A GRAVE SITUATION

Nothing like a good walk or run through a graveyard to make one feel alive! Since I was in Philly anyway for the weekend, I have been longing to take a walk in Laurel Hill. It's been a while, and one of my favorite places. Visting Laurel Hill evokes a bygone era when cemeteries were built intentionally in scenic areas, and vistas, where loved ones or visitors would come to walk the grounds, not in mourning but to see the wondrous architecture and peaceful landscapes and visiting passed on family. I love cemeteries. You may recall when I lived in Bucks County, the original Casa du Borghese was next door to a very old one. I never minded them. Philadelphia's Laurel Hill though is one of America's most notable burial grounds founded back in 1836 and was established as a bucolic alternative where the living could bury their dearly departed. The place sits high above the Schuylkill River and has been designated a "National Landmark" the first graveyard in the country to receive such a title. Every season is quite beautiful there, and the cemetery in parts reads like a who's who of notable figures from Thomas McKean, a signer of the Declaration of Independance, to Sarah Josephs Hale, credited with making Thanksgiving a national holiday and the author of Mary Had a Little Lamb, to Matthais Baldwin, the locomotive magnate, General George Meade and other Civil War generals, a handful of Titanic passengers, many artist and architects, and many families of the socialite scene. It was a beautiful weekend for a visit. Is it any wonder this was a perfect spot for some quiet and peace after a busy weekend? The people there are always so quiet.

I love being a taphophile.

A DAY OF LIKE MINDS

It was a great feeling to partake in the No Kings Rally in Philadelphia. I understand there was upwards of 80,000 people in attendance.  The rally gathering point was at City Hall and then went now Market to Independence Mall to where Independence Hall is located, where it all started. Everyone seemed in good moods, positive attitudes and strong messages. And there were Democrats, Republicans, Independant's, all colors, ethnicities, and backgrounds, side by side to express ourselves and our unhappiness with the current administration and let our voices be heard. And all politicians should have been paying attention to yesterday, because we the people are done, and sick and tired of not getting results when they are elected. Yesterday should be a learning example of what happens by either party when we are not happy. We the people deserve better, and I hope that people are waking up, considering how well the rally did nationwide. It was a moving day, and it felt great to be out there and feeling like your making a difference and hopefully will bring change.

Loved this woman's sign! LMAO!

And if your not happy...VOTE!!!! In everything you can. My advice is to vote, even if you don't like the candidate. You can always vote for another candidate when the primaries roll around in your party. That's the beauty of a democracy. I even talked to a Republican couple who hate trump, and we have to remember to embrace them. Why should we be nasty to them? All we will do is turn their votes to the other side. The Democratics are the welcoming party. 

Was I 100% happy with Biden? Absolutely not. I get so mad though at people who say I don't like him. I won't vote for him. We have to vote. One person I talked to at the time of the last election, I said if we don't get Harris in, it's going to lead to fascism. And this person said to me were already in fascism. Well, since we don't teach civics anymore, may of the younger generation don't know, they don't understand what's happening now leads to fascism. Do us Democrats need to change our message? Damn it... absolutely!78 million people voted for Trump. They are not all MAGA. A lot of them were people who were just really angry and really hurting because they can't pay for things they need, healthcare, groceries and such and it's getting worst now. Those people are now having buyer's remorse, and we cannot judge them, we have to open our arms and welcome them, we need a really big tent. Biden and Harris didn't talk enough about the working-class people. What the democrats have to talk about is income inequality, what the republicans are doing to our democracy, keeping the minimum wage down, and to healthcare, ICE, not being transparent, and letting out and pardoning criminals.... and to food. Everything is more expensive, because of what Trump is doing. If people don't see what's going on, they must be blind. And the first Democrat who says vote for me because I'm not trump will get slapped. We can see you're not trump...we want to HEAR what you're going to do if we elect you in. And then DO IT.

Hope everyone that went to a rally was safe and felt the same. How was your rally?

THE EAGLE WILL RISE

A regular reader here will tell you in my time living in the Philadelphia area for 25 years, and even further back having visited Philly since a wee one, I have a fond connection to the Wanamaker Department Store Building, and going to many times to mention, to hear one of the world's largest pipe organs in concert. It was a sad day when the store folded, but then Macy's moved in. Back in March, everything was in question, when Macy's announced they were shuttering the store, leaving the magnificent building, the organ and all its history dating back to 1911, in limbo. A month later New York developer TF Cornerstone won the complete control of the historic place in an auction, which was good news as they are known for adapting historic structures. And looks like some of my ideas I was hoping for will win out. The main atrium and organ will remain intact, while the surrounding areas will feature art exhibits, and galleries, and many music concerts will also take place, and also many drag shows. One already took place with Philly's own Sapphira Cristal, who brought the house down with an operatic performance. With the building void of racks of merchandise, the acoustics are now phenomenal. After that, there have been a few more concerts, and the last organ concert and Christmas Light Show will take place this holiday season, before the building closes and will undergo a 2-year renovation. But once opened again, there will be the art galleries and exhibitions, the music concert venue, eateries and a restaurant on what were the main floors. I understand there also may be a bit of retail. The upper floors will be become offices and educational spaces, and above those 600 loft style apartments are planned, all the while keeping the infamous Greek and Egyptian Halls, and the Crystal Tea Room, still going forward for event space.  A win win you ask me. I understand talks are also in full swing with the symphony and Philly Opera to have a few performances with the organ. When I was down in Philly last, I met my ex-boss for lunch, who is on the board of the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ, so he has access to the building. We went over and the building looks even more opulent without everything in it! Though it did seem odd to see it empty.

