tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21263946026726624112024-03-13T02:18:39.538-04:00Scribe VibeIt's not that deep.
But it's far from superficial.Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-73262334212293600922013-01-09T09:15:00.003-05:002013-01-09T09:19:36.816-05:00Assessing My "Social" Networking Vacuum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7r7Bv-N8V9Gx6B3Fd841yCjzuAojAuS5LKjBAf7Xe_Ntn60dmr-iN7vvaIv81abUUelbN7r1hYMLfI6KY9-jSpjnDVdbl-0VFt4mz-6e468Eten2mBh1qTvNeM0xmNC-Ecj9Rpg6Cy_w/s1600/fingers-on-a-keyboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7r7Bv-N8V9Gx6B3Fd841yCjzuAojAuS5LKjBAf7Xe_Ntn60dmr-iN7vvaIv81abUUelbN7r1hYMLfI6KY9-jSpjnDVdbl-0VFt4mz-6e468Eten2mBh1qTvNeM0xmNC-Ecj9Rpg6Cy_w/s320/fingers-on-a-keyboard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've recently decided to assess the status of my current level of social networking communications. This blog being the masthead, along with my <i>Wordpress</i> blog, <i>Tumblr</i> blog, <i>Twitter</i> account, my ever elusive <i>Facebook</i> (deep sigh) profile and the inactive since it's activation <i>Pinterest</i>, I've often wondered whether or not I'm inundating the blogosphere with my own personalized version of boorishly masturbatory commentary. This is likely the biggest reason why I've decided to scale back on content in order to take a less superficial, less surface approach in place of something with a more holistic, esoteric agenda. Hopefully that works out for me and for those who are truly interested.</div>
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Stay tuned.</div>
Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-39374938482377309582013-01-07T16:17:00.002-05:002013-01-07T16:17:21.115-05:00<br />
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<br />
Hello Darlings,<br />
<br />
Obviously it's been a minute since I've stepped in here. To be a bit clandestine, one can find inspiration in the most captivating places. Although it's been elusive, tiny sparks have exploded into minute moments of clarity that have left me feeling both sober and frivously lighthearted at the same time. Admittedly, the sources of my inspiration have been as intermittent as my blogging entries and I apologize to you and myself for that. Am I feeling resolute? I can't lie, I am - thus, I'm wishing for a more productive new year where not only my personal aspirations of spiritual fulfillment are being cultivated.<br />
I wish for an overwhelmingly amazing New Year for you as well.<br />
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Thank you for checking back and checking in with Scribevibe. I hope to be more 'present' inside the blogosphere in '13.<br />
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See you later.Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-81258857022916742032012-01-21T13:48:00.003-05:002012-01-21T14:13:22.586-05:00Happy New Year and All the Rest for 2012.So.<br /><br />I've decided to be more dedicated to this blog. Because it deserves it.<br /><br />First of all, I've finally decided to compile all of my erotic work into one anthology. You see, I figured it was only right, and only fair considering I think I need to take my focus elsewhere and doing a round-up of my erotic stuff I've written in the last ten years seemed most appropriate.<br /><br />It will be named "<span style="font-weight:bold;">On the Edge of FIRE: Erotic Shorts by R.C. Lloyd.</span>" Look for it. It will be self produced and self published as an ebook and hopefully there will be more to come after her.<br /><br />In the meantime, I've been dabbling with this YA which has me in knots, fits and starts and, I've been laboring over four other works in progress that deserve more than just 'attention' - if you get my drift. But I promised myself that I will be far more productive than ever this year. Last year was just a test. Are you ready? Am I ready? We'll see.<br /><br />Peace and Love Forever,<br />RosalindRosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-54694110959984576412011-09-14T06:26:00.005-04:002011-09-14T06:36:53.551-04:00New Music: Nakia HenryHey,<br /><br />Check out this sister's video and page. Her name is Nakia Henry and she's FIRE!!<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q2oPL2os4M<br /><br />Here's her site.<br />http://www.nakiahenry.com<br /><br /><br />And follow her on Twitter.<br />https://twitter.com/NakiaSaidRosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-87985484290052949992011-06-26T08:32:00.003-04:002011-06-26T11:08:26.833-04:00Marriage Equality in New York<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiE9jbotDR28lDTvsO8jJ1mTW3P6W8EfexExlidoiOuc4-imXv3-Yw3RFOwnh1vmkEElTKMaZBuBSiTWFrqW42YYvsRU0L74k7Z35OoJm2gvJxKKRh4XxUnYYyS0VgAjHOTPU0ZR9WCFIo/s1600/equal+marriage+flag.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiE9jbotDR28lDTvsO8jJ1mTW3P6W8EfexExlidoiOuc4-imXv3-Yw3RFOwnh1vmkEElTKMaZBuBSiTWFrqW42YYvsRU0L74k7Z35OoJm2gvJxKKRh4XxUnYYyS0VgAjHOTPU0ZR9WCFIo/s320/equal+marriage+flag.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622544708125730130" /></a><br /><br /><br />I'm feeling a range of emotion as I sit here and write this blog on this Gay Pride morning. It takes me back to a time many moons ago when I was this skinny little girl from the Bronx who dared to loc her hair,wear ripped jeans and combat boots while riding the subways of New York City, wanting to clutch her more dominant looking female lovers hand to taunts of "go wash your hair," or "what's up with your jeans?" It was about as daring as we could get for fears that we would be "figured out" and what one might perceive to be an innocent 'taunting' would turn into a full-fledged gay bashing. Despite these perceived threats, I remember not wavering from some form of righteous self-expression that in my eyes and my partners eyes, fell short of actually publicly coming out. <br /><br />Fast forward some twenty years later. Times are changing. This week, we've witnessed another milestone for LGBTQ rights - New York has legalized gay marriage. It is a monumental occasion and an important one. That we've received the basic human right to marry the person that we love. Although many of us will be 'dancing in the streets' this afternoon in celebration, although many will be proposing to their partners, and a plethora of wedding announcements will begin to invade our in-boxes and snail mail and will become a way of life for us, we also know the fight for civil rights for our community still continues.<br /><br />Regarding marriage, the protection of same sex couples and families is tremendously important. However, many are not aware that state passage of same sex marriage is limited and that DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act is what we truly need for our relationships and families to be recognized on a federal level. For many, to marry is a symbolic act but their are financial/economic implications one should be aware of. I suggest you google Tara Siegel Bernard's NYTimes piece entitled "How Gay Marriage will Change Couples Financial Lives" published June 24th for the details. You will discover that the fight for same sex marriage still has a distance to go for "Full equality."<br /><br />But it's progress. My partner and I will most certainly "walk down the aisle," to prove our loving bond to each other. And we will take solace that our relationship will be recognized as one baring little difference to the relationships of our married, heterosexual friends. Our son, our family will be protected in ways they weren't before. This doesn't reduce the significance of living wills and trusts everyone. Remember Terry Schiavo. One can never have too much (legal) protection.<br /><br />However, let's not rest on this victory when there is so much work to be done. As New York fought hard to push marriage equality through, there was a major push back from religious organizations actually fighting for the right to continue discriminating against us. This is beyond priceless when the Catholic Church continues to suppress a legacy of priests practicing pedophilia within ranks. Temples and synagogues attempts to police itself on similar allegations and the tithes of black churches are going to pay the victims of closeted preachers of mega churches. So its tantamount that faith-based communities join forces with LGBTQ organizations to meet some of these challenges head-on in an open and honest dialog. Because their refusal to acknowledge and deny our existence within and outside their organizations is at the height of hypo-criticism.