Hi Poppets. Last month, I mentioned that I had been angry for a while. This month – okay, I’m still angry, who am I trying to kid – but I’ve also been mellowed a bit by a major professional success and a wedding. Yep, David and I did it; we got married. And yes, before you ask, we did indeed follow my own suggestions. We used a florist and baker who support the LGBT community; our officiant has performed commitment ceremonies before; and believe me, the function site is hugely LGBT supportive. We got married in our living room.
Being a new bride gave me some interesting perspectives on things. I have health insurance. We can pay taxes jointly. Both David and I have a societal recognition that we didn’t have, even as committed-sharing-lives partners, before the 22nd of February. I understand why marriage is such a huge issue within the community.
And I recognize my privilege. I am a straight woman marrying a man. I haven’t gone through the struggles to accept this side of myself, the way David has. Every state in the nation recognizes that we are legally and lawfully wed. Whatever that intangible is that comes with “marriage” over “domestic partnership” (if it should exist or not, which is a whole different column), exists for us. We aren’t partnered. We aren’t committed. We are married. Huge numbers of people are denied this very basic right and these very special intangibles. I get why marriage is important.
However, being a newlywed has also given me another interesting perspective. It is not the be-all, end-all. It is far from the only important issue within the community. David still can’t come out at work without fear of repercussion. The best situation would be some pilots and crew refusing to fly/work with him. The worst would be losing his job. They’d find a “legitimate” reason to fire him – and it would still come within weeks of his coming out. Already people are treating him differently, being warmer and friendlier since “those rumors weren’t true.”
His son started a new school not long ago. The first week, a young man that some of the kids suspected of being gay was beaten up in the lunchroom. In front of everyone, very publicly. The police were called; the school suspended the kids who did the beating. But you can believe the message was received by the student body.
A friend of mine, an incredibly talented author, has recently been asked for a complete list of his published works by the college where he teaches. It should’ve been something we celebrated. Instead, several of us spent a while thinking about and discussing if he could/should submit his gay erotica, as well as his straight fantasy. In the end, he decided not to because it was too risky.
Nationally, we had a major American corporation, McDonald’s, come out in support of us. No flash, nothing huge, no great publicity, nothing really in it for them. Just quietly, strongly, peacefully say that we as a community and as individual human beings are worthy. We let them take the hit in their books. In essence, we said we didn’t care enough for them to stand with them, while they were standing with us. No wonder they’ve backed down to pressure from the other side.
I’ve heard several people say or write “gay is the new black.” Really? First, let’s set aside the fact that most people in the LGBT community can pass when necessary, can stay closeted when it’s not safe – a gift that the vast majority of black people do not have. Let’s just look at the claim: Gay is the New Black.
Black Americans faced dogs, beatings, hoses, imprisonment and death in order to vote, in order to be safe in their workplaces, their schools, their very homes. In order to be allowed to work. Be allowed to walk and sit and live and stay wherever they chose. In order to be recognized as human beings. And yes, in order to marry whomever they loved. Still, these other tangible rights were far more important than the intangibles that come with being married. They understood this and were willing to stand together, support those who supported them, go to jail and, in more cases than is comfortable to admit, die for the right to be seen as complete and whole human beings.
Yet within the LGBT community, the one issue that has transformed us, that has rallied us, consistently and beyond the latest news cycle, is same sex marriage. When a child is killed for being gay or transgendered, we rage and protest and write our senators…until the furor dies down. We become members of the Human Rights Campaign and send in our checks and shake our heads. But we don’t even buy our coffees from McDonalds, let alone rise up as one when children get beaten, rather than killed, in their schools. We do not demand that our media outlets report it. We do not march on D.C. or Seattle or Atlanta demanding that we be safe from discrimination, in any of its ugly forms. Instead, we rally over…same sex marriage. But Gay is the New Black. No. It’s not. Not when the only thing that lights a fire under our collective butts for any length of time is marriage, and we sit silent otherwise.
Don’t get me wrong, Poppets. I do understand why marriage is important. I’m a privileged newlywed. Marriage, the tangible rights, and intangible emotions that come with it are important. They just aren’t, and shouldn’t be, the most important. Not while we’re still being denied jobs and homes and safety and lives.
And to anyone who would say this column is just subconscious community loathing, I would say, just the opposite. It’s my love of and respect for this community that makes me so angry when I see our short-sighted, narrow goals. We can be better than this. We are better than this. We must be better than this.
