SGN August 14, 2020

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Washington State Dems BLM protesters march cheer choice of Harris for VP on Mayor Durkan’s home

Graffiti outside gates of Windermere home threatens “not one demand less; by any means necessary”

Photo by Chris Rojas

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris – Photo by Richard Vogel / AP

SEATTLE – Tina Podlodowski, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, issued the following statement Aug. 11 regarding former Vice President Joe Biden’s selection of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D–CA) to be his running mate: “Washington Democrats are thrilled with the historic choice of Senator Har-

ris, the first Black and Indian American woman selected for a major party’s presidential ticket, to join Vice President Biden’s campaign as his running mate.

“Senator Harris’s service on the Intelligence and Judiciary committees has prepared her for the task of rooting out the

see HARRIS page 5

Cops settle with ACLU Promise not to target journalists, use indiscriminate force

Photo by Renee Raketty

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The City of Seattle has agreed that police should not target journalists covering protests and should not use indiscriminate force against protestors.

The agreement came in an August 10 settlement with the ACLU and attorneys representing journalists and others who were harmed by police violence and threats of violence.

see SETTLEMENT page 7

by Chris Rojas Special to the SGN with Renee Raketty SGN Staff Writer Black Lives Matter protesters brought the protest to Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan’s doorstep on Saturday, August 8th.

The assembled group were participants of the “Every Day March” (EDM) and had gathered at Magnuson Park before caravaning in two long rows of approximately 50 vehicles to her home in the Windermere neighborhood of Seattle. It was unknown if she was home at the time.

see DURKAN page 8

Seattle City Council overrides Durkan veto

JumpStart COVID relief plan to go forward

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan – Photo by Elaine Thompson / AP

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The Seattle City Council has voted 6-2 to override Mayor Jenny Durkan’s veto of a plan to provide COVID relief to the City’s poorest residents.

Having previously passed Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda’s JumpStart payroll tax – over Durkan’s opposition – the Council unanimously voted to use funds from that tax to pay back emergency expendi-

see JUMPSTART page 4

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Sen. Murray announces federal COVID-19 relief for Washington state housing authorities

U.S. Sen. Murray (center) visiting the Seattle Housing Authority’s Yesler community Dec. 6 –to share details of a bill that would help children experiencing homelessness. – Photo courtesy of Seattle Housing Authority

WASHINGTON, DC (August 11, 2020) – Today, US Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced nearly $5 million in federal funding awards for Washington state housing authorities from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, And Economic Security (CARES) Act. The funds will be administered through the Housing Choice Voucher program to help public housing authorities from across the state with the increased costs they’ve incurred working to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.

“Our public housing authorities are critical to keeping individuals and families safe, secure, and housed, as well as protecting public health and stopping the spread of COVID-19, so I won’t stop fighting for the federal assistance they need to continue their vital work during this pandemic,” said Sen. Murray.

This additional funding comes from the $850 million in administrative assistance for public housing authorities and $7 billion in total assistance for affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs that Sen. Murray fought to include in the CARES Act. Sen. Murray has also announced more than $90 million in CARES Act relief funding for cities and counties across Washington state to help people and families facing homelessness, and more than $4.2 million in federal assistance for Washington state tribes and tribal housing authorities. Additionally, Sen. Murray has introduced legislation to establish an emergency rental assistance program to help people and families struggling to pay their rent due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A full breakdown of the $4,956,957 million going to Washington state [follows]: • SEATTLE: Seattle Housing Authority: King County: $2,655,440 • SEATTLE: Housing Authority of King County: King County: $2,301,517 • BREMERTON: Housing Authority

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of the City of Bremerton: Kitsap County: $282,749 • PORT ANGELES: Peninsula Housing Authority: Clallam County: $118,310 • TACOMA: Housing Authority City of Tacoma: Pierce County: $984,271 • EVERETT: Housing Authority City of Everett: Snohomish County: $772,603 • LONGVIEW: Housing Authority City of Longview: Cowlitz County: $226,375 • VANCOUVER: Housing Authority of the City of Vancouver: Clark County: $379,833 • RENTON: Housing Authority City of Renton: King County: $133,664 • KENNEWICK: Housing Authority City of Kennewick: Benton County: $159,531 • THE DALLES: Columbia Gorge Housing Authority: Wasco County: $47,711 • MOSES LAKE: Housing Authority of Grant County: Grant County: $38,211 • CLARKSTON: Housing Authority of Asotin County: Asotin County: $32,903 • ABERDEEN: Housing Authority of Grays Harbor County: Grays Harbor County: $122,028 • KELSO: Housing Authority City of Kelso: Cowlitz County: $48,650 • PASCO: Housing Authority City of Pasco And Franklin County: Franklin County: $52,038 • COUPEVILLE: Housing Authority of Island County: Island County: $51,186 • BELLINGHAM: Housing Authority City of Bellingham: Whatcom County: $389,997 • SILVERDALE: Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority: Kitsap County: $66,199 • EVERETT: Housing Authority of Snohomish County: Snohomish County: $870,054 • YAKIMA: Housing Authority City of Yakima: Yakima County: $202,520 • OLYMPIA: Housing Authority of Thur-

ston County: Thurston County: $391,248 • TACOMA: Housing Authority of Pierce County: Pierce County: $533,300 • SPOKANE: Housing Authority City of Spokane: Spokane County: $959,070 • WALLA WALLA: Housing Authority City of Walla Walla: Walla Walla County: $221,450 • BURLINGTON: Housing Authority of Skagit County: Skagit County: $109,511 • WENATCHEE: Housing Authority of Chelan County And The City of Wenatchee: Chelan County: $97,479 • OMAK: Housing Authority of Okanogan County: Okanogan County: $30,360 • SEATTLE: Seattle Housing Authority: King County: $57,214 • SEATTLE: Housing Authority of King County: King County: $144,158 • EVERETT: Housing Authority City of Everett: Snohomish County: $1,748 • LONGVIEW: Housing Authority City of Longview: Cowlitz County: $1,701 • VANCOUVER: Housing Authority of the City of Vancouver: Clark County: $38,291 • THE DALLES: Columbia Gorge Housing Authority: Wasco County: $191 • BELLINGHAM: Housing Authority City of Bellingham: Whatcom County: $17,314 • EVERETT: Housing Authority of Snohomish County: Snohomish County: $13,241 • YAKIMA: Housing Authority City of Yakima: Yakima County: $2,604 • OLYMPIA: Housing Authority of Thurston County: Thurston County: $26,673 • SPOKANE: Housing Authority City of Spokane: Spokane County: $12,281 • OMAK: Housing Authority of Okanogan County: Okanogan County: $11,691

August 14, 2020

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Courtesy of Sen. Patty Murray

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JUMPSTART continued from cover

tures from the City’s “rainy day” funds to help people with COVID-related financial problems.

Durkan vetoed the plan because, she said, she didn’t want to drain the City’s emergency funds even though the money would be replaced by new taxes in 2012.

Although the original City Council vote on COVID relief was unanimous, Councilmembers Andrew Lewis and Alex Ped-

ersen flipped and voted to sustain Durkan’s veto. Still, there were six votes – the minimum necessary – to override the veto.

Councilmember Debra Juarez was absent.

Lewis and Pedersen argued – somewhat curiously – that the Council should uphold the veto in order to bring the Mayor to the table for more negotiations.

Council President Lorena González, however, explained that she’d talked for hours with the Mayor and her and her staff hoping to reach an accord, but to no avail.

The Mayor, Gonzalez revealed, would not agree to any deal unless the Council first

voted to uphold her veto.

Gonzalez stressed the urgency of acting on COVID relief legislation.

“These are uncertain times,” she told her Council colleagues, “but I think our constituents are looking at us to take action in this period of time. We can’t just freeze ourselves in amber.”

However, the Council did vote to amend the original relief package by cutting $26 million out of the projected expenditures and acknowledging that the Mayor need not spend all the money allocated.

Kshama Sawant was the sole No vote

because she did not want to capitulate to the mayor by providing less relief than originally planned.

