https://www.sgn.org en-us 2026 Seattle Gay News 9/9/2026 EST https://www.sgn.org/rss https://www.sgn.org/story/166764/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166764/ Fifty-seven years after Stonewall, and here we are: LGBTQ musicians still face scrutiny for their sexuality, because, says author and music writer Barry Walters, music isn’t created for Gay listeners. No problem: Queer artists and writers have often penned lyrics carefully in order to say what can’t be said, “coding” songs for Gay audiences that straight (and ignorant) listeners can dance to and enjoy with apparent obliviousness. Walters offers “just a few” examples: Lou Reed sang about Trans people in the Thu May 28 2026 11:53:55 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166763/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166763/ From the moment I opened Waiting for Something Else, I was hooked. Martin Cloutier’s debut novel is equally hilarious, heartfelt, and thought-provoking. It’s hard to believe this is his first book, as it reads like the work of a seasoned storyteller. The fact that it is already a finalist for the 2026 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction is a testament to Cloutier’s talent and the novel’s excellence. The story follows James, a self-described bald, bewildered, and Buddhist restaurant manager trying to find Thu May 28 2026 11:29:32 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166761/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166761/ In an age in which authenticity can be hard to find, Ross Collado stands out for his honest and soulful approach to art. Born and raised in the Philippines and now living in Seattle, Collado creates paintings that explore solitude, emotion, and the delicate balance between beauty and chaos. His work is celebrated for its emotional depth, encouraging viewers to pause and reflect on their lives. Growing up in an environment where emotional vulnerability was often discouraged, Collado found his voice not throu Thu May 28 2026 11:16:32 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166580/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166580/ On April 30, Providence Swedish announced that it will merge its First Hill and Cherry Hill Family Medicine residency programs in order to reduce its training positions, according to two anonymous sources, who told the SGN they are current and former resident physicians of these programs. “Providence Swedish is proposing a merger of the two residencies that would reduce the total number of training positions from 78 to 51, a 35% reduction.” The physicians say the merger, and its subsequent reduction of trai Fri May 22 2026 13:45:47 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166573/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166573/ Monday - You open Instagram. The first thing you read is that a 19-year-old Trans UW student was stabbed to death on the night of Mother’s Day. You pause, then lock your phone. You have a meeting in a few minutes. You wonder if your Trans client earlier that day had already heard the news. Later, you reopen Instagram. You see this news turn national. You read that she was found on the floor of the laundry room in her off-campus apartment building. You see UW’s statement from the president address Fri May 22 2026 10:44:54 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166517/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166517/ As humans, we all crave a sense of belonging. Seattle has been that refuge for LGBTQIA+ people for decades, a place where they can find safety and understanding. However, for a Queer person of color, it can be a struggle to find a community to belong to. Pride ASIA, founded in 2012 by Aleksa Manila, a drag performer and therapist, seeks to create a space to celebrate and empower those with Asian and Pacific Islander identities. The volunteer-run organization hosts events and provides resources especially fo Wed May 20 2026 12:27:05 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166449/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166449/ Downtown Wenatchee has a new billboard. In response to the city [government] choosing to raise Family Month banners sponsored by a local Turning Point USA chapter instead of Pride flags, the group OUT NCW has installed a year-round Pride billboard in downtown Wenatchee. “We’re responding to the needs of our community as best we can by providing visibility, by providing support,” said OUT NCW President AJ Soto. “We’re here for the duration.” The billboard, located in downtown Wenatchee, is adorned with Pride Tue May 19 2026 11:02:57 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166448/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166448/ The Football Federation of Iran is demanding that FIFA only allow “officially recognized national flags,” which would effectively ban fans from bringing Pride flags to the upcoming 2026 World Cup matches. The demand, among a list of conditions posted to the federation’s official website, must be met for Iran’s national team to play their scheduled matches, according to federation head Mehdi Taj. This conflicts with messaging from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has tried to allay concerns about the nat Tue May 19 2026 10:21:46 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166396/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166396/ It sounds like a familiar experience: If you’re a Queer person looking for community, you take a turn down an alleyway, head down a few stairs, and enter a gritty, pulsing world of heat, sweat, and action. You’ll find people who look like yourself, moving their bodies to an unspoken energy. However, this isn’t a nightclub. There’s no music or dancing. Instead you’ll find everyone gathered around two Lesbians, circling each other in a ring, trying desperately to punch each other in the face.  