Seattle Gay News Issue 25, Volume 40, June 22, 2012 ®
The Seattle Out and Proud (SO&P) Board of Directors welcomes you to the 38th anniversary of Seattle Pride! It’s a tremendous pleasure to bring you the Seattle Pride Parade, the pinnacle event for our community. Each year, the Parade celebrates our diversity and pride in who we are. While this year will be no exception, the parade has taken on a special importance: to encourage us all to pull together and stand strong for equality in this great state of Washington. SO&P’s mission consists of three goals: Create Unity, Honor Diversity, and Achieve Equal Rights. By undertaking these goals, we hope to show the region and the world who we are, where we come from, and, most importantly, that we should be treated equally. We hope the parade inspires and energizes you to help achieve these goals, and to encourage others to join the effort as well. Along with the annual Seattle Pride Parade, SO&P is proud to produce the Seattle Pride Picnic, presented by BECU; Seattle Pride Idol, presented by Smirnoff; the Seattle Pride Pin Launch Party; and the Seattle Pride Brunch. These stellar events are the result of the dedication and countless hours of hard work by the volunteers that make up our organization. We sincerely thank them all, particularly our Parade Director, Michael Campbell, and his diligent committee, and the SO&P Board: Jarod Owen, Jim Root, Elnora Hawley, Eric Bennett, Anne Melle, Elayne Wylie, and Megan Duncan. If you would like to get involved with a great group, please visit our website (www.seattlepride. org) or send us an e-mail. We would love to have you become a part of our team!
Adam Rosencrantz President Seattle Out and Proud
Seattle Out & Pround EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS President
Adam Rosencrantz arosencrantz@seattlepride.org Adam Rosencrantz joined the Seattle Out and Proud team as web administrator in 2006. Since then, he has held the position of Secretary, Vice President of Operations, and now President. He feels compassionate about what the organization does – giving the members of the LGBT community a chance to be heard and, most importantly, be themselves. Producing the largest Pride celebration in the region gives others an opportunity he was not afforded growing up in a small rural town. Along with SO&P, Adam currently serves as board secretary of Seattle Gay Couples and helps lead the club in building membership programs and fulfilling its mission to strengthen Gay male relationships by providing fun events and social opportunities for couples. Adam has an extensive background in visual media, including live video, post-production, set lighting, and a focus in graphics and marketing. During the day, he is a multimedia developer for a simulation and training company in Seattle that focuses on use-of-force video content and marksmanship graphics.
Vice President of Operations Jarod Owen - jowen@seattlepride.org
Jarod Owen is a uniquely multifaceted person with more than 20 years’ experience in event planning, hospitality, and other areas. Born in Oregon, he moved to Lynnwood at age four with his mother and three brothers. As the son of a single parent, he learned humility and respect for his family and community, striving to contribute to the greater good. At 30, having established a secure and successful career, Jarod decided it was time to give back to his community and began volunteering with Seattle Out and Proud. His first assignment was announcement coordination at the Seattle Pride Parade. Noticing his dedication, enthusiasm, and experience, the SO&P Board asked Jarod to become further involved. He accepted the role of Events Director and eventually became SO&P’s Vice President for Operations, the position he now holds. Jarod feels privileged to work with such a loyal and dedicated group of people.
Vice President of Development Elayne Wylie - ewylie@seattlepride.org
Elayne Wylie is a Seattle-area filmmaker and public speaker who studied journalism and documentary film production at the University of Washington. Her mother fostered in her at an early age a passion for working with at-risk populations, which has led her to providing LGBTQ cultural competency training to a wide audience base. Elayne currently serves as a director on the boards of several Seattle-area nonprofit organizations and devotes much of her time to supporting people working through issues with their identity. She also advocates for improved services for Transgender patients in health care and workplace settings. Her role as Director of Outreach for Seattle Out & Proud focuses on building bridges and making lasting, sustainable connections in the community between individuals, organizations, and supportive businesses.
