SGN June 2, 2017 - Section 1

2017 PRIDE events calendar

Celebrating 43 Years!

Issue 22 Volume 45

SEC 1 PG 9

Seattle Gay News

FRIDAY June 2, 2017 FREE!

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5th Annual Pride Flag Raising Title IX and 14th Amendment at Seattle City Hall held June 1 protect Trans students, federal appeals court says

Pride flag unfurled at City Hall Plaza – Photo by Joey Herron

Dear friends, Each year we proudly raise and display the Pride flag outside City Hall to demonstrate Seattle’s commitment to inclusion and to honor our LGBTQ residents and visitors. This month-long display signals to all that they are welcome in our city and that they will be accepted for who they are.

Thank you for advocating, educating and supporting the growth and strength of the LGBTQ Community of Seattle Sincerely, Edward B. Murray Mayor

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer A Transgender high school student in Kenosha, Wisc., has a right to use the restroom that corresponds to his gender identity, a federal appeals court ruled on May 30.

A three-judge panel of the 7th Circuit Court concluded that Ash Whitaker was protected under Title IX of the 1974 Education Amendments, barring discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded

schools, and the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

The 7th Circuit upheld a decision by a lower court ordering the Kenosha School District to allow Whitaker to use the boys’ restrooms at school. “[A] policy that requires an individual to use a bathroom that does not conform with his or her gender identity punishes that individual for his or her gender nonconformance, which in turn violates Title IX,” the 7th Circuit panel said in a unanimous decision.

The school district “has not demonstrated that it will suffer any harm” from complying with the lower court’s order, the court ruled. On the other hand, Whitaker suffered daily humiliation by being singled out by school staff.

“The harms identified by the School District are all speculative and based upon conjecture, whereas the harms to Ash are well-documented and supported by the record,” Judge Ann Claire Williams wrote for the panel.

see TITLE IX page 8

Pride Month statement SGN exclusive interview: from the Democratic Party Hisam Goueli, candidate for Seattle City Council

Senator Bernie Sanders and DNC Chair Tom Perez – Photo by Joe Raedle / Getty Images

by Tom Perez, chair of the Democratic National Committee “From Stonewall to the Supreme Court, our nation has made great strides in LGBTQ rights. LGBTQ Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate that progress, to

appreciate the cultural achievements of LGBTQ Americans, and to recommit ourselves to the fight for global LGBTQ equality.

“Under the leadership of Barack Obama, America has advanced LGBTQ

see STATEMENT page 6

Hisam Goueli – Photo courtesy of Hisam Goueli

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer If Hisam Goueli wins a seat on the Seattle City Council, he’ll not only be the first Gay Muslim elected but the first candidate

to quote the Sufi poet Rumi on his campaign website.

When I pointed this out to him, he exclaimed, “I appreciate you noticing! How

see GOUELI page 6

Saturday 06.03.17 • 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. • Seattle City Hall A full day dedicated to aging well!

• Learn about the Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, Sexuality and Gender Study.

• Talk about intersections among race, gender, and equity issues.

• Attend workshops on LGBTQ equity, respect, and social inclusion; economic and housing security; social and civic engagement; and aging, health, and community services.

• Help develop Age Friendly Seattle.

• Build intergenerational relationships.

• Get resources.

Seattle City Hall is located at 601 5th Avenue, between Cherry & James Streets.

For general accessibility information, visit bit.ly/2p5RVep

FREE Lunch & dinner included.

RSVPs appreciated: www.surveymonkey.com/r/ LGBTQforum060317 For accommodations, language interpretation, or childcare, contact Terry Ann at 206-386-1521 or agefriendly@seattle.gov.

Mayor Ed Murray

—————————————————————

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Seattle Human Services Department Seattle LGBTQ Commission Seattle Office for Civil Rights Seattle Parks and Recreation

SGN Seattle Gay News

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Wednesday, June 14

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6:30 - 8:30pm at:

Companis 1111 Harvard Avenue, Seattle, Washington No registration required. Just drop in. Suggested donation: $15 or whatever you

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Our Bayview renaissance is underway. When finished, it will be a masterpiece of new view apartments, 360° view restaurant, dog park, health services tower and more. Come take a hardhat tour and experience beauty in progress.

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2 Seattle Gay News

June 2, 2017

Celebrating 41 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

June 2, 2017

Seattle Gay News 3

4 Seattle Gay News

June 2, 2017

Celebrating 41 Years!

The return of Physique Pictorial

by Jesse Monteagudo SGN Contributing Writer Arguably the most influential gay publication of all time was Physique Pictorial, which flourished between 1951 and 1990.

The creation of photographer and film maker Bob Mizer (1922-1992), who created this magazine as an outgrowth of his Athletic Model Guild, Physique Pictorial was the greatest of a series of pre-Stonewall “physical fitness” publications geared towards gay men. In “A Short History of Physique Magazines” (2011), I wrote about the influence that beefcake mags had upon a generation of gay men who came of age and out of the closet in the two crucial decades that followed World War II. In its heyday, Physique Pictorial consistently outsold more respectable homophile publications like ONE and the Mattachine Review.

Though Physique Pictorial never claimed to be a gay publication, and legal restrictions kept Mizer from publishing full-frontal nudes until the late sixties, the photos and artwork in this magazine were very homoerotic. Physique Pictorial showcased some of the best male bodies on the planet, including Jack LaLanne, Joe Dallesandro, Steve Reeves and Mickey Hargitay. Physique Pictorial also featured the work of Tom of Finland, George Quaintance and Art-Bob. Mizer’s use of posing straps to cover the goods did not save him from the moral police, and he served prison time for “obscenity.” Though Mizer tried to keep up with the times, Physique Pictorial seemed quaintly outdated by the time it ceased publication, shortly before Mizer died. I am the proud owner of a copy of The Complete Reprint of Physique Pictorial, a 3-volume set published by Benedikt Taschen in 1997 that shows the history and

Visit us online www.sgn.org

development of this seminal publication.

The Bob Mizer Foundation was established by photographer Dennis Bell in 2010 to preserve and promote the work of progressive and controversial photographers.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Mizer’s death – Mizer died on May 12, 1992 – the Foundation announced plans to re-launch Physique Pictorial. “Nearly

Physique Pictoral Vol. 16, No. 4, Art by Tom Finland

30 years later, we want to expose a new generation to Physique Pictorial,” Bell announced. “We have volunteers from across the country who are assisting in this endeavor, from design work to writing.”

The first issue of Physique Pictorial in 27 years will be published in early August and

June 2, 2017

will feature material both new and familiar. Each quarterly issue will prominently feature a popular Mizer model, along with biographical information. It will also profile other up-and-coming, modern-day photographers who focus on the male physique.

The magazine will also run regular feature stories that explore elements of male physique photography in general and Bob Mizer specifically. “We want to maintain the artistic integrity of the original publication while updating it for a 21st century audience,” Bell notes. To accomplish his goal Bell brought in art director Frederick Woodruff to forge the magazine’s graphic design.

According to Woodruff, “Dennis and I are committed to preserving Mizer’s spirit with the return of Physique Pictorial. Highlighting the beauty and power of the male form was always Bob’s priority and we’re continuing that standard.” Bell agreed, adding that “we strive to meet that goal in all we do here at the Foundation – to foster enthusiasm for the art of Bob Mizer, which was revolutionary and even illegal in his time, but which is experiencing a renaissance today. Mizer was also known for being generous in his efforts to promote other artists and give them a place where their work could be recognized. We are thrilled to be able to extend that tradition here as well. This continuation of Physique Pictorial is an homage to Mizer’s art and its lasting effect on our culture and on masculinity.” Each issue of the new Physique Pictorial will cost $20, and the Bob Mizer Foundation’s website (www.bobmizer.org) will soon begin taking orders. Supporters of the Foundation may also purchase back issues of the original Physique Pictorial at the Foundation’s online storefront.

Seattle Gay News 5

Trump’s immigration policies threaten children’s mental health, Rep. Jayapal says

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Donald Trump’s immigration policies threaten the mental health of American children, Seattle-area Rep. Pramila Jayapal charges in an article printed in The Hill magazine.

Jayapal co-wrote the article with two other congresswomen, Lucille RoybalAllard and Grace Napolitano, both from California. Jayapal and Roybal-Allard are co-chairs of the Women’s Working Group on Immigration Reform. Napolitano chairs the House Mental Health Caucus.

“Currently, too many children live in daily fear that their parents could be arrested, detained, or deported at any moment,” the congresswomen write.

“There are numerous stories of groggy children waking up to see their parents handcuffed and taken away late at night, or arrested by an ICE agent on the way to school. These heartbreaking stories will only increase if laws like Texas’ Senate Bill 4, a ‘show me your papers’ law, continue to see the light of day. This unjust law calls

on law enforcement and campus police to inquire about immigration status, including questioning children, and mandates fines and jail time for elected officials and law enforcement who fail to comply with the discriminatory law, even though it may make them complicit in violating constitutional safeguards.”

Clinical research shows that stress related to immigration raids can cause serious physical effects on smaller kids, including tantrums and bedwetting, the article points out.

Older children can become withdrawn, distracted, and even have physical symptoms like stomachaches or insomnia. They may start performing poorly in school, avoiding school altogether, or acting out in rage.

“Harsh immigration enforcement can have long-lasting effects on children that aren’t immediately clear,” the article notes.

“When parents are gone, children are likely to fall into poverty, have unstable access to food and housing, and be funneled into the child welfare system, all of which predict poor educational and economic outcomes. Childhood trauma can also have a biological effect on youth that can lead to adult

depression and post-traumatic stress (PTS).”

Children of immigrants – many of them native-born US citizens – can also become targets of bullying, the congresswomen say, and that may lead them to withdrawing socially. They then fail to build healthy social

relationships, a crucial element of their development.

About one in four American children younger than 18 live in immigrant families, and over four million US citizen children have at least one undocumented parent.

are very conservative.

“When I came out to my family, my parents stopped talking to me,” he remembers.

“My mom was coming to visit, and I felt I had to tell her, ‘You know I live with someone. And it’s a man.’

“She decided not to come. It was two years before she started talking to me again. That was the lowest moment of my

life. It was the hardest thing. But after that I knew nothing could break me. Now things are better but still not the same.”

One of the reasons he decided to make his first foray into politics was to represent the many parts of his identity.

“Very few Muslims run for office,” he explains. “Even fewer Gay Muslims.”

A well-known performing artist and an equally respected doctor, Goueli admits he’s not known at all among the city’s political class, but he insists he can win the City Council seat he’s after.

“If I didn’t think I could win, I’d be wasting time, and I’m not about wasting time,” he says flatly.

While many candidates find it difficult to call and ask friends for campaign donations, he says he finds it inspiring when friends contribute to his campaign.

“Most of my friends are artists. They don’t have money,” he explains. “When I ask them for money, I’m asking them not to eat. And people are willing to not eat to help me. That’s a gift.”

Goueli moved to Seattle from Atlanta, seeking the right spot to settle with his partner.

“Roberto was undocumented,” he says.

“That’s one reason we moved here. R-74 had just passed, so we knew we could get married, and also he could get a driver’s license.

“Thank God, when I got here, I was able to reach out to the gay community and the artist

community. They made me feel at home.”

Now his communities are challenged by rapidly rising housing costs.

“All my artist friends are moving out of Seattle. They can’t afford to live here,” Goueli says. “They’re the whole reason I live in this city. We have to ask ourselves, ‘What will Seattle be like for us?’ This election has the potential to set a new course for Seattle.”

Goueli then starts to reel off a list of policy positions.

“Build more affordable units,” he says.

“Expedite the design process so we can get them started quickly. Give vouchers to lowincome people so they can get into new units.

“And focus on livability – not just affordability. People need homes, not just houses. People also need parks, art spaces, restaurants…

“If we do it now, supply can keep up with demand and the cost of housing goes down. The longer we wait, the more expensive it gets. If we do it and aggressively manage it, we can do it.”

Asked if there was one thing he’d like SGN readers to remember about him, Goueli replied, “Look at the things I’ve done. Every day I work with patients, sick people, old people, poor people, mentally ill, social workers…

“I actually work with the groups everyone talks about. I’m living the experience.

That’s what they should know.”

against LGBTQ individuals can be prosecuted as federal hate crimes. These were hard-fought victories, but there is still much progress to be made.

“From bathrooms to boardrooms, too many LGBTQ Americans are denied the full equality they deserve. In some states, conservative lawmakers continue to advance legislation intended to discriminate against the LGBTQ community. Despite their promises, the Trump administration is hell-bent on rolling back progress, starting with Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision to end protections for transgender stu-

dents. Democrats will fight these efforts to erode the rights of LGBTQ people and continue to push for LGBTQ equality at home and abroad.

