedrock of my life,” Sweeney went on to say that the “Holy Father [the pope] reaffirms our belief in government as a legitimate tool for correcting injustice and inequality, and for regulating business. He writes: ‘The market is not, and must not become, the place where the strong subdue the weak.’”

The Cardinal Newman Society was not happy with the guest of honor, however.

The conservative Catholic group, which describes itself as “dedicated to renewing and strengthening Catholic identity at America’s 224 Catholic colleges and universities,” protested the award of a degree to Sweeney.

Citing the AFL-CIO’s “advocacy for homosexual ‘marriage’ and laws mandating employee insurance coverage for contraceptives,” the Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) called on Georgetown to reverse itself.

“The Catholic bishops have made it abundantly clear that Catholic universities are not to publicly honor leading opponents of Catholic moral principles,” said CNS President Patrick J. Reilly. “We strongly urge Georgetown to uphold its Catholic mission and rescind the honor to John Sweeney.”

“This criticism is totally unwarranted,” Georgetown’s Director of Media Relations Andy Pino replied. “Georgetown University awards honorary degrees based on an individual’s distinguished accomplishments over the course of his or her career.

Throughout his career, John Sweeney has championed the needs of working people, demonstrating his commitment to principles of Catholic social teaching such as social justice and social equality.”

In March of 2009, the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO unanimously called on the California Supreme Court to invalidate Prop 8, which overturned the Court’s previous decision in favor of marriage equality.

In December 2001, the AFL-CIO National Convention passed a resolution calling for a “national law that codifies the EEOC and District Court rulings, making coverage for contraceptives available under health care plans on the same terms that the plans cover other drugs, devices, and preventive care for employees.”

The Cardinal Newman Society says both positions are contrary to Catholic moral doctrine laid down by a succession of popes.

CNS also expressed dismay at the activities of two AFL-CIO affiliates, Pride At Work and the Coalition of Labor Union Women. ”The AFL-CIO constituency group Pride

Visit us online www.sgn.org

At Work has repeatedly promoted homosex- for sainthood, with one approved miracle to ual ‘marriage’ and hailed laws in Connecti- his credit. cut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont in the Ironically, in his own lifetime, Newman face of strong opposition from the Catholic was accused by rival clergymen of being Church,” the CNS media release said.

Gay. Although he announced at the age of ”Another AFL-CIO constituency group, 15 that he felt a calling to celibacy, Newman the Coalition of Labor Union Women, was notoriously fond of the younger priests launched its ‘Contraceptive Equity Project’ in his entourage, living with one of them in 2001 to demand that employers provide as his constant companion for 32 years. At health insurance coverage for prescription Newman’s orders, the two were buried in contraceptives. The group advocates state the same grave. laws forcing employers to fund such coverage,” the CNS statement continued.

Sweeney was elected AFL-CIO President in 1995 at the head of a reform slate which promised greater democracy and inclusiveness in the labor federation. As part of that agenda, constituency organizations representing women, communities of color, and the LGBT community affiliated with the AFL-CIO as member organizations.

The Cardinal Newman Society spearheaded conservative Catholic protests this past May, when President Obama was invited to address Notre Dame’s commencement ceremony. CNS claimed to have collected 65,000 signatures on a petition demanding Notre Dame rescind its invitation. The petition was unsuccessful.

The organization was formed in 1993 at Fordham University to combat university recognition of Gay and Lesbian student organizations.

Cardinal Newman was a 19th century British churchman who converted to the Catholic faith from the Anglican church, and led a movement to return Anglicanism to its Catholic roots. He is now a candidate

September 11, 2009

Seattle Gay News

5

Thurston County judge denies R-71 challenge

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Thurston County Superior Court Judge, Thomas McPhee, said Referendum 71 will be on the statewide November 3 General Election ballot. The hearing of the lawsuit brought by Washington Families Standing Together (WAFST) came after the judge heard arguments at 1:30 p.m. in the county courthouse in Olympia on September 8.

McPhee dismissed the WAFST challenge in a statement delivered from the bench where the judge sided with the Secretary of State’s handling of signature-checks for R-71.

R-71 asks voters to approve or reject Senate Bill 5688, which grants registered samesex domestic partners the same rights and responsibilities as heterosexual married couples in Washington State.

Last week, Secretary of State Sam Reed ruled that R-71 had obtained enough signatures to go before voters.

The lawsuit, filed by WAFST, asked the judge to halt the vote on R-71 because Secretary Reed improperly accepted thousands of petition signatures that supported putting the referendum on the ballot.

On September 9, WAFST told SGN they would not pursue litigation before the Washington State Supreme Court. Rather, they would focus their energy and efforts towards the Approve Referendum 71 Campaign.

“We would only appeal if we could do so swiftly, and if we determine that’s the most helpful way to support these families who are under attack by these groups rights now,” said WAFST Chair Anne Levinson after McPhee issued his ruling Tuesday afternoon.

“Due to the compressed time period, the lack of access to necessary information and relevant documents and the fact that election day is less than eight weeks away, WAFST will not be appealing so that all of our energies can be focused on ensuring that families are not put at risk by the attempted repeal of our state’s domestic partnership law,” Anne Levinson, WAFST Chair, told SGN in a written statement. “At the end of the day, WAFST must concentrate its energies toward preserving the domestic partnership law enacted by the legislature and signed into law by the governor without the distraction of an ongoing debate over which of these two rulings is correct.”

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Levinson said there are two Superior Court rulings on a number of questions raised as to the legality of the referenda process and the signature count. The Court’s findings and conclusions are strikingly different, so the law will remain unsettled until there is a future challenge, she said.

She said the Court’s ruling created an unfortunate split in the interpretation of the applicable law, adding that there was a similar split between the Secretary of State’s office, which originally wanted to enforce the plain language of the Constitution and laws, and the Attorney General’s Office, which directed the Secretary of State to ignore these violations.

“The Court last week concluded that the Secretary of State’s instruction to his staff to accept signatures of voters who were not registered voters when they signed the petitions, or even by the time the petitions were turned in, was in contravention of the State Constitution and law,” Levinson said.

“The Court found that the Secretary essentially rendered recent anti-fraud legislation meaningless when it accepted petitions with unsigned or fraudulently signed circulator declarations. The Court found, as well, that the Secretary had not addressed the allegations of fraud either in its enforcement of the law or in its review of signatures, including those who had requested their names be removed from petitions after having been misled.”

She said the actions by the opponents of the domestic partnership law to hide the names of signers, hide the names of donors, hide the payments paid to signature gatherers and refuse to put true and correct names on the backs of petitions all played a role in the inability of the Secretary or the parties to ensure the integrity of the referenda process.

TWO TYPES OF SIGNATURES IN QUESTION The WAFST lawsuit specifically called into question two types of signatures accepted by the Secretary of State’s office.

The first type of questioned signatures involved those collected by signature gatherers who did not sign declarations, printed on the R-71 petitions, saying they were the individuals who circulated the petitions, and that the people who signed “did so knowingly.”

The Secretary of State has said that although a declaration must be printed on the back of each petition form, it does not have to be signed.

The judge agreed. He said state law says that “the language of the declaration appear on the back of the petition, but does not require that the declaration be completed or signed by a signature gatherer.”

The other signatures that WAFST challenged involved people who were not registered to vote at the time they signed the petition.

In response, the Secretary of State argued that as long as signers are listed in the voterregistration file by the time their signatures are checked, the actual date of registration is irrelevant.

Again, the judge agreed. He said Reed’s office knows the date when someone registers to vote, but “what cannot be known is the date when the voter … signed the petition, because that information is omitted from the statutory requirement for referendum petitions.” During his ruling, McPhee accepted more than 40 signatures of voters whose registration entered the voter rolls after the sponsors’ July 25 signature turn-in deadline.

