How about "Fuck Cultural Production"? Is what actually makes "queer" interesting the fact queers are creative enough to push "positive social change"? How does this make queers more than a loyal opposition of aesthetes, expanding the boundaries of what is normative (at least insofar as music or fashion goes) rather than undermining oppressive normativity altogether? As mowaveseattle.com states, this festival is an attempt to "showcase queers as tastemakers." In other words ... we're only better than (the rest of) mainstream society because we set norms into motion. So basically, recuperation of whatever is actually "rule-breaking" about queerness.

Also, how much more revenue does it take to book the Vera Project or Black Lodge for an all-ages show if that's such a uniting passion for the planners? Groups like Queer Youth Space and broke-ass punk bands (respectively) do it all the time. It sounds like these mo-wave organizers have their audience -- and their socially-closed definition of queerness, with all its barriers -- figured out. Cap Hill drinking age adults, here we cum.

Vera Project, Black Lodge ... or somewhere that's not a standard venue altogether, for that matter.

I think it's terribly revealing that 'Mo-Wave ultimately considers age-based exclusion to be a secondary concern, one that is subordinate to more fundamental categories of oppression. A regrettable exclusion, and a boundary excused by the good intentions of its (adult) organizers. After all, age stratification is, by and large, accepted and enforced in LGBT and queer culture. Most progressive, sex-positive texts have acceded to age of consent laws and the underlying scientific notion of a linear progression of age. Critiques of biological age have not found little traction, however much they should be as evident as similar critiques of assigned gender.

While I understand that those steeped in the queer scene may find affirmation and security within its subcultural confines, monetized annual festivals certainly tend toward institutionalization and exclusion. Queerness is branded as a counter-cultural alternative to “mainstream” LGBT culture, and gleefully participates in capitalist rituals by buying three-day passes for $40. In CHS, the organizers refer to Chop Suey, Pony, and Wildrose as spaces that “invest in our culture daily, by giving us all safe spaces in which to meet and share our talents.” Their “queer” culture thrives on commodity consumption; sexually non-conforming entities who find these spaces inaccessible or unacknowledging clearly have no part in “them all.”

It seems obvious how these spaces lend themselves to exclusive social boundaries; the conscious deference of organizers to legitimacy and legality is disappointing, but hardly unprecedented. Those deemed underage, those without the means to buy tickets or drinks, those not possessing “hip” cultural cachet, those isolated from the extant range of queer culture are mere second thoughts for ‘Mo-Wave. As a wraith unencumbered by age, I am not eagerly awaiting revenues to fund indefinite future safe spaces for the kids. My interests lie in opening spaces outside the law, finding others outside of fixed identity, and celebrating the alienated daydreamers.

p.s. sorry if my comment is unintelligible, i’m sleep-deprived :/

to be clear, that should be "found little traction" in the first para

@7 - I find your essay to be unfair and... exhausting. Like everything ever, you can sit on your hands and fret about your projects being 100% inclusive (literally impossible), or you can do the best with what you have available. The city does not make all-ages options easy, and that is obviously no fault of those trying to organize a neat arts festival that isn't sponsored by Jagerbombs and Axe-brand tube tops.

By all means, throw an "inclusive" queer music/arts festival that strictly takes place at all-ages spaces outside of the law, and no one will know about it except those privileged enough to be in those inner circles.

Fair enough, Emily. I appreciate your cogency and passion. And apologies for my verbosity. I've earned a few TL;DRs. I'm adopting a tone of hostility rather than cooperation because I am unsure how "to do the best with what I have available" -- convince adult friends to buy tickets, pad revenues, and cross my fingers for the utilization of existing all-ages spaces next year? To put it plainly, I think it's absurd that age-based restrictions are considered unfortunate but acceptable while the categories of oppression favored in leftist privilege discourse (i.e., racism, sexism, hetero-normativity) would incite outrage. I think that those who are legally underage (myself included) are not an accessory to non-conforming sexualities, in fact, I think we are essential. On this basis, is it exceptional to ask for intransigence in the face of legal constraints? While it many not be possible to be "100% inclusive," as you say, eliminating age restrictions is not necessarily a matter of active accommodation, or financial strain, but simply defiance.

Without personal knowledge, I think I'm making a generally accurate social observation by noting that very few of those involved in the festival, or the "adult" queer scene more broadly, have sexual partners or close friends who are underage, let alone below the age of majority. This could be the unintended result of age-based societal stratification, assumptions about the intellectual and emotional capacity of youth, or moralizing proscriptions from the sex-positive crowd, including Dan Savage. Regardless, I think that this personal detachment places the underaged in a position of dispensability. I'm not prone to make needless assumptions, but I would expect that most who feel untroubled by 'Mo-Wave are insulated from the non-trivial number of underaged and geographically/socially/sexually isolated individuals who are not straight -- frequently lonely people looking for others, assuming that their isolation is not self-imposed.

