Washington State Patrol graduates march through Progress Pride flag-raising ceremony, sparking concerns about disrespect BY RENEE RAKETTY, SGN PUBLISHER, AND
Seattle’s Office of Inspector General launches “thorough review” of SPD’s violence against Trans, Queer, and allied counterprotesters at Cal Anderson Park BY HANNAH
All hell broke loose in Cal Anderson Park on May 24 when officers from the Seattle Police Department (SPD) rushed Capitol Hill residents from all sides to tackle and arrest those who popped a balloon set up at an event hosted by the pro–nuclear family and anti-Trans Christian fundamentalist group, Mayday USA. The severe and excessive use of force against Trans and Queer people and their allies, who were speaking out in support of LGBTQIA+ rights, is now being investigated independently by the Seattle Office of Inspector General for Public Safety (OIG).
“This situation has generated significant community concern and outcry, given the
broad implications for protection of both free speech and vulnerable communities in Seattle,” the OIG stated in a June 6 press release.
May 24 event
Mayday USA hosted a “haircuts for kids” event as part of its #DontMessWithOurKids movement in Cal Anderson Park, named after Washington’s first openly Gay state legislator, in the heart of Seattle’s historically Queer neighborhood. Mayday USA organizers previously told the SGN that they were only there to raise awareness
The Progress Pride flag-raising ceremony outside of the Washington State Capitol was a joyous event — until about 50 Washington State Patrol (WSP) graduates marched straight through the assembled crowd. Community leaders and elected officials were making remarks,
including Lisa Keating, the director of the Washington State LGBTQ Commission.
“We unfortunately didn’t know that the [cadet] ceremony was happening at the same time, and we had speakers at the
John Birdsall takes readers on a delicious journey through LGBTQ+ food history in What Is Queer Food?
BY
LINDSEY ANDERSON SGN STAFF WRITER
Food is often at the heart of culture. It ties people to their pasts, whether it’s an old family recipe passed down through generations or a cultural staple connecting people to their heritage. Food brings people together; it is often the first thing people think of when they prepare for holidays or birthday celebrations.
But when we examine LGBTQIA+ culture and history, it is often ignored. Determined to understand how meals have shaped the cultural zeitgeist of the Queer community, author and chef John Birdsall set out to answer the titular question posed by his latest book, What Is Queer Food?: How We Served a Revolution.
“Food shapes Queer and Trans lives and identities in ways unimaginable,” Birdsall told the SGN. “I think the main difference between most of the 20th century and the first quarter of the 21st century is intention: Many LGBT+ people today have the power and the space to use food to nurture made families, to proclaim identity, to reject the destructive rules and control mechanisms of the patriarchal past, to organize and find our place in the world with food.”
Throughout his book, Birdsall explores the intention behind Queer food, from the tables of James Baldwin and Alice B.
SEE PATROL PAGE 11
GRADUATES MARCHED THROUGH DURING A PROGRESS PRIDE FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY RENEE RAKETTY
COURTESY JOHN BIRDSALL
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Letter to Gov. Ferguson: Do better
AN OPEN LETTER TO GOV. BOB FERGUSON
Dear Governor Ferguson,
My name is Delta Rotter, and I am a lot of things. I’m a single mother to a Nonbinary child. I’m a domestic violence survivor and a state government employee. I’m a Queer person with a Queer partner and Queer friends, who was raised in a conservative, rural town here in Washington and forced to hide essential parts of me away, even from myself. I’m a registered voter in our state, and this past November I filled in the box next to your name on the ballot I cast for our governor.
When I first heard you were running for governor, I was cautiously optimistic. As a public servant in a cabinet-level state agency, I knew people who knew you. One of my colleagues spoke highly of you, and I’d heard plenty of tales of how tough you were as our state’s attorney general.
My child was born just weeks before the 2016 election. I sobbed as I watched the results come in, terrified of the world I had just brought them into. You were one of the brave ones who was actually going to do something about it. You filed lawsuit after lawsuit, and you won. You were a man of action, and I thought, “Who could possibly be better to have as the leader of our state as we stare down the barrel of Project 2025?”
On June 4, 2025, I found out I was wrong about you.
I was present for the raising of the Progress Pride flag on the Capitol grounds this year. This was my first year attending, and I felt so lucky and free to be walking in holding the hand of the person young, closeted me could have never imagined getting to love. We held hands and smiled as Commissioner Upthegrove spoke about marrying his husband. When he said, “We need to speak up and be visible,” I sat up a little straighter. My partner and I both leaned in when Kaity Cazares began to talk about their experience as a Nonbinary person.
Then a procession of 50 Washington State Patrol graduates marched through our ceremony, and you did nothing.
As I watched the cadets march toward the crowd, I thought, “This can’t be real.” Fifty uniformed, armed officers were marching toward a group of visibly Queer people. They didn’t slow down as they approached. Most people quickly moved out of the way, fearing being trampled. Queer folk have long known what happens when they get in the way of law enforcement. One woman refused to move. The officers didn’t hesitate. A few stepped slightly to the side, brushing her outstretched arms as they passed. Many of them didn’t even bother with that. None of them dared to look her in the eye.
When they had all passed and the crowd
had settled, Kaity resumed their speech. Then you approached the podium. You referenced the attack on Queer people from “the other Washington” as if you hadn’t witnessed an attack on us in your Washington just moments before. You were a perfect politician, slinging blame on the other party while failing to take accountability for or even acknowledging the event that had just unfolded as you stood to the side and watched.
When I spoke to you after the event, you interrupted me to say, “I didn’t know. Nobody knew.” As if that were an acceptable excuse to sit idly by as your constituents were threatened with state force. Of course, we now know that “somebody” did in fact know, thanks to the statement released by the WSP that you were so quick to praise.
I’m disappointed in you, Bob.
But it’s okay — we all make mistakes. There’s still time to make a better choice. Issue a statement. Apologize to your Queer constituents. Hold the WSP accountable for what was clearly not an accident (because c’mon, 50 officers don’t accidentally march into a ceremony, Queer or not). Be the man of action you promised you would be. Do better.
Delta Rotter
Dazzling “Latine PRIDE Experience” to celebrate identity, the beauty of Queerness, culture, and comunidad on June 14 in Olympia
BY HANNAH SAUNDERS SGN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
What started in 2018 as an annual event in Olympia to bring the Latine community together and honor LGBTQIA+ families has continued to transform, adding recurring nights in celebration of the vibrant Latine culture and Queer empowerment.
“Azúcar: A Latine PRIDE Night Experience” is hosting its final show of the 202425 season on June 14, featuring resident burlesque and “draglesque” performers.
The event is produced by Latina K Presents, a performing arts organization based out of Olympia, and is run by Latina Kash Turner D’Ho, a veteran burlesque and drag performer who immigrated from Ecuador at the age of 28. She told the SGN that the shows during the first couple of years (when it was called “Azúcar: A Celebration of Latin and Hispanic Heritage”) had the standard burlesque and emcee combo for introducing acts, but things are done a little differently under its new name.
“It borrows elements from a talk show format, which means that we have two hosts who are permanently sitting on the stage,” Turner D’Ho said, adding how this type of living room setting includes bits of banter and addresses topics that affect the Queer Latine community in a more lighthearted and educational way.
“That’s how we also introduce our performers, and we talk about them a little bit and we have some audience participation in the form of games,” she added.
The June 14 event will be hosted by Turner D’Ho; Risqué And Rye, one of the three resident D’Hos of “Azúcar,” who is known as “The Angel Face of Olympia”; and Vida Catastrophe D’Ho, another “Azúcar” resident and talented creator of costumes, who is known as “the International Macabre Queer Boricua.” Papaya Magic
Cabaret, an all-Latine burlesque group based in Olympia, will also perform.
Sherwood Ryder is one of the two founders of the Emerald City Kings Ball, which, according to its website, celebrates “all Kings and Beings of Drag.” Ryder will be joined in a duet by West Texas native Ryder Nightlong.
