(OUTview NW) COME TOGETHER, a benefit for Country Doctor, featuring keynote speaker Gay icon, Cleve Jones, raised $189,020 for new clinic

MKS

by MK Scott

On Saturday. October 14, Country Doctor Community Health Centers hosted a fundraiser at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) that drew several hundreds of attendees to celebrate and support expansion of services and a new building for their Capitol Hill clinic. They're full steam ahead to 'Bring a Smile to Our Community.' Soon CDCHC will offer dental care, a critical need!

The evening gave a stirring tribute to retiring CDCHC founding executive director, Linda McVeigh, and introduced new CDCHC executive director, Raleigh Watts, to the crowd.

Famed activist and NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt founder, Cleve Jones, gave a remarkable keynote address recounting his life story and history of becoming an activist - his move to San Francisco as a young man, his work and friendship with Harvey Milk, his AIDS activism as co-founder of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, his founding of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, and his current work as a labor activist - all the while emphasizing the importance of coming together to lift our family, friends and neighbors, our community, up as Country Doctor Community Health Centers continues to do through the Carolyn Downs Family Medical Center, the Country Doctor Community Clinic, and their After-Hours Clinic at Swedish-Cherry Hill.

It was a fun, moving and memorable evening.

Sponsors of the event included - Swedish, Gilead, MarPac, LabCorp, Amerigroup, Coordinated Care, Community Health Plan of Washington, Kaiser Permanente, Environmental Works, Seattle Children's, Henry Schein, USI, Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson, and AHF.

To support the ongoing work of CDCHC, please visit their website at https://countrydoctor.org/

(OUTview NW) Mr. Nude Seattle Contest returns after 7-year hiatus!

 by MK Scott

It is hard to believe that 2009 was the last time Seattle held a Mr. Nude Seattle Contest. Started in the late- 90s, Mr. Nude Seattle was an annual contest held mostly at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute at 17th & E Yesler Way in the Central District.

At long last, under the direction of Martin, Creator and Producer of the Mr. Nude Seattle Contest, Mr. Nude Seattle was back this Wednesday, October 25th, with Latrina Bidet and Mark Mom Finley back as the Co-Hosts and a special burlesque performance by Angel Snowbunny.

With only three contestants, the evening went by quickly beginning with the First Look (clothed), continuing with the Striptease, followed by the Q&A in the nude, and the Final Look (nude).

In the end it was George winning the title and the $500 cash prize with 1st and 2nd runner-ups, Hartley and Shane.

The event was sponsored by Active Delivery Service, Astroglide, Castle Megastore, Changes, Club Z, Diesel, Haircomb, The Olympians, Seattle Gay News and True Love Tattoo and Art Gallery.

Not bad after being away for 7 years. Look for the next contest in February 2019.

(OUTview NW) Former Second Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, was keynote speaker at Hopelink's Annual Luncheon which raised $1.19 million for social services

by MK Scott

On Monday, October 16, Dr. Jill Biden, the wife of former Vice President Joe Biden, was the keynote speaker at the 22nd annual Hopelink Reaching Out Luncheon at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue.

Hopelink is the largest social services agency in east and north King County, serving 64,000 people every year.

The luncheon, which was free to attend, was full to capacity with 1800 attendees, all present to make generous donations to Hopelink.

Dr. Biden talked about the challenge of tough times, and the role each of us can play in helping each other, and in building a stronger community. 'None of us needs to fix the whole world,' she said, 'but we can make a difference - one good turn after another.'

During Dr. Biden's speech she talked about balancing her life as a wife, mother, being Second Lady and still keeping her professorship at Northern Virginia Community College; adding to that, was her son, Beau's losing battle with cancer in 2015.

Biden said, 'Sometimes our strength comes from within us. Sometimes it can't. That's where community and groups like Hopelink come in.'

The luncheon raised a record $1.19 million to support Hopelink services.

Today, Hopelink provides a full array of critical social services through a number of different programs, including housing, transportation, case management, financial assistance, employment programs, energy assistance, adult education and literacy training, a vast referral network and six food banks. Hopelink Centers are located in Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Shoreline and Sno-Valley/Carnation.

To make a donation and for more information about Hopelink, visit their website, hopelink.org.

