SGN April 13, 2018 - Section 2

Seattle Gay News

Issue 15, Volume 46, April 13, 2018

Arts & Entertainment

Seattle comic book fan and gay author Bill Schelly

Image courtesy of North Atlantic Books

by Chuck O’Donnell Special to the SGN SENSE OF WONDER: MY LIFE IN COMIC FANDOM – THE WHOLE STORY

BY BILL SCHELLY NORTH ATLANTIC BOOKS

Bill Schelly was a confused and lonely kid in the 1960s when being gay was considered a mental illness, and the fear of being ostracized – or worse – forced him to harbor his secret well into his teens.

He found solace in the pages of comic books and the burgeoning world of comic book fandom inhabited by others whose

see BILL SCHELLY page 13

Emotionally austere Pete a heartbreaking inspiration

Charlie Plummer in Lean on Pete – Photo courtesy of A24

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer LEAN ON PETE Now playing Charley Thompson (Charlie Plummer) has just moved to Portland, Oregon. The 15-year-old spends his summertime morn-

ings running the streets surrounding the local horse racing track in order to stay in shape for the upcoming high school football season. His lovably affable father Ray (Travis Fimmel), more big, dopey brother than he is a protective parent, is a little down on his luck, holding down consistent employment not his forte. So when Char-

see LEAN ON PETE page 7

SMC & SWC present Spring is showering with powerful and uplifting concert live music: 8 shows to see at “Not in Our Town” in the coming weeks

Not in Our Town – Photo by Rick Wong

by Miryam Gordon SGN A&E Writer SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS & SEATTLE WOMEN’S CHORUS “NOT IN OUR TOWN” MARION OLIVER MCCAW HALL April 7 & 8

A very cohesive and well-programmed choral event was performed this last weekend at McCaw Hall, featuring both the Men’s and Women’s Choruses and national political satirist Randy Rainbow.

The theme was more overtly political than

see NOT IN OUR TOWN page 4

Rufus Wainwright – Photo courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer Spring is here, even if the winter-like mornings and relentless amount of rain mixed with wind continue to torture us.

The good news, regardless of the weather,

is that even if the temperatures are still cool, the live music calendar in the coming weeks is incredibly hot.

Here are 8 shows in the weeks ahead to keep in mind.

see SPRING CONCERTS page 3

2 Seattle Gay News

April 13, 2018

Celebrating 44 Years!

Two Elton John tribute albums featuring pop and country stars are out now

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer It’s the battle of the Elton John tribute albums, or Revamp vs. Restoration. Both albums, which salute the LGBT music icon, who will celebrate 50 years as a recording artist in the months ahead, were released on the same day, April 6. The Revamp album features A-list entertainers, from Lady GaGa covering “Your Song” to Ed Sheeran’s surprisingly good “Candle in the Wind” to Miley Cyrus’ impressive rendition of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” not to mention Sir Elton himself collaborating with Pink and Logic on “Bennie and the Jets.” The Restoration project includes some of country’s biggest names like Kacey Musgraves delivering a sassy version of “Roy Rogers,” Dierks Bentley muscling his way through a vocal-perfect redo of “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” and Lee Ann Womack giving her bluesyinfused take on “Honky Tonk,” plus a standout performance by Little Big Town on “Rocket Man.” Just so you know, each album carries the subtitle Reimagining the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin with John overseeing Revamp and Taupin helming Restoration. Both are in stores now.

Veteran electronic artist Jean-Michel Jarre had intended to interview with Seattle Gay News this week, but was running late on the day of the interview and thus we just had time to exchange greetings. “It’s my first time,” he replied excitedly to being asked when he last performed in Seattle.

He’s also looking forward to appearing at Coachella, which is also part of his anticipated North American tour. Tickets to see Jarre at the Paramount Theatre on April 18 are on sale now at www.stgpresents.org.

Here are some new shows to put on your radar: a second John Fogerty performance has been added at Chateau Ste. Michele on July 19, as the first concert on July 20 is already sold out. Detroit bad boy Kid

SPRING CONCERTS continued from cover

JUDAS PRIEST ACCESSO SHOWARE CENTER April 15 Metal heads, unite! Veteran hard rockers Judas Priest, fronted by openly gay lead singer Rob Halford, is heading out to the highway for a series of dates that includes a performance at the Accesso ShoWare Center in Kent. Among the band’s hits you might hear this weekend are “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,” “Electric Eye,” “Breakin’ the Law,” “Painkiller” and well, of course, “Heading Out to the Highway.”

For tickets, try www.accessoshowarecenter.com.

MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO DIMITRIOU’S JAZZ ALLEY April 30 “If That’s Your Boyfriend (He Wasn’t Last Night)” was the book title I never came up with, but always wanted to. This title instead belongs to the bold single by openly bisexual artist Meshell Ndegeocello, who is as eclectic and accomplished as they come.

The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter has a new album to promote when she lands at Jazz Alley for a one-night-only appearance, but fingers crossed she adds some older material from Plantation Lullabies and Cookie: The Anthropoligical Mixtape onto each of her two sets. For reservations, log onto www.jazzalley.com.

Courtesy of Island Records

Courtesy of Universal Music Group Nashville

Jean-Michel Jarre – Photo courtesy of MSO PR

Rock is towing his “Red Blooded Rock n’ Roll Redneck Extravaganza Tour” to the Emerald City on August 18, playing White River Amphitheatre with special guest Wheeler Walker Jr.. Australian bubblegum act 5 Seconds of Summer have scheduled a fall date in Seattle on their upcoming tour, set to appear at the Paramount Theatre on October 5. And, the Goo Goo Dolls are commemorating the 20th anniversary of the band’s breakthrough album Dizzy Up the Girl with a coast-to-coast tour that

brings them to the Paramount Theatre on November 3.

which debuted in 2017. For more information, go to www.upstreammusicfest.com.

While the complete lineup for the Upstream Music Fest + Summit is still being finalized, already confirmed for the event, which is mostly taking place in the historic Pioneer Square district, are Miguel, Cut Copy, Little Dragon, The Flaming Lips and Zola Jesus. Over 200 acts will convene in Seattle this summer, June 1 to 3 be exact, for the second installment of the event,

Finally, look for an upcoming interview with ’80s pop star Kim Wilde, easily known for her universal hit “Kids in America.” The British performer has a new album out called Here Come the Aliens.

Her interview will be featured here in The Music Lounge.

SHANIA TWAIN TACOMA DOME May 3 I saw Shania Twain a few years ago during her Las Vegas residency at Planet Hollywood and she was spectacular, interactive and bubbly and a dedicated live performer.

So you’ll definitely get your money’s worth when this country queen arrives at the Tacoma Dome on her upcoming tour early next month. She always performs her big hits, so get ready to hear “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” “I’m Gonna Getcha Good,” “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”

“You’re Still the One” and my favorite, “Forever and for Always.”

years, we still can’t get enough of him and he simply has too many great songs to fill a two-hour slot. Which is why the drive or bus ride, or even a short hop aboard Amtrak, to nearby Edmonds is so worth it.

The mystery is always what he’ll play. Since he isn’t promoting a concept album at ECA, like Prima Donna or Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall, Wainwright fans might get to hear anything from “Going to a Town” to “The Art Teacher” to “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk.” Here’s hoping he includes my personal favorite, “The One You Love.”

For tickets, log onto www.edmondscenterforthearts.org.

TAYLOR SWIFT CENTURYLINK FIELD May 22 Even in a huge stadium with thousands of screaming fans and certainly not the best acoustics, Taylor Swift managed to wow a 60,000+ audience in 2015 when she last came to Seattle. This time around, she has a new album to push, Reputation, which even though it was ushered out to record stores in the final weeks of 2017 sold enough copies to claim the top spot as the biggest-selling album of last year. Those going to see Swift in action at CenturyLink Field will hear at least a handful of tracks from Reputation, but you’re probably going to also hear some of these: “Shake It Off,” “Bad Blood,” “Mean,” “I Knew You Were Trouble” and “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” For tickets, check out www.ticketmaster.com.

PINK KEY ARENA May 13 One of the hardest working artists in the business and one of the most loyal LGBT allies around, the marvelous Pink will unleash a trunkload of hits from her incredible career, several of them from her latest album Beautiful Trauma, when she comes to the Emerald City in mid-May. I’m assuming she’ll blend old favorites with new songs, which means “Raise Your Glass,” “Try,” “What About Us” and “Blow Me” will probably appear on her set list at Key Arena. For tickets, go to www.ticketmaster.com.

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT EDMONDS CENTER FOR THE ARTS May 16 Although Rufus Wainwright swings through the Puget Sound every two or three

Visit us online www.sgn.org

PAUL SIMON KEY ARENA May 18 This is it. This is the absolute last time you’ll be able to see the legendary Paul Simon perform in Seattle, so don’t say you weren’t told. The music icon, whose career spans multiple genres and decades, will appear at Key Arena next month on his farewell tour, allowing a final opportunity for local fans to hear “Sound of Silence,” “Kodachrome,” “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes,” “Slip Slidin’ Away,” “Mother and Child Reunion,” “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” and “You Can Call Me Al,” just to name a few of his beloved classics.

This isn’t a retirement party, as Simon will likely give performances in or near his native New York, but he’s throwing in the towel on touring, so it’s his last stop in the Emerald City. For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

April 13, 2018

CHRIS ISAAK CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE WINERY June 17 Chris Isaak fans were sad little cowboys and cowgirls when he axed his holiday tour last winter, which included a date at the Paramount Theatre. But let the tears of joy start flowing, as the Bay Area singersongwriter is set to launch a spring and summer tour with a scheduled performance at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. Listening to Isaak croon to “Wicked Game,” “Somebody’s Cryin,’” “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” and “Only the Lonely” underneath a blanket of stars with a good bottle of Merlot has the makings of an amazing evening.

For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Seattle Gay News 3

NOT IN OUR TOWN continued from cover

many an SMC or SWC concert in the past and the song choices were determined and filled with themes of love and acceptance for marginalized people than many a SMC or SWC concert in the past.

The power of 300 plus men and women on stage made for some gorgeous harmonies with lush interplay. Each of the choruses also had their own moments to shine.

The occasional dance number inclusions were tight and well danced and the soloists were simply marvelous.

The first number included video narration with quotes about freedom and political activism which set the context for the entire evening. Musical theater performers Andi Alhadeff, Sarah Russell and Dimitri Jai Woods recited video-taped quotes while both choruses sang “With Voices Raised” along with musical theater performer Aaron Shanks, whose voice soared.

That was followed by the heart-rending “Not in Our Town,” a song about a significant rise in overt anti-Semitism and bigotry in Billings, Montana in 1993. [http:// billingsgazette.com/news/local/a-stoneignites-a-community-billings-stood-up-towhite/article_1595787b-b44f-5a4f-b7b23a18e77615b7.html] A documentary about these events, Not in Our Town, was first broadcast on PBS in December 1995, and then Fred Small wrote the song. Scott Farrell, a frequent Choruses guest solo artist and vocal/public speaking coach (http:// www.harmonicoasis.com/), lent his strong voice and emotional delivery to the song.

The chorus to the song is: One moment of conviction, one voice quiet and clear, One act of compassion, it all begins here.

No safety now in silence, we’ve got to stand our ground.

No hate. No violence. Not in our town.

After that, the women left the stage to the Men’s Chorus and they sang “This Is Me,” “Home,” “Uprising of Love” (with a terrific solo by chorus member Lisa Brown) and Pink’s “Raise Your Glass.”

4 Seattle Gay News

Not in Our Town – Photos by Rick Wong

Randy Rainbow, the special guest artist, brought even more of a hard-edged politics into the event. His national claim to fame was a campaign-time takedown song parody of Trump via the well-known song, “Supercalifragilisticexpiallodocious,” which he calls “Braggadocious” and which he performed to much laughter and enjoyment in the second act.

He started out, though, with a newer parody, “Russian Connection,” with new words for the “Rainbow Connection” of Kermit fame. Then he parodied the musical Hamilton’s “The Room Where it Happened,” as he sang about how he would have liked to be in the room where DT Jr. and all the Russians were meeting to talk about adoptions. There was no ambiguity at all in his parody choices. He played right to the full #Resistance crowd.

The second act featured the Women’s Chorus alone on stage for many songs, including more declarations about shunning racism and hate and embracing love

April 13, 2018

and self-confidence, like “Hate Has No Home Here,” “Firework” by Katy Perry, and “Sweeping Through the City,” a gospel song about the worthy getting into Heaven with a solo by Robin D. Henderson. Henderson was so dynamic and engaging and fun that she brought the whole audience to their feet after her turn soloing with the Women. She’s a well-known gospel singer in that world with multiple albums (http:// www.robinhendersonministries.org/) and if Paul Caldwell is listening, she could totally be a great guest artist for an entire evening, herself!

Randy Rainbow found himself completely upstaged for his second act moment

by Henderson’s dynamic blast. The programming might have been adjusted for that reason.

The Men returned to join with the Women for the last part of the second act, ending the official set with “Soweto: June, 1976” and a beautiful solo by chorus member Victoria Williams. The song focused on

a famous moment in South African recent history when the youth of that country started a government protest, which mobilized the rest of the populace after children began to get killed by government forces.

Paul Caldwell co-arranged the song, and his choice to end the evening with that song emphasized his support of a lot of the political protesting going on in our country with the youth mobilizing the rest of us around gun violence.

It was a very satisfying evening, and seemed to signal a new “gloves off” kind of attitude about speaking the choral mind.

The Choruses have often been a bit “political” and always have supported social justice issues, but this program felt more “in your face” about saying so. It will be interesting to see what kinds of programming come next from the mind of Seattle Choruses Artistic Director Paul Caldwell.

Celebrating 44 Years!

Unbearably tense Place monstrously entertaining

Tensely invigorating Beirut a satisfying espionage thriller

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer BEIRUT Now playing

Noah Jupe, Millicent Simmonds, and John Krasinski in A Quiet Place – Photo courtesy of Paramount

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer A QUIET PLACE Now playing A secluded farm somewhere in America’s heartland. Lee Abbott (John Krasinski) continually works augmenting his gigantic ham radio setup, constantly hoping he can amplify the signal to the point he can hopefully converse with every corner of the globe if the need were to arise. His wife Evelyn (Emily Blunt) does their laundry almost entirely by hand, hanging the wet clothes out to dry constantly on edge that an unseen evil might be lurking somewhere in the cornfield. Their deaf daughter Regan (Millicent Simmonds) and her younger brother Marcus (Noah Jupe) play their nightly board games on the floor, rolling dice on a cushioned rug and utilizing a variety of stuffed and cloth-like tokens as playing pieces instead of utilizing anything made of more solid material.

Running around barefoot, creating pathways of softened sand in order to cushion their feet and to avoid the inadvertent rustling of leaves or the shuffling of gravel, removing most of the doors from the buildings on their property, they’ve done just about everything possible to reduce the sounds they might make to practically nothing. Why? Something is hunting, not just them, but all of humanity. Something drawn to sound. Something that, if it were to find them, would instantly devour them, and as this is a family of fighters each member is determined to do whatever it might take in order for all of them to survive.