There will now be $57 million in COVID relief funds instead of the original $87 million.

The Council also passed a bill allocating $3 million to public safety research by community organizations, and a bill that establishes different budgets for all five police precincts in the city.

Bilingual ad campaign seeks to promote healthy hydration SEATTLE – The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) has launched a new public awareness effort, themed “Be Ready.

Be Hydrated. / Prepárate. Hidrátate.” The campaign promotes healthy choices to counter sugary beverage marketing tactics aimed at youth of color and is funded by the Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT).

The SBT was designed to improve the health of Seattle residents by reducing sales and consumption of sugary drinks while raising revenue for programs that increase access to healthy food and support children’s health and learning. Key to this effort was the formation of a community advisory board to strategize how best to raise awareness about the health impacts of sugarsweetened beverages among Black, Latinx, and low-income communities, particularly the youth of those communities, who are the disproportionate focus of sugar-sweetened beverage marketing by global corporations.

Through a competitive funding process, HSD selected The Vida Agency, a certified Minority & Women’s Business Enterprise marketing firm with deep roots in the community, to design and implement a community-led public awareness and counter-marketing campaign.

Developing the campaign with community A coalition of Seattle-based community partners – including Hip Hop is Green, Black Stax, the Service Board and the Latino Community Fund of Washington – and an additional 40 youth connected to those organizations who are dedicated to their community and health, convened to understand perceptions and attitudes around sugar-sweetened beverages and marketing tactics.

“Investing the money generated by the SBT back into the community that has funded it was the cornerstone to our approach,” explains Amalia Martino, founder and president of The Vida Agency.

“From the coalitions to local media, and the incredibly bright young people who gave us their time in the midst of a pandemic and online schooling, this campaign has been a joy to conduct in the city I grew up in.”

These youth, along with a smaller group of youth known as the Creative Change Leaders, were instrumental in the development of the campaign’s messaging, branding, and plan. An additional survey reached more than 500 respondents, primarily representing Black, Latinx, and low-income youth and young adults.

“Working with these young people and community organizations was a blast!” exclaimed Jace from Black Stax. “We got to learn the concerns of the communities whose voices are seldom heard. To watch the value that each person brought to the conversations was vital in leading the direction we chose to take with this campaign. We believe in order to be of service you must first understand what the people

4 Seattle Gay News

Images courtesy of Seattle Human Services Department

you are planning to serve need and what they respect as help in asking for these resources. What a great experience.”

“This has been a fantastic and innovative creative process to engage community and promote better health outcomes for young people,” said Jason Johnson, Seattle Human Services Director. “This effort can serve as a blueprint for how the city can support community-led ideas in the future. I want to

August 14, 2020

thank The Vida Agency, Hip Hop is Green, Black Stax, the Service Board, Latino Community Fund, and everyone involved at the Human Services Department and in Seattle who made this effort a reality.”

The campaign launched in July and will be featured on local radio and news stations, blog posts and social media. Through a partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Public Schools, and Seattle Public

Utilities, the campaign’s message will reach additional youth and will include murals and reusable water bottle giveaways.

Community members can learn more at bereadybehydrated.com and preparatehidratate.com or follow the campaign on various social media channels.

Courtesy of Seattle Human Services Department

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HRC applauds choice of Kamala Harris for vice president

Daughter of immigrants would be nation’s first woman, first Black and first AAPI veep if elected

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris – Photo by Brynn Anderson / AP

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, is praising the selection of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D–CA) as vice-presidential running mate of Joe Biden, the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

“Senator Kamala Harris is nothing short of an exceptional choice for vice president,” said Alphonso David, HRC president.

“Throughout her groundbreaking career, Senator Harris has been an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ community, standing with us when many –­ even sometimes those within her own party – did not.

As a presidential candidate, Harris spoke with deep understanding of and empathy for the issues our community faces.

“It’s clear the Biden-Harris ticket marks our nation’s most pro-equality ticket in history. Now it’s time to come together, unite like never before, and turn the page on the Trump-Pence brand of lies and hate,” David continued.

A steadfast LGBTQ ally In 2013, Harris officiated the first marriage of a same-sex couple in the state of California between Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit challenging the anti-equality Prop 8.

As a candidate in this year’s presidential primary race, Harris released one of the most substantive LGBTQ policy agendas of anyone in the field. At the historic HRC/ CNN Power of Our Pride Town Hall she discussed in depth how she would combat HIV/AIDS among people of color and reduce violence against the Trans and gender-nonconforming community, particularly Black Transgender women.

As senator for the state with the highest number of LGBTQ people in our nation, Harris has been one of the community’s strongest allies in Congress, earning a perfect 100 on every HRC congressional scorecard issued during her tenure. She cosponsored the Equality Act, crucial federal legislation that would finally guarantee explicit protections for LGBTQ people

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HARRIS

continued from cover corruption of Trump’s administration once he’s evicted from the Oval Office, and her experience as California’s attorney general

taking on the big banks in the wake of the mortgage crisis is exactly what we need in the White House as we recover from this pandemic.

“We couldn’t be more proud to be in this fight for the soul of our nation with Vice President Biden and Senator Harris.”

under our nation’s existing civil rights laws.

She supports strengthening efforts to prevent anti-LGBTQ bullying in schools, opposes using religion as a license to discriminate, and supports banning harmful “conversion therapy.” She has called on all of us to speak out against transphobia and homophobia and challenged our nation to combat the underlying struggles that lead to continued violence against our community.

On health care, Harris has defended the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and advocated for inclusive, substantive health care for LGBTQ people and all those with preexisting conditions that had made coverage difficult and expensive to obtain. As attorney

general of California, she helped end the use of “Gay panic” defenses to violent attacks on LGBTQ people and refused to defend the discriminatory Prop 8, a 2008 California ballot measure that eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry – a position that was later upheld by a federal judge.

August 14, 2020

Seattle Gay News 5

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer people.

HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.

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CHOP 2.0: Cal Anderson occupied once more

Shelterhouse became community center as protest organizers release demands for reform

by Renee Raketty SGN Staff Writer The Cal Anderson Shelterhouse in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood has new tenants. The doors opened to the public as a community center without much fanfare earlier this week. Food, clothing, toiletries and bathrooms are all available to guests here. However, no one is paying rent on the space. This is an occupation!

Organizers gave this reporter a twopage list of “Shelterhouse Occupation Demands.” They call for more showers, toilets and laundry facilities; more resources for mental health, Transgender protection and overdose prevention. “Our mission is to renovate the Shelterhouse to modernize the facilities in adherence with the City’s Climate Action Plan, while proactively embracing social issues that continue to endanger our most vulnerable citizens,” according to one paragraph.

“I wasn’t aware that this operated as a space. I assumed there was a water heater in here. That’s horrible,” said “Gremlin,” a seven-year-resident of Capitol Hill who came to volunteer on Wednesday. “Someone told me that apparently the City [of Seattle] rents this space out but that it is extremely expensive. Folks who were trying to use it for an art event weren’t able to afford to do so. This space is great for providing support services but – I’m sorry – this is no Sheraton.”

The Shelterhouse features a gas fireplace, small kitchen and large main room.

It is 900-square-feet and can accommodate up to 45 guests.

This reporter followed Gremlin around as she socialized with residents, distributed snacks, water and sanitized surfaces. A small group of volunteers was serving meals through two socially distant windows, complete with a plastic barrier and available hand sanitizer. These volunteers had previously worked in food service. Racks of clothes and shoes were also available outside.

“If you want to solve a problem, provide people the direct resources to support themselves… It’s for the community by the community, which I think is rad,” she added.

“I am also highly aware of the fact that the housing crisis in Seattle is so massive and gnarly that I know that setting up one or two

sites like this is not going to serve enough people but I am hopeful that it will be the impetus to show that the community can do better than what the state has done.

“This is the first opportunity since CHOP closed to support the people that actually live in Cal Anderson Park. I think it is super cool for us to be here as long as it serves a purpose.”

