SGN April 2025 Section 2

PRIDE OVER FE AR S I N C E 1 974

ISSUE 4 • VOLUME 53 • APRIL 2025

Seattle City Council unanimously approves making Seattle an LGBTQIA+ sanctuary Follows in footsteps of three other local cities B Y H A N N A H S AU N D E RS SGN EDI T OR The Seattle City Council approved an ordinance that reaffirms Seattle as a safe and welcoming place for residents, workers, and visitors, including the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, those seeking health services, immigrants, refugees, and

other historically marginalized communities. It also reaffirms Seattle’s dedication to supporting gender-affirming care and reproductive healthcare access.

SEE SANCTUARY PAGE 12 COURTESY OUTNW

Frank Chopp, former WA House speaker and LGBTQIA+ advocate, passes away at 71

Curtains closed for DEI? Local arts organizations respond to NEA grant rules

B Y H A N N A H S AU N D E RS S GN EDI T OR

B Y M I R YA M G O R D O N

Former state representative and House Speaker Frank Chopp passed away on March 22 at the age of 71. Bremertonborn and bred, Chopp dedicated his life to supporting vulnerable Washingtonians through key legislation that promoted housing, expanded healthcare services, and uplifted the LGBTQIA+ community through his unwavering allyship.

Chopp experienced cardiac arrest, and the Seattle Fire Department and EMS services worked to revive him. Chopp was transferred to Swedish Cherry Hill’s emergency department, where staff helped his family say their goodbyes and transitioned him off life support, according to his family.

COURTESY UW MAGAZINE

In a public statement, Chopp’s family said: “His intellectual curiosity was as boundless as his energy. He woke up every day with a passion to solve problems and make people’s lives better.

“Frank believed his role as speaker was to serve ‘One Washington.’ He listened to people all over our state describe problems and focused on creative and doable solutions. His approach often included identifying a dedicated funding source that would make sense to taxpayers and a memorable program name like ‘Apple Health for

SEE CHOPP PAGE 12

In a move reflecting the current agenda of the White House, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has alerted arts applicants that Presidential Executive Order No. 14173, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” signed on January 21, 2025, has mandated a change in the contract language that arts organizations must sign when applying for funding.

New components at the end of the Legal Requirements and Assurance of Compliance page note that arts applicants must now agree to “not operate any programs promoting ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI) that violate any applicable Federal

I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER PHOTO NATE WATTERS

antidiscrimination laws” and “that federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology, pursuant to Executive Order No. 14168, ‘Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.’”

Imposing such requirements might cause local art organizations to choose to forgo any NEA funding. Suzanne M. Cohen, artistic director of Mirror Stage Company, told the SGN that it currently does not receive NEA funding but that prior to the November election, it was in a strong position to qualify.

SEE NEA PAGE 12

MAY 03 GENPRIDE’S 4TH ANNUAL PILLARS OF PRIDE BRUNCH FUNDRAISER

PROTECT Y(OUR) FUTURE: STANDING TOGETHER, BUILDING TOMORROW

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | 308 1ST AVE S. SEATTLE, WA 98104 MORE INFORMATION AT

GENPRIDESEATTLE.ORG/POP25

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN?

APRIL 26 - MAY 11 ACTTHEATRE.ORG

IN THIS ISSUE ORIGINALLY SEATTLE GAY NEWS FOUNDED 1974 509 10th Ave E Seattle, WA 98102 info@sgn.org sgn.org (253) 256-3151

Publisher Renee Raketty Mike Schultz (2023-2024) Angela Cragin (2020 - 2023) George Bakan (1984 - 2020) Jim Tully (1974 - 1984)

Visit our new and improved calendar!

Editor

OP-ED 3 SEATTLE NEWS 4 REGIONAL NEWS 6 NATIONAL NEWS 9 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 FILM 17 BOOKS 20 COMMUNITY CALENDAR 22

Hannah Saunders editor@sgn.org (253) 313-6535

Copy Editor

OP-ED

Richard Isaac

Advertising Manager Maggie Bloodstone advertising@sgn.org (206) 751-7454

Digital Engagement Editor Aisha Misbah info@sgn.org

Associate Editor Matt Nagle

Design / Production Emory Liu

National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863

Staff Writers Lindsey Anderson Sara Michelle Fetters

Contributing Writers Nova Berger · Kylin Brown Sharon Cumberland · Miryam Gordon Andrew Hamlin · Madison Jones · Benny Loy

SGN is published by Prism Pride Press LLC. © 2024. All Rights Reserved. Reprints by permission.

Publication of names, photographs, or likeness of any person, organization, event or business in this publication cannot be taken as any indication of the sexual orientation of the person, organization, event or business.

Opinions expressed in bylined articles, columns, and letters are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or management of this paper.

SGN welcomes unsolicited material, including letters to t he editor, but reserves the right to edit or reject material. A ll rights revert to authors upon publication. We assume no liability for loss or damage of materials, solicited or not. We invite feedback, please write.

MEMBER

FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS

@seattlegaynews

@seattlegaynews_

@sgn.org

V ISI T US ONLINE SGN.ORG

HELP KEEP SGN FREE!

As the third-oldest LGBTQIA+ newspaper in the United States, the Seattle Gay News (SGN) has been a vital independent source of news and entertainment for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest since 1974.

As we celebrate our 51st anniversary, we need your support to continue our mission. Your contribution will ensure that SGN remains a beacon of truth and a virtual gathering place for community dialogue. Support us printing and providing a platform for LGBTQIA+ voices.

SCAN TO DONATE OR TEXT THE KEYWORD "SGN" TO 53-555

No paywall. Free print edition.

APRIL 2025

SGN

3

SEATTLE NEWS

Seattle Police identify suspects involved in Pony water pellet-gun hate crime B Y H A N N A H S AU N D E RS SGN EDI T OR Three suspects tied to the February 19 hate crime at a popular Gay bar — in which patrons were subjected to anti-LGBTQIA+ slurs and fired upon with water pellets — have been identified. They are 17, 19, and 24 years old. Detectives have passed along the hate crime charges to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

The SGN reported on this incident last month, in which people standing outside Pony were targeted by a group of white men in a dark blue Lexus sedan, according to those present.

The suspects circled the 1940s-vintage gas station turned bar over the course of an hour and shot water pellets at patrons.

At one point, they exited their vehicle and began to approach but then retreated back to their vehicle.

The KCPAO said the defendants were released from police custody when the case was referred, and that the prosecutors had no previous cases with the three. After all materials provided by the Seattle Police Department are reviewed, the office will make a decision regarding charges.

Legislation Against the background of increasing acts of harm and violence — including by state legislatures — Yessenia Manzo, the KCPAO’s senior deputy prosecuting attorney and hate

crimes prosecutor, testified in support of House Bill 1052, which would strengthen and provide further clarity to the state’s hate crime laws. It has passed the House and is currently in a Senate committee.

Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-45) and Rep. Cindy Ryu (D- 32) are lead sponsors of HB 1052’s companion bill, Senate Bill 5038.

Part of it states that “it is not a defense that the accused was mistaken that the victim was a member of a certain race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation; had a particular gender expression or identity; or had a mental, physical, or sensory disability.”

SB 5038 also notes that a person is guilty

COURTESY PONY

of a hate crime if they intentionally and maliciously cause harm due to the whole or partial perception of a person on any of those same bases. Such acts of harm include physical assault to a person and damage or destruction of property, and threatening a specific person or group that causes them to feel a reasonable fear of harm.

“When there is evidence to show that people were victimized by a hate crime — in whole or in part because of a defendant’s bias — those perpetrators must be held accountable. Prosecutors need this legal fix to ensure that happens,” said King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion.

“Louder”: Seattle Pride announces parade theme and reevaluates partnerships in light of DEI slashes B Y H A N N A H S AU N D E RS SGN EDI T OR This year’s Seattle Pride Parade theme, “Louder,” represents a celebration of LGBTQIA+ activists who pushed for our civil rights and those who continue to demand change in the face of hateful attacks nationwide. Seattle Out & Proud Foundation, also known as Seattle Pride, is also reevaluating partnerships for the state’s largest parade and single-day celebration, as DEI initiatives get slashed.

“This is not a time to be quiet,” said Patti Hearn, executive director of Seattle Pride.

“This is not a time to acquiesce to extracting a list of words from our vocabulary. It is not a time to be a bystander or to allow others to stand by while bullies — those who

were elected and those who were not — try to harm us. Try to erase us. Try to silence us. We’re not going to let that happen.”

Rep. Emily Randall (D-6), Washington’s first Queer Latina congresswoman and a strong advocate for Queer and women’s rights; and Cheer Seattle, a nonprofit that raises funds and awareness through outreach and performances, are the two grand marshals of the 2025 parade. They were chosen as reflections of “the love, resilience, strength of the LGBTQIA2S+ community.”

The lineup of announcers and DJs includes Lemon Boy, Versace Doll, Deejay Hershe, and DonnaTella Howe, among sev-

4

APRIL 2025

SGN

eral others.

But Seattle Pride is also taking a step back this year to make sure that its partnerships reflect the values and needs of the community. This includes the implementation of a more rigorous review process for organizations looking to partner or become an event sponsor.

In the past, Seattle Pride has supported youth programs, artists, community-driven efforts, and grassroots initiatives, all of which have ensured that LGBTQIA+focused resources are available to attendees. The organization has said that this work will not be altered.

According to its website, it will delve into

COURTESY SEATTLE PRIDE

organizations’ “political donations and lobbying activities, LGBTQIA2S+ policies, ties to the weapons industry, labor and supply chain ethics, involvement in immigration and carceral systems, and overall public impact,” which Seattle Pride described as a “necessary step forward.”

Allyship is more important now than ever, and with DEI attacks working to divide and weaken the LGBTQIA+ movement, Seattle Pride said allies that create “safer and more equitable spaces within their organizations and our communities all year long” are needed.

“We will stand up. We will speak up. We will get loud,” Hearn added.

C E L E B R A T I N G 51 Y E A R S!

Remembering Washington State Mr. Leather John “Daddy J” Limitone For those who knew him, John F. Limitone, known among his chosen family as Daddy J, provided a space where we could exist unencumbered by the stresses and expectations of everyday life. With a smile and a warm hug, Daddy J was capable of letting anyone who entered his aura know that they were welcome and loved exactly as they were.

This stalwart representative of the Seattle leather community — and indeed the city of Seattle as a whole — passed away on February 16, 2025, and his loss can be felt in the numerous voices from across the country that have come together to share stories of love, passion, and creativity that define Daddy J and the legacy he leaves behind.

Daddy J made his way to Seattle by way of New York, Chicago, and Santa Maria, California. Through his travels, he discovered a passion for the arts and regularly brought the theatricality of live performances and costume design to the events and communities he served. Whether donning head-to-toe leather or an elegant red evening gown he purchased from his local thrift store earlier that day and modified, Daddy J’s ability to make a statement never went unnoticed.

Very few can claim the passion for community and charitable works that Daddy J possessed. In a world where many stay insulated amid their friends, family, or organization of choice, Daddy J would regularly reach out to provide support and presence to any cause he could.

Daddy J held the titles of Seattle Men in Leather’s Seattle Leather Daddy 2023 and

Washington State Mr. Leather 2024 with the Washington State Leather Organization. Additionally, he was recently elected to the board of directors of the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle and remained a constant supporter of Seattle Pups and Handlers and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Abbey of St. Joan, among many other groups.

Away from the leather and glitter, Daddy J brought the same level of love and compassion to his work at Tacoma General Hospital and demonstrated a love of animals. He would regularly open his heart and his home to the fur babies of Seattle and Tacoma that needed shelter and care, proving that the kindness that caught the attention of his community was more than just words in exchange for votes.

Those who knew Daddy J speak of him as a warm light: inspiring in his creativity, filled with love, welcoming and kind to everyone he met. To the Seattle community, he embodied the compassion needed in these challenging times. This is his legacy as Leather Daddy and Washington State Mr. Leather, and this is how those who loved him will honor his memory.

May those who follow in his footsteps find the same drive to illuminate a world now dimmer without him, to build connections throughout Seattle, and to ensure that his memory inspires us all to live more compassionately. Through Daddy J’s influence, we can become better as individuals and as a community because of the indelible mark he left on our hearts.

COURTESY YOLANDA CAIN

COURTESY YOLANDA CAIN

V ISI T US ONLINE SGN.ORG

APRIL 2025

SGN

5

REGIONAL NEWS

UTOPIA WA pushes Kent to pass resolution making it a sanctuary city for LGBTQIA+ people B Y H A N N A H S AU N D E RS SGN EDI T OR UTOPIA Washington recently proposed a resolution to the City of Kent that would ensure the safety and well-being of LGBTQIA+ residents, communities, and organizations during a time of increasing threats and violence. The grassroots Queer and Trans Pacific Islander organization’s employees advocated for the resolution at the March 18 city council meeting, but there has yet been no response from the mayor, and there has been no such proposal from the city council.

“This resolution affirms existing state law protections and seeks to ensure that no city resources are used to discriminate against the LGBTQIA+ community due to federal executive orders. While we remain hopeful that the city will adopt this resolu-

tion, we recognize that more advocacy is needed,” Adrianna Suluai, policy director at UTOPIA, told the SGN. Suluai, one of the employees who spoke at the meeting, noted how she has worked with families who were struggling to access vital resources, and has listened to youth who feel unheard.

“Each week the Queer and Trans community face national policies that target [our] livelihood,” Suluai said at the meeting. “We cannot afford to wait.”