Basically, state law doesn’t require a date.

“We’re pleased and gratified with the judge’s strong ruling, and now it’s time to move on, to get the Voters Pamphlet printed and ballots prepared,” said State Elections Director Nick Handy. “It was a close check, and we used great care in checking each of the signatures. There were many legal issues here, and we’re happy that the judge has concurred with our handling of the process. I was so glad to see how respectful the judge was in protecting the people’s right to referendum.”

Following McPhee’s ruling, Secretary Reed congratulated the elections team for its signature-checking process in a highpressure, high-visibility setting. Additionally, Reed praised the work of the Attorney General’s office in defending the Elections Division.

WAFST’s previous attempt to block R-71 was turned away last week in King County for technical reasons. However, King County Superior Court Judge Julie Spector said she was concerned Reed may have accepted invalid signatures. This week, McPhee overwhelmingly disagreed.

On September 3, the Secretary of State’s office told the printer to include R-71 in the Voters Pamphlet, which is sent to 3 million Washington households.

“Our view is it is time to move forward with this election,” Handy said. “It’s really time to let voters make a decision about this issue.”

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Seattle Gay News

9/4/2009 4:35:12 PM

September 11, 2009

by James Whitely SGN Contributing Writer September 12 marks the opening of Gay City University (GCU) at the Northwest School, 1415 Summit Ave. The annual education program for Gay, Bisexual and Transgender men, put on by Gay City Health Project, is now a Seattle tradition.

This year’s GCU has plenty of new course offerings to choose from, as well as some returning favorites.

This year marks the 14th year of GCU. This year’s GCU offers classes on various topics, including health, LGBT history, sexuality, and even finances.

GCU is $25, but scholarships are available

for those who need them. The tuition cost includes lunch, served by the cafeteria staff from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Abbey of St. Joan.

GCU begins September 12, from 9 a.m.4 p.m. Registration is open now, and full class listings as well as more information is available on the Gay City website at www. gaycity.org.

Gay City spokesman Jordan Duran says GCU is “a good opportunity for members of the community to be a part of the community, but also creates a space to teach and to learn.”

Gay City is a multicultural Gay men’s health organization and the premier provider of HIV and STD testing in King County.

Celebrating 36 Years!

NEWS

by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer Curt Gambetta/Queer Media Collective

Protesters targeting the sex ban at last year’s Bangalore pride parade.

Manchester city councilor acknowledges HIV infection A member of the Manchester City Council in England told Gay-pridegoers August 30 that he is HIV-positive.

“I and many other HIV-positive Gay men have experienced rejection and even hostility from within the Gay community, as well as support,” Councilor Paul Fairweather said.

“I cannot stand here tonight and talk about being HIV-positive without the love and support of my family, friends and colleagues. Many of us have this love and support, but many of us don’t.

“We have to beat the stigma and the nonsense surrounding this,” Fairweather said.

referendum that, if passed, would have required Parliament to ban “public advertisement of homosexuality.”

The committee said the phrase “advertisement of homosexuality” is unclear and the proposed law would violate constitutional free-speech protections.

It also said that advertising promotes products or services, and homosexuality is neither of those, so homosexuality cannot be “advertised” anyway.

The referendum’s supporters can appeal to the Constitutional Court. Should supportGays resist police ers prevail in court, they would then need harassment in Chinese park to collect 200,000 signatures to get the meaSome 100 Gay men in Guangzhou, Chisure on the ballot. na, stood their ground in People’s Park on August 25 when police tried to evict them, Petition seeks apology China Daily said. to Alan Turing Activist Ah Qiang said park guards tried More than 28,000 people have signed an to push the men out of the park, they reofficial petition urging British Prime Min- sisted, police came, the Gays continued to ister Gordon Brown “to apologize for the resist, and the police finally left. prosecution of Alan Turing that led to his A police spokesman told the newspaper untimely death.” that Gays have committed robberies and The petition is online at petitions.num- thefts in the park but Qiang said Gay men ber10.gov.uk/turing/. have in fact been the victims of park crimiTuring, who was Gay, is considered to be nals.

Anti-Gay referendum the founder of modern computing and was rejected in Hungary Serbia to see first Hungary’s National Election Commit- credited with cracking Nazi military codes gay film festival tee on August 31 rejected a proposed voter during World War II, helping save Britain Serbia’s first Gay film festival, “Merlinka,” takes place September 11-13 in Belgrade.

It is named after the late transgender actress Vjeran Miladinovic (“Merlinka”) who starred in Zelimir Zilnik’s film Marble Ass.

by Rex Wockner The festival will screen Kennedy Is GetSGN Contributing Writer

Indian gov’t won’t appeal ruling that legalized Gay sex India’s national government will not oppose the July ruling by the Delhi High Court that decriminalized Gay sex nationwide.

Other, mostly religious entities have appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court, but the government said September 1 that it will not join in.

“This is a really important signal to the Supreme Court on how the government would like this case to proceed,” said correspondent Vikram Doctor.

“This doesn’t mean it’s over,” he added.

“The Supreme Court case has become a bit of a circus with a whole bunch of people, mostly religious leaders, falling over themselves to file petitions opposing the Delhi High Court verdict. ... Some might have backing from evangelicals abroad.”

Given India’s huge population – nearly 1.2 billion – the Delhi ruling had the effect of decriminalizing, in one fell swoop, 17 percent of the world’s Gay people.

ting Married (Serbia), Marble Ass, Ghosted (Germany), Otto: Or, Up With the Dead People (Germany), An Englishman in New York (United Kingdom), Beyond the Pink Curtain (UK), Queer Sarajevo (Bosnia), The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela (France, Iceland), Love Sick (Romania) and Love Songs (France).

Financial supporters of the festival include the French Cultural Center and the British Council, said GayEcho.com.

Belarusian activist slashed with broken beer bottle Belarusian Gay activist Maxim Tsarkov was slashed by a Gay-basher August 24, according to website pride.by.

Tsarkov and three friends said they were first accosted by a group of homophobes in the Minsk bar Hall. The men disparaged Tsarkov’s group because of their sexual orientation and were evicted from the premises by security guards.

The assailants apparently later followed Ad#:0001659522-01 Tsarkov’s taxi and then attacked when he Day:SAT gotDate:08/15/09 out of the cab.

Size:1X4 Tsarkov said oneCust:SAINT of the men told him, PAUL “You need to answer UMC for your actions ... fag,” before breaking a beer bottle and flingSalesperson:KERI ing itMURPHY into his face. Last Edited TsarkovBy:SSCHULTZ was taken to a hospital and received 18 stitches.

Pub:HERALD RETAIL

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INTERNATIONAL

from German conquest.

“Without Turing and other code-crackers, we might be living in the Third Reich,” said leading Gay activist Peter Tatchell. “He helped us defeat fascism and win the war.

Turing’s arrest and conviction in 1952 for a consenting Gay relationship, and his subsequent chemical castration to supposedly ‘cure’ his homosexuality, were barbaric, inhuman abuses of a truly outstanding war hero.”

“Removing his security clearance and preventing him from continuing his work at GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) was an added insult and humiliation, which ultimately drove him to depression and suicide in 1954. With Turing’s death, Britain and the world lost one of its finest intellectual minds,” Tatchell said.

Turing was one of some 100,000 British homosexuals convicted in the 20th century under laws that banned Gay sex, Tatchell said.

NATIONAL

NEWS

Maine marriage law faces November 3 ballot vote Maine voters will say yes or no November 3 to the state’s law that legalized same-sex marriage.

The law was supposed to take effect September 12 but was delayed by the referendum process, which anti-same-sex-marriage forces completed on September 2.

Voters will be asked, “Do you want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages?”