Anthony, who declined to provide his last name, has been here seeking services

for the last two days. He stated that this was the only place where he didn’t feel judged or burdensome. He added that he had found a “tight circle of people” and would like to see the City allow it to continue, even expand its offerings. Another individual stated he was from San Francisco and had been a community organizer in New York before that. He added he was staying in a van with his friend nearby and was there to charge his cellular phone.

“Besides Black and Indiginous People of Color being discriminated against in the homeless population… homelessness is still an issue that preys upon the wellness of this community,” concluded Gremlin. “It’s also a forum to engage other people with their concerns and thoughts about how this space should be allocated.”

While relatively unknown to businesses and neighbors nearby, the “community center,” as some have called it, has caught the eye of Seattle Police Department officers who harass the operation each night. Videos of bike cops acting aggressively toward their volunteer “security” forces were made available. Rumors of a sweep of the park

on Thursday were also rampant among the guests present.

“I don’t get why police officers are taking the opportunity to push people out of their makeshift homes,” said Gremlin. “If we lay enough of a foundation here – it is a functioning operation that supports people’s well being – it’s going to be really hard for them to justify being inhumane to these people. All the imminent harms that they would scapegoat; we are here providing.”

As the afternoon turned into evening, this reporter saw someone drop a used needle into a sharps container and witnessed two guests who appeared to be intoxicated.

When asked about potential concerns of nearby residents and businesses, Gremlin sought to allay fears.

“As it stands, the greatest potential threat of harm has been existing. What we are seeing now is harm reduction. If anything, neighbors should be reassured and glad,” she concluded. “If they are not immunocompromised and have the time, they should come through. These folks here are your neighbors. They might not be housed but this is who you have been in community with.”

Photos by Renee Raketty

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SGN reporter Renee Raketty was one of those providing evidence of police misconduct to plaintiffs’ attorneys.

Raketty was covering a demonstration near the East Precinct on July 25. Finding herself behind police lines with her press badge clearly displayed, she sat on a fire escape behind the Richmark Building to rest when an officer casually tossed a blast ball at her. She suffered temporary ear damage and a wrenched knee as a result of the encounter.

Under the terms of the August 10 settle-

ment, a federal court order will bar police from targeting journalists, legal observers, and medics with crowd weapons.

The city also has agreed that the order should bar police from using the declaration of a riot as justification for indiscriminate force at protests. Police will also be ordered not to use crowd control weapons indiscriminately against peaceful protestors.

The terms of the settlement make restrictions on chemical and percussive weapons by Seattle police the most stringent in the country.

In return, plaintiffs’ lawyers will drop a request that the judge in the case hold the City in contempt of court.

The changes will be in effect until a the

federal judge monitoring Seattle’s consent decree on use of force decides whether the Seattle City Council’s ban on crowd control weapons can take effect.

Black Lives Matter Seattle King County and a number of individual plaintiffs sued the City in June, charging that the police had deprived protesters of their constitutional rights by using chemical agents such as tear gas and projectiles such as blast balls to crack down on demonstrations sparked by the police killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

US District Court Judge Richard Jones issued a preliminary injunction barring Seattle from using force against peaceful protesters. But his ruling said the police

could take targeted actions against specific imminent threats and against specifics acts of violence and property damage. Police subsequently used crowd weapons as they cleared the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone in early July and as they dealt with protests on July 25.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs in the original suit asked the judge to hold the City in contempt. The lawyers submitted sworn statements by protesters, legal observers, medics, and journalists describing how the police had attacked them the previous weekend on Capitol Hill.

Black Lives Matter: Water lanterns remember lives lost to police violence

by Renee Raketty SGN Staff Writer Black Lives Matter protesters gathered at Green Lake on Sunday, August 9th, to remember those lost to police violence.

Water lanterns bearing the names and familiar movement themes were released out into the lake. Later, volunteers sought to be good stewards of the environment and retrieved them from the water. #BlackLivesMatter #BLM #SeattleProtest #GreenLakeSeattle Photos by Renee Raketty

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Photos by Chris Rojas

DURKAN

continued from cover According to one neighbor who spoke with the Seattle Gay News, the protest was at least one of four seen in his neighborhood. He added that Sunday’s gathering was much “smaller than the first couple of times.” He noted he had no problem with their presence as long as they refrained from graffiti, violence or looting; which he associated with protests of the past in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The man declined to provide his name.

“I know a lot of my neighbors here.

Some are, you know, on the conservative side for sure, but they know. They hear the voices, they hear, they know what the problem is,” he said. “They see what the problem is, everybody realizes what’s happening all across the U.S.” Several neighbors came outside of their homes to clap or give a thumbs up in approval as the vehicles, with protesters hanging out the windows on both sides, drove slowly to Durkan’s residence. However, not everyone was as pleased, includ-

8 Seattle Gay News

ing one woman who was observed yelling at the group about their noise level.

The gathering remained peaceful as the march participants got into small groups just outside Durkan’s gated driveway to discuss the Seattle City Council’s proposal to defund the Seattle Police Department.

Later, they came back together to share what they had learned.

The neighbor who had spoken with the SGN said he “opposed” protesting “individual officeholders’ homes” and said that this tactic “should change.” He added that it was “bullying, just like what Trump does.”

“I think that’s really beyond civility. I think that you lost something in society. I think that what [City Councilperson Kshama] Sawant is doing… is Trumpism; pretty much on the other side. And I think it’s horrible… I think that you can’t just single out individuals and attack them and their families. I mean, you put their whole families at risk.”

The Windermere neighborhood is an affluent community. The average sale price over the last month for a home in Windermere is $1.13 million, according to Redfin. com. Durkan’s home is over 5,000-squarefeet, complete with an 800-square-feet

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garage and a hot tub with cabana. The home had been valued at $7.5 million in 2017.

This fact did not appear lost on a few of the protesters who stayed behind to spray paint the street with an array of Black Lives Matter themes and messages to Durkan herself. One message read: “Black people never lived here because of redlining!”

The neighborhood’s history with race has also been controversial. According to the Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project at the University of Washington, racial restrictive covenants in the Windermere neighborhood once read that the homes could not be sold to “any person not of the White race; nor shall any person not of the White race be permitted to occupy any portion of said lot or lots or any building thereon, except a domestic servant actually employed by a White occupant of each building.” Durkan’s home was built after 2015, when her longtime partner, Dana Garvey, had the original $4 million dollar home demolished.

The protesters appeared to have intentionally avoided marking private property and one organizer had reminded those assembled not to use any racial slurs or anti-LGBTQ language because that was not

the message of their movement. However, some of the comments were particularly personal. “You will be the villain in the history books,” read one message. “You owe your rights to Black and Brown Queers and Trans women. You betray our history. You fail our communities,” read another one.

The bulk of the comments however were common themes, such as defunding the police by 50 percent, urging Durkan to resign, and to end qualified immunity for police officers. However, a few comments did sound threatening, including one that said the protesters would not stand for “one demand less; by any means necessary.”

Another read: “We’ll be back.” One neighbor was visibly upset about their tactics but left saying that Black Lives Matter.

The SGN reached out to Durkan’s office and the SPD for comment regarding the protests in the Windermere neighborhood on Monday morning but did not receive comment by press time on Thursday. Durkan’s Chief-of-Staff had said on Tuesday that a comment was coming. Likewise, the SPD had also said they were “researching” questions from the SGN. An updated version of this story will appear online.

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MUSIC

Announcing the 2020 Whidbey Island Music Festival Summer Season of online concerts, with live ticket links!

Dear Friends,

I’m delighted to share the good news of the 2020 Summer Season of online concerts! Pivoting to an online festival has been a new challenge, and I’m so grateful to many colleagues in the arts who have inspired me with their efforts to create a new space for concerts online. Given all the challenges we face in the world around us, I’m glad to have the opportunity to celebrate a few milestones, even though it has to be “virtual” this year. This summer marks the 15th anniversary season of the festival, and is also the 250th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth.