(OUTview NW) LEO Party brings out Drag Royalty with Chad Michaels: Raises over $20K for SCS!

On behalf of Joe Torres, Founder of LEO Foundation - THANK YOU!

Our amazing team of VOLUNTEERS and ENTERTAINERS - AMORA Dior Black, ATASHA Manila, CLAYTON Coleman, DESARAE Pendavis, EVAH Destruction, GAYSHA Starr, ISAAC Scott, JAXEN Brown, LADIE Chablis, LaSAVEONA Hunt, LONDYN Bradshaw, LUNA Palacios, the MARKOS Sisters, URSULA Major, TRULY Scrumptuous with The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence - with the generosity of OUR FRIENDS helped raise $20,000+ for Seattle Counseling Service and Imperial Sovereign Court Of Seattle.

We are grateful to our gracious sponsors and donors: Muckleshoot Casino Charities, Silver Dollar Casino - SeaTac, Neighbours Seattle!

Here are the official photos courtesy of John Beursken.

With pride,
Aleksa Manila
LEO Foundation

Also in the SGN 

(OUTview NW) How the New Years Eve Party at the Chihuly (in the shadow of the Space Needle) became one of the most exciting moments of my life!

by MK Scott

For the second year in a row I was lucky enough to attend the annual New Year's Eve Gala at Chihuly Garden and Glass (located next to the Space Needle at Seattle Center) with my boyfriend, Brian. As usual this was a high artsy affair and is clearly one of the best ways to celebrate New Year's Eve.

When we first arrived we kept our coats on because it was indeed a chilly night as we ventured outside to visit the outdoor glass garden. (By the time we'd arrived at 9pm, the always-enjoyable live glassblowing demonstrations from the Community Hot Shop had closed down.) We then came back inside, checked our coats and toured the museum's display of Dale Chihuly's work. It's an impressive collection.

After 10pm, the party officially moved into the Glasshouse ballroom, where there was live music from the Craig Lawrence Band, free appetizers and pastries, and a no-host bar. By midnight, everyone had received a glass of champagne as we waited and looked up at the Space Needle from the glass roof as we counted down to the start of 2017.

Watching the fireworks coming out of the Space Needle was an exciting moment and this year was by far one of the best displays I had ever seen.

After the fireworks Brian and I sipped our champagne to bring in the New Year and celebrate our engagement (Yes, Really)! .

This Article also was featured in the Seattle Gay News!

(OUTview NW) PHOTOS: Former Gov Chris Gregoire and Diverse Harmony bring Unity and Hope to the GSBA Annual Holiday Luncheon at McCaw Hall!

by MK Scott

It was an exciting afternoon this past Wednesday (12/14) when major players from the Seattle LGBTQA business community came together at McCaw Hall for the GSBA Holiday Luncheon and Annual Meeting.

As you entered the main hall and lobby there were booths lined up featuring all the GSBA corporate sponsors including Wells Fargo, Pacific Medical, Microsoft, Amtrak, 1st Security Bank, Sound Publishing, with goodie bags filled with mugs, water bottles, stuffed toys, and even hand sanitizer. The always-fab piano man Victor Janusz provided live background music for the pre-luncheon showcase as he had done at the GSBA's recent Equalux scholarship fundraising gala.

On the McCaw Hall mezzanine level round tables were set up with salad-filled plates and rolls for the luncheon. I was honored to share a table with GSBA president and CEO Louise Chernin and special guest and keynote speaker Washington's former Governor Christine Gregoire.

(OUTview NW) COMEDY Re-view: Coco's New show, A GENTLE REMINDER is a SENSATION!

(MKS)

by MK Scott

Miss Coco Peru returned to Seattle this past weekend to a sold out show at the Unicorn called A Gentle Reminder - Coco’s Guide to a Somewhat Happy Life, it was more than a Campy Comedy show, it was Coco as an inspirational speaker and she was Sensational! Coco received several Standing O's, if you ever get a chance, SEE IT!

(SLGFF 2015) SUNDAY at the Fest!