Until next month, Poppets, remember I can be reached at lifeandtimesofbridget@gmail.com and take care of you.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
February 2009
You want to know a secret, Poppets? I’ve been angry the past several months. I’ve been trying not to turn into a screaming mee-mee or a raving lunatic – but I’ve been angry, nonetheless. I’ve been angry at the AFA for calling a boycott on McDonald’s for supporting us as a community. I’ve been angry at us as a community for seemingly not caring enough about anything but marriage enough to counter the boycott. I’ve been angry at the people who voted to take our right to marry. I’ve been angry at the racism and bigotry that showed up within our community in response to that vote. Honestly, I’ve been close to giving up. Giving up hope. Giving up faith. Giving up trust.
As to your comparison of someone acting upon feelings for another of the same gender, to someone committing murder, I find it offensive. While I understand the desire to stick with one theme in a metaphor, I believe that was a step too far. Implying that under the logic that homosexuality is right because it feels right, that murder must be right as well if it in turn feels right is flawed. … As to the 'choice' of being homosexual, I'm afraid I don't have leeway in this particular strain of the conversation. I always try to be open minded, even about something that I feel as strongly about as Gay Rights. However, in this case, I am emphatic. You are indeed mistaken. 'We' do not 'All' feel a compulsion towards members of the opposite sex. … To close, I will refer to the Bible. …you are a Christian. Let’s break that word down. Christian literally means, 'Follower of Christ'. If you were indeed so, would not His words take precedence over any others? Jesus says to Love all. That would, by logic, include those with different sexual tendencies. … I try not to engage in discussions about the Bible however, not being Christian and having never read the Bible. I have however, been raised with strong morals, a love for human-kind, and an understanding of different points of view and preferences. I don't believe that any book, seen by some as word of God or not, should attempt to take away the very human fiber and rights to happiness that all men and women are born with upon this earth.
Dude… I’m still angry, Poppets. I still think we can do and be better than we’ve been – as a community; as a society; as a people as a whole. It still concerns me that there is at least one teenager out there who believes homosexuality is akin to murder - and you know that one isn’t the only one. But that flicker of hope I carry hasn’t gone completely out. Because there’s also at least one teenager who not only gets it but is willing to stand up and speak out for us, against hate - and I have to believe he’s not the only one. I have to hope.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
January 1, 2009
Hi Poppets! Here it is, 2009. Amazing, isn’t it? Something brand new is beginning. I mean, the world has never seen 2009 before. It’s a time to look forward, a time of fresh starts, a time to leave the past behind us and move forward, fresh, clean and scrubbed shiny. Everything you hated about your life, your job, your body, yourself can be different now, right? At least, that’s what the gyms and the diet centers and the online colleges and the employment agencies and, and, and…and we, ourselves, tell us this time every year.
New Year Resolutions are so common they are practically part of our culture. Depending on the study you read, anywhere between 50% and 90% of us have made at least one resolution based on the turning of the calendar. For most of us, that resolution will be about weight, smoking or finances. Yet the breaking of the New Year Resolutions long about March is so common it’s clichéd. Again, depending on the study, anywhere between 85% and 95% of resolutions are broken. We won’t stick to our diets and workouts, quit smoking or start saving. You know why? Because New Year Resolutions don’t work. There is nothing different or magical about this time of year that makes a personal change any more effective or long-lasting than it would be on some random Tuesday in April. What is different – though hardly magical – is the pressure on us this time of year to make a change. And it’s that pressure, that sense of false possibility, that bothers me.
There’s the societal pressure to make the resolution. There’s the fact that making a resolution inherently includes pressure to keep said resolution. Then there’s the personal pressure. Is there ever personal pressure. First, we beat ourselves up over the weight, smoking, spending, insert your own issue here for the past several months (years, maybe?) to the point that we need to make a resolution about it. Then we put pressure on ourselves for the next several days or weeks to keep the resolution – even though we haven’t been able to lose weight, quit smoking, save money, insert your own issue here, up until now. Oh. Don’t forget the continued lectures about weight, smoking, money, whatever, that are probably continuing in spite of the resolution. Are we having fun yet? Finally, if the pressure actually gets to us and we quit on the resolution (which, to reiterate, 85-95% of us will), there are the stronger lectures and increased dislike of ourselves and our issue than there were before we made the resolution in the first place. And hey, I want to start a new year with self-loathing and recrimination! Whoo-hoo!
