SGN Jul 3, 2009 - Section 3

Seattle Gay News

Issue 27, Volume 37, July 3, 2009

section 3 Pride wrap-up

2009 Seattle Pride Parade shatters attendance records see parade page 32

all photos by shaun knittel

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July 3, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

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Celebrating 36 Years!

EqualitYOGA at Cal Anderson Park

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Nearly 400 people converged on Cal Anderson Park on June 27 to experience StonewallForty’s EqualitYOGA. Participants exercised as a community from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Bobby Morris Playfield, each paying a $15 donation to help raise money for Equal Rights Washington and Lambda Legal.

Sen. Ed Murray (D-43) opened the event with a speech reminding everyone about how far the Gay movement has come during the past 40 years since the Stonewall riots, and the importance of holding the event at Cal Anderson Park, in honor of the Gay Seattle icon the park is named after. Because the exercise is said to be good for both the mind and body, Murray joked that “more politicians should be doing yoga.”

“I’ve been asked recently, ‘why yoga?’

Why did I choose yoga to call attention to the need for LGBT equality?” said EqualitYOGA Executive Producer and Creative Strategist Genessa Krasnow. “Because when we show up on our mats to practice, our truest self appears. We are faced with our intentions, our ability to commit and our fears. It is in these moments that we awaken to our humanity.”

In a speech to the crowd before the community exercise began, Krasnow told everyone, “Today we step onto our mats

photos by Mike Kubik

for LGBT equality. As a community we recognize that we have the ability to overcome any obstacles if we set the intention.

We have the ability to create powerful and compassionate coalitions. And we have the ability to recognize that in each of us lies the need to be seen for who we are, heard for who we are, and loved for who we are.”

Krasnow said it’s love, recognition, honor and dignity and it’s respecting others and ourselves fully that’s the basis for equality.

Three teachers, Troy Lucero, Maygen McGrew, and Matt Meko lead the yoga practice in the park. The instructors guided participants through a “flow experience,” asking what the world looks like where all people are equal, safe and protected by law as individuals and couples. Joining classes with EqualitYOGA Saturday morning were The Georgetown Yoga Center, Maya Whole Health, Samadhi, Samarya, YoBe, YogaLife, The Yoga Den, and Urban Yoga Spa. “The people who showed up really got it, they got what the whole exercise was about,” Krasnow said. “This was an amazing and remarkable experience. I think there’s a lot more to come.”

She said the event has the potential to be three times as big next year.

“I’ve been flooded with phone calls and e-mails from people who participated,” said Krasnow. “Everyone has been supportive and telling me how much fun they had.”

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St. Louis Pridefest celebrates 30 fabulous years photos by Albert Rodriguez

St. Louis Rainbow Balloon Brigade

by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer Under roasting temperatures of 100 degrees, St. Louis Pridefest sashayed into the history books with a festive 90-minute parade on June 27, attended by an estimated 80,000 people.

Throughout the Midwest, from rural Missouri to backroads Kansas, Gay men and women arrived at the Gateway City for a weekend chock-full of events. Along Man-

chester Avenue, where the largest cluster of Gay bars reside, there were packed crowds on Friday night at Just John’s, Attitudes, Rehab, and Ernie’s. The following evening, these same bars, plus other scattered Gay establishments like JJ’s, The Loading Zone and Absolutely Goose also drew swarms of partygoers, but the hottest spot had to be Novak’s, a primarily Lesbian restaurantlounge, which hosted the purely fun and well-attended Ultra White Party.

Escorted personally by openly Gay St.

Louis Alderman Shane Cohn, equivalent to a city councilmember, my media companions and I went on a cocktail crawl that included a drag performance, local microbrews on an outdoor patio, and watching two tipsy queens dance rather intimately to Michael Jackson songs on a small club floor. Who knew St. Louis could throw such a great party? Cohn, single and insanely cute (interested men, fly to St. Louis immediately!), excitedly greeted everyone along the parade route the next afternoon and appeared to be

the only politician on foot, rather than sitting in a convertible vehicle.

