Happy Pride 2025!

June 2025 Donations

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project’s mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people.

The Trevor Project is here for you, day or night.

The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. We provide information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round.

Prepared and Empathetic Crisis Counselors

All of our counselors are trained to support LGBTQ+ young people nationwide who reach out to our service, whether they need a non-judgmental place to talk, are experiencing a crisis, or feeling suicidal.  Throughout training, counselors will cover topics including counseling skills, LGBTQ+ identity, the Trevor Support Model (the
structure of a conversation on our crisis services), and relevant policies & procedures to prepare them to speak with young people in crisis.

The Trevor Project Phone Number: 

(212) 695-8650

According to Trevor research, when LGBTQ+ young people feel accepted by just one adult, their odds of attempting suicide are much lower. Building a world where LGBTQ+ young people see a bright future for themselves will take all of us, but change starts with one person taking action.

Your contribution today will help LGBTQ+ young people who feel alone as they navigate the dark moments of their lives. For them, Trevor’s trained crisis counselors will always be a call, chat, or text away 24/7/365 — listening with compassion and communicating with empathy.

Please join me in the Low Budget Philanthropy movement and help out your community and beyond in the simplest way - donating any amount to whatever charity or organisation that you care about!

Squigs Celebrates Gay Pride Month

When signing up for Finch, it asked me to choose a gender for my new birb, Squiggles. I couldn't decide because they felt kind of genderless to me. So I went with they/them. Since Squigs is non-binary, I decided they needed to look their best this month with a handful of new outfits to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. HAPPY PRIDE, Y'ALL!!!

BlueQ Celebrates Pride Month

I got a fabulous email from one of the funnest shops out there - BlueQ. 

Me, I’m pro-love. I love love! In any shape, form, color or expression it takes, love is a beautiful thing. It’s a wonder, a joy, a struggle (the good kind!), a guiding light. It’s all you need and it makes the world go ‘round.

The best thing about love is that there are no rules. Like, there’s no right or wrong way to love, there’s just your way. And there are so many kinds of love that you’re sure to be able to experience at least one of them. There’s family love, romantic love, friendship love. There’s love of ancestors, people, planet, pets, even houseplants. Love is connection and grounding and perspective. Love is free and it’s for everyone. It’s the great unifier, the common emotion, the one thing we all have in common. If you do it the best you can, it betters everyone.

So, in support of June being Pride Month – love your friends and your enemies and perfect strangers. Love the hummingbird at your feeder, love yourself, love the jerk who cut you off in traffic. Just love who you love – and, most of all – don’t forget to love love itself.

What a great reminder: don't forget to love love itself.

June 2023 Donations

WHYY

WHYY is the leading public media organization in the Philadelphia Region, including Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and beyond. Our Vision is to create a community engaged and enriched through media. 

Our Mission is to…

Engage audiences, expand perspectives and empower communities through continuous learning, truthful reporting, healthy dialogue and amplification of diverse voices.

We are deeply committed to the needs of young people. In fact, many people’s first experience with WHYY is watching our award-winning PBS Kids television programs as a child. We also offer multimedia instruction in our studios and at 42+ local schools. However, our children’s service is just the tip of the iceberg.

We produce more than a dozen local programs, such as Fresh Air with Terry Gross, You Oughta Know, and Studio 2. We offer a robust regional news service supported by a newsroom more than 50 people strong. We are also your local PBS and NPR station, bringing you long-time favorite programs, such as Antiques Roadshow, Morning Edition and more.

We bring together people in the community for more than 50 events each year. From critical conversations about civic issues with experts to “meet and greets” with big personalities, keep an eye on our events calendar for things to do all year round.

One of the things that makes us who we are is that we are Member-supported and a not-for-profit organization. Support from people in our community makes up about 50% of our operating budget, with additional support from leadership gifts, corporate underwriting and grants from foundations. This special funding formula allows us the creative freedom to create high-quality programs and services not possible anywhere else.

The Trevor Project

Their mission alone is enough to get anyone with a soul to throw money their way: The Trevor Project’s mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ young people. Plus since it's Pride Month I wanted to send money to a very important group that's looking after the younger generation.

Here's what popped up after my donation:

Thank you for your gift to The Trevor Project. Your generosity embodies Trevor’s theme for Pride 2023: “Stories of Pride — The Power of Us.” 

The “Us” is you, me, and every compassionate ally uniting to create and connect LGBTQ young people with communities that support them. This Pride season, we’re celebrating communities because they can be life-saving. Our research shows that LGBTQ young people are less likely to attempt suicide if they live in affirming environments. 

Your contribution today will also help LGBTQ young people who feel alone as they navigate the dark moments of their lives. For them, Trevor’s trained crisis counselors will always be a call, chat, or text away 24/7/365 — listening with compassion and communicating with empathy.

All of us at Trevor are grateful that you’re part of our community — a life-saving force of thousands of staff, trained volunteers, supporters, and advocates who show up for LGBTQ young people every day.

