a quarterly publication from seattle’s …
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A Q U A R T E R LY P U B L I C AT I O N F R O M S E AT T L E ’ S
L E S B I A N , G AY, B I S E X U A L , T R A N S G E N D E R
A N D A L L I E D C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E
S T R E N G T H E N I N G O U R M E M B E R S H I P A N D
C O N N E C T I N G O U R C O M M U N I T Y T H R O U G H
E F F E C T I V E , I N F O R M AT I V E C O M M U N I C AT I O N
SUMMER 2011
Office Climate Contributes to Success PAGE 3 GSBA Scholarship Story PAGE 5
Skin Cancer: What We Need to Know PAGE 6 Sick Leave Debate PAGES 8-9 New Members PAGE 11
perspective
continued on page 4
inside
GLENN JOHNSON HAS HAD A LONG AND SUCCESSFUL career with Alaska Air Group. His current role is as President of Horizon Air and being an airline executive certainly has its perks. “Thanks to Alaska Air, I got the best perk ever,” Glenn says. “I got to meet Mike.”
Glenn is talking about his husband, Michael Melancon. Mike, with a 30 year background in human resources management, is the
Glenn Johnson and Michael
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Melancon: Living Out and Proud is Part of Their Personal Mission B Y G A I L B E N Z L E R
Effectiveness Practice Leader for The Washington Firm. He’s also an ordained Zen Buddhist chaplain. The two met by chance in 1998 at the airport returning home from trips to Puerto Vallarta. “I wasn’t even supposed to be on that flight,” Glenn says. But, he was and the rest is, as they say, history. Glenn and Mike married later that year.
What strikes you immediately about Glenn and Mike as a couple is their relaxed manner and how they share a common mission. They want to combine their two skill sets to help people. “We’ve been very fortunate in our careers,” Mike states. “We want to ‘pay it forward’ in ways that are commensurate with the success we’ve enjoyed.”
Glenn and Mike have been involved with GSBA for some time. Glenn’s support was integral to the success and launch of GSBA’s Travel and Tourism Initiative. Mike serves on the GSBA
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president & ceo’s ColumnGSBA BOARD OF DIRECTORSExecutive OfficersMark Rosen, Chair, Salon [email protected]
Rachael Brister, Vice Chair, Three Dollar Bill [email protected]
Bob Blackburn, Secretary, Coldwell Banker [email protected]
John Wong, Treasurer, Diversified Financial Advisors, [email protected]
Kirsten Weiss, Scholarship Fund Chair, Safeco [email protected]
Mona Smith, Immediate Past Chair, Mona Smith [email protected]
DirectorsRoen Ako, Newman Dierst Hales, [email protected]
Allan Aquila, Allan Aquila & Associates, [email protected]
Kevin Bohnert, Windermere Real Estate/Wall Street, [email protected]
Amy Burdick, [email protected]
Gary Collins, [email protected]
Martha Davis, City Lights Sign [email protected]
Glenda Downs, Sky River [email protected]
Lori Dugdale, [email protected]
Mitch Evans, Starbucks Coffee [email protected]
Louis Haslett, Embassy Suites, [email protected]
Frank Huguenin, 2008 GSBA Scholarship [email protected]
Joe Mirabella, Social Media & Online Marketing [email protected]
Kristine Messick, Crow’s Nest Home Inspections, [email protected]
Rene Neidhart, Renaissance [email protected]
Martha Norberg, Seabold [email protected]
Victoria Odell, Seattle Swirl, [email protected]
Nikki Plaid, MCW Events, [email protected]
Kurt Sarchet, Precision Garage Door [email protected]
Michael Staeb, Ash Brokerage [email protected]
StaffJerome Bader, Director of Marketing & External Relations [email protected]
Louise Chernin, President & CEO, [email protected]
Rachel Chernin, Operations Manager [email protected]
Joshua Rumley, Office [email protected]
Jessica Swetin Membership Services Coordinator [email protected]
April Thanos, Program Manager, [email protected]
Jessica Wootten, Development Associate & Scholarship Manager, [email protected]
ContractorsGail Benzler, Editor-in-Chief [email protected]
Matt Ketcham, Ketcham Design, Designer & Publisher [email protected]
GSBA’s The Perspective is published quarterly by and for the members of the Greater Seattle Business Association, 400 E. Pine, Suite 322, Seattle, WA 98122, printed by Girlie Press and mailed from Seattle, Washington 98124. Opinions expressed in Perspective do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its members, or its Board of Directors. Deadline for submission of all ads and articles for each issue is the 1st of the previous month. Established in 1981, GSBA is a business chamber serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied business and professional community. As expressed in our Mission Statement, GSBA is committed to “To combine business development, leadership and social action to expand economic opportunities for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and those who support equality for all.” Membership is open to any business or individual who subscribes to the purposes of the association. For more information, contact GSBA at (206) 363-9188, or visit our Website at thegsba.org.