It is Day 3 of the 20th Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (SLGFF):

7:00pm CENTERPIECE: Beautiful Something (Directed by Joseph Graham)
SIFF Cinema Egyptian
Loosely based on writer-director Joseph Graham’s experiences in the ’90s, BEAUTIFUL SOMETHING weaves through the lives of four creative men during one night in the City of Brotherly Love. Brian, a poet with writer’s block and a penchant for being unlucky in love, manages to have a steamy sexual encounter with Jim, a hot young aspiring actor and dramatic muse for Drew (Colman Domingo, LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER, LINCOLN), a sculpted sculptor. Jim’s jealousy of Drew’s talent precipitates dangerous choices, which both inspire and infuriate Drew. Meanwhile, talent agent Bob cruises the streets in his big white limo playing both sugar daddy and knight in shining armor in a quest for his next stripling man-ingénue. They soon discover that their hollow, quick, dirty romps can’t mask their insecurities and failures.

Party at Gay City

(Chrysalis 2015) Hollywood Stars and Industry Notables Emerged for the 14th Annual Butterfly Ball

The Ageless Stone! Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty

On Saturday, The Chrysalis Butterfly Ball brought the Hollywood industry and celebrities together to honor remarkable men and women within the film, television and music industries who strive to achieve creative excellence. This year over 650 guests gathered for an unforgettable evening benefitting Chrysalis’ effort to help individuals out of poverty and homelessness by providing the tools necessary to gain employment. The event began with a red carpet and outdoor cocktail reception followed by a sit-down dinner, awards ceremony and live musical performances by Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Aloe Blacc and songwriter/artivist Maya Jupiter. This year’s Master of Ceremonies was Max Greenfield with special guest Kristen Bell.

The 2015 recipients of the Spirit of Chrysalis Award included Betsy Beers, partner of Shondaland (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal” and “How To Get Away With Murder”), Will Packer, founder of Will Packer Productions (Ride Along, Think Like A Man), and Michael Wright, CEO of DreamWorks Studios (The Hundred-Foot Journey, Bridge of Spies). The event also celebrated Chrysalis client Charles Johnson who received the John Dillon Award.

The event’s philanthropic partner is Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors Foundation, the automotive sponsor is Audi, the beauty sponsor is Lauren B. Beauty and the hospitality sponsor is Z Gallerie.

WHO: Co-chairs Rebecca Gayheart-Dane, Rick Hess, Donna Langley, Josh Lieberman, Katherine Pope and Richard Weitz will be joined by Vince Vaughn (True Detective), Sharon Stone (Gods Behaving Badly), Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect 2), Eric Dane (The Last Ship), Patricia Heaton (The Middle), Seth Rogen (Neighbors), James Van Der Beek (CSI: Cyber), Reid Scott (VEEP), Ben Feldman (Superstore), Vanna White (Wheel of Fortune), Darby Stanchfield (Scandal), Robert Patrick (Scorpion), Soleil Moon Frye (Planet Sheen), Lauren Miller (For a Good Time, Call...), Jason Goldberg (Producer), Balthazar Getty (Brothers & Sisters), Michael Ealy (The Following), Sarah Drew (Grey’s Anatomy), Meagan Good (Think Like a Man Too), Elizabeth Berkley (CSI: Miami), Russell Simmons (Producer), Terrence Jenkins (E! News), Paula Patton (About Last Night), Lindsay Price (Eastwick), Curtis Stone (Celebrity Chef), Halston Sage (Neighbors), Kandi Burress-Tucker (Real Housewives of Atlanta), Leven Rambin (Tomorrow People), Jerrod Carmichael (Neighbors), Gary Sheffield (Retired MLB Player), DeVon Franklin (CEO of Franklin Entertainment), Max Handelman (Producer), Evan Goldberg (Producer) and Todd Tucker (Producer), among others.

(OUTscene AMERICA) The Trevor Project Celebrates Sweet 16th Year Anniversary at TrevorLIVE!

Robert Greenblatt                  Getty for TTP

Los Angeles, CA. (December 8, 2014) – Last night at the Hollywood Palladium, The Trevor Project celebrated 16 years of its life-saving, life-affirming work, which provide crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) teens and young adults. The high-profile annual event, TrevorLIVE Los Angeles, was presented by Wells Fargo and hosted by Jennifer Coolidge. The Trevor Project bestowed the Trevor Hero Award to NBC Entertainment’s Chairman, Robert Greenblatt, for his ongoing support of the LGBTQ community; Yahoo with the 20/20 Visionary Award, for its efforts to advance an empowering future-focused message for LGBTQ young people and its allies nationwide; and Skylar Kergil, a transgender artist, musician and YouTube personality, with the Youth Innovator Award for his passions surrounding LGBTQ rights and advocacy in the community.


