Who's Zoomin' Who

Image:  Facebook

On Sunday Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race. That evening over 44,000 Black women gathered on Zoom to galvanize support and money for Kamala Harris. The next night Black men did the same. Then came Latinas and South Asian women.

Yesterday a Zoom for white women set the record as the largest Zoom meeting ever, and crashed the platform. I chose to attend the "Out for Kamala Harris" Zoom rally instead, and somehow lasted all two-and-a-half hours, listening to LGBTQ celebrities and politicians extol the candidate.

How 2024 is this, using technology to bring together an assortment of demographic groups to raise enthusiasm and funds lickety-split?

It's been great, but the American people can subdivide only so far. The Harris campaign will need a new strategy by the time Zoom hosts a gathering of left-handed non-binary Laotian vegans.

This Week's Quote

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

If Kamala raises any more money Melania will marry her.

Paul Rudnick

Source: X

The Witch-King of Burger King

 

He Did It

Image:  Facebook

Joe Biden has dropped out of the presidential race.

Uncharted waters ahead. Grab a life preserver and some Xanax. But above all, your resolve.

This Moment

Image by Tom from Pixabay

Like President Biden, I have Covid.

Unlike him, I don't need to make a decision that will effect the destiny of our nation, the survival of democracy and the future of the planet.

Good thing, as I'm currently unable to decide whether to tie my shoes.

Not too Soon

 

PTSD?

Image by Perlinator from Pixabay

Yesterday evening I was watching a WNBA game when I decided I really should look in on the Republican National Convention. I like to know what's going on, and how bad could it be to watch for a few minutes?

So I changed the channel and discovered the speaker was Kellyanne Conway. I switched back to the game so fast my remote sparked.

This Week's Quote

Image by kalhh from Pixabay

Mike Johnson said last night the GOP is the "law and order team."

"We always have been and we always will be the advocates for the rule of law." That same party just made a convicted felon its nominee.

Kyle Griffin

Source: X

Ammo

 

Coast-to-Coast Lifeline

Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

In order to preserve our sanity during this unnerving election season, three college friends and I have established a group text so we can kvetch from Maine, where they are, to Washington state, where I am. Diane, Carol and Meghan are straight, but definitely not, as the saying goes, narrow.

Today's news that Donald Trump has chosen JD Vance as his running mate, and that Vance's friendship with Donald Trump Jr. influenced the decision, prompted Diane to send out photos of the bearded conservative buddies, noting how they look alike.

One glance at the photos and I texted back, "If I weren't already a lesbian, this might do the trick."

Doubts

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

I admit it. I have serious doubts that President Joe Biden is physically and cognitively up to the task of running for re-election.

On the flip side, I have no doubts at all that former President Donald Trump isn't and never was fit for the task of being president, owing to glaring weaknesses in cognition, mental health, morality, emotional stability, humanity, loyalty, patriotism, spirituality, integrity, honesty, substance, dependability, credibility and lawfulness.

Other than that, he's a peach.

Today's Sign of the Apocalypse

Image:  Alexas Fotos at Pixabay

In grocery stores in Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas, you can now pick up staples like milk, bread and bullets.

Computerized vending machines dispense ammunition, which is so convenient in case you can't decide whether to feed your husband or shoot him.

This Week's Quote

Image:  Wikipedia

I worry no matter how cynical you become, it's never enough to keep up.

Jane Wagner

Source:  The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe

The Veep Sweepstakes

Image:  Facebook

The Washington Post suspects that the Trump campaign has winnowed the choice for running mate down to Sen. Marco Rubio, Sen. J.D. Vance and Gov. Doug Burgum.

I assume Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was considered to be too busy strangling kittens.

Death and Life

Image:  Facebook

Over 100 people gathered yesterday in Bangor, Maine, to mark the 40th anniversary of the murder of Charlie Howard. He was 23 in the summer of 1984 when three teenagers, yelling homophobic slurs, approached him and his boyfriend. The teens threw Howard off a bridge, and he drowned.

A couple of months later and about 50 miles away, I returned to Maine for my senior year at Colby College. As I remember, a campus cop was overheard remarking that Howard got what he deserved. The cop was fired.

In hindsight, that in itself was a sign that things were changing in Maine. Howard's murder led to the creation of the Maine Lesbian/Gay Political Alliance, now EqualityMaine. The state outlawed discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in 2005.  In 2012, Maine became the first state to approve same-sex marriage at the ballot box.

Over these 40 years, queer life in the Pine Tree State has improved dramatically, and that had a lot to do with Charlie Howard and every other Charlie Howard we don't know about. Why is it that people have to die for civil rights to advance? I wish the universe would come up with a less lethal arrangement.

July 4, 2024

 

Mike Luckovich nails it.

This Week's Quote

Image:  Wikipedia

Never keep up with the Joneses. Drag them down to your level. It’s cheaper.