Comedian and actress Sandra Bernhard served as this year’s Grand Marshal of Pridefest, literally flexing her pride in a muscle shirt. The parade and weekend festival took place at Tower Grove Park, which is near the quite Gay-friendly neighborhood of South Grand. Even under baking conditions, throngs of happy Pride folks circled the East portion of the park all weekend.

Band Together plays Beyonce's Crazy in Love in St. Louis

Sandra Bernhard, St. Louis Pridefest's Grand Marshal

Re-hab float, one of St. Louis' Gay bars

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like two old swans, what if our hearts fussy dowdy curiosities twist loose and fly; No one notices. what if it’s perfect Feather like feather – you and I (how like swans are to If you will let me, one another I will strive – geese too....) fanning our nascent No one sees. flame alive Strolling, sating dull lust we chat, till love must grow and though we’re consumed, gesture with the odd hand.

As ever my thinking we can’t let go will wander – What if it flames see everything far off, first – till hell would fry

by Madelyn Arnold “Look!” I say what if I promise not to die and you love me.

SGN Contributing Writer (as I always have, What if there’s heaven and you look too late after hell Every now and then it comes Incantation II for the thing taking account to me that, in spite of all the I’ve been looking you have missed.) the good as well political ins and outs of our at your picture.

I am ever aflutter at shapes what if the love condition as Gay, what de- It doesn’t talk.

– still say “Look!” in our short prime fines us is our lovemaking. Of Which means it doesn’t bear “Where?” you say is really all we will have course that’s us – but isn’t it a strong resemblance. as the missed thing gone, of time odd to be insisting on public If you hadn’t left those I sigh toward what if we’re lovers acknowledgment of private awful shoes – trip – and you catch me – you and I behavior? To be insisting on they wouldn’t clomp and never see any need to die (firm your grip, related civil rights. Shaking through the house What if I love, and make it so you keep me on my feet our fists at the armed forces, tossing cigarettes butts neither will ever want to go tethered close, insisting we have a right to on the furniture. what if we promise not to die not to fall in the street, serve. It’s easy to lose sight of as you always do.)

We needn’t be angels, the fact that what defines us Your picture How nice to be able you and I on my desk is love. at last to be dowdy neither might go.

So I decided to present a few has three dimensions clasping invisible And though I lie.... poems. Each one comes from I touch the north and still in this world We needn’t be strangers, a separate segment of my life, feel the south is moving (if not after.) you and I.... from one of the four love afFree now, we’re venerable If I sweep fairs that defined me.

I wrote this with the under- (nothing we’ve won I guess I’ll add that some of these butts standing that we would grow – just endured-to) these poems are incredibly and your old Bic pens – “There!” I say with the cracked grey shoes old together. I was wrong. silly. at the unseen bird .... and your cards with We laugh, how hearts, I love yous, pledges – We, too Loving Ewe we laugh; (With acknowledgment The Island I (something we have to Langston Hughes) – and torch the lot will you floats close to an isle always had where sheep graze peacefully pop through the smoke enough of....)

When we are as old as and come mile on mile All things change. we can arrange home? (and are soft and female Some bloom. how and good and true) nice we’ll be. Invisible.

Song to My Lover – near the isle of me Winifred Pin I tuck your arm in We needn’t be strangers on the Isle of Ewe. Winifred Pinifred firm beneath my own – you and I Emily Eads wings twined tight. here in the spring, No one born is an Isle, fostered a garden So earnest and old we two where longings shy they say without any seeds as we take our turn I refuse that privilege myself bolden themselves; which grew up quite of the animals, and frame and heart – someday wonderfully airy and fair bind me to ply the lovers’ art as we always have, I’ll float myself though dozens of eyes at the zoo. where the sweet sheep lie what if I promise never saw it was there.

And we place love won’t die till your Isle of Ewe we could be lovers, you and I our toes meets my Isle of I. A patch with the gentle in careful balance now; What if I promise persuasion of books (careful, always balanced, I’ll be good And there, though separately not drubbingly grubbingly is the way we’ve been); wooing you come we will pruned-at with hooks, Careful we step but as a suitor should I’ll tickle the toes Nor chervil nor chicory, never toddle: no – sending you candy, of your sheep until dignity came with our wings. carrots or chives rhymes and roses a fine new continent but crab grass she urged Slowly some of which stuff, grows of we to significant lives. we turn romance composes if I love Ewe

Committing heart art: poems of love and pride

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Celebrating 36 Years!

