January 11, 2019

Remembering Rosalind “Roz” Schuessler: A Legacy of Love and Justice

Rosalind Schuessler (Roz, as we all called her) was and remains the cornerstone of our Divaland community. She was the mother to our friend/client Amie. Amie and her husband David Newman are close friends with Alex and Jon Allred, who are also clients/friends. Alex is our bookkeeper and the woman who officiated our wedding. The Allreds and the Newmans are some of our original Diva Dwellers. Roz and her husband, Bob, became part of our Divaland community in 2007 and she was and always will be part of this family. Roz is the Godmother of Divaland Little did we know the reach Roz had within our Divaland community until the days after the accident. Roz was the mentor to our clients/friends, Maddie and Matt, who went to the University of Washington. She was best friends with our client/friend Shanna. And the list continues. Roz was also as an activist. She… Read More »

October 25, 2018

Vote the Ballot: Washington State Midterm Elections 2018

voters Some of the initiatives on the 2018 Washington state ballot have drawn national attention, and we’ve done our research. Here’s a rundown of how we’re voting (which you may also want to share at your voting party). Time Diva’s Quickie 2018 Ballot Guide BIG Yes on I-1631 Big oil is dumping tens of millions of dollars into this race for a basic carbon tax. It isn’t just about getting permission to continue polluting Washington for free and rake in record profits. No. This race has drawn national attention from conservation groups. Some are calling it a Green New Deal. The Trump administration is actively trying to increase pollution. The anti-tax bloc would sooner die by climate change than see their gas bills increase by pennies at the pump. This is locally our best chance at holding major polluters accountable, raising funds for renewable energy infrastructure, and helping other states… Read More »

October 24, 2018

Throw a Voting Party: Midterm Elections 2018

Things are dire, but no one is giving up yet. We should be celebrating the rights we all still hold dear with a voting party, because it matters. Every. Vote. Matters. People still alive today saw others die for voting rights. National women’s suffrage is not even a century old in this country. And we are living through the worst case scenario that happens when people don’t vote: an anti-democratic maniac coming to power. We expect the GOP (AKA Cult 45) to turn out heavily for these midterms. We have to turn out in force, too, if we have any hope of providing a check to Trump’s power grabs. If you have the time, energy, and space to host a voting party, now is a great time. It doesn’t take much to set one up for success, but here are some tips. How To Throw a Great Voting Party 1)… Read More »

October 4, 2018

Mobilize For The Midterm Elections: Get Your A$$ Up and Get Your Friends to Vote

    Are you mad, bro? Apparently, a lot of white men are angry. So angry that they are willing to shove an unqualified, unhinged candidate onto the Supreme Court despite a minimal review of his beer-swilling, rapey ways. They are RUSHING to do it before the midterm elections. They’ve had a sham investigation that will not even be made public and never even included Kavanaugh himself. It can feel so hopeless, knowing this will probably come down to a party line vote, without any regard for the pursuit of justice…the very purpose of the courts. And in spite of their dirty tricks, they are enraged that they were “inconvenienced” by a search for truth. They’re mad that their entitlement to power was questioned even the slightest bit. But what about you? Are you mad that this is happening? Last week I saw a lot of my friends share their… Read More »

August 20, 2018

End of Seattle Summer 2018: Arts, Music, Festivals, and More

  A Seattle summer is known for bright blue skies, amazing time with out of town guests, and diving into the best of the city. This Seattle summer it has been hotter than hell and we are done with the smoke and smog. Cough, yuck! Luckily, there are still a few more weeks for us to savor the best parts of a Seattle summer before it is too late. It is time for big outdoor festivals, especially music fests. Labor Day weekend is approaching, which means Bumbershoot will also be taking over Lower Queen Anne. Meanwhile, the big gaming convention PAX will be in downtown that same weekend. And then, right at the equinox, Fremont will be completely taken over by Oktoberfest. You’ll be sure to see plenty of ads (and traffic) for these events, but there is so much more happening. (Stuff that we actually want to attend.) Much… Read More »

