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Captain’s Log
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OYC Launches Safe School’s Spokane Program
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MTPC: Lifting Our Voices, Tackling Our Fears
14 If You See It—Say It, Stand Up, Speak Out Be a Hero
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18 School in Washington State for the Transgender Person: 101 22 New York’s Finest 28 PJALS Young Activists Leaders Program 32 One Family’s AIDS 37 EWU Pride Center 40 Starting at the Center 42 Price of Fame 48 Ask Amazon
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50 Livin’ in the 509 58 Comedy Corner 62 Celebrating the Life of Elvira (Schmierer) 64 Wedding Venue: South Senior and Community Center 66 Resources
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It is time to go back to school! While students return to the routine of structured classes, the rest of us breathe a sigh of relief as we won’t have to go through the process of making new friends, tackling an inordinate amount of homework and tests, and the anxiety that accompanies these time-tested tactics. Whether returning to the hallowed halls or continuing with the daily grind, we will continue learning more about ourselves and the world around us. Education comes in many forms—from passively absorbing knowledge by osmosis to aggressively seeking out information. No matter where we find ourselves, it is incumbent upon each of us to strive to make our world a better place for all. Some take this charge more seriously than others, but each of us innately knows the difference between right and wrong. Armed with this knowledge, we can make a conscious decision to look past our own best interests and look out for others—whether they be family, friends, acquaintances, and even those we consider enemies. One important lesson we can learn is to stand up for the marginalized. In one way or another, we all can be discriminated against and be made to feel less than. Step up and champion the cause of humanity. This is the final edition of Proud Times for 2013. It has been a good year for us. We started out, filled with hope—and that hope turned into reality. We have published 4 issues, each better than the last. Our writers’, editors’, and especially Kurt Schmierer’s contributions have made this endeavor possible. Because of their efforts, this publication makes me Proud! Our intent has been to provide the Inland Northwest much-needed information about the local Out & Proud Community. We are grateful to have received insightful and informative articles from local talent. We are ecstatic that submissions from around the country started flowing in from Sidney Andrews of Florida, April Rose Schneider of New Mexico, Jerry Rabushka of Missouri, and Jason M. Lee of Massachusetts. We are now welcoming the editing expertise of April Bresgal and additional assistance from Francine Moniz. Our desire is to continue providing important local information, while continuing to expand our perspective to include destinations from around the world. We are expecting great things from our staff. We have upgraded our website to provide a better interactive experience. Let us know what you think. It is our intent at Proud Times to provide you with a variety of ways to expand your awareness. In addition to reaping the benefits of our publication, we encourage you to share from your experience and understanding. Together, we can make our world a better place.
Dean Ellerbusch Proud Times Executive Editor
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In July, 2013 Spokane County United Way approved a Bold Goal investment to implement a Safe Schools Spokane project, which is a shared program between Odyssey Youth Center, Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS), and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Spokane. Safe Schools Spokane will help build the capacity and competency of educators and program staff to work with LGBTQ students and their families and empower students to create safe schools for all students by providing them with leadership skills and a community of support.
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Over the past decade, LGBTQ youth have become increasingly visible in our school systems. Yet, school systems have been unresponsive to their needs and slow to acknowledge that LGBTQ youth are there and in urgent need of safe and affirming schools. As a result, LGBTQ youth face increased rates of bullying and discrimination from their peers, teachers, and other school staff. Often this discrimination is based on fear, bias and a lack of understanding, competency, and training. Some schools fear if they acknowledge LGBTQ students, they are “promoting homosexuality.” This perspective has been used to justify the inequities LGBTQ students face. The fact is, there is a difference between being affirming and ensuring schools are safe for all students and promoting any identity or community over another. Inequities in our nation’s schools (including Spokane County schools) lead to a
lack of safety, which creates unequal access to education and increased drop-out rates. It is time for Spokane schools to acknowledge that LGBTQ students are here and LGBTQ visibility is continuing to increase—especially with transgender and gender nonconforming students. The Safe School’s Spokane program will help remedy LGBTQ student invisibility and shed light on the inequities LGBTQ students face in Spokane schools. The program has three components: a regional GSA network, a safe schools training program, and an advocacy coalition made up of organizations and community leaders of all ages. Regional GSA Network: Odyssey Youth Center will open its doors one more night a week for a youth led, adult supported GSA network. Safe School’s Spokane regional GSA network will support junior high and high school students in information sharing, networking, and peer exchange—while building the capacity of GSAs to start, run, and pass on a club. GSA network leaders will learn how to advocate for safer schools by educating the school community about homophobia, transphobia, gender identity, and sexual orientation, and addressing discrimination, harassment, and violence in schools. Spokane GSA Network leaders will gain many of these skills by joining PJALS 10-month Young Activist Leaders Program (YALP) to sharpen their skills to lead and make change and explore social justice with other Spokanearea young people who value equality, human rights, economic justice and peace. The GSA network will increase the number of GSA clubs in Spokane County.
students and their families. PFLAG will also organize speaker’s bureau representatives specifically for educators, which will include parents, students and community members. Spokane Safe School Coalition: Spokane Safe School Coalition brings together educators, parents, students, non-profit and community leaders who have a shared commitment to social justice, equality, and acceptance for all students. The Coalition participates in discussion and action around creating safer schools through advocacy and policy in Spokane’s middle schools and high schools. Through collective efforts, Spokane schools, community organizations, and student leaders can ensure safety for all students, providing equal access to education and increasing graduation rates. If you would like more information about Safe School’s Spokane Program, or if you would like to invest in safe schools by becoming a sponsor, please contact: Jude McNeil, Executive Director Odyssey Youth Center 509/325-3637 jude@odysseyyouth.org
Spokane Safe School Training Program: Spokane teachers, counselors, administrators and other staff will receive LGBTQ Safe Schools training from certified Odyssey and PFLAG trainers, gaining knowledge, comfort, and basic tools to address bullying and work with LGBTQ
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Gender identity is generally a person’s private
sense of being a man or a woman. Most people’s gender identity matches their anatomy; however, there are some people who feel different from their physical appearances. Trans people often experience gender identity in nontraditional ways. Gender expression is unique for every individual. Some of us begin exploring gender expression very early in life, while others may begin the process much later. Trans people are no different. They, too, must travel this path to self-discovery.
Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition: Lifting Our Voices, Tackling Our Fears By J’son M. Lee
I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Jesse Begenyi, the Interim Director for the Massachusetts Trans Political Coalition. She and her team are doing some amazing work giving a voice to the trans community and working to end discrimination. Jesse, thank you taking the time to speak with me. For readers who may be unclear, tell us what transgender means. Transgender is an umbrella term for people who identify with a gender different from the one they were assigned at birth. What is gender transition? A gender transition is the process that many trans people go through to live in the world in the gender they identify with. This can include a social transition where the individual might change their name, pronouns, hair and clothing style. Trans folks also often go through a medical transition where they may take cross-gender hormones and/or undergo various surgeries to feel more comfortable with their body. What is the difference between transgender and transsexual? The term transsexual is an older term to describe a trans experience. Today, more trans people
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are using the term transgender as it makes space for a range of different identities. The individuals whom I know that identify with the term transsexual have very binary identities and have undergone surgery. Why do you think society is so uncomfortable with transgender people? Our society was founded by straight white men, and as we have seen throughout history, anyone outside of this narrow identity is categorized
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as “the other.� As a society built on this context of who belongs and who is given privilege, trans people are oppressed. We also do not see representation of transgender people in our general history, and because of this lack of representation, trans people are seen as an unknown. Just as with many other oppressed groups, the lack of knowledge leads to fear and discomfort.
What challenges do transgender people encounter?
What types of services does MTPC offer? Does MTPC offer services for youth?
Trans folks encounter a lot of challenges, and most of them are due to discrimination and oppression. When thinking about all of the discrimination that the trans community experiences, it’s really heartbreaking. Trans folks have all the other day to day challenges and worries that non-transgender people have, and as a community, have to also think about how they are going to navigate through all of the antitrans discrimination.
We educate the public through media projects and provide trainings to a variety of organizations on who trans people are and how to become more inclusive of trans communities. We advocate with state, local, and federal government to pass legislation to give trans communities in Massachusetts equality under the law. We educate trans communities about their legal rights under current law, and assist trans folks with filing discrimination complaints when needed. We encourage the empowerment of community members through collective action with our Community Advocates Program. This program works to bring together a statewide network of transgender and ally leaders to support who can step up and work within their communities and help share knowledge across the state.
Trans people often face difficulties getting a job or finding housing. Many trans folks also experience challenges when accessing healthcare, as there are a limited number of culturally competent doctors. I’ve also heard some really scary stories about the discrimination trans people have experienced in emergency rooms. Many trans folks also encounter discrimination when trying to access general public spaces like restaurants, shopping malls, movie theaters, public transportation, hotels, museums and libraries, just to name a few. Tell us what the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) is.
MTPC also has specific projects that we work on like our suicide prevention project, the I AM: Trans People Speak video series, and our name and gender marker change kits. We also work on trans related issues in the areas of education, employment, healthcare, homelessness, housing access, voting, and law enforcement.
The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition was founded in 2001, and is dedicated to ending discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression. We envision a world where persons of all genders are treated with respect and fully participate in all areas of society, free from fear of prohibition, harassment or violence based on their gender identity and/or expression.
We work with our friends at the Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth (BAGLY) to put on our annual Trans Youth and Parent Summit. This daylong conference provides a space for trans youth to come together and participate in a variety of fun workshops and activities. There is also a separate parent track at the summit for parents and guardians of trans identified youth.