Krasinski’s sophomore directorial outing after the little-seen comedy-drama hybrid The Hollars, the unsettling creature feature A Quiet Place is a superlative genre gem that held me nervously spellbound for each second of its 90-minute running time. Reveling in silence, utilizing an uncomforting sound design mix that puts the viewer right into the center of the action, featuring a crackerjack score from veteran composer Marco Beltrami (Logan) that’s just as much a character inside the movie as any one of the Abbotts prove to be, this is a spectacularly tense adventure that ratchets up the suspense with something akin to Hitchcock-like confidence. Krasinski hasn’t just hit it out of the park, he’s made a science fiction-based horror opus that’s the best thing to hit theatres since 10 Cloverfield Lane snuck into theatres back in 2016. This is a strong, imaginatively spine-chilling shocker, and the less one knows about what is going to transpire before watching the greater their enjoyment

quotient is likely to be.

With that being the case, I’m not going to say a heck of a lot more. I will add that the acting is terrific across the board, especially from Blunt and Simmonds. The former has long been a magnetic talent who always seems to have an uncanny ability to make any movie she’s appearing in hers with what feels like very little effort.

Here, Blunt mines emotional territories that are positively voluminous, Evelyn’s saga a never-ending series of protectively maternal highs and lows that all revolves around her unceasing desire to see her children survive this surreal, monster-infested apocalypse. It’s a masterful tour de force that builds to a ferociously compelling climax, the actress holding things together in a manner that’s unquestionably divine.

Then there is Simmonds. After making her stunning debut in Todd Haynes’ Wonderstruck just last year, the young newcomer once again amazes. The deaf actress conveys so much through her eyes and body language it is absolutely impossible to take one’s eyes off of her. The level of rage building inside of Regan, the regret, the shame, the feeling that she is not worthy of the love her parents proclaim they are sending her direction, all of that and more comes through. But when the time comes for this little dynamo of courage and enthusiasm to become a hero, it’s never a question that she’ll shirk her responsibilities, especially as it pertains to protecting Marcus. Simmonds makes all of this feel genuine in a way that’s heartrending, this performance a thing of beauty I was thoroughly captivated by.

Krasinski never lets up, his directorial hand moving various pieces this way and that as he plays his little cat and mouse most dangerous game with astonishing virtuosity. He allows Bryan Woods and Scott Beck’s scenario the freedom it needs into order to breathe and grow, rarely allowing his imprint to feel heavy or authoritarian in a way that might dilute the constant stress the scenario inherently overflows in. Krasinski also does marvelous things with both Charlotte Bruus Christensen’s (Molly’s Game) eerily sumptuous cinematography and Jeffrey Beecroft’s (Dances with Wolves) suitably weathered and livedin production design, the visual allure of this opus every bit as important as the sound design and complex character constructions both prove to be. A Quiet Place is close to perfect, this monstrously entertaining chiller a nightmare-inducing smash I’m going to be screaming the praises of for many years to come.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

Beirut. 1982. It’s been ten years since former U.S. diplomat Mason Skiles (Jon Hamm) was witness to senseless tragedy.

Now working as a corporate negotiator, he has allowed himself to become nothing less than a chain-smoking functioning alcoholic, and while his mind is as sharp as ever, his desire to do much more than the bare minimum isn’t strong. But now he’s back in Beirut, and he’s not so much of a drunk to not realize the “cultural attaché,” Sandy Crowder (Rosamund Pike), assigned to escort him around the bombed-out city is actually a covert CIA analyst who must be working for his former best friend and diplomatic co-worker Cal Riley (Mark Pellegrino).

It soon becomes clear why Mason was summoned. CIA and Embassy officials Donald Gaines (Dean Norris), Gary Ruzak (Shea Whigham) and Ambassador Frank Whalen (Larry Pine) need him for a job, and it’s one he’s been asked for personally.

Terrorists have taken Cal hostage, and their price for his return is the release of their leader Abu Rajal (Hicham Ouraqa) whom they believe is secretly being held by the Israelis. Mason understands the international implications of what this swap would mean for maintaining peace in the Middle East. At the same time, estranged or not, he’s also equally motivated to find a way to save his friend’s life. It’s a quandary, and Mason is going to need all his faculties in working order if he’s going to come up with a plan that will send all parties away from the negotiating table happy and ensures Cal goes back to his wife and family alive.

The espionage thriller Beirut is not based on a true story. Writer Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton, Star Wars: Rogue One) has fashioned his hot-button tale utilizing real places and incidents for inspiration even if the narrative itself is a fictional one.

Yet Gilroy’s script overflows in authenticity.

Much like his work on The Bourne Identity and three of its subsequent sequels (but notably not Jason Bourne, and it showed), there is a level of tactile validity that runs through the entire story from start to finish.

Like all the best fictional spy melodramas, truth must course through them in order for their crazy twists and turns to resonate.

That is happily the case here.

What’s great is how Gilroy utilizes so many different genre clichés and yet still finds ways to make them feel fresh. Mason is a burnout. He’s a drunk. He’s disheveled and has trouble putting the pieces of his life together into a finished puzzle. But while his brain might be a little weakened to all this misuse, that doesn’t mean it can’t be sharpened into something intellectually lethal if he’s suitably motivated. Gilroy gives Mason those reasons. Not just because he’s driven to help an old friend, but also because there’s joy to be found in suddenly feeling useful and valuable once again. Additionally, there’s another personal reason relating back to the tragedy a decade prior which makes him sit up at attention, a realization as to the part he helped play in Beirut’s current situation that supplies him with extra impetuous to get the job done that might not have been there otherwise.

For Brad Anderson, the film is a triumphant return to form reminding me just how strong a filmmaker the Next Stop Wonderland, Session 9, The Machinist and Transsiberian director can be. He doesn’t sensationalize the material, balancing all the different political and moralistic elements in a way that’s suitably compelling.

April 13, 2018

Jon Hamm in Beirut – Photo courtesy of Bleeker Street

What’s even better is that he allows audience members their freedom to make up their own individual minds as to what the lessons born out of this chaos, deception, turmoil and bloodshed end up being. This allows the inherent tension driving things forward to feel achingly personal, and by the time Mason started laying the groundwork for his final plan of attack I almost felt like I was just as emotionally invested in the outcome as he was.

Hamm is superb. He’s like a 1980s version of a 1940s cynical American expatriate like the ones Humphrey Bogart used to play to such perfection, guys who put up a tough, drunken façade but underneath it all were still heroes willing to do whatever it took, no matter how nasty, to ensure the day was saved. Hamm saunters through the film with a world-weary bravado that’s sadly understandable, the personal familial losses Mason endured during his original tenure in Beirut indisputably beyond the pale. But Hamm refuses to pity his character, doesn’t allow him to descend into a state of maudlin melancholy that might have made him insufferable. Instead, there remains a roguish charm sparkling in those otherwise beleaguered eyes, and watching the actor transform that little twinkle into a determined fiery blaze is nothing short of magic.

The rest of the cast does what they can, but most of them are playing archetypes and caricatures, not fully fleshed out human beings worthy of much in the way of attention. Whigham has a few nice back and forth comedic moments with Hamm that are noteworthy, while Pellegrino has one terrific scene on a military runway where Cal watches Mason walk away for what might be the last time that’s sublime.

Pike also has a handful of strong individual moments, but sadly none of them add up to much, Sandy so ill-defined some of her character’s actions feel more born of narrative necessity than they frustratingly do anything else.

But the movie works, sometimes brilliantly. Gilroy’s script nails so many of the key elements it’s hard for me to be all that angry that it isn’t perfect, while Anderson directs with confidence, refusing to accelerate the pace or toss in an extra action sequence just for the sake of doing so.

Instead, the pair let suspense build gradually, putting their primary character front and center for the audience to focus upon, each and every one of this man’s shortcomings and insecurities on naked display for them to see. As such, watching Mason do his thing as he uses his wits and his intelligence to bring his friend home is undeniably tense, Beirut a handsomely mounted Middle Eastern Bridge of Spies I almost couldn’t help but enjoy.

Seattle Gay News 5

For Pete‘s sake Andrew Haigh keeps things real with Lean on Pete

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer LEAN ON PETE Now playing I’ve spoken to Andrew Haigh three times now. The first time when he was in Seattle for the local premier of his sensational romantic drama Weekend about a couple of men who meet at a club, hook up for what they believe will be a one-night-stand, only to instead spend the entire weekend learning all there is to know about one another.

The second time was two short years ago right before the local release of 45 Years, the superb observational drama about a married couple on the verge of celebrating their 45th anniversary who suddenly find a reason to question the validity of their relationship after a long-buried secret is literally found inside a Swiss glacier, the film garnering an Academy Award nomination for iconic actress Charlotte Rampling.

This time I caught up with Haigh via phone to talk about his Portland-set slice of Americana Lean on Pete, the filmmaker’s ambitious adaptation of author Willy Vlautin’s best-selling novel of the same name featuring the likes of Steve Buscemi, Chloë Sevigny and Steve Zahn in key supporting roles. The story revolves around Charley Thompson (magnificently portrayed by newcomer Charlie Plummer), a 15-year-old kid living with his juvenile, if loving, father Ray (Travis Fimmel) in a ramshackle shack near a horse-racing track. While out jogging, he runs across local horse trainer Del (Buscemi), and after helping him out the kid is able to convince this stranger to give him a summer job as his assistant.

Things move forward from there, Charlie learning a lot about the horse racing community as he travels from fair to fair, in the process falling in something akin to love with Del’s quarter horse named Lean on Pete.

After having his world rocked by a variety of devastating tragedies, the teenager feels the need to try and track down his estranged aunt Margy (Alison Elliott), heading out on an impromptu road trip with the horse by his side as he attempts to track her down.

The movie is an authentic emotional marvel, moving from one spellbinding scene of truth, consequence and understanding to another. As such, I was understandably excited to have the opportunity to chat with Haigh once again about his latest motion picture. Here are some of the highlights from our all-too brief conversation: Sara Michelle Fetters: Am I correct in that you discovered Willy Vlautin’s novel while you were working on Weekend and then decided to marinate on it for a little while?

Andrew Haigh: Yeah. Sort of. The timeline is just a tiny bit off. I’d actually read the book right after I finished Weekend. I was able to get the rights to the story from Willy pretty quickly after that. I just loved it so much. But this was all before I made 45 Years, so we had to sit on the rights for a little while so I could go off and make that as well as try to figure out how to write a script from Willy’s novel.

But then I was also working on “Looking,” so the time from when I discovered the book to the time I could get around to writing that script just kept getting longer. These things do tend to stack upon themselves after a while.

Sara Michelle Fetters: What was it that captivated you about Vlautin’s novel? Why was this project you seemed so determined to return to even with so much else on your plate?

Andrew Haigh: It was just how I felt about Charlie, I suppose. I fell in love with that character, and I really found his journey both incredibly heartbreaking and

6 Seattle Gay News

Andrew Haigh on the set of Lean on Pete with Chloë Sevigny – Photo courtesy of A24

tragic, but also inspiring and uplifting.

His resilience in the face of so much hardship, and his determination to find some sort of comfort, I found all of that incredibly touching. After I’d read the book I kept talking to people about Charlie and I’d suddenly start to cry as if he were a real person.

I have to feel real strongly about a project in order to do it. As you observed, it takes years sometimes to get these projects off the ground. But I just loved Charlie so much. I just knew this was a story I wanted to keep hold of.

Sara Michelle Fetters: I love how your films just ooze authenticity. I always feel like I could step right through the screen and start living in them. But both Weekend and 45 Years are, in many ways, such inherently British stories. What was it like immersing yourself in Pacific Northwest culture to prepare to make Lean on Pete?

It’s such a uniquely American story, and yet, at the same time, you have made it feel so delicately universal.

Andrew Haigh: Oh, that’s great. Thank you for saying that. I think, once I got the rights, I decided to spend a good four months up in the Pacific Northwest right around the Portland area just soaking up everything I could. We’d go into the city. We’d go out into the suburbs. We’d go out to different farms.

And we would spend so much time at Portland Downs observing the horse racing and that culture, just trying to learn and understand as much as we could.

It is the little details. Those are the things you have to pick up on and learn about. Those are the things that make your film authentic. We had to go to those fairs and eat those Elephant Ears. We needed to know what they were. This was important, because it’s just one of the many little details you need for the movie to work.

But each state in the U.S. is so inherently different. You have to find those differences in all those numerous environments otherwise Charlie’s journey just won’t work.

That’s why I spent a good additional four months just driving around. I drove all the way down to Denver. After that, I actually continued up going all the way to Montana.

Staying in motels. Eating in diners. Camping outside. I did all that type of thing.

Again, just to soak up the atmosphere a little bit. I needed to do all of that otherwise I don’t think I could have written a script.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Speaking of Portland Meadows, was it difficult to get them to sign on to the film?

Andrew Haigh: It was really difficult.

April 13, 2018

Travis Fimmel and Charlie Plummer in Lean on Pete – Photo courtesy of A24

It was very, very touch and go for a while.

There was one point where it wasn’t going to happen and we were thinking about trying to go up your way to Seattle to Emerald Downs. But finally at the last moment they gave their approval although we had to change the name of the park from Portland Meadows to Portland Downs.

But, I understand why it took so long.

Filming on their property, especially on the backside where all the trainers are, it’s rather intrusive. Yet I’m so glad they finally gave their permission. It’s such an important location in the book. Shooting there just felt right. I think I would have been devastated had they not allowed us to shoot there.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Well, from an authenticity standpoint, I do have to give you a little bit of hard time. Charlie keeps talking about being from Spokane, WA, which just so happens to be my hometown.

So what’s with this “Forest Creek High School” t-shirt that he’s wearing? None of the actual high schools in Spokane would lend you a t-shirt?

Andrew Haigh: Ha! Oh no! You’ve ruined it! I guess I need to go back into the film and redub it. Do a little CGI on the t-shirt. [laughs] I’m going to have to blame Willy. That school is from the novel, so we can blame him. What do you think?

Sara Michelle Fetters: Works for me. [laughs] So, I knew Charlie Plummer was a decent little actor with tons of potential the first time I saw him in something. Even

then, I was not remotely prepared for just how fantastic he is here. He’s extraordinary.

Andrew Haigh: He’s just so talented, don’t you think? He really is. Just a wonderful young talent. He finds things in scenes, certain kinds of emotional levels, that I didn’t even know were there. That’s such a difficult thing for actors to do.

I’ve said this before in other interviews, but he really does remind me of Charlotte Rampling. They both try and find something unusual in a scene, something surprising. It isn’t like, I’m going to cry in this scene, or I’m going to do something melodramatic in this scene, it’s instead about finding something more interesting, more internal, more authentic, and I love that. I don’t need to know everything what a character is feeling. In fact, I don’t want to know. I just want to know something is happening behind their eyes, I want to see it there, and Charlie is incredible at that.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Those early scenes, between Charlie and Travis Fimmel, who plays his father Ray, even though we as an audience don’t know a lot about the two characters and their backstory, their performance and the ease in which they interact with one another ends up telling us all we need to know.

Andrew Haigh: That’s so true. For me it’s always a thing that I think most movies do give away too much. In this case, you don’t really need to know that stuff.

Instead, it’s about finding the small little details that make a relationship feel real.

Celebrating 44 Years!

The fact that his dad is not a one-note character dad, that’s important. He loves his son. He cares about his son. But he also isn’t the best dad. He’s sort of a big kid himself.

More a big brother than he is Charlie’s dad.

It’s little moments, like where Travis steals the hat off of Charlie’s head. Or the stealing of food off of a plate. It’s all about finding those little tiny moments that make you feel that there is a history between these people.

