In the spotlight for pride

Milwaukee:
Tret Fure

Singer-songwriter Tret Fure, a pioneering artist in womyn's music since the 1970s, has played at plenty of pride events in her career. But to her, this year feels different. A few months ago, just after Fure celebrated her one-year wedding anniversary with her partner, the state of Oregon (where she had been wed) voided her marriage, along with those of thousands of other same-sex couples. "It's a scary time," Fure says. "More than ever, we need pride celebrations to remind ourselves that we are not the evil that the religious right is trying to portray us as." -- S.M.

Ari Gold
"Doing pride festivals is a perfect match for what I do," says pop singer Ari Gold, "since I've made my being an out artist such an important part of my work." Gold is making the most of pride season this year, playing at events in Providence, R.I.; Boston; Minneapolis; Buffalo, N.Y.; and Rehoboth Beach, Del. "I do a few different types of shows, but there's definitely an energy during pride season that can't be matched," he says. "It's our time." --S.M.

Providence, R.I.:
Namoli Brennet

Arizona-based singer-songwriter Namoli Brennet sings about her transgender experience to mixed audiences all year round. But at pride performances--and she's playing at least four this June throughout the Northeast--her audience connects more viscerally. "The struggle with gender presentation is such a big part of being gay or lesbian," she says. "But transgender is probably 30 years behind where gay and lesbian issues are. People don't necessarily get it or know what it is, but they're coming around." --S.M.

San Francisco:
San Francisco Opera

Divas and pride are by no means a new combination, but the formula will get a unique twist in San Francisco on June 25, when the city's world-class opera company takes the stage. The San Francisco Opera is no stranger to gay issues; in 1995 the company coproduced the world premiere of Harvey Milk, about the openly gay San Francisco city supervisor who was assassinated in 1978. --S.M.

Toronto:
Carole Pope and Rough Trade

"A lot of people came out to a number 1 hit in Canada that I was singing about another woman," recalls lesbian Canadian musician Carole Pope. She's referring to 1980's "High School Confidential" by her new wave outfit, Rough Trade. Reuniting with Rough Trade band mate Kevan Staples, Pope will perform that ditty and many other '80s tunes at Pride Toronto. Will politics also fit into the set? "I don't want to make it too political," she says. "I don't think we should forget politics, but we should definitely celebrate. It's our thing, our time. And there won't be any Republicans in Toronto!" Ah, Canada. --L.F.

Washington, D.C.:
Frenchie Davis

Frenchie Davis, currently appearing in Rent on Broadway, considers gays capital to her career--so she's coming to the nation's capital to show her appreciation. "Before American Idol was ever on TV," says the second-season semifinalist, "or people knew who I was, my biggest supporters and fans were members of the gay community. Now that I've had a bit of success, I enjoy coming back to my original fan base." Davis, who attended D.C.'s Howard University, landed her first professional gigs at the local gay clubs, "so it's especially important to me to be performing at Capital Pride. I hope that people enjoy themselves, and I hope I contribute to that." --L.F.