Ledcat has pointed out to me that I am wrong.  Well, okay, so that's a pretty frequent occurance but in this case it impacts the blog and not just the proper way to fold sheets or mop the floor. 

Yesterday, in a mocha haze, I claimed that the Post-Gazette did NOT cover the New Jersey Supreme Court decision requiring the state legislative body to extend marriage rights to all residents.  Ledcat informed me that the print edition of the paper ran an AP story on that very topic this past Thursday.  It is not available at the PG website.  Here's a copy directly from the AP.

At least, I think that's a copy of the right article. I cannot search the print edition which is buried in an ever increasing stack of papers behind Ledcat's desk in her office.  I get exactly 17.5 minutes each morning to read the print edition before it is whisked away.  I usually start with the comics.  Unless its Tony Norman day. Every day should be Tony Norman day. 

So I was wrong.  I'm sorry Post-Gazette.  Please don't throw my paper into the puddle tomorrow morning, especially if I am still in my socks.  I promise that I will read the paper properly for one week.  I'll even read Ruth Ann.  But I won't like it.

I knew I would have an hour to kill this morning in the "East Side" neighborhood formerly known as East Liberty (does changing the name mean there are no more black or poor people living here?).  So I packed along my laptop and scooted into the new Starbucks to give this Starblogging thing a whirl.  My peppermint mocha in hand (its a cold morning), I found a seat.  All the tables are being hogged by other laptop bearing blogeeks and one annoying couple who actually have their legs completely intertwined around the table in a very disgusting example of why you breeders should not rule the world.  No self respecting homo would straddle a table for a few inches of inter-thigh contact.  At least not at Starbucks.

This ain't no picnic.  Aside from the humping breeders, I'm getting glares from people who want my comfy chair.  But its near the outlet so I'm in no mood to be considerate or thoughtful.  They should have gotten up earlier.  Its also drafty in here from the constant flow of customers.  Plus, its hard to eat a blueberry muffin over a laptop.  While surfing the web for homos news of interest to Pittsburgh. 

I'll leave Starbucks to MacYapper and stick with my attic.

It has been awhile since I blogged about our favorite advice columnist  Cat Specter.  I've discovered that when she drops the snappy Carrie Bradshaw demeanor and simply offers advice, she's not bad.  When she hauls out the flip little one liners and quips, she comes off as trying too hard (we all know that girl!) and the column goes downhill.  Here's my favorite lines this week ...

Cat's Call: Stilettos don't mean easy. They mean business.

It's good to let personalities play out before sex is added to the mix, but it's also good to test-drive a car before buying it.

Cat's Call: Sexual "wait times" shouldn't be necessary.

Emilia Lombardi, Pittsburgh trans-activist and good friend of the Correspondents, made history this year as one of the first trans women to openly participate in the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival.  As we've reported in the past, the Michigan festival has historically excluded those who are not woman born, inspiring trans women and their allies to establish Camp Trans outside the festival to promote awareness of trans inclusion issues in women only spaces.

Their years of dedication paid off.

Organizers of Camp Trans, the annual protest across the road from the
festival, say that every year at least one trans woman at Camp Trans walks
to the festival gate with a group of supporters, explains that she is trans,
and tries to buy a ticket.  In past years, the festival box office has
produced a printed copy of the policy and refused.

"This time, the response was, 'cash or credit?'" said Jessica Snodgrass, a
Camp Trans organizer and festival attendee who spent the week reaching out
to supporters inside the fest.  "They said the festival has no policy
barring any woman from attending."

The woman purchased her ticket on Wednesday and joined supporters inside the
festival.  Another trans woman, Camp Trans organizer Emilia Lombardi, joined
on Friday to facilitate a scheduled workshop discussion on the
recently-retired policy.

"This kind of discussion has happened before inside the fest," said
Lombardi. "But for the first time in years, trans women were part of the
conversation.  Over 50 women shared their thoughts about what the inclusion
of trans women means for the Festival and how we can move forward."

"We didn't expect to change anyone's minds in the workshop - but in the end
we didn't need to. The support we found was overwhelming."

Both trans women say they were moved by how friendly and supportive other
festival attendees were.

Camp Trans will continue with the goal of continuing to promote awareness and provide supports for trans women attending the festival as well as working with camp participants to educate future attendees on transphobia.

I must say I am delighted!  The Correspondents have differed over this issue with regard to attending the festival.  And I think this is part of a larger shift in dynamics in the queer women's community.  This past weekend, the New York Times featured an in depth look at the receptivity (or lack thereof) of the "lesbian" community to transgender women.  Women have intensely personal reactions, especially to women born women transitioning to men.  The complexity of gender and sexual orientation is a struggle, tapping into old insecurities about the reality of being a woman in our society.

I suspect, however, that its also a generational issue.  Just as younger generations are more comfortable with the mere existance of multiple sexual orientations, I believe the younger queer generation is more comfortable with the fluidity of gender and less threatened by the paradigm shift.

But, as one Camp Trans organizer puts its, this isn't about winning a battle. 