It’s for theKidsB Y J O H N W O N G
F E A T U R E W R I T E R
Putting it in PerspectiveB Y G S B A B O A R D C H A I R
M A R K R O S É N
board chair’s Column
continued on page 11
GSBA RECENTLY SENT YOU A SURVEY asking for input on the mandatory sick leave ordinance which may be introduced by the Seattle City Council. If this ordinance becomes city law, it would mandate that all businesses, regardless of size, offer paid sick leave for all employees. The sick leave would be based on size of business and number of
FTE’s (full time equivalent) hours accrued. For example, in companies with 49 or fewer FTE’s, an employee would accrue one hour for each 50 hours worked, but no more than 40 hours (five days) in a calendar year. For companies with 50 - 249 FTE’s, employees could accrue up to 56 hours or seven days in a calendar year.
The response from GSBA members was, as I would expect: thoughtful, with a clear commitment to providing a healthy work environment. Not all of our members sup-port the mandatory sick leave ordinance, but our members generally stated that if they could afford it, all employees deserved to be able to take a sick day and not lose pay.
Although GSBA members are split on this issue, it was interesting to note that a high percentage of respondents stated they did offer a wide range of employee benefits including health insurance and either paid time off or paid sick leave. Even those who say they can’t afford paid sick leave said they try to find ways for employees to make up
AS I WRITE THIS, IT’S JUNE and the sun has finally shown it’s face, albeit temporar-ily. Parties and Pride preparations are in full swing. Barbecues, boats and beach blankets are all being dusted off as we look forward to enjoying the beauty of our great community.
I’m personally celebrating the over-whelming outpouring of love and support that this community showed at the GSBA Scholarship Awards Dinner on May 20. Over 400 people gathered that evening to hear stories from this year’s scholars as GSBA gave out $150,000 in scholarships.
We heard them tell us about the hurt and hardships that many still face in coming out and the incredible will to succeed that they have demonstrated in spite of the challenges. Past scholar-ship recipient Katie Kolan inspired us all to open our hearts and pocketbooks, and we blew the lid off by raising over $110,000 that night for future scholars.
Glenn Johnson and Michael Melancon endowed and gave out the first Bright Horizon Scholarship to multi-year scholar Jordan Inloes. Hearing Jordan’s parents speak of their love for their son gave hope that more parents will be loving and accept-ing of their children, no matter their ori-entation. That night, we also heard scholar stories about bullying, suicide attempts and having the gay beaten out of them. So, while
Mandatory Sick Leave: Is there Room for Compromise?
the missed time. Our mem-bers’ concerns centered on the fragility of small business and that mandated sick leave could result in the need to decrease or eliminate other benefits – mainly, health insurance.
GSBA continues to be part of the discus-
sion and is attending meetings with other chambers, business groups and unions. The GSBA Public Policy Council and our board believe that whether or not GSBA takes a stand on an issue, it is our responsibility to participate in the discussion and give a voice to the concerns of our membership.
The issue has become very polarizing in the community with mainstream business organizations digging in against the ordi-nance, with labor and progressive business organizations taking a stand in support of the ordinance. I am proud of our member-ship for supporting healthy work environ-ments, offering a range of benefits as they are able and their willingness to explore compromises. Dialogue, compromise and understanding the complexity and repercus-sions of decisions are models that bring to-gether people in order to find real solutions. Now, if GSBA members were in charge at the federal level, picture how different the world would look.
We continue John Wong’s series on youth-focused nonprofits, “It’s for the Kids.”
HERE ARE A NUMBER OF GSBA NONPROFIT MEMBERS
focusing solely on youth. In the final part of my series, we learn
about four more organizations and how you can provide support. Please remember to give, help and volunteer. After all, it’s for the kids!
Big Brother Big Sisters of Puget Sound provides adult mentors for every child who needs or wants one. By matching children with adult mentors in one-to-one relationships, they transform the life of a child (a Little), transform the life of an adult (a Big) and together influence schools, neighborhoods and communities for the better. Jesse Gilliam heads their LGBTQ mentoring initiative and says they are very visible in the LGBTQ community and host roundtables to discuss issues unique to LGBTQ volunteers. They could always use mentors, sponsors, and venues for activities. bbbsps.org
Child Care Resources ensures that every family in King County can find safe, quality and affordable child care that meets their unique needs and honors their chil-dren. CCR provides information to families as well as training and technical assistance to child care providers. Child care is not
only important for helping children be ready to succeed in school, but it also improves productivity of parents and businesses, leading to a better educated, more econom-ically-secure, community. CCR can make presentations to employee groups about how to choose quality care and they are always looking for sponsors for their fundraisers, as well as business expertise on their board. childcare.org
Families Like Ours provides pre and post adoptive and foster families with sup-port, advocacy, and educational services. FLO’s main focus is with LGBT families,
but also provides programming for LGBTQ foster youth. FLO gets kids into families wanting to be parents and overcomes bar-riers preventing good families from being parents. FLO is used by people around the country, provides over 500 hours of educational programs and assistance to over 2,000 people per year, and receives no fed-eral or state funding. FLO needs computer equipment, volunteers for programs and events, and of course, foster families. familieslikeours.org
YouthCare builds confidence and self-sufficiency for homeless youth by providing a continuum of care that includes outreach, basic services, emergency shelter, housing, counseling, education and employment. In 2010, over 4,500 young people accessed these services, many of them LGBTQ. In fact, according to recent studies, a stagger-ing 42% of the nation’s 1.6 million homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. YouthCare’s ISIS house is the first, and currently the only, transitional living program for homeless sexual minorities in the Pacific Northwest. You can help by volunteering your time to prepare or serve meals at their Orion Drop-In Center, become a tutor, or help plant gardens. Clothing and household items are always welcome. youthcare.org
HOW YOU SHOW UP AND REACT – the climate in the office – contributes directly to how people working with you feel. Leaders and managers set the tone and with some in-tentional focus, you can maintain a positive climate or, if necessary, improve the climate at work with some simple guidelines.