“Internationally, equality is also a long way away. According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association, people in 72 countries can still be prosecuted for who they love. That is unacceptable. President Trump must use the full influence of the United States to pressure our neighbors to recognize the rights of LGBTQ people.

“However, there also are many rea-

sons to be hopeful this Pride Month. Last Wednesday, Taiwan’s constitutional court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage, paving the way for Taiwan to become the first Asian country to legalize gay marriage.

Hopefully, Taiwan’s landmark court decision is the beginning of LGBTQ equality across Asia.

“This month, we must redouble our efforts to fight for the rights of our LGBTQ family, friends, and neighbors around the world, especially those under threat from their own governments.”

GOUELI

continued from cover can I not? Such beautiful words! They say everything that I’m about. Some of my friends say my website is too artsy, but it’s exactly the way I want it.”

Gay, Muslim, Arab-American, a performing artist as well as a doctor, and married to Roberto, a previously undocumented Peruvian immigrant, Goueli has many counts against him in Trump-era America.

“When we saw all the policies come,” Goueli tells me, “everything Trump was attacking was everything that we are.

“It’s easy to vilify groups of people,” he continues, “but the bad names – that’s not who the people are.”

Goueli is an observant Muslim. He goes to mosque, prays at the appointed times, gives 2.5% of his net worth as zakat – charity to help the poor – won’t drink alcohol or eat pork, and he sprinkles his conversation with “Thank God.” Reconciling his sexual orientation with his religion has been difficult, he says.

“I used to think being Gay was God’s test for me,” he explains. “Then I accepted that God made me this way, and there was more to me than who I sleep with.”

Although he was born in Minneapolis and grew up with a modern American outlook, his parents were born in Egypt and

STATEMENT continued from cover

rights in ways unthinkable just a few years ago. This month, we celebrate the second anniversary of nationwide marriage equality. We ended “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and guaranteed transgender veterans the care they earned serving our nation. Today, hospitals receiving Medicare or Medicaid funds must extend visitation rights to LGBTQ patients. Across the country, violence

6 Seattle Gay News

Pramila Jayapal – Photo courtesy of Washington State Senate Democratic Caucus

Hisam Goueli – Photo courtesy of Jet City Improv

June 2, 2017

Celebrating 41 Years!

7th Annual South Park LGBTQueer Pride Picnic is Sunday, June 4!

FREE tamales for first 200 people!

SOUTH PARK LGBTQ/QUEER PRIDE PICNIC IN THE PARK 2017 Sunday, June 4 @ 1-4pm Duwamish Waterway Park 7900 10th Ave S @ S Elmgrove St on the river

• Rose Street Garden Society and Gardenwalk (July 16) – www.facebook.com/ events/849296235219156 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Booths:

www.facebook.com/ events/187251088461138 • Free tamales for the first 200 people to arrive, prepared by Carniceria el Paisano in White Center! www.facebook.com/Carniceria-El-Paisano-159142697473202/ • Musical guest Carols Cascante y su Tumbao tantalizing us with sulty traditional-style Salsa with modern Timba and Latin jazz! – www.tumbao.us/Home.htm – www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDilfatY8u0 • EmCee Isabella of Noche Latina! – www.facebook.com/NeighboursSeattle • Guest performers: Aunt Betty Malone of Rainbow Bingo, chantuese Jacque Larrainzar, and more! – www.spseniors. org/rainbow-bingo – https://twitter.com/ larrainzar13?lang=en • We will be graced by the beatific presence of the Sisters of the Motherhouse of Washington to greet us all. – www.facebook. com/sistersofthemotherhouseofwashington Everyone welcome! Free!

Food ~ music ~ fun ~ family-friendly ~ kids art table Please bring your own lawn chair or blanket to sit on.

Thank you to our very generous sponsors, who come through for the picnic each year! Because of them we can offer free tamales, wonderful performers, and a great picnic in the park!

Be sure to thank them when you can!

And big thanks to the Duwamish River Youth Corp and Carmen, who not only are helping set up and clean up the event, but are also going door to door to deliver flyers! – www.facebook.com/duwamish.valley.youth For more information contact Randy, at GayPrideSouthPark at hotmail dot com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SOUTH PARK LGBTQ/QUEER PRIDE PICNIC EN EL PARQUE 2017 Domingo 4 de Junio @ 1-4pm Duwamish Waterway Park en South Park 7900 10th Avenue S y S Elmgrove Street cerca del rio www.facebook.com/ events/187251088461138 Todos son Bienvenidos! Gratis! comida ~ musica ~ diversión evento familiar ~ mesa de arte para los niños Traer una silla de jardín o una manta para sentarse.

Para mas información comuníquense con Randy a GayPrideSouthPark a hotmail dot com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2017 Sponsors: • Entre Hermanos – www.EntreHermanos.org • Pride Foundation – www.PrideFoundation.org • Plumb Level and Square fund – www. legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?pid=169249489 • Carniceria el Paisano – www. facebook.com /Ca r n icer ia-El-Pa isano-159142697473202/ • South Park Senior Center – www.spseniors.org • Sisters of Motherhouse of WA – www. facebook.com/sistersofthemotherhouseofwashington • AHF - AIDS Healthcare Foundation –Seattle (Out of the Closet Thrift Store) – www.aidshealth.org • Lumber Yard Bar – www.facebook. com/Lumber-Yard-1688138674813238 • Central Coop (Madison Market Coop) – www.centralcoop.coop/ • Seattle Gay News – www.sgn.org

• South Park Arts – www.southparkarts. org • South Park Library – www.spl.org/locations/south-park-branch • Entre Hermanos – www.EntreHermanos.org • AIDS Healthcare Foundation – www. aidshealth.org • Duwamish River Clean-up Coalition – http://duwamishcleanup.org/ • ECOSS - Environmental Coalition of South Seattle – https://ecoss.org • Your Choice, Your Voice – promoting civic engagement – www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/programs-and-services/yourvoice-your-choice • Lumber Yard Bar – www.facebook. com/Lumber-Yard-1688138674813238 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Feeling generous?

Donate online at: www.entrehermanos. org and click on the “donate” button at the top of the home page.

PLEASE be sure to put “2017 South Park Pride Picnic” in the “designation” field, so we know that donation is for the picnic!

AND please email me letting me know you’ve donated online so I can track it.

Contact Randy at GayPrideSouthPark at hotmail dot com Courtesy of Gay Pride South Park

No Pride proclamation or celebrations at Trump White House Nancy Pelosi and Tom Perez issue Democratic Party statements

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer There will be no Pride proclamation and no White House celebration marking LGBT Pride this year.

From 2009 until 2016, President Obama had issued annual proclamations recognizing June as LGBT Pride Month. The Obamas also hosted LGBT festivities inside the White House. That tradition is now apparently at an end under Donald Trump.

On June 1, the Trump White House released a string of proclamations marking June as National Homeownership Month, National Ocean Month, African-American Music Appreciation Month, and Great Outdoors Month – but no such proclamation was released for LGBT Pride Month.

And no LGBT Pride events at the White House have been announced.

On the other hand, both Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Party Chair Tom Perez issued their own Pride statements.

“As we mark LGBT Pride Month, we honor the LGBT leaders who have striven

to build a more just society for all, and recognize the struggles and sacrifices they have endured in the fight for equality,” Pelosi said.

“This month, we celebrate their triumphs and remember that our Founders’ creed – that all are created equal – is not inevitable, that we must work every day to forge a more just, inclusive, and perfect union.

“Tremendous progress has been achieved, but the journey is far from over.

LGBT Americans face an assault on their rights from the White House and House Republicans, who are gutting HIV prevention and treatment initiatives, dismantling protections for transgender children in public schools, and conspiring to render LGBT Americans invisible in the census.

“These hateful, discriminatory attacks dishonor our nation’s most sacred ideals of liberty and make passage of the Equality Act – which would bring the full force of the Civil Rights Act to secure equality for LGBT people – even more urgent. This bill is about respect and pride, not mere tolerance, and House Democrats will not relent until it has been made law.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

White House June 2015 celebrating a historic Supreme Court decision on marriage equality – Photo courtesy of mrctv.org

“The slain San Francisco supervisor and civil rights leader Harvey Milk once said, ‘Rights are won only by those who make their voices heard.’

“In that spirit, let us raise our voices – in city halls and state capitols; in Congress

and the Supreme Court – to fight for the equal dignity that every American is entitled to under our Constitution. And let our voices never falter or fall silent, until we have built a safer, more just, and more hopeful future for all.”

June 2, 2017

Seattle Gay News 7

Trumpcare could be a “death sentence” for Trans community Experts cite dangers in GOP health care plan

Activists at a “die-in” rally in opposition to the repeal of the Affordable Care Act in Brooklyn, NY. March 11, 2017 – Photo by Albin Lohr-Jones / AP Images

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer The Republican health care bill passed by the House of Representatives – labeled the American Health Care Act (ACHA, or Trumpcare) – could be a “death sentence for many in the [Trans] community,” according to a leading expert.

Kris Hayashi, executive director of the Transgender Law Center, issued the warning in a statement soon after the bill passed the House by a mere four votes.

“For transgender people who experience dramatic rates of discrimination in all areas of life, these attacks on our health care are absolutely attacks on our survival,” he wrote.

“The Transgender Law Center’s ‘Positively Trans’ survey, for example, found a clear link between access to health care and viral suppression for transgender people

TITLE IX

continued from cover The judges also rejected the school district’s argument that since it treats all boys and girls the same, it does not violate the Equal Protection Clause.

“This is untrue,” Williams wrote.

“Rather, the School District treats transgender students like Ash, who fail to conform to the sex-based stereotypes associated with their assigned sex at birth, differently.”

“I am thrilled that the 7th Circuit recognized my right to be treated as the boy that I am at school,” Whitaker wrote in a statement.

“After facing daily humiliation at school last year, from being threatened with discipline and being constantly monitored by school staff just to use the bathroom, the district court’s injunction in September allowed me to be a typical senior in high school and to focus on my classes, afterschool activities, applying to college, and building lasting friendships.

8 Seattle Gay News

living with HIV.” According to the Williams Institute, Trans people are five times more likely to be HIV positive than cisgender people.

“It is no surprise that the South, where most states have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, has the most alarming numbers for both insurance coverage – with 30% of our respondents uninsured – and lack of viral suppression,” Hayashi continued.

“The actions of this administration are a death sentence for many in our community.”

Hayashi also worried about the one-two punch of Trumpcare plus the new administration’s anti-immigrant rhetoric.

It could “have a devastating impact on transgender and gender-nonconforming immigrants who already live at the margins,” Hayashi pointed out. “Practically, religiously affiliated nonprofit agencies

serving immigrant communities may feel emboldened to stop providing services to transgender and gender-nonconforming immigrants.”

One of the most dangerous provisions of Trumpcare is the continuous-coverage waiver that the Republican plan would allow state governments to exercise. Simply put, the waiver would allow insurance companies to charge much more to cover people with pre-existing conditions than healthy people.

Gender dysphoria, the diagnosis for which most Trans people receive treatments to help them match their physical bodies to their gender identity, is explicitly listed as a pre-existing condition for which states could waive coverage.

Under the GOP plan, states would be required to set up so-called “high-risk pools” to cover people with pre-existing condi-

“I hope my case will help other transgender students in Kenosha and elsewhere to just be treated the same as everyone else without facing discrimination and harassment from school administrators.”

“This is a great victory for transgender students,” said Kris Hayashi, executive director of the Transgender Law Center, which represented Whitaker.

“The battleground may be bathrooms, but the real issue is fairness and transgender people’s ability to go to school, to work, and simply to exist in public spaces. This win makes that more possible for more people.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights also applauded the ruling.

“It sends a strong signal to schools, districts, and states that they have an obligation to protect transgender and gender-nonconforming students from discrimination, and to provide an educational environment wherein they can thrive,” said the group’s president and CEO, Wade Henderson.

“Despite the disappointing decision by the Trump Departments of Justice and Education to rescind the Title IX guidance

which set forth protections for transgender students, it’s clear that a growing number of courts recognize that all Americans, regardless of gender identity, deserve the full protection of the law.”

A similar case – the lawsuit brought by Gavin Grimm against his Virginia school district – was sent back to lower courts by the US Supreme Court earlier this year.

