Dear Jack,

It has been quite some time since I’ve written.  I know it has to do with feeling low in spirits–but slowly and surely my spirits are rising, so I think it is most appropriate that I take up this writing.  I have also thought of positive ways to add content  by including research I am doing in Genealogy.

Anyway, for the first post in a long time, I wish to give an update of June and July.

I will start actually with May, only briefly to mention that I was assigned a temp job with WITNESS in Brooklyn.  I am happy to say that this past Thursday I was offered a full-time permanent position with them.  The arrival at WITNESS was a step in the positive towards arising from what I viewed as a stagnancy or Purgatory of sorts.  It is one of a few steps forward that have recently brought me joy.

The first week in June was Queens Pride.  The day was not as tough as it had been in the past–probably because I planned better on sleeping, and also wore two pairs of socks.  Integrity NYC Metro, for the first time, had a booth at the Festival there as well.  I split my time between helping behind the Hospitality tent at Queens Pride and with assisting Mary and Paul at the Integrity booth.  I must thank Scott M. and Hank K. for helping with tables.   Later that week I attended the Brooklyn Borough Hall Pride Celebration–it was very impressive.  Brooklyn’s hospitality at Borough Hall out-shined similar events in the other Boroughs.

The following Saturday was Brooklyn Pride, and Michael and I marched with the City Council contingency.  Prior to the March, we attended the Lambda Independent Democrats Pride celebration.   I was happy to run into Warren and Hugh B. at the event.  Warren ended up joining us in the march–his first time.  It was nice also to march with Matt C. and to run into Ricky, Anthony, and their daughter Abigail along the way.  Ricky has been one of the many folks at WITNESS to kindly welcome me to the job, and has quick become one of the folks I consider a friend in the office.

The rest of June seems almost like a blur.  I sat with Matt C., Marc L., and John S. at Chris Quinn’s LGBT Event at the Cooper Union.  I had somehow never realized the historic significance of Cooper Union.  It was interesting to sit in the same auditorium that Abraham Lincoln had given many speeches seeking support–probably just after dawning his first iconic hat (a fashion item he picked up while in NYC).

The Final weekend was one of Amazement.  It started on on the Friday, where Michael and I joined the Jonathans at Exit, Pursued By a Bear’s production of King Lear.  I have to say it was the most amazing production of King Lear I have EVER seen.  Though true to the text, it was set in a 1980s drag house, wherein King Lear was a Drag Mother, and her daughters were the top “children” of the house who were being considered to take over.  I seriously think that the drama and long soliloquies of the text fit more of a demented old drag queen than they did a fictional king of pre-Roman Britain.  Unfortunately, during the first intermission we received a notice that the NY State Senate was going to vote on Marriage Equality–a vote that we had been waiting on for the past week.  Michael and I had to leave, and we raced downtown to the Stonewall Inn where folks had already been gathering.  Meeting up with Frankie F., we entered the Stonewall Inn–cameras and people all eagerly awaiting the vote.  We got in in time to hear them counting the vote–and then it was announced that the Bill had PASSED!  The place erupted with cheers and kissing.  We edged out of the Inn and met up with Carlos M. and Rose, as we awaited to see if Michael’s and Carlos’ bosses would be able to make it to the Inn–they being in budget negotiations at the time.  While waiting we ran into Jon W., Sebastian M., and Christopher L.  We drank champagne in the street with crowds around us growing and cheering and singing.  We then saw Brice P. and followed him to Kettle of Fish where we joined Matt. C., Connie R., Bob Z., and Grant N.–the best place because of the company, space, and air conditioning!  As the night went on, and we were cheering and rejoicing, we met up with Kelit and Yessi and had a late dinner at Washington Square Diner, before the early-morning trek home.  We may have missed the best King Lear production I’ve seen, but we definitely had an amazing night.

Sunday immediately following was NYC Heritage of Pride.  That morning I joined up with the Episcopalians, and we formed 2 1/2 blocks of pro-LGBT Episcopalians with a float.  The wait was long before we stepped off–being one of the last groups to march.  We were lucky the weather was not too harsh, and that we were near a Subway/Papa John’s that allowed us to use the restroom without purchase.  Mind you, they probably made a killing on us eating Subs and Pizza during the 3 hours we waited.  Following the march down 5th Ave, we arrived in time for Evensong. I was happy that Kelly W. was able to join us as well.  Esteban and his boyfriend joined us for Evensong.  Following that, we met Ari and Chip at a Thai place for dinner… though we arrived late.  We ended up eating separately, but joined up with Ed and Faldo at Xes where we ran into Paul Z.  There was electric in the air the entire time as we were still relishing in the victory of Marriage Equality.  This was one of the best Pride weekends I have so far experienced.  June ended with the Queens Borough Hall Pride Celebration–and I must say that after it was finished, I was Prided out.

July was uneventful for the most part, except for a great mini-trip to Asbury Park where we stayed with Bob Z. and Grant N. and were joined by Dirk.  It was very restful and relaxing, and great to catch up with these three wonderful people.  I still say that if I travel with someone, I think the best person would be Grant–his humor and sensibilities make the perfect person to hang out with.  I am very grateful for their hospitality.

July ended with my appointment by Board election as a Member At Large in the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC.  I have often hoped to be part of the club at this level.  I look forward to learning more about what goes on at Board Meetings, and not having to leave when they go into special session.  Though there is no vote for a Member At Large, I am now able to give voice–and it is great to be able to do so with so many wonderful leaders in the movement in Stonewall.

Finally, we enter August.  It started out quiet enough, but then on Tuesday the 5, I learned that my brother Joe had accidentally sliced his arm while at work–one tendon is completely sliced, and another is mostly sliced.  It does look like he will heal, but it will probably be some time–and it will be, I imagine, a difficult recovery for someone who likes to be active.  Still it could have been much worse.

THEN, this Thursday, I had the joy of being called into Lori’s (the HR manager, and one of my other friends at WITNESS) office where I was informed that I was being offered the position.  It was a great feeling–humbling and empowering at the same time–to hear why I was chosen.  It was not a hard decision to accept the offer.  And now, on Monday I will be officially permanent at WITNESS.

I commend to review, their website www.witness.org.  The organization has been around for nearly twenty years, and is multi-faceted in its approach of exposing human rights violations–and working to change things utilizing film.  Not only does WITNESS create films, but it also trains folks (many of them victims), on how to effectively do the same.  I am psyched to be joining this organization–and that level of happiness is something that is one I have not felt in some time.

Lastly, I must comment that on Friday, I received in the mail a letter from the Dept of Labor.  Though there is no need to rehash the craziness that is that NPD woman, I have to inform you that AGAIN I have won judgement in my favor in the highest level of the Appellate process for Unemployment.  The judgement this time reiterated conflicting testimony, as well as evidence that corroborated my case.  I would go so far as to say the wording in this was even harsher on her than the initial ruling.  What I am more happy to say, is this continued victory seems almost superfluous in light of how far I have come since being mistreated under her.

As is  life, seems to be continually going up.  I look forward to sharing more as more happens.  I also want to start adding some items that may be more about Genealogy or other topics than just my mundane life.  So let’s see if this time I can keep up the discipline. 😉