Occasionally I try to remember what life was like back when we had no mobile phones, no email, no social media, no internet, and no home computers. Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be one of those “back in the
It Was the Stone Age, But We Were Happy
50 Years After Stonewall: the Good, the Bad, and the Tacky
This year (2019), there has been noticeably more emphasis placed on Pride Month. One obvious reason is that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riot in Greenwich Village, New York City. Aside from that, I think this
10 Ways to Make This Your Best Year Yet
Regardless of whether or not you embrace the practice of making New Year’s resolutions, the start of each new year presents an opportunity to reflect upon what went well and not so well during the past year. Of course, any
The Adventure List: What it is and Why You Need One
By now, you have almost certainly heard of the Bucket List. That’s a list of things you hope to experience before you pass away or “kick the bucket.” Perhaps you even have one. I do. I think they are a
30 Years Ago: Remembering the 1987 National March on Washington
Today, October 11, is National Coming Out Day. This day could have easily come and gone without my remembering it had I not seen a post from someone else on Facebook. I’ve been out for so long that this day
The iPhone is 10 Years Old Today
Ten years ago today (June 29, 2007), the first iPhone was released. It’s hard for me to believe that it’s only been ten years. And it’s hard to imagine that a piece of technology could change our lives so dramatically
How to Survive and Thrive for the Next 4 Years in Trumpistan
Like many of you, I was devastated by Donald Trump’s surprising upset victory in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. As I write this article on Inauguration Day (January 20, 2017), I can’t help but feel extremely apprehensive about what the
Death and Despair as 2016 Draws to a Close? No Thanks, I’ll Pass
A lot of my friends are distraught over all of the celebrity deaths that have occurred during the closing days of 2016 – and throughout the year, for that matter. Maybe you’re one of them. Many of my friends are
On Holding Hands in Public
Last weekend, on Friday night at about 9:45, Jeff and I were walking several blocks back to our car after enjoying an evening of theatre in downtown Phoenix. It was a pleasant evening, only slightly hot. There were only a
Today I Let Go of an Icon from My Past
Today I sold a souvenir from my past; something that represented a turning point in my life regarding coming to terms with myself and discovering who I really am. Jeff and I are in the process of downsizing our possessions.
Why Are Some Same-Sex Couples Not Getting Married?
The Supreme Court decision on June 26, 2015, which made same-sex marriage legal everywhere in the United States, was a huge, monumental win for fairness and equality. The decision made it clear that same-sex couples would be legally married anywhere
Should I ever refuse to marry a couple?
I am a wedding officiant. I’ve only been doing this for about half a year, but I’ve married about 40 couples so far and I have 15 scheduled in the coming months. It’s immensely rewarding. It’s wonderful to be part
I’m getting noticed as a wedding officiant!
Yesterday, I received this 13-page diatribe from some right-wing religious fanatic in Canoga Park, CA. In barely-literate scrawl which I imagine is typical of letters of this nature, he warned me that if I continue to marry same-sex couples, I
A friend’s early passing provides an opportunity for reflection
A friend of ours passed away a couple days ago. He wasn’t a close friend, he was more of an acquaintance whom we always enjoyed seeing whenever we would run into each other at parties. We were Facebook friends, so