The 4th Circuit Court upheld Grimm’s complaint but only on the basis of Obama administration guidelines that interpreted

June 2, 2017

tions, but people in those pools would still have to pay much higher insurance premiums – so high that many would not be able to afford to keep their coverage.

Trumpcare would also do away with Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare), a provision that bars health care providers getting federal funds from discriminating on the basis of gender identity.

For example, a patient who identifies as female can’t be denied a gender-specific treatment she may still need, like prostate cancer treatment. Also, an insurance company can’t deny coverage of a transitionbased service if it’s covered for other patients. If hormone therapy is used to treat menopause, hormones should also be covered for Trans patients. These protections would go away under Trumpcare.

Simply the stress of being in a marginalized minority community may lead to negative health outcomes for Trans people, according to Dr. Jody Herman of the Williams Institute.

“Minority stress is the result of experiences of stigma and discrimination, and it can have an impact on mental and physical health,” she said. “We view health disparities are largely caused by minority stress.”

A 2014 study published by the National Institutes for Health (NIH) showed that Transgender adults were more likely to experience poor overall health and more days suffering from mental or physical health problems. They are also less likely to have insurance than their cisgender peers, despite the fact that the number of LGB people without insurance dropped from 21.7% to 11.1% as a result of Obamacare.

Trans people also suffer health disparities because much of US health insurance is employer provided, and Trans people to not enjoy the same employment opportunities their cisgender neighbors have. According to the Williams Institute, Trans people are twice as likely to be unemployed as the average American.

They are also four times more likely to have a household income less than $10,000 per year – not enough to afford insurance even under Obamacare, much less after Trumpcare makes it more expensive.

Title IX in a way that protected Trans students. The Trump administration subsequently withdrew those guidelines.

The 7th Circuit ruling is the first appeals court decision to state explicitly that Trans students are protected under a plain reading of Title IX as well as by the 14th Amendment.

Celebrating 41 Years!

2017 PRIDE events calendar SATURDAY, JUNE 3 PhinneyWood Pride Rainbow Hop Presented by the Phinney Neighborhood Association Business Group, the fifth annual Pride Rainbow Hop kicks off Pride month in Seattle with a family-friendly day of fun. Held the first Saturday in June, participating businesses and nonprofits in PhinneyWood promote the value of diversity by hosting events and activities and handing out goodies that focus on diversity and fun. Celebrate Pride with crafts, activities and giveaways at businesses and nonprofits along Phinney Ave N and Greenwood Ave N. Visit six and get a free pass to the Woodland Park Zoo. Kick off with Drag Queen Story Time at the Greenwood Library (10:30-11:30am & 12-1pm) (8016 Greenwood Ave N) (where the amazing Sparkle Leigh will be performing stories and songs that celebrate the differences we all share) and wrap-up from 1-1:45pm with a free School of Rock concert at Naked City Brewery & Taphouse (8564 Greenwood Ave N). From face painting to rainbow sidewalk art, the Rainbow Hop honors everyone in our community, whether you’re LGBT or straight. www. phinneycenter.org/pride

Compiled by Justin Craig SGN Contributing Writer & Rick McKinnon SGN Staff Writer HAPPY LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH FROM SEATTLE GAY NEWS! THURSDAY, JUNE 1 SUNDAY, JUNE 25 Dine With Pride http://seattlepride.org/events/dinewithpride/ THURSDAY, JUNE 1 City of Seattle Pride Flag Raising 5th Annual Pride Flag Raising event at Seattle City Hall. Each year we proudly raise and display the Pride flag outside City Hall to demonstrate Seattle’s commitment to inclusion and to honor our LGBTQ residents and visitors. This month-long display signals to all that they are welcome in our city and that they will be accepted for who they are.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION www.BURIENPRIDE.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 1 Business of Pride Awards – SOLD OUT! Puget Sound Business Journal, in partnership with GSBA, invites you to attend the Business of Pride at the Paramount Theatre (911 Pine St). We are honoring 17 individuals who have given their Voice to Equality. We are also doing a countdown of 25 LGBTQ businesses! 5:30-8:30pm.

Tickets: $100. #PSBJPRIDE; https://www. bizjournals.com/seattle/event/160415/2017/ sold-out-the-business-of-pride

SUNDAY, JUNE 4 Seattle Frontrunners Annual Run/ Walk with Pride 4K/10K Our committee members are incredibly honored to have named Ingersoll Gender Center the beneficiary this year! As an organization we increasingly want to show visibility to all members of our community and believe that support and education for transgender, trans*, gender variant and genderqueer people is incredibly important now more than ever.

Founded in 1977, the center has supported the trans and gender nonconforming communities in Seattle for the past four decades. They have been involved in almost every LGBTQ and trans specific policy work over the last forty years. In addition to advocating for trans rights, Ingersoll has hosted peer led trans and gender nonconforming support groups every week for the past forty years. Ingersoll also founded the Seattle Trans Economic Empowerment Project (STEEP) to help trans folks navigate the difficulties of finding employment.

We truly hope that you will be able to join us in helping to contribute to charity, while also having a great time!

Race time is set to start at 9am at Seward Park (5900 Lake Washington Blvd S) and registration is up and running for everyone to sign up. Registration fee: $40 adult, $25 student/youth. www.runwalkwithpride.org

SATURDAY, JUNE 3 Aging the LGBTQ Way – A Forum on Equity, Respect & Inclusion LGBTQ community members are invited to participate in “Aging the LGBTQ Way” at Seattle City Hall. The forum starts at 10am (arrive at 9:30am to visit the resource fair). Hear Mayor Ed Murray and community leaders. Learn what the Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, Sexuality and Gender Study can tell us about Seattle. Consider the intersections between sexuality, gender, race, and social justice.

Help inform #agefriendlySeattle with your own views about LGBTQ equity, respect, and inclusion; economic and housing security; social and civic engagement; and aging, health and community services. Lunch and afternoon appetizers are included at no cost. Pre-register at www.surveymonkey.com/r/LGBTQforum060317. For more info, email agefriendly@seattle.gov or visit Age Friendly Seattle on Facebook or Twitter.

Ave. down E 3rd Ave two blocks to N Pearl St and up N Pearl to the Rotary Pavilion (1200 W 5th Ave., Ellensburg). The festival runs from 1-8pm. www.prideofellensburg. com

SUNDAY, JUNE 4 Capitol Hill Clean Sweep Volunteers gather at Cal Anderson Park (11th Ave & E Howell St) at 10am for coffee and pastries sponsored by our local Starbucks! We’ll give you a stylish t-shirt to wear and all the supplies you’ll need before dispersing teams to scrub the streets.

After we make the hill “sparkle,” volunteer teams will return to Cal Anderson where they’ll be treated to music and a free lunch by Sizzle Pie and Nuflours!

Registration is free and open to all. Kids are welcome! Groups are encouraged to register as teams (have your team leader register all tickets under one name). Presented by Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce and Seattle PrideFest. www. caphillchamber.org/events/details/cleansweep-1744

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SATURDAY, JUNE 3 Burien Pride Festival 2017 Burien Pride Festival will be held from 10am-10pm at Burien Town Square Park (480 SW 152nd St, Burien). It is an event where the community will come together to celebrate the LGBTQ Community. It will be a day filled with music, booths, food and so much more. This is also the FIRST annual Pride event in Burien – the start of many good things to come! https://www. burienpride.com/ SATURDAY, JUNE 3 Ellensburg Pride Parade & Festival 2017 OUT in Ellensburg presents the second annual Ellensburg Pride Parade & Festival.

The parade steps off from Central Wash-

ington University Campus H-15 loading zone behind the Student Union and Black Hall near N Chestnut and E University Way at 12:30pm and travels along E University Way to N Ruby St, down N Ruby St to E 3rd

Visit us online www.sgn.org

2017 PRIDE events calendar SUNDAY, JUNE 4 South Park LGBTQueer Pride Picnic The 7th annual South Park Queer Pride Picnic will take place Sunday, June 4, from 1-4 pm on the banks of the river at Duwamish Waterway Park (7900 10th Ave S at S Elmgrove St). This family-friendly event features live performances, music, kids activities, and free food. The picnic is organized in partnership with Entre Hermanos, the leading Latino LGBTQ health and leadership organization in the Puget Sound region for 25 years.

Isabella of Noche Latina club night at Neighbours will emcee the day’s entertainment, which includes Aunt Betty Malone, hostess of the Rainbow Bingo games at the South Park Senior Center, along with additional drag performers, DJ Luis V from Noche Latina, Jacque Larrainzar on guitar, and a live band. Usually around 200 people attend from the South Park and Georgetown neighborhoods, as well as Tukwila, White Center, West Seattle, and Burien.

Thanks to the picnic’s many generous sponsors, there will be free tamales for the first 200 people to arrive, prepared by Carniceria El Paisano Deli in White Center, along with chips, fresh fruit and bottled water. The organizers are especially grateful for the volunteer assistance being provided

by Duwamish River Youth Corp. The South Park Gay Pride Picnic continues to be the longest-running and largest Seattle neighborhood pride event held outside of Capitol Hill.

2017 sponsors: Entre Hermanos, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Carniceria El Paisano, Central Coop, Duwamish River Youth Corps, Lumber Yard Bar, Plumb Level and Square Fund, South Park Arts, South Park Senior Center, Seattle Gay News, and the Sisters of the Mother House of Washington. For more information contact: gaypridesouthpark@hotmail.com.

TUESDAY, JUNE 6 UW Lavender Graduation 6-8:30pm at Intellectual House, 4249 Whitman Court NE (at the intersection of E Stevens Way NE & Whitman Court NE across from McMahon Hall).

This year’s Lavender Graduation features Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, a queer disabled non-binary femme of color writer and cultural worker of Burger/Tamil Sri Lankan and Irish/Roma ascent. The author of Dirty River: A Queer Femme of Color Dreaming Her Way Home (Publisher’s Triangle and Lambda Award 2016 finalist, American Library Association Stonewall Award winner 2016), Body Map (Audre Lorde Poetry Award Finalist, Publisher’s Triangle), Love Cake (Lambda Award winner 2012), and Consensual Genocide, she is the co-editor of The Revolution Starts at Home: Confronting Intimate Violence in Activist Communities. Her work has been widely published, most recently in The Deaf Poets Society, Glitter and Grit and Octavia’s Brood, and including work in the anthologies Dear Sister, Undoing Border Imperialism, Stay Solid, Persistence: Still Butch and Femme, Yes Means Yes, Visible: A Femmethology, Homelands, Colonize This, We Don’t Need Another Wave, Bitchfest, Without a Net, Dangerous Families, Brazen Femme, Femme, and A Girl’s Guide to Taking Over the World. For more information find Leah at www.brownstargirl.org Hosted by Aleksa Manila.

You do not have to be graduating or be of a certain sexual or gender identity/orientation/expression to participate in and/or

10 Seattle Gay News

you avoid the dreaded “what do you do” question with out list of guaranteed conversation starters.

This event is likely to sell out as we have a limited number of seats. Pre-registration is $10, and if there are any spots left they will go for $20 at the door. This is a fundraiser for the Dyke March, so if you would like to give an extra donation directly to this year’s operating expenses we would appreciate it!

Please arrive between 6 and 6:30pm for check-in, and the speed dating will start promptly at 6:30pm. Come early to grab a bite to eat or a drink. Stay for karaoke with your new friends at 9pm. http://seattledykemarch.com/ SATURDAY, JUNE 10 Capitol Hill Pride March & Rally – Resist and Protect!

Assembly begins at 9am; march steps off at 10am. March from Seattle Central College South Plaza (1701 Broadway) to Main Stage at Broadway & E Harrison St. Rally with speakers, music, artists to 10pm. http://capitolhillpridefestival.info/

attend the Lavender Graduation year-end communities celebration. This is a scentfree event.

THURSDAY, JUNE 7 June Pride Skate With special guest hosts Abbey Roads and Bobbi Jo Blessings!!! 8:30-11pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th Ave S).

18+ with a 21+ bar $8 and if that wasn’t enough there will be karaoke in the bar with baby ketten karaoke - WA!!! Pride Skate happens the first Wednesday of each month. www.southgaterollerrink.com THURSDAY, JUNE 8 Capitol Hill ArtWalk – Queer Edition (3rd annual) Seattle PrideFest co-sponsors this month’s event with Capitol Hill Art Walk.

Thursday, June 8, 6-10pm. For details, visit

June 2, 2017

www.capitolhillartwalk.com; www.seattlepridefest.org THURSDAY, JUNE 8 Seattle Dyke March Speed Dating Fundraiser 6-9pm at The Wildrose (1021 E Pike St).

