So You Want to Be a Board Member?

By Skitty

Fantastic! The Center for Sex Positive Culture needs you. You are the Center. The Board is always looking for folx who want to step up, take on more responsibility, and help chart a path forward for this organization that we all love so passionately. To assist with getting you more involved, here are some things you should know.

Why does the CSPC have a Board of Directors?

The Center for Sex Positive Culture is a 501(c)(7) nonprofit, operated in a manner consistent with maintaining that tax-exempt status. We are a membership-based community center for the benefit of sex-positive culture, focusing on Seattle and the surrounding areas. Here is our mission statement:

  • The Center for Sex Positive Culture creates spaces to celebrate, develop, and explore sexuality and sensuality among a diverse, supportive community.

We are required to have a working Board of Directors, including the Executive Offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, with a minimum of seven Directors. We may also have up to two Community Directors (chosen by Membership).

What do individual Board Members do?

  • Board members typically volunteer between 10 and 40 hours per week, on top of attending events and any other volunteer roles they take on (such as EC, Champion, Online Host, etc.). 

  • Basic duties include:

    • participating in weekly Board video calls

    • preparing for, and attendance at, the monthly Board Meeting

    • engaging in a yearly Board Retreat (intensive, day-long work meeting)

    • serving on committees and disappearing task forces (DTFs)(e.g., building committee, document creation/revision DTF)

    • managing special initiatives

    • participating in fundraising by volunteering as staff, donating or procuring items, or making financial contributions

    • directing recurring seasonal events (e.g., CSPC Pride, the Frolic)

    • attending/leading one-on-one and small group meetings

    • answering emails — so many emails!

    • writing reports, creating documents, compiling spreadsheets

    • monitoring CSPC social media, engaging when necessary, and keeping a professional tone and attitude

    • liaising with other organizations and individuals sharing a similar or related mission

  • Executive Officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) and Division Directors (Events, HR, Operations, and Communications) all handle a ton more responsibilities related to their role, contributing many additional volunteer hours per week.

  • All Board Members are expected to take on an initiative of their choosing, or a Directorship, or an Executive Office, after a few months of settling in and getting a feel for the basic responsibilities of being a Board Member.

What qualifications does a person need in order to be a Board Member?

There is a lot of flexibility with respect to the qualifications required to be a Board Member. This is on purpose — to help remove barriers and promote diversity in leadership. That said, a few things are necessary.

All Board Members must be willing to:

  • consistently devote productive time to the CSPC

  • maintain communication with the other Directors

  • serve the three-year term for which they have been elected

  • allow their full legal name to be made available in public record

  • provide their current address, phone numbers, and email address to the Board

  • fill out a conflict of interest form, understand the implications of their personal, financial, and other volunteer relationships, and be willing to answer questions about those relationships

  • maintain an active CSPC membership

  • execute the documentation required for membership and Board participation

Recommended qualifications:

  • minimum one year of active CSPC membership

  • extensive volunteer experience within the CSPC, including leadership positions (demonstrates characteristics required for successful Board participation)

  • periodic attendance at Board Meetings (demonstrates an interest in, and understanding of, the workings of the CSPC)

  • work experience relevant to the role of Board Member

  • volunteer experience outside of the CSPC

  • education, apprenticeships, certifications (in whatever — all of these really do count!)

  • life experience and the ability to demonstrate how that is applicable

What are the characteristics of a successful Board Member?

The CSPC is a diverse community and so are Board Members. That said, there are a number of characteristics needed to be successful and effective:

  • consistently demonstrate a solid understanding and application of consent culture, commitment to consent culture, and a willingness to engage in ongoing consent education

  • demonstrate an impeccable practice of confidentiality

  • behave with emotional intelligence

  • when applicable, disagree productively in the appropriate venue

  • ability to collaborate and communicate electronically or have a willingness to learn how to use Proton, Google Drive, docs, spreadsheets, forms, etc.

