Gay History: Gay Pride Month

The concept of Pride Month began with the Stonewall riots, a series of riots and protests for gay liberation that took place over several days beginning on June 28, 1969. The riots began after a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar located within Lower Manhattan. Activists Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Stormé DeLarverie are credited for inciting the riots, though Johnson disputes her involvement.

The year after the riots, the first pride marches were held in several US cities. The march in New York City, aimed to celebrate "Christopher Street Liberation Day", alongside parallel marches across the US, is considered to be a watershed moment for LGBTQIA+ rights. Fred Sargeant, an organizer of some of the first marches, said that the goal was to commemorate the Stonewall riots and further push for liberation. He noted that while the first marches were more akin to a protest than a celebration, it helped to remind people of LGBTQIA+ communities and how they may include one's family and friends.

( ~ Wikipedia / Photo: In the early 1970's, the Northwestern University Gay Liberation group attended the anti-Vietnam War demonstration in Washington DC.)

I Miss New York

I miss New York. Now that I work from home, I rarely make it into the city anymore. What use to be a daily occurrence is now a monthly or a once every other month trip. There's a spirit to the city that's hard to explain to those who haven't experienced it. It has it's rough edges, no doubt, but there's an energy to it that permeates every building, every subway, every street corner, and even every person you walk past. The picture above is the first thing I saw yesterday as I stepped out of the subway and onto the street. New York was the first place to tell me "I belong", that my identity was valid, and that my existence was never the problem. It never demanded anything from me other than to just "be". Validation can be powerful.

With a record number of anti-LGBTQ bills already introduced this year (over 400), I have unfortunately found myself revisiting a lot of the anxiety and darkness that so very often dominated the younger years of my life. Yesterday's trek through New York City felt like an exhale. I still belong. I am still valid, and my existence is still not the problem.

May 29 ~ Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day

"Today, on Memorial Day, let us honor and remember those who died serving our country, and recognize the unimaginable losses their families have experienced." ~ Bernie Sanders

Who is still on Pinterest?

I am! My boards are mostly filled with selections from my online shops, but I've also added a few new boards showcasing my favorite Drag Queens, Screenshots from many of the online games I've played through the years (I'm a proud gamer nerd!), Memes (of course), cool stuff from GeekBuying.com, and even some of my favorite LEGO sets!

May 22 ~ Harvey Milk Day

On May 22, we honor the life and legacy of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician in California and a leader of the American Civil Rights Movement. Time magazine included Harvey Milk on a list titled “The 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century.” Milk was not only an advocate for the LGBT community, but for all minorities. He believed in safe, strong neighborhoods and supported public education, affordable childcare, and equal rights for all.

May 14 ~ Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, mothers, step mothers, foster mothers, surrogate mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, aunts and aunties... be they wicked or not.

LEGO: The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell #10316

...it's definitely a bit on the pricey end, but WOW!

LEGO: New Land Rover Classic Defender 90 #10317

From the LEGO® Icons Botanical Collection: Orchid #10311

We finally got around to building this. I think we bought the set back in December. We spread it out over a few days, doing one section at a time. It’s actually really pretty… (See my Instagram Post for in-progress shots!) 

Click the product box below to get your own! Build your own orchid with this LEGO decorative artificial plant and flowers - a special LEGO set for adults from Botanical Collection. Inspired by a real orchid, this stylish model version features 6 large flowers and 2 newly opened flowers, plus the blue fluted vase. 608 pieces.

Update on Baxter

I've been procrastinating about posting the latest update on Baxter's eye surgery because it is not a positive one. A huge spike in his triglycerides levels immediately followed by an infected corneal ulcer has once again robbed him of his sight. His vision was restored for little less than a month. He's still healing from the ulcer, but it's a slow journey. Again, I want to thank everyone who supported his GoFundMe.

Post-Surgery Update on Baxter

Baxter's surgery went very well! He's looking a bit rough (they had to shave half of his face, even his eyelashes), but he's alert and full of energy. Although the doctor said that it could take between 7 to 10 days for his eye to adjust to the new acrylic lens, it's obvious that his vision has already improved immensely! We want to thank everyone who contributed to his GoFundMe! Our little old man thanks you too!

Please Help Baxter See Again 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-baxter-see-again 

In August of 2021, our 11 year old Jack Russell Terrier, Baxter, was diagnosed with diabetes. Thankfully, we were able to stabilize his blood glucose levels fairly quickly, but the cataracts brought on by the disease progressed very rapidly and has now almost completely robbed him of his sight. A small tear in the lens of his right eye has made it inoperable, but the sight in his left eye can still be saved. 

Baxter is clever, curious and mischievous by nature. He can also be frustrating and a handful (as most Jack Russells are), but he is a wonder. He has not only brought us joy and laughter, but he has taught me patience. The restoration of his sight would be an enormous boon to his quality of life. Please help if you can. 

Donations to Baxter's GoFundMe would help offset some of the cost of his eye surgery (scheduled for January 13th). Any donations received beyond the projected amount would, of course, be put aside for any further unforeseen medical expenses brought on by his diabetes. 

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