'MO - February 2009 - (Page 21)

PHOTO BY PETER MORAGA PHOTO BY PETER MORAGA Michael and Ed lead a crowd of cheering protestors at Volunteer Park during Seattle’s Marriage Equality Rally on November 15, 2008. Their acceptance as a gay couple, both politically and professionally, has grown over the years, but also being an inter-racial couple presents its own set of challenges. “There’ve been many, many challenges in how we have been accepted or not accepted,” he says. “There is sometimes certain language being used and stereotypes that have been extremely offensive and hurtful to us, and a lot of it has come from within the gay community.” The necessity for a refuge has made the couple’s home a very private place. Although they love to entertain, the house is first and foremost their sanctuary. Walking into the Tudor-style house, the space feels almost meditative and it seems little can disrupt this serene environment, except perhaps, Finnegan, their seven-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who is named for the James Joyce novel Finnegan’s Wake. Finnegan adores visitors. When he suspects someone new is about, he storms into the room with the fury of a charging bull, and starts to sniff, rub, lick, and kiss the new arrival, a welcoming ceremony that, apparently, he shares with every visitor. But he settles down quickly when their kitten Sammy, a Chartreux feline with blue-gray fur and pumpkin-colored eyes, saunters into the room and quickly restores order, making it clear to the dog and everyone else who really runs this household. Indeed, the home does appear to be created for moseattle.com the refined taste of a cat. The rooms reﬂect a simple eloquence that is uncluttered, yet warm and inviting. With its dark woodwork and polished hardwood ﬂoors, it’s a place of tranquil comfort that seems well suited to the cat and the other inhabitants. Murray is quick to acknowledge that Shiosaki is the one responsible for the atmosphere and décor of the home except for the rocking chair, which Murray points to with pride. It’s not clear whether Shiosaki simply tolerates the chair or willingly incorporated it into his designs. He remains silent on the matter. In any event, Murray claims that he has no interest in things like curtains and fabrics and colors, a fact that he believes has helped them avoid a lot of relationship struggles. “We’re different,” Murray says. “Michael is very linear and organized and very calm, and I don’t have a linear bone in my body.” Although Murray prefers not to call himself volatile in comparison to Shiosaki, he does admit that he brings “far more chaos and energy into a room than calm.” However, he also believes that their differences complement each other. Shiosaki agrees. He knows a lot of couples in which both individuals are very similar. “That would not be us,” he says. “And that would not work for us.” What does work, according to Murray, is the fact that they share a sense of values and have a perspective on relationships and the world 21 that is very similar. “I think we share basic faith beliefs that inform that value system.” There are some perspectives they don’t share. “I like the rain,” Murray announces. “And I like the sunshine.” They laugh easily, but both admit that they’re here to stay. Seattle is their home and the place they love. Indeed, as they sit together on the couch, they seem quite content with their current lives, a fact emphasized by Murray when he says, “Our goals right now are our careers.” A large part of their careers is a series of commitments—to each other, to family, to friends and to the community. Shiosaki says that the source of their strength is a supportive network of extended family and a tight-knit group of friends. They’re also grateful for the supportive atmosphere of the Northwest. “We’re lucky,” Murray says, “in that we’re integrated into the life of the city and neighborhoods in a way that I think very few gay communities throughout the world enjoy.” Both Murray and Shiosaki believe the local LGBT community cannot let itself become complacent. “I think our greatest challenge is to remember that the world outside of Seattle is not always like this,” says Murray, “and not lose a part of our own personal commitment to change the world for the better.” issue #2 | february 2009 http://www.moseattle.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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