Suluai noted how Washington is ahead of many states when it comes to LGBTQIA+ protections, and that it is important to continue to build on that narrative and for the City of Kent to highlight that it stands with Queer and Transgender communities. She

added that stalling on such a resolution prolongs toxic narratives that target marginalized communities in the diverse city.

Amasai Jeke, UTOPIA’s SPEaC Change program coordinator, called on councilmembers to fully support the resolution.

“This is about survival,” Jeke said at the March 18 meeting. “Let’s be clear that the reality for LGBTQIA people is dangerous.

Hate is no longer whispered — it is written into laws, preached [by] institutions, and acts on our neighborhoods.”

Jeke noted how a Transgender woman was attacked in Kent the previous week because she was living her true self, which is something Jeke said happens when leadership remains silent. (The SGN reached out to Kent Police about this but did not

AMASAI JEKE SPEAKS AT A MARCH 18 KENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING

receive a response.)

“If Kent is truly a home for all, then its leaders must stand with us,” Jeke said.

Suluai told the SGN that community support is crucial to this effort, and she encouraged residents, organizations, and allies to attend city council meetings, which take place on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, to publicly support this effort.

“While we’ve received some positive feedback, it’s clear that additional pressure is necessary from the entire community.

A strong, unified presence will show city leaders that Kent must stand firmly vin support of its LGBTQIA+ community,” Suluai said.

The SGN reached out to Mayor Dana Ralph but did not yet receive a response.

Medicaid coverage for HIV antivirals continues to progress in state legislature B Y H A N N A H S AU N D E RS SG N EDI T OR After successfully making it through the state Senate, House Bill 5577 continues to progress, following its passage by the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness on March 19. At the public hearing on March 14, numerous advocates highlighted the need for this legislation.

“This is more than just an access issue — it’s an equity one,” said David Ramos, public policy manager at Cascade AIDS Project, the oldest community provider of HIV services, housing, education, and advocacy in southwestern Washington and Oregon.

“Historically, marginalized communities

are at disproportionate risk for HIV transmission. They are also disproportionately likely to be insured in Medicaid.”

Ramos said there is a need that will remain for the foreseeable future as HIV continues to spread, and that the bill would act as a critical strategy in fulfilling the state’s goal to end HIV. HB 5577 would direct the Health Care Authority (HCA), which oversees the Washington Medicaid program, to provide coverage for all FDA-approved HIV antiviral medications without prior authorization or step-therapy requirements. It would

6

APRIL 2025

SGN

SEN. MARK LIIAS, PRIMARY BILL SPONSOR COURTESY SENATE DEMOCRATS

apply to people on both fee-for-service and managed care plans under Medicaid.

Katie Cullen spoke on behalf of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which has a facility in Seattle and a more recent one in Tacoma. The foundation offers mobile testing and case management programs.

“We serve and treat people with HIV regardless of their ability to pay,” Cullen said. “We’re serving roughly 2,000 people with testing alone in the Seattle and

Tacoma area, in addition to the treatment we provide at our centers.”

Back in 2023, the biennial operating budget directed the HCA to cover all FDAapproved HIV antiviral drugs and PrEP without any prior authorization. The proposed bill would codify those requirements and also prohibit step therapy. If signed into law, HB 5577 would become effective on July 1.

C E L E B R A T I N G 51 Y E A R S!

Tiny city library in Washington state hangs Pride flag; senator moves to pull funding

BY JAMES HANLON T HE SP OK ESMAN-R E VIE W Reprinted with permission from The Spokesman-Review (https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/mar/03/sen-shellyshort-pulls-support-for-republic-librar/).

The public library in Republic, Washington, missed out on a funding opportunity after a group of residents complained about a Pride flag and the library board declined to remove it.

State Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, said she pulled her support for a state appropriations request for a new library building until the controversy is resolved.

The Intersex-inclusive Progress Pride flag, which includes a purple circle representing Intersex people, hangs vertically over a corner door in the Republic Public Library’s young adult section. The flag is left over from a Pride Month display last June.

While the library building is owned by the City of Republic, it is managed by North Central Washington Libraries, which oversees 30 branches across five mostly rural counties. Republic is a remote mountain town with about a thousand people about an hour south of the Canadian border.

“Our responsibility as a library district is to make sure all community members feel represented and included,” NCW Executive Director Barbara Walters said.

Policy Other NCW libraries have Pride flags, but it has only been controversial in Republic, she said. The board received more comments supporting the flag than against it.

A group of residents calling themselves the Republic Library Changemakers asked the board to write a flag policy to only allow the US and Washington state flags to be displayed at the library. Members of the group could not be reached or declined to comment for this article.

At previous board meetings, members of the group said the Pride flag is a political statement and it makes them feel “unsafe” and “unwelcome.”

Because the library district doesn’t own its buildings and by extension their flagpoles, the board on Feb. 20 approved a general display policy rather than a flag policy, Walters said.

Republic Public Library does not have a flagpole, but an American flag prominently hangs from a wall mount on the library’s front porch.

The new policy gives library staff discretion to curate displays that represent the diversity of their communities and recognize marginalized voices. It was informed by the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read, and Freedom to View statements.

“Displays are designed to promote intellectual freedom, reflect diverse viewpoints, and foster lifelong learning,” the policy says.

Funding After the board approved the policy, Short announced that she would not support the $772,500 state funding request for the design phase of the library’s expansion project.

“With great reluctance, I have decided not to pursue a capital budget appropriation for the Republic Library for the 2025 legislative session,” Short said in a statement. “I have long been a supporter of strong libraries in our communities. However, a local controversy regarding the year-round display of a ‘Gay Pride’ flag has proven extremely divisive, and until this is resolved, action on our part in Olympia to expand this facility would only deepen local frustration with library management.”

Short said there might have been a way forward if the flag had come down at the end of Pride Month and called the library district to develop a better process for the public to request policy changes. She said she believes the library “can find a way to serve marginalized communities without making a political statement that many patrons find offensive,” and she hopes to reconsider the proposal next year.

The dream to build a new library began with a land donation to the Friends of the Republic Library a few years ago. Since then, the group has spearheaded an ambitious plan to build not only a new library but also a community center and day care in the same building.

If fully realized, it would cost about $18 million, said Friends member and building committee co-chair Emily Burt. The

AN INTERSEX-INCLUSIVE PROGRESS PRIDE FLAG HANGS IN THE REPUBLIC PUBLIC LIBRARY. COURTESY REPUBLIC PUBLIC LIBRARY

library alone would be about $6 million.

The project has raised about $1 million so far through public and private sources.

For the last couple of years, the Friends were successful in landing funding through state Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, a Republic resident. With Maycumber’s leaving the House early this year, the Friends made a new request to Short.

Burt said Short was initially supportive until she heard complaints about the flag.

Burt said it was “disappointing,” because the Friends have nothing to do with NCW Libraries policy. Members of the Friends have diverse views about the Pride flag, but are united in their goal to build the new facility. They are still committed to moving forward.

The current library has everything cramped into one room. A new library would provide more space for expanding the library’s collections, adding staff rooms, and separating the children’s story time area, maker space, and computer lab.

Burt said there is no licensed child care facility in the county or within an hour’s drive of Republic. The lack of child care limits an already limited local workforce, she said. The town also lacks a large community meeting space, so the meeting room could be used for many purposes.

“We want to provide for this community what most of America has already,” Burt said.

Support Republic Mayor Gabe Becklin said the city is neutral about the flag issue but is fully supportive of the new building project.

“I hope the hubbub doesn’t hold up the new library progress,” he said.

US Sen. Maria Cantwell visited the library in August and has requested $2.8 million in rural development appropriations from Congress for fiscal year 2025.

Members of the Ferry County GayStraight Alliance traveled to the NCW Libraries board meeting in Wenatchee last Thursday to speak in support of the Republic library.

The alliance had nothing to do with adding the flag to the library, but the group was formed in direct response to the Changemakers’ hateful comments against the Gay community, alliance member Crystal Strong said.

“From our perspective it is not just about the flag, it is about human rights and visibility in our community,” Strong added.

The library is one of the few safe spaces for everyone, she noted.

Strong has lived in Republic with her wife for 20 years. It is generally a welcoming community with a focus on tourism, she said.

Rep. Nicole Macri introduces legislation allowing 12-month refill of hormone therapy prescriptions B Y H A N N A H S AU N D E RS SGN EDI T OR

NICOLE MACRI COURTESY WA LEGISLATURE

V ISI T US ONLINE SGN.ORG

Increasing attacks against the Transgender community have led numerous people to contact state Rep. Nicole Macri (D-43) and express their feelings of hopelessness.

In response, Rep. Macri has introduced House Bill 1971, which would expand access to hormone therapy by permitting 12-month refills.

“We have no way of knowing what the federal government will do, and Washington state can only control our own laws, but we are not without power to fight back against federal action,” Rep. Macri told the SGN. “Our attorney general has already fought the Trump administration and won in the courts, and I support his continued efforts to protect Washington values — including the right to gender-affirming care.”

HB 1971 has already passed the House and is making its way through the Senate.

In the engrossed bill, which displays all amendments made in the House, health plans must reimburse patients for 12-month refills of prescription hormone therapy if obtained by the patient at one time.

If signed into law, health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, would have to provide this reimbursement unless the patient requests a smaller amount of the medication, or if the prescription hormone therapy qualifies as a controlled substance.

Additionally, the 12-month refill requirement would only apply to hormone therapy medication that can be stored at room temperature.

According to the engrossment, health plans can limit refills for the last quar-

APRIL 2025

ter of the health plan year if the 12-month hormone therapy supply has already been issued during the plan year. Under HB 1971, providers would still be able to temporarily limit refills to a 90-day supply if there happens to be a drug shortage.

HB 1971 applies to all prescription hormone therapies used to medically suppress, increase, or replace hormones and those approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

“Here in Washington state, Democrats are continuing to ensure that our state laws protect individuals and expands their access to care,” Rep. Macri said. “If RFK Jr decides to go after Transgender Washingtonians, we will see him in court, and we will win.”

SGN

7

Judge blocks Trump’s executive orders targeting gender-affirming care and Trans youth — again B Y H A N N A H S AU N D E RS SGN EDI T OR

On February 28, Judge Lauren King approved Washington state’s request for an injunction blocking President Trump’s executive orders targeting Transgender youth and gender-affirming care. This decision came after Judge King granted a temporary restraining order against Trump’s efforts to withhold research and education grants from medical institutions that offer gender-affirming care to youth.

“The injunction means that the administration cannot enforce or implement the challenged orders to defund providers or gender-affirming care in the plaintiff

states,” Mike Faulk, deputy communications director for the Washington Attorney General’s Office, told the SGN. “That injunction will stay in effect until further order of the district court or an appellate court.”

The injunction paperwork cites two of Trump’s executive orders: the declaration that “women are biologically female, and men are biologically male,” and one that targets gender-affirming care for Transgender youth. When Judge King approved the preliminary injunction, the court agreed that the plaintiffs — including the attorneys

general of Minnesota, Oregon, and California, and three individual doctors — could likely prove that these orders violate the US Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause by singling out Transgender people for mistreatment and discrimination, and the principle of separation of powers.

“The administration could appeal the entry of the preliminary injunction but has not done so yet, or stated explicitly that it will do so,” Faulk said, adding that the deadline for the appeal is April 29.

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said Congress has already approved

SEATTLE CHILDREN'S PROTEST FOR GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE, FEB. 14, 2025 HANNAH SAUNDERS

funding for research and education at medical institutions in the state, and that the president cannot overrule Congress on this matter. Brown also stated that the president does not have the authority to regulate and criminalize Washington’s medical practices, which are protected under the Tenth Amendment.

“The president’s disregard for the Constitution is obvious and intentional,” Brown said. “But once again, states and the courts have stepped up to affirm the rule of law and the values that hold us together as a nation.”

Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown: Facing the local impact of the wave of federal changes B Y P I A H A L L E N B E RG Reprinted with permission from Stonewall News Northwest (https://www.stonewallnews.net) Donald Trump had warned everyone that, if reelected, he would be charging from the gate — and he wasn’t kidding. A wave of executive orders and crackdowns on federal funding, staffing, and regulations came pouring out of the White House as soon as Trump got the keys.

Stonewall News caught up with Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown for a quick interview about the impact of Trump’s first weeks in office. Brown said she and her staff are working diligently to keep up with the flood of regulations from the Trump administration and to track their impacts on Spokane residents.

To do so, Brown stays in close contact with Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown, who, together with other attorneys general, challenged the Trump administration’s order to deny birthright citizenship to children born to foreign nationals living in the United States.

“I believe there has been a stay on that for now,” Brown said.

The Trump administration has made it clear it will be investigating and cutting federal funding to school districts that are found to “directly or indirectly support or subsidize the instruction, advancement, or promotion of gender ideology or dis-

criminatory equity ideology.” This worries Brown, though she is not directly involved in protecting Spokane schools. She supports a new proposal in which Spokane Public Schools and the Parks Department are working on a joint plan to invest $440 million in Spokane schools and parks — if they can convince voters to pass the necessary bond.

“This comprehensive plan that is being put forward is focusing on the health of the community and on having parks and schools close to everyone who lives here,” Brown said, adding that this initiative will also strengthen neighborhood activities that are inclusive.

Brown added that after the announcement by Seattle Children’s Hospital that it was canceling its gender-affirming program and pulling some surgeries scheduled for Transgender patients, a group of retired Spokane physicians came forth to offer support to area youth seeking access to gender-affirming care.