  • consistently represent the organization, adhering to the mission statement and House Rules

  • think and act independently

  • be highly motivated

  • be reliable

  • be dependable

  • follow through on commitments, responsibilities, and projects

What else do I need to know before applying?

Volunteering as a Board Member is an enormous responsibility. It is not for the faint of heart. You will be a public-facing representative of the organization, both within our events, and outside of the community. Much of your work will go unrecognized and will often be criticized. There will be much you cannot speak about publicly — ever. It will change the way you interact with the rest of the community. Some of the things you can do as a regular Member, you cannot do as a Board Member. For your entire term, and quite a while after that, everything you do or say will be interpreted (rightly or wrongly) as coming from “the Board.” It is, at times, exhausting.

All that said, being a Board Member is an honor and a privilege. It is an opportunity to connect with membership in a unique way, and provides a profound opportunity to shape and change the organization. It is an act of service that will forever change you and the way you view this beloved community.

What is the application process?

  • Reread the above information and consider whether this is the right time for you to put your name forward. We will always need new Board Members — next month, next year, next decade… There is no rush. 

  • Engage with current and/or past Board Members, asking them about their experiences and any questions you may have.

  • Fill out the Google Form.

  • Include some sort of résumé. This can be along the lines of a customary business résumé or some other format that provides information as to your skills and experience relevant to the work of a Board Member. If this, or any aspect of the application process is preventing you from putting your name forward for consideration, please let us know. Assistance can be provided or accommodations made.

  • Demonstrate your ability to represent the community in a respectful, informed, and civil manner. This includes the ways you interact with others at CSPC events, on social media, and in the surrounding sex-positive community.

  • Demonstrate your ability to lead by becoming more involved: 

    • If you haven’t already, volunteer to take on other leadership positions within the CSPC. If you are not sure how, ask someone in leadership, preferably in the area that interests you the most.

    • Check out our monthly Board Meetings and if applicable, participate during the attendee comments period. Get to know the inner workings of the organization, the Board Members, and help us get to know you and your vision of the CSPC.

What if this isn’t the right fit? How do I make a meaningful contribution to the organization?

Not everyone is best suited for the role of Board Member. Not everyone wants to serve on the Board. That doesn’t mean you can’t contribute to the CSPC in a substantial, meaningful, and enriching way. The CSPC needs volunteers in every capacity. If you see a need, bring forward your ideas of how you can make changes in the community.

Approach this as you would when considering a new play partner. Think about what you have to offer, what attracts you to the other person, what kind of play you are interested in, and then negotiate a scene or a relationship that can be enjoyable and fulfilling for both of you. As with play, you may not end up with the scene you first envisioned, but hopefully something even better!

Please direct questions and feedback arising from this article to: president@thecspc.org

Broaden Your Mind

Other Community Events to Enjoy!

The CSPC throws amazing parties and hosts many important discussions on various topics. But luckily, we live in a place where there are many more options to dive into sex- and body-positive culture. The list below is just a sampling of some great events coming up in the next month.

We include non-CSPC events in every issue. If you have an event suggestion or feedback from a past event you’ve attended, please email Marissa at newsletter@thecspc.org and it might make it into our next issue!

Editor’s note for all events*

As a reminder, these are non-CSPC events. We include them as a way to open your mind to other experiences, but we have no control over them, their content, or their missions. We encourage you to vet other organizations to see if they are places you would feel comfortable, and we appreciate feedback if we have listed an organization/event that does not appear to share CSPC values.

October 13

Stoup Brewing Capitol Hill | Board Gayme Night (free | in person)

A weekly meetup for the LGBTQIA+ community hosted by Seattle Gaymers.

October 16

Papaya Project | Sex Trivia ($12+ | in person)

This monthly event is the best way to learn about and celebrate pleasure, queerness, and the science of sex! We kick off the evening with a brief introduction, then dive right into sex trivia. All identities and backgrounds are welcome. Trivia questions cover a wide variety of sex and sexuality-related topics, so get ready to challenge yourself, learn something new, and have a good time. A portion of event tickets will be donated to the Gender Justice League.