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What do you do in your role as the Interim Director at MTPC? As the Interim Director at MTPC, I am responsible for making sure that all organizational operations are running smoothly. This includes grant writing and donor relations, maintaining the organizational budget, working with our coalition partners, advocating in the state house and meeting with legislators, hiring and managing staff and interns, assisting community members, providing trainings for organizations, working with our Steering Committee, and really everything and anything else that comes up on a day-to-day basis. You’re also involved in I AM: Trans People Speak. Tell us more about that. The I AM: Trans People Speak project is a series of video stories that raise awareness about the diversity that exists within transgender communities. This project is near and dear to my heart as I developed the project and filmed and edited the original set of about fifty videos. I AM: Trans People Speak gives trans folks a way to empower themselves while sharing their own story, a way to be visible by participating in a nation-wide project, and provides a forum to learn about, connect with, and find support through the stories of other community members. This project also educates the public and policy makers about the reality of transgender people’s lives and the unique challenges they face due to pervasive bias, stereotypes, and misunderstanding. [More information] can be found at www.transpeoplespeak.org.
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Can you update us on any current legislation specific to transgender people? What can the LGBT community do to support your efforts? Right now in Massachusetts we are working to pass legislation that will add transgender protections to the existing non-discrimination policies in places of public accommodation. This means adding protections to all places open to the public like libraries, movie theaters, hospitals and emergency rooms, restaurants, public transportation, etc. This law is vital for the trans community, as trans folks are often turned away from access to these spaces that so many people take for granted. The larger LGB community can support the trans people by making sure that “LGBT” spaces are truly inclusive of the “T.” It is also important to make sure that trans voices are being lifted up within LGBT spaces and that when working on passing policies and laws for LGBT community that these do not carve out trans protections. Jesse, thank you for talking to us about MTPC, and for helping to give a voice to the issues that trans people face. For more information about the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, please visit their website at www.masstpc.com.
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by Nancy Avery
I have been an elementary teacher with Spokane Public Schools since 1986. As a teacher and ally in the Out & Proud Community, I’m concerned about bullying in school. It is amazing how many incidents we never hear about until we get a phone call from a parent. My first word of advice is, “Don’t assume the teacher knows about the incident.”
It is important that students tell a teacher or trusted adult that they are being bullied. Teachers and staff members often won’t witness a bullying act because bullies will do it when no adult is looking. Kids need to stand up and help one another and be able to talk to adults, and it’s important for parents and educators to encourage their kids to do so.
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Reporting incidents of bullying at the elementary school level begins with the classroom teacher. If he/she feels it is “too big” for them to handle alone, he or she should take it to the school Counselor, Assistant Principal or Principal for additional help. In the case of intentional bullying, the school has 5 days to respond to the victim’s family. However, if the situation is more complex, then it may take more time. It is also the responsibility of the school to provide support for the targeted student—the use of interventions to change the behavior of the aggressor and to restore a positive school climate. It is the responsibility of all staff members to report and document any incident of harassment or bullying. So, it is very important for parents and kids to understand the difference between bullying and other forms of conflict.
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Found on the Spokane Public School Website: CW 28A.300.285 defines harassment, intimidation and bullying as “...any intentionally written message or image—including those that are electronically transmitted—verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one to be shown to be motivated by race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, mental or physical disability or other distinguishing characteristics, when an act: • Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property;
• Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education;
• Is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or
threatening educational environment; or • Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.”
On each School District’s website, parents and students can find information about the District’s policy on bullying, intimidation and harassment.
July 9th of this year found me in my 40-yearold wedding dress, standing in front of about 20 bright-eyed Unitarian Universalist children. It was “Pride Sunday,” a day to once again celebrate the passage of Referendum 74 (it also happened to be my 40th wedding anniversary). I talked with the kids about the work that many Unitarian Universalists did to help make marriage equality a reality and how important it was to stand up for what you believe in. I asked them, “Does it seem sometimes that only adults can be heroes?” There were many nodding heads. I went on to say that they could be heroes by standing up to someone who was teasing or bullying another child—even little guys can be heroes. My final question to them that morning was how many of them thought they could stand up for what is right and got 20 thumbs up. My little UU heroes, they will go on to make a difference in the world.
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District 81’s website clarifies the difference between conflicts and bullying:
Other Conflict/Fighting
Bullying
Between friends/equals/peers Spontaneous/occasional Accidental/not planned No serious, lasting harm Equal emotional reaction Not for domination/control Often a sense of remorse May try to solve problem
Not friends/imbalance of power Repeat over time Intentional Physical/emotional harm Unequal emotional reaction Seeking control/possession No remorse, blames target No effort to solve problem
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Being transgender in school can be a challenge. Even for the closeted pre-transition transsexual, life in a school setting can be miserable. My own experiences are from the viewpoint of a closeted transsexual in school, as I never came out in my school years. I do know that, for a closeted transsexual in school, people pick up on the fact that something is “off” about you. They may not be able to put their finger on exactly what it is, but they know on a primal level that something is peculiar. For a male-to-female (MTF) transsexual, it can be rather brutal when the males realize that you are different. Once the pack picks up on that knowledge, the young MTF can expect some level of abuse. It can range from mild hazing that comes from a misguided effort to make the transsexual “man up,” to downright hate and murder in the worst of cases. Misogyny and homophobia contribute to this hatred. (I cannot speak to the closeted female-to-male pre-transition transsexual in school, as I have not had that experience. But, I hear it can be rather brutal in its own right.) I asked a number of folks some questions in a survey about the topic. Their answers were eye-opening for me. I had assumed that in Washington State and other locations with trans* protections on the books, that things would be easy for the transsexual person in school. But, it would seem that this is not the case. Even though Washington and many other places have protections on paper, enforcing these protections seems to be a daunting task.
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The following are responses from Washington State high school students: What form of abuse did you receive as a pre-transition transsexual in school? I was verbally harassed a lot by other students and had a couple incidents of being slammed into lockers or locked in the bathrooms which eventually lead me to transferring schools part way through the year. Did you transition while attending school? I started using my new name and going by male during school and that’s as far as my transitioning while in school went. What were the hurdles to your transition in school? There were essentially no policies on what my teachers or I were to do regarding my name during role, or what I was to do during gym class or for bathrooms, and many of the teachers were less than accepting of having a trans* person in their class. Did the faculty help or hinder your transition in school? A couple of the teachers were very helpful and stood up for me when needed (during bullying or being sent to the office or
notifying a substitute of my name when they were going to be gone). The majority of my teachers though did nothing and only changed my name when they were calling role so they wouldn’t have to deal with being corrected every day. Did you face transphobia in school? I guess in a way I did because I was targeted a lot during marching band, in the halls and in class to be either singled out or just to be harassed and no one really doing anything to help. Did you face abuse in school due to your transition? Yes, all but one incident of bullying was because of it. Did you have to face bathroom issues in school during your transition? I was told by the principal that I was required to use the girl’s bathroom or the one in the nurse’s office because otherwise they couldn’t protect or defend me if/when something happened because I was using the “wrong one.” Did anyone know of your transition? If so, did you face any issues due to your transition while in school? I was outed not even a week into the school year so most of the school knew me as “that one trans* freak,” among other things which set me up for all kinds of hell after that point.
So we can see—just by these answers I received—that even though there are plenty of trans* protections in Washington State, implementing them and actually being safe can be a challenge. One issue that was universal in my surveys was bathroom issues; the right of transgender people to use the bathroom of their choice is not a settled matter in the State of Washington. One would think that the laws we have would cover this— but, they do not. Anyone interested in the bathroom issue need only look into the case of Norma Ballhorn. She was recently run out of a bathroom in a bar and there was no recourse she could take, other than a costly court case she cannot afford. I will not go into the Ballhorn case with this article— no need to digress. Just be aware that the bathroom issue has not been resolved. (http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/ sep/16/transgender-woman-in-fight-to-userestrooms/) I would highly suggest that transgender individuals who are likely to utilize any public bathroom have what is known as a “carry letter.” A carry letter is a missive from a mental health professional that attests to the fact that the transgender person it is written for is indeed a transsexual in treatment. This document of course will not protect a transgender person from any bigot attacks, but it can be a great boon when dealing with law enforcement and professionals. Getting everyone in the schools administration on the same page can be rather daunting.
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ANDREW CHRISTIAN TM
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This excerpt from one survey I received from a graduate student speaks to some common issues a number of trans* people encounter: What were the hurdles to your transition in a public venue like school? I’m going to discuss the administrative hurdles here. Mainly these arose because of my name change. Unfortunately at my university (and I think many others) there is no absolute centralized student database. This means that if you change your name, you have to update every single department that you interact with independently. This meant coming out and explaining my situation to: My department, my faculty dean and her secretaries, the entire secretarial staff at the office of Graduate studies, the Registrar’s Office, Payroll, the student card office, the library, the other library, the central key control office, the student athletic office, the Centre for Teaching and Learning, several student volunteers and several senior staff at IT services (on multiple occasions), student health services, the graduate student society, the graduate student insurance office, etc. To me, it seems that even in Washington state and other areas where we are supposed to have protections, it is a hit and miss affair in school. Some schools have procedures in place, but most do not. Many times the procedures in place are at odds with the welfare of the student. So, what is a transsexual who is planning on transitioning at school to do? The best comment that was left on one of my surveys to address this was: My biggest piece of advice is to NOT assume that other people, especially those in academia, know how to handle trans issues. Do NOT wait for them to formulate a plan. Do NOT ask them for permission, or how to handle your transition. If you are a student, you have EVERY right to be at school and be trans. It is their job to accommodate, protect, and make the university a safe place for you. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t try to work with your school/faculty/etc. But that you shouldn’t expect them to know what to do. You should formulate your own plan, and then inform them of how you want to proceed. Also, if your school doesn’t have a centralized database for student information, be prepared to have to spend hours and hours—and weeks—trying to get every little department to change this information. I do not want to leave the reader with the impression that it is all battles and trouble. All of my respondents to my survey indicated that their lives, emotional state, and general well-being improved. Transition in school/university can be daunting, but the chance to socialize as your true gender in a school environment can offer unique chances to grow and evolve into your true self.
