Cops mob Trans, Queers, and allies over popped balloon at Mayday USA counterprotest
BY HANNAH SAUNDERS SGN EDITOR
Seattle Councilmember Mark Solomon, longtime SPD employee, calls for uniformed cops in Pride Parade
BY HANNAH SAUNDERS SGN EDITOR
Just ahead of Pride Month, Seattle City Councilmember Mark Solomon requested that the Seattle LGBTQ Commission, which is composed of 21 residents who serve as city advisors, speak with Seattle Pride organizers about allowing Seattle Police Department officers who are Queer to march in the parade fully uniformed. On May 15, the commission discussed this request and actions it will — or won’t take — in response.
“Their reasoning behind this is that the LGBTQ police officers should have the right to basically be proud of their career and proud of their identity, and be able to celebrate that in the parade,” said Commis-
sioner Kody Allen.
Commissioner Jessa Davis said, based on conversations she’s had with LGBTQIA+ community members in the past, that many would likely be uncomfortable with this. At the same time, an SPD T-shirt rather than a full uniform seems like a reasonable middle ground, she added.
“I feel like a conversation and a building of trust between pretty much every organization and the police needs to be done,” another commissioner added. “I don’t love that it’s happening, like, a month before. I feel like the timing of that… It takes time
Police violence broke out during a May 24 counterprotest in Cal Anderson Park.
An anti-Trans, pro–nuclear family, and fundamentalist group known as Mayday USA was hosting a “Don’t Mess with Our Kids” event, including free haircuts
for children, in Seattle’s historically LGBTQIA+ neighborhood. During a performance of Christian rock music, counterprotesters popped one of the balloons
Queer Power Alliance mobilizes Washington’s LGBTQIA+ community against rising threats
BY ALEX GARLAND
As attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights intensify nationwide, Queer Power Alliance (QPA), a Seattle-based advocacy organization that provides gender-affirming training to other organizations, is scaling up its fight through grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and coalition building.
“We work in the intersection of advocacy, education, and organizing, not only to pass laws but also transforming systems and making sure they stay in place,” Taylor Fairley, QPA’s executive director, told the SGN. “Our work centers around housing justice, health equity, economic justice, and Trans liberation. And those are not separate fights but interconnected systems of care
for our communities ”
The organization’s economic justice focus remains foundational, because a lack of stable and secure income directly results in housing insecurity, Fairley said. As a result, healthcare becomes secondary to housing, which Fairley said should never be the case.
While celebrating Washington’s progressive history — and Seattle’s rich Queer legacy— LGBTQIA+ leaders are warning of alarming regression.
“Historically, the community in Seattle was a voice, created change, built changes,
COURTESY SEATTLE PRIDE
(2023-2024)
Cragin (2020 - 2023)
Bakan (1984 - 2020)
Tully (1974 - 1984)
Dark
BY KAI AMBER
You are one of the sunflowers in the dark. Times are bleak and night seems to have a forever park, But we Sunflowers, despite it all, still stand.
We will start to dance all night to the beat of our own band. Standing tall is not easy and sometimes pain makes us queasy, But together we are strong and the sun will come.
Don’t listen: that keeping the faith is dumb.
Grab a hand if all the hate gets too much.
There is healing when we join and our souls touch.
It’s a constant battle, but we will speak Even when it overwhelms and our eyes leak.
Hope remains despite the odds. It doesn’t matter if you pray to different gods.
You are one of the beloved and my kin.
We will not allow in the name of god our existence to be called a sin.
Those trying to wipe out our field will not prosper. The support we receive will not come from a dropper. So join together, Sunflowers.
Keep showing the world your voice and loving powers.
SEATTLE NEWS
Seattle police allow Christian extremists to provoke Queer protesters, leading to another day of violence and arrests FBI launches investigation into “targeted violence”
BY HANNAH SAUNDERS SGN EDITOR
that area.
Provocations and arrests
The Mayday USA group, which attempted to declare Jesus “king” of Seattle on May 24 in Cal Anderson Park, in the heart of the city’s Queer neighborhood, took to the steps of City Hall on May 27 to call on Mayor Bruce Harrell to apologize for a statement he issued, redact it, or resign. Harrell had characterized the Capitol Hill event as meant “to provoke a reaction by promoting beliefs that are inherently opposed to our city’s values, in the heart of Seattle’s most prominent LGBTQ+ neighborhood.”
Protesters were positioned around the perimeter of police barricades at City Hall. But Seattle police allowed Mayday USA members into the thick of where the protesters were. Protesters felt that these were provocations, and when they verbally objected, police intervened, leading to violent clashes targeting Trans people, Queers, and allies, and a total of eight arrests, on unknown charges.
A young man wearing a white shirt continually inserted himself into the protest, then ran back up to the balcony area, where local MAGA Republican talking head Katie Daviscourt was spotted recording footage of him. The balcony was sealed off by barricades, as police had established a primary base there that was also a media access area. Photographs taken by the SGN show another man and his friend running down to the protesters, then laughing on their way back up the hill as protesters told them to leave.
At one point, a man wearing a sunhat and waving an American flag and a woman with a baby and two toddlers were spotted pushing their way into the protesters so as to get through the barricades and into the Mayday USA crowd. A group of protesters quickly responded to this new group (something SPD officers neglected to do throughout the event), saying they needed to leave, as it wasn’t safe to bring small children into
“A woman came into the crowd with her infant. We tried to tell her that this wasn’t an entrance…,” Chandler Spears, who was at the front of the barricade during this incident, told the SGN. “Nobody got near her baby… Many of us told her she needed to go back up the block.”
Spears noted how the crowd made space for the group of five, using their bodies as barriers to prevent any potential harm, like being bumped, and even created a wall by holding their arms out and putting cardboard protest signs on their backs. Tensions began to rise as the group of five continued to push toward the barricade, and police became aware of what appeared to be a family in the midst of the protest.
“SPD came down, and they made her move, and they held all of us back,” Spears added.
While Seattle Police Outreach Engagement Team (POET) officers, who are meant to ease tensions in such situations,
were seen pushing through the barricades where the family was, they were hands-off, and instead, Seattle police pushed into the crowd, which led to a lot of yelling, shoving, and eventually arrests.
The Mayday USA crowd continued to blast Christian rock music through loudspeakers. Joe Malloy, who is running for mayor, told the SGN that the extremist group did not receive a permit to perform, adding that meant a $3,000 fine.
An announcement was made on the mainstage, in which the anti-Trans group said that the FBI is launching an investigation into the City of Seattle for its disregard for Christianity and prioritization of care for the LGBTQIA+ community in recently issued statements about the targeted location of Mayday USA’s previous event, in historically Queer Cal Anderson Park.
Protesters yelled “Fuck you!” and “Go home, fascists!,” waiting for Mayday USA’s final sendoff. Similarly to Saturday, Mayday USA members began praying and speaking in tongues when packing up. Its private security wove their arms together to create a wall against the protesters, who proceeded to trickle in to the mainstage area.
Those hours of shouting “Go home, fascists!” paid off, as the group is heading to Los Angeles to spread its bigotry in another Queer hot spot on May 31.
Seattle Public Safety Committee meeting
Earlier that morning, the Seattle City Council held a Public Safety Committee meeting, in which Councilmember Bob Kettle noted how the events of May 24 were a good opportunity for the City to stand up for free speech, the rights of our LGBTQIA+ community, and all of Seattle.
“Has anyone been surprised by the police violence we witnessed on Capitol Hill three days ago?” one District 7 resident asked. “The videos from Saturday are classic… showing police escalating… This is what you have done.”
A Capitol Hill resident noted how the City had approved a hate-group event in Seattle’s “gayborhood,” and asked how much it costs Seattle taxpayers to “provide a small army of police to protect them.”
“The Seattle Police Department has a long history of violence towards Queer and leftwing protesters, and turning them loose…
PROTESTORS KEEP WOMAN WITH BABY SAFE AND ATTEMPT TO DE-ESCALATE WHEN COPS ARRIVE.
HANNAH SAUNDERS
[will result] in actual physical and emotional harm to our community,” they said.
Councilmember Kettle said people need to be mindful that “there’s third actors as well,” and that first reports of the media are frequently wrong and incorrect, and are waiting for body camera footage — which several officers had turned off — to better understand the day’s brutality.
Greg Doss, supervising analyst at the Seattle City Council, went over an SPD report that’s issued on a quarterly basis and noted how the department has been seeing a trend of about 14 new hires per month, “which is really double of what has occurred historically, even in good years,” he said.
Since April 18, the SPD has hired 60 officers, and the hiring projection from this year ranges from 132 to 169 officers. Doss noted how the Seattle Police Officers Guild has made the SPD the “highest paid law enforcement in the state,” and salaries are the highest contributing factor to recruits.
Doss added that there are 930 deployable officers in the City, and that it takes about one year to become a fully trained officer. Because of these hiring projections, Doss said there is an estimated budget shortfall of $6.8–10 million.
Permit double standards for antiTrans group and Trans Pride
Trans Pride has been hosting its annual event in Cal Anderson Park, with few changes over the past four years. While Mayday USA had scheduled events in Cal Anderson Park and outside of City Hall apparently easily, Trans Pride Seattle has faced significant issues over the past three or four years.
The Seattle Fire Department has issued citations or requests for the remediation of alleged violations, like rushing to a hardware store to obtain extra fire extinguishers and finding ways to cover extension cords and cables — which has allegedly come with sexual harassment and follow-
up meetings, an anonymous source told the SGN
Other areas of differing treatment include the permitting process, like requiring Trans Pride Seattle’s permits to be due at least 60 days ahead of the event, while Mayday USA obtained a permit only a month in advance.
“Trans Pride organizers also have to submit a plan for event safety and work closely with [the Parks Department] and other stakeholders to provide their permits and plans far in advance, whereas it seems that Mayday was able to kick off this event without issue,” they said.
Mayday USA plans to host another event in Cal Anderson in August. The SGN will continue to follow this story.
Got a tip? Send it to editor@sgn.org or on Signal to (253)313-6535. Follow @SeattleGayNews_ on Instagram and TikTok to view footage you missed.
“Trans
Power” rally unites LGBTQ+ organizations in supporting red-state refugees
BY MADISON JONES
Several organizations, led by Gender Justice League and Traction PNW, held a protest event for Transgender rights on April 26 at Seattle’s Cal Anderson Park. The groups’ collective message: “When they attack, we fight back,” which was passionately belted out by organizer Claire Michelle and the nearly one hundred in attendance, many of whom held signs of support. The rally comes at a time when the Transgender community in the United States has been under attack, targeted by anti-LGBTQIA+ policies at the federal, state, and local levels.
The afternoon’s focus was centered around the plight of red-state refugees. One of the first speakers, Adora Blue, encour-
aged the crowd to sign up with Traction’s “couch network” program, which helps relocate LGBTQIA+ people and give them a temporary place to stay. Several other speakers echoed similar calls for the community to get involved in assisting relocation efforts any way they can, whether it be providing funds, resources, or an empty couch.
Koi, a grassroots, Trans-led organization founded after the 2024 election to help evacuate Trans people from more hostile parts of the country, relocated its first person to Seattle from Kentucky in December last year. So far, the group reports having successfully relocated 10 people.
Supporting Koi’s efforts, Traction PNW is a volunteer-led nonprofit founded in 2019 with the mission of bringing gender-diverse people and their allies closer together. Traction’s executive director, Michael Woodward, who also spoke at the event, told the SGN that the organization has been working to expand support for these groups and their relocation efforts.
One harrowing story of relocation shared at the rally was THAT of Elle Cree, a Nonbinary veteran marine from Arkansas. Cree told the crowd that after the 2024 election, the religious hospital where their gender-affirming surgeries were scheduled canceled them. Cree recounted enduring
harassment in Arkansas, including having propane and water shut off, and people running them off the road. An FBI agent even had to get involved due to safety concerns.
“Not a single place was safe,” Cree told the audience.
But there was one man Cree credits with saving them from that dark place.
“Michael Woodward saved my life,” they said, with tears trickling down their cheeks. At the end of their remarks, Cree said they are returning that kindness to help others.
“The first thing I’m going to do is turn around and help somebody else up that mountain!” Cree exclaimed.
ELLE CREE SPEAKING TO THE CROWD MELODY SUMMERFIELD
MICHAEL WOODWARD SPEAKING TO THE CROWD
MELODY SUMMERFIELD
MELODY SUMMERFIELD
CHRIS ROJAS
“Chinga la migra”: Over 1,000 march in support of worker’s and immigrants’ rights on May Day
BY HANNAH SAUNDERS SGN EDITOR
“When workers’ rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” and “Chinga la migra” (Fuck ICE) were two of the chants that could be heard trailing from Capitol Hill toward downtown this May Day. The national day of action brought over a thousand Seattleites on a sunny Thursday out to the streets, with the ongoing detentions and deportations of the Trump administration and the rollback of constitutional rights being a key theme.
“Our president’s performing a coup and oppressing our rights, and he’s taking away people’s jobs and healthcare, and he’s hurting the people of this country. It’s got to be stopped,” attendee Catherine Ruha told the SGN
Ruha said she hadn’t protested for decades but turned out to help show state and federal leaders that they must stand up to Trump’s hurtful regime. She noted how Americans fought a revolution to free themselves from a king.
“Now you’re installing a king?” she asked. “I’m tired of the revenge tactics. I don’t want to be a part of their authoritarian father-figure paradigm.”
Solidarity among various groups, such as workers, immigrants, the LGBTQIA+ community, women, and veterans, among others, has been growing rapidly during Trump’s second term. A colorful array of protest signs — including “Stronger Together” and “Laws Not Kings” — proved just that.