Quentin Crisp

Source:  Today

On the Train

Image:  Facebook

On Sunday, wearing a rainbow shirt, I boarded Seattle's light rail. The train was packed with other Pride-goers, along with assorted Seattle Mariners fans.

At a downtown stop, a 60-something straight Australian couple got on, each wheeling a suitcase suitable for a month's visit to North America. My fellow sardines and I began to chat, and it turned out they'd watched some of the Pride parade.

"This is nothing compared to Sydney's Pride," he said, which he explained is full of floats. I told him I'd heard that was true, and I'd love to see it in person someday, but as Seattle was enthusiastically celebrating its 50th Pride, he might not want to say that too loudly.

I asked them about their travels, and he raved about Alaska's mountains. "Okay," I said. "You've got the Pride, we've got the mountains." They agreed.

Afterwards, as I walked toward the parade, I marveled that the concept of LGBTQ Pride has grown so big and so international that I would find myself good-naturedly comparing celebrations with heterosexual tourists from abroad.

Harvey, Bayard, Barbara—you wouldn't believe it.

Transformation

The Donald and Joe Show

Image:  Facebook

I was so busy yesterday that I was unable to watch the presidential debate. I recorded it so I could view it today.

Based on media reports and my friends' anxious reaction to Joe Biden's performance, I think I'll wait to watch it. 2027 seems about right.

This Week's Quote

Image:  Facebook

We’ve made progress on LGBTQ+ equality, like Obergefell establishing marriage equality 9 years ago.

But let’s be clear: we’re still fighting against divisive rhetoric, discrimination & harmful legislation targeting LGBTQ+ Americans, especially trans youth. Onwards with pride.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)

Source: X

Celestial Observer

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

Speaking at a gathering of influential evangelical Christians, Donald Trump endorsed displaying the Ten Commandments in schools.

Speaking at a heavenly gathering, Moses said, "This from the man who broke most of them?"

Educating

 

A Mystery

Image:  Facebook

On Thursday and Friday, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was missing from the bench.

Has anyone checked his flagpole?

Yeesh

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Here's a headline I just saw on CNN's website:  "Microplastics discovered in human penises for the first time."

I'm not even a man, yet I feel like crossing my legs.

This Week's Quote

Image:  Facebook

Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory, or an acceptance of the way things are. Instead, it's a celebration of progress. It's an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, things do get better. America can change.

Barack Obama

Source:  Country Living 

Pride and Prejudice

As a queer humorist, I feel it's my duty to poke fun at the excesses of Pride, starting with the way corporations gay-wash the month of June.

In an attempt to appear allied and rake in LGBTQ dollars, companies pump out rainbow clothes, shoes, makeup, jewelry, eyeglasses, kitchenware, alcohol, candy, cake and so on. Activists are right to ask whether rainbow capitalism aligns with the revolutionary spirit of Stonewall.

But all such weighty concerns abandoned ship yesterday when a straight friend presented me with rainbow flowers. It was a thoughtful gesture of support, a sentiment that made me sentimental.

Or else it's just been too damn long since a woman gave me flowers.

Covering the Waterfront

 

Icing on the Cake

 

So Much for That

Image by Nina Garman from Pixabay

As I drove to work this morning on one of Seattle's busiest thoroughfares, my NPR station teased an upcoming story about the national demise of gay bars. That'll give me something to write about, I thought, prepared to be all ears.

Just as the story began and I slowed for a red light, a car on my right suddenly shot forward, smashing into a car ahead of me, then careening into another car in the intersection before squealing away in the opposite direction. 

After calling 911 and talking to other shocked witnesses, I'd missed the entire report on gay bars. I can't convey to you any of its conclusions. Frankly, after that experience, it was a strain to convey my own name.

This Week's Quote

Image:  Wikipedia

I have my standards. They're low, but I have them.

Bette Midler

Source:  AZ Quotes

Flying Colors

Image:  Facebook

Martha-Ann Alito, wife of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, was secretly recorded last week saying, "I want a Sacred Heart of Jesus flag, because I have to look across the lagoon at the Pride flag for the next month."

What is it with this woman and flags?

An Unprecedented Saturday

Image:  Facebook

Philadelphia set a record, and it had nothing to do with the Phillies, the Rocky Statue or cheesesteak.

On the first day of June, hundreds of queer activists, allies and families with small kids walked into the National Constitution Center. A Guinness World Records official counted their red tickets. Agonizing minutes passed before the official looked up and nodded at organizers.

The first-ever title for the largest attendance at a drag queen story time was theirs.

Yes, nobody had aimed for this title before—not even the Provincetown public library—and Guinness insisted on a minimum of 250 attendees. They got 263.

Five drag queens read aloud that day. Given their likely footwear, I assume they didn't celebrate the history-making event by galloping up the Rocky Steps.

