As pandemic ebbs, Seattle’s Pride gets back to its roots

With most Pride events occurring virtually last weekend, Seattle’s LGBTQ community returned to its roots, celebrating with smaller, purposeful events scattered across the city. Many saw this year’s celebration as a rebirth of the annual celebration, and hope the shift continues in the years ahead.

“The less corporate the better,” said Roswell Valentine, who joined Friday evening’s Trans Pride March. “We are in a position to take Pride and make it radical and queer, and not all Starbucks and Walmart.”

At that march, there was not an Amazon or Alaska Airlines logo in sight as several dozen demonstrators marched through Seattle’s Capitol Hill, chanting, “Trans rights now!,” “Fall of capitalism!” and “House the houseless!”

Bars and restaurants, some opening for the first time in over a year, were at capacity as high vaccination rates emboldened people to get out again. Saturday featured what became one of the largest events of the weekend, Taking B(l)ack Pride, a celebration centered on the Black and brown trans community and queer communities of color generally. Thousands braved the intense heat to party at Jimi Hendrix Park in the Central District at the event, which culminated in a raucous ball where exquisitely dressed participants vogued for a panel of judges and a cheering crowd.

The event drew some controversy after organizers announced they would encourage white attendees to pay a “reparations fee.” 

“There is a lot of money in Seattle and specifically in the yearly ‘Prideifying’ many businesses and orgs and restaurants often do,” event organizer Mattie Mooney said by instant message. “Many of these same orgs, businesses, restaurants and large corporations seem to be getting rich off of Pride every year, while BIPOC LGBTQ folks face many different socioeconomic barriers as a result of their identities.”

“At Taking B(l)ack Pride, we laughed, we cried, we nearly melted from the heat, but folks showed up in DROVES,” Mooney continued. “Being able to be free and find empowerment amongst people that look like you as a Black or Brown person is such a spiritual and healing experience.”

Capitol Hill Pride, though smaller than past years, drew hundreds to Cal Anderson Park to hear speakers and performers over the weekend. Nearby, Levi Daney and Izzy Rivas ate Sunday brunch at a packed Queer/Bar as drag queens worked the room. “I like [Pride] better this way,” Daney said. “It’s more chill and laid-back.”

In part to support LGBTQ businesses struggling after the pandemic, Pride revelry is expected to continue into July as the state fully reopens. Seattle Pride is planning a two-day, in-person celebration in October for National Coming Out Day.