I don’t think you need the other stuff.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Do you find that, for actors like Steve Buscemi, Chloë Sevigny and Steve Zahn, that it’s become easier to convince them to appear in a little low budget drama like this one after the success you’ve had with Weekend, 45 Years and “Looking”?

Andrew Haigh: I think it definitely helps.

Yes. But I also think it takes a certain type of actor to pursue a role in a film like this one.

These supporting roles, they’re really rather odd. They drift in and out of the story at different intervals. They don’t get their big dramatic endings. They don’t reappear.

Which, for me, is what I always found so fascinating about the story. It feels so much more true to life. People come into our lives and they drift out of our lives. They don’t all always get to stay a part of our lives forever. And all of the actors understood that.

They embraced that challenge. And they’re all incredible. I’m so happy they all wanted to be a part of the film.

But, yeah, I never would have gotten any of them without the other movies. It certainly helps to get actors like Buscemi and Chloë Sevigny when you’ve had a bit of success.

Sara Michelle Fetters: When Steve Buscemi does show up, what was it like shooting those scenes with him? He’s just wonderful.

Andrew Haigh: He really is. But we talked a lot about the character and his place in the film. I just didn’t want him to pop up out of nowhere and have people be like, “Oh look, that’s Steve Buscemi!” I didn’t want it to be this big thing. And he totally bought into that. So, when we first see him, we don’t actually see him at all.

We hear him. Charlie finds him. And so, even though we’re introducing this new, vital character, the scene is still all about Charlie and his story.

But Steve Buscemi was just such a great presence on set. He’s so thoughtful and kind as an actor. He was so generous to Charlie as an actor. I couldn’t have asked for more. It was really great.

Sara Michelle Fetters: I think, for people who have never read or are unfamiliar with the book, this is an easy movie to get a false sense of security about. You really think you know where things are heading, that you know what is going to happen. Then you pull the rug out in an entirely unexpected way. Were you worried at all that, what worked so well in a book, might not work as well in movie? Were you worried you might potentially lose the audience?

Andrew Haigh: It’s tricky. I believe I know what you’re referring to, and I appreciate your not spoiling it for the audience.

But, that moment, it’s a tricky moment in the book and it’s an especially tricky moment in the movie. It ends up being all about balance.

It’s also about how much are you willing to show. I mean, you need to show the incident, but, if you go too far, it might become exploitive or sensationalistic, and you don’t want to lose the audience emotionally.

I do think, when you have a story that seems like it’s about a boy and his horse, certain expectations come along with that.

As such, it’s really hard to change those expectations. I mean, even if the movie is called Lean on Pete, which is also the name of the horse, the story has really always been about Charlie. That’s always the focus. But, yes, those changes, those shocking moments, they are tough. Figuring out what an audience can deal with and what they cannot deal with. It changes for every person. So we spent a lot of time on that scene. A lot of time.

Sara Michelle Fetters: I noticed going through the production notes, Allison Elliott isn’t mentioned anywhere. Am I not supposed to mention her? Is there some sort of spoiler involving her character I’m supposed to be keeping secret?

Steve Buscemi in Lean on Pete – Photo courtesy of A24

lie literally runs into Del (Steve Buscemi), a horse trainer in desperate need of assistance due to a bum hand, after helping him out, the teenager just up and asks for a job.

Next thing the kid knows he’s helping clean out stables, washing horse trailers and making friends with Del’s current stock. With no prior familiarity with horses, to Charlie’s surprise he ends up becoming infatuated with a Quarter Horse named Lean on Pete. The pair bond immediately, their walks around the track’s training areas a daily delight. But as eye-opening as trips to county fairs and horse racing tracks throughout Oregon and Washington might be, Charlie can’t help but think Del’s treatment of Pete, his constant usage of him in race after race with almost zero rest, will destroy the horse sooner rather than later, the emotional toll almost more than he can bear.

Based on the book by author Willy Vlautin, 45 Years and Weekend writer/director Andrew Haigh returns with the devastatingly evocative and hauntingly emotional Lean on Pete, a mesmerizingly austere drama filled with sincere truths that are frequently startling. What starts as a selfcontained coming of age character study quickly blossoms into an impromptu road trip that that will take Charlie across the western United States, almost all of it on foot and with Pete sauntering slowly behind him.

While the reasons for his leaving are better left unsaid so as not to spoil any surprises, Haigh grounds things with a deft precision that makes the teen’s decision to head out on his journey, no matter how foolhardy it might be, come from a place of authentically realized truth that’s heart-wrenching.

There’s just so much to love. I felt like

I was living inside this Pacific Northwest world Haigh had manufactured. I knew these people. I’d been to these places. I’d eaten an Elephant Ear and have jogged along the unknown back roads of the city I lived in marveling just how close the quiet countryside and the noisy cacophony of an urban downtown core could somehow coexist. I could relate to what it was Charlie and Ray were dealing with, and while my family’s money troubles were never as overtly critical as theirs prove to be, I can still understand the oceanic expanse of the emotions they were swimming through as each tried their best to do the right thing for the other.

Once Charlie does start his long trek with Pete I found it impossible not to urge him forward even if he was making a huge mistake stepping out that door. From that point forward there is an observational poetic resonance that I couldn’t resist.

Charlie has a number of individual encounters, all of them opening up additional themes for Haigh to explore. The nature of these vignettes are varied, each spotlighting an element of the human condition that’s as familiar as it is complicated. It’s memorable stuff, Charlie’s understanding of each situation changing and becoming more nuanced and complex as he attempts to get to his ultimate destination.

Plummer is in virtually every scene and the young actor proves to be more than up to the challenge. The King Jack and The Dinner actor delivers an extraordinarily complex performance, traveling through an emotional maelstrom with astonishing clarity. He has a scene in a hospital talking with the doctor who had been treating his father that had me clutching my armrests, the expressiveness of Plummer’s reactions crushing. Later on, he has a moment with a young woman he meets on his travels that had me holding back different kind of tears,

the level of kindness and compassion flowing out of the actor as the two conversed and connected while washing dishes simply sublime.

Haigh manages to get the best out of his supporting cast as well. Not just out of the familiar faces like Buscemi, Fimmel, Amy Seimetz, Steve Zahn or Chloë Sevigny, but also out of the mass of newcomers who comprise the majority of the people Charlie comes across during his trek. Whether movie star, veteran character actor or unrecognizable novice, all feel entirely suited to the respective role they are playing, allowing the film to achieve another level of authentic resonance that significantly augments the emotional components that drive the plot onward. Best of the bunch might be Alison Elliott, her character’s brief speech to Charlie near the end of the story carrying the same sort of hypnotic empathetic grace that Michael Stuhlbarg’s deservedly lauded climactic monologue in Call Me by Your Name brought to that critically acclaimed Academy Award winner.

Beautifully shot with a stark sensitivity by cinematographer Magnus Nordenhof Jønck (A War), Lean on Pete achieves a visual elegance that grows more expansive and expressive as it goes along. As lovely as it all looks, however, Haigh never loses sight that this is Charlie’s story and his story alone.

Even sudden plot turns that, unless they are familiar with Vlautin’s source material, will catch almost every member of the audience by surprise only exist to add to the teenager’s tale in ways that are effectively genuine. The bitter truths of life’s regrets and hardships are all ones Charlie gets to look upon with a forceful clarity that is rare for a teenager to experience, his ability to persevere and still cling onto the aspirational hopes and dreams of a future adulthood that’s right around the corner unforgettably inspiring.

Andrew Haigh: Well, if there was you just ruined it with that question. [laughs] But, no, we’re not trying to hide anything. I just think when we were writing those production notes we just didn’t want to leave any clues as to where Charlie might be ending up. But her performance and her character aren’t some big secret.

And Allison is terrific, isn’t she? It was such a great thing casting her for that role.

There’s some sort of ideal, I think, about who that character is supposed to be, and we wanted someone who could make a more grounded version of that ideal, a more complicated version of who that character might be. And Allison just does a wonderful job of that. She’s very good.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Changing gears for a moment, what were the conversations between you and cinematographer Magnus Nordenhof Jønck like? How did you achieve the visual look of the film, especially during that poetically lyrical midsection after Charlie hit the road?

Andrew Haigh: We talked a long time about how we wanted to feel. That was really all it was. It’s all about how you get

across certain emotions especially if you’re not using a lot of music and there really isn’t any dialogue. You’re not manipulating the audience through those kinds of means, so you have to find a visual way to tell your story from that emotional perspective.

We wanted it all to feel grounded in reality. The film needed to have a beauty to it, but hopefully not in a traditional sense.

We wanted there to still be a gritty feeling to it all. So, gritty but still beautiful, and doing it without pushing too hard with that visual poetry. And Magnus truly is an artist. His work speaks for itself.

Sara Michelle Fetters: I have to wrap things up, and I know I’ve asked you this question in both our previous two interviews, but it just feels so appropriate once again considering this is such an emotional story that really asks its audience to feel something as they watch Charlie’s story play itself out.

With that in mind, what do you hope people are talking about as they exit the theatre?

What do you hope they are feeling?

Andrew Haigh: Those are the key questions, aren’t they? It’s really interesting what people are feeling and talking about

after the film. For me, I always want the film to linger on in someone’s mind. I want them to go home and then maybe some random image will pop in their head and they’ll suddenly smile.

Personally, I think the movie is about the importance of kindness, about having compassion for those that are having such difficult lives. I think that’s what I would like people to take away, the thought that maybe we could all be a little bit kinder to one another.

Sara Michelle Fetters: Andrew, I lied.

I do have one more quick silly question.

Your first film way back when was Greek Pete. Now we have Lean on Pete. Is there going to be a capper to what is obviously a “Pete” trilogy?

Andrew Haigh: That’s hilarious. [laughs] I think there’s going to have to be, don’t you think? Things can’t come in twos. It feels like the Universe will collapse if you don’t complete the trilogy. I think at some point, maybe when I’m like 70, I’ll just have to make something else with the name “Pete” in the title. You know. For the Universe.

April 13, 2018

Seattle Gay News 7

LEAN ON PETE continued from cover

Visit us online www.sgn.org

Funny Blockers a knowing multigenerational comedy

John Cena, Leslie Mann, and Ike Barinholtz in Blockers – Photo courtesy of Universal

by Sara Michelle Fetters SGN A&E Writer BLOCKERS Now playing Speaking with her best friends Kayla (Geraldine Viswanathan) and Sam (Gideon Adlon) at lunch, Julie (Kathryn Newton) reveals she and her longtime boyfriend Austin (Graham Phillips) are planning to have sex on prom night. Not wanting to be left out, Kayla states she’s going to do the same. After a little thinking, and feeling a little accidental peer pressure, Sam also goes along with losing her virginity on prom night, even though she’s personally not certain the person she wants to be popping her cherry with is the guy that asked her to the big dance.

After the ladies leave for the evening in a limousine, Julie’s mother Lisa (Leslie Mann) inadvertently stumbles upon text messages between the three friends cleverly talking about their secret sex pact in colorful emoji code. Joined by Kayla’s

overprotective father Mitchell (John Cena) and Sam’s estranged dad Hunter (Ike Barinholtz), she decides she is going to stop her daughter from losing her virginity. The three parents head into the night not really knowing what it is they are attempting to do, their only real goal to meet up with their children and hope that their advice, no matter how misguided it might be, will lead them to make the best choice possible.

What on the surface looked like some gender-flipped American Pie but with an intrusive parental twist, the new R-rated comedy Blockers proves to be a far more intelligently stupid thing than I thought it would be. While silly, while obviously spawned from a 1980s and ’90s comedic mindset that gave the world favorites like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Revenge of the Nerds, Weird Science and the aforementioned American Pie, there is still something sweetly genuine about this motion picture that caught me by surprise. There is a knowing warmth to it all, not only amongst the interactions of its teenage cast but between

its adult members, too, and while no The Edge of Seventeen or Diary of a Teenage Girl this is still a knowing, wonderfully endearing character-driven romp I’m devilishly happy I took the time to see.

The directorial debut of Pitch Perfect writer Kay Cannon, where the film excels is in how deftly it balances its two competing storylines. The parents are just as important as the teenage girls are, each half of the tale running parallel to its sibling, everything tying together during the climax in a way that is charming, humorous and emotionally pure. Brian Kehoe and Jim Kehoe have written a script that’s shrewdly complex on a relationship level. Julie, Kayla and Sam are real friends, three people who have been there for one another through thick and thin practically from the first moment they stepped inside a kindergarten class.

Yet they don’t tell one another everything.

They still conceal facets of who they are and what they want out of life in fear of being judged. Rightly or wrongly, as open as they are with one another, some aspects of their personality still remain hidden, and it is the ability to look beyond the known and the unknown that truly makes this trio’s friendship unbreakable.

It’s not quite the same for the parents.

Even though their kids are BFFs, they’ve spent the last decade-plus doing their best to remain strangers. At least that’s the case with Lisa, the single mother so wounded by past relationships she has difficulty forging friendships with others, especially men.

While Mitchell would rather this wasn’t the case, this Type A personality still respects the boundaries his fellow parent has established for herself. More, both adults choose to distance themselves from Hunter after his divorce from Sam’s mother is finalized, never taking the time to find out what happened between the two and instead thinking the worst about him even though each knows better.

Granted, it’s the parent stuff that is home to the best and the worst that the film has to offer. Some of the humor is just plain priceless. The banter between Mann, Cena and

Barinholtz is strong throughout, each bringing their own sense of pace and timing, yet all three finding a way to make their differing styles mesh together in a consistently appealing manner. But it is in their story where the most misbegotten and childish pieces of this comedic puzzle also fit together, and while some of the gross-out gags provoke their fair share of belly laughs, others are just too icky and too slavishly infantile to be anything but embarrassing.

The stuff with the teenagers is also fairly wild, booze and drugs flowing freely as the three ladies throw off childhood with as much wild abandon that each is individually comfortable with. But Julie, Kayla and Sam’s prom night isn’t all about excess and debauchery. The real emphasis is on the young women’s friendship, their sisterly bond, and it’s the naturalism of their interactions that gives this story its heart. Cannon doesn’t sensationalize their actions, doesn’t try to transform any of the teens into some male fantasy only designed to focus their sexualized gaze upon.

While the central thread revolves around the potential loss of virginity, the real point of this journey is all about fairness, equality, trust and honesty, the film ending up being all the stronger because of this.

Cena is a laugh riot, proving once again he’s a force of comedic nature who also just happens to be a far more confident actor than I think he’s typically given credit for. Mann is also superb, and while Lisa isn’t too far removed from characters she’s portrayed in films like This is 40, The Other Woman or Vacation, that does not make her performance any less divine. As for the three young newcomers portraying the daughters, all of them are excellent, Viswanathan arguably standing out the most if only for a third act scene between her and Cena that noticeably tugged at my heartstrings. Blockers is a really funny motion picture. Better, it’s also an emotionally authentic one, that combination making this comedy something of a minor sensation I’m certain to be watching again soon.

Praise be, “The Handmaid’s Tale” Season 2 is right around the corner

“The Handmaid's Tale” – Photos courtesy of Hulu

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer If you STILL haven’t seen Season 1 of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” you have time to binge-watch it before Season 2 is released on April 25.

The highly acclaimed TV series, which collected a slew of Emmys, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild and Critics Choice awards during the fall and winter seasons, became a global phenomenon when audiences from Canada to the UK

8 Seattle Gay News

to Australia expressed their amazement and overall approval of the show, which is an adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s 1985 dystopian novel.