I think we have enough people willing to beat us up, call us names, and make us feel less-than without us helping them. I think we have already found reasons enough to beat ourselves up, call ourselves names and make ourselves feel less-than without giving us another one. All buying into the New Year Resolution does is set yourself up to fail. Maybe it’s me, but I can fail often enough all on my own without setting myself up to do it.
Don’t get me wrong. In all seriousness, I am staunch believer in personal growth. If there is something you want to change about your life, you have my support. Just don’t buy into the fact that it has to happen right now or that it is supposed to be easier somehow right now. If you really want to change something, think about picking a date later this month or early February. Change it because you want to change it and because you’re ready to change it. Otherwise, love and accept yourself the way you are, faults and all. Now that’s a resolution I can get behind.
Until next month, Poppets, take care of you.
New Year Resolutions are so common they are practically part of our culture. Depending on the study you read, anywhere between 50% and 90% of us have made at least one resolution based on the turning of the calendar. For most of us, that resolution will be about weight, smoking or finances. Yet the breaking of the New Year Resolutions long about March is so common it’s clichéd. Again, depending on the study, anywhere between 85% and 95% of resolutions are broken. We won’t stick to our diets and workouts, quit smoking or start saving. You know why? Because New Year Resolutions don’t work. There is nothing different or magical about this time of year that makes a personal change any more effective or long-lasting than it would be on some random Tuesday in April. What is different – though hardly magical – is the pressure on us this time of year to make a change. And it’s that pressure, that sense of false possibility, that bothers me.
There’s the societal pressure to make the resolution. There’s the fact that making a resolution inherently includes pressure to keep said resolution. Then there’s the personal pressure. Is there ever personal pressure. First, we beat ourselves up over the weight, smoking, spending, insert your own issue here for the past several months (years, maybe?) to the point that we need to make a resolution about it. Then we put pressure on ourselves for the next several days or weeks to keep the resolution – even though we haven’t been able to lose weight, quit smoking, save money, insert your own issue here, up until now. Oh. Don’t forget the continued lectures about weight, smoking, money, whatever, that are probably continuing in spite of the resolution. Are we having fun yet? Finally, if the pressure actually gets to us and we quit on the resolution (which, to reiterate, 85-95% of us will), there are the stronger lectures and increased dislike of ourselves and our issue than there were before we made the resolution in the first place. And hey, I want to start a new year with self-loathing and recrimination! Whoo-hoo!
I think we have enough people willing to beat us up, call us names, and make us feel less-than without us helping them. I think we have already found reasons enough to beat ourselves up, call ourselves names and make ourselves feel less-than without giving us another one. All buying into the New Year Resolution does is set yourself up to fail. Maybe it’s me, but I can fail often enough all on my own without setting myself up to do it.
Don’t get me wrong. In all seriousness, I am staunch believer in personal growth. If there is something you want to change about your life, you have my support. Just don’t buy into the fact that it has to happen right now or that it is supposed to be easier somehow right now. If you really want to change something, think about picking a date later this month or early February. Change it because you want to change it and because you’re ready to change it. Otherwise, love and accept yourself the way you are, faults and all. Now that’s a resolution I can get behind.
Until next month, Poppets, take care of you.
Monday, December 1, 2008
December 2008
Ah Poppets! The season of giving is upon us. And what a season this one will be. The predictions are doom and gloom and the economy is in the toilet. Lovely, isn’t it? For some people, giving just won’t be possible this year. If that is the case for you or if you just don’t give, I’m not here to judge that. Not at all. If, however, you are giving this year, I have a few suggestions for you.
In another lifetime, I worked in human services and I can tell you, whatever you give, we’re grateful for. I can also tell you, though, that everybody and their neighbor are donating canned green beans, Stovetop stuffing, Barbie dolls and action figures. And thank God for it because those are the cornerstones of human services holiday drives. Every single can of green beans and Barbie doll will find a home, I promise.
*I put the asterisk there because teenage boys tend to be the most difficult category to buy for so here are some specific suggestions: ballcaps for our local teams; gloves; t-shirts with funny sayings on them; posters of bands or cars or sayings (not religious, please); walkmen (with the batteries!); clever boxer shorts; gift certificates for CD's; backpacks, gloves and scarves; art supplies like sketchbooks, paints and pencils; "How To" books; and science fiction, adventure or action novels.