August 9, 2018

2018 Primaries Across The Country Prove That EVERY Vote Counts

The 2018 election is pivotal for many of us in Divaland. They are coming up fast, and there are a lot of reasons to be nervous. Republicans are blocking every attempt to make our elections secure while Russia ramps up its cyber attacks. Recent court cases have made it harder to challenge gerrymandering. We hear some people despairing…but DO NOT despair. Volunteer if you have the time. Donate if you can. But above all, VOTE! Midterm elections have historically favored the party opposing the President. With Trump’s record low approval ratings and ongoing court cases, we really can hope for a Blue Wave. Even longtime Republican commentators are urging people to vote Blue. The 2018 election will shape American politics for years to come. No one can afford to waste their vote this time: the environment, civil rights, diplomacy. It’s all on the line. Midterm elections are also when people seem… Read More »

July 12, 2018

Election Season Has Begun: The Races to Watch in WA State

Election season can become draining: watching polls; hearing the pundits chatter; reading one editorial after another. You may already feel exhausted by the daily embarrassments and criminality of the current regime. Don’t despair; get energized! In the US States House of Representatives, Republicans need to lose 23 states to lose their majority. That may sound like a lot, but there are 435 seats total. SwingLeft.org says 78 of those seats are competitive races. Meanwhile, 33 of 100 Senators are up for regular election, and two other seats are open for special elections. Those races are tougher, but Senator Mitch McConnell’s majority in the Senate is only 1 seat. We’re all hoping for a Blue Wave, and we can all be working toward that. Whether donating or volunteering or making sure that friends are registered, every effort counts. Here in WA State, there are two races in particular that have our… Read More »

July 9, 2018

2018 Elections Alert: Important Dates and Resources to Know

This upcoming 2018 elections could not be more important. If progressives do not take back Congress, Trump’s erosion of our freedoms, the environment, and foreign relations will continue unchecked. To the extent that we can, we should be supporting progressive candidates around the state. In November, we’ll be selecting them for US Senate, US House of Representatives, and WA State Legislature seats. Obviously, we can only vote in our own districts, but we can get the word out. First of all, we need to all be registered to vote. TurboVote For All We imagine that most everyone in Divaland is registered, but you may know others who are not. You may also have friends abroad who should cast absentee ballots, but don’t know how. Refer these friends to TurboVote.org. It has a clean, simple interface that makes getting absentee ballots easy. It can also assist with registration stateside, especially in… Read More »

June 8, 2018

Divaland Pride Guide 2018: Your Comprehensive Seattle Pride Event Calendar

Pride is politics, pageantry and partying all in one messy mix. The core notion that we are all deserving of love and should be free to express our love demands diversity. Fortunately, there really is something for everyone. We have compiled a list of notable events and festivals happening this month. For the sake of expediency, we have put them in four categories: Culture, Drag Queens, Outdoor Events, and Drinking & Dancing. Peruse the lineup, check the dates, click the links for times and tickets, and get your schedule in order. Culture In addition to parties, shows, and cabarets, there are screenings, performances, and readings throughout Seattle. Here are some notable ones. Sapphic Selections from SIFF 2018’s Closing Weekend, June 9 and 10 Seattle International Film Festival 2018 ends June 10, and we’re highlighting three very different films with homoromantic elements. Wild Nights With Emily Actress Molly Shannon (yes, the… Read More »

April 25, 2018

Dining Out For Life and Sunday Brunching in Capitol Hill This Weekend

Lifelong AIDS Alliance is an incredible Seattle charity, and for the Divas, it’s personal. Kim and Chavi met by working with Lifelong years ago, and the life-saving work of Lifelong has touched many lives close to us. This week, the national event Dining Out For Life will raise funds for AIDS service organizations, and Lifelong is the beneficiary in Seattle. We got so lucky this year! We have a gorgeous evening open house this week on Capitol Hill (just a few blocks from Lifelong’s awesome thrift store, which you should also check out). That means it will be easy for us to Dine Out For Life on Thursday. The hard part will be choosing between so many favorites. On Sunday, we’ll also be able to grab brunch from one of the many great spots near the open house. We have some great suggestions for all of you in Divaland who… Read More »