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 16 - 22.
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.
The Power of Naming
What’s in a name? Names have power. For many people in the LGBT community, there is power in finding a preferred name, a drag name, even a stage name. There is also something about going to a safe space with a catchy name. It can (and hopefully should) give people a sense of community. Wether it’s a cafe, bookstore, or bar, there should always be something in a name that gives someone the power to be themselves.
There are so many places that I describe in my first book, located in the fictional city called New London, CA. Here, there is a vast rap sheet of characters that all know each other in one way or another. It’s almost like this big city is like a small town. They visit many of the same places (examples listed above). Because this is a love letter to the LGBT Community in many ways, I decided to use bar names. So I’ve started collecting historical lesbian and women bar names.
News
First and foremost, I applied for a job and was asked to join the team! I’m also moving soon, so writing might be limited. Organizing and managing everything is going to be especially tricky. But I’m in the middle of a story in Project Madison Flame, so I think writing that will help keep the frustrating times at bay.
Montana Won’t Let a Representative Speak
Republican leader silences Representative Zooey Zephyr, the first transgender woman elected to the legislature. Read more in Erin’s article; link in headline.
Broke Millennials
There’s a lot to be said about us Millennials and our financial stability (or instability). I often hate reading about anything that criticizes my own generation. The Atlantic generally produces novel-length articles that is blocked behind paywalls. But I was able to read the introduction this time. Email me if you’re able to afford to read the rest. Maybe I can after my first paycheck comes through.
Historical Rosie
Let’s stop looking at current events and look back at the past. Rosie the Riveter is one of the most interesting historical figures I’ve ever known, and I always like reading into Rosie. Link in headline.
German artist Boris Eldagsen
A German photographer declines an international award by Sony, and to make a point.
Disney v DeSantis
Disney has been duking it out against Florida’s totalitarianist governor Ron DeSantis for a little while now. Recently, Disney announced that they will have a Pride event in June. Around the same time, proud boy Ron has threatened (really jokingly stated, but it’s a terrible joke) to sell the land all around Disney so that another amusement park could be built or even a prison.
It’s incredibly tone-deaf to even joke about building a prison next to a public place for children of all ages. He’s one of those governors that claim they're protecting children, and here they are joking about putting them in danger. Very strange…
RIP Queer Film Theory
This week (for me) has been light on news. So I’ll bookend this post by giving a last bit of news. I had a podcast for quite some time. It was called Queer Film Theory and its main purpose was to watch movies from Black Lodge Video; a film library and event center in Memphis, TN.
After moving out to California, I did my best to keep up with it. But the numbers have consistently shown that nothing I did worked well enough. It’s not to say it hasn’t been fun. However, I am not a one-person show that is able to keep a consistent and enthusiastic demeanor while on the mic. And all attempts to have guests on (with one exception) has been thwarted by the evil “Different Industry Schedules.”
So as much fun as I had, I am shelving that project indefinitely. It had a good run (at least in my head), and I’m glad I started it. If you’re interested at all, you can check it out on Spotify.
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.
A friend shared this video to me. As someone who’s enjoyed Alice in Wonderland for years, this is an amazing rendition by Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway.
C.B. Lee — I’m currently listening to Not Your Villain, a YA sequel to Not Your Sidekick. It’s a good way to spend your Sunday afternoon, either resting and relaxing or getting things done around the house.
This Instagram post has lived rent free since finding it early last week.
The IG post above is a reference to Marina. Love!
Vana is another random find.
Honey Revenge — I feel like I find every new band through either Instagram or friends. There’s no in between.
EMMY has this interesting song called Stupid Big Teeth.