SGN: Seattle Gay News

01/11/2025

Having entered the new year, we find ourselves once again considering New Year's resolutions ✨

🏳️‍🌈 But what if, this year, we aimed beyond traditional notions of self-improvement and focused on strengthening the very community that sustains us?

🎊 For those of us in Seattle, 2025 arrives at a time marked by both progress and profound challenges. We celebrate hard-won rights and greater visibility, yet these victories coexist with unsettling trends: rising isolation, mental health struggles, and new forms of internal division.

If we truly want a better year ahead, we need resolutions that champion collective well-being, affirm identity, and prioritize meaningful connection over shallow validation.

👇 Click below to read Alan Motley's article on resolutions that build us up.

https://www.sgn.org/story.php?ch=features&sc=&id=337217

Having entered the new year, we find ourselves once again considering New Year’s resolutions. Many familiar intentions are back: going to the gym more regularly, advancing our careers, improving our diet, deepening mindfulness, or finally picking up that

01/11/2025

🏳️‍🌈 Wondering if you should check out the new Kraven film this weekend? 🎥

This film was Sony's latest effort to transform one of its Spider-Man rogue's gallery of villains, Kraven (the Hunter), into a viable cinematic antihero.

Check out our review below to see if Kraven is for you!
https://www.sgn.org/story.php?ch=arts__entertainment&sc=film&id=337219

The good news about Sony’s latest attempt to transform one of its Spider-Man rogue’s gallery of villains, Kraven (the Hunter), into a viable cinematic antihero is that the finished film isn’t that bad. The problem is, it’s not that good either.

01/10/2025

📸 A look into the Seattle Kraken Pride Night game on Monday, Jan. 6. The article is available on SGN.org! 🏳️‍🌈

Photos by Hannah Saunders

01/10/2025

🏒 Seattle Kraken held its Pride Night game against the New Jersey Devils on Monday, and highlighted local LGBTQ+ artist Kelly Bjork! 🏳️‍🌈

🐙 The Kraken isn't your average hockey team: it has a philanthropic branch and Kraken Common Thread, which is programming to promote inclusivity, unity and growth on and off the ice.

"[Kraken Common Thread] reached out to me about a year ago — just cold calls through my website — and I thought it was spam, so it was very fun to realize it was something that was going to actually happen," Bjork told the SGN.

🏳️‍🌈 Seattle Gay News also spoke with Kyle Boyd, who leads Kraken Common Thread, about the organization's inclusivity efforts.

Click below to learn more about Bjork's design, a game recap and efforts to increase LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the sport.

https://www.sgn.org/story.php?ch=news&sc=seattle&id=337326

01/10/2025

❌ Cancel your Saturday night plans - Railroad Ink Drag Night is coming to Bellevue's Mox Boarding House from 7-11 p.m! 🏳️‍🌈

🚂 Train-themed board game tournaments, like Railroad Ink and Ticket to Ride, will be hosted by the Eastside's vibrant drag performers, including:

💋 Drag artist and lip sync performer, Kenbie Enby
👑 Adrena Lynn Rush or "The Queen of Plastic"
✨ Performer Stella Stration

The event is a partnership between Pride Across the Bridge, the GSBA, and Sound Transit's East Link Light Rail.

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Across the Bridge supports the Eastside's 2SLGBTQIA+ community through education, support, and hosting events- like its DIY Drag Workshop. Ticket proceeds will go directly to the nonprofit.

Railroad Ink Drag Night — coming to Bellevue’s Mox Boarding House this Saturday, Jan. 11 —will feature various train-themed board games while highlighting the Eastside’s vibrant drag performers.

01/10/2025

For our 50th anniversary, Seattle Public Library's Central Library and UW's Allen North Library displayed the University of Washington Libraries exhibit, "Seattle Gay News Celebrates 50!" But don't worry if you missed those exhibits last spring and summer.

From Jan. 13 - Feb. 20, the exhibit will be presented at Western Washington University.

"This exhibit and preservation effort is a great example of how partners, including our amazing UW Libraries student employees, can work together to accomplish something bigger than each of us could do on our own," Jessica Albano of UW Libraries said.

Learn more about the upcoming exhibit below.

The University of Washington Libraries’ exhibit "Seattle Gay News Celebrates 50!" — displayed at the UW’s Allen North Library last spring and at the Seattle Public Library’s Central Library Level 8 Gallery last summer — will be presented at Western Washin

01/08/2025

🏳️‍🌈 We've got some great Gay news for you! Although numerous businesses shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Human Rights Campaign has been pumping out grants to keep LGBTQ+-owned businesses in operation.

Most recently, the HRC awarded Pink Moon Farm and Footprint Wine Tap grants under its fifth annual "Q***r to Stay" program! 🎉 Since launching in June 2020, 90 percent of businesses that previously received grants remain open.

Click the link below to learn more about the program and Seattle's LGBTQ+ recipients!

https://www.sgn.org/story.php?ch=news&sc=regional&id=337210

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) recently awarded Footprint Wine Tap and Pink Moon Farm grants through its fifth annual "Q***r to Stay" program, which focuses on the preservation of LGBTQ+ owned businesses.

01/08/2025

🏳️‍🌈 Seattle Gay News interviewed local artist, Kelly Bjork, about their Pride jersey design for the Seattle Kraken 🏒 during Pride Night on Monday. Check out pictures of their design, courtesy of Richard Isaac.

