Seattle City Council Honors Terminally Ill Lesbian Cheryl Chow

Two former Seattle mayors, Norm Rice and Paul Schell, joined several former City Council members in council chambers to declare September 17 "Cheryl Chow Day" in honor of the former Seattle City Councilmember's decades of public service.

Chow made headlines when she came out as lesbian in July, after being diagnosed with terminal central nervous system lymphoma. It was unknown whether Chow, 66, would be able to attend the event at council chambers inside City Hall, but she showed up, in a wheelchair with partner Sarah Morningstar and their four-year-old daughter, Liliana.

"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.

Council President Sally Clark read a proclamation that praised Chow for her "relentless commitment to youth," her 18 years as a teacher and principal in Seattle schools, her 47 years as a participant and adult leader of the Seattle Chinese Community Club girl's drill team, 30 years as a youth basketball coach and eight years on the City Council, from 1990-1997.

Chow spoke after the proclamation was read, recalling her difficulty displaying affection due to a strict upbringing. She grew up in an Asian household with a strong mother, former King County council member Ruby Chow. She said her partner, Morningstar, had taught her how to love.

Now, as she battles cancer, Chow has begun advocating for gay rights and dignity.

"Parents and kids, don't be afraid of saying that you're gay," Chow said in an interview with KING-TV when she came out as lesbian. "I was afraid for over 60 years and those 60 years were wasted."

"If I can save one child from feeling bad or even committing suicide because they felt terrible because they were gay, then I would have succeeded in my last crusade," said Chow.

Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen and Chow have been friends for more than 20 years. In an Op-Ed recently published by the Seattle Times, Rasmussen said he admires her courage at coming out and that Chow will "leave a long legacy of helping children in our community."

"Today, Chow is helping young people avoid the destructive fear that so haunted her," he wrote. "I am confident her dear mother Ruby would be very proud."

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

Chow told the local LGBT weekly, Seattle Gay News, "I've said a couple times recently that I don't want anyone to waste away years being not themselves like I did," admitting, "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."

For Chow, the decision to come out of the closet has also meant sharing with the community her partner of 10 years, Morningstar and their daughter Liliana.

"I'm very proud of her," Morningstar told local Fox affiliate Q 13. "It's a big deal for her to have done this. I think bigger than she even realized."

She's especially proud of the example Chow is setting for Liliana.

"We have a daughter and she will be raised never being ashamed of who she is or who her moms were and live the life she wants to live without fear," she said.

"It's so sad for me about this cancer," said Chow. "Because I won't be able to get to see her possibly walk across the stage as her name is called, Liliana Morningstar-Chow."

Chow, who has said that Asian community on the whole is not demonstrative of love, she is thankful that Morningstar taught her how because she was able to tell her mother, Ruby, who lay dying in the hospital, that she loved her too.

Chow told Q 13 that as she quietly walked out of the room her mother called her name. "I said, 'yes mom', and she said, 'I love you,'" recalled Chow. "That was the first time in 63 years that I heard her say that," she said. "That was one of the biggest events in my life."

Morningstar told Seattle Gay News, "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."

"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 said. "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."