“Families are moving here from Idaho to access medical services that are not readily available to them,” Brown said, but she’s unaware of any Spokane hospitals changing programs. Planned Parenthood, CHAS health clinics, and Providence Sacred Heart (a Catholic institution) provide some gender-affirming care.

Idaho — which is just 20 miles from Spokane — has adopted a Child Protection

8

APRIL 2025

SGN

SPOKANE MAYOR JULIE BROWN RAJAH BOSE FOR CASCADE PBS

Act that forbids medical practitioners from “altering the appearance” of a child’s sex or in other ways affirming the child’s perception of sex or gender that’s different from what was assigned at birth.

Brown worries that funding cuts in science and research will hit the Spokane community hard. “I joined an amicus brief together with other mayors opposing cuts to scientific research that was initiated in Boston,” she said. “I did so because of the negative impact those cuts would have on our medical research community here in Spokane.”

The mayor said she’s not aware of any initiatives that match the Olympia City Council’s resolution to become an LGBTQ+ sanctuary city, the first city in Washington to adopt such an ordinance. (Since then, Shoreline and Tacoma have followed suit.)

“If anyone is working on an initiative like that in Olympia, then I have not heard yet,” Brown said.

Brown recently issued an executive order

to hold fees for community events and parades at their current level. “Those fees were scheduled to go up substantially in 2025,” she said. “The Pride March is one of our top ten events in terms of bringing business downtown, and we did not want that or any other community-building events to be hurt by increased fees.”

The mayor also works alongside her peers on the United States Council of Mayors to protect the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people that are under attack right now.

“I share the concern and, to some extent, the fears that people have right now,” Brown said, adding that she has faith in the people of Washington and of Spokane who have stood up against discrimination based on sexual orientation.

“I hope and believe the people of Spokane will stand up in allyship and support our LGBTQ+ neighbors,” she said.

“We have a long history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community and civil rights here.”

C E L E B R A T I N G 51 Y E A R S!

NATIONAL NEWS Grindr partners with new bacterial STI med doxy-PEP to promote safe sex B Y L I N D S E Y A N D E RS O N SG N S TAFF W RI T ER If the various billboards and pamphlets declaring “Syphilis is on the rise” aren’t enough to convince the average Seattleite of the growing concern over sexually transmitted infections (STIs), data from the World Health Organization’s latest STI study might.

Despite efforts to curb adult syphilis infections (from 7.1 million to 0.71 million by 2030), new cases among people aged 15-49 have increased by over one million, with an estimated global total of eight million positive cases, according to the WHO’s 2024 study, which also states that the most drastic increase in positive syphilis cases came in Africa and the Americas.

To aid the WHO’s mission of lowering the rate of syphilis infections, Grindr — one of the most popular Queer dating apps in the world — has launched a new initiative: The Equality Spotlight, a multipart video series, each segment of which tackles issues directly impacting the LGBTQIA+ community.

The first segment addresses the importance of regular STI testing and prevention for adults, like using medications and protection to stop the spread of infections such as syphilis.

The Equality Spotlight promotes doxyPEP, a new medication approved to help adults prevent several common bacterial STIs, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Since it is new, researchers are still looking into possible long-term concerns, like antimicrobial resistance.

“Doxy0PEP is a proven tool to help prevent [STIs], but too few people know about it or how to access it,” Ryan Hallett, vice president of Grindr’s PR teams, told the SGN. “The antibiotic, taken after sex, can significantly reduce the risk of [STIs], yet aware-

ness and accessibility remain hurdles.”

Grindr has also updated the app’s settings to allow users to add doxy-PEP and condom usage directly to their profile page. This change not only allows users to communicate with potential partners whether they participate in safe sex but also opens the door to normalizing conversations about protective measures. However, Grindr users should also not take profiles that include doxy-PEP usage at face value, as there is currently no way for the app to verify the setting.

Sofie Roos, a licensed sexologist and

relationship therapist at Passionerad, told the SGN that doxy-PEP is an excellent option for anyone hoping to prevent common STIs, but it is not a treatment option for a positive test result.

“Doxy-PEP does give protection against syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea if taken within 72 hours of condomless sex, but it doesn’t ensure that [an STI] won’t get transmitted, and a one-time dose not replace a full treatment if [you catch] an STI,” Roos said. “This means that if a person [has] an STI and keeps using doxy-PEP [instead of the treatment medication], they risk carry-

ing it on to other people.”

Roos also warned that continued usage of doxy-PEP could increase a user’s chances of contracting gonorrhea, as certain strains have evolved to become antibiotic resistant.

Practicing safe sex is one of the most recommended ways to prevent STIs. The Equality Spotlight works to encourage users to be safe and promote emergency medications for those who may be at a higher risk of developing an STI after a sexual encounter.

POLINA TANKILEVITCH

Tumwater School Board approves resolution that would bar Trans athletes from girls’ sports teams B Y H A N N A H S AU N D E RS SGN EDI T OR Despite overwhelming opposition from community members, the Tumwater School Board recently passed Resolution 092425, which directs staff to approve Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) policy amendments 7 and 8, which limit participation in girls’ sports to those whose assigned sex at birth was female and provide for girls’, boys’, and open divisions, respectively.

“I am firmly opposed to this resolution because of the message it sends to our Transgender students here in the Tumwater School District,” Melissa Beard, board president, said during the February 27 meeting. “Since 2016, I’ve advocated for students, staff, and families here in Tumwater School District and to have a space [for people] to be their authentic selves, and to live the life that they were meant to live.”

Board member Jill Adams said she thinks many in the room do not agree with Trump’s executive orders that prohibit Trans youth from participating on sports teams that align with their gender identities, but that almost every president has signed executive orders.

“As school board members, we’re caught between a rock and a hard place. We have an oath that we must follow the Constitution,” said Adams, who abstained from voting on the resolution.

The resolution came after two Tumwater High School basketball players sat out

V ISI T US ONLINE SGN.ORG

the last game of their season on February 6 against Shelton High School because one of its team members is Transgender, according to the Olympian.

Frances Staudt, one of the two, was interviewed by political commentator and internet personality Brandi Kruse, which then spread online. Staudt’s mother told Kruse that her daughter was being discriminated against by being forced to play against a “boy,” and cited Trump’s executive order that restricts Trans girls from participating in girls’ sports.

identity. They also mention how the school district is a recipient of federal funding from the DOE, and that discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity operated by a recipient of such assistance is prohibited.

“As a recipient of federal financial assistance from the Department of Education, the District must comply with this law,” the documents state. They also allege that the school district is in violation of Title IX by allowing “male” athletes to compete in girls’ sports.

DOE’s Office of Civil Rights opens investigation The US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights’ Seattle branch opened an investigation into the Tumwater School District the following day, stating that it received a complaint on February 17.

“The complaint alleges that the District discriminated against a female basketball player (Student) on the basis of sex when it deprived her of a fair athletic opportunity by allowing a male player on an opposing basketball team to compete against the Student’s team in February 2025, which forced the Student to withdraw from participation in the game,” investigation documents stated.

The documents add that the student who sat out is authorized to participate under WIAA rules that allow athletes to play on the team that aligns with their gender

State law and what comes next Lisa Keating, executive director of the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, announced in December that it condemns the actions of school boards and city governments passing “discriminatory and anti2SLGBTQIA+ resolutions or measures.”

She said attempts by school boards to restrict the participation of a small number of students does not supersede state law.

“For young 2SLGBTQIA+ athletes, you are protected through WAC 392-190025, which prevents denial or exclusion from recreational and athletic activities.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association encourages participation from all students regardless of gender identity or expression and protects the rights of transgender students to play on the sports teams they choose,” Keating said.

APRIL 2025

The WIAA has a membership-led, yearround amendment process, and an amendment needs 60% approval by the Representative Assembly to pass. However, if a passed amendment violates state law, it will not be implemented.

Laurie Wiedenmeyer, director of communications and community relations at the Tumwater School District, told the SGN that proposed amendments 7 and 8 will be voted on later this spring, and that this resolution does not alter current athletic policies.

“The resolution is an expression of support for the WIAA’s proposed amendments, and we will await the outcome of the WIAA’s voting process before evaluating any necessary adjustments to our district’s approach to athletics,” Wiedenmeyer said.

Wiedenmeyer added that the district understands how any changes to federal or state laws may impact the final decision on the amendments, and that it will keep up-to-date on potential impacts. She noted that the district is committed to creating an inclusive and positive environment where all students feel valued and respected.

“As this process unfolds, we will continue to listen to our community, uphold our commitment to equity, and ensure that our policies align with state and federal guidelines while reflecting our core values of fairness, inclusion, and student wellbeing,” Wiedenmeyer said.

SGN

9

New Trevor Project report shows WA LGBTQ+ youth need more familial and healthcare support B Y H A N N A H S AU N D E RS SGN EDI T OR The Trevor Project released a new research report in March that encompasses the experiences of over 18,000 LGBTQ+ youth aged 13-24 across the nation and offers state-level data about mental health and suicide risk, access to care, the impacts of anti-LGBTQ+ policies, and avenues to supporting Queer young adults.

While Washington is considered a safe state, data from “The 2024 US National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People by State” show that LGBTQ+ youth need more familial support and access to mental healthcare providers.

“Many of these state findings are grim, and they signal serious gaps in resources and outsized mental health challenges for already marginalized youth that we simply must address,” Dr. Ronita Nath, vice president of research, said in a press release.

“However, these data also give us a clear call to action: we must all do our part to make LGBTQ+ young people feel more welcome and accepted in the places they call home.”

The Washington section extracted data from 625 LGBTQ+ young people, 37% of whom reported seriously considering suicide in the past year. Ten percent reported

suicide attempts in the past year.

Reported rates of anxiety and depression are higher among Transgender and Nonbinary youth: 66% of Washington respondents reported experiencing anxiety, but 71% of Trans or Nonbinary people did.

Furthermore, 52% reported experiencing symptoms of depression, though 59% of Trans or Nonbinary respondents did.

“Similar to previous research, these data reinforce that LGBTQ+ youth are not disproportionately impacted by suicide because of who they are, but rather because of how they are mistreated, stigmatized, and discriminated against,” said CEO Jaymes Black.

Even with vital tweaks to the healthcare system in recent years, like expanding Medicaid coverage, mental healthcare access for LGBTQ+ Washington youth is failing. Of the respondents, 49% reported wanting care but not receiving it, with 43% reporting that they could not afford care.

Others reported being concerned to talk about mental health challenges, not wanting to receive parental or caregiver permission, or being scared of having the police called and being involuntarily hospitalized.

Out of those who received care, over half do so in person through both one-on-

one therapy and virtual therapy. Hotline and crisis services were utilized by 12% of respondents for mental healthcare.

The respondents reported recent politics negatively impacting their well-being, and rates of bullying in the past year were highest among 13-to-17-year-olds (56%). The majority of respondents, 70%, reported low or moderate support from family, and 68% reported high support from friends.

Nationwide findings As expected based on the increase in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, the South had some of the highest rates of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and some of the lowest levels of community acceptance, compared to other regions. Additionally, it had some of the highest rates of wanting but being unable to access mental healthcare.

The Midwest had some of the highest rates of suicidal ideation and attempts, and its youth reported some of the highest rates of physical harm and threats. The Northeast reported some of the highest levels of community acceptance, and lower rates of suicidal ideation and attempts, compared to other regions.

“This is an incredibly difficult time for

many LGBTQ+ young people—and these findings give us critical insight into the unique challenges they face in every state.

We hope lawmakers, advocates, youthserving professionals, and allies in every corner of the country use this research to better understand and support the young people in their communities,” Black added.

Supporting young Queer Washingtonians When affirming spaces and communities are accessible, Queer youth report lower rates of suicide attempts, but further action is required. Respondents in the Trevor Project’s report stated five things loved and trusted peopel can do to show support and acceptance: Trusting they know who they are Standing up for them Not supporting politicians who advocate for anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation Respecting their pronouns Researching LGBTQ+ identities for selfeducation The full report can be found at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ survey-2024-by-state.

Creating inclusive technology for the Trans community B Y L I N D S E Y A N D E RS O N SG N S TAFF W RI T ER

10

SGN

For over a decade, Prof. Oliver Haimson has studied the intersection between Transgender identities and rapidly growing technology. His fascination with the topic started around 2011, when he noticed how social media impacted his gender transition. He began looking into things like how people were presenting themselves and disclosing their Trans identities. The technological boom showed Haimson that Transgender communities can flourish in internet chat rooms and on social media.

“There are so many benefits for Trans people... but because a lot of these mainstream technologies aren’t very inclusive, that means that some people don’t get to access the benefits,” Haimson told the SGN. He’s since noticed the shift in social media as a consumer culture. Social media previously felt more personal than it does today, where influencers can sometimes feel larger than life. Some have found followings by documenting their transitions, but many watch from behind their screens.

This trend may be why so many have flocked to smaller servers like Discord in search of community.

Haimson considers medical technology to be a part of Trans technology, since it has made transitioning more accessible.

“Technology is helping Trans people [by] addressing needs and challenges that Trans

APRIL 2025

people in communities face,” he said.

In his latest book, Trans Technologies, Haimson argues that Trans inclusion goes beyond ensuring that Trans coders are at the forefront of advancements.

“It’s not enough to have the creator be Trans themselves,” he said. “They need to be in contact with other community members who might not be [as] privileged as them… That’s how we can use technology to make a positive impact.”

