https://www.sgn.org en-us 2026 Seattle Gay News 9/9/2026 EST https://www.sgn.org/rss https://www.sgn.org/story/164727/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164727/ A case of TMVII, a sexually transmitted fungal infection spreading among Gay men, has recently been confirmed in the state of Washington. Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII, commonly shortened to TMVII (pronounced “T-M-seven”), is an infection that creates round patches of red, irritated skin, known as ringworm, on the genitals, buttocks, or face. The condition is not lethal, but it is painful. The irritation can become chronic, rather than temporary, if left untreated. TMVII spreads primarily throug Mon Mar 30 2026 19:14:41 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164717/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164717/ Combine a college town with a diverse economy, sprinkle in 35,000 LGBTQ residents and two gayborhoods (Short North and German Village), plus several good museums and some affordable hotels, and you are talking about Columbus, Ohio, a Midwest gem. Pride is every day in Columbus (the largest city in Ohio) and so matter-of-fact, which is amazing for the Midwest. The city boasts a happy, fun-loving crowd — and more bars than any other city I have been to! The Franklin Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a mus Mon Mar 30 2026 10:56:53 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164715/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164715/ Dr. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) wakes up alone on a spaceship, light-years from Earth. His crewmates are dead, his memory is a blur, and he’s surrounded by unfamiliar technology. Slowly, he pieces together the truth: he’s on a mission to save humanity. The sun is dying, dimmed by a microscopic organism called an astrophage, which is draining its energy. If nothing is done, Earth will freeze over, and life as we know it will end. Grace, once a molecular biologist turned middle school teacher, wasn’t supposed Mon Mar 30 2026 10:45:31 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164655/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164655/ I was in Palm Springs for the International Gay Lesbian Travel Association Global Convention back in October 2025. Over 750 attendees from 32 countries attended — a new record. And this is despite the drop in large corporate sponsorship support (as has also been seen at Pride events). A highlight was the IGLTA Foundation fundraiser at the Dinah Shore estate (owned by Leonardo DiCaprio). It sleeps 16 and has six bathrooms and can be yours for around $5,000 a night. Fri Mar 27 2026 17:20:30 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164654/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164654/ Although the temperatures can reach -40 degrees (so cold that it is the same in both Celsius and Fahrenheit!), Chicago is still definitely worth a visit in the winter. The museums are terrific, hotels are more reasonably priced, and there is so much to do! Fri Mar 27 2026 17:09:05 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164653/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164653/ New York City doesn’t unfold — it performs. From the neon pulse of Times Square to the intimate cabaret glow of 54 Below, Gotham feels less like a destination and more like a rotating stage where fashion, theater, nightlife, and memory all collide. Whether you’re here for the spectacle or something more underground, the city rewards curiosity. Fri Mar 27 2026 16:06:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164652/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164652/ The Twin Cities — St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota — are known for their vibrant, hospitable culture and indomitable spirit of fighting injustice, similar to Seattle in many ways. Whether you’re planning to make the move or going on a friendly visit, there is much to love about The Star of the North’s two major cities. Minnesota is considered one of the most Queer-friendly states in the US, with robust legal protections and human rights laws against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender. Fri Mar 27 2026 15:44:11 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164606/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164606/ Costa Rica may be known for its lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and ever-present “pura vida” (pure life) philosophy, but it’s also one of the most progressive and inclusive destinations in Central America when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights and culture. With legal same-sex marriage and a growing Queer community thriving in both urban and coastal regions, it offers a welcoming atmosphere that celebrates diversity amid natural beauty. Costa Rica’s journey toward Queer equality has been marked by steady and me Thu Mar 26 2026 12:58:12 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164605/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164605/ If you arrive at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac, or SEA) terminal via the skybridge from the parking garage, you’ll be welcomed into a sleek, ultramodern space with wood paneling and white fluorescent lights. There’s ample space to move about and vibrant artwork to draw your eyes. Everything feels cleaner, more spacious, and, for those in a wheelchair, more accessible. If you’re a passenger on Alaska Airlines, you’re in the right place. However, those taking any other airline will notice Thu Mar 26 2026 12:48:55 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164578/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164578/ Paris has a way of making you feel like the main character in your own romantic film. It invites you to be seen, to be bold, and to fall in love — not just with its iconic landmarks but with yourself. For Gay travelers, this feeling is even more profound. Here, rainbow flags fly above bustling cafés, and same-sex couples stroll hand in hand along the Seine. In Paris, queerness isn’t just an accepted part of the scenery — it’s joyfully celebrated. While the entire city exudes an air of inclusivity, the heart Wed Mar 25 2026 14:24:24 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164577/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164577/ The first time I realized I didn’t understand Thailand, I was