I have fantasies about getting to ask him this question in front of an audience: “You speak so often and so forcefully about homosexuals and homosexuality. Can you share with us how you acquired your expertise in this matter? Do you have a degree in anthropology? Psychology? Sociology? Sexuality?” Of course, he will say he doesn’t have any expertise, to which I ask “Do you have any idea how arrogant you sound pontificating on matters you clearly have no expertise in!?”

He is horrifying, I know. But I do take pleasure knowing that he puts a face and gives voice to ugliness in his ideology that people need to see.

In the present, there are things I want to do that require courage, and it seems easier to find now that the stakes aren’t as high as they were when I was younger and had to be perfect. I am going full bore ahead on a big vegetable garden and food preservation. My farm grandma is probably laughing at me from the Great Beyond. She knew that stuff in and out. I want to become a better needleworker and my city grandma no doubt finds that hilarious as I paid no attention to her when she tried to teach me to crochet. I want to start a life skills group for women just out of jail. Something that looks like a sewing group but provides mentoring to women who didn’t have anyone to teach them about how to get along in the world (legally). I find all these things somewhat scary — what if the garden fails, what if I just can’t do better needlework, what if I have a group and no one comes? In the past, I would have let these fears stop me from going ahead. Now that I am required to be less perfect I have no qualms about stepping off the edge and going for it.

On an interpersonal level I have to dig deep for courage. But that’s a story for another day.

Thanks for the opportunity to talk about this.

Despite the naysayers we have come a long, long way. When I enrolled in an Art Institute in 1956 I had NEVER HEARD of a “gay person”. Members of that community did not appear in literature or (certainly) not in “polite” conversation. “The problem” was hinted at in Hellman’s play “The Children’s Hour” but was easily branded as “unspeakable” and “awful”. It took more than small-town Oklahoma experience to actually KNOW what was being denounced!

The Santorums of this world deserve every sharp word Katy can put on paper. The gay among us NEED our approval. Innocent infants that are NOT WANTED need to be aborted. Assisted death should be available on request for those like me who have lived out our days.

For a Santorum to SAY he “respects” life then go about reducing Life for those with whom he does not agree and restricting his definition to no more than breathing is both pitiful…and laughable.

What, Senator, actually, do YOU know of Life? Of living?

What YOU represent deals DEATH to the spirit.

Despite the naysayers we have come a long, long way. When I enrolled in an Art Institute in 1956 I had NEVER HEARD of a “gay person”. Members of that community did not appear in literature or (certainly) not in “polite” conversation. “The problem” was hinted at in Hellman’s play “The Children’s Hour” but was easily branded as “unspeakable” and “awful”. It took more than small-town Oklahoma experience to actually KNOW what was being denounced!

The Santorums of this world deserve every sharp word Katy can put on paper. The gay among us NEED our approval. Innocent infants that are NOT WANTED need to be aborted. Assisted death should be available on request for those like me who have lived out our days.

For a Santorum to SAY he “respects” life then go about reducing Life for those with whom he does not agree and restricting his definition to no more than breathing is both pitiful…and laughable.

What, Senator, actually, do YOU know of Life? Of living?

What YOU represent deals DEATH to the spirit.

Despite the naysayers we have come a long, long way. When I enrolled in an Art Institute in 1956 I had NEVER HEARD of a “gay person”. Members of that community did not appear in literature or (certainly) not in “polite” conversation. “The problem” was hinted at in Hellman’s play “The Children’s Hour” but was easily branded as “unspeakable” and “awful”. It took more than small-town Oklahoma experience to actually KNOW what was being denounced!

The Santorums of this world deserve every sharp word Katy can put on paper. The gay among us NEED our approval. Innocent infants that are NOT WANTED need to be aborted. Assisted death should be available on request for those like me who have lived out our days.

For a Santorum to SAY he “respects” life then go about reducing Life for those with whom he does not agree and restricting his definition to no more than breathing is both pitiful…and laughable.

What, Senator, actually, do YOU know of Life? Of living?

What YOU represent deals DEATH to the spirit.