AI and DEI Through his studies, Haimson found that certain breakthrough technologies can negatively impact Trans people. He noticed that some seemed hesitant and skeptical of AI, and so he conducted a quantitative survey that found that Trans people — and especially those who identify as Nonbinary — had a much more negative view of AI. “That has to do with the fact that there’s a lot of discrimination and bias that happens related to AI for Trans people, specifically,” Haimson said. “If you think about facial recognition technologies or airport scanners, there are so many examples of ways that it has harmed Trans people. It’s not surprising that Trans people are more resistant.”

Despite the negative implications of AI, Haimson hopes technology can make the

world safer for Trans people, especially during the Trump administration. When conducting interviews for his new book, he learned of an app called Transformations, which maps anti-Trans bills nationwide.

While technology can uplift the community, Haimson believes those in charge have the final say. “We’ve seen some companies backtrack on their DEI initiatives,” he said. “To me, this signals that they didn’t care in the first place. They were doing what was culturally expected or acceptable at the moment.”

Cuts to DEI initiatives harm Trans employees, and also lead to fewer advancements in tech that could improve the lives of all LGBTQIA+ people.

“It goes beyond just supporting Trans and Queer employees at these companies. It’s also about ways to make tech more inclusive,” he said.

Haimson believes major tech companies shutting out diverse minds will inspire indie tech to develop in its shadows.

“Mainstream technologies are not meeting Trans people’s needs. [When] companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft move away from inclusivity, people will create technologies to show that if you don’t support us, we may not need you. Maybe we can build our own technology futures.”

C E L E B R A T I N G 51 Y E A R S!

12 attorneys general oppose passport application changes targeting Trans people B Y H A N N A H S AU N D E RS SG N EDI T OR Twelve attorneys general banded together to submit a letter in opposition to suggested changes that deny Transgender people the right to a passport that matches their gender identity. Many Transgender people knew that gender markers on all forms of identification would be a pressing issue during the Trump administration, and while some worked to update their documentation before the inauguration, they were met with inaccurate gender markers.

On his first day in office, Trump declared that the US would only recognize two sexes, male and female, and directed agencies, including the secretaries of state and homeland security, to implement changes that force Transgender people to hold documentation showing their assigned sex at birth.

“These discriminatory rules would add confusion and costs for taxpayers merely to satisfy the president’s fixation on dehumanizing an entire class of people,” Washington Atty. Gen. Nick Brown said.

Massachusetts Atty. Gen. Andrea Joy Campbell and New York Atty. Gen. Letitia James, who led the charge on this letter to the Department of State, were joined by the attorneys general of Washington, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont.

The letter notes how approximately 1.6 million adults and children in the US identify as Transgender, out of which 341,800 adults identify as Nonbinary or gendernonconforming. It mentions how transitioning frequently consists of changing names and gender markers on legal identification documents.

“When a transgender, nonbinary, or intersex person possesses accurate identification documents — ones with gender markers that match their gender identity — they may move through the world as themselves, without ‘outing’ themselves to everyone who sees that documentation,” the letter states.

The attorneys general argue that Trump’s proposed passport documentation changes conflict with state policies, increase costs, compromise the right to travel, and harm Transgender and Nonbinary people.

“If these changes take effect, transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals may have accurate gender markers on most or all documents except their US passports, which… may pose issues as individuals engage in daily life — enrolling in school, establishing parentage, or proving work authorization with an employer — and exacerbate their gender dysphoria,” according to the letter.

The attorneys general also argue that the proposed changes may impact a Trans or Nonbinary person’s involvement in society altogether, like being denied entrance to events due to gender markers.

“Security guards may interpret the mismatch between a transgender, nonbinary, or intersex person’s physical appearance and the ‘M’ or ‘F’ on their passport as a sign of a counterfeit document —which security may feel empowered to confiscate,” the letter states.

If these changes are implemented, Transgender and Nonbinary people using passports to open a bank account, enroll in university, or apply to jobs will likely be outed.

The attorneys general added that the

COURTESY RENEE RAKETTY

“proposed changes would not achieve any legitimate purpose.”

Washington state currently allows Trans and Nonbinary people to make alterations to their state-issued birth certificates. For

more information, visit https://doh.wa.gov/ licenses-permits-and-certificates/vitalrecords/sex-designation-change-birth-certificate.

On Trump’s Hitler-inspired erasure of Trans Americans Trans kids like E. are canaries in the coal mine. If we don’t stand up for them and stop Trump in his tracks, history makes patently clear where this path leads

BY ALI MOSS

E. AT THE QUEER BRITAIN MUSEUM IN LONDON LAST YEAR, ADDING HIS THOUGHTS TO AN EXHIBIT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LGBTQ+ VISIBILITY. ALI MOSS

V ISI T US ONLINE SGN.ORG

After my Buzzfeed piece [https://www. buzzfeed.com/alimoss/my-trans-son-isone-of-the-lucky-ones] went live, my uncle Bill sent me an email evoking the memory of his mom, my grandma Martha, who escaped Nazi Germany as a teenager. She died before I started kindergarten but has remained an animating force throughout my life. I grew up asking myself, “Would I have been as brave as her?” I never imagined I’d have the chance to find out.

But Trump has continued running plays not only from Project 2025 but straight from Hitler’s playbook. When my 11-yearold son E. spoke at a rally at Stonewall National Monument last month, I shared the video with my uncle. This time, he compared E. to Martha, which just about broke me as a mother. Such pride and such terror, inextricable.

It drove me back to my desk, where my anger, fear, and love resulted in a new essay, published this morning by HuffPost [https://shorturl.at/fHPvc].

One of the many powerful signs I spotted at the protest read, “We are older than your laws and we will outlive them. There are Queer and Trans kids, adults and elders in

APRIL 2025

the future.” It is a message of resilience and hope to which I cling in these dark times.

During this Trans Month of Visibility — but at all other times too — it’s critical to remember that President Trump can no more erase Transgender Americans from the future than he can from the past. But that’s only true if allies echo and amplify the loud voices of the Trans community.

Their words — E.’s words — could be heard well beyond the fences of Stonewall National Monument that afternoon.

As his parent and greatest champion, it’s my job to make sure you hear them, too— and to ask you to share them far and wide.

Ali Moss (she/her) is an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker working on a memoir about her commitment to breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma.

More at http://alimoss.com.

SGN

11

SANCTUARY

CONTINUED FROM COVER

ASHLEY FORD COURTESY CITY OF SEATTLE

Ashley Ford, co-chair of the Seattle LGBTQ Commission, said this ordinance makes Washington state’s Shield Law enforceable at the city level and prevents city employees, including law enforcement officers and social service workers, from

cooperating with other state governments that attempt to penalize gender-affirming care and reproductive healthcare in the city.

“We aren’t backing down to federal threats,” Ford said.

Charlotte Kayne-Amoureux of the 43rd District Democrats said it is crucial that the city does all it can to protect Queer and Trans people from the “illegal and unconstitutional” attacks taking place at both state and federal levels, like forcing Trans youth off of puberty blockers.

“The federal government is engaged in systemic erasure of Trans people,” said Kayne-Amoureux. “A world without Trans people has never existed. We will always exist no matter what.”

Amendments Councilmember Cathy Moore (Dist. 5) requested an amendment, which was unanimously passed by the council. Amendment A defined the term “assistance” — which is present in both the ordinance and state law — to be “any action to help, aid, or support the provision of receipt of protected health services, including, but not limited to, pro-

viding financial, logistical, informational, or travel support to facilitate access to protected health services.”

Amendment A also specifies that agents of city commissions, boards, agencies, and departments are barred from cooperating with other governments that attempt to obtain information regarding a person’s protected healthcare services.

Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Dist. 8) brought forth Amendment B, which would have added a trigger provision putting the ordinance into effect only in the case that the Washington Shield Law is repealed. She said if another state or the federal government wants to fight them over shield laws, it would be up to the Attorney General’s Office, the strongest in the state, instead of city lawyers.

Rinck’s amendment received the endorsement of the Seattle LGBTQ Commission, yet other councilmembers had concerns.

Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (Dist.

3) brought up how the city shield law has additional and expanded protections compared to the state’s, and that adding a trigger amendment would not remove the Attorney

CHOPP

CONTINUED FROM COVER Kids.’ He would then work to bring people together for sustainable change. He inspired, conspired, and cajoled, as needed, to help people see the possibility of a positive impact.

“Frank was a transformational figure in our state’s political landscape. He was a champion for a wide range of issues that matter to Washingtonians, including affordable childcare, housing, mental health, and health care. He changed the trajectory for home care workers, employees needing paid family leave, and students seeking job training and higher education.

“He deeply loved many people he worked with, mentored, and built lifelong friendships with, which brought us a large extended family. We appreciate their kind words and shared remembrances in this difficult time.”

Fighting for Queer rights In the earlier days of his career, Chopp became the executive director of the Fremont Public Association (later known as Solid Ground), a nonprofit housing, paratransit, and human services organization.

Elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 1994, Chopp rose to cospeaker of the House in 1999. Two years later, Chopp became the House speaker, a position he retained until 2019, then went on to serve two additional terms, officially retiring from 30 years of public service this past January.

“As Speaker of the House, Frank Chopp was deeply involved in every major advance for LGBTQ+ people in Washington over the last 20 years,” Sen. Jamie Pedersen told the SGN. “Without his support, we would not have won Trans-inclusive

FRANK CHOPP AP NEWS

antidiscrimination, antibullying, and hate crimes protections; marriage equality; or equal parentage rights. His work ensured that Washington became and remains a safe place for our whole community, and we owe him a debt of gratitude for his passionate support of our rights.”

Back when he was working at the Fremont Public Association, Chopp operated and sponsored the AIDS Home Care Project, through which he helped hundreds of people living with AIDS in King County.

The organization launched Home Care services in 1979, to assist low-income adults and seniors living with disabilities to safely live in their homes. In the late 1980s and

1990s, Home Care expanded to serve those living with AIDS during the prime of the epidemic — when an AIDS diagnosis was a death sentence. Chopp’s Home Care services ultimately led to tens of millions of dollars in state funding per year.

On the opening day of the 2012 legislative session, Chopp advocated for a samesex marriage law, which came into effect on December 6 that year. At the time, only a handful of states had marriage equality.

In 2018, Chopp endorsed legislation to ban “conversion therapy,” which banned efforts to alter Queer people’s sexual orientations and gender identities. This dangerous practice is sometimes promoted by

Local companies respond Federal grant money through the NEA has been challenging to obtain, even before

this contract change. Joshua Gailey, communications and public engagement manager at Seattle Opera, told the SGN that it hasn’t received a sizeable NEA grant since the ’90s.

“We applied for a NEA grant for The Magic Flute and received $30K last year.

[But] each of our productions costs in the $1-2 million range. Because our federal grants are so small, we don’t depend on that.”

The Opera decided to submit an application this year for its 2026 production of Carmen, and it will carry this production forward whether or not it receives an NEA grant.

“We’re navigating as best we can,” Gailey said. “It’s unclear what the status is. If [those requirements] remain, our strategy is to choose to apply for projects to be in adherence with whatever the NEA is willing to grant funding for, while still continuing to do the work that Seattle Opera has

made an institutional priority.”

The Seattle Rep has received 10 NEA grants in the last decade, ranging from $25,000 to $35,000, for specific productions, such as Quixote Nuevo, Lydia and the Troll, and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.

“Like many of our peers, we are waiting on the courts to understand the full legal implications, but in the meantime, we don’t plan to stop applying for NEA funding,” Managing Director Jeffrey Herrman told the SGN. “We stand by the artistic quality and merit of our work, and believe that any one of our projects would present a worthwhile investment in arts and culture for American taxpayers.”

The NEA has regularly funded various projects at The 5th Avenue Theatre since 2006, with support ranging from $15,000 to $60,000.

“The NEA has also made [other kinds of] Washington state grants possible,” Bill

12

APRIL 2025

NEA

CONTINUED FROM COVER “We submitted Part 1 of the application for NEA funding in early February 2025, and then didn’t bother completing when they changed the guidelines midstream,” Cohen said. “Diversity, equity and inclusion work is our primary mission, so of course we aren’t going to sign anything vowing not to do any.”

Theatre Communications Group, along with the ACLU and others, has filed suit against these requirements. So far, those efforts have put a pause on the “gender ideology” portion in court but not the DEI language. Nationally, arts organizations are watching and waiting to see if they ultimately prevail.

SGN

General Office’s obligation to enforce laws.

“We are a target already as a sanctuary city as well, and it’s not new for our city to regularly codify state law so we can locally enforce provisions,” Councilmember Hollingsworth said.

“I don’t share the same concerns, although I appreciate they have been aired,” Councilmember Moore said.

Amendment B failed to pass by a 7-2 vote.

Councilmember Mark Solomon (Dist. 2) brought forth Amendment C, which states that the city’s intent is to stay up-to-date with possible alterations to Washington’s Shield Law, and ensures that the city council can respond to any changes in a timely manner to so Seattle residents and visitors are safe.

“This is the right thing to do,” said Councilmember Maritza Rivera (4). “I know on this bill, we all agree on the need to bring it at this time.”

Amendment C was unanimously adopted.

The council then unanimously approved CB 120950, designating Seattle as a sanctuary city for all, including the LGBTQIA+ community.

far right-wing religious groups, and most major medical and mental health organizations in the country have issued statements condemning it, as it can lead to depression, anxiety, substance use, homelessness, and suicide.

