SGN Jun 22, 2018 - Part 3

Seattle Gay News

Pride 2018

ADAM RIPPON LISA LISA

Adam Rippon

skates his way into America’s heart

by Joey Amato

Special to the SGN

Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon has certainly not slowed down since winning a bronze medal at this year’s Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. The outgoing and hilarious Rippon is currently on a nationwide “Stars on Ice” tour and is about to participate in the next season of “Dancing with the Stars.” At the same time, he’s become a spokesperson for GLAAD and an overnight LGBTQ icon.

Rippon took some time out of his incredibly busy schedule to chat with Unite Seattle from Washington, DC where he was training with his dance partner Jenna Johnson for “Dancing with the Stars.”

The Interview

Joey Amato: Do you think that if you weren’t openly gay, you would have received as much attention as you did?

Adam Rippon: I don’t know. I believe that being openly gay is part of who I am, and I felt it was important to share who I was because I had missed out on going to the Olympics twice before. I felt like this time it was important that I share every

part of who I am and what it took for me to finally get there.

Joey Amato: Off the ice, what was your favorite Olympic memory?

Adam Rippon: Getting to stand on the podium with my friends and teammates was an absolute dream as was getting to walk in the opening ceremony. It was something I had been waiting to do my entire life. I thought about that moment over and over growing up, and it was everything I thought it would be.

Joey Amato: How has your perspective of the Olympic Games changed since you began skating professionally?

Adam Rippon: As you get older, you must step outside yourself to analyze situations from the outside in. You have a greater perspective of who you are and what’s going on. I had a better idea of who I was and why I was there because I questioned it so many times before. I didn’t have a reason why before and as I got older, I realized I liked working hard and setting goals. The Olympics were a byproduct of that.

Joey Amato: Aside from your trainers, did you have a support system leading up to the Olympic Games?

Adam Rippon: I was lucky to make some incredible friends, some who I’ve

known for at least 10 years. They’ve seen me at my highs and lows and I felt so connected to them when I was at the Olympics because they were on that journey with me. They helped me gain perspective and at the end of the day, they wouldn’t love me any differently if I didn’t go to the Olympics. Knowing that made the journey easier.

Joey Amato: How do you view your new role model status?

Adam Rippon: It’s still funny for me to have someone come up to me and say,

“Thank you for being yourself.” I don’t feel like I’ve done anything special or brave. I was just able to be myself on a major platform. I don’t treat anybody any differently now. I treat people the way I want to be treated. The most important thing is not to forget where I came from. Doing something little can really change a person’s life, so when you have the opportunity to do so, take it.

Joey Amato: What do you love and hate about being in the spotlight?

Adam Rippon: I don’t really hate anything about it. The one thing that’s interesting is there are always people who don’t like what you are going to say or have a problem with you for whatever reason.

That’s the only part that isn’t great. What I like is now when I say something funny on Twitter, a lot of people think it’s funny and can enjoy my sense of humor. I love engaging with people on social media.

Joey Amato: What has been your best experience as a public member of the LGBTQ community?

Adam Rippon: My best experience has been to reach other LGBTQ people. It’s something you will never be prepared for. For a long time, my journey was personal, and I did a lot of self-discovery. I wasn’t expecting such a large response. Because of the place I’m in now, I don’t see negative experiences as negative and I look past them. I focus on the great things going on in my life.

Joey Amato: What advice would you give to a person going through life’s challenges?

Adam Rippon: You really need to think about the things you like about yourself and celebrate those. Everybody goes through periods in our lives and wonder what others think of us, and it’s important to realize that everyone goes through these experiences. You need to get to a point where you like things about yourself and celebrate them.

Martin Luther King, Jr. County, named after the United States’ foremost leader on human rights, strives to achieve the goal of Dr. King’s “Beloved Community,” by ensuring that every person living in King County has equal access to the rights that all Americans should enjoy. The LGBTQ community continues to make inroads to achieving that goal, but there is a great deal of work still to be done, and we must remain committed to achieving equity in all aspects of our society.