Looking to find a special someone to hit the Pride season parties with? Want to try something different than meeting people online?

The Seattle Dyke March is hosting speed dating for queer women/dyke-identified genderqueer folks. You’ll get to spend about 5 minutes one-on-one with lots of amazing people – looking into their eyes, listening to their stories, and decide whether you’d like to meet up again! You’ll check off who you’re fascinated by, and we’ll send any mutually interested people with other’s contact info within two days.

Tongue-tied? Never fear, we will help

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 Spokane Pride Parade and Rainbow Festival This June marks the 26th year we’ve celebrated Pride in Spokane. Join us for a day to celebrate where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re headed. Please come and enjoy the day of festivities and Pride with us. Everyone is welcome.

The Pride Parade starts downtown at noon so be sure to get downtown early. Our Rainbow Festival (noon-10pm) opens immediately following the Pride Parade. The Rainbow Festival will be at Riverfront Park (507 N Howard St) at the Lilac Meadows (east of the Clocktower). Live entertainment, resource and business fair, family area sponsored by Delta Dental, Odyssey Teen Zone presented by INBA Outreach, and the nYne Pride Bar featuring beer, Barefoot brand wine, and spirits await you.

Bring your entire family for a day of fun.

This year will again feature an art show presented by Art Seed called Pride’s Palette. Many artists will have Pride-related artwork for sale with 30% of proceeds being donated to OutSpokane.

Back by popular demand our celebration will be going into the night with an All Ages Dance Party sponsored by The Lucky Puppy and hosted by The Divine Jewels.

The nYne Pride Bar will stay open late and at approximately 10pm, there will be a fireworks display.

For this and other Pride related events in Spokane, visit https://outspokane.org/ Sponsored by OutSpokane.

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 Volunteer Park Pride Festival (formerly known as the Pride Family Picnic) Noon-7pm. Volunteer Park at the amphitheatre (14th Ave & E Prospect St) Experience Seattle Pride’s return to where it all started, on Capitol Hill, with a celebration of LGBTQ arts, performance, and culture! Join us for the Volunteer Park Pride Festival! The festival is a chance for family and friends to come together in one of Seattle’s iconic parks and celebrate our amazing community. The festival will feature guest speakers from the community, live music, food trucks and a beer garden. www.seattlepride.org.

see PRIDE EVENTS page 15

Celebrating 41 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

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Seattle Gay News 11

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12 Seattle Gay News

June 2, 2017

Celebrating 41 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

June 2, 2017

Seattle Gay News 13

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14 Seattle Gay News

June 2, 2017

Celebrating 41 Years!

2017 PRIDE events calendar SATURDAY, JUNE 10 A Woodstock Summer Supper 6pm at The Foundry (4130 1st Ave S) A night of peace, love, and stopping hunger featuring a psychedelic sit-down dinner catered by Herban Feast, groovy cocktails, and silent & live auction items that will blow your mind.

As always, proceeds benefit Lifelong’s vital services, especially our food program, Chicken Soup Brigade. CSB delivers healthy food to clients facing serious illness and poverty. We make meals specifically designed for people fighting health issues like HIV, cancers, kidney disease and diabetes. Knowing that these conditions affect lives in a profound way, CSB continuously comes up with innovative solutions to help clients live happier, healthier lives.

Feel like making the evening extra special? VIP guests will enjoy some outta sight perks including early entrance for happy hour (an hour before doors officially open at 6 p.m.), free drinks, far out face-painting, flower power bar, a special munchie station(!) and more. https://give.lifelong.org/ events/-/e121378

regular prices, and again is for all HIV-Positive men and their friends, family, support group, regardless of age, shape, size, color, or gender identity. www.pozseattle.org THURSDAY, JUNE 15 Radical Women – Special LGBTQ Pride Meeting Dinner at 6:30pm. Meeting at 7:30pm.

New Freeway Hall (5018 Rainier Ave S). www.radicalwomen.org THURSDAY, JUNE 16 Olympia WA Pride Power-Up – “Resist Hate. Celebrate Love.”

9pm at Jake’s on 4th (311 4th Ave E). www.capitalcitypride.net

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 Rainbow Bingo!

7pm, The Oly Center (222 Columbia St NE, Olympia, WA). Pride’s partnership with the Senior Center!

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 Mr and Miss Fireball Pageant 8pm. CC Attle’s (1701 E Olive Way).

The Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle presents their annual Mr and Miss Fireball Pageant, hosted by Rainier 43, Nicholas Storm. “This is your opportunity to run for a title without having any responsibilities! Show up before 8:15 the night of and be prepared to raise money. The contestants who raise the most money win! We will have Fireball swag and Fireball JelloShots!” https://m.facebook.com/ISCSORE SUNDAY, JUNE 11 Seattle Pride March for Love, Equality, and Solidarity A coalition of more than 25 Seattlebased LGBTQ organizations is organizing this event in support of the national Equality March for Unity & Pride. The Pride March is Washington DC is on June 11. Like the Women’s March the day after the inauguration, the National Pride March has spawned events throughout the country.

Let’s gather and march as a community to elevate LGBTQ people, advocate for our causes, and march to show our strength. Allies welcome.

Rally at Bobby Morris Playfield at Cal Anderson Park (11th Ave & E Howell St) at 11am. March steps off at noon and ends at Seattle Center where there will be action stations where you can register to vote, learn “how to be an ally” to various communities, how to support the effort to oppose I-1552, and take photos in various photo booths to show you were part of this historic day. http://www.seattlepridefest.org/ SUNDAY, JUNE 11 Kitsap Pride Picnic & Rally 1-4pm. Join us at the Pilgrim Firs Conference Center (3318 SW Lake Flora Rd, Port Orchard for a family-friendly picnic.

This is an all ages event. Admission is by donation. Our hosts will provide a picnic meal of burgers including veggie, and side dishes. Bring your own beverages. Lots of

space for fun and games. This is a benefit for the Kitsap Pride Network and Q Youth Resources. This is our local entry in the Global LGBT March and Rally. Come be a part of the global movement while supporting our local LGBTQ organizations. www. kitsappride.org SUNDAY, JUNE 11 Equality March for Unity & Pride – Seattle Assembly begins at 2:30pm at 10th Ave & E Pike St; march begins at 3:30pm.

March from assembly point northbound via 12th Ave to E Aloha St, then west to 10th Ave, and south to Main Stage at Broadway & E Harrison St. Rally with speakers, music, artists to 6pm. To assist in the national solidarity event. http://capitolhillpridefestival.info/ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 GSBA Pride Luncheon – Stop that Plane! Challenging the Travel Ban 11am - Travel & Tourism Expo. Noon program and lunch. Sheraton Seattle Hotel (6th Ave & Pike St).

How has the current political climate impacted our economy? Are tourists changing direction to avoid coming to the U.S.? Get a first-hand update on the travel ban and its impact on Washington State from Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Port Commissioner Courtney Gregoire.

With their leadership, Washington State is taking a national role with our challenge of the administration’s discriminatory travel ban. Don’t miss getting the details of this riveting story and its aftermath and impact

Visit us online www.sgn.org

on the economy and people’s lives.

Cost: $50 GSBA members; $65 nonmembers; $50 students; additional cost for walk-ins $5. RSVP to www.thegsba.org; 206-363-9188.

Come early and enjoy meeting other tourism and hospitality members during the Expo prior to the luncheon. If you’d like to have a table at the showcase, please contact Amy Burdick, Business Development Manager. If you would like the opportunity to promote your business during this event, please contact us about providing a giveaway for the afternoon’s drawing. Presented in partnership with Visit Seattle.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 POZSeattle BBQ POZSeattle is pleased to present its Annual Pride Summer BBQ on Wednesday, June 14, from 6-8:15pm at the Cuff Complex (13th Ave & E Pine St) on Capitol Hill.

Meet us on the back patio for our 1st Summer Grillin’ event of the year, socializing, to catch-up with old friends, to make new ones, and a whole lot of fun. Please bring your appetite for Burgers, Chicken Breasts, Beef Hot Dogs, Boca Burgers, Chips, Salads & Desserts with all the fixins!!

Bring out the rainbows, triangles, flags!

Wear bright colorful shirts, shorts, socks, boas, hats, etc… to show off your pride.

This event is offered at no cost (no one turned away for lack of funds), but to help with overhead cost, we ask a $5.00 donation. You can always give more. We are fully self-supported by your donations.

Beverages will be provided by the Cuff at

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FRIDAY, JUNE 16 Pride Shabbat 6:30pm at Temple B’nai Torah (15727 NE 4th St, Bellevue). Pride Shabbat is free and open to all in the community who wish to join in a celebration of LGBTQ Jews, their friends, families, and allies. Pride Shabbat is an annual tradition in the Puget Sound Jewish community.

This year’s sponsors include: Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue, Bet Shira Congregation, Camp Solomon Schechter, Congregation Beth Hatikvah, Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Kol Ami, Congregation Tikvah Chadashah, Greater Seattle Business Association, Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation, Hillel at the University of Washington, Jconnect Seattle, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Kadima, Kavana, Kol HaNeshamah, Moishe House, PAVE, Pride Foundation, Seattle Jewish Chorale, Stroum Jewish Community Center, Temple Beth Am, Temple Beth Or, Temple B’nai Torah, Temple De Hirsch Sinai, and The Tribe at Temple De Hirsch Sinai. https://www.jewishinseattle.org/ FRIDAY, JUNE 16 Olympia WA Pride Kick-Off – “Resist Hate. Celebrate Love.”

7:30pm – All-Ages Street Party at Oly Underground (109 Legion Way SW); 10pm – 21+ Dance Party at Jake’s on 4th (311 4th Ave E). www.capitalcitypride.net SATURDAY, JUNE 17 & 18 PrideFest Film Festival – co-presented with Three Dollar Bill Cinema BEST of Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s 2016 TWIST Queer Film Festival. Sat / Sun at Northwest Film Forum (1515 12th Ave).

Complimentary tickets available for all NW Film Forum screenings.

SPECIAL EVENT Sunday, June 18 at Egyptian Theatre (805 E Pine St). “Queer Activist in the Trump Era” with noted LGBTQ activist Cleve Jones. VIP meet and greet at 6:30pm, screening of Milk at 7pm, and Q&A following the film. $10 general; $40 VIP meet and greet. www.seattlepridefest.org SATURDAY, JUNE 17 Olympia WA Pride Parade & Festival – “Resist Hate. Celebrate Love.”

Pre-Parade Show at 11am at Sylvester Park; Parade at Noon Capital to Heritage Park; Festival at 1-8pm at Heritage Park (adjacent to the State Capitol campus) featuring regional entertainers, food, arts & crafts, booths; After Parties at 9pm – AllAges at The Eagle’s Club (805 4th Ave E); 21+ at Jake’s on 4th (311 4th Ave E). www.capitalcitypride.net

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2017 PRIDE events calendar SATURDAY, JUNE 17 Portland Pride Waterfront Festival (with Parade on Sunday, June 18) Saturday noon-8pm at Tom McCall Waterfront Park (SW Naito Parkway and SW Pine St). $7 suggested donation at the festival; no one turned away for inability to pay. www.pridenw.org.

palooza™ national producers, Five Senses Reeling Events & PrideFest Seattle.

Dragapalooza™ is a live musical concert featuring a cast of international celebrity Drag queens singing LIVE with a world-class LIVE band led by Grammy™ Nominated producer Chris Cox. Equal parts rock concert, variety show, and musical theater, Dragapalooza™is presented with the high-energy flow of a nightclub. It is being called “A live rock and roll mixtape dance party.”

Current cast: Sharon Needles, Trixie Mattel, Robbie Turner, Derrick Barry & Rhea Litré. Tickets: $25-$500. http://www. strangertickets.com/events/43889478/dragapalooza-seattle

SATURDAY, JUNE 17 Portland Trans Pride March 1pm Rally (NW Park Ave and W Burnside Ave); 3:30pm March. Transgender and nonbinary people of all ages face appallingly high rates of violence and discrimination, and these rates are highest for Trans women and femmes of color. Organized by Greater Portland Trans Unity and the 2017 Trans March Planning Committee, the fourth annual Portland Trans Pride March will bring much-needed visibility to the issues our communities are facing, while also highlighting the strength of our networks and the power of our collective resistance, resilience, and solidarity. https://greaterportlandtransunity.org/ SATURDAY, JUNE 17 Seattle Women’s Pride 5:30-10pm at Q Nightclub (1426 Broadway). Fourth annual Seattle Women’s Pride is THE Pride party for Lesbians (and their friends) in Seattle! Headlining the event are Parlor Walls and Oracle Room. And this year, $5 of each admission is donated to the ACLU in support of our community!