All of Season 1’s principal cast is returning to the action, most importantly its leading tour-de-force Elisabeth Moss (Offred/June Osborne), along with Ann Dowd (Aunt Lydia), Joseph Fiennes (The Commander), Madeline Brewer (Janine) and Max Minghella (Nick).

What series producer and writer Bruce Miller did brilliantly for the television

April 13, 2018

drama is modernize the story from the book to include characters that represent today’s society, mainly a thoughtful assemblage of LGBT and African-American people. Among them is Alexis Bledel, who delivered one of last season’s most gut-wrenching scenes when her character Ofglen/Emily and Lesbian partner are found guilty by a supreme council within The Republic of Gilead and given the harshest of sentences.

Also returning to Season 2 is Moira, Offred’s best friend who is Gay as well, played by Samira Wiley. But coming on board to The Handmaid’s Tale this season is Cherry Jones, who is openly Lesbian in real life and will star as Offred’s mother. I can’t wait for the scenes between those two!

SPOILER ALERT: Don’t read past this if you haven’t viewed Season 1 yet.

So, where did we leave off? For starters, Offred was whisked away by Nick to Lord knows where, and he did it in front of a fuming Commander and his wife. In the trailers released by Hulu, the online network with exclusive rights to air the series, Offred appears to be in big trouble and to have been forced back to Gilead. Will she be reunited with her daughter, or husband Luke (O.T. Fanbengle)? Will she be returned to The Commander and his wife?

What will happen to Nick, for his role in assisting with Offred’s authorized release?

And what will happen to Ofglen? Pun-

ished brutally after her relationship with her “Martha” wife is discovered, along with the fact she was part of the resistance group Mayday, it’ll be very interesting to see how the character is developed, seeing as in the book she commits suicide. And speaking of taking her own life, Janine survived her jump off the bridge. Remember Aunt Lydia calling her a “stupid girl” as she lay on a hospital bed in a coma? Will Miller extend the storyline of Janine wanting custody of her daughter, or will she succumb to Gilead’s unremitting law?

Will the resistance make any strides – I mean, we’ve gotta cheer for someone, right? – or, will The Republic of Gilead gain power?

Perhaps the biggest reason so many of us are invested in this series is the eerie timing of it. We’re living in this world, we’re living in Gilead. Maybe not in Seattle, but there are places on this planet right now where women are subjected to abuse and torture as a result of deep religious practices. Women being stripped of their rights, their families and their dignity is a real thing, even in the year 2018.

We need answers to many questions, so here’s hoping Season 2 of “THT” takes us on another wild, intense, shocking, surprising and emotional ride. Hurry up, April 25!

Celebrating 44 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

April 13, 2018

Seattle Gay News 9

10 Seattle Gay News

April 13, 2018

Celebrating 44 Years!

Evenings Out Start Here

“APPETIZING DEALS FOR ANY OCCASION”

Your Neighborly Cannabis Shop®

10:00am–11:45pm daily 2413 E. Union Street Seattle, WA 98122 206-420-2180 PonderSeattle.com

ponderseattle @pondernw @ponder_seattle Cannabis has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product and for use only by adults 21 and older.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

April 13, 2018

Seattle Gay News 11

12 Seattle Gay News

April 13, 2018

Celebrating 44 Years!

BOOKS

Jake Biondi on BOYSTOWN Season 8

by MK Scott SGN Contributing Writer BOYSTOWN series author Jake Biondi recently released the highly-anticipated eighth book of his BOYSTOWN series.

“The eighth book is a very special one, so a Valentine’s Day release date seemed appropriate,” Biondi told fans of his BOYSTOWN book series.

“Because of the success of the series, fans from all over the world have been asking me when book eight will be available.

The ending to BOYSTOWN Season Seven foreshadowed the deaths of two main characters, including a member of the Mancini family, and readers tell me they are longing to know who died.”

Biondi promised that readers won’t be disappointed by his latest installment. “Season Eight picks up right where book seven left off and slowly resolves the cliffhangers that ended the seventh installment, including the deaths of two major characters.

But don’t expect to find out those two identities right away. In true BOYSTOWN fashion, there are many twists and turns at the start of Season Eight before readers discover exactly who died.”

I had a chance to chat with Biondi last month by email. Here is what he said: MK Scott: Boystown Season 8 is finally here! What are some key moments

Image courtesy of Jake Biondi

in this book?

Jake Biondi: Season Eight picks up where Season Seven ends, resolving many but not all of the cliffhangers that ended that book. This time around, however, I delay the resolution of a few loose ends. In particularly, the ending of Season Seven hinted at the deaths of two main characters; however, readers will not find out the

identities of those characters until several chapters into the new book. Also, I tried to “spread out” some of the major “shocks” in the story lines throughout the entire new book rather than waiting until the end. That way, readers really enjoy a roller coaster experience of twists and turns throughout all of Season Eight.

MK: What will make this different from the other seven seasons?

Biondi: I think BOYSTOWN Season Eight is the most emotional of the books.

Several couples come to crossroads and must decide whether or not to move forward together. Other non-romantic relationships experience stress as well – and one relationship, in particular, resolves their issues in a tearful scene about threequarters of the way through the book. In addition, the new book is jam-packed with more twists and turns that have become the hallmark of the BOYSTOWN series. Readers won’t be disappointed.

MK: Tell us about any new characters.

Biondi: BOYSTOWN Season Eight introduces two exciting new characters: Victor DelVecchio and Brad Ward. Victor shares a romantic past with Gino Ciancio and a secret past with another main character. Brad is a college football player who knows Hugo Martinez, but his real identity isn’t revealed until the final pages of the book.

MK: After eight books who is your favorite character to write about?

BILL SCHELLY continued from cover

common love of Spandex-clad supermen superseded such things as race, religion and, to Schelly’s astonishment, sexual orientation.

He traces the secret origins of comic book fandom and how it helped save his life in his new book, Sense of Wonder: My Life in Comic Fandom – The Whole Story.

The Seattle resident has evolved from fan to award-winning comic journalist over the past 50 years, but Sense of Wonder succeeds in capturing those days of his youth first in Pittsburgh and later in Idaho where he would create fanzines – homemade fan magazines replete with art work, reviews, opinion pieces and original superhero prose stories – and mail them to the other comic book fans across the country and around the world. They had all found each other after their home addresses were printed at the bottom of their missives in the letters columns in the pages of DC and Marvel comics.

Soon, Schelly was publishing several fanzines, including one called “Sense of Wonder.” Sense of pride is what he got, considering his earliest dream was to write books and sell them at a street corner stand much in the way someone would sell freshly squeezed lemonade.

His fanzines attracted a large subscription-paying following and helped him connect with fellow fans of Batman, SpiderMan and other colorful heroes. It all happened through the miracle that is the United States Postal Service. They would not only trade fanzines, but also letters comparing printing techniques back when ditto and mimeograph machines were cutting-edge technology.

The kid who used to duck into the school library and wait for the bullies to go home after school had finally cultivated a trusted, albeit widespread, circle of friends. From a safe distance, they couldn’t tell he was not athletic or not outgoing or not straight. They probably wouldn’t have cared, anyway.

“It was a place where everybody was equal,” Schelly said. “True, there were some people who were older who we would call the big-name fans. I wasn’t a big-name fan; I was a little-name fan. But, I was

Bill Schelly – Photo by Adam Haney

allowed to sit at the table with everyone else and publish my own magazine and I was mailing it out and getting back coins from people who were ordering it. It was quite an amazing time.”

Sense of Wonder is an updated and expanded version of the book he published in 2001. That book ends with Schelly arriving in Seattle in 1974 straight from the campus of the University of Idaho. He came here looking for work and eager to immerse himself in the gay social scene. He boogied the nights away at Shelly’s Leg and The Golden Horseshoe and he soaked in the social life on Capitol Hill. (When Schelly published the first version of his memoir in 2001 he didn’t mention the fact that he is gay in any of the details in the book perhaps because he was working for the federal government at that time.)

Schelly returned to his writing roots in his forties and went on to write the definitive retrospectives of such luminary comic book figures as Otto Binder, Joe Kubert and John Stanley. His book, Harvey Kurtzman: The Man Who Created MAD and Revolutionized Humor in America, earned him

Visit us online www.sgn.org

an Eisner Award – the comics industry’s equivalent to the Oscars.

In his memoir, Schelly demonstrates a good sense of humor about churning out a series of books after 40: I was a late bloomer. One day, fellow comics historian Michelle Nolan said after reading Man of Rock (about Joe Kubert), “If you’d started writing when you were younger, Bill, you could have been a really fine writer.” After we both burst into laughter (because it hadn’t come out quite the way she meant it), I had to say that I have no regrets about being a late bloomer. It’s never too late to start. Frank McCourt didn’t publish his first book – Angela’s Ashes, which won a Pulitzer Prize – until he was sixty-six. Norman Maclean was seventy-four when he published his only novel, the best-selling A River Runs Through It. So, Michelle, who knows?

Maybe there’s still time for me to become “a really fine writer.”

Biondi: I still love writing the core characters: Cole, Derek, Justin, Emmett, and Keith. However, I am really enjoying the new character Victor DelVecchio. He’s exciting, sexy, bright, and mysterious. I’m hoping that readers will come to like him as much as I do. All the characters are a part of me, so I really like writing them all.

MK: I know your dream is to get the series on TV. How is that going?

Biondi: Actually, it’s coming along great. In fact, there may be TWO versions of the series coming to TV. One pilot has already been shot and another version is in the planning stages. I can’t say much more, but I’m confident that fans will be viewing BOYSTOWN before the end of 2018.

MK: My Burning Question: Will there be a 9th season and when?

Biondi: Of course. BOYSTOWN Season Nine is already in the works and should be released during the 2018 holiday season.

BOYSTOWN Season Eight is currently available for pre-order on iTunes, Kindle, and Nook. The series is available in paperback, audio book, and all e-book formats. Readers may order autographed paperback copies of the books directly from BoystownTheSeries.com.

MK Scott is a local arts blogger.

Please check out his new online magazine at uniteseattlemag.com helped shape his life as anything. A warm conversation with Jack Kirby, a scolding from Steve Ditko, a few encouraging words from Stan Lee – these brushes with comic book legends live in Schelly’s heart.

So it should come as no surprise that the first two people Schelly came out to were fellow comic book fans. He mentioned it in letters he sent them. One of the pen pals never spoke to him again. The other, Mario, was, by chance, gay, too. And in a toostrange-for-comic-book-script twist, Mario would become Schelly’s first love.

But beyond that, Sense of Wonder chronicles the inevitable highs and lows that life has wrought over his past 40-plus years in Seattle. There are loves found and loves lost. There’s fruitless job searches and gainful employment. There’s the joy that came with having two children with a lesbian couple and the grief that followed when cancer claimed the life of his son at age 20.

Through it all, Schelly, 66, who lives in the Lake City area, has maintained a sense of wonder – and by and large he has his dad to thank for that. In addition to everything else, Carl Schelly came through that fateful day at the train station in 1960 when young Bill first cast his eyes upon Giant Superman Annual No. 1.

Dad had already bought Schelly’s brothers comics for a dime each. This Superman comic in Bill’s eager hands was 25 cents.

Dad hesitated, but finally plunked down the quarter.

“Writing this memoir did affect my feelings about my father,” Bill said. “At a certain point, I felt like he wasn’t that good of a father because he was rather distant.

As I began to remember all the things he did for me, like buying me a set of oil paints when I was 10 or 11 and buying me my first comic book, which obviously had a big effect on me, and many other things he did, I realized I was wrong. I think he was a good father. I feel sad that I can’t tell him that because he is no longer here.”

Sense of Wonder: My Life in Comic Fandom – The Whole Story by Bill Schelly (419 pages, North Atlantic Books, $25.95). For more information, log on to northatlanticbooks.com or billschelly.net

To be sure, the book is as much about how comic books and their heroes have

April 13, 2018

Seattle Gay News 13

Volunteer Park

• BACON MANSION

E. PROSPECT ST.

E. WARD ST. E. ALOHA ST.

12TH AVE. E.

E. ROY ST.

16TH AVE. E.

15TH AVE. E.

13TH AVE. E.

• B&B ON BROADWAY E. ROY ST. • UNDER U 4 MEN

E. VALLEY ST. 14TH AVE. E.

11TH AVE. E.

FEDERAL AVE. E.

10TH AVE. E.

BROADWAY AVE. E.

• SHAFER MANSION

E. MERCER ST.

MALDEN AVE. E.

BROADWAY E.

• THE CANTERBURY E. REPUBLICAN ST. E. HARRISON ST.

E. THOMAS ST.

10TH AVE. E.

E. DENNY WAY

E AV

• UPS STORE

.

• CLUB Z BATHS

• THE STRANGER

11TH AVE.

E. HOWELL ST.

• CASTLE SUPER STORE

NAGLE PL.

Cal Anderson Park

• LAMBERT HOUSE

BROADWAY

HARVARD AVE. E.

Seattle Central Seattle Central College Community College

C.C. ATTLEʼS•

E. JOHN ST.

• NEUMOʼS

N

GAY CITY HEALTH PROJECT •

• NEIGHBOURS

E. AV RE

T.

ES

PIK

BOYLSTON AVE.

• GLOʼS

R

• SEATTLE EAGLE

BO

T.

ES

PIN

• BALTIC ROOM

• LINDAʼS • BILLʼS OFF BROADWAY

O

IV OL

• HOT MAMAʼS PIZZA • TOYS IN BABELAND

IN

AY EW

• R PLACE

.

ST

M

HO

L

EL

W

BELMONT AVE.

• REBAR

SUMMIT AVE.

• KREMWERK

• STEAM WORKS

A EW

ST

• THE CRESCENT

.

ST

• GSBA

RT

• SIMPLY FRAMES & MINER GALLERY

STUDIO 229 • NYX/PANACHE • LAUGHING BUDDHA TATTOO •

BELLEVUE AVE.

• SEATTLE COUNSELING SERVICE FOR SEXUAL MINORITIES MELROSE AVE.

• JULIAʼS

DENNY WAY

E. OLIVE ST. GLSEN ONYX LEATHER • SEAMEC

• STOUT • PURR

UNICORN• • POST OPTIONS •WILDROSE • HOT HOUSE

• THE GASLIGHT INN

• POCO WINE ROOM

• THE CUFF COMPLEX • POKE BAR

E. UNION ST.

SEATTLE SEATTLE

• RUCKUS

E. PINE ST.

E.

T.

