October 11, 1987 - Thirty-seven Years Ago - The Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights

Just a reminder to all of you that we in the LGBTQ community have had a long history of fighting for our right to be who we are and to express our sexuality and to love who we want to love.  

And a further reminder that our rights are not guaranteed forever, because, if those espousing the draconian vision of the 2025 Agenda get their way, we may lose everything we've gained and then some.

The Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights was a massive political rally in Washington, D.C. on October 11, 1987. The movement was reaching its zenith in the 80s and  AIDS was a major influence in our becoming more visible, and out, and proud. 

Lesbian and Gay Rights because the Bi and Trans folks were not yet being specifically acknowledged and the term Queer was still an insult. No one even contemplated a "plus".

Approximately 750,000 people took part in the march and other events including a civil disobedience action in front of the Supreme Court.

The 1987 March on Washington stands as an important part of LGBTQ history. 

 I was there with a group from Hartford, CT.

Hector*,  Me, Richard, Robin, ?, Joe, ?
   * Hector was my co-worker at the CT Dept of Health AIDS Program. He died of HIV/AIDS

Remembering the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights: a song by Ten Percent Review:

 

The focus of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights was to demand our civil rights and to protest the government's lack of concern for HIV/AIDS.

The AIDS Quilt was displayed for the first time on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., during the weekend event.

It covered a space larger than a football field and included 1,920 panels.

I'm not absolutely sure if this picture was taken at the 1987 March in Washington, but I think it was. It was a time before digital cameras and iPhones. Can you imagine?

The Hidden Brain Podcast: The Yin and Yang of Political Sides (Or Why Dems are Happy and Repubs are Sour)

 

This podcast that I heard this morning in NPR is probably the best explanation I've heard about the psychology underlying the political divide. The beginning is a more genera discussion...but...listen to the end where Danna Young talks about politics in more depth. 

 I don't know if this link will work (Hidden Brain may require a subscription but I was able to listen for free)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sitting-with-uncertainty/id1028908750?i=1000671334611

A Break From The Desert

His cruelty knows no bounds

 

Goeff Duncan and Tim Walz

 Another great speech from an enlightened Republican

And Tim: 

 

Did not have time to post today but here's a delayed post if you haven't been watching the DNC

 I will refer you all to YouTube to view Michelle Obama's speech and Barach Obama's speech last night at the DNC. - as well as a few others: among them Hillary Clinton's. 

The convention is so uplifting and hopeful.

Catharsis

 I watched last night's DNC speeches today, Tuesday (because it was past our bedtime last night). I will say without hesitation that I was moved, sometimes moved to tears. After nearly ten years of having the ultimate narcissist occupying our consciousness almost daily, it was such a relief to finally see the light at the end of the nightmare. Do yourself a favor and watch if you haven't already. There is HOPE!

 

Here are a few:

MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell Blasts Media Bias

 I am not going to speculate about why the media gives DJT a pass, but a handful of very wealthy individuals own/control/have financial interests in the Mainstream Media or the Corporations that own/control the Mainstream Media in the United States.

Lawrence O'Donnell compares and contrasts how "reporters" give DJT a pass when he lies or speaks gibberish vs. how they disrespect Biden, Harris and Democratic spokespersons. 

These "reporters" allow DJT to talk gibberish, and not only don't call him on it, but give him praises for it and gaslight by trying to twist it and translate it into some kind of sense...

Do You Need 233 Reminders of DJT Anti-LGBTQ+ Pronouncements and Actions?

It's a long video and quite an eye-opener if you've been weary and have fallen asleep or have forgotten what the 4 years of DJT in the White House was like for LGBTQs. Log Cabin Republicans Wake Up!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=91VZ5rIsnWQ&si=oPHDJ1tr0q_Ag22d

Don't Count Your Chickens as the Saying Goes

 I hope the Dems are prepared for this Frightening Scenario

Apologies if Your Comments Got Overlooked

 Once again I apologize if I didn't publish your comments. 

First I do not get email notifications of comments, and on rare occasions when I do, they are in a spam folder. 

Second when I check the "comments awaiting moderation" section on my blog homepage I don't always check the "spam" sub category, but sure enough today I found a comment from Russ and one from Bob. I have no idea why blogger thought they were spam. 

Technology works in mysterious and annoying ways.

Sunday Sermon: Preaching Against Christian Nationalism

More religious leaders and pastors and preachers are beginning to speak out about the heresy and toxicity of Christian Nationalism.

 As non religious gay man I am moved by this sermon not only because of the truths expounded by Rev. Talarico but because I believe it is preachers like him who can best confront christian nationalism and possibly convert those who adhere to its teachings. 

