When I started reading here at Scottie’s, and later posting here, the blog purpose included providing online safe space and resources for LGBTQ+ people. I try to include posts directed at that readership whenever I can. Things are changing rapidly for everyone in the U.S., but bigots have been emboldened to discriminate whenever and however they like, for sport, even, if they wish. (My own observations.)
I have read at The Order Of The Good Death for years, watching Caitlin Doughty’s videos (she’s knowledgeable and hilarious,) watching legislation primarily on my own behalf (I want a sky burial, dang it!) Last night, I saw that The Order is generating an End-Of-Life guide for LGBTQ+ people. So, here’s the scoop, click on through. They’re only beginning this project, a guide for each state of the U.S. Here’s a snippet; go see it and become involved if you can.
“Our end-of-life experiences are as unique and varied as our lives, often reflecting the same challenges we experience in life. As a result, people in the LGBTQ+ community often have their own unique set of needs at the end-of life, placing them at a higher risk for discrimination and disenfranchisement.”
Additionally, I highly recommend looking over the Louisiana guide, by Ezra Salter, linked within. It’s a PDF, but covers numerous pertinent issues people might not consider in general.
Photographer Janette Beckman and curator Julie Grahame have organized a one-time fundraiser for the ACLU that showcases images of musicians who have recorded protest songs or are known for their activism. Forty-three photographers have donated images of 50 artists, from John Lennon to Nina Simone to Bad Bunny, and 100% of the profits will go towards the ACLU and their efforts to protect equality, freedom and rights. In addition to the images there is a playlist of songs for the fundraiser.Bob Marley, who performed at Crystal Palace Bowl in 1980, is known for songs such as Get Up, Stand Up, War, Redemption Song and Concrete Jungle that advocate for social issues, human rights and resistance. Photograph: David Corio
Curated by Briana Ellis-Gibbs
(I posted a few here; go see the whole piece with all the photos. It’s motivating! A.)
Songs such as American Skin (41 Shots), The Ghost of Tom Joad and Born in the USA highlight systemic injustice, racism and the struggles of working-class people and immigrantsPhotograph: Danny Clinch, Transparent Clinch Gallery
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She is known for songs like Anxiety that advocate for mental health awareness and has used awards show speeches to speak out against government overreach and oppression. Photograph: Sacha Lecca
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One of Simone’s most prominent songs, Mississippi Goddam, was a direct response to systemic racial inequality in the US exemplified in the handling of the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing and Medgar Evers’s murder. The song became an anthem for the civil rights movement. Photograph: Michael Putland
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Her songs, including A Woman’s Right and Coat of Many Colors, have addressed social issues, and she has been outspoken and financially generous as a philanthropist. Photograph: Clay Patrick McBride
(snip-Go See The Rest!)
I am not transgender. And, perhaps like some who read Scottie’s blog, there are times when I wonder why I am reading so much about transgender and non-binary issues, since they don’t really effect me. I’m simply me, an overweight white guy who has struggled with his orientation and confidence. Interestingly enough, I’m – as written – not Hispanic. I was born in the USA, so why should I care about some of the other posts Scottie shows on his blog about ICE/Immigration? I think you know where I am going with this.
On the first day of tRump’s occupation, he signed an executive order that the United States would no longer recognize anything but born male/born female as a gender to the applause of a disappointingly large number of people. With the literal stroke of a pen, a person’s identity was made to be unrecognized by their very own government.
And, just as he has chosen to remove men and women from our communities without the right of Habeas Corpus, one of the very principles our country was founded upon, who will be next to learn they are a non-person and suddenly unworthy of liberty? Will it be me, a struggling fat white guy who doesn’t conform to the cis ideal? Will it be when I become old and can no longer work? Will it be because I don’t agree with the Maga mantra? What will I have to fake to be still acceptable to the powers?
I’d like to paraphrase and steal another’s words here:
The Declaration of Independence identified “the pursuit of happiness” as one of our unalienable rights, along with life and liberty… Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton (spoke about what) happiness meant in their lives, how they understood the pursuit of happiness as a quest for being good, not feeling good—the pursuit of lifelong virtue, not short-term pleasure. Among those virtues were the habits of industry, temperance, moderation, and sincerity, which the Founders viewed as part of a daily struggle for self-improvement, character development, and calm self-mastery. They believed that political self-government required personal self-government.
Now this is arguable, but I want to believe it. I want to believe and agree that the creation of this country was about more than the pursuit of power, but about the pursuit of happiness, of completion, of understanding and identity. I believe that the creation of this country was to be about self-determination and self-actualization, not conformity to some distorted and corrupted image of a diseased head of state.
It is for this reason that I embrace the rights and honor of those who are transgender, non-binary, or any who are seeking to understand that person in the mirror. In fact, I see it as a fundamental aspect of being an American that we accept those who are in the journey of self. Further, just as Jesus Christ is reported to exhort us to welcome the stranger – because it is only by befriending those different from whoever I am that I can hope to one day fully understand Randy.
I welcome respectful comments and even disagreements to this post. hugs.
Wow. Could Trump be receiving the Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi? It is administered via IV in the hand, causes swelling in the brain requiring regular MRIs, and one of the main side effects is tiredness. Is the President taking secret Alzheimer’s drugs?
Leqembi is a new Alzheimer’s drug given by infusion & requiring regular MRI’s to monitor side effects. Trump’s father died from Alzheimer’s & Trump clearly has dementia. Leqembi explains the hand trauma & MRI’s that Trump has been receiving.
Samantha is an entitled little shit who did not follow the assignment and thus she failed! Not following: Citing sources The word requirement No clear ties to the article No clarity of writing She tried a gotcha, fucked around and found out! Good!
Florida Man Accused Of Trying To Run Over LGBTQ Jogging Group Claims So-Called “Gay Panic Defense”
The Hambys were reportedly supported by a local far-right Christian nationalist group. In the video below, Jeffrey Hamby rages that they are the victims because their daughter has been removed from their custody. According to one local outlet, their crusade against LGBTQ books cost the county $575,000 in legal fees. There’s much, much more to the story at both links above.
The hate, bigotry, cruelty, and spitefulness is the point. This is a useless gesture like replacing Biden’s portrait with a picture of an auto pen. These people have no other important duties than to be assholes it seems. The kind of people who you hate to have move into the neighborhood. Hugs
Last week Missouri’s Republican attorney general sicced ICE on organizers collecting signatures for the referendum.
tRump has long hated the Kennedys and their place in US society. He has always felt they were taking the place of US royalty / dynasty that he feels should rightfully be his families place / stature. Remember tRump told Queen Elisabeth that his family was equal to her as his family was US royalty and his kids were on equal footing with hers. Such a desperate cry for attention. Hugs
Park Service Ends Free Admission On MLK Day And Juneteenth, Adds Free Admission On Trump’s Birthday
Scottie's Playtime 