Pride

Dancing with my sister Doug

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Doug was someone I met when we were both just hitting the gay scene in our hometown. We were 18 at the time. He had recently moved to the small city I lived in from a smaller town a couple hours away. We bonded instantly and are still best friends today even though I’m on one coast and he’s on the other. He’s my sister and I adore him.

We spent many nights out at the local gay bar. It was called The Park and was a private club. Membership was only $5 but that helped to keep the door secure. This was a small city in Appalachia in the very early 1980s after all and we needed, well at least a sense of, good security. I remember this tune as being one of our favorites. Doug always was and still is a blast to hang out with. My heart fills with joy thinking of the times we cut a rug to this classic.

Culture Club – Karma Chameleon – 1983

Happy Pride Y’all!

Queen of the Desert

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One of the Mile Markers in the corse that is my life was the release of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. I can never get enough of that movie. In fact tears of joy steam out of my eyes into Fearsome as I type this. It’s time I watched it again.

In the mean time I’ll post this clip as the queens lip synch this amazing gay anthem classic. Such a classic that my first lover actually had the 12 inch single of it delivered to my door when I made an attempt to try to patch things up after our breakup, which of corse was years before Priscilla was even filmed. Yes this really did happen.

Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive (1978) as featured in Priscilla Queen of the Desert – 1994

Happy Pride!

Magic Man

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I fondly remember my first Magic Man.

Reed and I met through a mutual friend during our Jr. Year in high school. He was on the football team of a nearby high school, I was in the band at my high school. Two 16 year olds, going on 17, who had yet to find another boy with the same attraction we shared, made for a magical time. It was intense, hot, fast and furious.

Although Heart had released Magic Man about 5 years before our meeting, it was still a song we shared as we both loved the band. Eventually we each moved on in separate directions, but the magic we shared for the time we were together remains an intense memory that I cherish.

Yesterday I discovered that another favorite artist from that time period, Dolly Parton, who is a strong LGBT ally, has just released her cover of Magic Man. She has recorded it as a collaboration with Ann Wilson of Heart. It’s truly magical. We hope you enjoy it, as it left tears streaming from my eyes into Fearsome. He’s good at helping me with my tears when I need him.

Dolly Parton (feat. Ann Wilson) – Magic Man – 2023

Harvey Fierstein, the Joan Rivers interview

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This interview is undated, but according to the conversation it took place shortly before Harvey won his Tony for La Cage aux Folles. He won that Tony in 1984, therefore we will date this circa 1984. The interview is between two entertainment icons who just happen to be icons and leaders for the LGBTQ and LGBTQ ally communities. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. It’s a treasure.

Harvey Fierstein – Joan Rivers Interview Torch Song Trilogy / La Cage aux Folles / Tony Awards – Circa 1984

You’d better work!

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We’ve come a long way from Stonewall in June of 1969, and we’ve  come a long way since this clip aired in 1993. Our work isn’t done, justice never is. It’s up to us to make sure we don’t lose what we have and to make sure the future is bright for those behind us.

RuPaul – SuperModel / Live on Arsenio Hall Show – 1993

Why we must continue to march…

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We must continue to march, speak out and be visible so that we and those coming behind us can experience the simple beauty of love, marriage and family that Alastair and Zach share with us in their beautiful wedding video below.

Thank you Zach and Alastair for sharing your lives and love with us through YouTube. The many who marched before me, then me and then you two have made our world a better place for all. May we continue our journey as it isn’t over. Justice and equality take work to build and to maintain. It’s good work.

Happy Pride Y’all   …let’s keep marching.

Pride beats

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When Debbie dropped this tune in 1987 she was the youngest female artist to ever produce, write and perform a number one single. To this day she still holds that title. Oh and Fearsome? He danced to it hidden behind my clean shaven face that year on the dance floor of The Copa Key West. …and danced and danced and danced…

Debbie Gibson – Only In My Dreams – 1987

Jackson

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Orville Peck is a current crush of mine. I hope he remains a crush for many years to come.
Trixie is just plain fabulous.
I love that the two of them are friends and am overjoyed they collaborate.

Trixie Mattel and Orville Peck – Jackson – 2021

Happy Pride Month Y’all!

Opening scene

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I’ll never forget seeing this opening monologue for the first time.
Funny how it still moves me to this day.

Harvey Fierstein – Torch Song Trilogy – 1988

Fearsome has asked me to take a moment here to pause and ask. Drag as an art has come under fire of recent and is facing harsh limiting bans, including making it criminal in some states and localities. These laws have even caused Pride celebrations to not only stop drag performances, but in some cases be cancelled all together. The ACLU has set up a specific Drag Defense Fund to fight  these unconstitutional laws. If you are so inclined to donate you can just click this  LINK .

Thank you and may your Pride celebration be safe, fun, enjoyable and filled with love.

Star Love

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When Fearsome was but a gay young Disco Dolly 1980s porn star mustache he could always be found in the middle of the Dance Floor when this one hit the DJ’s turntable. This is a good tune for Fearsome’s Pride season this year as it’s a disco classic!

Cheryl Lynn – Star Love – 1978

Calm Down

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The original video of this wonderful Taylor Swift tune is a gay treasure. I ran into this live video this morning and enjoyed its simplicity, thus I share it.

Taylor Swift – You Need To Calm Down – Live BBC1 September 2019

 

The original video is a wonderful work of art that I consider a masterpiece and is a staple in my yearly Pride celebration since it’s release.

Taylor Swift – You Need To Calm Down – Official Video June 2019

Happy Pride Month Y’all!

Happy Pride Month Y’all!

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I am an out gay man and I believe that this may well be one of the more important Pride celebrations in our community’s history. I will be visible this month and I will support my LGBTQ family as well as supporting all who support us. This is about love, life, respect and our freedom to be who we actually are.

I kick off the month with one of my favorite tunes. We are here, we are queer and let’s dance!

Village People – San Fransisco (You Got Me) – 1978

 

Saturday Fort Lauderdale Pride Kick Off Party!

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Happening now in fabulous Ft. Lauderdale FL is FLoatarama 2022.
It’s the official Pride 2022 kick off party in Ft. Lauderdale and you can listen to the tunes all the boaters are playing aboard their watercraft as they navigate the parade throughout the beautiful intracoastal waterway.
Go ahead…click the link, tap your toes until you shake your tush with the rhythms!

Happy Pride Fort Lauderdale!