Q-Seattle Events: Tacky Tourist Clubs

Still not sure where to show off that fabulous costume you're preparing on the long weekend/week of Halloween. Well, be sure to add another destination -- or even your main destination down in Belltown at Jai Thai [get directions], 2132 First Ave. at Blanchard.

That's where Seattle Black Pride will present this year's Halloween Carnivale from 9:30 pm until 2 am on Saturday, October 27.

SBP urges you to "Be Creative, Be Sexy, Be Scary. Just Be There." And, of course, there will be prizes for the most creative costumes with cash prizes of $150, $100, and $50 for the top three contestants.

But to really get an idea of what the party is likely to be like, check out SBP's great gallery of party pics from last year's Carnivale. We can't link to the gallery directly, but you can find it on the SBP home page at the bottom of the "Events" menu.

To further confuse yourself with the wealth of Halloween options, be sure to check out Bill W's typically comprehensive Halloween listing in the left column at GaySeattle.blogspot.com.

Note: This post is mirrored from seaQwa.com.

Labels: Gay events, gay party, Gay Seattle, org:SBP, photos, Seattle, shirtless hunk

Seattle Black Pride (SBP) has been awarded a grant to provide HIV prevention and sexual-health programming focusing on black men who have sex with men (MSM). The $200,000 grant from Seattle/King County Public Health Dept. will allow the group to continue and expand its "Body and Soul" program that was implemented over the past year.

SBP explains in an email press release

These funds will allow us to continue and expand this program over the next two years so that we can reach more people in our community with important information about their sexual health in a way that appreciates and recognizes our culture as black gay men and MSM.

It is, as they say in their press release, a "significant milestone" for the group that was started in 2005. Since then, they've sponsored three major Black Pride events in the summer, and have built up an impressive calendar of community events.

Just a year ago, a group of local black leaders gathered to discuss ways to help slow the rate of HIV in the black community. At the time, King County Executive Ron Sims said

"Until we have a vaccine or a cure for HIV, prevention is our best plan of action," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "I commend our local leaders for owning the growing problem of HIV in the African American community and stepping up to work for a lasting solution. Ending this epidemic requires a community-wide response based on knowledge, action and compassion."

SBP responded to the challenge with their "Body & Soul" program. But the group says that it won't stop there.

We recognize that this is only the beginning of programming as the organization must be inclusive of all the diversity and issues we face in Seattle Black LGBT community. However, in our second year as an organization, this is absolutely an honor and a step in the right direction.

See also: Seattle Black Pride Reaches New Milestone on Jasmyne Cannick's blog.

Labels: gay organization, Gay Seattle, health, HIV, org:SBP, Seattle