Same-sex marriage is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont, and becomes legal in New Hampshire on January 1.

It was previously legal in California, where 18,000 same-sex couples are married but no more can get married because voters amended the state constitution last November to forbid it.

In addition, same-sex marriages from elsewhere are recognized in New York, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia.

Gay couples also can marry in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Sweden and Spain.

Rachel Maddow recovers from swine flu Openly Lesbian MSNBC host Rachel

Maddow recovered from swine flu and returned to the air August 27.

“Thanks to the great Alison Stewart for hosting while I had flu,” Maddow tweeted.

“I’m still a self-pitying half-sentient blob, but I’ll be so on TV tonight.”

A few days later, appearing on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Maddow said: “I went and I got diagnosed and everything and I got the special swine flu drugs. I’m better. ... I had it. It’s over. It’s done. ... It is the predominant strain of flu now. First my girlfriend got it and then I got it. It was just like a really stanky flu, and I had to take a week off and Alison Stewart did my show.”

Lambda settles with Birmingham over pride banners Lambda Legal and the city of Birmingham, Ala., settled a federal lawsuit September 1 stemming from Mayor Larry Langford’s refusal to let city workers put Gay pride banners on city light posts.

The suit alleged that the city’s action interfered with the free speech rights of the organization Central Alabama Pride.

The city will pay legal costs and attorney fees of more than $40,000 and will establish nondiscriminatory written “banner-hanging” regulations, Lambda said.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

With assistance from Bill Kelley

September 11, 2009

Seattle Gay News

7

IDAHO UPDATE: Transwoman candidate for mayor of Nampa

by James Whitely SGN Contributing Writer

awareness continued from cover

tant is at stake.”

“There are nearly 6,000 couples – 12,000 individuals – many of whom have children, who are registered as domestic partners in our state. They live in every county, in all parts of the state,” Levinson told SGN. “The domestic partnership law ensures that all of these families have the same protections, rights, and responsibilities as their neighbors. The law guarantees that they will be treated fairly, especially in times of crisis.”

Levinson said some domestic partners are seniors. She said often seniors can’t marry without sacrificing hard-earned social security, military or pension benefits. Others, she said, are Gay and Lesbian couples who rely on the domestic partnership law to provide essential protections to their benefits.

“It was for these families that more than 155 organizations joined together to form the Washington Families Standing Together’s Approve 71 Campaign,” Levinson said.

“To take a stand in support of the domestic partnership law.”

Levinson said it is on behalf of “these families that more than 70 volunteers spent every day from the end of July through September 2, observing the signature verification process.” She said they participated respectfully throughout, solely for the purpose of wanting to ensure that the referendum process was fair, accurate and consistent with law.

Levinson says that even though volunteers observed what they perceived as errors, the Secretary of State certified the measure last week.

“Although WAFST believes this determination may in fact be in error, WAFST must instead focus it efforts on Election Day,” she told SGN. “Ballots for Washington’s November 3 General Election get mailed to voters in six weeks,” Levinson said, adding, “The Ap-

prove 71 Campaign is reaching out to voters across the state to let them know they need to vote “approve” on R-71 to keep the domestic partnership law so that all families are treated fairly and equally in our state.”

One direction the campaign has taken is to educate communities beyond Seattle’s borders. WAFST has set up a number of “Approve 71” community organizing meetings in Bellingham, Everett, Kitsap, Olympia, Spokane, Tacoma, the Tri-Cities, Vancouver, and Yakima. WAFST officials are asking LGBT persons to bring their friends and family to join the thousands of other volunteers in their community in hopes of preserving the existing domestic partnership law.

Locally, WAFST has scheduled a Seattle community-organizing meeting September 15 from 6-8 p.m. at the Broadway Performance Hall.

APPROVAL OF R-71 IMPORTANT TO FAMILIES Laurie Jinkins, a member of the WAFST coordinating committee, has been working in Tacoma and Pierce County to gain support for the Approve Referendum 71 Campaign. Jinkins, a Lesbian who recently celebrated a 20th anniversary with her partner and their 9-year-old son, said seeing that R-71 is approved on November 3 is very important to her family.

“Every single family in the state of Washington ought to have basic protections,” Jinkins told SGN. “Such protections are fundamentally important for everybody.”

Jinkins said she’s really excited about the work that’s going on in Tacoma. From the very beginning, they’ve been organizing.

“Frankly, I am overjoyed about how active and involved Tacoma and Pierce County is,” she said. “We are set on seeing this referendum pass.”

Jinkins says there has been a fair amount of endorsements coming out of the county.

Since the beginning, local organizers had a goal of 100 donors out of Pierce County – a goal, she says, they are very close to reaching.

The mother and same-sex domestic partner said she was one of the first to volunteer

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8

Seattle Gay News

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September 11, 2009

file photo

Melissa Sue Robinson, a Transwoman, recently announced her campaign for mayor of the predominantly Republican city of Nampa, Idaho, in the November 2009 General Election. Robinson, 58, formerly known as Charles Staelens Jr., legally changed her name and underwent gender reassignment surgery in 1998.

Robinson, who was married for 17 years and is the former president of a construction company, still lives with her ex-wife, who serves as her campaign treasurer. The couple moved to Nampa from Seattle last winter.

Some residents of Nampa, where a Democrat hasn’t held an elected seat in local government in more than a decade, suspect that Robinson has no chance – not because she is Transgender, specifically, but because Senator John McCain received roughly 62% of the vote in Idaho during the presidential

election last year. Still, she hopes that her gender will not be used against her.

But Robinson doesn’t quite consider herself a Democrat on all the issues. In fact, she ran for city council as a Republican in Lansing, Michigan in 2004. On her website, Robinson wants to present herself as nonpartisan: “I ran as a Democrat in Michigan and as a Republican Precinct Delegate,” she writes. Robinson has supported both George H.W. Bush and John Kerry in the past.

Also on her website, Robinson addresses the citizens of Nampa, saying, “I want you to know that while the mayoral race is nonpartisan … I am for you. When it comes to business, I lean towards the Republican Party ideals and lean towards the Democratic Party on equality issues. … While I am a Christian … if you are of any other faith or have none at all, helping you, the Citizens of Nampa, is first and foremost, although the Lord will help me do that.”

Robinson says that if she’s elected, she’ll

Melissa Sue Robinson

bring transparency to city hall by televising council meetings. Robinson also claims that with her business experience, she can bring new employers to Nampa. She plans to enact an anti-discrimination and hate crimes ordinance and create a more visible police department. She sets her hopes high in wanting Nampa to “become another Austin, Texas, or Gainesville, Florida, which are university towns.” She also plans to push

for the building of a light rail.

In a statement on her website, Robinson says, “Most of all, I believe in God, Nampa and its Citizens. … I promise that as your mayor I will not try to push anything that you do not want. My main agenda will be jobs and transportation, in that order.”

More information can be found on her campaign website at www.equalityidaho. org.

to go to Olympia during the signature verification process at the Secretary of State’s office.

“Now that the referendum has been placed on the ballot, we are stepping up our fundraising efforts,” Jinkins told SGN. “Our first phone banking was done last night, and we have one scheduled each week for the next eight weeks.”

She said they are working to expand the phone bank effort to anywhere from two to four nights a week.

demographic groups, and is a majority position for those in the potential middle.”

The researchers plan to poll again in October, specifically, about R-71.

FUNDRAISERS BEING PLANNED Getting the community involved is essential to approving R-71 in November, Jinkins said. She is working on putting together a fundraiser based around anniversaries.

Soon, she said, John McCluskey and Rudy Henrya will celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Jinkins hopes to coordinate that anniversary with the 40th year since the Stonewall Riots and the 30th anniversary of the Tacoma Lesbian Concern (TLC).