After we arrived and spent some time there, someone roped off the eagle. Did they think I might make off with a two-ton eagle?!?! 

So kids, it looks like the Eagle, and "Meet me at the Eagle" will rise again!!!!

MORE PRIDE POSTIVES

Even in these times, if you look, we can still see good things going on and happening. Take last week. President Dump and the Kennedy Center, which is sadly becoming a MAGA bastion, may not want creative art or drag queens, but got them anyway. As the dump attended a performance of Les Miserables at the venue last Wednesday night, DC drag royalty Tara Hoot, Vagenesis, Mari Con Carne and drag king Ricky Rose also attended the show, and mind you in formal regalia.

 Mari Con Carne said knowing he would be there made their attendance all the more crucial. I say kudos to them!!!! It took balls, bravery and courage to do this with the likes of Vance, Bondi, Kennedy and Jim Jordan there. The best part was as the group entered the theater, the crowd greeted them with cheers and applause....a much warmer reception then the dump, First Lady and the second couple got, who were loudly booed once their presence was known. Tara Hoot is greatly known for her fun, comedic shows, and has been having legendary story hours for over two years now. Her last name suits her perfectly. And anyone else notice how much better dressed and formal the queens are then the regular theatre goers and the first couple??? Mari looks far more elegant then the First Lady.

       

In other good news I love this one too.

Yet again after Go-Go DeSantis issued the order that cities in Florida are only allowed to light bridges in red ,white and blue lights, Jacksonville LGBTQ activists took the matter into their own hands this year. Since they couldn't have permanent lights to light the bridge....they lit up the iconic Acosta Bridge with handheld lights!!! HA!

Miss Mahogany Empress, our satellite correspondent sent me this yesterday. A shot she had taken from a hotel walkway overlooking City Hall for the No Kings Protest. Mind you, this was according to her, the tail end. It extended from here, west for the next 20 long blocks to the art museum.

And the clan and I had a great time at the No Kings protest in Harrisburg with our statement signs and our matching All Stars.

And my sign was a hit. It read- This Queen doesn't need a King!

The good news...I think I found a tee shirt company to make this. If anyone is interested, email me a size and I will increase my order. I plan to wear it for the next two Pride events if it's here in time.!

The movement continues!

PHILLY PRIDE

Philadelphia pretty much told the Dump he could go fuck off. 

If you're in Philly and by City Hall you'll notice the Pride flag flies, as a symbol of Pride and unity for the LGBTQ since 1978.... and this year the city has also had City Hall illuminated in the Pride colors. I had the pleasure children of going to Philly Pride two weeks ago right after New Hope Pride. And it was the biggest crowd Philly drew yet in all the years I'd been going. I knew with Philly being a very old city it had great history, but even I got an education, when I met a handsome guy who turned out to be a Temple Associate Professor of English and LGBT studies when we were at The Little Gay Bar for drinks, who told me Philly was one of the first cities to have the concept of a Pride. Those demonstrations were more commonly known as the Annual Reminders. They started a good six years before Stonewall. One would have to go back to Sen Joseph McCarthy and the Red Scare. But he eventually turned his attention to gay people, specifically gay people who were working with the federal government. The Red Scare became known as the Lavender Scare and hundreds of people were fired from their jobs.

Ms Mahogany!

In 1952 Eisenhower signed an executive order, which made it illegal for gay people to work for the government, and other states had explicit anti-gay laws too. Two key organizations, Daughters of Bilitis and the Mattachine Society, wanted to do something, and they decided to take action in Philly and wanted to advocate for equal rights in front of Independence Hall. Which is why the demonstrations were call the Annual Reminders, because they wanted to remind everyone of our country's promise of equal rights and the pursuit of happiness for all. The goal was that in Philadelphia, July 4th was associated with freedom, but there would be a lot of tourists, so more people would see that gay people don't look like the screaming, loud queen or butch stereotypes. The first protest was on July 4, 1964. About 40 people showed up. Mind you, it was still dangerous to be out and advocating like this as being gay was listed as a mental illness. The groups made signs, and stood or walked, but remained silent. And dressed neatly.

This bitch?

Giovanni's Room. the oldest and one of the last all gay book shops in the country on the corner amidst the festival

Britttany' Lynn had the biggest children's Storytime Hour and made the Guinness Book.

Not one but two Dyke Marches. Heyyyyy Girls!

Getting the 500ft Pride Flag ready for its travel through the city.

It was the fifth year for the reminders, and it was just a few weeks after the Stonewall Riots in New York City. The owner of the Oscar Wilde Bookstore knew what was going on in Philadelphia, so he bussed over 50 activists to Philadelphia to get involved and join in with the Annual Reminders. Then, each year it grew. Now look it...over 300.000 people and the flag has flown each year since 1978!