Local dudes will show their solidarity with the fairer sex next week in a seemingly undudelike way: Strapping on pumps and clomping around downtown Tacoma like amateur cross-dressers from a Monty Python episode.
You macho men might be repelled by the seventh annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser, seeing it as an unmerited indignity. Others of us view it as a well-earned comeuppance.
Heck, we consider it merciful that the women in charge don’t make us wear control-top pantyhose, too.
Tasha Church from the Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County said the event is fun (easy for her to say) and prompts people to discuss “something that’s really difficult to talk about.”
What, bunions? Hammertoes? Or, judging by some heels women wear today, nosebleeds?
No, she says, it gets folks to open up about gender relations and violence. Find out more about the May 4 event at www.sexualassaultcenter.com.
Le Schnoz urges all you hombres not only to go, but to go all out in releasing your inner beauty queen. Why stop at the ankle? You’ll really impress the ladies if you accessorize with a matching handbag and little black party dress.
And if you ask the missus for makeup tips? It’ll light a spark that burns brighter than the Revlon super-lustrous lipstick she loans you.
Trust us.
Face it, embrace it: Tacoma has a transvestite streak as reliable as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” every Saturday night at the Blue Mouse.
Why, just last week, a man pleaded guilty to bank robberies in which he sometimes dressed as a woman, begging the question: Will he do time at Walla Walla or Purdy?
So don’t run away in fear, fellas. Walk briskly to your destiny.
In a pair of Betsey Johnson leopard skin platforms, to die for.
Those heels at Russell: We often rib Russell Investments for lacing up their track shoes and beating it out of town. Gotta hand it to some employees, though, for doing right by Tacoma in their own vagabond way.
Some Russell gents are putting on women’s shoes and participating in the “Walk a Mile” fundraiser – a day early, without having to leave their Seattle offices.
Be careful not to bust an ankle climbing the stairs in the Wa-Mu building, boys.
Justice is a lady: Another of our favorite targets – Mark Lindquist – has run out of excuses not to strut his stuff in the event.
We get that the larger-than-life county prosecutor has feet too big for most women’s shoes. But Church this year special-ordered him a pair of size 17s from a store in Federal Way.
Lindquist always offers up his male deputies as sacrificial cross-dressers. In the management game, it’s what we call delegating.
We only hope the prosecutors do a repeat of last year’s runway show, and that their boss takes a lap in his shiny new pink pumps with 4-inch heels and dainty ankle straps.
For the crowd, it’d give new meaning to “cross examination.”
T.C. Broadnax never yaks: Our early impressions and reference checks of Tacoma’s new city manager point to a low-key man of few words. Some say this makes him a good listener.
But who knew it was part of his formal training?
Before Broadnax gave a speech to the City Club last week, Councilman Marty Campbell introduced him as having a degree in “political silence.”
Pining for Da Harbor: The May “Travel Issue” of Smithsonian magazine gives its choices for the 10 Best Small Towns in America. And there, at No. 5, sits pretty li’l ol’ Gig Harbor.
The article gushes with descriptions, including of a community “rimmed by tall pines.”
Perhaps the magazine meant to showcase that other Gig Harbor. Ya know, the one in Arkansas.
And speaking of peninsula confusion: Thursday’s fishwrap gently teased Pierce County Councilwoman Joyce McDonald for being a no-show at a public meeting Tuesday on the Key Peninsula after she got lost on state Route 16.
She should tease us right back.
The Puyallup pol drove almost as far as Bremerton. A front-page article said she was heading east on the highway.
Note to McDonald: You’re probably right that carpooling is the better option next time. Just don’t thumb a ride with TNT staffers. You might end up in New Jersey.
Got news for The Nose? Write to TheNose@thenewstribune.com. Twitter: @thenosetribune
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.