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By J’son M. Lee
Life can be so unfair. Some people are born into comfort, while others struggle at every turn. Some have two parents, while others are reared in broken homes. There was nothing fair about Christine Hazel’s upbringing. The daughter of a drugaddicted prostitute, Christine learned early on that nothing in life is handed to you; you have to work hard to achieve greatness. After high school, Christine realized she was at a crossroads—either she could choose to be a victim of her circumstances, or she could choose to create the life she so desperately envisioned for herself. Christine chose the latter, eventually becoming one of New York’s finest and a published author.
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Proud Times sat down with Christine to learn more about her fascinating story. Christine, let’s start where it all began. Tell us about life growing up in the Cypress Hills Projects of Brooklyn, NY. Growing up in Brooklyn taught me many lessons. It taught me about stamina, strength, and prevailing through hardship. I grew up in a household with many cousins, uncles [a large and involved, extended family]. My mother was a single parent. Given her drug habit, raising my little sister and me proved a task greater then she could have ever imagined. I got the crap beat out of me on a regular basis. Not only was my mother a junkie, but she was also a prostitute. Those words still knock the wind out of me as I replay in my mind how hearing those words shattered my entire being as a child. My aunt said, “Well, Christine, your mother shoots heroin and she’s a prostitute.” I noticed my mother had severe mood swings, but I didn’t know why. She would
also go through extreme happiness; hours later she was blinded with anger. It didn’t matter where I was, or whom I was with, she would physically lash out and take her anger out on me. It was a scary, dark and very lonely time for me.
Eventually the amount of drugs my mother consumed, took its toll on her. She died at the young age of forty-two.
We lived with my grandmother in Cypress Hills Projects for the most part. There were many good times, but [my life was also] painfully disheartening. It was a constant struggle just to be alive. My mother, grandmother, uncles and other junkies in the neighborhood often got high together. They would be in my grandmother’s room with the door closed, but you could hear the muffled sounds through the bedroom door of their fighting over the drugs, and fighting over whose turn it was to cop the drugs. Not more than ten minutes after they shot up, the door would open and one by one they would pile out of the room talking nice to each other— dancing, singing, snapping their fingers and wanting to conquer the world.
I wanted more out of life, and I set the bar high for myself. I wanted to be important, independent, self-reliant, and someone a child could look up to as a role model. I feel I’ve done just that. Those experiences, though mentally, emotionally and physically taxing at times, helped to show me how strong and resilient I am. They’ve also taught me to have integrity, especially when someone is counting on you.
I couldn’t tell anyone about this, as I feared more beatings. I recall my mother making me squeeze her arm like a tourniquet just for her to be able to shoot up—talk about a kid being frightened and mentally screwed! I was lost as a child. I hid most of my feelings about things, because I didn’t feel I was important enough for anyone to care. I don’t remember when the beatings began, but they stopped [around the age of] eighteen. After I graduated from high school, I made the decision to move out. My mother was still a very angry person, but I felt I did what I supposed to do—I graduated without getting pregnant. I thought that accomplishment would have made a difference, but it only put a bigger strain on my relationship with my mom.
How did those experiences shape who you are today?
My mother’s drug habit also showed me that she was not her real self. If things were different, she would have been different. I’ve always wanted the best for my mother, but those drugs had a grip on her soul. I know this now, and I’ve forgiven her. She was really sick, and though there were opportunities for her to get help, she still saw no way out. I’ve gotten the closure I needed, and that chapter of my life is closed. I like to think she is proudly looking over me. Tell us about your work at the New York City Police Department (NYPD). I am a twenty-year veteran with the New York City Police department. I’m currently in the Special Victims Division Unit, dealing with child abuse cases and sex crimes. We have some dangerous people in this world, but I do what I can. I pray what little I do, somehow makes a difference.
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I’ve been in many units in this Police Department, and I have no regrets. I like to think during my time on patrol, I was able to reach the youngsters that thought they knew it all and had it all figured out. Being a Police Officer isn’t an easy job, but we have a great many officers that care and make a difference. As far as being a gay Police Officer, it’s wonderful seeing there are many just like me. I’m proud of whom I am; I’m proud that I know many gay Police Officers.
In such a male dominated profession, was it difficult for you to find your footing? Has being a lesbian help or hurt you? Initially I kept to myself, but my brethren took notice at the obvious differences in me. But like anything else, I stood firm in my convictions, and I didn’t allow anyone to disrespect me. I held my own. There were some challenging moments in my career, but nothing that I couldn’t handle, and nothing that would cause me physical or emotional harm. I was hired to do a professional job, with respect, and integrity, and that’s how I operate. In addition to being a Police Officer, you are also an author. How long have you been writing?
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I wanted to say sometime around 2004. I was at a venue in Washington, DC, during their Gay Pride celebration. At this venue, a poetry slam was being held. The artists were both men and women, and they were absolutely phenomenal. They were loud, confident, passionate, aggressive and passive. Some pieces were very sad. All I could think about was, “I wish I could write that way to impress the ladies—to have that much control with words, but in the most romantic and erotic sense.” That would be so dope, because the femmes were eating it up at the event, so I started journaling and developed a flare for the flow. You recently published Silhouettes of Nubian Whispers: Voyage Into The Erotic Mind. Tell us what the book is about? In August 2011, I had my works published. It is a collage of erotic poetry and prose encompassing some of my fantasies, hurts, flashbacks and other people’s disappointments and sadness. It’s my first book. I’ve never taken any college courses in the skill of writing. I have a natural gift and I am grateful for the love and support that was given to me as I was creating it. I know my writings need fine-tuning, but I also know they are thought-provoking and entertaining. I love the research that was done on my book—the countless hours of my personal time it took to create these menageries. I took a lot of time creating it. I wanted the book to have that appeal the minute you saw the cover. It was meant to draw you in. It was designed for the reader to just sit back and relax with her partner (and maybe a glass of wine and some fruit to feed one another), as each page was read and turned. It was created for the reader to just run wild with their imagination, and just simply become the character. I will never forget
this journey. Silhouettes of Nubian Whispers is my baby. How have people responded to your book? When I was creating this book, I would often call my friends at all hours of the night, saying “I just wrote this piece, can I read it to you?” (laugh) My friends enjoyed it, and I enjoyed them enjoying it. I just wanted to be an author. I was very happy with that fact. I didn’t push as hard as I needed to get my book on the map. I guess I automatically assumed that, just because the community knew me, I would be given the support I felt I deserved. Boy, was I sadly mistaken. This comedian I know—she is lesbian as well—said the LGBT community would be the last ones to show support. She said you have to think outside the box. She told me to reach out and request certain friends on her page and to tell them she recommended me, and see how that worked. I did, but unfortunately, they were looking for writers who wrote music. I appreciated her help just the same, but she certainly opened my eyes. I feel my book could have done better had I committed myself to some good networking outside the circle of folks I knew within the gay community. I am happy that people continue to purchase my work. It’s not a best seller yet, but the ones that showed me support, it really counts in my book. I appreciate each and every person who has supported my debut project. Your book appears to be very personal. What lasting impression do you want people to have after reading it? This book was personal for me. I wrote a piece about someone losing their life. I wrote another piece about my best friend’s friend. She and her wife had been together for over eight years.
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Suddenly, her wife’s illness required portions of both of her legs and arms to be amputated. She thought her wife was going to die because that’s the prognosis the doctors had given. She was so devastated; we all were. My best friend, her wife and I sat around the table and cried, and although I didn’t personally know this person, I felt the pain and agony through my best friend’s emotions. After a few moments, I got up. I had never seen my friend cry that way. She was heartbroken. I dedicated a piece about that incident. There are a lot of good pieces in this collection. I hope what resonates is my passion and the pain that’s being expressed. I stripped myself of my flesh and exposed my vulnerabilities. What’s next for you? My next goal is to complete my very first suspense novel. It entails a lot of very focused
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and controlled writing, building on one plot. This project is very challenging because I’m accustomed to short stories which take on whatever direction I choose. I want to do audio books so my readers can hear the passion behind my pieces. I’m almost done with my second book of poetry. Clearly erotic poetry is my favorite pastime. I’m loving this journey, and I hope this article opens a doorway to bigger and better things. Christine, it was a pleasure speaking with you. Thank you for your candor. I’m sure your story will inspire our readers. Best wishes on your journey! For more information about Christine Hazel, please visit her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ ChristineHazelNubianWhispers
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PJALS Young Activists Leaders Program
By Shar Lichty
There are many things I love about my job as an organizer with the Peace & Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS). Of which, the most rewarding is developing the leadership skills of young activists through our Young Activist Leaders Program (YALP). The young activists I have been honored to meet have enriched my life and the community as they go forth to make change. PJALS has had a youth program for decades. Our Director, Liz Moore, was involved in the youth program in the 90s and I became aware of and involved with PJALS because of their youth outreach, which resulted in the formation of a human rights club at Spokane Community College that I was involved with during my time there. This involvement directly impacted my
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career choice and led to my current position with PJALS. YALP is our 10-month leadership development program which is geared towards a young community of people already active in or leading student groups, faith communities, and community groups as well as for individuals new to activism. It is a great opportunity to help new leaders grow or to create student projects as well as allowing youth to explore social justice with other Spokane-area young people who value equality, human rights, economic justice, and peace. Additionally, participants sharpen their skills to lead, make change and improve their group or club to be better, faster and stronger. Similarly, beginning in October 2013 and concluding in May 2014, every month participants will attend a skill-building educational workshop and volunteer with a group of their choice, including PJALS of course, which will also
increase leadership and community awareness which include workshops such as: Campaigns for Change: Planning and Coordinating; How to Recruit and Mobilize; Fundraising; Event Planning; Generating Media Coverage; Nonviolence and Militarism; Identity, Privilege, and Oppression; LGBT Equality and Liberation; Moving Racial Justice Campaigns; Corporate Power: An Economic Reality Check; and Negotiating with People in Power. Our programs provide a gathering place for young people to ask questions, educate each other, and to explore social justice while working together. Our hands-on program helps grow a vibrant network of young people committed to social justice. In addition to our monthly two-hour workshops, a Saturday retreat in the fall and in the spring provide the ability to cover many areas and provide a full toolbox of tools–not to mention a binder of resources and accelerated development so that your group can make the changes you want to see— better, faster and stronger! Help us connect with young activists! We invite opportunities for the community to connect with us. Any high school, college, faith community or otherwise can join us or send a young leader from their group to participate in the program. Download our flier and info sheet or check out the easy sign-up sheet. We would love to hear from you!
