Pride Across the Bridge (PAB) is a nonprofit dedicated to reshaping the narrative that Seattle holds all of the support for our diverse 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Recognizing the wealth of resources on the Eastside, PAB strives to bridge the gap, ensuring that local resources are readily accessible for our queer community. We provide vetted local resources, opportunities for representation at decision-making tables—a recent but crucial development—and hosting a spectrum of community-inspired events. From casual coffee gatherings to adventurous group activities like skydiving, we cater to the array of interests and needs of our community. Our dedicated team of volunteers, reflective of the communities we serve, works tirelessly to bring these initiatives to life.

Dean Sargent, one of the first openly gay attorneys in Washington State, remains an active force for positive change into his 80’s.

Dean Sargent is an esteemed Attorney at Law, distinguished for his pioneering spirit and unwavering commitment to justice. In the 1970s, amidst a climate where openness about one's sexuality was met with resistance, Dean fearlessly stepped forward as one of the first openly gay attorneys in Washington State. His courageous stance laid the groundwork for greater acceptance and inclusion in the legal profession.

Now, in his 80s, Dean remains an active force for positive change. As a Director of The Lillian Miller Foundation since 2016, he contributes to fostering a more inclusive artistic community, supporting trans* and Indigiqueer artists through prestigious fellowships.

A dedicated leader in the LGBTQ+ community, Dean played a pivotal role in shaping its early foundations. As one of the first members of the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) and a key figure on its Scholarship Committee, he championed the cause of gay youth, recognizing the importance of support and empowerment. Through his activism, he fearlessly advocated for equality and acceptance.

Dean's illustrious legal career spans decades of service and distinction. After graduating from the University of Washington with degrees in History and Law, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army before returning to Seattle to embark on a remarkable journey in law. As the staff attorney for the Washington State Judicial Council, he played a crucial role in reshaping court rules and statutes, demonstrating his deep commitment to the legal system's integrity and efficacy.

In 1980, Dean co-founded McKisson & Sargent, later known as McKisson Sargent & Oliason P.S., where he continued to uphold the highest standards of legal excellence. Admitted to practice in Federal District Court, Bankruptcy Court, and all Washington State Courts, he has left an indelible mark on the legal landscape.

Dean Sargent's life and career exemplify courage, integrity, and unwavering dedication to equality. His legacy as a trailblazer continues to inspire generations, reminding us all of the importance of standing proud and true to oneself, even in the face of adversity.

Paul Green is truly a man who knows everyone. He has worked tirelessly to address the needs of LGBTQ persons of color for over four decades. He has been key to efforts to provide care to persons living with HIV/AIDS since the disease first surfaced. He worked behind the scenes to create Sojourner Truth Unity Fellowship Church, the first ministry to address Blacks/African Americans living with HIV/AIDS. When that ministry closed due to the death of its founding pastor, he continued doing the work by establishing the current Unity Fellowship Senior Outreach Ministry, which addresses the need of senior LGBTQ persons.

He has conducted workshops on Black/African American LGBTQ issues for many organizations including POCAAN, Seattle Black Pride, and AARTH. He is deeply committed to intergenerational activities and works to initiate courageous conversations that strengthen relations and share support and wisdom.

He is a local business owner who works to build networks that include political and religious leaders and other business owners. Most recently, he opened the Jackson Street Collective, a barber shop that also serves as a gathering space for community organizing. Through the years, he has worked in the shadows with few accolades and much energy.

Isaac has played a pivotal role in shaping the Black LGBTQ community in Seattle through years of dedicated organizing, board leadership, and mentorship. As a passionate advocate, Isaac has spearheaded numerous community events, providing spaces for dialogue, celebration, and empowerment. His tireless commitment to fostering inclusivity and representation has not only amplified the voices of Black LGBTQ individuals but has also created avenues for solidarity and support within the community.

Through his mentorship of younger leaders, Isaac has ensured a legacy of resilience and progress, inspiring future generations to continue the fight for equality and justice. His unwavering dedication has left an indelible mark on the fabric of Seattle's Black LGBTQ community, fostering a stronger, more cohesive, and empowered collective identity. Isaac's impact on the Black LGBTQ community in Seattle extends even further through his years of service on the board for Black Pride. As a key figure within this organization, Isaac dedicated himself to the mission of belonging, growing visibility, and fostering unity within the community. His strategic leadership and vision were instrumental in organizing memorable events and parties that not only provided spaces for celebration but also facilitated meaningful connections and solidarity among community members. By prioritizing inclusivity and representation, Isaac helped create a sense of belonging for Black LGBTQ individuals, ensuring that their voices were heard, and their experiences validated. Through his unwavering commitment to Black Pride, Isaac has left an enduring legacy of empowerment and resilience within the Seattle Black LGBTQ community.

“We humans are born sacred. For many reasons, many of us have forgotten that we are worthy of the deepest unconditional respect, connection, happiness and love. My path is remembering and helping others remember. Remembering, reclaiming, healing and walking with others so we all remember: We are born sacred.” – Alma Goddard, 2018

Alma is a 73-year-old, Chicana, two spirit cultural worker, advocate, activist, elder and healing practitioner and second-generation adoptee of O’Dami, Tepehuan ancestry. She officially retired in 2016 but her advocacy work has continued and it is perhaps accurate to say that Alma is doing her most catalytic work in the community today, as a 2SLGBTQ+ elder.

A retired interpersonal violence (IPV) advocate, she is a highly respected elder in the Pacific Northwest for her work addressing gender-based violence for over 50 years in Indian country and beyond. Through her IPV advocacy and training, she has worked with all of Washington state’s tribes (and some in CA and OR). Alma’s work with the Women Spirit Coalition in outreach, facilitation of many workshops and training in areas of domestic violence and sexual assault is highly respected amongst the Pacific Northwest Tribes. During her professional career as an IPV advocate, she assisted and advocated for hundreds of Native women and children survive unhealthy, violent and unsafe relationships. She helped launch community-driven wellness programs and served as peer counselor to other Native survivors.

