Musings

I write this on a beautiful Sunday morning in mid-March, 2008.  As I prepare to turn 50 in two months, I stand atop a metaphorical hill looking forward, looking back.  Amidst all the wonderful activities already in my life -- a satisfying full-time job at Project Open Hand, the 3-year anniversary of Bijou coming up, moving in with my fiance -- I find myself nominated for Grand Marshal for the SF Pride Parade.

To be nominated for Grand Marshal is honor enough.  Since moving to San Francisco in 1988, I made the conscious decision to commit my time and talent to the larger LGBT community, through my art and through my beliefs.  I've been involved with hundreds (literally hundreds) of benefits and fundraisers.  I've entertained at almost every live venue in San Francisco.  I've won a few contests, appeared in an award-winning calendar, sung with the Freedom Band, found myself being interviewed by Jan Wahl ... I've emceed sing-alongs at the Castro Theatre, galloped at the Dance-along, pedaled in about 25 different Critical Masses, marched in protests against the war ...

... and so it goes onward.  From atop this hill, I'm ready to keep going onward and upward.  More benefits, more fundraisers, more cabaret, more theatre, more, more, more.  Some plans for the near future?  Jimmy Strano, Richard Winchester and I are planning on moving Girl Drink Drunk to a local bistro.  Katya and I are starting a cabaret contest at Martuni's.  My ticket for Burning Man arrived, so I'm gonna venture to create Bijou In The Desert.  And Connie Champagne & I have two shows at New Conservatory this year.

As you read this, I'd like you to vote.  Not once, but twice.  First, if I may be so selfish:  for me.  Yep, I wanna be Grand Marshal and I want to earn your vote.  Peruse this website and see if I'm the right candidate for your vote.  All of us on the slate are worthy.  But please vote.

The second vote?  Well, November of this year, we have the chance to start swinging the nation back to some sense of normalcy.  Please, please, please ... vote Democratic.  No matter if Barack or Hillary wins the primary, it is essential to get the Republicans out of the White House.  Every vote counts.  Let's end the war that the Bush Administration started.  Now.

Stick with me, kids.  Mama Trauma predicts a grand and glorious future for all of us.