Pride Week sweet deal Open the box, dump the pow- der in a bowl, add milk and stir. It’s a simple recipe, but there’s al- Vol. XIV, No. 4 Serving the Gay and Lesbian Community of the Inland Northwest April 2005 ways that moment when you think it may not blend properly. Then, voila! You’re serving dessert after all. Rodee-no-no Spokane’s Pride Week commit- Equality tee is still in the kitchen and, with help from some other cooks, ap- pears that it will be serving a table loaded with tempting and creative now in confections. And the menu is still open for additional treats. For a quick lick of the spatula, see stories beginning on page 6. hands of Historical commission: Olympia Gay marker approved for lawgivers Independence Supreme Court, Senate Hall grounds to decide marriage, PHILADELPHIA – The birthplace anti-discrimination of America’s fight for liberty will soon be the site of a new monument. compiled from various reports The Pennsylvania Historical and Mu- OLYMPIA – A Senate committee seum Commission has announced was to consider H.B. 1515, the Ander- photo courtesy John Tomes approval of an historical marker that son-Murray Anti-Discrimination Bill, will recognize the area around Inde- Bull riding is one capital event at rodeos, but Coeur d’Alene’s John Tomes, that would provide state residents civil above, was about to rack up frequent flyer miles from the back of Taylormade pendence Hall as the site of the first rights protections in employment, at last year’s Comstock Gay Rodeo in Reno, Nev. Tomes and other gay cowboys organized gay and lesbian civil rights housing and public accommodation and cowgirls are planning a rodeo event sponsored by the Pacific Northwest demonstration. based on sexual orientation. Gay Rodeo Association in the Spokane area for late May or early June. Related Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. The House of Representative over- story on page 8. Rendell is expected to unveil the whelming passed the bill on a vote of marker at a national celebration at In- 61-37, and Gov. Christine Gregoire has state no longer can justify limiting mar- dependence Hall on May 1. The event indicated that she will sign it. Pres- Prime Minister: Britain riage to a man and a woman. The de- will commemorate the 40th anniver- ently, however, the bill must be ap- cision was hailed as a legal landmark ready for a gay leader sary of the gay civil rights movement, proved at the committee level before that, if upheld on appeal, would pave LONDON marked by the demonstration at Inde- it can be forwarded for a vote by the – British Prime Minister the way for the nation’s most populous pendence Hall full chamber. Tony Blair publicly announced last on July 4, state to follow Massachusetts in allow- month that the United Kingdom is ready 1965. Insiders indicate a Senate vote ing same-sex couples to wed. for an openly-gay prime minister. would be close. “We are “It appears that no rational purpose “I don’t think people would reject a thrilled that Meanwhile, in the state Supreme exists for limiting marriage in this state prime minister simply on the basis that this important Court, justices are considering the con- to opposite-sex partners,” San Fran- he was gay,” Blair said in an interview landmark has stitutionality of extending the full cisco County Superior Court Judge with a local magazine, according to been approved rights of marriage to same-sex couples Richard Kramer wrote. Kramer stated The (Edinburgh) Scotsman, as Stone- unanimously in Washington state. The justices heard that the state’s historical definition of wall News Northwest prepared for by the (state arguments March 8 in lawsuit enjoined marriage, by itself, cannot justify the press. historical by the American Civil Liberties Union, unconstitutional denial of equal pro- commis- Pennsylvania Gov. Lambda Legal and the Northwest tection for gay men and lesbians and sion),” said Edward G. Rendell Women’s Law Center. their right to marry. INSIDE Malcolm Lazin, executive director of Plaintiffs in the case – 29 gay and Plaintiffs and their lawyers said the sponsoring Equality Forum. lesbian couples seeking to marry, in- Kramer’s ruling was a milestone for Arts & Entertainment .......... 10 “We commend Equality Forum for cluding Marge Ballack and Diane California, akin to the 1948 state Su- a well presented historical marker Lantz of Spokane – are challenging the preme Court decision that made Cali- Business Directory ............. 13 nomination form,” Wayne Spilove, legality of the state’s 1998 Defense of fornia the first state in the nation to Calendar .............................. 19 chairman of PHMC, said March 23. Marriage Act (DOMA) which limits legalize interracial marriage. marriage to heterosexual couples. Classifieds ........................... 