"This is not about winning," said Snodgrass. "It's about making our
communities whole again.  The policy divided people against each other who
could be fighting on the same side.  We want to be part of the healing
process."

That's where the dialogue needs to go, most especially here in Pittsburgh where there is a huge generational divide in the queer women's community.  As recent events in City Hall demonstrate, women cannot afford this divide.  Obviously, Jim Ferlo and Bob O'Connor find much in common with a 31 year old so surely we can find ways to connect our 40 and 50 something lesbians with the 20 somethings queer women.  More on this later.

Back to Emilia.  She rocks and does a lot of good stuff here in Pittsburgh for the queer community as a whole.  We are very lucky that the University of Pittsburgh snatched her up and brought her to us.  And how very cool that she used her access to Michigan to get down to work on education and awareness.

Definitely a woman who rocks!

This one is very amusing.  The Atlanta Braves combine baseball with the gospel in their second "Faith Day" event this year.    The event features a post-game speaker and performance by a Christian group, with sponsoring organizations setting up tables and all the usual special event stuff.  FotF participated in the July event along with Tocca Bible College and the Gospel Music Channel. 

But, at the Braves request, they ain't coming back for the August event.  No official word on why the Braves uninvited Jimmy and gang.  But speculation is that the Braves are troubled by the organization's comparison of homosexuality to alcoholism or drug addiction:

But the Braves may have been troubled that Focus on the Family was promoting its Web site http://www.troubledwith.com, in which the group gives its suggestions for dealing with myriad problems.

Under the heading "Love & Sex," homosexuality is listed along with items such as dating, miscarriage and post-abortion syndrome. The group debunks the belief that homosexuality is caused by genetics, saying that males are often influenced by incest, molestation, exposure to pornography and negative body image.

"No solid scientific evidence exists today that people are born homosexual," the Web site says. "Interestingly enough, genetic predeterminants have also been theorized for alcoholism or depression. Neither alcoholism nor depression is embraced as healthy. Rather, we try to help people who suffer from these tendencies to find relief and recovery."

In other FotF news, founder and chief-bigot James Dobson has stepped up to defend the architect of the Holy Grail of wingnut movies, Mel Gibson. 

Dobson said in a statement that "we certainly do not condone that racially insensitive outburst," but added "Mel has apologized profusely for the incident and there the matter should rest."

"Mel has also indicated his willingness to seek help to overcome his alcoholism, and has asked the Jewish community for forgiveness," Dobson said. "What more can he do?"

Well, he can admit he is an anti-Semit rather than just a drunken lout.  AND he can admit he's a sexist asshole for using the phrase "Sugar Tits."  But, apparently, that little offensive slur gets all lost b/c no one cares about offending some uptight frigid feminist bitches, right?  Would Gibson call the Blessed Mother "Sugar Tits" or would he reserve that for Mary Magdalene?

Dobson is just posturing to defend his Christian porn flick from any nay-sayers. 

You know, I find it interesting that so many people who rant on and on in support of Gibson have no problem with his movies being made in foreign languages (Mayan?), but resent a guy who orders a cheesesteak in Spanglish. 

I wonder how you say "Sugar Tits" in Mayan?

Some local ladies you gotta love:

The anti-war nuns in the North Hills:

They carry signs and march along the roadside, but their resemblance to stereotypical protesters ends there.

These antiwar activists are middle-age and older Catholic nuns who can be seen every Monday on Babcock Boulevard in McCandless, holding signs that read "Honk for Peace," "Sisters for Peace" or "Peace not War."

On Monday, more than 100 members of Sisters of Divine Providence marched in front of their motherhouse, Providence Heights.

They get a lot of honks from passersby, some of whom honk if they are late arriving on scene.  These are some cool ladies!

In other cool chick news of interest, an eight year old Brownie is being honored by the Girl Scouts for rescuing her three year old cousin who fell into a pond.

Guinevere Deroy was worried the fish might bite her toes, but that didn't stop her from jumping into a lake when her 3-year-old cousin fell out of a paddle boat.

For her heroism, the 8-year-old Emsworth girl will receive a medal of honor from the Girl Scouts, becoming one of the youngest recipients to receive the Lifesaving Award, according to the Girl Scouts.

Guinevere, sweetie, you rock! 

Both these stories are the sort of good news you need to get your day started. 

Last night, we drove up to The Brillobox for the latest arragement by comedian and all around great gal Gab Bonesso.  Her show is called "The US Government Killed Lenny Bruce"

I wasn't going to blog about it, I really wasn't.  Because I've told you how much we like Gab's comedy and the performances of her co-conspirers in defaming the US government (Jason Kirsch, Bill Eberle, Autumn Ayres, etc).  And last night, they were good --- we saw Gab and Jason perform, along with a sketch comedy troupe that had an appealing dark humor I'd like to see in a more receptive venue and a guest appearance by departing Pittsburgh comedian/radio personality Alan Cox.  It was entertaining, bawdy and outright funny at most points. 