She said the Tempest Bar in Tacoma is looking at dates for a planned block party that will feature live bands and other activities aimed at raising money for the “Approve 71” campaign.

“I am incredibly proud of the organizing and work that’s been done down here,” Jinkins said. “The people working to approve this referendum are very committed.”

Potential good news for WAFST and Washingtonians who support R-71 came this week as The Washington Poll released a report showing public support for same-sex domestic partnerships has increased substantially over the past three years. The poll was conducted by University of Washington researchers.

According to the poll, in 2006, about 59% of registered voters in Washington supported either same-sex marriage or domestic partnerships with the full rights of marriage, compared with 41% who favor fewer rights for same-sex couples.

By 2008, 66% of registered voters said they supported same-sex marriage (36.7%) or full domestic partnerships (29.3%). Just 32.6% were in support of lesser rights.

The poll found support for domestic partnerships and Gay marriage much higher around the Seattle area and among Democrats and liberals than in Eastern Washington and among Republicans and conservatives.

“The debate over the legal recognition of same-sex couples will no doubt remain controversial for some time in Washington State. Despite this, granting Lesbian and Gay couples the rights of marriage in their entirety in the form of domestic partnerships is a position supported by a majority of Washingtonians,” the researchers concluded. “This support is widespread across

cookies

continued from cover figured that if they did not reach the goal, he would contribute the rest of the donation – but now he believes the cookies will easily raise double his initial goal.

“The staff and ownership of our little bakery feel strongly that Washington’s domestic partnership law needs to be preserved, and after putting our heads together we came up with this sweet idea,” said Cleary.

Cleary – who wears his “Got the right to marry? I don’t.” T-shirt every day – and his partner are personally affected by this issue.

“I’ve always had a very loud mouth … but last week when I learned that they had enough signatures, my pastry chef, Karra Wise, and I came up with the idea. We wanted to make sure that there’s a daily reminder about the campaign.”

Like many, Cleary believes that visibility for this campaign is very important.

“I’m just worried that people won’t vote,” Cleary told SGN. Projects like this one provide huge amounts of visibility to this cause, and aside from raising money, help keep the campaign in people’s minds.

“I am calling on other businesses to do the same,” says Cleary.

According to Cleary, about 20% of the people walking into his bakery over the past few days have been first-time customers who came in because they had heard about the Equality Cookie fundraiser. Not only is Columbia City Bakery raising money for the cause, but they’re getting more customers.

“Imagine if Pagliacci [pizzeria] was able to do something like this,” said Cleary.

Clearly, Cleary has a point. If more local businesses took up the effort, raised money and visibility, or provided voter registration in their stores, this referendum would stand a much better chance for approval.

This is one of the first original grassroots ideas that has sprung up in support of the Approve Referendum 71 Campaign. Without being asked by anyone, the folks at Columbia City Bakery have taken this campaign head-on with their idea.

Columbia City Bakery is located at 4865 Rainier Ave S. More information can be found online at columbiacitybakery.com.

More information on WAFST can be found at wafst.org.

Celebrating 36 Years!

On Wednesday, September 16, Chapel Bar, 1600 Melrose Ave. at Pine St., will host thenewgay.net’s co-founder and DJ Zack Rosen to debut his “Homo/Sonic” party on the West Coast. This “alternative compiled by Rick McKinnon co-ed dance party for Queer folks and their SGN Staff Writer friends” will begin at 9 p.m. There will be no cover charge or minimum beverage REGISTER TO VOTE purchase; however, donations to support 23RD & UNION If you live in King County and are not NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN SWEEP Washington Families Standing Together registered to vote or need to change your On Saturday, September 12, from 10 a.m.- (WAFST) in their campaign to approve Ref. voter registration because you have moved, 1 p.m., join your neighbors to help clean 71 will be welcome. www.wafst.org. visit the King County Office of Records up the 23rd & Union neighborhood. Meet and Elections website at www.kingcounty. at the 23rd & Union Drop-In. A free BBQ LGBT EQUALITY WEEKEND gov/elections or phone their office at 206- will be held for participants after the clean ORGANIZERS SEEKING 296-8683. There is extensive information up! Sponsored by the Seattle Neighborhood PASSIONATE AND OUTSPOKEN about voter registration on their outgoing Group and the East Precinct Crime PrevenCOMMUNITY SPEAKERS voice mail if you reach their office after tion Coalition.

So you think you can speak? Feel strongly hours. If you live outside of King County, about your demands for full equality for all visit the Washington Secretary of State’s Americans? Have you done something great CAPTAIN SMARTYPANTS website at www.secstate.wa.gov and scroll to help fight for full equality? Have a burnWITH BOBBI KOTULA & down to the “Register to Vote” link in the ing desire to express those views at the SeWAXIE MOON home page’s “Most Requested Info” catOn Saturday, September 12, at 8 p.m., the attle LGBT Equality Weekend Rally? egory or call the Elections Division at 360- Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland If so, enter the Seattle LGBT Equal902-4180.

Ave., Kirkland, presents Captain Smart- ity Weekend “Idol” audition to compete for Deadline for mail-in registration is 29 ypants, the Seattle Men’s Chorus’ comic the coveted speaking platform at Seattle’s days before the November 3 General Elec- musical ensemble, in Air Smarty! with guest Equality Weekend Rally to be held on Suntion. Mail-in registrations must be POST- stars Bobbi Kotula and Waxie Moon. For day, October 11 at the new Federal CourtMARKED no later than Monday, Octo- more information and tickets, call 425-893- house, in conjunction with the National ber 5 to meet the deadline.

March for Equality in Washington, DC. 9900 or visit www.kpcenter.org.

Online registration must be received This contest is for those who have a gift no later than Monday, October 5 at 11:59 for public speaking and a passionate heart.

EMERALD CITY SOFTBALL p.m.

Organizers are looking for what inspires you ASSOCIATION FALL If you miss the 29-day mail-in and online to participate in this local/national event and BALL LEAGUE registration deadline AND you are not curEmerald City Softball Association is why this movement is important to you. rently registered in the state of Washington, sponsoring Fallball ’09, an ECSA Open DiDraft and video tape a speech you’d you can register in person 8 days before the vision softball league for men and women like to give - no more than 3 minutes in November 3 General Election at the King of all skill levels. Remaining play dates will length - and email it to outreach@seattleCounty Elections office in Renton. Contact be September 13, 20 and 27, and October 4. outprotest.org no later than 12 noon (Pathe Secretary of State’s Elections Division For complete details, visit www.emeraldci- cific Daylight Savings Time) on Friday, for 8-day in-person registration locations in tysoftball.org.

September 18. There are numerous ways other counties. to create your video and the committee enIf you have moved from one county to ancourages you to make it as high quality as 3RD ANNUAL other and need to change your voter regispossible.

MASSAGE FOR THE CURE tration, you must revise your registration by The Seattle LGBT Equality Weekend AT MASSAGE ENVY mail, online or in-person by Monday, OctoOn Tuesday, September 15, 18 Greater Outreach Committee will select the top five ber 5. If you have not revised your registra- Puget Sound area Massage Envy locations videos and post them on their YouTube and tion by Monday, October 5, call the King will offer special prices on one-hour mas- Facebook Page by Saturday, September 19.

County Office of Records and Elections or sage sessions. $10 from every massage will Voting will take place over the next week the Washington Secretary of State’s office benefit the Puget Sound affiliate of Susan and end at 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Savings for further information on how you can vote G. Komen for the Cure in support of their Time on Friday, September 25. Winning in the November 3 election. fight against breast cancer. While you enjoy will be based on the highest YouTube ratIf you have any questions or concerns a customized massage for only $35, you can ings combined with the highest number of about registering to vote or revising your feel twice as good knowing $10 is going to “thumbs up” from our Facebook page. In voter registration, please contact the King your local affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the unlikely event of a tie, the subcommittee County Office of Records and Elections the Cure, helping those in our community. will make the final decision. or the Washington Secretary of State’s This, and any other generous donations, can The two winners will be notified by email office. be made at Massage Envy during the event. and their videos placed on the committee’s Donations will be used to fund community- website, YouTube and Facebook channel.

