'MO - February 2009 - (Page 20)

cover story Click here to comment on the cover story. Washington Project and the Executive Committee. Even with such a busy schedule, Murray works tirelessly on behalf of the state’s LGBT citizens and in January 2006, his efforts were rewarded with the historic passage of a gay civil-rights bill, an endeavor that began for him not long after he met Shiosaki in the early 1990s. When the bill came to a vote in the Senate, Shiosaki was at his side, as he has been throughout Murray’s tenure in office. In 2007 Murray worked to successfully pass the first domestic partnership bill, followed by the successful bill that expanded domestic partnership benefits by more than 170 basic rights in 2008. This last November the couple was out in front again, taking part in Seattle’s 15,000-person protest against California’s anti-equality Proposition 8. There, Murray announced he will introduce a bill to legalize marriage equality during the 2009 legislative session, which convened last month. Once, such outspoken advocacy might have a political liability but the modern reaction has been one of acclaim and this past November, Murray’s fellow senators elected him to be Majority Caucus Chair, the #2 position in the state Senate. His partnership with Shiosaki is a point of pride. “Michael is my first and most important political advisor,” Murray says with admiration. “He’s given me some of the best political advice I’ve ever received and has always been very supportive in urging me to do the risky things that I seem to end up doing in my political career.” Then he adds in jest, “That so far continue to pay off.” Murray didn’t drag his partner kicking and screaming into the limelight, but Shiosaki certainly didn’t come to the relationship with the same political focus as Murray. Born and raised in the Spokane area, Shiosaki, now in his 40s, moved to Seattle to pursue a degree in landscape architecture. After he finished school, he worked for a private firm, then for the City of Bellevue, and finally began a career with Seattle Parks and Recreation. There he previously managed the Pro Parks Levy program, which includes more than 120 park development projects, including one of the program’s hallmark achievements, Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill. On any sunny day, the park is teaming with people as they play, walk, read, nap, talk or simply hang out. The park’s recognized success attests to the success of Shiosaki’s dedication to Seattle. He recently moved into the position of Deputy Director of the Parks Planning and Development Division and now oversees parks longrange planning and a new Parks and Green Spaces Levy. Shiosaki’s public service doesn’t stop with his job. He served on the Seattle’s Board of Park Commissioners before taking the job with the city. Like his partner, Shiosaki has worked on many boards such as the Arboretum Foundation and The Seattle Foundation. He also served for seven years on the board of the Pride Foundation, two of which he functioned as co-president. His pet project with the Foundation was the Pride Statewide initiative that created “mini Pride Foundations” in communities across the state. Michael Shiosaki and Ed Murray, Olympic National Park, 1992. POWER COUPLE (continued from page 19) Shiosaki remains philosophic. “Initially I thought it was a little invasive,” he says. “More and more I’ve seen how important it is. I’m willing to give that some slack.” Much of the couple’s visibility can be attributed to Murray’s career. Before being elected to the state Senate, Murray, 53, served for 11 years in the House of Representatives and, prior to being elected, worked as a political activist. Yet his interest in politics started long before that, when he was five and John Kennedy ran for president—a big deal in an Irish-Catholic household like his. “People loved to talk about politics in my family,” he says. And you can tell that he still loves to talk about them by the way he sits more upright, scoots forward in his seat. “And I was a nerdy little child who needed to be class president and then student body president.” And now, state senator. Shiosaki was instrumental in Murray’s initial decision to run for the Senate and Murray credits him with bringing balance to his personal and political lives. “He helps make sure that my head doesn’t get too big!” says Murray. Murray also works with his share of boards, including the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, 43rd District Democrats, Greater Seattle Business Association, Seattle Police Foundation and St. Patrick’s Parish. As a legislator, Murray also serves on the Legislative Transportation Committee, the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation, Enjoying a few the Revenue Commitquiet moments tee, the Puget Sound at home are a Regional Council, the common goal for Transportation Policy Ed Murray and Board, the Trans-Lake Michael Shiosaki. PHOTO BY ANDREA J WA LKER 20 celebrating seattle’s gay community

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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