Seattle Gay News: Victory Fund endorses Gay Burien City Council member
September 30, 2005
Stephen Lamphear, who is running for re-election to the Burien City Council, is the only candidate in Washington state to be endorsed at this time by the national Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.
As the nation's largest LGBT political action committee, the Victory Fund provides strategic, technical and financial support to openly LGBT candidates and officials. The Victory Fund is the only national organization committed to increasing the number of openly LGBT public officials at all levels of government.
Lamphear is one of the few openly Gay public officials in Washington state. He has been a well-respected and effective member of the Burien City Council since 1998, and is running for re-election to his third term in November.
As the nation's largest LGBT political action committee, the Victory Fund provides strategic, technical and financial support to openly LGBT candidates and officials. The Victory Fund is the only national organization committed to increasing the number of openly LGBT public officials at all levels of government.
Lamphear is one of the few openly Gay public officials in Washington state. He has been a well-respected and effective member of the Burien City Council since 1998, and is running for re-election to his third term in November.
Seattle Gay News: State Democrats recognize Stonewall Democrats as official Gay caucus
Stonewall Democrats became the [Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender] Caucus of the Washington State Democratic Party at the WSDC Conference on September 16th, in Everett, Washington. The Stonewall organization is dedicated to fighting for strong, pro-GBLT stances by the party; increasing the number of GBLT Democrats in elected positions state-wide; and helping GBLT activists get involved with their local Democratic party.
Formerly known as the Harvey Muggy Stonewall Democrats, the group convened an official caucus during the quarterly meeting of the WS Democrats. Transitional officers were elected and plans made for a future meetings as well as outreach to the GLBT community in Washington. Having this recognized caucus facilitates the groups formally recognizing and supporting GLBT Democrats.
Formerly known as the Harvey Muggy Stonewall Democrats, the group convened an official caucus during the quarterly meeting of the WS Democrats. Transitional officers were elected and plans made for a future meetings as well as outreach to the GLBT community in Washington. Having this recognized caucus facilitates the groups formally recognizing and supporting GLBT Democrats.
Stranger: School Spirit
September 29, 2005
Like the rest of their classmates, the kids in the Lake Washington High School Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) recently kicked off their year. More than 50 kids met for the first time this fall after school on Monday, September 19, in their advisor's classroom. But unlike other students at Lake Washington—most of whom are looking ahead—the kids in the GSA spent their first meeting rehashing a controversial issue from last spring: An anti-gay, conservative Eastside church—Antioch Bible Church—had become a political heavyweight.
Antioch is headed up by conservative evangelical minister and media hog Ken Hutcherson, who's garnered plenty of attention in the past two years with his well-publicized anti-gay activism. An African American and a former Seahawks linebacker, Hutcherson led 2004's Mayday for Marriage rally at Safeco Field, where 20,000 people gathered to protest same-sex marriage. (The Stranger hired an airplane to pull a banner over the ballpark during the rally that read, "The Stranger Says Get Out of Our Ballpark Bigots!") Hutcherson claims to have several "former homosexuals" in his congregation, and he boasts of his frequent meetings with George W. Bush. He is also a loud critic of anyone who dares compare the current gay rights movement with the civil rights movement in the '60s. Last spring he took credit for lobbying Microsoft until it pulled support of an antidiscrimination bill in the state legislature. The bill failed by one vote.
Antioch is headed up by conservative evangelical minister and media hog Ken Hutcherson, who's garnered plenty of attention in the past two years with his well-publicized anti-gay activism. An African American and a former Seahawks linebacker, Hutcherson led 2004's Mayday for Marriage rally at Safeco Field, where 20,000 people gathered to protest same-sex marriage. (The Stranger hired an airplane to pull a banner over the ballpark during the rally that read, "The Stranger Says Get Out of Our Ballpark Bigots!") Hutcherson claims to have several "former homosexuals" in his congregation, and he boasts of his frequent meetings with George W. Bush. He is also a loud critic of anyone who dares compare the current gay rights movement with the civil rights movement in the '60s. Last spring he took credit for lobbying Microsoft until it pulled support of an antidiscrimination bill in the state legislature. The bill failed by one vote.
KOMO: Gay Marriage Ruling Due
September 28, 2005
"It's a threat to our society, it's a threat to how the family unit works. That lifestyle has been proven not to be the healthiest in the world," says Ken Hutcherson, pastor of Antioch Bible Church in Redmond. "I don't want to see gay marriage anywhere, much less in the state that I'm residing."
Hutcherson says he has no problem with loving relationships. He just doesn't believe it will stop there.
"The average gay couple is not interested in equality," Hutcherson says. "The average gay couple is interesting in suppressing anyone who disagrees with them." That's something Hutcherson himself has been accused of.
Hutcherson says he has no problem with loving relationships. He just doesn't believe it will stop there.
"The average gay couple is not interested in equality," Hutcherson says. "The average gay couple is interesting in suppressing anyone who disagrees with them." That's something Hutcherson himself has been accused of.
KOMO: Canadian Man Thinking Globally About Gay Rights
September 27, 2005
Hutcherson pulls no punches when it comes to equal rights for gays. He says today they want gay marriage, but doesn't believe it will end there.
"You know, if I had a cobra, and I was looking at him to buy him. He's had seven other owners, and he's bitten and killed all seven owners," Hutcherson says. "And then he turns around and says 'you can trust me.'"