MULTIFAITH WORKS Details on when and how long you will based breast health education, breast cancer SHANTI AND CARETEAM speak at the rally will come later as the comscreening and treatment programs.

PROGRAMS To schedule a massage on this special day, mittee finalizes their plans for the event. In SEEKING VOLUNTEERS please call 877-777-ENVY (3689) or visit addition to being invited to speak on stage Most of us have known people in our www.massageenvy.com to find a location in at the Seattle LGBT Equality Rally, winners community who have been affected by ei- your neighborhood. will also receive gift certificates and VIP acther AIDS or addiction. Many of us have cess to all the weekend events. watched as acquaintances have retreated APPROVE REF. 71 CAMPAIGN into isolation due to stigmatization of who BORDER RIDERS COMMUNITY ORGANIZING they are or who they are perceived to be.

HOST WEEKEND RUN MEETING Two local programs that excel in providing TO ESTACADA, OR On Tuesday, September 15, from 6-8 support to isolated members of our GLBTQ p.m. at Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 On September 18-20, the Border Ridcommunity are Shanti and CareTeam pro- Broadway, at E. Pine St., join your friends, ers Motorcycle Club will make a weekend grams at Multifaith Works, an agency that neighbors, and community activists and the camping run to Milo McIver in Estacada, welcomes volunteers and clients of any cul- Washington Families Standing Together OR. For complete information on Border tural, sexual or spiritual orientation. campaign to kick off the campaign to pre- Riders’ day runs or weekend camping runs, Both programs are a mainstay for com- serve Washington State’s domestic partner- visit www.borderriders.com. panionship and support in the lives of many ship law. For more information or to RSVP people within the LGBTQ community. Both contact the organizers at volunteer@wafst.

SEATTLE MEN IN LEATHER programs are in dire need of more volun- org or call 206-324-2570.

HOSTS SML EQUINOX X teers to serve a growing waitlist of individu“HEDONISM IN THE CITY” als needing support. Can you help?

On September 18-20, the Seattle Men in TASTEFUL COCKTAIL CONTEST The CareTeam training for new volunteers Leather present “Hedonism in the City,” an HOSTED BY GSBA is Saturday, October 10. The next Shanti On Wednesday, September 16, from in-town weekend for men (21+) in our comtraining takes place the weekends of Octo- 5:30-7:30 p.m., at SpringHill Suites Seattle munity. The $25 registration fee gets you ber 17, 18 and 24, 25.

Downtown/Bistro on Yale, 1800 Yale Ave., into the Friday night Cigar and Pipe Kick For information on these programs and help select this year’s signature cocktail Off Party, the Saturday BBQ, Tribal Inhow to become involved, visit www.multi- for November’s “TASTE of GSBA: South stinct Caning and Spanking Class, and the faith.org or call 206-324-1520. Shanti Pro- Pacific” fundraiser for the GSBA Scholar- Evening Dungeon Play Party. The monthly gram Coordinator, ext 228. CareTeam Pro- ship Program. At the TASTEful Cocktail SML Sunday Brunch will be a pay as you gram Coordinator, ext 226.

Contest, 11 Seattle-area bars and restaurants go event plus cocktails in the afternoon. For will vie for the honor with specially created pre-registration info and event locations, 18TH ANNUAL South Pacific-themed cocktails for your en- email RedBeardFrank@gmail.com. www.

PIERCE COUNTY joyment and your vote. Admission to this seattlemeninleather.org.

AIDS WALK event is a bottle of fine wine (valued at $50 On Saturday, September 12, from 9 a.m.- or more) to be auctioned off at this year’s GAY CITY CO-HOSTS 1 p.m., the Pierce County AIDS Foundation TASTE of GSBA. To register, visit www.

“SHIFTING WORDS” sponsors the 18th annual Pierce County thegsba.org or call 206-363-9188.

On Saturday, September 19, at 7 p.m., Gay AIDS Walk, a 2.5-mile walk starting and City co-hosts “SHIFTing Words,” an eveending at the University of Washington’s ning of spoken word in celebration of our CHAPEL BAR HOSTS Tacoma Campus, 1900 Commerce St. www. recovery from alcohol and substance abuse “HOMO/SONIC” PARTY piercecountyaids.org. and in recognition of National Recovery TO BENEFIT Month. The event will be held at Dunshee APPROVE REF. 71 CAMPAIGN

NORTHWEST

NEWS

Visit us online www.sgn.org

September 11, 2009

House, 303 17th Ave. E. at E. Thomas St. RADICAL WOMEN’S GIGANTIC RUMMAGE SALE DONATIONS WANTED VOLUNTEERS WANTED STOP BY AND SHOP! On Saturday, September 19, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and on Sunday, September 20, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Radical Women will hold a Gigantic Rummage Sale at New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S. in Columbia City.

The sale will include quality housewares, collectibles, books, toys, tools, working electronics, clean clothing, kids stuff, furniture, office equipment and more.

If you have items to donate, drop by New Freeway Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. weekdays thru Thursday, September 17 (and by arrangement on the weekend of September 12-13). Or call 206-722-6057 or email RWseattle@mindspring.com to arrange a pickup.

If you’d like to help out with the sale, call Radical Women to sign up.

IMPERIAL COURT OF SEATTLE PRESENTS “EMPRESS EXPRESS” & “EMPEROR’S TURNABOUT” AT NEIGHBOURS On Saturday, September 19, the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle presents “Empress Express” featuring The Electric SixString Wonder, Rock & Roll Empress of the Emerald City, Her Most Imperial Sovereign Majesty Olympia XXXVIII, Candace Derriere, at Neighbours, 1509 Broadway (entrance in alley between Broadway & Harvard Ave.), doors at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. $7 suggested donation.

On Sunday, September 20, the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle presents “Emperor’s Turnabout” featuring The Golden Hearted Silver & Rhinestone Tiger Emperor His Most Imperial Sovereign Majesty Rainier XXXV, Eric Bonesteel, at Neighbours, 1509 Broadway (entrance in alley between Broadway & Harvard Ave.), doors at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. $7 suggested donation.

For more information on the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle and the Olympic & Rainier Empire, visit www.imperialcourtofseattle.com.

FRIENDS OF THE CONSERVATORY IN VOLUNTEER PARK FALL PLANT SALE On Sunday, September 20, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., you can pick up orchids, epiphyllum, bromeliads, cacti and many other unique indoor plants at the Friend of the Conservatory’s Fall Plant Sale. The sale will be held at the Conservatory at the north end of Volunteer Park, 1400 E. Galer St. www.volunteerparkconservatory.org.

COMING OUT, COMING HOME, MAKING ROOM FOR GAY SPIRITUALITY On Sunday, September 20, local author, Kenneth A. Burr, will read from his new book, Coming Out, Coming Home, Making Room for Gay Spirituality, at 2 p.m., at Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main St. In a recent study Burr conducted heartfelt interviews with sexual minorities who were seeking meaningful connections between their spirituality and sexuality. When asked why he felt compelled to write his book, Burr states “As I began to collect the sacred stories of people’s lives, I felt I was standing on holy ground and given a gift that had to be passed on to others. Those who shared their stories did so with their blessings and hope that other sexual minorities and their allies might be encouraged to continue to enlarge their spiritual journeys as well.”