<br /><br />Challenges within the Workplace, International Rights and Immigration, the Military, Parenting, Hate Crimes, Coming Out, Youth, Aging, Health, Trans-gender issues remain big ticket issues for us, not to mention the sometimes illusive presence/inclusion of people of color within the framework.<br /><br />So, let's celebrate with love in our hearts and minds. But let's also remember our struggle for civil rights continue. And a huge victory such as what New York has achieved this week will give us incentive that achieving our collective goals can happen. It also reminds us that our dreams are indeed possible in our lifetime.Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-33511564858810678182011-01-23T12:53:00.012-05:002011-01-23T13:39:43.597-05:00Opening up 2011 on the "Wide Open" Seas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Nop0Kc0LneQOu9G_kVBEqh1B0whH1fd6QDKi0Dgv4lmiWUIWf1HVdbAC1EPNIyhPkTkkzxnPQ8TRvCWdKaPOIssCP1yvq0iJrun3NLXqEGvuER2Iwti5xHZE4q6tydh7LkGxpuDh-Th4/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Nop0Kc0LneQOu9G_kVBEqh1B0whH1fd6QDKi0Dgv4lmiWUIWf1HVdbAC1EPNIyhPkTkkzxnPQ8TRvCWdKaPOIssCP1yvq0iJrun3NLXqEGvuER2Iwti5xHZE4q6tydh7LkGxpuDh-Th4/s320/IMG_0081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565445075989223170" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtPDeisVsNBhDK5I5UE_DERXpsdjaJElb3I69EdPUN3RBdie9uWGRqILDUHlmHhcCh_ptns8DIYQGX_FvebT8vZZsN7tqcAalaGlLEgkbTIt10wLHGjkchWiSvfDy_NeYEsdAQEDSpqmp/s1600/IMG_2565.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtPDeisVsNBhDK5I5UE_DERXpsdjaJElb3I69EdPUN3RBdie9uWGRqILDUHlmHhcCh_ptns8DIYQGX_FvebT8vZZsN7tqcAalaGlLEgkbTIt10wLHGjkchWiSvfDy_NeYEsdAQEDSpqmp/s320/IMG_2565.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565444397725685842" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DH6EY6YmQoMSHnJnN3tdF2V28FmVGp5GBvBnexV9mBxOsmdS_YYb1FuqCsfcrDaSrrLeZP_DT54Z0Ua04v-DEmvrUrGEAw2sYECVWWBk_S1xVNu0XK1CUliU5TJBpSnBRut06jRXvHbC/s1600/IMG_2575.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DH6EY6YmQoMSHnJnN3tdF2V28FmVGp5GBvBnexV9mBxOsmdS_YYb1FuqCsfcrDaSrrLeZP_DT54Z0Ua04v-DEmvrUrGEAw2sYECVWWBk_S1xVNu0XK1CUliU5TJBpSnBRut06jRXvHbC/s320/IMG_2575.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565443745312539090" border="0" /></a>
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<br />I started the New Year with a vacation. There were a few reasons for the timing but one of the biggest reasons was that I found a remarkable deal on a 10-day cruise leaving from New York City.
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<br />I’ve traveled quite a bit but this would be my second cruise. The first was some fifteen years ago and one word to describe it would be forgettable. But this time would be different. My research was exhaustive. There is a plethora of information available online about cruising to the point it was almost overwhelming; however, I found a site that was not only comprehensive but it also had a message board for a variety of communities, including a fairly active board for its LGBT members. So the spoiler here is – this blog posting is NOT about my marvelous Caribbean adventure but more about a posting I responded to on this LGBT message board.
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<br />This board was incredibly resourceful. And for someone fairly new to the “cruise world,” it was beyond helpful with respect to all the areas it covered – from what to take and how to pack, to which cruise lines were more gay friendly, the difference between gay/lesbian cruise lines versus the alternative to what destinations to consider. Things were fine until the destination question popped up and there was considerable discussion about the island of Jamaica.
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<br />We all know that the world is not free from homophobia. And Jamaica has had its share of the spotlight due to its roster of reggae artists whose lyrics are rift with homophobic sentiment to a rash of violence inflicted upon its own alleged LBGT citizens. So I was not surprised to see the topic was raised on this message board regarding how unsafe the island was to LGBT tourists. Many spoke of their uncomfortable experiences while at port – everything from taunting and verbal humiliation to one poster suggesting that “a female prostitute grabbed his crotch.” While I agree that Jamaica is not the friendliest destination to those of us in the LGBT community but I was taken aback by the vitriol of some of the postings - for example, one poster made an off-color comment about Rastafarians and their “scent” and dare someone mention that their own experiences on this Island nation were far more pleasant than others. Clearly, Jamaica is not alone in its sheer ignorance with it's continued legacy of discrimination that seems to go unchallenged. And I felt that I had to post my own personal feelings on the subject:
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<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">With respect to the deep seated discrimination and homophobia within Jamaica specifically and what was suggested in other regions of the Caribbean - I am in complete agreement that these areas should be avoided and these countries should not benefit from "gay $$$" until some high level corrective action is taken in safeguarding LGBT tourists but also, measures should be taken and enforced to protect the rights of their own LGBT citizens. The taunting and harassment experienced by LGBT tourists is not as severe as the treatment experienced by the natives/citizens of these countries - treatment that often ends in the violent rape of lesbians and trans-gender individuals but also the murder of LGBT citizens - crimes that are rarely investigated/rarely prosecuted. Although this fact is obvious to some of us - it only serves to remind as that as US citizens - the fight to eradicate this type of persistent behavior through the years has been largely successful in this country with quite a distance to go I may add - however, the war to do so in other areas of the world, specifically in developing nations, is in its infancy (code word here: 'developing') and dare I mention the word “colonized” nations.
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<br />Sadly, discrimination is not something easily fought/eradicated and is something rather complex. I remember "coming out" back in the eighties and although I understood then that the great US of A wasn't necessarily the most accepting place for many, women and blacks specifically along with other groups who continue to fight for basic human rights. The homophobia I would face within my own community was another daunting issue inside of a community that was having its own growing pains just a couple of decades after the civil rights movement. But what I wasn't prepared for was the discrimination within the LGBT community itself and when I say discrimination I am speaking distinctively about racial discrimination. That was something I will never forget whether it was something as superficial as an awkward visit to a gay/lesbian bar to not seeing myself reflected in gay publications, literature, media, art etc. These days when the 'community' speaks of diversity, it is referring to Bears versus Chelsea/Muscle Queens versus Drag Queens versus economic/class differences versus political preferences, etc - often not necessarily referring to racial or gender diversity. Apologies for being long-winded but in other words, what I'm trying to say is no group is exempt from prejudice/discriminating/discrimination - and this is a somewhat vicious reality. What's going on in Jamaica needs to stop - without question - and threatening this nation by not giving them the “gay dollar” is not nearly enough because trust me, they wouldn’t miss it. But it’s been over twenty years since my coming out and although some things have improved for many within the LGBT community - to me it's obvious that some things remain the same for others.
