PORT TOWNSEND — Local men have two opportunities to wear women’s clothing in public this week, but the events have different temperaments and purposes.
On Wednesday, Dove House will sponsor “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes,” a march of men in high heels that advocates support for women victims of sexual violence by raising awareness of the problem and its solutions.
Dude Looks Like A Lady, which takes place on Saturday, seeks to raise money for the 77th annual Rhododendron Festival, scheduled from May 14-19, through men dancing for tips while dressed in women’s clothes.
Both events are in their third year.
“We want to make men aware of the impact of sexual assault,” said Jeannie Ramsey, the volunteer coordinator for Wednesday’s event.
“By making them understand a little bit of pain with uncomfortable shoes, they can understand some of the pain that a woman goes through in these situations.”
Ramsey said that the discomfort of high heels can’t be compared with the trauma of date rape, but the symbolic act helps to build sympathy for those who have been assaulted or are in danger.
Dove House has about 40 pair of shoes, mostly in larger sizes, that it will loan to men for the .7 mile walk from Rotary Park to the Northwest Maritime Center, but those who want to walk without the shoes are welcome, Ramsey said.
Participants are asked to gather at Rotary Park near the ferry terminal at 5:30 p.m. to register with the march beginning at 6 p.m.
The walk will proceed down Water Street to the Northwest Maritime Center where Dove House Executive Director Beulah Kingsolver, Mayor David King, Port Townsend Police Chief Conner Daily and Jefferson County Sheriff Tony Hernandez will speak.
There is no registration fee as such, but sponsors are asking for a $5 donation from each participant to cover the cost of shoes and T-shirts, which will be given out for free as long as they last.
Between 60 and 80 people participated in 2010 and more than 100 marched last year.
Sponsors hope to attract even more this year.
Dove House has visited several service groups to rally for the cause, and teams are walking for several businesses, including the Food Co-op and Hadlock Building Supply.
Port Townsend High School is also participating, as it has for the last two years.
“It’s important to get high school kids to join us so they understand about date rape which is prevalent,” Ramsey said.
There is no connection between the serious theme of Walk A Mile in Her Shoes and the lighthearted Dude Looks Like A Lady, aside from the fact that the latter event borrows some of the shoes from Dove House.
Saturday’s fundraiser has drawn about 15 to 20 dancers so far, said Steve Spencer.
Spencer — who has performed in the show for the last three years — and his wife, Christy, are among the organizers of the show.
The Rhody festival board members are still recruiting men who are secure enough to “put it all out there,” in the words of Mickey Davis, who has danced for the last two years but is now helping to recruit dancers.
“It’s time to make way for a younger generation of people to take this on,” Davis said.
“There are a lot of guys out there who can dress up, do their makeup and dance.”
The dancers will strut their stuff beginning at 7 p.m. at the Elks Club lodge at 555 Otto St., Port Townsend.
Advance tickets are $5, or $20 for a family of four, Spencer said.
At the door, they will cost $8 for individuals; $30 for a family of four.
Advance tickets are available by phoning 360-774-0879 or any Rhody Festival board member, Spencer said.
Melanie Bozak, who has been involved with the event from the start, said it was important for participants to have input from women before slipping into costume.
“The guys need to get someone to advise them on their hair and makeup, along with what music to choose,” she said.
“These are decisions they shouldn’t be making by themselves.”
The event raised about $2,800 for Rhody in 2010 and exceed $5,000 last year, Bozak said.
The money will be used for the scholarship fund for the Rhody Royalty, Bozak said.
Aside from potential errors of taste, Davis has advice about intoxicants.
“A lot of guys might need a little bit of ‘courage’ before going on-stage and have a drink,” he said.
“But they don’t want to drink too much because that leads to bad judgement calls they will regret later,” Davis added.
Davis said that as long as people can restrain themselves, they can have some good clean fun with no damage to their reputation or different looks.
“I was already looked at differently,” he said.
“There was no fallout for me.”
For more information about Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, phone 360-385-5291.
For more information about Dude Looks Like a Lady, or to sign up as a dancer, phone 360-774-0879.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