GAY SKATE PARTY AT BELLEVUE SKATE KING On Monday, September 21, from 7-10 p.m., come out for an evening of roller skating at Skate King Bellevue, 2301 140th Ave. NE. It’s a community social event for friends and family - fun and games for all ages. Cost is $8.00 ($5.00 under 18 years).

Regular skate rental included with cost of admission. Inline skate rental: $4.00 or bring your own skates. For more informa-

Seattle Gay News

9

10 Seattle Gay News

September 11, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

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September 11, 2009

Seattle Gay News 11

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September 11, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

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September 11, 2009

Seattle Gay News 15

Fed. judge rules against Texas liquor board fires release of petition sigs. agents over raid on Gay bar

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer On September 10, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle issued a 17-page decision ruling that the names and addresses of everyone who signed R-71 petitions will remain sealed from public view.

Protect Marriage Washington (PMW), a coalition of conservative religious farright organizations, argued that releasing the names would invite harassment, and in some cases, violence towards individuals who signed the petition. Likewise, PMW said they wanted to protect the businesses, churches, and homes of R-71 petition signers.

The defendant in the case, Secretary of State Sam Reed, argued that petitions are lawmaking documents and are subject to transparency like any other mechanism to set policy.

Releasing the names became an issue when Brian Murphy, a Gay blogger, filed a records request in July. Murphy said he wanted to post the information on the WhoSigned.org website, so that the public could confront the petition’s signers and have a civil debate about the topic of same-sex domestic partnership. PMW fired back, saying individuals within their campaign had already been subject to harassment and threats.

On July 29, Judge Settle issued a Temporary Restraining Order which prevented the state from releasing the information. Late

16 Seattle Gay News

last week, Settle announced he would rule on the matter on September 10.

Settle said the court had to determine whether it is likely that referendum petitions that were submitted to the Secretary of State should be considered protected political speech.

“The Court is unaware of any authority, including the Washington Constitution, which stands for the proposition that signatures in support of a referral must be obtained in a public forum,” Settle wrote in a September 10 ruling. “Therefore, at this time, the Court is not persuaded that the waiving of one’s fundamental right to anonymous political speech is a prerequisite for participation in Washington’s referendum process.”

He said the Court finds that PMW established that it is likely that supporting the referral of a referendum is protected political speech, which includes the component of the right to speak anonymously. Judge Settle said PMW established that petition signers are “likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary relief” – basically, their first amendment right of free speech would be violated, irreparably, if the State complies with the public record request.

“Our office has followed the state law that says referendum petitions are public records, and thus should be made available upon request. We believe in open government and think the judge’s decision is a step away from open government,” said Secretary of State spokesman Brian Zylstra in an issued statement. “While we are disappointed in the judge’s decision, we respect it and will continue to withhold these petitions from public viewing unless there is a different ruling in the future.”

Zylstra said when people sign a referendum or initiative petition, they are trying to change state law.

“We believe that changing state law should be open to public view,” he said.

In short, R-71 is headed for the November 3 General Election ballot, and the public is unable to know who exactly brought it there.

September 11, 2009

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) fired two agents and their immediate supervisor, disciplined two other supervisors and revised its policies in the wake of a raid at a Fort Worth Gay bar that left one bar patron with a serious head injury, TABC officials announced August 28.

TABC agent Christopher Aller and agent trainee Jason Chapman, who participated in the June 28 raid at the Rainbow Lounge, were fired. Their supervisor, Sgt. Terry Parsons, was not at the bar that night, but was also fired. Parsons had previously offered to retire.

A TABC internal investigation released August 6 found that Aller and Chapman failed to report that they used force when arresting bar patron Chad Gibson or that he was seriously injured. The TABC report also accused them of participating in the raid without their supervisor’s approval, disrupting the business during the raid, and wearing improper uniforms.

Sgt. Parsons’ direct supervisor, Lt. Gene Anderson, was suspended without pay for three days and put on probation for six months for inadequate oversight of his employees and their activities, and failing to monitor Chapman’s training.

Capt. Robert “Charlie” Cloud, who oversaw the Dallas and Fort Worth TABC offices, received a written reprimand for not following the incident notification policy, inadequately monitoring new agents’ training, and inadequately supervising Fort Worth employees and their activities, TABC said.

The firings were to be effective September 2. The agents may appeal the disciplinary decisions by submitting a written grievance by September 10. TABC Administrator

Alan Steen will make the final decision on any appeals.

The day before TABC announced its disciplinary actions, the Board voted to start an inquiry into remarks made by Steen during a July 16 interview with the Dallas Voice LGBT newspaper. The complaint was lodged by Christopher Aller, one of the fired agents, and alleges Steen’s remarks prejudiced the TABC investigation.

“If our guys would have followed the damn policy, we wouldn’t even have been there. … We have these conversations all the time and we don’t participate in those kinds of inspections when there’s not probable cause or reasonable suspicion or some public safety matter to be inspected,” Steen told the Dallas Voice at the time.

Steen was also quoted as saying that Aller and agent trainee Chapman committed multiple “clear violations” of TABC policy, although he did not identify the agents by name at the time.

TABC also announced a revised “use of force” policy prepared by former Texas Ranger Chief Earl Pearson. According to TABC spokesperson Carolyn Beck, the new policy had been under discussion for some time and was not a response to the public outcry over the Rainbow Lounge raid.

The disciplinary decisions announced last week only involve violations of TABC policies. They do not address the question of whether the level of force used in the bar raid was justified. A separate “use of force” investigation is still pending, with a report expected later this month.

Fort Worth police, whose officers also participated in the raid, announced that a new policy on bar inspections would go into effect September 1. According to Fort Worth Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead, the new policy would ensure that “we never, ever have to come here again and explain how something like this happened.”

In a report to the Fort Worth City Council on August 18, Halstead admitted that his department “led this effort [to inspect the Rainbow Lounge that night] and we asked for [TABC’s] assistance.” His previous remarks on the raid seemed to place the blame on TABC. Halstead also admitted that in addition to the seven people arrested at the Rainbow Lounge that night, several other bar patrons were taken into custody, placed in restraints, and told they were under arrest for public intoxication, but then released. One eyewitness, Fort Worth CPA Tom Annable, told the Fort Worth City Council that he witnessed 21 patrons handcuffed and removed from the bar that night.

Two separate Fort Worth Police Department investigations are also under way. Halstead said that state law gives him 180 days, until December 28, to complete the investigations, but he hopes to have them finished by the end of September.

Celebrating 36 Years!

doma

continued from cover

tion to introduce a DOMA repeal bill at an HRC fundraiser July 25. Nadler’s proposed bill would repeal DOMA’s Section 2, which allows states to ignore legal same-sex marriages concluded in other states, and Section 3, which bars federal recognition of samesex marriages.

“The impact [of DOMA] was symbolic until Massachusetts started marrying people in 2004,” HRC’s David Stacy told SGN September 10. “Now we can show concrete harms when some married couples are not receiving the federal benefits others receive.”

HRC has collected 50,000 surveys from supporters detailing the “concrete harms DOMA brings to the lives of LGBT Americans and their families.” The surveys were presented to Nadler on September 9.

As the HRC’s Senior Public Policy Advocate – “a nicer word for ‘lobbyist,’” he jokes – Stacy has regular contact with members of Congress on all HRC projects, including

DOMA repeal.

While he is “optimistic” about the prospects for repeal, he cautions that “there is no Senate bill at this point … and we don’t have a real vote count in the House….”

“We’re asking many members to change their position – to take a fresh look at [DOMA]” Stacy explained. “With new members who have come [to Congress] since 1996, we want to have individual constituents open up the conversation with them.”

Asked about the Washington state Congressional delegation, Stacy starts to tick off names.

“McDermott (D-7). He voted against it.

I’m sure he’d vote to repeal….”

“Norm Dicks (D-6) voted for it. It would be interesting to see if he’d reconsider….”