<br /></span>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-20138735067188950682010-12-13T19:30:00.005-05:002010-12-13T19:49:24.652-05:00Center Authors, NYC Latina Writers Group and PANIC present Womyn With and Without Voice<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64IKbmmUWHlWm7FVnDhY3jfzeAMnjOzkdDJaZRKZU9QbmgHa1V3oW091YpU_KXiLNvHj6vWvi_yqoiZN9F6ame0O6MK-VnE8nohLcFSBJ1hyx61ncXMbQwNYntkXzcqqhqRURXwvpFwEO/s1600/PANIC+WOMYN+WO+VOICES.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64IKbmmUWHlWm7FVnDhY3jfzeAMnjOzkdDJaZRKZU9QbmgHa1V3oW091YpU_KXiLNvHj6vWvi_yqoiZN9F6ame0O6MK-VnE8nohLcFSBJ1hyx61ncXMbQwNYntkXzcqqhqRURXwvpFwEO/s320/PANIC+WOMYN+WO+VOICES.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550332547379632610" border="0" /></a><br />Seasons Greetings All,<br /><br />I have been given the honor by the ever talented Charlie Vazquez, once again, to present my work with an incredible group of women headed by Alicia Anabel Santos at the LGBT Community Center of New York in a program entitled <span style="font-style: italic;">Womyn Without Voices/Mujeres sin VOCES</span>. Please come join us for a spectacular evening of prose/spoken word/theatre among friends for some artistic holiday spirit.<br /><br />When: Tuesday, December 14, 2010<br />Where: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center<br />Time: 6:30pm-9:30PM<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gaycenter.org/node/5907">PANIC presents Womyn Without VOICES</a><a href="http://www.gaycenter.org/node/5907">/Mujeres sin VOCES</a><br /><br />Peace and Blessings,<br /><br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-88160098977668252622010-11-08T13:40:00.004-05:002010-11-08T13:45:55.916-05:00Best Blog Post regarding the Tea Party AgendaThe Democratic Underground had the absolute best post I've seen on the agenda of the Tea Party.<br /><br /><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Freepers, Birthers, Morons of all stripe, You didn't get mad...<br /></span></strong><span style="font-family:arial;">You didn't get mad when the Supreme Court stopped a legal recount and appointed a President.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">You didn't get mad when Cheney allowed Energy company officials to dictate energy policy.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">You didn't get mad when a covert CIA operative got outed.You didn't get mad when the Patriot Act got passed.</span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">You didn't get mad when we illegally invaded a country that posed no threat to us.You didn't get mad when we spent over 600 billion(and counting) on said illegal war.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">You didn't get mad when over 10 billion dollars just disappeared in Iraq.You didn't get mad when you saw the Abu Grahib photos.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">You didn't get mad when you found out we were torturing people.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">You didn't get mad when the government was illegally wiretapping Americans.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">You didn't get mad when we didn't catch Bin Laden.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">You didn't get mad when you saw the horrible conditions at Walter Reed.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">You didn't get mad when we let a major US city drown.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">You didn't get mad when the deficit hit the trillion dollar mark.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">You finally got mad when.. when... wait for it... when the government decided that people in America deserved the right to see a doctor if they are sick.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">Yes, illegal wars, lies, corruption, torture, stealing your tax dollars to make the rich richer, are all ok with you but helping other Americans... well fuck that. That about right? You know it is. You people have all lost your fucking minds.</span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">You are selfish, greedy, obnoxious, narcissistic, and frankly... stupid. Your pathetic little misspelled protest signs are embarrassing. Maybe you ought to find the smart person in your midst and let them make up all the signs, cause man, you look like a bunch of idiots. Also you're ugly and your mother dresses you funny. </span></div>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-36868458223283366282010-07-22T10:21:00.011-04:002010-07-22T12:15:01.629-04:00My Review of The Kids are Alright<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxwNhH9629pH6618Fnts15CnMomANpiuR8iMfvaME2I7gTfixrF2t5fj-Or3k3na7edJWfxJ_HJ_Du-PMWuOm0BsDZFYN_eu2ACKhToMFfN0Z9vpbhhAArLJuEofMPjivVZqlkFWUAo49/s1600/thekidsarealright-550x350.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496738233128401170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 204px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxwNhH9629pH6618Fnts15CnMomANpiuR8iMfvaME2I7gTfixrF2t5fj-Or3k3na7edJWfxJ_HJ_Du-PMWuOm0BsDZFYN_eu2ACKhToMFfN0Z9vpbhhAArLJuEofMPjivVZqlkFWUAo49/s320/thekidsarealright-550x350.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496735886803502898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 261px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QOFFiYlQS_iVJBZrdLHxeI0VNxov1EbSdmVZNHUiSR-h06qla9bGPGOcDDO-NJ6aaY0r0i3542-rMFvj_iIUTDRSqZmCXUUjG94MLI-7q2Rkhq890TgFAS2Ttmx_rj347nuxVz45ZN7_/s320/kidsareallright_movie03-550x448.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496737482645068210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9gVpj90gh7868xpyFZD2XMHwjMyPX5fLslpNUvuXNeKu8FbuVbPwyrnEfykcfdjyZ4G6MMIoeY4ix-fifm94ATIIoRa-aJHeg-1ekXERKnjAQwU36cJc1HhczpOHSvzk7p7fgscj1Q3H/s320/Yaya+DaCosta.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><div><div>The KIDS <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ain</span>’t</em> alright.<br /><br />And we can use the term “kids” loosely here, as, in black gay culture; the “kids” are in fact, the <em>children</em>, the <em>gayness</em> – the <em>LGBT community</em>. Now I’m not sure if <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Cholodenko</span> was playing on words or not. I doubt it.</div><div><br />I think the Lesbian Mafia summed up their thoughts on the movie in a way I found particularly fascinating as I found it predictable:<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">“We are sick of movies and shows depicting “Lesbians” f*<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">cking</span> men. The End. And if the people who produce this kind of thing knew we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">wouldn</span>’t just sit down and shut up and we’d hold them accountable, we could discourage it. It <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">isn</span>’t just a matter of a difference of opinion this film perpetuates the damaging myth that only men’s sexuality is certain and Lesbians are - not really Lesbians, especially when they are more feminine.”</span></em><br /><br />It's slightly refreshing in the face of all the kudos <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Cholodenko</span> and company has been receiving. This popularity promises to make her a very wealthy power dyke and I'm very happy for her. We can use more lesbians wielding a little power over in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Hollyweird</span>. As an artist, we open ourselves up to critical theory on our messages and processes when we produce a work. And along with the accolades, I'm sure she expected the lukewarm reception of her film by some within the community.<br /><br />In short, the film is about a lesbian couple who've been together for twenty years who are parents of two well adjusted teenagers. The teens decide to search for their sperm donor who in turn ends up in bed (very easily I may add) with one of their Mom's, completely disturbing the family unit. Lovely, concept, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">isn</span>’t it?<br /><br />The film stars two of my favorite actresses, Annette <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Bening</span> and Julianne Moore. And as expected, their performances were wonderful, especially Annette <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Bening</span> who moved me every time she got screen time. Not only did she embody the character <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Nic</span>, but I truly felt <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Nic's</span> nuances, pain, loss and anxiety throughout the film.