That year, Chopp also pushed the Reproductive Parity Act, which requires health insurance companies to cover reproductive healthcare and maternity services, even if an employer objects to providing these services.

In 2019, Chopp supported Senate Bill 5689, which was aimed at preventing bullying of Transgender public school students, and also created the first LGBTQ State Commission.

In his leadership role, Chopp supported legislation that banned LGBTQ+ discrimination by healthcare plans. Because of this law, health insurers cannot deny treatment coverage for Transgender patients if the same treatments are covered for cisgender policyholders. In 2020, Chopp supported a bill to force public schools to educate students about consent, contraception, and LGBTQ+ issues.

“In his two decades as Speaker of the House, he worked tirelessly to get good policies passed, and the list of legislative accomplishments during his tenure is enormous,” said House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma). “I feel incredibly fortunate to have served under his leadership and am forever inspired by his dedication to the work of the People’s House. All who knew him are reeling from the news of his loss.”

Chopp’s family is planning a celebration of life in May, and instead of flowers, they suggest donating to the Low Income Housing Institute, Life Support, El Centro de la Raza, and Open Doors for Multicultural Families.

Berry, executive director, told the SGN. “While usually less than $10,000, those grants helped make it possible for The 5th to offer free and low-cost performances and programs. The 5th Avenue Theatre is not an applicant for the coming cycle.”

The pattern in Seattle’s arts community appears now to be either waiting on what the courts decide or choosing not to engage with the funding requirements.

For more articles and reviews, go to https://www.facebook.com/SeattleTheaterWriters. Go to https://MiryamsTheaterMusings.blogspot.com and subscribe to receive articles directly.

C E L E B R A T I N G 51 Y E A R S!

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

CHRISTOPHER D’ARIANO AND PRINCIPAL DANCER LETA BIASUCCI IN THE WORLD PREMIERE OF PRICE SUDDARTH’S DAWN PATROL ANGELA STERLING

PNB COMPANY DANCERS IN CRYSTAL PITE’S EMERGENCE ANGELA STERLING

LUCIEN POSTLEWAITE AND SOLOIST CLARA RUF MALDONADO IN JEROME ROBBINS’ AFTERNOON OF A FAUN ANGELA STERLING

Crystal Pite’s weird and wonderful Emergence returns to Pacific Northwest Ballet Accompanied by Suddarth’s Dawn Patrol, Robbin’s Afternoon of a Faun, and Goecke’s Mopey B Y S H A RO N C U M B E R L A N D Emergence Pacific Northwest Ballet McCaw Hall March 14, 2025 Contemporary ballet was on the menu for the packed house of stylish patrons at Pacific Northwest Ballet’s opening night of Emergence, a program that presented four exciting approaches to modern classical dance. All ages were present at McCaw Hall: parents with children, young dancers in training, jazzy corporate types, curious newcomers, and lifelong supporters of PNB — a pretty good cross-section of Seattleites and their dance-loving friends.

First-night excitement was rewarded with a fascinating mix of contemporary works that transported the audience into strange, emotional, and beautiful new worlds. Choreographer (and PNB soloist) Price Suddarth’s compelling premier of Dawn Patrol was followed by Jerome Robbins’ louche and elegant Afternoon of a Faun, Marco Goecke’s hilarious Mopey, and the astonishing return of Crystal Pite’s Emergence.

Dawn Patrol, with music by Alfonso Peduto and a swooping, tent-like set by Chrisoula Kapelonis that suggested a WWII hangar, reached far beyond its inspiration as an homage to aviators, creating a universal sense of anxiety in the face of duty. The male sextet was especially remarkable as the pulsing tension crystalized the sense of courage in the face of danger. Suddarth’s choreography took me to a gripping place I couldn’t have imagined

V ISI T US ONLINE SGN.ORG

without it.

Afternoon of a Faun, set to music by Claude Debussy, was originally choreographed by the famous Russian Vaslav Nijinsky, whose erotic movements scandalized the dance world of 1912. In 1953 Jerome Robbins reimagined this sexy faun as a dancer in the studio, watching his own movements in a mirror. The audience becomes that mirror as the fourth wall disappears and the Faun (Lucien Postlewaite) studies himself as he stretches and postures. When a Nymph (Clara Ruf Maldonado) joins him in his self-absorption, a

delightful merging of dance and mythology occurs. On opening night, the audience was as delighted as the Faun.

Mopey (don’t ask me what the title means) was as weird as it was fascinating. Choreographer Marco Goecke must have both qualities himself to have set this one-man dance to both C.P.E. Bach’s Cello Concerto in A minor and The Cramps’ shrieking, ear-splitting version of “Surfin’ Bird.” Soloist Kuu Sakuragi took on the brave, exposed role of a solo figure who rolls, twirls, flaps his arms, and beats his chest through a fantastic series of emo-

SOLOIST KUU SAKURAGI IN MARCO GOECKE’S MOPEY ANGELA STERLING

APRIL 2025

tional movements as he tumbled on and off the stage. When the music suddenly went from a momentary silence to an especially bonkers version of “Surfin’ Bird,” I felt like it had finally caught up with the strangely affecting wildness of the dance. Kudos to Kuu Sakuragi, whose athleticism and vulnerability made the whole crazy thing quite touching.

Emergence, by choreographer Crystal Pite, was presented here in 2013 and never forgotten by those of us who saw it. I said then (and I’ll quote myself): “Words cannot express the thrilling strangeness of this astonishing work.”

From the literal emergence of a winged creature from a chrysalis to the military formation of opposing swarms, this monumental dance builds and builds to a massive, somewhat scary climax. It’s part sci-fi, part entomology: The bare-chested men are in black, many-winged pants, rolling and organizing into troops. The women, in black tutus with layered flaps, stand on their black point shoes, using tiny steps to suggest the strange unity of bees. They whisper repeated counts along with Owen Belton’s low drone music, creating such an impression of otherworldliness that when the two cohorts integrate in a militaristic formation of impressive gestures, you don’t know whether to applaud or run from the room. It’s an especially apt dance in the new reality we’re living with in 2025: scary, uncertain, fascinating. Emergence is more relevant than ever—and a tremendous contribution to contemporary ballet.

SGN

13

Rebecca Black brings Salvation to Neumos, leaves no crumbs B Y K Y L I N B RO W N KYLIN BROWN

As the first stop of her Salvation tour, singer, songwriter, and sometimes DJ Rebecca Black headlined Neumos on March 4. While some remember Black for her near-ruinous debut — the viral 2011 hit “Friday” — the star’s powerful metamorphosis has been driven by her coming into her Queer identity, as covered by the SGN in a backstage interview at Capitol Hill Block Party 2023.

Black’s latest project, Salvation, was released in full right before the show, but the tantalizing singles “Sugar Water Cyanide” and “Trust!” had already offered a glimpse into the 27-year-old’s new direction: techno-pop. After her raved-about Boiler Room debut last October, Black’s internet following expressed their hope to see more of her songs headed in this direction, and Salvation delivered.

To the excitement of the wall-to-wall crowd at Neumos, the show started with a short countdown clock, at the end of which the screen cut abruptly to a video depicting Black in a police-like interrogation, with sunglasses on and pouty indifference. In the video, Black is asked to provide her full name if she knows what day of the week it is.

“No,” she says, “no.”

The video fades out as lyrics and soundbites of Black’s 2021 “Friday” remix with

Dorian Electra, Big Freedia, and 3OH!3 began to flicker across the screen. The audience shrieked eagerly. Just when it would have been fitting for Black to rise onstage and perform the now-reclaimed, infamous hit, the pounding of a gavel and a judge’s voice cut off the sound of the music.

“Order in the court,” it said. “Rebecca Black is guilty.”

Artful camp The high-powered performance to follow proved Black’s mastery of camp, as she and her dancers hooked the crowd and reeled them in through 14 songs, three outfit changes, and a hilarity of props.

The entrance alone was artful. Two dancers entered the stage in bedazzled, spiked police caps and skirts, making out briefly before Black walked onstage, wrapped in an intricately tied surgery gauze that held her hands behind her back and wrapped around her head. The plastic-surgeryinspired look, the unrepressed policemen, and the judge’s voice were all nods to the “Trust!” music video, , with Black on trial in the court of public opinion.

Perhaps teasing those familiar with the song, the show surprisingly began with the riveting track “Tears in my Pocket.” The dance banger is both haunting and glitchy,

KYLIN BROWN

14

SGN

APRIL 2025

escalating into its distinctive beat drop as dancers slowly removed Black’s faux postop wrap and strobe lights illuminated the glamorous de-mummification.

“Trust!” later on was, indeed, a crowd favorite. Named “an instant club classic” by Ones to Watch and released just following her October 2024 Boiler Room set, the track had fans screaming out its raunchy lyrics.

“While you’re on you’re on your way home to me / I’m preparing your fantasy / Make you food and a special treat / Eat, eat, eat, eat!”

Several audience members cheered excitedly when one of Black’s costume changes ended with a video promoting “Sugar Water Cyanide.” In a social-media-style “unboxing” video, short clips showed people opening a package from Black, finding spherical containers labeled “sugar,” “water,” and “cyanide” inside, drinking the cyanide, and pretending to go unconscious.

“Did someone call for a doctor?” Black teased as her dancers returned to the stage in white lab coats, bringing with them large signs advertising cyanide for $1,000,000.

In her final outfit of the night, a cheetah-print minidress with a hot-pink bra showing above the corset, Black carried in a waiter’s tray with the same spherical potions from the video. One fan was given

a free taste of the “cyanide” onstage as the pulsing beat of the song began.

Similarly, before singing “Crumbs,” a highly streamed track from her 2023 debut studio album Let Her Burn, Black slyly offered an introductory pun.

“This is the place…” she said, “to break into the crumbs.”

The brimming crowd was moved to clapping during Black’s performance of “Sick to My Stomach” and again during the finale, “Salvation.” With impressive dance breaks and choreographed entrance scenes, the entire set felt like a drag show and, at the same time, a robust production by a veteran performer.

After a brief stint abroad, including stops in Glasgow, Bristol, London, Manchester, and Dublin, Rebecca returned to North America to finish the “Salvation” tour on March 27, with shows in Brooklyn, Philadelphia, DC, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, and St. Paul.

Excitingly, Seattle will see Black’s return during Pride Month. She is set to headline the Queer/Pride Festival this year on June 27–29, alongside Tinashe and Lil’ Kim. Find tickets and more information at https://everout.com/seattle/events/queerpride-festival-2025/e197974.

KYLIN BROWN

C E L E B R A T I N G 51 Y E A R S!

ReAct Theatre to unveil tale of Texas Christian boy who transitions into Orthodox Jewish woman B Y H A N N A H S AU N D E RS SGN EDI T OR On two afternoons this April, ReAct Theatre will premiere Abbie Cohen’s experiences of growing up as a small-town Christian boy in Texas and transitioning into an Orthodox Jewish woman in her autobiographical play, The Lost Object.

Cast members, including Violet DeVille, Cassondra Parkerson, and Kalli Allen, will perform this piece as part of the Baker Theater Workshop, which supports the creation of new theatrical works involving lowincome high school students.

“In rehearsal, we’ve all felt the power of Abbie’s struggles to live an authentic life, to wrestle with questions of love and faith, and to stay standing when culture, family, and economic necessity push hard against survival and living a sustainable life,” said Peter Temes, director of The Lost Object and Baker organizer. “We’ve shed tears as we’ve stood up this work of art, and audiences will too.”

When Abbie ventures out of Texas to become and live as a university student in

COURTESY REACT THEATRE

New York, she finds herself exploring gender and faith, while searching for connection and her community. She eventually moves into a single-room-occupancy hotel, then something strikes her: she overhears the mother of a young Transgender girl saying that she “cannot be a woman.”

In addition, Abbie marries a butcher who is not only an Orthodox Jew but also, as she later finds out, a compulsive liar, a financial scammer, and a one-time terrorist.

“This is an extraordinary work of art

about a boy becoming a woman, about a journey into Orthodox Judaism, and about crafting a meaningful life against powerful currents,” Temes said.

The Lost Boy performances will take place on April 19 and 20 at ReAct Theatre’s studio, 562 First Ave. S. For more information, visit https://www.bakertheaterworkshop.com/lost-object.

Love You Madly, Holly Woodlawn: Gush, guffaws, and gender fluidity

BY ANDRE W HAMLIN Actress, singer, and cabaret performer Holly Woodlawn (1946–2016) survives in the minds of the public through the strength of two Andy Warhol movies from the ’70s: Trash and Women in Revolt. At turns garish, lurid, and desperate, she strode the line between male and female, both on film and in real life.

LA writer and producer Jeff Copeland befriended Woodlawn and helped co-write her autobiography, A Low Life in High Heels, but he now returns with a more intimate portrait of their relationship in his recently released book, Love You Madly, Holly Woodlawn.

Copeland told the SGN he remembers the brilliant star as one who didn’t accept questions about her gender. He refers to Woodlawn as “she” most of the time, and said she would often snap, “What difference does it make if I’m a man or a woman? I’m Holly.

That’s all you need to know.”

“Look at photos of Lady Bunny and Holly together, and you’ll see the difference,” he said. “Holly’s intent was to pass as a real woman. But when I knew Holly in the ’80s and ’90s, she only dressed as a woman when she was making public appearances. I loved watching her put on

V ISI T US ONLINE SGN.ORG

her makeup. It was a spectacular transformation.”

