Gay in the Bay | Vol. 2023, Issue 14

Queer Intro

Welcome to the Gay in the Bay Blog! I am Josie, a queer writer and videographer that loves to document what I see around me. This started out as a writing blog but has grown to include events that more people should know about.

This post is for the week of April 2 - 8.

Do you have a live event that needs filming? I’m a videographer! Please check out the Sweeney Media on your way to the About > Contact page. I look forward to working with you.

Let’s stop writing and enjoy the flowers for a minute…

This week has been a hurricane of news reports, obituaries, and inability to really slow down. I’ve celebrated a friend’s birthday. I shaved my head for a photo project (more on that after I edit them). I’ve prepared for (cue horror music) for Tax Day. I’ve even decided to shelf my superhero book and focus on another book for the time being. But I’ve written a poem based off of a Cure song. It’s been a gloriously weird week. And I have a feeling that things are only going to speed up from here. That’s why I need to take more time to slow down and enjoy the scenery that surrounds me.

Speaking of scenery, I took a break from this here computer to head out and take some photos. They’re up on Instagram (@sweeneylens if you don’t already know), but you can also see them here. I don’t know anything about this building, except that it’s not in use. There was a crane on a tiny island, which I found endlessly fascinating. I’m starting to discover that I like taking pictures of bridges framed within trees and/or buildings.

Next week is going to be more business-focused. Have you ever thought about aspect ratios? Well, let’s talk shop. About LinkedIn Banners, about the various Instagram ratios, about it all! If you’re like me, you like to edit before you bring your photos onto the various platforms. And we’ll discuss why that matters.

News

Trans Rights Victories in Three States

I’m shortening descriptions this week, because we are in the weeds of details in news. But let’s start things off with a positive story, brought to you by Erin Reed.

Full disclosure, I have no affiliation with Erin Reed. We do not know each other. I have similar interests in what she covers and would like to give her voice more of an audience. Link in headline.

Tennessee is now Fascist

This past week three Democrats were forcefully removed from the State Legislature. Why? Their role in a protest in calling for more gun control. This happened in the wake of the unfortunate shooting in Nashville the week prior.

The Nashville shooting was not covered here, so there are no links to this site. This was not intentional; an oversight by Quality Control Editor Josie. In case you missed that, an individual walked into a grade school and open-fired upon students, teachers, and staff. It is a complicated and sensitive matter that has only fanned the flame of intolerance in the Tennessee Legislature.

Link to the Tennessee Three in the headline. I stand by the Tennessee Three.

LGBT Group Targeted

For once, Florida is not the only state with a strange occurrence from a resident. A Maryland man was charged for threats to the Human Rights Campaign. Allegedly there were references to the Nashville shooting on March 27, 2023. The voicemail was left on the 28th.

All of this is in the wake of the Nashville shooting of a christian school. The charge is interstate communications with a threat to injure, according to the article. Link in headline.

Rest in Power Heklina

Early last week we received news of a performance cut short. Last Monday Heklina, 55, was performing at London’s Soho Theater with their friend Peaches Christ. She is well-known for many things, more than I am familiar with. For full transparency I will allow The San Francisco Standard list out her full list of performances.

Link in headline.

Track Runner Keeps on Truckin’

A transgender youth is allowed to continue running in track-and-field. This was pushed through to the United States Supreme Court. For once, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Trans Community. These issues often become complicated, but the article, linked in headline above, does a good job of covering it.

Montana House Bill 359

Montana is certainly Puritanical these days. This bill would be the second drag ban in the US. This would actually go further than the Tennessee drag ban bill. In short, this would ban anything that may have the “intent to incite lustful thoughts.” This has some interesting ramifications, such as theater productions to Halloween costumes.

Link in headline.

Montana… Again

This time we cover the Montana Senate Bill 458, dubbed the LGBTQ Erasure Act.

New Queer Dating App

Some new and positive news! Mary Richardson is a Penn State York student that has created a queer-friendly dating app for bisexuals. Full article linked above.

Color Coded Calendar

Lately I have not been able to attend or keep up with various events. But this and next week have several that I’ll be attending. And I will have updates on each of them.

Each week The New Parkway Theater in Oakland has a variety of events. The two that I love the most are Drinks & Dragons (Wednesdays) and Trivia (Thursdays) respectively. I am officially a new Game Master, and want to help make D&D more fun at the New Parkway. Check out The New Parkway website for further information on these and other events. You cannot go wrong no matter what day you show up.

Local Events

Beta Test Burlesque

Beta Test Burlesque has their next show coming up this Saturday. The theme? The sexiest of them all: Death and Taxes. The show is sold out, but if you’re late to the ticket game, there may be last minute I-can’t-go posts. Link in headline.

Pop Culture

Each week I include media that I’ve enjoyed. If you’re a creator of any kind, please email me to be included in this list. I love discovering new artists; from singer-songwriters to upcoming directors, and beyond.