Plenty of ways to celebrate GLBT History Month
Festivities include luncheon, bowling
Music, fashion, politics, theater, literature and sports. The icons of these industries help define our culture. Those musicians and designers, actors and writers, politicians and athletes cross racial and gender lines, representing our nation as a whole.
Each field includes those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender, as well, making October’s GLBT History Month all the more fun to celebrate. The Inland Northwest, thanks to several LGBT organizations, has a brilliant lineup of events to look forward to, all the way through the second weekend in November.
Many of the event planners and community activists in the region realize it’s not easy or comfortable for everyone to get out for public events and so have included low-key happenings, some that can be enjoyed in the coziness of your own home.
A new video each day of the month highlighting the life of a GLBT icon will be featured on The Inland Northwest LGBT Center’s Web site. Today, learn about storied designer Gianni Versace; tomorrow, California state senator Sheila Kuehl; Sunday, playwright Tennessee Williams; Monday, author Alice Walker; and Tuesday, Olympic diver Greg Louganis.
The first of a monthly LGBTQA Family and Friends Potluck is set for tomorrow night at the Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ, from 6 to 8 p.m. A dish to share is appreciated, but not mandatory. The LGBT Center and Westminster intend the potluck to be a family-friendly, welcoming event for people new to Spokane to meet new friends and longtime residents to catch up with each other.
A Sunday bowling league is also underway. The teams gather the first weekend of each month, including this Sunday, at North Bowl, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. For information about joining a team or forming one of your own, call Mark Garrett at (509) 879-8747.
For businesspeople looking to have more than lunch on the run, mark your calendars for the Inland Northwest Business Alliance luncheon, Oct. 8, at Dempsey’s Brass Rail, from 11:30 a.m. to 1p.m. Guest speakers this month include representatives from S.C.R.A.P.S. and Spokanimal CARE.
Much has been written about National Coming Out Day in recent years, which in no way diminishes the annual inspiration for those who are still hiding their sexual orientation to live authentic, open lives. It falls on Oct. 11 and is really the impetus for designating the entire month to celebrate GLBT history.
Perhaps one of the icons we learn about can be the motivation for a costume donned at the third annual Odyssey Masquerade Ball on Oct. 25. For details about ticket price, event location and time, contact jim.jones90@comcast.net. Just a thought, though – however inspirational, Greg Louganis may be the one person to avoid impersonating. A Speedo in late October can’t be pretty.
For other events rounding out the month and moving into November, visit thelgbtcenter.org or outspokane.com. I’ll try to include reminders here, too. Happy Fall!