Please join me in the Low Budget Philanthropy movement and help out your community and beyond in the simplest way - donating any amount to whatever charity or organisation that you care about!

June 2022 Books

* All That Heaven Allows ¹ by Mark Griffin - I started off Pride month by reading a biography of Rock Hudson. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories that shaped the man but it dealt way too much with Rock's closeted homosexuality. I wish it had focused mainly on who he was rather than who he slept with. 

♥ All In ¹ by Billie Jean King - Back in October of last year I was at Inkwood Books, in the back, looking through the dented and discounted titles. "Ooo...there's a hardcover edition of BJK's new book...I don't really need it, but let me check the price and maybe..." It was a first edition, with a tiny tear on the cover's corner, and it was five bucks. Oh, and it was a signed copy. SIGNED for FIVE BUCKS! I own something that Billie Jean King touched. How cool is that? 

Liarmouth ¹ - by John Waters - Clearly I had to purchase a signed copy of the hardcover from Atomic Books and the audiobook, since John Waters narrates. This story was all over the place crazy. While I prefer his non-fiction, this book was fun and I could so see it being made into a film.

♥ Wanderer - One of my favourite books. I've always felt that I was following behind Sterling Hayden as he painted a picture of his life on the sea and in the film industry. His honesty and character are something it seems only men of the past possess. Absolutely engrossing.

* This Time for Me ¹ - by Alexandra Billings - I ended Pride month with a book celebrating a pioneering transgender woman who I have admired for years. The book was wonderful and Alex's narration was perfect. This gal has been through so much in her life and continues to stay positive and bring light into everything she does. 

¹ - audiobook
² - abridged version
* - liked
♥ - loved
Any unmarked titles were, in my opinion, so-so.

30 Days/30 Gays

In honour of Pride month I decided to watch one film a day that recognises and celebrates the experiences of the LGBT+ community while focusing on some of the great LGBT+ figures. 

Larger Than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story - As a teenage girl in the 90s I was all about fashion, style, designers, and models. A major part of that world was the extraordinary makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin. His fingerprints were everywhere and even though I don't wear makeup, I still own all of his books. This film was such an honest look into who he was; it was beautifully done. 

Antonio Lopez 1970 - Sex, Fashion and Disco - I first bought this off Amazon in August 2020 because Antonio Lopez was a dear friend of Bill Cunningham, who appears in the documentary. Anything regarding the extraordinary Bill Cunningham is worth a look. Antonio Lopez was a gifted artist and I needed to re-watch this film to be reminded of the mark he left on this world.

The Celluloid Closet - This documentary based on Vito Russo's seminal work of the same name delves into gay characters throughout the history of cinema. It's a stellar documentary.

But I'm a Cheerleader - I saw this in the theatre back when it was first released and it still holds up today. It's campy and hilarious and Clea DuVall is so dreamy as Graham...

Jeffrey

We Were Here

Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia - After seeing Gore Vidal in The Celluloid Closet discuss Ben Hur I looked him up and came across this doc. Of course I knew his name since childhood, seeing it on the spine of Burr on my parents' bookshelf, but it was as an adult seeing him on The Dick Cavett Show and then the film Best of Enemies about his rivalry with William F. Buckley. It was great to find out more about Vidal and his incredible life. I definitely plan to look into some of his writing.

Cloudburst - A hilarious love story portrayed brilliantly by Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker. 

Supernova - Clearly I watched this movie because of the two leads, Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth, and if I'm being honest, were it starring anyone else I wouldn't have finished it. A nice love story but so very blah.

P.S. Burn This Letter Please - Based on a series of found letters sent to a dear friend from multiple drag queens dating back to the late 50s. Taken from the film's website: A box of letters, held in secret for nearly 60 years, ignites a 5-year exploration into a part of LGBT history that has never been told. 

The Normal Heart - Based on Larry Kramer's powerful play, the standout moment for me was any scene with Alfred Molina. He's so incredible.

Making Love - I watched this because it was one of the first mainstream films featuring a gay romance. Harry Hamlin and Michael Ontkean were mega gorgeous but it was tame by today's standards and kinda dull.

To Be Takei - The movie that introduced me to just who George Takei is and showcased why he is such an inspirational icon.

Vito - Another film that I saw ages ago and felt the need to revisit it. Vito Russo left the world a huge gift with his book, and of course the documentary, The Celluloid Closet.

The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin - Maupin is one of my favourite writers because of his Tales of the City series. I read and loved his memoir, Logical Family, but this documentary showed the man himself and those closest to him sharing bits and pieces that expanding on what was in his book. 

Carol - Meh.

Tab Hunter: Confidential - I mean who doesn't love Tab Hunter??? Ever since I saw him in Battle Cry when I was a kid, he always stood out. I've watched this documentary countless times and each time I appreciate his honesty and openness more than the last. A great book-end to his memoir of the same name.