Turner D’Ho gushed that everything about the upcoming event excites her, though it’s a bittersweet end to the season. But with the rise in attacks against the Latine community in this current political climate — combined with the intersectionality of Queerness and drag, which are also under attack — she expressed the value of community support.
“Support your immigrant-owned arts organizations right now. It is more important than ever, in the middle of what we have going on, to support your immigrant community and this is one of them,” she said. “This is where we need you to show up.”
And this applies to any nationality: give all immigrants who own businesses as much support as possible, she emphasized.
Latine PRIDE Experience’s roots
Since its beginning, Turner D’Ho has produced each of the “Azúcar” burlesque showcases, which used to be held at the Capitol Theater in Olympia. The COVID19 pandemic put the shows on hold for a few years, but at the end of 2022, she came to a realization.
“I was ready again to produce the shows and decided to bring this show night back as a Latine night cabaret experience,” Turner D’Ho said.
It now takes place 4-5 times per year; dates generally depend on venue availabil-
ity, she explained. Additionally, the show became regular in September of 2023, with event spaces including the Cryptatropa Bar in Olympia.
“This is the last show of the 2024-25 season. We had six shows this year,” Turner D’Ho noted.
Turner D’Ho mentioned how the 2024 Pride Latine burlesque celebration was held at the Olympia Ballroom, and that the Latine Night Cabaret Experience has been using Kenneth J. Minnaert Center Black Box Theater and South Sound Community College since.
Meet Risqué And Rye, “Azúcar”’s newest cohost Risqué And Rye, whose pronouns are They/Fae/Goddess, provided the SGN with the following statement:
“As a proud Haitian, they believe it is important for shows like ‘Azúcar’ to be supported, because they highlight the varied talents of local Queer, Trans, disabled, and other marginalized performers of the global majority. (This Pride season, Olympia is home to many shows highlighting the local LGBTQ+ community, including ‘Free Range Drag’ [https://www.facebook. com/freerangedrag) and ‘Morningwood Manor’ [https://www.facebook.com/p/ Morningwood-Manor-61556816811586/]).
“Risqué And Rye is a multidimensional artist and performer, a soft, silky, succubus on stage serving sensual slowburn, splits, and silly. They backbend into your hearts and wallets, and bare their soul and self for audiences, from seedy dive bars to festivals. Prepare your bank accounts for your trust fund’s walking worst nightmare.
“Risqué And Rye will be embarking on their annual West Coast Drag, Burlesque, and Pole tour this summer from June 27 to July 10. Sticking true to the roots of the first summer tour with Vida Catastrophe and their mentor and mother Dahlia ‘VenDetta Petty’ Kash D’Ho (who transitioned to an ancestor this past January, leaving the continued legacy of ‘The Rock Show’ in Olympia and ‘Melange’ in Portland), ‘The
Wh0re Tour: In Me-WH0RE-ium’ will travel from Seattle to Olympia, down to Portland, before circling Oakland and San Francisco. The tour is currently fundraising for travel and other tour-related costs. For information on how to support, please see Risqué’s Instagram [@RisquesDivineTemple].
“You can catch Risqué And Rye at the next ‘Azúcar’ June 14, Cap City Pride After Dark June 28, and Panty Riot here in Seattle at The Wash on June 30.
“To find more and keep up with this Queer Blacktiné intimacy doula and stripper, follow them on Instagram @RisquesDivineTemple.”
More info for its final event of the season To improve future performances for community members and attendees, this final event will include audience engagement, such as a conversation to collect feedback about attendees’ experiences and feelings seeing themselves represented and celebrated in such an environment.
“Azúcar”’s Pride party has an intimate capacity of about 90 people. Presale tickets are available until June 13 for $35 with a $10 discount at www.azucarcabaret.com. People can also pay what they can at the door for accessibility purposes in this challenging economy.
“’Azúcar’ is also a recipient of an Inspire Impact Funding grant that we received from the City of Olympia last year,” Turner D’Ho said, noting how this helps with ticket costs. The fund was made possible by the city’s voters, who favored this grant for arts and culture, funding it by self-tax, she added.
For those driving to the event, there’s plenty of free parking at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Black Box Theater, located at 2011 Mottman Rd. SW.
For more information visit www.azucarcabaret.com/tickets.
Rainbow flags fly high throughout Western Washington this Pride Month
BY HANNAH SAUNDERS
SGN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
With targeted attacks against LGBTQIA+ people on the rise from coast to coast, Queer visibility — however large or minimal — speaks volumes to those of us who spent years hiding away: we are cherished, we are worthy of love and respect, and we belong in the communities we live in.
With these sentiments in mind, beginning late last month, Pride flags were hoisted outside of city halls and government properties across Western Washington.
For the 13th year in a row, Seattle raised the Pride flag outside of City Hall in a ceremony that included remarks by numerous Queer leaders. Lesbian Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) presented three proclamations at the event: honoring June as 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Month, recognizing May 25 as Pride ASIA Day, and respecting community advocates in Seattle.
“As we enter Pride Month, I want everybody to know that your queerness is exquisite, that your transness is a gift that deserves to be cherished and protected, that there is euphoria to be found in our existence,” Nakita Venus, executive director of Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center, said.
Venus was joined by members of the Seattle LGBTQ Commission; Queer Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (D-8); Jaelynn Scott, executive director of the Lavender Rights Project; and Mayor Bruce Harrell.
“We raise [the Pride flag] for Trans kids being targeted in school rooms and sports fields across this country,” Ashley Ford, cochair of the Seattle LGBTQ+ Commission, said. “For Queer elders who still live in fear. For those of us who don’t feel safe calling 911, walking home at night, or simply being ourselves in public. From Stonewall to Cal Anderson to Denny Blaine, our spaces and our bodies are a sign of resistance, of hope.”
Seattle’s flag-raising ceremony came just one week after police officers mobbed pro-Trans, Queers, and allies protesting an extremist fundamentalist group’s “Haircuts for Kids” event. The group, Mayday USA, promotes nuclear-family and anti-Trans
values. Seattle police tackled and peppersprayed peaceful protesters and bystanders, including one man who was walking through Cal Anderson Park to get his haircut; he had to be transported to hospital for neck injuries.
“We are a welcoming city,” Mayor Harrell said. “We are, in Seattle, the second largest home to our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters, and the attacks on our Transgender neighbors, those who we love, is an attack on all of us. Make no mistake about that.”
Eastside full of Pride
Cities on the Eastside are consistently raising Pride flags year after year, including the City of Kirkland, which has done so since 2014 and held its most recent event on June 2. Kirkland’s Pride flags display its commitment to serving and protecting LGBTQIA+ people who live, work, and visit the city without discrimination. Beginning in 2022, the Progress Pride flags have been lifted above City Hall, all Kirkland fire stations, the Kirkland Justice Center, city maintenance facilities, and community centers for the entire month of June.
June 2 was a popular Pride flag-raising day, with the City of Redmond also doing so above its city hall. Mayor Angela Birney was joined by councilmembers, state Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-45), community members, and city staff.
Kenmore’s Pride flag went up that day too, with community members invited to assist with the hoisting; this was accompanied by a reading of the city’s Pride Month proclamation. Bothell’s Pride flag is up at its city hall, with more sprouting up around town.
For Bellevue’s ceremony, Entre Hermanos and Eastside Pride joined in the June 4 festivities, and the Bellevue Police’s Honor Guard raised the flag.
“Visibility is power. When we show up, we take up space, and in doing so, we open the door for others to step into the light,” Edgar Longoria, executive director of Entre Hermanos, said (in Spanish, “La visibilidad
es poder. Cuando aparecemos, ocupamos espacio, y al hacerlo, abrimos la puerta para que otres también puedan brillar.”)