Welcome to “Les Mon May 18 2026 08:37:38 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166298/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166298/ A first appearance judge at Christopher Leahy’s hearing today found probable cause for Murder in the First Degree with a Deadly Weapon Enhancement, and set his bail at $10 million. The hearing was held at 2pm in King County Jail courtroom, after Leahy turned himself in to Bellevue police at around 10:30pm last night. “The horrific nature and brutal execution of this attack leaves the court making a finding that he’s substantially likely to commit a violent offense in the future” the judge said. The autopsy Thu May 14 2026 15:14:05 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166272/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166272/ On an unusually hot April day, socialites gathered and sought out a cool breeze with the even cooler cocktails of Koko’s tequila bar. The tickets to attend the soirée weren’t cheap — prices started at $100 to get through the door — but that’s for a good reason. Before dazzling performances by local drag icons Harper Bizarre and Miss Texas 1988, student athlete Giselle Gonzales took the mic to speak. “When I got kicked out of my house, I went from shelter to shelter. But I started playing basketball and socc Wed May 13 2026 12:40:35 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166270/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166270/ For as long as I can remember, I have been captivated by the sheer force of nature that is Liza Minnelli. When her memoir, Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!, was released, I couldn’t wait to dive into her story. I purchased an autographed copy signed by Liza herself. To preserve this treasured keepsake, I used an Audible credit to experience the memoir in a way that felt even more personal, with Liza’s extraordinary voice and spirit narrating her history. Born into the dazzling yet daunting world of Hollywood Wed May 13 2026 12:22:42 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166222/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166222/ Maspalomas is a heartfelt and thought-provoking film that explores the consequences of life choices and the fragility of identity. Directed by Jose Mari Goenaga and Aitor Arregi, it tells the story of Vicente, a 76-year-old man who, at 50, made the life-changing decision to leave his wife and daughter to live openly as a Gay man. For 25 years, he built a life of freedom and joy in the sunny paradise of Maspalomas, Gran Canaria — one he had long denied himself. But when he suffers a stroke, everything change Tue May 12 2026 13:34:17 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166221/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166221/ On the Trans Day of Visibility last month, Seattle’s LGBTQ Commission submitted a letter of recommendation to the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and City Attorney’s Office that requested that City officials declare a civil emergency in response to the increasing number of Trans and Queer people fleeing hostile environments in other states. An anonymous source told the SGN that the letter has since been received, and discussions between City officials and community members behind closed doors indicate Seattle Tue May 12 2026 13:10:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166187/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166187/ A 19 y/o Transgender student was found deceased on May 10 in the laundry room of an off-campus, University of Washington student housing complex in U-Village Nordheim Court by UW police officers, according to Seattle Police Department Detective Eric Muñoz who told NBC on Monday. The suspect potentially responsible for the homicide of a 19 y/o trans student has now been identified as 31 y/o Christopher Leahy. According to King County Jails, the suspect had been booked at 3:45am in the morning. SPD officials Mon May 11 2026 16:50:43 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166184/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166184/ In the strikingly Queer science fiction drama Again Again, it’s the day after a time loop — a central idea so terrific, it’s impossible to believe no one else explored it before codirector, writer,producer, co-composer, and star Mia Moore Marchant (talk about your multihyphenates!) dreamt it up. While time loop stories like Groundhog Day, Edge of Tomorrow, Palm Springs, and Happy Death Day are a known commodity, precious few spend any time with what happens when things go back to normal. Un Mon May 11 2026 13:15:02 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166113/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166113/ In 2001, Hedwig and the Angry Inch made a striking debut on the silver screen as a brave, unapologetic adaptation of the 1998 off-Broadway musical. Created by, directed by, and starring John Cameron Mitchell, the film has become a cultural icon, known for its intense emotion, punk-rock style, and themes of identity, love, and self-acceptance. Now, 25 years later, Mitchell is celebrating the film with a tour across North America, featuring a 4K restoration, live Q&A sessions, and acoustic performances. Hedwi Fri May 08 2026 11:30:14 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/166102/ https://www.sgn.org/story/166102/ In late April, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced that it will be looking to change regulations that may complicate Transgender people’s ability to purchase firearms. According to the ATF website, the agency is proposing to update Form 4473 (a firearms transaction record) to require all applicants to use only their sex marker assigned at birth, even if their legal documentation has been amended. Section “1140-AA64: Selecting Biological Sex on ATF Forms” on the agency’s “Clarif Fri May 08 2026 07:21:11 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)