Pic of the Yay

It's refreshing, the not being on social media of it all. As a gay man, watching the resurgent Red Hats (my term for the Christian nationalists [those who seek to dismantle democracy for a theocracy], deeply committed Trumpers, authoritarians on the Right like Meatball Ron and his ilk, etc.), find success punishing companies like Target (due to their decade-long support of queer folk via very harmless yearly Pride merchandise) is exhausting, and sadly, predictable. You hope hate goes away, but I see it's still too profitable to make misery for others.

Here are my tips to the incensed Red Hats:

• Tip #1: It's ok to be ok with queer folks and to leave them tf alone.
• Tip #2: Don't buy the shit you don't like (just walk on by the Pride merchandise since IT'S NOT FOR YOU).
• Tip #3: Don't go to drag shows if they bother you. Don't take your kids to drag story hours or events or whatever gay thing irks you. You have all your freedom to move about the world.
• Tip #4:  Be more like Jesus, please, and do to others as you would have them do to you. Kindness goes a long way.

Queer kids happen naturally and having kind things for them to read and see is a good thing. To the Red Hats being queer is apparently akin to Satan, or communism, and I know that's total nonsense ... so, fuck bigotry. It's dark, cruel, and helps no one (except those eager for power and video clicks). 

After all the insanity I've experienced on the Internet, with mass media, as it's clamoring for likes and views, feeding us an endless supply of bad opinions and hot takes, living and loving local feels like the sanest choice for me these days. It's my new brand of politics. Live in the here and now! What's happening in my cube at work, my home? How's my treatment of my neighbor going? ... Yes, I'll vote and yes, I'll speak up as I can if confronted, and yes, I'll keep paying groups like FIRE (a freedom of speech org) and the ACLU to fight hateful laws ... but I'm also done with media and social media apps pedaling outrage. It's given rise to cruel people and amplifies their voices. So, I turn it off, and love and live in my moment. 

Today's pic is of fan art from the fantastic third episode of "The Last of Us" on Max. It's my statement on Pride Month as it begins tomorrow. While I think Pride is too dangerously connected to corporations (especially ones who quietly fund bigoted politicians), it's a month to remember all we queer folk have been through, how much hate we've had to endure and still find ourselves through ... which we have! Queer folk are tough as nails. Strong as oxen. Brave as the bravest hero every created. All my love and light to you, my queer brothers, sisters, and inbetweeners. Never apologize for being YOU.