Bedding and comforters, fires and fans (right on the corner by autos and vans) comforting weeds that had come whence they may but just how that was would be awkward to say....

There’s all of the cosetting anyone needs ‘round Winifred Pinifred Emily Eads Unsea-chanty to S from M....

Tack, sailors, tack to the wind, Fish skim over the water; Never look to the ships for me – I’m in love with the sailor’s daughter, I’m in love with the seaman’s daughter.

I caught her falsely shy-sweet glance and nearly passed her by...

But her passionate, bold and yielding nature forcibly caught my eye did forcibly catch my eye Tack, sailors, tack to the wind, Fish skim over the water; Never look to the ships for me – I’m in love with the sailor’s daughter, I’m in love with the seaman’s daughter.

Which is probably why I Ere satisfaction, always pulling out. wrote the following poem....

Who gives love freely is a clown or worse – On Reading They loathe the type – The Entire impale him on a verse.

Oxford Anthology Poets find Nature’s music of English Verse Tack, sailors, is atonal In A Single Sitting, tack to the wind, One tends to think While Crabby Fish skim over the water; their trouble is hormonal.

Quote me no poets, Never look to the ships Think you they suffer with such leaden eyes, for me – from excess of care?

Moaning [from hot tubs] I’m in love with life is hollow sighs; he sailor’s daughter, Try pointing out real anguish, Aiming their fists in anger I’m in love with if you dare – toward the past the seaman’s daughter.

Orphans... the homeless ill...

[Hoping the righteous force displaced of war.... from this will last]: So glidefully she Sigh languid poets: Long ago [they wrack in her blouse and jeans “it’s been said before.” their reasons madly] nor little winds can scoff Life is too large; bright sun Somewhere in childhood, But gracefuller still they cannot handle they were treated badly! to my taste and will Block out their windows, Brood on their childhoods, Does she move squint at life by candle. never quite forgiving when she has them off; Scrawl not upon roots Is the time she has them off. Bewildered parents of joys or strife – for mistakes of living.

Poets must fool with Quote me no poets, Tack, sailors, the little things in life. who with leers and whines Precious teeny moments – tack to the wind, Analyze Nature – Fish skim over the water; the teensy little image think she’s merely Signs. Small hearts and souls There’ll never be any ships When gaudy fall appears, for me – and talents hope to manage. this means destruction; For love of the sailor’s Where all we others Lo, pastel spring – daughter, grasped life, they refrained a sneering weak seduction. Knowing but ephemera For the love of the seaman’s Wild geese fly south to stay, daughter. are easily contained. they feel a chill; Quote me no poets Poems mean a great deal Wild geese return – with such inward eyes to me as I write them and for your poet’s morbid still.

Smug in the comfort that a short time afterward, but In snowmen, happy dogs we others’ lives are lies. time passes, and my attitude and frozen breath, towards it all grows pretty Ice skates and Christmas, Or something like that! arch. Or maybe it’s my atti- all they see is Death. tude toward the love affairs Nor throb and drip to love, would rather pout; represented. had sought her in the most useful places Time had brought to hand That time had brought to hand

I am the bold one, bear in mind It’s I whose lips and ploys Have carried me to such hundreds beds as willow trees make toys as willow trees make toys Tack, sailors, tack to the wind, Fish skim over the water; Never look to the ships for me – I’m in love with the sailor’s daughter, I’m in love with the seaman’s daughter.

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Celebrating 36 Years!

Seattle Pride Parade 2009

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2009 Seattle PrideFeast

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Seattle PrideFeast, now in its second year, took place June 26 at several participating restaurants in Seattle. PrideFeast is a oneday fundraising event, organized by The Pride Project, where local restaurants donate a portion of their earnings to raise money for Gay City Health Project, Seattle Counseling Services, and The Pride Project – all three are local non-profit organizations for the Seattle LGBT community.

