Articles from June 2017

Published

Today in LGBT History – June 15

I received a long text this morning from a dear friend who I’ve known since high school. For years she’s suffered from a disease that now keeps her entirely bedridden. The text had little to do with her health, but it was a one more of those reminders to me that every moment of every

Published

Today in LGBT History – June 14

At dinner with friends last evening, I was asked about my feelings when I initially lost custody of my children in 1979. In talking about the intense anger that I felt for decades, I also shared that I placed blame for all my pain and rage on another person. I didn’t even know the other

Published

Today in LGBT History – June 13

I volunteered to be on the conference planning committee of Say It Out Loud (SIOL), a project of the Washington Council for Behavioral Health. This annual conference, at which I’ve presented for the last four years, addresses substance use, mental health and other health issues facing the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) communities

Published

Today in LGBT History – June 12

Today we remember the victims of the Pulse shootings in Orlando, Florida. Forty-nine people were killed and 53 others injured. The shooter was also killed. It was the deadliest shooting in U.S. history. No one really knows why the Pulse was selected as the target. After all, there are many other gay bars in Orlando,

Published

Today in LGBT History – June 11

Yesterday Kelly and I participated in the LGBT Pride parade in Port Townsend, WA. While it was quite small – maybe 200 people (PT population 5000) – it was every bit as heartfelt and exciting and powerful as the national marches I’ve attended. Many people, straight and LGBT together, celebrated the rights and freedoms that

Published

Today in LGBT History – June 10

My loved ones, friends, colleagues, comrades, and buddies are aging. At 70, so am I! I was 31 when I came out as a lesbian in early 1979, and I remember thinking, “What will it be like when I’ve been out for a year? For 5 years? For 10 years?” Now, after having been out

Published

Today in LGBT History – June 9

I had the opportunity to do an LGBT history presentation in Burien, WA yesterday. The talk was fun and well received, as it nearly always is. What captured my attention, though, was the venue. It was a nursing/rehab facility! Not only were there people from the Burien community present, but patients were invited in as

Published

Today in LGBT History – June 8

June is Pride month, a time during which I always reflect on my life’s journey. Two weeks ago, Kelly and I went to hear Holly Near in concert in Port Townsend. Holly Near was the first “women’s music” singer I had heard. I came out in early 1979 and attended a NOW national conference with

Published

Today in LGBT History – June 7

I cringe every time I write about an Anita Bryant-related historical issue. Her actions affected me deeply – and painfully – for decades. I had an experience yesterday that reminded me – yet again – that I am responsible for my actions, and that for every event in my life, I had a role in

Published

Today in LGBT History – June 6

Today is the anniversary of D-Day when British, Canadian and US soldiers – 160,000 of them – landed on Normandy beaches in treacherous weather, initiating the Western Allied effort to liberate mainland Europe from Nazi Germany. Kelly and I, along with some friends, visited Normandy five years ago. We went to Juno and Omaha beaches and then to