PrideCast

On today's PrideCast, Aleska and Egan do a COVID vaccine check-in, talk about in-person Pride in 2021, and take a deep dive with Washington State Supreme Court Associate Justice Mary Yu about the epidemic of anti-Asian hate and how allies can join the fight against it.

In this week's PrideCast, Aleksa and Egan recap the year that was through an LGBTQ+ lens. Also, a talk with GSBA's outgoing President and CEO Louise Chernin about her 19 years of service to the organization and decades of activism. 

On today's PrideCast, hosts Egan Orion and Aleksa Manila take a deep dive into how the community is getting out the LGBTQIA+ vote and why it's important for us to vote. Special emphasis on Drag Out The Vote Ambassadors Aleksa Manila and Ceasar Hart. Plus, we speak with the Chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, Tina Podlodowski, about how to register and make sure your vote is counted, as well as some things she'll be looking for on November 3. Listen to this episode but more importantly: VOTE!

In this week's episode, hosts Aleksa Manila and Egan Orion explore the challenges of same-sex couples and their kids during the pandemic, plus solicit some advice for Egan for starting his family in 2021. Same-sex couples have always had challenges making babies, but more are taking the plunge and we wanted to check in with them to see how their fairing with all the challenges of 2020. Featuring couples Sarah Toce and Stephanie Brusig (with their daughter Sophia) and Steven Park and Mark Greenough and their three kids. A bonus conversation about being the "other" and the importance of belonging. 

This week, we explore the importance of small, community, local, and regional pride events and recognize the loss of Congressperson John Lewis.

First up, Aleksa and Egan speak with Stacy Bass-Walden, one of the founders of Alki Beach Pride, about some safely-distanced events they have planned for 2020. Then, we speak with Michael Dale, the board president for Boise Pride, and talk about their plans for a 2020 virtual pride (with some in-person elements). Finally, we meet with community activist Allison Fine Taylor who has been helping to lead up an effort to produce Federal Way's first Pride event in 2020. Sadly, they will have to wait until 2021. Happily, they've built quite an organization and have already done much of the work to prepare for an in-person Pride next year.

Stacy Bass-Walden with Alki Beach Pride (https://www.alkibeachpride.org) @ 8:30
Michael Dale, Boise Pride (https://www.boisepridefest.org) @ 25:00
Allison Fine Taylor, Federal Way Pride (https://www.fwlgbtq.org/pride) @ 43:00

Over our break for Pride month, there were weeks of protests against police violence and for justice for George Floyd. Since it was Pride month as well, those who are both black and LGBTQ+ in our community felt the moment even more intensely. This week, we talk to three black activists and performers, from Dominique Stevens Stephens (Drag King, Mayor Durkan's Senior External Affairs Liaison ) to Thaddeus (performer, host, songwriter) and to the inimitable Adra Boo (Fly Moon Royalty, Hotels).

Dominique Stephens @ 8:50
Thaddeus @ 27:40
Adra Boo @ 50:46

Today we look to trailblazers in Seattle's LGBTQ community, our legends. From drag queen Kahlua Ice to Trans pioneer Marsha Botzer and Seattle Gay News Publisher George Bakan, we have incredible leaders here in Seattle. We stand on the shoulders of giants, but those giants are still moving. Enjoy our PrideCast--we hope you're as inspired as we are by them!

It's Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and today on the PrideCast, and your hosts Egan Orion and Aleksa Manila feature three key API community leaders in this week's episode. UTOPIA Seattle's Executive Director, Taffy Maene-Johnson, talks about how her non-profit has adapted services for Pacific Islanders of all stripes during the COVID pandemic. We meet Victor Loo, a Seattle based, queer, androgynous and genderless model from Singapore who is the Director of Practice Innovation at Asian Counseling and Referral Service. Finally, we speak with Dutchess Drew, Sri-Lankan-born drag queen who talks to us about drag on Zoom, Rice and Curry, and plans for the upcoming PrideAsia Fest.

Links:
www.utopiaseattle.org
www.acrs.org
www.prideasia.org

On today's PrideCast, Egan and Aleksa explore the many different types of mothers LGBTQ people have, from biological, to drag, and to those who simply help lead the community and set a good example. Interviews with Egan's mom, Diane, Aleksa's drag daughter Atasha, and international drag star Mama Tits, who joins us from Puerto Vallarta. Until we can have Pride in person, we'll be doing the Sunday PrideCast, to help you get through and beyond this crisis. 

For PrideFest, artists are essential. For this June's Virtual Pride, artists are virtual (and still essential). Today, hosts Egan Orion and Aleksa Manila talk Bubble Tea, queerentine, and plans for Mother's Day, and more importantly they chat with three artists in different fields. Olivier Wevers is the founder and artistic director of dance company Whim W'him. Gaysha Starr is a legendary Seattle drag queen. And Lisa Koch is a jack-of-all-trades comedienne who is sure to make you laugh. June Pride this year may be virtual, but the artists are more essential than ever.