Be on the lookout for our Pride Night article this week 👀

01/07/2025

Seattle Gay News spoke with Peer Seattle, an organization that provides services to the LGBTQ community, which aide in the recovery from substance use disorder. LGBTQ youth under 21 years are more likely to use substances, like alcohol and cannabis, compared to their heterosexual counterparts.

"Many LGBTQ+ individuals who seek help do so while navigating fresh trauma or ongoing crises like domestic abuse," Marc Shelffo, program director, told the SGN. "Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive, multipronged approach that includes medical support, social services, and a strong, family-like community."

Click the article below to learn more about Peer Recovery's work 🏳️‍🌈

Rates of substance use disorder (SUD) are much higher among LGBTQ people than their cis-het counterparts. Research by the Trevor Project released in January 2022 shows that LGBTQ youth under 21 are more likely to use substances such as alcohol or cannabis

01/07/2025

🏒 The Seattle Gay News is here with the Kraken to celebrate 🌈Pride Night at Climate Pledge Arena!

We're bringing you all the rainbow joy on display tonight! 🏳️‍🌈✨ You can count on us to capture every moment at SGN.org! 🙌

📸: SGN Editor Hannah Saunders (L), SGN Publisher Renee Raketty (C), and Copy Editor Rich Isaac.

01/06/2025

You may have heard that the Trevor Project saw its highest crisis service volume after election day, since providing around-the-clock services in 2019, but are you aware of how the national political landscape is impacting youth in Seattle Public Schools?

Some SPS families have raised concerns about potential requests for documentation, like immigration status, birth certificates, or gender assigned at birth, according to a representative.

"A small number...have voiced concerns about their children being in classrooms with LGBTQ-identified teachers or staff, and there have been heightened concerns about the identification and participation of LGBTQ students in clubs and groups," SPS told the SGN.

Click the link below to read the article.

After Election Day, the Trevor Project saw its highest crisis service volume since providing around-the-clock services in 2019, spotlighting the growing fear LGBTQ+ students across the nation have about the upcoming Trump term.

01/05/2025

Happy ! Any guesses on what the SGN's top-ranked movies and documentaries of 2024 were?

We've got some hints to help you guess a few:

🌄action-packed dystopian wasteland
🎾tennis and obsession
🔫post-war immigrant saga
✝️ sexuality and faith
🏋️‍♀️neo-noir body-building

Check out our list below to see how your guesses compare. Are there any films not on there that you feel should have made the list? Let us know below👇

There is an early moment in writer-director Jane Schoenbrun’s I Saw the TV Glow that permanently burned itself into my psyche. Questioning seventh-grader Owen (Ian Foreman) is participating in one of those gym exercises where the entire class whips

01/04/2025

Have you heard of No Judgment Fitness - the Q***r and woman-owned small business in White Center?

⚽️ Former UK soccer player Sophia Walker opened the space in 2022 and put a major focus on making it a safe space for Trans, Nonbinary and Gender-Nonconforming people to work out in.

🏳️‍🌈Want to learn more about how the gym works to push back against racism, sexism and transphobia? Click the link below!

No Judgment Fitness, a Q***r woman—owned small business in White Center, was founded in 2022 by personal trainer and former UK soccer player Sophia Walker, who identifies herself as "super Gay."

01/03/2025

🏳️‍🌈📰Have you picked up a copy of our January publication yet? Our editor, Hannah, walks you through how to find the free print copies at a Seattle Public Library branch.

📍Additional locations can be found at SGN.org under the "Find our paper" tab, and this is an edition you don't want to miss!

✨Find us on TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com//video/7455786124674633006?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7431409876602996266

Check out Seattle Gay News 🌈’s video.

01/02/2025

🏳️‍🌈 Our first edition of 2025 is out, and here's what you don't want to miss:
📰 The SGN looks back on 50 years of its coverage for the LGBTQIA+ community
🪩 Renewing LGBTQ+ hope and community this year
⚽️ A dive into No Judgment Fitness, an all-inclusive gym opened by former UK soccer player, Sophia Walker
🇿🇦 A South African LGBTQ+ inclusive yoga studio in Pike Place Market, Protea Yoga
🎤 Le***an Jim Carrey is headed to town
🎬 Best films of 2024 & reviews of Kraven, Lady Like
➕ And so much more!

Visit sgn.org to learn more

The Seattle Gay News (SGN) is one of the largest Gay/Le***an/LGBTQ newspapers in the world, serving the Washington and Pacific Northwest USA with arts, entertainment, local, international and equality news for over 45 years

12/30/2024

🪩 Seattle's iconic Le***an bar, Wildrose, is celebrating 40 fabulous years tonight 🪩
Stop by 1021 E. Pike Street to celebrate decades of community and joy!

12/25/2024

❄️ Happy Holidays, everyone! 🎄

🌈 As we celebrate this festive season, I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who has contributed to the Seattle Gay News this year — writers, editors, readers, advertisers, and supporters alike. Your passion, dedication, and hard work are what keep this vital publication thriving.

For 50 years, SGN has been a beacon of truth, connection, and representation for Washington's LGBTQIA+ community. 📰💖 Together, we honor that legacy by continuing to inform, inspire, and uplift our community.

Here’s to a joyful holiday season and a bright, inclusive 2025 ahead! 🌟

With gratitude,
Renee Raketty
Publisher, Seattle Gay News

12/24/2024

🎉✨ A heartfelt thank you to the Society for Professional Journalists for recognizing the Seattle Gay News for our outstanding design, cartoonist, and editorship! 🏆✍️ This honor is especially meaningful as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary this year. 📰🌈 Here's to 50 years of truth, connection, and community—and many more to come! 💖