American Masters: Billie Jean King

And The Band Played On - The cast alone is worth the price of admission: Matthew Modine, Ian McKellan, Alan Alda, Donal Logue, Stephen Spinella, Richard Gere, Glenne Headly, Anjelica Huston, Swoosie Kurtz, Tchéky Karyo, Richard Jenkins, Richard Masur, Steve Martin, BD Wong, Saul Rubinek, Charles Martin Smith, Lily Tomlin, Phil Collins, and Bud Cort - every single one of them poured compassion and breath into their performances, no matter how small or large their time on screen. To bring Randy Shilts' book that documents the AIDS crisis was an enormous undertaking and everyone involved should be immensely proud of the result.

Hot to Trot - About same-sex ballroom dancing. Some of those couples were exceptional!

Pride (2014) - I'm gonna say this was the best film I watched this month. A true tale of British gay men and women in the Summer of '84 who banned together to show their support financially, physically, and emotionally for the miners during their twelve month strike. It was so good and I was a wreck by the end. Before the credits it read: On June 29th, 1985, London's Gay Pride March was led by Welsh miners in a show of solidarity for LGSM's (Lesbian and Gays Support the Miners) support during the strike. A year after the strike ended, a motion was tabled at the labour party conference to enshrine gay and lesbian rights into the party's manifesto. Although the motion had been raised before, this time it was passed. This was due, in part, to a block vote of total approval from one key union: The National Union of Mineworkers.

Disclosure - I first watched this film about the T in LGBT+ because lovely Alexandra Billings was one of those interviewed. Definitely an important film to see this month.

The Boys In The Band (2020)

Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart - I knew the name A Raisin in the Sun but knew absolutely nothing of its author. This is why I love documentaries - it keeps someone alive and teaches me about people, places, and lives that I never would have know otherwise.

Paris Is Burning

Die Mommie Die! - A fave of mine and Charles Busch at his best. Better to be seen that described. The theme song was stuck in my head for days after.

Anthem - This was the day I had a near nervous breakdown because of my upstairs neighbour and could only find a few minutes to watch this Marlon Riggs short film. 

A Bit of Scarlet - This sounded like a British Celluloid Closet. It stunk. I barely finished it. 

Reel In the Closet - A film about people that have found and preserved home movies of gay lives. A brilliant concept and I'm so glad to know there are people out there preserving real moments in the lives of the LGBT+ community, real moments in real people's lives.

Last Call at Maud's - I ended the month with a film about a Lesbian bar in San Francisco and some of its patrons. It was very cable-access and they dubbed in the United Artists sound in the opening credits, but it was definitely cool to hear about the experiences and goings-on over the course of Maud's from 1966 to its closing in 1989.

Pride Power

I wasn't super crazy about the Pride flag I saw last year with the brown and black stripes added, but only for aesthetic reasons. It just looked weird to me. Today I saw this and it is PERFECT! Classic Pride flag in the back, Transgender flag in a circle in the center then with the Black Power fist that features stripes of all colours. Baby, this is inclusive and just beautiful. I need this on a t-shirt like yesterday.

Last July

Somehow I neglected to post this last Summer. Let's call this a "#laterpost", shall we? So here is my favourite Summertime bag, which I bought on ModCloth in June of 2018. I wanted something bright and cheerful for the season and didn't even realise that I was buying a rainbow purse during Pride Month. It's huge and perfect and I get loads of compliments from all genders on it. Note that this is not a 100% accurate post for two reasons, one, I feel like I usually have way more crap in my bag, and two, I didn't take photos of the inside of my Alexander Henry Ghastlies pouch (it's under John Wick 2). I use it to hold my iPhone, which I was using to take the photos, and the only other things in it are a notecard from Kayla and some blank index cards. Basically, you ain't missin' much.

(photos from July 7th, 2018)

So long, Pride 2019...

...see you next June!

A Message from the Hereafter?

When Ash and I went to Fishs Eddy on the 10th to celebrate Pride and her mom, Donna, we filled out post-it notes that would be displayed in their windows. I wrote the first one for Ashlee and put it in the box. Yesterday I was on Instagram and saw part of that post-it on Fishs Eddy's page. It felt like Donna was sending it back to us to let us know she got our note. Reminded me of the time a few months after she died when I dreamt that she called me on my old Spongebob-faceplated Nokia 5120 cell to say that she "just got through", which I took to mean that she finally made it past the security gates in the after-world. "Are you okay?" I asked, getting teary-eyed. "Yeah," came her usual blah voice, "I'm gonna go shopping."

I miss you, Donna. 

World Pride 2019 with Ashlee

Today Ash and I walked the rainy streets of New York to celebrate (in our own small way) World Pride being in New York City during Pride Month. We went in memory of Ashlee's mom and my cousin, Donna, and even though the weather sucked out loud, we had a good time.