Trouble up north
Lynnwood Pride directors Charlette LeFerve and Phillip Lipson — who are also the directors of Capitol Hill Pride — and Intersex representative Liv Morgan raised Lynnwood’s first public Pride flag on the first of June on the main flagpole at Wilcox Park.
“Lynnwood Pride considers this a [historic] first, given [that] Lynnwood Pride was denied Wilcox Park and a Pride flag raising last year, and the City of Lynnwood has never had a public Pride flag raising, unlike the many cities in King and Snohomish [Counties],” according to a Lynnwood Pride Facebook post.
The post stated how the City’s repeated denials to raise a Pride flag led Lynnwood Pride to file a complaint to the Parks and Recreation Department director, Joel Faber, about “his denial of raising a Pride flag and his threat to remove the Pride flag raised at Wilcox Park.”
After the June 1 raising this year, Parks and Rec removed the flag due to city policy, not prejudice.
On a better note, Shoreline raised the Pride flag on June 2. A City of Shoreline Facebook post said, “The Shoreline City
Council, through Resolution No. 542, remains committed to ensuring our city is a welcoming, inclusive, and safe place for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.”
On June 3, the City of Woodinville created a Facebook post that said, “The Mayor, on behalf of the City Council, has issued an annual proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month. This tradition continues as we celebrate and stand in solidarity with our LGBTQIA2S+ community in 2025.”
Southern neighbors
For the fifth year in a row, Burien raised the Pride flag on the north side of City Hall on May 29.
Renton joined the action on June 2 with a Pride flag outside of City Hall. Winter Cashman, vice president of Renton Pride, said, “When we gather here to raise this flag, we are telling our community that we want you here. You belong here tonight.”
Also on June 2 was the Federal Way flag raising. Mayor Jim Ferrell read the City’s Pride Month Proclamation. State Sen. Claire Wilson (D- 30) provided remarks.
The City of Kent raised its Pride flag on June 3, with councilmembers in attendance. Adrianna Suluai, policy director at UTOPIA Washington, received a proclamation that marked June as Pride Month in the city.
COURTESY CITY OF SHORELINE
NATIONAL NEWS
“Antithetical” is the word Stuart Milk used over and over again when asked for his response to reports that the US Navy is preparing to remove his uncle’s name from one of its ships.
“If they are considering renaming the Harvey Milk, it would be antithetical to the message that they are trying to promote: warrior spirit and heroism of the military,” said Milk in an exclusive telephone interview from Europe. “There’s nothing more heroic than a college graduate who knew that he was Gay but nonetheless took a commissioned post during wartime and became an award-winning Navy diving instructor and commissioned officer.”
An official statement from the Pentagon on the ship’s fate is forthcoming. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has vowed to instill a warrior spirit in the armed services by
banishing diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
“One of the dumbest phrases in military history is ‘our diversity is our strength,’” Hegseth told Fox News. “Our diversity is not our strength — our unity and our shared purpose is our strength.”
Before becoming the first out Gay man elected to public office in California, Harvey Milk volunteered for the Navy during the Korean War and served aboard the USS Kittiwake, a submarine rescue ship. As John Fund wrote for National Review, a conservative publication, Milk was a patriot long before he became a groundbreaking activist.
“It’s one thing to properly wipe away obnoxious DEI programs that have created a playpen for superficial thinking and morale-sapping behavior at the Pentagon
Stuart Milk: Renaming navy ship “antithetical” to warrior spirit
BY JOHN MCDONALD
— it’s another to deliberately remove the name of a historically significant figure.
Harvey Milk had a real association with the Navy,” wrote Fund in a piece titled “Harvey Milk Was a Patriot.”
Critics point to Milk’s discharge as evidence of poor discipline. In 1955, Milk was forced to resign after military police tracked him to a park known for homosexual activity, which at that time was illegal.
“It was nonstop questioning trying to get him to admit that he was a homosexual, which he didn’t do,” Milk said.
Harvey Milk’s discharge papers were 10 pages long, documenting the intense scrutiny over his sexuality. His resignation ultimately resulted in a less than honorable discharge, making him ineligible for VA benefits.
Surprisingly, when given the opportunity to change his uncle’s discharge status by former President Barack Obama and then Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, Milk refused.
“I thought it was important that we could show progress that we have a ship that was named after someone who was forced to resign because of who he was,” he said.
“That’s an important element of teaching our history.”
Last November, Sealift Command
brought Milk aboard the USNS Harvey Milk for three days, where he witnessed firsthand as the oiler refueled the USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier. During that time, he got to know many of the servicemembers, most of whom were not from the LGBT community but nevertheless proud, he said, to be connected to a true trailblazer, “mainly because today most people know someone personally who is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender, and therefore that connection made them proud that this country is moving forward,” he said.
No one from the Pentagon has contacted the Milk family about the renaming of assets, Milk said. If the change goes through, it would send a “terrible message,” he said, but not be met with silence.
“At the end of the day it adds another element to Harvey’s legacy that will propel his name and move people into action as a reminder that as a minority group you must always remain vigilant,” he said.
John McDonald is an award-winning journalist who covers the intersection of LGBTQI issues and national security. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
STUART MILK (CENTER) WITH SERVICE MEMBERS ABOARD THE USNS HARVEY MILK. PHOTO VIA OUTSFL / FACEBOOK
podium, and so there was a lot of confusion,” Keating told the SGN. “Some people — I did hear that they felt it was intentional, and I tried to intervene and we tried to calm folks down and allow the graduates to go through. It was really just an unfortunate timing that they already had that event happening, we had this event happening.”
Keating said she understands how the attendees were alarmed by troopers marching directly at the crowd, considering Queer history with policing.
“I’m saddened by the impact and that there was harm that was done during an event that is so celebratory,” she added.
Attendee Marianne “Moaz” OzmunWells was distracted, surprised, and shocked to see WSP graduates marching through the middle of the event.
“It detracted from the speakers and from our event, she said. “I was very confused, and it ended up causing some conflicts in our group. We have one day a year where we get to acknowledge LGBT pride, and it was very confusing and very distracting.”
Ozmun-Wells reiterated Keating’s remarks about how some viewed this disruption as intentional, rather than an accident or scheduling conflict, but noted how some in the audience attempted to reframe the narrative.
“We have a long history of being targeted by law enforcement,” she added. “Our movement started by and large as the result of being targeted by law enforcement, and that hasn’t stopped,” noting how Trans and Queer people of color are disproportionately targeted.
Many in the LGBTQIA+ community are traumatized, generationally or firsthand, from experiences with law enforcement, and Ozmun-Wells said she didn’t know how to react in that moment. After processing how the cadets divided the attendees in half while a speaker was at the podium, she said she counted at least 15 WSP parked SUVs.
“It was a presence and marching in military cadence. It felt like a flex of power and control,” Ozmun-Wells said.
Amasai Jeke, vice chair of the Washing-
ton State LGBTQ Commission and SPEaC Change program coordinator at UTOPIA Washington, told the SGN that she adored the event, and it was remarkable to see people come out, but noted how the WSP graduates were “disrespectful.” Jeke said if the roles had been reversed, the Queer group would not have done what WSP did.
“They could’ve done it respectfully,” Jeke said. “It’s just disrespectful to do that — it’s common sense. There’s not only one way to the Capitol building. There are other entrances.”
Governor’s response and WSP apology
In a comment to the SGN, Gov. Ferguson said, “It was an honor to participate in the raising of the Pride flag this afternoon, and I appreciate the State Patrol quickly issuing an apology for the disruption of this wonderful event.”