Every leader and manager sets perfor-mance and financial goals. In business, people recognized the benefit of setting goals long ago. Goals around climate are equally as important. Climate and profit interplay together.
A healthy climate promotes staff cohesiveness, productivity and customer satisfaction. A positive climate reduces stress resulting in fewer stress related issues such as staff conflicts, low motivation and poor customer interactions. As a leader in
Office Climate Contributes to Success
B Y M I C H A E L R A I T T , M A L M H CT H E R A P I S T
an organization, you have to ask yourself, “Is the climate in our organization generally positive with rocky incidents or generally rocky with occasional positive events?” Your answer to this question will drive how you prioritize climate in your business.
Here are some simple basic steps to use to begin to change the climate in your organization.
First, attend to yourself. Do you have enough balance in your life? Do you enjoy life outside of work? Are you generally happy? If you can’t say “yes” to most of these, make these a priority.
Second, realize that you can change how you feel and react when you change how you see a particular situation. If you are reacting negatively about something, practice looking at the circumstances in a different manner.
You may find that you respond differently.Finally, understand your own triggers
to anger and judgment. Take an honest as-sessment of yourself. When we understand how and why we react, we can change these things and show up in a more positive, effec-tive way.
Employees look to leaders to set the goals and provide the path to success. As a leader, acknowledge how a positive climate is a fundamental ingredient in achieving other measurable goals. Never underesti-mate your key role in setting and maintain-ing a climate that contributes to the success of your organization and your effectiveness as a leader.
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Making a Difference Today and TomorrowGSBA Scholarship Stories
You will be inspired by this eloquent and very personal letter from Kent native and 2011 GSBA Scholar Simone Senn. Simone attends Western Washington University in Bellingham.
Dear GSBA:THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS DINNER was a very inspirational evening for me. The experience was so influential that I want to reproduce that feeling every day.
I was honored to be asked to speak and there were so many things I wanted to say. Above all, I wanted to make people laugh and enjoy the celebration of com-munity. I joked about my intersecting identities – this always stirs a laugh due to their conflicting natures in the dichotomist mainstream. Often, these identities have caused my sense of self and belonging to be in a state of upheaval.
The beautiful thing about the queer community, and the community gathered at the dinner, is that we are a community of social anomalies. I don’t feel like I always “belong” and that is exactly why I do belong. Our intersecting identities which are incongruent with mainstream culture, make us people who belong together.
I have never experienced such a positive and inclusive community and I have never felt so validated as an individual. The support of GSBA and of my mother and father is powerful. Coming out to my Catholic family was a long struggle until my younger sister chose to come out. My parents made a conscious choice to seek out education instead of intolerance and they continue to embrace diversity of all forms. They have edu-cated themselves about the queer community and for them, attend-ing the dinner was a gateway experience. My mom and dad were so happy to join me at the Scholarship Dinner to support me and my GSBA Scholar peers.
I am proud of my recreation major. I plan on making a huge impact on communities, especially on our community. Recreation is a powerful means of creating community and pushing society forward. This scholarship has changed my life and I want GSBA to be aware of my potential for change beyond myself.
The reality of my chosen career is that I will not foster a life where I can give back monetarily. It is my activism, passion for social justice and love for community devel-opment that will ultimately impact my communities tenfold. This scholarship has enabled me to continue my education and path towards inspiring and em-powering others. This is the true investment of the GSBA Scholarship Fund and I can already begin to feel the effects multiplying around me.
Thank you for hosting the Scholarship Dinner and I look forward to keeping in frequent touch with my endeavors as I work through my education. — Simone Senn
Scholarship Steering Committee. “We both believe strongly in the value of higher educa-tion,” Mike relates. “We know what having college educations did for us. We believe strongly that access to a college education should be the birthright of every person in America.” Desire for education combined with a lack of options plague many, but can be particularly acute in the LGBTQ com-munity. “So many of our GSBA Scholarship applicants have had to overcome losing the financial and emotional support of their families as a result of just identifying as LGBTQ.” Glenn adds, shaking his head, “When you see what the kids receiving GSBA scholarships are up against and how going to college makes such a difference in their lives, you can’t help but see why education that is stymied by lack of funding is wrong.”
The Glenn Johnson/Michael Melancon Bright Horizon Scholarship, endowed this year, is Glenn and Mike’s way of encourag-ing, fostering and supporting the develop-ment of a University of Washington under-graduate student each year. “The scholars that GSBA helps today are the political, business, civic, philanthropic and activist leaders of tomorrow,” Glenn says.