October 16–19

Northwest Film Forum | Seattle Trans Underground Film Fest ($30+ | in person)

We have STUFF to show you! The first ever Seattle Trans Underground Film Fest is happening Thursday October 16th through Sunday the 19th, 2025. Full schedule, including more information on attending, ticketing, and screenings, will be announced in September. Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky to stay up to date, and hear what else is coming at the Northwest Film Forum!

October 16 – Nov 8

Acrobatic Conundrum | THREADS ($25+ | in person)

Conundrum invites you into a tangled world, by turns emotive and exhilarating. Rope papers the walls, rope becomes an animate object in the hands of a clown, rope elevates dance-storytelling into the air. THREADS is a circus opus featuring six performers and a musician, an exploration of connection, love, and endings — a story strung with grace and daring that will leave you inspired and curiously alive.

October 18

Lesbian Chronicles LIVE ($33+ | in person)

The Lesbian Chronicles podcast hosts Alli and Melisa were both married to men and came out later in life. They will share relatable stories, interview a sex therapist and other special guests to answer your questions, and keep us entertained all night! Whether you're in the middle of navigating your own sexuality journey or just want to be in community with other queer women, this event is for you. Let's laugh, cry, and celebrate together. In addition to the event on Saturday, we've created optional events on Friday if you'd like more chances to meet new people!

October 20 – November 11

Beacon Cinema | Forget Everything, Adore Me, and Adore My Flesh: The Cinema of Monika Treut ($15 | in person)

Ever since the release of her debut feature Seduction: The Cruel Woman in 1985, Hamburg-based filmmaker Monika Treut has devoted herself to depicting and documenting queer lives on screen, exploring the mysteries and ambiguities of gender, and transgressing repressive sexual mores and ideas. Fiercely controversial in her native Germany – where Die Zeit once proclaimed that “films like Monika Treut’s are destroying cinema” – Treut found much more acceptance for her work in the burgeoning queer film festival and independent film scenes in America, leading to several decades-long collaborations with queer icons such as trans poet Max Wolf Valerio and “post-porn modernist” Annie Sprinkle. Treut’s films stand as fearless explorations of sex and gender that trace the more taboo and less documented arcs of queer history of the late 20th century.

October 25

Pan Eros Foundation | "Oops!" Harm Reduction, Intimacy, and Learning in Kink ($35+ | in person)

Scenes are made and broken by how you adapt to the unexpected. Sometimes this means heading off or recovering from a major problem, but much more often it's small things. Nothing ever goes exactly the way you planned. External events happen, gear fails, ramifications occur. People make mistakes and are complicated. You can pre-think safety, own what happens, make course corrections, communicate, and choose to learn. These are things you can do before, during, and after play to decrease the risks of harm, and increase the benefits of error.

Broaden Your Mind

Other Community Events to Enjoy!

The CSPC throws amazing parties and hosts many important discussions on various topics. But luckily, we live in a place where there are many more options to dive into sex- and body-positive culture. The list below is just a sampling of some great events coming up in the next month.

We include non-CSPC events in every issue. If you have an event suggestion or feedback from a past event you’ve attended, please email Marissa at newsletter@thecspc.org and it might make it into our next issue!

Editor’s note for all events*

As a reminder, these are non-CSPC events. We include them as a way to open your mind to other experiences, but we have no control over them, their content, or their missions. We encourage you to vet other organizations to see if they are places you would feel comfortable, and we appreciate feedback if we have listed an organization/event that does not appear to share CSPC values.

September 13

SADS - The Identity and Art of Clowning ($20+ | in person)

An immersive celebration of movement, identity, and visual storytelling through the medium of clowning. Join us for the incredible debut of Vitz's amazing Sad Clown Photography Series! We are excited to feature clowns of all stripes and sizes to celebrate. Hosted at the amazing Mountain Room, where we will feature many clown performances from local performers that roost right here in Seattle. There will be laughs, tears, and amazing stories to be told!