NS

ISO

D MA

• DOGHOUSE LEATHERS

E. PIKE ST. • CHOP SUEY • MADISON PUB • DIESEL BAR • PONY

E. UNION ST.

LATACOMA CONNER

WILDROSE - 1021 E. Pike - 324-9210 ZIPPY’S GIANT BURGERS GLO’S - 1621 E. Olive Way - 324-2577 5633 Airport Way S - 466-5954 THE HERON INN & WATERGRASS DAY SPA HOT MAMA’S - 700 E. Pine St. - 322-6444 OVER’S 9614 14th Ave SW - 763-1347 117 CASTLE Maple Ave. - (877) 883-8899 - info@the- 25801 104th Ave. SE - (253) 852-1720 SUPERSTORE BABELAND - 707 E. PIZZA Pike St. - 328-2914 JAZZ ALLEY - 2033 6th BATHS CLUB Z - (men) heron.com THE FANTASY SHOP 6015 Tacoma Mall Blvd. - (253) 471-0391 CASTLE SUPERSTORE #17Ave. E. - 441-9729 1117 Pike near Boren - 622-9958 JULIA’S - 300 Broadway Ave. E. - 860-1818 604 Central Ave. S - (253) 850-8428 CLUB SILVERSTONE 1017 E. Pike St - 204-0126 HOT HOUSE SPA & SAUNA - (women) KREMWERK - 1809 Minor Ave. #10 - 682-2935 CASTLE SUPERSTORE #17 BAR (Drag Shows) CLUB Z - (men) NASHVILLE’S SPORTS 739½ St. Helens Ave. - (253) 404-0273 DOGHOUSE LEATHERS MADISON PUB 1315 E. Madison 325-6537 SW corner of Pike & 11th 1017 E. Pike St - 204-0126 1117 Pike near Boren - 622-9958 114 Railroad Ave. N (253) 852-0909 THE FANTASY SHOP 1312 E. Pike St. 257-0231 DARBY’S CAFE NEIGHBOURS 1509 Broadway 324-5358 behind Wildrose) - 568-3240 DOGHOUSE LEATHERS HOT HOUSE(stairs SPA & SAUNA - (women) 211 5th Ave. - (360) 357-6229 2301 6thS.E. Ave. - (253) 272-6640 EMERSON SALON - 909 E. Pike St. - 323-7437 OUT WEST - 5401California Ave. SW STEAM WORKS - (men) 1312 E. Pike St. - 257-0231 SW corner of Pike & 11th LOVER’S LOVER’S FANTASY THE UNLIMITED PINE BOX - 1600 Melrose Ave - 588-0375 1520 Summit - 388-4818 EMERSON SALON - 909 E. Pike St. - 323-7437 (stairs behind Wildrose) - 568-3240 3959 Martin Way E.Mall SuiteBlvd., D - (360) POCO WINE 7002 Tacoma #F -456-7300 (253) 475-2271 2027 Westlake Ave.ROOM - (206) 682-0167 HASHTAG - 3540 Stone Way N - 946-8157 - 311 4th- Ave. E. -Helens (360) 956-3247 STEAM WORKS - (men) 1408 E. -Pine - 322-9463 THE MIX 635 St. Ave. - (253) 383-4327 THE INN & WATERGRASS DAY SPA JAKES NEWHERON YORK EXCHANGE 1510 1st Ave (206)St.624-1784 1520 Summit Ave - 388-4818 POKE- BAR 1542 12th - 402-5178 225 Maple Broadway - 726-3300 RAINBOW CENTER 117 Ave. E. - (877) 883-8899 HASHTAG 3540- Stone Way Ave N - 946-8157 88 KEYS - 315 2nd Ave. S. - 839-1300 PONY - 1221 E. Madison St. - 324-2854 ONYX LEATHER - 1605 12th Ave. #8 - 328-1965 2215 Pacific Ave. - (253) 383-2318 info@theheron.com HERBAN LEGENDS - 55 Bell St - 849-5596 BALTIC ROOM - 1207 Pine St. - 625-4444 PURR - 1518 11th Ave. - 325-3112 OZ - 3831 Stone Way N - 251-0630 MAPLE ROSE INN JAVA CAFE SHAKABRAH HERB(N) ELEMENTS RESTAURANTS & BARS THE BOTTLENECK LOUNGE R PLACE - 619 E. Pine - 322-8828 PANACHE 112 2618 Reservoir Rd --(800) 6th Ave. (253)570-2007 572-2787 11013RE-BAR Lake City WayHowell NE - 535-8769 2328 E. Madison St. - 323-1098 - 1114 at Boren - 233-9873 225 Broadway E. - 726-3300 LAUGHING 88 KEYS - 315 2ndATTLE’S Ave. S BAR - 839-1300 C.C. & GRILLE ROOT BUDDHA TABLE 2213TATTOO NW Market St. - 420-3214 RUCKUS 1465 E Republican St. - 257-4805 1534 Broadway - 329-8274 DARBY’S CAFE 1701- E. Olive Way SEATTLE EAGLE - 314 E. Pike - 621-7591 BALTIC ROOM 1207 Pine St. -- 726-0565 625-4444 THE FANTASY SHOP THE CANTERBURY - 534 NEW YORK EXCHANGE - 441-5449 211 Ave. SE SW - (360) 357-6229 SHORTY’S 2222 2nd Ave ANDY’S THE BOTTLENECK LOUNGE 15th Ave. E. - 322-3130 96305th 16th Ave. - 762-3299 CHANGES IN WALLINGFORD STOUT -1530 11th Ave 397-3825 1401CLUB W. 1stOUT Ave. & - (509) 747 - 0304 ABOUT 225 Broadway E. - 726-3300 LOVER’S TABOO ADULT VIDEO 2328 E. Madison St. - 323-1098 2103 N. & 45th - 545-8363 STRAY 9813 Martin 16th Ave SWE,- Suite 767-4855 327NIGHTCLUB W. Lewis St., Pasco - (509) 543-3796 ONYX TOULOUSE LEATHERPETIT - 1605 12th Ave. #8 - 328-1965 3959 Way D - (360) 456-7300 C.C. ATTLE’S BAR GRILLE THE CRESCENT - 1413 E. Olive Way - 720-8188 601Stone Queen Anne Ave N - 432-9069 TOYS IN BABELAND E. Pike St. - 328-2914 415 W. Sprague Ave. - (509) 624 - 4450 OZ - 3831 Way N - 251-0630 JAKES - 311 4th Ave. -E707 - (360) 956-3247 1701 E. Olive Way - 726-0565 THE CUFF COMPLEX UNICORN - 1118 E Pike - 325-6492 NYNE BAR AND BISTRO UNDER U 4 MEN PANACHE - 225 Broadway E. - 726-3300 THE CANTERBURY - 534 15th Ave. E - 322-3130 232 W. Sprague Ave. - (509) 474 -1621 709 Broadway Ave. E. - 324-6446 RUCKUS 1465 E Republican St 257-4805 CHANGES IN WALLINGFORD UNCLE IKE’S THE FANTASY SHOP LOVER’S - 530 Southcenter Blvd. - (206) 248-5085 2103 N. 45th - 545-8363 2310 E Union St - 1-800-GET-DRUGS 9630 16th Ave. SW - 762-3299 MAPLE ROSE THE CRESCENT - 1413 E. Olive Way - 720-8188 501 15th Ave EINN - 1-800-GET-DRUGS CASTLE SUPERSTORE TABOO ADULT VIDEO 112 570-2007 THE CUFF COMPLEX - 1533 13th Ave. - 323-1525 9822Reservoir 15th AveRd SW- (800) - 1-800-GET-DRUGS 6015 Tacoma Mall Blvd. - (253) 471-0391 9813 16th Ave SW - 767-4855 DIESEL BAR - 1413 14th Ave. - 322-1080 WILD AT HEART CLUB SILVERSTONE TRUE LOVE ART GALLERY & TATTOO 1111 NW Leary Way 782-5538 GLO’S - 1621 E. Olive Way - 324-2577 739½ St. Helens Ave. - (253) 404-0273 1525 Summit Ave - 227-3572 HOT MAMA’S PIZZA - 700 E. Pine St. - 322-6444 THE FANTASY SHOP UNDER U 4 MEN ANDY’S - 1401 W. 1st Ave. - (509) 747 - 0304 JAZZ ALLEY - 2033 6th Ave. E - 441-9729 2301 6th Ave. - (253) 272-6640 709 Broadway Ave. E - 324-6446 STRAY NIGHTCLUB JULIA’S - 300 Broadway Ave. E - 860-1818 LOVER’S LOVER’S UNCLE IKE’S 415 W. Sprague Ave. - (509) 624 - 4450 7002 Tacoma Mall Blvd., #F - (253) 475-2271 KREMWERK - 1809 Minor Ave. #10 - 682-2935 193 Telegraph Road - (360) 752-1862 2310 E Union St - 1-800-GET-DRUGS THE MIX - 635 St. Helens Ave. - (253) 383-4327 NYNE BAR AND BISTRO THE LUMBER YARD - 9619 16th Ave. SW - 695-2007 RUMORS CABARET RAINBOW CENTER 501 15th Ave E - 1-800-GET-DRUGS 232 W. Sprague Ave. (509) 474 -1621 MADISON PUB - 1315 E. Madison - 325-6537 1119 Railroad - (306) 671-1849 2215 Pacific Ave. - (253) 383-2318 9822 15th Ave SW - 1-800-GET-DRUGS NEIGHBOURS - 1509 Broadway - 324-5358 SHAKABRAH JAVA CAFE WILD AT HEART OUT WEST - 5401California Ave. SW 2618 6th Ave. - (253) 572-2787

BATHS

1533 13th Ave. - 323-1525

DIESEL BAR - 1413 14th Ave. - 322-1080 RETAIL SHOPS

KENT

RETAIL SHOPS

OLYMPIA

LA CONNER

RESTAURANTS & BARS

PORT ANGELES

OLYMPIA

SPOKANE TRI-CITIES

PORT ANGELES

TUKWILA TACOMA

SPOKANE BELLINGHAM

THE PINE BOX - 1600 Melrose Ave - 588-0375 POCO WINE ROOM - 1408 E. Pine St. - 322-9463 POKE BAR - 1542 12th Ave - 402-5178 PONY - 1221 E. Madison St. - 324-2854 PURR - 2307 24th Ave E - 325-3112 QUEER BAR - 1518 11th Ave - 687-7491 R PLACE - 619 E. Pine - 322-8828 RE-BAR - 1114 Howell at Boren - 233-9873 ROOT TABLE 2213 NW Market St. - 420-3214 SEATTLE EAGLE - 314 E. Pike - 621-7591 SHORTY’S 2222 2nd Ave - 441-5449 STOUT -1530 11th Ave - 397-3825 TOULOUSE PETIT 601 Queen Anne Ave N - 432-9069 UNICORN - 1118 E Pike - 325-6492 WILDROSE - 1021 E Pike - 324-9210 ZIPPY’S GIANT BURGERS 5633 Airport Way S - 466-5954 9614 14th Ave SW - 763-1347

14 Seattle Gay News

1111 NW Leary Way - 782-5538

BELLINGHAM

LOVER’S 193 Telegraph Road - (360) 752-1862 RUMORS CABARET 1119 Railroad - (360) 671-1849

DES MOINES

ADULT AIRPORT VIDEO 2 21635 Pacific Hwy S - 206-878-7780 SECRETS 22862 Pacific Hwy S - 206-878-8480

EVERETT

ADULT AIRPORT VIDEO 11732 Airport Road - (425) 290-7555 LOVER’S - 112 SE Everett - (425) 353-3607 LOVER’S - 3402 Broadway - (425) 252-8754

April 13, 2018

DES MOINES

ADULT AIRPORT VIDEO 2 21635 Pacific Hwy S - 878-7780

EVERETT

ADULT AIRPORT VIDEO 11732 Airport Road - (425) 290-7555 LOVER’S - 112 SE Everett - (425) 353-3607 LOVER’S - 3402 Broadway - (425) 252-8754

KENT

TRI-CITIES

CLUB OUT & ABOUT 327 W. Lewis St., Pasco - (509) 543-3796

TUKWILA

LOVER’S 530 Southcenter Blvd. - (206) 248-5085

Seattle Gay News is available at most Seattle, King County, Tacoma, and Pierce County Public Libraries.

If your branch library isn't carrying SGN, please let us know!

206-324-4297 sgn2@sgn.com

LOVER’S 25801 104th Ave. S.E. - (253) 852-1720 THE FANTASY SHOP 604 Central Ave. S. - (253) 850-8428 NASHVILLE’S SPORTS BAR (Drag Shows) 114 - Railroad Ave. N. - (253) 852 - 0909

Celebrating 44 Years!

community calendar

Meetings Events Activities

TO GET A CALENDAR LISTING: To have your meeting or event considered for the Community Calendar, please mail, fax, or drop off details to: SGN, Attn: Community Calendar, 1707 23rd Ave., Seattle, WA 98122.

SGN phone: (206) 324-4297. E-mail: sgn2@sgn.org.

INCLUDE: Date, time, location, contact phone # for publication (if possible), brief description of event & sponsoring organization. DEADLINE: Tuesday 5pm.

ACCESSIBILITY: Is your event accessible to LGBTQ people with visible or hidden disabilities? See Jean’s List webpage www.scn.org/activism/calendar/disabilities. html for Marla Nonken’s disabilities accommodations lists.

NOTE: 10-digit dialing has come to the Seattle area.

The (206) area code must now be used to dial local calls. Location of meetings/events is in Seattle unless otherwise noted.

SATURDAY - April 14

A Gathering of Men in Edmonds. 8:15-11:30am.

Edmonds UUC, 8109 224th St SW, Edmonds. Meets 2nd Saturday each month. Men gather monthly for drumming, singing, storytelling & sharing of life experience. We create a safe, confidential & sacred space in which a man can speak his truth from the heart, to heal & empower himself. We are fiercely non-political, non-sectarian & non-judgmental. All men are welcome. www.agatheringofmen.org Seattle Frontrunners Fun Run. 9am. Greenlake (outside Evans Pool). Every Saturday. GLBT running & walking club sponsors weekly runs, monthly potlucks, track & field activity, annual Run With Pride. (206) 4488518. www.seattlefrontrunners.org.

Positively Living Coffee Social. 9:30am-12 noon.

Cupcake Royale, 1111 E Pike St. Every Saturday. Casual social get-together for the HIV community. Anthony, 206-957-1600. Sponsored by LIfelong.

Rainbow Walk for LGBTQ Elders 50+ - Green Lake Walk. 12 noon-1pm. 7201 E Green Lake Dr. N. Every Saturday starting 3/31 - Come Rain or Shine! - Meet at the Wading Pool (along the north end of the lake). Hot coffee and beautiful Rainbow umbrellas to use “just in case.” For info, call (206) 393-3400;. Wheelchair-friendly walk. Sponsored by Generations Aging With Pride.

Gay Kickball Welcome All $5 Pick-Up Game. 1:45pm.

Bobby Morris Playfield, 11th Ave & E Pine St. Join us for our welcome all $5 gay kickball pick-up game. Please wear something comfortable to run around in. Soccer/ softball cleats (non-metal) or tennis shoes will be fine.

Bring water or Gatorade. Come with friends or come alone to make new friends. Bring $5 cash. Our league starts May 5 and you can register at GayKickball.com/ seattle.html.

Georgetown Art Attack. 6-9pm. Meets 2nd Saturday each month. Reflects the industrial-strength character of the neighborhood. For information stop into Georgetown Records at Airport Way S & S Vale or visit www. georgetownneighborhood.com Imperial Court of Seattle - “Lipstick and Glitter” - Imperial Prince & Princess Ball and Investitures. 6pm doors, 6:30pm show. The Cuff Complex, 1533 13th Ave. $15 suggested donation. www.imperialcourtofseattle. org; www.facebook.com/ISCSORE Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma - For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Youth, Ages 14-25. 6pm-12 midnight. Call for location & details. Every Saturday. (253) 671-2838. www.oasisyouthcenter.org.

(Also Thursdays & Fridays 4-10pm.)