While accepting the Trevor Hero Award, Robert stated, “I think the purpose of a night like this is to remind all of us – who live in our perfect little bubbles – that there are many, many people out there with truly serious issues.” Greenblatt continued, “They’ve run out of hope because they don’t feel they can ever be who they are.”

(OUTview TV) The 2014 EIC Recovery Month Luncheon Webcast!

On September 4th, 2014, the Entertainment Industries Council filmed and hosted a live webcast of the Recovery Month Luncheon!

The annual Recovery Month Luncheon recognizes the hard work by those in the recovery community across the country in providing services and spreading the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover. NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, Young People in Recovery (YPR), and the Association of Recovery Schools (ARS), along with the official Recovery Month partner, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), were pleased to share the 25th Anniversary Recovery Month Kickoff Luncheon and video trilogy launch, Looking Back at Addiction, Looking Forward to Recovery, with viewers around the world. Last year was the first year a webcast was done for the event and it reached 10 times the number of people with the speaker's powerful messages of treatment and recovery.

(OUTscene AMERICA) PHOTOS: Seattle's Stoli Guy Selected this past weekend!

Tim Harmon

Seattle Stoli Guy Pageant happened this past Friday, August 15, at Neighbours Nightclub  featuring 5 talented men competing for a chance to win the “Stoli Guy Seattle” title and an opportunity to go on to NYC to compete in the finals on 9/18 to win the Stoli Guy 2014 title and $10k.

The event was hosted by the national Stoli Guy host, PATRIK GALLINEAUX, with local co-host MAMA TITS on hand, plus judges HMB's Lori Pacchiano, SGS' Michael Strangeways. and Lobby Bar's Paul Villa and presented by GayCities and Stoli USA!

Some of the talent included a Stripper, a Cheesy Rapper, a Pop Singer, a Opera singer, and dancer. It was up against the Opera singer and dancer.  The winner was the dancer, Sean. 

For the the FULL List of contestants, go to Gaycities.com.  PHOTOS by Tim Harmon 

(OUTscene NW) Re-view: Cirque Du Soleil's Amaluna is a Great Magical Ride!

The Goddess                        Via Facebook

By MK Scott

Deep in the suburbs of Seattle, and not too far from the Campus of Microsoft is a Park called Marymoor with a Big giant circus tent near the soccer field. As you go inside that tent you walk a staircase to a new world.

This was my first time in the tent that houses Cirque Du Soleil in NW Washington, and my second time seeing a CDS show (I saw Zumanity in Vegas in 2011). This new show, Amaluna,  has been touring the US and in Canada for about a year. So I attended this past Thursday, to see the magic and thrills happen in this magical land.

Miranda Contorts in Water     Via Seattle P-I

Amaluna is a touring show by Cirque du Soleil which premiered in Montréal, Canada, on April 19, 2012, created and directed by Diane Paulus. Loosely inspired by William Shakespeare's The Tempest, the story takes place on an island governed by goddesses. During a storm, a group of (Hunky) men are washed up on shore. The queen's daughter falls for one of the young men, and the trials of their love are the elements composing this production.

(OUTscene AMERICA) Photos and Impressions from Saturday night’s Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center Gala!

Cruz and Jean

by Greg Hernandez

I always look forward to the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center’s anniversary gala each year.

The Center does so much good work for the LGBT community and provides so many vital services so this is an organization I stand firmly behind.

I’ve attended at least 10 of the galas and I’ve seen CEO Lorri L. Jean give some rousing and inspiring speeches – even in the worse of times for the LGBT equality movement.

So how wonderful it was to see her on Saturday night dancing on the stage with delight because of all the triumphs achieved last Tuesday at the polls.

‘I am one happy lesbian!’ she said before stepping away from the microphone and doing an extended jig across the stage as the crowd roared with delight.

(OUTscene NW) Carole McClellan Wins at Independent Designer Runway Show!

