Friday January 19, 2007 SGN.org |
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Volume 35 Issue 03 |
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Monday, Oct 13, 2008
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Grey's Anatomy's Isaiah Washington uses anti-Gay slur for second time |
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| Grey's Anatomy's Isaiah Washington uses anti-Gay slur for second time | |
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Says "faggot" during a backstage press conference at the Golden Globe Awards LOS ANGELES, Calif., January 17, 2007 - Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) President Neil G. Giuliano today condemned Isaiah Washington's on-air use of the word "faggot" during a backstage press conference at the 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards, calling on him to apologize and make amends for this second use of the slur in the past four months. "When Isaiah Washington uses this kind of anti-Gay slur - whether on set or in front of the press - it does more than create a hostile environment for his castmates and the crew of Grey's Anatomy," Giuliano said. "It also feeds a climate of hatred and intolerance that contributes to putting our community in harm's way." Last October, rumors swirled about Washington having referred to Grey's Anatomy co-star T.R. Knight as a "faggot" during an on-set altercation with Patrick Dempsey. The openly Gay Knight confirmed today during his appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that Washington had indeed used the slur. Backstage at the January 15 Golden Globes ceremony, Washington repeated the slur while denying having used it to refer to Knight: "No, I did not call T.R. a faggot. Never happened. Never happened." Grey's Anatomy co-star Katherine Heigl quickly condemned Washington's use of the slur, telling Access Hollywood that the comment was "hurtful" and adding, "I'm not OK with it." "As Ellen pointed out in her discussion with T.R., this is a word that's used to abuse kids on school playgrounds," Giuliano said. "We also know that, tragically, this sometimes can be the last word people hear before they're attacked, beaten and possibly even killed. Washington's repeated use of it on-set and in the media is simply inexcusable." Giuliano said that GLAAD is contacting Washington's representatives today to arrange a meeting with him. "We want to sit down with him and give him an opportunity to raise public awareness about the destructive impact of these kinds of anti-Gay slurs. Over the past four months Washington has become part of a significant problem of anti-Gay prejudice in this country. He has an opportunity now to be part of the solution." The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org. A GLAAD press release by Don Paulson - SGN Contributing Writer The oldest steam bath in America was the late South End Steam Baths -- 30 years of straight activity and 80 years of Gays doing what comes naturally. It's harsh prurient reputation was mainly because of it's worn out condition and it's diverse young and old clientele; from perfect gentlemen, eccentrics, riff raff and always a smattering of enlightened straight men who like to get. It was never predictable, basically friendly and with fewer ego trips, but for many the last place on earth you would want to be seen in. It was the bottom of the Gay social ladder; old, shabby and only the 'desperately horny' went there. However -- sooner or later -- everyone checked it out. It was like stepping back into the last century, hopelessly out dated. It's only decoration was the purpose of the place, satisfaction. Attendant Skippy LaRue had customers who came in daily and weekly and on Mondays after a weekend with wife and kids. "Isn't it amazing how a lot of straight men love to get a prostate message." Another attendant, Teddy, said: "The Baths were a perfect place for hustlers, that was part of the scene.' It was a resource for older men like Seattle's own professional Gay Clown, Tiny the Clown, who was always turning tricks down because, 'they were not old enough'." Teddy continued: "Basically, the Baths were safe from the police. They were there if needed but they were paid off so they didn't get into our business or go farther than the office. Before the gentrification of Pioneer Square, the Baths were pretty isolated and few people bothered us. But then came the slummers from the Squares night life, straight people with more time and money than sense; slutty girls with their stupid, beefy boy friends. They'd get all gassed up and decide to harass the faggots. It was a joke to them, like we were monkeys in a cage. They were threatening -- with their bitter, insulting taunts and demands to be let in. "One night 'Amazing Grace' (drag name) was on duty and a couple tough guys demanded to get in 'to knock those fucking faggots on their ass!' Amazing Grace replied, 'One of your mothers just left. She sucked off everyone in the place and now she's across the street getting drunk.' This enraged one of them so much he began pounding wildly on the door. Amazing Grace grabbed a crow bar, flew out the door with intent in his eyes and chased the two guys up the stairs." Skippy LaRue recalled: "We've had our share of characters and incidents -- deaths from old age, bad dope and alcoholic hallucinations. We had an anti-dope and alcohol policy, but they'd sneak it in. You had to be careful because they'd stash a used needle under the mattress and sometimes money would be found. You could smell pot but you couldn't tell where it was coming from. One guy brought in a small stuffed pig and God only knows what he did with it. The Baths were not so much a fetish place but some guys would walk around in women's shoes, panties and brassieres. In one room, someone left thirteen pairs of women's panties.' Teddy: '"One of our customers drank heavily and carried around a pistol. He was a Metro bus driver but was fired when he pulled his gun on a Metro passenger. Then, he left his gun on a bench in the swimming pool room -- he was 86'd for life! 'But I meant no harm,' he protested. 'That doesn't matter, you left a loaded gun on the bench! Some nut could have found it and gone on a killing spree', I responded." Speaking of death, serial killer Ted Bundy hid out at the Baths for two weeks and signed-in using his real name (many used a false name). No one knew who he was at the time and no one saw him trick with anyone. I got an email from John, a straight man who believes he may have met this guy in Salt Lake City. After a few minuets, he asked John if he knew where he could get a blow job. Later, John was at an intersection and this same man pulled up in his Volkswagen and asked John if he needed a ride. Years later he realized it was Ted Bundy. For awhile, one spirited attendant placed a Bible in every room. There are no accounts of conversions but one customer sent this letter to the Baths: "I'm writing to let you know that I am no longer coming in. I'm not mad at anyone, it's because I'm addicted to sex. I believe homosexuality is contrary to my beliefs -- as a Bible loving Christian. You might be thinking, why am I writing this, why doesn't he just stop coming in. The reason why is to make it embarrassing to come in now that you have this letter. Know that I have no malice, I'm not turning homophobic and that God loves you. Sincerely, Mark Duncan -- not my real name but the guy who rented Room #11 last night 3-19-1995.' Good luck Mark, I hope you find your way through the maze. Customers came to the Baths so often that it became a "home away from home." One man had been a customer for 65 years: "It's like going back to the womb; warm, moist, dark and safe from police and fag bashers." As Teddy expressed it: "Our generation was terribly persecuted, so when we found a place where we were welcome -- around our own kind, away from the public eye -- you could talk, trick, relax and be yourself." After a hundred years, the Baths became a footnote in Seattle's Gay history because it had to close due to the renovation of the old Northern Hotel into high end condos. It had survived longer than any mortal. Many thanks to the eccentric Guardian Angel, Sam Israel, who sat on a number of his Pioneer Square Victorian buildings and consequently saved them from destruction. Efforts were made to reopen the Baths, but finances, finding a friendly location, and meeting city codes made resurrection just a dream for some of societies 'middle people,' those who don't quite 'fit,' and the enlightened ones who do fit but can appreciate a good party -- wherever it may be. |
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