Burien, the adorable little ‘burb to the southwest of Seattle is home to many, many LGBTQ+ folks who fled the expensive city when they got the nesting bug. And, who can blame them? Far cheaper to buy there than in pricey old Seattle…well, it used to be.
And, all those nesty LGBTQ+ folks out in Burien love to get their Pride on every year with their own Pride Festival…this year, it’s happening THIS weekend, starting Friday, June 3rd with an outdoor dance party. Saturday the 4th is a big festival and Sunday is…Drag Bingo/Pancake Breakfast Time!
Nothing says Pride like eating cold pancakes with a drag queen lip screaming “GEE THIRTY TWO” in your ear!!!
I keed, I keed.
Mostly.
The scoop on Burien Pride…And, there ain’t much since I’m not finding a ton of information out there about specifics!
Burien Pride is back in 2022 with 3 fun filled days!
Join us in this fun for this great community event.
Friday, June 3rd – 5p to 11p / Burien Pride Street Dance
Saturday, June 4th – 10a to 11p / Festival / Music / Kids Area
Sunday, June 5th – 10a to 2p / Drag Queen Bingo and a Pancake Breakfast
Go here to buy advance tickets for the Bingo/Pancake Feast: https://www.discoverburien.org/event-calendar/burien-pride-weekend-2022
In other Burien LGBTQ+ news, Highline Schools Foundation has partnered with Burien Pride to create a scholarship for local LGBTQ+ students. Via press release from Highline Schools Foundation:
Highline Schools Foundation partners with Burien Pride to create Burien Pride Scholarship for LGBTQ+ Students
May 31st, 2022, Burien, WA – In honor of Pride Month, the Highline Schools Foundation is thrilled to partner with Burien PRIDE to establish the inaugural Burien PRIDE scholarship for LGBTQ+ students in Highline.
“The lives and families of transgender students have been the focal point of so much animosity in national politics, and we’re so excited to have this opportunity to celebrate and support the hard work and academic achievements of LGBTQ+ students in Highline,” said Highline Schools Foundation Executive Director Fred Swanson. “Thank you to Burien PRIDE for investing in these students and supporting their success beyond graduation.”
For many years, the City of Burien has issued proclamations supporting Pride month as well as those denouncing hate speech. The City’s leadership has sanctioned the installation of Pride flags on publicly owned light poles, and that Pride flag will be raised at City Hall again this week.
“We’re so excited to be working with Highline Schools Foundation in this way,” said Debra George, Discover Burien Executive Director and organizer of Burien PRIDE. “Being able to support LGBTQ+ students by investing in their future and acknowledging their accomplishments makes such a powerful statement.”
The goal for this inaugural year is to raise $20,000 for the Burien PRIDE LGBTQ+ Scholarship, $8,800 of which has already been secured through Discover Burien and a match from a private donor. To further support the establishment of this scholarship fund, Highline Schools Foundation volunteers will be collecting donations, along with receiving a portion of the proceeds from the Drag Queen Bingo and Brunch at Burien Pride, on Sunday, June 5th. You can find more information, and purchase tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/ydmtz274
This is the first of several identity-based scholarships that Highline Schools Foundation will be launching over the next year, partnering with key leaders and groups from Highline’s diverse communities to establish new support mechanisms for our students and their families. The first Burien Pride Scholarship will be awarded along with the Foundation’s other scholarship offerings to graduating seniors from across Highline Public Schools in Spring 2023.
“We awarded scholarships totaling $258,000 to 46 incredible students this school year,” added Swanson. “Expanding our reach to include some identity-based opportunities recognizing the specific barriers certain students face is a great way to expand on our efforts to support equitable educational opportunities.”
If you are interested in starting a scholarship or supporting other work at the Foundation, please contact Fred at the Foundation.
About the Author: Michael Strangeways
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