Generosity isn’t anything new for Glenn and Mike. Remember the wedding? There was a young man who designed the archi-tectural landscaping at their wedding venue. He had a dream of earning a doctorate in acupuncture. Glenn and Mike sent him to study at a prestigious school in South Korea. They refer to this kind of generos-ity as “adopting” people and they’ve made a
Glenn Johnson/Michael Melancon Bright Horizon Scholarship...
• Identifies and supports one student each year with a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Washington
• Recognizes and celebrates academic achievement and initiative in the LGBT community
• Encourages others to support education through scholarship
“Our scholarship will support a University of Washington student who has demon-strated strong academic achievement, and who is actively engaged in their
community or communities.”
– GLENN JOHNSON AND MICHAEL MELANCON
Glenn Johnson and Michael Melancon, continued from page 1 “We could fund one
additional $2,500 scholarship next year if 500 people gave just $5 each. To put this in perspective, we could fund this extra scholarship if 500 people forego one latte and contribute that money to the GSBA Scholarship Fund.”significant impact on many lives. “We don’t see our roles in the corporate or business communities as separate or distinct from the ways we serve as residents of our city, as members of the LGBT community or as responsible citizens of the world,” they say.
Glenn and Mike are as relaxed in man-ner as they are serious about their philan-thropy. “We live with the intention that our relationship will be the catalyst for trans-forming negative opinions, misperceptions and prejudice about gay relationships and the LGBT lifestyle,” Mike says. They’ve been unabashedly open about their relationship, both professionally and personally, chang-ing perceptions with every handshake and at every opportunity. Speaking “out” and giving their all to every endeavor runs through the Johnson/Melancon DNA.
As Michael says, “Bring your whole self to everything you do.”
2011 GSBA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
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A Big Night for Our Scholars!
2011 GSBA SCHOLAR DANTE OBCENA SMILES WITH HIS FAMILY BEFORE RECEIVING HIS AWARD.
2004 GSBA SCHOLAR KATIE KOLAN SPEAKS AT THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS DINNER AFTER BEING INTRODUCED BY GSBA BOARD CHAIR MARK ROSÉN.
GLENN JOHNSON AND MICHAEL MELANCON COULDN’T BE PROUDER OF JORDON INLOES, 2008 & 2010 GSBA SCHOLAR AND RECIPIENT OF THE INAUGURAL GLENN JOHNSON/MICHAEL MELANCON BRIGHT HORIZON SCHOLARSHIP.
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GSBA Scholarship Awards Dinner: $150,000 in Scholarships to 38 Students
To learn more about the GSBA Scholarship Fund, please contact our Development Associate and Scholarship Manager, Jessica Wootten at [email protected].
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ARTS&
communityGSBA Candidate Reception
Wednesday, July 13thegsba.org
Rock & Roll FantasyThree Dollar Bill Cinema
Outdoor Film SeriesJuly 29 and August 5, 12, 19
threedollarbillcinema.org
NGLCC Out for Business & Leadership Conference
August 2 - 5outforbusiness2011.com
Lambda Legal Garden PartyThursday, August 4
lambdalegal.org
GSBA Cocktail ContestWednesday, September 14
thegsba.org
GSBA Candidate ForumFriday, September 23
thegsba.org
Legal Voice AuctionSeptember 24
nwwlc.org
The TASTE of GSBASaturday, November 19
thegsba.org
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs! Where are the Jobs?AS I’M WRITING THIS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE in this state is hovering around nine percent. One in 11 people can’t find work, and countless more have given up even looking. Many business sectors have been hard hit by the housing downturn, the banking meltdown and the retreat of the consumer. Yet, according to many indicators, we’re supposed to be recovering. I checked in with three GSBA members whose businesses have weathered the downturn for their thoughts: Glenn Johnson, President of Horizon Air (part of Alaska Air Group), Tom Yetman, Chief Medical Officer at Pacific Medical Centers and Steven Anderson, a Vice President at Avanade (a joint venture between Microsoft and Accenture).
A common theme among the three in managing through this difficult economy is efficiency and technology. Companies have had to do more with less, and have had to consolidate, reorganize, utilize technology and optimize where possible. Glenn Johnson says this has been, so far, a jobless recovery where companies have recovered faster than consumers. Alaska Air Group has made job cuts during this downturn, due in part to sky-rocketing fuel prices. Pacific Medical Centers has avoided involuntary layoffs, though they have seen a drop in elective services and a trend of more people deferring care. This had been attributed to the high num-ber of uninsured and underinsured. Avanade has slowed their hiring pace as the companies they support wait for the economy to improve.
The good news is all three companies are currently hiring and expanding. Check their websites: alaskaair.com, PacMed.org and avanade.com.
Steven Anderson’s division deals with a Microsoft product called Dynamics AX and it’s on a hiring frenzy. There are jobs to be had if you have the right skill sets, bringing us to another common theme. Companies are generally hiring people with education and skills, both here and abroad.
We have to get over the sad reality that jobs are leaving our shores. The paradigm has shifted from the provincial “American Jobs Here” view to a global workforce. There is talent worldwide and the need for that talent is global. That’s especially apparent in the technology indus-try. Steven Anderson says that there is probably someone somewhere who will do programming cheaper than it can be done right here in the U.S. Technology jobs have become a commodity and many have been shipped overseas. Even so, the market is wide open both for people with a combination of creative and technical skills.
