Dear Friends -- We shall not talk of carnival lamps nor bb guns. Nor will we speak of Red Ryder wagons. Neither shall we talk of Angels getting their wings and bells on Christmas Eve. We will, however, speak of the “Big Picture.” Too often, we wrap ourselves in the non-essential elements of the Nativity. How often do we hear a litany of information and conjecture that, … [Read more...] about A Christmas Story – The Big Picture
Opinions
2020 Is Here
The other day I mentioned to a friend of mine that while I knew “2020” was the next year chronologically, it had not crossed my mind what this means. We’re getting near the third decade of the third millennium. Twenty years since y2k, that old chestnut best left forgotten if it didn’t seem so quaint in retrospect. If you don’t recall, in 1999, the media hyped up the … [Read more...] about 2020 Is Here
Trump and a Hill to Die On
One of the most significant Supreme Court decisions of 2019 was one that barely received notice in the LGBT+ community—Rucho v. Common. The case had to do with gerrymandering, the act of drawing legislative district maps in such a way that favors one political party. Not a sexy topic, for sure, but a consequential one, nonetheless. Profoundly … [Read more...] about Trump and a Hill to Die On
On Gratitude in the New Decade
Happy 2020! It’s the beginning of a new year, a new decade, and perhaps the best of all days to come. A bit optimistic you might say, and that may be right, however, I really don’t think so. Optimism is often the upshot of a sense of gratitude for life and the many nuances of it that propel us forward day by day, week by week. I spent some time at a holiday gathering a … [Read more...] about On Gratitude in the New Decade
The Incarnation
The doctrine of the Incarnation is a Gift to the World. I say this because it offers a spiritual foundation that becomes inclusive of our human enterprise. This is not to dismiss other religions or faith traditions. Each of the varied faith traditions offers some fundamental basis. Judaism offers a broad perspective including philosophy, deep discussion of scripture … [Read more...] about The Incarnation
Father Figure
Picture it: 7:30 on a Saturday morning. I’ve been up all night trolling Grindr and Scruff and Jack’d without much luck. And I’m doing what most guys who’ve been up all night partying, but not having sex, are doing: watching porn, a little arts & crafts, and cleaning our apartments. This is not an unfamiliar scenario to me, and on this Saturday morning I was prepared to … [Read more...] about Father Figure
Making the Yuletide Gay: Fun Stuff To Do This Christmas
Looking for stuff to do this holiday season? Loneliness is more viral than the flu during the holidays, and it can be a pretty tough time if you can’t be with the people you love. (OK, sometimes it can be pretty tough with them, too). I’ve combed through a mountain of upcoming local holiday events, however, and have found a pretty good variety of cool stuff to do from now … [Read more...] about Making the Yuletide Gay: Fun Stuff To Do This Christmas
It’s a Week Before Christmas and I Feel… (Fill in The Blank)
Consider the question, “It’s a week before Christmas and I feel_______.” It’s getting close to the “DAY,” as they called it in my family a long time ago. I was never quite sure what that meant, but I knew it meant something having to do with the Christmas holiday. There was always excitement leading up to the DAY. Through the years, my feelings on Christmas have … [Read more...] about It’s a Week Before Christmas and I Feel… (Fill in The Blank)
Untitled Introductions
Give me a kiss to build a dream on And my imagination will thrive upon that kiss Sweetheart, I ask no more than this A kiss to build a dream on Sometimes we have dreams and expectations. Sometimes we achieve them. Sometimes we only dream of doing one thing, then do something entirely different with no expectations. Live long enough and you go down many … [Read more...] about Untitled Introductions
Some Advent Gifts
The following was originally printed in a previous issue. Yet, when re-reading it, I believe it is something that I hope I can share with you again. I also hope that I will see you at one of the many social gatherings that this season offers. Thanksgiving <BURP!> was great. The Saints, “We go’n to da Supa Bowl!” Rain, cold, warm, cold, rain. What a week! Now the … [Read more...] about Some Advent Gifts