“PrideFeast is important because the money earned helps fund the vital services our beneficiaries provide for the community,” said event organizer Bill Wilson.

This year, nine restaurants – The Capitol Club, Coastal Kitchen, Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant, Gusto Girls, Healeo, Poppy, The Signature, Tidbit Bistro, and Urban Wine Café – donated 10% of their proceeds to the three LGBT non-profits focused on health, wellness, and pride.

Gay City Health Project is a Gay and Bisexual men’s clinic offering a wide range of health services and is the premiere provider for HIV and STD testing in King County.

Gay City Health Project promotes the health of Gay and Bisexual men and works to prevent HIV transmission by building community, fostering communications, and nurturing self-esteem. Seattle Counseling Services is a community resource that advocates, educates and serves to advance the social wellbeing and mental health of the LGBT community, and has been serving the community since 1969. The Pride Project is run by an all-volunteer board that puts on events to raise money for local non-profits. This year, The Pride Project was in charge of the beer gardens at the PrideFest, and was responsible for producing PrideFeast.

“This is PrideFeast’s second year, and our hope is that it will grow every year with more and more restaurants participating,” Wilson said.

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Celebrating 36 Years!

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Seattle Gay News 13

Caliente Gay Pride with Efren at Neighbours Underground

photos by Shaun Knittel

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer Efren Chacon knows how to throw a party.

His weekly Caliente with Efren and Divas at Neighbours Underground Friday nights has long been a great way to start the weekend.

However, June 26, the party promoter and Gay Latino advocate organized a CD release party with DJ Polo for Paulina Rubio – a Gay Latina icon in the music business.

In addition to the CD release party and Caliente Pride, it was Efren’s birthday as well.

Drag queens and Efren, dressed as an angel, singing Robbie William’s song “An-

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July 3, 2009

gel,” filled the night with hot Latino beats and several solid performances.

Although the Caliente audience is largely LGBT Latinos, Efren encourages anyone who wants to have a good time, get to know the Latino community, and socialize to show up and leave judgment and attitude at the door.

“When people come to Caliente, they have the opportunity to enjoy themselves at a safe place where they can be who they are and aren’t judged by anybody else because they are LGBT,” said Efren.

Celebrating 36 Years!

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Seattle Gay News 17

The Sisters of

Perpetual Indulgence at Seattle Pride 2009 photos by Jared Strand

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Seattle Gay News 19

Comeback! Gay shame bash at Chop Suey

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer The Comeback! Queer Pride XXplosion Gay Shame bash at Chop Suey June 26 was unlike anything else you’d find on Capitol Hill Pride weekend. The night of Queer debauchery, hosted by Ben De La Crème with special guest DJ Dicky Doo from Vancouver, was a virtual panoply of Seattleites who wanted to rock out.

I was lured into the venue by the sounds that have made these monthly Colby B, Ponyboy and Fucking in the Streets parties famous. I must warn you, you will not find the top-40 Britney crowd here. Even before Dicky Doo played his set, the resident DJs had the dance floor packed with shirtless Queer boys in tight black jeans and groups of friends – men, women, and a good number of costumed exhibitionists.

This was the sixth Gay Shame Blowout during Seattle Pride. The party raged from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. – the dancing never stopped. Images from vintage movies played behind the DJs and the walls were plastered with B&W posters of men from a different era. Although filled to capacity, the bar staff did an amazing job of keeping the line for a drink down to a minimum.

If you are looking for a good time, hot and sweaty dancing, and a different crowd of Gayness, then check out www.chopsuey. com/calendar.html for the next Queer night at Chop Suey.

photos by Shaun Knittel

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Celebrating 36 Years!

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CruiseyT, Seattle’s Pride Cruise photos by Shaun Knittel

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer The Spirit of Seattle, from Argosy Cruises, set sail from Pier 55 June 27 for a four-hour Seattle Pride Cruise in Elliott Bay. Touted as “The Largest Floating T Dance on the Pacific Ocean” guests aboard the Spirit of Seattle danced to music from Vancouver DJ Zach Shore and Seattle’s own DJ Brett Law with drag entertainment by Vancouver’s Joan-E and Siren,

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Seattle Gay News

plus Rositta and Nina. The boat had several bars and Buca de Beppo provided food.

