Category Archives: North America

Bucket Lizard

Posted on June 25, 2011 by | Leave a comment

We freed it. How it got into a bucket in the downstairs bathroom – who knows!

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Posted in ANIMALS: Human and otherwise..., Mendocino County, Photography

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Get Psyched for Pride! Three Articles

Posted on June 24, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Photo from the first-ever SF Trans March, 2004. (Photographer unknown.)

In honor of Pride, I wanted to share three Pride-related articles, two old and one new.

1. “Watching the Defectives”
Joe My God’s annual Pride column, shared on this blog a couple weeks ago. Since then I’ve heard a lot of grumbling in the community about queer queers “making the rest of us look bad,” so I decided to re-re-post this. The column provides a brilliant answer to anyone who’s ever said or thought “I don’t like that there are so many drag queens, leather people, dykes on bikes, etc. in the parade, they make us look bad and hurt our chances for mainstream acceptance.” Read it and get excited for the parade!

2. “First Successful Pride March in Moscow!!!”
Ken Coolen (of Vancouver Pride Society)’s moving firsthand account of
Moscow Pride 2008. It was a 1-block-long, flash-mob style event that
formed and dissipated before the skinheads could attack, or the police
could arrive to break it up and arrest anyone. It’s an amazing story,
and reading it from California, really a good perspective to keep in
mind.

3. “Lust for Life: The true meaning of Gay Christmas” (New – Hot off the presses!)
SF writer Gina de Vries just got a sex & culture column in the San Francisco
Bay Guardian. She’s been a queer activist since she came out at age 11
(yes), and she’s an excellent writer. Her inaugural column, in time
for Pride week, is a beautifully-written reminder of the true meaning
of Pride. (If you like it, please leave comments or share on Facebook
– this will help ensure that the Guardian continues her column.)

Happy Pride!

-AidanAbroad

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Posted in Activism, Leather, San Francisco, SCANDAL: Politics, Crime, Revolution and More., Sexy Holidays

Another Shoe Collection…

Posted on June 24, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Looks like a drag queen shoe fashion crisis on Oak Street. But the question remains: what’d she do with the other shoe in each pair?
-AidanAbroad

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Posted in Drag, San Francisco

Hang Up Your Troubles! Meat Hook Ritual as Catharsis for HIV Diagnosis

Posted on June 23, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Jorge Vieto in "Ritual"

Friend of this site Jorge Vieto is featured in the short film Ritual, directed by Jorg Fockele. He hangs suspended by hooks, his body swinging free in a ritual of body/spirit integration. Vieto is a well-respected young Leatherman, and a Fraternal member of The 15 Association. He uses extreme physical rituals in part to process the emotions evoked by a positive diagnosis. Vieto spoke with Scott Brogan of the Bay Area Reporter about the psychology of the scene here.

Filmed in the Dungeon at Mr.S, Ritual will screen in the afternoon at 1:15 pm at the Castro Theater in San Francisco, Friday June 24th, as a part of the film compilation entitled STILL AROUND from The HIV Story Project. Brought to you by Frameline and the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival.

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Posted in AIDS, Film, Leather, San Francisco, Spirituality, Subcultures

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Happy Summer Solstice! Gigantic Snow Plow

Posted on June 23, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Up in the mountains of Northern California, there is still 15-20 feet of snow. Lassen National Park is using this giant snow plow (the blades are 5 feet tall) to clear the roads, but they’re only getting though a tenth of a mile a day. So much for Sunny California… Photo taken June 16th. Happy Summer Solstice!
-AidanAbroad

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Posted in Northern California, Road Trips

Real Urban Cowboy…Really

Posted on June 21, 2011 by | 1 comment

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He got onto his horse and he rode into the city. Hat, boots, bandana, duster, even spurs: this dude’s got it all. No event. He’s just riding through town. A sight seen in Willits, California. Hippies, cowboys, farmers, bikers in a Far West mix. In Mendocino County, a town with 5 stoplights qualifies as a city. Seriously. This is NorCal. Not LA. You know what they say…save a horse. Ride a cowboy!

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Posted in ANIMALS: Human and otherwise..., Leather, Men, Mendocino County, Northern California, Photography, Subcultures, Surveillance

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Pink Clouds

Posted on June 21, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Pink Clouds for Monday of Pride Week. Sunset over Ocean Beach in San Francisco after a particularly gorgeous day.
-AidanAbroad

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Posted in Northern California, San Francisco

Glitter Emergency and More at Frameline’s 35th SF LGBT Film Fest

Posted on June 20, 2011 by | Leave a comment

It is the middle of the SF LGBT Film Festival, high holy days are underway in the City by the Bay, Pride is coming,  and outside the festival’s host venues, gay film buffs are rubbing their bleary eyes after marathon sessions in the dark. The cinematic apparatus, not that other dark! There is something for everyone at this annual festival, now in its 35th year. The shorts programs are some of the best, and for those with short attention spans, are just the ticket. One film is not doing it for you? Wait 5 minutes. The next one could be all that.

“All that glitters is indeed gold in this wonderful collection of shorts featuring several gems from our very own Bay Area filmmakers… Take a look at disgusting alien bodies and eavesdrop on the deaf relay system. Follow a camera off a bridge in a memorial for lives lost. A dispute on the high seas can only be settled by a dance off (of course), and we’ll see just how campy an AIDS camp can be. Rounding out the program is a silent comedy set to Tchaikovsky and starring Peggy the Peg-leg Ballerina.” via festival director Jennifer Morris

“Glitter Emergency” shows at the Victoria Theatre, 9:30 pm on Tuesday, June 21st, 2011. The Victoria is located at 2961 16th Street in the  Mission district. Built in 1908 as a Vaudeville House, it is the oldest operating theatre in San Francisco.

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Posted in Activism, AIDS, DIY and Maker Culture, Film, History, San Francisco, Subcultures, Video

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We Fund Artists! Want a Commission? Queer Cultural Center – SF Workshop June 29

Posted on June 20, 2011 by | 1 comment

The Queer Cultural Center will be awarding at least 20 commissions of between $250 – $1000 each for individual artists and groups to help create and stage innovative community-building projects. Cross-cultural, multi-ethnic and intergenerational projects are strongly encouraged. To be considered, you MUST attend the 90-minute introductory workshop on June 29th at 7pm at the Center for Sex and Culture in San Francisco. The address is 1519 Mission Street at 11th. For more information on the annual funding process, click here.

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Posted in Activism, DIY and Maker Culture, San Francisco, Surveillance

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The Real Hairy Deal: Genuine California Bear

Posted on June 20, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Ursine Megafauna coming down from the hills for a little party perhaps. This one was taken by my elderly mother on her iPhone, from the back patio of friends of hers in the Sierra Foothills, during a dinner party. Pause the cello music, please. And yes, I think I will take more wine. West slope, under 2000 ft elevation. Perhaps he was on his way down to Sacramento to chat up the politicos. Lobby THIS, people. Grrrrrrr!

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Posted in Northern California, Photography

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