Today, as I sipped a cup of coffee to nurse away the consequences of enjoying a late night out at my favorite gay bar, I watched acts of civil disobedience and a fight for gay rights unfold in Belarus.
Belarus decriminalized homosexuality, but homophobia and inequality are still rampant. Blogger Joe Jervis posted news on Friday that a planned gay pride parade in Belarus would take place today despite a government ban. He followed up his post today with video and photos of the events. There’s a moment in the video that … well, just watch.
Belarus, a former constituent of the USSR, is a republic in name only according to the CIA Factbook. The CIA site notes, “Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion remain in place.”
That, children, is what a dictatorship looks like.
Finally, a degree program tailored for lil’ Rob! According to a CNN report, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has drawn criticism for offering a bachelor’s degree program in homemaking. That’s right, you too can learn how to serve God and men! But before you get too excited, you should know that the program is open to women only. I guess lil’ Rob can’t be valedictorian. Then again, he could always dress as Ellen.
I’ve often suspected that these eyesores around Dupont Circle are abandoned entrances to the Metro. Turns out I was close. They were entrances to a trolley system that was closed in the 60s.
In the 90s the underground space was converted into a retail development project known as Dupont Down Under. Unfortunately, the project failed and the entrances were boarded up. A local ward councilman recently floated the idea of using the underground space to house the businesses that were displaced by the new Nationals Stadium. Many of them were gay-oriented businesses, including strip clubs.
My last weekend outing in Austin was a lot of fun! We started at Apple Bar and made our way to Rain. Pics will have to follow later.
Thanks to everyone who came out to wish me well.
* * *
My apartment has been vacated. The movers arrived early this morning and loaded everything in two hours. I spent the remainder of the day sorting unpacked items into trash and Goodwill donations piles.
The most amazing part of this is that the driver used my bathroom for well over 20 minutes, leaving the other guy to haul a significant amount of boxes onto the truck. Eww. At least he requested air freshner before going in.
* * *
The mysterious deaths of more than 60 birds on Congress Avenue alarmed investigators and prompted the closure of the major artery from Cesar Chavez (1st St.) to 11th St. just south of the Capital. No news on the cause yet but investigators are confident the area is safe.
* * *
Matt R., the resident queer meterologist (is that redundant?) of the DC contingent, reports the return of Winter this weekend (as in Friday, the day I arrive) after an unusually warm month. Guess I’m bringing winter with me.
I’ve often suspected that these eyesores around Dupont Circle are abandoned entrances to the Metro. Turns out I was close. They were entrances to a trolley system that was closed in the 60s.