Now, Poppets, seriously, I meant it when I said you don’t have to give. I meant it when I said Thank God for green beans and stuffing. However, many of us do start thinking of giving at this time of year. So, if you’re going to give anyway, why not give a little something different?
If you’re giving or not, if you’re celebrating a religious holiday or a secular one, wherever and whoever you are…My warmest wishes to you, Poppets. Until next month, be safe, be sane, call a cab…and take care of you.
In another lifetime, I worked in human services and I can tell you, whatever you give, we’re grateful for. I can also tell you, though, that everybody and their neighbor are donating canned green beans, Stovetop stuffing, Barbie dolls and action figures. And thank God for it because those are the cornerstones of human services holiday drives. Every single can of green beans and Barbie doll will find a home, I promise.
However, there are other needs as well. And you know what people aren’t donating? People aren’t donating…
- wrapping paper, ribbon and tape (because sometimes it’s really nice for a parent to be able to wrap his or her kids’ presents);
- artificial Christmas trees, ornaments and stockings (because, seriously, every kid should have these);
- stocking stuffers (because there is little sadder than an empty stocking);
- gifts for teenagers - especially teenage boys* (because everybody likes to get things for the little ones but how tough is it to be 13 and watch your younger siblings get gifts while you get…nothing);
- full-sized toiletries (because guess what? people still need to brush their teeth!);
- gift cards for gas stations (because sometimes the greatest gift you can give a family is a way to get to work);
- board games the whole family can play (because it’s nice to come together occasionally);
- books (because yes, kids really do still read);
- adult-sized underwear - especially men's (because adults are in need this time of year, too);
- AA batteries (because people donate the electronics but forget about the batteries to run them. I wish I was joking.)
*I put the asterisk there because teenage boys tend to be the most difficult category to buy for so here are some specific suggestions: ballcaps for our local teams; gloves; t-shirts with funny sayings on them; posters of bands or cars or sayings (not religious, please); walkmen (with the batteries!); clever boxer shorts; gift certificates for CD's; backpacks, gloves and scarves; art supplies like sketchbooks, paints and pencils; "How To" books; and science fiction, adventure or action novels.
Now, Poppets, seriously, I meant it when I said you don’t have to give. I meant it when I said Thank God for green beans and stuffing. However, many of us do start thinking of giving at this time of year. So, if you’re going to give anyway, why not give a little something different?
If you’re giving or not, if you’re celebrating a religious holiday or a secular one, wherever and whoever you are…My warmest wishes to you, Poppets. Until next month, be safe, be sane, call a cab…and take care of you.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
November 2008
Hi Poppets! So, did you vote? Because, thanks to Washington state’s election laws, you could have last month (I did – but why do I think you aren’t surprised?) Depending on when you are reading this, you still could vote if you haven’t yet so don’t be discouraged or embarrassed or, worse, apathetic. Vote. Please. This is the most important election of our lives, Poppets, regardless of which side of the aisle you’re on. Now isn’t the time to be sitting on your butts, thinking it doesn’t matter or your vote doesn’t count. It does. You do. We do. Vote. Please. And if you aren’t reading this until after November 4th, did you vote?
Now, because a good ¾ of the month is post-election, I will get off my soapbox and focus on something else – but you knew I was going to climb up there, just for a moment or two, didn’t you? Of course you did. However! Now it’s time to focus on something else, something fun. The holidays. Ooooo! I do love the holidays. In fact, I turn into some kind of freaky gothic Martha Stewart from Halloween right on through the new year. I’m a little nauseating, I admit it.
I do recognize that not everyone has this same reaction, though. For some people, it’s just a two month source of stress. If that’s the case, then this article is for you, Poppet. Here are some ideas for Thanksgiving, Christmas/Yule and New Year’s Eve that might make things a little easier this year.
Thanksgiving traditional – Go ahead and make plans with your friends now. Invite everyone over for a house party. Ask everybody to bring their favorite dish to share, after all, who says the host has to provide everything? Be open to turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole and tofu salad or curried lamb. Sure, it’s traditional but it can be personal as well. Invite a close group of friends or interesting people you think need to meet each other. Try to invite someone else who might be alone or stressed. You could make someone’s season. Put on some music and dance. Play charades or Pictionary. Swap stories about your best and worst Thanksgivings ever. Be sure to laugh. Don’t stress over decorations or the perfect menu or the just so place settings. Remember, this isn’t a holiday about keeping up with anybody. It’s about giving thanks.
