[press release from Tolt Congregational United Church of Christ]

"Christian...and Gay?"  Tolt Congregational United Church of Christ in Carnation [get directions] invites the community to a presentation on May 7, 2008, to hear a progressive Christian voice on this topic.

Pastor Stephen Haddan, who received his Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in Minnesota, will discuss “Who We Are, What We Believe, and How We Use the Bible.”

Tolt's position as a church which welcomes and affirms all people regardless of race, gender, economic status or sexual identity will also be explained.

Church youth leader Cindy Sattler notes that this presentation is especially timely with the recent valley discussions regarding the work of the Gay-Straight Alliance at Mt Si High School. “I’ve noticed that many who oppose the GSA do so by claiming the word “Christian” to describe themselves, as if being Christian explains the foundation upon which a person stakes their case. It alarms me that so many find the words “gay” and “Christian” to be mutually exclusive,” she says.

Tolt Congregational, founded in 1894, belongs to the United Church of Christ, a denomination that dates back to the Mayflower. Eleven signers of the Declaration of Independence were members of UCC  predecessor bodies. The UCC was the first mainline church to ordain an African-American (1785), a woman (1853) and an openly gay pastor (1972).

The presentation will begin at 7 PM and a social time with refreshments will follow. The church is located at Hwy 203 and Morrison Street.

hattip: MtSiParents.blogspot.com

Hi! I'm Bruce!

We hope you've had a wonderful winter and spring! (Although we, like you, had a bit of difficulty with the whole "spring" thing this year. Sure the springtime buds and flowers were there, but it has felt a whole lot like winter for the past couple of months.)

But we're confident that all this meteorological pain will be rewarded with an incredible summer. And what happens every year in summer? All together now: The Queen City Cruise!

Indeed! Summer! And the smiling, decorated Goodtime II will motor out of its dock for the Cruise exactly 100 days from now on August 9.

And this year's Cruise just happens to coincide with Seafair Saturday, so you'll have a chance to see the Blue Angels flying over in a practice run just like in the good ol' days. 

Tickets go on sale LGBT Pride Saturday, June 28, exclusively on our web site.

We're really excited about all the help we're getting to make this year's Cruise the best ever.

We're delighted to welcome an athletic group of guys that we like to call the Buoys of Summer as partners and beneficiaries of this year's Cruise. They're more officially known as "Series 2008 Organizing Committee" but our version is shorter and more to the point, don't you think.

They're busy working out all of the complex details for "Northwest Quest: The 2008 NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series and ASANA Softball World Series 2008" (Whew. What a name, eh?) Thousands of gay jocks and athletic supporters will be in town for the series to be held August 22 to August 30. That's a really big deal and a lot of work, but the Buoys of Summer have agreed to take a bit of time off from organizing all those games and events to help out with the Cruise. We're honored.

We're equally happy to welcome Gay City Health Project which has signed for its maiden voyage this year as a partner and beneficiary. Since they've co-produced The Bump for years, they know how to throw a big party. (Of course, that's one that we still think of with the longer name we gave it for its first few years as a TTCA party: Things That Go BUMP in the Night.)

We also welcome back Action Northwest as a beneficiary and partner.

As always, the beneficiaries become an important part of the Cruise experience as they provide the volunteers who do much the work to make your day on the water a wholly enjoyable and outstanding experience.

We've had our mailing list at ttca.org turned off for the winter to save a bit of cash for the beneficiaries, but it's up and running again. If you haven't signed up before, do it now! (Names that were on the list before are still there. You should have gotten an email from me by now to mark the re-start.)

Members of the list get special offers, like early and late ticket-buying options, plus all the info you need to get ready for the big day on August 9. (Oh, and we don't sell, trade, or otherwise spam the list. You'll get a few emails about the Cruise per month this summer and then we'll go dark again with it all.)

Oh... and the theme? This year's party is Queen City Cruise: PROJECT GANGPLANK. There will be plenty of challenges and contests for all Cruisers, including the Buoys of Summer.

Please forward this message to any friends that you think might be interested in the Cruise and be sure to advise them to sign up for the Cruise Alert list.

Happy cruising!
Bruce

  [a message from Equal Rights Washington]

Hutch v. Mount Si

On Friday April 25th students at over 7,000 schools nationwide participated in the Day of Silence to bring attention to how LGBT students and students perceived as LGBT face bullying, violence and taunts in schools simply because of who they are. Outside  Mt. Si High School a leader of the anti-gay industry Ken Hutcherson organized a protest of the Day of Silence. Parents and community members supportive of the Day of Silence welcomed students in silence as they arrived to show support for LGBT students and to call for an end to bullying. 

Now we ask you to sign a petition to the school administration so that they know there is strong support for the Day of Silence and that the High School must continue to address the needs of LGBT students.

Thanks for all you do,

Josh Friedes
Advocacy Director
Equal Rights Washington

Sign this petition and notify:
Joel Aune
Randy Taylor

[petition at: http://eqfed.org/campaign/day_of_silence/]

Three Dollar Bill Cinema is having its first annual AuctionFest!

"Some Like It HOT" is an evening of dinner, dessert, film, and fabulous auction items on Seattle's waterfront to support Three Dollar Bill Cinema.

when: May 3rd at 5:30PM
where: Bell Harbor Conference Center at Pier 66
how: Buy your tickets online or call or email the office to pay by check: auction@seattlequeerfilm.org or 206-323-4274

Auction items include:

• Two Full Festival Passes plus two Opening Night tickets to the Seattle International Film Festival
• VIP Tickets and camping package to the Sasquatch Music Festival
• A walk-on role for a major motion picture shot in Seattle
• Your own private outdoor movie party including concessions
• 7 night stay at Villa Rainbow, a gorgeous gay guesthouse on the island of St. Maarten (French Caribbean)
• Props from Dreamgirls, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the tv show: Friday Night Lights
• Fire eating lessons
• Private Hot Tub party for 4
• Your personal voicemail greeting recorded by Perez Hilton
• Meet Sandra Bernhard plus tickets to her concert

5:30pm-doors open, silent auctions, passed appetizers followed by sit-down dinner, hosted wine, and live auction.