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One Family’s AIDS, by J’son M. Lee, is the story of Gene Alexander McCoy—a young, educated African-American man who finds himself in a race for time to make peace with his family and God upon being diagnosed with HIV. The short story, told from four different perspectives, chronicles Gene’s life as he confronts such issues as HIV/AIDS, family, abandonment and homophobia. With the help of his over-bearing mother, a nurturing grandmother, and an uncle who doesn’t feel comfortable talking about Gene’s sexuality or disease, we learn the complexities of love and relationships, the damaging results of fear and shame, and how the relentless quest for the truth ultimately leads us back to each other.
I fell in love with Gene when he smiled and I saw those dimples. I knew he was “special” early on. Let me tell you this funny story. When he was growing up Gene loved… Lord, what’s her name? Little skinny gal… wit all the hair…sang wit the Supremes… Oh yes, Diana Ross! I reckon he was about five or so. He snook up in my room and had put on some of my makeup and slipped on a pair of my heels. I stood back and watched him. He didn’t know I was watching. Chile he was putting on a show in the mirror singing, “Stop! In The Name Of Love.” He was singing his little heart out like he was Diana Ross. I never said a word. He was always a little performer.
Gene kept to himself a lot when he was growing up. The other kids tormented him so much…just ‘cause he was a little different. One Family’s AIDS is based on the stage play You see, Gene wasn’t rough like the other of the same name. Readers fell in love with boys. He pretty much stayed up under me. I Grandma Annie Mae McCoy’s first person didn’t mind. He was such a sweet boy. Gene account of her experiences with the disease: also had a lil’ twist in his walk. I guess he got that from his momma. She had a walk Annie Mae McCoy - He is Er’rythang To Me you wouldn’t believe. Chile, drove the boys (excerpted from One Family’s AIDS) crazy! She knew it, too. Gene’s walk kinda’ reminded me of that. Po’ thang, he couldn’t I raised Gene since he was four years old. help it. He was knock-kneed and pigeon-toed My oldest son, William, brought Gene home like his momma…so when he would walk to live with me after my daughter got messed away from me, I would say, “Lord, ‘ha mercy”. up on that stuff. I’m not really surprised how Ruthie turned out. She was always a little After he went off to college he started hot in the tail. She ran away after she got opening up to me more about what he pregnant with Gene. I’ve always taught my was going through. I guess it was all that ‘churen that you can never run from your education. He started using these big saditty troubles. I guess she missed that lesson. A words. I had to say, “Wait baby…break it hard head always makes a soft behind. down so grandmamma can understand.” That’s when he told me about his lifestyle… that he liked mens. I said, “Baby, I knew
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dat…tell grandmamma something she don’t already know.” Mothers always know. Nothin’ could change my love for my baby. All I’ve ever wanted is for him to be happy…and if this made him happy, so be it. Who cares if he loves different? My baby now has da AIDS…I really didn’t know what da AIDS was ‘til my Gene got it. All I know is that he was real sick all the time…so when I asked him ‘bout it, he told me he had da AIDS. I’ve learned a lot about da AIDS; as much as an old lady like me can learn. I’m not afraid of hugging or kissing my son. But I don’t take any chances. Gene makes sho’ of that. I remember one time I was shaving him and nicked his face. I reached for a Kleenex to dab the blood and he shouted, “Annie Mae, (that’s what he calls me when he’s mad) I’ll do that. Don’t ever touch my blood!” It’s hard watching your child die. I watch him when he’s asleep just like I used to do when he was a little boy and he looks the same. It’s not until he opens his eyes that reality hits me in the face. His eyes look sunken and sometimes they seem so distant. In the hospital he began to talk out his head. I think it was all that medication. When I walked in his room I said, “Hey there…how’s my favorite son?” He said, “I’m fine…Niecey just left.” “Was it a nice visit?” I asked. “Yes mam”, he said. Niecey was this little girl he used to play with who lived next door when he was a little boy. We ain’t heard from that girl in over 15 years. Then one time he was talkin’ ‘bout he had to change his clothes so that he could go and milk the cow. He kept
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telling me to hand him the pail that was lying on the flo’. Although I didn’t see it, I pretended I did cuz when I didn’t see what he saw, he got so frustrated. The funny thang was ‘dat boy didn’t know nothing ‘bout milkin’ no cows. He ain’t never milked a cow a day in his life! He was always too “nice” for that. He didn’t work in the field and didn’t believe in getting dirty. He said he wasn’t getting black as a boot and doin’ all dat sweatin’. Like I said, he was too “nice” for all that. I could talk for three days and all you would hear are words upon words…none of which would make any difference. They won’t help my Gene. They won’t stop him from suffering…from dying…and from me having to watch him die. Sometimes he just seems so helpless. But it’s all in God’s hand now. I love all my ‘churen. I always thought they would suffer my death. I always thought I’d be gone first. Looks like I’m gone be wrong…. For more information, please visit the author’s website at www.jmccoylee.com or www.sweetgeorgiapress.com.
ALMOST NAKED WITH TECHNOLOGY
ANDREW CHRISTIAN TM
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EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY PRIDE CENTER needs assessment of LGBTQ students as their Community-Based Research project. The yearlong project, a requirement of their Master’s in Social Work degree, was overseen by Dr. Lisa Avery, and it included the development of a survey tool, advertising and collecting responses from LGBTQ self-identified students enrolled at EWU, and finally analyzing and presenting the findings to the campus community.
The Eastern Washington University Pride Center is approaching its fourth year on the EWU campus providing services and support for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and ally students, faculty and staff. Each year the Pride Center’s presence, visibility and the number of students utilizing the center has grown. Actually, the growth has been exponential and, as we move into our fourth year, we are in the process of remembering where we came from and why we are here, while also doing strategic planning for the next phase in our center’s development.
The results of the anonymous survey, completed by 109 EWU students, indicated that the majority of LGBTQ students viewed the climate at Eastern as less than welcoming: 2% reported feeling hated, and 6% reported feeling isolated. Close to 20% of the students reported experiences of harassment, and nearly half shared that they had hidden their sexual orientation or gender identity on campus out of fear. The needs assessment identified the desire by EWU students for additional academic, social and emotional support.
Over the years there were various LGBTQ student groups on the EWU campus, like Student’s Alliance For Equality (SAFE), which was active back into the early 1990s. Some of the groups were more active than others, and they offered an opportunity for much needed support and connection, but what was still lacking was an overall feeling of safety and comfort on the EWU In response to the eye opening findings of the campus as a whole. Campus Climate Survey, EWU’s President, Dr. Rodolfo Arevalo, convened an LGBTQ Task During the 2007-2008 academic year, three force that was made up of faculty, staff, and MSW students, Sheri Frantilla, Michelle Magers students. Their mission was to develop a strategy and Marcel Ahmady, were assigned the task to improve the campus climate at EWU. The of conducting a campus climate survey and
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Task Force, chaired by Dr. Terrie Ashby-Scott, currently the Director of General Academic Advising, held a retreat the summer of 2009 to determine the most critical areas for action at EWU. They established three immediate goals: (1) to train faculty and staff about LGBTQ issues; (2) to provide visibility, including the creation of an LGBTQ center; and (3) to receive support on important issues from the university’s administration. With overwhelming support from the EWU
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campus, including President Arevalo, and Provost Dr. John Mason, the Pride Center opened its doors during Fall quarter of 2009, staffed by faculty, staff and student volunteers. The official grand opening happened the following year, in Winter quarter 2010, with the hiring of Sandy Williams as the Pride Center’s Coordinator. The Eastern Washington University Pride Center, located in 105 Showalter Hall, is dedicated to providing a safe and accepting environment for EWU’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning and Ally (LGBTQQA)
students, faculty and staff. The goals of the center are to promote a campus wide culture of inclusion and respect for diversity through education, outreach and collaboration, and to provide students at EWU with a positive and successful academic experience. The EWU Pride Center is a very busy place. We are open five days a week for students to study, hang out, use the computers or check out book from the library. The Center sponsors campus activities and speakers; sponsors events
like Pride Week and the Lavender Graduation, our annual Back to School KickOff, National Coming Out Day, Gender Awareness Week, Transgender Day of Remembrance, and Ally Week. We provide campus education and social activities, and we host weekly meetings of Eagle Pride, which is the LGBTQA student club on the EWU campus. The Pride Center also sponsors the Welcoming Project, which is an ally training that focuses on increasing the number of visible LGBTQ allies on the EWU campus. For more information about the EWU Pride Center or our activities, contact Sandy Williams at 509-359-7870 or pride@ewu.edu, or you can find us on facebook at EWUPRIDECENTER.