September 18

Papaya Project | Sex Trivia ($12+ | in person)

This monthly event is the best way to learn about and celebrate pleasure, queerness, and the science of sex! We kick off the evening with a brief introduction, then dive right into sex trivia. All identities and backgrounds are welcome. Trivia questions cover a wide variety of sex and sexuality-related topics, so get ready to challenge yourself, learn something new, and have a good time. Proceeds go toward Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center.

September 20 and 24

Beacon Cinema | In the Realm of the Senses ($15 | in person)

In the Realm of the Senses by the always provocative Japanese director Nagisa Ōshima, remains one of the most controversial films of all time. Based on a true incident, it graphically depicts the all-consuming, transcendent—but ultimately destructive—love of a man and a woman (Tatsuya Fuji and Eiko Matsuda) living in an era of ever escalating imperialism and governmental control. Less a work of pornography than of politics, In the Realm of the Senses is a brave, taboo-breaking milestone, still censored in its own country.

September 20 and 27

Consent Academy | Consent Advocate Training ($80–$120 | online)

Consent advocates help create more consensual spaces by educating and providing support when something goes wrong with consent. It's a specialized role most people can learn to do with the proper training, support, and practice. If consent advocacy is something you're interested in, please join us for a two part training around the skills needed to do this work, including communication, intervention, and trauma-awareness.

September 21

Pan Eros Foundation | Practical Application of Floggers ($45–$100 | in person)

Want to create a great flogging scene? Not sure about the basics? Know the basics inside-and-out but think there might be something more? This experiential flogging workshop is for anybody that thinks they've got something to learn. We'll discuss the foundations, practice basic and non-basic strokes, and cover how to turn it all from a collection of techniques into a scene.

September 26

The Lumber Yard Bar | Diapers and Drinks (free | in person)

The Clubhouse is thrilled to announce DIAPERS AND DRINKS, Seattle's biggest ABDL event returns to the Lumber Yard Bar on Friday September 26th! Starting at 8pm the bar will officially switch over to an ABDL themed event and you can show up and wear whatever ABDL, Ageplay, or Kink attire your heart desires.

October 1

Papaya Project | Spicy Speed Dating for Queer Femmes & Thems ($15 | in person)

Looking to make new connections while exploring different perspectives on identity, relationships, sexuality, and pleasure? If you're a femme, non-binary, trans person and age 35+, this event is for you! Let’s come together for a night of meeting new people, making friends, and maybe even finding a spicy spark or two (or three).

October 4

Pan Eros Foundation | Holes in Friends: An introduction to needle play ($30–$75 | in person)

Come learn the foundational skills needed for all levels of needle play, from mean/sadistic needles to decorative/artsy scenes to predicament play as well as  other pokie shenanigans. This class will focus on safety considerations, supplies, how to use them and where to get them and the technique on how to pierce someone by the end of class. Needle play carries an element of risk, learn what some of the significant risks are and how to mitigate them.

October 16–19

Northwest Film Forum | Seattle Trans Underground Film Fest (tbd | in person)

We have STUFF to show you! The first ever Seattle Trans Underground Film Fest is happening Thursday October 16th through Sunday the 19th, 2025. Full schedule, including more information on attending, ticketing, and screenings, will be announced in September. Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky to stay up to date, and hear what else is coming at the Northwest Film Forum!

October 17 – Nov 8

Acrobatic Conundrum | THREADS ($25+ | in person)

Conundrum invites you into a tangled world, by turns emotive and exhilarating. Rope papers the walls, rope becomes an animate object in the hands of a clown, rope elevates dance-storytelling into the air. THREADS is a circus opus featuring six performers and a musician, an exploration of connection, love, and endings — a story strung with grace and daring that will leave you inspired and curiously alive.

Reminders for cold and flu season

Still-life photo with crumpled tissues, a tissue box, black-rimmed glasses, and a mug with utensil inside

Hi kinksters! We want to remind you that cold and flu season is quickly approaching, and as such, we have some reminders for you. 

  1. All parties will have a reduced ticket cap from December through February, so make sure you’re picking up tickets to your favorite events early! 