Get your tickets before they sell out!

[announcement from QSquared]

This is your friendly reminder that GLITTERBOMB! is fast approaching!  GLITTERBOMB! is about high-energy dance music, unique experiences and is a massive glitter attack on the Seattle social scene. 

The night will be hosted by Aleksa Manila and will include performances by West End Boys with special guests, SoulChilde, Miss Bebe Doll and hot music spun by DJ LA Kendall.  Those looking for more can retreat to the exclusive Sparkle Lounge where you will relax to chill sounds by DJ Bret Law.  The night will include many surprises and will be an amazing evening of energy, music and community!

Excessive use of body glitter is highly recommended.  Super fabulous glitter costume prizes will be awarded; check website for details.

GLITTERBOMB! will take place at CHAC (Capitol Hill Arts Center) on May 17, 2008 in the main stage.  Tickets are $20/$25 at the door.  A limited number of Sparkle Lounge Passes are available for $35/$40 at the door.  The Sparkle Lounge pass includes unlimited access to the exclusive Sparkle Lounge and gift bags for the first 50 guests.

Please check out our  freshly glitterized and super sexy website: www.myspace.com/thenightshiftpresents for more information.  Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com and are going fast so be sure to purchase yours now!

[Three Dollar Bill announcement]

Three Dollar Bill Cinema's "I Love The Nightlife!" April Film Series continues Thursday, April 17 with Some of my Best Friends Are..., presented at Northwest Film Forum at 7 pm. and followed by a post-screening party at Madison Pub.

In his book, 101 Must-See Movies for Gay Men, author Alonso Duralde writes about the film, "If this unavailable on video gem ever screens anywhere near you, cancel all plans and go, go, go."

Set on Christmas Eve 1971 in a Greenwich Village gay bar, Some of my Best Friends Are... features hilarious performances from "Golden Girls'" Rue McClanahan as a rich 'fag hag,' Warhol superstar Candy Darling, "Buck Rogers'" Gil Gerard and beloved out icon Fannie Flagg.

Screening attendees are invited to attend a post-party at Madison Pub, located at 1315 E. Madison Street. Drink specials will be offered to ticket holders.

Three Dollar Bill Cinema's "I Love the Nightlife!" retrospective film series focuses on the portrayal of the underground gay social scene through vintage queer film. The series concludes Thursday, April 24 with The Detective. In this 1968 film, Frank Sinatra stars as an honest but conflicted cop, tough on crime but struggling with a law enforcement establishment where racism and homophobia are the norm.  While investigating the murder of a wealthy and well-connected gay man, the mystery takes a turn with surprising results.

Tickets are $10, $9 for Three Dollar Bill Cinema members, and $32 for a series pass.

The Northwest Film Forum is located at 1515 12th Ave in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Tickets are available online from Brownpaperbag. Three Dollar Bill has more information.

You guys SERIOUSLY have to come down to Jillian's tomorrow and meet Sheryl Swoopes!! I know it'll be hot outside, but it'll be even hotter inside when you meet and greet The Seattle Storm's newest addition...the female Michael Jordan...SHERYL SWOOPES!!

Bring friends and family. We can accommodate up to 150 people. $10 entry fee at the door. Bring items to be signed and your cameras as well. COME ONE, COME ALL! Don't miss it!!!

Tomorrow, April 12 from 2 to 4 pm at Jillian's, 731 Westlake Ave N, on South Lake Union! [get directions]

See you there!

WE NEED YOUR HELP TODAY
We need to raise thousands today for an
important deposit to the Seattle Center tomorrow
We're working our butts off (with no pay) to make sure Seattle has a great Pride this year, but we need your help to make it happen. Tomorrow we have an important deposit to the Seattle Center (2nd of 3).

THERE ARE FOUR WAYS TO HELP:
BECOME A COMMUNITY MEMBER (benefits below)
DONATE
RENT A BOOTH
HELP BACK PRIDEFEST

To help back the event, simply send as e-mail at info@seattlepridefest.org. You can help finance a big performer or help to throw the big Saturday night men's party or help fly in one of our artists. All are important ways to help put on a great Pride.

WHY DO WE HAVE PRIDE?
Many think PrideFest is just a big party, but it's much more than that. Pride helps us remember the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future. We give hope to thousands of people in less open communities that you can be who you are and live a healthy, happy life. It helps to acknowledge and raise money for dozens of local non-profits. It's an opportunity once a year to recognize what an amazing community we live in and how fortunate we are to live in this time. It's a chance to celebrate.

PAY $200 - BECOME A COMMUNITY MEMBER - GET STUFF:
· 2 tickets to the Saturday night Men's Party - SHAMELESS
· 2 invitations to the Pride Launch Party
· 2 invitations to the VIP lounge at Pride
· 2 Official Pride T-shirts

FUNDING PRIDEFEST
Many people think we got millions of dollars this year to put on Pride, but this money went to the Pride Foundation. The Pride Foundation is a great local non-profit that helps fund lots of LGBT programs in the Northwest, but we receive NO MONEY from the Pride Foundation. With the economy as it is this year and us working on a shoestring budget, we need the help. Pride will happen, but it won't happen without your help. MANY WHO DON'T HAVE MUCH HAVE PITCHED IN - IF YOU HAVE A LITTLE EXTRA WON'T YOU CONSIDER SUPPORTING YOUR COMMUNITY THROUGH FUNDING PRIDEFEST?