Treasurer
Jim Root - jroot@seattlepride.org Jim Root, SO&P’s Treasurer, was born and raised in Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University. In Jim’s 17-year career, he has held positions as Financial Auditor, Finance Director, Consulting Group Manager, and Program Manager in the development of financial software. Jim brings his passion for finance and technology to Seattle Out and Proud. He lives in Auburn with his husband, DJ, their two dogs (Roscoe and Fergie), and their two cats (Simon and Tilly). Jim and DJ enjoy travel, movies, entertainment, and enjoying the greater Seattle area.
Secretary
Eric Bennett - ebennett@seattlepride.org
Eric is a native Washingtonian who lives in one of Seattle’s most exceptional areas, Capitol Hill. Eric is a member of the Seattle Men’s Chorus, as an Upper Baritone. He also volunteers for Lifelong AIDS Alliance as a Special Events Volunteer. He has been with the group since 2008. In December of 2011, Eric joined the board of GLSEN Washington State and currently serves as Board Secretary. Supporting GSAs and Diversity Clubs in middle and high schools Continued on page 5
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through creating Safe Spaces is important for our community. In June 2012 Eric will be joining the Community Advisory Board of the HIV Vaccine Trial Unit. He is looking forward to helping this great group! Eric has volunteered with Seattle Out & Proud since June 2010. He is currently the Board Secretary, serving as SO&P’s official clerk and record-keeper. Eric also was a member of the 2011 Pride Parade Committee. This year Eric has increased his role with SO&P as Pride Idol Event Manager. Congratulations to Chase Silva, our 2012 Pride Idol! Eric is once again serving with the 2012 Seattle Parade Committee as Parade Registrar. Eric is ready to help bring Marriage Equality to the State of Washington. Vote to APPROVE R-74!
DIRECTORS
Volunteer Director
Megan Duncan - mduncan@seattlepride.org
Megan has volunteered for Seattle Out and Proud for three years, with two years of board experience. She has had a passion for volunteer coordination since college and has worked in the Seattle nonprofit world since 2007. She recently joined the staff of Three Dollar Bill Cinemas as their Volunteer Manager. Managing volunteers for two major LGBTQ organizations has given her a unique perspective on the community. “I love what I do. I get to work with some of the most passionate people. It’s a great honor to be able to organize their passion and pull off fun and uplifting events for our community.” A native of eastern Washington, Megan is no stranger to small-town biases. She fled to Seattle after college and quickly became involved with the Capitol Hill community. She is passionate about providing a safe and supportive place for LGBTQ folks in lesssupportive communities. The Pride Picnic is a direct manifestation of that passion. She affectionately calls the event her “baby,” much to the dismay of her girlfriend. This is Megan’s second year as Pride Picnic Event Director. Megan also recently graduated from Out in Front, Seattle’s LGBTQ leadership training program. She is eager to apply her advocacy and leadership training to build a stronger, more unified Seattle LGBTQ community.
Board Member
Anne Melle - amelle@seattlepride.org Anne Melle, Board Member, is a PFLAG Mom with two Gay sons. Active in PFLAG since its inception over 30 years ago, Anne also brings to the board the wisdom and experience of a lifetime of business ownerships: building a mom-and-pop wholesale egg business during the Depression into the third-largest distributor in the Chicago area; ownership of an appliance store and two real estate agencies; and proprietorship of a bed and breakfast in rural Maine – while also having a career in the banking industry. Anne has been on the SO&P board since 2005 and has worn many hats over the years. She currently is working on the outreach committee.