  2. We always have KN95 masks available at the registration table for in-person events; masking is a great way to cut down on seasonal illness transmission if you’re wearing them correctly. 

  3. Taking a COVID test prior to attending in-person events is a great practice! 

  4. If you don’t feel well before an event, you can email registration@thecspc.org to let them know you’re ill and you will get a credit for a future event.

  5. If vaccines are available to you, consider getting your annual flu shot and COVID booster. 


Please help us care for ourselves and each other by taking precautions wherever you can. Thank you for your community care!

2025-2026 Board Elections

Different colors of rope looped around to create the shape of a heart

At yesterday’s public board meeting, we held elections for officers and directorships, and we are proud to present our new(ish) Board positions! Congratulations to these Board Members, and thank you for taking on a(nother) year of responsibility and leadership.

Officer Positions: 


Division Directors: 

Letter from the President

Closeup of fountain pen writing cursive in black ink on white lined paper

Letter from the President

Hey folks,

I'm honored and humbled to be the next President of the CSPC. This organization has helped me discover so much about myself, and I'm thrilled to continue our mission of being that place for others to do the same in the coming year.

As many of you know, our mission is "to create spaces to celebrate, develop, and explore sexuality and sensuality among a diverse, supportive community." I want to focus briefly on that last bit.

As much as I can help foster it, it's up to all of us to create that diverse, supportive community we want to see. Some of that is simple things everyone can do: respecting folks’ identities, letting folks express themselves how they want, and not yucking someone else's yum. The rest is countless hours from hundreds of volunteers doing amazing work behind the scenes to make that community possible. That's everything from helping us run parties, leading discussion groups, and administering our systems to keep us up and running.

To those who have volunteered before, you have my deep thanks. If you have spare time and want to volunteer to keep this fabulous community going, check out the Volunteering tab on our website.

Thank you, and I look forward to the year ahead.

Vanessa


Broaden Your Mind

Other Community Events to Enjoy!

The CSPC throws amazing parties and hosts many important discussions on various topics. But luckily, we live in a place where there are many more options to dive into sex- and body-positive culture. The list below is just a sampling of some great events coming up in the next month.

We include non-CSPC events in every issue. If you have an event suggestion or feedback from a past event you’ve attended, please email Marissa at newsletter@thecspc.org and it might make it into our next issue!

Editor’s note for all events*

As a reminder, these are non-CSPC events. We include them as a way to open your mind to other experiences, but we have no control over them, their content, or their missions. We encourage you to vet other organizations to see if they are places you would feel comfortable, and we appreciate feedback if we have listed an organization/event that does not appear to share CSPC values.

August 15

Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture | Jotería ($35+ | in person)

Get ready for Jotería – the queer twist on Lotería! Join us for an evening of laughs, drinks, friendly competition, and prizes. Jotería is more than just a game—it's a lively and unapologetic celebration of Mexican and Queer culture, blending tradition with bold, joyous expression.

August 16

Emerald City Trapeze Art | Sans Solos Deux! ($33+ | in person)

The domination of solo circus acts was subverted by performers who rallied together to create stunning ensemble work. Now, it is a dark time for the rebellion. The pressures of urban life force artists into making pragmatic career choices, and the true enemy of collaborators rears its ugly head: scheduling group rehearsals!!! They move in perfect synchrony in the air and blend their balancing talents: duos, trios, teams, but nary a soloist will launch each other higher, throw each other further, and respirate as one to take your breath away. Expect high-energy acrobatics, high flying trapeze, hilarious emcee moments, and beautiful aerial duets!

August 28

SEA-PAH | Slightly Puppy Social (free | in person)

Slightly Furry welcomes the pack to their tap room for a weekday social. Are you looking for a social that's a little easier to socialize at? Join us at Slightly Furry for another amazing evening to meet new pups and try new drinks. They even have pup-specific treats!