Many of the original plans for “real life” concerts have made their way into this summer’s three online concerts. The former Poet Laureate of the United States, Rita Dove, is contributing a poem (“Ludwig van Beethoven’s return from Vienna”) from her home in Virginia where she is working on a new book. Tanya Tomkins and Eric Zivian have turned their living room in Berkeley, CA into a virtual concert hall and are sharing their performances of Beethoven Sonatas for pianoforte and violoncello. Maxine Eilander’s research into the French composer and harp virtuosa Zoé de la Ruë has become a program of

Tanya Tomkins and Eric Zivian – Photo courtesy of Whidbey Island Music Festival

gorgeous music for violin and harp, as well as a set of songs for soprano and harp. De la Ruë’s music deserves to be more widely known – her tunes are as beguilingly spun as those of Schubert, and her flair for the dramatic is on full display in the violin and harp duos. Beethoven’s Scottish Songs are rarely heard but are charming interpretations of Scottish folk songs. Paired with sets of traditional Scottish fiddle tunes led by Scottish fiddle champion Brandon

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Vance, with GRAMMY winner Stephen Stubbs on guitar and Henry Lebedinsky on bouzouki this delightful program is a fresh look at Scotland’s rich musical heritage.

While nothing replaces the shared experience and joy of an in person concert, I hope that you will benefit from the flexibility of the online experience. There will be an “Opening Night” for each program, with an optional Zoom pre-concert chat with festival artists. You will be able to watch

August 14, 2020

the concerts in your favorite spot at home in your most comfortable attire, or most outrageous costume (share pics please!), on your big-screen TB or on your laptop in your garden. These online concerts will be available for viewing until the end of September.

The best possible way for you to support the festival this year is to invite your circle of friends and family to join you in watching the concerts. I’ve included a share button below so you can easily forward and share! Because we are not limited to in-person attendance, anyone, anywhere can join in the concert experience!

All of the artist bios, program details and tickets are available at: www.whidbeyislandmusicfestival.org I look forward to connecting and chatting with you on Zoom during the pre-concert chats, at a porch or driveway concert (details below!), and then in person as soon as the time is right.

I thank you all for your generous support and can’t wait to share these programs with you!

With all warmest wishes, Tekla Cunningham Director Whidbey Island Music Festival

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Lebanon’s LGBTQs need your help OutRight launches worldwide relief effort in wake of Beirut blast NEW YORK – OutRight Action International has launched a global campaign to support Helem, Lebanon’s oldest LGBTIQ organization, which suffered extensive damage to its headquarters in last week’s devastating explosion.

The Aug. 4 blast in Beirut’s port district, which involved nearly 3,000 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate being stored in a warehouse, tore through the city, destroying entire neighborhoods, obliterating houses, killing more than 200 people, and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless, unable to meet their basic needs. Helem is based less than half a mile from the epicenter of the explosion and its headquarters, which includes the city’s LGBTIQ community center, was heavily damaged.

Helem is now working to rebuild its facility while also struggling to support countless LGBTIQ people who have been affected by the explosion. Helem’s staff and volunteers are also engaging in citywide relief efforts, but the group is in urgent need of international support in order to continue.

“Helem’s staff and volunteers have joined the relief effort in Beirut and are working to remove debris, help set up community kitchens, and dispense emergency aid to members of the community who have been affected by the explosion,” said Tarek Zeidan, executive director of Helem.

“The blast has left more than 300,000 individuals homeless. These funds will go towards helping secure shelter as well as to support our food distribution program

which has benefited more than 800 individuals to date.”

Fully 100 percent of all funds raised will be passed on to Helem to use for the support of the LGBTIQ community in Lebanon, the center’s relief efforts, and any other urgent needs on the ground resulting from this catastrophe, OutRight promises.

“OutRight’s mission is to work with local LGBTIQ organizations around the world to promote LGBTIQ equality,” said Jessica Stern, the group’s executive director.

“When crisis strikes, it is our duty and honor to do what we can to support local activists. This fund will support Helem to recover and rebuild so they can resume their work toward achieving a more equitable future for all LGBTIQ people in Lebanon.”

To learn more about the campaign to support Helem and how you can help, visit OutRight at https://outrightinternational.org.

OutRight Action International works at a global, regional and national level to eradicate the persecution, inequality and violence Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer people face around the world. From its offices in seven countries and headquarters in New York, OutRight builds capacity of LGBTIQ movements, documents human rights violations, advocates for inclusion and equality, and holds leaders accountable for protecting the rights of LGBTIQ people everywhere. OutRight has recognized consultative status at the United Nations.

Photo courtesy of OutRight International

ART

Nordic Museum features Swedish fashion icon, honorary consul

Petra Hilleberg and Gudrun Sjödén – Photos courtesy of Nordic Museum

SEATTLE – Leading Swedish fashion designer Gudrun Sjödén will headline the latest installment of the National Nordic Museum’s “Nordic Women in Leadership” series next Thursday, Aug. 20, from 6 to 7 p.m. The online event is free to the public, but capacity is limited and pre-registration is required at nordicmuseum.org.

Participants will learn about Sjödén’s philosophy as the CEO of a company with a global reach. She will be joined in what

is sure to be a stimulating conversation

by Petra Hilleberg, CEO of the Hilleberg Group and an honorary Swedish consul.

Sjödén received her artistic training in regional textile traditions at Stockholm’s Konstfack, University of Arts, Crafts, and Design, which she attended from 1958 to 1963. In 1974, she registered her trademark – Gudrun Sjödén AB – which led to her opening a storefront from which to sell her textiles two years later. From there, she went on

Visit us online www.sgn.org

to establish her colorful line of clothing and home decor embraced by fans worldwide.

Hilleberg, who has been called the “quintessential Northwest executive” by Seattle Backpackers magazine, was named CEO of the Hilleberg Group in 2016. The company includes Hilleberg the Tentmaker, the Swedish headquarters which oversees product development and handles all sales in Europe; Hilleberg, Inc., the Seattlebased subsidiary which manages all sales

outside of Europe and is responsible for all marketing for the company; and Hilleberg Eesti, located in Estonia.

“Nordic Women in Leadership” is an ongoing series created by the National Nordic Museum, located at 2655 N.W. Market St. in Ballard.

August 14, 2020

Seattle Gay News 13

Courtesy of The National Nordic Museum

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XALT dance films debut on IN-with-WHIM!

Photo by Stefano Altamura / Image courtesy of Whim W’Him

On Thursday, August 13, Whim W’Him launched their re-imagined, all digital XALT program! [visit https://www. whimwhim.org/ for details] In response to the coronavirus and COVID-19, Whim W’Him has radically re-imagined our XALT program, pivoting from the creation of live performances to two innovative and experimental dance films with physically distant choreography

by Penny Saunders and Artistic Director & Founder Olivier Wevers, and filming and direction by New York-based movement photographer and filmmaker Quinn Wharton.

These films will be available on our new streaming service, IN-with-WHIM, [https://www.whimwhim.org/in/] starting Thursday, August 13, 2020.

Click the video trailers below for a sneak peek and visit IN-with-WHIM [https://www. whimwhim.org/in/] to purchase your membership or 3-day access today!

MANIFOLD: Choreography by Penny Saunders; composition by Mike Wall; filming and direction by Quinn Wharton.

THE WAY IT IS: Choreography by Olivier Wevers; composition by Brian Lawlor; filming and direction by Quinn Wharton.

JOIN US FOR DANCE & TELL! Tune into Facebook Live for a behindthe-scenes look at how Whim W’Him created our two new dance films for XALT! Our fabulous co-hosts – Whim W’Him dancer Jim Kent and Board member Natalie Sandoval – will share interviews and clips with the artists as well as tips and tricks for making the most out of your INwith-WHIM membership, including how to watch new dance creations, revisit old favorites, see live streams of physically distanced rehearsals and behind-the-scenes experiences, and so much more!

IN-with-WHIM memberships available NOW! WELCOME TO SEASON 11!

Whim W’Him is going all-digital for

14 Seattle Gay News

Penny Saunders, Olivier Wevers, and Quinn Wharton – Photos courtesy of Whim W’Him

2020/21 with the launch of our new streaming service, IN-with-WHIM. We created this service as a way to prioritize the health and safety of our artists and our community, while supporting ways for all of us to come together while staying apart.

