Q-Seattle Events: Tacky Tourist Clubs

Seattle Out & Proud, Inc. (SOAP) has announced the names of the folks who will now have to fulfill that odd parade tradition of sitting on the trunk of a convertible with their feet on the back seat while smiling and waving ("figure-eight, figure-eight") at the crowd waiting for something interesting to come by. SOAP, of course, is sponsoring the downtown Pride parade on Sunday, June 24.

Dennis Coleman, artistic director of Seattle Men's Chorus, is the male grand marshal for the parade. Kiantha Duncan-Woods, president of Seattle Black Pride, is the female grand marshal. Although SOAP might not use the long parade name anymore, they have shown themselves willing to appeal to many segments by appointing even a group grand marshal. Gay Fathers Association of Seattle will fill that role, but we're not sure how that will work out with the traditional convertible.

And since there might be more car dealerships that would be interested in slapping their business name on the side of a wave-mobile, SOAP has invited some "celebrity" wavers to join the Fourth Avenue procession.

• Jane Abbott Lighty and Pete-e Petersen met over 30 years ago in Sacramento, California. They?ve been in a committed relationship ever since, and were married in Seattle First Baptist Church in October, 2005. Since their retirement from careers in nursing, Pete-e and Jane have devoted their time to several community endeavors, including the Seattle Women?s Chorus and their heart warming appearance in the film Inlaws & Outlaws.
• Chuck Lazenby was born and raised in Seattle, the youngest of five children. Chuck ran away from home at the age of 16. Within a few years he met his partner David Asplund. They lived together for fifty years to the week before David died in 1999. Through the support of his UCC church, Chuck then came out and has been a volunteer for several organizations supporting the LGBT community. Chuck appeared in Drew Emery?s prior video project, The Bridge, before telling his story in Inlaws & Outlaws.

Mark "Mom" Finley will reprise his role as emcee of the parade from a stand near Westlake Park. We heard and saw him last year on the KSTW broadcast of the parade, and he made the thing almost bearable, and consistently funny.

Of course, SOAP is also asking you to pay for their many past mistakes. They have some sort of promo for those willing to hand over money to the group. Check their website.

Labels: gay pride, Gay Seattle, Seattle, Seattle Pride