Tickets for Seattle Women’s Pride are currently on sale through Stranger Tickets.

Reservations highly encouraged. Enjoy an evening of music, dancing, drinks, snacks, and swag – arrive early to take in all the fun! Meet up with friends and make some new ones! Tickets: $35 general admission; $45 VIP. SATURDAY, JUNE 17 Portland Dyke March 6pm. Steps off from Portland Pride Waterfront Festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park (SW Naito Parkway and SW Pine St.) SUNDAY, JUNE 18 Portland Pride Waterfront Festival & Parade (with Festival also on Saturday, June 17) Parade steps off from NW Park Ave & W Burnside Ave at 11am and proceeds via NW Davis to SW Naito Parkway and Tom McCall Waterfront Park (SW Naito Parkway and SW Pine St). Sunday festival runs 11:30am-6pm. $7 suggested donation at the festival; no one turned away for inability to pay. www.pridenw.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17 & 18 PrideFest Film Festival – co-presented with Three Dollar Bill Cinema Best of Three Dollar Bill Cinema TWIST Queer Film Festival 2016. Saturday and Sunday at the Northwest Film Forum (1515 12th Ave). Free tickets for all Northwest Film Forum screenings. www. seattlepridefest.org/ SPECIAL EVENT Sunday evening June 18 at Egyptian Theatre (805 E Pine St) – Dustin Lance Black and Sean Penn’s Milk + “Queer Activist in the Trump Era” – with Cleve Jones.

6:30pm VIP meet and greet, 7pm screening of Milk, and 9pm Q&A following the film.

Tickets: $10 general; $40 VIP meet and greet. www.seattlepridefest.org MONDAY, JUNE 19 University of Washington and UW

16 Seattle Gay News

Pride Mindfulness Gathering Thursday, June 22, 2017 Join us in a spirit of mindful presence A simple gathering for LGBT community members with interest in mindfulness practice.

Sharing casual meditation and discussion generally based in Eastern philosophies and practices.

Held in the Tateuchi Room at the Seattle Japanese Garden within the Washington Park Arboretum Admission is free. No pre-registration required. Facilities are ADA Compliant.

7:00 pm 8:00 pm

Dharma Discussion Tea Social

Hosted by Lotus Sisters and Dharma Buddies, Seattle-area meditation groups

Medical Centers Pride Flag Raising UW campuses and UW medical centers to fly rainbow flag for Pride Week!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21 Seattle Sounders Pride Night (with GSBA) Seattle Sounders FC vs. Orlando City SC – 7:30pm at CenturyLink Field Join GSBA at a Sounders FC match on Pride Night. A portion of the cost of each ticket goes back to the GSBA Scholarship Fund. Tickets start at $24. All fans will receive their tickets via email 48 hours before the event. To purchase tickets go to www. thegsba.org (and select EVENTS and then PRIDE and then click on “Pride Game: Sounders vs Orlando City”) or https://www. fevo.com/edp/Seattle-Sounders-vs-Orlando-City-SC--2017-Pride-Night-lFnA300Y THURSDAY, JUNE 22 Pride Mindfulness Gathering

June 2, 2017

Join us in a spirit of mindful presence.

A simple gathering of LGBT community members with interest in mindfulness practice. Sharing casual meditation and discussion generally based in Eastern philosophies and practices. Dharma discussion at 7pm. Tea social at 8pm. Held in the Tateuchi Room at the Seattle Japanese Garden within the Washington Park Arboretum (1075 Lake Washington Blvd. E.). Admission is free. No pre-registration required.

Facilities are ADA compliant. Hosted by Lotus Sisters and Dharma Buddies – Seattle area meditation groups.

THURSDAY, JUNE 22 Dragapalooza – Seattle PrideFest Edition 7pm and 9:30pm. Egyptian Theatre (805 E Pine St) Seattle PrideFest is excited to announce the addition of Dragapalooza™ to our Pride Week festivities! This is an exciting partnership between the Draga-

THURSDAY, JUNE 22 Seattle Mariners Pride Night (with GSBA) Seattle Mariners vs. Detroit Tigers – 7:10pm at Safeco Field Join the Seattle Mariners and the Greater Seattle Business Association for Pride Night at Safeco Field. Receive a Pride Night hat when you purchase through this special offer. Be sure to arrive early and join us in the Outside Corner near Section 330 for a pre-game event (5:10-7:10pm).

Redeem your hat (while supplies last) by bringing your ticket to the Outside Corner near Section 330 before the end of the 4th inning.

Pricing: $48 view level; $57 main level.

To purchase tickets go to www.thegsba. org (and select EVENTS and then PRIDE and then click on “Pride Night: Seattle Mariners vs Detroit Tigers”) or http://m. mlb.com/mariners/tickets/group/pridenight and enter promo code PRIDE. (Deadline to purchase is Wednesday, June 21 at 5pm.) $5 of every ticket sold through this special offer will benefit the GSBA Scholarship Fund.

PLEASE NOTE: This special offer is online only and is not available at team stores or box office outlets. Please contact Elizabeth McCloskey at (206) 346-4519 with any questions.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23 Trans* Pride Seattle The annual celebration of the Seattlearea Transgender community, Trans* Pride Seattle will be taking place on Capitol Hill on Friday, June 23 in and around Cal Anderson Park. The assembly and line-up to march will begin at 5pm on Nagle Pl. The march will step off at 6pm sharp from Broadway E & E John St, and travel east to 12th Ave, south on 12th Ave to E Olive St, and west to Cal Anderson Park, arriving at approximately 6:30pm. The Trans* Pride Seattle celebration will begin at 7pm.

Trans* Pride Seattle is proud to curate a diverse and powerful group of speakers and performers from around the United States.

A few speakers from select local organizations will also be taking the stage to discuss their work and the services and opportunities they offer. In addition, there will be an information and resource fair with a wide variety of community groups and organizations doing outreach. There will also be food trucks and our beloved community out in full force! Organized by Gender Justice League in association with local organizations who support the Seattle-area Trans* and gender non-conforming community.

More info at www.transprideseattle.org.

see PRIDE EVENTS page 21

Celebrating 41 Years!

Navratilova, Murray and other professional tennis players criticize Margaret Court’s homophobic remarks

Martina Navratilova celebrates winning the Ladies’ singles title at Wimbledon in 1982 – Photo courtesy of Getty Images

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer As the world’s top professional tennis players convene this week at the second Grand Slam tournament of the year, the French Open in Paris, the locker room chatter isn’t about who’ll win the coveted title, it’s about a controversy brewing on the opposite side of the globe.

Margaret Court, a retired Australian star who’s won more major titles than anyone else in history, angered many players in the sport when she recently penned an editorial letter criticizing Alan Joyce, the chief executive of Qantas Airways, for his company’s support of Gay marriage, which is not yet legal in Australia, though gaining momentum. Court, now a pastor living in Perth, cited her religious beliefs as reason

to oppose equal rights.

“I believe in marriage as a union between a man and a woman as stated in the Bible,” Court wrote in The West Australian. “Your statement leaves me no other option but to use other airlines where possible for my extensive traveling.”

But she didn’t stop there. After her letter was published, she spoke with 20Twenty Vision Christian Radio and described tennis as “full of lesbians” who predatorily “took young ones into parties,” and compared the efforts to teach children about gender fluidity to the methods of Nazism and communism.

She further stated, “So, that’s all the devil – that’s what Hitler did and that’s what communism did: got the mind of the children. It’s a whole plot in our nation, and in the nations of the world, to get the minds of the children.”

Four years ago, Court wrote another editorial denouncing same-sex parents when she learned that doubles specialist Casey Dellacqua and her partner Amanda Judd had become parents to a baby boy. She went as far to say, “I simply want to champion the rights of the family over the rights of the individual to engineer social norms and produce children into their relationships.”

Not only is Court a celebrated player, winning 24 Grand Slam singles titles in her career, besting Serena Williams by one, but in 2003 the Australian Open, another of the sport’s prestigious Grand Slam tournaments, renamed a stadium on its grounds after her. Since Court’s remarks were made public, several key players are rallying to have the stadium renamed again, including former women’s #1 and openly Lesbian star Martina Navratilova.

In a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, Navratilova wrote, ““We should not be celebrating this kind of behaviour, this kind of philosophy. The platform people like Margaret Court use needs to be made smaller, not bigger.”

While players are hoping the stadium will indeed have its name changed, some are prepared to boycott playing inside Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne next January.

Samantha Stosur, a former US Open champion and fellow Australian, gave her support to Dellacqua by stating “I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we all get down to the Australian Open next year. See who wants to play on Margaret Court Arena, and who doesn’t, and we’ll go from there.”

Meanwhile, the world’s #1 men’s player

Andy Murray, of Great Britain, told media gathered at the French Open that he found Court’s remarks offensive.

“I don’t see why anyone has a problem with two people who love each other getting married,” said Murray, who was briefly coached by retired Lesbian player Amelie Mauresmo. “If it’s two men, two women, that’s great. I don’t see why it should matter. It’s not anyone else’s business. Everyone should have, in my opinion ... the same rights.”

When asked if players should boycott playing in the stadium next year, Murray firmly noted that it “would be a lot more beneficial to do it before the tournament starts.”

One of the sport’s most attractive players, Thanasi Kokkinakis, a 21 year-old Australian player, chimed in by saying of Court, “Obviously, she’s a legend of the sport for Australia.

But I don’t agree with what she said.”

American rising star Madison Keys, chosen a year ago for the Team USA Olympic team, declared that she was not in accordance with Court’s comments.

“I kind of agree with maybe having the [Australian Open stadium’s] name changed and all of that,” said Keys. “If that comes up, I’m sure there’s many people who would be for that.”

Still, Court seems defiant to win the battle. In an interview earlier this week with Sky News, she defended her earlier comments with, “God made man for woman and woman for man to go and multiply the earth. Well you know two men can’t multiply and two women can’t. ... I think people should be able to say what they say.”

Martina Navratilova to Margaret Court: Shut up!

On June 1 the Australian press published an open letter from Martina Navratilova addressing the stance of another tennis legend, Margaret Court, who recently came out against LGBT rights.

Navratilova’s letter is written in the form of a note to the tennis stadium named for Court.

“Dear Margaret Court Arena, “Sporting venues named for athletes, or any place, really, named for whoever, are so named for one reason. That reason is their whole body of work. In other words, it is not just for what this person did on the field, on the court, in politics, arts, or science, for instance, but also for who they are as human beings.

“When you were named after Margaret Court, it seemed like the right thing to do.

After all, Rod Laver already had the big stadium, and Court is one of the all-time greats. I had long ago forgiven Court for her headline-grabbing comments in 1990 when she said I was a bad role model because I was a lesbian.

“What I did not know about until now were the unabashed racist statements she made in the ’70s about apartheid in South Africa. Saying that South Africa dealt with the ‘situation’ (meaning people of color) much better than anywhere else in the world, particularly the US – what exactly did she mean by that?

“Fast forward to today and Court’s announcement of her boycott of Qantas because of its chief executive’s support of same-sex marriage, which basically means support for the LGBT community in gen-

eral. That was bad enough. Now she is doubling down with her ridiculous comments about older women luring young girls on the tour to parties to turn them into lesbians. It’s a good thing she didn’t name anyone, as I am pretty sure she would be sued for defamation.

“It is now clear exactly who Court is: an amazing tennis player, and a racist and a homophobe. Her vitriol is not just an opinion. She is actively trying to keep LGBT people from getting equal rights (note to Court: we are human beings, too). She is demonizing trans kids and trans adults everywhere.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

“And now, linking LGBTs to Nazis, communists, the devil? This is not OK. This is in fact sick and it is dangerous. Kids will suffer more because of this continuous bashing and stigmatizing of our LGBT community.

“How much blood will be on Margaret’s hands because kids will continue to get beaten for being different? This is not OK. Too many will die by suicide because of this kind of intolerance, this kind of bashing and yes, this kind of bullying. This is not OK. “We celebrate free speech, but that doesn’t mean it is free of consequences

– not punishment, but consequences. We should not be celebrating this kind of behavior, this kind of philosophy. The platform people like Margaret Court use needs to be made smaller, not bigger.

“Which is why I think it’s time to change your name. And I think the Evonne Goolagong Arena has a great ring to it.

Now there is a person we can all celebrate.

On every level.

“Yours, Martina Navratilova.”

Evonne Goolagong is a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and an Aboriginal Australian.