Fame, recalled Copeland, suited Woodlawn much of the time, but Lou Reed’s sly, witty couplets about her in the classic song “Walk on the Wild Side” rang all too true.

She was Holly, but she never forgot her start as teenage boy named Harold who ran away from Miami Beach in 1962, landed in Times Square, and became a teenage sex worker to survive.

“That’s every parent’s nightmare,” Copeland said. “Holly is an example of why diversity and inclusion programs are so important, particularly in schools. When kids are shamed for being themselves, like Holly was, they can be driven to extremes.

Copeland said he frequently wonders what Woodlawn’s life trajectory would have been like if she had grown up in a supportive and encouraging environment.

“Would she have run away? Living on the streets was traumatizing, and I know she suffered from some arrested development because of that,” Copeland said.

Having published two books about Woodlawn, Copeland is hopeful to further shine light on her legacy.

“To get the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle

HOLLY WOODLAWN REX EVERETT

to produce Love You Madly, Holly Woodlawn as a musical stage play, with music

by Cyndi Lauper and Jane Lynch playing

APRIL 2025

Holly — now that would be fabulous!”

Copeland said enthusiastically.

SGN

15

Poetry = resistance: Women’s work B Y S H A RO N C U M B E R L A N D As hard as these times are, with the onslaught of the Trump/Musk wrecking ball, we’ve been through this before.

The success of the Womxn’s March of 2017 should remind us that we know a lot about how to demand and defend our rights.

Back then, the shock of having a president who boasted of sexual assault brought out

the pussy hats and protests in defense of protections for women.

To honor that peaceful nationwide protest, we focus this month on women’s work, from an anthology called Raising Lilly Ledbetter: Women Poets Occupy the Workspace (Carolyne Wright, M. L. Lyons, Eugenia Toledo, eds. Lost Horse Press,

Sandpoint, ID, 2015). Ledbetter fought against pay discrimination after discovering that for years her male colleagues were paid 30% more than she was. Her story — how hard she fought through the courts; how she won, then lost appeals; how Barak Obama’s first act as president in 2009 was to sign equal compensation into law —

gave women fair pay for the first time in American history.

So guess what? Trump froze the equal compensation law in August 2017. Are we surprised?

Womxn and allies: it’s time to march again, and the women in these poems will be marching right beside us.

Another Day at the Dildo Factory Lytton Bell

Kyrie Pantokrator Sharon Cumberland

Twenty immigrants in twenty hairnets are painting veins on twenty prosthetic penises

The world was not for me, but for my brothers, the horses, the science kits, the classrooms, the rough training for the world. which was not for me, but for my husbands, the work, the money the camaraderie over drinks and waitresses, which was not for me but for my fathers, the wives, the tidy homes and waiting children, the warm bed, which was not for me.

I beat the chest of my soul.

The penises had ceased to seem shocking to them after just one eight-hour shift, even to the Catholics, and they disregarded them, gossiping and chatting amongst themselves as if it were only the paper factory or the ideology factory instead The penises, molded in a malleable rubber sway a little when you touch them as if to ask: What are you doing to me?

Where are you sending me?

What will I be doing one week from today?

What is my purpose in the world?

Is there a God? Finally, one worker says to one of the penises Don’t ask me, I just work here; I’m only making minimum wage.

The clear path was not for me but for the scions, the boys of promise and grace, their football fields, the locker room and all its promises, which was not for me but for the scholars, their tutors, the books and allowances, the mighty potential, which was not for me but for the junior partners, their swaddles of opportunity, the slap on the back, which was not for me.

I bite the tongue of my mind.

The audience was not for me but for the speakers, their podiums and printing presses, the bull horns which were not for me but for the soldiers, their flags and taxes, the guns and petroleum, their certainty of righteousness which was not for me but for the kings, the popes, the presidents, their parades and treasure, their chest of ribbons, which was not for me.

I brandish the fist of my bowels.

The Church was not for me but for the Adams, the ones that look like You in their secret bodies, like the Father and the suffering Son in his ribs and rags, which were not for me but for the saints, their faith and miracles. Only the martyrs, their persecutions, their resistance, the hopes of forgiveness for their jealousy, their cowardice, their despair, Pantokrator, are for me.

I bend the knee of my heart.

Circle of Silence Stacy K. Vargas Like an electron trapped in an unstable orbit, I am seated in a circle of powerful men.

In an awkward moment small talk ends and the meeting abruptly begins.

The superintendent turns to me and says, “This was not sexual harassment.”

I turn to the inspector general and say, “After everything you heard in this investigation, you find this acceptable?”

The inspector general turns to my department head but remains silent.

My department head turns to the chief of staff but remains silent.

The chief of staff turns to the superintendent but remains silent.

The superintendent turns to me and says, “This is my decision and it’s final.”

I turn to the inspector general and ask, “Don’t you have anything to say?”

The inspector general turns to my department head but remains silent.

My department head turns to the chief of staff but remains silent.

The chief of staff turns to the superintendent but remains silent.

I am trapped in a cycle of muted men Like an electron transitioning from its ground state to a higher energy level. I break away from the circle of silence.

Why can’t they?

16

SGN

APRIL 2025

C E L E B R A T I N G 51 Y E A R S!

“Dolly: Seattle Men’s Chorus Salutes Dolly Parton” gets a second date in Seattle Concerts in other Western WA cities to follow B Y H A N N A H S AU N D E RS SGN EDI T OR An upcoming Seattle Men’s Chorus show celebrating Dolly Parton, the beloved singer, songwriter, and LGBTQIA+ ally, has just landed another date in Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theatre before the talented performers travel north this spring.

Audience members are encouraged to rock all things rhinestone and flaunt their cowboy hats and boots as they step into the realm of country classics like “Honky Tonk Angels,” “Jolene,” and “Islands in the Stream.” The chorus will also feature a mashup of Parton’s songs from the 1982 musical-comedy The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

To further honor Parton for her musical talent and humanity, the chorus is including video storytelling in the performances, the

first of which are 7:30 p.m. on April 5 and now also 2 p.m. on April 6. Ticket prices range from $39 to $99. Concerts in Bellingham, Tacoma, and Everett will follow, and there is a streaming option as well.

“Everybody loves Dolly,” Paul Caldwell, artistic director, said in a press release.

“She and her music embody a fun and loving energy that’s just infectious — and this larger-than-life concert pulls out all the stops, with an abundance of everything as only the Seattle Men’s Chorus can deliver.”

Women like Parton and Loretta Lynn reshaped the country music industry during the ’60s and ’70s. In 1967, at 21 years old, Parton released her first Top 40 hit, “Dumb Blonde,” which bashes stereotypes of women with blonde hair.

Having grown up surrounded by religion and as a spiritual woman, Parton has penned lyrics about accepting those who tend to be othered in society. In her 1991 song “Eagle When She Flies,” Parton sings, “Some are preachers, some are gay, some are addicts, drunks, and strays. But not a one is turned away when it’s family.”

Her advocacy for Queer rights ranges from supporting marriage equality to stating in a 2014 interview with Billboard that “the sin of judging is just as bad as any other sin they might say somebody else is committing,” in regards to those who pass judgment on Queer groups attending the Dollywood theme park. Parton pushed back on anti-Trans bathroom bans.

“I think everybody should be treated

with respect,” Parton said in 2016. “I don’t judge people… I hope that everybody gets a chance to be who and what they are.”

For more information, visit http://seattlemenschorus.org.

FILM

Disney’s new Snow White heigh-hos from animation to live action with kid-friendly enthusiasm B Y S A R A M I C H E L L E F E T T E RS SGN S TAFF W RI T ER SNOW WHITE Theaters For all its dated elements, Walt Disney’s 1937 animated classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs remains a masterpiece. The title character isn’t exactly the most modern heroine in the world: She happily sings about how someday a prince will come to save her from the drudgery of her everyday miseries and later takes great pride in being little more than a smiley-faced maidservant to a septet of messy, pint-sized miners.

But Snow has spunk and Snow has flair, and those miners are a courageous, heighho’ing hoot. Best of all is the despicable Evil Queen. Her transformation from the not-so-fairest of them all (at least anymore) to elderly, wart-nosed hag hawking poisoned apples is one of the most spectacularly realized sequences in all of Disney animated history.

While the timeless Grimm fairy tale has been reinvented for the big screen several times over the decades, Disney has always been content to allow its animated version to be its last word. Until now. With filmmaker Marc Webb ((500) Days of Summer, The Amazing Spider-Man) calling the shots and The Greatest Showman tunesmiths Benj Pasek and Justin Paul crafting new songs, this live-action Snow White attempts to make the character slightly more modern

V ISI T US ONLINE SGN.ORG

while also retaining the ambiance and tone of the hand-drawn original. They almost pull it off.

They score major points in casting West Side Story star Rachel Zegler as the empathetic princess. She’s sublime. Not only can she belt out a tune, she understands her assignment perfectly. Zegler makes Snow a heroine who retains many of the luminous qualities of her predecessor, yet also one that feels every bit at home in the 21st century. This young woman may want everyone to whistle while they work, but that doesn’t mean she’s going to do all the labor herself. This Snow is not waiting for a prince to come and save the day. She’s more than capable of doing that for herself, thank you very much.

The same cannot be said for her cunning adversary, the Evil Queen. Gal Gadot is a pale shadow of the 1937 version of this villain. She is no match for iconic voice actor Lucille La Verne who originally gave her life. Gadot’s performance is like something out of a bad RuPaul’s Drag Race challenge.

She vamps it up with hammy inelegance.

Her movements are awkwardly mechanical. Her vocal inflections have no menace and carry even less weight (and I’ll be kind and not talk about her singing). Worst of all, her Evil Queen isn’t scary, and her transformation into the old hag is not anything to crow about (fabulous practical

EVERETT COLLECTION

makeup effects notwithstanding).

In fairness, Gadot does look two or three levels beyond stunning. Academy Award winner Sandy Powell (Shakespeare in Love) has outdone herself. The Evil Queen’s collections of form-fitting gowns and voluminous capes capture the light with blinding magnificence. While the entire creative team outdoes itself, it is Powell who takes things to astronomical heights. As bland as Gadot’s performance might be, she remains a ravishing feast for the eyes.

The remainder is a wildly mixed bag.

The seven dwarfs Snow encounters in the forest are brought to life via next-level performance capture and have a purposefully cartoonish, three-dimensional physicality that duplicates their animated doppelgängers from the ’37 version down to the last detail. Yet there’s also something uncomfortably creepy about them, their deadeyed demeanor more reminiscent of The Polar Express or Beowulf than Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes or Avatar.

Then there is the replacement of the original’s charming prince for a dashing rogue named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap). He has a nice voice, and does share one musical number with Zegler (a ditty entitled “Princess Problems”) that brought an enchanted smile to my face. But he’s also an emotional wet noodle, and that makes caring whether

APRIL 2025

Jonathan and Snow end up happily canoodling next to impossible.

On the plus side, I expect kids will adore this Snow White. This is the most G-rated PG motion picture I’ve seen in ages.

There’s nothing offensive or controversial. The woodland creatures (almost all CG creations) are beyond cute, the dwarfs make goofy mischief throughout, and the songs — both old and new — are thankfully toe-tapping enough that children will love every one.

Maybe that’s the point. Webb shouldn’t direct a musical; he doesn’t have the visual panache to pull it off. But he is wise enough to have cinematographer Mandy Walker (Elvis) shoot Zegler as if she were a blindingly bright star inexplicably crashed to the earth. He also knows exactly who the prime members of his audience are, and as such keeps the momentum brisk, the themes broad, and the comedy goofily chaotic.

Does that make this undertaking magical enough to warrant a look? With all my reservations, I do find that to be the case.

Though far from a dream come true, this Snow White isn’t without its enjoyable aspects. I watched it with a smile and a song, every bluddle-uddle-um-dum somehow injecting my heart with joy, often when I least expected.

SGN

17

Stephanie McVay: A cherished maternal figure in LGBTQ+ cinema

BY FR ANK GAIMARI Reprinted with permission from Stonewall News Northwest (https://www. stonewallnews.net) Stephanie McVay is more than an actress — she’s an unexpected yet beloved maternal figure in the Gay community. Her sincerity and side-splitting charm on-screen create something magical, making her a cherished figure in LGBTQ+ cinema.

Born on November 8, 1954, McVay continues to be a vibrant and versatile actress. Her career has showcased her remarkable talent across various roles, from deeply emotional to hilariously irreverent. While her life is relatively private, her on-screen persona speaks volumes, embodying the love, acceptance, and quirky energy the Queer community celebrates.

McVay first gained recognition in Edge of Seventeen (1998), a poignant comingof-age film about a teenager grappling with his sexuality in the 1980s. Her portrayal of a supportive yet occasionally bewildered mom was authentic and resonated deeply with viewers. Her character was genuine — a mix of love and human imperfection that struck a chord with many.

Her rise as an icon didn’t stop there.

She stepped into the realm of campy Queer comedy in Another Gay Movie (2006), playing Bonnie Hunter. In this film, which wasn’t afraid to be outrageous and over-the-top, gave McVay the chance to shine differently. Her character was hilariously brash yet refreshingly relatable, capturing the heightened absurdity of the story while remaining lovable. McVay reprised this role in Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild! (2008), solidifying her place as a Gay cultural icon with her unmatched comedic timing and heartfelt humor.

The magic of her roles lies in her ability to make audiences laugh while also providing a grounding presence. For those in the LGBTQ+ community who may not have experienced unconditional love in real life, her characters symbolize safety, support, and motherly affection. She has crafted roles that feel like home to many viewers, giving them moments of solace and joy through the screen.

