The Donald and Joe Show

Image:  Facebook

I was so busy yesterday that I was unable to watch the presidential debate. I recorded it so I could view it today.

Based on media reports and my friends' anxious reaction to Joe Biden's performance, I think I'll wait to watch it. 2027 seems about right.

This Week's Quote

Image:  Facebook

We’ve made progress on LGBTQ+ equality, like Obergefell establishing marriage equality 9 years ago.

But let’s be clear: we’re still fighting against divisive rhetoric, discrimination & harmful legislation targeting LGBTQ+ Americans, especially trans youth. Onwards with pride.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)

Source: X

Celestial Observer

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

Speaking at a gathering of influential evangelical Christians, Donald Trump endorsed displaying the Ten Commandments in schools.

Speaking at a heavenly gathering, Moses said, "This from the man who broke most of them?"

Educating

 

A Mystery

Image:  Facebook

On Thursday and Friday, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was missing from the bench.

Has anyone checked his flagpole?

Yeesh

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Here's a headline I just saw on CNN's website:  "Microplastics discovered in human penises for the first time."

I'm not even a man, yet I feel like crossing my legs.

This Week's Quote

Image:  Facebook

Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory, or an acceptance of the way things are. Instead, it's a celebration of progress. It's an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, things do get better. America can change.

Barack Obama

Source:  Country Living 

Pride and Prejudice

As a queer humorist, I feel it's my duty to poke fun at the excesses of Pride, starting with the way corporations gay-wash the month of June.

In an attempt to appear allied and rake in LGBTQ dollars, companies pump out rainbow clothes, shoes, makeup, jewelry, eyeglasses, kitchenware, alcohol, candy, cake and so on. Activists are right to ask whether rainbow capitalism aligns with the revolutionary spirit of Stonewall.

But all such weighty concerns abandoned ship yesterday when a straight friend presented me with rainbow flowers. It was a thoughtful gesture of support, a sentiment that made me sentimental.

Or else it's just been too damn long since a woman gave me flowers.

Covering the Waterfront

 

Icing on the Cake

 

So Much for That

Image by Nina Garman from Pixabay

As I drove to work this morning on one of Seattle's busiest thoroughfares, my NPR station teased an upcoming story about the national demise of gay bars. That'll give me something to write about, I thought, prepared to be all ears.

Just as the story began and I slowed for a red light, a car on my right suddenly shot forward, smashing into a car ahead of me, then careening into another car in the intersection before squealing away in the opposite direction. 

After calling 911 and talking to other shocked witnesses, I'd missed the entire report on gay bars. I can't convey to you any of its conclusions. Frankly, after that experience, it was a strain to convey my own name.

This Week's Quote

Image:  Wikipedia

I have my standards. They're low, but I have them.

Bette Midler

Source:  AZ Quotes

Flying Colors

Image:  Facebook

Martha-Ann Alito, wife of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, was secretly recorded last week saying, "I want a Sacred Heart of Jesus flag, because I have to look across the lagoon at the Pride flag for the next month."

What is it with this woman and flags?

An Unprecedented Saturday

Image:  Facebook

Philadelphia set a record, and it had nothing to do with the Phillies, the Rocky Statue or cheesesteak.

On the first day of June, hundreds of queer activists, allies and families with small kids walked into the National Constitution Center. A Guinness World Records official counted their red tickets. Agonizing minutes passed before the official looked up and nodded at organizers.

The first-ever title for the largest attendance at a drag queen story time was theirs.

Yes, nobody had aimed for this title before—not even the Provincetown public library—and Guinness insisted on a minimum of 250 attendees. They got 263.

Five drag queens read aloud that day. Given their likely footwear, I assume they didn't celebrate the history-making event by galloping up the Rocky Steps.

In a Pinch

 

This Week's Quote

Image:  Facebook

For pride month you can’t say “let me get this straight…”, you have to say “just so we’re queer…”

Roscoe Jones

Source: X

Proudly Pushy

 

Marriage Material

Image by Koen One Stop Map from Pixabay

The Balkan nation of Albania is noted for the way its Muslim, Catholic and Orthodox Christian communities coexist. Doubtless helping to keep the peace is that all three are united by a common enemy:  same-sex marriage.

Add the fact that the state doesn't recognize same-sex unions, and you start to appreciate the bravery of Alba Ahmetaj and Edlira Mara. The two women, who have been together 14 years and have twin daughters, recently donned flowing white wedding gowns and, in front of friends on the rooftop of the mayor's office in Tirana, tied the knot.

Down below, police officers guarded the building—from the very worst kind of wedding crashers.

May the little family be happy and safe. May the Albanian faith communities find something less toxic to agree upon. And may those who've married in more hospitable countries appreciate that their greatest fear was whether Aunt Mary would be schnockered before the vows.

Bam