Veterans for Peace (VFP) is an organization that raises awareness about the cost of war. It aims to restrain the government from overtly and covertly intervening in the affairs of other nations, resists racism and repression, and opposes the militarization of law enforcement. Not only that, VFP seeks justice for veterans and war victims and works to abolish the use of war in national policy.
“Trump and his billionaire profiteers are trying to create a race to the bottom — on
wages, on benefits, on dignity itself,” read a VFP infographic at the booth. “This May Day we are fighting back. We are demanding a country that puts our families over their fortunes — public schools over private profits, healthcare over hedge funds, prosperity over free market politics.”
The Seattle Revolutionary Socialists were also present, handing out flyers across Cal Anderson Park — where the event began at noon — and educating passersby at its booth, like how May Day was inspired by the eight-hour workers movement in the US. On an infographic, it stated that Trump’s attacks against immigrants are being used to attract votes:
“The ruling class wants to divide workers. It uses racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and bigotry against immigrants to undermine solidarity and weaken our fight back. If citizen workers blame immigrants for job loss, they won’t blame
the real cause — the ruling class that makes record profits by refusing to pay decent wages, busting unions, and breaking strikes.”
How can people push back, according to the group? By opposing all forms of bigotry and oppression, and demanding equal rights for all people in the US, regardless of their citizenship status.
“I am calling on those of us with the privilege of American citizenship to speak up for immigrant families.”
to protect them.
SEIU 6 comprises about 10,000 janitors, security officers, airport workers, and others. Javalera said the union is proud of its diversity because that is their power. Between portions of Javalera’s speech, a Spanish translator proudly reiterated her remarks.
“Our members are majority immigrants and people of color, and together we speak over 30 languages. As a union, we fight for equity together. We fight for justice, and we know damn well that there ain’t no social justice, there ain’t no economic justice without racial justice,” Javalera said, drawing massive cheers from the crowd.
Javalera’s words about how Trump is attempting to create divisions between communities echoed from standing speakers set up around the park. She said that each week, people are learning more about who are “outsiders,” or targets of the Trump administration, like immigrants or undocumented people; those who demand an end to genocide; LGBTQIA+ people; or those who “simply…give a damn about people.”
“The thing about it is, is that the more of us he pushes out, the more of us will find each other out here together!” Javalera announced into the speaker, and the crowd cheered in agreement.
As the daughter of immigrants, she said her parents’ dream was that this country would offer opportunity and a ticket to safety through hard work. But while her mother obtained citizenship, her father didn’t. During the Obama administration, he was sent to the detention center in Tacoma, which is the same ICE facility that is actively holding SEIU 6 union member Lewelyn Dixon.
Javalera’s father was deported, and she said she still feels that same pain she felt
Zenia Javalera, president of SEIU 6, was one of the speakers who stepped up on the stage at Cal Anderson, giving an empowering speech about the beauty of immigrant workers and the need
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HANNAH SAUNDERS
back then, which doesn’t go away. She, like many others in the audience, have cracking hearts, knowing that families and children are experiencing that exact pain now.
The Trump regime is using immigrants as scapegoats to snatch democracy away from Americans, she said, and using temporary protective status (TPS) — a pathway to safety for people who are unsafe in their home countries — as a weapon to hurt and demonize people.
Javalera said some SEIU 6 members have TPS from several countries, including Afghanistan and Ukraine, and are only now finding solid footing in the US.
“I am calling on those of us with the privilege of American citizenship to speak up for immigrant families,” Javalera said. “Speak up for those with TPS — none of us should be scared of being sent back home, or back to places that we fled, or to the detention center, or to the damn prison in El Salvador!”
Follow the SGN on TikTok and Instagram @SeattleGayNews_ to view more May Day footage.
Queer events to look out for during the packed Grand Opening Season at Waterfront Park
BY HANNAH SAUNDERS SGN EDITOR
What took decades of planning will now be revealed during the grand opening season of Waterfront Park. The former highway alongside the Elliott Bay piers is no more, but rather a walkable part of downtown that will be activated through over 270 public events this summer, many of which are free, some are unapologetically Queer.
“Part of the original vision was to create spaces that felt welcoming and accessible for everyone, and it is exciting to see the resurgence of residents exploring and reclaiming our new Seattle waterfront,” said Angela Brady, director of the Office of the Waterfront, Civic Projects & Sound Transit.
Beginning this month through September, Friends of Waterfront Park, a nonprofit that oversees the park, will host events that were created in partnership with artists, cultural leaders, and community organizations. The larger Grand Opening Celebration is happening later this summer and will mark the completion of park features, like Pier 58.
Friends of Waterfront Park is calling it a “season of cultural celebration, collective gathering, and community connection” and “the boldest investment in public space since the 1962 World’s Fair,” which gave us the Space Needle and Seattle Center.
Queer-related events
LGBTQIA+ Waterfront Park events will kick off with The Pink Party: Deep House Concert on June 14 from 3 to 10 p.m. at Pier 62. DJs at this dance party include Baby Van Beezly, Big Sir, Alfonso Tan, and Yashin. General admission tickets start at $75.
Next, it will host the fourth year of the Indigiqueer Festival, which celebrates Indigenous artistry from the 2SQT community and will run from 1 to 8 p.m. on June 27. According to Yoon Kan-O’Higgins, senior director of community impact and programs at Friends of Waterfront Park, more than 80% of this summer’s events were created alongside BIPOC people to form a foundation for building a sense of belonging and for reflecting the stories of the Duwamish land.
Gathered in This Place, a partner of the Indigiqueer Festival, works to provide spaces for the Native 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Itai Jeffries, an organization representative, said it has supported the festival since its beginnings.
“From the performers to the community who came out to celebrate and support, this space has quickly become a critical resource among Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ people,” Jeffries said, noting how this year’s impressive programming is all-age friendly.
The Indigiqueer Festival will feature drag performances, live music, and food from Indigenous caterer Natoncks Metsu. Performers will include Trans 2S Alaskan Native Esmina Secret; Genesis Storm, the owner and operator of the Diamond Divas Drag Revue since 2022; Holli B. Sinclair, an Indigenous drag queen from the Navajo tribe who adds a rock ‘n’ roll flair to traditional drag roots; and Guma’ Gela’, a Queer and Trans art collective representing the Mariana Islands.
The festival will also feature Lio Moonflower, a Queer, 2S, Trans-Nonbinary, Mescalero, Apache, Latinx, and Chinese performing artist and poet, as well as Cherri Bepsi, who lives in Tacoma but who is originally from the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho.
“In a world where resources like this — and the visible representation that comes with it — are rapidly disappearing, the importance of this festival is immeasurable,” Jeffries added. “It is our fervent hope that this festival will continue to grow as part of Seattle’s effort to remember the importance of honoring Indigenous land by lifting up this beloved part of Native Nations across Turtle Island: our Indigiqueer and Two Spirit People.”
After that, the free Aqui Mercado, on both July 18 and 25 from 3 to 9 p.m., will
feature Latin, POC, and Queer vendors, including art, music, and “vintage.”
Other notable events
While performers and other guests are yet to be announced, Queer Pier Pride is taking place on June 29 from 3 to 10 p.m., one of a series of waterfront concerts in partnership with The Crocodile. Details at www.thecrocodile.com/pier62/queerpier.
The first-ever Disability Arts Festival on July 12 will have a mobility device pageant, music, visual art, and dance.
To honor Black legacy and culture in Seattle, Friends of Waterfront Park is also hosting Africatown Soul on the Water at Pier 62 on August 16 from 2 to 8 p.m., which will have face painting, food kiosks, and games, among attractions.
Salmon Homecoming on September 20 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. will cap the summer season programming, with cultural presentations, powwows, and a canoe welcoming, among other offerings.
Regular activations of the new park space outside of larger celebratory events include a rotating lineup of food trucks at Pier 62 every Wednesday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Starting on June 5 through September, community markets that feature locally designed goods and crafts will pop up Thursday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
HANNAH SAUNDERS
ERIK HOLSATHER
REGIONAL NEWS
Strippers Are Workers and Queer Power Alliance team up to scale up the fight for Queer liberation and sex workers rights
BY HANNAH SAUNDERS SGN EDITOR
What sparked a new collaboration between Queer Power Alliance (QPA) and Strippers Are Workers (SAW) was in part due to the Strippers’ Bill of Rights, which was passed in 2024 after the Seattle Police Department and the Liquor and Cannabis Board raided LGBTQIA+ bars on Capitol Hill that January, citing “lewd conduct.” Still fueled by the legislative win, QPA and SAW will grow their efforts to destigmatize sex work and advance safety protections for sex workers, in addition to political advocacy, through this merger.
“I think our needs have been changing, and there’s been this additional layer of continuing to fight the club owners to make sure we have workers’ rights,” Madison Zack-Wu, program manager at SAW, told the SGN
This combination of factors sounded alarms, and since SAW and QPA have collaborated on initiatives in the past, ZackWu said the “merger made so much sense.” QPA’s work primarily focuses on economic justice and labor rights, which contribute to housing security and healthcare access, but without a stable income, people can lose access to those basic human rights.
But while the groups found empowerment in the passage of the Strippers’ Bill of Rights, Seattle’s primarily conservative city council reinstated Stay Out of Drug Areas (SODA) and Stay Out of Areas of
Prostitution (SOAP) laws last September despite strong community opposition. Capitol Hill is one of several neighborhoods that has SODA zones, from which people with criminal drug offenses can be banned. And while the SOAP law is intended to target clients and pimps rather than sex workers, people of color have historically been and continue to be targeted by police officers — and Black Trans women make up a large portion of sex workers, according to Prism Reports.
“We’re seeing that going in other places, too,” Taylor Farley, executive director of QPA, told the SGN. “We’ve been standing up against similar areas, and we wanted to make sure that our communities are protected. It just made sense to bring [SAW] into our work as another portion of a space for our communities to be stronger together.”
Tracking the number of sex workers is challenging because of various definitions, according to Zack-Wu. She said she’s seen studies and surveys that estimate 50-70% of sex workers identify as LGBTQIA+.
“It’s pretty safe to assume the majority of them are Queer,” Zack-Wu said. “Sex work is an incredibly common form of labor, and so often people do it without telling the people who are closest to them.”
Combating harmful laws and the merger’s future
SAW and QPA recently received a grant from the state Department of Labor and Industries to conduct this advocacy work as a collective. As part of this collaboration, QPA and SAW are asking candidates who are running for leadership positions in Seattle to engage in conversations with the Queer community.
“We know that SOAP and SODA…it’s harming our communities,” Farley emphasized. “It harms LGBTQIA communities and also the establishments we hang out at, and we are asking candidates to join us in conversation.”
On top of pushing back against harmful hyperlocal legislation, SAW will continue
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library cut from state budget, may close without critical funds
BY HANNAH SAUNDERS
SGN EDITOR
On April 26 the finalized version of the state’s 2025-27 operating budget was released, with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Washington being cut entirely. The state allocated $2.5 million for the program in the previous 2023-25 budget. Now, over 121,000 Washington youth up to age 5 may be impacted, and the library could close entirely if a critical funding gap of $7 million is not closed.
“We are currently seeking funding support from the public to help our program survive to ensure Washington children can continue to receive their monthly Imagination Library books,” Executive Director Brooke Fisher-Clark told the SGN Founded in 1995 to honor Parton’s father, who was unable to read or write, the program provides one high-quality, age-appropriate book per month to each
its coalition building with the sex work community, which includes partnering with people who have lived experiences in the industry, developing long-term strategies to repeal SOAP laws, and increase harm reduction, Zack-Wu said.
“I do hope that our work continues to amplify how many different communities and intersectional communities we’re representing,” Zack-Wu added. “I think the more we can do that, hopefully the more people in power listen — to not just QPA and SAW but for these large needs and groups representing constituents.”
Farley said Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes-Rinck (D-8) consistently listens to the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community, and Zack-Wu agreed.
“Look at who is voting on every economic and justice policy,” Zack-Wu said. “I
think based on that, we would identify who is listening to us.”
To spread the news of this merger focused on Queer power and sex worker rights, QPA and SAW will be tabling together at events like White Center Pride, Latinx Pride, Trans Pride Seattle, PNW Black Pride, and Alki Beach Pride.
“As for the future, this merger is just the beginning of a great relationship,” Farley said. “QPA has been working tirelessly on other initiatives that support our communities, and is in partnerships with a lot of different organizations in building a collective voice across Washington state. This is an opportunity for voices for the SAW group to continue to do their work across Washington state so that we aren’t just here in Seattle or the King County area.”
enrolled child at zero cost to families. The program’s purpose is to inspire children up to 5 years old with a love of reading, and to strengthen early literacy results — which plummeted in youth during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our focus remains rooted in Dolly’s vision: to inspire a love of reading while promoting messages of kindness, acceptance, respect, and self-worth through the books we gift. Our goal is to celebrate the values that unite us and help every child feel seen, valued, and encouraged,” ClarkFisher said, adding how each title is carefully selected with this vision in mind.
This year’s books include, Grilled Cheese? Yes, Please! by Tim Kleyn, which tackles the importance of community and helping others — and the comfort that a perfectly crafted grilled cheese sand-
wich brings; and Steppin’ Out, by Lin Oliver, which introduces children to rhymes through exploring everyday activities, like splashing in puddles and elevator rides.
Imagination Library of Washington was established in 2022, marking the program’s first West Coast expansion and making it the 11th statewide program nationwide. Currently, there are 21 statewide Imagination Library programs that serve three million children.
The funding model is a public-private partnership, with 50% coming from the state and the remaining 50% from local partners. Its funding request for the biennium was $7 million, with $3.2 million in the first year and $3.8 million in the second, to support anticipated growth and enrollment.
Fisher-Clark said that the programmatic
framework of Imagination Library of Washington has been altered, and it is pivoting to address these funding challenges — but that it needs assistance from the public. Without state support, the library can only continue if these critical funds can be raised from the public to maintain the book match.