I was pleased to see that Alaska Air was given a rating of 100 on the HRC Corporate Equality index, as was Microsoft and Accenture (and by extension Avanade). Pacific Medical Centers isn’t on HRC’s radar, but Tom Yetman assures me a diverse and inclusive workforce is of tantamount importance at PacMed, as is creating a safe place for their diverse patient population.
The most important thing I learned interviewing these executives is that even though change is inevitable, nothing can replace a quality and diverse workforce. My final thoughts as I finish this article are that there might very well be some great opportunities for GSBA members to supply goods and services to larger businesses, just like the ones spotlighted here. And, there are even greater opportunities to market to the employees of these businesses. I’ll keep you posted.
Skin Cancer: What Do We Need to Know?D R . K E N D R A B E R G S T R O MD E R M A T O L O G I S T , P A C I F I C M E D I C A L C E N T E R S
THE SKIN CANCER EPIDEMIC IN THE UNITED STATES is often in the news. It’s worth knowing how these trends are changing over time. Since the 1960s, the incidence of skin cancer has increased by five to eight percent annually. The increase is in all sorts of skin cancers, but particularly for melanoma. Overall, the lifetime risk of getting melanoma is about 2% (one in 50) for whites, 0.1% (1 in 1,000) for blacks, and 0.5% (1 in 200) for Hispanics. Unlike other cancers, melanoma is common in younger people.
Skin cancer comes in several flavors, and the most common are:> Basal cell carcinoma: a locally invasive tumor that rarely spreads inside the body.> Squamous cell carcinoma: a locally invasive tumor that may spread to lymph nodes if left untreated. This tumor is most dangerous on the head and neck.> Melanoma: a tumor that may quickly spread from its original location to the lymph nodes, lungs, or elsewhere in the body. Melanoma accounts for 5% of skin cancer cases but a large majority of skin cancer deaths.
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, when caught early, can be treated and rarely cause lasting harm. Melanoma, on the other hand, can spread quickly at times even before it is detected. Being checked by a dermatologist or qualified health provider can help identify these problems as early as possible.
Risk factors we can changeThere are several risk factors for skin cancer and for melanoma in particular. If you have one of the following in your history, you are at an increased risk:
> History of sunburn, particularly if you’ve lived in sunny or high-altitude climates> Multiple moles or irregular moles> Fair skin, particularly with blond or red hair, light-colored eyes, and freckles> Melanoma in a first-degree relative (sibling, parent, child)> History of melanoma in the past> Weakened immune system
Clearly, sun exposure is the easiest risk factor to change. So what are the best ways to avoid strong sun exposure?
1. Avoid sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Ultraviolet (UV) light is strongest at that time of day.2. Wear sunscreen year-round. Damage can come from cumulative small doses as well as one sunny day.3. Wear protective clothing and don’t forget sunglasses.4. Avoid tanning beds. These emit only UVA, which penetrates deeply into skin to cause precancerous changes.5. Be aware of sun-sensitizing medications. 6. Check your skin regularly. Schedule an annual skin check if you’re over 40 or have risk factors for melanoma.
It’s never too late to startLooking back on years spent in the sun, it’s easy to wonder if starting with sun protec-tion today would make a difference. Fortunately, a study of high-risk patients in Germany
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B Y J O H N W O N GF E A T U R E W R I T E R
We have to get over the sad reality that jobs are leaving our shores.
shows that skin cancer development decreases after only 2 years of sunscreen use. These patients were given free bottles of SPF 50+ sunscreen to use on the face, neck, hands, and arms. After two years, people using sunscreen five to six times weekly had a decreased risk of both squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas, and no patients in the study were diagnosed with melanoma.
Skin cancer is common, becoming even more so year after year. The best approach is prevention, but if that’s not possible, it can be caught early. Fortunately, the skin is a very visible and accessible body system. People should check themselves monthly after the shower, get anything new or changing checked, and consider an annual visit to a dermatologist.
Dr. Kendra Bergstrom is a board certified dermatologist for Pacific Medical Centers. Reach her at 206.505.1300 or visit PacMed.org.
Skin Cancer, continued from page 6
So what are the best sunscreens?Broadly, all sunscreens can be divided into physical blockers
“sun block” that reflect ultraviolet light, and chemical blockers “sunscreen” that absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it at a different wavelength. Sun blocks like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are very safe espe-
cially for children and those with sensitive skin, but they can be harder to use if they look white or feel greasy. Sunscreens, with active ingredients like avobenzone, salicy-lates, and newer compounds like Mexoryl, can feel “lighter” and less greasy or opaque on the skin.
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“If We Don’t Have It, We’ll Get It!”
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HAT WE’VE LEARNED at the Gay & Lesbian
Victory Fund and Leadership Institute since our founding 20
years ago is that having a seat at the table is directly tied to the LGBT
community’s ability to pass laws that protect our families, friends and loved ones.
In states like Washington, Maryland and California – those with the greatest number of openly LGBT state legislators— the passage of marriage equality laws is a real possibility in the near future. To date, only those states with five or more “out” law-makers have been able to establish marriage equality through the legislative process.
