River City Pride

07/09/2024

Book Club is at Ted and Jill’s.
So sorry if I failed to make that announcement at the last meeting.
Hope to see you there.

07/03/2024

Now is not the time to PANIC,
NOW is the time to PLAN.
How will YOU use your agency, your privilege, to contribute to making this and every day better?
I appreciate this social media platform, but if that is the extent of my effort, my contribution, then I’m part of the problem.
It is so easy to sit on the sidelines and tell the players how they could better play the game.

Do something!
Give something!

07/02/2024

Gotta get a nap then seeing you all at book club tonight. Text or comment if you need the address! It’s going to be a great discussion and it’s at Keeley’s house. 💙

07/01/2024

This is why representation matters.

''I remember sitting on the school bus and observing the boys in my class. They teased each other in a wild, boyish way, and they spoke in a way that I didn't recognize myself in.

I didn't understand why I was nothing like them and why I felt more comfortable with the girls. I grew up in a very conservative rural part of Australia. There was no such thing as gender or trans. I had heard of men who dressed up like women and drag queens, but they were artists, and I wasn't an artist at all.

I have been depressed for years. I always thought I was doing something wrong and that something was wrong with me. I went from doctor to doctor and was prescribed medication such as antidepressants, but that didn't help.

The invention of the Internet changed my entire life. The first time I sat behind a computer, I Googled, ''I don't feel like a boy.'' There were all the answers I had been looking for so long. For weeks, I was stuck to Google. Finally I had somewhere to go with my questions. A big burden was lifted from my shoulders. For the first time in my life I felt recognition for what I had felt inside all along.

I was on a work trip in Thailand, and for the first time, I saw trans women walking around with so much confidence. Then I knew I had to do something with it, so I finally dared to go into transition.

I knew my parents wouldn't understand, so I wrote a book explaining it. In it, I described my transition step by step and explained to them the basics of what gender is. It took time, but they now understand it better, and since this year, we have had really good conversations. I also dare to be more vulnerable because I know myself better. I am now fifty, and although I had a rough start, I know I have entered the best phase of my life.''

06/22/2024

I usually do a charity drive for my birthday. Last year, our favorite platform changed some rules and SDP can't do that right now. It's kinda nuts, BUT it is what it is and I am still grateful.

Today, we are kicking off a campaign to raise the funds we need to be able to have a place of our own. We are calling it One Safe Space. We hope to use the space to focus on the whole person in our community. That means we will work toward therapy, and physical activity, sound therapy and massage, self-improvement and linking services to larger organizations that can help with medical, dental and vision health.

It sounds lofty. It is! It is lofty. To be honest, it feels like much more than I am capable of achieving. Truth is, it is much more than I can achieve, but it is well within the limits of what WE can achieve. It's also nothing less than what WE deserve.

On this day, 31 years ago, I got the greatest gift a person could ever get. I got hope, and joy, a second chance, ... I got a dream come true. Today is my kid's birthday so I think it's a great day to launch this campaign.

Please decide if you can help us grow into having a unified diversity center in the area. If you have questions or would like to discuss this, take a week or ten days to think about it, pray about it, meditate... and then reach out to me. I'm taking some time off. This has been a huge decision for me and my family. It's hard to put myself out here in this way, but it's worth it. Our community is worth it. You are worth it. I hope you'll come to the same conclusion.

If you are ready to donate, you can do that here:

Help Southeastern Diversity Project reach their goal by donating or sharing with your friends.

06/15/2024

If you haven't been to an SDP Book Club gathering, this one may be for you. You are always welcome. This coming Tuesday, June 18th, we will meet at Jill and Ted's house. Please text me if you need the address (256-345-8434). I may not see your request through messenger so text is best.

I will bring some sushi and edamame. Bring something if you would like, but it is not necessary. If you know you plan to come, please let me know since sushi leftovers are not so awesome.

Hope to see you all there.

06/13/2024

Look what's next for SDP!

We are honored to be participating in Community Day. A motto for Southeastern Diversity Project has long been "building unity in the community." Corny? Yeah, maybe but we believe it takes and ever growing, ever strengthening, ever evolving village to raise us all up.

Come enjoy the day with us and enter the Co****le tournament to help raise funds for much needed supplies for local families and teachers.

Here is a link to register and/or donate...

https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/33e34fbe-5536-4b3e-aef7-f4e14a8b06b6

06/12/2024

Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old

Amanda L. Alvear, 25 years old

Oscar A. Aracena Montero, 26 years old

Rodolfo Ayala Ayala, 33 years old

Antonio Davon Brown, 29 years old

Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old

Angel Candelario-Padro, 28 years old

Juan Chavez Martinez, 25 years old

Luis Daniel Conde, 39 years old

Cory James Connell, 21 years old

Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 years old

Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old

Simón Adrian Carrillo Fernández, 31 years old

Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old

Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old

Peter Ommy Gonzalez Cruz, 22 years old

Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old

Paul Terrell Henry, 41 years old

Frank Hernandez, 27 years old

Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old

Javier Jorge Reyes, 40 years old

Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old

Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old

Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, 25 years old

Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 years old

Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old

Brenda Marquez McCool, 49 years old

Gilberto R. Silva Menendez, 25 years old

Kimberly Jean Morris, 37 years old

Akyra Monet Murray, 18 years old

Luis Omar Ocasio Capo, 20 years old

Geraldo A. Ortiz Jimenez, 25 years old

Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old

Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 years old

Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old

Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 years old

Jean Carlos Nieves Rodríguez, 27 years old

Xavier Emmanuel Serrano-Rosado, 35 years old

Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24 years old

Yilmary Rodríguez Solivan, 24 years old

Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old

Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old

Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old

Jonathan A. Camuy Vega, 24 years old

Juan Pablo Rivera Velázquez, 37 years old

Luis Sergio Vielma, 22 years old

Franky Jimmy DeJesus Velázquez, 50 years old

Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 years old

Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 years old

June 12, 2016

RIP beloved sisters and brothers…
There was nothing wrong with you. There is something wrong with the village.

