Strength In Surviving

Home now from an evening I was dreading. An evening of sitting with those who performed at this years Artists Against Rape. It’s been a month since we put ourselves up on that stage, a month since I stood and read the hardest letters I’d ever written. One to my high school friend who raped me and the other to his mother and sister. I’ve sat with that moment for the last few weeks, silently, not wanting to dig too deep, feel too much or bring any of it back into my life. I allowed myself only a feeling of accomplishment at having done something so necessary for my healing. And tonight I was afraid. Afraid because in the past month I have not felt the same rush of emotion that the other artists felt. I was numb. Tuned out. Done as soon as I left the stage. The rest of the group sent mass emails talking about the bond they felt, the strength they drew from one another, the love they had...and I read quietly, sifting through the guilt of feeling none of that. I was proud of them, proud of myself, but I was not overcome. So walking into the room tonight, I was terrified that I would have to fake it. But I didn’t. I watched the footage, listened to the voices of those in the room with me and heard my own for the first time. And I swelled. I teared. I bonded.

I am grateful. For them. For my resilience. For SFWAR. And for all those that have supported me unconditionally.

We Will Not Be Silent

I worked as a peace keeper for this action. It was so, so, so amazing.

Friday, Nov. 7, thousands of California residents took to the streets in San Francisco at 5:30pm to protest the passage of Proposition 8 in Tuesday's election, that banned same-sex marriage, which had been legalized earlier this year. Queer, trans, and straight allies all joined the march to express outrage over Prop 8 taking people's equal rights away.

After the main march began, a small affinity group took action, joining hands and blockading Market Street at 9th, holding a banner reading "WE WILL NOT BE SILENT: REPEAL PROP 8".

Hundreds of supporters remained along the streets and sidewalks, chanting together, "Say No to Hate: Repeal Prop 8!", "What Do We Want? EQUAL RIGHTS! When Do We Want It? NOW!", and many others.

The group had already blocked traffic for over two hours, when the main march (which had proceeded to Dolores Park), heard about the action and marched all the way back to 9th and Market to join the street blockade.

The energy was high, and chanting was endless. After a brief sit-in behind the line of blockaders, the crowd collectively decided to push past the line of police lined up opposite the blockaders, and marched to City Hall, pouring onto the front steps and taking up the whole street in front. After about 30 minutes of the whole crowd chanting, and several impassioned speeches, the original affinity group led the crowd back to Market Street, and up to the Castro District. It was an unbelievable mass of energy, with thousands literally taking over San Francisco's streets. Diners in restaurants curiously came out to the sidewalks, with many supporters joining in the march, to a chorus of "Whose Streets? OUR STREETS! Whose Rights? OUR RIGHTS!"

When the march reached 18th and Castro St. around 9pm, marchers sat down to occupy the
intersection well into the night, listening to many individuals who became inspired to speak up.

Read CBS Channel 5's account of the protest and watch their news broadcast videos here: http://cbs5.com/local/proposition.8.protest.2.859454.html

Getting ready to lock down the intersection.

Our baner, holding strong. I'm off playing peace keeper somewhere.

My view from the steps of city hall. One of the most amazing moments of my life.

Yes I Can!...Be Skeptical

Ok, I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna be that kid that rains on the parade….

Am I glad that Barack Obama won last night? Yes. Did I stand in my local dyke bar and cry when I watched his speech? Yes. Am I moved by how monumental this election was and hopeful for our future? Yes. But am I sold that America is now all of a sudden a better country? Nope.

We still have work to do. And like Obama said last night, this election didn’t bring us change. It brought us the opportunity to make change. And while I really want to believe that change will come with Obama in the office….I’ll believe it when I see it.

We've got a long way to go. Obama has inspired, motivated and empowered a whole shit ton of people but I'm gonna make damn sure he makes good on his promises.