“Gay Pride celebrations bring all parts of our communities together with tourism,” said CruiseyT Vice President James Steck.

“It’s great to show the world that the LGBT community isn’t going anywhere.”

Steck said that financially, having Pride Festivals is a boost to the economy. This was the third year in which CruiseyT brought the floating T-Dance to Seattle. Each year, the cruise helps to raise funds for Seattle Out and Proud (SOaP), producers of the Seattle

July 3, 2009

Pride Parade. Steck said the crew always has a great time putting on the Pride Cruises in Seattle and noted that the sponsors and supporters have been wonderful.

Prior to the cruise, CruiseyT hosted several socials – June 26 at Purr and June 27 at R Place – so ticket-holders could meet each other beforehand.

“The view from the boat is a great way to see the Space Needle, the city, and the sun setting,” Steck said. “The cruise is a great way for locals to see the city from a different angle – plus tourists love it.”

The atmosphere is very social, he said.

“You can enjoy meeting people from all different areas of the U.S. and Canada.

It’s a great icebreaker to kick off Pride because you meet people and then see them throughout the weekend.”

CruiseyT has been operating out of Vancouver for 18 years raising money for various charities. The next sailing is in Vancouver July 5 as well as three Pride cruises in Vancouver August 2-3. For more information about CruiseyT visit their website at www.cruiseyt.com.

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Seattle Gay News 23

Seattle Storm packs Key Arena Aaron Last/Storm photos

“The LGBT community has shown tremendous support of the Storm over the past nine seasons,” said Storm CEO Karen Bryant. “In recognition of that great support and to help attract new fans to Storm basketball, we have partnered with several LGBT organizations to offer a special discount for three more home games in 2009.”

This year, the Seattle Storm has partnered with Pride Foundation, GSBA, Lambert House, Families Like Ours, Rainbow Families, Wildrose, the film for my wife…, Washington Families Standing Together, Seattle Gay News, Gay City, PFLAG, SOaP, Seattle Men’s/Women’s Chorus, Cuff Complex, Equal Rights Washington, Camp Ten Trees, Hot Flash, and Surge. On behalf of those local organizations, the Storm is inviting anyone who wants to experience a game for $15 a ticket to visit www.wnba. com/storm/pride.html for more information about Go Green Night, Thursday, July 9 – Storm vs. Sacramento; 10th Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, August 1 – Storm vs. San Antonio; and Women of Inspiration Night, Saturday, August 22 – Storm vs. Indiana.

“We are off to a great start and want to invite more fans to join us at Key Arena to cheer on the team during our 10th Anniversary season,” said Bryant.

Lauren Jackson pushes her way through LA Sparks defenders.

Aaron Last/Storm photos

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer An enthusiastic crowd packed Key Arena Friday night, June 26, to watch the Seattle Storm beat archrivals the Los Angeles Sparks, 69-67. The Girls Night Out Game was the first of four Pride Foundation discounted ticket offers provided by the Storm during the 2009 season.

Storm fans reach for T-shirts thrown by members of the University of Washington's 2009 women's national championship softball team.

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Seattle Gay News 25

A DYKE ABOUT TOWN

The delights of Pride

by Mercy Moosemuzzle SGN Contributing Writer PRIDE PICNIC Mercy and Cuteness went to their friend Joust Holistic‘s house for a fun, spontaneous barbecue on Pride day. They were confused a bit by some straight women Joust had invited who she had met in a straight motorcycle club. The women arrived in full leathers, but talked about their husbands and boyfriends. Being playful with their dyke friend seemed to be part of their unconventionality, though one turned out to be a realtor in her day job. One of the women had just come from a diabetes fundraiser motorcycle ride. It occurred to Mercy that it was ill-thought-out for the organizers of that event to have planned it on the same day all the Dykes on Bikes would be otherwise committed.