For more information on the King County Council, the legislative branch of our county government, please visit: www.kingcounty.gov/council

Pride

LISA LISA is ready to jam at The Cuff Pride Street Party

by MK Scott SGN Contributing Writer

It’s the 25th anniversary of The Cuff Pride Street Party!

On Saturday, June 23rd, The Cuff welcomes Adé, AB Soto and Big Dipper with DJs Tommy K and Disco Vinnie. Doors at 3pm. $15 by 8pm; $20 after 8pm.

Then on Sunday, June 24th, The Cuff welcomes Inaya Day, CeCe Peniston, Lisa Lisa and Big Dipper hosted by RPDR Kennedy Davenport and Disco Vinnie. Doors at noon. $30 cover. Come early to avoid the line.

The Cuff is located at 1533 13th Ave at E Pine St. 21+ ID required. www.cuffcomplex.com.

I spoke to Lisa Lisa by phone earlier this week.

MK Scott: Welcome to Seattle! We are looking forward to seeing you play The Cuff Pride Street Party this weekend. What can we expect from this performance?

Lisa Lisa: All the old hits and some new stuff; I love Pride!

MK: Have you performed at Prides before?

LL: I have done lots of Prides. That’s my people.

MK: I can’t believe it’s been about 30 years when you had your two big huge hits “Lost in Emotion” or “Head to Toe.”

LL: I can’t believe it. 30 years.

MK: After Cult Jam disbanded in 1991, you kinda went away, but recently you’ve been making a come back.

LL: My last solo album was in 2009; I have some new stuff coming out soon.

MK: Wow! In 2001, you were in a show on Nickelodeon.

LL: I played the mother in “Taina” for 3 seasons.

MK: What other acting have you done?

LL: “Law and Order” and other work. I love acting. I was brought up in musical theater.

MK: You were literally Jennifer Lopez years before Jennifer Lopez!

LL: How sweet. Jennifer Lopez is a doll.

MK: You also worked with Pitbull for your most recent album, Life ’n Love, in 2009.

LL: I did.

MK: Would you like to work with other Latin stars like Enrique or even Ricky Martin?

LL: In a heartbeat!

MK: What would you say to young people in a Trump America?

LL: What I would say to people in

ADAM RIPPON

continued from page 5

Joey Amato: You’ve recently partnered with GLAAD. Do you see yourself joining forces with other organizations?

Adam Rippon: Absolutely. It’s so important to me to align myself with causes and people who help make the journey for someone like me so much easier. It’s because of organizations that have pushed for equality that make it possible for people like me to have a voice and be able to give back. I wish that the next group of out Olympians are just “Olympians” and their sexuality isn’t a huge talking point.

Joey Amato: If you ran into Mike Pence at Starbucks, what would you say to him?

Adam Rippon: I would say “When are we having that talk you promised we’d have?” When I was at the Olympics, I didn’t really feel like he was the right person to lead the delegation and I stand by that feeling. If I were given the chance to have a talk with Pence, I’d tell him that it’s not about me. It’s about the people whose lives he’s changed. It’s the people whose lives were changed because of legislation he pushed.

TrumpAmerica is “Vote.” Fight for what’s right! Know that with “Your” fight change Will Come!

MK: Burning Question: Which one was the best video shoot experience, “Lost in Emotion” or “Head to Toe”?

LL: Both. But then again “Lost in Emotion” was shot in the streets and was the most fun! It was shot during the fair on 116th Street [in East Harlem, NYC]. So many people, music, food, etc.!!! I felt right at home!

See Lisa Lisa along with Inaya Day, CeCe Peniston on Sunday, June 24th at The Cuff Pride Street Party with hosts RPDR’s Kennedy Davenport and Disco Vinnie.

They are the people who really have something to say to him. Things that he has said and done have had little effect on my life, but have affected the lives of so many others.

Closing Points

In closing, Rippon mentioned that going to the Olympics is an opportunity for the country to come together and cheer for the athletes from your country. As an openly gay Olympian who brought home a medal, Rippon mentions it was a great way to highlight different LGBTQ people who are out and successful.