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Being in a relationship for many years with my partner in which we parent our child together, the movie touched many chords with me, mostly the complexities of a "marriage." No it's not easy, you could see this in the film but you could also see the deep love, the support, the foundation, the glue that held things together. On the surface, this seemed like a decent lesbian relationship - or just a decent relationship regardless of description. There are highs and lows and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Cholodenko</span> depicted this well. But underneath the surface?</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The love between <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Bening</span> and Moore seemed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">genuine</span> like any other. Their individuality clashes were not unusual. They seemed somewhat affectionate enough. But I wanted to get into their bedroom. I wanted to see <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Bening</span> and Moore demonstrate their attraction emotionally as well as physically. I wanted to see them get it on! So you want to know about the sex scenes? The one scene between <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Bening</span> and Moore was absolutely horrendous. Details? You don’t want them. But I found it offensive, not only being a woman and a lesbian, but as a human being. The scene was despicable and poked holes in anything remotely erotic about lesbian sexuality. Moore was noticeably invisible in this scene and “butch” <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Bening</span> (yes, the butches are a negative target) who seemed totally disinterested in the act with her gorgeous partner seemed more interested in watching the bad gay male porn they were using as a sex aid than banging her woman. Yes, lesbian bed death rears its lovely "head," here. Unfortunately, I think the overarching theme in all the sex scenes in this film is <strong>PENISES</strong> rule – whether they belong to straight or gay bodies. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Doesn</span>’t matter. I would retract this had there been at least one, loving, sexy scene between Moore and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Bening</span> when <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">vaginas</span> got a little airtime. Don't look for it.<br /><br />Now there was ‘hot’ (and note I use the word hot very loosely here) sex. Those scenes involved Moore getting slayed by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Ruffalo</span>. We were treated to watching them in naked, sweaty, grunting action more than once – as if it were the best sex either of them have ever had. The point was over emphasized. I cringed a bit thinking the premise here was that Moore got fucked like most straight men believed a dyke should be fucked. And frankly, I was appalled. But I gotta say, the Lesbian Mafia had the same experience I did. Many straight couples in the theater, especially the men, got a kick out of the sex scenes – as they should. And by the way, there was another semi sex scene with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Ruffalo</span> and one of two persons of color in the film. A plot which was loaded on so many historically racial levels where <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Ruffalo</span> is fucking his black female “employee,” a <em>very</em> young, very beautiful, natural sister (played by the gorgeous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Yaya</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">DaCosta</span>) - who even suggested she would have a child by him???? (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">omg</span> – chattel talk-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Cholodenko</span>, you gotta be kidding me). This plot could have been completely omitted. Is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Cholodenko</span> so insensitive enough not to see the racially, historical, colonial subtext here? Or maybe she knew. In many ways, this was probably one of the most fucked up parts about the film and it still kind of messes me up when I think about it. For that, she gets no pass from me.<br /><br />And to have Moore fire the Latino gardener lying about him having a drug problem simply because he was privy to the knowledge this alleged lesbian was secretly being fucked to death by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Ruffalo</span> was a cheap shot - not to mention how disposable immigrant labor is. This was another plot in the film that was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">gratuitous</span> and one we could have done without.<br /><br />Remember the beginning seasons with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Chaiken</span>’s L-word where we had to sit through the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">subtle</span> racist overtones in the few “of color” characters she tossed in? <em>(note to white lesbian directors, if you use people of color in your projects, either show them with some dignity or just leave us out completely) </em>I also can't forget how we were also assaulted by a barrage of men fucking lesbians. Thankfully she eased up on some of it but what I can deduce from it all is that the privilege of whiteness must mean that one must submit to the dominant culture in order to get your art produced, accepted and fed to the masses. Women and women’s sexuality are always represented as fluid as well as secondary to the power of male sexuality. And clearly people of color, if not exploited, should be erased entirely. Gay men are quite fortunate that that they don’t have to constantly be forced to watch a gay man being fucked by a woman. For lesbians, it’s an all too familiar reality in cinema which even in the 21st century we can't seem to escape. In <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Cholodenko's</span> film, there were strong, even poignant points made with respect to lesbian families about love, relationships and parenting. It's a pity that it had to be co-opted by moments where the depictions of the values and feelings of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">marginalized</span> groups had to be sacrificed in order to get these important points across. </div></div></div>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-70142002140483052332010-06-10T02:40:00.005-04:002010-06-10T03:07:49.974-04:00Yes!!! Another Reading<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6enTf767cHpEVQ_Yrksw1LYLnzL8rT5-JifhoBvIMFu3SY5Tn2SIyQLqVRIQAoAqGZw9FmFMPIeRKgUJDTqFE6dwBaGfdgNgqpNG491KYu2U_n4CpSbNpm4ZYdtzGWQQCBlNjd3UpC2yl/s1600/BAAD+10th+Annual+Out+Like+That.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6enTf767cHpEVQ_Yrksw1LYLnzL8rT5-JifhoBvIMFu3SY5Tn2SIyQLqVRIQAoAqGZw9FmFMPIeRKgUJDTqFE6dwBaGfdgNgqpNG491KYu2U_n4CpSbNpm4ZYdtzGWQQCBlNjd3UpC2yl/s320/BAAD+10th+Annual+Out+Like+That.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481033194754176898" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">"I'm zipping up my boots, I'm going back to my roots,"<br /><br /><h3 style="font-weight: normal;" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="UIStory_Message">Come to the Bronx (to the place of my birth) for a wonderful line-up of OUT writers including yours truly at the AMAZING Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance. It promises to be a divine evening.</span></h3>When: Thursday, June 10, 2010<br /><br />Where: The Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance<br />841 Barretto Street<br />Bronx, New York<br /><br />Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm<br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=809445503#%21/event.php?eid=121997817838835&ref=ts">For Reservations and more Info - Click HERE</a><br /><br /></div>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-31581832206090184752010-04-21T15:51:00.007-04:002010-04-21T16:13:17.030-04:00Another Reading - Please Mark Your Calendar.<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqoZShfB2byb0qWJ6rTIeVRza_hqvA39F6x8Di1mb7JxszDf-OHX9CKRr1wYaPQuJZUY1qjeFc5o8Mj8VRt0md-pilG5UewgNFcMW9C81R9EcSInSAWfCu7KVTWMLOjHJ2qiLGjwzdLNH/s1600/Spring+Fever+Panic.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462681799156375858" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqoZShfB2byb0qWJ6rTIeVRza_hqvA39F6x8Di1mb7JxszDf-OHX9CKRr1wYaPQuJZUY1qjeFc5o8Mj8VRt0md-pilG5UewgNFcMW9C81R9EcSInSAWfCu7KVTWMLOjHJ2qiLGjwzdLNH/s320/Spring+Fever+Panic.