O What a Night! It’s 5:45 pm, on the corner of St. Ann and Bourbon Streets. Hot, still dripping a bit of shiny raindrops around the mugginess that is New Orleans in July. Tourists traipse along Bourbon, some moving quickly, more moving slowly so they can see what Bourbon Street is all about. They’ll never really get it, will they? I was focused on the groups, … [Read more...] about 2019 Gay Appreciation Awards: Personal Reflections
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Funny, Not Funny
America’s Next Fag Superstar spills the tea on Boston’s Straight Pride. Have you heard the one about some elements in Boston throwing their own parade celebrating Straight Pride? Unfortunately, it’s no joke. And instead of a punchline, the LGBTQ community gets a punch in the gut. In an act of outlandish absurdity the Boston “straight rights” advocacy group Super … [Read more...] about Funny, Not Funny
Start Planning Your Future Today… The Golden Girls Way
Most people daydream about how much fun they will have when they first retire, but imagining what might come later? Not so much. Let’s face it: the thought of eventually being in a nursing home isn’t exactly an exciting prospect. For LGBT people, the anxieties around that possibility are stronger than for most. It’s time we confront our fears head-on, and the first … [Read more...] about Start Planning Your Future Today… The Golden Girls Way
Affirm Yourself: Find Purpose, Go Forward
Affirmation of self is something we may forget about sometimes, deny, or just not know how to do, because we’ve never felt self-affirming. It strikes me that many in our community, spanning age and stage, are asking difficult questions about life, goals, expectations, with a healthy amount of trying to figure out a personal kind of existential angst. Younger members of … [Read more...] about Affirm Yourself: Find Purpose, Go Forward
A Sermon by Luigi Mandile (by Fr. Bill)
About ten years ago, two men came into my life and the life of our church. Some of you know them, Luigi and Sean. Since first meeting them, we have become very close. Luigi works for the church; he and Sean make their home in Chalmette with three great dogs. It is really these two that St. Anna’s, and I personally, must credit with our presence in the LGBTQ+ … [Read more...] about A Sermon by Luigi Mandile (by Fr. Bill)
$750.00 Per Day
George Washington commandeered airports, probably in order to protect his troops from cancer causing windmills on all the farms they would have had to march through without airplanes. The moon is a part of Mars. Cofveve. Unlettered, unread, stupid Presidents are nothing new. Neither are corrupt Presidents. Ditto for incompetent Presidents. We’ve … [Read more...] about $750.00 Per Day
Sharing the joy and sharing the struggle SOLIDARITY!
This past week I had the pleasure of going to the San Diego area for a gathering of Kellogg Fellows. This group is made up of about 80 selected individuals from all over the country. New Orleans, the only city cohort, has 11 Fellows and 2 mentors, and we each have an individual coach. The idea is to improve the leadership skills of identified community leaders, and to provide a … [Read more...] about Sharing the joy and sharing the struggle SOLIDARITY!
Conflicting Thoughts on Rainbow Police Badges
Take a flight of fancy with me for a moment. The scene is the 8th District police precinct in the French Quarter. It is a pre-shift meeting for beat cops. The Captain announces that since it’s Pride month, they have rainbow badges for everyone. The reaction in the room is varied. Many roll their eyes. A few make jokes under the breath. … [Read more...] about Conflicting Thoughts on Rainbow Police Badges
Is Fuchsia the new color of hate?
I have a dog. Her name is Brenda. Actually, her full name is ‘Brenda, from Accounting’. Why? Because dog owners feel obliged to engage in some sort of small talk while our hounds are sniffing each other’s buttholes. The standard, “I really don’t give a fuck” question most often asked is, “So, what’s her name?” I thought a fun response would be, “This is … [Read more...] about Is Fuchsia the new color of hate?
The Importance of Freedom: Is Inner Freedom Like Inner Peace?
You will probably be reading this the first week of July, when we will celebrate the Fourth of July. Historically, freedom is the overarching theme of this holiday. We celebrate freedom in all of its forms--for the opportunity to achieve at the highest levels; to worship in any way you would choose; and freedom to be who you are, love who you love, and act … [Read more...] about The Importance of Freedom: Is Inner Freedom Like Inner Peace?