SGN April 22, 2011 - Section 1

Page 1

Issue 16 Volume 39

Celebrating 38 Years!

Truvada p. 9

paul Dahlquist p. 25

pride idol p. 25

Seattle Gay News

FRIDAY April 22, 2011 FREE! 25¢ in bookstores & news stands

SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

“We have to remind SGN sits down with people we’re Queer” Seattle’s flash mob boss by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

cena, winner of a prestigious All-Washington State Academic/Leadership Team award. Aw a r d - w i n ners represent 33 community and technical colleges in the state, and are chosen for their volunteer work in the community as well as their academic achievement. “My school nominated me,” Obcena told SGN, “and I’m thankful to represent work in the LGBTQ community.” Born in the Philippines, Obcena

Egan Orion, executive producer of One Degree Events, knows that the world is watching. His team of volunteers, choreographers, and flash mob enthusiasts are taking the game to a whole new level – locally and throughout the nation – to dance, sing, perform, surprise, and ultimately delight the masses, both in person and online. A flash mob is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an act for a brief time, and then disperse, often for the purpose of entertainment or satire. Seattle Gay News caught up with Egan, known throughout the city for his events (most notably the annual Pridefest at Seattle Center), as he was still riding high off his most recent flash mob, which had a Glee twist. “The first time I ever saw a flash mob I knew I just had to do one in Seattle,” said Egan, who is jok-

see obcena page 18

see flash mob page 18

courtesy dante obcena

by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer

Dante Obcena

“It’s not me meeting the governor, it’s not me getting the medal – it’s my work,” says Dante Ob-

Mike Costales Photography

Dante Obcena, award-winning student, talks to the SGN

“Halfway there”

Egan Orion gets a Glee-inspired “slushing.”

Why Gay history is GLAMAZONIA and Lily celebrate five years American history

by Anthony Greer SGN Contributing Writer GLAMAZONIA and Lily Armani, two of Seattle’s most famous and accomplished drag superstars, celebrated their five-year anniver-

sary on April 15. Now, for the first time in any publication, the pair discusses their relationship as both Gay men and as drag performers, and from how they first met to how they’ve loved and supported one another on and off the stage ever

HOW GLAM MET LILY On the night of February 4, 2006, an out-of-the-frock GLAMAZONIA walked up the stairs to the second floor of Purr and found herself attracted to a guy in a baseball cap whose friends were calling “Lily.” During their conversation, GLAM discovered that she was speaking to Lily Armani out of drag. Curious to see if Lily knew who she was, GLAM tested her by asking if she’d ever been to Gay bingo. Lily said she went once and thought the performer, GLAMAZONIA, was really gorgeous and a great host. When GLAM came out to her, Lily found it hard to believe. The two flirted a little, and after a trip to The Cuff with friends, GLAM drove Lily home. Lily gave her a peck on the cheek before getting out of the car. After their initial encounter, their friends connected the two through emails, and while GLAM found herself learning about Lily’s performances and her blog (which has since been retired), she failed to

Johannes Jordan

courtesy glamazonia

Lily Armani (l) and GLAMAZONIA

since.

The Stonewall Inn in New York’s Greenwich Village was the site of the Stonewall riots in June of 1969. The riots are considered the defining event that marked the start of the Gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor

Forty-five years ago, a debate was raging in California. The state Board of Education had adopted a new junior high school history textbook with inclusive treatment of the civil rights movement. California conservatives were see glam/lily page 20

outraged. They warned of the disastrous effects this would have on the youth. They screamed and they yelled, but luckily for us all, they were unsuccessful. Although 1966 was many years ago and we can easily look back and wonder, “What were they see history page 20


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