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I'm reading at Charlie Vazquez's monthly Panic Series entitled "Spring Fever Panic." Daniel Lopez, Lena Tsodikovich, Robert Smith of <em>Brother, My Lover </em>queer reading series and Stan Barber will be reading from his new book about Alexander the Great. We hope to dazzle you with tasty literary morsels. It promises to be a lovely time. And don't forget to personally congratulate Charlie on the recent publication of <em>his</em> new book<em> Contraband </em>- (and buy a copy too!)</div><div align="center">Exciting times.<br /><br />Date: <strong>Wednesday, April 28, 2010</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center">Time: <strong>7:45pm - 10:00pm </strong></div><strong><div align="center"></strong>Location: <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="font-size:100%;">Nowhere</span></strong> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Street: <strong>322 E 14th St, (btwn 1st/2nd Aves)</strong> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">City/Town: <strong>New York City<br /></strong></div>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-39153212507694845722010-03-26T09:46:00.010-04:002010-04-01T10:54:15.512-04:00Never Forget<a href="http://thelonggoodbye.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/tea-baggers-with-obama-poster.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 385px; height: 310px;" src="http://thelonggoodbye.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/tea-baggers-with-obama-poster.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://ladylibertyslamp.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/teabagger500x700-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 700px;" src="http://ladylibertyslamp.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/teabagger500x700-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It can be agreed that there is something wrong with a country where some of its citizens believe it a crime that everyone should have healthcare. Now I am a highly opininated person - but I'll tone down much of my personal perspective by simply saying that I believe the passage of healthcare reform is far bigger that we all can fully understand right now. A huge precedent continues its momentum moving forward with a central theme - equality for all - be it for healthcare, equality for the LGBT community - equality for 'immigrants'. I suppose when there is a perception that civil/human rights is somehow undermining capitalism and its underpinings - there is something else at work. And we don't have to look very far to see what that something else might be. Like the images I posted above and many of the others we've been exposed to from the earlier town hall rallies to present day on the Capitol - these images touched me in an intensely personal way. I'd like to share an experience with you.<br /><br />I grew up in the Bronx where the Whitestone and Throggs Neck bridges converge. It was (and remains) a predominately white neighborhood where the blacks/latinos and a mixture of whites were segregated in one small section. It was the seventies. The relationships between Blacks/Latinos and the Italians, Irish and some Jewish was tense but for the most part, somewhat civilized (short of the mini race riot of 73 - another story for another time.) Because you see, as long as the people of color in the community patronized white businesses - whites were receptive to taking our money. In other words, we were tolerated. Tragically, a few decades later things have not changed in that area in the Bronx. See article below.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/06/nyregion/06housing.html?scp=1&sq=bronx%20homes%20discrimination&st=cse">Edgewater and Silver Beach Gardens accused of discriminatory practices.</a><br /><br />So one morning my brother and I are taking the bus to school. It's a morning like any other - many of the kids of color take the public buses to school, mixed with residents, morning commuters and other white kids - who for some reason can't walk to school, don't drive to school or other reasons. My brother and I always stand at the middle of the bus for an easy exit. On this day we were half way to school when we hear a commotion at the front of the bus. It was somewhat crowded but what I saw was a young black girl, younger than me, arguing with a pair of older white women. The ladies apparently asked the young girl to give up her seat and she refused. Naturally I noticed it was an unfair advantage that two adults were arguing with a young girl but when some of the other women on the bus joined in the argument and things were being said that should not be said to young children, in fact - to any one for that matter, I became frightened, just frozen with fear. <em>Nigger, dirty nigger </em>came out of these women's mouths in thick accents, which made the girl cower and cry. When they started to spit on her - globs of spit and mucous dripping from her face, in her hair, her clothing, I grabbed my brothers hand moving quickly toward the front of the bus, wrapping the young girl in my arms and demanding the bus driver let us off. And he did, right in the middle of the street. I will never, ever forget that moment for as long as I live.<br /><br />So watching the news and videos of <em>those </em>people taunt and use hurtful, hateful words, threatening bodily harm, and excreting body fluids from their foul mouths to our government officials - it took me back to that moment in time on that bus in the Bronx. Back then, as an Eighth grader - if you told me that I would witness a Black President in my lifetime - I would have never believed you. But now that President Obama is in office - I have to say that I am not in disbelief over the actions of a very vocal, destructive point of view that still lives in America and might very well be thriving. There is <em>some </em>change we can believe in. But, unfortunately, some things never change.Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-64139881694031829772010-02-27T08:12:00.000-05:002010-02-27T08:13:11.813-05:00untitledExcuse me while I kiss<br />Her thighs<br />Because my mind’s eye<br />Is paralyzed by<br /><br />Oceans of freedom<br />Masquerading as <br />Acts of sin<br />Swathed in velvet<br />And silk<br />And ermine<br />Enveloping an<br />Enclosed openness<br />Of limitless possibilities<br /><br />Sating an endless, angry hunger<br />Red as rage<br />Attempts at smoothing over<br />A restless, fearless spirit<br />That’s been tamed<br />Into a petulant<br />resentful<br />Quietness<br />Seeking the warmth<br />Of raw, unedited truths<br />And naked realities<br />Piercing<br />Like arrows<br />Dotted tips <br />Of poisonRosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-76230278204766702092010-01-31T13:34:00.008-05:002010-01-31T14:10:58.626-05:00President Obama's First Year<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-ipYlGD_4pnHtB4VnHFgH9brSeRbNbWB8EbCNjB1X8I7nCNzqZs1Dv27JolXcBDYL_q8LqqIndEVDKyVTPIW10ok2mOvQze2-LWOh3AY1xb4OvSSZd8pu9mr011wb5yV9oWp7fmDetAY/s1600-h/Obama.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-ipYlGD_4pnHtB4VnHFgH9brSeRbNbWB8EbCNjB1X8I7nCNzqZs1Dv27JolXcBDYL_q8LqqIndEVDKyVTPIW10ok2mOvQze2-LWOh3AY1xb4OvSSZd8pu9mr011wb5yV9oWp7fmDetAY/s320/Obama.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432983410620503138" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">This was what our President was faced with back in 2009.</p><p class="MsoNormal">A crumbling domestic (and international) economy with our country nearly leaning toward another depression as it fought its way through a recession.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Record levels of debt.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Rising unemployment.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A challenging healthcare system.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>An unfinished war in the Middle East.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Continued terrorists threats.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Gays insisting if a black man can be president then they should be able to get married and he’d better enable it soon.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tea baggers begging for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">their</i> country back.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Republicans shouting about bi-partisanship even though during eight years of Bush and Cheney - the words were never uttered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m truly amazed at the fact that certain segments of American society are actually angry at the President for not cleaning up this mess during the very first year of his term.