September 6

Gallery Erato | Rope And… ($25 | in person)

This is a “rope focused” play party that encourages mixing in your favorite other ways to play.  This event provides a safe(r) and consensual space for individuals to engage in various forms of kink play, encouraging both beginners and experienced enthusiasts to come together and indulge in their desires. Whether you're interested in rope, sex, impact play, or anything else, plenty of like-minded people will come together for an evening of enjoyment. Please note that all participants must behave responsibly, respectfully, and consensually to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone. Join us for a night of empowerment, expression, and exploration.

September 6

The Beacon Cinema | SECS Fest Presents The Last Bath ($15 | in person)

Seattle’s very own contribution to the “Golden Age of Porn” is back on the big screen for its 50th anniversary! Horny photographer David is picked up by a pair of hippie chicks while hitchhiking along Aurora Avenue and invited to a weekend at their cabin in the woods, only to discover that his hosts may have more ominous plans in store for him. But where do David’s erotic dreams end and his increasingly nightmarish reality begin? The Last Bath offers a psychedelic blend of avant-garde pretension and hardcore sex. With scenes filmed on and around the UW campus, University Bridge, Pioneer Square, and the Lake Union houseboats—plus a musique concrete score and more trippy optical-printer effects than you can shake a dick at—don’t miss this weird and sexy glimpse into Seattle’s countercultural past!

September 10

SEAF Presents | Sensual Sessions: Paint & Sip ($40 | in person)

Sensual Sessions aims to create a relaxed space where through art you can explore the sensual planes of our bodies. Guests will create paintings that explore making shapes through light and shadow work on canvas. By the end of the class, guests should have one finished acrylic on canvas painting of the female form in a seductive pose.

September 10

Papaya Project | Sex Trivia ($12+ | in person)

This monthly event is the best way to learn about and celebrate pleasure, queerness, and the science of sex! We kick off the evening with a brief introduction, then dive right into sex trivia. All identities and backgrounds are welcome. Trivia questions cover a wide variety of sex and sexuality-related topics, so get ready to challenge yourself, learn something new, and have a good time. Proceeds go toward Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center.

Clothing Closet Social is Back on 8/6/2025!

Heya kinksters, start cleaning out your closets because the CSPC is hosting another Clothing Closet Social! Join us on Wednesday, August 6th from 5:00 - 9:00pm at Gallery Erato for a fun night of socializing and raiding everyone else’s gently-worn clothing. Back by popular demand, this event is for members only so if your membership has lapsed now is a great time to renew. This event is free to attend, but pre-registration is required and IDs will be checked at the door.

Please bring your clean, gently used items, ready to wear or use. Items can include clothing, accessories, toys, and any fully functional household items that are likely to be appreciated by community members. Do not bring anything that is soiled, broken, incomplete, or that cannot be received by a donation center. Everything is free—no sales. At the end of the evening you may reclaim anything you brought. Anything left at 8:30 will be packed up for donation. You are welcome to take items even if you didn’t bring anything!

Questions about this event can be emailed to MK@thecspc.org.

Broaden Your Mind

Other Community Events to Enjoy!

The CSPC throws amazing parties and hosts many important discussions on various topics. But luckily, we live in a place where there are many more options to dive into sex- and body-positive culture. The list below is just a sampling of some great events coming up in the next month.

We include non-CSPC events in every issue. If you have an event suggestion or feedback from a past event you’ve attended, please email Marissa at newsletter@thecspc.org and it might make it into our next issue!

Editor’s note for all events*

As a reminder, these are non-CSPC events. We include them as a way to open your mind to other experiences, but we have no control over them, their content, or their missions. We encourage you to vet other organizations to see if they are places you would feel comfortable, and we appreciate feedback if we have listed an organization/event that does not appear to share CSPC values.

