Her apartment lease may now say Los Angeles, but BenDeLaCreme’s heart is never far from Seattle, where the RuPaul’s Drag Race alum-turned-dragepreneur developed her signature style, along with a life-long friendship and collaboration with Jinkx Monsoon.
BenDeLaCreme was on hand earlier this summer to emcee a Love For All Boat special sailing to commemorate 50 years of Pride in the Emerald City and gather a record-breaking number of queer couples to renew their wedding vows.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell declared an official Love For All Day, with some of the city’s iconic landmarks illuminated in the colors of the Pride flag. But the evening’s highlight was Washington Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu (the state’s first openly gay Asian American and Latina justice) proceding over a record-breaking vow renewal ceremony for 56 couples, including Sara and Emily Cofer, the first couple Justice Yu married in 2012 when Washington legalized same-sex marriage.
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“There is something magical about celebrating LGBTQIA+ love through a shared experience like this – knowing that Seattle, and this occasion, will have a lasting spot in the stories of so many couples is something our organization will always treasure,” said Michael Woody, who participated in the vow renewal with his husband of three years, Kevin, and is chief communications officer for Visit Seattle. “This experience was about our city proudly affirming its vow to the LGBTQIA+ community as a place where they can always feel welcome to love openly and be their authentic selves.”
GayCities was on hand to capture some wisdom from participating couples on what makes a successful queer marriage:
“There’s no playbook. Lean into being scared, like Labyrinth style — go further and deeper into it because there’s something there.”
“Communication is key in any relationship, but in queer relationships there’s this extra layer because of all the stigmas we encounter during our day-to-day lives. Having a partner you can actively communicate and even vent those experiences, while also being understanding and your support. It really changed our marriage.”
“Do not go to bed angry. Compromise.”
“We’ve been together 43 years, and want to pass on what we know.”
“With all the pressures of gay life, we took our time. We still ask ourselves, what’s the next stage in life?”
“Giving space. Having that volley of supporting each other really helps.”
While the boat bustled with vow renewal revelers, all the single ladies had a good time, too, including BenDeLaCreme, who even cut the towering rainbow-layered wedding cake. The working girl didn’t have a special someone on her arm this particular night, but GayCities caught BenDeLaCreme’s attention to chat about what makes her one true love — Seattle — so special.
Whether you’re headed to Seattle Pride or simply rolling into town for a fantastic weekend in the Northwest, the city is packed with LGBTQ+ businesses from restaurants and specialty shops to local artisans. Need quick tips? Here are some of our favorites:
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Pike Place Pigs
Handmadeand personalized piggies 85 Pike Street · Seattle, WA 98101((20) 6) -841-
Website
Fat’s Chicken and Waffles
Southern-style eatery 2726 E Cherry St · Seattle, WA 98122(206) 602-6863
Website
Aluel Cellars – Capitol Hill
Modern tasting room 801a E Thomas St · Seattle, WA 98102(206) 329-5994
Website
CMS Ceramics at Pike Place Market
Ceramics inspired by the PNW 85 Pike St · Seattle, WA 98101((61) 6) -560-
Website
Pike Place Pigs
Handmadeand personalized piggies 85 Pike Street · Seattle, WA 98101((20) 6) -841-
Website
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