Through IN-with-WHIM, we’ll feature an experimental season of original dance films by some of the world’s most intriguing contemporary dance choreographers. We’ll also curate a series of online artist interviews and chats called Dance and Tell; share behind-the-scenes experiences and videos of past creations; offer contemporary technique classes and forums on mental and physical health for dancers and movement artists; and livestream some of our physically distanced rehearsals so you can see how our artists are continuing to create while complying with vital and necessary public safety mandates.

Click here to learn more about the four programs of new dance films we’re creating this season: XALT (available August 13, 2020), Choreographic Shindig VI (available September 2020), This Is Not The Little Prince (available January 2021) and Wonder Beyond (available May 2021).

Annual IN-with-WHIM memberships cost $120 ($10 per month). Monthly memberships are also available for $15 per month. If you prefer to pick and choose your programs, we’re also offering 3-DAY

August 14, 2020

access so you can view the original dance films of your choice without buying a full membership. 3-DAY access prices range from $5-$50.

Click the button below to purchase your IN-with-WHIM membership (including access to XALT) or 3-DAY access to XALT only, today!

PURCHASE NOW Whim W’Him dancers performing Olivier Wevers’ “The Way It Is” during a pop-up appearance at Seward Park in Seattle, WA. Photo by Matt M. McKnight/ Crosscut.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our free, outdoor pop-up appearances last week!

We were honored to share four physically distanced, live performances of Artistic Director Olivier Wevers’ new creation, “The Way It Is” with our audiences and our community. The dancers – masked and six feet apart – performed a 1.1-mile-long dance procession along outdoor pathways at Greenlake, Seward Park, Jefferson Park and Myrtle Edwards Park. About 40-50 people joined us each evening, and some of you came to every single one!

We’re grateful for your ongoing support and are planning more pop-up appearances in August and September.

Other dance companies and choreographers are getting creative as well! Click

here to reach an article in Crosscut about the ways several Seattle choreographers and dance companies, including Whim W’Him, are finding new ways to create and share dance during coronavirus. [https:// crosscut.com/culture/2020/08/seattleparks-become-stages-pop-dance-performances] Follow Whim W’Him on Facebook and Instagram for future pop-up appearances.

THE WAY IT IS Pop-up Appearances with Whim W’Him dancers Michael Arellano, Liane Aung, Jane Cracovaner, Ashley Green, Jim Kent, Andrew McShea and Karl Watson. Choreography by Olivier Wevers.

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS Thank you for supporting our work as we reimagine new ways we can continue to safely create and share innovative new dance works with our community. Your support makes our work possible and we are deeply grateful for all the ways you continue to show up for Whim W’Him, our artists and each other – by donating, joining us for online conversations and chats, and sharing the work we do with families, friends and neighbors.

Thank you for being part of the Whim W’Him family.

Courtesy of Whim W’Him

Celebrating 46 Years!

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FILM

OUTshine going virtual this year

Florida’s premier LGBTQ+ film festival features 80 world-class films, 44 screenings

Jackie Weaver in Stage Mother – Photo courtesy of OUTshine Film Fest

Haaz Sleiman and Michael Cassidy in Breaking Fast – Photo courtesy of OUTshine Film Fest

Zoe Terakas and Sophie Hawkshaw in Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt) – Photo courtesy of OUTshine Film Fest

Visit us online www.sgn.org

MIAMI – The OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival is going virtual for its 22nd edition.

For the first time in the festival’s history, 80 new contemplative, comedic and creative films from 20 countries (many never seen before and not available on any streaming platform) with 44 screenings will be made available to viewers throughout the state of Florida. The festival will also host livestreamed special events with cocktail happy hours, talent and Q&A sessions as a way to virtually tie the community together.

“In these challenging times, the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival has adapted to the changing needs of the film and viewing community and is pleased to move forward with an outstanding roster of poignant new features viewable virtually anywhere in the state,” said Victor Gimenez, the festival’s executive director.

“It’s in this spirit of unity and equality, the tenets upon which the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival was founded, that we are taking a giant leap forward to offer these award-winning films with culturally diverse narratives and deeply moving subjects to an even wider audience.”

In keeping with social distancing guidelines and community safety, this year’s festival kicks off on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. (all times Eastern) with OUTshine’s Opening Night Drive-OUT, a preview of Stage Mother, at the Drive-In Theater at Dezerland Park (14401 N.E. 19th Ave., North Miami). Stage Mother, starring Oscar-nominated Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook, Animal Kingdom), Adrian Grenier (Entourage, The Devil Wears Prada) and Emmy-nominated Lucy Liu (Charlie’s Angels, Elementary, Fox TV’s Ally McBeal), is a comedy-drama about a conservative Texas church choir director who moves to San Francisco in an attempt to save her recently deceased son’s drag club from bankruptcy. In the process, she finds new meaning for her life and embraces the club’s flamboyant performers.

This year’s line-up includes Centerpiece film The Goddess of Fortune (La Dea Fortuna) (Italy), drama-comedy, on Aug. 26 at

7 p.m.; a Ladies’ Shorts Package Night on Aug. 22 at 5 p.m., a Men’s Shorts Package Night on Aug. 23 at 5 p.m.; a “South Florida Speaks” Shorts Program on Aug. 30 at 5 p.m., Closing Night film Single Street (Singel 39) (Netherlands), comedy, on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.; plus two FREE Community Showings: Letters to Eloisa (USA), drama, on Aug. 22 at 3 p.m. and TRANSformations, a Trans Shorts Package, on Aug. 29 at 3 p.m.

A full list of films and descriptions can be found at outshinefilm.com/films/program, and tickets are now on sale at outshinefilm.com/buy-tickets. Individual films are $12 each and value packages range from $60 to $350. (Please note: Online streaming of films is available only to those with a Florida-based IP address.)

For additional information about OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival memberships and film packages, call 877-766-8156 or visit outshinefilm.com. Follow us on Facebook @OUTshineFilmFestival, on Twitter @OUTshineFilm and on Instagram @ OUTshineFilm.

August 14, 2020

Seattle Gay News 15

About OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival The OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival’s mission to unite the community through social events and LGBTQ+ media that inspire, entertain and educate.

Launched separately as the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in 1998 and the Ft. Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in 2008, both editions were brought together under one brand to become the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival, now held biannually. Encompassing brightness, broad appeal and dynamic multicultural locations, OUTshine is internationally acclaimed as the largest LGBTQ+ cultural arts festival in the southeastern United States. OUTrageous. OUTspoken. And OUTstanding in what we deliver.

Presenting sponsors are Gilead Sciences and Miami-Dade County.

Allyship - an organization of LGBTQ individuals fighting for economic and social justice. www.LGBTQAllyship. org, allyship@yahoo.com, (206) 279-8169.

American Veterans for Equal Rights - www.aver.us Another Gay Social Club! - www.meetup.com/AnotherGay-Social-Club/ Bellingham/Whatcom County - www.theslowlane. com/guide.html BiNet Seattle is a mixed gender, social group for Bisexuals, their partners & other Bi-friendly folks - www. binetseattle.org.

Bremerton/Kitsap County - www.outwestsound.org Capitol Hill Alano Club - www.chacseattle.org Cascade Rainbow Community Center (Mount Vernon) - (360) 840-8499 and on Facebook.

Central Washington University GALA Hotline: (509) 963-1994.

