Fearsome entertainment
It has now been just over 50 years since the raid of The Stonewall Inn.
We’ve come a long way.
Now isn’t the time to turn back.
Live, love, hope and vote like your life depends on it. Because? Because your life and freedoms actually do depend on your participation, on your vote.
Happy San Diego Pride Y’all!
New York New York, it’s a helluva town!
Opening on Broadway in September – On the Town – and now on my bucket list!
Here is the same clip from the original 1949 film by the same name. One might recognize a star or two…
Congrats to US Women’s National Soccer Team.
They have something to say. Nike is helping them be heard. We here at Fearsomebeard wish to help them be heard as well.
It’s a certain holiday that I don’t feel like celebrating today. I’m a gonna clean house, bathe the dogs, catch up on some odds- n -ends and maybe bake a cake.
I’ve got my California state flag a flyin’ on the pole out in front of my house.
So I’ll leave this here and wish you a great day.
Lil Nas X – featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road – 2019
My human memory does not start when I was born. My memory starts sometime after that in small fuzzy flashes. From what I gather from family photos, conversations and history, my memory probably dates back to sometime about 1969.
I can honestly say that the most significant thing I remember from 1969 was the moon landing we watched on our color console TV. I can also honestly say I do not remember the Stonewall riots in New York City that same year. I grew up in a small city in Southwest Virginia. Happenings in the metropolis of New York didn’t really make headlines there, especially happenings that involved police raiding a gay bar.
Tonight marks the 50th anniversary of that raid of The Stonewall Inn. A raid that was the spark that started a movement. A movement that I would call an uprising. An uprising that is still underway. An uprising that must continue.
May we see Stonewall for what it is. It is an inspiration. An inspiration worth continuing.
Happy Pride Y’all!
XO
A new one dropped today!
Todrick Hall – I Like Boys – 2019
Is it possible to cry as one dances in the middle of a crowded dance floor? Yes.
John was the newly hired director of the newly established AIDS Foundation in my hometown. He was a handsome eligible bachelor, I was “on break” from my first lover relationship. He had invited me over to his place as we were on our first date and he was cooking for us. After he poured me a drink, he clicked on the stereo as we sat down on his sofa.
“This is the new release from Bronski beat” he said as I deeply inhaled the nostalgic antique smell of the large living room of his apartment on the second floor of a stunning old gingerbread Victorian home. I wasn’t yet familiar with Bronski Beat much less Jimmy Somerville. Jimmy’s voice enveloped us with a trancelike vibration. I was hooked even before the rhythms kicked in a couple minutes later. I remember wiping tears from my cheek as I listened to the lyrics that I understood all too well. John embraced me and I realized I wasn’t alone in my feelings.
Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy – 1984
Above is the 12” extended mix that we danced many a night to in the clubs, below is the original 1984 video depicting the chilling story from the lyrics.
I don’t know what became of John. He sure was handsome. It was a confusing and scary time. We didn’t yet know how gay men were contracting AIDS and or who was going to be next. At that time it wasn’t if but when. AIDS in the 1980s was a death sentence and the deaths were miserably horrible experiences to live through. He was busy trying to set up the floundering new foundation to help area victims. I was young, scared and immature so I went back to the safety of my known lover. John continued his work and we drifted apart. However the memory is cherished.
Trailblazers…
Survivors…
Inspirations…
Sylvester rocked my disco dancing world back in the late 1970s. My friend Cheryl Ayers and I tore up the Copperfield’s (a local disco in my hometown back in the day) main dance floor for every Saturday afternoon’s teen disco. We also entered any disco contest we could enter …being we were underage.
This is an American Bandstand appearance of Sylvester and Two Tons of Fun (AKA The Weather Girls). This classic must not be missed!
Sylvester – Disco Heat & You Make Me Feel Mighty Real – 1978
Mark Segal was only 18 years old and new to New York when he found himself inside Stonewall the night of the raid June 28, 1969. He shares his recollection of that night.
It’s officially pride week. Time to break out those dancin’ shoes.
Fearsome will start with the men who made this teen, back when he was a teen in the late 1970s, wish he was older so he too could be at the discos out west in San Fransisco.
Village People – Go West – 1979
The pressures of oppression were building long before Stonewall. Let us not forget the many who trudged the unknown paths prior to June 28, 1969.
Many attribute the uprising of Stonewall to the drag queens and transgender present the night of the raid 50 years ago. Today much of our leadership is inspired by those same members of our diverse community.
Diversity and acceptance are character qualities I support, admire and strive toward. I applaud those who step up and out, to lead us through living their own truth. It is through their vulnerability that courage and strength are born.
Thank you to Peppermint, Lady Bunny and Sasha Velour for your inspiration and leadership.
While the video’s title didn’t thrill me by starting with the words “Old Gays”, I was interested to see what insight the video held. My takeaway is when the one immediately responds that the significance of Stonewall is what happened afterwards and that is still unfolding.
As pride month continues in its 50th year after Stonewall let us continue the significance of this humble rebellion and it’s aftermath. Happy Pride.
Taylor Swift – You Need To Calm Down
Just in time for Pride 2019 …
Star Studded Shade = Fabulousness!
An ally, an inspiration…
Love, hope, respect, acceptance, humanity at its best.
Thank you and Happy Father’s Day to you Scott “Howie” Dittman for your love, inspiration and leadership.
While Stonewall is commemorated as the flash point into LGBTQI activism and equality, LGBTQI history is diverse and lengthy.
This short documentary gives a glimpse into the life and movement out here on the west coast prior to, during and after Stonewall.
We have come a long way, yet we have a long way ahead of us as well.
This is a wonderful video of someone sharing their own story about the experience of being there at the Stonewall uprising.
Fearsome highly recommends everyone clicking play.
Jay, Thank You for sharing your story and for walking the path leading us all to better and lifting us as a community. You are an inspiration.
Respect, understanding, empathy, character.
The opposite of shame isn’t pride, it’s love.
