EDGE Seattle

Washington state is cracking down on a so-called "dance tax," auditing Seattle nightclubs and levying a huge bill for what some see as an arbitrary tax on dancing in clubs.

It has been more than a year since Washington legalized same-sex unions, with marriages beginning this December, but early data already shows that the legislation has boosted the local economy.

Gay Seattle man Ronald Bentley Main died last week after a Feb. 24 attack inside his Chapala, Mexico home. Friends remember the real-estate agent and former president of the LGBT chamber of commerce as a kind and gregarious man.

State Sen. Ed Murray, who led the referendum campaign to legalize gay marriage, has announced plans to marry his longtime partner, Michael Shiosaki on August 10, four days after the August 6 primary election, where Murray is campaigning for Seattle mayor.

GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations, has honored the anti-bullying group Free2Luv with a prestigious 2012 Top-Rated Award.

On Dec. 6, Washington State Clerks offices began signing same-sex marriage licenses for the first time after Washington voters chose to legalize same-sex marriage in November’s election.

Openly gay Washington State Sen. Ed Murray announced his plans to run for Mayor of Seattle, forming an exploratory committee to investigate his options.

Northwest LGBT youth leaders traveled to Washington, D.C., on Sept. 19 to participate in a White House LGBT policy roundtable, take a tour and enjoy a special End of Summer BBQ.

The Seattle City Council honored lesbian City Councilmember Cheryl Chow, diagnosed in July with terminal central nervous system lymphoma, with a special day recognizing her years of public service on the Council, the School Board and local sports leagues.

When Seattle transplant Bryan Corbett volunteered at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound, he was paired with transgender youth Zoe MacGregor, and the two have built a lasting friendship.