“It was important for me to be out and compete to show people that you can be who you are and still be incredibly successful. I hope it inspired kids and even adults who may be struggling. When you embrace who you are, is when you start to fulfill your potential.”

There’s no telling what’s on the horizon for “America’s Sweetheart,” but we can only hope Rippon’s future is as bright and beautiful as he is inside.

Courtesy of Joey Amato and Unite Seattle

Pride Calendar

Compiled by Rick McKinnon

SGN Copy Editor

HAPPY LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH FROM SEATTLE GAY NEWS!

FRIDAY, JUNE 22

“Herstory” – Readings from the Old Lesbian Oral History Project

2pm. Calamus Auditorium at Gay City (521 E Pike St). Old Lesbian Oral Herstory Project (OLOHP) has been collecting stories – most of them from women born in the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s – for many years. The group now has more than 650 completed interviews from women in the United States and several other countries.

Some of the readings are funny, some are harrowing, but all are charged with emotion. The experiences shared by the women who took part in the interviews portray the resilience of the LGBTQ community in the face of generations of discrimination and oppression. The stories also demonstrate that old people – and the women intentionally describe themselves as “old” – have valuable life lessons to share with people of all generations.

This special presentation is the result of a collaboration between OLOHP, Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA) and Pride at Work, AFL-CIO. Produced by the Women of Puget Sound Old Lesbians Organizing for Change. FREE admission.

FRIDAY, JUNE 22

– SUNDAY, JUNE 24

Seattle Tennis Alliance –2018 Seattle Classic Tournament www.seattletennisalliance.org (See details under EVENTS menu)

FRIDAY, JUNE 22

Trans Pride Seattle 5pm (lineup at Seattle Central College Plaza), 6pm (march), 7pm (rally/celebration at Cal Anderson Park). Annual event organized by Gender Justice League in association with local groups who support the Seattle-area Trans and gender nonconforming community. Open to everyone who believes Trans and gender-diverse people deserve to live lives free of violence, discrimination, stigmatization, poverty, hatred, rejection, and medical mistreatment. March route is south on Broadway, east on Pike St, and north on 11th Ave to the park. More info at www.transprideseattle.org.

FRIDAY, JUNE 22

Pride Weekend at W Seattle –

“Living Room Live with Butt Dial”

6-8pm. Hotel W Seattle, 1112 4th Ave. A vibrant set of originals and covers by garage rock trio Butt Dial. No cover charge (happy hour drink prices 3-8pm). W Seattle is the official hotel sponsor of Seattle PrideFest. (206) 264-6000.

FRIDAY, JUNE 22 (also Saturday, June 23 & Sunday, June 24)

The Wildrose Block Party 6pm-2am. The Wildrose (1021 E Pike St). 21+ ID required. www.thewildrosebar.com/

FRIDAY, JUNE 22

Seattle Storm Pride Night 7pm. KeyArena (305 Harrison St).

See the WNBA Seattle Storm take on the Indiana Fever! Purchase tickets through a special link found at www.thegsba.org/ events/2018pridesports and $5 of your purchase price benefits the GSBA Scholarship Fund.

FRIDAY, JUNE 22

Marching in Gucci: Memoirs of a Well-Dressed AIDS Activist 7:30pm. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (104 17th Ave S). Set in NYC during the height of the AIDS crisis, Marching in Gucci: Memoirs of a WellDressed Black AIDS Activist is a multimedia solo performance by Seattle artist Chad Goller-Sojourner that explores the AIDS crisis through the lens of a Gay, Black activist. Tickets ($15 students, $20 general, $30 patron) at www.brownpapertickets. com. More information at www.langstonseattle.org.