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STARTING at the CENTER By Brad Thompson
Since 1997, has been proud to serve the needs of this area’s gender, erotic and romantic minorities, as well as our families, friends and allies. Currently located at 1522 N. Washington St., Suite 102, the Center (with its all-volunteer staff and board) has organized direct political action, been an invaluable educational resource, facilitated dialogue and collaboration among the various community groups, served as the public face of the LGBTQ community, and offered logistical and material support to many of the organizations that contribute to making our community so vibrant and alive. In an average month, between meetings, events and drop-in hours, some 200 people make use of our facilities, most of them more than once. Coming from as far away as northeastern Oregon, western Montana and even British Colombia—some come for a group meeting, some for information, some for the opportunity to connect with another human being who shares
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and understands part of their experience, and some just for fun—we welcome each and every one. In addition to our primary focus on education and outreach, we offer a relaxed, welcoming environment, a massive library of books, DVDs, CDs and even audio-cassettes (remember those?), literally hundreds of pages of informational and educational materials, and some fairly tolerable coffee. We also, pending funding, have four computers with Internet access available to any who need it. We host regular meetings of groups both large (Trans*, Book Group) and not-so-large (Bi-Social, Aces & Allies), and we are always open to welcoming new members to our family and finding new and exciting ways to make your Center a valued part of your life. So, come on by for a free self-defense class (every Saturday at 5:00 pm), a spirited discussion of a good book (first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm), or just to hang out and maybe watch a movie on our new big screen TV. I think you’ll be glad you did.
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Fame is the driving force behind the success of many celebrities, but fame often comes at a great cost.
By J’son M. Lee
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In the last issue of Proud Times, I had the pleasure of interviewing Brazilian model Rodiney Santiago, who said, “… the loudest and meanest about putting others down are usually other gay people. Some people are just not happy with themselves, and take it out on others....” Many members of the LGBT community have endured shame and hurt for a great deal of their lives. It would stand to reason that if you’ve been hurt, you would not want to project that on others. I guess the adage that hurt people, hurt people, is true. But why is the gay community so hard on its celebrities? We’ve fought so hard for presence, but we respond negatively when we have representation. Reality Television star, Reichen Lehmkuhl, is no exception. He, too, quickly learned that fame comes at a price. Reichen asserts he has experienced “…hatred, judgment, bullying and ridicule…” from the LGBT community. I spoke with Reichen in hopes of gaining a better understanding of this unfortunate phenomenon. Reichen, you are a former Captain in the Air Force, and performed that role during the now defunct “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. How did you cope in that world? I just did it and kept quiet while I was in. Looking back on those days, I can’t believe I was able to stand it while at the Air Force Academy, but when you’re at a school with such barriers to entry— Congressional Nominations and one of the most vigorous admissions criteria imaginable—once you’re in, you don’t want to do anything to jeopardize it. As an Officer, after school was over, I had more freedom, but I still felt a lot of fear
about being “caught” for being gay. It was nothing like the fear I have today of being ridiculed, hated and made fun of by gay people and gay press, but it was bad. Tell us about your autobiography, Here’s What We’ll Say. It’s basically a dissertation on how Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) ruined an entire silenced [LGBT] section of the military, broke down morale and ultimately weakened our armed forces—and in turn, our country. I was very open about my experience under that iron curtain of DADT at the Air Force Academy. I survived a pretty violent sexual assault and watched so many others get hurt and humiliated by the policy. [I] watched them suffer in silence. My new autobiography is called It’ll Be Great Exposure: How Reality TV Ruined My Life (and how I got it back). I’ve had harder times since winning [Amazing Race] than I ever could have imagined I’d have—in relationships, the financial world, with public ridicule, gay blogs and with friends. This book tells it all. Reality Television has become the fastest growing television genre. You are perhaps best known for winning the grand prize on CBS’s Amazing Race. How did you segue from military life to starring in reality television? I was randomly at the Abbey in West Hollywood— as a twenty-seven-year-old—and a casting director asked me to interview for the show. I did, and got picked, along with Chip. Then we went on it. Then we won. That was the best time of my life. Then, media (mostly gay media) got ahold of me and life became horribly difficult. The gay blogs were the worst, most bullying, unfair, and awful aspect of any part of life I’d ever seen. I try so hard to stay away from it now. I don’t want anyone talking about me unless I’m giving them the information to talk about, because then it’s
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actually accurate. The whole experience, and trying to make it in the entertainment world— something I truly regret—ruined my ability to feel comfortable in public. I’m hoping I’m not scarred for life. Reichen, as with any celebrity, you have had your share of controversy. How do you handle it and remain true to the brand you are building? Honestly, I’m tired of building a brand that bears my name, which I’ve been encouraged to do by the machine that is entertainment. I’ve really moved away from that—always trying to prove myself to gay people, [and] always having to prove that I’m a good person or that I’m worth someone’s respect. The fact is that I am a good guy and I had to admit that to myself and forget about what others thought. I think any “Gay-lebrity,” as many have called me, find the ridicule and microscope to be extra vicious from our community. It really hit me like a baseball bat over a ten year period, to the point where I just couldn’t do it anymore. If you’re not doing something for them to hate on or make fun of or laugh at, then they’ll just make it up about you so that they can do it anyway. That’s what it feels like. I just took my website TheReichen.com down. I just don’t want to pursue it anymore. It’s not worth it for me and my mental well-being to put up with the hatred and drama to be in the public eye. I’ve come to the realization that I’m so much happier staying relatively private and pursuing things that make me happy. People who know me always say, “I don’t understand why people are so hard on you. You’re one of the most compassionate and nicest people I know, and I’ve never heard you say anything bad about anyone—unless they’ve attack YOU first.” I just nod. I really tried my best. I wrote my book and fought to end DADT.
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I’ve given all I can in money and time to fight for gay causes, but I experienced the most hatred, judgment, bullying and ridicule from that segment of the community. So I’ve kind of given up. I have really given up in trying with all that. It’s a lesson in life. Our moms always tell us not to care what others think. The business of entertainment is 100% caring what others think. It ended up being a miserable existence for me. Ironically, I’m happier now. You wear many hats. You are an actor, author and speaker, just to name a few. Which role brings you the most satisfaction? I’m now in Law School in Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University, and I’m the founder of a rapidly growing start-up called LeaseLock.com. We co-sign on tenants’ leases for a fee. Those are my two hats right now. They have nothing to do with public exposure. Success in these endeavors is in recognition of my hard work by various mentors, advisors, professors, customers, and most importantly, me. My feeling successful has nothing to do with how good I look in the public eye, or if I’m acceptable to celebrity blogs. It’s nice to do things that have everything to do with what you think of yourself, and nothing to do with what others think about the way you appear (which is 99% fabricated in the entertainment industry anyway). I go to bed every night feeling so much more rewarded and happy than I did trying to be “Reichen.com.” Proud Times featured “Reichen: The Fragrance” in a previous publication. Tell us about your fragrance and how you chose it. I created the fragrance to do something entrepreneurial and fun, and to give money back to gay charities. I created the fragrance in a greenhouse and in a lab, myself. I ordered the
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I’ve noticed that proceeds from many of your merchandise sales go to various non-profits. Talk to us about some of these organizations and why they are so important to you. Aside from my fragrance, I did a jewelry line called FlyNaked where ten percent went to the organization SLDN, who was at the forefront of ending DADT. I believe you should always give back when you’re fortunate; otherwise, fortune feels kind of dirty. What’s next for Reichen? first round of bottles, labeling and packaging. I assembled the first hundred myself with the help of some very awesome and caring friends. Then it took off; now a factory does it all. I ended up giving money to AMFAR and to the Gay and Lesbian Centers of NYC and Los Angeles from the sale of the fragrance. I’m proud of that. Other gay charities wanted nothing to do with it because someone posted a naked picture on the internet that is allegedly me. You surprised many people with your album, Up To The Sky. What do you want people to experience through your music? I have written music since I was six years old. I’ve played the guitar since I was five. I brought one song of many to Reality Television.The A-List: New York made me look like a complete asshole who couldn’t sing and tried to be famous as a musician. That couldn’t be any further from the truth. It’s a personal love of mine that was made to look ridiculous. [It’s] amazing what reality television producers can do to get the audience talking. I completely regret EVER opening up that side of my life to Reality Television.
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LeaseLock.com and Law School—hopefully when I graduate, I’ll be an attorney for some really deserving people and organizations who need help, and who understand that I actually care about them. Thank you, Reichen, for being so honest with our readers. Reichen should be an icon of heroism and success in the LGBT community; instead, it seems he’s been vilified. If we truly want to see representation of ourselves in mainstream society, we have to support our pioneers. Bullying has no place in our community.
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Dear Miss Amazon: I have a problem that I am hoping you can help me with today. One of my friends who is gay, suggested I write to you. I am in high school and everyone, including my teachers, thinks I am gay. I will admit I have a certain sense of style and might act a lot like the character Kurt Hummel on Glee, but that does not make me gay! I have a steady girlfriend who I have been with since the first week of freshman year and I think I love her. Just because we have not gone all the way does not make me gay! There is no way I can be gay. I would know, wouldn’t I? Confused, but not confused Great question Confused. I am glad you asked, because this gives me a chance to discuss the spectrum of sexuality. It oftentimes seems that when it comes to gay and straight, things are black and white—you either are gay or straight. This could not be more untrue! Pudding, sexuality is a spectrum that we all fall somewhere upon. Were a gentleman to be 100% heterosexual, how could he look in the mirror and tell if he looked good or not? If a lady was 100% lesbian, then she would be unable to tell if a man looked good. There are very few, if any, people who are 100% gay or straight. That is why our community is described as GLBTQIA (I think I have all of the letters!) or Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Questioning, Intersexed and Allies. Are you gay? You are whatever YOU think you are—and it does not matter what your friends, teachers, coaches or anyone else say. Please do not feel like you need to fit into some arbitrary category—maybe there is no category for you! You are who you are Pudding— and you should be proud!