I think you misplace my intentions and pose a false choice. I don't yearn for an "100% inclusive" large-scale cultural festival in Seattle. I wouldn't feel very connected to an intentionally all-ages space -- which generally means non-confrontational, harmless, and defanged in the language of inclusion. And I don't wish to promote a single-minded, compartmentalized focus on "ageism" as another identity-based "oppression" to eradicate from our circles. For more reasons than mine, there are many who find alienation in the current state of urban queer social organization. It is not my desire that 'Mo Wave address the alienation of all its discontents. But organizers compromised on their efforts to transcend the boundaries of its subculture, or move out of the usual haunts: bars and venues in one neighborhood.

Perhaps the present-day conditions in Seattle wouldn't allow it, but I think it's ahistorical to present extra-legal social events (which may not be formally all-ages but are effectively so) as the privilege of an rarefied, elite few. I honestly don't even find very much "liberatory" about music, arts, or cultural festivals. I think there is something to be said for destroying subcultural boundaries and conventions by destroying the dominant culture itself. It's OK if we diverge there.

@13 - did you read this, direct quote? "We also want to try and involve the all-ages aspect, which is something we couldn't do this year, but its something we're all passionate about."

It's a brand new, first time festival. It is going to expand. Trust these people! A wink of faith. Do not judge. Do not hate. Stay tuned. Stay positive!

Seems like someone on this thread spent a little too long in the gifted-child program. And I don't mean @15.

@9 Whereas being kept out of a festival -- out of the accepted parameters of "queer" -- due to one's age is "fair" to you? But yeah, let's just check in with Black Lodge (or a neighbor's backyard, or whatever) and see how many shows they've had sponsored by Axe, since that's all that counts as "commercial" in your perspective. Or ... for that matter, PBR and Reyka Vodka, sponsors of Mo-Wave. (Ohhh shit.)

It's also curious to me that someone who writes a 1,743-word endorsement of something is then entitled to call someone's 318-word response (which to me reads as pretty carefully worded) about how this thing sucks because it *excludes them* "exhausting." Let's talk about "privilege," shall we...?

Also, your "well we can't make everything 100% inclusive, so get over the fact this is excluding you while simultaneously paying lip-service to caring about age-based exclusion" is an example of a pretty classic and repulsive fallacy, used to exclude queers from anti-queer spaces, trans people from transphobic and cissexist spaces, and here people under 21 -- and people without access to U.S. identification -- from ageist, normative spaces.

Seth Garrison sounds like an insufferable prick with a chip on his shoulder in this piece. Let go of the Mississippi oppression, honey! You can be different and not try to make others feel less worthy! Why so much anger against the tastes of other people? In order to be "more different," he goes on to demean and diminish the likes and wants of others - or maintstream as he calls them. Don't we get that enough of that shit from the outside?

"I feel there is a need to represent that there is more to gay culture than RuPaul's Drag Race—to show that there are gay men who are interested in music outside of Rihanna and shitty house music. And that not all lesbians listen to only Top 40 hiphop or the Indigo Girls."

Seriously? Does he think a queer person who loves watching RuPaul's Drag Race thinks that it is the be and end all of queer life? And Top 40 hiphop? Did he REALLY have to go there? I'm sure my friend who is a queer woman of color who is in the hiphop scene would really love the disdain in his voice. Oh and mind you, RuPaul was punk as fuck - read your gay history, son.

And a Lady Gaga rant? That is so 2010. Don't tell me you wouldn't have been a queer 11 year old in the south that wouldn't have loved to hear a major pop recording artists defend your right to be who you are. So she's a sell out. So she actually performs to make money. But she also does some good. And there are queer kids that look up to her and are empowered by her.

"We actually are weird, and we are creative and different, and that's in our queerness.""

No, you're not fucking special. You're genetically programmed to suck dick. That doesn't make you anymore special than being genetically programmed to eat box. Could he sound anymore like a terribly stereotypical Millenial?

I just can't feel it. They attempt to be inclusive and queen and radical but wind up trying to diminish the tastes of others.

Dudes. Did you even know that there were so many active local queer bands? Have you seen some of these names on posters in town and realize that they are part of your queer community? Did you know that most, if not all, of the local bands are playing for free to help keep costs down (read: offset the need for ridiculous corporate sponsorship)?

I'm thankful for the individuals who spent their valuable free time pulling all of this together to help create some visibility around the fucking magic the local music scene holds. It's not perfect, but I like it a lot better than no queer music festival.

Whoops! Apologies! Your cohort(s) sound like (an) insufferable prick(s) and therefore, your festival sounds like an insufferable prick party (fun!) that comes off as pretty limiting and exclusionary.

Who said Lady Gaga represents you? Are you that self involved that you think a musical artist has to represent you? NOT EVERYTHING IS ABOUT YOU KIDS!

Mo wave is not about that? Really? The entire start of the article spends the first couple of paragraphs dissing other aspects of culture that some gay people enjoy. Celebrate other aspects, fine. Just don't come off as insufferable pricks who choose to diminish the preferences of others. Stop being too kool for skool, bro! It's been done countless times before. Build yourselves up. Don't tear others down in order to do that. It's not attractive.

