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This is the history of Lavender Magic:

Laughing Otter, Tim Ness and Leon Reed were the original founders, with Allen Kornmesser (Leon's partner) launching a running commentary from his office as he worked on his doctoral dissertation. Lavender Magic took its first steps onto Broadway Ave. on Seattle's Capitol Hill in 1982. The group has had MANY great characters from many communities in Seattle march with it. Thundercloud, who keeps it from raining on our parade, Charlie Murphy, who wrote the song �Burning Times�, has marched with us, Purple Mark, Blue Mark, Radical Faeries, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and many others have joined us. In 1987 Iain Marlow joined in as part of the crowd. Since 1982 we have lost many friends, Laughing Otter and Tim Ness are among them, and they are very much missed, and gained many more, Hearthstone - The Queer Men's Coven has been a very welcome addition!

It was in 1994 during Seattle's AIDS memorial vigil, as Iain and his partner Ron Shaw were leaving the Vigil's Midnight pagan circle (Iain had been asked to do the ritual sort of last minute). Leon said something to the effect of �Why don't you two take over Lavender Magic this year�� to which Iain responded with a loud squawk, and sputtered something to the effect of �Hey we're not that respectable yet!� Leon's reply was �Oh yes you are��, and two days later Ian Marlow became the new coordinator of Lavender Magic. The 1995 pride Day was the first year we actually registered for the placement lottery to march at the festival and was the recipient of lot # 86. Lavender Magic marched with a good number of others including the Mayor of Seattle.

In 1996 Iain�s partner Ron Shaw took their Jeep and turned it into the Lavender Magic float, complete with vines and garlands along the roll cage and two Transsexual Witches in flowing black gowns perched on the sides of the jeep �riding� their brooms elegantly side-saddle.

Since then Lavender Magic has remained an Organization, with Craig Luchenbach, Gim Shadowbear, Shadowhawk, and Leon and Allen doing their best to make sure we're there, Iain still makes sure that the group gets registered and handles all the public affairs. Craig stores the Banner in his home. Leon and Allen lurk in the Shadows while making sure the group stays safe. TJ and Theresa make sure we have refreshments when we get to Volunteer Park at the end of the march. And Ron makes sure that Midnight (that's the Jeep) gets everyone up to and back from �the Hill� as we call it.

We March to Show our Pride, To Proclaim our Freedom, and to let the World know that we will NOT go back into the Closets built by narrow minds.

Designed by Brian Cloninger