Click on the comic strip to enlarge.
ADAM & ANDY is set in the fictional New England town of Woodfield, CT. You can learn more about this strip by visiting, adamandandy.com. To see previous Adam and Andy cartoons link here.
A couple years ago our friends “Frenchie and the Yankee” moved from Boston to Charlotte, NC for a new job opportunity. While neither Frenchie or The Yankee are from Boston, they certainly succeeded in making it their home and long lasting friendships. I know Sergio and I are not the only ones to miss this fun couple.
I’ve been remiss in visiting them in Charlotte and am rectifying that by flying down to visit them for the weekend. Frenchie (shown above with me) and I have talked a few times and it sounds like the weekend will be spent, eating, drinking wine of course, and getting caught up. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but “I’m really excited to go to Charlotte.“
Last week The SpeakEasy Stage Company opened with their latest musical, Big Fish. The title may sound familiar because Tim Burton made a film based on the story that starred Ewan McGregor in 2003. The SpeakEasy Stage Company musical focuses on the relationship between a father (Edward Bloom) and his son (Will Bloom) which has become strained in recent years. Both look to make peace with each other after the father’s health declines but will they reconcile in time?
Big Fish March 13 – April 11 – Get Your Tickets Here
The 2.5 hour musical has two acts with an intermission. While the second act is much more emotional, it was my favorite part of the show and more than a little touching. The final scenes had both Sergio and I silently groping for the tissues I had in my coat pocket.
Big Fish runs through April 11th at the Calderwood Theater in the South End. For more information or to purchase tickets click on the link above.
A celebration of censorship is an exhibit at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art in New York City that runs through Sunday, May 3rd.
Has anyone seen the exhibit which opened last month? I’m curious because the description sounds interesting. The Leslie-Lohman Museum describes the exhibit as follows, “For decades, censors—would-be and actual—have attempted to suppress queer creativity… Taking inspiration from the censorship of Robert Mapplethorpe’s art in the 1980s and 1990s, and the more recent withdrawal of David Wojnarowicz’s A Fire in My Belly from the National Portrait Gallery, we explore the innovative responses to watershed moments in the history of censored LGBTQ art… Here we seek to situate the work within its historical context of censorship and to highlight the resilience of the queer artists who audaciously attempt to address diverse social and political issues in their work.”
If you visit the exhibit, I’d love to hear your thoughts and if you think it is worth checking out.
Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art – 26 Wooster Street – NYC
The Boston Herald is reporting that new plans from GTI Properties have resurfaced for the Jesuit Urban Center which was shuttered in 2007. GTI’s latest round of plans for the church, which was built back in 1858 and the adjoining property, would call for 54 one- to three-bedroom apartments in the former Church of the Immaculate Conception and four townhome-style units in what they are calling an attached “Link Building”. Back in 2013 GTI filed a letter of intent for the property to include 62 rental units but nothing ever came of it. This new letter to the BRA is the first in more than a year.
Earlier this week BostInno reported that Boston’s Ink Block would be hosting four one hour pilates bootcamp sessions run by: Lauren Hefez who currently teaches at Equinox (Franklin and Dartmouth) and Somerville’s Soul Train; Eliza Shirazi who teaches at The Club by George Foreman III, Equinox at Chestnut Hill and numerous locations for BeGritsy; and Meagan Fitzgerald who teaches at Barre.
The first free pilates class is Saturday from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
The hour-long classes run from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on March 21 and 28 as well as April 4 and 11 in the lobby of 300 Harrison Avenue at Boston’s Ink Block in SoWa. They hope to expand the program to the pool deck at the Ink Block when the weather warms up.
Before Barack Obama became elected President of the United States, President Bill Clinton was often referred to as America’s first Black President.
The 1998 Nobel laureate Toni Morrison is credited with naming Bill Clinton “the first Black President” in part because of his life story and some parallels to stereotyping and double standards many African Americans face. Based on those criteria I believe that Barack Obama is America’s first Gay President.
Conservatives have hated Obama from his first day in office with fanaticism that defies explanation. He’s been accused of not being an American citizen, being Muslim (as if that is a pejorative), and according to Mayor Giuliani and many other prominent Republicans – he hates America. This sort of illogical, blind hatred is something the gay community can relate to. Our very presence by many conservatives is perceived as an abomination and it would be best if we could be either subjected to reparative “conversion” therapy or removed from society.
