‘We’re stronger together’ at Tacoma Pride Festival

As organizers prepare for the annual Tacoma Pride Festival, they want members of the South Sound LBGTQ community to understand how much support it has.

“If there is a theme this year, it’s that we’re stronger together,” said Michelle Douglas, executive director of Rainbow Center, one of the organizing groups. “After Orlando and the challenges we’re facing here in Washington, it’s important for people to know that.

“We’re fighting pretty hard against discrimination here in Washington. We’re facing efforts to overturn our 10-year-old anti-discrimination law. It’s been one thing after the other in the LBGT community, but we’re in it together, and that’s crucial,” she added.

Among the changes for this year’s festival is a new location for the Rainbow Center’s Out in the Park on Saturday. It will now take place along Pacific Avenue, between Seventh and Ninth streets. That portion of the festival had been held along Broadway Avenue.

Douglas said the festival wanted to take advantage of the better infrastructure along Pacific and take advantage of the location.

“There is such a cluster of vibrancy in that part of downtown, with restaurants, bars, stores, and we’re thrilled to tap into that energy,” she said.

Out in the Park will features more than 80 vendors, live performances by more than 20 musicians, cirque performers, vaudeville and drag acts. In addition, there will be guest speakers and dignitaries.

The main stage lineup includes Nena Kapone, Whitney Monge, Nasty Habits, Imperial Sovereign Court of Tacoma, Vivian Le Cher, with Tacoma native Vicci Martinez serving as the headline act.

The family-friendly event will run from noon-5 p.m.

Here are some of the other events taking place during the festival:

Community awards: For the 10th year, the LGBTQ Community Awards will be presented during the festival. The awards honor individuals and organizations that have worked for the benefit of the LGBTQ community in the last year or for a considerable amount of time.

Being honored are Kaleb Rowley (Sapphire Award), Lisa Keating (Ruby Award), Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Emerald Award), Victoree Jamiel (Pearl Award) and Lori Bundrock (Diamond Hall of Fame Award).

The awards will be part of the flag raising to start the festival. Douglas said the rainbow flag at Tacoma City Hall has been flying at half mast since 49 people were shot and killed June 12 in Orlando. The flag will be raised to the top to kick off the festival.

These events will take place from 4:30-6 p.m. Friday (July 8) at the Pantages Theatre, 901 Broadway, Tacoma. The event is free.

This isn’t Kansas Toto: Todrick Hall will put his twist on L. Frank Baum’s novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” with his production of “Straight Outta Oz.” Hall has performed on Broadway, appeared on MTV and was a finalist on “American Idol.”

Featuring 20 original songs, Hall and his crew tell his story of living in a small Texas town and then moving to “Oz Angeles.”

The performance will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Pantages Theatre, 901 Broadway, Tacoma. Tickets are $19-$49 and are available at the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts and at broadwaycenter.org.

Night of storytelling: Kathryn Mahan will host a night of storytelling Sunday at Immanuel Presbyterian Church.

Among those taking part in “Crossing the Threshold … Again” will be Cindy Caldwell, Rebecca Echeveria, Brogan Shell, John Cummings and J Mase.

In a cabaret-like atmosphere, the storytellers will share their experiences of faith, religion and spirituality, and how that transformed the way they live, love and connect with the world.

Activities for the free night will run from 7-9 p.m. The church is at 901 N. J St., Tacoma.

Big Hat Brunch: The final scheduled event will be this celebration of queer youths that doubles as a fundraiser for the Oasis Youth Center. Attendees are asked to don their most cheerful summer attire.

The center is the only drop-in, resource and support center in Pierce County for queer youths.

Tickets are $65 and are available by contacting the center at oasisyouthcenter.org or 253-671-2838.

The brunch will run from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the center, 2215 Pacific Ave., Tacoma.

This story was originally published July 6, 2016 at 3:46 AM with the headline "‘We’re stronger together’ at Tacoma Pride Festival."