Friday, May 28, 2004

Tim G.

His bright, sunny smile could easily beam over South Beach or P-Town's glamor throngs,
but he shines his light in the Mid-West,
snuggly set in the buckle of the Bible Belt.

Fearlessly but never recklessly he speaks truth to power,
shoots straight to the top to undo a wrong.
He is a founder, a builder, a funder, a worker tending to the fruits, yes the fruity fruits, amongst him.

He feeds them,
organizes them,
provides social activities for them,
raises money for them,
takes them in not realizing that he is entertaining angels unaware,
these queer folk,
he makes them family.

Yet he never trudges,
he strolls with a grace and elegance that he draps over all he touches.
Even when his own body seems to war against him,
and medication jazzes or drags him through the day,
his effervescence saves each day and propels him to make the world
a better and much more beautiful place.


(note: Tim G. founded Openarms Youth Project with his partner Ken. Check it out and contribute! www.openarmsproject.org)

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Rev. John S.

At a conference I appeared at Saturday in Ypsilanti, MI, I met Rev. John S.
A commanding presence with a quick, broad wit, he presented during the opening session and spoke about race, queer issues and the church.

Love the LOCKS!
His dreadlocks, full and long, took many years to grow.
From listening to him and then connecting with him after the conference, I was taken by his journey with its unique twists and turns.

Solid man.
Man of vision.
Man of love.

Hi is a bisexual, Black, Christian minister who oversees a residence for those suffering with HIV.
He is a teacher.
He is a preacher.
He is a father and husband.
and I can tell you right now...
He will be a dear friend.

Tuesday, May 25, 2004

Virgin

Yes, I am a virgin.
A blog virgin. I feel a tremor of anxiety and anticipation as I reveal my first tender thoughts to you on this screen.

Will I know what to do?
Will I seem too eager?
Will I disappoint you?

Gentle reader this is my first time; please, go easy on me.

After months of ruminating, "To blog or not to blog," (that was the question) I have chosen to go all the way with you. As I stand here before you, naked, (okay, not really naked, and I'm actually sitting down,) I lay back on my pillowed bed, force myself to relax and open wide my...alright, this is getting too weird.

Hey, I'm here, I'm Queer (in so many ways) and I'm about to explode on the screen. Look out! (This might get messy)
;-)