No chip on my shoulder. Just an appreciation for all aspects of culture. Organize an event! That's fantastic! Just don't promote your festival by being dicks to people that don't have your high and enlightened tastes. "Oooooh you're so mainstream." So you're not welcome.

And out of curiosity... ...if you're trying to be so not mainstream, Seth Garrison, Marcus Wilson, Jodi Ecklund, and Barret Anspach... ...how many of you are queers of color? RuPaul's Drag Race, Rihanna, (shitty) house music, Top 40 hiphop... Four things that were born out of the black community. And they are not worthy. Riiiiiight. Got it.

And no, I don't know you. Have you tried the google before?

It is really not hard to do all ages shows. That's a lame excuse. Also, what's up with all the flyers having only white people on them? There are like 4 or 5 different versions of the flyers, all with different images, and all white. That's pretty gross.

I don't think anyone here is bummed that there is an all queer music festival happening.. but the lofty language that's being used to promote it is a problem. Having all this talk about being anti-assimilationist, anti-corporitization of gay culture, being boundary pushing, and celebrating the "revolutionaries"... and then actually doing nothing different than any other music festival except for people being queer who are performing.. is a pretty frustrating situation.

'Mo Wave is sponsored by PBR and a vodka company, is using all bars as venues, (one being "Chop Suey".. which is owned by a white dude..which is a big ol problem in itself) and the organizers aren't really taking responsibility for all of that when they talk about their festival being so different. It would just be cool to see them be a little more aware of what they are saying, and what they are trying to create.

Jesus Christ, I've never seen people so upset about a tiny music festival. So what if it's not all ages? I wasn't able to go to most shows I wanted to see when I was a kid because I wasn't old enough. It's not the fucking deliberately discriminatory travesty the commenters here are making it out to be. Besides, a lot of the bands on this bill play at Vera, which is an awesome gay friendly place, so the kids aren't exactly S.O.L.

As for the commenter who is uptight about the references to gays liking more than Lady Gaga. Duh, no shit they do, but try finding a gay bar on Capitol Hill that has more than house/dance/electronica nights or whatever, especially on weekends, and it's nearly impossible. I think the goal of the festival is giving people other options, which I think is something both gays and straights need when it comes to dance nights.

That's because it's a Queer Music Festival. Not just any random music festival. The word QUEER means something very important to a lot of people. I'm excited that this festival is happening, but I don't think it deserves a free pass from critique. Especially when it uses such a historically loaded, important word and language to describe it. If that word doesn't mean as much to you, that's fine. But get outta the way for the queers that it does.

I know the organizers of this festival, and they volunteered a hell of a lot of their own time and in some case even contributed their own resources to make this festival a reality. If you want to throw a completely free, anti-capitalist, all-ages festival, GREAT! Do it! You can probably even get support from the 'Mo Wave organizers. But unless you're truly committed to revolution and ready to put your body and life on the line in service to your revolutionary goals then just stand back a minute!

I came into my sexuality at a time (the late 80's / early '90s) and place (LA / West Hollywood) where the mainstream gay identity held sway in a way that seemed monolithic. With few alternatives available I attempted to shoe horn myself into that mainstream gay mold, and I couldn't understand why I was miserable. If only I went to the gym more, drank protein shakes, bulked up... If I had nicer clothes, a nicer car... Nah. It was never going to work for me, but it took me years to figure it out!

Queer direct action, activist involvement AND queer music and performance were all instrumental in helping me appreciate and understand my own difference from the dominant, most visible forms of "mainstream" gay male sexuality. Artists like Marga Gomez, Justin Bond, Joey Arias, Penny Arcade, John Fleck, Holly Hughes, Mike Albo, Toshi Reagon, Murray Hill, The Hidden Cameras, Taylor Mac, Vaginal Davis, and Bruce LaBruce were critical to developing a way of thinking and being in the world, that is queer and fundamentally different from the culture I encountered amidst the rhinoplasty and pectoral achievements of WeHo.

There are plenty of people out there advancing and sustaining "mainstream," hyper-commercial gay culture, and I'm sure there are people who like it. Don't hate on the organizers of 'Mo Wave because they are advancing a different aesthetic and championing less commercial (though not entirely non-commercial) forms. They are entitled to their opinions and their preferences. And, really, $40 for a festival pass is not the height of capitalist greed, people. There are far more deserving targets of your animus.

Also, I know that the organizers would welcome more involvement and participation from people in the community, so if you feel so strongly about 'Mo Wave doing this, that or the other, then why don't you reach out and get involved. As Penny Arcade says, "Put your queer shoulder to the wheel."

Thoughtful feedback and critique are necessary for making improvements going forward, and I'm confident the organizers of the festival welcome constructive criticism. However, the virulent nature of some of these comments seems to me counter-productive.