BeautyBoiz Archives | South Seattle Emerald

by Patheresa Wells

Pride season is upon us, with events celebrating LGBTQIA+ people happening all over the city. Pride events are held in June to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, which were in response to the police raid of a gay bar in New York City in 1969. While Stonewall wasn’t the first riot in response to police violence against LGBTQIA+ people, it is commonly thought of as a pivotal moment in the fight for queer, transgender, and gender-diverse rights in the U.S. While decades of activism have increased the rights of LGBTQIA+ people, it’s important to note that activists and community members are still fighting for these rights today, especially considering the record number of proposed anti-LGBTQIA+ bills this year.

Just as important as activism and protest is celebration and joy, and this year, some of the bigger in-person Pride events are back after pandemic restrictions of the past two years. The 16th Annual PrideFest will be taking place on Capitol Hill on June 25 and at Seattle Center on June 26, and the Pride Parade will take place downtown on June 26. But Pride isn’t just for Capitol Hill and Seattle — there are also numerous Pride celebrations throughout the South End.

Below is a resource guide, listed in order of occurrence, for events happening throughout the South Seattle area, or events centering BIPOC communities.

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by Mark Van Streefkerk

This Saturday, Aug. 28, BAZZOOKAFEST will transform Beacon Hill’s Jefferson Park into a free music and film festival featuring a packed all-BIPOC lineup. Musicians include indie folk headliner Kimya Dawson, pop punk artist Haley Graves, alternative rockers King Youngblood, pop singer-songwriter CarLarans, five-piece femme band Razor Clam, dance pop trio Mirrorgloss, and soulful rock band Stereo Sauna. POC members of drag collective BeautyBoiz will perform, and once the music’s over, a screening of short films submitted by BIPOC filmmakers will take place. As if you needed another reason to attend, the event will also feature a pop-up market featuring all Black and POC vendors.

BAZZOOKAFEST is all-ages and open to all. The festival starts at 3 p.m. and goes till about 10 p.m. Masks are required.