Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Washington State Patrol
(
425-649-4370)
Gay & Lesbian Travelers
Seattle is a progressive, left-leaning city with thriving gay and lesbian communities;
census data shows that approximately 12.9% of the city's population identifies itself as
gay or lesbian, and there doesn't tend to be much sexual-orientation-based hostility
among the rest of the population.
At research time, the Seattle LGBT Community Center had been forced to move out
of its current location and was looking for a new home.
Some other resources and events to look for:
»
Seattle Gay News
(
www.sgn.org
)
A weekly newspaper focusing on gay issues.
»
Outcity
(
www.outcity.com
)
A color magazine that focuses on the cities of Seattle, Port-
land, OR, Vancouver (Canada) and Victoria (Canada).
»
Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
(
www.threedollarbillcinema.org
) Usually held in
the third week of October.
»
Seattle Pride
(
www.seattlepride.org
) Seattle's popular gay-pride parade occurs in
June. Seattle Out and Proud, the organization that runs the gay-pride festivities, also
serves as an information center.
Internet Access
Seattle seems to be one big wi-fi hot spot. It's free nearly everywhere, in most hotels,
many bars and all but a handful of coffee shops. The city had an experiment with free
municipal wi-fi beginning in the mid-2000s, but it has recently been discontinued.
However, free wi-fi is still provided on some Sound Transit trains, all RapidRide buses
and Washington State Ferries services (for the latter you must subscribe through
Boingo).
Legal Matters
If you're arrested, you have the right to remain silent. There is no legal reason to speak
to a police officer if you don't wish to - especially since anything you say 'can and will be
used against you' - but never walk away from an officer until given permission. All per-
sons who are arrested have the legal right to make one phone call. If you don't have a