06/10/2024

Have you picked up Untamed, by Glennon Doyle yet? I hope so. If you haven’t, I will have an extra copy or two at the first meeting tomorrow night.

The meeting is at Ted and Jill’s house and ALL are welcome.

I’m making slow roasted pork nachos. I’m anxious to find out what you think of it so come hungry. My sweet wife will be with me so you can get excited about that, too… I know I am.

Bring something if you want to but please do not feel obligated. We understand that Tuesday is a workday for most people, and if you know me you already know there will be more than enough food no matter how many people show up. So please SHOW UP and bring some friends 💙

Also… HAPPY PRIDE still.

06/08/2024

You cannot know the magic, the mystery, the power of holding your lover’s hand in public unless you’ve lived in a situation when and where you could not.

Happy PRIDE!!!!

06/07/2024

If anyone in Trinity or Caddo area has 12 folding chairs they can loan me from NOW until tomorrow, please shout out. Need them ASAP.

06/06/2024

It's time to read again!!
I hope none of you have stopped reading between book club books, but if you did.... here we go! Boy howdy, have we ever picked a good one.
Glennon Doyle lays bare the raw, sharp, soft, well-baked process of discovering a little more about herself. She invites us to do the same. I invite you to join us.
The first meeting will be at Ted and Jill's house. You can message me for directions if you need them.
We will meet Tuesday, June 11th at 6 PM for some food, fellowship and fun discussion of the first half of part one. It's a short enough book and it is super easy to read.
Join us.

06/04/2024

Still kinda high from the weekend but working our way back to mobility … still a little water sloshing in our shoes, and the grins on our faces have made our cheeks tender, but we are slowly getting everything back into storage, and soon our house will look like a home again. The thank you messages are coming as soon as we can get things in order here, but for now, Em and I just want to say we love you and are so very grateful
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🌈
RAIN OR SHINE

06/03/2024

06/02/2024

The pancakes are delicious … come on.

06/01/2024

One quick announcement before we roll out:

The RACE is on and here comes PRIDE (River City Pride)... down the backstretch.

Look, I know it's a gloomy start, but it's just part of living. Grab an umbrella and come on out to cheer on the runners and stay for the Parade and then visit the vendors who show up for the festival.

06/01/2024

If you missed the Prom, you missed a rip-roaring good time. DJ Big Joey knows how to have a good time. This cat is so much fun; he brings the party to the dance floor.
Thank you Caroline Duncan for your hard work. Jake and Chris, you are two of the most generous and kind people we know, there are not enough thank yous in the world. Thank you Kristina for locking up, and Consuelo for programing the lights and getting home safely.
Thank you to each person who came, I sure hope you had a wonderful time and have made it home safely. You all blew my socks off with your amazing beauty! Kathy Heatherly... you won the night with that amazing hair color treatment.

The most thanks to my beautiful wife who makes every single day of my life better. I could never deserve you, no one could ever deserve someone so wonderful as you. Thanks for dancing with me 💙.

Can't wait to see you all in just a few hours.

Bring umbrellas, bring umbrellas, bring umbrellas.

05/31/2024

RIVER CITY PRIDE 2024

RAIN OR SHINE

05/31/2024

IT IS TECHNICALLY PRIDE WEEKEND RIGHT NOW, SO HAPPY PRIDE PEEPS. LOVE YOU ALL.
YEP... SCREAMING.
Pray for no rain on Saturday. 💙

05/29/2024

Community Unity is about so much more than a store or a restaurant being "willing to take your money." It's about seeing each other and affirming each other right where each person is. It's about giving back in a way that says, "I'm ALWAYS gonna be there for you."

These people started out as strangers, became friends, and then FAMILY. Melissa and Timothy have had my back since before I knew I needed someone to have my back, and I am so grateful for the love and acceptance they have shown me and Emily personally, and for their open doors and welcoming smiles for ALL people in Decatur, Alabama.

We do not serve alcohol at the Pride Festival so for the second year in a row, Bank Street Grill will be your beverage stop! Sit out on the patio to watch the parade roll by or stroll down from Founders during the festival and grab a cold one. (Bring me one back, please.)

Voted best burger in town by people who eat burgers and voted best burger in the world who by the person who is writing this! As good as the burgers are, I hear there may just be a Nancy cake cheesecake there. Look out now!

05/27/2024

I was a little late, and was far less dramatic than I had planned, but I said, "Please," and she said, "yes," to being my date for the 2024 River City Pride Prom.

Got our tickets... do you have yours?
https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/6a45a311-4d39-41b7-811f-46f85c9d1098
What are you wearing? Steam punk? Jeans? Whatever you decide, be sure to put on your dancing shoes.
JUST 4 DAYS AWAY
YOU ARE WELCOME

05/20/2024

If you own a business and would like a 2024 Pride schedule poster to display, we have a few left. Please reach out and I will try to get this to you.
Can’t wait to see you all there!
Don’t forget the parade.