McVay showcases her talent across a rich and diverse range of genres and formats. She has graced television with roles in shows like Mom, The Office, Superstore, and The Romanoffs. From sweet older women to scene-stealers with sharp oneliners, McVay’s ability to adapt is nothing short of impressive. Her recent role in 2021’s Swan Song, another Queer-themed project, proves that her impact continues to evolve and remains timeless.

SM: One scene from Edge of Seventeen is particularly impactful for me. It’s when I’m sitting at the piano, and my son reveals to me that he’s Gay. That scene never fails to touch my heart and bring a tear to my eye.

FG: Do you have a personal connection to the LGBTQ+ community that has influenced your work or understanding of these stories?

SM: Yes. I appreciate the friendships I’ve built with the LGBTQ+ community. Their support, love, and perspectives have significantly enhanced my life.

FG: Looking back at your career, what are you most proud of? Are there any upcoming projects or roles you’re excited about?

SM: Reflecting on my career, I feel a deep pride in my journey. Every role I’ve taken in film and television has been significant. As for the future, I’m excited about what lies ahead — my career is far from over. My passion for acting will never fade.

I recently spoke with Todd Stephens about an upcoming film, and he mentioned his interest in casting me for the project.

I’m hopeful the film receives the green light and can find myself in front of the camera again.

STEPHANIE MCVAY LAURA BURKE

I had the opportunity to interview McVay about her life and career. Here are our edited conversations: Frank Gaimari: What inspired you to pursue acting, and how did you find your way into LGBTQ+ cinema?

Stephanie McVay: My journey in performance began in grade school when I played the Lion in The Wizard of Oz. I got the part on the condition that I learned how to roar. I went home and practiced my roar diligently and nailed it. Once on stage, the acting bug bit me, and I never looked back. Throughout high school, I participated in the drama club and, after school, engaged in community theater.

My entry into LGBTQ+ cinema was a happy accident. I was living in Manhattan when I stumbled upon an ad in Backstage looking for an actress. I auditioned and was surprised to land the role. Todd Stephens, the director and producer of the film, told me I reminded him of his mother. That moment began my journey into this magical corner of filmmaking, and it’s been an incredible ride ever since!

EDGE OF SEVENTEEN COURTESY LUNA PICTURES

18

SGN

APRIL 2025

FG: Many fans see you as an iconic “mother figure” in Gay films. How do you feel about this legacy, and what does it mean to you personally?

SM: Being a “mother figure” is an incredible honor, and I take great pride in that title. When members of the LGBTQ+ community come up to me and say, “I wish you were my mother,” my heart swells with joy. I embrace everyone with open arms and listen to their stories.

FG: What draws you to roles in LGBTQ+ films, and how do you approach portraying such meaningful relationships on screen?

SM: I feel truly blessed to have Todd Stephens in my life, because he consistently reaches out to me for these roles. The characters I portray possess similar traits, so I draw inspiration from my mother, who was loving, compassionate, and very accepting.

FG: Do specific moments or scenes from your career stand out as impactful or unforgettable?

FG: The ending of Edge of Seventeen leaves much open to interpretation, especially concerning the mother’s journey. One lingering question is whether she ultimately came to accept her son’s homosexuality.

SM: The 1980s were a challenging era for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, marked by widespread misunderstanding and a lack of resources for parents navigating their children’s identities. Despite the complexities and emotional struggles depicted in the film, I believe there is a deep love between the mother and son. She embraces her son for who he truly is.

Talking with Stephanie McVay felt like catching up with an old friend. Her warmth and openness made the conversation enjoyable. She answered my questions with care, leaving me excited for her future and in awe of her impressive work. Stephanie is a true treasure of the Queer community. Her positive impact is unmistakable.

Frank Gaimari is the author of Circus Animals: A Novel, a film reviewer, and an actor. He lives in Seattle with his two loving golden retrievers.

ANOTHER GAY MOVIE COURTESY LUNA PICTURES

C E L E B R A T I N G 51 Y E A R S!

2025 NFFTY preview: Chasing Chasing Amy filmmaker Sav Rogers returns to mentor a new generation of aspiring filmmakers B Y S A R A M I C H E L L E F E T T E RS SGN S TAFF W RI T ER The 18th annual National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) kicks off Thursday, April 3 at SIFF Cinema Uptown with a gala opening-night ceremony and then then takes over all three of the venue’s screens for the remainder of the weekend, along with offsite events at the Cornish Playhouse and the VERA Project. This year’s lineup features filmmakers 24 years of age and younger from 29 states and 31 countries, with 60% of films directed by women and nonbinary-identifying people, and over 50% helmed by persons of color.

Celebrated Chasing Chasing Amy filmmaker Sav Rogers, a 2019 NFFTY attendee, returns to the festival, only this time as a mentor. He will deliver the keynote address on Sunday, April 6, but will also be available to interact with this year’s crop of young people showcasing their shorts at the fest.

“I can’t wait to return to Seattle and to NFFTY,” exclaimed Rogers with a smile.

“NFFTY changed my life. It feels like yesterday I brought my own short film to the festival. It’s crazy to think I’m coming back as a mentor.”

Rogers and I discussed his acclaimed 2023 documentary, why short films matter, and how NFFTY helps inspire and shape future generations of filmmakers year after year. The following are the edited transcripts of our wide-ranging conversation:

tive. They were so inspiring to me... This was the bar I needed to ascend to. It was amazing.

I was raised as an athlete. I played a lot of sports. When I see people performing at a high level, I am inspired, and I aspire to get up there [with them]. To see my age and younger making some of the best works of the whole festival cycle, of the whole year, it made me realize how high the bar was. I mean, sitting there, getting the opportunity to connect with other filmmakers my own age and younger, to speak with so many incredible mentors, that was amazing. But I was also sitting there thinking to myself, “My work could be better. My work needs to be better.” It was a challenge to work even harder.

And that’s a valuable thing. To be able to reflect on your work. To have an honest conversation with yourself. I think that’s maybe the most valuable thing I got at NFFTY back in 2019.

KEVIN SMITH AND SAV RODGERS BILL WINTERS

Filmmakers of any merit at all already know this. Diversity of perspectives and voices in storytelling is what creates a rich cinematic tapestry and helps make it such an enduring art form.

To see filmmakers… exploring stories that maybe have never been told before or stories that are being told from a new, unexpected perspective [is] incredibly exciting. This will continue to improve the medium, but it also [gives] the audience an opportunity to walk in someone else’s shoes, be that be for five minutes, for 90 minutes, or for three hours. That is… so thrilling.

SMF: Chasing Chasing Amy is such a unique documentary. It shows how cinema can literally change a life, even when it’s controversial film or some might consider it problematic.

SMF: When you were at NFFTY, what did you learn that you took with you as you made a handful of award-winning short films and a successful and critically lauded documentary?

SMF: We’re in a moment right now where words like “diversity,” “equity,” and “inclusion” are seen by some as a negative. But in the filmmaking community, it is those very same diverse voices from a variety of backgrounds that we want to hear from the most. Does seeing these films and interacting with these fresh, new voices make you hopeful for the future and the stories that will be told?

SR: My journey making short films up until… Chasing Chasing Amy was just about trying different things out. I wanted to see what I could with a couple of minutes of a person’s time. What I could do with a budget that only allowed for a couple of minutes of storytelling. It was experimental, and not all of it was up to my own standards or a complete representation of what I was attempting to do.

But what those films did do was give me the opportunity to build community and… connections. They allowed me to have my films play in… venues where I was unsure if Queer films were going to be accepted [and] meet film curators. To interact with fellow filmmakers [and] learn. It was all an invaluable experience, especially because as everything I had done up until Chasing Chasing Amy was basically a student film.

When I looked back at my body of work, I knew I could do better… I knew I had something personal I wanted to say about Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy, about how that film affected me, and I knew that was a story only I could tell. With Chasing Chasing Amy, I found success in that. Nobody else could have told that story…

I wanted to talk about how our relationship with art, our relationship with film, and my relationship to Chasing Amy in particular could be such a transformative experience. What happens you know when you exist? What happens when you know you have a place in the world? That your voice matters? So I made Chasing Chasing Amy and I am extremely proud of it.

SR: I remember [thinking] at NFFTY, “This is the level I need to be on.” The short that I had made was fine, and I was proud of it, but I was … thinking that, wow, so many of these films are truly transforma-

SR: It does. I think cinema continues to endure despite whatever challenges are being presented to independent artists.

Diversity is not a bad word. Equity is not a bad word. Inclusion is not a bad word.

SMF: The constraints of the short film can force the filmmaker to be more innovative, daring, and creative in the ways they tell a story. Is that something you have found in your work?

Sara Michelle Fetters: What does this mean to you to come back to NFFTY but this time as an alumnus and a mentor to a new generations of aspiring young filmmakers?

Sav Rodgers: It’s very exciting. I’m so honored. I was lucky enough to play at NFFTY right before I aged out. That was something I was very proud of. To be able to return now in any capacity is wonderful, let alone being able to share my experiences making Chasing Chasing Amy with young filmmakers coming up right now…

One of things that’s really helped me is to receive mentorship in a variety of capacities. I’m incredibly happy to be able to share and mentor now in any way [and pass on] lessons I’ve learned… — notably what not to do.

V ISI T US ONLINE SGN.ORG

SMF: And now you get to pay that forward to a new generation.

SR: I’m excited about the opportunity to learn from them, first and foremost. I think we can learn so much from sharing. I hope I see an incredible work that makes me think about things I maybe would not have when I make my next film. I hope I meet somebody that gives me a new perspective on cinema.

But I’m obviously excited to share any and all of my experiences making Chasing Chasing Amy... I can’t wait to answer the questions maybe I would have asked back in 2019 when I was an attendee at NFFTY. I look at what we’ve been able to do with Chasing Chasing Amy, and while making that film certainly didn’t solve all of my problems as an independent filmmaker, I certainly know more now than I did back in 2019. I feel like I can show them how to avoid the landmines I stepped on along the way.

APRIL 2025

SR: Most definitely. Short films are their own art form. I really dislike when people act like [short films] are a training ground only to make longer films. They can be, but the best short films in the world are made by the people who love to make [them].

They are an important part of our cinematic ecosystem.

SMF: Right now, it feels like it is a necessary act of rebellion to make a film with a distinctive voice on challenging topics that force the viewer to look at what’s happening in the world around them in a different way, especially for Queer voices.

SR: I’ll start by saying I am the guy out there who is saying that we need to give as much money as possible to Trans filmmakers to tell their stories in whatever form they can. That’s something we’re doing at the Transgender Film Center. This is important.

So, Trans authorship, Queer authorship in film is something that is very important to me. There is great value there, especially right now, when we’re in a place where fascist ideology is creeping into every sector of public and private life. It is a scary time. For any Queer filmmakers who are out there feeling afraid, I want to validate and empathize first and foremost, but I also want to say that our work is needed more than ever.

I don’t pretend to know what the future of Queer filmmaking is, but I’m still excited to see what is going to happen and what stories are going to be told. I want to see transgressive stories. I want to see fourquadrant popular blockbusters. I want to see everything that can happen in between.

I just want more of it all.

I do think we are likely at the start of another era of angry Queer filmmakers, a la the start of the New Queer Film Cinema movement of the 1990s. A lot of us are angry, and we have every right to be.

SMF: Finally, for those coming to NFFTY looking to learn from you, if you had just one drop of advice that they could take to heart, what would that be?

SR: Don’t wait for permission. Build your own communities and tell your stories by any ethical and safe means necessary. Tell your stories.

The 18th annual NFFTY returns for a hybrid festival: April 3–6 in person and April 3–April 13 virtually. Tickets and passes on sale now at https://www.nffty. org/nffty-2025.

SGN

19

BOOKS

Cover Story: A novel for anyone who’s theorized their favorite celebrity might be Queer B Y L I N D S E Y A N D E RS O N SGN S TAFF W RI T ER Author Celia Laskey is thrilled for her third published novel, Cover Story, to hit shelves on March 25. Centering a Queer Hollywood star and a publicist tasked with keeping her closeted, the book explores the complexities of coming out as a celebrity.

“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m obsessed with closeted celebrities,” Laskey told the SGN. Living in Los Angeles, Laskey often discusses theories about which celebrities are closeted. While she understands the pressure many in the spotlight face to hide their sexual orientations, it’s something she could never do — in part because she has already spent enough of her life in the closet.

“I was so closeted that I was even closeted to myself for those first 23 years of my life,” she said. “If there were some career that required me to do that, I just wouldn’t… It is easy for me to sit here and say that, not being in that position … I can’t imagine what that must feel like to be in the position of choosing to be able to be your authentic self or choosing your career, and [not being able to] have both. It must just be so heart-wrenching.”

Laskey’s first draft of Cover Story drew from her perspective and the unabashedly Queer celebrities she admires, like Elliot Page and Kristen Stewart. Publishers loved the concept, but they had one request.

CELIA LASKEY LEE JAMESON

“When my agent and I were first trying to sell this book, it was set in the modern day. The feedback we were getting from all the publishers was, ‘No one’s closeted anymore — this isn’t believable,’” Laskey said.

“That made me want to explode into a ball of fire, because if there’s one thing I could shout from the rooftops with the publication of this book, it’s that there are so many celebrities that are still closeted.”

Laskey and her agent struck a deal after they adjusted the book’s timeline to 2005, when celebrity culture was at the top of everyone’s mind, and nearly nobody (except Ellen DeGeneres) dared to come out in public.