If we want to increase our representation at policymaking tables, then primaries mat-ter. There are a few states like Washington where openly LGBT candidates can and do win in swing districts. However, most still gain their seats by winning in Democratic primaries.
I’m often asked a very good question, “What if an LGBT candidate is challenging a straight ally?” My answer is two-fold. First, while straight allies are vital to our legislative success, nothing replaces having authentic LGBT voices at the table talking about our lives, our families and our experi-ences. These conversations change hearts and minds where and when it matters most. That said, straight allies who are beloved by both their straight and LGBT constituents alike are almost impossible to beat, so it’s
TAKING CARE OF MY PEOPLE has been my utmost priority from the day I started my business. Within a year of opening, I offered heath insurance for employees who worked
B Y R O B I N B R A N D , D E P U T Y D I R E C T O R O F G A Y & L E S B I A N V I C T O R Y F U N D
A N D L E A D E R S H I P I N S T I T U T E
Electing LGBT Leaders is Key to Achieving
Equality
If we want to increase our representation at policymaking tables, then primaries matter.
often better that we spend our time and resources elsewhere.
This a critical period for growing LGBT leadership in Washington state and around the country. We must stay engaged in
electoral politics as candidates, donors, campaign workers and voters. After 20 years of electing LGBT candidates around the country, we have an incredible and growing bench of candidates at the state and local levels who are prepared to step up to higher profile offices. Washington state is great example of this.
As far as we’ve come in just two decades, America still has not elected an openly
LGBT U.S. senator, and just four “out” members are serving in the U.S. House – less than one percent of that body. We must continue to support and develop LGBT leaders at the local and state level who can one day expand our presence and power in Washington, D.C. The next oppor-tunity to pass federal LGBT legislation will require this. With Washington state gaining a Congressional district in 2012, Washing-tonians are on the front lines of this critical next step for our community.The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund mission is “To change the face and voice of America’s politics and achieve equality for LGBT Americans by increasing the number of LGBT officials at all levels of government.” For more information on The Victory Fund’s work, please visit their website at victoryfund.org.
Public Policy
Discussion: Seattle’s Proposed Mandatory Paid Sick Leave Ordinance
Seattle could become the fourth city in the U.S. to mandate paid sick leave for employees. Not surprisingly, the ordinance has become a hot button issue.
GSBA has responded to our members by listening to your feedback, conducting a survey
B Y J O D Y H A L L , C U P C A K E R O Y A L E & V E R I T E C O F F E E
THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL WAS ASKED RECENTLY to consider legislation requiring employers in Seattle to provide paid sick leave. The legislation has been put forward by the Coalition for a Healthy Workforce.
Employees could use the paid sick time for the employee’s illness or injury and medical care, for care of a family member, to deal with the consequences of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking, or if a public health emergency closes the place of business or a child’s school
or daycare.Employers could require a 180-day waiting period before new employees could use
leave, and no “cash out” of accrued leave would be required when someone left employment.
When I met with the Coalition, I expressed support. I heard compelling stories of employees who are going to work ill simply because they cannot afford to lose wages or tips. After this concept was publicized, I started hearing from people strongly opposed to this idea.
The Council president has proposed creating a stakeholders committee to consider the issue and make recommendations to the full City Council. I think that is a process that will be likely to result in a successful outcome.
It is important to me to hear various points of view and options to achieve the result I would like, which is to support the health and well-being of employees without harming Seattle’s businesses, both large and small.
30+ hours. As our business grew, I added paid vacation for our hourly baristas, bakers and drivers, in addition to paid time off for our management staff.
The paid sick days ordinance is spark-
ing great debate among small businesses in Seattle. I was reluctant to support the effort at first because I thought that the original proposal requiring nine paid days a year (based on a voter-approved law in
San Francisco) seemed steep for the majority of small businesses.
I joined with a group of small business owners including GSBA members Joe Fugere (Tutta Bella) and Linda Derschang (Linda’s Tavern, Oddfellows, Smith & King’s Hard-ware) to sit down with public health advo-cates and labor unions and develop a new
continued on page 9
paid sick days proposal based on common ground. Working together, we could do better to craft a fair solution that creates a healthy environment for employees, small businesses and the community.
After working for two months to build this agreement, we presented our proposal to the Seattle City Council and the Mayor in June. It’s built around core common principles:
> Promote public health by making sure no one comes to work sick> Ensure no worker loses income or their job because they are sick > Support the success of local, vibrant small businesses in our city
Our proposal is flexible and fair for small businesses. Small and mid-sized businesses provide fewer sick days. Businesses with Paid Time Off (PTO) policies that meet ordinance standards don’t have to change policies. There is flexibility for shift trading. Part-time employees earn fewer sick days than full-time.
I’m proud of this effort. We met as a group of concerned parties to figure out a solution that works for Seattle. I think it’s a solution that many small businesses will be excited about supporting, and I think it’s the right solution for the employees that make our businesses shine.Cupcake Royale & Verite Coffee is a whole-sale and retail business with five locations in Seattle and Bellevue. Hall buys from local farmers, helping to create jobs and support the local economy. She is also an active member of the community, support-ing a wide variety of fundraising efforts.