“We also apply for grants and connect with corporations to seek funding support as needed to fill funding shortfalls,” ClarkFisher added.
Imagination Library of Washington is hosting “Over the Edge,” a fundraising event in Vancouver on August 2, which aims to gather public support to maintain the statewide program.
Those interested in donating can visit www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org/ donate.
COURTESY STRIPPERS ARE WORKERS
By and for the community:
The 6th annual White Center Pride street festival will be resource heavy but create a big bang with Queer wrestling
BY HANNAH SAUNDERS
For the sixth year in a row, White Center Pride is hosting a street festival, and what’s made the Rat City celebration stand out from other area Pride events is its overarching disapproval of corporate sponsors — truly by and for the community. This year’s celebration (June 7, 12-11 p.m.) will be more resource intensive than before, due to nationwide attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community, but that won’t detract from what makes White City Pride special: its live music, DJs, drag queens, assortment of Queer performers — and iconic wrestling matches.
Seattle’s Spice Girls tribute band Spice Force Five will shred their instruments in the streets of White Center. Also performing is The Pazific, a band whose music is influenced by Alex Rose’s Mexican heri-
tage and upbringing in California and Jefferson Rose’s experiences of creating music in Latin America and Spain.
“This year we’re focusing more on resources, as with the current political [climate]. So we’re leaning a lot more on resources,” Eliot Hills, White Center Pride president, told the SGN. “The resources are things like advance-directive guidance and grievance based.”
Volunteer notaries will be present to assist attendees with changing gender markers or filling out government paperwork.
“Having volunteer notaries present allows people to be able to finish the entire process in the same day, same time,” Hills added.
Rainbow alliances and brave voices fight to keep SPS project-program coordinator position alive
BY PERRIS LARSON
Targeted attacks and attempts to dismantle the US Department of Education have been a priority of the Trump administration: For example, in February, $600 million in grants to nonprofits and institutions that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion were simply terminated. Closer to home, the project-program coordinator at Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is the only dedicated LGBTQIA+ support position across the city, and students and faculty were shocked to hear the grant-funded post may only be available for one more year.
Misa Nakamura, a special education resource teacher at John Hay Elementary and PRIDE Alliance advisor, works with fourth- and fifth-grade students who identify as Queer. In conjunction with SPS Project-Program Coordinator Sam Cristol, Nakamura shares book recommendations, highlights Queer community events for students and families, and points out LGBTQIA+ important figures that youth can look up to.
“Sam’s support has been huge” Nakamura told the SGN. “I think it is just the most empowered I have felt, having someone whose entire job it is... to find resources and information that we can share with our students. I use the information that Sam sends me almost every week.”
Cristol’s position is funded by the What Works in Schools CDC grant rather than the school district itself. According to Cristol, SPS has received this grant since
the ‘90s, which has funded Queer-focused programs and promoted mental health and wellness support and HIV prevention in schools.
“I think Seattle really prides itself on being an inclusive district,” Nakamura said.
“And you can’t say that if you are not actually providing funding to people and programs who are actually doing the groundwork for helping these different populations feel included in schools.”
When word reached students and faculty that Cristol’s position may only be safe for another year, the school district received postcards and letters of support, encouraging more funding to keep the position up and running.
“The question that we need to answer as a school district, as a state, and as a community is: Do we prioritize this work enough to continue to invest in it, make sure that it’s protected, make sure that we are standing in our values even in the face of repression?” Cristol asked.
For teachers, the safety and well-being of students is their top priority. It is their job to make sure that students feel accepted, loved, and seen regardless of background or community. The Gender-Sexuality Alliance and Rainbow Clubs in Seattle’s middle and high schools are one of the ways teachers promote LGBTQ+ resources and acceptance for Queer and Trans youth.
Even though there is only one position dedicated to Queer resources in SPS,
Health Point and Northwest Access Fund will have vendor booths, as will PLFAG and Gay City: Seattle’s LGBTQ Center. Fred Hutch will provide HIV vaccine trial and prevention resources, and Georgetown Pride will turn out to support and promote free wedding ceremonies.
But what about the wrestling?
“It’s a professional thing. They are a professional wrestling gig,” Hills said, noting how the wrestling-themed Lariat Bar quite literally throws down each Pride. “Everyone loves it so much, and we’re very happy to have them every year… The live wrestling’s going to be amazing.”
A cloud of bouncy houses will occupy the kids’ area near the parking at Tim’s Tavern, positioned by the King County bookmobile
and a Whateke food truck. Hills said he is excited for this more intimate Pride, and said he pushed to bring in as many local businesses as possible.
“It’s all about local, Queer, and supporting our community,” he said. “Our biggest donation platform is [from] the wristbands. The most important thing for White Center Pride is to have a community event that’s open and free for everyone to attend.”
Wristbands mean getting special perks, like $2 off select items, and 10% or 20% off of purchases, Hills added. People wishing to attend White Center Pride can buy these in advance for $15 or for $20 the day of.
For more information, visit www.whitecenterpride.org.
there are other student-run initiatives that are actively fundraising and advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights amid uncertainty.
Roosevelt High School senior Milo Nelson helped cofound Queer Voices, a club focused on Queer activism. Through bake sale fundraisers and weekly meetings during lunch, Queer Voices is a space for acceptance and pride, where students can unapologetically be themselves.
“I think that SPS has to acknowledge that there is still homophobia within the public school system, and even though we are a progressive area, that doesn’t necessarily mean we can stop putting effort into resources that help Queer students,” Roosevelt High School sophomore Zoey Bates told the SGN.
Cristol is cautiously optimistic about the future. With a background in teaching and having served as the project-program coordinator since 2022, Cristol has seen the importance of resources not only for the Queer community but also for other
vulnerable communities. For students with disabilities, students from immigrant families, and students of color, inclusivity in education is something that needs to be protected.
“What we are really trying to do is just build a safe environment for all our students. We are not trying to turn anybody Gay or spread a certain type of ideology,” Cristol said. “Kids are telling us who they are, and we are listening, and we want to make sure that schools are places where they can be safe as much as any other student.”
In order to keep these resources afloat, teachers and staff are appealing to the community. Donations to SPS LGBTQ+ resources have been made possible through the Alliance for Education, through which people can donate money directly into an individual school’s account.
For more information regarding donations, visit www.alliance4ed.org/give/ school-account.
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Over 30 years of HIV/AIDS housing services at Lifelong come to a close in King County
BY HANNAH SAUNDERS SGN EDITOR
A long-standing network of support for Seattle’s LGBTQIA+ community members who are living with HIV/AIDS has officially closed its 30+-year chapter in King County. Lifelong wrapped up two contracts with the City of Seattle late last year and earlier this year, transferring all of its housing clients in the county to Bailey-Boushay House, which falls under Virginia Mason Fransiscan Health, and other housing agencies.
“This decision was based on a combination of administrative complexities and delayed reimbursement timelines that created financial strain for Lifelong,” CEO Erica Sessle told the SGN.
In spring of 2024, Lifelong and the City of Seattle both agreed to end the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) contract at the end of that year. Sessle noted how Lifelong maintained housing services at that time but that unpredictable factors made it increasingly difficult for the small nonprofit to manage contracts in a sustainable way.
The Ryan White Part A (RWPA) contract, which provided housing support for
Lifelong’s clients, was closely intertwined with the HOPWA program. Sessle said because of this connectedness in King County, it wasn’t feasible for Lifelong to reapply to that portion of funding, since it expired on February 28, 2025.
“The City was a collaborative partner throughout the process,” Sessle said, “and while both entities fully recognized the importance of these services, it was agreed that a larger implementing partner — better equipped to navigate those conditions at the time — would be well positioned to continue the work.”
The transition of Lifelong clients to Bailey-Boushay House was formalized after the RWPA contract ended, following the HOPWA contract termination on December 31, 2024.
“Clients were referred to Bailey-Boushay House and other agencies, with Lifelong supporting a phased, client-centered transition,” Sessle added. “Our case managers worked directly with clients to update documentation, communicate next steps, and coordinate warm handoffs to ensure housing continuity and minimal disruption.”
Sessle brought up how Lifelong held one-on-one meetings with housing clients to explain the changes and to answer any questions. Lifelong staff also assisted with paperwork and eligibility assessments and referrals, worked to ensure a continuity of care by coordinating with receiving agencies, and maintained services and rent subsidies throughout the transition period to support housing stability.
“In total, approximately 165 clients and their households transitioned to new providers, with 122 households transferring to Bailey-Boushay House,” Sessle said.
Lifelong’s next journey
Lifelong is still providing housing services in Skagit, San Juan, and Whatcom Counties through funding from the Washington State Department of Health, but the organization is still smoothing over some recent changes that the SGN reported on earlier this year.
In January, Sessle publicly announced that Lifelong would be closing its Lucile Street location to move into a new and larger facility in Georgetown Yards, part of
which included reopening Lifelong Thrift under a new nonprofit. That new lease was signed in July 2024.
“The Georgetown move enabled us to expand our food and nutrition services significantly, thanks in part to capital investment from the State of Washington, and we moved in at the end of March 2025,” Sessle said.
Although it’s a bittersweet goodbye, Sessle said Lifelong is honored to have served housing clients through the RWPA and HOPWA programs for over three decades, and thinks the transition of clients will ultimately benefit the community in the long run.
“During that time, the community placed its trust in us, and we responded by delivering housing services to hundreds of households facing urgent and often dire circumstances — helping them move toward stability and improved health,” Sessle said.
“We are incredibly grateful to our staff, community partners, and most of all, our clients, for their resilience and trust.”
The SGN reached out to Bailey-Boushay House for comment but did not receive a response.
A look at The Trevor Project’s new study on food insecurity and homelessness among LGBTQIA+ youth
BY HANNAH SAUNDERS SGN EDITOR
The rates of poverty in the LGBTQIA+ community are higher when compared to cis-het populations, yet even internally, large inequities remain. The Trevor Project recently published a new study relating to LGBTQIA+ youth experiences with houselessness, food insecurity, and meeting basic needs. While Transgender and Nonbinary young people reported some of the greatest challenges, 40% of young LGBTQIA+ respondents overall reported hardships with accessing or obtaining all three needs at some point or another.
The study, published in April, addresses how social determinants of health, like experiencing food insecurity or homeless-
ness, are intertwined with the increased likelihood of mental health challenges, like anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation and attempts.
“Notably, being Transgender, a person of color, or Bisexual are all factors found to be associated with higher rates of poverty,” according to the study.
The study’s methodology included surveying 18,663 LGBTQ+ young people aged 13-24, who were recruited or participated through advertisements on social media. The Trevor Project states that data from 16,869 respondents were used.
Questions about food insecurity experiences included how often respondents
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worried during the previous month about food running out before receiving money to purchase more, and how often they were hungry but didn’t eat due to a lack of food.
Questions regarding houselessness asked if a respondent was currently or had ever been unhoused. Socioeconomic questions asked respondents to describe their personal financial situation, that is, if they had more than enough to comfortably live or if they didn’t meet basic expenses.
“Pansexual young people reported the highest rates of experiencing food insecurity (40%), ever having experienced homelessness (20%), and being unable to meet basic needs (18%) compared to those with other sexual identities,” according to the study.
Dr. Derrick Matthews, director of research science at The Trevor Project, told the SGN that some of these discrepancies are due to the fact that Transgender and Nonbinary people, including those in the project’s sample population, are more likely to identify as Pansexual in comparison to cisgender LGB people.
“However, we do also know that Bisexual people and Pansexual people broadly, across gender identities, are often at heightened risk for various vulnerabilities related to their mental health, so this finding is consistent with that pattern across other research,” Dr. Matthews said.
Also, among all gender identities, Trans men and boys reported the highest rates of dealing with food insecurity (40%), ever having experienced homelessness (19%), and being unable to meet basic needs (18%).
Native and Indigenous communities bear the brunt
The study also noted how “Native/Indigenous LGBTQ+ young people reported higher rates of experiencing food insecurity (48%), ever having experienced homelessness (26%), and being unable to meet basic needs (20%) compared to LGBTQ+ young people of other races or ethnicities.”
Dr. Matthews said only one percent of the study’s sample population identified as Native or Indigenous, which comes to about 200 young people.
“I think what’s particularly challenging is that while this is unfortunately a consistent finding, it’s hard to generalize the specific challenges one group of Native or Indigenous LGBTQ+ young folks may face; these experiences will vary by geographic region, history, and tribal affiliation among other things,” Dr. Matthews said.
A good starting point for addressing these disparities, he added, is by investing in strategies aimed at reducing these vulnerabilities, like basic income assistance and LGBTQ+-affirming housing for young people, in ways that center the LGBTQ+ community’s most vulnerable members.
Local efforts
Back in 2023, Lavender Rights Project and the Chief Seattle Club announced their selection as joint operators of a King County Health Through Housing program, a permanent supportive-housing facility with 35-units for QT2BIPOC people.
The Chief Seattle Club is an organization that supports American Indian and Alaska Native people. In addition to housing assis-
tance, it provides primary health care, legal services, and a Native art job training program, among other services. Supportive housing is a key element of the organization’s work, and it has eight permanent and transitional housing facilities for members.
The eviction-prevention program at the organization provides rental assistance to members, which encompasses utilities and past-due bills. Its rapid-rehousing case managers assist hundreds of club members with finding long-term and affordable housing.
“But ultimately nothing will be a substitute for thoughtful and intentional engagement with local Native/Indigenous LGBTQ+ communities and allowing them to communicate their own experiences and needs,” Dr. Matthews added. “This will likely be the most effective way to begin addressing these inequities.”
Visit https://www.chiefseattleclub.org to learn more about housing assistance for Native and Indigenous people.