The WSP issued a public apology on Facebook later that day:
“The Washington State Patrol offers our heartfelt apologies for disrupting the raising of the Pride Flag on Capitol Campus today. The team leading our cadets to their graduation ceremony did not adequately communicate about the alternate route planned around the crowd. It was never our intention to disrupt an important community event. Our motto is ‘Service with Humility,’ and our mission is to protect, defend, and respect the rights of all. We
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Erased in Plain Sight: How Washington Protects LGBTQ+ Discrimination, Retaliation and Calls It Justice
BY DANIEL PIERCE
Capitol Hill, Seattle, Washington - Had you told me two years ago that I’d spend every ounce of myself fighting what I experienced as a cruel boss, a web of state agencies, and what appeared to be a system designed to erase people like us — in the heart of Washington, no less — I’d have said you were mad. But over time, I’ve come to see that madness doesn’t always show up with chaos or noise. Sometimes it shows up wearing a title, collecting a pension, and wielding the quiet confidence of unaccountable power — what I can only describe as the smug certainty of impunity.
In June of 2024, Bob Ferguson — then
Washington State Attorney General, now Governor — told the SGN, “Everybody deserves dignity and respect, no matter who they are or who they love.”
Ferguson praised the civil rights division within his office as the best in the country. He warned that even in a state like Washington, our rights could still be under threat. On that point, I agreed — they are. But what I’ve come to understand, based on my experience and extensive filings across multiple agencies, is that the threat wasn’t limited to outside forces. In my view, it was already coming from within. I went to the Wing Luke Civil Rights Division and asked for help,
apologize for our misstep on what should be a great day for us all as we celebrate Pride.”
Chris Loftis, director of public affairs at the WSP, told the SGN that there was a graduation ceremony for its 120th trooper basic training class, as well as its third and fourth lateral trooper training class.
“We schedule the use of Capitol Campus areas with the Department of Enterprise Services, and in the case of graduations, that scheduling is done many months and even more than a year in advance,” Loftis said.
Loftis said the WSP “immediately recognized there had been a miscommunication and an alternative route up the legislative steps had not been taken, causing the unfortunate incident.”
He added how the WSP chief met with Gov. Ferguson to talk about what actions would have been appropriate, and that the chief reached out to “event participants and advocates and personally apologized.”
Furthermore, Loftis noted how the WSP and the Governor’s Office created the apology and posted it on WSP social media accounts during its graduation.
The WSP academy captain who was emceeing the event made an announcement to kick off the ceremony, and according to Loftis, the person said:
“We are glad everyone is here today, and as some of you may know, while our cadets were marching into the Capitol earlier
today, our route unfortunately and regrettably interfered with the annual raising of the Pride flag in front of the building.
“I’d like to apologize to anyone in attendance of either event who was made uncomfortable or inconvenienced due to this situation and assure you there was no intent to offend or distract from the flag raising.
“The error was ours and we apologize. The Washington State Patrol is made up of and offers our enthusiastic service to all individuals and communities in our state. Our motto is ‘Service with Humility’ and our mission is to protect, defend, and respect the rights of all.
“Please accept my apologies for any miscommunication and missteps on what should be a great day for us all as we enthusiastically celebrate Pride and dutifully celebrate humility in our service to our shared great and welcoming state.”
Keating statement
On June 6 Keating provided a statement on the interruption on behalf of the LGBTQ Commission:
“On June 4th, the Pride flag raising ceremony at the Capitol was briefly interrupted by the graduation ceremony for Washington State Patrol (WSP) cadets that was happening at the same time. The first step in repairing any harm is accountability. The Washington State LGBTQ Commission is grateful for the swift action the Washington State Patrol took to take responsibility for incident. As the Commission, we also take responsibility for the scheduling oversight that allowed these two events to take place at the same time.
“We appreciate WSP’s heartfelt apology and offer our own. As we know that in these times of struggle, we need the solace of a shared celebration that centers the importance of 2SLGBTQIA+ lives and hopes. I and my leadership team are working to better understand the reasons for the events and miscommunication that took place and seek to prevent any future disruptions of our public activities. We know this does not undo the harm done on June 4th, and we are grateful to our community members who attended and continue to advocate for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.”
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only to be turned away. And in many instances, officials didn’t just allow it to happen — they documented it, processed it, and filed it under policy.
I contacted over 80 attorneys. Every single one turned me down — not because I lacked evidence, but because the scale, complexity, and political entanglements made it a legal risk they weren’t willing to take on.
What I Reported at Fix Salon Seattle — and What the Records Appear to Show
“I recorded at least a dozen retalia-
tory acts and submitted them to L&I. This wasn’t isolated — it was how Mandy ran her business.” -Daniel Pierce — Testimony to OAH Judge Lockwood.
KAITY CAZARES' SPEAKING AT A PRIDE FLAG RAISING CEREMONY RENEE RAKETTY
SAT, JUNE 7 • 12-7PM
Live Music
Dance Party
Alcohol Garden
Queer Vendor Marketplace
Performance & Culture
Food Trucks
LGBTQIA2S+ Arts
VOLUNTEER PARK
Presented By Produced By
INSPECTOR
CONTINUED FROM COVER
about human trafficking of children.
“Our nation is in a crisis — families are being ripped apart at the seams by an agenda determined to sexualize our kids,” states the #DontMessWithOurKids page on the Her Voice Movement (HVM) website. “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Mama bears across the nation are rising up to join the #dontmesswithourkids movement and pray, fast, and stand for their families.”
Eric Moss, communications director of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development, previously told the SGN that Mayday USA was denied a special event permit for First and Pike Street by the Special Events Office. Russell Johnston, another Mayday USA figure, released emails from the city’s special events program manager on social media, which said that Pike Street was unable to handle the event and suggested Cal Anderson Park and South Lake Union Park. Moss said the group reached out to Seattle Parks and Rec for permits and requested Cal Anderson Park.
Protesters shouted “Fuck you!,” among other things. Police were facing them with their backs turned to the Mayday USA group during most of the event. The SGN recorded and obtained footage of Officer Brian Muoio (#8381) running into a group of protesters, tackling two who were holding signs. He then pepper-sprayed them in the face while they were on the ground in submissive positions, then sprayed it out into the crowd of protesters. He dragged over barricades one who he originally tackled.
While under arrest, the SGN ’s Audrey Oscarson recorded an interview with a man who was walking through the area to get his haircut: an officer ran into him and four toppled him. No one told him why he was under arrest, and he said a female cop kneeled on his neck. He described this as a “sick experience” and was transported to the hospital.
Officers under investigation
Cops from the East Precinct and neighboring precincts who rushed into Capitol Hill on May 24 will be facing scrutiny from the OIG. The office was created to hold accountable the SPD and the Office of Police Accountability (OPA), which reviews officer misconduct — but it’s partially made up of SPD sergeants. Lisa A. Judge, the city’s first inspector general, has been serving since 2018.
“OIG will assess SPD crowd management tactics, including officer interactions and use of force, in keeping with our sys-
FOOD
CONTINUED FROM COVER
Toklas to the drag brunches and Gay bars of today.
“I want What Is Queer Food? to inform the present moment, as well as the future, to tell stories about unrepresented folks who, through great difficulty, used food to overcome, or survive, or to celebrate in secret,” Birdsall said. “I feel like every overt, public expression of Queer solidarity through food that we’re capable of today
temic oversight responsibilities, as well as obligations under the recently adopted less lethal weapons ordinance,” according to the press release, which also said the review will analyze “broader City functions that may have contributed to the negative outcomes.”
The SPD and OPA will undergo a systemic and auditing examination. Part of what the OIG does is evaluate the OPA’s complaint handling process, as well as investigate accusations of OPA staff misconduct. The OIG also collaborates with the police to better its practices and policies.
“The Inspector General has unfettered access to SPD operations in order to perform her duties, including being on-scene at the investigation of serious uses of force by SPD and at administrative reviews of those incidents,” according to the press release.
In the release, the OIG issued a statement from Mayor Bruce Harrell, who noted the importance of the constant assessment of work and how he’s looking forward to SPD Chief Shon Barnes collaborating with Judge.
“I strongly support this sentinel event review, because it will deliver a comprehensive review of the event, collect important feedback, and provide expert analysis that can be used to guide our police department’s response to events in the future,” Mayor Harrell said.
