Queer Pride

Today is a day to remember to be proud.  Proud that you are different, proud that you have spoken your truth, proud you have survived to hold your head high with dignity and command respect.  Today it has been 1 year since the supreme court struck down hateful anti same-sex marriage laws (http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2015/06/today-is-day.html), and 47 years since the Stonewall Inn riots.  Today I am proud to look back on the diverse group of dykes, fags, and transvestites who made my life possible.  They are my heroes.  They refused to be put down one more time, they knew they deserved better.  They fought for basic human rights against the status quo.  I can never thank them enough.

Yesterday the place where this struggled became public, the Stonewall Inn, became a National Monument.  The fight for LGBTQ equality which started there will be honored and treasured by a nation.  I can only hope that Harvey Milk's camera shop will also garner recognition as well.  Queer history which is a part of American history will live on for the next generation and for all of this I am proud to be a lesbian.

More Pride

We went to enjoy the rainbow lights downtown tonight.  Yes those are rainbow lights on the civil courts building paid for by civic money.  St Louis loves it's LGBTQ community. Making me proud of my hometown all over again.

And here we are trying to take a decent relfie in front of the civil courts.  We got to get better at that.

Not Forgotten

Sorry not to have blogged.  I have had so many things I have thought to blog about, but not blogged.  We have been house hunting, I have been obsessively cake hunting, Baby Sis has moved to town, and Pride is just around the corner. Much busyness. 

Finally, had some tough days with father's day last week and my dad's birthday tomorrow.  Still learning to cope.  Will catch up with my blog soon.

In the meantime, here are photos of details from some of the Cakeway to the West.  Because it is my obsession.

Katy Trail Cake in St Charles

Koi fish swimming on the side of the Grant's Farm Cake

Loved the Elephant on the side of the Eads Bridge cake

Praying Mantis on top of the City Museum Cake

Angriest Dove I have ever seen on the base the Christ Church Cathedral Cake

Full of Pride

Civil Courts Building lit up for Pride

Last weekend my spouse and I went to St Louis' Pride event.  What an amazing event it was. I have been to Pride events before, but this one was an out an out celebration.  We cheered, and cheered, and cheered.  My face ached from smiling so much as we watched corporation, churches, and organization march by our spot on the court house steps.  With Natalie next to me I felt empowered.  It was probably the best Pride I have ever been to. 

My Favorite Tee Shirt of the Day

As if to add the hot fudge sauce on the ice cream, Natalie got a memo from her human resources department saying I am now legally recognized as her spouse (http://www.chcoc.gov/transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=5700).  The federal government in record time made all same-sex spouses, regardless of state, eligible for spousal benefits.  I am not going to lie, this recognition is what I have been fighting for.  Now that this goal is reached, I just wish all same-sex couples had these rights.

Supersize Rainbow Flag

I have to say in a very short period of time I have felt my life change in a way that I never thought possible.  We have come so far, now we need to reach the finish line where all us are equal.  Soon, we will be there soon.

River City Casino's Fantastic Balloon Marchers

Pride Knitting

Two things on the list of things I love are having pride in my queer life and knitting.  Put those two things together and what have a got?  I have two new Pride knitting projects.

First, I knitted a second pair of Dyeabolical Mixed Wave Mitts only I rearranged my colors to make a rainbow.  To achieve the whole rainbow effect I knitted the mitts so when held together you can see the whole rainbow.  Natalie was keen to have those mitts so I gifted them to my lovely wife.  It is ashamed the warm weather is not conducive to wear those mitts.

Second, with the leftover Dyeabolical yarn I embarked on a pinwheel pattern to see how much I could get with the scarps.  For awhile my knitting could have been a purse, a hat, or doily, but in the end it was an antimacassar.  Do you know what that is?  Stealing from wikipedia, an antimacassar is a small cloth placed over the backs or arms of chairs, or the head or cushions of a sofa, to prevent soiling of the permanent fabric. Originally, that was macassar oil doing the staining, hence the name.  No one in my home is into macassar oil, but whatever it what my knitting wanted to be.  I loved the end product and I think my chair looks prideful in it too. 

Happy Pride my friends! 

Pride Month & Hope

June is Lesbian/Gay/Bi-Sexual/Transgender/Questioning Pride month.  This month will also be an important month for LGBTQ rights.  Just in case you have missed it, late this month the Supreme Court will hand down their decisions on the California Proposition 8 and the federal Defense of Marriage Act.  If these two discriminating laws are overturned, my life will be greatly changed.

After spending thirty years of building a life with Natalie I am hopeful.  Hopeful our union will have the protection of other marriages.  I fear losing our home of twenty years if something were to happen to Natalie.  Any family member could challenge my right to live in our home or I will be hit with inheritance taxes a legally recognized spouse would not have to pay.  We could even be barred from attending the other's funereal.  We have spent a significant amount of time and money to protect ourselves, but it could still be a struggle.  We can only hope for the Supreme Court to recognize the discrimination against same-sex couples and end it.

I keep thinking things can change, love will win over bigotry and discrimination.  Society is changing.  Judges and politicians are listening.  People are recognizing all we are asking for is to have equal rights; rights our constitution is suppose to protect.  My hope is we end up on the right side of history  We are humans and we deserve the to be recognized as a loving married couple.  Pride month is about hope and I have hope.