Snovalley Pride summer events to celebrate Queers on the Eastside
BY CAMILA AVELAR UW NEWS LAB
The third annual Snovalley Pride will kick off with a picnic at the Tolt Commons in Carnation on June 8, beginning at 11 a.m., which will feature live music, delectable tastings, and art-making stations.
Compared to other statewide Pride events, Snoqualmie Valley’s may seem small — but that’s part of its strength, allowing for that small-town, community feel that bigger events can’t match.
“I think to build a space where people can feel safe enough to be who they are, especially in the place that they call home, is a really powerful and important thing, especially at this time right now in our country’s history,” Greg Jamiel, Snovalley Pride founder, told the SGN Treehouse Point, an Issaquah business that has supported Snovalley Pride since its start, will sponsor the beeswax rainbowcandle-making booth this year. Emily Nelson, a representative of Treehouse Point, shared with the SGN the importance of supporting local organizations like Snovalley Pride.
“To help on a local level, with the idea that this will continue to spread joy and love, is really one of the most important things for us as a family business and just as a human,” Nelson said.
The list of performers also aligns with the space Snovalley Pride intends to create. This year’s lineup includes Stephanie Anne Johnson, Brittany Davis, Xander Corbett, and Elizabeth Hill and the Valley Folk. Hill, a Snoqualmie Valley resident, learned about Snovalley Pride through a fellow musician and event organizer in the area and was later contacted by Jamiel to
be a performer at the 2024 Pride Picnic.
As a Queer musician, last year’s event was important for her and the community, as it allowed them to celebrate Pride openly in the valley.
“I’ve lived out in the valley for 38 years, and we’ve always had Queer people out here. But we’ve been kind of like a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ kind of situation,” Hill told the SGN
DEI rollbacks cause challenges
Similarly to other Pride organizations across the nation, the rollback of DEI initiatives has led Snovalley Pride to experience a gap in funding, but not in the way larger Pride events have, with sponsors dropping out.
Jamiel said that when selecting sponsors for the organization, it focused on local donations, support from businesses, and grants, because of the false allyship displayed by larger corporations. This has not only benefited the organization but also the businesses that support the event.
“It’s our consumers, people who come to our events, that are going to go shop at the local business,” Jamiel said. “So, we choose to elevate and lift up the small businesses who support us, and we push people right back to them.”
On the other hand, the grant application process has been challenging as an LGBTQIA+ nonprofit, as it was uncertain it would be able to receive federal funding. This has led Snovalley Pride to focus more on local and state grants from King County and the Duvall Rotary Club.
Snovalley Pride will also host addi-
tional events this summer, like “Kindness Is Our Campfire,” a campaign dedicated to creating community connection in a safe space. Jamiel said the best way to support Snovalley Pride is to attend its events.
In light of the federal and state attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community, Jamiel emphasized that we’ve experienced hardships before.
“I think our whole Queer community is facing really challenging, dark, scary times, and I think it’s important for all of us to remember that we’ve been in times like
this before,” Jamiel said. Jamiel also wrote and illustrated a book about Uni, a unicorn who lives in Carnation and goes on a quest to find kindness in the valley with his best friend, Benny the Bear. Two hundred copies will be available for purchase at the Pride picnic event.
“The story focuses on sharing lessons of kindness to each other and the land we live on,” Jamiel said.
For more information visit www.SnovalleyPride.org.
Cirque Du-So-Gay: Gig Harbor prepares for its third year of Pride in the Park
BY HANNAH SAUNDERS SGN EDITOR
With a population of just over 12,600, Gig Harbor will host a Pride in the Park event highlighting Queer visibility and fostering a sense of belonging, during a time when divisions across the nation are deepening. On June 21, Skansie Brothers Park will be transformed into a colorful celebration featuring live music, local vendors, food trucks, and community resources.
Gig Harbor Pride launched in 2023 as a way to bring LGBTQIA+ people in the city and South Sound region together for a day of connection. Committee leader Jennifer Day told the SGN that over 2,000 participants from Gig Harbor, Fox Island, Kitsap, and Tacoma are expected.
“With so many exciting events happening in the South Sound this summer, Gig Harbor Pride offers something truly unique: a close-knit, welcoming celebration right on the waterfront,” Day said. “Our Pride has that charming, community feel that makes it easy to connect, celebrate, and be yourself.”
In addition to the traditional drag performances, live bands, DJs, speakers, food and merchandise vendors, and local organizations, Gig Harbor’s third annual Pride event is creating its own spin on internationally renowned acrobatics group Cirque du Soleil. This year’s theme is “Cirque DuSo-Gay,” so there will be circus acts and
the vote was considered tied. A letter will therefore not be sent to Councilmember Solomon.
aerialist performances, on top of a Kidz Carnival, which will offer games, crafts, and face painting for all ages.
“Whether you’re coming from Tacoma, Port Orchard, or anywhere nearby, you’ll find vibrant energy, live music, local vendors, and meaningful moments of unity,” Day said. “Supporting community-driven Pride events like our helps spread love and visibility across the region.”
Prior to the park festivities, a march across the Tacoma-Narrows Bridge will start at 8 a.m. to promote visibility, unity, and pride. Those interested can meet at the Connection Therapy Center as a starting point, or nearby at 1613 Stone Drive NW.
march in the parade in uniform, and that reintegrating them would send a strong message to Washington, DC.
“Gig Harbor Pride is built by the community for the community — and we’d love your help as we prepare for this year’s celebration!” Day added. “Whether you’re a local or coming from a neighboring town, there are plenty of ways to support: volunteer your time, become a sponsor, make a donation, or help spread the word.”
Day encouraged local artists, performers, and vendors to attend the June 21 event.
Gig Harbor Pride also launched an Amazon wish list to help create a festive and functional space for all, Day said. Visit www.pridegigharbor.gay for more information.
to build trust and community and have these discussions.”
Commissioners agreed that this request is an opportunity to educate Councilmember Solomon, as it seemed like he does not comprehend the historical nuances of the Queer community and police.
“My opinion is that we should remain neutral… Going for this would hurt our relationship with Seattle Pride,” Allen said, adding how sending even a soft rejection letter in response to Councilmember Solomon’s proposal could impact that growing relationship as well.
Davis, alongside Commissioners Ashley Ford and Brett Pepowski, asserted how they were all in strong opposition to the proposal. Pepowski brought up how there isn’t much of a relationship between the commission and Councilmember Solomon to begin with, but that this could be an important stepping stone toward building trust through education. Pepowski also said that if Solomon cannot accept one rejection, then that relationship is a dud to begin with.
“We can say, ‘Hey, love the passion, maybe come up with a proposal next year,’” Commissioner Jeremy Erdman said.
But Pepowski responded that a letter to Solomon stating that this proposal was too soon could come off as the commission supporting it next year.
“I don’t support it for any year, and I would be surprised if any of the community members would support it either,” Pepowski said.
A motion was proposed to send Councilmember Solomon a letter explaining why the idea is harmful to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Four commissioners abstained, two voted in favor, and one voted against. Allen told the SGN that those abstentions were counted as no votes “due to our bylaws not specifically stating otherwise,” and that
“The commission is not taking an official stance on this matter at this time,” Allen said.
Seattle Pride and Solomon provide statements
Seattle Pride provided the SGN with a statement regarding Councilmember Solomon’s request to the commission:
“There are no changes to Seattle Pride’s policy, which does not allow uniformed police officers to march in the parade and which was adopted three years ago. Police officers are permitted to volunteer to march with other City of Seattle employees, out of uniform, and with the expectation that they abide by the event’s no-weapons policy.
“This decision was made based on feedback from a community survey, as well as the result of the Queer community’s long history of distrust of law enforcement, criminalization of LGBTQIA2S+ people, and police violence against marginalized groups — which was the genesis of the Pride movement, and is why Pride parades around the country are held on the last Sunday in June in remembrance of the Stonewall rebellion.”
Councilmember Solomon told the SGN that this conversation about allowing cops to march in the Pride Parade in uniform has been ongoing for years. His office told the SGN that he met with the Seattle LGBTQ Commission on April 29 regarding the request. He said he’s talked with the mayor’s office and department staff, among others, about this.
He acknowledged how LGBTQIA+ people are on the police force and that they deserve recognition, despite harmful incidents, like the police officers who conducted a “premise check” at Denny Blaine Park, a historically Queer, nude beach, and targeted a Trans woman who was cited for trespassing. That misdemeanor was later rescinded by the chief of police.
He noted how Seattle police used to
“When we have Trans officers marching in uniform in Pride, that’s going to send a middle finger to the guy back east [Trump],” Solomon said. “Let’s recognize that we do have officers who are… we have a rainbow of officers. We have a rainbow of perspectives, and I want to acknowledge that those are officers who are putting themselves on the line every day, should be acknowledged for who they are, and should participate with their community.”
Pride started as a riot
In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, began a string of riots over police raids and brutality at the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village, marking the beginning of the modern Gay rights movement in the US.
Police had arrived with a warrant, and employees and patrons were being aggressively and forcibly removed from the Stonewall. But rather than running in search of safety, Queer people gathered outside of the bar, witnessing the brutality against their own. After an officer hit a Lesbian patron on the head while manhandling her into a police van, she shouted, encouraging others to respond.
Patrons and neighborhood residents started rioting, involving hundreds of people, leading to six days of violent clashes with police officers outside the bar and in the surrounding streets, including Christopher Park. Pennies, cobblestones, and bottles, among other objects, were thrown at police. During the first night of the uprising, a total of 13 people were arrested.
On the one-year anniversary of the riots, NYC’s Gay community celebrated the first Pride parade.
Seattle’s stark history with cops Seattle, like many other cities, has a long-standing history of mistreatment and violence by police. The latest incident at Denny Blaine follows a string of oth-
ers, including Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell responding to a neighbor complaining about Queer nudity at the beach, stating, “If you are disgusted, I share your disgust.” Neighbors in the area also attempted to launch a new children’s playground at the park, which would have altered the character of what many consider a sacred space.
In a shocking echo of the 1960s, Seattle police raided multiple LGBTQIA+ bars on Capitol Hill in January of 2024. Queer/Bar and The Cuff were targeted for “lewd conduct” after customers were found wearing jockstraps and a bartender had an exposed nipple.
The ‘60s also saw payoff scandals, whereby police would only allow Queer bars to operate if they received bribes or jobs as bouncers. Most notably, the Pink Tavern in Pioneer Square was targeted extensively.
The location of the East Precinct in the historically Queer neighborhood of Capitol Hill has always been controversial. Furthermore, in that “gayborhood,” Seattle police officers gassed and shot blast balls at residents for weeks on end in 2020 during the Black Lives Matter protests, leading to short-term and long-term health issues for those who were attacked.
And there remains a string of unsolved murders of our Queer community members, including Kenji Spurgeon, who was tragically shot and killed just hours after Pride Month 2024 ended.
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Mayday USA had put up, and Seattle police officers biked in. A total of 23 people were arrested, including one minor, who has since been released.
The SGN spoke with Mayday USA organizer Folake Kellogg, a Washington resident, who said the group had been planning these events since October 12, 2024, first in New York, then Miami and Houston. After Seattle, it will travel to Los Angeles.
“I know when people see us come like this, they say, ‘You are anti-Gay’ and everything,” Kellogg said. “No. We are not here to do that. We just want to bless our community. We want to bless what God has given, because these communities we have, we just want to show them the love of Jesus.”
Kellogg, who is originally from Nigeria, explained how the group was spreading awareness about human trafficking, calling it and abortion “modern-day slavery.”
“I believe every life is valuable,” Kellogg said. “When people don’t have a choice to say, ‘Hey, let me be alive,’ that is not valued. And trafficking is slavery.”
Leo Roux attended the counterprotest because “all genders deserve respect,” he told the SGN, adding how it was “bizarre” to hold this event in Cal Anderson Park, named after Washington’s first openly Gay state legislator.
Members of the Revolutionary
Communists of America were on the counterprotester side holding a banner. Will Boyer told the SGN that they are trying to build a working-class party to fight against bigotry and the scapegoating of Trans people, as well as for abortion rights.
“The problems in your life are not coming from Trans people. They’re not coming from immigrants. The problems are coming from the rich, and we need to fight that as a class — as the working class,” Boyer said.
Violence erupts
After counterprotesters popped the balloon, bike cops rushed in and began tackling them, using bikes and batons to push people back and slam them to the ground. Counterprotesters began splashing water to disperse the officers, some of whom chased and tackled people in the playing field area.
Two sources confirmed with the SGN that the popping of the Mayday USA balloon led to police moving in. The SGN counted 23 bike cops during this first phase of arrests, but more continued to arrive.
Seattle police officers did not tell people why they were being arrested, and counterprotesters followed the police to their cars, asking what the arrests were for. After about 15 minutes, one female officer said the protesters had assaulted another officer.
One counterprotester was injured, and three Seattle police officers hog-tied him and carried him to a van, plopping him on the ground on his stomach.
“I can’t move my legs,” he said, as a group of officers stood by.
Meanwhile, Mayday USA continued its event, which included dancing, speaking in tongues, and live Christian rock music. When the crowd stuck their arms up straight in the air to pray, counterprotesters also stuck their hands up, but showcased their middle fingers.
Later in the day, police set up barricades between counterprotesters and Mayday USA. Video footage recorded by and obtained by the SGN shows a gap behind the barricade, with officers and Mayday USA people keeping clear. At one point, a couple of counterprotesters push down the barricade, but they do not rush forward. One Seattle police officer rushed in from the side, tackling two women who were sitting with their protest signs and not involved in the barricade incident. The women reacted, and the officer peppersprayed them, as others proceeded to rush the crowd. Counterprotesters moved in to assist these two women, but got peppersprayed as well. Police dragged women over the metal barricades into the Mayday USA area.
Another piece of footage obtained by the SGN shows officers tackling a person and holding him on the ground by the nape of his neck. An officer then pulled him up and escorted him to the Mayday USA field area, hand still grasping his neck.