Merchandise Director
Elnora Hawley ehawley@seattlepride.org
Hailing from Santa Clara, California, El fell in love with Seattle while visiting her cousins and exploring the best of the city during a gorgeous sunny week. She moved to Seattle in June 2006, and celebrated by enjoying Seattle Pride her first weekend in the city. Moving to Seattle was the first step in her coming-out process, and Pride has always been one of her favorite events. When she met her girlfriend, Megan, who is SO&P’s Volunteer Director, it seemed only natural that El would likewise get involved with the organization. Last year El got her foot in SO&P’s door as the Board’s Administrative Assistant. She became Megan’s right-hand gal, assisting with volunteers at the Picnic and the Parade as well as aiding in the production of Pride Idol each week. Eager to continue her involvement, in the fall of 2011 El was elected to the SO&P board, where she now sits as the head of Merchandising. El’s biggest accomplishment so far with SO&P has been securing our wonderful merchandise sponsors, Choke Shirt Company. El believes in the importance of Pride as a vehicle for supporting and giving visibility to our LGBT community and businesses, and saw the opportunity to partner with her talented friends at Choke. She is very excited about the designs and merchandise they’ve come up with this year. Choke will soon launch a website dedicated to Seattle Pride merchandise. In the meantime visit their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/ chokeshirtco.
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2012 Seattle Pride PARADE MARSHALS Each year, Seattle Out and Proud reflects on the accomplishment, sacrifice, and promotion of the LGBT community. We proudly identify organizations and individuals who have advanced the causes and activities that support our community. Each year, SO&P considers dozens of nominees for Parade Marshal before we make our final selections. Here, we proudly present this year’s Seattle Pride Parade Marshals.
Christine Gregoire, Washington State Governor “It’s time, it’s the right thing to do, and I will introduce a bill to do it,” Gov. Gregoire said regarding Marriage Equality. “I say that as a wife, a mother, a student of the law, and above all as a Washingtonian with a lifelong commitment to equality and freedom.” The Governor’s announcement follows years of advocating for equal rights for Gays and Lesbians: • In 2006, she signed legislation banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing and other areas. • In 2007, Substitute Senate Bill 5336 created the state’s domestic partner registry. • A year later, Gov. Gregoire signed House Bill 3104, which added additional rights and responsibilities relating to issues such as dissolutions, community property, estate planning, taxes, court process, conflicts of interest for public officials, and guardianships. • Legislation signed by Gov. Gregoire in 2009 requires state agencies to ensure that all privileges, immunities, rights, benefits, or responsibilities granted to married individuals are likewise granted to individuals who are or were in a state-registered domestic partnership.
Center for Spiritual Living The Center for Spiritual Living is a place for people from all walks of life and spiritual paths to come together to learn more about themselves, about Spirit, and how to use spiritual principles to build a better life and world. Everyone is welcome here: young, old, single, families, people from all styles of life and interests. People of all faith backgrounds are welcome as we honor and practice spiritual truths from all religious traditions and philosophies. This is a place we can gather to remember that in God (Spirit, Infinite Source) all things are possible, to celebrate the growing awareness of goodness in our lives, and to care for each other as friends and companions.
Marsha Botzer Marsha Botzer has served the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and progressive communities in various roles for over 30 years. She was an early member of Hands Off Washington, a founding board member of Equal Rights Washington, and has served as a board member of Pride Foundation, Safe Schools Coalition, Lambert House, Seattle Counseling Service, the Seattle LBGT Commission, Washington State DSHS Advisory Committee, and Equality Washington. Marsha served as co-chair of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in 2005-06 and 2009-10. She is a founding member of the Out in Front Leadership Project and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Marsha founded Seattle’s internationally known Ingersoll Gender Center. In 2008 Marsha served as a national co-chair of the Obama Pride Campaign, and in 2009 she served on the Leadership Committee for the Equality Across America March in Washington, D.C. Marsha received the Horace Mann “Victories for Humanity” Award from Antioch University and the Virginia Prince Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Federation for Gender Education in 2004. She also received the Task Force’s Leadership Award in 2007, the Jose Julio Sarria Civil Rights Award in 2009, and the Washington State GLBT Bar Association Award for Community Service in 2011. Continued on page 9
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Ben Crowther As a student at Western Washington University (Class of ’13), Ben Crowther is active with many organizations and issues that matter to the LGBT community, including GetEQUAL, Queers & Allies for Activism WWU, Bellevue PFLAG, and WWU’s Queer Resource Center. Ben organized a counter-protest against Westboro Baptist Church pickets at Seattle’s 2012 Pride Picnic and at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 2009. He initiated a petition drive against Apple Computer that received international attention and led to the company’s removal of anti-Gay apps from iTunes. Ben also led the successful campaign to revoke an invitation to Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University to participate in Western Washington Law School’s Information Fair, and organized initial Day of Silence events at Skyline High School in Sammamish. He also co-founded Seattle OUTprotest and led his campus’s campaign for R-71 in 2009; helped win several student group endorsements for the Marriage Equality Bill; and has worked to increase the availability of gender-neutral restrooms on campus. Ben is working on an interdisciplinary degree at WWU with a concentration in “Queer Identity as Shaped by Legal and Ethical Discourse.”