Martina Navratilova– Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated

June 2, 2017

Seattle Gay News 17

HRC Equidad MX: Global Workplace Equality Program launches groundbreaking LGBT workplace inclusion survey for employers in Mexico New effort has strong corporate support, builds off success of HRC’s Corporate Equality Index

MEXICO CITY – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of America’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, has announced that its HRC Equidad MX: Global Workplace Equality Program (http://www.hrc. org/resources/hrc-equidad-mx-globalworkplace-equality-program) is undertaking a groundbreaking new survey of Mexican businesses’ LGBT inclusive policies and practices. Continuing their long record of support for equality, major employers Citibanamex, Accenture, Google, Kellogg and Mastercard have already committed to participate in the Mexico-focused survey and report.

The survey was announced at an event on May 23 hosted by Citibanamex and comes during a time of significant progress in LGBTQ workplace inclusion around the globe. In the coming months, Mexicobased HRC Equidad MX will collect responses to the survey, which will run parallel to HRC’s annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI) survey (http://www.hrc.org/ campaigns/corporate-equality-index), and release the results during the Fall of 2017.

The forthcoming report will evaluate major Mexican business and multinational companies on three core pillars of LGBT inclusion: • Adoption of nondiscrimination policies; • Creation of employee resource groups or diversity and inclusion councils; • Engagement in public activities to support LGBT inclusion.

Highly rated employers will receive a designation similar to the “Best Places to Work” certification offered through the CEI. “Businesses around the world continue to lead for LGBT equality,” said Mary Beth Maxwell, HRC’s Vice President for Programs, Research and Training. “From the companies taking the Equidad MX survey on inclusion to the HRC Global Business Coalition raising the bar, private sector partners around the world are sending a clear message that equality and inclusion are good for business.”

“Having these five important companies support this effort by the Human Rights Campaign represents a significant step in raising awareness of workplace equality among Mexican companies,” said Deena Fidas, Director of HRC’s Workplace Equality Program. “Mexico is a great commercial and social partner for the United States, and replicating the work we have done with companies over the past 15 years in the U.S. through our Corporate Equality Index will be a watershed moment for Mexican and multinational companies operating here.”

“Citibanamex is an institution committed to giving the best of Mexico and the best in the world to our clients and em-

18 Seattle Gay News

ployees. This commitment goes hand in hand with respect and job inclusion of the LGBT population,” said Liliana Iñigo, Citibanamex’s LGBT Ambassador for Latin America and Citibanamex’s Executive Director of Marketing. “We establish a culture that promotes integrity and confidence so that our collaborators can enhance their talent, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Participating in the HRC Equidad MX certification shows the conviction we have to build the best working environment for the LGBT population in Mexico and in our Financial Group.”

“Accenture is an inclusive company that promotes an environment of trust and motivates each one of its members to be authentic. We are proud to be a multinational firm that works every day to provide a fair work environment, regardless of the sexual orientation or gender identity of the people. With this, we formally declare our commitment to continue working towards the LGBT inclusion supported by the HRC Equity MX certification,” said Jorge Torres, Accenture’s Chief Technology Officer.

“Google’s mission is to organize information and make it accessible and useful for everyone. In this sense, our search for diversity is a natural extension of this mission as we seek to increase access to opportunities, breaking down barriers and empowering people through technology,” said Delfina Grossi, Google Marketing Solutions Manager and Diversity Ambassador for Google Mexico.

“Kellogg seeks to foster a culture of inclusion for all its employees and generate a work environment in which people are appreciated and can be authentic,” said Guillermo González Guerra, Director of Human Resources at Kellogg Latin America.

“Through its K-Pride & Allies program, the company works to become the employer of choice for the LGBT community by promoting equity, solidarity and respect.

Getting the HRC Equidad MX badge will be a very important step in this regard.”

“Mastercard is proud to participate in HRC’s Global Business Coalition and to promote inclusive and diverse corporate culture with different actions that reinforce our commitment with our most important capital, the human and in the community in which we work,” said Brenda Hernandez, Director of Human Resources for Mastercard Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

Accenture, Google and Mastercard are members of HRC’s Global Business Coalition (http://www.hrc.org/resources/globalbusiness-coalition), a cohort of global employers publicly committed to inclusion everywhere they do business.

Through its Corporate Equality Index (http://www.hrc.org/campaigns/corporateequality-index), the HRC Foundation has established a roadmap for the adoption of LGBTQ-inclusive policies, benefits and practices across major corporations. Last year, for the second year in a row, HRC launched its international CEI in Mexico City along with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, The Dow Chemical Company, J.P. Morgan Chase, and the Mexican state-owned petroleum company, PEMEX. In conjunction with the launch of the 2017 CEI, HRC Equidad MX released a Spanish-language

June 2, 2017

toolkit for workplaces in Mexico and around Latin America. The guide provides predominantly Spanish-language workplaces with a resource to help train and equip employees to build LGBT-inclusive environments.

HRC Equidad MX: Global Workplace Equality Program, which launched last year, works to increase awareness about the importance of LGBTQ diversity and inclusion in Mexico’s workplaces by developing consulting and education models for Mexican companies and organizations. It also utilizes HRC’s tools and relationships to engage interested companies in aligning their corporate policies on LGBTQ inclusion to international standards.

To learn more about participating in the HRC Equidad MX survey, please email equidadmx@hrc.org And to learn more about HRC Equidad: MX, visit hrc.im/equidadmx.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of 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.

Courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign

HRC Equidad México: Programa Global de Igualdad en los Centros de Trabajo lanza una encuesta innovadora sobre inclusión LGBT en centros laborales para empleadores en México La iniciativa cuenta con un fuerte apoyo corporativo, resaltando el éxito del Índice Corporativo de Igualdad de HRC CIUDAD DE MÉXICO – La Fundación Human Rights Campaign, el brazo educativo de la organización de derechos civiles de personas lesbianas, gais, bisexuales, transgénero y queer (LGBTQ) más grande de Estados Unidos, anunció que HRC Equidad MX: Programa Global de Igualdad en los Centros de Trabajo, está llevando a cabo una encuesta innovadora sobre las políticas y prácticas inclusivas de personas LGBT en las empresas mexicanas. Siguiendo con su larga trayectoria de apoyo a la igualdad, los principales empleadores Citibanamex, Accenture, Google, Kellogg y Mastercard ya se han comprometido a participar en la encuesta y el informe centrados en México.

La encuesta fue anunciada en un evento organizado 23 de mayo por Citibanamex y llega durante un tiempo de progreso significativo de la inclusión LGBTQ en el lugar de trabajo en todo el mundo. En los próximos meses, HRC Equidad MX, con sede en México, recogerá las respuestas de la encuesta que será efectuada paralelamente a la encuesta anual del Índice Corporativo de Igualdad (CEI, por sus siglas en inglés) de

HRC y dará a conocer los resultados durante el otoño de 2017. En el próximo reporte se evaluará a las empresas y multinacionales sobre tres pilares fundamentales de la inclusión LGBT: • Adopción de políticas de no discriminación; • Creación de grupos de recursos para empleados o consejos de diversidad e inclusión; • Participación en actividades públicas para apoyar la inclusión LGBT. Los empleadores altamente calificados recibirán una designación similar a la certificación “Best Places to Work” ofrecida a través de la CEI. “Las empresas de todo el mundo continúan liderando la igualdad LGBT. De las compañías que toman la encuesta de Equidad MX sobre la inclusión en la Coalición de Negocios Globales de la BLC, los socios del sector privado en todo el mundo están enviando un claro mensaje de que la igualdad y la inclusión son buenas para los negocios”,dijo Mary Beth Maxwell, vicepresidenta de Programas, Investigación y Capacitación de HRC. “El contar con el apoyo de estas cinco empresas tan importantes significa para Human Rights Campaign un gran paso en concientizar a las empresas mexicanas.

México es un gran aliado comercial y social para los Estados Unidos, por lo que replicar el trabajo que hemos realizado durante 15 años en EE. UU, con las empresas que han participado en el Índice Corporativo de Igualdad, significará un parteaguas en las empresas mexicanas y multinacionales que operan en este país”, dijo Deena Fidas, directora del Programa de Equidad Corporativa de la Fundación Human Rights Campaign.

Por su parte, Liliana Iñigo, embajadora LGBT de Citi para América Latina y directora ejecutiva de Mercadotecnia de Citibanamex, comentó: “Citibanamex es una institución comprometida en dar lo mejor de México y lo mejor del mundo a nuestros clientes y empleados. Este compromiso va de la mano con el respeto y la inclusión laboral de la población LGBT. Establecemos una cultura que promueve la integridad y confianza para que nuestros colaboradores puedan potencializar su talento, sin importar su orientación sexual o identidad de género. Participar en la certificación HRC Equidad MX demuestra la convicción que tenemos para construir el mejor ambiente laboral para la población LGBT en México y en nuestro Grupo Financiero”.

Asimismo, Guillermo González Guerra, director de Recursos Humanos de Kellogg Latinoamérica, recalcó que Kellogg busca fomentar una cultura de inclusión para todos sus colaboradores y generar un ambiente de trabajo en el que las personas sean apreciadas y puedan ser auténticas.

“A través de su programa K-Pride & Allies, la compañía trabaja para convertirse en el empleador de elección de la comunidad LGBT al promover la equidad, la solidaridad y el respeto. Obtener el distintivo HRC Equidad MX, será un paso muy importante en este sentido”dijo González Guerra.

Accenture, Google y Mastercard son miembros de la Coalición de Negocios Glo-

Celebrating 41 Years!

bales de HRC, una cohorte de empleadores globales públicamente comprometidos con la inclusión en todas partes donde hacen negocios.

Al respecto, Jorge Torres, director de Tecnología de Accenture, comentó que su empresa es una entidad incluyente que promueve un ambiente de confianza y motiva a cada uno de sus integrantes a ser auténticos.

“Nos sentimos orgullosos de ser una firma multinacional que trabaja cada día en brindar un ambiente de trabajo equitativo, independientemente de la orientación sexual o identidad de género de las personas.

Con esto, declaramos formalmente nuestro compromiso de continuar trabajando hacia la inclusión LGBT apoyados de la certificación HRC Equidad MX”, comentó Torres.

Delfina Grossi, gerente de Google Marketing Solutions y embajadora de Diversidad para Google México mencionó que: “La misión de Google es organizar la in-

formación y hacerla accesible y útil para todos. En este sentido, nuestra búsqueda por la diversidad es una extensión natural de esta misión ya que buscamos aumentar el acceso a las oportunidades, derribando las barreras y empoderando a las personas a través de la tecnología”.

“Mastercard se enorgullece de participar en la Coalición de Negocios Globales de HRC y en la promoción de la cultura corporativa inclusiva y diversa con diferentes acciones que refrendan nuestro compromiso principal con nuestro capital más importante, el humano y en la comunidad en la que trabajamos”, dijo Brenda Hernández, directora de Recursos Humanos de Mastercard México, Centroamérica y el Caribe, señaló: A través de su Índice Corporativo de Igualdad, la Fundación HRC ha establecido una hoja de ruta para la adopción de políticas, beneficios y prácticas inclusivas de LGBTQ entre las principales corporacio-

nes. El año pasado, por segundo año consecutivo, HRC lanzó su CEI internacional en la Ciudad de México junto con la Embajada de los Estados Unidos en México, The Dow Chemical Company, J.P. Morgan Chase y la petrolera estatal mexicana PEMEX. Junto con el lanzamiento del CEI de 2017, HRC Equidad MX lanzó una caja de herramientas en español para los lugares de trabajo en México y en Latinoamérica. La guía provee a lugares de trabajo hispanos con un recurso para ayudar a entrenar y equipar a los empleados a construir ambientes inclusivos de personas LGBT. HRC Equidad MX: Programa Global de Igualdad en los Centros de Trabajo, que fue lanzado el año pasado, busca aumentar la conciencia sobre la importancia de la diversidad e inclusión de personas LGBTQ en los lugares de trabajo mexicanos desarrollando modelos de consultoría y educación para empresas y organizaciones mexicanas.

También utiliza las herramientas y relacio-

nes de HRC para comprometer a las compañías interesadas en alinear sus políticas corporativas con la inclusión de LGBTQ a los estándares internacionales.

Para obtener más información sobre la participación en la encuesta HRC Equidad MX, envíe un correo electrónico a equidadmx@hrc.org y para saber más sobre HRC Equidad: MX, visite hrc.im/equidadmx.

La Fundación Human Rights Campaign es el brazo educativo de la organización de derechos civiles más grande de Estados Unidos que trabaja para lograr la igualdad para las personas lesbianas, gais, bisexuales, transexuales y queer.