The mayor issued a statement in strong support of the LGBTQIA+ community on the evening of May 24 but stated that “anarchists infiltrated the counterprotesters group and inspired violence, prompting the SPD to make arrests and ask organizers to shut down the event early, which they did.”
He said the SPD would submit a report, to include crowd management drills, preparedness, and reviews of arrests and citations.
Update from the prosecutors
In total, 23 people were arrested that day, including one minor who was released shortly after being cuffed. A May 29 update from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (KCPAO) said that police referred one case but “that initial case referral did not include body-worn video or video from other sources.” The office strives to obtain as much video content as possible as part of its work.
Misdemeanor referrals are sent to the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, while felony referrals are brought to the KCPAO. Casey McNerthney, communications director at the KCPAO, told the SGN in a June 9 update that the SPD referred six people who were arrested at Cal Anderson Park to the office while they were out of custody.
“In one City Hall assault case referral and in at least two of the assault referrals
is also a recognition of those who came before us and kept Queer culture alive as a legacy.”
Each chapter of What Is Queer Food? takes readers on a journey into the oftenprivate lives of Queer people throughout history. Birdsall tells their stories through the foods they cooked, consumed, and sometimes cried over. Starting at the end of the 19th century and working up until the 1980s, the book explores everything from the seemingly mundane to some of the most well-known moments of LGBTQIA+ history through minute details, and, much like with food, it’s those that make all the difference.
“By immersing readers in the stories of Queer figures from history, known and unknown, I wanted to create an emotional language of struggle and survival, joy and perseverance,” Birdsall said.. There are so many brilliant LGBTQ+ histories out there. I wanted to add one based on unexpected discoveries rooted in the little details of cooking and eating, in cookbooks that had to pass as straight, and in the effort to build Queer public restaurant spaces.”
Inspiration
For a man whose life is entrenched in Queer history, Birdsall’s inspiration for the book came from a deeply personal place.
from Cal Anderson Park, police said there were no injuries. I say ‘at least’ because two of the cases were sent Friday afternoon [June 6] and are expected to be reviewed this week,” McNerthney said.
Three out of the six case referrals have been through a first review, and McNerthney said prosecutors intend to request more information from SPD officers, like medical records and body-worn video camera footage that has not been presented to the KCPAO.
“In two of the six cases, police said in their report that there were no injuries,” McNerthney added. “In one of those, a person is accused of throwing a soda can and hitting an officer’s leg. In the other, a person is accused of throwing an umbrella underhand at a lieutenant. If video is still outstanding in those cases, prosecutors plan to request it. The cases were referred by police as Assault in the Third Degree cases and will be reviewed in line with the filing standards.”
According to the KCPAO’s filing and disposition standards, among other conditions, “assault in the third degree shall be filed if the defendant”: shows a willingness to stop “any lawful process” or the legal “apprehension or detention of himself or another person” with criminal negligence, uses objects to cause bodily harm to another person with criminal negligence, injures another that leads to long-term extreme pain as a form of criminal negligence batters a law enforcement officer while conducting their duties
Washington LGBTQ Commission statement
On June 3, the state’s LGBTQ Commission released a statement about the events, calling for an independent investigation into police use of force and the permitting process at the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department.
“A notoriously hateful group was permitted by the City of Seattle’s Parks and Recreation Department to hold a rally focused on promoting anti-2SLGBTQIA+ ideology,” according to the statement. “The rally was met by counterprotesters who showed up to stand in support of themselves and their 2SLGBTQIA+ siblings and community members.
“Anti-2SLGBTQIA+ mobilization and political violence has tripled since 2020 and continues to rise, according to ACLED [Armed Conflict Location and Event Data]. Public spaces and certainly those with such vibrant 2SLGBTQIA+ history like Cal Anderson Park must remain safe for all Washingtonians — especially those whose identities are under attack.”
He explained how, growing up in suburban California in the late ‘60s, there were two men he called his uncles, Pat and Lou, a Gay couple who bought a house and settled down together but were “pariahs” to most neighbors.
“My parents got close to them, though,” Birdsall said, “and for about five years, on weekends when my parents hung out with them or at parties… before I was whisked home to bed, I soaked up their domestic life, their social life with Gay friends who’d drive down from San Francisco. It was magical for me: men who had a food life so different from my family’s, a life with food that centered pleasure and extravagance, being fully alive in the world.
For Birdsall, food represented the privacy and domesticity of home life, a form of intimacy. It was something shared with trusted people, something considered sinfully indulgent yet also required for sustenance. In shared meals, he met his first Gay role models.
“In May 1969, a month before Stonewall, Pat had a sudden heart attack and died” Birdsall recalled. “And though, at 10 years old, I didn’t know what was going on, I watched how everything they were was disassembled by family members who swooped in from the Midwest and erased everything of Pat from Lou’s life. Years later, when [I] looked back with perspective
The Commission emphasized the SPD’s escalatory behavior and actions in its attempts to control the counterprotesters, which it said is worrisome and aims to intimidate Queer and Trans communities.
“What happened at Cal Anderson Park was a violent failure of the public. The Seattle Police Department chose to protect hate and punish those who showed up for community care,” said commissioner Ebo Barton. “Pride began with people who were criminalized for defending their right to exist. That spirit continues today. I urge King County residents to demand real accountability, support grassroots safety efforts, and make it clear that there is no place for state-sanctioned violence against 2SLGBTQIA+ people.”
UPDATE: June 10 at 1:15 p.m.
While the OIG can make recommendations to the OPA and SPD, it does not have enforcement power, and the OPA and SPD do not have to accept the proposed recommendations.
After the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests on Capitol Hill, the OIG also conducted a sentinel review of the SPD and OPA, which generated over 300 recommendations. This was the most recent sentinel review process of the SPD and OPA by the OIG. It wrapped up in 2023, and most of the 300 recommendations were implemented, according to the OIG.
During the 2020 review, the OIG reviewed hospital information about critical incidents and all contributing factors that went into that outcome, an OIG source told the SGN . It also included conversations with people involved in protests, business owners, Capitol Hill residents, and SPD officers of different ranks.
While there are already processes in place to address officer misconduct, the OIG will put together timelines of the May 24 event and identify specific incidents to review, according to an OIG source. The OIG plans to move this review forward in a timely manner, and encourages community involvement, even though people may be hesitant to do so due to distrust of the systems.
People interested in participating can reach out to the OIG or the Community Police Commission, but there's no guarantee they will be a part of the panel discussion.
The OIG said the more information it gathers, the more helpful the sentinel review process is. Everything submitted to the OIG will be subject to public disclosure.
The SGN will continue to provide updates. For more footage, visit @seattlegaynews_ on Instagram and TikTok.
and understanding, I had so much anger and sadness that I needed to process.”
Inspired by Pat and Lou, Birdsall began researching people’s lives relegated to history’s closet. Throughout his studies, he kept returning to that one element that centers community and brings people together: food.
“I felt like researching and writing about Gay and Lesbian people in earlier generations, trying to uncover their food lives, was a way of correcting the injustice I felt about the silence and erasure,” he recalled. What Is Queer Food? is a tribute to history’s roommates, forgotten lovers, meals shared among found families, and also a promise to the future. The book leaves readers with a hopeful message that the LGBTQIA+ community is resilient and creative and that we have come together bearing casseroles and cakes for one another in good and bad times. If the future will throw something at us, let it throw a pie.
“I hope readers will recognize the texture of Queer lives from the past in new and unexpected ways: in the wording of a recipe or in the dishes we made for one another and the world outside our communities,” Birdsall said. “I hope readers come away with an expanded notion of the possibilities of Queer expression and with greater admiration for our Queer ancestors who built the world we’ve inherited.”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Kiyon Ross and Rena Butler bring joy and intrigue to PNB’s Director’s Choice
BY SHARON CUMBERLAND
Director’s Choice
Pacific Northwest Ballet
McCaw Hall, May 30, 2025
Opening nights in McCaw Hall are always fascinating, especially at the ballet. Its expansive lobbies fill up with earlycomers who visit over a drink or poke around the wonderfully overstuffed gift shop. When the warning gong begins, the crowd flows toward their seats in a colorful parade.