Entre Hermanos As Seattle’s premier Latino LGBT Organization, the mission of Entre Hermanos is to promote the health and well-being of the Latino Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and questioning community in a culturally appropriate environment through disease prevention, education, support services, advocacy, and community building. Developing leadership and community mobilization are among Entre Hermanos’ primary objectives. The group is dedicated to encouraging participation in programs that provide support, prevention, and treatment for HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Entre Hermanos builds the Latino community’s capacity with the necessary tools to achieve a better quality of life and encourages the participation of members of the LGBTQ community in activism and human rights.
Equal Rights Washington Equal Rights Washington works to ensure and promote dignity, safety, and equality for all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Washingtonians. ERW has successfully advocated for the Anderson-Murray Anti-Discrimination Law, the creation of the domestic partnership registry, the further expansion of domestic partnership protections, and the passage of the Healthy Youth Act. ERW works to organize the movement for equality, educate voters, and influence policy makers. The group continues to advocate for the expansion of protections available to committed Gay couples and their children while working toward marriage equality. ERW also works to ensure that health care providers meet the needs of an aging LGBT community.
Flying House Productions (Seattle Men’s and Women’s Choruses) Under the artistic leadership of Dennis Coleman, the internationally renowned Seattle Men’s Chorus, now in its 33rd year, along with Seattle Women’s Chorus – celebrating its 10th Anniversary – are the largest community choruses in America and the largest Gay and Lesbian choruses in the world. When combined, the two Choruses are larger than the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. With a vision of a world that accepts and values its Gay and Lesbian citizens, the Choruses’ mission is to entertain, enlighten, unify, and heal their audiences and their own members, using the power of words and music to recognize the value of Gay and straight people and their relationships.
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The Trevor Project The Trevor Project provides life-saving and life-affirming services to LGBTQ teens and young adults. Founded in 1998, the Trevor Project operates the only national crisis lifeline for LGBTQ youth and was the first to offer suicide prevention services to youth in digital spaces with TrevorChat, a secure instant message service. Trevor also runs the largest online social network specifically for LGBTQ teens and young adults, TrevorSpace. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has appointed the Trevor Project to a leadership role in the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, and Trevor is a leading resource for the White House initiative, StopBullying.gov. The Trevor Project is also a Champion of Change, an honor presented by the White House for its innovative work to save the lives of LGBTQ young people. For more information about the Trevor Project and to get involved, visit www.thetrevorproject.org. One-on-one support is always available via the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Jay Petterson/Youth Suicide Prevention Program The Youth Suicide Prevention Program’s mission is to reduce youth suicide attempts and deaths in Washington State. Working toward that goal, the group builds public awareness, offers training, and supports communities taking action. YSPP’s OUTLoud Project facilitates educational presentations for teachers and community providers to enhance their recognition of the risks, protective factors, and warning signs of suicide and self-harm. YSPP also facilitates trainings on bullying and bias-based harassment as it pertains to LGBTQ youth, and the links these experiences have with negative mental health outcomes. Jay Petterson joined YSPP’s Board of Directors to honor the life of his brother-in-law Matthew Mattmiller. It is Jay’s goal to aid YSPP in bringing communities, educators, and health professionals together to reduce the rate of suicide and bullying in Washington State. A supporter of Seattle’s LGBT and small business communities, Jay serves on the Greater Seattle Business Association’s Public Policy Task Force.