Ballard’s Second Saturday Artwalk. 7-10pm. Pick up maps at participating shops & galleries located in the Ballard business district (Ballard Ave NW & NW Market St area). Meets 2nd Saturday each month. Enjoy an evening of art as local galleries & businesses showcase artists from Ballard & beyond. (206) 784-9705; visitballard.com “Ominous Adages, Faceless Obsessions & Other Narratives” - Linocuts by Alan LaMont - Artist Reception. 7-10pm. Grumpy Old Man’s Comics, Art & Collectibles (The Curmudgeon Gallery), 1732 NW Market St. “Legendary Children.” Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st Ave. 8pm-11pm. Seattle Public Library will host “Legendary Children,” an evening of representation, dance, empowerment, art and social justice that celebrates Queer and Transgender people of color. This evening is free although drinks and food are not, and everyone is welcome. You must have ID to drink. Facebook registration is recommended. Legendary Children will have live performances and DJs, alongside art by some of the Pacific Northwest’s most talented Queer artists. Everyone is invited to join in the conversations sparked by SAM’s special exhibition “Figuring History: Robert Colescott, Kerry James Marshall, Mickalene Thomas,” which will be open and free during this event. Curated highlights from the Library’s collection will also be available for check out. This event is made possible by the Seattle Public Library Foundation. It is presented in partnership with Seattle Art Museum, The University of Washington Q Center, Pride Asia, and La Sala.

Seattle Red Dress Party. 8pm-1am. 415 Westlake, 415 Westlake Ave N. Benefit dance and party hosted by Gaysha Starr and Aleksa Manila with Dirty Sanchez, DJ Riz, Adra Boo, Ruth Soto and more! To benefit Seattle AIDS Legacy Memorial, Gay City, and PrideFest Tickets: $50 general; $150 VIP; $350 ultra VIP for 2. Tickets: SeattlePrideFest.org.

SUNDAY - April 15

April 14 thru April 22 sion before we play. Usually there is a “one-beer” after the scrimmage. To sign up visit www.raincitysoccer.org Seattle Poly Potluck & Discussion Group. 5-8pm. (contact for new location) Meets 3rd Sunday each month. For people interested in polyamorous, open, and ethically non-monogamous relationships. $5 donation; please bring a potluck dish. This event is open to the public. Look for us on Facebook or Meetup.

Seattle Basketball Club Spring League Kick-Off. 6-9pm. 3405 Lind Ave SW, Renton. We are rebooting LGBTQ basketball for the Seattle area. All genders and all skill levels welcome. Teams are forming now and the Spring 2018 League starts April 14 @ 6pm. Sponsored by the Seattle Basketball Club.

Shame to Grace (SAA). 6-7:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Sunday. Sex Addicts Anonymous is a fellowship of men & women who share their experience, strength & hope with each other so they may overcome their sexual addiction & help others recover from sexual addiction or dependency. Seattle SAA helpline (206) 237-8828, SAA International Service Organization 1-800-477-8191. (206) 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Pride League Bowling. 6:30pm. West Seattle Bowl, 4505 39th Ave SW. Every Sunday. Regular league bowling. Jeff, (206) 932-3731; leagues@wsbowl.com.

[EXCEPT no bowling June, July & August.]

Integrity/Puget Sound. 7pm Worship & Fellowship. St. Mark’s Cathedral, Thomson Chapel, 1245 10th Ave E. Integrity is an international ministry of Gay & Lesbian Episcopalians, their friends & families, dedicated to education, support & service within the Church & the GLBT community. (425) 226-2746.

Noche Latina - Latino Night. 10pm. Neighbours, 1509 Broadway. Every Sunday.

MONDAY - April 16

Center for Spiritual Living. 8:25, 9:45, 11:30am. 5801 Sand Point Way NE. Blessings & we hope to see you soon! (206) 527-8801 ext 203, www.cslseattle.org Gay Men’s Bowling in Everett. 9:30am. Glacier Lanes, 9630 Evergreen Way, Everett. Every Sunday. Spectators welcome. Join us for lunch afterwards! Sponsored by the Snohomish County Gay Men’s Task Force. For info email John at johndmarsh@mac.com; www.gaysnohomish.org University Lutheran Church. 9:30am Worship, 10:30am Coffee Fellowship, 11am Adult Forum & Education Hour. 1604 NE 50th St. All are welcome. We choose love. (206) 525-7074. universitylutheranseattle.org University Unitarian Church. 9:30am & 11:15am Sunday Services. (Late June-Aug 9:30am only.) 6556 35th Ave NE. Interweave is the official name for LGBTQ groups in the Unitarian-Universalist family as a common thread of identification. UUC’s Interweave group meets the first Friday every other month (Oct, Dec, Feb, April & June) usually at UUC for a potluck, a summer picnic or whatever else we might dream up. Drop in & join us. www.uuchurch.org for details.

Baha’i Prayer & Fellowship Circle. 10am. Pearl Warren Bldg, 606 12th Ave S. Meets 3rd Sunday each month. Share prayers, readings, thoughts & music. All backgrounds, all faiths welcome. (206) 391-2188.

Plymouth Church United Church of Christ. 10am Workship. 1217 6th Ave. Love your (LGBTQ) neighbor as yourself. (206) 622-4865, plymouthchurchseattle.org Ethyl Forever Car Club, Pacific NW Region Lambda Car Club Monthly Tire Kick/Social. 10:30am. Randy’s Restaurant, 10016 E Marginal Way S (south of the Museum of Flight). Meets 3rd Sunday each month.

This monthly informal auto enthusiasts event starts with breakfast at this location with a show & tell and continues to a chosen point of interest. Open to all LGBTQ persons & friends who have an interest in the automobile, not just collector or performance vehicles. ethylforever@hotmail.com St. Clement’s Episcopal Church. 10:30am Worship.

1501 32nd Ave S. Great music. Dynamic preaching.

Holy communion. Encountering the transformative and unconditional love of God in Christ. Join us! www. stclementseattle.org Seattle Sunday Bowling. 10:30am. West Seattle Bowl, 4505 39th Ave SW (at SW Oregon St). Open bowl every Sunday for the GLBT community & friends. You don’t have to worry about how you bowl! $6.50 + $3 shoe rental. (425) 785-4729.

Welcome Table Christian Church. 9:45am Meditation; 10:30am Worship; Labyrinth 2nd Sundays 1-4pm. 1322

Visit us online www.sgn.org

S Bayview St. Where people of all genders and sexualities, and families of all shapes & sizes are welcome and celebrated. A welcoming and affirming community since 1987. welcometablecc.org Meditation for GBT Men. 11am-1pm. Cal Anderson House, 400 Broadway. Suitable for beginning & experienced meditators. Sponsored by Dharma Buddies.

Contact Forrest Rode, (206) 920-6117, or Doug Allison, doug.l.allison@gmail.com. Find us under “Dharma Buddies” under Meetup.com or DharmaBuddies.org.

(Women may wish to contact our sister meditation group at www.LotusSisters.org.)

Just for Today (NA). 12-1:15pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Sunday. Drop-in 12-step Narcotics Anonymous group open to anyone in recovery. (206) 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org New Beginnings (SLAA). 12 noon-1pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E #201, O’Neil Room. MEETS DAILY (except Saturday). Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous is a 12-step/12- tradition-oriented fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope to overcome sex and love patterns of addiction. (206) 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Paths to Recovery Al-Anon Family Group. 12-1:30pm.

Seattle University Student Center, 901 12th Ave, Room 122. Every Sunday. LGBTQ supported. The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives & friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength & hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness & that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Greater Seattle AIS 24-hour number (206) 625-0000; www.seattle-al-anon.org Rainbow Walk for LGBTQ Elders 50+ - Green Lake Walk. 12 noon-1pm. 7201 E Green Lake Dr. N. Every Sunday starting 3/25 - Come Rain or Shine! - Meet at the Wading Pool (along the north end of the lake). Hot coffee and beautiful Rainbow umbrellas to use “just in case.” For info, call (206) 393-3400;. Wheelchair-friendly walk. Sponsored by Generations Aging With Pride.

Orca Swim Team Workout. Sun: Afternoon; Mon/Weds/ Fri: Evenings; Tues/Thurs: Mornings. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. Preregistration required. Orca Swim Team workouts are for both competitive & recreational swimmers. www. orcaswimteam.org Rain City Soccer Club - Kickabout. Sunday afternoon usually at 3pm. Location varies. Join us for Seattle’s mostly-weekly mostly-LGBTQ pickup soccer game. We play an organized, 2-hour scrimmage on nice fieldturf surface. Sometimes there is a brief training/practice ses-

April 13, 2018

Rainbow Walk for LGBTQ Elders 50+ - Volunteer Park Walk. 12 noon-1pm. 14th Ave E & E Prospect St. Every Monday starting 3/26 - Come Rain or Shine! - Meet at Black Sun sculpture across from museum. Hot coffee and beautiful Rainbow umbrellas to use “just in case.”

For info, call (206) 393-3400;. Sponsored by Generations Aging With Pride.

SOBER On Meds. 1-2pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Monday. 12-step group open to anyone in recovery & living on a medicine regimen. (206) 3222437; www.sasgcc.org Strength Over Speed (SOS). 2-3:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Peer support for Gay and Bisexual men recovering from crystal meth addiction. www. strengthoverspeed.org. (206) 322-2437.

“TapasTree” Event with Generations Aging With Pride. 5pm. “The Bridge,” Village Cove, 6850 Woodlawn Ave N. The Generations Aging With Pride Board of Directors invite you to our first-ever Generations Aging With Pride “TapasTree” event. This FREE event is for LGBTQ adults and their allies who wish to inspire the future programs and services of Generations Aging With Pride. This special event is a multipurpose friends, fun, future, funds raiser - weaving together music, morsels, and memories. RSVP to 206-393-3400 is requested.

On Metro bus routes 26, 45, 62, 316. gapseattle.org Seattle Women’s Commission Meeting. 5:30-8pm.

Municipal Bldg, 600 4th Ave Rm 221. Meets 3rd Monday each month (except December). SWC is a 20-member volunteer advisory board that advises the Mayor, City Council, & all City of Seattle departments on matters concerning women & women’s rights. Meetings open to the public. (206) 684-4537.

PFLAG/Kitsap County (Bremerton) Monthly Meeting. 6-7pm. Kitsap Pride, 532 5th Ave #20, Bremerton.

Meets 3rd Monday each month. Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays is a national support organization for parents, spouses & families of GLBT persons, as well as those minorities. www.kitsappflag.org and on Facebook. kitsappflag@yahoo.com. (888) 636-0652. PFLAG/Puget Sound: (206) 325-7724.

Orca Swim Team Workout. Evening. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See Sunday afternoon listing.)

Freely Speaking Toastmasters. 7pm. Seattle Unity Church, 200 8th Ave N. Every Monday (except holidays & the last Mondays in August & December). Seattle’s only LGBT speaking club. www.FreelySpeaking.org PFLAG/Everett (Snohomish County) Monthly Meeting. 7pm. Stillaguamish Public Meeting Room #1, Robert J. Drewell Bldg., 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett. Meets 3rd Monday each month. Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays is a national support organization for parents, spouses & families of GLBT persons, as well as those minorities. www.pflageverett.org; PFLAG/Puget Sound: (206) 325-7724.

Trans Youth Group. 7-8:30pm. Lambert House, 1818 15th Ave. Every Monday. A chance for youth to talk with others about their experiences & concerns related to identifying as Transgender. www.lamberthouse.org Lambert House Art Night. 7:30-9:30pm. 1818 15th Ave. Every Monday. Bring your ideas & let’s have some fun.

(206) 322-2515, www.lamberthouse.org Destiny/Unity AA Meeting in Tacoma. 7:30-8:30pm.

Christ Episcopal Church, 310 N “K” St, Tacoma. Every Monday. LGBTQ-friendly AA meeting. (253) 474-8897.

(Also meets Fridays.)

Washington Gender Alliance Support Group Meeting in Shoreline. 7:30pm. Center for Human Services, 17018 15th Ave NE, Shoreline. Every Monday. www. washingtongenderalliance.com

Seattle Gay News 15

TUESDAY - April 17

Orca Swim Team Workout. Morning. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See Sunday afternoon listing.)

LGBTQ+ Group. 1:15-2:15pm. Orion Center, 1828 Yale Ave. Every Tuesday. A group for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 & their allies. Sponsored by Youthcare.

(206) 622-5555.

Rainbow Walk for LGBTQ Elders 50+ - Alki Beach Walk. 2-3pm. 61st Ave SW & Alki Ave SW. Tuesday starting 3/27 - Come Rain or Shine! - Meet at Statue of Liberty statue. Hot coffee and beautiful Rainbow umbrellas to use “just in case.” For info, call ((206) 393-3400;.

Wheelchair-friendly walk. Sponsored by Generations Aging With Pride.

LGBTQ Questioning & Allied Youth Drop-in Group in Renton. 6-8pm. Renton Area Youth Services (RAYS), 1025 S 3rd St, Renton. Every Tuesday. Confidential.

Snacks provided. Bring friends or come alone - anyone 12-18 is welcome. Questions? Call Sarah Hardin, (425) 271-5600 ext 155, or email sarahh@rays.org Seattle Police Department LGBTQ Advisory Council Monthly Meeting. 6-8pm. Seattle Police Department East Precinct Community Meeting Room, 12th Ave & E Pine St. Meets 3rd Tuesday most months. An opportunity for the GLBT community to speak openly with the SPD to dialog on public safety issues, plan officer training on sexual-minority topics, suggest ways to improve communications & procedures, explore protection strategies to minimize Gay-bashing incidents, & address other related concerns. The Sexual Minority Community Advisory Council has been established by the SPD to increase relationships & communication between the community & the SPD. Members of the GLBT community are invited to attend. kim.bogucki@seattle.gov Strength Over Speed (SOS). 6-7:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Peer support for Gay and Bisexual men recovering from crystal meth addiction. www. strengthoverspeed.org. (206) 322-2437.

Diverse Harmony. 6:30-9pm. Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave. Every Tuesday. Diverse Harmony is the nation’s first Gay/Straight Alliance Youth Chorus. Youths ages 13-22 are welcome regardless of sexual orientation. www.diverseharmony.org No Man’s Land - For Female-Identified Youth, Ages 22 & Under. 7-8:30pm. Lambert House, 1818 15th Ave. Every Tuesday. Topics range from family issues to school happenings to like/lust/love relationships. All Queer females welcome. Come discuss how smart. strong Queer women live their lives. (206) 322-2515, www.lamberthouse.org Tuesday Night Sex Addicts Anonymous (GLBTQI).

7-8:30pm. All Pilgrims Christian Church, 500 Broadway E (enter at 509 10th Ave E; buzz in, Dickson room). Every Tuesday. SAA is a fellowship of men & women whose primary purpose is to stop addictive sexual behavior & help others recover from sexual addiction. Seattle SAA helpline (206) 237-8828. SAA International Service Organization 1-800-477-8191.

Men’s Discussion Group. 7:30-9pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Tuesday. Peer group for Gay & Bi men. (206) 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Here & Now Gay & Lesbian AA Meeting in Tacoma.

7:30pm. Christ Episcopal Church, 310 N “K” St, Tacoma.

Every Tuesday.

Spiritual Empowerment. 7:30-9pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. A vibrant drop-in workshop for those of any spiritual belief. (206) 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Seattle Otters Water Polo Team. 8-9:30pm. Medgar Evers Pool, 500 23rd Ave E (at E Cherry St). Every Tuesday & Thursday. GLBT & GLBT-friendly co-ed water polo team is open to all who want to play. Beginners & experienced players welcome. Check our website for up to the minute details, or call the Otter Hotline (206) 414-8797. www.otterpolo.com. [EXCEPT no water polo mid-June through Labor Day Weekend.]