According to Hutcherson, pastors around the world are being arrested and being hauled into court for speaking up for what they believe is right.
"You know, if I had a cobra, and I was looking at him to buy him. He's had seven other owners, and he's bitten and killed all seven owners," Hutcherson says. "And then he turns around and says 'you can trust me.'"
According to Hutcherson, pastors around the world are being arrested and being hauled into court for speaking up for what they believe is right.
365Gay.com: Washington State Gays Wait For Marriage Ruling
September 26, 2005
Equal Rights Washington, the state's largest LGBT rights group, says it expects if the suit is successful gay and lesbian couples could immediately apply for licenses. The first weddings would take place following a three-day waiting period, which would make it a Sunday.
Equal Rights is optimistically looking forward to winning the case. It's prepared a check-list for couples who are prepared to Marry
"Anything that can be taken care of ahead of time, so it's not just a scramble," Fran Dunaway, executive director of Equal Rights Washington told the Seattle Times. "There'll be dresses to buy; suits to iron, flowers to be picked up. It would be a powerful experience for a lot of people."
Legal experts say the court could rule in any of three ways: It could declare DOMA unconstitutional and grant same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexuals, uphold DOMA, or ask the Legislature to resolve the issue.
Equal Rights is optimistically looking forward to winning the case. It's prepared a check-list for couples who are prepared to Marry
"Anything that can be taken care of ahead of time, so it's not just a scramble," Fran Dunaway, executive director of Equal Rights Washington told the Seattle Times. "There'll be dresses to buy; suits to iron, flowers to be picked up. It would be a powerful experience for a lot of people."
Legal experts say the court could rule in any of three ways: It could declare DOMA unconstitutional and grant same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexuals, uphold DOMA, or ask the Legislature to resolve the issue.
Seattle Gay News: Primary results a mixed bag for the LGBT community
September 23, 2005
King County Councilmember Steve Hammond, a virulent opponent of LGBT equality, lost his race for the District 9 position to challenger Reagan Dunn, son to former Republican Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn. Hammond had opposed pro-LGBT measures that came before the King County Council, attended a Focus on the Family conference which claimed to offer "freedom from homosexuality," and had sought the endorsement of Focus on the Family Founder Dr. James Dobson. Dunn will now face Democrat Shirley Gaunt-Smith in November.
"It remains to be seen where the winner of this race, Reagan Dunn, will come down on LGBT issues, but he isn't likely to be worse, or even as bad as Steve Hammond," said Dubay. "From my experience, I'd say that Mr. Hammond has been hostile to us and I'm glad to see him go."
"It remains to be seen where the winner of this race, Reagan Dunn, will come down on LGBT issues, but he isn't likely to be worse, or even as bad as Steve Hammond," said Dubay. "From my experience, I'd say that Mr. Hammond has been hostile to us and I'm glad to see him go."
Seattle Gay News: Same-sex couples needed for response to Supreme Court decision on marriage equality
Equal Rights Washington, the state's largest pro-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender rights organization, announced this week that it is seeking couples who wish to marry following an expected Washington State Supreme Court decision on marriage equality. Should the state's highest court role for the plaintiffs in the case, same-sex couples could begin marrying as early as the following Sunday.
"If the Supreme Court rules that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, it will mean that loving, committed, gay and lesbian couples will have the rights and benefits they need to take responsibility for one another," ERW Executive Director Fran Dunaway told the Seattle Gay News on Thursday. "These couples will finally know that their children will receive the same protections and benefits as everyone else's children. They will know that when there is a health crisis, they will be viewed as next-of-kin, not shown the hospital room door. And, should their spouse die, the surviving spouse will know that there are protections in place in that greatest time of grief and need."
"If the Supreme Court rules that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, it will mean that loving, committed, gay and lesbian couples will have the rights and benefits they need to take responsibility for one another," ERW Executive Director Fran Dunaway told the Seattle Gay News on Thursday. "These couples will finally know that their children will receive the same protections and benefits as everyone else's children. They will know that when there is a health crisis, they will be viewed as next-of-kin, not shown the hospital room door. And, should their spouse die, the surviving spouse will know that there are protections in place in that greatest time of grief and need."
Seattle TImes: Plans in works for gay unions
September 22, 2005
In anticipation of a Washington State Supreme Court ruling favoring same-sex marriage, a gay-rights organization is preparing now to help gay and lesbian couples with plans for immediate weddings.
The high court's decision could come this fall in a lawsuit by 19 gay and lesbian couples across the state who are seeking the right to marry here, or to have their marriages from elsewhere recognized in this state.
Equal Rights Washington believes that if the ruling allows gays to marry, couples may be able to apply for marriage licenses on the day the ruling is issued — typically that would happen on a Thursday — and that weddings then could take place following a three-day waiting period.
"We are talking about the best case scenario — and saying, 'Let's have a wedding on Sunday,' " said Fran Dunaway, executive director of Equal Rights Washington.
The high court's decision could come this fall in a lawsuit by 19 gay and lesbian couples across the state who are seeking the right to marry here, or to have their marriages from elsewhere recognized in this state.
Equal Rights Washington believes that if the ruling allows gays to marry, couples may be able to apply for marriage licenses on the day the ruling is issued — typically that would happen on a Thursday — and that weddings then could take place following a three-day waiting period.
"We are talking about the best case scenario — and saying, 'Let's have a wedding on Sunday,' " said Fran Dunaway, executive director of Equal Rights Washington.