FRIDAY, JUNE 22

Purr Pride 2018 – RPDR Season 6 Sensation Darienne Lake 8pm. Purr Cocktail Lounge (2307 24th Ave E). Hosted by Gaysha Starr with DJ Tommy K. NO COVER. purrseattle.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 22

(& Saturday, June 23)

Seattle Men’s Chorus –“God Save the Queens – 50 Years of British Rock” 8pm. McCaw Hall (321 Mercer St). Featuring pop singer, performance artist & finalist from “America’s Got Talent” PRINCE POPPYCOCK. The British are coming! SMC ascends the throne to present 50 years of rock and pop royalty, from the swinging ‘60s to today’s biggest hits from across the pond. Get ready for an invasion that’s so lush, so flashy, it edges on revolutionary. Featuring music from The Beatles, Queen, Elton John, Sting, Coldplay, Adele and so much more. Tickets: $25-$75 at http://www.seattlechoruses.org and (206)

388-1400. (6/22 concert includes certified ASL interpretation.)

FRIDAY, JUNE 22

AzuQar! Pride Kick-Off Party with #GetWoke: Queer & Trans POC 10pm-3am (doors open 9pm). Re-bar Seattle (1114 Howell St). Queer Latinx interactive dance party experience with the Wonder Twinz, Monica Beverly Hillz, Candice Marie, and DJ Stunt Queen. Sliding scale admission ($10-20, cash only). Visit www.facebook.com/ events/379986689188613/ for info.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

Dignity/Seattle –30th Annual Pride Pancake Breakfast From 9am-noon. Dignity/Seattle hosts their annual Pride Pancake Breakfast at Central Lutheran Church Social Hall (1710 11th Ave @ E Olive St – across from Cal Anderson Park). Proceeds will benefit CareTeams (a program of Samaritan Center), Food Lifeline and Dignity/Seattle. Dignity/Seattle has been a faith community of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Catholics and their families and friends in Seattle since 1973. www.dignityseattle.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

PrideFest Capitol Hill –“Rain to Rainbows” – including Family Pride and Gay City Queercore’s Queer Youth Pride 12 noon-9pm. Broadway E between E John and E Roy Sts and nearby Cal Anderson Park. An event in Seattle’s traditional LGBTQ neighborhood. Now in its 5th year, PrideFest Capitol Hill is now expanded to encompass the annual LGBTQ Pride Festisee PRIDE CALENDAR page 19

Books

LIFE AFTER METH: A path to recovery

by David Fawcett PhD, LCSW Special to the SGN

We have much to celebrate during this Pride month, but we also have a pressing problem that threatens our LGBT communities and which needs discussion: methamphetamine. The drug, also known as tina or crystal, is back with a vengeance and, because of higher purity, it is more dangerous and addictive than ever before. Meth has long been used to instill feelings of confidence and strength, from soldiers in World War II to individuals seeking to bolster their self-esteem. Chronic meth use often brings personal devastation and a host of physical consequences, but we now have a much better understanding of the drug and how to treat it. The impact of meth and a comprehensive guide to treatment are described in my book Lust, Men, and Meth: A Gay Man’s Guide to Sex and Recovery, which draws from over a decade of patient sessions and personal research. I will share some key points of the book here.

Gay men have discovered meth’s ability to heighten sexual desire resulting in high-risk behavior often accompanied by elevated rates of HIV, hepatitis, and other sexually-transmitted infections. Meth flushes dopamine out of neurons while blocking receptors, resulting in a flood of euphoric feelings that instantly eliminate self-doubt, sadness, and unworthiness. But with chronic use, meth also literally destroys the dopamine transport system, creating long-term brain impairment that requires up to 18 months to heal. While the brain “rewires” the dopamine transport system, a person can totally abstain from the drug, but continue to experience muddled thinking, hopeless moods and,

consequently, frequent relapses.

Meth throws the body into “fight or flight” mode, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, energy, and sensory acuity. Psychologically, it increases confidence and sex drive while decreasing boredom and timidity. Over time meth users experience tremors, dry mouth, weight loss, sinus infections and skin problems, as well as confusion, insomnia, depression, irritability, paranoia, and even full-blown psychosis. Even worse, when consistently used to enhance sex, meth commandeers sexual desire and ultimately results in arousal being only achieved by using the drug, a condition that persists well into abstinence.