In a Pinch

 

This Week's Quote

Image:  Facebook

For pride month you can’t say “let me get this straight…”, you have to say “just so we’re queer…”

Roscoe Jones

Source: X

Proudly Pushy

 

Marriage Material

Image by Koen One Stop Map from Pixabay

The Balkan nation of Albania is noted for the way its Muslim, Catholic and Orthodox Christian communities coexist. Doubtless helping to keep the peace is that all three are united by a common enemy:  same-sex marriage.

Add the fact that the state doesn't recognize same-sex unions, and you start to appreciate the bravery of Alba Ahmetaj and Edlira Mara. The two women, who have been together 14 years and have twin daughters, recently donned flowing white wedding gowns and, in front of friends on the rooftop of the mayor's office in Tirana, tied the knot.

Down below, police officers guarded the building—from the very worst kind of wedding crashers.

May the little family be happy and safe. May the Albanian faith communities find something less toxic to agree upon. And may those who've married in more hospitable countries appreciate that their greatest fear was whether Aunt Mary would be schnockered before the vows.

Bam

 

Next Week's Cover

 

It's called "A Man of Conviction."

But I Repeat Myself

Image by Sambeet D from Pixabay

Guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty!

This Week's Quote

Image by LoggaWiggler from Pixabay

We are glad that Pope Francis has apologized for using such a demeaning term . . . The truth is that the Church simply could not function without those countless gay priests, bishops and maybe even popes who currently serve and have served over the centuries. 

Marianne Duddy-Burke, DignityUSA’s Executive Director

Source:  DignityUSA

Mea Culpas

Image:  Facebook

Pope Francis apologized today for using an offensive Italian term describing gay men.

I guess this is the moment for me to confess that I once accidentally referred to the pontiff as "Poop Francis."

All Persons

Image:  Facebook

I read something remarkable today in the magazine of The Nature Conservancy (TNC).

Before creating the 1.2 mile All Persons Trail, located within a TNC swamp preserve in Manchester, N.H., designers held listening sessions with communities that face barriers to nature. Disabled people weighed in.

But they weren't the only ones. "One participant spoke about the need for a private space, such as an all-gender restroom, for trans people to bind or unbind their chest." That restroom came to fruition, and the trail's signage includes depictions of different sexual orientations.

I'm so pleasantly surprised that TNC asked for input. I do believe welcoming efforts like this trail will be appreciated and effective, even as I know there will always be a portion of the LGBTQ community whose interest in nature is confined to sex on the dunes.

Points for Trying

 

This Week's Quote

Image by heblo from Pixabay

Donald Trump has something to say about this trial everywhere but under oath.

Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta

Source:  X

Kansas City Chafes

Image:  Facebook

You've probably heard about the commencement speech the kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs gave earlier this month at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. If he meant to provoke, Harrison Butker hit it right between the uprights.

The obviously conservative Catholic referred to "the deadly sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it." He railed against "dangerous gender ideologies," as well as "the tyranny of diversity, equity and inclusion." Butker denounced abortion, and urged female graduates to embrace the role of homemaker and beware the "diabolical lies" about career ambition.

The NFL distanced itself from Butker's speech like Jerry Rice separating from a cornerback. Derision poured down on the kicker, who'd even managed to piss off Taylor Swift fans by misinterpreting her lyrics.

But here's my favorite part of the story:  An order of nuns affiliated with Benedictine College took to Facebook to (metaphorically) slap his hand with a ruler.

"The sisters of Mount St. Scholastica do not believe that Harrison Butker's comments in his 2024 Benedictine College commencement address represent the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college that our founders envisioned and in which we have been so invested," declared the women religious.

"One of our concerns was the assertion that being a homemaker is the highest calling for a woman. We sisters have dedicated our lives to God and God's people, including the many women whom we have taught and influenced during the past 160 years. These women have made a tremendous difference in the world in their roles as wives and mothers and through their God-given gifts in leadership, scholarship, and their careers."

Owie, that smarts.

An NFL defensive line is formidable, but Butker now faces angry queer people, nuns and Swifties, and that's scarier.

Maybe

 

(No) Sympathy for the Devil

I went to see the Rolling Stones here in Seattle last night, crossing an item off my bucket list, because after all, Keith Richards might live forever, but I won't.

As I neared the security line, I heard a voice wafting over those making their way into the stadium. Then I saw a few men holding up signs while their leader intoned about going to hell. Automatically, I barred them from my mind and sight.

Some Stones fans might not have known what to make of Christian zealots staking out the concert. Me, I was surprised at how quickly I recognized and dismissed them. Now I realize that decades of going to Prides has given me a leg up on spotting Christian "love" in action.

I'm 60 years old, and have just discovered that I have a spidey sense.

This Week's Quote

Image by Alexander Grey from Pixabay

I assume everyone is gay unless I'm told otherwise.

Harvey Fierstein

Source:  The Book of Gay & Lesbian Quotations

To All the Moms