Channel Q 103.3 FM - LGBTQ+ Talk Radio Network News and information, pop culture and music. radio.com COLAGE unites people with LGBTQ parents and caregivers into a network of peers and supports them as they nurture and empower each other to be skilled, self-confident, and just leaders in our collective communities - www.colage.org DIFFA/Northwest (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS). (206) 763-8885; www.diffanorthwest. org DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL ASSAULT: Crisis Clinic, (206) 461-3222 (24 hour line); King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) - 24-hour crisis line for information, support, & medical & legal assistance: 1-888-99-VOICE; Northwest Network support & advocacy for Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian & Gay Survivors of Abuse & Dating Violence, (206) 568-7777 (voice), 517-9670 (tty), www.nwnetwork.org; Pierce County Domestic Violence Helpline: Teresa, (253) 798-4166; Seattle Counseling Service for Sexual Minorities - offers on-going support groups for men: 323-1768; Seattle Police Dept Domestic Violence Unit, (206) 684-0330; State Wide Domestic Violence Hot Line, 1-800-562-6025. In an emergency call 911.

Report domestic violence and sexual assault.

Equal Rights Washington - (206) 324-2570; www. equalrightswashington.org Everett/Snohomish Cty - www.gaysnohomish.org Freely Speaking Toastmasters - www.freelyspeaking.org Gay City promotes wellness in LGBTQ communities by providing health services, connecting people to resources, fostering arts, and building community. Gay City Health Project’s Wellness Center provides anonymous & confidential HIV/STD testing. 517 E Pike St. More info or to schedule an appointment, (206) 860-6969. www.gaycity.org Gay & Lesbian National Hotline (GLNH): 1-888-THEGLNH (1-888-843-4564). Non-profit, peer-counseling, information & local resources telephone hotline for GLBT people across the country.

Generations Aging With Pride empowers elder LGBTQ adults to live with pride and dignity by promoting, connecting, and developing innovative programs and services that enhance belonging and support, eliminate discrimination, and honor the lives of older members of our community - (206) 393-3400; info@gapseattle.org; gapseattle.org GLSEN/WA - Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network - (206) 330-2099; www.glsenwa.org Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) - (206) 363-9188; www.thegsba.org HIV/AIDS Program, Seattle/King County Dept of Public Health, provides confidential/anonymous information about & testing for HIV/AIDS. (206) 205-7837. For a comprehensive list of HIV/AIDS service organizations see the GSBA Guide or visit www.thegsba.org or call Lifelong AIDS Alliance, (206) 328-8979.

Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle & the Olympic & Rainier Empire - www.facebook.com/ISCSORE; www. imperialcourtofseattle.com Lambert House - (206) 322-2515; www.lamberthouse. org LGBT Library - 517 E Pike St. Open Mon-Fri 2-8pm; Sat 2-5pm. A wide range of fiction and non-fiction for the LGBT community and allies can be borrowed free of charge.

LGBT MS Connection - (425) 785-8593; lgbtmsconnections@comcast.net. Support group for LGBT persons with MS and their partners and their caregivers.

Sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Lifelong AIDS Alliance - (206) 328-8979, www.lifelongaids alliance.org Lion’s Main Art Collective - www.lionsmain.org MEN: Gay City: (206) 860-6969, www.gaycity.org; Knights of Mantra: (206) 329-0886, www.jetchapterkofm.com; Mature Friends: Gay men & women 40 & over, www.maturefriends.org; Northwest Bears: www. nwbears.com; The Olympians: www.TheOlympians. net; POZSeattle: www.pozseattle.com; Q-Squared: www.qsquared.org; Rain City Jacks: www.raincityjacks. org; Seattle Gay Couples: www. seattlegaycouples.org; Seattle Men in Leather: www.seattlemeninleather. org; Seattle Prime Timers: Gay & Bi men 40 & over, www. seattle primetimers.org; Tacoma Older LGBT: www. tacomaolderlgbt.org. (See also listings under Bisexual, Parenthood, People of Color, Transgender.)

MUSIC: Diverse Harmony: www.diverseharmony. org; Rainbow City Band: 1-866-841-9139 ext 2126; rainbowcityband@onebox.com; www.rainbowcity band. com; Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus: (206) 388-1408, (206) 323-0750. www.seattlechoruses.org.

Northwest Lesbian & Gay History Museum Project - gayhistnw@aol.com

16 Seattle Gay News

community resources Northwest Rainbow Alliance for the Deaf - www. nwrad.org Olympia/Thurston County - www.RainbowCenterOly. org Out & Equal Workplace Advocates/Seattle Regional Affiliate supports the work of LGBT employees and the growing number of ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) making a difference within local companies, including Alaska Airlines, Amazon.com, Amgen, AT&T, Bank of America, Deloitte, Macy’s, Microsoft, Russell Investments, Safeco Insurance, Starbucks Coffee, Xerox. www.outandequal.org/affiliates/seattle Out & Proud Grays Harbor Coalition - http://outandproudgh.org PARENTHOOD: Families Like Ours provides a gateway for LGBT families interested in adoption & provides a network of safe placement agencies, training, support & resources: (206) 441-7602, www.familieslikeours. org; Family Works offers support, information & activities for LGBT families: (206) 694-6727, www.familyworksseattle. org; Gay Fathers’ Association of Seattle offers support groups & social activities: www.gfas. org; Proud & Loud Families - Northwest, www.meetup.com/proudand-loud-families-northwest, plfnorthwest@aol.com; Queer Parent Networking Dinners: (206) 568-7777, qpnd@nwnetwork.org, www.nwnetwork.org; Rainbow Families of Puget Sound: www.rainbowfamiliesps.org PFLAG is the national organization for parents, families, allies, and LGBTQ people united for equality with chapters in Seattle, Bellevue/Eastside, the Puget Sound region and across Washington state. PFLAG Seattle: (206) 325-7724, info@pflagseattle.org, and www.pflagseattle.org; PFLAG Bellevue/Eastside: (425) 483-6642, info@bellevue-pflag.org, http://community. pflag.org/PFLAGBellevue; PFLAG Pacific Northwest: www.pnwpflag.org; PFLAG Washington State Council: www.pflagwsc.org.

Peer Seattle (formerly Seattle Area Support Groups) is a non-profit organization that builds community and cultivates powerful, healthy lives by providing emotional support and personal development services to those affected by HIV/AIDS, the Queer communities, and those who love them. Our work is done in a spirit of safety, trust, inclusiveness, and celebration of individual differences.

(206) 322-2437; www.peerseattle.org PEOPLE OF COLOR: AARTH (African American Reach & Teach Health Ministry), (206) 850-2070, www.aarth.org; Asian/Pacific Islander Queer Network Program at API Chaya, (206) 467-9976; Center for MultiCultural Health, (206) 461-6910, www.multiculturalhealth.org; Entre Hermanos, GLBT Latinos/as, (206) 322-7700, www.entrehermanos.org; Ile LaiLai, (206) 781-3565, iya@ilelailai.org; Men of All Colors & Cultures Together (MACCT), (206) 923-8313, macctseattle@yahoo.com, www.macctsea.org; Northwest Two Spirit Society, https://www.facebook.com/ groups/nw2spiritsociety/, Nubian Pride Productions, nubianpride@gmail.com; People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN) offers rapid HIV testing, M-F, 10am-5pm, (206) 322-7061, www.pocaan.org and on Facebook; QBASS - Queer Black Alliance of the South Sound, (253) 256-1846, weareqbass@gmail. com; Sistah 2 Sistah, LBT women of African descent, (206) 322-7061, (206) 255-8951; Somos Seattle, somosseattle.org; Trikone-Northwest, GLBT South Asians, (425) 985-4376, www.trikonenw.org; Two-Spirit Honor Project, 1-866-685-0164; U.T.O.P.I.A. Seattle, www.utopiaseattlewa.org; VietQ Greater Seattle, vietqorganization@gmail.com Pierce County AIDS Foundation - (253) 383-2565; www.piercecountyaids.org Pride Foundation - (206) 323-3318; www.pridefoundation. org Pride Lives - www.facebook.com/PrideLives/ Pride Radio 93.3 HD2 Project NEON is a program of Seattle Counseling Service providing FREE information & services to Gay & Bi men to reduce health risks associated with methamphetamine use. (206) 323-1768. www.crystalneon.org Public Health-Seattle & King County Online Comprehensive Health Information for Sexual Minorities: www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/personal/ glbt.aspx Q Law: The GLBT Bar Association of WA - (206) 682-6711; www.q-law.org Q Law GLBT Legal Clinic - (206) 235-7235.

