President and Photographer: Chuckiebear (He/Him)
Tell us about you in 25 words or less:
Emerged from the mosh pit with camera in hand. Bloodengel Photography, Starfish Studios, SAKE, Resident DJ at Dethcon, VTC alumni, worked at Tower Records and Film Stop.
What would you like to see in the community?
Consent is an important issue and the GPS hosted consent workshops are a positive way to support the community. I would like to see this movement grow. To quote Monsignor, “Yes means yes. No means no.”
Vice President: Olushola Bolonduro (Shola) (He/They)
Tell us about you in 25 words or less:
Raised in Tacoma, work as a cardiovascular technologist and founded and run the Dark Side of Everett. My hobbies include reading, video gaming, and calisthenics.
What got you into the gothic scene/lifestyle?
Growing up, I was fascinated with the dark and spooky in general, although I knew very few people in K-12 and in my early college days that were alternative of any sort. In 2017 however, I went to what was the first of a number of monthly “gothic picnics” and was introduced to a lot of goths and other alternative types in Tacoma. I started going month after month and from that, a community started I had the honor of seeing grow into what is now known as the Dark Side of Tacoma. Since then, I moved to Seattle and got introduced to GPS and the Seattle gothic scene in general. Moved again to Everett and decided to start the Dark Side of Everett after noticing there wasn’t a gothic group in Snohomish County, so I decided to…fill the void.
Why did you join GPS?
I felt very welcomed to the group’s events and became friends with both attendees and members of the group itself. A major highlight for me was being able to walk with GPS in Seattle’s 2019 Pride Parade, and I remember that day very fondly. I thought being a part of more positive things with GPS would be splendid, so I decide to express my interest.
What would you like to see in the community?
I would like to help with bringing more awareness to the community in the Greater Seattle Area and with bringing people together through events. Seattle in particular is known as a place that is hard to find friends. I hope I can help address that for those in the community with GPS!
Treasurer: Stephen MacRae (He/Him)
Tell us about you in 25 words or less:
RN at Swedish First Hill, in ICU. Wear a mask. VOTE!
What got you into the gothic scene/lifestyle?
The Eurythmics debut on MTV was my gateway drug/moment…
Why did you join GPS?
I wanted to make a difference in my community, in the community around me.
What would you like to see in the community?
Tolerance for everything except intolerance.
Web Designer and Photographer: George Vernon (He/Him)
Tell us about you in 25 words or less:
Born in the PNW and have remained pretty local, with photography and design being my favorites.
What got you into the gothic scene/lifestyle?
Got an inquiry to shoot a gothic photo for a book cover about a corporate goth who lived the dark lifestyle when the sun set in the late 90s. Never did the shoot, but did find creative enough to be part of and add my own dark style of photos.
Why did you join GPS?
I had been an official photographer for a few years and when I noticed that there was an opening for Web Designer I applied.
What would you like to see in the community?
Freedom for everyone who is oppressed, as well as abolish classism. I also into the arts and would like to see more creative shows to show talents.
Social Media Director: Benni (She/Her)
Tell us about you in 25 words or less:
I’ve been in Seattle since 1994, by way of Illinois and St. Petersburg, RF. Realtor and entrepreneur, mom, current resident of Tacoma.
What got you into the gothic scene/lifestyle?
Was into new wave/ dark wave in high school and punk. Started going to The Catwalk and MachineWerks when we moved to Seattle, and my interest just grew from there.
Why did you join GPS?
I marched for the first time with Gothic Pride this year and I had so much fun, I wanted to join to meet with and get to know new people!
What would you like to see in the community?
Would love to see monthly socials to do even more community building.
Member At Large: Summy Z Monster (She/Her)
Tell us about you in 25 words or less:
I am an artist, a weirdo, and a witch. Professional Fairy Gothmother. I’ve lived in the Seattle area my whole life.
What got you into the gothic scene/lifestyle?
Honestly, I just showed up here. Robert Smith was involved. It was a bit serendipitous.
Why did you join GPS?
I had been wanting to connect with the community for a long time, but didn’t know how. Joining the GPS board was a good first step!
What would you like to see in the community?
More inclusion, goths doing good in their community and having fun while doing it.
Member At Large: Tara LaPeligrosa Lee (She/Her)
What got you interested/started in the gothic scene/lifestyle?
My father was a funeral director and my mother was an English major before becoming a teacher. I kind of didn’t have a choice in the matter.
Why did you join GPS?
The first time I joined GPS, I was asked to join. I accepted because I believed in the organization and the goals they were trying to accomplish for the community. I had to step away for a bit to deal with some personal stuff, but now I’m back and ready to roll up the sleeves again for GPS!
What would you like to see in the community?
I would like to see more unity. Right now, our community is extremely fragmented, and it doesn’t have to be. I know everyone has their difference of opinion, but it would be nice if we could all just get along. There’s strength in numbers.
Member At Large: Antonio F. Rodriguez (He/Him)
Tell us about you in 25 words or less:
I’m an advertising professional and former DJ/host (DJ naMe, Club Jade, Tallahassee, 2000s) who enjoys live/DJed music, travel, gardening, gaming, and fixing things.
What got you into the gothic scene/lifestyle?
I was working overnight shifts in Tampa and needed a place open late to study for college on my days off. The Castle was open mid-week, so I was exposed to the music while reading at the bottom bar and quickly became a fan.
Why did you join GPS?
I’ve been looking for ways to give back to the community and serve in leadership roles. I feel that GPS represents an opportunity to do both. On a more personal level, I’ve also been feeling the itch to become more musically involved after a long hiatus, so the musical tie-in is a great bonus!
What would you like to see in the community?
I’d like the local goth community to receive positive public recognition for service and outreach within the scene, as well as to everyone in the Greater Seattle metro area. Additionally, I’d love to increase public knowledge of the musical scene as an open, welcoming, and inclusive community in order to drive growth in local goth/industrial music fandom.
Member At Large: Namaste Robbins (She/Her)
Tell us about your story?
Born and raised in Southern CA, lived in East Texas, Nevada and then became a transplant in Washington state.
What got you into gothic scene/lifestyle?
Namaste was interested in the goth music and styles since the late 90s during her teen years thanks to the bands like Nine Inch Nails (since fall ’94), films such as The Crow (1994) and The Craft (1996) also fell in love with Electronic Music during the era.
In Early 2004, Namaste was introduced to industral/goth/ ebn music club scene in Los Angeles and OC, which made her wht she is today.
What I like to see in this community:
I will continue with Gothic Pride Seattle, which I’m proud of, including my 3rd time attending this year’s pride march, as a straight black woman, I always and will support all human rights in all forms, I believe in sticking to my own words and support communities, as helpful for those who needs assistance, Want to see GPS thrive.