SNN THIS MONTH SPOKANE – Nathan Lane demon- strated John Wayne’s walk in The Birdcage. Now we get to see The Duke act – in the same manner – at Gay Movie Night at CenterStage. Vol. XIII, No. 12 Serving the Gay and Lesbian Community of the Inland Northwest December 2004 Page 17. SPOKANE – events in Cincinnati after voters ap- Like a young Jim proved the amendment in 1993. Carrey, Damon Cincy loses $25 million Mentzer’s rubbery Those conventions had been ex- features light up pected to bring $25 million to the Inspecting Carol at in tourism revenue due area. “We’ll follow up with every Interplayers. Page group that canceled,” said Alan 14. Welch, interim bureau president. Damon Mentzer to discrimination of gays Some groups say repealing the SPOKANE – In CINCINNATI – Tourism officials after city and business leaders warned amendment could be the first step to- its search for new strategies effective here are targeting organizations and ward bringing their business back. in halting the spread of HIV and that it was harming the city’s groups that previously had taken their AIDS, Spokane AIDS Network is economy, said the AP. Earlier, the convention business elsewhere be- shelving a program it pioneered a de- Greater Cincinnati Convention and Only state to allow cause of a charter provision banning cade ago. Page 7. Visitors Bureau sent letters to 200 laws protecting gay people from dis- groups that cited gay rights issues as gay marriage has SPOKANE – New monarchs for crimination, according to the Associ- a reason for not hosting meetings in lowest divorce rate the Imperial Sovereign Court of Spo- ated Press. Cincinnati. Bureau representatives kane for 2004-2005 include an em- Cincinnatians voted to repeal the also are considering meeting with BOSTON – In an irony on the ra- press and two emperors. Page 5. 11-year-old Article XII in November eight groups that canceled scheduled dar of both conservatives and liber- als, researchers have noted that the COEUR D’ALENE – Five years areas of the country where divorce ago, Keith Wolter won the coveted rates are highest also are the same Rainbow Award for his activism in the Remembering areas where many conservative Chris- gay community. This month, he’s tians live, according to the New York stepping down from his post at North Times. Idaho AIDS Coalition. Page 8. Voters in states like Kentucky, Mis- SEATTLE – Pe- sissippi and Arkansas, for example, ter Boal, a princi- overwhelmingly approved state con- pal with New York stitutional amendments to ban gay City Ballet since marriage. But those three states also 1989, will succeed had the highest divorce rates in 2003, Kent Stowell and according to figures from the Census Francia Russell as Bureau and the National Center for artistic director of Health Statistics, the Times reported. Pacific Northwest Peter Boal The state with the lowest divorce Ballet at the end of rate – Massachusetts – is the only state the current season. that currently allows same-sex mar- riage. SEATTLE – The Seattle Men’s Chorus and the Seattle Women’s Cho- “Some people are saying, ‘The rus will present holiday concerts this Bible Belt is so pro-marriage, but gee, month. Calendar, page 9. they have the highest divorce rates in photo by Christopher Lawrence the country,’” Barbara Dafoe White- PORTLAND – Travelers to the A mother and her daughter joined upwards of 100 people at the Northwest head, co-director of the National Mar- Rose City in mid-December are in- Museum of Arts and Culture to commemorate World AIDS Day Dec. 1. The riage Project at Rutgers University, vited to enjoy the Portland Gay Men’s somber, yet inspirational program was presented by Spokane AIDS Network, told the Times. Chorus in concert. For tickets and Unity Church of Truth, Spokane Regional Health District and the museum (MAC). information, phone (503) 226-2588. TRENTON – The former governor of New Jersey is touted as the next Saskatchewan 7th in Canada INSIDE “powerful voice” for the gay commu- nity. Page 10. to legalize marriage for gays Arts & Entertainment .......... 14 Business Directory ............. 13 ATLANTA – A close shave on cer- SASKATOON, Saskatchewan – A and Nova Scotia have already ruled in tain parts of the body may be hazard- Saskatchewan court ruling Nov. 5 the same way. Elsewhere in the coun- Classifieds ........................... 25 ous to one’s health. Page 11. made this Canadian prairie province try, gay couples are challenging the Garden Clippings ................ 22 the country’s seventh jurisdiction to law in Newfoundland and Labrador. WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. International News .............. 12 Supreme Court says it will not hear a allow gay couples to wed. The Supreme Court of Canada cur- challenge to the legality of same-sex According to the Associated Press, rently is evaluating a draft federal law Ken Lovering ....................... 