Get your Pride on in June at events all over Vashon

The month-long celebration is widely celebrated on the island.

By Elizabeth Shepherd • May 28, 2024 1:30 am
Matt Beurksen and Jessica De Wire showed their pride at the opening of a 2019 Vashon Heritage Museum exhibit, “In and Out: Being LGBTQ on Vashon” (Tom Hughes Photo).
Matt Beurksen and Jessica De Wire showed their pride at the opening of a 2019 Vashon Heritage Museum exhibit, “In and Out: Being LGBTQ on Vashon” (Tom Hughes Photo).

Pride Month celebrations are set to fill Vashon’s streets, airwaves, and public places throughout June.

The month-long celebration is widely celebrated on the island — a place with a storied history of being a welcoming and safe place for LBGTQ residents. Remarkably, data in both the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census suggested that Vashon had the largest per capita concentration of gay and lesbian residents in Washington State during that period.

Island historian Bruce Haulman said that data from the 2020 census regarding Vashon’s LGBTQ population has yet to be fully analyzed, but he would expect to see the same results. He’s looking into that now, he said — just in time for Pride Month.

Saturday, June 1

Accessorize for Pride:Make a variety of pride-themed accessories, including bow ties, sunglasses, bracelets, and more, at Vashon Library from 12:30-3 p.m.

Rainbow Blingo: This annual fundraiser, held at Camp Burton, benefits Vashon Senior Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. Find out more and get tickets by calling 206-463-5173 or stopping by the Senior Center at 10004 Bank Rd SW.

Tuesday, June 4

Voice of Vashon: Join the hosts of VoV’s Brown Briefly show, as they interview a special guest, Jennifer Hawke of The Bearded Lady Road Report. Hawek will discuss her art, Vashon as a “safe place,” and gender nonconformity in the 21st century. Listen in from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 101.9 FM and online at voiceofvashon.org

Friday, June 7

Pride Street Dance:All are invited to join the DOVE Project and community partners for dancing, music and celebration at Vashon Theatre’s Backlot from 5 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 8

Family Storytime Rainbows:Read stories, sing songs, learn about rainbows, and make rainbow rafts at the Vashon Library from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Tuesday, June 18

Orbit Planet Gala:Celebrate the last day of school, the start of summer, and Pride, with dancing, DJs, activities, and more, at Open Space for Arts & Community from 12- 3 p.m. Open to middle and high school-aged LGBTQ+ youth and allies.

Friday, June 28

Art session: Get artsy and enjoy festive mocktails at the Senior Center from 1 to 3 p.m., at a pride-themed painting session guided by Collin V.