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Dear Miss Amazon: Thank you for reading my letter. I am a 17-year-old lesbian and I attend high school in a smaller town an hour from Spokane. I guess you would say I am a bull dyke. I have short hair, wear men’s clothes and army boots and ride a motorcycle. Here is my problem—I am about as welcome at my school as a turd in a punchbowl. I have one year left and have very few, if any, friends because I am such an outsider. I know that I could let my hair grow out and wear dresses and act like a silly girl to get along, but the damage is done and the other kids will still call me Dude or Donny Dyko. If one more person asks me if I want to be a boy, I will scream! I have asked my parents if I could be home-schooled for my senior year, but they are so freaked about me being gay they hope I will straighten out and fly right (their words) and everything will be ok. It will not be ok. I do not know what to do to make it through my last year before college. Dawn Dawn: Thank you for your letter. Though it seems like you are totally alone in this, you have a problem that plagues young adults in many high schools. Trust your aunt Amazon, every kid wants to fit in and most, if not all, think they do not. Even the most popular ones are scared of losing their popularity because oftentimes that is all they have in their lives. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders Pudding and are living life on your terms. Do not stop! You senior year will pass quickly and the best thing you can do is get through it as best you can and make sure you choose a college that has an active Gay, Lesbian, Straight Alliance. I know this is not what you want to hear, but please take this time to work on you and be the woman you are so when college comes you can fully flower into the woman you are destined to become! Miss Amazon is very, very proud of you!
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Missed parts one and two? Catch them in the two previous editions of Proud Times! Miki and Lilly’s marriage was late (about 25 or 30 years too late) and what should have been a basis for starting out life together, instead felt like an adventure in winding it down. Nonetheless, it was done, and it was good. Miki had graciously fielded questions for decades on why she left Hawaii for Spokane. It came down to whose family was easier to get along with, and the ability to make a living. They met on tour – she was guiding it; Lilly was taking it. One thing led to another; easy kisses forced difficult decisions. Miss Mikilana Kalani would make the move north. Horrible weather, no palm trees, insular community. If you want to be part of anything lesbian, good luck. “My family hated lesbians,” Miki recalled. “And Hawaii is beautiful, but confining.” Away from her family, Miki threw herself into “the community.” Even if she couldn’t live in Hawaii, she could still bring its warmth into a room with her presence. She and Lilly became stalwart community matriarchs, and people always spoke well of them – even behind their backs. When the state of Washington passed marriage equality, they were two of the first in line. It felt wrong, having to wait so many years for permission. Thirty miles away, Idaho had no idea. Over time, with no kids of their own, they took it upon themselves to “adopt” strays: younger folks who had nowhere to go and needed a little guidance could get themselves together in a safe world and then move out. That was, until the present crew, who seemed too broken and indolent to ever mosh together lives of their own. With no heart to kick them out, Miki and Lilly Lemon-Pledged the dust of depression off the furniture and made the best of it. This backdrop helped turn the pages of their wedding album, new to Skuff and Jasp, old to Rolie, Candle and Patrice.
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“It was a big relief,” Miki joked, “since we didn’t believe in sex before marriage.” Skuff laughed a little. “I didn’t much believe in it after marriage.” “Now ya do,” Jasp quietly smiled. Rolie’s eyes flipped between the two, alternating between mentally undressing them and mentally dressing them down simply because they were happy. “Keep that jealousy in the closet,” Lilly admonished. “I can feel it from here.” Rolie couldn’t stomach it. Skuff came into the community and bam! Here he was already with someone; worse, it was someone no one knew and couldn’t gossip about. “We only see in others an extension of ourselves,” Candle glowed. “Well, the gowns are pretty,” said Patrice. “Maybe I’ll wear one someday.” “You’re going to the drag show with me?” Rolie importuned Skuff. “Irv’s Bar is fabola! Party till four! You said you would.” “No I didn’t,” said Skuff, meekly. “You should go,” said Patrice. “It’s what gay people do. And with a name like Irv’s, it has to be good.” She almost smiled, but wouldn’t allow herself the pleasure. Jasper volunteered interesting information at interesting times. “No one knows me in the community. So when I turn up, they don’t know what to make of me. I just fix cars.” Skuff let his hand explore Jasp’s jawline, tracing where the fist from America’s finest destroyed the bone. Who knew the payoff for oral sex would be with a fist? “Navy seal, huh,” said Patrice.
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“Navy seal,” said Jasp. “Good lookin’ dude. Shadow stache and all. Never caught him. It wasn’t here. It was in Coos Bay. He had protection. Embarrassing to explain to the hospital staff.” Miki closed her album and gave Lilly a small kiss. “So that’s our wedding.” “You have a very beautiful life,” Skuff emoted. “We’re at peace with each other,” Miki said. “If you wait thirty years to get married you can be pretty sure it’s the right gal.” ================================== Jasp wasn’t going to no drag show, no no no no, oh, and no. “I have a mechanic’s uniform, it’s greasy, it’s… scuffed up, like me. That’s my drag.” Still, Skuff felt obligated; maybe part of being gay was to throw money at drag stars. Besides, he’d never been in a gay bar, and he felt he owed something to the flock. His mistake was to park at the dog pound and let Rolie drive. The cuckoo clock clucked out a 10 p.m. warning that Skuff ignored, and off they went. Rolie spewed out information like a slot machine spitting out nickels: Patrice’s white supremacist father in Wallace wanted to beat the bi out of her; next came Candle’s solitude and as of yet undetermined gender. “I don’t even think ze knows what ze is. Ze’s one of those words. When you don’t know nor care, you say ze.” Skuff nodded. He had all kinda blue-collar awesome going on without even realizing it, the same awesome that kept his blond partner working under his hood. Rolie switched gears because in his mind it suddenly became wrong that this much “man” was off the market before he even wore a price tag. He tore into Jasp like a lion into a kill, chomping away at a man who couldn’t defend himself and who was afraid to merge in to the gay community. “You really think he’s good looking? Compared to what?” “You think so too,” said Skuff. “You like us both. Me and Jasp, we’re just average guys who think each other is better than average. My wife had a helluva pair of knockers. I just didn’t know what to do with ‘em.”
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“I think you should look around more before you settle down.” Skuff wasn’t a devoted fan of Rolie; he was like a slinky on speed and this wasn’t helping. A whole night of this? No way! “You’re makin’ me miss him. Look, we ain’t that far away yet, I’ll just take a walk back to the car.” “In Spokane?” “I’m a scary big black dude. No one’s gonna fuck wit’ me.” Hands in pockets, hunched over, Skuff Watt’s form and spirit ambled through the old cold neighborhood. Next time the cuckoo went cuckoo he’d listen. Rolie fumed, his plan backfiring, but being cranky and cutting was always the best way to start off the night with a bunch of drag queens. Skuff warmed up his own car and drove to Jasp, where he knew he would fit in.
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Debbi Sullivan Why is toilet paper like the Starship Enterprise? Because they both circle around Uranus looking for Cling-ons.
What’s the difference between boogers and broccoli? Kids won’t eat broccoli. Ghandi liked to go barefoot and walked everywhere. He also did some hunger strikes which left him physically diminished. Sometimes his diet gave him bad breath. That makes him a “super-calloused fragile mystic plagued with halitosis.”
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Paleoanthropology Division Smithsonian Institute 207 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20078 Dear Sir: Thank you for your latest submission to the Institute, labeled “211-D, layer seven, next to the clothesline post. Hominid skull.” We have given this specimen a careful and detailed examination, and regret to inform you that we disagree with your theory that it represents “conclusive proof of the presence of Early Man in Charleston County two million years ago.” Rather, it appears that what you have found is the head of a Barbie doll, of the variety one of our staff, who has small children, believes to be the “Malibu Barbie”. It is evident that you have given a great deal of thought to the analysis of this specimen, and you may be quite certain that those of us who are familiar with your prior work in the field were loathe to come to contradiction with your findings. However, we do feel that there are a number of physical attributes of the specimen which might have tipped you off to it’s modern origin:
1. The material is molded plastic. Ancient hominid remains are typically fossilized bone. 2. The cranial capacity of the specimen is approximately 9 cubic centimeters, well below the threshold of even the earliest identified protohominids. 3. The dentition pattern evident on the “skull” is more consistent with the common domesticated dog than it is with the “ravenous man-eating Pliocene clams” you speculate roamed the wetlands during that time. This latter finding is certainly one of the most intriguing hypotheses you have submitted in your history with this institution, but the evidence seems to weigh rather heavily against it. Without going into too much detail, let us say that: A. The specimen looks like the head of a Barbie doll that a dog has chewed on. B. Clams don’t have teeth. It is with feelings tinged with melancholy that we must deny your request to have the specimen carbon dated. This is partially due to the heavy
load our lab must bear in it’s normal operation, and partly due to carbon dating’s notorious inaccuracy in fossils of recent geologic record. To the best of our knowledge, no Barbie dolls were produced prior to 1956 AD, and carbon dating is likely to produce wildly inaccurate results. Sadly, we must also deny your request that we approach the National Science Foundation’s Phylogeny Department with the concept of assigning your specimen the scientific name “Australopithecus spiff-arino.” Speaking personally, I, for one, fought tenaciously for the acceptance of your proposed taxonomy, but was ultimately voted down because the species name you selected was hyphenated, and didn’t really sound like it might be Latin. However, we gladly accept your generous donation of this fascinating specimen to the museum. While it is undoubtedly not a hominid fossil, it is, nonetheless, yet another riveting example of the great body of work you seem to accumulate here so effortlessly. You should know that our Director has reserved a special shelf in his own office for the display of the specimens you have previously submitted to the Institution, and the entire staff speculates daily on what you
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will happen upon next in your digs at the site you have discovered in your back yard. We eagerly anticipate your trip to our nation’s capital that you proposed in your last letter, and several of us are pressing the Director to pay for it. We are particularly interested in hearing you expand on your theories surrounding the “trans-positating fillifitation of ferrous ions in a structural matrix” that makes the excellent juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex femur you recently discovered take on the deceptive appearance of a rusty 9-mm Sears Craftsman automotive crescent wrench. Yours in Science, Harvey Rowe Curator, Antiquities (The previous letter can be found at http:// urbanlegends.about.com/od/humor/a/barbie_ doll.htm) Analysis: This droll narrative was conceived as a satire and never intended to fool anyone — though alas, it has. Not long after it began making the Internet rounds during the mid1990s, someone added a preamble claiming the correspondence is authentic and the events described completely true. Neither, of course,
is the case. The putative sender, one Harvey Rowe, is a real person, though he is not a curator of antiquities, nor has he ever worked for the Smithsonian Institution. By his own admission he is the clever bugger who made up this tall tale, however. Now living in Arizona and employed in medical informatics, Dr. Rowe was a graduate student in South Carolina in 1994 when he first typed up the letter and emailed it to a few friends strictly for their amusement. One or more of those early recipients sent it on to their friends, who forwarded it on to theirs, etc., etc., and in short order Harvey Rowe’s “totally fabricated” story had taken on a life of its own. “It seems to have achieved critical mass [in 1995] and there was some evidence people were taking it seriously, despite the many hints that it was written with humorous intent,” Rowe marveled in a 1998 interview with writer E.M. Ganin. “Shortly after that I did a search on my name and found it on about 100 websites, which surprised the hell out of me.” When last I checked, that number was in the thousands.
