'MO - February 2009 - (Page 10)

community Click here to comment on these stories. INSTANT ACTIVIST Marriage Equality from a Black Perspective By Steve Truman Seattle Gay Softball Seeks New Players New Player Skills Clinic Set for Februar y 21, 20 09 The Open Division of the Emerald City Softball Association (ECSA) is gearing up for its 2009 season, and is looking for new players of all skill levels. ESCA skills clinics are held to allow new players a chance to hit, field, and catch a few softballs, and meet teams that are looking for new players. Prospective new players are encouraged, but not required, to bring their own equipment (a softball mitt and cleats) and to wear warm clothes. Extra equipment may be available to borrow. The first of the two scheduled skills clinics is set for Saturday, February 21 from 11:00 AM—1:00 PM at the Rainier Beach play fields, 8802 Rainier Ave. S. If Saturday is a rainout, please attend on Sunday, February 22 at the same time and place. The final opportunity to attend a skills clinic will be on Saturday, March 14 from 11:00 AM—1:00 PM at the Rainier Beach Playfields. As with the first clinic, if Saturday is a rainout, clinics will be held the following day, Sunday, March 15 from 11:00 AM—1:00 PM at the same location. Please visit www.seattlegaysoftball.com and register your profile now so teams can find you before the season begins. Seattle gay softball is a great way to meet new people and enjoy spending time outdoors in an organized activity. Games are played on Sundays, with the season running from early April through mid-July (including the playoff tournament), and the league is open to everyone, regardless of skill level: men and women, gay and non-gay. While many new players are also relatively new to the game, the upper divisions of the league are great for experienced jocks looking for a place to play. They are also open to both gay and non-gay players. Seattle was proud to have been the host city for the 2008 Gay Softball World Series. More than 175 teams, and 4,000 athletes from across the United States and Canada came to play softball this past August. For more information about the skill clinics or playing with Seattle gay softball this year, visit www.seattlegaysoftball.com or send an email to membershipdirector@seattlegaysoftball.com. celebrating seattle’s gay community When the polls closed on California’s Proposition 8 many were shocked to see what looked like a disproportionately high number of black citizens voting against marriage equality. Behind these initial numbers, organizations like the National Black Justice Coalition are moving to educate and activate their community on behalf of equality. “As Black people, we know what it’s like to be denied the right to marry the partner of our choice,” writes the Coalition. “Because of our unique history, we know that we cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past.” For a detailed look at marriage equality from a black perspective, please visit www.nbjcoalition.org. It’s Time to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” A couple of weeks ago, the new 111th Congress was sworn in on Capitol Hill. That means there are dozens of freshman members settling into their offices right now, figuring out their legislative priorities for the coming weeks and months. We have to tell the new Congress just how important it is to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act—legislation that will repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and replace it with a nondiscrimination law. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is already busy at work, scheduling meetings with senators and representatives to talk about the importance of repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in this legislative cycle. But they don’t want to walk into these offices alone—they want us there with them. SLDN wants to be able to hand each office a stack of thousands of names of people across the country committed to lifting the ban. Sign the petition to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act by visiting the SLDN website at http://www.sldn.org/congress. mad abs FITNESS We leave no muscle untouched! Madelyn Fairbanks MadAbsFitness.com 912.398.5634 10 http://www.nbjcoalition.org http://www.sldn.org/congress http://www.madabsfitness.com http://www.seattlegaysoftball.com http://www.seattlegaysoftball.com http://www.sensitivedog.com http://www.seattlegaysoftball.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of 'MO - February 2009

'MO - February 2009 Contents Letter From The Editor Voices Pet Project Gay Softball League Seeks New Players Instant Activist: Two Opportunities to Make a Difference Bailey-Boushay’s Chefs’ Dinner Pulls in More Than $285,000 GLSEN Releases Report on LGBT Students of Color Gay City Health Project: Race Relations Form & Function: Partner Workout Power Couple: Senator Ed Murray and Michael Shiosaki Montréal The ’mo Interview: Joe DiPietro New on DVD: Tru Loved Coming to CD/DVD: The Annie Lennox Collection SceneOut: People@Places AIDS Awareness & Action Day 2009 Capitol Hill Guide

'MO - February 2009

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