LOCAL MOVING SPECIALISTS SERVING THE SEATTLE METRO AREA

GREEN-EYED MONSTER Mercy has been enjoying a book by Gill McKnight titled Green-eyed Monster. It is a suspense tale about a kidnapping gone wrong. The characters of the financial analyst and her millionaire victim and the surrounding characters are well drawn. The THE RIPPINGTONS plot has some fun twists. The story turns to Reality Greenwizard also joined Mercy romance and some beautifully written sex to hear the Rippingtons at Jazz Alley. The scenes. There were only a couple of sen- group was touring in support of their new tences Mercy wanted to edit.

CD, Modern Art. Reality said the band made him wish Jazz Alley had a dance floor. He SEATTLE MEN'S CHORUS was also impressed with the way the RipMercy took her friend Reality Greenwiz- pingtons take Latin and African rhythms and ard to the Seattle Men’s Chorus concert. makes them their own. The combo has been Both of them were stunned by the guest playing together for 20 years and it shows in stars m-pact. That group of young men did terms of how in synch they are. an incredible job pushing the range of what Russ Freeman’s guitar work was bold. the human voice can do. They sounded like The keyboard work of Bill Heller was a string bass, drums and keyboards. Their strong. Jeff Kashiwa’s sax wailed. (Kashiarranger, Britt Quentin, who is also one of wa lives in Seattle, by the way.) Dave Karasony’s drums powered the night. The bass Rico Belled provided moved the audience.

Belled is the newest member of the group.

One high point was the title track featuring Heller. Others were “Spirits in the Canyon,” composed by Freeman, and “If It Feels Good,” highlighting Kashima.

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their members, had wonderfully creative takes on a range of music, so that the audience had to work a bit to recognize the pieces. m-pact harmonized incredibly well.

Captain Smartypants did a clever skit with two of their members competing over whether the group will sing “O Mio Babbino,” “Wimoweh,” or “Voulez Vous Couchet Avec Moi.” The whole Men’s Chorus was also in great tune. Director Dennis Coleman preceded their beautiful rendition of “Beati Morui” by saying it was dedicated to members of the chorus who have died, which sadly enough would make up a ghost chorus the size of the live one. Reality pointed out that the price of Seattle Men’s Chorus tickets have crept so high he has had to limit how often he goes.

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KING SONNY ADE Mercy and Cuteness went to see King Sunny Ade at the Triple Door. The warmup band Occidental Brothers, from Ghana, was outstanding. Lead Kofi Cromwell sang powerfully. Guitarist Nathaniel Braddock swung. Greg Ward was strong on alto

saxophone. Daniel “Rambo” Asamoah’s traps and hand drums were energetic. Josh Ramos’s bass sung. High points of their set were “Africa,” and “Dance Everybody.”

Every part of King Sunny Ade and the African Beats was flawless. They carried the audience along with every step. Cuteness was amused that they inspired a mosh pit of middle-aged people in front of the stage.

Both she and Mercy particularly enjoyed the two women dancers who joined the allmale group for the last number.

THE SECOND COMING OF JOAN OF ARC RECEIVES LAMBDA LITERARY WARD IN DRAMA Mercy was delighted to hear that Carolyn Gage’s collection of plays, The Second Coming of Joan of Arc, received the Lambda Literary Award in Drama. The title work was featured on National Public Radio, and was given a first-class production in Brazil, where it was the hit of the season in Rio and Sao Paolo. The collection includes seven one-act plays, which show us the real women behind the sterile patriarchal stereotypes: the angry teenage Lesbian Joan of Arc, the alcoholic butch Calamity Jane, the Louisa May Alcott with repressed incest memories, the political prisoner known as “Typhoid Mary,” and the Lesbian Jane Addams. Phyllis Chesler said, “This is great theatre … daring, heartbreaking, principled, bitter, and often very funny. … Women’s mental health would improve instantly, were they able to see these plays performed.”

COMING UP Mercy is looking forward to the Seattle Chamber Music Festival, starting July 6 at Lakeside School. She wants you to remember you can sit on the nice lawn for free and listen to the music piped out while enjoying some nice picnic (www.seattlechambermusic.org). She also wants you to know Jessie Colin Young is coming to the Triple Door, Sunday, July 5, and Suzanne Westenhoefer will be there Friday, July 31 www.tripledoor.com.