Proposed Mandatory Sick Leave Ordinance in Brief
> Companies with fewer than 50 employees would provide one hour of sick leave for every 50 worked, up to 40 hours in a calendar year (up to five days).
> Companies with 50 or more employees would provide one hour for every 35 hours worked, up to 56 hours in a calendar year (up to seven days).
> Over 250 FTE’s serve one hour for every 30 worked up to 72 (nine days).
Small Businesses Should Support..., continued from page 8
B Y S E A T T L E C I T Y C O U N C I L M E M B E R T O M R A S M U S S E N
Achieving Healthy Outcomes in the Sick Leave Debate
Small Businesses Should Support “Common Ground” Paid Sick Days Proposal
Proud GSBA member Tom Rasmussen has served on the Seattle City Council since 2003.
Victoria, BC 1.800.663.7667 laurelpoint.com
Because everyone is welcome here.
on the topic, holding a focus group and by reaching out to the broader community. In addition, we will continue to share our members’ concerns and ideas on the proposed law with our elected officials.
To further the discussion, we asked Jody Hall, founder and owner of Cupcake Royale & Verite
Coffee and Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen to share their opinions with our readers.
The opinions expressed belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of GSBA or of our membership.
B Y M O N A S M I T H , P U B L I C P O L I C Y E D I T O R
1110
GSBA Calendar of EventsJulyOUTLeads (Lunch)Tuesday, July 5 and 19Noon - 1:30 p.m.Umpqua Bank539 Broadway East, Seattle$60 per quarter Prime Time EastTuesday, July 55:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.Willows Lodge14580 NE 145th Street, WoodinvilleComplimentary OUTLeads (AM)Tuesday, July 12 and 267:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.Julia’s on Broadway300 Broadway East, Seattle$60 per quarter GSBA Prime Time Mixer and Candidate ReceptionWednesday, July 135:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.Tuxedos and Tennis ShoesThe Hall at Fauntleroy9131 California Avenue SW, Seattle$10 for members and students$15 for non-members
Young Professionals with PrideTuesday, July 195:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.Tommy Gunn1703 East Olive Way, Seattle$10 for members and students$15 for non-members
OUTLeads Special MixerWednesday, July 205:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.St. Cloud’s Restaurant and Quality Catering1131 34th Avenue, SeattleMembers and non-members welcome$10 for members and students$15 for non-members
Women at the Top Cocktail HourThursday, July 285:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.Seattle Marriott Waterfront2100 Alaskan Way, Seattle$10 for members and students$15 for non-members
AugustGSBA OUTLeads (Lunch)Tuesday, August 2 and 16Noon - 1:30 p.m.Umpqua Bank539 Broadway East, Seattle$60 per quarter OUTLeads (AM)Tuesday, August 9 and 237:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.Julia’s on Broadway300 Broadway East, Seattle$60 per quarter
Tech Tuesday: Exploring TabletsTuesday, August 26:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.GSBA Office$20 for members only
SeptemberPrime Time EastTuesday, September 65:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.HSBCTBDComplimentary GSBA OUTLeads (Lunch)Tuesday, September 6 and 20Noon - 1:30 p.m.Umpqua Bank539 Broadway East, Seattle$60 per quarter$60 per quarter
OUTLeads (AM)September, September 13 and 277:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.Julia’s on Broadway300 Broadway East, Seattle$60 per quarter
GSBA TASTEful Cocktail ContestWednesday, September 14Ballroom at Wine World400 NE 45th Street, Seattle5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.Admission is a bottle of fine wine to be auctioned off at the TASTE of GSBA.
GSBA Candidate ForumFriday, September 2311:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Sheraton Seattle Hotel1400 6th Avenue, Seattle$34 for members and students$39 for non-members
Young Professionals with PrideTuesday, September 275:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.Rainier Chapter House800 East Roy Street, Seattle$10 for members and students$15 for non-members
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I celebrate the generosity of our community, I think about what more I can do.
Turning a fun summer party into a fund raiser is one idea or just simply sharing our stories with friends and asking them to help, is another. Whichever way we celebrate our love and lives this season, please remember that there are many who need our help and support. Whether you donate your time, your efforts or your money, all of these things are what make this a great commu-nity to live in and one I am truly proud to call home.
