Note: We’re approaching a year since the election when I posted this. A lot has happened since then! I’m not sure this fully captures my feelings today, though it’s a snapshot in time. Health and family matters are rather all-consuming right now, but hopefully soon I will publish an update. The election is done. I have to admit that Trump’s victory blindsided me. I always … Continue reading The Election is Done. And so am I.
Today is National Coming Out Day — created in 1988 by Jean O’Leary and Dr. Robert Eichberg to celebrate the courage of coming out and to raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ community. It marked the first anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights held in Washington, DC, on October 11, 1987. This is a sampling of Coming Out Day videos, … Continue reading National Coming Out Day 2024
Republicans and religious rightists have gotten their feathers all ruffled over the fact that Easter this year coincides with International Transgender Day of Visibility. Like in the old westerns, they’re shouting “This town ain’t got room for the two of us!” Easter I think we all know Easter. It celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day following his Crucifixion. Unlike other Christian holidays … Continue reading March 31 is Big Enough for Easter & Transgender Day of Visibility
Before I came out, my mother, bless her soul, was a hardened homophobe. Back in the 70s she gave large contributions to Anita Bryant’s campaign in Miami and other anti-gay causes. I vividly recall dinner at a Christmas family gathering when she pounded her fist on the table. “Gays!! They actually think they have rights!” she protested loudly. She was at the other table so … Continue reading The Closet is No Refuge
Most of you reading this know of Nikki Haley’s answer at a town hall meeting in New Hampshire where she failed to mention slavery as a cause of the Civil War, and then seemed perplexed when pressed on the point. If you missed it: She’s taken a lot of heat, with good cause. I suggested on Facebook that she needs to take one of those … Continue reading The Part Nikki Haley Got Right in Her Civil War Gaffe
Ron DeSantis’ infamous “Don’t Say Gay” law was initially aimed at young elementary school children whose tender ears were deemed too sensitive to be told their classmate Johnnie has two mommies or two daddies. The law covered K-3. It wasn’t long before DeSantis decided that even 12th graders are too young. From there DeSantis aimed his sights on state universities, banning diversity programs on the … Continue reading The Not-So-Slow Creep of Bigotry
An article in yesterday’s New York Times got me thinking. It described the latest round of something we see constantly these days: speakers (usually conservative) being shouted down or denied a platform altogether by (usually “progressive”) students or activists. The right does this too, though in their case it’s often more institutionalized than ad hoc. Examples include the expulsion this week of two Tennessee state representatives or … Continue reading Society Needs a Collective ‘Time Out’
I became a socialist in the early ’70s before attending college. While never a member, I’ve been involved off and on in different capacities with the U.S. Socialist Workers Party (SWP) ever since — until last spring. In April I broke off my formal connection over political differences. This has led to a series of letters, texts and emails between myself and a close friend … Continue reading My Liberal Turn
Souls tend to go back to who feels like home. N.R. Hart This past Friday is a day I will long cherish. My college friend, Wendy, lives in Australia now but comes back home to the states from time to time. We last saw each other before the pandemic — too long! Freed now of lockdowns and travel restrictions we met this week and were … Continue reading A Day to Remember a Lifetime of Memories
