OUT In Our Community

A current and historical look at LGBTQ folks on Vashon Island

Even though the LGBTQ community has a long history on Vashon, it is only in the last twenty years or so that being OUT in the community  became something more and more individuals felt comfortable with. 

Below are a few examples:

Scholarships

Scholarships for graduating seniors at Vashon Island High School is a long standing island tradition.  The Vashon Gay Pride Alliance (now Vashon Pride Alliance) has given scholarships since 1994.  Scholarship award criteria focussed on those students supportive of diversity and service to the community, not necessarily those identifying as LGBTQ, . 

  • 2018 Ray Lewis $1,500
  • 2017 Xavier Ajeto $1,200
  • 2016 Hannah Fellbaum $1,600
  • 2015 Emalia Hinden-Stevenson $1,700
  • 2014 Lauren Houston $1,500
  • 2013 Hailey Quackenbush $1,400
  • 2012 Kenese Parker $700 Sloane Ralston $ 700
  • 2011 Julia Hanowell $ 700
  • 2010 Amelia Garcia Cosgrove $ 500
  • 2009 (none) 2008 Lila O’Brien $500 2007 Berry Amason $ 500 2006 (none) 2005 (none) 2004 Robert Bennedsen $ 400 Meredith Preston $ 400 Jay Motoyoshi $400 Clay Lewis $400 Sabrina Pieterick $400 2003 Eli Steffen $500 Geoffrey Reiman $500 Ross Krinsky $500 Rachel Weise $500 2002 Marc Langland $500 Caroline Tucker $500 Laura Trevellyan $500 Saamanta Serna $500 2001 Angela Olson $500 Timia Olsen $500 Katharine Gardiner $500 Carlee McManus $500 2000 Philippa Koch $600 Caitlin Price $600 Morgan Elliot $600 Rachel Ferguson $600 1999 Josh Randall $600 Kyle Britz $600 Laila Tomkinson $600 Alissa Berley $600 1998 Jen Johnson $500 Dietrich Koch $500 Lisa Nourse $500 Caitlin Strick $500 1997 Meridith Cleland $500 Tara Gritten $500 Sarah Bean $500 Leif Keller $500 1996 Ingrid Clausen $500 Meghan Donovan $500 Tracy Hardy $500 1995 Jennifer Nourse $400 Evan Berry $400 Amy Drayer $400 1994 Sarah Hyde $200 Kari Kimmel $200  
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Adopt-A-Road

Cleaning two miles of Vashon Highway twice a year enabled VGPA to have its name on a blue County sign, signaling to everyone that Vashon is a welcoming place. The cleanup crew got many high fives, and once picked up litter in Halloween costumes.

For several years the sign was constantly defaced, and steadfastly replaced by King County.

Auctions

Among the very first fundraising auctions held on Vashon, VGPA fundraisers brought in over $100,000 that was then given back to community organizations in need, including Vashon Island Pet Protectors (VIPP), Island Manor (now Vashon Community Care) and others.  Straight and gay alike thronged the gayly decorated VFW Hall for the good food, good vibes, charitable intent, and colorful goods, many generously donated by Island businesses.