Barack Obama is the first sitting US President to voice his support for many LGBT issues. While some Presidents have voiced support for LGBT causes after they left office – Obama has done this while in office and that makes all the difference. Was his decision to voice support for same sex marriage politically motivated? Probably, but what matters is his actions not his motivations because his support and his words changed minds and hearts.
In addition to what can only be characterized as an unwavering support for marriage equality since 2012, President Obama has worked to help our community more than any other sitting President and possibly more than any Presidents in the near future. Here are some of his accomplishments:
– Ending the hateful Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Act (DADT)
– Ending the legal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
– Extending hate crime legislation to include sexual orientation / gender identity
– Federal government recognition of marriage rights for same sex couples even if they live in states that don’t recognize same sex marriage
– Continued support and funding of Ryan White HIV/AIDS programming
– Expanding coverage of health insurance so insurers cannot deny coverage to someone because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender
– Taking a stand both with legislation and by making personal “It Gets Better” videos to help prevent bullying and LGBT suicides
While I may disagree with Obama on some things, I will always consider him America’s first gay President. Obama’s unflinching support for the LGBT community has set a standard which all future Presidential nominees (at least in the Democratic Party) will now be found wanting if they don’t measure up.
Earlier today Boston Pride announced they were launching “Friends of Boston Pride” as a way for people to directly contribute and support Boston Pride. Becoming a “Friend of Boston Pride” helps support programs like Youth Pride, Latino Pride, human rights and education programs sponsored by Boston Pride.
Join me as a Friend of Boston Pride on their 45th anniversary
Boston Pride officially starts on Friday, June 5th and runs through Sunday, June 14th; ten days of events and activities that bring people together from all walks of life to celebrate diversity. 2015 Pride Week will include events like, the 1st annual Gala, Pride Day at Faneuil Hall, Black Pride Cruise, AIDS Walk, Pride Diplomatic Reception, Pride Lights, Human Rights Forum, Queeraoke, Pride Night at Fenway Park, Boston Pride Festival and Parade, Pride Youth Dance, Block Parties.
For more information on how to donate and become a Friend of Boston Pride, visit www.bostonpride.org/friends.
For those of you who regularly traverse A Street in Southie or live near there, you have noticed all the construction going on at 40 West 3rd Street in what was formerly a dilapidated building (or at least that is how it appeared to me).
Last week the owners distributed a press release, indicating their new restaurant named, Coppersmith, is on track to open in late April / early May and they are actively hiring for positions which you can find out more about on their Facebook page here. When complete, the huge space will include outdoor dining space, a full restaurant, separate cafe and food truck.
To stay up to date, like Coppersmith Facebook page here
Stay tuned for more details to follow in the coming weeks. This massive endeavor will bring options to those of you who live and work nearby and enhance the Southie dining scene, bringing more foot traffic and curious foodies like me to the neighborhood.
Boyfriends is a fun, gay dance night at the Milky Way Lounge in Jamaica Plain that is hosted on the 3rd Friday of each month.
This month, guest DJ James Derek Dwyer makes a triumphant return and will join resident DJ Brent Covington at Boyfriends later this week. Doors open at 10:00 p.m. and there is a $5.00 cover; your attitude should be checked at the door.
For more information check out their event page on Facebook, here.
I’ve done my part by finding this photograph – now you do yours and leave a caption in the comments section that will make me laugh.
Although it may seem like April is far away, the reality is that it will be here in just a couple of weeks and Boston’s chapter of Gay for Good is looking for volunteers to help them on Wednesday, April 8th from 5:30 – 8:30 pm at The Greater Boston Food Bank. If you’d like to lend a helping hand you need to RSVP. There is more information about this volunteering event on their website.
You will help inspect, sort, and pack food items for the Greater Boston Food Bank, and your effort will directly help local hunger relief agencies. #PayItForward
Wednesday, April 8th from 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Greater Boston Food Bank at 70 S Bay Avenue, Boston
Link here to RSVP and or learn more about Gay for Good Boston
BosGuy 