An example of Alma’s enduring leadership is to help queer and trans youth build healthy relationships. Alma helped lay the foundation for the NW Network of Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian & Gay Survivors of Abuse’ Relationship Skills Class for young adults and still currently being applied in the UW as part of their college wellness program today. In 2018, she was awarded a fellowship by NW Network for her art and advocacy, culminating in an exhibit of Alma’s mixed media work – paintings, photos, sculptures – at the Duwamish Longhouse.

As a two spirit elder of color, Alma has been a shining inspiration to 2SLGBTQ youth and elders alike. Born and raised in CA, Alma was active in the 2SLGBTQ scene in San Francisco. She played clarinet for Harvey Milk’s campaign before he was assassinated. She was active in increasing awareness of AIDS, women’s rights, human rights, indigenous resistance. She also marched in San Francisco’s first and biggest Pride Parade in 1972, just after she came. She was and still is active in the lesbian community in CA, OR and WA. Alma helped launch several lesbian organizations in the early 70’s and 80’s and helped bring many lesbian women together to organize and support one another (eg, ABLE Abused & Battered Lesbians). Recently, Alma became involved with the NW Two Spirit Society. In 2018 and 2019 she attended the Montana Two Spirit Gathering where she met other two spirit indigenous activists and artists. She has maintained those connections and is often called upon today by her two spirit family for support, healing and advice.

Beyond all of the above, Alma’s primary passion has been in healing and creative expression. Alma is a trained musician, mixed media artist, and an Intuitive Resonance/Vibrational wellbeing practitioner. In her recent practice, she has been applying her skills as a vibrational practitioner to help bring healing with BIPOC individuals and lesbian elders.
Currently serving as a board member for Mother Nation, an organization delivering cultural and healing services for Native women that nurture, create stability, and inspire growth through sisterhood, Alma provides support, training and a healing space for staff using her vibrational practice. She is a single parent by choice and a cancer survivor. She lives in South Seattle with her partner Victoria. Alma Goddard was born to be a community catalyst.

Christine Wheeler-Sinclair is an LGBTQ+ elder who has devoted her life to challenging conventionality and advocating for real, revolutionary change within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. Chris attended Seattle's first Pride Parade in 1974, which was not recognized by the city and included fewer than 200 people. From 1978-1984, she organized and prepared Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at the Crescent Tavern, for folks with nowhere to go. In 1980, Chris opened "A Special Place," Seattle's first lesbian owned and operated cafe. One night a group of women entered to protest Chris's credentials. "No 23-year-old black woman has the means to own a cafe. You must be a capitalist from wealth." Chris simply presented her business license.

Keeping with the 1980s, the Initiative 13 campaign threatened gay rights. Many fundraising events ensued. Chris wrote material for performing artists and performed her own material. Chris acted at the Front Room Theater (a lesbian theater) and was a member of the Board of Directors. In 1987, Chris founded Moondance Productions. She wrote a play, "Kind of Heart," performed in 1990 by the Portland Women's Theater Company. The play was a finalist in the 1991 Jane Chambers playwriting competition in New York. Moondance Productions organized the first National Women of Color in the Arts Festival/Conference in Seattle, 1994. Chris wanted to celebrate and recognize art by women of color. In 1991, she attended the First National Lesbian Conference in Atlanta, GA.

From 2003 to 2004, Chris founded and directed the "Art Bridge Project," which addressed the creative needs of LGBT youth. In 2005, Chris earned a BA from Antioch University in Social Advocacy. A Master of Social Work from Eastern Washington University followed in 2009, along with a Certification in Early Childhood Education from Clark College. Chris served 18 years as a Social Worker for Child Protective Services (CPS).

Today Chris volunteers 3-4 days per week at the Southeast Seattle Senior Center (SESSC) and at least 1 day at the GenPride Center. She created beautiful artwork for the Pride Place Lobby. Chris is fearless and focused on activism. Chris is a Community Catalyst.

Rita Smith identifies as an 80 year old Lesbian (she/her). She has been an activist within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, in Seattle for 40+ years. Her contributions include serving on the Lesbian Resource Center (LRC) as a board member and a group facilitator. Furthermore, she founded Pentacles Partnership, which purchased and managed the affordable space for the Lesbian Resource Center, where it thrived for many years as the primary hub for countless Lesbians. The LRC was a very important part of the building health self-esteem as a young lesbian. It was that kind of space for many of us. Rita Smith was a major part of that amazing safe, empowered space.

She also served as a chaired person on the Board of the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA)scholarship program and has been involved in the interview scholarship applicants process for over the past 30 years and to date. (Decades ago, a perfect stranger, Rita Smith, was the volunteer who read my application for a GSBA college scholarship funds. Due to her recommendation, I was awarded multiple scholarships; completed both a BA in Social Advocacy and Masters of Social Work. Accomplishments that changed the trajectory of my entire life. Since then, she has been a powerful mentor to me and dozens of others for decades!)

Her contributions to the LGBTQIA have been outstanding and powerful. They include her work with Seattle Safe Schools Coalition; City of Seattle Commission for Sexual Minorities; serving on the founding Board for Gen Pride and years as a community trainer on issues of LGBTQ aging.

She currently manages several facebook groups for GenPride and recently helped facilitate forums on building bridges between lesbian and trans women for Old Lesbians Organizing for Change (OLOC).

On top of all that, she still finds the time to edits applications for first generation college bound students at the University of Washington and other schools of higher learning in WA State; always helping to bridge younger generations to their elders and their future. Outstanding!