Users quickly spiral downward while partners, friends, and families distance themselves due to erratic behavior. Narcotics Anonymous and Crystal Meth Anonymous provide a safe harbor for those seeking help, although the physical and sexual effects of meth create a difficult recovery marked by frequent relapses. This dynamic

has resulted in the erroneous belief that meth recovery is impossible. This is false. People recover from methamphetamine, but it is a long process that requires support groups combined with in-depth psychological reflection that may require professional assistance.

When used for sex, methamphetamine quickly fuses with sexual desire, resulting in high-risk behavior indistinguishable from sex and porn addiction. Sex-drug episodes usually last several days and typically involve sexual contact with a number of individuals as well as the use of meth and other drugs such as GHB (gammaHydroxibutyric acid). These long drug runs are followed by days dominated by extreme depression and hopelessness (“Suicide Tuesdays) resulting from the depletion of dopamine.

Because of the long period of brain recovery, meth users may not achieve full benefit from traditional inpatient programs. Although the drug doesn’t have the acute physical detox of opioids, meth users experience tremors, temperature fluctuations, and persistent low mood. Meth has other unique properties, as well. Meth users become highly sensitive to visual images, which can trigger drug cravings. Inadvertently seeing images of meth or a syringe, or simply walking into a CMA meeting and seeing other users, can be extremely triggering. Once abstinent from the drug a person may experience mental fog, triggers and cravings, indecision, and the distressing experience of an emotional roller coaster. These will subside, but that process takes time, patience, and support.

Recovery from meth’s damage to sexual functioning is more complicated; it requires a gradual process of eliminating compulsive use of sex or pornography,

coupled with the development of a healthy sense of self. These become the foundation for both healthy sex and intimacy. This process for reclaiming health sexuality in sobriety is fully explained in my book Lust, Men, and Meth The return of meth has created serious havoc in the lives of many Americans. Because of its unique characteristics, meth treatment and recovery require special knowledge and sensitivity, but with a greater understanding, we can assist meth users along the path of recovery. As thousands of men and women know, there is indeed life after meth.

David Fawcett PhD, LCSW is a psychotherapist and sex therapist in Fort Lauderdale. He is the author of Lust, Men, and Meth: A Gay Man’s Guide to Sex and Recover y and is a highly-acclaimed trainer on addictions, mental health, and co-occurring HIV and mental health. For more information, visit www.davidfawcett.com

LGBTQ resources in Seattle include: Crystal Meth Anonymous (www.crystalmeth.org) meets at Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 1729 Harvard Ave. on Saturday @ 10:30am, Sun @ 6:30pm, Mon @ 6:30pm, Thurs @ 6:30pm; Project NEON (www.projectNEON.org) a program of Seattle Counseling Service – call Aleks for a FREE assessment, 206-323-1768 Ext 123; Strength Over Speed (www.strengthoverspeed.org) meets at SASG, 115 15th Ave. E., Suite 201 on Monday @ 2-3:30pm, Tues @ 6-7:30pm, Fri @ 6-7:30pm.

Pride Calendar

val on Broadway E as well as Family Pride (1-4pm) and Gay City Queercore’s Queer Youth Pride (4-7pm) in nearby Cal Anderson Park. All ages. Free for all. Presented by Delta with support from the Broadway BIA. Watch for updates at www.seattlepridefest.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

(& Sunday, June 24)

Seattle PrideFest –Queer Geeks and Gamers 2.0 12 noon-6pm. Seattle Center, Fisher Pavilion. Board games, console games, arcade games, cosplay, vendors, exhibitors, panels. www.pridefest.org/qgg and Seattle PrideFest Facebook.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23 (also Friday, June 22 & Sunday, June 24)

The Wildrose Block Party

12

noon-2am. The Wildrose (1021 E Pike St). 21+ ID required. www.thewildrosebar. com/