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Celebrating the Life of Elvira (Schmierer) By Kurt Schmierer
Elvira was born in the summer of 1988. Elvira was about 8 weeks old when she was found on the street and brought to the Fairbanks Animal Shelter in Alaska. The day I went to the pound to adopt a new friend and companion, there was a line of people waiting to get the
chance to adopt this puppy. There were so many people, they were giving out tickets for a chance to take her home. I didn’t get a chance to see her, but I decided to take a chance on this Dachshund mix that had all these people willing to wait in line. At the appointed time, the hat came out and a little girl pulled out the winning ticket. I was the winner! After the crowed cleared, they had me sign the paperwork and she was brought out to me. Wow! She was so cute! She was all black, except for a white heart shape patch on her chest that looked like cleavage—without thinking, the first name that came to mind was Elvira, Mistresses of the Night. From that point, her name was Elvira—Elly for short. She was very head strong and super hard to housebreak. When it came to food, if it was considered edible, she would eat it before she knew if it tasted good. When she was 4 or 5 months old and still very small, she was playing in the yard and I saw something hanging out of her bottom. I got something to grab it and pulled and pulled and pulled—once it came out, I realized it was a 24” leather shoe lace. “Crap!” Over time, the shoe lace was replaced by tissues, paper towels, and the final thing the “living garbage disposal” passed was a wash cloth (she was 16 at the time). We used to joke about who
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would be the victor if she ever met a great white. My money was always on Elly being the devourer. Elly’s favorite game was called “Rocks.” Simply put, you found a rock of any size, let her smell it, then throw it into tall grass, deep snow or even 3 feet of water—it didn’t matter, if it took her 5 minutes or 3 hours, she would find the rock. That’s right, this wiener dog mix would dive into the water until she found the same rock you threw. It must have been the “mix” part of her that was fond of water—any water— even a bath, if she could get wet and swim, she would. She went blind at 18 years old, but she still loved to swim. Four years ago, a month after her 20th birthday, I knew it was “time.” She was deaf and blind, and I noticed that she was walking funny. Two days after that, I spent the day with her and had her pain taken away. She is still with me—I have a heart shaped pet urn in my china cabinet. The picture you see was the first painting I had painted in over 30 years and this was a year before I made the choice to ease her pain. I love you Elly and miss you, Kurt
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Southside Senior and Community Center
By Ricki Zipkin
I just found an awesome wedding venue! It’s the Southside Senior and Community Center. I know—when you hear “senior center,” the first thing you think is, “Oh Good God no.” But they are much more than this. They are a nonprofit event center and Lisa Rosier will work within any budget. There is an hourly rate that changes depending on the number of guests and room size you require. The cost to rent the ballroom ranges from $150-$175 per hour.** The main ballroom seats 300 comfortably and 500 theatre-style. The room dimensions for this room are 72’ x 64’. They have a floating dance floor that measures 47’ x 40’. Included in the cost is complete set-up and break
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down, tables and chairs, use of 2x8 foot lighted arches, use of their Baby Grand piano, a stage, a lectern, bar set up, and your name advertised on the reader board if you desire. There is ample on-site and overflow parking. The ballroom is beautiful, and The Center is located on a beautiful park-like setting. When weather permits, The Center will set up the patio for no additional charge. There are two other rooms available for rental. The Washington Trust Room has a cost of $40 per hour and can accommodate up to 50 people, and the Schultz Room can accommodate up to 25.** Pricing is a little confusing when it comes to use of the kitchen. They have a $25 hourly rate if you are bringing your own food and you have full access to their commercial kitchen. If you choose to go with a caterer, this is where things might not make sense. It reads $300. Don’t let that price fool you. Most caterers that I have worked with, come with most of the food already prepared and only need use of warming trays and a refrigerator. If that is the case, the cost remains $25 per hour. If you have a caterer that is cooking from scratch on site, that is when the price goes up dramatically. As I said, they are nonprofit and the cost for power also goes up dramatically. Lisa
can also refer you to a caterer that can prepare great meals at a cost hovering around $10-$12 per person. From the few times I’ve visited The Center, I can say that their Director Lisa is dedicated to doing whatever is necessary to give you the perfect wedding. She will work within your budget and tweak costs wherever she can. The Center emphasizes they are same-sex friendly, and they welcome an opportunity to be your dream wedding site.
The address is: 3151 E. 27th Ave., Spokane 99223 (South Hill). Lisa Rosier phone: 509/535-0803 ext 102 or email: programs@southsidecenter.com. ** Price subject to change without notice.
Some historical information: The Center has been in existence since 1985, originally located on 33rd and Perry, as a partnership and the Interplayer’s Theater Group. As The Center continued to grow, they could no longer meet the needs of their population, and they moved again in 1988. With the help of the Spokane Parks Department, they moved to their final location in 1997. Their current location is near Thorton Murphy Park. The goal was to enhance the quality of the park and the experience for the greater community. You can easily find The Center’s mission statement online.
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Resources LGBT Non-profit Organizations Imperial Sovereign Court of Spokane (ISCS) PO Box 65 Spokane WA 99210-0065 Website Facebook Page iscs@icehouse.net The ISCS is arguably the oldest organization of its kind in the Spokane Metropolitan Area, providing for support and concern of issues of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning communities of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. A variety of shows, Drag Shows, Fundraisers, Outings, Camping Trips, Raffles and Auctions are used to promote this unity. Our goal is to seek out the needs and provide for those needs as humanely, efficiently and as readily as possible. We are registered in the State of Washington as a Non Profit Business Entity and have a Board of Directors in place, regulated by Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws as required. We refuse to discriminate on any basis and work toward our goal of providing services for as wide of a range of needs as we are able. To do this, we use funds set aside in special accounts, all raised voluntarily by our community, and all funds are issued as needed.
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Inland Northwest Business Alliance (INBA) 9 S. Washington, Ste. 618 Spokane WA 99201 509/455-3699 Website inba@inbaspokane.org Interesting speakers every month. Great opportunity to network with other business people in the area. Meet new people in town and have fun. Bring a friend. The location of the event is rotating every two months. Please check the web site for this month’s location.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center (LGBT Center) 1522 N. Washington St., Ste. 102 Spokane WA 99201 509/489-1914 Website Facebook Page Local community resource center. Our Mission is to build a vibrant LGBTQ community through collaborative programs promoting education, advocacy and wellness.
OutSpokane
Pride Foundation
PO Box 883 Spokane WA 99201-0883 509/720-7609 Website Facebook Page admin@outspokane.com OutSpokane meetings are held every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at The LGBT Center (1522 N. Washington St., #102 from 7:15-9pm. OutSpokane™ a 501(c)(3) tax exempt volunteer organization, exists to fund, host and coordinate Spokane’s Pride Parade and Rainbow Festival, the largest celebration in Eastern Washington in support of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or Questioning people. Our familyoriented activities provide many educational opportunities and experiences that advance visibility, advocacy and empowerment of our diverse community of GLBTQ people, their families, friends and allies in the Inland Northwest, Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho.
PO Box 2194 Spokane, WA 99210 Farand Gunnels – Regional Development Organizer for Eastern Washington 509-481-0402 farand@pridefoundation.org
Odyssey Youth Center
PO Box 10292 Spokane WA 99209 509/593-0191 Website Facebook Page Support@SpokanePFLAG.org
1121 S. Perry St. Spokane WA 99202 509/325-3637 Website Facebook Page sevan@odysseyyouth.org Odyssey Youth Center works with at-risk lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth (LGBTQ) and their allies to provide a safe place, education, and advocacy. We promote positive growth and self-empowerment for our youth. Odyssey Youth Center has drop-in hours for youth on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:30pm to 8:00pm, as well as Fridays from 3:30pm to 9:00pm
Website: http://www.pridefoundation.org Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PrideFoundation Twitter https://www.twitter.com/pridefdn Pride Foundation provides grants and scholarships; inspires a culture of generosity that connects and strengthens Northwest organizations, leaders, and students who are creating LGBTQ equality.
Spokane PFLAG
Membership meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm at Bethany Presbyterian Church (2607 S. Ray St., Spokane WA 99223). All are welcome. Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, the end
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discrimination and secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.
College Groups Central Washington University Diversity Education Center SURC Room 253 400 E. University Way Ellensburg WA 98926 509/963-1685 Website dec@cwu.edu Committed to creating an atmosphere on campus of acceptance, equality and inclusion for all persons regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
EWU Pride Center 105 Showalter Hall Cheney WA 99004 509/359-7870 Website Facebook Page pride@ewu.edu We are here to support the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and ally students, faculty and staff at Eastern Washington University.