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With the unrealistic and frankly incredulous idea that President Obama was suppose to turn this country around in 365 days after almost 3000 days of destructive Republican policies is pure comedy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With the terms liberal and socialist being tossed about like dirty words, when will these certain segments of American society realize that the United States is probably the only Western nation that doesn’t have universal healthcare, free college tuition for its citizens and that welfare, which by the way, is not a terrible thing to offer to those in need.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">I believe there is a deep fear, that President Obama will not only turn this country around, but, and I know I'm going out on a limb here, he will go down in history as probably the greatest Presidents that ever ruled these United States. Considering its' legacy, this will probably be the best thing to ever happen to this country. </span></p>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-31175968822497459892010-01-22T16:21:00.003-05:002010-01-22T16:26:54.646-05:00Quote of the Day<em>"I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration."</em><br />Frida KahloRosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-25505990191726031692010-01-17T14:08:00.006-05:002010-01-21T12:24:29.467-05:00Haiti<p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm76oUxLY73iMhZTe_9V7It1jpUVx3m3T2b52vYAzH9yFWrUMnti6iexN_L2U7LLQBUvCu9gtgS7mwo1cXmjtwobcPQwUy-yKnWDjc0l_wNCEi2b-NWDl8iWNL-gmmWA0IS0KMrbdh3It/s1600-h/Haitian+Flag.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427787921420139970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm76oUxLY73iMhZTe_9V7It1jpUVx3m3T2b52vYAzH9yFWrUMnti6iexN_L2U7LLQBUvCu9gtgS7mwo1cXmjtwobcPQwUy-yKnWDjc0l_wNCEi2b-NWDl8iWNL-gmmWA0IS0KMrbdh3It/s320/Haitian+Flag.gif" border="0" /></a></p><br />It took me a while to blog about Haiti.<br /><br />From the moment I heard, I knew, like many knew, how devastating this natural disaster could be for this small island nation even before the news reports and the images began to materialize. Being just about the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, I have to repeat what many have said, that the handling of Haiti could very well become another Katrina in many ways. However, it is important to note that many of the players are different. We shall see. So it is my hope and focusing much of my prayers that Haiti will heal from this, rebound and will become an even stronger nation than it already is and that it will become an even greater nation moving forward.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>L'Union Fait La Force ("Unity Makes Strength")</strong></span></div>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-38922970770441281552010-01-08T12:05:00.011-05:002010-01-12T20:36:53.632-05:00Happy New Year - Happy New Decade<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdWX8lhqrE8ChtxmqxB63bph7AsYWWQ3EbvGRvPQLVqg6kBc-G3pATV1ZXJpDfounDTL3bSQlqfNCftX19k3YnNkrqIpJFJi248TMgrONhdTUEpVYM25uPMTE5yn7N8C4vYWwGGa_Rt3y/s1600-h/2010+SHE+poster.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424420505044239650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdWX8lhqrE8ChtxmqxB63bph7AsYWWQ3EbvGRvPQLVqg6kBc-G3pATV1ZXJpDfounDTL3bSQlqfNCftX19k3YnNkrqIpJFJi248TMgrONhdTUEpVYM25uPMTE5yn7N8C4vYWwGGa_Rt3y/s320/2010+SHE+poster.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR6WnYZYGDpBuIs8JQEAEqLOu3BiRaVyfpfIsP2b3b39eEwGSKD-Zxt9szy1MQiVEvw6JQ7SC9tHsardTO_fPBI6Ozv-hjyhuS_v6coeYrVsjUXO8hpeAUYQZw5W9eCpym_TQ2GWSc8Ht/s1600-h/The+New+Decade.jpg"></a><div>If the first decade of the millinieum was significant for any special reason at all, it would have to be the fact that the United States elected it's first black president. Not really attempting to look at the mess that was left him from the prior administration, a mess people are expecting him to 'clean-up' expediently - going forward we can only look up to what promises to be an interesting future for this country and the entire world. I'm looking forward to Gay Marriage being legal in all fifty states. I'm looking forward to Universal Healthcare in this country. I'm looking forward to the end of the use of the term 'immigrant' to define people who come to this country for the very same reason everyone else came here (at least the ones who came willingly) and for them to be naturalized equitably like everyone else "afforded" citizenship. I'm looking forward to the decrease in gay/lesbian/bi/trans bashing and stricter sentences against the perpetrators. I'm looking forward to a decrease (and elimination) in crimes against children and stricter sentences against the perpetrators. I'm looking forward to a decrease in the number of people of color in prisons, a decrease in women in prisons and to answers why pregnant women are in even in the prison system in the first place. I'm looking forward to less criminal acts (and elimination) against women, children and those locked inside 'the other' category internationally. I'm looking forward (and elimination) to a decrease in crimes against animals and stricter penalties against those who abuse and kill them. I'm looking forward to a greener planet and a reduced carbon footprint for all. I'm looking forward to food and clean water for all. I know I'm looking forward to a lot. I know I'm optimistic. But we must aim high to accomplish most things in life. Imagine if Obama never uttered the words, "Yes WE can." The "we" is very essential here.</div><div></div><div></div><div>In my opinion, the next nine years should be kinda fly.</div></div>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-13787051262089205082009-12-10T21:00:00.011-05:002009-12-10T21:48:59.446-05:00Seeds are planted and it ain't even SPRING....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZqkghMizVkoCoHOOcOJpgEhN9UZo5XHm5g7LH5KmgJDAT3vXyErMkKxy4HcPyHnaW02BEZFnEvWEM7hqRMISYVAxXTv14Pwop1KrJoV9738zViHH79WHf06lJJ6yABFPVLPij3lAXcOw/s1600-h/Ros+and+T2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZqkghMizVkoCoHOOcOJpgEhN9UZo5XHm5g7LH5KmgJDAT3vXyErMkKxy4HcPyHnaW02BEZFnEvWEM7hqRMISYVAxXTv14Pwop1KrJoV9738zViHH79WHf06lJJ6yABFPVLPij3lAXcOw/s320/Ros+and+T2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413792841378184402" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>T will be five in two weeks. I have feelings about him being the only black person in his class. I struggle. But in this post-modern, Obama era I try and convince myself that raising this beautiful black male in the most honorable, the most intelligently responsible way, won't be so difficult in this interesting, blended mosaic, mock Utopian and tragically problematic place - which is the "United" States.</div><div><br /></div><div>So why does T come home from school one day, upset - offended. I can see it in his face and his body language when he relates to me that some boys and girls in his class, he calls them each by name, are drawing pictures of him, images of him, behind bars - in jail. T is disturbed by this and he asks me is he going to jail. And I have to console him, promising him that this would never, ever happen to my sweet, delicate, pumpkin. But in the back of my mind, and I'm not pulling any class card by bringing up Skip Gates how tragically telling this is - almost a decade into the new millennium. Recognizing how real his fear is - is a miserable reality. Assaulting the innocence of children is such a shameful, hateful crime and I know the culprits are cruelly securing the privilege of their offspring. That T's classmates are already throwing him in that fucked-up, blatantly racist box -and these little minions are not even out of Kindergarten yet - makes me wonder what their family's dinner conversations are like.</div><div><br /></div><div>God Bless Fucking America.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-40255717598443888282009-11-22T09:47:00.004-05:002009-11-22T09:57:30.083-05:00I LOVE a Good Reading<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHx9c496OTLUzSBO_lKw5-mStVjgktCSKX8JA0m_uIEcSoip8FyMX3CgHay9zyOM7EUNDmqFy2mszkhNjb-Itjhyphenhyphen2u02YDpQr2DdXv6ENXKNa0aLUUaBF7S0Gfp5BMpB_7sLyy3ytAtbM/s1600/In+the+Flesh+Photo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHx9c496OTLUzSBO_lKw5-mStVjgktCSKX8JA0m_uIEcSoip8FyMX3CgHay9zyOM7EUNDmqFy2mszkhNjb-Itjhyphenhyphen2u02YDpQr2DdXv6ENXKNa0aLUUaBF7S0Gfp5BMpB_7sLyy3ytAtbM/s320/In+the+Flesh+Photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406940044365028626" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Not only was it standing room only but guests were literally lining the corridor outside the main room to listen to and for a glimpse of the line-up of writers for "In the Flesh," 4th Anniversary celebration. T'was a sexy crowd with tremendous writer feedback (which is great for the ego). And as promised, the treats, with a delightful emphasis on sweet and incredibly luscious cupcakes of all sizes ruled the palate (among other things, I'm thinking). Thanks to one of my fav editors of all time, Rachel Kramer Bussel for making it all possible. