Gay in the Bay | Vol. 2023, Issue 18

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 post is for the week of April 30 - May 6.

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.

Writing

It’s really starting to feel like summer today! The weather hasn’t been its hottest (yet), but give those scorchers some time. But everyone is hustlin’ and bustlin’ all around Oakland and San Francisco. And I’m just here, moving and writing. How are things with you, dear reader?

Writing has been a little slow because I’ve started moving into a new apartment. But what I have written has been delightfully spooky! Breaking up Project Madison Flame into short stories and a collection of novellas has been a journey in and of itself. It’s given me more to think about in terms of the themes of this book. And has allowed me to think more in terms of a city’s past.

The current story I’m working on may well be a novella at the end of things. It’s about a group of kids as they explore the myths and legends about the city they live in. It’s what they do to keep busy. Most kids play sports simply to “stay out of trouble.” But these kids go looking for it.

I’m actually bringing some Appalachian folklore into it. As well as more Southern lore. It’s funny: I moved out of the South, and here I find myself writing about it in mysterious ways. But to explore it all from a distance has been very fun. More on Southern Myths & Legends in coming weeks. There’s so much terrible news lately that I think this would be a more digestible substitute.

Bar Names

It’s been a couple of weeks about the naming of things. I’m sure folks have wondered what the hell I’m getting at. Well, bar names, of course! Starting from here, I’ll list women’s/lesbian bar names. There may be some gay bar names if they stick out enough. They will feature prominently in my New London city to immortalize those queer names of the past.

Since I live in the East Bay, let’s start with some locations in the Bay Area! Unless otherwise noted, these bars have shuttered for all sorts of reasons.

  • A Little More

  • Amelia’s

  • Anxious Asp

  • Artist’s Club

  • Clementina’s Baybrick Inn, aka The Brick

  • Driftwood

  • Last Chance Bar

  • Marlena’s

  • Mary’s First

  • Maud’s

  • Ms. Smith’s Tea Room

  • Paper Doll

  • Peg’s Place

  • Wild Side West — OPEN

    Which one is your favorite? Comments are turned on for a discussion on the bars.

This is the May

This past week punsters of all ages got to celebrate the punniest time of year. It separates the yokels from the jokals — ok, that last one really stretched the bounds of humor.

But this year introduced a new meme: This is the May!

What I love most is that it takes the very simple phrase “This is the Way” from the Mandolorian tv series and inserts May instead. It’s simple, easy to adopt, and a great response to all those Justin Timberlake and Lance Bass memes we all love to share.

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.