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

Seattle Reign Pride Day

1pm. Memorial Stadium (401 5th Ave N). Join us as the Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League hosts the North Carolina Courage! Purchase tickets through a special link found at www. thegsba.org/events/2018pridesports and $5 of your purchase benefits the GSBA Scholarship Fund.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

Seattle Pride 2018 Interfaith Celebration Service

2pm. All Pilgrims Christian Church (500 Broadway E). Every year during LGBTQ Pride, people of many different faiths come together to celebrate diversity. The theme this year is “Sacred Social Action: Beyond Thoughts and Prayers.” Many faith traditions will be represented. All are welcome! More info, 206-325-2421.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

(and Sunday, June 24)

The Cuff Pride Street Party

3pm-2am. The Cuff Complex (1533 13th Ave). 21+ ID required. $15 cover by 8pm; $20 after 8pm. www.cuffcomplex.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

Marching in Gucci:

Memoirs of a Well-Dressed AIDS Activist 3:30pm & 7:30pm. (See June 22 listing at 7:30pm.)

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

Seattle Dyke March

5pm (rally); 7pm (march). Gather at Seattle Central College Plaza (1701 Broadway), march around Capitol Hill and back to Plaza. Visit their Facebook page (@SeattleDykeMarch) for more information.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

Rainier Beach Pride Swim

6-7:30pm. Rainier Beach Community Center and Pool (8825 Rainier Ave S). For more information, call 206-386-1925. All are welcome! www.facebook.com/ thebeachatrb/

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

Seattle Sounders Pride Night

7pm. CenturyLink Field (800 Occidental Ave S). Join us for Major League Soccer action as the Seattle Sounders FC takes on the Chicago Fire! Purchase tickets through www.SoundersFC.com/PrideOffer and receive a Pride T-shirt to be a part of the human rainbow in the Xbox GreenZone! $5 of your purchase through this link benefits the GSBA Scholarship Fund.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

BTW Pride Party – Adore Delano, William & Eddie Danger with DJs Harmony Soleil & Bret Law and the Men of Stag PDX

8pm. Neumo’s (925 E Pike St). Concert and dance party. Presented by Five Senses Reeling. Tickets: $35-$75. www.fivesensesreeliing.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

Purr Pride 2018 – DJ Jeromy Nail

8pm. Purr Cocktail Lounge (2307 24th Ave E). NO COVER. purrseattle.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

(& Friday, June 22)

Seattle Men’s Chorus –

“God Save the Queens – 50 Years of British Rock”

8pm. McCaw Hall (321 Mercer St). Featuring pop singer, performance artist & finalist from “America’s Got Talent” PRINCE POPPYCOCK. The British are coming! SMC ascends the throne to present 50 years of rock and pop royalty, from the swinging ‘60s to today’s biggest hits from across the pond. Get ready for an invasion that’s so lush, so flashy, it edges on revolutionary. Featuring music from The Beatles, Queen, Elton John, Sting, Coldplay, Adele and so much more. Tickets: $25-$75 at http://www.seattlechoruses.org and (206) 388-1400. (6/22 concert includes certified ASL interpretation.)

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

Pride Weekend at W Seattle –“Ruby Mimosa x Friends”

9:30-11:30pm. Hotel W Seattle, (1112 4th Ave). Go glam with burlesque go-go dancers Ruby Mimosa, J Von Stratton, and Mae Zing while enjoying special Pride cocktails. No cover charge (happy hour prices 3-8pm). W Seattle is the official hotel sponsor of Seattle PrideFest. (206) 264-6000.

SUNDAY, JUNE 24

Pride Weekend at W Seattle –“Mimosas With Mama” 8am-2pm. Hotel W Seattle, (1112 4th Ave). Seattle’s Skyscraper Hostess Mama Tits hosts a special Pride Weekend Drag Brunch just steps from the parade. Retox with crafted Pride cocktails and a fab brunch buffet while you enjoy Mama’s live Cabaret style performance (9-11am). DJ Pryme keeps the beat going until 2pm. Reservations: www.opentable.com/restaurant/profile/0328/reserve.

