https://www.sgn.org en-us 2026 Seattle Gay News 9/9/2026 EST https://www.sgn.org/rss https://www.sgn.org/story/168158/ https://www.sgn.org/story/168158/ No Seattle Pride parade today would feel complete without the procession of a certain leathered-up armada and its unmistakable roar of engines. The tale of Dykes on Bikes — built out of a necessity for community among Lesbians and the Sapphically aligned that share a love for riding on two wheels — is as spontaneous and multifaceted as the history of Pride itself. Dykes on Bikes first came into being after the 1976 San Francisco Pride Parade. The story goes that a group of 20-25 women decided to ride thei Thu Jul 09 2026 11:32:21 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167895/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167895/ Harsh fluorescent tubes buzzed an unrelenting 60-hertz hum against the drop-ceiling of Cloud Medical Center. Midnight in the emergency room offered no reprieve. Scrubbing her raw hands with antibacterial foam, 27-year-old surgical resident Iris Min stared at the stainless-steel basin. The water ran hot enough to scald. Bracing her forearms against the sink’s edge, she ignored the leaden ache anchoring her lumbar spine. Her father’s timeline demanded absolute perfection. Promotion to attending physician by a Wed Jul 01 2026 13:39:16 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167894/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167894/ The subtitle of D.W. Hamilton’s compelling, surrealist debut novel tells us that it is a supernatural murder mystery, and the cover notes that it contains 23 poems and 6 spells. Those few hints, along with the cover art, might be enough to draw you in, but the author’s foreword, explaining how he deliberately mixes surrealism into a mystery genre novel, should give you a pretty good idea of what’s to come. And Hamilton delivers. The (frankly terrific) poems serve as introductions to each chapter, and the sp Wed Jul 01 2026 13:26:06 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167892/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167892/ Before social media and the internet dominated nearly every facet of modern life, Queer people had very few outlets to express themselves authentically. In the realm of print media, there weren’t many public forums in which to discuss queerness besides the SGN and other LGBTQIA+ publications (that had op-ed and classified sections). Today, in line with Gen Z’s emerging neo-luddite movement, many younger Queer and Trans people are turning away from algorithmically curated and monitored digital spaces (that a Wed Jul 01 2026 12:15:14 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167703/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167703/ The arraignment and mental competency hearing for 31-year-old Christopher Leahy (initially scheduled June 25, 8:30am) has been delayed to next week according to Douglas Wagoner at the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Wagoner said Leahy’s competency expert had requested more time to complete her evaluation of the suspect, and that the new hearing will be held on Monday, June 29 at 1:15pm. Thu Jun 25 2026 08:44:51 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167662/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167662/ The Mutual Aid Network for Trans and Intersex Individuals in Seattle (MANTIS) is a political organization that has been making itself more known in the public conscience. In February, it held a rally in Cal Anderson Park, addressing issues affecting the Trans community, mainly the homelessness and refugee crisis. Since then, it has organized a march to City Hall in collaboration with the Gender Equity Movement (GEM) to get Mayor Katie Wilson to declare a state of emergency regarding the Trans refugee crisis Wed Jun 24 2026 12:35:52 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167661/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167661/ Go to any Pride or LGBTQIA+-related event around Seattle or the Puget Sound area, and more likely than not you’ll find members of Seattle’s official Dykes on Bikes chapter, including providing logistics and support. The organization has been at the forefront these past few years, from spearheading Seattle’s Dyke March and Pride parade to protecting events, attendees, and businesses, such as drag queen story hour at the Brewhouse Pub in Renton. Wen Cruz, president of Seattle DoB, spoke with the SGN recently Wed Jun 24 2026 12:24:14 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167656/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167656/ My first Seattle Pride experience was the first unofficial parade in 1977. I came out while living on Hood Canal in the mid-1970s. My first boyfriend, who was also a Gay virgin, and I didn’t think there were many other “guys into guys” in our area. One night, his therapist took us on a tour of Gay Seattle. First stop” The Mocambo at Second and Yesler. I was astonished at how many guys were there! In 1975, I applied for a job as a waiter at “The Mo,” and two days later was hired as a bartender. The night bef Wed Jun 24 2026 10:56:42 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167606/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167606/ The Seattle Pride parade is calling on the LGBTQIA+ community to “Rally” on Sunday, June 28, as it once again prepares to take over downtown. Around 300,000 people are expected to line the route along Fourth Avenue (from Union Street to Denny Way) as more than 200 community groups, civic leaders, nonprofits, and businesses congregate in Washington state’s largest Pride march and celebration. The theme for this year’s parade is “Rally,” through which Seattle Pride hopes to raise marginalized voices, honor LG Tue Jun 23 2026 20:03:09 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167605/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167605/ On Easter Sunday 1979, four men set out into the city of San Francisco wearing traditional nun's habits. By using sincerity and joy mixed with satire to counter the prevailing homophobia and shame, they inspired others to join their cause, thus forming the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Thanks to their focus on service and Queer liberation, and a down-to-earth approach to safer sex education, it didn't take long for the movement to spread to other cities and become worldwide. In Seattle, the Sisters of Pe Tue Jun 23 2026 19:55:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167604/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167604/ Trans Pride Seattle is a free annual festival celebrating Trans life and community across the Pacific Northwest and beyond! A love letter to Trans people everywhere, TPS increases the strength of the Two Spirit, Trans, and gender-diverse (2STGD) community and its allies through increased visibility, connection, love, and the celebration of our lives. Everyone who supports and affirms Trans life is invited to enjoy the stage show, featuring an all-Trans lineup of talent, and the tabling fair, featuring over Tue Jun 23 2026 19:49:53 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167603/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167603/ Tacoma Pride Festival is an annual community event hosted by Rainbow Center, held on the second Saturday of July. It takes pride in honoring the LGBTQIA2S+ community by celebrating the valuable and creative members of a diverse population in the South Puget Sound region. As the largest Pride celebration in Tacoma, it understands the importance of creating opportunities to support the local community of entertainers, makers, artists, businesses, and organizations to offer a more inclusive representation of Tue Jun 23 2026 19:44:46 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167602/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167602/ The Freedom Day Committee (FDC) was a unique, democratic grassroots coalition that organized Seattle’s Pride marches and rallies for almost two decades. We were all volunteers, and many of us represented groups or were individual activists committed to bettering life for Queer people. Some of us had roots in the social justice movements of the 1960s, and some were new to advocating for change. In the process, we all came to understand the power and the difficulty of coalition work, where we shared a goal bu Tue Jun 23 2026 19:05:57 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167600/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167600/ Seattle has hosted countless Pride celebrations over the years, but the inaugural Lifelong Pride Gala may have set a new standard for star power in the Pacific Northwest Queer community, bringing together nationally recognized LGBTQIA+ advocates, entertainers, and influencers, as well as local community leaders, under one roof. As the only LGBTQIA+ media outlet on the red carpet at the Lotte Hotel ahead of the gala, it was clear that this was a moment worth documenting. The evening honored actress and advoc Tue Jun 23 2026 18:48:19 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167599/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167599/ The Puget Sound Business Journal celebrated the region’s Queer leaders, advocates, and changemakers during its 11th annual Business of Pride Awards on June 2 at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, bringing together business, nonprofit. and community leaders for an evening centered on visibility, inclusion, and resilience. The lively reception honored the 2026 Outstanding Voices: Danni Askini, Hanifah Bellaluz McGovern, Christopher Brown, Paul and Matthew Castle, Jenny Harding, B Harper, Patti Hearn, Domonique Jul Tue Jun 23 2026 18:36:07 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167598/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167598/ How many times have you marched so far this month? Seems like there’s always a reason to gather and walk during Pride, but save some time for yourself too. You’ll want to reflect, rest, and read these great books about living your best Pride month… No doubt, you’ve thought once or twice about stepping away from society as it is and moving somewhere more accepting. So read Qtopia: A Memoir of Love, Land, and Liberation by Juda Bennett (University of Wisconsin Press, $18.95), the story of doing exactly that, Tue Jun 23 2026 18:31:23 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167537/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167537/ I caught an early screening of Leviticus, and honestly, it’s haunted me ever since. Most horror movies deliver quick scares that fade away quickly. But this one? The storyline sticks with you. It’s the kind of film that lingers in your mind long after it’s over. Leviticus follows two teenage boys, Naim and Ryan, whose relationship becomes dangerous once it’s exposed in their deeply religious small town. What begins as a story about young love under pressure quickly turns into something far more disturbing w Mon Jun 22 2026 09:50:55 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167536/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167536/ Before Wayne Turner became a public interest attorney for HIV issues and Medicaid advocacy in Washington, DC, and taught LGBTQ+ health law and policy at Georgetown Law School, he was hard at work as a Queer and AIDS rights activist in Seattle. Turner was deeply involved in the Seattle chapter of ACT UP from 1989 to 1993. He also was part of the Freedom Day Committee, along with his partner Steve Michael; together they helped to put on the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Freedom Day March and Rally in 1992. Mon Jun 22 2026 08:51:38 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167475/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167475/ During the 1980s and 1990s, the AIDS crisis swept across the world, killing more than 44 million people as of today. Marginalized people, especially Black/Brown, LGBTQIA+, and impoverished people afflicted with the disease, were largely ignored by the government and society during this time, denying them the care that they required. In 1987, the People of Color Against AIDS Network was founded in Seattle to bridge the gap by meeting people where they were. POCAAN began as an organization to provide marginaz Fri Jun 19 2026 09:59:47 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/167451/ https://www.sgn.org/story/167451/ Pride in Seattle today is mostly known for being a citywide celebration. However, before large corporations saw it as an opportunity to covet rainbow dollars, it was also a means for the LGBTQIA+ community to demand broader societal acceptance, raise awareness about community issues like HIV/AIDS, and advocate for legal protections. From the 1980s to late 1990s, a group of community- and politically minded organizers, called the Freedom Day Committee, were at the heart of making sure Pride even happened eve Thu Jun 18 2026 10:17:34 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)