Remembering Diana

It has been twenty-three years since Diana, Princess of Wales was killed in a car crash.  Twenty-three years and yet she is still fondly memorialized each year. The mother of Prince William and Prince Harry and the first wife of Charles, the heir apparent to the British throne, truly was the People's Princess.  Just saying her name, it's hard to not see her famous genuine smile.

This moment from 1987 is one of the things about her that really stands out in my mind.  Princess Diana had arrived at London Middlesex Hospital to open the UK's very first unit dedicated to treating people with HIV/AIDS.  As seen in this famous newspaper photograph (by John Redman), with all the stigma that was then attached to AIDS, she shook the hand of an AIDS patient without wearing gloves.  This is one of the things that made her so human - so like one of us.

There were many back then who thought that leprosy could be contracted through casual contact, but in November 1989, Princess Diana visited a leprosy hospital in Indonesia where she touched those affected by the disease. She later became patron of the Leprosy Mission, an international Christian organisation founded in 1874, which helps people affected by leprosy.

Picking up magazines back in the 80s and 90s you would almost always find an article (or several) about something said of done by the Princess of Wales.  That was true even after her divorce. Known for her style, I think she was even better known for campaigning for some many human causes including homelessness and drug abuse.  She fought for animal protection and fought against the use of landmines.  She was also, unlike so many in the Royal Family, so very approachable.

This morning, on the anniversary of her sad death, we remember Diana and give thanks for her time with us.

The Conventions

Well the political conventions are over now and it is onward to Election Day.  Did you watch any or all of the conventions?  Did they change your mind about anything?  Was there anything during the proceeding that made you proud?  Yesterday I wrote here about hope, so what about it - did anything at the conventions give you hope?  

Every four years here in the United States these big political events take place, and even a pandemic didn't stop that.  (They certainly were different this time around though).  I wonder if any of what happened this month will become a regular part of these conventions, replacing the traditional features, or if it will be back to the old ways in four years.  I really did like the way they were able to include folks from various places, instead of needing to all be gathered together inside one big hall.  You'll have to forgive me, but news junkie that I am, I watched just about all of them.

Just over two months now until the elections take place.  There will be a lot of campaigning and a lot of ads between now and then.  What do you think of all of this?  Do we have a good system or could it use a few changes?  Let us hear your thoughts.  Oh and don't forget to VOTE!

Tears of Hope

             "The only thing they have to look forward to is hope.  And you have to give them hope.  Hope for a better world, hope for a better tomorrow, hope for a better place to come to if the pressures at home are too great. Hope that all will be all right.  Without hope, not only gays, but the blacks, the seniors, the handicapped, the us'es, the us'es will give up."  -Harvey Milk

Yesterday was my birthday, but I didn't spend it in any kind of usual way.  I was thinking of Harvey Milk's famous words about hope.  I even looked up that speech and read it all the way through once again.  We need hope to go on.  How often have I talked about that here?  We need heroes.  We need good.  We need to see a light at the end of the tunnel.  Sometimes that can be difficult. Each morning I write here about hope or things that give us hope. I write about the heroes. I write about making a difference. Does it do any good. Are we better off today than when I first started writing here nearly thirteen years ago? Yesterday was my birthday, but I really didn't feel like partying.

Racism, transphobia, COVID-19, climate change, lack of health care, dissatisfaction with the government, all kinds of hate- the list goes on and on.  When I hear of friends being beaten or chased down the street, JUST FOR BEING WHO THEY ARE, I wonder about this thing called hope.  When I see a woman being arrested for simply being "too loud" on her own porch, I am sickened.  When I see that another amazing performer has died as a result of cancer, I wonder if we ever have a cure.  When I see folks living in mansions and others lying homeless in the streets, I can't help but think that this is just not right.  So many - perhaps most, of the country's problems can be easily solved if we work together.  I still hope for that, but along the way I am shedding a lot of tears.

I simply won't accept the hatred and the abuse that has spread from coast to coast.  Some of it has been around forever.  That doesn't make it right though.  Hate is never right.  Why should you hate someone because they are Black or because they are gay or because they are transgender or because they are Asian?  I don't get it.  It doesn't make sense.  Does anyone agree?  Will you commit yourself to doing something?  