Despite the book’s revised setting, Laskey hopes readers understand the clear message about being publicly out.

“We are not as far along with LGBTQ equality as people would like to believe,” she said. “We are not where many people want to believe we are as a society in terms of acceptance.”

Throughout the hijinks and romance, Cover Story holds a central theme, reminding readers that just because someone lives in the public eye, it doesn’t mean everyone knows the depths of their personal lives. For Queer readers, it also serves as a reminder that there are more of us out there than we realize.

Reviving Queen’s A Night at the Opera with tales for the ages Seattle’s Gillian Gaar examines the classic album

BY ANDRE W HAMLIN Queen’s 1975 studio album A Night at the Opera — which instantly became a classic and includes its highest-selling song, “Bohemian Rhapsody” — was nowhere to be found while perusing several Seattle record stores. But longtime Capitol Hill scribe Gillian G. Gaar remembers what the city’s been missing. Her book Queen & A Night at the Opera: 50 Years, published by Quarto Motorbooks, drops on April 1.

It deftly lays out the band’s past, present, and future around the album that exploded them into orbit, beginning with the four personalities — or polarities — at work.

Roger Taylor is the natural-born star but constantly stuck on ways to project his fabulousness from behind the drum kit, flailing, wailing, and penning the mecha-

20

SGN

APRIL 2025

nophillic (not autophilic) “I’m in Love with My Car.” Guitarist Brian May (who also had a doctorate in astrophysics) built his own guitars but always had a little trouble looking the audience in the eye. Bassist John Deacon was the quiet one, happy to plunk and stay out of the others’ epic screaming matches.

Last but not least was singer Freddie Mercury — the man, the myth, the mustache, the mystery. Mercury didn’t discuss his early life as bucktoothed, bumbling Farrokh Bulsara, before he changed his name.

His queerness was off the table, consigned to those who knew the right angle to squint.

“I can’t cook,” Freddie giggled to an interviewer. “I’m not very good at being a housewife.”

C E L E B R A T I N G 51 Y E A R S!

But God — or the equivalent — gave him the voice of a god and an imp’s humor.

He’d pass archly on love-life questions, but he’d pose wearing T-shirts from London’s Heaven bar and NYC’s Mineshaft.

Even today, “Bohemian Rhapsody” remains the song boomers, millennials, and gen alphas know. It belongs, after all, to the radio and the turntable, but also to the Muppets, the passionate souls of the AMC Pacer in Wayne’s World, and more lately to Adam Lambert, who tours with May and Taylor.

Gaar’s book holds all you need to know: the early years, struggles, poverty, management betrayals, recording hassles, resounding triumphs over everything, exhaustion included.

The hardcover book with an assortment of illustrations is available for $50.

For more information, visit https://www. quarto.com/books/9780760388426/queena-night-at-the-opera.

Edge of the World strings together the intricacies of traveling while Queer B Y H A N N A H S AU N D E RS SGN EDI T OR A soon-to-be-released Queer travel anthology, Edge of the World by Alden Jones, features 16 essays by Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Transgender Americans of various ethnicities, who reflect on their experience with other cultures, and how those cultures receive their Queer identities.

Jones, an award-winning writer, teacher, and speaker based in Boston, has also traveled to 40 countries. For Edge of the World, which will be released on May 6 for $19.95, she compiled tales with differing styles, address varying concerns, including the two below.

“The Return” by Putsata Reang In “The Return,” Putsata Reang writes about the challenges women have to deal with concerning gender norms and societal expectations, like getting married, having children, and serving a husband in the home.

Her family fled Cambodia in 1975, when the communist Khmer Rouge regime cap-

V ISI T US ONLINE SGN.ORG

tured the country. They left on a ship built for about 30 people but that had 300 refugees stuffed aboard. Furthermore, it lacked food and water, and ten days into their journey, Putsata — a one-year-old baby — stopped feeding and crying. The ship’s captain commanded her mother to toss Putsata overboard, but she refused.

From then on, Reang wanted to be the best Cambodian daughter she could be.

And while she grew up in the US, she frequented Cambodia throughout her life.

In her essay, Reang describes her “pushy” aunties who desperately want her to get married. At one point, when she’s stationed in Cambodia, she does. It wasn’t long before Reang divorces him, returns stateside, and marries a Gay woman.

Reang documents a visit to Cambodia with her family a few years after COVID, and discusses how open and free she feels being Gay in the US versus treading more cautiously with her extended family members.

“To be gay in Cambodia would be a

COURTESY ALDEN JONES

betrayal and an unforgivable moral offense in the eyes of my relatives and my people, disrupting a centuries-old cultural order in which gender roles are distinctly delineated. To fail at being a girl was to also fail one’s family,” Reang writes.

By the end of the essay, she finds closure in terms of navigating her Queer identity and learns that being Gay in Cambodia is not always a betrayal or an unforgivable moral offense.

“La Cubana” by Daisy Hernandez Describing herself as a Pansexual woman with no Gaydar, Hernandez tells the story of her Nonbinary partner Frankie’s introduction to her father, mother, and auntie.

Throughout, she tiptoes around educating her elders so as to avoid any possibility of them rejecting Frankie, while also ensuring her partner feels comfortable and accepted.

Hernandez was raised in New Jersey by her Cuban father and her Colombian mother, who moved to Hialeah, Florida, a city northwest of Miami with a very high

APRIL 2025

Cuban population (and a Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell culture), after Hernandez moved out of their house at the age of 29.

Upon first meeting Frankie, Hernandez’s auntie thought they were a butch Lesbian, while her father assumed they were a rich husband. Hernandez contemplated correcting them but wondered how, if she did, she would go about explaining gender identities to her parents, who were in their 70s and 80s.

At the end of the story, Hernandez asks, “Did I need to use my relationship as an educational lesson on queer life for an old Cuban who was smoking cigars despite having a massive stroke?” The short answer was no.

Hernandez never quite explained all the details of Frankie’s Nonbinary identity, but she learns that they are all accepting of each other simply for the person that is standing right in front of them, despite any preexisting ideas.

SGN

21

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Essence in Bloom April 1, 11 am | Gallery B612 Exhibition | Essence in Bloom: A Celebration of Black Legacy, Culture, and Artistic Expression Date: Tuesday, April 1-9 Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Venue: Gallery B612 1915 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA Admissions: Free In Celebration of Black History Month, Essence in Bloom showcases a diverse collection of artistic expressions, featuring textile works, fused glass, mixed-media, p ortraiture, and abstract paintings from exceptional artists across the nation. The exhibition offers a glimpse into personal stories, histories, traditions, and experiences of the artists.

Free First Thursday: Seattle Art Museum Date: Thursday, April 3 Time: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Venue: Seattle Art Museum 1300 First Avenue, Seattle, WA Call your friends and bring the family, admission is FREE to everyone at the Seattle Art Museum on the first Thursday of every month. In addition to our regular hours, Seattle Art Museum will be open for Free First Thursday evenings from 5-8 pm to provide more opportunities to visit the galleries for free! Evening hours will feature extra activities like live music, drop-in art making, and in-gallery experiences for visitors. Tickets are available both onsite and online.

Candi Pop Date: Friday, April 4 Time: 9 p.m.

Venue: Chop Suey 1325 E. Madison St., Seattle, WA Admissions: $10.00 - $20.00 TICKETS ALWAYS AVAILABLE AT THE DOORA Candi Pop Dance Party littered with all of your guilty pleasures.

Glitter, Lollipops, Rainbows, Unicorns... and Oh yeah, Girl Power!Playing Music by:SPICE GIRLS | JUSTIN BIEBER | KATY PERRY | JONAS BROTHERS | DUA LIPA | HARRY STYLES | FERGIE | BRITNEY SPEARS | TAYLOR SWIFT | MILEY CYRUS | NSYNC | GWEN STEFANI | J-LO | ONE DIRECTION | DOJA CAT | WHITNEY HOUSTON | DESTINYS CHILD | HANSON | BEYONC | CHRISTINA AGUILERA | JESSICA SIMPSON | JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE | KE$HA | LADY GAGA | MANDY MOORE | S CLUB 7 | MARIAH CAREY | TLC | SHAWN MENDES | HILARY DUFF | SELENA GOMEZ | MADONNA and more. A Lights & Music Collective Event Bad Girls Brunch Date: Saturday, April 5-27 Time: 1-2:30 p.m.

Venue: Julia's on Broadway 300 Broadway E, Seattle, WA Doors: 12pm | Show: 1pm

Let Me Be Myself: The Life Story of Anne Frank Date: Thursday, April 3-27 Time: 4-7 p.m.

Venue: Holocaust Center for Humanity 2045 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA Admissions: $0.00 - $12.00 Visit the Holocaust Center for Humanity for a limited run of the traveling exhibit Let Me Be Myself: The Life Story of Anne Frank.

This exhibit from the Anne Frank House provides an immersive experience of Anne Franks life, the rise of Hitler, and the devastating impacts of the Holocaust on Jewish families and communities. Let Me Be Myself encourages visitors to reflect on the dangers of stereotypes and hatred, and gain a deeper understanding of the role we all play in combating hate.

The exhibit is on view from April 3 to May 31 on Thursdays and Sundays.

Miller Community Center Teen Mural Project 2025 Date: Monday, April 7-28 Time: 12:30-8 p.m.

Venue: Miller Community Center 330 19th Ave E, Seattle, WA Join us in creating a vibrant mural at the Miller Community Center!

We're raising $5,000 to transform the north-facing exterior wall of the Miller Community Center into a beautiful public art mural! This project will brighten the area around the community center, playground, Meany Middle School, and our toddler playroom.

But we need your help to make it happen!

Our goal is to raise the funds by the end of the school year in 2025 so that youth from our teen program, who come from underserved backgrounds, can collaborate with a local artist from an underserved community to design and create this amazing mural.

22

APRIL 2025

SGN

The Things Around Us April 24, 7:30 p.m. | Broadway Performance Hall SAM Creates: Vivid Description Poetry Workshop with Luther Hughes Date: Sunday, April 13 Time: 1-3 p.m.

Venue: Seattle Art Museum, 1300 First Avenue, Seattle, WA Join poet and writer, Luther Hughes (they/them), for a series of workshops on ekphrastic poetry-poems written about works of art-inspired by SAM's exhibition, Following Space: Thaddeus Mosely and Alexander Calder. Each week, we will discuss contemporary poems to help us understand how to write our own ekphrastic poetry. Come and dive deep into the wondrous work of Mosely and Calder.

LGBTBE Certification Workshop with Ilona Lohrey (In-person) Date: Tuesday, April 15 Time: 9-10:30 a.m.

Venue: GSBA- Washington State's LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce 400 E Pine St Ste 322, Seattle, WA Join us on April 15th at 9amin the GSBA office for an exclusive workshop tailored to empower LGBTQ+ owned and operated small businesses. Our President and CEO, Ilona Lohrey, will guide you through the essentials of supplier diversity and the certification process.

What is Supplier Diversity & How to Get Certified?

In this introductory session, Ilona Lohrey will demystify supplier diversity, explaining its significance and the advantages of certification for your business.

Laughs in Spanish Date: Thursday, April 17-30 Time: 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Venue: Bagley Wright Theater - Seattle Rep 155 Mercer St., Seattle, WA Admissions: $25.00 - $103.00 Mari is about to open a career-defining show in her Miami art gallery, but when the paintings are stolen the day of the event, all hell breaks loose. Her movie star mother sweeps into town under suspicious pretenses, the intern picks up the wrong catering order, and her high school crush arrives in a most unexpected manner...

Cue the wildest day ever! Part telenovela, part whodunnit, and all heart, Alexis Scheer’s outrageous new comedy will have you laughing one minute and wanting to hug your mom the next.

Intiman Theatre "The Things Around Us" Date: Thursday, April 24-27 Time: 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Venue: Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, Seattle, WA The Things Around Us is a dazzling new work from acclaimed multi-disciplinary artist, Ahamefule J. Oluo, that layers live music and narrative exploration to create an introspective evening about the things that connect us all. Combining experimental jazz, new music, Nigerian hi-life , and electronic looping with bizarre and darkly humorous accounts of strangers and acquaintances, Oluo draws out larger social and political meanings from those encounters, weaving together a tapestry of characters and existential inquiries. Featuring dynamic multi-instrumental compositions using trumpet, clarinet, vocals, looping/effects pedals, and cardboard shipping boxes for percussion, The Things Around Us is an evening that will draw you in and remind you of the beauty in life.

For more events visit SGN's online community calendar!

SGN.ORG C E L E B R A T I N G 51 Y E A R S!

47 Through The Cosmic Telescope

April 17-20, 2025 The Pacific Northwest's Premier Science Fantasy Convention at the Hilton Doubletree in SeaTac, WA Catherynne M. Valente

Writer Guest of Honor

Nearly 500 hours of Programming

Wayne Barlowe

Fabulous Guests of Honor

Artist Guest of Honor

Philip K. Dick Award

Tracy Drain

Science Guest of Honor Isis Asare

Special Guest of Honor Jenny Jarzabski Mike Kimmel

Art Show & Dealer's Room Masquerade & Lots of Cosplay.

Hands-on Experiences Classes, Workshops Activities for Kids & YA Dances, Events & Filking Speculative Film Festival Gaming: Board, RPG, CCG and more!

Art by Wayne Barlowe

Spotlight Paizo Publishers

Milford-Style Writers Workshop

norwescon.org