SUNDAY, JUNE 24

Seattle Pride Parade

Starting at 11 a.m. The parade kicks off at 4th Ave. & Union St., and will proceed north down 4th Ave. to Denny Way and Seattle Center. It will last approximately two and a half hours and will be held rain or shine. www.seattlepride.org/pride-parade/

SUNDAY, JUNE 24

(and Saturday, June 23)

The Cuff Pride Street Party –With Special Guest CeCe Peniston 12 noon-2am. The Cuff Complex (1533 13th Ave). Doors at noon. 21+ ID required. $30 cover. www.cuffcomplex.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 24

Purr Pride 2018 – Pride Celebration 12 noon. Purr Cocktail Lounge (2307 24th Ave E). Half off all draft beers. Half off all food. NO COVER. purrseattle.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 24

Seattle PrideFest –“Rain to Rainbows” 12 noon-8pm. Seattle Center, Fisher Pavilion, International Fountain, Mural Amphitheatre. The legendary Seattle PrideFest rally and party at Seattle Center, now in its 12th year. A celebration of LGBTQ arts, culture, and Pride, on four

stages. Free for all. Watch for updates at www.seattlepridefest.org.

SUNDAY, JUNE 24

(& Saturday, June 23)

Seattle PrideFest –Queer Geeks and Gamers 2.0 12 noon-7pm. Seattle Center, Fisher Pavilion. Board games, console games, arcade games, cosplay, vendors, exhibitors, panels. www.pridefest.org/qgg and Seattle PrideFest Facebook.

SUNDAY, JUNE 24 (also Friday, June 22 & Saturday, June 23)

The Wildrose Block Party 12 noon-2am. The Wildrose (1021 E Pike St). 21+ ID required. www.thewildrosebar. com/

MONDAY, JUNE 25

Everett AquaSox Pride Night 7:05pm. Everett Memorial Stadium (3802 Broadway, Everett). The AquaSox of the Northwest League meet the Tri-City Dust Devils! Purchase tickets through a special link found at www.thegsba.org/ events/2018pridesports with code PRIDE and receive an Upper Box ticket and Pride Night Hat (while supplies last).

SATURDAY, JUNE 30

Let’s Talk About It! –

The Black Community & PrEP 11am-2pm. The 2100 Building (2100 24th Ave S). A roundtable discussion in The Art Room, 3rd Floor. Facilitated by Russell D. Campbell of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Lunch provided. RSVP to Vanessa Grandberry at (206) 461-6910 ext 12.

SATURDAY, JUNE 30

“Speaking Out!” – Diverse Harmony and Spectrum in Concert – with special guest Arnaldo Inocentes! 7:30pm. Seattle First Baptist Church (1111 Harvard Ave). Join Diverse Harmony and Spectrum, the a cappella choir, with new Artistic Director Eric Lane Barnes for “Speaking Out!” with special guest ARNALDO INOCENTES! Diverse Harmony is the nation’s first Queer-straight alliance youth chorus. Our 58-member chorus presents music that opens the hearts and minds of communities and provides a safe environment for youth of diverse backgrounds to share their love of music and be accepted for who they are. Tickets: $20 general; $5 youth 22 & under. In advance at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3496826 and at the door. www.diverseharmony.org

SATURDAY, JULY 7SUNDAY, JULY 8

Emerald City Softball Association –2018 Emerald City Classic www.emeraldcitysoftball.org (See details under TOURNAMENT menu)

SATURDAY, JULY 7

Rainbow Health Fair 12-4pm. Gay City Health Project, 517 E Pike St. Services will include Gender Affirming Hormone Care, Massage, Acupuncture, Mammograms, and more. Anticipating there will be more demand for hormone care than they can meet, there will be an online form for requesting an appointment.

