As I mentioned the last time that we visited, I had the honor of doing a Benediction for a Pride event several years ago. It was very modest by today’s standards. By the time you read this in the air-conditioned place of your choice, I will likely have lost ten pounds of water weight marching in the New Orleans Pride Parade this year. I will be following a float and a truck, … [Read more...] about Pride and the Church
Opinions
Fifty Shades of Gay – The Hanky Code
Fetishes fascinate me. Actually, it’s not the particular fetish that I find interesting, but more the journey of self-discovery that leads a person towards a particular fetish. For example, there is a fetish known as Tamakeri (Japanese translation: ball kicking) Yep, it’s just what it sounds like; the erotic pleasure of being kicked in the nuts. Uh… that’s a ‘hard pass’ for … [Read more...] about Fifty Shades of Gay – The Hanky Code
From Russia with Oil
Donald Trump, Jr., after lying for months, recently admitted that last year he met with a Russian official who claimed to have information on Hillary Clinton that would aid his father’s presidential campaign. Trump Jr. enthusiastically jumped at the opportunity to obtain dirt on his father’s opponent. The fact that receiving aid from a foreign power, especially an avowed enemy … [Read more...] about From Russia with Oil
Community Engagement
Over the next several issues my hope is to point out several opportunities for community engagement. I also want to acknowledge the ways in which our community is engaged as a model for the greater community. One of the issues I have as both a priest and member of our larger community is that we seem to talk a lot and act less. That is the way it seems. It is no different … [Read more...] about Community Engagement
Power and Abuse
Employer, priest, pastor, director, manager and teacherall are positions of power. There are other powerful positions as well. Abuse of that power is what much of the conversation revolves around today. Here are just some of the less sensational charges: • Substitute teacher accused of bedding teen allegedly sent him nudes on Snapchat • High school girls’ softball coach … [Read more...] about Power and Abuse
The Real Cheese
Prologue I can honestly say Rip Naquin was a man that either liked you or didn’t and that was usually the case vice versa. I didn’t like him, I loved him, although it was not an emotion felt at first site. Having been an established entertainer in Texas , I knew of Rip and Marsha through Ambush for years, their reputation was renown all over the LGBT community of the entire … [Read more...] about The Real Cheese
The Problem With Republicans
Trump has been in office almost a year now and in that short time, he has managed to confirm his critics’ worst fears. His greed and corruption, his racism and bigotry, his incompetence and ignorance, and his pride and ego are greater than even his harshest critics could have imagined. Many of his voters have seen through his demagoguery and abandoned him. Nevertheless, he … [Read more...] about The Problem With Republicans
Rip Naquin
I cannot say when I first met Rip. But, I do know that I was quite aware that he was important to our community. I believe that Rip was involved in one of our more prominent funerals, Marcy Marcell. I remember him clearly standing near the center aisle dressed in white and joyously singing our songs. I remember Rip as one who embraced and enjoyed life. Rip and I got to know … [Read more...] about Rip Naquin
Fighting Trump and the Alt-Right: Queer Lessons from the 90s
Fighting Trump and the Alt-Right: Queer Lessons from the 90s The Newcomb College Institute at Tulane University will host a panel discussion on Friday, March 2, entitled “Fighting Trump and the Alt-Right: Queer Lessons from the 90s.” Billed as “an intersectional, intergenerational activist conversation about resistance and building community with LGBTQ activists,” the event … [Read more...] about Fighting Trump and the Alt-Right: Queer Lessons from the 90s
ZERO SUM GAME
ZERO SUM GAME “If you are not with me you are against me” Zero Sum Game. “If you do not accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior you cannot have salvation” Zero Sum Game. “If you are for gun control you want to take away all guns and destroy the Second Amendment” Zero Sum Game. “If I am right you must be wrong” Zero Sum Game. Zero Sum Game leaves no room for middle ground and has … [Read more...] about ZERO SUM GAME