Here's where I have to honest and say what I really think.  We left early along with the 80 year olds.  Maybe because we are just too old to hang out with 20something hipsters enjoying a night on the town.  Our tolerance for annoying behavior is low.  I should clarify that its my tolerance b/c Ledcat was willing to stay while I insisted we leave. 

Here's what annoyed me:

Smoke - Its a cramped second floor space filled with people.  So light up your cigarette and share your stupid addiction with us please.  Because nothing says entertainment like another level of tar and nicotine on my pink lungs.  Really, I didn't mine sucking on my inhaler for an hour afterwards.  Or defunkifying my clothing with Febreeze when I got home.

Annoying laugh - I think she may be a friend of the performers, but she sat right behind and literally screeched into my ear.  Screeched.  My head was ringing and I prayed for the jokes to fall flat so she wouldn't crucify me.  Apparently, her humor appreciate is low b/c she laughed BEFORE the punchlines.  And I was trapped because the nicotines addicts were at the back of the room.  I was choosing between my cancer free existance and my sanity.  If you cannot control your demonic howls, go into a corner and have some consideration for the rest of us.  Don't rock forward in your seat so you get real close to my ear and let loose.  Ledcat and I argue all the time about the ability to control sneezes, yawns and laughter.  Since Screechy seemed to laugh at a normal level on occasion, either she was doing it intentionally or she was part of the performance.  Honey, its only funny to your friends.  Because they love you.  You may be a lovable person, but you annoy the fucking shit out of strangers like me so give us a break.  Because if I see you at another show, I'll probably stand in the back with the addicts and duck out early again.  How is that helping your friends' performances?  ITS NOT.

Annoying woman by the bar -- Get your damn drinks and move on to your uncomfortable folding chair.  Undrape yourself from the bar, say good-bye to your chums and get the fuck out of my way. Don't visit.  Its not a park.  Its a bar. I need my ginger ale.  Then when you end up sitting next to us, don't roll your eyes and huff indignantly when I complain about your obnoxious self.  Take responsibility for your behavior.  Pledge to be more considerate of your elders. 

Talkers - "Hey, lets go see Gab's show!"  But let's talk all the way through it and how about we raise our voices right after she asks us to stop talking to listen to a performance w/o microphones.  Because we want to support her effort in putting this whole production together and reaching all these people who came to see the show.  I bet they would love to hear our ongoing commentary throughout the performance, especially when we talk about things that have nothing to do with comedy, music, politics, or Lenny Bruce.  People will love it!

So there you have it ... I missed Bill, Autumn and Gab's jokes about Fred Phelps because of the obnoxious behavior of oblivious twits who have no consciousness of anything beyond their own immediate gratification and pleasure.  I am definitely not comedy club material.  Thankfully my medication is working well b/c three weeks ago, I would have bitch slapped the bar whore and said mean things to Screechy until she cried and left me in peace.  Although I hate to think what her "I'm not crying" shudders and heaves would sound like ...

I am an evil person.  But not as a evil as Gab. 

A new multimedia exhibit at CMU explores women's empowerment through the clothing we wear.  Its called Trappings:  Stories of Women, Power and Clothing and its the work of two artists (one local, one not so much) - Renee Piechocki and Tiffany Ludwig, who collaborate under the sobriquet Two Girls Working.

This public art piece grew out of the ultimate old-school icon of American woman -- the Tupperware party format .... the artists worked with a host who invited friends, thus ensuring a wide range of women sharing their power stories.

Among the 50 or so interviewed locally:

Jan Gallaway, a member of the Pittsburgh Puffins recreational hockey team, feels powerful in her uniform -- and also when she takes off her helmet to reveal the 40-something mom underneath to the shocked boys at the ice rink.

Cecile Springer, retired head of her own consulting firm, feels it wearing a gold pin that was a gift from her late mother-in-law, the well-known union activist Maida Springer-Kemp.

Heather Arnet, executive director of The Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania, feels it in the purple cape she bought with her own earnings at age 16. The cut reminds her of the purple sash worn by suffragists like her great-grandmother, not to mention Wonder Woman, her childhood heroine.

Teen-ager Dana Jacobs of Philadelphia, interviewed at YouthWorks Inc., feels it in slacks and a sweater because in them, "I'm ready for anything, you know, for job interviews and if you go in a store, ain't nobody going to watch you."

Rebecca Newlin, posing with a hammer, feels it in her Habitat for Humanity T-shirt because "women can put up a drywall and that's what really gives me a lot of motivation."

And Valerie Archier feels it in the blue suit her mother bought her for job interviews because "it totally transforms me when I put it on."

I'm not sure if I feel powerful in any clothing.  Probably something I wear to work, but I'm usually pretty self-conscious and disengage from feeling any connection with the clothes I wear.  Ask Ledcat who shakes her head in dismay as I whirl around the house bemoaning all the negative aspects of my assorted items of clothing.  Wow ... I really cannot think of something that makes me feel powerful.  Now that's something to chew upon.

Where: Miller Gallery, Purnell Center, Carnegie Mellon University When: 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday, or by appointment. Information: 412-268-3618.