We're not in Massachusetts anymore, I thought, as I saw the MAGA red hat on the man checking out groceries ahead of us in line. “Make America Great Again” in the white embroidery. His wife was wearing a coordinating red tank top.
They stood next to each other, packing plastic wrapped bloody steaks into their bags, chatting with the cashier about a BBQ, exhuding the confidence that they were the perfect American couple.
I glared, but they didn't notice, safe in their cultural bubble.
We had, in contrast, picked out every vegan snack and juice under $3 at this Grocery Outlet. The cashier asked what we were up to for the 4th, and I told him we were camping. “You're getting everything you need for that?” he asked with perhaps a slight skepticism looking at our mountain of chickpea cheesy puffs and energy drinks.
At our next refueling stop at Walmart, a woman with an androgenous looking teen were checking out in front of us. The teen looked straight at me, staring, with an intense look I interpreted as more fearful than inspired.
I smiled slightly behind my mask and turned towards the cashier, to give this teen the privacy to inspect my appearance if they needed to. It can be hard to see someone who's also gender non-conforming. What do they mean by it? Was it easier for them? Am I good enough? Do I get recognized as my identity? It's hard, I know.
Earlier that day, I myself wasn't sure if I looked queer enough or too queer or both at the same time. (Why not both?)
I was wearing a long sleeve swim shirt and swim trunks, a sun hat and rainbow sunglasses. We were going to float on beautiful Lake Tahoe.
So why did I feel not queer enough (and too queer)?
Well, it's hard to match the queerness of several beautiful couples sunbathing in the nude. Oh, did I mention this was a nude beach?
But I kept my clothes on for sun protection. And maybe shyness.
Okay, mostly shyness.
But I did have my rainbow sunglasses on, and that's got to count for something, right?
Some other people were wearing bathing suits also - it was about half and half.
And then there was a person on a stand up paddleboard wiggling their butt (and presumably, whatever's dangling on the other side) to the cheerful rhythm of Bad Bunny music.
It felt like a party, and whoever I saw was being really respectful of everyone's personal space and appearance. Nude or clothed, queer or straight passing, it's all good as long as you're acting reasonable and safe. Here's what I've been reading recently:
Lex Roman recently published two guest posts on Revenue Rulebreaker how queerness can be an advantage in business - love it!!
Lindsey Danis
Leo Aquino
I really recommend Lex’s Legends, their network of creative entrepreneurs, with events, classes, and getting to know some cool and creative people!
-- You can leave a public comment until July 13 on Trump's latest proposal to cut scientific funding - learn more from Ev Nichols of Queer Science Lab here:
ev nichols, phd
In what feels like some kind of vigilante journalism, a guy has been attending right wing conservative events and secretly reporting on them. He went to a men's group at a church and a Republican women's fundraiser, among other gatherings. I find it fascinating to hear about people who truly believe their transphobia is making the world a better place.
Open Letters by Mersault
If you are a fan of Becky Chambers’ Monk and Robot novellas, and/or Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree, you should check out Autonomous Noodle by Annalee Newitz. This novella doesn't say it's LGBTQ+, but it doesn't get much more queer than a handful of robots finding their own place and expression within the society of post-apocolypse San Francisco. It's heartwarming and a really great condensed read. What have you been reading or watching this summer? Let us know in the comments!