The SPD reported that one officer was taken to a hospital for injuries.
Mayor’s response
Mayor Bruce Harrell issued a statement later that evening, saying that Mayday USA intentionally provoked Seattleites by choosing one of the Queerest spots in the city:
“When the humanity of Trans people and those who have been historically marginalized is questioned, we triumph by demonstrating our values through our words and peaceful protest — we lose our voice when this is disrupted by violence, chaos, and confusion.
“Anarchists infiltrated the counterprotesters’ group and inspired violence, prompting SPD to make arrests and ask organizers to shut down the event early, which they did.”
The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department approved the permit and claimed it had no idea of Mayday USA’s anti-LGBTQIA+ values. A source at the GSBA said there’s no way Parks & Rec didn’t know, as SPD had officers from multiple precincts, having pushed that information out.
Mayday USA announced on Instagram on Sunday, May 25, that it will be holding a “Rattle in Seattle” event outside of Seattle City Hall at 5 p.m. on May 27 and is calling on Mayor Harrell to redact his statement, apologize, or resign.
The SGN will continue to follow this story. Follow @SeattleGayNews_ on Instagram or TikTok for more footage.
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brought resources,” Andrew Ashiofu, a QPA board member, told the SGN. “We cannot ignore the impact of COVID and how Queer people can no longer afford to stay in places where resources were curated for them.”
Fairley noted that the Washington legislature has been successful in sticking up for LGBTQIA+ rights and creating robust protections, but also that our community remains fragile under the Trump administration.
“We’re also seeing a rise of hate, federal rollbacks, local displacement, and violence — including targeting Black and Brown [and] Trans communities,” Fairley said. “Their first focal point was youth — our youth, Trans and Nonbinary people... We can’t afford to rest.”
Ashiofu highlighted persistent internal challenges, like racism in the Queer community that has yet to be addressed.
“We also have to ask ourselves: how
safe are we… for people that are not like us — for nonwhite people, for immigrants, for refugees, for Trans people?” Ashiofu asked.
“A targeted attack on our health”: The HIV funding crisis
As a person living with HIV, Ashiofu spoke passionately about recent policy threats, noting how his salary is fully funded by RFK Jr.’s Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative.
“Before the funding was cut, [the administration] came out with list of words that cannot be used. The CDC’s HIV website was cropped. Now nothing about diversity, nothing about equity, nothing about inclusion,” Ashiofu said. “The danger of these funding cuts from the prevention side is that we’re going to see an increase in HIV all over again.”
Ashiofu warned that the rate of HIV infections will increase, and more people will see a return of AIDS.
“What RFK Jr is doing is clear that it’s targeting people based on their health status, which is a human rights violation,”
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Ashiofu exclaimed.
While celebrating the state’s passage of House Bill 5577, which will direct the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) to provide coverage for all FDA-approved antiviral medications without prior authorization or step therapy requirements, Ashiofu noted critical gaps in the legislation, which was signed into law in April.
“I cannot totally say that Washington state has done a good job this session, because of budgets... No matter the insurance status or kind of insurance someone has, [that] should not be a limitation to have access to life-saving medication,” Ashiofu said. “Access to care equals access to life.”
How to engage in a summer of action
QPA is channeling its sense of urgency into concrete initiatives this summer by collecting its own data on community needs in South King County. Additionally, QPA will host housing fairs that will explain renter’s rights and how to advocate for oneself, as well as expanding economic justice work through a new collaboration with a dancerled collaborative, Strippers Are Workers.
QPA’s crucial fundraiser gala at Pacific Tower will take place on September 20.
Fairley issued a powerful invitation to those seeking to become involved with QPA’s efforts.
“Support is year-round organizing,” Fairley said. “If people want to get involved, I would love for people to join us in these fights and join us in standing up and speaking or texting or messaging folks around different coalition work campaigns.”
Ashiofu emphasized the importance of everyday activism, like providing public comments to elected officials and showing up in person to create a movement. Both leaders agreed on the power of collective action.
As Fairley put it: “When everybody’s showing up and saying, ‘No, not like this,’ that’s the history and legacy for change.”
To get involved, follow QPA @QueerPowerAlliance or go to www.queerpoweralliance.org. Donations of any amount are welcome.
Accused
killer of Gay bagel shop owner
cuts plea deal
BY JOHN MCDONALD
A teenager has pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in the fatal shooting of a beloved baker on vacation in New Orleans. In what his attorney called, “our best outcome,” 17-year-old Malik D. Cornelius changed his plea in exchange for a 26-year prison sentence. A hesitant district judge accepted the deal on May 9.
What was supposed to be a New Year’s celebration turned tragic in the early morning hours of Jan. 5, 2024. Jacob Carter, a 32-year-old baker from Tacoma, was gunned down in the French Quarter, dying in the arms of his husband, Daniel Blagovich.
Using ballistics, surveillance video, and DNA testing, police tied Cornelius to the gun and car used to flee. Cornelius was originally charged with second-degree
murder, and court records indicated he did not act alone.
Defense attorney Michael Kennedy told NOLA.com that his client was in an exceptionally difficult situation being tried as an adult and taking the fall for others.
“We know multiple people were involved and are in fact [at] fault for the death of Mr. Carter.” Those people, Kennedy said, “have chosen to allow a child to accept the blame for all.”
Carter and Blagovich married in 2022 and had recently opened a popular bagel shop. The tragedy shook Tacoma’s LGBTQ community and would reveal Louisiana’s fractured juvenile justice system.
“Jake was such a great guy,” said Emily Birdsong, an employee at Howdy Bagel. “I’ve been working here since the begin-
ning. This is what he wanted to do. He loved to bake, and we’re trying to keep his dream alive.”
It’s not unusual to see a line stretching out the door at Howdy Bagel. The shop prides itself on vegan bagels that are hand-rolled, fermented, boiled, and baked. T-shirts, with Gay and Western themes reflecting Carter’s Texas roots, are for sale along with coffee, candies, and products from other local small businesses.
Following the shooting, a GoFundMe was established and quickly raised over $300,000 to help the Howdy team carry on Carter’s vision.
Meanwhile, the killing prompted lawmakers in Louisiana to pass the Truth and Transparency Bill, which included violent crimes committed by juveniles in the
public record. Because of this law, it was discovered that Cornelius was previously arrested on firearms and drugs charges at the age of 15.
“At the time of Jacob’s murder, Cornelius was supposed to be under electronic supervision,” wrote attorney Laura Cannizzaro Rodrigue. “Jacob’s family later learned this supervision was not operational because Juvenile Court had let the contract with the monitoring company lapse in December of 2023.”
Formal sentencing is set for May 19 in Orleans Parish Criminal Court. The family can provide victim statements at that time. Attempts to reach Blagovich were unsuccessful.
JOHN MCDONALD
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
MoPoP’s 400+-piece exhibit on the transformation of Asian comics showcases Queer artists
BY LINDSEY ANDERSON SGN STAFF WRITER
Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MoPoP) is showcasing an exhibit with over 400 pieces of work by comic artists from Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, and Vietnam. “Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form” highlights how they have enriched pop culture throughout Asian countries and have promoted progress on topics such as LGBTQIA+ acceptance.
“Seattle has a rich history of embracing global pop culture, from cons to our robust cosplay community to the thriving independent comics scene,” Amalia Kozloff, MoPoP’s senior curator, told the SGN “Asian comics have had a massive influence on artists and audiences worldwide, shaping everything from storytelling techniques to visual aesthetics.”
Kozloff said this exhibit allows viewers to celebrate their cultural impact, artistry, and innovation. At the same time, she mentioned how it will spark meaningful conversations about representation, history, and its future.
“This exhibition is presenting Asian comics, which is a vast topic; it’s much more than just manga,” Paul Gravett, the original curator, said. “We decided not to do it country by country but instead thematically to engage the public with explor-
ing and discovering unfamiliar kinds of comics that perhaps they’ve never seen before.”
Queer creators appear throughout each section, as inclusion was paramount for the curators.
“Representation is a cornerstone of pop culture, and comics have long been a space where creators can explore identity, challenge norms, and push for greater inclusivity,” Kozloff said. “Asian comics, including manga and manhua, have played a significant role in depicting LGBTQIA+ experiences — from early underground works to mainstream stories that resonate across cultures.”
Exhibit highlights
Featured at the exhibit is Gengoroh Tagame, known for homoerotic artwork and credited with helping shift the art form away from youthful genres by specifically catering to an adult audience. His comic My Brother’s Husband was one of the first in Japan to address the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people in the country and touch on topics of homophobia.
“[The piece] is a moving exploration of family, identity, grief, and acceptance that has profoundly impacted Queer represen-
tation in manga. It’s a deeply personal and heartfelt work that resonates with many visitors,” Kozloff said.
The exhibit’s artwork often reflects current and past events in Asian countries. Through the end of the 20th century and even today, comics have become more political, addressing issues facing everyday people. With the legalization of same-sex marriage in Taiwan in 2019, creators began to see a shift toward more Queer inclusion in the industry.
“Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form” also highlights the enfranchisement of girls and young women in Asian comics, showcasing the boom in Japan in the ‘70s and ‘80s specifically targeting female audiences. In one piece, “Through a Woman’s Eyes,” artists like Maki Kusumoto and Junko Mizuno are celebrated for their playful use of gender nonconformity and ability to alter popular styles, like kawaii, to create diverse stories that center the experiences of feminine-presenting heroines.
The second floor is primarily dedicated to films inspired by printed comics. One such film is an adaptation of Carlo Vergara’s Zsazsa Zaturnnah, which chronicles the life of a Gay beautician as he overcomes his homophobic community by transform-
ing into a drag-inspired heroine. Zsazsa Zaturmnah became the twelfth best-selling Filipino fiction book in 2005 and later inspired a live-action film and a musical, despite the country’s ban on same-sex marriage.
A more contemporary part of the exhibit is a feature on the synthetic-voiced “pop star” Hatsune Miku, who has become particularly popular among Trans and Nonbinary cosplayers at anime festivals around the world. Originally created as a vocal synthesizer, young fans have now composed over 100,000 songs by the character. Her popularity has also led to animated hologram performances that draw in thousands of real-life fans. Some consider her the first virtual pop star.
“Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Fom,” which runs until 2026, is the latest in inclusive displays from the MoPoP.
“Including LGBTQIA+ comics in this exhibition reflects the diversity of storytelling within the medium and ensures that visitors can see authentic, meaningful representation. At MOPOP, we are committed to showcasing the full spectrum of voices in pop culture, and this exhibition is no exception,” Kozloff said.
LINDSEY ANDERSON
LINDSEY ANDERSON
LINDSEY ANDERSON
Back to Broadway?
Seattle’s Pride reckons with its roots amid sponsor retreat
BY ALAN MOTLEY
June is here again, and with it comes the vibrant return of Seattle’s annual Pride Parade — a cornerstone of community expression, activism, and celebration. Yet, as the city gears up for Pride 2025, there’s a noticeable shift in the atmosphere, marked by fewer corporate sponsorships and increased discussion about the event’s location. What lies behind this change, and how does it reflect the broader struggles of LGBTQIA+ people?
Seattle’s Pride Parade began humbly on Capitol Hill’s Broadway, a location deeply intertwined with the heart of Seattle’s Queer community. In the early 1980s, it began alternating between Capitol Hill and downtown, but by the mid-1980s, the former had firmly become the symbolic home of Pride. The neighborhood’s vibrant LGBTQ+ institutions — with historic establishments like the Wildrose and the Elite Tavern — provided a nurturing backdrop for the celebration. For decades, Capitol Hill was synonymous with Seattle’s Queer identity and activism.
Historically, Pride is deeply rooted in broader Queer liberation struggles. The Stonewall riots of 1969 in New York City, marked by days of resistance against police raids and brutality, sparked the modern Gay rights movement. Seattle quickly echoed this radical energy: In 1970, the local chapter of the Gay Liberation Front was established, embracing intersectional activism with contemporaries such as the Black Panther Party and contrasting sharply with earlier, more assimilationfocused groups like the Dorian Society, founded in 1966. Activists like Feygele Ben Miriam embodied the duality of the era, actively participating in both mainstream and radical activism. He famously applied for the first same-sex marriage license in King County in 1971, highlighting Seattle’s long history of pushing for Queer rights and recognition.
In 2006, the parade moved back downtown to accommodate growing crowds and increased corporate sponsorship. The broader streets and central location promised greater visibility and economic impact. But critics argue that the parade
lost something essential in this transition. The intimate neighborhood celebration morphed into a grander, less personal spectacle, somewhat distanced from its roots. As Pride became increasingly corporate, its sense of intimacy began to dilute.
Fast-forward to 2025: Seattle Pride is currently facing a projected $350,000 budget shortfall — nearly a quarter of its annual operating budget. Corporate sponsorship is significantly down. Seattle PrideFest has lost about a third of its sponsorship funding, approximately $75,000. Some companies, including long-time supporters, have yet to recommit. Others, like Alaska Airlines, remain onboard, while brands such as Smirnoff have made selective decisions, supporting Seattle events but pulling out of others, like San Francisco Pride. Organizers cite political pressure, the rollback
of DEI programs, and broader economic uncertainty as contributing factors. What worries them most is the intent behind the retreat.
Recent debates about uniformed Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers participating in Pride further underscore ongoing tensions. Seattle Pride’s policy, adopted three years ago, prohibits uniformed police officers from marching, allowing only plainclothed participation. This decision, made in response to community feedback and historical experiences of police brutality and discrimination, was recently revisited when Councilmember Mark Solomon requested that the Seattle LGBTQ Commission speak to organizers about permitting the inclusion of uniformed officers. The commission, after robust debate, decided to remain neutral, reflecting the
deep divisions on this matter.