“Doc Hastings (R-4). I don’t imagine he’s persuadable….”

“Cathy McMorris (R-5) wasn’t there [in 1996], but I don’t see her voting for repeal….”

“Dave Reichert (R-8) has a better record [on LGBT issues] than most Republicans but I don’t know if he’d vote to repeal … although Reichert was a sheriff – he’d certainly understand survivor benefits for offi-

cers killed in the line of duty.”

“Smith voted for it. Oh, wait, that’s Linda Smith. That’s a different Smith from the one you have now. Adam Smith (D-9) is the good Smith….”

“Inslee (D-1) wasn’t there. Baird (D-3) wasn’t there. Neither was Larsen (D-2).

They might be persuadable….”

“You don’t have marriage in Washington,” Stacy continued, “but I think your representatives understand that the benefits of marriage are important to couples, and they’d be receptive to that message.”

“Apart from what goes on here [in Washington DC], the really important piece is indistrict lobbying,” Stacy told SGN. “Since the Republicans used [marriage] as a wedge issue, it’s important to break it down to members [of Congress]. What are the impacts? How do people’s lives change?”

Nadler’s proposed legislation would require states to recognize same-sex marriages concluded in other states where they are legal. A couple married in Massachusetts, for example, could travel to Virginia and still retain all the rights accorded to a married couple even though same-sex marriage is not legal in Virginia.

It would also require the federal govern-

ment to treat legal same-sex marriages in the same way they treat opposite-sex marriages for the purposes of income tax, social security benefits, federally administered pensions, and all other purposes under federal law.

DOMA is also being challenged on constitutional grounds in federal court.

On August 24, a federal judge dismissed Smelt v United States, one of three DOMA lawsuits. Two others still remain active, however.

GLAD filed Gill v OPM on March 3, challenging DOMA’s Section 3 on the basis of the 14th Amendment’s “Equal Protection” clause.

On July 8, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed Commonwealth v US Department of Health and Human Services, arguing that DOMA exceeds congressional authority in violation of the 10th Amendment.

While the US Supreme Court has so far declined to hear challenges to DOMA, lower federal courts have upheld it, leading many marriage equality activists to conclude that repealing DOMA through legislative action as Nadler proposes to do is a more reliable strategy.

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September 11, 2009

Seattle Gay News 17

by Rex Wockner SGN Contributing Writer rex wockner

“We’re trying to change the strategy of the movement. We believe that the strategy that we have followed thus far – which was what made sense at the time and a strategy that was advanced by good, dedicated, hardworking people – is nonetheless a failed strategy. I am tired of fighting state by state, county by county, city by city for fractions of equality. I am tired of compromises and I

“I joined the Gay liberation movement in 1972. If you had told me in 1972 that in the year 2009 I would be campaigning for the right to join the Army or get married, I think I would have started dating women at that time. I have no personal desire to get married whatsoever and I certainly have no desire to be a soldier. I’m old-school, I’m from Gay liberation. We wanted to end war forever and smash the patriarchy, and these are values I still hold dear, but I believe that any person who wants to get married should have that right, and I know that Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual people serve with distinction in the Armed Forces and that when they are killed, supposedly serving our country in these wars that I personally do not support, their partners back home do not receive death benefits. So ... it’s about the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution and the basic civil rights to which all people, including our people, are entitled.”

–Cleve Jones to Bilerico.com, September 4.

Re fees t duced hr Sept ough . 30

rex wockner

Cleve Jones

am tired of the strategy that divides us from each other. It is time for us to unite across state boundaries in a truly nationwide movement to win full, actual equality, which can only come from the federal government.

That’s not my opinion. That’s a fact. If we want to be equal under the law, we must now – as the great heroes of the civil rights movement of 1963 and 1964 showed us – turn our attention to the federal government.”

–Veteran activist, AIDS quilt founder and Milk movie character Cleve Jones, a key organizer of the October 11 National Equality March in Washington, D.C., to Bilerico. com, September 4.

“I think the time for decisive action is now.

We see from the polling in Massachusetts, for example, that even the most vociferous opponents of same-sex marriage calmed down after the fact. You know, the state did not explode, did not burst into flames, did not slide into the Atlantic. Massachusetts seems to be doing all right, Canada is still functioning, the cornfields in Iowa are still growing, you know. So it just seems clear to me, that if you want that bold step, you want to do it early in the [Obama] administration, give the electorate the opportunity to calm down and deal with it [before the next election].”

–Cleve Jones to Bilerico.com, September 4.

“This is our moment. This is the time to demand equality. If you lead with confidence, you can win it in 2010. Do not be afraid of it. And do not put our rights on hold any more.”

–Openly Gay Steve Hildebrand, who was Barack Obama’s deputy national campaign manager and now is pushing for a 2010 ballot campaign to repeal Proposition 8, speaking August 22 at the San Diego Democratic Club’s annual Freedom Awards, according to the Gay & Lesbian Times in its August 27 issue. California Gay leaders are split on whether to try to repeal Prop 8 in 2010 or 2012.

“I went and I got diagnosed and everything and I got the special swine flu drugs.

I’m better. ... I had it. It’s over. It’s done. ...

It is the predominant strain of flu now. First my girlfriend got it and then I got it. It was just like a really stanky flu, and I had to take a week off and Alison Stewart did my show.”

–MSNBC host Rachel Maddow on TV’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, August 31.

“My first date with my girlfriend Susan was at a shooting range. That was awesome.

It was ladies’ day on the range. Her sister is a lifetime NRA member and she was organizing ladies’ day on the range at her gun club. And so we shot AiR-15s and we threw tomahawks and we did archery and pistols and skeet. Susan was really good with skeet.

She was wearing a dress. I mean, first date, right? So we’re trying to impress each other.

She’s all dressed up to the nines, with this giant shotgun.”

–MSNBC host Rachel Maddow on TV’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, August 31.

Steve Hildebrand

“Despite all the dire warnings [about Gay marriage], the sky did not fall down. ... In fact, Massachusetts divorce rates are now down to pre-World-War-II levels: 1940. So, awkwardly, it turns out Gay marriage is a defense of marriage act.”

–Lesbian MSNBC host Rachel Maddow on her show September 3 following release of data showing that Massachusetts, which was the first state to legalize Gay marriage five years ago, has the lowest divorce rate in the nation – and that the rate continues to drop.

“I really do think that Gays are the best urban pioneers, and they’re the best neighbors you can have. People don’t seem to understand how good it is that if a Gay couple moves into your neighborhood and starts restoring a house? Hey – your property values are going up.”

–Singer Linda Ronstadt to PlanetOut. com, August 26.

“Some of the strongest community that we know in this country is in the Gay community, because they’ve had to band together to survive emotionally. I’m not so sure this country understands or values that.”

–Singer Linda Ronstadt to PlanetOut. com, August 26.

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Celebrating 36 Years!

“I had moved back to Tucson with my kids because I just thought it was quieter, and my family was there. But Tucson has turned out to be a very conservative place, and I didn’t want my kids coming home from school saying things like ‘That’s so Gay.’ So we moved back to San Francisco, and I sent my kids to a school that actively taught that homophobic remarks are just not OK, and my kids’ attitudes have changed as a result of it.”

–Singer Linda Ronstadt to PlanetOut. com, August 26.

–Lesbian comedian and actress Sandra Bernhard to San Diego’s Gay & Lesbian Times, August 27.

“It’s fascinating to see what’s happened in the Gay and Lesbian movement in the last decade. How mindsets have changed, how civil rights have applied to relationships between Gays and Lesbians. It’s just fantastic.”