In true Seattle style, patrons of ballet dress as though they are going to the movies, a wedding, a baseball game, a casino, or an opera — all of them happy and hopeful. Ballet seems to inspire a parallel artistic effort from the patrons: everything from tutus on little girls and adults in native dress (muumuus, aloha shirts, kimonos, barongs) to fabulous vintage and designer clothes when the big donors file in from the opening night gala. Yet this preshow spectacle is only a prelude to the fabulous dancing to come.
On May 30, the PNB presented three fascinating pieces chosen by the director Peter Boal, now one of the leading promoters of new works in the ballet world today. Over his 20 years of leading the PNB into the spotlight of great dance companies, Boal has sponsored new and emerging choreographers such as Justin Peck, Nacho Duato, and Alejandro Cerrudo. He has also had an important interest in supporting women choreographers such as Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Crystal Pite, and Robyn Mineko Williams, as well as the PNB’s own dancers who are becoming gifted choreographers: Price Suddarth, Paul Gibson, and Kyle Davis.
Now, with the 2025 Director’s Choice program, Boal has continued this important process by choosing Rena Butler and Kiyon Ross to join the super established Twyla Tharp in this year’s terrific showcase.
…throes of increasing wonder
Choreography: Kiyon Ross
Music: Cristina Spinei
Lighting design: Reed Nakayama
Costume design: Pauline Smith
Scenic design: Norbert Herriges and Reed Nakayama
On this marvelous evening of dance, the happiest offering came first: a creation from Kiyon Ross that matched the high spirits of the audience and showcased everything delightful about the geometry of ballet.
Ross, a former PNB dancer, knows from his own experience how to bring together music, movement, and dancers at their most glorious — and how to enable the audience to experience that glory through visual and auditory senses of delight. The title of this terrific work, first commissioned for the PNB’s 50th anniversary in 2023, is a perfect description of how people feel as they watch it.
Along with a lively score by composer Cristina Spinei, the audience was treated to wave after wave of 24 dancers flying through the air, spinning, leaping, and forming patterns with their arms and legs like an ever-expanding constellation of stars. It was so beautiful and so fast that attendees could barely register one movement sequence before the next began.
Pauline Smith’s costumes of white, fluttering skirts over layers of blue, red, and turquoise made the women sparkle among the men in their simple white leotards. Groups as small as two, three, or four and as just as lavish alternated with (as promised) increasing wonder until it felt like the dance version of a beautiful kaleidoscope.
While I’m sure Ross has the full complement of tones and styles in his vocabulary, I was delighted to see what he does when he’s in the throes of wonder — and takes his audiences there too.
Cracks (2025 World Premiere)
Choreography: Rena Butler
Music: The Tudor Choir singing works of Michel Wackenheim, Gabriel Fauré, Antonio Vivaldi, Ljova, Francis Poulenc, Claude Debussy, and Michael Praetorius
Costume design: Meleta Buckstaff
Lighting design: Julie Ballard
Cracks is a fascinating world premiere by Rena Butler that poses serious questions about religious education, with a potent combination of elegant music, colorful unisex uniforms , and quirky, inventive choreography.
Eleven dancers portray anxious young-
sters who hunch and shuffle in a phalanx of worried obedience. Wearing Meleta Buckstaff’s clever unisex uniforms, they tumble and slink around as if to avoid bolts from heaven. Their scaredy-cat gestures begin humorously (many of us religious school kids remember that shrinking feeling) but grow more dramatic as cracking sounds begin to interrupt the classical strains of early music. What begins as familiar and funny becomes ominous as Butler asks the question she proposes in the program notes: “…whether or not fervent worship or adherence leads to one’s true evolutionary journey to the higher self.”
Like Ross, Butler is a brilliant dancer in her own right, and has moved to choreography with great power and wit. Cracks was 99% perfect in my view — I only wish the sound of the cracks that interrupted a wonderful catalogue of classical music had made sense from the beginning. If I hadn’t read the program, I wouldn’t have understood what they were. Nevertheless, I could never get enough of her wonderful choreography, and I look forward to following her brilliant career.
Nine Sinatra Songs (1982)
Choreography: Twyla Tharp
Original costume design: Oscar de la Renta
Original scenic design: Santo Loquasto
This nostalgic offering was last on the bill and a great hit with the audience, who gave it a standing ovation — especially the women dancers, who had to navigate the midcentury music in high heels. Kudos for the very brave and talented Angelica Generosa, Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan, Lily Wills,
Juliet
Rayn Abeo, Elizabeth
and Clara
all of them beautiful, elegant, and witty. The men were equally cool and looked sharp in their formal wear, but in this return to an earlier ethos, they didn’t come across as more than elegant, and in some cases less than gentlemanly.
But what else could they do, given the male-centric themes that Frank Sinatra valorized, which many people find problematic now? Sinatra became the voice of doing things “my way” no matter the cost, using and losing women as it suited him, as well as exerting his singular manly power and authority. (Sound like someone we know?)
Full disclosure: I’m a feminist, but unless this dance is seen as an ironic comment on the masculinized past — which the dancers were able to convey in a humorous way — I suspect that Sinatra and his chest-thumping masculinity is more a reflection on our current political problems than a positive look at the past.
My vote is for PNB to continue promoting new choreographers like Ross and Butler, whose thoughtful, complex, and fascinating work brings fresh delights and new insights into the dance scene. I also cast my vote — as a personal sidebar, since I’ve just returned from Paris, where I saw Manuel Legris’ Sylvia at the Palais Garnier — that some of the less frequently seen classics like Sylvia would lend some interesting context to the wonderful modernity of PNB.
The Pacific Northwest Ballet presents “Director’s Choice” at McCaw Hall through June 8, 2025. Go to pnb.org for tickets and information.
PNB says adieu to three brilliant dancers at a fabulous season encore
BY SHARON CUMBERLAND
Season Encore Performance
Pacific Northwest Ballet
McCaw Hall June 8, 2025
The ballet season in Seattle comes to a rousing end each year when Pacific Northwest Ballet gives an encore performance featuring retiring dancers who are moving from one great career into another — whether as teachers, choreographers, or graduate students, or on to other new chal-
lenges. They are typically young, experienced, and ready to take their lives into new directions, so this kind of “retirement” is exciting rather than sorrowful.
This season’s finale was a wonderful sendoff for principal dancer Cecilia Iliessiu and soloists Price Suddarth and Miles Pertl, who will be greatly missed. Iliessiu’s performance in an excerpt of Balanchine’s Diamonds showcased the elegant grace and precision she brings to classical dance. The audience was riveted to her majestic presence in the arms of partner Dylan Wald, a perfect example of why so many people are entranced by the power and fragility of classical ballet. Yet the exposed drama and large gestures in choreographer Dani Rowe’s The Window showcased Iliessiu’s emotional investment into the full range of joy and loss for a young bride who becomes a widow. The powerful arc of feeling in her movement was truly unforgettable.
Suddarth has been known to the community not only as an elegant and energetic dancer but as a choreographer. An excerpt
from his recent project, Dawn Patrol, inspired by pilots in WWII, featured ten dancers in complex, regimented movements, as well as compelling small groups and duets that expressed the commitment and grief of pilots and families in wartime. Suddarth also demonstrated his own magic in the solo Something’s Coming from Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story Suite — an affirmation of how a terrific dancer can develop into a great choreographer.
The wonderfully entertaining premier of Cavalier by Eva Stone was performed by Miles Pertl, who was of such humor and command that the audience was laughing and cheering at his clever mastery of Irish dancing and ballet. A hometown boy who began his career in the PNB dance school, Pertl returned after gaining experience in international companies. His good humor and powerful dancing has been one of the hallmarks of PNB’s magnetic troupe of male dancers who can lift anyone, perform anything, and display all the moods, from tragic to hilarious.