standing in a crowded bar, dancing alone. Music pulsed through the room, lights flashed across a sea of seated bodies. No one moved. No one cheered. No one sang along. They simply watched if the performance deserved reverence more than reaction. Meanwhile, I was on my feet, busting down and unsure whether I was the only one doing it wrong. Just weeks earlier, I had arrived in Thailand to teach English. After a short orientation in Bangkok, I was Wed Mar 25 2026 13:18:14 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164572/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164572/ Manchester, England, is not only famous for its industrial heritage, music scene, and football clubs, it’s also home to one of the most vibrant and historically significant LGBTQ+ communities in the UK. Often referred to as the "Gay capital of the North," it has been a pioneer in Queer rights, visibility, and celebration, cultivating a culture of inclusivity that continues to thrive today. The roots of Manchester’s LGBTQ+ history stretch back centuries, but it was during the 19th and 20th that the city trul Wed Mar 25 2026 12:55:16 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164571/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164571/ As I stepped into the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, the first thing that greeted me was my reflection framed by the words “See History, Be History.” It felt like both a welcome and an invitation. As part of the Wall of Solidarity — a lively exhibit celebrating love, community, and Queer joy — the frame establishes the mood for what comes next. It’s not just a space to learn about history, but a place where you feel yourself become part of it. Located at 51 Christopher Street in New York City’s Wed Mar 25 2026 12:45:16 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164569/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164569/ Some years ago — almost five precisely — having little or no money and nothing in particular to interest me in the midst of pandemic lockdown, I thought I would traverse the sandy shores of Lake Athabasca in the wilderness of northern Saskatchewan to be a cook’s assistant for a Canadian mining expedition. Little did I suspect then how much living and working there for the summer would put my newfound womanhood to the test and push me to both my physical and mental limits. We set out from Fort McMurray, Albe Wed Mar 25 2026 12:23:28 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164568/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164568/ Seattle, known for its music scene, has produced many world-renowned rock stars and bands, including Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Alice in Chains. Recently, one Trans musician, May Graves, took it upon herself to organize a monthly live showcase of Transgender musicians and bands in the Puget Sound area. The Trans Music Showcase, hosted at Chop Suey on the third Saturday of each month, features musical acts with at least one Trans person. In addition, 20% of the proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the G Wed Mar 25 2026 11:24:08 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164567/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164567/ Dennis Worsham is a civil servant who — although not as well recognized as Attorney General Nick Brown or Gov. Bob Ferguson — still performs a vital role as Washington’s secretary of health. Among the 24 appointed heads of state agencies tasked to implement, enforce, and administer Washington’s laws, Secretary Worsham is the one that ensures that the Department of Health runs both equitably and smoothly for all residents. Gov. Ferguson appointed Worsham to his position in June 2025, with an official start d Wed Mar 25 2026 10:49:51 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164521/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164521/ I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about 1990s Queer filmmaking. Artists were getting into the dirt, producing some of the most daring, innovative, and searing art of the late 20th century. Dubbed “New Queer Cinema” in 1992 by writer B. Ruby Rich in the September issue of Sight & Sound magazine, these films didn’t just rambunctiously brush up against the status quo; they gleefully busted right through it. Filmmakers such as Jennie Livingston, Todd Haynes, Lisa Cholodenko, Gregg Araki, Derek Jarman, Chery Tue Mar 24 2026 12:17:41 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164495/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164495/ The Seattle Art Museum has a new major exhibition on the third floor, “Beyond Mysticism: The Modern Northwest,” curated by Theresa Papanikolas. It’s large, it’s beautiful — and the museum apparently does not want you to think of it as Gay. The title is a play on the 1953 LIFE magazine article, “Mystic Painters of the Northwest,” that defined the Northwest School and crowned four men its “mystics,” given this name for their connections to nature, as well as their frankly orientalist and appropriative use of Mon Mar 23 2026 11:53:05 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164492/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164492/ When Kitty Smith, an artist disgruntled with Trump’s reelection, began to draw dragified versions of Jesus in 2024 to protest the increasing negativity toward LGBTQIA+ people across the country, never did she expect her idea to “yassify Jesus” would transform into a full-blown, flamboyant church service. Working with Kara Sutra (the drag mother of the Haus of Sutra), she had decided a year ago to create a nonreligious, all-ages space for LGBTQIA+ people to build community together, called Drag Church. Now a Mon Mar 23 2026 11:36:01 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164491/ https://www.sgn.org/story/164491/ A new policy banning Trans women from playing in women’s matches has caused a stir within Seattle’s small, yet passionate, rugby community. The new rule from the governing body USA Rugby, which went into effect on Feb. 20, limits eligibility for the women’s category to only those born female. Men’s matches, notably, were excluded from this change. Clubs in USA Rugby’s system responded by either going silent or posting fiercely worded statements. The Seattle Rugby Club, for its part, recently wrote about the Mon Mar 23 2026 11:27:10 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)