HRC contempla un mundo donde las personas LGBTQ son abrazadas como miembros plenos de la sociedad en el hogar, en el trabajo y en todas las comunidades.

Courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign

HIV prevention study looking for Native American male participants The Virtual Two-Spirit project is a culturally-grounded, online HIV prevention intervention for Native American and Alaska Native men who have sex with men.

The intervention facilitates positive sexual health behaviors and promotes HIV risk harm reduction strategies. Eligible participants who complete the three-week intervention and online assessments can receive up to $190 in incentives.

The project is being conducted by the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute at the

University of Washington in Seattle.

The Virtual Two-Spirit intervention utilizes a computer downloadable virtual reality world, where participants create their own avatar and go through experiential modules in learning about HIV testing, harm reduction techniques, condom use and condom use negotiation, and behavioral role play. The expected outcomes for participants who go through the intervention include: an increase in HIV testing, more reliable condom use, and awareness

and practice of harm reduction behaviors.

Results of this study will be used to further refine and tailor the intervention for a larger study.

The study is actively recruiting participants nationally to test the Virtual TwoSpirit intervention. Eligibility criteria include (1) Being or identify as American Indian or Alaska Native; (2) At least 18 years of age; (3) Having an e-mail address, regular access to a computer with internet, and the ability to download free software;

(4) Male [or identify as a male] who has sex with men; and (5) HIV negative or do not know current HIV status. To learn more about the study or to see if you are eligible, please contact vr2s@uw.edu or 971-2510402.

The Virtual Two-Spirit project is supported by funding from the National Institute of Health and Health Disparities, Award Number P60MD006909. Principal Investigator, Karina Walters, PhD, University of Washington

This Sunday, June 4, Glitter+Fire will celebrate The Queerness of Pentecost 24 churches in 14 states take part as creators of Glitter+Ash Wednesday return to rejoice in Christian civersity NEW YORK, NY – The coalition behind Glitter+Ash Wednesday is back at it, encouraging Christians to use glitter to express joy in a diverse, LGBTQ-affirming church, this time in a symbolic recreation of the “tongues of fire” on Pentecost Sunday, June 4. Glitter+Fire (#GlitterPentecost) was announced on June 1 by the Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen, executive director of Parity, and Rev. Elizabeth M. Edman, founder of the Queer Virtue movement, which are co-sponsoring the event.

Parity and Queer Virtue are thrilled to announce that churches across the country will be taking part to spread this message of LGBTQ inclusion. 24 churches in 14 states, representing 12 different denominations and faith traditions, will participate.

Pentecost is widely considered the day when Christianity as a movement was born.

As told in the Book of Acts, the story relates what happened to the disciples of Jesus who were gathered in the upper room following his execution, resurrection and ascension.

The Holy Spirit appeared ”as tongues of fire,” empowering the disciples to proclaim the gospel in the native languages of people “from every nation under heaven.”

Participants in Glitter+Fire will use glitter in the colors of fire – red, gold, and orange – to re-enact the tongues of fire land-

ing on the disciples, drawing participants together in a community of joy, energy and common purpose. Glitter+Fire follows on the success of Glitter+Ash Wednesday, when Christians in churches across the country mixed ashes with glitter to “come out” as queer-positive Christians in solidarity with the LGBTQ community.

“On Pentecost, in an amazing pyrotechnic display, the Spirit demonstrated the queerness of Christianity,” said the Rev. Edmonds-Allen. “Glitter+Fire will demonstrate our conviction that human diversity is a source of strength. But even more, we will show the world that valuing diversity is a founding premise of our faith.”

“This year, Pentecost falls on the first Sunday of June, which is LGBTQ Pride Month,” said the Rev. Elizabeth M. Edman.

“At a time when the language of religious freedom is being abused to attack the basic rights and the very dignity of LGBTQ people, it matters that we witness to the truth: that what gave birth to the Christian movement was precisely its ability to speak in native tongues – the language of home – thus celebrating our deepest, most intimate knowledge of ourselves.”

Parity and Queer Virtue will offer several resources to churches that want to participate in Glitter+Fire, including: ● red, gold and orange glitter for liturgical use, street actions, and glitter blessings; ● liturgies written specifically for

Visit us online www.sgn.org

Glitter+Fire, with ideas for incorporating glitter into Pentecost worship; ● sermon notes for Pentecost preachers The Rev. Elder Rachelle Brown, Interim Moderator of the Metropolitan Community Churches and a co-sponsor of Glitter+Fire, said, “Metropolitan Community Churches was founded as a pentecostal surge of queer people almost 50 years ago. Like early Christians, we were rejected and surrounded by persecution but fueled a sparkling and dazzling holy fire. Today, we are still on fire, speaking truth around the world.

Though some have said we are ‘full of new wine,’ it is the wine of God’s holy love for everyone.”

“On Ash Wednesday, we used the glitter ashes to remind people that our sins are often based in our failure to see the spark of divinity in each other’s humanity,” said Rev. Sarah Buteux of the First Churches of Northampton, MA. “On Pentecost, we will anoint people at the end of our service with oil and glitter and remind them that the opposite is also true. Our salvation lies is creating a world where we see and honor the divine spark in one another – especially the other – a world where we learn to love one another as God has loved us.”

“Participating in Glitter+Ash was like a coming out party for us at Unity Lutheran Church,” said the Rev. Fred Kinsey, Pastor of Unity Lutheran Church in Chicago.

“Our people came alive to a renewed mis-

June 2, 2017

sion for the gospel, and they were delighted to welcome so many new visitors on Ash Wednesday. Unity’s pews reflect the same diversity of our neighborhood, and we anticipate Glitter+Fire will once again kindle the passion for gathering together a wide assortment of God’s people on Pentecost Sunday to celebrate what unites us.”

More information about Glitter+Fire and access to these resources can be found at queervirtue.com/glitter-fire, paritynyc. org/glitter-fire, and facebook.com/glitterpentecost About Parity Parity is a faith-based LGBTQ-focused organization based in NYC that creates open and nurturing spaces physically and spiritually to support emerging LGBTQ pastors as they live into their callings, and empowers LGBTQ and allied young people to integrate their spiritual, gender and sexual identities through a range of programs.

About Queer Virtue Queer Virtue aims to energize the experience, proclamation, and practical importance of Christian faith by exploring Christianity through the lens of queerness and by lifting up the moral witness of LGBTQ people and communities. www.queervirtue.com #GlitterPentecost #GlitterFire #DivisionQueered

Seattle Gay News 19

www.sgn.org

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20 Seattle Gay News

June 2, 2017

Celebrating 41 Years!

2017 PRIDE events calendar FRIDAY, JUNE 23 Seattle Storm Pride Tip-Off Game Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury – 7pm at Key Arena Tip off Seattle Pride weekend on Friday, June 23 as the Storm welcomes Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury. http://storm.wnba.com/

our stage to shine a spotlight on the experiences, pleasures, activism, and identities of queer women and dyke-identified people across the gender spectrum. The Seattle Dyke March is not a parade; it is a solidarity demonstration in support of dyke voices and experiences, and focuses on our community’s wants, needs, and demands. www.seattledykemarch.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 23 (& Saturday, June 24) Seattle Men’s Chorus – “Bette, Babs & Beyonce” 8pm. McCaw Hall (321 Mercer St). Our divalicious playlist highlights the iconic performers whose powerhouse vocals and outsized personas have thrilled us for decades from the concert stage to the dance floor. Revel in the timeless hits from the Divine Miss M and our favorite Funny Girl, plus get (Sasha) fierce with Beyoncé, Cher, and today’s most sensational female superstars. Celebrate Pride like the diva you are (or want to be)!

Tickets: $25-$75 at http://www.seattlechoruses.org and (206) 388-1400.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24 (& Sunday, June 25) Queer Geeks and Games Convention 5-9pm; Pink Party 9pm-midnight. Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion. Our first annual! Board games, console games, arcade games, cosplay contest, vendors, bar for 21+. FREE entry. Co-sponsored by Seattle PrideFest and Jetspace Magazine. (& Sun 6/25 noon-8pm.) http://pridefest.org/qgg SATURDAY, JUNE 24 Gender*Fierce – Queer & Allied Youth Variety Show – Youth Pride Dance – Queer Youth Resource Fair 7pm-12 midnight at Fred Wildlife Sanctuary (128 Boylston Ave E). The Queer and Allied Youth Variety Show starts at 8pm.

Hosted by Aleksa Manila. This event is open to ALL youth ages 16 to 24. Admission is FREE. Sponsored by HEYO/Lifelong and GLSEN/WA. https://m.facebook. com/glsenwa/ Questions? Email: HEYO at: heyo@lifelong.org or GLSEN Washington at: mail@ glsenwa.org

SATURDAY, JUNE 24 Dignity/Seattle 26th Annual Pride Pancake Breakfast From 8am-noon. Dignity/Seattle hosts their annual Pride Pancake Breakfast at Central Lutheran Church Social Hall (1710 11th Ave @ E Olive St across from Cal Anderson Park). Dignity/Seattle has been a faith community of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Catholics and their families and friends in Seattle since 1973. www. dignityseattle.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24 (& Friday, June 23) Seattle Men’s Chorus – “Bette, Babs & Beyonce” 8pm. McCaw Hall (321 Mercer St.) Our divalicious playlist highlights the iconic performers whose powerhouse vocals and outsized personas have thrilled us for decades from the concert stage to the dance floor. Revel in the timeless hits from the Divine Miss M and our favorite Funny Girl, plus get (Sasha) fierce with Beyoncé, Cher, and today’s most sensational female superstars. Celebrate Pride like the diva you are (or want to be)!

Tickets: $25-$75 at http://www.seattlechoruses.org and (206) 388-1400.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24 Capitol Hill Pride Festival – Bite of Pride 10am-10pm. Annual street festival in the Broadway business district on Broadway E between E John St and E Roy St. Join us for food and fun with local restaurants, businesses, street vendors and community organizations taking a Bite of Pride! http:// capitolhillpridefestival.info/ SATURDAY, JUNE 24 PrideFest Capitol Hill – “Come Together” 12-8pm. Sound Transit Station at Broadway & E Denny Way and Cal Anderson Park. Featuring national and local talent, beer garden, food trucks, and Capitol Hill businesses, non-profits, and arts & crafts vendors. Gay City will be partnering with AHF Pharmacy to provide free HIV testing! www.seattlepridefest.org SATURDAY, JUNE 24 Rainbow Women’s Health Fair – SEE SPECIAL NOTE NOTE: The Rainbow Women’s Health Fair usually scheduled for this day has been rescheduled this year to SATURDAY, JULY 8, 12-4pm at Gay City Health Project, 517 E Pike St. Free health services for queer women and trans people of all genders.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24 Purr Pride Block Party Purr Cocktail Lounge (1518 11th Ave) – DJ Dana Dub, DJ Jeremy Blacklow, and featuring LA DJs The Perry Twins. 21+ ID required. $25 cover.

(Purr is also hosting Pride parties Wed 6/21 with RPDR season 7 winner Violet Chachki, no cover; Thurs 6/22 with RPDR sensation Katya, $7 cover; Fri 6/23 with DJ

Bret Law, $5 cover; Sun 6/25 with resident VJ Brandon Rust) SATURDAY, JUNE 24 Wildrose Block Party Wildrose (1021 E Pike St) – http://www. thewildrosebar.com/ SATURDAY, JUNE 24 Seattle Pride 2017 Interfaith Celebration Service – “Holy Resistance” 2pm. All Pilgrims Christian Church (500 Broadway E). Every year during LGBTQ Pride, people of many different faiths come together to celebrate diversity. This year we will have speakers from Christian, Jewish, Sufi, Buddhist, New Thought and Pagan traditions. We will also be blessed by the SpiritVision Mass Choir! You are welcome just as you are! FREE admission.

More info, 206-325-2421.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

SATURDAY, JUNE 24 Queer Youth Pride 4-7pm. Cal Anderson Park (11th Ave &

E Olive St.) Gay City and Seattle PrideFest proudly present Queer Youth Pride at Cal Anderson Park on Seattle’s Capitol Hill.

This will be an afternoon of welcoming fun featuring performances, music, and fun, along with information on queer youth programs and GSAs.