This sermon also reminds me, believe it or not, of the Catholicism I grew up with years ago. Post John XXIII, we had many progressive theologians and a thing called "Liberation Theology" which resonated with many liberal Catholics. The swing toward conservatism under JohnPaul II disillusioned many Catholics and put others on a path toward acceptance of the Christian nationalism ideology.

Anyhow, here is the Sunday sermon:

 

 WHY HAVE I NOT HEARD OF THIS GUY UNTIL NOW?

For more see:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/06/16/james-talarico-texas-democrats-00101231

So How Does One Pronounce Kamala?

 There has been criticism toward a number of republicans including DJT for purposely mispronouncing "Kamala" but I've not heard any definitive pronunciation. Even this writer leaves a door open.

Read this.

 

What We've All Known For Years Finally Has a Political Pac

 How a convention stadium full of supposedly educated, reasonable, political leaders can endorse Trump as their candidate for president of the United States is beyond incredulous and beyond preposterous. 

Is this ad and this PAC enough to change the minds of any of those who have drunk the Kool-aid? I am skeptical. 

Those republican political leaders and members are so far up Trump's ass, they can never admit their error and will do what they must to "save face". They are the proverbial monkeys: see no TRUTH, hear no TRUTH, speak no TRUTH. 

The fact that this narcissistic sociopath can have such a cult following will be studied and analyzed for years to come. 

George Conway tells it straight.

I've Been Immortalized by an Artist!

 My brother sent me a photo of an original watercolor by an artist friend of his, Jeff Bellantuano, that was inspired by an old photo of me and my 1972 Fiat 128 Sport Coupe when we went camping back in 1973 or 1974. The artist labeled it "Nova Scotia, c. 1974" but I'm thinking it was near the Farmington River in Connecticut. In any case, I'm flattered!

Bob Newhart Remembered

 Those of you old enough to have watched both "The Bob Newhart Show" and "Newhart" will remember the finale of "Newhart" when Bob, the Vermont innkeeper, wakes up from a dream back on his old show where he played a psychologist married to Suzanne Pleshette. Bob's timing and delivery of lines is classic. One of the funniest scenes in TV comedy. Bob Newhart is a classic.

A Little Something for My Catholic Friends and Family

 The "evangelicalisation" of the Catholic Church in America (due in part because all the liberals have fled) borders on heresy, in my opinion. Their political conservatism is sorely misguided and their religion has been contaminated. 

Here is a Catholic priest who speaks honestly about politics. I post this in spite of recent events because DJT will milk his near martyrdom for all it's worth. Just wait for the money beg.

A Break From Politics - Gardening on YouTube With Gian Marco Mapelli

My new favorite YouTube gardening channel. Hummm...

Becoming Disgusted with NBC Newsertainment

 To NBC News:

I just watched Craig Melvin’s interview with James Clyburn (Today Show Friday July 12) and I’m left feeling disgusted with the very obvious bias inherent in Craig’s repetitive questioning of Clyburn about Joe Biden’s decision to stay in the running for president of the United States. 

Clyburn answered Craig’s variously worded questions intelligently and did so with grace and respect but Craig would not accept Clyburn’s answers. It was obvious that Craig wanted Clyburn to say something detrimental to Joe Biden but Craig was not getting what he wanted from Clyburn. His harping on Clyburn about the topic repeatedly was not only dismissive but highly disrespectful and disgraceful. 

The remarks that were not forthcoming fron Clyburn were what the NBC Newsertainment department needed to keep viewers titillated. 

In their “analysis” immediately after the interview, Savannah Guthrie and Kristen Welker zeroed in on one particular comment and twisted and contorted it to conform to what their NBC Newsertainmet department wanted Clyburn to say, even confronting him again with their “analysis” to get further clarification. I obviously didn’t hear what they heard. Disgraceful reporting. Absolutely disgraceful.

This is NOT journalism. This purely biased reporting. NBC has an agenda, and I’m not sure why it is so anti-democratic. I used to trust NBC News. No longer.

Please read the recent NYT and LA Times editorials after which I will leave you all with this question: 

Why is NBC News not spending air time denouncing the most incompetent, disgraceful, inexperienced and convicted felon who is running for president again with the express intention of destroying democracy and the very government he wants to lead? 

And Now the L A Times Follows Suit After NYT

 
The L A Times has also decided that DJT is unfit to occupy the White House.

Link to the editorial here: LA Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial

 

Yes. The New York Times. The paper that has demonstrated subtle and not so subtle bias against the Democratic Party and all things progressive has now, finally, condemned DJT and his thirst for power.

The editorial is in several parts and I was able to read it without a paid subscription...perhaps they consider it important enough to give it wider distribution beyond their paid subscribers.

"DJT is Unfit to Lead".

