Capital City Pride Kicks Off
Pride events expanded to two days, June 16-17
Planning is well underway for Capital City Pride’s 17th annual parade and celebration. Pride has been expanded to two days, June 16 and 17. Events leading up to the big parade and celebration in Sylvester Park include theater performances, concerts, art exhibits, outdoor recreation activities, special kids’ activities, and much more.
The theme of this year’s Pride celebration is OUT!standing.
In the early years of Capital City Pride, people simply dropped in at random to march in the parade. Now businesses, civic organizations and other community partners are asked to register in advance to enter cars, floats and marching contingents in the parade from the Capitol Steps to Sylvester Park. Among groups already committed are Pooches on Parade; Planet Percussion; and Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays. Registration is free, and community groups are encouraged to sign up soon. This is an OUT!standing opportunity for area businesses to show their support and enhance their public visibility. Registration forms are available on the Capital City Pride Web site at www.capitalcitypride.net.
Special events leading up to Pride Weekend begin May 5 with the Desserts & Other Delectable Delights Auction fundraiser to be held at Ramblin’ Jack’s, 520 4th Ave. East, Olympia, from 3 to 5 p.m. Fabulous desserts, theater tickets, collectibles and other goods and services will be auctioned off.
Thursday, June 14, is Pride Night at Olympia Little Theater. All tickets sales for the Tony Award-winning play “Take Me Out” will go to support Pride activities. WARNING: The play contains brief full male nudity as well as explicit language and adult humor. Tickets are available at http://www.buyolympia.com.
Staging for the big parade on Sunday, June 14, will begin at 11 a.m. The parade will kick off at 12:30 p.m. Entertainers in the park Sunday afternoon will include rhythm and blues from the Kim Archer Band, jazz by Red and Ruby, alt country by Trick Cowboy, drag performers Busty Palmer and the Jakettes, drumming by Planet Percussion and Crow Drummers, dance performances by Samba Olywa and Troupe O WA and many more yet to be confirmed.
As further planning goes forth, updated events and schedules will be posted on the Capital City Pride Web site: http://www.capitalcitypride.net
GLBT CATHOLIC CHURCH TO OPEN IN OLYMPIA
Fr. Bob Withrow
St. Aelred’s Independent Church is moving from Tacoma to Olympia and will meet at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Church, 2200 East End St NW, Olympia. Beginning June 3, liturgy will be celebrated at 5:00PM on the first and third Sunday evenings. Our primary outreach is to the GLBT community.
St. Aelred’s, a parish of the Apostolic Catholic Church in America, started in Tacoma in September, 1999. It is a community in the Catholic tradition. It seeks communion with God and each other through its common worship, the Sacraments, and the profession of its faith in the Apostolic and Nicene Creeds. Its worship is similar to a Roman Catholic Mass.
For as long as I can remember, we have been told that we are unwelcome to full membership in our churches. We are told we are unacceptable sinners because of who we are and how we love. That is simply not true. Each of us is created in the image and likeness of God, gay sexuality and all. We are called to love and be loved and we are not restricted in that call.
St. Aelred’s celebrates who we are as gay, lesbian, transgendered, bisexual people. It blesses who we love and does not dictate how we should love. We will celebrate a special Pride Liturgy at 5:00 after the gathering in Sylvester Park on June 17. Come celebrate with us. If you have any questions, please call me at 923-1267.