Former Seattle councilmember recently came out as a Lesbian

by James Whitely - SGN Staff Writer

Last Monday was 'Cheryl Chow Day' in the city of Seattle. On September 17, the former Seattle City Councilmember was honored by the city for her decades of public service. Chow came out as Lesbian last month, after being diagnosed with terminal central nervous system lymphoma.

'Being honored by the Seattle City Council was a wonderful experience and great walk down memory lane! It's hard to believe it's been so many years,' Chow told SGN. 'I am humbled by the attention I'm receiving and thankful for the opportunities and forums to keep spreading the message of hope, acceptance, and understanding to parents and kids.'

'The intention [of the council proclamation] is to give honor and recognition to Cheryl Chow, not only for her years of service on the city council, but on the school board [as well],' said Sherry Harris, a fellow former Seattle City Councilmember and a friend of Chow.

It was initially unknown whether Chow, who has been somewhat out of the limelight since her coming out, would be able to attend. But she showed up, in a wheelchair with partner Sarah Morningstar and their four-year-old daughter, Liliana.

PRAISES HER PARTNER
Chow spoke after the proclamation was read, recalling her difficulty displaying affection due to a strict upbringing. She said Sarah had taught her how to love.

'I was afraid for over 60 years and those 60 years were wasted,' said Chow in an interview with KING-TV about being Gay and how important it is for Gay people to not fear being honest about who they are.

'Chow told the world she was Gay and terminally ill. She said she had wasted 60 years of her life in fear. I admire her courage at coming out, and I disagree her years were a waste. Chow will leave a long legacy of helping children in our community,' wrote Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen in an Op-Ed published in The Seattle Times on August 30. 'Today, Chow is helping young people avoid the destructive fear that so haunted her. I am confident her dear mother Ruby would be very proud.'

Rasmussen and Chow have been friends for more than 20 years.

'I hope what she means is that she missed the opportunity for the past 60 years to be openly Gay. Her values, passion and commitment to community leadership impacted the lives of so many in this region,' continued Rasmussen.

'Cheryl Chow was almost like a mentor to me. At the time [we met], I was a newbie and our offices were directly across from one another,' Harris told SGN. 'I really appreciated the kind of person she was in terms of the kinds of insights she would offer, the wisdom she had and the kind of openness she displayed. & She was my closest friend and colleague during my tenure.'

'She used to organize basketball games, women's informal games. She was very athletically inclined,' said Harris. 'She probably did a lot more athletic activities and exercise than I was doing on a regular basis back then.'

'PUTS YOUTH FIRST'
'Cheryl Chow has devoted her life to serving youth in our community. Even during her struggles with cancer she still puts youth first, letting LGBT youth know that it is okay to be who they are. I am honored to recognize her contributions,' Sally Clark, the council's current president, told SGN.

'I've said a couple times recently that I don't want anyone to waste away years being not themselves like I did,' Chow told SGN. 'I've also regretted being at many different parades, events, and policy meetings supporting LGBT youth and families and not being truthful with people, especially teenagers.'

'In general, she is grateful for the immense support and love she has received, and hopes that the intensive chemo works and she lives to be 90 as a member of Seattle's strong LGBT community,' Morningstar told SGN.

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