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2012 Parade Announcers NATE GOWD Y / SEAT TLE
Gaysha Starr
GAY NEWS
Since her entrance in Seattle’s LGBT community in 1993, Gaysha Starr has been one of Seattle’s most celebrated drag queens. With her memorable and dramatic performances and her quick wit on the microphone she has captivated thousands of people up and down the West Coast, across the Midwest, and internationally into Vancouver, B.C. As an activist she has helped raise hundred of thousands of dollars for countless charities, both onstage and behind the scenes as a producer, event planner, and board member for several nonprofits and social groups. Gaysha also returned as hostess for Seattle Out and Proud’s 2012 Pride Idol season, and hosted the June 9 “Get Engaged for Marriage Equality” gala at the Washington State Convention Center for the campaign to Approve Referendum 74. In addition, Gaysha is the Special Events Hostess at Neighbours Nightclub for its larger events: Pride, Anniversary Week, Halloween, and New Year’s Eve.
Mama Tits The one and only Mama Tits, Seattle’s Skyscraper Hostess, is the creation of Brian Daniel Peters. You may recognize her as the former hostess of LeFaux at Julia’s on Broadway from 2010-11 or as one of the hosts of the 2011 Seattle Pride Parade and the 2011 Seattle PrideFest Mainstage at Seattle Center. You may also know her as the hostess of the hottest weekday club night on Capitol Hill, ElektroPoP! at the Baltic Room every Thursday, or as hostess of the Capitol Hill Talent Show at The Grill on Broadway, or as the producer and star of “Mimosas with Mama,” Capitol Hill’s Fiercest Drag Brunch, every Sunday at The Grill on Broadway, among other events both local and national. With such an extensive repertoire, you can see why Mama Tits has her reign on Seattle but there is so much more to her. Her love affair with the stage and audience is not new, and the man behind Mama has been working it from a very young age. Brian has been in and around the theater world since he was 5, working in small community theaters as well as Opera Idaho. He took some time off for self-discovery, during which he found his partner of over 10 years now, DJ Klaudt. Knowing the depth of his talent, Brian found a new calling and joined the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the Abbey of St. Joan, in July of 2005 to give back to a community that had given him so much.
NATE GOWD Y / SEAT TLE
Aleksa Manila
GAY NEWS
For over a decade, Aleksa Manila has been Seattle’s beloved community leader, social activist, nonprofit fundraiser, motivational speaker, consummate host, and all around drag entertainer! From Miss Gay Filipino to Empress of Seattle, Aleksa has utilized the magic of make-up and the sparkle of the stage to educate communities and raise awareness of LGBTQ concerns from the streets of Capitol Hill to cable channels. Aleksa has been recognized for her activism and philanthropy across the USA and Canada. When not in face, “he” promotes healthier options for individuals struggling with life’s challenges as a counselor at Seattle Counseling Service, serving the LGBTQ communities since 1969. “She” has continued to direct and host its annual benefit, ICON: a Celebration of Drag, Art & Life, for 8 years! In addition, “he” is pursuing a double Master’s in Social Work and Public Health, with further emphasis on API Queer culture, LGBTQ youth concerns, and Transgender issues.
Sylvia O’Stayformore Sylvia O’Stayformore has been performing since 1991. Sylvia has adopted the title “The Effervescent Hostess” and has been charming audiences here in Seattle since 1997. A true local celebrity, Sylvia has performed in more than 2,000 drag shows, brunches, fundraisers, benefits, cabarets, radio shows, movies, weddings, premieres, openings, and plays, in venues all over the Northwest, from Moscow, Idaho, to Bellingham, Washington. Currently she produces one of Seattle’s most successful drag shows, Bacon Strip. She also hosts Sylvia’s Rainbow Bingo at senior centers in West Seattle and Columbia City, and a traveling Cabaret show, Sylvia and Tor. Sylvia is a regular guest and hostess at locations all around the Northwest. In 2003, Out magazine voted Sylvia the hottest drag queen in America.
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