Both Pertl and Suddarth appeared alongside 37 of their fellow dancers in the grand finale — Crystal Pite’s Emergence —one of the greatest and weirdest contemporary dances in PNB’s history and repertoire. This is the third time I’ve had the gobsmacked pleasure of seeing the emergence of creatures who look like some kind of insect, who become a warren of male/ female beings who dance in such rigid patterns and with such precision that the kaleidoscope of changing forms is as fascinating as the thrumming, humming sounds they make as they do it. It has to be seen to be believed.
It was a wonderful ending to a great season, as well as a fabulous launch into the future for three terrific dancers. Happy travels, Cecilia, Price, and Miles! The best wishes of many grateful dance lovers go with you.
See the Pacific Norwest Ballet’s 20252026 Season offerings at pnb.org
Madison
Murphy,
Prine,
Ruf Maldonato —
RENA BUTLER’S CRACKS ANGELA STERLING
CECILIA ILIESIU IN SWAN LAKE ANGELA STERLING
Barbie, Pride, and the power of music at the Seattle Symphony
BY M.J. BUNDY
This summer, Barbie will be trading her Dream House for musical instruments as the Seattle Symphony brings Barbie The Movie: In Concert to Benaroya Hall. The concert is set to deliver a celebration of identity and self-expression at three shows on June 27–28 at the exquisite performance location. At this possibly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the film will play on the screen, with a full orchestra bringing its soundtrack to life, offering audiences a way to experience Barbie like never before.
A cultural phenomenon since its 2023 release, Barbie broke records, grossing $1.4 billion globally as the most profitable live-action film created by a woman director, and it sparked global conversations around feminism, gender roles, and personal discovery. Its soundtrack, produced
by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, is key to that explosive impact.
“The score is a brilliant blend of orchestral writing and pop production,” Andrew Joslyn, associate director of popular programming for the Seattle Symphony, said. “It’s rare to find a film that uses music so intentionally to elevate both narrative and cultural commentary.”
For the Symphony, Barbie is more than just a box office hit; it’s a story that celebrates identity, challenges social norms, and connects deeply with audiences across generations. Performing it live during Pride Month amplifies the film’s themes of self-expression and belonging, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Barbie’s journey of self-discovery and her desire to find and redefine her place in
the world closely mirrors the coming out experiences of many in the LGBTQIA+ community,” said Joe Brock, senior manager of sales and services.
By spotlighting Barbie The Movie: In Concert during Pride Month, the Seattle Symphony aims to create a space where Queer stories and identities are not only acknowledged but celebrated. The film’s playful yet powerful challenge to gender roles and expectations offers a reflection of the personal and collective journeys that many Queer people navigate.
The Symphony’s decision to put on this film during Pride Month was no accident. From the musicians on stage to the staff behind the scenes, Queer-identifying artists and organizers played a vital role in shaping the upcoming concert series. Their
presence ensures that this performance is not only musically rich but also socially meaningful.
“The film’s themes of self-expression, identity, and challenging societal expectations have deeply resonated with LGBTQIA+ audiences, and we wanted to celebrate that connection in a meaningful way,” Joslyn said.
The Symphony invites audiences to join the fun by dressing up, exploring themed lobby activities, and, above all, sharing in the experience as a community.
For more information, visit seattlesymphony.org/en/concerttickets/ calendar/2024-2025/25-barbie.
All-women’s soccer team Salmon Bay FC kicks off inaugural year with 3-game winning streak and community support
BY CALVIN JAY EMERSON
Interbay Stadium is a place behold to Mother Earth. If you go there for a game, you’ll find a beer garden that feels like an actual garden. You’ll likely see a soccer ball fly into the leaves of a looming pine tree, or kids rolling through the dirt and playing with big sticks, just a few steps away from courtside.
The Bushkeepers, a ragtag community of dedicated fans, can be spotted in the distance as they view matches nearby. They’ve been drinking beers and sounding the vuvuzela for the last five years as they’ve watched the men’s team, Ballard FC, grow into a dominant force. The Bushkeepers been equally as quick to adopt Salmon Bay as their own.
“It’s been wild seeing a women’s team getting this kind of support,” Sarah, a veteran Bushkeeper, told the SGN. “You could see their nerves initially, but then they started crushing it! I hope our turnout’s been a part of what’s motivating them.”
Since its first game, Salmon Bay FC has been getting morale boosters: they’ve settled into their home stadium at Interbay and have packed the stands with fans.
In its first home game against Spokane Shadow FC, forward Samiah Snell scored the team’s first goal in a dominant, 4-0 sweep. Snell was the first to raise a pink oar into the air — a new tradition like the Mariners’ trident or the Huskies’ helmet car.
As fans were eagerly developing new chants like “Let’s go, Coho!,” coach Malia Arrant was also crafting the team’s identity from the sideline. The match against Spokane was an exhibition game, which wouldn’t count toward the season’s standings. This meant Arrant was free to experiment with different lineups, seeing who
works best with whom, without ever straying from the team’s strategic north star: persistent offense.
“Malia is definitely an offensive-minded coach, and she brings a whole-team approach,” forward Hailee Bergford told the SGN. “So, everybody’s on the attack. Everybody’s a part of it. Everybody’s contributing to that final goal in the net.”
Arrant has constructed a team that keeps the ball close to the opponent’s net. The team’s ball security is top-notch, and in the rare instances where they lose control, they know how to steal the ball quickly, before their opponent can build momentum.
It’s a strategy that places the whole game in a pressure chamber, and one defensive slipup can result in a loss. Salmon Bay’s coaching staff has made the bet that their opponents will slip up first, and so far, it’s paid off. It won its first divisional match against the Tacoma Galaxy on May 30 1-0 thanks to a lucky penalty kick by Bergford.
The following matchup against Bigfoot FC on June 1 was a 6-0 blowout in which, despite having veteran playmakers like forward Ameera Hussen and defender Alicia Barker on the bench, Salmon Bay controlled most aspects of the game.
Salmon Bay’s next few matches include a home game against Lane United FC on June 14 and another against the West Seattle Rhodies on June 18.
But the biggest one to watch out for is against the extraordinarily talented FC Olympia, which has been undefeated for the last two seasons and counting. Regardless, fans and Bushkeepers will be watching on June 22, at Interbay Stadium, to see if Salmon Bay FC has what it takes to break Olympia’s winning streak.
COURTESY SEATTLE SYMPHONY
Sublime baroque and classical chamber music since 2006
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
PRIDE PRIDE
Seattle Mariners Celebrate Pride Month
Date: June 13
Time: 7 p.m.