Celebration should have been yesterday's theme, but there is less and less to celebrate.  Thanks to my sister, to my friends Jason and Dinah, and thanks to all who sent e-cards and messages on social media.  I really appreciate it.  Please do one more thing though - and this would be the greatest birthday present of all.  Please care about others.  Please end the violence.  Please end the hate.  Please fix our broken climate.  Let's do it!

Surprise!

Even though this blog is NOT about me, today being my birthday (I won't say which one), it seems like I should surprise everyone and make an exception.  From time to time I do say a bit about myself, but rather than sharing pictures of my various activities and tales of the many events I take part in, the purpose here is to be uplifting and encouraging about doing good in the world and coming up with more and more ways to make a difference.  I prefer to be but a humble tool in the process and to save the spotlight for the real heroes who are making a difference every single day.

It being my birthday though, I would like to offer some thanks to all of you who read these words.  It really brightens my days to know that folks do actually end up on this page.  The clicker says that someone comes, but it doesn't tell me who you are or what you are thinking of course, so do feel free to leave some comments!  It also doesn't tell me if you actually read this stuff, so you comments will help with that too!  Oh and if anything I ever write actually motivates you to get out there and do something, you couldn't possibly have me a greater gift! 

Each year I raise funds for AIDS Walk San Francisco and for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk and I want to give thanks for all the people who have sponsored me there too!  There are a few other organizations I want to mention, because they mean so much to me: Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus, San Francisco Community Health Center, and Transgender Law Center. Any gift to them would always be a marvelous thing!

I love surprises, so do feel free to surprise me any time by giving to someone else.  Surprise me with the best gift of all - love for others!

First they came

Outrage?  I'm not really seeing it.  Oh there is reason to be outraged.  Would you like a list? Tamir Rice, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd are among a long list of people killed by police. Bree Black, Summer Taylor, Merci Mack, and Shakie Peters are on a long list of transgender murders. There has been a rise in anti-Asian assaults, harassment and hate crimes as COVID-19 Spreads.  There are frequent public anti-gay incidents including a very public hot-mic slur from a sportscaster.  The list sadly can go on and on.  I'm just not seeing much outrage though.  I actually heard someone yesterday say "It's all just a part of life."

This reminds me of "First they came,” that famous statement attributed to pastor Martin Niemöller about the many Germans who stood by and did nothing during the Nazi rise in power. The most well known version goes like this:

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."

Sitting at home a mumbling something about life being unfair really doesn't accomplish anything.  Speak up when you see prejudice and bigotry.  Say something when you see injustice.  Our voice can make a difference.  Please don't put yourself in harm's way.  I'm not saying we should be reckless.  But there are many ways we can speak up, including letter writing and talking to family and friends.  Never be afraid to speak up for others. We are ALL people!

Come hear the music play

Watching the political on tv and the numerous posts on social media, I find myself stirred to action.  I am always involved, but this year seems to be more important than ever. There isn't one issue or just a single thing we need to be concerned about.  We are dealing with a global pandemic, incredibly hard economic times, continued racism, violent acts, and so many things that demand attention.   It is important for all of us to get involved. (Of course this is true, not only in the election process but in everyday life. That's why I blog here every morning about making a difference).

According to those wonderful lyrics by Fred Ebb, "What good is sitting all alone in your room? Come hear the music play." Indeed.

Do you read this blog often? Tell us how you are living your life too. Comment on my thoughts here or just add your own. This blog is so much better when it's interactive, so let us hear from you. Have I ever said anything that has stirred you to action?  This is not an exclusive club either. I don't just write this for a select few. Please feel free to share these posts with anyone and everyone. Together, let's make a difference!

The music we need to hear is the music of change; the music of growth; the music of true liberty and equality.  Together we can make some beautiful music!  

what can YOU do?

This isn't a new question.  I've asked it before and others certainly have as well.  You might have even asked this of yourself:  What can YOU do?  In keeping with the theme of this blog, the question really goes much farther.  How many different ways can you make a difference in this world of ours?

If you have absolutely no idea, you might want to read some of what we have written about here in the past.  Then, clear your mind and think about things important to you.  Do you care particularly about human rights or health care or fighting poverty or teaching language or protecting animals or any number of other things?  Is there a pet project you would like to work on?  Think about it.

We ALL can do wonderful things.  We ALL can make a difference.  It doesn't have to be just one thing either.  We can do many different things.  Some of this may involve your time or your abilities and some of this might involve your money.  Perhaps some of the things you might do involve organizing other people.  Whatever it is, figure it out and do it!