BELLEVUE, Wash.  (Sept. 27, 2012) – After years as an experienced leather and fur fashion designer, Carole McClellan was selected as the winner of the Fashion Funds prize the first Independent Designer Runway Show at The Bellevue Collection’s Fashion Week on Sept. 26th.  McClellan’s prize package includes $5,000 in Fashion Funds to help build her business donated by The Bellevue Collection, Fashion Group International Seattle Chapter and Femfessionals in Seattle. 

As the first fashion event of this year’s weeklong Fashion Week at The Bellevue Collection, The Independent Designer Show showcased the inspiring and creative designs of eight local fashion designers in a dynamic and spectacular runway event. In partnership with Fashion Group International (FGI) and Femfessionals in Seattle, the show was a culmination of months of work by the designers, organizers and a judging panel to bring a spotlight on the strength of the independent designer movement in the Puget Sound area. 

(OUTscene NW) PRE-view: "The Gayest of All Time Tour" Featuring Julie Goldman and Jonny McGovern. Hosted By Jinkx Monsoon!

OUTscene Pal, Julie Goldman is Back in Seattle after a 2 year absence and this time she isn't alone.

Goldman starred in the first, second and third seasons of The Big Gay Sketch Show, a sketch comedy show on the Logo television network.

Her first stand-up performance was at The Comedy Connection in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 15.

Goldman is currently working on raising money for Nicest Thing, a feature-length, lesbian romantic comedy that she co-wrote with Brandy Howard. Goldman and Howard are producing the movie with Amanda Bearse who is also slated to direct.

(OUTscene TV) Dustin Lance Black speaks at the 2012 Pacific NW HRC Dinner!

Dustin Lance Black (MILK, J.Edgar, 8) spoke upon receiving the 2012 Visibility award last Saturday at the Seattle Sheraton.

(OUTscene NW) Highlights from the Queen's BRUNCH (With No sign of Harry)!

by MK Scott

Was thrilled to finally get a chance to attend the Queen's Brunch, this past Saturday, hosted by the fabulous Sylvia O'Stayformore. One of the truly best Drag Queens in Seattle, traditional and sings her own songs. The Royal Room (5000 Rainier Ave S.) was the perfect venue for this.

The Food was good, light and fluffy and the coffee was endless.

Special Guests included Donatella Howe, Mama Tits, Ceasar Hart and the Iconic, Peggy Platt (Playing Mama Spudd). 

The Highlights were Sylvia's "Tyler the Latte Boy", Mama Tit's "New Attitude" and Peggy Platt's Mama Spudd. Missing was Prince Harry and the Beefcake.

The Queen's Brunch is on every 3rd Saturday at the Royal Room in Columbia City.

(OUTscene NW) Star-Studded Cabaret for Marriage Equality raise over 5K!

Nellie Steals the show!

The final numbers are in, and I’m happy to report that after expenses the Cabaret for Marriage Equality that was held on Saturday, September 7th, raised over $5,000 to approve Ref-74.


The show (at Seattle's Town Hall) itself was Great with the Fabulous Alison Arngrim (Nellie from Little House) and she brought the equally fabulous, Scott Silverman (Gay and Jewish comedian),  Abby Drake from LA, and the local talents of Peggy Platt, Captain Smartypants, Jackie Hell and Jinkx Monsoon. They donated their Talents and kept the expenses low. The audience was more of a lesbian and older couples crowd.

Photos by Nate Gowdy (SGN)

(OUTscene NW) PHOTOS/TV: Cruisey T's Pride Cruise was an L.E.C. Experience!

MK w/ James Steck       MK/OS

by MK Scott 

Van City Pride is never complete until you make it on a Cruisey-T Pride Cruise, in my case the Pride Party Cruise which is a 4 Hour Floating T-Dance that starts at the Harbour Marina and travel to the English Bay and Back.

Besides Dancing where you stand, there were Drag Performances by Van City's own Raye Sunshine, and Iona Whipp. Did I mention the all-can-you-Buffet Dinner?

CruiseyT's main focus is to raise funds for local charities and organizations within the Gay & Lesbian Communities. Since the inception of CruiseyT in 1991, a total of $600,000 has been donated to worthy causes and direct service agencies. Check Out the Grande Finale on September 2nd.

I still long for the days when Seattle had its own "Queen City Cruise" which was always a Lubricating, Ejaculating Celebration!