18 “Pennsylvania is proud to be both the The California lawsuits have been birthplace of our nation and the birth- The court did not indicate when it closely watched. The state has the International News .............. 16 place of so many historic events that would issue a ruling in the case, but highest percentage of same-sex part- National News ..................... 14 have advanced civil rights in those close to the matter feel an an- ners in the nation, and its Legisla- America,” Spilove added. nouncement may be forthcoming in ture has gone further than any other Regional News ...................... 8 three to four months. The 16-hour national celebration on in voluntarily providing gay couples Spokane News ...................... 4 May 1 is part of Equality Forum 2005, In another related development last the perks of marriage without a Tell Trinity ............................ 17 Continued on page 18 month, a California judge ruled that the court order. Voices..................................... 2 Page 2 Stonewall News Northwest April 2005 This paper proudly dedicates itself to the spirit of the Voices Stonewall Patriots who, on May 5, 1997, courageously committed themselves to the achievement of Freedom and Liberty and A gay district in Spokane? Justice for all people of the City of Spokane “Equal Rights for All” Dean Lynch ❖ Bill Nourse ❖ Ella Hartson It’s about a La Cage aux Folles for canaries Dennis Davis ❖ Jay Castro ❖ Janice Marx by Michael Alvear the Reverend Linda J. Laster Sure, there are successful ethnic enclaves. The Marianne Hurmence-Dawson Latin Quarter in New Orleans, China Town in New Should cities create “gay districts” to attract tour- York and Little Cuba in Miami are all physical “dis- ists, residents and businesses? Gay activists in Spo- tricts” with shared cultural, linguistic and religious kane, Washington, are at the forefront of this question. practices. But a gay district would never work because They want to create a “gay district” filled with gay sexual orientation cuts across ethnic, religious and homes and businesses to attract some of the 38 million racial lines. What do gays and lesbians have in com- Founder and Publisher people economist Richard Florida calls the Creative mon other than that they’re romantically attracted to 1992 - 1995 Class – people like doctors and software engineers the same sex? Lawrence B. Stone who think for a living and prefer places that index Vol. XIV, No. 4 high on innovation and diversity. The Creative Class is not interested in gay districts; they’re not even interested in gay people, per se. What Publisher and Executive Editor Well, guess what? The folks in Spokane are casting John M. Deen a Queer Eye Down the Wrong Drive. Creating “gay they’re interested in are the things that gays value – walkable neighborhoods, mixed-use spaces, the arts, Production Editor districts” won’t draw in business, residents and Mark Southwick tourists. In fact, it’ll do the opposite. The Creative architectural design, variety and eccentricity. Contributors Class economist Richard Florida talks about is re- Birds of a feather might flock together but, ironi- Michael Alvear pelled by artifice. And building what amounts to a cally, the first ones to fly the coop in a gay district will Kurt Erichson Gay Epcott Center is the epitome of pretense. be gays themselves. That’s because if you want to see Earl Storm Gay activists and straight city planners are misinter- how tacky gay people can be, take a look at what John Tomes preting the influential economist’s findings. He never happens when we do things for each other. Ever been said, “Build it and they will come.” He said something to the Castro in San Francisco? Go. You’ll never say News and Advertising more like, “Let them come and they’ll build it.” “gay districts” and “creative” in the same sentence Contact Information again. Ever been to a Pride parade? Go. You’ll see Look at the success stories that Florida points to – Stonewall News Northwest and that Spokane wants to copy – Minneapolis’ Lorin better floats at high school homecoming parades. P.O. Box 2704 Park, Boston’s Jamaica Plain, Chicago’s Boystown, There’s nothing gay about the things gays like in Spokane, WA 99220 Atlanta’s Midtown, Washington’s Logan Circle. All their neighborhoods. What’s gay about wanting News and Advertising have a high Gay Index. But these cities didn’t create racially diverse neighbors? What’s gay about wanting Phone: (509) 456-8011 to walk to work? Fax: (509) 455-7013 gay districts. They created incentives to rebuild E-mail: [email protected] neglected neighborhoods. This whole issue reminds me of the old story about When sending artwork/graphic files by They made it easier for urban pioneers to stake out miners taking canaries into mine shafts. Miners used e-mail, please use: their territory. Gay men tend to be the first to gentrify them to detect deadly but odorless gases.