Remembering Randy Shilts

I'm thinking this morning of Randy Shilts, author of And the Band Played On: Politics, People and the AIDS Epidemic, who died of AIDS himself twenty years ago.   Today would have been his 69th birthday.  Although he only lived to be 42, Randy was someone who made a difference.  I've mentioned his name here on a number of occasions.

Years ago when I moved to San Francisco, Randy Shilts was the very first person I met there.  Either he or I had been the first openly gay television reporter.  He was certainly the first to chronicle many things within the lgbtq community.  His book that I mentioned above gave us a very good look at the first days of AIDS and his other two books gave us a look at gays in the military and the life of Harvey Milk.  There is also his many years worth of reports on television and in the newspaper where he covered events of the day (although not always lgbtq-related).

Randy was among the inaugural honorees in the Rainbow Honor Walk in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood back in 2014, noting lgbtq people who have "made significant contributions in their fields."  Last year he was one of the inaugural fifty American "pioneers, trailblazers, and heroes" inducted on the National lgbtq Wall of Honor within the Stonewall National Monument in New York City’s Stonewall Inn.

Randy was just one of hundreds, maybe even thousands, that I knew who died from AIDS, and sadly there will probably be more. There are those who had issues with him too, but what human is perfect after all?  The positive place he has in history will never disappear.  Thank you for your courage to go where nobody had before in several instances Randy Shilts and thank you for making a difference!

It's Still With Us

COVID-19 is still with us, even though it isn't getting as much attention as it was a few months ago. Caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 has changed the way we live  while causes so many to be hospitalized.  The death toll has been enormous.  Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.  We are finding new things every day.

When the pandemic began, I made a decision to not write here about numbers because they are changing too rapidly and to also not write anything that might look like a science report or medical guidance.  I don't want misinterpretation to get in the way.  The best places to keep up with accurate information are official sources like your state and county health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  One thing I will say though is we need to pay attention and listen to the experts and follow their guidance.

I wear a mask whenever I leave home.  I also avoid close physical contact with others and don't go to places where there might be crowds.  I miss personal interaction, but for the safety of myself and others, I am certainly willing to spend this time alone.  There are marvelous ways to keep connected during this pandemic, like social media, zoom, email, and of course phone calls.  Things have improved somewhat, and if we continue to work together and respect each other, we will make it through this.

About Ellen

This blog has been around now for over twelve years, and in that time I have probably mentioned Ellen DeGeneres more than any other person. I once wrote "She doesn't just talk about being kind, she IS kind, and she makes a difference every single day." 

Lately there has been a LOT said about her, and I think it's time for me to say something about all of that.  I have never met Ellen, although I have been present a couple of times at events where she was also present.  I did have the joy of meeting Betty DeGeneres, her dear mother.  That was way back, shortly after Ellen came out.  With every mention of Ellen, Betty lit up like a Christmas tree.  Her love was quite obvious.

So many have expressed love and admiration for Ellen DeGeneres over the years, but lately it seems so many would just through her under the bus.  Is this fair?  Yeah some folks think she is mean.  I'm pretty sure some folks are not fond of me too.

As I said, I never met the woman, and I have no first-hand knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes at her show.  I have looked over the supposedly harsh rules for her audience members, and actually they are pretty standard.  The rest of it, I just don't know. I'm sure she doesn't want me to talk about her as much as I do, but it's all true.

There are many things though that I do know.  Ellen has helped out many individuals and organizations on her daily talk show, more than I could even estimate. Sometimes it's hard for me to make it through her program without breaking into tears. She not only gives away money and merchandise, but she brings needed attention to various causes.  Over the years she has supported The Trevor Project, PETA, Habitat For Humanity, Project Cuddle, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Farm Sanctuary, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Also It Gets Better Project, Love Our Children USA, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Artists Against Racism, Clothes Off Our Back, Stand Up To Cancer, Heifer International, and many others.

Can she be mean sometimes and good at other times?  Absolutely.  Let's be fair though.  Let's listen to her and let her work on things.  She said in a statement that she was going to do that. 

One more thing:  Ellen risked her entire career when she came out.  She and others on the show received threats. No matter what anyone says about her and whatever turns out to be the case at her talk show, she certainly was bold when she came out back in 1997.  Think about it.   Ellen didn’t just change lives. She saved them!