SUNDAY, JUNE 25 Seattle Pride Parade Starting at 11 a.m., the parade kicks off at 4th Ave. & Union St., and will proceed north down 4th Ave. to Denny Way and Seattle Center. It will last approximately two and a half hours and will be held rain or shine. www.seattlepride.org/pride-parade/ SUNDAY, JUNE 25 Seattle PrideFest – “Fight Together” Noon-8pm. Seattle Center. Seattle PrideFest 2017 will be more fabulous than ever. Featuring Mary Lambert, Deven Green, Joey Arias, Ultra Nate, DJ Sammy Jo, Dai Burger and over 100 other artists! www.seattlepridefest.org/

SATURDAY, JUNE 24 23rd Annual Seattle Dyke March Rally at 5pm. Seattle Central College South Plaza at Broadway & E Pine St. The March steps off at 7pm to go around Capitol Hill and end in Cal Anderson Park with a rocking after-party. http://seattledykemarch.com/ Since 1994, every year on Pride weekend the Dyke March has gathered thousands of supporters at the corner of Broadway and Pine, fighting for the visibility, inclusion, and survival of queer women in Seattle and around the world.

T h e voices of the LGBTQ community and Pride weekend events have always been overwhelmingly male, and so we reserve

SUNDAY, JUNE 25 (& Saturday, June 24) Queer Geeks and Games Convention Noon-8pm. Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion. Our first annual! Board games, console games, arcade games, cosplay contest, vendors, bar for 21+. FREE entry. Co-sponsored by Seattle PrideFest and Jetspace Magazine. (& Sat 6/24 5pm-midnight.) http://pridefest.org/qgg

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Seattle Gay News 21

China shuts down Lesbian dating app Closure may be linked to Shanghai demonstration

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Rela, a Chinese dating app for Lesbians, has been shut down.

The app, which reportedly has more than five million users, is no longer available in Android or Apple stores, its website is down, and its account at Sina Weibo – the Chinese equivalent of Facebook – has been deleted.

The site was inaccessible to users the last week in May, and by May 31 had totally disappeared. Rela told its users on WeChat that the service had been suspended for an “important adjustment in service.”

“Rela has always been with you and please await its return!” a message to users said.

The Chinese government internet agency, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), has not commented on the shutdown.

Some users have suggested that it was connected to Rela’s support for parents of LGBT children who wanted to take part in a so-called “marriage market” in Shanghai on May 20.

The group of parents joined the weekly event in Shanghai’s People’s Park where older parents try to find partners for their unmarried sons and daughters and handed

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

out “educational flyers.”

According to Sixth Tone, an Englishlanguage Asian LGBT website, the parents of LGBT children met with a hostile reception from the crowd.

“If parents of straight people can be here, parents of gay people can also be here,” Dong Wanwan, a mother who had traveled 1,200 kilometers from Shenzhen, told the angry crowd. “We have every right to be here – I’m here to find a boyfriend for

my son,” she said, according to the website.

Security officers then ordered the parents to leave the park, saying they had not registered their “advertising event” with the police.

Same-sex relations are completely legal in China, but authorities don’t like public demonstrations.

Chinese authorities have also retaliated against websites that post content that goes against public norms. In April, a Chinese

dating app for Gay and Bi men, called Zank, was shut down after the CAC accused it of broadcasting pornographic content.

In February, on the other hand, another Gay dating app, Blued, received substantial funding from the state-backed Beijing News.

In January, Beijing Kunlun Tech – a company partially funded by Chinese government assets – bought a controlling interest in Grindr. The company then bought out the remaining Grindr shares at the end of May.

Chinese government “disappears” activists investigating Ivanka Trump’s shoe factory

Night-shift workers at the Huajian shoe factory in Dongguan, China, on Sept. 14, 2016.

– Photo by Greg Baker / AFP - Getty Images

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer Three Chinese labor activists investigating conditions at a factory that makes shoes for Ivanka Trump’s brand went missing on May 28.

Hua Haifeng, Li Zhao, and Su Heng had been investigating a factory in China’s Jiangxi province operated by the Ganzhou

22 Seattle Gay News

Huajian International Shoe City Company.

The factory produces shoes for the Ivanka Trump, Nine West, Marc Fisher, and Easy Spirit brands.

The same activists had investigated reported abuses at Disney and Apple factories without interference by police.

Hua Haifeng turned up in police custody 48 hours after his disappearance, but the whereabouts of Li Zhao and Su Heng are

June 2, 2017

still unknown.

The US-based organization China Labor Watch (CLW), said that all three were working on an investigation when they went missing.

CLW said Hua was detained in Jiangxi province on suspicion of illegally using eavesdropping equipment but that this allegation had “no factual basis.”

The group’s executive director, Li

Qiang, told the BBC that the factory Hua had been investigating had “violated workers’ rights in ways that included: forced overtime, wages lower than China’s legal minimum wage, managers’ verbal abuse of workers, and violations of women’s rights.”

In 17 years of investigating Chinese factories, it was “the first time any [of] our investigators have been detained under a criminal process,” Li said.

Hua’s wife told the BBC she had lost contact with him on May 28, but then police contacted her on May 30 to say he was being held.

“I was shocked and freaked out,” she said. “I only know that my husband was investigating a factory based in Ganzhou, Jiangxi province. That factory manufactures the US president’s daughter’s product.

“I think he was detained for that. Police told me that my husband has been detained for illegal monitoring activities.”

Amnesty International has demanded the release of all three activists, saying it’s feared that the two still missing have also been detained. CLW called on President Trump to press for the release of the activists.

“The trio appear to be the latest to fall foul of the Chinese authorities’ aggressive campaign against human rights activists who have any ties to overseas organizations, using the pretense of ‘national security,’” William Nee, a China researcher at Amnesty International, said in a statement.

There has been no comment so far from Chinese authorities, the Trump administration, or the Ivanka Trump brand.

Celebrating 41 Years!

2017 PRIDE events calendar SUNDAY, JUNE 25 The Cuff Pride Street Party The Cuff (1533 13th Ave) – Berlin featuring Terri Nunn, Melanie Amaro, Miss MeMe, Disco Vinnie, Vicci Martinez, Sabrina Johnston, DJ Matt Stands. Doors at noon. 21+ ID required. $25 cover. www. cuffcomplex.com TUESDAY, JUNE 27 Tacoma LGBTQ Proclamation and City Council Meeting 5-7pm at Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market Street, Tacoma). Join Mayor Marilyn Strickland and the Tacoma City Council in City Council Chambers on June 27 to declare July Gay Pride Month in the City of Tacoma. The reading of the Official Proclamation makes a very public statement of the celebration and appreciation of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community in the City of Tacoma.

FRIDAY, JUNE 30 - SUNDAY, JULY 2 Emerald City Softball Association – 2017 Emerald City Classic www.emeraldcitysoftball.org (See details under TOURNAMENT menu) FRIDAY, JUNE 30 & SATURDAY, JULY 1 Diverse Harmony – “Musicians of Color” 7:30pm at Broadway Performance Hall (Broadway & E Pine St off Seattle Community College South Plaza) Diverse Harmony is the nation’s first Queer-straight alliance youth chorus. Our 58-member chorus presents music that opens the hearts and minds of communities and provides a safe environment for youth of diverse back-

grounds to share their love of music and be accepted for who they are. www.diverseharmony.org

FRIDAY, JULY 7 - SUNDAY, JULY 9 Seattle Tennis Alliance – 2017 Seattle Classic www.seattletennisalliance.org (See details under EVENTS menu) SATURDAY, JULY 8 Rainbow Women’s Health Fair 12-4pm at Gay City Health Project clinic, 517 E Pike St Free health services for queer women and trans people of all genders.

SUNDAY, JULY 16 Gay Day at Wild Waves 11am-7pm. Wild Waves Theme Park, 36201 Enchanted Parkway S, Federal Way. The Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle and the Olympic & Rainier Empire presents the 3rd Annual Gay Day at Wild Waves! This is a family friendly event that takes place in the picnic area at Wild Waves and Enchanted Village, but you get access to the entire park! Watch for more information, but save the date and come join the fun! https://m.facebook.com/ISCSORE OUT-OF-TOWN (IN JULY) SATURDAY, JULY 1 SUNDAY, JULY 9 Victoria, BC Pride A week of events and activities culminating in the annual Pride Parade and Festival on Sunday, July 10. www.victoriapridesociety.org

FRIDAY, JULY 7 SUNDAY, JULY 15 Tacoma Pride Festival The Tacoma Pride Festival honors the LGBTQA community by fostering pride in who we are as valuable, creative members of a diverse population in the South Puget Sound region by curating cultural events, establishing partnerships, and hosting Tacoma Pride, formerly Out in the Park, an outdoor festival (see details below). For a complete schedule of events, visit http://tacomapride.org/ SATURDAY, JULY 8 Tacoma Pride – Rainbow Center’s Annual LGBTQA Pride Event Noon-5pm at S 9th St & Pacific Avenue.

Formerly known as “Out in the Park,” Tacoma Pride is a family-friendly event that features over 100 street vendors, live performances by musicians, cirque performers, vaudeville and drag acts, as well as guest speakers and dignitaries.www.rainbowcntr.org.

SUNDAY, JULY 9 Bellingham Pride Parade & Festival Pride Parade starts at noon at the corner of Halleck St & Ohio St, travels along Cornwall Ave and ends at Depot Market Square (1100 Railroad Ave) which runs until 4pm. Featuring vendors, children’s activities and appearances by local and state dignitaries. Come join the fun! http://www. bellinghampride.org SATURDAY, JULY 15 Kitsap Pride The Kitsap Pride Network invites you to participate in the 2017 Kitsap Pride event

WEEKLY PETS:

at Evergreen Rotary Park (1500 Park Ave) in Bremerton. Recent year’s have had over 2,000 people attending this exciting event and this year is already looking to be our biggest yet. http://kitsappride.org/ SATURDAY, JULY 16 Tri-Cities Pride This year we are once again partnering up with Club Out and About (327 W Lewis St, Pasco; www.cluboutandabout.com); our local & only gay bar to turn up the volume on our celebration! we are going to get our pride on! Out and About has been here for 20+ years and they will continue to support our community.

Funds raised will be going towards the cost of our events throughout the week along with a return of our pride parade and daytime fun for all ages.

Tri-Cities Pride is the setting for a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly Pride Festival, unique to Eastern Washington. A diverse array of artists, entertainers, and more!

This unique pride festival is the largest LGBT gathering in the Mid-Columbia.

Beautiful Richland will serve as the gathering spot for friends, family and visitors from around the land to celebrate the diversity and unity of our community. The festival includes a music stage, dancing, food vendors, exhibits and non-profit organizations. https://www.gofundme.com/tricitiespride SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 Vancouver, BC Pride http://www.vancouverpride.ca

Adoption Center

Sunday – Wednesday | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Thursday – Saturday | 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Phone: (425) 649-7563 Email: adoption@seattlehumane.org

CESAR

Meet Cesar, a 12-year-old Poodle/Bichon mix who would love to be your adventure guy.

This happy boy loves to play and will happily lead you anywhere you want to go. His happiestplace is wherever his people are and where he can love on you. Cesar would do well with an energetic owner who can let his personality really shine. If you have room in your heart and home for this sweet boy, then come meet him today at Seattle Humane – you’ll be glad you did!

As with all of our dogs, Cesar has been neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and behaviortested. He will go home with a certificate for an examination by a King County veterinarian and an identification tag. PLUS, most dog adoptions include 30 days of pet insurance from Trupanion and a training rebate when you complete a dog behavior course - a great way to start off on the right paw!

Introduce to children ages 8 and older. Resident dogs are recommended to visit with Cesar prior to adoption. Introduce to cats. Please see our adoption advisors for additional behavior information.

SONKA

Meet Sonka, a beautiful 1-year-old orange and black tabby girl! This little gal is absolutely gorgeous and very sweet. Sonka was surrendered to Seattle Humane when her owner passed away and she’s ready to meet her new best friends and family. We’re confident that she would thrive in a patient and loving home. Come meet Sonka today at Seattle Humane – you’ll be glad you did and she’s excited to meet you!

As with all of our cats, Sonka is spayed, microchipped and vaccinated. All of our cats have been tested for Feline Leukemia/FIV and go home with a certificate for an examination by a King County veterinarian and their very own identification tag and collar. PLUS, most cat adoptions include 30 days of pet insurance from Trupanion – a great way to start off on the right paw!

Put Me In, Coach! | June 2-4

Batter up! Add a new family member to your roster this weekend from Seattle Humane in Bellevue! Adoption fees are waived for cats and dogs 7 years and up June 2-4. Age doesn’t determine an animal’s thirst for life, playtime, and love. These senior stars would love to go out on the field with you! This game plan is a home run.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

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Seattle Gay News 23