Seattle’s fraught relationship with the SPD continues to raise concerns. From historic bar raids and payoff scandals to more recent incidents — like the 2024 inspections of Queer bars for “lewd conduct” and the targeting of a Trans woman at Denny Blaine Park — community trust remains deeply eroded. These events echo the very circumstances that birthed the Pride movement.
Despite fewer sponsorship dollars, Pride’s grassroots spirit is being reclaimed. Calls are increasing to bring Pride back to Capitol Hill, where it began. While downtown offers scale, the Hill offers legacy. PrideFest events and Trans Pride Seattle still take place in the neighborhood, preserving its vital role in LGBTQIA+ culture. But would a full return of the main
parade be a better fit in today’s climate?
That question is growing louder as Seattle grapples with the meaning of Pride amid a rollback of DEI efforts and wavering corporate support. A move back to Broadway might not only honor history but help foster the kind of community-led celebration that feels increasingly necessary in a time of political and cultural pushback.
As Seattle navigates these questions this June, the LGBTQIA+ community faces an opportunity to reflect, recalibrate, and perhaps reclaim the spirit of Pride. Whether downtown or back on Broadway, the heart of Pride has always been — and always will be — about the community itself.
Pride 2025: What’s going on Want to celebrate, organize, or just soak it all in? Here’s a snapshot of key events across Seattle this Pride Month:
• June 22 — Seattle Pride in the Park Volunteer Park | 12–7 p.m.
A family-friendly, all-ages gathering with performances, food trucks, community booths, and a sober garden. Hosted by Seattle Pride.
• June 27 — Trans Pride Seattle Volunteer Park & Broadway | March at 6 p.m., rally at 7 p.m. Organized by Gender Justice League.
Olympia’s TransTrad Fest to celebrate Trans and gendernonconforming folk-music artists
BY HANNAH SAUNDERS SGN EDITOR
Organizers down south in Olympia are preparing for a three-day festival that highlights the diversity in traditional folk music — specifically that made by Trans and gender-nonconforming artists. TransTrad Fest will take place June 6-8, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own instruments for jam sessions.
“We’ve got a really welcoming community with a lot to offer people who are curious about folk and traditional music and dance,” Hayden Stern, a festival organizer, told the SGN. “Being in a Queer-normative space with amazing music and friendly people feels like a pretty easy sell ”
TransTrad Fest will ultimately consist of three days and two nights of concerts, workshops, dancing, and jam-out sessions.
The festival will include traditional fiddle music, energetic bluegrass beats, Scandinavian tunes, and Irish and Scottish dance music, among other genres.
“We’ll have concerts, a square dance, a contra dance, workshops, and jamming. There will be a food truck, but no other vendors,” Stern added.
The square dance will happen on Friday, June 6, when events will start at 6 p.m., and the contra dance will be on the following night. The festivities on June 7 and 8 will
No corporate sponsors — just unapologetic celebration, Trans-centered performances, and political visibility.
• June 29 — Capitol Hill Pride Festival Broadway Ave. E | All day Local businesses and artists line the street for a daylong celebration of Queer arts, drag, music, and activism in the heart of Seattle’s historic gayborhood.
• June 30 — Seattle Pride Parade Downtown Seattle | Starts at 4th & Pike at 11 a.m.
The biggest LGBTQIA+ event in the
Pacific Northwest, with floats, nonprofits, performers, and thousands of marchers — though this year, with noticeably fewer corporate banners.
• All Month — PrideFest at Seattle Center & Beyond
Events pop up throughout June, from film screenings and panels to nightlife takeovers. Visit www.seattlepridefest.org for the full lineup.
begin at 2 p.m.
Fifteen Trans and gender-nonconforming performers in the traditional folk music industry will be featured:
McKain Lakey
Morgan Harris
Lillian Sawyer
Kaden Hurst
NOA
Collin Stackhouse
Starling
Alicia Guinn
Natterjack
Laura Reed
Scottish Fiddle Collective
Finley Rose
Lindsey Dono
Andy Grummon
Ticket prices start at $20, but people can gain free admission by engaging in volunteer work for the festival.
TransTrad Fest will be at South Bay Grange, 3918 Sleater Kinney Rd. NE, Olympia. For more information, visit www.transtradfest.org.
Olympia Jamgrass Collective
SEATTLE PRIDE 1995
UNITED FRONT AGAINST FASCISM, FREEDOM SOCIALIST PARTY, AND RADICAL WOMEN AT THE PRIDE PARADE JOE MABEL
Dive into fun and fabulousness at Trixie Motel
BY FRANK GAIMARI
Reprinted with permission from Stonewall News Northwest (www.stonewallnews.net)
Discover the vibrant spirit of Palm Springs at Trixie Motel, where staying the night is just part of the story. This boutique motel truly celebrates LGBTQ+ culture and campy glamour, perfectly reflecting the playful energy of its desert oasis surroundings. With its iconic bright pink exterior, Trixie Motel immediately sets the tone for a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s a whimsical and welcoming haven where self-expression takes center stage and personality shines.
Trixie Motel is more than just retro aesthetics. It’s a space that celebrates the joy and resilience of the Queer community. Each room is carefully designed to ensure that guests feel seen and celebrated. The property’s centerpiece is a stunning pool area, an ideal spot for social media photos, lively gatherings, and soaking under the desert sun.
Curious about this one-of-a-kind getaway inspired by the iconic drag superstar Trixie Mattel, I contacted Angel Najera Avila, the property’s manager. He greeted me with warmth and enthusiasm, eager to share what makes this place special.
Frank Gaimari: How does Trixie Motel create a welcoming, inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ travelers?
Angel Najera Avila: We pride ourselves on creating an almost fantasy-like experience from the moment you walk in. As no other property like this exists, we understand that our guests and customers come here to escape. We design our hospitality, aesthetics, and concepts to include everyone, allowing them to shed their labels and tags upon entering the pink gate.
FG: What makes Trixie Motel stand out among other boutique locales in this desert oasis?
ANA: Every room at Trixie Motel offers a one-of-a-kind experience, each crafted around a unique theme. However, what truly sets it apart is the exceptional sense of community among its guests. While many arrive with expectations shaped by what they’ve seen or heard, it’s the shared moments and connections formed here that create an atmosphere unlike any other. This spirit of togetherness has become one of Trixie Motel’s most cherished hallmarks — something rare, extraordinary, and nearly impossible to replicate. The atmosphere at our Barbara Bar is
something you must experience to truly appreciate. It’s the kind of place where strangers enter as individuals and leave as lifelong friends, brought together by shared laughter and unforgettable sing-alongs to our curated playlists.
FG: Have the staff or guests shared any particularly memorable stories about their time here?
ANA: Absolutely! Every guest’s experience resonates differently, and as the team leader, I’m proud to say that our staff is deeply moved and inspired by the stories we’re privileged to be part of. Whether it’s a mother and daughter reuniting after years apart or a group of friends gathering for their annual reunion, we aim to make every visit truly special. Our unique concept, combined with the incredible passion of our team, makes achieving this goal possible. For many, Trixie Motel represents more than just a getaway — it’s a place to reconnect with their queerness in whatever way is meaningful to them. Time and again, we welcome guests filled with joy and gratitude, excited to experience the magic of our little pink paradise.
FG: How does the motel connect with and support the broader LGBTQ+ community in Palm Springs?
ANA: We are proud to support our community through initiatives like our monthly Trans and Nonbinary evenings, where people of diverse gender identities can connect, share experiences, and exchange valuable information. In addition, we host inclusive pool parties that celebrate self-expression, encouraging everyone to embrace their identity without limits — whether they choose to be bold, Queer, extravagant, or anything in between.
The true power of these events lies in the connections they create. They inspire hope, foster a sense of belonging, and help envision a future where labels no longer divide us. Everyone is welcome to join the celebration.
Whether you’re heading to Palm Springs for the sunshine, the nightlife, or a little relaxation, Trixie Motel is the perfect home base for your adventure. Book your stay, pack your sunglasses (the sparklier, the better), and prepare to sashay into an unforgettable escape.
Trixie Motel is at 210 W. Stevens Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262, and online at www.trixiemotel.com . You can reach Angel at angel@trixiemotel.com or 760808-0014.
COURTESY TRIXIE MOTEL
COURTESY TRIXIE MOTEL
BOOKS
Lesbian cartoonist Alison Bechdel unpacks politics and
family in her new work,
Spent
Lesbian cartoonist Alison Bechdel’s new graphic novel Spent begins with her walking through the woods with her father as a young girl. The story ultimately transforms into a tale of pygmy goat farming, a burning dread of climate change, and a lurking civil war.
In one scene, a tiger attack and its enormous roar wake Bechdel up in bed; she finds her wife, the artist Holly Rae Taylor, shooting a rifle out the window to scare a bear off their compost pile. This brings Spent viewers to the present day in Bolton, Vermont, where Bechdel and Taylor run a pygmy goat farm. Here, Taylor also produces art and Bechdel theoretically works on her graphic novels. Theoretically,
BY ANDREW HAMLIN
because, after decades of critical praise and a MacArthur “Genius” Award, she has hit a wall with her work.
Bechdel’s monotonous days consist of waking up, using the toilet, fixing coffee, and listening to NPR unspooling the corrosions of Trump II. But she feels checkmated by the system. In capitalist America, big money beckons, but it comes with Republican strings attached. Should she take it and make life easier on herself, Holly, and the goats? Or should she refuse it and ease her conscience?
A Pennsylvania native, Bechdel was out and proud from an early age. Dykes to Watch Out For, her popular weekly comic strip, ran from 1983 to 2008, showing the
cartoonist, her friends, and assorted antagonists and bit players navigating Queer culture, Lesbian concerns, and just plain day-to-day life in a somewhat-ambiguous American city, dealing with love, lust, loss, school, poverty, opportunity, and existential wonderment as they grew up.
Bechdel’s 2006 graphic memoir Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, broke new ground. She reflected on her own childhood and adolescence, pondering her father, who, shortly after Bechdel’s mother asked for a divorce, stepped into the path of an oncoming truck. Was he secretly Gay? Did he commit suicide and make it look like an accident for the sake of family decorum?
Glass Stars sci-fi series builds a Queer, schizophrenic sanctuary in Seattle’s year 2152
BY ALEX GARLAND
Katharyn King is the brains behind the new indie sci-fi book series that imagines a future Seattle in the year 2152 — but digitally reconstructed by a Lesbian with schizophrenia. The concept of the series, which will be made into a film, is both bold and deeply personal.
“Glass Stars is my prediction of what Seattle will look like in 2152 if a Lesbian with schizophrenia had developed a simulation of Earth and people started uploading their consciousnesses into it and living in it full time,” King told the SGN. “It creates that digital sanctuary space.”
That sanctuary was born of necessity. For her, the simulated world she created is more than fiction: it became a place of escape and safety, she said, adding that she need to channel her trauma into a platform after leaving the military and being diagnosed with schizophrenia.
“Now I can tell a story through the lens of my lived experience,” King said.
King is a disabled Army veteran who served as a 35P (cryptolinguist), and she uses this background to shape Glass Stars’ characters and themes.
“We have two different characters, these sisters. One of them handled more of the physical combat, and the other one handled more of the intel side of things,” she explained. “My experience definitely plays into this, because I’m going to talk a lot about cyberwarfare and the conventional actions that happen in the real world.”
Not only is this cutting-edge series grounded in the serious mental health condition King lives with but also Queer sur-
vival and digital sanctuary, she said. Glass Stars explores layered questions about identity, safety, and the future of marginalized communities.
“It’s a scary time, and I’m like, well, is there a place for people like me?” she asked. “For Lesbians? And now I have schizophrenia — it’s like compounding.”
Unlike typical portrayals in media, Glass Stars doesn’t relegate schizophrenia to a background twist. King said that when she sees the sci-fi realm attempt to tackle the mental health condition, it’s used as a “plot device,” rather than employing a character living with schizophrenia as the protagonist.
Breaking barriers by centering a protagonist with schizophrenia
The creator brings 13 years of lived experience with treatment-resistant schizophrenia to the screen.
“Ordinarily, for me, without ketamine at all... there’s like this voice that just sits behind me all day long, and he just yells at me. I call him ‘Control’,” King said.
King doesn’t shy away from the impact her mental health condition has had on her life and career. She explained how during her graduate program, she had a breakdown and eventually flunked out, despite having a 3.9 GPA, thinking her life was over. King ended up also losing her job. She said she wasn’t getting the proper assistance she needed to manage her schizophrenia. But she persevered through all of it, and became a teacher anyway.
Public misunderstanding of schizophrenia, and its stereotypes, remains some of
the most painful obstacles to overcome, according to King.
“We’re being told all people with schizophrenia are scary — and then that’s not true,” King said. “But then there are the few... who do hurt people.”
Regardless, King is still like any other person who has hopes and dreams, and bills to pay.
“When people look at you and they say, ‘You’re crazy, you’re delusional, you’re not safe to be around children,’ I’m just like, ‘I haven’t done anything wrong,’” King said.
Filming in Seattle’s Queer spaces and familiar settings
While the Glass Stars book series is already available to purchase, filming for it is expected to begin next summer in Seattle and the Eastside. King plans to shoot at Harbor Studios and hopes to include local Queer landmarks.
“I still want to film at the Wildrose, if we can get them,” she said. “We have a club scene. Trinity and the Wildrose would just be perfect.”
King also mentioned needing “a little bit of desert,” adding that parts of Eastern Washington may be featured in outdoor scenes.
Glass Stars will span five seasons, with six episodes each. The pilot will run close to 60 minutes, while other episodes will range between 30 and 45 minutes. King said the team is aiming to premiere by fall of 2026, with a full launch and screening celebration taking place in Seattle. Additionally, a reading is planned for the following January.