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-24541257167211492892009-11-19T10:21:00.007-05:002009-11-19T12:22:28.848-05:00Come Celebrate the 4th Anniversary of the "In the Flesh," Reading Series<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkIL1r84XDiEflDkYSgEuH2xIleThN81QxVrLyCBYDHabiNWIARKbdPuW598phg9STMTXtyQnnuQYZGXB-XE_f2wsgQ_lltit4J7_sIWn3b3YrlHloAe1sgC8df6VGddXdyw6ohYvOCf4/s1600/RKB.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405836014586119202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 169px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkIL1r84XDiEflDkYSgEuH2xIleThN81QxVrLyCBYDHabiNWIARKbdPuW598phg9STMTXtyQnnuQYZGXB-XE_f2wsgQ_lltit4J7_sIWn3b3YrlHloAe1sgC8df6VGddXdyw6ohYvOCf4/s320/RKB.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I’m reading with the fabulous Miss Rachel Kramer Bussel along with an amazing line-up for the 4th Year Anniversary of “In the Flesh,” Reading Series. You’ll hear some delicious writing, nibble on tasty cupcakes and there will be some fantastic give-aways.</div><br /><div align="center">Don’t miss it!!!<br /><br />The Details: <a href="http://www.inthefleshreadingseries.com/">In the Flesh Reading Series<br /></a><br />When: Thursday, November 19, 2009<br /><br />Where: Happy Ending Lounge<br />302 Broome Street, NYC<br />(btwn Forsyth & Eldridge)<br />Look for the hot pink awning that says XIE HE Health Club<br /><br />Transportation: (B/D to Grand, J/M/Z to Bowery, F to Delancey or F/V to 2nd Ave)<br /><br />Admission: Free<br /><br />Venue Website: <a href="http://www.happyendinglounge.com/">Happy Ending Lounge </a><br /><br />Facebook Invite: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-The-Flesh-Reading-Series/152227601422#/event.php?eid=146775677285&index=1">In The Flesh Facebook Page<br /></div></a></div>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-2743058318080343922009-11-04T01:05:00.026-05:002009-11-04T12:16:42.931-05:00Translove: Are we Ruled by Desire or Politics?<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400286847042828018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYnyEbi8u3oDfYZ1-HKTvgQrm3XB2C5easgGqGE98_vv8fxLNUXhDdggBfA6E2buyyW8A6RmpHyooD1eC0Du4C7-QGqQUDjFywujpZ2IC58veK5fd-0-5PGJe5mU-pR5L1q9vDpDRrC4g/s320/ziegler.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieM54MaMHmTYMJLZgpAibGDzomWgdGIHXVGYjFnsHqdfzm_ATGSjBnhc8uaGFB-zZfn5HbeANqSyAqAZVWONeBeY6wzrRo1j7HTN6Zc05GjPNEPYE1irPfnTSTWZK2KOZr7CbKZmrgfI5H/s1600-h/laverne+cox.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400286967388477778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieM54MaMHmTYMJLZgpAibGDzomWgdGIHXVGYjFnsHqdfzm_ATGSjBnhc8uaGFB-zZfn5HbeANqSyAqAZVWONeBeY6wzrRo1j7HTN6Zc05GjPNEPYE1irPfnTSTWZK2KOZr7CbKZmrgfI5H/s320/laverne+cox.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Last summer I wrote a piece on a friend's blog (Wanda Acosta's Starlette/Angels and Kings) about Translove and what some queer women I know felt about the notion of hooking up, being involved with and possibly falling in love with a trans-person. Since then, my views on trans-related issues have been enlightened considerably. At any rate, if you haven't read it already, I hope you enjoy the piece</span>.</div><div></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Webdings;">l</span></div><span style="font-family:Webdings;"></span><br /><div align="left">One evening I was sitting around with a bunch of friends having cocktails. We’re in our 30’s and better, artists mixed with professional women, well traveled, well read and well ensconced into our “lesbian” lifestyles. Most of us are either “married," in committed relationships or dating. After a few rounds, the atmosphere became more relaxed and we started talking shit, talking about how hot and how in shape we thought we were for our age, boasting about our libidinous pasts, bragging about all the hot women we’ve had or what we would do if we suddenly found ourselves single at this stage in our lives. Some insisted that dating again would be a blast. Others said they didn’t look forward to getting back into the scene where finding a suitable life partner might be highly problematic. Obviously inebriated, we delved into the possibilities of engaging in anonymous sex, threesomes, group sex, wondering if being in a polyamorous or open relationship would even be cute at 40? What being a divorced lesbian at 35 years of age with 2 children would look like with respect to finding love? The conversation went all over the place with a variety of different scenarios thrown into the intoxicating mix, but the real show stopper, the very thing that jolted the conversation was, would anyone date a transperson/transidentified/gender different and/or gender questioning individual?<br /><br />Some exchanged these nervous stares, some shook their heads negatively while others didn’t hesitate with their “hell no’s.” Since I happened to be the one who tossed the topic into the ring in the first place, I needed to know why the hell no’s felt the way they did. Well, as expected, these forward thinking, well rounded women didn’t have very open minded explanations for their well executed hell no’s at all. In fact, most couldn’t even explain why they would never go out with someone who was trans-identified. They just knew that they wouldn’t.<br /><br />Is it really just a matter of preference? Maybe. Personally I’ve always been fascinated with identity. I love all derivatives of female and masculine identities. From the highest, lipstick wearing, stiletto wielding fem to the hardest, deep voiced, dildo packing, butch swagger walking. Bi-sexual women? No problem. But dating a transperson transcends female/male identities as we know them, possibly redefining our own sense of identity in the process. Some would say I don’t mind going where many women wouldn’t dare to go. But this is more of a bigger statement about my own identity. I acknowledge the fact that I’m much more open than my peers. I’m willing to stretch my experiences to the limit, if there even is a limit. Variety being the spice of life is more than a notion to me. But the larger question is whether or not my choices or openness with respect to preferences is more of an unconscious political decision more than simply preference? Are the decisions of my friends to completely forgo even considering dating a transperson more about politics than preference and desire? Why is it so easy for them to knock something/someone they haven’t even tried? And to take it one step further is preference a form of discrimination? I guess the same argument could be had about race. Is dating people of one specific race about preference or is it unconsciously political? Are you discriminating against groups of people because of your racial preference? Or because you’re uncomfortable with gender fluidity? Just to pare all of this down, I think maybe I’m just one of those hopeless romantics who feels that you can’t help who you fall in love with. If you were deaf and blind and presented merely with the warmth, the touch and the essence of an individual and from that it was demonstrated to you how they would shower you with their unconditional love, their kindness, understanding and passion - suddenly, their race, their gender identity, their body, many characteristics would all be secondary.<br /><br />I know what it’s like to be discriminated against. I’ve been called the N word and the D word to my face and behind my back. I’ve been chastised because of the way I wear my hair, my fashion choices, my music choices and even because I’ve dared to date butch or bi or big women. C’est la vie. I'm a proud African American woman, an out and proud lesbian whose dated those who considered themselves Black, White, Mixed Race, Latina, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, African, European, Middle Eastern. I’ve dated Buddhists, Christians, Jewish, Muslims, Atheists. I’ve dated Democrats, Republicans and Independents. I’ve dated skinny woman, athletically diesel to plus size. I’ve dated blue collar to white collar to no collar. I’m fairly worldly. I’ve been to five of the seven continents and I have a deep and committed curiosity about the world we’re living in. I’m in a long-term committed relationship of my dreams with a partner I couldn't imagine life without, in my own private version of a queer nuclear family. Couldn’t be happier. But if I ever found myself in the position of being single, would I ever date a FTM transperson? The answer would be absolutely! Why not? But, when the question was posed back to me would I ever date a MTF transperson, I was forced to go back to consider whether preference is political, based strictly on desire, or do I really discriminate? Suddenly this invisible line in the sand was drawn. So I wasn’t as open-minded as I claimed to be after all. Of course this propelled me to do some of my own quiet reflection. Who am I to judge anyone with respect to their politics, their preferences or who they are? Because it must be a beautifully, tumultuous combination of politics and preference that rule our desire. But I can't dismiss the fact that the little dirty word called discrimination must play some role in desire and preference whether or not we care to admit it. At least as far as I can tell.