Thanksgiving nontraditional – The Canadian border is really close (about 30 minutes to about an hour and half, probably, depending on where you picked up this month’s Betty Pages.) They celebrated Thanksgiving last month. What that means to you is you have a long weekend and they are open for business. Fill up your gas tank – or better yet, buy a bus ticket – grab your birth certificate or passport and go explore Victoria or Vancouver. Who says you have to celebrate an American holiday in America anyway?
Christmas/Yule traditional – This can be very similar to a traditional Thanksgiving. In fact, you can invite the same group of people if everybody had a good time. Why not? Families celebrate the holidays with the same group of people all the time. Today, though, ask everyone to bring along a small gift as well as a dish to share. After dinner – but perhaps before the eggnog gets flowing too freely – do a present exchange. Everyone gets a little something fabulous. If you can afford it, add a small, more personalized stocking for every guest as well. And yes, play carols on the stereo and/or have your favorite Christmas specials on the television in the background. It is, after all, a traditional celebration.
Christmas/Yule nontraditional - Turn up the heat, dig the blender back out, put on your favorite swimsuit and have a beach party. Winter is cold and grey and icky. So screw it. Bring back summer, even if it’s just in your apartment.
New Year’s Eve traditional – Seriously, head to Rumors. Or Neighbors. Dress up as your most fabulous self and go dance your ass off. Just remember to take a cab home. Please.
New Year’s Eve nontraditional – Why not stay home this year? Even if it means being alone. You’re pretty good company, if you want the truth. And we don’t spend enough time with ourselves anyway with all the running around that happens during the holidays. Go to the grocery store. Buy your favorite party foods that you never get to eat (my favorite is that cheese ball with the unidentifiable nuts all over it; yeah, nothing remotely like cheese or even, really, food but I still love the things), rent four or five of your favorite movies. Take a bath or shower and change into your most comfy pajamas (guys, you’ve got them, too, you know you do.) If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace, light one. If not, light some candles and settle down. Let yourself be. Ring in the new year peacefully, quietly and happily. That’s not such a sucky way to start 2009.
So there you have it, Poppets. My suggestions for a wonderful holiday season. Let me know how they go or if you have any other ideas. I’d love to hear at lifeandtimesofbridget@gmail.com Otherwise…
…until next month, Poppets, take care of you. (So…did you vote?)
Now, because a good ¾ of the month is post-election, I will get off my soapbox and focus on something else – but you knew I was going to climb up there, just for a moment or two, didn’t you? Of course you did. However! Now it’s time to focus on something else, something fun. The holidays. Ooooo! I do love the holidays. In fact, I turn into some kind of freaky gothic Martha Stewart from Halloween right on through the new year. I’m a little nauseating, I admit it.
I do recognize that not everyone has this same reaction, though. For some people, it’s just a two month source of stress. If that’s the case, then this article is for you, Poppet. Here are some ideas for Thanksgiving, Christmas/Yule and New Year’s Eve that might make things a little easier this year.
Thanksgiving traditional – Go ahead and make plans with your friends now. Invite everyone over for a house party. Ask everybody to bring their favorite dish to share, after all, who says the host has to provide everything? Be open to turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole and tofu salad or curried lamb. Sure, it’s traditional but it can be personal as well. Invite a close group of friends or interesting people you think need to meet each other. Try to invite someone else who might be alone or stressed. You could make someone’s season. Put on some music and dance. Play charades or Pictionary. Swap stories about your best and worst Thanksgivings ever. Be sure to laugh. Don’t stress over decorations or the perfect menu or the just so place settings. Remember, this isn’t a holiday about keeping up with anybody. It’s about giving thanks.
Thanksgiving nontraditional – The Canadian border is really close (about 30 minutes to about an hour and half, probably, depending on where you picked up this month’s Betty Pages.) They celebrated Thanksgiving last month. What that means to you is you have a long weekend and they are open for business. Fill up your gas tank – or better yet, buy a bus ticket – grab your birth certificate or passport and go explore Victoria or Vancouver. Who says you have to celebrate an American holiday in America anyway?
Christmas/Yule traditional – This can be very similar to a traditional Thanksgiving. In fact, you can invite the same group of people if everybody had a good time. Why not? Families celebrate the holidays with the same group of people all the time. Today, though, ask everyone to bring along a small gift as well as a dish to share. After dinner – but perhaps before the eggnog gets flowing too freely – do a present exchange. Everyone gets a little something fabulous. If you can afford it, add a small, more personalized stocking for every guest as well. And yes, play carols on the stereo and/or have your favorite Christmas specials on the television in the background. It is, after all, a traditional celebration.