He is dangerous
in word, deed and action

He puts self over
country

He loathes the laws
we live by

Here is the link: NYT Editorial

Yellow Journalism or Newsertainment

Read  the Hartman Report here:

Yellow Journalism

Then I sent this to ABC, CBS, and NBC today to call out their biased Newsertainment that is devoid of real journalism:

I will keep this as short as possible. 

I find it disgraceful and premature for the Mainstream (or any other) News Media to be giving exaggerated attention to any suggestion by anybody that President Joe Biden step aside without also suggesting that Donald J Trump drop out of the race for the good of the country because of his total incompetence and dangerous ideas.

I have seen little if any fact checking or calling out Trump’s lies, his impaired mental functioning, his disgraceful comments, or his not-so-subtle calls for violence. We all know what chaos he will cause should he not win in November and you in the TV Entertainment News (I hesitate to call it journalism) will be to blame for the results of your biased reporting.

The main stream media (YOU) is having a feeding frenzy every time a prominent Democrat comes out in favor of Joe dropping out. The negative press will not only become self-fulfilling, but will give the Liar-in-chief Trump more ammunition with which to sabotage either Joe’s or any Democrat's candidacy.

I urge you, before it is not too late, to dish Mr. Trump a daily plate of TRUTH, call out his lies, and demonstrate to your audience and the American people using your own archival video footage that Mr. Trump is a shyster and a criminal, whose incompetence is blatantly obvious to any rational person and that he is not, nor was he ever, worthy of the Office of President.

I will vote for Joe Biden even if he were on life-support and about to take his last breath. Should Joe, himself decide not to run, I will vote solidly Democratic all the way.

Miscellaneous New Mexico

 Our little town had a pretty decent fireworks display on the 4th. 

Where Else Would There Be a Chile Clinic?
And What Do They Treat?

Growing Veggies is a Challenge 

But I am up to it 

First Tomatoes 

Desert 4 O’Clocks in the Backyard 

Santa Fe Pride 2024

I think I needed a little dose of Pride after all the negativity coming at us for the past seven or eight years and even more so this year. The bible-bangers/republicans/christian nationalists/bigots have doubled down on their hatred and bigotry. As Joe of Joe.My.God news blog put it:

They wish we were invisible.

We’re not.

Let’s dance.

 

It's not New York, but it is after all, Santa Fe Subdued. Or Santa Fe Sleepy.

But seeing the crowd, the Rainbow Flags up and down the street and Plaza, hearing the music...it was healing and reassuring and a reminder that 

Yes We Are Queer and We're STILL Here!

 

Not a lot of photos because, well the photos just don't convey the festive vibe. And I wasn't really into taking pictures. 

Pride isn't quite what it used to be: no longer a march of visibility and defiance and demanding out rights, but more a march of our allies and supporters and social service organizations and commercial enterprises and even churches. Hard to tell who's L,G,B,T,Q or plus or straight.

Even the Government agencies are represented (don't tell the republicans, they will start writing ridiculous bills and trying to pass them in Congress).

Hubs works for Bureau of Land Management Recreation division. His field office had a booth at Santa Fe Pride again this year and Leon was proud to be there in his new uniform. (We are not thrilled with the colors, but I guess it's not up for debate).  

Here are a few photos of BLM and Park Service in the parade.

Hubs in his BLM uniform and me in mine.

Anyhow, Happy Pride to all!

Rainbow over Cochiti this evening. Who says Gay Power isn’t real?

Stonewall - A Musical Tribute

 Just a brief musical tribute to the Stonewall protest and Gay Lib. Music from an era subsequent to the Gay Lib movement.

(For a more complete and informative post about Stonewall see "I Should Be Laughing")

 

This defined many of our relationships for many years before marriage equality (and may do so again one day soon):

 

Surf’s Up at the Lake

I told Leon to get in the car after dinner. Drove down the street to the convenience store and bought a couple of Klondike Bars. Then we went down to the lake, sat on top of a picnic table, ate our 300 calorie ice cream and watched the waves. 

The "surf" was "crashing" on the shore and if I tried hard I could imagine the waves at Race Point. It was actually a nice sound because the lake is usually very calm. The rhythm of the waves was nice to hear. 

 

And it was 10 degrees cooler there than at the house. 

Driftwood left in dead trees drowned by high water levels

Our town in upper left corner; I don't know how to interpret the depth lines on the map. I assume the deepest part is in the center (white) area. The Rio Grande continues below the dam.

Stop the Merry-Go-Round! I Want to Get Off

 Yesterday morning, as we were heading to Santa Fe, I was driving, and Leon was listening to some YouTube video in which the interviewer was asking people whether “Pride has gone too far.”

I wasn’t listening too closely for whatever reason, and I assumed that it was a gay interviewer, talking to gay people about pride. When I did start listening, it sounded to me like everyone who responded was totally missing the point.

