Before the Cataclysm

The whole thing is odd and alarming.  I'm gay and this situation smells of, "I am scared and young and vulnerable." And adults are out of their depths. My parents had no idea what they were dealing with. I'm glad I never said,  "Oh, boys like girls,  so I should be a girl. " That would have been insane and wrong for me. But I could imagine a 13-year-old version of me saying that to my mom, in the hopes the boys would all wanna date me.  Dumb.  The truth is some kids think to themselves,  "What gender is safer?"  Some grew up in "safe" crime-free places that were super dangerous. Other boys would think nothing of kicking you till you stopped moving.  You've seen the flip side of this with Tomboys. They go this direction because it's not safe being around boys who can hurt you physically. Many girls are just putting on armour.  Imagine the "thoughtful" parent giving her safer reassignment surgery.  Yeeeesh.  A similar resp...

It's funny, but I have so many cities nationwide with recommendations about where to go and what to be sure to do while you're there, but I've not really kept it updated. So today, I'm going to begin with Nashville. While I wouldn't want to fund the state which is cancelling women's right to choose, still, one day, it may be worth returning and seeing a free populace and the wonderful experience Nashville is. It it's still safe, which I assume it is, walk the streets behind Broadway after 10pm and wander into free performances of session musicians who are just making some change. Incredible musicians with Voices! Guitars! Drums! Who aren't famous yet. They're everywhere meeting connections,  getting free drinks and tips from people like you and me. Wander. Nashville was the home of wandering and I hope it still is. Have a ball.  Find out where all the latest is going down.  Report back!

  For everyone who tried on the slipper before Cinderella Ariana Brown after  Anis Mojgani  and  Audre Lorde For those making tea in the soft light of Saturday morning in the peaceful kitchen in the cool house For those with shrunken hearts still trying to love For those with large hearts trying to forget For those with terrors they cannot name upset stomachs and too tight pants For those who get cut off in traffic For those who spend all day making an elaborate meal that turns out mediocre For those who could not leave even when they knew they had to For those who never win the lottery or become famous For those getting groceries on Friday nights There is something you know about living that you guard with your life your one fragile, wonderful life wonder, as in, awe, as in,  I had no idea I would be here now . For those who make plans and those who don’t For those driving across the country to a highway that knows them For the routes we take in the dark, trust...