Queer Geek! - queergeekseattle.org Rainbow Center - Resource Center for Tacoma/Pierce County LGBTIQA community. Through education, advocacy and celebration, the Rainbow Center expands resources, and safe space for the LGBTQIA community.

August 14, 2020

Sponsors Tacoma Pride Festival. (253) 383-2318, www. rainbowcntr.org SEAMEC interviews, researches & rates candidates for public office on issues of concern to the LGBT community. www.voteseamec.org Seattle Area Support Groups & Community Center (SASG) i- SEE LISTING for Peer Seattle.

Seattle Bisexual Women’s Network - BiSeattle.wixsite. com/SBWN and on Facebook.

Seattle Counseling Service for Sexual Minorities is a community mental health service for GLBT persons & their families providing comprehensive mental health services on a sliding scale. (206) 323-1768.

Seattle LGBTQ Commission - (206) 684-4503. www/ seattle.gov/lgbtq Seattle Out & Proud - (206) 322-9561; www.seattlepride.org Seattle Police Department Sexual Minorities Community Advisory Council: kim.bogucki@seattle.gov Seattle PrideFest - www.seattlepridefest.org Servicemembers Legal Defense Network - (202) 328-3244; www.sldn.org Sex Workers Outreach Project - https://seattle. swopusa.org Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan - (206) 860-3666; www.theabbey.org Snohomish Health District HIV/AIDS Program provides free confidential/anonymous HIV counseling & testing 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, until 7pm Tuesdays.

(425) 339-5298.

South Sound Q Calendar - LGBTQ events in Tacoma, Olympia & Sound Puget Sound area; www.SouthSoundQCal.com Spokane/Inland Northwest - www.outspokane.com; www.stonewallnews.net SPORTS & RECREATION: Bent Car Guys: www. bentcarguys.org; Border Riders Motorcycle Club: www.borderriders.com; Bottom Dwellers Scuba Club: www.bottomdwellers.org; Capitol Hill Cyclers: join their Facebook group or email capitolhillcycling@ groups.facebook.com or jordan.l.simonson@gmail.com; Cascade Flag Football: www.cascadeflagfootball.org; Cascade Flyers: www.cascadeflyers.org; Emerald City Mudhen Rugby: www.mudhenrugby.com; Emerald City Softball Association: www.emeraldcitysoftball. org, www.eteamz.com/womensecsa; Ethyl Forever Car Club: ethylforever@hotmail.com; Festival of the Babes: www.festivalofthebabes.com; Olympic Yacht Club: www.oycnw.org; OutVentures: outdoor education & recreation activities, www.outventures.org; Pacific Northwest Gay Rodeo Association: www.pacificnwgra.org; Puddletown Squares: www.puddletownsquares.org; Rain City Soccer: www.raincitysoccer.org; Rain Country Dance Association: a country-western dance organization catering to the LGBTQ community but open to all, www.raincountrydance.org; Sea Dawgs: LGBT ice hockey - SkateSeaDawgs@gmail.com and on Facebook; Seattle Frontrunners: www.seattlefrontrunners.org; Seattle Gay Basketball Association: www. seattlegaybasketballassociation.com; Seattle Orca Swim Team: www.orcaswimteam.org; Seattle Otters Water Polo: www.otterpolo.com; Seattle Quake Rugby: www.quakerugby.com; Seattle Tennis Alliance: www. seattletennisalliance.org; Seattle Unified Bowling Association (SUBA): magee98106@aol.com, www. teamseattle.org/bowling.htm, www.theprideleague. com, Century 21 League; Seattle Volleyball Club: www.seattlevolleyballclub.com; Ski Buddies: www. skibuddies.org; Team Seattle Gay Sports Network is an umbrella organization for a wide range of local GLBT sports activities, (206) 367-4064, www.teamseattle.org (see website for comprehensive list of sports clubs); Triangle Recreation Camp at Bender Creek: recreational camping for GLBT folks. Must be 21; ID required. trc@ camptrc.org, www.camptrc.org, 1122 E Pike St #1069, Seattle 98122-3934.

Strength Over Speed - www.strengthoverspeed.org Tacoma/Pierce County - Rainbow Center, 2215 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, a resource center for the LGBTIQA community of Pierce County, (253) 383-2318, www. rainbowcntr.org Three Dollar Bill Cinema - TWIST: Seattle Queer Film Festival; Translations: Seattle Transgender Film Festival; Outdoor Cinema at Cal Anderson Park. www. threedollarbillcinema.org TRANSGENDER: Emerald City Social Club: (425) 827-9494; Gender Alliance of the South Sound: www.

SouthSoundGender.com; Gender Diversity: www. genderdiversity.org; Gender Justice League: www.genderjusticeleague.org; Gender Odyssey: www.genderodyssey.com; Hermanos Trans Latino & Foreign-Born

Support Group: (206) 322-7700; Ingersoll Gender Center: (206) 329-6651, www.ingersollcenter.org; Lion’s Main Art Collective: www.lionsmain.org; The New BoyZ Club: www.olympiaftmgroup.webs.com; Olympia Trans Discussion Group: www.facebook.com/pages/ Olympia-Trans-Discussion-Group/262449878114; [trans] ACTION: Trans* & Gender Non-Conforming Sex Workers’ Support Group - a safe, peer-led space. mail@utopiaseattle.org; TRANSform Washington: transformwashington.com; Trans Resource & Referral Guide: kctransguide.org; Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network: Funding the collective liberation of Trans women of color – https://m.facebook.com/ TWOCSolidarityNW/; Washington Gender Alliance: (360) 445-2411, www.washington genderalliance.com WOMEN: Aging Ballard Lesbian Exchange (A.B.L.E.): We are Lesbians 60 years (generally) and up, living (mostly) in the north half of Seattle. The purpose of the group is to connect, socialize and support each other. ruthemilyvogel@gmail.com; Aging Lesbians in South Seattle (ALISS) - Lesbian Group at the Southeast Seattle Senior Center. This is a gathering primarily for Lesbians but all are welcome to attend. Kate, (206) 722-0317; www.sessc.org; BABES: support groups for HIV+ women. (206) 720-5566, 1-888-292-1912; Coming Out Women Support Group of Tacoma: www. comingoutwomen.org; Festival of the Babes: www. festivalofthebabes.com; Mature Friends: Gay men & women 40 & over, www.maturefriends.org; Puget Sound Old Lesbian Organizing for Change: http:// psoloc.org, (253) 777-3357; Older Lesbians Organizing for Change/WA State Chapter: gloria@oloc.org, mary@oloc.org, www.oloc.org; Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives: www.pnwlesbianarchives.org; RainshadowWomen: RainshadowWomen@aol. com; Seattle Bisexual Women’s Network: BiSeattle. wixsite.com/SBWN; Seattle Girls of Leather: www. sgol.org; Tacoma Lesbian Concern (TLC): www.tacomalesbianconcern.org; Tacoma Older LGBT: www. tacomaolderlgbt.org; Women of West Seattle (WOWS): a fun, member-driven social group for Lesbians, http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/womenofwestseattle; YWCA Women’s Health Outreach: providing low or no-cost mammograms for income eligible 40+ LBTQ individuals. Follow us at http://lbtqhealth-ywca.blogspot.com, twitter.com/ingridWHO or email lbthealth@ywcaworks. org, (206) 461-4493. (See also listings under Bisexual, Parenthood, People of Color, Transgender.)