It was like they had never heard of Stonewall and or the gay liberation front and or the centuries of oppression and violence directed toward sexual minorities.

I said I wish I could respond, but not really. I’m getting to really hate these man and/or woman and/or whoever on the street interviews. 

But then Leon started reading the comment section. The comments were even more bizarre, confused, misinformed, and hateful.

I was very confused about whether the YouTube video itself was posted by an ally or an enemy. (Checking on this later today I find he - the YouTuber is a 19 year old black kid who seems to get all his misinformation from Newsmax. So that explains it.)

Obviously, most of the commenters were ignorant, hateful people. I’ve seen enough stupid and disrespectful comments on LGBTQ positive websites. So all this was just too much.

I really just wanted to scream “Shut up!” Exasperated, I said to Leon, “There’s just no escape. Isn’t there somewhere we can go to get away from this madness? I fucking can’t stand people anymore.”

I’m convinced that the percentage of ignorant, uneducable imbeciles has increased exponentially since you know who was elected in 2016 and became president in January of 2017. It is definitely approaching a critical mass.

P.S. I was going to post the video of Merry-go-round by Wildman Fisher but it’s just too irritatingly stupid. If you want to listen to it, you can go to this link.

https://youtu.be/CHqR1Rql5r8?si=eeAc2hSep2GGwVWj

The Heartache of Dining Out or Why I Cook at Home

 I left this review after we had pizza at a place in Taos, New Mexico:

We felt bad for the young woman who was waiting every table in the outside area (and maybe inside as well) which was quite busy for a Monday. She was doing a great job with no help. 

The Greek salad was excellent and a nice combo of greens, olives, feta and other veggies with a very tasty dressing. 

As for the pizza. As an Italian-American who has been making pizza for over 40 years I would say this has little resemblance to authentic pizza. Pizza is the base, the crust, the yeast dough that rises and makes big open air bubbles that when baked makes it not only crispy but gives the flavor of a yeast bread. Our pizza was undercooked and had not risen properly. Fermentation was totally lacking. The crust was actually partially raw and unedible. The sauce and the toppings gave it all the flavor. If this was the best pizza in Taos, they don’t know what pizza is. 

Over priced, long, long wait. And again horrible crust.

Large Greek salad, 12 inch pizza with sausage and mushrooms, one iced tea, over $40. 

The wait for service and finally getting our meal was longer than I would ordinarily tolerate but we were patient because the waitperson seemed to be doing it all by herself. Meanwhile, some patron had left their very expensive truck running, headlights on, with the air conditioner going for their dog, but right next to the outdoor dining area which was extremely annoying for all who were eating (waiting to eat) outside. There were plenty of parking spaces well away from the dining area.

I mention all this because dining out is not the pleasant experience it once was. Unless one goes to a pretentious "fine dining" restaurant the food is so often mediocre at best. The claim to fame for almost every New Mexican restaurant is either the "green chili cheeseburger" or the "huevos rancheros" and all the other menu items are the same in about 90% of New Mexican restaurants: some kind of tortilla or taco with meat, cheese and beans. Usually way over priced for what you get, often factory produced (e.g. anything breaded and fried, fried potatoes, burgers from the one or two "distributors" in the area, factory deserts, and non-alcoholic beverages from $2.50 to $6.00.

So I came across this in YouTube and well,....I'm making homemade bread and pizza tonight.

P.S. It's going to be a challenge to get logs burning in my new oven.

The Many Facets of New Mexico

Preface: The forest fires are burning in the southern part of the state. Very devastating for the people of Ruidoso. There are also fires in the west and northwest. If only we could get some of the rain that is making a mess in the east. 

We made a trip to Taos so I could see the orthopedic doctor for a reevaluation of my knee issue. Long story short I got a cortisone injection and an opportunity to get a replacement should things get worse over the summer. Continue with physical therapy and lose weight. 

Leon took a couple of days off work so we decided that a change of scenery was needed from the monotony of the desert. The area around Taos is greener and has real trees and grass - at least in some places. I think it also has a bit of privilege in some places too, but we avoided that as much as possible. 

After the doctor we went for a drive. I would just mention that I was a bit ferclempt considering surgery one minute and appreciating being with my hubby exploring the outback the next. 

We drove to Rio Grande del Norte National Monument-Wild Rivers. Did not do a lot of hiking but went to the overlook. At my age and with my knee arthritis I was content with that. 

We then drove a very rough off-road several miles to Cabresto Lake - a mountain lake surrounded by trees and greenery. Did a nice short hike along the lake trail. Here’s a few photos. 

View of the Rio Grande from the overlook

Not Georgia O’Keeffe’s tree

We are normally at about 5500 feet, So being at over 9000 feet took the wind out of me even on a short hike

The cows had the right of way