Christmas/Yule nontraditional - Turn up the heat, dig the blender back out, put on your favorite swimsuit and have a beach party. Winter is cold and grey and icky. So screw it. Bring back summer, even if it’s just in your apartment.
New Year’s Eve traditional – Seriously, head to Rumors. Or Neighbors. Dress up as your most fabulous self and go dance your ass off. Just remember to take a cab home. Please.
New Year’s Eve nontraditional – Why not stay home this year? Even if it means being alone. You’re pretty good company, if you want the truth. And we don’t spend enough time with ourselves anyway with all the running around that happens during the holidays. Go to the grocery store. Buy your favorite party foods that you never get to eat (my favorite is that cheese ball with the unidentifiable nuts all over it; yeah, nothing remotely like cheese or even, really, food but I still love the things), rent four or five of your favorite movies. Take a bath or shower and change into your most comfy pajamas (guys, you’ve got them, too, you know you do.) If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace, light one. If not, light some candles and settle down. Let yourself be. Ring in the new year peacefully, quietly and happily. That’s not such a sucky way to start 2009.
So there you have it, Poppets. My suggestions for a wonderful holiday season. Let me know how they go or if you have any other ideas. I’d love to hear at lifeandtimesofbridget@gmail.com Otherwise…
…until next month, Poppets, take care of you. (So…did you vote?)
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
October 2008
Hi Poppets! October is always a difficult month for me to be a columnist. Without very strict guidelines about what I’m supposed to write, there are simply too many choices. Even in a non-election year, it’s easy to get political and socially aware.
See October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. How easy would it be to write about how domestic violence within the community is ignored so often? The fact that it is seen as a straight problem. How it is often considered a betrayal of the community to out an abuser. Or simply because the abuser is the more femme one in the relationship, so it can’t possibly really be abuse. Or how a fight between two people of the same gender automatically makes it “fair” so it can’t possibly be abuse? And how so many people go without getting help from counselors, police, shelters, hotlines, their friends and family, simply because domestic violence “doesn’t exist” in the community. It would be so easy to reassure you, Poppets, that if you feel you are in an abusive relationship, you don’t have to hide. That there are indeed services available to you, right here in Washington. That if you are male, female or transgendered, you can contact the North West Network at PO Box 18436, Seattle, 98118 or call them at (206) 568-7777 and they will listen, they will believe you, they will help. It would be easy to write about how you are not alone and you do not have to be afraid.
But it is an election year. One of, if not the, most important election years many of us have ever seen. If you are liberal or conservative, Democrat, Republican or Independent, there are certain facts that are undeniable. Financial institutions are going under. Unemployment is rising. The Supreme Court justices are getting older. The next president of the United States will be in a position to sign or veto: the Matthew Shepard Act; nondiscrimination laws that protect all members of our community, including transgendered peoples; a bill amending the Constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. He will also, most probably, appoint as many as three Supreme Court justices to the bench, where they will serve for the rest of their lives. If you have a good, stable job, it’s easy to ignore the economy. If you aren’t connected to anyone in the military, it’s easy to ignore the war. But the rest of this, these are issues that affect us and our lives directly. These are the issues we cannot afford to ignore, whatever side of the aisle we are on. So how much easier does this election year make it to write a socially aware, political article?
And yet, in spite of all that, it’s Autumn. My favorite season. There’s that fabulous smell in the air. The leaves start to change. It becomes cool enough during the day to warrant a light sweater and cooler at night so it’s perfect for snuggling in front of a fire. Seattle hosts the LGBT Film Festival. Harvest festivals spring up at local farms and farmers’ markets and even the zoo. Haunted houses and corn mazes are put on by high schools and in parking lots. Decorations from fun and witchy to gentle reminders of Harvest show up. Pumpkins and apple cider and hay rides, all leading up to the fabulously over-the-top night that can be Halloween. The time for parties, revelry and festivities that will last through the New Year officially begins. How can I not write an article about my favorite season?
Yep, Poppets, it’s true. October is the most difficult month for me to be a columnist. Too many choices, too many articles begging to be written. So, I won’t choose. I’ll simply remind you that you’re not alone, to be aware and to enjoy the onset of Autumn.
Until next month, Poppets, take care of you.
