Picnic preparation

We have to start planning now for the annual PFLAG-Olympia picnic.

First, mark your calendar: Sunday, Aug. 9. 1-5 p.m.,Priest Point Park, Kitchen #3

It's potluck, but we need to coordinate somewhat to make sure we don't have 40 desserts and no main course dishes.

We're trying something different this year. Rather than grilling burgers and hot dogs, we're asking people to bring things that don't have to be grilled, such as crock pot dishes, casseroles, pasta, salads, etc. Plus breads and desserts.

Plus, we will need paper plates, plastic forks, napkins, soda -- and somebody needs to bring a big ice chest with ice to keep the drinks cold.

Please let us know what you can bring. E-mail Alec at president@pflag-olympia.org. On the website I will post a list of what we need and what's been promised, and update it as often as needed so you can see what's needed.

Please help us out to make this the best picnic ever. And don't forget to invite your friends and family.

Gay plays

Two of Olympia's community theaters are presenting gay themed plays this summer.

First, Olympia Little Theater is doing the outrageous comedy "The Little Dog Laughed."

Here's the info on it from their press release: "If you like to laugh, if you like outrageous satire... don't miss "The Little Dog Laughed" said Liz Smith doyenne of Hollywood gossip columnists about Douglas Carter Beane's 2007 Tony and GLAAD (www.glaad.org) award nominated play, opening June 5th at Olympia Little Theatre. The play all Broadway was talking about in 2007 has come to town!

The show runs June 4th through 21st at Olympia Little Theater with shows Thursday through Monday at 7:55pm and 1:55pm Sunday. Tickets are $10-$12 and available at Yenney Music Company, 1404 Harrison Ave NW, Olympia, 360-943-7500 (cash & checks only), on-line at www.buyolympia.com/events (Credit cards only, add 10% service charge.) or at OLT on the night of the show (when available) 1925 Miller Avenue, Olympia, WA 98506 360-786-9484 www.olympialittletheatre.org

Regular Performance dates: June 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 20 at 7:55pm:
June 14, 21 at 1:55pm.

There will be a special benefit performance for Capital City Pride Friday June 19, 7:55pm. Contact CCP www.capitalcitypride.net for tickets.


Next, Theater Artists Olympia presents "Romeo and Juliet" done with a fresh, intriguing perspective: the title roles are played by two young men. The director, Chris Cantrell, has emphasized that this is not a "drag show," but a serious production. According to TAO' publicity, "He is handling it with the utmost sensitivity and care."

Where: Minnaert Performing Arts Ctr, 2011 Mottman Rd SW, Olympia (South Puget Sound Comm College)
When: June 25 - July 11 at 8:00 p.m. (Wed.-Sat.) / July 12 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12 at door or buyolympia.com / Pay What You Can on 7/8
Info: olytheater.com or 360-357-3471

Steve Schalchlin: Live Online May 22

Were you at the Olympia concert and want more?
Did you miss the Olympia concert?
There is going to be a Steve Schalchlin webcast!

Steve Schalchlin: Live Online from Kulak's Woodshed.
May 22 - 8 pm Pacific time. More information: here.

Steve Schalchlin: The Big Voice in Olympia

Earlier today in his blog - South Sound Arts etc. - PFLAG-Olympia chapter president (and local theater reviewer) Alec Clayton wrote a review of our very special Mothers Day benefit concert:
The Big Voice in Olympia

Steve Schalchlin posted Alec's review on his own blog - Living in the Bonus Round - with more photos and his own comments. Check it out:
A Review of My Olympia Concert.

Both Steve and Alec love comments which you can do on their blogs.

Enjoy!

PFLAG National Blog: Speaking Out for Equality on the Global Stage

Clinton's strong condemnation of anti-gay discrimination comes on the heels of the announcement that the Obama administration plans to reverse the long-standing U.S. opposition to a United Nations proposal supporting equality for LGBT people.

According to The U.N. Dispatch, the United States recently voted in favor of the measure, after voting "no" on the 13-point proposal during the Bush administration.

The declaration, the Dispatch reports, is "to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests or detention." The resolution also, "...Recognizes that experiences of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance are aggravated and intersect with discrimination on grounds including sexual orientation and gender identity, and condemns all forms of discrimination and all other human rights violations based on these grounds."

Read all of
PFLAG National Blog: Speaking Out for Equality on the Global Stage:

Dignity, Dogmatism and Same Sex Relationships

BOOK REVIEW

Dignity, Dogmatism and
Same Sex Relationships
by Gilbert Rossing

Reviewed by Alec Clayton

Gilbert Rossing, known to local PFLAG members as Gib, has recently published a fascinating book titled Dignity, Dogmatism and Sam Sex Relationships (subtitled What Science and Scripture Teach us). This long title clearly maps out what the book is about.

Gib is a retired Lutheran minister who with his wife, Beth, has two gay sons and two straight daughters. When their sons came out, the Rossings had the experience shared by many PFLAG parents of learning about GLBTQ issues. As a scholar and theologian, Gib found himself struggling to understand apparent contradictions between what the Bible said about homosexuality — and more specifically the common ways many people interpreted scripture — and what his heart and scientific studies told him. In his book, he carefully examines these issues from both theological and scientific viewpoints and illustrates his commentary with personal narrative.

The facts are interesting, well researched and clearly presented, but they make for somewhat dry and academic reading. The dryness, however, is alleviated by the personal narrative.

We have two copies of this book in the PFLAG library (although as of this writing they are both checked out). They are also available at Orca Books and online at amazon.com (or Google Dignity-Dogmatism).

Celebrate Mother's Day with Steve Schalchlin and support PFLAG Olympia!

In his April 03, 2009 blog post: Personal Appearances., award-winning lyricist, composer, singer/songwriter and storyteller Steve Schalchlin wrote:

This whole new wave of personal appearances, culminating in the creation and design of a new live solo concert, began with a simple request. Gabi Clayton -- do I have to remind you who she is? -- approached me about going back up to Olympia, the place where I played the "Imagine" piano, to sing a new concert as a benefit for PFLAG-Olympia. Given the fact that I'll do anything, anywhere, for any PFLAG, my answer was yes.

So we are very excited to announce that Steve will be the very special guest at our Sunday, May 10th Mother's Day meeting.

Then he'll perform a very special benefit concert for PFLAG at Capital Playhouse at 7 p.m. Tickets are limited so get them as soon as possible before they sell out.

Lot's more information is posted on the PFLAG-Olympia website.

Please join us!

It's an absolutely fabulous way to celebrate
Mother's Day and PFLAG.