Putting it in Perspective, continued from page 2
Peter Aaron, Elliott Bay Book CompanyDan Arita, BECUSam Askew, Tulalip Resort CasinoMichelle Babb, Michelle Babb MS, RD, CDJacqueline Beamer, BrandQuery LLCJulie Beller, Cambridge Home Inspections, LLCLia ‘Sequoia’ Bender HartmanMargaret Berman , Berman & AssociatesSevrianna Bertrand, Pure Water Technology Sandy Bjorgen, IMPROV-Able ResultsNikki Brame, Hotel NexusDJ Burr, ABLE Counseling Services, LLCJim Carberry, ExpediaTyler Chapman Brian Curry, Ten MercerJoyce Curtis, Mitel Communication NetworksTodd Curzon, Assured Leadership Concepts, LLCElizabeth Darr, www.LEZZBOOK.comChief John Diaz, Seattle Police DepartmentEarle Dutton, GLBT Yellow PagesLouis Edelman, Red Fin Sushi RestaurantTony Estrada, Select MoversDamian Gennette, Tacoma Counseling for MenMichael Gray, Landmark Event CenterElizabeth Green, Seattle Reproductive MedicineTanya Gurb, Rainier Chapter House, DarBruce Harrell, Seattle City CouncilSteve Harris, Diversity Platinum RewardsVickie Hauck, ACN International Home Service Provider-Telecom, Technology & EnergyJanet Helson, Skellenger Bender, P.S.Morgan Henry, Anchor BodyworksClean Israel, Merrill LynchJacqueline Jacobsen, Morgan Stanley Smith BarneyJason Kildall, Mid-Columbia Pride
Paul Killpatrick, Seattle Central Community CollegeMichael Klebeck, Sun Liquor DistilleryMichael Knight, ExpediaKristi Kosmata, Hyatt Regency BellevueDonna Lawson, Stuffed CakesDouglass Logan, Tulio RistoranteRob Macauley, The Legacy GroupTenneall Madsen, Order of OperationsJulie Mains, The JuliettesDarrell Maxwell, Ruth’s Chris Steak House SeattleDan McLaughlin, Sound View Window & Door, Inc.Rick Meadows, Holland America Line IncPeter Mertel, Eastlake Paint CompanyShawn Milligan, Hotel DecaJessica Morgan, RBC Wealth ManagementRebecca Morrow, Skellenger Bender, P.S.Lee Mozena, Zenith DiversityTodd Nordahl, Rosebud Restaurant & BarJudith Papesh, Falling RainTerry Parris, Acura of SeattleCathy Payson, Diverse HarmonyJoey Pickering, Roots to BranchesSally Poliak, The Poliak GroupMike Pollack, Mx2 Consulting, LLC
Toni Powell, Express Movers IncBeth Price, Hotel FiftyRaegen Rasnic, Skellenger Bender, P.S.Christopher Riolo, Riolo OrthodonticsZack Rodebaugh, ExpediaSam Samuelson, Pineapple HospitalityJohn Sarkie, Celebrated ChefsNatasha Savage, Eastern European-American Chamber of CommerceDara Schmidt, BoeingKaryn Schwartz, SugarPillMichael Scott, Outview OnlineDottie Shaw Brigid Stackpool, Morgan Stanley Smith BarneyLogan Taylor, Vibrant Life Meade Thayer Alexis Thomas, Kiran Infertility CenterMatthew Thompson, Choke Shirt Co + Print ShopSarah Toce, The Seattle LesbianRichard Tso, Pseudosound Consulting LLCMarko Tubic, Edward Jones - Fremont OfficeScott Walden, Walden/Knapp InteriorsJoshua Welter, Main Street Alliance of WashingtonDomonique Williamson, Pre-Disaster InventoryJulie Wilson, Starline Luxury CoachesLarry Wolfe
Welcome New MembersODDFELLOWS CAFE + BAR is a frequent haunt for those seeking a place for coffee, homemade baked goods (I have officially overdosed on the bacon cheddar scones), a lunch-time meeting spot, or if you are like me, sometimes it serves as
your satellite office. The bottomless cup of coffee for $2.75 has fueled many a
workday for me. But I digress...this column is not about coffee, it’s about cocktails. And Oddfellows has one very attractive happy hour. From 4 - 6 p.m. everyday, you can enjoy some deliciously crafted cocktails with booze on the shelf high above the well, for just $5. Try a Bombay Sapphire or Ketel One Martini, a Rye Old Fashioned, or my personal favorite, a Margarita made with an excellent 100% Blue Agave tequila: Hornitos. They also offer an effervescent glass of Cava for that same $5, or for those who prefer beer, pull your draft for $1 off.
Should you need to eat during these two happiest hours, I recommend the sweet pepper romesco – served with a large warm section of crusty baguette – for only $6, fries with aioli for only $4 or, if you’re looking for something more substantial, order the cutting board of cured meats and the cheese plate and share with your friends.
You may not think of a cafe when searching for your next happy hour spot, but consider Oddfellows Cafe + Bar for its top shelf gin, vodka, or tequila (why not try all three?), ample seating (including a bar), fast-paced, fun atmosphere and a happy hour that is offered seven days a week. It may just become your satellite office, too. After all, at 4 p.m., there is still some work to be done and Oddfellows has plenty of outlets for your laptop. I have not spilled any precious tequila onto my keyboard...yet.
No Odd Fellows at this Happiest of Hours
C O C K T A I L C U L T U R E
B Y R A C H A E L B R I S T E R
Get to Know the Candidates!
Don’t Miss the GSBA Prime Time Mixer
and Candidate ReceptionWednesday, July 13
Find a full rainbow of healthcare for you and your family.
We are a proud Gold Sponsor of the GSBA.
It’s good to know Pacific Medical Centers has you covered with over a hundred board-certified primary care and specialty care physicians. From mammograms to physical therapy, we’re meeting the needs of our community every day in a relaxed and family-friendly environment. Visit us and see how good different feels.
Featuring:
• Same-day primary care appointments
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• Eight convenient locations throughout the Puget Sound region
• Diagnostic & Wellness Center for Women offering women’s healthcare in a spa-like setting
For more information or to make an appointment, call 206.621.4060 or go to www.PacMed.org/GSBA.
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