Friday November 17, 2006 SGN.org |
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Volume 34 Issue 46 |
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Saturday, Aug 30, 2008
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Two 'gAy' list celebrities get in sync with Seattle |
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| Two 'gAy' list celebrities get in sync with Seattle | ||
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Book signing, fundraiser highlight visit by Amazing Race winner, 'N Sync star by David Luc Nguyen (Teriyaki Temple) - SGN A&E Writer Two of Hollywood's "gAy" list celebrities were in Seattle last week. The winner of CBS's Amazing Race, Reichen Lemkuhl, was accompanied by his 'N Sync boy band boyfriend, Lance Bass, on his twenty-six city book tour. He is promoting his memoir Here's What We'll Say: Growing Up, Coming Out, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. On Thursday evening, Lemkuhl held a book reading at Bailey/Coy Books in Seattle. Shortly thereafter, he attended a reception in his honor at the Broadway Grill a couple doors down from the bookstore. The reception was a benefit for the Washington state chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), which seeks to end bullying, harassment and name calling based on sexual orientation or gender identity in K-12 schools. The recent author understands how detrimental harassment can be on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) students and says he has become a strong supporter of Gay youth organizations. "I like that GLSEN deals with Gay youth," says Lemkuhl. "This is where the problems start. Kids become filled with irrational fears and GLSEN is a great way to educate them with the truth." In addition to school-based trainings, GLSEN Washington State has sought out innovative solutions to accomplishing its aims. The organization's Washington State Gay-Straight Alliance Network now includes 250 GSAs. The Network offers leadership opportunities for GSA's across the State, including its statewide GSA Leadership Summit in the fall and awards ceremony in the spring. Its latest endeavor, the Transgender Youth Awareness Program seeks to increase the delivery of culturally competent services to Transgender youth by school staff and those that work with youth. Robert Raketty, executive director of GLSEN Washington State said he appreciated the support of celebrities such as Lemkuhl and Bass who are using their spotlight to speak out on the behalf of LGBT youth. "It is great to have celebrities like Reichen Lemkuhl and Lance Bass support your work and to do so publicly. Both understand what its like to have to hide who you are or to be bullied or harassed," he said. "Although they rose above that experience to become incredibly successful Gay men, they will be the first to tell you how that experience has scared them emotionally. After talking to Reichen and Lance, I know they are just as committed to ending the problem of bullying and harassment in our schools as we are." On Friday, Lemkuhl was interviewed on a few radio shows, including the Howard Stern Show and, then, attended a VIP party/book signing at Sugar Nightclub that evening. Aleksa Manila, who facilitated the couple's trip to Seattle, hosted the evening's festivities. After an exclusive party, which was catered by Nijo Sushi Bar and Grill, Manila introduced the couple to their fans. Reichen took the opportunity to speak out against the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy." The attendees at Sugar were treated to performances by Nina Maxell and Smokee, who impersonated Tina Turner and Cher. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence also made Lemkuhl an honorary sister, dubbing him "Sister Mary Military." Finally, the couple ended their Seattle visit at Neighbours Nightclub where they were greeted by fans. The couple flew to San Diego on Saturday morning for the next leg of Lemkuhl's book tour. |
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