YOUTH: B-GLAD (Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Trans & Questioning Adolescent Drop-In Group): Youth Eastside Services offers many programs for GLBT youth, including B-GLAD, (425) 747-4937; Coyote Central: www.coyotecentral.org; Diverse Harmony: www.diverseharmony. org; GLSEN/Washington State (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) & Washington State GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) Network: GLSEN works to create safe schools for LGBT students. WA GSA Network supports youth-led GSA’s to fight harassment & homophobia in Washington state schools. (206) 330-2099; www.glsenwa. org; www.wagsa.org. GLOBE (GLBTQ Loving Ourselves, Becoming Empowered): a support group & HIV/STD prevention program for GLBTQ youth, 14-20, in Everett, (425) 263-2908, www. globeyouth.org; It Gets Better Project: www.itgetsbetter.org; Lambert House: an activities & resource center for LGBT youth, 14-22, 1818 15th Ave @ E Denny Way, with additional support groups organized in smaller towns throughout King County, (206) 322-2515, www. lamberthouse.org; Lifelong HEYO (Health Education Youth Outreach): for LGBTQ youth, ages 16-24: (206) 957-1665; www.llaa.org/HEYO; www.MatthewsPlace. com; The Mockingbird Society: (206) 323-KIDS (5437), www.mockingbirdsociety.org; New Horizons: social services and shelter for homeless youth, 2708 3rd Ave (in Belltown), (206) 374-0866, http://namin.org; Oasis Youth Center: for GLBTQ youth, ages 14-25, in Tacoma, (253) 671-2838, www.oasisyouthcenter. org; OKAY! LGBTQ+ Outreach for Kent Area Youth: (253) 859-0699 ext 3034. OKAY! is an open support group for youth ages 13-19 who identify as LGBTQ+. A program of Kent Youth & Family Services; OUT There Adventures: www.outthereadventures.org; Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG)/ Puget Sound: (206) 325-7724, www.seattle-pflag.org; Pizza Klatch: weekly lunchtime support groups for LGBTQ youth in Thurston County, www.pizzaklatch. org; Prism: for LGBTQ youth, 14-21, in Puyallup Cherise.Alexander@ multicare.org; www.facebook. com/PuyallupPrism; Proud Out Wonderful (POW!): for LGBTQ youth, 13-21, in South King County, (206) 326-9112, www.facebook.com/proudoutwonderful; Q Youth Resources: in Kitsap County - (360) 698-3335; www.kchaf.org; Roots Young Adult Shelter: 1415 NE 43rd St., (206) 632-1635; www.rootsinfo.org; Safe Schools Coalition: www.safeschoolscoalition.org; (206) 451-SAFE, (206) 451-7233 (non-emergency), 1-877-SAFE-SAFE (1-877-723-3723) (crisis line); Seattle Young People’s Project (Queer Youth Resource Board): (206) 860-9606, www.sypp.org; Street Youth Ministries (SYM): (206) 524-7301 ext 111; www. streetyouthministries.org; Teen Link: (206) 461-4922, 1-888-431-TEEN; The Trevor Project: 866-4-U-Trevor; www.thetrevorproject.org; True Colors - Connecting LGBTQ Teens: in Shoreline, (206) 362-7282 x 8018, lbagley@chs-nw.org; The Vera Project: fuels personal & community transformation through collaborative youthdriven engagement in music and art. (206) 956-8372; theveraproject.org; Vista Youth Center: for LGBTQ, questioning and allied youth, ages 14-21, in Kennewick, (509) 396-5198, www.vistayouthcenter.org; YouthCare/ Isis Program (Transitional Living Home for LGBTQ Young Adults, 18-22): (206) 522-8412; YouthCare/ Orion Center Young Adult Shelter: 1828 Yale Ave @ Stewart St. (206) 622-5555; Youth in Focus: (206) 723-1479; www.youthinfocus.org; Youth Suicide Prevention Program (OUTLoud-GLBTQ): (206) 297-5922, ext 116, 1-800-273-TALK, www.yspp.org

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FILM

Outfest LA LGBTQ Film Festival (Aug. 20-30) selects short film exploring Trans identity, masculinity, family acceptance

Ari Damasco and Jerry Carlton in In France, Michelle Is a Man’s Name – Photo courtesy of OutFest

LOS ANGELES – The Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival this week announced it has selected the short film entitled In France, Michelle Is a Man’s Name as part of its 2020 festival of worldclass films, panels, and events, running Aug. 20 through Aug. 30. The film will screen on Aug. 27 and will be available digitally through Aug. 30 at Outfest.org.

In France, Michelle Is a Man’s Name has also been selected to play at Outfest’s Transcendence shorts program and will be part of a drive-in double bill with the feature film Cowboys on Aug. 22 at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu. [The trailer can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/393435689.]

The 12-minute film, directed by Yale School of Drama graduate Em Weinstein, is about Michael, a young Latinx Trans man who returns home to the rural American West after years of estrangement from his parents. In France, Michelle Is a Man’s Name explores Trans identity, masculinity, and the price we’re willing to pay for acceptance.

Weinstein’s previous short film, Candace, won the grand prize at the American Pavilion Emerging LGBTQ Filmmakers Showcase at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018.

“We fell in love with the characters and were riveted and moved by the father-son relationship depicted so tenderly and multidimensionally in the film,” said Daniel Crooke, Outfest programming coordinator.

“Weinstein evokes the rural milieu in such an acute manner while still leaving the edges of their emotional landscape unsmoothed enough to reflect the messy reality of this world. It is an excellent piece

of filmmaking, and we’re delighted at the prospect of welcoming Em Weinstein back to the (for now, digital) festival!”

Michael is played by Ari Damasco, an actor and consultant from Aguascalientes, Mexico and Southern California. He met Weinstein in 2009 at Smith College and the two have been close friends and collaborators ever since. Weinstein and Damasco both live on the AFAB (assigned female at birth) Trans-masculine spectrum: Weinstein uses they/them pronouns and Damasco uses he/him pronouns. In France, Michelle Is a Man’s Name was shot in September 2019 in The Dalles, Tygh Valley and Dufur, Ore.; Goldendale, Wash.; and at Mary’s Club, the oldest strip club in Portland, Ore. Said Weinstein, “Before the pandemic, I gathered a team of Queer and Trans filmmakers and brought them to the arid landscape of the American West to make this film about a white cis father and his biracial Trans son navigating their relationship.

Especially in our current climate, I’m eager to tell stories of collision and intersection between people of different races, different political beliefs, different lived experiences.

What happens when these people are in the same family? How do they hurt each other?

How do they continue to love each other?”

This year’s Outfest will run across 11 days of not-to-be missed world-class films, panels, and events. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival will take advantage of the latest in streaming digital, at-home and in-person (as allowed) event platforms accessible to a global audience for the first time in its history.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

Each summer, Outfest Los Angeles screens more than 200 feature and short films to an audience of more than 50,000 people. Outfest is the largest and oldest film festival of any kind in Los Angeles and is considered the preeminent and most widely-recognized LGBTQ film festival in the world.

More about Em Weinstein Hailing from New York City and The Dalles, Ore., Em Weinstein (www.emweinstein.com) is a writer and director for stage and screen whose award-winning short film Candace played at festivals worldwide including Outfest, Mill Valley Film Festival, Montclair Film Festival, Rhode Island International Film Festival and the American Pavilion Emerging LGBTQ Filmmakers Showcase at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won Best Film. While getting their MFA at Yale School of Drama, Weinstein directed numerous plays such as the first workshop production of Slave Play by Jeremy O. Harris. Weinstein has written, directed and developed work with companies including New York Theater Workshop, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Shakespeare & Company, Two River Theater, Working Theater, New Georges, and the Museum of Ice Cream. They are currently under commission by En Garde Arts and the Yale Center for British Art. Weinstein is also an Artistic Fellow with Rattlestick Theater and part of the AFI Directing Workshop for Women Class of 2021.

August 14, 2020

More about Ari Damasco Ari Damasco is Mexican-American and Queer. He is a first-generation college graduate with a B.A. in philosophy and psychology from Smith College who strives to leverage his power toward the dismantling of oppressive systems. He currently lives in Chicago, where he works as a tech consultant for nonprofits. In France, Michelle Is a Man’s Name is his first experience acting on film.

More about Outfest The Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival was born out of an era of advocacy, understanding that the only way we would ever see ourselves reflected three-dimensionally in entertainment was if we found a way for storytellers to find VISIBILITY. As the channels, audiences, and the marginalization and acceptance of our community shift, so shall we.

Seattle Gay News 17

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August 14, 2020

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