Gay Diaspora

I sometimes forget that I live in Iowa, and that this place is more progressive than a lot of the nation gives it credit for. I don't think about the fact that gay marriage is legal here, where in the majority of states it remains illegal and unsanctioned. Today I was doing a lot of thought about the gay/queer diaspora and how during the HIV crisis larger cities with gayborhoods such as the San Fransisco's Castro, Chicago's Boystown, and New York's Greenwich Village were battle grounds and places of refuge. These cities became what queer rural youth longed for and were reminded of. They were considered by many as a place to go to feel a sense of belonging. They became the sites of the gay diaspora. Iowa City (where this picture was taken) was also a gay paradise during that troubling time with a leading research hospital at the University, which until a few years ago was still one of the most active institutions for HIV/AIDS research.

I think we take for granted our safety in the middle. Iowa has become a place where coming out in rural areas is not hard as many other states. It is still not easy, we are a long way off from it being as normal as heterosexual identities but we are further than many areas of Nebraska, the Dakotas, Missouri and Kansas. I am happy now to see the gay diaspora in Iowa, where now the right to marry, regardless of sex, sets this state apart. Where people are feeling a sense of belonging, and don't feel like they have to run to a coastal city in order to be who they are.

Iowa, sometimes I really love you.

cigarettes and sprouts

Some days all I think about living my life in a tiny little apartment. I will never close my window, though I will draw the blinds. I will grow sprouts in jars, from all types of beans and greens. I will grow greens in all of my open window space. I will buy from local farmers markets at a downtown plaza.

I will write with fury, and go to work to save lives.
I will be happy in this life.

I will have filtered water.



Today's thoughts on sprouts:
Spring is a time when all the flowers and trees begin to open up and become beautiful. All winter long I am able to grow sprouts and have little bursts of spring in my life. Each time I eat a sprout I think about spring. It is beautiful and wonderful.
You should all try it.

taking tiny Jewish steps

I am working on rereading the book - 'Living a Jewish Life'
So much of it clicks now - two years after the first reading.

I made an appointment with Rabbi Litwin at the Chaplin's office
and I've made the promise to myself
and the Ben Offenberg that I will make the weekly Shabbot table (Friday's of course)
This will all be achieved with help of Becca Bernsetin - whom I love and respect.

My life is taking some amazing twists and turns right now. I've looked into San Fransisco some more. I e-mailed my alum of '72 friend. I was there over spring break of last year, and we stayed at there house over a whole weekend. He lives in the Mission with his partner. They both graduated from Grinnell and have been together in San Fran since '75 (when the younger of the two graduated) This time last year he told me he knew at least 10 lesbian couples who would love their dogs to be walked, or other random things to get done, especially by such a . I didn't e-mail him about that, but rather to just get as much information gathered as possible. because I may be taking a semester off to go do an internship - since it will be unpaid and my Grinnell Stipend will only go so far it could be interesting.

I also added [sanfran] on plans - and did a little snooping on alums who live in the bay area.
although I want to live in mission district
I'm getting serious guys.
trans public heath won't know what hit em!
(tee he - play on gender pronouns.)