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THE PRIDE 2025 ISSUE With Articles Covering World Pride, Conneted, Pride and Prejudice, Pillars of Pride Q&A, Coprorate Engagement, and more... Cheyenne JACKSON PNW Native, Singer, Actor, and Queer Father4 EDITOR’S LETTER Dear Readers, As we navigate these uncertain times and continue to fight for our rights, there is one truth that has remained constant over the decades: when the stakes are high, our community shows up. Time and again, when desperate times fall upon us, we rise—united, resilient, and determined. Not since the battle for marriage equality—which culminated in a historic Supreme Court victory on June 26, 2015—have we seen such aggressive opposition to our fundamental rights. Today, we find ourselves once again fighting to protect marriage equality, transgender rights, and continued support for HIV/AIDS research. The need to come together has never been more urgent. Our tradition of unity predates even the Stonewall uprising, though it was that pivotal moment in 1969 that ignited what we now celebrate as Pride. Over the past two decades, however, Pride has taken on a commercial sheen. Corporate sponsorships and brand campaigns have sometimes diluted the core message, leaving younger generations disconnected from the movement’s roots. Now, as some of those same companies distance themselves, we’re reminded that our strength has never come from corporations—it has always come from community. Throughout our history, whether during the ERA fight, the AIDS crisis, art censorship battles, the aftermath of Matthew Shepard’s murder, or the push for marriage and gender equality, our greatest victories were achieved when we united—often with the support of our straight allies. Small groups may light the spark, but only a collective voice brings lasting change. For years, I’ve asked myself: Why must tragedy strike before we find our strength? This issue explores the power of community and the importance of coming together—not just in crisis, but always. In unity and strength, Michael Montgomery, C0-Editor-in-Chief Anthony Polimeni | Publisher & Co-EditorMichael Montgomery | Editor-In-Chief5 Table of Contents World of Pride Connected Interview: Cheyenne Jackson Pride and Prejudice Corporate Engagement with Pride and the LGBTQ+ Community Pillars of Pride Q&A’s Quickies Out NW | Oregon Out NW | Washington OUT NW | Montana Out NW | Northern California OUT NW | Idaho OUT NW | Alaska Call to Action & Masthead Page 6 9 12 17 20 29 32 37 40 47 50 55 59 626 This year’s World Pride is momentous for many reasons. It’s the 25th anniversary, and the hosting bid went to our capital, Washington, DC. Because of Capitol Pride Alliance’s long, successful history of such large-scale events yearly, the city is well equipped to handle the expected crowds of almost two million attendees this year. Another interesting fact: Mayor Muriel Bower says, “Washington, DC, is not only unique because we’re the nation’s capital. We’re also proud to be home to the highest percentage of LGBTQ+ residents in the nation. It’s part of what makes us the greatest city in the world.” As part of 47’s promise to cut funding to or shut down organizations he or the DOGE team deem wasteful, he set his sights on the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. he released or accepted resignations from 18 board members and replaced them with his selections, including Fox News correspondent Laura Ingraham, Second Lady Usha Vance, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Paolo Zampolli, the modeling agent who discovered the First Lady. The President has taken control of the iconic arts facility and its foundations, even going as far as naming himself chairman of the board. Ironically, his appointee as interim president of the board, Richard Grenell, is a gay man but a strong ally to him. Grenell has served in multiple appointed positions in both administrations and, despite advocating and successfully creating legislation and support for LGBTQ issues, remains controversial for his other political involvements, including facilitating the release of Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, two influencers prosecuted in Romania on charges of rape and human trafficking. A cloud over the hopeful anticipation of World Pride DC began to form in February of this year, when 47 gave a fiery speech regarding the Kennedy Center’s LGBTQ- friendly programming, saying, “The programming was out of control, with rampant political propaganda, DEI, and inappropriate shows. We had some very inappropriate shows to put it, I think, to put it very nicely. They had dance parties for, quote ‘queer and trans youth.’ And I guess that’s all right for certain people, quote, and I’m just quoting, I’m not saying it: ‘queer and trans youth.’ That wasn’t working out too well.” This sparked the withdrawal of several high-profile acts booked at the Kennedy Center, including Broadway’s Hamilton and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC. When over half the cast of the national tour of Les Misérables vowed to boycott their own Kennedy Center appearance, scheduled to be attended by the President, Grenell released a statement that the center will “no longer fund intolerance.” He added, World of Pride by Christopher Dean7 “Any performer who isn’t professional enough to perform for patrons of all backgrounds, regardless of political affiliation, won’t be welcomed,” calling any boycotters “vapid and intolerant artists.” World Pride DC soon followed suit, pulling events that had previously been scheduled for the final four days of the celebration in a series titled “Tapestry of Pride.” A representative for Capital Pride Alliance released a statement, saying, “To be clear, not all of the Tapestry of Pride events were canceled by the Kennedy Center. As stated, events being produced by the Capital Pride Alliance have been proactively relocated by CPA to ensure that our entire LGBTQ+ community will be welcome. These events have not been canceled.” Multiple protests have taken place outside the Kennedy Center. Others have said that continuing forward with World Pride is the best counterprotest possible to the anti-LGBTQ stances of this administration. This year’s World Pride DC, taking place May 31 through the closing festival on June 7 and 8, offers hundreds of events, seminars, parties, and afterparties, featuring a star-studded list of guests and headliners, including Jennifer Lopez, Cynthia Erivo, and Doechii. The spirit of diversity, the power in community, the inspiration in representation, the celebration, and the focus on where we’ve been and where we’re going in this year’s theme, “Fabric of Pride,” are reminders of the origins of Pride and the history we have to remember and honor. But World Pride is, now, more important than ever. The current administration has issued executive orders directly affecting LGBTQ people’s health, happiness, and safety. Some examples include rescission of most of former President Biden’s executive orders regarding rights and resources for our community. “Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation” and “Advancing Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Individuals” are just two such actions deleted from government policy. One executive order established the White House Gender Policy Council, and several others related to the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Chipping away at protections that allow for diversity in gender identity, 47 has ordered that there be only two sexes recognized and that government agencies should refer use the term “sex,” not “gender.” He also moved forward with actions to ban gender-affirming care, including medical procedures and medications for children and incarcerated people. His actions include protections for any whistleblowers who identify people who defy the executive orders and threatened funding cuts for any agency not in compliance with the new policies. Our community, as a marginalized group, certainly understands the meaning behind the familiar reminder: “Pride is a protest.” While we enjoy incredible music, the connection of hundreds of thousands of other humans, and the false sense of security — even if just for a few days — our presence goes beyond celebration. It is a visual reply to would-be oppressors that we are here, and in greater numbers than ever. World Pride DC is occurring at a crucial time, bringing together voices from around the world to support the LGBTQ+ community’s ongoing fight for equality, visibility, and justice. We encourage everyone in our global community to participate in this historic moment. By showing up and supporting Pride events around the world, the LGBTQ+ community will be visible, vigilant, and heard. With our presence at and support of World Pride DC, we will combine our voices and make sure our defiance and demands are heard as we stand against this administration. Together we can avoid the feeling that it’s us against the world. We need to wrap our community in the fabric of pride, now more than ever.Oregon The LGBT Community in OregonNext >