23 marriage in Massachusetts. Page 21. Justice Donna Wilson agreed with from Prime Minister Paul Martin’s National News ..................... 10 courts in five other provinces and one government that could make gay wed- JAMAICA – Human rights advo- territory, saying existing marriage dings legal from coast to coast. Political News...................... 20 cates here see anti-gay violence and laws discriminate against gay couples The high court is expected to rule Regional News ...................... 8 homophobia as deterrents to HIV and and were unconstitutional. The next year. Resource Directory............. 26 AIDS education. Page 12. Saskatchewan ruling came after five The decision in Saskatchewan Reviews & Previews ........... 18 NORTH POLE – Santa’s coming gay couples went to court seeking the came three days after American vot- and Stonewall’s got some gift ideas, right to marry. ers in 11 states indicated their disap- Spokane News ...................... 4 whether you’re shopping for others or High courts in Quebec, British Co- proval of legalizing marriage benefits Tell Trinity ............................ 17 for yourself. Pages 16 and 24. lumbia, Ontario, the Yukon, Manitoba for gay couples. Voices..................................... 2 Page 2 Stonewall News Northwest December 2004 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 Justice for all people of the City of Spokane Hey, big spender! “Equal Rights for All” Dean Lynch ❖ Bill Nourse ❖ Ella Hartson Act on your and prepaid gift cards will be more tions like Stonewall News Northwest Dennis Davis ❖ Jay Castro ❖ Janice Marx ‘consumer smarts’ popular than ever. – and Web sites. There are books and the Reverend Linda J. Laster Amid this frenzy of spending, the Web sites that provide that informa- Marianne Hurmence-Dawson before spending question to be asked is whether and tion. your money how we can effectively use the A second way would include money we are going to be spending preferentially patronizing companies by Paul Varnell anyway to bolster our standing and targeted for boycotts by our oppo- legitimacy in the country. nents like Focus on the Family Founder and Publisher Every year with the regularity of a (FOTF) or the American Family 1992 - 1995 metronome – and the foresight of a It seems likely that, for the next Lawrence B. Stone four years, gays will make few gains Association (AFA) to counter any parsnip – I forget to write a Thanks- possible impact of their boycotts. Vol. XIII, No. 12 giving column. But this year I am at in the political sphere, at least at the national level. That means we would For instance, one conservative Publisher and Executive Editor least writing a Christmas column. John M. Deen And it is about, as you might guess, be wise to look to other areas where group called a boycott of Procter and we can influence social change. The Gamble because the company Production Editor “the true meaning of Christmas.” Mark Southwick Which is, of course: Gifts. most obvious is the business sector. supported repeal of an anti-gay provision in Cincinnati’s city charter. Contributors The Christmas (aka “holiday”) Capitalism, after all, is a system Graham G. Ames where the consumer gets the final (Related story on page 21.) Procter Su Docekal shopping season is huge. Many and Gamble, alas, probably doesn’t retailers count on the Christmas say: If a consumer does not like a Kurt Erichsen product (or the producer), he doesn’t make many products that qualify as Christopher Lawrence shopping season to put them, at the Christmas gifts, but a check of the Michael Loundagin last minute, in the black rather than have to buy; there are always alterna- Earl Storm tive products and producers. “Con- FOTF and AFA Web sites would turn Trinity the red. Some make 25 percent of up a full list of boycott targets. their annual sales in the four weeks sumerism,” rightly understood, is Paul Varnell between Thanksgiving and Christ- simply the evaluation and purchasing A cautionary note: No one should mas. side of the economy. Our task is to feel obligated to buy an inferior News and Advertising make our consumerism work for us. product no matter how gay-friendly Contact Information The National Retail Federation the manufacturer, nor patronize a projects total sales of $220 billion – Some ways to do that are already rude retailer no matter how gay or Stonewall News Northwest almost $750 for every man, woman familiar. The most obvious is to patronize manufacturers and retailers officially gay friendly. After all, P.O. Box 2704 and born child. Clothing, luxuries “smart consumerism” is also a way Spokane, WA 99220 and high-end electronics – digital that are “gay friendly,” as proven by their nondiscrimination policies, of rewarding product quality and News and Advertising televisions, digital photography and retail courtesy. Those count in our Phone: (509) 456-8011 their offering of partner benefits for Fax: (509) 455-7013 downloadable music items – are quality of life, too.