SATURDAY, JULY 14

Seattle Latinx Pride 2018 10am-5pm. El Centro de la Raza, Roberto Maestas Plaza, 2524 16th Ave S. Entertainment, dancing, food, community resources, vendors, and much more! Let’s celebrate our LGBTQ and Latino/a/x identities. Everyone is invited! latinxprideseattle.com; www.somosseattle.org

SUNDAY, JULY 16

Gay Day at Wild Waves 11am-7pm. Wild Waves Theme Park, 36201 Enchanted Parkway S, Federal Way. The Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle and the Olympic & Rainier Empire presents the 4th Annual Gay Day at Wild Waves! This is a family friendly event that takes place in the picnic area at Wild Waves and Enchanted Village, but you get access to the entire park! For more information, visit. https://m.facebook.com/ISCSORE

SUNDAY, JULY 29

Emerald City Black Pride BBQ 1-6pm. Jimi Hendrix Park (2400 S Massachusetts St, behind Northwest African American Museum). Free food and entertainment. Visit their Facebook page (@ECBlackPride) for updates. Sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Health.

OUT-OF-TOWN (July & August)

SUNDAY, JULY 1 -

SUNDAY, JULY 8

Victoria, BC Pride A week of events and activities culminating in the annual Pride Parade and Festival on Sunday, July 10. www.victoriapridesociety.org

FRIDAY, JULY 13SUNDAY, JULY 22

Tacoma Pride Festival

The Tacoma Pride Festival honors the LGBTQA community by fostering pride in who we are as valuable, creative members of a diverse population in the South Puget Sound region by curating cultural events, establishing partnerships, and hosting Tacoma Pride, formerly Out in the Park, an outdoor street festival (see details below) in downtown Tacoma. For a complete schedule of events, visit http://tacomapride.org/

SUNDAY, JULY 15

Bellingham Pride Parade & Festival Pride Parade starts at noon at the corner of Halleck St & Ohio St, travels along Cornwall Ave and ends at Depot Market Square (1100 Railroad Ave) which runs until 4pm. Featuring vendors, children’s activities and appearances by local and state dignitaries. Come join the fun! http://www.bellinghampride.org

SUNDAY, JULY 15

Tacoma Pride 2018 –

Rainbow Center’s Annual LGBTQA Pride Event

Noon-5pm at S 9th St & Pacific Avenue. Formerly known as “Out in the Park,” Tacoma Pride is a family-friendly event that features over 100 street vendors, live performances by musicians, cirque performers, vaudeville and drag acts, as well as guest speakers and dignitaries. www.rainbowcntr.org.

SATURDAY, JULY 21

Kitsap Pride 2018

The Kitsap Pride Network invites you to participate in Kitsap Pride 2018 at the Evergreen Rotary Park (1500 Park Ave) in Bremerton, 11am-5p,m. This regional Pride event brings upwards of 2,000 people from the Bremerton and Kitsap Peninsula area and beyond for an afternoon celebration. Includes entertainment stage, activities for children, and food and non-profit and forprofit vendors and community information tables participating in the celebration. http://kitsappride.org/

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5

Vancouver, BC Pride

http://www.vancouverpride.ca

valleymed.org/doc REMARKABLE DOCTOR

Valley Medical Center proudly offers a network of primary care clinics which serve as a medical home for care management. Urgent care clinics provide a safety net of after-hours care and walk-in consult and treatment, and specialty clinics provide convenient and comprehensive access throughout the district.

Primary Care: Partners for Health & Wellness

VMC’s primary care providers get to know you and your medical history, serving as personal health advocates for you and your family, and working with you to monitor and improve your health through all life’s stages.

Urgent Care: Immediate Medical Services

It hurts. It itches. It’s swollen. It’s after hours. Urgent Care is a great choice when you can’t wait for an appointment with your primary care provider, or when you need medical care after hours for non-life-threatening conditions. Check out wait times and get in line to be seen at valleymed.org/wait-times

Extensive Network of Specialists

VMC offers a comprehensive network and board-certified specialists to meet all of your family’s healthcare needs. For a comprehensive list and FREE physician referral, please visit us at valleymed.org/doc or give us a call at 425.277.DOCS