Tuesday, August 21, 2012

What Lies Beneath: Gore Vidal, 1925-2012


Gore Vidal passed away recently.
It's been a bad time for the entertainment and arts industries
all the way around, considering losses.

But, Vidal had a long, prosperous, and effective life
and career, and that's the best thing you can
say when someone has ceased breath.

If you were not aware, Vidal was a longtime,
preeminent writer, contrarian, essayist,
and (in a fashion,) activist.

His first novel was published in 1946, when
Gore was only 20 years old, and in some capacity
or another he continued to be prominent and
vocal ever since.

His third novel, "The City and the Pillar," was one
that revolutionized the public idea of homosexuality, set off
a firestorm of controversy, and cemented Vidal in
the public mind as two things; a great writer who
did not avoid controversy, and someone who would
never gain public office in his lifetime.


Vidal was one of only a handful, really, of 'openly
gay' writers (given the disproportionately high
number of writers who are gay!) in a time
when writing was still a talent, a calling, an esteemed
profession, a distinguished and noble path.
Back when evidence of one's orientation was
not openly discussed, even in fields such
as theatre, literary circles, and celluloid.

Vidal had a notion of homosexuality that reflected the
times he grew up in, despite his outspokenness
and courage. The one thing I will always recall
is how he articulated the final days of his partner
of 50 years, Howard Austen, in his memoirs
("Point to Point Navigation") where Vidal plainly
states that he kissed Howard on the lips as he lay on
what was to become his deathbed, and this was the first
time he had ever done so.

Fifty years of companionship and love, and even
in the privacy of their home, the two never
gave the most intimate reflection of devotion
or affection.

This man who crusaded, broke barriers, dared to
speak freely, who told mostly-all....and even he
was still a made man, unable to fully embrace his
true self.


This is the nature of what the world does to us;
building cages that we carry around ourselves.

Vidal had a view of homosexuality not as identity,
but based on actions. In ways, I agree with such a fluid,
more easily-promoted view....but I question the
validity of parts of it. It doesn't diminish his impact
to say that this seems a rather disingenuous claim
by someone trying to assert his 'normalcy' a
bit too loudly perhaps. Someone immersed in disconnect.

In the entire world wide web, I could not find one
picture of the two men, partners for some five decades,
together as a couple.
That isn't coincidence.
It's condemnation of a world that has failed to move
forward, and our complicity in those transgressions.





****

Mitt Gets Worse: Julie Goodridge



This is an incredible group/campaign/website devoted to getting the word
out on the real Mitt Romney, since obviously he can't be trusted to speak
truthfully nor consistently.

Voting is one of the single-most important things we as an oppressed minority
can do to make our feelings known and our voices heard.

Please take a moment to find out what's behind all the glitz and shimmer.

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Simplicity


You would think that we
could reach a point
in human evolution
(Is that just a myth?)
where this would be
a rather minor
revelation
in the scheme of things.

I don't hold much hope,
but I work for change,
regardless.

***

Friday, August 17, 2012

Great LGBT Comedians: Mario Cantone does Vagina Monologues



Warning; Frank and hilarious--Not for the easily-offended!

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Friday, August 10, 2012

Make No Mistake...

Make no mistake;
Though it may embolden you to have an
official recognition under the law....

though we may deserve it fully and
have need of legal protections.....

though we might personally desire it and
be happy to receive it.....

Our love is no less valid if we were to never pass
legislation to allow for our marriages.

Many fight for the right to be 'allowed'
to be just like everyone else, as I believe we should....


but the Powers That Be can not legislate--nor
eradicate--the depths of our love or passions.

***

Thursday, August 9, 2012

I'm Just Saying....


So, I am a huge fan of humor in combatting
domestic terrorism; it makes the point yet
doesn't make light of the concern.

I'm also a big fan of provocative actions--
especially hot, steamy, spit-swapping varieties!

But I have to ask-- is all of it really necessary,
given that Chick-FOUL-A's own marketing.....

...sounds completely like an ad campaign for a
lecherous gay bar !?!?!

***

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Change of Heart



 Overcoming the mountain of self-doubt taught to us
(and constantly-leveled at us in ways subtle and overt)
isn't accomplished by a few carefully-penned anthems
or a few days of righteous indignation on federal steps,
displaying our courage.

Those things are necessary, but overcoming the obstacles
involved in living your life openly is a gargantuan effort
of mobilizing spirit, questioning motives, staying on task,
being a cheerleader for self and your fellows, promoting
your own agenda, and not taking any more shit.

It's done in private, every day, as we prepare for and face
the world at large. We have to be relentless in building
ourselves up, ever in preparation for the forces that wish
to wear us down.


Self-love is the highest form, and the most important,
necessary mission. The only job we have is to learn
to live fully a life of evolving and surviving this hostile
world. (Don't let the veil of 'civilization' fool you!)


This modern, seemingly-sanitized world is more brutal than
the jungle. It's survival of the fittest, and if you aren't as
fit it simply means it's time to toughen up and get ready.


We must always be countering the dark spell of those we
encounter. The antidote? Absolute faith in self. And becoming
desensitized to homophobia on a personal level. (Recognize
that it's a lie, and actively condemn bias and intolerance for
the unacceptable mess it is; you don't have to buy into second
class citizenship any more!)


And its ongoing progression; not a simple decision.
A lifetime of proactive, decisive rededicating.


Open up to a gentle, guiding hand--Not someone who wants
to mash you and grind you into malleable paste. People who
want to crush your soul and spirit and heart and dreams in
order to make themselves feel better are not out for your
best interests. It's time for you to do it for yourself.

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Thursday, August 2, 2012

I'm Not a Lesbian.




I found this in my roaming about, and it's a very cute and sweet little
diddy. You have to watch most of it to 'get it', so don't go writing nasty
letters just after it starts!

Just a bit of sweet, Sapphic, satire to sweep Thursday right along!

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