The SunBreak » gay

Gay Activists Fight the Squick Factor in Blood-Donation Ban

Michael van Baker — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 18:38:28 +0000

Last June, the American Medical Association turned up the heat by voting to oppose the lifetime ban, saying gay men could be treated like other high-risk groups. That development was followed by a nationwide protest last week, as gay men volunteered to visit blood donation centers and go through the humiliating process of being publicly told they couldn't donate.

“Stunning” Premieres from Jake Heggie & Gene Scheer at Music of Remembrance

Philippa Kiraly — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:58:16 +0000

The poignancy of his acting, this tall man with long arms at a music stand, the agony in his big voice, had the audience riveted as he brought to life Scheer’s beautiful lyrics drawn from Lewin’s diary with Heggie’s music.

The Stranger Tackles the Seahawks for No Gain

Michael van Baker — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:44:25 +0000

The Stranger's Dominic Holden had Seattle Seahawks PR wrapped up tight yesterday. They looked distinctly more Franco Harris (as a Seahawk) than Marshawn Lynch. "Seahawks sidestep Clemons’ comments about gay players," ran the headline at NBC Sports, which picked up on Holden's story.

How Long Until Gay People Can Give Blood?

Michael van Baker — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:27:00 +0000

Blood donation comes with a ticking sound, a count of the roughly 42 days that whole blood can be banked before it's no longer usable. Blood banks and hospitals are daily involved in a complex dance to move blood to where it's needed. If you are gay, of course, you can pay no attention to donating life-saving blood. Currently there's a lifetime "deferral" for men who have at any time since 1977 had sex with other men. This is an FDA policy, nothing to do with your local blood bank.

ACT’s New Voices Showcase is the Real Glee 3D

Michael van Baker — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 23:23:00 +0000

If you have a $25 ACT Pass, this August must feel like a golden age. You no doubt already saw Sarah Ruhl's In the Next Room (our review), maybe popped in for Ian Bell's anonymous memoirs Seattle Confidential, then last night was the show tunes showcase New Voices, August 17 is short film showcase Rawstock (featuring women filmmakers Karn Junkinsmith, Michaela Olsen and Bri Meyer, and Kristen Grey-Rockmaker), and the 19th brings back Nick Garrison's neo-cabaret The Love Markets, performing Summer Nacht.

Look Out! Look Out! Pink Lions on Parade!

Michael van Baker — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:50:19 +0000

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, Lions Club International is presenting a Parade of Nations in downtown Seattle, as part of their annual international convention. Given the high of 80 degrees expected today, that should be more than enough time to roast the fairer-skinned to a healthy pink. And of course some Lions clubs wear pink proudly, like the Castro Lions Club and Queens Pride Lions Club.