The Pride Movement in the United States

By OLY ARTS STAFF History shows that in every society and culture, human beings have refused to fit into a narrow sex-and-gender box, yet for decades the United States government attempted to repress and discriminate against gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and other “queer” expressions of sexuality. Back in the 1950s and ’60s, protest groups regularly …

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Emma González Honored by Capital City Pride

By Yvonne Joyce for OLY ARTS “My name is Emma González. I’m 18 years old, Cuban and bisexual.” In the February 2018 issue of Harper’s Bazaar magazine, a young woman wrote those words, bringing together her youth, national origin and sexuality as she courageously took the national stage. This year, Capital City Pride honors the …

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2017: Capital City Pride Event Schedule

by OLY ARTS staff PRIDE POWER-UP Thursday, June 15 9 p.m.   Dance Party – Jake’s on 4th, 311 Fourth Ave.   PRIDE KICK-OFF  Friday, June 16 Street party in front of Oly Underground   7:30 p.m. — Music — DJ Aaron Fury 8 p.m. — Welcome — Jadys Diamond, MC 8:05 p.m. — Welcome — …

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2017: Pride Proclamations — Pride for Everyone

by OLY ARTS staff Capital City Pride is the culmination of the month-long celebration of LGBTQ life in Washington state. Last year, Governor Jay Inslee honored that history by issuing a public proclamation that stated, in part, “The state of Washington has a long and proud history of honoring diversity. Our own law against discrimination …

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Anna Schlecht

Honoring Anna Schlecht

Capital City Pride 2017 will be the first such celebration in decades without local activist Anna Schlecht at the forefront. In honor of her work over the years, here’s a retrospective of Schlecht’s social-justice work, co-presented by ThurstonTalk and OLY ARTS. by Heidi Smith for ThurstonTalk Anna Schlecht has been at the heart of the …

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2017: Pride Overview

by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS “Resist hate. Celebrate love.” That’s the theme of the 27th-annual Capital City Pride, and it reflects the two sides of the event’s past and present. The festival, here and across the country, has long been both an opportunity to stand for LGBTQ rights and a celebration of that community …

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2017: Celebrating Love, Resisting Hate: Interviews with Pride Leaders

by Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS Capital City Pride celebrates 26 years in 2017, and with this year’s celebration the torch of leadership has passed. Anna Schlecht has formally left her management role. Gina Thompson and Lucas Miller are co-chairs this year, alongside treasurer Christina White, board secretary Kai Abrahamson and volunteer coordinator Tiffany Casman. …

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2017: Pride Recognitions

by OLY ARTS staff Each year, Capital City Pride recognizes local members of the community. Attendees at open Pride meetings throughout the year can nominate people for recognition, and the awardees are selected democratically as a community selection. This year, Capital City Pride chose to recognize the following three individuals: MEG MARTIN 2017 Pride Activist …

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Why Pride?

by OLY ARTS staff Pride is a public experience that affirms the presence and reality of the people in our community who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or gender fluid (LGBTQ). In fact, claiming the identity of “pride” is a radical act that confronts the idea of shame. It is a positive stance toward inclusion …

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