Family Man

 

 

… the majority of politicians, on the evidence available to us, are interested not in truth but in power and in the maintenance of that power. To maintain that power it is essential that people remain in ignorance, that they live in ignorance of the truth, even the truth of their own lives.

What surrounds us therefore is a vast tapestry of lies, upon which we feed.

HAROLD PINTER, 1930-2008, from his acceptance speech for the 2005 Nobel Prize in Literature

While we’re still expected to swallow “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and DOMA. Fuck you and yours, Governor. Act now, Obama.

It’s over.

40 years, still counting…

 

Gay Americans aren’t just another political special interest group. They are Americans who are actively discriminated against by federal laws. If the president is to properly honor the memory of Stonewall, he should get up to speed on what happened there 40 years ago, when courageous kids who had nothing, not even a public acknowledgment of their existence, stood up to make history happen in the least likely of places.

 

Photo: Click on image to play

Prideful

 

Devastatingly quiet. So welcome after two nights of revelers partying ’til dawn (and then some). 

Numbers are down. Way down. (fewer Americans?, gays leaving the city?) And now rain is expected for much of the day. 

Still, plenty of night creatures out to PnP.

Any beauties? Sure, a few. (I’d see more on any given day in Kensington Market, an area just as “target-rich” for gay-friendly boys and way prettier than long-ailing Church Street).

Highlights for me. Walking up Yonge Street with Darrell yesterday coming across a rather harmless (i.e. “not angry”) contingent of Jesus devotees, mostly latino youth and children strapped with their families, carrying handmade signs professing their faith. Going past, I said to each of them, “Jesus is most welcome here this day.” Many smiled (or were quizzical) in return. 

Jesus and I are sisters.

I had mentioned to Darrell that I didn’t feel any pressures this weekend, perhaps because I had made no particular plans other than the mischievous glee in decking the balcony with my fuck buddy’s skivvies. (Rainbows be damned).

Only now in this quiet morning do I realize it’s because I want for nothing this weekend. No needs to fix or be met. No push to find some out-of -town hotties to play with—nor a husband, for that matter—to “make something happen.” No cravings for chems or stimulants (I am quite enjoying the call of the bison). No urgency—as demonstrated by a most welcome Trans-March Friday evening—which was once, for me, the heart of Pride.

And no dread.

And no need to shit on a party.

Happy Pride.

 

TONIGHT: Local hotties OPOPO live at the Alexander Stage, 7PM

Photo: Two off my balcony last night.

In the wee-wee hours

 

Tom of Finland (circa 1949)

Sick to fuckin’ death of rainbows.

The balcony—09Pride.

[thx BD & Michael]

Entry

 

If to record is to love the world,

let this be an entry.

 

                                               – Roo Borson

The Photograph

 

Looking at the photograph of a chum of his,

at his beautiful youthful face

(lost forever more;—the photograph

was dated ‘Ninety-two),

the sadness of what passes came upon him.

But he draws comfort from the fact that as least

he didn’t let—they didn’t let any foolish shame

 get in the way of their love, or make it ugly.

To the “degenerates,” “obscene” of the imbeciles

their sensual sensibility paid no heed.

 

C.P. CAVAFY, from The Unfinished Poems, the first english translation, with introduction and commentary, by Daniel Mendelsohn. New York : Knopf, 2009.

Uncommon

to Reverend [Gov.] Ted Strickland

 

Dear Reverend,

As Governor of the State of Ohio, I notice first-off on your website that you choose to flagrantly fly in the face of the US Constitution when, upon taking office, prominently placing a plaque quoting a scripture of your religious beliefs “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

Pretty words indeed, Reverend Ted. And the good people of Ohio would like to continue to enjoy public access to books and materials and information other than just those few words you handily select from your personal bible. 

Your website also decrees:

“Because of his background in the ministry and social service, Ted believes that government is at its best when it’s guided by the heart and a good dose of common sense.”

Now Ted, we both know it makes no sense—common or otherwise—to close down our public libraries, the major hub and lifeline for most communities across this great state. So, this simply must be an accurate reflection of where your heart is. Good for the people to know.

“To do justice.” What justice is there in denying free, untethered access to information essential public libraries offer to its free citizens. Justice, Governor Strickland. Your lord apparently requires it.

Meanwhile, good reading this summer. I can heartily recommend American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America by Chris Hedges. 

It’s at your library.

 

Regards,

Jeff Kirby, 
Library and Information Technician

American-born, raised in the [suffering] Great State of Ohio

p.s. Thanks for the “high-resolution head shot of Ted” offered on your site. They come in mighty handy for demonstrations.

Editorial: Dear Governor Strickland