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Gonzaga University GLBT Resource Center Unity Multicultural Education Center 709 E. Desmet Spokane WA 99258 509/313-5847 Website Facebook lgbt@gonzaga.edu The LGBT Resource Center at Gonzaga University is inspired and guided by the university mission and values of faith, service, justice, leadership, and ethics. It aims to serve as a center for supporting community, networking, research, and education related to concerns shared by students, staff, and faculty of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
Gonzaga University HERO Unity House 709 E. Desmet Spokane WA 99258 Website hero@zagmail.gonzaga.edu Social group for GLBT students.
Gonzaga University School of Law - OutLaws Website Facebook Page mpaladin@lawschool.gonzaga.edu The GSA-Outlaws is devoted to promoting an inclusive law school community for LGBT students, faculty, and staff, as well as their allies. The organization fulfills this mission through many social, academic, and professional events that create campus dialogue on LGBT civil rights and legal advocacy.
North Idaho College Gay/ Straight Alliance
University Of Idaho GayStraight Alliance
Facebook Page theshort1@live.com
ASUI Office - Idaho Commons, Room 302 Moscow ID 83844 Website Facebook Page alliance@uidaho.edu
Our mission is to promote a positive and supportive environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, questioning and straight people as well as those who support them.
Spokane Community College ST:GLOBAL QSA Betsy Lawrence - Advisor 509/533-8103 BLawrence@scc.spokane.edu Facebook Page globalstqsa@gmail.com Commonly referred to as Global, stands for Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual Action League, Straight and Transgendered: Queer-Straight Alliance. Global’s purpose is to promote awareness and provide resources and a safe place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, questioning, ally, transgender, transsexual, asexual, intersex, and nonheteronormative identified people.
Spokane Falls Community College - The Alliance Barbara Williamson - Advisor 509-533-4507 Website Facebook Page GLBT and allies group to provide a safe space and to educate our community.
Social support group for students.
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO LGBTQA OFFICE PO Box 441064 Moscow ID 83844 208/885-6583 Website lgbtoffice@uidaho.edu A safe and welcoming space for members of the university community to explore aspects of sexual orientation and gender issues in an open and non-judgmental atmosphere. They strive to promote full inclusion of LGBT persons and their allies at UI and to eliminate homophobia, heterosexism, and sexism on their campus.
Washington State University Women’s Resource Center Wilson Hall, Room 8 PO Box 644005 Pullman WA 99164-4005 509/335-6849 Website The Center works to promote a safe and supportive climate that enables women to engage as full and active participants within the university system. The Center helps transform the educational environment into a more
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inclusive and progressive institution by assisting, supporting, and mentoring women at Washington State University.
Washington State University GLBTA PO Box 647204 - CUB401 Pullman WA 99164 509/335-4311 Website glbta.aswsu@wsu.edu The mission of the Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation Resource Center is to support education and advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and straight-allied students, staff, and faculty, as well as alumni/ae and members of the Palouse community.
Washington State University Gender Identity Expression And Sexual Orientation Resource Center PO Box 647204 Pullman WA 99163-7204 509/335-6388 hstanton@wsu.edu Support and resources for the GLBT WSU community.
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Transgenderfriendly Resources Therapists LGBT Counseling 1522 N. Washington St., Suite 102 Spokane WA 99201 Facebook Diversity Counseling Services 509/474-9964 Website Kate Robbins 509/768-8543 katerobbins@comcast.net Juliann Haffey, LMHC, MA 509/385-0292 Website Zita Nickeson 1212 N. Washington St., Suite 104 Spokane WA 99201 509/868-3387 z_nickeson@yahoo.com Terra Price B.S C.C. 2502 W. Gardner Ave. Spokane WA 99201 509/263-2206 terra@wisdomsjourney.biz Website
Doctors/HRT Prescribers Dr. Andrea Chatburn Family Medicine Spokane 104 W. 5th Ave., Suite 200W Spokane WA 99204 509/624-2313 Website Dr. Cathcart Northside Internal Medicine 6120 N. Mayfair St., Suite 101 Spokane WA 99208 509/344-8328 Dr. Will Corell Integrative Medicine Associates 3424 S. Grand Blvd. Spokane WA 99203 509/838-5800
Urologist Robert J. Golden, MD 12615 E. Mission Ave. Spokane Valley WA 99216-1047 509/921-0099
GP/Gyno Care Dr. William Roth GP (pronounced “Rooth”) Roth Medical Center 220 E. Rowan, Suite 200 Spokane WA 99207 Office: 509/483-4403 Fax: 509/489-7556
Wendy Smith ARNP, MN GP/Gyno Full Circle Medical Clinic 508 W. 6th Ave., Suite 303 Spokane WA 99204 509/624-6500
Hair Removal Elain Cain Electrologist 18123 E. Appleway Ave. Green Acres WA 99016 Loisville Lazer 6011 N. Division St. Spokane WA 99208 509/482-0655 Dianne at Mirage Spa and Salon Electrologist 9421 N. Division St. Spokane WA 99218 509/325-5254 Inland Empire Dermatology 312 N. Mullan Rd. Spokane Valley WA 99206 509/921-7884
Hormones and Pharmacy Needs Tyler Treharne, Pharm. D. Strochecker’s Pharmacy 2855-A SW Patton Rd. Portland OR 97201 503/222-4822 treharne.tyler@gmail.com
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Surgeons Dr. Antonio Mangubat Breast Augmentation and Chest Reconstruction 16400 Southcenter Parkway, Suite 101 Tukwila WA 98188 206/575-0300 Dr. Tuan Nguyen Breast Augmentation and Chest Reconstruction; MtF SRS Lake Oswego Plastic Surgery 15820 Quarry Rd. Lake Oswego OR 97035 503/635-1955
Legal Assistance Transgender Law Center 415/865-0176 info@transgenderlawcenter.org Website
General Information How to change your gender marker on your drivers license: Website District Court name change petition and instructions: Website
Places of Worship Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane 4340 W. Fort Wright Drive Spokane WA 99224 509/325-6383 Website Worship services on Sunday at 9:15am and 11am.
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Bethany Presbyterian Church 2607 S. Ray St. Spokane WA 99223 509/534-0066 Website Worship service on Sunday at 10:30am
Transgender Play Group We are pleased to announce the formation of a playgroup open to all gender nonconforming and transgender children up to the age of 13. It will provide children with a supportive and positive space where they can socialize with other children expressing comparable ranges of gender fluidity. It is especially designed to run concurrently with the parents group and conveniently allows parents the opportunity to meet while their children are having supervised fun in the same building. ALSO – parents of trans children of ANY age may attend this support group. Both groups are supervised by licensed mental health therapists. The playgroup has young adult mentors who also identify along the gender spectrum. There is no charge for either group. In order to keep our children safe and protect our families’ anonymity we do require a screening interview to establish eligibility for the groups. To arrange an interview or for more information please contact Marybeth Markham at transgendercare@live.com or 509/795-6437. You can also find more info at www.MarybethMarkham.com.
Open & Affirming Congregations Rainbow Cathedral Metropolitan Community Church 225 N. 2nd St. Yakima WA (Between Martin Luther King Blvd and Lincoln Ave) Pastor: Rev. Jane Emma Newall 509/457-6454 Website therevjane@juno.com Celebrating God’s Expansive Love in the Yakima Valley 6:30 PM Sundays
River of Life Metropolitan Community Church 2625 W. Bruneau Pl. Kennewick WA 99336 509/628-4047 Website Christian church celebrating diversity and affirming GLBT people. Sunday services at 11:30 a.m.
Seventh-day Adventist Kinship Summit Northwest Ministries (Seventh-day Adventist) 8311 N. Idaho Rd. Newman Lake, WA 99025 208/773-5950 https://www.facebook.com/summitnorthwest Ask for Caleb Foss, young adults pastor, to explore ways to get involved. Recommended by Terry Rice, local Kinship chapter leader.
Unitarian Universalist Church 4340 W. Fort Wright Dr. Spokane WA 99224 509/325-6383 Website Facebook Page admin-asst@uuspokane.org We join together to create an inspiring and nourishing liberal religious home. In the wider world, we champion justice, diversity, and environmental stewardship.
Unity Church 2900 S. Bernard St. Spokane WA 99203 509/838-6518 Website Facebook Page terri@unityspokane.org We are a community of love and acceptance dedicated to spiritual discovery.
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Westminster Congregation United Church 411 S. Washington St. Spokane WA 99204 509/624-1366 Facebook Page Founded in 1879, Westminster celebrates over 125 years of dedicated service to God and the people of Spokane.
Social and Support Groups Bi-Social in Spokane Facebook Page GettingBi@gmail.com A social group of varied ages and interests gathered to chat, play, and plan .
Book Group - GLBT Meeting at The LGBT Center 1522 N. Washington St., #102 Spokane WA 99201 Website
Have a passion for books? Want to share your passion with others and make new friends, all the while exploring interesting titles and subjects? If so, then The Center’s Book Group is for you. The Group meets the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7pm at The Center. Always welcoming new folks to join and make new friends!!!
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Destinations 509/850-0150 Website Facebook Page Secretary@DestinationsOfSpokane.org Destinations is an all-inclusive social group in the Inland Northwest encouraging interaction, mutual understanding and friendship between all sexual orientations and gender identities. We provide social settings and activities for people from diverse points of view to network, form bonds and create alliances.
Equality Spokane 509/723-2498 Facebook Page info@equalityspokane.org Equality Spokane’s mission is to help motivate, inspire, encourage and bring Spokane’s lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people along with their families and friends together.
Spokane Trans* People 509/489-1914 Website Facebook spokane.trans.ppl@gmail.com We intend to provide leadership and organization for the Spokane Transgender /Transsexual community. Assisting in the open exchange of information and offering mentor-ship to those who have recently come to terms with their gender identity
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