July 10–12

Three Dollar Bill Cinema | Queer and Trans Film Festival ($15+ | in person)

Get ready to party like it’s 1996! This year, Three Dollar Bill Cinema is turning back the clock and turning up the volume with a fierce, joy-filled retrospective at the Queer & Trans Film Festival 2025—July 10–12 at Broadway Performance Hall and Erickson Theater. We’re uniting the legacy of the Seattle Queer Film Festival and TRANS|lations to celebrate 30 years of queer cinema and 20 years of trans storytelling. That means iconic shorts and features from festivals past, a brand-new lineup of trans-made and trans-led short films, and a spotlight on the brilliant local voices that shaped our scene. No virtual fest this year—so mark your calendar, grab your crew, and get ready to celebrate the stories that made us.

July 11

Fremont Abbey | An Interactive Evening Suitable for Introverts ($29.25 | in person)

An evening designed to foster curiosity and creativity, "An Interactive Evening Suitable for Introverts" invites guests (introverted, extroverted, or anyone in between) to enjoy a night of music, poetry, and hands-on art—all at their own pace. Hosted by performing songwriter Allison Preisinger, this event is the perfect opportunity to explore your creative side in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, whether you prefer to observe or actively participate.

July 16

Papaya Project | Spicy Speed Dating for Queer Femmes & Thems ($15 | in person)

Looking to make new connections while exploring different perspectives on identity, relationships, sexuality, and pleasure? If you're a femme or non-binary queer person, this event is for you! Let’s come together for a night of meeting new people, making friends, and maybe even finding a spicy spark or two (or three).

July 18

Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center | Gardens & Gems ($25+ | in person)

Are you ready to sparkle and shine at Seattle's LGBTQ+ Center's summer fundraiser, Gardens & Gems? This isn't your ordinary gala; it's an evening of queer entertainment, art, and pure community joy. Dress up in your most fabulous floral or gem-inspired attire and join us for a night of opulence and fun, all while supporting the Center's mission to cultivate access and connections to promote self-determination, liberation and joy in our communities.

July 19

Kremwerk | Shit Show Last Shit Show ($12–$20 | in person)

Let’s celebrate two unforgettable years of unhinged drag, twisted survival challenge showdowns, and...other things!!!! Come witness us put these queens through hell one more time for the shittiest show in history…as we invite back some of your favorites, and some creatures you haven't even seen before…

July 26

The Beacon Cinema | Underwater Love ($13.12 | in person)

Ever wondered what a kappa’s cock looks like? Seattle’s favorite drag queen UH OH wants to show you! Uh Oh joins us on Saturday, July 26 to perform and host a special screening of UNDERWATER LOVE, a pornographic musical romance about the mythical Japanese water-creature from pink film legend Shinji Imaoka, shot by Wong Kar-wai’s cinematographer Christopher Doyle(!) and featuring the infectious pop music of Stereo Total.

August 2

The Beacon Cinema | SECS Fest Presents Blonde Ambition ($13.12 | in person)

One of the funniest (not to mention gayest) heterosexual adult films ever produced, The Amero Brothers’ love letter to the golden age of Hollywood musicals is a tour de force of burlesque humor, uproarious sight gags, and madcap set pieces, all culminating in one of the most outrageous finales in hardcore film history!

August 3

Consent Academy | Real Talk: Consent Culture for Leather, Kink, and Lifestyle Folks ($0–$20 | online)

This support group is designed for individuals in the BDSM, kink, lifestyle, and greater sex-positive community, including munch leaders, event producers, dungeon monitors, organizational representatives, consent advocates, and anyone interested in enhancing their understanding of consent practices. For two hours, facilitators will create a welcoming and supportive environment for open discussions about consent incidents and violations and how to move through them.

August 3

Theatre Off Jackson | The Sunday Night Shuga Shaq ($45+ | in person)

The longest running and ONLY monthly ALL PEOPLE OF COLOR Burlesque Revue in the Pacific Northwest, The Sunday Night Shuga Shaq, is back! Please join us for an evening of dazzling dancing, tantric teasing, and all around prismatic sexy magic with some of the hottest Burlesque performers this side of the Mississippi! There will be so many shades and flavors of chocolate, caramel, mocha, lemon meringue, and red velvet dripping from the Theatre Off Jackson stage that you are guaranteed to leave with a tooth ache.