Did his death have anything to do with Bechdel’s coming out? She dove into the uncertainties, and the hurt beneath them. A stage musical followed, and a movie might be in the offing.
After a series of other works, Spent returns Bechdel to family and social concerns. The vivid colors delineate characters, summon passing seasons, and bring the moods of the characters to life. Bechdel faces her dedicated cycle of routine that is a functional but limited hamster wheel. And outside of that routine lie hopes, fears, challenges, and the need to face a broken nation that may not heal in our time. She unpacks her passion and finds a through line.
“People can come and just hang out and visit and ask questions and respond to the show,” she said.
The pilot and series will premiere on the Cathexis Films YouTube channel, followed by distribution through Reverie, which is a Queer-oriented streaming platform. King hopes to be the flagship sci-fi series on Reverie.
However, Glass Stars won’t be headed to Amazon.
“I just don’t want to give Amazon any more money,” King said.
The cast includes a wide range of identities, which is bound to burst through television screens.
“We have Trans, we have Nonbinary characters, we have cis-het characters too. There’s a huge diversity,” King said.
For a creator once branded a failure, Glass Stars is a radical act of reclamation.
COURTESY JOEL SAGET FOR HARPER COLLINS
KATHARYN KING
ALEX GARLAND
New spicy graphic novel Gaysians
homes in on the intersectionality of identities and racism in Seattle’s Gay community
BY HANNAH SAUNDERS SGN EDITOR
Many who move to Seattle from out of state come here with a sense of awe but a feeling of being shut out from the LGBTQIA+ milieu, and for people of color, finding that sense of belonging can be all the more challenging. Author Mike Curato’s upcoming graphic novel, Gaysians, dives into the importance of finding community as a Gay Asian man: the experiences of feeling lost but leaning into your authentic self by surrounding yourself with others who have similar lived experiences, like racism from Gays and hets, and discovering an abundantly colorful love for life after parental rejection.
With vibrant hues of dark blue and pink, Gaysians is inspired by Curato’s own experience of moving to Seattle from the East Coast and finding belonging among other Gay Asian men, or “Gaysians.” The novel, which takes place in Seattle in 2003, follows AJ, the back of whose head is pictured in the first scene, as he stands next to a poster of two men kissing and the words “SATURDAY AT THE PLACE.” Further in the background beam warm pink lights from The Place itself.
While undergoing an ID check from a bouncer, AJ gets called out for being a first-timer, and after the security guard stamps AJ’s wrist, he says, “You just keep an eye out for those chicken hawks!” and slaps AJ’s ass as he passes, confused by the remark, through doors.
The first few chapters follow several characters, including John, a gamer; Steven, who uses casual sex as a Band-Aid for heartbreak; and K, who tries to tap into different club scenes as a drag queen. At one point, K is in a rush to leave a show, having removed her makeup and tucked herself into a black sweatshirt and baseball cap; AJ bumps into her on the dance floor, spilling his drink on her. To make amends, AJ carries K’s belongings outside for her and bashfully admits this was his first Gay bar experience.
“So…I’m assuming you’ve never been to a drag show before either,” K says, followed by a small shot of AJ looking confused.
The next graphic shows car doors slamming shut and the vehicle speeds off. K and AJ are in the car with John, who’s driving them to K’s next venue, where they link up with Steven, John’s roommate. Shortly
after learning that AJ is from upstate New York, K becomes the star of the next few pages.
Seattle’s Gay roots
“Sakura Usagi” is throwing petals in the air while wearing a pink wig and a short, slit dress, contrasting with her previous black outfit. The queen asks for donations for the Chicken Soup Brigade, which, as she explains, provides healthy meals and groceries to “brothers and sisters” living with HIV/AIDS, as well as those with various other needs.
The Chicken Soup Brigade still operates in Seattle as Lifelong’s Food & Nutrition program. It dates back to 1983, when community members raised $42 for people living with HIV/AIDS — all in a soup can passed around Volunteer Park.
After that stark reminder of the HIV/ AIDS epidemic in Seattle and the importance of mutual aid, Curato depicts AJ raving to K after the show about her performance. AJ eventually accepts a ride home, as he bussed in to Capitol Hill from Bitter Lake, at the end of which K invites him to attend a dim sum outing with some of her friends the following day.
A thought bubble bursts from the page, with AJ’s checking account and expenses filling the white space and a concerned look on his face. He agrees to go. Before leaving, K notes how her friend at Le Gay Café may have a job for him, since he’s new to town.
The novel cuts to AJ doing the monotonous bed routine many can relate to: brushing his teeth, decompressing in bed after a big day. But he grabs a picture of three cherished ones from his nightstand and turns off the lamp, queuing a midnight-blue hue in the following scene.
New bonds
Excited orders of har gow and pork buns are shown at the dim sum meetup. AJ notes that he’ll eat anything, but then asks about costs. One character tells him to not worry and to just eat. In the intimate dining area, AJ exposes more about his background, like how he’s trying to save money to attend classes at the Seattle School of Design, and how he’s half Filipino.
The group fills him in on the Gay lingo
and warns of “RQs,” or rice queens. A disturbing reality that rings true in the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond is the fetishization of Asian people. The friends add that most Gays avoid Asians, though.
“But for the ones who are specifically into Asians, you have to understand the power dynamics involved,” says one. In a close of shot of his face, rectangular glasses accentuating the shadows of his eyes, he adds, “The gay community is very white centric. You ever notice how some clubs have Black or Latin nights? It’s because those communities are trying to carve out space for themselves. And in the ranking of Gay men, some could argue that Asians are included at the bottom of the list.”
Another chimes in about the stereotype that all Asian Gays are submissive bottoms. As for Asians who are into other Asians? “Sticky rice,” the characters call it: stuck on their own kind.
AJ asks the group if there are any Asian nights, and they say that he’s looking at it — because the unfortunate reality is that the default is white spaces. There’s chatter about setting up an Asian Gay night at the venue AJ visited the previous night.
They then invite him to Pride the following weekend.
Flash-forward to Pride, and the beloved Dykes on Bikes are depicted in a primarily blue graphic. On one of the bikes flies a Pride flag, ever so brightly colored and standing out from the muted background. AJ spots a Filipino dance troupe, and an overwhelming sense of community and connection washes over him.
And that’s just the first half, if even. Curato’s book will be published during Pride Month, on June 3, which follows Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Although he set the book in 2003, much of it still rings true today. Moving to Seattle and facing “the Seattle freeze” can be daunting, but it isn’t nearly as gruesome as the casual and microaggressive racism that exists within and outside the Gay community.
Art is advocacy, and Curato’s graphic novel does just that. The first step to dismantling harm is through education — of others and oneself. So order a copy at https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/michael-curato/gaysians/9781643755120.
Slayers, Every One of Us: Bare bones to Buffy, and back to basics
BY ANDREW HAMLIN
What if you lose love but have professional obligations with your ex, however much that hurts? So far, so normal — if heartbreaking. But what if you’re told, “I can’t believe in love anymore,” now that your love for each other died?
Kristen Russo and Jenny Owen Youngs rose to fame through their Buffering the Vampire Slayer podcast, but after the women underwent a very public divorce, they still launched a final collaboration: their new book, Slayers, Every One of Us: How One Girl in All the World Showed Us How to Hold On. Russo and Youngs dated, fell in love, and took their vows. One day, Youngs told Russo that missing out on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a popular TV show that ran from 1997 to 2003, was not an option. So
the podcast followed, examining their favorite TV show, tale by tale, season by season.
For those tuning in late, the series followed the titular slayer, Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) as she protects the world from vampires and other supernatural beasties. When not staking out bloodsuckers, Buffy tiptoes around as a normal teenage girl, with homework, friends, enemies, crushes, a first love and first heartbreak, and hopes and fears about the future. Of course, she’s locked into a world where evil never stops pouring in, and she can never take a break, let alone a vacation.
“We fight the good fight” is the teen’s motto. Fair enough. But how well can you fight if it seems endless? How can you keep thinking positive, thinking righteous
— and keep from thinking? When do you break?
Russo and Youngs’s podcast included lessons on heartbreak and those learned from Buffy, but from Queer perspectives; they wrote songs to fit each episode. Live shows with fan followed. Until one day, Youngs took a deep breath, looked at Russo, and told her that she didn’t feel like herself in their marriage.
The rise, the fall, and the fallout — including the youth who told them the death of their love had killed any hope they held for love — unspool in this recently published, 247-page joint confessional.
So where do relationships end? When should you rightfully walk away? The two women stuck together long enough to meet hard questions with even harder answers.
COURTESY MIKE CURATO
Maya Weldon Lagrimas’s 2008 offers a fresh perspective on the fight for marriage equality
BY LINDSEY ANDERSON
STAFF WRITER
The last year has been a big one for film director Maya Weldon-Lagrimas: she graduated from Yale University, released her first film, and began to traverse adulthood amid growing political and economic turmoil. For many like her, these struggles are reminiscent of another tense time in American history, when changing political tides and a looming recession had many on edge: the year 2008.
Inspired by her childhood view of the world during the mid-2000s, Weldon-Lagrimas’s new short film 2008 tells the story of a young girl navigating adolescence in San Francisco in the months leading up to the historic Prop 8 vote.
“It was just the most interesting story I could possibly tell,” Weldon-Lagrimas told the SGN
At that time, Californians were preparing to vote on an initiative that would ban Gay marriage in the state by amending the constitution. This was an especially fraught
time for Weldon-Lagrimas’s family, as she was growing up with two moms.
“As a kid, there were a lot of things going on that I was trying to make sense of that weren’t following the narrative I had seen on TV,” she recalled.
2008 centers on Weldon-Lagrimas’s perspective navigating her youth in a Queer household and beginning to realize and understand how her family differed from her peers’. The short film draws on her real experiences, such as the day she and her mothers took her out to dinner to explain the story of her conception.
“One of the scenes in the film is about when my two moms sat me down at a Chinese restaurant and told me about artificial insemination when I was, like, six years old,” Weldon-Lagrimas said. “It was such a core memory for me, and I had this existential crisis thinking about all of the sperm running to the egg and all of them dying except for the one that made me.”
That memory became a jumping-off point for Weldon-Lagrimas as she neared her final year at Yale and began crafting the script for a film project. Reflecting on her unique childhood, she realized the perfect story existed in her tangled-up memories.
One element that sets 2008 apart from other debut films is the level of talent Weldon-Lagrimas acquired. Not only did she find the perfect lead in 15-year-old, up-andcoming Eurasian actress Anja Kao Nielsen but she also managed to cast Michaela Jill Murphy, who initially caught her eye in the early 2000s for her portrayal of Toph in Avatar: The Last Airbender
Weldon-Lagrimas described casting Murphy as a “Hail Mary” after she sent a direct message to the actress on TikTok to see if she was interested in participating in her film.
“Growing up, she was one of my favorite characters of all time, hands down,” Weldon-Lagrimas said. “She was one of the
sweetest, most down-to-earth people ever. Working with her was super easy.”
Murphy recorded her voiceover at a small studio in Los Angeles while Weldon-Lagrimas directed over Zoom. When it came time to screen the film at Yale, she flew down to attend and meet the director in person.
Since the film’s premiere on April 4 at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY), it’s created quite a buzz. Weldon-Lagrimas recently took 2008 on a festival tour, where it was included in NFFTY and awarded the Best Experience Points Audience Choice Award.
2008 is a fresh take on a Queer story. Encompassing the perspective of a child coming of age alongside the fight for Gay marriage, the film is a beautiful yet honest depiction of the complexities that come with any family.
SGN
ANJA KAO NIELSEN IN 2008
COURTESY DALIN NELSON AND MAYA WELDON-LAGRIMAS
Reversing tropes:
Director Eli Craig on bringing Clown in a Cornfield and the diverse world of Kettle Springs to life
BY SARA MICHELLE FETTERS SGN STAFF WRITER
I first met Clown in a Cornfield director Eli Craig when he came to town in 2010 with actor Tyler Labine to showcase his feature-length debut, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, at the Seattle International Film Festival. Since its original release, the goofy and gory horror comedy has grown into a minor cult classic, and the director remembers his time in the Pacific Northwest with great fondness.
“I love Seattle,” said Craig. “I love the Seattle film scene. I wish we could have played [Clown in a Cornfield ] at this year’s festival.”
His inventive, new genre-bending slasher yarn hit theaters a few weeks too early for that to happen, but I still got a few minutes to reunite with him over Zoom to chat about his latest opus. An adaptation of the first book in author Adam Cesare’s bestselling trilogy of young adult horror tales, the story follows teenager Quinn Maybrook (Katie Douglas) and her father Dr. Glenn Maybrook (Aaron Abrams), who have moved to the small community of Kettle Springs for a fresh start.
But when the high school senior falls in with what the local sheriff (Will Sasso) calls “the wrong crowd” — a group that includes Cole (Carson MacCormac), the son of the wealthy owner of the Baypen Corn Syrup company Arthur Hill (Kevin
Durand) — things quickly turn homicidal for the shocked newcomer. Turns out, the company’s popular mascot, a cartoonish clown named Frendo, doesn’t take kindly to youngsters who stir up trouble, and it’s more than happy to dismember anyone who disrupts the conservative status quo.
“The thing that was appealing to me about the whole concept and Carter Blanchard’s [first draft] of the script, which was a total blast to read, is that there is a moment at the midpoint where everything shifts,” explained Craig. “It all becomes a different movie, with higher stakes than it’s been set up to be.
“I’m always looking for something that is a reversal of horror tropes, that is a unique take on a familiar theme. I saw this moment as something I could have a good time with and really sink my teeth into. [This moment] gives a new definition to Frendo. He is a killer clown with so many more tools at his disposal than it initially appears. He’s like this hardcore blue-collar clown. It was so much fun to have a diversity of potential kills and methods for him to utilize.”
