Month: June 2023

Pride doesn’t end

/ fearsomebeard / 4 Comments

Having started our Pride month with a classic from the Village people, Fearsome has decided to bring our month long celebration to a close with another classic from them as well. Though for us here in sunny 72 degree F San Diego pride is just about to get started as our celebration will be July 14, 15 & 16.
Stonewall was just the beginning of the Gay Liberation movement and our movement must continue. Unfortunately equality has yet to be fully realized and doesn’t remain stable. Therefore we stand up, speak out and work that all may live our own lives peacefully with respect for being just who we are.
Happy Pride Y’all!

The Village People – Go West – 1979

Inspirations

/ fearsomebeard / 2 Comments

We have come a long way in recent years achieving many accomplishments toward equality in living our lives simply being who we are and not having to hide in the shadows we once did. It’s important not to take these gains for granted, it’s also important to keep moving forward.
I find this video an inspiring look back at how we achieved one of our milestones ever reminding us to stay the corse moving ahead.

NYC Pride March Live Feed

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As I’ve stated numerous times this 2023 Pride month, I feel it’s very important to get out and be seen this year. All of us LGBTQ+, straight, family, friends and allies. Personal freedom and equality are on the line now as much as ever.
Happy Pride Y’all!

2023 New York City Pride March / Parade Live Feed

Why I March

/ fearsomebeard / 7 Comments

I know the feeling of this song, intimately.

Even though I was never thrown out and had to leave with nothing but a small suitcase, I vividly remember overhearing my parents argue about me, about my being gay. I remember my father telling a boy to leave our house as he presumed him to be gay and influencing me. I remember my mother blaming herself for her failure in raising me. I remember the loneliness, the isolation and unacceptability.
I also vividly remember the teasing, taunting and apartness from my peers at school. I remember sitting alone at lunch. I remember the fear and having to hold my urine all day so I wouldn’t have to face the bullies in the school bathrooms. I remember being beaten up as I was called a queer, a faggot and gay. I remember being a misfit and hoping one day this would all be over. I remember the loneliness, the isolation and unacceptability.

I was out by the time this song was released. I had found my tribe in a gay club in my hometown. I finally had friends, acceptance and wasn’t lonely anymore. I do vividly remember hearing this for the very first time sitting on John’s couch as he insisted I sit and listen. I remember the overwhelming feelings that rushed through me as I understood every syllable of each lyric, and John holding me as we both wept. After that first listen we used to dance to this tune at the club and we understood every word as we moved to its beat, but we danced as we had survived, found each other and found acceptance …at least in each other.

I march at Pride because I have to. There are still Small town boys who need me to march, especially now more than ever as our freedoms and acceptance are being threatened.

Bronski Beat – Jimmy Sommerville – Smalltown  Boy – 1984

I am what I am

/ fearsomebeard / 6 Comments

…give me the hook or the ovation…

Ginger Minj – I Am What I Am (feat. All Stars 2 Cast) / Logo Trailblazer Honors Harvey Fierstein – 2016

I am what I am
I am my own special creation.
So come take a look,
Give me the hook or the ovation.
It’s my world that I want to take a little pride in,
My world, and it’s not a place I have to hide in.
Life’s not worth a damn,
‘Til you can say, “Hey world, I am what I am.”
I am what I am,
I don’t want praise, I don’t want pity.
I bang my own drum,
Some think it’s noise, I think it’s pretty.
And so what, if I love each feather and each spangle,
Why not try to see things from a diff’rent angle?
Your life is a sham ’til you can shout out loud
I am what I am!
I am what I am
And what I am needs no excuses.
I deal my own deck
Sometimes the ace, sometimes the deuces.
There’s one life, and there’s no return and no deposit;
One life, so it’s time to open up your closet.
Life’s not worth a damn ’til you can say,
“Hey world, I am what I am!”