Seattle Poetry Slam. Doors 8pm, Show 8:30pm. Rebar, 1114 Howell St. Every Tuesday. A spoken word poetry event that features a weekly open mic, feature poet, and slam (poetry competition). Come out and express yourself. LGBTQ- & QTPOC-friendly; all genders welcome. $5. 21+. seattlepoetryslam.org

WEDNESDAY - April 18

Mature Friends Walk Around Greenlake. 11am. Meet up at 10:50am with a group of older men gathered at the north end of the parking lot that is next to the boathouse along the southwest side of Greenlake. Every Wednesday. Walk around Greenlake followed by lunch at a local restaurant. www.maturefriends.org Rainbow Walk for LGBTQ Elders 50+ - Volunteer Park Walk. 12 noon-1pm. 14th Ave E & E Prospect St. Every Wednesday starting 3/28 - Come Rain or Shine! - Meet at Black Sun sculpture across from museum. Hot coffee and beautiful Rainbow umbrellas to use “just in case.”

For info, call (206) 393-3400;. Sponsored by Generations Aging With Pride.

True Colors: Connecting LGBTQ Teens in Shoreline.

4-5pm. Every Wednesday. Discussing your important issues, building a supportive community. For information, location & to REGISTER call Lindsay Bagley (206) 362-7282 x 8018 or email lbagley@chs-nw.org Positively Living. 5-7pm. Lifelong, 1016 E Pike St., 3rd Fl. Every Wednesday. Social and support group for the HIV community with various topics for discussion and conversation. Anthony, 206-957-1600. Sponsored

by Lifelong.

GLOBE (GLBTQ Loving Ourselves, Becoming Empowered): A Support Group for GLBTQ+Youth (14-20) serving Snohomish County & surrounding communities. 6-8pm. Phone or email for location. Every Wednesday. Sponsored by PFLAG Everett. Brenda, (425) 263-2908. globeleaders@hotmail.com

16 Seattle Gay News

community calendar

Queer Seattle Book Club. 6pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E (upstairs). Every Wednesday. This month’s title is “The Sparsholt Affair” by Alan Hollinghurst. https://faculty. washington.edu/swittet/SGLBookClub/ Lotus Sisters Meditation & Dharma Discussion North. 6:15-8pm. Ravenna Bryant neighborhood. Every Wednesday. Call (206) 525-7295 for location. www.

LotusSisters.org.

Center for Spiritual Living. 6:30pm-Meditation, 7pmService. 5801 Sand Point Way NE. Blessings & we hope to see you soon! Info (206) 527-8801 ext 203, www.cslseattle.org Orca Swim Team Workout. Evening. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See Sunday afternoon listing.)

Seattle Frontrunners Fun Run. 6:30pm. Volunteer Park, 14th Ave E & E Prospect St. Every Wednesday.

Meet at Black Sun sculpture across for museum. (See Saturday at 9am.)

Ingersoll All-Trans Drop-In Support Group. 7-9pm.

Seattle Counseling Services, 1216 Pine St, Suite 300.

Every Wednesday. All Transgender, Gender Variant, Gender Queer, Gender Questioning, allies, family & friends are welcome. This is a drop in group to get & give support, social interaction & information for the whole Gender community. No fee, donations welcome. www. ingersollcenter.org Mature Friends Weekly Bridge Group. 7pm. Wallingford Community Senior Center, lower level of Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnywide Ave N. Every Wednesday. All levels welcome. MF is a social organization for Gay men & women, 40 years & over. www. maturefriends.org Mature Friends Pinochle Group. 7:30pm. Wallingford Community Senior Center, lower level of Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnywide Ave N. Meets 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month All levels welcome. MF is a social organization for Gay men & women, 40 years & over. www.maturefriends.org Washington Gender Alliance Open Support Meeting in Everett. 7:30-9pm. Everett United Church of Christ, 2624 Rockefeller Ave, Everett. Every Wednesday.

Trained peer facilitators lead a structured support meeting helping people deal with issues of gender identity & expression. All adults are welcomed, including those who are questioning, allies, or identify as FTM, MTF, Transgender, Queer, or Intersex, among others. (360) 445-2411; www.washingtongenderalliance.com.

THURSDAY - April 19

Orca Swim Team Workout. Morning. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See Sunday afternoon listing.)

Safe and Sober (AA). 12noon-1pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. (206) 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Seattle LGBTQ Employees for Equality (SEqual).

12noon. Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave, Room 4070. Meets 3rd Thursday each month. Open to the public.

BABES Women’s Support Group/Lunch Meeting.

12 noon-2pm. Call for location. Every Thursday. The BABES Network is a peer led agency; a sisterhood of women facing HIV together. (206) 720-5566 or 888-2921912; www.babesnetwork.org.

Rainbow Walk for LGBTQ Elders 50+ - Green Lake Walk. 12 noon-1pm. 7201 E Green Lake Dr. N. Every Thursday starting 3/29 - Come Rain or Shine! - Meet at the Wading Pool (along the north end of the lake). Hot coffee and beautiful Rainbow umbrellas to use “just in case.” For info, call (206) 393-3400;. Wheelchair-friendly walk. Sponsored by Generations Aging With Pride.

LGBTQ Allyship “Talk Gender to Me” Kick-Off Happy Hours. 3-6pm (Coastal Kitchen, 429 15th Ave E) and 4-8pm (The Wildrose, 1021 E Pike St.) “Talk Gender to Me” is a project to provide professional training around gender considerate language in the workplace with co-workers and their customers. For more information, visit allyship.org Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma - For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Youth, Ages 14-25. 4-10pm. Call for location & details. Every Thursday. (253) 671-2838, www.oasisyouthcenter.org (Also Fridays 4-10pm & Saturdays 6pm-12 midnight.)

B-GLAD (Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Trans & Questioning Adolescent Drop-In Group). 6:30-8pm. Call for location. Every Thursday. Sponsored by Youth Eastside Services, which offers many programs for GLBT youth.

(425) 747-4937.

Seattle LGBTQ Commission. 6:30-8:30pm. Municipal Bldg, 600 4th Ave, Room 221. Meets 3rd Thursday each month. Seattle LGBTQ Commission is made up of 15 volunteer members who work to ensure that the City of Seattle fairly & equitably addresses sexual minority concerns. Meetings open to the public. (206) 684-4514. www/seattle.gov/lgbtq Bottom Dwellers Scuba Club Monthly Potluck & Meeting. 7pm. Meets 3rd Thursday each month. Bottom Dwellers promotes safe & responsible scuba diving & other outdoor activities for the GLBT community & friends at all experience levels. For info & location, www. bottomdwellers.org.

Boys Group - For Male-Identified Youth, Ages 1422. 7-8:30pm. Lambert House, 1818 15th Ave. Every Thursday. Youth take the opportunity to talk about issues that relate to their everyday lives, with the facilita-

April 13, 2018

tion of a male volunteer. (206) 322-2515 ext 16. www. lamberthouse.org GLBT Legal Clinic. 7-9pm. Meets 3rd Thursday each month. QLaw Foundation holds a monthly legal clinic addressing the legal needs of LGBT individuals & couples.

Volunteer attorneys provide FREE 30-minute consultations. For information and to schedule an appointment, call (206) 235-7235. Clinic volunteers return calls on Tuesdays between 12noon-3pm. For information, visit www.q-law.org/legalclinic PFLAG Bellevue/Eastside Monthly Meeting. 7-9pm.

First United Methodist Church, 1934 108th Ave NE, Bellevue. Meets 3rd Thursday each month. Wheelchair accessible. We offer support and education in a safe, confidential, and welcoming atmosphere and serve East King County communities including Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Sammamish, Bothell, Woodinville, Duvall, Snoqualmie, and Carnation. The first half of each meeting is dedicated to support, the second half is usually a guest speaker. See http://community.pflag.org/PFLAGBellevue. Contact us at info@ bellevue-pflag.org or (425) 483-6642. PFLAG Bellevue/ Eastside is a support and advocacy group, uniting members of the LGBTQ community with friends, families, and allies. PFLAG does not promote one political or religious view and is inclusive to people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and faiths. Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays is a national support organization for parents, spouses & families of GLBT persons, as well as those minorities.

21st Century Bowling. 7pm. West Seattle Bowl, 4505 39th Ave SW. Every Thursday. Regular league bowling.

Jeff, (206) 932-3731; leagues@wsbowl.com. [EXCEPT no bowling June, July, August.]

Buddhism & Recovery. 7:30-9pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Thursday. A meditation/recovery group. (206) 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Gay Fathers Association of Seattle. 7:30-9pm. Group Health, 201 16th Ave E, Central Bldg, Lower Atrium.

Every Thursday. Support meetings for Gay fathers & Gay men who are currently or previously married. Safe, anonymous, non-judgmental environment of caring fathers & friends. You are not alone. For information, community events & “questioning” visit www.gfas.org or our message board at http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/ gayfathersseattle Gay Male Sexuality & Relationships. 7:30-9pm.

SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Thursday.

Ongoing support group open to Gay and Bisexual men.

(206) 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org [NOTE: Please contact the facilitator prior to attending.]

Seattle Otters Water Polo Team. 8-9:30pm. Medgar Evers Pool, 500 23rd Ave E (at E Cherry St). Every Tuesday & Thursday. (See Tuesday listing at 8pm.) [EXCEPT no water polo mid-June through Labor Day Weekend.]

FRIDAY - April 20

Ageless in Recovery (AA). 12noon-1pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Friday. A drop-in AA group for 55+. (206) 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Rainbow Walk for LGBTQ Elders 50+ - Kubota Gardens Walk. 12 noon-1pm. 9817 55th Ave S. Every Friday starting 3/30 - Come Rain or Shine! - Meet at the corner of 55th Ave S and Renton Ave S. Hot coffee and beautiful Rainbow umbrellas to use “just in case.”

For info, call (206) 393-3400;. Wheelchair-friendly walk.

Sponsored by Generations Aging With Pride.

Road to Recovery (SLAA). 12noon-1:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Friday. Ongoing 12step group for sex and love addicts. (206) 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma - For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Youth, Ages 14-25. 4-10pm. Call for location & details. Every Friday.

(253) 671-2838, www.oasisyouthcenter.org (Also Thursdays 4-10pm & Saturdays 6pm-12 midnight.)

Strength Over Speed (SOS). 6-7:30pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Peer support for Gay and Bisexual men recovering from crystal meth addiction. www. strengthoverspeed.org. (206) 322-2437.

Cascades Rainbow Community Center - in Mount Vernon. 6:30-10:30pm. 1508 N 18th St, Mount Vernon.

Every Friday. Weekly social get-togethers including potlucks and movie nights for LGBTQAI folks in Skagit County and beyond. The Center has the largest LGBTQAI library in Skagit County with an online catalog of their collection. (360) 840-8499 and on Facebook.

Orca Swim Team Workout. Evening. Seattle University, Connolly Athletic Center, 14th Ave & E Cherry St. (See Sunday afternoon listing.)

Game Night. 7pm-11pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201. Every Friday. Card games, board games and fellowship. (206) 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Lambert House Queer Movie Night. 7-9:30pm. Lambert House, 1818 15th Ave. Every Friday. Lambert House is a nationally-recognized activities & resource center for GLBT & questioning youth, ages 14-22. (206) 322-2515, www.lamberthouse.org Rain Country Dance Night. 7-11pm, lessons at 7:15pm.

The Cuff, 1533 13th Ave. An evening of country-western dancing for the LGBTQ community. FREE. www.raincountrydance.org.

Destiny/Unity AA Meeting in Tacoma. 7:30-8:30pm.

Christ Episcopal Church, 310 N “K” St, Tacoma. Every Friday. LGBTQ-friendly AA meeting. (253) 474-8897.

(Also meets Mondays.)

LGBT Friday Night Al-Anon Family Group. 8-9pm.

SASG, 115 15th Ave E, Suite 201 - in the O’Neill Room.

Every Friday. (See related listing Sunday at noon for details.) Greater Seattle AIS 24-hour number (206) 625-0000; www.seattle-al-anon.org; (206) 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org

SATURDAY - April 21

(See previous Saturday for ongoing activities.)

Tasveer South Asian International DocuFest (4/214/22). Seattle University, Wyckoff Auditorium. SAID offers thought-provoking documentaries that shed light on a number of issues relevant to South Asia and its diaspora. The full schedule and tickets are available at said.tasveer.org Lambert House Queer Rec. 1pm. 1818 15th Ave. Meets 3rd Saturday each month. Outdoor & indoor adventures for youth ages 22 & under. www.lamberthouse.org Seattle Prime Timers Monthly Potluck. 2pm. (Doors at 1:30pm.) Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 1729 Harvard Ave (behind Seattle Central College). Enter via the north parking lot and get a permit for free parking. Meets 3rd Saturday most months. Cost: $4 per person (please try to bring exact change) to help pay for the meeting room rental. Please bring a dish that will serve eight or more to share. Within walking distance of Metro routes 8, 10, 11, 49, 60, Capitol Hill LINK Light Rail station, Capitol Hill streetcar. www.seattleprimetimers.org

SUNDAY - April 22

(See previous Sunday for ongoing activities.)

Tasveer South Asian International DocuFest (4/214/22). Seattle University, Wyckoff Auditorium. SAID offers thought-provoking documentaries that shed light on a number of issues relevant to South Asia and its diaspora. The full schedule and tickets are available at said.tasveer.org No Safeword Writers Group. 1pm. See website for location. Meets 2nd & 4th Sunday each month. NSWG exists to provide mutual support for members’ efforts.

Support is in the form of critique & commentary on each other’s work, information about publishing opportunities, & discussion of issues facing writers. NSWG’s primary focus is erotic writing - but they welcome anyone who writes. The only requirements are to write, to attend, & to be respectful. For info & location, www.nosafewordwritersgroup.org Seattle Prime Timers Rap Group. 1:30-3pm. SASG, 115 15th Ave E #201. Meets 4th Sunday each month in the Ian MacKintosh Room. This month’s topic: “Open Mic/Anything Goes.” www.seattleprimetimers.org

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

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

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

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

COLAGE unites people with LGBTQ parents and caregivers into a network of peers and supports them as they nurture and empower each other to be skilled, self-confident, and just leaders in our collective communities - www.colage.org Central Washington University GALA Hotline: (509) 963-1994.

DIFFA/Northwest (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS). (206) 763-8885; www.diffanorthwest. org DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL ASSAULT: Crisis Clinic, (206) 461-3222 (24 hour line); King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) - 24-hour crisis line for information, support, & medical & legal assistance: 1-888-99-VOICE; Northwest Network support & advocacy for Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian & Gay Survivors of Abuse & Dating Violence, (206) 568-7777 (voice), 517-9670 (tty), www.nwnetwork.org; Pierce County Domestic Violence Helpline: Teresa, (253) 798-4166; Seattle Counseling Service for Sexual Minorities - offers on-going support groups for men: 323-1768; Seattle Police Dept Domestic Violence Unit, (206) 684-0330; State Wide Domestic Violence Hot Line, 1-800-562-6025. In an emergency call 911.

Report domestic violence and sexual assault.

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

Generations Aging With Pride empowers elder LGBTQ adults to live with pride and dignity by promoting, connecting, and developing innovative programs and

Celebrating 44 Years!