But there is more to Clown in a Cornfield than a collection of inventive kills and humorous one-liners. Cesare’s source material is an inspired social commentary, eerily prescient in its evaluation of current events, right-wing talking points,
and attempts to Stepford-ize gender roles back to the 1950s. The setting is culturally diverse, where teens of various backgrounds work to change their community for the better. The malevolent clown tries to stop them, even if that means eviscerating some of them with a chainsaw or impaling them on a pitchfork.
“That’s the other part that attracted me to the material and to the book,” said Craig. “It works on so many levels. [The story] works as a fun ride, and I’m always trying to make a roller coaster for my movies, where you fall in love with the characters and they help usher you through a harrowing experience. But with this one, also as with everything I try to do, it has so many layers to it. If you watch it a second or a third time, you’ll find all of these complex themes working inside that beg to be explored.
“I think we need to have movies that aren’t necessarily hammering a message home but are still speaking to themes happening right now in our society. It’s okay to leave things a little unsolved for audiences to figure out for themselves. It’s okay to give them something to think about.”
Part of leaving audiences with plenty to ponder afterward includes not only key character reveals for some of the teenagers but also how their friends react to these unexpected revelations, most of which are
met with acceptance and support.
“It’s interesting,” mused Craig. “There are themes involving our lead and supporting characters that are an integral part of the movie without being the central theme... There are character arcs that, in a different story, would be about that: their sexual identity, all of that.
“Here, it’s really just people struggling with their identity within the movie, these teens figuring out who they are in the midst of a life-or-death situation. Things come to the surface during that situation that can make them angry or upset, but it also makes them more real.”
He added, “I think the reason why horror is in the zeitgeist right now is that it makes us feel more alive and that it can talk about current events in ways other genres cannot. You get to follow the final girl through to her potential heroic survival and feel that joy with her. Yet there’s more to it than that. More to explore, learn, and feel.”
Craig paused for a moment and flashed a crooked smile. “But I also want them to feel like they want more Frendo,” he said, stifling a laugh. “If you want more Frendo, please, go see this in a theater. There’s an entire world that Adam has created, a whole world of Kettle Springs, and so much more to play with. There are so many more stories to tell.”
Inventive Clown in a Cornfield is a gorily silly farmland fright
BY SARA MICHELLE FETTERS SGN STAFF WRITER
CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD Theaters
If nothing else, Clown in a Cornfield delivers on everything hinted at in its title. There is a clown, Frendo, the incarnation of a beloved small-town corporate mascot. This clown spends tons of time in cornfields, and not only because the business he’s the face of happens to make corn syrup but also because that’s where many of the community’s most troublesome teenagers tend to frolic.
Frendo doesn’t take kindly to these pesky kids doing what they shouldn’t in his domain. It makes him downright angry,
even homicidal. And if a few teens go missing, never to be seen again? That’s a mystery no one in town seems keen to solve. The world may see Frendo as a happygo-lucky goofball, but the reality is much darker than that, much deadlier, and this clown wouldn’t have it any other way.
Adapted from the first of a trilogy of young adult novels by author Adam Cesare, the latest horror-comedy hybrid from director Eli Craig may not reach the same stratospheric heights as his 2010 cult favorite Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, but that doesn’t make it any less entertaining. This is a blood-splattered lark that giddily toys with genre conventions, features a wonder-
COURTESY RLJE FILMS & SHUDDER
COURTESY RLJE FILMS & SHUDDER
ful new clown villain in Frendo, and showcases a winning performance by
that immediately cements the actor as someone to keep your eye on.
It also is built on a firm foundation of prescient social and political commentary that’s surprisingly intelligent. The screenplay, written by Craig and Carter Blanchard, has something to say about generational values, economic inequality, gender roles, sexuality, and changing cultural norms.
Much like the 1958 version of The Blob or 2011’s Attack the Block, the filmmakers utilize silly — and familiar — genre dynamics to show that the youth have reason to be in revolt, and adults who are unwilling (or unable) to listen, learn, and change with the times do so at their own peril. This film has something worthwhile to say.
My issue is that it doesn’t always say it loudly or continuously enough. There are also several instances where it loses focus. The balance between humor and suspense is noticeably inconsistent. As for the ending, while it does follow the source material rather closely, it’s still strangely abrupt in its adapted form. There’s even a point where a
primary character flat-out disappears. This both bewildered and annoyed me.
The good news is that that didn’t keep me from having fun. Craig keeps things fast and loose, and the 96-minute running time ensures that the story never overstays its welcome. While Frendo is no Pennywise (who is?), he’s still a captivating mixture of a Killer Klown from Outer Space and a lesser Ghostface variant (think Scream 3 or the 2022 legacy sequel/soft reboot). Heck, I even think he’s more interesting than Art the Clown from the hyperviolent Terrifier series.
As for the plot, it’s honestly not all that crazy or complex. Dr. Glenn Maybrook (Aaron Abrams) and his high school senior daughter Quinn (Douglas) move to the close-knit community of Kettle Springs for a fresh start. Courtesy of a cantankerous teacher with a vindictive short fuse who stuffs her into detention minutes into her first class, the teenager quickly falls in with what the town sheriff (Will Sasso) unironically refers to as “the wrong crowd.”
This gaggle includes Cole (Carson MacCormac), the confidently handsome
SPORTS
son of the powerful owner of the Baypen Corn Syrup company Arthur Hill (Kevin Durand). Cole and his friends make viral “snuff” videos featuring the normally wholesome Frendo as a bloodthirsty serial killer, and there are those in Kettle Springs who take umbrage to this depiction. What follows is an extreme night of terror, as someone (or some thing) has suited themselves up as Frendo to make a dismembered example out of Cole and anyone else who is friendly with him, and Quinn gets caught in the crossfire. Plenty of inventive kills soon follow, as do heart-stopping revelations involving the Baypen company and the Kettle Springs community going back at least a half-decade. mined to not only survive but also show the adults trying to minimize the seriousness of this situation how wrong they are. Additionally, she isn’t going to let them smother her opinions or force her to live in a Stepford-ized bubble of patriarchal conformity. Quinn will not be defined by outdated gender roles, and she certainly will not endure racial intolerance or homophobia. Douglas makes sure this is one teen
who won’t go down without a massive fight. There are several terrific kills, including one with a chainsaw that almost rivals Craig’s inspired woodchipper mutilation in Tucker & Dale vs. Evil. Most of the laughs are genuine, and, even amid all of the gruesome excess, the emotions fueling the drama are grounded. When Quinn, Cole, and the remainder of their friends encounter a pack of Frendo clones in a farmhouse, the run-in is enthusiastically energetic, while a later scene inside Dr. Maybrook’s cramped office has an anxiously nimble urgency I thoroughly enjoyed.
I don’t know what the staying power of Clown in the Cornfield will be. Craig and Blanchard work hard to bring all of the themes present in Cesare’s source material into their adaptation, but they are only somewhat successful. Yet Frendo is a delightful baddie, and Quinn is an even better heroine. This makes Craig’s comedic foray into farmland fright worthwhile, and if a second hayride with this maniacal clown ever materializes, I’m going to make sure and be one of the first to grab a seat.
“Pride
Night” games are back in Seattle and Tacoma!
BY CALVIN JAY EMERSON
This June, Seattle’s summer sports teams are hosting “Pride Night” celebrations for the LGBTQIA+ community: The Mariners are having two such games at T-Mobile Park, and the Seattle Storm are prepping for a rainbow showdown against the Connecticut Sun. The Tacoma Rainiers get in on the action too, against the Salt Lake Bees. The Mariners’ first Pride game will be on June 4 against the Baltimore Orioles. The next match-up is against the Cleveland Guardians on June 13, which has a roster full of young talent that can hit surprising runs at bat and make risky catches in the
outfield.
“Our organization is committed to making sure our communities are a place where all feel welcome and loved,” according to the Seattle Mariners website. “To those who work tirelessly toward this goal, Pride Month is a time for us to recognize those efforts and have some fun, too. Each night, $5 of every ticket sold will benefit the GSBA Scholarship Fund and Seattle Pride.”
The GSBA Scholarship Fund has supported the LGBTQIA+ community since 1991 and provides funding for Queer people to obtain an education.
Both Mariners games include free merch for those who book online. Attendees will have a chance to win a Pride-themed fanny pack on June 4 and a rainbow tumbler on June 13.
The Seattle Storm Pride Night game will kick off at 7 p.m. on June 27. The team has a new, reliable offense due to Skyler Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike. There will also be plenty of engaging ways to celebrate Pride in the arena.
“During the game, an LGBTQ+ leader from the community will be honored and presented with a donation to the nonprofit of their choice and support their ongoing
work,” according to Seattle Storm’s website. “The honoree is selected by Storm players and staff for their exemplary community leadership and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.”
On July 1, the Tacoma Rainiers will celebrate Pride during a game against the Salt Lake Bees (first pitch at 7:05p.m.). According to the website, “The stadium comes alive with rainbow colors, and the atmosphere is filled with joy and unity. Join us for a night of baseball and a welcoming environment that celebrates all the diversity and love of Tacoma.”
COURTESY RLJE FILMS & SHUDDER
youngster Katie Douglas
Salmon Bay FC, West Seattle Rhodies tie in season opener but build momentum
BY CALVIN JAY EMERSON
Only the perfect storm of a complete divisional shake-up, paired with a nationwide trend toward women’s sports, could have resulted in two brand-new teams playing their inaugural game against each other. It kicked off on May 18, a sunny Sunday, and neither team scored, due to unbreakable defensive lines.
In the first half, Salmon Bay quickly defined themselves offensively. Both Chloe Seelhoff and Amelia Severn struck fast, blitzing the sides of the goalpost before the three-minute mark had even passed. They didn’t make a goal, but it took the Rhodies until the ninth minute to respond with shot attempt of their own.
A reliable offense, like midfielder Seelhoff and forward Hallie Bergford, faced
unexpected blocks and headbutts. Defender Sophia Hanay weaved her way around the edges of the field, just to find the ball kicked out of bounds from under her feet.
In the second half, Salmon Bay adapted and brought in Maia Tabion, a forward who has proven her ability to dice through a defense and bring the ball closer to the net. During multiple intense tussles near the goal, you could sense the audience holding their breath in anticipation, only for the ball to be kicked away in an anticlimactic fashion.
Ultimately, neither team could quite break the other’s defenses. For invested fans hoping for a strong first impression, this game might have been a disappointment. Coach Malia Arrant, however, left
Salmon Bay FC kicks off its first season: Meet
the players who will shape the club’s destiny
BY CALVIN JAY EMERSON
As new fish in the pond, Salmon Bay FC are prepared to swim the upstream fight as they kick off their first-ever season in Seattle on May 18 against WS Rhodies. The all-women’s soccer team, founded last summer, will represent the Ballard neighborhood, in a league already packed with Pacific Northwest representation. But it is the district’s cultural connection to Lake Washington that ultimately inspired the team’s name.
Although Salmon Bay has a total of 33 players, only 11 are in the starting lineup, and given that it’s brand-new, the standout players are a toss-up.This is a unique group of seasoned veterans, developing college seniors, and baby-faced first-years.
Ameera Hussen is a proven powerhouse who, with 122 games under her belt, will bring veteran experience to the team. Last year, she played for a dominant FC Olympia team, scoring six goals and five assists as a forward.
Last summer, Olympia built themselves an undefeated record in the regular season, only for it to be unexpectedly threatened during the last game. United PDX led 1-0, until Hussen swooped in with a last-minute goal, which secured both a tie and FC Olympia’s undefeated season for the record books.
Among the forwards is Maia Tabion, anIvy League junior from Columbia who excels in her flexibility by balancing goals with assists during any given season.
Testing the waters
Last December, Salmon Bay FC went through the unusual process of holding open tryouts — any member of the public could participate in and, potentially, become part of the team. That’s how forward Maya Courteney, a current firstyear student at Sonoma State University and Lake Stevens native, and midfielder Milly Bray, a recent high-school graduate
with an optimistic outlook.
“We’re really still in the process of determining our best squad, but now we have some data on how we play. We have some time to rest,” Arrant told the SGN. “I think that our true identity will come out in the next game.”
Because of the team’s disparate backgrounds and collegiate schedules, they’re still getting to know each other as people and teammates. Multiple players, like Tabion, only met Arrant the day prior to their first big game together. They were always going to leave the field today with some inevitable growing pains, but they also learned some lessons.
Beyond a birth year, both Salmon Bay and the Rhodies share plenty in common with
each other. They play in the same league, and through the lens of different cultural neighborhoods, represent the same city. They both have an eclectic mix of rookies, collegiate talent, and international professionals, with pure expertise congregating around the forward and defender roles.
Moreover, the head coaches of both teams, Arrant and Lyndsey Patterson, are married to each other.
“We always root for each other and support each other, with the exception of today,” Arrant said. “We knew they’d be a strong team with really talented players. Still, we had no idea what shape they’d take, how they’d play, who’d be in their starting lineup… We just learned a lot in the last ninety minutes.”
and youth soccer talent, found their place on the roster. How often these two young players find themselves on-field will speak volumes as to how Salmon Bay plans to develop its least experienced players.
Defense wins championships
When it comes to protecting the goal, Mercedes Cullen is one of the best goalies that her school, Seattle Pacific University, has ever seen. She’s finished 17 “clean sheets,” games in which the goalkeeper doesn’t concede a goal for the entire match. Cullen’s also tied university records for the most saves before halftime (7) and across a
whole game (13).
Another goalie on the roster is Elena Milam, a Ballard native who proved her ability to play under pressure with the DePaul Blue Demons. In a first-round playoff game against Butler University, Milam’s endurance enabled her to survive eight kicks across a brutal penalty shootout, ultimately advancing her team to the semifinals.
The SGN will follow Salmon Bay FC throughout its first season. Follow us on social media for updates.