Venue: T-Mobile Park
Admissions: Varies
June 13 vs. the Guardians! June 13: Pride Stanley style tumbler giveaway mlb.com/mariners/tickets/specials/pride
Astoria Pride
Date: June 13-15
Time: Varies
Venue: Varies
Admissions: Free
Astoria Pride celebrating 10 years of Pride catch us Pride Weekend June 12-15, 2025. parade, pub crawl, gala, brunch facebook.com/AstoriaOregonPride
Laugh with Pride:
A Kitsap Pride Comedy Showcase
Date: June 14
Time: 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Venue: Roxy Theatre, Bremerton
Admissions: $18
Experience an unforgettable night of comedy at Laugh with Pride on June 14 at the Roxy Theatre in Bremerton. Enjoy hilarious LGBTQ+ comedians and a fabulous drag host in this one-night-only celebration of laughter and pride! Highlights Experience high-energy, side-splitting comedy with Ricci Armani, Nancy Jean Naly, Paul Curry, Jenna Nobs, Genevieve Ferrari, and host Anita Spritzer. Enjoy top LGBTQ+ comedians and a hilarious drag host Celebrate laughter, pride, and community in one unforgettable night theatermania.com/shows/bremerton/ laugh-with-pride-a-kitsap-pride-comedyshowcase_1773378
Spokane Pride
Date: June 7-15
Time: Varies
Venue: Varies
Admissions: Varies
June 1th to June 29st Pride History and Remembrance Project (Central Library 1st and 3rd floor)
June 7th, Pride Cruise
June 13th, Kick off party (Under Big Tent)
June 14th, Pride Parade (Downtown Spokane)
Festival Kick Off (Riverfront Park, All Ages Dance Party (Lilac Bowl), Dempsey’s/Irv’s Reunion show (Pavilion)
June 15th, 10 AM Clean Up PARTY (Riverfront Park) spokanepride.org/pride2025
Woodinville Pride
Date: June 14
Time: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Venue: Wilmot Gateway Park
Admissions: Free
We hope you'll join us for the 4th Annual Woodinville Pride event! www
-FREE to all attendees
-Food trucks on premesis
-Entertainment
-Shuttle Service from the Woodinville Park & Ride to the event and back. Shuttle is FREE to riders and we hope will make getting to/from the event much less stressful. facebook.com/ events/1393398515446044
Everett Pride
Date: June 20-22
Time: Varies
Venue: Varies
Admissions: Varies
Everett Pride Night Market Solstice
Friday, June 20, 2025, 6-10PM
Everett Pride Block Party 2025!
Saturday, June 21, 2025, 11 AM -4PM
Diva Drag Brunch, Sunday, June 22, 2025, 11 AM -2PM everettpride.org
Anacortes Pride
Date: June 21
Time: 11am-3pm
Venue: Downtown Anacortes
Admissions: Free
Join us for our fourth annual Pride Parade! It will be held on June 21st, 2025!
The parade will start downtown at 11, followed by a Celebration at Causland Park until 3pm. anacortespride.org
Gig Harbor Pride in the Park
Date: June 21
Time: 11am-4pm
Venue: Skansie Brothers Park, Gig Harbor
Admissions: Free
Get ready to laugh, cheer, dance, and celebrate because Gig Harbor Pride in the Park is back for its third year—and this time, we’re going bigger, bolder, and queerer than ever under the big top of Cirque Du So-Gay!
Join us on the waterfront at Skansie Brothers Park for a day packed with music, performances, community, and color. Expect joyful surprises around every corner—from drag, art, and circus-inspired fun to local food and entertainment. It’s our way of turning the park into a radiant space of love, expression, and pride. pridegigharbor.gay/pride-in-thepark-2025
South Whidbey Pride Parade and Celebration
Date: June 21
Time: 12am-3pm
Venue: Downtown Langley, Whidbey Island
Admissions: Free
Join us in Langley for a joyful day of connection, celebration, and empowerment - starting with the Pride Parade downtown Langley and followed by the lively Festival behind South Whidbey Community Center.
Now more than ever, being visible at Pride in an act of love, solidarity, and support for the LGBTQIA+ community. We hope you will join us! southwhidbeypride.org
Wenatchee Pride
Date: June 21
Time: 11am-9pm
Venue: Memorial Park
Admissions: Free
The 2025 Wenatchee Pride Festival will be on June 21, 2025 at Memorial Park in downtown Wenatchee! Join us and our 2S+LGBTQIA friends, family, and allies together for a day of celebration, equality, and inclusivity with vendors, food, performances, and the return of the "Queer" Garden! wenatcheepride.org/2025-wenatcheepride-festival
Georgetown Pride
Date: June 21
Time: 11am-late
Venue: Varies
Admissions: Free Georgetown Pride 2025 will take place on Saturday, June 21st!
Festivities will include: Events at local businesses: 11am - Late, Street Fair @ Bloom Bistro: 11am - 3pm, Neighborhood Parade @ Oxbow Park: 3-4 pm www.georgetowncommunitycouncil. com/pride
Yakima Pride
Date: June 21
Time: 10am
Venue: Varies
Admissions: Free
Get ready for a day filled with love, community, and above all, UNITY. Stay tuned for festival and parade updates! yakimapride.org
Kenmore Pride @ Kenmore Farmers Market
Date: June 25
Time: 3-7pm
Venue: NE 181st St
Admissions: Free
For the first time, Kenmore is hosting a Pride event at the Kenmore Farmer's Market! Come see us at our table! eastsidepridepnw.com
Seattle Storm Pride Night
Date: June 27
Time: 7pm
Venue: Climate Pledge Arena
Admissions: Varies
The Storm’s Pride Night celebration will take place on Friday, June 27 at 7:00pm when the team host the Connecticut Sun. Fans can participate in activations around the concourse that support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. During the game, an LGBTQ+ leader from the community will be honored and presented with a donation to the nonprofit of their choice to support their ongoing work. The honoree is selected by Storm players and staff.
Trans Pride Seattle is a free annual festival celebrating Trans life and community across the Pacific Northwest and beyond! A love letter to Trans people everywhere, TPS increases the strength of the TwoSpirit, Trans, & Gender Diverse (2STGD) community and our allies through increased visibility, connection, love, and the celebration of our lives.
Everyone who supports + affirms Trans life is invited to enjoy our stage show featuring a lineup of all-Trans talent and our tabling fair featuring 100+ Trans-led and affirming orgs, community groups, artists, and services; and to find and bask in community among the thousands of attendees who gather to celebrate, to resist, and to show that Trans people aren’t going anywhere.
transprideseattle.org
Capital City Pridefest Olympia
Date: June 27-29
Time: Varies
Venue:The Port Plaza & Percival Landing 701 Columbia St NW
Olympia, WA
Admissions: Free
Celebrate Pride at Capital City PrideFest, a vibrant three-day festival held during the last weekend of June! Known for being one of the region's only familyfriendly, dry, zero-waste, and philanthropic Pride festivals, this welcoming event provides a safe and inclusive space for people of all ages to celebrate their identities. Enjoy a range of activities, entertainment, and community collaborations that support and uplift the Thurston County area and beyond. Don’t miss out on the fun and meaningful experiences created by Capital City Pride’s ten signature events! experienceolympia.com/events/capitalcity-pridefest-2025
Pridefest Capitol Hill
Date: June 28
Time: 12-8
Venue: Capitol Hill, 1122 E Pike St
Admissions: Free
Capitol Hill’s biggest event is back, and PrideFest is still 100% free for all. The event spans five blocks of North Broadway, Denny, and Cal Anderson Park. This year, with FOUR stages of entertainment for all ages! seattlepridefest.org/schedule/2025/6/28/pridefest-capitol-hill
Pride Beaverton, Pride in the Park
Date: June 29
Time: 11am-5pm
Venue: Beaverton City Park
4975 SW Hall Blvd, Beaverton, OR
Admissions: Free
Pride Beaverton’s parade at Pride in the Park grows with each year and as we celebrate our 8th, it’s sure to be our biggest yet. We’re seeking parade participants to join the community’s march through downtown Beaverton as we kick off 2025’s celebrations on June 29th! We’ll be bringing back our awards to recognize those groups who represent our “Love is Louder” theme the loudest! Stay tuned for award details and our parade route! Tentative Schedule (subject to change). 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Pride In The Park 2025 11:00 AM - 5:00 - Vendor Market Opens. 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Center Stage Performance 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Our Love Is Louder! Parade 2025 pridebeaverton.org/events
Seattle Pride Parade
Date: June 29
Time: 10am-3:30pm
Venue: Westlake Park — Seattle Center
Admissions: Free
The Seattle Pride Parade is communityled, deeply rooted in activism, and unapologetically focused on LGBTQIA2S+ visibility. Every year, 300,000+ people gather in the streets, marching for joy, justice, and belonging. seattlepride.org/events/seattle-prideparade-2025
W ON PARADE AVANTE PRIDE
A Pride Pre Party Brunch with Drag Queens, Tarot Readers, Poets, and More!