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

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

LGBT MS Connection - (206) 250-5002; LGBTMSConnection@gmail.com. Support group for LGBT persons with MS and their partners and their caregivers. Sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

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

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

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

PEOPLE OF COLOR: AARTH (African American Reach & Teach Health Ministry), (206) 850-2070, www.aarth.org; Asian/Pacific Islander Queer Network Program at API Chaya, (206) 467-9976; Center for MultiCultural Health, (206) 461-6910, www.multiculturalhealth.org; Entre Hermanos, GLBT Latinos/as, (206) 322-7700, www.entrehermanos.org; Ile LaiLai, (206) 781-3565, iya@ilelailai.org; Men of All Colors & Cultures Together (MACCT), (206) 923-8313, macctseattle@yahoo.com, www.macctsea.org; Northwest Two Spirit Society, https://www.facebook.com/ groups/nw2spiritsociety/, Nubian Pride Productions, nubianpride@gmail.com; People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN) offers rapid HIV testing, M-F, 10am-5pm, (206) 322-7061, www.pocaan.org and on Facebook; QBASS - Queer Black Alliance of the South Sound, (253) 256-1846, weareqbass@gmail. com; Sistah 2 Sistah, LBT women of African descent, (206) 322-7061, (206) 255-8951; Somos Seattle, somosseattle.org; Trikone-Northwest, GLBT South Asians, (425) 985-4376, www.trikonenw.org; Two-Spirit Honor Project, 1-866-685-0164; U.T.O.P.I.A. Seattle, www.utopiaseattlewa.org; VietQ Greater Seattle, vietqorganization@gmail.com Pierce County AIDS Foundation - (253) 383-2565; www.piercecountyaids.org

community calendar

Pride Foundation - (206) 323-3318; www.pridefoundation. org Project NEON is a program of Seattle Counseling Service providing FREE information & services to Gay & Bi men to reduce health risks associated with methamphetamine use. (206) 323-1768. www.crystalneon.org Public Health-Seattle & King County Online Comprehensive Health Information for Sexual Minorities: www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/personal/ glbt.aspx Q Law: The GLBT Bar Association of WA - (206) 682-6711; www.q-law.org Q Law GLBT Legal Clinic - (206) 235-7235.

Queer Geek! - queergeekseattle.org Safe Schools Coalition - www.safeschoolscoalition. org; (206) 451-SAFE; (206) 451-7233.

SEAMEC interviews, researches & rates candidates for public office on issues of concern to the LGBT community. www.voteseamec.org Seattle Area Support Groups & Community Center (SASG) is a non-profit organization that builds community and cultivates powerful, healthy lives by providing emotional support and personal development services to those affected by HIV/AIDS, the Queer communities, and those who love them. Our work is done in a spirit of safety, trust, inclusiveness, and celebration of individual differences. (206) 322-2437; www.sasgcc.org Seattle Bisexual Women’s Network - BiSeattle.wixsite. com/SBWN and on Facebook.

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

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

(425) 339-5298.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

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

Strength Over Speed - www.strengthoverspeed.org Tacoma/Pierce County - Rainbow Center, 2215 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, a resource center for the LGBTIQA community of Pierce County, (253) 383-2318, www.

April 13, 2018

rainbowcntr.org TRANSGENDER: Emerald City Social Club: (425) 827-9494; Gender Alliance of the South Sound: www.SouthSoundGender.com; Gender Diversity: www.genderdiversity.org; Gender Justice League: www.genderjusticeleague.org; Gender Odyssey: www.genderodyssey.com; Hermanos Trans Latino & Foreign-Born Support Group: (206) 322-7700; Ingersoll Gender Center: (206) 329-6651, www. ingersollcenter.org; Lion’s Main Art Collective: www. lionsmain.org; The New BoyZ Club: www.olympiaftmgroup.webs.com; Olympia Trans Discussion Group: www.facebook.com/pages/Olympia-Trans-DiscussionGroup/262449878114; [trans] ACTION: Trans* & Gender Non-Conforming Sex Workers’ Support Group - a safe, peer-led space. mail@utopiaseattle.org; TRANSform Washington: transformwashington.com; Trans Resource & Referral Guide: kctransguide.org; Washington Gender Alliance: (360) 445-2411, www. washington genderalliance.com WOMEN: Aging Ballard Lesbian Exchange (A.B.L.E.): We are Lesbians 60 years (generally) and up, living (mostly) in the north half of Seattle. The purpose of the group is to connect, socialize and support each other. ruthemilyvogel@gmail.com; Aging Lesbians in South Seattle (ALISS) - Lesbian Group at the Southeast Seattle Senior Center. This is a gathering primarily for Lesbians but all are welcome to attend. Kate, (206) 722-0317; www.sessc.org; BABES: support groups for HIV+ women. (206) 720-5566, 1-888-292-1912; Coming Out Women Support Group of Tacoma: www. comingoutwomen.org; Festival of the Babes: www. festivalofthebabes.com; Mature Friends: Gay men & women 40 & over, www.maturefriends.org; Puget Sound Old Lesbian Organizing for Change: http:// psoloc.org, (253) 777-3357; Older Lesbians Organizing for Change/WA State Chapter: gloria@oloc.org, mary@oloc.org, www.oloc.org; Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives: www.pnwlesbianarchives.org; RainshadowWomen: RainshadowWomen@aol. com; Seattle Bisexual Women’s Network: BiSeattle. wixsite.com/SBWN; Seattle Girls of Leather: www. sgol.org; Tacoma Lesbian Concern (TLC): www.tacomalesbianconcern.org; Tacoma Older LGBT: www. tacomaolderlgbt.org; Women of West Seattle (WOWS): a fun, member-driven social group for Lesbians, http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/womenofwestseattle; YWCA Women’s Health Outreach: providing low or no-cost mammograms for income eligible 40+ LBTQ individuals. Follow us at http://lbtqhealth-ywca.blogspot.com, twitter.com/ingridWHO or email lbthealth@ywcaworks. org, (206) 461-4493. (See also listings under Bisexual, Parenthood, People of Color, Transgender.)

YOUTH: B-GLAD (Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Trans & Questioning Adolescent Drop-In Group): Youth Eastside Services offers many programs for GLBT youth, including B-GLAD, (425) 747-4937; Coyote Central: www.coyotecentral.org; Diverse Harmony: www.diverseharmony. org; GLSEN/Washington State (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) & Washington State GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) Network: GLSEN works to create safe schools for LGBT students. WA GSA Network supports youth-led GSA’s to fight harassment & homophobia in Washington state schools. (206) 330-2099; www.glsenwa. org; www.wagsa.org. GLOBE (GLBTQ Loving Ourselves, Becoming Empowered): a support group & HIV/STD prevention program for GLBTQ youth, 14-20, in Everett, (425) 263-2908, www. globeyouth.org; It Gets Better Project: www.itgetsbetter.org; Lambert House: an activities & resource center for LGBT youth, 14-22, in Seattle, 1818 15th Ave @ E Denny Way; (206) 322-2515, www.lamberthouse.org; Lifelong HEYO (Health Education Youth Outreach): for LGBTQ youth, ages 16-24: (206) 957-1665; www. llaa.org/HEYO; www.MatthewsPlace.com; The Mockingbird Society: (206) 323-KIDS (5437), www.mockingbirdsociety.org; Oasis Youth Center: for GLBTQ youth, ages 14-25, in Tacoma, (253) 671-2838, www. oasisyouthcenter.org; OUT There Adventures: www. outthereadventures.org; Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG)/Puget Sound: (206) 3257724, www.seattle-pflag.org; Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets (PSKS) Drop-In Center & Young Adult Shelter: 1609 19th Ave @ E Pine St., (206) 7268500; www.psks.org; Pizza Klatch: weekly lunchtime support groups for LGBTQ youth in Thurston County, www.pizzaklatch.org; Prism: for LGBTQ youth, 14-21, in Puyallup - Cherise.Alexander@ multicare.org; www. facebook.com/PuyallupPrism; Proud Out Wonderful (POW!): for LGBTQ youth, 13-21, in South King County, (206) 326-9112, www.facebook.com/proudoutwonderful; Q Youth Resources: in Kitsap County - (360) 698-3335; www.kchaf.org; Renton Area Youth Services (RAYS): LGBTQ, questioning and allied youth drop-in group, ages 12-18 - Sarah Hardin, (425) 271-5600, ext 155; sarahh@rays.org; Roots Young Adult Shelter: 1415 NE 43rd St., (206) 632-1635; www.rootsinfo.org; Safe Schools Coalition: www.safeschoolscoalition.org; (206) 451-SAFE, (206) 451-7233 (non-emergency), 1-877-SAFE-SAFE (1-877-723-3723) (crisis line); Seattle Young People’s Project (Queer Youth Resource Board): (206) 860-9606, www.sypp.org; Street Youth Ministries (SYM): (206) 524-7301 ext 111; www. streetyouthministries.org; Teen Link: (206) 461-4922, 1-888-431-TEEN; The Trevor Project: 866-4-U-Trevor; www.thetrevorproject.org; True Colors - Connecting LGBTQ Teens: in Shoreline, (206) 362-7282 x 8018, lbagley@chs-nw.org; Vista Youth Center: for LGBTQ, questioning and allied youth, ages 14-21, in Kennewick, (509) 396-5198, www.vistayouthcenter.org; YouthCare/ Isis Program (Transitional Living Home for LGBTQ Young Adults, 18-22): (206) 522-8412; YouthCare/ Orion Center Young Adult Shelter: 1828 Yale Ave @ Stewart St. (206) 622-5555; Youth in Focus: (206) 723-1479; www.youthinfocus.org; Youth Suicide Prevention Program (OUTLoud-GLBTQ): (206) 297-5922, ext 116, 1-800-273-TALK, www.yspp.org

Seattle Gay News 17

38 [MEN]

21 [LICENSED MASSAGE - NON-SEXUAL] 10 [HOUSEMATES] 11 [FOR RENT]

14 [HELP WANTED] 19 [SERVICES] HOME IMPROVEMENT CHUCK'S HANDYMAN SERVICE

Painting / Decks / Fences / Drywall / Miscellaneous Jobs. Over 20 years exoerience in the West Seattle area. References. 206-935-6730. 38/6

ENJOY A SOOTHING MASSAGE

20 [HEALTH & WELL-BEING]

Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, and Hot Stone Massage on Capitol Hill. $65 an hour. Jeff, LMP. 206-6500542; rjeffa@hotmail.com; www.broadwaymassage. com. 17/3

ENERGY/BODYWORK

EXCEPTIONAL BODYWORK

Therapeutic massage. 30 years experience. Relaxation, major/minor injuries, chronic muscle pain. Small Ballard home office/studio. Massage table or massage chair. Convenient parking. (I’m a Gay-friendly straight male graphic artist, web author.) First session 50% off = $45/1.5 hours (travel extra). By appointment only.

References available. Chris Pringer, Reiki Master, 206-286-0899. If you get a voice message mentioning “extension #,” please hang up and call back again; otherwise, please leave a message. Brochure, testimonials, etc. via chalicebridge.com/BMI-Brochure. html. 44/21

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Given by highly trained LMP. I specialize in injury treatment, acute, chronic, and repetitive stress motion.

I have a studio on CapHill, and one just north of the UW. Insurance accepted. Matt Shafer, LMP, 206-2357766. 27/12

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

36 [ESCORTS]

RAIN CITY JACKS

RCJ is Seattle’s private club hosting hundreds of group jack-off events since 2005. Hot, friendly, and genuine male bonding for men 18+ only. Email or visit our web site for information. info@raincityjacks.org; www. raincityjacks.org. 18/12

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

FREE & ANONYMOUS HIV & STD COUNSELING/TESTING Walk-In or by Appt GAY CITY HEALTH PROJECT 517 E. Pike St. M-F: 3pm-8pm; SAT: 12:30pm-5pm More Info & to Schedule Appt 206-860-6969 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

STRAIGHT MUSCULAR JOCK

Dominant sexual masculine wrestler. Total top. Friendly and strictly confidential. Outcalls only. 206-773-5658.

17/3

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

37 [BODYWORK]

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SILVERHAWK SERVICES

General Contractor SILVES*835KH Licensed Bonded & Insured I do pool painting, interior/exterior painting, remodeling, fire damage, water damage. 34/3 David - 206-465-6639

EROTICALLY CHARGED nude full body rubdown from playful top, stimulating the senses. Get seduced. Incalls in Renton area. Scott, 206-355-4469. 09/3

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

GREAT MASSAGE

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Given by highly-trained, clean-cut, handsome guy.

I have two private studios, one on CapHill, and one just north of the UW. Call/text Matt, 206-235-7766. In/ out calls. 27/12

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Caine PETS OF THE WEEK Adoption Center

Sunday – Wednesday | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

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

13212 SE Eastgate Wy, Bellevue, WA 98005 (425) 649-7563 | adoption@seattlehumane.org

Is your life missing a furry friend? Now is the perfect time to open your world to a pet in need. Coldwell Banker’s Homes for Dogs program with Adopt-a-pet.com has helped place 20,000 dogs into homes across the country. Could your place be the next happy ending for a pet in need?

Make your house a home by visiting the shelter and bringing back the pet of your dreams.

Shelter Updates!

Meet Caine, a 1-year-old black short-haired girl! Caine was transferred to Seattle Humane from another shelter. We will give her as long as she needs for us to find her a home of her own. Caine is a very sweet and affectionate girl! She is very friendly and social, but she does get overstimulated easily, so she would do best in an adult only home or with older, respectful teenagers. Come meet Caine at Seattle Humane!

She can't wait to meet you!

As with all our cats, Caine 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 adoptions include 30 days of pet insurance from Trupanion - a great way to start off on the right paw!

Darla

April Showers Bring May Meowers April 9-15

Friday Furball Flicks!

April 20

It’s spring which means kittens are on the way! Help alleviate overcrowding at Seattle Humane by welcoming home a feline friend today! Adoption fees are waived for all cats age 1 year and up April 9-15.

Date night for you and fun for the kids?

We take care of dinner and entertainment! Drop the kiddos off for a night filled with furballs, flicks and more!

Details: Select Friday evenings from 5:30– 9PM ·Ages 6+ ·Animal time & games -Dinner & refreshments ·PJs & sleeping bags are encouraged ·$30 per child/Siblings addt'l $20 (use code 'sibling' for discount) ·All movies G or PG

18 Seattle Gay News

April 13, 2018

Meet Darla, a beautiful 2-year-old Pit Bull who is as smart as they come! As a very energetic and intelligent dog, Darla would be a wonderful part of a very active family who will continue to provide her with daily runs and ideally, puzzle toys to give her the ongoing activity and stimulation that she needs. A fenced yard is a must for this playful, active girl.

Darla enjoys daily play time without volunteers who practice basic commands such as sit, stay and down. She is eager to start the six-week obedience training course included in her adoption. She would be best suited for a cat-free home and resident dog introductions are required. If you have room in your heart for this smart, playful girl, meet her today at Seattle Humane!

As with all of our wonderful dogs, Darla has been spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, and behavior tested. She will go home with a certificate for a veterinary examination and an identification tag. PLUS, most dog adoptions include six weeks of training in one of our on-campus dog behavior courses - a great way to start off on the right paw!

Introduce to dog-savvy children. Resident dogs are required to visit Darla prior to adoption. Cat-free home.

Celebrating 44 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

April 13, 2018

Seattle Gay News 19