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqh-8cTbodrLOkWZ27WwNQ7Rghf7DmGSGCH_DM-SMLHDLvLEa_FktOnDq_29tdw2h4nl7-hv9XwHAY2PA82elwlKVQ9BqC2ac9tN5mdhrrANjGU-OgjiqepF88fImeKDZ1L163Y6vXHWGY/s1600-h/laverne+cox.jpg"></a></div><br /><p></p><br /><p align="center"></p>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-21809939064965208572009-10-30T12:14:00.000-04:002009-10-30T12:15:30.357-04:00Pardon my Absencebut my latest?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">strangled by domesticity.</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-91244381374632981042009-10-14T11:53:00.006-04:002009-10-14T19:01:54.515-04:00PANIC Comes to the New York Public Library<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifS0hBxdK43fcxeeqZopGVQH5qyt0iWgxywna8ZD7JYhYvD1xn1iQjw-SkELxFkdePWr1Ii36B9oyQNK_XojgxXwgKaaIsPTi2UL4lndQU2jUCwlsY7bxBFBrFz6Q0MyZkHEfcbaniQxWS/s1600-h/Panic+Library+Pic.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392563417803115698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifS0hBxdK43fcxeeqZopGVQH5qyt0iWgxywna8ZD7JYhYvD1xn1iQjw-SkELxFkdePWr1Ii36B9oyQNK_XojgxXwgKaaIsPTi2UL4lndQU2jUCwlsY7bxBFBrFz6Q0MyZkHEfcbaniQxWS/s200/Panic+Library+Pic.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hello People,<br /><br /><p></p><p>This is just a friendly reminder to come join a collection of cool, queer writers of color for an afternoon of literary magic at the New York Public Library - Jefferson Market branch. You can get up early Saturday morning, have a divine brunch in the Village with friends and head on over to the library about 2:30pm - Sixth Avenue and 11th Street. It's going to be a really fierce way to spend the afternoon.</p><br /><p><a href="http://lgbt.nypl.org/">Get the Details HERE:</a></p><br /><p></p><br /><p><br /></p></div>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-34186014987861923922009-10-04T11:48:00.004-04:002009-10-04T12:08:04.886-04:00PANIC! at the New York Public Library - Part 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1xuMyPrTmbFoyQveX4XHjQDNA31mBnz9mgnKwcOj8RbufhTntFseVuKaMCpn8cI1P5JeMhnN7Hgh77euadUPPfYZVIRhVoQWW09eOfth7hyphenhyphenfIz_hXrvTqVN_nw5QqiJJ6TxPtygBKlYc/s1600-h/NYPL+PANIC.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1xuMyPrTmbFoyQveX4XHjQDNA31mBnz9mgnKwcOj8RbufhTntFseVuKaMCpn8cI1P5JeMhnN7Hgh77euadUPPfYZVIRhVoQWW09eOfth7hyphenhyphenfIz_hXrvTqVN_nw5QqiJJ6TxPtygBKlYc/s200/NYPL+PANIC.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388774549076268450" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you haven't heard me read, here is a remarkable opportunity in a stimulating setting. Charlie Vázquez is bringing his banging queer reading series PANIC! to the New York Public Library's Jefferson Market branch. Four delicious queer writers of color: Karen Jaime, Brandon Lacy Campos, Charlie Vázquez the host and myself will be there shaking things up in the name of queer lit. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><table id="Time and Place" class="profileTable info_table" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><tbody><tr><td class="label" style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; line-height: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; width: 100px; color: rgb(128, 128, 128); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Date:</span></td><td class="data" style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; line-height: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; "><div class="datawrap" style="word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Saturday, October 17, 2009</span></div></td></tr><tr><td class="label" style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; line-height: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; width: 100px; color: rgb(128, 128, 128); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Time:</span></td><td class="data" style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; line-height: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; "><div class="datawrap" style="word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">2:30pm - 3:30pm</span></div></td></tr><tr><td class="label" style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; line-height: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; width: 100px; color: rgb(128, 128, 128); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Location:</span></td><td class="data" style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; line-height: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; "><div class="datawrap" style="word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Jefferson Market NYPL</span></div></td></tr><tr><td class="label" style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; line-height: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; width: 100px; color: rgb(128, 128, 128); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Street:</span></td><td class="data" style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; line-height: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; "><div class="datawrap" style="word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">425 6th Avenue at 10th Street</span></div></td></tr><tr><td class="label" style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; line-height: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; width: 100px; color: rgb(128, 128, 128); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">City/Town:</span></td><td class="data" style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top; line-height: 13px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; "><div class="datawrap" style="word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">New York, NY</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Come join us!!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:11px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126394602672662411.post-71531277417310194982009-10-03T12:32:00.005-04:002009-10-03T12:57:52.673-04:00The Little Boy and His Purse<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCON1_piJiF1dG4vFWXwylh2mPXwKL2PlK7WCdiN_G68TCnlWLxiDtoGdwIW9BoTa85GglrImlhjTjXjj1pFiiHyGoJPedo9ZTX8WHjQbVadidgAzUDATdFg0qbvgLSRKySIGs6jN-8u1/s1600-h/purse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCON1_piJiF1dG4vFWXwylh2mPXwKL2PlK7WCdiN_G68TCnlWLxiDtoGdwIW9BoTa85GglrImlhjTjXjj1pFiiHyGoJPedo9ZTX8WHjQbVadidgAzUDATdFg0qbvgLSRKySIGs6jN-8u1/s200/purse.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388414374828184338" /></a>This morning was a beautiful, picture perfect, autumn Saturday. My son and I thought it was a nice idea to take walk. I had to run a couple of errands and we were in search of a 500 piece puzzle for him.<div><br /></div><div>We were in the toy department of one of those lovely capitalistic conglomerates. Kids were running around from aisle to aisle just high from the kiddie crack that lined the shelves. My son was convincing me why he had to have Transformers/Power Rangers/Batman/Thomas the train - some toy of that ilk and not the puzzle we talked about earlier. In the meantime, I'm doing what I like doing, people watching. Son ran to an aisle where a mother and son stood, Mother, kneeling down, talking to her son in calming tone, negotiating a purchase of some Transformer type gadget. The little boy had to be the age of my son, maybe a little older. In the crook of his upward bent arm was the cutest brown little tapestry purse with a wooden handle - a sweet pink flower crocheted on the front of it. I smiled immediately, to myself, and to this Mom - whom seemed just like an average Mother raising her child in the city - not super cool or hip or anything. Just being a loving, accepting Mom. And I thought to myself - for a Mother to let her 5yr old son rock a purse - out in public too - was truly a beautiful thing.</div>Rosalind Christine Lloydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08654216018541007561noreply@blogger.com0