–Singer Melissa Manchester to San Diego’s Gay & Lesbian Times, August 27.

glaad

“My Lesbian friends’ children are becoming teenagers. It was a big deal for about 10 minutes and now everybody goes through the same crap that everyone goes through in life. It’s lovely to see families show up in all different ways and that the pervasive issue is how wanted and loved the children feel.”

–Singer Melissa Manchester to San Diego’s Gay & Lesbian Times, August 27.

“In DC. Worried about whether the set for Meet the Press hides sneakers as well as the one at MSNBC.” –Openly Lesbian MSNBC host Rachel Maddow in an August 15 tweet.

Sandra Bernhard

“I decided to come out publicly [15 years ago] because I was talking to a new [British] Gay magazine, Attitude, which had just started publishing. It seemed a bit ridiculous to talk to them and not say I was Gay. It wasn’t a really big deal for me. But I had never discussed it with my parents at that age. I was 40 years old at this point. So it made my parents confront this issue. They were very nice about it all.” ­–Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys to the D.C. magazine Metro Weekly, September 3.

“Even when I’m busy, I run to the computer during the day and try to remind people [through Twitter] of little things and ideas.

It’s a nice creative outlet.”

With assistance from Bill Kelley

Seattle Out and Proud seeks board members

Seattle Out and Proud (SOaP), producers of the annual Seattle Pride® Parade, seeks several at-large board members to fill recently vacated spots. Ideal candidates will have a passion to serve the LGBT community by advancing our dual missions of advocating for equal rights for all persons and presenting the best and largest LGBT event in the Pacific Northwest.

The time commitment required to serve in these positions varies and depends on the tasks taken on. In general, from October through March, one should expect to spend a minimum of 1-2 hours per week on board business. From April through June, the activity level accelerates and you should expect to spend between 5-10 hours per week on board matters.

Additional qualifications include: Generous and gracious support of the organization in all its fundraising efforts, based on one’s individual financial capacity and one’s network of community resources.

Professional and/or personal skills and expertise you willingly offer to serve the organization, e.g. fundraising, grant writing, graphic design, volunteer coordination.

Ability to honor open and honest communications.

Availability to do “homework” regarding the organization and be willing to attend training sessions and retreats and, in general, commit to being part of a learning, growing organization.

Willingness to participate in an annual evaluation, both individually and as a group to better understand the strengths and opportunities of the organization.

Candidates should submit the following information: 1. A brief statement on why you’d like to serve on the board.

2. Your biography listing your community experience, employment experience, education, and any current or past affiliation with a non-profit organization. Please include information about special skills you may possess such as software skills, fundraising and marketing skills, or even conflict management.

3. Your complete contact information.

Deadline for application submission is September 30, 2009. Please email your application to info@seattlepride.org.

For more information regarding Seattle Out and Proud and submitting your application, please visit www.seattlepride.org or call the Pride office at 206-322-9561.

September 11, 2009

Seattle Gay News 19

A Seattle Out and Proud press release

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rajkhet dirzhud-rashid

Town hall rudeness and good times with my slave

by Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid SGN A&E Writer I don’t like boxes. I am human. Boxes make me feel confined and not able to be my true self. I don’t like people who like boxes, because they’re usually uninteresting and have little imagination. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. And, speaking of boxes and the people who like them, honey, is the world going nuts, or what?

Me and my love slave/honey bunny attended this town hall meeting on healthcare, hoping to get some answers and speak our minds on how we feel natural healthcare and preventive healthcare – something we both practice to keep us fit and happy enough for all of the in-the-sheets shenanigans we get up to – only to find ourselves in the middle of a mini war. Folks were yelling out ridiculous things at Congressman McDermott, who to his credit strode valiantly on (though we weren’t overly impressed with what he told us about what’s to come from the other Washington), and a man and woman with opposite views nearly came to blows.

Luckily, this one did not see any guns – yes,

there’s a group of these wackos who think they “have the right to bear arms” anywhere they damned well please – but me and honey bunny headed for the exits anyway, being much stirred up and a little afraid.

Ah, but we had a great dinner at this inexpensive and unpretentious little burger place in the U-District, went home, mellowed from the harsh meeting and my honey’s getting a parking ticket earlier (more of “monkey month” acting up, dahlings) and had wowza sex at The Digs.

So it all ended well, my little flower petals, at least for us.

We also got dual makeovers, getting “smoky eye” looks at Sephora in Westlake on our recent “day of beauty” when that one and yours truly (in her grrl drag) took that one’s day off to have some fun and pick up samples for this very column. Big hugs and honking huge thank yous to the folks at Sephora and Nordstrom for being so welcoming to my honey and me and accepting of two very out-of-the-box Trans folk. Now if only the whole world were like those folks, there wouldn’t be such fuss over referendums

Goddess of money

and healthcare, now would there? No sirree, Barbara!

Also, this one has been noting that my black sisters are still being mostly Grinches on the Metro of late and wondering what bus-riding Seattle can do to bring more smiles to these lovely lasses’ faces. How about a cheery greeting, or actually making eye contact and smiling a huge, hearty one when you get on a bus where a sistah is driving, eh? You never know, grrls, that chocolate lady might end up being the love of your life, and if nothing else, you’ll probably make her day. Enough with the hating and meanness that’s going around, and to a certain, particular meanie this one’s had to deal with lately: “kimi manuku,” “pedicobo ego vos et irrumbo” and “kess ohtak akhou

charmouta.” Get over yourself, already.

So, what has this one been doing and trying, besides doing my sweetie like a wild bunny top and getting me and that one ready for fall (our fave season, honeys!) and dealing with soap opera vixens? Well, I have been staying up much too late watching the lovely, big-screen telly my ex gave me and enjoying the hell out of Canadian TV, particularly The Tudors, and the late-night CBC movie. Looking forward to catching Being Erica (which seems to have some Lesbian themes, yippee!) and The Border, a yummylooking action show going for another season, looks like. Ain’t cable great, babies?

Yep! Also got another look-see at some cute firefighters who once again showed up at

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20 Seattle Gay News

September 11, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

The Digs, for heaven knows what reason and smiled at them from my little window on the world. I am also adoring the cute new grrls working at the Online Cafe (where this one does her computer thang until a new one comes this one’s way, probably via The Fabulous Brother, who this one intends to ask ASAP), especially the just plain biteable redhead that showed up the other day to check this one out. Computers ain’t the only thing good about that place, my dears, and we like the scones too, hotcha!

So, what have I tried that I want to share with you? Well, on our little “day of beauty,” I picked up samples of Frederick Fekkai’s Coif for sweetie, to help that one hold a cute, banged ‘do when she’s a grrl, and honey, this stuff’s amazing. And I tried Dr. Brandt’s Time Arrest moisturizer for la face, which is amazing too. Both can be acquired at Sephora, my dears, along with the most tasty shadows and liners and mascaras for fall’s “smokey-eyed” look. For that look, Wet’nWild’s Wicked Mega Eyes shadow is good too. Get that at Bartell’s or Walgreens.

Also, last but not least, viva John Hughes, who passed from this world to the next a coupla weeks ago. Hope there’s a party going on wherever you are, dear. That’s it for now, my sweet mint cookies, and do try to be nicer to each other out there, whether you’re driving or just walking around. Re-

member, we all live on this planet together, and it is my firm belief that we’re all here to learn something, not just take up space, so open your mind, leave the boxes for cookies and cereal, and take some risks of the heart,

already. You’ve no one to blame but yourself if, at the end of it all, you’re left alone and cranky with no hand to hold but your own, and there are millions of other folks out there to hold hands with, so hop to it,

Jose and Josephina, time’s a-wastin’! Peace out, kiss kiss, and buhbye for now. And do feel free to e-mail me at ijanaral@yahoo. com, whether it’s to book a reading or just express yo’se’f.

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Seattle Gay News 21

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22 Seattle Gay News

September 11, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

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Seattle Gay News 23