Celebrating 36 Years!

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Features | Reviews | Events | Jobs DETROIT ANN ARBOR CHICAGO LAS VEGAS M I N N E A P O L I S S A N F R A N C I S C O S E AT T L E

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July 3, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

The

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We support the GLBT community

Group Health’s Central Hospital in Seattle was among the top 10 health care facilities in the nation to set the benchmark in the Healthcare Equality Index 2009, providing equal treatment to GLBT employees and patients. We’re proud of the diversity of our entire Group Health staff and will continue to support equal rights for all. To learn more, visit www.hrc.org

ghc.org

© 2009 Group Health Cooperative

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Seattle Gay News 29

2009 PrideFest

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer

2009 Seattle PrideFest at Seattle Center was the largest yet. According to Festival Director Egan Orion, over 50,000 showed up for the party Sunday afternoon, making it the largest single LGBT gathering in the Northwest.

“I didn’t think we’d top the success of 2008’s Pride, especially during a recession year,” said Orion. “But this year’s PrideFest had more attendees, more vendors, and more sponsors than ever before.”

Seattle PrideFest is the official Seattle Pride Festival held annually at the Seattle Center over Pride weekend. This year, as in years past, the festival took place between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., during and immediately following the downtown Pride Parade. As in years past, the Seattle Center was bursting with Pride as people converged on the Center grounds to dance, cool off in the fountain, drink at the beer gardens, eat food, and engage in fundraising and non-profit activism.

This year, the Seattle PrideFest celebrated “Heroes in Our Community.” The four heroes nominated by members of the local LGBT community were longtime organizer,

educator and activist Aidan Key, Join the Impact’s Amy Balliett, same-sex marriage equality activist Charlene Strong, and young LGBT equality activist Kyler Powell.

Special attention was also given to the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which are credited for sparking the national Gay movement in 1969.

On the main stage at Seattle Center a plethora of activity was presented from 1-6 p.m.

“Abigail, Shoshana Bean, Qboy, THEE Satisfaction, and Sylvia O’Stayformore were all so, so entertaining,” Orion said.

A sea of bodies danced on the hillside and in and around the fountain as DJs Kyler, La Kendall, Rob Hall, and Mathematix continuously kept music going throughout the event.

PrideFest supported three non-profits this year: Equal Rights Washington, GSBA Scholarship Fund, and Washington Families Standing Together.

With the success of 2009 PrideFest just one week behind them, Orion and the event organizers are already looking to the future.

“We’ll see you again next year, same time, same place, with an even bigger festival on June 27, 2010,” promised Orion. “Mark your calendars. Thanks again, Seattle!”

photos by Shaun Knittel

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July 3, 2009

Celebrating 36 Years!

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Seattle Gay News 31

Capitol Hill Pride Festival On Saturday, June 27, Broadway, between E. John and E. Harrison Sts., was transformed into the first-ever Capitol Hill Pride Festival. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. a crowd of an estimated 5,000 packed the streets to shop, take in entertainment, and celebrate diversity in the Capitol Hill community.

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall, event organizer Charlette LeFevre and the Seattle Museum of Mysteries put together the all-ages festival with nearly 100 booths and vendors and three stages of entertainment.

The festival was scheduled early as not to conflict with the annual Dyke March which was scheduled for later that afternoon.

The Capitol Hill Pride Festival was an enormous success. The crowd was as diverse as the neighborhood itself; the streets filled with LGBT people and their families as well as straight allies.

The main stage featured historical pride moments in the form of a history lesson about the Gay and Lesbian movement that was sparked by the 1969 Stonewall Riots.

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Seattle Gay News

Mark “Mom” Finley emceed the event with music provided by DJ Ricki Michelson.

Also making an appearance on the main stage was Rev. Ray Neal of the Metropolitan Community Church Seattle, State Rep. 43rd District Jamie Pederson, City Councilmember Jan Drago, and Sen. Ed Murray.