See October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. How easy would it be to write about how domestic violence within the community is ignored so often? The fact that it is seen as a straight problem. How it is often considered a betrayal of the community to out an abuser. Or simply because the abuser is the more femme one in the relationship, so it can’t possibly really be abuse. Or how a fight between two people of the same gender automatically makes it “fair” so it can’t possibly be abuse? And how so many people go without getting help from counselors, police, shelters, hotlines, their friends and family, simply because domestic violence “doesn’t exist” in the community. It would be so easy to reassure you, Poppets, that if you feel you are in an abusive relationship, you don’t have to hide. That there are indeed services available to you, right here in Washington. That if you are male, female or transgendered, you can contact the North West Network at PO Box 18436, Seattle, 98118 or call them at (206) 568-7777 and they will listen, they will believe you, they will help. It would be easy to write about how you are not alone and you do not have to be afraid.
But it is an election year. One of, if not the, most important election years many of us have ever seen. If you are liberal or conservative, Democrat, Republican or Independent, there are certain facts that are undeniable. Financial institutions are going under. Unemployment is rising. The Supreme Court justices are getting older. The next president of the United States will be in a position to sign or veto: the Matthew Shepard Act; nondiscrimination laws that protect all members of our community, including transgendered peoples; a bill amending the Constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. He will also, most probably, appoint as many as three Supreme Court justices to the bench, where they will serve for the rest of their lives. If you have a good, stable job, it’s easy to ignore the economy. If you aren’t connected to anyone in the military, it’s easy to ignore the war. But the rest of this, these are issues that affect us and our lives directly. These are the issues we cannot afford to ignore, whatever side of the aisle we are on. So how much easier does this election year make it to write a socially aware, political article?
And yet, in spite of all that, it’s Autumn. My favorite season. There’s that fabulous smell in the air. The leaves start to change. It becomes cool enough during the day to warrant a light sweater and cooler at night so it’s perfect for snuggling in front of a fire. Seattle hosts the LGBT Film Festival. Harvest festivals spring up at local farms and farmers’ markets and even the zoo. Haunted houses and corn mazes are put on by high schools and in parking lots. Decorations from fun and witchy to gentle reminders of Harvest show up. Pumpkins and apple cider and hay rides, all leading up to the fabulously over-the-top night that can be Halloween. The time for parties, revelry and festivities that will last through the New Year officially begins. How can I not write an article about my favorite season?
Yep, Poppets, it’s true. October is the most difficult month for me to be a columnist. Too many choices, too many articles begging to be written. So, I won’t choose. I’ll simply remind you that you’re not alone, to be aware and to enjoy the onset of Autumn.
Until next month, Poppets, take care of you.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Subscriptions
Hi Blog Poppets! We're breaking from the norm here for just a moment. This isn't an article but more like a PSA. Or maybe I should call it a BSA ~ a Betty Service Announcement. I have just learned that people outside the catchman area of the Betty Pages can get a subscription. It is, however, expensive. Still, I figure it's my job to let you know about it, not to decide it's too expensive. So, here's the info (and at least they realize it's expensive!):
... anyone (in the U.S. anyway) is more than welcome to purchase a subscription. The cost is $40 for 1 year (12 issues). We handle so few subscriptions that currently we pay full retail for all of the materials and postage, but if we get more as time goes on, renewal rates may be lower in the future.
To start a subscription, just have them send a check or money order payable to “Desire Enterprises” along with a delivery mailing address to:
The Betty Pages - Subscriptions
c/o Desire Enterprises
PO BOX 2724
BELLINGHAM WA 98227-2724
There you have it. If you want the full Betty Pages, you can get the full Betty Pages. If you want to just keep reading my columns, The Life and Times of Bridget Adams remains absolutely free.
Until next time, Poppets, take care of you.
... anyone (in the U.S. anyway) is more than welcome to purchase a subscription. The cost is $40 for 1 year (12 issues). We handle so few subscriptions that currently we pay full retail for all of the materials and postage, but if we get more as time goes on, renewal rates may be lower in the future.
To start a subscription, just have them send a check or money order payable to “Desire Enterprises” along with a delivery mailing address to:
The Betty Pages - Subscriptions
c/o Desire Enterprises
PO BOX 2724
BELLINGHAM WA 98227-2724
There you have it. If you want the full Betty Pages, you can get the full Betty Pages. If you want to just keep reading my columns, The Life and Times of Bridget Adams remains absolutely free.
Until next time, Poppets, take care of you.
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