Stage Latino, located in front of Café Septieme, featured entertainment organized by Entre Hermanos, Efren Chacon with Caliente Neighbours Underground, and Agusto Galerias.

Julia’s Stage on Thomas St. featured several bands and DJs as well as performances

by Sean Paul, Sasha Scarlett, Drag Chanteuse Arnaldo!, Aleska Manila, Smokee Isaac, Scott Cookie, Corsett, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Julia’s also set up a beer garden as well. Situated under the shade of trees on Thomas St., it was the perfect place to grab a beverage and watch the entertainers onstage.

Activities ranged from street performers to a doggie drag contest. People could be seen getting henna tattoos, buying rainbow pride gear, or lunching at one of the many restaurants along Broadway.

July 3, 2009

all photos by shaun knittel

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer

Celebrating 36 Years!

Visit us online www.sgn.org

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Seattle Gay News 33

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Seattle Gay News 35

parade

continued from cover

by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer The 2009 Pride Parade, organized by Seattle Out and Proud (SOaP), was an enormous success, easily shattering attendance records from previous parades and showing the Pacific Northwest, and the rest of the country that Seattle loves their Gays.

On Sunday morning, June 28, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., the streets of the Emerald City became Rainbow City as thousands upon thousands of members of the LGBT community and their supporters lined the sidewalks (in some places as many as six rows deep) along Fourth Avenue to cheer

for nearly 200 LGBT groups marching to Seattle Center.

The 2009 Gay Pride Parade marked the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which became the defining moment for the Gay rights movement. Seattle joined New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and many other U.S. cities in celebrating Gay Pride on June 28. This year also marked the 35th Anniversary of Seattle Pride, celebrating “Peace, Love and Equality.”

Although the hot button issue in Washington State for the LGBT community this year is marriage equality, the 2009 Pride Parade kept fun balanced with politics by staging the different political groups apart from one another. Immediately following a local politician would be librarians dancing with book carts or R Place drag queens singing songs from Hairspray.

The Dykes on Bikes got the parade off to a roaring start. They were followed by this year’s Pride Parade Grand Marshals, Washington State Human Rights Commission member and same-sex marriage equality advocate Charlene Strong, longtime PFLAG member Anne Melle, and Seattle Gay News Editor-in-Chief and Gay activist George Bakan. Following the Grand Marshals, a steady flow of parade-marchers swept down the street, stopping to perform in front of the judges’ booth to see who would win best float, and being introduced to thousands of spectators by Erik Sandoval, Sister Mother Theresa Nervina, Sylvia O’Stayformore, and Pakio.

Some highlights of the parade were the Equal Rights Washington and Join the Impact contingent carrying a giant American flag, PFLAG getting enormous cheers as

they hugged their way down the parade route handing out pink PFLAG stickers, the Rainbow City Band, and the Filipino Youth Activities Drill Team.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about Pride was that the parade route was full of spectators from beginning to end. Once the parade was over, marchers and spectators poured into Seattle Center for PrideFest 2009, helping to break that event’s previous attendance record, as well.

There were many events leading up to the parade, including the weekly R Place “Pride Idol” competitions, Strike Out With Pride Bowling, the Stand Up With Pride Comedy Fest, the Out of the Closet Fashion Event, the Seattle Pride Kick-Off Party, the fourhour Pride Cruise on Elliott Bay among. Together with the Pride Parade, Seattle's LGBT Pride 2009 was one memorable event!

photos by Shaun Knittel

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Seattle Gay News 37

All photos by Barry Faught

Seattle Frontrunners 2009 Run/Walk With Pride

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Celebrating 36 Years!

SMOKING IS SO GAY. JUST THE WAY THEY WANT IT.

Tobacco companies support LGBT events,bars,fairs,and media.

We repay them by being 50% to 200% more likely to be smokers than the general public.

FREE, smoking cessation support in a queer environment. Contact Gay City Health Project at 206.860.6969 or visit us at www.gaycity.org.

Visit us online www.sgn.org

July 3, 2009

Seattle Gay News 39

PURR Cocktail Lounge would like to thank all of you for a wonderful Gay Pride Weekend!

Cheers to more good times!

Your Friends, The Purr Staff